(This blog is partially inspired by the 160,000+ Australian fans who showed their love for The Arsenal over two games in Sydney this past week. True love is based on shared values.)
Believe it or not football fans, July 1st is the official start of the new football year, at least in Europe. As of June 30th the books were closed on the old year. The turning of the calendar is the start of new beginnings. Players’ contracts expired or advanced one more year. So it did for many administrators and staff who survived the twists and turns of the previous season. Some may have already been collateral damage as owners engaged in the obligatory sacking of managers and their staff mid-season while others had to endure the pain of relegation knowing full well they would not survive the changed economic circumstances of their club.
In such a ruthless economic climate it is a wonder so many fans retain year-in, year out, that undying, innocent, enduring love of their professional football club. It seems to me that as of July 1st, most fans forget the pain, disappointments and frustrations of the past year and begin to look forward to a new year of hope and opportunity, in most cases, somewhat naively in my humble opinion. That is unless you are a bitter Wenger-outer who foresees a dark, bleak world until the Professor is sacked and a bright, new shiny manager is appointed who will immediately outspend United, City and Chelsea and lead Arsenal to a glorious, golden future of unchallenged success in both Premier and Champion’s Leagues.
Apart from such nonsensical delusions by the Wenger-haters, the vast majority of Arsenal fans remain proverbial optimists, ever hopeful that the club will challenge for the title next season. I happen to be among them despite cultivating the image (successfully I hope) of a cold, dispassionate analyst who despairs at our falling possession stats, lack of chances created from midfield, etc.
During my recent vacation, when I finally emerged from the 9-month football bubble that is the Premier League season, I discovered that such optimism is not shared by the average non-Arsenal football fan. In fact, those who are aware of my voluntarily writing a weekly blog for PA think, if not mad then I am clearly delusional. Why should someone in their right mind express such overt support for a football club that came 5th in the League even if they won the FA cup. These same persons by the way, particularly United supporters, are oblivious of the irony that the Red Devils came 6th in the League and only sneaked into the Champions League via UEFA’s consolation prize (Europa title) in one of (Ed.) the dullest finals in football history.
As for being delusional I must admit that, like most of my readers, I am a bit of an obsessive-compulsive. How else do you explain such devotion to a sport and a football club year-round.
I suspect only amateur psychologists would consider the mumbo-jumbo above sufficient explanation for our enduring love and optimism for club. If being an obsessive-compulsive was the underlying reason for the love of our marital partner or significant-other, then how does that explain our neglect of them during the football season. Evidently that obsession must be very fleeting or transient, i.e. anti-obsessive.
Like love of any type, supporting a football club is surely very personal and due to complex reasons. I initially fell in love with the club 13-years ago because Arsenal played beautiful football. Like sex it was not always orgasmic and to be frank there were many, too many, poor games over the years. But the club was always genuinely committed to playing football the right way, even when it had to break-up The Invincibles and sell off several great players to pay for the new stadium. Over time I learnt that the manager had a deep and abiding commitment to beautiful football. In his own words:
“Football is an art, like dancing is an art – but only when it’s well done does it become an art.”
I am convinced that the key to Wenger’s longevity at Arsenal, despite the haters, despite the many disappointments, despite the failure to win a title in 13 years, is his commitment to football as an art. Playing the “Arsenal way” is now a commonly accepted part of football lexicon. Supporters of the club have deep, divisive debates as to whether so and so is an “Arsenal player”. How many other clubs dare hold such discussions and not hold themselves to contempt and rididicule? Can you imagine a United supporter proudly advocating the “Mourinho way”? Or fiercely arging that a 6 foot plus mountain of a man with the first touch of concrete is an ideal “United player”?
While it is easy to disparage him for the recent lack of titles, even though to date he has made Arsenal the 2nd most successful club in the Premier League, it is readily apparent to those who have two neurons and working synapse that Arsene Wenger is building a foundation and a philosophy of playing that will outlast by generations, if not ages. His legacy is in sharp contrast to the the transient work of the many cheque book managers who win titles but contribute nothing to the sustainable future of the football club with which they were entrusted.
Going back to the metaphor of enduring relationships, Arsenal may not flash the most bling, not be the biggest spenders, have the most attractive bod, but it certainly has class and values that can sustain a relationship with its supporters. How else do you explain over 160,000 fans packing one of the largest stadiums in Australia in the recently ended tour of Sydney, to support the club over two games playing against League One level opponents?
Isn’t this demonstration that the values of the club are universally appreciated the wind in our sails as we embark on a new campaign? Players come and go, no matter how famous (note to Alexis Sanchez), strategy and tactics change, but the club stands for something beyond merely winning games. In the words of Arsene:
“I believe that despite all the money a club is about identity. Identity is about values and values have been carried through the generations through somebody. Is it the chairman, is it the manager, is it some players who stay for a long period at the club? I hope it will always be the case. It’s not only about spending money or sacking the manager.
“Football has to be a bit bigger than that. That’s why I believe the big clubs worry about values and identity. We have to be conscious that that is important as well.”
Naught more needs to be said.
Positively Arsenal 
Romeo never spoke such sweet sounds,
Nor Paris to his Helen words uttered
We raise our lips toward the season’s dawn
Our Gooner lips all puckered.
Thank you Shotta – and I am delighted at your return – you have drawn the verse from me even.
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Ain’t being an obsessive-compulsive fun? Thanks Shotta.
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AndyNic: I always knew you were a bit of a muse. Now we know how you charmed Mrs N, you devil, you.
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Shotts
One would almost think after reading the above that I’ve spent the last two weeks teasing the evil Manc brother in law about being forced to watch a strike force of Fellaini and Lukaku for an entire season.
There’s not a lot that any football fan could say in reply other then that they’re hoping to add Burgervic and the amazing Michu to this list of amazing signings by the specialist in signing players signed up to special agents (he never disappoints!).
The Football loving Manc supporter’s counter is that Rashford is a better prospect then englands leading striker Danny Welbeck (who unfortunately has been set back these past two years by injury), but I note that at the same age/stage as Rashford a younger Welbeck was spearheading a PL team’s attack (at Sunderland), and Rashford does not have a manager with a reputation for bringing young players through to aid his development.
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Burgervic, Michu, Fellaini…not the gibberings of a frustrated football coach but of a frustrated football agent.
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For someone whose love affair with The Club has lasted over 50 years I can tell you that it’s very reassuring to hear such wise words from one so new to the passion.
For the vast majority on managers the only mark they leave on the game is of the skid variety while Wenger has done little but good and will leave (I hope in many years time) a positive and lasting legacy.
I’m not sure if fans around the world really pick up on the ‘values’ bit particularly if they get most of their exposure to us via the knuckle-draggers on social media but one can only hope that some of it gets through and helps them have pride in us when things don’t go as well as we all would hope.
Blogs like this one are a beacon to those who wish to keep the faith and I’m looking forward to another 50 years of it. I’ll keep you posted on that one!
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Fine piece Chucky, as always. Im about celebrate the ruby anniversary this year, although the behaviour of many makes it love on the rocks at the moment.
I started thinking about how ‘art’ means ‘way’ or ‘style’ ( its pretty difficult to get a straight translation) in German, while our idea of ‘art’ in English is quiet different, which seems to fit with what you wrote, and how AW might mean it in some respects?
Thanks again mate, and look forward to your next blog.
Cheers! COYG!
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A nice – a very nice – dissertation written from a committed football fan’s perspective, Shotta. Thank you.
Blogs and other technological communications like Twitter etc, mean that fans can talk to each other, argue, or agree about the key matters affecting the club or the team – or even other fans – but from this fan, I have to say that even if there were no other fans or friends available I would still support the Arsenal and the team. One is not dependent on the other for me.
I have loved the Arsenal from the get go, and it matters not to me what others think — I am happy if they share that feeling – I am disappointed for them if they see things differently – but I am unable to be judgemental because whatever others think, it will not and never has changed my opinion, so what do opposing views matter? Not at all.
The first two friendly matches have simply reconfirmed my desire to watch whatever games Arsenal are involved in – if they were relegated to village games – I would be there supporting them. It’s a fact.
Again, well done for very apposite essay – it says a lot.
For the Anicoll colectioncan I add, thus with a kiss for the Arsenal I die” and for those who feel unrequited, “Don’t waste your love on somebody, who doesn’t value it.” if you feel that way – move on.
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Wenger says that we will have to alter our approach to our next two friendly games, that we will have to be more defense minded, as our opponents will have far better attackers than what we have faced in the first two games. That we can not go all out attack.
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Sorry about the lack of editing of the above — bit of a rush!! lol
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Interesting point there Mills, although translating Art into German leaves you with most of the WOBs.
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FH-LOL!
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isn’t it odd that so many of the ASB, say AFC should take the reported £30M EFC bid for Theo Walcott, but say no way should we take any amount of money for Alexis from any BPL club.
If Theo went to Everton and reproduced his goal scoring form of last season for them, he could very well help them to a CL place, maybe even at our expense, but that thought does not seem to have crossed their mind, funny that when these same people were only telling us a few weeks ago that Everton were showing real ambition and looked like they could surpass Arsenal next season.
Its almost as if they can’t remember the shit they spouted only weeks ago. Maybe no surprise, as it must be hard to remember the shit they said then considering they amount of shit they spout each day
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Great piece Shotts that to be honest transcends just our club. The fact that supporters attach their selves to the 92 (+ the non leagues) is not about glory it that was the case only a few clubs would have supporters. It is this the dispondents seem to miss. Love is blind a not coloured by trophies unless you are a plastic.
Football obsession is strange, I love soul music and the history behind but wouldn’t shut my mrs out to event but when it comes to football my wife knows not to speak to me for 90 odd worse or even how (our) whole weekend can be affected by a good or bad result.
My earliest memories of supporting ARSENAL was from when I was four and yet at that time (1969) we weren’t successful and it wasn’t from parentage ( mum being from Wood Green and a Spurs supporter, Dad from East Ham and a Hammer). We had moved out of London by then and I suppose it was my nearest club but at four I wouldn’t of known that. Sometimes it’s just one of those things that happened.
Now anything ARSENAL gets me excited, when games start I forget my ageing bones and feel like a little kid and in the last few minutes of close games I visably shake and after the final whistle of some games I’ve cried, many emotions like love are uncontrollable.
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the betting sights making loads of money from all this fake transfer news, redtops and the likes of sky should be ashamed of themselves, but they are all interlinked, so maybe its the idiots who bet on the transfers who should be ashamed of themselves.
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I see BBC taking a massive risk, rebranding one of their most popular shows Doctor Who, from the next series it will be known as Nurse Who with Jodie Whittaker taking the lead role.
I’ll get my coat.
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Shotta welcome back… enjoyed this much!
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Arsenal have arrived in Shanghai with a large crowd of supporters giving them a great and noisy welcome.
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seemingly our u23’s beat brighton u23’s 5-2 on friday.
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reports in Italy that Szczesny is joining Juvenuts for £8M, if true, that is a very low fee for such a quality goalie.
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flip flop flip flop
the sound of the English media outlets, less than 24 hours ago Alexis was a goner, it was only a matter of when and where, but now the same media outlets are running stories that Arsene Wenger is confident that Alexis is staying, and that he certainly will not be sold this summer to a BPL club.
its almost as if these journos with all their access to the inner circle of AFC are making it up as they go along. SKYBET and BETFAIR etc etc must be delighted.
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Nice piece. Probably bad form of me to go directly from it to a stinking turd of a piece.
But i think it’s an instructive turd and worth examining
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4701654/At-Manchester-City-aren-t-playing-loan-system.html
Martin Samuel, who definitely hasn’t persuaded me he hasn’t had hearty ‘free’ lunches with City people with this one. Might be his masterpiece.
I’m not motivated enough to deconstruct the blatant lies and nonsense within it, but it pretty much goes, ‘city are very rich, but so are all premier league clubs- so they’re all the same, rich’
Some variant of that lie has pretty much been the basis, finally, of every supposedly logical attack on Wenger and the club since the billionaire sugar daddies came on the scene.
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Rich
Because they have a palpably religious zeal and adherence to their ideology of debt peonage?
What other consideration can give a rational or logical explanation of the right wing debt promoting medias constant attacks on the club for adhering to policies and practices that everyone who follows the club can understand predates the Wenger era. That are against loading a business or institution with debt.
Scudamore and Risdale are this blustering clown’s heroes, not Ramsey (Alf) or Clough.
The silence of the uber blaggers (more donkeys then lambs) on this matter is begging for them to be called out. Enough is enough (EIE!!!!!!!!!). We can understand why someone in the employ of an ideologue who wants to promote their faith would pump out such copious gibberish, constantly, for decades now: what excuse the self declared expert/ frustrated football agent?
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Because SAmuek writes for the Stormtrooper he is not someone I reward very often – on the occasional times I do I despair. Prize winning journalist indeed!
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Finsbury, Anicoll
I don’t read his stuff much but find it worthwhile occasionally for know-your-enemy purposes. He was one of only ones to come close to covering Shawcross foul properly, so that piqued my interest, but there’s been a lot of disappointment since.
He’s in the should and no doubt does know better category. Without him and his peers doing their thing I doubt anywhere near half of the unjustified criticisms of the team would have ever occurred.
If you are ever to have a good moan about it, and I certainly do, definitely worth looking at the masters of the trade- he’s more thorough and sophisticated than old Crossie for example- from time to time, but not too much.
Suppose there’s a little comfort in knowing if those are the best arguments available from the pro’s, we’re on the right track refuting them.
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I imagine, probably quite wrongly, that if I did this sports writing marlarkey for a living I would do it better than those who earn a real living in the trade.
Having acknowledged my amateur self indulgence there does seem a terrible lack of originality in the topics that sportswriters, particularly football journos, write about. The same narrow theme repeated from paper to paper ad infinitum, week in and week out. Allied to the 600 word total vocabulary relied on and it is a dull porridge.
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Clarkie’s good for me. Discuss’ the football which always helps, focus’ on the football after a poor show which also helps, the question is:
Is Adrian Clarke unique in football broadcasting amidst the spawn of Alan Partdrige, blue dildos and all? It’s a fair question.
Team him up with Hillier and you’ve got a match commentary dream team. All angles covered, nothing more to add. Though I may be biased in my opinion above.
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so lots of reports that we are close to selling some players this week
szczesny to juventus
chambers to crystal palace
debuchy to nice
gibbs to wba
by the sounds of it we are looking to have cleared out nearly all the players we no longer want to keep by the time the squad returns from their preseason tour
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Nice work Shotta,
and thanks for articles & comments through the Summer. gf60 produced some crackers.
All of you at PA provided me with great relief as I’ve felt affected by the fire.
(Eyes wet at any mention/thought…) (I don’t know anyone from the building but I’m not far away).
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Ranty: I remember you saying you lived somewhere in east London? Sobering that fire. But for the grace of god go you and I.
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You’re a Sheperds Bush man I think Ranty – 20 minutes walk from you to Grenfell Tower ?
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I see fake outrage from the usual sort over Arsenal agreeing a deal with free to air channel Quest to cover the Emirates cup live.
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What have they found to moan about in that Eddy?
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Shotta, “Quite”.
Yes, West London (Not South West) (but let’s not make it political… Arrrggghh
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I enjoyed the first match in Oz. The second had me thinking their players were auditioning for Stoke rugby, and the ref behaved perfectly riley o filed.
But let’s not get…
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believe it or not george, anything form Quest is a “dead” channel, whatever that means, its not in HD, its not one of the big channels like SKY or BT – like really how bad are AFC that SKY or BT not prepared to pay shits loads to us for a preseason tournament, shows how low we have sunk etc etc etc.
but what can you expect when one of the uber bloggers had an article a few days ago whinging about how Arsenal have abandoned traditions by allowing players wear different length sleeved shirts, even went to the trouble of contacting several people at AFC about it, – seeking an explanation – and of course when given an explanation, not accepting it and claiming it was lies. They were told that they all wear same length kit, but that undergarment might be long sleeved with some as they prefer it. When we wear long sleeve anyone who wants shirt sleeve can have the sleeves pinned up – of course this is a lie according to the uber blogger as players not allowed pins in their kid due to safety reasons, of course this ignores that in tailoring circles the term to pin up, does not actually mean you have to use pins for it, a stitch or double sided sticky tape are used too. But no, the uber blogger wanted something to attack arsenal about. He should have stuck to selling AFC merchandise, or maybe consider paying AFC their dues from his sales.
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Rants
I know what you mean but to be fair to the oblong ball hurling Ozzies, Aussie Rules Football is a legitimate and recognised code variant of the Football family unlike our dear own beloved and variable pgMOB Rules (ok?) and illegitimate, irregular and retarded code variant (as discovered by Iceland, Costa Rica et al…), so we can understand why they might get confused between all their different Football codes.
Mike Riley and Scudamore’s pgMOB racket (RICO) does not have any excuse.
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Now Arsenal face a couple of ‘No Win’ games, If AFC win “It’s only Pre-season” if AFC lose “It’s added to the loses suffered in recent times and used as a stick .
‘Back to Back’ loses will have AFTV hitting some Pre-Season summer highs.
Two wins will give the squad a quiet boost.
Not sure any other club has that pressure
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Eddie,
In case it is not clear, the Quest TV bods who are showing the Arsenal games are to be found on Free View Sky TV – channel 167 – ‘Home & Health’ and Sky channel 410 – Eurosport, and in Ireland UPC channel 424 HD.
Weird — but if it is the only way to see the games —– !!
Warning: I only read that briefly on a blog site and I take no responsibility. lol
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Sky channel 410 – Eurosport is in HD.
I’ll get me coat – and if Anicoll is not watching I will take me dictionary with me too. lol
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One thing that struck me about watching and listening to the Arseplayer coverage of the second Australian game is how much more I prefer a couple of biased club employed commentators.
The AP coverage was pretty basic camera wise but the tone of the commentators was just right, informative, calm, sensible.
I wonder whether I want to pay money to have a fuckwit like Michael Owen or Robbie Savage talk inane nonsense interspersed with spiteful rubbish, about Arsenal or any team ?
Why would I ? Why would any fan ?
No the day is coming when either the broadcasters Devise a way to provide the customer with what he wants, or they will find the clubs taking their product away and delivering it straight to the fan.
Know this Keith Rupert Murdoch, know this and tremble.
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Wenger on Alexis, Lacazette and spending
18 Jul 2017
image: https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/alexis_1.jpg?itok=C5Hn0De9
image: https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/alexis_1.jpg?itok=C5Hn0De9
The future of Alexis has been a hot topic in recent weeks – and Arsene Wenger was once more asked about it in his press conference ahead of the Bayern Munich match.
The Arsenal manager was asked by the media for his thoughts on an interview Alexis did while back in Chile, and also about the spending power of Premier League clubs.
Here is a transcript of what he said:
on Alexis’ comments in Chile…
I do not give too much importance to things that are translated. The whole interview, which I got, did not really mean that [he only wants Champions League football]. The main focus for us is on the Premier League, that for me is more important than the Champions League. We rested sometimes players in the group stage of the Champions League for the Premier League, so that has become the biggest importance for us. For the rest, we have played 20 years in the Champions League and 17 years before Alexis arrived and three years with him – he can get us back in there.
on being convinced that he will stay…
I can only reiterate what I said before.
on if he’s spoken to Alexis since quotes came out…
No.
on if it’s similar to Van Persie…
Not really. Every case is different. Van Persie was 30 to 31 when he left and had only one year of contract. Alexis is younger. It’s difficult to speak at the moment about that but the decision has been made and we’ll stick to that.
on Man United signing Lukaku and Lacazette joining Arsenal – PL making big step on transfers…
For the amount of money that the Premier League spends, it’s linked with the fact that when people know that you have money, they want a lot from you. That’s just a fact and the consequence of the Premier League being rich. That explains the amount of transfer.
on if Lacazette has met expectations…
With Lacazette it’s too early for any assessment and any judgement on how well he will do.
on whether being out of the Champions League improves our chances in the Premier League…
No, not really. We have a group of player who are top quality. After that I believe that if you look at the last few years, you have Chelsea who have not played in Europe and Leicester who have not played [and they both won the title] so we have to focus on the Premier League and prepare well. When we played in the Champions League, everyone said, ‘is that all you do?’ and when you do not do it, suddenly it becomes a major problem. At the end of the season, only one team will win the Champions League and all the others will be out. So we have to focus on the competitions that we play in and prepare seriously for that, and not feel sorry for that we do not play.
Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-alexis-lacazette-and-spending#EL5uI0uKuYgAGemD.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-alexis-lacazette-and-spending#sCpL1tul3LDuAXS8.99
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henryb, quest is also on the freeview box, I have a freeview box and it has quest, and quest+1
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‘We are still open to strengthening our team’
18 Jul 2017
We’ve added Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette to our squad so far this summer – and Arsène Wenger says he is open to making more signings.
The media have linked us with many players in recent weeks and, while the manager is mindful of keeping his squad balanced, he remains interested in further strengthening his first-team group.
“There are two ways to strengthen the squad – the first is to analyse where we have not done so well and where we can improve together, and the other way is to bring in players from outside,” he told Arsenal Player. “We are still open to strengthening our team with players coming from outside.
“We are very active on the transfer market and have already realised two incomings. We have to keep a balance as well, that you don’t destabilise the team too much by bringing in too many players.
“But we are still active on the transfer market so let’s see what kind of opportunities we can find.”
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/we-are-still-open-strengthening-our-team#vLRJD6WiIF95P6qw.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/we-are-still-open-strengthening-our-team#X8Z24llbH6swHpWH.99
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http://sportwitness.co.uk/young-striker-verge-move-arsenal-failure-agreement-ajax/
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Yes, Eddie, I am sorry, it is on Free View, but I missed out the semi-colons in the following part of the ‘Quest’ sentence.
“the Arsenal games are to be found on Free View; Sky TV – channel 167 – ‘Home & Health’; etc”
Good that you have that platform.
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Jeorge Bird @jeorgebird 2h2 hours ago
Arsenal U23s beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in a friendly today.
Yassin Fortune the scorer.
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so sad to see Szczesny set to join Juventus, I feel he is our best goalie, and with opsina with only one year left on his contract and rumored to be looking to leave too, and Cech now 35, it seems rather odd to be letting WS leave. Seems what ever fall out there was after the Southampton game has not or can not be healed sadly.
wait till we sell Ospina too and bring in Rob Green as back up to Cech and Martinez.
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ed
Wenger was asked in an interview on the official site about Lehmann and that he’s still a pretty good GK.
Confirmed: Penny pinching Arsenal to draft Lehmann in as emergency 3rd choice Keeper.
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