Conference trucks::football;1

    Re -1
    
    If this is the home of the Champions then I suggest you check the locks
    - there's nowt here, some b*gger has gone and nicked it ;-)
    
    jb.

    Address:
    
    Arsenal Football Club,
    Highbury,
    London N5 1BU
    
    
    Telephone Numbers:
    
    Match and ticket info -  071-359 0131
    Dial-A-Seat           -  071-226 4050
    Box Office            -  071-354 5404
    Arsenal Club Line     -  0898 20 20 20
    
    
    Seat Prices:
    
    Upper tier - Centre Blocks  20 pounds
                 Next to Centre 15
                 Wing Blocks    14
    Lower tier -                10
    

    Aug 17  h  QPR
        21  a  Everton
        24  a  Villa
        28  h  Luton
        31  h  Man City
    Sep  4  a  Leeds
         7  h  Coventry
        14  a  Palace
        21  h  Sheff Utd
        28  a  Southampton
    Oct  5  h  Chelsea
        19  a  Man Utd
        26  h  Notts Co
    Nov  2  h  West Ham
        16  a  Oldham
        23  a  Sheff Wed
        30  h  Tottenham
    Dec  7  a  Forest
        14  h  Norwich
        21  h  Everton
        26  a  Luton
        28  a  Man City
    Jan  1  h  Wimbledon
        11  h  Villa
        18  a  QPR
        29  a  Liverpool
    Feb  1  h  Man Utd
         8  a  Notts Co
        15  h  Sheff Wed
        22  a  Tottenham
        29  h  Forest
    Mar  7  a  Norwich
        11  h  Oldham
        14  a  West Ham
        21  h  Leeds
        28  a  Wimbledon
    Apr  4  a  Coventry
        11  h  Palace
        18  a  Sheff Utd
        20  h  Liverpool
        25  a  Chelsea
    May  2  h  Southampton
    
    
    Mike M

    The Makita
    
    West Ham v Sampdoria (1-6)  Men against boys.  Even if West Ham 
    had had a full team I doubt the score would have been much 
    different.  I think they are in for a tough time this year unless 
    they bolster their midfield and defence.  I was particularly 
    disappointed with Slater of whom I was expecting big things based 
    upon his performance in the FA Cup last season against Everton.  
    Unfortunately, he did nothing.  Sampdoria looked a very good side 
    indeed.
    
    Arsenal v Panathingummy (1-0)  Not a good game, but neither team 
    seemed to be overly exerting themselves.  Adams should have been 
    sent off for a professional foul and several Greek players were 
    lucky that the ref was in a lenient mood - some of the tackles 
    that they dished out were less than friendly.  
    
    West Ham v Panathingummy (1-1 Pana.. won on penalties)  I missed 
    most of this game due to extra quaffage in the Supporter's club 
    bar.  But from what I saw there was nothing to get excited about.
    
    Arsenal v Sampdoria (1-1 Sampdoria won on penalties)  Arsenal were 
    without Smith and Campbell up-front, but nevertheless created a 
    number of first half chances.  Although Sampdoria didn't seem to 
    be exerting themselves.  Sampdoria played most of the second-half 
    with ten men as one of their players was sent off for elbowing 
    Adams in the face.  Vialli scored a great equaliser.
    
    
    v Watford
    
    1-0 to Watford at half time.  Although Arsenal played some good 
    football on a treacherous surface (it had rained solidly for about 
    2 hours prior to kick off).  Campbell and Smith were back upfront 
    and it was Campbell who equalised for Arsenal shortly after half 
    time.  About 15 minutes later a Watford own goal made it 2-1.  
    Dixon completed the scoring with a 35 yard chip cum shot after the 
    'keeper stormed out of his goal to prevent Campbell scoring.
    GG made 9 substitutions in the second half including Ray Parlour, 
    who looked quite good.  He must be good, Terry Neill was 
    impressed!  Parlour played most of last season in the youth team, 
    but also played about 10 reserve games.
    
    
    Financially speaking
    
    According to today's papers Arsenal made a 600K+ profit last 
    financial year even though the wage bill went up 1.7 million, from 
    2.8 to 4.5.  
    
    
    The Charity Shield
    
    I hope we give Spurs a right old humping!  I can't make the game, 
    I'm on an Open University course which starts tomorrow afternoon!  
    Ruddy hell!
    
    Mike M

                    <<< Note 46.5 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                                  -< Update >-

>    The Charity Shield
    
>    I hope we give Spurs a right old humping!  I can't make the game, 



 I see that Mogadon F.C have started where they left off.


 Stuart

    I saw some if the 'highlights' on Saturday night, so I turned the box
    off and watched the spot - the effect was the same. Not the same
    quality as I'm used to at Elland Road.
    
    jb.

    
    
    Yeah......if it HAD been highlights, it've lasted about 3 minutes...
    
    Liverpool must be looking forward to getting "their" title back
    already!
    
    
    Andy.
    
    

    Watford have signed Stephen Morrow on a 1 month loan deal. He
    will be playing against Wolves tomorrow.

    The conference directory is the only place you'll find Tottenham listed
    above the Arse!!
    
    The 1-1 fright by QPR is just the start we needed.  Anyone who thought
    the Gunners could cruise to another title (especially the players)
    should now realise that this season is going to be a struggle.  It was
    a good lesson to learn on the first day of the season!!
    
    PJ

    I think you will find that if a league table is produced Tottenham
    would be above the Arse!
    
    Antony        

    From yesterdays highlights Aresnal looked c***. Lets hope its a
    lesson well learned then.

    
    1-1 is an improvement on our opening game when we were defending the
    title in 89/90.
    
    From the (several) match reports I mangaged to read on Sunday, Arsenal
    were not firing on all cylinders. 
    
    
    
    re .11   Well spotted. You should be on mastermind.
    

                              FLUKE, FLUKE, FLUKE


	I went to Highbury on Saturday to see the game with a mate..
	He decided to take me into the North bank stand, where all the
	true 'gooners' are to be found.  I was like a fish out of water
	being a Villa boy that I am.


	I just thought I'd enter my impressions on the game into this
	conference, please don't bother reading them if your'e already
	justifiably pissed off with all the hasstle you've read about
	Arsenal.

	Points on the game:-

	o couldn't leave the equaliser any later than they did.
	  Many of the gooners had left by this time, must have 
	  been well gutted, still should always have faith in the
	  'Mighty Arse' too pull through in the end.

	o both goals were absolute garbage, Baileys's came from 
	  nowhere to defeat Seaman, who occasionally made unusual errors
	  in his judgement.  The ball seemed to twist and turn between
	  the scrabling Arsenal defence, leaving everyone dismayed and
	  amazed at the result, least of all the North Bank 'Gooners'.

	o R. Wegerle played supprisingly well, his strong and positive
	  attacks on the Arsenal middlefield left them in tatters
	  and disorientated.  Both him and Stinton could have easily
	  made the Gunners score card look far worse.  It would have been
	  nice is Wegerle had distributed some of his lovely flowing
	  locks to some of the more needy players in the Rangers squad,
	  i.e. Ray, slap slap, Wilkins.

	o Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocky Roecastle, ever popular with the
	  'Gooners' found it difficult to live up to their expectations,
	  being subbed for DiddleOLeedle (David O'Leary) with only 15 mins
	  left never helped.

	o In all let's hope the gunners and Big George have learned from
	  this valualbe lesson in football.  I think Arsenal should re-think
	  their midfield arrangements, which looked particularly weak
	  and lacklustre on Saturday.

Other points:-

	o I have to congratulate the "Gooners" on being such an 
	  entertaining and well behaved 'firm', I had a great day, except
	  for the obvious 'riot' that took place when 'Mighty Mers'
	  equalised.  They lived up to their " Lets go Fu**ing Mental"
	  pre match laddish song.


	o Any views on the new Laws about crowd behaviour at matches, the
	  new away kits being sported this season, etc.....
	  If so, I've just started a conference (85), Fans Punters
	  and crowds, give it a blast!!!

	o If any one wants any info from the match programme, e.g.
	  Match at the Villa, European travel club arrangements, etc.
	  Give me a call, or if your in DEC park drop by for a 139R and
	  a chat.  (139R being a drink from the vending machine.  I thought
	  i'd better clarify that, I'd only just found out what it meant)

		Name           : Alan Stevenson
		Cluster Address: SYSTEM::STEVENSON
		Phone Number   : Dec Park 3472
		Mail Stop      : REO D4/4E



				Cheers AL.

                        Arsenal 1 (0)  -  (1) 1 QPR
    	 	        Merson                  Bailey
                            Attendance: 38,000+
    
    Arsenal lined-up as follows:
    
    	 	             Seaman
                Dixon  O'Leary  Adams  Winterburn
    	         Merson  Hillier  Davis  Limpar
    	 	         Campbell  Smith
                    Subs:  Rocastle, Groves
    
    After two minutes Arsenal were unlucky not to take the lead when a 
    Campbell header from a Limpar corner was knocked of the line by 
    Ray Wilkins heel.  I think that was the last useful thing Campbell 
    did in the game.  He was eventually substituted by Groves with a 
    few minutes to go.
    
    After fifteen minutes QPR won a corner on the right.  The high 
    looping centre was volleyed in from ten yards by Bailey.  Arsenal 
    responded by attacking QPR mainly down the wings through Limpar 
    and Dixon, but didn't create (m)any clear cut chances.  Although 
    Limpar did have a couple of good long range efforts.  Meanwhile 
    QPR defended well, particularly Peacock, and broke from defence 
    well.  I thought the best QPR breaks were through Sinton and 
    Barker.  Ferdinand had a good chance from a narrow angle but 
    Seaman saved well. Wegerle had a lot of the ball but didn't do 
    very much with it.  
    
    The second-half was virtually one-way traffic, with Arsenal 
    encamped in the QPR half.  However, although Arsenal had all the 
    pressure and the majority of the play the QPR 'keeper wasn't 
    tested very often.  Arsenal's best chances were when Campbell was 
    through but couldn't control the ball and Davis blazed over when 
    it seemed easier to tap the ball in.  
    
    With fifteen minutes to go Rocastle came on for the injured 
    O'Leary.  He immeadiately injected a sense of urgency and purpose 
    into the Arsenal midfield which hadn't been there up to that 
    point.  I thought, "he's begining to look the player he was two 
    years ago."  Groves came on for Campbell with a few minutes to go.  
    And then when all seemed lost, Merson popped up to fire home a 
    deflected equaliser.  Mucho joy all round, apart from the 5-6000 
    QPR supporters.    
    
    I don't think Arsenal played as badly as some people would 
    suggest.  The main problem was Campbell and Smith were largely 
    ineffective but they weren't getting a decent service from centre 
    midfield (Davis & Hillier).  Merson, again, played very well.  
    Prediction time: This will be the year of "The Merse".  Overall it 
    was certainly a better performance than the opening game two years 
    ago at Old Trafford.  As they say in football-speak, "something to 
    build on."
    
    Mike M

    >    Prediction time: This will be the year of "The Merse".  
    
    You say that every season Mike!
    
    You may be right this time.

                   <<< Note 46.15 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                         -< A load of biased tosh. >-
    
>    I don't think Arsenal played as badly as some people would 
>    suggest. 
    

     Qu'elle surprise.

     Stuart

    I read in the Irish Times this morning that Arsenal have signed a one
    Paal Lydersen, a Norwegian from IK Start.
    Anyone know anything on him?
    
    Noel

    Re: .18
    
    He apparently plays left-back but can also play centre-half and Arsenal
    paid 500K.
    
    Mike M
    

    what about the rumor concerning Alan Shearer's move to Arsenal??
    
    PJ
    
    ps  why is GG trying to buy players for every position except where he
    needs them ie in Midfield!!!
    
    

    
    Re -2,
    
    Just what Arsenal needed anothe centre-half.
    
    Gary.

    Well, what a lucky team this Arsenal side are!  Penned back in
    their own half for 88 minutes and breaking out on just four occasions
    and scoring four goals!  Two days later and I'm still agog at the
    elegant flowing footie played by this Palace side.  Simply
    unbelievable.
    
    Come on, Mike you've got to be joking?
    
    Yeah, I am!  Now I must go and have a word with me ol' mucker, Stuo!
    
    Mike M                                           

    	      Crystal Palace 1 (0)  -  (1) 4 Arsenal
    	      Bright                         Campbell 2
    	 	                             Smith
    	 	                             Thomas
    	 	       Attendance: 24,000+
    
    The League Champions lined-up as follows:
    
    	 	         Seaman
    	      Dixon  Linighan  Adams  Winterburn 		      
    	 	   Rocastle  Hillier  Groves
    	            Merson  Smith  Campbell
    	            [Subs: Thomas, O'Leary]
    
    This was an excellent Arsenal performance and a thoroughily 
    merited victory.  Although, dare I say it, Palace may have been 
    slightly off colour!  
    
    The omens were good; three excellent pints of Young's in the Pied 
    Bull in Streatham before the game plus a four quid win on the quiz 
    machine.  As they say, "Can't say fairer than that,".
    
    In the first ten minutes Groves had a couple of excellent chances 
    but squandered them.  On this form no chance of keeping Limpar 
    out, Perry.  After 15 minutes Campbell received the ball on the 
    right side of the area brushed the Palace defender aside and shot 
    underneath the diving Suckling (and yes he did have a pig of a 
    game!), maybe Martyn would have saved it.  It was then all Arsenal 
    until halftime, but there was no increase in the score.  Hillier 
    and Rocastle totally dominated Geoff Thomas and Andy Gray so much 
    so that Palace didn't create one first-half chance.  Merson looked 
    the class player that he is and Campbell was all raw aggression 
    continually harassing the Palace back four.  And when Palace did 
    manage to get the ball out of their half Adams and Linighan (yes 
    Linighan!) were in commanding form.
    
    The second-half was more of the same, except Arsenal took three of 
    the many chances that came their way.  Palace had their first shot 
    of the game after eight and a half minutes, Seaman saved 
    comfortably.  Arsenal then went up the other end and made it 2-0.  
    Campbell crossing for Smith to head gloriously into the corner.  A 
    couple of minutes later Thomas and Campbell combined to put Thomas 
    through with the 'keeper to beat, which he did.  3-0.  With 
    about 10 minutes to go Merson received the ball wide on the left.  
    He took the ball to the dead ball line, went past Humphrey as if 
    he wasn't there, dribbled into the area, found Campbell.  4-0.  
    Merson turned and saluted the Arsenal fans.  The Arsenal fans 
    saluted greatness in the making.
    
    With five minutes left a poor kick from Seaman found Bright.  He 
    controlled the ball ran forward 30 yards and thumped the ball past 
    Seaman.  4-1.
    
    The five or six thousand Arsenal supporters went home happy 
    people.  A couple of rows behind me in the Arthur Wait stand were 
    a couple with their young son (3 seats @ 15 pounds each).  They 
    had a programme (1.30) and a hot dog each at halftime (1.20 each).  
    Net change from 50 quid, minus 90p.  That doesn't include fares or 
    a drink before the game.  Expensive business this football and 
    unfortunately it's going to get alot more expensive.
    
    Mike M

Mike,

This is not sour grapes ( as I said earlier in topic 44 , the Arse deserved
to win ), but I know you are a connoisseur of the back pass and I thought
I would share this interesting statistic with you. 

In the 39th minute Dixon did his first unnecessary back pass and to the
best of my knowledge did not manage to kick it forward until the 87th minute.


Stuart

    >>Note 46.24                         Arsenal FC                      
    >>YUPPY::PANES "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand" 11 lines  
    
    >>                 -< Well, its all abaht containment, innit?? >-
    
    Er, no it's not Stuart.  No good containing teams if you can't 
    beat them. It's about scoring more goals than the opposition.  
    Something Arsenal demonstrated admirably at the weekend.    
    
    >>Mike,
    
    >>This is not sour grapes 
    
    Well why not just accept you got outplayed in every single 
    department and leave it at that? 
    
    >>( as I said earlier in topic 44 , the Arse deserved to win ), 
    >>but I know you are a connoisseur of the back pass and I thought 
    >>I would share this interesting statistic with you. 
    
    >>In the 39th minute Dixon did his first unnecessary back pass and 
    >>to the best of my knowledge did not manage to kick it forward 
    >>until the 87th minute.
    
    Jeez, Stuart YOU accuse Arsenal of being boring.  However, I can 
    be more boring than you...nah, nah, nanahna.  I think Dixon was 
    involved in the move down the right for the second goal in the 
    54th minute.  You remember, surely, Campbell crossed and Smith 
    headed home.  When I went to school 54 was between 39 and 87.  
    Whilst this was going on, of course, Dixon had totally marked, 
    soon to be England reject, Salako out of the game.
    
    Mike M

  Mike,

  If you behave like that when you win 4-1, it explains your petulence and
  pouting when the Arse get beaten.


  Stuart

    Stuart,
    
    Do what the man says and accept the defeat, haven't we had to do it
    three times ourselves this season.
    
    That's a good lad.
    
    Noel

    Just thought I'd add that I thought Palace were absolutely awfull. 
    Andy Gray hit umpteen bad passes and Geoff (if he can play for England
    so can I) Thomas was non existant.
    
    I Don't think I've ever seen an Arsenal side stroll around so much,
    even at only 1.0. up.  Merson was literally standing still with the
    ball, Palace just were not interested.  I think it was definately a
    case of Arsenal saving themselves for Wednesday night.
    
    Thanks for the goal descriptions Mike, being in the away end, my view
    of the near goal was somewhat restricted.  You failed to mention, the
    significance that dropping Davis had on the game.  He has easily been
    the weakest player this season, and with Hillier now fit, I think we
    can look forward to a better future.  (now watch the Austrians stuff
    us!!!)
    
    Will Siggi make the subs bench on Wednesday?  I hear he was told that
    Thomas was preffered to him for the Villa game, and just walked off and
    didn't return.
    
    How's Mick Coppock these days?
    
                                                    Mickey Cannon
           

  Re last few;

  If you care to read what I wrote in my previous submissions, you will
  see that I acknowledged that Arsenal were well worth the 3 points and
  outplayed Palace.

  My note about Dixon ( which apparently has launched Mike McCabe into
  premature male menapause ) was written just to highlight that Arsenal
  are not adverse to the odd unnecessary back-pass, which were wholly
  inappropriate considering how the game was going.

  Stuart

    >>Note 46.29                                                
    >>YUPPY::PANES "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand" 12 lines 
    >>17-SEP-1991 09:48
    
    >>If you care to read what I wrote in my previous submissions, you 
    >>will see that I acknowledged that Arsenal were well worth the 3 
    >>points and outplayed Palace.
    
    Stuart, you did indeed admit "that Arsenal were well worth the 3 
    points and outplayed Palace."  You could do little else in the 
    circumstances.  However, rather than just leave it at that you 
    followed it up with, "I'm not making excuses..", "This is not sour
    grapes.." and the rubbish about Dixon not making a forward pass 
    between the 39th and 87th minutes.  Why not mention, instead, 
    the brilliance of Merson or how Hillier and Rocastle totally 
    dominated Thomas and Gray or the Arsenal passing (on a number of 
    occasions in the second-half there were a dozen Arsenal passes 
    without a Palace player touching the ball, perhaps you missed that?) 
    or the quality of the Arsenal goals?  
    
    >>My note about Dixon ( which apparently has launched Mike McCabe 
    >>into premature male menapause ) 
    
    Not at all Stuart I was simply responding to your ridiculous 
    remark with an equally ridiculous remark.  However, if you feel 
    that your remark wasn't ridiculous, but is based upon fact, then 
    I'm quite happy to buy a copy of the match video and check out 
    what Dixon did between the 39th and 87th minute.  I'm also 
    prepared to bet a substantial amount of money that your remark was 
    ridiculous.  Are you?
    
    >>was written just to highlight that Arsenal are not adverse to 
    >>the odd unnecessary back-pass,which were wholly inappropriate 
    >>considering how the game was going.
    
    Yes, Stuart you are right, Arsenal do occasionally pass the ball 
    back to the goalkeeper when perhaps they might do something else.  
    But then again so does every team that I've ever seen, including 
    (shock, horror!) Palace.  Whether those backpasses are appropriate 
    or not I don't know.  Also for an away team, Arsenal, that spent a 
    very large proportion of the game attacking the home team in their 
    half of the field maybe the odd backpass to draw breath is 
    excusable?
    
    As for your remark in another note describing me as "petulant and 
    pouting" when Arsenal loose.  Far from it.  Sure, I'm not happy 
    when Arsenal loose games that they should have won, e.g. Coventry 
    a couple of weeks ago, but "petulant and pouting", no way.  
    
    As I said before on the day Palace took a hammering and Arsenal 
    outplayed them in every department why not leave it at that.  
    Afterall Palace may come to Highbury later on in the season and 
    they may have there revenge (I doubt it!).  The law of averages 
    says that Palace have got to improve on 1 win in 17 games soon!
    
    Mike M 
                                      

Nice note Mike. No-one could ever accuse *YOU* of being a bad winner.


As for offer of watching the video, thanks..... but no thanks.


Stuart

    	Is Mike suffering a bad bout of Cunnovitis or are we seeing the 
    birth of a new disease???
    
    	MCCABEES!!!
    
    Kevin
    

    Kevin, what do do mean MCCABEES???  That's the worst spelling I've ever
    seen of
    
    BRILLIANCE ;-)  
    
    Welcome Gooner contributor extraordinaire, Mickey Cannon.  What are you
    doing in Notes?  Mick Coppock is alive well and, for his sins, still 
    editing Gunflash.
    
    The AFSC held its 42nd AGM last night.  Such weighty topics as the
    provision of an air-conditioning for the bar were discussed well into
    the night before the committee was re-elected unopposed for the
    umpteenth time.  It would be difficult to run for the committee as the
    number of ordinary members present is usually far outweighed by the
    number of committee people. 
    
    European nights are back at Highbury tomorrow.  Might be a tricky game
    as Austrian Wien have started the season very well.
    
    Mike M

    
    
    Arsenal lead 1-0
    

    
    
     Arsenal 3   F.K.Austria 1
     Linighan    Ogris(sp?)
     Smith 2
    
    Still playing
                           

    
    
    Smith again
    
    

        
    
    Smith scores again his 4th.
    

    
    
    
    Limpar  scores
    

    Re .39,
    
    Well done the Arsenal - yet another typical boring Liverpool like
    performance !! If only like Liverpool you were as good as Spurs or
    the Mancs (:==:)
    
    Hope this ones on the video as well.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    That's put a bit of fear into the rest of Europe. Not the 6 goals, the
    shirts!
    
    Not that I'm getting carried away, but does anyone know where the final
    will be played?

    Well played Arsenal, I saw extended highlights on Austrian TV last
    night completely outplayed the Austrians except for Ogrivic (Sp?) who
    nearly had a second at the end. The penalty miss was justice, it looked
    like a dive to me. Campell was magic, and Smith should thank him for
    causing so much havoc in the Austrians box. Merson also played well.
    
    		Steve

    Well played Arsenal!!
    
    I only saw the second half, Switched from The Beeb to ITV after
    Liverpool's game, and was pleasantly surprised to see Arsenal leading,
    and then going for more!!!
    
    Every game I'd seen in the last couple of years, it's been a case of
    get in front and defend, which is why I tend not to watch them, but if
    they played like last night more regularly I would certainly become
    more inclined to watch them.
    
    And not only did they score 6, they were good goals too. My pick was
    Smith's 3rd. Merson did great on the left, and his cross was perfect
    for the diving Smith. However his first was special too. Not the
    finish, but the great effort by Merson taking the ball on his chest and
    letting fly with a blistering volley, but full marks to Smith for
    following up the rebound.
    
    That's enough praise for one note, I'm going to have to have a lie down
    now ;-)
    
    	Al
    
    PS Anyone know the last time Arsenal scored 6????

    Great win last night, hope they can continue it in the league.Merson
    has done his England chances a world of good.
    
    Noel

    This outbreak of pro-Arsenal fervour must cease forthwith. 

    
    1963 Arsenal 7 - 1 Staevnet (Copenhagen)
    1970 Arsenal 7 - 1 Dynamo Bacau
    
    Thats all my paper says.
    
    Wayne

    re .44
    
    >    PS Anyone know the last time Arsenal scored 6????
    
    May 11th 1991 at home to Coventry in the final league match of last
    season. Score was 6-1. Which makes the 1-2 defeat by Coventry a couple
    of weeks back harder to take.

Well, I watched the match on T.V. last nite. It's the first time I've seen them 
this season, what a way to start!! :-)

If only campbell could put away some of the chances he created, though he is 
still worth his place as he creates them for others.

I thought Rocastle looked a new player in the centre of midfield. Perhaps he's
the person we've been looking for in that position to strengthen things up. 
Davis played well alongside him. 

Overall the team played well, though I'll be happier when boulds returns. We are still 
finding it hard to keep a clean sheet, and if we can do this, then it will be 
just like last season.

Sat. is the next test, A win here would kept the momentum going....

    
    Excellent result.
    
    I would have given man of the match to Merson instead of Smith.
    I'm not taking anything away from Smith but he was doing his job
    where as Merson did alot more than that. What a volley.
    
    I was gutted for Cambell. I really wanted him to score. He deserved
    to with the amount of work he was putting in.
    
    Rocky wants to keep his place in Midfield and with that performance
    he will.
    
    I was amazed to find myself thinking that Tony Adams had a good game.
    
    Nuff said.
    
    Jeff.

    The answer, to the question, where is the final being played, is this.
    
    There are 5 contenders-Paris-Lisbon-Porto-Athens-Wembley.
    
    Wouldn't it be a shame if the final was to be at Wembley, it would
    certainly spoil it for loads of GOONERS, though I'm sure the
    fairweather fans would love it.  
    
    Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we're going to gay Paris, que
    sera, sera.
                                     
                                     Mickey Cannon
    
    P.S.  Mr McCabe, what do you mean, What am I doing in notes, I'm in
    Cannonbury, you know, Norf Lunden an all that!!!!

    Not that I have any desire to reopen the tasteful (sic) discussion
    between Messers McCabe and Panes, but I'm surprised that no-one
    mentioned the need for Dixon to practice his backpasses to Seaman.
    If you recall, last time Dixon tried it in a match, he gave Coventry
    a 1-0 lead that the Arse never regained!! 
    
    PJ

    Personally, I think the Austrians were temporarily blinded by Arsenal's
    strip.
    
    P

    I finally saw in "World Soccer" the Arsenal away strip that you lot 
    have been going on about, and I must say it is one UG-LEEEE shirt! The
    only one worse was the ad showing the Celtic away uniform... Olive
    green socks, a white shirt with brownish green and pine-green blotches
    on the shoulders and arms...
    
    Really nasty! 
    
    Tom

I quite like the shirt!


Si (Man.U fan)

    Arsenal  5   Sheff Utd  2
    
    
    
    All these goals are getting very boring <Yawn>

    Yeah, Boring Boring Arsenal.
    ;)

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs McCabe on the arrival of a new little Gooner,
Liam.   I always thought (Sir) Geoffrey was a pretty name.

  

Stuart

    I'd have thought Ian or Wrighty would have been better?
    
    Paul

    I'm a bit perplexed by the signing of Ian Wright. Good player though he
    is, I don't see how he will fit into the current side. Who makes way
    for him? Smith? Campbell? Given the form of these two at the moment
    there must be more to this transfer than meets the eye. Are we about to
    lose Smith or Campbell? Answers on the back of an Arsenal Bond please.

    
    	Ian Wright got rave reviews from several quarters on his
    	performance in midfield on Saturday at Oldham. Does this 
    	have anything to do with it ?
    
    	Andy.
    

    Ian Wright is certainly a brilliant player and without doubt an asset
    to any team but who gets dropped is beyond me.Straight away I thought
    that's the end of Perry Groves at Highbury but even still it leaves
    alot of quality players for both midfield and up front.
    
    As GG has always said 'nobody has a divine right to a place in this
    team' but I don't think he would have spent that kind of money for
    nothing.The next couple of line-ups will be interesting.
    
    The last three results have certainly given all Gooners reason to
    believe that we're over our bad start but personally I'll feel alot
    better when Steve Bould is back.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    ps. Can't wait for the Utd. game, especially after last year.

    George stung Celtic for 750K with Martin Hayes, I'm sure he can off
    load our beloved Pel for that sort of money as well. Somehow I don't
    think he will though. 
    
    Barry.

    Looks like it's Campbell and Wright up front tonight(sounds strange,
    doesn't it?) as Smudger and Pel are injured.I believe Winterburn is out
    also.
    
    Noel

    Couple of random thoughts here.....
    
    * Given the number of games the Arse will be playing this year, GG
    could simply be protecting himself agianst injury and/or fatigue.
    
    * If any of the players need to be worried about their places, I would
    suggest the likely candidates are Perry Groves, Paul Davis and Michael
    Thomas.  I can't see Limpar, Smith, Campbell or Merson losing out - 
    especially on current form.
    
    * Wright in midfield is a very real possibility, but someone will have
    to put him on a meat and potatoes diet.
    
    * GG now has a core of England players: Smith, Wright, Merson, Adams,
    etc.  Do you think he needs to develop them for his own uses or will he
    have Graham Taylor's needs at the back of his mind??  By that I mean,
    if Taylor wants to use Wright and Smith as an attacking front-line, how
    will GG respond if he wants Wright in midfield??
    
    * Noone has yet been able to predict GG actions, why do we think we can
    start now!!
    
    
    Just my 5p worth...
    PJ

    In referance to the last note, how true, no-one knows what George will
    do next.  Let's face it, he's just bought a centre forward at a time
    when Arsenal cannot stop scoring goals.  Anyone remember him buying a
    centre half, when we had 'the meanest defence' and more than enough
    players in that position!!
    
    I wonder how Andrew Cole feels.  He is currently on loan, obviously to
    get experiance, but also because he cannot get into the first team, he
    now has one more obstacle in his way.  Maybe Paul Dickov will be
    preffered to him, he gets no end of rave reviews and along with Ray
    Parlour and Mark Flatts would appear to be Arsenal's best young
    prospects.
                                          Mickey Cannon

    Wright started paying off the 2.5 million last night (where have I
    heard that before) with a goal from nothing that must have put a shiver
    up the spine of the regular Arse forwards who will have to compete for
    a first-team place.
    
    By all accounts, 1-1 was a fair result, but given that we were without
    Winterburn, Bould, Smith and Limpar, I'm not losing any sleep.
    
    PJ
    
    PS  Who is Parlour??  He was on the bench with O'Leary last night. 
    Anyone know anything about him??

    Re last,
    
    I saw him playing in the first leg of the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup
    final at Highbury a few months ago against Millwall and he was
    brilliant.He's about 6'2" with a mop of blonde hair and was playing in
    the centre of midfield. He ran the show and was very calm under
    pressure.I think he plays in defence also.
    With all the talk in the papers this week about GG buying new players
    the reserves must be feeling pretty peeved off.
    
    ps. hurry up Stevie Bould !
    

    With 15 goals in a week I suppose the press boys were pretty 
    disappointed people.  It meant they had to put their "Arsenal 
    Crisis" headlines back into storage.  Shame, my heart bleeds for 
    them.
    
    In the first-half against the Austrians I thought it was going to 
    be one of those nights, particularly when "back pass" Dixon 
    slammed the penalty against the bar.  But never fear Andy Linighan 
    (I've always said he is a great player!) slotted the first one 
    home and then it was plain sailing, with "The Merse" supplying 
    some lovely touchs.
    
    Sheffield United have relegation written all over them.  Who was 
    that lumbering number 4 with the Shakespeare haircut?  A real 
    comedy of errors if ever there was one.  Last year SU came to 
    Highbury in Decemeber, I think, and played some very good football 
    even though they were at the bottom of Div 1.  This season, 
    perhaps the bubble has burst but they appear to be a pale shadow 
    of last year's side.  I don't suppose it helps their cause when 
    the Dail Mail contained an article with "Harry" Bassett which 
    virtually contained his CV. 
    
    At Leicester, Campbell should have scored in the first few minutes 
    when he was clean through, but didn't.  Leicester were unlucky 
    when Kelly scored what looked like a good goal only for the ref to 
    rule it out because of a dubious foul on Adams.  A couple of 
    minutes before halftime Ian (Ian, Ian) Wright put Arsenal ahead 
    with a shot from the edge of the box.  In the second-half Arsenal 
    were coasting until Linighan went off injured.  Leicester then 
    caught Arsenal cold from a corner and it was 1-1.  A fair result 
    on the night.
    
    Ian (Ian, Ian) Wright seems a curious move.  I hope it doesn't 
    mean that Alan Smith is about to make use of his language degree 
    in foreign climes.  I don't think GG has bought Wright to play in 
    midfield.  He would surely have bought a recognised midfielder and 
    also it would be a waste of Ian (Ian, Ian) Wright's goalscoring 
    talents.  
    
    Andrew Cole is on loan at Fulham and scored in his first game a 
    couple of weeks back.  Ray Parlour came on in the second-half in 
    the pre-season friendly at Watford and looked very good.  Hard 
    tackling and very accomplished on the ball.  Another class 
    graduate from soccer's principle academy of football?
    
    The Dell tomorrow.  Oh joy, oh bliss!  I can't wait for ninety 
    minutes of looking at the back of the neck of the chap in front!
    
    Mike M
    

    A nice 4-0 at Southampton with Ian Ian Ian Wright getting a hat-trick.
    
    It's interesting to compare last season's results with this year's in 
    the equivalent matches. Last year we got 18 points from these games.
    This time the total is 17 so after a poor start we're very much back on
    track.

    Another great win and delighted to see Rocky back to his best now that
    his old schoolboy chum is playing with him.I can't wait for the battle
    of Old Trafford.
    
    Noel 

    Noel,
    
    I hope Winterburn and McClair leave their handbags in the dressing room
    this time. ;-)

Re. 77

>No "fighting" this time please!
 
 Someone better teach him to tackle then...!!!!!!!!!!!! 



Tony

    Re last 2:
    
    I think it's going to be a cracker and neither team can afford a repeat
    of last season, especially Arsenal.Hopefully it will be remembered this
    time for the right reasons.
    
    
    ps. I think we're going to stuff the 'gemini men'
    
    Noel

    	 	   Southampton 0 (0)  -  (1) 4 Arsenal
    	 	                               Rocastle
    	 	                               Wright (3)
                           Attendance: 18,050
    
    The League Champions lined-up as follows:
    
    	 	                  Seaman
    	             Dixon  Linighan  Adams Winterburn
                     Limpar  Rocastle  Thomas  Merson
    	 	              Wright  Smith
    	 	   						      
    It rained a bit in Southampton on Saturday.  Then it rained some 
    more, then it bucketed down, then it rained a bit more... It 
    rained alot in Southampton on Saturday.  The first half hour of 
    the game matched the conditions, dull and depressing with 
    Southampton looking the likelier team to score.  Shearer was quite 
    lively but didn't have many direct chances.  (Shearer's first name is
    apparently, "Wevegot".  The Southampton supporters chanted this
    incessantly through the game.)  With about fifteen minutes to go to 
    halftime the rain eased of and Arsenal started to improve.  With about 
    10 minutes of the half left Seaman punched clear a Southampton cross, 
    it fell to Rocastle.  He carried the ball about sixty yards upfield 
    before passing to Wright.  Wright beat the defender and hit a fierce 
    shot which Flowers, the Southampton 'keeper, could only parry.  
    Rocastle fired home the rebound from close range.  Suddenly being 
    wringing wet didn't seem to matter so much.  1-0 to Arsenal at halftime.
    
    The second-half belonged to Mr Wright.  Two minutes into it Limpar 
    received the ball wide on the left.  He cut inside and played a 
    great through ball to Wright.  Wright beat the Southampton defence 
    for pace and slotted the ball home.  Five minutes later the game 
    was effectively over, a superb flick on from Smith again put 
    Wright in.  He again beat the Southampton defence for pace and 
    fired the ball home.  With about fifteen minutes to go Smith shot, 
    Flowers couldn't hold the ball and Wright was on hand to fire home 
    the rebound and complete his hat-trick.  He seemed rather pleased. 
    
    Ian Wright certainly knows where the goal is.  He seems to operate 
    on the principle that provided the shot is on target it's got a 
    chance of going in.  Yeah, obvious.  I think on Saturday he had 
    six shots, all on target.  He scored three and created the other 
    for Rocky.  Campbell came on with about twelve minutes to go and 
    almost immeadiately had a chance but he balloned it high and wide.  
    Campbell has got the potential to be a great player and at 21 he 
    has time on his side.  Wright is already the finished article.  
    With players like Merson, Smith, Limpar, Davis, Rocastle, etc 
    supplying the passes I think Wright is going to get a hatful this 
    season.
    
    4-0 somewhat flattered Arsenal as they weren't really in the game 
    for the first half hour and Southampton, if thay had been slicker, 
    could have had a couple of goals.  However, Arsenal created the 
    quality chances and Ian Wright tucked them away.  
    
    The defence badly needs Bould back to organise them properly.  
    Bould tends to play slightly behind Adams and is always there for 
    a pass inside from the fullbacks and exudes a calm air of 
    authority.  Linighan doesn't and can't play that way.  With Bould 
    back I think it will take some team and some performance to beat an 
    "on song" Arsenal.
    
    Mike M  

    	What is the problem with Bould & is there any news on when he is
    going to be fit again??
    
    Kevin

    Re: .81
    
    Bould suffered some form of ankle injury towards the end of last
    season, but it wasn't serious enough to prevent him playing.  It didn't
    get better during the summer and I think he aggravated it in the Paul
    Davis testimonial.  
    
    He was due to make a comeback in the Arsenal v Palace reserve match 
    a couple of weeks ago but didn't.  The reserves had a game on Saturday
    he may have played in that.
    
    Mike M               

    Just a quickie to thank Stuo Pano and his Fab Ones for doing the Biz
    against the Elland Road boys tonight!!
    
    PJ

    Rather than stand in a crappy away end at Southampton, I went to the
    reserves on Saturday to see us play Ipswich.
    
    Steve Bould did not play, the only 'first teamers' were Pates and
    Siggi.
    
    We won 4.0 with goals from Heaney, Bacon (2) and a lovely Mark Flatts
    goal-this boy will be big!!  Word is that George rates him very highly
    and it's not suprising why.  This midfielder is very skillfull and
    should make a first team appearance at the end of the season.  siggi
    was a class above the rest, his passing was beautifull.  Dickov again
    impressed upfront and Parlour stood out too.
    
    Overall impression......It rained a lot.
    
                                          Mickey Cannon
    

    Glad to see John Bacon mentioned in .84.  I got a copy of this season's
    handbook yesterday and John does not appear in it so I thought he had
    left the club.

    Psss. Want to buy some Arsenal shirts!! I hear your a bit short.
    
    Antony

    ok... what's the story re the shirts?

From reading an article in todays newpaper, it seems that we are scarce on team
kits. Apparently, some of the Arse players (8 i think) swapped jerseys with the 
opposition. So after the match, Steve Huston had to go into the home team's
dressing room and ask for them back. George was quoted as more or else 
saying "that they shouldnt have done that as we havent enough kits and that sort of thing should
be left for the final."

Personally, I feel with the current status of the club, we should have an ample
supply of kits. This sort of thing should be left for our neighbours, who
could do with the cash savings!!!!

    ...and, of course, not forgetting the great Hummel disaster.  Whilst 
    speaking (ever so briefly!) of the Tottering Totts I bought a copy of 
    the Spur today. 2 quid for a fanzine!  2.95 for their summer special I
    can understand, but 2 quid for a regular issue?  Particularly as the
    content seems to be poorer than last year.  For all you Totts who
    haven't bought it there is the second-half of a good interview with "El
    Veg".  At 2 quid I think they're going to price themselves out of the 
    market.  Anyway, I shan't be buying it anymore.  I don't suppose
    they'll loose any sleep!
    
    I think last night's performance in Austria could be described as
    solid but unspectacular.  Still, I'll settle for a 6-2 aggregate score
    in our favour in the second round.  Does anybody know what time the
    draw is tomorrow?
    
    Mike M      

    Gawd!
    
    How undignified eh? Stewart Houston marching round to the Vienna 
    dressing room and asking for the shirts back and George moaning 
    about not having enough shirts to see them through to the final if 
    they keep swapping. The Austrians did'nt give them back I hear. Good on 
    them! We must be the laughing stock of Europe now cause of these 
    two misers. Now, where exactly do these two come from?  :^)
    
    Chelsea tomorrow, should be able to make a rare trip to Highbury.
    Mr McCabe, which block do you sit in? Only so that I can throw things 
    at you if you're wearing one of those away shirts. :^) 
                                                          
        
    
    

    Benfica eh?
    
    What does the panel think?

    Barry,
    
    I sit behind where the players come out.  Three rows back and three
    seats to the left of the gangway.  By the way if your in the market for 
    a swift half before the game pop into the Supporter's Club and I'll buy 
    you a beer.  If you like I can also introduce you to the "geezer" who 
    appeared in Standing Room Only.  I know he wants to meet you! :-)
    
    A repeat tomorrow of last season's 4-1 trouncing of Chelsea will do just 
    nicely.  I hope.
    
    Benfica, this is going to be tricky.  I'm not sure about the match but
    getting the 200 quid and then convincing the wife, that is another
    matter altogether!
    
    Mike M

    Are we at home or away in the first leg?
    
    1st leg     23rd Oct.
    
    2nd leg     6th Nov
    
    Noel
    

    Mike,
    
    If you told that "geezer" what I wrote in the Standing Room only note
    then I'll see you in the Lower West bar at half time. Can't have me 
    spilling my pint whilst being assaulted in the Supporters club bar can
    we? :^) 
    
    Aww come on, you did'nt tell him did you please, please?
    
    Yours with a yellow streak,
    
    Barry.
    
                 

    Barry,
    
    Now, would I do a thing like that? :-) Nah, but anyway if I had I don't
    think you'd have too many problems as your about a foot and a half
    taller than said person.  What do you think to the report in the Mirror
    today that your fave, Pel, might be moving up the M1/M6 to join Naill
    Quinn at Manchester City?
    
    Mike M

Barro,

I think that the readers would be amused if you posted your "Gunflash" ( blanks
surely ) article.


Publish and be damned.


William Randolph Hearst

    Citizen Pane(s)
    
    I don't want that going live around the world just yet. Perhaps there's
    a chance that the Perry Groves Obituary (if the little poppet goes
    ..bless 'im) will bounce off a satellite in deepest space sometime in 
    the near future.
    
    Mike,
    
    I'll try and make it to the supporters club on two conditions:
    
    1) "Geezer" is not informed.
    
    2) Whitbreads bitter is not on sale.
    
    
    Barry
    
    
    Barro
      

    fortunate...........
    
    lucky........
    
    We'll get you at the Bridge!
    
    
    *Tiger*

    Chelsea did not dominate the whole game as some may lead you to
    believe, 60-40 in their favour I'd say, especially in the first 
    half. A fortunate result, an Arsenal midfield in dire need of a 
    ball winner, and a diabolical referee. Mike will no doubt give you
    a full run down.
    
    Barry. 
          

    No time for a full report, Barry.  A very good game, not much good 
    football though - the pace was too frenetic, but lots of end to 
    end stuff and plenty of chances.  Chelsea, probably deserved 
    something for what they put into the game, but got nothing.  
    Shame, I cried all the way home. :-)  I think Arsenal's problems 
    where fairly and squarely (sic) in the middle of defence.  In the 
    first-half Linighan and Pates were dreadful, even "man of skill" 
    Kerry Dixon managed to beat them!  I think I mentioned this to 
    you, Barry, at half-time when we discussed female anatomy!  And 
    why was Merson on the bench?
    
    I hope Adams and Bould are fit for the Utd game in two weeks time.  
    Mind you it doesn't seem to matter at the moment Arsenal seem to 
    have a Brazilian policy, 'If you score 5, we will get 6'.
    
    Mike M
        

    
    That was never a penalty. Townsend was so pissed off
    with the decision that he phoned BBC radio to say so.
    
    The refs decision was a harsh one.
    
    Nice to see Kerry Dixon walking through the Arse defence and
    its always a pleasure to see Cambell and Wright knocking them
    in.
    
    JN.

    Big Guns 3    Kings Road spivs  2
    
    According to the Radio 5 commentators, the best best they've seen this
    season. Credit must go to both teams.
    
    On a more  speculative note, one of yesterday's tabloids mentioned the
    imminent arrival at Highbury of Matt Le Tissier and the departure of
    smudger to Celtic. I hope not! 
    
    When you consider that not playing (starting) last Saturday you had:  
    Merson, Davis,  Hillier, Groves, Cole, Siggi, Bould, Adams, O'Leary, 
    Lyderson .....we must have the strongest squad in Europe. 
    
    
    On second thoughts, I'm sorry I mentioned Perree in the same breadth as
    the others, but my up-arrow key is knackered. It's a bit like Cunno's
    by now famous list of all time greats....Best, Pele, Maradona,
    Aldridge and Cryuff. Spot the odd-man out? 
    
    Hint: 
    
    It has nothing to do with being black, alcoholic, heart-attack victim
    or drug pusher.

    Declan, not to mention some other good youngsters; Parlour, Dickov and
    Flatts plus the reserve 'keeper Miller.  I also hope the Le Tissier
    thing is only a rumour.  Smith is the best centre forward in the
    country and we can't afford to lose him.  Yesterday's tabloids were
    also speculating on a Thomas departure to Villa for 2 million although
    in today's Mirror "Big Ron" has denied it.  It must be true then!
    
    Mike M

    re .102
    
    So, you have the strongest squad in Europe eh??
    
    Not starting on Sunday were... 
    Grobbelaar, Venison, Jones, Harkness, Wright, Hysen, Molby, Marsh,
    Barnes, Whelan, Carter, Redknapp, Hutchinson, Rosenthal, McManaman.
    
    ...another team, good enough to win the league title!!
    
    Stew.
    

    Liverpool F.C. are doing their very best to get rid of most of the
    players you've just mentioned....

    Although Benfica is not as good as in years gone by, it should be a good 
    test of just how good Arsenal really are.
    
    Too bad its not Porto instead of Benfica. Just imagine Arsenal vs FC
    Porto, twice. It would no doubt go down in history as the 2 most 
    boring football games, ever. Those noters that think Bayern is boring
    should play close attention to this match-up. 
    
    JC
    BTW, when is the first game?

    re .104
    
    >    Not starting on Sunday were... 
    >    Grobbelaar, Venison, Jones, Harkness, Wright, Hysen, Molby, Marsh,
    >    Barnes, Whelan, Carter, Redknapp, Hutchinson, Rosenthal, McManaman.
    
    A case of "never mind the quality, feel the width" as they used to say
    on a tv programme. Only one of the above would get in Arsenal's squad
    never mind team.

    re .106          -< ZZZZZZZZ >-
    
    JC
    
    You must have been asleep the last few years if you still think Arsenal
    are boring. You may have a shock in store on October 23rd and November
    6th.

    The Arse are pathetially boring.
    
       Cunno.

    What's pathetially?
    
    Can Liverpool fans spell?

    >>       Can Liverpool fans spell?
    
    
    Liverpool fans can't even speak properly, now you want them to spell??
    
    PJ

    Hot off the press.........
    
    
    	ARSENAL sign Jimmy Carter (ex-Millwall winger) from Liverpool for
    	500,000 pounds.
    
    Just what GG needs another forward!!!
    
    Hey George,  didn't you notice anything missing last Saturday?
    
    		Like a midfield!!!
    
    Will someone pleazzzze have a word to Georgie boy!!
    
    PJ

    re .108
    
    Why what's going to happen on October 23rd and November 6th??
    
    No, don't tell me, you're celebrating Halloween early, and Bonfire
    Night late... no??
    
    Oh well, then it must be that the Arse are going to keep a clean
    sheet?? But, on the other hand, that's more likely to be April 1st,
    isn't it... 8-)
    
    By the way, on the subject of whether Arsenal are boring or not, I'd
    sooner watch a tree grow, than the Arse play route one football for 90
    minutes.
    
    Stew.
    

    re .107
    
    According to the hot news, Carter is the one -- funny that; I'd have
    sworn it would have been Barnes!

    JC,
    
    You're getting close to a deal here....something American for something
    English.  How about an Arsenal away strip for an NY Giants shirt??
    
    
    Stew, 
    
    Can you name another team that has scored at least 4 goals in each of
    its last 4 league games???  I would be the first to say that goals do
    not necessarily equal quality football, but scoring goals is not boring!!
    (Unless, of course, you're the poor SOB who has to pick the ball out of
    the back of the net every time!!)
    
    PJ

    I'll eat my watch if Arsenal get knocked out by Benfica.
    
    How can you say that we are boring????
    
    Noel
    

    re .114
    
    Carter is the one I had in mind. What a player! And for 300k less than
    Loonypool paid for him. Is he eligible for the European Cup or did he 
    play last week in the UEFA? Or can a player play for two different teams
    in two different Euro competitions in the same season?

    
    My mistake as I meant ' pathetically'. It was just a slip of the
    fingers. Anyway, I think you all understood my meaning. The Arse even
    on a good day are about as exciting as income tax.
    
    Cunno.

    Go home and eat your dinner Martin :-)
    
    Noel

    Were Leicester the first club to have executive style boxes in the
    Football League? I'd completely forgotten about them until the
    highlights, from Filbert Street, of the first leg were shown a 
    couple of weeks back.
    
    Barry.  

    
    I'll keep an open mind and pay attention to the Arsenal highlites this
    year. But up until now Arsenal, along with Porto, has always been the
    metric by which boredom is measured. In contrast, I think the Mancs and
    Everton have for many years been exciting teams even when they lose,
    and we all know they've lost plenty of in recent years.
    I have nothing but respect for the Arse.After all, they couldn't be
    where they are if they weren't a good team. I just wish they would
    add some flair to their play.
    
    I'm going to look for a NY Giants shirt toinght.
    
    JC 

    Jimmy Carter?  Can I be the first to say that we got him for peanuts?
    
    Perhaps there is a better standard of football in the Football
    Combination than the Central League?  Does this mean that El Pel is
    off?
    
    Mike M

    Remember folks, you heard it first in the Arsenal note......
    
    
    George Graham wants to get an Arsenal side elected to the
    Football....yes the football league, so we can win the FA League and
    the football league in the same season.

    
    Re. afew back..Cuniffe
    
    	    How can you call Arsenal boring with the memories of
    	Liverpools two stale live TV performances still fresh in
        your mind ?, or have you had a convenient refresh ?
    	
    	I see TGA was up to his cheating penalty trick again last night
    	Hang 'im by his shuffles I say!!	
    
    	CHris
    	

    Re: last
    
    I bet even Jimmy Carter couldn't answer that one.
    But we'll have to wait and see how it works out.
    
    Noel

    I never thought i'd ever say this...
    
    THANK YOU ARSENAL!!!
    
    We've been desperately trying to get rid of Jimmy Carter, ever since
    Souness became manager last season, and we've finally managed it.
    Up to now no one had been mug enough to buy him... not even Millwall
    wanted him back!!
    Mind you, if you're going to play him in midfield it wont really matter
    anyway, will it... they spend most of the game watching the ball go
    over the top of their heads. 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    Re: last
    
    
    We shall have the last laugh
    
    Noel

    For Carter to play so few times for Liverpool, there was obviously a
    problem up there.  Wether it was self inflicted or not, we do not know,
    but if anyone can sort out a troublesome player, George can.  He wanted
    him whilst at Millwall, and apparantly told him not to sign a new
    contract, but to sign for Arsenal-he signed a new contract.  George
    must think highly of him, and he's got him for a great deal less than
    he would of paid.  A good player does not become a bad one overnight,
    so who knows.
    
    If it's a straight replacement for Groves then it's got to be a good
    purchase.  If George sells Limpar and keeps Groves, that will be an
    absolute insult.
    
    I went to Benfica's ground two months ago whilst on holiday, and am
    looking forward to going back in two weeks time, but I can't believe
    that the club cannot run it cheaper than two hundred pounds for a
    twelve hour flight package.  They're ripping us off.
    
    Mr McCabe-you once asked what Mickey Cannon is doing in notes......What
    are you doing in the GOONER ?  Next thing we'll have is Barry O Hagen
    writing in Gunflash.......................AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH.
    
                                     MICKEY CANNON

    Arsenal 2 - 0 Leicester.  Possibly the worst Arsenal display this 
    season.  Adams wasn't bad, Campbell was OK (but he's still not a 
    right winger!), Wright took his goal well and Rocastle had a good 
    game.  Apart from that there appeared to be a lack of effort and 
    concentration throughout the team with numerous passes going 
    astray.  This was typified by Merson, who did nothing until he 
    scored.  A good goal mind you. 
    
    Leicester played quite well; sound defence and good midfield but 
    no attack.  Because they were limited in attack they didn't 
    trouble the Arsenal defence much and most of their attacks were 
    easily dealt with.     
    
    I think this was Arsenal's 15th competitive game in eight weeks 
    and there is still over thirty weeks of the season to go.  At this 
    rate they'll play more than the 70 games they played in 79/80.
    
    Away at Coventry in the 3rd round on the 29th/30th.
    
    Mike M
    
    P.S. Mickey Cannon - What can I say, a mention in The Gooner, my 
    life is complete!  By the way if you fancy a beer sometime pop in 
    the supporters' club and I'll get you a swift half.

    >>are you doing in the GOONER ?  Next thing we'll have is Barry O'Hagen 
    >>writing in GUNFLASH.......................AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH
    
    My infiltration of GUNFLASH has already started vicar and unless you're
    really nice to me I may go all Tony Willis on you and print nasty
    things.....that is unless I recieve a free copy of the current GOONER.
    
    :^) 
    
    Poptabulous mate,
    
    Barry.
    
    
    

    re .131
    
    That's absolutely true!! A good player does NOT become a bad player
    overnight... but was Jimmy Carter EVER a good player??? Methinks NOT...
    
    Coventry look to have a relatively easy route into the fourth round of
    the cup, eh?? ;-)
    
    Stew.
    

    
    RE A few back ...
    
    Noel  is this another watch for you to eat ???????????/
    
    You must be sick of them now ,or do you like the taste of them ...
    
    
    Liam
    
    

    Barry, please don't threaten me with Tony Willis, it's more than I can
    handle, especially when he slags us off under another name.   He's not
    too happy right now, as the 'Fanzine wall' won't stock his pamphlet,
    and his print run is down one thousand.  A free Gooner is on it's way.
    
    Mr McCabe-when Ian Trevitt interviewed you, was he sober?
    
    popadoolaloo                        Mickey Cannon

    Saturday's game should prove interesting for those of you who feel
    challenged by the thought of an unstoppable object hitting a unmoveable
    wall.
    
    Arsenal have scored 17 goals in there last 4 league games and Schmichel
    is doing for United what Seaman did for us last season - keeping clean
    sheets.
    
    Should be interesting...  I predict the Arse will put two past
    Schmichel (Wright and Smith).  The result will depend on Arsenal's
    defence.
    
    PJ

    re .134
    
    Stew,Carter seemed a bad enough player to pay 800,000(?) for - looks like
    
    a good net loss for them of around 300,000 pounds....Quality accounting
    
    by the pool I'd say:-))                    

    Anyone going up to the game on Sat? And most important, anyone got any
    spare tickets?
    
    I'm flying over on Sat. for the game but I'm still waiting for my
    ticket to arrive from the travel club.The problem is we're just after
    having a post strike and all post is delayed, so there's a good chance
    the ticket won't arrive before Sat.
    
    I'll still travel anyway so if any of you gooners hear of any spares
    and are travelling to Manchester maybe I could arrange to meet you.
    What's the chances of getting a ticket at the ground?
    
    I'd appreciate any help.
    
    Noel

    Did anyone think Robson tripped Wright in the penalty area? It looked a
    penalty on TV, although the players didn't seem to be appealing it.
    
    On the whole, Arsenal did not seem to play well, which is not
    surprising considering the team selection. What happened to Limpar? Was
    he left out because of the fracas last season, or was he dropped?
    
    It was nice to see Arsenal go to Old Trafford looking for a win, with
    three up front. The trouble is we have so many outstanding strikers
    that George has started dropping the surplus into midfield. I just
    can't see that policy working long-term. It didn't work on Saturday.
    Midfield players should play in midfield. Sorry George, it just didn't
    work. 
    
    I'm convinced that Graham will have to bite the bullet and drop at
    least one of big-names upfront. Nice problem to have though...
    
    What about Rocky's goal? The keeper was a bit unlucky, but what a moment of
    skill! How to make Captain fantastic look like Captain Fudge in 3
    seconds. You don't often see Robson beaten every which way in a
    one-on-one. And that's not forgetting old quiver-lip Ince given the run
    around. 
    
    Declan
    
    
    

    The only person who remotely thought it was a penalty as the
    commentator. There was not a murmur from any player, even Wright.
    Perhaps they were all dumb struck to find Arsenal actually in the area.

    
    Perhaps Manc fans are a bit dumb-struck too. There are only three
    teams United have any reason to fear, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool.
    They have played all three this season AND FAILED TO BEAT ALL THREE. On the
    plus side, they have come from behind in two of the matches, which is a
    good sign. On the other hand, it must also be remembered that all three
    games have taken place at Old Trafford, and United now must play their
    three main rivals away from home having taken just 3 points from 9 with
    home advantage. 

Re -1

>Perhaps Manc fans are a bit duteams United have any reason to fear, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpoolmb-struck too. There are only three
>teams United have any reason to fear, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool.

Dont be silly .....WE dont FEAR them. We may be dissapointed NOT to have won any
of the three home games, but I can tell you that with a bit of good luck we
could have won all of them. Those three should be more scared of us.

As for Arsenal coming to Old Trafford looking for a win ...If thats the best 
they can do we dont mind. I dont think they had one decent chance, their goal
excellent as it was, was a second of superb individualism. Anyway we are looking
forward to February the 1st.

    When do the 'pool play you boring sods from Highbury?? 8-)
    
    We could do with an easy three pointer at the moment!! ;-)
    
    Mind you, we generally get a bit overawed by the occasion when we play
    Arsenal, don't we... I reckon it's the thought of having to look up at
    the ball coming down for 90 mins... it makes your neck sore just
    thinking about it... 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

>>As for Arsenal coming to Old Trafford looking for a win ...If thats the best 
>>they can do we dont mind. I dont think they had one decent chance, their goal
    
    Ah, but it isn't the best Arsenal can do, not by a long way.  But I
    think it is the best United can do, which come May next year may not be
    good enough.  Also, United still seem to rely far too much on Robson
    for their inspiration.  It will be interesting to see how they get on
    when old "Man of the Match" picks up his annual injury.
    
    As to the game I thought the first half was pretty even.  Giggs should
    have scored in the first five minutes, but he hit a post instead
    (I believe Seaman had it covered though :-) ) and Arsenal should have
    made better use of the one on one opportunities that Wright, Campbell
    and Merson had.  Merson looked overweight and knackered.  Rocastle
    scored a peach with the aid of a flying header from the 'keeper.  The
    Arsenal defence were nowhere when Bruce came through to score the
    equaliser.  However, in the absence of Steve Bould, Pates looks a
    better bet in the centre of defence than Linighan.
       
    The ref did well to keep a lid on the game in the first-half as there 
    were some robust tackles flying about particularly from Rocastle and 
    Hughes.
    
    The second-half was all United Giggs and McClair had good opportunities
    but missed.  Arsenal could have done with a recognised midfielder, in
    the second-half, to assist Davis and Rocastle.  Too often United, with
    Robson, Webb, Ince and McClair running from deep, outnumbered Davis and
    Rocastle.  I'd have taken Campbell off and put Thomas on.  I agree with 
    Declan dropping Campbell back to play in midfield wide on the right 
    isn't the answer to anything.  Although Merson can play wide, Campbell 
    can't.
    
    As to Benfica tomorrow, well in my case the man from the bank he say
    no!  So it's the television for me.  Does anyone know if the game is on
    live on any of the channels?
    
    Mike M                          
    
    P.S. MC - Ian Trevett was sober.

    re .138
    
    Ah, yes... but, you have to remember at the time 'pool bought Carter,
    Dalglish was on the verge of his famous 'I can't take the pressure'
    outburst, and so could perhaps be forgiven for trying to spend his way
    out of trouble...
    
    I just hope Blackburn don't have the same trouble!!! 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    
    
    	Benfica 1 Arsenal 1 
    
    	Good result away from home but as on Saturday the midfield
    	i.e Rocastle and Davis  had men running all over them and
    	only some good defending and a bit of luck kept Benfica out.
         I didn't think much of the Portuguese Champs but Georgie
    	will have to sort out the middle, cos they'll be defending 
    	heavily at Highbury looking to nick one on the break. 
    
    	Chris 	
    

    Not exactly a great performance but a fine result.  Sets up the return
    leg in two weeks time just nicely.
    
    Campbell took his goal well and just at the right time too!  I hope
    George sorts out the midfield soon because Rocastle and Davis in the
    middle with Merson and Campbell wide on the wings isn't working very
    well when we're attacked through the middle.  What made matters worse
    last night was how we continually lost possession in the middle of the
    park.  Seaman had a great game I hope he's now over his indifferent
    spell.
    
    I wonder how Hillier is getting on.  I think he'd be ideal to mark the
    number 10 in the second and stop his runs from midfield which were
    causing a lot of problems last night.
    
    Mike M
          

    Congratulations to the Arse and their fans for the good result in
    Lisboa. I was disappointed but not surprised as Benfica has not been
    playing well. Would it be too much to ask anyone of you that watched
    the game for an objective game report?
    
    Altough a good result for the Arse, don't count us out, yet. Benfica
    is capable of overcoming this result, if they can get their act 
    together. 
    
    JC

    	JC, they only showed the second half of the game live & from what
    I saw of it,Arsenal played very well at the back with Adams & Seaman
    outstanding.Dixon & Winterburn were reasonable but again their 
    defensive abilities are far from the best in the business.However,as
    a total unit,the defence looked pretty solid.
    	The only problem I saw was the inability of the midfield to keep
    possession.Whilst there were some good touches from both Davis &
    Rocastle ( & Thomas when he came on as substitute),they were very prone
    to giving the ball away in dangerous areas ie.just inside their own
    half.This left the pressure all too often being put on the defence.
    
    	I believe that if Arsenal are to do well in the latter stages of
    this competition,they will have to take a leaf out of the old style
    Liverpool/Nottingham Forest European excursions ie.defend solidly &
    rather than trying to storm forward,learn to pass the ball & keep
    possession in midfield/up front thus relieving the pressure.
    
    	All in all it was a good performance but it could have been a 
    different story had Adams or Seaman not been in such commanding form.
    Merson & Campbell seemed a little lost in midfield & the only thing I 
    saw Campbell do was score a cracking goal.
    
    	Benfica will still be a tough tie at Highbury & we need someone 
    in midfield who can tackle & defend.They look a good side but have a
    mountain to climb now to qualify for the next round.The number
    ten(Sorry can't remember names) looks a very good & dangerous player 
    but again I wonder how much of this was down to the amount of space
    afforded him by the Arsenal midfield.
    
    Kevin
    

    
    I thought Arsenal were a little fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw but
    then it was nice to see them play attacking football.  Ithink they'll
    qualify now.
    
    The format for the later rounds will mean a different approach to
    European ties.  Away goals no longer mean anything.  Should Arsenal
    qualify they will have 6 games against 3 quality teams and they must
    win at home and hope to pick up a couple of draws away.  Looks like a
    feast of live football on TV in the New Year.
    
    BTW what has David O'Leary done?  Colin Pates and Andy Linigan have
    both been preferred to him recently.
    
    Gary.

    re .150
    
    I quite agree...
    
    If Arsenal learnt to pass the ball, they'd do a hell of a lot better!!
    
    Can't see it happening though, it'd mean a total rethink!! 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

   >                  <<< Note 46.152 by YUPPY::SEABURYS >>>
   >                    -< Play it the Liverpool way... >-
    
    The day Arsenal sink to that clueless level, as seen 3 times on tv 
    recently, is the day I'll give up following football and become a 
    Spivs fan. ;-)
    
    Anyone know when Steve Bould and David Hillier are likely to be available 
    again? We sure could do with them both at the moment. The results at Man 
    Utd and Benfica were good but from what I saw on the telly the performances
    left a lot to be desired. It was good to see Adams and Seaman playing
    well but I'll only be happy with the defence when big Steve returns.The 
    midfield could certainly do with Hillier and someone like Jonas Thern 
    judging by his performance for Benfica. Shame we didn't sign him. I could 
    not believe how bad Michael Thomas' distribution was in the few minutes 
    he played on Wednesday. 
    
    As noted by others in here, playing Merson and Campbell wide in midfield 
    does not work and should not be tried again. The problem is that Smith, 
    Wright and Campbell should only be played up front which means you can't 
    have Merson there as well. His only other effective position is wide on 
    the left which means where does Limpar play? It's impossible to come up
    with a solution that accomodates all 5 of them yet at the same time
    it's almost impossible to leave any one of them out. Maybe George
    should try playing Anders in central midfield. Didn't he play there
    before joining Arsenal?

    Yep, Limpar played central midfield at Cremonese.  To play him there
    means dropping Davis or Rocastle (who's been outstanding in the past
    4/5 games), which I don't think is going to happen.
    
    Steve Bould played a reserve game this week.  I don't know how he got
    on but if he came through it alright he just maybe in tomorrow.  The
    bad news is Adams maybe out tomorrow with a groin strain.  From what
    was being said on the tv and in the papers earlier in the week he needs
    an operation.
    
    Mike M
    
    P.S. Peter, I think playing "The Liverpool Way" may have some merit:
    
    1) We'd get alot more penalities.
    2) Paul Davis wouldn't have been banned for nine games for clocking
       Cockerill.
    3) We wouldn't have had 2 points deducted nor been fined for the brawl at
       Old Trafford.
    4) Tony Adams wouldn't have been sent off last season for an innocuous
       foul at Luton.
    5) We'd be able to pass the ball around at the back waiting for an
       opening and have universal recognition for playing a "European" type
       game. 
    6) The occassional hoof up the field would be recognised as a sensible 
       way of relieving pressure and a good variation in play.
    7) Players questioning a referee's decision would be considered fair
       minded professionals who are only trying to make sure that the game is
       played and interpreted correctly as opposed to intimidating the ref.
    8) George Courtney would be "our friend".   
    
    Nah, on second thoughts, who wants to be a cheating scouser?  Not me.
    
    :-)

    Scathing! And it's Friday as well. Sure you're not a Leeds United
    supporter?
    
    :-)  x  MASSIVE. 
    
    
    		Steve

    Who's calling the great name of Leeds United into question ?
    
    Liverpool have their own problems, but have you seen their fixtures for
    Easter ?
    
    Sat Leeds Utd home
    Mon The Arse away
    Sat Man U home
    
    Liverpool will be out of it by then, and it'll be an Arse / Leeds title
    chase.
    
    I'm off down the pub for a few pints of Tetleys and then for a King
    Prawn Chicken Vindaloo off the Bone Curry (Chiken Tikka actually). 
    
    Arse to beat Notts Co tomorrow, and Leeds United to be on top spot, the
    first time in a lot of years (probably 17 !!)
    
    jb.
    

    >                   <<< Note 46.154 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
    >
    >Yep, Limpar played central midfield at Cremonese.  To play him there
    >means dropping Davis or Rocastle (who's been outstanding in the past
    
    Ok, I agree Rocky is back to his best but Davis has never struck me as
    anything other than ordinary so drop him I say and put Rocky back on
    the right with Anders in the middle. My team would be:
    
    			Seaman
    Dixon	Adams		Bould	Winterburn
    	Rocastle	Limpar		Merson
    	Campbell	Smith		Wright
    
    For games where a bit more midfield bite is required, drop Campbell and
    bring Hillier into a four-man midfield.
    
    BTW, can anyone confirm the story in the Spurs note that our match
    against them on Nov 30 is to be switched to the Sunday for TV? DEClan
    and I were hoping to travel over for that one if it was on the
    Saturday.

    Peter-yes the spurs game is to be shown live on Sunday.  All seats have
    sold out, but due to the prescence of the camera's , getting in on the
    terraces should be o.k.
    
    Having been to Benfica, I can say that Arsenal wethered the Benfica
    attacks well, and a draw was a fair result.  Maybe 2.1. to Benfica may
    have been fairer.  
    
    Benfica were all over us in the first ten minutes as the occasion
    seemed to get to us, but there was always a player there to block the
    final pass.  Usually Adams.  
    
    We were very vunerable on the left hand side, and Benfica exploited all
    the space we gave them.  Graham kept switching Limpar and Campbell over
    to resolve this, and Davis shifted to mark Isaias.  he man marked him
    well, or did he, because he still got a lot of shots in.  As soon as
    Arsenal had the ball, there were two or three players chasing it, which
    made passing difficult.  Davis was ideal, rather than Thomas, as
    Benfica's slower style gave him time to make creative passes.  Their
    goal was a result of us pushing up and getting caught on the break.
    
    The equaliser couldn't have been better timed as the crowd were really
    getting behind them, and being a goal down any longer would certainly
    have favoured them.  
    
    Benfica tired quite quickly and the crowd were soon getting on their
    back.  Campbell caused them problems due to his size and if he plays
    well in the second leg I think he will be a major reason for us going
    through.  Playing Limpar in the middle is not a good idea, he doesn't
    have the strengh in tackle to win balls.  Some of his antics in the
    first half earned him the wrath of the crowd and failed to impress the
    ref.
    
    It was a tremendous experiance, hearing the crowd whistle us every time
    we sung was wonderfull, though their coin and bottle throwing was not.
    Arsenal took over 600 with the travel club and about 800 travel'd on
    their own.
    
    Perry was crap, but is now idolised by the fans, he even has his own
    song now-"We all live in a Perry Groves world".
    
                                                 Mickey Cannon

    >>	Arse to beat Notts Co tomorrow, and Leeds United to be on top spot,
    >>  the first time in a lot of years (probably 17 !!)
    
    
    Nice prediction, jb.
    
    PJ

    re .156
    
    I don't honestly see how the 'pool could be out of the title race after
    Easter, leaving it between the Arse and Leeds...
    
    Especially as we're bound to have beaten both in the space of three
    days!!! 8-)
    
    A couple of early predictions...
    Liverpool 2  	Leeds 0
    
    Arsenal 1		Liverpool 3
    
    plus,
    Liverpool 1		Mancs 0
    
    Remember where you read it first... 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    Re .160,
    
    	Might I suggest you get to your doctor's as soon as possible as I
    believe you are suffering from acute Cunnovitis:-))
    
    	
    

    Thanks for the game reports. I finally got to see the hilites the other
    day and agree with your reports. A draw seems fair although we could
    easily have won it as one hit the post. The Soviet Iuran was terrible
    against the Arse but seems to be coming along. This weekend' match
    against Porto should be a good indicator of things to come. I was
    surprised the Arse didn't use the long ball down the wings more often
    as Benfica has always had problems defending against it. I hope Seaman
    catches a cold or Cunnovitis or something and stays home for the return 
    leg. Bottom line, if Benfica can't win it all, then I hope the Arse
    does.
    
    JC

    Twenty magic minutes in each half from Arsenal was the difference 
    between the two teams.  After a pretty mundane first twenty five 
    minutes Arsenal stepped up a couple of gears and played some very 
    good football up to the break.  Smith, Merson and Wright all had 
    good chances, but failed to score.  Pates also hit the bar with a 
    25 yard screamer.  However, having played all the good football 
    and created numerous chances Arsenal could easily have gone in 1-0 
    down at halftime - Tommy Johnson stroked the ball wide of the far 
    post when he was unmarked ten yards out.  Johnson was substituted 
    in the second-half and he wasn't too pleased about it.  
    
    With twenty minutes of the second-half to go Limpar nicked the 
    ball off a County player, ran down the wing and his low cross was 
    turned in by Smith.  Five minutes later it was, effectively, all 
    over as Merson played a lovely through ball for Wright to run onto 
    and fire past Cherry in the County goal.  Merson seems to have 
    gone off the boil a bit in the last 2/3 games.
    
    Before the game I thought Arsenal might show some reaction to the 
    two tough games, away at Man United and Benfica, that they'd had 
    in the previous six days.  But fortunately they didn't.  
    
    I think County have got some useful players, but they need a 
    couple of experienced first division players, one at the back and 
    one in midfield would do, otherwise they'll continue to struggle.    
    
    There are new issues of 1-0 Down 2-1 Up and On The Box available.  
    1-0 Down 2-1 Up have in the past been very critical of George 
    Graham, however it's nice to know, from their latest editorial, 
    that if Arsenal win either the European Cup or the League this 
    year they might recant.  No doubt the editor "Gruppenfurheur" 
    Willis will put his FA coaching badge and vast experience of 
    building championship winning teams into good use when GG departs 
    by accepting the manager's job that the Arsenal board will 
    undoubtedly offer him.
    
    Coventry tonight in the Rumbelows.  It won't be easy I believe 
    Coventry are playing quite well at the moment, weren't they 
    unlucky to lose at Anfield on Saturday?
    
    Mike M                                  

    Yes, it wasn't easy 
    
    Sadly we lost! Out of the Rumbelows Cup.
    
    I hope we go on to win bigger and better things!
    
    
    Elangco (a new comer)

    From listening to the game on the radio it seems that we got what we
    deserved...nothing!  We seemed to have a fair amount of possession but
    didn't translate that into many real goal-scoring opportunities (and
    even less goals!).  In fact it seemed as if Coventry had all the real
    chances, if so then good luck to them.  "I suppose we'll just have to 
    concentrate on the big three".
    
    Mike M      

                   <<< Note 46.165 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>

>                                    "I suppose we'll just have to 
>    concentrate on the big three".
    
   

     Mike,

     Are you, or have you ever been a closet M*n U*d fan?

     Stuart McCarthy

    >> Mike,

    >> Are you, or have you ever been a closet M*n U*d fan?

    >> Stuart McCarthy
    
    I must confess that back in '68 I did want them to win the 
    European Cup and about that time it was always great to see Mr 
    Best (the greatest ever, imo) in action.  A slight digression, and 
    without wishing to start up the "who's the greatest" discussion 
    again, do people who are old enough remember Best, when he was 17 
    I think, playing for NI against Scotland?  The boy was brilliant, 
    he simply destroyed Scotland all by himself.  Sheer, undiluted 
    MAGIC!  Pele, Maradona, etc just weren't on the same planet.
    
    Since that time, however, the Mancs have sunk lower and lower and 
    lower and lower in my estimation.  Not I hasten to add because 
    they were relegated or because they rarely won trophies but 
    because of the things surrounding the team.  In particular, the 
    United board and the attitude of their fans.  
    
    In my opinion Louis and Martin Edwards have a lot to answer for.  
    From what I've read in books and in the papers their actions 
    always seem to have been motivated by what's best for them first 
    with United a poor second.  This didn't seem to matter so much 
    when Matt Busby (Whom I believe to be one of the three greatest 
    English club managers ever.  The other two being Herbert Chapman 
    and Bill Shankly.) was in charge.  But since his retirement it has 
    mattered.
    
    The fans - maybe I've just been unlucky but the times I've had a 
    seat at Old Trafford (x3) I seem to be sitting amongst some of the 
    most bigoted, hostile and ignorant fans of any club anywhere in 
    the country, with the possible exception of Chelsea.  I'm told 
    that sitting in the seats at Leeds isn't too pleasant either but I 
    haven't been there so I can't comment.  Having said that the Man U 
    fans who contribute to this notes file seem far more tolerant than 
    the majority of the people that I've had the misfortune to 
    encounter at Old Trafford.
      
    To bigoted, hostile and ignorant I would also add arrogant.  They 
    seem to really believe that they are "the greatest club in the 
    world".  What do they base this belief on?  The prime reason to me 
    seems to be because their average home attendance is 6/7000 more 
    than any other team in the first division (big deal?).  It 
    certainly can't be heritage (Arsenal would arguably claim that 
    title) nor can it be on recent results (Liverpool would certainly 
    claim that title).
    
    You don't actually have to go to Old Trafford to appreciate the 
    bigotry, etc all you have to do is read a few copies of Red Issue 
    (Man U fanzine).  I think it's the recent issue that complains 
    about Man City fans singing, "Always look on the runway for 
    ice...".  Never mind that their own fans sing, "I'd rather be a 
    paki than a scouse..."!  Not to mention the continual invective 
    directed against Liverpool and the perpetual groupthink, 
    unsubstantiated by facts, that they are indeed "the greatest club 
    in the world".
    
    So to answer your question, Stuart, no I'm not a closet United 
    fan.
    
    Mike M         

                   <<< Note 46.167 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                     -< Well, it is almost 5th November. >-

>    To bigoted, hostile and ignorant I would also add arrogant.  They 
>    seem to really believe that they are "the greatest club in the 
>    world".  What do they base this belief on?  The prime reason to me 
>    seems to be because their average home attendance is 6/7000 more 
>    than any other team in the first division (big deal?).  It 
 

     Mike,
     
     Am I not right in thinking that the Utd attendence figures include
     season ticket holders, whether they attend or not?

     Stuart

    
    Hi Stuo, 
    
    can I answer that ?
    
    Yes, the Mancs DO include season ticket holders whether they attend or
    not, I remember one of the papers kicking up a fuss a couple of years
    ago after a Wimbledon game at Old Trafford - the official attendance
    was something like 27,000 - but the actually attendance was only about
    17,000....
    
    Paul

    I'll bet most clubs do that.....
    
    Dave...

Re. .167 and .168

Well at least M*FC have one noteable achievement,

They seem to have got Panes and McCabe to agree on something.

    Re: .170
    
    Nope, most (95%+) clubs get their attendance figures by counting the 
    people who have passed through the turnstiles on the day of the match. 
    Or in the case of the majority of clubs by counting some of the
    people... 
    
    However, I can't substantiate this with the exact facts and figures.  
    I just remember it as a quote from, "Manchester United - The Betrayal 
    of a Legend".  
    
    Mike M  

    
    In Italy season ticket holders are also counted as having attended
    every game.
    
    Gary.

    re .167
    
    Mention of bigotted songs and invective directed against Liverpool,
    does anyone know all the words to that charming ditty 'In your
    Liverpool slum' that I have heard in the AFSC bar on several occasions.
    Usually being a bit pissed, the only bit I can remember is something like 
    "You find a dead cat and you think it's a treat". If you know the rest of 
    it but it's unsuitable for posting here, please mail it.

    "In your Liverpool slums, 
    You look in the dustbin for something to eat
    You find a dead cat and think it's a treat
    In your Liverpool slums."
    
    Repeat above as many times as is necessary.

    I've never been to England so I can't comment on fan attitudes or
    behavior, nor do I want to lead this topic down a rat hole. I will,
    however, point out one thing:
    
    I've lived in several countries in 3 continents and as a big football
    fan I discuss the game with anyone willing. In countries such as
    South Korea, Japan, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and others
    where European leagues are not followed closely, the name United
    is synonymous with Manchester and football. 
    
    JC
    
    

    re .175
    
    Blimey Mike I must have been really out of my tree as I had a vague
    recollection that it was quite long.

    Gentleman, purleeease! Need I remind you that this is the "Marble
    Halls" Note.
    
    

    Barry, thanks for reminding me that this is the home of the marble
    halls, as I was about to ask if anyone knew all the words to "My old
    man, said be a Tottenham fan" as this one always ends half way through.
    
    Can we please refrain from using the name Tony Willis, his head may get
    even bigger!!!!  If I didn't know what he looks like, I'd be sure he
    was really Paul Davis's brother.  
    
                                                 MICKEY CANNON

                      <<< Note 46.179 by YUPPY::NASSIM >>>
                       -< OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN >-

>    Barry, thanks for reminding me that this is the home of the marble
>    halls, as I was about to ask if anyone knew all the words to "My old
>    man, said be a Tottenham fan" as this one always ends half way through.
    
 
     Of course I know the ending, but I tend to alternate between Millwall
     ( the dockers benevolent eleven ) and the Arzzzzzz.

     Stuart
   
    

    I presume all this talk of 'my old man' etc... is to show how you
    were all totally confident of Saturdays result...;-)))

	well another defeat, not good for the match wednesday. I can see it
	being a tough game, and for us to get thr' then we'll have to play well.
	
	I heard the match was boring, any reports...

	Any new of steve returning because we blooding need him top plug
	up the hole in our defence. Mike , didnt you mention him playing in the
	reserves. What his progress??

	There's rumours spreading everywhere that paul merson is going to
	rangers. It be a sad day if it happens, why would GG sell him??
	We're not short on money, and he can turn any match when he's on form.
	It will DEFINITLY turn my stomach if he goes, just when our squad is
	developing into a real team.

	As for our performances lately, we've lost that consistancy that we had 
	last year. If we get steve back & someone too tighten up midfield then
	perhaps we'll get it together like last year. Time is creeping By!!


		Mick.

              <<< Note 46.183 by XSTACY::MDUNPHY "The Hit Man" >>>
	
>	I heard the match was boring, any reports...
                              ^^^^^^


       Messrs Mod,

       I was under the impression that one was not alllowed to use the
       "B" word in this topic.

       Please take appropriate action.

      
       Stuart
      

    Benfica is coming off a bruiser of a game away against rival Porto
    yesterday, We tied 0:0 but were robbed of a clear penalty. Both goalies
    were excellent and, as usual in Portugal,  plenty of politics involved. 
    
    Benfica wanted to play Saturday or re-schedule the game against Porto 
    so as not to have to travel to North London and play on only 2 days 
    rest, when they could not hold back some starters because the 
    league game was too important. Porto would not agree because they are 
    at home against Spurs and anything they can do to set Benfica back is 
    always reason for celebration in the North of Portugal. The FA, as
    always, was divided (FYI, the FA is heavilly influenced by Benfica and 
    Porto) and did not step in so off we go to play the Arse tired and
    bruised.
    
    In any event, if Benfica plays as well on Wednesday as they played
    yesterday, then Arsenal will have to play a great game to beat them
    and I'm sure we fans will be in for a great football treat.
    I'm hoping for a great game as I have to take 4 hours vacation and
    travel another 4 hours by car to watch it on TV.
    
    JC
    
    My prediction  3:2 to the Arse

    Bould was one of the substitites on Saturday, but he didn't come on. 
    Adams was probably rested for the Benfica game on Wednesday.  In the
    absence of Adams and Bould, Linighan and Pates played in the middle of
    defence.  They were quite good too, although West Ham didn't do an
    awful lot of attacking, but then again neither did Arsenal.  Arsenal
    were lacking someone in the middle of the field who could get the team
    together.  Rocastle tried but couldn't do it on his own, Thomas was
    rubbish and Merson was only in the game spasmodically.  All in all not
    a good display.
    
    I think the Merson rumour started in The Times on Saturday with the add
    on that Mo Johnstone was on his way to Leeds.  At Saturday's after
    match press conference George Graham categorically denied that Rangers 
    had even made an enquiry about Merson.  Perhaps his agent needs a few
    bob?  Although on the radio this morning it was stated that the deal
    would be completed on Thursday.  I think the only reason Arsenal would
    sell Merson is if he's stepped out of line again, but surely if that
    were the case it would be splashed across the back of the tabloids?  
    
    Mike M
                                                                         

    Cant believe Rangers could entice Merson away from Highbury..besides
    hed not fit in at Ibrox, as he has too much skill !!.  One of the most
    exciting talents around is young Merson, and a season or two in the
    Scottish Premier Clogging League would do him no good at all.
    
    paul
    

    >and a season or two in the
    >Scottish Premier Clogging League would do him no good at all.
    
    	
    	Well how about selling them one of your central defenders then?
    Oh by the way, keep the ones with driving licences....
    
    		Steve
    

    
    I read this morning 5 of the boys are in the England squad for
    next week, Seaman Dixon Wright Merson and Smith with Rocastle on
    standby along with Burrows, the only Liverpool contribution
    sign of the times eh ?  Mind youm, I think only Dixon and Smith
    will be pulling shirts on.
    
    
    CHris
    

    Wots the starting time for the Benfica game?
    
    JC

    JC
    
    I think the ko is at 8:05 local time. TV coverage starts at 8.
    
    BTW, Benfica's chances have improved with the possibility that Merson
    and Campbell will both be unfit. With Wright ineligible, this would
    leave Arsenal very short of quality forwards.

	I heard this during the TV coverage of the first match with Benfica. 
	They said that he'll be available after the new year. Can anyone tell
	me what UEFA ruling this is?

	As for tonite, well it was going to be tough, but with both campbell &
	merson unfit it's just going to be that bit harder. Does anyone know if
	they are definitly out?

	Anyboby care to suggust the starting line up?
	Here's mine:
				Seaman

	Dixon		Adams		Pates		Winterburn

	???groves	Rocastle	Davis		Limpar
	(Hope not)		
			Smith		?????

formation - 4 4 2

though GG might go for 4 5 1 to tighten up midfield so as to control the
conterattack.


		Mick...

    
    	According to the Today paper , Merson has 50-50 chance of playing
    	tonight,Campbell is fit and playing and Hillier Bould and Oleary 
    	are all back in the squad. 
    		It also says Graham has got a work permit for left-back
        Paal Lydersen ?? whoever he is. Wonder if he can play in midfield
    	aswell?
    
    	CHris

    Paal "thingummy" is a left back who also plays centre-back.  
    
    I'm told that the Arsenal players are on ten grand per man to get past
    Benfica tonight.  The same person also reckons that Bould and Adams
    will be the centre-back pairing tonight.  If true it seems a bit risky 
    considering Bould hasn't played a competitive first team game since the 
    end of last season.  If the only other alternative is to play Linighan 
    and Adams then I think it would be worth risking Bould to partner
    Adams.  But that isn't the case, Pates is playing very well at the
    moment.  
    
    About the only certain thing regarding tonight's team is Seaman will be 
    in goal. 
    
    Mike M                                             

    Islington Council have turned down Arsenal's application to redevelop
    the North Bank.  The proposed stand is too high.  Arsenal have a month
    to alter and re-submit their plans.
    
    Mike M

    
    
    	I think George will stick with Pates tonight 
    	
    Re -2   Paal whatsit
    
    	Oh good another Centre-Back  
                           
    	Thats handy   %^)
                      
    	BTW  what ever happened to Siggi Jonsen  ?	
    
    
    	CHris

    
    Well done Benfica!!
    
    Arsenal were taught a lesson last night.
    
    The highlight of the game was the return of Steve Bould.
    
    NICK.

    Their first goal was a bit special don't you think ?

    I think last nights matches just show how far behind the English League
    are in football skill, in relation to Europe. Ok Liverpool won but it was
    down more to passion than skill. Benfica and Atletico Madrid showed how
    football should be played. I wish Liverpool the best in the further but
    they will have to get over some of their injuries if they are to win it
    outright.

    P.S. This is not taking anything from the League, its just that the
    level of skill in the league has deteriorated to a level of kick and
    run with a lot of drive and passion.
    
    Stephen
    
       

    "So what happened last night then?"  Easy, the better team on the 
    night won.  If fact over the course of both games the better team 
    won.  
    
    Arsenal were quite good in the first twenty minutes and if 
    Campbell's header had gone in after five minutes instead of 
    hitting the post it might have been different.  However, it 
    didn't. Two goals up instead of one would have been different.  
    After the opening twenty minutes, which included a goal from 
    Pates, Arsenal faded.  I think the principle reason was because 
    they had no one in the middle of the park who could control the 
    game.  Once again Rocastle tried but at the moment he isn't up to 
    it.  Davis, well, he looks past his best.  As the half wore on the 
    Benfica numbers 6 and 8 gradually tightened their grip on the game 
    and Arsenal didn't have an answer.  With ten minutes to go to 
    half-time Isaias got a great equaliser. Over the two games this 
    man was terrific, the sort of player that is worth the entrance 
    money on his own.
    
    In the second-half Arsenal played in fits and starts, but in the 
    main Benfica controlled it with some delightful skill.  Having 
    said that Arsenal did have a couple of good chances to win the 
    game in particular Merson - why didn't he head the ball instead of 
    the side-foot volley which went over the bar?!
    
    In extra-time I thought there was only one team in it, 
    unfortunately it wasn't Arsenal.  Although, again, Arsenal did 
    have their chances; Smith firing over when it looked easier to 
    score and Adams hitting the post when it looked...
    
    In extra-time Kulkov and Isaias, with another great goal, put the 
    game beyond Arsenal.  Isaias was subbed with about 5 minutes to go 
    and came off to a rapturous round of applause from the Highbury 
    faithful.  I wonder how much Benfica want for him? :-)
    
    I'm sure George Graham and the Arsenal players have learnt alot 
    from their brief excursion into Europe and I think they will 
    benefit from this next year.  (A small matter of retaining the 
    Championship first. :-) )  However, if Arsenal are to do well next 
    year I think they really do need a quality mid-field player.  I 
    think that a couple of years ago Davis was that man, but he 
    doesn't seem to have "it" anymore.  Rocastle isn't quite there 
    yet, Thomas never will be and Hillier is too young. 
    
    Ah well, the delights of Boundary Park a week on Saturday.
    
    Mike M

    re .199
    >P.S. This is not taking anything from the League, its just that the
    >level of skill in the league has deteriorated to a level of kick and
    >run with a lot of drive and passion.
    
    Graham Taylor is doing his best to perpetuate this; just look at his
    latest England midfield selection -- Gray, Thomas, Batty etc ; no room
    for the one person who can pass more than 10 yds FORWARD to his own
    side - Neil Webb.

    As I recall, somebody in this topic should have had  his watch
    for breakfast...
    
    JC

    
    	What were they doing last night ??
    
    	I wonder what it's going to take before Grahame realises
    	he needs a World class midfielder instead of buying more 
    	defenders and forwards, maybe this will make him see the light.
    	 But its a heavy price to pay me thinks.
    
    
    	CHris  : (

   

	Will Ian Wrong demand a transfer to Neuchatel, to fulfill his
   	quest for European football, I think we should be told.


        Stuart
   

    A couple of friends of mine interviewed "Ian Wrong" for the Supporters'
    Club magazine and in their opinion he is the Most Arrogant Man in the
    World.  In fact arrogant to to point of being a right <insert
    appropriate expletive>.
    
    Mike M

    According to the box office, the Benfica game was a total sell out, so
    why only 35,000 ?
    
    Can anyone understand how Perry Groves keeps replacing Limpar?  Surely
    he cannot improve on anything the super swede does.
    
                                   MICKEY CANNON

   	re .205....
    
    	..should fit in well at Lowbury, then...8-)
    
    	(sorry, Mike, but you must'a seen that comin')
    
    	Andy.

    Re .206
    
    I thought Perry did everthing that Limpet done..ie waste the ball, lose
    it, hold onto it for too long etc etc. I thought Limpar was awful.
    
    Can anyone explain why Smith was collecting the ball out on the wings
    on many occasions, and then crossing the ball in to where he should be
    (and at his most dangerous)... I think Arsenal suffered from lack of
    service, and good quality ball.  Benfica did look good though, but I
    felt Arsenal had the chance to make them look ordinary, and failed.
    
    Thought Pates played well, but Dixon and Winterburn were poor.

    Will someone settoe an argument for me? Does the Arse have a player
    from Denmark on their roster and if so, did he play against Benfica?
    
    JC
    
    BTW, I didn't think Benfica looked that good. They are capable of much
    better than what they showed in London. 

    Re: .210
    
    Denmark, no.  Sweden, yes - Limpar.
    
    Mike M

    I just heard on the telly that Arsenal have made a bid for Ajax player
    and Dutch international Jan Wouters, they showed a piece of film that
    was recorded early this evening in wich one of the Staff members of
    Ajax acknowlegdes (SP?) that Arsenal have made bid but so have the boys
    from Munich. Wouters is a strong midfield player and he would certainly
    be an asset to every top team in Europe. The deal will come down early
    next week as the Ajax staff was sure that Wouters will play his last
    match for Ajax comming Sunday against Feyenoord.
    
    T_

    Re: .212
    
    It's in the papers over here today.  Apparently Arsenal have offered 1.5
    million pounds.
    
    With no Div 1 footie last week I went to see Arsenal Reserves play Fulham
    Reserves.  The Arsenal Reserve team usually comprise 9 or 10 younsters
    under the age of 19.  However, last Saturday was different as the
    starting line-up included; Bould, Linighan, Thomas, Limpar, Hillier and
    Groves plus Jimmy carter was.  
    
    Bould: looked good, should be back tomorrow at Oldham.
    
    Linighan: is this man the new Gus Caesar?  Even in reserve team
    football he looks slow.
    
    Thomas: tried to do to much on the ball and rarely achieved anything.
    
    Limpar: "Gissa pass mister."  He didn't really seem interested but
    fired in some good shots.
    
    Hillier: the class player on the pitch.  He only played the first-half
    but everything he did had class stamped all over it.  I hope he's back
    at Oldham tomorrow.
    
    Groves: never stopped trying and gave 100% but even in reserve team
    football he can't control the ball properly.
    
    Carter: anyone remember "First Impressions" by the Impressions circa
    1976?  Well, I hate to say it but my first impressions of Mr Carter
    are, he's crap!  But, he might have had a off day?!  Kwame Ampadu is
    twice (at least) the player that Carter is and we sold him to West Brom
    for 65K.  It don't make sense.
    
    Mike M

    Whoops, forgot to mention the score.
    
    Mike M

    I can just imagine what was going on, the home fans would be shouting
    abuse at Wright, something in the line that he is 'A Black Person with
    Biologically Impossible Features'.....It happens everywhere, even when
    the home team has several Black players (as do many clubs). There was
    one such Moron at Elland Road at the beginning of the season, his
    rantings annoyed people around him, who told him to shut it, which he
    did. The best thing for these abused players is to do what Wright did
    (on the pitch0 and score a goal - gobbing at the Morons won't help.
    
    jb.

    
    RE -2,
          Not only did Wright spit at one of the fans but the victim was
    an old woman of 66 years of age with arthritis, bad sight and whose
    husband had just passed away according to the papers. Yes, last season,
    the Arse and the Mancs brought the game into disrepute with their brawl
    at OT but this time the Arse have managed to do it on their own. I 
    wouldn't be surprised if Winterburn put the idea into Wright's head. I
    think another points deduction should be made this time of six points
    and Wright banned for six months. This kind of incident can no longer
    be tolerated. It is people like this old, frail and innocent victim
    that pay the wages for pratts like Wright and Winterburn and Dixon.
    
          Cunno.
    

    
    
    	Shhhhsh    Don't mention the Maxwell's to Martin 
    
    	You know what happened last time : )
    
    

Haw, Haw, Haw,

Nice one lads.

    >an old woman of 66 years of age with arthritis, bad sight and whose
    >husband had just passed away according to the papers. Yes, last season,
    
    
    	Gutter press b*llshit, I imagine. 

    Doesn't matter who was spat upon, it is inexcusable.  George Graham's
    famous team disciplinary rules should sort Wright out.
    
    Re: a few back...Yes scoring goals is the best way to silence the fans,
    but they will still spit at the player and hurl abuse.  The only way to
    stop them is to take them out back and put the boot in :-). :-)
    
    PJ

    What has Dixon done to you I ask?
    
    
    
    Elangco

    	I support Arsenal.....I didn't see the incident but if he did do
    the things you have siad he did then I hope he gets the severest 
    punishment possible......As was said previously,it is a very poor role
    model for the youngsters & shouldn't be tolerated whatever the abuse
    received...
    
    Kevin

    Re: "I see the Gunners fans haven't much to say about it."
    
    Gissa chance, will you?!  We're not all sitting around logged into 
    Football Notes all day long!
    
    As for Wright, he and Barrett were niggling each other all game.  
    Wright got booked when probably both of them should have been.  As 
    for the elbow in the face I didn't have a very good view, but from 
    where I was sitting it looked as if Wright challenged for the ball 
    and caught Barrett accidentally as opposed to delibrately elbowing 
    him.  However, if it was delibrate then, in my opinion, he should 
    have been sent off for that offence alone regardless of whether 
    he'd been booked or not.   
    
    "The Gobbing Incident", again, I didn't see it, I was on my way 
    out.  I have no doubt that Mr Wright will be told in no uncertain 
    terms, by George Graham, that that sort of behaviour is totally 
    unacceptable whatever the provocation.  However, wouldn't it be 
    nice, just once, to read about an incident such as this where the 
    police have arrested the instigators.  
    
    Martin I read, with a certain amount of incredulity, your boring 
    and predictable diatribe on the above events.  I then read in 
    another note an "epic" piece of your prose where I believe you 
    used the word "scum" to describe Man Utd.  To me there is little 
    difference between spitting at people/things and verbally abusing 
    them.  They are both acts of childish stupidity.  Dare I say your 
    a sanctimonious hypocrite?
    
    Surely the English language is rich enough in adjectives and nouns 
    that people don't have to descend to this level?  By the way I'm 
    not a sensitive little soul who gets upset at the slightest 
    provocation, however I do recognise that Football Notes is a 
    worldwide facility that can be accessed by over 100,000 people and 
    I know only a very small proportion of those people (less than 
    20).  In other words when in Notes I recognise that I'm not down 
    the pub talking to my mates.  
    
    It's not right for the media to call people/things scum or filth 
    and it's not right to do it in Notes.  Can you imagine the uproar 
    if Jimmy Hill called the <Insert preferred team> football team 
    scum?
    
    As for the game, Arsenal had all the territorial advantage but 
    Oldham created the three best chances.  Oldham should have gone 
    one up in the first couple of minutes but Marshall (?) shot past 
    the post.  Oldham did score about twenty minutes into the second 
    half, when some poor marking in the Arsenal defence allowed an 
    Oldham player to score from close range.  A few minutes before 
    this "The Merse", who was oustanding, hit a post with a swerving 
    shot from twenty yards.
    
    I thought Merson was the outstanding player on the pitch, by a 
    long way and then some.  So I was somewhat surprised to see that 
    in The People the next day the match reporter only gave him 6 out 
    of 10.  He wasn't at the same game as me.
    
    After Oldham scored Arsenal lost their way a bit and started 
    pumping high balls into the Oldham half.  This played into 
    Oldham's hands as Smith, who had a poor game by his own high 
    standards, was very well marked by Jobson.  He looked a very good 
    player, Jobson.  
    
    The equaliser came when, with four minutes to go, Groves skipped 
    around the back and crossed for Wright to head home.   
    
    The game was preceded by a few pints in the local British Legion 
    club.  Three pints (2 bitter, 1 mild) for 2.92!  I can't remember 
    the last time I got change out of three quid for three pints in 
    London.  Four years ago?  In my local in Ealing that round would 
    have been 4.46! 
    
    Mike M 
                                                          

    >The game was preceded by a few pints in the local British Legion 
    >club.  Three pints (2 bitter, 1 mild) for 2.92!  I can't remember 
    >the last time I got change out of three quid for three pints in 
    >London.  Four years ago?  In my local in Ealing that round would 
    >have been 4.46! 
    
    Mike,
    It's one of the benefits of living up North (OK, it is better in
    Yorkshire, but Oldham is very near Yorkshire)
    
    ;-) jb.
    

    
    
    	Three pints for under a 3 pounds  !!
    
    	And they say "it's grim up north" ??
    
    
    	CHris

    It isn't 'Grim Up North'. Grimness is now found in the South East, the
    land of plummeting property values, long dole queues, distressed
    gentlefolk and damn expensive p*ss poor beer.
    
    Have a nice day.
    
    jb.

    well said, jb.
    :-)
    
    Ian 'who was stranded in the south east for 2 years before
         he 'escaped' to Basingstoke!'
    :^)
    

    Hang on a minute jb! I'll concede that us Southerners are guilty of
    producing Whitbreads but have you ever sampled the delights of 
    Fullers? Good premier beer division stuff. We could be stretch it a 
    bit and claim Green King as our own as well, even though they appear 
    to be based in Suffolk(?) Much better than all this Tetleys, Websters 
    lark.
    
    Barry. 

    You lot don't know what "good" beer is!!!
    
    You haven't lived till you've drunk a pint or seventeen of Flowers!! 
    (not the sort that grow in the garden either!! 8-))
    
    Since I came to live down here in the 'poor deprived' South East, I've
    probably spent twice as much on beer as I would've 'up North', and it's
    only half the quality!!
    
    Stew.
    
    p.s. I reckon beer is a much more interesting topic than Arsenal.
    	 Anyone thought about changing the name of this notes file?? 8-)
    

	Guinness your only man :-))))))))))))))



		Mick....

    >> Anyone thought about changing the name of this notesfile?? 8-)
    
    How does ArsenALE grab you? Back to the football so it's a case 
    "Time at the bar please!" Who cares about the European Cup when we
    picked up the highly prestigious "Team of the Year" on TV last
    night. Something sponsored by Capital Gold I gather and Bobby Moore
    managed to complete a sentence without saying "The boy XXX done well".
    
    Barry.

    My son, I truly feel for all you poor types in the cultural wastelands
    of 'darn sarf'. Verily, it brings a tear to my eye (this onion is
    proving rather difficult to get out of my pocket). It upsetteth me so
    greatly that I propose having a whip round to send a charabanc down the
    M1 with relief supplies.
    
    ps.
    
    Doesn't Div 1 (Top of) look good? There's only Palace and the Arse up
    there from said wastelands! (On second thoughts, it's usually better
    one's Arse is kept down there and out of sight so not as to shock and
    disgust the natives)
    
    jb.

    
    Weissbier? Ahh! Now you're talking. Ever tried Dragon's Blood stout
    from Jamaica?
    
    Barry.   :^)
    
    p.s. An ever increasing rat-hole. Sorry! 
                
    

    
    	re .227...
    
    	I agree Mike....it seems to be Ok if your name's Martin Cunniffe 
    	to use that sort of insult..not even remotely funny imo, just full
    	of hatred (that sad kind so often expressed by the much-maligned 
    	English-football-yob-abroad...) but don't upset him, he'll blub and 
    	delete the note again 8-) wouldn't that be a shame.....
             
    	Andy.

    
    Re: Beer;
    
    Interesting topic in its own right and that's why there's an entire
    conference dedicated to it: DCC::BEER (297 notes as of today). Have fun!
    
    Stefan

    
    	Regrettably I have been out of the office until now but as one of
    the few (if not the only) Oldham fan(s) in the notes conference, I feel
    somewhat hard done by that Wright was still on the pitch but this just
    highlights the inconsistency of referees this season. Again I am afraid
    that Oldham have let it slip in the last five minutes again. Lucky
    Arsenal!
    
    As for Oldham being near Yorkshire JB. If you think that Oldham
    considers itself being in Yorkshire you have been drinking too much
    Tetley's again. Give me a pint of O.B. (Oldham Brewery) bitter any day.
    It may not be quite as strong as some of the beers in the South but at
    60% of the cost, you can get merry for a lot less dosh and raise our
    glasses to Benfica.
    
    	Cheers,
    		Gerry.
       

    I think it's a shame we missed out on Mr Wouters.  He could have got 
    the best out of young players such as; Rocastle, Hillier and Merson.  
    This maybe another case of Arsenal not being prepared to offer a player 
    a large brown paper bag stuffed with "goodies" to help him make his 
    mind up.  
    
    Wednesday on Saturday (ho ho!) won't be easy, but with Bould and Hillier 
    back, Rocastle doing a grand job and Merson looking a star we must have a
    good chance.  I hope we play 4-4-2 and with the team being:
    	                          Seaman
                      Dixon  Bould  Pates  Winterburn
                     Limpar  Rocastle  Hillier  Merson
                              Wright  Smith
    It was this game two season's ago that Pates made his debut for
    Arsenal at left-back.  He was dreadful.  He's been far far better
    recently, so much so that he is excellent cover for Adams and Bould. 
    Surely it's about time GG cut his losses on Linighan and flogged him.
    Particularly, as a work permit has now been obtained for Pal Lyderson
    (sp?).
    
    Mike M

                   <<< Note 46.243 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>

>>    I think it's a shame we missed out on Mr Wouters.  He could have got 
>>    the best out of young players such as; Rocastle, Hillier and Merson.  
>>    This maybe another case of Arsenal not being prepared to offer a player 
>>    a large brown paper bag stuffed with "goodies" to help him make his 
>>    mind up.  
  
Mike,

the bag was big enough, Arsenal offered more for Wouters and were also
willing to pay him more then the Germans. The reason he choose for Munich
is the good personal relationship he always has/had with Soren Lerby.

So don't blame George he did all he could.

T_  

    Personally, I would've thought it had more to do with the fact that he
    wanted to join a club with a good chance of playing in European cup
    competitions, and maybe even winning them... 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    Re .245
    
>    Personally, I would've thought it had more to do with the fact that he
>    wanted to join a club with a good chance of playing in European cup
>    competitions, and maybe even winning them... 8-)
    
    I didn't think Bayern qualified for the European Cup this time.
    
    I also think it has been some time since they won it.
    
    I also thought they were knocked out of the European Also-rans Cup by
    some unheard of Danish team. But then most of the teams in that
    particular competition can be described as "who the hell are they?"
    

    re .246
    
    Well, maybe it was something to do with wanting a touch of the ball
    every so often, instead of having to watch it hoofed upfield all the
    time???  
    
    Personally, I'd have thought that winning a European trophy (no matter
    which one!!) was an indication that you were a very good side...
    When WAS the last time Arsenal won a trophy in Europe??? ;-)
    
    Stew.
    

    re .last
    
    Admittedly, there were some bl**dy stupid supporters out there that
    night, but surely you're not suggesting that the wall collapsed on top
    of those Juventus supporters because of the antics of a few
    simple-minded idiots (who may or may not have been 'pool
    supporters!!)??
    
    If you'd taken enough time to watch the TV coverage, you'd have
    noticed that there were just as many, if not more Juventus "supporters"
    causing trouble.
    
    You'll be blaming us for the Hillsborough disaster next!!
    
    Stew.
    

    How come Italian teams didn't get banned for years then?
    

    I've a feeling we've been down this road before chaps.
    
    Barry.                                                

    sorry, to carp on about old news but stewart is right,
    i remember it very vividly and i still have that picture of the
    Juventus fan pointing the gun, in my head. 
    Why didnt Juventus get banned? god knows!
    why didnt the germans get banned after some supporters ran riot in
    Holland after a euro game and actually threw CROSSES FROM GRAVEYARDS
    at the police...
    i am not condoning the actions of English fans in any way shape or
    form, but i think its about time we saw a little consistency from those
    who dish out the punishments...
    Ian.
    
    

    
    	I think it would be very sensible to let bygones be just that and
    	enjoy being back in the European fold. This discussion has been
    	thrashed to death in many forums including this one and everyone
    	is likely to see it differently.
    
    	The events of that night were a tragedy for anyone the world over
    	that cares about football - I was hoping for 'pool to win that
    	night but after what happened the game had no meaning. If the ban
    	reminded *everyone* what the game is for (ie enjoyment) then it was 
    	well served.
    	
    	You can't impose your own views on anyone over what happened that
    	awful night. For God's sake, people died!! Who gives a sh*t about
    	bans after *that* ?
    
    	Andy.

    Yes I wholeheartedly agree, the terrible events of that night transcend
    even something as important as football. 

    It's just that I was trying to point out that I feel a bit miffed that, 
    through no fault of their own, my team were deprived of the opportunity 
    of improving their record in European competition. I expect Evertonians, 
    in particular, and others feel the same.

    I agree to shut up now.

    Any of you Irish Gooners see the new book out by someone called Stephen
    McGarrigle? It's called "Green Gunners" and details the careers of all
    the Irishmen who've donned the red and white. Knowing the persuasions
    of some of them, the title should really be "Green and Orange Gunners".
    Apparently more Irishmen have turned out for Arsenal than any other
    British club.

    Come now, more than for Celtic ? I doubt it, or do you count Celtic as
    being an Irish side. {which is a fair claim by the way.}

    I didn't write the book lads so don't blame me. The author claimed more 
    Irish Arsenal players than any other British club including Celtic. If 
    .258 is correct re Man Utd maybe he meant Irish Internationals. You
    tell me if he's wrong there too, I haven't read the book and only
    quickly glanced at a review.
    
    I remember at the '79 Cup Final we had 6 Irish Internationals in the
    side - Jennings, Rice, Nelson, O'Leary, Brady and Stapleton with an
    Irish manager and former player - Terry Neill. There were one or two 
    Irishmen in the United side that day too.

    
>>    I remember at the '79 Cup Final we had 6 Irish Internationals in the
>>    side - Jennings, Rice, Nelson, O'Leary, Brady and Stapleton with an
>>    Irish manager and former player - Terry Neill. There were one or two 
>>    Irishmen in the United side that day too.

 AH but didn't the aformentioned author neglect That Messers Jennings, Rice 
 and Nelson were from the British part of this fair Isle. I think that in the
context of fielding a truly IRISH player he must have worn the shirt of , or
have been born in, The Republic. Those in the six counties all carry British
passports and are subjects of the Queen, therefore How can they be called 
Irish. IMHO it would be fairer to call them Northern Irish internationals or
players. George Best was never called an Irishman when he was at the height of
his career he was always British. I am not anti British ar anything
like that (God Forbid), but I feel that This issue always seems to confuse
everyone when the exploits of "Irish" sportsmen are being hearlded on the
international stage. As a nation on our own i.e. The world cup we are 
recognised as a nation, but our great sportsmen past and present who preform
or play in British teams are assumed British. Just bears thinking about in
future when distingushing between whats Irish and Northern Irish.

BTW this is just an observation and not meant as a personal attack on
any one individual. After all this notesfile is for expressing ones views

Rgds,
Shaughs 

    
    Tom, I've often seen Geworge Best referred to as an Irishman.  He may
    carry a British passport but he was still born on this island. 
    Likewise Scottish players carry British passports but they are still
    Scots.  It depends on whether you mean the country of the island when
    you use the term Ireland.
    
    I take your point though if a Belfast born person achieves distinction
    in sport they are generally referred to as British yet if they blow up
    a hospital you hear about Irish terrorists.
    
    Gary.

    I blame James I personally. :^)  :^)
    
    Barry.
    
    This'll last about 10 seconds this one.

    
    re: -1
    
    If you're Scots, last one should read James VI, but whatever number,
    what's it to do with football ?
    
    Brian.

    Try telling Pat Jennings he's not Irish!!!!

    Seaman, Wright and Smith have been charged of bringing the game into
    disrepute by the FA, this stems from the match at Oldham. Seaman was
    supposed to have manhandled a copper, and Smith and Wright of
    gesticulating to / swearing at the crowd, and Wright for gozzing at the
    crowd.
    
    Silly boys.
    
    jb.

    <<< Note 46.266 by BAHTAT::BLYTHE "Ee bah gum th's trouble at t'mill" >>>
                             -< Disrepute charges >-

>    Seaman, Wright and Smith have been charged of bringing the game into
>    disrepute by the FA, this stems from the match at Oldham. Seaman was

     Why oh why, don't the ruling bodies take more positive and punitive 
     action over the small number of teams, and we all know who they are 
     who persistently bring the  beautiful game down into the gutter?

     A Reactionary

    Smiff is innocent. It was Merson what done it guv. 
    
    Wright must have picked up this anti-social behaviour at his previous club
    and showed Merson how to do it. Deduct 10 points from the Filthy
    Eagles.

    2 out of 3 wasn't bad, I just caught it at the end of the lunchtime
    Radio Leeds sports bulletin.
    
    jb.
    

    
    English League Division 1  1-12-91
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Arsenal.......2  Tottenham Hotspur.......0
    
     

Can anybody here me on the following:

		Arsenal V leeds
			  Man utd
			  Liverpool

Does anybody know if any of the above games are being televised on a sunday and
What the story about tickets (ie any left!!!)

Thanks		Mick (Last time there was 1981!!!)

    re .271
    
    Mick, 
    
    If you're planning on going to Highbury any time give us a shout as
    Declan Van Esbeck, Noel Donnelly and I go over for a few matches from
    Dublin and may be able to meet up with you. We could even introduce you
    to the delights of the Supporters' Club Bar where you can meet up with
    some of the other noters in here.
    
    I would imagine the three matches you mention will all be prime
    candidates for messing us long-distance supporters around but don't
    know for sure whether they'll be shifted to Sundays for tv. To find out
    for sure here are some useful phone numbers :
    
    		071-354-5404  Box Office Enquiries
    		071-359-0131  Match & Ticket Info (Answering machine)
    		071-226-4050  Dial-a-seat
    
    Yesterday's match was frustrating up until Wright scored. It was
    looking as though it would be the reverse of last year's match at WHL
    where only Seaman's brilliance prevented them winning. This time I
    don't recall Seaman having anything to do that I couldn't have done.
    Smith did everything right except scoring and the other forwards and
    midfield played some nice football but seemed destined not to score. In
    the end two well taken strikes from Wright and Campbell clinched a
    deserved 3 points. I was pleased we kept a clean sheet for a change but
    will surely not come up against more ineffective opposition. I know
    Lineker was absent in very tragic circumstances but even he could have
    done nothing when the rest of the team don't create a single chance.
    
    Away to Forest next Sunday, also on tv. I hope the knocks picked up by
    Wright and Rocastle yesterday clear up by then.

 re -.1

Peter,
	That be great, oh  cant wait :-))) 10 years is a long time to wait dont
	you think!!!
	I dont know the details yet, i'll see about the tickets & what you're
	doing, OK. My brother will also be going as well, so the bigger the 
	crowd the better.

	As with the match on a sunday, I thought it might be possible to see a 
	match saturday and then Arsenal on sunday, but with a sunday match, 
	will it be difficult to get back to Ireland??

	As for the match yesterday, well it didnt look as if we'd ever score, but
	thankfully the ball got to the net, eventually!!! Boulds makes the 
	defence look that bit more secure, and hiller strenghtens the midfield
	also, but is it enough, as sometimes i just get the impression that the	
	opposition will run through our midfield.

	As for wrights antics again yesterday, well stupid Ba%&%rd, will he ever
	grow up and act like an adult!!! Let his feet do the talking and by that
	I mean kicking the ball!!!

	
	Mick....

    Coming back on a Sunday should be no problem unless you're planning to
    go by boat and train and be in work on Monday morning having had some
    sleep! It doesn't cost too much more to fly and as someone who has done the
    boat/train thing a few times too many, it's worth paying the extra few
    quid, especially if you have to travel on to Galway after reaching
    Dublin.
    
    Yes, Wright was a bit lucky the ref was the lenient sort. Other refs
    could have seen the incident in a different light. BTW, talking about
    our friends in black, I see the one who should have been in scouse red
    (Courtney) has been forced to retire.

Peter,
	I rang Arsenal Box Office and they have sold out of sitting tickets
for both man Utd and the liverpool games but still have lower west stand
tickets for the leeds game.
	My prefernce would be the Man Utd game, so how about standing??
I forgot to ask if it was all tickets, do you think we'd need tickets for the
terrace??

Any suggestions


	Mick.

    Mick,
    
    I have asked Declan and Noel and they are both on for going to the Manc
    game. We all have no problems about standing especially on the North
    Bank as this will be the last season it will be there. We're not sure
    if it will be all-ticket so Noel said he plans to phone Highbury some
    time this week so will find out.

	Come back Mike McCabe all is forgiven.

        Stuart

    Just heard on Radio 5 that George is prepared to let Michael Thomas go
    to Manchester City if the price is right. It will be a pity to see
    Micky-didit go but unfortunately he hasn't been producing the goods for
    a while now. A change might do him some good.

    Thomas can certainly play......when he feels like it. We all loved him 
    for scoring THAT goal but let's not forget that for most of the 88-89
    season he played cr*p. 
    
    Barry.

    Thanks guys for trying to make a game of it!

     Forest 3 - 2 Arsenal..
    
    Great game!!! best I've seen since Chelsea did Liverpool 4-2 last
    season. WOt about Gemmils goal??? and Merson's!!
    
    Great game for a neutral..well not really neutral!!! You just *KNOW*
    how much I love Arsenal, dont you guys?
    
    Seriously though, you lot are *reallY* beginning to play some
    neat, fast football...good moves, fast, stylish strikers. I saw
    a bit of your game against Spurs also and I also enjoyed it.
    Keep it up!! 
    
    *Tiger*

Well,
	yet another entertainment game by us, but why are we letting in so many
goals? What's different from last year?

Merson was outstanding (again) and Campbell didnt really do much, did he.
With the way other teams are playing, it would what to be one hell of a good new
year to hold on to the title!!!

	Perhaps its not the defence that's the problem, but our midfield, they
arent as solid as before. Any comments??


Peter:
	did you hear if we need tickets for the north bank??


		Mick.

    ref : .482
    
    I would tend to agree with you there.  I wonder whether defence will
    improve when Adams get back.  Limpar is not doing as well as he was
    last year.  He used to be a match winner.  He seems to have quiten down
    a lot.
    
    For me, Lee Dixon doesn't seem to play well either.  Merson is
    outstanding - the best player we got at the moment.  He plays well
    either left or right.  That goal was a superb goal.  The best goal of
    the match went almost unnoticed after Arsenal went down 3.  Campbell
    was certainly disappointing. We are falling behind in the league,
    Sigh!!
    
    We must start winning in a regular basis to have a chance. It is really
    hard to point a finger at anything really.  
    
    Well, only time can tell.
    
    
    Elangco

    re .282
    
    Trying to be constructive... 
    
    I reckon Arsenal are missing a ball-winner in the centre of the park...
    I mean, they've got plenty of flair players, but that competitive edge
    is missing. 
    Before you all turn round and say "What about David Hillier??", well,
    he does a very good job of sitting just in front of the back four and
    sweeping up any loose ball, but from what I saw on Sunday he doesn't
    exactly win a lot of tackles...
    
    Someone like Michael Thomas would be perfect in that sort of role...
    It's a pity for you that he's seen sense and is off to Anfied, eh?? 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    Michael Thomas is no ball winner. A few seasons back I would never had
    said this but...we really do need another Kevin Richardson. However,
    Hillier's still young (22?), played some great games last term, and 
    has only recently come back into a team which have been hard pressed 
    to match the previous season's achievements. 
    
    Barry.

    Need a ball winner ????
    
    Shame you haven't got Paul Stewart !!!!!!
    
    But you really should give Hillier a chance, take into account his age
    and the fact he is only just back from injury.......!!
    
    Rob..

    re. .287
    
    Paul who????????????

    re.last
    
    my sentiments exactly!
    how much have the mancs paid Souness to ruin our team?
    :-)
    Ian.
    

    I suspect I'm not the only one who thinks George has done a nice little
    con job on the Scousers. The Mickey Didit of a few years ago was
    probably worth twice that amount. The current version's true value is
    probably about half what they've paid. He couldn't get into the team
    even while David Hillier was injured and the last time I saw him play,
    admittedly on the box, I was moved to enter the following in here :-
    
    46.153>	I could not believe how bad Michael Thomas' distribution was 
    46.153>	in the few minutes he played on Wednesday. 
    
    He can't pass the ball forwards and has no experience of passing it
    backwards in the manner so beloved by the scousers.

    ?!?!
    sorry Peter,
    i was a bit quick there, i replied to your note before you re-entered
    it. The reply stands though...
    Ian.
     

    A quick glance at yesterday's tabloids revealed a Mirror exclusive that
    George may not be hanging on to the Christmas gift cash from
    scouseland for very long. A 23 year old Romanian midfield international
    currently with Feyenoord has told him "if you want me come and get me".
    Unfortunately the poor chap has a very foreign sounding name which I
    have completely forgotten. Perhaps Ton or one of the other Dutch noters
    can supply some more details. Information from any Romanian noters
    would also be appreciated.

              <<< Note 46.293 by SIOG::SPENCER "Peter Spencer" >>>
                               -< Come in Mr X >-

>>    A quick glance at yesterday's tabloids revealed a Mirror exclusive that
>>   George may not be hanging on to the Christmas gift cash from
>>    scouseland for very long. A 23 year old Romanian midfield international
>>    currently with Feyenoord has told him "if you want me come and get me".
>>    Unfortunately the poor chap has a very foreign sounding name which I
>>    have completely forgotten. Perhaps Ton or one of the other Dutch noters
>>    can supply some more details. Information from any Romanian noters
>>    would also be appreciated.

Peter,

the guy's name is Sabau, he's a strong and good midfield player and I think
Arsenal could bennefit from him. The reason Feyenoord is putting him up for
sale is that they can't pay him anymore, Feyenoord maybe nr 2 in the League
in Holland but in money they are nr 18, their former sponser HCS covered
for all the losses but are on the loosing end aswell and refuse to pay up.
There are also rumours that some English teams are interested in Feyenoord
defender John de Wolf, now's there's a guy that would make Vinny Jones look
like an angel!!!

T_

    Michael Thomas is alledgedly 100K richer as a result of his transfer to
    Liverpool.  Apparently, Thomas wanted Arsenal to pay his contract up in
    full before he would sign for the 'pool.  His theory being that at the
    end of this season he would be sold off relatively cheap, because off
    the upper limit on transfer fees for players out of contract, and hence 
    he would be able to negotiate a fat signing-on fee with his new club.  
    The problem with this theory is that the Arsenal board asked him whether 
    he liked sex and travel.  However, all was not lost, enter Mr Souness 
    with a large brown paper bag full of goodies and the rest as they say is 
    history.
    
    Mike M 

    All I want for Christmas is Mr Wright to get fit!!!!
    
    Mr Wright smacked in all 4 in the 4-2 defeat of Everton. The first half
    hour was exciting on the radio. No live commentary but they kept going
    over for the latest goal. It was more exciting than the Loonies V Blue
    Moonies match which I was watching with the sound off. 
    
    The score went 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2. Afterwards Mr Wright
    reckoned he was struggling a bit as he wasn't fully fit. He said he
    might have got 6 if fully fit. The man's arrogant but he has a lot to
    be arrogant about. The boy Limpar done well too Brian having laid on all
    4 goals.
    
    What a contrast; Dean Saunders 4 league goals all season, Mr Wright 4
    league goals in an afternoon.
    
    Luton away on Thursday then away to the Blue Moonies next Saturday.
    Niall Quinn "writes" a column for one of the Sunday papers here and was
    previewing next week's match yesterday. He was on about facing Smith,
    Merson and Limpar who he reckons are all match winners. Then he said 
    there's Campbell as well. 
    
    Er, 'scuse me Niall, there's this bloke called Mr Wright as well.

    The match at the Blue Moonies next Saturday is live on Network 2 in
    Ireland.
    
    We were able to field Adams and Bould in the side together last
    Saturday for the first time this season. Stll let in 2 though.
    
    Sorry to read about Siggi's enforced retirement. Presumably it was his
    long-term back injury. Shame we never really got the chance to see what
    he could do. Thanks anyway Siggi.

    > What a contrast; Dean Saunders 4 league goals all season.
    > Mr Wright 4 league goals in an afternoon.
    
    yeah, but compare their records this season in EUROPE...
    Deano hasnt played all the league matches. but hes got quite a few
    in Europe this season (8? 9?).
    course...Arsenal are out of Europe arent they...
    :-(
    
    Ian.
    

    Unfortunately Ian Wright wasn't eligible to play in Europe until after
    Christmas(presuming we got through the first two rounds)
    
    I wonder how we would have done against Benfica with Satchmo???
    
    Noel

    .....good win on saturday. According to one report I read yesterday,
    after Wright had completed his hat-trick to put the champions 3-2
    ahead, the North Bank starting singing, to the tune of "Are you
    Watching?"
    
    	"Your Defence is worse than ours..."
    
    Well, we have last years bastion back again <at last>, and they let in
    two at the first attempt (in the first 13 minutes to be exact)
    
    If we maintain the level of performance up front, we'll beat anyone
    even if the score is 6-5! Nothing less than full points over the
    Christmas for the Gunners, with Leeds stuffing more than the turkey as
    well!
    
    
    Cheers
    
    Declan

Re .301

Declan,

Watching Tony Adams and Steve Bould play on Saturday was just like old 
times. Their arms were up in the air and appealing every time the ball 
came in to the Arsenal half (slight exaggeration!).

Michael

    
    p.s. Is Edmund V.E. the Irish sports writer any relation?

    I suppose it's no use pointing out to United fans that the team 
    that's top at Christmas rarely wins the League.  In fact 
    (Christmas quiz question time), does anyone know how many times it 
    has been done since the war?  Arsenal did it in 47/48 as they were 
    top all season; so were Tottenham in 60/61.  More recently Forest 
    have done it, I think, and Liverpool must have done it.  
    
    Closer to home Arsenal have been playing some great football 
    recently, although the results haven't exactly been going our way.  
    We should have done better than 2 points from the away games at 
    Oldham, Wednesday and Forest.  In particular the Wednesday game 
    where Merson destroyed their back four, but couldn't put the ball 
    in the back of the net.  And what a beauty he scored at Forest, 
    sheer class.  
    
    Speaking of Mr Merson he reputedly had an excellent game and 
    scored for England B in Spain last week after getting out of a 
    sick bed to play.  Apparently he had a dodgy curry the Saturday 
    before the game which resulted in a case of food poisoning.  I 
    don't suppose the amount of alcohol he drank at the Arsenal 
    players' do at the Inn on the Park the Sunday before the game had 
    anything to do with it?  Nah, couldn't be!
    
    Sorry to see Siggi Jonsson finally calling it a day with a back 
    injury.  In his three years at Highbury he never really had an 
    opportunity to prove himself as he was nearly always injured.  
    Speaking of injuries and players who rarely play, what has 
    happened to that superstar of superstars, Craig McKernon?  He gave 
    the bingo prize out before the Everton game, so he's still around, 
    but in nearly two years at Highbury that's about all he's done.
    
    It looks like Paul Davis will be on his way soon after 13 years at 
    Highbury and with the departure of Michael Thomas to the 'pool 
    cover in midfield begins to look a bit thin.  The papers are 
    talking about a Paul Davis plus cash swap for Geoff Thomas.   
    Personally, I'd rather see what Ray Parlour can do first.  Parlour 
    played half a game in a pre-season friendly at Watford and looked 
    very good indeed.
    
    I expect now that Adams is back and hence the first choice back 
    four is available the goals against column will have a break 
    applied to it.  With the resulting effect that in the second half 
    of the season we won't drop as many silly points as we did in the 
    first half.  We will then start to pick up points on the two Uniteds. 
    The Gunners are on the march! 
    
    Luton on Boxing Day, my first visit since their away ban.  I don't 
    suppose much will have changed.  They are probably still doing 
    waitress-served Bollinger at half-time!  It's about time we got a 
    result here, I don't think we've won at Luton since 1984.      
    
    A Merry Christmas to one and all.
    
    Mike M

    At this time of years the papers are full of that was the year that was
    type stuff. One of the sports quotes was from Adams which read
    something like this...'When he scored I appealed for offside, but then
    I always do,cos it always is". 
    
    I thought the Johnny Giles article was interesting (.294), and he made
    some good points. There a lot of talk about Paul McStay wanting to
    leave Celtic, would he be right for Arsenal ??...not a ball winner but
    lots of creative talent and vision...and he wouldnt be the flamboyant,
    playboy flop like Charlie.
    
    Best Wishes for Christmas and New Year.
    
    Paul

    A few more thoughts.....according to Kendall Arsenal still have the
    best players (so why aren't we winning??)
    
    As for Paul Davis, his service to the Gunners has been fantastic, but
    I've never been rated him that highly. I must say, though, that I rated
    Michael Thomas very highly, and am dissappointed to see him leave. In
    my opinion, if Souness can get the best from him, Liverpool have got a
    great deal. In recent years, however, that's been the problem with
    Thomas, getting the best from him.
    
    Dec

RE:....
>>                <<< Note 46.302 by YUPPY::OHAGAN "Reg Varney" >>>
>>    p.s. Is Edmund V.E. the Irish sports writer any relation?

Well, As Declan is too modest to answer this one (and if you only knew him you
would know how laughable that comment is!!), I'll answer it!

Edmund is Declan's father. However he does have a lot more sense than his son..
He follows Spurs, just loves them. He even calls his house, "White Hart Lane".

His rugby reports aren't bad either...I suppose we'll find something that
Declan is good at one of these days!

Anyway, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (even to Arsenal supporters!).

Michael.

    >> ....according to Kendall Arsenal still have the
    >> best players (so why aren't we winning??)
    
    Two things, I think.  First, we haven't had a settled back four all
    season and consequently we've given some terrible goals away.  This has
    not been helped by Dixon having a relatively poor opening half of the
    season and at times having to play Linighan.
    
    Second, we just haven't had the run of the ball.  Last season we nicked
    some points (e.g. away to the mob from N17) when really we didn't deserve
    anything.  So I suppose the score is being evened up now.  The last
    three away games illustrates this perfectly:
    
    v Oldham.  Merson was brilliant and had the Oldham keeper not been on
    top form he would have had a hat-trick.  Even when Merson did beat the
    keeper his shot re-bounded off (and out) the inside of the post.
    
    v Wednesday.  Wednesday where awarded a free-kick on the edge of the
    Arsenal box for what looked like a blatant dive.  Seaman then made a
    brilliant save from the free-kick only to see the rebound headed home
    by Hirst.  Lee Dixon then missed a penalty.  In the second-half Merson
    was, again, brilliant but just couldn't get the ball in the back of the
    net.  Bould equalised after sustained Arsenal pressure and then with
    ten minutes to go Wright missed the best chance of the game.
    
    v Forest.  The minute before Woan opened the scoring for Forest,
    Campbell should have scored, he didn't and Forest went up the other end
    and scored.  Sheringham's second for Forest had a suspicion of off-side
    about it and instead of going in off the post could have bounced out 
    a la Merson at Oldham, but it didn't.
    
    We've also given points away to; Leeds, Coventry and West Ham.  Still,
    football is like that sometimes.  
    
    However, I think our luck is about change.  United and Leeds haven't
    had their bad spell yet this season.  Maybe, they won't have one.  If
    that's the case then good luck to them - they will have deserved the
    title.  I suspect, however, that they will and that Arsenal (and
    probably Liverpool) will begin to catch them which should make for a
    very exciting finish to the League.
    
    Mike M 

    A disaster at Luton yesterday.Ho bleedin' ho! By all accounts I heard
    we wos terrible.
    
    I'm not in the humour of talking any more about it.
    
    Noel

    The Man City match was shown live here.  Quite honestly, we were crap.
    That said, we still didn't deserve to actually lose the game.
    
    
    The sending off was a disgrace, even Peter Reid was begging the Ref not
    to show the red card.
    
    One-all against Wimbledon. In the context of recent performances, you
    almost have to say it's a good result. Well, the party is well and
    truly over. Ironically, I thought that we had blown it after the Forest
    game, but if we'd beaten Luton, City and Wimbledon we'd be right up
    there now.
    
    Declan
    
    
    
    

    Re: .310
    
    The Man City performance was 100% better than Luton.  At Luton, Arsenal
    didn't manage to get a corner nor did they manage to have a decent shot
    on target.  To say it was awful would be an understatement.  All long
    ball up and unders with nobody interested, pathetic.
    
    I'm told that at half-time there was a real row in the Arsenal
    dressing-room.  GG chose to vent his spleen at Merson.  Why Merson I
    don't know, he was no worse than the rest of them.  Other players
    apparently joined in and it finally ended up with a row about Michael
    Thomas leaving for Liverpool and being given a "golden goodbye" to get
    him out the door.  
    
    Mike M                  

    PC Plod is investigating the incident at the end of the Wombles match
    whwn Winterburn made gestures to the crowd. 
    
    The Arse face a tricky away game at out-of-form-almost-bottom-of-div4
    Wrexham in the FA Cup - their last chance of any trophy this year. I
    predict a close game, with Taffy Evans-Jones getting a winner 3 minutes
    into injury time.
    
    It's quite amazing how the Arse have fallen apart this season - if it
    continues, how long has GG got ?
    
    jb.

    I think George has as long as he wants, but it is worrying to hear
    about dressing room showdowns at half-time, and it is amazing that
    we've lost 7 league games by Christmas when we lost one all last year.
    
    I can't explain it.......it's not just one thing. Ok the defence not as
    mean, but it's not all THAT bad relative to other division one teams.
    We're scoring plenty, not dominating midfield as much as we should, but
    we've lost several games which we didn't deserve to lose. In fact we've
    drawn several games we should have won, like the match at Elland Road.
    
    Right now it might be confidence as much as anything. One thing is
    certain, Arsenal have the players. It's worrying to hear us linked with
    every midfielder from Geoff Thomas to Andy Townsend. We won last year,
    with a record performance and with the same players we've got now
    (minus Wright, Lyderson and Carter). 
    
    Declan 
    

    I agree with you, Declan, Georgie Boy has as long as he wants.
    Personally I don't believe there is a better or shrewder manager
    currently in the Football League.  
    
    To answer my own question from before Christmas, Craig McKernon has
    had to pack the game in due to persistent knee trouble.  I wonder if it
    is significant that within a couple of weeks of each other both Siggi
    Jonsson and Craig McKernon have packed the game in.  Rumour has it that
    Arsenal had Jonsson insured for over 1 million and McKernon for 750K. 
    A useful bit of money to use in the transfer market?
    
    Mike M

    Is it true about the insurance money?  After hearing so much about
    Villa's player who retired, bringing the club a lot of money, I've been
    waiting to hear about Arsenal's two players.  I hope Arsenal allow the
    fans to show their appreciation to them, by bringing them onto the
    pitch at half time.  Though I'm not holding my breath!
    
    All this talk of a crisis is rather amazing, as it was just under two
    weeks ago that we put four past Everton and everything was rosy. 
    People have been saying for ages "Oh there's no way we can win it now",
    I find these doom and gloom merchants rather irritating, after all, if
    we had got 9 points from our xmas games instead of 1pt, we would be 9
    pts behind Leeds with two games in hand.  Teams are dropping points and
    we are failing to capitalize on them.
    
    By the way, thought the piece on Angus in Gunflash was great.
    
                                                      M.S.
    

    ...I was saying exactly the sam thing yesterday, if we'd taken full
    points over Christmas, we'd be right up there now. Being realistic
    though, we'd need a minor miracle to get back into it. Even if we won
    every game between now and May, which is not looking very likely at the
    moment, we'd still be hard pushed to win it. We're currently 15 points
    behind Man Utd, who dropped exactly 15 points in the first half of the
    season.
    
    I'm not sure I agree that everything was rosy after the Everton game.
    We thought that two weeks earlier when we stuffed Spurs, and then we
    lost 3-2 at Forest.
    
    Declan

    
    Wrexham  2  Arsenal  1
    
    We got live commentary of this game for the 2nd half here in Oz.
    Arsenal seemed to be coasting along at 1-0 with 10 mins to go
    when suddenly it was 1-1 and while the commentators were still
    pontificating over that it was 2-1 ! What happened to the defence
    it was so difficult to score against last season ? Wrexham achieved
    more against Arsenal in 90 minutes than Leeds have managed in 7
    games.
    
    Even when it went 2-1 Arsenal didn't seem to storm forward to try
    and equalise. I think a few players need their backsides kicking 
    after this game.

    Well, what can i say, well done wrexham, now all we have to look forward to
    is the league :-))))

    Saw the hilites saturday night. We created a few good chances early but didnt
    take them, so basically thats what lost us the game.

    Wrexham's first was a great goal but as for the second, no comment!!

    Did anyone hear what Jimmy hill had to say about the match, he was 
    complaining about justice not being done. This is no sour grapes but where
    was O'leary's foul & the offside??

    With things not going good, whats the answer?? The back four DONT
    look comfortable at all!!! I've never liked Adams, running around like god 
    knows what. I've always felt that we need a centre half comfortable on the
    ball and has pace, like walker, and then maybe someone like boulds to partner
    him. Any comments??


Peter: Did you hear anymore about the game with regards to tickets? Is it on a
       staurday or sunday. if i dont hear from you i'll give arsenal a ring.
       Oh, yea, peter we'll probably be staying with our relative so that we can
       get a chance to see them.

	

	does anybody know when the Arsenal Vs Man utd is on?? (Mike)

	

	Mick

    A bit quiet considering.....The calm before the storm?
    
    Barry.

    Oh well, at least we can concentrate on the League now ...
    
    	.... avoiding relegation that is!! |-(

>    Even when it went 2-1 Arsenal didn't seem to storm forward to try
>    and equalise. 

What? You mean like when Seaman took the free kicks from the half 
way line with nearly all the rest of Arsenal in Wrexham's box??


Ian

    Did the cameras show the latest Winterburn incident? According
    to Capital Gold our Nige was the subject of some stick from a 
    spectator, no doubt a wind up in view of the Wimbledon incident. 
    Winterburn, only a matter of yards away from the fan, did nothing 
    but got booked by the referee. As a result the Arsenal fans were 
    heard to be casting aspersions as to the parental status of the 
    man_in_black. And quite rightly so. 
    
    Nice to see Jimmy Hill draw attention to the ref's dubious, a word
    Palace fans could be heard muttering as well, decisions. Let's have 
    more honesty from the media in their interpretation of refereeing 
    decisons in future. Beats all the diplomatic pussy-footing and
    sycophantic reverance given to one of football's sacred cows. Before 
    any gets uptight, yes I do know they have a hard job, blah blah blah. 
    
    Still, losing to Wrexham eh? Disgraceful. 
    
    Barry. 

Peter:
	I rang the box office, about tickets and they said that it will be
	an all ticket game. With regards too the date, its still scheduled
	for the saturday, but you never know with the tv crowd.


	Mick.

    Oh dear....
    
    Well, on this form it looks as though the arse will be competing with
    clubs of the high quality of Luton and Southampton for a place in the
    second div. next season...
    
    It's a shame Merson's off to Anfield eh??!!?? 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

Have arsenal ever been out of div 1??

Mick.

    ooooh you are Crewel! ;-) Here's to another Peterborough for you tonight.
    
    Yes it is a shame Merson's off to Anfield.... with the rest of the
    Arsenal team on the 29th to do what he did last season.

    re .326
    
    >Have arsenal ever been out of div 1??
    
    Arsenal (founded 1886) joined the league in 1888, I think, in the 2nd
    Division. They were up and down between Division 1 and Division 2 until
    they were elected to Division 1 after WWI in 1919 and have stayed there
    ever since. Incidentally, I think there is a long story about that 
    election which was at Spurs' expense in the previous incarnation of this 
    conference. For those interested in trivia, Arsenal have been champions
    ten times but have been runners-up only once.

    .326  
    
    Before World War One I think. They finished below Spurs in Div II in
    the last full season before "The Great War". However, after some
    shrewd "negotiating", Arsenal claimed a place in Div 1 when the League 
    resumed after the War, at the expense of....Spurs.This done wonders for 
    the Arsenal-Spurs relationship especially since Spurs were none too happy 
    about the Gunners moving in on their North London monopoly, only a few 
    years earlier, from Sarf London. 
    
    Barry. 

    Is Merson really going to loonypool?
    
    Elangco

    >    Is Merson really going to loonypool?
    
    Yes, on January 29th as I said.

    I couldn't make the Wrexham game, but listening to what was 
    broadcast on the radio it didn't seem as if Arsenal did much wrong 
    for 82 minutes.  The remaining eight minutes is I believe 
    symptomatic of what has happened to Arsenal this season; nearly 
    every shot from 25 yards has found the corner giving Seaman little 
    chance, refereeing decisions have gone against us when they might 
    equally as well have gone for us and although we've scored alot of 
    goals when we've really needed them they haven't been there.  
    Still, there's always next season!
    
    As for the Man Utd game, as far as I'm aware it is still on on 
    Saturday 1st February.  There has been nothing in the recent 
    programmes indicating a change.  However, I suppose, the great god 
    'Television' can decree a change any time it likes.
    
    Brief Arsenal history:
    
    1886:  Founded as Dial Square F.C. in October.  On Christmas Day 
           at a meeting in the Royal Oak pub, Plumstead, the name is 
           changed is changed to Royal Arsenal.
    1893:  Elected to the  Football League (along with Liverpool and 
           Newcastle).
    1904:  Finished second in Div 2, behind Bradford I think, and 
           hence won promotion to Div 1.
    1913:  Finished season in 20th position with 18 points and are 
           relegated to Div 2.  For the start of the 1913/14 season 
           Arsenal moved to Highbury from the Manor Ground, Plumstead.
    1915:  Arsenal finished 5th in Div 2 (although alot of books show 
           them as finishing 6th).  The League is suspended because of 
           WWI.
    1919:  The League is resumed and Div 1 is expanded to 22 clubs.  
           Sir Henry Norris, the then Arsenal chairman, secures 
           Arsenal a place in Div 1 at the expense of Tottenham who, I 
           think, finished third from bottom of Div 1 in the 1914/15 
           season.  Rumours of back-handers abound, the boys from N17 
           were not happy.
    1930:  Arsenal won their first major trophy the F.A. Cup, by 
           beating Huddersfield 2-0.
    Etc.
    
    Arsenal have been runners-up in Div 1 on three occassions; 25/26, 
    31/32 and 72/73.
    
    Mike M                        
     

    
    I saw the Liverpool/Crewe A. game yesterday evening on SKY Sports.
    David O'Leary was a guest in the studio and was asked about Arsenals
    2-1 defeat.
    
    His comment, quite simply, was that he did not know what the free
    kick was for that was awarded against him. As we all know, a certain
    37 year old Mr Thomas gave the ball a spank and it went in. Its just
    one of those things. I have doubts about Seaman and his ability to
    stop or even see long range shots anyway.
    
    
    JN.

    
    
    David O'Leary ?????????
    
       Ron Atkinson was the guest in the Studio on my TV.
    
    Dave...

    
    Please accept my apologies. "Big Rons Verdict" my arse.
    
    I settled down last night to watch the game with a few
    jars. I carried on viewing when the Italian football
    came on which is when Mr O'leary made his appearence.
    
    Milan 5 Napoli 0. Paul Elliot was also commentating.
    
    Sorry, foggy brain this morning.
    
    JN.

    re a few back...
    
    Maybe one of his contact lenses fell out??!!??
    
    Stew.
    

    re .332
    
    Thanks for correcting my errors Mike. I looked up my reference books
    too last night, too late.
    
    It's interesting to compare our League and Cup records with those of
    the crowd up the road. 
    
    We have won the League 10 times and finished runners-up 3 times. So when 
    we do get involved in the League shakedown we invariably come out on top. 
    Whereas in the Cup we have won 5 and run-up 6 times; not so good. 
    
    In contrast, 'them' rarely win the League (2?) yet have won the Cup
    most times and have only lost one final to my flakey knowledge.
    
    Anyone care to comment on these contrasting achievements?

    re one a lot back
    
    Mick Fitzpatrick. I have brought your terrible slur on Declan's father
    to his attention as Declan is not here to do so. You will be hearing
    from Messrs. Sue, Grabbit and Runne in due course.
    
    One of the best articles Ned put in his Irish Times column was the one 
    he did to mark Arsenal's centenary in 1986.

    Can somebody tell me how much loonypool are paying for Merson?
    
    But, why or why GG is selling the best player we got? Has he gone
    bananas?  Or is there a reasonable explanation. 
    
    What is GG thinking?  Second Division Championship next year or what?
    
    Sigh.....
    
    Elangco

    >>Can somebody tell me how much loonypool are paying for Merson?
    
    >>But, why or why GG is selling the best player we got? Has he gone
    >>bananas?  Or is there a reasonable explanation. 
    
    Nah, it's rubbish!  
    
    Mike M

    Now I get it..... I was very sloooooow..
    
    On 29th Arsenal are playing loonypool at Anfield
    	Is that right?
    
    Elangco
    
    

    Correct. Paul Merson will be making a day trip to Anfield only. 
    
    God forbid but if we were to sell him how much do you think he's worth? 
    I reckon we could almost raise the cost of the all-seat North Bank and 
    would be able to scrap the daft bond scheme. He's the best player we've 
    produced since Liam Brady and since he has settled down in his private
    life continues to get better and better.

I was lucky, I had a fixture list in front of me!!

Peter,
	Stop frigthening the lot of us, its bad enough as it is :-)))


	Mick.

    A little dicky bird told me, that when there was also this 'Merson for
    Glasgow Rangers' stuff in the papers some time ago, it was because
    Merson has apparantly got HUGE debts, due to his betting, and he needed
    a transfer to pay it off.  However, Arsenal have apparantly loaned him
    the money.
    
    I think that if George was going to sell him, he would have done it
    ages ago, he's had the opportunities, but obviously rates the kid.
    
                                              Jan

    I rate him incredibly highly...
    
    I'd love to see him playing up front for the 'pool!! 
    I reckon when we've done the double, and you've found yourselves in
    div. 2 for the first time in god (or David Icke if you prefer) knows 
    how long, then you could have a struggle on your hands to keep him in
    North London...
    Or is this just wishful thinking???
    I'll settle for the double!! 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    The only double you might pick up is served in glasses! If you think
    we'll let you or anyone else have any of our good players you must have
    had too many of those doubles! Like all of them he's on a long
    contract.
    
    We might be willing to let you have Perry Groves or I hear Martin Hayes
    is available free from Celtic. These two would fit in nicely with the
    general standard at Anfield.
    
    Dream on sunshine!

I read that GG is interested in terry sherwood of Norwich as an exchange for
Linighan. Dont know if this will help much as sherwood doesnt seem to be causing
much of a stir.


As for midfield, I read somewhere in here that Matthaus (sp??) wishes to leave
Milan. Now there's a buy that GG should go for, He's strong and aggressive in 
midfield and also has good ball control. He's getting on now but his experience
would be Valuable

any comments on the worthless note

	Mick

    
    	re last..
    
    	two comments, Mick..
    
      	I think the Norwich player mentioned is TIM Sherwood, an England
    	U-21 I think, but that's no measure of quality I guess ;-)
    
    	Mattheus will NEVER play for Arsenal imo. Nor will *any* top-rated
    	European other than perhaps (no disrespect intended..) a top	
    	Scandinavian, due to the wage structure policy at Highbury.
        Arsenal would not meet his wage demands, although they could
    	probably afford to buy him and to pay him what he would want.
    
    	Andy.

    >>	Mattheus will NEVER play for Arsenal imo. Nor will *any* top-rated
    >>	European other than perhaps (no disrespect intended..) a top	
    >>	Scandinavian, due to the wage structure policy at Highbury.
    >>  Arsenal would not meet his wage demands, although they could
    >>	probably afford to buy him and to pay him what he would want.
    
    No only will Mattheus never play for Arsenal, he will never play for
    any Football League club.  Simply because no Football League club
    could afford to pay him the money he would want (circa 2 million pounds
    a year).  The same goes for the likes of Gullitt, Van Basten, Baggio,
    etc.  
    
    As for the Arsenal wage structure, the top players at Highbury all
    earned around 200K last season.  This I believe compares favourably
    with any other club in the League.  
    
    Mike M
    
          

    
    	Fairy nuff Mike - can't disagree with any of that. I was just
    	commenting on the point that had been raised, but you're 
    	probably right in that none of the players mentioned are ever
    	likely to play in England for *any* league club.
    
    	Andy.

    I suppose the only silver lining is the -0. According to Radio 5,
    Sealey contributed well to the 0- but the general consensus was that we
    were crap.

    Did anyone listen to Danny (professional cockney) Baker on Radio 5 on
    Saturday? 
    
    Taking a negative view he likened Bond schemes (West Ham & Arsenal) to 
    getting someone else to pay for an extension to your house. 
    
    Also club chairmen didn't come out too well.
    
    Michael 
    

>    Did anyone listen to Danny (professional cockney) Baker on Radio 5 on
>    Saturday? 
    
	Yes, I loved his comments on Millwall's game :-)

    1. Villa Game:  The worst Arsenal performance I have seen in 5 years
    		    Nuff said!!
    
    2. Bond Scheme: If the scheme works at Ibrox, Twickenham, The All-
    		    England Lawn and Tennis Club (Wimbledon), etc, etc,
    		    Why can't it work at Highbury or Upton Park???
    
    3. Lothar Mattheus:  Stuff the wage structure.....BUY HIM!!!!
    
    PJ

    >>                -< The only bond I buy is Brooke Bond >-
    
    Mike,
    
    Does that mean you've given up your subscription to "Bondage Weekly"?
    
    Mike M

    Mike,
    
    Yes my only form of self abuse these days is going to Highbury 
    every other Saturday :>)
    
    Talking of perversions the thing that made me laugh the most over
    Christmas was Porky the Poet at Billy Bragg's gig at Hackney. In an
    authentic Bragg voice he sang a rendtion of the hit single 'Sexuality'
    which began with the line;
     
    'I've had relations with poddles and alsatians'. 
    
    Naturally enough he entitled the song 'Beastiality'.
    
    Michael
    
    p.s The football connection with the last paragraph is Porky says he
    does the drawings for the 'ammers fazine 'Fortunes Always......' 

    Reports in yesterdays paper that George may be prepared to buy (and AF
    may be prepared to sell) Lee Sharpe. Whether true or not, I understand
    that Sharpe wants to move south (can you blame him)
    
    Sharpe is  originally from the land of Basil Fawlty, is he not?
    
    Declan

    Having now seen JC (Jimmy Carter not "you know who") play two or 
    three games for Arsenal I've come to the conclusion that Martin 
    Hayes is better than Jimmy Carter - "We all agree Haysie is better 
    than Carter,".  In fact I'm even beginning to think that John 
    Hawley is better than Jimmy Carter!  How the hell did George 
    manage to get kippered, for 500K, by that refugee from Village 
    People?  The mind boggles!  
    
    Maybe, I'm being unfair.  Perhaps, JC has hidden talents that 
    Arsenal haven't managed to exploit yet, somehow I doubt it.  
    My biggest criticism of JC is that he doesn't accept any 
    responsibility on the pitch.  By that I mean he jogs up and down 
    the right wing and when the ball is passed to him he simply lays 
    it off to the nearest Arsenal player, with apparently no thought 
    of trying to beat a man or perhaps create a goal-scoring 
    opportunity and for a right-winger he's got no real pace and can 
    rarely beat the fullback.  Oh and one more thing he's got no 
    bottle!  First Division?  He'd struggle in the Diadora!
    
    JC didn't have a good game against Villa, but, then again, he 
    wasn't alone.  The highlights of the first-half were when Campbell 
    nutmegged McGrath and then had a shot on the turn miraculously 
    saved by Sealey.  In the second-half Alan Smith had a good 
    oppoortunity, but shot weakly straight at Sealey.  And that was 
    about it, the rest of the game was more up and under dross with 
    McGrath devouring everything that Arsenal could throw at Villa.  
    If Villa had had an ounce of conviction in their play in the 
    second-half then I think they would have been comfortable winners. 
    
    There was a new issue of the Gooner out last Saturday.  It 
    contains a very good interview with ex-Highbury favourite, Willie 
    Young.
    
    Away at QPR this Saturday won't be easy bearing in mind our 
    current form, but we might sneak it.  I think our away form in the 
    League has been better than our home form even though the results 
    don't really reflect this.
    
    Mike M 
    

    re .462
    
    Mike,
    
    Are you too proud to say that even P-e-r-r-y is better than Carter?
    
    Michael
    
    p.s. Thats Perry Groves to the uneducated masses 8>)
    
    

    Re .463     Are you too proud to say that even P-e-r-r-y is better 
                than Carter?
    
    Nope.  It's sad, but true.  Perrreeee is, in my opinion, far better 
    than JC. I'd say that if JC is worth 500K then PG must be worth 1.5 
    million (conservatively speaking, of course!)
    
    If anybody fancies a pint before the game tomorrow then I'll be in the
    Crown and Sceptre, at the bottom of Boscombe Road, from about 12.30
    till just after 2.00.
    
    Mike M
    

    Group 1
    -------
    SWEDEN
    FRANCE
    YUGOSLAVIA
    ENGLAND
    
    Group 2
    -------
    HOLLAND
    SCOTLAND
    CIS (Commonwealth of Independant States)
    GERMANY
    
    
    Stew.
    

    
    HELP !!!
    
    Can anyone tell me where I can find a list showing the groupings
    for these years Euro Cup Championship in Sweden.???
    
    8-)
    
    JN.

    Maybe somebody can put a pointer to a "Notes Users Manual" in?

    
    
    After looking high and low thru this notes conference I
    managed to find a list for groups one and two for the
    Euro Finals in Sweden. I was wondering when some one
    would have the initiative to enter the tables.
    
    8-)
    
    JN.

    George Graham, post Euro 92 Finals,
    
    "Well, I was'nt very impressed"
    
    

    well boys, having a nice season are we???? he he he he he he!!
    
    *Tiger*

    We stuffed your lot, sundance......and that after giving you a present
    of a two goal lead.
    
    Are you still living in Castleknock, Tiger? I heard the Dobermans are
    going 'round in pairs up there!
    
    Declan

    Between Sept 14 and Oct 5 1991, Arsenal had the following goal scoring
    record:
    		4 against Palace
    		5    "    Sheff Utd
    		4    "    Southampton
    		4    "    Chelsea
	(plus   6 in the first leg of the European Champions Tournament)
    		_
    	       23  goals
    
    
    Between Dec 26th and Jan 18th, they've managed to score ONE goal -
    against Wimbledon  (They failed to score against Luton, Man City, Villa
    and QPR).
    
    
    I'm sure GG will pay to know why!!
    
    PJ

Heard on Simon Mayo's show this morning:

"On January 22 1927, the first radio football commentary was broadcast from 
highbury for the game between Arsenal & Sheffield Utd.

It was the first time the whole nation got to hear those immortal words:

			BORING BORING ARSENAL"

Al :-) :-)

    ....and the commentary was given by George Allinson, an Arsenal
    director, who became Arsenal manager in 1934 after the death of Herbert
    Chapman.  George Allinson was the first radio sports commentator in
    England.
    
    Mike M
    
    P.S.  Charlie Buchan, the Arsenal captain, scored the first goal. 

    Mike,
    
    Sounds like you were there - you must be older than you seem!
    
    Paul

    Re: .377  For Allinson read Allison. 

    >>>  Note 46.377  
    
       P.S.  Charlie Buchan, the Arsenal captain, scored the first goal. 
    
    
    
    Sign him up!!
    
    PJ
    

    Anyone going to the Forest match on Feb 29 interested in meeting pre
    and/or post match? Five Deccies and two relatives are going over from
    here. All, except one of the Deccies, are Gooners.

    I see Arsenal have complained about Michael Thomas's New of the World
    expose on Georgie. Not the type of thing we really want to get involved
    in, surely? He scored the most famous goal in Arsenal history.
    Gratitude, eh? Hmm....
    
    We really need to start winning again to even finish in the top four.
    Boy have our sights lowered? Three months ago, everything in sight...now 
    hoping to finish in the top four.
    
    Still, I expect George has a plan!   Watching the Mancs struggling and
    getting results recently has made it even worse. On top form we would have
    hammered that Villa side at Highbury. To hell, we did hammer
    them....5-0 wasn't it?
    
    
    They have a few damn good players, especially the 'keeper who really is
    top class, but they have so many jorneymen. Comparing us
    player-for-player with United, I'd pick 8-9 of the Arsenal team ahead
    of the corresponding Mancs.  And I'm not trying to provoke a reaction
    from United fans a-la-cunno, I'm far too depressed for that.
    
    
    Declan

    Depending on the results of various cup competitions in the UK and
    Europe, the Arse only have to finish 5th in the league to get a place
    in Europe next year.......but I'm not holding my breath!!
    
    Judging by the Gunners seesaw performances from one season the next, if
    we did get into a European tournament next season, we'd probably win
    it!!
    
    PJ
    
    PS  re: GG having a plan....I think it's called 'job preservation'!!  I
    haven't heard him take any of the heat for the poor showing this year.

    Re. 381
    
    Peter,
    
    Pre-match drinks in the Supporters Club?
    
    Michael

    re .384
    
    One slight problem about the Supporters' shed for pre-match drinks is
    that of the 7 of us only 2, to my knowledge, are members. Would they let 
    us bring in 5 guests? It might be easier to get us all in after the match 
    when the crowd thins out. Also there are no seats left so it's a North 
    Bank job and we'll have to get in the ground reasonably early. What time 
    does the supporters' bar open?
    
    Yes, it's at Highbury. We already played (for about 20 minutes) at Forest 
    |-(

    	As for GG taking some of the heat,I don't think there is a lot of
    heat to be taken to be quite honest.Okay so a fair number of
    performances have been below par when compared to last season but I
    think the major difference between the gooners now and last season is
    that where we were winning games we perhaps didn't deserve to,this
    season we are losing/drawing games which we perhaps deserved to win.
    One good,quick defender and a classy ball winner in midfield (if there 
    is such an animal available!!) and things will be tightened up nicely.
    
    	I think now,we do have to be setting our sights on a high position 
    this year and preparing ourselves for a challenge for honours next year
    since I believe the title is beyond us ( as far as points behind) and
    we are out of all the cups. 

    >>    One good,quick defender and a classy ball winner in midfield
    >>	  (if there is such an animal available!!) and things will be
    >>    tightened up nicely.
    
          It's the absense of the above that GG should be taking the heat
    for.  How could he have allowed the midfield to be decimated (by
    injury, transfer, etc) without ensuring proper replacement??
    
    Also, I know that Ian "I-can-spit-farther-than-you" Wright was a good
    buy, but another attacking player was not the first priority..IMHO.
    
    PJ

    Ian Wright was certainly a good buy, viewed in the context of value for
    money, but I'm not sure, with the benefit of hindsight, that he was the
    right player at the right time for Arsenal. I think we have changed our
    style a bit too much to accomodate him. There's just a wee bit too much
    truth in Michael Thomas's assertion that midfield is largely being
    by-passed lately. 
    
    Alan Smith had scored a hatful of goals, and was in his usual great
    scoring form until Wright arrived. How many times has he scored since?
    Only once or twice, and one of those when Wright wasn't playing.
    
    Declan 

    re: .386
    
    Does Mike McCabe know what time it opens?
    
    Michael
    
    ps. Each member can sign in 2 guests.

    The Supporters' Club bar opens whenever Pat (the barperson) gets there,
    generally between 11.30 and 12.00.  As for signing people in, 
    officially it might be 2, but the guys on the door don't mind whose
    money they put in their back pocket - seven won't be a problem.
    
    QPR v Arsenal not a great game but Arsenal played better than they have
    done in recent weeks.  On occasions they actually tried to play a bit
    of football and the defence restricted QPR to one shot on goal. In fact 
    Bailey, the hero of Old Trafford, was so ineffective he was subbed in 
    the second-half.
    
    Had Alan Smith scored in the first minute, following a nice move down
    the left from Winterburn and Merson, instead of hitting the bar, then 
    Arsenal might have ended up convincing winners.  He didn't and the game
    petered out in the second-half.  Jimmy Carter had a good chance well
    saved near the end, but apart from that he was largely anonymous, again.
    
    Liverpool tomorrow and Man Utd on Saturday, on current form 6 points
    looks a cert!  This is followed by a trip to the fair city of
    Nottingham and the delights of Meadow Lane.  
    
    Mike M                                                          

    The 'pool to finish off Arsenals season good and proper tonight...
    
    A winning margin of 2 or 3 goals, even without John Barnes!!
    
    Stew.
    

    Not a bad prediction, Stew!!
    
    I agree with whoever said that a Championship team can't become
    a poor team in the space of one season, but is it possible for a team
    to become pedestrian and that's what's happened to the Gunners.
    
    Whether it is a loss of confidence or lacking the will to win, Arsenal
    just don't seem to 'want it' this season.
    
    I'm not too optimistic about United's visit on Saturday.  But if there
    is going to be an Arsenal backlash or a Gunner revival this season,
    please let it be this weekend!!!
    
    PJ 
    

    I wouldn't mind Arsenal putting one over on the mancs this weekend as
    well!!
    
    I'll go for a 3-1 win to the Arse, and keep my fingers crossed that my
    luck holds!!! 8-)
    
    Stew.
    

    
    Schizophrenia : mental disorder marked by disconnection between
    intellect and emotions etc.
    
    Viz. :
    
>>                  <<< Note 46.394 by YUPPY::SEABURYS >>>
>>                            -< Merson for Anfield >-
    
>>    I wouldn't mind Arsenal putting one over on the mancs this weekend as
>>    well!!
    
>>    I'll go for a 3-1 win to the Arse, and keep my fingers crossed that my
>>    luck holds!!! 8-)
    
>>    Stew.
  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Also :
    
>>                  <<< Note 34.671 by YUPPY::SEABURYS >>>
>>             -< Ray Houghton - Player's Player of The Year >-
    
>>    I fully expect Man united to go to Highbury and win convincingly on
>>    Saturday. I don't think we can talk about winning the championship  
     
    I rest my case.
    
    Rob

    re .395
    
    Yeah, but, if you'd read the notes properly, you'd see that one says I
    HOPE Arsenal win, and the other says I EXPECT Man Utd to win...
    
    slight difference methinks!!
    
    Stew.
    

    re. 395
    
    getting a bit acidic today arent you , Rob?
    are you upset about something?
    has someone told you that Notts County have signed Glenn Hysen?!???!
    
    Ian.
    

    According to todays Standard, Islington Council have given Arsenal
    the go ahead on the new North Bank Stand. However, it's not the same
    cantilever design as originally intended and shown in the Bond 
    prospectus. The new stand, still as impressive, does away with the
    side sections which meet the West and East Stands leaving the North 
    End corners at Highbury exposed (a bit like the gaps at Ibrox - if 
    they're still there).
    
    It still manages to capture the classic look of the East and West 
    Stands, but the side sections of the stand, more curving and
    predominantly glass and steel, have that art deco feel. I'll stop
    before this gets embarrasing. :^) The artists impression in the 
    Standard looks very nice, but whether or not there's a pizza parlour, 
    a museum or 21st century toilets is a matter which I'm sure will 
    force most fans to rethink about buying a Bond. :^)
    
    Also mentioned was a scheme currently being planned which will allow 
    for at least 5000 North Bank regulars to gain admission to the ground
    next season, when the capacity will drop to 29000 for the duration of
    the building work. Where these 5000 will "go" has'nt been stated. 
    Perhaps patrons of the West and East Stands have been persueded to 
    share-a-seat or maybe Dein plans on flloding Highbury with 5000 
    Arsenal Lotto sellers? More sensibly, pr'haps to the Clock End which
    I presume will be seated bit-by-bit, thus allowing a certain section
    to house supporters. If that's the case then away support may be
    affected for a while. 
    
    Perhaps the most realistic proposition, in Dein's eyes, will be to 
    re-house 5000+ North Bankers in those parts of the East and West Stands 
    which are'nt either season ticketed or allocated, in the case of the 
    West Stand, to away supporters. Of course that is going to mean paying 
    more to sit, okay if you manage to get a lower tier seat, but 
    extortionate if you have to go "upstairs".   
    
    Barry.

    re -1....I shouldnt worry too much about congestion at Highbury
    after this season;s form!!
    
    ha ha!!
    8^)
    
    *Tiger*
    
    PS...oh, BTW, we beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on saturday.

    
A pretty mediocre game against United on Saturday.  From the  highlights
shown on Saturday evening, I thought we were marginally more dangerous
in the first half, and they seemed to shade the second half. The Radio 5 
commentary said exactly the opposite. It just shows how misleading highlights 
can sometimes be....

I thought we played well against Liverpool for 45 minutes, some really good 
football.  We should have been comfortably ahead at half-time. The confidence 
is pretty fragile at the moment. Once they got the goal there seemed to be a 
sort of "here we go again" about the Gunners. The half-time sucker punch, when
we have had the better of the first half, has happened too often this season. 

Liverpool are gone after losing to Chelsea. I hope Leeds can pull it off now. I
think the league will be close,  but I believe United will edge it.  They do 
seem to have acheived a good balance this year, getting results when they're 
not playing too well, and winning comfortably when they are.

Kanchelskis (sp?) looked better on Saturday than I've seen him in the past. I 
rate him as a Mark II Perry Groves who looks great tearing  down the wing, and
doesn't have the intelligence to do anything decent with  the ball at the end 
of his run. I don't think he'll last at United. Why didn't they play Giggs? I,
for one, was happy that he wasn't playing, but I can't understand how
neither Giggs nor Sharpe can get into the team, especially since the United 
midfield combination are struggling a bit  recently. Sharpe seems to be 
completely out of favour. Any Gooners interested?

The games between Arsenal and United have toned down a bit, eh?  All very
friendly on Saturday. Even Mark Hughes failed, for once, to look like Marlon 
Brando. 

Declan

    I saw Anders Limpar outside the Hippodrome early Friday evening in
    what appeared to be a blue and yellow track suit top (Swedish night
    at the Hippo?). Damn, I thought George would have had them all suited 
    out in "blazers" and an Arsenal tie even on their days off. Tut! Tut! 
    Dress standards as well as points seem to be slipping at Highbury these 
    days. Herbert Chapman would've had little Limpar hanged for the same 
    offence back in the good old days. :^)  
    
    Barry.                            

    While watching the Liverpool v Arsenal game on the box, there was a
    chant from the Arsenal fans, to the tune of 'Blue Moon' which started
    2-0..I presume this was about the league winning game at Anfield...does
    anyone know what the words are ??
    
    Cheers
    Paul
    
    

    
     I'll wager its "We beat the scum 2-0..." and its directed at
    Tottenham.
    
       Dave...

    Gunner fans may be interested to know that in the Irish Sunday
    Independent this week, Eamon Dunphy (do you remember him at Millwall in the
    early 70s?.......do you remember Millwall??.....)
    
    
    ...anyway Dunphy launched a scathing attack on GG,  saying that his
    (talented) players were being subdued by his obsession with tactics. It
    compared him (rather too directly) with Jack Charlton (who has been
    known to walk out of press conferences when Dunphy asks a question
    muttering "he's not a journalist")
    
    He also asserted that we have a bunch of damn good players, and that
    Merson is currently the best player in English Football.
    
    As usual however, Dunphy's  lack of in-depth knowledge showed, with
    several inaccuracies about the Gunners such as "Limpar joined Arsenal
    from Sweden", Kevin Richardson helped us win two titles etc etc etc
    
    

    
    
    This woundn't be the same Eamon "Bull S**t" Dunphy who wrote a 
    U2 biography a few years ago.......if it is...some things never 
    change !
    
    Rob.

    One and the same Rob. That makes him unpopular with two of of Ireland's
    biggest institutions, St Jack and U2. What next, the unauthorised
    Daniel O'Donnell warts 'n all biography?
    
    Barry.
    
    

    Now c'mon fellas.....Daniel don't have no warts.....HIV maybe but no
    warts.....
    
    Declan

    I see we're back in the chase for Andy Townsend. Bit like closing the
    stable door after the horse has bolted......he's a good player though.
    
    
    I see Alan Davies (played for Man Utd in the '83 FA Cup final) was
    found dead yesterday. It looks as though he killed himself, poor
    bugger. His wife was eight months pregnant.
    
    Declan

   Could somebody please point me in the direction of the "Whatever happened
   to YUPPY::MCCABE" topic.

   I thank yew.

   Stuart

    Re: last.
    
    Still here, Stuart, but rather busy at the moment.  Still, I'll see if
    I can dash off a quick 200 line note at lunch-time about the drivel
    (mainly) that was written last week about the Liverpool v Arsenal game.
    
    By the way, having been an intermittent read only noter for the past
    few weeks it's nice to see, at long last, something worth reading 
    e.g. the stuff on football and politics, the African Nations Cup, 
    football and comic strips and dare I say it even some of the recent 
    stuff in 32 and 34 as opposed to the usual claptrap that's in 32 & 34 
    plus endless (NEXT UNSEEN, doctor!) predictions.
    
    Mike M             

    >>>  When's ALL-IN-1 Mail for MS-Windows gonna work?
    
    
    If you've still got the VAXmate Mike, I think the answer is NEVER!

    Mike,
    
    You are clearly being punished for some past misdeeds. Having to
    support the Arse and use A1MAIL for MS-WINDOWS is more than any normal
    human deserves as punishment - I bet you're running VMS v5.5 as well!.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    
    Can someone tell me the price of the executive seats in the west stand
    for the forth coming game agaunst Leeds? 

    Any Takers?
    

    What's this then? A sit-in protest against the Bond scheme after the
    Norwich game? Cruel irony indeed. 
    
    Barry.
    

Was there a sit in at the Norwich match. I'd say it was more like that they
fell a sleep during the game, the game finished, the teams left and they were
left there sitting in the dark :)

On the subject, How is that wonderful mind boggling bond going??
Far too much money to be giving for a sit...now if you went down to the MFI you
could get a nice bargain & even bring it home with ya!!!


		Mick

    Notts Co 0 - 1 Arsenal                               
    
    The first win since Everton on 21st Dec and the first (and only?)
    double of the season and I missed it!  The ruddy nipper is going on his
    own to the next under 5s school disco!  Mind you it's not often I get
    an opportunity to listen to the "Birdie" Song followed by Michael
    Jackson followed by Kylie Minogue followed by the "Birdie" song followed 
    by Michael Jackson...for three hours.  And I thought the Gestapo were
    supposed to be good at torture.  
    
    The game, so I'm led to believe, wasn't up to much, but you could have
    guessed as much from looking at the stunningly creative midfield that
    Arsenal fielded; Hillier, Pates and Groves.  Pates apparently was man
    of the match (Why no Bryan Robson?) which doesn't say an awful lot for
    the rest of them.
    
    Arsenal took the lead after 19 minutes when a mix up by the County
    centre-backs put Alan Smith in.  Arsenal had a couple of further
    chances which they didn't take.  Half-time, County 0 - 1 Arsenal.
    
    County came out for the second-half with all guns blazing and had
    Arsenal on the rack for 20-25 minutes.  I think they hit the woodwork a
    couple of times and Seaman made a couple of good saves.  With about
    fifteen minutes to go Campbell and Parlour came on.  Campbell could
    have had a hat-trick, in particular he had two one-on-one situations
    with the goal-keeper.  He's got a lot of promise Campbell, but if he's
    going to be any good he's got to start sticking these chances away. 
    Parlour apparently had some nice touches.  In the end Arsenal where
    comfortable winners, but it could have been different if County had
    stuck away some of their early second-half chances.  
    
    Arsenal 1 - 1 Norwich             
    
    Rubbish.  Not quite as bad as the game against Luton on Boxing Day but
    a close second.  The Arsenal and Norwich players spent most of the game
    trying to hit the floodlights.  In amongst this dross Ruel Fox had a
    good game for Norwich and no-one had a good game for Arsenal.  Fox
    opened the scoring for Norwich, Merson equalised for Arsenal.
         
    After the game between 200 and 1000 (which figure you chose depends
    upon which paper you read) people staged a sit-in on the North Bank to
    protest about the Arsenal Bond.  Incidentally the revised plans for the
    new North Bank stand received the go ahead from Islington Council a
    couple of weeks ago.  So the bulldozers will be moving in in May.
    
    Re: Executive seats in the West Stand?
    
    Seat prices are as follows: Upper Tier - Centre Block 20, Next to
    Centre 15, Wing Blocks 14; Lower Tier 10.
    
    Mike M
    
    P.S. Does anyone want a standing ticket for the forthcoming away game 
    (22nd Feb) with the mob from N17?

re -.1

Peter,
	I was just Thinking of that as well, perhaps Campbell & wright up
front are the perfect pair. Well at this stage of the season, its worth a try, 
cos we've nothing to loss!! But I've got the feeling that GG wont Budge from 
smith being in the first 11.
	If GG did go for them , them they might go for the ground game a bit
more. Anyway, I dont think that smith and wright have hit it off.

Anybody with a match report & team lineout??

		Mick (now waiting for March 21st)

    Perhaps if GG did play Campbell and Wright up front, he could
    experiment with Smith in midfield for the rest of the season and maybe
    save having to buy a high-priced midfielder. I reckon Smith could be a
    revelation in that position as he has the necessary control and passing
    skills. As you say Mick, there's nothing to lose by trying a few 
    experiments.

    The Leeds game is now live on the box on the 22nd.  Palace on the 11th
    April is still on a Saturday.
    
    Mike M

    Mike,
    
    Any idea if the reserves or youths have a fixture on March 21st now
    that the Leeds game has been switched to the Sunday? Failing that, does
    anyone know what other League matches are on in the London area on
    March 21st?

    Some points to note:
    
    .  Biggest win since  1935-36 when Arsenal beat Villa 7-1 (according to
    Jonathan Pearce of Capital Gold).
    
    .  Surely,  Taylor must regret leaving Campbell from the squad for
    game against France.

    Peter,
    
    According to Saturday's programme the reserves do not have a game on
    21st March and the youth team are away to Ipswich.
    
    Mike

    March 21st :
    
    Chelsea v Sheff Utd
    Palace v Aston Villa
    West Ham v QPR
    
    Millwall v Port Vale
    
    Orient v Torquay
    
    Rothmans

    I suppose it has to be the Orient/Torquay match :-)
    
    I'm certainly not going to the Palace-Villa game. I was dragged to that
    last year by my brother-in-law..I think it was the day before the Spurs
    Cup Semi-final, and it was as bad as I've ever had to endure. Nil-all
    with neither team trying....
    
    ...Chelsea-Sheffield United might be worth trying, if only to see if
    Vinny can beat his own record for a three second booking.
    
    Declan

    Looks like the pub for me....
    
    Noel

I know the season wouldnt really set your hair on fire, but surely someone must
have something to say about the derby.


Well if that's the case I'll say

		" ^%^6% 0 - Arsenal 3"

Ah sure what the hell, you never know with footie, its a funny old game.


Aside:
	Mr Mccabe, due to being here only 6 months, I took it as my
	duty, to catch up with previous Arsenal topics. I'm almost finished, but
	I came across one of your note after last season's success, where you
	were saying that Rocastle might leave as he kind of lost his way.
	It's amazing how this change. Now He's the most likely person in
	midfield. You did mention the Thomas would go in 12 month..what a 
	forecaster!!

	Anybody with any comments on Earl the "Ultra fast" turning down
	arsenals offer? Was there any reason.


	Mick.

    Mick,
    
    Yep, your right Rocastle has come back from the wilderness and has
    probably been our best midfield player this season.
    
    As regards the derby, if I get time later on today I'll put a match
    report in.  Although from where I was sitting, behind a ruddy great
    pillar, I didn't see a lot.  However, for once this season fortune
    smiled on us.  Lineker and Durie should have scored long before Wright
    got the equaliser and hence put the result beyond doubt.  Gutted for
    them?  Yeah, me too. :-)
    
    As for Barratt, I suspect he's now deposited a large sum of tax free
    money in his bank account.
    
    Mike M 

    I see pubs along Tottenham High Road either close or go all ticket
    (Spurs membership card) on Derby day. Wimps.
    
    Thirsty of N10 

    
    Rumour has it that Earl didn't favour the strict wage structure
    that the Gunners have in place. If thats the case then Villa
    obviously offered him the larger sweetner.
    
    JN.

    
    He probably didn't fancy 3 seasons in the reserves either, if you
    judge by GG past record with centre-halves.
    
    Vinnie.
    

    re Barrett
    
    As usual, it depends on which "paper" you read. Those I read said he
    chose Villa over Arsenal in order to be nearer Oldham/his girlfriend
    even though Arsenal offered him better terms. He's a good player but
    do we really need another centreback anyway?

    Re .433
    
    the local radio said this morning that Arsenal are interested in
    Manchester City's Keith Curle, as Curle's family can't settle in the
    north.
    
    And the radio mentioned an absolutely ludicrous figure of 3.5m (pounds
    strerling, not lira)

    
    
    Re. 423
    
    Agreed.  Somebody really ought to take GG aside and tell him it's a
    midfielder we need...two in fact ! I can't understand this obsession
    with centre-halves and forwards.
    
    CHris  
    
    

    Yesterday on SportsChannel USA having seen about 30 minutes of the
    Oldham vs QPR game (what a choice!) we were treated to the
    goals from Arsenal vs Sheffield Wednesday.
    
    The Arse looked a lot better than their previous results show but you
    feel a better side than Sheff Wed would have put a few goals in at the
    other end - like the Everton game just before Christmas.
    
    Actually It reminded me of rugby games I used to see in the days when 
    Cardiff RFC actually won a whole game - if it was getting embarassing after
    say 70 mins because the score was say 63-3 the ref would call an early
    end to the game - sort of a mercy killing - about 5-1 was enough for
    the Arse after that they were just taking the p**s.
     
    Maybe George is planning on putting out the following team:
    (who needs a midfield)
    
    Seaman
    
    O'Leary Bould Linighan Pates Adams
    
    Merson Campbell Wright Smith Groves
    
    A sort of 1-5-5 formation.
    
    regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks
    

	re .436

> Boring Boring Arsenal (:==:)

	Notice that it took Arsenal considerably more years of post-war play
	to score seven goals in one game than it took many others.

	Tony

>>    Notice that it took Arsenal considerably more years of post-war pla
    >>          to score seven goals in one game than it took many others.
    
    
    
    Can you name a few who scored 7 goals - except Loonypool and forest
    
    However, Arsenal scored the highest number of goals last season. 
    88-89 season was won because gunners had scored more goals than you
    know who!
    
    
    

	Div 1
	Everton 8 Southampton 0
	Leeds 7 Southampton 0
	(Both of these were I think in 1971)

	Div 2
	Southampton 9 Wolves 3
	(in the mid 1960's)

	F.A. Cup
	Spurs 13 Crewe 2
	(197? ?)

	The question may be better asked "Which teams failed to score seven
	goals in the period 1945-1991?"

	Tony


	

    Also,   Spurs 7 Liverpool 2
    	    Liverpool 7 Spurs 0
    
    		Some years ago (possibly the 70's?)
    
    
    Stevo

Sheffield United 7  (Alan Woodward (4))

Ipswitch Town  0

'73 ish

Highest scoring match I have personally attended.

    Liverpool 8/9 C Palace 0  2/3 years ago !!!

    
    West Ham 8 v 1 Newcastle about 5/6years ago..
    
    
    The keeper was injured early in the game, plus it was a paticularly bad
    year for Newcastle (so whats new !!)..
    
    Gary..

    re.442
    
    it was Liverpool 9-0 palace, september 1990 (ish)
    palace missed a penalty!
    
    Ian.
    

    Was'nt it also one of the last games that a certain footballing legend
    (to some) played for L'pool? I think we should be told.....again.

    >>	Notice that it took Arsenal considerably more years of post-war play
    >>	to score seven goals in one game than it took many others.
    
    Err... not true Arsenal have scored seven goals in a competitive game 
    several times since the war, other than against Sheff Wed the other
    week.  Still, what have facts got to do with anything?
    
    Mike M

They're advertising their extended Sports section with the line

	Now you spend longer reading about the Cup than Arsenal spent in it

Poor Arsenal, nobody luvs 'em.

grahame

	re .446

	So for comparison we should only be looking at League games?
	What was the assertion about the Sheff Wed game being the biggest
	win since 193? ?

	Tony

    Re: .448
    
    >>	So for comparison we should only be looking at League games?
    
    No, not even close.  In 47/48, as we all know Arsenal won the League,
    in their final game of the season they beat Grimsby 8-0.  This is
    Arsenal's biggest win since the war.  It was also Grimsby's last game 
    in the First Division and Ronnie Rooke scored four of the Arsenal 
    goals giving him a total of 33 for the season.  Thus making Ronnie the 
    highest scorer in the League, the last time an Arsenal player had this 
    distinction.  Also in the 47/48 season Arsenal beat Middlesbrough 7-0. 
    
    Since then Arsenal have scored seven goals in a game on a number of
    occasions:
    
        Mid fifties  v Man City 7-3  League
        1963/64      v Staevnet 7-1  Inter Cities (Arsenal's first game in
                                                   Europe)
        1969/70      v Dinamo Bacau 7-1 Fairs Cup (The year Arsenal won it)
        1980 (?)     v Leeds 7-0 League Cup (Graham Rix's greatest game for
                                             Arsenal, imho)
        198?         v Hereford 7-2 FA Cup
        1992         v Sheff Wed 7-1 League  
	
    >>  What was the assertion about the Sheff Wed game being the biggest
	win since 193? ?
    
    I think one of, or even several of, the Sunday papers the day after the
    Sheff Wed game reported the 7-1 win as Arsenal's bigest League win
    since 193?.
    
    Mike M

	Could anyone supply an update on how the bond scheme is going?

	Stuart

    Arsenal play Shelbourne at Tolka Park in Dublin this Thursday at 7:30.

    I believe Arsenal played Barnet on Sat. at Underhill in a
    friendly.Anyone know how we got on?
    
    Noel

    Campbell and Wright played up front with Parlour in midfield.  Campbell
    opened the scoring.  Parlour chipped the 'keeper for the second. 
    Campbell got another, Smith came off the subs bench and scored.  Limpar 
    got one and I think Wright got the other.
    
    Mike M

    >>	Could anyone supply an update on how the bond scheme is going?
    
    1. About 4,500 - 5,000 sold, although Arsenal haven't published any 
    figures recently.
    2. Planning permission has been granted for the revised stand, i.e. not
    joining onto the East and West Stands.
    3. The bulldozers start work in May.
    4. The programme recently announced - without any details - a deal for
    next season for 5000 non bond and season ticket holders.
    
    Mike M  

    Jimmy Carter is injured and likely to be out for the rest of the
    season.  I can't say as I'm disappointed.
    
    David Dein has allegedly issued a writ for defamation of character
    against an Arsenal fanzine editor.
    
    Mike M 

    Would that be the editor of "One Nil...." by any chance?
    
    

    Bond: anything that binds, fastens or unites.
    
    Bondage: slavery, subjection to some force or influence.
    
    Well that's it! Overwhelming proof that the scheme does in fact 
    have a silent "age" at the end of it. 
    
    barry.
    
    p.s. Any truth in..............12 pounds a go on the Clock End next 
    season? Surely not?

    Arsenal drew 1-1 with Shelbourne in a friendly last night in front of a
    crowd of about 6000.Overall it was a very poor game with Shelbourne
    taking the lead after about half an hour but within a minute Arsenal
    were level,Smith pouncing on a loose ball after the keeper parried a
    near-post shot from Limpar.Nothing to write home about in the
    second-half but it looked as if the Arsenal players enjoyed themselves.
    
    Noel

    In the end an easy win but it could have been different if the 
    Oldham number 7 had put away an early first half chance.  The ball 
    was crossed to him and from about 6 yards out it appeared that he 
    could head the ball anywhere to Seaman's right and score.  But he 
    didn't, he put it past the post.
    
    With about ten minutes to go to half-time a good move from Arsenal 
    brought the opening goal.  Hillier and Limpar exchanged passes in 
    the penalty area, putting Limpar in on goal.  Limpar then 
    unselfishly (really??) squared the ball for Wright to tap in.  A 
    couple of minutes later Alan Smith should have made it two nil, 
    when from a couple of yards out and with an open goal in front of 
    him he scooped the ball over the bar.  1-0 to Arsenal at 
    half-time. 
    
    Arsenal dominated the second-half and it was no surprise that they 
    went 2-0 up after about an hour.  Hillier's persistence forced the 
    ball over the 'keeper and into the path of Merson, he headed the 
    ball home from about a yard out.  Arsenal could and should have 
    extended their lead; Limpar hit the bar, Hillier hit one over and 
    Wright and Smith went close.
    
    With about fifteen minutes left Hillier went in hard on the Oldham 
    number 4 (possible revenge for tackles that he'd dished out 
    earlier on Winterburn and Rocastle).  Royle and Co. weren't 
    impressed and jumped out of the dug out.  Stewart Houston got up 
    to tell them to sit down and a bit of verbals followed.  "Handbags 
    at dawn" stuff really.
    
    With five minutes to go Andy Ritchie pulled one back for Oldham, 
    he nipped in front of a static Arsenal defence and toe-ended the 
    ball past Seaman.
    
    David O'Leary came on with a few minutes minutes to go to make his 
    700th appearance for Arsenal.
    
    The League Champions lined-up as follows:
    
    	 	               Seaman
                   Dixon  Adams  Bould  Winterburn
                  Limpar  Rocastle  Hillier  Merson
                            Smith  Wright
    
                   Subs:  O'Leary & Campbell
    
    Last night's programme contained details of a ticket registration 
    scheme, applicable next season when the capacity is 29000, for non 
    Bond holders and non season ticket holders.  There will be 7,000 
    approx tickets available for members of the registration scheme 
    for every Arsenal game at Highbury.  If your not a member of the 
    scheme, Bond holder or season ticket holder you won't be able to 
    get in, unless your a visiting supporter.  Visiting supporters 
    will be allocated about 1600 terrace tickets.  
    
    Application forms for the scheme will appear in the programmes for 
    the last three games at Highbury.  It'll cost 10 quid to become a 
    member, but 8 pound of this is redeemable against a future match 
    ticket.  So in reality it only costs 2 pounds to join.  Each 
    ticket sold to a member of the scheme will have his/her name on 
    and any tickets sold on the 'black market' will be traced and the 
    orginal owner's registration will be withdrawn.
    
    Terrace prices aren't going up next season, so much for the 
    forecasts of 12 quid to stand at Highbury next season!  Seats are 
    going up by 5%. 
    
    Mike M

    	What's the situation with the league??? can someone print out the
    top half of the league please??

    See Note 13.xxx for the latest Div 1 League Tables.
    
    jb.

  According to my latest information, the under-writers will be
  selling tickets on a match by match basis, if the Arse fail to
  dump all the bond seats.

  Stuart

  >>According to my latest information, the under-writers will be
  >>selling tickets on a match by match basis, if the Arse fail to
  >>dump all the bond seats.

  >>Stuart
    
    Yep.  So what?
    
    Mike M
    

                   <<< Note 46.464 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>

  >>According to my latest information, the under-writers will be
  >>selling tickets on a match by match basis, if the Arse fail to
  >>dump all the bond seats.

  >>Stuart
    
   > Yep.  So what?
    
   > Mike M
    


   So doesn't that make it a pretty pointless exercise?

   
   Stuart

    It's now official - we've got the match tickets (North Bank), the flight
    tickets and the hotel booking is confirmed - the DEC Irish Gooners will 
    be at Highbury for the Leeds match on the 22nd. See you there either
    pre or post match in the Supporters' Club Shed?

   >>So doesn't that make it a pretty pointless exercise?
    
    Err, no, I don't believe it does, Stuart.  Allow me to try and cast 
    some light where I believe there is a vast void of darkness.
    
    1) Arsenal's most recent turnover was 11.3 million pounds (90/91 
    season) of that approx 6.0 million was accounted for by gate 
    receipts (53%).  Of this 6.0 million about 2.0 million was revenue 
    from the Northbank.  Hence, even if the Northbank were totally 
    shut or Arsenal were gaining no revenue from it at all (implied in 
    your mail) then Arsenal could still turnover 9.3 million.  This 
    would obviously mean that they would have to look closely at their 
    cost structure to account for the loss of revenue, but that's 
    another (long-winded :-)) story.
    
    2) So far Arsenal have sold about 4000 (4193?) Bonds which will 
    equate to about 1 million (4000 x 250) in season ticket sales in 
    the first year of the new stand, but with price increases this 
    will ramp up quite sharply in the following years.  
    
    So, at the end of year one even if they don't sell anymore they 
    will only be 1 million down in turnover terms assuming things remain 
    constant (which they won't) and have a stand worth 15 million, which 
    will reputedly be "the best in Europe" in terms of comfort and 
    facilities.
    
    3) Unsold Bond seats, as you point out, will be sold by Arsenal on 
    behalf of the the underwriters, the Bank of Scotland, on a match 
    by match basis.  Over a period of years a very good deal for them.
    However, I don't believe there is anything to stop Arsenal buying 
    the Bond seats back themselves as and when they are ready, e.g. 1000 
    a season for eight years.  Or if they haven't got the money not buy 
    any.  (This sure beats the hell out of getting stuck for exhorbitant 
    fixed interest payments every year.)  In this way Arsenal could aim 
    to have either the Bonds all sold or have them under their control over, 
    say, a ten year period and consequently have all the revenue stream. 
    
    Whether the Bond scheme in its current form is the best way to 
    raise the required cash for the re-development of Highbury is a 
    different matter.  
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Mike M 
         

    Heard that Selhurst (revamped of course!) will be used as a second
    choice ground after Wembley should dear 'ol En-ger-land host the Euro 
    96 championships. I bet Dein and Friar are fuming. 
    
    barry. 

        <<< Note 46.468 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "Meals on Wheels of Steel" >>>

>    Heard that Selhurst (revamped of course!) will be used as a second
>    choice ground after Wembley should dear 'ol En-ger-land host the Euro 
>    96 championships. I bet Dein and Friar are fuming. 
    
>    barry. 



The Theatre of Dreams will only be used if there is an enlarged competition




Stuart

    
    > Selhurst (revamped of course!)
    
    does this mean getting rid of Sainsburys?
    
    Ian.
    

Sometimes it's kind of hard for this Yank to detect a wind-up, but... If they 
expand the tournament to 16 teams and if they use 2 London area sites, is
Selhurst really one of the best available? What criteria do they use, and how 
do grounds such as White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge and Highbury rate?  You have 
to figure Wembeley will be one of the stadiums used. Highbury is supposed to 
have a new stand built soon, so suppose that would make it more attractive in 
terms of fan comfort.

Or are these grounds allotted due to how much power/influence the club 
management can show?

Tom

All this talk about whether Selhurst Park will host any games in 1996 is now
irrelavent as UEFA has decided that only 8 teams will compete.

BTW UEFA will decide on May 5 which nation will play host '96.

Al

    
    Re .471
    
    Tom, as far as I know, the reason that Selhurst Park was selected was
    it's location - south of the river Thames. Apparently, the grounds
    nominated are supposed to geographically cover England - the only
    ground 'suitable' for Southern England is Selhurst Park......
    
    Anyway it's irrelevant now...
    
    Paul

    Huddersfield was also mentioned as a reserve ground. That'd
    really impress the rest of Europe eh?
    
    Back to the Champions. Anyone go on Saturday? I hear that Dicks
    waged a personal war with our Pel and got himself sent off. Talking
    of whom, the ginger one kept Limpar on the bench. I daresay there
    were more than a few disgruntled mutterings aimed a George's team 
    selection. Will a 3rd placing gain UEFA Cup entry? I'm pretty confident
    that the Gunners can overhall the Owls and the blue Mancs. 
    
    barry.
    
    p.s. The Totts for relegation. It's definately on. What a wonderful
    feeling.                     

    >> Dicks waged a personal war with our Pel and got himself sent off
    
    	Well, he wasn't sent off, he got away with it. Ironically 3 Arsenal
    players got booked (Groves, Dixon and Winterburn). The  Boy Wright is
    doing well isn't he?  He is the leading league goal scorer now. Pretty
    good goals on Saturday. Can he clinch the Golden Boot?
    
    Match report anyone? From what I heard from Capital Gold it was another
    day in office for the gunners.
    
    Elangco

    I hear Mr Wright apparently upset the delicate sensibilities of an
    'ammers fan who has reported him to plod. This time he is alleged to 
    have spat out a few choice words. It must have been Alf Garnett who got
    upset.
    
    This sort of alleged behaviour has to be balanced with the other side of 
    the bloke which we saw at the friendly at Shelbourne. He very patiently 
    signed autographs and chatted with a mob of kids, mine included, during 
    the 2nd half after being subbed at half time. There were several
    Arsenal players who did not take part in the full match but he was the 
    only one to take the trouble for the young fans.
    
    What is the world coming to? BBC5 radio had a report yesterday that 3
    Arsenal players had been sent off in a reserves match and that one of
    them was David O'Leary!!! This can't be true surely, particularly on
    Paddy's Day? I don't think he was ever sent off before.
    
    Apparently Dave got his early bath for dissent due to telling the gent 
    in black that he had lost control. Perhaps Dave was still upset over the 
    Tories apparently claiming without permission that he and Alan Smith among 
    others were "personality" Tory supporters. Or maybe he had been 
    over-indulging in shamrock-drowning before the match.
    
    Anyone got any more details on the above?

    Four sent off . Arse 3 West Ham 1
    
    8 booked (dont if those sent off count in this figure).
    
    The Arse still managed to win 3-1.
    
    Nigel

    Who were the other 3?
    
    Who was the b*, sorry, referee?

    David O`Leary was one of them.His first ever sending off.
    Apparently this was for telling the referee that he had
    lost control of the game.
    
    Graham.

    Re .476,
    
    Apparently John Barnes (a left-winger!!) and El Tel were also implicated
    as closet Tories.
    
    ... we all remember that hideous stuff between Keegan and
    Maggie "out, out, out" Thatcher a few years back don't we?
    
    So far no Mancs have come out of the closet.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks
                                                
            

    I think the three Arsenal players sent off were O'Leary, Wills and
    Parlour.  Wills, the goalkeeper, was supposedly sent off for carrying
    the ball outside the penalty area.  
    
    The ref apparently sent 3 off and booked 8 in a ten minute spell.  
    O'Leary then suggested that he cool it a bit and take the heat out of 
    the game, so the ref responded by sending him off as well.  The result,
    which by this time was fast becoming irrelevant, was Arsenal Reserves 
    3 - 1 QPR Reserves.
    
    I listened to the West Ham game on Capital Gold.  Loved the comparison
    between Perry Groves and Pele, just after Perry had tried to chip the
    'keeper from 40 yards.  Perry was apparently playing 'cause George was
    concerned that Mr Dicks would kick lumps of Anders Limpar.  So Dicks 
    proceeded to kick lumps of Perry instead.  Seems reasonable to me, but
    probably not to Perry.  
    
    Apart from a Macavennie (sp?) shot that hit the bar Arsenal seemed to
    be in total control and won with two very good goals from Ian Wright.
    Arsenal are now unbeaten in 7 games and could well do the Mancs a
    favour on Sunday by beating Leeds at Highbury.
    
    Mike M
    
    P.S. Following last night's results I must get a letter off all those 
    reasonable, objective and fair-minded N17 fanzines.  

    Yeah, you're right Mike. There was a report on this match in the local
    evening paper here last night, presumably because O'Leary was involved
    and had never been sent off before.
    
    The sequence of red cards was :
    		Meaker (QPR)  78 minutes
    		Ray Parlour   81
    		David O'Leary 82 
    		Jim Will      88
    
    
    See you Sunday?

    Peter, I'll be in the "shack" before the game, so I'll see you and the
    other "Green" Gunners then.  
    
    This morning the tabloids seem to think that with Chelsea going out of
    the FA Cup Arsenal will be making another move for Townsend.  Chelsea
    apparently want 4 million.  If Arsenal buy the other players that they
    are rumoured to be interested in (Sinton, Curle, De Wolfe, Shearer,
    Sharp and Sabau) the reserves will have a helluva team next year!
    
    Mike M 

	I should imagine, it'll cost you an awful lot of money as well.

	Townshend 4m
	Curle 	3.5m
	.
	.
	.

    Drat, just as Arsenal start their charge for the championship, the
    notes conference disappears ;-) I suspect a Leeds/Manchester plot as
    neither of them seems to want to win it. 

    From reports it would seem that last night's match followed a similar
    pattern to the equivalent encounter at the City Ground. We dominated
    the first half but went in 1-2. Dixie scored from the spot after 6 
    minutes when Super Swede was (harshly?) adjudged to have been fouled by
    Woan (?). S. Swede was in great form as we dominated but Forest scored
    twice a few minutes before the interval. The first was a surprise shot
    from Woan which had Spunky rooted to the spot after Rocky made a mess
    of clearing the ball. The second was a shot from the boy Clough which
    took a wicked deflection. Forest went 3-1 up in the second half when
    Spunky boobed allowing Keane to score. Some justice was done when Magic
    Man made it 2-3 with a stunner with 5 minutes left and Rodders clinched 
    a point in the last minute.
    
    Apparently the old boy Clough upset the Arsenal lads with some
    derogatory remarks he made at the Players' Dinner on Sunday. Anyone
    know what he said?
    

    "Magic Man"?????
    
    Peter, a touch of the Baso-isms there?
    
    barry. 

    Barry,
    
    Yes, my tailor is making me up a natty red/white one side and
    yellow/blue other side suit for the office. Do you know anyone who
    wants a left size 10 red trainer and a right blue one? Perhaps Neil K. 
    and John M. would be interested. I hope my ugly mug doesn't appear as 
    often as Baso's in Gunflash.

    A one-liner in one of today's papers says that LEEDSLEEDSLEEDS are to
    host the Makita tournament this close-season. Have Arsenal decided not
    to participate this time?

    As reported in the Arse note, Leeds will be hosting the Makita
    tournament in August. I don't know who will be coming, but Leeds will
    be there! Leeds also play Liverpool around the 14th of Aug in a
    testimonial for Jim Beglin. (They might even play them a couple of days
    before / after in the Charity Shield ;-) )
    
    Who usually plays in the Makita Tournament ?
    
    jb.
    
    

    
    
    All I know is that they will be joined by one other English 
    team and one team each fron Italy and Germany.
    
    JN. :-(

    The Makita has been run for the last 3-4 seasons and usually involved
    Arsenal, a.n. other English team and two Continental sides. It used to
    be staged at Wembley but took place at Highbury last year. Presumably
    the rebuilding at The Home of Football prevents it taking place there
    this year. Don't know if Arsenal intend to participate this time.
    
    Previous participants in the Makita include Arsenal, AC Milan, Porto,
    Sampdoria (twice), Bayern, Panathinikos, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham 
    and S***s.

    Norwich      1-3 Arsenal
    Butterworth      Wright (2, 1pen)
    		     Campbell
    
    The relentless march to the title (next year's) continues. Well, it
    will be our turn again! If only we hadn't slumped in mid-season 
    particularly round Christmas. 
    
    Mr Wright brought his League goals tally to 24 (includes 5 for Palace) 
    and has now scored 21 in 29 matches (all competitions) since joining 
    Arsenal. Eat your heart out Deano! We are now top scorers in Division 1.
    
    The summary on Radio 5 described Kevin Campbell as the most exciting
    and enjoyable to watch striker around. The only black spot is that
    David O'Leary has a suspected chipped bone in his hand.

    Mike McCabe,
    
    According to one of today's rags, Alan Smith has vehemently denied that
    he has had talks with Big Ron. He says he was at Villa Park last
    weekend for an Alvechurch reunion.
    
    However, according to the same rag and one other, he has a year to go
    on his contract and is refusing to sign a new one George has offered
    him. There has been a "showdown". He is quoted that Campbell and Wright
    are playing so well that he can't see himself getting back in the side 
    at the moment and, though he understands that, is anxious about his seat 
    on the plane to Sweden.

>>    on his contract and is refusing to sign a new one George has offered
>>    him. There has been a "showdown". He is quoted that Campbell and Wright
>>    are playing so well that he can't see himself getting back in the side 
>>    at the moment and, though he understands that, is anxious about his seat 
>>    on the plane to Sweden.

	I reckon he should book with Lunn Poly, then there'd be no problems
about getting a seat on the plane, but he should forget about booking for June
as the planes will be packed with supporters going to the European Championships

:-) :-)

    Another step towards a possible UEFA spot thanks to the Mancs winning
    the League Cup. To qualify, we'll have to finish above the Owls who are
    3 points ahead with 4 games each left.
    
    A Paul Merson hat-trick (one right foot shot, one left foot shot and a
    header) and a superb one from Kevin Campbell crushed Palace who
    had the temerity to take the lead. Although not scoring, Ian Wright
    contributed to all four goals. ITV's goal of the day nominated
    Campbell's and one of Merson's and said we are the only team playing
    like champions. Steve Coppell reckoned we are a good bet to regain the
    championship next season.
    
    Paul Merson is about to sign a new 5 year contract, eat your hearts out
    scousers!
    
    We now have 4 players into double figures of League goals:
    
    			Wright   24 (5 for Palace)
    			Merson   12
    			Smith    11
    			Campbell 11

    Yup, if we'd played like this all year, we'd have won it, no doubt
    about that. But if the Queen had B*lls she'd be the king, wouldn't she?
    
    Nice to see Coppell tipping us for the league next year, but the guy
    has a tendency to change his mind....he was praising United a few weeks
    ago in similar fashion.....I suspect a lot  depends on who's giving the FE's
    their latest trouncing.
    
    On the other hand, it was nice to hear a scouser saying that the
    Gunners were easily the best team in Britain.........now that's REAL
    praise!
    
    Dec
    
    
    

    I refer to Ian Rush's comments yesterday...no I'm not calling Coppell
    a Scouser
    
    Dec

>>>             <<< Note 46.498 by DBOSW2::ESBECK "Dec Van Esbeck" >>>

>>>    I refer to Ian Rush's comments yesterday...no I'm not calling Coppell
>>>    a Scouser
   
    Rush isn't a scouse, he's Welsh  - and Coppell IS from Liverpool.....
    
    Mr Pedantic 
    

    The only black spot at Highbury at the moment is the disgusting death
    threat hanging over Dave O'Leary from the so-called IPLO citing his
    alleged support for the Tory Party which they reckon implies support
    for the continuing military presence in Northern Ireland. They sent him
    a letter at Highbury threatening him and his family and one to the FAI 
    threatening recriminations against any individual or organisation 
    supporting Dave's forthcoming FAI Testimonial.
    
    Sickening.
    
    Dave reckons he has no interest in politics and has never voted in his
    life. His name was erroneously included on a list of celebrity Tory
    supporters but was withdrawn when the error was pointed out.

       <<< Note 46.500 by SIOG::SPENCER "Peter Spencer @DBO 827-2286" >>>
                                   -< Sick >-

          Whilst I agree with your sentiments, Mr O'Leary did attend
          a Tory Party Meeting.

	  Scoop Panes ( Cub reporter )

    He was photographed at the rally shaking hands with Norman Lament

    
    It shouldn't matter a damn whether he supports the Tories or not.  It's
    a sick situation not that the terrorists need any excuse to kill
    people.  Everybody on these islands is a "Legitimate target."
    
    Unfortunately this is not the first time football has been dragged into
    the Northern Ireland conflict.  Alan Harrison received death threats
    when playing for Derry City while Matt Bradley was shot at when
    training with Bangor.
    
    Gary.

    David Dein is apparently being interviewed on Capital Gold tonight 
    between 8.00 and 9.00.  I wonder if he'll be taking questions from 
    the Arsenal fanzine editor, Tony Willis, who Dein is allegedly 
    suing for 60K.  Silly ol' Tone suggested that Arsenal fans ought 
    to chuck bits of the torn-down Northbank through the windows of 
    David's Mulsanne Turbo.  Tsk, tsk, Tone, inciting violence and all 
    that, very silly boy.  Or, I wonder if he'll be willing to answer 
    questions about Daniel Fiszman who, as if by magic, has become an 
    Arsenal director in the past couple of months.  
    
    A good game last Saturday against the F(allen)Es which included a 
    couple of great goals from Merson and Campbell.  I think the 
    footie that Merson has played this season has been worth the 
    entrance money on its own.  At times it has been sublime, simply 
    sublime.  The last time I could say that about an Arsenal player 
    was, 75-80, when Brady was stunning first division defences.
    
    Arsenal and Man United (why no points deduction for "Son of Old
    Trafford Brawl"?) have apparently had their 2 million pound grants for
    ground improvements withdrawn.  How come Liverpool managed to get 2
    million then?
    
    Yesterday was the 14th April - no surprises there!  A year on from 
    the "mugs" victory in the FA Cup semi-final.  The N17 fanzine, 
    Spur, has renamed the day, St Hotspur day.  Whatever keeps them 
    happy, I suppose...simple things and all that.  It's lucky that us 
    Arsenal supporters don't feel inclined to rename days of the week 
    everytime we beat them in an important match, otherwise the calendar 
    would be bulging with the likes of St Radford day, St Kennedy day, 
    St Brady day (aka "We won 5-0, at the Lane" day) and of course 
    there would always be St Rocastle day.
    
    Mike M               

    Mike,
    unrelated, sorry, but whats a 'Mulsanne Turbo'?
    Ian.
    

    
    re .505
    
    How about a "St Arse" day for all those years when they bored everyone
    shitless ??  8-)
    
    
    Adam.

                   <<< Note 46.505 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                                -< If only... >-

>    couple of great goals from Merson and Campbell.  I think the 
>    footie that Merson has played this season has been worth the 
>    entrance money on its own.  

     Mike,

     How about a Merson Bond?

     Stuart 
 

    re -1
    
    A big posh motor, favoured by blokes who also wear Camel-hair coats.
    
    One bloke in Leeds (David Goldberg, 21, daddy owns a security company
    and has not made any money from selling pork products ;-) ) is going to
    get double glazing in his Bentley so he can listen to loud music
    without upsetting the locals.
    
    jb.

    >>How about a "St Arse" day for all those years when they bored everyone
    >>shitless ??  8-)
    
    Aw com'on, surely you mean a "St Cunno" day.  :-)
    
    Mike M
    
    
    

    
    Nicely deflected, Mike !
    
    The problem with that is that no-one outside this conference would
    understand what it stood for. That's why "St Arse" gets the vote -
    every soccer fan in the world would know what we're on about !
    
    ;-)
    
    Adam.

    Cheers then
    

    Re. 505 David Dein and Tony Willis
    
    Mike,
    
    In this weeks Time Out (London listings magazine) it states that in the 
    High Court this week Tony Willis apologized unreservedly to DD and would 
    be giving an undisclosed sum to a charity of Arsenal's choice.
    
    Reports that this money would go to the Arsenal Bond scheme were hotly
    denied by the club.
    
    Themanintheknow

    And finally ... for now.
    
    I refuse to even believe that it could be true that my beloved
    Liverpool have lost 4-0 to the Arse.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Great win by the Gunners,Limpar surely scored "Goal Of The Season" with
    his 40 yarder lob over Hooper.

Well
	A great result yesterday. As for limpars goal, want vision. anybody with
a match report (mike). Sheffield Utd as I expected was a hard game, I suppose
a draw isnt bad considering their form lately, though I think it will cost us a 
place in europe, as wednesday only need one win.

How's the team playing these days. They seem to be back to last seasons form.
How's Hillier, hope he's improved since the leeds game as he was &^&*^&. How's
rocky's form? will he have a chance of going to sweden.

Anymore news about smith? It does seem that wright & campbell do compliment each
other quite well and with them up front the long ball is less of an option, so
hopefully more passing movements.



Mick

    A few random thoughts...
    
    Arsenal looked as if they were in the thick of a title race while
    Liverpool were very square at the back without Wright and Burrows. 
    Saturday was a complete mismatch and although Arsenal vs Liverpool
    matches have a history of being competitive (because usually something
    major is at stake), this one wasn't.
    
    Hillier scored his first goal of the season (and looked well pleased
    with his effort) with a shot from the edge of the penalty area as 'pool
    failed to clear from a corner.
    
    Limpar feed Wright with a perfectly timed cross field ball that Wright
    collected with a great first touch to take him past the last defender
    before steering the ball past Hooper.
    
    Limpar's goal (Arsenal's 3rd) has rightly been described as the Goal of
    the season.  George Best called it "Brilliant".  HE said "you won't see
    many like that in your life."  What made it special was Limpar's
    awareness of what was going on around him.  He was about the pass the
    ball forward to Ian Wright who was about two yards off-sides.  This
    brought the 'pool keeper toward the edge of the penalty area.  When
    Limpar realised that Wright was off-side and that Hooper was
    stranded and hit a 40 yard shot that had would have had the Brazilian
    commentator screaming "GGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!"
    
    Wright's second and Arsenal's fourth......I was still in the bar!!
    
    Anyway, the whole match and Arsenal's performance of late just goes to
    confirm the old chant.....
    
                       
    	BORING, BORING, ARSENAL
    
    
    Regards,
    PJ

    >matches have a history of being competitive (because usually something
    >major is at stake), this one wasn't
    
    	That's only 'recent' history. Still, well done on thrashing this years
    cup runners up. And to think you also beat the league champions 7-1! 
    
    
    		Steve

    1988/89 Ist division top scorers: 		Arsenal
    1990/91 Ist division top scorers:		Arsenal
    1991/92 Ist division top scorers:		Arsenal
    
    
    The average noter these days is too easily bored!
    
    
    On another topic, it looks as though we can go ahead with plans for the
    
    		     MANCHESTER  UTD SILVER JUBILEE PARTY
    
    to commemorate the last title victory 25 years ago. Tickets are 19
    pounds each ( one for every goal since Christmas) with proceeds going
    to the Lost Bottle retirement home
    
    Declan

    re .520  Not bad... 8-)

    
    re .520  :-
    
    A candidate for Note of the Year perhaps, regardless of how things turn
    out... shame about the reference to the Arse though ... ;-)
    
    Adam.

    After a run of 17 games without defeat, we finally end up fourth, 3 points 
    away from a UEFA place and 10 points behind Leeds. 
    
    We are top scorers again and have the top scoring player again, both for 
    the third time in four years. Ian Wright went into Saturday's match 1 goal 
    behind St. Gary who scored on his Spurs finale. He must have been
    feeling distinctly unsaintly when he came off the pitch and heard that Mr 
    Wright had got a hat-trick to snatch the Golden Boot with 29 League goals.
    
    I expect there will be some interesting arrivals and departures this
    summer. Andy Townsend's arrival would do me and would go a long way
    towards getting back to number 1.

    Peter,
         don`t know where you get your info but Ian Wright is not in the
         running for the Golden Boot.One Alistair McCoist leads the table
         with well over thirty goals followed by the likes of Papin and
         Darko Panchev
    
         rgds
         Graham.

    re .-1
    
    Golden Boot is awarded for the ENGLISH LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION - that's
    where Peter got his info from. Ian Wright is the man for it.
    
    I remember wondering whether Ian will get it in a note while back.
    
    Elangco
    

    GOLDEN BOOT for the ENGLISH 1st Division.
    
    nick.

    
    So, Ally Macoist has actually scored over 30 LEAGUE goals ??
    
    JN.

    End of season round-up:
    
    v Liverpool on Easter Monday.  In my opinion the worst Liverpool 
    team to visit Highbury in 25 years were soundly thrashed (in the 
    football sense, although I understand that Jan Mol....) and sent 
    packing back up the M1/M6/M62.  Fancy trying to play an offside 
    trap on the Arsenal half-way line with the Arsenal forward line 
    containing Wright and Limpar!  Absolute madness, suicide in fact 
    and so it proved to be.  Also, I haven't seen a team pass the ball 
    back to the 'keeper so many times since, err, ummm.... since 
    Liverpool managed to do it 9 times in the first-half at Anfield 
    against Arsenal in January.  As has been said before, a stupendous 
    goal from Limpar.
    
    v Chelsea, 25th April.  Very nice of the DJ to play, "We are the 
    Champions" at 2.10pm.  It was obvious that the massed ranks of the 
    rotweilers on the Shed and in the West Stand loved it too!  The 
    game itself was dire, apart from the last 15 minutes when Chelsea 
    took the lead through Wise following a nod down from Cascarino 
    (the only time he wasn't offside all afternoon?)  Arsenal 
    equalised with a couple of minutes to go through (Lee) Dixon.  
    
    v Southampton, 2nd May.  Farewell Northbank and all that.  5-1 a 
    nice way to round off the season, bringing the goal tally to 81 
    for the league and over 90 in all competitions.  Not a very good 
    game.  Both sets of players spent most of the afternoon trying to 
    kick lumps off one another - the Southampton players succeeded 
    rather better than the Arsenal players.  Ian Wright got a 
    hat-trick, his second goal was a stunner.  He received the ball in 
    the Arsenal half from a Seaman throw, sprinted down the line, beat 
    a couple of Southampton defenders and smacked the ball past 
    Flowers.
    
    Fourth in the league ten points behind Leeds would have been 
    considered a good season seven or eight years ago.  Now it's 
    simply mediocre.  A bad week in November - defeats against Benfica 
    in the EC, Coventry in the RC and West ham (at home!) in the 
    league - and a bad Christmas, one point from three games and a 
    defeat at Wrexham in the FAC, cost us dear.  In hindsight (Now 
    where is that "Excuse Note"?) what I think did us down was the 
    absence of the Bould and Adams pairing from the defence until late 
    January.  If it hadn't been for that, "we couldah been contenders, 
    Harry."  Ah well, there's always next season.
    
    Highlights of the year:
    
    Some great goals amongst the 90 odd.  In particular, Merson's at 
    Forest in November, Merson against Sheffield Wed, Merson (again!) 
    against Palace and Limpar's against Liverpool.  
    
    The 5-1 win against Austria Vienna, the win at Palace and some 
    great victories at Highbury.
    
    Also, this WAS the year of the "Merse".  In a lot of games, in 
    particular Oldham away, he was just a different class.
    
    Lowlights of the year:
    
    Home defeats by Coventry and West Ham.  Luton away on Boxing Day, 
    arrgh!  Wrexham.  And watching Andy Linighan and Jimmy Carter 
    attempting to play football in an Arsenal first team shirt.
    
    Next season:
    
    With a decent midfield signing - a 102 league goals and 93 points!  
    Keep the trophy well polished, Howard, we want it back next year!
    
              P    W    D   L   F    A   Pts   
             42   27   12   3  102  31   93
    
    and just for good measure FA Cup and Rumbelow Cup winners!!! 
    
    Rumours:
    
    George Armstrong departing to be Malcolm Crosby's (where did that 
    man get his nose from?) assistant at Sunderland.  Theo Foley, back 
    at the moment as a scout following his departure from Northampton, 
    to take over the reserves.
    
    In, one or more of the following: Andy Townsend, Andy Sinton, Mark 
    Pembridge, Alan Shearer, Lee Sharpe, Carlton Palmer, Roy Keane, 
    Tim Sherwood, Keith Curle or maybe even Anderton and Awford from 
    Portsmouth.
    
    Out, at least two of the following (and please God may they be 
    the first two): Andy Linighan, Jimmy Carter, Anders Limpar, Perry 
    Groves, Steve Bould, Colin Pates and Alan Smith. 
    
    Mike M                                            

    
    re last:-
    
    Mike,
    
    !Fourth in the league ten points behind Leeds would have been 
    !considered a good season seven or eight years ago.  Now it's 
    
    Do you really mean this. Let me see, 1984 saw Leeds United floundering
    towards the bottom of Div 2, so 10 points and fourth would put the Arse
    in Division 3. Or maybe that is what is needed !
    
    
    jb.
    

    !Fourth in the league ten points behind Leeds would have been 
    !considered a good season seven or eight years ago.  Now it's 
    
    Now, what I meant was, "Fourth in the league ten points behind the 
    League Champions..."
    
    Still, I see your point, Jon, Leeds League Champions.  Doesn't quite
    sound right, does it?  :-)  Particularly, if you support that team who
    reside just north of Sale!
    
    Mike M

    re -1
    
    Sounds like a wriggle out to me.
    
    Leeds League Champions does sound right, it scans beautifully and the
    words have such presence (cont p.94)
    
    As for supporting a team north of Sale, I didn't know you followed
    Bolton Wanderers.
    
    jb.

    Arsenal have got their 2 million pound grant for the re-development of
    Highbury.
    
    Mike M

    Mike - Congrats on note 528, your rambling finest!!!  May I suggest that
    the odd witticism might elevate this piece to mere mediocrity.
    
    Yours in tedium,
    
    Clive.

    Yep, they were there to the bitter end on the North Bank. I did'nt 
    go but the man on the radio told me so. The bulldozers must have 
    moved in by now. What about the North Bank horse? Does it remain
    buried with the original foundations? I think we should be told.
    
    barry.                                                  
    
    

          <<< Note 46.535 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "Ron Atkinson is God" >>>
                               -< Horsin around >-

>    moved in by now. What about the North Bank horse? Does it remain
>    buried with the original foundations? I think we should be told.
    
      Will this be other famous Arsenal quadraped's last resting place?
      I think we should be told.

      Stuart
          
    

    That's a bit rich coming from Selhurst (Home of Donkey Thomas) Park
    is'nt it?
    
    barry.
    

    Barry,
    
    I hesitate to ask, but is there an explanation for your current
    personal name?

    Peter, 
    
    Hang on while I think of one. 
    
    barry.

    >>Mike - Congrats on note 528, your rambling finest!!!  May I suggest that
    >>the odd witticism might elevate this piece to mere mediocrity.
    
    >>Yours in tedium,
    
    >>Clive.
    
    Thanks, Clive, it's nice to have the uncouth ramblings of a
    well-balanced (chip on each shoulder) Tottenham supporter in here.  I'm
    not sure if I can aspire to mere mediocrity, I'll perhaps have to leave
    that to you.  I hope you don't mind.   
    
    Now for some less than mediocre ramblings...
    
    After the Southampton game there were quite a few who stayed behind 
    on the Northbank.  When I left, about ten minutes after the game
    had finished, there were still two or three thousand sitting on the
    steps and the police were gradually dispersing them.
    
    Apparently, there has been a few offers for Andrew Cole, the young 
    Arsenal reserve team striker.  It would be a shame if he went because
    he shows a lot of promise, he has a lot of skill on the ball.  However,
    I suppose his first-team opportunities will be very limited with Smith,
    Wright, Campbell and Merson in the queue before him.
    
    Mike M

    Andrew Cole scored in the England U-21 2-2 v Hungary. Neil Heaney and
    Ray Parlour also played. The other goal was scored by Bradley Allen
    (yet another one) of Raynes Park Queenies I believe.

    Rumour has it that Arsenal will be playing AC Monaco and Marseille in
    pre-season friendlies.
    
    Mike M

    They're obviously trying to throw Baso off their trail Mike. Or will
    he be at home with the sewing machine joining up the current away
    jersey with the new home jersey? 
    
    barro.

    
    	In the evening standard tonight the back page has a large picture
    	of what's left of the North Bank and a large bulldozer knocking it
    	to the ground. A very sad sight indeed.
    	Hmmmmmmmm - no mention of the horse though.
    
    	Tony

>    Rumour has it that Arsenal will be playing AC Monaco and Marseille in
>    pre-season friendlies.
    
    Mike and others,
    
    Can you post here dates of any pre-season friendlies, particularly at
    Highbury, and next season's early fixtures. I am planning to be in the UK 
    some time in August with my family and my two lads are convinced a trip to 
    Highbury will be on the itinerary.

    Is the new home strip available for sale yet? Anyone know what it's
    like?
    
    Noel

    
    	The new home strip is available from mid-June according to the 
    	Arsenal shop in Finsbury Park. They have one on display in the
    	window. Its red with a white V neck, same style white sleeves but
    	with a large red and blue V on them. The Arsenal badge is now
    	central under the V neck. As far as I can remember the shorts
    	are white with a single red pinstripe on the side.
    
    	Overall OK but not as wild as the away strip (SHAME!!)
    
    		Tony B.

    A report from the Scumday Tabloids suggests that Arsenal are to be
    taken to court by a disgruntled North Banker over the Bond scheme.
    The displeased one claims he purchased a Bond on the strength of 
    claims by the club (in the Bond prospectus) that admission to 
    Highbury for the forthcoming season could only be achieved by either
    buying a Bond or holding a season ticket somewhere else in the ground. 
    
    Since the Bond launch last year the club has declared that temporary
    accomodation, by ticket registration, of around 7000 fans will take 
    place for the 92-93 season. Aggrieved of the North Bank claims that 
    in the light of this recent turnaround by the club he has been mislead.
    He has been in contact with his solicitor and will soon be issuing a
    summons against the club.  
    
    Since only 5000 or so Bonds have been sold to date, and with the 
    likelihood that only a couple thousand more (if that) are likely
    to be shifted before the new stand is completed in 1994, will
    Arsenal now be making a a good few thousand seats available on
    a per match basis? This would appear to be their only option.
    Will those fans who register for tickets next season then be 
    sitting in the New North Bank in 1994 without, after all, having 
    to have purchased a Bond. They might not have the security of 
    having a named seat but they could well be back on the North Bank,
    albeit "for a few dollars more" for every game should they wish.
    All the Board have to do now is to make season tickets available to 
    non-Bond holding fans and that would push the whole affair into a
    deeper farce.   
     
    barry.
    
    

    >>The displeased one claims he purchased a Bond on the strength of 
    >>claims by the club (in the Bond prospectus) that admission to 
    >>Highbury for the forthcoming season could only be achieved by either
    >>buying a Bond or holding a season ticket somewhere else in the ground. 
    
    Barry, I don't think the Bond prospectus actually states that.  What it
    does say is that if you are a Bond holder you will be guaranteed admission
    to Highbury next season when the maximum gate will be about 29,000. 
    Also, I don't think Arsenal have ever stated that Highbury will be
    season ticket only next season.  Although there has been speculation
    about this in the fanzines.
    
    Incidentally, one of the terms and conditions in the Bond prospectus is
    that if you decide to buy one then that decision is irrevocable. 
    Meaning, if you decide against it a few months later you can't have 
    your money back.  How enforceable this would be in a court of law I
    don't know.  I suppose we are about to find out. 
    
    It seems to me that in this particular case the club's in a no win
    situation - slagged off for building the new stand and then when they
    try to make sure legitimate fans can get in next season their slagged
    off again.
    
    Mike M

    All sounds like to goings on at another well run Premier League club to
    me.
    
    Barry.

    According to one of the Sunday tabloids Arsenal are talking to Richard
    Gough because Andy Awford is supposedly going to Liverpool.  Apparently
    Arsenal are also supposed to be talking to Trevor Steven.  Who knows? 
    I don't suppose the "journalist's" who write the articles do either.
    
    Mike M

    I thought Gough did'nt like it "darn sarf."? Maybe he'll reconsider
    knowing that the Gunners, unlike that mob from N.17, have a realistic
    chance of adding an English Championship medal to his collection.
    
    barry.

    Saturday 13th June, 1992
    
    Arsenal 1 - Spurs 4
    
    Adrian :-)
    

     
    RE. -2,-3
    
    Why would Gough lower himself ????
    
    

    he and GG can speak the same language..
    
    PJ

    
    `Dick' Gough has 4 years of a 5 year contract left to run.
    Rangers wouldn't allow him to leave unless someone offered 5.5 million
    like Marseille did for Trevor Steven.
    
    

    We kick off at home to Norwich then midweek away to Blackburn followed
    by Liverpool away the following Saturday/Sunday/Monday. Don't have the
    full fixture list. 
    
    I gather we are 2-1 favourites for the Championship and that's before
    GG strengthens the team with some more astute purchases. What's the
    latest rumours?
    
    To the Green Gooners: 
    did you get your Ticket Registration Scheme cards yet so we might be able 
    to squeeze into Highbury for a few games this season? I got mine. Also, I 
    got a lot of bumph from the shop including a form to request the new
    August catalogue. Mail me if you want me to request a copy for you.

Hi peter
	Nice hearing from ya. I havent been writing in here that much lately (too
lazy really!!). With all these fixtures it seems like the footie just around the
corner and its still only july.

I sent my application for the scheme just after the postage strike so i'm not too
sure when I'll get my card.

Whats the new kit like. Is it much the same as the old one?

So favourites then, new players always liven things up dont they, but who do
you think GG will buy? hopefully a midfield player. I personally would like him
to keep wright & campbell up front, as the team seem to play better football 
and dont use the long ball as much.

Anybody with news about the north bank? how's the work progressing?
Highbury will never be the same really, shame....ah well at least i still have my
memories


Mick-getting-sentimental

    Ladbrokes go:
    
      2/1 Arsenal, 
     11/4 Man U,
      7/2 Liverpool,
      5/1 Leeds,
     25/1 Man C, Sheff Wed,
     33/1 Tottenham,
     40/1 Blackburn, Everton, Forest,
     50/1 or > the rest,
    250/1 Coventry are outsiders.
    
    Fixtures
    --------
Sat 15/8	NORWICH
Tue 18/8	Blackburn
Sat 22/8	Liverpool
Tue 25/8	OLDHAM
Sat 29/8	SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Wed  2/9	QPR
Sat  5/9	Wimbledon
Sat 12/9	BLACKBURN ROVERS
Sat 19/9	Sheffield United
Wed 23/9				League Cup 2nd 1st leg
Sat 26/9	MANCHESTER CITY

Sat  3/10	CHELSEA
Wed  7/10				League Cup 2nd 2nd leg
Sat 17/10	Nottingham Forest
Sat 24/10	EVERTON
Wed 28/10				League Cup 3rd
Sat 31/10	Crystal Palace

Sat  7/11	COVENTRY
Sat 21/11	Leeds
Sat 28/11	MANCHESTER UNITED

Wed  2/12				League Cup 4th
Sat  5/12	Southampton
Sat 12/12	Tottenham
Sat 19/12	MIDDLESBROUGH
Sat 26/12	IPSWICH
Mon 28/12	Aston Villa

Sat  2/1				FA Cup 3rd
Wed  6/1				League Cup 5th
Sat  9/1	SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sat 16/1	Manchester City
Sat 23/1				FA Cup 4th
Wed 27/1	Sheffield Wednesday
Sat 30/1	LIVERPOOL

Sat  6/2	Norwich
Tue  9/2	WIMBLEDON
Wed 10/2				League Cup semi 1st leg
Sat 13/2	QPR			FA Cup 5th
Sat 20/2	Oldham
Sat 27/2	Chelsea

Sat  6/3	NOTTINGHAM FOREST	FA Cup 6th
Tue  9/3	LEEDS
Wed 10/3				League Cup semi 2nd leg
Sat 13/3	Coventry
Sat 20/3	SOUTHAMPTON
Wed 24/3	Manchester United

Sat  3/4	TOTTENHAM
Sun  4/4				FA Cup semi
Sat 10/4	Ipswich
Mon 12/4	ASTON VILLA
Sat 17/4	Middlesbrough
Sun 18/4				League Cup final

Sat  1/5	Everton
Sat  8/5	CRYSTAL PALACE
Sat 15/5				FA Cup final

    Peter,whilst I am not one for buying teh kit etc. I wholeheartedly
    agree that the clubs/sports companies are just attempting to rip off
    the punters & should be made to see that they can't continue to get
    away with it by the fans refusing to buy the new kits....
    
    

As the new seasons draws ever so closer, I'll put my neck and say we'll win the

		league
		league cup
		fa cup.			:-)))

Now the team, i'll predict that the team for the first game of the season 
(provided GG has a full squad to pick from) will be:


			seaman


dixon		Adams		boulds		winterburn


merson		rocastle	hillier		limpar

		
		campbell	wright


and the score....well how about a modest 3:0 win against norwich.

Any comments? Nah on second thought dont bother!!

	Mick.

    
    I wasny gonna comment but the Premier League teams won't compete
    for the Barclays League title or cup but I'm assuming you mean
    the Premier League title and cup.
    
    JN.

    I thought it was the Barclays FA Premier League and it's still the FA
    Cup and Rumbelows League Cup. Isn't the Chairman of Barclays also the
    Chairman or President or something of the Premier League?
    
    I see from one of today's rags that the Liverpool away fixture has
    already been switched to Sunday August 23rd.

    Today's VNS reports that Romanian Ioan Sabau has moved from Feyenoord
    to Brescia in Italy. So that's one rumoured GG target that won't be
    happening and on the evidence of TV watching him playing for Feyenoord 
    and Romania, I'm not disappointed.

BUT
	who else if any is GG going to buy. I'm not saying buy for the sake of 
buying, but i do believe that we need new blood in the middle of the park.

What about Mcstay, I really havent seem much of him but does he really dominate/
control the midfield. Any scots comments are truely welcomed :-))

What preseason activities have arsenal planned.


Peter,
	I got my card for the scheme, isnt it a lovely red :-)) how appropriate.
I'm just wondering, will we still find it difficult to get tickets because of
the reduced attendance even though we're in the scheme. Will being over here
have any disadvantages.

I completely forgot about andy. Now he's ideal but theres not much talk about him
so who knows (perhaps its all under cover!!). My sentiments exactly, get rid of
perry, andy (linigan sp ??) and jimmy (why did he ever sign him). Good point 
about dixon, though i never really fancied him.

dont know why but i'd love to see the wright & campbell partnership really 
click (and that wright gets his act togather and stops messing around).

Hope GG starts making some sort of move, as these thing to read you miss the 
gossip dont ya


Mick.

Ps So if mr townsend is listening in, get over to highbury and win something for
a change.

    
    Why would Arsenal want McStay?  He's not a centre-half.
    
    Gary.        

         <<< Note 46.569 by GALVIA::SPAIN "There's always the U.S." >>>
                    -< skilful midfielders need not apply >-
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


    So the Geoff Thomas deal is on!

    
 >   Why would Arsenal want McStay?  He's not a centre-half.
  
     Arf arf.
  
   

     Stuart    

    Well, the Northbank is no more, deceased, gone, levelled.  The genesis
    of a new era is upon us.  I wonder how much of the new stand will be
    built come the middle of August?  
    
    The plans for the new stand are on display in the Marble Halls, just
    inside the main entrance.  From memory I think there will be 26 rows of
    approx 160 seats across in the upper tier and about 52 rows in the lower
    tier.  It all looks fairly impressive.
    
    Nothing much happening on the transfer front.  One of the Sunday
    tabloids said that GG had made another 2 million bid for Thomas (not
    Michael) and that he was also interested in Jensen, the Dane who scored
    in the Euro final.  This morning's Mirror has a little article about
    how Perry Groves is concerned for his future.  He apparently wants
    regular first team football.  
    
    Still, roll on 15th August and Norwich at home.  
    
    Mike M 

Chelsea bought Vinnie "the bit-bull terrior" Jones.....

The job advert must of when something like this..

	"We required a thick skin-head with as much brains as a frozen
	 pea. Job description - Run around like a raving lunatic and entertain
	 are loyal supporter.
  
	 Previous experience with male genitals a must.

	 Skillful mid-fielder DEFINITELY mustn't apply." 8^)

Mick.

     .... and Vinnie and his fellow ex-Wombles at the Bridge now have the
    right coach for them ---- Don Howe! Tiger must be pleased ;-)

    Arsenal are trying to get permission to beam away matches onto screens
    at Highbury due to the lack of sufficient tickets for Arsenal fans at
    away matches. However, it seems they don't intend to help the "real"
    fans who regularly attended away matches in the past as the screens
    won't be on the pitch but in the restaurant or the sports complex and
    will cater for only 1000 fat cats who probably never attended an away 
    match in their lives. Money talks again.

    I am reliably informed, by Mr Ferraro, that Arsenal have just bought
    the Dane, Jensen, for 1.1 million pounds.  Presumably he will play an
    interceptor type role in midfield.    
    
    Mike M

Is he the lad that scored the first goal in the final?

Anybody know what's he like?

Mick

    Andrew Cole has signed for Bristol City for half a million.
    Sorry to see him go,I thought he was a great prospect.
    
    Noel

    Alan Smith is reported to be on his way to Aston Villa.
    
    Nigel

    Mike M,
    
    Just to let you know that I for one understood the "interceptor" crack.
    
    6 out of 10 - must try harder.
    
    Clive.

    Mike,
    
    We've got a Danish chap here in Solent who's quite a football fan and he
    reckons that Jensen is a very powerful, hard working midfield player
    but not really the playmaker of the team. 
    
    I thought that was Arsenal's main transfer target so not sure if he'll
    fit the mould.
    
    antony

    RE:.581
    
      You can't be serious!! Kurle is Crap!
    
      Where did you get your info from?
    
      Is it April 1st?
    
        Hope your wrong Nick.