All Arsenal fans have a right to react to incidents involving Arsenal and all fans have a right to vent anger and joy at various issues related to Arsenal but surely there has to be a line drawn at the level of posts that have been posted recently after the Spurs draw….
Guys, did you see the way AW reacted to the Spurs goal, did you see how Lehman rushed out to confront Davids or how Pires also confronted him….or how Henry reacted to scoring the goal (his celebrations) - what do they have in common that the rest of the Arsenal team do not - age!! They are all older and experienced individuals who have been there before - that is not to say that they youngsters lack heart or desire not at all - they simply will grow over the course of the coming years to understand the level of passion that runs beneath the derby matches….
What it also says is that to them it is just another fixture similar to the one with Juve or Villareal….that is only good for the team as that means they will not get ruffled as well…
Surely one thing that the fans must show is unity in the cause to support Arsenal and these are the days and times when the club needs you the most not to get on AW’s case about his choices in team selection or why he rested Henry etc….
I assure you that the race for 4th place is not over by a long shot…and I assure you of the passion by which these players earn the righ to wear the Arsenal jersey…
I assure you that AW has not forgotten about Walcott - he puts him as a sub in these and CL games to get the atmosphere soaked up so that he is ready next season when perhaps Pires will not be there hence giving him the place in the team…
I assure you that after winning the league and cups again and again - AW has not over a course of a season forgotten how to win things let alone team selection….
Spurs scored yesterday not because they cheated but because they did not respect the unwritten rule of the game for kicking the ball out when players are down regardless of whether or not it was two Arsenal players who collided with eachother….I assure you 90% of the teams including Man Utd would have thrown the ball out of play…Spurs were desparate and they took advantage…Arsenal responded in a fierce manner…
Guys, if we display the same spirit of the Spurs match against Villareal - we are booking our tickets to the final in Paris for sure….
I for one am really starting to believe that Henry WILL be staying on at Arsenal no matter what….
I believe that Arsene knows and if anyone ever doubts the passion of these people need only look at the fury of an articulate intellectual like AW to see how much this team means to him and to Henry….
My prediction - 4th place is still there for the taking….as Rick says BELIEVE….
34 Responses to “AW’s decisions in question - yea right?!?!”
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April 23rd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Remembering that although Spurs seem to be playing quite well right now, they also have two key central spine players (King and Jenas) recently injured… it is not uncommon for a team to pull together in the face of injuries and adversity (and against a big rival) to put on a performance above their level– but, it is much more difficult to sustain that level for several weeks– in other words, I think it is quite likely that Spurs will not take 6 points from their last 2 EPL games.
Having said that, that I think we are even less likely to take 9 points from our last 3 league games, especially if those games are scheduled to be played in one week’s span– I think that Man City is the most obvious danger game, though I don’t underestimate Wigan (who’ve an excellent away record this year) in the last game at Highbury. While you’d have to favor Arsenal over Wigan in that game, if it comes down to it being the key to clinching 4th place, wouldn’t that be an even more pressure-packed game than yesterday’s, especially if Wigan need it to qualify for a spot in Europe?
April 23rd, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Ozzy, the word u mentioned “BELIEVE”. It’s kinda a tricky word.
I mean, say, if we were 10 points ahead of Spurs with 3 games to play, I bet everybody would BELIEVE we could clich the 4th place.
To keep BELIEVING it when we are 4 points behind with 3 games to go, it’s more difficult, but it will mean much more.
Or the Champions League, IF we WERE in the final and 3 goals (ok, make it 4 consider what happened to Milan last season)…. if we were 4 goals ahead of the opponent Milan/Barca, then it’d be a lot easier to BELIEVE we would win it than trailing 3 goals by half time like Liverpool did.
Or our youngsters, some believed them, some didn’t at the beginning of the season. But in the case of Cesc Fabregas, I think the one who drew most statifcation from watching this kid now turned out to be a hell of a player has to be MAZZA. He been tipping this kid would be big since last season, regardless of the sticks he been getting over the course of the season, he kept on BELIEVING.
I bet there must be a wonderful feeling than those of us who started to hail the new prince of Highbury only recently.
I had my doubt on Cesc as well previously, thought he was too lightweighted, but truely glad that Mazza was right.
April 23rd, 2006 at 4:05 pm
above was my post
April 23rd, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Thanks Andez. Nice of you to remember.
I thought the kid was special when he first sported the mullet against Man United two years ago. Of course, I shared the doubts that most had about his lack of altheticism and presence, but I was prepared to override those doubts because I had never seen such a player read the game as well as him. I suppose my support of him partly fuelled my rather unfair criticisms of Vieira as I knew one of them would have to go as their style of play clashed with eachother.
Hopefully he can continue with his progress.
April 23rd, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Basically Arsenal will only make Europe if Spurs lose or draw at home to Bolton. Now that West Ham are in the FA Cup Final they are bound to rest all of their best players gifting the match to Spurs.
If Spurs draw Arsenal have to win all their remaining games, if Spurs lose I believe Arsenal can afford to draw one.
However, Bolton are probably one of the worst teams that Tottenham could face, they want to get into Europe and are now on the upswing - we all know how Bolton’s aggressive style can upset teams. They will be chucking long balls in the box all day, and without King Spurs are going to be edgy. Without Davids they will lack their leader-figure.
I think there’s every chance that Bolton can cause an upset, but we need them to win because I’m not even sure Arsenal will win their 3 remaining games, they’re bound to slip up somewhere.
April 23rd, 2006 at 5:01 pm
“I suppose my support of him partly fuelled my rather unfair criticisms of Vieira as I knew one of them would have to go as their style of play clashed with eachother.”
Fair!
Vieira no matter what will remain to be a lengend in my heart, and i guess so to many Gooners as well.
U noe, the most amazing thing about Cesc is - only a few months ago we were still arguing letting go Paddy was a big mistake, and that Cesc was not able to fill his shoes.
But today, it seems that without Cesc, our midfield just broken, had a difficult time to link a pass together. And folks who had complained that Cesc was overrated/not up to the job a few months ago now were actually complaining we didn’t start him against Spurs! That’s the biggest compliment Cesc can get!
April 23rd, 2006 at 5:01 pm
“I suppose my support of him partly fuelled my rather unfair criticisms of Vieira as I knew one of them would have to go as their style of play clashed with eachother.”
Fair!
Vieira no matter what will remain to be a lengend in my heart, and i guess to many Gooners as well.
U noe, the most amazing thing about Cesc is - only a few months ago we were still arguing letting go Paddy was a big mistake, and that Cesc was not able to fill his shoes.
But today, it seems that without Cesc, our midfield just broken, had a difficult time to link a pass together. And folks who had complained that Cesc was overrated/not up to the job a few months ago now were actually complaining we didn’t start him against Spurs! That’s the biggest compliment Cesc can get!
April 23rd, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Yeah, who was it again that was saying Cesc was crap and we should drop him? Some dummy.
April 23rd, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Why would West Ham rest their players if the final is one week away from their match with Spurs? They already are guaranteed a UEFA spot next year.
April 23rd, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Prevent their starting XI from injury i suppose. They did that once against Portsmouth before a FA Cup tie, resting many key players, allowing Portsmouth to grab a vital win, drove WBA and Birmingham fans crazy.
Anyway, even if they field their best XI, i doubt the players will be giving their all. Those players aren’t players from big clubs, they don’t get to play in a FA Cup final often. To some it’s probably a once a life time experience, u bet none of them wanna get hurt at this stage.
April 23rd, 2006 at 8:21 pm
I felt somewhat gutted by W. Ham’s win today - for the implications, of course. And I would love for Spurs to take a sh*t in their next few fixtures with The Arsenal finding the right combination of form and luck to take them through to the qualifiers. That all would be great. Really great.
But for the greatest thing to happen, the events that have transpired are amongst those that need to fall in according to plan. Its a strange kind of luck. If we know we’re not going to make 4th, we’ll focus on the CL and rest everyone we need to. Then, as difficult and unlikely as it might be, we just might win the CL.
Of course, to be European Champions, taking out Real and Paddy in the process, would be even a better sending off for Highbury than winning the league. Imagine that parade. But for me, winning the CL and bumping the classless, lying Spurs out of Europe would feel better than just about anything I could ever associate with The Arsenal. I’ll say it again: winning the CL and bumping the classless, lying Spurs out of Europe would feel better than just about anything I could ever associate with The Arsenal
If there is a God, this is the gift I would want him to give us.
April 23rd, 2006 at 9:02 pm
Agree Scotty but how many times do we need to win the league at the Lane b4 Spurs put one over on us…Tuesday is massive, lets do it…The 17th will be famous…
April 23rd, 2006 at 9:41 pm
I?m not sure agree with more than one or two specific points you try to make in your mailbag offering, but I will agree that the team deserves our full support. They always do.
The fact of the matter is you would ever get such a degree of blood-pressure raised posts if you did not have a bunch of people on Arsenal America who would dive on the sword for their Gunners.
There were more than a few tried and true fans scratching their heads at Wenger?s selection for such a huge encounter. Rightfully so, I?d say. Rest five starters? Maybe two or three with the idea to pull them out if a goal was earned. Isn?t that stratagem worth discussing? As for the effort. Yes. It was incredible. IN THE FINAL 30 MINUTES. Until then it was a combination of a lack of belief, trust and well, yes, effort. A nasty combination attributable to the massive changes already mentioned above.
Spurs earned a point on Sunday regardless of how they scored their goal. Look at the stats. They do not lie. And as for 4th, well it?s not in our hands at all, which is attributable not to Sunday but to all the away nightmares we have had this campaign. As for Spurs run in, Bolton will be tough and I do not think the Hammers will just play a ?b? side against Spurs; Pardew will not want his regulars playing one match in 12 days. Yes, he may sub-early but come on. The real question for me is whether or not Arsenal can take 9 points in 3 games themselves. Our games away are no cake-walk: Man City has never been a shoe-in fixture and Sunderland may have fallen, but they have showed some spunk of late. Finally, last time I checked Wigan got a draw in their last Highbury encounter.
Finally, as for Sundays? volley of passionate posts, I get a little miffed when folks start name-calling and blasting someone who just speaks their mind. If a poster feels Wenger made a mess of the lineup and the lads didn?t show up for the first half for the biggest Premiership home fixture of the year, so be it. That?s their opinion and they are entitled to it, especially when they take the time to tell everyone why they believe it to be so. When I read a bunch of malarkey about always trusting Wenger or always believing in our destiny for fourth or heavy-handed calls to a poster to keep their mouth shot, I cringe; such buffoonery just means the site has fallen into a web-enabled group think and its own brand of delusional sports mania. I want to hear from the real Arsenal fans regardless of their opinions?the folks that would have Wenger sacked to the ones that would build a statue of the man in their own homes.
Draw a line? At vulgarity and personal attacks yes. But for well articulated opinions? NEVER!
April 23rd, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Your milking this! Agree to disagree - everyone is entitled to their own respective opinion.
I can understand genuine passion and anger in the heat or at the sp*r(s) of the moment, but it’s a new day. Get over it and move on.
You know of what I speak because your not just “some dummy”.
April 23rd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
While I agree with all your sentiments and wishes I’m here to petition that there is a God and I would rather not test him with your prayer: “the gift I would want him to give us“. There are more important things, like a cure for Cancer - at my age I’d be happy for a cure for gum disease.
Don’t think I’m being pious because I’m not. Don’t think I haven’t been tempted to make the same submissions, as I have. Damn, I be walking around with a stupid grin from ear, in a world which very few know Arsenal; here in my home they’d probably think I was the town demic. But I’d be smiling and sending up thanks of pure gratitude.
I just wanted to assure you that there is a God!
April 23rd, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Very well said!
Thank you, sir.
GP
April 23rd, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Don’t be mistaken that Cesc has solved the departure of Vieira. The problems with Arsenal in the EPL are still there and will be there next season unless Wenger sort things out in summer. Cesc for all his glorious talent and passing ability does not have the physique of Vieira - something which is essential to success in the EPL and perhaps, less so in the CL. The current crop of midfielders like Diaby and Song happened to be a few notches below Cesc in terms of creativity. But I believe Diaby will excel into the position next season as he has the attributes to succeed in the EPL. Not sure about Song though. With Pires and Ljundberg not the players there were 2 years ago, their impact on the game is waning. Hence Cesc and lately Helb are the man of the moment when it comes to creating scoring chances for Arsenal - besides Henry of course.
These are what I think Wenger will need to do this summer:
1) Fix the Vieira hole by bringing in a proven central midfielder.
2) Bring in a proven replacement for Campbell.
3) Get Walcott ready to play in the first team.
4) Work on Cesc and Sendoros physique and speed.
5) Give Reyes an ultimatum to perform consistently in the new season, otherwise sell him.
6) Work out a sensible squad rotation policy.
April 23rd, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Frankly I gave up on 4th place when we drew away to Portsmouth. I know many of the forummers here disagree with me but hey, it is just my opinion. Wenger shud focus on winning the CL - now that we are 2 games away and this is about as close to as we had ever been to potential CL glory. And I think Wenger is doing just that based on his recent team selections.
Win the CL and this season and next are taken care off.
April 23rd, 2006 at 11:33 pm
I don?t think that any one who posts here is not a supporter, unless they have some very weird form of voyeurism: into the world of a soccer club fan, as an example. I can?t imagine anyone having so much time, unless they are A) a journalist (Thuggies) B) an opposing clubs fan trying to stir up the pot C) one dimensional or mildly retarded ? and I?m sure I left out a few.
That?s what kind of kills me with the name calling it?s not an ?anonymous gooner? but someone who you see posting day in and out, sorry for the religious term but they?re the ?faithful?. As for passion, I understand it to; unfortunately, it sometimes leads to heart doing the thinking instead of the brain (that?s no VanMorrison song). As an artist I to have lived by passion but it often gets me into trouble ? woman oh woman.
The beauty of writing is that it gives you the opportunity for ?sober second thought?. Even if I?ve hit the ?publish? button without proofing on occasion, name-calling takes it to a completely new level. Call me a dummy or a putz as I can roll with the punches, but if you continue to refer to me as a fool, I?m backed into a wall. It?s disrespectful when you know whom you?re speaking to and so does everyone else.
It?s not ?anonymous gooner?, it?s you, you and you or that other person or me. Remember that I use my real name to post here and I do because it keeps me in check. When you read my posts you might conclude that I?m a jackass, there?s a real me behind it ? tongue in cheek then a real jackass. I?m putting my good name on the line. Call me foolish for doing it but I do. It stops me from living some kind of virtual reality, as I?m rooted in the real world. The virtual reality identity has lead to a sickness in our cyber-age where people don?t have to stand behind what they say or do and so the name-calling falls as an easy temptation. No, I?m not arguing for people using their real names, as I?m not the na?ve.
It?s about respect!
That said, I rather they take their piss and vinegar out on a message board than ?fist of cuffing it? out on the street. Still respect is the better thing. Agree to disagree, get over it, and move on.
Sorry for the sermon ? back to soccer.
I agree entirely with NL11, as you can see. A huge part of why Arsenal is where it is now is indeed because of our poor away form and all the games we dropped on the road, not just the one draw yesterday. That?s also why I agree with DannyT because since the transfer window Wenger and team have made such incredible improvements and have still managed to glean something good from the year. Jeez, it could not only be good but it could be fantastic. Any which way you look at it, it?s been a hard year for the team and they haven?t always played very well away from home in the league. That?s what?s killing us now as NL11 correctly asserts. It?s not the cheap shot from the ?sp*rs? yesterday!
This next match already has me on jitters as you can see from my long-winded post.
April 24th, 2006 at 12:05 am
By the way I do have a virtual name it is Die2Soon and I use it for gaming. It’s where I let my anxiety out. At 50 I just love antagonizing all those teenagers when I whack them from above, as a jet-pilot in such games like the EA Battlefield series.
The nice thing is you can always spawn again and the rules are constricted by the parameters of code written into the game.
April 24th, 2006 at 12:09 am
“a statue of the man in their homes”
now there’s a thought
April 24th, 2006 at 2:20 am
West Ham are in Europe next season Uefa Cup so whatever happens their match agains the Totts is not important. Also they are a feeder club for Spurz and I can see them helping Spurz instead of Arsenal.
This is how I see, it they will rest their star players -try and have a go at liverpool. A cup fina -l you never know. Remember what the Crazy Don did to the Kops
April 24th, 2006 at 2:27 am
There is something about you Canadians. First it was SachinG, Clarkey and how you:(. Is hard work with you guys but every Canadian I know have proved me wrong. Very intelligent and smart
You spot on there. I’ve agree to disgree with you but still respect you. That is what football is all about not some childish emotional name calling.
The way I see it - Some people obviously have no grasp of the beautiful game and everything is about Arsenal.
April 24th, 2006 at 3:19 am
It’s just like we are resting our star players to have a go at the CL final.
April 24th, 2006 at 3:52 am
http://www.emiratesstadium.info/serv01.htm
Interesting (and long) read on 1919. No idea about it’s authenticity.
April 24th, 2006 at 5:00 am
ok so it;s come down to this situation we got in our hands, so let’s see how we deal with it, tiredness is a factor, but passion, desire and ambition is another and i know these players are gonna do all they can and i know the manager will too, i think they want to be succesful this season i mean who doesn’t want to win the CL or overcome spurz, right? i rest easy every night because it’s not only not in my hands wahtever’s gonna happen for the rest of the season, but i also trust that the whole team is gonna do their best to bring joy and achievements to our history, so yeah i see us getting 9 points on the EPL and i see us defending our lead at El Madrigal, i’m a lil’ nervous about Sol’s shape and match fitness, Senderos has come miles since the start of the season and he’d offer me more tranquility, but i expect Sol to come through for us at that game, i see us maybe scoring a goal which would be decisive, i think whoever scores first is gonna take this one, we always struggle to come from behind and i don’t think we’ve gotten any better at it, so with all that said…………go you gooners……….
April 24th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Fair enough, but I’m on the fence about a God, and that’s putting it politely.
And I meant a gift to “Arsenal fans” about “The Arsenal”. If there is one, surely he’s a Gooner.
April 24th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
You make an outstanding point about the January transfer window.
It?s kind of funny?in some ways I don?t think the football media or even us Arsenal supporters give the Boss as much credit as he deserves for what he accomplished in that short transfer window. The reason may be that everyone had expects such a high standard from the Gunners that when they found their current, inspired form shortly after Wenger?s moves (and I should add, Hleb?s confidence and form), all just kind of assumed the lads had to come around sooner or later.
It will be interesting to see what happens this summer. And not just with the monumental decision of Henry.
I wrote some posts (not sure where) a long while back, suggesting that Chelsea had effectively killed the big signing potential in the summer market with their pay double or triple policy. Sure, Arsenal and other big clubs may land one, or by a miracle two, giants of the game or young poster boys. But it may be that it will always be wiser now to wait until January and make your moves when Chelsea is less manic about their obsession with collecting footballers more than trophies. There?s real value in the January market and if AW knows one thing, it?s real value. I suspect Diaby, Adebeyour and Walcott will be regulars in the side for many campaigns to come.
April 24th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
They will not let their regulars go without a compettive game for nearly two weeks. To do so would gurantee defeat to Liverpool in the Hammer’s biggest cup try in decades. I agree they may hit the brakes in the Spurs game at some point, but they will not just lie down for that “other” side from North London.
April 24th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
But I think what we people who say “believe” means more of “have confidence.”
You never achieve anything by doubting abilities. It’s cliche’ but cliche’s become cliche’ b/c they’re true- to achieve something, you 1st have to believe you can do it.
April 24th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I don’t like to sound anthropomorphic, so I don’t if if God is a Gooner but he surely must be somewhat annoyed at those liars and vagabonds from down on Swhite Hart Lane.
Scotty, it’s just if someone ask if there is a God, I always feel it’s a question and thus I should give my answer. I know you meant it as a metaphor but alas I’ll even take that opportunity.
I’m no zealot but I do believe and in Arsenal to.
April 24th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Cesc at the age of 18 is already indispensible. says it all.
April 24th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Hey love_G, did you ever see that Python skit where they sing the lumberjack song:
I never wanted to do this in the first place! I… I wanted to be…
A LUMBERJACK!
(piano vamp)
Leaping from tree to tree! As they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia! With my best girl by my side! The Larch! The Pine! The Giant Redwood tree! The Sequoia! The Little Whopping Rule Tree! We’d sing! Sing! Sing!
Oh, I’m a lumberjack, and I’m okay, I sleep all night and I work all day.
CHORUS: He’s a lumberjack, and he’s okay, He sleeps all night and he works all day.
I cut down trees, I eat my lunch, I go to the lava-try. On Wednesdays I go shoppin’ And have buttered scones for tea.
Mounties: He cuts down trees, he eats his lunch, He goes to the lava-try. On Wednesdays ‘e goes shoppin’ And has buttered scones for tea.
CHORUS
I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flowers. I put on women’s clothing, And hang around in bars.
Mounties: He cuts down trees, he skips and jumps, He likes to press wild flowers. He puts on women’s clothing And hangs around…. In bars???????
CHORUS
I chop down trees, I wear high heels, Suspenders and a bra. I wish I’d been a girlie Just like my dear papa.
Mounties: He cuts down trees, he wears high heels Suspenders and a …. a Bra???? (spoken, raggedly) What’s this? Wants to be a *girlie*? Oh, My! And I thought you were so rugged! Poofter!
CHORUS
All: He’s a lumberjack, and he’s okaaaaaaayyy….. (BONG)
Sound Cue: The Liberty Bell March, by John Phillip Sousa. .
_____________________________
That’s not a real Canadian :)~ and neither is Lord C. Black.
Lester B. Pearson is a real Canadian.
April 25th, 2006 at 6:51 am
Well articulated. I am one of the people who would build a statue of the man in my home but I also want to hear and accept the voices of the ones who would rather have him sacked.
Supporting Arsenal has to be more than just a support. We as fans and supporters should actually live out a philosophy that truly supports what we stand for …great football and top class sportsmanship all laced with the freedom to allow others play out their opinions fairly.
Once again thanx for clarifying that out NL