Disrespecting domestic tradition and real sporting values. Arsene deserved today.

by & filed under Uncategorized.

The game opened in thunderous fashion. Drogba almost found himself one on one within the first minute!

It didn’t take long for a goal to come, sadly it went to Chelsea.

Theo did well to clear the first ball into the box. It went out for a corner. A near post cross was nodded wide by JT, Drogba was on hand to knock it in at the far post. The catalogue of errors was impressive. Vermaelen lost Terry’s run, Song managed to lose Drogba and Clichy managed to lose his post! Inexcusable defending, yet all too familiar.

The game flattened out. Arshavin was played in with a unbelievable 40 yard Cesc pass, but his volley was saved.

Arshavin was single handedly trying to craft a goal, he lost the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box, Lampard began the counter attack, passed to Drogba out wide, he jinked inside Clichy and powered it past Almunia.

The keeping looked typically questionable as did our complete lack of respect for footballing tactics. Ancellotti said he’d play us on the counter attack, he wasn’t lying.

2 down in 23 minutes. The only way back? If Kanu was on the bench! He did it for us 11 years ago. Then again, we had quality oozing through the squad.

Chelsea took a back seat for the rest of the half, knowing it would only be so long before we exposed ourselves again.

Ashley Cole nearly nipped in but for the quick feet of Walcott. That really would have capped a dreadful half.

Arsenal looked flat, out of ideas and very inexperienced compared to the professional group of athletes Chelsea had on show. We had a lot of possession, but Chelsea were allowing that. They knew we didn’t have a recognised striker and Arshavin was going to struggle to create.

Once again, we were tactically naïve and due to the world class transfer policies of Arsene Wenger, we didn’t really have many options from the bench. I mean really, in your heart of hearts, did you feel Bendtner could come on and turn the game for us? I didn’t. Still, I was interested to see what the coach was going to do. He had that rabbit caught in headlights look sitting on the bench, Pat Rice had that, ‘what’s for dinner’ look on his.

First attack of the second half, Vermaelen was the only player in the central striking position. Crazy!

Nasri was played in by Cesc, through on goal, only the keeper to beat, but he didn’t pull the trigger! What was he thinking!

Cesc had the next chance in the shape of the freekick. He powered it low under the wall, Cech saved superbly, Gallas was unlucky not to turn it in. Cech really did prove the value of a having a proper keeper between the sticks. Brave, agile and concentrating when called upon.

Song clipped Frank Lampard and gave away a needless freekick. Drogba stepped up to the ball and I said to my brother, ‘Why is Almunia giving him so much of the goal?’. Drogba smashed his kick over the wall and against the bar, Almunia actually gave up. Couldn’t even muster a dive. Shortly after, Anelka blazed over from 8 yards. For all our huff, it didn’t take long for Chelsea to show that they had another gear.

The game fizzled out without any more drama, Arsenal slumped to their second defeat in a week and raised the white flag of surrender on the third trophy of the season.

How disappointing.

Yes, there was some fight and the boys put a lot of effort in but when push came to shove, we just lacked the quality Chelsea had in abundance. Did it need to be this way? No, and that’s why the result hurt so much. People can talk about the overall lack of activity in the transfer market this winter,  the fallacy there are no players to buy or point the the fact we were very close … but when all is said and done, we had a transfer kitty bigger than most teams in Europe and instead of being proactive, we sat on our hands until the last day and came up with nothing.

We’ve flunked all 4 big game tests so far this season. That tells a story. We’re the third best team in the league. Well, we hope we are. Can Wenger change that? Well, if he carries on with this project, no.

I don’t want to hear that expectations were low, so this shouldn’t be a problem. It’s a major problem. If the fans can see the weaknesses and the management can’t, there is a huge problem.

A question for the board.

Do we want Arsenal PLC to be a vehicle to deliver trophies or are we happy to just generate a nice profit every summer?

For those who are waiting for the day we pay off the debt in the naïve hope everything will be ok then… think again… paying the debt off only increases the share value, helping to line the pockets of the few. Then someone buys the club and the fans are back to square one… looking down the barrel of another 20 years of paying off debt.

I don’t really know what else to say that hasn’t been said a thousand times before? We lack two or three quality players. We lack a plan B and a management team who believe in tactics. We have too many players who aren’t good enough and outside of the first 11 we’re really short of ‘now’ quality. We’ve got a goalkeeper who looks like he’s just been told a Chinese firing squad are waiting for him in the dressing room, we’ve got a player on £60k a week who looks like he’s never played football, a left back whose ability is actually regressing before our eyes and we don’t have a proper striker outside of the most injured player in history.

Our coach only cares about two trophies he can’t equip his squad to compete for. At any other top club in Europe, his nonchalant attitude to domestic traditions and winning in general wouldn’t be tolerated. This is sport. If you’re not in it to win it, take a job upstairs. I don’t care about his agenda or what he deems to the be the right way.

His stance is a bit like that of Don Corleone’s in the God Father. The Don didn’t want to move into the drugs trade as he deemed it a ‘dirty business’. Wenger sees spending money in the same way,  yet misses the flaw in his argument. Luring other clubs teenagers to Arsenal with the offer of huge wages before they sign a pro contract with the club that schooled them is equally immoral. Preaching values in a valueless industry that you’re a part of is futile. It’s growing tiresome.

He wont change, he doesn’t have it in him anymore. He’s lost that adaptable edge that brought him so much early success. After disrespecting the FA Cup, telling us the Carling Cup doesn’t count as a trophy and failing to sign any players because of his vision, I can’t help but think Wenger deserved today. It should be a reality check. It won’t be though. It’ll just make him more resolute.

See, the trouble is, I can wait for him to leave… will Cesc, Arshavin and Robin Van Persie? I hope for the next managers sake they do.

Have great day. I’m in West London. Yippee. Just what I need.

Pedro

1,318 Responses to “Disrespecting domestic tradition and real sporting values. Arsene deserved today.”

Jump to comment form ↓

  2. Big Raddy

    Opinions Suga….

    Chippy. I am100% sure you are wrong. If not, most of us would be earning shit loads of money as defensive coaches!

    How would you change it given the personnel? Who could foresee that a class FB like Clichy could play so badly 2 games running?

    Sagna WG and TV are top drawer (as is GC prior to injury). Song and Diaby were the natural choices for the defensive roles..

  3. Gooby

    i am not even sure that wenger will change anything.

    if he sells fabregas in the summer he will stick with ramsey saying he is good enough and we will struggle again.

    on the other hand if he got it he will sign 3 or 4 quality players.

    there is still a thrid option…

  4. SharkeySure

    Chippy…I’ve no propblem recognising Arsene’s faux pas’s (thats just for you Jag !!), but its the lack of respect that kills me.

    There’s very little credit given to him for anything.

    I also don’t get this absolute demand for trophies as if we have God given right to win them.

    There are no guarantees in football… none!!!

    Worried about where your money goes…stop spending it then.

    Last point – EVERYTHING COSTS MORE IN LONDON. That tired old line about the cost of tickets really kills me.

    When I go don’t stump up my money for games just cos we should win, its cos I’m an Arsenal fan.

    Winning games and trophies is a bonus not a right.

  7. Chippy

    Pedro, If they dont make signings this summer he has no chance of appeasing the fans his reign will be dead on its feet,This is the biggest summer Arsenal have faced under Wenger, If he gets it right he will return to god status if not he wont be rembered in the same way as chapman.

  9. gambon

    Big Raddy

    So what exactly is “AW’s plan?”

    Cos as far as i can see he is telling us every year we will be better the next year, when in reality we’re getting no better.

    If there was a plan & improvement i think every poster on here would accept it, but nothing changes & he is making mistakes that a conference manager wouldnt make.

    I think the man is incredibly skilled in some aspects of the game, and incredibly flawed as well.

  10. Gooby

    sharkeysure- i m with you. calling wenger a cunt won’t change anything plus even if the arsenal became a mid table team or whatever(god forbids) i will still watch every game

  11. Jaguar

    Supporting a club,and supporting its manager who is a blind hypocrite are two different things.If you ask me,I would say I do the former.Respect for the club or lack of respect of the manager.You can choose.

  12. A

    Pedro that’s good thinking re the business thing, could do it for jobs too, the LG recruitment section….

    Regarding Wenger sticking with the same team next year, I’m sure it’ll depend on where we end up this season. If we’re 9 points behind come the end of the season, then I reckon policies and alot of things to do with the set up will totally change. If Chelsea collapse and we win the league, or lose it by a point or on goal difference, then I’d expect the same side that ended the season to start the first game of next year.

  13. Pedro

    Sharkey, it is our god given right as fans that our team at least competes.

    On the ticket thing… Arsenal costs the most in London… Where we are isn’t an excuse.

    Raddy, what are you teaching?

  16. gambon

    Pedro

    Set up an LG currency as well. We can usurp the pound and become a dominant monetary force.

    Then with our expanding power we can buy Arsenal and take it in turns to be Chief Exec.

    I fear for Arsene during Jaguars stint.

  17. Big Raddy

    Gambon. We all know his plan – Project Youth. No-one is saying it will work, but at least we know.

    p.s. How comes I am the AW defender? I agree he has made mistakes. Just look at his record with GK’s.

    Kelsey told me that he has signed 10 GK’s and only one has been any good. Can you name them?

  18. Pedro

    A, I was thinking along those lines. I know plenty of Directors and big shots read the site… I’m sure they’d rather a gooner applied for a role than find out they’ve just contributed to the Spud gravy train…!

  21. gambon

    Rami Shaaban, Alex Manninger, Jens Lehman, Vito Mannone (not actually Arsene), Fabianski, Guillame Warmuz, Mart Poom, Manuel Almunia, Szczesny (not Arsene).

    Thats 9

  27. Chippy

    Big Raddy,
    As individuals they are decent players agreed but as a group they are brainless Proffesional footballers shouldnt make the same mistakes time after time, And as for clichy i love him but hes been awful for 2 years not 2 games, Gibbs would be our left back if he wasnt injured !!

    Sharkey, Its a line thats true tho. I as im sure many on here do, know people that struggle to be able to afford the prices but do it out of a love for the club that no longer respects or deserves them and yes i think theyve got a right to ask why there money is not being spent on improving the squad we are meant to be a big club and in every respect with regards treating the fans as cash cows they are but when it comes to spending we are small fry and it dosent add up,

    I agree totally on the Wenger bile its not right and he should be appreicated but people are just so frustrated at the mo, And we now live in a Big Brother society where its now now now but thats a whole different subject lol.

  28. gambon

    He has very little say on players that go into the acadamey.

    I remember Brady saying, if they are 100% academy players he doesnt really get involved. If they are young but for the first team squad (Ramsey, Galindo) then he is the decision maker.

  29. SharkeySure

    Ian Dowie …well done Pedro. Seriously though Scolari was no mug, but he couldn’t get them playing.

    Reg just for you I’ve mentioned Chelsea as well. Or is that now a fixation on Ch’s. Cheltenham up next.

    I also mentioned Britney Speras, Beyonce nad Ferenc Puskas in the same post earlier. Go analyse that you old mungler…. ;-)

  30. Pedro

    Raddy… I’m the biggest fan of psychotherapy… probably for the wrong reasons, but I think the subject is unbelievably fascinating!

  34. SUGA3

    Chippy,

    we just should play some ‘first teamers’ in the ressies, buy some better players, win at all levels, breeding the right mentality – but ‘non’, that would mean selling some precious kids in the process…

  40. Big Raddy

    Me too Pedro.20.47 And an incredible privilege to be one. If you have the time to get the education, do it. The process is both fascinating and revealing. Takes courage though….

    & you see why I would do well with Gooners ATM.

    When we meet again I will tell you about it.

  41. gambon

    A

    Every time ive seen one of the kids talk about coming to Arsenal they mention that they spoke to Wenger, but not a great deal initially.

    He has oversight of course.

    I dont think anything fat miles palmer says can be overly trusted.

  45. Pedro

    Raddy, I’ll take you up on that offer. I’d love to hear about the inner workings. I was thinking about doing a masters… and I was mulling over some sort of psychology/marketing thing.

    I think the way government use the two to control is interesting.

    You’d be racking up some hours trying to work through the demons of some of the Grovers… Franchise especially! haha!

  49. Pedro

    SS… I don’t think it’s a choice. In the same way a children’s Christmas present isn’t a choice.

    They prey on our love… and we lap it up.

  51. A

    Sorry meant SUGA re reserves, not chippy. Why would we play first teamers in the reserves, or are you joking cos of winning trophies etc?

    ah ok, yeah i agree about not being trusted certainly gambon!

  61. SharkeySure

    Chippy well said re the now now now stuff, and also credit to Pedro’s cousin who stated that its the obsession with celebrity that has fucked the minds of half the people in this country…although I’m led to believe that its pretty much a global phenomenon. Shocking

    Good point earlier Gooby

    Great link for that show Perdo (unfixed typo – I like it)

  63. SUGA3

    A,

    yes, that’s why – we are 2-3 players short for ages and anyone with a hint of realism has seen that ;)

    Denilson, Traore and Vela are not 1st team material at the moment IMO – real shame about Vela, as he really suffered for not playing enough games when he was in form :(

  64. SharkeySure

    Perdo (!) I really do believe that our 98 and 2002 (less so) titles were ‘overachievements’.

    Man U were Tescos and we were a corner shop.

  72. Keyser

    A – Kind of, it’s on in the background somewhere, but I couldn’t see him and the football looks, well, a bit crap.

  73. A

    Vela suffered from having to fuck off to play for mexico, and getting injured. Real bugger that, expected huge things of him this season.

  75. Big Raddy

    SS. May I respectfully disagree.

    Any team that has TH, DB RP, PV etc etc is not overachieving. Nor is one that in Invincible.

    It should be remembered that most of the 2002 team was assembled P-A (Pre-Abramovich)

  76. paul

    After the depression of yesterday i had to laugh at sky sports when they showed superbowl,one of the winning players shouting how they were world champions.

  77. Pedro

    haha, I forgot about Bohemian Le Grove!

    Sharkey, I was having a bit of an argument with a journo from the mirror the other day.

    He reckoned the country demands news like JT.

    I stated that I thought he was wrong… appealing to the lowest common denominator to increase sales wasn’t anything to be proud of…

    Then in true George journo fashion, he started saying I was insulting the nations intelligence! haha!

  80. SharkeySure

    Pedro – Bollox to Govt control its the religions control you want to look at.

    My eldest daughter has a degree in Psychology and is now doing a Masters in Business Research Methods.

    In my house there’s no right to Xmas presents, they know me and their mum buy them, and ‘Santa’ only fills their stockings with the cheap stuff !!!

  81. Chippy

    Good point SUGA3,

    What has happened to Vela? last season he looked dynamite this year he looks lost its quite bizarre its as if he has no confidence at all,

    Sharkey,

    Big Brother and so forth have made dumb lazy people celebrities so we now have a culture of such,I mean come on they made Jade goody a multi millionaire for being what dumb racist and lazy and then demonised her for there own means the press and Tv have alot of this countrys ills to answer for, very very sad as you say,

  82. goonermichael

    They’ve done that shit ice ice baby song with more of the under pressure bit. It is so amaturish it’s fucking ridiculous

  83. Pedro

    I mean, I honestly thought Journo’s were in on the news conspiracy… but they aren’t… they’re just not very bright.

    I believe it’s called compartmentalism.

    Each segment does their job without realising they are part of a larger agenda.

  86. Big Raddy

    Such an old argument Pedro. I am surprised he didn’t bring up the pro-hanging argument i.e. If there was a referendum there would be an enormous pro-execution vote. Doesn’t make it right though.

    Maybe I shouldn’t have started that one, but Geoff isn’t around so I should be safe ;-)

  89. Pedro

    Paul, I second GM’s comment!

    Sharkey… I think all stocking are for cheap stuff… but in general, it’s hard to deny kids!

  93. Pedro

    Raddy… he was ridiculous.

    All I was trying to point out is that the JT story might shift a few more copies, but it wont do anything to save the newspaper long term (because repeat business surely is the aim of the game), because intelligent people don’t buy into the rags bull shit.

    Then he said the three best sellers were the Sun, the mail and the mirror. Then he said circ was down because of the internet… so I told him that the Guardian get 3 times the hits the mirror site does… then he told me I was patronising the nation.

    It was quite disappointing.

    I thought you had to be a different gravy to get into the world of journalism and that their dumbed down style of writing was purposeful… it’s not apparently. At least in the rags!

    Sorry about the rant… but I didn’t think I’d ever give up debating with a journalist because he wasn’t very intelligent.

  94. Franchise

    SharkeyUnSure lol

    What made you think my developer colleague is a football fan?

    I told him two friday’s ago that I was going to watch Arsenal play at the stadium when I was asked what I was doing that weekend

    Next question was ‘What is Arsenal?’

    I was in shock. Then I said do you know the premiership he said yes and then I asked if he knew Chelsea he said of course. And United he said yes

    I swear on my life. True story

    To be fair the guy has been here for only 4 months. But I was surprised he knew Chavs and Mancs and not us

  95. SharkeySure

    Disagreement respectfuly accepted Mr Raddy.

    Its not so much about the players, but the finances and the assembly of the squads, especially the 98 team.

    Less so (as I stated) in 2002.

    So yeah you’ve got a point !!

  96. Chippy

    Quality conversation tonight lads ill leave you lot to put the world to rights as im of to watch Jedward and vanilla ice in concert followed by re runs of the big brother serious :-)

    One fucked up celebrity world we now live in were its cool to be dumb and lazy as thats the way to the top

    Laters

  99. Pedro

    Paul, I sent an e-mail to the guy from Aisa about your ticket. I said if he’s got anyone looking, send them Le Groves way.

  100. goonermichael

    Pedro
    My daughter wanted to be a jounallist until she did work experience (including the Gaurdian) She thinks it’s a bit mindless unless you are like the guys who exposed watergate. How often do big stories like that get out now?

  102. SharkeySure

    Pedro it fucking kills me seeing the shite in the papers and people referred to as ‘so and so’s ex’, or Amy Winehouses God daughter (I didn;t majke that one up btw).

    Every day the papers are full of shite like that, with some pic of a ‘who the fucks that’ on the front page.

    As a father of four I have made it my mission to show my kids wot a pile of shite it all is, and make sure they don;t buy into it…unless they want a slap !!!

  105. Pedro

    True GM… I read that Watergate was set up and the journo’s tipped off…

    The best journalism for me is done on the web. Journalists nowadays can’t write about most of the interesting stuff because they’re not allowed to…

    That’s why the net if doing so well.

    I read that Wired Magazine are lobbying to get the internet the nobel peace prize. Good shout!

  110. A

    Franchise I’m not sure that has any relevance to us though!

    He probably “found out” about Chelsea and Utd in the same way he found out about Arsenal now from you.

    If he’d met you first, then when he spoke to a Chelsea fan he would’ve known us and not them, or Utd….

    If he’d met a Peterborough fan then he would’ve known them rather than us, Chelsea, Utd, or Arsenal!

  112. SharkeySure

    Ha ha Fran….who’s next for your in depth polling then..?? The Belgian woman from the cellar..??*

    Just make sure you ask him about Beyonce, Britney and Ferenc Puskas…those three are the real litmus test.

    *(No offence intended to anyone, it a very sad story)

  116. Magnus

    Info needed. It has been a while since i entered this forum, but when in doubt..i know were to go. I’m planning a trip together with my son, but knowing were to get the tickets is not easy – it’s been almost 10 years since i last saw Arse play 1-1 against pool.. Anyway, were do i purchase my tickets? Most important objective here is to get ok seats. They do of course not have to be the best, but ok + how to avoid getting ripped of… Tips etc will be highly appreciated.

  117. Ray in SF

    I thought that goonermichael.

    AW is a addicted gambler and he is losing so he ups the stakes to try and recoup his losses.

    It’s like a bad thirties movies, except…

  118. SharkeySure

    I love my kids to death…but ‘hot bum’ rules supreme in this house. If its really bad behaviour then its ‘pants down hot bum’.

    Hard slap on the arse with my bare hands.

    if there’s one thing that kills me (yes another) its parents who are soft on their kids and give them everything they ever ask for.

    Not in my house.

    My daughter recently had to put all her Xmas presents (IPod, and dock plus other bits and bobs) in a bag and hand them over for a month cos she was caught lying. She’s 6 and a half.

    Today my 9 yr old was crying cos his new PSP (Xmas) wasn’t working. Fucking incredble…actual tears rolling down his cheeks, but no wailing thank god.

    Hardest thing is trynig to keep them down to earth. I’m remember getting new pyjamas for Xmas at his age and being over the fucking moon !!!

    Slightly off topic…lol

  120. Ray in SF

    Not off-topic at all Sharkey.

    “My daughter recently had to put all her Xmas presents (IPod, and dock plus other bits and bobs) in a bag and hand them over for a month cos she was caught lying. She’s 6 and a half.”

    AW should take back the toys from the boys that aren’t performing and don’t give ‘em back until they get two consecutive 7-plus ratings from Le Grove.

  122. Pedro

    Sharkey, so you don’t deny your kids!

    You apply dicipline, but you get them nice things?

    Magnus, tell me what games you’re looking to see and I’ll see if I can work some magic.

    Also, check in with AISA.org… they sell tickets without the premium as well.

    I think all the seats in the ground are good. I’ve been all over and I’m yet to sit in a bad seat.

  123. Ray in SF

    Maybe the Arsenal WAGs should give back their toys and as they’ll stop putting out we might see a little more application on the playing field.

  124. Ray in SF

    Riddle me this…if we don’t buy a center forward because NikkiB is coming back, why don’t we play him when he’s back?

  126. Magnus

    Hi Pedro,

    To be honnest, i’m OK with any match in March (weekend game). I have been on the look for a few days, and are getting a bit desperate as i did promise the young one. Your magic are highly appreciated. I also placed a “little” request on the LG facebook group a few minutes ago so if you can help me out you can reach me on FB. Thanks!

  128. SharkeySure

    Yeah they get SOME nice things Pedro..but not too much. They get way less than we could afford to get them, just on principle.

    Half my nine year olds team mates pick and choose their own boots. All my sons boots have been brought home to him from TK Maxx or Sports Direct on a next size up basis !

  129. Pedro

    Cheer Man, I’ll run it past Geoff and see if I can set something up!

    Right… I’m off to watch some iplayer.

    Have a good one everyone… a pleasure as always!

  130. Pedro

    Sharkey… good grounding and teaching the value of money stops them getting into a world of financial credit card, ocean finance shit when they’re older!

    Good shout… my kids won’t even get boots… haha! Just kidding, I’m not having kids!

    Have a good one!

  137. SharkeySure

    Sharkey to replace Arsene in the summer Simon..??

    Start a petition.

    I know I’ve got 100′s of votes from over here already….

  140. A

    Because he’s not fit Ray, pretty simple! Though that obviously wasn’t the reason we didn’t sign someone, we tried to, just not hard enough perhaps

  142. SharkeySure

    Controlled disciplines the only way for me GM. Sometimes I need the ‘thinking time’ myself before administering the discipline.

    Worst is when I now I’m in a bad mood already …..they pretty much get a free pass from a ‘hot bum’ cos I know I can’t be sure its them and not me.

    Right I’m realy gone now !!

    Have a good ‘un all

  145. David

    SS

    Winning trophies is a bonus not a right?

    What sort of small club mentality is that?

    So is 3rd spot our right then?

  148. David

    I think most fans will be happy to be challenging for Trophies not sacrificing them only to get humiliated by our rivals.

    We will see where we finish at the end of the season. But right now its all about hoping the top teams drop points to mask our obvious problems on the pitch.

  149. Pedro

    AKB, a change of direction is needed at the end of the season I think.

    Some feel more strongly than others… but most people are of the opinion Arsene has got it wrong by not adding to the squad.

  150. Pedro

    … and I’m not talking about a change of manager… just a change in how he approaches the team building stuff.

    Right… off out, play nice everyone, it’s valentines week.

Leave a Reply

    Fill in your details below or sign in here:

    Connect with Facebook

  • (will not be published)

First time commenters will go into moderation.


Jump to top ↑

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title="" rel=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>