Bloody football. Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn’t be better off without it. Sorry, getting a little ahead of myself. Let me rewind. Steve Coaches was round my drum for a cuppa and a catch up yesterday afternoon. Since getting out of the rat race I don’t see much of him or anyone else for that matter. He used to drive his fifty two seater into my car park every morning and we would pass the time engaged in pleasant badinage and all the usual meaningless conversational fripperies with which everyone attempts to season the tasteless fare that is working for a living.
So yesterday was going well. We’d covered marriage, the state of the nation and had slid inexorably towards the beautiful game. Steve was reminiscing about the good old days, and I, nostalgia never being far below my surface, was a willing ear. He recalled how on a Saturday lunchtime he might open the paper and on reaching the back pages notice that Bury were at home. From there it would be the work of an instant to phone a mate and suggest popping over to Gigg Lane. As easy as that, they would find themselves half an hour later with the newspapers blowing about their ankles, breathing Bovril fumes and complaining about the pies. Nowadays he drives coach loads of West Country Manc fans to the Old T and he couldn’t afford to watch Bury even he hadn’t moved two hundred miles south. Things change, the game is global now, not many support their local team and those that do still prefer the Premier League on the telly to a windy and overpriced terrace.
If only we’d left it there. Sadly my old pal went on to bemoan the state of the English game and trotted out the tired old line about how it was all the foreign players had caused the demise of the national team. I tried to counter but he became hot under the collar. I tried to point out how shit England was before the money came and changed the landscape, I tried to suggest that growing up among the world’s best must have made Jack Wilshere better and not worse, I tried to suggest that shit managers, shit tactics, a backward football culture encouraged by an idiot press had far more effect than foreign stars, but all to no avail. He was adamant. He was furious. He was boggly eyed in his passion.
Surrounded by a select few of the very best Twitter has to offer and coming here where the closest we get to an argument is over whether a player is actually great or just nearly great I hadn’t realised how cocooned my existence had become. Not going to the office or factory to be exposed to the full ferocity of ill informed opinion every day has left me bewildered by the zealous conviction with which people can regurgitate the lies and nonsense with which they are constantly bombarded. I was, to put it mildly, taken aback.
I read Eduardo’s excellent piece on PA yesterday and thought how helpless we are to turn this tide. The ‘Arsène Wenger doesn’t do tactics’ mantra he so adroitly exposed for the flim-flam it is nonetheless has such deep roots beyond our walls that we have not a snowball in hell’s chance of changing anyone’s mind. I had simply failed to realise the extent that the misinformation had gotten right into people. Until you sit face to face with someone ignoring facts and parroting nonsense when in all other respects they appear to be a reasonable human being you can’t comprehend how absolutely the battle has been lost. I felt like Hirō Onoda, stumbling down from the mountain thirty years after the end of the WW2 blinking, bewildered and barely able to believe that no matter how many Phillipino fishermen and farmers I shoot, the truth is I’m never going to return home as part of a winning army.
So what can we do? Not much to be honest. Watch the Arsenal and try to enjoy the football is all I’ve come up with. Although, put like that it doesn’t sound so bad does it? All football clubs have better and worse times, at the moment we as Arsenal fans have plenty to be happy about. Tonight for instance we host Olympiacos in the Champion’s League. That’s more than a good enough reason to cancel our radio shows, get in a bumper bag of midget gems and break open the cranberry and mango tea surely? So what if people are saying Arteta is past it, Arsène can’t manage and Ramsey is out of position? So what if thousands all over the world believe it to be true and repeat these and a hundred other specious facts and bits of meretricious wisdom?
Rather than waste our time trying to fight, not a losing battle but one that was lost a long time ago, why don’t we just get on with watching our team, celebrating the victories and commiserating with one another after a defeat? No one has ever succeeded, to the best of my knowledge, in teaching a pig to sing, indeed as Heinlein observed ‘…it wastes your time and annoys the pig’ so for goodness sake let’s put the sheet music away and give it a rest. I’m not talking football with anyone outside of a certain demographic from now on.
From the moment the team is announced I will be excited, anticipating how the players will line up, wondering who might be the hero on the night. Instead of bemoaning the hand wringing and predictions of disaster, which these days accompany the release of every team sheet, I’m just going to savour being part of this wonderful club competition. To relish the great good fortune that led me to support Arsenal and not any one of the lesser teams, teams that simply do not get to experience this every season. I’ll find a foreign stream or I’ll mute the commentary and I’ll envy those who can afford to go to the match in person but apart from the inevitable exasperation with the referee that envy will be the only ill feeling in which I will indulge.
This supporting lark is from now on going to be about thrills and spills and not about the bellyaches. I’ve simply had enough of the tedious arguments between people who will never change their views. The name calling, the finger wagging, it’s all so pointless and it only serves to detract from the simple pleasure of watching my team pitting its wits against the best that the opposition can throw at it.
So in a way I’m glad Steve came round and cast all this into such clarity for me. The simple pleasures of strolling through the cobbled streets of his home town, whippet at heel, sparks flying from his clogs as he headed to a cold, crumbling concrete stadium to shout abuse at his local team contrasted so sharply with the spouting gibberish he has learned from the modern day anti experts and helped me to reach this minor Damascene moment. Why not give it a try? Why not join me and just enjoy the football and leave the porcine singing lessons to somebody else? You never know, we might just like it.
Positively Arsenal 
I’m almost there Steww, in the same state of mind as yours vis a vis something as important as football……banned smiley
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“Enjoy” the game Stew ?!
Revolutionary ! Blue skies, out of the envelope and/or box. It IS rocket science.
A concept as far ahead of its time as Martin Peters was way back when.
I admit I am tempted.
But what of the buttock-clenching, irritable, edge of the seat, hiding behind the sofa terror of watching Arsenal ? That momentary drip of unrefined horror as Mesut feebly chips his penalty toward Neuer. The ghastly intestinal lurch as Gibbs shanks a deflection into the top corner to gift the points to the Mancs ! And who on here can forget Arsene’s 1,000th game – eh? As long as I live I shall never forget that afternoon.
No Stew I prefer the drama of the full human condition, the battle against Fate, the humour, the art and culture, and yes the occasional searing ‘tragedy*’
*aka dropping a point at home
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Dropping a point at home? Snatching defeat from the jaw-jaw of a score-draw.
We’re fooked. Up the creek and into the rapids without a paddle in sight. Crumbs.
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Think I’m with Stew on this – I’ve certainly abandoned the practice of discussing football with our own fans unless I know they are not generally of the foaming-at-the-mouth Wegnar Out types.
Whilst it saddens me that as a group of supporters we have largely abandoned the idea of being 12th man at every home game, I do think that until football gets its house fully in order, the whole thing is hard to take as seriously as I once did.
That we today have the head of FIFA only communicating via his lawyer, the head of UEFA discredited by the late-running crediting of £millions into his back pocket, the suspicion that all or most FA’s are in some kind of cahoots with the most corrupt sporting governing body on the planet is bad enough.
But when professionals and ex-professionals are so willing to defend and effectively ‘promote’ the likes of Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho’s despicable ways while clubs like Arsenal remain short of three points even after ‘justice’ has supposedly been done then there is really little point in investing too much emotional energy in a game that is as badly tarnished, reputationally, as it has ever been.
I’m not a huge follower of rugby but happily admit to admiring the way that game of bridled violence has been enhanced by the transparency and integrity delivered to it by the intelligent adoption of video technology. The speed of the VT process may not be 100% perfect (although it seems pretty hot) but the integrity of the results of games of rugby are not open to challenge in the way so many football games now are.
It is also glaringly obvious that all the discussion after the big rugby matches is about the game, not the ref, the cheat or his lover.
Just about to head off to Borehamwood this lunchtime to watch the AFC U19s take on Olympiacos U19s.
Hopefully this will be what it usually is – a modest but relatively intimate stage upon which our future footballing talent can make a name for itself and the game will be played and refereed more as I remember the main events once used to be.
I expect to enjoy this game as much as I enjoyed Stew’s wonderful piece.
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it seems Jeff Reine-Adelaide is back in training today
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That’s good news, but this game has come to soon for him.
As for team news, I can confidently predict Theo starts, with Possibly Joel Campbell as the 2nd Striker.
Midfield 4 of Ozil. Alexis, Santi and Ramsey. Not bad choices eh?
Do we really need Coq as a DM tonight?
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anicoll you said recently that Mike Dean does not ref LFC or Everton games cos he lives in Liverpool area, but t Anthony Taylor is from Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, and he has our game v Man Utd on Sunday.
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Rumors that Ospina will start tonight, Cech to be rested.
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How dare you suggest such a thing DC !
No defensive midfielder …….
What on earth would the sad transfer window obsessives left to have to whine about ?
No Arsene is a man with pity in his veins
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I am both shocked and horrified Eddy
Still at least we ‘know’
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As fine a piece of football writing you are to find until perhaps you read the match report from Andy Nic tomorrow. I hadn’t properly realised we were playing tonight but what a nice thing to look forward to. Short of material to peruse first thing this morning I found an article by sinister pes which suggested some rotation was needed tonight as our progress in the Champions League was much less important than the Premiership. He suggested that as we had no chance of winning the Champions League we should pretty much place all our eggs in the Manchester game. Now even allowing for the fact that it clearly takes one basket to recognise another this struck me as a miserable position to hold. I firmly believe that with a full strength squad to pick from The Arsenal is capable of beating anyone, and especially so in the slight lottery that is the knock-out stage. I suspect the manager believes that too.
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“The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing”
I will never surrender.
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The war us over. Lay down your arms.
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Breakfast where the news is read
Newscorp feed, children fed
Unborn living, living, dead
Bullet strikes Robbie Savage’s head…
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I fully subscribe to your position on this Steww, and I’m determined – to quote Steww – to…”share the joys of victory with you (all), or should events unfold in confutation of this wholly desirable outcome…retire gracefully into the shadows and pretend I never really liked football that much anyway”.
Tonight I intend to enjoy the match, earnestly hoping the men in black (or whatever shade of neon green they subscribe to these days) don’t crash our party as they’ve been wont to in the recent past.
I would have taken up the rather unsavoury task of anchoring porcine singing lessons, having a proclivity myself for music, or perhaps leave that to George (Orwell). Who knows, we just might reenact the tales of ‘Beasts of England, every land and clime’. Pigs do sing. Or so said Orwell.
Here’s to kick starting our champions league campaign tonight!
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Let me be the first to say, what a wonderful blog, steww – really great writing. Just loved the bit about Hiro Onoda – how very apt.
All in all, it describes one of the reasons I’m not, and will never be, on Twitter. There are enough idiots on the news every day to confirm that mankind is doomed. Look at that stupid woman calling human beings fleeing from a war-zone “cockroaches”. Or the line-up of candidates for the Republican Party’s presidential caucuses, one of whom at least seems to think that torture is OK, and another of whom thinks that how a person looks is a criterium on which to judge their presidential credentials (and who clearly has one of those mirrors from the fairy-tale).
Today is another match, another couple of hours to escape the madness. Sometimes I think I must be mad anyway to put myself through it all, but other times I realise it’s a way of maintaining my sanity. Thank you all for this haven.
COYG
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Thanks too for the poem, fins – self-penned?
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I thought that only the top referees got the top matches.
Mush be shome mishtake.
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On the other hand, I see A Taylor supports Altrincham – weren’t they once City’s junior team? Before the oil.
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Steww, how on earth do you make it so effortless!!!
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great piece Steww.
Ed, that is good news i thought he was supposed to be out for months.
O’conner played for the U19s today suggesting that Le coq is alright for tonight.
Ive just watched the presser and I canr remember a player talking quite so much. The Ox has impressed Arsene in previous pressers so maybe he get to do one on his own in the future.
Anyway got to go now COYG
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Effortless ?
I can see the teeth marks Stew – don’t listen to him
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Agree with you steww. I think it does more harm than good trying to convince the ITKS (I too know) except of course you are as pedantic and lionlike like george. They are usually not reasonable and only suck you into their anger, to the extent that you even start arguing narrowly to.
As much as it can be frustrating when Arsenal doesn’t play well to the point of one making unplanned emotional outburst – I’m not usually frustrated wen we play well n loose because the other team were just better or 4rm officials incompetence lyk the game against the chavs, rather, I’m satisfied the team gave it their best with the hope that we can be as good as they are, preferably better when next we come across them or any team of similar ilk n ability-there is a peace within when you choose to be calm and reasoned after a disappointing game and just wait for the next one to come so that you can put it away.
Having said that, really looking forward to tonight’s game. Hope the lads can serve us a delicacy, leaving the the classic for Sunday. Also curious as to the lineup – Hope the Ox can give the boss more selection dilemma with a strong performance if selected tonight.
Cheers to all positivistas. And to those that will be present at the stadium, I really do envy you, albeit, on days that we win. Hope to grace the Emirates with my presence someday 4rm West Africa, Nigeria (banned winkey smiley). Have a wonderful evening y’all.
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DK
“It’s all over, for the unknown solider, the war is over…” Written by Jim Morrison and maybe some others.
I was inspired by thought of the reaction from a fat and frothing and possibly drunk Morrison when confronted with the Savage genie.
But I digress, nearly time for football and if I don’t get my skates on I’ll be in trouble with the match day team nevermind the actual footy!
Come on the Arsenal!
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Forgive me manners… What a succinct, thought provoking and hearthrobing piece again by Stew. More strength to ur days. Been feeling since Saturday that Ramsey is about to give us a great run of jaw dropping performances… The mastery of his role on the right is almost complete… Going to apply to replace monsier Arsene if and when this comes to pass. Banned smiley.
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I really enjoyed reading this, you weave a gripping narrative Steww. I also agree that Britain was better before the massive influx of cash, and for a long time on UA Ive also been saying its time to just enjoy the ride as much as the result, but I also agree with PGeorge about fighting on, as I think what PG/PA is fighting for is the same as UA, and I dont think the sulphur stench of LG should permeate everything in the Goonersphere or the world at large so I’ll fight on and try to enjoy the ride.I think that we are still puppets to the emotional twitches of footballs threads, though, and its not that easy to be free.
FH-I tried to contact my friend in HK, but I think he was too busy scoffing the moon cakes at the mid autumn fest to get back to me, hope you found a bar etc and enjoyed the game v the foxy ladies.
Thanks again Steww.
COYG! #ya gunners ya
ps Fins liked the haiku/poetry.
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the u19’s won 3-2
https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/
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Steww, how thoughtful?
Pig’s Nose Pippin Apples, will now be ready for picking, consumption Oct/Nov!
COTG
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15 minutes gone, so far Ox and Theo with good chances
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own goal off Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal 0-1 Olympiakos
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TW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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35 minutes 1-1, Walcott with a fine finish, Alexis with the assist
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Ospina with an OG, awful keeping, 1-2
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Alexis booked for dissent
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Gabriel booked
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A somewhat lonely David Ospina trudges toward a quiet dressing room
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HT: Arsenal losing 1-2 and Bayern 4-0 up
Poor from AFC, once again Ox showing why Ramsey is ahead of him in selection so far this season. Ospina with an awful OG, OX with an unlucky OG
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Little o.g. is back in the team. Difficult to forgive those two errors. That won’t help Ox’s confidence when he sees the replay. And Ospina – well, just speechless.
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Ox’s wasn’t unlucky, eddy – he flicked out a heel at it – bloody mental.
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Not sure all of the ball was over the line, oh well.
Arsenal need to get the gears to click tonight – there are more goals in this team.
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But still 45 minutes to go. I was almost glad when Olympiakos got the first one – now, I thought, maybe we’ll have a bit more intensity. It was like watching an Emirates Cup match up until then. That’s what we miss when Aaron isn’t out there – Alexis is the only one not strolling round the park like there was nothing at stake.
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We look sharp and fast going forward and might have had three – a bit of patience required and we can open them up – decent performance from the Greeks though – best side I have seen from there for many a year (ever)
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Ospina and Wojciech trying to one up each other for the howler of the week I see. Well that stunk. Had a couple great chances early best being Ox’s when he chose to shoot instead of square for a tap in. Defending on corner kicks has been abysmal. Don’t think I’ve seen a player get punished for mistakes more than Ox. Its getting to be pretty comical.
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at least Gabriel and kos Will not spend the second half passing to each other!
what was that ll about… patience i know, but…
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Just want to say that when the half-hour came up, neither goalkeeper had had to make a save (that I can recall anyway).
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Glad you can see the funny side Loomer.
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Hah thanks man. Its a funny old game isn’t it.
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fuck off ref, no foul there
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55 minutes, Per on for Kos, looks like Koscielny has done his hamstring, he had been playing well too.
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