Morning all.
Being an Arsenal fan has been tough over the last ten years. Testing even as I’m sure like me, there’s been days, many of them, when you’ve thought about packing it all in. I don’t mean deserting the club but perhaps when someone invites for dinner etc, you’ll say yes when before there would be no chance if Arsenal were playing and you had a ticket. Or if they were on the box. No way would you leave your home or dream of someone coming into yours to interrupt your two hours of guilty pleasure. I can remember when I was very young, my grandfather was less than happy when a family member decided FA Cup day would be their wedding day and although he didn’t support either team competing, when the day arrived it was clear where he’d rather be. Yet he was a staunch Methodist who never missed a trip to Chapel on a Sunday morning. Illness aside of course.
I’ve always worked odd hours so trips to Highbury were few and far between but if they were on television, I’d usually manage to watch them, more so of course since the coverage increased but before then, the radio was usually my go to device to keep up.
Looking back, it feels like my commitment to watching Arsenal lessened overnight but that wasn’t the case at all. The standard of players declined, the football did too. Results mattered but they weren’t the bee-all and end-all, it was the football. The last time I went to The Emirates, we were pretty average and I vowed to myself, never again. We won that day by the way.
Fast forward through Arsene Wenger final 5/6 years, Unai Emery’s tough eighteen months to now and whilst I wouldn’t rule out doing something else at midday on Saturday, it’d have to be something very important for me to say yes. I know it’s very early days under Mikel Arteta, the honeymoon period and all that but there are signs of much better times ahead. There was a slight hint against Bournemouth, a bigger one against Chelsea and then against Man Utd, we came good. But the bigger tell tale sign in my opinion was against Leeds. The response after halftime proved Mikel Arteta can get through to these players and turn things around. There’s been many a match over the years gone by when an Arsenal team has been awful in the first half and instead of getting an expected improvement after the break, just more of the same followed. To see such a dramatic change in every player was excellent.
Of course there’ll be dips, there’ll probably be a few more horrid moments from individuals or collectively as a team because old habits really do die hard but at least it’s quite evident that they’re committed to this new plan. They want to do well and they want to win and they’re listening to the guy who’s trying to make that happen. That’s half the battle won I think.
This weekend we play a struggling Crystal Palace side to whom we surrendered a 2-0 lead to just a couple of months ago. A shocking second half performance saw us drop two points at home when going into the break, we were cruising. Perhaps that was the problem. Perhaps the players believed the game was all but won and the second half would be a breeze. Perhaps they were allowed to think that was the case too, I don’t know but if it was, I think we can safely say those days of being complacent are on their way out.
As previously mentioned, the results weren’t the key reason for me putting Arsenal on the back burner, it was the football and as much as we need the points now, the performance is more important. Points will take us up the table but if the performances are poor, they’ll soon bring us back down again.
Back in 2004, we went to Crystal Palace and drew. Our long unbeaten run had ended and we couldn’t buy a win. Looking back, maybe that was the beginning of what would follow.
The Arsenal team on that day:
Lehmann, Lauren, Cygan, Toure, Cole, Ljungberg (Bergkamp 72), Vieira, Fabregas (Flamini 81), Pires (Van Persie 72), Reyes, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Senderos, Almunia.
There’s a message in there somewhere….
See you in the comments guys.
Good morning Rico, like you I rarely miss a televised match though some I record to watch later. But one match I missed totally was the one against Cardiff. 😉
Me too. Rico you have mis Leeded us!
Good article though……..I’ll be back!
Morning Cicero, Wavy.
Oops!
My only defence is that the last game I went to was against Cardiff. 😆
Morning Rico and all. I agree. The slow decline under Arsene seemed somehow inevitable given, in part, the paucity of funds that seemed available. I still can’t work out why the board didn’t see it all unravelling and cough up some money to buy some of the players that he never tired of telling us he ‘could have ‘ signed.
The euphoria of the early days of Unai soon gave way to the reality of the situation so the fanbase were primed and ready for some positivity. Mikel seems to offer some real hope for the future perhaps because we sense his ambition for the club and it’s not hard to buy into that is it?
Morning Adam, that’s how I see it too. Under Unai the effort was much improved but the football didn’t. Totally agree re Mikel, he cares about Arsenal and all it represents. The fans too.
Digressing, what a chump Danny Murphy is. Spent all Leeds match slating him yet now says he’d have been great at Liverpool…
Hi Rico and all nice article I can remember watching arsenal play on TV around 5am then trying to get ready by 8am to leave for school and then when I finished school and started working until 3am then rushing home to watch footy but noticed the last 4 years or so of wenger I lost interest in watching the matches and would only watch it or read about it if I had a chance this even continued during the Emery era. Although I did not vote for Arteta I have started to watch as many matches as possible the more I see him and hear about him having a go at the players the more I am starting to like him
Hi Geoff, thanks. It’s not just about him having a go at the players, it’s the way we’re playing surely? Everything seems more positive, quicker, organised.
Imagine how we will be in 12 months time 🙂
Morning all.
It’s bloody brilliant to see so much enthusiasm amongst the fans again, and it definitely rubs off on the players and vice versa.
Chicken v egg re fans and the team Scott.. lol
It’s very promising that’s for sure.
Rico one thing I was worried about was how much respect the young players would give Arteta as it seems they gave none to Emery but at the moment Arteta seems to have the respect not only of the young players but the older ones as well now hopefully the club will help him get the players he wants.
yes Scott more small positive steps from me
Go hard Geoff hahahaha
Rico, absolutely right.
Apparently Arteta said to the players that supporters want to support them, want to help them but they need to give us belief.
So far, so good
Afternoon All, thanks for the post Rico…
I definitely think that the two things, above everything else, that have changed many older fans connections and emotions with the club are the Emirates move and the host of broken promises around that, and the ownership of the club and how Stan’s lack of interest has soured that relationship.
We may have grumbled about Hill Wood, Lady Bracewell Smith, Edelman and the Board etc but at least we felt that the club was a priority for those in charge.
Or so we thought before they all sold out…
Now, we are an afterthought for Stan and Josh’s new plaything, all the focus of KSE is pointed towards the LARams and the Inglewood development, whilst Stan gets a hard on for all the development around that stadium and the riches that’ll bring him – how do you please the man who has everything, you give more, he’s just an addict for power, influence and money.
Yeah, he doesn’t take anything out of Arsenal, well, not that we’re aware of, but what has he brought us in return? Leadership? Sponsorship? Development? Stagnation?
You have to ask yourself the question, why should you care if your owner couldn’t give a toss?
I’ve been going to Arsenal for many many years (😴, yeah I know) but regularly since 1971-72 and this season is the first season since then where I’ve not bothered to go to any games before the Christmas/New Year programme. I could have gone to several, but I couldn’t be arsed…
I’ve seen some really rubbish Arsenal team over those almost 50 years but I always kept the dream alive that Arsenal would return, compete and dominate again.
It’ll never happen under Kroenke, he doesn’t care, but if you think I’m wrong ask yourself if you can see Arsenal, even under Arteta, really competing for the Premier League title in the next 5 years, or even 10 years, because I can’t see it…
Afternoon all, interesting report rico, it’s certainly been hard recent years. And yet we all stuck through it.
Thanks Cicero, hope I enjoy like you did! Looks great at the Test. Scott, funny enough saw similar bird to those in parks near Bondi, holding up play briefly in Test. What are they called? Ugly with long beaks, don’t have them in UK! Not cookabura same as non-seaming cricket ball is it?
The younger players were always going to get behind Arteta imo Geoff, it was the older players I wondered about..
I’m not as down on the ownership as most Kev. I’ve not really ever seen them to be the big issue. Other than not being proactive enough with changing manager that is.
Thanks Andrew. Hopefully we’re the other end of it now.
Fine post Rico.
I agree entirely with Kev and have said it enough times, under Kroenke we will not win PL or CL without an enormous piece of luck or do a “Leicester”!
Kroenke is the cancerous tumour of this club, do we need curing or does Kroenke?………..prevention is better than cure and it`s a shame that Dein didn`t see this.
However I do feel under Arteta we will compete again for Top 4 and there`s always a chance of a lesser cup where we could do a “Wigan”! 😆
I have definately got the excitement back and that is all down to Arteta, normally there would be some excitement around the transfer window, but the best buy we got was Arteta, no CB….FB etc` will give me the effect that Arteta has given me.
One reason I feel we can relate to him is because he has starightaway ripped into the team in a half time speech, it`s what most of us fans would have loved to have done, giving them a half time bollocking he could well have been any of us!
Yes we will still have plenty of downers, but as long as this sea of change in attitude continues then I am happy as I know if the attitude drops then we now have someone who will not tolerate it.
I think in a few of years of Artetaism we will look back and think that he was the best signing of the new decade ……………and the previous one……………………………….
Being bored with a mancold I just done some googling…………………..there are over 4200 different religions!……………and aparrently you only need 3 people to make a religion!…………….and possibly a tax loophole if becoming a church !
So who wants to join me and Scott as the third founder member of ……..The Church of St Mikel Arteta ?………………………….we could all meet up on here on Sunday mornings and pray at the altar of The Holy Mikel…………………..I could do sermons but Rico might get arrested! 😆
I agree there Cocker, Arteta is the best thing to happen to this club for years and he gives me great hope, but top four and the odd cup final is our raison d’etre for the foreseeable future.
I know a lot of contributors on here who don’t go anymore, maybe it has always been thus, but the lack of ambition shown by the club and the inertia from above have to be a major factor.
Wenger went when the crowd fell away and Emery went when the crowd fell away, so why did it take a half empty stadium for the owners to realise something was wrong?
Raul wanted to give Emery a new contract, why weren’t the owners asking him why?
Sometimes I read Kev’s post and think I am looking at a mirror. In reality I spent far too much of my life at Highbury even arranged my wedding and honeymoon for the close season.
But have I lost enthusiasm? a little , but not just for the football . Age has crept up and the slog to London is too much to justify when it’s on the box and streaming is getting better.
I have watched some rubbish since 1956 but always went apart from the time that I was playing and even then I went to evening matches . I still have my season tickets but now used by family . If I decide to go back I have to jump through hoops and I am not sure if my car is allowed past the North circular .
Then there is the log burner ,tea pot , and it only takes 2 hours as opposed to 9 or so .
Great comment Potter, and yes, I’ve been there as well.
Kev…………….Unbelievable that Raul considered extending Emery`s contract and Unbelievable that Sadiq Khan wont allow Potter`s steam engined car into London!
Don’t get me started on Sadiq Khan
I’m all alone in my defence of Kroenke then. I don’t mind… 😂
Is it fact about Raul wanting to extend Emery’s contract or newspaper talk though?
Emery:…………………….“We were now looking to how we could develop together, even to the point where they were looking to offer a renewed contract.”………………………………..phew!!………what a bullet we dodged! 😆
I googled it myself. He’s talking about after his first season from what I could make out and let’s be honest, talks and actually agreeing a deal are two different things.
We’ve allegedly been in talks with Aubameyang….
Just read two things about Arteta………..1) he had a heart problem as a baby and had to have an operation and still has the scar……………………………2) After leaving us to be Pep`s assistant, he was given charge of the first game against Arsenal because of his knowledge of us and Pep liked all his ideas and they beat us!
Question:- Does Emery have an agent that Raul Has dealings with ?
Rico. I’m with you. 😃
I feel better now Adam. 😆
Lc, didn’t need Arteta to get a win over a AW team…
That’s good Rico. 😉
I know Rico, I almost broke one of gold bricks I`m using to build an altar to Mikel in disgust!
😆
Ha ha Adam.
Perhaps we need a transfer ban and a CL spot….
Chelsea have made an offer for Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes.
The offer is thought to be for an 18 month loan with an obligation to buy for £55m, provided he plays in at least 50 per cent of the games during the loan spell.
West Ham United’s latest offer is for an 18 month loan with an obligation to buy for £33m – the percentage of games to trigger the obligation is less than Chelsea’s.
Not only that Rico, Chavs made a loss of nearly £100M aswell !………explain that one!
Ok, a bit of worthless, but intersting information, did anyone know that Gilberto had an Anteater named after him at Colchester Zoo?…………………………..if I had an Anteater I would call him……………..Mikel Anteater!
https://i2.wp.com/www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NINTCHDBPICT000548413160.jpg?resize=665%2C466&ssl=1
https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/12/31/chelsea-fc-financial-results-show-record-revenues
Not according to them Lc.
I notice Rico your link is dated December 2018, try my one dated 1/01/2020………………….one nil to Le Cog! 😆
https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/01/chelsea-record-near-100m-loss-still-plan-spend-january-transfer-window-11985265/
Evening Rico and the House where ever you maybe
ITS one nill to the Arsenal LOL
Our injury hit u18s have beaten Southampton 1-0 in the youth Cup.
We scored the winning goal in the 80th min with a brilliant goal from Dennis,
He won the ball on the Half way line run through the saints defence and
hammerd the ball in the roof of the net with an unstoppable shot.
This is the 3rd game in 7 days that the boys have scored in the 80th min.
I wish I knew what they are being fed on I could do with some of it.
Me to Rick, I’ll have a double…
John Jules off to Lincoln for the rest of the season looks a good move for the lad.
He’ll get some senior football at a good level under the tutelage of a good coach.
Balogun and Greenwood will have to take up the slack and that’ll be good for them.
I don’t know anything about Matthews, how do you rate him Rick?
Sorry Rick, I meant Dennis, it’s been a long day… 😕
No Earth shattering Arsenal news today, only Arteta’s assertion that Xhaka will not be leaving this month. He sees our midfielder as a vital part of the team and well worthy of his regular starting place.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Captain’s armband restored to him in the near future.
Arteta seems to have instructions to work with what he has . As such there is no point in ditching players until he has something better lined up.
Under these circumstances it would be stupid to sell Xhaka when you look at his alternatives.
:- Ceballos ( injured ) Maitland – NIles ( covering at full back )
Willock and Smith -Rowe ( Young inexperiened but getting time on pitch and possibly going on loan)
This leaves Xhaka , Ozil , Guendouzi and Torreira. to perm 3 from 4. unless you bring Luiz or Chambers ( injured ) forward or give Saka a role there.
If you bring Luiz to the midfield you have to use Holding ( recently back and looking tentative ) to support Sokratis . this leaves Mustafi and Mavropolus as back up.
Sanllehi is clear that anyone joining will be on loan , so they are not going to be an instant first team player just a misfit from another club.
It’s still all about the future , shoring up this years position and getting as far as we can whilst we wait for action in the summer for next season.
Hi All If what the media are saying is true Arteta wants to bring in new players and the board are saying no starting to sound like the old board promise a new coach every thing and when he signs give him nothing. as the movie said ” here no money here” KSE strike again
Afternoon Gooners
Tbh, the most realistic rumour I’ve read over the last couple of weeks, is the links to that teenage Brazilian right back as it makes sense on so many levels, not least the concerns over Bellerin.
Edu surely has a few more suggestions of that order to bring to the table?
Smith Rowe to Huddersfield Town, seems a good move for all concerned…
Serendipity at work, Huddersfield Town was where we got Herbert Chapman from.
And Bob McNab 🙂
They make decent black pudding there as well. 😉
Morning all.
I’m more than happy with Arteta spending the rest of the season going through each and every player and working them out.
Are they future Arsenal players, or do we get rid of them in the summer?
Try and get the best out of them and see where they end up.
We spent in the summer but now have a few seasons to pay those players off, so I dare say we will have to sell before we can buy.
We may find, if we aren’t already, that a lot of these players are better than they’ve appeared so no wholesale changes are required.
Arteta says he loves the way Luiz trains and his willingness to learn every day not to mention the team talk done on the match day by Luiz make me think will Luiz be our next Captain Arteta replaces Aubameyang
New post up now