Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford unwittingly wrote the Premier League theme tune. Were those in charge privvy to any sort of sense of humour, the Champions League ‘hymn’ would have a domestic rival, Barrett Strong belting out “Money, that’s what I want” before every game. Knowing the prediliction of football to ruin everything – or cock it up depending on your viewpoint – there would be some awful boy band version used instead on the basis that it was “hip with the kids“. It would suit everyone, not just players. Managers, directors, clubs; they all want it, almost to the exclusion of everything else. Fans would probably choose Joy Division’s “Heart and Soul” as a response.
And this morning money is all they want. Lots of it as well, earned and merited in some cases. Currently top of that list is Theo Walcott who is to be offered a new deal in the next couple of days that is worth anywhere between £85k and £115k per week depending on whose total you believe and which basis of calculation. Trying to work out the salaries of our heroes is a lot like attempting to fathom an APR; everyone will tell you there’s is the best but you just have to use their methodology to prove it. Something different and the result is turned on its head.
Theo will be hoping that his representatives are using the same as The Sun; the darlings of Wapping have come out with a figure which is about £1.5m higher than everyone else’s. Read the small print Theo, there’s always a catch in there somewhere. Of course you sit and read about £25m or whatever the total is and wonder does an additional 6% matter? I would hazard a guess that this is the case, updating Einstein’s calculation to E=Employer Over A Barrel. I was going to include MC to some sort of integer but quantifying the merits of the relative salaries of Marouane Chamakh and Theo Walcott is too complex a calculation for this hour of the day.
Whether it is enough to put ink in his pen is another matter. Walcott has not strayed from the line of wanting to stay at the club and must be credited with that PR line. Perhaps it is true, maybe he genuinely likes it but I will not be drawn into that with loyalty not a trait that one generally pins onto the modern footballer. He is however running out of options. And quickly. Wanting to be a centre forward was held as a primary aim, that has been met. Wanting to be well-paid? By any stretch of the imagination, this offer is that although in fairness, he may be able to earn more but shifting sands at this late stage will rapidly lose him support in this negotiation.
Arsenal are running out of options as well in that sense. Arsène is waiting in part for the outcome of negotiations before acting in the transfer window. Buying David Villa to augment the current squad makes more sense to me than as a replacement for Walcott. In that scenario, a different shopping list applies. And the money spent impacts on other areas of the squad which needs attention, presuming of course that Wenger believes it needs that much attention. Maybe they have applied the same medical technology that was available to Steve Austin in Abou Diaby’s case; he genuinely would be a new signing in that instance.
The club are probably mindful that Manchester City have returned 1,000 tickets for Sunday’s clash at The Emirates. In the great scheme of things, I am sure that will not materially deplete the coffers. It should please some though with no excuse being readily available should the club declare the attendance as any more than 59,034…
There is an irony in City being the club to publicly make this statement albeit via their supporters. The richest club in the land priced out from football. Not that this will appease supporters. Despite the inflated commercial deals in place, clubs continually drain supporters wallets at every opportunity. The pricing at Arsenal is a vexatious issue; home fans are overcharged for seats in Category A games; little wonder the club resorted to email marketing for ‘Family and Friends‘ ticketing for this match. Sky’s coverage is at the root of decisions not to attend – why bother when you can watch on television. Clubs cannot blame supporters for this choice when for an away game, the likelihood is that a day out will cost in excess of £150 for a fan to attend. It is bad enough when a run of the mill home game costs that for two, including travel.
In decades previous, there was regulation of ticket pricing with Arsenal resisted on a number of occasions when the club wanted to increases but the Football League resisted. In those years, a minimum ticket price was set but clubs rarely charged above it. This tied in with an era when Directors were forbidden from taking money out of clubs by Football Association rules. Those days are long gone and in tough economic times, the clubs are finding that the wallet is ruled by necessity rather than the heart.
Arsenal made a play of the cheaper ticketing available in Category C games. This is a small step but nowhere near enough when you consider the price of Category A games. Football is at a crossroads, unwilling to admit that it is a luxury item no matter how we like to kid ourselves it is a necessity. Whether the reality is ever acknowledged by the club is another matter. The toughest economic times may be over but many of the harshest decisions come when the road to recovery is travelled.
’til Tomorrow.
Bob – I remember ‘borrowing’ my cousins years ago, like you said it is like driving a tank. Uses the same amount of gas too! I think I managed to get it past 60 mph after about 10 minutes but that was about it. Took almost just as long to stop it too as the breaks were shite. I had a go at driving one of the new ones 2 years ago and if anything, outside of starting and stopping quicker than the old, it was even worse to drive.
And now for something completely different -
Irish, very amusing.
You don’t write like a dub.
Michael – I have live almost half my life in NYC, so yea a bit different I suppose from the rest of the Dubs.
Well done, Swansea. Hope they can hold their advantage and make it to the final.
Irish, lol! Yeah, prawn sandwich brigade’s worst nightmare, a loudmouth from across the pond! (Eh, Bob!) it was frustrating, though, truth be told, because you get to attend one match every few years and would love to get the most out of the experience.
YW, I was stunned I understood him; in my shock all I could muster was thanks!
LSG – I hear you. I have often gone to a Yankee game and received dirty looks from people when myself and my mates are roaring our heads off. The funniest I ever saw though was back in Dublin, years ago at an All-Ireland game, Dublin v Meath. A woman, obviously at her first game of the year as we had not seen her all season and had gone to every game, became more and more offended at my friend’s liberal and creative use of the ‘F’ word (he is quite talented). Inevitably at half-time, she whipped around and gave him such a tongue lashing that he was stunned into momentary silence, a silence that lasted just long enough for her to disappear (probably went to get Dublin’s equivalent of a prawn sandwich) before he could think of a reply. Naturally we went off and got some beers before returning to our seats for the second half. As we were taking our seats, she turned partially around and fixed him with a look that left him in no doubt what she would do if he used the ‘F’ word one more time.
So we sat there waiting for the game to start, all the while watching him as he had a huge grin on his face, which the rest of us knew meant he was not just up to no good but had decided to fully commit to what ever it was. When the Meath players came out I swear they heard him, half the stadium must have heard him! I will honestly say to this day I have never heard the ‘C’ word yelled so loud and so vehemently and with such obvious pride. There was silence for at least 30 seats in every direction. His slew of invectives in the second half left me in awe, as not once did he slip and use the ‘F’ word. The game ended in a draw and when it did my mate nonchalantly tapped the woman on her shoulder and asked if she would be coming to the replay? With not a hint of hypocrisy she looked him right in the eye and told him in a loud, high-pitched scream to “FUCK OFF!!” With a tip of his hat, he turned and walked away. She never showed for the replay. Or the one after. Or the one after that. Dublin finally lost after 3 replays. To this day Owen blames ‘that c**t’. I think that 35+ minute period is the longest he has ever gone without using the ‘F’ word, as she quaintly put it.
Swansea’s win at the Bridge (too far) shows that they’re not a bad team afterall!
Good to see
Well well well
If this was over one leg VILLAINS AND CHElsKI would now be out of LC competition. Just like US alas they they another chance to redeem themselves and set it right.
should give some of US a chance to pause and put the results from our games into perspective. But it won’t.
Playing in VALLEY PRIDE no small feat and SWANSEA is a good team under LUDARP.
as I said before the season started TWO teams were going to improve by leaps this season due to their new coaches. One was the SWANSEA team. Can you guess which was the other club.??
Clue…. They currently are in the top half of epl
More like “Love Will Tear Us Apart”.
Good to see Swans win but, not that good as watching the Swans make 15+ passes between their keeper and back four before attacking us.
Not nearly as good as seeing a young strong gutsy Centre Back playing for the Swans because he so say wasn’t good enough for Arsenal and squillachi and per were better.
fuck me what joke.
Kam – I presume you mean the Spuds?
Saturday fixtures we should keep an eye on –
QPR v Tottenham
Everton v Swansea
Stoke v Chelsea
Sundays fixtures –
Man Utd v Liverpool
Arsenal v Man City
Chavs v Orc Army – After losing to Swansea, it would be excellent if the Chavs would repeat that result against The Orc Army. I would much rather play the Chavs after a few defeats and the fans screaming at Benitez, than when he has just won a game and silenced (however temporarily) his critics at the Bridge. 2-1 to the Orc Army
Everton v Swansea – I cannot see them losing or winning this game. A definite draw, which should be good for us. 1-1
Spuds v QPR – I hate to see QPR win anything but I can see them nicking this. ‘Arry is the one guy who knows the Spuds better than AVB, he has also motivated the QPR players. I think they will win this in a scrappy 2-1. Bale booked for diving.
‘Pool v Utd – I have watched them a few times this season, either awesome or absolute shite. Sound familiar? This is the one game they will want to win more than any other having lost the previous encounter between the two. This game has goals written all over it and you can be dam sure I will be watching it. 3-2 Liverpool. Suarez booked for diving but Stevie G. (cos he is English and therefore does not dive) wins a late PK by diving. Rooney sent off for being so fucking ugly!
The Arsenal v Citeh – They have not scored a goal at the Emirates in almost 5 years apparently, so I think you will agree this mean there will be goals aplenty! Nasri can’t play as he is banned for headbutting an opponent. Who knew he was that tall? Rosicky to destroy them in midfield but only when he comes on in the 72 minute as we are losing 2-1. Final score 5-3 to The Arsenal. Vermaelen gets the winner with a 30 yard screamer
The Arsenal moves up to 5th. Bring on the Chavs!!
Yes IRISH. you get an Stella artoise from me when we get together for a game at the pub mate.
I’m afraid these fuckers are a completely different proposition under VILLA BOAS.
still,its one game at a time for us starting with the bloody blue mancs this weekend , you are well I hope….
Goonerkam – Stella WTF!?
Lol, interesting picks mate , glad to see you are still in a festive mood.
by the way I really liked the way SWANSEA changed their game tactics against the Chavs, it paid off for them. Maybe the final will be BRADFORD & SWANSEA.
Rafa out. Torres out. Lol
Lamp out. Terry out and while you’re at it Branislov. And BA out.
I like STELLAS, it’s. Very stellar beer.
You can have a guineas or whatever you like. Nothing like a ice cold wifebeater. LOL
Kam – Yea that would be a hell of a final, I would like to see that happen. And yes I like how Laudrup is willing to change his tactics to suit the opposition, something I don’t think we do well enough, if at all some times.
We should be able to get passed the SWANS at home to advance in the FA CUP. I see us getting a result there.
HA! Guinness tastes like sour piss in the States mate, We should hit The Fox and Hounds over in Studio City and knock back a few ciders
I think so too, 3-1 at The Emirates for The Arsenal.
Actually now that I think of it, make that 3-2 to The Arsenal as I think Laudrup will rest some of his starters against Everton and focus on the Cups. That means we will most likely be playing a full strength and well rested Swansea. Meh!
Yes IRISH, we don’t change strategically very often ,
AW AH,
Its my way or the highway lol, it better yet,
Best defense is a very good offense.
Although I think he has improved over the last couple of years. don’t you think so.?
fine brother , I’ll drink ciders with you even though it makes me stomach sore a bit. My favorite poison is tequila shots followed by STELLA or SAPPOROs beer,
Oh yah.
One may be forgiven for thinking that most Gooners would take at least a small dose of satisfaction in seeing Chelsea get turned over by the Swans. While our spending was restrained, Chelsea spent squillions on the best young midfielders in the world last summer plus another huge wedge on two forwards (Moses and Ba), yet we both struggle against the same team. At least Gooners would be comforted in the knowledge that Swansea is now a decent team. But it seems that even that small crumb is too much to expect when some folks have already made up their minds to crap on their own team. Pfftt.
Rosell came out today saying VILLA was not going anywhere , I think we should forget him and make an seven million offer for MOUSSA SISSOKO. good proper footballer with no off field issues. Solid DM.
Kam – Sapporo is an excellent beer, I think we can reach an accommodation with each other and just agree to knock those back. As for the Tequila? Blehhhhhh! Not exactly a fan of shots per se (tends to hold up the cider drinking!) but find Tequila specifically nauseating. How do you feel about Jager?
Shotta – Well said mate. Fact is the entire Premiership were warned last year about Swansea, who set the championship on fire with their fast-paced passing and desire to keep the ball on the ground and attack teams head on. Hell, Liverpool were so impressed they hired Rogers and are quite willing to give him 2 and a half years to get ‘Pool playing that way and winning shit.
Give ARTTETA a breather SHOTTAGOONER ,many changed their minds years ago and can’t wait for ARSENAL to turn into another trophy buying club just so. They get their bragging rights back. They can’t see or be proud of what this. Club stands for.
Jagers mister. Hah. The devil you say. I like but remember we got to drive afterwards and the cops don’t need a court order to draw our blood and they’re taking our guns away too. Next it will be a world without B:-):-)S
what with we do.
When are the African players leaving for the ACN??
which club will be the most effected??
my guess. Chelsea and the blue mancs.
My LAKERS as up against the SPURS tonight. All three centers out with injuries . Hope we don’t get slaughtered.
Kam – I was kind of thinking that considering how early it will be when the game finishes and even if we have a few afterwards, I would just crash in the car for a few hours…….or even get The Girlfriend to pick me up! Brilliant idea that! I also have a friend who’s brother is a detective out there, so I will have his name to drop if anything untoward were to happen. Not that it ever does you understand. Never, no sir, nothing to see here, keep it movin’!
LOL IRISH. Glad you have a connection. It might come in handy. We will have good old time…
Dam skippy
Any sniff you get for a main up Shotta..
Anyway fuck michu it’s laudrup we need..!!
An interesting thread today:
http://bergkampesque.com/2013/01/10/has-arsene-already-signed-the-new-pires-and-ljungberg/#comment-8769
I don’t think Laudrup will score the required number of goals though.
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/137/england/2013/01/10/3660702/walcott-agrees-new-four-and-a-half-year-arsenal-deal