It was Liam Brady’s birthday yesterday. Apart from the small wave of memories which washed through me refreshing the parts of an old man which once sparkled with the spring waters of hope and ambition, thoughts of our erstwhile midfield maestro set the gears turning. Chippy is one of the faces which leaps to mind if ever anyone uses the words Arsenal and legend in the same sentence. I couldn’t help wonder which of our current squad about to attempt to bring Leicester City to heel might one day be mentioned in the same breath.
All this got me thinking about how arbitrary and subjective is this whole legend and hero and favourite player malarkey. There is after all no book to which one can go and check whether this player or that has ticked all the appropriate boxes to be considered a club legend. Why do my thoughts instantly turn to Wilson, Rice, Brady, Bergkamp, and Adams? Why do I then pause before adding Henry? Why doesn’t Ian Wright spring immediately to mind? My first love was Charlie George, I trembled when I met him during the stadium tour my daughter bought me as a present, but is he a legend? Should Tomáš even be considered given the number of games he hasn’t played? What about David O’ Leary? Robert Pires? Why do wingers often become fans’ favourites? Why so seldom full backs?
Liam of course dumped us for the bright lights of Italy didn’t he? Then he came back to work for many years with our youngsters so maybe that balances the whole thing out. I don’t know. I do know that when he came along he blew my teenage mind. I don’t remember his games for Bertie Mee, nor the period that followed in the early seventies when watching the football on offer at Highbury was reputedly more painful than being subjected to dentistry at the hands of an unqualified, drunken, short sighted sociopath.
It was the Terry Neil / Don Howe era that he enlivened for me and perhaps it is because of my impressionable age that he so cemented his place in my personal pantheon. When you are between fourteen and eighteen you fall in love with music and footballers in a way you never really do again. Bands in those days spoke to me like the voice of the Mysterons in an otherwise blurred and garbled world. Likewise the footballers who played with impudence and artistry have remained with me ever since in a way that succeeding generations have failed to do.
We all have our favourites of course. We have inexplicable suspicions about the efficacy of certain players and are as forgiving as star crossed lovers when our personal heroes fuck up royally from six yards out. It makes, or at least it ought to make, us realise that pointing out a player’s flaws then calling somebody a rude name for daring to do the same to our personal enfant gâté is just silly.
There is no yardstick, no gauge we can run over a player who causes us to slip farther forward onto the chair’s edge whenever the ball comes near him. We can’t prove he’s better or worse or more or less of a legend just because someone else doesn’t like him. Better to just shrug and accept that no matter how idiotic it may seem some people are blind to the talents of your man and insist on worshiping the bloke you consider a loose cannon. Deal with it and enjoy the football.
Scoring a hat trick against Leicester City didn’t make Dennis Bergkamp a legend but it was one of the building blocks which got him there. Given the huge opportunity presented by today’s fixture I would hazard a guess that any player repeating the feat would be similarly fêted, in the short term at least. That fixture ended in a three all draw and the stakes were not as high as they will be as we tuck into our roast parsnips this lunchtime. Today a draw will feel like a defeat and a victory will have the electrifying effect of reigniting a title tilt which has spluttered and guttered like a cheap candle in a draughty attic. I shall not even contemplate defeat. Like a man preferring to pretend the lunatic with the bloody knife is not behind him I shall keep walking towards, and staring at, the light.
We’ve reached a fascinating period in the Premier League calendar haven’t we? With Leicester and Man City having just played one another, the leaders visiting the Emirates with a five point cushion, Spurs facing a trip to the Ethiad – lair of a wounded beast if ever there was one – there is the potential for much upheaval or much reinforcement of the status quo.
I know how we will play. Or I can at least make a good guess. We always try to play the same game, sometimes we stymie ourselves with an inchoate apparently lacklustre approach and sometimes we are simply prevented from playing by a spirited and highly focussed opposition. Our game plan is always to out pass and wear down our opponents, bamboozle them and then strike. What interests me today is how the visitors will approach the game.
Given the gung ho style they displayed in dismantling a shell shocked City one supposes they will come out all guns blazing, brimming with confidence and a nothing to lose flamboyance. They have a very well organised defence, a lightning counter attacking game and a couple of guys in the form of their lives. Will the sudden pressure of this fixture get to them? Will Ranieri be happy setting out for a point? It’s an intriguing prospect. If we get back to our best and Leicester drop their levels just slightly or key players don’t perform for them then we all know what can happen. It happened after all in the match at the King Power last September.
It’s impossible to predict anything this season of course. Form seems to mean nothing, relative league positions even less. When we banged in two against Bournemouth I typed a one word comment – Floodgates! How wrong could I be? I assumed the tap would turn, the faucet open, the spigot be pulled from the barrel and the goals would flow, washing away the modest and disappointing scorelines of the previous weeks instead of which, of course, the game just ground on to a predictable, if welcome, conclusion with no excitement and no more fluctuations in our goal difference.
Would I settle for a similarly tedious sixty six minutes with the points already in the bag? I suppose so. I’d much prefer a tense, exhilarating hour with the winning goals coming in the final twenty five minutes but this is live sport not theatre, there is no script. Another masterful performance from legend in waiting Mesut Özil would be very welcome. Any title winning side needs a player of special ability to have a outstanding season and he is for me, the leading candidate in 2015/16.
A Bergkamp style hat trick or a bit of Bradyesque impudence from anybody would be rather nice too. Today of course the club’s greatest ever legend won’t be on the pitch he’ll be alternating between keeping Steve Bould company and striding the technical area. He can’t score the winning goal and put us right back into the race but it is for him more than for you or me or any of the players that I want that goal to be scored. He’s the man who deserves another title winning season, he’s the man the players should be busting a gut to reward, he is after all the reason we’re in the fight in the first place.
I hope you enjoy the game wherever you’re watching whether in the stands, over the croissants in Alabama or the nut cutlets in Belfast. Let’s all see if we can’t come together and help push the lads up that final slope, victory through harmony, boys and girls, victory through harmony.
Positively Arsenal 
Thanks Steww, a preview tonic for out times! The relativity of ‘greatness’ is a very interesting point, plus it always interesting to ask how reliable are our memories? But thats how all myths and legends are made.Lies, but lies breathed through silver?
Thanks again.
COYG!!!!
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I suppose Millsey me old mucker, that if I had a point, that was it. There is no definitive right or wrong. Lies breathed through silver – one of yours? I like it.
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ah Brilliant Steww. Suitably romantic for valentines day.
I would have liked to see the judas in the middle of the picture blacked out though.
My favourite memory of the Brady era was obviously the 79 final, bright yellow on a bright day in May and then bunking off of school to have my photo taken with the F.A. cup by Arsenal Legend Jack Kelsey who then ran the small shop in the east stand, with a poloroid camera no less, all mod cons.
Brady was a legend not just because of his wizardry on the field but because he was ARSENAL through and through and has always promoted the club rather than himself, a lesson the likes of wright could well do to learn.
Todays game should be a firecracker and I cant see either mananger settling for a point even though that result would certainly be a good one for leicester in context of what they need to do to win the league.
Leicester have a maximum of 12 games after today and only play one game in the top five teams, everyone else have a maximum in the high twenties and have 3/4 of the top five to play. it definetly Leicesters to lose now.
Having said that we know we can sparkle and a sparkling performance could well set us on our way to glory in sparkling May once again. Happy birthday Chippy COYG.
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Alas no, it was from Ronald Tolkien. Im only a shallow mind, who relys on the hard thought of others!
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Morning Steww, everyone – what a veritable tour de force of a post that is, plunging into the past and the vagaries of the genesis of our idols and heroes, touching a tentative toe into this most unpredictable of futures. Had I not already have been lying down in a darkened room …
If we were to win the league this year, my guess is most of them would be considered ‘overnight’ legends.
Perry Groves, who contrived to win two champions medals, was hardly a truly great player yet is generally regarded as something of a legend. Dear old Charlie, as he’s the first to say, was never a great goal scorer but he scored some great goals. But Charlie scored the Wembley goal that gave us that crucial Spurs-matching 1971 double, and a memorable goal celebration. Groves was on the pitch creating the space that allowed Michael Thomas to clinch a most unlikely title at Anfield.
So from this I’d suggest context is everything and anyone connected with a league winning side runs the risk of eternal veneration from certain quarters. For me, Ozil would be nailed on but a sparkling couple of months now from Sanchez would do it for him whilst no-one would forget Bellerin’s awesome arrival on the scene. Jose’s regrettable treatment of Cech would be forever celebrated in Arsenal lands as he really did bring with him at least 10 points and much more when he escaped his old life hanging out around the Fulham bus stop. A league win would in effect complete Ramsey’s full rehabilitation from an injury that could have finished the careers of so many.
It feels almost wrong to pick individual players, I really believe most of the team would be remembered forever, each of them with their own personal narrative attached.
And as Steww rightly says, all of it pales to less significance when considered in the light of Wenger’s legendary status. Legend upon legends.
Terrific piece Steww, thank you.
Just need an update now from Mel’s waters ….
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Brilliant start to the day. Great stuff Stew, a job well done.
Cheers.
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Someone can be an Arsenal legend and not a personal legend .
Adams is without doubt an Arsenal legend, but I don’t like him. Arshavin will never be an Arsenal legend and yet he is my favourite player of all time. He is a legend to me.
However, even he pales into insignificance next to Arsene.
I am as nervous as a kitten. This is “it” today people. THIS IS IT !
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A grand start to Sunday Steww – in days gone by the potential for players to be seen as more than they were was more available. Technology ensures we miss nothing now, indeed are allowed to miss nothing now. And maybe age plays a part in tarnishing the present day talents compared to their footballing forefathers.
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The fact that you cite Perry Groves over Michael Thomas (for creating the space for him) and then you Steww choose to overlook Wrighty, Henry and (noticeable by his absence) Vieira as ‘not-quite-legends’ adds an interesting angle on what we need for our legends to achieve legendary status. For me, whiteness is not one of them.
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mingus – you may be reading a little too much into a list which came straight off the top of my head with no careful thought . Or of course you may not, you may have nailed a flaw in my subconscious. Who can say.
Andrew on the other hand definitely did not cite Perry over Michael Thomas he merely pointed out his small involvement in Thomas great moment.
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Mingus, I find your insinuation offensive.
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My word Mingus, in order to cast such an aspersions you can’t be regular on here…
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Extraordinary comment Mingus; you appear to have misunderstood the sentiments and meaning behind two separate posts.
Respectfully suggest a re-read.
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In fairness guys in the blog I did ask the question ” Why do I then pause before adding Henry? Why doesn’t Ian Wright spring immediately to mind?” all mingus is doing is putting forward one theory in answer.
As no one can read my subconscious we must accept, as revolting as his suggestion is, he might be right.
He might also be a she so I could be a closet sexist as well.
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Looks like Gabriel is out according to the rumour blogs.
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DNFTT
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What’s your source Mills?
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Top stuff Stew. Top stuff. From your pen to the footie gods’ ears.
A win today will set our boys up nicely to go on and fulfil a dream, a dream that could hv them writing their names in the Emirates history books and confirm their legendary status for years to come.
I’m helping nudging them along from sunny South Africa.
We are doing it for Arsène… COYG
Fingers crossed they are all awake, except for the Foxes ofcos. This game is early.
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hang on I’l check it again Steww…back in one sec.but according to whatever site is was Gabs missed training on Friday.
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He is not even on the bench
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Steww AFC twitter account have put the team up:
Arsenal FC @Arsenal 2m2 minutes ago
Here’s the @Arsenal team again: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
apologies to Ed, crashing his thang.
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on the beach:
Arsenal FC @Arsenal 2m2 minutes ago
And the @Arsenal subs: Ospina, Chambers, Flamini, Elneny, Campbell, Walcott, Welbeck
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good to see Danny back!
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Well, we lose Gabby’s pace and gain Per’s experience and partnership with Kos. I’d say we’re about evens
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Long as the Mert hold the pos, and doesnt creep to far forward.Big game for the big guy today, hope he does well.COYM!!!
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COYG
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FOYF!
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…thats erm, Fack awf you foxes, not fack off you fins! Which I sincerely hope you dont fins.
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LCFC fans look like they’re in the ground and not on the concourse. There’s an F’ing surprise i can tell you haha!
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Gabriel was spotted at Rio airport, took a selfie with LeGrove reader who posted the pic. Apparantly he has a hamstring problem
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Fabulous pre match post Steww, thanks. The foxes have outdone themselves this season but they can FOYF now (to borrow a phrase). Here’s to a good day at the office for the gunners.
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COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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couple of good chances already! Come on you Gunners!!
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COYG!
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King Cech!!!! COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!
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Petr Cech!
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Great header just offside
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Atki started this shit. he such a poor ref.
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Only a matter of time before Atkinson ignored a Leicester foul and gave them a penalty
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shit.COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Gawd. This game is teetering on a knifes edge.
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Classic Twatkinson
Ignore huge foul on Ars player whilst they’re attacking then set up opposition for a goal.
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come on Arsenal keep your heads.
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Ignored the guy jumping all over the back of one of our players which leads directly to the breakaway.
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It’s so painful watching a premier league referee perform like this!
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Scattering yellow cards like confetti.
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So Atkinson allows a blatant foul by Morgan over the back of Ozil and on the counter Leicester gets the benefit of the big decision. Great refereeing indeed.
I am losing faith people. Seriously.
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Bullshit from Atki.-he deserves those boos.The Fuchsers are good at soaking pressure.
Come on Arsène get the lads going again for the second half.Its not over yet,
COYG!
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Far too timid for the first 45 – a bolder, faster and more direct second half required.
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I know how you feel Shotts. No matter how you paint it that is a match changing piece of incompetence. Sure people will blame Monreal but the foul should have been given at the other end and then there is no tackle to make. We see it too often to just have it brushed off as one of those things.
When will we ever see a decent test of the relative merits of two football teams unsullied and not ruined by appalling officiating? I mean – is it too much to ask?
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