Thats the answer. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
I feel … angry. Dissapointed. Its tangible. People at my job have noticed. My wife knows why. How exactly as an Arsenal supporter in America, can you explain that you are sick to your stomach, because the Arsenal’s season is in tatters, and its only November 30th?? 99% of them would say, what the hell are you on about??
Yes, I hoped we could compete for the title this year. COMPETE. I hoped we would be battling into the Spring with a shout. I didn’t think it would be over before December even got here. Sorry. I am pessimistic and realistic and a negative Nick about the current squad. BUT I HOPED. I thought there was a chance, and you’re not a fan if you don’t think there is a chance when the season starts. There is always “a chance”, especially when you have Thierry Henry. But its all come unglued quite quickly, and the squad is currently in a bit of a crisis IN THE LEAGUE.
So reasons for optimism? How to make lemonade from it?
Well… this is my take at the moment. We were in a very similar situation last year, and something happened to the team. We sucked in the league. We still do. We’re just very inconsistent. I think perhaps its over-confidence of a sort. We think we are better than most of the league and just need to show up in order to get the 3 points. The other teams aren’t rolling over, they are ROLLING us over. However, we’ve done WELL against United & Liverpool. Why?
Same reason as last years improbable run in the Champions League.
I think we can do the same in the Champions League again for the same reasons… make a good run that is. Because when we play there, we sort of play with a bit of fear that we might lose. We KNOW the teams are very good, and if we don’t show up and outrun, out hustle, out play the other team, we could damn well lose. We TOTALLY out played Real Madrid and Juventus. It was just very unlikely. We played with an amazing amount of passion, determination and grit and hunger.
Thats what we need to bring on Saturday vs Totteringham. Passion Determination Grit Hunger. We need to play the same way we did in last years Champions League run. Running tirelessly all over the pitch for just about all 90 minutes. Chasing every ball, getting back on defense ALL GAME LONG. Doing all the little things and all the intangibles.
It can be done. We can do the same thing again in terms of effort. And if we manage to recapture that passion to give the extra effort and out work our opponents… there is no reason we can’t make another strong run in the Champions League… continue on in the Carling Cup… and make a strong run at the FA Cup.
But its ONE GAME at a time. Give that effort v. the Totts… do the same against Porto… advance… and climb that next mountain…
The League’s title race is OVER for us… but we’ve got to find a way to stay in the top 4, and fight for the other 3 chances at silverware. If we continue on our current form and pattern of play, the team will have to be changed.
I DO believe we can and will beat Totteringham. We WILL SHOW UP TO PLAY. If we can’t get up for this match, we’re f**ked. We might NOT win, but I think the effort and determination WILL BE THERE. We’re not sending out a bunch of clowns that can’t play. MANY of them were part of last years run in the CL… so we can get a good match from Flamini… Senderos… etc… its not out of the question.
Let’s get to the cliches… one game at a time… one half at a time… lets not get too far ahead of ourselves… concentrate on the task at hand.
Bring on Saturday, it should be fun…
29 Responses to “make lemonade…”
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December 1st, 2006 at 11:20 am
I think we’ll lose 3-1.
December 1st, 2006 at 11:36 am
i don't think we'll be defeated 3-1 … hell no… and I don't think we're completely out of the race… call me a fool but i've seen crazy ish happen and until its mathematically impossible I will believe.
we're not having the best season obviously… but I rather see this team play like shite that any team on the planet.
… the greatest team the world has ever seen
December 1st, 2006 at 11:48 am
Nice to see we keep blindly predicting the wins.
I believe we will turn up, to an extent where we won’t play like crap, but Tottenham will sense we are vulnerable and win. I can see them scoring early when the game is quite tight and then getting one more or even two more. Players like Keane and Berbatov will love this stage.
3-1 could be about right. I don’t how people can predict a win when not one of our players look like scoring, apart from a van persie free kick. Rosicky’s goal threat is completely overrated in my opinion. He won’t score anymore than Hleb.
The only saving grace is that Tottenham tend to be bit soft away from home themselves, but I still think they have more steel than us.
December 1st, 2006 at 11:56 am
I know we’ll loose 3-1. Goals from Berbatov (2) and Lennon.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:03 pm
I dont always agree with what u say Stag… but ur spot on… to wht I felt start of the season… Yes u got to believe we will beat Spurs… yes it might sound stupid.. but yes you have to believe.. you have to get behind ur team.. support them… all the way.. yes we might get bet.. but that doesnt stop you from believeing you will win..
If we start thinking like this.. nbd predicting 3-1 defeats.. how do you expect the guys out there… they who are in the heat.. every minute .. who face the tackles.. the goals.. the challenges when they are down.. to be confident.. when they’re the ones getting licked…??? Tell me…
Is it as simple as ” They get paid.. they have to perform” … no… its more than that… you dont need me to tell you that… yes we are not playing welll now… yes we will bounce back.. I dont know for sure if we’ll beat the Spurs.. but I’ll believe we can…1-0 or 3-1 or 7-0 .. I WILL NOT stop believeing…
Whats left in life if you stop believing in your ability?? Would Lance Armstrong have won 5 Tour De France titles??? WHo gave him a damn chance after the cancer?? He did it… yes this is not that drastic .. but the analogy is the same.. I BELIEVE WE CAN.. lets give the guys the confidence that they can too .. and erase the self doubt they are in right now.. lets back them even if we lose 3-1… and still keep believing….
December 1st, 2006 at 12:12 pm
I’m surprised anyone is trying to predict an Arsenal score. The one thing we can consistently predict is that we are inconsistent. Let’s just hope for a good performance and stop hitting each other with these negative vibes man.
My Tottenham mad work colleague asked me if I’d take a 1-1 draw right now, he said he’d bite my hand for that result. I told him I’d rather see what this Arsenal has got. We’ve got a whole season left, let’s not piss our pants like last season.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I also believe we will beat Spurs as Stag suggested. Spurs’s recent form is pretty good, while we are pretty lousy. Funny as it may, that actually give me more faith in predicting an Arsenal win (normally i don’t do this soft of predicting stuff). If it’s the other way around, we had won 10 in a row coming into this game for example, i would feel more uneased.
Football is a funny game. U never know.
But i think Stag summed it up pretty nicely. The key is whether our players will go out and FIGHT. This is by far the softest Arsenal team i can remember since started supporting Arsenal. I have no doubt they are talent enough to play beautiful football, when we are in the flow. But the things is at times football is not just about talent, if so then we can’t explain why Wimbledon once upon a time had managed to stay in the top flight for a long period of time, despite having a squad of players who probably more suit to play ruby than football.
Steel is as important as silk with this game. Let’s hope our players still got what it takes to put on a good fight.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:12 pm
I’d rather see us play shite and win a few games actually. There’s no joy in playing beautiful football and being mid-table - you at least have to compete.
So you think Chelsea are going to lose another 5 games this season whilst Arsenal romp home in every match left? You must have a screw loose. There’s optimism, and there’s blind stupidity.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I too do believe we can beat Sp*rs in my heart.
HOWEVER. . .
My head, however, is not as convinced. The question I have is was Wednesday night the “bottom” and Saturday begins the bounce back? Given the volume of denials and rebuttals from AW posted out on Arsenal.com, I’m not confident. He has an answer for everything but until it shows up in the form of results on the pitch his statements are much a do about nothing.
If Arsene dislikes the negativity of the last week he had better understand how bad things could get over the next week if the youth he has placed so much faith in fail to get the plot, and quickly at that. Potentially getting bounced out of the CL Group Stage not only would have a very bad affect on team morale but the money that comes from making it to the knockout stage is a huge help to the club’s finances.
The larger stadium has made room for some fans not as patient as some long time supporters. A loss on Saturday and might we hear boos at The Grove? I hope not.
My sense is George Graham is right and the natives are restless.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:21 pm
What makes you think your “belief” is going to transmit to the players? Are you going to the game? I think the supporters will give Arsenal all the help they need, but at the end of the day, if we keep playing this badly nothing you think or do will make any difference whatsoever - this isn’t Lord Of The Rings, where Gandalf waves his magic staff and all our problems disappear. If Lennon wants to rip apart Senderos, he will do it all day long, whether you believe otherwise or not.
I am sure you “believed” we would be Bolton, and “believed” we would beat Fulham - didn’t help the players much did it? Your ridiculous belief, flying in the face of every statistic only causes yourself suffering. You get crushed by defeat where other just accept the circumstances we’re in.
Yes, we can beat Tottenham, it’s not impossible. But I wouldn’t call that belief, just vague hope. If Arsenal win you will probably start shooting your mouth off about how your “belief” shone through - if they lose you’ll no doubt run for cover and give it a rest for a few months.
Whatever, Tottenham are a turning into a decent team, and if they play like they did in the last couple of derbies, and their big players perform, we’ve had it. But then Tottenham do like shooting themselves in the foot don’t they, they’ll never have a better chance to stuff Arsenal and they know it.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Ummmm…
3-1 Tottenham?
I think 3 folks said that??
No. I really don’t think so.
Its a derby match. It means more than a match against Fulham or Boro… its big regardless of the standings.
HENRY is apparently out. That hurts a lot… as there aren’t many in our squad that understand the ANIMOSITY between the 2 clubs. I think Henry does.
I will go with a 2-1 Arsenal win.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Most fans thought Bolton was the “bottom”, then Fulham happened. There’s no end to the depths you can sink in this game, so another defeat tomorrow is probable. Statistics don’t win games, performances do.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:30 pm
You’re so dumb you’d predict an away win at Barcelona if we fielded a team of one legged players with lung cancer.
Still, if we do win, it will be vaguely amusing watching you shoot your mouth off as if you are the lord god almighty. I suppose it will be worth it though.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Having said that, I’m not sure where we’ll get our ‘1′ from.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Danny,
That’s why in my head I’m not sure we’ll win tomorrow. Can we? Sure. . and I also can be elected President of the USA, but not probable.
Before any lays into me with the that negative Nick crap, I pray (figuratively) that I’m wrong but losing to Sp*rs, Porto and Chelsea is possible given our current form. Until we can piece together a few performances ( a win tomorrow and at least a draw at Porto)I’m not sure we’ve seen the bottom. . . yet.
Time for the lads to earn their pay.
December 1st, 2006 at 2:10 pm
So what do you suggest Danny?? Slag em off every game… ??? Tell them they suck and dont have a right to play football. Yes I believed we would beat Bolton…and I was wrong… but we weren’t far away. Yes I definitely believed we would beat Fulham… dont tell me you expected them to beat us..I’m not believing it.
Yes Spurs can lick us tomorrow .. ofcourse.. but we can lick them too. Rather let me say.. we could beat them….because “lick” is too strong a word.
Why will I go on about “belief” shining through?? Why such cynicism?? Yes I know you’re frustrated too.. and I dont know how much better you’re taking this than me by slamming me.
Whats wrong in backing the team when they’re down? Did I say “Ha.. we’re so great we’re gonna win every game and the treble??” Al I said was that we need to get behind them and show some belief in the ability that is so obviously there but which they themselves are not yet fully sure of. Is that a crime?
Vague hope?? Hope yes.. vague hope no… it would be vague if I expected West Brom to thrash Chelsea .. its not vague that I believe/expect AFC to beat Spurs.. because we can… whether we will or will not is another question all together….but yes I will still “Believe” even if we lose 4-0 tomorrow which we wont.
December 1st, 2006 at 3:14 pm
I honestly believe we’ll win.
I expect a big effort.
Everything says we should lose… thats the old sports adage. When that occurs, go the other way.
December 1st, 2006 at 3:33 pm
You thought that after Bolton.
December 1st, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Guys, this is a derby match…..we HOPE that our boys will be up for it. Don’t think for a second that the Totties will be soft. They will come out as sharks, smelling the blood that’s dripping from our battered bodies and egos; and the scums, they will circle and circle until one of them takes a bite……….
That is unless we pounce first, as a hungry, angry, mean, and vicious pitbull that will hold on to its prey flinging his head about and finally letting go after 94 minutes, the victim laying still on a beautifully manicured pitch……
A 1-1 draw is not a far-fetched proposition……but I am hoping for three points.
December 1st, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Have you been reading Stephen King?
December 1st, 2006 at 6:55 pm
No Danny…just feling gloomy right now
December 1st, 2006 at 6:55 pm
No Danny…just feeling gloomy right now
December 1st, 2006 at 7:17 pm
This was once the biggest game of the season, and not so long ago. Growing up in Ireland as an Arsenal fan, it was sometimes hard to understand this but after Brady and Stapleton left at the end of the 70s, all we had to aim for was beating Spurs and finishing above them in the League. That is a long way from where we are today. Do the younger players understand this? In a way I hope not. The fans will be up for this and the Emirates should make noise tomorrow. The players may take that as support for the team despite the bad results and respond accordingly.
I don’t want to make a prediction but I am hoping for a good win. This team will come good sooner or later. I still believe it will be sooner even though that may still be too late for this season. However, even a stopped clock is right twice a day and some day the team will prove me right and go on a run of victories.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:19 pm
I’m just saying, In my opinion your way too optimistic. There’s so many people on this site who predict an Arsenal win in every single match, their expectations are absurd. Then, when we lose they fly off the handle and go apeshit at Wenger.
There’s no reason to have any confidence in Arsenal winning tomorrow. Just watch the game, enjoy it, but don’t have too much expectation otherwise you’ll likely only get disappointed.
I’m not frustrated at all, I only get frustrated when I expect Arsenal to do something because they’re far better than the opposition and fail - right now that’s far from the case. We’re an average team with some big problems that will improve dramatically over time.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:21 pm
Don’t be gloomy. If Arsenal lose tomorrow you won’t be all that surprised, if they win you’ll be elated.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:23 pm
The fans will certainly give the players a lift tomorrow, it could be the noisiest Arsenal crowd ever considering the circumstances and increased capacity. If that doesn’t lift the players nothing will.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Wow, are we fired up or what. If 11 of us could strap it on tommorrow, we wouldn’t lose. I just hope our surrrogates realise what’s at stake here. The first 10 minutes will tell me what to expect tommorrow. If Arsenal show defensive intensity and quick vertical passing, then just maybe we stand a chance. No intensity, no chance.
Watch Walcott when and if he gets the call. He’s now taken two hard hits at Bolton and Fulham. He later shied away from a challenge at Fulham after a hit from Boa Morte. This kid better not be getting gun shy already.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:20 pm
I didn’t comment after the last two matches because I was too depressed, but I couldn’t stay out of this one after reading all the doom and gloom above. Yes our recent form has sucked but that’s no reason to be predicting 3-1 to the f-ing Sp*urs. First, it’s a home game and we’re undefeated at the Emirates. So maybe we get a 1-1 draw like last year, but I don’t see us going down in flames. Second, it’s a derby and even without Henry we’ve got players that hate Tottenham as much as we do. Freddie’s gets it for sure, so hopefully he starts. I think Cesc gets it even if he’s young and doesn’t have the muscle to stick a boot up Keane’s arse.
Nothing’s guaranteed but I say we’ve got a decent change.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Good call…you’re right