SCARFEY'S BLOG
| Welcome to my blog. The views expressed are not those of NASC, or the committee. Just my ramblings for you to take or leave. If you've got web pages or blogs of your own let me know and I'll link to them. For a better Norfolk Gooner blog by Wattsie, click here! |
| 14/04/08 THE FINAL NAIL . . . |
| Well, I didn't make it to Old Trafford after all. A major dose of flu saw to that. Had I have made it I would have been there to witness our under-fire team produce a fine display with no reward yet again. It's the final nail in the coffin, and at least now we know it is all over until we start afresh next season. We'll have the whole summer to talk about what might have been, what signings (if any) we need, and whether this season was a delightful unexpected step forward or a miserable missed opportunity. I'm not ready for that debate right now. I just want to express my pride at the way the team played at Old Trafford, my joy at some of the fantastic football I've enjoyed this season, and my desire to see us win our last four games to put a smile back on our faces. Then we can look forward to next season under Arsene Wenger (and nobody else - anyone questioning his position as Manager cannot be serious). M. |
| 10/04/08 DODGY ROADS, REFS AND REDS |
| I feel the need to write a piece on the Anfield trip to purge it from my system. I'm not going to discuss the penalty decisions or team selection - if you're like me you'll have replayed the key moments from both legs over in your head a thousand times and it doesn't change the fact that we're out. No, this will be just a good old fashioned Northbank News style report of the trip. Seven of us from NASC left Norwich at 1.30pm aboard the minibus, ably driven by our Chair Mr Watson. Jools and three others were making their own way there, and Marc was to be met en route. A dull drive across the fens to Newark gave no hint of the drama to come. As we made our way up the A1, late already, Marc called to confirm what we had just heard on the radio - the M62 was closed in two places with 20 mile tail backs and up to two hours of delays. No way would we make the game on our intended route. So a quick pit stop was made to buy a road map that would enable us to plot an alternative route, via Knaresborough, Harrogate, across the Yorkshire Dales, past Burnley, Wigan, Preston, Blackburn, Aintree and eventually into Liverpool. I cannot give too much detail as to the driving technique involved due to Dave's points situation, but it's fair to say the Top Gear could not have put the minibus through a more rigorous test and it was tough to pick out the most attractive sheep in the dales as they looked somewhat blurred as we sped past them. Harrogate is a sleepy yorkshire town, but not sleepy enough to avoid an incident of road rage on this particular day! With me and Tony on the map and Dave driving like he had an important match to get to, we made it to Anfield at exactly kick off time - a fraction ahead of Marc who had been an hour ahead of us on the road but got immersed in the toils of the M62. A short sprint to the turnstiles got some blood back into our knuckles, and we found our place in the Arsenal throng just a few moments after kick off. There seemed hardly time to take in the fact that we had made it before Diaby put us one up. There was the shot, then a two second delay because nobody realised the ball was in the net, then joy unconfined. For 30 minutes it was the Arsenal end only who were supplying the atmosphere as our team passed their way confidently around the home side, but that all changed when Senderos lost Hyppia for the equaliser. Anfield came to life and it was 'game on'. 1-1 at half time was OK, we were playing well, the away goal had been cancelled out and the game looked open with the promise of more goals. But to their credit Liverpool looked sharper and hungrier that us in the second half - they closed us down all over the pitch and we could not match them in terms of sheer commitment in the challenge. What they lacked in finess they more than made up for with desire. We were looking jaded and aimless, and could have done with the injured Flamini back on to add some old fashioned steel. Although they made few chances, it was not a huge surprize when Torres scored. Adebayour was having a 'mare, unable to hold the ball up or pick a pass to an Arsenal shirt and he missed what we all thought would be 'the' chance of the second half. Then out of the blue, came Theo. An injection of pace, energy and drive into an increasingly ponderous Arsenal with that fantastic run. The celebration on the terraces was fantastic (though still nothing to match the moment when Tony Adams headed us in front at Wembley against Spurs in the FA Cup semi - that remains one of a kind), but this is not George Graham's Arsenal and joy turned to disbelief a minute later. I can't make a rationale assessment of the performance, it is too close to the event. The inquests into the strengths and weaknesses of the team continue to rumble on as they have done since the Manure cup and Birmingham games, but I'll wait untl the end of the season before commenting. I'm not at all tempted to jump on the 'we know better than Arsene' bandwagon. Right now it just feels like the last two months everything that could go against us has gone against us - how much of that is down to sheer bad luck and how much is self induced I don't know, but now's the time to get behind the team not to question everything that has got us to these big games. The team and the fans have lost that joie de vivre we enjoyed in the first half of the season, and it feels now as if we are witnessing the last rites of this amazing season. A slow death it is to, with the brain telling us the league has gone but the heart holding onto the lingering hope of a miraculous change of fortune in the premiership. I'll be there at Old Trafford on Sunday, almost out of duty rather than expectation now. I feel the manure game will be another Liverpool to be honest, we'll go up there full of determination, play wonderfully and come away with nothing. It just seems our destiny this season. Part of me feels a defeat at Old Trafford would at least put us all out of our misery so we can look forward to next season. Oh, and just to finish off with the Anfield trip report - our night wasn't over. Having witnessed and appreciated Arsenal and Liverpool fans applauding each other across the terraces at the end of the match, we also witnessed the ugly (and thankfully more infrequent) side of football. On leaving Anfield a few of the local idiots decided to give us a hand on our journey - Dave getting a punch for his troubles and the minibus standing up to the impact of beer bottles smashing against it's side. I prefer to remember the fantastic atmosphere during the game, with the passion, drama and ultimate disappointment that only a football match of this magnitude can bring. For all our wretchedness over the loss, we were there and we were part of it - and who predicted that at the start of the season? Come on you Gunners . . . M. |
| 14/03/08 IT'S ONLY THE FIVE TIMES WINNERS . . . |
| The draw has just been completed for the Champions League Quarter & Semi Finals, and the enormity of the draw is just sinking in. The only thing we knew in advance of today's draw was that the route to the final would be tough regardless of who we ended up playing. Tough it is, no surprize. Liverpool, 5 times winners and with a European pedigree we can't hold a candle to, with the deciding second leg at Anfield in front of that very special European-night kop. Wow. It's exciting and daunting in equal measures. We've had the better of Liverpool in recent seasons, but we all know they are a completely different animal in the Champions League. We could face the prospect of having to defeat all the other English teams to win the trophy. If we beat Liverpool there's a good chance it will be Chelsea in the semi final (and we have a score to settle there don't we!). And if we get past Chelsea it may well be Manure waiting for us in the final. In this incredible season, who's to say we won't be battling against Manure right at the death for both the Premier League and European crowns. Again, scores to settle - a chance to put Bergkamp's penalty, Giggs' goal and their treble out of our minds for good. The draw has so many possibilities and pit falls, with every combination of ponderables resulting in massive fixtures, it's just wonderful that our young team is part of it all. It's a fantastic time to support Arsenal, to be part of it. We can worry about the draw; be fearful of how the draw might effect our chances of beating Liverpool in the Premier match squeezed in between; we can lament the fact that we didn't get Fenerbache or Shalke; or be concerned that our Quarter and Semi force us to play the home leg first (I always prefer the away leg first). But what's the point? It just fantastic to be in the mix, with big games, excitement and drama (and yes, maybe heartache) ahead of us. You know I'm Arsenal through and through, but I must confess to having a soft spot for Liverpool in Europe. It's because of my age - I was in my teens during the seventies when live football was a rarity and European fixtures were truly exotic. Liverpool were in their pomp - they truly did represent English football in Europe and it seemed that every English football fan supported them in Europe. So Liverpool, in Europe, in the seventies, was a part of my footballing childhood. My late brother was also a big Liverpool fan, and I always think of him when we meet Liverpool. And of course, there's the kop on european nights, creating a unique atmosphere and spectacle I've commented on before in this blog and one which, as an Arsenal fan, I am envious of. I wish we could recreate it at The Emirates, but I just know our place will still be half empty five minutes before kick off. So for all sorts of reasons I'll be applying to go to the away leg and just hoping I'm high enough up the pecking order to get a ticket. And be assured that despite my respect for Liverpool in Europe, the gloves are off in this fixture and I'll be desperate for us to turn them over big time! I'm going to sign off with two positive thoughts. Firstly, the way we beat Milan in Italy. Like Liverpool, they have a pedigree in Europe that we can't match. Yet we breezed past them at their place with a wonderful display of confident, beautiful football. In doing so, we put out the defending champions and it really did seem like a significant changing of the guard (or 'shift of power' as Arsene once memorably said). Lastly, I've been convinced that Arsenal would come up against Thierry Henry in this year's competition, in a vieira-style meeting with the old boy. The only way that can happen now is if both get to the final. So, Titi scores the winner in the semi to knock out manure leading to a repeat of the 2006 final, Arsenal vs Barcelona, in Moscow, with Ade vs Henry. Sounds good? Get your visa and bearskin hat . . . we're on our way! M. |
| 28/02/08 £900? YOU'RE 'AVIN A LAUGH! |
| I've just received a junk email and want to share it with you. It's from Norwich City FC (heaven knows why I'm on their email list - maybe I'm still on their records from when I got chucked out of the River End back in 1978(ish) for throwing tickertape Argentina World Cup style. They didn't like the mess. Come to think of it, heaven knows why I was in the River End at all. Anyway . . .) The email invites six-a-side teams to participate in a tournament on the "hallowed turf" of Carrow Road. Let me quote directly: "A great chance to enter your company into a very special Club event and play on the Carrow Road turf just like Canary Greats such as Martin Peters, Iwan Roberts and Darren Huckerby!" Greats?!! Peters, well yes, but Roberts and Huckerby!!!!! NCFC charge £900 for this 'privilege', whilst we can follow in the footsteps of Henry, Bergkamp, Adams, Brady and the like for free thanks to Arsenal's yearly recognition of NASC membership (the annual football supporters club challenge). So here's my top tip: next time you're feeling a bit down about Arsenal, just remember who you're supporting, how lucky we are and how much worse it could be. Think of the 'Canary Greats' and you'll feel much better! M. |
| 24/02/08 AN UGLY SCENE - AND EDDIE'S LEG |
| It's the day after the Birmingham fixture, a match I went to (only my second away outing this season). Why go to Birmingham? Well, It's a ground I hadn't yet visited so I just wanted to tick another off the list. The ground is certainly one to forget, but the day will live long in the memory. The dull light that greeted me on arrival in Birmingham gave no hint of the drama that awaited. The grey stratus was laying low in the sky, and the equally grey drone of the locals' monotone brummy muttering added to the gloom. The home fans weary shuffling toward the ground was reminiscent of a scene from Metropolis, save for flashes of their blue and white bar scarves. I strolled around the ground (I certainly can't use the word 'stadium') marvelling at its ugliness. It's near neighbour, a large 'off the peg' Woolworths monstrosity, looked hollywoodesque in comparison. Birmingham's ground is completely devoid of any architectural merit, aesthetic interest or focal point, and pretty much every square inch of the outside has been covered in sponsor's ads, gaudy messages and cheap promotions. I assume this is a deliberate attempt to disguise the disagreeable structure that lies beneath, but it made for a garish sight even on such a grey day. Guilding the lily this certainly was not. Amidst my wanderings I heard the voice of a young boy, excitedy proclaiming to his dad that "our stadium is really big isn't it". The innocence of youth eh? And a moment that, despite it's naivety, reaffirmed for me what football is all about - loving your club no matter what. Inside was - you guessed it - grey. But to be fair, it was also roomy and all facilites were availed of without the need to wait (is it just me, or is the Emirates a step back from Highbury is this respect?). The tannoy system did it's best to distort the crazed music that greeted the players - the song was 'Mr Blue Sky' ironically enough. Compared to the billiard table pitch of Arsenal it looked like today's game was to be played on a surface borrowed from the local school playing field. The teams emerged with a slow amble seemingly borrowed from the same Metropolis film, and I began to wonder if a near miss with a Renault Scenic negotiating the M6 exit was going to be the height of the day's drama. Three minutes into the match, all that changed. Radio 5 live's 'phone in after the match was dominated by Arsene's post-match comments concerning the challenge that left Eduardo's shin and ankled shattered. Was the challenge horrendous? The outcome certainly was. I saw the incident in 'real time', and be honest it didn't seem like like much at all when it happened. The ball ran away from Eddie, inviting the defender's lunge, but unfortunately for our number 9 his pace ensured his foot ended up where the defender thought the ball would be. There were shouts for a free kick, but not the usual indignant cries that accompany a serious foul. There seemed to be genuine surprize (and delight of course) when the red card was flourished. I must say that we were viewing the incident from 80 yards away - but you know how you get an instant sense of a clumsy challenge versus a nasy challenge? I sensed (rightly or wrongly) that it was clumsy, and I haven't been brave enough to watch any close up repeats on tv or you tube to prove myself wrong (yes, I am a terrible squeamish wimp I'm afraid). It only took a few seconds observing the faces of Hleb and Fabgregas for it to dawn on us that something very serious had happened, and during the seven minute delay that followed the severity of the problem was communicated thanks to those around me phoning sky-watching friends at home. I think Arsene's comments were born out of the horror of seeing Eduardo's injury close up, and the frustration of the last minute penalty equaliser. I'm glad he issued a statement later in the day to calm the impact of his earlier words, although quite frankly some of the criticisms of his reaction were as misjudged as his call for a life time ban. For twenty minutes after the game resumed we witnessed a training ground kickabout - hardly a challenge was made by either team. Birmingham had immediately withdrawn one of their two strikers and retreated to the edge of the box, and Arsenal had all the time in the world on the ball. What we didn't have was the pace, guile and inventiveness to fashion a decent chance. We were rubbish quite honestly, but in view of what the players had seen I think it is understandable. Whatever was said at half time made a difference, as we saw a different Arsenal team kicking towards us. Theo started to take players on, midfielders got into the box, and chances came at a relentless pace. We raced into a 2-1 lead as Birmingham began to wilt under the pressure. But just at the moment when the home side were at their most vulnerable we did that frustrating Arsenal thing of backing off, slowing the pace and playing keep ball in our half. Despite the fans imploring the side to attack, you could see that the team had decided a one goal lead would be good enough. The only thing that could save Birmingham was Arsenal, and sure enough we saved them. When the penalty was awarded in the dying seconds and the equaliser confirmed courtesy of McFadden's spot kick, it was no surprize. It was unbelievable and believable in equal measures. It felt like an injustice - but one which we almost deserved. We were so dominant, so superior to Birmingham in every area but one - attitude. Had we kept up the pace and attacking intent after taking the lead I'm convinced we could have matched or bettered the score our closest rivals achieved a couple of hours later against Newcastle. A 5-1 victory was there for us. Instead the players chose to protect a one goal lead against a team who were never going to score from open play regardless of how far forward we pushed. This was an easy a three points as we could ever have wished for, despite the awful injury to Eduardo. A gift left untaken. The terrace chant of "2-1 up and you f****d it up" was never more relavant. It is difficult to know how significant the dropping of these two points will be. There have been so many twists and turns this season, and no doubt many more to come, that at the end of it we might be able to point to a dozen or more key moments in our season. But with a trip to Manure ahead of us a five point lead would have looked massive compared to the three points we've been left with. I am left with a feeling that our inability to kill off this game could be telling. I'd say Gallas feels that way to, judging by his reactions at the end of the game. Smart-arse Hansen berated him on MOTD, as did many callers to 5-live. Personally I don't have a problem with it. I'm on record as saying that I didn't think Gallas had much passion or commitment for Arsenal, and before the start of this season I felt he was just seeing out a comfortable end to his carrer. So I'm delighted to see that the droppping of two points hurt him so much. It means it matters to him and I'm wrong about him, and that's a very good thing. This Arsenal team of ours has shown brilliance this season, and even in this game when Fabregas was mediocre, Adebayour woeful, and Bendtner even worse, as a team they still looked a class apart from the players facing them. But they must have the courage to do what they do best - attack, and don't stop attacking until the game is won. If they go into the remaining games, and especially the one at Old Trafford, ready to use their gift of pace and extraordinary attacking talent instead of trying to emulate Italy on a one goal lead, then I believe we'll be crowned champions again. M. |
| 18/02/08 IT WAS CRAP, BUT . . . |
| In response to the forum comments about the Manure debacle . . . Yes, it was awful, dire, embarrasing. The most uninspired Arsenal performance I can remember for a long time. Worse than the PSV efforts last season. Worse than anything I can remember for quite some time. The players should be ashamed of their performance. The FA Cup does matter. Beating Manure at any level and in any competition and at any time does matter. Where was the passion, the pride, the commitment? Eboue? Good player, but nasty and cheating at times. Cut it out, you're representing Arsenal. I hope he cleans up his act and lets his football talent do the talking. Giblet? Times up, move on. Hoyte? Don't think he'll make it some how. Traore? Give him a break - he's got talent and will come good. Don't compare him to Anderson - he would have looked good if he was in the United team. So yes, the perfomance was wretched and painful and can't be defended. But, here's the but . . . We don't need to start clearing out players or panic buying. We're 5 points clear at the top of the league for heaven's sake. Criticism of AW is daft, and most be born out of frustration not clear thinking. We've done enough already to make this a wonderful season, far better than we could have imagined. When a match as bad as this one comes along, don't panic. Keep the faith, and enjoy. M. |
| 29/01/08 IN ARSENE WE TRUST |
| It's been a dog's age since I wrote anything new - sorry about that, the older you get the quicker time rushes by. To be honest, not much has changed since the last post. Our young guns are still performing miracles, punching above their weight it has been suggested, and giving us a memorable season. It's hard to imagine that just a few months ago the general opinion was that we'd have a struggle on our hands to finish in the top four. There is a genuine belief that we can win the league with this team; the team that seemed liked babes during our carling cup run last season. Too much expectation too soon? Maybe, but better that than gloom and doom. On paper, Manure and Chelski are still favourites. Manure it must be said are playing very good stuff and in Ronaldo they have a player as untouchable as Henry was in his prime for Arsenal. Chelski keep on plodding away picking up one goals victories, as is their way. Just running their star-filled squads close is a major achievement, and if we do pip them to the title it must surely be Arsene's most unexpected triumph. We would have little reason to doubt him ever again. There are so many positives to our progress this season. The emergence of Almunia in place of Lehman, our new no.1 is looking much more the part thanks a long run in the team. Sagna slotting in at right back as if he's been there for years. Gallas (much to my surprize) looking like he really does care and wants to win. Hleb turning his astonishing ball control skills into some kind of end product. Goals from Cesc. Flamini, who I have always rated highly, looking ever more the first choice in midfield. Gilberto NOT first choice in midfield (hooray for that!). Adebayour beginning to look like a genuine class striker (even though his attempts to mimic Henry in the moody goalscoring celebrations leave a lot to be desired!). And do we miss cashley? No we don't! Above all though, it's the way we've lost a player as influential as Thierry Henry as just simply got on with business without him. I love the way the team has managed to find those infamous 'plan B's' we all craved for last season. They've added the occasional direct long ball, crosses into the box from wide and, heaven forbid, shooting from outside the box to their wonderful passing game. The unparalled beauty of their game remains, but with options. Add to that the fact that those nasty take over talks have gone away, and that The Emirates is slowly beginning feel more like home, and it really does make for a remarkable season. Any dark clouds to spoil things? Well, OK, losing to the old enemy in the Carling Semi. But to be honest I don't care that much. We've beat them twice already, and I'm glad we kept with the 'second string' in that competition. Anyone who doubts Arsene's policy of playing the youngsters in the Carling Cup should ask themselves, would we really be top of the league if our current first team had not had a chance to play in the cup in previous seasons? Perhaps the form of Theo is a little disappointing. The time is right for him to make a big step up and become a key member of the team. The crowd are desperate to see him do well. But he still seems some way from becoming the player we all want him to be. And I guess the FA cup draw away to Manure is a concern. Not that we can't go there and get a result, but we have Milan at home in the same week and this scenario ring a few bells. We've had a few seasons where one bad week has runied our season, I'm just hoping this isn't one of them. These are minor worries - and I had to search for them - in what is otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable season. M. |
| 30/09/07 SO FAR, SO BRILLIANT. |
| It's hard to imagine a better start to a season. Top of the league, Chelski in a mess, an away win against Spurs including a goal of the season contender to boot, qualification for the group stages of the champions league and a three-goal win over the main group rivals, a full home stadium every game . . . a happy team and happy fans. Oh, and Arsene signing a new contract! It certainly feels different to the day after TH left, and very different to how it felt after 85 minutes of the opening game against Fulham. We still don't know if we're watching the emergence of a side that can truly conquer both the Premier League and Europe, or if we are simply witnessing an exuberant start to an eventual struggle into fourth place. Right now who cares? We're on our way and it's great fun! I went to the Sevilla match and couldn't help noticing two strange new occurrences this season. Firstly, Arsenal players prepared to shoot from outside the box (a trait I've just witnessed again in the West Ham away game). Fantastic, long may in continue! It doesn't matter if they whistle in (Diaby vs Derby) or get lucky (Fab vs Sevilla), a goal is a goal and 'having a dig' from 18yds + is way overdue. The other oddity, did I detect the first signs of a half decent atmosphere at our new home? Yes I know the odd match last year generated some noise - Manure especially - but the consensus was that the big E fostered little by way of heart, soul and singing. Yet against Sevilla, thanks in no small part to an early goal and the efforts of a scarf-waving red action section, it was bordering on the old days. Not there yet, but encouraging signs. As far as travelling support goes, the atmosphere amongst the away fans at Upton Park was positively bouyant. Amongst this bluest of blue skies lurks the rather bloated dark cloud of an ominous looking Russian. Never met the bloke of course, but judging by his photo he doesn't look to me like he is Arsenal's guardian angel. Has he heard of Herbert Chapman, or Charlie George, or Highbury? Does he understand Arsenal's traditions? Of course not. Still, let's be objective. He'll bring money, and money buys star players, and star players bring trophies right? So that's great isn't it? Mmm, except that we don't need the money. We've got the second largest turnover only just behind Real Madrid. Chelsea have been given the money, the star players and the prizes, but is there anything, anything at all that you envy about Chelsea? In view of the smooth transition to our new stadium, the wonderful send off to Highbury, the retention of our great manager and the dignified upholding of Arsenal traditions, aren't the current board the safer bet for the time being? I listened with great interest to Keith Edelman on 5 Live today, reporting on his meeting with Red & White Holdings following the interest in their shares (now at 25%). I was encouraged by what he had to say, although not entirely convinced either. Encouraged by his faith in allowing Arsene to get on with all things football and his repeated assurances that the board did not wish to sell out to anybody. Unconvinced by his statement that Usmanov was simply buying up shares as an investment without any thought of a takeover. Considering Arsenal shares do not attract dividends and given the timing and manner of Usmanov's share trading, one suspects a take over is very conceivable if not this season then in the not too distant future. Football politics at that level is out of the hands of us mere mortals, so lets worry not. Enjoy what's on the pitch, savour every minute of it. We might just be witnessing something extra special, even by Arsene's standards. M. (By the way, it's been suggested that I have a proper blog that allows responses. Good idea - I'll look into it sometime. Meanwhile, leave your opinions on the furm). |
| 13/08/07 INTO THE UNKNOWN . . . |
| It's the day after the Fulham game. I've been meaning to write a 'preview of the season' type piece for a while and haven't got round to it, and starting it after the season has begun might be a bit of a cheat. At least it would be if the Fulham game revealed anything significant, but I'm not sure it did. Except for a feeling perhaps of, mmm, here we go again . . . That's certainly how I felt during the match, watching events from the lofty perch of row 8 upper tier (directly above the away fans). We go one down, outplay the opposition, play fancy football without shooting much, miss a few good chances . . . you know the story. This opener was just like last season's servings reheated, except the desert was extra tasty this time thanks to RVP & Hleb's late show. So what of the season in front of us? Well, into the unkown I think. Hope rather than expectation seems to be the order of the day. It's a long time since I looked forward to a season with hope rather than expectation and I admit I'm not overly comfortable with it. I'll mention Thierry briefly, and once only so we can move on. He was great, he's gone and we'll miss him. When we miss chances, we'll have to endure opposing fans singing his name as we used to (if Fulham fans are anything to go by). You'd better get used to it. Freddie has departed too, a loyal and popular servant to our club. A few silly words on his departure shouldn't cloud the entertainment and commitment he has given us, the high point of which must be his goal against Chavski in the FA Cup Final, red hair and all. Those of you (like me) who were lucky enough to be there will remember the belting out of the 'we love you freddie' anthem in Cardiff for a long time, and you've probably (like me) got a dodgy photo of yourself with a red streak in your hair from the day. Bless you Freddie. We're left with 'the kids', a couple of summer signings who look OK but we don't know a lot about, and just a few experienced players none of us are really convinced about (Lehman, Gilberto, Gallas). I wouldn't be sorry to see any of the last three depart to be honest; they seem somehow strangely out of place in our youthful line up. I've heard more than one NASC member state 'we'll surprize 'em' this season, confidently predicting premier league glory. Others predicting a yielding of our now traditional 4th place to the unmentionables a mile or so up the road. Who's to know? I suspect we'll have a season of highs, lows and frustrations and a battle for 4th spot similar to last season. I can't believe we'll be consistant enough to challenge the big money spenders for the title, but we'll no doubt take some scalps along the way to make us think we could be champions. What is interesting for me is to see which of our players become the new fans favourites, the leaders, the heroes. There seems to be no focal point to our side right now (you could argue Cesc perhaps, but not if he plays as he did against Fulham). We've hardly got a song for any of these players such is their low profile compared with the Veira's and Bergkamps we've been used to. So who will emerge as 'the face of Arsenal' from our young crop? Can Hleb or Thomas be loved as much as Pires? Can RVP develop the presence of Henry? For that they need not only immense talent but charisma and character, and judging by the long silences during the Fulham match I think the Arsenal faithful need these characters to surface very quickly. We've lost our superstars, now we are desperate for others to emerge. I'd like to think this young team can develop into world beaters, but my fear is that us fans will be too impatient. We've been spoilt for so long, that if our squad under performs the clammer will be for big names to be signed. That seemed all too clear for 85 minutes against Fulham - an impatient home crowd unable to latch on to a single player for inspiration, unable to recognise their captain (Gallas does not fit into the fist-clenching skipper we are used to) and watching their new Arsenal team with equal measures of hope and doubt. Adams, Vieira, Henry . . . personalities, characters, leaders . . . who in the new generation will have those qualities to inspire their team mates and excite their fans? M. |
| 28/06/07 ARSENAL IN CRISIS? |
| I've had a few days for the post-Henry cloud to lift, and like most of you I've caught some of the media's gleeful gloom for Arsenal's future. Star player gone; manager about to leave; boardroom conflicts; no money for players; Cesc next to go. Our club is in meltdown. At least it is if you believe what you read. And it may be true. We can be sure that Arsene will see out his contract of course, but maybe this really is his last year and he will leave. Maybe Cesc will follow him to Barca, Madrid or wherever he ends up, leaving us with a team of kids that have failed to fufil their potential, a stadium that is half empty and a boardroom not knowing what to do. It could happen. It is not the first time Arsenal have faced a crisis. The George Graham 'bung' affair seemed desperate at the time, but probably did the club a favour by bringing his era to a conclusion. Vieira leaving was a blow, but we went to Paris the following season. Remember the fuss over the pulling down of the Northbank terrace and the infamous bond scheme? A distant memory now. I can even recall under Terry Niell a couple of players - supermac and one other I think - being sent home from an Australian tour amongst stories of indiscipline. It was all over the press, but soon after that we lifted the FA Cup. Adams drink driving, the brawl and points deduction against Man Utd . . . the list of crisis moments goes on and we always come back stronger. I don't think it will do us any harm at all if the club is put under pressure for a while. Arsenal's history proves that we pull together when outside forces are against us, and it will help us to find out what 'les enfants' are made of. Time for them to mature and bring the traditional Arsenal spirit to the fore. I don't know what to make of the board room affair. It seems a simple matter of the old gaurd wanting business as usual, compared to Mr Dein wanting American cash and big name signings. Who can say who is right? You can't question what Mr Dein has done in making radical changes at Arsenal, and maybe outside investment is a neccessary evil of modern day football. On the other hand the old guard have looked after our club pretty well for a long long time. They are more aware of Arsenal standards and traditions than any American investor will ever be. Do we really want to simply buy our success like Chelsea? Whatever the truth it would appear that there is little money available for new players. There are rumours of large funds being available, but I don't believe it. Let's face it, the money has been spent on the stadium. I'm not convinced the money from TH's transfer will necessarily go into Arsene's war chest either. I don't see big signings arriving this summer. I don't think we have the money, and it would go against Arsene's policy of developing his young team. Wenger's contract situation also makes big name purchases difficult - would the best players really sign if they couldn't be certain about who their manager would be in a years time? The time to buy the big stars was a year ago. We were on the big stage in Paris, our brand of football was envied, our manager had two years left on his contract, players were in the shop window at the World Cup, TH had committed his future to us and we had the promise of a fantastic new stadium. If we were going to buy big and attract the best names that was the ideal time, not now. Why didn't we buy big then? Why did Arsene choose to go with youth? Because the money for transfers wasn't available - hence the subsequent fall out between David Dein and the board. The truth is our future is in the hands of our rising stars. The question is how long will Mr Wenger be there to guide them. The answer is we have to wait and see. Forget big name buys, get behind the manager and the team, and 'sing your heart out for the lads'. It's time for the old Arsenal spirit to surface again. M. |
| 25/06/07 FAREWELL THIERRY |
| Today is the day Thierry completed his move to Barca, and writing this I feel a little sad to be honest. Players like Henry don't come along very often; a rare talent, arguably Arsenal's finest, a genuine superstar with style, with elegance and with a presence that other footballing megastars couldn't quite match. We are losing something very special and it doesn't feel good. I've always said if a player doesn't want to play for Arsenal he should go, and when Vieira left I didn't care too much. I was tired of the speculation and his flirting with Juve. But with Henry I feel unusually sad. Not sure why. Perhaps his leaving somehow represents the final demise of the Henry/Pires/Bergkamp inspired team that Wenger built? Perhaps because even if we've seen the best of him, Henry at 80% of his best is still worth having in your team? Perhaps because it moves Arsenal one step closer to being an 'average' team again? Perhaps because Henry has been the face, the style, the very embodiment of Arsenal for such a long time that I'm struggling to see Arsenal without him? I'm not sure why, but the enormity of his talent and his unique contribution to our club is sinking in now he's leaving. The ironic thing is that Titi leaving might be the best thing for us. Maybe the likes of Van Persie will step out of the shadow and the team will find a new leader and a new togetherness. But it doesn't feel that way today. TH stated Dein's departure and Wenger's uncertain future as the reasons he's leaving. I'd like to believe him, but actually I think the truth is that he's determined to win the Champions League to complete his medal set and quite simply he sees Barca as a better bet than Arsenal for this. The defeat in Paris hurt him badly - his post match reaction was unlike the cool, pensive Henry we normally see - and I'm convinced the Champions League is the holy grail for him. He can't wait and gamble for the Arsenal kids to come good, and who can blame him for that? Whatever the real reasons I wish him well in Spain, and I hope Arsenal can meet Barca in the latter stages of the Champions League so we can see him play once more. Provided we win of course! M. |
| 16/05/07 EMIRATES VERDICT |
| Now we've had a full season to get used to our new home, I'd be interested to know what people think of it and whether you're in any way missing Highbury. I was part of the NASC team that played 5 a side on the Emirates pitch this week. It was great fun of course, but I didn't get the kind of buzz I got when I played at Highbury. I was expecting to be overwhlemed by the enormity of our new home. It didn't happen. It didn't touch me at all. I remember every time I stepped onto the Highbury pitch (even last season's mud bath penalty fiasco) feeling in awe of the place, and very priveledged to experience it. Standing in front of the Northbank, from the pitch perspective it looked huge. How daunting it must have been to perform in front of it when it was full on a match day. From the pitch, Highbury Stadium towered over you. Made you feel small. The closeness of the stands to the pitch gave you no place to hide. Somehow, weirdly, you sensed the eyes of every past player and supporter who'd ever been to the place were there watching you; you heard their mumblings, caught echoes of the past seeping from every corner, and the breath of past glories touched the back of your neck. The place simply reeked of football and history. The Emirates didn't have that feeling. It's a bigger stadium of course - a lot bigger - and when you are high up in the seats in the Emirates it looks huge, impressive and glorious. But on the pitch it is different. The pitch is bigger, and further distanced from the suporters by the wide 'running track' style perimeter around the pitch. The stadium also appears much smaller from the pitch than it does from the seats - it appears to gently and gracefully fall away from you, with little of the claustrophobic and imposing presence of Highbury. Put 60,000 people into the seats at I've no doubt I would have been terrified! But for visiting Premier and European players does it have the initimidation of Highbury? I doubt it. We were allowed to leave the pitch via the tunnel and avail ourselves of the away team dressing room facilities, which were large, spotlessly clean (until we arrived!) and comfortable as you'd expect. Too comfortable I reckon - why not let the away team rough it a bit?! We then made our way to club level, my first experience of this part of the stadium. I politely declined the opportunity to purchase a glass of red wine from the bar at £4.75 (go on, call me tight if you want to). Now I can understand why the seats are still empty two minutes before kick off, and five minutes after half time. I mean, it is designed that way isn't it? Sit down, have a drink, a bite to eat, have a natter by the impressive large glass windows that look away from the pitch (they are much bigger than the ones that face the pitch!), and . . . oh, the game has started . . . best we go and have a look. I've mentioned before how I openly envy the Liverpool kop on European nights, and how I'd love that spirit to grow at the Emirates. Now I realise I'm waiting for a reverse of the natural evolution of football. It isn't going to happen. The stadium is not designed for the old breed of supporter (like me). Club level has opened my eyes to that. No, this is the footballing equivalent of a night at a West End Theatre. Pay top money, enjoy the show, partake of interval refreshments, applaud, and if another patron is sitting in your seat next time, well, their money is as good as yours. Yep, it's theatre alright. Funny thing is, some of the best theatres I know are old, quircky and small, offering a unique and personal experience where you can almost touch the performers. I haven't warmed to our functional new stage at all. M. |
| 27/04/07 ROLL ON AUGUST. |
| I haven't felt compelled to add to this blog for a while - busy with other things, but also because after the cup exits our season had drifted towards an inevitable bland finish. It is a tribute to Arsene that such finishes are rare - we always have something to compete for in April and May, and last season was especially exciting with the chase for 4th against Spurs, the farewell to Highbury and the CL final. We're not used to being out of the big games, and it is difficult to adjust. Liverpool's thrashing of PSV was predictable, and reinforces what we all knew - that we exited to CL at the hands of a very ordinary team. A little bit of Alan Ball's competitiveness in that away leg and things might have been so different. If only . . . Three english teams in the last four of the CL should be gripping, but with Arsenal not amongst them I can't get enthused. If pushed, I'd be happy to see Man Utd take the Premiership (as they've clearly played the best football this season) and Liverpool take the CL (their support and European pedigree mean more than Chelski's millions), but in truth I don't much care. The only thing I don't want to see is Cashley with a CL winners medal in his first year at Chelski. The departure of David Dein amongst rumours of an American buy out is interesting, and we don't really know what is behind the decision or what the future holds. Do we want American owners and cash? Judging by the calls for Arsene to splash the cash, and the general disenchantment with a 4th place finish you would think so. Personally I don't want to see it happen - I don't want us to become another Chelski. Our club has changed so much over the last ten years, perhaps a buy out is just a natural progression of the evolutionary course we are on, but I'd rather we kept our traditional ownership and build teams on guile and talent rather than millions. Today on the radio there are rumours of Danny Fizman discussing selling ut to a mystery Russian investor. He's denied it and it is probably rubbish, but I suspect this uncertaintly and gossip will continue for a time. It was also interesting to see the overwhelming support for David Dein and concern for his departure. I remember when he first came on the scene and was anything but popular. As the man behind the demise of the old Northbank, the introduction of the Bond Scheme and rising ticket prices he was universally berated. I had no time for him then - my natural resitance to change perhaps, so maybe I'll be wrong about the benefits of American cash as well. Mr Dein has won the respect of the fans because of his discovery of Arsene Wenger and the success this has brought to Arsenal, and to a lesser degree because he has demonstrated a passion for driving Arsenal forward. Popular opinion suggests we have not seen the last of him at Arsenal. 4th place looks a certainty, so let's get the season over with. A win against Chelsea on May 6th will leave us with a good memory for the summer. |
| 08/03/07 THE RISE AND FALL OF THE 06/07 SEASON. |
| Witnessing Arsenal's demise in last night's Champions League match against PSV reminded me of a similar ill-fated home fixture. It must be about 15 years ago that I travelled with NASC, our first season I think, to watch Arsenal lose at Highbury to Benfica. It was a slow and inevitable death that night, with Arsenal running out of steam and an increasingly confident Benfica sweeping forward with impressive counter attacks and swift passing. Strangely, we were in what was more usually the away section of the clock end that night. Ah, the clock end . . . I recall the visiting, victorious Benfica fans chanting "easy easy" (and in truth it was) in English as they scored their third. Last night the PSV fans greeted their away goal with a rendition of "Always look on the bright side of life". In the midst of yesterday's gloom it offered some bitter sweet humour, and an appropriate message for us deflated gooners. We must look on the bright side, tough though it is at the moment. We know the negatives - outplaying teams with our fancy-dan football but failing to win; the opposition unwilling to cross the half way line then somehow taking the one chance they sneakily get; our talented players never daring to shoot from any more than 8 yards out, typified last night by the twinkle-toed Hleb who frequently danced his way merrily to the edge of the PSV box before stopping, turning round and playing the ball backwards; our need for a true goalpoacher (imagine Ian Wright in this side - 40 goals a season?). Yet in the midst of it all we have blossoming young talent and a passing game to die for, a team we expect victories from every time they take to the field, and a manager who we trust to deliver entertainment, flair and trophies. We are close to brilliant, close to successful, close to great. To coin a well worn expression, we do indeed need to 'keep the faith'. Rest Henry for the rest of the season so he is fit, fresh and back to his old self next season. Keep faith in the young talent we were so overjoyed with just a few weeks ago. Strengthen the team in key two areas - in goal and up front. Thanks Lens, but we need to move on and find a new Dave Seaman at no.1. Up front, a world class striker who scores goals from inside the box, scruffy goals, good goals, goals against the run of play - who cares, just someone who can put the end product in place that our beautiful football deserves (and would take the heat of TH to boot). Comparing our exit to the success of the three English qualifiers highlights our weaknessess. We probably had more possession, passes, attacks and chances than any one of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester Utd, and against poorer opposition (let's face it, PSV were well organised but dire). So why did we fail when they succeeded? Man Utd had the finisher we missed; they played poorly, but Larson had the goal-getting savvy to see them through. Had he been in an Arsenal shirt last night, I would be watching the quarter final draw instead of writing this ditty. Chelsea had the luck we missed; trailing at home, Robben hits a poor shot from 25 yards that a world class keeper fumbles into the net. Chelsea earned that luck by trying a speculative shot - perhaps if Hleb had a couple of digs at goal from distance last night we could have got lucky as well. Liverpool had the passion, belief and commitment; all the qualities that enabled us to see off Real Madrid and Juve last year, but that failed to materialise when needed against PSV. We had no passion or urgency in the away leg, and little belief in the home tie. It is on comparison with Liverpool that I want to end. On the pitch I trust in Arsene - he'll secure third place so we can do it all over again next season, and our team will be stronger, better, and wiser next season than this. We'll find a way past the ten-man defences that arrive to stifle our genius. I have the faith. My real concern is not on the pitch, but on the 'terraces'. Compare the fantastic scenes at Anfield before and during their match with Barca to the void that existed in our shiny new Emirates Stadium last night. Well before kick off at Anfield the kop was in full voice, belting out their anthem through a sea of red and yellow scarves and flags. Five minutes prior to kick off at the Emirates last night the stadium was half empty - you could hear the PSV fans singing, but when they took a break the twittering of the occassional passing bird swooping about overhead was about the sum of it. Eventually the empty seats had Arsenal bums on them, but it made little difference in the end. In 5-live's match report, they described the atmosphere at Arsenal last night as 'limp'. I agree - we got going for a few minutes after we scored, but it was noticeable how several of our players (even young Denilson) had to openly emplore the home support to make some noise. When PSV scored it marked a mass exidus of home support from the ground, despite the fact that there were still 7 minutes plus 3 minutes added time to play with two goals needed for a place in the Champions League quarter finals! Three minutes after their goal there must have been 10,000 empty seats, and by 90 minutes the place was more than half empty again. The Anfield atmosphere reminded me of our own home games last season against Real Madrid, Juve and Villareal when fans and players were as one in a noisy, determined defiance; when together on and off the pitch we as a club put heart and soul into resisting the opposition. Then, you just knew we wouldn't lose. Last night the fans were detached from the players, both in spirit and physical distance. You know I'm sentimental about Highbury and not yet comfortable in our new home, impressive though it undeniably is. It is not just paying £46 for a ticket (the Benfica match, I'm certain, was little more than a fiver). I'm daft enough to pay, when I can. I feel somehow we must force intamacy, passion and emotion into our corporate, comfortable home. As Tom Watt said when he closed Highbury, we need to take the old stadium's spirit with us to the Emirates. We are a long way from doing that. Whether the hinderance to this is the stadium design, or the need to build up a history there, or the ticket prices, or the 'new breed' of supporter, or the team's peformances, or the difficulties in access to and from the stadium . . . I'm not sure. Something was badly missing last night - even the PA announcer got the team wrong during his customary (and awful in my opinion) reading out of the player's names. I know the move was 'the right thing to do' and maybe we just need a couple of seasons there and a few big wins to turn the Emirates into a spiritual as well as practical home. I'm just not sure if I can stand the wait. We can't turn the clock back, not even the famous old Highbury clock that I was delighted to see has found a new home high up on the exterior of our new stadium. The old timer hardly looks comfortable against its new silvery steel modernist backdrop; a reminder of our glorious past and a sign that everything changes. I'm getting negative again, sorry. Keep the faith, yes - but can we be a bit more noisy about it as well? M. |
| 27/02/07 CARLING CUP - REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, PART ONE. |
| I feel really positive about our performance in the Carling Cup - the impressive way we reached the final dumping West Brom, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham on the way, and our performance in the final itself. Like many on the NASC coach travelling to Cardiff we didn't know what to expect. We were travelling in hope rather than expectancy and although we knew we had a chance the general feeling was that we might get a thumping on the day. We need not have worried. Our youngsters outplayed Chelski for an hour. The first half was a joy to behold, as our teenage midfield made Chelsea's multi million pound world cup stars look pedestrian. We had pace, commitment, composure and an attacking mentality that embarassed our opponents. Diaby and Denilson completely dominated Lampard, Ballack and Essien and we were unfortunate to go in level. The introduction of Robben for Chelsea made at half time gave them much more threat, but even so our midfield were still in control and Diaby and Fabregas went close after sweet moves. Only one team were playing the beautiful game - those in red shirts, while the blues looked slow and clueless. A lesser talked about moment will live long in my memory - Diaby hooking the ball Vieira-like past Lampard and the England man losing his balance and falling to the ground as a result. It summed up the first hour. The John Terry injury was a big turning point. We never seemed to regain our focus and fluency after the long break in play, and Chelsea started to benefit from occasions where we lost possesion. Diaby also had to go off, being replaced by Hleb who was innefectual on this occasion. What also happened, and this was key for me, was that our full backs stopped coming forward. Wether this was an instruction from Wenger, or the increasing threat of Robben who was changing flanks, or a result of tiredness I'm not certain but it had a huge impact. Even when the usually attack-minded Eboue came on he still stayed back when we attacked giving Theo no support. The result was that we carried less threat up front and lost possession in our attacks, giving Chelski the chance to build their own attacks. The scrap at the end was the usual footballing handbags that happens from time to time. Our players should have the discipline not to get involved, especially in a circumstance where every minute is vital, but we must not let this incident or our eventual loss overshadow a really confident, positive performace from our team. We outplayed them, we out muscled them, we out sang them. Chelski may have taken the tin pot home, but we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to. |
| 27/02/07 CARLING CUP - REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, PART TWO. |
| Off the pitch, some observations and thank you's. Firstly to sponsors Carling, for allocating almost 90% of the tickets to the two clubs' supporters. It made for a terrific atmosphere inside the ground with two halves of blue and red (even if the blue half was desperately quiet for most of the game!). It puts the FA and their stupid FA Cup Final allocation system to shame. The FA should realise that having their final filled with genuine supporters from the two competing teams is the right thing to do, and makes for a better atmosphere on the day. The FA will no doubt continue their duff ways, which is why the Carling Cup is beginning to hold a greater appeal for me than the FA Cup. Secondly, Carling again and Arsenal for providing free hospitality packages for Supporters Clubs. Carling arranged for the Riverside suite to be made available to Arsenal, who in turn invited Committee members from their many Supporters Clubs to the event. Marc, Sarah, 'Hospitality Dave' and myself enjoyed a pleasant pre-match with other Supporters Club 'officials' (including two who had flown from South Africa to be there!) with food and drink laid on, a few freebies, the company of Sammy Nelson and Charlie George and decent seats thrown in. We were also able to hold a 'free raffle' on the NASC coach for a couple of the complimentary tickets, allowing two lucky members free seats for the match. It's the first time in 35 years of following Arsenal and 15 years with NASC that I've known Arsenal to offer a meaningful freebie (apart from the very nice T Shirts last year). I believe Arsenal should try much harder to recognise the hard work and dedication of their supporters clubs, and it was thanks directly to Carling that they were able to show some appreciation on this occasion. It makes a change. Thirdly thanks to Bob & Irene for donating raffle prizes for a raffle on the day and for decorating the coach so splendidly with balloons and ribbons fit for a cup final trip. I'm a little disappointed that thier efforts raised a meagre £28 from a coach of 49 people, especially as the club made the trip a non-profit event (Cardiff and back for £18!). Come on people, support the raffles - a pound or two each each wouldn't hurt! Lastly 'ta' to Dave W who worked so hard to ensure everyone got tickets and travel and was looked after on the day. Dave's hospitality invite was from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. At 1.30 pm he was still outside the stadium making and recieving calls from various people he wanted to get tickets to, depite my nagging that he should be inside enjoying himself. Top man, I'm pleased the Scotch raffle prize made its way into your Hospitality bag! M. |
| 15/02/07 BOLTON DEFEATED |
| Last night's FA Cup win over Bolton was one of the most enjoyable (and maddest) wins I've seen for some time. A day later and the 'feel good factor' is still with me. To field a side half of which was made up of second string players in such a tough fixture was another gamble, but it brought rich rewards for Wenger and the club. A brilliant victory, even if the penalties were embarassing! I've not been Hleb's biggest fan, but he's winning me over. Last night his close control under pressure and quick passing were outstanding. I've seen plenty of games where he loses possession, and I still think he cuts inside too much instead of playing wide players in. But if he maintains last night's standards and can add a few goals he's OK by me. I like the look of Diaby in midfield, and Denilson too - he played with commitment, skill and composure. Adebayor ran his socks off and seems to be winning over the doubters. It's difficult to judge Alliadiere on an extra time performance against a tired Bolton side with the game so stretched, but again he showed skills which if he could produce consistantly would make him an asset. What do we have in Baptista? For me he stood out as a bit of a duffer last night - several missed chances, clearly no left foot whatsoever, and the penalty . . ! He reminds me of Kevin Campbell - all muscle bound and tight, like a boxer trying to play football. Something just doesn't look right about him. Yet he's played 30 plus times for Brazil and can score four at Anfield, so he must have something. We like to share our views on these players and it's fascinating to watch them develop, but for all our opinions one thing is for sure; we know diddly squat - only Arsene knows!. M. |
| 02/02/07 CARLING CUP FINAL - PLAY THE KIDS |
| Beating Tottenham is always fun, but doing it a cup semi final with a "B" team is even more fun. How they must hate us. Wenger now has to decide what team to play for the final; the kids or the "A" team. I hope he plays the kids. Sure, put some strength into key positions, especially through the middle where Chelsea will no doubt start with their 'diamond' formation, and Thierry on the bench perhaps - he has put in some fantastic supersub appearences in the past when he can give it his explosive best for twenty minutes without worrying about fatigue. I would be happy with that and if we lose, so be it. The problem is that Wenger risks being slated if he doesn't play his strongest XI - and by his own team supporters. I listened to 5 live's coverage of the Semi Final first leg at Spurs, and at half time when we were 2-0 down they were being inundated with calls, texts and emails from Arsenal fans berating Wenger for putting out a weakened side. Everyone had changed their tune after we got back to 2-2, and it was the Spurs fans complaining - the Arsenal whingers had magically disappeared. Look at the stick Banitez got from the media and Liverpool fans after he played a 'second X1' against us in the quarter final and lost. The truth is it is a risky policy that only works if you win. You can't have it both ways. If you support Wenger in playing the kids you must be prepared to accept defeat with good grace should we lose. I hope he'll use the squad that has got us to the final; they've earned their right to play and our full support on the day. |
| 15/01/07 CURRENT FORM |
| Our two wins at Anfield, scoring 9 goals in the process, underline just how far The Arsenal have come since the team I used to watch in the seventies and eighties. In those days trips to Anfield were terryfying, and I just used to hope the team wouldn't lose by too many. In fact, if The Arsenal managed a couple of fleeting attacks and had one half decent shot it was reasonably satisfying. It's against that history that the '89 championship winning match at Anfield is all the more amazing. Since then we have turned the tables and are now the dominant force, and wins over Liverpool are almost becoming routine. It's really satisfying that we are able to go there and win without Pires, Bergkamp, Vieira, Cole et al, and shows that there is plenty of quality and spirit (as Arsene likes to remind us of constantly) in our young team. It still looks to me like we are a couple of seasons, and perhaps a couple of players, away from being the force we were 3 or 4 seasons ago. I don't have high expectations from the current squad; 4th place or better in the league, a good stab at the cups, the last 8 of the Champions League, the odd brilliant week like we've just had at Anfield - that would be just fine. Provided we steadily improve, gain in confidence and consistancy and attract a couple of big names that can make the difference in future seasons I'll be more than happy. |
| 05/12/06 THIERRY HENRY |
| Interesting goings on at Arsenal with Arsene and Thierry this week. I think rumours of a 'fall out' are probably true - Arsene is careful with his words and cleverly intimated there was a problem without actually saying those words. Henry is a fantastic player, truly great, and arguably the finest player ever to put on an Arsenal shirt (even though comparison with past greats is tough). But if Wenger believes he should be dropped then he is probably right. Various reasons have been rumoured - a fall out, tiredness, a neck injury, Arsene sending a message to the players that no one player can assume he is in the starting line up. Maybe he even dropped him as preparation for the Porto game knowing that we need a result there without Henry. Both Arsene and Thierry have done wonders for our club and owe us nothing, and they have had a special relationship that has worked for both them and for Arsenal. I don't see any reason why they should not come out of this in good shape. Thierry gets critizised by Arsenal fans too easily in my opinion. I think this is simply due to the fact that he has set incredibly high playing standards and can give the impression of being lazy or disinterested at times. If he has a below par game I don't think it deserves a harsh reaction from the supporters - take the CL Final for example; I've heard so much negative stuff about his performance which is unfair. Without Henry we would not have made it anywhere near the final. My only gripe with him is that he doesn't smile enough - this cool galic posing is all very well but I think he could take a leaf out of Wrighty's book when it comes to goal celebrations. And maybe that's the reason why despite his brilliance he will probably never be quite as well loved as Brady, Wright, Adams and others. He clearly loves the club and his playing record can't be faulted, but if he just shared his inner passion for Arsenal with the fans a bit more he might more easily be forgiven the occasional off day. M. |
| 23/11/06 HIGHBURY AUCTION |
| Did anyone else follow the recent Highbury 'extra time' auction? Once again the money paid for items was extraordinary. I put a watch on a few items, but was never in the running. I can well understand people paying nearly £2000 for the 'Home of Football' signs, or £200 for an executive seat similar to the one we got Browno. This is part of the fabric of the stadium. What amazes me is £600 for a builders plastic hat (even if it was supposedly worn by Patrick Vieira!) and other items that have a tenuous link to the old building. I'm glad I've got a few keepsakes from Highbury; a couple of the deco tiles, a few seats and a patch of the pitch which is watered, fed and snipped with bags of TLC! Most of all the memories, and they really are priceless. M. |
| 22/11/06 CURRENT FORM |
| There's a lot of moaning going on at our home form, but is anyone really surprized that we're dropping points? It will take at least half a season, maybe more, before we settle in. Most teams find this to be the case, so why should we be any different? It is probably made worse by the fact that we are playing teams off the park and not taking chances, and that we are drawing against very ordinary teams. The home wins will come. This is still a new young team; no Bergkamp, no Pires, no Campbell, in a new stadium. We all need a little patience. If I had one wish it might be for Thierry to smile a bit more. He doesn't seem to like his up front alone role, and it shows. Cheer up and we might all feel a bit better! I'm surprized he does not have the old freedom to wander deep and wide and pick the ball up like he used to. I find it difficult to believe Arsene has stopped him doing it, but whatever the reason is I think we miss that side to his game. Theo Walcott really does look an exciting prospect. Still raw we know, but he showed plenty of composure to help us see off Hamburg in what proved to be an edgy night. I really thought 10 points from 5 games would be good enough, but I hadn't banked on Porto getting a win in Russia. The last fixture is genuinely difficult, but just the kind of game we must win plenty of if we are to get to the final again this year. Like Man Utd away earlier in the season, this is another huge fixture that could make or break our season. It's such a pleasure following this Arsenal team - apart from the beautiful passing game, the big fixtures keep on coming. Long may it continue. M. |
| 06/11/06 HENRY / ARSENE |
| Two issues to hit the media this week - Henry's criticism of the Arsenal crowd, and Arsene's spat with Alan Pardew. I sympathise with Henry's viewpoint - I've never left a match ebefore the final whistle, and though I understand the difficulties in getting home after a midweek game, especially with the higher numbers leaving the Emirates, leaving early is something I just don't get. I'm always disappointed when Arsenal fans moan and groan. Of course it is frustrating when we don't see goals and wins, but the football we play is sublime and widely recognised as the most attractive there is. If the team screws up from time to time we have to accept that. It would be different if the team where not giving 100%, as with some Arsenal teams in the past, but Wenger's team rarely give less than their best and we should appreciate that. We should also acknowledge that they are trying to play a brand of football that others can't match and more often than not it works. A little patience and encouragement when it doesn't result in wins is the least they deserve. I think it was also Henry's way of trying to speed up the creation of a real home atmosphere at the Emirates. It will take time to achieve this, and we can all contribute. I also have sympathy with Wenger, as his actions were no doubt a result of a week of frustration. Having watched Arsenal dominate Everton and then play CSKA Moscow of the park without getting a win in either match, he the sees his team fail to take chances again against the Hammers as well as being denied a clear penalty. There was also a suggestion of a foul against Flamini leading to the Hammers late winner. That said, I don't think Pardew's celebrations were at all over the top - in his position he could have been forgiven a streak around the pitch. Pardew has also been very concilatory this morning, apologising to Arsenal FC and stating his respect for the club and Arsene, and clearly stating his wish for the matter to be resolved. I hope Arsene recognises that his own actions were more out of his own frustrations than anything the Hammers boss did, and that he too should apologise the Pardew and move on. In the end it was just the actions of two managers passionate about their teams and who hate to lose and should not result in any lasting bad feeling between the two clubs. M. |
| 18/10/06 ON THE BALL CITY |
| My boys were given free tickets to Norwich Reserves vs Luton Reserves from their School today, so I could hardly refuse to take them to such a glamour fixture. We just saw the first half, and three home goals, before 'bedtime'. Niall, who's 6 and has thus far shown a complete lack of interest in all things football, caught me totally off guard by yelling out 'come on Arsenal!' repeatedly through the first half. Seems like my efforts on him haven't been wasted after all! Ta Niall, you've made your dad very proud. M. |
| 17/10/06 DEFEAT IN RUSSIA |
| We'll all be disappointed at tonight's result in Moscow, but I'm not overly concerned. If there was ever a match we were going to lose in this group this was it. They're a decent side and will no doubt trouble us on the break at the Emirates, but four points from our next two home matches and we'll be fine. Win them both and we can top the group. Henry's "goal" should have stood, but apart from that we seemed to have another shot-shy night. I wonder if we can get Rosicky in a more central role as he seems the only one prepared to take pot luck with a speculative shot. Toure was superb, and at times our best attacking player! The home support's flag waving looked good, it would be good to see something similar at the Emirates. The Kop manages it on European nights, why can't we? Saying that reminds me of when Andy Wilson and I sat together at Wembley for the FA Cup Final vs Newcastle (Overmars, Anelka, 2-0) and some suited-and-booted non-footballing gate-crasher leave-before-the-end type moaned at me for 'waving my flag to close to him'. I mean, it was only an FA Cup Final at Wembley! Needless to say I waved it even more after that - maybe he does everyone a favour by staying home and watching it on the telly now. I caught the highlights (I admit it) of the Manure game vs wonderful wonderful. Did anyone else spot Pascal Cygan? There we were thinking we'd transferred him to Spain for some silly fee, and all the time he's actually the Copenhagen coach. I really want to go to the return CSKA match on November 1st, but Kelly is due to give birth to our third junior gunner that week. Mmm, dilemma. Guess she could come with me, then if anything happens I won't miss it and we can call the baby 'Emirates'. Nah, naff name. Enjoy the Reading away trip all who are going - it should be a tough, fiesty and entertaining match, and a damn sight better than watching England. Mind you, just when I said watching England was dull up pops Robinson to liven things up. You can always rely on Tottenham for a laugh! Anyway, mos-gow . . . M. |
| 06/10/06 INTERNATIONALS |
| It's International weekend, no Premier League footie, no Arsenal. I hate International weekends. It's not the same when Arsenal aren't playing. Try as I might I can't get exceited about watching England. Maybe it's the hype about them being better than they really are. Maybe it's a hang over from all those boring Sven friendlies. Maybe it's because after watching Arsenal's brand of football, watching any other team is like watching paint dry. Maybe it's the lack of Arsenal players in the England team. I remember watching England in the 70's, when it seemed like you really had to be someone to earn a cap. Sven's legacy is at least in part a feeling that just about anyone can earn a cap. In the seventies the game against Poland sticks out, when we failed to beat them at Wembley and so missed out on the world cup finals. The intensity of the game, the passion and the atmosphere was memorable. Don't get me wrong, I get behind England and I want them to do well. But I got more of a buzz when Vieira and Petit scored in the world cup final for France than when Heskey put number five past the German keeper - because they were Arsenal. Interesting to hear Arsene's comments last week, that in 4 or 5 year's time half the Arsenal side will be English. Looking at the names in the current youth team, and recent evidence, that is very hard to believe. Still I hope it happens. I don't have a problem watching Arsenal without English players, but I do have a problem watching England without Arsenal players. So if Arsene can shape an Arsenal team with 4 or 5 England Internationals, that would brighten up those dull International weekends. M. |
| 02/10/06 15th ANNIVERSARY MEMBERS MEETING |
| It was great to see well over 100 people at the October meeting last night, an occasion which marked the 15th anniversary of the founding of NASC. I hope the enjoyment and good spirit shown at the meeting will stay with us for the rest of what is sure to be another exciting season watching Arsenal and also a challenging season for a largely new NASC committee. We hope this year will be a good one on the social front, with several more initiatives planned during the year. It seems a good time to start a blog - so here it is, welcome all - and what better place to start than at the beginning with the story of the founding of NASC, so here goes. OCTOBER 1991 John Browne and I used to travel to Highbury by car in the pre-NASC era and the idea for a supporters club came over a pre-match pint in 'The Gunners', London N5. Credit for the idea must go to a third party - a friend of mine called Jason. I met Jason when I was working in Spain in 1989 and our Arsenal connections made us good friends. During our time in Spain we agreed to meet up one day at The Home of Football, and so it was that in 1991 Jason, John and I got to meet up in 'The Gunners'. John and I mentioned to Jason how tough it was to get FA Cup Final tickets, being non-season ticket holders from Norfolk, and Jason casually replied that setting up a Supporter's Club might be a good way of getting FA Cup Final tickets out of Arsenal. It was just a typical throw away football conversation in a pub but it sowed a seed. That comment, plus the thought of maybe finding a handful of others Gooners in Norwich to car share with us on match days, was enough to get John and I talking about the idea. We decided to give it a go. Quite how much we planned and discussed things I can't remember, but I know we both wanted to do things properly - the Arsenal way if you like - from the start. Being an active trade union leftie in those days I had a lot of experience in committee matters, so I produced a blueprint of the club organisation including a draft set of rules, committee positions and an agenda for the first meeting. John organised the room at his local pub, the Duke of Connaught, and we placed an advert in the local paper. I'm not sure who placed the advert, but knowing John he probably paid for it. THE FIRST MEETING The meeting was held on a Sunday evening, October 13th 1991. 74 people turned up (I vivdly recall laying out chairs in the room in expectation a dozen people!), and a couple of hours later we had volunteers for the committee, rules agreed and a small bundle of cash that people had entrusted to us by way of membership subs. Our first NASC match day was Arsenal vs Notts County on October 26th 1991 - twelve of us in a minibus for a 2-0 victory (Spurs lost that day as well, so the omens were good from the start!). The rest, as they say, is history and I look forward to sharing some of the more memorable moments with you via this site in the future. BROWNO So here we are, almost 15 years later to the day. Amongst the faces at our 15th Anniversay meeting last night were several members who were at that very first NASC meeting and who have been with us through all the ups and downs of our club in those 15 years. None more familiar to us of course than that of John, our Chairman since October 1991 until Dave took over in July. It was an appropriate time to formerly thank John for his unique contribution to NASC, and I was very proud to be able to present him with a gift of behalf of members. Having been responsible for getting so many people to Highbury over the years, it was nice to be able to bring a little piece of Highbury to John in the form of a West Stand Executive Seat. I hope you'll agree it is an appropriate gift for someone who spent so long in the chair. John is not one for a big fuss and he wouldn't want me to bleat on too much about what a brilliant Chariman he's been. But I did want to share the story last night of when John treated me to a Charity Shield ticket in 1993. We'd been to Wembley with NASC four times in a matter of weeks already - the FA Cup Semi v Spurs, the two cup finals and replay vs Sheff Weds - and I was too skint to afford a Charity Shield Trip. John said he wasn't having any of that, and paid for me to 'complete the Wembley set'. I mentioned that story because I felt it summed up John's time as Chairman really well. From the outset he was never shy in putting time and money into NASC, or in making a quick decision to get something done. He has given much more to our club than he has ever taken, and his ambitious attitude has played a huge part in building our club. The strong friendships he has forged are well earned. Looking back, I think it was just very lucky that John & I could each bring something different to the mix. I was happy with the paperwork side of things, but it needed John's leadership, his great personal generosity for the club and his sense of humour to make the club work. And above all of course, it needed a whole bunch of people as daft as you lot to join in with the adventure! So thanks mate, you should be extremely proud of what you've achieved. Here's to the next 15 years. M. |
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