Cheers!

The last two matches haven’t happened. We are now fully focused on the Carling Cup Final this Sunday, which incidentally is sponsored by that damned fine brewer, Carling. (Ok, I’m not a lager drinker, but their act of returning their tickets to the competing clubs means that Arsenal’s allocation has stretched to us mere mortal silver members!)

Of course it’s not our first meeting with Chelsea in Cardiff. I couldn’t resist the gratuitous inclusion of a picture of Freddie and Thierry celebrating after the Swede had added to Ray Parlour’s strike in our comfortable 2-0 FA Cup triumph of 2002.

That nasty little Portuguese chap has already started the mind games, once again boasting of his European Cup. I have a feeling this could be his last chance to win old big ears with his current employer!

I have to confess to a little smirk when the news broke last night of John Terry’s injury. There is no doubt that will give our boys a bit of a lift in the build-up to the big game.

Hopefully we will have a little more in the way of accurate team information tomorrow, so today it is time for the Holic to tackle his second favourite passion, namely beer!

It would appear that a number of Cardiff ‘first-timers’ will have tickets this weekend so where should you be heading when you hit town. Those of you travelling by train should be aware you will be positively discouraged from going in the first pubs you will see. These will be for our friends from the western suburbs of London.

The closest pubs to the far end of the stadium are bounded by Westgate Street, Quay Street, High Street, and Castle Street. There are five taverns in this small area that are a five minutes (or less) walk from the ground.

Most popular of these if you are looking for a bit of a sing-song will be the Gatekeeper, a large Weatherspoons just north of our entrance to the stadium. Moving clockwise from there you will find Dempseys in Castle Street, then the charmingly named Goat Major in the High Street.

On Quay Street you will find the City Arms, and the Model Inn. These are usually venues where you can hear the conversation, though you will understand there can be no guarantees of this on Cup Final day!

Those who have been before will be able to confirm to you that the tortuous journey to the Welsh capital is made bearable by the variety and sheer number of pubs in the city centre, so if you get there early just get your bearings and explore.

I’m indebted to Arseblogger for letting me crack on with this piece after it appears we had similar ideas. If you haven’t heard his Arsecast before then get yourself over there today. The link is in the GoonerhoLinks on the right. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ll be looking at the game in more detail tomorrow. Expect some disparaging remarks about Mourinho, Lampard, Drogba et al. It’s only right and proper.