Written by dandan
I did a run round of the blogs on Friday and was dismayed to see the amount of poison being directed at Samir Nasri.
Now I have no brief for Nasri in particular, other than he can play a bit and is still an Arsenal player. To read the blogs you would think he was public enemy number one.
It’s not enough that Cesc is considered such a certainty to leave that even reasoned posters on here have sunk to calling him names, that his service to the club man and boy, do not deserve. We are also getting stuck into Samir, when to the best of my knowledge, neither he nor the club have said anything publicly.
Sure his agent has mumbled some stuff and the media has published all kind of nonsense about his and the clubs supposed intentions. But if you want to know what that is worth, just take a look at the News Of The World’s predicament today. No doubt some concrete facts will emerge by the time AW does his press conference for the Asian tour. Surely we can at least wait for the outcome of that before starting to slag our own people off?
As far as the NOTW is concerned, how many football fans are shocked by their actions? The fact that they have employed a sleazebag of a private eye to invade people’s privacy, looking for salacious tittle-tattle should come as no surprise to football folk, the only difference of course, is that we are introduced to them as knowledgeable and well-informed pundits.
Fake Sheiks, fake rumours, fake news and fake scoops are meat and drink to this the most scurrilous of all the Red Tops and to see its death throes, is the best off-season treat most fans have had in many a year.
The list of players according to these jokers, who are joining, leaving, staying, shunning or rubbishing us is endless. Our players, staff, management and board are subjected to constant abuse, based on nothing but the whims of the aforementioned media hacks. In this way I suspect enough misinformation is generated each week, to fill another volume of the encyclopaedia of football crap and nonsense.
We are told we are a club in crisis, how then I wonder would you describe the state the press finds itself in, as they wait for the kind of checks and balances to be imposed upon them, that have been a patent necessity for years?
When we supporters see this rubbish written daily about the club we love, why do we give it credence by reacting to it, can’t we just take a step back and refrain from joining in the melee, until we know probably through the club site that its true?
Finally I came across this quote, for those who think losing is the end of the world.
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
No smoke without a fire,do you really think Wenger would state that he will fight for Nasri and Fab to stay if there wasnt clubs trying to sign them,Fab have stated several times that he would love to sign for Barca and Nasri wants trophies something he is incapable of getting at Arsenal.
Great article DanDan, a shining light in the gloom.
Too many of us Gooner’s are getting bogged down in this mire created by the media. I wonder if Arsenal’s current situation was happening twenty years ago whether there would be such a kerfuffle about it.
This new, media rich world of the internet puts news to our phones, our kitchen table, our computer at work with alarming regularity. We crave news as if it is our lifeblood. When there is no actual news “a source close to the club said….” and all of a sudden that is gospel.
This media enforced negativity surrounding Arsenal is almost tangible and it is becoming ever-more difficult to fight against it. We have seen it here on this site.
I agree with you, Cesc and Nasri haven’t left yet and whilst I’m not so optimistic about Cesc staying, Arsene himself seems pretty confident that Nasri will be with us and noone knows him like Arsene does, save for perhaps his parents!
Good job Dan!
WG
Danish,
We don’t have to sell our players just because someone wants to buy them. I can name plenty of players that I’m sure Arsene would love to sign but can’t because the clubs wont sell.
WG
Danish,
Shouldn’t that be ‘won’t sign’ rather than ‘can’t’?
Oops – that obviously should have been directed to WiganGooner not Danish. Sorry……
Great post DanDan 🙂
I have a theory that there is a press vendetta against Arsenal – i believe that because Arsene does’nt play the game of openly discussing transfer targets or leaking them to hacks – those same hacks counter by linking every player in the club with a move out and every player in the world with a move to the club only for Arsenal to miss out. They fabricate stories to ridicule us…
John O’Shea picked sunderland over arsenal. yeah.. right.
Motta refused us until his agent had to come out and deny any bid or refusal took place.
They are scum bags.
@TheoPants
You seem to be operating under the belief that Arsene doesn’t like signing players. You forget Nasri wasn’t born in an Arsenal Shirt, neither was Theo, Arshavin, Vieira, Petit, Overmars…there are lots of player’s he has signed.
Get out of the media induced negativity, let Arsene do his job. Everyone has an opinion on what Arsene will do, lets let him do it and judge him at the end of the season.
Lets get behind Arsenal Football Club and its players.and not allow this negativity to be spread by us fans.
WG
Dandan – thank you for the large dose of sanity in these days of complete madness. It’s good to see that some people still think for themselves and make their own opinions, rather that listening to the poisonous media.
Double98 – hi, I don’t think it is a vendetta. I think that the journoes HAVE to write about something, otherwise they don’t get paid. Stories about Arsenal still sell more papers than stories about Spurs, so if they are to invent something, they might as well make up a bullshit tale that will be popular with the pundits, well that’s my opinion anyway
Fantastic post dandan and a typical respnonse from danish. The press are scum as I’ve stated many times before. Everything so far about Nasri is speculation posing as facts. When it happens I’ll believe it.
Personally I want Cesc gone as soon as poss.
@GM
Why do you want him gone? Surely if he showed he was dedicated to Arsenal then we’d be mad to let him go??
WG
Wigan
It’s clear that he wants to go. His heart wasn’t (or didn’t seem to be) in it last season and he seems to pick up injuries more and more. If he showed he was dedicated I’d kep him as he is one of our most talented players. I’d rather we went back to 442 though and didn’t rely on him so much.
Spot on dandan!
Fab4 and Nas8 have not been disrespectful to the club. Both are traing and both have left it to the boss. It’s complicated, let’s see what happens.
I’m loving this stuff about the Murdoch press. Personally if would like to paraphrase Murdoch’s own sentiments from 1992. “Will the last man at the news of the world please turn out the lights?”
Hopefully murdoch will die soon. Am I allowed to say that?
Forget about the Press and what they have to say on the subject of Arsenal!Any proper supporter can see that there are problems at our Club and this is worrying.
Our Captain and talisman obviously wants to return to his former and home town club.Unfortunatelky Barcelona seem to be un-willing to pay current market value although this shouldn’t really make much of a difference as Arsenal don’t seem willing to re- invest the Transfer Income anyway.
Surely it was paramount for Arsenal to gert involved within the Transfer Market at the first available opportunity:-
1)First Team players were proved to be wanting during the final section of the last two seasons and need to be replaced.
2)If either Cesc or Samir were to be persuaded to stay Arsenal had to show positive intent as soon as the window opened.
3)Gazidas seems to struggle to complete almost every single transfer deal that he has managed; and therefore requires an early start-otherwise we are likely to watch potential targets sign for other contenders.
4)The quicker we bring new players into the club the more likely that the deadwood will leave-it should force their agents into more decisive action and in some cases allow for them to be tied into the deal.
5)Arsenal’s Season will start very quickly this year.they have Champions League qualifiers and a fair few crucial matches where new additions will have had to bed in very quickly.
Fabregas and Nasri aside, Arsenal still require a ball winning Centre Back with Premier League experience;a strong physical Central Midfielder with proper leadership qualities;and an experienced goalkeeper who can compete with Chesney for the number 1 Jersey (Fabianski will always remain an accident waiting to happen).Clichy might not have fulfilled potential over the last two Seasons and made too many mistakes but Gibbs isn’t close to being good enough at this time!Truth be told we also need a goal scoring Centre Forward who can score goals in a similar fashion to RVP.
Unfortunately,the deluded Monsieur Wenger believes that we only need a couple of new players to improve things!If Bentner,Eboue,Denilson and Almunia were any good then they would now be preparing for life with a new club.Instead it seems that Wenger is the only manager who rates them and they are getting prepared to another Season in an Arsenal shirt-Another Season of underachievement and disappointment unless matters change very quickly!!
@GM
Without meaning to be disrespectful and I apologise in advance if it does come across like that – but how do you know where Cesc’s heart was last season?
This assumption of “Well he’s said he wants to play for Barca so it’s clear he doesn’t care about Arsenal” is flying about in the media and the blogosphere when really it doesn’t necessarily have any real base.
Cesc struggled with his hamstring’s last year and as someone who has played football a lot and suffered with injuries myself, psychologically it is difficult to return to top form when you are constantly second-guessing yourself. I found myself thinking “If I really sprint for this will I lose my hammy?” and “I can’t afford to get injured again, I’ve only just come back, I don’t want to be tagged as injury prone”. Looking back at my meagre career, I wasn’t injury prone at all, but I had a season where I just kept getting knocks and pulls.
It’s frustrating and it kills the spirit and love for the game a bit.
Perhaps that is what we saw last season?
WG
Great article Dandan, nice to see someone with a clear head. I’m amazed how a lot of the bloggers have fallen for the cr@p the Gutter press is feeding them. Headlines with ‘crisis’, ‘exodus’ and ‘trophyless’ sells papers, not ‘model club example for many other EPL clubs’ or ‘cunning manager playing it cool on transfer market’.
I saw someone say he has 18 assist and 9 goals in 36. With an iffy hamstring. Yeah his heart really wasn’t in it at all mate. Get a grip!
Nasri finished 3rd In the player of the year. They have both had a massive influence on Wilshere as well. One of them may leave.
Wenger will buy. He will certainly buy Gervinho, Cahill and one other, I would guess very good player, pick from Mata, Samba, Parker.
If we start losing player then he will sign more.
I just struggle to understand why we seem to take an eternity to sign someone.wegner has stated it takes a while to identify the class players. Then what the bloody hell do the scouts do all year?we have to hit the ground running this season so players should have been identified and brought in so they can gel with the team in the pre-season. Trusting gibbs with the LB position is a risky game. We expected that to happen last season but it seems if someone sneezes in row A he will get injured. I just hope his body holds up because he is a star in the making,and i would love for him to displace cashley.
Who couldnt of guessed wegner would pull the vermaelen is a ‘new signing’ line aswel.
Wigan
I said “seems” as it looked like his head dropped towards the end of games so it seemed to me his heart wasn’t really in it.
Don’t tell me to get a grip. He will be gone by the start of next season.
GM – you may be right. We will see.
I thought you were being harsh and i was probably too harsh in response.
Great post, dandan.
I agree with gm about Cesc.
And that was from attending approximately 25 games and watching his body language.
Whether it’s a correct observation is simply a matter of opinion. I doubt even Cesc would be able to tell you if he was playing at 100% commitment or not.
Oh, and I don’t believe he has a ‘little muscle problem’ either.
Chas that line really bugged me for two reasons:
1) it gives weight to Barcas claim of damaged goods
2) he was doing all number of promotional things some included kicking a ball around so if he has injured himself further we should be fining him
DanDan top post and true in so many ways i am more bothered by fans responses to the stories if they are true. They seem to want trophies but don’t think the players rumoured to be leaving have anything to do with not winning trophies.
Nice one Double D, unfortunately your preaching of calm sense is lost on many that wont or refuse to listen and believe only in the words of the paper trash, that literally make things up…….
The saying “No smoke without fire” used to be a great back up to any story, but these days, its so fabricated its unreal………
Nasri stories were started by Evra and the press have jumped on them……Nasri said months ago that he would sit down with wenger in the summer, so lets wait and see……
I totally agree about slagging players off especially when they are still with us, it so counter productive, they read the web as well……dont they?
Imagine, Wenger does a number on nasri and he decides to stay, I’ll sign the documents in the morning he says, over night he reads some pure bile on the net which is too personal to him and changes his mind……..far fetched maybe, but possible……….
If Nasri goes I’ll be disappointed WITH HIM, but I will thank him for his service.
If Fabregas goes, I’ll be disappointed but wish him well, and thank him for his service…….
For me Nasri at least owes wenger a year, so a year extension on the extra wages with an agreement to leave if we dont get in amongst the trophies next season….compromise?
And then allow Cesc to leave…….I think he’ll always have a place in his heart for us, but Barca is his home, I wouldnt say his heart wasnt in it last season, he proabably felt it was, but there was something missing, it showed, his body language was desperate at times but I wont knock him for it…..He was hampered by injuries as well which doesnt help………
I agree with doing our business quietly and accept there is plenty of time left, so lets wait and see, but I think wenger must be careful with some of his quotes, he has a habit of setting himself up…….
Arsenal Squad for Asia:
Wojciech Szczesny
Vito Mannone
Sebastien Squillaci
Johan Djourou
Kieran Gibbs
Carl Jenkinson
Laurent Koscielny
Andrey Arshavin
Marouane Chamakh
Ryo Miyaichi
Armand Traore
Thomas Vermaelen
Bacary Sagna
Theo Walcott
Alex Song
Jack Wilshere
Tomas Rosicky
Denilson
Aaron Ramsey
Emmanuel Frimpong
Samir Nasri
Carlos Vela
Robin van Persie
Missing………..
We know cesc is injured,
I thought fabianski would be fit enough?
No Bendtner?
And for me very disappointly no Lansbury………..
Hope the boss gets a special talent visa for Ryo, he got one for denilson a few years………!! Good to see Traore back, I liked him and felt he never got a fair chance……
Shame about Bartley missing out.
Doesn’t look like he has much of a future…
Is Lansbury on England duty???
Yeah I missed Bartlet, surprised about that as well……..
Well England is finished so i suppose he could be having an extended break……
Bartley…….
AllezKev- I doubt Bartley is fully recovered from the cruciate knee damage he picked up in April at Rangers.
Ryo is clearly going for the marketing reasons and maybe to prove the special talent. If he doesn’t get it i’d expect Lansbury to fill his role. To be fair there is still time for him, JET and others to prove themselves.
1st of all I’d like to apologise about my comments about AW. Let me say this, what Arsenal supporters endure with AW & Arsenal is nothing compared with 32 years of nightmare that I have put up with, & ended tonight.
Thank God for Arsenal. They are a day @ the beach compared to the crap I have put myself through for the last 32 years, for sweet FA.
Oh and dandan, I rate Nasri. I love the boy’s smile & style. I just hope that Arsenal can get some more in to compliment him.
COYRRR
Hi gg,
We can only guess at what you are referring to, but best wishes for a happier next 32 years.
Gnarly
Whatever it is I’m glad it’s over for you.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14094433.stm
Good news on Almunia and Bendtner – The beeb is usually pretty good.
Afternoon all. Anyone else going to watch our female Gooners in action for England at the WC? Its on BBC2 at 5pm if anyone is interested. A break from the tittle-tattle.
Joel = dick. Who needs enemies when you have fans like that…?
Why are we selling him play him more and let him score more we need as many good omens as possible.
Voice of sanity as always Dandan
The wall-to-wall coverage and 24-hour news cycle these days means there always has to be a new story, even when nothing’s happening.
Let’s sit tight, ignore the newspaper scare mongering and make our minds up at the end of the transfer window.
Rocky – easier said than done 😦
Once we start playing, we can focus on something tangible, otherwise there is a void. Thank G not for very much longer
Hiya Irish, how did the gig in Castlebridge go? Was it worth?
I have heard that the English girls won today!
GiE – I don’t know why we selling Nic, full stop. He is more than a lucky charm
Hi Three Black Dog Lady – the game has gone to extra time
Surely lansbury is just getting a longer break due to the under 21’s. Otherwise there maybe some truth to norwich offering 1 million for him. I hope not because I think this will be his breakout year
Hi Evonne – It was castlebar ha ha and yeah it was great, Imelda May. We’re like buddies now ha ha – well not really but was talking to her for a while. When she’s second in charge of the world I’ll use it as a claim to fame 🙂
Feel so bad for Faye White, damn it, unlucky for England.
Excellent post Dandan
My favourite comment is from Wigan Gooner 11:31.
I saw every single game last season I not once did I see Cesc’s head drop. In fact I think he played some of his most committed determined football at Arsenal up to and including the Barça home game after that he was injured which would frustrate most people. This head dropping nonsense is an invention of the media and even worse other Arsenal blogs. Why people on here want to perpetuate such things makes no sense to me what so ever.
Thanks for that GiE.
Whilst on the subject of our chums from Fleet St/Docklands, you may find this site interesting
http://journalisted.com/
Irish – Castlebar, of course, I cannot remember names 😦
Yeah, I’ve heard the shouting and was sure the girls won the game, but it was the goal. I watched the penalties, feel sorry for them too. But the English goalie was pretty clueless, don’t you think?
chas says:
July 9, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Great post, dandan.
I agree with gm about Cesc.
And that was from attending approximately 25 games and watching his body language.
Whether it’s a correct observation is simply a matter of opinion. I doubt even Cesc would be able to tell you if he was playing at 100% commitment or not.
It’s all a matter of opinion London. I mention it because it looked that way to me.
This may sound sexist but I have yet to see a good women’s goalie. The English keeper didnt seem able to dive sideways bit of a flaw if you ask me, maybe that’s gravity doing it’s thing?
Kelly Smith was a bit of a trooper.
Whilst watching the game it dawned on me that taking a child (boy or girl) to women’s football would be a good coaching tool as the game is slower and less pressure gets put on the ball so it gives you time to spot runs and opportunities that you don’t see in the Senior Mens game very often as it’s all too quick.
Morning all
Has anyone got time to put together a small post for today please
just rung you……just finishing one off from during the week, about an hour and will be with you……
You are my favourite AA’er xx
Phone upstairs, thanks 🙂
GiE – gravity 🙂
Morning all,
New post ……..