Last night I read again a blog written by @AFC_ChrisGooner “Arsenal putting pieces in place for future success” http://bit.ly/1QpmfXr .I have read it several times now and it a fabulous piece , well written and researched. Having read it I then tweeted
People didn’t see a plan not because there wasn’t one, but because they were unable to comprehend its enormity. Silly people.”
I expected the usual replies. you know the ones .“We were lied to . we could have done more, we should have done X, we should have bought Y, mistakes were made blah blah blah” . But to my surprise very few like that were forthcoming. So either people now accept they were wrong and the improvements are now so obvious that they can’t deny them or perhaps people are just happy and are prepared to forgive the perceived acts of negligence by the club?
I suppose the problem for many is that their ambitions are tied to the club. They are basically asking someone else to be ambitious on their behalf. The Arsenal board, and by extension Arsene Wenger are responsible for their personal ambition. An odd state of affairs and somewhat unique to football fans who in real life think that tweeting while sitting on the toilet is ambitious.
Still, I digress.Back to last night. I then got a reply that I believe is the single best tweet I have ever seen.
@Blackburngeorge “spend some fucking money!” ringing around the stadium the club spent £400m+ on. You couldn’t make it up.”
Brilliant. I rest my case.
Positively Arsenal 
Almost as good as the march that finished at the armoury and were singing ” where’s our money gone” while looking up at a brilliant new 250 million pound stadium. I stood watched and laughed out loud it was like a comedy sketch but there you go
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I do not think for one single moment the groaners are satisfied, or recognise the absurdity of their incessant negative criticism, or the pointless search for misery in every silver lining.
It is not in their nature nor the mechanism of their condition.
For now, and only for the next few quiet close season weeks, they will be quiet on the Arsenal while they transfer their infinitely flexible disappointment to some new target.
If Twitter had a global groaning map the usual practitioners would be giving some poor soul Hell somewhere.
Do not worry though George, they are merely drawing breath. Like ISIS you may hack off a tentacle but the beast lives on.
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Yep, that was a very good blog, and the tweet is also excellent.
Probably shouldn’t encourage you, George, but have you seen the most recent comment on that blog?
Maybe it’s because I’m seeing less of them these days, but it hits me like a perfect and stunningly revealing example of its kind, and one that might be useful to you in your quest of understanding such people (if they can be understood at all)
For example- that person insinuates Southampton spend more on their academy; that Chelsea and co attract the best youth players; that we can’t claim to have developed young players unless they’ve been at the club well before 16.
Clearly, that’s a person who decided long ago everything- everything!- we do is wrong, and whose strange brain is working furiously to maintain their position. I’m about 90% sure pathological is the right term for that behaviour. Titles can’t cure such wrongheadedness.
That’s what you’re fighting against.
Someone who is angry that we aren’t, in their opinion, doing as well at youth level as Chelsea, and who is willing to utterly ignore the fact Chelsea and City have failed to bring a single player through, and at the same time refuses to count anyone but Wilshere as a young player we have brought through…all so they can maintain their hostility towards…their own club and its most successful manager.
Sheesh, I can see why you had to start the blog and why you’re, correctly, not fooled by many of these idiots being temporarily placated by a bit of obvious success.
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Thanks for the link to the article George, it was very good.
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There seems to be a consensus among other bloggers that I stop pointing out their stupidity.
What say you all ?
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i think some expect it and go around continually muttering under their breath ” bloody george” “doesnt live in London” ” hasn’t supported ARSENAL for one hundred years” grrr
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I too read that excellent piece when it was first posted. An excellent resource.
There is only one way forward with regard to the groaners. Accept that they are unwilling or unable to cope with facts. In practice, just fuck ’em.
I see Pedro is softening his position on Wenger. Yesterday on Twitter I learned that, apparently, he was never anti-Wenger. Oh no, he has been only ever arguing for a more “progressive Wenger”.
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The “all we wanted was Wenger to change” gang may be able to reposition themselves nearer the Club fold as it were. However the banner wankers and the like could be left so far out in the wilderness they may have to use disguises and alias’s etc could be interesting.
I went on to she wores site yesterday as he has produced some very nice wall clocks and he he now a full on commercial business man, ironic considering his opinions on the commercialisation of the club. Some might say he had a different agenda all along but whatever he has cerntainly done well on the back of Arsene and the mordern ARSENAL.
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George, if you stop pointing out their stupidity they will have no chance of maybe one day realising they truly are abysmally so.
You have a duty to continue. Long into the future and beyond.
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Georgie boy ’twas only in November when the special ones were running around screaming to no-one “I’m Propa Arsenal, vengargghhhh out” the poor lambs.
It’s been a rough landing and and they’re still trapped in the wreckage of their own constructs. But you can mention:
‘Moyes’, ‘Coyle’, ‘O’Neil’, ‘won’t spend on world class players’, ‘worst board in football’ , ‘doesn’t do tactics’, ‘can’t coach defence’ (CL record, Invincbles etc.), inherited Saint GG’s back line (don’t mention the Invincibles, whatever you do!), to these Masters in PR (self-declared Experts) whenever you like.
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Committed AAA Expert commentary whilst watching the Knights of Ni in action:
“He might not have any arms and legs left but at least he’s showing some pashun!”
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I’ve been given the impression of the AAA as some kind of a cross between the Black Scarf Knight and the Knights of Ni.
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The Black Knight, bless his socks which he can no longer wear, at least he had some vague gallantry, even the king to pity on the poor blighter. Wouldn’t want to insult him and compare him to such cowardly and annoying Ni picking revisionists.
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They’ve made themselves into a laughing stock with zero credibility as football fans. They remind me of the chaotically idiotic insurgents from The Life of Brian (“What did the Romans ever do for us?”) but the Knights of Ni are just as pointlessly fitting.
They an enemy within that have now got themselves into a hopelessly ill-thought out pickle.
I saw Leo’s tweet last night and smiled at his nail on head moment.
Touché.
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Nice blog. Some of the comments made me laugh out loud, as it were hehe
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Another magnificent tweet by Leo @_LS87_ on May 14th:
“Arsène will pass on a stadium, training centre, academy and huge financial power but Graham passed on a back four. Hard to separate them tbh.”
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PG, thank you. I see that Steww, A5 for example, were well ahead of me!
I do have the planning applications. A couple of errors, if I may be so bold to point in the right direction?
Application No. TP/97/0985 was dated 13th November 1997. I would conclude that the Arsenal had bought the “land, adjacent to Bell Lane, London Colney, Herts”, prior?
Clauses 16 – 18, ensure that the planning consent is for the Arsenal Youth Team only and their opponents, no public spectators etc., etc.
Anelka, moved from the Arsenal to Real Madrid, then Real Madrid to Paris SG, July 1st 1999 and July 1st, 2000 respectively. Progress payments are made, so it would seem that the Anelka transfer fee let the Arsenal pay off any loans???
Andrew Rolls, per Arsenal.com (Staff), works under Colin Lewin and appears to have no analytical expertise.
There was a planning application from the University College London, for a Portakabin, for the Arsenal. 5th March 1974, no wonder Tony Adams and co, entered up in the pub!
Constants, Fitzman (the hard yards), PHW and Ken Friar, anyone..
Enough quibbling and more power to his elbow, gunnerchris.
Thanks to PG, for pointing me away from the planning applications, financial statements and such like.
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Arsenal’s first batch of senior players return to training tomorrow, with Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, Gabriel, Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Flamini, Danny Welbeck, Emiliano Martinez, Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin, Yaya Sanogo, Krystian Bielik, Ryan Huddart, Deyan Iliev, Alex Iwobi, Matt Macey, Tafari Moore, Julio Pleguezuelo, Jon Toral, Wellington, Dan Crowley, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stefan O’Connor all expected to be in the group.
So with that and the expected announcement of Cech joining, tomorrow could be a busy day on .com
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Eduardo
No mention of Hayden?
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Hayden was playing with Chuba in U19 tournament. Although everyone was going on about the U21s they totally ignored the U19s. They then moan about English development funny that.
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yeah Hayden one of those expected to have been given a few extra days due to having played International football during the summer.
our first match is two weeks Wednesday, so we are likely to know the touring party by this day two weeks.
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Was Gnabry playing in the u21 tournament?
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he was in the Germany squad, not sure if he got any playing time.
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Serge only made one sub appearence, so shouldnt need to much rest
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dont understand the point in announcing the cech deal today surely iitt would be better wednesday.
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Ta
–
Was Plodders’ signing announced before the window opened? Not sure I cared then or now!
But I guess it might’ve been announced early as they had to arrange to those cheeky sneaky friendlies as a apart of the transfer haggle. A mechanism used by the club in recent seasons where possible (bfg too if I recall correctly ) to shave the odd cool million or two off a fee, studiously ignored by the Self declared experts in the Three Sacred F’s as of course that would mean they’d have to acknowledge that the club were trying to save money as they had a budget to stick to, and undermine their “no ambition” meme of gibberish.
It tells us a lot that the self declared experts in the three F’s ignored those friendlies and all the Wonga involved.
What kind of Expert use the ‘ambition’ line to promote the model that led to the death of Glasgow Rangers once one of the biggest clubs in the UK? One that I would suggest is not being honest.
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Was Gnabry’s last appearance against the tiny totts in the FA cup when he made that great run and assist?
He’s not played at that level for a long time I hope he can find his feet again. Might need a loan at some point in order to get the minutes under his belt.
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Cech official so I can officially start likeing him
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when you love Szcz and Osspinna you keep telling yourself you wont be excited if we sign Cech and then it happens. still like to keep all our keepers including Martinez I hope we are loaning players rather than selling them
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It’s the Arsenal crest that does it. Welcome Petr Cech, you are a Gooner…..
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Dunno what to think. Don’t like to think of other keepers leaving.
There was Jennings, there was Seaman.
Conflicted, but…
How,about Wojja to Watford on a seasons loan? That way he’s next to us at Colney minor.
Ah, I know nothing.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150629/video-watch-cech-s-first-interview
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Ranty
Think abou the conversations between the Gazprom owner and the manager of the Gazprom Fulham franchise.
Many of us didn’t expect the transfer to happen because we expected Czech’s manager to block any move, regardless of the players’ desires. I guess the Groaners pin up manager doesn’t have the same respect from his owners as the Arsenal manager.
Czech to Roman: ‘I want to stay in london, play for a big club and play for le gaffer. Do you think Jose will be upset?’
Roman to petr ‘considering it was you and not Jose’s agent pals who brought home old big ears I don’t care what he thinks!’
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Arsenal have added to their medical team, with Huddersfield’s Head of Medical team joining
http://www.htafc.com/news/article/huddersfield-town-james-haycock-arsenal-medical-team-2510880.aspx#h6JdRtzbKKTXbK3y.99
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Happy to welcome Petr Cech to Arsenal, I admit that I am very surprised we have signed him, and look forward to seeing how Cech fits into our team or how we adjust our team to get the best out of Cech. Really hope this move reinvigorates Cech back to his best, much like how Jennings rediscovered his best form when joining us from THFC
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Gurjit @GurjitAFC 2h2 hours ago
So now #Arsenal have signed players from Real, Barcelona, Man Utd & Chelsea within the last 2 years. How times have changed.
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What’s to be conflicted about Rantetta? This was a signing to strengthen the first team, which it has. We can argue about Cech’s merits but the fact that he has signed means Arsene feels he still has his mojo.
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SI’ve written here in 13/14 that I thought he was past his best.
But he’s also a good age and has pl experience to complement and coach schezzer?
Crazy to think that the keeper who made that amazing double save against Argentinathe other day might be leaving.
Arsenal now have both keepers who shared the golden glove in 13/14. A older pro and his apprentice, same as in other areas of the park.
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Just heard a rumour that Petr Cech is going to sign for AFC.
Remember – you heard it here first.
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Any word about length of contract for our new signing?
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dkg its being reported that its 4 year contract for Cech
Kelly Wood @kmwood02 3h3 hours ago
I love how people are saying that a transfer completed and announced in June took “forever”. FFS.
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Time is relative, edu.
Thx for the contract info.
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Ah well – now that one’s out of the way, we can get on with speculating about the next one. No doubt that will take for ever too.
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Further to Ben Knapper.
Football Analyst
Arsenal F.C
July 2010 – Present (5 years)Arsenal Football Club
Having previously operated at the club in a consultancy capacity, I was given the opportunity to join as a permenant staff member in the close season of 2009/10. Essentially, I was asked to continue my role servicing the senior first team as the Football Analyst. In doing this, I also embarked on the challenge of attempting to create a department capable of providing support for not just the senior first team, but for all levels across the football club. I am currently still on this project, but now manage a team consisting of analysts responsible for the provision of performance analysis throughout the whole football club. Managing additional personnel has obviously developed me significantly professionally, but also facilitated the development of a more long-term, strategic skill-set. I feel that this will stand me in good stead as I progess in this role aswell as in my wider career.
I have left this blurb, as written by the “offender”!!! Which downgrades the University of Hull, as far as I am concerned.
ManCity, would appear to be misers, when it comes to football analysts?
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Fins, thanks.
Sav,
I choose to be conflicted, evidently.
Arsenal have chosen. I support Arsenal.
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well its clear the signing of Cech is a Gazidis signing and Wenger did not want him, how else can it be explained that Arsene has not done a welcome message to Cech on Arsenal.com, its Arshavin and Welbeck all over again,
isn’t that how this AAA works
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George 11:21
Sick ’em George.
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so can Cech emulate Pat Jennings and be our first choice goalie for a long time, Jennings was thought by THFC to be on the way down but he went on to make 237 league appearances and a total of 327 appearances for Arsenal,
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Struggling to recall if Fabregas ever wrote us Gunners such a classy farewell. My brain has been slowly deleting all memories of the little shit so a refresher would be nice. I absolutely refuse to type his name into Google
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Loomer @ 2:21 am – The little hypocrite waited until he was in Barca when he started playing politics with the emotions of his credulous fan boys and girls back at Arsenal; I am still a gooner b.s.
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Cech is a wonderful goalkeeper and a terrific addition to an already strong squad. His value to the club is hard to overstate with a medal collection few can match and a ferocious winning mentality that is likely to prove contagious.
I think AFC will clearly benefit from his evident ability as a keeper as well as strength in depth considerations. We also benefit, indirectly, as his departure from CFC weakens them in respect of their being one injury or illness away from having to play a substantially weaker substitute – it’ll be this giving Mo nightmares as Chelsea, like Arsenal, have to play a monumental number of games between now and May.
Talking of things monumental and the twat Adrian Durham (TalkSport lead, though largely undecorated and unrecognised presenter) is now pedalling the line that Arsene has changed and is finally buying top class players – ‘something we’ve all been telling him to do for years now’.
If you ever wonder where the more moronic and ill-thought out amongst us go for their chronic misdirection, look no further than angry Adrian, the Arsenal Bile Machine. This is the resident idiot that continues to select Arsenal as the unending target of his hatred despite the laughable and very serious setbacks presented to the world by the chaos and farce to be routinely found in Middlesex and on Merseyside. He is wilfully blind to the inestimable advantages bestowed upon the likes of cash-rich City and Chelsea and I’ve rarely, if ever, heard him call Ferguson to account for the appalling state he left the once fine estate of red Manchester.
Loathe as I am to give Durham any kind of consideration, it is he, as much as anyone that I can see, routinely helping some AFC fans to let themselves down in the most spectacularly ill-informed and public of ways, and I’m struggling to think of a more odious sports presenter in the whole history of radio broadcasting. I listen to a fair amount of TalkSport but usually switch off for Mr Angry, trying him out every few months to see if any pennies have finally dropped.
You just wonder why the Talksport sponsors and advertisers don’t have anything to say on the great stain of British broadcasting; I personally find Absolute Radio great at that time of day and Radio 5 Live spot on for the sports updates …
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