I rarely get a good chance to sleep in and then I do, and then some numbshite upstairs decides to do construction work.
It's such a lovely rainy Friday morning. What are the odds?
Thanks to technology though, or whoever who invented in-ear ear phones, I'm pumping music into my eardrums to kill off the shitty construction NOISE. They're working very well.
Okay so, there's a game tomorrow. The lads travel to Wolves, while Chelsea meet Man Utd. I've always wondered about the fixtures. It's pretty darn amazing. It probably happens by chance but hey, look at the situation - the top 2 clash, giving the 3rd in the table a chance to make up some ground should one of them slip up, which is bound to happen. Of course, the ideal result when big teams clash is a draw, so both teams lose 2 points. But whatever, this is a situation Man Utd got into so much last season. They had no lack of opportunities to "make up ground". I kinda like our fixture list this campaign.
Confidence should be high and Fabregas is banging in the goals like nobody's business to be on par with Van Persie in the club's scoring charts. I suppose the final layer of his development does lie in goalscoring and he's developing well. It's pretty scary to know that he's just 22 and has a long way to go in his footie career and his potential is boundless. He sure if enjoying his football and his captaincy. I still find it hilarious that the captain gets to decide short sleeves or long sleeves every game and the rest of the team will have to comply. I mean, Arshavin in short sleeves with gloves is pretty hilarious, and Song with long sleeves rolled up just as much.
Wenger has no intention of rotating the centre back positions, allowing Vermaelen and Gallas to own. I think stability in that position is pretty important. Everytime Gallas starts limping or is tackled roughly my heart sinks quite a bit. Last season, after he got over the whole loss of captaincy thing, he really stepped it up and played really well. Then when he had to go off injured and miss the rest of the season it coincided with that horrible slump. Nevermind that Djourou who came to fill in got injured in the following game. Without a doubt, Gallas is a top class defender and a model pro. The way he's handled the events in his career is admirable. His partnership with Vermaelen is fantastic. They kept Peter Crouch quiet even with the difference in height. You know, Crouch who got his first career hattrick against Arsenal. Of course, he was playing for Liverpool, who practice long balls only every training hence their service was definitely waaayyy better than Sp*rs can ever be.
So, no injuries to Thomas and William please. They're doing so well. I hope Wenger talking about it didn't just put a hex on them.
In other news, I have Football Manager 2010! It's kinda crappy so far. I mean, Hull City is really strong in there. That's shitty.Labels: Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas
A Little Drunken Madness @ 10:50 AM
What a game.
Fabregas on the double, while Nasri made it through 90 minutes and had a goal to his name too. And Diaby? I asked him to shut me up and he got a goal.
Right after the boss says Cesc has grown up a lot in the past 2 years hence the goals at Sp*rs, he bags a brace this time. ILU Cesc Fabregas.
The only thing is, I only caught the game after 75 minutes because I was asleep. Games at 3.45 am are difficult to stay up for, especially when there isn't guaranteed coverage thanks to two telcos. This is where game theory is relavent. The twosome are engaging in zero sum game where one cannot be better off without making one worse off. The pool of football fans will remain the same, regardless. Singtel having exclusive rights will not create more football fans. These 2 parties don't seem to realise the inconvenience and undue stress they're causing people like me, as if being human is not enough to deal with already.
The online streams are pretty good though, but being me, I get very stressed before the game while waiting for one of the streams to work, especially one with English commentory. No to Chinese please. It's cheesy and just wrong.
Ya, I know I am Chinese.
So, I guess it's how the universe works. I watched the game when it was 3-0 and then Diaby scored. I woke up for Diaby's goal.
Ha ha ha.
How hilarious.
Arsene Wenger should drag him to press conferences more often.
A good 4-1 win against AZ and we look good value for top spot in the group.
I wonder how it's like, when it's crazy noisy at the Emirates and dead quiet across the street, you know, the douches who want to build a new stadium to match ours but fall short at a 57,000 capacity only. They're the nutjobs who want to tap into the pool of North London fans as well, when it is fixed and I don't see how anyone in the right mind will ditch Arsenal for Sp*rs. Perhaps they want to attract the impressionable youth and give them a one-way ticket to becoming losers.Labels: Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, one of my many theories
A Little Drunken Madness @ 7:32 AM
It's funny how the next game is coming, yet much hype is still coming from the Sp*rs game.
It's even funnier when there are people out there with common misconceptions about derby rivalries. Sure, we do not live anywhere near Ashburton Grove, in the thick of the action but we sure as hell understand the importance of a big game like that.
It's kinda like before, when it was Man Utd vs Arsenal, and living next door is my devil brother.
But yes, we all grow up as the years pass by and it translates into mutual respect.
I don't think that will ever happen with Sp*rs because they will never match Arsenal's level.
But in Derbies, what makes it exciting is how lousy players (Sp*rs shites) can find it in their engines to step up their game just because it's Arsenal. Not that they managed that sort of gear shift last Saturday. In fact, they didn't. It was kinda like a walkover, but evidently, ol Harry didn't agree. He only harped on the goalless 42 minutes. That's all. It was like a desperate attempt to search for posivites from a match that had none for his team.
So yes, the boss says that Cesc would never be able to score that Sp*rs goal had he been 2 years younger.
Yup, I concur.
Injury news consists of Clichy being out with a possible stress fracture to his back. Once again, it's a matter of weeks. The boss reiterated that Bendy's injury is quite severe but it's just 1 month. Not a matter of months. The good news is, we seem to have a lot of back up in the left back position and I'd love to see Gibbsy play more. He's growing on me. His goofy smile especially. I feel so old.
The other good news is, Rosicky is back. Like HA HA HA. OMFG. Most unbelievable piece of news for the day really. Now I figured that being a negative arse when it comes to Rosicky helps a great deal. At least you're not looking for him to come back when the boss says it's a 'matter of days'. If you expect weeks or months then when he comes back in less, REJOICE!
When it comes to Champion's League press conferences, I am rather intrigued at how they pick who the bring along. Do they draw from a hat? Or does the boss decide?
It's Diaby this time, and he talked about why Wenger was frustrated during the Sp*rs game. I mean. It was simply because of youuuuu. Lol.
Maybe that's why he was chosen.
And probably to shut the fans up for giving him stick when the boss thinks he has a whole host of attibutes that can make valuable contributions to the game. Apparently he has a good attacking instinct from the deep positions and needs to find the balance between attacking and defending, somewhat similar to what Robin said about himself here.
I hope Diaby shuts me up. I really need him to. He has the boss's backing and all but he really needs to step it up all the time and not when he feels like it.
I shall end off with Arsha. He's soooo happy at Arsenal.
♥♥♥♥♥
I need to parade my arsha jersey more often. It's gorgeous and downright $ sucking.Labels: Abou Diaby, Andrei Arshavin, Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky
A Little Drunken Madness @ 10:59 AM
I turned on the TV yesterday when I got back from the Liz and I jinxed Liverpool. Normally, when I do that, I have to watch them win. But nooo, everything went so well on Sp*rs demolition day I decided to try my luck again, with Man City.
They got a draw. I watched from the hour mark so I missed the penalty save by Shay Given. Damnnnn. Should have started watching waaaaaaay earlier. A draw nonetheless, their 4th in a row. Their drive to go forward only lasted the initial stages of the season. Adebayor didn't play and I guess that made a difference (no compliments to him tyvm).
It is interesting to note that there is a Ferguson and a Benitez in Birmingham City.
I had a great time reading all the Arsenal blogs after the Sp*rs win.They were epic and awesome. Much of it was centred on Keane's comments before the game, talking up Sp*rs to Arsenal's level. He claims good ol sp*rs have strength in depth even though Defoe, Lennon and Modric were unable to participate.
And then after the game, Sp*rs started moaning about their injury woes.
Nothing like finding excuses really, just like ol Harry's game of football. If you played in Harry's football league, every game comprises only of 42 minutes. If you hold off the team you're playing against for 42 minutes, keeping the score goalless, you're on your way to pulling off a 'great result'. All you need to do, is play well for 42 minutes.
Sad to say, Sp*rs are playing in the Barclay's Premier League, and like all other football games at the top level, the game lasts a minimum of 90 minutes.
I guess, for teams who come to the Emirates, we are such a formidable team to beat, hence keeping it goalless for the first 42 minutes is a mean feat you can be proud of, regardless of the final score with 90 minutes have passed, plus added time.
Hold off Arsenal for 42 minutes and you're guaranteed a win. They should have a sign somewhere to motivate the away teams.
Sad ol Harry. He couldn't come up with more creative excuses.
I'm going to watch Cesc's goal again and laugh some more. I don't know if he has any idea what he did to all of us, fans at the Emirates and fans catching the game elsewhere. I think we went bonkers for the next 5 minutes in utter disbelief yet complete joy which words can't describe.
Oh right. I got the word.
It's pandemonium.
Labels: Cesc Fabregas, Man City, one of my many theories, Sp*rs
A Little Drunken Madness @ 2:15 AM
Sooooo.
Got back from the Liz where it was the most happening it has ever been. Or at least when I'm there. The atmosphere was fantastic and so was the game. What a splendid pairing.
The signed Arsenal ball went to someone who didn't know Cesc Fabregas' previous number before he got the 4. Hell. I even know the number he first got at Arsenal. MEH.
We should have an Arsenal knowledge quiz instead boy.
The game. It started quite badly, we thought the lads were doing badly. They weren't going for the ball as much as we expect them too and Sp*rs were getting on really well with the interceptions and the disruption of our flowing attacking football. They probably spent too much time doing that until they didn't have much chances in front of goal. At one point we had 6 shots on target already and they were still at zip.
At that point, I feared the worst. Things like this are typical of Arsenal. Lots of shots on target, while the other team had none. I was expecting Sp*rs to hit that one shot on target and the ball going past Almunia.
But it was all not meant to be because Robin did very well to get at the end of a Bakary Sagna cross to guide the ball in while he was half in mid air. It was like leaping and hitting the ball, somewhat like a volley. You'll have to watch the replay a few times to actually see that the goal wasn't as easy as it looks.
While we were busy screaming and celebrating, we were watching the replay of a Cesc Fabregas goal. LOL. I think at that moment, we all went utterly nuts. Bonkers. It was as though screaming was friggin overrated.
When Sp*rs kicked off, Robin got somewhat in the way and Fabregas capitalised by surging forward with the ball, cleverly going past Ledley King and then driving the ball past Gomez into the back of the net. We've always known Fabregas as the type of player who passes and passes and rarely dribbles and takes on his man. He isn't known for his pace too. Today, he showed that he has the technique and the intelligence to do it all. He is such a complete midfielder it's really very scary that he's only 22.
Also, that kind of thing where you nick the ball from kick off all the way into the back of the net only happens in a FIFA game. Hell, you could even take the goalkeeper and make him dribble all the way to the other end and score too. Little did I know, our lil captain could do it. Goal of the season so far for me. He took on at least 3 players and of course, any goal against Sp*rs will be in the running for goal of the season.
3 goals. And sore Harry has described them as...scandalous. I lol-ed so hard at that one. Plus, the comment that none of our goals were good. Sour grape.
Robin got a brace today and did really well. I think it'll be quite the contest for player of the month of October. That is such a good thing. Robin's first goal was good technique. The second? Really scandalous. Not regarding the ref allowing play to go on, but Gomez actually missing the interception.
Getting home, it's instinctive to turn on the TV and track the other matches. Oh Liverpool. They're really funny. They beat Man Utd and was on a high. Midweek, Arsenal kids did them in. Rafa Benitez hailed a good performance from his side, despite losing. He probably assumed that the lads will play the same way again today but it didn't happen. And then he took Torres off. Grave mistake dude. It gave Fulham the drive to go on. It was 2-1 and then that was when the drama happened and the ref gave a series of reds, reducing pool to nine men. Pool can whine all they want at the decisions but Fulham played well and did fantastic to get to 2-1 when it was 11 v 11.
Now I am so grateful we managed to carve out a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage. Clearly, it's not an easy place to go to.
Refs today have dished out a whole lot of wrongful red cards it seems. And then Mark Clattenburg that douche, failed to dish out more cards. David Bentley had a deliberate handball and he wasn't carded. After that, he went in really hard on Vermaelen and didn't get punished at all. Bummer really. He shouldn't have been on that pitch.
Not that it made any difference.
Lastly, the Arsenal kids travel to Man City for the Carling Cup quarter finals. This is all fated. The kids beat Liverpool, when Wenger found the right balance of experience and youth. I'm sure he'll be doing it again. An opportunity to put certain people in their places but let's not get too far of ourselves. Heh.Labels: Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool, Man City, Robin Van Persie, Sp*rs
A Little Drunken Madness @ 12:26 AM
The story of Arsenal.
Fabianski: It's good to be back!
Arsenal.com: Fabianski out for 3 weeks
Srsly. So the goalkeeping position is still down to 2 players, them being Almunia and Mannone.
And no one has any idea who's going to start tomorrow's game. Absolutely no idea. It's 50-50 both ways.
Nasri completed 90 minutes but reckons he's not completely match fit yet. He should be a substitute for tomorrow night. What the team really needs is a good ball keeper and he's one of them. The other one, however, is currently crocked.
As expected, an injury setback which was said to be a matter of days, has become weeks. It may well add up to a month and then probably a year too.
OH TOMAS. YOUR KNEE.
If he doesn't get more playing time under his belt he'll most certainly be released next summer when his contract runs out.
Another dude who's holding out for a new contract is Fran Merida. The lad scored a stunner and the team won and so he has a little bit more bargaining power at the contracts table. I hope he stays. I don't enjoy players leaving Arsenal unless they are Emmanuel Adebayor-ish. Speaking of whom, has told the press that Cesc Fabregas will quit Arsenal. When will he realise that it's completely none of his business. No matter what Cesc does, he'll always be in a better place than stinkin Adebayor whose dream was to play for Barcelona but now is at Man Citeh.
Srsly. Real Madrid has already had their crack lines being exposed at the weekend, suffering 4-0 humbling by a lower division side. Citeh's turn should come soon enough. They have people like Adebayor for one who likes to flirt with other clubs (ahem Milan) and then Robinho, who Barcelona are rumoured to be chasing after. Everyone there has a better place to go to.
At Arsenal, I can say that there is no better place. Cesc may one day return, but he won't leave unless he's left a legacy over here. Thierry Henry has set the precedence.
The desire to transform a nobody into a superclub doesn't last all that long. history will forever count for something. It is naive to think money can change everything. There are a lot of things money can't buy. Sure you can buy Adebayor. What you get is his temporary allegience. That's all.
So, Sp*rs tomorrow. I think it'll be wise to go to the Liz early to reserve seats. No Adebayor who likes to score against Sp*rs. We have a whole lot of other people who do as well. It's never too late to start scoring against Sp*rs. The whiners are playing up their injuries so that if they lose, they'll have a direction to push the blame to.Labels: Emmanuel Adebayor, Fran Merida, Samir Nasri, Sp*rs, Tomas Rosicky
A Little Drunken Madness @ 12:05 PM
My stream didn't work last night and I didn't want to download another China program and I was totally in concussion mode. I did however wake up to check the result and went back to zzz.
It's Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1, goals here, courtesy of Merida and Bendtner, both of which I decided to arrow in my previous post.
It worked!
I don't know about Fabianski though.
The lads are through to the next round and there's nothing to be unhappy about. They beat Liverpool rather comfortably (as the match reports indicates) and are in the last 16. This means there'll be another game for the youngsters to gain important first team experience. The further they go, the better.
If you went to see the goals, you would see Merida's sweet strike. It won't get any better than that. I suppose Wenger did keep the faith in him and that probably gave him confidence. I think Arsene Wenger is the master of utilising the Placebo effect I tell you.
Football is such a mental game. It relies a lot on the strength of the mind, much more than common people know. Instead of feeding his players the magic pill before each game, he tells them he believes in them and they go out and put on a great show. Granted, it doesn't happen all the time. Works great with youngsters I'd say. It's always a plus to have someone believe in you when you're young. If your mind can handle it you have the potential to work those wonders.
I too spotted Cesc standing up and celebrating Merida's goal. Heh. He's so cute in a cap and informal wear.
Bendtner then scored the winner. The type of goal typical of him if he bothers working hard and hitting shots on the stretch. Thank you for not being lazy.
All in all a good game, would have been better if there was TV coverage. It's the friggin 21st Century and we're still debating about football TV coverage.
This is primitive talk.Labels: Fran Merida, Nicklas Bendtner
A Little Drunken Madness @ 12:44 PM
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