Take A Trip Down Memory Lane With The EINY

May 25, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“This Sunday marks the 13th anniversary of an extremely important night in Arsenal Football Club’s history as on this night in 1989 Arsenal were facing the undaunting challenge of having to go to Anfield and beat the defending league (and recently crowned FA Cup winners a weekend earlier) champions Liverpool.

What made it even more difficult was the fact that Arsenal required a win of 2 clear goals to lift the title as the rules back then stated that in the event of a tie at season’s end between top teams an extra point would be awarded for scoring more goals since the goal difference was equal at the time of the match. Liverpool hadn’t lost at hoime by 2 goals in over 3 seasons and Arsenal were not given a chance at all as they seemed to have squandered a lead of more than 10 points in the league in february and Liverpool were marching on to double success in the eyes of everyone in England at the time as it seemed that George Graham’s troops were just going to be swallowed up in the enemy territory of the dreaded “”Kop”".

This match was supposed to have been played earlier in the season but due to Liverpool’s run in the cup it was re-scheduled and many people didn’t think it wouldcome down to this night in a season where a terrible tragedy on April 15th put football in it’s proper perspective when fans were killed en masse at Hillsborough during the cup tie between Forest and Liverpool. The night was full of atmosphere and the Gunners were more than up for it and if not for a few good saves by John Lukic and a missed Steve Bould header on a corner, the half would not have ended scoreless. The second half saw more grit and determination by both teams and when Arsenal were awarded a free kick in the 74th (???) minute, Alan Smith nudged his head onto the ball and past BruceGrobbelaer for a 1-0 lead.

The Liverpool playersprotested (you can imagine the threats of “”Oi! we’re going to ‘nick your hubcaps, ref!”" and “”if you want to get out of here alive you better disallow it, mate!”" and so on) but to no avail as the referee walked over to his linesman and you could see him say “”he pushed him after it was a goal”" as he pointed to the semi-circle and we were in “”game on”" mode now. A few minutes later Michael Thomas was through on a sweet threaded ball from Paul Merson but he weakly shot it straight at Grobbelaer and you could almost think that the Gunners’ attempt at glory was all for naught. A few minutes of extra injury time were to be added and you could see manager Kenny Dalglish right near the touchline and captain Steve McMahon telling his team “”1 minute!”" (boy would he live to regret THAT!) as theKop became incredible in song then the follwing was said by commentators David Pleat (future sperz perhaps???) and the incomparable Brian Moore-Platt-”"I think in a way if Arsenal are to lose the championship having had such a lead at one time it’s somewhat poetic justice that they have got the result on the last day even though they’re not to win it”"…

Moore-”"I don’t think they’d agree with you on that, David”" (TOO BLOODY RIGHT!!!!!) and then..

“”Arsenal come streaming forward now in surely what would be their last attack..a good ball by Dixon finding Smith for Thomas charging through the midfield..Thomas!! It’s up for grabs now!!(goal)Thomas!!! Right at the end!! (delirium by the Gooners lucky enough to be there and all over London right now)An unbelievable climax to the league season, well into injury time. The Liverpool players are down absolutely abject..Aldridge is down, Barnes is down, Dalglish just stands there. Nichol’s on his knees, McMahon’s on his knees, suddenly it was Michael Thomas bursting through, the bounce fell his way, he flicks it wide of Grobbelaar and we have the most dramatic finish maybe in the history of the football league”"….. do you think???;)Maybe a minute of “”where’s the ref lost his whistle??”" and then finally the referee blew it and bedlam began as Arsenal brought the league title back to Highbury for the first time since 1971 at White Hart Lane.

There’s plenty of emotions and adjectives to describethe euphoria about the evening’s events, but 2 things stood out for me personally-the grit and determination by the team to go out against all odds and do it at the champions’ place and the smile that must have crossed George Graham’s face when he noticed in the hall leading up to the pitch that the scousers were planning to bring out the FA Cup and parade it along with the league trophy after the match (cheeky monkeys!) but to no avail as the Arsenal had become the champions and this match would be the 1 that most Gooners will say brought the club back and started the march to where the club is today.

So I say let’s all raise a glass to “”Saint”" Michael Thomas for winning the league on May 26th! Cheers…

1 life

1 love

1 club

1 nil!

“

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Mailbag 

“Dude, what’s up with Arsenal America?”

May 24, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“I used to go to the website all the time, they always had new features and stuff, but lately it doesn’t look like they’ve added anything new.

Hey, trying to topple secret government agencies can be pretty tough work sometimes. Have YOU ever tried to get a [insert finger quotes] laser [end finger quotes] attached to a shark’s head? I didn’t think so.

Much like the pause one takes in that post-coital moment, Arsenal America has taken a bit of a breather in the afterglow of Arsenal’s Double triumph, which for many of us probably came close to bringing the same level of joy as the alluded to sexual coupling (or maybe that’s just me).

This drop-off in club football has neatly coincided with the busiest period of work I’ve had in a long time.

“”Yeah, so, we’re all busy.”"

True. But I’m going to share anyway because I think you might be interested in what’s keeping me busy 12+ hours a day. On Monday, while many of you are enjoying your Memorial Day BBQ, I will be flying to Sevilla, Spain. There I will act as host for a World Cup preview webcast. Joining me on this webcast will be a fellow who will need no introduction to you. The star of “”Victory”" (and three World Cups), Pele. Pele will give his views on the eight first stage groups. I will be asking him the tough questions, such as: “”Pele, who do you like to advance from Group F?”" and adding my own comments, like: “”Yeah, I don’t see the US getting out of the first round either.”"

“”Where can I see this webcast? I want to laugh at Rick.”"

**Shameless plug alert**Well, on Friday (or anytime next weekend) log on to: www.mastercard.com/fifaworldcup

You’ll see a link to the webcast from there.

“”Oi! I couldn’t give a toss for you, or the World Cup. Gunners forever!!”"

Ok, fair enough. Once I get back from the WC we’ll get ArseAm rolling again. In the meantime, we need a couple more votes in the ArseAm polls. If you, or someone you know, hasn’t voted yet please take a moment to do so now. You can find the polls by clicking on the Message Board link to the left.

Thanks.”

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Editorial 

Listen to Rick Liebling on the Internet tonight!

May 20, 2002 | Leave a Comment

Listen to Rick Liebling on the Internet tonight!

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under ArsenalAmerica News 

“Yeah, But What Have You Done For Me This Week! “

May 17, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“Member Kelvin Meadows sent in this synopsis of the season:

Arsenal 2001/02

Premier League Champions

FA Cup Winners

New League record 13 wins in a row

New League record – Scored in every league game

New League record – Full season never beaten away

Robert Pires – Football Writers’ Player of the Year

Robert Pires – Most Assists in Europe – 15

Thierry Henry – Golden Boot

Freddy Ljungberg – Barclaycard Player of the Year

Arsene Wenger – Barclaycard Manager of the Year

Arsene Wenger – League Managers Association Manager of the Year

Thierry Henry – Carling Opta Player of the Year

Freddy Ljungberg – Barclaycard Player of the Month

Arsene Wenger – Barclaycard Manager of the Month

Dennis Bergkamp – Barclaycard Goal of the Season

PFA Team of the Season – Vieira, Henry, Pires

Under-19′s Champions

Women’s Champions

Groundsman of the Year

155″

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Arsenal News 

ManU’s Price Fixing Shame!

May 16, 2002 | Leave a Comment

ManU’s Price Fixing Shame!

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Schadenfreude 

An Ex-Pat Returns Home

May 16, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“Danny Peters unleashes an opus on Arsenal America

THE TREBLE DOUBLE

In the last decade I must have written more than a million words on Arsenal Football Club. I?ve contributed to the Gooner, for the vast majority of the last fifty issues (thanks Mr. Francis), to the Highbury and Islington Express with an opinionated Fans Eye View column, to Chris Parry?s excellent arsenal-world.net and in enough emails to crash several hefty servers. I even wrote a 10,000 word, twelve-page special back in 1999 on the future of Highbury. Verbiage on matters red and white has not been a problem for me. Yet, in the warm afterglow of events of the last ten days, I find myself curiously word shy.

And when it comes down to it, the reason is because I know words cannot really do the colossal performances of the entire squad justice. Yes, there have been individual stars but twenty-two players, a Premiership record, qualified for a Championship medal. Tony Adams started only two more league games than Stuart Taylor did. Arsene was spot on (as ever) when he put our success down to the squad. And what success it was. To score in every game is something but to go an entire season away from home undefeated is without parallel in the modern game, both domestically and throughout the footballing world.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, they say, and the celebrations at the final whistle in Cardiff proved that theory correct. Joy unconfined in the ?lucky? red half of the stadium was reflected on the pitch. The pain we all felt after Michael Owen?s late late show the season before was erased at last. Tony lifting the trophy with Paddy was a nice touch; Wiltord?s impromptu jiving on the podium another. Sol Campbell loved every minute of it. But it was Lee Dixon who best summed up the occasion, standing alone in the centre circle for at least twenty minutes looking up at the celebrating Gooners, soaking up the party atmosphere. For me, the feeling was one of overriding relief. After three frustrating years without a trophy, the team had at last re-discovered the winning touch. Celebrations for the team were cut short, with the players all at home long before the midnight curfew, knowing that the job was still very much in need of finishing. The Millennium stadium in Cardiff is an impressive structure. Built in less than two years for a fraction of the cost of the ?new? Wembley, it is a tribute to the country. The city itself, with the castle, station, stadium and 70 plus pubs all within a quarter of a mile or so, is an excellent venue for the big occasion. Fans of both teams mingled happily in the grounds of the castle, drinking, taking photos, playing pick up games with footballs of varied colour and quality and generally lapping up the convivial pre-match atmosphere. Just as last year against the Scousers, Cardiff proved to be a fitting venue for the grand old tournament.

Four days later it was Old Trafford and the chance to snatch the title from the champions on their own patch. Ferguson, fed-up at losing the mind games this time round, lost it with a group of journalists the day before the big match. One of his comments, ?You are f**king idiots? has already made it onto T-shirts available on football365.com. The atmosphere in the stadium, from the top tier of the North Stand where I sat right amongst the Manchester United faithful was as tense as it was vitriolic and I hid under my cap, one hand covering my face, the other holding onto the seat. It turned out that in my row there were eight Gooners in a row which gave us silent confidence, but also more chance that we would be discovered and kicked out of the ground.

The decibel level in the first half matched the ferocity of the Manchester United tackling, but the men in gold (remember how much that shirt was hated when it was launched?) stood firm. Ashley Cole was magnificent, silencing the doubters that think he can?t defend; Wiltord ran his heart out. Campbell and Keown repelled everything that came their way. Nil nil at half time and the tension levels in the stadium crank up another notch. Then eleven minutes into the second half it happens. Ljungberg breaks into the box, through the legs of the hapless Blanc, shoots firmly and Barthez gets down low to push it out. From the stand where we sit, level with Wiltord as he strikes the ball, time stands still. All I can think is knock it in son, knock in son. And suddenly the ball is in the back of the net and I just about refrain from leaping out of my seat. The seven others with me are equally silent but a couple can?t help stifling a softly spoken ?yessss?. Wiltord slides onto his knees into the corner below me and a delirious Kanu leapfrogs over him by a clear two feet. The rest of the team soon joins in and all in can do is bury my face in my hands and smile until I think my cheeks are going to crack.

The minutes tick by, each slower than the last. With twelve to go I started to think the clock had actually stopped, judging by the number of times I looked at the scoreboard to my right. Sweet tension, could we hold on? And as the time turned into single digits it looked like we could. United Fans began to swarm out of the stadium (long trip back to London when you?ve seen your team outclassed huh?) in increasing numbers. Our fans are belting out the songs; we love you Freddie, we?ll win the league in manchester, champions, he comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal, Sol?s a gooner. I have no nails left, I?ve bitten them all off. Come on ref, blow your whistle. About three days later (or so it seems) he finally does. And we?re champions. We?ve done the unthinkable. The treble double is completed in the home of our closest rivals. My Dad was at White Hart lane back in 1971, we watched Anfield ?89 on the TV and after all the stories of those two great nights I at last had one of my own. We were quiet walking down the thousand steps from the dizzying heights of the third tier, but once we were out onto the stadium concourse, we couldn?t help but celebrate. We tried to join the Arsenal boys cavorting in front of the Sky cameras but were repelled with a ?move on or get arrested lads? by the decidedly unhappy Mancunian police. No matter, we had our songs and celebratory lagers back in the hotel in Altrincham where we were joined by a particularly sour United fan who didn?t last long. We watched the game again and then Sky Sports News on repeat until 4:30am when we succumbed to a few hours kip. My last waking thought was of the home made flag unfurled in that jubilant corner of the stadium which read: ?Old Trafford Champions Section?.

The home game with Everton was always going to be a knees up and the fireworks going off around the stadium and the massed ranks of celebrating Gooners, spewing from every conceivable alcohol serving establishment confirmed it. Those selling vast quantities of ?unofficial? Double winning merchandise made a small fortune. The game itself was little more than a distraction. It felt like a testimonial, but credit to Everton they certainly made a contest of it. Countless presentations were made before the game, but one in particular stood out. The reluctant and typically unassuming Bob Wilson has devoted 39 years to the club, looked almost sheepish at his tremendous and heartfelt reception. All we wanted was the trophies and as ever the club did it in style with every player taking it in turn to lift the pot. Even Junichi Inamoto (who didn?t make a single appearance) got his hands on it. When Pires went up, limping heavily, the rest of the team, on their knees, bowed to him to salute his tremendous contribution. But then there were so many heroes it seems vaguely churlish to single out the Frenchman.

From a personal perspective it was an amazing week. I left for a job with our New York agency the day before the home debacle with Charlton and it was tough leaving my Clock End season ticket, albeit in the safe hands of my father and sister. On my two trips home I saw us labour to home wins against Boro and Derby as well as the defeat by Deportivo. So to come back to see two trophies in four days was nothing short of phenomenal. As I waited to leave my Dad called to say I?d never see anything like that again and although I?m sure we?ll win plenty more trophies, I doubt I?ll see it done quite like that again. Flying home to New York never seemed tough before! Some observers reckoned Arsene?s quote that this team were up with the all time greats was premature, but the records set this season, in my opinion, give his claim credence. Next season United will roar back like a wounded animal and Liverpool might yet be the biggest threat. Arsene will already be thinking, plotting and scheming what?s next, but I hope he takes the time to sit down once in a while this summer, with a good drop of claret (French naturally), and reflect on the amazing success he?s masterminded. “

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Editorial 

“The EINY Speaks, You Should Listen”

May 15, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“*Ow*! My aching head! So where do we begin? We started off with a season of doubts and hopes and ended up with the DOUBLE! I’m sure we all have various opinions on how it all went right (and wrong for a few matches at home) this season but it would be a safe bet that a lot of us would agree that a major turning point in the season had to be the Herculean affort turned in at Anfield when Arsenal went down to 10 men and beat thescousers 2-1. This set the momentum for a run-in like nothing seen this side of United’s march to treble success in the ’99 season. The stars seemed to line upfor Arsenal as once Robert Pires went down to a season-ending injury in March against Newcastle, Freddie Ljungberg returns from injury and along with Parlour, Edu and Vieira Arsenal’s midfield started to boss around the league (unfortunately this didn’t occur inEurope too).

The first weekend in May saw Arsenal head back to Cardiff to atone for the dreadful 10 minute lack of concentration the previous May against the scousers by meeting Chelsea in an all-London affair. Priceless goals by Ray (the Pele of Romford) Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg claimed the FA Cup for the mighty Arsenal decisively and what a picture to see Tony Adams and Vieira lift the cup together. The following Wednesday saw Arsenal in need of only 1 point against defending title holders ManchesterUnited at Old Trafford to secure the league and cup double for the 2nd time in 4 seasons. Spurned on by a massive showing of Gooners at OT, Arsenal went there missing 5 starters and delivered a spirited and well fought effort as they displaced the champions off the throne to the tune of “”1-nil”" as Sylvain Wiltord scored the goal to bring the league home to Highbury.

31 years to the day that Arsenal first achieved the double they had done it again under the guidance of “”le Genius”" Arsene Wenger. Joy, bedlam, delirium, ecstasy and every other superlative of happiness could be used to describe the euphoric feeling amongst Gooners in every corner of the world. But there was even more to come on the follwing Saturday as the trophy would be presented after the final home match against Everton. After finishing off the Toffees 4-3, the party swung into full mode as Tony Adams collected his 4th league trophy and made history as the only captain to lift the league in 3 successive decades (’89,’91,’98 and’02). After all of the accolades and cheers the best was saved for last when Player of the Year Robert Pires lifted the trophy and Highbury exploded in a crescendo of admiration for the man who was as integral as anyone else to the season’s accomplishments. The entire team bowed down in a “”we’re not worthy”" gesture and you could tell the sincerity was meant. The follwing day a civic parade was held in Islington to honor the conquering heroes and the only picture that needs description would be of Sol Campbell sitting on the balcony of Islington Town Hall with both the Premiership trophy and the FA Cup in his hands (enough said….)

The follwing day had “”Mr. Arsenal”" Tony Adams recieving a 2nd testimonial against the champions of Scotland – Celtic. A full house at Highbury to pay homage to such a servant were lucky enough to see the famous back 4 of Adams, Bould, Winterburn and Dixon anchor the back and from the ’88/’89 squad in goal John Lukic. Celtic were more than up for the task at hand and controlled the match to most extents as one would wonder if they were trying their best to show the Nationwide League what the Old Firm (if allowed to move to it) could do against English opposition. The score ended 1-1 and a wonderful end to the perfect season had been attained.

So where do we go from here you might wonder? The “”silly season’s rumour mills”" will no doubt be in full motion as we hear about United making moves for Thuram, Nesta, Cannivaro, Crespo, Sorenson, Rivaldo while Arsenal are linked to Van Bommel and Ze Roberto, the scousers chase Cisse, Anelka and some other young French lads while Leeds are forced to sell some of their players to re-coup the finances blown in thewind that has them in hock to banks while trying to make up for their short-sightedness in trying to emulate Manchester United (you can’t just spend 100 million quid and expect trophies , you have to have good players, experience and wisdom to go along withthe equation, something Mr. Ridsdale forgot to learn it would seem). The other teams don’t merit much remarks right now but we should acknowledge that United may have fallen down a rung but are STILL at least 5 rungs in front of the Arsenal with theirfinancial clout and stadium and apparel revenues to attract anyone they please in the off season to try and right what went wrong this season.

The task at hand for Arsenal in the next season will be to retain the league at all costs first and foremeost, a good cup run if possible and a longer run in Europe where “”maybe, just maybe”" come next May Arsenal again will be celebrating another championship at Old Trafford-The Champions League. But a long way away and all we can hope for is all Arsenal internationals involved in the World Cup return safely and injury free from Korea/Japan with the same intense desire to succeed and defend their crown as they will now become the hunted instead of the hunter…

1 life

1 love

1 club

1 nil! (to the CHAMPIONS!)

152″

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Mailbag 

Next Gunners Game Less Than 3 Months Away

May 14, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“The Gunners take on Premiership runners-up Liverpool in the FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 11 at the Millennium Stadium, kick-off 2pm.

The traditional curtain raiser to the new season has been renamed this year and will feature Arsene Wenger’s Double winners for the first time since they won it at the start of the 1999/00 season.

On that occasion Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1, with goals from Kanu and Ray Parlour canceling out David Beckham’s first-half opener.

Wenger’s side will be making their second trip to Cardiff this year after the cup final win over Chelsea and will be out for revenge over Liverpool, after Michael Owen’s late double inspired them to a 2-1 FA Cup win in the Welsh capital the season before.

The Merseysiders are defending the Charity Shield, which they won last year after a 2-1 win over Manchester United, also in Cardiff.

“

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Arsenal News 

ManU Tackle A Tough One

May 14, 2002 | Leave a Comment

“Alex Ferguson was visiting Arsene Wenger at Arsenal’s training ground. Arsene explained that they did not only doing physical training but also mental training. “”Let me explain”" said Arsene as he called Dennis Bergkamp over.

Arsene then asked him: “”If I have a picture of your father’s son, but it’s not your brother…who is it then?”"

“”That would be me”" said Dennis without even having to think about it…

Ferguson is stunned and decides to try it at the next United training session. He calls over David Beckham and asks him the same question:

“”If I have a picture of your father’s son, but it’s not your brother…who is it then?”"

Becks becomes very frustrated and asks Fergie if he can think about it overnight. Fergie accepts this…

The same night Beckham phones up his teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and asks him the same question: “”If I have a picture of your father’s son, but it’s not your brother…who is it then?”".

“”That would be me”" Solskjaer replies.

The next day Beckham walks over to Ferguson and says: “”Oi…boss…I have the answer to your question now…It’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!!!!!”"

“”NO, YOU IDIOT!!!!”" Ferguson yells…”"IT’S DENNIS BERGKAMP!!!!!!!!”"

150″

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Schadenfreude 

Gunners Grab Top Spot In The World!

May 14, 2002 | Leave a Comment

Gunners Grab Top Spot In The World!

Posted by Mr Zog | Filed Under Arsenal News 

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