If you love football there is nothing like a World Cup especially if you have a national stake in the whole affair. Undoubtedly it is the spectacle of the best national teams on the whole planet, in a sport played universally, competing on the world’s stage that brings out such intense global attention. My observation is it brings out the best and worst of human beings. The same spontaneous eruption of national pride in the achievements of footballers flying the national flag is also used to engender xenophobia and pseudo-patriotism. The world cup is notorious for the cynical manipulation by despots, military strongmen and assorted tyrants who have manipulated the event as a cover for human rights abuses and injustices. It wasn’t long ago when dictators ruling Argentina, Brazil, Haiti and Zaire (now the Congo) sustained their rule by exploiting the achievements of their national teams. In contrast, news headlines today are dominated by marches and demonstrations in Brazil protesting against their government and FIFA combining to rip off the country as billions are misspent on world cup infrastructure with FIFA guaranteed billions in profits at the expense of social spending on education and health necessary to raise the living standards of the people.
But I digress. What has been interesting to me is how being a gooner in 2014 causes one to see the world cup entirely different from a fan simply reacting to the fortunes of the national team they support. Only half-way through the tournament, but it is evident after surveying twitter and blogs, that most of us are using the tournament to answer one of the great questions that continue to divide the club during the past season:
To Giroud or not to be?
Despite scoring 22 goals and making 10 assists for club in all competitions last season, Giroud continues to be disparaged in many quarters as not being good enough for Arsenal. Two games into the group stages with millions of gooners pouring over the performances of the so-called world class strikers on show, the issue is far from decided. But Giroud has certainly done enough to justify Wenger’s faith in him. By providing the spark for France’s battering of Switzerland with 1 goal and 1 assist, the Gallic hitman has left many of his critics reeling. In fact Balotelli, the great “black” hope of the transfer whores has been so overshadowed by Arsenal’s Joel Campbell in Costa Rica’s match vs Italy plus the loanee’s outstanding performance vs Uruguay, the terms of the debate has seemingly changed. Many are now wondering whether the club give more importance to bringing back the Costa Rican as a pacy, powerful wideman or take the risk of spending big on the Italian with his risky past and seeming penchant for disappearing when the going gets rough. Meanwhile his current club is already doing as Real Madrid attempted with Higuain last year. Apparently Balotelli’s transfer fee has gone from £25m to about £35m according to Metro (Yes I know how reliable they are). If Campbell continues to perform and Milan gets greedier we already know how this will end.
Meanwhile my English gooner friends are licking their wounds as Roy Hodgson’s northwest experiment with the Liverpool core failed miserably on the fields of Brazil. With nary an Arsenal player making the 1st Eleven, it seems another English myth is worth challenging.
Today’s blog was given to us by one of the Foundling Fathers of Positively Arsenal, my good friend and ally Shotta Gooner (@shotta_gooner )
Positively Arsenal 
Thanks you Shotts for two things.
First, an accurate snapshot of the Arsesphere after the first ten days of the World Cup. Seems to me our players have been prominent so far, Ozil and Per putting in performances of the highest quality in two group games the second of which, against Ghana, was an absolute peach. And Giroud’s France so far the best football side in the tournament. And what strength they have in depth. What a good French bench. I would be disappointed not to see Jack and the Ox tomorrow, not to mention Shaw, Barkley and Stones. That really would be silly of Roy. If the future is youth then the future starts here.
And second Shotts you have saved me from the advanced stages of scrollers’ thumb.
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I wouldnt say the world cup has exposed any myths ro be honest. Simply because I really dont think an international tournament is any reliable gauge of a players talent’s and worth.
But, I am really loving the fact Giroud is doing the business for France.
Him and Balotelli will be a good combo next season!
Hunter;
From the last post; As much as I detest agreeing with Arry Redknapp, he is right. Uruguay and Italy are both fairly average sides right now. They are basically one men teams; Pirlo and Suarez.
Which makes England’s defeats all the more telling.
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Dexter , I write the headline. Its not always very relevant to the piece.It just .to attract readers.
I’m a click whore.
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with Arry Redknapp, he is right. Uruguay and Italy are both fairly average sides right now.They are basically one men teams; Pirlo and Suarez.
I respectfully disagree
uruguay reached the semis in last world cup…tabarez has been working with them for a decade if not more. rodriguez who was chasing and tackling all game .has been doing that for many years at porto i think when with a little longer hair…serious dog of war….cavani who plays similar a role to sturridge is a lot better… perez their dm was immense in last world cup not sure if he is still around. they are fighters and they are well trained and no pushovers. lugano is an experienced defender having played in europe for many years. italy has 4 world cups…football is in their blood in. pirlo might be pulling he strings but dont judge from the costa rica game..italians traditionally can not cope with teams coming at them with the aggression most south american sides are taking on the europeans. remember what italy did to germany in 2006 world cup……never to be understimated..
i posted a mini translation of suarez comments when he first arrived at ajax and was watchign the european 17-18 years old being bought ferraris and lambos……hunger for success..the quest to be the number one …this ambition comes from suffering and dark places..certainly not the pampered environment of europe or the epl…. (there are always exceptions of course)
harry is a fool who could only realistically work in english football…nowhere else unless its the amateur and 2nd -3rd divisions…and even if i agree with you that they only rely on a prilo and a suarez well unfortunately england does not possess such players or personalities. therefore as far as im concerned the arrogant manner with which rednapp brings out his verdict offers a lot of laughs….. sit down harry…who are you to call italy or uruguay average you damn fucking uneducated cretin..go pay your taxes first and stop talking…in fact go teach your players how to control and pass the ball correctly and then fucking talk about who is average or not…. an italian.thiaggo motta who may not be a superstar and look average to the ‘arrys of this world is a serious footballer who knows exactly what to do on the pitch and when. the english players have no idea ….and they cant blame the manager all the time…..
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Are you suggesting I only read the headlines???
We were chatting about the same thing the other day PG you slag. Regarding whether Balotelli not showing up for the Costa Rica game was a fair indicator or not of his temperament, work ethic and ultimately his suitability for the Arsenal. Hence why I mentioned the myth thing. Kinda linked in.
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That was then, this is now hunter. They are average, past their peak. Not shit, just not briliiant either.
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englands defeats were marginal in the end of the day….two single goal defeats ….the probelsm are elsewhere… why does england not have a player like suarez, messi, ronaldo, van basten, zidanne, pirlo xavi …where are they? why cant english coaches put their fucking heads down and say ” fuck traditions, we need to learn form the dutch the french the italians etc etc” …they dont do that…..WHY? i think its because they are arrogant shauvinists who think their way is the best way…imperial attitude and very wrong…insular…
fortunately the latest english kids have grown up watching spain and barca dominating and with wenger producing nearly half the future england squad plus a few additions ( sterling lallanna shaw) perhaps england will have a team of confident ball players and also tactically aware instead of these gung ho headless chicken routine they get tought by psycho pearce and whichever other outdated cunt.
the popular belief is that ” oh gary neville has won all these titles in the epl he is equal to cafu” …bollocks…gary is lucky he was part of an organisation rich and powerfull enough to dominate the scene here and get lucky in two european cl campaigns….one with two ricoches flukes in the 92nd min and the other because a donkey slipped….
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Just look at uruguay’s performance sans Suarez vs Costa Rica. Absolutely abysmal. Likewise Italy vs CR too for that matter. They were no better than England in those games.
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Dexter
June 23, 2014 at 4:11 pm
ok …they are average……….i suppose spain is shit too cause they didnt pay attention in their first two games…..
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but costa rica are not some useless team…this was a very hard group…..
first game is terra incognita……second game when the pressure is on you can make better judgement.
i waited fro brasiol’s second game to say with security that they are shit and average..the first game is not always the best indicator….
italy has started woefully and has reached semis and finals in the past…so have others…
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I think it is actually much more fun and interesting when you don’t have a national team you feel obliged to root for and follow. Although I am an American, I live abroad in Canada and am more interested in supporting global underdogs, so I feel no need to join the American outlaws in their bizarre (to me) passion for “USMNT”.
As far as the Giroud issue, doesn’t it seem that there is a false dichotomy ruling the logic of the post? Is it not possible to think Giroud is a very fine striker, who showed terrific quality during the season and even more stunning and energetic power in the WC, who could use more competition, cover, and collaborators in Arsenal’s attack? It seems even Giroud thinks so. AW also was apparently interested in at least Higuain, Suarez and Demba Ba last summer. After a successful season, but one in which Arsenal were incredibly fortunate he didn’t get injured, Giroud often looked exhausted and occasionally out of form. He always gave a strong effort and worked admirably hard for the team. How revived and even pacey he has looked after some rest! To get the best from Giroud, a complementary striker seems useful plus we could use cover for injuries and to provide attacking options that will make us less predictable. This could help make a difference against the top teams we meet in the league and CL. Happily our defense, apart from some high conceding losses away, was pretty strong. Our attack was, however, less effective. Remember we weren’t that prolific in scoring even with Ramsey and Ozil available early in the season, especially away in the CL and vs. United. And when Walcott joined before his early Jan injury we had trouble v. City and Chelsea. So it wasn’t just injuries to midfield and Walcott, though these hurt us badly. We can benefit from another reliable goal scoring threat in our team.
Similarly, why can we not envision bringing Campbell to pre-season as well as another striker/forward? Theo won’t likely be ready at the very start of the season and might struggle for fitness and form for a while. He also might not return from this injury with the same explosive pace. Campbell and Ox would be useful cover on the right. I loved what Campbell has shown in two WC games, but this doesn’t obviate the need or value for a striker who might also be able to play wide left or together up front with Giroud.
The flaw is the unstated assumption that being interested in adding players is somehow not supporting the current players. It is a zero sum attitude and really isn’t the case–not for me and many others apart from the truly chronically dissatisfied (who may be more present in media/twitter/some blogs etc… but I doubt are representative of Arsenal support most broadly). I certainly want to keep OG, would like Campbell to get a chance to show AW what he can do in preseason at least and see a role for him in the side. None of that conflicts with a hope for other quality additions, whether it is Balotelli, Benzema, Alexis Sanchez, Jackson Martinez, or someone else who we can afford and who AW things will make us better and add flexibility and options in an area we can and ought to improve, if possible.
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Spain are not shit, no. Why would you even suggest such a thing?
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LG, you seem to have read a different post to me.
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sorry i just thought you based your judgement that italy and uruguay are average on their games against costa rica and was showing how a judgment made say on spains first games could also lead to a wrong conclusion as it did for the other two….
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end of the day italy is italy…i can give you easily 4 players who can form the spine of any world class 11 …4 players england does not have ..not now not ever ….buffon, maldini pirlo r.baggio…..here is a spine from gk to str with class quality and ability beyond any english footballer ive seen. so for harry or anyone to turn and call them average when theyve won 4 world cups …..it makes me laugh…if italy are average then what are england?
its this attitude that should be blamed…..nobodies like arry calling the italians average…thats what needs to be corrected.
the croats..you reckon england could beat them? not a chance for me…..but i bet you ask any english fan on the streets they will laugh at coratia and ocnsider them below england and a bunch of silly balkans gypsies ” oh they play football there too? where did they get the money lolz…?” the durhams and the ashtons are doing far greater damage than you think.
humility and hard work …england can not even make three fucking passes together …. thats where they should focus on..
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Great stuff shots,Giroud’s done well but we still need another striker,Benzema’s my choice but we won’t get him even if Madrid decide to sell.
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“humility and hard work …england can not even make three fucking passes together …. thats where they should focus on.”
I love Hunter, I really do..
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Remember how the AAA have tried their best to create a meme that AW had “lost it”, what with all those PR Experts on the case it’s a wonder that they didn’t suceed:
Joel Campbell’s father:
I always had it in mind that Arsene knows what is best for young ones. He always makes good players.”
What it is that Campbell and Chamberlain Snr. and Ramsey’s parents know that the AAA do not?
I think it’s fair to say that it was a poor attempt at creating a myth that has been exploded, no hyperbole for newsnow required!
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Bad luck for Vermaelan.
Finally after years of injury horrors strong signs in his performances that he seemed to have regained some good form and confidence as the season progressed only to find an undroppable and uninjured pair blocking his path to more minutes. Finally gets a start for the national team at the World Cup all be it at LB and he twangs a hamstring after thirty minutes, or something like that.
If that injury scuppers any potential move and means that Arsenal retain three top CBs (as in all three of them are good!) for next season I won’t be complaining.
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What it is that Campbell and Chamberlain Snr. and Ramsey’s parents know that the AAA do not?
That the Arsenal coaches focus on their players being able to make more then three fucking passes together …?
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Our players or those picked by Wenger can’t be any good because they’re infected by Wengeritis. In order to remedy that we have to throw money away on a £35m striker with the mental stability of a rabid mongoose. Who cares how he affects the rest of the squad? We need a shiny new toy or else Wenger is holding us back on purpose.
By the way, this world cup is kicking ass because FIFA has been growing the youth game for at least fifteen years. Look at the US and Costa Rica, for example. Without the youth tournaments FIFA hosts, players like Joel Campbell, Michael Bradley and most of Ghana wouldn’t have faced world class competition until well into their twenties. Now these kids’ development is on par with Europe and South America.
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Thanks for this Shotta: really good.
On a theme of myth busting, that over-rated purchase with the questionable attitude Ozil hasn’t looked too shabby in Germany’s two games. In fact, you could argue that events thus far have gone some way to vindicating AW’s judgement. Should Aurier be signed (and I sense he was many months ago) then the Sagna saga makes more sense, as does the non-purchase of Fabregas given the way the Spanish campaign has panned out.
Giroud has looked extraordinary in the warm up games and the Swiss match. Let’s hope the very best of him is still to come for The Arsenal.
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On the topic of the Croats in their opening game against Brazil their technical quality, ie individual ball control and passing was better than the hosts. They lack a little in dynamic energy but individually they are masters.
I hope they can manage to get through to the second round where it should be Holland who they meet.
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Perhaps, George. Rereading it, I think you have a point. I perhaps read too much into the Giroud issue and the idea that people are divided over him.
My apologies to Shotta.
I think the issue is still interesting because I am sure it will come up and that supporters are wrangling over the question of a striker with some fawning over every talent and others refusing to countenance purchasing soeone out of loyalty to Giroud. But most of us aren’t looking at it like that, hopefully.
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I asked one of the lads I teach what he thought of the RG, and this was his reply: “With regards to the Balotelli rumours, on the one hand I don’t see why someone who struggles so much with narcissism and selfishness would thrive any better at a team orientated club like Arsenal than somewhere like man city. On the other hand I do trust Wenger. If he is willing to spend so much on a player like this then he’s got to be onto something. I personally would prefer Mandzukic. “
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Looks like the F-Word F’d off the Marquis by going on strike *coughs* during training. Stinking out the squad? Nothing we haven’t seen before.
So he was unsurprisngly dropped for Spain’s last game. *wipes a tear*
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No hunter I am not judging Italy or Uruguay off the back off one game vs Ciosta Rica.
You are determined to try and make out they are powerhouses of international football when the evidence suggests otherwise. And the reason behind it is a pathological hatred of the english it seems.
Newsflash; Arsenal are an english club, with english players, fans and are situated, you guessed it, in England.
George might love you, but I find you a tedious twat and one of the reasons why I stopped bothering with this blog
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finsbury
June 23, 2014 at 4:52 pm
not all fathers are as smart though… bendtners dad was a right idiot…as has cesc proven to be….hehe …
dilemma: you see your son with that hot milf, do you
a) congratulate and build statue in your son’s honour and sex drive ?
b) slap him in the face and tell him its wrong and he should find a proper girl while you steal the milf’s telephone number from your son’s mobile ?
george i love you too and i will love you more if you let me write a 5 -day special delux edition “all hail king luis” ……………………………HA! …with photo – montage and everything…and music background….proper!
bradley is the son of the u.s coach in s.africa i think and he was pretty good back then too..i always felt panathinaikos woudl do good purchasing him..mmm bradley, pranjic and zeka in midfiled…europe gripped in fear…
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You are determined to try and make out they are powerhouses of international football when the evidence suggests otherwise
italy definately is….uruguay well they do have two world cups in their history and their players most of them play in europe and command first place
i mean im sorry but im checking now and i note …muslera – lazio, galatasaray, caceres has played in juve ….perreira at porto and inter ..rodriguez at porto too.. forlan..cavani suarez..sorry dude ..arry is way out of line calling these guys average….
what evidence suggests they are average then? arry’s verdict? a game against costa rica?
i see the players and where theyve played and they are nto bad at all..definately betetr than average…..greece is average and russia for example..teams like that..
muslera is a keeper i dearly wanted at arsenal when we were stuggling with almunia …..
and you can fuck right off with the english comment..not my fault they are arrogant and cant even do more than three keep ups… and yes wenger and the football he teaches and the foundations he has built arsenal on have nothing to do with english practices and we are all thankful for that. not my fault that there are cultural traits in the english game that suck ….maybe its my fault for being too honest about it…..and hurting your ill-placed patriotic feelings in the process…..
yes i consider the english mugs at football who have nothing to teach wenger arsenal or the italians…..hence i get a bit annoyed when i see them pontificating to everyone else what/how to do … it has nothing to do with the country or its people
perhaps you re the one with the problem and can not differentiate football with actual historical national pride based on real culture and not some fucking sport……
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Robben on fire tonight – bloody hell
Mind you Dirk KUYT
I ask you
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maybe you prefer the very english football doctrine “they dont like it up em” that has screwed arsenal players and our teams chances for trophies down the years…but yes i see it now ..its not a matter of england improving and getting in line with the rest in european football its all about the foreigners adapting to the barbaric kick and rush ….right?
it dont matter italy has won 4 world cups and has produced some of the finest players wever ever seen…arry and dexter from the uk can call them average and then call us pathological english haters when we laugh at their conclusions……..
fine logic there….. reminds of “it dont matter we have raped and burnt four continents..luis is the racist biter cunt ” … 🙂
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the croats..you reckon england could beat them? not a chance for me…..but i bet you ask any english fan on the streets they will laugh at coratia and ocnsider them below england and a bunch of silly balkans gypsies ” oh they play football there too? where did they get the money lolz…?”
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Yep, still tedious and xenophobic too. Tell you what. Stop “supporting” an english club. Then you won’t infect this blog with your warped bollocks.
What has Baggio or uruguay’s 2 world cups got to do with anything?
How did Uruguay get to the world cup? By beating the mighty Jordan wasnt it because they couldnt finish in the top 4 in the south american qualifiers, even without brazil. Yes, they are super, really super.
And Italy by anyone’s measure, are not as strong as they have been in their history. As I said, they aint shit, just not brilliant.
There is absolutely no need, or point responding. I know I wont be bothering to.
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george dont worry ill kick myself out…and go in detention for a few days…lol
the bridge is on fire ..
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look dexter you say these fancy words like xenophobic but you aint proving anything….
as if its a crime to call out on the inability of the english to play proper footy yet they have the audacity to critisise others…..
the point mate was that arry and england are too small in credit to slag off italy or personalities like suarez…. but you had to make it into something else and then ptetend the allmighty “There is absolutely no need, or point responding. I know I wont be bothering to.” …just like that guy at the bar …
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Oh come on Dex. Hunter has a drum and he likes to bang it.
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and please do analyse what makes england think they are a powerhouse in world football and in a position to talk down everyone else ? id love to see an answer…..
you remind me of the modern greeks mate….they cling on the greatness of the ancient yet they dont realise other nations have taken the concepts of their civilisation and improved on them…
you are the biggest idiot if you think you can associate me with any sort of nationalism….
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You make sweeping generalisations based on nothing but nationality. That is a definition of xenophobia.
You spoli this blog. It would probably have a lot more posters if you fucked off.
Now follow through with your threats for once in your life and fuck off. You are thick mate. And probably on the cusp of requiring mental health intervention.
The fact that you have attempted to lump me in with english nationalists? Or that I think england is brilliant at football?
Why? Oh yeah, because I am english.
Fuck off.
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Is that clear enough?
George; Sorry, but you have created this pathetic monster, I hold you entirely accountable.
Laters
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I love a frank exchange of views
British values
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Racist!
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Anicoll,
This match could be a draw. The tea leaves are telling me to go and prepare supper, and another cup of tea.
Croatia-Mexico could be game of the day.
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Where is Frank?
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Dexter frightened Frank off.
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They have begun to cancel each other out Fins and the game is seizing up a bit – too many cynical dives and tugs
It requires a bit of magic from Robben or Sanchez
Referee looks the fittest man on the pitch – he’s down for the Brazil game later tonight
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Haha! Very good Georgey
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Interesting that in today’s Spain Australia game Fabregas came in as a substitute for…… Cazorla!
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Balotelli’s range of skills and decision-making reminds me of the best strikers in the world, positioning, presence, strength, he can head (not as well as ‘you know who’), lay off and seldom loses the ball, he has a cracker of a 20-yard shot, and he can chip with the best. He always looks to have time. At 23 years this is some player; think of Theo, van Persie, Thierry at 23 years. He would have to be special to get even near Italy first choice; they specialize in strikers with bravado and precision. Very Italian. Some people don’t think much of him because his fuck you attitude doesn’t like racist crowds, and doesn’t do defensive duty. But his stats are actually superb.
Campbell is more a wide player, speed and power, work ethic, phenomenal shot, confidence, good with both feet it seems. he reminds me a lot of the current crop of top English emerging strikers, could be better but certainly as good. Man, he would be some handful on our left, cutting in onto his right and able to use either foot!
I hope we conclude successful negotiations. The way our OG has been playing with Benzema is very inspiring.
Good post Shotta. We are so obviously going for gold.
I’m interested who AW has up his sleeve in the middle of the park if Santi leaves, or even if not. I have this little suspicion, but can’t be sure, the player is already ours.
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I do so hope Mr W spends the money on a striker other than Balotelli. I don’t know if AC Millan is pushing for a £35m fee or not, but whether it’s £25m or £35m it does not change the charatcter of the man whose services the money is buying. The team will have many new faces next season, and it will be a difficult task for Mr W to bring them together as a team that will achieve a top 4 position and a trophy. I fear it will be made too difficult by the presence of a man who is like a rich and indulged child. A man who finds it difficult to control himself when frustrated one the pitch. A man who has not settled well at any club. If ACM truly rated him, they would find others to let go and balance the books.
I don’t know who should be brought in alongside Giroud. I don’t know if Campbell will be as good as many are saying. I don’t know if Balotelli will deliver what Arsenal need, but based on his record, I have sufficient doubt to prefer Mr W to buy elsewhere.
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I hope Santi doesn’t leave. We could use him even if he loses games to Ozil. Right now he is still our best option on the left–though I like Poldi, AW doesn’t seem to want to rely on him regularly there. What is it about our wide left spot? Arshavin, Gervinho, Poldi… Good players come there and, well, seem to stagnate…
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Great analysis there ZP. Altho I am biased as I really want Balo at AFC!
LSG; I really dont see Santi leaving. It was all spanish based to begin with. We would definitely have been in for you know who if there was any chance of Santi being sold.
I’d put it down to tabloid nonsense. Nothing more.
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