Namely 3 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon. The reason that this particular minute hand was ticking round at all was that our Club had at last caught up with the real fans.
When I purchased my season ticket for the first season at our new home I knew that I sat in the East Stand rather than the inappropriately and pathetically named blue quadrant. I knew that REDaction were located in the North Bank and I knew that the away fans were in the end where the clock ought to be. I also knew that Edelman was not the man to either understand or indeed give a shit about fans, a Club's soul or the horribly bare concrete visible both inside and out. I've no idea why this C.E.O. who cared nothing about football was kicked out but I'm very glad he was. So thanks Ivan and keep it up because you're on the right track. Just negotiate a few more
purchases for Arsene and you'll be doing fine.
Last time Blackpool played a league game at our place it was played out in front of just 37,372 on March 20th 1971. Peter Storey scored the winner following a keeper error in a boring 1-0, a somewhat lucky result but such was our demanding schedule at the time this was just one of eight games played by Arsenal in a 25-day spell. Amazingly those 8 games included six Cup matches, two of which were FA Cup Semi-finals. With only one sub and a squad that deployed a mere sixteen players in the entire 63-match season that required some serious stamina.
When the likes of Marlon Harewood, Brett Ormerod and Jason Euell are your big name players its fairly obvious that the Premiership will not be a cake-walk. So today's pressure was all on Arsenal, Blackpool you felt had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Their fans were clearly intent on making the most of what might be just a one off in the Premiership and kept up a decent wall of sound throughout. The away section also made it look as though the Dutch were in town. You'd hope they survive because the loveable lunatic Ian Holloway not only likes his teams to play football but he also acts like a breath of fresh air compared to the odious, negative belligerence of an Allardyce, Hughes or Pulis.
Our referee today was Mike Jones who'd also done our last home game v Fulham back in May. No doubt Blackpool were unimpressed but overall he did ok. spotted most things. It has to said however that Blackpool play football and don't go around looking to kick people in any event.
We started with a wild cross from Arshavin, who tried quite hard by his standards but has yet to find his touch this season. Chamakh couldn't quite find Rosicky to set up a chance. It looked like it could be one way traffic but when the Tangerines broke they tried to do it in numbers. It's just that they were unable to break all that often. Sagna to Walcott with an almost ball. A shot from Vaughan which Almunia, complete with captain's armband, saved before hoofing into touch. A free kick to Blackpool badly over hit.
Chamakh to Rosicky to Arshavin to a ball laid into Theo's path which he struck low inside the near post. A well worked move from left to right and 1-0 to Arsenal with about twelve minutes gone. '1-0 to the Arsenal'. Blackpool had one of just two real chances soon after when a fine cross was headed wide by Taylor-Fletcher, having easily beaten Clichy in the air at the far post. A freekick won by Chamakh to the left of the box was fired just over by Theo. Good hold up play by Diaby. Wild shot from Rosicky.
Neat play and a good cross from Theo saw Andrey have his shot very well saved by Gilks their all-yellow fluorescent clad keeper. Walcott put in Chamakh as we started to carve them up but his placed shot was just wide. Rosicky to Walcott who was through but shot over, our pace was killing them. Rosicky to Chamakh, in on goal, was fouled in the box by Evatt for a red card and a penalty. Technically it may well have been a red, but it seemed harsh. Arshavin took the spot kick and made it 2-0 with a hard low shot just inside the post to the keepers left. 'Who are yer'.
Sylvestre, no not that one, substituted by Keinan for ten-man Blackpool. Theo to Marouane and almost a third goal. Arshavin just wide with a shot. Brilliant turn in the box by Theo, nice shot, 3-0 and it's one way traffic. Rosicky to Walcott, shot saved. Fine Clichy cross and a great save from Chamakh. A rare counter attack sees some superb long distance covering by Sagna to massive applause. Their fans were still giving it large in the two minutes added time during which there was a good solo from our AA man. Half time arrived with the result never in doubt.
I failed to mention earlier that pre-match there were some very large rather good looking banners indicating which was the Clock End and which was the North Bank. I already knew, obviously, but quite enjoyed the spectacle. The dirge was still played but much earlier than usual.
No changes after the break. It was Wilshere, looking very much at home in the Premiership, who had our first shot, it was straight at the keeper from range. An ace low Sagna cross found a rampant Diaby inside their box for a tap-in at speed. 4-0 to the Arsenal and 41 minutes still to play. Rosicky slipped in Diaby who shot wide in heavy traffic. Our football was good, the match one-sided. A double substitution for the Seasiders with Harewood and Taylor-Fletcher off and Ormerod and Demontagnac on. Whereas we had two partially fit World Cup Finalists prowling the touch-line and ready to play.
Theo cut in from the right, made his way into the box and struck a low left-footed shot just inside the far post. 6-0 and a hatrick to our Theo. A great Arshavin cross which Chamakh spooned over from very close range. To massive acclaim Cesc and Robin replaced Diaby and Arshavin, Abou having had by far the better match. Cesc was on the field for less than 30 seconds before Adam was requesting they exchange shirts after the game.
The ref took out Wilshere. Clichy took out Ishmel Demontagnac. Theo was subbed for Carlos to a massive ovation for the hat trick boy. Robin might have had a shot instead of trying to set up Cesc. A good, firm shot from Sagna with his left peg but it hit Vela. Robin went down in the box holding his leg, probably just a dead leg.
Crowd was announced as 60,032 as a Vela cross won one of very many corners. Song looking very strong at the back physically. Some cute keepy-uppy stuff from Carlos won another corner. From the corner taken by Robin Marouane leaped high and headed down powerfully to beat the keeper with a lovely header, shades of John Radford and 6-0 to Arsenal. Blackpool's only hoof of the game came when their keeper sent one into touch on half way. Pool's second chance of the match came when a cross was fired over by Ormerod.
We continued to carve them up with Jack goal-bound for a near cert before getting the ball caught under his feet. There were further shots blocked and saved from Jack and Robin before the ref blew the final whistle and put Blackpool out of their misery.
The season is up and running, we're unbeaten after two games, we have four named stands, a good looking repro clock once more in it's rightful place. More importantly we're wearing red shirts with proper white sleeves. We've also got Cesc Fabregas and a whole lot more besides. Other than the stupid concept of having a keeper as captain it all went very well.
When I purchased my season ticket for the first season at our new home I knew that I sat in the East Stand rather than the inappropriately and pathetically named blue quadrant. I knew that REDaction were located in the North Bank and I knew that the away fans were in the end where the clock ought to be. I also knew that Edelman was not the man to either understand or indeed give a shit about fans, a Club's soul or the horribly bare concrete visible both inside and out. I've no idea why this C.E.O. who cared nothing about football was kicked out but I'm very glad he was. So thanks Ivan and keep it up because you're on the right track. Just negotiate a few more
purchases for Arsene and you'll be doing fine.
Last time Blackpool played a league game at our place it was played out in front of just 37,372 on March 20th 1971. Peter Storey scored the winner following a keeper error in a boring 1-0, a somewhat lucky result but such was our demanding schedule at the time this was just one of eight games played by Arsenal in a 25-day spell. Amazingly those 8 games included six Cup matches, two of which were FA Cup Semi-finals. With only one sub and a squad that deployed a mere sixteen players in the entire 63-match season that required some serious stamina.
When the likes of Marlon Harewood, Brett Ormerod and Jason Euell are your big name players its fairly obvious that the Premiership will not be a cake-walk. So today's pressure was all on Arsenal, Blackpool you felt had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Their fans were clearly intent on making the most of what might be just a one off in the Premiership and kept up a decent wall of sound throughout. The away section also made it look as though the Dutch were in town. You'd hope they survive because the loveable lunatic Ian Holloway not only likes his teams to play football but he also acts like a breath of fresh air compared to the odious, negative belligerence of an Allardyce, Hughes or Pulis.
Our referee today was Mike Jones who'd also done our last home game v Fulham back in May. No doubt Blackpool were unimpressed but overall he did ok. spotted most things. It has to said however that Blackpool play football and don't go around looking to kick people in any event.
We started with a wild cross from Arshavin, who tried quite hard by his standards but has yet to find his touch this season. Chamakh couldn't quite find Rosicky to set up a chance. It looked like it could be one way traffic but when the Tangerines broke they tried to do it in numbers. It's just that they were unable to break all that often. Sagna to Walcott with an almost ball. A shot from Vaughan which Almunia, complete with captain's armband, saved before hoofing into touch. A free kick to Blackpool badly over hit.
Chamakh to Rosicky to Arshavin to a ball laid into Theo's path which he struck low inside the near post. A well worked move from left to right and 1-0 to Arsenal with about twelve minutes gone. '1-0 to the Arsenal'. Blackpool had one of just two real chances soon after when a fine cross was headed wide by Taylor-Fletcher, having easily beaten Clichy in the air at the far post. A freekick won by Chamakh to the left of the box was fired just over by Theo. Good hold up play by Diaby. Wild shot from Rosicky.
Neat play and a good cross from Theo saw Andrey have his shot very well saved by Gilks their all-yellow fluorescent clad keeper. Walcott put in Chamakh as we started to carve them up but his placed shot was just wide. Rosicky to Walcott who was through but shot over, our pace was killing them. Rosicky to Chamakh, in on goal, was fouled in the box by Evatt for a red card and a penalty. Technically it may well have been a red, but it seemed harsh. Arshavin took the spot kick and made it 2-0 with a hard low shot just inside the post to the keepers left. 'Who are yer'.
Sylvestre, no not that one, substituted by Keinan for ten-man Blackpool. Theo to Marouane and almost a third goal. Arshavin just wide with a shot. Brilliant turn in the box by Theo, nice shot, 3-0 and it's one way traffic. Rosicky to Walcott, shot saved. Fine Clichy cross and a great save from Chamakh. A rare counter attack sees some superb long distance covering by Sagna to massive applause. Their fans were still giving it large in the two minutes added time during which there was a good solo from our AA man. Half time arrived with the result never in doubt.
I failed to mention earlier that pre-match there were some very large rather good looking banners indicating which was the Clock End and which was the North Bank. I already knew, obviously, but quite enjoyed the spectacle. The dirge was still played but much earlier than usual.
No changes after the break. It was Wilshere, looking very much at home in the Premiership, who had our first shot, it was straight at the keeper from range. An ace low Sagna cross found a rampant Diaby inside their box for a tap-in at speed. 4-0 to the Arsenal and 41 minutes still to play. Rosicky slipped in Diaby who shot wide in heavy traffic. Our football was good, the match one-sided. A double substitution for the Seasiders with Harewood and Taylor-Fletcher off and Ormerod and Demontagnac on. Whereas we had two partially fit World Cup Finalists prowling the touch-line and ready to play.
Theo cut in from the right, made his way into the box and struck a low left-footed shot just inside the far post. 6-0 and a hatrick to our Theo. A great Arshavin cross which Chamakh spooned over from very close range. To massive acclaim Cesc and Robin replaced Diaby and Arshavin, Abou having had by far the better match. Cesc was on the field for less than 30 seconds before Adam was requesting they exchange shirts after the game.
The ref took out Wilshere. Clichy took out Ishmel Demontagnac. Theo was subbed for Carlos to a massive ovation for the hat trick boy. Robin might have had a shot instead of trying to set up Cesc. A good, firm shot from Sagna with his left peg but it hit Vela. Robin went down in the box holding his leg, probably just a dead leg.
Crowd was announced as 60,032 as a Vela cross won one of very many corners. Song looking very strong at the back physically. Some cute keepy-uppy stuff from Carlos won another corner. From the corner taken by Robin Marouane leaped high and headed down powerfully to beat the keeper with a lovely header, shades of John Radford and 6-0 to Arsenal. Blackpool's only hoof of the game came when their keeper sent one into touch on half way. Pool's second chance of the match came when a cross was fired over by Ormerod.
We continued to carve them up with Jack goal-bound for a near cert before getting the ball caught under his feet. There were further shots blocked and saved from Jack and Robin before the ref blew the final whistle and put Blackpool out of their misery.
The season is up and running, we're unbeaten after two games, we have four named stands, a good looking repro clock once more in it's rightful place. More importantly we're wearing red shirts with proper white sleeves. We've also got Cesc Fabregas and a whole lot more besides. Other than the stupid concept of having a keeper as captain it all went very well.