Written by Oz Gunner
Theodore Roosevelt once said:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
It is undoubtedly my favourite quote of all time as it epitomizes what every athlete should deliver. Looking across the arsenal squad, there aren’t too many who could look themselves in the mirror and say they give their all to the team, to the fans, and for that great badge they wear. Robin Van Persie tries valiantly; Jack Wilshere leaves the whole kit and caboodle out on the pitch, as does Thomas Vermaelen. Who else? Maybe Szczesny, Song, and the young ones Coquelin and Frimpong. For a great team that houses a large squad this isn’t good enough, and when we are struggling or the pressure is on, the results are showing (The Carling Cup loss, both matches against the scum last year, manure game, Blackburn, and so forth).
Arsene has shown faith to a lot of players over the years, and it’s about time the team stood up as one and stop letting him take the heat. ‘Mr Arsenal’ Adams, Keown, Winterburn, Parlour, Rocky, Bould, Pires, Bergkamp, and players of the same mould throughout Arsenal’s great history wouldn’t stand for it. The passionless/lethargic jogger Denilson has left (hopefully to never return), Na$ri the traitor has sold his soul to the club that typifies everything that is wrong with football at the moment MAN CITY, and Cesc who many regard as an Arsenal legend has gone home (I cannot agree with it myself, legend is a word used too loosely in this day and age and grouping him with others legends of the club does them a disservice. Yes he longed to go home, but the way he left along with certain misdemeanours such as the barca backheel, the Tottenham handball (17 years of victory against our enemies down the drain), not showing up to the last game of the season, and going into hiding when the media circus went on has left a bitter taste in my mouth). The defectors have gone and with it hopefully comes a more united Arsenal.
‘Prince Robin’ should not have been alone when challenged by several Blackburn players, our great captain needed support, yet no one came. When we are lacking inspiration someone should stand up and inspire the team with a bone-crunching (yet fair) tackle, a long chase from behind, or a great solo run. The fans also have a big role to play in this, some have given up and have chosen to ridicule Arsene and the team, and seem to want us to lose so they can spout ‘I told you so.’ I don’t know what they hope to achieve from this because Arsene is the best man for the job (yes he’s not without his faults, but name someone who could do better). While others staunchly stick by the team with unwavering loyalty, and this is what the team needs more of, without it the small amount of confidence that the team has left will disintegrate.
The team is being built from scratch, and hopefully along with it a siege mentality will be imparted. Arsenal will be back, we will win titles again, but it’s the players and fans that need to stand up and fight! Courage, loyalty and passion needed to be shown.
I give up my castle and lands. Here is my domain. Within this metal skin. And I pledge all that I still own; Muscle, bone, blood and the heart that pumps it to the mighty ARSENAL!
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
What about your money Oz ? 🙂
Fantastic, I love it, love it, love it, well done mate
@ evonne
what money? im a student haha.
thank you, im glad you think so, its tough to follow people someone like TA, rocky, micky and co.
shame about the picture size though, took a bit to change every face to an arsenal player
Morning Wiz of Oz, 🙂
I knew you had it in you, and I am delighted you have come up with a debut masterpiece.
That wonderful statement of Roosevelt’s applies to all of us, not just footballer’s, of course, and should be waved under the noses of the finger waggers, and the fault finders who so love to lambast Arsene Wenger.
I find little to disagree with in your fine piece, altho’ it is sometimes difficult to say that, in a team, A or B encapsulate all the virtues, whereas X or Z don’t.
For example, I noticed that a player who is not everyone’s favourite, chased down a Spuds attack from within their half after one of our attacks broke down, and a 50 metres sprint later took the ball off the toe of Van der Fart. The player’s name? Gibbs. So by my book, he epitomised some of the virtues you detail above.
Nice one Oz! 🙂
@ RA
thank you, you are too kind.
That is true it is difficult to judge, however to me it seems he (gibbs) lacks urgency, and has only really shown glimpses of what he can do. I still think he can deliver alot more, and be that great LB everyone at arsenal and england knows he could become.
Hi Oz, you lost your AA-blog writing virginity in some style today! 🙂
A very well written and passionate rallying cry for both players and fans to give their all. I love the quote too and it really fits well with your post. Chapeau to General OZ 😀
Talking about ‘rallying cry’ quotes, this one by Elizabeth 1 (yes, by a woman!), in 1588(!) is one of my favourites:
http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/tilbury.htm
9ice article man
Indeed a well written rallying cry to all the talksport gooner whingers.
Arsenal will be back!
@ TA
cheers TA, its hard work following a post you have delivered. Glad i’ve lived up to expectations.
Well i was scared, nervous and eager to deliver (same can be said in regards to that fateful night i morphed from boy to man)
It’s just one thing that gets me hot under the collar. I don’t like players mentioning other teams in interviews, i don’t like youngsters demanding first team football when they have not eart it, and not giving everything they have to the cause.
I could tolerate a loss if the team gave every ounce of energy they had and left it all out on the pitch, unfortunently its never really the case.
@ XTroy and Dan
thank you for your comments, and indeed arsenal will be the dominate force in football soon enough.
@ TA
that is a good speech, were women allowed to speak like that back then? haha, i thought if you spoke out of turn it was ‘to the dungeon with thee!’
my all time favourite is:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/invictus/
and anything by ralph waldo emerson, especially his ‘self-reliance’ essay
OZ, you make me laugh at times ‘morphed from boy to man’ haha. That just makes me think it all happened with no lights on 😉
I hate it too when players mention other teams as a possible future destination. It is simply unacceptable – think it, but don’t say it!
When confidence is low and results have gone against us, it is not always easy to muster the strength and believe to give it your all. But on top of the players you mentioned, I would like to add the BFG’s desire in the 2nd half against Blackburn to help us score the equaliser, Arteta’s fighting spirit all over the pitch (winning an impressive number of headers for example), Sagna’s never say die attitude and most of all Koz, whose fighting spirit is equal to that of Keown: a proper centurion.
I don’t think there is a lack of desire and spirit in this team – and some are more extravert than others anyway – but there is a lack of confidence and maybe belief at the moment. With the right leadership, on and off the pitch, we can get our belief back, followed by results and then confidence. Once this team gets a run of good games and our injury problems diminish, we will have our finest hour once again.
Great stuff Oz. Lot of heart in that post, would that some others on here would show the same commitment.
However I do think we judge players to much as Black or White, Saints or Sinners, whereas most have some shades of grey, after all we are all fallible in some areas.
Take Kelsey and I can we both be right, 🙂
GIE, 🙂
I would like to quickly address a comment you made @ 9:00 p.m. last night while I was elsewhere (working 🙂 )
— RA, I rarely disagree with you but your 5:18 I do:
“My ownview is that it is unreasonable to refuse to recognise the shareholding of Usmanov, and he should be on the Board”
Would you advise say a company 25% owned by a Pension Scheme to do the same? (i.e. give a seat to a Trustee of the Pension Scheme) This man is at total odds with the direction the Board and Majority Owner see the business running. He could stamp out investment at any opportunity, demand release of equity into the shareholders pockets.
My response:
First, I am perfectly content with you disagreeing with me. That is the epitome of debate.
Secondly, you did not include in the above, my preamble in leading up to my conclusion, which I think better explained my stance, which was a personal view, and not an accounting one.
It is unreasonable (in my view), and flies in the face of the precepts of natural justice, to deny anyone (not specifically Usmanov) the right to protect their interests in any public body. This is not a question of legality, because Kroenke has not broken any corporate laws.
Finally, I am sorry to disagree with you in return, from an accounting viewpoint, when you say he could “stamp out investment at any opportunity” — (why would he? what are your grounds for saying so?).
Being invited onto the BoD does not give him the voting power of veto, and neither would it give him any such personal control over the company’s business direction, unless in agreement with a majority of the other directors on the Board.
And the same applies to agreeing any hypothetical demand for ‘equity release’ to shareholders, not that Usmanov has ever made such demands to my knowledge – quite the contrary.
If I was an advisor to a Trustee of a Pension Fund, I would certainly advise them to seek representation on the BoD of a company where they had such a substantial holding, in order to be part of and influence the company’s business decisions and safeguard their shareholders interests, for whom, after all, they owe a duty of care. Wouldn’t you?
As I implied in my comment, I do not know or particularly trust either of the main shareholder ‘protagonists’.
Having Usmanov on the BoD means he would have access to confidential information privy to the Directors, and affecting all the shareholders.
He and Kroenke could ‘keep an eye on each other’, and hopefully mutually agree the way forward in these difficult times, and it would be to the benefit of us non-shareholding fans and the AST to know our interests are being safeguarded too.
Which is exactly why Kroenke will not accede to any such appointment!
Hope that clarifies my comment! 🙂
RA. Russian Oligarch = questionable finance acquisition = Arsenal stay well clear
Oz, whether she was ‘allowed’ to do it or not, I don’t know, but she took the opportunity and how well she worded it! People often make their biggest achievements when they get out of comfort zone and move into a new direction with focus and desire, whilst fighting their own demons.
I love the invictus poem too – talking about fighting your own demons!
@ TA
you are right there are others who show fight, some in their own way but i think most others show it at select times, not all the time and not when we need it most. Confidence is very low at the moment, But momentum is a funny thing, sometimes a game can shift in an instant and all it takes is a big statement to shift it back in our favour. Vermaelen is good at it with his tackling and surging runs (as though he says ‘this is how its done come on boys!’)
lets just say it was outside at an overnight concert in the country side, and i was the lamb she was the slaughter haha
@ Dandan
thank you for your comment, yet another on here whose opinion i hold in high regard. It’s an honour to write on such a great blog with such great supporters. Haha you are right, both you and kelsey are often in a league of your own, it is quite impressive.
@ All
thank you all for giving up your time in reading my post and commenting, hopefully it holds up to the prestige that this site stands always offers. I’m off to uni, shall be back later. Thank you in advance to others who read and comment. Good day to you all.
Laters, Oz, my hero!! 🙂
You are quite correct TA, Elizabeth 1st or Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth 1, to give her a bit more of her title, was the head honcho in the last half of the 16th Century, and what she said went.
When I said ‘head honcho’ it was tongue in cheek, because if you cheeked her you lost your head. Ask Black adder! 🙂
All powerful English female, the last before Peaches!!
RA, I should be meeting the Peaches before the Sunderland game, and I cannot wait to see for the first time the almighty, powerful Queen of AA 😀
TA, You lucky devil! 🙂
Ask her for me when you see her, what did see mean when she said, recently, she was ‘looking at jobs’?
What jobs? Structural engineering, crane driving? Or is it the bronzed bodied men doing the jobs?
Women can be intriguing with their throw away snippets, don’t you think!! 🙂
Great post Oz – “sometimes a game can shift in an instant and all it takes is a big statement to shift it back in our favour. Vermaelen is good at it ….”
Bring back the Vermaelen!! He is exactly the type of steel that we need back amongst the squad. Cannot emphasize how important he is to the team and how much his influence / skill / quality is missed. (Having a proper center back or two instead of a midfielder filling in will be good too)
Hes back after the “interdull” right?
RA thanks for the reply I still disagree 😀 Although I know where you are coming from, my comments were based on a theoretical non Usmanov type who was more worried about returns on his investment (both divi and value) rather than bankrolling the club as Usmanov appears to want to.
So my point was more do you support Usmanov being appointed to the board because he has such a share of interest or because of what he wants to do for the club? Would you support someone of a similar shareholding being appointed if he wanted to asset strip the club for his own personal gain?
My guess is no, but hopefully that clarifies where I was coming from.
Oz a mighty fine post, Wenger has been taking the flak for his players for too long now, its time he told them they are not performing well enough, I have understood and supported the patience and not wanting to ruin confidence in public. But I think its about time he told us what he thought of the way the players threw in the towel last season, and the way some area not delivering this season.
But as ever I will continue to back my club and those who play as you suggest, its the only way I know.
I refer to gooner in exile.Wenger maybe taking the flak for the players.I think it’s totally wrong to blame the players. Wenger is the one who decides the tactics.
Sometime ago I read a number of senior players questioning the never ending passing. They want to play towin. The manager wants to win with pretty soccer which is impossible to achieve.
Until Wenger changes course with his tactics the gunners will continue to be vulnerable with a hdl.Ultimately he is responsible for the gunners fortunes.
Hi GIE, 🙂
I think we have shaken that one around enough, or we will bore the arse of everyone else, altho’ you don’t exactly say what it is you disagree with.
However, you have raised a couple more questions and assumed my answer was ‘no’, but you really should have been a lawyer!! 🙂
You asked:
1) Do you support Usmanov being appointed to the board because he has such a share of interest or because of what he wants to do for the club?
My Answer: I made it clear that my original ‘natural justice’ comment was general and not specific to Usmanov. Therefore it is not a matter of ‘supporting’ Usmanov and the reply is indeed NO and NO.
2) Would you support someone of a similar shareholding being appointed if he wanted to asset strip the club for his own personal gain?
My Answer: That is such a loaded and rhetorical question and could only have one reply. NO!
3) Have you stopped beating your wife?
My Answer: I don’t have a wife! (oops, not sure you asked me that) 🙂
I am beginning to see you in a new light, GIE, and if you are not careful I will put on my royal regalia as properly appointed King of ArsenalLand, and introduce you to my mad, royal axeman for a cheap, chippy chop on a big, black block!! 🙂
Excellent and stiring stuff Oz,
No question the players have to stand up and be counted.
You can see from body language alone that a lot of players are lacking in confidence. My prediction is a couple of stuttering home wins followed by a hugh win at the Bridge will rectify our confidence problems. If we had played with more belief at the Lane we would have won that game hands down. Onwards and upwards i say.
RA & GIE,
Fascinating stuff about our 2 main shareholders. I suspect they are men with hugh egos and joint ventures are not there thing. Stan has control at the moment but Usmanov has the shareholding to place restrictions on any future stratejic moves by the club. Lets hope this dosn’t get messy.
Gunner4Ever, who is on the pitch the players or Wenger, when those players cross the white line they are on their own, if these senior players wanted to play to win (i do bloody hope so otherwise theres not much point) but think the way they should play should be different, why didn’t/don’t they do something about it on the pitch? Its not like they’re going to get hauled off for changing the way they play that positively effects the team is it?
Barca play pretty football and win, why because the players make the system work, and they work hard for each other, and thats the one thing I don’t see enough from our players, workrate, I struggle to see that they are playing for each other on occasion. This is my biggest worry, a squad has been assembled and they don’t seem to like each other that much.
I think back to Thierry and after i wipe away a tear I think of the joy he got from setting up others, trying to get Reyes on the score sheet or Theo when he could have scored himself to give them confidence and a cheer from the crowd.
TMHT I second that
Intersting interview by Aneke,,
Following his outing against Shrewsbury, Aneke has been training with the Arsenal first-team, and is already reaping the benefits.
And the 18-year-old says he speaks to Diaby as much as he can as he tries to stake a regular spot in Arsene Wenger’s plans.
“He is injured at the moment but I love the way he plays,” Aneke told the official Arsenal website.
“He’s got lovely feet and is a physical presence like myself so he is somebody to look up to.
“I speak to Abou when I can. Hopefully he is coming back and can do well for the first team again.
“Obviously training with the first team is a good experience every time because they are bit sharper and bit quicker so it feels like you can play a bit faster.
“They are all good players and they make you up your game a little bit more.
Hi TerryM, 🙂
You are right. the current ridiculous shareholding situation is unsustainable in the longer term. It would be better if Usmanov sold up, took his profit and cleared off.
Kroenke would then be allowed within the ‘rules’ of company law to buy out the AST shareholding and take the company private.
Eventually, if Kroenke decided he needed to sell the company (club) on, it would be relatively straightforward.
Ummmmm, — the AST would not be happy about that methinks, and if he took the company private, Kroenke would only have to disclose minimum financial info in the company accounts, and we (the fans) would know even less about what was going on, and who knows who he would eventually sell to?
Maybe there is a place for Usmanov, after all, to stop that happening perhaps?
Nothing in life is simple, or purely black or white. That’s why GIE is rich!! 🙂
GIE, Yaay!! your 12:53 is spot on and we agree, again! 🙂
The trouble with Guner4’s comment is that it is based on a non attributable “read”. Where, when, by who, about which ‘senior players’?
I read somewhere we are about to collide with Mars. What do you think about that? 🙂
Hi RA,
My greatest wish for the club would be if they both cleared off and a fans consortium took over, pure fantasy i know.Unless of course GIE stumps up the cash.
Rich? You haven’t met me have you….
RobLucci I saw on Twitter a mention that Aneke wanted to be like Diaby, I hope not in the injury sense!
Also saw he is looking for a loan move as he has seen how it has benefited his good friend Afobe.
And when I look at the friendships within our Youth/Reseves, Jack, Lansbury, Afobe, Watt, Aneke, Henderson, Bartley even Szczesny I think that’s the team I want to see represent the red and white. A core of players much in the Barca
TerryM,
They managed that at Barca!! 🙂
GIE,
I thought Chuks was talking about the physical similarities between himself and Diaby, and the impressive skill sets they both share.
great post Oz Gunner :)well done mate
Red Arse…the result of Your points, would be imo a disaster for The Arsenal..look at what have happened in the timeline since Kroenke(the Hollywood Looker)arrived..
and the trust You put in the american way of doing business is well a longshot,we all have witnessed what the american business model have done to the American society and finances..and we just have to look at clubs like manure and aston villa…etc..not especially bright futures..
the world of finances are changing..Usmanov is no villain,but a very successful businessman,not letting him join the board are imo opinion almost criminal,but it proves one thing,The Arsenal and Kroenke would like to do their business without having to answer to anyone…making their fair share of money,,not investing in the team,and to be totally honest..milking Our club like the americans tend to do with all their investments…
refusing Usmanov who is a major shareholder to join the board proves my point,Kronke is afraid of the fact that Usmanov might just love The Arsenal and put some pressure on the board to wake the f**k up,if You think for one second that Kroenke is interested in football well then i feel sorry for You Sir,Kroenke doesnt even come close to understand what football is about..to him its just another way of making money…
it should be clear for all Gooners, Kroenke *the hollywood looker* and his poor excuse for a businessman nazidis,is only in it for the money and are slowly but surely ripping Our Beloved Arsenal to pieces..get them OUT asap!!!
imo Usmanov is the future !!and darn he actually goes to games…but then again so do Kroenke ..right !
Ermm. Tom,
Relax!
My friend, GIE, had concerns about what I said because he thought I was supporting Usmanov.
You are having a go at me because you think I support Kroenke.
Interesting!!
I know English is not your first language, but please read what I said before jumping to conclusions!
Here is a snippet from my comment at 10:46.
— As I implied in my (earlier) comment, I do not know or particularly trust either of the main shareholder ‘protagonists’.
Having Usmanov on the BoD means he would have access to confidential information privy to the Directors, and affecting all the shareholders.
He and Kroenke could ‘keep an eye on each other’, and hopefully mutually agree the way forward in these difficult times, and it would be to the benefit of us non-shareholding fans and the AST to know our interests are being safeguarded too.
Which is exactly why Kroenke will not accede to any such appointment!
I do not understand or agree with much of the stuff you wrote about Kroenke anyway, but at least get your facts right where I am concerned!
Tom whilst you have a number of valid points, referring to Gazidis as Nazidis does your opinion a disservice, I let it slide a couple of times as I put it down to a typo, but now it seems it is actually done on purpose I am pulling you up on it.
To answer your point about US owners you mention Villa and United but not Liverpool which seems to be going well. The debt to Usmanov would be no different to Uniteds debt to the banks, do City’s owners love football or publicity? Which at the end of the day is their stated aims (Etihad and other such stuff).
I don’t see how some fans seem intent that following City/Chelsea is the answer or the correct path to take. It is just a continuation of something for nothing culture that seems to prevail in modern society.
GIE,
How ironic is it that my balanced approach to ‘natural justice’ for two men holding 90% of the share capital leads to me being the target for two opposing points of view.
TomS,
like GIE, I thought your ‘nazidis was a typo. If it is a play on the word Nazi I think you should apologise immediately.
I am not sure (and don’t care) but I think both Kroenke and Gazidis are Jewish, and the use of such a term is offensive and unacceptable to both Jewish bloggers and non-Jewish bloggers alike. So stop it!!
Oz,
Fantastico…love it.
This kind of post arouses me in the “No, I’m Spartacus” kind of way. It brings out the “who are you looking at” kind of Tony Adams spirit.
Really great stuff. Superb post. Thank you.
GIE,
Arsenal have a footnote on the site saying the following;
— “Arsenal’s accounts do not include the £30m gained from the sale of Cesc Fabregas, the £24m received for Samir Nasri or the £7m paid by Manchester City for Gael Clichy”.
The August expenditure on players would have been excluded as well, but there will be a healthy net surplus on player movements, and a consequent reduction in net salaries between these two groups of players.
You mentioned earlier, I think, the need to find increased revenue streams to ensure the club remains self financing, especially after the property sales stream ends. Sale of players is another way of achieving this, and is a bit worrying if the monies realised are not reinvested.
RA, I noticed you were referenced but it was a messy roundabout accountants “what do you want it to be” debate so to be clear what either of us was saying was probably difficult 😀
On your 3pm (very precise) It is indeed true they wouldn’t be in the figures bearing in mind they occurred after the Year End. I presume they need to be disclosed as significant Post Balance Sheet Events and will, due to their material nature, be included in the notes somewhere along the line. I would also imagine any expense needs to shown too.
The problem here is the reporting of Disposal Profits (proceeds less written down value) straight into the Profit for 2011-12, but the acquisition costs to the Balance Sheet to be expensed through the P&L over the life of the contract. Will give a strange slant to the accounts next season.
We are at a very difficult balancing point with self sustainability, from 2014 we could be all roses in the garden, but if the EU ruling on TV rights affects the next deal we could have to have another rethink.
Kids are often able to cut to the chase more readily than adults.
A group of children were lined up in the cafeteria of a local Church of England school for lunch.
At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The supervising Nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray:
——– ‘Take only ONE . God is watching.’
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note saying, ‘TAKE ALL YOU WANT — God is watching the apples…’
Red Arse ..im sorry for my rather poor English mate,but as You’ve mentioned it is not my first language..pardon ?
the g(n)azidis typo maybe abit too offensive and for that well i do apologize…it was ment to be ironic and to me it still is….
since 2007 i have been witnessing the rape of Our Beloved Arsenal and i have no doubt about who is to blame,..if You dont dhare my opinon or disagree well thats no problem,
Red Arse do You prefer that i write my posts in another language..jeg kan kanskje gjør det best på Norsk,oder Deutsch,esta hablar espanol…
im very sorry that you dont understand my Engilsh Sir and i will try to improve..
my main point in my post was simply
1. great post Oz Gunner
2. refusing Usmanov a place on the board is borderline criminal,even though i am aware of the fact that it is not illegal.
3. Our Beloved Arsenal clearly being milked for one purpose…profit..
4.the timelne shows imo who’s to blame–
finally Red Arse im sure it will please You Sir,to inform You that this will be my last post,until have improved my Engilsh so that it will be up to Your standard mate …
and i must say..living in denial will never be the answer,if The Arsenal shall progress we need changes…
Gooner in Excile…you do have a point pool seems to be doing just fine now,but what a mess they had to sort out,due to some american Owners eh ?
GIE,
Agreed. If pushed into speculating on what will happen in the next round of TV rights (and I am not really big on speculation 🙂 ), I think there will be a way around the latest ECJ Court ruling.
Basically what happened is that in the previous round of negotiations, the EPL rights were sold on to individual European countries at differing rates, based, presumably, on size of audience etc.
The publican bought her decoder from a smaller country at the reduced rate, and won because European Law does not allow discrimination on sale of goods or services between member states. (That is the gist anyway:-) )
So I think, the next time around a ‘one size fits all’ fee will be agreed, which will keep the bonanza for the EPL at the current (+) levels by costing any participating country a higher amount than that currently paid. So the Greeks and the Portuguese will get coshed!!
Just speculation, but it’s big business, and big business has a way of working these things out!! 🙂
TomS,
You have totally misunderstood my comment, again.
I did not make the comments about Usmanov that you previously claimed and are now repeating.
I put this down to a misunderstanding because English is not your first language, rather than getting annoyed with you.
— I did not support Kroenke.
— I did not support Usmanov.
— I suggested Usmanov, (or anyone else) with a 30% shareholding should be on the Arsenal Board of Directors, because that is natural justice, even if not a legal requirement.
So, you were picking an argument with me over something I did NOT say.
Do you understand me now?
All you family guys with young children must have a great laugh with their take on life. Here’s another funny, which i believe is genuine?
— A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, ‘I’m drawing God.’
The teacher paused and said, ‘But no one knows what God looks like.’
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, ‘They will in a minute.’
RA,
Gazidies is greek decent, born is South Africa. Not sure about Stan.
Tom,
Please relax. No one is having a pop at you. I like your posts because you tend to bring something different to the table, though i hardly ever agree with you.
@ GiE, pat, TMHT, micky, tomS
thank you for your comments and support
@ GiE + RA
fascinating stuff listening to both of you tear apart the financial parts of arsenal (never really read much on it myself so always good to hear it broken down by you.
@ Pat
not to sure, it seems to have gone quiet on that front, at first they predicted a return after the international break, but nothing has been said since (other than him stating he has started running again free of pain). So hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later. Jack and verm are the heart of this team, losing them both at the same time is a cruel blow.
@ Micky
I do miss tony adams dearly, i always wondered why they were cloning dolly the sheep instead of mr arsenal, i know which one would of been more useful. What ever happened to that sheep?lamb cutlets? leg of lab?
He may not be the greatest of footballers but i’ve always wanted to see scott parker play for arsenal (damn you spuds), because he brings something extra to the table. He is honest as the day is long, and will always give everything, i will never forget his tackle on joe cole, jesus christ!
Lorik cana is another
Hi TerryM, 🙂
It does not matter really, GIE and I have both said our piece on that subject and hopefully the message has been understood.
By the way, you do know the sun rotates around the earth, in the same way you revolve around your toupee? (If I say the opposite to what I believe, maybe I will get some peace and quiet!). 🙂
Hi Oz, 🙂
Are you awake and refreshed again? That seems to have been a quick sleep down under.
You can see how well received your Post has been, so start preparing for another. I had not noticed the faces in your pic until you mentioned it, but that was well done too! 🙂
Actually, GIE has not even begun to interpret the Arsenal accounts yet, and when he and 26 get going you will find they dissect them with great skill. 🙂
It can be boring for non-accountants, of course, but if it helps to dispel some of the myths surrounding the club’s finances it will be worth it in the long run.
RA,
ha ha, like your logic. On a serious point, toupee rotation can be a nightmare, had to flee a party once (faster then Usain Bolt) due to such rotation.
Oz,
Didn’t realize was your first post, pulitzer prize winner on the first attempt. Top man.
@ RA
no sleep yet my friend, just a forensics class and spending time with the mrs.
i couldn’t agree more, i remember reading a post on another website a few years ago when someone dissected it completely, it is interesting because its another side of arsenal you don’t often hear about (and of course anything arsenal is a good thing). I await eagerly, and im sure you, GiE, and micky will receive a few nudges from peaches along the way haha.
I’m glad all have enjoyed, had it not i would of slowly retreated into the abyss, hidden under the doona (just like harry) and cried myself to sleep. I shall write another in due time (if peaches will have me back), although like you i’m happy to step aside while others share their great posts.
@ TMHT
cheers for the kind words.
When are you going to dip that pen in the ink and jot down some words of wisdom on here?
Oz,
Tried to pen a few ideas down the other day, but suffering from horrendous writers block.
I know how you feel TMHT, thats why its good that we have new bloggers every now and again to keep this site going. Its always good to air views and get them off the chest but I sometimes fear I will be covering old ground when starting a post, and sometimes I feel i put to many ideas into comments that then can’t be used for a post 😦
@ RA
There’s a couple of people in that picture that really don’t suit the irish and scottish army (song and frimpong), young jack fitted in pretty well with the pale white guy he took over.
TerryM,
Just let the artistic juices flow. Once you have a subject, start the first sentence and you will find it hard to stop!!
My writing career is over — obviously 🙂 but in truth I never took more than 10 minutes to write something as a Post, and probably about 5 minutes on average. (that’s why they were crap, of course) 🙂 Go on you know you can do it. Oz was nervous but look what a stormer he produced!! 🙂
Incidentally, I hope you did not mind me teasing you about your postiche, I would not normally do so but you seem to be relaxed about it — so fingers crossed!! 🙂
GiE,
I understand your sentiments completely. Ordinary folk just dont realise how much we artists suffer for our art.
@ TMHT
it is hard isn’t it especially when nothing much happens during the international week news wise, so the creative juices are hard to get going.
@ GiE
i can see that, doesn’t rasp often hide your comments as he feels there too good to share and instead uses them as a post? or something along those lines?
Hi oz g,
Congratulations on a great rousing maiden post. Apologies for not commenting sooner but I have driven 350 miles today after getting up at 5:30 – I’ll add you to the list of authors as soon as I am back at my PC.
My feeling is that the responsibility for the commitment once on the pitch lies primarily with the players. The manager’s responsibility is to develop, recruit and motivate players who have the necessary character to do battle for Arsenal.
No-one knows whether they naturally possess the fight or flight response until they are faced with a critical dilemma. Football is not life or death but the greatest players play every game as if it were their last.
GIE,
You should not worry about that. Everything we say on here has been said by someone before anyway, but it is still good to read different takes on a subject.
Get writing senor!!
Not at all RA. I have of course graduated from the postiche to transplantation. (i had to look the word postiche up by the way, ha ha)
@ Rasp
thank you…ah finally my name is on that board, it is what i was looking forward to most. The misses even rang me and said “is your name on that board yet?”
I agree 100% it is down to the players, but in saying that i think a great pre-match/half time speech from the coaches can work wonders.
I’ve played Aussie rules football my whole life and in games where i’ve felt i haven’t give my all i feel physically afterwards. If i was slacking or lacking enthusiasm i’d make sure the next guy will the ball felt the tackle and it’d get the adrenaline pumping. How elite athletes who get paid bucket loads, and play in front of massive crowds cheering them can’t get pumped up is beyond me. But as you say you either have it or you don’t
@ TMHT
i feel if i can write a post anyone can, so you’d excel. TA writes english better than me and its not even his first language. Plus i only just passed english in high school (thank you curve!)
Hi Rasp, 🙂
I would not dream of differing with you, as you know, especially as you are probably right! 🙂
But my perception of top class, or world class players (is there a difference?) is that they make everything look so easy, as if they are just having fun and rarely seem to break into a sweat. Take Messi or Ronaldo (when he isn’t busy diving) as examples.
I am sure they put every thing into the game but it does not always show, does it?
Love the post, Oz.
I wish AW would employ somebody to hypnotise or motivate the players to re-instill some of that confidence which seems to have been lost.
@ RA
that is true sometimes it just doesn’t work for you. case in point ramsey vs spuds, he couldn’t complete a pass to save his life…all game. Also bentner a couple of seasons back when he missed 5/6 great chances in a game but then ripped up the champions league game.
With only 11 players on the pitch for any given team and cameras covering every square inch i think if a player isn’t trying enough they will get found out. They get scrutinised and watch closely enough, just ask AA
Where is Rock of ages today? If you get a compliment from him Oz, as I am sure you will, you should frame it. The Master will have spoken!! 🙂
TerryM, sorry re the postiche. I have always enjoyed two things in life (at least that I am prepared to admit to 🙂 ) one is talking/writing and the other is reading.
As a result when I speak or write/type words come to me I haven’t even really thought about.
I have had to modify my prose style for blogging purposes, because on other footie sites that I have frequented, I received a number of comments which basically said “that was great RA, but what the f**k were you on about?”
Useless chatting if you are not communicating. 🙂
@ Chas
thank you, perhaps arsene could bring in tony robbins?!
Or even a few words from nigella herself, i know that’d fire you up and instil some confidence
Oz,
You are right about the camera coverage.
I wonder why the players who spit and fart do so when they know with 3D and HD cameras everyone watching thinks they are spitting on their carpet.
The same with AW. He is often caught on camera picking his nose — and I have been known to duck, in case he flicks it!!
We won’t even talk about those guys who play outdoor pocket billiards, in full view of the cameras, or are they searching for their lost cojones?
Well work calls, again, so see you later or most likely tomorrow.
Good day, good read, Oz!! 🙂
@ RA
don’t worry i’ve purchased the frame, and i’m waiting in anticipation for the great Rocky to comment.
You truly are a word master, half the time i’m left ‘googling’ stuff to double check. I did plan to retire at 30 to a life of reading on my porch, hopefully after a few decades i could grasp your wordsmith abilities. However neither look like happening any time soon
@ RA
enjoy your day, cheers for the kind words and time
enjoy the rest of your day all, thank you once again for your time,i shall be back later to reply to any comments. thank you
Nice one Oz well done on your maiden post
I leave you with this thought
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.
and for Evonne
A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver’s licence. First, of course, he had to take an eye sight test The optician showed him a card with the letters
‘Can you read this?’ the optician asked. ‘Read it?’ the Polish guy replied, ‘That’s my cousin!.’
BR is back in the house ……
Oz – super post. and the pic is marvellous – how did you do it?
I am never convinced by the assumption that players lack courage or effort. Just to get into the AFC first team requires enormous application, years of hard work, huge self belief and considerable skill. To suggest that once a player gets to the exalted position of playing in the shirt that he will be lacksidaisical is a nonsense.
I have been away for a week and missed another dire referreeing performance plus another hit and miss AFC afternoon.
I only have the online reports to go on but it appears our problems stemmed from the injury to Sagna. This is a mighty blow to our team and once again highlights our bad luck. The only area of the team where we have no decent back-up, due in part to Sagna’s indestructability, and he gets seriously crocked.
How AW juggles the team will be of great interest. My hope is that TV returns and either Coq or Kos plays RB.
BR– we can talk about it in person soon enough, and I have to get back to my work– but briefly: our problems were much greater than Sagna’s injury. In fact, before the injury, he was having a poor game. Of course, for the next few months, his absence will be a huge problem… Jenkinson is going to be severely tested.
But, did I read you correctly? You missed the Derby?
Mikel Arteta has claimed he signed for Arsenal without having a medical first.(Daily Mirror)
The former Everton star revealed there was so little time to complete his £10million move on August 31 he told the Gunners he would assume liability if there was an issue with his fitness.
Arteta was handed a four-year deal and has played in six of he Gunners’ seven subsequent games.
Describing his transfer on Deadline Day, he said: “It was very stressful. At 6pm, they said everything had broken down. Then, at 8.30pm, everything started again.
“But there wasn’t time to have a medical. I went to the offices of the club [Everton] and from there I told Arsenal to trust me and that if some medical problem was found it would be my responsibility.”
Arteta, who signed for Everton in 2005, underwent surgery to rectify a stomach injury in the second half of the 2007-08 season.
He also suffered a knee ligament injury in February 2009 that sidelined him for almost 12 months.
Fortunately for Arsenal, the Spainiard has made a solid start to his Gunners career, with his first Premier League goal for the club against Blackburn on September 17.
However, they went on to lose that game 4-3 and are stuck in their worst start to a season in Premier League history.
But Arteta insists the club will turn it around and win their frustrated fans over.
“It’s obvious that the club is having a phase of one or two months of difficulties and there have been a lot of people disappointed,” he said.
“But we’ll come out of this. We’ll compete for everything. Its down to us to give the fans reasons to get back to being excited.”
I actually believe that due to circumstances but nevertheless injuries are our biggest headache at the moment.
Oz g,
You’re in the list and richly deserved – thanks for stimulating a very good day’s blogging.
Oxy Chamberlain just completed hat trick for England under 21’s
Hey Oz…top top quality. Excellent debut post.
I loved every word of it. Its good to see AA’s Junior Wing developing so nicely. I’ve couriered some rusks and marmite soldiers out to you.
Kelsey – you racialist rascal 🙂 me is british anyway
It seems that yesterday’s Micky’s silliness and today’s Oz’s macho call to arms has lightened our spirits, thank God. And now that Raddy is back we are rocking again!
Bring on Sunderland (the 1000:1 for EPL candidates) !
Am I right in thinking that Ox’s two games for Eng U21’s have so far reaped three goals and four assists..??
Ox must be having a good game
Great stirring post Oz.
It should be up on the dressing-room wall for the players to memorise.
Yeah Sharkey but that £15 million was wasted!
Or £15 million that could have been spent on ready-made England international ana Arsenal fan Ashley Young.
Hi gm apologies for not texting results to you but your number must’ve been in my old phone, I couldn’t find it anywhere. Where are you now?
GiE – you promised me a post!!!!
Agreed GiE…perhaps Arsene needs his eyes tested. Maybe he’s got a Polish cousin ‘eh Evonia the Legendaria
Night all
But it’s all ok, because we’re the nice guys who develop stars for bigger clubs, just like the Ajax model. The holy grail of the CL is fast becoming a distant memory as CEO Ivan Gazidis calmly pours cold water over our need to be competitive by announcing it wouldn’t be a disaster if we don’t qualify.
Whyever would we want to test ourselves against Europes elite?
That’s ok Peaches
I’m back now.
We won’t qualify.
Hi GM, how was your break in Japan? How are the Japanese people coming to terms with the double disaster they had to deal with earlier this year?
Hope you had a good holiday GM.
We don’t have to qualify, Mr Gazidis has given the thumbs-up for us to play with the handbrake on. No competitive football to see here.
Herb
Gazidis is saying it wouldn’t be a disaster financially.
£15m on a 26 year old…actually the fees undisclosed so it could have been £20m. For every Ashley Young there’s a £30m Berbatov sitting on the bench. We simply haven’t got the money to do that every year.
Peaches I have writers block! But I’ll email a little one.
Hi Rasp, Peaches,
I think we should do a simple post in the next few days in which we ask AA’ers to predict things like:
1. Were we will finish in the PL table this season?
2. Whether we will win any of the three cups this season?
3. How many clean sheets we will get?
4. Who will be our top-3 of goal scorers?
5. Who will become player of the year?
6. etc
It would be interesting to see how half empty/ full each other glasses are, and at the end of the season we can look back who got closest with her/his predictions… Just a thought for an easy post.
Nice to have you back gm.
As Micky said yesterday, GiE, we could quite easily have copied the Barcelona model.
What has Berbatov got to do with us buying Ashley Young?
1 7th
2 no
3 not many
4 ox, rvp and Gervinho
5 Chesney
6 Don’t understand the last one 🙂
Thanks Peaches although I’m not going to cheer anyone up. I think we are in a mess and Wenger is on his way out.
Hi Oz, I watched the movie Jane Eyre in the cinema today. Mia Wasikowska plays Jane Eyre and what a fine acress she is. Turns out she hails from your part of the planet 🙂 I think she will become really big.
The Ox scored three goals tonight and he did it with such ease. Best player on the pitch by 1.667 km.
On that positive thought, I say: night all!
Bad news about Sagna. Great for Ox tonight though.
Me too I’m off. Goodnight
The point Herb is that United buy one or two of the best players every year, at peak ages, get the most out of them and resign them to the bench after two seasons.
@ Kelsey, harry, BR, sharkspeare, herb
thank you for your comments. Much appreciated
@ GM
welcome back.
@ Total
very good idea, it’d definently bring out a few different and interesting opinions. As for mia, I am amazed how shes broken into Hollywood so quickly at a very young age. Being along side actors like Daniel craig, liev schrieber, and johnny depp must be surreal. I’ll have to check it out.
Ox would a future this kid is going to have. I agree with the person who said i hope we keep that core of young players (bartley, oxo,frim, wilshere, lansbury, ramsey, and so forth) together because they could create a very talented team for years to come.
@ Sharkspeare
i’ve returned your marmite soldiers, only vegemite soldiers reside here thanks haha
@ BR
i’m pretty handy with those paint programs, every you ever need to adjust your pre-match formation pic i’m your man.
I respectfully disagree with your statement however. Some players can get there relying on pure skill and technical abilities, connections (in alot of junior sports to get places its not what you know its who you know), and playing out of their skin in the right games. I feel you are either born with it, or you aren’t. You can’t tell me players like jack and verm should be considered in the same grouping as denilson in terms of passion and application to the team. Some strive every game others rest on their laurels
*oxo what a great future this kid is going to have
@ Kelsey
Thank you, much appreciated
@ Herb
We could of developed the Barca model before them after the invincibles era. The team should of become a dynasty. I wonder if he hadn’t built a new stadium, what sort of way arsenal would of gone, and how far arsene could of taken that team!
However i would take oxo over young any day of the week. As far as im concerned lennon, young and walcott are all the same, just quick players with flashes of brilliance. Oxo is going to light up the premier league
Sorry to be late on on your debut post day Oz, but I just want to say what an enjoyable, stirring read it is. The first of many, I hope…
Welcome back GM 🙂
Thanks everyone 🙂
@ Rocky
thank you, i’m glad you enjoyed. As RA said to get the Rocky tick of approval is a big deal
Welcome back BR and GM.
Oz,
I really did not have time to get stuck in yesterday. Couple of points. I happen to think AW is a terrible motivator. Now this is guesswork laced with a little hearsay. I think he is brilliant when things are going well and has an air of serenity, but appears helpless when the shit hits the fan.
No doubt at all some players loathe losing (Adams and Keane) whereas others have a take it or leave it attitude.
@ Micky
i agree. The serenity feel is good at times but their are too many different personality types needing different forms of motivation. In a sports psychology unit i did research suggested most athletes were motivated (and responded better) to being fired and then positive reinforcement once the activity was completed (end of the game).
When arsene got angry a couple of seasons ago the result was coming from behind to beat liverpool at home, unfortunently none of us are in the change rooms to confirm if this is a regular thing, however past players did suggest it was against the norm.
I have no doubt some don’t care if they lose, (with their massive paychecks im sure some look for longevity rather than putting themselves in dangerous situations that may risk injury) at the end of the day they get paid regardless
@ Micky
thats why i also feel more ex-players are needed around the club in some capacity, as the younger players look up to them and would probably motivate them better. You can’t say having paddy or henry walk in pre-game and delivering a speech wouldn’t have a positive effect on all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inudt4tpgns
Morning all
I think that the best motivator can run out of steam. After all they use the same mantras, tactics and possibly words. Players that have heard it many times before become immune. Similar applies to fans.
So why Ferguson never fails? Is it a new hairdryer from summer sales?
Don’t know, but I am beginning to agree that Wenger is losing his great appeal
Hiya Chas – great video, shame about the voice in the background. Personally I cannot stand female commentators
Chas – his third goal, am I seeing correctly?? cannot be
Oz,
I have said this before on here, but its relevant. Without name dropping (because I’m not naming) my brother in law’s best chum is an England rugby international, and I can absolutley confirm he really doesn’t give a monkeys. It is simply something that comes easy to him.
Now think of the Vinny Jones’ of this world. Not exactly blessed with talent but it does show how far passion and drive can take you.
AW did not need to motivate DB10, PV, TA etc.
Anyway, thanks again for a great post. Off now.
Evonne,
The third goal at least had a nice run preceding it.
Reminded me a bit of Steve Heighway and Bob Wilson. Eurgh.
@ Chas
cheers for the video, the third goal was unreal. That is quite possibly the worst keeper ever (after almunia).
@ Micky
very good points, enjoy your day
Chas – fantastic, what a guy!
Peaches and I were somehow disappointed by his size, with a name like that we expected to see a big animal and there was this little Ox 🙂 But he lives up to his big name, love him already
@ Evonne
good morning, how sir red nose has kept his teams motivated after all these years is quite astonishing. With new players always coming in and players leaving it shouldn’t get stale though. Players like RVP shouldn’t need it, whereas the youngins should (however their youthful exuberance should be motivation enough). Although i worry when players like JET somehow lose their motivation and rest on their laurels
Hi Oz – it might be that it all depends on what was the main driving force in them chosing footballing career. If it was money, then earning 50k+ most probably satisfies most and then like you said, they can rest on their laurels. If it was a genuine love for the game or ambition to become the best on the pitch, then any manager would be a good motivator.
Have I answered my own question, ie Fergie talks with fear and money? Aha, maybe.
haha evonne you have answered your own question well, who better to answer it?!
fergiescum changes his right hand man quite frequently. He also doesn’t coach the players.
Hi oz – sorry I wasn’t around yesterday to congratulate you on your post. I think that there has been a fair amount of mollycoddling gone on for a group of players that probably weren’t good enough but I’m pretty certain JW doesn’t need to be coaxed along.
Maybe in the Ox, Frimpong, Santos and Coquelin along with Jack and Song we’ll have players that won’t be pushed of the ball and that in itself will make the team look more spirited, like we have more passion for the fight.
Love the pic, sorry I couldn’t make it bigger 😦
Morning all,
I am with BR on this on. Nobody makes it to the very top in football without a winning mentality – an ability to fight harder than others. Top footballers do not just choose a career for money, it just does work like that: they have to give it their all to get anywhere near the top. But there might be other factors, like injuries, a bad atmosphere between a number of players, players wanting to leave (and other players knowing that there fellow players will be leaving), a negative crowd, etc, etc that have a negative impact on a player’s motivation/ abiltiy to fight for the team. I just don’t think it is as easy as saying some players have a fighting spirit and others have not.
Should Arsene have one to ones with players in order to get the best out of them, or shout at them before and during the game, in front of everyone? They are professionals and if Arsene would spot a real, rather than perceived, lack of motivation he is likely to deal with in a one to one. I think he is rock-hard when he comes to the conclusion that a player is not giving their very best for us: that player will be out of the door in no time.
New Post ………………………
If Ferguson is such an effective motivator as many believe, why is it they performed so poorly away last season? The real motivator for MU is the home crowd.
And why did he lose top-top players like Stam, vNistelrooy and Beckham? Give me Arsene anytime.
TA. You see my point. We are not talking about playing for Hendon in front of 200 people, we are talking of men who have reached the very top of their profession and skill alone will not take you there.
Imagine a player who almost certainly has his family and friends in the crowd thinking to himself “sod it, I can’t be bothered this half,” With the availability of OPTA stats he would be in AW’s office on Monday and shown the error of his ways.
The person people often point at is Denilson. I think you will find that Denilson (stat-man) ran further than any other player on the team. He may not have had the “nuts” for a battle but one cannot accuse him of lack of effort.
And as you point out different players require different motivation. For example, shout at me to try and get me to work harder and my response is F.Off, sit down and rationally go through my errors and I will respond positively. Players must be the same.
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