Be A Gooner (Teenage Cancer Trust) Arsenal v Liverpool

The Boss At The Arsenal

I think I just may have been to the best gig of my life: Bruce Springsteen at the Arsenal.

The Islington NIMBYs fretted about the volume. We even spotted two Islington Council knob-ends in ties and short-sleeved shirts, clip-boards and ear plugs taking notes on the pitch. For crying out load, what next? Shall we all keep it down the next time Arsenal score a goal?

Despite the sour-pusses, the concert was fantastic. Many favourites were played including: Cadillac Ranch, Thunder Road, Born to Run and Badlands. I’ve been earwormed with this all day.

I’ve never seen Arsenal more alive – and that’s saying something. Brilliant.

Football, Life & Death

Given I could barely leave the house in the days after my father died, I was somewhat surprised to see Frank Lampard back to work for Chelsea so soon after his mother’s death.

This picture was taken after Lampard scored the winning goal by a penalty kick against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

The photograph and this article by Simon Barnes on grief and football are extremely moving; they explain why I’m a fan.

Arsenal Spank Inter at the San Siro

The beautiful play award goes to the Arsenal.

I love a come back story.

PS

If Obama might be compared to Arsenal (pretty football, touching, on occasion, the face of brilliance in how to orchestrate a campaign), then Hillary Clinton is Manchester United, fighting for every blade of grass.

Football’s one thing, being President is another. I admire the never say die mentality.

As for McCain? He’s Teddy Sheringham.

Arsenal v Bolton

 

Where were the Bolton fans? There were about 30 in all that I saw in the away fans’ seats. Were they all detained? Did they not bother? Were they abducted by aliens? Enquiring minds want to know.

In the circumstances, this song seemed meaner than usual.

Arsenal v Sunderland

While I was in the nose-bleed seats for the match today, I never begrudge a ticket to see the Arsenal.

We all thought Arsenal would kill this game off after the second easy goal in the first 15 minutes of play. It looked like boys against men and while Sunderland fought bravely on, they seemed well out-classed and in for a drubbing. What were the songs again? A smugly sung “Are you Tottenham in disguise“? and “What’s the score, Keano”? (to the tune of “There’s only one Keano“).

Arsenal took their foot off the gas and conceded a cheap goal to Ross Wallace right before the half. Arsenal usually come out stronger in the second half, so the Arsenal fans were silenced when Sunderland scored right out of the traps.

Arsenal now were the ones struggling and I thought Sunderland might just pull off a win. Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott. The kid is as fast as greased lighting. He connected a pass to Van Persie for the winning goal and the relief was palpable.

There was some drama in Roy Keane’s technical area, which I will have to get a better look at during Match of the Day tonight.

What ever it was, it won’t be anything like the old days.

Good times.

If Abramovich Wants Entertainment, He’d Better Get A Ticket To Arsenal

While I can’t abide Chelsea, I was sorry to see the way in which Mourinho was fired. Does Abramovich think Avram Grant can produce better results at this stage of the season?

It all reminds me of a local authority “restructure”. You know, the guy not quite qualified, but chummy with the boss “yes man”triumphs while the guy who’s delivered the trophies is made redundant, leaving the carpet soaked with blood?

Have I mentioned I can’t stand Russian oligarchs coming to this country and buying up football teams?

David Dein, you’ve sold your ass to the devil.

Henry’s History

  I think I’m going to be ill.

I know Peter Hill-Wood wants to to keep Arsenal in the family, but at what cost? David Dein’s been forced off the Board, Henry’s off and Wenger next?

Utter disaster Mr Hill-Wood. But hey, enjoy clinging on to a shell of once was.

UPDATE

I am amazed at the denial of Arsenal fans and the MSM as to what exactly we have lost and why. “Oh, it couldn’t possibly be about David Dein”. Why not? David Dein seems to be the only bod on the Board who understands that you have to spend cash to get players. Arsenal will always be also-rans unless the Board splash the cash. The Board have no cash as they spent it all on Emirates Stadium. In walks a loathsome American (Stan Kroenke) who has cash, and the Board tell him to get stuffed. David Dein leaves. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that there’s no cash to spend on players and Arsenal aren’t going to cut it again this season.  It makes perfect sense for Henry to want to be with a team with a chance at a trophy or two. Hello Barca!

While we all know Arsene Wenger is the Warren Buffett of football managers in that he can find an undiscovered gem and make him into a super-star (al la Henry), even Arsene needs some cash to spend. Even new boys Sunderland are buying players this summer- but we’re not because we can’t afford it?!

Somebody should tell the Arsenal Board about the dangers of having champange tastes on a beer budget.

Arsenal Beat Charlton To Win The Quadruple

I’m taking a momentary break from my break to salute Arsenal Ladies’ win of the FA Cup, the Ladies’ Premier League title the European title and the Community Shield.

Unlike their Arsenal gentlemen counter parts, Arsenal ladies take their chances and know how to finish.

Back to the books.

Stand Up If One Hates Tottenham

Oooh to be a Gooner.

Quite right.