Guest post by Arsenal Andrew (aka @luckietwit)
What a wonderful game we saw played in Brighton at the weekend by two teams equally deserving of much credit, sandwiched as it was between the thug-fest of the earlier kick-off in the semi-deserted Potteries and the passionless snore-fest at Old Trafford. Great calls by the local broadcasters, there, by the way.
That Arsenal’s Great Well of Potential is finally being recognised more widely is to be welcomed. That Arsene continues to attract more than a little doubt on a wider level continues to bemuse this observer, at least. That Arsene will likely only win back the doubters with significant trophy-based success over successive seasons (just to prove it’s not a one-off) is quite possibly the bottom line in all of this.
The last time I had a chance to write at any length was on A Cultured Left Foot just ahead of the opening of the Transfer Window. Much water has passed under the bridge and some old friends have departed in regrettable circumstances, at least from the pages of ACLF. But the two things that remain from my last ramble seem to be the need for at least two decent additions to the squad and there are grounds for optimism that in Diame, we may yet secure a beast of a cover for Diaby – all 6′ 1″ of him – and in A N Other, a back up for a Centre Forward berth that will require immense talent to dislodge the resident immense talent of our very own Olivier, coming good now in a way that delights the faithful and surprises the doubters.
That Arsenal’s support base can now be easily recognised as falling into two camps – the doubters and the delighted – is clearly a simplistic notion. But there is some merit in this construct although I’ve little doubt myself that the doubters are as delighted as the next fan with a good goal, an improved performance, and a win, be it scrappy or spectacular. But the temporal nature of these more positive vibes in the minds of the doubters can scarcely be disguised let alone denied. Until such victories turn into winning runs leading to trophies (plural, mind), one anticipates little chance of change, on this front at least.
In the overall scheme of things – so what? Does this even matter – supporters, we are often told, have always criticised their players and the team, critiqued the manager and his directors?
Well, I think it DOES matter.
I get that fans should in theory be free to support their chosen team as they see fit and I’m all for healthy debate – is player X being played out of position, should player W have passed or shot – this is the meat and drink of following football and I’ve never had a problem with it.
The problems emerge when the atmosphere around the club is such that banners become unfurled at games that lead to violence in the crowd.
The problems emerge when players can’t begin the difficult journey back from injury or loss of form without the accompanying castigation by a vocal sector, united in a refusal to recognise the challenging nature of that same journey.
The problems emerge when decent, honourable and faithful supporters are blocked from blogs having been so wound up by the provocation and sometimes baseless barbs of some of the doubters that they have veered over the line of acceptable debate, in the eyes of those who matter.
Until Arsenal win – and win well – these problems, which are reflected throughout ArsenalWorld, will remain.
And for this writer, the divisions within the support at large are as tragic as they are damaging.
Tragedy is not a word to be used lightly but it’s how the fragmentation of the Arsenal Tribe might currently be described. We are all fans of the club, but not of each other, it would seem.
I hope Arsene finds his men. Whether it’s one, two or even three players matters little to me. I’d love us to win a trophy though my support for the club is not contingent upon this. What I’d love more is for the doubters to rediscover their faith and get back behind the club and its players and staff 100%. Maybe we need a small miracle to help that happen?
The sight of fan fighting fan – with actions or words – is something I’d happily never again see. Healthy debate, for sure. But the crossing of the line into the abuse of players – and each other – is something I find intolerable regardless of perpetrator, regardless of victim.
I’m not blaming either side for this although I know which side of the supporting fence I stand. It’s a consequence of sky high expectations dashed on the rock of financial reality, in my opinion. What that ‘reality’ actually comprises will continue to be the subject of much future debate, I’ve little doubt.
It’s a bit late for New Year wishes I know, but maybe I’m just holding out for a small miracle here. If Arsene can get the team back together, who knows, maybe the rest of the tribe will follow.
Arsenal still have the potential to be the biggest club in the world. In my biased eyes, they already are the best. But the next time anyone thinks about knocking the club or their fellow supporters – regardless of which side of the fence they sit – it might be worth remembering this.
If we ARE to become the biggest AND the best, we will only do it as one. And with ALL our cannons in a row.
The responsibility for such unity rests with each of us. Passionate debate by all means. But the continuous running down of players and the club with ever-more diverse weapons of mass distraction are doing none of us any favours.
If we are ever to start to win our biggest battles as a club, then, one day, our fighting – as fans – has to come to an end.
And that’s one day that can’t come too soon, for this fan.
Positively Arsenal 
You are a star, Andrew
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Well put. If anyone wants to discuss your valid and non-judgmental views it is their right to do so and would be what you call the ‘delighted’. I am one of them and still believe in a football club that has given me so much over the years as a supporter.
Let’s not forget, the ‘doubters’ may be angry but they will never support anyone else.
Michelle
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Wonderful .Thanks Andrew.Let hope the boys show such flare against Liverpool tomorrow
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Lovely stuff Andrew. Cheers for that Sir.
I find the two extremes of the fan base equally depressing, but as you say, if push comes to shove, I know which extreme I would be at.
As for the infighting, I think your hope is a forlorn one. It has always gone on, (to a greater or lesser extent, usually commensurate with the Club’s success or lack of), ever since South London gangs used to take on their North London counterparts at the top of the North Bank in the sixties/seventies.
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Oh, I thought the game was Wednesday, George?
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Congratulations! Is it true theres a big red button with a cross on it to extinguish doomers?-great post from Andrew!
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I think the club motto pretty much says it all. Great post. Thanks.
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I started following Arsenal from here in America just last year and I have to say, you got me. I’m hooked. I LOVE this team! I discovered I actually bleed Arsenal red! I live in Tampa which has had its share of crappy sports teams, even one owned by a certain Glazer family who also owns some other team in Manchester. No comment. If I can suffer through seeing my American football team lose 26 straight games, I think I can stand a few losses from my adopted team. GOONER FOR LIFE!!!
Arsenal has fans in America too!!!
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dam it
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That’s better
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Lovely stuff Andrew. Impossible to disagree with any of those sentiments. Cheers.
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differences on players and tactics may have always gone on but to a far lesser extent, the modern media world has given everyone an opinion(even if they dont support the club) and with the introduction of the fans who think football started with the premier league this has made the situation worse.players now hounded out and i honestly believe the blackburn fans played a huge part in getting them relegated. sucess like beauty is in the eye of the beholder 2006-12 has been our most consistent time in the league pre wenger since the 30s. while i admire your call for unity it is difficult to stand together with people who constantly slag the club you love and i happy to hurl abuse at young players for 90s minutes on a match day or even when their name is read out before the game starts.i’m sorry but these people can not be described as supporters.
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frank perhaps george ment the fa youth cup game tomorrow 🙂
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Who do we think will get the nod on Wednesday(thanks Frank) Abou ,Aaron or Mikel? I am assuming Santi and Jack are shoe ins
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Felt a bit strange there in that springy flying outfit thing. However now we are free again….
Arsenal, Arsenal Arsenal….Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenaaaalll…Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal….Arsenal…….ARSENAL
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Guessing we only get threein there if Pods and Theo start with Olivier in the middle. Got to start with Jack and Santi with Abou in front of the CHs. Aaron and Mikel on in the second half.
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Welcome Harry .please join in the discussions .Great to hear from you
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Probably right, arse or brain
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I would agree Frank ,but I think Mikel is seen as essential.
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You might be right, George. Do we know how fit he is? What a fantastic choice of players. Add Francis into the mix and we have the best competition for midfield places in the EPL.
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As suggested by arse or brain
FA Youth Cup game if anyone can get to it…..
Arsenal Youth v Fulham Youth
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Kick-off 7pm
At Barnet FC
Admission prices will be £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.
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Thanks George. Was reading something on the Arse via twitter and stumbled across your profile and…viola. Great way to start the blog there from Andrew!
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Ahem…voila not viola. The latter is a classical instrument of course.
Coat for Harry…
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Well said, Andrew.
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Congratulations AA. Good thing I followed George over here. Keep it positive and remember a blog takes time to build.
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I think Andrew deserves a viola for his efforts anyway. A small silver one to wear at games. A symbol of his efforts to get people behind the team…at every game
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Well done, Harry. The viola is marvellous idea, a symbol of harmony.
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Congratulations!
And Thanks.
I don’t know much but I believe that it does not help to deny that there is an element that want to unfold divisive banners at grounds, ghostwrite myopic and disingenuous articles in the press, that kind of thing. Tim Stillman wrote about the excessive negativity it in a recent article on Arseblog too. And he only goes to every game (I think).
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The old crew will be a good start Shotta.So dont be a stranger
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10,000 season ticket holders do not turn up for home games and do not make arrangements for other people to take their seats, Finsbury. Every game now. Even a derby game against West ham. It is bloody diabolical and it has to change.
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Thats what the AST should concentrate on ,is it not Frank? Rather than trying to oust Arsene
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Couldn’t agree more, george. Instead they spend their time trying to prove to anyone who will listen that they can manage the club better. Even if they do good deeds the AST is just used by the press and media as a stick to beat the current administration these days.
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It would be great if they spent their time trying to get local youngsters into games to take up some of those empty seats. The ones that have already been paid for….
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Perhaps we could devise a scheme to get more youngsters into home games and put it to the club over the coming weeks and months. See if AST and AISA will help too.
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George, what the heck! I was waiting for you to give me a heads up on FB!!! no worries, still.
More importantly, this is great!
Thanks for starting this blog. I am bit busy but I will be back…you best believe!
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As to your concerns about the divisions in the Arsenal camp; realistically they will never disappear and may grow. Especially because our club has chosen a diametrically different strategy to our competitors, particularly Chelsea and Man City who have proven you can buy their way to success with endless amounts of their owners’ money. Contrast this with a strategy of financial self-sufficiency, as practiced by our manager, who is loathe to flash the cash to simply to provide instant gratification. The latter is bound to engender strong feelings by many especially since superficially it runs counter to our emotional need to belong to a club which is superior to its competitors. Hence the doubters scoff at the fact that the club is financially strong. So after eight years without a trophy and the losing of valued players, some to our more monied rivals, the ranks of the doubters have grown. Hence the current popularity of the view that Wenger is past it. His value as a manager who predicted and oversaw the Invincibles and a proven developer of of talent and top teams is now discounted. Paradoxically, no Arsenal fan believes this club will ever do a Leeds or Portsmouth or tumble to the championship like the mighty Newcastle or slip to League One ignominy like Charlton Yet they give no credit to the current stewards of the club. Strange isnt it?
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Gear blog, George. Passionate and rational. I hope all Gooners will, whatever their stripes, recognize that the one thing we all must do is support the beejaysus out of the Team on match day.
That’s easily agreed to, but we need to think on it a bit more since it also means supporting players who are out of sorts. It also means supporting the manager for match day, at least to a degree, or at least allowing others to. For matchday. Since all of this impacts on the team and its morale, and therefore the victories we all want.
Outside of match day, lets argue all we like. Lets do surveys.
If we must march, I guess we must march.
But there is no place for anything that divides the faithful inside the grounds on matchday. That is the Golden Rule.
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Evening everyone!
Big thanks to George for giving me the honour of first post – seems to have struck a chord with some, thanks for all the kind comments.
If there really are 10,000 stayaways from every home game then that’s a scandal and there’s really little excuse for it.
How hard is it just to give away your ticket for a match to someone who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to go – pensioners, youngsters, the poorly paid, voluntary workers – there’s loads of people who would bite your arm off for a chance to see the boys play. Very sad.
Having said that, I’ve always argued that a certain number of tickets should be allocated to a registered list of qualifying people that wouldn’t otherwise get in to a game; they’d have to turn up on the understanding they might not get in but I reckon there are ALWAYS a few hundred spare seats. Aside from being a great gesture and brilliant PR, the spin offs in the club shops etc not to mention an improvement to the atmosphere would make it well worthwhile in my opinion.
I’ll mention it to Ivan if I see him again at Barnet tomorrow …
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Oh, and Andrew, love the blog. Oh and George, love the Blog site.
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I am in moderation for some reason, I did not say much (yet) all the same.
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These are invariably great games – these ‘kids’ motivation couldn’t be any higher and sometimes you get to mingle with AW and other AFC bigwigs as there are no boxes at Barnet!
I’m lucky I only live a bus ride away but it’s an early kick-off and High Barnet tube station (Northern Line) is a 5 minute walk from the ground (55 minutes if you go via the pub). Atmosphere in the ground is always admirable and you are fantastically close to the pitch.
Recommend.
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Frank, I put my idea of letting local kids in at half-time free of charge to fill the empty seats to Tim Payton a few months ago on twitter,it’s a no-lose situation for afc,the seats already paid for,the atmosphere gets better and you have a potential afc member into the bargain,he thought it was a great idea and if the ast go to the club and suggest it maybe wallys like me will stop throwing tomatoes at them!
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People are only in moderation until the their first post is approved.It will be plain sailing from then on.Sorry boys I had to step out for half an hour
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George is watching out for trouble makers Paul!!
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Excellent, Mel. Lets keep up the pressure on them.
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That’s a great idea Mel.
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Great stuff. Shotta and Paul -N too….and PIMP
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if unity isnt possible, we can also drop the weaklings who have no guts to back their club in such difficult times.
yes, the club has made mistakes. yes, the club has flaws.
but why don’t you stand up and be counted, get behind the team, get behind the players wearing the jersey.
you may say: some of the players arent fit to wear the jersey. are you fit to wear the scarf then?
let me tell you: as far as i see it, with so many vultures aka the media and other people who hate Arsenal, circling around our club, there are only two ways you can react. back the club, or join the media in lambasting us.
the media is lambasting us, because they are trying to sell papers. sensationalism sell.
if you fall for it, you are either 1) an idiot 2) a weakling or 3) a traitor who chooses to back the other side.
your call.
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Good idea!
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Great to see this blog Pop up, I am guaranteed to be a regular Reader. Thanks George and thanks Andrew for that delightful first post.
As for tomorrow, I myself was thinking all day who’d fill in the slot next to Jack and Santi, unsure if Coquelin would be trusted or Mikel thrusted back into the limelight and now I noticed that I’ve forgotten Diaby. I am confident we will see him tomorrow, it will be a great show of confidence for Abou to be played in that match and I think that about now he should be getting into second gear, so we can expect another performance like in the first Liverpool game this year. Just imagine what happens when he switches into third gear!
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