As we say goodbye to the the warm sunshine for this year, and head into the gloaming of October and worse, the next inter-lull (oh joy of joys), I think we’ve all got a bit of an idea how things are moving this season for the mighty Cannon. It might not be what we wanted (top), but it could be much worse (Spursy), certainly there’s much to be proud of and take home from the City game despite all its high-octane disappointments, and there was the highly enjoyable night out with the young Guns against Bolton.
Atalanta was a bit of a squib rather than the complex cynosural fireworks that we would have liked. And of course we’ve all hoped for flowing, intelligent football and it turned up against Leicester. Perhaps we all would have loved to have seen PSG utterly destroyed, which was well within reach, but even so, a memorable and much welcomed victory.
Yet before that we seemed a bit blocked what with Odegaard having been stretchered off on an international battlegrounds but perhaps the Guns are starting to adapt and finding a way? Merino looks hungry, and we have a rock solid defence which can calm the nerves, the likes of which I haven’t experienced for a long time. Nice. Also nice was coming back from 1-0 down to beat Southampton, when for a moment it flashed through our minds that perhaps doom awaited us. Nicey nice was Martinelli grabbing a couple of goals, can only be good for the old confidence? Tomi’s back and the further we go on into the dark days of autumn and early winter the more we will need a squad. Nicer than nice was watching seventeen summers Nwaneri, looks like he could do well this season, and sure hope he does.
This years clash with Livercrutches suddenly takes on a new meaning as they have sneaked into pole position, albeit by a single point. But we still remain invincible, something that suits us well.
How have you digested the season so far?
To those that have made supportive comments for my previews, many, many thanks, its much appreciated, I’m genuinely sorry the previews aren’t better, or more like other blogs (story of my life!) I’m doing the best I can(often poorly I know). I’m not a natural born-writer and often I have to rely on tie-ins, plus you all have excellent footballing(Arsenal) minds and great analytical insight so I’m not going to set myself up as knowing, when I don’t. But its meant a heck of lot when you guys have added your own stories, thoughts and memories concerning Arsenal, its gratifying for sure. Can anyone else please cook up some articles, sure would make things interesting?
See you for the Bournefootandmouth game. Thanks again!
Mills
Positively Arsenal 
Personally I always enjoy your previews and am 100% all for the style and fact it’s different from the usual mire of other blogs. They are either doom and gloom or absolutely ecstatic, always extreme and never straight down the middle logical and well balanced.
Keep on keeping on Mills I’m sure everyone on here appreciates you emencely.
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Thanks Ian for the kind words of support! It means a lot, so many thanks.
Did you get to watch any of Shoresy? I hauled my ass through all of them, and after episode 4 or so of the first series I thought it was really funny and very watchable, once you get used to the plums and style of things. I thought it was a bit more accessible than Letterkenny? I’d love to watch more ice hockey, but I can’t see the fkn puck! I need some bloody binocular glasses…
COYG!
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my daughter-in-law is mad about ice hockey and supports the Bruins so I get to watch that sometimes. The invisible puck must be an age thing because I’m the same. When a fight breaks out the officials just let them get on with it and it seems to work. After a friend tried to get me to watch the ultra boring American football their ice hockey league is a real treat especially during the interlulls.
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Our first seven PL fixtures of the season were, on paper, the hardest start we have had in years. This said you would have to say five wins and two draws, with the second highest GD in the league, is a fantastic return. If you then factor in the two games in which we were denied wins were heavily influenced by Pigmol and not our opponents.
We have already had injuries in every block of the side and as this came after a cull of last season’s squad players the results have been even more impressive.
The final factor would have been the extra workload this season. The away local derby was after an international break, in which we lost key players, this was followed by an away CL game, this was followed by the away game against the English and European Champions who had an extra days rest and no travel.
Although the midweek game at home against an out of form lower division side was a welcome relief, the youngsters employed needed some first teamers around them, and quite frankly the whole of the first team could of done with a rest. So it was probably no surprise that we looked so slow and stale at the start of the second half against Leicester and yes we finally came out winners by two clear goals it certainly wasn’t comfortable. Midweek was CL again and a totally professional display and job done. We finished with a strange display playing the saints off the pitch but struggling to score first half and even going before winning easily after the subs (from the first team) came on.
The next seven games, before the third interlull include four PL games away at bournemouth, newcastle and chelusa and home to the red scouscers, two CL games and an away game in the league cup. Again a real pid set of fixtures.
If it is true, that our Captain has suffered a set back in his recovery and our home grown Captain is also out for a few weeks, then this block of games could prove extremely difficult. If you add in the unknown Pigmol factor we are almost doomed.
The one thing about that has become more and more apparent about Mikel’s sides is their togetherness seems to make them always find a way. I think we are going to need this in the coming weeks COYG.
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Top post Ian!
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That was an unexpected treat Millsy – thank you.
As you know I had to take a break from the world a few years ago and that included Arsenal. I’ve crept back into it slowly but I don’t think I’ll ever reach the old heights of obsessive insanity. Truth is I’m too fragile and something broke when we lost the WOB wars.
Seeing the smug, self satisfaction of those sniveling self appointed ‘expert’ bloggers at our change of fortune, turns my stomach. The most beautiful thing about the resurgent Arsenal is that Arsène’s fingerprints are all over it. Edu, Per, Mikel, Jack – all steeped in the wisdom of the great man.
The truth is that the landscape changed when Chelsea bought their first title. The fraudulent trophies with which Man City have stocked their previously barren cabinet are merely the logical end to that process. Even the behemoth that was Man United cannot cope.
Arsenal are in contention again, but in this clinical new world there can be little room for sentiment. The romance which fires the love of the club is nowhere to be seen. Ask Eddie, ask Emile, ask Keiran and Aaron.
But I still want us to win, I still want the neighbours to lose. I still dream of a Man City properly punished and relegated, and I still hate defeat.
Above all, no matter what happens off the pitch, it’s still just football. It’s still just 11 guys on a field chasing a ball around, and once the money moves on, it’ll still be there just the same as it always was. The game itself doesn’t need Murdoch, oil money and corruption. The game itself is a couple of kids and a ball, on the street or the beach or in the local park.It will still be there when the circus leaves town.
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This should be up as a mini-article, Stew, its a great post.
You write of the old Arsenal romance not being around much, and I agree, but I also wondered if its a different type of romance, one we don’t agree with? For example, the romantic notions of modernist painting were very different from the pseudo-intellectualism of conceptual art. I don’t feel romantic about the atmosphere around these times, but I suppose I still carry that torch from older times, otherwise wtf am I doing here? To me, and as dumb as it might sound, Arsenal mean more than just winning. Even though its what I want every game.
However, I wish there was more sentiment. I know people like you and I are laughed at for having sentimental feelings, but fork them, compassion and decency aren’t silly, greed and corruption are though, and it ruins everything really. Its so easy to be unfair in life, but it takes real guts to try and not be?
“Above all, no matter what happens off the pitch, it’s still just football. It’s still just 11 guys on a field chasing a ball around, and once the money moves on, it’ll still be there just the same as it always was. The game itself doesn’t need Murdoch, oil money and corruption. The game itself is a couple of kids and a ball, on the street or the beach or in the local park.It will still be there when the circus leaves town.”
That’s a touch of class.
I feel the same Stew, even though we are now down to a five-aside team here at PA, I’m still grateful to be able to read the posts you guys write, I like the fragility and vulnerability because it how we all feel on the inside, but mostly try to deny it? And the way Arsenal weaves its way into our lives in a similar manner that music does.
COYG!
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All my ARSENAL life, and that’s 55 years now, home grown ARSENAL lads were part of the teams and therein lies the sentiment.
You have to have an affiliation with the players and staff who are the face of the club otherwise it’s just fantasy football.
The standing and singing sections do replicate the old days a bit and separate the plastic commercialism of the rest of the ground.
Getting the Plastics to sing North London forever was a masterstroke but it still hides the fact that the ground would be empty if we were useless.
As I crawl through a million memories in my loft I’m absolutely sure sentiment is king.
Great post Steww
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Great post too Ian.
“As I crawl through a million memories in my loft I’m absolutely sure sentiment is king.”
All I keep thinking about with this is the massive overwhelming sense of a lifetime of memories; players, matches, tears and joy, boredom and frustration, hope and failure, and success.
The Arsenal. Even the names magic.
COYG!
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ian the ground has always been empty when we were useless, I remember the club in the late 70’s begging fans to turn up as we were falling below a break even attendance, which if i’m not mistaken back then was 22,000, and I don’t think the phrase “plastics” was a thing back then. There has always been fair weather fans and glory hunters, not just at AFC but all clubs
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Arsenal women currently winning 1-0 in CL game, their first game since Jonas resigned, he must have felt that some of the team had downed tools on him and he had to go. Will be interesting to see who the club brings in and if they can go to the next level. I wouldn’t be surprised if they appoint Renee Sleggers who is interim manager, she was assistant to Jonas, but maybe the club will surprise us and appoint a big name for the womens game, maybe even a former AFC mens player, who’d say no to Ljunberg being the Arsenal womens manager
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Ed, totally agree with that it’s just I think the Premier league and the ultra commercialism of football has exacerbated the problem.
My first game was in 74 and 75 I went to a lot of home games so I know how dismal it could be back then.
Favourite player Terry Mancini!!!!
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Jack Wilshere set to be named boss at Norwich City, will be interesting to see who AFC replace him with, is it a spot Santi Cazorla could be given, or might we bring back Freddie Ljunberg
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Pleased for Jack Ed, but what a shame. Although I’d love to see Santi back and I’ve seen Freddie at hale end and he looks a great coach.
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New post is up.
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