It seemed a sensible time to review the “Closed Season” as 24 hours from now we shall be locked back into the 2014/2015 season. Either our first silverware, will be safely on its way to the trophy room at the Ems, if not then the scarved mob will be forming up, pitchforks at the ready. Not of course that there is ever a ‘Closed Season’ in modern football, far too many people’s jobs depend on the 24/7 sporting cycle, but you know what I mean.
In contrast to the Summer of 2013, the past three months have been a serene and very pleasant interlude. For our mighty club to finish the season with the FA Cup victory, achieved in such dramatic circumstances, brought me into the break on a high.
There followed a great World Cup, best for 20 years +. Brilliant football, plenty to talk about incident wise ( steady Hunter), and the final won by the best team in the competition. With Ozil key in the German victory, Per playing a good part earlier in the tournament and Poldi, errrr , there. I suspect Poldi is worth his place on character alone in the dressing room. Breaking into that German side would have been some feat for the boy.
And with the FIFA engraver’s tool barely back in its satin bag the REALLY IMPORTANT part of the closed season started, and the transfer window opened !
And Arsene moved, moved decisively, moved to secure the payers he had decided would take our club forward. And the Groaners made such a FUSS about his beach holiday. You know the names, you have a similar expectation of what they can and will bring to the club as I do. I need say no more.
Now there are 100 reasons presented on the internet and in the media as to how and why Arsene appears to have pounced like a panther into the transfer market and all or none may be true, partially true, or total bollox. I did not see one of the players who we signed as potential recruits on Cup Final day. “Callum who ….?” Now they all seem obvious targets. How clever am I ?
What is however pleasant for me as a simple supporter is that I have not had to put up to the usual CASCADE of abuse, contempt, disrespect, dislike, sneering condescension that degenerates over the weeks into outright hatred for the club from far too may who describe themselves as ‘supporters’. As I said in my opening remarks the pitchforks may only have been temporarily stacked but the past few weeks have nevertheless been a refreshing break from the civil war. Discourse has been sane, creative at times, funny even. It has led to a wave of confidence in the players and the club that will carry us over a few obstacles in the next few weeks.
A final thought on tomorrow’s game, and in fact the opening weeks of the PL season, that occurred to me as I have been watching and England v India this afternoon. If you find yourself in a hole, stop fucking digging.
I am in Block 140 tomorrow so if anyone is about give us a shout.
I thank you for your attention and your patience.
And Thank you Andrew @anicoll5
Great stuff Andy. Enjoy tomorrow!
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Great stuff Andrew.
enjoy the game tomorrow.
I wonder who Arsene will play as CB’s tomorrow, Flamini might be used.
I still think the Boss has a couple more surprises up his sleeve before this window shuts.
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Great one Andrew
Let’s try and meet before we go into the stadium. How about by Booby Moore’s statue at say 2:00pm?
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Good points, an5. The antipathy to Arsenal has been stifled following the Cup success and successful transfer-window shopping (as opposed to window-shopping). It seems the nay-sayers are lying low, and it may not take much to lure them out. The Emirates Cup was not quite enough to blow their cover completely. Once the League season begins, what the team needs to do, as the American football coach/owner Al Davis famously said, is “just win, baby”. A win tomorrow would be *very* welcome; a loss would not be a tragedy – it would certainly be more damaging to lose in the League a week later. It feels like we may be on the verge of a special season. Tomorrow could be the start. Enjoy the match, gents – I’m sorry I’m not able to join you – and try to stay dry!
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I shall have my eye out for Bertha OfaC
And I’ll see you at Bobby Moore at 2 GP
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Great post Anicoll5 – enjoy your day, I’m just sorry I’m not able to join you. I’m flying tomorrow so I’ll see you guys in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the pitchforks will still be in the shed when I get back!
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We’ve got a tricky start to the season with late returning players, some business still left to do especially with TV’s departure, some difficult early games and an important CL playoff including away match in Turkey thrown in. I hope we get through with some early league victories and a successful qualifier as that will cement the good feelings at the end of last season and the positive steps to replace departures and to strengthen with the big purchase of Sanchez. But with all these challenges, an unfamiliar CB partnership in Kos and Chambers along with new RB, one can see that mistakes are possible. Good time to see the squad step up to these challenges and not a bad time to acquire an established player in DM and CB.
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Nice one anicoll! So glad the season is now upon us. Block 140 for me too! Will aim for bobby’s statue at two too.
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Nice read, anicoll5. Sets the mood for the match later quite nicely.
Should be an interesting match.
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Steve_I
It will be great to meet you too. See you at 2 by good ol’ Bobby Moore
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Hope everyone has a great day today wherever you are. Cant get the image of Passenal drinking her red bull and suddenly flying off.
Interesting what Andy was saying about Poldi as Ive often thought his most positive displays will have come in the changing room or on the training ground, he is probably worth his weight in gold just to create a positive influence on the squad.
I still dont think were ready for the season yet so im hoping we grind out results until we can really start flowing. I do think this season some of the youngsters can make a real impact on the squad this season especially Hector and Chuba.
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Thanks for that nice read Anicoll.
“If you find yourself in a hole, stop fucking digging!” – Great life advise.
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George, not sure if so soon after a new post on your space is appropriate to post my Sunday supplement? But here goes because it seems like a slow day just before the match. http://wp.me/p4FeF9-ef
Don’t worry, I’m wearing my tin hat and hiding in my fox hole, waiting for the incoming!
But the discussion is interesting, well possibly??
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Nice, breezy post by our inimtable Andy Nicoll. Notice the “Sunshine Bus” is off to a slow start. Am sure it will be fully loaded as we get into the real thing.
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Good Post, Anicoll.
Just watched a bit of the ‘Pool v Dortmund game and sod me, ‘Pool won 4:0
Anyway the serious game is at 3 p.m.
COYG
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Thunderstorms over Highbury. The new armaments are finishing their warm ups.
Alexis Sanchez is ready to make his competitive debut for the Arsenal!
Come on the Arsenal!
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quite simply COYG
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Yesterday Marca had an article on all the players we sold Barça since 2000. Between them and City we’ve received something like £200m over the years. I’d like to extend my gratitude to both of these clubs for paying over the odds for players like Kolo, Song, Adebayor, Hleb, Nasri and Clichy.
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Sanogo is a beast. He might still be raw in terms of finishing ability, but boy does he know how to bully a defence into submission. City can’t handle him.
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Well that will do nicely.
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Sanogo involved with both goals.
Just the one scary moment for the rookie Chambers but he’s been brilliant!
And Alexis, he should’ve just scored? Meh. Stealin’ a livin’.
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COYG’s……….. well in control…could have been 3/4 up at half time. Need to go for the kill in the second half. Revenge for last season……….. jugular!
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We’ve seen this midfield set up before? Whatever it is!
Not with the same frequency in the last two seasons, maybe at a guess a little bit of German inspiration? It looks like fun whatever it is that they are doing.
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Cazorla.
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sanogo !! if he can develop an extra yard of pace..he will just be lethal.
sanchez is playing hard/well without much luck..i love his game though..and his energy too.
ramseys confidence continues flow through his game..cazorla is pure magic..but i wish he doesnt lose possession when 6-7 men commit forward rendering arteta helpless (taking the blame unfailry) as a result.
chambers is so fking composed ..him and kosciencly or mert and koscienly in all big matches..
debuchy continues to impress..he might not really be athletic like sagna was..but he is everywhere!!! has the knack for the game i guess.
gibbs beating navas for pace was a joy to behold..gibbs could turn into best lb in the country this season.
both teams are playing a weakened team but oh boy..dominating man city such a beautiful feeling..we have clearly outplayed them.
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giroud scores a screamer..at last !!
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Arsenal fans singing “One Arsene Wenger” at Wembley.
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Former England, Manchester United and Everton midfielder Phil Neville: Put Aguero, Kompany, Zabaleta and Hart in this City team and they will look different!
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What a thick cunt. <atch of the Day will be rivetting with him Rio and Shearer.
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Calum Chambers is my MOTM.
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Good solid performance from the Arse! Now, all the media hacks are saying that the result is meaningless and we can’t draw any conclusions etc etc…. But I wonder if they’d be saying the same if it were Arsenal trailing 3 nil?
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Debuchy is solid as a rock. Whoever said he’s better getting forward than he is defending has their scouting wrong.
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Is that a trophy………….. yes it fucking is
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Dex, if we had lost 3-0, they’d be asking for Wenger to step down.
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Undoubtedly Gains… Fickle as fuck as ever!
We’ve won the Com Shield before (we spanked MANu 3 nil I recall) and it didnt equate to us winning the league or a trophy. But I think considering its the 1st time we’ve been here for a while, a win like this should be a great confidence booster and we still have important players to come back in.
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good performance considering were still a couple of weeks away from where we would normally like tpo be pre-season. Cant wait until were firing on all cylinders its going to be mouth watering
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Arteta officially the new club captain
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It is a nice way for Arteta and the team to begin his official spell as skipper. And good for the new signings and young ‘uns. Was it three-nil in Helsinki last season too? Apart from Taylor’s intervention that led to a good start last year.
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It must’ve been the sight of those stepovers and one twos at RB in the game away to Southampton that convinced AW that Chambo Mk II was the young English CB he has been looking for! Heh.
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“@henrywinter: Wenger confirms Arteta #afc captain, Mertesacker vice-captain this season”
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Finsbury although Chambers has done really well at CB so far long team I think he may end up CM
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I think we will sign at least 2 more players before end of August. One of them who can play in midfield and defence. I’d love it to be Javi martinez but that’s just a crack pipe dream…
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Very quick off the mark in the first half and had control of the game before Citeh knew what was going on – excellent first half from our midfield, all of them.
Easiest MoM Olivier has ever won!
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I admit I was a tiny bit twitchy when Nacho replaced Kosc and Silva replaced Nasri but a very solid 2nd half
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15,000 bluenoses down to London for the Shield?
Big club my arse.
Well deserved win today, and another no 8 performance for the connoisseurs from our new captain: Mikel Arteta, well done sit and well deserved.
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Arsenal’s 2 month trophy drought is over!
Remember when the red mancs tried to convince everyone last August that the Shield was a real trophy?!? Haha, those days.
We just beat the league champions in a decent game as easy as in a Sunday morning park game.
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“I’m quite grateful and wish him very well because his behaviour was outstanding even if he didn’t play”
great stuff Arsene!
too bad it did not work out :(. however it was in the best interests of the player he had far too much talent to be not playing regularly. had sagna stayed i wouldn’t have worried, but we are clearly short of cbs now. I know Arsene will deal with it but does anybody know of any options that could work out?
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The guardian reckon we beat a awakened City team.
I agree, it’s a shame we completely dominated them by playing Walcott, Özil, Per, Diaby and Poldi.
Shouldn’t be allowed really.
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*weakened!
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Do I have to do the write up. Or is there a more entertaining chap with pen at the ready?
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George, I can’t do the match write up as I wasn’t there, but I’ve the guts of an article for you tomorrow evening.
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“because I’m happy” – been singing that to myself all the way home!
lovely witty article, anicoll5.
Random thoughts – my first trip to Wembley, great atmosphere, great stadium and great view, but would be better with more supporters from each side. And more hospitality outlets would be good. The City side of the stadium was only half full (snigger).
We were so relaxed, right from the start. Man City seemed to contest it until we scored and then they obviously wanted to pack up and go home, they could see what they were in for. When we went 3-0 up they suddenly decided to have a go again, to at least score a goal for pride’s sake, but our boys weren’t having that. You can see that we are a team, a band of brothers. Every single player on our squad can pat himself on the back. On that point, though, I thought the choice of MOTM was rather odd – Giroud played very well for the 45 minutes he was on, and that goal was sublime (he was practising it during half-time), but in the stadium, I think we’d have chosen Santi or Ramsey or even Calum Chambers for such an assured performance.
Tell you what, this negative cycle masterminded by the specialist in failure in turning out to be a lot more fun than it sounded!
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Congratulations to the Verminator on his move, conducted himself impeccably during what must have been a very difficult and dispiriting time.
And congratulations to Arteta – there is no one more fitting to be Arsenal captain. Another superb display today and the full 90 minutes played.
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