Today’s post is by Blackburn George
It all seems so obvious …
If there is a stick to beat Arsene and Arsenal with then it appears to me that there are multitudes of halfwits ready to pick it up and brandish it with a flurry.
The opinions of agenda driven plebeians are picked up, digested and regurgitated as facts. Theories are accepted and embellished if they in any way make the club look bad. Rumours are started and accepted because dimwits want to believe them.
I’m sick of it and the moaning cretins who do it in the name of passionate support.
My old friend and ally Shottagooner (@shotta_gooner) said this and it exposed several of these misconceptions in a few short lines:
“Such a brilliant morning-after in my part of the world. That glow in the cheeks after a night of …. watching Liverpool, the pundits favorite, simply choke on hubris and self-entitlement at the hands of Tony Pulis and Crystal Palace. What the hell were they smoking in the dressing room at half-time?
Karma is a bitch as many of us said on twitter last night. The lying and cheating in the Suarez buyout affair for one. Even more galling was the gloating that they were succeeding without oil-money despite having the 4th largest net transfer spend in the league since 1992 (£287M according to transferleague.co.uk) was a stick the Arsenal 5th Column and the media was swinging heavily at our club.
All myths exposed and defeated in 10 minutes.
I must save a word for the pundits who are now hopping on the bandwagon of critics of Liverpool defending. Such amazing hypocrisy. I was monitoring the game online on the Guardian’s M-B-M service and later saw replay on America’s NBC network and all were urging Loserpool to go for more goals and put pressure on City.
Turned out very well, didn’t it.”
The thing is, it was not that Liverpool fans were churning out this drivel, or even that pundits were.
Oh no, our fans were at it with gusto.
Brendon was being hailed as a tactical genius, and that was evidence that Arsene was not! How is that looking now I ask you? Roberto was a similar cut above poor old inept Arsene, until he managed to lose 3 of 4 games at the business end. All the time our moaning fans were happy to ignore the fact that both were playing far fewer games than us and we had catastrophic injuries.
Then we have Maureen, dishing out masterclass after masterclass. A serial winner who couldn’t come up with the tactics to not get beaten by Sunderland at home, evidently can’t out-tactic Fat Sam (or even score a goal) – again at home – let alone Norwich.
So all these genius managers that are better than Arsene failed, despite the advantages they have had.
We have some malcontent going on Arsenal TV telling the world that Stan wanted to increase prices by 8% and had to be talked down. (No mention of the heroes within the club who talked him down, even if it were true).
When I challenged this and suggested it was no more than shit-stirring in order to make Stan look bad, I was told:
“We have people in high places at Arsenal who told us!”
Of course they would not tell me who these high people were, I suspect because they don’t exist. Now it is accepted by thousands of fans as fact, simply because some moaning malcontent said so.
FOR NO OTHER REASON; NO FACT, NAMES OR EVIDENCE OF ANY TYPE.
The AST had an analysis done (I suspect they were disappointed with the results) which proved beyond doubt that Arsene overachieves every year (with one exception) but this actual evidence is ignored in favour of a purely fictional notion that he does not.
Detractors point to the wage bill, claiming that we are the 4th biggest and therefore should expect to be 4th. They conveniently forget that we have a huge staff because we are NOW a huge club.
But more than that they disregard transfer spend as if it is totally irrelevant.
However, a big wage bill is the result of big spending in the transfer market. Simply put, big transfers in, expect big wages, and get them. So it’s the transfers that drive the wage bill. Not the other way around. Therefore it’s transfer spending that is the main measure of where a club should expect to finish. Not wages.
The wages are a reflection of the transfer spend! Got it now?
This though does not suit the detractors so it’s disregarded.
A stick, a stick – my kingdom for a stick!
We have experts telling us how much we have in the bank and jumping to conclusions about how and when it should have been spent, without one iota of knowledge of what plans may have been made – let alone cash flow considerations.
Don’t get me started on the pricks organising protests.
Just who the hell do they think they are?
All in all, it’s sad and pathetic what is going on.
You can tell George exactly what’s going on via Twitter @Blackburngeorge
Positively Arsenal 
According to twitter we are playing shit. Must remember to bet my eyes checked.
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So happy for Corporal Jenkinson.
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Abou showing class. Would be fucked to sell him. One Arsene Wenger…
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Howdy, PA folks! What an end to the PL season, eh? Brilliant goal from Aaron, Carl’s first PL goal, Diaby back on the field, and no injuries. I don’t think it could have gone much better. I enjoyed that game, and I have enjoyed this season immensely. Now, let’s go and win that cup!!!
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Arteta ran the show.
Great singing from the away fans.
79 points, 24 wins.
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I’m pleased for Carl – hopefully that was the first of many to come!
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Even though we were out of the title race, it was a good day for Arsenal.
What an assist by Giroud! We need a Giroud type back up.
Very happy for Carl.
Really pleasantly surprised and somewhat emotional by the Arsenal fans singing Diaby’s name. It would have meant so much to him. I wouldnt be surprised if he was crying tears of joy after the match. It was a very simple, but very vital gesture by the fans. That gesture would be the thing that lifts the man who has gone through hell and is starting to take his first tentative steps back.
I am really proud of Arsenal fans today.
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The crowd sang for Diaby for ten minutes straight after he came on.
I’m going to miss Bac. I want him to make as much money as possible before he retires.
I love the way Carl runs into the box. He was the furthest player forward when the ball was swung into the box for his goal.
It sucks that Ramsey’s wonder strike cast a shadow on Olive’s excellent pass. Giroud is our best crosser of the ball.
City’s triumph is empty. Their fans know that title doesn’t belong them.
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Amazing no colour on twitter just 50 shades of grey only its not about sexy football, I think some people were mixed up and thought it was us being relegated not Norwich.
But anyway back to reality Bacs played well at CB, Jenks scored a worldy of a goal, Aaron is getting back to being the best in the league, Oli’s link up play was magnificent, Diaby is back and so is Jack and gibbo, we have two quality keepers , no new injuries or suspensions we’ve collected more points than our 1998 champions season we’ve qualified for the CL again and finished above the spuds again and to top all that we have the F.A. Cup next week….well everything’s looking pretty red and white to me apart from the bits that are yellow and blue no sign of grey anywhere
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CONGRATULATIONS & Big round of applause are in order for each and every member of the team,AW and all true red&white blooded fans everywhere that stood by the team in good times and in not so good time. Take a bow .
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Looking forward to seeing the highlights later. It was hard to tell what was going on from the Arsenal Player commentary as they were more interested in emails and quizzes than saying what was going on. It sounded as if it was all pretty routine with no real worries and lots of easy possession, but I could be wrong. It has been a terrific league season, and anyone who thinks differently is clearly so result-driven that most things in life will end up as disappointments. Of course it was a shame we couldn’t maintain our strong form, and of course the big defeats were setbacks – but to talk as if the whole year was a disaster is just not right. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, even though my favourite player has been side-lined, first with that hernia thing (or was that last year) and then with his ACL. Let’s hope he comes back as good as new, because if he does he still has plenty of time to prove exceptional.
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Now for the last pieces of business this year.
1) bring the cup home.
2) tie up everyone to the team and tell them they aren’t going anywhere.
3) have a great transfer summer and bring in some fresh blood to make us even deeper
And valla!!!!!!
ARSENAL JUGGERNAUT…..
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One last thing. stay injury free those going to represent their countries and get THEO back in full attack mode. WOOOFF….
UP THE GUNNERS OF ARSENAL!!!!
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I think celebration and some responsible drinking are in order for me. I feel a tension release. Well done ARSENAL…
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I actually thought this comment was funny where saw it!
Mourinho took over the 3rd best team in England, spent £110m, and transformed them into the third best team in England.
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I can see someone’s happy, goonerkam!
The Ladies capped it off by beating Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup semifinal – so another final, let’s make it a double triumph, shall we, girls and boys?
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5-3 after extra time, 2 goals by player-coach Kelly Smith.
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glad the ladies are bouncing back as well….
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That would be fantastic. Both FA CUPS where they belong. And a little payback to Everton. Lol
Lets do it. proud GUNNER here here.
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Watching the highlights. Love the fans singing Abou Diaby and for Abou acknowledging them…..Positively Arsenal…..
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“Mourinho took over the 3rd best team in England, spent £110m, and transformed them into the third best team in England.”
He also gifted a close rival their best player and pissed off all of his loaned out players to the point where they don’t want to came back to Stamford Bridge. Let’s not ignore the small details.
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Morning all, the starting gun has gone on our build up to cup final week. ARSENAL player is going to get a hammering this week and starting to get a little nervous already, hope everyones preparations are going well wherever you are in the world
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Cup Final week indeed. I tried to pick my Starting XI and bench last night and realised I couldn’t as I was left with many agonising decisions. Suffice it to say my wife asked me why I had left a couple out and I genuinely replied that I’d forgotten all about them. Had everyone stayed normally fit this season it would have been a hard job for AW to keep them all happy – and that is an aspect of management that the keyboard warriors don’t even realise, let alone acknowledge. And I would also like to publically apologise to Carl Jenkinson for getting so caught up in the Sagna saga that I had begun to overlook what a breth of fresh air he is, and how much he will offer this club going forward (as in the next few years, not as in offensively – although he is pretty good at that too.)
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foreverheady,
I think that Jenkinson is actually better offensively than Sagna, but he is not yet at his level defensively and in that great ability to slot effortlessly into central defence. I am going to miss Sagna but with more games, Jenkinson’s confidence is going to grow and I believe that with Arsene’s tutelage, he is going to make us all proud.
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Morning all. Got to say been feeling a bit nervous for the cup final a week or two now. Credit to the manager for playing strong teams last couple of games. Getting players like Aaron and Ozil match fit and keep the momentum going. The convincing wins certainly have helped calm my nerves. I’m sure it will help the players too for the final.
Saw elsewhere some is giving the manager stick for not playing Woj yesterday and thus taking away his chance to win the golden gloves. Rubbish, what a bogus prize. Clean sheets are results of team efforts and the only one interested in golden gloves should be football agents.
Great to see the reception Diaby got. And Jenks certainly has the attributes to be a cult hero at the Arsenal. Can easily see him at the club for another ten years or so. Great athlete and great attitude, can’t see him go wrong under Wenger.
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And obviously I agree with bootoome.
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Thought the away fans deserve a lot of credit yesterday. They prove what great fans we have, really got behind the team and the Manager. I don’t think they stopped singing all game. They put those other miserable excuses for fans to shame. Can’t wait for next week, I have a feeling we are going to put in a brilliant performance and win the FA Cup.
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I very sure I heard the “One Arsene Wenger” song being sung, but the TV commentators tried to drown it out. Funny that.
The didn’t bother to censor some of the naughtier anti-Tottenham songs.
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Rosicky’s execution of Tottenham Hotspur FC was the goal of the season (league) for me. Quite a sight to see ‘Rosicknote’ (who in the words of the ‘Redzone’ Experts was previously “stealing a living”) end the season for the £100M uber-squad assembled by the mastermind Levy.
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Sensational Arsenal May 11, 2014 at 6:21 pm
I think SA sums up the emotions of many when they heard that fantastic support yesterday. Who cares about twitter, the people at the football were having a good time!
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Gibbs not included in the England squad!
Wow. I take it they weren’t watching his minutes against say, Bayern Munich. Baines must’ve really impressed when the Southampton RB just ran past him the other week.
Perhaps Hodgson got confused after he picked Chamberlain? Just don’t mention the monkey!
As an Arsenal fan I’m not complaining.
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Let’s talk about Woy’s picks shall we?
Goalkeeper: Hart, Foster, Foster.
Good picks.
– Defence: Jagielka, Baines, Shaw, Cahill, Smalling, Jones and Glen Johnson.
England are one Glen Johnson injury away from having to rely on Phil Jones or Chris Smalling at RB. Personally, I would have axed both the Mancs in favor of Scott Dann, who is currently on excellent form for Palace, and Nathaniel Clyne.
– Midfield: Barkley, Gerrard, Henderson, Lampard, Lallana, Milner, Wilshere, Sterling and the Ox.
What the f—, Woy? Lampard and Milner hardly played this season. They have no place in the England Midfield. Henderson over Carrick, seriously? Once again Michael Carrick, the only bright spot in an otherwise shit MU, gets overlooked. And what about Garreth Barry’s rennaisance at Everton? Henderson, Lampard and Milner are atrocious picks.
Strikers: Lambert, Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck.
I think Roy either takes Lambert or Welbeck, but not both. Personally, I would have taken a pacy striker like Agbonglahor to deputise for Rooney.
Overall, I think England’s starting line up does well, but it all goes to shit when players like Lampard, Smalling, Jones, Milner and Henderson make up your bench.
This how I wanted England to line up.
—————————–Rooney
Sterling——————–Jack——————-Sturridge
———————-Barry———–Gerrard
Baines————Jagielka——–Cahill———Clyne
——————————-Hart
I don’t see England making it past the group stage now.
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I thought the same thing about Baines, Fin. I really don’t know what people see in him.
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I’m really concerned now, Roberto Martinez and divulged to Steve Bruce the SECRET to beating Arsenal…..yeah its’ true he has…you don’t need to read the article….it’s the Daily Star headline!
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Gains,
Glad to see Fraiser Foster called up. (Might me good for Arsenal too?)
Henderson was ok this season, just about OK. I would have called up Carrick for stability’s sake, and what does Fat Frank bring to the party apart from a penalty kick?
Welbeck is not needed when Strurrige is fit.
I think the Press got their way with Wroy. He has given them the team they wanted.
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GP
It’s not much of a secret – Overwhelm our midfield with pace, Isolate Arteta on the ball and make sure he can’t release it quickly. Unfortunately that tactic against us won’t work with Ramsey about.
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Great to see Diaby back. I just cannot understand the fans that are disrespecting him, this guy suffered wearing our shirt. The Dan Smith tackle that started it all was typical of the type of tackles our players seem to receive more than any other club, like Ramsey and Eduardo. The boy had immense talent but yet another British thug has prevented him form proving that. What a great addition to our squad for next season though.
I cannot help thinking that but for those injuries to Ramsey and Theo,we could have been looking at a potential double. In any case, we went close and didn’t finish far behind the richest sports team in the world. But say it quietly, the naysayers would have a fit.
On this theme; all this overplaying, redzone nonsense and criticism of our medical team has gone beyond a joke. Here is one for PW and his mates to consider, the player that has played the most minutes this season is actually from the Arsenal. Take a bow Per Mertersacker.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the England squad Gains.
If Shaw is in the squad then I can’t see why Clyne wasn’t chosen!
More interesting if you’re an Arsenal fan, Arsenal could have the two best English FBs in the league next season. Overlooked just like Dixon and Winterburn were. They’ve always hated The Arsenal…the same old hacks wrote gibberish about the Invincibles, (Henry played out of position, Toure not a proper CB and other “hilarious” piffle) and it ain’t gonna end anytime soon.
Jenkinson is interesting, whilst he may never dribble like Johnson I have a sneaky suspicion that he is already the better player, ignoring his left foot handicap. If Greg Dyke wants to do something useful he could stop “chatting shite” and choose instead to spend some farking money not on FA jamborees but on some more and better coaches for the kiddies….
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“Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the England squad Gains.
If Shaw is in the squad then I can’t see why Clyne wasn’t chosen!”
Jones, Smalling, Milner and Lampard give this England squad that distinct odor of crap they’ve had all these many years. Clyne, Gibbs, Barry and Carrick would have been my picks ahead of that shower of shite.
Other than Lambert, Shaw and Barkley, Woy stuck to picking from the bigger clubs like most managers usually do.
“Jenkinson is interesting, whilst he may never dribble like Johnson I have a sneaky suspicion that he is already the better player, ignoring his left foot handicap.”
I think he’s already up to snuff physically. The boy has to be six foot plus and he is really fast. I’m sure with a bit of first team experience and some proper mentoring from BFG, he can become one of the best in the world at RB. This is the only reason why I feel Bacary Sagna leaving is more a blessing than a curse. I mean, we lose one hell of a defender, but we gain a very good one in Jenko as well.
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If you thought some of Woiy;s picks for the 2014 WC were a joke, get a load of Scolari’s midfield.
Oscar, Fernadinho, Willian, Ramires, Paulinho, Luis Gustavo and Hernanes.
It’s more than likley they’re going to play with one creator at a time. This means, the opposition marks Oscar closely, like most managers in England did this season, and there’s no one to feed the ball to Neymar and Hulk.
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Arsenal double could be, ladies and gents; all in all a fine finale.
7 points off the top. Well fair enough, can be expressed in different ways but practically its 3 lost games too many in 38 games, had those efforts been 2 wins and a draw, well. We know about the injuries. It only means we are a little closer than we imagine. Or in another way, had one strange 3-6 loss against City ended as a draw, we would have been 3 points off the top; and 3 points not 7 would separated 1st from 4th. Hindsight like this is not literal, never works, except to show that it is all narrower than imagined.
An excellent season.
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I have a ticket for the FA cup screening at the Emirates. As usual would love meet any Positivistas before the game…..hopefully staying for the victory parade too…..
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Gains @ 8:25 pm
Big Phil could either do a Chelsea or a Pelligrini.
Scenario 1: Oscar playing with two destroyers such as Ramires and Paulinho
Scenario 2: Oscar playing with Willian and Fernandinho
But Big Phil is notoriously conservative and is a product of the Brazillian sell-out of their football heritage, having adopted the Europen philosophy of the primacy of physicality over technical domination of the opponent. Plus he has a history of favoring a clique of players whom he is most familiar. He froze Ramires out of the Confeds Cup and both Fernandinho and Willian are virtually new to his setup.
My expectations are for a Chelsea-like low scoring, counter-attacking football. It won’t be pretty.
This could be a disaster
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squadra azzura to go there and take revenge for 94! knock em all out. win it and catch them joga bonito posers with their 5 world cups …do it inside their home ! like we did it inside portugal’s home with the euro. una facia una raca. Pirlo to bring pain! and humiliate little oscar for his cheeky manouvre in s.b in the champions league game. You dont do that to Andrea you little shit. It may have came off once but try it again….
Wouldnt mind alessio cerci at arsenal…. 13 goals from the wing..plus 9 assists…born 87….used to be wonderkid in fm 06 i think… strong and quick…how many italians have ever playd for arsenal..is viviano the first?
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Imagine a conversation between Hunter and Finsbury,! All that would be missing was the Mad Hatter.
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Brazil need to be knocked out early in order for all the protests to kick off. I want to see FIFA embarrassed.
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GP, I’m going to the ems too, only half of the group I go to games with got tickets in the ballot so were all drinking around Finsbury until some go of to Wembley. Not Sure where I’ll be I usually go in the Kings head but ill send you a message on the day I know alot of people go in the George
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*coughs*
Tea parties can be dangerous.
–
Italians who’ve played for the Arsenal:
Arturo Lupoli
The one, the only, Donny Vito Mannone
This Emiliano Viviano chap. Apparently his ownership is split with different clubs. One possibility we can imagine is that Fiorentina and Palermo had some fisticuffs and that’s how he ended up going on loan? I have no idea.
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mannone…of course…how pathetic of me…
arturo lupoli?? ahahah had completely crossed him off the lists
and what about…rui fonte ? woher ist rui fonte? portuguese i know …just lupoli and fonte are from that fm/wenger era when he told grimandi to get every hot prospect in fm 99 …. fariah was still playing with legos then…. and mou was translating cone exercises for van gaal at bertomeu’s brothel …..boro and arsene have reached the year 3000 in their fm save playing against blade runner and spok
the same old hacks wrote gibberish about the Invincibles, … “too many draws” – ” edu had long nails and too slow” – “preston did it first” – “treble > invincibles”
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Does Flamini count? Half-French, half-Italian, and he played in Milan?
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