I love watching a good game of football, and thats exactly what The Arsenal and Manchester City(the league champions by the way) served up to us yesterday.
Am I disappointed we didn’t win ? Yes, I always am.
Am I disappointed with our performance? Hell no, I thought we were fantastic.
I really don’t understand how people can suck the joy out of the game. It’s beyond pathetic the way fans ignore the good things and focus on the negatives. Why watch the game if you don’t appreciate the aesthetics of it. Just read the result in the morning paper if the result is all that matters.
Completely against the run of quite superb play we went a goal down. Flamini was at fault and they scored. But don’t all goals come from mistakes? Yes it was a poor goal to concede, but what went before was not instantly erased.
We then scored two wonderful goals and perhaps should have gone on to win. Sadly we let in another poor goal which if not for Wojciech Szezesny’s supreme athleticism in getting a hand to it, Flamini would have nodded clear. A bit of bad luck on top of a bit of bad defending and it was all square.
We then rode our luck for a short spell and in the end I was happy with the point.
Hey, we are unbeaten and looking better, much better, much much better.
Plenty to be optimistic about if you ask me.
Jack was quite simply outstanding.
Alexis is looking every inch the player we hoped he would be.
Danny looks a fit.
Some, like Ozil and Aaron, are not up to their usual ridiculously high standards but I’m sure it is just a matter of time.
I loved the way we played yesterday. How could I not?
Right. below is a bonus from @anicoll5 with his recollection of the fixture some 50 years ago
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My heart hoped for the home win, and on the balance of play it could have been. Citeh are however a wily serpent, slithering and striking around the defensive shield and it was not to be.
My head, to its credit, had settled for the draw. As I left the house in the morning, trotted after Steve towards the stadium and finally settled in my seat at 12.40 it was certain the points were to be shared.
How !?! You cry – such certainty of a draw, such a limit of ambition, so little of the Positivistas joie de vivre – it cannot be.
Well it was the cycle of history turning my friends. Fifty years ago was my first game at Highbury ( I know I have bored you with this theme before but stay with me a little longer).
The sun on that day shone in 64, it shone as bright yesterday. I sat on the North Bank, actually on the terracing but as I was by the fence at the back and the ground was half empty it was easy to see the action. It was a time of rosettes and rattles, and dark clothing, men wore dark clothing. I sat yesterday in the North Bank, wedged tightly between Arsenal fans other than when the goals went in and we popped up like a seed pod bursting. Some fans yesterday wore short trousers as they used to be known, clad in replica shirts mostly. In 1964 no adult owned shorts, let alone wore them out of doors irrespective of the weather. In 1964 I wore short trousers to the match (undoubtedly), so Ah – ha.
To be honest fifty years ago watching the tiny figures whizzing round miles away was pretty much beyond me and I suspect my mind wandered pretty soon. I persuade myself these days I know and understand a little more of what is going on, but I am prone to self delusion. Those replay screens have saved me from moments of embarrassment more than once.
And on that day many years ago you know what happened on the pitch ? The opposition scored first, the crowd groaned and tutted. Had I been more mature I expect I would have heard a few discontents muttering about Billy Wright. Our brave Arsenal lads battled back, then late on Joe Baker scored what in my mind’s eye I can still see as an excellent strike from outside the box in front of my North Bank perch to level the contest, and both sides went at it to the end. Some long forgotten referee blew his ceremonial silver whistle and the players exited for a plunge in the communal bath and for our visitors a fish and chip supper on their long, long journey back to East Lancs by stagecoach.
And “So What?” concerning all this misty eyed sentimental reminiscing you ask, what relevance might it have to yesterday’s events ?
Well just to say that I do not think that football has changed very much. Players were exceptionally talented athletes 50 years ago compared to the men and boys on the terraces, and they are exceptionally talented now, another breed. They are dedicated to their craft. If they were not they would be the same as us, and spectators in the theatre.
The geographical origin of players has changed, and it was pleasing to see an old Arsenal player called Johnny McLeod on the pitch at half time (who even pre dates me) talking about how he had persuaded his former Hibernian teammate Joe Baker to sign for the Gunners. From what I saw on the pitch yesterday the joy of playing, the excitement of scoring, and the frustration of letting in a goal has not changed for players or fans. Admittedly the notion of Joe Baker ripping off his shirt after his goal to reveal a perfectly rippling torso would be from another Universe compared to Alexis yesterday, but Joe had his moments, in a 1964 kind of way. Eye contact, manly handshake, firm but friendly pat on the shoulder, you know the form.
That I do not think the attraction of watching a real contest that had lured me to Highbury fifty years ago and has kept me returning year after year, though not always week after week, since has changed very much.
Every single game is a clean slate which will be won or lost by an unknowable amalgam of physical skill, game intelligence, perseverance, organisation and always of luck. Luck in some games consists of a few grains, in others it is delivered by the bucketload.
If football had changed, or the object of my affections had changed then my life may have been different. Nothing has changed, other than the colours perhaps. The flame burns bright. My appetite for the game, for the Arsenal and for the contest is as sharp as it was then. I suspect the hunger may carry on in the future as long as there are sunny days like yesterday, great players, great contests, though perhaps not for 50 years.
I thank you.
Positively Arsenal 
Bellerin was always one of my favorite academy players. Him and Jon Toral are awesome players.
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If I have to be honest, after reading all the comments about Bellerin and especially Fin’s interview snippet about him playing first team football as the reason to move to Arsenal, I hope he gets the start. But having never seen him play, I really have no clue. Just hoping for a good spirited game that the team can build on. I went through – what’s that word, is it carthasis – where I realised win, lose, fuck it. As long as the effort is there, I am not too bothered. And they always try like fucking madmen. Tilt the scales, they still try. So I cannot ask for more. I want more. But I cannot ask. We’re not buying favours like certain other clubs…
But I like Dortmund. I like Klopp. That central defender, the fast one, he’s good in my humble opinion. I like some on of those injured Dortmunders as well.
This game is 4.45am kick-off in Australia. Lucky I’m back on university hours otherwise I wouldn’t get to watch it. You people with decent time zones, consider yourselves blessed!
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Twitter now reporting Hector a definite starter well we’ll have to see. My boy loves him so I said bet your pleased he’s starting and he no because he was worried of the stick he’d get from all the doomers what a sad indictment on our support.
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I think the one striker solution for Citeh on Saturday at the Ems was a no brainer Fins
Do you want to know why ?
Citeh only have three strikers, one of which in Jovetic was injured on Saturday as he is tonight.
Pelligrini only had Aguerro, he of the violin (ham)strings, and Dzeko, and clearly no sensible manager is likely to risk both of them with two big games over the next seven days.
Seems to me that Citeh are a bit short in the attacking department, one more injury and it could get very difficult. Some might call that poor planning, or an ‘injury crisis’ at the Etihad – but I never would.
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You could be onto something there ‘Coll!
If I remember correctly injury was one reason Negredo stopped playing and City played one striker towards the end of last season, and following on from Negredo’s FFP induced departure the odds were favouring one of the two main strikers for this last game. Especially when Aguero hasn’t been eased back into the league like other WC Final finalists*, he hobbled off again on Saturday.
*http://mjljlzschultz.wordpress.com/about/
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Half an hour till kick off. Come on Arsenal!!!
Dammit couldn’t sleep. Who wouldn’t want to watch Arsenal vs Dortmund LIVE?
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What will be will be tonight, but this team of ours is building to something special, and I am enjoying watching them take the steps that they are taking. If it doesn’t work out tonight then so be it: it will make not one bit of difference to the way I see the club, the manager and the players.
Groaners will groan, but to be honest that is their prerogative, paid for as it is in the currency of stupidity.
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Agree with FH above. Groaners will groan. All we can wish is for the players to give their all. Thats all we could hope for you. They are Arsene’s players after all, sooner or later giving their all will lead to something spectactular.
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crikes – close one there from Dortmund
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We’re lucky to be down by only one. That was a rough half of football from us.
I think we can steal a draw, but not if we continue to be as shit as we have been thus far.
Come on, boys.
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Arse. I thought the autobus had been parked reasonably well up until the stroke of HT.
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Fuck me. I’m came here because Twitter is full of people who prefer to think that rather than Dortmund being on the front foot and us containing them (for the most part) as is patently obvious, that we have been utterly awful. And I find that in the one place on the entire internet I can expect like minded folk who watch the same match I do people calling us shit.
I am resigned to watching on my own I think. No one seems to have any calm or reasonable perspective. I give up.
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Stew I said I thought they’d been ok, just a shame to concede at HT.
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Poor Steww
At least there’ll be a second leg…… as long as it’s not broken, fractured or twisted
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with the talent we have, i find it tough to believe we could be outclassed.
they have humbled us so far.
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i think tomas rosicky should play more
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cazorla is such a brilliant player
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what a brilliant turn ..for nothing.
i think we will nick a draw here.
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Arteta taken off? very odd.
I don’t see that much moaning on here Steww.
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double canister.
sarcasm? 🙂
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Not at all AA23
We are being beaten by a better team tonight.
Shit Happens.
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Humbled? No.
They simply got the second and have been running down the clock and holding on because they knew AFC were always capable of playing themselves back in, especially with the forwards on the bench.
It’s the toughest game in the group and defeat was always a possibility. Nothing to beat yourselves up about.
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Mkhitaryan could have scored a hat trick..he is generally a blood good shooter of the ball.
we did not get the draw i hoped..it feels so sad.a kindergarten kid would know we were shit tonight..like with any team sport, all the players and above all the boss needs to take the responsibility.
may Arsene help us.
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every time a team makes us misplace passes and not play the game we like to play. my personal ego gets crushed and it makes me feel sad. irrespective of the result.
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Gala draw at home to Anderlecht, which is a real bonus with no points in this game.
AFC need the points/results in their home games, same as before this game, and results against the other two away. As you were. It’s all good.
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This is by far the worst Arsenal performance that I have witnessed. I am angry beyond compare. The best player was Bellerin and Gibbs a close second. I cannot contain my anger. I’m fuming at Wenger as well….now that is fucking angry…..
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And let’s be clear…Dortmund are a POOR side…..
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Anderlecht managed a draw at Galatasaray, conceding an equaliser in the last minute.
Damage limitation exercise
from Arsenal tonight.
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Fair enough we got a doing tonight from a very decent German side, who were a half second sharper tonight.
I did however see enough to recognise that there will be a very different game at the Ems
Well done Hector after all the nonsense earlier today you did fine. My Arse MoM was Szcz though – doubt he has ever had a busier evening
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I’m fuming….can 11 players all have an off day? If Wenger needs a hair dryer tonight is the night….Dortmund are a POOR side….we gave it to them because we were sleep walking…pity the fans who travelled and paid so much to see such shite….
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WS was our best player..he is such a brilliant goalkeeper..he will play a long time for our club.
we need to give more time for the team to gel but i dont understand why we are not able to hit it off from where we left last season. does anybody else feel that way too?
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Crikes
Liverpool have to cheat to beat Ludogorets Razgrad.
a highly dubious penalty awarded in the 93rd minute to settle it for 2-1.
But still, let everyone focus on a jaded looking Arsenal team away from home.
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That was a game to forget. I haven’t seen the team play this bad since the few times we conceded six goals last season. Thankfully we only conceded two instead of four or five like we should have. We can still top the group.
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GP.
Dortmund are not a poor side by any standard sir! they are in fact a “very good” side. in my head i believe with their passion/skill/understanding of each others game/engines they can give any “top” club the same kind of treatment they gave us tonight
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in my head i believe lol..where else. i am really disturbed.
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First or second in a tough group what can I say i’ll take either.
Away to Dortmund and Villa, the three points at Villa are the bigger priority for me.
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olympiakos beat athelitco madrid..scoring 3 goals! omg this was not a normal day at all
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Arshavin23
Dortmund work very hard, but they are not a technically gifted side. On another day they will get stuffed. We gave that game to them. That was a disgraceful performance by Arsenal. I maintain Dortmund are a poor side.
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sarcasm? 🙂
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dont ask me if my asking you is sarcasm.
god i am a total nutcase tonight!
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So many of our players looked slow, tetchy and generally out of sorts with themselves and each other that I wonder if several of them are going down with a bug? If so, Saturday may be a struggle, but |I fear it is the most likely explanation for a thoroughly unlike them performance.
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Foreverheady
That is a plausible explanation. There must be one that explains how 11 players are out of sorts. I’m baffled.
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for some reason, this is more painful than the defeats last season. they beat us “properly”.. we have ozil sanchez welbeck ramsey wilshere ox cazorla podolski and they couldnt put together a few passes together in a coherent fashion (the three really good final balls aside)?
it cannot be correct that rosicky is not better than wilshere/ramsey/ozil on current form. i saw rosicky play during the international break (is that the reason? thats just unfair) and he had a spring in his step ..like always! cazorla played on the wing before..he looked sharper he doesnt play. i cannot believe such great players can tweak their game to bring balance to the team..if thats the reason for not playing them. are training sessions little indicative of general form/matchplay?
sometimes Arsene makes me doubt if I know my football at all..
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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140916/arteta-and-szczesny-reaction
i’m sure the team will react now!!
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I think Rosicky should always be on the pitch!
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It might be a few days before I can find the words.
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I don’t find the defeat very dissapointing. It’s actually the best time for such a defeat. Arsenal could easily have scored first and it would of been a different game. The reaction of the press and certain “fans” is so far out of proportion, it’s worrying, as is the analysis of performance by these so called “pundits” which is based on mere opinion as opposed to knowledge. I’m just trying to sit down to watch a game of fotball and I want to enjoy it without endless negativity and critisism. Shame on you – sprouters of endless negativity. Wenger is the man and deserves respect!
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Hopefully, this team will do what it did to Liverpool last season and beat them at home after learning a few lessons from the prior game. This squad is still working itself into shape and it will take time to start firing on all cylinders.
As for Bellerin, he just fulfilled every Arsenal fan’s fantasy. He made his first team debut in a very important Champions League fixture. Plus he was good. He was good on the ball, didn’t back away from challenges and he has an eye for the pass further forward. He let his nerves get to him in the first twenty or so minutes, but he settled down in the second half.
The usual Usmanov shills are going to talk garbage about Wenger, but they’d be blowing things way out of proportion.
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I’m hurting so bad! I thought it’d be better in the morning but it feels even worse. Anyhoo, Villa at the weekend should be used to purge our souls from the horror of last night’s game. A few goals and a clean sheet I say. We will deal with Dortmond at the Emirates.
My advise to all you fellow hurting Positive gooners, stay away from the twit place, the doom blogs and WOB mates!
Victoria Concordia Cresit! Forever Strong!
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No need to hurt too bad Santi: bad night pretty much all round. It happens, and it was so poor that it pretty much makes analysis redundant. You can point out individual mistakes or tactical naiveties in games when the overall performance is good, but last night it just wasn’t. From the start we were behind and it never really got better than that. One of those weird things that happens in sport, and which doesn’t make a group of players suddenly useless (unless it happens again and again).
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