Written by Harry
Right everyone, stick with me, a bit of a ramble, Peaches collared me late last night…..
Yesterday, Arsene Wenger staunchly defended his team, his players, his beliefs, the season, something he certainly didn’t do on Saturday after the lacklustre display against Blackburn…..
Wenger really came out fighting, throwing several verbal right hooks, taking no prisoners, no quarter given, well if the players show half of that spirit on Sunday, at least we will give them a game…..Sometimes that is all we ask…..
Wenger was quoted as saying “Personally, I am very proud of the attitude, the behaviour and the quality of our season. I will defend that until the end. It is important that we finish as well as we can and the quality of the team is linked with the mental attitude that we have and how much you are ready to fight until the end of the season.”
So what is success?
According to Wenger, “It is getting the best out of what is available, fight to the end to beat United to the title”
Success and failure are states of the mind that can limit our physical and more notably mental boundaries, if success is seen as the final goal, and then surely as we get that feeling, we will not grow and show further improvement?
You have technically three states of play in our desire to be the best in what we do and try and achieve, we can either grow and improve, you can plateau and become stale or you can regress and wither……..
So for each step forward, an improvement no matter how little, can be seen technically as a milestone of success in your long term goal of growing to be the best…..?
Now “if” we do claim 2nd place, its an improvement on last season, so therefore, it can be deemed a success, but many fans will not see that and many will not accept that, Wenger will claim it as a success though……..
Although It could be more than reasonably argued that we have regressed far from 2004, the heights were reached and we all dreamed of total domination, to have that truly glorious era reminiscent of United in the 90’s or Liverpool in the 80’s…..
But was that level of success the pinnacle that couldn’t be bettered? Success that had not been equaled in the previous 100years!!, have we withered and become stale or did Wenger meddle too much in what we had, why did it break up, so quickly……?
It does happen though, it’s cyclic, every great team withers in the end, some last 1 year others 6 maybe 7 years, but no team has ever dominated continually, why do the teams that dominate with great players and managers not sustain this level?………..
We had a glorious period in the 30’s, not sure any of our regulars will remember that?
“Wee Alex James with the FA Cup in 1936……the Arshavin of his day……..”
Back to my ramble, stick with it……..
The influx of foreign investors has warped much of the natural balance of the premiership as un-fancied teams with little or no history, have had dramatic improvements, which then affects their competitors, who don’t invest to that level, due to varying reasons…
So are we right to have such high expectations? Well we have a personal right to set our expectations to what ever level we want, but realistically we should not set our goals so high and raise the belief too high, the fall is often painful and pride will often be damaged…..
Every 2 years England painfully demonstrate this, most recently South Africa was truly painful, but did England fans wrongly set their expectations too high?
But we all argue Arsenal are so close, we all see our limitations so why doesn’t our wise manager who has managed over 1500 games which he pointed out to the mass media….
The margin is so fine; success and failure as much as they are opposites are just so similar in that they can follow each other so quickly in today’s unforgiving society…….
Look at the example this season of the Newcastle Away game, at half time we were on fire, Arsenal fans were on a high, 45minutes later, our worlds had caved in, that was a mighty fall, too quick, for me this is where our mental block really took hold of our young side, we haven’t recovered fully……
Wenger was quoted “You are judged only on your last game. We live in a society where everybody has an opinion and very few people do something. We have to act and we want to be judged on our actions.
“For the rest, our society lives at the moment only on opinion. I have grown up by judging people on what they do, not what they say. We want to be judged on Sunday on what we do, that means a good performance.”
And he is right in so many ways, say Fulham tip up at United on Saturday and bag a draw, then we put 6 past Blackpool again, then the following week, we shoot down the Scousers, the following day sees United getting turned over at St James Park, we would be only 2 points behind and then expectations would rise exponentially again……
Funnily enough I was looking back at old articles I had wrote for other sites and I found an article with this final paragraph…..
Quote from Harry: 7 April 2007
“So in my opinion the end is not near for Wenger, but time is running short, 1 or 2 seasons max is what is left for him to succeed with this squad, he deserves that much time, what do you all think?”
So where does that leave me? I gave him 2 seasons, 4 years ago!! I am frustrated, hurt and in deep despair. But I will give him these 8 games, support them to the season ends and see what happens.
Well we all have our own expectations, Wenger has his beliefs, but ultimately all will be measured by success. It all comes down to what success is for you?
Would you have swapped a place (by no means guaranteed yet) in next year’s champions league by finishing 5th, for winning the Carling Cup? Or Would you prefer 2nd place?A bit of a ramble, if your still with me, what are your expectations, what defines success for you?
And how long would you give Wenger or do you want a different type of manger?
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all
Thanks to Harry for reponding to my call to arms 😉
Harry put a couple of photos in the post but I can’t seem to move them into WordPress, Rasp will have a go a bit later.
What a silly argument and spin that Wenger puts on things. How can he ask would we prefer the fa cup or champions league football. The man is employed to win things and he doesnt do that so please point that out. The so called genius is now so arogant that he not only lies to fans but now he dismisses their opinions also, and unlike Arsene most of us prefer to live in a society where everyone has an opinion
great post Harry, it feels like OGL has gone a step too far this time around with his statements, pushing a few fence-sitters over the edge…
and did you read PHW’s quotes about the AST et al? scandalous…
don’t know about too many other bloggers, but LG’s Geoff (like him or not, his passion is undeniable) fired quite a broadside, and I’ve also put a 1000+ word piece 😉
have a good Saturday, y’all!
Hi Harry, I have just been asking others about AW yesterday’s press conference. Thank you for providing all the answers
I share some of your frustration, but I cannot even imagine Arsenal without Arsene. There are times I toy with an idea of someone else taking over, but who? There is noone more suitable or committed.
So, I’ll give him till the season’s end and all the seasons he needs
Harry, Harry oh Harry,
Why do you have to stick up an excellent thought provoking post when the sun is shining?
I really do love AW’s public fortitude and loyalty to his players. Mind you, I also hope he has them wound up like a coiled spring before ko tomorrow. We are by no means out of the title, so lets hold off the post mortem until the summer. He rightly asked to be judged in May.
Poor you Evonne, you cannot even imagine Arsene without Arsene,you dont think anyone is suitable. thats exactly whats wrong with new fans, absolutely incredible statement
*Arsenal without Arsene
I would take 2nd over the 5th and CC. I sort of get the bit about a trophy instilling a winning mentality, and we can look back at the first GG League Cup triumph, but in line with what you say about all the new money, more competition and so on, I am less and less convinced about even entering the wretched competition. As far as I am concerned, its for the reserves and injury comeback kids.
Paulie,
“thats exactly whats wrong with new fans”!!!!
Samaritains 0800 505050.
Fine post Harry. You write very well.
I would like AW to see out his current contract then retire or take a National coaching job.
However, I firmly believe that if he believes his work will no longer advance Arsenal then he will resign.
But he have said these things over and over again after every disappointment,it have no meaning anymore it is spin and platitudes.We will learn,we want a good performance ,i believe in this team,we are young,we have shown mental strength etc.He must think we are all suffering from Alzheimer the way he talk to us or maybe he is just patronising by nature.
Paulie.
Compared to most of us on AA, you are probably a “new fan”.
You are a Gooner and part of the family. as is Evonne so please try to respect others opinions.
Evonne,wake up !!!!!
I am not going to be ‘prolific’ (hehe), as far as posting is concerned, but do you believe this guy?
doing a lot of damage? pot and kettle springs to mind, methinks…
BR, Evonne, et al:
I would love to think that AW has the decency to step down if he feels that he can take this club no further, but he clearly thinks he can do no wrong and that’s what the problem is…
plus, being my ol’ cynical self, let me remind you that there are about six million reasons per annum why he won’t…
and like I said, there are better…
Manure can win both ,why cant we ????
Danish,
I am not sure what you expect him to say in public. I, for one, have no idea what he says to the players behind closed doors after a poor display.
It is like being back in the old days of comminism,PHW threatening fans with sanctions if they do not tow the line,ridicilous.If this is Arsenal anno 2011,i find it hard to be part off.
Suga,
I simply cannot believe AW does the job for the money. Look how the bloke has aged during his time with us. He lives and breathes Arsenal.
Precisely Micky. Imagine the press frenzy should AW come out and slag off his team in public. If he did so, I hope the Board would sack him.
SUGA. Enjoyable read on your site. Of course I don’t agree with your conclusions but then you wouldn’t expect that of a Softie Liberal would you?
Danish. You really are a funny man 😀
By the way, I am not saying anyone is beyond criticism or bigger than the Club itself, what I am saying is lets crack on with the remaining games and see where we are. Could be some egg on faces were we to win the league and then buy the two or three players most of us feel we need.
Morning 🙂
Harry that is a mightily inpressive post to have written so quickly. I love your thoughts on what success is and agree with you that improvement and development and personal and professional growth are measures which most sane people would apply to defining the notion of success. But football is not sane is it?! More to the point- we have fewer points than at the same stage last season (I know thats across the board as well) and we are showing strings signs of exactly the same mental fragility and tendency to implode as in recent seasons.
The manager is right though, in saying that judging people on what they do is more important than bandying opinions around. I hop for twists and turns. I think a strong showing in the run in, whethe it produces the prize or not will ensure a positive attitude for the summer break and transfer operations. And I truly beleive that the manager could say nothing else in public- criticism of the players yesterday would have done nothing to rebuild confidence, which as most recognise is the key to our current poor run.
a wonderful post,
and some wonderful comments.
I think our club is in safe hands, i’m not ready to give up on wenger yet.
Micky. It is not even a question of belief. AW definitely doesn’t do the job for the money. If so, he would have gone to Spain 5 years ago.
Nice Post Harry, especially given the short notice. 🙂
I have it on good authority that Arsene’s interview was cut short and the following throws a different light on his passionate defence of his lads.
Reporter: Arsene you have said how happy you are with your team and their achievements so far. Can you explain just how happy you are?
Arsene: Yes, I am as happy as a dog with two dicks ……. and a waggy tail.
Reporter: Erm, Arsene I do not think you can say that, some people might not understand.
Arsene: Well, that eez strange.
A dog with two dicks would be very ‘appy. He could service two beetches at the same time and also tickle them with his tail. He would be very ‘appy ….. just like me.
Reporter: Arsene, could you explain that in a different way so that Arsenal fans would understand?
Arsene: Of course. I am as happy as ……. well you know how you look around at a party and see a beautiful woman and you really want her? Your eyes cross and you gather your courage to talk to her?
Reporter: Do you mean that you both look around the room and your glances cross?
Arsene: Non, I mean you want her so bad you go cross eyed. So, you walk across to her, trying to hide your ardour.
Reporter: ‘ard on?
Arsene: That too …… and soon you are back at hers, zee clothes rip and she gets on top, of course you must surrender to her passion as she rides you like a horse at zee Grand Nationale. Up over the fence; down the fence; up and zen down and soon you are thrusting towards the finishing line.
Zat is ‘ow ‘appy I am.
Reporter: Arsene, you can’t say that! Surrender? The fans would not like that!
Arsene: Oh, you English, so uptight with sexy, sexy. You prefer to be on top, dominating and trying to search for an opening?
Zut alors, now zat has given me an ‘ard on!
Reporter: Ardour?
Arsene: Don’t be silly.
That’s my boy Arsene! 🙂
Carlito. The late season burn out is my concern as well. Perhaps a bigger squad is the answer.(irony)
RA. The “Thrust” word raises it’s head again ….
RA,
haha 😆
Big Raddy,
thank you, I am trying, I may be a bit of a ‘prophet of doom’, I prefer calling myself a dissident 😉
and I am a liberal too, the commie stuff is all in jest…
micky,
you better believe – the aging bit is caused by stress, and like I have been saying, my hat goes off to him for keeping us even remotely competitive on the budget he had, but now the mislaid loyalty to his ‘liabilities’ will be his undoing…
I like to say: if you can’t live without them, levae with them…
Well done Harry, we have another war on our hands!
Dannish – I am fully awake 🙂 Name me one manager that you think can replace Wenger, one that will fit in with the Club, please all the fans and all the supporters, that will win the trophies and not get us into financial difficulties; please note yesterday’s press articles about ManCity and Chelsea breaking European regulations, is it where you want to be? Really, because trophies or not, I am happy with Arsenal FC
Louis van Gaal is one…
and given the players that are on their way out (Cesc, AA, Clichy – mark my words) and these that should be (D******n, Diaby, Rosicky, Bendnter), we are more than just in position to afford the reshuffle…
Wenger is an ego maniac who doesn’t like being questioned by anyone .surporters who don’t know what their on about .the media ex players he is to important at arsenal for the clubs own good .pride comes before a fall and his pride has got in the way .the players he has bought in to arsenal are not good enough.but his pride will not let him admit it and we have fallen again. He will not make big changes in the summer.wait an see he will string every one along again.
More failure on the way.
Hi Evonne, 🙂
Don’t rise to the bait, you will only encourage him and others like him to keep on and on and on.
Basically the banal littany expressed by some goes;
— “I hate Wenger. His teams stink and we are doomed. Oh and did I mention I hate Wenger. Anyone who thinks he is the best manager Arsenal have ever had is deluded …….. blah dee bloody blah ….. oh, and did I mention I hate Wenger and his …..”
I hate to say this but recently AA seems to be morphing into a poor copy of so many other so called Arsenal fans’ sites. Sadly, I might have to go looking elsewhere.
Suga – but van Gaal is very happy at Bayern and denies any links with Juve or other club
Hillwood can go as well as wenger
As usual, Wenger’s statement has been taken out of context by the media, the same media who predicted we would struggle to retain a top four place.Yes there are deficiencies in the side and with eighteen players out on loan,we need to cut our wage bill dramatically, as I would imagine maybe two or three might make it into the first team.It is not Wenger’s fault that we seem to be plagued with long term or reoccurring injuries to players.Nevertheless leadership on the field is missing and the desire by some players is greater than by others.With regard to money available, none of us know how much is available, and good players can’t be plucked out of thin air.It is unlikely we will now win the title but I wouldn’t call this a disastrous season by a long shot.Disappointing yes, as the expectations of the fans are rightly so high.The end of the season is the time to debate the state of the club.Those who expect five or six players to leave will be wrong .How many teams have won the title since we won last it, and how many have a new state of the art stadium as well.I keep hearing that if you don’t attend home and away,one isn’t a real fan, well that is tosh.Now is the time to support the players not criticise, as there is absolutely nothing that we can do accept and support.
Harry’s written a fantastic article questioning his own previous line of argument here on the site and the article deserves discussion, anaylis and development. Regurgitating th same opinions over and over again is not debate- it’s like sticking your fingers in your ears and going lalalalala! Before you say this is what wenger does to the media- just consider what it takes to manage a team and try to get the best out of them- from experience I can tell you it isn’t easy and requires much biting of tongue to acheiv the right impact- a positive one. I an barely conceive of having to do all that which the worlds media looking on…
Evonne,
LvG is getting released by Bayern at the end of the season for missing out on CL (talk about the ambition) – to put stuff into perspective, Bayern are third, it’s just that Bundesliga has just two (I think) CL places compared to the EPL’s four 😉
Kelsey- top comment that
Off to sunny Essex by the sea! Have a cracking day you lot 🙂 😀
As usual, RA hits the nail on the head.
Sorry to tease any townies, although I was one, but its beach time.
Have a great day one and all.
oh, so you’re coming to my quarters then, are you?
Kelsey,
er, yes, surely he has to take some responsibility for non-impact related injuries?
I will give you a clue: if you play the same players every three days, because the rest are not worth mentioning, you are not just running the risk, but you can be certain of running them into the ground…
Red Arse, lets not keep you then, off you go to where We love Arsene is the only comment allowed. On here its a democratic forum where everyones opinion is respected not just yours, bye now.
Cracking post Harry, I’m afraid my wife has just asked me why I have sighed so much in the last 5 minutes, as some of you will expect it was done of the comments what done it.
I personally think AW was right to stress these things, one statement he made that has been omitted:
“I have seen statements from so many in thus room saying we wouldn’t be in the top 4, yet we are 2nd so to you that is success, no?”
He and most importantly his players have 8 games to fight it out for the rest of the season, he has started fighting in defence of his team and now the team must fight to prove him right.
As for Hill Wood it’s about time they came out in his defence vocally so fair play.
Morning all, great post Harry. Personally I feel the team and squad are improving and most of that is due to Arsene. Yes there are problems and yes the pride and arrogance shown at times by AW does infuriate me but with a mini-clearout in the summer and one or two wise aquisitions and we are imo where we all want us to be…serious contenders for everything.
Once again fortune has pissed on us a bit with injuries to key players at key times. RVP again, Nasri when he was on fire, Song and Cesc before the cup final and Barca games, both of the young keepers who came good this year have had their seasons cut short,even Frimpong who looked like being definate squad player. Add to that TV being out virtually all season and there aren’t many sides or indeed managers who could be at their best week in week out.
For me Arsene has been the perfect manager to guide us through the financial hardship that the club has had to endure in recent years but now it seems those shackles are being removed and players who we had to trust in before can now be replaced. I think next year is the big year for Arsene. (and yes I know thats been said before but I really feel he has lost patience with some of the squad now) A clearout of 4 or 5 under-performers to be replaced by one or two experienced battlers and the young recruits ( namely Frimpong and Lansbury ) and are we really that far from greatness ?
Morning all,
Fine post Harry. It is clear that AW is perplexed by recent performances. You can either see his statement cynically as preparing us for another trophyless season, or simply a statement of fact (in his eyes). That in a nutshell is what is dividng the supporters.
RA, the current ‘state of blogging’ is just an example of the angst that led fellow fans to fight one another at the Ems. It is not a contsruct of the site or an indication that our emphasis is changing.
I am not around to moderate much today, but all I would say is that we get the point (its not new) from those who want AW out, by all means have your say, but if you become repetetive or argumentative, I’m just going to bin you because it’s boring.
Nice post Harry.
Completely agree with RA at 11.07.
If I wanted to read the same negative diatribes 24 hours a day, I’d read elsewhere. Once you decide to take an entrenched position, it colours all you see and hear. I’m sick of it.
OK, I would like the Arsene backers and people with short memory span to explain the following:
Wenger goes into each season saying we have to win a trophy and age is no excuse, however, at the end of the season trophies aren’t important & we are a very young team?
go figure…
Is it not equally as boring for you to defend Wenger to the hilt. His job as a manager of a big club is to win things is it not. Why do you not admit this. Why do you expect our fans to be diferent than every other fans of big clubs in the world by expecting trophies, please explain that to me, he is simply not winning. Name me any other big club in the world that would allow this failure to continue
Suga – there are 20 teams in the premiership and only one team can win. I’m sure Arsene wanted very much to win a trophy this season – why would he not? If our young team don’t have the mental strengh to fight until the end then that is something that needs to be addressed.
Last season we lost key players for the run in through injuries – Cesc, Vermaelen,Gallas and Song. This season we had the title in our own hands and somehow the players have failed to grab the opportunity – next season may be better. All teams start the new season with a clean sheet, it happens every year.
I’m pretty sure Arsene would have loved to be delivering a trophy to us. We could still be in the FA cup and the Champs Lge with no guarantee of winning either.
peaches,
we had the Carling Cup served on a silver plate with a mountain of gak next to it and spoon fed to these chokers (not willing to cause aggro, just my opinion) and I don’t need to remind you how that ended, do I?
and don’t tell me it was unlucky – why would you ever select Rosicky to start in the cup final if he had ONE good game prior to that and that game was against Orient and was pretty woeful otherwise?
it’s not like we needed to rest players ahead of the home clash with the O’s, is it?
all I am saying is that AW just fails in too many departments…
Morning all, just back from taking the u12’s through their paces, movement and how to utilise space, support play and switching play, really enjoyed it…..
Anyway thanks for great comments, very short notice, thought I had rambled on too much..
Carlito, thanks……for praise n defence…..
Kelsey, great comment at 11.13…..
Red Arse- stick with it,we will by nature get visitors, if anyone doesnt like others, just ignore…..
Big Raddy,nice compliment
Micky – enjoy the cornish sun – sorry…..
Suga will read your post in abit and comment on there.
All have a top day……Come on fulham,……
Hearing this press conference is sickening. More garbage. The latest bullshit Wenger is feeding the sheep, is that we should be happy with second place. This ( the top 4 ) is just where we have finished in the last six seasons !!! And the SAME SCENARIO has happened on most of those years – compete well until the last couple of months, then either fade away or collapse.
And now he’s setting us up for another disappointment. Accepting top 4 as good enough. This, with “the best team he’s ever had” ? Maybe if he’d done what everyone had urged him to do, and signed three or four key players when he had the opportunities, we might actually be able to go that step further and WIN the league. Wouldn’t THAT be something ?
But it’s not just refusing to pay a bit more to get the right players in ( and the shit ones out, i.e. Almunia, Denilson , Diaby e.t.c.). It’s about Wenger’s failings as a manager – mainly his tactical ineptitude and inability to motivate the players. We won’t win anything more while this senile has-been stays at Arsenal. Deja vu again this season. “Judge me in May” he said. Oh but that was LAST season. Seems he’s softening us all up for more frustration. And the blame for that lies squarely with HIM. When does the guy ever accept any personal responsibility for the team’s performances ?
“In Arsene we rust.”
good post..
wenger was obviously starting a fight with the media and there may have been a hint of taking the pressure away from the players in the run in and putting the emphasis on himself…
but again it seems hes happy with second, happy with excuses and happy in the knowledge is job is safe..
which is the wrong mentality isnt it…
how is the squad supposed to be winners when coming second and doing your best even if it isnt good enough is seen as success???
average age of sqaud mentioned again
teams spend money mentioned again..
well do something about it then..youve just admitted whats hindering us and stopping us making the leap from losers to winners so instead of using it as an excuse rectify the problem…
Ray Parlour has been talking on the radio a few minute ago and he summed it all up : “We ‘was’ playing some rubbish games, but we managed to win them”.
That in my opinion is our only shortcoming when being compared to ManU.
hello JonJon 😉
seen my today’s post yet?
Evonne,
the difference is that ManYoo players are PETRIFIED of failure, thought of facing the hairdryer sends the cold shiver down their spines 👿
not like the our own version of that didn’t work @ Anfield this season, is it? IMO, it’s way too cosy at Colney…
hey suga..
i didnt realise you had a blog mate il take a peek..
I’m ok with Wenger going but it could obviously get worse. If van gaal is so good why are Bayern so shit? SUGA if Wenger goes we’d probably get Moyes or someone of that calibre. If jabba the uzbek takes over what makes you think he’d have any idea what he’s doing? ASnd last night you said if your Auntie had a dick she’d be your uncle. That is a fact. If Robin had stayed on against barca that is an unknown.
goonermichael,
they are not ‘shit’, they are third in the league due too injuries – does that sound familiar?
as for the replacement, sorry dude, but that’s clutching at straws – sure, if we were to get Moyes, then no thanks, but you don’t make changes for the worse, but better and we can do better than Moe effin’s Syzlak lookalike!
and you wouldn’t imagine that Jabba would take over the everyday running of the club, would you?
http://le-grove.co.uk/2011/04/09/what-is-success-its-to-do-the-best-you-can-with-what-youve-got/#comment-845489
Suga I have tried to ignore you….well I have ignored you but you really are boring the pants off me. And you are having a negative effect on a fantastic set of contributors to this site.
As you mention so often you have your own site, frankly I’d be only too pleased if you stayed there.
All you have done for the past 72 hours on this site is continue to beat a drum. the same drum with no progression in argument no movement in position. And to be fair not many here are marching to your beat.
Perhaps it is your tone of voice or your offensive disrespect of the manager, players and board who have Arsenals best interests at heart. I’m not really interested I could read all that on 606 site or switch on and listen to Adrian Durham on TalkSport.
Agree to differ and move on for the sanity of others on this site.I have no problem disagreeing over the way forward and I have no problem with people having a different view to mine. But if I or others don’t want to listen I really don’t want it shouted at me again.
ahh ray parlour
theres a player i would love to have again..
id swap a few of our current players just for one ray parlour…
Harry – it’s a great shame that more of the new visitors didn’t actually want to discuss your post rather than just bang on about how disappointed they are.
I get to speak to many Gooners that don’t blog and they are equally disappointed about many things and positive about the future. It’s true that many of our regulars keep a lid on their fury for the sake of enjoying the company on here and I believe that we should stick together and not allow others to upset the equilibrium.
Chas I now know why this is the only blog I regularly visit.
GIE,
with all due respect, I don’t think you will find two of my posts that are the same and quite frankly, I would rather be boring than delusional…
as for me posting on here, I think you will find that I am engaging into conversations with the contributors on here, sometimes out of my initiative, sometimes in reaction to someone saying something to me – the ratio is about 50-50, so I don’t understand what your point is…
SUGA
Read what I said. You or I won’t be choosing the manager the board would. Do you trust them to make an improvement? Bayern are further behind than we are, I’m not in the slightest bit happy that we are second and probably 10 points behind later today. Why would I be happy with a manager having us third and 14 points behind (with no games in hand) How can you mention injuries? If anyone on here ore other blogs mentioned our injuries you’d rip the piss out of them.
As for the uzbek you are hoping he’d be a great owner. He could so easily be shit and fuck our club.
gm,
the difference is the reason for these injuries in the respective clubs…
and Bayern won the double last season under LvG too 😉
as for Usmanov, the difference is that he COULD be shit, whereas our current board ARE full of shit, so…
no one picked up on the subject of the share issue y’day, no? Jabba could easily buy the lot of them for pocket money, you know…
JonJon – how are you honey 🙂
You see what happens, I get all bossy and then an old friend pops up.
Maybe it’s cos I is a girl that I understand that you guys need to have a good moan sometimes. Suga – we can all moan but it’s not going to change anything, the board are not going to sack Arsene for only finishing in the top four and not winning a trophy. You’re going to have to get over that bit.
I believe that he needs someone to challenge his decision making, something that many of us have said for a while but that might not happen either.
Thousands of supporters go and watch their team play week in and week out knowing that they have no chance of winning anything. We’re very lucky that our team gives us highs and lows – isn’t it more interesting that way 😆
the current baord set up are fucking the club anyway GM so i for one am not afraid of change…
whether its barron von greenback or not remains to be seen but somethings got to give we need fresh ideas in that baord room and to be honest im all for the return of david dien…
dont really care how he comes back but i think we need him back..
didnt used to feel that way but 6 years of the same mistakes needs someone to actually come in and say its a mistake…
right, I will be off, as some just can’t handle ‘the troof’ 😆
nice community and I am not going to overstay my welcome out of respect…
hey legs.. 😉
im fine im just into my 6th stage of arsenal induced manic depression im in need of an arsenal backlash tomorrow and hump blackpool to give me much needed relief..
hows things with you..??
Suga – I wouldn’t expect you to understand, that would require you to use empathy a trait/ability you obviously don’t possess. You call AW many things one of them is arrogance…guess it takes one to know one.
Everyone else I’ll see you later flatpacking for mother in law and a personal computer lesson for the same…..oh joy.
urrrghh
mother in law…
good luck with that one mate, just what one needs to make ones sunny saturday even more pleasing…
sorry for the last comeback, but I don’t know what empathy has to do with all that – who would I be feeling that towards, millionaires failing at their extremely paid jobs?
do me a favour…
speaking of sunny saturadys
im off to enjoy mine..
thankfully its mother in lawless
the grand national beckons.. 😉
Hi Peaches
I’m off out see you all later.
JonJon – I’m good thanks, my good nature is being sorely tested though. How did the team that rallied against Everton and put Barcelona to the sword end up drawing the last three games – makes no sense …….
Even with strange tactics and poor team selection this group of players – Cesc, Samir, Arshavin, Jack, Theo and van Persie should be able to pull a rabbit out the hat …… no?
Empathy towards the people on this site……
GIE – 1:03 – you are hillarious 🙂
It begins to feel like fending off Jehova’s witnesses who keep on banging on the doors of people who are perfectly happy with their faith. Why do the Jehova’s witnesses feel the need to convert the rest of us??
Arsenal with Wenger forever !
Wenger is right in what he said but he shot himself in the foot IF he did say he’d be happy to have 20 years of finishing second.
His pointing out of Chelsea’s and Liverpool’s failings could not be more apt. All we lack are the trophies, the above two lack the financial security, a new stadium, and a brilliant youth academy producing fine players – and a lot of those at Arsenal now looking like coming through are English.
the difference is that JWs are selling you pipe dreams of certain salvation, you know?
all I am offering you is improved odds…
Am I on the right blog.
i posted yesterday to you suga what we were all about and you replied “fair enough”.
Hello jonjon,Evonne,GIE,,GM and peaches,irish and anyone else that i have forgotten.
SUGA3,
You are not offering us improved odds or anything other than your strongly held opinion. You, like many others are using the blogworld to exorcise your frustrations and that is perfectly valid, but you must know that your words are not going to change anything and are just adding fuel to the fire of discontent amongst supporters.
It’s a classic case of the inmates turning on one another as demonstrated by the fighting at the Emirates. We are all well aware of your pattern of thought and most will agree with some of it to a greater or lesser degree, but we also know that no good will come of talking our own team down at this vital time.
PHW has terminal foot and mouth but unfortunately his status prevents anyone from muzzling him. AW on the other hand often pays the price for being too honest in his interviews.
Hiya Kelsey 🙂
Rasp,
his status prevents from muzzling him, you say?
AST should demand his head, and if the board can count, should ask whether they would like it boxed or impaled outside the ground…
and the expression of discontent is required, otherwise we are just lambs led to the slaughter – just my opinion, mind you 😉
kelsey,
all you do is moan about me speaking the bitter truth, perhaps your discontent is slightly misplaced…
Hello Kelsey!
suga,
read my earlier post today.
i am not moaning,rasp has outlined above the feelings of many of us.
now is the time to get behind the team and we can debate at the end of the season the short comings or whatever else needs to be discussed.We both can’t change anything,can we ?
SUGA, I’m not moaning about you speaking your version of the truth, I am desperately trying to get you to understand that we know what you are saying. We’ve heard it all before – please don’t waste your time repeating it ad nauseum. We choose to interpret events in a more positive way because we believe that is best for the team … you know … Arsenal … the one we support?
There are plenty of places where the ‘discontent’ you mention is being shouted loud and clear, we have migrated to this site because we know that extremism is never based on logic. You have demonstrated that perfectly with “ask whether they would like it boxed or impaled outside the ground”
Getting rid of PHW would not make a jot of difference and only serve to sever a link to our past – the past that so many refer back to as an example of our required success? – history lesson required there I think.
Rasp 😛
How sad that the day is spent defending AW and his brilliant young side. Perhaps, yes Perhaps, we will end the season potless, but so will the Chavs and MC, both of whom have spent squillions.
Do their fans bleat like ours?
And yes, we have lacked silverware for too long, but AW said that the side was in transition and for us to be patient. I agree with him 100% about the modern fans need for instant gratification and I blame Margaret Thatcher.
SUGA. Read the number of comments referring to your manner and reflect upon what more half the regulars on AA are saying to you. Your final comment to Kelsey is a case in point. Just downright rude and ignoring his right to his P.O.V.
Rasp,
all I am saying is that Hill-Wood senior was a great mane and Petey is just a silver-spoon daddy’s boy, what good is he?
so, you think him spewing the pisshead nonsense to the red top of his choice is beneficial? or that it does any good to the club?
I am not repeating anything ad nauseam, I am happy to discuss the brilliant article written by Harry, which I happen to agree with, but some prefer to ask me why I think this, that or the other…
I know I am not a regular on here, but come on, have some perspective…
example: Evonne asks who is the person to replace AW, I say LvG, she says he is happy at Bayern, to which I reply in informative fashion that he is not, simples 😉
as for the PHW head related comment, mate, it’s all in jest, really…
BR,
perhaps we have different ideas of ‘rude’ – I consider being compared to idiot Durham as ‘rude’, you know?
but I don’t say a thing, as I do appreciate that everyone uses hyperbole to bring their point across, I have a degree in PR 😉
but hey, your site, not mine, all it takes is one click, but you just know I did not give you a single reason – yesterday, I even waited to meet Rohan on LG to bring him to order, out of respect for you lot…
Ref, lino and Sparky gifting 3 points to MU, and B’burn down at home – how could we not have beaten them with almost a First 11 ?
SUGA, your last comment sums everything up perfectly ….. “I am happy to discuss the brilliant article written by Harry, which I happen to agree “.
Read the article again, you don’t agree with it. You’d be happy if AW left tomorrow and LvG took over straight away.
Harry doesn’t condemn AW’s words, he expresses his frustration at recent events but says he’s going to support the manager for at least the next 8 games.
Being unable to type Denilson’s name, calling the manager OGL and using terms like “spewing pisshead nonsense” diminishes the credibility of your comments
SUGA why are you trying to argue this point. I ask you to reflect upon your combatative manner and you reply by being argumentative. I am trying to politely tell you that there is a problem with your communication as have other AA’ers.
BTW I and most AA’ers can trump your PR degree.
Enough. I am going out for a cycle in the chilly but sunny Danish Spring
Rasp,
I choose to interpret the article differently, but there you go…
and you are now also using a hyperbole – who said I want AW gone now?
BR,
it’s not about bragging about the degree, it’s just to tell you that using hyperbole to bring a point across is s scientific fact…
educated does not equal wise…
Last comment from me on this SUGA, you’ve done nothing but allude to the fact that you want Wenger out and would install LvG (as an example?) in his place. That is not hyperbole on my part, it is the clear message that you have been delivering – unless you’ve done a 180 and now want him to stay.?
Evonne,Guus Hiddink could do a job,Van Gaal,Villaboas,Frank Riijkard,Del Bosque(short term admittedly),Pep,Mourinho(who actually didnt spend a cent when taking Porto to CL glory)etc and that is just at the top of my head.I didnt say it is certain success instantly and the tightfisted board would probably do everything to quash any good feeling he created by refusing him money but it is worth a shot because the current one no matter how you look at it is very satisfied with being a complete failure.
Rasp,
OK, let me clear my position: unless AW will get serious this summer, I want him gone…
what I mean by ‘serious’ is another matter, you may recall my dream In/Out list and that is ‘serious’ in my eyes…
first sign of ‘better than we already have blah, blah, blah’ stuff and I want him sacked and replaced with a manager who is serious about winning trophies, LvG is just a token example of a manager, who in my opinion is by far superior to Wenger of today if the money is there…
LvG is just an ‘easy’ option, as he will be available just like that – I hope that clarifies my position…
and yes, it is tedious indeed…
My horse came 2nd and had him down to win 😦
BR – how did you know?? BallaBriggs has won!!
by the way, read the tomorrow’s post, you will see that I can support the team as well 😉
laters…
Evonne. I was given a tip earlier in the week. I hope you had a few pounds on it!
Big Raddy – I did, thank you very much!! I put £1 each way, how tight is that 🙂 But I put money on other tips, none of them any good
I’ll buy you a drink next time we go to a game together 🙂
BalliBrigg is a Gooner and I hope for a Double tomorrow.
definitely, thanks once again
I had some cash on Balla too, no science though just selected a range of horses with £1 and 50p each way bets. My PP account has gained funds. Spuds screwed my accumulator tho 😦
Evening All, what a disappointing day in the football world, nothing went for us, not one thing…..
Sunderland lost again, 1 point out of 24!!! and where did they get that point……ho hum…..
Well nothing less than a truly emphatic win will do tomorrow, ok I’d take 1-0 with a scrappy goal in the 89th minute, but I want energy and a confidence boost, then we play liverpool before they go to Newcastle, so we need 6points to maintain any sort of pressure…
If the Team comes out with the energy release similar to AW’s press conference, it will be a good game…….
JonJon@1.09pm…….
Just one Ray Parlour……oh yes….One of my favorite players, underated and under used by England……
Put Ray Parlour out there with the current team and you’d solved most of our issues….
so true…
I see Lansbury as the next Romford Pele, what do you think?
Peaches @ 1.43pm…….
Agreed even with the mistakes and poor tactics, the players we have had available should have got something out of the last 3 games, they have let the boss down at times…..
I defo like Lansbury, I think he is quality, Norwich fans love him, He is a season or so behind, due to injury etc…
When he scored against Spurs in the CC I had high hopes this season, but we were playing well before xmas he went out on loan, wish we had kept him….
maybe not the best technician, but boy, he has a lot of heart!
IMO, he should be promoted to the first team in the summer, along with JET & Frimpong…
three beasts, no?
Actually think he is more technical than you realise, but agreed his heart is massive, which we lack at times….
I Like Frimpong and JET, next season we will have a massive backup squad…..
now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying he is a ‘wooden legs’ kind of player, but he is less of a ‘twinkle toes’ type…
modern Parlour, things go ahead with times 😉
Yeah he aint JW……Modern Ray Parlour, but I thought he was underrated as well……
well, he was rated by these that count the most – the fans!
maybe it’s just me, but this is what I would care about the most 😉
I know it may sound extremely naive, coming from the cynic like myself, but give me the people’s legend kind of player with heart and passion ahead of stuck up superstar…
an example from another backyard is the ‘Holy Goalie’, Artur Boruc – this dude will never buy a pint in Glasgow (albeit for different reasons in different parts), plus, he is also quite something amongst the Legia Warsaw fans:
Lansbury according to Norwich fans I speak to has great energy, and pace. And amongst a very adept Norwich midfield he stands equal if not better than them.
Norwich have always been a footballing side probably why they’ve never really succeeded in the modern money rich PL. But they have always attracted a big crowd at home. But it’s been a good place for Lansbury to continue his education and will hopefully see him come back stronger.
But as a club that tries to maintain a clean balance sheet they do not invest to buy the quality to play football in the PL and survive, it’s why unfortunately Blackpool are struggling now.
Harry re Parlour being underrated you are so right. Countless people suggested he wouldn’t be able to play under Arsene.
I too remember people writing him off under Graham as a youngster used to hear a lot of rubbish on the terraces spouted about him. Who can forget his debut penalty giveaway!
Yeah he was wrote off so much, but he just excelled under Wenger……
I remember an interview once that said parlour and redknapp were the future of england!!! in the CM roles!!
I would take him back in a heart beat….
I’d take him not his hair tho 😀
Ive decided to do a bit of gardening pre match tomorrow, well I say “I’ve decided” according to the wife it’s been on the cards all week.
When did flowers get so chuffing expensive. Feels like we’ve spent a fortune in last couple of days.
I’ve just driven quite a long way home thinking out loud to myself about how I feel about tomorrows game …… with so few games left I want to see Cesc smiling, I want to see Nasri dribbling past 4 players and scoring, I want see Theo charge into the area with the ball at his feet and pass to Arshavin to slot home, I want to see Robin score from a free kick ….. I don’t want much do I?
I want my Arsenal heart to feel happy ……. I want us to be able to celebrate a win and talk about how amazing our team are …… for a few days at least 😉
…… oh and Nik to firmly head a ball into the space either side of the keeper ……
…… and Chamakh to take a bloody shot!!!!!!
I know you’re asking for a lot of goals there Peaches but are you asking for a clean sheet too? Or was that a step too far? 🙂
Heard a great quote from Olly the other week:
“After they beat us 6-0 at the Emirates Arsene said to me what are you going to do when you don’t have the ball young man? I might ask him the same question after that Barca game”
Will be a shame to lose Blackpool and Olly from the PL. So I’ll take a 4-2 tomorrow (later today) and I’ll hope Blackpool win their remaining games to stay up. They’re at OT on last day of season so that’ll be easy for them 😀
This blog used to be a site with a lot of optimism, but Suga just ruined it with his doom and gloom. I men LVg? Really?!! Arsene has been successful wherever he goes, but Louisvan Gal, not so sure..
Never fear JohnQ Raddy will give us a stirring pre match today and we will all BR cheering to the rafters.
Chas – switch off, another irritating comment from me
GIE – what flowers do you need? I always have too many, just give me a shout and I’ll start digging. Same goes for fruits like strawbs and rasps (raspberries not rasputin)
Ray Parlour…..Martin Keown….bliss
However, given our present situation if I could bring just one man back, it would have to be David Seaman
Peaches isn’t asking for much, it’s going to be an emphatic win today.
Evonne great call, I think your right there, at this moment in a time, A david Seaman in his pomp would be priceless at the moment, although, a young Ian Wright wouldnt go a miss……Sod it bring them all back, lol.
I have a great day planned, off to my u12’s match soon, come home, get showered and off to pub for a sunday roast to watch the match, table booked right in front of large screen…..
Feeling well up for this, today. I just feel the anger that Wenger has showed in his press conference shows he has been really getting the message across to his players, that he feels let down……
I fancy 4-2 to us today as well……
This site used to be optimistic? Still is in my books, there is more than enough positivity that any negativity is consumed, as the saying goes dont let the buggers grind you down…….
Come on you Gunners……
Oh to be Oh to be a Gooner………
Peaches, you are very demanding this weekend, lets hope Arsenal respond like i did eh?
Its an away game, the pressure wont be so suffocating, the away fans will roar us on, I fancy the 1st half of the newcastle game happening again…..
Harry – say hi to your boy from me, lovely lad! I hope his team wins today!
Evonne . That is a top suggestion. Seamo was the Nuts.
And I would take TH14, Wrighty and PV4, and DB10 and TA6 and Overmars …. !!
Harry. Evonne is right. I meant to tell you what a lovely lad you have. Very polite and full of positive energy.
Morning Raddy – you are a top lad too 🙂
BUT, I did mention ONE MAN ONLY 🙂 I had to struggle hard between David S and Denis B, but had to go for David coz of the injuries and immaturity of our current keepers
If I could recreate one player to put in this current side it would be Gilberto.
Ability to prevent quick counters, calmness personified, and would be a great example to our young squad.
Most underrated of our Invincibles.
morning all 😉
to be fair, GK position is the least of our worries as Wojtek is the nuts!
IMO, had we not dilly-dallied with Almunia and Fabianski in goal, but took the risk and put him in as no.1 from the start of the season, we would be at least 4 points better off (WBA + Magpies, both home), and just that would possibly put us level on points with ManYoo (we are 10 point off with two games in hand, yes, I am making an assumption here)…
Come on Arsenal!
One player from the Invincibles? No question. PV4. In his pomp he was the finest DM in the world. I was saddened we let him go to MC as he is still putting in some fine performances and driving his team forward.
GIE – Gilberto?? No no no! Never rated him highly. Plus, our lad are already too calm for my liking.
Raddy – where is your post? I have to go out soon and was hoping to read it before
One player from the Invincibles? Has to be Thierry, other teams were terrified of what he could do to them ……. that’s what we need, a player that is strong and can do real damage with the ball.
Evonne,
quiet authority is the word – I just don’t think anyone would like to get on the wrong side of him 😉
Here it comes Evonne 😉
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