Are Arsenal On The Verge Of Greatness?

Are Arsenal On The Verge Of Greatness?
Posted 10/03/10 15:26EmailPrintSave



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Respect...Unless You're In The England Team
So Andy Marriner claims to have seen Gerrard given him the V-sign but did not take action? If this is the case then the FA need to step in and have a word otherwise their whole RESPECT campaign is a complete joke. The biggest problems referees have is a lack of respect from players at all levels of the game and especially at lower levels when referees can be seen to be weak and players just take advantage of the situation, bullying the referee into favouring their side.

Marriner had an easy out in this instance ( I personally don't think he's bravest of refs in the league and the thought of the headlines if he sent off the current liverpool captain and stand-in England captain was probably more than he could bare) so all he had to do was say he didn't see the incident and let the FA deal with it. But for a referee to claim he seen a player give him the V-sign and take no action is a farce, if that is not dissent then I don't know what is. It stinks of the Alan Shearer booting Neil Lennon in the face incident many years ago and getting away with it (being a major player for England always seems to help).
Tony Connolly


A Little Help
I have a nailed on case against me where there is clear video evidence of me committing the crime.

Do you have Gerrard's solicitor's number?
Tom, ( V ) Manc


A Word Of Caution
To all those people creaming themselves over 2 good performances recently by Samir Nasri I have one word for you.....

Nani.
Dean Harrison, Johannesburg


Old JC Was A Tricky Inside Forward
A quick note on English media bias... If Wanyne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard or even (god forbid) John Terry had socred Nasri's goal last night, or even put in his performance last night, would the media not be christening him the best player since Maradona.. nay Jesus Christ...

Just a thought.
Will "Never Right of Bendtner.... he will be class" O'Brien


The Joys Of Spring
Some days it is just marvellous to be alive.

My beloved Gunners progress to the next stage of the Champions League after battering Porto 5 - 0 in a thoroughly enjoyable game.

As the UK media slate one of our players, said player then turns in an excellent performance in the next match.

And Wilson Palacios has joined the growing number of Sp*rs players who consider their time at the Seven Sisters Road merely a stepping stone to a "bigger club".

Really, it feels like Spring has finally arrived...
Carolyn, (full of the joys of) South London Gooner


Could Arsenal Be On The Verge Of Greatness?
Comparing the Arsenal side that reached their only CL final and the one that sent a Porto side packing 5 nil it struck me how poor this side is compared to it's predecessor and yet they could achieve achieve something the former glory boys could not. It takes me back to the Liverpool side that won in Istanbul. If you had compared that side with the sides of the great Liverpool teams you'd be scratching your head wondering how the hell they did it. Arsenal seem to have that look about them.

It could be a year of glory but with a team that man for man doesn't stand any comparision to the one that took to the pitch at the Stade de France. How strange football can be?
Pete Borota


Arsene: Take Some Responsibility
From the '16 Conclusions' section:

"...Nasri will - following the lead set by Alex Song against Liverpool, Diaby against Porto, Denilson against Sunderland, Aaron Ramsey against Stoke, and Fabregas against Burnley - become the sixth different Arsenal player in six consecutive matches to be ruled out of the next due to an injury inflicted whilst playing in the centre of their midfield."

This is surely no coincidence. I'd like to call into question the professionalism and integrity of a manager and back room staff who have done nothing other than clearly demonstrate time and time again that they are woefully incapable of protecting their young players in their execution of a game played with the same rules the world over.

It is no coincidence. There is a common denominator. And it's Arsene! This may be a correlation rather than causal, but it's still a common denominator. Isn't it about time Wenger started taking some responsibility himself rather than always turning a blind eye and pointing the finger at others?

...sorry, what am I saying? Forgot who I was talking about for a second.

I think it's about time The Hague got involved?

(Not William)
Marky B. MUFC


Ah, The Old Anti-Arsenal Bias Thing Again
"Rather than play his free-kick forward from the half-way line, Diaby did the Arsenal thing. But his pass was a fraction short, which is all it takes to invite dangerous collision, and an irresistible temptation. The result was of little consequence - Falaco was cautioned for his lunging tackle, Song was only in a heap for a few seconds - but it was a reminder that Arsenal's style of play can be as much to blame for the number of impact injuries they suffer as the occasional violent excesses of their opponents."

So the temptation to break the rules with a reckless tackle was irresistible, huh? In psychology, it has been found that people who believe we live in a just world frequently believe the victim of some misfortune must have done something to invite their misfortune. Another reason for blaming the victim is to maintain one's own (or one's team's) sense of invulnerability: "it can never happen to me/My Team because we don't invite this kind of tackle by pointless showboating/technical skill/being foreign."

Pete Gill's argument above has all the intellectual rigour of someone blaming a rape victim for wearing a short skirt. I would say I were surprised, but I expect little less from a person who seems hell-bent on twisting all analysis to never give Arsenal any credit when they get a result, while being the first to dish it out when we lose.
ph1l0s0phe


Bendtner: He'll Do For Now
In response to Thomas' 'Stopped Clock' analogy.

As much as you possibly think you do, you make no sense at all.

As over confident as Bendtner is before games, he's more than humble afterwards as his interview displayed 'This is forgotten tomorrow'. I assume his over-confidence leads you to think that we believe we have a world beater on our hands?

Arsenals play has improved enormously since he has returned as we now have a focal point to aim for, even if he doesn't score every game. Earlier this season we had 5 would-be forwards all in free roles with no direction, now they all work off the target man and whilst he scored none on Saturday, the team hit three, as they did the week before when he played and failed to score.

He's better than Eduardo, worse than Van Persie. Scoring 15 a season at the age of 22 as a second choice striker...he fits the bill for us.

You keep your strikers, and your opinions, we'll take what we've got.

Bell-End.
Thom, Newport


Bigging Up The Cocky Underdog
Long time reader not the first time I've mailboxed but you refuse to publish men but I digress!

I'm a MUFC fan and I'm just going to come out and say this....I like Nicky Bendtner. Not in a man-crush way just a footballing way! It makes me feel dirty inside just writing it though because I can't stand Le Arse's arrogance and Wenger with his tippy tappy going-nowhere football and his abject horror when the opposition has the temerity to tackle his players.

However I was happy for Nicky last night. One reason maybe because of Arsenal's fans (I use that term very loosely by the way) I know on the weekend they applauded him but are there any other 'fans' who consistently jeer their players? Also when Arsenal played both Liverpool and Chelski I found myself supporting them but being so frustrated by their play and lack of incisive-ness and just nothing in the box that I was willing Wenger to throw Bentdner into the mix because he provides a plan B and something different so there you go Nic, well done and you can stop now!
Monty Burns (his self confidence & positivity are quite endearing too)


We're Not Exactly Sure What This Is About, But We Like It
I've noticed Liverpool fans defending Benitez against perfectly-valid criticism, and suggesting those criticisms are the result of nothing more than knee-jerk reactions. We're 29 games into the season and Liverpool are sat in 6th, with the teams immediately above and below both holding games in hand. Benitez made his guarantee and is looking increasingly likely to fail in his promise - a promise that was, in reality, designed to distract from the fact that 4th was the absolute minimum achievement expected. He's failed miserably. From title-challenging to outside the Europa spots within 12 months; that seems to be the very definition of a man who has lost the dressing-room. His almost maniacal approach has become farcical; constant sneering sarcasm at anyone who dares to suggest that perhaps, just perhaps, his style of management is based around a sickening disregard for enjoyable football, and always ready to make the referee the reason for his team's failure to score over 90 minutes of football. So how on earth is that a 'knee-jerk' reaction?

Which brings me to my point: people using words that sounds suitably journalistic, yet only serve to weaken or confuse their argument. 'Myopic' being another oft-used example. It pops up in nearly every mailbox, normally being used by Arsenal fans defending their manager against yet another predictably-pompous post-match screech over those nasty bully boys and their tackling ways. But what's short-sighted about believing that a man with such clear failings will ever change? Arsenal fans are still waiting for their team to come to fruition, just as they were when Denilson (future Brasil captain, if I remember correctly) first burst onto the scene. He's rubbish now, don't you know? Surely highlighting the LONG-TERM repetition of mistakes suggests that these critics aren't quite as short-sighted as they seem?

Goals against Burnley are not an answer to your critics. Just ask Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas; both achieved the same feat (the former FOUR times), yet both are still absolutely s**t. Still, at least little Theo now has four things on his 'What have I actually done on a football pitch?' list. Other than 'run super-duper fast', obviously,

Oh, and Andy (Phnom Penh) asked: "What is it that makes Roy Hodgson the most highly-praised manager in Britain at the moment?". Well it's not his overseas experience, despite your suggestion. It's because he's a nice old man with a minor speech impediment, who is managing a nice little club that nobody really gives a f**k about. He's not a managerial God, he's a genial chap with a pleasant temperament, and Fulham are the kindly granny of the league. The whole ground smells like Werthers and Poligrip.

Which leads to my final point: the 'football = women' comparisons. Your former centre-forward is just like your ex-girlfriend? Really? Does she have a d**k too? That would explain why she's now your ex. It wouldn't explain the basis for this idiotic metaphor. And if Spurs start to turn into my woman, I'm going to be unimpressed. White Hart Lane may be beautiful, but what if it wants to go on top?

Or is that a myopic claim, in response to a knee-jerk reactionary missive from a lazy journalist?
thayden


The System Needs Changing
Congratulations to Arsenal on a job well done yesterday.

But I feel that the whole selection process of the "Champions League" needs to be reviewed by FIFA. This was a team that a) allowed someone like Bendtner to score a hat trick, and b) allowed someone as toilet as Nasri to walk through their team like they aren't even there. If they are able to qualify for the tournament, then I don't think the tournament has the selection process nailed down.
Andy Wilson


Torres Is At The Wrong Club
Fernando Torres is the best striker in the world and the best player that Liverpool have or have had for years and I include Alonso and Gerrard in that. If Liverpool win eight out of nine of our remaining games, we will more than likely get fourth place and therefore Fernando Torres would be playing in the Champions League again next season. Torres is right for any top club, but he is not right for Liverpool and he never will be under these owners. Torres needs to exist within a multiple squad of strikers and not in a squad of just two, the other being a 20 year old. If Torres was part of a squad of four or five which is usual, he would play more games, score more goals and would not have to be rushed back from injury. When Torres does come back from a few weeks out, he can score straight away. Even playing just twenty games a season he can end up amongst the top scorers. The lad is phenomenal and has none of the vile traits of the likes of the very talented, but tainted, Drogba.

I hate to say this, but even if we do get fourth place, Fernando Torres is at the wrong club. I also hate to say this, but if Masher signs a new contract, without actually seeing quality players training next to him in pre-season, then he is as mad as his international manager, the greatest player the world has ever seen. There is a big difference between accepting the kind of verbal bullshit Americans are known for and actually seeing the proof and the proof will never come under these owners. The promises started in 2007 and horrible Hicks is spouting them again, 'big Summer' etc.. I was "bored before it even began" but now I am embarrassed for the club.

The only silver lining in the most disappointing season, all things considered, I can remember, is that the Americans have been left in a hole, with a depreciating asset. Again, if anybody with the available cash did invest in Liverpool FC, alongside these parasites, they should be locked away with Masher, if he signs that contract.

As things stand, the Liverpool squad will only become weaker and in a couple of years time, we will not be dreaming of the days when we used to win the title, we will be dreaming of the days when we used to challenge for the top four.

Maybe, now that fourth place has gone, we should all stop turning up at the game? I think everybody agrees that the performances are not good, there is also nothing else to play for, most people are moaning about most things, so why not give the Americans a message, 'You are not interested and neither are we' and lets see where that takes us.
Steven Charles, Liverpool


Lucky Rafa
Quick response to a point made by bobby FW, LFC this morning....

Bringing on a defensive mid (dietmar hamman) when 3-0 down at half time in a european cup final was not the act that inspired a comeback. It was a damage limitation exercise and nothing more! Luckily for Benitez, he had a young man called Steven Gerrard in his team who had other ideas.

The man got lucky. End of...
Tim


...Bobby FW, LFC - Rafa may have inspired one of the greatest come backs the game has ever seen, and no one denies that he's good when the chips are up, but he's also over-seen one of the biggest falls from grace the game has ever seen as well, a crime that often goes unmentioned. A team who won the CL in his first season has, since that day, achieved just one notable title challenge in 5 years, and still has the same deficiencies now that it did 5 years ago. A lack of reliable goals outside of the main striker, an over-reliance on individual brilliance, particularly from one layer in particularly, a complete lack of quality wide players, despite numerous investment in this area, and a brand of football which seldom inspires anything other than indifference and casual mockery due to its boring, pragmatic style. Not to mention the never ending list of average squad players who are capable of pulling quality performances out of the hat once in a blue moon.

His record in the transfer market has been pilloried time and time again, and defended to the hilt, but can anyone justify £20m on Aquilani? His debut was 5 months ago, and we're still waiting to see what all the fuss was for. Carrick may have been over-priced at £18m when we bought him, but at least he's delivered some semblance of value since he signed. He delivered it fairly quickly as well, I seem to remember. We're still looking at AA and wondering whether or not Benitez was actually after Perotta or De Rossi and got the wrong player.
Harry The Manc


It's Heated? Seriously?
Just a quick response to Stu Wallace regarding Fabregas sitting on a cold bench.

The entire area is heated so I'm sure he'd be pretty comfortable. As for lightly stretching his leg, your guess is as good as mine.
GoonerDan


Mailbox Passim
A few mailboxes ago Gavin (MCFC) asked the question about players who's own fans thought were great but others just don't see it, my nomination is Kenwyne Jones.

My Sunderland mate constantly raves about him, but I just don't get it. Every game I have watched him play in he has looked average. Any defender who is fairly capable can handle him easily and keep him quite for 90 minutes. Looking at his stats is hardly convincing as well, roughly averaging a goal every 3 games and in his last 45 league games notching up a measly 4 assists.

All this and he was heavily linked with Liverpool as well! I just don't get it.
James (Only went to see Eboue) Le Beak


A Winter Tale
I read today your piece about Henry Winter and his "smoking jacket and cravat-clad presence".

This is always how I imagined the man until I met him in the press room at the Burnley v Spurs League Cup semi-final last season.

He came in wearing the tightest pair of stone washed jeans I had ever seen, an ill fitting and baggy denim shirt and a two sizes too small baseball cap, also denim coloured.

He is also a lot taller than you'd imagine. Strange.
Carl Gavaghan


...And then later, when the MC asked if he was at least smoking a cigarette in one of those little holders, Carl replied...


...No, he was eating a pie like a man who'd never seen one before.