This post was a comment by foreverheady on a previous post about the City game. It deserves its own space.
I thought the linesman was as much of a problem as the ref, but maybe we have to learn not to hope that tight 50/50s don’t go against us, as they always seem to. The timing of the game (three in slightly less than six days) didn’t help either, nor the fact that that they were a team of fully mature internationals on a home roll. But whichever way you look at it, we still lost and it ended up as a bit of a lesson.
Most successful teams (either sporting or commercial) tend to go through a form, storm, reform process, and I hope that we will do just this. The team that began to be formed last season and which was then almost fully formed by 02.09.13 has done very nicely. It has come through some difficult moments, it has been tested, and it has risen to the top of the League and qualified for the last 16. I suspect many involved with the club (players, coaches, investors and supporters) would have settled for that 03.03.13: I suspect even more strongly that any of our current darling pundits would have laughed such a suggestion out of court.
But, the fact remains that we have just come up short against Everton, Napoli and Manchester City. I think we also saw some tensions between the players emerge, and we also saw the manager openly dismayed and angered by some of the misses and some of the defending. I suspect that the dressing room was an interesting place to be after the game – and I very much hope that the training ground is an even more interesting place over the next few days. Players need to ask questions of each other, just as they need to ask questions of the manager and he of them. They need to feel happy that everyone is pulling their weight and that everyone is fully committed to the project. There needs to be a proper storm, because if there isn’t then we will all know that we are happy to be very, very good, but not world-class.
But out of that storm will come a much stronger team (as I suspect happened in the aftermath of 03.03.13) because the players that are with the project will step up again. They will demand more of their team mates, and crucially they will demand more of themselves, if they truly want to reach the summit. My money is on them to do just that, but only if they realise that they are not there yet. I have a horrible feeling that they had begun to believe the hype, but Everton, Napoli and City provided timely reminders that the hype was just that. We will look back on this last week with real gratitude over the next five years as this squad go on to show just what they can really do.
Positively Arsenal 
https://vimeo.com/82053417
Link to the hilariously embarrassing Spurs “One Club” video.
I’d check it out while it’s still up since they are pretty quick getting it taken down through copyright issues.
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A very powerful and I believe prophetic comment. I also believe the team will step up but as I agree with all the points and cannot match the eloquence, I shall just say. Well said!
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“Where are you miserable bastards?”
I’m ****ing HERE, you ****!
Why oh why oh why oh why… can’t I just stew in my own ****ing misery?
I’ve a RIGHT to me ****ing grumpy. Did you watch the same match as me? Did you see what was going on? Did you think there was anything suspicious about the Bayern/City game,its final score, and the way both teams played???? (Extra question marks for added gravitas, or summat)?!? Have you heard the way they’ve been talking about us – for years?
Did you see a compilation on MOTD2, where they showed how Arsenal were fouled off the ball, over and over again, whilst commentators say “Wilshere lost the ball”, etc – presumably to demonstrate that this is how it’s gonna be – just like its been for so many times over the past 8 years? (If you still have the program – watch that bit again in slow motion). The ****ing GLEE of Danny Murohy. He really came into his own (mouth). Previously he tried to play it with a straight (crooked) bat, but on Sunday, he positively (negatively), GLOWED!
Mind you, I’ve never noticed Mark Chapman (main MOTD2 presenter) show such closed body language – as he sat well back in his chair – arms firmly folded around himself – as he “invited” the plundits to tell everyone how Arsenal are soooooo shit. Still, he’s a lot better than Colin Murray with his ??? voice and full-on sneering, surely? And Chiles, and Linekar, and……
So yeah, I’m a miserable bastard.
Be that as it may (as it were), it so happens I saw this article many hours ago. I was wanting to write something nice about the previous post by Demetri Loizou. Lovely piece, Demetri. And then I got a phone call. AVB’s been sacked.
Yes, yes, I know – Every ****ing cloud, blah de ****ing blah! NO, actually. THAT news didn’t cheer me up. **** no. I wanted a full season of UTTER ****ing misery for dem fools – AND for the journos and assorted *u*tbuckets who declared, indefatigably and undoubtedly, that beyond all reasonable doubt, in this day of our Lord and as God is my witness, and “I’ll eat my hat” if…… Spurs don’t win the league/eurodisney/finish above Arsenal…blahdy ****ing blah. You’ve heard it, no?
Now just escape briefly into fantasy land, and imagine AVB staying till the end of the season, and take some time to think about where Spurs might be.
So, don’t you think the outcome could’ve been more mirth-full? (If you disagree, you’re a ****!)
Having said that (or ‘be that as it may²’), I did get just a little rise out of the news.
Naturally, it wasn’t enough for me to take the “miserable bastards” bait, and come all over this page with my withering exhalations. (What the **** are THEY?)
The fact is: ArsenalAndrew@ 8:03 pm’s post ****ed me out of my funk. (there’s a disco song about that – Get the funk out my face, or summat. You tube if you wanna).
It was AA to the rescue.
(You **** off too).
By the time I’d listened to S’lordy Sugar, and then watched the Spurs hip hop (haven’t they got any black *supporters?), I was ****in compelled, nay forced, to dribble onto the screen.
So thanks all, especially those who’ve posted since about 8 pm. I’m sure the comments before are all ****ing spiffing, but as I haven’t even read the article again since about 11 am, I can’t be ***ing bothered.
Up yours!
*At least theirs isn’t entirely a closed supportership given the inclusion of sheep shaggers at their training ground. Very ****ing inclusive.
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Ah AVB. breaks your heart. Donet:-D
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Holy cow. Two years in a row we get barbarians in champions league.
cool.
Unfinished business from last years and all. Bring it.
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Lord sugar called AW sensible in his comments today. lol
Loving this.
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Chelski vs gala!!!!?????
This sh•• is being choreographered , I tells ya. reunions can be so heart warming . Maureenwhore rejoins the predator part 1.
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Lol. juando Ramos vs spudniks.!!!!!!!
Unreal…
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Rantteta
I’ve read some rant in my days mate but yours today was the mother of all rants. Lol
Up the ARSENAL!!!!!!
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Goonerkam
Please pardon me.
It could be that if I’d offloaded earlier, there’d be less ranting. On the over hand, having been up all night – partly due to my perception of complete ****eries at Manchester, I thought that by posting in the middle of the night, I’d not only find a way to sleep, but, no-one would read it anyway. Wrong on both counts, it appears.
I love the succincticity of your posts, and I learn more from them than from mine:
Ramos/Maureenwhore/AVB/Barbarians…. Excellent!
I’m going to sleep now. Miles Davis’s Kind Of Blue purrs in the background:
“So What” (would’ve helped myself if I listened to this on Sunday evening):
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Even Saturday evening, even.
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No worries mate. Had a great laugh.
I’m like you. When we win I can’t sleep due to excitement and when we don’t do well due to pissoffetness. I love miles.
I wish I had a few hydros HUNTER was poping last month. Too much stress in my life. Hopefully things will get better and better. God willing.
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I think we can drop the spudniks from the possible top four list. I had it
ARSENAL
chelski
Totteringham
Shitty
Now I see totts dropping down and shitty moving up one and possibly Everton fourth.
Who knows..
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Classic DAVIS.
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And Bayern Munich it is. Double-match of the century is looming, at least for us. Lovely! As for us, we is what we is and where we at is where we at. It is said that if you are top through Xmas turnaround, like the far bend in 400m, you have slight advantage. Yes, to an extent but not exactly. The season is decided in its second half, but built on foundations laid earlier, it needs consistency throughout. I expect 3 teams to be running neck and neck round the second last Xmas bend, and where they are then placed in the final bend going into the straight will show us, that’s where the gaps widen; then its down to sheer stamina and determination. That’s towards end of March. It’s going to get interesting. We stumbled a bit on the back straight, but crucially not on the bend itself, that can be fatal, and time to temper ourselves going into the Xmas bend. I expect the fact that we drew Bayern to be a massive inspiration to the lads. I’m glad about that.
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Morning ZIMPAUL
well said as always. Determination, stamina, shear will power and mental strength through brotherhood and teamwork. This is when AW has a big responsibility. To get them focused. And instill belief . He and the elder statesmen of our team. TOMAS, SAGNA, SACKER, MIKEL AND EVEN FLAMSTER. We shall find out what metal this team is made of.
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our game on monday is a must win for two reasons; to remain on top and for confidence of the group.
chelski dont go through the middle this days. they like playing through the wing, so sagna and gibbs will be key as well as arteta to help retain possesion. i’m confident we’ll get the three point and even keep a clean sheet.
my top four prediction
arsenal
city
liverpool
chelsea
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And while we’re playing guessing games, who do you imagine would be the team that BM least wanted to be drawn against? It’s a match made not in Nyon, but in heaven.
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As it has been at every low point throughout the past 8 years, I expect Arsene Wenger to get our team team ready for the next battle at hand. This season, after losing to Villa, we came storming back. Last year, after leaking two easy goals to the Spuds, written off by all and sundry, the team put inflicted the 1st ever home loss on Bayern.
I would modify ZimPaul’s metaphor slightly; we are approaching the midpoint of a marathon after an unusually fast start and we are being pegged back by a very strong chasing pack. Everywhere and every thing hurts at this stage but we can take breather and before getting back into rhythm. There is still a long way to go, for us and as well as the chasing pack. Despite all the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth by onlookers we are still in charge of the race. We just need to hold our nerves.
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Have I missed the FA punishment of Jack – Or are they waiting until Friday afternoon to announce it just to wind me up ?
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And do not misunderstand me – after the FA punishes him with the inevitable one match ban I hope Arsene breaks his finger and fines him a fortnight’s wages.
Learn the hard way if you want to Jack, but learn you will
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Every team that has ever won the EPL, the sole exception being our invincible season itself, has had one period in the course of the season when it has looked like they would falter; they lost unexpectedly, drew a couple, had an injury, dropped to second, even third after leading the pack, and everyone said, “not so good after all, vulnerable”. Every team that has ever won the EPL has, after that lull in form, stormed back with a convincing or often even lucky win and so re-affirmed their intangible (psychological) assets, to themselves and to other teams. And so it goes. Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!
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Arjen Robben suffered a similar injury to Koscielny’s. What kind of studs are players wearing these days?
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I liked Michael Bradley in the middle for Roma. He moved the ball around well and bossed the middle with Strootman.
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According to Alan Sugar, they didn’t trust AVB.
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ZimPaul
“Every team” – except Arsenal ’08, (after Dean at Birmingham). We started off 5 points clear, then….
Here are the refs for the next 3 games we play. Do you know of games when these haven’t tried/succeeded to screwed us up?:
Arsenal v Chelsea Mike Dean J Collin J Brooks J Moss
West Ham v Arsenal Phil Dowd D Cann L Betts C Breakspear
Newcastle v Arsenal Lee Probert I Hussin M Scholes A Marriner
Still, I’m trying to be optimistic. Here’s for a great xmas, where we extend our lead at the top of the table. I really do think Arsenal will bounce back, but not without the usual refshite, I fear.
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FG @ December 17, 2013 at 12:08 am
I’m not sure Sugar’s comments on recent events at Tottenham are accurate. Strong rumours in the past that Levy is very involved in the transfers (Van der Vaart), maybe Sugar was wanting to protect his successor? Levy’s record over many years as highlighted by Anicoll5 above speaks for itself.
What I found interesting was the understanding that a man who likes to fire and on the rare occasion to hire his staff in front of TV cameras for spectacle and entertainment when asked what he would do if he had £100M to give to a football manager said that he would like hand over the entire wad of wonga to the “mature” Arsene Wenger who “knows the market”, and leave it at that. To leave most of the decisions about the football to the football manager who, and this is worth repeating, who “knows the market”. If I could be arsed to bold and underline that quote, I would.
Considering that the demented and misguided malcontents continue to bawl over “who Wenger is accountable to…”, the unaccountable dictatorship of “the man who has ruined our club”, as they like to say, Sugar’s comments are priceless.
What a bunch of bitter lemons.
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Arsenal v Chelsea Mike Dean J Collin J Brooks J Moss
West Ham v Arsenal Phil Dowd D Cann L Betts C Breakspear
Newcastle v Arsenal Lee Probert I Hussin M Scholes A Marriner
IVAN!!!!!! hallo how are you? the schedule reads 9 days rest and then 4 fixtures in 8 days and then 10 days rest again possibly with a cup fixture in between and then febriary /march it seems that the schedule was made by fucking levy…
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Look on the bright side Hunter – if you were an Italian, Spanish, German fan etc you would be settling down now for the Winter break – several weeks of not a ball being kicked and the grind of the transfer window to irritate you day by day
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Fin, how about all the imbeciles who were gnawing their nails off as the Spuds kept buying ever more expensive rubbish?
There you go, you bastards. Alan Sugar, who has no reason to say anything nice about Arsenal, would trust Wenger with £100m, no questions asked.
Alan Sugar was a bit of a bastard to AVB. Talked about him as if he was some kid fucking around with his dad’s Ferrari.
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Gains
I think Sugar is trying his best to flatter Levy. But it wasn’t AVB who signed all that other expensive rubbish over the long long years.
Just be glad you were not standing outside the North Bank after the Anthony Taylor spectacle in August, trying to reason with some gurning groaners who had chosen to believe the repetitive propaganda that the club were not interested in buying any footballers. I did try to remind a few, those that weren’t shadow boxing with themselves in rage, that AW had signed footballers for his clubs every season since about 1990. There is some evidence. But alas they chose to believe the constant and malicious AST propaganda that AFC were not going to sign anyone but Flamini because the Evil Board were pocketing all the Wonga with Venger’s conniving assistance.
“Look at Tottenham. They’ve spent £100M. Levy knows what he is doing. We’ve got the worst board in Football and we are not going to sign any players…”
Was the mantra of madness.
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heh anicol..what i find irritating is that they are gonna make it as tough as possible for us…fixtures, refs, etc..we do not purchase ‘galacticos’ to be given any favours by the system….
Gainsbourg69 : as if he was some kid fucking around with his dad’s Ferrari….ahahaah thinking he is schummacher…ahaha…have to say though he is right..when you buy a 100m tanker vessel you also get a fucking captain who knows the high seas and can park that big bitch in ports and not the 3rd officer who is there to check the radar
finsbury …funny you mention that as i see a massive qeue * of reporters journalists pundits and FANS taking back their rhetoric of ‘ambition’ and apologising for getting things wrong in the summer…bless them….must be a new year resolution ..
yesterday i watched again THE SPEECH …. so lucky to have him ..so lucky……..
zhe valuesz that zwe defend are highly defendable
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4:19- 4:22 …200mph
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Fuck me, moe.
The chavs were so negative they managed to let Sunderland in for 1-1. Extra time beckons.
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Double fuck me.
The mackams are 2-1 up.
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Is it nearly over yet?
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Nice stuff!
Chelsea out of the COC and Sunderland scored the 3 goals.
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Blimey, that could have been us! Not qualifying for that round was probably for the best, because that would have been a game too far, if chelski with all their resources couldn’t get past Sunderland.
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Hahahaha. Bloody awesome. Good on you GUS. good on you black cats. Maureenwhore out. Useless idiot. Come on roman. Do the thing you do so well. Sack the dumbass and destabilize them blues. This my new years wish.
Hello PAUL . how’s the weather treating you down in south Florida??
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poor moe,
he only has Ba, Et’o and Torres and with Lukaku out on loan but he has no strikers.
PS thanks for the week’s rest, Chavski.
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Moe is more full of shit than AVB ever was.
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I got a chinese fortune cookie
“next cloudy day will be lucky for you”
Good job I live in Ireland.
any minute now…….
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Shaping up for a very good game of football on Monday – Jose will come for the point, we will have to open them up, as you would an oyster, just catch the weak edge and snap it open.
I am off on my hols this morning so will not hear or see the game til later
It is good to know the support for the club will be Positively unshakeable before, during and after the contest
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