I always begin my match day blog with a quick glance at the official fixture list. Living in fear of writing an irreverent and irrelevant few hundred words in anticipation of a visit from Brighton and Hove Albion on the day the team are actually travelling to Scunthorpe is a heavy cross to bear. I was shocked when opening the appropriate page to count only three games remaining on the roster. The end seems to be rushing toward us with undue haste.
I have to be honest with you while I shall attempt to enjoy those last three fixtures just as much as the first one it will be nice not to think about football at all for a few short months. The negativity surrounding the club which is, as we all know, the result of many years of deliberate campaigning by those lovely people in the press and on the television, makes supporting Arsenal like swimming through sewage.
Even this positive blog is more often than not taken up with defending our position against the poor saps who have been engulfed into the swirling waters of despair and the numbers of genuinely positive posters here has dwindled to a mere handful. In short the fun has been sucked from what is supposed to be an enjoyable pastime. Bravo. Congratulations to all those who have made this possible.
It’s a shame because not only has this been a truly exciting and fascinating season with some famous victories and shock defeats and more silverware for the trophy cabinet but the end is still uncertain. There is still much to play for and something of a cup final in Manchester next Sunday as, in all probability, we duke it out with City for a third place finish. What Liverpool, Chelsea or Man United fans wouldn’t give to swap places with us. A shame that we aren’t in it for higher stakes but you can only play the cards in your hand.
To keep the pressure on City we need to overcome a Norwich side engaged in their own desperate end of term scrap. They’re level with Sunderland and a mere point above Newcastle and it seems likely that only one of these three will survive. So another highly motivated, physical side to overcome at the Emirates. Let’s us hope all the malcontents stay away from the stadium once again. The improvement in the atmosphere will make life so much easier for our players to get the job done.
I don’t anticipate it being an easy task today. Obdurate defending and counter attacking football will be the order of the day. Expect much talk along the lines of “We’re not moving the ball fast enough” or “The final pass is letting us down” or “We’re not working the keeper enough” as our silky approach play comes up against the massed ranks of a packed ten man defence. Actually my personal favourite is “Why can’t we beat sides who park the bus?” This is of course a huge steaming pile of bollocks. A silly statements and yet so often repeated. We usually do beat those sides because it is how most teams play us and we win most of our matches. Apologies to Shotta for straying into his statistical territory.
Norwich’s away form has not been impressive lately. They’ve won once and lost the rest of their last six games. We have only lost once at home in our previous half dozen matches and so if form is anything to go by at all then we have no reason to be fearful going into our teatime kick off. Form is of course an ever shifting, malleable intangible beast which can suddenly change up on you. This season more than ever those in the habit of predicting results have too often been stymied. Of more importance is what is at stake. Both sides have much to play for. I was going to say much to prove but it won’t matter to the howling degenerates in the press nor their devoted subjects what Arsenal do today as their narrative is set in stone.
It’s a shame. I used to love football. After the week I’ve had today’s match would have been something diverting. Something to which I could have looked forward with excitement and anticipation of a couple of hours of top class entertainment. Instead I’m here with my tin hat on in the bunker with the last handful of other loyalists fingering their suicide pills and listening as the artillery shells fall ever closer.
So let’s gather together and sing a song or two. The barbarians are at the gate and have laid waste much of our beautiful land. Enjoy watching a team consistently battling near the top of the table for however long we have left. When Arsène’s glorious reign is finally over the fall will be steep and painful. Prepare yourselves for battles for ninth place with West Brom and Liverpool, Stoke and Everton, for as it is written, the bleak shall surely inherit the earth.
Positively Arsenal 
Well done Steww as per usual. Welcome to shotta. i too hope that the bd heads stay back ad automatically improve the atmosphere.
Happily for us… it is written that the meek shall inherit the earth so we shall surely survive the bleak… there is much hope of that.
Sadly they are annoying the manager more and more – I hope he holds out and signs his next contract and leads us to 4 glorious epl titles… fully deserved then he bows out when these same bad eggs are begging him to stay on…
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As long as Arsenal represent the romance has not left the game.
No howling from those claiming they’re better supporters than me will keep me from enjoying this team. Arsène Wenger and the Gunners have my proxy and by extension I’ll be cheering them all the way. And if Santi gets a run, it’ll make this week even better. Fuck those other people.
Norwich took 3 of our players out, there’s an axe to grind.
COYG!!!!!!!
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Oh my word, you’ll have to put up with any boredom that comes from my response: Spot On.
“The negativity surrounding the club which is, as we all know, the result of many years of deliberate campaigning by those lovely people in the press and on the television, makes supporting Arsenal like swimming through sewage.”
I’m pleased you’ve pointed out how this negativity has come from the media for years.
And I also feel they’ve simply taken away what should be pure enjoyment, win lose or draw.
I’m worried about today’s game because of Arsene’s landmark. We played Chelski a couple of years ago on a landmark, reffed by Andre, preceded by ‘Wengers 1000’, blah blah, and within 2 mins. of kick off (kick Ars), I knew how it’d go. I also worry cos Norwich have license to kick. Sagna stamped, leg broken for 2nd time in same season. No retrospectives. No acknowledgment. Didn’t they push RvP into the goal or post? No penalty there, oh no.
As I’ve written earlier, I wanna see Norwich go down and take their fking concrete camera pit with them. They’re a bunch of thugs (though that goes for most of the teams, I guess). Look at how sage-meedja kept talking about Alexis playing too much, prior to Deliah’s warriors committing multiple, unpunished and dangerous fouls and assaults on or players (you must be so proud, J Moss, and I haven’t forgotten your Stella efforts down at Southampton. What are you on?) This two handed deliberate shove on Sanchez was an assault which injured him.
I’m sorry, but for me, the reason Arsenal can’t win the league is because They don’t want that to happen. And many are paid to churn out all kinds of bollox to justify the supposed failures of AFC. A few weeks ago I read how Arsenal have a chance. I resisted writing “no, we don’t”, because I know that would be negative, but come on, this tilting has been going on for years.
Even the excellent article PG linked to yesterday doesn’t mention the Special ref code consistently applied to Arsenal’s games (Leicester’s ‘game’ at the Ems was a classic, remember?) Arsenal won it despite the shenanigans!
I shouldn’t be jumping up and down celebrating a win because Ars beat a “system”!
I used to revel in the play, the passing, the intelligence on display, et al. Instead, I’m having to fend off or ignore all of the plundits, singing from the same hymn sheet: they’re weak, no tactics, not enough in that for me, etc, etc. Sure, they’ve a right to be so utterly smug. They get so much money for telling everyone “stuff”, and you ain’t gonna get any job unless you go along with it. You know that.
I still love everything that’s currently Arsenal. I admire out player’s. I love our manager.
I liked Arsenal when they were average.
Steww, I didn’t think I’d look forward to off season so much. I think that may be a measure of how much has been invested by Them in order to spoil the game of football for the masses.
Superb preview. Sorry for rant-rant.
COYG
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fantastic Steww,
A sunny afternoon at home to norwich is normally a great game to celebrate and enjoy, the fact the malcontents are taking their black clowd to the home of football is a travesty.
We know history will judge our great manager positively even if the people, currently experiencing the one touch flowing football, dont.
Welcome Shotta and I hope you still manage to have a great day, I’m sure the Positivas will give you a warm welcome and I apologise for not being there myself as my son has the ticket. If you follow Kelly and Mike’s ARSENAL week there is an U21 play off game at the emirates game Tuesday and also maybe take in a stadium tour.
For all those going to the game if anyone passes you a board dont hold it up, for the first time in the history of our supporters clubs they are actually spending money to slag the club. I will never forgive those involved.
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Traditionally Norwich is a game with goals in it and Id be surprised if we dont see a few today. Great writing as usual Stew.
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After the threatened non-protests of recent months we’ve passed beyond the realm of the tragic and into pastiche and farce. Not least becasue they won’t be successful in what they are trying to do. How many years of failure has it been for these people who have such a strong “winning mentality”?
In the week of the Hillsborough inquest these Arsenal holes could not bring themselves any lower. You have to join in with the rest of Football and laugh at the sado-masochists. Reminds me of the chumps that were brain washed into singing songs on behalf of that stand up guy Malky ‘Unauthorised by the boss McBung’ Mackay. And let’s be honeest, that was properly funny!
Listened to the fence sitter’s podcast. So they are saying it’s a protest against the manager but people are trying to be polite. If they’ve sat with the Experts behind the dugout then they’d have heard the abuse rained down upon the club’s staff. Constantly. People on the opposite side of the ground have proven to be sane, therefore if you want to sit lower tier and enjoy the crowd and the footy then you want to be sitting opposite the dug out. If these kind of weak classless muttterings are not the metaphorical equivalent of making a mess with a splintered and barbed fence post i don’t know what is.
Pardew Out worked out well for the Newcastle fans.
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well steww “We’re not moving the ball fast enough” or “The final pass is letting us down” or “We’re not working the keeper enough” are basically 3 of the things Wenger says most after games we don’t win, especially against the lesser sides
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eduardo -You take any notice of anything any manager says to the drooling imbeciles of the press corps?
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steww I also think we will have a full house today, all the malcontents will be there, jeez the game is on TV, so simply by holding up an A4 sheet of paper each and every one of the malcontents have the possibility of getting their face on TV,
oh the fame of it, imagine their excitement going to the game today, the thoughts running through their heads, not a thought for the Arsenal, it will be all about themselves and their hope of fame and twitter followers, they’ll be like a child waiting for christmas morning
“will I be the lucky one the cameras hone in on”,
“will I be used by SKY as the face of the protest”,
“maybe one or more of the national papers will use my photo in their match report”, “what do I wear to be picked ahead of that guy who dresses up as a pirate”,
“maybe AFTV will interview me, or even let me stand in the background as they interview their usual idiots”,
“if lucky and the camera gets a good pic of me on TV I might be able to screenshot myself to put up as my avi on Twitter, I will be famous”
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well steww when its clear he was frustrated by it during the game I do, Wenger has many times explained how important a good tempo is to our play being successful. Also I’m one of those that believes that much of what wenger says in the media is actually for the players to hear, not just the things like tempo etc, but when he talks them up, he is trying to make them believe in themselves more when he talks about character, quality, class etc.
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isn’t it odd that the 3 main groups organizing the protest today actually have not got the guts to either agree on the target of their protest or admit that Wenger Out is the target. They even try to deny Wenger is the target, it really is a one size fits all protest.
So if you are unhappy
at ticket prices,
non islington residents getting tickets,
the owner,
the board,
the manager,
the coaches,
the players,
the kit,
the kit man,
supporters who support the club no matter what
that we have not won the league this year,
that the emirates cup is off this summer,
that for the first time in 20 years spurs might finish above us,
that other clubs are more successful than us,
that they are just not happy with their lives,
then this is the protest for you
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Well my big day is here guys and much as I would have preferred us to be competing for the title at this stage of the campaign, that we are not has worked out in my favor with the easier availability of tickets. The likelihood that I might see and hear a few malcontents will in no way dampen my support; only confirm my long held belief that it is our own stupidity as human beings that partially explains some hardships and deprivations many peoples and societies have experienced. The fact that we are the fourth biggest club financially in England constantly punching at or above our weight is now cause to deprecate and undermine the achievements of our greatest ever manager will perplex any historian 100 years from now. The bankers demanded that Wenger remain for at least 5-years when they financed the stadium project, once he leaves one can be sure they will stiffen their loan terms to mitigate the medium to long -term risks. Only the enemies of Arsenal in the mainstream media and their echo-chamber of bloggers and podcasters will be happy to take us down the road of uncertainty, well traveled by Liverpool and Everton and Newcastle. They conveniently forget to mention the PL tombstones of Leeds, Blackburn, Bolton etc who have no chance of an early return to the League as they toil in the championships and even lower.
Steww recognizes that only a few positivistas remain strong and steadfast but most of us are old enough to know that we will be proven right in due time, one way or the other.
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That, Shotta, is the reply. Thanks.
Have a great day.
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stew. Wonderful stuff. Thank goodness there are others who appreciate how the anti-AFC media are being successful in their campaign and more importantly how they are ruining our enjoyment of a life-long passion.
I don’t know who I dislike more – the so-called Arsenal fans who make an in-ground protest during the game or the hacks who ignite their futile, impotent rage. Shame and a pox on them all.
I am tribal. My tribe is Arsenal.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgPGTWPiMzc
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Dein says Wegner has a phrase about the football he wants AFC to play
“Possession with progression”
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Eddie Nketiah has so far scored 2 goals v spurs U18’s today, 2-1, that makes it 23 goals in 20+8 games for the him in the U18 league this season. He really is an outstanding finisher
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Holy fuck, Trevor sinclair making excuses for Delli Alli punching the WBA player.
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Nketiah has just scored his third and its 3-1 to AFC after 53 minutes – 24th goal of the season for him.
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Proud to be in the bunker with you guys, although I am embarrassed to say I shall be at a very different contest this afternoon as am taking my daughter to see Surrey Storm play in the semi-final of the Netball cup. Its also on Sky, so perhaps I should hold up my banner….
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the U18 game is now 3-3, Nketiah with all 3 AFC goals, and two of spurs goals have been own goals, Osei-Tutu and Da Graca the unlucky defenders to put through their own goal. about 5 minutes left.
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U18s FT: Arsenal 3-3 Spurs
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good article on hooliganism of the 80’s and why it can not be allowed to develope again
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4740818.ece
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Hi positivistas, keep up the good work! And most importantly enjoy your game. Because as long as you do, you are the winner. As for the wobs, what ever love they claim to hold for arsenal, it got nothing to do with football. Maybe once but not anymore. And the sad fuckers probably don’t realise it themselves.
COYG
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Great stuff, Stew, and proud to be in the bunker with you and the rest of this fine group. I’m going to mute my TV today, and enjoy the football. If we win, I’ll be ecstatic. If we lose, I’ll be sad. And then I’ll be back again next week for more. And I’ll support the team and manager as best I can from a distance by posting positive things on whatever online platform I choose to use. Because that’s what supporters do. End of.
Enjoy your day, Shotta! And smack anyone who tries to hand you a protest sign over the head with it. Come on you Gunners!
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Sutton @sutton_01 3h3 hours ago
Fans shouldn’t hold up banners today, they should hold up mirrors and take a good long look at themselves.
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Out for a Corner @OutforaCorner 1h1 hour ago
Important message for people attending today’s #timeforchange protest: at half-time Arsenal will be staging a football match.
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Steve Gooner @Merse10 35m35 minutes ago
“I’m Arsenal til I die, I’m Arsenal til I die, unless we don’t win the league for a bit, I know I am, I’m sure I am, I’m arsenal til I die”
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wait for the whinging over Campbell not being in the squad today
santi is back in the squad
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Out for a Corner @OutforaCorner 1h1 hour ago
The irony of a protest organised by a group whose stated purpose is “to improve the atmosphere in the stadium”. #misguided
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what a shower of cunts the banner boys are, they have been chanting “Arsene Wenger we’ll be happy when you die in May”
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I have zero leaflets or banners
I have no protests or sign of protests
I have seen a lot of drinking in Bank of Friendship
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nice to see Santi back COYG
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funniest thing I’ve seen in a while, oh the iriony
REDaction Gooners@REDactionAFC
Group of Arsenal fans who work to improve the atmosphere in the stadium. Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
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As always glad tis blog is still here going strong!
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Dortmund fans held up placards today, with a message for their captain Mats Hummells,
“The captain is leaving the ship. Sooner the better”
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5 minutes – Cech with a fine save
arsenal have started slowing, norwich pressing well.
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9 minutes – Iwobi shoots across the face of goal after neat build up play
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10 minutes – Giroud a bit slow to shoot and has his shot blocked, after good build up play from Alexis and Ozil
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looks like the vast majority have not joined in with the A4 protest
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13 minutes – norwich shot from distance straight at Cech
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14 minutes – one arsene wenger song loud and proud
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16 minutes – Iwobi heavily involved in a sustained attacking move
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JB™ @gunnerpunner 8m8 minutes ago
You can take your Twitter opinions and shove them up your bum. Crowd sentiment is very very clear.
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24 minutes – a volleyed pass by iwobi is overhit for alexis
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27 minutes – norwich player down injured after fullblooded tackle by Koscielny
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Paddy Power @paddypower 5m5 minutes ago
A truly rousing protest at the Emirates… (via @JournoRob)
ha ha ha ha
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31 minutes – elneny shot deflected out for a corner
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