I keep hearing this “nine years of failure” .
Now, lets for a moment forget that for many of us the last nine years has been a tremendous success. Perhaps Arsene’s greatest achievement. And run with the nine years shit.
Why nine years?
Why “nine years and only one real trophy”?
Why not one year and one trophy?
Or two years and only one trophy?
Well its simply because that particular snapshot suits the malcontent in their attempts to discredit Arsene.
It wouldn’t be as good if they said “2 trophies in 10 years“.
Or 3 in 11
Or 5 in 13 !
No, they want to pick a start date that suits their stupid notions , while ignoring the stadium move that coincidentally matches their chosen parameters.
For their 9 years , these halfwits demanded world class signings, despite it being obvious to all but the specially stupid, that Arsenal did not have the money to get them. However, now we have some money and world class talent is being bought they still refuse to accept that the wheel has turned.
The very first year Arsene was able to keep his players and add world class, we won a trophy. But no. they cling to the period of austerity while simultaneously refusing to accept its existence. Irony gone mad?
They point to an article in one newspaper that claimed Arsenals wages MIGHT exceed that of Chelsea’s as evidence that we should be on a par with them. Yet when you look at it, just about every player in every position at Chelsea is on far higher wages than his counterpart at Arsenal.(including the manager) so how the hell can our wages be greater than theirs? Its beyond stupidity to think that. Sadly though, these people are all beyond stupid, and accept it gladly.
Another thing that they are happy to ignore is that the squads of Chelsea, City and United cost around twice that of Arsenals. Twice. Did you hear me? I said twice. Yet were are supposed to be on a par because for 2 years we have been able to buy one world class player . They are also happy to ignore that in these last two years they have been buying more than one world class player per year.
In short these “realists”, as they like to call themselves, not only do they completely ignore reality, but they move the goalposts every single time their stupidity is exposed. The goalposts are moving with such pace at the moment that Theo couldn’t keep up with them.
Now the parameters have narrowed to “he hasn’t beaten Jose“. How narrow will they become before these tools shut up and get on with supporting?
NINE YEAR OF FAILURE ??? DO ME A FAVOUR.
Positively Arsenal 
Agree. It is a silly argument, sad and comical depending on my mood. Wenger has done so much for Arsenal. Yes he has made some mistakes (human I guess) but what a respected coach. Glad he is at Arsenal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m afraid some people are too far gone done the road with the manager and wanting him gone,pointless trying to reason with em with regard to that subject,their like your mum standing there with a glass of water waiting for the next hiccup. Personally I’ll back Arsene till the end,same as the bloke that replaces him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Micky and Mel speak words of wisdom. No longer Gooners but Goners. Way up and over the hill and down into the unfathomable depths of their own Arsenal’s.
Unfortunately for some their whole identity as a football “fan” now depends upon this ludicrous construct, the false and fabricated AKB slur, the slightly weird bi-polar rational:
“if you support the current manager that must mean you hated GG! Because Proper Arsenal fans are against Modern football but worship the Latin Pulis who’s entire career has been built on one relationship with a specific Special Agent, but yeah, we are against Modern Football & Vengargh” This coming from grown adults some of whom have children. A scary consideration. But also comical. It’s reached the point where this crew are actually being lampooned by cartoonists!
D**Med by their own misplaced bile and astounding stupidity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Which is a shame because that was quite as good football game yesterday.
Lots of promise too. Exciting young English and British players. Modern superstars you don’t need me to tell you who they are. At the start of the season many arsenal fans said to me they felt the horror days of having to sell two of the stars from the 2010 WC Final are over and something was building, the proof being that that this new rebuilt squad had two stars of the 2014 WC! Who outperformed the two previous AFC players at the tournament and the some. Perhaps as that famous Londoner and Arsenal fan* Blake would say a fearful and fateful symmetry.
It’s an exciting team and it’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan.
*ok I admit I made up that bit about William Blake being an Arsenal fan. He died before the FA was established haha! But if I’m correct then the closest club to his grave is AFC, so I’m claiming him for the Arsenal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d really like to meet Mr Wenger so I can tell him how much I appreciate all he continues to do for Arsenal FC.
Especially when considering the lies told about him, and the incessant and relentless attacks on him coupled with the perennial attempts to destabilise the club.
On another note, I was dismayed to hear Motson’s commentary on MOTD – during the WHU-Ars game. I thought John was just a friendly old codger.
How about F le Coquelin v WHU:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1QU56rzlGwU
LikeLike
I was playing FIFA 15 with my nephew and they also repeat the nine years bullshit on there. It’s inescapable.
Franny Le Coq was great yesterday. There’s nothing quite like seeing one of your own succeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice hard fought derby win from the lads. Lambasted for being boring when we defend and slated as being naive when we attack. A brief peek into the world of Arsenal on the kids internet tells us so. With news of us having the most online followers surfacing last week I’m interested in knowing how many are just far rightnanti Wenger anti Arsenal frauds spreading discontent. Looking at the tactics employed by News Corp and that whole scandal one really starts to wonder. The treatment we get in the media is ridiculous.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Loomer, where have you been?
LikeLike
Hey George! All over the place really. Looking forward to being around more for the business end. Hope everyone had a nice holiday.
LikeLike
When I read the headline for the Post I thought that there had been a coup at Positively Arsenal, but fortunately it turned out to be something of a tongue in cheek, rhetorical question. Phew!
The comment that caught my eye and has galvanised me to respond refers to the increase in wages at Arsenal in the year to May 2014.
To be candid, I have no more interest in the financial wheeling and dealing of other clubs, than I have in the thought processes of other fans with different opinions to my own. So my usual reaction is ‘so what?’ but the wages comment is of some interest in its own right.
Without wishing to be too ‘accounting – ish’ there are accepted key ratios with which to judge a company’s financial health, and in this regard the ratio of wages to turnover is one.
A quick look at the Accounts shows the Arsenal wage bill has increased by 8%, taking one year with another, (154 million in 2013, to £166 million in 2014).
We have all seen the photo shoots of young players like Oxo, Jack, Theo, Rambo etc grinning while signing their new contracts, which binds them to the club for another 4 or 5 years. In addition, signing a world class player meant we had to pay a world class salary to Özil, so the increase in salary expenses is easy to understand.
But have a look at the increased wage spend and compare it to the turnover, and the ratio between them has actually fallen from 64% in 2013 to 56% in 2014, largely as a consequence of the much improved increase in the revenue growth.
It is accepted in credit management circles, that a ratio ‘norm’ of 60% between wages and turnover is a sustainable and highly desirable achievement
So doing a little mental arithmetic (and a bit of guesswork), it is possible to calculate that using the standard 60% key ratio discussed above, that the wages spend could increase again this year by another £22 million, making a rounded up total of £190m, given that there will be another chunk of turnover available as the Puma sponsorship deal will kick in, and that will increase the turnover for 2015 to a projected £320 million, give or take.
Even so, the wages bill for Manure and Citeh has been far higher in the year to 2014 than even the projected 2015 wages for Arsenal, and that gap will no doubt increase.
So what?
We have always known that those clubs, and the Chavs, have ‘bought’ their titles, and will continue to do so, and it just shows what a herculean task AW has achieved keeping us in the top 4, not just for a year or two, but for years and years and years – and without their money!!
As for those with different opinions? So what? They are welcome, and really – who cares?
LikeLiked by 4 people
A fine piece George and a further stiletto to the ribs of those who demand their football support on a conditional basis, faithless, and as I have mentioned once or twice, indicative of a mild but treatable psychological condition.
Anyway enough about ‘them’
What a great game of football yesterday though ? I had the excruciating experience of listening to the game on the radio which, whenever we are away from home, is ghastly with every time the Ammers crossed the half way line the commentary and the crowd noise rising to a scream. I was a nervous wreck ++++ at the end of the 2nd half.
Watched it again last night and it is almost impossible to believe I had been listening to the same game – we should have had seven or eight goals in the second half . Mon dieu we cut them to shreds – marvellous inventive and very fast football.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Anicoll: Mon dieu we cut them to shreds – marvellous inventive and very fast football.”
Yes, yes we did. And we played with two defensively minded midfielders to boot.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I am fast becoming aware Arsene is the most annoying manager in the history of the PL, he dangles the carrot of failure over those who doubt him during the season only to snatch it away with consistency a word the unfaithful must hate. The 9 years measured against any over period in history is only bettered in the thirties and by Arsene himself. Clubs all over the footballing world want him, emenent figures such as the great Yohan Cruyff sing his praises and all those young pretenders put up by the unwashed fall by the wayside. With support from notable wankers such durham and morgan it must me a miserable life being a doomer.
LikeLiked by 4 people
PG
Your piece is the best Christmas present I have received this time around. Thanks
LikeLike
the moving goalposts
I just want us to keep our best players
I just want us to keep our best players and sign some top players
I just want us to keep our best players and sign some top players and win a trophy now and then
I just want us to keep our best players and sign some top players and win a trophy every year and challenge for the league or champions league
I just want us to keep our best players and sign some top players and win the league or champions league every year
and oh yes even if we win the league or champions league I want wenger gone, I want Kroenke gone, I want Gazidis gone, I want my Arsenal back, I want a sugar daddy pumping money into the club, but I also want fans owning a massive shareholding in the club, I want tickets back at 1980’s prices, I want standing zones at the Emirates, I want to be able to go drinking before the game, watch the game, have a scrap after the game, drink some more, and not have to deal with adult life, and above all else I want to be able to have bragging rights over all other fans of other clubs, cos I’ve never grown up and still act like I’m 12, now is that too much to demand Arsenal supply me with.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Seems reasonable Eddy
LikeLiked by 1 person
well PG I’m told only akb’s would disagree with it, and therefore if you do not agree with it you are an akb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spot on, George. I guess I’ve been lucky not to have to put up with them as long as most have.
LikeLike
Eduardo, you have a thread all to yourself, on your former site! Too many lunatics, but good for the “scuttlebutt”.
PG, you should have quoted Sam Allardyce! He is reported to have said:
“Wenger has been manager, accounting and financial director, there’s no doubt about that. The man set out a fantastic team before they decided to move and then built a couple of brilliant young teams despite the fact the same amount of finance didn’t appear to be available to him.”
Quite obviously, not for the black scab Arsenal supporters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Black scab”
Like
LikeLike
ah notoverthehill I’m sure a few of the idiots will have a go at me over at Arsenal Times now that I’m gone from it, I’d expect a few of the more moronic idiots to have a go knowing they won’t be called up on it now that myself and phillythekid and other non negative Gooners left the place. I still have a look, as I do with lots of Arsenal sites,(even Le Grove and ANR) to see if there is anything of interest posted, it seems I may have a long wait.
LikeLike
notoverthehill are you a poster on Arsenal Times, if so what is your id
LikeLike
Why is it any footballer who receives so much as a mild brush of a fingernail above shoulder level tumbles to the floor clutching their face as though they have been punched (hard) ?
The new epidemic
LikeLike
Clearly before social media intervened I had a lot of experience of being struck above shoulder height (hard)
And from time to time there would indeed be stars and profound disorientation
But I cannot ever recall anyone’s fingers brushing my head and my being knocked off my feet, rendered incapable of movement and having to lie on the ground until I was revived by the careful ministrations of a medical expert
LikeLiked by 1 person
other than being English and playing for Liverpool can anyone explain why Sterling was not sent off tonight for slapping the swansea player in the face, right in front of the ref
LikeLike
Totally unprofessional from the Swansea player eddy who should have collapsed to the floor writhing in agony after that psychopathic assault from the scouse dwarf.
Monk by name etc
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats the point Andrew. That was not violent conduct. Trust me, I’m an expert on violent conduct, and that was nowhere near it.
LikeLike
Now here this,
I genuinely thought Arsenal were going to gain 40 points by the half way point, you can pick any combinations of luckless games you want where the 7 points were dropped.
That’s water under the bridge now, but Arsenal have a lovely fixture list in 2015 with 10 home games, Chelsea and Liverpool looking like the toughest of those, and only 8 away games after Southampton on the 1st; City, Utd, and Spuds being the highlight fixtures.
I suggest to you that a total for the second half of the season of 50points is not impossible for this manager or team. The home games can be controlled and the trick is now, is to start doing better in the away games.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ryan
@RyanClayton_10
@18DialSquare86 *Arsenal interested in Mings* “FFS inexperienced too young” *Arsenal interested in Perrin* “FFS he’s too old”
LikeLike
The POBs finally pushed Pardew out of Newcastle. I can’t wait to see those assholes get their comeuppance.
LikeLike
The Newcastle fans may be in for a shock when the SportsDirect bloke sells the club on to some mafia dude from Sicily via Leeds and pisses of to play with his new project – the former club once known as Glasgow Rangers. Once the third odd biggest club in the UK before some other petty mafia dudes ate the club from the inside out. Ashley may not be pretty, for Newcastle fans who pay attention to the Football (and not police horses!) it can’t have got much worse then the sacking of Sir Bobby Robson (finished fourth that year I think and never again since!), but there are far worse owners on the game.
Though the former Rangers, Servco FC, are in danger of further liquidation at the moment, that could change everything, though I don’t really know, or care.
Up the Arsenal
LikeLike
George really put that lovely ne laptop of his to good use. As usual a direct punch in the fat, pudgy midsection of the mindless, vacillating fans who as Gains and Fins have highlighted could easily turn our club into another Newcastle or Rangers with their stupidity. ZimPaul would have been proud.
LikeLike
eduardo
December 29, 2014 at 6:45 pm
Excellent. I’m having that. I’ll send it to naysayers or summat.
I’ve only just learned (from here) that Pardew has left Newcy. Keep up, Ranty.
LikeLike
It when people have an agenda that they cannot have perspective
LikeLike
anicoll,
(Various comments regarding the axiomatic penchant of so many professional footballers to show their physical frailty at the merest hint of bodily contact from another player.)
I am inherently in your corner when you comment on such matters but I am slightly wobbling on this one as I think there might be a mitigating reason for their sudden swooning weakness at another players gentle caress.
Now I am not suggesting that there is some homo-erotic cause and effect here, because how would we know if there were any such capriciousness in such matters?
No. Any such thoughts would be judgemental and unworthy, so I think the main culpability in these cases of inexplicable weakness, rests on the shoulders of those who try to gain advantage over their opponents by feigning overwhelming pain for no good reason other than that they are plain downright cheats!
Leading up to the Xmas festivities I was enamoured by the smile and physical presence of a rather stunning young woman, and, just between us, I squirmed when she caught me glancing at her once or twice, because let’s face it beautiful women have no interest in a big, ugly lunk like me.
On Christmas Eve, I bade farewell to a group of friends, and shook hands with everyone, and also stuck out my paw to the girl in question, but she ignored it and instead gave me a gentle, perfumed kiss on the cheek.
My knees wobbled, I felt dizzy, light-headed and found myself unable to utter a word, and I swear my eyes crossed in a most unbecoming way.
So you see my point. Perhaps some of these minor brushes betwixt players which cause an almost hysterical collapse has an emotional rather than a physical cause after all, and allowances need to be made.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Henry B, this girl hasn’t been kissing chelski players recently has she it might explain their wobbly legs and persistent collapsing. Maybe Maureen should blame her instead of some fictional campaign
LikeLike
some interesting comments by Gilles Grimandi
http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2014/giles-grimandi-statistics-enable-people-with-little-knowledge-to-exist/
LikeLike
Ian,
No. She only kissed me – and I do not suppose she will ever appear again – but it was fun for me for a second there. A guy can dream.
My comment regarding the players was rather tongue in cheek, and I mentioned my own short-lived wobbly moment only to highlight the possibility that there is more than one possibilty to explain these infuriating EPL player ‘collapses’.
Oddly enough there are no known girls on the pitch in PL games, except for the odd lino. [Heh, heh]
LikeLike
Grimaldi: “Our club is extremely, internally solid. On the outside, people attempt to destabilise it, but the club never shakes.”
LikeLiked by 4 people
some reports that Ozil will return to full training tomorrow, and could be ready for inclusion in squad v Stoke on 11th
LikeLike
Stoke vs ManU, Totts vs Chavs tomorrow.
I know it’s wrong but I can’t help but wish the warmest New Year’s ill-fortune on all involved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was prompted to rebuff the stupid tweets of Myles Palmer with this:
http://tinyurl.com/p7xddcw
He sorely tests my season of goodwill…..
LikeLike
Happy New Year to all Positivistas thanks for keeping me sane in 2014 and making sure the doomers dont transfer their black cloud to my head.
LikeLike
eduardo, my favorite quote from Grimandi was this “Three years ago someone said to me, “Arsène would be happy, today, we have gardeners paid by the club.” During our time, they worked for the Principality. At Arsenal, today, we have over 25 gardeners paid by the club.” Football is drowning in corruption and ill intentioned people, I mean really bad people. Meanwhile our club continues to be an example of what a club can and if you ask me should be and Wenger as always is central to it all. Long may it continue. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy New Year to one and ALL.
PG, I believe you will find an interview with Cesc, taken by Don Balon and published on April 22nd, 2011. You all will chuckle, at the comments about Chelsea??
“Georgaki-Pyrovolitis says:
December 28, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Yogi
Sorry, I was continuing the debate with JJ from the previous posts. He has promised to substantiate some of his claims regarding Cesc’s and RvP’s moves away from the club. That they openly stated they left because of a lack of investment by the club…Anyway, I off for a few hours to warm”
Needless to say, the Yogi fellow, had to muddy the waters, with the following:
“Yogi’s Warrior says:
December 28, 2012 at 12:29 pm
RvP’s claims were on his website GP. Cesc? Read any number of interviews since he left, he returns to the theme of loving Arsene but feeling the squad stagnating. Et tu, brute?”
I have the original in Spanish, here is a translation of the interview, verbatim: Cesc is inclined to slip into his native language, Catalán. I am no expert in Spanish Regional variations!
Don Balón: How do you remember the day you came to London to stay?
Cesc Fábregas: Well, the first day I came to London was not to stay – I just came to talk. But that’s the day I knew I wanted to move to London, the day I knew that the team was willing to gamble on me and to rely on me. It was too big and too beautiful of an opportunity for me to walk away.
DB: How was the weather that day?
CF: It was a hot and sunny day in June. The weather was amazing – not the norm from what everyone told me!
DB: Where you aware that you were leaving behind the best year of your career before your move to Arsenal, as I have heard you mention in more than one occasion?
CF: Yes, of course. It was a very difficult decision It was a moment that has shaped my life. I took a very important step forward at a very young age. It was difficult, but when I got here and I saw that they had taken a gamble on me, it became easier.
DB: Why was that the best year of your life?
CF: Just imagine – I was 16 years old, living in La Masia with my teammates. We would go to school together and we had a great time. With regards to football, we did the spectacular tri
plete: Liga, Copa del Rey and Copa Catalunya. It was incredible.
DB: How did you tell your teammates about your decision to leave?
CF: I couldn’t tell anyone. Arsenal was very clear when they told me that the news could not be leaked to the press. It was very difficult for me to keep this secret, because I wanted to keep playing with them and I knew that I would probably never return. My last game was the Copa del Rey final and that’s when I went public with the news about my intention to leave. It was a very beautiful farewell.
DB: What image did you have of Arsenal at 16?
CF: I knew they had a great coach, that they gambled on young talent, and that the team included players like Henry, Bergkamp, Viera, Pires. I wasn’t really a fan of the English League, I kept up on them mostly in the Sunday paper. Maybe that’s why it was more difficult to come here, because I didn’t really know where I was going…
DB: How has your image changed eight years later?
CF: Oh, in everything. I’ve changed a lot too, not just physically, but I’ve matured as a person. I have learned a lot during my time here, but I’ve also made mistakes. I am definitely more complete, more whole.
DB: Do you feel like a child prodigy?
CF: No. Well, at the beginning I did. Not anymore. I’ve had a coupe of years where I’ve had injuries that have prevented me from evolving the way I wanted to. But I also played 51 games at 17, won the Cup at 18, played the Champions final and the World Cup at 19. I remember my early days a lot, but people tend to forget. Everything was very fast during those three years. That was the time that I evolved the most, where I changed the most. After I turned 21, after the Eurocup, I had more injuries and it has been harder for me to progress.
DB: Your first season was not just with any team…
CF: It was an equipazo. “The Invincibles,” that had just won the Premier without losing a single game. That year, I played 51 games and many of those as a starter. To be honest, I feel as though I took part in reaching that record, a total of 49 games in the league without a loss.
DB: Those were the days when there was a player that eclipsed it all…
CF: Yes, Thiery Henry.
DB: Was it difficult to win the confidence of the star of the team?
CF: No, it was neither easy nor difficult. During training, I gave it my all. That’s how you earn the respect of the locker room and that’s how it worked for me.
DB: Is this the best team you have played in?
CF: Without a doubt. Vaya,I don’t even have to think about it. It was a year where I evolved a lot. Sometimes, I ask myself if it was better when I was 17 than it is now. But I realize that’s not true, that it’s because I used to play for a winning team and it was amazing. Those footballers made me a better player. I have always said that there is no team like that one.
DB: A lot of things have changed. Do you feel pressure to always be at your best?
CF: Yes, hombre, of course. That’s clear. I don’t like saying it, but if I play badly, I feel the responsibility and the pressure from the fans. This is something I had never felt before, but it’s something that has become a reality since I became captain. It was just Van Persie and I from that generation and for that reason, we carry a lot of the responsibility. But that’s how it is.
DB: But you won’t deny that it is something that you like…
CF: Of course I like it! But sometimes, it can be too much. Why? Because football is a team sport. Nobody wins games by themselves. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but that’s the responsibility of leading a young squad. The most important thing is that my injuries remain at bay, because if not, it can become complicated. The fact that I have played continuously has shaped me as a player.
DB: You talk about injuries a lot. Do they worry you a lot?
CF: It’s because I never had any! I have played 300 games with Arsenal. Everything happened in the last year and half. I don’t want to complain, but the last time I had a vacation without any football was when I was 16 or 17 years old, when I moved to the first team in Arsenal. I had six weeks and then I started full force. After that, there have always been tournaments such as the Eurocup, the Confederations Cup, and the World Cup. This might not be the reason for my injuries, but the experts have told me that there comes a time in your career where you need to rest.
DB: Arsenal is a very young team, but it seems that it’s always been a young team.
CF: Look, I think that the key is having a good combination of players. I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play in the equipazo with which I started. Van Persie and I grew up with our idols. We learned from the best. Now it’s different because we are all so young and you don’t have one person that you can say “Wow!”
DB: Well, now the younger players of the team look up to you…
CF: I don’t know, I’m only 23 years old and I think it’s important to remember that. I started so young that it seems like I should be 27 or 28. But I still have a long road ahead. That’s why I have been so lucky. The young ones learned from the older ones. Now it’s more complicated. In the past, there were strong players who won and who you could learn a lot from by just playing with them.
”
DB: Does it bother you that Wenger has the power to decide for you?
CF: Hombre, he’s the boss, I have a contract, and he has every right to decide. But, to be honest, no – it has be interpreted differently from the outside, but that’s not the way it is. I have always been honest with him and he accepts what I have to say.
DB: It seems like there is a need to find someone to ‘blame’ for your still being at Arsenal…
CF: I don’t know why, but the perception is that if I don’t move forward now, it will never happen. I’m 23 years old and if I leave this summer, I’ll be 24; if I leave the following year, I’ll be 25; if I leave the year after that, I’ll be 26; if I leave the year after that, I’ll be 27! The day I leave Arsenal I will do it having given it a lot of thought, not just “because.” Besides, who is guaranteeing that I’ll get to play in the new team? Or maybe you don’t evolve as a player. I am very lucky that, despite not having won a lot, I am getting stronger. I have spoken to Puyol and he told me that he didn’t win anything until he was 26. Puyol has won everything in football! Patience and hard work is the most important thing in life.
DB: How is it that a coach like Wenger, who hasn’t won anything in years, is not questioned/doubted?
CF: Hombre, it’s easier for me to understand now that I’ve spent so many years here. But it’s clear that if Emery, Guardiola or Mourinho spent three years without winning anything that they would not stay on as coaches. It’s different here, el míster is a very intelligent person and the club values other things: that the team is always in Champions, that it fights until the end, that it has young players, and that it is economically stable. I suppose that is what is important for the presidents of the club. Although, there is a point where you have to take a step… you either win or you don’t.
DB: That’s what I was getting to. Arsenal is known as never winning anything… but playing a great game…
CF: It’s true. When I started we won the Cup and afterwards we got to the Champions League finals, which we didn’t win but you say: “ostia,” Barcelona has beat you with one less player and in the last minute. You don’t see it as a victory, but you think: it’s the first time the club has reached the Champions League. But after 2007, I started saying the same thing: “we don’t win, but we play well.” And you start realizing that that doesn’t work. You have a good time during the championship phase, like we did this year for example, when we were in four different competitions. And think to yourself: I have it all! But after missing that final point, you need to make a decision: you either go to win or to train good players.
DB: There’s still a possibility of winning the Premier League, isn’t there?
CF: Yes, there’s still a chance. It’s complicated but we’ll fight until the end. To be honest, it’s the best opportunity we’ve had since I came to Arsenal.
DB: What does Arsenal need in order to beat United and Chelsea?
CF: It’s difficult. For me, it’s a lack of a winning mentality and maturity at pivotal moments. We have talent to spare, but we need more confidence. The problem is that this team needs to win something. That’s why it was so important to win the Carling Cup. We needed to win that cup in order to believe in ourselves as a team. Van Persie has won the FA Cup like I have, but that’s it. Nobody in the team has won anything. We’re missing that feeling that “ok, I know what it is to win and I know what we are missing in order to win.”
DB: Arsenal started off doing very well…
CF: Of course. That’s what I’m saying. I have won the Eurocup and the World Cup, playing so-so. But you need a whole team. And that’s what I think made the Arsenal that was known as “The Invincibles.” They knew how to win games, when to attack, they had that special intelligence to read games. We are just so young.
DB: Of the cracks that you have seen leave, which would help the team the most?
CF: I would say a lot of them, but I think it would be Dennis Bergkamp, who is one of the best three players who I have ever played with. But we are also missing a forward who can score 30 goals per season. Van Persie plays as a center forward, but he is more of a midfielder and with his injuries has missed a lot of games. If he had been physically well from the beginning of the season, things would have been different.
DB: Last year, following the departure of Adebayor, you exploded as a scorer. What happened?
CF: Well, I switched positions. Now I’m more of the playmaker. I was also doing well physically and a lot of the goals happened when Van Persie was with me. I understand him very well, in the way he interprets the game.
DB: Do you feel comfortable in that position?
CF: I still think that I should play further back This allows you get a better view of the game, you can provide better support, and you can move quicker… You take part in the game more. If the team needs me here, then I am encantado.
DB: Wilshire has been talked about a lot recently…
CF: He’s a great player. I love it, he’s on his way to being a crack. He’s very strong for his age. I wish I had his leg strength. As he matures and becomes a better player, he will become ajugadorazo.
DB: Guardiola created quite a stir when he said that Barcelona had many players like Wilshire. Next year, Thiago Alcántara will move up to the Barcelona’s first team. What do you know about him?
CF: From what I’ve heard, he’s a great player. I’ve only seen him play a few minutes in the first team. But little by little you realize his quality as a player, he’s one of those players that you’re not sure what position he plays. He can be a midfielder, because he has vision of the game but he can also be create plays. I’m curious to see how he defines/develops in the coming years. I think he’ll be great for Barcelona and for the national team.
DB: Your progression in the Spanish national team has not been the same as in Arsenal…
CF: In life, it’s all about the opportunities you are given. In the nationa team, the few I’ve had I’ve taken advantage of. I see them in a positive light, because I’m lucky to have two great players like Xavi and Iniesta by my side. They have quality of game, they have won a lot, they are older, and I can learn from them. Every time I’ve played with them, whether in the game against Italy or the one against Russia, which is the best game we’ve played in the last five years, I feel comfortable. I think that we can play together. But every coach wants the best for their team and to be honest, the Eurocup and the World Cup has been won without counting a lot on Cesc.
DB: The national team played better football in the Eurocup or in the World Cup?
CF: I can’t say. I have my opinion, but I can’t say.
DB: What about Del Bosque?
CF: My relationship with him is good. I’m always going to do as he says. But I do have a thorn on my side. Last year, I had great moments that could have been helpful to the national team. I wish I could play four or five consecutive games. I would like to know how what I can contribute to this team during three or four consecutive games. It’s difficult. I would be the first one to say that if I play four games badly, that I shouldn’t be called up. But I’ve missed that with the national team. I’m going to fight to get that.
DB: In the end, because there are so many great players, it’s difficult to have them all play…
CF: That’s true. We’ve said that before. There is a generation of footballers that are so great that you have to be aware of the competition. I’ve never and will never complain about that.
DB: Fernando Torres at Chelsea. Did you see that coming?
CF: No! It happened so quickly! I didn’t see Torres outside of the English league, but I also didn’t think he would leave mid-season. I do think it has been a good decision on his part.
DB: If Chelsea came offering the millions that they offered Torres for Cesc, what would you do?
CF: Me? They would never do that!
DB: You know what I mean: imagine that they were trying to convince you to come with a very ambitious project…
CF: That would never happen. If I ever decide to leave Arsenal, I would never leave for another English team.
DB: You heard about the controversy surrounding Jon Toral, another player of Barcelona’s youth team that recently signed with Arsenal. Were you surprised by the criticism your coach received, given the similarities with your experience?
CF: I think everyone does this. I was the first, yes, but there have been other cases that didn’t create this much attention. Manchester United signed Piqué. The only thing that’s clear to me is that Barcelona has great players that will make it, 60% of them, I would say. But not all of them will play at Barcelona and some of those players are aware of this.
DB: Were you?
CF: Well, those who get to Barcelona’s first team are privileged: the Xavis or the Puyols. And then there are the super privileged, the Busquets or the Pedros, that scored the lottery. They have worked hard and one day, the coach tells them: “tomorrow, you’ll play.” This doesn’t happen very often. I have a lot of friends that are still in Barcelona’s B-team, like Victor Vásquez. A lot of them were better than me. But you have to choose. Each one has to find their way.
DB: Do you still remember Senderos?
CF: Of course. I lived with him my first two years in London. He was a great friend. During the Switzerland-Spain World Cup game, we lost and he got hurt, so I went to the locker room and tried to cheer him up. The whole locker room was celebrating having beaten us and he was crying. It broke me to see him this way because he has been unlucky in pivotal moments in his career.
DB: What about Hleb? He’s also someone you grew close to.
CF: He’s a big personality who, once you get to know him, you see that he has a big heart. He’s a big joker. Actually, he became close to Piqué in Barcelona. And I’ll tell you one more thing: he’s one of the footballers whom I have understood the best on the pitch.
DB: Twitter has revolutionized the world of football. What pushes footballers to join Twitter?
CF: Basically, I just use it for fun. But I think that fans really value having that connection to you, especially the English fans. I tend to send pictures and to them, it’s like being in the locker room. Then there are the “sick” ones like Wilshere, who love Twitter more than their girlfriend.”
Sorry George, if this is too long?
LikeLike
I’ve always liked Cesc NOTH
I know I know
LikeLike
seemingly Podolski and Sanogo were not at training today,
LikeLike
Gnabry back in training today and expected to play for U21’s next week
LikeLike
Have a great 2015, everyone.
See you in Berlin.
LikeLike
Happy New Year all’ Keep up the positive vibes
LikeLike