North London Pride
Is it only Wednesday? It seems strange with so many days between games but then I suppose that’s what it must have been like for arsenal for quite a while now and even though there may be more to lose than to gain for either side at our meeting on Saturday, there is of course still the matter of North London pride.
“We want to do well in that one, we feel we owe that much to the supporters,” said MJ and yes, it would just tip the scales in favour of a successful season if we at least managed to do something we haven’t achieved since 1999.
“If I think back to the last game against them here in the Carling Cup when we led 2-0 - it still hurts.” Well, take your pick big guy. That one hurts, so does losing out at the end of last season, taking our captain for free, in fact it would be nice to inflict some damage of our own rather than watching and laughing from afar. Still, I was thinking today as I dreamed my dreamy little daydreams, the arse and ourselves are playing some of the most watchable football in England right now. We both have moments of genius but we both seem to have suffered from that clinical edge this season. Perhaps we are more alike than we care to admit.
Clinical is an interesting word. It was what MJ wanted from our Sevilla tie and it’s not been the first time he’s used it. Clinical: precise, professional and without feeling. Without feeling. Do our players care to much when the big occasion arises? Is it to important is the pressure to high? Is the idea to be as dispassionate as possible; to do a professional job?
I remember an interview with Goran Ivanisevic when he finally won Wimbledon after so nearly becoming the new Ivan Lendl. He said he couldn’t see a thing for the last few points. He said his eyes were full of tears. He cared so much he was lucky to hit the ball. Does it happen to our boys too?
Anyway, enough of that. Mere musings of The Bagel. Just flour dust in the Bakery. Thoughts for another time.
With a gap in our schedule, the transfer waters have begun to leak through and what week would not be complete without yet more column inches devoted to the possibility of signing Curtis Davies or Nigel Reo-Cokernut or in this case both. Yes, rumour has it that Levy & co. have bunged a poultry £15m into MJ’s war chest to secure just those two; 10 for Davies and 5 for the Hammer.
I’ve discussed the various merits of those two time and time again but more interesting this time is who wants them. I don’t mean you and I, I mean MJ or Comolli? MJ’s been after Davies pretty much since before our sporting director was born and the Reo-CocaCola deal seems more like a bit of good bit of business rather than a footballer of which we’re in need. So, it’s a case of one for each of you as daddy Levy doles out the sweets.
There’s players a plenty still discuss as I’m sure many of you will know but that’s all going to have to wait until this evening, as our my itching fingers. Until then.
The Bagel.Â
April 19th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Hello Bagel
We know we have the players to beat the scum. But do all the players have the desire to win this game?
I know it’s bloody obvious but it is really down to the boys now. If they want it bad enough then it will happen. They have had a good rest so no excuses.
One word - Passion!
Three more - Smash the fuckers!
April 19th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I totally agree Mr Hornchirch - But surely it is not only the desire to put one over the scum, but also our - and, most importantly, their -
Desire to qualify for another bout of UEFA action.
Failing to beat Arse is something we have all grown painfully used to, but failing to get 6th/7th would surely be the worst possible outcome this season, and really set us back in so many ways.
I would take 7th place over beating the Gooners any day, but handily, the two are surely intertwined this weekend…. Time to stand up and be counted.
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYID AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRMY!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 19th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
I agree with you Toby, 100%.
It’s not good enough to win on Saturday only to throw it all away against lesser opponents in the remaining games.
I think also that this game is more than just about beating the most hated, vile football club on the face of this earth and also collecting 3 vital points. It’s the next natural step on our return to the top.
WE HATE ARSE***
April 19th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
I’m not sure how far passion gets you.
Yesterday I read about West Ham’s desire to win against Chelsea; how badly they need the points, the derby factor, the Joe Cole factor etc, etc and then woke up this morning to read that with all their passion they managed a 4-1 defeat.
I didn’t see the game and I don’t know how spirited their performance actually was but I don’t think that’s what anyone but Chelsea had in mind.
How much of a difference can passion make, in real terms. A Drogba? A Robben? A star studded bench. Passion is undoubtebly key but it’ll only work if in you favour if the other team aren’t feeling it too.
Apologies sounding so grim, after all passion is why I love this game. Just wondering what difference it makes at the end of a season with a table looking pretty much the same as it always does.
The Bagel.
April 19th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I suppose the point I am trying to make is that after many seasons with average squads we do now have the players to win this game.
In seasons gone by, average players have often raised their game when it came time to play the scum. David Howells is a good example. He hated the other lot and it showed. What he lacked in skill he made up for in passion and usually did a good job for us in midfeld against them.
Now, if Zakora and Jenas could combine their skill with the passion to win at all costs then Fabregas can be kept quiet and we will win.
Bagel, i did see the West Ham v Chelsea game and in the 1st half West Ham really did put them under a lot of pressure. They were up for it and it showed.
I shall call on the spirit of Graham Roberts to lead the way. Slamming Charlie Nicholas into the stands at Highbury - now that’s what I’m talking about.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Bagel - If I wanted pessimism and gloom, I’d read my own diary. I look to you for insight, forsight and er… somethingelsesight.
However, you are right. Talent will always tip the balance.
Berbatov, Keane, Zokora, Lennon…we are a league away from West Ham, and have proven that determination and talent can prove deadly when we played Chelski at home… They are harder to beat that Arsenal. Arsenal have more ’star talent’ than we do - so do chelsea.
We did one, now it’s time to do the other.
Pressure is surely the real factor here. This is - ignoring the opposition - a must have 3 points. The expectation, and pressure, is what our players must learn to conquer..
Oh, and we need some decent tactics.
April 20th, 2007 at 11:27 am
You’ve got me all excited now. Just been suffering a hang over after a series of disappointments over this season. Really, it’s been my own passion that I must call upon but as long as there is that from ourselves and the players, we enjoy an incredible 90 minutes regardless of the result.
Thank you to you both for the smelling salts.
I read some horrible article in the mail (? I’ll try to find it) about what’s the point in the middle of the Premiership from 5th down to 17th and then there was another about Everton and ourselves becoming part of a new big 6. Unfortunately this last one seems to be based on very little fact but it’s a nice idea.
Come Sat…tomorrow…Zokora and JJ will have no option but to play with passion. The atmosphere will be as electric as it has been at all our biggest occasions this season. I’m smiling just thinking about pulling on my shirt.
The Bagel.
April 20th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Some bad news, Keane is doubtful with a knee injury.
Better news is that Fabregas is a doubt with a virus.
Let’s hope it’s Typhoid!
Bagel, glad that you are back to your old bready self. Your usual optimism and extra curricular activities have brightened many a gloomy Monday morning. It’s quite understandable that you may have been feeling a little undercooked after all your exursions on and off the pitch.
The Bagel has risen!!!!!
(Finbarr Saunders would be proud of that one)
April 20th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Fnaah, fnaah, yik, yik!
Oh matron!
April 20th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Hey, hows you doing?
Me an the old boy have been goimg to games for the last ten years or so, he’s not doing so well health wise so wont make the journey, true yido thru and thru, mind. He made me the yid I am. Cant make the match tomorrow so I’ve persuaded me mam to go to the game with me!
Its her 1st game ever!
hope she doesnt start a fight, she is a bit fiesty.
What a game to be a first one!
April 21st, 2007 at 10:42 am
Especially if we win. It could be epic.
The Bagel.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
me and my broth went fcuking mad when jenas scored. 2-1 and you fucked it up!