Dermot: Arsenal

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea AET.United win 6-5 on Penalties

Thu, 22 May 2008 09:57:33 GMT

Despite twenty odd years following Arsenal (first game was August 1988 when we stuffed Spurs 4-0 at Wembley in a pre season Tournament) I have always had a great deal of respect for the institution that is Britain’s greatest football Club, namely Manchester United, and last night I found myself becoming quite avid in wanting them to lift the European Cup for the third time, by beating Chelsea.

My Dad took me to Old Trafford in 1987 when we saw them beat Oxford 3-2, but I have to admit I was more interested in the U’s centre forward, one Big Billy Whitehurst, your original hairy arsed, beer swilling centre forward and all round Hull City legend, and it was only when I started reading serious football related literature that I began to understand the history and significance behind Manchester United.

I went up to a few games in the early ‘nineties as my good mate Michael Martin was a hard core United fan and we spent endless hours on the motorway discussing the Busby Babes era, Munich, the 1968 European Cup win, George Best and the Club’s subsequent decline into mediocrity including the humiliation of relegation in 1974.

I remember going to Old Trafford with Arsenal in 1990 and chanting, “Will you ever win the League?” as it seemed such a remote possibility for the Red Devils four years into Fergie’s reign.

Ten Premiership Titles and a further two European Cup triumphs later….

Fergie is simply over the hills and far away as Europe’s greatest Manager, and Ronaldo has delivered consistently brilliant performances and is getting to be the best player ever to have graced the English game, so I was delighted to see them defeat Chelsea and raise that magnificent trophy for the third time in their illustrious history.

But no matter what there is still something so special, so unique about Arsenal and I am fervently hoping that Wenger can finally nail his arch enemy so that the Gunners can win the Premiership and go on to lift the European Cup some day soon.

Arsenal 1-0 Everton... Some Musings on this Season and Next

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:29:22 GMT

We had an absolutely outstanding view from the Upper Tier in the East Stand at the Grove, shame then about the game, which was real end of season stuff and a turgid affair settled by a trademark Bentner header….

There has been a lot of moaning, groaning and gnashing of teeth amongst those of a Gooner persuasion, and the last three months have been truly horrendous but let’s look at it in the round.

At the start of this season if someone had offered us a third place finish in the League, a European Cup Quarter Final plus decent progress with the kids in the Carling Cup, we would have bitten their hand off. Lets face it.

The Club is in a major period of transition both on and off the field with turmoil in the Boardroom and big changes in the team as Wenger looks to build his third great side.

As an occasional observer at the Grove and more often on TV I have a few things to toss into the general end of season naval gazing that obviously ensues from a season of such highs, and very disappointing lows.

The game continues to move on at breakneck speed and I am not the only one who thinks that Le Boss would benefit from employing a really top notch First team Coach in order to bring in fresh, possibly more scientific ideas and to take some of the day to day pressure off leaving Wenger free to pursue new players.

Rice obviously does a great job, but sometimes players need to be out of their comfort zones and challenged a bit more on a day to day level.

As regards the squad; it’s too thin, any muppet can see that and I agree with the general sentiment that Wenger should have strengthened the squad in January.

He protested that the talent wasn’t available and yet it’s obvious we needed another centre back. Woodgate was there for the taking and ended up with the Spuds.

Are you telling me that if Arsenal came a calling that a player of his stature would have opted for a Mickey mouse outfit with about as much chance of Champions League football as Hull City?

A trick well and truly missed given some of the pantomime defending that’s gone on recently in front of Almunia.

Which brings me neatly on to the fans desperation to sign a new keeper. Why?

If anyone can point out a goal that was the Spaniard’s fault this season, then fair dos. But I bet no one can.

He is better than Jens Lehman. OK, I admit to thinking that the German is a prize idiot and others will point to his part in the Invincibles team, but come on any sensible person can see that Almunia is quality.

He exudes confidence, is a good shot stopper and because of his awareness the spectacular save is rarely needed which is perhaps why we don’t appreciate him as much, and with the impressive Fabianski I reckon we are well covered in this particular area.

Gallas, whilst a reasonably solid defender is a disaster in the armband, setting a horrendous example and giving the message to the opposition that Arsenal are easily rattled and can’t handle pressure, ergo the Birmingham fiasco when instead of reassuring Clichy in the wake of his mistake that led to the Blues soft penalty winner, the toys came out of the pram which would have emboldened and watching United or Chavski staff enormously.

Eboue. The guy is a disgrace, and as a writer in the Gooner put it; “If Milan are interested then I’ll drive him to the airport myself!”

Petulant indiscipline and a fuse so short that he makes Mark Dennis look like Lineker, plus a poor scoring record means he has to go in the close season. Whilst Diarra is an egocentric toddler who could do with going on Super Nanny, Wenger had a great deal more to work with here ability wise and I was disappointed he didn’t persevere a bit longer.

Fabregas is a total genius, and whilst he went off the boil along with the rest of the team, you have to consider he is still only 20 and consistency comes with experience.

The Flamster wants off if the esteemed Fourth Estate is to be believed, but I think Wenger should do all he can as the guy is a tough competitor, does it in big games and is versatile. A Must Keep player who brings the best out of Hleb and Fabregas, and whilst we are capable of playing some of the best football in the world, solidity and the ability to defend a lead would come in handy.

And it’s that infuriating inability to make sure goals aren’t conceded when in front that has cost Arsenal dearly this season. Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge have been witness to this Achilles Heel, but the piece de resistance came at Anfield in the wake of Walcott’s wonder run and set up for Adebayor to virtually secure a European Cup semi final we switched off and conceded a penalty in the cruellest of circumstances.

Thus Wenger has to seek out a decent centre half and a mid field enforcer to ensure we can kill games when required and be a bit more street savvy when playing against the cloggers from Lancashire in the guise of Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton.

As for goal scoring Adebayor and Bentner, game as they are won’t return twenty goals between them on a consistent basis, let alone on an individual level and van Persie is always crocked so David Villa looks like a good bet on this front.

There are plenty of positives from this season; the emergence of Sagna as a world class right back, the continued progress of Clichy and Walcott and the biggest surprise that is Alex Hleb as a creative tour de force.

If Wenger is willing to spend some cash, and actually try to win a Cup as a starting point, then next season could be very exciting indeed.

Martin Taylor and Eduardo: The Tackle That Won't Go Away

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:22:45 GMT

The controversy surrounding the tackle that left Arsenal and Croatia striker Eduardo da Silva with multiple fractures and a dislocated ankle continues to rumble on as the Indy published a big interview with Martin Taylor in today’s edition.

The Birmingham stopper has launched a big charm offensive, getting former managers and players to vouch for the fact that he is a decent bloke.

All well and good, but to me Taylor is refusing to acknowledge just was a stupendously horrible challenge it really was. The below photo from the Observer shows the nano second before impact and it is absolutely clear that, at best it was a reckless effort, and at worst a concerted effort to break the guy’s leg.

No one who hasn’t played the game at the top level can really judge what goes on in a footballer’s mind during such a high pressure and intense match, but we can all relate to having wild thoughts, even if they are fleeting and never acted upon, imagining what it would be like to do something truly awful. Or is that just me?

Maybe, for that split second Taylor lost the plot and acted on his impulse. Who knows?

What I do know is that has been a school of thought amongst opposition Managers (Allerdyce especially) is that the way to beat Arsenal is to “get” at them physically in order for our players to be intimidated.

This constant physicality against the Gunners may have influenced Taylor at a sub conscience level thus making him act on an impulse to “do” Eduardo.

This season has seen a slew of filthy tackles, often two footed and going over the ball and I strongly feel that the FA should make an example of Taylor and give him an extended ban, say six matches, in order to send a clear message to players, and those who emulate them that these tackles have no place in the game.

If Taylor is innocent of intent, then that’s unfortunate but I am sure that if he is such a good bloke, then he would be able to rationalise why such a punishment is necessary.

Arsenal 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:40:17 GMT

Two games, ten years apart make an interesting “compare and contrast” activity for those of the Gooner persuasion.

February 1998 saw Crystal Palace the visitors to an Arsenal side disputing the Premiership title with Manchester United but with a series of injuries and assorted absences threatening to derail a promising position.

Up stepped Giles Grimandi, sometime butt of the terrace malcontents to seal an important three points, which proved pivotal in throwing the pressure back onto Fergie’s boys who subsequently buckled under the sheer relentless progress of Wenger’s well oiled and drilled machine.

We all remember the mercurial Overmars slotting past Schmeichel, and the manic reaction of that bloke in the crowd, but the Palace game was just as, if not more important in sealing Arsenal’s maiden Premiership crown.

And so to Monday night at an expectant, but jittery Grove and the visit of Blackburn Rovers, well tutelaged by Mark Hughes, an artisan but effective side who have often troubled Arsenal in the past and possess a decent record against the Elite.

Absence and illness meant that the home team deployed the out of favour Gilberto in a midfield, which saw Fabregas suffering the after effects of a virus, moved to the right hand side a berth normally filled by the deranged Eboue absent here along with Toure on International duty. Add in the injured Van Persie (pronounced persay, commentators please note) and Walcott and the situation could have produced a stagnant, nervous display.

Not a bit of it. On six minutes Sendoros (a modern day Grimandi in many respects) rose unchallenged to bury a header from a corner but oddly the next period saw Rovers create three clear cut chances caused by indecision between the Swiss and Gallas.

The Frenchmen was not backward in the cajoling stakes and is a real leader of men in the Tony Adams mould as he kept Sendoros going by constant reassurance and the odd rebuke where needed.

The second half saw Arsenal absolutely dominate possession; Hleb was catching the eye with his quick passing and movement. He is a far cry from the Water Carrier that he appeared to be when he joined the Club, his invention and timing making up for a quiet game from Fabregas.

But, as is ever the “criticism” of recent Arsenal vintages, over elaboration and the wish to score the perfect goal meant that until Adebayor netted close to time, we were always a sucker punch away from a Rovers leveller.

Freidel played a blinder and sitting behind the American’s goal made me realise what a brilliantly athletic, but above all intuitive footballer he is.

The over doing things tag has subsided somewhat this season as Adebayor gives a longer option if required, and Arsenal have benefited also from actually going to the by line and crossing for the Togan.

The contrast with ’98 is that now Arsenal can really play. And how. Slick passing and unusual movement cut up the Rovers rearguard time and time again. Yes, we were profligate but I’d take that any day of the week in comparison to some of the pedestrian dross of the latter Graham era.

The Scot was guilty of inertia, of sticking with what he knew.

Not so Wenger. He has been ruthless in wielding the axe when he anticipates that a player has reached his shelf life. And he trusts in his young charges, relishes in their success, inculcating them confidence as if by osmosis and above all he trusts them to allow their latent talent to win the day.

That game at Highbury shredded my nerves. We relied on resolute defence and hoped for the best going forward, but here I felt totally at ease, enjoyed the spectacle and although egalite was in the back of my mind, in reality I knew we would win.

Five points clear now means that the pressure is back on a faltering United meaning we can go to Old Trafford and the Kremlin and make the hosts worry, sweat and feel the heat.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas, Flamini, Silva, Hleb, Adebayor, Eduardo.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Bendtner, Traore, Justin Hoyte, Gilbert.

Att: 60,049

Arsenal 2-1 Spurs.

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:49:46 GMT

Without ever getting into top gear, or coming even close to the dramatic flowing football of which this Arsenal pedigree are capable, the Young Pretenders to the Premiership Crown eased past a Spurs side that failed to take advantage of a Gunner’s off day.

Keane’s penalty miss when it was egalite with only fourteen of the ninety minutes to go, was like a stake in the heart of the current Spurs team who must feel they are destined never to vanquish Arsenal in this Derby fixture. No win since 1999, and none at the Home of Football (old and new) since 1993.

But even if the Irish Skipper had converted the spot kick, only a fool would bet against Arsenal finding an equaliser and I doubt even the most hard core Lilywhite fan would have backed their men to see the game out such is the resilience of the contemporary Gunners side, aping the history of this great Club.

The fight seemed to ebb out of the visitors and the impressive Berbatov, scorer of a poacher’s snap shot to equalise Adebayor’s clinical finish from a mercurial Fabregas back heel, slumped to the turf in obvious frustration on the sound of Mr. Styles’ final whistle. The transfer window beckons as such a talented player is wasted at such a chronically, and perennially under achieving Club. It’s only a short trip down the Seven Sister’s Road Dietmar.

With Van Persie and Walcott in the treatment room, and with Bentner who came off the bench to rise salmon like to head the winner from a corner, and Eduardo not ready for a starting berth, the acquisition of a top striker seems a logical move for Le Boss, as if any more forward line injuries occur, then any realistic chance of the a Title tilt would be surely hamstrung?

But at the start of this Campaign it would have seemed folly to predict even a one point advantage would pertain going into the Festive period, and perhaps the lack of such expectation has inspired the newly fearless Arsenal team.

Shorn of the prickly, and theatrical prima dona antics of Thierry Henry, players such as Togan striker Adebayor have come alive and out of their shells, now that the fear of on the on field reprimand delivered with a caustic Gallic shrug is gone.

The youngsters have simply blossomed and if they can prevail against the Top Four on a consistent basis, and more importantly over the also rans such as Spurs, than frankly the sky is the limit.

Gael Clichy is a phenomenal player, and it was only being actually at the match that I appreciated his supreme reading of the game and his ability to close out his man without resorting to a tackle. Allied to this his offensive play is insightful, demonstrating a real understanding of the team dynamic and his place in it.

Fabregas was quiet but his killer pass for the opener gave him a kick-start and his alliance with the workhorse that is Mathieu Flamini gives a beauty and the beast feel to proceedings.

My only regret about attending this fixture is, having been served caviar and champagne in a first class venue with a crackling and positive atmosphere, will egg and chips with a luke warm cuppa in a greasy spoon full of grumbling punters suffice?

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Bendtner 74), Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky, Hleb (Silva 82), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Senderos, Eduardo.

Att: 60,087 (Photos opposite)

Super Anders Limpar!

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 21:33:20 GMT

All that reminising about Arsenal beating ManUre in 1990 found me searching YouTube and finding the following gem.

For a couple of seasons the Swede was the best player in the First Division and provided the flair for Graham's second great team which won the League with only one defeat, a monumental feat which has never had the recognition it deserves.

Enjoy!

S**** 2-2 Arsenal. Carling Cup Semi Final First Leg.

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:22:57 GMT

I joined the action with S**** leading two nil.
In the second half both times we scored, Cath was in the loo.
So. If the Second Leg goes to extra time, you may read about a crazed bloke getting done for false imprisonment, then you’ll know it was perfectly justified.

Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd. Utd 0-1 Arsenal Oct 1990

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:37:02 GMT

Arsenal blew the title race wide open with a last gasp victory over a Manure side that dominated for large periods without ever seeming to control matters despite, on paper having a stronger and more experienced team.
The home side weathered the initial onslaught and by half time the Gunner’s midfield seemed to have the measure of their opponents, Hleb being especially dominant in the tackle allowing Fabregas opportunity to express his supreme talent.
I can’t imagine there has ever been a better teenage midfielder in Arsenal history than the young Spaniard.
Being straight up, I am the first to be critical Wenger’s overseas recruitment policy and I firmly believe that no Under 21’s should be allowed to play outside their own jurisdiction, but this boy is sublime. Something that only comes around once in a generation thus Dein should commit murder if that what it takes, to keep this lad in the red jersey of Arsenal.
Flamini has benefited from his spell in the back four, toughened up in the tackle and shows enough that demonstrates promise for the future, but I can’t for the life of me see why Lauren was let go as the cupboard appears bare on the right side and, in common with Michael (see friends) I am of the opinion that he offers a lot more on that right hand midfield berth with his strong tackle and an ability to bomb beyond the strikers, Freddie 2002 vintage like.
Van Persie (pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable in his native Netherlands) and Henry did the honours.
Shy + is a wonderful thing as you can still have your family meal (of course I would rather do that than watch Arsenal/City/cricket/Munster/RL/The Six Nations/golf/tennis. Quite a charge sheet eh?) and catch all the action as live.
Trouble was I forgot to turn of my phone and five text messages told me something amazing had occurred after I paused proceedings at 75 minutes.
If we lost it would be Lord Rees of Driffield (buy one, get one free from Levy of Asda, price £2.99) crowing, his new nick name for me is InterToto Boy. But I’d rather be a Gunner than a Chav!
However the Dutch sub netted on 83 with the Skipper delivering the killer blow in injury time.
We have now beaten Spurs, Liverpool and ManUre at the Grove and in the process have scored eight times with only one in reply.
Puts the drawn games at home against the likes of Pompey, Villa and Everton plus away debacles at places such as Bolton, Fulham and Sheff United into some perspective as we are “only” twelve points off the pace.
They are a young team and learning all the time so once consistency is developed, watch them go.
All this frivolity sent me scurrying for the diaries and this is my word for word, sometimes cringeworthy entry for
Sunday 21^st October 1990. I was only 22 in mitigation.
MAN UTD 0-1 ARSENAL (LIMPAR).
Old Trafford was the destination. We left London at 8.30 and didn’t get there till 2pm due to terrible traffic on the M1.
The atmosphere in the ground was amazing as we sang our little hearts out surrounded by 47,000 Mancs whose only chant is “United” to the obvious reply from us.
We really needed to win this one so our little crew were well psyched up. This being Yours Truly, Laurie, Michael (the driver) and Simon, an Irish United fan forced to stand in the away end at OT. Brilliant!
Me and Laurie have this lark sorted out as neither of us drive. All credit to the Boy Michael who never tires of driving up and down the nations Motorways in the Arsenal cause!
We usually arrive at away venues around 1pm for a few pints to steady the nerves but today we gulped two pints in 20 minutes, got in the ground and tied our Sweden Flag (in honour of Limpar) to the fence. I asked a copper first, but being in the Police means having your personality removed and he was naturally rude and patronising.
At first United swamped us, but all the chances were long range giving Seaman little trouble.
He is a great shot stopper and now I prepared to admit he is better than wahtisname who used to be our keeper.
We hardly got out of our half and then from nowhere we got a corner. Thomas played it short to Limpar. Sealey and indeed everyone in the ground was expecting the cross but our new hero hit a “stunning drive” from the apex of the box at an acute angle just inside the near post. Sealey could only beat it out AFTER it crossed the line.
The Mancs whinged, but it bloody was goal and they knew it! McClair, who else, led the protests aided by that scumbag Ince.
We then came out all guns blazing, and Limpar ran Irwin and Blackmore ragged by switching flanks constantly with Rocky and the United players heads went down.
Eventually the inevitable happened as Irwin clattered Winterburn. OK it was just frustration but referee Hackett should have booked him to calm matters down.
In the next move the Irishman gained possession only to become the meat in a Limpar/Winterburn sandwich. Revenge caused by a weak ref.
In the process Winterburn tripped himself up and McClair saw his chance for revenge going back a few years. The Scot skied a penalty into the North Bank and Nutty took great pleasure in commiserating him. Funny, but not clever.
McClair kicked Winterburn in the back and the rest is history. Ince threw Limpar into the crowd and Davis punched Irwin.
It was bedlam and the noise was just incredible. I didn’t think the game would go on and it took six and a half minutes to re start the game.
The Webb played a long ball to McClair which Adams intercepted but McClair left his studs in the challenge.
Instead of rolling around and upping the ante, our Skipper waved the ref away and offered his hand to (Ed. The next bit, even for me is very foul mouthed so I’ll leave it to your imagination. It seems I didn’t like Brian McClair very much).
The fracas seemed to affect them much more than us. They had a couple of good moves but our defence never let them in.
I was worried when Robbins came on, but luckily he did nothing of note.
Thomas wasted a great chance when he sprung the offside trap but I was grateful for the final whistle!
We had an Arsenal disco as we were kept in for half and hour. Almost a record!
Laurie summed it up; “A great place to win, but a horrible place to lose”.
Failed to make it home for last orders. Boo.
WED 24^th OCT 1990.
Hill-Wood has fined Winterburn and Limpar two weeks wages (£4,000) for the punch up Graham a similar amount as he is held responsible for the players behaviour.
This is only to impress the FA as, word is they want to take points off us. Bloody tabloids. They set the agenda in football these days and the Mirror was typically anti Arsenal on Monday.
MON 12^th NOV 1990.
The FA have handed the title to Liverpool by taking two points of us (and one off United).
I can’t even begin to express my contempt for the FA.
That Fat F***** Graham Kelly’s attitude on 15^th April 1989 sums up what he knows about football; F*** all.
Hillsborough summed up what the Tories and their proxies at the FA think of us, the fans.
The “When Saturday Comes” cover this week summed it up.
THE FA: It wasn’t our fault.
THE GOVERNMENT: It wasn’t our fault.
THE POLICE: It wasn’t our fault.

THE FANS: Oh well, it MUST be our fault as usual!

Arsenal 2-6 Manchester United (Nov 1990).

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:56:40 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6TK8w-51fQ
http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/home.shtm
I intend to leave most matters Arsenal to those who know what they are talking about.

http://michaelmiketheboyo.spaces.live.com/

However, last night’s pasting of Liverpool which saw the Merseysiders record their worst walloping at home since 1914, put me in mind of a similarly surreal encounter with ManUre at Highbury on Wednesday 29^th November 1990 which we contrived to lose 6-2 and left you scratching your head and saying; “What happened there?”.

Some context. I was 22 years old and had been keeping a pen and paper diary for years, but started and finished a separate one for a single season only in 1990/91 to provide a snapshot of what it’s like being a football supporter following Arsenal and Hull City. This was before all the Guardian/ Nick Hornby faux stuff started. I missed a trick there… Or maybe not if you read the below entry.

The diary is dominated by matters Gunnerish as at the time I was living and working in Uxbridge, West London.

We moved three times in that period, firstly from a studio flat on Charville Lane in Hayes back to Cath’s parents due to the fact I had started teacher training and the rent on said gaff was, get this £500 a month. Seventeen years ago. Just insane.

I had the best Parents-In-Law imaginable so this caused no problems whatsoever, especially as my Mother in Law, despite being a hard core Labour Party stalwart was of the opinion that blokes should do nowt around the house. At all. Ever. Fantastic!

We moved out again in November 1990 as Simon (my still good mate from Uni days) had come to work in England and so we could spread the rent on a place on Juniper Way, also in Hayes.

Just don’t mention keys, or Osterley Park Tube Station as he is now a ridiculously (but deservedly so) successful high power insurance matey in the Far East.

He is a ManUre fan but had to stand on the North Bank whilst the following debacle unfolded. And he did a Simon Peter by denying his Manc allegiances in the Gunners pub after the game. Tut, tut.

Thursday 28^th November 1990.

What a disaster last night turned out to be and it would be bloody United!

Why couldn’t have been Norwich or Coventry?

The evening got off to a bad start as we got lost trying to be smart and driving to Ruislip Manor Station to get ahead start. Helps if you actually know where the Station is.

Thus what un folded seemed a bit inevitable as I also got ripped off by a burger van person outside the North Bank entrance.

Blackmore scored after 77 seconds as we dithered over getting a wall organised to defend a free kick.

Groves then missed a sitter and they murdered us, the next thing it was 3-0.

Halftime seemed to galvanise us with Smith scoring twice and the place going mad. We were right back in it.

But we got badly overstretched and every time they went up field they scored, even the useless Danny Wallace got in on the act.

Some revenge for them after the October wonder win for us.

“Will you EVER win the League”, we sang with gusto. Not a chance. Arf, arf.

Seaman was awful. We want our Johnny back!

It’s a freak result but hurt non the less especially as I had to put up with Simon going on. And on…..

ARSENAL 2-6 Manchester United. (League Cup). Smith (2).

Highbury Final Final Farewell

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 10:51:11 GMT

The latest additions to the photo album show Mairin and Michael at the Final Highbury Farewell (Number 1243) courtesy of yours truly winning a great prize in a competition that I couldn’t use.
The comp was on the Arsenal website and you had to correctly identify places on the pitch where key moments in Arsenal history had occurred such as Bergkamp’s first goal, an event in September 1995 that I was lucky enough to witness, Wrighty’s goal to take Bastin’s record and the such like. I had totally forgotten about it until I got a call from O2, the organisers, to say I’d won. I was in the North of Scotland, cut off from sane humanity (Lesley and Chris excepted, then again…) and decent weather and thus unable to attend but had no fear that the prize would go to waste, as exemplified.
They had a Champagne Reception, a tour and then a kick about on the hallowed turf which they were then allowed to dig up and take a piece for posterity. Brilliant, and as you can see what was really needed at the end was another drink. In every shot one, other or both have a glass of bubbly but hey, why not?
I hope the conversation with McClintock was more eloquent than our last one with the Great Man, in 1991 before the Villa game (5-0, Platt in goal due to Spinks spotting himself in the mirror and injuring himself, and the North Bank chanting “You’re supposed to dive” after an especially lame effort) during the Title run in.
We spot Frank on Avenall Road having spent a good chunk of the afternoon in the Highbury Tavern;
Us: Alright Frank?
McClintock: Alright lads?
Our brush with the stars!
I have form over this compy winning business having won a table for 11 at the Official Lunch to open the Ashes Tour and was likewise unable to attend. You try going to the Café Royal in a wheelchair. Ain’t gonna happen.
The bar bill came to over £500 so a good time was had by all and I used one of the bottles of Champers saved for me to toast our superb win, the best sporting moment of my lifetime.
Let’s hope that this can be eclipsed by Becks lifting the World Cup in Berlin come July.

Arsenal 1-2 Barcelona

Thu, 18 May 2006 11:15:29 GMT

Arsenal came within 15 minutes of a sensational victory over a distinctly under par Barca side who were there for the taking.
It was a game of pivotal moments, the most important one coming in the 69^th minute when Henry, superbly released by Ljungberg shot tamely when you would have staked your mortgage on him netting in such a position 99 times out of 100.

Two nil and the Catalans were dead and buried. Barca heads were beginning to drop and full back hatchet man Oleguer began to see the red mist, borne of sheer frustration at how such highly rated, established stars were impotent in the face of a classic Graham era obdurate performance that had echoes of the 1994 triumph in Copenhagen.

But miss the skipper did, and Barca took advantage of a poor refereeing decision and Bob Wilson 1971 Cup Final near post keeping from Almunia to net twice in the last quarter and earn the right to lift the famous old Trophy in this, the fiftieth Final.

Almunia found himself the fall guy due to Lehmann’s 19^th minute dismissal as, charging out of his goal, the German pulled down the largely ineffectual Eto as he bore down on goal from a Ronaldinho through ball, the Norwegian official had little option than to issue the first red in the Final’s history.

Cue despair as, realistically the ten men Gunners would be swept away in a tide of calypso football orchestrated by the World Player of the Year and his side kicks, the ridiculously talented Eto, midfield schemer Deco and the fleet footed Guily. But this is Arsenal and the reason we love them so much, the ability to dig in, bloody minded and not bow to the inevitable, stick at it and never give up, plus a smidgeon of talent added to the traditional Gunners recipe.

The game ebbed and flowed with few alarms for the depleted Gunners, although I imagine the neutrals were cursing the ref as it must have appeared a sterile game to the unbiased, a shame as the contest set of at a gallop with Henry at his mercurial best, shaping the game and creating openings and the skipper was unlucky not to open the scoring, spinning in the box and forcing Valdes into a reflex save which the Spaniard was forced to repeat from the ensuing corner.

A delicious prospect ensued as Arsenal played fearless open and attacking football which maybe would have galvanised the Catalans into life had the numbers remained even.

In fact it was the ten men who created the best openings on the break, Barca being restricted to set plays from which Ronaldinho failed to find his range.

Ironically it was this very type of move that ended up with Sol Campbell smacking a classic centre half’s header into the net after Eboue had conned the official into giving a distinctly soft free kick in the right hand channel from which Henry whipped in the ball for the Big Man to finish in style. Fantastic. If any player deserved this then it was Sol. After all he has endured from our disgusting Tabloid press and his former partner with her classy “revelations” it was a sweet, sweet moment.

With fifteen minutes to go we were starting to believe in the unbelievable but our dreams were shattered as Larsson fed Eto, who was in an offside position as the ball was played and the striker beat Almunia on his near post, an unfortunate concession as the sub had pushed a point blank effort onto the post to deny the Catalans a certain goal.

Larsson clinched the Cup and this time the Arsenal stopper was certainly at fault, the ball going between his legs.

For the Tournament as a whole, the best team won, but on the night Barca can consider themselves fortunate as, for once, the Gods shone on Arsenal’s opponents.

A classic season of tremendous highs and lows draws to an end and it will be one that lives long in the memory for those of the Gooner Persuasion.

Highbury Memories

Mon, 08 May 2006 12:28:24 GMT

HIGHBURY MEMORIES.

MICHAEL RATHBONE.

1 First Highbury match attended, when and result?
1938 but I have no idea of the opposition or result but I remember vividly the massive number of people, very intimidating for a six year old! I can remember Alex James baggy shorts and shiny black hair.
I reckon I went to about 250 games at Highbury as between 1946 and 1966 I went to a game every Saturday somewhere in London without fail, plus midweek. You had to work Saturday mornings till twelve in most jobs so that’s why you always see men in jackets and hats in the old pictures.

Last game was in 1966. Arsenal were terrible in that period, you will be un happy the hear that I spent a lot more time White Hart Lane due to this. You’d say I was a Glory Hunter but Spurs were just fantastic to watch. Ian Ure was sent off for punching a guy right in the face but I’m afraid I can’t remember the result or opposition.

2 - Favourite Highbury Moment and why?

Cliff Holton took the worst penalty you’ve ever seen in front of the North Bank and if the roof hadn’t been there it would have ended up in Finsbury Park Station. Everyone just laughed. Now he’d have been booed to high heaven. Late 50’s I reckon.

3 - Favourite Highbury Goal ?

A Ronnie Rook screamer against Boro in 1946. He absolutely nailed it and nearly destroyed the goal in the process, They had really heavy balls in those day so if you caught it right it was unstoppable.

4 - Favourite Highbury Match

That’s easy. The title decider in 1952 (I think). Preston were top and only needed a point, where as Arsenal needed to win. My Boss was a fan so luckily he let me take the morning off and I was queuing in Avenell Road from nine and was lucky to get in as the gates shut at 1pm and thousands were locked out. They’d never get away with it these days. Arsenal were 3 up at Half Time and the place was going berserk. You ended up at the opposite end of the North Bank when Arsenal scored and you could forget about staying with your friends. Finney came out like a man possessed and Preston scored twice and to be honest Arsenal were clinging on by their fingernails but held out. It was the best atmosphere I can ever remember . Even better than when City beat Leeds!

5 - Favourite Arsenal Player and why ?

He only played about 60 odd games in the late Forties but Archie McCauley was the ultimate midfield schemer and could make the ball talk. Genius. I never saw Henry in the flesh but he must be Arsenal’s greatest ever player.

6 - Favourite Arsenal season?

1951-52 Title winning season. Nip and tuck the whole way with four teams in contention until the last couple of weeks. I attended every home game plus away ones in London.

7 - Favourite Arsenal home kit?

Late forties/early fifties. Big red shirt with a huge badge.

Highbury Memories

Sat, 06 May 2006 16:19:17 GMT

Subject: Highbury - Your Ultimate Memories .

Howard Goss.

1 - First Highbury match attended, when and result ?

Either 1970-1971 or the 1971-1972 season we either drew or beat Ipswich that day. I can just about remember Bob Wilson rolling the ball at the end of the area.

2 - Favourite Highbury Moment and why?

Probably when Arsenal knocked out Paris SG in the semi final of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994. I managed to get a ticket for this one and when the final whistle went it was superb.

3 - Favourite Highbury Goal?

Hopefully tommorow against Wigan, Henry will finish in style.

4 - Favourite Highbury Match?

Arsenal v PSG semi final ECWC 1994

5 - Favourite Arsenal Player and why ?

Henry as he is the first Arsenal striker to be that much better than all the league's strikers. Henry's overall ability and skill is by far the best British pitches have seen since George Best. Wright was excellent too but there was Shearer and Lineker at their peak too.

6 - Favourite Arsenal season? Has to be the season Michael Thomas scored the winner with minutes to spare against Liverpool at Anfield to give us the title. What a finish to the season.

7 - Favourite Arsenal home kit? The 70s kit with red chest and white long sleeves.

Arsenal 2-0 Juventus.

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:56:24 GMT

There are non so fickle as football fans and after Arsenal’s disastrous mid season slump induced by injuries and the sale of Captain Vieira which included ignominy at such places as Bolton, Blackburn and West Brom there can’t have been many of the Gooner persuasion who were not down hearted.
The fantastic victory in Madrid was immediately followed by a spineless and rudderless capitulation at Blackburn and the night of wonder in the Bernabau appeared to be a blip.
All doubts were blown away by a scintillating display of one touch visionary football as Juventus, a mere eight points clear in Serie A were swept imperiously aside and ended the game a nine man wreck, losing their discipline and nearly the tie completely, the only blemish for Arsenal was that at 2-0 down the Old Lady is still just about alive in this Quarter Final.
This was a young, fledgling Gunners side and proved themselves to be a chip off the old Arsenal block as the sum proved greater than the parts, especially in a back four shorn of the redoubtable Lauren, the mercurial Cole and Mr. Dependable Sol Campbell. Tony Adams himself would have been proud of the way that they played as a unit (remember the Full Monty Arsenal back four move?) and covered, encouraged and cajoled one another into a solid and above all disciplined performance, keeping the wondrous Trezuget and former Wenger target Ibrahimovic totally inert and un involved.
And the midfield! What happened to the supine mess of Anfield?
“Absolutely Fabregas” brayed the tabloids and why not as the youngster belied his callow years to eclipse the returning Vieira who appeared like a boxer on the ropes, breathing heavily and declaring “No mas”, Duran like. The Great Man was booked and now misses the return, something that summed up his night of frustration. No one could take any pleasure from this and he was rightly cheered to the rafters and treated like the prodigal son.
Everything that was good about this performance emanated from the Iberian Boot of Fabregas and he is surely a gimme for the Spanish squad going to the World Cup as he displays the maturity and vision to unlock the tightest of defences allied to top notch positional sense and a nippy knack of removing the ball from the tip of an opponents foot, his reading of the game, first class.
The underrated Hleb patrolled the right hand side, always available for the outlet ball and tackling like a Tiger to nullify the threat of the marauding Juve wing backs and the rehabilitated Mutu, a finer first touch you will rarely see, but the Minsk man had him in his pocket. The mutterings now silenced amongst the faithful.
Hleb is an interesting individual and has dealt admirably with serious personal issues involving his father’s chronic ill health. Hleb the Elder was, as a worker in the Soviet nuclear industry, literally taken at gun point and made to help sort out the toxic catastrophe in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the evidence that Putin’s Russia is the totalitarian Stalinist Society of Soviet Russia by another name, the victims are airbrushed from history, receiving no acknowledgement and no financial aid.
Gilberto and Reyes were tireless in their efforts and the former even managed two passes in a row that found a team mate. Harsh? Maybe, but the World Cup winner showed what he can give the team driving forward when in possession, and providing the vital shield when the ball is lost, we need to see this more consistently.
A telling moment took place in the first half when Capello, normally the eloquent master of cool, blew his stack at the wily Camoneresi and the winger decided to give his Don some back chat resulting in an unseemly spat in the shadow of the East Stand lights. What stories the famous old stand could tell!
Lets hope one of it’s final tales is that of a famous Semi Final victory leading to a parade of Europe’s premier prize in the sunlight mid May balmy shadows.
A suitable farewell to the Home of Football.

Madrid Hangover

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:42:11 GMT

Blimey. Do we all feel stupid amidst all the post match hype surrounding the Real match as Arsenal crashed to yet another embarrassing defeat in the Premiership, this time to Blackburn.

Yes, we had some questionable decisions regarding officialdom, but these never matter when you play well as another chance will come along.

Real were worse than awful on Wednesday carrying the likes of Zidane and Roberto Carlos, plus the dilatory Ronaldo who is looking elsewhere in the summer. Raul is out of sorts and on the periphery. We played well but that’s because we were allowed to, yet again we were out muscled in the Premiership and prone to awful individual errors. Senderos will carry the can in the press but Blackburn’s goal was easily preventable if others (Toure) had been doing their job tracking runners into the box.

Henry went AWOL again and I saw no head up encouragement from the skipper. No contract signed suggests then Great Man has bigger fish to fry in his own mind. Wednesday was shop window time.

Who said football fans are fickle?

How to beat Arsenal?

Three in centre midfield to force us wide where we are poorly served at the moment, and stick the foot in. Simple. Warnock showed the way last season and other similarly un talented managers have copied. And wind Lehmann up. It’s not hard.

Nevertheless we can’t whinge if teams are physical as the game is about winning and if we could upset Chavski or Man Ure this way, it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

Bolton, Blackburn and the like may not please the neutral but do you think their fans care? Were we complaining whilst winning silverware ugly at the end of the Graham era? Results are all and it was only when these dried up that we moaned about George’s sterile system.

Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 22:36:39 GMT

Given the Competition, given the opposition, given the venue, given the available personnel and given the context of some disastrous performances this season and the fact that Real has won it’s last seven games scoring 21 and conceding just three, this was Arsenal’s finest hour in it’s history of European combat.
The players were awesome to a man and in truth they should have buried the tie as chance after chance was created.
Arsenal blasted out of the blocks and caught Franco’s favourites on the back foot, creating three fantastic chances in the first ten minutes, the best going to Reyes, only for his standing foot to slip as he pulled the trigger. He had been put in by a wonderful penetrating pass from Freddie, who looked back to his mercurial form of 2002. He was only denied a first half goal by a last ditch tackle in a situation familiar to Gooners of the 2002 vintage as he latched onto a Silva through ball, timing a late run to spring the off side trap to perfection.
In addition to these two chances a re invigorated Henry went close with a header.
I don’t care about the why’s and wherefores of why the skipper played so well tonight. He just did and let’s give thanks. His goal, taken early in the second half, was a stunning individual effort as he cut through the Real defence with opponents bouncing off him as he somehow had the ball totally under control. The finish was clinical.
I can see the carping in the Gooner already. So what if he only did it to put himself in the shop window? Who benefits? Maybe, just maybe even the Great Man suffers from the odd glitch in confidence. No one is immune from self doubt.
The goal came just as we were all thinking that Real were going to wake up sooner or later. They didn’t and this was due to the high tempo that was generated, throwing their more considered approach off kilter.
Hleb was magnificent and this was a great call by the Boss, the tepid Pires being the one to be left out. The Belarussian provided sound defensive cover for the inexperienced back four and he along with Fred and Fabregas provided the shield that was so desperately lacking at Anfield.
Herein lies the positive. The Boss and the team realised what went wrong at Liverpool, worked hard and put it right.
This is why, although we must feel justified in what was written last week, the future is secure with the Boss and this squad that he is building.
Even if it all goes wrong in the home tie the following;
Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Hleb Silva, Fabregas, Song , Reyes Diaby
in three years time when they may be standing of the verge of something great can say that they are the new guard and came of age on February 21^st 2006 when they played a great Real Madrid off the park, laying the foundations for Wenger’s third great team.

Only gripe? You got it, no Englishmen. Still it’s a price worth paying and there’s Walcott to come.

Bernabau Build up

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:01:54 GMT

Posted at 7pm with 45 minutes to kick off in the Bernabau.
Real are no great shakes at the back and are very inconsistent, remember they haven’t won a single trophy in two years and are prone some shocking results again Mickey Mouse teams. Even at home.
If we play with no fear and the senior pros do the jobs that their vastly inflated contracts oblige them to, we can nick an away goal. There is no way we are going to keep a clean sheet so go for it and don’t worry. 2-1 would not be a disaster, and if we score twice…

However, realism must prevail and I’ll be surprised if we don’t get hammered. Pat Rice should do the team talk and invoke the spirit of Copenhagen 94.