If my partner didn't have MS, we would have bought like a shot and moved there. it would have been about four/five years ago. We were in a good place financially, but with her being on special MS trials and getting excellent treatment from the NHS specialist neurology dept., we felt it was too much of a risk in case her condition worsened. One of the reasons we considered it in the first place is that warmer weather is better for people with MS - and it's warm all year round. (One of the curious things about the disease is that as you get closer to the poles north and south, the incidence of the disease is higher, but no-one yet knows why.)

Then once that decision was made, we considered buying a holiday home there. The MS was still the deciding factor in not going ahead on that basis too; she's been relatively well these last few years (and hopefully the trial treatment she's on will ensure her MS doesn't get past the relapsing remitting stage), so we decided we would try and do a bit of travelling instead. But then came me having to care for my Dad, and also Brexit which complicated matters.

So in hindsight, the right decision for us I think. But I do regret not being able to; we absolutely love the place, specifically Playa Blanca.

I'll wait to see how many of you lot claim to be at this...lol..joking

The only time I heard this music was while watching a Benny Hill skit. Anyway, I had no idea we beat Liverpool in the semi finals.

Wow! We had beaten the Old Lady! Seems like English sides were tough in those days.

Valencia. Always effen Valencia! When I became a fan, it always seemed like Valencia were knocking us out of European cups.

Have you old timers forgiven Graham Rix?

Thanks Hoy the vote of confidence I needed

Thanks

Checked out this video and it looks just what I was looking for

https://youtu.be/-pefKy11xnA

Bet you could buy a few houses there, do them up, and sell them on. Bargains.

So possibly this guy...next

Good idea but the selling part may be the problem

This is the fork in the road our fans seem to want to choose, a perpetual change in manager with someone who has no connection to the club coming aboard every 16 months to get the supporters off kroenkes back and divert attention away from him.

I’d rather give up than appoint that wally.

Well no, but for Stan he wouldn't create a sensation and be on the cheap. Rather if he'd wind up at Spurs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fBGhaURNrCk
Here’s the selection of ‘open mic’ on Xhaka from the sheff Utd game.

I found this pretty fascinating to be honest. We wouldn’t normally see this but I think it gives some clear insight to why Arteta rated Xhaka, he seems to be our mouthpiece on the pitch. It’s hard not to be impressed by this.

I read that Sarri was being linked to Spurs not us

Italian newspapers have been saying since Christmas if we sack Arteta it’s him.

I like the way you think

True. Sarri been linked since December 2020.

In all likelihood, Mourinho will get the boot before Arteta does. We are a 'bigger' club than Sperz but they are higher up the table and possibly seen as an easier project.

Not sure but there was a prevailing story that he wanted to go to a club that would spend some money and that would turn him off from us. Don't know how true that is but I recall hearing that a while back.

Anyway, Emery was the type of manager we needed. In theory. He obviously didn't work out but his type may still be what we need. Someone who can work with a tight budget, picking up quality players, hidden gems ala Wenger, have a good system that the players will understand and buy into and knows how to punch above his weight. Klopp was kinda like this as well years ago.

Apparently Sarri is addicted to smoking. Read that he even chews cigarette butts during games. Wikipedia says that when he was there, Leipzig built a special smoking section in one of their stadium’s locker rooms, specifically for his use.

I've mentioned this before but you'd be hard pressed to find someone who said they proudly voted for Nixon after he left office in shame and the same for George Bush after getting us into 2 unwinnable wars and almost bringing us to the brink of an economic depression.

However, I know a few people who were vocal Trump supporters who go on incessantly about Biden. There are 100s of thousands of others on social media just like them. I get it to the extent, Biden wasn't the best candidate of the choices available. The establishment's choice. I'm not a big Biden fan either but he's infinitely better than who preceded him. The insane thing is these Trump supporters are still vocally proud of voting for him and are doing a 'See, I told you so!' about the nation choosing Biden over Trump. They actually, truly believe Trump was a great president who was sabotaged and had an election stolen from underneath him.

Not to the same degree but its somewhat similar to a zealous Nazi party member saying "See, I told you so" about Adenauer in 1949. It's surreal, disturbing and has convinced me America has no hope. None. Not a chance of being a functioning republic in the not too distant future. That there is almost no event that can galvanize and unite the country ala the September 11, 2001 attacks. The same event can happen again and I'm convinced, the right will blame the left.

Less evil than a porn addiction like David Pleat.

Fabriano Romano says Balogun’s contract is all signed until June 2025

I didn’t know that about David Pleat. I’m not denying you’re right. But if you are I’d missed it, which I imagine is far more likely than forgetting it as it’s the type of thing that would presumably stick in one’s mind about public figures and celebrities.

Which one of you lot are going to host a candle light vigil for its safe return? Caution buying meats that look a little unusual.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2021/04/13/UK-police-hunt-for-thieves-who-stole-world-s-biggest-rabbit

But nothing, as far as I can see, from the club on it yet? If it’s true, I would expect it to be confirmed on Arsenal.com today.

So, we'll see him and Martinelli partner up top by then?

Unless the club are waiting for an opportune moment to release the news. Maybe after a particularly bad result?

Romano rarely gets stuff wrong so I think this is definitely done, he said he had 15 other offers to sign as a free agent.

Arsenal say Saka and Smith Rowe are available for Prague. Aubameyang and Ødegaard being assessed

AMN playing very well at West Brom in a central midfield position. It is an interesting dilemma this summer for him and Arsenal. We only really have 4 senior central midfielders in Partey, Xhaka, Ceballos, Elneny. The later 2 really shouldn't be with us next season. So it is a position that needs 2 more players. Do Arsenal cash in on AMN as maybe one of our more sellable assets and use the money towards a central mid, or do we keep him and play him there? My feeling is we'll cash in.

Rich, wasn't centrally AMN's best position? Or am I understanding his best position incorrectly? I thought we played him in other areas more out of need than us matching him to an area where he's best.

We had a lot of choices in the middle so that left him low on the totem pole for the middle.

The good thing about Saka and Smith-Rowe is that its great advertising not only for our present young players that the road may be long but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the best of you. Unlike City and to a lesser extent Chelsea who would collect players, loan them out and their having almost no chance of first team football.

Second thing is Saka and Smith-Rowe who came up through the youth ranks, is a great recruiting tool for getting very talented young foreign players.

We could do ourselves a favor with playing Martinelli more.

For me it all boils down to what our financial situation will be in the summer. If we need to raise funds to strengthen the team, then I'm not sure it's smart asset management to keep a player as a backup option if he's worth 15-20m. If we do have some funds available, then I don't see why AMN shouldn't be able to do Elneny's job in the squad. Not a starter, but someone who can play every now and then and do a decent job.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-to ... rce=weplay

We're in the top 20.

There is possibly another factor. Ornstein, who has a good reputation for accuracy on Arsenal matters (however deserved that is or isn’t) says Maitland-Niles is keen to leave the club this summer. If Ornstein is right about him wanting to get away, it makes any decision to sell much easier than if he wanted to stay. Indeed, it could make it very difficult to keep him?

EDIT: Players have much of the power in decisions whether they stay or go. I’m not saying it’s all or only down to them. But they play a significantly big role in determining how things turn out.

AMN favourite position is central midfield. Whether it is his best position is up for debate. Personally I think he's quite well suited to a right wing back or right full back role and think he could play that role at a higher level than he can play in central midfield. But he's never had a proper run in CM until his loan move to West brom.

The problem he has is being seen as a utility player. It could have been a potential problem for Saka but he's proven that he isn't a utility player, he's a top class forward player who is capable of performing well in other positions. There is a difference

Absolutely, player power speaks. I don't think AMN would be happy if he was told his role is to be 'Elneny' and play every now and again in central midfield and also be cover for both full back positions. Its the exact reason he went on loan. I can't see Arsenal giving him the assurances he wants about playing time in central midfield - or any other position for that matter. I think he's off, but we must get at least £20m for him.

I suspect you’re right. I like AMN and recognise he possesses a number of strengths. However, one of the things that makes me doubt his suitability for a midfield role at a big club is his passing. I’m sorry, but I’ve always found it difficult to judge him as a high level passer, or even an adequate passer for a regular starting position in a top club’s midfield. Dare I suggest that presumably explains why he gets into WBA’s midfield?

My recollection is that he was caught kerb crawling (on more than one occasion) by the police and given a warning.

One of the many things I hate about fat Sam, is he'll say snidely BS about us in the press but always comes calling for young players to be loaned to him. While at Bolton he was always doing that behind the scenes while pretty much openly hating Wenger.

I recall when Bergkamp was out of contract and we still wanted him to come back for another year, and Bergkamp wanted to retire a gooner, fat Sam offered him a contract.

I am glad AMN is getting first team experience and minutes but I don't like that its for fat Sam. At first I thought his animus was mainly for Wenger but he's taken shots post Wenger. It's the club and what we are that he hates. FBI. F Lee Bailey, F. Murray Abraham, F. Scott Fitzgerald and F fat Sam.

Right LTG. Have you ever been to Amsterdam Bernard?