The Queen on possibly the proudest day of her life.
The regular weekly look at the Arsenal news, from Bradesque7
Hello and welcome to this week’s round up.
First up this week is the Andre Santos’ From the Basement video. Andre wasn’t making sweet indie music, he was more likely under his parents’ house playing with his new phone. For those who opt to ignore the human side of players, Santos will never be anything more than a dodgy full-back who nabbed a couple of important goals. Almost like the second coming of Eboue. To the rest of us, Andre was like some kind of happy man-baby, frolicking and meandering with an infectious, if not delirious, smile on his face. Almost like the second coming of Eboue. I like him and I like the gesture.
The Queen met Pat Rice this week. For his remarkable contribution to the club, and to football in general, the Arsenal legend received an MBE in what may have been the proudest moment of her life.
Then came Lukas Podolski and his sightseeing tour of London, which he shared on Twitter. The fans and the player really seem to have taken to each other. This is infinitely better than the last time we were given a detailed description of a player’s movements around London. Andre could have taken that tour in around forty minutes. Podolski was ‘Learning London’, people were happy and having fun about something Arsenal, what could possibly go right?
Everything was ticking over, having beaten Sunderland, and we were seemingly making progress until Blackburn came to visit and the sky fell in. Arsenal dominated the game but ultimately lacked the guile to win it. Then, of course, Blackburn scored with their one real chance. 1-0 and we’re out of the FA cup to minnows. Bloody typical Arsenal! Everything’s been said in the post-mortem and much of it has been crazy. We dust ourselves off and we move on.
We move on to a battle of epic proportions.
It’s London and Munich sending their finest men to go head-to-head in 180 + minutes of intense combat. It’s bigger than big. It’s the Champions’ League and it’s tonight. Wilshere and Schweinsteiger will lock horns tonight! TONIGHT!!
As always the pre-game press conference comes first and this one was more like a dressing down from a headmaster. First came the video and then the full transcript in which Arsene Wenger took the handbrake off. He accused the journalists of what is clearly true but would never be confirmed. He believes that false stories were circulated with the intention to manipulate and cause damage. They all do it, it’s what they’re paid to do. It’s probably all that some of them can do.
There’s bound to be a great atmosphere in the stadium, similar to that of Milan last season when something magical happened. It was a thing of beauty and great power. The crowd at The Grove always seem to take these Champions’ League games very seriously and very rarely fail to perform on the biggest stage.
That’s it for this week, thank you for reading.
Come on The Arsenal!
Positively Arsenal 
I will bring it forward the Andrew
” pedantic george February 19, 2013 at 11:39 am Edit
John Cross is a friend of mine and he helped promote this blog
That does not mean I sanction his writing or his views.
It also does not mean he should not get a good kicking of of this blog.
He is a very nice man though.”
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Thanks for that. Nice to have a more rounded perspective on things.
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Good read, Mr. Brady.
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If he is an Arsenal fan at all I would say that he is a fence sitter.No use to man nor beast. As for being a nice man, George, so was Sweeney Todd apparently.
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You are a star, Bradyesque
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Frank ,the bridge Trolls predictive text thing was the funniest thing I have read for a while.
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John Cross currently being interviewed on TalkSport – being very positive about the side and making pertinent remarks about the home support …
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Reading good sense with a dash of optimism does wonders – much obliged Mr B
Great night in prospect win, lose or draw – Bayern an excellent side, Theo perhaps the speedster to give them a problem they are not used to
The man who I wish to hear nothing off tonight ? Svein Oddvar Moen
Crazy name, hopefully not a crazy guy
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Good lord, Andrew. You listen to TalkSpite? You have greater fortitude than me and that’s a fact. Did he say good stuff?
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sorry for going hard on your friend george, i just find it wrong when our own supporters/reporters show such “cannibal” behaviour
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Disrespectful but not far off;
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/backofthenet/archive/2013/02/18/conflicted-arsenal-fans-create-new-noise-to-express-feelings-for-wenger.aspx
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The lucky supporters that get to the stadium have the opportunity to make a difference. I can’t remember us playing badly in a game where the support has been consistently good from the home fans. If the supporters give it their all, it will lift the team. We can win tonight, we will win tonight. Bayern haven’t faced someone as quick as Theo, they haven’t played against a player with the kind of mentality Jack has, Ribery hasn’t had to play against such a strong defensive full back like Sagna. Jupp Heynckes is a professional, so I am sure he will ensure that his team won’t underestimate us like the media does (And like they always do when we play big teams and we know how that ended for Barca) but I think that he and his players might still be in for a surprise or two.
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a real gem i found in f365
Be Nice To Arsene
I have been quite reserved since Saturday’s unthinkable home loss to Blackburn in the FA Cup, but after today’s press conference, and the controversy that has arisen as a result of that, I feel compelled to write in. Rather inevitably, there has been a rather severe backlash towards Arsene after the second cup exit to a lower-league side this season. I understand these criticisms wholeheartedly, as in no way should a club of Arsenal’s stature be knocked out of the two domestic trophies by lower-league opposition in the same season.
I also understand (and by that I do not necessarily agree with) that, let’s say, a certain group of supporters, find it unacceptable that we haven’t won a trophy in seven, and in all likelihood, eight seasons. Indeed, I can see why frustration grows at the same mistakes being made at alarmingly regularity, on and off the pitch. I accept the feelings of consternation that arise due to the spin, propaganda, lies and manipulation of facts that are used to paint the club in an entirely different light.
I can see justification and the reasoning behind those who argue that the club has altered its stance, damagingly, on what it considers competitive. I can sympathise with the incredulity that is felt in regards to clubs recent policy of consistently selling the teams best players, and purchasing mediocre replacements as a compromise. This is not to mention the unbelievably high prices that fans are demanded to pay in order to follow their team up and down the country, for seemingly, little reward.
However, what I find totally unacceptable, and frankly, embarrassing, is the vilification of a man (not just a manager), who has arguably overseen the most successful period in the club’s history. This is not just from Arsenal fans, but also, the journalists who have thrived upon the steady decline of Arsenal since 2005. As highlighted above, there are plenty of reasons to criticise Arsene, the board, and lest we forget, the players themselves. However, the derogatory, personal, nasty, in no way constructive and downright vicious way in which these complaints are expressed in fact makes me more angry than the weekend’s result (which is quite an achievement, I assure you). If you want Arsene to resign, be sacked, or to be moved upstairs in another capacity, I say fair enough, you’re entitled to your opinion and I can see the argument for it, but that isn’t what the this post is about.
Rather, it is the way in which you go about this, as Arsene deserves the utmost respect from each and every Arsenal fan and journalist for everything he has given to English football. Why is there need for such contempt and nastiness towards anyone in football, let alone a key figure in the club’s history? I hasten to add that I do not believe that every Arsenal fan who feels Arsene’s time is up behaves in this manner, but to those that do, I find it incredible that you can so easily disregard the success and the integrity that the man has given the club since his appointment 16 years ago. You’re so desperate and greedy for success, you’ve forgotten what it means to support a football club. At the heart of this, and in what is indicative of his personality and career, is Piers Morgan, who consistently lacks class and humility. How the man attempts to moralise with anyone astounds me each and every time.
It is a real shame that firstly, Arsene has to go through this at all, and moreover, that it may well be the way he exits the club he has given so much to. To those suggesting that the club are in a worse position than when Arsene took over, I see very little to be gained in arguing with you, as I’m not sure we share the same definition of stature. As many faults as Arsene has, and as many mistakes that he has made over the past eight years, I still feel that he deserves great respect and admiration for what he has achieved. This previous success or however you want to define it, doesn’t necessarily save Arsene’s job in the present, but it certainly should alter the way in which those who support the club, and those who write about football as a profession, go about their respective criticisms.
Fraser Carr
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After Saturday I was pretty down, but today, no matter how I think about it, I don’t see us losing this game and I don’t see us not scoring against Bayern. If we don’t commit any individual error’s in defence, we will win this.
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Fraser Carr
You are a star
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Bayern tonight, could see Podolski or Theo centrally to give the Bayern back 4 fits.
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Frankly embarassing from our North London neighbours;
http://www.bayernforum.com/general-bayern-f13/good-luck-bayern-spurs-fans-are-with-you-again-t9329.html
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its to be expected anicol, after all wenger has driven them to the mental health clinics all these years.
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Nice from Fraser Carr (presumably from a different tribe to Fraser Crane?).
Frank – John Cross was okay to be honest although I didn’t catch it all. Had it on to try and keep up to speed on team selection for tonight etc.
Evil (2.05 pm) – agree 100%, I can’t recall seeing us lose a game at the Emirates where the crowd has got completely behind the team. I’m not saying it’s never happened but I don’t remember it.
There is a school of thought (with which I profoundly disagree, btw) that suggests the players must give the crowd something to cheer before they can expect a reaction from that crowd. Talk about relinquishing home advantage! A few years ago (maybe ten?), I saw Sunderland winning for about 80 minutes 0-1 at Old Trafford. You could hear a pin drop throughout the match thus far and the capacity crowd only finally woke up when Manure equalised and went on to get a second (during the inevitably interminable Fergie Time section of extra time). A truly awful spectacle.
At the time I thanked the footballing gods that Arsenal’s fans were so much better than that.
Oh dear, what have we become?
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Thanks B7!
“The Queen met Pat Rice this week.”
Nice!
I respect Fraser Carr defending of AW, IIt is nice to see that other have some common sense and respect.
I don’t agree with the mediocre talent thing though. I see it like this, how many players have left Arsenal and become better players? As a unit, they were great but individually only the turn coat has really lived up to expectations. It seems to me that Arsene coaches them up and puts them in a system that best uses their skill set and that helps them to shine beyond their actual talent level. If not, what else could it be?
This current team is full of quality, full!
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I find that Fraser Carr piece utterly deplorable. The premise that AW is in some way failing and is about to move on is flawed. The most appalling aspect of it is its patronising and cloying negativity. Weasel words. It is just another ‘don’t get me wrong I really respect AW…BUT’.
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maybe so frank, but he has at least the principle to recognise that he shouldnt get treated the way he is . …some others dont even have that decency. even professional reporters…
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Agree with that, hunter
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John Cross was one of the bastards who piled on Ramsey for getting in the way of Shawcross’ tomahawk leg chop. It was all a defense for the ugly football Stoke play in order to stay up. To this day, I recall that stupid article when I see a recently promoted footballing side, like Swansea, leapfrog Stoke in the table.
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Anicoll @ 2:17pm
And of course the only reason the EPL has four teams in the CL each year (thereby giving lesser clubs a fleeting chance to breathe the tantalising aroma of possible qualification) is the consistent success of teams like Arsenal in the competition.
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not my favourite either gains69….i still remember how he was blaming wenger for not getting schwarzer/reina and and the next day hailling arsene wilson the club the coaches about the emergence of woijech …bit of a parrot this john..
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If us and the Mancs dont get our act together in the round of 16 Merlot the automatic four CL places for the EPL is looking shakey !!
The UEFA formula is very complicated but although next season is guaranteed because of Chelsea’s win the following year might be down to three
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Best get second or third then. It can be done.
Right Lady Neena and Peter have their red and white braids in and Lady Neena absolutely reeks of peppermint and cumin and hasn’t farted all day. The portents are good. I’m off to the game.
Arsenal, SArsenal, Arsenal….Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenaaaalllll…Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal…Arsenal…ARSENAL
Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal
Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaawoooooo….
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….nothing
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oh alright then……..giddyup.
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giddyup, PLEASE then
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Thats better. We’re off now.
Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal
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Nice one Bradyesque.
Not long to go now!
ARSENAL!!
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Is Kosser fit?
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Geoerge
Rumour is he has a knock
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Couple o more hours to go. Damn these stomach butterflies. I just chewed up the owners of the project I’m working on. Serves them right for bugging me with details right now.
ITS UNDER CONTROL!!!!!
COYG!!!!!!!
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Tonight I will be at a long standing Dinner Party.I will be watching the match on Sky+ when I get home .
I will not know the result and therefore cant blog or tweet.
I wish you all ,and of course the team,luck and joy.
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The Goonerverse is very excited about tonight’s game. And they think 4th place is not as good as the CoCup or the FA Cup. Muppets
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Enjoy the game everyone – I’m just off to the Emirates now; been a long day waiting for this …
Looks like George has an evening Probationary appointment then.
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good to see you GoonerKam
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Less than 90 minutes left. I really can’t wait for the match, last time I was so excited before a tie was in 2011 when we played Barca. Back then, no one expected us to get a result and we left a lot of people surprised that evening. Unfortunately, they had surprise prepared for us during the return leg with Massimo “Head of Refereeing Development” Busacca, who will forever be remembered for the most unnecessary sending-off in the history of football and his retirement + promotion that followed it.
But let’s not dwell too much on the past. Tonight, we are in a similar situation and way too many people for my liking are writing us off. Seems like a perfect set up for another surprise, just like 2 years ago.
4 predictions for tonight:
1. We will win
2. Jack will be man of the match
3. Theo will score
4. We will keep a clean sheet
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Read a post saying arsenal are the only english club that can get the greater part of english supporters on the side of the germans hahaaa
KAmAaaaaan U reds!!!!!
Got a feelin bayern won’t like it uppem..
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Can we please not discuss ACLF.
Lets remember that were it not for Yogi and ACLF,most of us would not have met,and we would not have understood what a good blog and a good comment section could be.
Yesterday i said
” pedantic george February 18, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Hunter
Yogi has lost the plot,he has failed to adapt to new blogging methods and there is no one to help him .He is living on past glories of ACLF.I will always love him for what he has done ,but it feels like the end of an era for him
He needs David Dein”
This was intended as humour.Mirroring what people are saying about Arsene .
Yet today I am told the people are saying that I am accusing Yogi of losing it.
Either they are stupid or shit stirrers.I suspect it is both.
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George
Maybe it’s best to use little smiley faces for humour. Seems it flies directly over some peoples heads otherwise.
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I like the John Cross that sits next to Tom Watt on the fans forum,I’m not that keen on the one that talks to talkshite or the one who often writes untrue words in the “mirror”, I wouldn’t think he’s worried about what I think of him though. Fantastic write up Bradyesque, good luck to the lads tonight- COYG!
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Arsenal: Szczęsny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Podolski, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Santi Cazorla.
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Arsenal subs: Mannone, Diaby, Rosicky, Giroud, Ox-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Jenkinson
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From Twitter
” Starting line up is Fabianski, Jenkinson, Miquel, Squillaci, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby, Rosicky, Arshavin, Giroud and Gervinho”
Haha ,now that is funny
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Very interesting. Looks like we are going for midfield dominance to stifle their threat while at the same time hoping to utilise the fastest player alive in counter attacks. Their two cbs are very slow, so it might work!
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