Today began well enough, ice on the windscreen answered to the scraper without undue recalcitrance and the breakfast was possibly one of my finest efforts. I like breakfast. In another life I’d like to be a breakfast chef I think. Then sadness as I turned the final page of the Shepherd’s Crown, a book I’d put off reading for too long. I hadn’t actually wanted to start it, my rationale being that if I didn’t open it then I would always live in a world where there was one more Terry Pratchett book still to read. Now there aren’t any.
Then I just sat here, sipping coffee and contemplating my day. A day in the shed I decided. Stripping and cleaning the parts of my bike until they shone and then carefully reassembling them, all the while hoping there wouldn’t be too many bits left over when I’d finished. Suddenly, into this blissful calm, a thought crashed like an overweight burglar through a thin conservatory roof.
Oh bloody hell there’s another game tonight.
Then a second, follow up thought, like the burglar’s bag full of crowbars and swag bounced off my brain.
They’ll be expecting a blog.
Luckily enough just the idea of a match is enough to set the pulse beating a little faster. Even though I’ve barely had time to digest the semi final, here I am slipping once more into the bath of anticipation, the suds of expectancy tickling my nose, the rubber duck of excitement bobbing with suddenly renewed vigour.
This may not be as mouth watering a prospect as mega rich Manchester City with a cup final place at stake but a match in prospect and one with much still riding upon it. Or perhaps I should qualify that with the word potentially.
There are a few ifs and buts still about the final league positions but with only half a dozen games to go the margins are becoming increasingly narrow. I think it’s fair to say we can’t afford any more unexpectedly poor performances. Not if we still have aspirations for a top four finish. Even Europa league football isn’t a given – as bizarre as that may sound to us.
There’s a reason for the confusion and anguish experienced by Arsenal fans at going into the closing overs of the season in seventh place. Quite simply the astonishing success of Arsène Wenger in consistently delivering top four finishes for so very long has seen a generation grow up knowing nothing else. Serve people gourmet food for twenty odd years and they are bound to be confused if their supper suddenly comes from Burger King.
Any road up, it is what it is and we must make the best of it. I have really enjoyed watching Arsène’s response to the mini crisis in our league position. Ringing the tactical changes strikes me as anything but desperation, nor is it necessarily a masterful display of footballing knowledge. I think its man management, pure and simple.
The players were losing confidence, they were beginning to doubt themselves and if he’d kept on sending them out in the same formation with similar instructions things might have gotten much, much worse. Instead he shook things up, he said to them, look you’re obviously unhappy how things are so don’t worry, this is different, you’re in a new environment now. The old one wasn’t working properly and now that’s gone you can breathe again. With a few tweaks he ensured we had five at the back when ever we needed and big numbers up front when the chance arose. But the change itself is what the boys needed and haven’t they responded well?
Of course this is merely my amateur interpretation of events but like the all the best wild, unsubstantiated theories it at least appears to be born out by the facts. With Aaron and Granit getting to know one another, Gabriel in imperious form and Holding little short of a revelation I can see no reason not to be optimistic, not just for tonight but for all of our remaining fixtures.
We of course have some hugely difficult games to come and there are no guarantees but we’ve seen enough to enjoy at least a burgeoning hope that the team can end with a flourish – and who knows? Maybe even a trophy for the old cabinet.
But I am getting ahead of myself. First and foremost there is the small matter of the reigning champions who visit the Emirates this evening a mere three days after our heroics at Wembley. With the new formation still bedding in I would hope not to see too many changes but there must be tired legs in the squad – especially after playing extra time on Sunday. I have yet to see the statistics but we seemed to be doing a heck of a lot of chasing which is an exercise in resource depletion if ever there was one.
So with the dark clouds behind us and exciting new possibilities for the future springing up with every successful game it looks like we can sit back and enjoy the rest of what has been a turbulent, unpredictable season. Having done my duty to the blog I must don the rubber gloves and get to it, after all a shed is no more special than any other structure without a man fiddling, pottering, cursing and relaxing in it. I’m particularly excited today because I’m expecting delivery of my new Derailleur Alignment Gauge, a tool the very existence of which I hadn’t suspected up until a couple of days ago. Truly we live in interesting times.
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Stew, in a different way tonight’s game as important as Sunday’s contest. It is ages since I was at the Ems so very much on tenterhooks today. One great advantage we have is a squad stuffed with quality so even if a couple of our players are feeling the effects of Sunday we have excellent replacements on hand.
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Morning Stew, Andrew, everyone.
Ooh a Derailleur Alignment Gauge – sounds like something the noisy neighbours in Middlesex could do with!
Must admit I wish MY wild, unsubstantiated theories could occasionally be backed up with the facts but the facts are, this is another peach of a Pre-Matcher!
Thank you.
Must confess I’m still luxuriating in Sunday’s foamy bath of excitement and have no plans to re-emerge until the water of expectation has turned quite cold.
No, I didn’t expect us to beat Citeh although I certainly hoped we would. Where the hell did that performance come from? A re-unified dressing room perhaps?
But enough of my wild theorising. Suffice to say the next two weeks – dammit, the next two years – may have a huge determinant effect on where the club will end up, long-term.
Starting tonight – COYG’s!!
*Sinks back into bath
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Ho Ho Ho
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Unlike the last Terry Pratchett book read, I’m happy knowing there’s still a few chapters left from Stew’s Arsenal novel to look forward to. And boy does it have all the elements of best of a bestseller thus far. Just Magnificent!
I love the cricket analogy, if I may add to it; to reach top 4 Arsenal need 24 runs of the final over with a few big hitters still the shed. However we cant rely on their reputation alone, we need a combination of 1/2 bad balls and equally poor fielding from our opponents to get us over the line.
Each game is the proverbial final and tonight’s one could no doubt turn into another memorable contest. They can play those Leicester boys if they are in the mood.
COYG!
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Thanks Steww. Just in case your gauge gives you uphill, there’s a video here to help
https://www.bikerumor.com/2014/11/19/review-abbey-bike-tools-nearly-perfect-hanger-alignment-gauge/
Not being a cyclist, (but bloody good on my walker) I’m still not sure why it needed inventing but as long as it keeps you safely on the bike, I’m all for it. Great article again.
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That’s the one gf60 – the final piece in the jigsaw (I hope) to getting smooth consistent gear changes.
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When we were Boring
April 26, 2017 at 2:38 am
Why do people keep saying that football is a contact sport,Boxing, Martial Arts, American Football,Aussie rules and Rugby are sports that are contact is a prerequisite. There is no part in the laws that allows for contact.
In fact contact in football is a punishable offence.
The contact in football is incidental .
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so wenger once again implies that Vardy turned Arsenal down cos he could not guarantee him he would be automatic first choice striker.
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Wenger’s comments on Oxlade-Chamberlain were interesting. He said wingback suits ox at the moment cos ox finds it much easier to perform well when he is facing play and can run at opponents from a little deeper, that he finds it easier than taking the ball further up the pitch but with his back to goal and closely marked, and having to first turn and then start to run at the defense
Wenger also said wingback is only a temporary move for the lad, and that central midfield is where ox long term career is, and just like with others before him, playing in different wide positions will help mould him into a better all round central midfielder.
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Charles WattsVerified account @charles_watts 34m34 minutes ago
RB Leipzig, Sevilla and Benfica now confirmed for this year’s Emirates Cup.
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Newcastle raided by Inland Revenue officers too
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some reports suggest that FA rules could see both West Ham and Newcastle deducted points if found guilty of tax fraud. might see one relegated and the other not promoted
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Just seen Anthony Taylor is to be Cup Final Ref, Riley taking no chances
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Seriously think we should appeal, start a petition, after the so called push/shove incident when he was 4th Official he should be nowhere near such a big game involving Arsenal
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Great news about Anthony Taylor. Not.
I have often wondered how much provocation a stadium-present fanbase can take from referees who spend 90 minutes taking the piss. At the Emirates I’ve no doubt a certain fear of being banned from the stadium holds many disgruntled/absolutely-f*****n-livid fans in check. Away from home the fans are often successfully corralled one way or another, away from the pitch and again, fear of being blacklisted possibly plays a part in maintaining order.
Wonder if all the above is true of Wembley?
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One wonders how West Ham’s novel business model would stack up in the face of relegation. They get zero revenue from their gates (as I understand it) and relegation would see a potentially catastrophic decline in TV money. Would they ever get back up?
Do we have the next Leeds United on our hands?
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It was likely to be Taylor or Oliver for the FA Cup final. If you look at the stats we have a good record with Taylor of games and points won. Assuming Arsene can manage to not tell him to “fuck off” and not push the official I reckon it is a good pick.
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Another tasty Post, Steww, thank you.
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Eduardo @ 11:56 – re-posting When we were Borings’s earlier comment / complaint about non-contact in football. (soccer).
Actually, technically, it is not correct to say that football is a contactless sport.
The shoulder charge (also colloquial known as barging) when applied correctly is perfectly legal. The best reference is to look up Law 12.
I am now going before Anicoll tells me I do not know what I am talking about, again. lol
Sayonara.
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Well, I’m back as Anicoll has been a little dilatory in taking me to task, and here is the relevant Law 12 wording.
Careless, reckless, using excessive force
“Careless” means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution.
• No further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless
“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.
• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned
“Using excessive force” means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent.
• A player who uses excessive force must be sent off
Charging an opponent
The act of charging is a challenge for space using PHYSICAL CONTACT within playing distance of the ball without using arms or elbows.
It is an offence to charge an opponent:
• in a careless manner
• in a reckless manner
• using excessive force [SEE ABOVE]
OK – pushing my luck now — colour me gone! lol
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He’s not looking is he? lol
I owe it to Arsene to say this.
Yesterday, I am not sure enough was said about AW’s part in the shenanigans surrounding the desire to move from Highbury to the Emirates, and the pass the parcel nature of the shareholdings which made Dein, Fiszman’s estate, and the other members of the then Arsenal shareholding families into very wealthy people – all except Peter Hill-Wood and his family. To be fair, my comment relates mainly to myself, as I just took it as read that AW was consulted at each stage by all of the ‘combatants’.
AW supported the move, helped design the Emirates, gave his total loyalty to the club, and steered the ensuing teams to the top echelons of the Premiership and the CL, with barely any money to spend.
It disappoints me that so many people now scream vulgarities at him to leave, and then say they are doing so to protect the club by pointing out he is deluded, dictatorial, past it, does not care about the fans, and is only interested in forcing his own failing attacking philosophy onto the club and, by doing so, also onto those self same demanding fans.
He still is, and has been, an exceptional man and manager who has taken the brickbats on himself to protect others, not least some of the players.
His intellect and integrity outstrips all of us, and in 20 years time, Arsenal fans of a different generation will look back and wish they had known him in his pomp.
He is that special.
Footnote: I have often wished that Arsene had retired or ‘moved upstairs’ some 3 years ago when the hysterical winds of change started to blow with renewed vigour through the stands of the Emirates. Not because I subscribed to the anthems of hate, or because I hankered after a new more vigorous manager, though there were times I did not know why things were going whoops-a-daisy just when we seemed we had turned the corner, but my simple rationale for wanting AW to retire was that I hated seeing the trauma he was going thru, in a way I would not have wanted my father to go thru that, and instead, I wanted him to go in a blaze of glory, and leave those of us who supported him wanting more.
How dare some people say he does not care — were they not watching his heartfelt scream of delight when the final whistle blew in the FA Cup semi-final?
The world of football seems to be going to hell in a handcart – just like the rest of the world, too.
There – I have had my say – you can come and get me now, Anicoll, my friend! lol
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Henry thinks only Alexis would make the combined Spurs/ AFC 11. The man is a complete fuckwit.
Legend? Pfft.
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Yes I saw that, clickbait I thought. If he genuinely thinks that then he should get nowhere near coaching and management at Arsenal in future.
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Thanks Steww.
I’m just a little bit envious. Many city grubbers don’t have space for a shed!
No offence to the fairer elements of this earth but men in sheds form one of the foundations of all human civilisation (archaeologists may have discovered that Early Man used to carve out hidey holes for retreat into baobob trees)
–
After a long hard day snorting some gr*t and grime the buoyancy of Sunday has faded.
I’m ready for another round.
COYG.
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Simples Steww your brilliant COYG.
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Bejazus, not sure that team will get it done.
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No surprise to see those changes after ET (chambo with a niggle)
Hopefully Strong in D-Fence and there’s plenty of heavy armour piercing artillery available if required. Iwobi perhaps unlucky to not get a start, he’ll probably come on at some point (chambo, niggle…).
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I would not say a word different Henry – the man is a giant in a business made up of midgets.
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Poor Henry – the same recycled copy year after year – like a fading comedian with an Alan Partridge haircut
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*Winter not B
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I knew that, anicoll, thank you! lol
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very odd that we don’t have a central defender on the bench, especially considering we have monreal in the back 3 tonight. wonder why holding is out
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Bean and mushroom chilli with French fries for my watching the match feast. Let’s hope Arsene serves up something spicy to go with it.
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For the record the physios and physicians and medics classify football as a semi-contact sport.
A contactless sport is different.
In football your not allowed to take a twenty yard run up and then bravely elbow someone in the back of the head (Been that way for about 150 years), unless your the Arsenal playing against mike Riley.
But you are allowed to barge.
That’s where the historical form(style) of Argie-Barrie comes from, which can be seen in other older traditions from the older era of the sport (when climate was more relevant). It’s what AFC mastered on Sunday the old bargie (no West Brom / Gasprom style hacking), the AFC defenders had previously developed grabbing and barging techniques that we could all see last season before the new guidelines came in.
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Run from Gibbs – great pass from Granit
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Theo close…..
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Another amazing pass from Granit to Mesut this time.
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This has been a heck of a half of football. Hope part two is as good.
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Hello?
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Hi… am reading since am not watching… can hardly add anything… reading BBC live
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HT: Arsenal 0-0 Leicester city
afc have almost totally dominated possession, but have so far had one shot on target, and one shot off the bar, leicester have come close to scoring two or three times themselves.
Xhaka has been outstanding and alexis has been woeful, move after move has broken down at his feet.
ozil has been well in the game, but not enough from alexis or walcott so far, bellerin and gibbs well involved too.
badly missing a target man, need either giroud or welbeck on in the second half. could do with ramsey or ox on for coquelin who has been poor
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the stadium seems to have a heck of a lot of empty seats tonight
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Well, I enjoyed that immensely. Fabulous attacking football with the opposition always looking to break which adds spice to the whole thing.
We’ve played some great short stuff, some amazing long passes, brought their keeper and the woodwork into play. It has been brilliant.
If you only look at the scoreline maybe you have an excuse to be a little disappointed but if you actually like watching a really good football match then you can have no complaints whatsoever.
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Ryan @RyanTomes 3m3 minutes ago
Wanyama should have seen a second yellow, Jon “I hate Xhaka” Moss gives him a cuddle & a pat on the back then let’s him carry on playing.
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steww several of our players are well under par tonight, and we have had one shot on target, and one hit the bar, that is a poor return for the amount of possession and attacking play we have had. Wenger would call it possession without penetration
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Gibbs off, Welbeck on
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Bandog @Bandoguk 5m5 minutes ago
I don’t think Tony Gale has said one good thing about us today.
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15 minutes left, Giroud on for Walcott, and Ramsey on for Coquelin
come on Arsenal
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