One of the pleasures that comes with creating content about Arsenal is meeting people that are crazy talented and all they want to talk about is The Arsenal. Guest blogger Demian and I have been meeting for a few years, last time we hung out I watched him play percussion for the Jonas Brothers in Brooklyn. He warned me to bring earplugs, I was like, errr, been to Wembley mate, reckon I can handle this… oh my, was I wrong. I’ve never heard shrieks like it. He wears elite jackets and one of his major loves is the women’s game. He asked if I’d write about the game this weekend, instead, I threw it over to him. Enjoy the piece and give him a follow on @DemianArriaga.
Just like you, I LOVE ARSENAL.
But sometimes, I need a little reminder here and there.
I am a proud Venezuelan gooner who fell in love with Ian Wright watching him on old VHS tapes before I even had any idea what club he played for. That summer I saw Dennis Bergkamp score THAT goal against Argentina and when I saw on my Panini sticker book that he played for Arsenal, I just knew that was my team. Oh, that and the JVC logos which were the same from my stereo which became the single most important object in my life, as I later became a professional musician.
The post-Wenger era was just as difficult for me as during his latter years. I wasn’t really enjoying the matches, always expecting the worst and found myself tweeting more during the gameplay than watching the TV. Even still I would wake up at 4am here in Los Angeles if I had to. Game not on? I would listen to on the radio or try to find a feed. If not, I would open a live score app and refresh that sucker every 5 seconds.
However, the reality was that I was falling out of love with Arsenal. I didn’t feel like I was connecting with the players or with the Manager and style of play. There was so much fan division that even living in the USA, aka very far away from London, I was feeling alienated.
No. 10s that couldn’t hold a candle to Dennis and still no DMF since PV4 left. We all know that and to a degree I can come to terms with that because it’s on us. Nobody else. But beyond that, the absurd wages football wide, the racism, the corruption, the drama and all the things we love to hate, it was just becoming too much. Perhaps if Arsenal were doing great I might have conveniently exercised my selective amnesia but honestly my friends, I was just getting overwhelmed.
Then last summer it all changed. During the Women’s World Cup, a Dutch player made me fall in love with football and more importantly with ARSENAL FC, harder than ever before. The Notorious DVD aka Danielle Van De Donk. She instantly became my favorite player, let alone my favorite female one. Her poise, her control, her bite, her vision. She had it all. When the commentator mentioned she played for our club I felt like I had found something I was missing for who knows how long. I felt whole. Complete. It all made sense again. Later I came to find that the greatest and most prolific striker in the game was also our player. Then one of the Dutch’s most impactful subs who could start in any team, would be ours later that summer.
I was hooked. And I hadn’t even seen them play!!! I went online and started watching past matches, hearing interviews, and studying the history just like I had once done it 22 years ago. This is a team that has so much history, unlike any other in Europe and the current squad is very special.
Last season they were pure joy to watch and if it hadn’t been for COVID they could’ve won the WSL title. I wanted that, I yearned for that, and I had it all along. Right in front of me. I didn’t follow the when they won the CL or the league or countless FA cups… and I’m ashamed of that to be fair.
Not fully related but I recently tweeted out at TalkSPORT, mentioning how I wasn’t a Londoner but loved Arsenal since 98 and Goughie and Adrian basically called me a glory hunting fan, and even though I was bothered by it and thought it was harsh, I think they might have a point. Yes, I seek glory, don’t we all?
And that is the point… we have it. WE HAVE IT. And I’m not talking about 89 or the Invincibles. I’m talking about Arsenal Women.
We have the joy and privilege of witnessing some of the world’s best athletes right at our club. You want “one of our own” then look no further than Leah Williamson, a better defender than any at the men’s squad. A Dutch genius on the ball who can make time stop and also not be bullied? We got DVD. English, stylish with flair AND engine, a forward who can bend it like Becks? Beth Mead. Want a left-footed full back, that puts in glorious crosses and rough tackles, who tucks their shirt in? Katie McCabe. The deadliest, most fear inducing centre forward on planet earth? Miedema.
The list goes on and on and on.
We are truly privileged at Arsenal FC and supporting that badge to me means supporting all of it. Not just half.
I understand you may have apprehensions, or don’t think they have the quality that the men possess, etc and I’m not here to argue. I will say you will never ever see Jill Roord, Kim Little, Jordan Nobbs or Lia Walti not give anything less than 110%. If you value commitment, pride, love for the crest and victory through harmony, all you have to look is at our Women’s squad.
They love each other and fight for each other and they are without a shadow of a doubt the most tight-knit AFC squad I’ve seen since the Invincibles.
So, although I’m not trying to convince you, give them a shot.
Saturday is massive, as they play their Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG and we must show up for them, online, virtually and in every which way possible.
Don’t we want to be the best fanbase we can? Not be compared to any others but just to feel good about how we treat our own?
I encourage you to watch the matches, follow the players, support them and buy they Merch. Not because they need it, but because it’s our team too. Also, because they are worth it.
They play outstanding football. They just do and more than anything, they LOVE our Arsenal.
And I love them.
Good luck to the team tomorrow!
Nelson-
Yep… I hear you, it is a struggle at times to even get the Men’s team here so… can be frustrating with tv providers. I would pay for an Arsenal streaming service if they had it and showed all the matches. I would watch the Arsenal youth matches as well.
I’d rather watch the youth than the women. You used to be able to watch the youth games when Arsenal had a TV channel in the UK.
A good video of Xabi Alonso explaining his role at Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern etc.
https://youtu.be/8OcXUJ2M7gA
this will be one we will live to regret. Personally I’d rather lose Hector than Ainsley.
I agree, but I think this one will depend on how much Ainsley wants to stay or leave.
Gabs is gonna change his mind now man city psg n Madrid showing interest ..
Ffs
If I remember rightly you got to see all the pre season friendlies. Stewart Robson was a pundit along with Eastenders Lofty.
Yes, AMN > Bellerin
Yeah these rich clubs have fucked us hard on gabriele such cun(t)s its annoying coz they can buy any other player they want.
Got a gut feeling it’s gonna go tits up with gabs
Hope I’m wrong
Ann over Bel all day.
Amn in middle worth a try
CG
Cali Steve“””””” love what Arsene brought to us,”””””””your not a little urchin, then Apologies.
No worries – so just ‘spoilt and entitled’. Actually on reflection I think we were all spoilt – we were so good in the ‘Arsene Wenger’s magic, he wears a magic hat years’.
Just find the internal bickering disappointing and pointless. Particularly when there’s all those S****, Chavs, Mancs, Scouser’s etc etc. to argue with.
As someone who wanted Arteta first time round I’ve got the same hope and optimism I had in the early Wenger years. COYG’s.
Nice posts CaliSteve, I think a lot of us felt the same way you did and there’s no shame in saying that.
Personally I don’t want to lose either Bellerin or Maitland Niles, with regards to Bellerin I think he is being unfairly criticised, he has had a bad injury and I still think he can be a very important player for us.
Left Testicle – If I remember rightly you got to see all the pre season friendlies. Stewart Robson was a pundit along with Eastenders Lofty.
Lofty used to sit in the row behind me in the East Stand. Remember him going mad at Davor Suker for trying to get an opponent booked (an entirely sensible behaviour in my view). Great memories.
Those were the days – I used to take my daughter and we’d each pick 2 from Henry, Bergkamp, Suker and Kanu. And if her 2 scored more than my 2, I had to buy her a present on the way home.
Amn in middle worth a try
———-
No no no. We’ve been there done that it’s not his game. It’s him not Arsenal.
But I agree I’d rather lose Bellerin THAN AMN.
Bordeaux v Nantes at the moment, decent match so far.
Thank you, most of you haha, for the comments.
Thanks Pedro for letting me write.
I’m honored to have been a part of this and I appreciate the compliments.
If I can get ONE of you to watch and support the women, then my job is done.
You won’t regret it.
cheers
Read somewhere that Gabriel’s agent is same guy representing Malcom.
Remember when the plane turned Midway to Rome? And then headed to Barcelona!
My opinion is, if he’s trully struggling to make up his mind, forget him and move on.
Chris – thanks and agree re Hector – would be a risk losing him and as you say he’s still recovering from a bad injury + he’s Arsenal through and through, and he’s had what I think was unjustifiably harsh treatment (the palace away game springs to mind) . There are others I’d like to see go before Hector but if I had to chose, I just think AMN offers us more versatility. But hopefully we keep both – there’s plenty of others I’d be happy to see go although whether there’s a market for them remains to be seen.
If with the pull of Arsenal, London, Arteta, Edu, Pepe, Martinelli, Willian, and Luiz, he is still dragging his feet, he can do one!
@Londongooner. indeed. any woman wearing the red n white gets extra points, so a real female footballer wearing the shirt?!! yes please. don’t follow them as much as I should or want to but I’m working on that. no denying their history though, amazing what they’ve done and watching them reminds me of Valentina Shevchenko. talent is talent and I love watching people at the top of their game. those who have become a slave to their passion, breaking the boundaries of what is known. didn’t AMN change his tune after the final? I’m sure the sounds coming out was… Read more »
Villareal in for Anguissa for 22.3 mil. And it got rejected. Maybe the Matteo to Villareal story has legs now they have this much to bid for Anguissa. Add a few mil at 25 mil they could get a player they can make a profit on.
Also I love the willian Interview where he stayed Arteta wanted him to win the Champions league. High standard expectations of your self will lead to better days.
Fabrizio Romano : Gabriel update.
He has not decided yet his next club.
Arsenal are still ahead.
Man United are in contact with his agents but no talks have started with Lille atm.
Napoli have not reached any agreement yet with Man City to sell Koulibaly – so they’re still waiting 🇧🇷 #AFC #Gabriel
You are very welcome Demian, loved the piece!
‘Those were the days – I used to take my daughter and we’d each pick 2 from Henry, Bergkamp, Suker and Kanu. And if her 2 scored more than my 2, I had to buy her a present on the way home.’
That’s far too wholesome an anecdote for this space.
Chelsea fans going to have to walk back the retirement home bullshit they served us over Willian if they bring in Thiago Silva (turning 36 next month)
“I watched him play percussion for the Jonas Brothers in Brooklyn.”
This Gabriel thing is not going great. What else is there to decide? If he doesn’t want to join us he should say so. This waiting game isn’t a good look for us. We have done everything so we should give him a deadline to decide. We will look like mugs if we wait till Napoli sell koulibaly and he somehow chooses them.
In another fabrizio update, Juventus are biting the bullet to terminate Both khedira and higuain deals. That’s what we should be doing with Ozil.
Yeah tbh its a no brainer with Gabrielle the lad clearly wants CL football.
If man united decide they fully want him I expect to see him in a united shirt next season.
Players don’t care about arteta or a promising young manager they want top level football which is CL. Also man united probably pay more.
WE – That’s far too wholesome an anecdote for this space.
Even worse I let her swop players ‘in game’ so she tended to win most of the time. Worked though – she’s now a Senior Director with a US start up backed by the Gates Foundation and she had the confidence to ask Arsene for a selfie at a Paris restaurant.
London Gunner
I wouldn’t blame him if he went to United. But I would blame the guy and our management team if he uses us as a stalking horse.
His intentions must be clear. Either he wants to join us, Napoli or United. He should choose a Club. If we we are being used as a wait list to see if someone comes better, then I will fully be disappointed. We need to give him a dead line. If he doesn’t decide to come, We need to move on to other Targets. There are other good CBs in Europe too.
Midwest it’s an either or for me as I don’t have time to catch all the footie work and family commitments
Why are people getting pressed over this Gabriel story? Absolutely no clue what’s going on, stop fretting on speculative gossip.
Took an age to get Willian over the line, he was in the same city and a free agent.
Habesha if he is using us to get s better deal elsewhere I am with you he can do one Gabriel that is
Saying that I just think it’s taking ages because of Brexit and the Corona
Poor guy is probably not allowed in without taking 2 weeks quarantine
Charlie
Fabrizio Romano just said he hasn’t decided where to go yet. And we have agreed personal terms with him and a fee with Lille. That’s not a good look. It means he has doubts about joining us. It’s been over 3 to 5 days since reports came out we agreed fee and personal terms. and he still hasn’t decided according to Fabrizio. That’s why I am annoyed.
How often does Fabrizio Romano actually state anything ahead of the curve? He’s forever putting his two cents in when about a hundred reports have surfaced on the topic.
Even in this “update” he reveals no actual info, ‘Arsenal ahead’, ‘United in contact with his agents’, ‘Napoli haven’t reached an agreement yet’.
Absolute spin merchant.
It’s the modern footballing package that ruins it for many, myself included. It’s now all about the money. Overpaid/spoilt players, slimy agents and spivs, transfer windows, perfect pitches, health and safety gone mad, advanced technology(VAR), corrupt governing bodies. The list just goes on and on. Almost forgot, a Sky or BT commentator saying on air”We apologise for the bad language you may have heard…….” Hold on one second, I’ve paid my subscription, I want to hear some bad language or see the occasional stripper running onto the pitch. Yep, the so called advancements in the game have killed it for… Read more »
Habesha
He’s 22 years old with interest from across Europe, I think you’re kidding yourself on that the lad isn’t going to take some time to process his next career move. He’d be an idiot not to consider all opportunities in front of him.
Let’s hope there’s a plan B for Gabriel though.
Europa league final time! Forza Inter
Eventhough he doesn’t post every detail, He is absolutely reliable when it comes to transfers that are going ahead. For instance there were a lot of reports saying Gabriel already had his medical. But he isn’t reporting it because there may not be anything in it. If he was having a medical to sign for arsenal he would report it.
That also means he isn’t spinning any rumor and Gabriel may actually be deciding for the past few days. We will see though.
Penalty!!!
Lukaku is powerful.
Diego Carlos is poor when isolated. Kounde all day, Raheem knows.
It can even be a RED.
Charlie that’s the thing though,
Everyone is reporting United just contacted his agent and have offered zilch so far. Napoli are waiting to sell koulibaly before they sign him. We are the only ones with a concrete offer and he is taking time till they actually come in with offers? Does it sit right with you that a player will wait on something that may not happen instead of our concrete offer? Do we even want someone who might choose us as a fallback option?
Big Rom is a problem for these Sevilla defenders.
1 – 1
Fabrizio Romano 6th August: “Gabriel Magalhães: Arsenal are in the race and have started talks with Lille. Napoli still interested but not moving yet because it’ll depend by Koulibaly future. Manchester United just had contacts with his agents but no talks with Lille atm. Game on. 🇧🇷 #AFC #MUFC #Napoli“ Fabrizio Romano today: “Gabriel update. He has not decided yet his next club. Arsenal are still ahead. Man United are in contact with his agents but no talks have started with Lille atm. Napoli have not reached any agreement yet with Man City to sell Koulibaly – so they’re still… Read more »
Very well worked out goal, I love how Sevilla play.
It was coming
Godín is too slow.
50 mil for chiwell? We have been lucky getting Tierney. 25 mil for the better player.
Sevilla knocking the ball around so well. Purposeful passing. Lovely stuff.
On another note….
Diego Carlos looks a fucking calamity every time I watch him. Gifted, physical, but Felipe Melo levels at times.
Why no VAR. The ball hits the hand.
Charlie
I hope you are right but I feel If he isn’t joining us now, he will probably change his mind later. And I don’t mind being patient if there is a chance of him joining us. but I don’t want us to be used till a better offer comes. Most players know where they want to go when interests have been expressed. They would weigh the project , money, city and everything else when clubs show interests in them. That’s why I have doubts about it.
Charlie
Kounde is the star of the backline and his recovery pace masks Carlos’ weaknesses in that high line.
Carlos is a very good CB in his own right though, tbf Lukaku outpaces/outmuscles nearly every defender.
Habesha
I’m not bothered if he ultimately chooses somewhere else, I want players that want to be here. But I rate the fact he, or anyone else, treats all opportunities with the respect they deserve.
When he does select us… it’ll be because after much deliberation he judges our project better than all the above. Which says something to me when you consider money/status involved can comfortably be trumped.
Man hope Conte has plans to not play Godin so much next season.
‘The ball hits the hand.’
It’s down by his side in a natural position and doesn’t move towards the ball.
What’s he supposed to do, man has hands. It’s getting to a place where you have to defend with your arms behind your back at this stage, ridiculous advantage to give forwards dribbling at pace.
Weagle
He looks horribly front footed in his defending, very rash stuff. Doesn’t look the kind of quality relative to prices being touted for him is all. Would be raging if we were after him for 50 mil.
Bati
Thought you were an AC Milan fan? ;P
Charlie
Were we linked to him?
He’s a good player but yeah, I prefer the profile of a Gabriel.
Man Reguilon is really good. I don’t know why Chelsea aren’t going for him. And I don’t know why Real Madrid aren’t getting rid of Marcelo to make room for him. They have sold Hakimi and they are about to sell Reguilon too.
Dejong with a great looping header.
2 – 1 Sevilla.
Haha De Jong has been shit all season.
Weagle
Yea tentatively, questionable how true of course.
–
Go on Sevilla
Dammit want inter to win this love that crazy fuck conte
2 – 2
Eagle
I’ve got a huge wager on Inter to win sadly
De Jong showing you that there’s still a use for a good old fashioned lampost target man to whip the ball in to.
Now this is a fucking good final
Weird Final. 2-2 already. Usually there are no goals in finals.
2-1 Sevilla
Agreed Habesha, Reguilon is outstanding. Better than Mendy imo.
2-2 I meant to write
Do people who don’t watch women’s football not watch women’s tennis or women’s athletics or wonen’s ski -ing and if Tgat is the case do the6 not have a problem with sexism?
I saw my first live women’s game at the NL Derby last November. At the time the women’s team was better organised than the men’s – that’s a serious comment if you remember back to last November . I’m fully behind the girls tomorrow as I was when we won the Champion’s League in 2009. Some of the puerile earlier comments are utterly pathetic
Crazy game!
Wenger Eagle
I don’t know about that. Mendy is a beast physically. He has freakish athletic capabilities. Reguilon has great though. They should keep both and let them fight for a place.
is great*
Habesha
Mendy’s average going forward whereas Reguilon is excellent offensively and defensively.
Agreed on Mendy’s athleticism. Same reason that Wan-Bissaka is a world class RB defensively, nearly impossible to beat in a one vs one.
Barella is the one player I’m most impressed with at Inter this season. Next to no chance of us getting him though.
Wenger Eagle
I don’t agree that mendy is average going forward. He is good but Reguilon is a genuine threat on the left. Defensively though mendy edges it.
Raheem
No way he is accessible to anyone. He is going to be really useful for Italy. Wonderful little player.
Bati
Money on them to win the Scudetto? Or this match?
https://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/arsenal-make-progress-in-race-for-gabriel-the-latest
Lots of speculation
Conte is a great manager but fuck me, starting a Final with such a defensive side when you have the better players is a poor move in my book.
Has Gagliardini, D’Ambrosio and Young all in the XI and Eriksen, Candreva, Sensi and Sanchez all on the bench.
Has Gagliardini, D’Ambrosio and Young all in the XI and Eriksen, Candreva, Sensi and Sanchez all on the bench.
————
I think he started with his strongest side by and large. Eriksen finishes matches but hardly starts, Candreva is getting on, Sanchez has all of 5/6 goals all season (why they’ve decided to sign permanently beats me). Ambrosio has been in goal scoring form towards the end of the season (relative for a defender).
WE “Conte is a great manager but fuck me, starting a Final with such a defensive side when you have the better players is a poor move in my book. Has Gagliardini, D’Ambrosio and Young all in the XI and Eriksen, Candreva, Sensi and Sanchez all on the bench.” Err, Gaglairdini for Valero might be the obvious mistake, but this is effectively conte’s best eleven. D’Ambrosio has been better than Candreva from the restart and young has been fantastic certainly better than Biraghi, Sensi hasn’t really started any match since returning from injury and asking him to start the final… Read more »
“I think he started with his strongest side by and large. Eriksen finishes matches but hardly starts, Candreva is getting on, Sanchez has all of 5/6 goals all season (why they’ve decided to sign permanently beats me). Ambrosio has been in goal scoring form towards the end of the season (relative for a defender).”.
Pretty much.
Auba is a better goal scorer than Lukaku. Auba would have scored one on one.
3 – 2 Sevilla
Lukaku own goal.
Gabriel’s real pull to Arsenal above MA and the project overall should be the sheer excitement of building what could be one of the most awesome defence partnerships with Saliba. This could go down as one of the greats.
At Man U he will be just a number in a disjointed team that is on the way down. Someone needs to sell him the dream again and get the agent parasites out of the way
The old Sanchez could have scored.
“Moses for D’ambrosio, valero/eriksen for gagliardini and Sanchez for Martinez when he wants to sub.”
Obvious sub.
Sevilla just have this Competition all figured out. 4th win on the way.
If you put down the Arsenal red tinted spec, you have to realise that ManUtd may offer more for a Brazilian footballer.
Bigger salary, Champion’s League next season not maybe in a few season, stability behind the scene, rich club who will be able to afford to buy readymade reinforcements.
Any doubt about OGS versus Arteta may not compensate those other factors.
I still laugh when recall many people here minimizing the Europe league just to spite Unai Emery.
Conte has never won a European trophy as manager
Many of the Sevilla bench are already in tears of anticipatory joy
… but wait, the EL is trash.
Lol, you boys jinxed Barella. Been hopeless this second half, cannot string a pass together.