Eight Arsenal Observations: Togetherness Rules, Kutuzov not Napoleon, Kai the Killer

TotalArsenal

The real season started yesterday. The interlul disruptions are over and we can look fwd to uninterrupted club football for four months or so. Bliss.

This now is the business end of the season. Time to push, get in the groove, create momentum and make opportunities count. With Pool and Citeh holding each other to a draw, Arsenal had a golden opportunity to go top. But Brentford away is a tough nut to crack, and playing an away game after an interlul is seldom easy, especially with three Brazilians returning late from a painful loss against arch-rivals Argentina.

So there was a great opportunity, a huge away challenge (Brentford were unbeaten in more than a dozen London derbies) and little time to prepare as a full unit for Mikel:how did Arsenal do?

Eight Observations:

  1. Aaron started with living through his, no doubt, recently regularly returning nightmare. We all felt for him. Ramsdale is all about presence, energy and talent. At the base of this needs to be confidence, and this cannot be magicked. He clearly went through hell in the first half but his team mates helped him out. No shouts, no finger pointing, but hugs and love. Togetherness, kindness and positivety are the answer to everything. Humans can move mountains when they are in that space. VCC. Result: the Ram had a great second half.
  2. Reading the game is what great footballers do differently from mere good ones. Zinchenko’s goal line clearance and especially Rice’s were the result of that precious attribute. Declan had another quietly demanding game. He gets everywhere and makes it looks simple; he rules like a Kutuzov rather than a bombastic, self-adoring Napoleon, and that makes him such a fine human being. He has got his fellow players’ back as a result of this.
  3. Bukayo does not like to be imprisoned. Space and movement is what he loves but opponents study him, try to shackle and disrupt him. But the Buk doesn’t stop there: he keeps trying without wasting energy unnecessarily. He knows he will get a moment or two to make the difference. Nine assists are already in his backpack and last night he produced one of his finest ones to date. He made space for himself and looked up, and his silky left foot delivered one of those passes every forward dreams off. Late in the game with tired legs and heads, Saka delivered and that’s what makes him so fecking special. A very cool, intelligent head on a young, very strong body.
  4. Kai the Killer. Yes, last night Havertz finally found his inner beast and delivered a goal in open play. He met Saka’s peach of a cross with the venom of a striker in top form, nutmeging the impressive Flekken in the process. Oh how sweet and precious that goal was for him and for us all!
  5. Arteta tried to give Martinelli and Jesus some extra support by pushing the Tross into the hole behind the attackers. The Ode had therefore more freedom to aid the attack wherever he felt he could add the most value. They did not crack the Brentford walls as well as hoped for beforehand, but they managed to find a few chinks in the armor nevertheless, and Leandro was very, very unlucky to see his goal chalked off for having a few toes apparently off-site. A work in progress, but playing with these four attackers more often is a very exciting prospect.
  6. Gabriel Jesus still does not look at ease to me. He looks grumpy and irritated, and his touch and passing are off. Rather than creating chaos and despair in the opposition’s box, he seems to be creating it for himself and his team mates at the moment. Now that the international games are over for a while and he is fully fit again, we should start seeing a calmer and more effective, yet ferocious and effective central forward again.
  7. Next to the joy of watching our superb duo of central defenders strutting their stuff, I also enjoyed our full backs yesterday. Tomiyasu is a cult warrior and Zinchenko had a decent game defensively, whilst contributing well in midfield and attack. There is a lot of feeling in his left foot and we need to make more use of it.
  8. The eight observation I will leave up to you; I have nothing left to say. 🙂

By TotalArsenal.

85 thoughts on “Eight Arsenal Observations: Togetherness Rules, Kutuzov not Napoleon, Kai the Killer”

  • The Buk? Ffs mate, you write like a 12 year old. You should be embarrassed.

    Callum, stay away if you are unhappy with the posts, childish comments are not welcome.

  • So pleased to see the reaction of our players towards Aaron Ramsdale at the end (or for Callum let’s call him the Ram) they obviously knew he was under intense pressure and the spotlight and a couple of errors, the sort we’ve seen from Raya also, sparked derision in the Brentford end, maybe that aided the team in doubling down defensively and we just were not going to concede.

    But to see so many of Ramsdale’s team mates surround him at the end show me just how they feel about their team mate. I’ve not seen that connection between Raya and his defenders up till now, but then the Spaniard seems less emotional than Aaron.

    Tomiyasu was superb, there is absolutely no way that Arsenal should entertain any interest from Bayern, the Germans wouldn’t offer what he’s worth anyway so move along.

    Ramsdale to Wolves would be great move for Aaron and his England place, the Wanderers also have an English manager so would see the benefits of a home grown keeper, it would also keep him out of the clutches of any of our major rivals.

  • Excellent post, Total. Callum must be a bitter Seven Sisters resident. Or, he has something against five year olds. Loved the Kutuzov analogy. Let’s hope our Declan doesn’t get shot in the head twice.
    The two goal line clearances, the love poured upon Aaron at games end, “Buk’s” perfect moment and Kai, whose arrival at the back post matched Scarlet O’Hara’s at the top of the stairs for timing. All contributed to rescue my Sunday. I got by with a little help…

  • I really enjoyed this post.. not because of the game result, but really good writing. TA taps into the minds of players and what affects their performances…
    The game observations are thorough also. I’m still thinking about some things observed a few days ago about missing Xhakas influence.
    In my opinion it was wrong to start Martinelli, and especially to start Jesus. Both have had hamstring problems recently… they didn’t look up to their normal energy either, understandably.
    Our bench looks weak for attacking options because Arteta doesn’t use Nelson, and persists with Nketiah, who’s just not at our skill level. Normally I’m a big Eddie supporter, but he hasn’t been impacting games enough to be first off the bench when we desperately need goals.

  • Really good writing! Haha😅🤣😂🤣😅hahahahaha 🤣😂😂🤣😂🤣😅

  • Alright Callum. If you are going to persist with your criticism, show us what you consider to be “really good writing”. How about writing a paragraph on anything Arsenal related and letting us see if you are in any position to judge the work of others. We already know you can spell “ha” and use emoji’s to express yourself.
    Our host, Total is a gracious fellow. I’m not so. So front up or piss off, mate.

  • I am not the one that is posting barely coherent drivel on the internet, posing as some sort of journalist or pundit. Your gracious host is, however. That alone opens him up to criticism. Both of his opinions and his juvenile writing style.

    I personally am over this obsession of every half-brained numpty with a keyboard and internet access spewing their word soup into the world. Typically, I just banish that kind of crap from my newsfeed. Occasionally, the writing is so bad that I am drawn to comment. I don’t expect your ‘gracious host’ to actually stop posting his barely literate twaddle, they will probably double down on it because they enjoy the ‘hits’ and the dopamine release that accompany them. It is really just me screaming into the void, trying to shout down the voices of ignorance therein. Totally ineffectually of course, but it does provide me with a modicum of relief and a sense of satisfaction in at least attempting to hold back the flood of ill-founded opinion pieces that float like bloated turds on the information highway. It always astounds me that people will happily swallow that shit with barely a grimace.

    I stand by my original statement. The writing is juvenile at best. Embarrassing.

    I hope that assuages your belief that I cannot recognise poor writing. If not? Well, I rather ungraciously suggest that you piss off.

  • As I thought, nothing Arsenal, nothing positive and, and, well nothing at all…

  • Ouch… I’m pretty sure I told you what you can do in the last sentence of my previous post. Cheerio, I’m done with this awful website. Keep enjoying those turds mate.

  • Callum clearly has problems with accepting his inner child, the juvenile, and the Buk doesn’t stop there.

    Callie, send us a link to what you have written, oh you fine master of language, and we’ll review it.

    Total, aged 12.

  • ‘Aaron started with living through his, no doubt, recently returning nightmare.’… there’s no way I can compete with your mastery of the English language.

  • Never mind the ordinary, you need saving from yourself, Callum. If our host were to respond in his native tongue neither you nor I would understand a word. Unless, that is your exceptional grasp of language extends to Dutch.
    Humble yourself and apologise, mate. You may find Bergkampesque is a company of friends, who, though imperfect in our expression thoroughly enjoy one another’s contributions and company.

  • Mate, my previous comment was far more eloquent and verbose than anything you’ve posted. I’ve already made the point that I can string sentences together coherently, a skill with which you clearly struggle. In addition, and most importantly, I don’t choose to post articles online! If you choose to do that, at least right something meaningful and decipherable! The fact that you post the textual version of diarrhoea and put your name to it is absolutely embarrassing, and you deserve to be called out for it.

    Hope that was well enough written for you.

  • Apologise for what? Calling it like I see it? Hurting someone’s feelings? Jog on mate. If you can’t handle the criticism, quit posting crap online.

  • Callum, love for excellence can easily grow into a hypercritical spirit. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbour’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Tho’ you can construct a sentence, your tenor is ugly. Unworthy. Unwanted.

  • It’s late down here on the Celtic fringe. I bid you good night and God bless.

  • It’s not about love of excellence. It’s not hypercritical. As I tried to explain to you in an earlier comment, which you disregarded as of no value, it is out of respect for the published word. I respect your adamant defense of the poster. You are entitled to protect those you consider friends, and kudos for that. The post, however, is barely comprehensible and has little merit, if any. Perhaps you and your friends could share these utterances in a whatsapp conversation or similar? You could spare those of us who relish well written and informative articles on the Arsenal from having to read such affronts to the senses. Also you could inure yourself to the entirely valid criticisms that seem to cause you such distress.

    As a student of communication, I hold published media to a high standard. Sadly, this particular site falls well short of being even acceptable, valid. As they say, publish at your peril.

    As I said earlier, I really don’t expect this site to change anything that it does. I am sure that it will consider posting articles of negligible value. This is just my way of railing against the plethora of similarly poorly constructed articles I wade through in order to get to articles that are worth reading. I guess I just grew up in a time when if you had nothing meaningful to say, you said nothing.

  • Thanks for the education, Callum. Nothing will change indeed. This is a football blog and we write quick and easy, from the heart and gut. Your writing is technically sound, so well done to you.

    Enjoy the rest of your life holding others to account about their inferior writing. You sad little man.

  • Good heavens Total, there’s been an awful lot of anger expressed on here over the last few hours, fortunately you are a calm, considered and mature character and have deflected all of the spite elicited by Callum in your usual relaxed manner.

    I wonder if Callum is in fact an angry and verbally challenged Brentford fan?

  • Total, patience is definitely a virtue but in this case I hope you banned the “grammar” teacher!

  • Last weekends results:-

    1st Stuart & GN5 with 5/6 plus a share of most correct predictions = 7 points
    3rd Total & Eris with 4/6 plus 1 correct score = 6 points
    5th Kev with 3/6 plus 1 correct score = 5 points

    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1. Total 77.13
    2. Stuart 76.8
    3. Eris 72.46
    4. PB 60.66
    5. GN5 59.8
    6. Kev 54.13
    7. OX10 33.0
    8. Madhu 10.0

    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selections:-

    Arsenal v Wolverhampton *
    Burnley v Sheffield United *
    Nottingham Forest v Everton *
    Newcastle United v Manchester United *
    Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur *
    Barcelona v Atlético Madrid *

    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””


  • You never know who you are “talking” to on blogs Callum.

    You chose to direct your version of what is good and bad in the use of words on this site to Parson, Stuart Noel Angus who happens to be one of the kindest most caring people that I know. I’m yet to meet him but I assure you that his written word means more to me than a meaningless piece of perfect writing ever will.

    By the way I have not seen the inside of a school since I was fourteen – but understanding is far more important to me than perfect writing.

    I hope you are banned from Bergkampesque.


  • Strange people out there. Lonely, angry, looking for attention on the internet. Reading all his attempts to be obnoxious, it almost made me feel tired thinking of that effort wasted on such negativity.


  • Who iis this Callum fellow? A juvenile on the wrong side of the N5? Sounds frustrated but had to come on here to let off steam.

    Callum (I expect you are banned by now, though) if you are so fixated on precise writing, maybe you need to pay attention to your spelling. You wrote….. “I don’t choose to post articles online! If you choose to do that, at least ‘right’ something meaningful and decipherable!”. Pooh!


  • Total, you sure are a patient one. If it was a mere criticism, I’d say it is par for the course. But to take the bait and start to show off. Jeez! Didn’t think people like that still exist.


  • What was the problem with that guy Callum?  I don’t follow many online social media forums or comment often, but now I think I know what everyone means by internet “troll”.  

    I enjoy reading the spirited and personal points of view here.  As I’ve started to follow Arsenal these past few years, I’ve learned a lot from the moderator and many commenters.  Keep it up.  

    (And, anyhow, that guy’s writing was so stiff and pompous, I wondered if it was some sort of satire.) 

  • Well now on to the actual game, no more internet troll games. Any style win for 3 points would be satisfying for me.

  • Thank you all for the warm comments. The grammar hooligan is just a sorry case. Best to ignore him, but he just couldn’t stop the abuse, so we had to deal with him.

    Really looking forward to the game. A brace for the Buk would be nice. 🙂

  • Super performance. Tomi man of the match despite only playing 45 min. Kai a close second.
    Love that aftershave, Total. Wear something else and I will likely drop off the pace…
    Where’s our handsome Hungarian lately?

  • All good points, Stuart. I watched it in a sports bar with a massive screen with colleagues. All good fun. Really liked Jesus’s performance tonight.

    The aftershave is a must, I am afraid. 🙂

  • What a pleasing win for the lads. Only able to watch it, thanks to PVR.
    Agree Tomiyasu was excellent; but Gabriel, Jesus, Saka and Rice were all exceptional in helping the team get it’s revenge on the visitors for that unexpected defeat in the reverse fixture.

    Now, for Saturday……

  • Arsenal vs Wolves………….. 3-0
    Burnley vs Sheff United….. 2-1
    Nottm Forest vs Everton…. 2-2
    Newcastle vs Man United… 1-2
    Man City vs Tottenham..…. 3-1
    Barcelona vs Atlético…..…. 2-1

  • Arsenal v Wolverhampton * H (2-0)
    Burnley v Sheffield United * D 1-1)
    Nottingham Forest v Everton * A (1-2)
    Newcastle United v Manchester United * H (2-1)
    Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur * H (2-1)
    Barcelona20:00Atlético Madrid D 1-1)

  • Arsenal v Wolverhampton * 2-1
    Burnley v Sheffield United * 2-0
    Nottingham Forest v Everton * 2-2
    Newcastle United v Manchester United * 3-1
    Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur * 3-1
    Barcelona v Atlético Madrid * 1-0

  • Thanks GN5. And, thanks for your kind words earlier. If we ever do meet, I’d undoubtedly prick your bubble. I promise to stand you a cold one to make up for it.

    Arsenal v Wolverhampton 3-0
    Burnley v Sheffield United 2-0
    Nottingham Forest v Everton 1-2
    Newcastle United v Manchester United 1-1
    Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur 2-1
    Barcelona v Atlético Madrid 1-0

  • Stuart, You would find it very difficult to burst my bubble. You have been so incredibly kind and caring towards me that I think you are invincible.

  • Like our players, once we had a comfortable lead, I was already thinking about Wolves. I don’t even recall our results against them, but that they always make things difficult for us. I haven’t watched them yet this season, but I hear they’ve been better than their record.
    I’m glad Kai got the first goal, by the way. More meaningful for him and the fans. I’m still saying Arteta will make him a good acquisition.

  • GN5, thanks for the reminder. Here goes….

    Arsenal v Wolverhampton H 3-1
    Burnley v Sheffield United H 2-1
    Nott’ham Forest v Everton D 2-2
    Newcastle United v Manchester United H 2-0
    Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur H 3-2
    Barcelona v Atlético Madrid H 1-0

  • My condolences to Stuart because his father-in-law and to the rest of the group because of Callum.

    Arsenal vs Wolverhampton H* 4-0
    Burnley vs Sheffield United D* 1-1
    Nottingham Forest vs Everton A* 1-2
    Newcastle United vs Manchester United* H 1-0
    Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur A* 1-2
    FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid H* 3-2

  • It’s bloody parky (cold) in London today, had a flurry of snow out in Essex, my garden almost looked Canadian for awhile, but it didn’t settle, thankfully. I’m quite used to driving in atrocious conditions, it’s par for the course, but if I can avoid it, then I’m happy.

    Some really sensible and balanced observations on my usual Arsenal podcasts today, I believe that fans are beginning to get on board with the difficulties of bringing young players into the intense cauldron that is modern football, there’s a fine line between development and encouragement vs breaking a youngster before they’re really ready for it. When you are a top top team like Arsenal it’s even more difficult, every game is life and death, every defeat is treated like a bereavement (in some quarters) there’s barely time for experienced players to settle and fit in let alone a 16 or 17 year old.

    Sitting on the bench is an education in itself and a reality check when a player like Trossard can’t get a run out. Their time will come and when it does they’ll have earned it and be all the better for it…

  • You know, I don’t want to jump the gun but I can’t help it.

    I cannot remember, even under Arsene Wenger, ever going into a season and feeling optimistic about the Champions League. Hopeful perhaps, delusional even but not quietly confident.

    I really think that this team and this manager have the right tools to win the trophy with big ears.

    There, I’ve posted it…

  • Some bold predictions from PB and Kev. I thought we had the goods to win Big Ears during the glory days under Arsene, and even earlier under George (but for the ban), and as far back as under Bertie when his very pragmatic team gave the legendary Ajax a decent run for the money.
    You don’t win in Europe without pragmatism and a brilliant defence, and we seem to be arriving at a point of having both. Fitness is a major factor. Keeping our existing first X1 and getting TP back will be crucial.
    What would you prefer, Kev, Champions League or Premiership? What podcasts do you listen to, mate? I enjoy Ian Stone’s “Handbrake off”.

    Thanks to all for the kind sentiments over my Father in laws passing. Patrick Edwin John Knight was a North Londoner who saw blood flowing in the streets during the Blitz, served in North Africa in a tank regiment, went to Highbury in the ’50’s & ’60’s, became a much loved local dentist in Somerset, visited us 25 times in New Zealand to see his grandsons raised. Buried today. Well, his body was. He loved God al his life. With Him now.

  • My thoughts are with you and Sarah, Stu. 25 times is an amazing number of visits. Patrick Edwin sounds like a man who had a full life and filled that father-gap of you quite a bit for you over the years. May he stay in your heart and mind forever. 🙂 🔆 🧡

  • Kev,
    You’re not wrong at all. Forget the idiot pundits and talksport with ex players. The only predictions that are based on money are the gambling sites.
    No bias, no favorites, no past dislikes or grudges… not even tweaking annoying fans.
    The money lines had Arsenal as 4th favourites in the world to win the champions league. Amazing for such a young team that’s been out of the competition for years.
    Our performance in the group stage will not have hurt our odds at all, maybe even improved them a bit.

    I will say that as soon as we were clearly in the top 4 last year, I said here, that Arteta isn’t coming just to be happy to be there in the CL.. he’ll be deadly serious about going deep and trying to win.
    No rejoicing about making top 4 for this squad and coaches.

  • Stu, I listen to Arseblog Arsecast, Handbrake Off and Arsenal Vision, in that order. I’ve also begun to listen to The Athletic Football Podcast.
    A tip from me Stuart, download the ‘Tune In’ App and you can access podcasts and radio stations from around the world.

    Stu, regarding the London Blitz etc, my Paternal Grandfather was a fireman and saw some horrific sights which I won’t share here. Sadly I think the stoicism that those who lived through those years and passed on to the following generation has to a large degree been lost in these modern times, I’m rather concerned at where we’re all going to end up.

  • Strangely enough Stu my late father-in-law served in North Africa with the Royal Artillery

  • Total/Johnno, I don’t think that many clubs will relish drawing Arsenal in the Champions League, personally I’m not afraid of any of them. Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, bring ‘em on I say…

  • The squad is too small quality wise to get to the final of the CL. I hope desperately to be wrong but the Ode, Saka, Saliba, Jesus, Rice, Big Gab are all hard to replace. In the big games in March, April this is likely going to hurt us. We are still on a journey.

  • I’m awfully sorry, Kev, but I cannot agree with a single word you commented on the youth involvement. I have no data if “fans are beginning to get on board with the difficulties of bringing young players into the intense cauldron that is modern football”, so I cannot refute that, but I believe I can disprove everything else. It is not against Arteta, and it is definitely not against you, my friend, only the retrospective self-deception, that “if it happened that way – and turned out well – then it couldn’t/shouldn’t have happened any other way”.

    We are indeed a top team. And our 2 games against Man City this season clearly showed that no club can play against us believing they have the 3 points in the bank. I also enjoy the concept that we play in the PL and the CL with the intention to win every single game, and if you think you want Arsenal to win the PL or CL more than me, think again. Yet, there are other top teams that follow a different strategy that is easier for me to identify with. With the approach, not the team, obviously.

    Arsenal
    This season – apart from 68 minutes in a Carabao Cup game for Charles Sagoe Jr. (19) – the youngest player in an Arsenal jersey was Bukayo Saka (22). In fact he is the second youngest player in our first team, but Karl Hein (21) didn’t feature in a single competitive senior game.

    Manchester City
    Since we are talking about youth development I disregard Doku and Gvardiol who are both younger than Saka as they were purchased players. City gave 625 competitive fist team minutes in 11 games to Rico Lewis (19) and 178 in 7 games to Oscar Bobb (20) who was promoted to the first team this summer. And before you even consider bringing up ‘but Lewis was a first team player at the age of 18 last season’, there was no reason not to promote ACL, Walters, Sousa, BNC to Arsenal’s first team last year either.
    By the way, the out of 11 games of Lewis, City won 9 (losing against us in the PL and Newcastle in the cup), while Bobb’s involvements in the closing stages of PL and CL games were also victories. OK, I have to admit that the Carabao cup game against Newcastle was not successful with both teenagers starting, but firstly they played against a top team away from home, where victory doesn’t come easy anyway, and more importantly we ‘managed’ to drop out the same cup against West Ham even without granting a single minute to youngsters, so our approach is hardly superior.

    Liverpool
    Even disregarding Harvey Elliot’s (20) involvement in 18 games there are Jarell Quansah (20) with 679 minutes in 10 games (W9, L1), Conor Bradley (20) with 8 minutes in 1 game (W1), Luke Chambers (19) with 76 minutes in 4 games and Ben Doak (18) with 184 minutes in 4 games (W2, D1, L1). These boys are also playing for Liverpool’s U21, so they are somewhere between the youth and the first team.

    Chelsea
    I didn’t want to include our London neighbors here as there are little to envy about them, and they are a youth player hoarders that could only yield returns in 2-3 years anyway, but even with a squad 20% bigger (!) than Arsenal’s and no European games (!!) they managed to give 1134 minutes in 15 games to Levi Colwill and 272 minutes in 9 games to Ian Maatsen, both younger than Bukayo. The pair worth €62M now.

    Manchester United
    I don’t want to waste your time with all the details, but the youth-obsessed Ten Hag gave 104 minutes to Kobbie Mainoo (18), 303 minutes to Hannibal Mejbri (20), and successfully integrated Alejandro Garnacho (19) into the first team with 1200+ minutes last season and 855 this campaign. You may argue if that was “breaking a youngster before they’re really ready” or indeed “development and encouragement”, but then I would sincerely question your objectivity.

    Lastly Newcatle: they promoted a single youth player, Lewis Miley (17) to play 300 minutes in 5 competitive fisrt team games. But what is more alarming: Miley used to be England U16/U17 teammate with Nwaneri and MLS, and now he plays for England U19.

    By the way, youth national teams. We have 2 players in U17 and U19 (Sousa & ACD). But none in U20 and U21 any more. Well, literally we have Patino and BNC in England U21, but they are playing in the Championship, not in the Hale End Academy or Arsenal’s first team.

    To make the long story short: watching Trossard getting or not getting a run from the bench is hardly an education. Our young starlets shouldn’t get those so vitally important competitive minutes because they are the best avaible resources on the bench – neither were Bobb, Quansah, Maatsen, Mainoo or Miley – but IN ORDER TO become the best available resources. If we insist that they should get their chance only when they are the best option – while keep buying players to be the #4 in the pecking order – then their time will NEVER come.

    Furthermore we will not be able to attract the best talents to the academy either. The examples of Sam Greenwood and Omari Hutchinson compared to Taylor-Hart, Walters, Azeez and Biereth showed that moving away from Arsenal youth ranks is the smart choice to continue one’s development. Because even when we are leading by 5:0 at home at half time against the weakest team in the group, there is zero chance for youth involvement.

    Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of improvements at Arsenal, and my mood – which is unhealthily dependent on the results – has never been so high. Therefore if you believe that the only way to have a shot at the PL and/or the CL title is to move away from being a talent nurturing team and become a player purchasing team, then you have every right to think that. Probably not everyone would agree (I’m sure the majority will, though), but that is a perfectly legitimate opinion or set of values. Just please, have the decency and throw away “the club relies on the academy, Arteta has plans with the boys, and their time will come” record, as it is clearly and obviously broken.

    Is it still nice to have me back? 😉

  • PB I scrolled down on your post to see how long and drawn out it would be and then gave it an miss, but I’m sure everyone else enjoyed reading it

  • PB in answer to your last question the answer is simple YES.

    You may (and do) disagree with many – but you are not disagreeable. Welcome back.

  • Kev, it was long, but drawn out?

    It’s very well thought out and worth a read whether or not you agree or disagree.

    My day’s of lengthy responses and posts are now few and far between – but I most certainly enjoy reading all of your different viewpoints – and long may they continue my friend.

  • Here’s one of my old posts from about 15 years back:-

    When did your love for Arsenal start?

    Well mine started when I was as an infant; I was one of the few who happened to be born within the sound of Highbury roars and with my entire family steeped in Arsenal tradition it seemed as natural as drinking milk made from Cow and Gates milk powder.

    The war years of the 30’s and 40’s were bleak times and most of the men in the family were away at war, the Arsenal players and club were also deeply involved in WW11. In fact during WW11 42 of Arsenal’s 44 full time players were drafted into service, along with most of the administration staff. Arsenal stadium itself was turned into an ARP “Air Raid Precautions) facility. Arsenal played its war time home fixtures at White Hart Lane; Tottenham had used Highbury for some of its home games during WW1.

    The Arsenal stadium also paid the price when it was bombed in 1941. The North Bank was wrecked after a fire broke out and the roof collapsed and much of the terracing on the South Stand was damaged too and these had to be repaired before Arsenal could return home after the war. Another bomb, weighing 1,000lb, had fallen near the stadium in October 1940. Meanwhile tonnes of concrete that had been blown over the Clock End terraces needed to be removed.

    Arsenal was one of the leading sides during the Second World War, having dominated English football for much of the 1930s. They won the League South ‘A’ title in 1939/40 but lost the League War Cup Final the following season. Leslie Compton missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Preston at Wembley and Arsenal lost the replay 2-1 at Blackburn. Arsenal followed the example of other clubs and used “guest players” most notably Bill Shankly, Stan Mortensen and Stanley Matthews. In 1941/42 a number of London clubs formed a breakaway London League and Arsenal romped to the title with 108 goals in 30 matches.

    They returned to the Football League South a season later and, in 1942/43, won the championship and the League South Cup. Reg Lewis netted four times in that 7-1 Cup Final win over Charlton. He would of course go on to become an even more significant Wembley winner seven years later, grabbing both goals as Arsenal beat Liverpool in the 1950 FA Cup Final.

    During air raids my family used to take shelter in the Arsenal Underground Station or in the Caledonian Road Underground – if we were visiting family in N7. Even though these were very bleak years in most peoples lives to us kids it was our reality, we were poor, hungry, scruffy and always grubby; but kids being kids we made our own fun and games. Kicking our rag footballs against the chalk goalpost we drew on the Avenell Road entrance to Highbury and imaging we were Arsenal players was to us a joy and it along with my family’s tales about the clubs history and its players made me an Arsenal fan for life…… when ever we could we would also “sneak” into the ground and run into the crowd.

    Tell us when your love for Arsenal started?

    GunnerN5

  • Hwang and Cunha are dangerous players to keep a lid on. I think Wolves are not as easy as gooners think.

  • Did you see what Zinchenko did there? He didn’t want us cruising to an easy finish after the blowout against Lens. He made sure that we don’t get too full of ourselves, or become complacent. Made sure that we had to scramble and fight for the 3 points. Very clever.

  • Thanks PB, well explained. I think top teams produce a couple of top players every five to ten years on average, and the rest they have to buy. The PL is a tough place for talent at a top club.

  • GN5:

    I also enjoy your posts, because you are humble, well mannered and respectful. I treat people the same way they treat me.

  • Just catching up with all the fine posts. Great comments and views; enjoyed reading GN5’s 15 years old post too.

    It’s been a hectic couple of days for me. The family came in from Canada to be with me for my birthday and take in the wedding ceremony of my second cousin. It’s all been a rush, with late nights and general fun stuff.

    Didn’t watch it but happy to know we got the win today (yesterday?) and will be top of the table till the next round, at the least. Long may it continue.

  • Happy birthday, Eris. May God bless you and your family, mate.

    Very classy of The Arsenal to honour Meg Wilson’s passing before the match on Saturday. I read Bob’s book which details the tragic loss of their daughter and the way they remembered her with the wonderful charity, The Willow Foundation.

    What a beautiful move which led to our second goal. I was watching the match in bed (4 am kick off down here) and thought I had slipped into a dream when that sumptuous moment arrived. I always fancy being at the game live but on this occasion was glad to be warm under my duvet. Were you at the match, Kev? All bundled up, I trust. I thought I saw some brass monkeys running around looking for welders. 😇.

    Good pieces, PB and GN5. I agree with Totals assessment that in the modern game a couple of players home produced every few years is the norm.
    GN5, I would love to see a photo of you in that era which you describe. I’m not sure if your family had a camera or not. A chalked goal on the Avenal Rd entrance to the stadium… What a memory.
    I never knew that Matthews, Mortenson and Shankly had guested for Arsenal.

  • Amen! Thanks, Stuart. God bless you too.

    On the tributes to Meg Wilson, it started, in earnest, at the midweek CL clash with RCD Lens as all the players and staff wore black arm bands. Club has always been classy and that’s (one of the reasons) why we support the Arsenal.
    May God rest her soul and strengthen Bob, at this time.

  • Great to see Jurrien Timber interviewed by Adrian Clarke before the Wolves game – and despite the club trying to keep everyone calm about his recovery he himself hinted that he’s hopeful of returning before the end of the season.

    February?

  • Last weekend’s results:-

    1st Total with 4/6 plus 2 correct scores and a share of most correct predictions = 9 points
    2nd Eris, Stuart & PB with 4/6 plus 1 correct score and share of most correct predictions = 7 points
    5th Kev & GN5 with 3/5 = 3points
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date :-

    1st Total 86.13
    2nd Stuart 83.18
    3rd Eris 79.46
    4th PB 67.66
    5th GN5 62.80
    6th Kev 57.13
    7th OX10 33.00
    8th Madhu 10.00
    ””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
    Next weekends selections:-

    Wolverhampton v Nottingham Forest *
    Aston Villa v Arsenal *
    Everton v Chelsea *
    Fulham v West Ham United *
    Tottenham Hotspu v Newcastle United *
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98*
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

    All the best on your birthday Eris.

  • He sure is Kev, he is making a habit of being number one.

    Looks like you and I need to pull our socks up.

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