Arsenal fans are being taken for a ride, and it’s about time it stopped.
Or so might scream the headlines of click-hungry websites, desperate to boost their numbers by appealing to one of the largest on-line fan bases in world football. Cue then a predictable and oft-repeated article about the highest prices, the weaknesses in defence, the absence of a striker, the failure to add a single outfield player last season, the reluctance of Arsene Wenger to spend money and the absent owner’s clear intention to disregard the down-trodden fans and treat the club as his own personal cash cow. I have seen or heard it a thousand times, so relentless is this particular narrative from the BBC, Sky, BT Sport, most of the newspapers and countless blogs and tweets. I sometimes wonder what comes first: the TV view, the newspapers or the grass-root reaction. Maybe they just fuel each other symbiotically, but the end result remains much the same; a large portion of the global fan base is encouraged to think they are being hard-done by, and were it not for the greed, senility and foreignness of Kroenke, Gazidis and Wenger, all die-hard Gooners would once again have something to cheer about. Just how many times do you need to be drip fed the view that your club lacks ambition, that your manager doesn’t do tactics and that your team lacks leaders before you begin to believe it?
I’d be inclined to believe it myself if I hadn’t at some stage in my life been taught to think for myself, and if I hadn’t spent many, many years playing, coaching and watching sport. But just to clear up a few obvious points, signings such as Ozil, Sanchez and Xhaka, the stadium move and the reinvestment in the Colney set-up seem at odds with an unambitious approach, while the claim that a Wenger team is a tactic-free zone is hardly borne out by the most recent season’s second place finish, or indeed, the remarkable and successful consistency of the last 20 years. As for the lack of leadership, I would suggest that few outside the dressing room could know the truth of that, but again the league placing and the recent lengthy cup-run that took in two trophies along the way, not to mention a couple of Community Shields, suggests that at least occasionally one or two players have stood up to be counted and suggested to their team mates that they might care to do the same.
In fact, it is entirely possible to look at the last four years and conclude that they have seen real progress with a brand new squad being assembled and tangible playing success to point to. Indeed, those with some knowledge of the club’s finances might even go so far as to suggest that this progress coincides with the financial burden of affording the new stadium being significantly eased due to new commercial deals and more eclectic off-field revenue streams. I can’t claim to be a typical supporter because I don’t know what you have to be to be typical, but from where I stand the team is doing pretty well and there seems much to look forward to. Having said all of that I found last season frustrating because we didn’t perform as consistently brilliantly as we might have done, but the reasons for that seemed clear to me. And it is those reasons, which I found obvious, and yet which so few seemed to acknowledge, that led me to the conclusion that the fans are being taken for a ride – or taken for idiots by those that control the press.
You see, whenever I watch our games I am struck by what seem to me obvious facts. The first is that in all but a few games we dominate possession, and are frequently faced with packed defences. Finding a way through professional sides set up to defend is not easy, but more often than not we do find a way. But sometimes it requires a bit of luck, or a moment of outrageous skill, or for a defender to make a mistake and give away a penalty. In fact, you might suppose that when so much of the play is focussed on and inside the opposition penalty areas that that might happen fairly often, especially in home games. Leicester, runway winners of the League last season, were awarded 13 penalties, but Arsenal only received 2, neither of which were at home. Supporters of all teams tend to think that their side is on the wrong end of decisions, but it did surprise me that the press and pundits seemed so little interested in this seemingly anomalous statistic. And despite the inevitably biased way I watch The Arsenal I am constantly amazed at how much leeway is given to opponents when it comes to foul play, and how little to our own players – but I am even more amazed at the silence of those paid to give informed opinion on the game when it comes to reviewing the way the games pan out. Easier I suppose to concentrate on a defensive error (which feeds the can’t defend, no spine narrative) or a glaring miss (fuelling the Arsenal need a striker story) than run a feature on the cynical rotational fouling practised on a regular basis against us that blunts momentum and saps the spirit. As I may have mentioned before, tactics based on foul play can only succeed with the collusion of the match officials: swift and appropriate cards awarded quickly nip rotational fouling in the bud. Either referees are being duped, or they are deliberately turning a blind eye, perhaps in the interests of “game management” to preserve the robust and competitive nature of the Premier League. Again, what surprises me is the silence on the issue from the journalists.
If rotational fouling blunts a team’s momentum, then injuries are even more damaging for a side looking to build up a head of steam. Arsenal certainly haven’t had much luck on that front recently, and the season just gone was no exception. While there are some persuasive arguments to imply that the club is in some way culpable for these injuries, there are also valid points of view that suggest liberal officiating also plays its part. But perhaps the strongest argument of all is the one that says given the absence of Cazorla, Gibbs, Coquelin, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Alexis, Wilshere and Welbeck for significant parts of the season the team did remarkably well to finish second in the league, progress to the knock-out stages of the proper European tournament and the last eight in the FA Cup. Again, my interest is in how little this view is advanced by those supposedly in the know, and I wonder why that is the case. I am not suggesting that excuses be made, but am suggesting that it is disingenuous for press and pundits to claim the side lacks direction, fight and leaders when so many first-choice players have been side-lined. It seems at best a strange oversight, at worst a cynical manipulation of the truth to give a view that the club is somehow clueless.
Throw in other oft-repeated distortions such as the highest ticket prices (some are, most aren’t) and the lack of investment by the owners (really?) and an artificial picture emerges of a complacent and greedy club, a tactically naïve group of pampered players and a manager long-past his sell by date. It is propaganda pure and simple and the sadness is that it spoils the enjoyment of fans who perhaps otherwise might derive great pleasure from seeing their side compete so successively (more times than not) at the very highest level – and also maybe creates an atmosphere of negativity and mistrust among the very supporters who the side most relies on to create the buzzing home atmosphere that is worth several points a season. You only have to compare the relative treatments of Liverpool and Arsenal (although you could easily throw Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs into that equation) by the press to see the difference. Arsenal could (and perhaps should) be held up as a magnificent example of a well-run club that has consistently over-performed over the last 20 years. You might expect all those who care about the game to do just that.
But it isn’t and they don’t. And I am left wondering why.
Positively Arsenal 
France have Scotland on the floor at the moment. 3-0 down and Scotland are almost out of rope.
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Koscielny with the last touch. Arsenal 3 Scotland 0
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Arsenal boys doing France proud Tonight!
The joy for Giroud to be highest goal scorer and player of tournament for me will be palpable!
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3-0 to Arsenal bs the Jocks. Oops I mean France.
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Ed, that first question about buying players was I think from that Moh fella from ATV he asks the same question every year but in a different format.
TBH Ivan is polished and can cope with far worse than he got yesterday
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passenal, we are told the guy Vardy shouted at, is from Asia or that region, does anyone know where, could he possibly be actually from Japan, and if so, is calling him Jap a racist slur, if so then isn’t calling someone from austrailia an aussie also a racist slur, but it seems no one has a problem with that,
anicol makes an interesting point, is it the intent or the words that make a comment racist. Is someones ignorance of what is PC, a reason to be labeled a racist. Why is certain words deemed racist depending on who or what race of person says the words.
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Its as simple as this, someone is racist if they think their colour makes them superior to another.
That’s my simplistic take on it anyway.
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You don’t have to be racist to make a racist comment. Racism is ignorance and some of the nicest people in the world have said or done something Racist. The thing is it is difficult to go through life without offending people, but as a human race we should try however difficult that may be.
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what is it about being a football supporter that makes even mature well educated men lose the run of themselves, when it comes to their club, this evening I was talking to a LFC fan, in his mid fifties, married, 3 children, he, his wife and all 3 kids well educated, in all dealings with him, he has always seemed like a sensible guy, but this evening we talked likely transfers for both AFC and LFC, when it came to AFC he actually was level headed and reasonable, but when ti came to his club, Liverpool, I mentioned that there was reports that Couthino was reported to be a target for PSG, and in all seriousness he said, “with Klopp as manager we have a good chance of replacing Couthino with Messi”.
so what is it that makes grown men act like 10 year olds and believe that nothing is beyond them.
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ianspace2014June 4, 2016 at 11:20 pm
You don’t have to be racist to make a racist comment
that is kind of my point re Vardy, he has been labeled a racist, due to a comment that may or may not have been racist, does it mean he is a racist, or just a yob, also as, I think it was shotta, said, not making a racist comment does not mean someone who has racist beliefs is not a racist, and someone who makes a racist comment may very well not be a racist.
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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10304468/jamie-vardy-wants-to-join-arsenal-says-olivier-giroud?
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Arsenal @ffarsenalfc 7h7 hours ago
Mad how a few weeks ago Vardy was one of the best strikers in the league but now he’s coming to Arsenal he’s ‘old’ and a ‘one season wonder’
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great comment on the malcontents views on Ramsey’s change of hairstyle
Leo@_LS87_
@kmwood02 it’s not the hair they hate, it’s the self confidence he’s shown by doing it. They haven’t ground him down like they wanted
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Can virtually guarantee that if Chelsea, Man U or Liverpool had signed Vardy the press would hail it as an outstanding piece of business. If he does come to us what I will like most is how much everyone will hate it. Make no mistake this is a masterstroke by AW that may well have been in the pipeline for some time.
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there were rumors last summer that we inquired for Vardy, maybe he is another one we have tracked for more than a year before doing the deal.
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foreverheady its not just the press, so many Arsenal fans are acting in the very same way, we are linked with Gundogan and its “why sign another injury prone player when someone like Xhaka is available”, sign Xhaka and its “why choose him over Gundogan”. We are linked with Morata and its “why go for a guy for £40M who only scores 4 goals a season, when a striker proven in the BPL like Vardy is available”, We sign Vardy and its “why go for a 29 year old one season wonder and not a top class young striker like Morata, always the cheap option by Wenger”
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Any act that results in Gary Linekar bleating has got to be for the greater good.
That also induces has the kind of hack dwarves who write reams against the club all the time to pen headlines like “Vardy fairy tale will not end happily at Arsenal” (um, pelanties!) weeks after they were all ramming the line “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (it wasn’t or isn’t) down the ears and orifices of the readers and listeners:
We’ve got to laugh. It’ll get even funnier when Vardy gets the “Eduardo” treatment.
I can’t wait. You didn’t read it hear first (probably you’ve all already heard that hilarious joke that’s already been made a bazillion times I can’t imagine why)
It’s also a signing straight out of the Arsene Vulture handbook. However, in order to admit that one would have to acknowledge why and how the club operate, why the club have been operating (since before AW arrived at the club, whilst acknowledging that there have been one or two agents, just the one really, who’ve had their merry way with the club) in a completely different market (no Mendes, to my understanding amongst others) to many if not most other clubs. Don’t hold your breath, you won’t be seeing that story anytime soon.
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“Wrong type of striker”
We all saw Arsenal play some of their best football last season when Walcott was in form and playing with Alexis. Which is no slur on the French striker who we all suspect is going to be better for France then Benze-meh has ever been, who pulled of that amazing back heeled goal yesterday (it’s what happens when you play with the likes of Cazorla).
We also can’t ignore the combinations between Walcott and Giroud (especially before Walcott started playing slightly different roles, before his big injury)
And, people who think that Welbeck might not be quicker then Walcott from a standing start need to start paying attention to the footy. Welbeck is really, well, let’s just say he is quick.
The signing makes sense to me in relation to the massive setbacks for Welbeck who has impressed all I speak with: if and when by the time he hopefully rehabilitates his strength and stamina (a season and a half from now?) he’ll be ready to crossover with the older striker.
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Yup. Giroud has a better goal scoring record from France then Benze-meh.
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reports this morning that Dick Law is in Germany in talks for another Arsenal signing, Mkhitaryan the early favorite, but maybe its the finishing touches on the Ricardo Rodriguez deal
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yes fins, and did you see that outstanding finish from Giroud last night v Scotland, the haters will probably say he was trying to control it and got lucky.
Giroud gave an interview after the game last night, where he talked about Vardy joining, and what struck me was how genuine he seemed to want JV signed, how he was, as usual, putting the good of the team and the club, before his own self.
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Benze 89 caps 27 goals
Giroooo 49 caps 17 goals
And as Gains said during the last World Cup, France would’ve been better off playing Giroud up top then benzema. I suspect that now he’s got the shirt, and is fit, that he’ll perform better then benzemeh has ever done in a tournament.
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For someone of an Anglo Saxon background to call an Ozzie an Ozzie is not racist, after all they are referring to their distant cousins. However if they are referring to a native Australian or even if an Ozzie colonist refers to a native in such an abusive tone, then yes, that is ‘racism’ or an expression of (tribal) bigotry and prejudice.
Let’s not riddle ourselves in polemical gibberish.
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Most obviously Leicester but also noticeably Southampton and Swansea have all been operating in that alternative market.
How do we explain the airbrushing of this understanding out of the narrative?
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I had almost forgotten – the big contest gets underway this week – Dr Eva Carniero v (1) Chelsea Football Club and (2) Jose Mourinho is scheduled to start tomorrow at 10.00 in Croydon.
(Rubs hands together in keen anticipation)
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One should not forget, the transfer of Nicolas Anelka, the replacement for Ian Wright!
On the 27th January 2000, the Arsenal took out a mortgage on the transfer of the said Anelka to Real Madrid. The transfer took place on the 1st July 1999, for £26.25 millions, according to Transfermarkt.
By 1st July 2000, Anelka was transferred to Paris SG, for £25.88 millions, again based on Transfermarkt..
David Suker, from Real Madrid, as a make-weight, for £4.05 millions. Within a year, a free transfer to West Ham!
By 11th July 2002, according to David Miles, and the Declaration of Mortgage satisfaction was completed, and a transfer agreement had been made between the clubs on the 4th August 1999.
Caution with a new player’s registration is essential. Remember, Anelka , Suker, and Transfermarkt?
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I’m told that the Vardy to Arsenal deal is off, we insulted him by only agreeing to pay LCFC his release clause of £20M, and not the £30M or more that they would have been happier with.
isn’t that how clubs are meant to do it in regards release clauses,
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Paddy @VieiraPaddy 3m3 minutes ago
Vardy has a simple decision to make. He can either continue playing with Kante and Mahrez, or he can stay at Leicester
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Passenal, sorry to leave you here to fight the good fight alone. You and I seem to be the only ones to find Vardy objectionable. I will, of course, get over it, but I do find the dismissiveness with which our concerns are treated to be disturbing. I’m perfectly capable of liking or disliking players all on my own, thank you very much. I don’t need to be lectured about the dangers of putting them up on a pedestal. People disappoint you all the time, as I’ve seen in the last few days. I’m a grownup. I can take it.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that. I hope he scores shed loads of goals for us, assuming he arrives.
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AlabamaG..
Am also not keen on him truth be told…. One transfer I will not miss
Seems only the gals are on this side though…
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Is that right?
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Passenal, Kelly & team spirit,
I’ve written about Vardy, racism, Bowyer, Barton, Souleymane and Mohammed Ali several times yesterday. I apologise for not having the guts to press “Post Comment”.
Despite any supposed relevance I am not going to share.
I very much appreciate your contributions, though.
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I don’t know if any of you seen Jonker’s interview on Arsenal Player discussing the developments at the Hale End Academy, but he was asked if he would be here to see the overhaul completed, and he basically said he would be here for years to come, that you do not take on his role at a club for one or two years, you commit for the long term.
http://player.arsenal.com/videos/7910/-the-reconstruction-s-brought-us-up-to-date
he also done a nice interview about Iwobi
http://player.arsenal.com/videos/7912/-iwobi-has-surprised-us-all
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“Jose Mourinho facing at least a day of questions about Eva Carneiro at employment tribunal, reveals her lawyer.”
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Carneiro QC says she heard “clearly” the Portuguese for “daughter of a whore”. “You say ‘filha da puta’ when you’re denigrating a woman.”
Chelsea legal team: “These Portuguese swear words, as the English swear words, need to be seen in context.”
MMMMMWWHHHAHHAHAHHHhhh….
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Whilst I do get excited about a genuine and completed transfer. All of this talk does just mean closed doors to me. Surely if we are getting a striker and another attacking player it’s the end of Walcott. Also far less time for the Ox to prove himself. Iwobi is going to struggle for time. Gnabry is out of luck and we can probably kiss good bye to any further academy graduations.
I like the old model I just wanted it to deliver trophies. *Sigggghhhhhh
How sweet would that have been?
I get the feeling that things are going fully Alexis and Ozil. Rather than those players complimenting developed diamonds in the rough. Hope I’m wrong.
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Ben Rumsby @ben_rumsby 2h2 hours ago
Carneiro QC says she heard “clearly” the Portuguese for “daughter of a whore”. “You say ‘filha da puta’ when you’re denigrating a woman.”
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Richard Conway @richard_conway 2h2 hours ago
Dr Eva Carneiro’s skeletal legal argument to employment tribunal thus begins…
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The Vardy deal is much like the vampire deal the other year while my head says it will probably improve or squad, I want ARSENAL players I can love. They don’t have to be lovely and fluffy but if their going to be nasty players then I would rather they be our nasty players like frimmers.
Our PR team don’t really do themselves any favours the longer this is drawn out the more the critics will stand up and start grumbling.
I would welcome Vardy but he would be well down my list of players I want in red and white.
Oh and Ranetta your amongst friends here always press post comment if we disagree on here at least were nice about it
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Ed,
Equality Act 2010,
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I agree ianspace. I’ll accept it, what choice do we have. I’d have accepted Suarez. Doesn’t mean I have to take my interest for those players past the pitch. I can make it work for me because it’s a team sport and signing Vardy benefits the other 10 people he’d be on the pitch with.
Also, all this talk of the signing being “not very wenger”, is it just me or is this not a really unique situation. A high scorer was un-expected and because of this had a low buy out. Taking advantage of that is so Wenger.
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Not Wenger or even Venga but his cunning alter ego that infamous superhero Arsene Vulture, first revealed to us when an Arsene who’d had the chains removed (still some restraints) said to the assembled Hackery:
“Who is Cazorla”
It’s possible to consider that even the punt on Ade was a typical vulture signing, and it was. But it’s also fair to say that after the chains were removed that the old bird has been able to indulge a bigger appetite
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I’m no Vardy fan, ladies. I want him and Mahrez to stay at LFC. In fact ideally I wish LFC team remain intact to prove my prediction that they will finish outside the top four next season.
Oh, and Vardy is ugly, very ugly, too ugly to play for Arsenal….
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LFC=LCFC
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@ gp, yes… that is a good plan.. let them stay together…
breaking up will help with the myth that if they had stayed together..
i think that of our 2008 team that if they had stayed they would have gone on to be great.
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