Arsenal have officially announced the signing of Park Chu Young from AS Monaco. No figures are given, but it's supposed to be for around the £3m mark.
He looks like being a squad type player to push Chamakh for a place to cover RVP.
Interestingly enough, according to his agent, he has to go back to Korea within the next two years to complete his military service, so the contract is sure to be no longer than that.
He looks like a good finisher and a good all round stiker, from what I've seen, so he may well end up being a good signing.
In other news... Apparently Joe Cole is on his way to Lille on a season long loan. This is being reported as a possible Eden Hazard replacement signing by some, and having spent some of my day being amazed by some of his skills on YouTube compilations (I'm sure we've all seen them by now), I hope it's true.
Seriously, if Arsenal miss out on Hazard after being so close, it may well end up being a missing out of C.Ronaldo proportions, the way I see things.
Just over a day left to go now until the deadline.
Come on Arsenal, keep spending!
Chu Young Done / Hazard next?
August 30, 2011, 2:16 pmExactly What Does Arsene Know?
August 29, 2011, 10:38 am
He knows a number of things...
He knows that if someone doesn't want to sell you their house, they don't have to.
He knows that Manchester United are the champions.
He knows that the champions are more than willing to pay the going rate for the players that they want, and that they were the better team, with the younger average age, playing the better football on Sunday.
He knows that Gary Cahill costs more than £6m.
He knows that his squad is in an abysmal state.
He knows that he has a bad mixture of players in his squad: Players that he desperately needs to be there (minority), players that desperately want to be there, but aren't good enough (majority), players who don't care if they're there or not (significant minority) and players who want to be somewhere else (ever decreasing minority).
He knows that he needs way more than the three new players he's been talking about to fix his incredibly weak squad.
He knows that the owner/board probably aren't too bothered exactly how he does it, as long as he keeps bringing in tens of millions of pounds profit every year.
He knows that he's the boss of his team, and 'no-one can tell him what to do'.
He knows that "super quality" costs more than 3, or even £6m.
He knows that there's a gigantic difference between "super quality" and 'super potential'.
He knows that probably almost every single Arsenal fan in the world wants him to spend some money on better players that the ones he's currently buying.
He knows that just about every other major team in Europe doesn't seem to be having any problems finding and buying the "super quality" that he's so far unsuccessfully (allegedly) "worked very hard" to find.
He knows that Arsenal are 4th from bottom of the EPL table.
He knows that Arsenal are looking very well placed to go 7 (seven) years without winning a trophy.
He knows that, since the throwing away a final in a cup that he never cared about when he had a strong squad, Arsenal have only won 3 (three) league games.
He knows that Arsenal have had very, very few good performances (forget results) recently.
He knows that unless he improves the squad, Arsenal will almost certainly not qualify for Europe (forget the UCL) next season.
He knows that whatever plan he's had for the last few years has been an absolute failure.
He knows that he needs to change.
He needs to change.
Will he?
He knows that if someone doesn't want to sell you their house, they don't have to.
He knows that Manchester United are the champions.
He knows that the champions are more than willing to pay the going rate for the players that they want, and that they were the better team, with the younger average age, playing the better football on Sunday.
He knows that Gary Cahill costs more than £6m.
He knows that his squad is in an abysmal state.
He knows that he has a bad mixture of players in his squad: Players that he desperately needs to be there (minority), players that desperately want to be there, but aren't good enough (majority), players who don't care if they're there or not (significant minority) and players who want to be somewhere else (ever decreasing minority).
He knows that he needs way more than the three new players he's been talking about to fix his incredibly weak squad.
He knows that the owner/board probably aren't too bothered exactly how he does it, as long as he keeps bringing in tens of millions of pounds profit every year.
He knows that he's the boss of his team, and 'no-one can tell him what to do'.
He knows that "super quality" costs more than 3, or even £6m.
He knows that there's a gigantic difference between "super quality" and 'super potential'.
He knows that probably almost every single Arsenal fan in the world wants him to spend some money on better players that the ones he's currently buying.
He knows that just about every other major team in Europe doesn't seem to be having any problems finding and buying the "super quality" that he's so far unsuccessfully (allegedly) "worked very hard" to find.
He knows that Arsenal are 4th from bottom of the EPL table.
He knows that Arsenal are looking very well placed to go 7 (seven) years without winning a trophy.
He knows that, since the throwing away a final in a cup that he never cared about when he had a strong squad, Arsenal have only won 3 (three) league games.
He knows that Arsenal have had very, very few good performances (forget results) recently.
He knows that unless he improves the squad, Arsenal will almost certainly not qualify for Europe (forget the UCL) next season.
He knows that whatever plan he's had for the last few years has been an absolute failure.
He knows that he needs to change.
He needs to change.
Will he?
Back into the blogosphere!
August 28, 2011, 5:17 pm
I'm coming back.
I've been away since about 2008.
But having watched Arsenal get utterly humiliated at Old Trafford has made me decide to get blogging again.
Surely if there was EVER a time to be grouchy, this is it.
Arsene has THREE days to prove to the world that he's still capable of managing the club in the right way.
I've been away since about 2008.
But having watched Arsenal get utterly humiliated at Old Trafford has made me decide to get blogging again.
Surely if there was EVER a time to be grouchy, this is it.
Arsene has THREE days to prove to the world that he's still capable of managing the club in the right way.
Hey Arsene! Look What You've Done!
September 2, 2008, 10:28 am
Here is a comparison of Arsenal's squad in the 2005-2006 season and the current one.
There are fewer players in defence, midfield and attack, with experience clearly lacking.
I've been thinking about the need for a defensive midfielder, but having had a look at the table, I think that it's clear that the defence is more worrying!
Injuries or suspensions to any 3 of the 6 defenders at the same time leaves only 3 recognised defenders!
This is the type of situation that could end up with Diaby or Eboue playing in central defence.
What happened!?!?!
There are fewer players in defence, midfield and attack, with experience clearly lacking.
I've been thinking about the need for a defensive midfielder, but having had a look at the table, I think that it's clear that the defence is more worrying!
Injuries or suspensions to any 3 of the 6 defenders at the same time leaves only 3 recognised defenders!
This is the type of situation that could end up with Diaby or Eboue playing in central defence.
| 2005-2006 ATTACK Adebayor Aliadiere Bendtner Bergkamp Henry Van Persie |
2008 ATTACK Adebayor Vela Bendtner Eduardo Van Persie |
| MIDFIELD Walcott Reyes Song Pires Owusu-Abeyie Ljungberg Larsson Hleb Gilberto Fabregas Flamini Diaby Bentley |
MIDFIELD Walcott Song Fàbregas Diaby Denílson Ramsey Eboué Rosický Nasri Bischoff Wilshere |
| DEFENCE Campbell Clichy Cole Cygan Djourou Eboue Hoyte Lauren Senderos Toure |
DEFENCE Sagna Touré Gallas Silvestre Djourou Clichy |
| KEEPERS Almunia Lehmann Poom |
KEEPERS Almunia Fabianski Mannone |
What happened!?!?!
Arsenal. A Club Without A Striker.
April 16, 2008, 8:18 am
What is an Arsenal striker? I'm not talking about a forward or an attacking player. I'm not talking about the likes of Kanu or Bergkamp who link the play.
I'm talking about the main goal getters. The ones who get the bulk of the goals and the team struggles to find a way to score when they're not in it.
Lets have a look over the last 15 or so years shall we? Starting with...
Alan smith.
Yes, Alan smith, the two time First Division top scorer who was only ever booked once in his entire career, which included moments such as getting the winning goal in the Cup Winners Cup Final against Parma and scoring against Liverpool in the famous 0-2 win at Anfield.
He was a striker suited to the kick and rush, boring, boring longball football that was the essence of the english top flight during the late 80's.
He was good in the air and good on the ground. A sort of a C.Ronaldo of his time, but with a bit less pace, not much of the attitude and absolutely none of the flair.
Alan Smith was an Arsenal striker. The fans loved him and he delivered what he was asked. His style fit the style of the team and he finished his career with the Gunners having won a Double and a European trophy.
But who could replace such a big player for Arsenal? Who could come in and to the difficult job of getting the goals and pushing the likes of Liverpool for the FIrst Division Championship? In the end Arsenal turned to a player named...
Ian Wright.
The electric pace. The sharp shooter accuracy. The goals game after game after game.
Wright pretty much wore his heart on his sleeve, and was known for even celebrating his training ground goals. Not only was he an Arsenal player, but he was one of Arsenal's biggest fans. His goal celebrations and hyperactive character won supporters over from almost the first time he stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt.
Big moments in his career include breaking the clubs goal scoring record and being part of the Double winning side of 97-98.
Then eventually, as Wright began to lose his pace and the goals started to dry up, Arsenal needed a new striker. There was almost a sense of resignation that finding someone who could fill Wrights boots could take years, such was the impact he had made on the club.
Then along came a young winger who had struggled to get off of the Juve subs bench called...
Thierry Henry.
Even though he was never officially recognised with an award, Thierry was probably the first Arsenal player to be considered the best player in the world.
A World Cup and European Championship winner. He also won the Double with Arsenal in 2002 and captained the team to the Champions League Final in 2006.
His pace, sharp finishing and link up play with Vieira and Pires helped him break Ian Wright's goal record on his way to a total of 226 goals in 369 games (including 83 assists).
But being considered one of the best players in the world means that the best clubs are always knocking on your door, and eventually, Thierry left for Barcelona with the expectation of being able to write his name down in football history along with the biggest names.
So there you have it.
This is what any new front man has to try and improve upon.
These are the kind of things that an Arsenal striker needs to have.
These are the kind of abilities and records that Arsenal fans expect, no, demand the next main striker to have and make.
Just 'working your socks off' is not good enough if you give the ball away with one out of every two passes.
Missing 'sitters' is ok, I'm sure even Pele and Maradona did that, but missing 2 or 3 easy chances in almost every game is not.
So who will be the next Arsenal striker?
Who will be the one to eclipse what Thierry achieved and take the team forward?
Adebayor?
Certainly not from what he's shown so far.
Theo?
We won't know until he's given a run as a striker.
Carlos Vela?
My hunch is that he'll play more out wide than he does as a striker.
David Villa?
Maybe he's just too expensive.
I'm talking about the main goal getters. The ones who get the bulk of the goals and the team struggles to find a way to score when they're not in it.
Lets have a look over the last 15 or so years shall we? Starting with...
Alan smith.
Yes, Alan smith, the two time First Division top scorer who was only ever booked once in his entire career, which included moments such as getting the winning goal in the Cup Winners Cup Final against Parma and scoring against Liverpool in the famous 0-2 win at Anfield.
He was a striker suited to the kick and rush, boring, boring longball football that was the essence of the english top flight during the late 80's.
He was good in the air and good on the ground. A sort of a C.Ronaldo of his time, but with a bit less pace, not much of the attitude and absolutely none of the flair.
Alan Smith was an Arsenal striker. The fans loved him and he delivered what he was asked. His style fit the style of the team and he finished his career with the Gunners having won a Double and a European trophy.
But who could replace such a big player for Arsenal? Who could come in and to the difficult job of getting the goals and pushing the likes of Liverpool for the FIrst Division Championship? In the end Arsenal turned to a player named...
Ian Wright.
The electric pace. The sharp shooter accuracy. The goals game after game after game.
Wright pretty much wore his heart on his sleeve, and was known for even celebrating his training ground goals. Not only was he an Arsenal player, but he was one of Arsenal's biggest fans. His goal celebrations and hyperactive character won supporters over from almost the first time he stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt.
Big moments in his career include breaking the clubs goal scoring record and being part of the Double winning side of 97-98.
Then eventually, as Wright began to lose his pace and the goals started to dry up, Arsenal needed a new striker. There was almost a sense of resignation that finding someone who could fill Wrights boots could take years, such was the impact he had made on the club.
Then along came a young winger who had struggled to get off of the Juve subs bench called...
Thierry Henry.
Even though he was never officially recognised with an award, Thierry was probably the first Arsenal player to be considered the best player in the world.
A World Cup and European Championship winner. He also won the Double with Arsenal in 2002 and captained the team to the Champions League Final in 2006.
His pace, sharp finishing and link up play with Vieira and Pires helped him break Ian Wright's goal record on his way to a total of 226 goals in 369 games (including 83 assists).
But being considered one of the best players in the world means that the best clubs are always knocking on your door, and eventually, Thierry left for Barcelona with the expectation of being able to write his name down in football history along with the biggest names.
So there you have it.
This is what any new front man has to try and improve upon.
These are the kind of things that an Arsenal striker needs to have.
These are the kind of abilities and records that Arsenal fans expect, no, demand the next main striker to have and make.
Just 'working your socks off' is not good enough if you give the ball away with one out of every two passes.
Missing 'sitters' is ok, I'm sure even Pele and Maradona did that, but missing 2 or 3 easy chances in almost every game is not.
So who will be the next Arsenal striker?
Who will be the one to eclipse what Thierry achieved and take the team forward?
Adebayor?
Certainly not from what he's shown so far.
Theo?
We won't know until he's given a run as a striker.
Carlos Vela?
My hunch is that he'll play more out wide than he does as a striker.
David Villa?
Maybe he's just too expensive.
Some Arsenal 'Fans' Are Complete Idiots
April 7, 2008, 9:15 am
Where do I start?
Well first of all, I've discovered that there is a media conspiracy against Arsenal.
Not only have the BBC pundits, well known for their badly disguised dislike of Arsenal (minus Mr Dixon), been writing off Arsenal all season, but they are now joined by almost the entire Rupert Murdoch media empire.
Lets get this straight
These days football is about making money.
Sky have made an absolute fortune out of football. I can't imaging that the majority of its customers subscribe so that they can watch crappy programs that they can download for free or constant re-runs of 6 month old films for weeks on end.
Sky is the USA of television and Setanta, Virgin Media and ITV are the 'axis of evil'.
You can forget about any favourable reporting of Arsenal from any Rupert Murdoch owned media source for the foreseeable future.
Why?
Because Arsenal have joined Setanta in Making Arsenal TV.
Which means that every good word about Arsenal on Sky is free advertising for a Setanta Channel. ( If you want to see this brilliant club, the best place is on Setanta, right? )
Which also helps Virgin Media
Which means that Rupert Murdoch loses money...
...I don't think he likes the idea of losing money.
Am I being Paranoid?
I don't think so. Even Cesc has come out and said that he'd noticed that the media seemed to be happy every time Arsenal lost.
You're not wrong Cesc, you're not wrong at all.
The majority of the media are now desperate for Arsenal to fail spectacularly for two reasons.
1. Because of the above mentioned move with Setanta
2. Because most, if not all of the pundits that they pay salaries to wrote Arsenal off from day 1.
At the beginning of the season, if you believed the hype, Arsenal would be struggling to get into 5th place right about now and Man Utd and Chelsea would be about 10 points ahead of 3rd and 4th placed Liverpool and Tottenham!
Most so-called Arsenal fans seem to be totally oblivious to this.
I keep seeing stupid comments and posts on blogs talking about how badly Arsenal are doing and that it's all Arsene's fault for being too stubborn to spend tens of millions of pounds on 'galactico's'.
These people have lost the plot.
Not only have they fallen for the media conspiracy, but they've forgotten exactly where the club is and where it should be.
People seem to have forgotten that it was Arsene who pushed for the Emirates move.
Without that, Arsenal would almost certainly still be at Highbury with the mid range gate receipts that it provided.
There was a reason that Arsenal struggled to pay a wage of more that £60,000 a week while others were offering £100,000, and it's largely due to the stadium.
So basically, even if Arsenal got a combined bid of £200m for the worlds best players accepted, most of them probably wouldn't join because of the wages on offer.
So you could say... No Arsene = No Emirates = No big wages = No world class signings anyway!!
So all of the people who think that Arsene doesn't know what he's doing clearly don't know what they're talking about.
These are probably the same people who said that Henry was a waste of money who couldn't finish and that we needed a proven striker like Dion Dublin.
If they want big money signings every summer, they should go and support Liverpool.
Liverpool have Torres and Mascherano (two players Arsenal 'fans' moan about missing out on), and where are they?
Battling it out for 4th place with Everton, thats where.
Where are Arsenal?
Still on the heels of Man Utd and in with a chance of being champions, that's where.
Don't believe the media conspiracy.
This time next week, Arsenal could be 3 points behind Man Utd in second place and awaiting a Champions League Semi Final against Fenerbahce.
Not bad for a team on such a 'terrible' run.
If Arsenal win the a trophy this season, it will probably be the best trophy that the club has won since 1989, because almost everyone is against the team.
Well first of all, I've discovered that there is a media conspiracy against Arsenal.
Not only have the BBC pundits, well known for their badly disguised dislike of Arsenal (minus Mr Dixon), been writing off Arsenal all season, but they are now joined by almost the entire Rupert Murdoch media empire.
Lets get this straight
These days football is about making money.
Sky have made an absolute fortune out of football. I can't imaging that the majority of its customers subscribe so that they can watch crappy programs that they can download for free or constant re-runs of 6 month old films for weeks on end.
Sky is the USA of television and Setanta, Virgin Media and ITV are the 'axis of evil'.
You can forget about any favourable reporting of Arsenal from any Rupert Murdoch owned media source for the foreseeable future.
Why?
Because Arsenal have joined Setanta in Making Arsenal TV.
Which means that every good word about Arsenal on Sky is free advertising for a Setanta Channel. ( If you want to see this brilliant club, the best place is on Setanta, right? )
Which also helps Virgin Media
Which means that Rupert Murdoch loses money...
...I don't think he likes the idea of losing money.
Am I being Paranoid?
I don't think so. Even Cesc has come out and said that he'd noticed that the media seemed to be happy every time Arsenal lost.
You're not wrong Cesc, you're not wrong at all.
The majority of the media are now desperate for Arsenal to fail spectacularly for two reasons.
1. Because of the above mentioned move with Setanta
2. Because most, if not all of the pundits that they pay salaries to wrote Arsenal off from day 1.
At the beginning of the season, if you believed the hype, Arsenal would be struggling to get into 5th place right about now and Man Utd and Chelsea would be about 10 points ahead of 3rd and 4th placed Liverpool and Tottenham!
Most so-called Arsenal fans seem to be totally oblivious to this.
I keep seeing stupid comments and posts on blogs talking about how badly Arsenal are doing and that it's all Arsene's fault for being too stubborn to spend tens of millions of pounds on 'galactico's'.
These people have lost the plot.
Not only have they fallen for the media conspiracy, but they've forgotten exactly where the club is and where it should be.
People seem to have forgotten that it was Arsene who pushed for the Emirates move.
Without that, Arsenal would almost certainly still be at Highbury with the mid range gate receipts that it provided.
There was a reason that Arsenal struggled to pay a wage of more that £60,000 a week while others were offering £100,000, and it's largely due to the stadium.
So basically, even if Arsenal got a combined bid of £200m for the worlds best players accepted, most of them probably wouldn't join because of the wages on offer.
So you could say... No Arsene = No Emirates = No big wages = No world class signings anyway!!
So all of the people who think that Arsene doesn't know what he's doing clearly don't know what they're talking about.
These are probably the same people who said that Henry was a waste of money who couldn't finish and that we needed a proven striker like Dion Dublin.
If they want big money signings every summer, they should go and support Liverpool.
Liverpool have Torres and Mascherano (two players Arsenal 'fans' moan about missing out on), and where are they?
Battling it out for 4th place with Everton, thats where.
Where are Arsenal?
Still on the heels of Man Utd and in with a chance of being champions, that's where.
Don't believe the media conspiracy.
This time next week, Arsenal could be 3 points behind Man Utd in second place and awaiting a Champions League Semi Final against Fenerbahce.
Not bad for a team on such a 'terrible' run.
If Arsenal win the a trophy this season, it will probably be the best trophy that the club has won since 1989, because almost everyone is against the team.
Hey Gallas, Don't Blame Clichy, It's Adebayors Fault... again!!
February 25, 2008, 9:38 am
Right, first off, Taylor should not get away with his horror tackle by just being handed a 3 match ban.
Arsene has spoken before about the way that teams try and shake Arsenal up possibly leading to a serious injury, and here you are.
It's not too dissimilar to what happened to Diaby a couple of seasons ago against Sunderland, and I'm sure that leg breaks like this on Arsenal players will continue to happen sooner or later if people think that the most they will get is a 3 match ban.
I mean, of course the guy is going to plead innocent and of course all his fellow players and manager will give him the best character reference in the world
So what else is new?
Anyway, the game showed something that need fixing, because Adebayor is still doing stupid things.
Yeah, I will admit, he has been playing about 10 times better recently. He's been scoring the goals and has actually managed to complete some decent passes and not wreck a huge amount of build up play.
But...
The way he didn't pass to Bendtner was ludicrous. Replays show him looking up as he ran towards goal, then after he missed, you can lip read him telling Bendtner "sorry, I didn't see you"
Now what's up with that!?
If Gallas wants to openly put the blame on someone, he should look at Adebayor and his selfishness that kept Birmingham in the game.
Wenger needs to get those two together and tell them to stop being such a couple of big kids.
If Cole and Sheringham can play well together without talking to each other, then so can these two. Who cares who's better between them!? They should play for the team.
Right now, I still keep remembering Thierry and how he used to get so many assists. I'm pretty certain that if he was in the same position, the ball would have been squared 10 times out of 10.
If Adebayor wants to replace Thierry, then he should try looking at his assists as well as his goals.
Arsene has spoken before about the way that teams try and shake Arsenal up possibly leading to a serious injury, and here you are.
It's not too dissimilar to what happened to Diaby a couple of seasons ago against Sunderland, and I'm sure that leg breaks like this on Arsenal players will continue to happen sooner or later if people think that the most they will get is a 3 match ban.
I mean, of course the guy is going to plead innocent and of course all his fellow players and manager will give him the best character reference in the world
So what else is new?
Anyway, the game showed something that need fixing, because Adebayor is still doing stupid things.
Yeah, I will admit, he has been playing about 10 times better recently. He's been scoring the goals and has actually managed to complete some decent passes and not wreck a huge amount of build up play.
But...
The way he didn't pass to Bendtner was ludicrous. Replays show him looking up as he ran towards goal, then after he missed, you can lip read him telling Bendtner "sorry, I didn't see you"
Now what's up with that!?
If Gallas wants to openly put the blame on someone, he should look at Adebayor and his selfishness that kept Birmingham in the game.
Wenger needs to get those two together and tell them to stop being such a couple of big kids.
If Cole and Sheringham can play well together without talking to each other, then so can these two. Who cares who's better between them!? They should play for the team.
Right now, I still keep remembering Thierry and how he used to get so many assists. I'm pretty certain that if he was in the same position, the ball would have been squared 10 times out of 10.
If Adebayor wants to replace Thierry, then he should try looking at his assists as well as his goals.
Kaka Talks Pure Kaka
January 7, 2008, 12:58 pm
"We beat two other English teams last time and we won’t have problems with Arsenal."
That's what he's apparently said.
I just wanted to put this here now, along with the following story from earlier in the season, so I can look back at them and laugh in a few weeks time.
_______________________________________________________________
Arsenal can't win the Champions League - Ancelotti
Last updated at 12:05pm on 14th November 2007
Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Arsenal do not have the experience needed to win this season's Champions League.
"Arsenal play well and they are getting excellent results, but the Champions League is decided in spring," Ancelotti, who led Milan to victory in the competition last season and in 2003, told the La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Carlo Ancelotti has questioned whether Arsenal can handle it when the going gets tough
"Arsenal had lots of young, enthusiastic players but experience was crucial when the competition headed into its latter stages, he added.
"It's necessary to know how to handle the pressure and tension in the best way. I don't know if they are trained for this."
Ancelotti said his team were the second strongest in the Champions League behind Barcelona.
_______________________________________________________________
That's what he's apparently said.
I just wanted to put this here now, along with the following story from earlier in the season, so I can look back at them and laugh in a few weeks time.
_______________________________________________________________
Arsenal can't win the Champions League - Ancelotti
Last updated at 12:05pm on 14th November 2007
Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Arsenal do not have the experience needed to win this season's Champions League.
"Arsenal play well and they are getting excellent results, but the Champions League is decided in spring," Ancelotti, who led Milan to victory in the competition last season and in 2003, told the La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Carlo Ancelotti has questioned whether Arsenal can handle it when the going gets tough
"Arsenal had lots of young, enthusiastic players but experience was crucial when the competition headed into its latter stages, he added.
"It's necessary to know how to handle the pressure and tension in the best way. I don't know if they are trained for this."
Ancelotti said his team were the second strongest in the Champions League behind Barcelona.
_______________________________________________________________
Ashley Cole Is A Great Big Baby
September 11, 2006, 10:02 am
I'm almost lost for words at exactly how childish Ashley Cole really is.
His feeble excuses for wanting to leave the club such as...
"The club made Thierry feel wanted and special, wooing him... ...But me? I didn't have one dinner, one meeting or one phone call from anyone."
...and...
"Thierry and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence."
...are so far past pathetic, that they border on ludicrous.
Why would anyone waste their breath singing his name??
What did he do for the club in the whole season that was so special??
Did he score loads of goals??
No... but Thierry did.
Did he make loads of assists??
No... but Thierry did.
Did he play in almost every game, even when he wasn't fit??
No... but Thierry did.
I suppose this is what happens when a person joins a football club from the age of 9.
Living in a fantasy world a lot of people only ever dream of, some of them clearly don't seem to see the need to actually grow up.
Honestly! It's like a younger sibling wanting to run away from home because his big brother got more jelly and ice cream for pudding!
oooooohhh.... they don't love me like they should..... 'whimper', 'whimper'...
What!? Even after you went off and met Mourinho, then faked injury for the rest of the season??
Ah... the faked injury...
Yes, Ashley has something to say about that too (showing what a 'tough guy' he is in the process, oh yes! ) after being asked if he really was injured:
"'That was it. I blew my lid. `What!' I shouted, barely able to keep a lid on it,[oh Ashley, you're so hard!] `I need to play for Arsenal to go to the World Cup, so why would I hold back? The more I hold back, the less chance I've got of going to Germany! And you are insulting me'.'"
Prat.
Yes Ashley, why on earth would anyone doubt your commitment to the club? It's not like you went off trying to get a contract with another... Oh, wait a minute!
Anyway, it's a known fact that Eriksson had 'un-droppables', of which you were one. As long as you were fit, you were in the England squad. That was obvious.
Anyway enough about the invisible man.
So it's another 2 points dropped after totally dominating the game.
Not too much to worry about so far, though IMO.
As Thierry said, it's not like the team played badly or didn't look like winning.
Gallas played very well, and Rosicky provided the shock of the match by shooting from outside the box.
I wasn't even expecting such a dominant performance after an international break to be honest, so it does look like there's plenty to be positive about right now.
However, it would be nice to have an answer to teams who play with 11 men behind the ball.
Anyway I'm way too bored of talking about plan b's, so I'll leave it at that.
Next up, Hamburg SV.
His feeble excuses for wanting to leave the club such as...
"The club made Thierry feel wanted and special, wooing him... ...But me? I didn't have one dinner, one meeting or one phone call from anyone."
...and...
"Thierry and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence."
...are so far past pathetic, that they border on ludicrous.
Why would anyone waste their breath singing his name??
What did he do for the club in the whole season that was so special??
Did he score loads of goals??
No... but Thierry did.
Did he make loads of assists??
No... but Thierry did.
Did he play in almost every game, even when he wasn't fit??
No... but Thierry did.
I suppose this is what happens when a person joins a football club from the age of 9.
Living in a fantasy world a lot of people only ever dream of, some of them clearly don't seem to see the need to actually grow up.
Honestly! It's like a younger sibling wanting to run away from home because his big brother got more jelly and ice cream for pudding!
oooooohhh.... they don't love me like they should..... 'whimper', 'whimper'...
What!? Even after you went off and met Mourinho, then faked injury for the rest of the season??
Ah... the faked injury...
Yes, Ashley has something to say about that too (showing what a 'tough guy' he is in the process, oh yes! ) after being asked if he really was injured:
"'That was it. I blew my lid. `What!' I shouted, barely able to keep a lid on it,[oh Ashley, you're so hard!] `I need to play for Arsenal to go to the World Cup, so why would I hold back? The more I hold back, the less chance I've got of going to Germany! And you are insulting me'.'"
Prat.
Yes Ashley, why on earth would anyone doubt your commitment to the club? It's not like you went off trying to get a contract with another... Oh, wait a minute!
Anyway, it's a known fact that Eriksson had 'un-droppables', of which you were one. As long as you were fit, you were in the England squad. That was obvious.
Anyway enough about the invisible man.
So it's another 2 points dropped after totally dominating the game.
Not too much to worry about so far, though IMO.
As Thierry said, it's not like the team played badly or didn't look like winning.
Gallas played very well, and Rosicky provided the shock of the match by shooting from outside the box.
I wasn't even expecting such a dominant performance after an international break to be honest, so it does look like there's plenty to be positive about right now.
However, it would be nice to have an answer to teams who play with 11 men behind the ball.
Anyway I'm way too bored of talking about plan b's, so I'll leave it at that.
Next up, Hamburg SV.
Thierry: No Way I Could Leave Arsenal
May 19, 2006, 4:21 amAnd here's a great BIG kick in the teeth for all the Arsenal haters out there...
Thierry Henry says he will sign his contract offer today if he can, and that there's no way he could leave the Arsenal fans, who he sees as being just like family.
"I hope to stay as long as I can keep running. I couldn't leave the fans. They're like family,"
"I love Barcelona, but on Wednesday Arsenal showed they had heart. I hope to finalise details today."
This news will obviously infuriate the all the clowns who were so desperate for Thierry to leave, but I have to say, it's not really a surprise to me.
Why would the best player in the world leave the best club in the world?
Blatter Says Ref Messed Up The Game
May 18, 2006, 10:54 pm
FIFA President Sepp Blatter agrees with Arsene, Thierry, Pele, Kevin The Grouch and even referee Hauge himself that the game was made more difficult for Arsenal due to bad refereeing decisions.
Arsenal started the game brilliantly and even with 10 men were only 15 minutes from a tremendous victory.
Blatter, head of footballs governing body said about referee Hauge:
"What he did wrong in my opinion is that when such an action [occurs], not only in front of the goal mouth, but everywhere, he should play the advantage."
"Finish the action and then he can come back and whistle"
"He was too fast to blow the whistle."
"At such a level, we expect in FIFA and in the World Cup that such a situation does not occur"
But of course, not being a bunch of completely sad and pathetic sore losers, Arsenal will not write to UEFA demanding that the game be replayed.
It took the so-called best team in the world an offside 'goal' to break Arsenal down, and now it's clear to anyone with a brain that the referee just wasn't good enough to keep the game balanced on the night.
So it looks like even though Arsenal were prevented from winning the game, they won the admiration of true football fans the world over.
Something that most other clubs look like they will never be able to do.
Arsenal started the game brilliantly and even with 10 men were only 15 minutes from a tremendous victory.
Blatter, head of footballs governing body said about referee Hauge:
"What he did wrong in my opinion is that when such an action [occurs], not only in front of the goal mouth, but everywhere, he should play the advantage."
"Finish the action and then he can come back and whistle"
"He was too fast to blow the whistle."
"At such a level, we expect in FIFA and in the World Cup that such a situation does not occur"
But of course, not being a bunch of completely sad and pathetic sore losers, Arsenal will not write to UEFA demanding that the game be replayed.
It took the so-called best team in the world an offside 'goal' to break Arsenal down, and now it's clear to anyone with a brain that the referee just wasn't good enough to keep the game balanced on the night.
So it looks like even though Arsenal were prevented from winning the game, they won the admiration of true football fans the world over.
Something that most other clubs look like they will never be able to do.
Just 15 Minutes Away
May 17, 2006, 9:19 pm
I have to say, there's no reason to be disappionted in losing tonight.
Even with only 10 men, Arsenal led and pressured Barcelona all the way up until there were only 15 minutes left.
I know there will be some fans blaming Jens for getting sent off, but they need to remember just how big a penalty save he made against Villareal, and that he didn't concede a single Champions League goal all season.
I'm sure that he had the same intention tonight, and was only doing whatever he thought was necessary to keep a clean sheet.
I don't blame him anyway.
I don't blame any of the players... I think they all gave their best.
They gave their best against a Barcelona side that most people expected to wipe the floor with them.
This Barcelona side was supposed to step on the pitch, wait around for 90 minutes and the lift the trophy, but they were 15 minutes away from losing.
15 minutes away from deservedly losing to a team that was giving their best, while being down to 10 men.
Arsenal showed tonight that they ARE a big club.
A big club with big players who deserve to be playing at this level.
Barcelona are supposed to be a "MASSIVE" club, but they needed to dig extra deep to get the win.
Juve were supposed to be a big club, and Real are supposed to be the biggest, but in the end it was only when Arsenal were down to 10 men that they were beaten.
The team did so well just to get this far, and in the end they managed to get just 15 minutes away from becoming European Champions.
In a way, I'm reminded of the 'Owen' FA Cup Final.
Just a few minutes away from winning.
It was the first FA Cup in Cardiff, and he popped up to win it for Liverpool in injury time.
I certainly didn't imagine at the time that Arsenal would be back in Cardiff again to win the trophy in 3 out of the next four seasons.
It would be nice to do the same thing with the Champions League.
Anyway...
Next up, the World Cup.
Even with only 10 men, Arsenal led and pressured Barcelona all the way up until there were only 15 minutes left.
I know there will be some fans blaming Jens for getting sent off, but they need to remember just how big a penalty save he made against Villareal, and that he didn't concede a single Champions League goal all season.
I'm sure that he had the same intention tonight, and was only doing whatever he thought was necessary to keep a clean sheet.
I don't blame him anyway.
I don't blame any of the players... I think they all gave their best.
They gave their best against a Barcelona side that most people expected to wipe the floor with them.
This Barcelona side was supposed to step on the pitch, wait around for 90 minutes and the lift the trophy, but they were 15 minutes away from losing.
15 minutes away from deservedly losing to a team that was giving their best, while being down to 10 men.
Arsenal showed tonight that they ARE a big club.
A big club with big players who deserve to be playing at this level.
Barcelona are supposed to be a "MASSIVE" club, but they needed to dig extra deep to get the win.
Juve were supposed to be a big club, and Real are supposed to be the biggest, but in the end it was only when Arsenal were down to 10 men that they were beaten.
The team did so well just to get this far, and in the end they managed to get just 15 minutes away from becoming European Champions.
In a way, I'm reminded of the 'Owen' FA Cup Final.
Just a few minutes away from winning.
It was the first FA Cup in Cardiff, and he popped up to win it for Liverpool in injury time.
I certainly didn't imagine at the time that Arsenal would be back in Cardiff again to win the trophy in 3 out of the next four seasons.
It would be nice to do the same thing with the Champions League.
Anyway...
Next up, the World Cup.
One More Game To Go
May 8, 2006, 6:14 amWhere do I start!?
What a day yesterday turned out to be!
Early morning - There's coverage almost everywhere about this being the last game at Highbury. It almost seems like FA Cup Final day.
Early afternoon - The anticipation builds. It seems like it's going to be the most exciting day of the season, but Spurs look like they're in the best position to finish 4th.
About 1.00pm - Spurs announce that 10 players came down with food poisoning the night before and want to re-arrange their game with West Ham!!
About 2.00pm - Spurs' request turned down. The game goes ahead.
Talk about a rollercoaster ride!
Arsenal go ahead...West Ham score...Wigan equalise...Spurs equalise...Wigan go 2-1 up...Arsenal equalise...Half time.
Second Half...Thierry scores...West Ham get a penalty...Sheringham passes it to the keeper...Freddie comes on...Freddie is fouled...Wigan down to 10 men as Thierry slots home the penalty for his hat-trick...West Ham score...Wigan are finished...Spurs are GUTTED!!...Arsenal are 4th...Now for Pairs...
Usually, finishing 4th wouldn't seem like such a big thing to shout about, but because it means booting Spurs into 5th, after they were ready to start moaning about deserving to be in the Champions League even if Arsenal win it, makes the difference.
I've been really, really busy lately, which is why I didn't write about the Sunderland/Man City games.
Two very good wins and I didn't write about them.
One of the reasons was that all 3 games including this one almost seemed like one single long game.
Anything less than 9 points, and it looked like goodbye to 4th, so writing about them before they were all finished felt as if I was writing about a game after only 60 minutes had been played.
So now there's one more game to go before the World Cup.
Barca are favourites, but so were Madrid...
So were Juve...
So were Spurs...
Next up, Barcalona.
Lehmann!! Lehmann!! Lehmann!!
April 26, 2006, 6:30 am
Arsenal are in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League Final!!
Even after dominating the game and coming close on a number of occasions. Villareal just couldn't score.
The referee, apparently sympathising with their inability to hit the back of the net, awarded them one of the softest penalties in the entire history of football.
There were just a few minutes to go.
Arsenal were on the back foot.
Surely a goal now would send the game into extra time and cause the young players' heads to drop.
Who should step up but Riquelme. The new Zidane. The "best player in the world".
The seconds ticked.
The cameras flashed.
Replays repeated on screens all over the world.
The ball lay prone on the spot, almost as if it desperately needed to get its 'fix' of contact with the sweet yellow goal net.
'Hit me Juan! Hit me into the net!!'
The whole crowd except one small red/redcurrant and white corner positioned themselves to roar into celebration.
Elbows in, fists clenched.
Riquelme eyeballed Lehmann.
Lehmann puffed up his chest and spread out his arms like a giant German dragon unfolding its wings.
Waiting...
The ref blew
Step... step... THUMP!
Riquelme hit the ball to Lehmann's left.
DU BIST MEIN!!
Lehmann saved!
The ball pounded into the ground. Almost frustrated that it was so, so close to touching the soft yellow net.
Arsenal scrambled for the ball.
Riquelme didn't move. He seemed momentarily lost in a silent world of his own. Staring at the ground in despondency.
Lehmann!! Lehmann!! Lehmann!!
After the match Forlan described Riquelme's mood:
"He is obviously very gutted."
Some people will probably go on about how Arsenal played badly.
A more accurate description would probably be that they played like a team that had played 3 very hard games in 6 days.
Hleb looked too tired to run for almost the whole game.
Tired legs gave away possession again and again and again.
But when the full time whistle came, the defence still hadn't conceded and Arsenal were now in the final.
The UEFA Champions League Final.
Next up, Sunderland.
Even after dominating the game and coming close on a number of occasions. Villareal just couldn't score.
The referee, apparently sympathising with their inability to hit the back of the net, awarded them one of the softest penalties in the entire history of football.
There were just a few minutes to go.
Arsenal were on the back foot.
Surely a goal now would send the game into extra time and cause the young players' heads to drop.
Who should step up but Riquelme. The new Zidane. The "best player in the world".
The seconds ticked.
The cameras flashed.
Replays repeated on screens all over the world.
The ball lay prone on the spot, almost as if it desperately needed to get its 'fix' of contact with the sweet yellow goal net.
'Hit me Juan! Hit me into the net!!'
The whole crowd except one small red/redcurrant and white corner positioned themselves to roar into celebration.
Elbows in, fists clenched.
Riquelme eyeballed Lehmann.
Lehmann puffed up his chest and spread out his arms like a giant German dragon unfolding its wings.
Waiting...
The ref blew
Step... step... THUMP!
Riquelme hit the ball to Lehmann's left.
DU BIST MEIN!!
Lehmann saved!
The ball pounded into the ground. Almost frustrated that it was so, so close to touching the soft yellow net.
Arsenal scrambled for the ball.
Riquelme didn't move. He seemed momentarily lost in a silent world of his own. Staring at the ground in despondency.
Lehmann!! Lehmann!! Lehmann!!
After the match Forlan described Riquelme's mood:
"He is obviously very gutted."
Some people will probably go on about how Arsenal played badly.
A more accurate description would probably be that they played like a team that had played 3 very hard games in 6 days.
Hleb looked too tired to run for almost the whole game.
Tired legs gave away possession again and again and again.
But when the full time whistle came, the defence still hadn't conceded and Arsenal were now in the final.
The UEFA Champions League Final.
Next up, Sunderland.
Thierry Who?
November 3, 2005, 10:35 am
What a strange season this is turning out to be
Not since a two week period in the mid 90's when Kevin Campbell scored a couple of hatricks have Arsenal ever had TWO prolific strikers!
Now up steps Robin Van Persie.
He's one of the best finishers I've ever seen. He reminds me of Batistuta the way he hits the ball with such power and accuracy.
He's looking much stronger now than when he first arrived and seemed to be getting kicked all over the pitch by almost every opposition player he came up against
Almost as strong as a young Vieira.
Two great strikes from Robin who replaced Henry last night, clearly show that he can do it at the highest level.
No wonder Van Basten's convinced he's the future of Dutch football.
Thierry got the first goal with a great finish from 25 yards out. It was a good performance all round, except for the occasionally shaky defence, but I think that was more due to Pires and Flamini not working hard enough defensively to help gilberto, as well as Almunia feeling the pressure not to make any mistakes
which he did.
Although I feel about a million times more confident about the Champions League now than at the beginning of the season, to me it's still obvious that extra experience and depth is needed in the team. Particularly in the middle of the pitch.
Anyway, lets hope Arsene finally decides to give Robin a decent run in the team alongside Thierry so that the goals can start flowing again in the Premiership.
Next up, the Makems at Highbury.
Not since a two week period in the mid 90's when Kevin Campbell scored a couple of hatricks have Arsenal ever had TWO prolific strikers!
Now up steps Robin Van Persie.
He's one of the best finishers I've ever seen. He reminds me of Batistuta the way he hits the ball with such power and accuracy.
He's looking much stronger now than when he first arrived and seemed to be getting kicked all over the pitch by almost every opposition player he came up against
Almost as strong as a young Vieira.
Two great strikes from Robin who replaced Henry last night, clearly show that he can do it at the highest level.
No wonder Van Basten's convinced he's the future of Dutch football.
Thierry got the first goal with a great finish from 25 yards out. It was a good performance all round, except for the occasionally shaky defence, but I think that was more due to Pires and Flamini not working hard enough defensively to help gilberto, as well as Almunia feeling the pressure not to make any mistakes
which he did.
Although I feel about a million times more confident about the Champions League now than at the beginning of the season, to me it's still obvious that extra experience and depth is needed in the team. Particularly in the middle of the pitch.
Anyway, lets hope Arsene finally decides to give Robin a decent run in the team alongside Thierry so that the goals can start flowing again in the Premiership.
Next up, the Makems at Highbury.
Wenger: I'll Have You Jose!
November 1, 2005, 4:22 pm
Alex Ferguson must be feeling neglected
Not only is his side suffering from a recent run of bad form and 'internal disputes', but his old drinking buddy Jose Mourinho has been ignoring him to spout nonsense about Ferguson's old sparing partner Arsene.
Gone are the days of comments of wit, such as Arsene's "Everyone thinks they have the most beautiful wife at home."
It's decended into baseless, childish personal attacks.
Arsene today hit back after being labelled a pervert by Mr Mourinho by threatening legal action.
Lets be perfectly honest, Even though in my opinion all of this is just pointlessly far away from actual football, he deserves it.
He just doesn't seem to learn.
Told off and punished by both UEFA and the FA and even told to shut up by his own club, Mourinho just keeps on spouting comments that land him in trouble with one authority or another.
If he's not tapping up players in public, he's accusing someone else of cheating or referees of being useless.
Then he gets in trouble and claims to be the victim!
Arsenal Grouch says...
Even though he deserves it Arsene, don't waste your time chasing him around in the courts. Beat his Chequebook Champions on the pitch and send him back to Portugal a loser.
Not only is his side suffering from a recent run of bad form and 'internal disputes', but his old drinking buddy Jose Mourinho has been ignoring him to spout nonsense about Ferguson's old sparing partner Arsene.
Gone are the days of comments of wit, such as Arsene's "Everyone thinks they have the most beautiful wife at home."
It's decended into baseless, childish personal attacks.
Arsene today hit back after being labelled a pervert by Mr Mourinho by threatening legal action.
Lets be perfectly honest, Even though in my opinion all of this is just pointlessly far away from actual football, he deserves it.
He just doesn't seem to learn.
Told off and punished by both UEFA and the FA and even told to shut up by his own club, Mourinho just keeps on spouting comments that land him in trouble with one authority or another.
If he's not tapping up players in public, he's accusing someone else of cheating or referees of being useless.
Then he gets in trouble and claims to be the victim!
Arsenal Grouch says...
Even though he deserves it Arsene, don't waste your time chasing him around in the courts. Beat his Chequebook Champions on the pitch and send him back to Portugal a loser.
Jose Tries The Old Reverse Psychology Routine
October 31, 2005, 2:43 pm
Jose 'funny clown' Mourinho put his mind games hat on recently when he suggested that Arsene must be some sort of pervert because he answers questions about chelsea when the media ask him.
All this just goes to prove that Mourinho is on the edge.
He can't take the pressure.
Two games without a win and the comments of others start getting to him.
But does he have a point? Is Arsene going too far? Does he have a telescope in his room?
Anyone with half a brain will see that Mourinho is talking complete nonsense.
He was the one who came out with false accusations about David Dein rigging the fixture list, completely out of the blue.
So why is the funny clown coming out with this gibberish?
Because everything wenger said was completely true and he can't take it.
chelsea couldnt even beat bottom side Everton, they LOST at home to Charlton, and then we're pegged back to 2-2 after being 2-0 up at home to Blackburn.
All of this with a full strength or virtually full strength squad.
But lets be honest, this is just the kind of child-like behavior that Mourinho is known for
Just ask Anders Frisk and Frank Rijkaard.
Anyway, he's best just ignored...
Or better still, there's always this: http://www.punchaceleb.com/hit/mourinho/
All this just goes to prove that Mourinho is on the edge.
He can't take the pressure.
Two games without a win and the comments of others start getting to him.
But does he have a point? Is Arsene going too far? Does he have a telescope in his room?
Anyone with half a brain will see that Mourinho is talking complete nonsense.
He was the one who came out with false accusations about David Dein rigging the fixture list, completely out of the blue.
So why is the funny clown coming out with this gibberish?
Because everything wenger said was completely true and he can't take it.
chelsea couldnt even beat bottom side Everton, they LOST at home to Charlton, and then we're pegged back to 2-2 after being 2-0 up at home to Blackburn.
All of this with a full strength or virtually full strength squad.
But lets be honest, this is just the kind of child-like behavior that Mourinho is known for
Just ask Anders Frisk and Frank Rijkaard.
Anyway, he's best just ignored...
Or better still, there's always this: http://www.punchaceleb.com/hit/mourinho/
Monday Morning Comebacks
October 31, 2005, 11:43 am
Got that monday morning drearyness?
Not at your pin point sharpest?
Work with or going to see some spurs fans today??
Well, they've more than likely been waiting desperately since 2.50pm on saturday to meet you! Preparing a script of verbal abuse in order to try and salvage some sort respect in your eyes for their small club.
Here are some monday morning comebacks to put them in their place.... Even though all their team could manage was a slightly above average first half performance and a draw!
THEM: You were so LUCKY! We cained youz! we was all over ya! You're teams nothing now...
YOU: Oh right? You mean lucky Henry, Hleb and Cole were all injured? and that Ljungberg and Reyes were only just back from injury? and that Ljungberg had to come off injured when it was Reyes who was having a bad game? and that you were the ones who were supposed to be at home? Well I don't believe in luck anyway.
THEM: We had Davids out! If he was playing, we would've won
YOU: Well I can sit here all day long and say that if Henry, Hleb and Cole were playing, and Reyes and Ljungberg were 100%, you would've conceded another 5 goals at home.
THEM: It's your fault for having such a useless squad, stop making excuses!
YOU: If the Arsenal squad is so useless, how come the majority of your fist team got rejected by Wenger then? They only went to spurs cos they couldnt get into the Arsenal side. Carrick, Defoe, Jenas, Robinson, Davids, Reid and Dawson. Arsene had a look and said no thanks. So they joined a small club instead.
THEM: Small club!!? Who's higher in the league?
YOU: What, by 3 points after playing an extra game?
THEM: Well we cant be a small club if you're below us in the league!
YOU: So Wigan must be a massive club then because they're second? No, you're a small club because you never win any trophies or even make it into the UEFA cup.
THEM: Oh wait to the end of the season, we'll finish above youz this time!
YOU: I hear this every year. Do you not get bored of hyping up your team only for them to fail to even qualify for the UEFA cup?
By this time they probably would've walked off in defeat and denial that the team that they lie awake at night hating is still twice as good as their beloved side. Angered that they missed probably their biggest chance to beat a depleted Arsenal side in years.
Not at your pin point sharpest?
Work with or going to see some spurs fans today??
Well, they've more than likely been waiting desperately since 2.50pm on saturday to meet you! Preparing a script of verbal abuse in order to try and salvage some sort respect in your eyes for their small club.
Here are some monday morning comebacks to put them in their place.... Even though all their team could manage was a slightly above average first half performance and a draw!
THEM: You were so LUCKY! We cained youz! we was all over ya! You're teams nothing now...
YOU: Oh right? You mean lucky Henry, Hleb and Cole were all injured? and that Ljungberg and Reyes were only just back from injury? and that Ljungberg had to come off injured when it was Reyes who was having a bad game? and that you were the ones who were supposed to be at home? Well I don't believe in luck anyway.
THEM: We had Davids out! If he was playing, we would've won
YOU: Well I can sit here all day long and say that if Henry, Hleb and Cole were playing, and Reyes and Ljungberg were 100%, you would've conceded another 5 goals at home.
THEM: It's your fault for having such a useless squad, stop making excuses!
YOU: If the Arsenal squad is so useless, how come the majority of your fist team got rejected by Wenger then? They only went to spurs cos they couldnt get into the Arsenal side. Carrick, Defoe, Jenas, Robinson, Davids, Reid and Dawson. Arsene had a look and said no thanks. So they joined a small club instead.
THEM: Small club!!? Who's higher in the league?
YOU: What, by 3 points after playing an extra game?
THEM: Well we cant be a small club if you're below us in the league!
YOU: So Wigan must be a massive club then because they're second? No, you're a small club because you never win any trophies or even make it into the UEFA cup.
THEM: Oh wait to the end of the season, we'll finish above youz this time!
YOU: I hear this every year. Do you not get bored of hyping up your team only for them to fail to even qualify for the UEFA cup?
By this time they probably would've walked off in defeat and denial that the team that they lie awake at night hating is still twice as good as their beloved side. Angered that they missed probably their biggest chance to beat a depleted Arsenal side in years.
Hello! Hello! We are the Arsenal boys!
October 28, 2005, 7:38 am
Here we go!
Arsenal versus spurs, round one.
I love these games.
The build up, the hype, the electrical intensity in the atmosphere...
The buzz of anticipation until kick off on the bright green turf.
On derby days the pitch almost seems like hot concrete.
Every challenge is going to hurt, every push, every kick, every scrape, every tug.
Every celebration twice as loud, every laugh is twice as long.
This game isn't about individuals or nationalities, it's about red versus white.
This is real football
IT'S A MANS GAME.
There's no time for flinching, no time for backing out.
Full speed or nothing at all.
So wait for the moment.....
Wait for the sight....
Wait for the net to bulge and the goal frame to shudder!
Hello! Hello! We are the Arsenal boys!
Arsenal versus spurs, round one.
I love these games.
The build up, the hype, the electrical intensity in the atmosphere...
The buzz of anticipation until kick off on the bright green turf.
On derby days the pitch almost seems like hot concrete.
Every challenge is going to hurt, every push, every kick, every scrape, every tug.
Every celebration twice as loud, every laugh is twice as long.
This game isn't about individuals or nationalities, it's about red versus white.
This is real football
IT'S A MANS GAME.
There's no time for flinching, no time for backing out.
Full speed or nothing at all.
So wait for the moment.....
Wait for the sight....
Wait for the net to bulge and the goal frame to shudder!
Hello! Hello! We are the Arsenal boys!
My Mate Dave's Sister's Best Mate's Cousin Said...
October 27, 2005, 1:52 pm
Silly rumours annoy me.
Stories with no source that just blast onto the back pages when its been a slow news week
ARSENAL SWOOP FOR KAKA
VIEIRA IN SHOCK RETURN
HENRY: IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON
What a waste of space.
Someone should do a whole years research into what percentage of these kind of 'A close freind revealed' stories turn out to be true. I'd be willing to guess its less than about 20%
Vieira had one of these 'close freinds' too
I can't remember which year it was, but the second he went off on holiday to America some 'close freind' starts coming out with all this stuff about how he never wants to play for Arsenal again.
Strangely enough, when he came back he denied everything and said that someone had been lying about him.
That brings back some memories...
Summer after summer of the same annoying drawn out drama.
When he left, my feelings were split between
1. WHAT!?
2. Why now?
3. This could be cool, Arsene must have a big name replacement lined up
4. Is this a joke?
5. You might've sold him Arsene, but he's staying in my Football Manager team!
6. Well, at least I don't have to put up with long gut wrenching summers of news headline after headline about Vieira to Madrid anymore...
Now it seems we're all in for more!
How fun.
I hope Thierry doesn't leave it until the last minute. That would be really frustrating.
Stories with no source that just blast onto the back pages when its been a slow news week
ARSENAL SWOOP FOR KAKA
VIEIRA IN SHOCK RETURN
HENRY: IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON
What a waste of space.
Someone should do a whole years research into what percentage of these kind of 'A close freind revealed' stories turn out to be true. I'd be willing to guess its less than about 20%
Vieira had one of these 'close freinds' too
I can't remember which year it was, but the second he went off on holiday to America some 'close freind' starts coming out with all this stuff about how he never wants to play for Arsenal again.
Strangely enough, when he came back he denied everything and said that someone had been lying about him.
That brings back some memories...
Summer after summer of the same annoying drawn out drama.
When he left, my feelings were split between
1. WHAT!?
2. Why now?
3. This could be cool, Arsene must have a big name replacement lined up
4. Is this a joke?
5. You might've sold him Arsene, but he's staying in my Football Manager team!
6. Well, at least I don't have to put up with long gut wrenching summers of news headline after headline about Vieira to Madrid anymore...
Now it seems we're all in for more!
How fun.
I hope Thierry doesn't leave it until the last minute. That would be really frustrating.
Van Persie: I'm A Big Kid Now!
October 26, 2005, 7:24 am
On a cold, wet night when a very young Arsenal team took apart a fairly strong sunderland line up infront of a crowd of almost 50,000, it wasn't just the intensity of the floodlights that shone in the Stadium of Light.
Quincy was on form, causing Sunderland all sorts of problems with his pace, tearing spaces in their defence.
Eboue thundered in an effort from thirty yards to gain the lead 15 minutes into the second half of what had been a fairly tight game until then.
Then as McCarthy said: "They got the goal and it zapped our legs. For the last half hour they were better"
But the best and one of the most mature performances of the game came from Van Persie, who not only extremely confidently rifled a penalty into the top right corner, but killed the game off with his second three minutes before full time.
He looked strong and confident on the ball and seemed a clear level above the rest of the youngsters who in turn seemed a level above McCarthy's team.
It was a performance that screamed 'I'm ready Arsene!' Even though this has been clear for while given that he's been one of the stars of the Dutch national team for their past few games.
All he needs is a run in the first team to prove that he can be just as influential for Arsenal.
Hoyte also did well, and seems to have settled into his role at Sunderland, becoming one of their most consistent players.
But then, so did Moritz Volz when he went to fulham and he never came back!
Overall it was a good performace and an injury free 90 minutes under Sol's belt before saturdays game.
I think that this young side can at least make it to the semi's of this competition this year. It's probably the best chance that the likes of Quincy and Song have to stake their claim for more first team action.
Next up, some small local team or something...
Quincy was on form, causing Sunderland all sorts of problems with his pace, tearing spaces in their defence.
Eboue thundered in an effort from thirty yards to gain the lead 15 minutes into the second half of what had been a fairly tight game until then.
Then as McCarthy said: "They got the goal and it zapped our legs. For the last half hour they were better"
But the best and one of the most mature performances of the game came from Van Persie, who not only extremely confidently rifled a penalty into the top right corner, but killed the game off with his second three minutes before full time.
He looked strong and confident on the ball and seemed a clear level above the rest of the youngsters who in turn seemed a level above McCarthy's team.
It was a performance that screamed 'I'm ready Arsene!' Even though this has been clear for while given that he's been one of the stars of the Dutch national team for their past few games.
All he needs is a run in the first team to prove that he can be just as influential for Arsenal.
Hoyte also did well, and seems to have settled into his role at Sunderland, becoming one of their most consistent players.
But then, so did Moritz Volz when he went to fulham and he never came back!
Overall it was a good performace and an injury free 90 minutes under Sol's belt before saturdays game.
I think that this young side can at least make it to the semi's of this competition this year. It's probably the best chance that the likes of Quincy and Song have to stake their claim for more first team action.
Next up, some small local team or something...
Hey, that's funny Jose! Where's your red nose?
October 24, 2005, 3:08 pm
Jose 'funny clown' Mourinho was getting the jokes in recently when he declared....
"You know why they took the penalty like that?
They have so many penalties in a season, they had to do something different."
Wow! Eddie Murphy must be quaking in his boots eh Jose!?
Yes... I can see it now
Shrek 3 starring Jose 'funny clown' Mourinho as the voice of Donkey!
Shrek: Hey Donkey, why are you so boring these days?
Donkey: You should treat me with a little more respect. I am a special donkey. People say that I am boring, but they know nothing about being a donkey.
But seriously....
This is just a feeble attempt at trying to reduce the amount of penalties that Arsenal are awarded.
Jose thinks he's a master of mind games, but most of the time he just ends up getting in trouble with the FA. Like how he did after making his oh so erroneous comments about Arsenal having an unfair advantage in the fixture lists because David Dein is some sort of cheat or something.
Hey Jose, I've got a funny joke for you!
What do Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Frank Arnesen have in common?
Doesn't need answering that one does it?
"You know why they took the penalty like that?
They have so many penalties in a season, they had to do something different."
Wow! Eddie Murphy must be quaking in his boots eh Jose!?
Yes... I can see it now
Shrek 3 starring Jose 'funny clown' Mourinho as the voice of Donkey!
Shrek: Hey Donkey, why are you so boring these days?
Donkey: You should treat me with a little more respect. I am a special donkey. People say that I am boring, but they know nothing about being a donkey.
But seriously....
This is just a feeble attempt at trying to reduce the amount of penalties that Arsenal are awarded.
Jose thinks he's a master of mind games, but most of the time he just ends up getting in trouble with the FA. Like how he did after making his oh so erroneous comments about Arsenal having an unfair advantage in the fixture lists because David Dein is some sort of cheat or something.
Hey Jose, I've got a funny joke for you!
What do Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Frank Arnesen have in common?
Doesn't need answering that one does it?
Pearce Pleased Pires' Penalty Plot Proven Perfectly Pointless
October 23, 2005, 7:21 am
Football....
What a game eh?
Sometimes it just leaves you speechless
Without a single word to describe the events as they unfold before your eyes.
Cantona's kung-fu kick
Higuita's scorpion save
Pires' pointless penalty
WHAT WAS THAT!?!?
I knew Pires was going through a bit of dip in form, but to completely miss a stationary ball is just beyond words.
Well he didn't completely miss it
He managed to scrape it with his studs, thus giving away an indirect free kick to Manchester City.
My attitude towards Bobby has a bit of a unique history.
When he first joined Arsenal he was reported to have come out with some statement about having preferred to have signed for Real Madrid, who were also in for him, but that he only signed for Arsenal in order to develop his career.
.....you what!?
He had a pretty bad first season, and I really didn't like him or see much point in him being in the team.
Then he really started to play well, get his head down and do his job. Since then its easy to see that he's realised that this club isn't just a stepping stone.
He isn't playing well at all right now, but in my opinion he just needs a bit of patience from the club and the supporters.
Anyway, a bit of a disjointed game ended in another home win. Three desperately needed points chalked up and the bonus of a clean sheet.
Next up, the Makems
What a game eh?
Sometimes it just leaves you speechless
Without a single word to describe the events as they unfold before your eyes.
Cantona's kung-fu kick
Higuita's scorpion save
Pires' pointless penalty
WHAT WAS THAT!?!?
I knew Pires was going through a bit of dip in form, but to completely miss a stationary ball is just beyond words.
Well he didn't completely miss it
He managed to scrape it with his studs, thus giving away an indirect free kick to Manchester City.
My attitude towards Bobby has a bit of a unique history.
When he first joined Arsenal he was reported to have come out with some statement about having preferred to have signed for Real Madrid, who were also in for him, but that he only signed for Arsenal in order to develop his career.
.....you what!?
He had a pretty bad first season, and I really didn't like him or see much point in him being in the team.
Then he really started to play well, get his head down and do his job. Since then its easy to see that he's realised that this club isn't just a stepping stone.
He isn't playing well at all right now, but in my opinion he just needs a bit of patience from the club and the supporters.
Anyway, a bit of a disjointed game ended in another home win. Three desperately needed points chalked up and the bonus of a clean sheet.
Next up, the Makems
Roman roads aren't always straight
October 21, 2005, 4:29 pm
Roman Abramovic says in a new book that he wants to:
"build the most successful football club in the world"
"Everything we have done so far is geared to this,"
"I hope to carry this forward in the true blue tradition of Chelsea but also build even stronger foundations to last us the next 100 years."
I wonder if he actually wrote that?
I mean, he must be a pretty busy guy. Does he really have time to write a book? He certainly doesn't appear to need the cash.
Maybe its just one of these 'written by a guy who had a 25 minute conversation with the "author" 3 months ago who's lawyers don't diagree with much of the content' books.
That seems more likely
There are only a few teams that I actually hate so much that I enjoy watching them lose.
Spurs
Leeds Utd
Real Madrid
I've really developed a strong hatred towards chelsea in recent years, but they dont fall into the 'Most Hated' list just yet.
They're not far off though.
I hate spurs... Do I really need to explain why??
I hate leeds because they're one of the dirtiest, most dispicable teams I've ever seen
I hate madrid not because they try to steal Arsenal players almost every summer, but because of the club ethos. They are set up to win by buying trophies. I've always found something incredibly unfair about that. They throw money at clubs and players until they get what they want, living off a history of winning the Champions Cup 6 times in a row during the 40s or something.
Of course other clubs have adopted the similar approaches, but madrid are the worst as far as I'm concerned, because this unfairness, this cheating has brought them massive footballing success.
Until Abramovic took over chelsea, I used to dislike them a lot, but I didn't really care what they did as long as they didn't beat Arsenal.
Now they're even worse than Real Madrid as far as buying trophies is concerned!
The only thing that stops them from getting on the 'Most Hated' list is the absence of the 'it's all about ME' arrogance
Joe Cole had it for a short while, but not any more
Mourinho tries to stop them from developing it because he's got enough for everyone.
I don't see it in the players when they're on the pitch, so it makes it easier to take when they do keep on winning. They're winning with hard work, not with arrogance.
So now Abramovic thinks that he's setting things up for chelsea to go on winning for the next 100 years.
So who's going to cover the £70m a year losses when you've gone eh Roman?
Who's going to be able to afford to keep paying the ridiculous wages for squad players that you do?
Sooner or later, when the money goes....
Its going to be a spectacular collapse!
"build the most successful football club in the world"
"Everything we have done so far is geared to this,"
"I hope to carry this forward in the true blue tradition of Chelsea but also build even stronger foundations to last us the next 100 years."
I wonder if he actually wrote that?
I mean, he must be a pretty busy guy. Does he really have time to write a book? He certainly doesn't appear to need the cash.
Maybe its just one of these 'written by a guy who had a 25 minute conversation with the "author" 3 months ago who's lawyers don't diagree with much of the content' books.
That seems more likely
There are only a few teams that I actually hate so much that I enjoy watching them lose.
Spurs
Leeds Utd
Real Madrid
I've really developed a strong hatred towards chelsea in recent years, but they dont fall into the 'Most Hated' list just yet.
They're not far off though.
I hate spurs... Do I really need to explain why??
I hate leeds because they're one of the dirtiest, most dispicable teams I've ever seen
I hate madrid not because they try to steal Arsenal players almost every summer, but because of the club ethos. They are set up to win by buying trophies. I've always found something incredibly unfair about that. They throw money at clubs and players until they get what they want, living off a history of winning the Champions Cup 6 times in a row during the 40s or something.
Of course other clubs have adopted the similar approaches, but madrid are the worst as far as I'm concerned, because this unfairness, this cheating has brought them massive footballing success.
Until Abramovic took over chelsea, I used to dislike them a lot, but I didn't really care what they did as long as they didn't beat Arsenal.
Now they're even worse than Real Madrid as far as buying trophies is concerned!
The only thing that stops them from getting on the 'Most Hated' list is the absence of the 'it's all about ME' arrogance
Joe Cole had it for a short while, but not any more
Mourinho tries to stop them from developing it because he's got enough for everyone.
I don't see it in the players when they're on the pitch, so it makes it easier to take when they do keep on winning. They're winning with hard work, not with arrogance.
So now Abramovic thinks that he's setting things up for chelsea to go on winning for the next 100 years.
So who's going to cover the £70m a year losses when you've gone eh Roman?
Who's going to be able to afford to keep paying the ridiculous wages for squad players that you do?
Sooner or later, when the money goes....
Its going to be a spectacular collapse!
Almunia, Reyes and Alex Song.
October 20, 2005, 10:15 pm
Arsene says he was in for not one, not two, but THREE englishmen in the past few years.
Jermaine Defoe, Paul Robinson and Michael Carrick.
not bad choices there Arsene!
They're all there or thereabouts when it comes to the england squad and by no means do they appear to be heading towards the end of their careers.
Strangely enough they all ended up in the wrong part of north London, but at least this shows that Arsene is always on the lookout for fresh English talent!
So who did he end up buying instead? I will attempt to analyse his thinking. Perhaps by looking at his past choices, it will help us to gain a better understanding of Arsene's long term plan.
1:
Instead of paying £7m for Arsenal fan Defoe, Wenger splashed out a possible £17m on Jose Antonio Reyes. Reyes had a good start to his Arsenal career, but his first full season went a bit pear shaped. there was that phone hoax, and he just seemed to want to be anywhere but England at one point. This season, apart from his lack of goals, he's shown signs of exactly why Arsene rated him so highly.
Arsenal Grouch says:
Good decision Arsene. Reyes could turn out to be twice the player Defoe could be, but he needs time.
2:
Now probably England keeper for the next 5+ years, Robinson left leeds for a measly by todays standards £1.5m. The much highlighted keeper problems at highbury meant that Arsene was clearly in the market for a new one, but he opted for spaniard Manuel Almunia instead. With shot stopping his greatest asset, his lack of confidence and hesitancy meant that he lost out in his battle with Jens, and now seems destined to swap places with Mart Poom for the all important job of keeping one of the substitute seats warm on matchdays.
Arsenal Grouch says:
I don't think I'll ever see the logic behined this one.
3:
After Rio ferdinand, Frank lampard, Jermaine Defoe and Joe cole, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before relegated West Ham were forced to sell Michael Carrick in order to try and balance the books. He was about to sign on the dotted line for Portsmouth when wenger declared his interest, but in the end nothing came of it and he ended up at spurs. Since then, the only central midfiled player to come in has been Alex Song, an 18 year old on a season long loan from french club Bastia.
Arsenal Grouch says:
This is a tricky one, since given his age and ability, Carrick is would more than likely have been competing with Flamini in a squad rotation place. Its quite clear now that perhaps an inexperienced 18 year old was not what was needed, but it's easy to see wengers thinking behind turning Carrick down at the time he did.
So what does this tell us?
That like Wenger keeps saying, he's not interested in the nationality of the players he picks. He has a system and he goes for players who can fit into it or bring something new into it, rather than buying players and trying to change the system to fit around them.
It also tells us that he's not the best when it comes to choosing goalkeepers.
Jermaine Defoe, Paul Robinson and Michael Carrick.
not bad choices there Arsene!
They're all there or thereabouts when it comes to the england squad and by no means do they appear to be heading towards the end of their careers.
Strangely enough they all ended up in the wrong part of north London, but at least this shows that Arsene is always on the lookout for fresh English talent!
So who did he end up buying instead? I will attempt to analyse his thinking. Perhaps by looking at his past choices, it will help us to gain a better understanding of Arsene's long term plan.
1:
Instead of paying £7m for Arsenal fan Defoe, Wenger splashed out a possible £17m on Jose Antonio Reyes. Reyes had a good start to his Arsenal career, but his first full season went a bit pear shaped. there was that phone hoax, and he just seemed to want to be anywhere but England at one point. This season, apart from his lack of goals, he's shown signs of exactly why Arsene rated him so highly.
Arsenal Grouch says:
Good decision Arsene. Reyes could turn out to be twice the player Defoe could be, but he needs time.
2:
Now probably England keeper for the next 5+ years, Robinson left leeds for a measly by todays standards £1.5m. The much highlighted keeper problems at highbury meant that Arsene was clearly in the market for a new one, but he opted for spaniard Manuel Almunia instead. With shot stopping his greatest asset, his lack of confidence and hesitancy meant that he lost out in his battle with Jens, and now seems destined to swap places with Mart Poom for the all important job of keeping one of the substitute seats warm on matchdays.
Arsenal Grouch says:
I don't think I'll ever see the logic behined this one.
3:
After Rio ferdinand, Frank lampard, Jermaine Defoe and Joe cole, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before relegated West Ham were forced to sell Michael Carrick in order to try and balance the books. He was about to sign on the dotted line for Portsmouth when wenger declared his interest, but in the end nothing came of it and he ended up at spurs. Since then, the only central midfiled player to come in has been Alex Song, an 18 year old on a season long loan from french club Bastia.
Arsenal Grouch says:
This is a tricky one, since given his age and ability, Carrick is would more than likely have been competing with Flamini in a squad rotation place. Its quite clear now that perhaps an inexperienced 18 year old was not what was needed, but it's easy to see wengers thinking behind turning Carrick down at the time he did.
So what does this tell us?
That like Wenger keeps saying, he's not interested in the nationality of the players he picks. He has a system and he goes for players who can fit into it or bring something new into it, rather than buying players and trying to change the system to fit around them.
It also tells us that he's not the best when it comes to choosing goalkeepers.