So, where is Koscielny?

July 6, 2010

The media are having a great time thrashing the Arsenal this morning. Reports that Merida couldn’t wait to get out the door and Nasri didn’t want to come,  coupled with more taunts from the Spanish camp that Cesc has his Barcelona shirt ironed and ready to go have left me feeling more than a little despondant. So, where is Koscielny? The start of the season is almost a month away and we seem to have only two centre-backs to get going with.

With no new good news I started to think about who would run out for the Barnet game. In ten days time I shall be there watching an Arsenal team kick uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. Yes, it really is like that and there are back gardens that abutt one of the goal lines. Last years game saw the re-introduction of Rosicky as a first-team player and he captained the side in the first half. He looked really good and I was thrilled for him that his strange collection of injuries had been sorted out.

Who will we see to be delighted and enthusiastic about? The first half is usually a mix of first teamers and reserves and then the second half just reserves or whatever they’re going to call them now as we’re not part of the Reserves league. I expect Keiran Gibbs to play and he should get a huge cheer maybe Aaron Ramsey will be there too.  Hopefully, players like Tom Cruise and  Kyle Bartley, who seem to have been around for ever, will  be given the chance to break into the first team if they’re good enough.

Tonight sees Holland hoping to book their place in the World Cup Final. Robin van Persie, along with other Premiership stars, hasn’t set the tournament alight but maybe he’s just waiting for tonight – you know the way we always think that ‘this free kick is definitely going to go in’. My Arsenal heart is with you Robin ……..and tomorrow it will be with Cesc…………just don’t get injured.

It would be nice if the media left us alone for a few days, if players that had departed just said thanks for having me – I had a really great time, sorry it didn’t work out. There is always the future. We are a great club and we will have a great 2010/11 season and its not too far away.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

No Longer The Wonder Of You?

July 3, 2010

Written by BigRaddy

We need a new song to run out to. We have done ever since we moved to the Emirates, in fact I would guess that we have been a much less successful team since the powers that be adopted TWOY (the wonder of you). My guess is that less than 10% of Gooners and none of the team are aroused by this poor example of the King’s work, and surely that is the point of it.

I am imagining the meeting when the new song is chosen ……..

P. Hill Wood would have rejected out of hand anything from the past 20 years. I think he would have chosen a tune with a classical bent, not too highbrow. something traditional with an English theme, Jerusalem would be my bet. And it would be better than what we have at present. 60,000 people singing “And did these feet in ancient times walk upon England’s mountain green” etc. Stirring stuff I feel, though hardly representative of our current squad.

Fizman from the looks of him is more a prog rock. He would be a fan of Free and the driving guitar riff Alright Now could work as could Stone Cold Sober by The Faces, but I see him going for the perennial classic ELP’s Fanfare for the Common Man, a reliable but well trodden path

Gazidis being American would probably look into the great Motown back catalogue and I think he could vote for Martha and the Vandella’s Dancing in the Streets, though perhaps having a blue collar background he would be a Bruce Springsteen man. So the chorus of Born to Run would be my guess for his choice, which would get voted out by the rest of the Board who are unlikely to be Bruce fans.

Mr Wenger is a difficult one. I imagine that he has a cabinet full of Diana Krall CD’s with a few Mozart String Quartets, a bunch of Bach, and the first 3 Sade albums with which to enjoy his red wine . He may well have some early punk/New Wave as well, so a Jam number could fit him – Going Underground or Eton Rifles (actually that works for PHW!), but on reflection he will be aware of the great Arsenal tradition and go with Good Old Arsenal.

Pat Rice would of course suggest some traditional Irish folk. The Scousers having taken the wonderful Fields of Athenry, he could do worse than raid the Dubliners back catalogue and choose The Wild Rover which has the advantage of a clapping chorus. Simple and rousing.

Lady Nina is sure to be a Metalhead. I see her as a huge fan of Metallica and as such The Sandman is an obvious choice, but she would also love the classic metal sound of AC/DC and as such my bet is that she would go for Hell’s Bells or Highway to Hell, both of which in my opinion would be great choices.

As Captain Cesc would have some input, and I think he would check out other sports to see what works…. I recall him going to Twickenham during one of his injury breaks to watch a Calcutta match between England and Scotland. He was sure to have been impressed by the Swing Low Sweet Chariot echoing from the stands and I think he will suggest trying it at THOF. Failing that, he may go for a jumping song like I predict a Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs.

Whatever is chosen, as long as we get rid of TWOY it will be progress. We have suffered this dirge for long enough.

My choice? I go with Lady Nina………..

N.B. This article is tongue in cheek and I have no knowledge whatsoever of our Board’s musical tastes. Fun to imagine though!

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Posted by Erik the Red

Arsène-all

July 2, 2010

One of the stated aims of this site is to offer an opportunity for Arsenal fans of all persuasions to air their views on ‘everything Arsenal’ and to stimulate healthy debate. Today’s post is written by a dedicated Arsenal fan who has never blogged before but wanted to share his thoughts with other supporters.

I have supported Arsenal for over half a century (although I don’t really see myself as old). My recent feelings have been that too much of Arsenal’s dirty washing is being hung out in public. The wild “news”, inventions and speculation by the tabloid press have done much to unsettle fans and force irrational views into the heads of the more gullible fans.

If I were to ask me how a keen follower of Arsenal football team might enhance their experience, I would suggest that they throw away their Sun, Mirror, Mail, Star and Express. Trust in the Boss, he has already worked wonders with limited resources and HE DOES WANT TO WIN TROPHIES as vindication of his methods.

Sure, he makes the odd mistake but I think that, even now, he is learning to be more flexible: Be PATIENT – our team’s quality will come through. Only injuries prevented Arsenal from winning the Premiership last season. If we can rotate the squad more readily to take the pressure off of some of our more inspired players, then maybe there will be fewer injuries to hamper our progress.

If new players are to be brought in, bearing in mind the need to use the full squad, I would say that we do not need many. I would like to see Diakhate brought in also, possibly, Van de Wiel. I would also think it wise to sign Schwarzer to buy some time for Mannone & Szczesny to mature and to enable the sale of (at least) one of the current senior pair.

I should also like to investigate the availability of Kjaer as a utility centre-back come full-back and (this one should put the cat among the pigeons) Matthieu Flamini to strengthen the midfield. I think that if the club could persuade Matthieu to return, either permanently or on loan, then Chelski, Manchester Untied, Manchester Citeh and Tottingham Hotshots would all be fighting for the runners-up spot and Arsenal would be winners of all competitions.

Arsenal would be world beaters!

Written by Greybeard

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Transitions & Resolutions – from Highbury to Ashburton Grove

July 1, 2010

Written by charybdis1966

“Where are the big signings?” is a cry Gooners are used to hearing or making this time of year, usually followed by “Didn’t we move to our new stadium so we could compete for the marquee signings?”

Times have moved on somewhat for our club, it’s first ever game, as Dial Square, in December 1886(against Eastern Wanderers, to be historically complete) was on a piece of wasteland on the Isle of Dogs thereafter till 1913 we played in various locations around the Plumstead Common area of South East London. As our delightful Spud brethren never tire of calling us Woolwich Wanderers our South London heritage is undeniable, but the move north of the river to Highbury in 1913, due to poor transport links at the time in south London was to allow more spectators to be able to attend our matches. The land south of the river is softer and therefore more difficult to build on, and make tunnels in for the underground tube system that was being rolled out at the time. Hence the tube until recently did not progress far beyond New Cross in south east London.

The subsequent move ninety-three years later to the Grove was essentially for the same reason – to get more bums on seats. As the time to leave Highbury approached the natural reaction was of sorrow at leaving the old place. Yes, it was antiquated, yes it patently had seats, corridors and passages designed for the smaller sized turn-of-the 20th century-sized spectator however there was dolefulness about many a Gooner as the 2005-06 season came to a close.

I remember leaving my place of work at the time during the last few seasons at Highbury in Blackstock Road many a lunch time to join the queue for the box offices in the East Stand where I would be served by bored, disinterested ticket clerks, slumped behind the windows. (You can compare this to the staff at the  Armoury who are aware of at least the basics of customer care, while some of the surliness of old seems to remain at club shop at Finsbury Park tube station).

The closeness of the crowd to the players was an important part of the intimacy of Highbury, I recall seeing Bobby Pires standing just eight feet from me when I had a front row seat for a Coca Cola Cup game – I’m sure I got a few flicks of sweat from his floppy fringe as he swivelled his head one way and the other looking for a player to launch his throw in at.

It was experiences like this, although nothing special in themselves though collectively able to mould our memories of Highbury, that many would fear losing as we contemplated the move. I would plot out the actual move in my mind: leave my seat in the East lower, left turn out of the East Stand gates, left again into Gillespie Road and then follow the bend of the road to the left, past the small park to our new home.

A wise man once said “Life is all about learning to let go, of those dear to you especially” that can also apply to places dear to you and who among us didn’t feel a sympathy to the mood conveyed by those images of our players walking west down Gillespie Road as part of the “Final Salute” campaign directed by AFC?

We’ve all been left speechless by our first impressions of Ashburton Grove even though it initially had an antiseptic feel that took a while to become accustomed to and slowly it’s character is starting to form, of course a trophy winning team will add to that character pretty much instantly.

Four seasons on and it seems that the cash flow situation that has hampered our actions in the transfer market may finally be easing and one would think today we will start to see the events of this transfer window start to unravel differently to those of the last five or six as many players contracts typically expire on the last day of June.

To my mind, the club is at a critical juncture and were there to be a sense of deja-vu about the events of this month and the next transfer wise, i.e. acting like a small time club rather than the elite club we aspire to be, I fear we may struggle to convince ourselves we left Highbury for the right reasons.

New Home Kit (Finally A Beaut!)

(Hope you don’t mind I putting up the pics Chary, Irishgunner).

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

A New Rock Solid Defence – are we still one short?

June 30, 2010

The stress of the transfer window is clearly exacerbated when you’ve watched your experienced keeper – Manuel Almunia – make a series of howlers in the previous season and you hear how your manager is not really looking at a replacement. In addition, knowing that four centre-backs – Campbell, Gallas, Silvestre and Senderos – are possibly not going to be around for the start of the new season, the apparent inactivity by Arsenal has been difficult to witness.

Quite frankly, for a team like Arsenal, lacking a class goal-keeper is a ridiculous situation to be in. We have a number two – Fabianski – who is also of the flappable nature and a number three – Mannone – who was called into action and heroically kept us in a game against Fulham but wasn’t felt to be ready to play more than a few games. Our fourth choice keeper – Szczesny –  has everyone raving about how great he’s going to be but is currently too young and inexperienced.

So, reports that we could be interested in signing Mark Schwartzer from Fulham are interesting. Do we need 5 goal-keepers? Who’s going to make way for him? Surely if he is to be our new No.1, Almunia or Fabianski must be moved on…………..

But it is the centre-back pairing is causing even more debate. We are linked – and I suspect he’ll be unveiled very soon – with Laurent Koscielny from french side Lorient and we have Johann Djourou available fighting fit – for now.  Who should be first choice partner for Thomas Vermaelen? Senderos has already gone but we have no idea if Gallas and Campbell are staying or going. Gallas played his best football for us last season and Campbell was a revelation adding spirit and desire to the team. They both have high wages and I suspect they’ll both be hampered with injuries next season so we don’t need for them both to stay but one would be nice.

Koscielny may cost us £8.5m which is not money being spent for him to sit on the bench so I assume he will be our new No.6 and the first choice partner for Vermaelen. Djourou will be back-up together with either Campbell or Gallas. But what if they both go? Ooops we’ll need another CB – Anton Ferdinand anyone? What if they both stay? It must be doing Arsenes head in. Either way I’m looking forward to welcoming Koscielny to be part of our new rock solid defence but we still need one more……………..Silvestre?????????

Yesterday, Rasp and London got all excited at the thought of the new centre-back pairing being Djourou and Koscielny and Vermaelen being pushed up to partner Song in front of the back four as our new long awaited DM. Now that does sound like a plan, only then we’d be two short at the back. Go figure………….see you in the comments.

Following last nights Spain v Portugal game I’m compelled to say – Cesc, we love you, we’d never leave you on the bench for a whole game, come home, don’t even think about playing in Spain – not yet anyway, wait until they really need you.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

French Farce – Will Arsenal Pay the Price?

June 29, 2010

Written  by dandan

So the World cup has for England, like France, ended in tears. A pathetic emasculated display against Germany has left the country bewildered and angry at the limp-wristed performance that undersold all that we love about the Premiership. No pace, no pressing, no organisation. Eleven misfits who didn’t appear to know their place or purpose and a back four that played in such a way that our local pub team would have fancied there chances against them.

All our grievances with them appear to be football based, unless and until the balloon goes up on their return. The only criticism of the manager appears to be that he liked to keep the team sheet to himself until 2 hrs before the match. It would seem he wishes to stay on for the Europeans. Will that happen? Who knows, but we will soon find out following a meeting with the FA.

Oh that France had so few problems! A mutiny within the squad culminating in our former ‘Le Sulk’ launching a half time foul mouthed tirade at the manager, questioning his character, tactics, capabilities and reason for being. Unsurprisingly, Anelka was dispatched post haste to the airport on the next flight home. The next day, after an on field team meeting, the captain voiced the team’s solidarity with the brooding absentee and refused to train. A statement followed expressing their loyalty to France and the fans. This was read paradoxically by the coach, even though he was their biggest complaint. Consequently, the patched up, out of sorts and demoralised team were taken apart and ditched out of the competition by the hometown boys of South Africa.

They have since summarily returned home economy class in disgrace. The whole debacle has resulted in questions being asked in the French parliament and several players have been summoned for questioning by the enquiry.

Caught up in the middle of this sorry tale are four Arsenal players, Sagna, Clichy, Diaby and the out of contract Gallas. How, I wonder, will they react to this debacle? Surely the most shameful episode ever in French football. What kind of mental state will these guys be in when they return for the new season?

The fact that Gallas, (whose mental state is questionable at the best of times) is probably leaving us is a bonus I think. But will the three young Frenchman so important to our success this year have the mental resolve to handle such catastrophic happenings and the likely backlash from their incensed countryman?

Will the press here constantly compare them to the errant John Terry who himself attempted to muster a mutiny at a Press Conference?

Will we as a club suffer from the loss of form in these young men as they try to come to terms with the enormity of the disappointment and the manner of their World Cup exit?

Will we once again pay the price for something beyond AW’s control that has occurred while his players are away on International duty? Not physical injury this time but mental perhaps.

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Posted by dandan

How Good Is The Premiership Really?

June 26, 2010

Written by peaches

If you were asked who the top ten world class players were in the premiership I’m sure your list would include Rooney, Torres, Cesc, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka, Van Persie to name a few – no spuds of course – yet all these players have failed to live up to their expectations in South Africa this summer.

Season on season they light up the premiership for their clubs and yet none of them, so far, have been able to grab a game by the scruff of its neck and make things happen. Mind you, our Cesc did put though some lovely balls to David Villa last night who strangely didn’t say thankyou for a single one.

The theories for this lack of sparkle are many – playing at altitude, training at altitude and the Jubilana ball are all being given as reasons why the tournament isn’t seeing the best of our stars in addition to the fact that ours is the biggest league and we play more games than anyone else. But maybe when compared to the South Americans the Premiership isn’t as good as we think it is.  I thought England did OK against Slovenia – they couldn’t have played any worse than against Algeria – but I find watching Argentina and Uruguay far more inviting.

How many of the Premierships world class players would get into a Fantasy Argentina Side for example?

Why didn’t Drogba or Anelka do for their countries what they do for Chelsea week in week out?

As an England supporter I want Rooney to do really well (cough, splutter) but as an Arsenal supporter I want Cesc to weave his magic for Spain and Robin to bury a few in the top left-hand corner for Holland to delight the millions that will be watching world-wide. Although its a double-edged sword having Cesc do well as obviously his talents are not really appreciated by Spain.

I want the players that we watch week in week out to be a credit to themselves and to the Premiership that is lauded as the strongest league in the world – its not happening so far. Is that because they’re really not that good by comparison?

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

When did the sportmanship die?

June 22, 2010

Written by dandan

Once upon a time I had a hero called Dennis Compton, he was the archetypal sportsman, besides playing football for Arsenal and England, he also played a bit of cricket for Middlesex and England and in between, fitted in 5 years fighting in the Second World War.

Coming from a less than privileged background, he joined the Lords ground staff and played cricket in the summer and football in the winter. Winning League championship and FA Cup winner’s medals with the Arsenal, whilst at the same time being the most loved English cricketer of his generation. An attacking batsman who, devoid of all the protective gear of today, faced the most feared fast bowlers from all around the world on pitches left uncovered and open to the elements at all times. Compton accumulated a vast number of runs and a reputation for his bravery, sportsmanship and the ability, and like Ian Botham, he could party all night and carry on batting next day as though he had spent the night in his bed.

He was the David Beckham of his day, the first man to advertise products as a result of his sporting fame. He was known right up until his death in 1997 as ‘The Brylcreem Boy’ – the hair cream he advertised throughout his career. He never made any real money and had to work in the media after his retirement to keep the wolf from the door.

I met him a number of times in the years prior to his death and he was never less than polite and a joy to talk with and listen to.

I mention this just as a comparison to Messrs John Terry and Nicholas Anelka, wealthy football players who wouldn’t know a sportsman if they fell over him on their way out of whatever nightclub is the flavour of the moment.

These gentlemen, having both been chosen to represent their respective countries in the World Cup. An honour recognised as the pinnacle of any professional player’s career, and the dream of every kid or fan that ever kicked a ball.

They have debased that honour by criticising the team’s management not just within the confines of the team, something that although not encouraged is at least accepted in certain circumstances but deliberately in Terry’s case, in front of the full media circus.

The fact that it matters not to either of them if they never play again, being as they are financially secure for life, does not detract from the fact that these were the actions of two bitter and selfish men.

How should their actions be viewed when judged against the like of Dennis Compton and what does it say about the values of the game we love?

So when did the sportsmanship die, is football alone in its cynicism and love of self?

Does cricket still have it? Remember the actions of Freddie Flintoff and Brett Lee in the last home Ashes series.

Golf certainly still has it, as all golfers report any personal transgression, with instant expulsion from the sport for any failure so to do.

Should Terry and Anelka be treated in such a manner? Anelka was sent home, should John Terry have received a similar response? Capello, ‘the strict disciplinarian’ has come out and said that Terry made a mistake, but maybe his worth to the team makes him less dispensable than Anelka.

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Posted by dandan

Keeping the Pride if Cesc stays

June 18, 2010

Good for Mexico, France need a miracle now to get out of their group so says their hapless manager Raymond Domenech. He looked almost as stupid standing on the touch-line at a loss for how to improve his team as  Shteve McClaren did under his umbrella.

Make no mistake, the French side is still packed with world class players, but with divisions in their camp that stopped them playing for the shirt and having cheated to get to the World Cup finals its probably right that their journey ends quickly.  What I find worrying is the manner of their departure. Footballers should play for the shirt, club or country, whatever is going on behind the scenes between other players or their feelings about the manager and his decisions.

The management of the French Football team has to take reponsibility for leaving Domenech in the position knowing that he’s failing to get the team to play for him, but equally, the players have to look at themselves for failing to put in the effort. If this can happen at International level, it can happen at club level too.

I’ve moaned about Arsenal players not doing their job properly, not working hard enough, not earning their money on the pitch. I’ve always felt that the relationship that exists between Arsène Wenger and the Arsenal players is very special. They want to play for him, they want to do well for him – the fact that he’s the manager of Arsenal comes second. The young men that he recruits into our team will have a love of Arsenal because of him too – because of the way our football has developed under his management. I feel, when the time comes,  we will need one of his disciples to carry the torch into the future, but thats in the future.

The feeling that there may be disharmony in our camp if Cesc stays is a real one. Certain sections of supporters and the media will be waiting to pounce on anything that looks like Cesc or any of the other players aren’t pulling their weight. Arsène Wenger is going to need all his beloved psychology to maintain a stable club and team. I would be disgusted to think that our players were not pulling on the red and white and playing with pride.

Les Bleus should be ashamed of themselves this morning.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Wouldn’t you prefer to watch the Arsenal?

June 16, 2010

Written by dandan

Having watched just about all the world cup so far, I find myself reduced almost to a state of depression at the dreadful garbage being consistently served up in the name of football, although to be fair last tuesday’s North Korea V Brazil was an improvement. That game aside, match after match have been timid affairs devoid of any risk taking. Unless, as in the case of poor Rob Green a mistake gets made.

Where is the skill, the excitement, and the ambition even to make a telling pass? All the things we were led to expect from supposedly the cream of world football are missing.  Unfortunately dross is dross no matter what banner it is played under.

It then occurred to me that there are clubs in our own premier league who serve up fare like that every week. Long balls, constantly soaring over the heads of an almost redundant midfield, aimed for the big guys in the penalty area in the hope that a knockdown will fall kindly and be bundled into the net. On the rare occasion an attacker does get a ball to feet he immediately goes to ground feigning a foul, seeking a free kick in the hope that their match winner the dead ball specialist can carve something out of nothing.

At the other end busses are parked across the goal as Chelsea’s special one famously put it. Negativity rules it seems, we shall not lose, winning is all.

Well not from where I am it isn’t, football is supposed to be an entertainment, the fare we are being served from South Africa is most definitely not that and deserves the continual giant raspberry being blown by the never-ending cacophony of the vuvuzelas.

Why do I feel like this? Because I have been spoilt in the past decade watching the wonderful Wengerball. Real entertainment this, risks included. Breathtaking movement, sublime goals, annoying mistakes and skilful individuals, whose artistry leaves the watcher mesmerised and amazed at the sheer magnificent’s of this the truly beautiful game. So stark a contrast is this, to that we have watched over the past week as to be almost unrecognisable as the same game.

Our detractors tell me we have won nothing for five years.

Really? I believe we have won over thousands of new fans around the world who would much rather watch us than this daily dose of a non-event that is the world cup. Call me what you will, stick to your negative safety-first style if you must, be bored witless in the cause of not losing.

But we are the Arsenal and win or lose. I cannot wait for the new season and some real entertainment at the home of football.

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Posted by dandan

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