So what the hell happened then? I didn’t watch the internationals, have no interest in them but I did conduct a brief news trawl and it appears that we have lost another five players as a direct result of, or at least at the same time as these irritating fixtures. Honestly it beggars belief that this is allowed to happen. Surely there should be some rule that if another organisation takes our players and breaks them then they should let us borrow some more. Couldn’t they have a pool of super fast young talent chomping at the bit to step into the shoes of our knackered stars? It might work. Arsène could stroll down to the FIFA holding pens and peruse the winger coral where the stock players mill about hopefully waiting to be chosen. Then it’d be off into the midfield barns and pointing out a suitable stopgap for Ivan to load up onto the truck. Or how about our next two or three fixtures being automatically postponed to allow us time to recover. Or something. I don’t know, it just doesn’t seem fair that this can happen. The injury to Gedion Zelalem is particularly cruel. I suppose in the pursuit of scrupulous accuracy I probably can’t blame FIFA for his plight at least, but the young man would almost certainly have looked upon our current injury woes as an opportunity to see what he could do in the first team. Promising pre season displays are one thing but the ploughed cauldron of Sunderland would have been a heck of an experience for the boy.
It is what it is and moaning will do no good but somehow it hurts less if they are at least wounded in the cause, striving for Arsenal in matches that actually mean something. I am repeating the serenity prayer over and again in an attempt to come to terms with this needless vandalism, this reckless wrecking of what is our most promising squad in years. I haven’t spent the entire time weeping though. I did have to laugh when I read one news site describing how our current sick list stands as testimony to the weakness of our squad, the fabled ‘lack of depth’ being exposed again. It wasn’t a big full on belly laugh with tears of mirth squeezed from the corners of scrunched up eyes to run between my ample cheeks you understand. It was more one of those derisive snorts which on a cold day will make the snot fly if you’re not careful. These same lowlife hacks that spent the last week and a half telling the world how Arsenal were now title challengers and had joined the big time after just one signing appear to have torn up their scripts and returned to the summer mantra of the squad lacking substance, being thin and weak. Apart from their risible insincerity and laughable inconsistency do they seriously think that any squad could cope with losing ten top class players? It is in fact a testament to the group that Arsène has assembled that we can still field any kind of competitive team under these circumstances. But hey ho, as some people queue up to remind me, this is a Positive blog and I shouldn’t spend so much time putting the boot into those who revel in the club’s distress.
Odd stance that isn’t it? ‘You’re supposed to be positive so stop being so negative about negativity.’ Um. Riiight. OK, tough call that and I’ll try but I think you’ll find that remaining positive about our club actually might involve destroying the shallow arguments of our detractors. Just every once in a while. Seriously we actually had a comment to that effect only recently. Here’s my question: Why would an Arsenal fan be so offended by an Arsenal supporting blog having a go at people who hate Arsenal? It’s parallel universe time again folks. Well in any event this is George’s house and as long as we don’t offend him those with their grubby noses stuck against the window can stay out in the cold offering advice on how the furniture should be arranged, I’m sure we don’t really give too much of a hoot for their bellyaching.
I don’t know about you but I spent the international break walking my dogs on the beach, reading and listening to music. It’s therapeutic. I’d like to say I didn’t think about football at all but for a man who isn’t in the least bit superstitious I did spend an inordinate amount of time whistling, touching wood and rubbing the back-stays in a furtive hope to appease the injury gods. And a fat lot of bloody good it did me. Hopefully Arsène’s news conference tomorrow will take the sting out of some of it as he announces divine intervention and miracle cures for our brave battered boys.
I would like to end on a positive note, honestly I would, but I am so utterly fed up with these stupid international bullshit festivals that I find it difficult to raise my spirits. The timing stinks, the matches are usually awful, the outcomes irrelevant and the injuries infuriating. So I’ll leave you with a song instead. Not one of mine but one that might better express what I ought to be saying
Positively Arsenal 
Ah but from the positive perspective a fit Per and Ozzy had easy games for Germany and have qualification for Brazil entirely sown up
Kosc, Giroo and Bac return safe from the Steppes
Santi and Nacho safe from a game against the usually ‘robust’ Chileans – already on the plane for Rio
Szcz did not get his shorts dirty for the Poles
Will the knocks picked up by Theo and JW amount to anything ? In the words of our illustrious manager ‘Maybe. I do not know’
And Tommy is due back in training
So heads up and march north towards the Light
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Morning STEWW
one very frustrated gooner here. This keeps happening over and over again. I’m main sorry and concerned for TOMAS. this was his last chance to take his nation to the world cup and now he comes back to us injured and not being able to help with the cause. Someone for FFS separate the seasons. Separate the international games for when bussiness is over. Who the hell is going to pay for this? The club? LMFAO. Unbelievable.
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Did you take these photos??
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The cruelty when we just got Tomas back up and running after so long is unbearable. The chance to see him and MO together snatched from us.
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Oh, and yes GK. Trying for serene shots from my collection to calm us.
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Very nice picture, Steww…and cheer up, we will stuff the Makems on Satdee
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Beautiful photos they are. Can’t they just play these international games during off season.? What is the big efin deal. Two games back to back in a week at the start of the season? Who the hell scheduled and approved this c••p?
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hello FRANK
I have no doubts we will come through. We always do. But why does it have to the hard way always.
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Actually as I am not from the North East and do not have the prescribed accent I shall henceforth refer to them as Make Thems. So…we will stuff the Make Thems on Satdee
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The sunset shot is actually working. I’m a whole bunch calmer.
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Hello, Goonerkam. I believe we have strength in the uninjured, particularly defensively. In fact we look quite solid with Flams back in the side and all.
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Seems a shame that the fuckers comparing season ticket prices don’t factor in the number of games included and when they do their averages do they really have to include our club level?.
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Yes FRANK. I just wish all barrels of the six shooter were full. I hope TOMAS isn’t out too long as I think he will be missing the party. I’m hopeful regarding JACK & THEO that they could be available. GIDEON & SANOGO cases is another heartbreak. The clubs need to voice their opposition ffs. This is bad for bussiness.
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We do appear to suffer more than most, Goonerkam. The timing of internationals beggars belief but is par for the course for FIFA. Hopefully this Qatar business contains the seeds of FIFA’s destruction or at least its current leader.
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I’m bullish about our chances still just bloody angry at our racehorses being used to pull FIFA’s dog cart again.
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Nicely put, Steww. What is the building in the picture?
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Frank, it’s a bloody great power station in the Vale Of Glamorgan in the tiny hamlet of Gileston. Seen from across the channel from the beach at Brean.
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“But hey ho, as some people queue up to remind me, this is a Positive blog and I shouldn’t spend so much time putting the boot into those who revel in the club’s distress.”
hahah great stuff steww!!…oh them crybabies… they dont like it up em do they? they sure like to give it to the manager, club and players though…..
i guess its part of their absurd ‘logic’ …they are free to piss on arsenal but should you or anyone else piss on them and their opinions …oh thats bad isnt it…undemocratic and all..heheee..fuck em! they made their bed now they will have to sleep in it! i enjoyed joanna’s outburst the other week i have to say 😉
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” i want the freedom to call wenger incompetent, clueless, past it, not good with money and not fit for the modern game’s requirements. Generally i want the liberty to insult Wenger, his work and his achievemets…..in my humble opinion ”
“pfffffft…LoL . youre an idiot mate..shut up”
“Hey dont abuse me, im free to question Wenger”
“Yes you sure are but youre still stupid”
“Youre a negativist fool who cant cope with the difference of opinions”
“Sorry if im too negative for you, lol, maybe i have issues with halfwits killing time on the internet insulting our intelligence and talking bollocks about one of the greatest managers in the game and one of the most sophisticated and quality clubs in the world”
” A proper fan must question the direction of the club. None bigger than the club, that includes Wenger”
” A proper fan shows patience and understanding in what the club is building/developing and doesnt mouth off about prices, tactics, managers, players and whatever else. After all, the proper fan is there win lose or draw, tittle or no title, right?”
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What a rotten place to put a power station…although I guess there are the usual pros and cons. Fabulous picture though.
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…now you are going to tell me that the amazing colour is caused by the sun shining on sulphur emissions
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Steww
Beautiful pics, great piece thanks!
The value of Flamini will be appreciated during times such as these….We still have a ridiculously gifted fit and available midfield for this weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this confident about our team….
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No Frank, it’s the exhaust fumes off the M4
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Great post, steww
I was just asking myself, do any players OTHER than Arsenal players get injured on international duty? Sure as hell seems not.
And tell the fool who criticised you that we try to be positive *about Arsenal* not about everything in the known Universe.
***
“I’m bullish about our chances still just bloody angry at our racehorses being used to pull FIFA’s dog cart again.”
Pedantic George will nick that for Twitter, you wait. (banned winky face)
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FG – robbery is the sincerest form of flattery!
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Great piece, excellent comments, wonderful pictures, marvellous tune.
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Happy then Steve?
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If I could write,this is how I would have written it.
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If I could set up and run a blog, this is how I’d do it.
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Nice one Stew,only another 4 weeks till the next interlull!
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oh shit…..is there another one mel? this is so frustrating…
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u-21s game tonight…hmmmmm..why not? i need an arsenal ashtray too..maybe a new long sleeve replica too…spend some fucking money
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Thanks Mel. How was your birthday bash?
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Another great stew pot of emotions, he makes me angry,happy,sad,calm and then defiant. Its funny how the question mr dyke should have asked is should internationals be played at all. Amongst all the injuries spare a thought for Dan Crowley who started the season really well and is also facing a long spell out.
With Art still out Flamini could become the most important signing of the season and could we all be praying for the fitness or little lord nick
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Great thanks Stew,nice photos by the way-not as good as the 3-legged king of all dogs though! If ever you give him up for adoption you know where I am.
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Arsene says Jack and Theo are OK.
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Nice work, steww. Words, pictures and music – you spoil us!
Would the world be better off with no international football (ie national teams)? It’s easy to enjoy the World Cup and European Championships, but – maybe it’s something to do with England – I find the qualifying tedious, as are most of the friendly matches.
What would be more interesting (at least to me) would be to pick the quarter-finalists from the Champions League and its South American equivalent, and then add in the top teams from the other regions, and have them play in a World Cup-style tournament every few years (preferably not in Qatar, ever). It will never happen as long as FIFA call the shots.
An alternative would be to adopt some variation of a Davis Cup-style system where the countries are in tiers. Teams who do well in the second tier can move up to the top tier; teams who do badly drop down. This would at least help to make the matches more competitive.
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FG – phew!
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Billy – and none of it to happen when we need our boys fit for the season!
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Nice to see Mesut being supported by Per really looking forward to Saturdays game..
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Greetings Frank. Pity about a few injuries, well Tomas, Gedion and Yayha it would seem, any others? To add to Ox and Lukas, but we should have enough in all areas to get through the coming spell. Ozil might be faster-tracked. Ryo, Serge might need to step up from the bench. TV back in 2 weeks it seems, at least for a few reserve matches for fitness. I wonder how far Arteta is? He can’t be that far, 3/4 weeks? Otherwise a good 2 months to November for the others I guess, on the whole. Is that it? Lukas, Ox, Diaby, Tomas as well as Gedion and Sanogo.
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Hi ZP. I am intrigued by the idea of a Nik Bendtner having another go.
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….he is only 25
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25 years old but o so mature beyond his years…….
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It is a thought, isn’t it? All the experience he has picked up and now another chance to shine at Arsenal. Could work.
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It would be an amazing story of redemption if NB did go on to have a wonderful season.
I have a little more sympathy (a little) with his apparent arrogance since I heard Adrian Clarke explaining that he was our most valuable young player a while back – huge bids came in for him, he says. It is understandable that that went to his head.
And if Bendtner can absorb it, Giroud is a wonderful lesson about how to develop into an Arsenal CF.
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‘Of course [it’s a statement]. We had to go through some years with restricted financial potential and the target was to stay in the Champions League during this period. We were able to do it and now we are strong financially.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2418671
OOOOOOOpppppppsssss…that crazy drug boy was right all these years after all…….
Ooooooopppppssssss maybe we need to ask ourselves if the manager is delivering the targets/objectives set by board/company…….
OOOOOOOOOooooooopssssss….maybe we have too much spare time on our hands and need to blog and “debate” about it instead o showing patience and support….
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sorry i just love telling mugs who calling many of us delusional ‘i told you so’ … ( huge smiling face…from ear to ear)
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Just watching the Mesut presser. AW looks so smug, like the cat that got the cream.(banned smiley face)
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Ozil showing a lot more class than the club he left.
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