Try to read the forum every day and post about once a year. But wanted to say big thanks for everyone involved in keeping this great forum going.

Almost posted a few weeks ago when Shrewsbury game mentioned from GG years. Went to that game and sat next to Nigel Winterburn’s parents. They were so nice and even shared their home made fruit cake with me and mate. They told us that Nige wasn’t that passionate bout football as a kid - funny how that turned out! What a player.

Always wondered which current player’s parents would do the same.

Next post in 2022!

Chelsea cruise past Atletico Madrid 3-0 on aggregate. But that doesn’t tell the whole storey, at 0-0 in tonight’s game and 1-0 to chelsea on aggregate azpilicueta under hit a back pass and reached out to pull back the Athletico striker who went down. On another night with another ref that would have been a penalty and red card, if the penalty is scored is 1-1 on aggregate and Chelsea defending for 60 mins with 10 men knowing 1 more goal conceded means they need to score 2 to go through! Such fine margins in knock out games

Bayern has won their share CLs or the old European cup. City hasn't. Only a cup winners cup in the 60s according to wikipedia.

I mentioned it to say they will likely be another English club winning a CL before we have won one.

I really wanted us to be the first London club to win it but alas, its not to be. Same as not being the first London club to win the double.

I wonder aloud if I'll live to see us win the CL? I'm starting to fee like how Boston Red Sox fans were if you know the story. But at least they had won a world series before.

I definitely think we could have won it in 2004. I recall in the first leg against Chelsea in the CL. We equalized and were seemed satisfied with an away goal. The kind of season we were having and the fact we were beating Chelsea routinely, I can see why, but I recall saying to myself that we should just put the tie away and press for a 2nd goal. The 2nd half was the worst feeling I've had as an Arsenal fan and I've had plenty. It was the easiest CL to win in ages. All the 'big boys' were knocked out.

What are you going to do with all that extra money, Rog? Think of all the wonderful window shopping you'll be able to do.

Great to hear from you, even if only on an annual basis.

I never know really.

I spend most of my money on booze, women and horses. The rest of it I just waste.

I’m sure I’m not giving the game away much, if at all, by saying that classic comment was first made famous by George Best.

Beat me to it Rog.

WC Fields: "I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted."

The other good one was the quote attributed to a Room Service waiter as he delivered champagne to Best's suite. George was in bed with Miss World who he was dating at the time. He'd had a good evening at the gaming tables and there was money littered all over the floor.

"Where did it all go wrong, George?"

RIP Steve, I’ll bet he was watching last Sunday’s game.

What makes this forum uniquely special are these types of stories. Can't find them anywhere else really.

"I spent it all on fast women, fast cars and sloe gin."

I stand corrected to an extent. But I used the term ‘made famous’ and I do reckon it was Best who made it more famous, even if he wasn’t the first.

If you read the forum every day, was that a 0-1 win at Shrewsbury in the League Cup when Michael Thomas scored? I also went to that with a couple of friends and my wife to be (it must have been before I married her). One of the more puzzling away games we decided to attend. The only reason I can think of was us not having been to an away game at Shrewsbury before - or since as it’s turned out.

Good point, AG, and great story, yellowquadrant. How was the cake, anyway? Nutty?

Don’t know if anyone has seen the clip going round of Martinelli training that suggests he’s being trained as a central striker. Performing exercises where a cross comes in and he’s central to a central defender rather than wide.

Anyway Arteta dismisses the Martinelli “conspiracy“ as Edu wants to grab Ndicka

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ ... i-20200644

Liverpool's next opponent is Arsenal
West Ham's next opponent is Arsenal
Arsenal's next opponent is Olympiacos

Arsenal's biggest opponent is...Arsenal.

Saka is an obvious choice. No brainer really. I would like to see Holding make it some point, but its a long shot. I have to assume Smith-Rowe is on the cusp of making it.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Nick Pope (Burnley).

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham, on loan from Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Hoping for a drama free game tonight. Come on Arsenal.

Should've had a goal each so far

What type of free kick was that?

Al Raabi drops at every opportunity. So laughable.

Apart from the one moment when we got caught by the long ball it's been very comfortable. They need to score 3 to have any chance and they don't look capable of that.

Shush.

Good to hear from you - don't start posting every 29th February...

Ah. Hollyhocks.

It’s your fault.

Ceballos not having his best game tonight

Ceballos losing the ball, again, and they launch an attack. Ceballos has been poor.

Only saw last 10 of first half; and now this. Ceballos having a mare?

Not any more he’s not.

Who’s the co-commentator? He’s even more annoying and obvious stating than Carney, if that’s possible.

Steve Sidwell.

So the wife keeps telling me

Great block by Emile Smith Rowe!

Great save by Smith Rowe (unfortunately)

Pépé removes Emile Smith Rowe forms his Christmas card list