Watching very happy Wigan fans enjoying their team cavorting with the FA Cup was a delightful sight, but as the actors always say “it should have been me”
Why wasn’t it us? We should have beaten Blackburn and then enjoyed a relatively smooth run to Wembley, and we would have beaten a surprisingly poor Man City . Did the Arsenal team deserve to lose that day? Well, the fact TR hit the bar and that we had a myriad of shots compared to Blackburn’s one would indicate that the best team lost. It happens – just like it did yesterday.
What is wrong with this picture? … It should be Arteta and the Boys
I love the FA Cup and yesterday was no exception; the Wigan story had to be written as did Wimbledon’s freak win over Liverpool and Stoke’s over Leeds (back in the days of black and white). Or that horrible day when that ugly, whingeing Hammer, Trevor Brooking scored the only headed goal of his career.
I have been spoiled. I have seen The Arsenal win the FA Cup on many occasions – and yes, I know how long ago the last one was – all were brilliant days out. Even when we won having been totally outplayed and PV4’s last kick of his Arsenal career sent me home deliriously happy.
The reverse is true – losing a Cup Final scars one for life. I can remember the pain of them all. The Man City fans will have that loss in their memories for a long time to come – whether they go on to win trophies by the dozen they will still be haunted by being beaten by a massive underdog. We know!
But – Are trophies everything? My immediate response is a definite NO. I immediately think of Kipling and the two impostors of Triumph and Defeat. Unfortunately, on an emotional basis I veer towards a positive response – maybe it is true – Trophies are what it is all about. Second is nothing, second is losing, come second and you have wasted both time and energy. Second is Nowhere.
Or is it? According to Kipling and many others, the taking part is all important not the victory; the journey not the arrival.
Be honest though, weren’t you just a bit jealous of those joyful Wigan fans? I was. And the truth is I am desperate for us to win a Trophy and not the bloody Emirates Cup.
Written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Where’s Big Al?
OK, BR, so which is it?
“Are trophies everything? My immediate response is a definite NO” or
“I am desperate for us to win a Trophy and not the bloody Emirates Cup.”
You might get splinters in the ass when straddling the trophy fence!! 😀
No, trophies aren’t everything. But I wouldn’t mind a few 🙂
GM,
He gave up when I kept winning the 23rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdddddddd comment!! No staying power! 😀
Competing for them and giving everything you’ve got especially for the fans, I don’t mind losing in a cup competition, but to go out without a fight is the one thing I can not stomach, to watch this team simply not give it all and to hear Wenger’s excuses does get my goat. I f we gave it all then fair play, but to lose to Bradford and Blackburn in the way we did isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time. Winning trophies isn’t everything, but giving it your best is
Give me trophies! Big, small, shiny, grotty, broken, jug-eared, silver, chrome —– just give me trophies!!!! 😀
I do agree with the line. Supporting a team is a journey and if we were winning things every year it wouldn’t be all that interesting to be honest. We had a few years when we were a top side when Wenger first joined and he almost built a new one in 07/08. It was amazing to see certain players emerge and for everything to click; we went from a decent CL side to one that was clearly the best in the country that season. The side had an identity and was great to watch and only terrible bad luck prevented us from claiming the title. I guess you always want the team to be trying to win things, but the lows make the highs so much better IMO.
I read a stat yesterday
In 83 attempts Moyes has not won an away game at Manu, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea
Sorry it was 45
I think the mancs domination is at an end
So GM Moyes has never won a game at OT, guess the United fans hope he will change that one quickly. Not surprised to see Scholes announce his retirement, i expect Giggs to follow, which of them will see playing for Moyes as continuation? I wouldn’t mind betting Evra moves to PSG, and Vidic to Munich, and then Ferdinand will retire, and then we will all laugh as BSR really will be in a one man team 😀
Raddy thanks for the post, it was a real joy seeing Wigan win that yesterday, not only because of the Little v Big nature of the battle but the fact that they did it without resorting to 10 men on the edge of the area and nick a goal, maybe for the first 5 minutes was the only time City were on top, Waddle (the moron) was commenting that Wigan would be on to a hiding given that first 5 minutes, do football pundits not realise that games last for 90 minutes, and they ebb and flow.
So are trophies everything? Ask a Birmingham fan or a Portsmouth fan, and now perhaps a Wigan fan, I think the Wigan fans will be the ones who say it is, but thats because of where they have come from, they have never thought of themselves as a big club, they know their limits, so the most they could ever hope for is a cup win and staying in the PL. And because the club is well run they do not have to worry about going out of business once faced with relegation.
Now as for us, its obviously a different proposition, where are our priorities as a football club. We have been close in the last 8 years, maybe not in the last 2.
Would an Arsenal fan take a cup win and being relegated?
Ok relegation is unlikely so would we take a cup win and a mid table finish?
Answer that, and we can decide whether trophies are everything.
Well trophies are everything especially this morning to Wigan, but to deface the greatest cup competition in the world by moving the traditional time and it not being the last game of the season doesn’t sit well with me.
With regards to Moyes he may have a six year contract but if things don’t pan out he may just about last a season,he has a big act to follow.
Football makes fools of us all and this has been a season when on their day anyone can beat anyone else yet when Abramovich took over many said Chelsea would dominate for the next ten years and for the investment that City have had they have had a miserable season .too many prima donnas,over payed, Tevez and Balotelli basically holding the club to ransom is not what football should be about.
Arsenal, well the key to me is Kroenke and I don’t expect a massive change of policy by the club regardless where we finish.If i am wrong I will be pleasantly surprised.
RA. It is the head vs Heart argument.
And I have a steel khyber so splinters have no effect 🙂
Its a good but useless question. Who is not going to want trophies over everything? Under Arsene for his whole term we have played the best football in the UK but stopped winning trophies the moment Chelski started buying them. AW got tons of stick because he could not compete financially but he kept us up in the top four all the same. We have the richest owners/board in Europe but our spend is tiny compared to Manure /City/Chelski. That says it all.
It is a wonderful moment for Wigan and the football league that one of the top buyers of trophies got their deserts. So congratulations Wigan and I hope you stay up but not at our expense.
Morning all,
Thanks Raddy – trophies??? that is the burning question ….. but we don’t have to choose as we’re unlikely to be fighting relegation therefore trophies should be our main aim.
We have a cup final on Tuesday whether the spuds win lose or draw today. I don’t expect us to get 6 points out of our last two games. We will learn how determined the spuds are by their performance at a wet and windy Britannia Stadium today.
GIE hits the nail on the head. There’s no doubt we all crave the joy of winning a trophy but not at the expense of sacrificing the chance to play in the CL.
Next year both Manc teams and Chelsea will potentially be in a state of flux with changes of management. With our stable squad and a few additions we can have the lot cups, league, european domination.. 2014 is our year!
Morning all splendid post BR.
Well done Wigan on yesterdays win, let’s hope we can start winning trophies as its been a long time for a big club like us and I ain’t getting any younger.
Lets hope my home town can spoil Mr Fergusons leaving party,I’m happy with David Moyes going there, as he’s overrated and never won anything.
Much love
Sheep hagger ™
It struck me yesterday that Martinez and Dave Whelan said they would not celebrate the FA cup win until next Sunday and they had secured their prem survival. I thought how they would be able to celebrate it after they are relegated. That been said winning a trophy is special. I remember every cup final win for arsenal and where I was when I watched it.
Gunnerpete. we don’t have the richest owners. QPR had very rich owners for a while look where they are.
Raddy,
I my 66 seasons of watching Arsenal we have won 20 trophies in just 16 of those seasons – so that means the cupboard has been bare for 50 of my seasons of unabashed and unbreakable support.
Those 16 seasons were very special and filled me with both joy and pride – let’s not mention the tears. If it were to happen most seasons (Man U) it would become expected and frankly very mundane.
I just love the chase the anticipation and the thrill of every win, after every draw I continually go over our missed chances, thinking if only one had gone in, we would have won, every loss makes me cringe.
Particular losses stick in my memory like glue, Rooney diving at Old Trafford to win a penalty and deny us the 50th notch on our unbeaten belt was, and remains, a very bitter memory,
Trophies are merely the icing on the cake – the making of the cake is the essence of a team/game/season/all time record, and I love being the cook.
Gn5 🙂
GIE; I am not sure the choice is winning a trophy and getting relegated, or not winning and not being relegated. Is it?
GN5 is correct, it is not about winning trophies every year, but we seem to have entered an era of feast or famine, and altho’ I would not expect to win a trophy every year, it would be nice to have just the hope/expectation of winning something in the near future, and not just for personal gratification, but for the pride and and reflected glory bestowed on our deserving manager, the team and the club.
I say that without any rancour, or finger pointing, because like many Arsenal fans, I take the fallow years with equanimity, and the winning years with joy.
The experience of winning or losing at football, as in life, is cyclical.
I fancy stoke to do the spuds today !
Sheep,
I fancy “Potted Spuds” myself.
Had my spuds was nice cheers .
I’m going to watch the stoke game and keep track on Spanish Gp as well .
I nearly wet myself watching this
I just love Stoke……………………
Right I am Orced up. Lobotomised and drooling.
Come on Stokey
Nzonzi LOL. A bit early though
And that’s the keeper Arsenal fans think we should sign?
goonermichael we have the richest shareholder.
two scenarios.
a) stays a draw and we beat Wigan then if we lose to newcastle Spurs need to win by 15 goals in their last game.
b) Stoke have a man sent off while it is 1-1 and Spurs get a late winner then we know the game is bent.
Bring back Almunia!! 😀
What a last minute penalty save for Watford, who go thru to Wembley.
Kelsey,
You should have kept your thoughts to your self – Adams has made a real Charlie of himself,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,10 men for 45 minutes!!!!!!!!!
That is two games this weekend when the home team have been one up early and had a man sent off.
Come on Stoke. Keep fighting.
He’s not as rich as the Arabs
Mancini has been tin tacked 🙂
Late monkey boy goal I fear. Kelsey is a mystic 🙂
Kelsey, you have your ‘inside’ knowledge, so what time will Bale score?
goonermichael name me an arab richer than Usmanov
GM,
Don’t get involved with the nut!
Sheikh Mansour’s personal wealth is estimated at around £15bn plus as the world’s second richest royal family, they have access to an oil fortune worth £400 billion to £1 trillion. Sheikh Mansour recently bought and controls Manchester City FC.
Afternoon all
This is too scary for me, I can’t watch or listen ………. that’s not entirely true, it’s on in the background but I’m not paying any attention 😉
Thanks for the post Raddy. I was thrilled for Wigan and their players to have won the FA cup yesterday and yes I did think ‘it could have been us’ 😦
Oh s*** anybody but him………………..
Agreed GN5 😦
We have to win last 2 games. I’m not confident
It’s Wigan and Newcastle, if we can’t win them we don’t deserve it, but as CL football isn’t a trophy presently Wigan and Swansea have had a better season than us, Spuds and City.
Another team rolls over to the jammy Spuds. Another key player gets sent off to allow our opponents to steal a victory.
Still in our hands but I have grave concerns
Wigan are practically down already. Don’t know if that helps us.
Actually if wigan beat us then beat villa they stay up.
Forbes 10 Riches Football Billionaires :
1. Carlos Slim Helu (Leon) $73
2. Amancio Ortego (Deportivo) $57
3. George Soros (Man Utd) $19
4. Alisher Usmanov (Arsenal) $17.6
5. Lakshmi Mittal (QPR) $16.5
6. Rinat Akhmetov (Shakhtar) $15.4
7. Francois Pinault (Rennes) $15
8. Paul Allen (Seattle Sounders) $15
9. John Fredriksen (Velerenga) $11.5
10.Roman Abramovich (Chelsea) $10.2
No need to panic folks.
It’s all nicely set up for a Spuds final day choke.
Lasagne anyone?
GunnerN5 I’m afraid the ingredients are now from Aldi and not from Waitrose. We look very tired and stale. We need a new chef in the kitchen.
To cheer you up:
GIE:
The difference is that to both Wigan and Swansea their cups wins were the pinnacle of their clubs achievements, whereas to Spurs, City and ourselves they would be just another piece of silverware.
I would not swap a CL spot for either the League or FA Cups, but I might find myself in the minority – which is not at all unusual.
Remember when ‘Arry got all stroppy with the BBC reporter for suggesting they would need 40 points to stay up, and ‘Arry said “you think we’ll need that many?…..nah you haven’t been watching we can stay up with less than 40”.
Erm actually ‘Arry you were wrong.
Not even 41 points is safe…..look at Fulham, two weeks ago Saints were safe as houses, not now.
GN5 I think it just demonstrates that football has changed drastically when fans such as yourselves and Raddy with years of support behind you say that.
I’m not averse to a season out of the CL if it happens…..and I would like to see us have a good run at Europa should that be our fate.
I said he wasn’t as rich as the Arabs. And he clearly isn’t
I would swap 4th for the FA Cup, but not the Capital One.
GM What is a billion or two between friends? They are all insanely rich
Raddy,
The euphoria of winning the FA Cup would most likely make me change my mind about 4th – but the thought of Thursday football does not sit very well with me, that’s Spurs domain not ours.
No Arab on that list and he even beats Sheikh Mansour in personel wealth. Usmanov is 34th richest man in the world.
My word Coutinho is turning out to be quite a player for Liverpool. Weren’t we interested in him some time ago too? 😦
Sturridge is turning out to be quite a striker for Liverpool too. If they manage to keep hold of Suarez and bring in one or two more quality players I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually manage to put in a serious fight in the PL next season.
Man City are owned by the whole family. I said he wasn’t as rich as “the Arabs”
Mittal is only just behind him. Why wasn’t he throwing his money about?
Sturridge is miles ahead of welbeck now
I just watched that documentary series about Carnegie, J P Morgan, Rockefeller and Henry Ford. These people today are small fry compared to them. Carnegie and Rockefeller gave away much more than these people own in today’s terms.
Man City is solely owned by Sheikh Mansour.
It’s in his name yes
Not sure if the other results have gone our way. Newcastle are now safe and both us and Wigan have to win both our games.
I have had a feeling all season that we might miss out, hope I am wrong.If only we had a top four Home record then we would already be in the top 4 possibly even third.
Rooney not even on the bench today, the lesson is that you cannot cross Rudolph without him proving that he’s the boss.
It’s his party and he decides who he’s going to play with – defiant to the end.
Sheikh Mansour won’t be attending the FA Cup final today to see his Manchester City at Wembley.
The Daily Mail says you might think that a season in which Manchester City were defending their Premier League title would be worthy of at least one visit by Sheik Mansour.
But the owner hasn’t been seen at a City game this season and will not be at Saturday’s FA Cup final either.
I said Usmanov is richer than any Arab football owner.
I bow to your superior knowledge
GM. It is the troll
I don’t mind Raddy. He’s not being offensive.
Agreed GM offensive no, dull very.
Lots of these facts that are all irrelevant as Wigan proved yesterday money is not the be all and end all, Usmanov can now promise all the spending he likes it won’t be his money it’ll be the clubs due to FFP kicking in, and the strong commercial deals we are now making.
Secondly Usmanov is in a strange way stopping us from spending more, as if we were 100% owned we would be able to make a bigger loss under FFP (providing debt was turned to equity).
Finally City was purchased as much as an advertising vehicle as it was a football club…..the signing of Robinho demonstrated that, they timed their acquisition right as it allowed them to get to the top table before FFP kicked in.
The real problem of thinking money and a rich owner are the answers are that whilst Usmanov might be 4th in terms of football owners where is he in world finances….still rather high probably but bearing in mind there are three above him on football alone what’s to stop a richer man buying Spurs, then one buying Villa then one buying Stoke…..what then?
Thanks for that RADDY, that stupid emirates cup really bothers me. Winning it is more embarrassment than not winning. Really great when a team and their main sponsor give themselves a trophy.
But here is an idea for the emirates airline. Get all the teams that they sponsor in a tournament and the winner of that would be a cool thing.
Galatasary are playing the Emirates cup this season.
I’ve been saying for years a Team like Wigan can win the Cup if taken seriously.
How many small Clubs priorities League positioning and League status instead of taking advantage of so called bigger Clubs who field weaker Teams or rest players in Cup Competitions.
Opposite of last years run in with us and rivals for third and fourth choking and stumbling down the stretch. This time all playing best of the season towards the end. I am extremely nervous. No room for any slip up. Thats alot of pressure. I hate this. Fun would be fighting for a title.
—battling for fourth is about financial viability, not as much a shot at next years cl tourney. So much more to lose than to gain.
The mancs want it as much as us. You may well be right but the FA are manu’s bitches
Yeh the truth hurts
Who would take Rooney? (not in a gay way)
Honestly, I didn’t feel ‘that should be us’ when watching Wigan. Because Wigan’s victory is one of the good things in football. Well done to them. They deserve it. I did feel that about ManU’s celebration a couple of weeks ago, and today. They are not the good guys in football, and I don’t believe they deserve it because the whole organisation is geared towards helping them win. I want us to win, and I’m sad Ferguson is leaving, because I want us to beat him.
I want trophies. Absolutely. But at the cost of CL football? No. Not in the modern world. Because having CL football ensures a better chance of winning trophies in the future. Not having CL football, will make it harder to do so. Simples. Even not winning is about winning. 🙂
We’re 7 league titles away from ManU’s 20!!!!!!!!!! We’ll close the gap in the next 20 years. And overtake them in the FA Cup, as well as win 2 CL titles by then. Save this post to throw back in my face 20 years from now if you want, but it will happen. And it would be, in no small part, due to the 8 years of ‘failure’.
red nose has confirmed Rooney’s transfer request
gm
If we take Rooney (no homo), who are we not taking? Rooney instead of Higuain? No. Rooney instead of Jovetic? No. Rooney instead of Remy or Benteke? Yes.
I’m not sure Rooney fits our style of play really. Although that might be a good thing in the sense that he might give us some variety. But I don’t think of him as a clinical striker either (the numbers might show otherwise) It would definitely be a statement to get him, but would it be much more than that?
In any case, with those wages, and ManU’s reluctance to sell to us, this is very unlikely to happen.
Shard….I honestly think Rooney would come for the football.
Here’s why…..he played with RvP this year, and he probably thought to himself “he is one year older than me, but look how much better his control is, look how well he passes…..Ferguson taught me none of that”.
😀
I don’t like him. If he signed for us (highly improbable) I’d have to learn to love him.
GIE,
You actually made me laugh 😀
Chelsea
12/13 £24m spend
11/12 £87m spend
10/11 £80m spend
City
12/13 £3.5m spend
11/12 £63m spend
10/11 £67m spend
Hmmm seems to me like it might be working.
Shard in a way I believe that Ferguson ruined Rooney. He was the brightest English talent of a generation and he turned him into a workhorse.
I covered this in a post sometime ago when I said we should raid OT for Rooney. I think he would add plenty to our side, and that he could have been a much better player in a different environment.
GIE
You might be right about that. But he’s going to cost big money. There are some other players who might be available for similar amounts. Do you pick him as your first choice?
They only spent £54m, I’m actually £10m short above because they only sold £20m worth.
More evidence of FFP working is the players departing and the wages they were on going out of the door. Soon to be follows any other big earners, there wages were exempt from first year (11/12) FFP figures.
But hey I’m having a discussion with a troll who only believes what he has read elsewhere, has no opinion of his own and doesn’t have the wherewithal to debate anything further than annoying one liners that constantly move goalposts.
So I guess I’m the real fool.
Where did everyone go?
I just came across this site.. It’s more ‘conspiracy theory’ but I’m just glad to see someone other than just Arsenal fans are looking at and saying the same things.
http://diminbeirut.typepad.com/my-blog/corruption-and-influence-peddling-in-english-football/
GM I got roped into clothe shopping (online) for my boy.
Why are all baby boy clothes blue?
Shard didnt reply earlier I think I would for the simple message it sends. Would our current side be better with Rooney in it?
The answer is yes, although I think Chelsea or PSG have probably done the deal already.
Could Rooney go to Spurs?
I watched a bit of the Milan-Roma game today, and Lamela looked like a very good player. Good pace, good dribbling, good vision. Not saying we should buy him. We already have the Ox to play a similar role.
Thanks for the reply GIE. I’m not sure I agree with you about picking Rooney over some other players. But in any case, I agree that it’s likely not going to happen anyway.
No reason why not Raddy, except they’re shit.
I see results didn’t go our way again today. It’s all down to us for the last 2 games.
My only concern is that Wigan are down if they lose so they’ll try everything possible to get to the last game with a chance of survival.
Just watched Watford Leicester highlights, Almunia looked every one of his 35 years as he went back for the double save on that penalty.
Wasn’t a penalty though so justice was done.
Don’t forget we have the ref with whom Wigan have an amazing success rate!
I expect Wigan to get a penalty. And we’ll get a red card if we give him half a chance.
Rocky up to players to stay disciplined then….unlike Charlie “Numpty” Adams today!
Good morning, Micky, 🙂
Good morning, Chas, 🙂
Good morning, Raddy, 🙂
OK, so it’s Monday morning, but no excuse for not showing up!!!! 😀
RA. Good Morning.
They are shirkers.
Raddy, 🙂
I spent a while reading the papers, and I am totally gob smacked as to how much their players cost Wigan.
£9.5m ……………. not a mistype, £9.5m.
My appreciation of the job Martinez has done at Wigan has exponentially increased. Just shows there are some cheap, under-rated players out there, but someone (Martinez) had to find them.
Even more worried about tomorrow night now.
Morning all….I am genuinely shocked at the run us, Chavs and Spuds have been on.
We had a few chats back in late March (from memory) where everyone agreed that no one would go to the end of season unbeaten ( think it was 10-12 games to go at the time). Even though there have been a couple of defeats for the others
People said 70 points would be enough, as there was no way all 3 would maintain form. Well so far in the main all three have. I worry we will be left cursing that draw against Everton at home.
Tomorrow night is massive, the players are going to need the fans to be up for it like any top 4 game. There is always something special about floodlit matches that bring extra atmosphere to the occasion. We will need to harness it.
Morning all,
The writing has been on the wall all season and we’ve only got ourselves to blame (at least I’m going to be that vague about laying the blame until the season is over). We have to play with a sense of urgency right from the start, close them down all over the pitch, work harder than we have all season and take our chances when they come.
That’s an interesting site Shard. Big Al would say it’s paranoia but as Benitez said in his “rant” “these are the facts”.
Morning everyone. Off to work.
Morning all
New Post ……………………
Morning all
GiE
Everton home? No, if we miss out it will be all those games where we didnt try very hard for the full 90
On a brighter note. How much fun to pip Spuds in the last minute of the season 🙂
Just a note : Sunderland beat Leeds in ’73 (after beating us – with no small amount of help from Jeff Blockley – in the semi’s), not Stoke. Wigan’s win qualifies as the greatest ever cup final shock.imo. Leeds and Liverpool were great sides in their times but did not have the huge depth of squad and financial dominance that Shitty have today. Shitty are a disgrace, so deserving of Nasri.