Disharmony is not a good thing.
In music, it produces sounds that are dissonant and unpleasant to the ear (yes One Direction, I’m looking at you!).
At Arsenal Football Club it has produced a period of fractiousness, has raised tempers and temperatures and pitted supporter against supporter.
All a bit ironic really, when you consider the club motto: Victoria Concordia Crescit: Victory Through Harmony.
So one of the most pleasing by-products of the Ozil to Arsenal story is that it might heal some of the psychological wounds that have afflicted the club and fans in the last few years.
Here’s why.
The “spend some f**king money” argument has been thoroughly defused and rendered harmless (although there are bound to be a few hold-outs who think that £42m on a single player is still not enough).
Likewise the “no ambition” accusation against Arsene Wenger and the club can be removed from the charge sheet (before we got Ozil it is a matter of record that we bid over £40m for the bitey Uruguayan, so we were damn well going to spend big on someone).
And – even though it is often overlooked in the razzmatazz of the Ozil signing – the shifting out of the so-called “dead wood” can also play its part in improving the sense of well-being around the club: most supporters now accept that the current crop of players are fully committed and will sweat blood for the team. There are few, if any, left in the squad who can be accused of being lazy or of shirking their duties.
So, is it too much to hope that the fans, who have been so disunited, can come back together again and support the team with one voice?
I think not.
A comment on Arsenal Arsenal a couple of days ago gave me a lot of hope. It came from someone – Alfygun – who is not a “regular” in the comment columns. This is an edited version of what he said:
“I have been one of Mr Wenger’s biggest critics over the last few seasons, but the last few weeks I have had to admire his strength and his unwavering belief in his methods and principles. I think a lot of the criticism and anger that has been directed at him by myself and thousands of others is because we find it hard to understand someone who will not be swayed by public opinion and is willing to put his reputation on the line to protect his players as well as his ideas.
“There are still a lot of Mr Wenger’s ideas and ways of dealing with things I do not agree with – as a fan of 30 odd years I get very passionate about Arsenal’s results and dealings – but maybe I’ll take a leaf from Mr Wenger’s book and conduct myself in a more graceful manner.”
I thought it was brilliantly put by Alfygun: he reserves his right to criticise Wenger and the way he operates, but acknowledges that our manager has performed with strength and dignity during a very difficult period. He, in turn, feels he should display similar restraint and dignity when taking issue with the direction of the club in future.
Although my own support of Wenger has remained strong I have also felt the frustration and, occasionally, anger that has prompted many supporters to turn on him. In my case usually, once I have stepped back and considered the bigger picture, my belief in Le Boss is restored, but I understand why others have lost faith.
Now I sincerely hope that Alfygun’s sentiment is echoed by others who have become disillusioned with the current set-up.
We have an exciting team to get behind and a genuinely world class star to build around.
We have money to spend, we have sent a clarion call to the football world that we are ready to seek out and buy the very best and the future is most definitely one filled with hope.
So for the fans – so recently at each others throats – this can be a time for olive branches and healing.
If you have sat/stood at the Emirates singing at Arsene Wenger “spend some f**king money” or “you don’t know what you’re doing”, it doesn’t matter.
If you have been moved to go onto Arsenal blogs to demand that Arsene resign or be fired, it doesn’t matter.
If you have said things like “we’ll never win anything again with him in charge,” it doesn’t matter.
If you have bought into the media-fuelled negativity surrounding the club, it doesn’t matter.
If you have found yourself even partly convinced by some of the palpable lies spewed by the more hateful blogs (“Wenger gets a bonus for not spending money on transfer fees”) it doesn’t matter.
If you have begged for Alisher Usmanov to come and save us because “that funny American bloke with the moustache never spends any money” it doesn’t matter.
It is time to come home to the Arsenal you have always loved – the one you could support without caveat or equivocation. The one where you knew that everyone around you in the stadium felt the same way as you did.
It is time for us all to sing with one voice.
Victoria Concordia Crescit.
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
I believe that as Arsène Wenger’s contract ends by June 2014, he should be signed back. Even if we haven’t won any trophy for 8 years, even if there has been so many critics against the team and the Manager, we should not forget that Ozil came to Arsenal because of Wenger, and we should be appreciative of that. Also, we should respect the fact that against all odds, Arsène Wenger has been able to maintain Arsenal FC’ position in the EPL’s table. It’s not easy to be among the top four when you face so many criticisms and crises. Wenger handled this transfer window masterfully.
P.s. In Arsène Wenger, We Trust.
Amen!
Excellent
Really nice article mate…
Am sorry my friend for the way you think we as you out it the elements who have demanded change in the way the club and it’s affairs are run are not the ones to return home but you the Blogger and the rest of the arsenal knows best. From every indication we have won and wenger and the board unlike leopards have changed their spots realised the folly of their ways and repented and now listen to the true fans who will not follow foolishly but object to wrong doings and wrong ideas, who would think wenger will spend $40m and above not me and not even you he now realised than the supporters who chant arsen knows best are what we call OH YES MEMBERS and does calling for change or he should quit were wise. So ADVISE THE WISE HE BECOMES MORE WISE. And wenger is a better person because we showed him the error of his ways. SO NEXT TIME SOMETHING GOES WRONG AT OUR BELOVED AESENAL DONT FOLLOW YOUR HEAD THEIR IS NOTHING THEIR BUT SENTIMENT FOLLOW YOUR HEART AESENAL not arsen wenger. Thanks for welcoming us home we never left by the way. This no turf war and no Victor no vanquished. GUNNERS FOR LIFE
Beautifully written, I salute you sir.
Good morning to you all.
Shame on you Rocky, fancy you using a term like “d**d-w**d”? Room 101 for you my lad! 😀
After reading Rocky’s excellent post I’m going to have a look at Le Grove and see if they are still pouring out the anti Wenger bile.
Pekky: still can’t help yourself, give it a rest mate.
You think he did what he did cos of you?
Ok you are right he listened to your opinions, now forget it and move on…
Pecky,
Whatever the reason for the apparent change in attitude towards spending money, in my opinion availability of cash far outweighs the moans of disgruntled fans, so long as all Arsenal supporters can now unite behind the manager and the team we can all look forward to fulfilling the true meaning of our club motto.
Absolutely agree – very well written.
Im not an AKB, and was recently beginning to get very worried by our direction, but I do think this year will be a turning point.
Yep! I’ve had a look at Le Grove, the headline says it all, “An Ozil swallow doesn’t make a summer”
Same old, same old.
Great post rocky. Unity among all with Arsenal at heart is the requirement as we move forward to what could be another golden era for our club . Despite all his failings and the very merited criticism of him, I would be very happy to see Wenger at the helm if we are to have more success over the next few years.
Excellent piece rocky as always….. Victory through Harmony certainly spells it out..
Alfyguns’ comments were superb and a very humble self reflection.
I still think we have someway to go before some of the Wenger haters, get back in their prams.
So many people are brainwashed and influence by complete tosh wrote in the papers and Internet forums.
So many untruths are wrote and then used against Wenger, it’s almost laughable what some people believe.
I don’t think Wenger has consistently got it 100% right and I have been known to criticise him but in a pragmatic and tasteful manner. Some of the abuse in the cyber world and in the ground from grown adults has been embarrassing.
He has been restricted on two fronts, one by his own ideology but also by the clubs financial strategy, now with the finances in a much healthier position he has been able to get what he has been looking for three or four seasons, that super quality player, for so long out of his reach.
His most annoying line has been ” I will only add quality better than what I have” or words to that effect. Finally he did that with Mesut Ozil, now one or two similar signings in Jan and we will be absolutely rocking.
I am happy with what he got in so far, he covered most bases. Ok self proclaimed BEST striker in the world wasn’t my choice for adding to he striking department, but he is an international who isn’t bad, just poor attitude, so he can do a job till Xmas, must get behind him.
Flamini for me was not only a no brainier but probably the most needed, a leader and organiser, with a steely bite that Suarez would be proud of. He will give the boys belief and desire to shed blood for the cause. When he came on during the NLD he immediately begun organising people, haven’t seen that like that since well probably when he was last here, unfinished business and he looks like he means it… That can only be good for us.
I do hope the fans as a group realise that as a collective they can make or break the team spirit, so that the atmosphere makes the emirates a fortress.
Final note, if anyone actually believes that the abuse and protesting made Wenger sign ozil or he was force by the board to sign him, I feel so sorry for you….
Final final point…. Does Wenger deserve a new contract?
It’s not about deserving one, we need him to stay, players here believe in him, so as fans lets just get behind our team, believe and see where we end up…..
I think our current squad is the strongest it has been attacking wise since the flamini, hleb, fabregas, rosicky, RvP team that came close reasonably close to winning the title in 07/08. If it wasnt for the 11 draws in that season the title would have been won.
Now we have an overall stronger squad than that one with better depth apart from the striker position and holding midfield. Our midfield is super strong with Ramsey, Wilshere, arteta, carzola and Ozil. We have huge strength on the flanks with walcott and podolski. The current injuries to podolski and arteta are an issue for sure but looking at the backup, i think we have almost 2 excellent full first team squads.
Wenger has been quietly and cheaply rebuilding arsenal’s team and I think that deserves credit
Sczeczny
Sagna Koscielney Mertesacker Monreal
arteta wilshere
ozil
Walcott Giroud Podolski
Viviano/fabianski
Jenkinson Vermaelen (xxxxxxxxx) Gibbs
Ramsey* Flamini
Carzola*
Ox (bendtner/xxxxxxx) Rosicky*
*interchangeable
Diaby will chip in with 2 – 10 games too which is a bonus
yes we lost great players historically and didnt sign enough players to replace them and we paid the price as a club. Looking forward though and no team in the EPL has 2 complete and competent squads either. Each team has some weaknesses and ours is no different but looking at the above squad list I think our squad is almost complete. 1 striker in January, 1 more DM and one quality centre back and I think we are looking like a well balanced and title winning squad.
why do we have to wait untill january we have been forced to keep bendtner because we couldnt get a decent forward we have £40 million in the bank and are still 3 players short of a squad that can challenge. You have all been taken on again!! Also i think you’ll find it was Stan and Ivan that forced Wenger to buy Ozil he was happy with what he had. NO CONTRACT UNTIL SILVERWARE IS WON
some filthy images, otherwise brilliant
Lovely piece Rocky! Very poetic and emotional.
I am not as forgiving as you and wish some of the underminers stayed away from the Club, never to be seen again. Their action could have cost us dearly. Imagine if Wenger paid any attention to those calling for his head? What if he had had enough and left?
No, their actions were and will be harmful.
Just wait for the first lost game; or if there are no trophies at the end of the season. They will come out of the woodwork again.
Great post Rocky. My take on the supporters who were less than happy before Ozil arrived is very simple, if they are Arsenal supporters they will be very happy to have been proved wrong and so will already be behind the manager and the team. The ones who are still banging the drum of discontent are unlikely to ever change their tune I’m afraid.
There is a danger if either side of the ‘divide’ express ‘ITYS’ because it could easily have gone wrong – the Ozil transfer was a brilliant but high risk piece of business.
My standpoint was that I doubted the club would spend that kind of money on a player so I am ecstatic to have got that wrong. Still none of us know the machinations behind the scenes and I don’t imagine we ever will, our track record hasn’t been great over recent TW’s, but after this summer we can wipe the slate clean and be confident that our days of austerity are behind us.
Really well written post, The Rock. And belated thanks to Alfygun for his very balanced comment that prompted today’s piece.
It has been very, very sad to see so much disharmony build amongst Arsenal fans in recent seasons. Shouting matches between equally passionate Gooners at games have become pretty common, sometimes they deteriorate into physical skirmishes. The negativity this has brought is the last thing any sports team needs to drive onto success.
My despair at the state of feeling amongst Arsenal fans reached such a low point last season that, despite believing in the man himself, I came to the view that we were trapped in a cycle of negativity between manager and a growing section of the fans, so that the only way of breaking it would be for Wenger to go. I have always thought that we were heading in the right direction, and I’m delighted to see players like Koscielny, Mertesacker and Ramsey defy their detractors and show why Wenger believed in them. But the disharmony hasn’t gone, it will flare up again if, in the opinion of the negative forces, Ozil’s recruitment isn’t followed by success on the pitch and further quality signings.
But if we can keep on the upward track, and I think we can, that cycle of negativity may just have been broken. In what will be a challenging season, but also a season with real opportunities, I certainly hope it has.
Today we celebrate exactly 100 years since we played our first game in North London.
Do you think the Queen will send a telegram? (if they still exist!)
Excellent post, Rocky.
Personally I agree that a fair bit of healthy criticism is an essential ingredient of progress. And no matter how good Arsenal and Arsene are, they should not stay still. “A rolling stone gathers no moss”, as they say. What was disconcerting for me was the vitriol, and the large quantities of it, that threatened to derail a project that was not too bad to start with. So, let us join hands to see how best a healthy bit of constructive criticism can create a fantastic way forward for Arsenal, and for AW.
Nice one Rock
I have no problem with the moaners, in fact the more the merrier. Those kind of personality traits spill over into other areas, so the end result is more available women for me. hahaha
If in the unlikely event an Arsene abuser does have a women and you fancy a bit, then by all means give it a go, i guarantee you success.
I myself have a short-list of Arsene abusers girlfriends and so far have had a lovely time with three of them.
On one occasion I had a splendid time in the kitchen with a lovely girl whose Arsene abusing boyfriend was in the living room making a call to Talk Sport. i could hear him telling Durham that Wenger was a muppet and just dosn’t understand what’s going on around him. hahahaha
Tra, la, la
Just sitting here buffing my halo.
Can’t I say just a bit that I told you so, it will be very small, you will hardly notice it.
I TOLD YOU SO.
Lol
Hi LB, on the basis that ITYS is not allowed and no one has said it to you in the past 3 years … no you can’t 😆
I go away for one week, one measly week.
And everything gets turned upside down.
We beat spuds, which I have just finished watching. Giroud, you are the man.
We sign an off the scale super star — Ozil
One week?
That’s more excitement than we have had in the last two months.
LB
Any chance of you going away again for a week .
Much love
LB 🙂 you haven’t missed anything – we are still buzzing and glowing, and gloating….and having fun
Mr Mancini, that was an hilarious comment. Still chuckling at my desk.
Just off the phone to talkSPORT and found that my wife has eloped with a man wearing a dodgy syrup !. Thank you that masked syrup saviour who ever you are !.
Super Article Rocky.
Unfortunately it is my belief, that still for some the only measure of success is bits of tin. Whereas for me and many long term fans like me,success comes from many directions. The quality of play, the entertainment value provided and in the case of our younger players watching them fulfil their potential. I have long believed that people work for people,not companies, Arsene has built the modern Arsenal in his image and the damage that would arise should he leave would equate with tossing a hand grenade into a crowded room the collateral damage would be horrendous.
Of course I would love Arsenal to win the league and god willing I will live long enough to see that happen again, but the irrational demand that we should discard the Manager for the unproven rhetoric so often espoused on blogg and talk show, or as others have done, buy the success, fly’s in the face of everything I believe a top club should stand for.
My Arsenal like Rocky’s is a far classier club than that, they live within their means buying the players they can afford only when they can afford them, whilst all the time endeavouring to play a brand of football that meets the criteria outlined above, as practised by Arsene since he joined us.
Indeed it says much of the potency of these methods that Mr Levy down the road is concerned enough if reports are true, to endeavour to make the non sale of players to us a condition of closing the sale of his best player. If ever an example of the futility of constant change is required we have to look no further than that gentleman and his methods.
The game is cyclical, were it just predictable it would not be worth watching. Our star is on the rise again as is Liverpool’s whilst Utd’s looks more vulnerable, indeed it would be a brave man who would state with certainty the composition or position of the top 4 this year.
So yes come on you Gooners join in with Rockies Ode to collectivity and sing your hearts out, if the ghosts of thirties are really stirring no doubt they to will join in.
Im afraid your as deluded as Wenger is. I admire your enthusiasm, i was probably the same when i was 15. However after being a season ticket holder for 27 years and going home and away every week for 23 of them i think im entitled to my opinion and say thanks Wenger for all what you have done but its time for a change. There have been to many mistakes and im fed up with hearing the same old same old especially talking about the team spirit. Im not sure where that was at blackburn at home and Bradford away. Paying inflated wages to very average players when money in the club is tight. Unable to motivate Arshvin for the last 3 years of his contract. Worst of all taking Arsenal fans for granted and not holding your hands up when you get something wrong. I love Arsenal Football club more than than most AKB have ever done or ever will. The club is stale from top to bottom which is very sad. There are no Arsenal People running the club and unless that changes im not sure Arsenal Fans like me will see the good times back for a while yet…
Super, Dandan.
Barloo, even if I do not agree with much of what you say, I think your opinion is valuable. And personally I like the way you place your opinion in the mix, without spelling doom all round.
Good point about the lack of what you call “Arsenal People”. Just curious, who would you have in mind?
“Unable to motivate Arshavin”. What do you think could have been done different?
Nice one, Rocky.
Unfortunately the Alfyguns are few and far between.
For those that have been blowing a discordant trumpet these past few seasons, the habit is far too deeply ingrained for there to be any redemption.
Loving Arsenal Football Club yet hating it in the present is such a bizarre and contradictory phenomenon. Wanting Our Arsenal back and a return of the good times is just middle aged men hankering after their youth.
Barloo.
“Im afraid your as deluded as Wenger is. I admire your enthusiasm, i was probably the same when i was 15”.
You know nothing about the writer who has been a Gooner longer than you have. Many on here have been Gooners since before you were born.
You have every right to take a contrary stance and express those opinions but please remain polite. Perhaps you could write a post expanding upon your ideas and send it to the Be Our Guest above.
It’s funny how people seemingly have so much in common and yet see things so differently. I have been a season ticket holder for a similar amount of time, in fact, I still am and I am chomping at the bit to see our new super star in action.
Ozil, what a classy signing.
Happy, happy, happy
How do you do those dot thingys?
It beggars belief that anyone can say that the current playing staff (which make up a large part of the Club as it stands currently) are stale.
Numlock on
Hold Alt key down
type 148
release Alt key
ö
LB. Nice to see you returned safely from your “ordeal”
Like you I am really excited by the future of this Arsenal team.
Or, if Mac’ced up, just hold down the appropriate letter and it appears
Hello everyone and thanks for some great comments 🙂
Welcome back LB. Have you got a sore posterior?
And speaking of red arses, Redders…
I know you’re not blogging currently, but I hope you’re looking in occasionally and are enjoying Wichita. Say hello to the lineman for me…
Terry 😀
More comedy genius. Please write a sitcom!
Baloo
Thanks for your opinion. You ought to look for the positives a bit more, my friend. You’ve spent too long swimming in the half-empty glass. Oh, and give my regards to Mowgli and Baghira 🙂
Raddy, thanks for correcting me.
Barloo: having said what I said earlier, calling names is not nice. Everyone here is trying to contribute, a little bit of respect will be nice. Just the same as what you would expect yourself, I am sure.
I’m glad to hear Redders is OK and his lack of appearance is because he is back in the land of his birth.
I’ve also heard from GN5, he’s in the middle of moving house and is not particularly impressed with some of our recent blogging
It’s puzzling to preface one’s opinion about the management of a football club with the statement, “being a season ticket holder for X years and going home and away every week for Y of them”, as if football game attendance somehow gives one insight into the managerial duties. Maybe it does, but that part of the match is never broadcasted on TV? (Can’t boast any attendance record myself; have never been lucky enough to go to one.)
Just yanking your chain a bit, Barloo 🙂 although you’re probably going to get enough grief as it is 😉
chas – LB cannot do the umlauts over his nickname 🙂 unless he goes back to being Löndön
Rasp,
To be specific I decided to take a blogging sabbatical as I was driven away by the drivelers (those that utter in an infantile or imbecilic way)
Fortunately enough for me, there are many people on AA who’s views I respect and admire and even a few that were born in the same era as myself and therefore have similar experiences. I won’t mention those people by name (for fear of inadvertently leaving some out) – but based on my responses they will know my feelings.
Rocky,
Given that they drove me away It does matter to me that they were “drivelers” and that they combined to cast a dark shadow over my blogging summer. I simply cannot and will not be welcoming to those of little faith – even if their views are expressed politely.
To emphasize my point those same drivelers now dribble in delight – as though their inane views have been justified.
dandan@ 2:35 pm.
Spot on!!
Another Monday, another top Post from one of Fleet Street’s finest.
Victoria Concordia Crescit, isn’t displayed anymore, the whole club
has been re-branded since the move to The Emirates, which in itself has created the problem of identity.
‘We want our Arsenal back’ is rooted in the paradigm of what the club represented at Highbury, the cannon facing the way it does on the original club crest with the Latin inscription in place. It is a classy crest for a classy club, and as they couldn’t improve on it, they should have left it alone. Decisions on re-branding are always objective, and quite often doesn’t meet with the approval of many on-lookers, but the difficulty in the transition from Highbury to The Emirates hasn’t helped. As we are right now, I think some Arsenal fans believe the original club to have been dismantled and re-built into a completely different model. The new modern Arsenal will never again be the same club that graced Highbury for 93 years, and many supporters lament that.
It’s incredible the lengths of nit-picking some will go to when attempting to reinforce their arguments, and yet there’s such a thin line between success and failure. When things aren’t going well we examine the club from top to bottom and immediately, often irrationally talk from the heart instead of the head, particularly when an institution the size of Arsenal Football Club under-goes the biggest transformation any British club has ever seen.
This is Arsene Wenger’s transformation and re-branding of Arsenal,
it is very much his vehicle. No doubt the money men are delighted with the stadium move, he now needs to convince those who care passionately about the club’s on-field success that the whole re-structuring of the club is an enjoyable journey
If he negotiates that successfully, the ‘We want our Arsenal back’/BSM will cease to exist and we’ll all embrace the feel-good factor. The Mesut Ozil signing is a massive statement of intent from the club that offers us all hope of better things around the corner.
DanDan at 2:35 – top, top comment.
Wenger has outclassed many of the fans, that’s for sure.
When I first arrived in England some 30 years ago I was told by my son’s grandmother never to complain. She explained that it is unbecoming and unpopular. The stiff upper lip and keeping your problems to yourself is the sign of inner strength. AW has showed me how right she was, what a classy man!
Spot the Latin motto
I’ve never been to The Emirates, so wouldn’t have seen it, but it used to be part of the club crest, which has now been removed.
But you said it isn’t displayed anymore.
I was at the Emirates cup last month and couldn’t find the statue of Thierry Henry 🙂 i was furious!
Inside the shirt on the back of the crest, worn against the heart.
This is the continuation of a plan devised in 1999-2000. We were the best in England then and for a few years after, but Wenger and the Board knew that the 5-6 years after moving to Emirates, we would take some lumps. The overall plan was to make us (one of)the best in Europe. Maybe, just maybe, we’re beginning to see the start of that plan coming to fruition. I hope so, because if that’s the case, we can or will be a self sustaining club that is capable of maintaining it for many years. One more thing …. PLEASE UPDATE THE “SIGNINGS IN” part of the site – You’re missing one !!!!!!!
Never bought a shirt either?
Thanks Mike, I shall be working on it this evening – although it’s old news now and maybe we should be looking ahead 🙂
Yeah, a few of those, but more retro, 1970’s, ’80’s shirts.
But I am grateful for the education and glad you’ve pointed it out.
I think it’s still fair to say the club has had a major re=branding though.
WATA. I agree that the old club badge was both classier and a better design.
Sadly, money talks and this one is both easier to reproduce and copyright-able.
WATA
I preferred the old crest too (the one before the current one – not the even earlier crests which changed regularly).
But I understand the commercial reasons why the club felt they needed to make a new official crest and copyright it. Sad, but in the modern world probably necessary.
Change and modernity are part of the Arsenal way, just look at all the innovations that Herbert Chapman introduced or suggested in the 1920s and 1930s. And the crest/badge has changed regularly over the years too. For me, the new badge is far classier than the messy one we had before it. Even the motto, Victoria Concordia Crescit, isn’t that old, having been adopted in 1949.
26. I just cannot understand you young generation chaps.
All that twittering and Feckbooking.
Take me back to the days of shag tobacco and a pie.
A little off subject, but it would be hilarious if this were true. Might be old news but I just found it!!http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-tottenham-chairman-daniel-levy-attempted-to-block-arsenal-move-for-mesut-ozil-after-feeling-real-madrid-betrayed-him-8797601.html
The crest/badge is one of the things that I have had my mind changed over. I really liked the old badge and regularly voiced my support for it but I think it was Rasp who put the case for the new badge in a similar way as 26 just did and I have to say that I am persuaded.
Howeverrrrrrrrr, no one will ever make me give up my old woollen hat with the cannon facing the right way.
3. 1922-25
4. 1925-49
🙂
I was starting to have doubts this summer, thinking that there was some discord between Arsene and Gazidis. It there was any, they should see wat a great success they were when working together on Ozil transfer.
arsene will never get enough credit from some people, Alfygun is a rare, reasonable fair person. —
in the past few years, Arsene has been a draw for young talent, but NOW Arsene Wenger with money will be a huge magnet to great players. We as a club will reap the benefits of a legend in the football world. The respect he has from all international managers and people who really know the game is immense.
who cares what the media and a few cretins in blogs think.
Just imagine the stink when the original crest with three cannons viewed from above copied from the Woolwich crest on the left was changed to a sideways on view. 🙂
Surprisingly Arsenal still sell T shirts with the cannon facing the right way.
Thanks Big Raddy, Rocky, 26May.
Of course you are right with the many changes and innovations that Herbert Chapman initiated, 26, he and Arsene Wenger have been the two pivotal architects of the club’s development.
As for the club crest, I guess it’s a personal thing depending on whichever one you most identify with.
I’m sure those who haven’t yet warmed to the new club crest will do so if/when Arsene Wenger can bring to The Emirates some of what he brought to Highbury.
Apparently the original Latin motto was
‘Clamant nostra tela in Regis querela’ which means
‘Our weapons clash in the King’s quarrel’.
RockyLives
Thanks for the comments.
Good to be talking about positive things at last.
A few more good results and a bit of Ozil magic and hopefully everyone will be happy again.
Hello Alfy
I’m glad you saw today’s Post.
Your comment the other day made me feel very positive about us Gooners all coming together now.
RockyLives
Lets hope so.
Looking forward to some good atmospheres at The Emirates for a change.
I have got to say I think that article about Levy trying to stop Ozil coming to Arsenal is tosh.
It implies that Real could have influenced Ozil in his choice, sure they could have made it difficult for him to leave but force him to either N5 or N17 — no.
Ozil is clearly a man of good taste and chose the good guys.
Great post Rocky. It would be great to get a few more Alfygun’s on the site.
I am very positive about our club in the next few years but would still air on the side of caution in feeling we are the completed article yet. I think we are very close, and may have enough right now to do something special this year, but if we falling just short I don’t want the anti-Arsene fans to throw our optimism back in our faces. The good news is that we still have significant funds to spend and 1 more world class player, likely in the number 9 position, should see us as one of the strongest sides in Europe.
Can I also say well done to Rhyle for an interesting post yesterday. I read it a bit too late for any comment to be meaningful.
Actually the whole idea sounds manufactured by the spud PR team. It attempts to make Levy look good in the eyes of their fans.
Look at me I am doing everything I can to get us above Arsenal.
Err you just sold the one and only player who was likely to get you above us.
I don’t like the man. Good business man? Nah.
Buy 100mil worth of players and still think you have a good negotiating position with Real Madrid who obviously knew by that time that spuds had to sell Bale to balance the books.
This idea that spuds were using money from the sale of other players is a smoke screen that only the very gullible brought into.
LB
I think the story was not so much that Levy was trying to get RM to sell Ozil to the Spuds (they had done their business by then). It was more that Levy was saying to them “we’ve got a special relationship with you… please don’t sell Ozil to Arsenal… they already finish ahead of us every year and with Ozil we’ll have no chance, especially now that we’ve given you our monkey…”
RM quite rightly told him to eff off.
LB, hahaha, if that was Totnumbs smoke screen i would love to see there genuine covert operations
Perhaps they could employ a Trojan Horse at there next home game and whilst no ones looking a speedos wearing Steve Archibald could spring out and scare the opposition to death by performing a pole dance.
Levy is such a horrible git. The only defence against a creep like that is a wreath of garlic.
But whos the Boss? I always thought Levy was the henchman and Fat Joe Lewis called the shots. Isnt Fatso Lewis some sort of non resident tax exile living it up in the Bahamas?
Funny how Stan and Ivan get constant stick, but those two Totnumb clowns are “good business men”
Evening all, top post Rocky. Infortunately you seem to have unearthed a few antis who believe their voice changed Arsenal’s path…..not the fact that finances finally fell into place.
I was talking to my Norwich supporting in laws yesterday, I found myself saying “after 8 years of disappointment”…..and then laughed.
Asked them how disappointed they would be playing in Champions League and being in finishing in top 4 every season. They laughed too at the stupidity of the sentiment.
Chas top work today…if I could choose a crest it would be the cannon with AFC in the cannon balls, simple and classic.
Although I have nothing against the new crest I think the club missed a trick they should have gone for the original crest (3 cannons pointing up).
Then we could have sung
Three Cannons on the shirt
Invincibles still dreaming
8 long years of hurt never stopped me dreaming.
😀
Welcome back LB.
Barloo….why thank you for that bit of negativity and self-righteousness in the midst of our feel good week. I might agree with you but that would make both of us wrong so I’ll refrain. Your comment proves that one is never too old to learn something stupid.
If you’ve followed AFC for 27 years, as you so fatuously claim, then you’ll remember the mid-table ignominy Wenger saved us from back in 1997. Of course you DON’T know bugger all about how much the players earn, since no one does outside of AFC. I believe you are whining about trophies when you say, ¨im not sure Arsenal Fans like me will see the good times back for a while yet…¨
Well mate, you must have been asleep since 1988 because there have been 17 straight years of CL Football AND finishing above the Spuds and some fabulous performances against the world’s top teams….but what the hell, don’t let your ignorance interfere with your prejudices.
Quick bit of admin from this morning Raddy…I do actually feel sorry for Walker and at the same time my ire for our tabloid press increases.
Previous World Cup they drop the Terry/Bridge story, last Euros they drive the Terry/Ferdinand rift as hard as they can.
Weekend before crucial friendly they drop a story about Walker breathing Nitrous Oxide from June. Are we supposed to believe they just got images? Is the story in the public interest?
Player is in a nightclub with (hopefully) over 18s and decides to buy a 100% legally available Nitrous Oxide balloon from the bar. Are they running the role model argument? Well if his fellow clubbers were over 18 I hope they aren’t going to be influenced by watching a PL footballer do something. So the only way more easily influenced youngsters have seen their hero doing this heinous act is because the media have published the pictures.
Why in the hope that they unsettle the national team again?
I f***ing hate the press
Morning All,
GIE. You make a good argument. Not being immersed in the British media I have no idea of their effect. I was joking about Walker – as you say it was a total non-story, similar to Ozil liking the ladies – though that story gave the redtops a chance to show pics of stunning women in bikinis, which can only be good!
I listen to the Guardian football & Sunday Skysport podcasts and have heard them talk about the anti-AW media campaign which has been their agenda for a few years. The older heads (Barclay etc) have enormous respect for AW but are lost in a sea of rumour and disdain.
I missed out a vital word in my last line which should have read “some of the press”.
Without good investigative journalism and brave editors we wouldn’t have had the phone hacking scandal, the parliamentary expenses and other things.
But the papers are dominated by gossip, beach holiday snaps and sensationalism.
I do like a weedonald comment, its always both barrels.
GIE. The problem is that these journo’s have power and use it without proper restraint.
One only has to look at the Australian election which was won by a Murdoch backed candidate using fabricated stories preying upon peoples fears of immigration.
Back to football……
Fairplay to Fat Frank. I have hated the man ever since he celebrated a goal right in front of me in our CL loss to the Chavs at Highbury. However, he has been a fantastic footballer and shows that it is possible to be effective at the age of 35. Without him Chelsea are simply not as good.
Raddy….Frank has indeed made up for what he lacks in speed and agility by hard work, persistence and intelligence.
Perhaps that is the problem with our English football system, if you listen to the stories of the likes of Lampard, Gerard, Beckham and others of their ilk they have all made up for their shortcomings by very hard work. None of them can be considered the best footballers in the world or PL, they all made it difficult to be ignored. I would imagine there were more naturally gifted footballers in academies with them, but those three worked hard to make the best of what they had rather than resting on their laurels.
Raddy – was it Wayne Bridge’s late goal in 2004? I was sitting right behind the goal and have still not forgiven Bridge, bastard.
Fat Frank is unique among the footballers – he is an intelligent guy with a few A’levels including one in Latin. Fair play to him for proving the critics wrong.
3 English fans are already in a hospital in Ukraine. I hope they are not being silly over there. Life is cheap over there.
Evônne. It was that very goal
Raddy – I still remember the long walk back to the station that night, crying all the way 😦
This is rather funny: http://www.premiershiptalk.com/2013/09/10/ozil-beating-bale-far/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PremiershipTalk+%28Premiership+Talk%29
Nobody wants a football shirt with a monkey on it 🙂
Until watching this I hadn’t realised it was the BFG’s Bobby Moore tackle that had led to Giroud’s goal against the spuds. Must be about time I watched the whole thing again 🙂
I still haven’t got over that Wayne Bridge goal. We got a 1-1 draw in the away leg, and were well set to go through to the semis and final, where we would have faced two of Monaco, Deportivo and Porto. I always felt we should’ve won the Cup that year. But then there was that bloody Bridge…….
I think I just stumbled into an opium den by mistake
Morning all ……
…. New post …….
” A Bridge too far ! “
All I ask from the people who run Arsenal is a bit of ambition, and that the club is moving forward.
The stadium made us stand still for a few years on the pitch, but I can see it was needed for us to progress off it. Now, with the signing of Ozil (so much easier to do a ö on the īphøñę!) and the new sponsorship deals in place, we can finally start moving once again towards domination.
We are not there yet, but in a few years we will have a squad that even the big clubs will be jealous of.
Can’t wait.
Rasp: you should be ashamed to use that moniker of ‘Bergkampisgod’ the great man himself would surely slap you upside the head for using his name in vain like that. No contract till we win something? So he can go on for next 8 years until he wins something then? Typical not thinking before typing that’s why you are so angry. If you were a real fan you would be over the moon with our squad regardless of what you say and how many years you been following us, a poor excuse for a fan if there ever was.
Can’t you moaners just forget football and go watch rugby it cricket absorbable ‘supporting’ to supporters?