Morning all.
Theo has been talking to the official site about life at The Emirates:
Highbury was a fantastic arena – it was so passionate and everyone was together. We’ve been at the Emirates for nine years and that’s starting to be like a big fortress and starting to feel like Highbury was.
There’s been a lot of special moments there. The amount of money that has come in to the club now and the players we’ve spent it on is the difference to what it was years and years ago.
The fact that we always qualify for the Champions League has never changed and that’s great. But it’s been a long time coming. It’s a massive club – it always will be a big club and I think it’s getting bigger and bigger.
The club is going to move on from where it was. We had some fantastic years just before I came here and I think we are going to start to get those back, definitely.
Theo arrived in the January of 2006, just months before Highbury was ripped to shreds but clearly that was enough time to enjoy the atmosphere. I loved going to Highbury as it all seemed so much easier to access and the banter between the fans at both ends was all good fun. I wasn’t fortunate enough to go prior to the Wenger reign as work, sport or something else would always get in the way but as soon as I could, I’d go and I’m not sure there was a game I walked away from that we’d lost but back then we had leaders, swagger and style. Perhaps that’s why we seldom lost at home. We didn’t draw too many either as the players usually put on a bit of a show.
When we left Highbury, that all went out of the window. Many players had left and off the club went to a posh new stadium with big fancy seats. A ground which is a nightmare to get to if you don’t particularly travel well on the tube and of course the club was broke. Well, they behaved like they were with some of the transfers they made. Yet the move was all about being able to compete but seldom did we, in fact how we managed top four each season I don’t know.
Our fortress had gone and the players struggled to make the new place their home…..
Fast forward to today, almost nine years later, is The Emirates really about to become our fortress again? We have depth and strength in the squad, not enough though and the quality of players we have is so different to what we had during those early years. When all fit, the swagger is back and 2015 has seen some really good performances and results.
We lost twice at home in the league last season, both of which should been comfortable victories but we couldn’t make the possession count. Those losses wouldn’t have mattered quite so much though had we not suffered so many draws against clubs we really should be beating, especially at The Emirates so as far as our home becoming a fortress, we’ve got a way to go yet.
In the Champions League we were at times pretty poor at home, sloppy performances and results cost us dear. The performance against Monaco was the worst so there’s a long way to go if we are to progress further in the competition this coming season.
But if Theo is right and the players are starting to feel at home at The Emirates, then we could be in for a good season ahead but like transfers – I’ll believe it when I see it….
International round up:
Ollie apparently had a stinker for France last night in their 1-0 defeat to Albania. He touched the ball 13 times and was replaced at half-time by Nabil Fekir.
So such dramas for Germany as they romped to a 7-0 victory over Gibraltar.
And lastly, England Ladies earned there first 3 points in the Womens World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Mexico. Their male counterparts play Slovenia later today…
Transfer gossip:
Lars Bender is back in the Arsenal headlines.
Sunderland want Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson on loan for the season according to reports.
Galatasaray are linked to Lukas Podolski – again.
That’s about it for today….
Morning all.
France were crap both with and without Giroud 🙂
Excellent post my dear, really got me thinking of the changes since we moved
Scott, did you see Polands result?
Thanks Andrew….
Morning to you both and all…
Can’t see both Chambers and Jenks going out on loan…
Nice Gravatar by the way Andrew…
Morning all. Nostalgia is a funny thing, cant ever see repeating some of my Highbury memories. Even Eddie Kelly, Morrow and Marinello!
B&W photo I took back in the day!
Things just ain’t the same since Highbury….
Morning all,all i can say we need that dm desteoyer what a player
Good Morning Lovlies and Hunkies.
Good post boss…..but I dont want to see Jenks and Chambers both off. Either or but not both.
Italian newspapers are full of Daniele Rugani to us. Maybe there is some truth in it. He is a good lad. has played with the national team from U17 to U21. He is 6 ft 2 and can play as a centreback.
Maybe that is why both Chambers and Jenks are wanted. If Rugani comes than its ok.
Ozil Is chasing assist record and he just need 8 to set a new record
Which one Drake..?
Thanks Devil, me neither, wouldn’t make sense to me if both went on loan and out the two, I’d probably keep Jenks.. Chambers would really benefit from a loan as long as he plays.
Rugani stories started a couple of days ago, we are meant to have made an offer for him…
No Rico, how did Szczesnys mob go?
Poland won 4-0, Sz on bench whole game. Maybe we need their number one goalie!
rico, is it as grey and dull west of London as it is in east?
Rico just a question for you in regards your line about the Emirates
“A ground which is a nightmare to get to if you don’t particularly travel well on the tube”
how was getting to Highbury any different, its one thing being nostalgic but really
Thanks Andrew.
Scott, Lewandowski scored a hat-trick. His first was in the 89th minute.. 😉
If I told you Eduardo, you’d be as wise as me.. 😉 😉
Andrew – I’m not in London, I’m in Berkshire and it’s lovely and sunny….
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen on bringing Francis Coquelin back to France, with Laurent Blanc a big fan of the young midfielder, according to the Daily Star.
I knew you were as far west as I am east 😉
Think I’ll drive west, its so dark here on east coast!
Anyone can be as keen as like, no way would we sell Coq now, it would look stupid. I hate these xxx are keen on so and so stories.
Is there a treatment that stops me looking at NewsNow a few times a day?
Hi Rico, for three years I wanted and not wanted to go to the Emirates. Wanted because I dearly wished to see our Gunners play, and not wanted because the stories coming out were of a bad atmosphere and booing and things I didn’t think I could bear. I went for the first time to the Everton game, in section ten and Super Tom scored a beauty right in front of us, MAGIC! The atmosphere was good that day, and Theo and the players are most likely feeling that. Also, call me crazy, but when we were singing the Highbury Song I felt that we were bringing in the spirit of Highbury into the Emirates.
http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/14/arsenals-gedion-zelalem-spins-defender-with-dennis-bergkamp-turn-during-u20-world-cup-5245145/
Passed Highbury and the Emirates on the train the other day. I was struck by the insignificance of the old stadium, how small it seems and how desolate it appears from the window of a train. Then you pass the vast nearness of the new building, it’s overpowering size and contemporary magnificence. The sadness I felt was for all the outstanding games I saw at the old ground. The pleasure the occasional sadness the odd calamity and the elation. All the emotions came flooding back, the good, the bad and the inevitable indifferent! I mean 0-0 v Newcastle in the late sixties was never “entertainment?
The new building just hasn’t, yet, got the “history” or “memories” to make it anything more than the new Arsenal stadium. We all hope that one day we will be able to look at the installation with pride, satisfaction and emotional connection. As with all history it’s all a question of time and longevity!
3 goals In a few minutes then, Rico?
He’s a quality striker.
The name Emirates doesn’t help does it?
🙂 Andrew, it’ll be gone in by the time you get here…
Agree re Psg, they can take a hike!
Morning rico 😀 bender is on the radar again I see. Heheheh you just can’t make this up.
I ll take him though him. Bender rambo and lecoq ll be a cracking midfield. Santi or ozil behind theo and we ll smash them aplenty. Didn’t see the German game last night. Heard ozil was imperious 😀 what’s new. Man I love that dude.
Hi Vonnie, on a good day it’s a great place to be on nights like Swansea at home and any other of those dreadful bore draws, I’d imagine it’s pretty awful. Perhaps though, had we not been on such a steady decline and blips were few, fans would be more vocal. Plus of course there are many people at the ground who aren’t Arsenal fans, or even football fans in some cases I’d suspect…
Wavy, nice comment…
He sure is Scott, shame he only ever wanted Bayern..
Morning Goonster, you couldn’t make the rumours up, but hang on, they do….
Catch up in a bit….
Maam the only rumor am buying into right now is the cech to arswnal rumor. Kike Marin don’t peddle shit. Plus the story won’t die. Any other transfer news is just some journalist making mischief. We ll get a keeper that’s it. Maybe a midfielder. No wholesome changes. Theo is our new signing. Fast premier League proven and right age to start ripping the league. 30 goals a season for theo? I think so.
First up..no ones getting ” my coq” so psg can take a hike…& Andrew 1313-agree about Emirates name but we’re saddled with it for awhile yet.always thought the perfect name would & should be THE ARMOURY absolutely perfect with a touch of class & unique which is what our club is.why can’t the new ground incorporate two bloody huge canons going off when the arsenal come out?or is that too American?for atmosphere,we have a wonderful name but make so little use of it….
Alright maam have a good one….guess I ll hold down the fort all by myself 😀
Hi Rico, I read your post with interest. I was especially interested in this comment: “…Yet the move was all about being able to compete but seldom did we, in fact how we managed top four each season I don’t know.”
I think a lot of supporters feel like this, and I somewhat agree that the austerity policies at Arsenal in those years seemed excessive – even if I did laugh at the oil money for got for some transfers like Ade. I certainly wasnt laughing when we lost Fab, Nasri and RvP.
But I would argue that in the balance of things, Wenger and the boards drive for a new stadium was visionary, and something the very very few clubs in the world have been able to pull off. Certainly none of them whilst staying in the CL. I would argue that we DID continue to compete (how else do you stay top 4 and one of the best, beautiful teams in the world?), just not at the top trophy winning level we were used to and spoilt with in the early Wenger years.
Also, we must remember the context, it was exactly that time that the oil money started to roll in, and massive, massive money was transforming the game in England and abroad. The rise of Chelsea and City made winning trophies on reasonable budgets impossible.
So I would say it was in no small part down to Wengers skills as a manager that we achieved beyond our means in those austerity years with a light squad with fewer stars and several average players. Of course, we also achieved below our desires…
And the move was visionary because – as you say – the move DID allow us to compete in the long term, for generations to come. We are seeing that now with 2 FA cups, and transfers stars like Alexis and Ozil…and Im excited and optimistic. I would doubt Arsenal’s ability to stay at the very top of world football in the long term by staying in such a ‘small’ stadium as Highbury and probably our powers wouldve wained, with less financial firepower as the game changed.
So while none of us were happy with achievements in the austerity years, I do know how we managed top 4 each season and transitioned into a new stadium whilst building the club slowly into a sustainable financial power house: Arsene Wenger, the visionary on and off the field. Few, if any, others could have achieved this, let alone even conceived of it.
No doubt some of you will disagree with my views, but if we continue to build on our 2 FA cups with more silverware this year and the transfer of more stars to Arsenal, then there can be no doubt that Arsene Knows Best.
I’m sure you’re right Rico, and I’ll confess I was careful to get a ticket where I thought fans would be singing. Support like Adam and Potter and the guys who go all the time is so important, and they do an amazing job., The club needs to value them more. It must have been a huge wrench for everyone to leave Highbury, and although Emirates is a beautiful stadium it will take time, as Wavy says, for her to be loved as Highbury was. Hopefully what the players are feeling is the beginning of that.
Afternoon all..
Roger, I get where you are coming from and yes, looking back now, the club made the move at the right time because to do so now when FFP is in place, I think we’d struggle to keep up with a few other clubs.
I guess my big gripe is the amount of money the club wasted on really average players and perhaps would have been better to sign quality over quantity. Also, how many players did the club keep who were on high wages and who simply weren’t good enough.
I respect your ‘Arsene knows best’ view, but it’s not a view I share….
Vonnie, I’m sure once the club have won the PL again, the Emirates will start to feel a bit more like home. The fans need something to sing about, just as much as the players need them to sing….
Walcott, four goals in two games, confident, fresh as a fiddle, champing to play. No let’s put in Townsend and Sterling who has played over 50. He better play better than last week!
Serious Andrew? No Theo?
No Clyne either, a proper right back. Jones a CB plays RB.
Gibbs starts then, that’s a shock….
All very odd considering it’s a Euro qualifier….
Theo would have buried that!
rico, like everything in life you have to move with the times, I never saw us play on Plumstead Common and it never done me no harm ! I loved going to Highbury, the next generation will love the Emirates but there’s no comparision for me, Thierry Henry kissing the Highbury turf in our last game against Wigan was a lovely send off….priceless memories.
Micko, not knocking The Emirates as I know we had to move and as Roger said earlier, now is our time. Spot on re TH kissing the turf, stuff tears are made for…. Lol
Shame Cole left when we moved though…..
I was rico !
Seems Feo has quite a lot to say, just not about his contract !
Left…..he nearly swerved off the road lol.
Great run Gibbs until fouled.
🙂 Micko…
Ha ha re Cole, still wonder to this day why we let that swap deal go through. I bet it wouldn’t happen today….
Good defending England…. Lol
1 nil slovenia 38 mins, think I might pop out for a crafty half 2nd half !
Evening all.
Don’t blame you Micko, you’ll need it…..
Jacks just scored a lovely goal.
Jackie boy…. 1-1
It was a corker Joe…
Walcott on for that waster Rooney how many sitters is he going to miss.
Waister
I was thinking the same but will Roy make such a bold move?
Jacks at it again
Omg! What a strike!
Next best thing Theo for Townsend just as good now 3 Arsenal players on for England 🙂 not bad for team who don’t do English players.
Be like having a new goalscoring midfielder.
Oops
Walcott assist?
Walcott passes to Rooney
Arsenal win it for England. 😉
Ok
Good result, Rooney was dire though….
ok Adam?
David Oniya, the Nigerian footballer who collapsed whilst playing has died.. Such sad news for football, his family and friends…. 🙁
It’s ok Rico.
What is Adam? The England result/performance?
No Rico. Most of my posts aren’t appearing these days so I will try again in a few days. I never saw the England performance.
That’s weird Adam, I think you are the only one having problems…
Welbeck top scorer for England this season.
Reckon Rooney is finished, he was awful tonight… Welbeck and Walcott are the future….
And Kane…. Lol
As long as he’s playing for arsenal 🙂
Welbeck or Kane Joe lol
Night folks, catch up tomorrow…
Nite rico, been saying it for a while now, Jack is by far and away England’s best midfielder, the manager is building a side around him, on the home front it’s a different story, who’s reaping the rewards Roy or Arsene ?
The post match interview gave us a little insight, would you have taken the shot for the 2nd goal had you been in an Arsenal shirt …….probably not, we like to pass the ball into the net at Arsenal or words to that effect…….enuf said !
Well done Jacky Boy, nite Gooners.
Micko, I read recently we scored more goals from outside the box this past season than any other club in the PL.
I don’t remember where I read it, and can’t stat it as fact, but we did get our share, far more than we have over recent years.
Scott, I do remember a certain long range Sanchez goal! Seems a while ago now.
Seems months ago, Andrew lol
micko do you remember the BBC goal of the season, Jack scored it last league game of the season, he must have thought he was playing for England
I think it’s something else that improved last season we scored some cracking goals from outside the box and more of them.
At least that’s what my old man memory is saying or it could also be my drinking habits. 😉
Oh I just remembered Rambo goal against Galatasaray the best of the lot.
Micko, we could sure do with firing in a few more shots from distance, think we’ve been a bit better this season but there’s always room for improvement…
Morning all..
Morning Rico and all
Apparently Costa has told Jose he wants out if the right offer comes in; he does not feel settled… 😀
Morning Ts, that’s funny if true…
Morning all.
Indeed; if true….
Scott- scott you are right re. goals we scored from outside. I posted a break down of goals we scored outside box to goals conceded outside box on here recently
Hi Scott..
New post up now…