or SWEET SHIRT, right?
Get in people, we made it to 11 years old! 3,955 posts, 2.1million comments praising my words every day, A TOPPLED DICTATOR, A NEW BEGINNING, new internet friends, new real-life friends (yeah, I went on a man-date last night with a Gooner)… this site has been the absolute best, and I want to say a great big huge thank you to everyone who logs on to read the articles everyday, and I want to thank those who listen to the podcast (and those who come on the show). You make the internet worth living for, you also give me knowledge everyday I can steal and repurpose as my own.
Look at the fancy shirt in the opening picture, that my friends is a birthday present from the very excellent team at FOKOHAELA. It’s given me a new lease of life in the world of football apparel. I can finally wear one outside because this one is about original design with the heart and details I’m lacking from my PUMA shirts. GO HERE if you’d like to see some of the other options which are very awesome.
Onto football news, Mesut Ozil is back in the press, this time it’s Per bloody Mertesacker weighing in on the conversation about whether his ex-teammate said the German team were racist. Apparently, Der Spiegel ran a story in the print edition that basically confirmed the bling bling gang, but they used potatoes as a reference because of some negative connotation it has with immigrants. This is what Big Per said.
“I never heard anything about ‘potatoes’ or ‘kanaken’ during my time in the national team,”
“However I have been called ‘potato’, too.
“It should be understood that it is just a bit of fun, however. There were separate groups within the team during my time, too.
“You simply have to be careful that this does not lead to division, like: ‘you are one team, we are the other’.”
After Per cleared up that he’d been called a potato once or twice, he weighed in on Mesut’s overall accusation that the national setup was a big racist.
“Everything is possible,”
“I am curious as to how the DFB is going to approach the building of a new team.
“I never experienced racism or discrimination during my time, so I was surprised by Mesut’s allegations and that they were so harsh.
I for one was very surprised to hear that a 6ft6 blonde German hadn’t experienced the harshness of racism from his national team. He looks like exactly the sort of person who’d have the right wing throwing potatoes at him. That aside, this really is the neverending story.
What I guess is working in Mesut’s favour is the German players have focused on the fact that they personally are not racist, which is not what he’d claimed. The real story is Ozil stood tall with a wannabe dictator just before a World Cup for propaganda purposes, then kicked out at the way DFB, media and his partners handled the photo/issue afterwards. I’d still say that overall, the lesson for Ozil is don’t stand tall with dictators, because that really has fuck all to do with your ancestry. Just my opinion, of course.
Still, at least he has a pal in Nacho Monreal.
“People have been a bit unfair with him,”
“He is a very famous player and obviously people love talking about him. Recently, it is always bad things. Like last time, he was sick and that’s why he didn’t play.
“People started to invent that he had a problem with the manager. It wasn’t like that. He got a cold, he was sick, that’s it. That’s why he didn’t play.”
You go girlfriend.
Matty G landed Arsenal player of the month at his first attempt, well played that lad. I think he’s a very exciting talent and I pray we develop him, opposed to going down the path of overplaying him, breaking his confidence, injuring him, then sending him out on loan to Cheltenham.
Who said that I’m negative?
Next three games in the Premier League after the break are Newcastle, Everton and Watford. On paper, those should bring home 9 points, but all of those teams are capable of an upset. It’s super tough to come back from an international break and go away to Geordieland – home of the greatest fans ever known in the universe – so that’ll be a big test of Emery’s planning skills. I think out of those three games, the Watford game will pose the greatest threat. They’ve started extremely well this season, and it’s exactly the sort of game we’d lose under Wenger. Let’s see what’s changed.
The manager is also going to have to deal with the complications of a trip to Ukraine before the Everton game which lands three days later on a Sunday. I can’t wait to see what sort of team the manager takes for the Europa League, because really, that’s a great chance for us to make CL through the back door. We then have Brentford, who play some sexy football, 3 days later in the league cup. Does Emery go for all the trophies this year? We’ll find out after the break!
Finally, I know you know that I don’t use the blog to sell anything bar cheap erectile dysfunction meds via SEO backlinks. Today though, I’m selling dreams. The chaps over at Play With a Legend are taking entrants for their next batch of games that are hosted by none other than Nigel Winterburn.
Great news, right? You turn up before a game, get your kit on, and play some football with a legend, then you get to have a lovely chat with them after.
If you want to sign up, go to this link and get the download. It’s £99 per individual, £750 per team if you bring 9 people along.
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Bellerin early 2018
‘Shuttup and support the team’
‘Stop criticizing the manager’
‘All forms of dissent are bad’
*dude gets fired*
Bellerin late 2018
‘I never liked ‘im anyway’
China
You seem another devoid of physical friends.
Isn’t there a music blog where you can jizz about music production?
What the fuck has happened to this blog? England played last night hardly a mention.
same song
how dare you post that link ? Now vic will start bleeding into his panties again.
Stefano What the fuck has happened to this blog? England played last night hardly a mention. England may excite other fans but not arsenals. I think cause England and arsenal have been going through the same horrid patch of just making up the numbers. So people are emotional tired every week from arsenal that they take a break with the international break. Unless they go to the grounds, you won’t see many sticking to the tele to watch England. Maybe during the major tournaments but not the friendlies. Also, England may look good on paper but they play like all… Read more »
England don’t have the European flair that other teams have, ala Spain, Germany, croatia, France, Netherlands.
England’s first goal was beautiful combination of passing.
England’s first goal was beautiful combination of passing.
This is a myth. Delusion at it’s best.
China, completely disagree with your view on Bellerin.
Sure his form has not been great but as a person he is far more intelligent and interesting than pretty much any footballer I raround. He’s vegan, he likes fashion, his hair is longer than most; has interests outside football. I believe his individualism winds up people for some reason, jealousy perhaps.
Slag him off for the way he plays but the way you attribute quotes to him is pretty mindless. ‘All forms of dissent are bad’ – that’s lying!
Lol from BBC comments;
123. Posted by Knighton Palace on
3 minutes ago
If Harry Kane has said the ref bottled it he must have !!
Playing for Spurs he is an expert on bottling it, he could even chat to the ref after the game about bottling experiences !!!
I guess a bottler knows a bottler.
I’m still baffled how Harry Kane won the golden boot. Did next to nothing after the group stages.
Also, any one else think griezman Is being overlooked for footballer of the year ? very talented and born winner. Won a couple of trophies last season as well as helped France win the WC.
gonsterous, also with the England team full of Spuds players you won’t expect many here commenting on the game. The game was also on Sky instead of being free to watch, so many on here didn’t really care.
There was a shit load of European and international games on, some involving our players. It doesn’t just have to be England.
Greizman won’t win it as he’s not as glamorous as Ronaldo or even Modric.
Gon
The England goal was a nice goal startedfrom defence. Maybe it’s you that is delusional.
I would give griezman the Ballon D’Or just for rejecting barcas advances.
BobN16
As long as Bellerin can improve his game, I don’t give a toss about his personal traits.
Problem is, at present, he finds it difficult to perform 50% of his basic job description.
Defending!
Whatever anyone may think, England are improving.
Southgate has done more in 2 years than all the other England managers put together have achieved over the last twenty.
Just need some talented playmakers.
Over to you messrs Foden and Winks.
Michael, agree. Would hope that Emery works out a system that allows his FBs to push forward without being exposed, in other words players covering. Bellerin hasn’t been great but I don’t think he’s been helped enough.
Just turned on radio 5 live.
Man City v Chelsea?!?
Ladies!
Actually could hear all the players shouting to one another.
Even a spectator was heard saying ” Dad, can I have some chips with my hotdog?”
Sorry, but this is getting ridiculous.
Any views on Serena’s meltdown at US Open?
That Bellerin article title is pure sensationalism. He didn’t slam Wenger in any way. He just said things are different with a new manager.
He did still whine about the fans though.
Social Distortion.
Oasis.
Old Metallica.
Oasis are a million times better than coldplay.
Tu Pac.
Biggie
China,
This…
“Also I’m a fan of the pretty ‘cold’ production and push towards reverb, chorus and the like. I feel like a lot of 80s music was trying to be futuristic in a way that our actual society still hasn’t caught up with”
I’m born in 92, but the psychedelic rock of the 60’s 70’s and 80’s is just pure gold. I mean Pink Floyd are pioneers for that but there is so much good old music. Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton on guitar though tops it for me.
Joe
It’s all down to personal taste.
One thing’s for sure, Coldplay are respectful and we’ll brought up individuals.
Whereas the Gallagher’s are total pricks.
Also bellerin is a massive twat. Just because he has long hair and doesn’t eat food from animals does not mean he’s a good bloke.
His two faced contradictions from the interviews pre and post Wengers departure are a bit rich and hypocritical. Will definitely need to win back my respect on the field. Not that he cares haha but he does nothing for me on or off the pitch
goobergooner
yes, 90s kid assemble. Only diff, I was growing up in Asia so basically, we were still enjoying things of the 80s lol
Micheal
They are rock and roll staaaaaaaaaaaaaaars
Who cares about personality
It’s about the music. Oasis (did) put on an amazing live show.
Serena Williams overreacted.
Not for the first time.
Great player but her antics take away from Naomi Osaka.
Double standards? Maybe.
The fact though that women get equal pay, for half the amount of time and effort, is ridiculous.
If I have offended anyone by saying this, I apologize.
Joe
I get that.
Still pricks though.
Coldplay all day long.
But that’s just me.
Micheal likes Coldplay. What a surprise.
Little vanilla posh boys.
Looks like the Pitbull is back under his 775th moniker
Shana tova to any fellow Jewish Gooners on here! I’ll be off for the next few days now so happy tr4phy-hunting to you all! 🙂
Stefano14
What is it to you?
Do I know you?
One senses something familiar here.
Oasis and Coldplay are like chalk and cheese
Totally different
Giggs Sheep Shaggers 2 goals down
Is Pedro OK? He’s kinda vanished
Outside of this thread, Coldplay’s audience is suburban housewives who listen when they pop their 6pm Xanax, pour themselves a glass of wine, and start preparing dinner for the family.
Or, middle-aged white guys who find U2 too abrasive, and anxiously await Sting’s next effort…
“One thing’s for sure, Coldplay are respectful and we’ll brought up individuals.Whereas the Gallagher’s are total pricks.”
Dear lord. Are you looking to adopt them, or listen to their music?
Noel Gallagher shits more charisma and talent than all of Coldplay combined:
https://youtu.be/2Z8vWkkQStg
Oasis B sides are better than anything Coldplay could ever wish to write.
Coldplay a sides couldn’t even come close to oasis’ B sides
Giroud starts for France
There are some people on here with serious personality issues. It’s one thing when it’s football – something that generates fanaticism amongst a lot of people – but now people are trying to prove they are a bigger music fan by slagging off other people’s preferences.
Whoever events a real chill pill could make a fucking fortune on here.
“It’s one thing when it’s football – something that generates fanaticism amongst a lot of people – but now people are trying to prove they are a bigger music fan by slagging off other people’s preferences.”
So, fanaticism for football is somehow preferable than fanaticism for music? Or that football generates more fanaticism than music?
If you say so, Marc!
Alex
No only it’s a football blog (mostly) and you’ve completely missed my point. Not actually sure you are able to comprehend it.
but now people are trying to prove they are a bigger music fan by slagging off other people’s preferences
Joe’s pathetic and myopic inputs on footie is a total carry through on music as well
I mean the man is shockingly out of his depth in literally every topic, that it puzzles the mind
I’m sure if you type slowly enough I’ll be able to figure out what your point is.
I didn’t see any comments referring to someone being a bigger music fan than anyone else. Perhaps you could provide a link or shut the fuck up?
Victorious — you should email Coldplay and let them know they have a black fan.
Joe’s pathetic and myopic inputs on footie is a total carry through on music as wellI mean the man is shockingly out of his depth in literally every topic, that it puzzles the mind
Hahahahahaha
Of course Vic is a coldplay fan
Says it all really
Alex
He listens to Coldplay while staring at a wenger poster reminiscing about the good old days!
Tears rolling down his face as Chris croons in the background
Alex nutter
what has ‘black’ got to do with any of it?
Why dont you sort yourself out , racist fag.
Fag?
You a homophobe???
Poor Joey
thought you got stuck whilst neck deep into the Oasis B Team asses and soiling the nappies
what a relief that could have been for the blog
Really disappointing to see you have your head pulled out again already.
And we were all getting along so nicely
Comparing Coldplay to Oasis is liking comparing wenger to a an elite manager
It’s no
Comparison
Oasis are great band, one of the best ever
Coldplay and wenger? Hahahahaha
I would love to go for a beer some of the keyboard warrior on here.
Like Victorious etc.
Bet they wouldn’t be so mouthy and tough in person.
Keep yapping behind your computer screen!
Name one Coldplay song that’s better than oasis’ Acquiesce.
Are not Oasis a Beatles tribute band.
Don’t be silly red
Beatles.
Oasis
Sex pistols.
The clash.
The who.
The smiths
Stones
Zepplin
Black sabbath.
Best British bands of all time
Coldplay doesn’t even make the top 40
Stone roses.
Spice girls
Take that.
Joe
“Bet they wouldn’t be so mouthy and tough in person”
Ever heard of “the pot calling the kettle black”….and no Joe ,that is not the name of a song …….. Or is it !!!
Ever heard of “the pot calling the kettle black”….and no Joe ,that is not the name of a song …….. Or is it !!!
Hahahahaha
Are you really 60 plus years old?
Haha right on cue though Pierre
As soon as I wrote that you happen to show up.
Haha priceless
Joe
What’s your problem?
You’re coming across as a bit of a tosser.
I’ve been anti-Wenger for a decade and prefer Coldplay to Oasis.
What do you advise?
YouTube oasis live and rock out!
Haha
Dude. I’m having a bit of a laugh at the expense of Coldplay.
Settle down haha
Michael
“JoeWhat’s your problem?You’re coming across as a bit of a tosser.”
That’s because he is a tosser..
That’s because he is a tosser..
Key. Board. Warrior. Hides. Behind. His. Computer. Screen.
Great lyrics.
Pierre
Isn’t it midnight your time?
The PL can’t start up soon enough.
Bob I couldn’t care less if Bellerin has long hair, or likes fashion – that’s the least interesting thing about a person imaginable As for vegan, that doesn’t make someone interesting or intelligent. My dad and brother are both vegans. Who cares??? He specifically insulted the fans who were not behind the team last season. He singled out AFTV for being a platform to say things which were not positive Now, specifically because fans were willing to stop being silent and highlight they’d had enough of wenger the guy gets sacked And here he is in the media chatting shit… Read more »
Bob do you really think that having long hair, liking fashion and being a vegan makes someone interesting?
Bellerin has taken a swipe at old boss Arsene Wenger – claiming he would send out his team with no plan on how to beat opponents. The Gunners full-back went even further and said life at the Emirates under new coach Unai Emery feels like he is at a “new club”. With Arsene, he wanted us to play in the same way regardless of the opponents. “The idea was that we could play in our way and beat anyone. “But Emery is very focused on preparing a plan for our next opponents, whoever they may be. “It is very detailed… Read more »
So he was either tactically oblivious or tactically negligent
Toss a coin, pick your favourite!
Actually, if you look at pep’s philosophy on how his teams play in regard to his team playing a certain way irrespective of the opposition, it is very similar to wenger’s philosophy. Pep has said he will never changes his style of play as he has 100% belief in what he is doing is correct and sometimes this has been his downfall . Of course I am not putting wenger on the same level as pep but there are similarities in the way they approach the game but obviously pep is more tactically astute and is a far better coach.… Read more »
Pierre agreed which is why I credit wenger for building his early teams in a way that didn’t need a tactical master class or detailed game plan
Wenger was a genius at identifying quality, affordable players who could work in a broadly free system from the get go.
But as you say the quality of our team dropped substantially over the years but he didn’t take the necessary steps to either bring us back up or mitigate the weaker players with a more suitable system
A big shame
He was hardly slamming Wenger with his quotes but I see the point.
Pierre
Pep has the ability to coach tactics in his locker, Wenger never had that. He’s go out and express your self attitude was good when he had world class players but as soon as the quality dropped and it was clear they needed instructions, the tower came tumbling down.
Pep does many things that Wenger thought redundant, like video analysis, playing the right players in the right positions and being aware when to get rid of a player. The ruthless style that Ferguson had that kept at the top till the day he retired.
I agree with China about Bellerin The interview he gave makes me dislike him more that I did before. He’s a Boffon because Wenger’s biggest weakness is that he was too lenient on his favored players like Hector Bellerin. Wenger promoted him too soon, recommended a mega- salary for his ass and gave him him an unchallenged status – he was assured os starting every game. I never rated him and always wondered what the hype was about. Besides his vaunted speed, there’s nothing else. He can’t dribble past his man, can’s shoot, can’t cross and certainly cannot defend. He’s… Read more »
***Hes a Buffoon,
4 days pedders. It’s been 4 days since the last post. Can we have some guest posts during the international break ? get to hear some views on arsenal and the new regime.
Yeah no chance Barca would’ve been throwing him into their first team as a teenager Wenger have him everything at such a young age. He’s out the door 5 mins and bellend suddenly has something to say about him As frustrating as wenger was and probably must’ve been to work for in the darkest days last season, when you’re a kid who’s been given everything by this guy the least you can do is eulogize him in his absence of asked. It’s not like it would cause him any trouble and would be classy at least. Even in Arsenal’s darkest… Read more »
Gonsterous 9:36
100% agree
Did Pedro die and we missed it? Or when should we think about filing a missing persons report?
Happy 11th birthday Le Grove.
China, are you being deliberately simple? I was not suggesting Bellerin’s long hair made him more interesting, I simply used that as indicative of his individualism which appears to somehow to threaten the conservatism of some posters. Some people clearly dislike him as a player and use his ‘outspokenness’ as an other reason to hate. I don’t accept he was talking out of turn about Wenger, if you want to take a quote out of context and use it to push your narrative, go for it. You just come across as mean-spirited. Have a go at the way he plays… Read more »
To shore up our defence, I think Sokratis and Mavropanos have to start. I think he’s less error prone than Mustafi.
Xhaka should never start in the league and only come on for Europa games.
Its silly of us not to have bought any wide players…even on loan, cos it takes on injury to Mhki, Laca and/or Iwobi and we’re very light up top
Childish, agree with each of your points although maybe wishful re. Mavropanos as very few games to judge him (and he did get a red card in one of those games). Really liked the way he played against the United. Very much looking forward to seeing him ‘live’ in EL and CC. Needless to say, hope he plays so well that he gives Emery a selection headache.
With Arsene, he wanted us to play in the same way regardless of the opponents.“The idea was that we could play in our way and beat anyone.”
Nothing that all the WOBs weren’t saying for over a decade.
The fact that that joke stayed in control for as long as he did is a dark stain on the fans.
What ha
What happened to Pedro?
It is also easier for pep to implement his philosophy more successfully as he has players of a higher quality to choose from in all the teams.he has managed.Wenger’s philosophy worked when he had the top players to choose from but as the quality reduced so did the success and that was the time he needed to be more tactically astute. Even comparing pep and wenger in the slightest is a joke. Basically wenger was successful when he had players who could manage themselves. Leaders all over the pitch starting with GGs back 5 and then DB10,viera, petit, Henry etc.… Read more »
Wenger got caught up in his own hype. He thought he wa sa great manager. Thought he could break up the invincibles and win with his “ managerial excellence” with kids and cheap buys
Haha he got found the fuck out for the last dozen years. The only ones to perform
Were the true superstars. Cesc, nasri, RVP
The ones who could manage themselves.