More papal match form research...Ears are alight
03-13-2013, 04:58 PM
I’m afraid the findings are not encouraging – As Curly reported, the last time the Arsenal played with a Papal election underway was on 14 October 1978 when we lost 1-0 to Wolves at Molineux.
I would like to add one snippet - the guy subsequently elected at the time, John Paul II, was a Polish goalkeeper. Is this actually the reason Szczesny’s been dropped tonight, because he is about to be elected Pope (any Catholic male is eligible under Canon law)? If so, good luck to the lad.
Anyway, I looked back a bit further further. On 26 August 1978, (ahead of John Paul I) we lost 1-0 to Everton at Goodison. And on 25 October 1958 (ahead of John XXIII) we lost 4-2 to Blackburn (again away).
So even since before Vatican II we are fated to always lose away games during conclaves. I just hope the cardnals get their voting over with before Swansea away on Saturday...
I would like to add one snippet - the guy subsequently elected at the time, John Paul II, was a Polish goalkeeper. Is this actually the reason Szczesny’s been dropped tonight, because he is about to be elected Pope (any Catholic male is eligible under Canon law)? If so, good luck to the lad.
Anyway, I looked back a bit further further. On 26 August 1978, (ahead of John Paul I) we lost 1-0 to Everton at Goodison. And on 25 October 1958 (ahead of John XXIII) we lost 4-2 to Blackburn (again away).
So even since before Vatican II we are fated to always lose away games during conclaves. I just hope the cardnals get their voting over with before Swansea away on Saturday...