One of the reasons I often bang on about how a gripping, exciting game, preferably one where the lead changes hands or one or both teams stage unlikely come backs, where controversial decisions change the game, is this. I think they’re important. Now I know football isn’t really important. I understand the part it plays in our lives is peripheral to the make or break decisions which genuinely affect our future, and I see that a hobby, a diversion such as football will always pale into insignificance beside the more momentous and genuinely important aspects of our existence.
Sorry ignore that last pile of horse manure. Of course football is important. We have mortgaged our souls, bet our future happiness on it. But getting back to those kind of games, the ones I described above, this why I think they matter, because they can provide the spark, they can ignite in a young mind the imagination of the football fan and that fire can burn on throughout that young person’s life. I love that football and my crazy passion for Arsenal spins off back into the dank reaches of my past like a lifeline, a rope of memories, joys, miseries, thrills and many many spills which connects this wizened washed up old curmudgeon with his innocent boyhood self.
The draw against Fulham this season was a perfect example. I know we miserable grown ups with our corns, our back aches and our dodgy knees felt a little deflated at the perceived loss of two points. The ecstasy of the last gasp penalty, and the sharing of Mikel’s agony at the miss. But imagine if you can a youngster who, having had Arsenal foisted on them by a parent or having made that all too important random choice to follow the red and white, imagine them watching that match. The wild swings of fortune the moments of brilliance, the errors, the unlikely outcome, six goals,bad decisions, a missed penalty, Giroud’s brilliance, Koscielny’s miracle tackle, cheering, groaning crowds, wildly apoplectic commentators. Imagine the effect of all this on that young impressionable mind. That would be the kind of game he’d be boring his grandchildren about during the 2072 – 73 season. Before money ruined the game, he’d be saying. “And did they all wear funny shorts in those days Grandpa?” the kids would ask him, “Like on the old holo-reels you watch from the turn of the century. Was Carl Jenkinson Captain in that game Grandpa?” “No no, he’d only just started his career. He didn’t become Captain for another five years. You know we won the double three years running with Captain Carl don’t you kids” “Yeah yeah yeah Grandpa we know – you’ve told us enough times”
I was seven when I decided I liked the Arsenal kit. Or the badge. Or Charlie George. I can’t tell you now why I chose them. I know my Dad, a Portsmouth fan always told me that The Arsenal were synonymous with class. He spoke of innovation on and off the pitch, of marble halls, under soil heating and a beautiful stadium. Well for whatever reason I chose keeping a scrapbook of Arsenal newspaper clippings as my project at school that year and we went on to win the double. My formative memories of those early years in my Arsenal supporting career involve the bathroom, a small green plastic transistor radio and Stoke City.
You see as impossible as it may seem the name Stoke City hasn’t always conjured images of Broud from The Clan Of The Cave Bear. In my young life we were permanently playing them in the FA Cup. In the semi final. In a replay. On a school night. There was no internet just the unsurpassed voices of Peter Jones and Bryon Butler fighting to be heard above the roar of the crowd and the crackling static of the medium wave band. I would take the tranny and retire to the only room in the house where I could lock the door and lie there, eyes closed, bubbles quietly popping, water up to my chin picturing the floodlit battle taking place at far away romantic sounding places like Villa Park and Goodison.
Stoke had players to be reckoned with, names every schoolboy knew. Banks in goal, getting on a bit but when he still had both eyes, Jimmy Greenhoff, and um, Peter Dobing. Well, we knew the first two in any event. But we always seemed to beat them in the end even after controversial and drawn first matches, the quality shone through and won through. To be honest little has changed over the years between the two teams. We usually win, they huff and puff but seldom blow our house down, the only thing that has changed for me is that where I used to see them as worthy, difficult opponents to be respected and approached with care, I now see them as the most hated of all premier league teams and the ones I most want to see relegated. To be fair to them they have changed their style a little now. But they haven’t changed their revolting manager and nor do I recall them ever apologising for their Captain and his despicable cowardly assault on one of the flowering talents of British football.
I hope we get a game to inspire the youngsters today. But I’ll tell you what, I don’t hope for a nip and tuck, lead changing hands type inspiration. I want that other kind of inspirational performance. You know the type of thing I mean. The one where we utterly annihilate and devastate a bewildered opponent with fast free-flowing improvisational football and lots and lots of goals.
Of course as it’s the knuckle dragging Neanderthals we play today I’ll be just as happy with a one nil off a Shawcross own goal against the run of play and bugger inspiring the youngsters.
Positively Arsenal 
Much to gloat about. we were the only team playing football. Unofficially we had nearly 70% possession. If Foy and his linesmen weren’t so poor we would have had several more dangerous free-kicks and perhaps kill the game off earlier.
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71% Shotta
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Ah, 1-0 to the Arsenal! What a beautiful start to my Saturday! Way to go boys. The only thing that would have made it better would have been for Villa to hold on, but I’ll take the Chelsea loss.
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I thought Diaby was very good today. In fact, while they could have been a little more creative, the midfield three did well. All keeping on top of Stoke’s MF for the whole game. Red Army!
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George –
It would have been a travesty not to win. We were the only team playing football.
71% possession! Unheard of. Barcelonaesque. All 13 payers (Ramsey only lasted 4 minutes so I don’t count him) played like champions. Monreal just fitted in. You and I have had our criticisms of Walcott but we always felt he was best wide right and today he was a monster out there, terrorizing Wilkinson in particular. if Foy wasn’t so indulgent, Wilkinson should have seen at least two yellows. Only One-Football team indeed.
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Yippee!!
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Five points off the Chavs and the Spuds play away at Westbrom tomorrow. Not bad for a team in crisis just the other day.
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I fucking hate Stoke
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Most excellent, Stew. They are revolting indeed. Koscielny lucky to avoid serious injury there. It was the exact sort of tackle that was made on Ramsey, nothing has changed for Shawcross two years on.
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I have to big up The manager on his rotation today and the play was still smooth and we created a good amount of chances.
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There was something extremely professional about that performance from the first whistle to the last – very pleasing
Arsene I would guess is very satisfied
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And Monreal looked very confident He’s done the job before – I could tell
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Paul – How could you big-up the manager? Don’t you know he is past it and counting down the days to the end of his contract? 😉
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anicoll – I love the cut of Monreal’s jib. He is exactly as advertised. Calm, composed and incisive when required. That determined aerial duel with Walters tells me doesn’t back down. For a defense that does some inexplicably bone-headed errors at times he is just what we need.
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I’d give little Jack a break for the next game. He hasn’t had a rest since he got back from injury.
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I seem to remember he has Gains.
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Monreal was shit, what a waste of money. I see Diaby is still wasting our money. What was Wenger doing bringing on Podolski.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
*Big satisfied fuck you face*
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Well we sent those bastards back to Mordor with their Pulis firmly tooked between their stumpy fucking legs didn’t we.
It’s always difficult to break down a bunch of thugs with no self respect, set out to ruin a perfectly good game of chilly afternoon footy. But hey that’s the way we fookin roll.
Some massive positives to be taken from that game. Most of all I’d say Theo has got a new sense of passion and takes on a lot more. Call me crazy but I think if he hasn’t signed a contract recently we should take care of that busi… oh, oh we have have we. Well aren’t we a bit special n all that.
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How well does Diaby read the play? I thought he was excellent.
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The orc left back was fouling Theo all game and nothing was done about it. Then Theo got stuck into him late on. Loved that bit.
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He has become a man dups.
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Dups, els,
In Arsene’s words “He has become a different player”.
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What a game of football !! They came with the sole ambition of gaining an unjust 1point. But we were too determined and the three points is the least we deserve! And to top it up, Cheski lost. Good times are surely ahead. In ARSENE we TRUST!!
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That’s true guys
Since the little boy left Theo has certainly matured into a the very good player that AW knew he could be.
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Dups, Zong he sure has. When he clattered Wilkinson’s (I think) legs low down. I shrieked like a girl put my elbows together and clapped with fully extended fingers, whilst skip-hopping. Try it, it’s fucking exhilarating.
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Also yes Zong Diaby is a step ahead. With those lanky strides he seems to step over people and take the ball when doing so. I love watching him play.
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Also lorde Everton dropped points too. Bonzer
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Just tried that els.
My missus gave me a very strange look and asked if I needed a doctor
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Yeah it’ll do that.
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but this blogs unbeaten.
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The invincible blog.
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Teams like Stoke are a good advert for abandoning 1 point for a draw as they did nothing whatsover to earn even that.
Not suggesting it’s a turning point for the club but from the 1st minute to the last you could not fault our boys for endeavour, application, desire and drive. And no small amount of skill coupled with their restraint in the face, at times, of pretty severe provocation enjoying minimal interference from the officials. I felt this was one of our best performances of the season.
Okay, so we didn’t get five and Theo failed to get the weekly hat trick that some no doubt demand but this would have been the easiest game in the world to have seen end in a draw as Stoke showed zero inclination to abandon their own half in any kind of numbers let alone mount an attack worthy of the name.
And what is it with former strikers ending up in the Orcs Graveyard? Crouch, Owen, Kenwyn Jones – all seem destined to see out their days leading a lonely front line bereft of support or supply.
Dismal stuff from them, thank God that’s over for another year.
Meanwhile, for our boys it’s a case of a rapidly improving team going from strength to strength. Thoroughly delighted for Abou, Per back to his usual calm self, a nice start for Nacho. To be honest I’d struggle to fault any one of our players and the sense of urgency was evident throughout.
A team to fill any supporter with even an ounce of integrity towards their club with a heady mix of pride, pleasure and positive anticipation for what is to come.
Excellent stuff.
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Yes Mel ,seems we were the missing ingredient.
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And Manure currently making heavy weather of their game against Fulham. They say the table never lies but what it doesn’t always show is the number of games teams like Man U have won by the narrowest of margins, and often at the end of largely evenly matched games.
To their credit, they never give up and they are not top by accident. Nonetheless, I can see this coming back to haunt them. If Citeh pull their finger out I can easily envisage the season ending in tears of red.
Chav form is patchy and I’d argue third place is very much up for grabs especially for those teams finding their feet at a rate of knots with potential and ambition oozing out of their footballing pores and a fair wind behind them.
Looking like a good – possibly very good – weekend.
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Excellent points all round there andrew. Those scummers didn’t even want to score. It takes a team to break that down, we fucking did though. The turning point was when gandalf popped over that hill with the sun behind him the crafty bugger.
Onwards and upwards.
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Someone earlier described this as a professional performance and I think that is exactly the right word. From front to back from the first minute to the last, the players were focussed and determined. There was no nervousness at the back and every man contributed today. I noticed there were a few gaps in the crowd, obviously the boo boys stayed away because Arsene failed to spend enough money for their liking – they were not missed!
Theo would be my MoTM though. I was really impressed with him today. He is getting better game by game and I was impressed with some of his technical moves – it wasn’t just about speed today – although his speed really troubled their left back. He got a good kicking but didn’t let his head drop and finally got the free kick that made the difference. It was good to see Abou out there doing his stuff and even Ox seems to be playing himself back into form. I thought he was the best he has been for a while.
Stoke did what they always do – it does not get any easier on the eye. The new boy also had a good start and obviously has a hard head as he was untroubled but left one of the Orcs bloodied! Welcome to the EPL Nacho!
And finally, check out Arsene’s comment on the .com – he is on form!
“on Shawcross’ tackle on Koscielny…
I have to look at it again. I am not completely objective when it comes to Ryan Shawcross! That is why I am bit cautious with my statement.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-we-have-strengthened-belief-and-confidence-
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Els, Abou glides. I wish I could watch him play at the stadium.
Andrew, agreed. I loved that the team stayed focused despite Stoke’s usual provocation. We would not stray from the task at hand. God I love this team.
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Well said Andrew. For a squad that has been bitterly criticized there was a steeliness on display today that should make every supporter proud. Like you, I believe we have truly turned the corner.
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Mel, I popped in for a break from staring at wedding photos to make exactly the point you made at 6.54. The Arsenal haven’t lost a match since this red and white haven was established. The power of positive thinking.
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Stew, George, we might be red and white hobbits you know…
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pedantic george February 2, 2013 at 5:29 pm
and their joke of a manager
that lad who aint that type of player nearly did it again huh… he was unlucky i suppose ..the boy just slipped and was clearly going for the ball…
i cant wait for wilshere to do what he did to owen to the finger pointing bully rio….when that happens i expect oxlade to quickly run and position himself behind rio;s knees so that when pushed he commically falls over..someone needs to sort out vidic when he starts chasing jack though….maybe robin remembers the handball and snaps and tackles nemanja in the throat..
also..cant wait to see theo skinning evra alive…the revenge of the boys….
we could fuck them up big time ..i think one of their final 3 fixtures is at our place…imagine robin missing on the title because of an arsenal defeat… it will stink wont it? like a dutch skunk..
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Well. That will do very nicely indeed. What an absolutely horrible side Stoke have become. Sodo..sorry..epitomized by their fucking creep of a manager. He was in the linesman’s face all game. Stoke turned on the anti-football today and Arsenal made them pay. We worked hard and worked cleverly until they finally cracked. We matched them blow for blow and then despatched them. That fateful tackle on Aaron was no accident. Poor Ryan Shawcross was almost crying at the end when we all got on his back after he had shown the same vicious tendency by taking Kos out. AW bringing on Aaron at that point was a master stoke. I actually think that Shawcross tried to get the referee to stop us bringing Aaron on.
….great fun at the end when we had a free kick awarded and Szesz ‘couldn’t find the ball’..and that after their keeper had walked the width of the six yard box for every goal kick..teehee.
My MotM? …very tricky everyone played their part brilliantly.But for me………………………………….Abouuuuuuuuuuu
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ArsenalAndrew February 2, 2013 at 7:05 pm
that 1st para, so true…in their first 8 or 9 games they won like 7 penalties in dying minutes and their opponents often down to ten men….
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“….great fun at the end when we had a free kick awarded and Szesz ‘couldn’t find the ball’..and that after their keeper had walked the width of the six yard box for every goal kick..teehee.”
Agree Frank, that was comedy gold!
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What Frank said. They were a f*cking disgrace to football today. All that cheating, thuggery and time-wasting got what it deserved in the end: f*ck all. Good riddance until next season.
Great all round team performance today. Couldn’t be happier.
Nacho = PLAYER.
Onward!
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Can you imagine Pulis inspirational team talk?
“Lads. It’s Arsenal today. At The Emirates. I want you to time waste right from the start and see how far the ref will let you foul them, I’ll sort the lino. Do not under any circumstances try to play against them, don’t try to to win. Sorry boys but you simply are not good enough. OK got that? Get out there and do your worst. Don’t let me see one of you trying to play or you’ll be benched for the rest of the season. Michael you used to box when you were a kid right? Well forget whatever you learned at Liverpool and try to remember what you learned in the ring I’ll send you on to see if you can get one of them sent off if things go wrong”
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I’m stiking my neck out here. This ‘Nacho’ Monreal. I’m thinking, he’s just flown in surely, could it even be a week, one, maybe two sessions, and Wenger starts him, to Stoke, at home. He’s barely settled, never mind worked with the back four. Now, one can’t be certain yet, but I did notice an exceptional positional awareness, pretty much always where you want to find your left back, and receiving the ball, looking immediately to attack, and strong, crisp passing. He has more challenges against bigger fish, but I really, really liked what I just saw. As for Diaby, immense, everywhere, awkward, pushing. And Theo roasted them sideways. Good stuff, seriously. .
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If stoke were playing at the end of my garden I would draw the curtains.
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That’s probably it verbatim Steww.
He appears to be an utterly graceless and charmless nerk as well. It just makes those three points all the sweeter in the end. To come and disgrace the Emirates with that brand of nasty anti-football and leave with your tail between your legs. Heh.
Mel 🙂
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Oh and I need to apologise for my remarks during January which were clearly at odds not just with much Arsenal fan thinking but with the ideas of the great man himself. Of course no one knows whether or not we tried to buy anyone else (although many will talk as if the whole Villa thing was a cast iron fact) but we do now know that Arsene wanted a certain full back. And got him.
I said all along that the problem we have had this season has been a lack of cohesion in our play brought about by unfamiliarity caused by so many new signings. To me it was logical therefore that the last thing we needed just as those new signings are starting to blend so beautifully together was another new face.
Arsene knew better and today I was made to look a chump. If a Martian on his first Earth visit had been told we had a debutant out there I’ll bet he couldn’t have told you which player it was.
What a seamless start to an Arsenal career.
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