One of the stated aims of this site is to offer an opportunity for Arsenal fans of all persuasions to air their views on ‘everything Arsenal’ and to stimulate healthy debate. Today’s post is written by a dedicated Arsenal fan who has never blogged before but wanted to share his thoughts with other supporters.
I have supported Arsenal for over half a century (although I don’t really see myself as old). My recent feelings have been that too much of Arsenal’s dirty washing is being hung out in public. The wild “news”, inventions and speculation by the tabloid press have done much to unsettle fans and force irrational views into the heads of the more gullible fans.
If I were to ask me how a keen follower of Arsenal football team might enhance their experience, I would suggest that they throw away their Sun, Mirror, Mail, Star and Express. Trust in the Boss, he has already worked wonders with limited resources and HE DOES WANT TO WIN TROPHIES as vindication of his methods.
Sure, he makes the odd mistake but I think that, even now, he is learning to be more flexible: Be PATIENT – our team’s quality will come through. Only injuries prevented Arsenal from winning the Premiership last season. If we can rotate the squad more readily to take the pressure off of some of our more inspired players, then maybe there will be fewer injuries to hamper our progress.
If new players are to be brought in, bearing in mind the need to use the full squad, I would say that we do not need many. I would like to see Diakhate brought in also, possibly, Van de Wiel. I would also think it wise to sign Schwarzer to buy some time for Mannone & Szczesny to mature and to enable the sale of (at least) one of the current senior pair.
I should also like to investigate the availability of Kjaer as a utility centre-back come full-back and (this one should put the cat among the pigeons) Matthieu Flamini to strengthen the midfield. I think that if the club could persuade Matthieu to return, either permanently or on loan, then Chelski, Manchester Untied, Manchester Citeh and Tottingham Hotshots would all be fighting for the runners-up spot and Arsenal would be winners of all competitions.
Arsenal would be world beaters!
Written by Greybeard
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all,
Excellent debut Greybeard.
There are those who would not take Flamini back for ‘all the tea’.
I am in the minority who think that the loss of Flamini was more damaging than the loss of Hleb despite the latter’s incredible ball skills. Neither have flourished elsewhere – so pay attention Cesc … our grass is greener.
at last a sensible piece of writing. i too have been supporting the Arsenal for over 55 years and cannot understand the ‘jonny come latelys’ who are influenced far too easily by the crass red top papers. Arsene is the best manager we as a club have had and has won and done so much for this club and will continue to do so.
however i do not concur with the choice of signings you are proposing…..
If I was in Flamini’s shoes I would have left Arsenal as well (I an an Arsenal fan by the way). The guy played fill in left back will Cashley was out injured and was part of the team that set the record of 10 consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League on the way to the final. What happens then???? Cashley, who has already tried to manufacture a move to Chelsea, is fit again and poor old Flamini is dropped. How can we as Arsenal fans be annoyed with him leaving after this treatment. I say good on him for sticking to his guns.
Would love to see him back in an Arsenal shirt, but it depends what this episode has done to him in respect of playing for Arsenal.
It was the manner in which Flamini left that makes me reluctant to welcome him back, I say this only on the basis that had Wenger known Flamini was going to have it on his toes, would he have retained Gilberto Silva? easily Wengers biggest mistake. watching him at the World Cup, I just ask WHY? He should still be an Arsenal player. Ah well. if anything, Wenger will learn from that mistake.
Good read….like the above I am a real Gunner (68years) I dont attack my club, I support. I get down, and when you are a Gunner that is a norm. I get angry with the board for being so short sighted re; UK players and player investment. I get annoyed that AW gives long term contracts to players who are good but not that good. BUT…thats their job and mine is to support.
If the doomers were to have been a Gunner during the 1952 -1970 period when we did not win a raffle, and never looked like doing so, then yes have a winge. But in those days the board was keeping all the cash we gave them and managers had to accept their place. At the moment we as a club are at a very precarious time in our history with some dodgy share holders and power games all over. Non of our shareholders came forward with transfer cash when Arsene had to budget due to the stadium etc. So a change may be good for us all.
As for new arrivals…wellI come from the old school who believe that you have a clear out of players from the squad who are not going to make it and / or will never get the crowd behind them. Arsene will never agree with me but I feel that the sooner we sell..or release the following the better. Gallas (nothing but trouble) Rosicky & Eduardo ( great but injury prone and never going to earn their bread) Syvestre (no comment) Denilson & Diaby ( never made for the EPL) and possibly Clichy or Eboue ( both very good but we can do better). Add to them both Almunia & Fabiansky, and I think our income would be about £45 / £50 mill.
We have already Koscielny, Chamarkh, & I think Swartzer. Hopefully we get another quality CB…and someone like MBIA …add to this Joe Cole, and Hazzard, and we have a sensational squad.
Finally I would love to see AW go and buy some brilliant UK stock…we need it! So Dorrans, Jones, even Richards….and my mouth is watering at the thought that gone will be the days of feeble slow players collapsing when up north in the winter rain.
Possibly great season to come.
Hi, I’ve only been a gooner for 40 year but agree entirely with your AW comments.
I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to get Flamini back though. JSP You should recall that Flamini did not want to play at left back, that’s why he couldn’t get in the team. Returning to a place already visited rarely inspires. I think he ran off for money and would only return for more money but the whole point of AWs teams is team spirit over money.
Morning scottie & JSP,
Unfortunately for him, Flamini did not enjoy great success after he left. I agree he did appear to have been treated pretty shabbily.
My greatest disappointment was the manner and circumstances under which Pires left. Bobby was a legend, but at least we got to express our appreciation when he returned to the Emirates with Villareal.
Not for all the tea in China or India.
Flamini seemed like a loss, but he has shown just how good he really is since he has left……..nowhere near as good as some like to think.
Like the Kjaer idea though and anything that strengthens the goal keeping situation of course.
Good read Grey Beard, I hope I get an opportunity to read more of your posts.
Irish
Should be having a needle shooting into her skin right now at speed with red ink on it………
Morning London,
I take your point about Flamini, but don’t you think it has been shown time and time again (particularly with Flamini and Hleb) that players can seem world class in a particular team set-up and just average in another side. It just so happened that both Flamini and Hleb had carved out their niche in that Arsenal team. Huntelaar and Benzema have suffered similarly by moving to sides that do not accommodate their strengths.
Hi GunnerPete,
I like your last paragraph. With Wilshere, Gibbs and Eastmond coming through, we should have plenty of English/British representation in the side in the near future.
Welcome to the new bloggers or should I say the mature followers of our great club.Nice piece greybeard.I am a mere novice having been supporting Arsenal for nearly 53 years ,actively in the early days.
This and other nostalgic posts shows that Arsenal blogs is not only for the younger generation, and in that respect we are a bit special.
Flamini,is a no brainer for me.It’s like a girlfriend you break up with, it never works well the second time.
Flamini can never be in his best form as he was in Arsenal. Let us concentrate on the defence, and if Per of Werder Bremen is brought in, our defence will read: Vamaelen, Djuru, Per, Koscielny, Clichy, Gibbs, Traore. There is no problem in the midfield and front but, if Shaun Wright Philips, De Jong, Joe Cole, Ireland and Ballotteli are surplus for requirements in their respective clubs, Arsene Wenger should make his choice and believe you me, Chelsea, ManU,etc will be runners-up next season beginning August 14.
a very rose tinted post today
wenger really wants to win things doesn’t he,with the likes of chamakh and kocilney coming in that’s not going to happen,anyone seen what ozil has to say
Morning ff,
You will be eating your words re Chamakh. He is capable of scoring Henry’esque goals and will be a great spearhead for the attack.
Morning all
Good read Greybeard and thanks for reminding us that the loss of Flamini has left us without anyone reliable to help out in the mid-field if we are without Song and Cesc.
For Arsene to view Denilson and Diaby as 2nd choices to fill those places has proved costly.
Bring back Flamini I say
I am a Gunner for the past 45 years. Please Arsene give my brother a trial after performing brilliantly in South Africa 2010 world cup. Who? Vincent Enyama to stand between the two stick for Arsenal.
don’t think so rasp
…….actually it doesn’t have to be Flamini, just a player with a great engine who’s going to love to play for us and can do the job
ff – who would you like Arsene to buy?
OK ff,
We must remember this prediction and talk again on the subject come November 😆 I presume you will be happy if proved wrong?
Welcome jonny – I expect Enyama has had a few calls from Premiership clubs – he had a very good world cup didn’t he, shame about the rest of the team. Are you in Nigeria – whats the feeling about the national team not being allowed to compete for 2 years?
Morning rasp 😛
i would of liked yaya,higuain,silva,krasic,villa
The only thing that worries me about Chamakh is that I hope our training regimes don’t coach the shooting instinct out of him and get him playing clever sideways passes instead of having a shot on goal.
course i would love to be proved wrong i have been right for a very long time tho regarding the arsenal situation
Most of those players are out of our league financially ff.
Morning peaches.
clever sideways passes,that’s denilson you are talking about right?
she asked me, and im tellin
ff – we really could have done with Yaya for the past couple of seasons but with Kolo going he was never going to come back to us.
You know Arsene is going to pluck someone that we’ve hardly heard of or seen play, turn them into a star and then watch as Barcelona come knocking on the door for them.
exactly peaches,round and round we go
I’m really looking forward to seeing Chamakh attack the ball with real energy, if Robin can stay fit those 2 together will be great to watch…….all we need is for our wingers or full-backs to be able to cross the ball 😳
that’s why we should be looking at a winger and stop playing strikers in that position,wenger for you again im afraid
The alternative ff is that we hold on to players like Denilson and Diaby who shine once in a blue moon ……. but maybe this season will be full of blue moons 😉
how about full moons,the beast inside needs to come out more offen with those 2
Schawzer a replacement for coaching. Enyeama would be fine for the no.1…Koscielny + Mertesacker + Bougherra in defence. 3 replacing 3. Apart from Chamakh, Cole is and experience player that is good to add. Get a killer in midfield to make Arsenal different…more lethal. Get Trochowski…he’s the one.
according to barry silkman a football agent for those that don’t know,he said cole will be a spud by today,apparently he wanted to come to us but got advised by asshole cole it’s to clichy at arsenal and advised him against joining us.
Great Read Greybeard (I also have one ) Like you I believe among other things it was all those barren years leading up to the fairs cup that gave us our fortitude.
Welcome also Scottie and Gunner Pete who happily takes my position as the oldest Gooner here. Lets hope all three of you join our band of regulars, our reminiscences you will find are appreciated by the majority of posters. Although of course we do get the occasional odd ball who thinks having money is a matter of whether your credit card is maxed out or not, and cant understand why a reputable company doesn’t act in the same way.
But by and large a this is a happy place for Gooners to be and share their thoughts, long may it stay so
Morning dandan 😛
ff – if thats true about Joe Cole listening to Cashly and preferring to be a spud then we don’t really want him do we? Shows a marked lack of ambition to join spuds instead of us IMO
Morning Peaches, Hugs….. Bet poor old Irish is hurting now, hope she finds its worth it
Cashly will be gone from Chelski soon Moany beckons again and Mrs Cole wont give him his door key back.
Morning all,
Nice post. And agreed. However, its not all the JCL’s that are moaning. I might be considered a JCL here – what with my youth and all ha ha – even though I’ve been Arsenal for 16 years. In that time I’ve only known good times but I’d consider myself as a “non-moaner” and generally patient.
London – The tattoo is booked for 3pm. Same darn time RvP is playing, damn it….. And its going to be in black, don’t like coloured tattoos.
Also, I don’t mean to sound morbid but I’m the sort of person that thinks I could die tomorrow. There is no guarantee that I’ll live to 80, so at 24 if I want to get a tattoo, I’ll get a tattoo. Live for today, cos tomorrow might not come. And look at it this way, in 40 years time if I regret getting it I can say “I should have listened to all those bloggers on Arsenal, Arsenal, if I knew then what I knew now” 😆
spurs are on the up tho peaches,i think they will start getting the upper hand against us from now on.
I would love to se Flamster back at Arsenal! He didn’t leave because of money. I think many people forget that he was half italian and that AC Milan had been his club from when he was a child.
I think that the combo of Gilberto, L. Diarra and Flamster leaving in a relative short period of time is the main problem. We lost three top notch players that haven’t been replased until Song got his tune right this season. We need a new def midfielder to let some pressure of Song.
Come on you Gunners!
She’s a brave girl – is that why people have tattoos so that other people think they’re brave
😳 there you are 😳
Forza, man you really are a ball of laughs, Jesus the transfer window just opened and you have given up already. What you gonna do if it rains tomorrow build an Ark
Morning Peaches – I’m not brave, I’m a wuss. My 18yr old baby sister is taking me along ha ha she promised me it wouldn’t hurt – she’s getting one done collar bone to collar bone, that’s gonna hurt.
I’ll post pics this evening or tomorrow.
jonny,
I can see you are from nigeria. When you said “brother” was that literally. I have been impressed with Vincent Enyama, he will be snapped up.
Spurs puzzle me, and I wouldn’t see it being far fetched if Cole did join them.Joe levy has bank rolled the club to such an extent over these past years, but their accounts hide certain things such as player transactions, which are marked down dramatically on a yearly basis. Chary could enlarge on that.
already done dandan
Welcome JollyMike – Flamini flying around the pitch was fantastic, Cesc loved playing with him too – he had no airs and graces, just hard work. We had no-one to replace him and as you say until Song clicked into place we were really vulnerable.
Song could be the man though – hes become quite nippy, does some great jinking runs when he goes forward and looks pretty solid when he stays back.
Phew Irish – I thought you were gonna give me a proper telling off 😉 I think you’re really brave, I wouldn’t have my ears pierced without someone holding my hand 😦
Got to be off now.
Laters all.
LOL I don’t have my ears pierced at all – couldn’t take the pain 😆
“What you gonna do if it rains tomorrow build an Ark” – Brilliant
FF – I really don’t get whats up with you, but each to their own I suppose.
It kills me that some fans think that money is the complete answer to everything. Its as if shiny expensive new players guarantee you anything. Increase the eprobabibilities, yes, increase the certainty, NO.
FF – Arshavin’s a big name signing, what did he really do for us last season..?? Compare his contribution to Song’s.
Ooops morning all !
Hahahahahahaha “What you going to do if it rains tomorrow build an ark?”
I am actually going to go easy on him, with hind sight I think I was a bit too harsh on Ghost Face, I suspect they are a similar age.
Morning London and Sharkey – I think ff does a great job of keeping us on our toes – no complacency on this Arsenal site and thats a good thing 🙂
Forza
Here is another way to look at it. Did you know anything about Ozil before the world Cup? I suspect not, neither did I; if he had played for his home country “Turkey” we would have still been ignorant of him, don’t you agree? Good, in which case it follows that there is no reason why Chamakh can’t be just as much the hidden gem for Morocco as Odzil was prior to playing for Germany in this World Cup.
Thanks peachesgooner!
I like the way Melo looks. Hard boiled bastard. We need that type of character at the club. But, and there’s a but, he has been over shadowed by Gilberto i the WC. I don’t think he works as hard as Flamster did, but maybe he can be a catalyst for keeping Fab at the club.
I also liked the way Landsbury looked last season. In our last game when he came in he did the right stuff. Simple passing and good positioning. Maybe he’s the youngster coming into the squad like Eastmond did last term?
“Hard boiled bastard” there are some gems on here this morning.
Morning jollymike and Peaches
Oh and Jolly I completely agree about Lansbury in the last game I am glad someone else is paying attention.
Angel Di Maria is another player much hyped on Arsenal blogs, he’s looked lost every time I’ve see him at this WC so far.
I really love those buy these six player lists, even mor esay when they include the accountingas well. ie sell x y and z for Gbp??, buy a, b, c,d and e for GBP??? and we’ll still have money left over. Yeah right..course we do!!
We simply gather all the incoming and outgoing players in the nearest Tesco’s car park and complete all the deals in a single afternoon.
I agree about Lansbury – I thought he was going to go down the Pennant route, too big-headed to be any good – but hes worked hard and if Arsene gives them a run-out in the first team it usually means they’re progressing well.
Melo is not for me, he wouldnt be on the park half the time, more reds than Paddy I reckon
Hi Sharkey
And the main culprit, the one that people like Forza follow, claims to be a successful business man.
I can’t work it out, he is either very clever and knows just how to get people like Forza to follow and copy what he says, or he is incredibly dumb and genuinely believes that multiple deals in a Tesco’s car park, all in one afternoon, really is possible.
London, I hear you LOUD and CLEAR !!!
Best of all is the writing style, a complete and utter ramble about players he’s hardly seen, and knows next to nothing about.
One good game and we should sign them, it really is hilarious to read.
Best of all is when Arsene’s slated for selling players for more than they’re worth whilst refusing to pay more than players are worth. He’s called a hypocrite and a **** for that…by as you say, ‘a successful businesman’!!
Morning London,
He knows exactly what he is doing.he is the Adrian Durham of the Arsenal Blog World.
Off to the gym now 😉
I’d like to reckon you were right Kels, but he trips himself up far too often for it to all be by ‘intelligent design’.
I liken him to the Wizard of Oz !!
Hasn’T got a clue who you are talking about. LOL
Sharkey and London – stop whispering at the back and kelsey stop encouraging them 🙄
Fair do’s Peaches…..
DanDan – London and I are both being deliberately oblique. Glad to see its working….well sort of, ‘eh Peaches..??
🙂
Throws blackboard rubber at Sharkey
Ouch !!! That hurt…
I must not talk about Geoff
I must not talk about Geoff
I must not talk about Geoff
I must not talk about Geoff
I must not talk about Geoff
There’s my lines teacher, sorry Peaches 😉
Who said Melo would have more Red cards than Vieira? Well said that man …….
Come on Holland
Brazil are nuts 🙂
What a great game that was? The first one I didn’t want to end.
Rasp
We may have to rethink this Melo wish.
He does not have a football head, plenty of skill but no head
Very, very stupid….school boy error in such a big game.
Felipe Melo – man of the match..??
I agree a great game to watch as opposed to a great game.Still thought our Gilberto had a good game, and Robin looked uncomfortable in his role, yet was pretty unselfish, and put through some nice touches.
I’m going to say something slightly unpoular…. I think RvP is a bit of a luxury player 😦
He promises so much but often fails to deliver. He looked magnificent for the 20 minutes he came on against the spuds but other times it has been just like his appearances for Holland. If only he were a bit stronger and more composed in front of goal. His free kick over the bar was embarrassing today. He is old enough now to show a bit of maturity in his shooting and stop blasting it as hard as he can. When have you ever seen RvP place a shot in the goal?
I’ve said exactly the same Rasp on another site. He’s injured for half the season, spends the main part getting back to pace and then half the time shooting straight at the GK – extremely talented & his hearts in the right place for us but IMHO we could do better especially if Mourinho is prepared to pay big bucks for him.
I do like him but he is a luxury. We’ve got far more important needs at the mo’.
Hello All.
Great post greybeard. I’d love to see Flamini back and at the time i would have made him captain to keep him but I dont think AWs pride would allow it and im not sure if he would really be the same again anyway. What we need is a player in the mould of Flamini, a hard working terrier of a player who would work his socks off all day long doing the dirty work so others can get the glory (not many of those around) I’m really liking this theory of TV being pushed up though.
Rasp ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????….I know you have a point but cant allow myself to think badly of RVP. To me he is one of the few players in the Emirates era so far who I would call an Arsenal player. Heart, loyalty, class, Spirit, ability…the boy has it all, just needs some luck and ultimately to retire from intnl football.
Arsenal fans bloody hell are there any of out players that you guys like, Our G Keepers (2), Clichy, Denilson, Diaby,Thomas, Rvp, EE,Djourou,Sagna,Gallas,Traore,Nasri, Eduardo,Vela, Walcott.
Have all to my Knowledge been rubbished on this site in the last couple of weeks, doesn’t leave much does it.
I’m pleased there’s a few agree with my opinions on Flamini as well.
One thought against the sale of VP – he might be one of only two winners in our team after this World Cup!
True dd. From my own personal point of view I support any1 wearing our colours. I think there are a few on your list who sadly dont quite cut it at the highest level and should be at best bench-warmers and one who isn’t even that, but overall I feel we are only a couple of good signings (and the odd variation in tactics) away from being a great side.
Dandan – each has their own dislikes. I like Clichy, EE, VP, Sagna & Denilson/Traore as squad players. I’m still waiting for Theo to learn a few more tricks & for Vela to get a run of games from AW to stand a chance – his Mexico jaunts & injuries mucked that up last season perhaps!
I forgot my likes for Gallas but he’s gone now & Djourou if he can hold together!
Dandan
There is still Fabrégas; he is not on the list 😉
Different people like different players. I agree with Rasp who I don’t believe is rubbishing Van Persie he is just saying that the Dutchman doesn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders — somethng that most people would surely agree on.
This is the beauty of signing someone like Chamakh. The Moroccan is not a player who is at such a level that by reputation he thinks he deserves or is entitled to a starting place. In fact, I would not be surprised if the attack for the Liverpool game is made up of Arshavin, Van Persie and Walcott or it could just as easily be Arshavin, Van Persie and Bendtner but importantly if Van Persie is looking out of sorts it could very quickly change to Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh……no one is more important than the unit and no one is above criticism.
If you had seen us six months ago we were like a cat and a dog tied up in a bag lol
Luxury player
What is that all about? Van Persie makes up the very fabric of the Arsenal squad……I am going to have to stop this agreeing malarkey.
Actually, what the f..k does luxury player mean?
Luxury — Van Persie? If he had stayed fit we would most probably have won the league.
London
Are you arguing with yourself ?
Lets not forget how the lad started the season. If he had not played thet bloody pointless friendly against Italy he would have shown what a player he is and the world would’ve come looking…what would his answer be…..I play for The Arsenal, I love the Arsenal and I want to repay their faith in me. The guy is class !
Morning all
Looking back at last night’s alcohol induced comments, I am not sure which side of my split personality won the debate lol
Haha London. I must confess to being very drunk myself last night. I think I sent something in as a post but I cant actually remember what it was about….bodes well doesn’t it ?
Rasp / Peaches. Please feel free to bin it if completely rubbish, I wont be offended.
I have just read the first interview that the new president of Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, has given on footballing matters and it is very clear to me that he is distancing himself from the possibility of signing Cesc. I don’t know if they have realised that they are not going to get him or maybe realise that they don’t need him but there is undoubted distance. Pep Guardiola’s first ever comment on the subject reinforces this in my opinion “Cesc: I don’t know anything about it.”
It all bodes well, for us.
Morning all
London – you are a star blogger when you’re drunk 😆
andy – I’m gonna have a look at your post now 😆
Well done andy – its really rather good 😀
Thanks Peaches. I remember the subject but haven’t got a clue what i actually wrote so feel free to change anything because I wont notice. haha
Morning all,
London, if you’re about, maybe ‘luxury’ is the wrong word to describe RvP – it’s just the one that is often used to describe players of his type.
To be a great player, a level of consistency and the ability to produce the goods in the big games is essential. RvP shows us glimpses of brilliance but a lot of the time he seems to get frustrated that despite his obvious commitment and effort, it just doesn’t happen for him and that may explain why he generally tries to blast the ball into the goal rather than pick his spot and beat the keeper.
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