No time for self-pity: Arsenal’s bigger picture is full of positives!

TotalArsenal

“We cannot allow ourselves to indulge in sadness and melancholy’, Andrey Arshavin.

Although I was as disappointed and deflated as anybody after our torturous performance against Aston Villa, I have been shocked by the raw negativity about our beloved team, and the lack of perspective, across most of the Arsenal blog-world since Saturday night’s game. Arsenal played poorly and it was incredibly disappointing that we looked once again toothless, disjointed and jaded.

But let’s put things in some perspective here.

After the  almost utterly pointless ‘inter-lull’ two weeks ago, Arsenal had to bounce back from a disappointing home draw against Fulham the weekend before, by getting as much as possible out of three games in seven days: Spuds at home, Montpellier at home in the CL, and Aston Villa away. If you had asked me beforehand would you sign now for two wins and a draw and you can choose which games will be wins and which one will be a draw, I would have severed your arm off. Who wouldn’t?

Of course, we had the victories against the Spuds and Montpellier in the bag and Aston Villa were there for the taking; and that is why we ended up so disappointed. But in the end, it was just a bad day at the office. Arsenal are once again in transition, and these sort of games will occasionally happen, whether we like it or not.

However, if we look back at our performances in all competitions over the last 3, 5 and even 10 games, and compare Arsenal to our direct English competitors for silverware this season, we will find that we have done relatively well recently.

Performances over last three games (last played game first):

  1. Arsenal: D-W-W
  2. Man Utd: W-L-L
  3. Chelsea: D-L-L
  4. ManCity: D-D-W

Arsenal performed better than our direct rivals.

Performances over last five games (last played game first):

  1. Arsenal: D-W-W-D-D
  2. Man Utd: W-L-L-W-W
  3. Chelsea: D-L-L-D-W
  4. ManCity: D-D-W-W-D

We were equal to all our direct competitors and better than the Chavs:

Performances over last ten games (last played game first):

  1. Arsenal: D-W-W-D-D-L-W-W-L-L
  2. Man Utd: W-L-L-W-W-W-L-W-W-W
  3. Chelsea: D-L-L-D-W-D-W-L-L-W
  4. ManCity: D-D-W-W-D-D-W-L-W-W

Over the last ten games, Arsenal performed better than the Chavs, but worse than the Manchester clubs.

So, our short to mid term form-guides in all competitions, compared to our direct competitors for silverware, are good; and our long term form guide is not dreadful. As supporters we  should take note of this.

Let’s forget about our position in the league for a bit and just focus on how the team has been performing recently. The season is still very long, and any team that can start a winning run will have a chance to finish high in the league: and Arsenal are no exception.

If we look forward, from now till the start of 2013, then we can see a sequence of games which should allow us to start a winning run: Everton (a), Swansea (h), West Brom (h), Reading (a), Wigan (a), West Ham (h), Newcastle (h). In between these PL games, the first team players can be allowed a couple of midweek breaks when we play Olympiacos in the CL, and Bradford in the League Cup.

Arsenal’s recent form has been ok and can match that of our competitors, and the next seven PL games are very suitable for Arsenal in terms of starting a winning run. With key players having returned to full fitness, or in the process of it, the season can kick-start properly for Arsenal over the next 35 days.

Third place is there for the taking and who knows what can happen next this season.

Keep the faith fellow Gooners!!

Total Arsenal.

98 thoughts on “No time for self-pity: Arsenal’s bigger picture is full of positives!”

  • Stats ate used to blur the line. Arsenal are now 10 points behind MU and that is in November.Granted the stats show the gunners have a better record than the other top teams but the fact remains the gunners are trailing.
    Everton is the next game;.Another loss and it will be 12 points,assuming Mu beat WHU.I wonder what Wenger is going to say.

  • Agreed William – we are trailing by 10 points and that is disappointing. Still 75 points to play for though, and the season is long. Rather than focussing on the gap, Arsenal need to concentrate on each and every game, starting in Liverpool in two days. A good run of games can do wonders. Is there any reason to think we cannot get on a positive run?

    I reckon we’ll come good against Everton on Wednesday.

  • Morning all..

    TA.. thanks for the optimistic post.. Keep the spirit high..

    Yes.. The games again Everton will be crusial.. for us and for them also.. it will be a battle for 5th place.. and we have a good record again Everton.. don’t we..??

    Seven last games before break.. should be much easier for us to gain point.. and if get 3 point in liverpool.. then I can be optimist that we can bring 21 point full.. (cause Wigan this season is much easier to deal with.. hehe.. ) but if we draw or loss.. then maybe 15 point is the best target that can be reach..

    Go Gunners..

  • I agree !! Arsenals form of late has not be as bad as the papers would have you know !!
    They slate Arsenal at every given chance season after season a witch hunt for Wenger and Arsenal !! I believe we will be in the mix!! one good run unbeaten and then we will see !!
    I believe in Wenger not the Board !! Wenger is the best Manager in the world of football and we should not forget how much we should respect him and his word !!
    I cant believe the fans, how can Arsenal fans can turn so fast !! and i tell you the reason why its coz they all became Arsenal fans in the Glory days leaving other teams and coming to us !!
    All the real supporters have been driven out by the prices and now the board will know what it is to have a load of glory hunters as supporters not real hard core supporters through good and Bad times !! These new supporters just have the cash not the passion like the ones driven out !!
    You reap what you sow though !! I use to go to Highbury in younger years lol . O’neil was manager when i started to go !! i saw the 1989 2-0 at Anfield !! i saw Liam Brady leave to Juventus it was my saddest day of my Arsenal Supporter years to date.I saw Adams come through the youth and i saw Adams bow out !! but since we have been at the Emirates 6 times !!I sold my season ticket and never went back.Why simply coz i haven’t got the money !! fact !!
    did i use to go every game home and away? yes i did !! but the season we moved i was moved from a friend i had been going with for years and i was near some person who couldn’t even understand English !! now it is ridiculous !! and for what just money that is what !! Go for years to be told you have been moved from your friend to sit by a bloke you don’t know from Adam and cant even speak the same language and the next week there is someone else there and so on !!
    I adore Arsenal but Afford them yes i can just about but do i want to go to a club that charges the most to see us finish 3rd maybe if we are lucky !! !! the game came from the streets, council house kids entertainment but Sky has killed football as we knew it !! with the help of UTD !!
    and along with it my Beloved Arsenal Football Club !!
    I will always stand by the Manager but never again by the Board !! They are so out of touch it is scary !! Lady Bracewell-Smith told us so when she left the board ” her words were ” The board is far too old and has not got the vision or ideas to take this club further !! i believe her Words !! Dein Summed it up Nicely when he was forced out !! they want it all for themselves !! well let them have it !! but i hope to be back one day to see it through !! Well that day draws nearer with every moan and groan from the new fans !! Soon the board will have to let Usmanov on the board and doing so will open up the club visions etc !! then Usmanov will call for a vote of none confidence in the board !! and Dein comes back, Prices go down for tickets and we have our old Arsenal back !! but this time with a New Stadium and Usmanovs money to guide us !! and of course the Dein and Wenger partnership back where it belongs controlling the football world !!

  • 4th in the league would be great.
    If we can avoid Real, Bayern and Barca we could make the CL semis.
    Not confident about beating Everton. Draw would be ok.
    The way we are playing beating West Brom, Swansea, Reading and Wigan is not a given..
    Being less than six points behind fourth place at Dec 31 would be good news.

  • Hi Shaggy and welcome to BK 🙂

    Every new commenter has to be approved and I have only just been able to do that. Thanks for your passionate comment – I can tell you speak from a Gooner heart. Busy at the moment, but will get back to you later. 🙂

  • Not sure about 21 points Henry, as every game will be a battle. But it would be great if we could narrow the gap to the top by 4 to 6 points before January. I would be very happy with that. 🙂

  • Hi david and welcome 🙂

    All agreed: there really are no easy ‘three points’ games for us any more and we got to fight every time. But I have seen enough to know that we can do that with our squad and hopefully we are a bit luckier with injuries for a while. 🙂

  • Morning BKers……can someone stop this flipping rain please……after having to eat my hat regards Giroud, I keep getting a wet head.

    I feel confident we will get a result against Everton. The players will see it as a barometer and come out fighting.

  • Sorry guys.. I forget.. We never do have any break..
    We are the busiest league in the world.. hehehe..

    For tomorrow games.. my choice are :
    Arsenal win away..
    Aston Villa win home..
    Chelsea win home..
    Swansea – WBA draw..
    Spurs – Liv draw

    And I wish MU dan City also draw.. hehehe..

  • Nice one Henry…..I don’t think anyone will be entering five predictions for mid week games, but I will have a look at the odds for yours and get back to you.

    At the moment we are only doing week ends as people are busy trying to earn a crust on here and also if we have two sets per week it confuse GLiC and he would go into meltdown. Poor chap, have you no sympathy? Lol. 🙂

  • Henrychan.

    My predictions would be

    Sunderland v QPR………….Away

    Everton v Arsenal……………Away

    Chelsea v Fulham……………Home

    MU v WHU……………………..Home

    Stoke v Newcastle…………..Home

    Odss of 37-1.

    Not to count on the 1UMF League. Fun only

  • You’re mad VCC! – Sunderland are desperate for a win themselves and will feed QPR to the fishes! It is so hard to win up North-East, even for the ‘big’ teams!

  • Hi TA,

    How did we do for ‘hits’ yesterday? It seemed to be quite a struggle for people to understand, so BK stats probably got slaughtered!! 😦

  • Hi RA, not at all. In the 12 hours that the post was out BK almost got 1000 views, which is very good for a ‘non transfer gossip’ related topic! 🙂

    I also thought there was good debate and I am sure we all learned something from it. You are building up a fine portfolio of finance/sustainability related articles and it is great to have two people – you and Terry – so knowledgeable on AA on this specific and important topic. Many thanks amigo! 🙂

  • Haha VCC, only winding you up. I need to check with my mate Neil, the QPR guy you met almost a year ago, what he makes of the ultimate wheeler dealer managing his club to potential bankruptcy! 😛

  • Total….Hughes was taking QPR nowhere. Despite what people think about Arry, he knows the business and Im convinced he will just about keep them in the premiership.

    Unlike most Gooners I dont dislike Mr. Redknapp. Every man has his price as they say, and he is no different. Politicians are bigger scoundrels than he will ever be.

  • Hey Victorious, I like him too as a human being and he will probably get QPR out of the bottom three by the end of the season. The problem is he is a cash guzzler like no tomorrow. But the new owner seem to be willing to put the cash in and that’s all that Arry needs. 🙂

  • Total, tell me what successful club is not a spendthrift, apart from Arsenal.

    The list goes on and on, so why shouldn’t Redknapp join the wagon.?

    As you can appreciate, I sincerely hope he gets QPR up the table. Not at the expense of Arsenal of course.

  • But 40 players bought in the last, what, 12-16 months? That cannot be right?! And are you sure there is no risk of doing a Portsmouth with QPR?

  • Me too, guys!

    I like to take the mickey out of ‘Arry when I am in the mood, but I quite like his little mannerisms.

    For someone who I was told was a ‘bit of a lad’, I think that is the term, when he was a young player, he has made many millions of pounds sterling for being a bit of a ‘geezer’, and he is as good and perhaps better than many other managers plying their trade in the Prem!

  • Hi Everyone,
    really good Post yesterday, Redders, highlighting a major problem that I think will turn millions of people off football. The hierarchy who govern the sport have sold their souls, and sold the fans out to. Across the world every league is far too predictable, and there is no element of surprise or excitement anymore.
    Hi VCC, if you’re happy with ‘Arry at QPR, then I’m happy for you, but what he did to Portsmouth is scandalous, and that alone should stop him managing any football club.
    I was reading an interesting debate yesterday, about what had finally done for Mr Wenger, and two opinions were put forward. One said it was the CL final in Paris, 2006, the other said it was the arrival of Jose Mourinho, who not only beat him easily, but publicly ridiculed him. There’s probably some truth in both those cases put forward, but I would throw SAF into the mix as well. Our meetings with MU always used to be spicy affairs, and there was genuine doubt as to which way the game would go. Now there is little doubt as Mr Wenger has long since surrendered. Maybe another reason is that during his success, French football was in its ascendancy, but since they’ve stopped being a world force, so too have Arsenal. Or maybe it’s just part of the French psyche to surrender without a fight, as seen in WWII, when the French all but laid out the red carpet for the Germans..
    Solid enough Post, Total, but it’s a bit myopic not to include the comparisons of WBA, Everton and Tottenham, who all might have a say in who eventually finishes in 4th.

  • Hi Herbo – good to see you back here with some fine comments. 🙂

    ‘Finally done it for Wenger’ – He ain’t done yet, Herb. 😉

    Agreed, to a certain extent, that Mourinho’s style of football has had a negative impact on Arsenal and Arsene during his tenure in the PL. Flamboyant attacking football was no longer enough as Mourinho kept winning with small margins and a tight defence. What has done it mostly for Arsene – the elephant in the blog room – is the new stadium build combined with the arrival of oil money clubs. But we have had this discussion on many occasions. 🙂

    Agreed that those clubs will play some role this season, and I would add Liverpool to it. I was being myopic on purpose as many fans believe – quite rightly – that we should compare ourselves with our strongest competitors. In that respect, we are actually making progress, and we can build on this further during the next five weeks (rather than believing that the Villa result means we are totally doomed).

    Always good reading your views Herb.

  • @VCC Sorry but I want ‘arry to take QPR back downstairs, the west London club means nothing to me, I’m only concerned about them when we play them, as a Gooner I prefer it whenever we have less London derby’s that’s it, period! I’d love it if come May we had 2 London based clubs out of the 3 on the down escalator. Arsenal is “the London club” in terms of support and honours won, the rest are just obstacles in terms of more London derby’s for us to face. It’s why it’s more difficult for London clubs to win the league than the clubs of other City’s. The Pool has only the Toffee’s, Manu’er only recently has the Oily Money Citeh mob. But we’ve got 5! And it’s no good saying that other London clubs aren’t our traditional rivals. You try telling that to their supporters. 1)Tiny tott swamp dwellers, 2) Shed dwelling Chav’s
    3) Racist Irons, 4) the Cottagers, and 5) the Hoops.
    For Dennis’s sake give me 2 less come May!!

  • Hi Herb.

    Strong and forthright views indeed.

    As a sweeping statement, incorrect! Not ALL Frenchmen were cowardly, and so accommodating, during WW11, as you point out.

    Perhaps Mr.Wenger is one the few with a solid spine. He has without doubt performed almost miracles for our club in the past. Yes the last few years have been a struggle, but tell me what manager would be able to tolerate the constant filtering of talent that he has had to endure these past couple of years.

    As you say about Harry Redknapp. How scandalously despicable of him to go and win the FA Cup for Portsmouth in 2008 and spoil that lovely day for Cardiff City. He should be hung, drawn and quartered.

    Am I happy with him managing QPR……One word….YES.

    Mark Hughes has spent a fortune since being QPR manager and not much has been said about that, least of all the throughput of players.

  • As someone who’s followed Arsene before he arrived in Highbury I’d like to say that Mr Wenger has always been an equal opportunity employer. It’s slightly “off” to suggest that he rose only when French football was in the ascendancy. At Monaco he employed a few Brits (Which was virtually unheard of in those days) and he was instrumental in bringing in both Brazilians and Africans. I don’t think Arsene has any preference in regards to where players come from, however I know as an economist he doesn’t like paying OTT prices and thus rest assured if good players are to be found in Timbuktu expect Arsenal to have a major influx from the southern Sahara.

  • VCC, just in case you are not reading back – Richie has commented at exactly 12.00. 🙂

    Richie 🙂

    I can see your point, but I rather play QPR or the Hammers twice a season than Bolton or Blackburn.

  • @ richie59er, have you got a second team? ( another team you look for their results after The Arsenal)

  • Agreed VCC – after tomorrow, we only have Wigan left in the whole of the North-West and I like that a lot! Just Wigan, Sunderland and Newcastle to go and we don’t need to travel north of Brum anymore. Nice! 😀

  • I bet Portsmouth would gladly give up that FA Cup if it meant securing their long-term future, VCC. Someone not so long ago ridiculously suggested to me that Pompey are our rivals, if sitting near the bottom of the third tier in English football makes them rivals, then we’ve fallen even further than I thought. QPR obviously have a very different budget to that of Portsmouth, and Fratton Park holds only 20,000 with no room for growth. QPR are in fashionable London, where prices and the general cost of living is significantly higher than anywhere else, and I would assume that most people want to be seen in London as opposed to Portsmouth. A huge drop in the space of four years, and they’re still awaiting a 10 point reduction for going into administration. The poor long-suffering Portsmouth fans must be preparing to give ‘Arry the freedom of the City with a huge civic reception for that FA Cup!
    Can’t agree with you that Mr Wenger has performed miracles at Arsenal, when compared with someone like Moyes at Everton.
    MU have competed with the ‘oil’ money, Total, and their football is all about attacking flair. Our attacking football has been impotent and toothless for sometime and hasn’t properly been addressed, when was the last time you saw a toothless MU? And I don’t mean the odd one-off game, I mean over a sustained period of time.

  • @ Total & Richie59er.

    Just goes to show that you cannot please all the people all the time.

    Richie intimates he would prefer non London teams, so travel north or south.

    Total would prefer Non Northern teams.

    Lets all draw up a list of teams we would prefer Arsenal to play in the Premiership….Mine are

    Great Yarmouth FC
    Grays Athletic
    Accrington Stanley
    Royal Engineers
    Barnet
    Helston
    Fowey
    Lowestoft
    CRomer
    Sherringham
    Blackpool ( only in the spring for a nice day out)
    Tottenham Hotspurs (cos we always beat them)
    East Thurrock United
    Ockendon Town ( cos I played for them)
    Aveley ( cos I played for them too, he he )

    That should do it.

    Pick up the trophey Arsene.

  • Herb……Please tell me what Moyes has won since being Everton Manager.

    Can you list them for me top to bottom in importance.

  • Further to the above many had problems with Moronho’s negative football including his employer. Personally I didn’t have too many problems recognising it’s effectiveness after all I’d watched it for years at Arsenal under Gorgeous George. The only thing I couldn’t understand is why he spent so much on players to play it! After all Mr Graham did on a pittance because Arsenal couldn’t afford the swanky big money players that Liverpool (our only real rivals back then) could, and it was the only way we could stay competitive. There is a country where Jose’s style of football is both loved and respected, it’s also by sheer coincidence the same country that recently stabbed a Spud supporter, I’m not sure if there’s any connect but I just thought I’d throw that in. 🙂 It might have something to do with the ridicule you say Arsene suffered at the arrogant moron’s hands,(mouth) personally I thought the special one suffered the mother of all ridicule when Roman Abromovich sacked him almost immediately following the Russian’s watching of Arsene’s Arsenal play incredible attacking football with players bought for numpence in comparison to the rich list team of the self titled special one.

  • Moyes never walked into an Everton side that had George Graham’s back four, or a Dennis Bergkamp. And Everton have a lot less resources than The Arsenal. Can you list in order of importance what Mr Wenger has won since we mugged MU in 2005. At least Everton have reached a couple of FA Cup finals since then (losing to Abramovich’s Chelsea), something we don’t seem capable of doing anymore. We appear to be setting our sights on the League/Capital One Cup and living the dream of fighting for the golden goose that is 4th. Happy days!!!

  • Yes our under 21’s our under 18’s and the next Gen. I used to look out for Monaco because I spent time in France pre-sky and couldn’t get to see my own team. I chose to watch Monaco because as a forigner in Paris they were the only “none French” team in the “French” league, plus they were the only French team with Brits in it (But I didn’t know that when I chose them). That first year Arsene led them to the title.

  • True Manu’er have kept up with the Jones’s by acquiring more debt! As with the Portsmouth case I don’t think that to be commended. Are you serious? Herb. I watched a dire toothless Manu’er win the league time before last! I spent the whole season shaking my head and when it finished I still couldn’t believe they’d won it.

  • Hi Herb, Moyes is a big fish in a small pond. Some years he does ok, followed by rubbish seasons. Last year you sang the praises of your now new neighbour and look what he is doing with Villa? The same would probably happen with Moyes at a big club. It does not mean I believe Arsene is perfect – far from it.

  • So tell me Herb. Tomorrow night up at Goodison…..Will you be wearing a Blue scarf or Red one?

    Im not getting into an argument, as you have your beliefs ( and rightly so ) and I have mine. Sometimes they run parallel and others miles apart.

    In my eyes Wenger has been marvellous for us, and I wouldn’t have changed him for the world. He has given me huge pleasure watching my beloved Arsenal. Perhaps the best football in a 57 year love affair. Like you Herb, if you cut me I bleed Arsenal, Victoria Concordia Crescit, only one team in my heart.

    I know you love Fergie, but I wouldn’t p— on him if he where on fire. Although, as history proves, he has been the most successful Premiership manager, he has had plenty of assists ( to put it mildly) along the way.

    My sadness now, is I see Arsene Wenger getting a little tired, he has had plenty to cope with, having to put up with a draconian, out of date board. Also, being subjected to a constant out flow of talent he could not afford to keep.

    I would love him to have one last push and ram his critics words down their throats. Maybe, just maybe, if he buys proven quality this summer, he may even get YOU to eat your hat.

    COYG

  • You really need to get over RvP, Total, jealousy is not a healthy trait. If you’re a footballer in the here and now and you want personal medals to compliment your footballing ability, who would you choose, Arsenal or MU? Of those two choices, who has the most realistic chance of winning either the PL or CL? MU were toothless last season, but still managed to inflict on us our most humiliating defeat in over 100 years, and took all three points at The Emirates as well. Have we closed the gap this season?
    Hi Richie, at least the Glazer’s are prepared to back SAF in terms of transfers, as opposed to our major shareholder, who has no mission statement, offers no vision of our future, doesn’t feel the need to talk to fans, and has no love for football. A huge difference in philosophies. MU want to win, we’re content to make the numbers up.

  • Herb, I am not jealous of MU or RvP. I despise him for his lack of loyalty and his traitorous behaviour:

    Remember this interview I wrote about less than a year ago:

    BM: Are you somebody who will try his utmost with this club to still achieve success?

    RvP: Well yes, I have been there eight years of course, and I am proud of that, and at the end of the season we will calmly sit down with the manager and the chairman [I assume he means Gazidis] and we will have a ‘nice cup of coffee’ (in Dutch: ‘dan gaan wij een bakkie doen’, which could not be more Dutch if you tried), all of us together, nice and cosy (in Dutch: ‘gezellig’ referring to a very friendly/informal sort of meeting/conversation).

    BM: Because I feel you have become a ‘club player’ over there…

    RvP: Yes, I am a real Gunner, which goes without saying, I have been there eight years, I love this club, that is no secret, and that will always stay like that.

    BM: Therefore, would leaving now be ‘blasphemy’?

  • VCC, I could never wish defeat on my club, it is totally against the grain, but I do want regime change, with real football people running our club. Part of that regime change includes the manager, who I believe got extremely lucky with the Arsenal job. Why hasn’t he reproduced the level of football we played in 2004? Because he changed the formation and refuses to change back to what made him successful. That and the piss-poor/injury-prone players he forces on us. And it isn’t just about a perceived lack of resources. We have become stale and boring to watch, there is no spark, desire or hunger, and that has to come from the manager.
    Why are you suddenly attacking Lambert, Total? Aston Villa haven’t been a major force for a long time, and certainly not in Arsenal’s league. You asked me about Villa last week, and I replied. McLeish was taking them down and Lambert has a major re-structuring job on his hands.In spite of his touchline ban he still put out a side that gave us the runaround, and I would still take Moyes or Lambert over Mr Wenger.

  • Dennis never came to Arsenal because of Bruce Rioch, he arrived because
    DD convinced him Arsene was on his way. It was all hush hush because Arsene
    didn’t want to be seen to break his contract with Grampas 8. If everyone can
    remember Patrick also came before Arsene arrived. Besides as has been stated
    many times before Arsene built the invincibles without help from anyone.

  • Well if you’d take Moyes and Lambert over Wenger then all I can say is the best of British to you!

  • Herbie

    Your faith will soon be restored to you. We are on the cusp of a new era. As in life, football changes fast, and there is no better man to lead the Club into this era than Arsene Wenger.

    Great post TA. We have it all to play for and are capable of turning things round fast. Lets get a trophy or two in the cabinent and move forward to were we want to be.

  • Hi Herb and Guys, 🙂

    Well you are back and on fine feisty form Herb! 😆

    I particularly like your cheeky turning of the tables on TA when you said “Total, jealousy is not a healthy trait.”, given that you seem to be very jealous of the success of Manure and managers of other clubs, I think that was a pretty nifty tactic!!! 😀

    Your little break has obviously recharged your batteries.

    Changing the subject a little, Herb, I would like to hear your views on who we might bring in to the club in January, and what sort of tactics you think we should try.

  • Yes Richie, he built ‘The Invincibles’ and has been dining out on it ever since. After winning the title at WHL in 2002, he said his ambition was to make Arsenal one of the biggest clubs in world football. With no European success, and nothing at all since 2005, how do you think we should gauge that? In 199-91, George Graham lost only three domestic games all season, (only one in the league), and brought us European success three years later.

  • Hey Terry,

    I want you to get your mojo back and I have been advised you need to start with doing some burpees. In case you don’t know what a burpee is, here is a stimulating video for you:

  • Herb,

    I have pinched this from another blogger because I am not keen, as you know, in being drawn into dissing AW, but as you have asked, what has Wenger achieved since 2005, when compared with Moyes.

    In 2006, Arsenal reached the final of the Champions League, and Thierry Henry was presented with 2 ‘one on one’ chances with the Barca GK. Past performances said Henry would slot both of them home, altho even one would have won us the CL. In fact he missed both, and we lost. Wenger’s fault? Clearly not!

    Shard wrote:
    “No coach in the world could deal as effectively as AW has done with losing top players every year, and even then, we have been close a few times.

    I will always deem the 2008 title as being lost due to poor refereeing decisions.

    Then we had the beating of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the 2010 CL, before the Busacca moment and Van Persie got sent off (and still Bendtner could have won it, but blew a golden chance).

    We have also had 2 League Cup final appearances, and we have also been close in the Premier League in 2011. (the fans seemed to quit on the team before the team quit on itself).

    Was any of that Wenger’s fault? Of course not and it is sad to denigrate the achievements and close calls of a truly great manager.

  • hahahaha, yes TA, theres enough quality in that Video to restore any ones mojo (though Redders thinks i would be better off if Shard were doing the burpees. hahahaha)

    Since i have been in the Loft i have been on an extensive traing programme, Theres nothing else to do, apart from listen to phone in shows on the radio were some sad bastard goes on about how hes got no hair and his wifes left him, nothing like me of course. hahaha

    i can now see muscles that i never thought exsisited. i think i might borrow Cornwalls mirror, shave my transplant mohican style and ask VCC if he knows any dodgy gangsters who can get me a nice 45.

    Then i will pay RVP a visit. hahahaha

  • It could be worse Terry, a mate of mine, some years ago was told by his long time girlfriend that she was leaving him.

    When he asked why she was going, she said it was not his fault and she would like them to remain as friends – no benefits! She also said there wasn’t any other man involved.

    After gentle probing – no naughty mental images Mr T – she told him she had met someone else — another woman.

    After getting over his shock, they talked things through amicably, and she explained that it was like a beautiful poem the way she and her new love chimed together.
    But anyway it was agreed that until things sorted themselves out, my mate and his now ex-girl would carry on living together, but separately.

    Trouble is — he had a drink or three and eventually could not stop himself asking if he could watch their poetry in motion. Quite understandably in my opinion!! 😀

    No good! She threw him out, and cut the legs off every pair of trousers he owned!! 😆

    So you are getting off lightly with Shard! 😀 I won’t tell Glic!!

  • hahahahaha, bloody hell. i would be delighted if that happened to me. i would just drill some appropriate sized holes in the Loft then sit back with Piegon Fred and enjoy the action. hahahaha

    Ive just realized. The more i talk the more you guys understand why i am in the Loft. hahahaha

  • Hi Redders, I’m sure not every Arsenal fan gets carried away by referring to Mr Wenger as a great. Am I jealous of other club’s success? Yes, and I think I’ve owned up to that in the past. We should have been the first London club to bring home the CL/European Cup, and we most certainly should be responding to Chelsea winning it, just like a certain manager in the north-west is responding to MC. I never once hear SAF complain that his players are jaded, or that his precious lambs have had to play three games in a week, or that his team played with the hand-brake on.
    When it came to the real acid-test, whether for Arsenal or France, Thierry Henry couldn’t deliver on the biggest stages. He didn’t need to so much for France, because Zidane pulled all the strings. And since that final in 2006, we’ve never looked capable of reaching another final. Even if we got the decisions we deserved against Barcelona in 2010, Mourinho would have been waiting in the next round, and we all know how those battles turn out.
    As for coming close to winning the title, Rafa Benitez came closer with Liverpool. We could and should have won it in 2008, but as has now become our favourite go-to response, major injuries de-railed our challenge.
    Losing major players doesn’t happen at any other major club. It only happens at Arsenal. A statement of intent could have been made by Arsenal in forcing RvP to stay for the last year of his contract, instead we chose to significantly hamstring ourselves by directly strengthening our direct rivals, the first major Arsenal player to be sold to MU in nearly 30 years.
    Who do I want in January? A manager who remembers what it takes to motivate players, and players who want to die for the shirt. I want Mr Wenger to prove that he’s at Arsenal for footballing success rather than his over-inflated salary.

  • Evening Beaver Barks 🙂

    Fine post Total.

    Arsenal should hire you as their Decorator, as you`ve done a fine job of papering over the cracks ( and I`m not talking about Arsenal Ladies team and your obsession of becoming the Maestro of, ” Total Papier-Mache “. hahahaha ) with your stats !. 🙂

    The stat I look at is, this is Arsenals worst start under Arsene Wenger . When we last started this badly our final position was 12th , somewhere in the 90`s !.
    I dont ever look at future fixtures and think, ” we should get back on track with them up and coming games “, as it always ends in disaster, just one game at a time for me, starting with Everton .
    What I have noticed on here and AA, is the amount of games recently that bloggers have said, ” thats the worst I have seen us play in years ! “. Man U away, Norwich away and Villa away !. We can expect every year to say, ” thats the worst I`ve seen them play since 199?, but to have three on the trot being described as the worst, tells me there`s something wrong !.
    The future looks bright, the present looks shite !. ( like most of what I write, I made that up myself ! hahaha )

    I thought last years 3rd was Arsene`s greatest achievement, 4th this year would top it !.

    Our only saving grace, is that our normal competitors are just as shite as us and I`ll be amazed if W.B.A dont eventually falter, but we cant keep hoping that the Spuds, Bin Dippers etc keep f**king up, as if we dont grab this chance, one day they will !.
    These players need an almighty kick up the backside, but is there anyone capable of doing it ?. People said Bouldy would do it, but I have my doubts, the only person I can remember doing that was Adams, telling Viera and Petit to sort out some effing protection for the back four !. We know what happened after that !.

    What really makes me laugh, is that one of the ” Wisemen” over on AA said, ” this squad is better than the Invincibles squad ! “. If highly intelligent people think and say thing`s like that, what hope have I got for being taken serious !. ( not that I want to be ! ) hahahaha

    Loved that story about your mate`s girlfriend Redders !. Nearly a lucky bastard !. hahahaha

  • Hi Glicster, 🙂

    I take you seriously when you are being serious! And laugh heartily when you are in comedian mode! 😀

    I do not know who you are referring to regarding the quote ‘this squad is better etc’ and as I do not know I can say hand on heart that is wishful thinking. If it is someone I like I will say you mesmerized me into saying it!! 😆

    We are in a serious trough, whatever the reason, and Arsene needs to wave his magic wand – quite different to Terry’s – and get the lads back on track. Oops you no likey ‘back on track’. Damn!! 😀

  • Hi Redders 🙂

    I hope Arsene`s magic wand doesn`t get him into trouble like Terry`s one ! and did you notice Stretch didn`t say whose loft he was living in !. My monies on RVP`s loft, sounds a bit creepy as he has a rocking chair up there !.

    Anyway forget about that, tell us more about the Lesbian ! . I can guarentee Stretch will have one hand on the keyboard and one hand on his `scope !. hahahaha

  • I hope you lot are looking on “The Urban Dictionary” to define my opening niceties .
    I would feel insulted if you didn`t look up my insults !. hahaha

  • Glic, my famous foundation digger, and sceptic tanker, I dare not look up your oblique references and name play.

    I am a good boy — unlike Terry — and do not even know what a lesbian is.

    Does it have any association with velcro patches?

  • Sorry girls, I have a delicate operation to attend to. As you know , there is nothing worse than Man Pain. I have a wounded middle finger on my right hand ( a thorn from gardening ) and it has gone septic or is that sceptic, damn you Redders, you have confused me !. I have to do this operation with my left hand and as I`m right handed this is tricky. I have a cotton needle in hand, I shall try to be brave and I know I have your best wishes, I can here you all now saying , ” not only is he a handsome bastard, but he`s a brave one too ! “.
    I hope to return to full fitness in the near future. Wish me luck. Bye my friends ! 😥

  • Yes and no my friend, I’ve got a mate who’s boat’s on the other side of the pond and he wants to return it, the day he says it’s looking good I’m off! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *