Gooner Love!

Waking up in the morning feeling all sorts, that is the typical feeling on match days, but today is different then any other day, its us the mighty Arsenal vs. The world beaters Barcelona.

Work isn't work on days like these, you find yourself browsing the net trying to fill your head up with knowledge of the pending game. Who is in? Who is out? What's the formation? And above all we look at what the public have to say about the game, while looking for the smallest hints that might shift our thoughts in any way.

Days like these are slower then any other day of the week, the day drags like a slug after a rainy day. Then finally the time comes when you have to actually get up, get your gear on, and before you leave the house you take a deep breath and say to yourself that we can do this! This is ours! We are the Arsenal, we can beat anyone on our day!

Well the time comes and we at the Spirals Arsenal Tavern are in good spirits as usual. We sing the songs, and we sing them loud. There is no breaking us down. We don't get intimidated. We don't get provoked. All we do is get on with it, and what ever happens happens.

The game started with real promise, as we pressed, hassled, passed and probed. Yes we were not Barca, but we gave it our all. And the reward was a goal by our very own super Nick. Our B52 received the ball from Walcott with a pass that was a very difficult one to control but our super Nick worked hard to win the ball and smash it in the net , we couldn't believe it! The Spirals Arsenal Tavern was rocking!
We were all over the place, jumping like we never scored a goal in our lives, like brothers we celebrated like one of us had just become a father of a new born. Ahhh what a feeling.
One thing no body who is close to me will understand is that these guys and girls who show their support are connected by something greater than friendship. Its a mutual bond we all relate to and follow with a passion. Its the Arsenal, and it supporters are my family!

Back to the game! We were in this tie, and even though we didn't have most of our first choice players, we still managed to play in the Camp Nou as if it was our field to play on. We brought it to them, unfortunately our joy and celebrations we short lived due to one man or boy if you like. The one and only Lionel Messi. The best player in the world at the age of 22. He lashed on to a defensive error and struck a beauty of a ball into the net leaving Almunia with no chance.

1-1.
Not long after that Messi did it again, this time being at the right place at the right time to score from close range. Then he did it again latching on to a Dani Alves pass to brilliantly lob the keeper leaving us spellbound. It was one of those slow motion moments that we Arsenal fans were so used to when Thierry Henry wore the number 14 for us.
So Messi 3- Arsenal 1 at Half time.

During half time I decided to go outside and sit alone to just reflect on the game, our team and its progress this year, and weather we will ever be as good as Barcelona? To be honest I was blank. I couldn't think of anything apart from the fact that I had that lingering hope that we can pull off another upset, all we needed was to score two goals right? I put that hope and shoved it deep in to the back of my mind, pulled out a cigarette and puffed away in total relaxation.

I do not want to go in to too much detail about the second half as we didn't create any chances that I can remember, and on the 88th minute Messi found the net again. 4-1 to Messi and co.
Now we all love the way Barcelona play football when they actually play football. But there is a side to them that I despise and that is the constant theatrics on the pitch. Messi Flying through the air as if he was just hit by car, Sergio rolling on the ground as if he was on fire only to jump up and play when Barca won the ball back. Credit to them though as they had the ref fooled for the whole game. What amazes me is that in the game I saw two or three yellow cards go to the Arsenal Players for a foul, only for Barca to commit the same foul but no cards being shown. Bias much? Or maybe he is German oh Wait.. What’s this? His name is Wolfgang Stark (Germany) hmmm ill say no more apart from He's a wh**********************e!

Bye bye Champions league. Now we must dust ourselves off and focus on the Spuds game next Wednesday. Hopefully most of our players will be well rested and be up for a fight to get those three valuable points. I have a feeling we will overtake the Mancs for second spot, and lets pray to the football gods that Chelscum drop points as well.

Until then gooners,

We're the North Bank!, we're the north bank!, we're the north bank high bury !!!!

Love you all Emirates Gooners, keep the faith.
Joseph Joshua

Nick it like Bendtner

I wonder sometimes what would be Bendtner's profession in another life; my guess is he picks pockets.

Wolves at home a must win and to be honest it was getting very clear in the 90th minute that we have blown it, but that was just me, turns out the good old Arsenal had one last card to play with Sagna for the first time in his career actually crossed a decent ball and what happens when u get decent service in the box? You tend to get a decent goal to follow it. Simple you’d think.
The relief was ever so apparent on the faces of the fans, Manager, players, and all, as everyone jumped around in jubilation when the goal was scored, I can’t remember the last time our bench leaped off their feet after a goal was scored these boys want it you can see it, and you can feel it.

The game itself wasn’t a spectacular one as both teams were taking it easy, Although Arsenal were playing to win and wolves were playing to draw or break legs im not to sure. Walcott was the main man throughout the game as he constantly probed and fed balls in the box only for to Eduardo to fluff his chances or not enough support in the box, even so our road runner didn’t stop trying, he even connected to a volley that if it went in it would have been goal of the season.
What amazed me most about the game apart from the Late Goal by B52 was the horrendous tackle on Rosicky by Karl Henry, why would you ever tackle anyone from behind when the ball is still in you opponants half and there is no potential for a counter attack either. It was beyond reckless, I understand passion and wanting to win and what not, but there is a limit. I just hope our Little Mozart isn’t going to be out for 2 years now.

So another 3 points in the bag , 1 point behind United who are now second, and 3 points behind Chelsea who deservedly are now first after their display against Manchester. With 5 games to go that doesn’t seem like a bad position to be in, and no matter what happens this season I am very proud of this team.

You never know Gooners we actually might take the titles from under their noses but I’d rather we just Nicked it!

Tomorrow is the return leg Against Barca, I think we will win it what are your thoughts?

See you all at Spirals tomorrow night at 10:45. Oh and please come Early to get a good seat no Reserving tables on game nights, that just shows you are lazy, cheap and not a real supporter!

Till tomorrow
Keep it loud Gooners.
She’s a Wh***!!


Joseph Joshua.

I've got Sol but I'm not a soldier

So we have Sol back and I must say that I am very happy to see him back even if he isn’t the player he used to be.

Many people think that our fall from glory's grace began when Vieira left us, but actually it all started when big Sol decided it was time to move on.

Now I know some of you will be saying that I am an idiot and maybe I am but hear me out on this it's merely an opinion.

Yes our last trophy was the 2005 FA cup Vieira's last game for the club, but it wasn’t just his penalty kick that won us that game it was our stubborn defending marshaled by Sol Campbell himself.

The following year saw us reach the champions league final with the best defensive record in history surpassing the masters in defending AC Milan. In this final we were the better team and our forwards looked they could score at any moment, but it was Sol who rose to occasion to score a wonderful headed goal into the back of the net.

Big games ask for big players and boy was he a big player, and I am so glad to have him back.

So welcome back Sol u are truly a legend.

Philip Senderos

Big Phil was to be our defensive rock for many years to come, but unfortunately for him and us he lost the confidence to play at the highest of levels, and it is reported that he will be moving to Everton. I personally think he should stay; players need games to become the best and if no one can say that he didn’t learn a thing or two on loan to Milan. So I hope he stays with us the more cover the better and Galas isn’t going to be this good forever.

Fran Marida

I think this boy should be more patient, his is playing regularly in the side of course that is due to the lack of first team players in the squad at the moment, but I think if he is getting chances to impress then he should impress not want to move to another club. We will see what happens over the next few weeks and how they progress.

The Business End

The Arsenal Boys sit comfortably in third place only three points behind Chelsea and two points behind United with a game in hand, and I have a feeling deep down that when we play Bolton for the second time in a week and beat them home and away that we will be top of the league. With the like of Fabre gas, B52, and Walcott back and possibly Clichy we actually just might be able to stay top.

Till next time Emirates Gooners.

Keep it real, keep it loud, and keep it Arsenal!

Joseph Joshua

FA Cup Magic! Ramsey the magician, and Diaby the game changer.

Well my fellow Gooners I have to take my hat off to Arsene for last night's result against a determined West Ham side. Being 1-nil down at the break is never easy especially if the team you are playing against is playing so well defensively, closing down at every area of the pitch. The big question was in the words of the commentator "can West Ham United maintain this pressure for 90 minutes against Arsenal who generally don’t tire easily?"

Well they couldn’t, the fans hoped it, the commentators sensed it, but Arsene knew it he always knows it, he just knows that if the team apply themselves the way he has trained them to then the result will come. One thing many people misunderstand about Wenger is that as much as he hates losing, if the team played his way perfectly he wouldn’t go ballistic at them on the touch line. He does it when they make silly mistakes; he does it when they do not live up to the time, money and talent invested in them.

West Ham United's goal was a gift from our defense and keeper who should have stronger hands in those situations, but also credit must go to the Hammers and in particular Alessandro Diamanti for his cool headed finish. 1-nil at the break and not to the Arsenal.

The second half began and you could see that our players received another Wenger style ass kicking because they were going at it from the off. Time went on and as predicted West ham began to wither under the pressure, queue Diaby , and Nasri to add that creative spark and steel to push us on to win it. Not long after their introduction the goal came in the 78^th minute scored by Rambo the magician. This boy wastes no time when it comes to taking a shot on goal and my oh my can he hit them. Last week I called him the identical clone of King Fabregas and he keeps proving me right, big players turn up in big games and that is exactly what Ramsey does. 1-1 Get in!!

5 minutes later in a moment of great wing play and striking brilliance Vela and Eduardo combine to score a sexy headed goal. Vela rushes on to a pass by Song and whips in a wonderful cross for Eduardo to out muscle Upson a player twice his size and heads the ball, not with power but with sheer technique over Green and in to the top left corner of the net. 2-1 to the Arsenal!

Before I leave you all I would like to comment on the immediate impact Diaby had on the game from the moment he came on to the pitch our game became much more direct, our passing and wing play was perfect. You can tell a player is a good one if they can change the dynamic of game and lift a team with their introduction to the game and Diaby did just that. I hope he can continue this fine form he is in at the moment especially with the run of games we have coming up.

Next up is our game in hand against Bolton on Wednesday and it is our chance to jump to second place and within only one point of Chelsea.

See you all at the Spirals Arsenal Tavern.

Keep it real, keep it loud, and keep it Arsenal.

Till next time my fellow Gooners

Joseph Joshua