Wigan 0- Arsenal 4

Part of todays blogs has been kindly put together by Dan Bailey, Ian (his uncle) and Dan Littlechild (Dans B's lover)!

Catching the 8.30am train from Euston ( no i don't know why he caught the early train either) we settled ourselves in for the 3hr slog to Wigan - not suprisingly there were'nt that many Gooners on the train but that didn't stop me getting excited about Wigan!! Consumed a few beers on the way up - read the pre match blog - and arrived in Wigan around 10.30am to be met at the station glorious sunshine and cheerleaders  -, yeah right,  it was p#ssing down!!!

Wigans Finest?

We headed for the first cafe we would find and tucked into a full English for the princely sum of £4.00 - handsome it was then onto the Red Robin Pub

Nice couple of pints in there but as they weren't showing the early game on the box we did one and moved on to The Brickmakers Arms

Football was on , they had a pool table and got chatting to a couple of Wigan fans - good blokes, but very downbeat about their chances prior to the match and were even more down beat after we whipped their arses at pool - we knew it was going to be our day! Wigan lads were telling us that a season ticket at Wigan cost £250 for adult and £50 for a child!!! It works out cheaper to travel up by train to Wigan watch game and return back to London then it does to go to The Emirates ( but you wouldn't want to go to wigan every other week - once a year is enough) Also told us that when Spurs came up they didn't take their full allocation !!!

After knocking back our drinks we headed to the stadium - place was buzzing -away end was full and in good voice (at least 4500 i'd say) Wigan fans were disappointing and if it wasn't for the annoying drummer they'd have no support! Shame really - but it is a rugby town i suppose.

Game itself was good - without us really hitting the heights - but to have 4 different  goalscorers is great and does our goal difference a world of good - not going to comment too much on game as i'll leave that to talkinoutmyarse.

When RVP scored the shout went up "He scores when he wants, he scores when he wants, Van Perise he scores when he wants" - the man is on fire and deserved the goal for his all round effort.

Had to leave before end as had to catch 5.09 train back - so with Uncle in tow and my lover, we ran for the staion got lost 3 times, waved at the cheerleaders who were still there and got on the train!!! Managed to get into first class where met some great lads from Essex ( thats what away games are all about - the craic) had a good old drink and sing song with them          " We'll sit where we want, well sit where we want, we are Arsenal, we'll sit where we want" was one of our better efforts - that good it cleared the carriage of passengers so we had it all to ourselves!! - Back into Euston for about 7.30 - home, and in my local for 8pm - great day all round and great support.

Thanks Dan

The game itself

Previous years have seen Mr Wenger take this game too lightly, but obviously after reading the pre match blog from The Eaglet Has Landed N7 - he started with his stongest line up - however we started a bit sloppily and if it wasn;t for Santos timely intervention we could have found ourselves one nil down - but we didn't and a specualtive 25 yarder from Arteta seemed to pass through the hands of the Wigan keeper to put The Arsenal one up - within a couple of minutes it was 2-0 . The ever impressive Vermaelens headed home from a corner - the first goal from 179 corners!!

Having been in this position before it was vital to get a 3rd and it was down to Gervinho to finish off a fine 33 pass move - have a look -    Gervinhos Goal

For his massive heed - found in changing room after game

RVP sealed the win with a 4th - just reward for a tireless performance. Thought Mr Wenger may have brought him off but kept him on to the end - and made 3 substitutions all at the same time on the 80th minute - Song, Walcott and Gervinho off, Arshavin, Coquelin and Benayoun on.

Szczesny is slowly becoing a cult hero and led the singing with the fans after the game - nice touch- Szczesny Singing

Overall, very satisfactory - rest all of em mid week, wrap RVP in bubble wrap and bring on Everton next week

Up The Arse

Apologies for the lazy blog -over celebrated the win down The Loop Bar, London with a certain Andy Wadding - those looking for a good night out - go there - behind Bond Street - so the blog is a bit lazy.



Pie Munchers Wigan V Arsenal 3rd December 2011

Welcome all and apologies for the late blog - was with a good friend last night (amazingly a Spud) Under 15 Crystal Palace assistant manager and scout watching an Under 11 District Game in deepest darkest Hertfordshire so didn't return until late.

Those that say the English game has no talent coming through should watch one of these gamess - ball on the floor, pass and movement, good first touch, respect shown to the each other, the officials and some great goals!!

Onto todays game - and we will have some spies at the game - young Dan Bailey will be on the 8,30am from Euston making the long trek north to be joined up there by Terry and the North West Arsenal Supporters Club making the short trip across from Chester - reminds me of the last time i headed to Wigan and just before pulling into Wigan, the train conductor announced over the tannoy in his best British Airways Jumbo Jet 1st Officers voice " Ladies and Gentlemen, Ladies and Gentlemen, next stop Wigan, next stop Wigan - and for those leaving the train" and then a long pause, all about timing with this one!! he cam eback with " GOOD LUCK"!! ( those that have been to Wigan before you'll get where he's coming from)



Gary Caldwell and Bother?


Some not so interesting facts about the Town of Wigan

1) The Verve are from Wigan as is George Formby
2) Famous Wigan food products (apart from their love of pies) Heinz baked beans
3) Otehr well know firms in Wigan include Girobank ( never have guessed looking around the place) and the Tote
4) Marks and Spencer originated in Wigan in 1894 and had its HQ there for 3 years (soon moved out though)
5) Wigan Casino for its legendary Northern Soul weekenders

6) ......... struggling now .... Oh and Dave Whelan, JJB Sports ( responsible for providing clothing for 70% of the population - cheers Dave)

Catwalk in Wigan?

Some Quick Stats For you

Wigan have won 25%, drawn 45% and lost 30% of last 20 home games
Wigan last conceded less that 2 goals at home some 5 games ago
Wigan have conceded opening goal in 12 of last 20 home games, going on to win 3, draw 3 and lose 6
Arsenal last kept a clean sheet on travels 6 games ago
Arsenal have found the net in 90% of last 20 away games

So 0-0 today then!!!!

Last 2 away games have seen Arsenal lead twice but fail to win, drawing one and losing the other. This i put down to Mr Wenger not paying full respect to Wigan and tinkering with the team - the arrogance of Arsenal as i call it - its "only" Wigan and i don't have to play my strongest team - RUBBISH - you must play the strongest team and in my opinion it has to be a back 5 of
 1) Sczc rb) KOS cb) BFG cb) TV5 lb) AS
5 across middle
rw) TW rm) AR cm) AS lm)MA lw)GERV

1 up to
CF) RVP

subs have to include the OX and any of 8

No excuses Mr Wenger but if Gary Caldwell plays - you must exploit his lack of ---- goodness?

Couple of quick jokes about Wigan

To become a bit more cosmopolitan , In Wigan town centre they've built an Urdu Centre - problem is all the locals keep going in and asking for a short, back and sides!!

Bloke walks into a jewellers in Wigan and asks the man behind the counter if he can make a gold replica of his beloved dog who had passed away. Jeweller replies " Of course we can, that's be na problem, does tha want it 18 carat?"
"Noooo" replies the bloke "I want it chewin a bone you dozy bastard!!!"

On that note Up the Arse

Notes

1) Those not travelling and wanting to watch the games its on live at The Gunner Pub ko 3pm

2) 10th December Everton Home 125 Arsenal Anniversary, Eaglet Arsenal Supporters Club and any fellow gooners Christmas drink starting at 12 pm at The Eaglet Pub starring The Away Boyz