It’s been a while since I posted any articles here. I’ve been rather busy trying to find my feet in the world, what with being a new lawyer and all. I have kept up to date, however, and what I’ve been seeing sickens me.
The negativity here has been so thick, you’d need a chainsaw to cut through it. Some members act like they want to see Highbury burn down or something. I just don’t friggin’ get it. In fact, at one point, I was on the verge of resolving never to post here again.
Now, I don’t look at the world through red-tinted glasses. I know Arsenal are having some serious problems this year. Yes, we currently lack presence in central midfield. Yes, our away form continues to defy explanation or understanding. Yes, some players are currently in stroll mode. Yes, we can’t seem to find the answer to the physical tactics we currently come up against. Personally, I feel Wenger should stop complaining about that aspect of our opponents’ game. Football is a man’s game afterall, and you can’t blame your opponents if your players forgot to take their vitamins and load up on beef.
But is the sky really falling?
We are currently going through a transitional period in our team. Young players are getting blooded and prepared for the future. Sure, I’d like to see some current results, some improvement in our current form, here and now, but I have to accept that I can’t just snap my fingers and make it happen. I’ve never suffered as much pain as an Arsenal supporter than I’ve had to endure this season. Every match we go into, my heart is in my mouth for 90 minutes. No matter the opposition. I worry, and worry and worry. I kick every ball with the players, agonise over every bad pass, every ducked 50-50. I wonder why my team, which used to be a physical side itself, now gives the impression of a milksop.
But fellas, do you think Arsene goes to bed with a smile on his face each night? Do you think he applauds his players? Do you think he doesn’t hate what’s happening right now a zillion times more than any of us do? We are SUPPORTERS. It is HIS vision and HIS dream we are seeing wobbling. Do any of you think he’s enjoying that? Do you stag? Do you love_gunners? Yes, you have every right to criticise, every right to complain, but I don’t blame you for that. I know whose door to lay our pains and heartaches at.
I blame Wenger for all our troubles. I blame him because he’s spoiled all Arsenal supporters. We’ve been living on Dom Perignon so long we forgot what water tastes like. He never prepared us for the dark days. All we’ve had for 8 or more years has been sunshine with an occassional drizzle. As such, we never got raincoats, and now we’re in a thunderstorm.
Can he steer us out? Bring back the good old days? Return us to the land of perpetual sunshine? You bet he can.
When we do get back, though, we should all bring our raincoats. Until then, my fellow Gooners, Keep The Faith.
LONG LIVE ARSENAL FC!!!!!
92 Responses to “On Sunshine and Raincoats”
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January 24th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Brave and refreshing comments, loko. Here’s hoping that attitude serves you well in your new profession.
I like to think I maintain a decent balance in my reviews of our club, but this season has shown that we’re on a damaging trend and are uninterested in stopping it. I was revolted after the Everton game. I’ve never been that angry at The Arsenal in my life, and much of it had to do with the 7 nil league drubbing that preceded it. Its the equivalent of “taking our ball and going home” unless things don’t lay out for us like we want them to.
There isn’t a “man” on the pitch unless our traitorous Ashley makes it into the lineup. And while we can all say that Cesc is getting experience, and Reyes will come good, etc. it may also be said that they’re learning bad habits and, by being played day in and out, losing their blush too soon. Besides, Reyes was bought to run circles around the league, but if you aren’t clever enough to know where to run them, you’re just showing passion and being ineffective.
Wenger has faith, but so did that blockhead Charlie Brown when he went into the Pumpkin Patch every Halloween. Faith in football is NOT its own reward. Its mere tactics, and when they’re failing, they need to be changed. But we can’t, and here’s why I think so:
Wenger is now on a full squad of his own picks (outside of the cameo from Bergy). He’s creating a club for a league that plays flowing football and always has neat pitches. He’s bringing an epee to a gun fight and its hurting us. Since the unbeaten season, clubs send the ball into the air and disrupt us on the ground. Away from home, we don’t have the bottle or bodies anymore to deal with it. We’ve struggled with injury and bad combinations in the back which has hurt us going forward, but we still can’t win an aerial challenge to save our lives. And backing off to nick the ball only works if you’re heart is in it.
Adebayor and Diaby are a move in the right direction, but if I have to settle for not playing in the CL as we embark on our new stadium, I may also have to settle for even worse transfer seasons than those prior because we’ll be less attractive and generating less revenue.
Its stubborness and platitudes beyond the good of the club that gets my goad. And that’s why I’m f*cking pissed off.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:35 am
i totally agree loko. i think one ironical thing is - most of the Gooners on this site started supporting Arsenal inside the last decade, in other word, they were drawn by Arsene Wenger’s brand of football to become a Gooner.
They been enjoyed AW’s unique brand of one touch passing football for the past few years and drawn a great satisifaction. Now when things start to struggle a bit, instead of showing the loyality to the manager who drawn them to watching Arsenal at the first place, they start turn against him?
AW always has his own way doing things. When folks been complaing his lack of big name signings, just, since when AW tended to do that?
The majority of Arsenal players today and yesterday, GAINED THEIR REPUTATION under Wenger. AW always work the transfer market this way, if we had no complained at the past when we were winning, why start to complain it now?
For the older Gooners who had supported Arsenal for a longer time that i can understand. ‘Cos many of us were drawn to Arsenal by GG or the previous generation’s playing style and belief. To me personally it’s our traditional FIGHTING SPIRIT. Now the same kind of spirit does not seem to exist, but i have no choice, as i were already hooked up to Arsenal for life. Beside, i too been enjoying Arsenal’s attacking style of football the past decade, so what right do i have to complain now?
i just hope while criticising the players/managers the likes, ppl should also look into the mirror and take a look of themselves. If all u want is a manager who like to spend big or playing defensive football, or long ball tactic, and u are able to tell ur self u never enjoyed Arsenal’s football the past decade, then Arsenal may be the wrong club for u.
But in case u DID enjoy what AW’s brand of football had brought to u the past decade, shouldn’t you be a little bit grateful to the manager and giving a little something back to support him during the rainy days?
January 24th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Scotty my friend…
you speak for me on this one… more eloquently perhaps, or at least more diplomatically…
I am starting to question if Wenger is the man to lead us any longer. Players of today can “turn off” a manager after a while… and Wenger has had a fantastic run. We don’t seem to be going in the right direction in my eyes, with the transfers we’ve made geared toward FAR into the future… and our current status and form in DIRE need of an influx of SOMETHING to stir the pot.
I still say that not making the CL next year is HUGE. It could mean the end of Henry at Arsenal, and it will definitely hit the team in terms of income, attendence and allure in bringing in new players.
I also get angry watching the team half-ass it on the road week in and week out. Its just not good enough for the Arsenal FC, especially under Arsene Wenger. He’s a victim of his own success in many respects, but there is NO GOING BACK.
Another transfer or 2 is ESSENTIAL. Proven talent. Or else its going to be very difficult for us to get into that top 4… and not doing thing just compounds the difficulty in getting back to the levels we’ve reached.
Transition season? Transitional period?
PLEASE, SAVE IT!
Its meaningless… We can all deal with us losing some matches, its HOW we are losing them, and the perceived effort we are giving on the road.
That has ZERO to do with us being in transition.
Its UNACCEPTABLE.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:54 am
scotty, one great thing about us the mankind is the ability to solve problems. But some problems take a longer time to solve it than overnight.
Our biggest problem right now is the lack of physical presence. But the likes Cesc and Reyes won’t be able to grow bigger overnight, or probably ever. Yet if you look at AW’s 3 latest signings, two of them are BIG. So clearly the manager has realized what’s been missing.
Still, even those two signgins aren’t not kids, but veterans, the problem still won’t go away overnight. But at least, judging with the intend of the new signings, we are heading towards the direction - on dealing with this lack of physical presence.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Well said sir!
I figure if the club is good for a TH14 and that hopeful new talents like TW32 sign, there must something at Arsenal to hold our heads up. Think about it, both chose the club and not the just money. That says something to me, it says something about the vision, and way in which the Gunners play this beautiful game. I have such respect for the Boss for bringing this club into the elite of European football clubs.
Yes, I?ve been disappointed as well, i.e. this last Everton match was too painful to bear at times. However, that disappointment is partially my own fault for expecting so much from the club. You know what I mean, I watch G19 kick the ball away to an opposing player and ask myself ?This guy is a World Cup holder, a world class player and he?s kicking the ball like a girl / boy?. We have some serious problems that need to be remedied quickly as transition means just that, a change.
Sadly, this season seems to convey that transition means some of our players are just playing poorly. Did I want them to sign DB10 for another year ? yes, because it was the moral thing to do and I?m glad they did. I just didn?t think that others like SC23 or FL8 would have such terrible form this season, or that we?d loose as many players as we have to injury. It really has been a tough year for us fans and I can only imagine how tough it must be for the club and the manager.
In this country when you go to a soccer pub, it?s not just an Arsenal or ManU club. It?s a soccer lover?s pub. Thus, I am ribbed a lot when the team looses but I hold my head up high because I know that the Gunners are a great club and I have nothing to be ashamed of. I?ll buy the provocateur a pint and suggest he kiss my ARSEnal so we can get on to talking about the beautiful game, even if they?re ManUre fans.
I believe the naysayer(s) deserve the right to speak but what I think has been missing here is the fact that fans like yourself have been all to quiet. We do indeed have a future at Arsenal and it does look bright.
I?m worried about our CL position and what that will mean next year when the club moves, with good reason. I don?t think this is negative it?s just common sense. So, as a club that seems to have more sense than just spending cents, I think speaking realistically also means looking at our detractors this season. Not just, doom and bloody gloom as though Arsenal was in the relegation zone. We?ll make it out of this morass and be all the better for it. I just hope the transition doesn?t take too long or hurt the club too much.
I kiss the crest but please don?t make me get a raincoat.
Well said sir!
I figure if the club is good for a TH14 and that hopeful new talents like TW32 sign, there must something at Arsenal to hold our heads up. Think about it, both chose the club and not the just money. That says something to me, it says something about the vision, and way in which the Gunners play this beautiful game. I have such respect for the Boss for bringing this club into the elite of European football clubs.
Yes, I?ve been disappointed as well, i.e. this last Everton match was too painful to bear at times. However, that disappointment is partially my own fault for expecting so much from the club. You know what I mean, I watch G19 kick the ball away to an opposing player and ask myself ?This guy is a World Cup holder, a world class player and he?s kicking the ball like a girl / boy?. We have some serious problems that need to be remedied quickly as transition means just that, a change.
Sadly, this season seems to convey that transition means some of our players are just playing poorly. Did I want them to sign DB10 for another year ? yes, because it was the moral thing to do and I?m glad they did. I just didn?t think that others like SC23 or FL8 would have such terrible form this season, or that we?d loose as many players as we have to injury. It really has been a tough year for us fans and I can only imagine how tough it must be for the club and the manager.
In this country when you go to a soccer pub, it?s not just an Arsenal or ManU club. It?s a soccer lover?s pub. Thus, I am ribbed a lot when the team looses but I hold my head up high because I know that the Gunners are a great club and I have nothing to be ashamed of. I?ll buy the provocateur a pint and suggest he kiss my ARSEnal so we can get on to talking about the beautiful game, even if they?re ManUre fans.
I believe the naysayer(s) deserve the right to speak but what I think has been missing here is the fact that fans like yourself have been all to quiet. We do indeed have a future at Arsenal and it does look bright.
I?m worried about our CL position and what that will mean next year when the club moves, with good reason. I don?t think this is negative it?s just common sense. So, as a club that seems to have more sense than just spending cents, I think speaking realistically also means looking at our detractors this season. Not just, doom and bloody gloom as though Arsenal was in the relegation zone. We?ll make it out of this morass and be all the better for it. I just hope the transition doesn?t take too long or hurt the club too much.
I kiss the crest but please don?t make me get a raincoat and let the sun shine!
January 24th, 2006 at 11:59 am
Don’t know how I copy and pasted that twice but sorry for that. CTRL-V CTRL-V
January 24th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
I appreciate your passion.
We’ve always sucked in the air, the problem this year is that they’re sucking a bit on the ground to. No service no goals and TH14 goal count is down.
I hope your wrong about “settle for even worse transfer seasons” as I’m struggling accepting not playing in the CL. If we don’t make the CL I’ll be plenty pissed myself.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
I too have been sploit by Arsenal’s brand of football. I have been supporting Arsenal since 1998 and hence have only seen them under Arsene Wenger. But tell me, when did we start playing this attractive style of football? I don’t remember us doing it during the three dire seasons after winning the double in 1998. Did we win the double by playing attractive passing football or did we do it with the famous back 5 and Vieira + Petit in midfield? So I don’t know if it’s right to say that Wenger knows only one style of football. But yes, we have been spoilt in the recent past. What is true is that the current team is completely Wenger’s and hence exhibits his style. The team which won the 98 double was one Wenger inherited and that could explain the different style. Personally, I would love to see a blend of both styles - breath-taking attack coupled with strong defending. But hey, I guess you can’t have the cake and eat it too.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
never mind. i enjoy reading ur post. i don’t often read through a long post, but i did this time. ‘Cos it make me feel good (reading it). like Loko pointed out, the negativity on this site has been so heavy so thick that i feel almost like no room for a breather, it just keep coming. thanks to u and loko, giving me some air to breathe, and it’s FRESH!
January 24th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
As Scotty once said, ?Well, it?s only a transitional season depending on whom you ask. Wenger says it isn’t, yet he doesn’t have a real strong idea of who is playing with whom and where?.
Please maybe explained what you mean by transitional season or just another word? I guess you are a bit late now. I remember talking about this back in September and we are now in January. Ok if is a transitional season where is the foundation? Or as I said is it another word for excuses?
Wenger has faith, but so did that blockhead Charlie Brown when he went into the Pumpkin Patch every Halloween. Faith in football is NOT its own reward. Its mere tactics, and when they’re failing, they need to be changed. But we can’t, and here’s why I think so
Thanks Scotty for your comments and well said. Sometimes I wish and hope to be as good as you with your words. Anyway there is nothing else to add to another article full of excuses or blame game. Wenger blamed the Sunshine. So you damn right, blame folks like me for the Arsenal playing that bad.
If, like Morten Gamst Pedersen, you are prepared to slap a football into the net, I suggest a five-match ban is not a match too few or If, like Gary Neville, you are prepared to run 60 yards just to yell at the opposition fans like some beered-up geezer asking for a fight - well, there’s another month off. So maybe as a lawyer take another month off come back and blamed someone without any solutions.
A gunner since the 70’s and will die a gunner but also lived in the real world not the land of fantasy. As the sports minister said reality don’t work in football anymore when refering to the Sven saga. And reality don’t work here at times. Blame anyone else apart from the one in charge.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Amazing mate - slipping Charlie Brown into the discussion. That has to be best comparison ever here
Hey Julian, who would you want for the England job? Me, I’d take Allardyce, Venables, and Hoddle, in that order.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Linus went into the pumpkin patch not CB.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
understand Erikson’s looking for work…………………..
January 24th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I agree, Diaby and Adebayor are clues that he’s trying to adapt rather than creating a style in protest of how things are being done and making excuses afterwards.
Wenger also has to contend with Chelsea’s buying power. We have Diaby now, because if Wenger’s right about him, we won’t be able to buy him in the future. Adebayor is a gamble as I see it. He’s the right “kind” of player, but he’s a head case and has yet to prove all that much in Ligue Un let alone the Premiership. Is he our Drogba? Maybe. He could just as easily end up our Jeffers.
I just don’t understand why we refuse to win a challenge in the air. Gilberto is a disgrace when it comes to steel in the midfield, and Cesc and Flam are too tiny. Besides the fact that the entire side have dog necks, i.e. can’t look up.
Everton sent the ball into the air and nicked a goal. I can live with that, as even Chelsea drew them 1-1 at home this season. But we need to challenge in the middle and final thirds of the pitch, and we pull out of tackles faster than you can say Sol Campbell Jeans. Does anyone remember the last time we actually brought a ball out of the air around the box and held it up for the attack? The inch perfect pass when Henry isn’t called offside is reliable about 1% of the time.
And SHOOT! Get around the box and let a rebound make the difference!
Stag is on the mark when he says this is Wenger’s problem. And the problem isn’t just that we’re young. Its the overall vision of the club. I feel bad for the guy in a way. If everyone came out to “play football” isntead of “win at all costs”, we’d be kings. If we got a goal and a half for every perfect pass into the net, or had a judge decide who deserved the three points after a draw, he would be on the mark. But he’s going to phase himself out if he doesn’t wise up and plan for a little stubble on the surface.
Up the Arse always, but we’re losing a war of attrition out there and I have enough problems to worry about with my own business to worry if the Grove is going to pay for itself.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
F8ck me, you’re right. With C. Brown’s sister, Sally?
Well Charlie Brown always thought Lucy wouldn’t pull the ball away, so that still works.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Scotty i never saw Adebayor played, so it’s difficult to say how he would fit in. From what i known, he’s the Top strikers (among all teams) in the Africa World Cup qualifying campaign, and was credited as the major factor which led Togo to the World Cup. Let’s hope he’ll fit in nicely.
On the SHOOT on sight thing, i don’t know if it’s AW’s problem. U noticed ppl been talking about Henry can’t get along with Reyes, because of the way he gave Reyes ‘THAT LOOK”. But the thing is - Titi is a TEAM player. He’s very unselfish, and would pass to his teammates in better position to score. Likewise, he expect the same from his teammates. If u noticed, he doesn’t seem to quite appreicated whenever his teammates just shoot the ball from long range, he would give RvP that same “LOOK” as well after RvP shot and missed (from long range).
I had a feeling many Arsenal attacking players are under pressure to pass the ball when Henry is on the pitch.
Cos if we are talking about the pressure (of passing the ball when we can shoot) is from Wenger, then it’s difficult to explain why RvP would tend to shoot from long range (ignoring his manager’s instruction?)
January 24th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Scotty is the man, the master. He came up with the Charlie Brown idea.
As for the England job no thanks. Hey guess what that is when the word reality comes into football. 90% of the sports and TV media and almost 99% of the folks don’t understand why the news of the world/Sun did this knowing the world cup is 5 months down the road.
I will say Allardyce for his nonsense boss in the oldest British tradition but most guys at work and in town are talking about Mourinho for his cheeky-ness and man management style.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
He is off to Real Madrid.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Blame Scotty
Oh no that sounds like an excuses but you get where we coming from.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
A very good point. Henry does foster the need for us to lay it off. Which is fine, if you can do it, or there’s actually someone there to lay it off to.
Reyes, for example, is concentrating a little too hard on the ABC’s right now to worry about the D-Q’s. He’s trying to get into position. Once he’s there, he has a little freakout. Maybe he’d do better without Titi out there, as he has in the past. But Titi’s always “there”, isn’t he? Reyes is who he is: nice guy with a great work ethic and incredible speed who isn’t always getting blood to the right parts of his brain. He’ll be more effective as a winger surrounded by a team that can play in the box. But as a goal scorer, I don’t think so.
Shooting outside the box with 11 men in it will produce very few shots on target or at least ones that will beat the keeper. But if there are players in the box, all we need is a little life in the ball. It draws out defenses, and sometimes ends up with the odd goal. What I’ve noticed with clubs like Juve and Chelsea and even Madrid, is that they have players who can make a difference at the death. Its never over. We might have those players, but they’re not being trained to do anything else than be a cog in one big long mazy build up.
Maybe RvP is only a supersub to Wenger, so he tells him to have a go. Wenger’s tried starting him, and again, its rarely with the idea that he’ll play throughout. He’s a 20 minute player, one that adds a different ingredient. But he’s not getting service when he’s out there so its not really his fault he’s not done well before his injury.
We play deep to protect and set about carving them up, which requires accurate and quick passing. Everyone here has seen the results. You can’t swing from one tree to the other without the entire vine, and right now, we’re plummeting.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Btw, the game is available live from the BBC (bbc.co.uk). Click on radio, then Five Live. You can find it from there.
And sorry, loko. You put out a positive message here after forsaking the site altogether and I went and pissed on your parade. Don’t mistake my passion for all negativity. It hurts man. And at my age, I can’t understand for the life of me why I haven’t grown out of it yet.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
So Scotty… the wordsmith of ArseAm!
Are you on the Spring Trip? or are you going to Highbury for the last visit to the Cathedral on your own?
I am in London for both the March 12th match v. Liverpool, and the March 18th match v. Charlton.
(with an excursion to Paris in the middle!)
I’m hoping to meet up with LoveG once and for all!
When’s your last Highbury High?
January 24th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Is that broadcast available to users outside the UK, Scotty?
January 24th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
i agree with u on reyes. don’t think he’s a goal scorer as well. his shot based on power only, no curve. and with only his left foot.
he’s the one probably get affected most with Titi around. RvP had this attitude - he doesn’t care! He plays his own game regardless whether Titi is happy or not. Reyes seems to be a bit in awed of Titi’s presence. Not exactly a bad thing though. The kid got skills, but no brain. in our 7-0 victory over Boro, he had two inch perfect pass to Titi and scored. Sign is that Reyes seems to finally get a clue how to play the “Arsenal game”. instead of holding up the ball long, he played a through ball to Henry one-timer. that’s a good sign. ‘cos this kid does have that passing range. I think he had quite a few assists this season so far.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Ha! Paris oh no
France, what passport do you have /:p Just kidding Stag.
Anyway looking forward to see you guys. What’s up with Scotty? Is he coming before highbury becomes history.
January 24th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
Paris, France… home of most of the Great Arsenal Football Club!
I have an American Passport… of course!
I believe Scotty was going to try and to the Spring trip… but I am not sure what his plans are… thats why I’m inquiring.
Now if we could find out where the heck Andez resides, we could get it over with in one go!
January 24th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Yep. League games, no. But FA Cup games apparently don’t have the same problem with copywrights.
January 24th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Or Carling Cup games, for that matter.
January 24th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
YaYa Toure on the board for Ivory Coast with a headed winner over Libya 2-1.
(a headed goal? whats that?)
Sign him Arsene!
I like saying Yaya… what more of a reason do you need?! Oh, he’s Kolo’s brother… 2 reasons!
January 24th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
STRONG TEAM fielded by the Gunners… no questioning our intent tonite.
ARSENAL
Manuel Almunia
Lauren
Philippe Senderos
Sol Campbell
Kerrea Gilbert
Alexander Hleb
Gilberto
Alou Diaby
Jose Reyes
Dennis Bergkamp
Thierry Henry
SUBS
Mart Poom
Robert Pires
Robin van Persie
Mathieu Flamini
Johan Djourou
January 24th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Looking at it thinking damn Wenger wants this cup no matter what others say. I feel sorry for the kids.
Maybe and maybe the only way to get into Europe. Let see what happens now..
January 24th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
The home of what! . Don’t mentioned that when you get to London.
January 24th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Yeap,
I have seen some good/bad and ok games so far. Ivory Coast are playing well but don’t count Cameroon or Nigerian out of winning the Cup.
Ghana we don’t really care knowing the World Cup is ours. That sound like an excuse.
January 24th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
I have Zimbabwean in-laws!
I am supporting Zim!
They are in the group of death, and have no real chance though!
January 24th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
recepie for disaster so far, missed penalty cud be a big big factor in our season ….its become tht damn sad
January 24th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Watching the Arsenal is getting very frustrating of late. I hope Wenger sit them down and really talk to his defence. Reyes you soooooo good!
What is wrong with Sol and Senderos ? Damn school boys or what - WWF defenders or what? Thank God the Ref is a Gunner. We would have been 2 nil down by now. 2 clear PK’s against us but sometimes at home things like these goes for you.
If we play like this Bolton will murder us with their long balls and strong men up front
January 24th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
More than disaster - We have the ref to thanks
January 24th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Why the f*** would Reyes be taking a penalty?
January 24th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
yeah , shocking against long balls. were good in attack for long periods without any end results….and its goals tht count
January 24th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
good f** question, did henry shrug his duties? coz he’s missed a couple this season already!
and y the hell was diaby taken off…he looked alrite
January 24th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Because in Henry’s new contract he is not allow to take PK’s.
January 24th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Com On..
Diaby touched the ball about 3 times..
January 24th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
The team’s policy is that the player fouled is not the one to take the spot kick. I suppose they have an order, depending on who was fouled.
January 24th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Nope.. After that PK’s crap between Henry and Pires that policy was changed and Hnery to take all PK’s
January 24th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
seemed alrite though esp early on
and dont think i enjoy flaminis headless chicken act.
flamini and silva ….come on!
looks like its goin to stay 0-0 or wigan might even nick one henry is really letting his team down
January 24th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Oh yeah?
Wonder why then… poor placement on Reyes’ kick was it?
January 24th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Henry and Gibert are working their sock off
January 24th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Is a Gooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Where will we be without him
January 24th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
wigan cud have had another penalty
henry isnt finishing well today, lack of width is really hurting us. we need a real right winger
January 24th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
though his finishing has been crap today
senderos just missed a chance!
January 24th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
10 mins to go a goal to get atleast
and not to give away any one y vanP for henry instead of DB10
January 24th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Why Th14 was taken off? I am not complaining I am just questioning.
January 24th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
crap looks like extra time is just arnd the corner….
we cud have easily had 5 in 90 and they cud have easily had 3 penalties
January 24th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Watched a texted account of the Carling Semi, my eyes reading the reported drama like I could actually see it playing out on a big screen plasma. RVP seemed the extra time hero, and a season of so much disappointment was baout to have at least one potential silver lining and then…Wigan score an away goal at the death. Of course. What else. And we’re sunk out of the cup I used to never care about. The 05/05 campaign is starting to feel a bit cursed. Paddy’s Revenge?
January 24th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
For f*ck sake Wenger just go out and buy the PROVEN HARD MAN we so desperately need.
Senderos & Campbell, what a pair of clowns. God knows what’s up with Campbell, Senderos can’t even choose the right studs. The guy’s a total donkey.
Great performance by Flamini NOT. The guy is incapable of doing anything other than a square 5 yard pass - he’s frightened to play football. The w*nker can’t tackle, can’t do anything.
Get back in the transfer market Wenger, get Flamini and Gilberto out the club for God sake and buy some quality - before this season ends in total humiliation, starting away to Bolton on Saturday.
January 24th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Hello all you positive folks!!!!!!!!!!!! Call me what you want and I careless but is this the end of Highbury as I know it. Remember we play Wigan the last game of the season.
Say goodbye and hello to Henry for me when he joins Barce. I can’t wait to here all the excuses from the positive folks.
After all the help given to us by the ref these **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) players and tossers still manage to loss this game. Fcuking hell we can’t even beat Wigan at home.
I feel sorry from all the folks who paid to send their kids to Arsenal today. Esp those kids who were crying at the end.
Well done Wenger. Daiby who?? is class..
January 24th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Had the problem of failing to defend a lead last season. Came back to haunt us at the worst of moment. Wonder what excuse Wenger will give now since there is no sunlight in Arsenal’s eyes!? Would have preferred Djourou to partner Sendoros in the middle of defence. At least the speed of Djourou can help. Campbell is truly a pale shadow of his former self. So is Gilberto. As long as Wenger do not bench them, they will continue to churn out crap form. Arsenal might have been better off playing all the youngsters. That way the loss will be less difficult to explain. I am really p*ss!
January 24th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Sol and Senderos were watching WWF. That is Arsenal players trying to play like hard man.
Reyes that Wanker should stay on his fcuking feet. The guy diving all over the place. A second yellow card would have teach him a lession.
Diaby the new Vieira was class..
Apart from Henry and Gilbert and somehow RVP the rest of the players are becoming a joke.
January 24th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
What Diaby were you watching? One day he might be class - but he pussied out of more tackles than Pires.
January 24th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Actually, we did beat Wigan at home, but they should have had 3 penalties.
Senderos & Campbell couldn’t even handle Jason Roberts between them - both gave away clear penalties that were not given.
Liverpool, Man U & Chelsea would have swotted than nobody away like a fly.
I think our final season at Highbury will be the worst season for Arsenal since the season George Graham left, when we finished mid-table. How long ago was that? 13-14 years?
January 24th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
If that’s his only crime give him a break, it does take players a while to get used to the hard tackling of english football.
January 24th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
WE beated Wigan at home 1-0 full time and 2-1 after exra time. Total games is 2-2. yes they went thru … They deserve it … This cup is for small clubs to shine. Good job Wigan … I would love to lose against Wigan rather than Man U in the final.
Who cares about it .. its only an extra thing … Will u be happy if we would have won 2-0 … I would be worried about the final …
One thing I am positive about is thet Gilbert played a very good game …
January 24th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Well if you’re happy to wait 18 months before he can make a tackle fair enough. Meanwhile we’ll just lose game after game after game.
I’m not criticising Diaby, of course not, I’m just saying that Wenger is not giving the team what it needs right now - and by god do we need it now!
January 24th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Yes I do agree. Gilbert has looked excellent. Early days, but could be another gem.
January 24th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
…cause we’re so covered with it we could sell it.
I knew from the moment Reyes stepped up to take that penalty that we would find a way to lose this game. What a stupid rule that Henry gives a sure point to someone else. Oh wait, he shanked one this season, too. We have taken 6 from 11 of them this season. Wrap your head around that, Gooners. Six from 11. No better way to nutshell our season than to ponder the statistic where we throw away the gimmees. Unless you want to count up the giveaways.
Congratulations to Wigan. They played well, especially their keeper, and should have gone through at least 4-2 with penalties. And a hardy “way to go” to the fanciest losers in the Premiership. We should have played the kids.
The only way we’re getting into Europe with this lot is disguised as the scum down the road.
January 24th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
I’m going out to buy a souwester and some wellingtons
bad luck
January 24th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
To answer your question - yes, the sky is falling if you support Arsenal.
Your point about Wenger being really upset because it’s HIS vision that is suffering etc., is all well and good. But one day he’ll no longer be an Arsenal employee - we will always be Arsenal supporters. Therefore I submit it’s harder for us to take the utter garbage this club is currently dishing up most weeks than it is for Wenger.
In fact I’d like it very much if Wenger would cut out the pathetic excuses each week, and the happy talk about the spirit in the club and how the youngsters are coming along. That may be so - in fact let’s agree that it is so. But let’s not let it mask the truth that the side has no backbone and no leadership on the field. Reminds me of the Arsenal of the 60s - great when they have the lead, but score first against them and you’ll win.
We have serious leadership problems, and a lack of presence where it counts most, in midfield and central defence. Is Wenger addressing it - I don’t see it.
January 24th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
If the game is on the line, is Reyes the man you want taking a pk? To me even though I admit he plays better now, indulgence of his atrocious performances has set the example for the whole team.
Poor Arsene Wenger. Nothing he does works these days. Mistakes going way back, too much unreplaced talent. Wonder what happens at Bolton on Saturday. With Gilberto in the team, who cares to bet?
January 24th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
If we can’t manage to beat f’n WIGAN Athletic, in a home and home… and overturn a 1 goal lead against this crew of nobodies…
Do you REALLY think we have a chance of beating Real Madrid?
Seriously?
I know there are folks that think Madrid is an average team… but as we are currently constituted, there is NO WAY we will beat them. NO WAY.
Someone find out the odds, I need a few mortgage payments.
Can’t beat Wigan with our best team at home.
(yes, wonderful, we did win the match, but thats NOT how it works)
AWFUL.
This is shameful.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
oh man! I have not seen the highlights but was the mistake near the end similar to the goal Everton scored on sat? Follow the bouncing ball in between the two central Arsenal defenders and chances are you will get a goal?
I didn’t even know Reyes could take a penalty, and I guess his miss answered the question. Was it a weak left footed drive? half-hearted? I had no idea we had missed that many penalties this year Scotty.
I just hope we can get out of Bolton this weekend without losing.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
When we first drew Real Madrid, I was pleased, as I thought, “Here we go, this side we can take” as they’re so weak defensively. Now, I’m still happy we drew them, as we’re most likely going to lose, but at least we can put a goal or so past them to acquit ourselves a bit more. Imagine if we were up against Bayern or Juventus now?
Good on Wigan today though, didn’t give up. That was real spirit.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
When the CL draw was made, and seeing how Madrid were this season, I thought we had a chance.
But considering the holes that are showing up all over the place in the team, I don’t know man. It might be a crap shoot.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
seems we posted at the same time with a similar sentiment
January 24th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Plagiarist
hehe
How’re you then SachinG mate? Bother much with the vote coverage?
January 24th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Hey Clarkey,
I tried to avoid the vote coverage as much as I could. I knew how things were going to end up but still things became quite interesting near the end from what I am told.
So you getting the F.A Cup game this weekend? Pay per view? I wish Sportsnet showed the games this year. Was great to see those games for Free in the past.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Same here mate. My party never wins, nor will ever win… that’s what you get when you vote Rhinocerous though :O
I agree, I love FA Cup ties. Did you catch Oldham v Man City last season? That was excellent. Wonder why Sportsnet no longer shows them though. I think I’m going to try to hunt down a pub showing a game before I turn to PPV.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
No I wish I had seen that Oldham - Man City game last year. The regular pubs here don’t bother showing the regular cup ties unless it is a big game. They mostly start showing the game from quarters on.
Maybe the games got too expensive for sportsnet. Remember last year or so, Sportsnet used to show live La Liga games. Those were fun to watch. And now they are stopped again.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
Good point, Sportsnet probably thought they weren’t getting value for money on Spanish and FA Cup matches.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Wigan were deserved winners. Just about everything seems to be wrong with Arsenal at the moment. Reyes missing a penalty made it 5 misses in 11. We missed several good chances with only the GK to beat. The midfield just can’t seem to tackle. Campbell and Senderos put together couldn’t deal with Jason Roberts. The only bright spot was RvP marking his return with a fantastic goal. We’ll need his goals. Gilbert did well but I don’t want to get carried away. Last season, Senderos was a gem; this season, he is donkey. We need a collective effort from the team and the manager. Everyone - seniors, stars, youngsters and the manager - need to hold their hand up and admit that it going to be tough, but they will work hard. I don’t see any hope against Bolton on Saturday. In fact, I wish we lose, because I really do want to concentrate on the league and the coveted 4th CL spot. If we miss it, I shudder to think what will happen.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Check out the stats, they are very revealing
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=356680&CPID=8&clid=&lid=1490&title=4-5-1+woes+for+Gunners
January 24th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Tells it’s own sad story, doesn’t it?
January 25th, 2006 at 12:16 am
It does. I was one among those who felt that the 4-5-1 would add more strength to our midfield. But we don’t have the personnel to execute it.
January 25th, 2006 at 1:05 am
Since we are Fuc*ing around and this season is transitional season, why don?t we try 5-3-2 (away games only, when a point looks better than 0)… So This confusion and mess in our CB would be solved. Like its sad as someone watching the game to see such goals we concede .. with Everton or Wigan. … Like me as a non pro player who plays keeper if I was to play as a CB, I would just ?boom? clear it rather than waiting for one the other …
Look at this :
Jens
Lauren Sendy Toure Sol Cole
Fredy Gilberto/Cesce Hleb/ Reye or Bobie
RVP TH14
This way we will have Toure or Sole or even Lauren helping as muscle in the Mid also would provide more security and more concrete to our defensive line… I always feel that they are clumsy and shaky in the back ….
January 25th, 2006 at 2:30 am
After watching us struggle and fail to improve with the 4-5-1, I feel that it’s not about formation anymore, just personnel. Any formation other than 4-4-2 will do us no good. The players and the manager simply have to improve their game.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Spot on Dave. I see TH going to Barca, I know I would right now. I don’t think the three signings will persuade him to stay.
I’m totally fed up with Reyes falling over and looking for free kicks/penalties and his stupid grin on his face when it doesn’t happen.
I can’t understand Campbells lack of passion in what is certainly his last World Cup. He is very close to being dropped with maybe Anton Ferdinand taking his place.
I’ve given up listening to Wenger’s interviews, it’s the same old bollocks. Is he blind to what we can all see
January 25th, 2006 at 5:21 am
Works for me but it’ll never happen. Wenger doesn’t have a plan B
January 25th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Interesting, but I would like to see Lauren actually in the midfield if and when Ash returns. Gilbert hasn’t been sussed out yet, so let him stay on in the the RB position.
January 25th, 2006 at 8:17 am
…and no, I don’t mean the stench existing between Sendy and Sol, but wtf with the away goals rule after 90 mins.?
As the rule stands, its just extra time for the home side of the 2nd leg to lose a game, isn’t it?
January 25th, 2006 at 8:40 am
I’ve just joined the list and as such wouldn’t get into a flame war with anyone, but the sad fact is that most online discussion forums and Fanzines do tend to head towards the negative at times.
I guess from reading the different threads that this one is no different.
I also come from a slightly different background to many of you, although I expect many of you are expats, I?m not. I am also a regular attendee in the North Bank, or if needs must, the East Stand Lower!
The main problem that the Wenger era has brought on us is the expectation of winning things or at least finishing second!
When that expectation can?t be met then the paying customers start to get disgruntled. And that?s where the Fanzines, Fanblogs and discussion boards come into their own.
It?s life. Go with it and grit your teeth.
How really annoying would it be to read that M. Wenger is resting half the big guns on Saturday at Bolton. We have no chance of the Premiership, were humbled last night by a last gasp winner from Wigan and the one truly remaining chance to win something is being discarded all for the expedience of going for that 4th CL place?..? Forget the CL itself, there are too many better equipped teams ahead of us to win that.
Before I might have been incandescent, but now merely unsurprised. Read all about it:
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=356852
January 25th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Not pernalties at all.
Roberts played the 180lb percentages game, lean full weight on the opponent, hold his blindside arm and get a penalty…
Sadly percentages off and Mr Dowd knew better! So no pnealty.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Not penalties at all.
Roberts played the 180lb percentages game, lean full weight on the opponent, hold his blindside arm and get a penalty…
Sadly percentages off and Mr Dowd knew better! So no pnealty.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:26 am
If they’re injured so be it. But why Wenger wants to concentrate on the Premiership is beyond me - the players stopped caring about the Premiership 2 months ago. They think they only have to win at home to finish 4th.