“To tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just as long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and all the while to take account of the reality which one denies – all this is indispensably necessary.”
George Orwell: 1984
I was wondering what it would be like to write for a different Arsenal blog, pretty much any other Arsenal blog it seems to me sometimes. I wondered how I could tailor my words to fit the required narrative, distort my thoughts and opinions and still write with honesty and humour. That is when Orwell’s words came to me. Doublethink. That’s what it would require “To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies,” to somehow see the evidence before us of the remarkable, breathtaking and above all selfless achievements of Arsène Wenger and misrepresent them in an unending litany of unfounded nitpicking, of cynical and above all snide deceit.
We saw this process in action after the almost entirely positive results of the weekend. Bear in mind that this was the best week in our season. That the inexorably rising tide of negativity had told us with complete confidence that we could not progress in the FA Cup once we’d been drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford. That the best we could hope for was to battle against superior forces for an unlikely fourth place because Chelsea and Man City wouldn’t be dropping any points any time soon and we are too unreliable, too weak and inept not to do so ourselves. Of course these people may have been correct. One good week doesn’t decide a season, but why is a negative, pessimistic assessment of future events not seen as self deluding when a hopeful, positive prediction is? Why can’t folk just celebrate the good times unabashed, unfettered from their usual sarcastic harping? It beats the hell out of me. I imagine them as children, receiving a wonderful birthday present then telling all their friends how badly their mother wrapped the gift, how poor the paper plates were at last years party.
As you all know I start every new season believing we can not only go unbeaten in all competitions but that we can win every game in which we play. Why? Because it’s possible. Likely? Of course not, but possible. It is a wonderful scenario to envisage and fuels my hope and expectation. Granted it makes the first draw hard to bear and the first defeat harder but surely it is better to live in a state of happy excitement than one of perpetual impending doom. The result is the same for people of both mindsets so it seems to me that remaining positive means I spend more of my time happy than they do. This is why I pity rather than censure the fans who elect to believe the worst, to worry and fret about possible or even probable failure. They choose to live in misery before there is even anything to be miserable about. There is an old line which all this brings to mind – worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due.
This is why I have been happily looking forward to tonight’s match. This is why I am entertaining perhaps fanciful notions of winning the league. And the FA Cup. And the Champions League. Because why not? These outcomes are possible and so I treat them as possibilities. Hardly the behaviour of a delusional person to treat the possible as, well, as possible. It’s a simple equation x = x. What harm does it do anyone to imagine a positive outcome and enjoy the subsequent scenes pictured in one’s imagination right up until the event itself? I’ve looked forward to tonight’s match ever since the final whistle in the first leg. I’ve visualised us scoring towards the end of the first half, and then again with about fifteen minutes still to play. We survive a couple of close calls along the way, maybe a brace of fine saves from our keeper, perhaps they hit the post or have a good call for a penalty turned down. Then, as the clock ticks down, doubts begin to creep into the minds of the players from the home team. They make a few nervous clearances, we begin to bombard them with crosses, with dazzling passing moves. Then, disaster! They break away, our commitment to total attack leaves us bereft of deep defensive cover, through on the keeper they snatch a goal – it seems all over. Until a moment of brilliance from one of our players wipes the smiles from their faces and we go into extra time with the tie level and all to play for.
Now I know what you’re thinking and you are quite right, this is a fantasy. Of course it is, I could just as easily choose to picture us winning by five clear goals and never suffering a moment’s unease. I could imagine Monaco scoring in the first minute and the whole thing crashing around our ears. My point is I have thoroughly enjoyed imagining success. Have those who are inexplicably angered by this enjoyed their fortnight of looking forward to certain defeat? I doubt it, so who is the richer man? Given that I will be no more or less unhappy if things don’t go well then it’s an easy question to answer.
I feel the same about catching Man City. I pictured it, enjoyed imagining how it would feel and now it is a distinct possibility. It might not happen still, but who cares? If it does then I will look forward again and imagine us catching Chelsea. They could still suffer a few injuries, lose a little confidence after a couple more games like the Southampton one, who knows? It would be a rare and historic achievement of course and it remains a distinctly unlikely scenario but as long as it is possible what is to be gained by harping on about games we lost at the start of the season? Why search out negative depressing thoughts when you could be enjoying the ride?
My other sport is mountain biking and I often watch instructional videos by a man called Richard Kelly. Richard is an enthusiast for not getting hung up on obstacles and barriers encountered along the way. He preaches looking through the trail to a successful outcome and above all envisaging that successful outcome before attempting a difficult or hair raising piece of riding. You know what? It works. Picture yourself being successful and you don’t go at an obstacle tense and in a negative frame of mind and consequently you don’t haul on the brakes at the worst possible moment and sail over the handlebars.
This advice can be taken off the trail and into everyday life. Our positive thoughts may not influence the players tonight, but they can make us live with a little more happiness and a little less negativity and what on earth could be wrong with that? Win lose or draw I will always believe in this team. The players and the manager are just too good for me to think otherwise. Enjoy the match, and don’t give up hope until all hope is lost.
Positively Arsenal 
Stew – Untold Arsenal is at least as positive as Positively Arsenal… Otherwise, I share your optimism. Live in the present and hope for the future! Starting tonight…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant!
You have described very much how it is for me. Once I get over a loss or draw my optimism leads me to ask “and how will they react?”. This state of mind then leads tolling out a number of scenarios most of which are plausible. And. It. Makes. Me. Feel. Better……and lately, at times, the team has exceeded my expectations…..
I enjoyed my bowl of muesli how lot more this morning…….
LikeLike
When you know that everything is terrible and all life is bleak it makes sense to turn to some opiate. I find it hard to believe in religion and never having been much a man of the people its mass appeal is not for me. Time was perhaps but I’m older, wiser and sadder these days and so find hope in the exploits of muddied oafs and flannelled fools. And I have chosen this team (or did it choose me) to carry my hopes and fears and I know with absolutely certainty that tonight will be glorious. And should it be not so, then Newcastle will be, etc, etc, ad infinitum. So Steww you are absolutely right to be positive and long may we all be so. COYG – and well done to Reading last night who will set out to give us a run for our money but will suit our style well I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice Stew! Just as I and others hereabout clearly feel.
Can I also slip in a slight brag here? I type this from a hotel room in monaco overlooking posh boats. It’s raining at mo.
Walked up to the Palace yesterday and, from there, one can see clearly the Stade Louis II. I was going to walk to it and take a closer look but decided I’d leave that ’til tonight. :smiley smug lucky git face icon:
LikeLiked by 4 people
Pete. I did use to frequent Untold and they were positive back then but I was abused in the comment section and life is too short for that.
Steve. I’m not jealous at all. Honestly. Grrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said Steww.
I’ve noticed in work environments there are those amongst us who will only ever take a negative outlook on their work life, blaming any number and sometimes all excuses for just seeing the bad in things – their bleak outlook may be blamed on colleagues, environment, their professional roles, and ultimately, their own line manager(s). If they stick around long enough, they lose all ability to cheer up and make the most of things. Eventually they leave for pastures greener where, no doubt, a miraculous transformation occurs and they become sweetness and light until something upsets them and the whole ghastly cycle begins again.
The problem in football is that people never leave their chosen club so that once inside that cycle of negativity, they will likely remain their forever plus one day. Granted, we all have off days and sometimes struggle to reconcile our expectations with the occasionally disappointing reality. But with hardcore miseries (dare we label them the ‘Old skool they-want-their-Arsenal-back’ mob), you could win the treble in successive seasons and they would still retain the gloomiest of outlooks because they can’t see the success lasting.
To be brutaly honest, I avoid these types – both at work and in football. They are lost causes and bring nothing to the party. And of course, it is the easiest thing in the world to complain, moan and criticise so I have little respect for those who do it on an industrial scale. Conversely I have deep admiration for those capable not only of keeping their own end up but who, by their outlook, help others to, also. These are the people we look back on and remember, over time. And this is how I try, with varying degrees of success, to live my own life, support my own team.
So, on to tonight and many are saying we can’t possibly do it.
That’s exactly how I like it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sorry you were abused. Surprised that a positive commenter would get abuse from the “regulars” – but don’t let that put you off! My sense that there is more active intervention from the site moderators these days – particularly of negative, non-constructive comments.
LikeLike
That’s a wonderful post Andrew. Uncomfortable reading for me as you have outlined my employment history rather succinctly. I do try (outside of work) to keep my chin up despite a tendency towards depression, it would be an awful shame on ones death bed to look back on just how miserable one had managed to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
OK Pete, I’ll have another look.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful optimistic piece of writing. As Forever Heady alluded most of us have chosen to support this football club because it represents our ideal of the beautiful game, our escape for at least 90 minutes from the mind numbing negativity of winning at all cost that pervades most of real life. I like many may rationally regard our chances of overcoming the deficit in Monaco as remote but sport and football is all about hope overcoming adversity. Thanks to Steww for reminding us that if we lose hope and willingness to challenge the odds then we are condemning ourselves to a mean, miserable existence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Using my best Harry Enfield/BlackCountry/Dudderley accent “oi would loike to say that we ah cunsiderableee more positive than yew”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was an attempt at a joke btw Pete as we were having a bit of Enfield on here over the weekend.
(Reaches for coat)
LikeLike
If you need a bit of affirmation about miracles and Arsenal this video will help. (As they say in the investment biz past performance is no guarantee of yadda, yadda.)
Arsenal FC – Best Comebacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5lr2zKTN_E …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reminder steww
“Enjoy the match, and don’t give up hope until all hope is lost.”
LikeLike
Top stuff as usual Steww.
LikeLike
Missed the Harry Enfield stuff – but whistful memories of the sketch with the 1930s Arsenal against 1980s Liverpool – not to mention Charles Charlie Charles…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try be be positive however at the same time realistic.
However for some reason i am childlike excited for tonight. Lets hope the dream is at least still alive by HT.
I think the reason people still have hope is that we actually created many chances in the 1st leg and their goals had fortune written all over it.
LikeLike
Great blog again steww. Just the tonic.
Same for the link, shotta. Thanks for that – a great break in a busy day.
LikeLike
may I ask why on earth moderation takes so long?
LikeLike
Sorry, we get to comments as and when we can.
LikeLike
Thanks for that link Shotta: a real lunchtime bonus.
LikeLike
i thought we are among those that produced a memorable comeback in Europe versus inter or was the daily mail piece strictly about this round of matches?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2998622/Can-Arsenal-follow-footsteps-Chelsea-Barcelona-Fulham-produce-memorable-European-comeback.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
LikeLike
The prize is big tonight not just a quarter final place but a place in history. The saying everybody has to pay their dues translates in football fans terms to suffering disappointments so you can enjoy the good times more. After waiting 18 years and the last game of the season having to win away from home by two clear goals made 89 all the more special. If we had won at home and then got a draw tonight to go through everyone would of said it was expected but now going through will be glorious, adversity can be a great thing
LikeLike
The important thing tonight is to play well. And if we play well, and Monaco play equally well or better then fair enough, the better side earned their passage to the next round.
LikeLike
Interesting dilemma for Jardim – stick with a very tidy 3-1 lead and allow us to batter the home sides, ten men in ranks in front of the Monaco goal, or keep it a bit more fluid and go for another killer goal.
LikeLike
zelalem has been called up by Germany U18’s, looks like it is decision time for him, USA want him for their senior team,
LikeLike
The house band is in fine form today. As ever.
LikeLike
anicoll5 – Even if they score 1 we still only need 3 (albeit to force extra time in this instance). Therefore can afford to take a risk or two more at the back – albeit not to the extent we did in the 1st leg!
LikeLike
V true pete – no handbrakes at all tonight – The interesting thing also is, according to my check on their Euro records, Monaco have never had to shepherd a big first leg win before. New ground for them and their supporters.
LikeLike
i wont make any comment again until after the game. but my prediction is 5-1 to the arsenal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Assuming that all three were on the top of their game, and that this was a game where we absolutely had to score three goals, would you start Sanchez or Walcott or Welbeck? This is making the assumption that Giroud plays up front and that Ramsey, Cazorla and Ozil are the forward thinking midfielders.
LikeLike
why not have them all in the team? we need all the goals and the earlier the better
LikeLike
I don’t think we need to go balls out. One nil at half time would set us up very nicely. Keeping Danny or Theo or Alexis on the bench for a last twenty minute assault would be a useful tactic. I’d start with Theo. I think the Giroud, Mesut, Aaron axis is the most important in our team and I think Theo knows it and is known by them more than DW at the moment. In such a crucial fixture we cannot be planning for the future we must play our best hand.
LikeLike
Come on the Arsenal!
LikeLike
above all we really do need Theo to start and be on his gave… am seeing visions of 2 – 0 at half time and thus all to play for in the second!
LikeLike
I dont see the value in playing Theo against a team that will sit back. Coq Aaron Santi in MF Ozil right. Alexis left and Larry in the hay diddle diddle
LikeLike
A5, remember if they score its not a killer goal in actual fact it makes no difference its more about us scoring at least three a nice 4-2 win would be very acceptable COYG
LikeLike
laughably I’ve just seen this from one of the AAA regarding Theo Walcott
“Frankly Theo’s biggest challenge is that he doesn’t have footballing brain….he has speed but that’s about it”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who’s getting nervous then?
LikeLike
Arsenal team to play Monaco: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Ramsey, Flamini, Walcott
LikeLike
wellington Silva has been quoted as saying his agent is in talks about extending his Arsenal contract, as he will only have one year left on it this summer. WS says he will be joining AFC for pre-season training and that he expects to be given a chance to make it with the Gunners
LikeLike
Come on The Arsenal!
Goals goals goals. Goals I do adore.
Allez le Gooooooooners
LikeLike
I confess a little surprise at Aaron’s exclusion from the starting line up but then I don’t have access to the fitness information nor the tactical plan so I had just as well shut the fuck up.
LikeLike
Stew, hope is never, ever lost. There is always the next game v Newcastle and no Dowd!
COTG, second in the EPL and an FA Cup semi-final!
LikeLike
Well said – spot on Notoverthehill
LikeLike
come on – Giroudddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
LikeLike
Here we go.
LikeLike
monaco having lots of luck so far
LikeLike
Alexis not been sharp enough so far
LikeLike
not sure about that booking of Alexis for diving
LikeLike