Happy Charmonica

from the factory floor

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Villa Park
Referee: Jon Moss
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal     21 December 2011
Albrighton [54]       Van Persie [17 pen]  Benayoun [87]

He likes bourbon. He is an awesome host. He's got mega dart skills. And turns out he busts out a pretty sweet pub report when I'm out of town. Cheers for that jbrad.
---

Kick-ass NYG showing today! I showed up 8 minutes late - missed the 6 train by seconds @ GCT.  I sidled up to TJ who was looking fine and perhaps 15lbs light in his blue & orange GKE shirt. He was talking some shit that I was ignoring as I concentrated on securing a Stone ipa from Liam. I got a hug from Nil. My pint arrived. 

We've Only Got One Song

He Plays The Way He Is Faciii-iiinng

Alex Song has quite simply been a monster of late. He has shown a physical presence and a renewed ability to protect the back four that has played a vital role in the turnaround of the Arsenal's fortunes since the beginning of the season. A certain Mikel Arteta deserves a shout as his place in the team surely allows Song to focus more clearly on his role. That said, his timing and understanding of when to attack the ball seems to have returned, and when he does put pressure on the opponents his strength so often mean he comes off best.

At times he may appear to get caught in possession only to beast his way out  and drive on. That skill on the ball pays dividends going forward as well, most notably against Borussia Dortmund recently in the Champions League to set up the opener for Robin Van Persie. So often Arsenal have faced teams that will put numbers behind the ball, so having a holding midfield player who can easily step up into the attack to provide the pass becomes a vital component to our fortunes. So far this season he is getting the balance just right, so much so that we're only to happy that we've got one Song.


Follow @11cannons

You Are A...Wayne Rooney

Far be it for me to kick a man when he's down in the Europa League.

Poor Wayne Rooney, what a misunderstood figure. Today he’s set to appeal his sending off against Montenegro in order to have a shot at featuring for England at Euro 2012.

The authorities really should show some lenience and reduce the usual 3 match ban for violent conduct. I mean it’s not like he’s done anything like that before. Afterall, it’s not his petulance but his ‘passion’ and his evil winking club teammate that cost England in the World Cup.

First of all, he’s so respectful to referees. Sure, sometimes his temper gets the best of him, but don’t worry he’s learned.  Just look at how he graciously gave the ball to Phil Dowd after calmly disagreeing with the referee’s decision. Then he did a little corner flag maintenance on the way off the pitch as a courtesy to the grounds crew. What a lovely chap.

Off the pitch, he admits he committed a few follies of youth. But that’s all changed. He’s a faithful and caring husband to his pregnant wife. And he’s so loyal to his club, he always has a nice word for the cameras. Always.

And he’s so sporting that, when after a loose touch cost him possession, he commended his opponent’s persistence with a gentle nudge just to say ‘well done.’ Well I’m not that sporting. So I say Wayne, you are a cunt.


Follow @11cannons

You Can Polish A Turd, But It's Still A Crap Goalkeeper

from the factory floor

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Karaiskaki Stadium

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco

Olympiakos 3-1 Arsenal   06 December 2011

Rafik Djebbour [16']          Yossi Benayoun [57']

David Fuster [36']              

Francois Modesto [89']

I threatened down at the bar that my report for this match would just be a collection of Benny Hill youtube clips, thinking the less said about this the better. And oddly enough though the result ‘doesn’t matter’ so to speak, it’s worth having a look at.

Two pretty big screw ups on our end put the home side up 2-0 in the first half hour. Ed’s observation that the first wasn’t so much of an indictment on Fabianski was belied by the shambolic performance the Pole put in for the first quarter-hour. To be fair, Ed strolled in a bit late and wasn’t privy to the opening minutes by our number two [that pun is fully intended].

Good Old Arsenal

from the factory floor

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

DW Stadium

Referee:  Mark Clattenburg

Wigan Athletic 0-4 Arsenal     03 December 2011

Arteta [28] Vermaelen [29] Gervinho [61] Van Persie [78]

Vast numbers of NY Gooners continue to appear at every match down at the Factory, so much so that we were once again shunted upstairs. With a gooner behind the bar on the main level, this suits us just fine. I fear for Liam’s health though. I still can’t figure how he kept pace with all four of us.

Speaking of pace, early going it was fairly pedestrian. Given the rotation for the CC match it was interesting to see how slowly we got out of the gate. I arrived a few minutes late and missed the early Wigan chances, so perhaps there was a little mini-shock there to overcome. Most forward moves for the first 20 odd minutes involved Arsenal players running in straight lines toward the Wigan goal, without too much threat.

Paid The Kos To Be The Boss

Tackling The Shit Out Of All And Sundry

You would have to say this man has come quite a long way since that dark day at Wembley when he and Szczesny combined to fluff their lines and allow a last-gasp winner to concede the Carling Cup to Birmingham City. Yet Laurent Koscielny has simply transformed himself from then to now. While there were promising signs last season of his worth, there were many skeptics about the wisdom of bringing a player with only one season of top flight experience under his belt, and one of Europe’s ‘lesser’ leagues at that. 


Kos has put paid to those doubts with a string of commanding performances, reaching their zenith at Stamford Bridge in the 5-3 victory that announced Arsenal’s reemergence as a Premier League side to be reckoned with. Watching him play you get the sense that he just loves to defend. He is Arsenalish from a time that seems to pre-date Wenger, but at the same time a quintessential signing from the manager.


Follow @11cannons