Post Christmas Joy

Time for a blog. While the harem enjoy festive tv movies and tuck into their selection boxes while wearing their new knitted sweaters, here's an update.
Well the big guy delivered a hell of a present this year. So thank you Santa Claus for yesterday's victory. Also thank you Guti. Clearly telling the story of how beautiful football entered the world had an effect on the football being played. Hurrah! Here at Sports Wall HQ we love festive football its the perfect thing to accompany the post christmas sitting down fest with gift chocolate and festive spirits (with tonic.)  And this year it was no exception. Along with the two Arsenal calendars, pocket history of Arsenal and illustrated history of Arsenal that we received as gifts, we also received the festive gift of joy unconfined. What a game. Brilliant is an understatement. It was the masterful performance we've promised and deserved for ages now. Alex Song was immense, Bac and Gael were great. Fabianski was commanding and what a player Johan Djorou is turning into, the guy is fantastic. The goals were sublime and the team looked confident and in control. Nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
Speaking of which, here's a little treat featuring some of our favourite little elves wishing you all a Happy Christmas.

A Footballing Nativity Part 10!!!

And so the wise men had finally made it to the humble stable in Barcelona and they had found the chosen one. They greeted Jose Maria and Josep and explained that they had travelled a great distance to worship the chosen one. They had come bearing gifts to help Jose Maria with his quest. First Zinedine Zidane gave Jose Maria the gift of gold, the fabled Ballon d'Or, a golden football gifted to him for his football skills. Then Andrey Arshavin gave Jose Maria the gift of knowledge, by giving him ‘555 Questions and Answers on Women, Money, Politics and Football’ a book that he had written that was full of wisdom. Emmanuel Eboue was not sure what gift to give Jose Maria for all he had was a Belgian passport and that wasn't much use to Jose Maria. So he gave him the gift of his experience and told him all about his difficult times in London and how he had overcome his unpopularity to become a better footballer and more loved than ever. Jose Maria was very grateful for these gifts and thanked the Wise men. The Holy San Iker was very moved and he too pledged a gift, he gave Jose Maria the miraculous goalkeeping gloves that he had used in life on his path to sainthood. The angels joined the wonderful scene, singing a heavenly song and suddenly Jose Maria began to glow with a heavenly golden light. At first he was worried and called out for Josep but he was soon comforted by his fiance's presence. After his long journey and all the things he had learned the gift of beautiful football had been bestowed upon Jose Maria and now he was ready to show the whole world. Not long after that magical night, he did show the world his wonderful gift and the people of Spain rejoiced that beautiful football was to reside in their country. Jose Maria gained many followers who took his gift all over the world and from then on he was known as "Guti" which means 'inventor of beautiful football.' Josep taught many people the way of 'tiki taka' Jose Maria's miraculous method of passing and movement that brought beautiful footnball and many beautiful trophies to their household and city.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! May all your festive football be beautiful!

A Footballing Nativity Part 9

The Wise Men journeyed on through Madrid, unaware that King Mourinho's spies followed their every move. They decided to rest for the night within the city walls, as Barcelona was a long way away. Madrid was a holy city and was protected and watched over by a Holy Saint.  The Angels Gabriel and Pavel enlisted the help of Madrid's patron saint to help to guide the wise men to the chosen one. The one who watched over the city was known as San Iker. He was a very watchful saint indeed. He knew his city like no other and was extremely generous to her citizens. Although the Wise men were not sons of Madrid, Zinedine had spent much time there in his youth and of course the chosen one hailed from Madrid too. So the Holy San Iker manifested himself in his wondrous earthly form and appeared to the three wise men. At first the sight of the stranger alarmed the wise men but San Iker simply smiled beatifically and explaine to them "I am the Holy San Iker, I have come to guide you to my fair city's favourite son." The three men understood right away due to their extreme wisdom and the saint explained that they must leave immediately in order to escape the attentions of the guards. They did as he told them and sure enough they were able to leave the city safely while the guards slept. Although he did not normally leave Madrid, the Holy Saint accompanied the wise men in order to pay tribute to the great gift that was to be given to the world. And so the wise men and San Iker arrived in Barcelona where the star led them to a humble stable behind the "Olimpico Inn." And sure enough there they found the chosen one, the boy who was to give the gift of beautiful football to the world.........
Stay tuned for finale tomorrow!

A Footballing Nativity Part 8

So the three wise men took the long and difficult journey to Spain. As they passed through Madrid, they stopped to visit the King of Madrid for surely  he would know of the chosen one. King Jose Mourinho of Madrid welcomed his esteemed visitors as he was a proud man and he assumed they had come to admire him. "We have to come to find the chosen one." They said. King Mourinho was very pleased. "Well you have found the Special One." He said, this was a nickname he had given himself, after his triumphs on the football field. "With respect you cannot be the the chosen one we seek, your Majesty." Zinedine replied. "The star we followed has only just appeared. We seek a new chosen one." King Mourinho was furious.  "There is only one Special One! And that is me!" He was so angry that he ordered the visitors thrown out of his palace. However he then ordered his henchmen to follow the wise men and when they found the chosen one they were to arrest him and bring him to Mourinho's court. The wise men travelled on to Barcelona following their star, unaware of the danger that went with them....

A Footballing Nativity Part 7

Far away in the East, or more specifically Saint Petersburg, a wise man was looking through his window studying the stars. His name was Andrei Arshavin and he was one of the wisest men in all of Russia and many people asked him for advice on important matters. As he was looking through his telescope at the sky, he noticed something unusual. He saw the brightest star he'd ever seen. He checked his astronomy charts and could not find the star. It was a new star that had only just appeared. He wanted to share this exciting discovery so he called up his friends who were also extremely wise. The first to arrive was Zinedine Zidane who came from the East (of France.) He was widely renowned as one of the wisest men in the whole world as he was very well travelled and knew much of footballing matters. Then from the East (of London) their friend Emmanuel Eboue arrived. Emmanuel was also a wise man, he knew many useful things such as how to hit a bullseye with two darts and Gunnersaurus' phone number. Andrey showed his friends the star through his telescope, then he showed them the charts. It was clear, they could not disagree with the little Russian, it was a new star. Suddenly Zinedine remembered something he had seen written long ago, a prophesy he had seen when he had lived in Madrid many years ago. He looked through his books and found the prophesy. "From Madrid will come a chosen one. One special enough to bring the promised gift to the world. The world will know his presence when his star appears in the East." The Wise Men were astounded. They could not believe that the prophesy was coming true in their lifetime. As they celebrated, Emmanuel noticed something through the telescope. The star had begun to move. It was leading them to the chosen one! Andrei, Zinedine and Emmanuel decided that they must follow the star. And quickly. They packed up all the things they would need for their long journey with their maps and telescopes and soon they were on the road to Spain.....

A Footballing Nativity Part 6

So after Bastian and Lulu's generous assistance, Jose Maria and Josep finally arrived in Barcelona. Jose Maria was very tired after his long journey and Josep hoped that they could find somewhere to stay. They walked around Barcelona and tried to find a room for the night. They tried many inns but the city was very busy and they always got the same answer. "Sorry we're full." Jose Maria and Josep were distressed and almost on the point of giving up when they came to a small inn near the Nou Camp. They knocked on the door and a handsme Italian innkeeper answered. "Good evening. Do you have a room for the night? We have been on a long journey and my fiance is very tired." Josep told the innkeeper. "I'm sorry friend, I have a house full of Romans. I have no rooms left." The innkeeper replied. Jose Maria and Josep were very disappointed. But Francesco the innkeeper was a very kind man and took pity on the couple. "I think I can help you." He said. "Follow me." He lead Jose Maria and Josep outside and to the back of the inn. He showed them to a stable "Its not much, but its warm and you'll be safe in here." He said with a smile. Jose Maria thanked Francesco very much for he was incredibly grateful. Jose Maria and Josep settled down for the night as Francesco returned to his house full of Romans and somewhere far off in the East, somebody saw something unusual............

A Footballing Nativity Part 5

Jose Maria and Josep's journey to Barcelona was difficult, it was a long way from Madrid and very tiring. On a hilltop beside the road they were travelling lived a German shepherd and his flock of sheep. The shepherd's name was Bastain Schweinsteiger and he was a very happy shepherd. He cared very much for his flock of sheep especially his newest baby lamb which he took special care of. He had named his new lamb Lulu and Lulu followed him everywhere. As he rested his hilltop and watched his flock. He saw a flash of light and then before him stood the Angel Gabriel and his assistant Pavel. They told Bastian not to be afraid for they brought good news to him. They told him all about the very special travellers passing through  his hills and told him that he should go to help them on their way. Bastian was very worried about his flock of sheep but the angels told him that no harm would come to them. So Bastian set off down the road with Lulu to meet these special travellers. Sure enough, after a while he found the special boy the angels had described. He offered to guide the travellers through the countryside and they greatfully accepted.  When the time came for them to part, Bastian told the travellers that he had a gift for them that might help them with their quest. He gave them a football shirt. It was a german football shirt, or to be more exact the football shirt of die mannschaft. "This shirt represents focus and team spirit." He said. "And to play beautiful football you must be focussed and committed all the time." Jose Maria thanked Bastian for his gift and patted Lulu on the head. Bastian and Lulu watched from the hilltop as the travellers neared Barcelona and the next stage of their journey......

A Footballing Nativity Part 4

After his conversation with Jose Maria, Josep decided to sleep on it and see if he could think of a way to help. He was fast asleep when he heard a sweet, heavenly voice. "Josep. I have been sent by the Angel Gabriel to help you and your fiance in your special task." Then a beautiful boy appeared before him. A beautiful, serene angel with waves of golden hair. "Who are you?" Josep asked. "I am the angel Pavel. Sometimes they call me Saint Nedved. I have been sent by the Angel Gabriel to guide you." He replied."You must make a journey to your home city of Barcelona. There you will be able to present your gift to the world." The angel said. "But how?" Josep asked. "The key to beautiful football is movement." The angel said demonstrating by running slowly but epically. "Its all about movement." Then he disappeared leaving Josep sleeping peacefully. The next morning Josep could hardly believe what had happened but there next to his pillow was a lock of golden hair. "It must be true!" Thought Josep "An angel is guiding me to Barcelona." So he went to fetch Jose Maria and put him on his faithful steed Sergio and they set off on the long journey to Barcelona.........
to be continued...

A Footballing Nativity Part 3

The first person Jose Maria wanted to tell about his special visit was a person who was very special to him. He was betrothed to a man named Josep. Josep was very kind and very intelligent. He also looked very dapper in a suit. Everyone agreed that Jose Maria and Pep made a wonderful couple and their wedding would be sure to unite Barcelona and Madrid in celebration. Jose Maria was very confused about his special task and he felt sure that Josep would know what to do. So he went to him and said "Pep" For that was Josep's nickname. "Last night an angel visited me and told me that I must give the gift of beautiful football to the world." Josep was also confused so he said "Are you sure?" Jose Maria told him that he was very sure and that he needed help. And because he loved Jose Maria very much Josep agreed to help his beloved in his quest even though he was not sure how. But sure enough that night when he was sleeping Josep received a very special visitor of his own.....
stay tuned.........

A Footballing Nativity Part 2

One Night Jose Maria got a very special visitor. He was at home, sleeping when all of a sudden the room was bathed in golden light and he could hear a heavenly chorus singing. He was very afraid and sprung out of bed. Then he heard a soothing voice say "Don't be afraid my child. I bring wonderful news." Jose Maria looked up and there in his room was an angel. A very handsome and charismatic angel. He looked down at Jose Maria and said "I am the angel Gabriel. And you have been chosen to do a very special job. You must give a wonderful gift to the world. You will give the gift of beautiful football to the world!" Jose Maria was very surpised and asked the angel "But I'm just an ordinary boy. How will I do that?" The angel smiled "Do not worry my child I will send some special helpers for you."
To be continued.....

A Footballing Nativity!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl boy named Jose Maria. Jose Maria was no normal boy. He was very special. He had been chosen for a very special job. Also he was a fabulous blonde bombshell, who liked to click his fingers and say 'girlfriend' a lot. another thing Jose Maria liked was football. He was very good at football and no one was better at spotting a pass than Jose Maria. That is why God decided that it would be Jose Maria who would help him to give a very special gift to the world. So one night Jose Maria got a very special visit.....
To be Continued..............

Top of the league!

What a week! Arsenal have reached the exalted position of top of the league courtesy of a two one win over Fulham and Chelsea dropping points. Rejoice!
The goals in the Fulham were absolutely exquisite from the man of the moment Samir Nasri. He's on a one man goal trail and watching him is such a joy. There was a shaky defensive moment with a Laurent Koscielny sparked out cold but we perservered and the rewards were delivered. Oh to see my beloved team at the top. What a sight. I can't stop looking at the table.
Then we had the excitement of the Champion's League and the terrifying on the edge scenario we found ourselves in.It was touch and go over our qualification and at one point we found ourselves right on the edge as the Partizan equaliser went in. Then we kicked it up a gear. Two One. Then three. Joy unconfined throughout Sports Wall HQ. So there we have it we're sitting pretty on top of the world right now.
BUT there is the spectre of the draw for the next round looming with potentially Real Madrid or Barcelona lying in wait. But hey ho Bring it on, we'd have to beat someone good to win anyway. Positivethinking Gooners. And tonight its the big one. Manchester United. Here we go. Cross everything people.

Breaking News- World Cup Hosts

And the World Cup Hosts for 2018 are..... RUSSIA
It seems we have a decision people, brought to you here right on the announcement. Congratulations to Russia who will be bringing football to the people in a few  years time. Exciting stuff this afternoon. It taken a long time to announce it and Sky sports news were discussing about a million and one 'unconfirmed reports' but the decision is finally here.