The UK went from SHELTER ME MUMMY to COUGH AT MY FACE ON THE TUBE in next to no time.
Normality is going to be a bit slower here, but the weather is nice and I’m about ready to embrace sharing a Calipo with a stranger.
Football is back, Germany is rolling out the behind closed doors games this weekend. I can’t wait. Schalke vs Dortmund to kick us off is so exciting I can barely contain myself. I am Dortmund. I love their business model and their team. Also their fans.
The Premier League seems to be taking longer to get its act together. The players are complaining, club doctors seem to be against the move, and managers are saying they’ll need a month to get the talent back to full fitness. It warms my heart to think that the players are smashing double bags of Cheetos morning, noon, and night.
Oliver Dowden, Minister for Something, had this to say on the restart.
‘Today’s positive meeting I hosted with the football authorities progressed plans for the resumption of the professional game in England.’
‘We all agreed that we will only go ahead if it is safe to do so and the health and welfare of players, coaches and staff comes first.’
I’m not sure how you determine safe, I don’t know what the ramifications are if things become unsafe, and I have no idea what this means for liability… but look, the world doesn’t have a vaccine and it looks like we’ve decided to move on.
I thought this point was interesting.
‘This should include widening access for fans to view live coverage and ensure finances from the game’s resumption supports the wider football family.’
‘It is now up to the football authorities to agree and finalise the detail of their plans, and there is combined goodwill to achieve this for their fans, the football community and the nation as a whole.’
The world isn’t ready for a return to greed. Premier League football clubs need to make sure they’re keeping the other 72 clubs pumped with enough funds to survive. We all need football. The Premier League is special because the other teams that make up the rest of the leagues. I’d hate the smaller clubs to go bust.
Also, I wish everyone would fuck off with the Super League bollocks. No one is ready for it. We don’t want it. Keep that shit in the states or with Indian cricket.
Arsene Wenger reckons Kanu was his best-ever January signing. I’d agree with that. Andrey Arshavin was also pretty elite until, well, his fitness cratered for some weird reason. Kanu was special, I’ve never seen a player like him, outrageous control, unbelievable ingenuity, and a joy to watch.
This Kieran Tierney interview confirms that our left back is very Scottish. I really like this. What a great story he has.
What about something a little more charitable that YOU could do? Why not join the #CentrepointChallengeAccepted.
This is how you roll.
- Video yourself being super skilful
- Upload the video to Twitter
- Then all you need to do is tag @centrepointuk using the hashtag #centrepointchallengeaccepted
THANK YOU xxx
Been a while
2
3
Tr4phy
Thanks for keeping up the blog. Dm omg!
trophy always
Number 7. “Georgie, Georgie Armstrong, Georgie Armstrong on the wing”!
Pedro
“The world isn’t ready for a return to greed”
So true.
It’s probably one of the main reasons why so many people have detached themselves from the game over the past twenty years.
I’m also with you on the subject of the smaller clubs. Football needs a constructive league structure.
As for Arshavin, the reason he regressed was because he fell foul to the Wenger systems and methods. His insistence that you play where he tells you to play even though you don’t want to play there.
Arshavin was a jewel that Wenger mismanaged.
Great shame.
Pedro, Many thanks for the blog. I just want to ensure we can all watch the German games this weekend. It really is hard to listen to all these overpaid sports stars whining when the rate of infections in minority areas within a mile of my house in New Jersey, composed of all those good people working at the local supermarkets, are five times higher than the average. I guess all these footballers have become so accustomed to being treated as “special” that it never occurred to them that they might have to take a risk beyond having Maurinho as… Read more »
*Mourinho!
Arshavin was probably the least fit footballer I can remember seeing play for Arsenal. Of course he was skilful but without fitness, he didn’t deserve to be picked. Unfortunately he was also misused but he didn’t help himself.
““The world isn’t ready for a return to greed”
So true.”
And there was me thinking the PL had been pulling obscene new TV deals for years because of the popularity of the “product”.
And anyone else thinking capitalism is dead – watch the share price of pharmaceutical company’s over the next year or two.
Seemed to me that towards the end of his stay every time Arshavin played we lost, he wasn’t up for it.. A prototype Ozil?
Germany returning to football is a foreboding of nothing good to come. The world is so anxious to return to a semblance of normal so badly that patience is no longer a valid word. During this pandemic i have seen the very best in people and yes, the absolute worst in others – to be honest, about a 60-40 split. What i also have seen is the pure greed in many businesses, enough so as to endanger lives for the almighty “buck”. Mind boggling in its disappointment and frustration. Perhaps i am jaded and perhaps i have seen enough to… Read more »
Arshavin knew that he was fighting a losing battle at Arsenal with Wenger.
He felt Wenger was “unapproachable and a severe coach” You can interpret that any way you like.
I personally feel that most of Arsenal’s players felt exactly the same.
Playing in an environment where you know the manager is incapable of seeing and understanding the problems at hand must have been sole destroying.
Arshavin was one of the few players who openly criticised Wenger in the media.
Good for him.
Just for fun – here’s my Arsenal XI of players that we all expected to do great things, but never quite made it: GK – Szczesny. Number 1 for Juventus, should have stayed. Probably thrown into the first team too young. RB – Debuchy. Struggled with this position. He looked decent for Arsenal and France before he injured his ankle. CB – Mustafi – Hailed the new Vidic when he signed. Few good performances over the last 4 years but too many mistakes and never learned not to dive in. CB – Vermaelen – Good centre half if not for… Read more »
Rosicky and Cazorla could have been in that first XI too.
What about Reyes for a great January signing?
Bennydevito
Reyes, Kanu, Aubameyang, Monreal, Arshavin for the lift he gave the club, Walcott scored over 100 goals, Adebayor, Henry in 2012, Anelka (although signed in Feb 97), Pablo Mari could prove to be good too.
Considering are never renowned for buying in the January window, there’s some good players on that list.
Yeah arshavin was a proper ozil sort He was sublimely gifted but lacked the effort. Very much a fair weather luxury player who will single handedly dominate on his day and really vanish the next Kanu is a legend for both footballing and humanitarian reasons. A straight 10/10 guy. Love to the max. He also scored some of the best ever arsenal goals including the Chelsea hat trick and the goal in Europe where he put a keeper on his ass without even touching the ball. That goal is one of my top 3 favorites ever Re corona virus Apparently… Read more »
Can someone with access to YouTube please post that Kanu goal in Europe where he puts the keeper on his ass?
It’s sooooooo badass
Not sure if that’s the goal you’re after China, but some great other memories including my favourite by Bergkamp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJgaPOk8EQo
China1
I’m sure the goal you’re talking about was against Deportivo at Highbury. I loved Kanu, he had great feet and used to sell defenders no effort. He was one of the players I used to try and copy growing up.
I think this is the one China.
https://youtu.be/dOURgTL-N4k
An overweight Arshavin was still 2 times the player ozil is
Tierney is Unai’s signing, he will be arsenals greatest LB, he’s what being a protagonist is all abot, let that sink in
You heard it here 1st!
Morning Graham
“As for Arshavin, the reason he regressed was because he fell foul to the Wenger systems and methods. His insistence that you play where he tells you to play even though you don’t want to play there.”
Yeah, much better to let a player play where he wants…..no need for a manager, let the players pick their own position.
I’m afraid Arshavin fell foul of the modern culture.
Although Wenger had his say.
“Sometimes people can be their own worst enemies.”
Sid – I hear you!
Tierney will turn out to be a very good buy – despite what some on here think. He has been very unlucky with injuries which are not of the sort that indicate that a player has a weakness. By all accounts he has a good attitude in training and is working very hard to get back to full fitness. Some encouraging news for a change!
“Sometimes people can be their own worst enemies.”
That Includes Wenger himself too.
” He felt Wenger was “unapproachable and a severe coach” You can interpret that any way you like.I personally feel that most of Arsenal’s players felt exactly the same.”
Honestly you do come out with a lot of shit.. Ask anyone about Wenger and unapproachable is the last thing he was.. Just going on what former players have said..
“Just going on what former players have said..”
Former players like Arshavin?
Arshavin 1 player.. Compared to many who said the opposite.. Jaime shouldn’t u be looking for spelling mistakes in the posts.. Seems to be the only thing ur good at
In The country of Comrades almost everyon is unapproachable and severe including the weather so thats no excuse for Arshavin’s failure
Im telling you this for free!
Arshavin was a top baller who we wasted when we shunted him left in a front 3 and people used to slate him for not coming back to defend. He was a proper no 10 and please dont get me started on Wenger’s decision to drop him for the F.A cup semi against Chelsea!
G triggered. Quick, someone say something sweet about Wenger.
G Ok, if you say so. It seems that your one of those people that bought into his so called “approachable” methods. If he was so approachable and forthcoming why was it, for the last ten years of his reign, we regressed without any obvious improvements in our play. Do you reckon Tony Adams would have said nothing or PV4 or DB10? Why do you really think our top players and genuine winners decided to leave? Go on, give me your expert opinion. Were you blind to the body language of the players when things went wrong. You remember, the… Read more »
OK I will enlighten you.. Fact that AW was told to have a net spend of zero for at least 4-5 years.. Players knew this.. Take a look when Henry left.. He lost his way towards the end true..
But approachable has got fuck all to do with it..
So when he was winning trophies he was approachable and when he stopped winning the league then he wasn’t.. OK
What amuses me most about this blog, even after I had a forced leave of absence for a couple of months, is that there are still a small number of fans out who will always buy into the Wenger philosophies and rhetoric.
Covid-19 aside 🙏, it remains so embarrassing.
Graham, your dislike of Wenger shouldn’t get in the way of the truth. It suits your narrative to suggest that he was ‘unapproachable’ . As former players (and journalists) have almost always highlighted Wenger’s willingness to engage.
I would imagine Arshavin’s disengagement in the last 6 months or so would have pushed even Wenger’s ‘approachability‘.
Siding with Arshavin’s viewpoint is just a case of confirmation bias from you Graham. There are so many other players who are incredibly positive about Wenger as a person
This may be of interest.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-news-stan-kroenke-nfl-18254763
G
When he was winning trophies, it was more down to who he had at the club. You understand that right?
Yes , during the first period of his reign, he improved our style, our fitness and our image. The mindsets he had around him though were key.
You do realise, from 2006, we could have won more trophies if he had listened and acted accordingly.
PS: And please, don’t use money as an excuse.
That’s a cop out.
Graham, further you 10.10 post. Your accusations ‘some fans will always buy in…’ justifies your constant vitriol against Wenger. Many of us see Wenger as a great but flawed man. You can accuse him of various things but when you support idiotic criticisms of him that are patently not true, it simply highlights your own narrow mindedness It suits you to come up with an imaginary foe so you can continue to write your own self -indulgent posts. Anybody who is a regular on here knows your unequivocal position but you crack on remorselessly. Sorry to have a go but… Read more »
Bob N16
Are you a lawyer by any chance?
Arshavin was an exceptionally gifted footballer, but he was in my opinion a ‘flawed’ character as is probably also applicable to Ozil as well.
Both these footballers did from time to time play exceptional football, but sadly not on enough occasions to make a real difference at Arsenal.
Key to success in the EPL is recruiting players who are not only exceptional, but can also deliver the work ethic as well. Neither of these two players offer
that ingredient and sadly Arsenal’s squad does not employ enough players
who can carry such “luxury” gifted players.
Graham, lawyers in the family but no!
Agree ES,
I have some sympathy for Arshavin but not for his agent and whoever made the decision to sign him. He was not right for our team. Like Ozil, he needed a team to be shaped around his abilities and to compensate for his failings. He was misplaced and lost interest and in my eyes lacked professionalism.
Bob N16
Just so you know, I didn’t come on this blog to agree with folk, although as you well know, I sometimes do.
I have always said Wenger had two parts to his reign at Arsenal. One was great, the other was an avoidable downward spiral of regression.
Sorry Bob but that’s the way I’ll always see it.
China
“Every day we’re getting closer to the end”
Are you sure you don’t want to rephrase that!
Terraloon Renegotiating a loan isn’t new in business Kroenke is building a heck of a stadium in LA, a project that the NFL desperately needs to succeed. He has leverage over the league because his problems are the NFL’s problem. It’s in the interest of the NFL to make [American] football viable to succeed in America’s second largest city. Both Kroenke and the NFL stand to make lots of money if that happens. There’s no story there so just run along. The NFL is a very financially successful entity so those numbers that you’re trying to scare us with aren’t… Read more »
Pedro
Bin anyone who still wants to dredge up Wenger either way.
Dissenter
22 years is an awful long time.
I personally only react when it is necessary.
My views on Arshavin only materialised because of my take on his fall from grace.
Wenger played a monumental part in the clubs history and image, both in a positive and negative manner and , whether you like it or not, that will always be the case.
I have no qualms though if Pedro decides to bin me because of my strong beliefs.
🙏🍺
There has been numerous reports and investigation why Russian players have not fared very well outside of Russia. Cultural differences and education have often been suggested, but to me it is just question of characters. Some characters trait were more acceptable in Russian that they are in Western society. Arshavin was the archetype of the classic flawed Russian genius. There is a lot of Rude, stubborn, condescending great players , but they rarely combine those flaws with lazyness and self pity. Toward the end of his career at Arsenal, he was clearly phoning his performance. He was so unfit that… Read more »
China
My 26 year old son has Type 1 Diabetes
Hence my concern.
It’ll only be over when there’s a cure.
Sorry to dampen your spirits.
Dissenter
You really are a Pratt
OF course loans get renegotiated the story is about needing to borrow more, breaking away from convention in terms of how long will be required to repay loans and of course how ticket sales etc are going.
I am not trying to scare anyone I merely provided a link and suggested it may be of interest.
If you don’t find these type of articles of interest just ignore them
As for jogging on my recommendation to you is just do one!
Graham
I’m sure your son will be fine – it would of course help if the government would be a little more honest (I can understand them not wanting to make people feel as if they aren’t at risk) when publishing the figures. Obviously the elderly are in a high risk group but the figures concerning diabetes, is it the diabetes or is it the obese who have type 2 where it’s self inflicted that is the problem. Much the same as the BAEM figures, is it the ethnicity or the fact they have another condition as well?
Valentine
Arshavin was a potential match winner but was mismanaged.
Nothing to do with his cultural upbringing.
Are all Frenchman that are tall and skinny stubborn and narcissistic in their traits?
Rather narrow minded perspective of things.
Join the excuse club.
Were these your thoughts on Arshavin before he came to the club and after he scored 4 at Liverpool?
Of course not.
There are numerous reasons why players(people) lose the plot and, believe me, most of the time, it’s down to the environment they are having to work in.
Marc
Cheers!🙏🍺
Type 1 no insulin produced. Without insulin he dies.
Type 2 tablets. Still produce insulin but develop complications.
My son was just 3 when he was diagnosed.
Graham
My Grandmother was Type 1 and lived a very productive active life before dying in her 80’s. Obviously it’s not a “good thing” to have but it is manageable.
Marc
Thankfully my son manages his really well.
Always a worry though.
Even Johnson admitted that by being overweight caused him to be be more vulnerable to Covid 19.
This 1 in 4 deaths of people dying from Covid who suffered from diabetes obviously is too simplistic. Is it that being overweight, which has then brought on diabetes, is the main factor for higher death rates?
I’d like to think Graham that your son wouldn’t be too vulnerable if this is the case. As Trump likes to dribble, ‘let’s leave it to those ‘medical doctors’ to explain further!
Most type 1 diabetics are not overweight.
My sons 6’2”, built like a boxer and is as fit as a fiddle.
His diabetes was caused by a viral infection when he had just turned three.
As for Trump, the guy is a total nut job.
I suspect the slow season tickets sales for the new Rams stadium is due to the Chargers having no fans.
Still don’t think the Rams are likely to ever be more popular than the Dodgers or the Lakers.
So China and India, with 30% of the world’s population between them, have only had a handful of cases in the past 24 hours.
Of course they have.
Skegness has had higher rates.
Being slightly sarcastic there.
This Tierney .
Impressive interview.
Needs to work on that posture,
Hunched shoulders and crossed legs throughout the 25 minute interview.
No wonder why he can never remain fit,
Quite amazing with all the money in the game – no one is telling these young players how to sit up properly.
I guarantee if he improved his posture he would be injured less.
6 months constant with the Alexander Technique method and he would soon be playing like prime Stuart Pearce.
CG
I agree!🤪😩😬😷😄🙏😳
Alexander Technique has been a life changer for me.
Graham
Cant recommend it highly enough too.
Its the first thing the Japanese teach their children.
How to sit , How to walk, How to stand, How to breathe ……..ears must be above them shoulders etc……( Tierneys neck position is terrible for a top athlete).
No wonder why- we never see him out on the bloody pitch.
he needs to be completely re-aligned.
I know you don’t rate our Wenger- but for a man of 70 plus , you will agree his posture is exceptional?
Joke Friday – After picking her son up from school one day, the mother asks him what he did at school. The kid replies, “I had sex with my teacher.” She gets so mad that when they get home, she orders him to go straight to his room. When the father returns home that evening, the mother angrily tells him the news of what their son had done. As the father hears the news, a huge grin spreads across his face. He walks to his son’s room and asks him what happened at school, the son tells him, “I had… Read more »
Wow Jwl, a paedo joke…..
CG
Yes it is.
Maybe the zip up coat had something to do with that.
Torreira’s agent says he wants to leave.
https://www.football365.com/news/agent-confirms-lucas-torreira-wants-arsenal-exit
It’s a shame if he leaves, I wanted him to be a big success but ultimately it may just be too physical a League for him.
Plane with 5 passengers on board, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, The Pope and a ten year old school boy. The plane is about to crash and there are only 4 parachutes. Trump said I need one. I’m the smartest man in the USA and am needed to sort out the problems of the World!’, takes one and jumps. Boris said ‘I’m needed to sort out Britain’. He takes one and jumps. The Pope said ‘I need one as the world needs the Catholic Church.’ He takes one and jumps. Angela said to the ten year old: “You can… Read more »
Terra loon.- Thanks for the info.I for one find it interesting.cos will it lead to krankie tightening his belt & having to look elsewhere to get the necessary funding I.e poss flogging AFC to raise finance( we can all pray) or should he succeed in raising extra capital perhaps sending a few crumbs our way to get the players we need this summer( I know I’m being v.optimistic here)Anyway.food for thought.
“It’s a shame if he leaves, I wanted him to be a big success but ultimately it may just be too physical a League for him.”
Since the article doesnt mention anything about the physicality of the league, maybe he just wants to get off a shit team in a city where it’s cold and rainy a good portion of the year?
Chris
I think it could be as much that he’s not getting matches (or at least wasn’t!). Do Milan have any players who’d be worth looking at in exchange?
Don’t think they’ve got the £30 plus million we’d want for him.
“Wow Jwl, a paedo joke…..
That I posted a couple of years ago.
This is the second time he’s done that (that I’m aware of).
Treating diabetis is very simple but big pharma agenda is to sell insulin which causes a vicious cycle
Im telling you for free!
Dissenter, with Wenger’s book due out in a few months you may have to retreat to a cave somewhere in Montana.
Anyway, anyone using the old ‘we were poor’ line would do well to remember that AW said if the board gave him £100m for players he’d ‘give it back’.
That was when £100m would buy you a whole new side.
Not to mention £100M Arsene himself too Arsenal over the years.
Since the article doesnt mention anything about the physicality of the league, maybe he just wants to get off a shit team in a city where it’s cold and rainy a good portion of the year?
This does tend to be a much bigger deal for South American players then you would typically think it would. The weather issue that is.
So the weather issue in England is a big surprise to these South Americans ?
Come on chaps, give it a rest, he hasn’t performed consistently and wants a move…. nothing to do with the frikkin weather.
Sid 15.40 “Treating Diabetes is really easy.”
You do talk some bollocks Sid.
I’m Insulin dependant my Pancreas does not produce insulin (none)
Without insulin I would be dead.
So to me the Pharma companies are vital.
You really ought to be more careful with your
comments it’s no fun living with this problem.
And I’m telling you for fucking free.
“Come on chaps, give it a rest, he hasn’t performed consistently and wants a move…. nothing to do with the frikkin weather.”
Did you overlook the other part of the statement?
…”maybe he just wants to get off a shit team…”
“maybe he just wants to get off a shit team…”
Yeah cos he was a fucking worldie for us ? Get a grip man.
” G When he was winning trophies, it was more down to who he had at the club. You understand that right? ” No i seriously don’t .. Bob N16May 15, 2020 10:21:45 Graham, further you 10.10 post. Your accusations ‘some fans will always buy in…’ justifies your constant vitriol against Wenger. Many of us see Wenger as a great but flawed man. You can accuse him of various things but when you support idiotic criticisms of him that are patently not true, it simply highlights your own narrow mindedness SPOT ON Jaime if i argue a point for Wenger… Read more »
Pedro
Emery just put you to shame about Ramsey’s exit.
He had no role in it and wanted him to stay but was overruled
He also wanted Wilfred Zaha not Pepe
He absolutely was horrified by Ozil’s lack of leadership, not surprising because other than Pierre and his merry band of jokers , no one else thinks highly of Ozil.
Emery about Ramsey ; ‘ When I arrived at the club I saw Ramsey was going to be very important, he’s a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room and he wanted to stay. Logically he then needed to negotiate a new contract and they didn’t reach an agreement,’ Emery says. ‘I never get involved in the economic side of things, that’s not my area. But it then has repercussions on the pitch.’ Emery talking about Zaha; ‘ ‘I saw 20 Zaha games, some incredible performances and I told them that this is the player that I want… Read more »
“Emery just put you to shame about Ramsey’s exit.
He had no role in it and wanted him to stay but was overruled
He also wanted Wilfred Zaha not Pepe”
I thought it was pretty much public knowledge that Emery wanted Zaha?
Also when are people going to accept that Ramsey was stringing us along till January when he could sign a contract with an overseas club.
Dissenter “Emery about Ramsey ; ‘ When I arrived at the club I saw Ramsey was going to be very important, he’s a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room” This being the case, can you explain why Emery benched Ramsey for NINE consecutive league games towards the end of 2018. One would have thought that if a manager thought so highly of a player and wanted him to stay at the club , then he would have done everything in his power to please him…….. like play him. Benching a player for 9 consecutive games would give… Read more »
Dissenter
Emery made a fool of you when you continually backed him during his time at the club , and he is still making a fool of you 6 months after he left.
So
Torreira wAnts out,,, 40m
Auba 30m
Mikkhi 10 m
Elnenny 5m
Kola 10m
90 m ish we get for players who font want to be there
Big culprick ozil steals a living….
Marc
He wanted to stay if the shillings were there
Fuck him
Greedy welsh lad…
Like jack , diaby injury prone …
Luck him..
Sidi. Telling you this for free,…
Leafs fall off trees in autumn …
You heard it hear first ..
Lump on.
Pierre
Manager plats for the club
Players play for themselves
Answer to you question..
Arsenal Invincibles documentary: the feature-length film (1080p)
https://mega.nz/file/PS4lXSwJ#1ivae1cyZp_UqZ4i4keNndGdt7JX_vqSQf559XRrEq4
Have you watched the documentary Alex?
Yes. Just a PSA for people to grab an HD version.
Terraloon
I’ve done 15.2 miles on a hike today; 29.075 steps
How many have you done
You’re fond of posting articles you haven’t read. Of course you were trying to start shit about Kroenke taking out his NFL troubles on Arsenal.
Only a daft billionaire wouldn’t try to refinance a loan at the moment, the interest rates is basically in the negative – it is less than zero.
Banks are literally begging for viable projects to invest in all over the states..,and yet here you are foaming at the mouth about 500 million to the NFL.
Long live Wenger. He has to be the fittest 70 year old old on the planet.
My Wenger therapist recommended that I write only positive things about him from now on.
I’ve found my peace with Wenger, long may he live.
‘I’ve found my peace with Wenger, long may he live.’
As long as it’s nowhere near Arsenal!
“My Wenger therapist recommended that I write only positive things about him from now on.”
You must have the same therapist as CG and Pierre.