13 Unlucky for some??? Villa 1- Arsenal 2

Hello Chaps and Chapesses,

Well Arsenal maintained their impressive record at Villa Park after a hard earned victory made it 13 games unbeaten now at the home of Aston Villa - and how do they get their revenge - shut the Junction of the M6 and M1 making it a John Terry of a journey to get home ( John Terry - rhyming slang for cock!).

Booked a half day off work and left work at 1pm to get back to meet Dan ( @dan87afc) in London Colney to then pick up Scary Ivan and then Dan's Uncle, Ian, to make the trek up to Villa Park - cosy little foursome - Dan put on his favourite Dolly Parton CD and we set off. Made good time and after a bit of research parked up at Star City ( Junction 6 M6 - big entertainment venue place with free parking) - Grabbed a pint in the ten pin bowling alley, then made the 20 minute walk towards Villa Park with Scary Dan looking out for any Villains on the look out for 4 gooners looking slightly lost. 



Sean Lock?



As with all good football fans we found our way to the nearest pub. It was one of those pubs where you knew that you would need to wipe your feet on the way out!!! We were pleasantly surprised at the bar staff . Strangely they were all young girls with ample bosoms and nice smiles.

The clientele were however slightly different, speaking with funny Hartley Hair accents ( google it - I'm showing my age) - most of them looked like they had been eating grenade sandwiches since the age of 4 or had flossed their teeth with a chain and anchor and all looked like they could play the banjo!!!

Beer was all right  and in a glass and at £3 a pint wasn't too bad - don't ask me the name of the pub - the sign outside had a skull and cross bone covering it but it was near a power league pitch and the motorway ran overhead.



Scary Ivan?

For some reason Scary was very keen to get the rounds in and after about 4 or 5 we thought we better make a move ( why does football get in the way of beer and bosoms?) and follow the masses to Villa Park. A short stroll through a small woods, with a lovely babbling brook, over a snicket fence and up to the Doug Ellis stand, lower tier row R,  for 7.45pm.

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What always impresses me is the numbers that always follow the Arsenal away - whether you 're a Gooner reading this or a fan of another club, the away allocation is always taken up by the Arsenal and the atmosphere is always good and vocal - those that know me, know that i criticise the atmosphere at the Emirates and the arrogant attitude of our not so vocal home support - so think I'm being pretty fair here!

Away lot

Villa started off well and the obvious game plan was to get at our "full backs" and it was from a cross from Villa's right that forced  Szczesny into a smart save from a Agbagadadawhore ( or however you say his name) header. On the other side, Villa were targeting Coquelin and  he wasn't helped by the more senior Walcott who was having one of those nights!!





Gervinho been on the weights


With Gervinho and Walcott switching wings, it was Walcott, on 17 minutes with a clever turn and drive into the box that caused Clarke to try a waltz with Theo and the referee correctly pointed to the spot. The main man made no mistake and drove the ball confidently into the roof of the net. The fans celebrated politely and i shook Scary's hand and then cuddled the girl behind me and thought here we go - as in here we go, the floodgates are gonna open, gonna penetrate and get in there - I'm talking about the Arsenal and not me!!!

Well both didn't happen - we sat back  and invited them on - Frimpingpong, who I'm worried is beginning to believe all his own self publicity - all this Dench business and Nasri business - time to do that is when you are a regular and playing well - think he needs to drop the Bertie Big Bollox and concentrate on his career - or he's going to be more bench than dench!!

Ramsey had a good chance when put through, but sliced horribly wide, when a further touch and cool finish would have been more appropriate.  Half time to be honest could not come soon enough and the lure of the pub, bosoms and beer was tempting but we were going to stick with it - pretty turgid first half but we were one up.

2nd half started like the end of the 1st with Ramsey and Frimpingpong guilty of giving the ball away - Ramsey, i can forgive - he has played so many games and is still a young lad and in the last few weeks has started to look jaded.

It was from a root one ball from the Villa keeper, a flick, a mis -placed header from Vermaelen to Mertesacker and Marc Roland Rat Albrighton stole in to coolly finish past Szczesny for the Premier Leagues 20,000th goal

Roland?



Albrighton?


















Time for Frimpingpong to make his way to the dbench as Wenger decided to freshen proceedings up and brought on Rosicky . His arrival seemed to allow Arsenal to gain a foothold back in the midfield and this was further strengthened by the arrival of Benyayoun and weakend by Arshavin ( harsh i know but the bloke is completely shot - or should be) in the 81st minute for the tiring Ramsey and Gervinhohoho.

Arsenal must have had 5 or 6 corners in a short space of time and it was from another Van Persie inswinging corner in the 87th minute that the majestic, towering man mountain Benyaoun rose to power his header home to spark wild scenes of jubilation from the 3000 odd ( yep, odd is pretty appropriate) travelling contingent - another hug and squeeze for the doris behind me and a gleeful wave at the departing Villa fans.





Benni The Colossus




Play well at Man City = nil points, Play ugly at Villa = 3 points. Thats what you have to do sometimes!!!

Poor performance overall but Mertesacker coped well with the pace of that bloke with the funny name up front, Coquelin grew in stature and Arteta is just a class act - he really is in the mould of all that is good about Arsenal.

Walcott really needs to take this sort of games by the scruff of the neck and make an impact over 90 minutes - it can't always be left to RVP - as i keep sayimg he is one slip, turn, tackle away from being out and then we are in trouble!!

As for Arshavin, well he will be appearing in panto as an elf as he obviously has more of an interest for this sort of theatre than playing for Arsenal - he's bad for my elf - take £6 million and let him go - obvioulsy get a replacement first - oh we have - he's called the Ox long lost distant relative of Lord Lucan - think we got more chance of Lord Lucan wearing the shirt!!

Anyway the fans celebrated for a good 10 minutes after the game. We met back at Star City after popping in to have a look at the Star Titties in the pub on the way back to the car - grabbed a 10 piece KFC bargain bucket (to share with Scary!!!) and Dan took us via Coventry due to the motorway being shut, back home. Mrs Talkinoutmyarse was pleased when i crawled into bed stinking of beer, fags and breast ( the KFC chaps) at 2 am and promptly told me to "do one" - so spare room it was - worth it for the 3 points!!!!

What's coming up?

Arsenal v Wolves now 3pm 27th December thanks to Aslef - if i ever meet this Aslef bloke he's got some answering to do - twat!! - Meeting down the Eaglet N7  for 12pm - Star Attraction, Audrey Pineda,  all the way from the U S of A - big Arsenal Fan and drinks pints of Jagers standing on her head whilst singing Star Spangled Banner!!! Not to be missed.

Arsenal v Qpr 3pm 31st December - ( I'll still be  going from the 27th!!!)

Will be good to see you all down there

Up The Arse and Merry Christmas to all from Eaglet Arsenal Supporters Club



Olympiakos 3- Arsenal 1 Bothered? You bet! 125 and Xmas Drink UP

Welcome all - and for those that said we put out a make shift, young team team, have a look at some stats i could be bothered finding.

These are club career appearances

Flapianski 58 appearances
Djourou 139 appearances
Skidaci 459 appearances
Arshavin 428 appearances
Benayoun 486 appearances

Not to mention Vermaelen, Chamakh - what i am trying to say is that team last night was not just a bunch of youngsters who haven't experienced big games before - there must be 2000 games between them - but a team with players in there who really should have known better. Used their experience to assist those younger ones in the team.

Alright Benayoun (officially quite ugly and I'm no oil painting but come on!!) scored a great goal but for the majority of the game ran up blind alleys and flapped his arms around when ever a ball did not come his way - NOT a good example to show the younger players.



Chamakh?                                     Chamakh?


As for Chamakh, his nose is completely out of joint - don't forget how well he started last year while RVP was out injured. As soon as RVP was back Chamakh was discarded BUT that does not excuse his poor control last night, his blatant diving and poor all round link up play. Am i the only one that thought that his dive for Benayouns goal should have been a yellow and a free kick to the Greeks?

Arshavin?                                        Arshavin?

As for Arshavin - where do i start? He attitude stinks, his body language stinks, his whole demeanour stinks BUT he has undoubted talent but i think he is a bad apple and will upset the cart for those youngsters desperate to come through the ranks - is it time for him to depart? I do think so - he's pushing 30, has never really settled he so I'll Ask Arshavin - "Do you want to go?" Yes? -- "Good"





Other than that Flapianski showed what he can do since Wigan away last year and countless other howlers so after picking up a nasty looking gash ( no jokes please) it was left for Vito Manone to make a rare appearance but I'm afraid for those that haven't seen his performance  have a look   Mannone in Swan Lake

Back to Lazy Town for Vito?

We deserved what we got last night - Yes, we had already qualified and the game was a bit of a dead rubber BUT it didn't half show up the lack of depth we have in the squad. We now seriously need to look at a keeper - but this will be a problem - Szczesny is a young top class keeper and will be the number 1 for a long time - will a young keeper with all the attributes to make it as a premiership goalkeeper want to wait in the shadows??
Or is there an older goalkeeper out there with experience who is able to play second fiddle knowing he has only a few years left but is willing to play the odd game here and there and help out - that would be the ideal scenario - anyone have any ideas??

Same old as well - we are crying out for a striker - we have a dearth of poor strikers. Its imperatibve that he buys in January, but again, i foresee problems. Who will want to come to Arsenal and play second fiddle to RVP unless

A) he changes the formation to play 2 up top
B) finds an amazing kid who can come on as a striker and change a game

Was really worried that both Vermaelen and Santos played - was that their idea for match fitness - did they ask Mr Wenger to play? Or was it Wengers? It backfired anyway with Santos and there were some little rumours flying around that Vermaelen may have a slight back spasm - rumours i hope they are.

Well enough about the game

Future Events

Arsenal v Everton 125 year birthday celebrations and the Eaglet Arsenal Supporters Club Xmas Drink up. Starting at 12pm at the The Eaglet. Live music provided by the excellent The Away Boyz check out the link. All time classic tune and player!!(Everytime the Away Boyz play down The Eaglet in the prem  we don't lose!!) Will be a great atmosphere so if you normally drink elsewhere, change the routine and pop down.

And if your lucky Mr Andy Impey (social secretary) will delve deep and get you a pint!

The CEO Will i is Chippington will be providing  the latest viagra on the market - its called the 007......its make you Roger Moore. Cultural  entertainment will be provided by Min and Jay - The Eaglets equivilent of The Chuckle Brothers.

Those wishing to continue the night, to meet back in The Eaglet after the game to continue the merriment.
All welcome, so come down and say hello - we will be sat in the far corner by the ladies toilets!!!!

Up the Arse