R.I.P. Suleiman Omondi

At least you didn't have to suffer the second-half.

Why Arsenal lost (an alternative theory)

As according to Tony Cascarino (really):

"Kieran Gibbs is only a kid, he shouldn't take all the blame, but was he wearing blades instead of old-fashioned screw-in studs? I see it so often - players who fall over because their trendy boots are useless. They may look great, but they don't help you stay on your feet."

Kid pro quote

I wish I had a corking comebacker for this, but I can't think of a damn thing to say in defence of The Arsenal last night. I don't like to kick my team when they're down, obviously, but it was (actually) embarrassing last night, and even in the cold light of day, Evra ain't wrong:

“It was 11 men against 11 boys. They’re just too young to compete. Chelsea and Barcelona are on another level compared to Arsenal. The difference wasn’t just experience, it was quality, too. It’s not just about playing pretty. We’re pretty too, but we also score goals and we also defend well.”

- Patrice Evra

Question of the week so far

"Is Sir Alex Ferguson bumming every referee in the world, or what?"

As asked by the Gooner standing next to me in the pub in Shoreditch last night.

The Special One

just got a little more special in my estimation:

Angry Jose Mourinho allegedly thumped a Manchester United fan after his team was beaten at Old Trafford.

p.s. No comment on The Arsenal's desperate display in Rome last night, except this: COME ON YOU BEAUTIES!!!!!

Creaming my Gooner boxer shorts

I've been putting it off all morning, but I really must say something about The Arsenal's mindblowing display against Burnley at the Emirates yesterday.

All three Arsenal goals were absolute belters. Vela's first was exquisite, and Eboue's third was vintage Wenger-era Arsenal. But Eduardo's volley for the second was genuinely one of the best goals I've ever seen (it reminded me of a goal I scored myself against Farley House when I was ten - though mine was better). For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, check it out:



I say 'one of the best goals I've ever seen' because I would still rank Marco Van Basten's strike in the Euro 88 final as the best I've ever seen:



Even with the crappy picture quality it looks too good to be true.