How things have changed? This is a post from dandan, our much missed and respected blogger, dated 27th January 2012.  Over six years old, yet it still resonates in an up-to-the-minute way with the current profusion of ‘fans’ who monetise Arsenal failure. Take it away, big man.

Witch hunts, apathy, delusion and greed, all pathetically wrapped up in an unshakable belief in a divine right to win. Recognise it? Of course you do. Unfortunately it describes many so-called Arsenal supporters, who today stand supreme amongst football folk in their ability irrespective of the injury situation and short of any real knowledge of the internal politics or financial situation facing the club, to defame our great club’s name just by confessing their poisonous support.

They twitter and blog in expletive enhanced anonymity, hiding behind a nom de plume often itself of a sarcastic nature, whilst venting their vile ranting’s. Should you bother to look behind the façade of these ne’er-do-well’s then you will often find the courage of their conviction is underwritten by an email address as ‘Mickey Mouse’ as the support and comments they dispense.

Of course all is not well with the club and anyone who denies that has his head in the sand, but how is it helped by Boo boys and derision.

A gaggle of players are approaching fitness again too late probably to rescue our season. So for once, perhaps, we will have to live with finishing behind the spuds and out of the top four. Big deal, if it happens we will take some stick, a mere smattering I guess compared to that we have inflicted over other supporters over the years. Let’s at least accept our fall from grace should it happen with equanimity, calm and a touch of class, secure in the knowledge that we will be back to full strength by season end, when in every likelihood there will be a clear-out, with new faces joining the first team squad.

Do I think AW will have walked away? No! I dont for a moment believe he will and nor should he. The man’s record is phenomenal and no-doubt will continue to grow in years to come, much to the chagrin of the Tony Cascarino’s and Brian Woolnough’s of this world, and the anti-brigade who follow  them. He could of course walk to a better paid job of his chosing anywhere in Europe, and given the dogs abuse he is receiving at present who could blame him. The French national team or indeed our own would be his for the asking should he wish it.  No doubt SparkyHughes or  Sam the Hammer would love the chance to take over at the THOF, much to the relief of the respective fans who have to watch their efforts at present.

Season ticket holders, many of them of long-standing are unhappy. A season ticket is a major investment in households where for many, disposable income has substantially diminished in recent years and this season’s price increase has just exacerbated the problem, leaving difficult choices to be made. No doubt for many, guilt at such expenditure creeps into the equation and when faced by lack lustre displays, perceived lack of ambition, underlined by the supposed reluctance of  the club itself, it would seem, to make reciprocal investment it is not surprising that resentment leads to a wider discontentment.

But does that give genuine supporters Carte Blanche to act in a manner that if it were directed at them or their families would undoubtedly escalate into something more serious. Or should we as Arsenal fans uphold the traditions of our great club, display a little class, weather the storm with dignity and await the cyclical turn around that is surely not far away?

Written by dandan

So, the dust has finally settled on the Mickey Mouse Cup Final – a Final none of us really thought we had much chance of winning, regardless of what the optimists amongst us, like GoonerB say. Playing against the best team in the country, it would have taken them to play relatively poorly and us to have a real dream day.

They’ve won 10 games more than us in the League and we’ve both played only 27 matches. Their goal difference is 44 better than ours and it’s so pleasing they have that 1 entry in the defeat column, courtesy of the dippers.

Luckily the game is all a bit of a blur for me. We were outclassed, of that there can be no doubt. However having seen clips of the goals, I still don’t understand why Aguero shoving Mustafi under the ball for the first goal wasn’t penalised (even if Mustafi was naive). Clever play, I’d imagine would be Shearer’s assessment.

Also why was Sane not deemed to be offside when Kompany’s deflection virtually rolled over his toe. Then again, the offside rule is a complete mystery to me these days, so please forgive my ignorance. It was so much better when flags were raised when someone was in an offside position and judgements were then made as to whether they were ‘interfering with play’. At least we knew were we stood.

‘If he’s not interfering with play, what is he doing on the pitch?’ (credit either Bill Nick, Cloughie or Shanks, can’t remember which).

Anyway, onwards to Thursday. What on Earth must be being said in the Arsenal camp for the next few days. Chastisement, I doubt it. Head-scratching, probably. Formulating a plan to turn the tables and blow them out of the water – this is my preferred option. Pre-match lasagne anyone?

The press are uncovering fabricated shortlists for the next Arsenal manager to take over in the summer. We all know that Arsene always sees his contracts through to their end and that he would never be removed from office, so I doubt there’s anything in it. A tweeter made me laugh when he said he’d prefer Buck Rogers to Brendan.

So after City, we have Brighton away on Sunday, quickly followed by the Milan ties sandwiching Watford at home before the blessed relief of another interlull.

Roll on May and the Europa Cup Final!

chas