“The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.”
― C.G. Jung
“Walcott with his pace is a threat, Giroud is getting better and better. The midfield, you can’t figure out who is the defensive midfielder and who is the offensive midfielder because they rotate all the time. I think they’ve got one of the best midfield-threes in the country. They’ve got very talented players, as you saw against Fenerbahce because that was probably one of the best results this year until now.”
Obviously the deluded ramblings of a crazy Arsène Wenger fan who needs to wake up and realise he supports Arsenal and not Arsène. That’s right mate whoever you are, you should support the abstract notion of your team and not the manager. Certainly not many of the players and never anyone on the board , medical staff or anyone in any administrative role whether or not you know who they are or what they do. It’s simple isn’t it?
Actually those quotes are from the Fulham manager as he anticipates our visit this lunchtime. His words will be written off as playing down his teams chances , putting pressure on the opposition, mind games or whatever. There is of course a more simple interpretation. The man was talking the plain, unvarnished and manifestly unarguable truth.
Martin Jol entirely failed to get under my skin as the fifty eighth Spurs manager since Arsène began his reign of North London. Or was it fifty ninth? In any event while I know some of you couldn’t stand him I found him a mildly avuncular and unintentionally unchallenging figure. I certainly hope he can try to recapture his form as Spurs manager where he failed to gain a single victory against us in nine meetings. His approach since becoming Fulham boss has been rather more irritating ; one win two draws and one defeat. Still signing Scotty Pigeon Parker is definitely a step in the right direction and for that he is to be pitied rather than censured. Many similarly uninspired managers have made the self same error in judgement.
What of our brave boys? Returning in triumph from Istanbul must have given them a well needed shot in the arm after the ‘special circumstances’ surrounding their defeat at the hands of Anthony Taylor. For once immense good fortune attended us. The player chosen by the Gods to be carried on a stretcher bleeding from the pitch this time around happened to be the one who, thanks to the bizarre and possibly drunken refereeing performance last weekend, is suspended and would miss today’s match anyway. Sometimes we really earn the ‘Lucky Arsenal’ tag don’t we?
Talking of ridiculous superstitions I was whiling away a lonely Friday evening in the bollocking shed after some domestic transgression or other and happened upon a season review of our momentous 1988/89 campaign. While we all recall the climactic conclusion at Anfield (and none more so than Mel who you may or may not know wrote a brief account of the evening. He has just sold the film rights to Disney and is in discussions with Amazon for a Kindle book deal believed to be worth 8p a copy for each and every download. Minus his agents fees) how many of you can with any clarity remember the opening to that particular season? If you remember it with same blinding clarity as that with which you remember just where you were when Kennedy killed Diana or when you first read Mel’s piece on Arsenal.com then skip the following lines and restart your morning reading at word 1, line 1, para 8. If not then pay attention as I dazzle you with a little Arsenal history.
We opened our home account that fateful season by hosting Aston Villa who wore some unlikely colour instead of their classic claret and blue. And we got tonked. Guess by how many? Yep. 1 – 3. Ring any bells? If that little rigging of the laws of chance and coincidence by whichever deity is responsible for such things wasn’t enough then how about this. The first North London Derby was played at some horrible, dingy little place down some lane somewhere and came very early in the fixture list that year. In fact it was the third game of the season. Sound familiar? Spurs were touted as pretty hot stuff at that particular time in their history mainly because they’d splashed the cash and bought some fancy new players including one Paul Gascoine. Their superstar arrivistes even scored against us. After losing his boot, but that needn’t concern you and I. The salient point is that they went on to lose. Steller name signings or not, we beat them like we usually do.
One more landmark on my sojourn down memories leafy byway. You all know we went on to win the title don’t you? If not ask Mel, he has a fund of fascinating anecdotes and isn’t shy about sharing them. Actually what am I saying? If not, then what the hell? Have you literally just been born? No matter. We won the league despite the start I’ve just mentioned and despite the following startling statistic. We didn’t win a home league game until Saturday October the twenty second when we scraped past QPR 2 – 1. Can you begin to imagine – do you even want to – the kind of collective brain hernia that on-line (and sadly some in stadium) Arsenal fans would suffer if the coincidence Goddess referred to earlier decided to repeat that little gem?
And yet we went on to win the league.
You need to have some grasp of history if you want to hold an informed view on the possible outcomes of any situation in this life. We none of us have a crystal ball. We might think we’ll beat Fulham with ease today we might think that if we lose against them then the season is already over. We might think aliens made the pretty patterns in the farmer’s wheat field rather than the students that usually do it, but these are just ideas, possibilities based on wishes and fears. History, the real deal, the facts about what has gone before shows us that seasons are not won nor lost in the first few games. Great teams are often built over a long period and after or during times of adversity. Oh and Arsène Wenger is an exceptional manager with a winning mentality who has achieved feats to boggle the mind and which are so stratospheric they may never be equalled.
Facts. Proven by history.
But hey, we’re all football fans aren’t we? Since when did all that matter to us? I know that my reason, logic and usual commendable good sense goes out the window the moment the first whistle is blown. No one can tell me that dropping and breaking my lucky Arsenal mug on the morning of the day that the Tiny Totts finally beat an Arsène Wenger team wasn’t 100% responsible for the result. No one. I won’t tweet about how well the defence is playing because I know we’ll concede before I finish typing or at the very least just as I hit send. My wife tells me I try to kick the ball at least fifty times a game despite sitting in my living room in Somerset. No matter how often she points out the inevitable failure of this policy it is one to which I am firmly wedded.
What I’m trying to say is we all are prey to superstitions, hopes, fears, poor logic and wild flights of fancy. It is because we are placing our future happiness in the hands of events we cannot control and upon which only the lucky few in the stadium can bring any influence to bear. But we are also intelligent, sentient carbon based life forms. Once the 90 minutes is over and our shredded emotions begin to approach normalcy we must be capable of allowing our rational minds to regain control of the tiller or we are in danger of running aground on the same jagged rocks that have torn the bellies of the ships of those deluded souls who think one or two poor results means the great project, the second coming of Arsenal Football Club should be scrapped after so much hard work, so much joy and heartache has gone into it.
So I shall be all calm reason and rationality up until lunchtime today. Then and only then will I put my lucky socks on and start chewing the coffee table. I trust you all will be similarly engaged.
Positively Arsenal 
Morning good sir. Hope your weekend is going well.
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Morning gk. Waking on matchday is always a little bit special. So far the weekend is bright and Positive.
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Morning steww!
Let’s hope the boys can answer their critics today.
Szczsceny; Jenkinson,Sagna,Mertesacker, Gibbs; Ramsey,Wilshere,Rosicky; Cazorla,Giroud, Walcott
COYG!!!
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Super
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Could you be any more proud of jack WILTSHIRE. what a nice young man and a professional to boot.
Beautifully written piece by the way. Thanks for the remainders of that great season.
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lovely
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So it was your fault we lost to Villa? I might have known… Funny, I think I’m a logical, rational & reasonably sane person, but if we win today, I will thank my “lucky” red bra (sorry, too much information). Think of me, getting soaked at craven cottage whilst you sit in front of your telly with your leg spasms. Thank you for a lovely piece Stew, you are calmly consistent – or consistently calm – in the perfect storm that seems to be the Arsenal supporter’s life these days and I will always thank you for that. Oh and COYG!
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Grand stuff Stew – as a member of a species hard wired to look for explanation, reason,pattern, cause > effect so history is the great fountain
And if there is no rational explanation for the perversity of results then I will invent one – I have to – I can’t help it
One interesting and new point from the binbaggers this week – the season is decided not over the course of 38 games, nor in the first few opening games but in the transfer window !
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Jane – was it really my fault? Which brassiere were you wearing? Hmm?
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On another note cctv footage has emerged of Mel attempting to rob his local Costcutters
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Its amazing how quickly the humble pie consumed at the end of last season has been digested and they are getting in line for this seasons helpings.
I do believe the buggers are developing a liking for its test.
Oh well, I’ll just call my broker again and place an order to buy some more stocks in those companies that make them pies.
Made a killing last few years.
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Hahaha. Ouch. Maybe now he will find honest work.
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Hahaha. Red bra? Leg spasms? okdokky.
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Great read Steww
I’m expecting another attempt at our ‘virtual’ stadium today to build on the success of watching the game last Wednesday night with a live link with Sensational Arsenal who is in India. It was so much fun because his TV transmission had a delay of a few seconds which meant that I would leap with joy and raucous loud celebration before he knew why. We are expecting to be joined by Paul_N today. This thing may grow. It will be all down to you chaps that set up Positively Arsenal and Andrew’s piece celebrating our pride in having Gooners in all corners of the globe. Great stuff!
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Calamity Jane
Andrew and I stood outside the Tollington after the game last Saturday hoping we might spot you. Impossible. How many Gooners can that place fit? It must be like the Tardis…..anyway maybe next time….
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George please explain – what does one need to do?
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Steww
You need:
1) a google gmail account.
2) subscribe to the google+ service
3) get the google hangouts app
If you have a gmail account send an email to me at: gdloizou@gmail.com
Then I can add you to my circle and vice versa. I use an iPad and finally got it to work by loading gmail up through my browser.
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George can we not do it on skype?
I cant work out that google one.I could see SA but not hear him and he could not see me.On skype you can have audio only.As I have no camera that suits me better?
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Enjoyed reading that Stew. You certainly can write old chum! Brought back memories too…;)
All set with my red shirt & white boxers on lol. 2-1 I fancy, happy with a win
Come on you Gunners!!
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George
I understand that Skype doesn’t allow ‘group’ calls. That’s why we went with google hangouts
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it does.its how we dd the pod .But I have Emailed you for Google and will give it another go
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Only problem I have with the virtual stadium is the time delay on the internet. Hate it when twitter goes GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!!!! three minutes before my stream shows the move that leads to the goal. Kills the pleasure stone dead. This would be worse.
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I agree Stew,It would have to be for people watching on TV .
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Good stuff. But what’s with the picture of Usmanov?
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I love your work Stew – it’s sets the perfect tone for matchday.
Good luck with the virtual stadium idea guys – I’ll be out and about today so unfortunately not around to watch the game, but if I figure out how to do it, I might join you one day.
Come on you Gunners!
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Hear Hear.
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Nice write-up. I don’t know about you guys, but if you live in Australia early kick-offs are great. 9.45pm kick-off suits me just fine. Pre-match drinks started to kill my nervous jitters. Can anyone tell me how the different kick-off times affect the players, if any affect at all?
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Nice one steww. I started a superstition last season that if I dont read the match preview on the Arsenal website, it is not good for the team.
Georgaki, hope to see on on google+ today and I hope PaulN, George and others will join in. However, I cannot guarantee coming on because, the mechanic who was supposed to come an hour ago and leave before the match starts hasnt shown up. Knowing my luck, he will probably come just as I sit down to turn on the tv and leave after the final whistle.
So put me down as a 50-50 and if i have to go, I will join as soon as I am done.
Skype allows group audio calls but not group video calls. Google+ does.
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Viva Arsenal.
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Now that’s what I call a pre-match blog post. Really entertaining and thoughtful as ever, steww. Perspective, in a word.
I’m glad you brought up the quotes from Martin Jol, who I think was unlucky to be sacked by Spurs, very foolish of them, took years to get another manager of his quality. Anyway, I was particularly interested in the part about our midfield. He hits the nail on the head when he says that you don’t know who is doing which role because they all interchange. I firmly believe that that type of setup, with interchanging midfielders, is Wenger’s ideal. Hence the love of Diaby. I don’t think AW feels that Arteta is making up for the lack of “a proper DM”. That said, he will always try to accommodate a special player like Cazorla.
Please will some positvistas be hanging around on PA to share the match with me? I like staying anonymous/mysterious/in my pyjamas, so probably won’t be joining the google hangout thingy.
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Morning Stew, morning everyone! just woke up with burning ears! Glad we’re away today,3 points would be fantastic although a draw at the cottage is not a bad result-that google/Skype thingy sounds a good idea-shame my kids won’t let me near the laptops!, anyway gotta go…I’ve got Scorssese on the phone…onwards and upwards and up the Arsenal!….right Marty?
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By the way,I am now banned from every costcutter in the UK.
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I don’t think AW feels that Arteta is making up for the lack of “a proper DM”. That said, he will always try to accommodate a special player like Cazorla.
That’s it exactly. It seems, for Wenger, his players have unique qualities within a strict role (position), and he likes them to express that. Arteta is so much more than a proper DM, a midfielder with some defensive qualities, mainly excellent positional play. Song was encouraged to be so much more than a “DM”, and did so very well. If Flamini were to play a bit -part role, you won’t see him under Wenger just hanging about in front of the back four. I do like the sound of this Kondogbia man-of-steel who can pass.
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I meant “without a strict role”, a flexible role.
I don’t doubt the team will perform.
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Bacary Beckenbauer in da house.
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A little Rudyard Kipling is appropriate:
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
Excellent job as usual Steww.
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^ ha ha
Come on you glorious gunners!
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My chuckle was at G69’s post, not shotta’s.
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Hell I am nervy. Just need that 1st goal.
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Whooo. Getting closer and closer.
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Get in my yute!
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Naah, Naah, Naah, Giroud!
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Giroud!!!!!!!
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Go Arsenal! Great post Steww. Just what you need on a match day. Hope we win.
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Goldi Poldi!
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Props to the Lino, a good call on the first goal.
Plodders to follow it in, and there’s no one else in the squad you’d want to finish it off.
Get in!
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The hammer from Poldi. Goal.
My nerves are truly settled.
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Criminal negligence?
Humble pie, anyone?
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Just got to weather the first 20 minutes in the 2nd half, reckon Jol will even it up in midfield cos Ramseys running the show- how is he booked and Riesse not for that challenge on Theo? Some things will never change! COYG!
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What does Berbatov have to do to get booked? We have Mark Halsey on our feed and he said Berbatov didn’t deserve to be booked for elbowing the shit out if Bacs, even when he had the benefit of slo-mo replay. Unbelievable.
We almost got a third at the end there, which would’ve iced the game.
Robbie Mustoe eating humble pie at half time. That’s what you get for doubting Wenger, you mug.
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