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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDavid Faber, 1957 – 2019<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The team at Goonerholics Forever would like to take this opportunity to remember David Faber, the Goonerholic, who sadly passed before his time on December 25th 2019. Dave\u2019s Goonerholic<\/em> blog brought us all together and his love of the Arsenal, warmth and humanity remain a daily inspiration to us all. All men are dust but some men are gold dust. We miss you, Guvna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Delia’s Goose<\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we play Norwich City away from home on Boxing Day but first and foremost this is a time to remember the founder of the original Goonerholic blog, our great friend David Faber. Christmas Day will mark the second anniversary of his sadly premature passing. He is missed as much today as he was then – even more-so when each round of the writing schedule comes around and volunteers are asked to step forwards! How he managed to produce such consistent quality, single handed, for so many years is even more of a wonder now than it was then. That consistency, warmth and even-handedness won him a huge community of both readers and real, grateful friends who will be stopping to think of him and his family over the festive period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many years, I used to go to Norwich every September for the Eastern Region Ski Instructors coaching weekend which was held at the Norwich artificial ski slope. From the top of the slope you could see the Coleman\u2019s mustard estate, and hear the crowd noise rise from Norwich\u2019s home ground, Carrow Road – well, you could back in the day when Norwich used to score goals occasionally. Our newly rejuvenated squad will be as keen as Coleman\u2019s mustard to give them a good stuffing on Boxing Day. And talking of stuffing, an important part of the festive season is always the special cuisine on offer. Norwich City FC is, of course, co-owned by a chef, the famous Delia Smith, and she has reportedly concocted this Christmas dinner menu for the club:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDelia\u2019s Let\u2019s Be \u2018Avin\u2019It\u201d- a rather undercooked mixture that promises much but usually fails to satisfy despite being drenched in copious amounts of dry white whine. Main<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roasted canary, old mashed Spuds and a selection of the new, trendy but nonetheless second rate, wonky vegetables. Dessert<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pukki Pudding – a late replacement on this festive menu for the \u201cLampard Special\u201d – a mixture of fatty pudding, a nutty topping and a wide sloppy base which the chef just could not ultimately quite put together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wine<\/p>\n\n\n\n A strange white – more a mixture of insipid green and yellow hue – can be a little over forceful to the taste, with occasional lingering bitterness. Tea, coffee – to be served in mugs as no-one can remember seeing a cup anywhere in the club since 1985. There is a vegetarian alternative main course of St Stephen\u2019s Pizza which will be served just as the good King Wenceslas liked it – Deep pan, crisp and even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Teams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While the Arsenal have risen to the dizzy and, for this season at least, somewhat unexpected heights of fourth and a Champions League place, Norwich are rooted to the bottom of the league table. They have won just 2 games out of 17 played this season, scoring just 8 times and conceding 34, giving them a miserable goal difference of -26. Whilst we have been climbing the table, it is our away form that needs to improve. We have already lost 5 times on the road this season, recently at Old Trafford and Goodison Park, where on each occasion we took the lead but then conceded both the front foot and the match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a horrible habit of trying to restore some confidence to teams enduring poor runs of results, so no repeats this time please, Arsenal – a committed performance and a win has to be the order of the day, even though Norwich have earned two draws in their last two league outings under new manager Dean Smith. The Dean must be allowed no prayer in this one ( come on now, it\u2019s Christmas \ud83d\ude0f). Norwich do have some injury concerns ahead of this one. Firstly, Milot Rashica who has been injured since their relegation six pointer with Newcastle at the end of November, and then Norwegian Mathias Normann, their best player so far, who has been out recently due to a recurring pelvic problem. Both reportedly have a good chance of returning on Boxing Day. Grant Hanley, their Scottish international centre back and captain has been injured along with their other central defenders Andrew Omobamidele, Christoph Zimmerman and Ozan Kabak – however, all of them apart from Zimmerman have some chance of being fit to face us. We\u2019ll see. They also have some COVID and other illness concerns but they, frankly, are anyone\u2019s guess. The Arsenal, meanwhile, have a doubt over Tomiyasu. While not serious, he has played a lot of games and might be given a chance to return to full fitness by sitting this one out. Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Sambi Lakonga are all still isolating with COVID-19 and will not be available. The only other concerns are Sead Kolasinac – out until the New Year and probably long beyond \ud83d\ude0f – and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who one imagines might well remain on the naughty step until the African Cup of Nations at least. With Gabriel Martinelli on fire and Eddie Nketiah very keen to play, if not yet ready to start, that is much less of a problem than might have been envisaged. There may also be a wish to protect Ben White who suffered some kind of muscle \u201c tightening\u201d against Leeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u00e9dric, White (Holding), Gabriel, Tierney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Partey, Xhaka<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saka, \u00d8degaard, Smith-Rowe<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lacazette. I\u2019ve included Xhaka only because everyone always does, although I would love to see \u00d8degaard there as a play maker, which would allow ESR to move into the centre and Martinelli to start wide left. The front half of the team would then be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Partey, \u00d8degaard<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saka, ESR, Martinelli<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lacazette. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Breaking News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been revealed that the Premier League stepped in to prevent Norwich\u2019s latest proposed sponsorship deal with pet food firm \u2018Spillers\u2019. A Premier League spokesman said it would be fraudulent to have Norwich players with \u201cWinnalot\u201d on their shirts. \ud83d\ude02 And Delia Smith offered to send the Norwich squad on an all expenses paid holiday to Florida, but they said they\u2019d rather go to Blackpool so they could see what it\u2019s like to ride in an open-top bus. \ud83d\ude06 And finally, two Norwich fans were walking along the road. One of them picked up a mirror, looked in it and said, \u201cHey, I know that bloke!\u201dThe second one took the mirror, looked into it and said, \u201cOf course you do, you idiot – it\u2019s me!\u201d \ud83e\udd2a The Holic Pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wherever you look, we are about 2\/5 on to win this one, with Norwich around 7\/1 against. Martinelli can be had at 5\/1 as first goal scorer. Arsenal wins of 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0 can be had at 21\/2, 20\/1 and 53\/1 respectively. Remember, as they now say, when the fun stops, stop ! Other bits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This one kicks off at 15.00 UK time, on Sunday 26th December. There is no TV coverage – audio available on Arsenal dot com. The referee is confirmed as Graham Scott. His Christmas little helper on VAR will be Lee Mason, a lovely fella who I\u2019m sure will be out to help us as much as he possibly can. And please remember – Enjoy the game \u2018Holics, and I know you\u2019ll be thinking of the great man who lent us all his moniker. To Dave ! \ud83c\udf7a\ud83e\udd43<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Conversation with Bob Wilson <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Bob, how do feel the Arsenal side is developing this season? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>Having just basked in the win and performance against West Ham I remain mildly optimistic about the development of the team. Really good signings and all youngsters plus an intensity in recent games which was certainly the case versus the Hammers who are an excellent team these days. More and more I see a squad in age and talent that reminds me of ours 50 years ago. A really good mixture of senior players and hugely talented youngsters especially Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Do you think they will be negatively affected by the fallout from the Aubameyang situation? As someone who played under a legendary captain, I guess you would see the captaincy as a key issue for a team like ours given its relative inexperience?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob – <\/strong>I cannot envisage anything negative following the Aubameyang incident. Rather the opposite with players knowing exactly where they stand with misdemeanours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Personally I would have Tierney leading the squad. Fine player, passionate and never happy with anything less than a win.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>What impact do you think Ramsdale has had on the side? Do you see him as the Arsenal keeper for a long time into the future?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob – <\/strong>Aaron Ramsdale has been magnificent so far. An immediate impact on the team in front of him, some extraordinary saves, that unusual gem for a keeper, of presence. I like his visual encouraging as long as it\u2019s not too over the top, i.e., screaming and shouting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>We play Norwich on Boxing Day (Covid permitting). Do you have any memories of playing at Carrow Road?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob – <\/strong>Carrow Road is always a dangerous venue. Terrific loyal fans helping a Club that traditionally struggles to buy players that make the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can never remember personally getting a relatively easy win at Carrow Rd. Norwich are usually up against it. Hence, they are \u2018dangerous\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>How do you think we will fare against Norwich? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob – <\/strong>Player for player, potential v potential we will be \u2018 favourites\u2019 to win . But the sort of application of the first half against Spurs or the West Ham performance will be needed<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Would you expect Mikel to try to strengthen the team in the next transfer window?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob – <\/em><\/strong>I like to think that Arsenal would always try to strengthen the team if a \u2018special\u2019 talent becomes available.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Are you optimistic that we can qualify for the Champions League this season? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> <\/em>I\u2019m not overly optimistic that we will finish in the top 4. Three big spender clubs are more or less nailed on for top 3 as usual. That is Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, as it stands, Arsenal or Man Utd or West Ham or, dare I suggest it, that other North London club have to grab fourth spot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsenal at Christmas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF <\/em><\/strong>– Christmas football is a massive part of the football calendar in this country and always seems to have been so.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I wonder if you could give us some insights into what Christmas was like for players when you were playing and coaching.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n How did the players feel about having to play when the rest of the country is indulging itself?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Quite simply, it was your job and a very special sort of job. Privileged to be playing for Arsenal on any day of the week or year \u2013 \u201cEven if your wife was giving birth!\u201d says Megs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF <\/em><\/strong>– What was a typical Christmas programme when you were playing – when did you train and how many games did you play over the festive period?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Up to New Year\u2019s Day there was always a minimum 3 games in 10 days, which always included Boxing Day. Training remained every day, but on Christmas Day we were expected to keep up our running regime, even if we weren\u2019t together as a squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Did the Christmas games feel different or was it very much business as usual when you started the match?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> The lead up to the games could feel different but once we were on the team bus it was business as usual, thinking about who we were playing, going into match mode all pretty serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> It must have been very disruptive for the players\u2019 families with you so heavily occupied over the Christmas period. How much time were you able to spend with your family?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> I don\u2019t ever remember not having Christmas morning at home with the family but we were all under orders, regarding our food intake and especially alcohol. If we were playing away on Boxing Day, we would have left home by lunchtime and headed for an overnight hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Are there any particularly memorable Christmas games that you remember? I can recall a very enjoyable 3-0 victory over Manchester United with Charlton, Best and all, at Highbury on Boxing Day in 1968, I think.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Definitely Boxing Day 1968 at Highbury. The mighty Manchester United, Best Charlton etc. A really comprehensive win and special performance for our amazing fans. N.B., I think after this win the lads made up for their lack of alcohol on Christmas Day!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Did the Arsenal put on any special Christmas events for the playing staff? Are there any memorable moments you can share?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> It was never within the packed Christmas programme of games. There was an Arsenal Supporters Dinner usually at the beginning of December where the AFC Player of the Year Award was presented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I also remember a club Christmas even in which, as goalkeeping coach, I was asked to give a first welcome to Arsene where I used my schoolboy French to wish him \u2018Joyeux Noel\u2019. I\u2019m not sure he was too impressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Did the host club provide any special Christmas cheer for visiting teams or was it business as usual?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Definitely not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Arsenal used to make a point of visiting local hospitals at Christmas. I imagine that was something the players enjoyed but which could be very poignant too?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Yes, poignant is definitely the correct word. Nobody enjoyed seeing families facing difficult moments especially at Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Have you any amusing memories of Christmas matches or training during your career?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> One Christmas morning and following orders, I was running on the pavement near home in my Arsenal tracksuit, badge, initials, all clearly visible. A car on the road beside me slowed down, the driver wound down his window and shouted \u2018Ok mate, what else did you get for Christmas?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Has the attitude to Christmas matches changed as foreign players who haven\u2019t been used to this tradition have come into our game? Do you think it is still an important part of our football culture?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> I honestly don\u2019t know how much things have changed in recent times, except that the Christmas fixture list remains as important as ever for players and fans alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF – <\/strong>Many thanks, Bob!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> I hope you have a good Christmas and thank you and all Goonerholics for supporting Willow! <\/p>\n\n\n\n GHF –<\/em><\/strong> Bob, everyone at Goonerholics Forever wishes you and your family a very happy Christmas and let us hope 2022 is a very successful one for Arsenal Football Club. We are making donations to Willow through our Giving Page.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob –<\/strong> Megs and I and all at Willow wish all of you a very happy Christmas together with enormous thanks for your continuing support of our charity, enabling us to provide more Special Days for Seriously Ill Young Adults, between the ages of 16 and 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Small Request<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for reading the Goonerholics Forever<\/em> Christmas double blog post featuring a conversation with Bob Wilson. We hope you have found it enjoyable and informative. The GF team are extremely grateful to Bob for generously sharing his time, his memories of Arsenal Christmas past and his thoughts on the current team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also hope that, imbued with Christmas spirit, you will help the Willow Foundation to continue providing special days for seriously ill young adults. Just click on the image below of Santa Claus at Arsenal to visit our Willow Foundation Giving Page. Thank you for your generosity. Every little helps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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