ARSENALISM©

When the year ends in 1 Spurs win the cup? well this time round they've been knocked out of both cups by fellow Londoners, conceding four goals, so I guess that old chestnut is not true after all. Still there's always 2021 http://eurorivals.net/fulham:tottenham-highlights-goals-video_20110130.html lets relive the magic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95CWzSX4hXU and again (forgive the music)

image copyright gunnerblog The equaliser fromHuddersfield today was merited and once again we conceded from a dead ball. I think we have scored somewhere in the region of 85 goals so far in all competitions and the majority of goals conceded are from dead ball situations; clearly lessons to be learned as we enter the busy four competition phase of the season. another lesson to be learned is that Diaby and Denilson should be nowhere near the Arsenal squad. They are both dead losses who have not added an iota to their game since joining the club. they are just no bloody good. the ugly If there is any concern surrounding today's performance the one thing i have noted is that Fabregas seems to have become a Steven Gerrard figure, in as much as he digs us out of holes on a regular basis. This is a concern as, when looking at Liverpool's reliance on their captain, you can see the road it has taken them down. Cesc is our Captain certainly, but we do not want to end up being over...

OUR OPPONENTS CONFIRMED COULD IT BE A CLASSIC?   ARSENAL V BIRMINGHAM CITY AT WEMBLEY IN THE CARLING CUP FINAL COME ON ARSENAL LETS DON OUR COAT OF VICTORY AND BEAR ARMS  IN

Richard Keys apologises for being the new David Brent live on Talksport with a tear in the eye for Andy Gray's Gareth Keenan. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8283567/Richard-Keys-attacks-dark-forces-at-work-in-Sky-Sports-sexism-row.html To hear the grovelling pronouncements flowing with diversion and buck passing click on link. The fact that he says ‘sorry’ about 100 times should not detract from the large number of “I can’t comment” and “dark forces” innuendos. The comments about Karen Brady playing the gender card, and ‘Lads Mag banter’ did him no favours. It smacked of a man hanging onto his career, knowing that the so called dark forces are not out to get him but that his time is up. His style of Punditry should be removed from the media world and this is just the excuse needed by Sky to out the pair of them. Keys surely faces the chop as I can’t believe that there aren’t more audio visual tit bits awaiting broadcast to further bury Key...

The question is not so much about Andy Gray and Richard Keys being sexist or not, I think it’s about what you can and can’t say in the workplace, what you should and shouldn’t do in the workplace and above all what’s right and wrong.. The two of them are highly paid in a high profile job and whether the cameras are rolling or a tape is running they need to behave themselves at work. In most professions the kind of comments they made would be cause for action, therefore their positions amplify the situation. Richard Keys comments in front of Souness, Redknapp and Gullit brought to mind David Brent trying to impress Finchy with his laddishness in The Office, so cringe inducing were they. Clearly there are a lot of staff members at Sky who were waiting for an opportunity to burst the bubble of the old boy network. Their Super Sunday and MNF inane banter and woeful lack of insight was not enough to get shot of them (at the time of writing Keys is still in a job) but whatever the case, t...

And so Wembley beckons. A chance for the elusive trophy to get stenciled onto the Emirates hoarding. The much derided Bendtner's opening goal was a thing of beauty, Koscielny's powerful header further settled the nerves and Cesc's third; brilliantly worked with Arshavin saw Arsenal book our place in the Carling Cup final against either City or United. We should have the fourteen players to take the trophy back to North London, but let's not go chicken counting. "yeah, you're going to Madrid but i'm going to wembley" But it wasn't all good news. Man Utd coming out of tonight's fixture against Blackpool was kind of inevitable. The fact that they were 2-0 down at half time raised a smile though. We now stand on the same number of games and with a reinvigorated Chelsea to meet them twice and our meeting with them at the Emirates who knows. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWcPxDdJbeo carry on Andy episode 2 Oh, but I'm forgetting there was...

As the Sky sports soccer sexism saga staggers on the super soaraway Sun steps in with this measured and dignified view of the incident. Preparing for an interview in the build up to Liverpool's premier League game at wolves on Saturday, a pitch side reporter tells Gray: "Apparently a female Lino today, bit of a looker, according to Steve the Cameraman" Pulling a disgusted face , Gray says: "a female linesman?" The reporter replies: "he says she's all right. Now I don't know if I should trust his judgement on that" Gray snaps: "nah i wouldn't I definitely wouldn't" (copyright N Syson) Funny that; having seen her picture I would

the dated view challenged Further to my earlier post, I would just like to state that I abhor sexism within football. I think we could all learn a lot from this 1970's documentary about the successful integration of women into the male dominated football world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU72VWLJkdk men and women together. united in football

Silly girls running the line at football, I mean why do they do it? surely they would be happier at home crocheting a tea cosy or getting their legs waxed. After all its a bit cold to be out there in front of all those leering blokes. It's a good thing that Richard Keys and Andy Grey, The Cannon & Ball of sports broadcasting, were able to let the nation know the truth. tut tut, silly ladies wanting a bit of equality. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01_04/sky.mp3 Keys & Gray's comments SKY's training for presenters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w Keys & Gray / Cholmley-Warner & Grayson

THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY  So another three points tucked away against a Wigan team who were far from athletic. The Wigan keeper tasked himself with keeping Arsenal at bay, but in the end it was a comfortable victory with no injuries and no cards. So to Tuesday, when, it is entirely in our hands, if we make it to a Carling Cup Final.Play as we did yesterday and we are Wembley bound. Take the opposition for granted in either performance or team selection and this golden opportunity for Silverware will pass us by. http://goalshighlights.com/2011/01/22/arsenal-3-0-wigan-athletic-robin-van-persie-hat-trick-goal/ the Hat trick http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/default.stm wenger talks to BBC

The new and 200th issue of FourFourTwo magazine carries an interview with the great Dennis Bergkamp. I am happy to recomend purchasing this magazine as the interview is both interesting and thoughtful. None of the usual 'i just hit it and it went in' or 'the gaffer lets us have the odd beer' just eloquence from the Dutch master. Extract from article (copyright FourFourTwo) Dennis Bergkamp on his goal for Netherlands v Argentina "How did I do it? First, there's eye contact with Frank DeBoer-he's going to give the ball. Then: sprint away, get six yards away from the defender. The ball is coming over my shoulder. I run in a straight line, jump up to meet the ball,kill it dead, the second touch turns inside, to make sure [Roberto] Ayala is gone, and get a better angle on goal. I aim for the far post and let it curve in. After the second touch I know this can't go wrong. No chance! you give absolutely everything, like your life is leading up to this moment...

Here we go again; a touch of media over reaction at Arsenal's so called, outrageous claims that they are going to do the quadruple.Radio phone- ins with Sp*rs supporters rubbishing the quadruple claim, pundits making accusations of arrogance, Blah Blah Blah. Tabloids say: NASRI: GUNNERS CAN POT THE LOT SAMIR NASRI says Arsenal are Gunning for a clean sweep of all four trophies this season. Nasri reckons Gunners can pot the lot What was actually said by the Arsenal Captains after last nights win at Elland Road: "We want to win every competition and this cup (FA Cup) is really important to us."- Samir Nasri "As Samir said, we want to go all the way in every competition," –Cesc Fabregas The key words are CAN & WANT, easy isn't it??

RVP in the place to be So that was nice; like tea and biscuits. An enjoyable game of cup football with some great goals saw Arsenal's safe passage into the next round of the FA Cup and a home tie against, formerly managed by the great Herbert Chapman,  Huddersfield Town. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-gr6CI_7A Chapman All good in the snood Thoroughly enjoyable so much so that I have no negatives to ponder over. Even Bendtner, with the cross for Van Persie's goal and The Ref Mike Dean, who had a good performance, present any complaints. Sagna (I can't think of a pun) So that's that then....not quite used to this....no contention, stupid decisions, injuries, pitch invasions by parachuists, or on field punch up between Cesc and Denilson....all that remains to be said is " The Quadruple is still on! (didn't think i would sign of without a note of controversy did you?)

Denilson's tried changing his hairstyles now he's decided that this look is best after his comments Footballers seem to spend a lot of time talking; Twitters, interviews, pokes, biographies, posts as a consequence all manner of media sound bites appear. This time it’s Arsenal’s ineffectual midfield not- so- maestro Denilson’s turn to create a furore. A certain tabloid that doesn’t need me to give them any more publicity has stolen (there’s no other word for it) a piece from Arseblog & Arsenal Brazil  http://www.arsenalbrasil.com.br/ – http://arseblog.com  and spun it into an exclusive. Players mouthing off about shortfalls in their midst is nothing new and Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and the like have done it in the past but the difference being they led by example so were entitled to have an opinion. Denilson (nice chap though he seems to be) does nothing of inspiration on the pitch. Any promise that he once had is unfulfilled and at 23 next month he is no l...

When I heard that Darren Bent was going for a fee between £18m-£24m I was dismayed. This was because, if  a club are prepared to buy Bent for this amount of money Bendtner is now going to think he's worth more so I now think it's going to make selling him impossible! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf_fyN23vvE 110% Bent

Talking of idiots, Glen Johnson the twit with the tweet, as we know insulted Paul Merson for having an opinion; ie: Glen Johnson can't defend for toffee. Johnson basically said that Merson was an ex alcoholic and Drug addict, and a player who was "mediocre at best" while the first two statements are true (particularly the 'ex' bit) the third points to Glen as being clinically insane! Merse had this to say about Johnson: “Johnson’s job is to play football and defend for Liverpool. His job isn’t to get on Twitter, start having a go at me and bringing up my past. He didn’t talk about all of the medals I’ve won, he was only interested in calling me an alcoholic and a drug addict. Personally, I think he embarrassed himself. If you are playing for one of the greatest clubs in the world and earning £80,000 a week, why are you worrying about a drug addict and alcoholic? I hope he has sat down and said to himself, “That wasn’t right.” He could easily have called me u...

I'll keep this brief. Today Arsenal needed to put in a solid performance against bottom of the league Hammers and take away three points.Arsenal did. Nuff said. The other issues from today that are of concern are the way Avram Grant was treated by the board at WHUFC and the fact that Man City, on the back of a cash injection, sit atop the league at close of play. These two things almost crystallise modern football in the UK. For Arsenal; job done, three points, next game...

So Arsenal travel; to a very poor West ham and to be honest I can’t predict the result, such is the inconsistency at our club. It’s not so much that Arsenal have played three games recently; one in the League, one in the FA Cup and one in the League cup without a win to their name. It’s not that a fortnight ago Arsenal comprehensively conquered Chelsea and have since slumped. It isn’t that the talented Arshavin, and Rosicky are in the poorest form of their lives. It isn’t even that Denilson, Vela Kosckielny/Squillaci , Djorou, Fabianski, and Bendtner aren’t good enough. It’s that if one really looks at the current Arsenal squad objectively you search for players who are what could be called ‘quality players’; not in flashes, but consistently prove their ability. Fabregas Nasri That’s it! Vermaelan unfortunately is injured long term but on his showing last season   I would put him in this category. Wilshere has the potential to be of the required standard. Gibbs and Czszceny l...

Couldn't Carling Less An insipid performance from an Arsenal side lacking cohesion who could have placed one foot in a Wembley final, against an uninspiring Ipswich team reaping no reward save a humiliating defeat to a team walloped for seven by Chelsea. This performance bought home the lie of Wenger's self proclaimed 'best ever sqauad'. The chance of a first trophy in five years given little regard by a group of players who clearly don't have what it takes. Let's be frank. Ipswich Town are and were poor, yet Arsenal did nothing of consequence for the 95 minutes of this Semi Final first leg. With a solid victory it would have taken the pressure off of the second leg, in an already congested fixture list. Ipswich, on the other hand will fancy their chances against West Ham or Birmingham and know a draw at the Emirates next week will be enough. Should Arsenal fail to reach the final of this often derided competition, which now has taken on importance for the clu...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmLDlpapPKE Reaction at 3:15 After last nights little mentioned reserves loss to Vila 10-1 I know how he feels! 

The Liverpool victimisation protocol has come into effect following the loss at Old Trafford. Hard done by? Yeah possibly. Did Man Utd out perform Liverpool ? No. But, that’s the way the Maryland chocolate chip crumbles. Liverpool Football Club is synonymous with tragedy, victims and black armbands. I actually believe that Arsenal have missed out on any kind of media love in the way that Liverpool and United have as we have fortunately not had a tragedy connected to us. And before I go any further I would emphasise that the tragedies we all know about were just that real, terrible tragedies. Every fan of every club has a gripe, be it the manager, the players, the board, referees or lack of divine intervention but the Koppites take the McVities rich tea when it comes to seeing conspiracy and plotting at every turn. The whims of the refereeing gods have been in Liverpool ’s favour often enough. One has to only look at the amount of penalties given at the Kop end of Anfield over the y...

an actor and a footballer Liverpool's loss to Manchester United is one that their fans (always looking for injustice) will place at the door of Howard Webb. The facts are that the penalty would not have been given if Daniel Agger had not shown such naivety against Berbatov in the box (I still can't get over how much Dimitar resembles Arsenal fan Mark Strong) allow him to win a penalty through theatrics, and Steven Gerrard was rightly sent off. The only reason there was any debate is because it was England's Stevie G. Gerard has often gotten away with challenges that lesser mortals have not, so some sort of Karmic justice was delivered by way of Red card. Liverpool are now left with the Europa League and we are not even half way through April. Dalglish has got some job on his hands. In other news, Huddersfield await the winner of the Leeds United v Arsenal Replay. Should it be Arsenal that face Huddersfield I wonder if the strains of "there's only one Herbert C...

The England right-back, who trained with the rest of the squad at Melwood this morning ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie which will see the return of Kenny Dalglish as temporary boss, was obviously watching the programme. And he chose to respond via his Twitter page. 'Comments from alcoholic drug abusers are not really gonna upset me and who is Paul Merson to judge players, he was average at the best of times,' Johnson wrote. 'The only reason he's on that show is coz he gambled all his money away. The clown!' - Paul Merson 2 titles FA cups league cups ecwc Pfa young player Pfa player etc Glen johnson fuck all What a cnut

First the facts  Leeds United are a poor side Arsenal put in a poor performance I suppose a stalemate based on 2 penalties was about right. An unwanted reply awaits.  Now the reality. Wenger's, for want of a better word, 'tacticallity' (copyright arsenalism MMXI) was on display at it's most baffling.  The selection of Bendtner and Chamakh would, to most right minded people, dictate 4-4-2. Not the case; B52 was deployed on the wing. A position generally associated with pace. This left the hardworking Chamakh isolated on more than a couple of occasions.  Arshavin was nowhere near good enough as his poor form continues. The Russian is pretty much an honest player and on two occasion when the substitute board was raised he made his way to the touchhole, almost in acknowledgement that he was not at the races. Wenger chose to keep him on.  What was clear was that the manager had and continues to have no tactical solutions when we are struggling.  There were a number of r...

"i don't know what it is about Leeds united, I don't like them,I just don't know...maybe it's the fans..."

"So Cesc is the Shit Hole on Seven Sisters Road far from here?" "And whatever you do don't leave your wallet laying around, with 'Arry you never know" "Oh well this is the last time I'm gonna under perform in a white shirt in North London" Comment from To Boldly Go : It really is sad when boxers don't know when to quit and end up losing to poor fighters they would have wiped the floor with in the past. Now we find Beckham desperate to play in England for a few months lowering himself to the depths of Hades. Whilst I am not a Beckham fan, I don't hate him. Yet now I find myself feeling sorry for him and his desperation, for his sake I hope he comes to someone else's senses. Captain Kirk.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard Didier Drogba and John Terry walk off after losing their English Premier League match to Arsenal in London - Monday December 27 Man Utd 20 pld 44 pts Man City 22 pld 42 pts Arsenal 21 pld 40 pts Sp*rs 21 pld 36 pts Chelsea 21 pld 35 pts So the Premier League season of mediocrity trundles along with five teams in the frame and Man United with a points and ‘games in hand’ advantage. Arsenal, having played Man Utd and Sp*rs once, with zero points from each. Man city twice netting four points and Chelsea twice with a three point return can look at the games at WHL and The Emirates as a chance to both create distance and close the gap. The fact that we have a game in hand over Citeh is also significant. These games aside, theoretically we have an easier set of fixtures (also having successfully visited Anfield this season). However I remember last seasons legendary ‘easy run in’ and look what happened there. What’s clear is that there is only...

  V   Lets be Frank, Man Citeh came for the draw from top to side and bottom. Wenger was unable to tactically deliver a knock out blow to the men with the big heads and loads of money (save for a nonsensical substitution that saw Bendtner coming on to play wide left) . It seems that the method that Chelsea created- when you've got a lot of money buy some behemoths and get a tactically astute manger- seems to have been followed at Eastlands. Had we won at Wigan (if only) this draw, that meant a four point hall from Citeh, would have been a reasonable return. But that's another story. So on to Saturday at the crack of oversleeping Sparrows, against Leeds in the Cup. V