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Fan cleans up 40-1 on Nick hat trick! Time for something new


Super Nik

By Boris Mellor
March 10 2010

Half a week can be a long time in football, on Saturday I had to listen to a couple of idiots near me slagging off Nik for missing several attempts on goal. I asked one what good did he think moaning at Nik would do - would it improve him? Fortunately the majority of fans around us got behind Nik and sang the "Super Nick" song.  When Nik was substituted he went off with a smile, and later Arshavin joked that Bendtner was saving his goals for Porto.

When I arrived at the ground I met a mate and we watched the team sheet go up on the monitors, we both thought it was a good line up, but still felt nervous. As I returned to the seat that I had vacated only 3 days ago the bloke next to me said that two of his mates (they were also at the game) had got 40-1 and 25-1 respectively on Nik getting a hat trick. The forty to one odds were because it was on line.

We both had a chuckle, not in a nasty way, but he seemed convinced that Nik would do it. It seemed like one of those immutable laws, you know the ones, the law of the ex, or if you miss an open goal the other team scores. With only 25 minutes gone and Nik on two goals it was looking like an increasingly good bet.

When I met up for the half team briefing James asked, "I wonder what the odds were pre game for a Bendtner hat trick?" He was amazed that I could answer the question straight away, and even more amazed when I told him why I knew. If I had any sense I should have tried to get odds on a hat trick at that late stage, but they would have been a lot closer.

Anyway 2-0 wasn't bad at half time but there was still 45 minutes to go, and with our defence you can never get too cocky. It was ironic that Nik's first goal was far harder to score than any of his misses on Saturday. Arshavin was feeding him to make his little joke come true.

In the first half Porto had done little to threaten Arsenal but the second half was different and there were quite a few squeaky bum moments in the early stages of the resumption.

Players seem to tire, and even Song gave away a sloppy ball that could have seen Porto equalise, but on 63 minutes Nasri finished the match off. An amazing goal reminiscent of 1930s football when little men hiding behind the cover of baggy shorts took defences by surprise and then mesmerised them with on ball wizardry.  He weaved his way through at least three defenders and then from a tight angle put the ball beyond the Porto keeper. Three nil, there was no way back now - surely? Any doubts were then removed by an Eboue goal on 66 minutes; he had only come on the field nine minutes earlier, and scored three minutes after Nasri. Once gain it was an Arshavin assist, how the crowd celebrated.

The heat went out of the game, there was no reason for Arsenal to exert themselves, and Porto no longer had any belief. Super Nik was now having a very quiet period, with a minute to go I turned to the bloke next to me and said I can see why your mate got 40-1, there's not much chance of a hat trick now. Then lo and behold as I finished speaking Eboue is brought down in the box, even more wondrous was that ref gave the penalty.

The crowd had no doubt who should take it and all called out his name. Nik had no doubt either and calmly slotted it away; everyone celebrated a beautiful 5-0 win. My neighbour and me not only celebrated 5-0 but that his mate had won a 40-1 bet. Now I am not a betting man, but I bet his mate wished he had put more than £3 on it. The crowd went home very happy, lots of singing and chanting, Nik had overcome the odds of nearly 32 years.

Something New

When Wenger had been told it was 32 years since Arsenal had overturned an away leg deficit he had replied well it's time for something new. Make history don't repeat it should be the new club motto.

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Fan cleans up 40-1 on Nick hat trick! Time for something new
Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 10/03/2010 07:48
Arsenal Times
10/03/2010 07:48
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:12:12:18:19 by Padre Pio.

Bergmars
10/03/2010 09:51
Pleased for Nik and pleased for the team,the Eboue goal was a throwback to the PV4 and Bobby days,misty eyed moment,we did the job and Nasri scored at a time we were rocking a bit.I thought Sol started very shakily but got better,we still must improve our defence/defending it could cost us big style.
Going forward we ripped them apart at will,Nasris best in our shirt IMO,Nik got his reward,and Eboue looks like the new Messi,all played very well and I applaud them and feel very proud of our club ,PS Arsene gets full marks also.

AJ The Gunner
10/03/2010 12:05
Arshavin's joke became a reality......many more jokes

who actually turned up at the emirates? a team in the second divison..i was embarrassed by porto but delighted we didn't have to sweat to overturn the fluke deficit....the media tend to forget that fabianski gave porto their 2 goals.........

now its time to turn all attention to the next game....ONE GAME AT A TIME.....

Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿‍♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿‍♀️

Padre Pio
10/03/2010 14:13
So we make Arsenal the scapegoat for playing so well. How many did Chelsea beat Porto by?
Porto looked poor because Arsenal played so well.
come praise where praise is due.

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

AJ The Gunner
10/03/2010 14:39
i actually didn't mean it as in we didn't play well but that porto were actually really poor.

our players played some classy football but porto didn't put up any fight at all.

Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿‍♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿‍♀️

Padre Pio
10/03/2010 14:57
Porto were poor because we were great.
And before the third goal they still looked dangerous

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

ArsenalForever
10/03/2010 16:38
attacking wise porto were superb but defensively they were average but to say we played a team that was mediocre is a joke

we made them look mediocre with arshavin and nasri's trickery

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