A guest post from Muppet ( @MupetGooner )
If you are not a Wenger supporter, look away now.
Wasn’t it a great win on Sunday ? Superb. Simply superb. For numerous reasons. We beat the premier league champions at their own ground. We ended the 3 year barren run of away wins against City, Chelsea and Man U.
There was a good news story in Coquelin, who was up against one of the best play-makers in Europe, in Silva, and produced a performance that was quite astonishing given his relative lack of experience at this level.
There was a good news story also in Bellerin, who also looked accomplished at right back, at the tender age of 19.
Cazorla was magnificent, combining mesmerising footwork and gritty resilience to produce a phenomenal performance.
The whole team were disciplined and maintained a shape and organisation that had the pundits stunned, and purring, for Ospina had nothing to do. This is no exaggeration. Souness said he was stunned, so did Carragher.
In the aftermath of the result, we started to hear that “The penny had dropped” for Wenger. This was no “Mourinho tactical masterclass”, heralded after the chavs 1-0 win in February last year. No, this was “the penny had dropped” for Wenger, and he had been taught how to do this by Mourinho, despite Mourinho failing to repeat the trick himself in September, drawing 1-1. The style of the performance was manna sent from heaven for the wobs. The “Bould effect” was attributed to the result, as well as the end of an era of “Wenger Stubbornness”.
It’s a good thing that Arsenal fans are happy. It really is. But the level of delusion in some quarters is worrying. There are those that believe that if you have a good defensive midfielder, sitting in front of the back 4, it is the road to premier league and champions league glory. Just sit that man in front of the back 4, the “Gilberto” screen, inbetween the defenders and the midfield, and he will cause this stunning transformation that will provide untold glory and riches for the team. The same people believe, that in 18 years of qualifying for the champions league, finishing with an average position somewhere in between 2nd and 3rd in the league, that we have never defended, or held an organisational shape. Neither have we beaten big teams. And also, if we are so inept, how did we manage the 19 clean sheets last year, and how did we manage to have the best away form in the premiership in the previous season ? I take it we didn’t have any shape in any of those games ? I also would like to know how Everton, with their favoured 4-1-4-1 formation, didn’t achieve anything during Moyes’s tenure, as after all, he always deployed a gritty DM in front of the back 4.
Then there was the AW failing of not beating the top 4 big teams away from home. The damning graphic would be produced of our recent away form against City, Chelsea and Manchester United – ignoring Liverpool – as we won there in 2012. Also ignored is that AW is the man who ended the 100 year run of an english team going to the San Siro and not achieving a win. This is also the man who became the manager of the first english team to go to the Bernabau and achieve a win. And what glorious wins they were. These were not Stokish, smash and grab raids, having a man on the goal line standing on the goalkeepers shoulders at every corner. These were 2 memorable wins, exemplifying class and pure unadulterated football. This is also a man who went unbeaten in the premiership. A man who has transformed the club into one of the most popular amongst neutrals. And all we hear in the British press is a narrative that is underpinned by ignorance and commercial expediency. The results in Dortmund and Munich away, not seen as achieved against a big team.
We were told at the beginning of the season – look at Martinez and Klopp. Young, dynamic, fresh – exactly what we need. Yep, young, dynamic and at the bottom of the table, or heading that way. We were told that Wenger had committed mistakes in letting Vermaelen, Jenkinson and Sagna go, and not signing replacements. In reality, in came Debuchy, Chambers and Bellerin. Nobody wanted to consider Bellerin. He was too young. Not a serious squad contender. After watching him against City, not only is he under consideration, people are now saying that we don’t need Jenkinson back. So does the manager deserve some credit here ? Does the manager also deserve some credit for pursuing an internal solution with Coquelin ? Does the manager also deserve credit for the Monreal signing and his deployment at Center back as cover – a player who is now looking exceptional. I say yes, yes and yes. This is without even considering the acquisition of Sanchez and Welbeck. Welbeck rates 7 out of 10 for a transfer, but Sanchez is in the stratosphere. £35 million ? What ? I hear you say. If you don’t want to give Wenger credit for that, then well.. words fail me.
Whenever one listens to the press or some of the bloggers on the state of Arsenal, one hears the largely negative narrative, but not a positive one. Of course, it’s hip to be realistic. Be too optimistic, and overrate your players – you’re deluded. Keep it real. Of course, of course. But frankly, there are some amongst us, who believe that we are on the cusp of something special here, can see the vision, and have seen it all along. A long term plan that is being effected at Arsenal. Pay off the stadium loan, grow the commercial revenue and build the squad. The squad building exercise is not a supermarket sweep at Harrods, which we can’t afford. Instead, there are patient acquisitions, internal solutions to problems. There are positions in which we can still strengthen, and will strengthen. Unlike certain other clubs, we don’t have any problems with FFP, and we will be able to spend big in the transfer market.
Even though it is already January, we still haven’t seen a team with Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Cazorla and Giroud. Which suggests to me that we’re playing at 80% of our potential. We see City and Chelsea line up with their best players, and wonder one day if that will happen to us. I hope that it will.
Positively Arsenal 
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B733BteIgAI5S3F.jpg:large
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A great piece, Muppet.
The dilemma for the Wengerouts becomes more and more acute. If you publicly back the wrong horse in a two horse race, the embarrassment is usually short lived. Very soon the race is over and the egg is quietly wiped from your face.
But if the race goes on and on and your horse keeps falling further behind, It can be quite distressing. So it’s not surprising that as the winning horse pulls further away in the distance, you’re tempted to scream in anticipation every time it brushes a fence.
And the louder you scream, the harder it becomes to admit you’ve backed a loser.
Which is not to excuse the mindless attacks on Arsène – merely to understand the chagrin of those who, in a moment of weakness, have suggested that we would be better off without him and are then stuck with trying to justify such nonsense.
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Beautifully put, Merlot.
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Good win for Brighton last night against high flying Ipswich – hopefully it will not have taken too much out of them before Sunday’s contest.
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Yes, well said, merlot. I always have liked horse racing analogies.
Really miss Tony Adams.
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Another outstanding myth-busting masterclass from Muppet – consider yourself saluted, sir!
I think it’s no exageration to say the majority of regular contributors to PA are old hands at understanding Wenger and the club’s long-term vision. We saw the woods long ago where so many only saw trees. The coming of age of youth such as Bellerin springs no surprises to our readers, being merely the latest, in tandem with the likes of Coquelin and so many others in bursting through the ranks ahead of an almost infinite list of highly-priced would be purchases from other clubs the unwise would have us yearn for.
I suspect first place in the league may just be beyond us now (assuming Chelsea’s good injury-free run of luck continues indefinitely); I see no reason why second is out of reach with so many games left to play.
I also see a deep run in the Champions’ League as being a more than likely prospect.
Whilst injuries have hurt us, there have been signs all season of the Arsenal greatness that lurks just below.
Games, performance and results such as those at City are hugely significant as they seal the belief in the squad by the squad – regardless the blinkered myopia of some observers. Before the game I felt the team – and in particular Le Coq were on something of a knife edge.
Today, with both having passed that toughest of test with flying colours, it feels we are now on a launch pad.
Ladies and Gentleman, we have lift off.
Cheers Muppet – don’t leave it so long next time!
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Wenger had some interesting news at his press cal today
team news
Welbeck out, Gnabry is fit, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bellerin to have fitness checks
bielik is about weeks from full fitness as he has been on long mid season break in Poland, and Wenger sees him as a defensive midfielder “certainly”
Wenger confident that Coquelin will sign the new contract we have offered him.
On signing Gabriel Paulista, its 50-50, could be work permit issues, we are prepared to pay the right price for the right player, and “its 15M”, talks “progressing well”
Wenger also hinted that if we sign Gabriel it may not be the last business we do this window.
so overall much more forthcoming from Wenger than usual on transfers, for me it suggests that only minor details to be sorted with Villarreal and then its all down to the work permit.
good to see Gnabry fit again, I think he has the potential to be a really top player for us.
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the bad news of the day is concerning Abou Diaby, looks like the end of his time at Arsenal
Arsene Wenger on Abou Diaby:
“He is still injured and is not close to coming back. We will have to make a decision on his contract.”
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The Highbury Clock @HighburyClock · 27m 27 minutes ago
Wenger on Gabriel’s work permit: “We are short at the moment so no matter what the rules are, we have to do it now.”
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Absolutely superb piece by our friend Muppet. What he has done, unlike all the blowhards who are suddenly jumping on the bandwagon after slagging Wenger at every opportunity in recent years, is demonstrate that our genius of a manager despite the many setbacks from time to time is gradually rebuilding AFC into a team that can truly challenge the oilers and oligarchs. Last Sunday was affirmation. And to prove that this has been design and not by luck I commend to everyone a blog by Kieran Gibbs at http://tinyurl.com/l7xhxh8
In Gibbo’s own words:
“I have seen a lot of pundits say it was a change in mentality from us. I think there was a pattern in the game where our midfield had less of the ball in dangerous areas, whereas normally we are focused on dominating the game by keeping possession. We controlled the game without having as much possession as we normally do. I think that’s something to learn from and add to our game, rather than feeling we have to control every game by dominating possession.”
Stay tuned Positivistas, the best is yet to come.
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Goddamn, Theo been with us for 9 years now. Seems like yesterday. And to think he is still only 25. Finding out about this really took me back.
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Formidably depressing words fro Arsene about Diaby today and with no return to fitness apparently even on the horizon it looks most unlikely we will ever see him in an Arsenal short again, probably nor even in any football shirt again.
I have no idea why it is a surprise to me to hear Arsene’s gloomy prognosis, but it is.
I trust however that our club does not allow the Player just to drift off with no opportunity for him to say goodbye to the fans and us to give him a final cheer. In line with Apropos’s previous post Abou has been with us none years too, inn fact a week longer than Theo – time flies.
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Absolutely heart breaking news about Diaby,
The fellow can’t get any luck with his injuries at all.
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What about Sunday’s team
Szcz
Bellerin Per Chambers Monreal
Flamini Coq Ramsey
Theo Ozil Alexis
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Still in denial about Diaby. He will pull through. You will see.
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Rest day for Santi, Giroud, Kos.
TR7 & and Campbell on the bench.
Call up for Dan Crowley?
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what up with diaby?
well written Muppet… you always wrote well anyway but does need saying thanks and not taken for granted
we are a team in progress… broken up time and again first by players ;leaving unceremoniously, then by injuries and them some not just doing well on some days… but Sunday shows a glimpse of whet is to come and its pretty nice and the team actually settles down to being familiar with each other;s game !
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I would really like, just for once, to say to our BFG – “have a day off my boy, put those great big feet up, open a beer, eat what you fancy, watch the game on the box, chill ”
29 games this season, despite his late start after the World Cup which ruled him out in the Palace opener, so that is 29 serious, competitive games in a row and not once substituted.
I doff my cap to you
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Well said Muppet.
Giving Wenger some credit is not Arsene a lot is it? lol
The trouble with the work of a genius is that the non-genii just cannot comprehend it at all.
I have been hoping against hope that Abou could manage, somehow, to beat his injury curse, bestowed by a witless Sunderland no-body, and get back to his magnificent best.
Alas, Arsene really told the whole sad story about his chances when he said ‘[A] football player needs mobility in his ankle”, and it is clear, from that short statement, that Diaby has suffered a chronic injury there, and it will not now ever function in the way a top athlete needs it to. Sad.
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I really emphasise with you, Muppet, when you say – “Of course, it’s hip to be realistic. Be too optimistic, and overrate your players – you’re deluded. Keep it real. Of course, of course.”
The thing is, it is too easy to inadvertently accept the accusations of being ‘too optimistic’ or ‘over-rating players’ when the ‘deluded’ comments are hurled about, when actually they may well be the realistic assessments and the gainsayers are the one’s who are deluded.
[I define the term ‘deluded’ in its classic sense; – “to believe something that is not true”.]
This word or its derivatives are so often used (incorrectly) as a term of personal abuse, when actually the belief, or otherwise, is frequently just a subjective opinion.
And, as we all know, an opinion is not necessarily based on fact. Unless given by someone deluded enough to believe they are an expert or professionally qualified in such matters. Oops – there’s that word ‘deluded’ again. (chortle, chortle).
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Cheers All – a pleasure to write.
HenryB – yes, you are exactly right. In the face of such negative sentiment, it is hard to stick your neck out and keep perspective. I know we have had some bad results, and some setbacks, but the problem is addressing what we should reasonably expect given where we are. Any Muppet can try and claim we should be dominating and winning champions leagues and winning titles. Some fairer critics might point to lack of investment. What irks me is when the criticism becomes over harsh and frankly – nonsense. I try and understand some of the fans with concerns and criticisms, to make sure that we are not living a delusion. I think that it’s a bit like politics – there are arguments on the left and right, and ultimately, there is no definitive answer. But it does worry me that the negative views creep into mainstream acceptance without any kind of rebuttal. I can accept well reasoned negative views of the club – I don’t think anybody on here will accept ill thought out negative views – which just drag the enjoyment of the supporting aspect down.
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lots of reports now that Joel Campbell is likely to be part of the Gabriel deal, Campbell’s agent was said to be at London Colney today to go over the loan options. Several clubs want him, both in England and in Spain, with Real Sociedad very keen, but with Gabriel an Arsenal target, Villarreal now look to be favorites to get Campbell for rest of the season
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Muppet @ 6:45pm- “But it does worry me that the negative views creep into mainstream acceptance without any kind of rebuttal.”
To add to your point, when this negativity becomes mainstram, it eventually becomes perceived wisdom. Much like people believing that because there are two mainstream political parties competing for power, voting in one over the other will cause any fundamental change. It is patently false but it is the perceived wisdom and we are continually voting for ether tweedle-dee or tweedle-dum without any change in our condition. So in the football world the idea is peddled that the cause of our current world the idea is peddled that Wenger is stingy or Wenger doesn’t do tactics. Unfortunately there are forces in football and in the media who have a vested interest in perpetuating an environment of unsustainable hyper-spending or in fostering the illusion that a mythical powerful D**M is the route to football nirvana. These ideas can easily take root on the naive and unsuspecting as well as in the minds of opportunits and fence-sitter who populate twitter and blogs. Thank heavens for Positively Arsenal, where you and all of us have a forum from which to rebut these false ideas and expose them as patent nonsense.
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Muppet,
You are absolutely correct in what you say.
Personally, it does not bother me if people have different views to my own as to the team selection, tactics, the club finances etc, and why not I am not an oracle, and candidly, none of us can really know all the facts, and therefore the ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ of these and other matter are impossible to be definitive about, but they can be fun to debate.
No one should want to censor other people’s freedom of speech, within the bounds of civility, decency and without vulgar personal abuse.
The problem is that not everyone plays to the same rules – and inevitably exchanges quickly descend to the lowest level of unpleasantness and vitriol, which then tends to become the accepted norm, and that is really sad.
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Well said Shotta, HenryB.
As Grimandi said, the club is stable, despite many external attempts to destabilize it. I personally think that if we just halve our number of traditional injuries, this is now the end of the Chelsea/City duopoly. The regulators are catching up with them, and things are moving in our favour. Look at the average age of the City squad now ? Doesn’t look good. Whilst our squad, I still believe, is performing 60 to 70 % to it’s potential, that’s even before you factor in new acquisitions.
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Thanks for the heads up Eduardo. I think it’s probably best that Campbell cuts his teeth elsewhere and gets much needed playing time now. Under consideration must be the fact the Theo and Gnabry have both returned, and we still have Welbeck and Ozil as well who can both be used in wide positions.
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If only all blogs were like this http://arseblog.com/2015/01/one-for-all-and-all-4-1-4-1/
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tweets from darrenarsenal
Arsene doing Diamond Club Q&A now has just said that Paulista deal virtually done, then tried to backtrack after giving too much away
Arsene “Biggest regret not the last few years but the invincibles era not winning more trophies” DiamondQ&A
Arsene has said “will go upstairs when retires but has to ensure can distance himself far enough from manager” which club not mentioned
Arsene “Man city have successfully legally got around FFP with good advice” DiamondQ&A
Arsene says Ozil, Walcott to start Sunday. Possibly Akpom
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George. The problem with Muppet’s blog – and then Stilman’s – is that there is no point any of us ever writing anything again. Indeed, if the whole of the fan base just read and understood these two fine pieces then it might just signal the end of all dissension. But I fancy they are a bit too well-written and intelligent for some to grasp.
And on a non-intelligent theme, I can’t help but feel that this seemingly open approach for Gabriel is all a bit too obvious. Happy to be proved wrong in these post cloak-and- dagger days, but if it is Professor Plum with the lead piping in the Library I’ll be surprised.
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Thierry Henry is doing his coaching badges, he coached the Arsenal U14/15’s today at Hale End
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Stuart MacFarlane @Stuart_PhotoAFC · 1h 1 hour ago
Brilliant Q&A with Arsene Wenger at #afc tonight, not sure there’s a manager in modern football who cares more about his club than he does.
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Darren @DarrenArsenal1 · 22m 22 minutes ago
Arsene “People always refer to defence I inherited but Lauren ,Toure, Cole and Campbell never got me or them the credit they deserved”
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Darren @DarrenArsenal1 · 20m 20 minutes ago
Arsene also spoke about Cesc “Regret with fabregas is that he has made them better (CFC)”
Went onto say that on Cesc he had Ozil,Aaron,Wilshere Etc but had 48hrs to decide…He had no plans to sell anybody, but would have had to if he’d have chosen to sign him
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Darren @DarrenArsenal1 · 12m 12 minutes ago
Sounds like a pretty open, informal and somewhat insightful Q&A. Given it’s Diamond club, decorum allows for it.
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Just to echo earlier comments on the genesis of misinformation, another typically splendid piece from our friend Mean Lean over at Arsenal Vision:
http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/my-vision/4885-alexis-must-stop-offending-me-with-imaginary-yellow-cards.html
Well worth a read if you haven’t already done so.
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It is a good piece Andrew – it does miss one important point though
If you are fouled, and then bounce back up as is often the case with Alexis in order to give the referee a piece of your mind on the type of punishment the perpetrator richly deserves then 99 times out of 100 – if not more – the referee will ignore you.
If you want the bastard booked writhe more, grimace, do pain on face exercises – if you need some tips watch Hazard
What offends me is the lack of recognition of that eternal truth
He will pick it up.though – I am sure
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Human beings, and strangely that does include referees, respond to physical and visual stimuli.
For example, if someone says ‘you are a bloody nuisance’, then depending on whether or not it is said with a smile would change the meaning of the message.
A player going down after a tackle, may or may not have simply tripped – clumsy coz your feets too big – but if they shriek like a Hazard and yell ‘ooo me goolies’ the ref is in no doubt, even if he should be, that someone has been playing fast and loose with a boot to the crown jewels, and will respond accordingly with — of course, m’lud, would a foul suffice, or should I send the blighter off too? — or — should I check with screeching Maureen first. [Yes, histrionic managers play their part in this.]
Anyway, we all understand the body language thing, because how often do offending players fall back on their well rehearsed repertoire — (1) try to look innocent with a rictus grin, and get away with it — or — (2) grab the downed opponent by the hair and lean over to pretend to be sorry/sympathic while pulling it, and then tread on any available hand?
And refs do sometimes fall for it!
So, my advice – while every other b*stard is doing it – carry on, carrying on, lads.
Two sides to the same coin, methinks.
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I tend to agree with Andrew Nicoll at 8:17 am. Alexis must learn to roll around and play dead like Hazard and increasingly Coutinho. Frankly, as much as I single out those two, I think the the perpetrators of rotational fouling and kicking of talented players are the true monsters and represent a continued blight on the English game. The most dangerous piece of kicking this season was Cahill’s attempt to smash Alexis at Stamford Bridge(?). I am not sure it was even adjudged a foul.
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Yet again the problem goes back to referees either through incompetence or lack of the means that could be afforded by technology applying the laws of the game Shotts.
As with a lot of criticism of behaviour it comes down for me to “what would I do ? ”
And I hope that a) I would not lie on the ground squealing in imaginary agony and trying to get an opponent booked or sent off and b) get in the referee’s face demanding an opponent is carded.
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Guess what – Fat Sam has disagreed with Wenger about work permits. Who would have thought it? When did he last agree with Arsène about anything?
And he trots out the old discredited garbage about foreign imports stopping British talent coming through.
Spain has a very relaxed approach to work permits and it doesn’t seem to have affected their ability to produce a national team of some stature.
He probably hasn’t noticed. Probably thinks that Real Madrid are a club from Lancashire.
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No doubt Sam will be marking his cross against the UKIP box come May.
I do not really understand what the fuss is about. There are rules in place that bar the vast majority of potential footballers from outside the EEA joining British clubs. There is , on rare occasions, a system of appeals available if required that can be used to allow those rules to be relaxed.
I do not see the problem.
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Sam @samuelJayC · 16h 16 hours ago
Wenger asked if Szczęsny will start v @OfficialBHAFC: “What a nice question; you mean ‘will I start my no.1 keeper?’ – I haven’t decided.”
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… he hasn’t decided? LOL
Really… I could read AW quotes all day… the guy is seriously intelligent with words as well as actions!
Please keep them coming.
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I would be surprised if JC goes as part of the GP deal as swap deals, or partial, are rare in the PL these days.
Hazard is a master at deception, really one of the best I have seen and I have seen many hundreds of them in my time. The media and refs are conned by his nice boy persona.
Its going to be interesting to see the line up as although their are many players who need game time Arsene seemed to indicate that he may put out a near 1st choice team.
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Gabriel has been left out of Villarreal’s squad for their league game tomorrow, and reports now suggest that he is flying to England on Monday to do medical and complete move to Arsenal, there were some reports earlier today that Wenger was meeting FA/Home office panel over Work Permit for Gabriel, hopefully that done the trick and he will sign early next week.
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I wonder how dirty John Cross feels ?
I also wonder whether the words “phone-tapping” will ring a bell in his conscience ?
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The van Gaal revolution can mark in another remarkable result tonight – hilarious
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Haha indeed Anicoll,
Nice to see the plucky underdog hang on against all odds to earn a big money replay at their home ground.
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Plenty of possession but just two half chances created by the Mancs – and in the final few minutes, when I thought the visitors would have been all out for the win, it was Cambridge who were mostly in charge and in the United half.
A lot of pissed off expressions among the Mancs players – and van Gaal looked like his piles were on fire all night.
I admit it – I was shocked
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