Surprise Song Sunday: Why Do You Let Me Stay Here - She & Him feat. Gordon Levitt-Joseph

I'm just sitting on the shelf.

Some semi-random, juxtaposing happy music feat. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 

So how about that Arsenal last night ey? We didn't score, and of course it's because we're van Persieless, and not because Sunderland locked down with two banks of five. 

I don't really understand the whole van Persie thing. None of what he did makes much sense at all, but there you go. Footballers are strange beasts at the best of times, and when you flash some money at them, they just become downright weird. All I know is he's a jerk, and I believe that we can cope without him. 

Anyway, the game. Despite the draw, I like what I saw, Obviously I'd be a bit happier if we'd won, but I thought the team played well. Santi Cazorla looks the real deal, Gervinho looks a lot better than last season, and Podolski and Giroud provided good movement and could have scored a couple of times. 

What pleased me the most was a) how well we coped defensively without Alex Song and b) on a related note, how well the team pressed and tracked back. It was noticeable how many times we won the ball in the Sunderland half, which came from everyone pressing. It was particularly pleasing to see Arteta and Gervinho tracking back. Revolutionary idea, but I think if we can get two central midfielders tracking back when the opposition attack, we may not even need to buy an out-and-out defensive midfielder to replace Song. I mean, it's not like he was even that defensive to begin with, it's just he could defend a little bit when he could be bothered. 

However, despite the team looking alright, before the transfer window closes, you'd hope that the manager signs another midfielder and/or another striker. Especially a striker. We've essentially only got 1.5 strikers that are actually any good. 

Anyway, have yourselves a good Sunday. 

Word of the Day: Tracking

Krakow/Cracow/Crack Cow + van Persie.

Last night, I went drinking in Krakow. It sounds intense, and it probably was. Had a good beery, and went back home. Yeah, intense.

Today, we did a walking tour of Krakow, which I enjoyed immensely. It's a pretty, lively, and small city, full of stuff to see, do, and buy, all at immensely reasonable prices. So we wandered around, did a few mosques, Schindler's factory, and ended the day by buying a heap of stuff.

Today also made me realise that most people on this tour are essentially pretty cool people.

As of yet, I haven't had a massive Holocaust horror moment, which I guess is good and bad. I do, however, fully expect Auschwitz tomorrow to be pretty full on, both positively and negatively.

Looking forward to it.

Also, van Persie.

I cannot believe it. That's pretty much the zillionth captain to leave Arsenal now. I was always a bit doubtful about his character, as everything he said seemed a bit too PR, but now it's plain for all to see it's all about money.

The club has signed two quality players already, with more probably set to follow. What else could he want in the club's future except for higher wages?

Whatever. We'll move on. Cesc was much more fundamental to the whole functioning of the team, and we managed to cope without him (albeit labouriously at times). We've already signed two quality strikers who are now looking like van Persie's replacements. We're much more on the ball, so to speak, than the last transfer window.

I say sell him. To Man City, whatever. It doesn't even matter. He's a couple of seasons away from being on the decline. If they're willing to pay a zillion pounds for him, go for it I say.

However, I won't pretend I'm not very disappointed, and a little bit sad. He was a good player, a good captain, and scintillating to watch last season. Yes, he pretty much only performed for one full season, but the technique and beauty was always there. When all is said and done, it's still a shame that we couldn't hang on to him. But in Arsene we trust.

Word of the Day: Cow

Friday night football talk.

Since when has football talk been exclusively on Friday night?

Never. But since I'm doing it now, it's gonna be on a Friday night.

Anyway.

We got third!

Which, I know, is not a trophy, but considering all our trials and tribulations this season - how badly we started, how we lost a bazillion players during the transfer window, how we went through roughly half the season with 0 fullbacks, how we have one (very, very good) striker - finishing behind only Man U (the greatest team that ever was, and ever will be, ever, or something) and Man City (they have unlimited money) is an amazing achievement. Finishing above Spurs is also pretty good too. Well done the Arsenal.

Now let's get van Persie up on this new contract and stuff.

A word on the last day of the season in general.

It was absolutely nuts. As if anxiously watching us hold on to third place, heart almost literally in my mouth, wasn't bad enough, there was the added bonus of seeing QPR 2-1 up against City upon the conclusion of our game.

Turn around, the commentators are saying that CIty had won the game 3-2.

Just like that, in pretty much two minutes of extra time, they had won the Premier League. Unbelievable.

And, I guess, that's why Aguero gets paid a trillion quid a week.

The whole day was just an amazing advertisement for football.

Champions League final to look forward to this weekend. Here's hoping that Bayern destroy Chelsea. Plucky little Chelsea, with their 50 million quid benched striker. Man, I hate them.

Word of the Day: Arsenal

Surprise Song Sunday: If I Had A Gun - Noel Gallagher

Let me fly you to the moon

My eyes have always 

Followed you around the room

'Cause you're the only

God that I will ever need

I'm holding on and waiting for the moment

To find me.

Kind of like Oasis, but different.

Just a few disparate points about Arsenal's loss draw against Norwich last night. 

• Why do we insist on flooding forward when we're 3-2 up in the last ten minutes? Or when we're 1-0 up in the first 60 seconds? Or any time we're in the lead? Is it really that hard to form two banks of four to hold on to the ball for a bit?
• I'd be mad if I were van Persie. You know, I'd be all like, what the hell, how many goals do I need to score so that the lead is big enough for you numpties to hold on to?
• This is the most upsetting result of the season. Actually. For what it means, and for how it came about. 
• Vermalaen is quite mediocre in his defensive positioning. However, the goal leakage is not just his fault. It's substantially the fault of a midfield that seems incredible reluctant to track back, even in situations when the defence is clearly being overrun. It seems like schoolboy football to me. You know, all glory to the goalscorers, who cares about the defenders and all that. 
• This was a mid-table team who, theoretically, had nothing to play for. Playing in our stadium. And they gave us a massive game. What is going on with that?
• Spurs are probably going to get third place now. Oh my. That's the best case scenario. Newcastle might even pip us. 
• I cannot believe all this.

Word of the Day: Gun

What a win/loss

What a game today, and what a win.

Well, a loss really, in the grand scheme of things, but I'll take it as a win anyway, seeing as I'm such a positive person and all.

I had a funny feeling about this game yesterday. Funny, in that I had a feeling that Arsenal could actually have a crack at overturning the 4-0 deficit from the first leg.

We almost got there. 3-0 up, and

If it wasn't for this save:

who knows, we might even have made it into the next stage. No blame attached to Captain van Persie though. After all he's done this season, he couldn't be expected to never stuff up. But still, it was a little heartbreaking. 

The word that I saw bouncing around the most in the Twittersphere today when people were describing Arsenal was: 'Proud'. 

And proud is what the team should be, and proud is what I am. The team should be commended for having a real go at a very decent Milan team.

Onwards and upwards Gunners!

Word of the Day: Proud

We actually won!

And this time, the football failed to disappoint.

It's not very often that we get completely outplayed and still manage a win. Unlike Man United, we oftentimes seem to lack that particular capability.

But this was one of those magnificent times. Up against the ropes for the entire first half, and most of the second, two magical, sublime van Persie goals once again won the game.

And my, how important this win could be.

Chelsea managed to lose to West Brom, which means they're now three points behind in fifth. Spurs are only four points ahead of us now with a game in hand, and play Man United tonight.

Things are looking a little bit better now.

Hopefully Arteta's injury isn't too serious. Looked bad, with the oxygen mask and all.

Let's hope that this win heralds a good week coming up.

Word of the Day: Oftentimes

My eyes have always, followed you, around the room

It's fascinating, and a little bit strange, that when I learn to play and/or sing a song, I seem to connect to it so much better than when I just passively listen to it.

I think it may have something to do with me actually actively feeling the lyrics and the music. It just all seems to mean so much more. I kind of start understanding the lyrics, and seeing all the little nuances and subtleties in the music.

This bout of reflection was brought about by me learning how to play 'If I Had A Gun' by Noel Gallagher earlier today.

The structure of the song, in tandem with the arrangement of the lyrics, is actually quite different and clever. Very subtle stuff going on.

I've heard the song quite a few times. I just never really actively absorbed.



On that note, some of my favourite lyricists:

• Noel Gallagher
• Chris Martin
• John Mayer
• Jay-Z

Coincidentally, they also write nice melodies (except, obviously, Jay). 

Their lyrics are very clever, subtle, and take a few listens to understand what's going on. I'd like to contrast them to, say, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Green Day, and Bruno Mars. While their songs may be ok (some more ok than others), their lyrics are somewhat plain and blunt. James Blunt. 

Back to real life. 

So yesterday, I went to see Victory play Gold Coast at the AAMI.

The stadium was quite impressive, but practical at the same time. Quite modern, but not ugly modern like Fed Square. The seats were much, much closer to the action than at the Etihad. Made for a much better viewing experience. 

The game itself was a thriller, but a bit disappointing from Victory's perspective. Any way you look at it, conceding two while being two up against the team that's propping up the bottom of the ladder is poor, even if you only have 10 men. Anyway, they got there in the end, which I guess is a positive. 

They also played a lot better than I expected they would. Very little hoofball, and they actually passed it along the ground. 

All in all, a pretty enjoyable afternoon out. 

Also, Arsenal drew with Fulham, and van Persie didn't score. Coincidence? Maybe. However, the winning streak and the scoring streak had to end sometime. I just wish it wasn't at the same time.

Word of the Day: Nuances