My 9 hour flight from Seattle to London was saved by one thing: It’s Up For Grabs Now, the Arsenal Podcast. Typically, I can while away the hours watching some sort of interesting film or documentary but this time the people in charge of entertainment decided instead to fill the log with Vince Vaughn and Robin Williams.
Fortunately, I thwarted their plan to make me go stir crazy by bringing along an iPod with 17 episodes of the ups and downs that have transpired since Alan Davies, Tayo, Ian and friends first sat down in front of a microphone and a mixing board with a can of lager.
I made it through most of the back catalog and for those of you who haven’t had a chance to listen, you should. It’s an irreverent take on Arsenal’s season from several supporters who genuinely love Arsenal. Before you take the piss out of me for what looks like an oxymoron, listen to the show.
The rest of the trip has been really nice I have to say. I have never been harassed by the customs folks, except that one time I said I was here for an Arsenal match and the guy asked me 100 questions. Check in at the hotel was a breeze and honestly, my only complaint is that this hotel doesn’t have real ale on tap. I could always go one block down the street to the Cornwallis if I was really desperate!
The Cornwallis seems like it’s pretty much the only thing that hasn’t changed. I went to the Virgin Mobile store to top up my phone and they have been replaced by someone else, who wants £20 for their cheapest phone (fuck THAT.) I need to find a Virgin store and top this bad boy up so that I can call people who want to get a hold of me. In the mean-time, the blog or twitter are the best ways to reach me.
Anyway, there’s plenty of time for ale when I make a Friday night jaunt out to some of the local boozers. Here in a little bit I’m going to head to Pickpocket Circus for a pint, right now, there’s some Arsenal stuff to get to.
Wenger gave his presser and contrary to what I’ve been reading in the papers he was actually quite sanguine about the Ramsey tackle. Arsene talked about basically ignoring the others and how Arsenal need to keep promoting the values and type of football that we have been playing and espousing for the last 5 years.
Moreover, his take on tackling is a rational and sane one; we all like a good tackle, it’s an art form. As Alan Davies pointed out in his last podcast, Sol Campbell has been the best center back in the EPL for the last 20 years and he has never broken a leg. Because he doesn’t leave his feet and wildly attack his opponent at the half way line the way Ryan Shawcross, Martin Taylor and so many others do in the EPL. It’s not a hot-headed reaction, it’s not a call for the EPL to ban contact as many have said, and it’s not a condemnation of the character of these footballers (though with Shawcross having broken two legs in two years and being this year’s most yellow-carded center back, some have rightly questioned the guy). It’s a call for a little bit of skill to be re-introduced to defending, rather than just battering your opponent.
Another oft targeted player for Arsenal this season has been Theo Walcott. I remember hearing it from my Spurs supporting friend that he thought Walcott was worse than Aaron Lennon, two years ago, and now it seems like every tWaddle in England thinks it’s right to spout the same thing. That’s how this stupidity spreads: some Spud says something anti-Arsenal and suddenly it’s taken as the word of God.
Walcott’s young and right now he’s had a horrible few months coming back from a season of injuries. He did score a hat-trick against Croatia what seems like ages ago and I remember some of us back then wishing he hadn’t because it was just going to heap pressure on him. Nothing pressurizes a player like the weight of English expectation. I almost wish they would win a World Cup just so we could hear the end of it for 4 years.
But here’s the thing, Walcott is missing something right now, granted, but some of the plays he’s made in his career are just instinctive: Bendtner doesn’t have that, but Eduardo, Theo, and van Persie do. I’m telling you, watch the old footage, the kid is special, let’s all remember how some of us booed Eboue and called for Song to be sacked last year. Theo needs some time and thankfully Arsene’s going to give it.
Which brings me to Aaron Ramsey… I actually had the forethought to bring my digital video camera and I’m glad I did. It’s a small one and I’m going to see if I can get it into the Arsenal v. Burnley match because tomorrow is going to be a really special day. REDaction is an Arsenal supporter’s club and they are planning to unfurl a special Aaron Ramsey tribute banner at tomorrow’s match. The whole stadium will be singing “there’s only one Aaron Ramsey” tomorrow and I really hope to get it on video so that all of you can share in the celebration of this really special talent and wish for his speedy recovery.
The injury update from today is that Denilson, Eduardo, and most importantly, Diaby have all been passed fit for tomorrow’s match. Diaby is a huge boost to this team, his work, skill, and size in the midfield have been a revelation at times this season. I’m looking forward to a midfield of Diaby, Song, and Cesc tomorrow.
At the back, the conspiracy theorists will have a talking point as Sol Campbell has been ruled out with a groin problem. Wenger thinks he’ll be OK for Tuesday but with Gallas out now with yet another injury, Wenger has no choice but to rely on Silvestre and Vermaelen to do the work.
Right, I’m getting thirsty, so this is going to have to be your lot. Feel free to fill us in on what I missed in the comments, I’m counting on you kickers!
if you’re in town and you want to meet up with me I’m headed to the St. James Tavern in Piccadilly. I should be there within the hour (say, 6pm GMT). It’s a horrible place, in a really un-quaint part of town, but what can I say, nostalgia takes me back. Fingers crossed it’s still open!
(Sigh) I love London…
Arsenal News 24/7
I’m in the Shires Tim, but will catch up with you tomorrow, but Song is suspended for tomorrow and I’m hoping to see Rosicky in place of Song and not Denilson.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@Chary, re: Song, right, jet lag makes a man dream strange things!
Song is suspended for two games for his 10th yellow card
wenger is awesome. he summed up what all blogs have been talking about. its more abt the way the game is played rather than the player. and ofcourse when we talk abt it we add [ in brackets abt his poor history ].
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=11444676&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=160938123470&aid=-1&id=631915164
have fun in the games!
I had some serious chills brutal tackle onwards in that 2nd half. It would be amazing to see a video of the stadium singing. Epic!
Are video cameras not allowed inside the Emirates? I hope you can carry it in. I am sure all Arsenal fans not present at the stadium, including myself, would love to see it.
I dont remember anticipating an Arsnenal game this much. Ever. Nor do I remember going through such an emotional ride in between two games. And as my girl friend will reluctantly vouch, that is saying something.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@nycgunner, I’ve seen loads of people with video cameras in the stadium, although most use video cameras on their mobiles/cellular phones.
I had my ticket ready for the Porto game but had to sell it to a mate in London because I have a STUPID class test on Tuesday, it sucks to be a student (football wise). Anyway, we are being linked to Mesut Ozil of Werden Bremen (he’s 6’0″ so yaaay height wise) but what you guys think?!! possible?!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
@Atbin, Werder Bremen will never let Ozil go. He’s young, talented, developing and he’s the reason they let Diego go to Juventus. How is that working out Diego?
March 6th, 2010 at 6:38 am
@ctpa, he denied to renew his contract mate, that’s why the rumours started
Good stuff Tim, never a chore. Welcome to Blighty too, have fun!
Got to disagree about Bendtner not having it though…he is a gifted forward with quite a broad range of attributes, he is also loyal to a fault and unshakably confident.
Even in his misses and miss-hits you can see the latent ability, he just needs practice and time. He is streets ahead of Theo…and any other striker in his age group bar Pato I reckon, although I think he has more of a game than the Milan man.
Just my thoughts. I do believe he will go on to be one of the greats of our club, it’s destiny after his start (similar to Song)…and he is still a year off the age Henry was when he joined the club – I hope we all be pleasantly surprised.
Wilcommen í Londres! Or something.
Enjoy the game, let’s put 4+ past Burnley and go top, just because we can.
And see you Monday for a black pudding breakfast…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6005313,00.html
Ramsey thanks Stoke’s Whelan for his on the field support. Ramsey is keen to overcome this tragedy. He does pointedly leave out mentioning the criminal who cause this tackle because it’s an art that he does not possess. The recent statements that Shawcross has made indicate that A) he doesn’t know that he does not know how to tackle and B) he will continue to perpetuate his ignorant playing style because it has got him into the National Team and so it must be okay.
Tim
Keep up the good work.
>Support from Norway (have one for me)
Welcome to London Tim. Hope you enjoy the game tomorrow. Did you bring along any lucky mascots? A 3 or 4 goal differencial in our favour will be nice.
Tim, I think you wrote once that you usually travel to matches by way of the Victoria Line and get off at the Highbury-Islington station. There is a great little pub (in an alley nearby) called the Compton Arms that became my regular spot when we lived on Highbury Fields in Fall of ’06…It’s quite small with an older and quieter crowd. (Usually. A regular named Rosie shouted at Arsenal on TV, over her white wine, like it was nobody’s business…) I liked it because they were friendly to me and my boy (then 4). It might be nice for an early pint before the Porto match.
The Bailey is a rowdier pub (serving Thai food) with lots of tv screens (including a very big one) between the Station and the Stadium on Holloway road. It’s a good spot to watch the lunchtime match. Just past it, but on the other side of the street, is the actual Highbury Library….
Of course the Picadilly line drops you closer to the stadium by way of the Holloway and Arsenal stations, with various pubs nearby that have an, erm, more partisan feeling on match day….(I guess the Tollington is the big one near the former, and the Arsenal, near the latter.) The Drayton Arms was the pub closest to where I lived and now sits directly across from the concrete Arsenal letters. It has traditionally been an away supporters pub, being so close to the station serving the northern rail lines. One pint there was one pint too many….
But maybe you have your game day/night routine down to a fine art/science….
I’m exceedingly jealous of your trip and think that you picked a (potentially) great moment for the club, coming together in the wake of the horror injury. Looking forward to any video, etc. Enjoy….
you can always go to the red action supporters bar(the rocket)166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB . its the london met uni bar,you will see the ramsey banner close up,and theres a fans march to the stadium before kickoff,loads of screens, dj, guest ex players turn up, new songs are tried out etc,and the wengerboys (a band that does arsenal flavoured cover versions)demo their latest releases