I think Arsenal winning was probably for the best. If Villa had won we'd be behind arsenal and on the same points as Villa. Which would mean it would be really tightly packed around the top. Because Arsenal won we are 3rd and there are 3 points between us and 4th place! That's great especially with us having played less than a few teams below us, and we should have an easy 3 points next week. We are well set up to challenge Chelsea on Wednesday.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Answers

The @rse v Villa game was great entertainment today - full-blooded, end-to-end contest. Even felt a bit sorry for The Price of Darkness for a few nano-seconds when that pr@t Henry scored the winner in injury time. Arsenal can be scarily good in full flow.

Anyone ever notice that Thierry Henry never, ever has a trace on sweat on his face? I'm beginning to wonder if he might be an android! You heard it here first.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Listening to Alan Green's phone-in on 5Live. They've just been touting George Graham as the next Manager of Man Utd - yes please!! They deserve each other.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Bellamy could do with watching a few vids of Henry's finishing though. That third goal was classy.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

i was wrong about position, we're 4th and 3 points ahead of 5th. And 5th, 6th and 7th have all played an extra game than us. SO really a win at blackburn could really see us pull away with the top pack.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Jim, our "spare" game is next Tuesday at Highbury -assuming Islington Cooncil haven't let them move to a new stadium by then ;-) I'd be really happy if we got a point from that game. The way I look at games in hand is to expect nil points and be pleased if we get more.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I'm more worried about Blackburn - aaful banana skin there.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Can someone tell me why Patrick Viera always seems to have a wet- stain on the front of his shirt, at the front, below the collar. Does he just pespire a lot? Does he smear some unknown substance there before kick off? I know its inconsequential but its really bugging me.

Dougal, I'd start getting concerned about you if you didn't worry.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I was pointing that out to wor lass this afternoon - noticed it against Juventus also. I assumed it was either sweat or simply that he keeps clearing his nasal passage down his shirt(!!).

I then noticed that Kanu had a similar, but smaller, patch on his shirt when he came on as a sub, so it certainly wasn't sweat.

I wonder if it could be something like 'Vicks ointment' - to keep the sneck clear and aid breathing?

Very interesting, but nauseous!

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Just wtched that late edition of the premiership. Did anybody else see the ball controlled by an arm (not Henri's) that got the Arse their winner? Need to see it again and take more notice for details.

Did Bobby really refer to Dyer as Kevin ?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

It is some kind of breathing aid - I've seen or read something about it...

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Dougal, I think I owe you a drink. I'll make it a strong 'un before the Blackburn game to help your nerves... not that I'm any better mind you...

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Having slept on it (on what?), I'm now quite pleased the Ar$e won.

Being a realist, I cannot (IMHO) hope for the Toon to finish in the top 3, form and squads tell me this will be the Scousas, Ar$e and Leeds 9not particularly in that order). Therefore, in order for us to finish in 4th., 5th., or 6th. (= Europe), we'll need to keep a closer eye on the chasing pack, the Villas, Chewseas, Spurs and Manures (maybe them too!).

We have some tough games coming up, if we're still there / thereabouts by the end of January (and our luck holds!)we can make it.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

He is compensating for Dwight Yorke who sweats buckets the moment the whistle is blown. Must be too many late nights staying up watching Twin Peaks.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Jesus, did anyone see how well Blackburn played against Leeds: Gillespie will haunt us on Saturday and I can't really see how we'll counter him. Eeeek! Steve, it'll be good to see you on Saturday....

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Gillespie will haunt us on Saturday and I can't really see how we'll counter him

I daresay we could have Shearer mark him ...

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

....or we could get in an exorcist. Anybody know any good vicars???

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

I'm sure anyone waving a bottle of Jamesons or the Sporting Life at him will be enough to make his concentration waiver.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Stephen Glass scored a good goal for Watford yesterday as well...luckily we didn't draw them in the cup :))

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

...I think Shearer has already MARKED him, where was that again, Dublin?

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001