ARSENALISM©

Blackburn Rovers  Liverpool  Everton Middlesbrough Oh well at least we still have the best looking girl fans ...yes things are that quiet that my mind drifted...

Arsenal v Manchester United for so long a definitive fixture in the Premier League era, this time around what is its significance? Obviously a few weeks ago, and despite everything, it could have been a season defining game. As it stands it’s a chance to make a comparison between the current Arsenal team and the Champions elect. Since the move to the Emirates there have been a handful of games that truly stand out. One of those games was the 2 -1 victory with Nasri scoring a brace; one of the best games of football seen in terms of both teams quality. Nasri's second an exceptional piece of team work and a great finish http://youtu.be/eDZFoxQIVe8 The other game is the 2-1 victory that rocked the stadium; Rooney’s opening goal cancelled out by RVP and Henry’s late late winner igniting the Emirates atmosphere for the first time. What is notable about this moment is that (towards the end of the clip)the then captain can be seen calling for mental strength and focus to see out the vict...

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A TRIP TO THE ARCHIVES FOR THIS PIECE FROM ME ON 28th March 2011 TO BE PRECISE, AND A GOOD TITLE NEVER DIES Arsenalism enjoys its 300 th post today (this includes posts that were made on wellyousaythat before Arsenalism went solo) and a lot has happened since that first Arsenalism post a year ago, or has it? Our league position was: 1 Manchester United 31 69 2 Arsenal 31 67 3 Chelsea 30 65 Almunia was in goal and making errors. We were about to play Birmingham away; a game that we drew 1-1 and we all know what happened that day, Almunia conspired to throw the ball into his own net grasping a draw from the jaws of victory. Denilson and Diaby were anchoring our midfield that day our central defenders were Alex Song and Sol Campbell ; this in itself tells its own story of lack of cover in key areas. We then went on to be knocked out of The Champions League by Barca, lose away to Sp*rs; resulting in the WHL DVD factory going into overdrive. We somehow managed to let Wigan beat ...

...at least until the end of the season I have avoided a hysterical response to recent events and in particular yesterday’s result at the Reebok Stadium, and have sat and reflected. On this basis my view on the state of the Arse is as follows.  When the unexpected becomes the inevitable, one has to look for solutions. The continued failure of a football team to achieve success based on conceding 54% of goals from set pieces has to be addressed. The capitulation in giving up points from winning positions has to be analysed. The Failure of a team to respond to adversity must be investigated. The lack of a tactical response that involves a change in structure or formation must be questioned. The lack of personnel that have a) experience of domestic success and b) are, on average, physically smaller and more injury prone, than the other teams in the division would suggest that there may be a correlation between the facts and the statistics. These are merely questions that I am asking...

That's it boys, put on a brave face Today feel like the end of the season. The suns out and there are people out and about. Man Utd got their late winner as they were always going to do, and Torres found his shooting boots, as he was always going to do. Sp*rs look like they will finish below us again, as they were always going to do, and we are guaranteed a Champions league spot, as we were always going to be. So I head off to meet friends in sunny Islington to watch this afternoon's game over a cold beer, and I frankly, feel completely relaxed; I've accepted our fate, I've come to terms with Groundhog day. I am sanguine. Beating Bolton doesn't mean the same as it once did, as I like Owen Coyle, but I shall be happy as always to see one or two Arsenal Goals as I sup my cold pint. Man Utd can't win the title at Emirates (although they may win it metaphorically with another victory at our place) and as it's an early kick off, that means a good day out afte...

We all could do with cheering up in these frustrating times. On that basis here’s one from the archives. I would suggest that Mr Wenger and the current squad are forced to watch this repeatedly, like Alex in   a Clockwork Orange,with eyes held open until they understand what a winning Arsenal team really means. Belief √ Mental strength   √ Character   √ Winning mentality   √ http://youtu.be/xMKR14pQJmk ARSENAL 5-Middlesborough 3

Basic unprofessionalism has cost us dear. In this most mundane of premiership campaigns the title has never seemed so winnable by a team with a modicum of organisation. A late penalty against Liverpool , and the final minutes seen out without conceding, gives 3 points instead of 1. But no, panic and amateur defending ruin things. A four goal lead held onto gives 3 points instead of 1. But no, petulance leads to a red card and a collapse follows. A two nil half time lead held onto gives 1 or 3 points instead of 0. But no, a lackadaisical second half ends in disaster.   A decent goalkeeper doesn’t concede soft goal at home and 3 points don’t turn into 1. A decent goalkeeper doesn’t come running out of his box and…you get the general idea. This team are like a butterfingered oaf, dropping the metaphorical ball at the crucial moment time and again. And that’s the frustration. A little more focus, ability, just plain professional pride and we are leading the table; the cream of the crap...

IS THE PAST  ANOTHER COUNTRY? Head to Head record Arsenal wins 71 League 61 Sp*rs wins 51 League 47 Draws 46 League 42 No I don’t care about Sp*rs, our own plight is a bit all consuming at the moment, but, and here’s the thing; isn’t it nice to beat them? They are a big mouthed lot at the best of times and particularly when they have a sniff of success. Now they have had their so called adventure in the big time they are mouthier than usual. On that basis a win at their pitifully appointed ground will be nice, in fact it will be great and give us all a little bit of a warm glow before reality rears it’s ugly head again. On a practical level anything that delays the possibility of Man Utd winner the title at our place must be a good thing. Don’t get me wrong I am not on a par with those bitter Lilywhites’ (obsessed as they are with all things us) but in times of trouble we all need a touch of comic relief. The last thing we need is a derby debacle http://youtu.be/X5DVox8gyMo M...

First off I want to make it clear that I do not write this blog because I want to spend my time criticising. I do this blog because I love The Arsenal. These days though, that love and support is being sorely tested. There are all sorts of points of view about the state of Arsenal right now; primarily they divide between those that support Wenger and those that feel he is responsible for the decline. A lot of argument, debate and finger pointing rules the Blogosphere (if there is such a word) regular readers will know my position, but rather than bang on about deficiencies all I feel is needed is for clear heads to answer the following questions. They are simple questions and don't require any sort of intellectual insight, they are questions that anyone who has watched Arsenal should be able to answer subjectively. And like a jury, after hearing the closing argumnments for the prosecution, there should be only one verdict. Bendtner is not a winger so why play him there? ...

http://youtu.be/Xbw742hhUoU

" So there was Scholes getting sent off, Ferdinand reacting badly at the end with Man Utd losing the FA cup semi Final...which was nice"

Images courtesy of Arsenalinsider.com Okay, first the home kit; not too bad, I would have preferred a white collar but not much to complain about. The badge is sufficient and not too embarrassing. Which brings us onto the away shirt; WHAT THE F*CK ARE THEY THINKING! I can only put it down to the fact that our squad consists of players the size of jockeys. There is no logic or historical context for this monstrosity. Yes Nike think tanks are aware that blue sells well (it goes with jeans apparently) but this load of old tat would look bad on a team playing at Hackney Marshes let alone a Premier league side. It's awful. More than that it is a complete abandonment of history in what is a commemorative year. Bring back adidas I say!  With the ticket increase and these two new garments it really is a case of taking the shirt of our backs. http://youtu.be/D6fmBwSgso4 Arsenal attack

Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion , or by extension by some other group or organization. It is authoritative and not to be disputed , doubted , or diverged from, by the practitioner or believers. Arsenal have an established belief or doctrine held by the manager and by extension by the board of directors and staff. Wenger’s views are considered infallible and are not to be disputed , doubted , or diverged from, by the players or the supporters.

London invaded by Northerners! Batten down the hatches! With Man Utd & City invading Wembley, the Scousers coming to us and Bolton parking at IKEA before facing Stoke we are in for a weekend of cloth caps clogs and funny accents.   http://youtu.be/PK_g93LmqlM with subtitles I never thought I would ever say this but “come on Bolton ”. I don’t like Pullis and his Neanderthals and I think Owen Coyle is sound therefore let’s see Pullis and his baseball cap sent packing. Obviously the Manchester derby is pretty much a case of damned if you do damned if you don’t but I would prefer a Man Utd win; yes it’s back to straw clutching, but the more games they have to play the better as far as I’m concerned and let’s face it who wants to see Citeh buy the FA cup?   http://youtu.be/jY4tD2Hbg_A George whitebread So if London survives this particular blitz and we beat Liverpool , then Wednesday is the visit to the bombsite on the Seven Sisters. It’s a must win game for us, as are al...

"That is not our concern, we are responsible for our performances and for our attitude, not for the attitude of anybody else"- Arsene Wenger when asked on 2nd April 2011  whether the crowd will stick with the team YOU LOT ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE FANS MATE!

Of course American sport has a proliferation of trophies but it's fair to say that some are equivalent to Champions Leagues, some to Carling Cups and some to Super cups/World club championships. Let's have a look at our cousins in Kroenke's records. Colorado Avalanche Stanley cup winners 2001 Conference Champions 2001 Presidents Trophy 2001 Divisional Champions 2001, 2002, 2003 St Louis Rams Super bowl XXXIV winners 2000 AFC Champions 2002  Denver Nuggets Divisional title 2006, 2009, 2010 Colorado Mammoth Championship 2006 Divisional Champions 2004, 2006, 2007 Colorado Rapids MLS Cup winners 2010 Eastern conference champions 2010 A spread of winningness this Century, it's fair to say, so perhaps we are in good company now that Stan has a big interest in Arsenal. Certainly The Rapids and the Nuggets have had recent success while the Avalanche, following success at the early part of the decade are in a trophy less period as are the Rams . The Mammoth seeem consiste...

"We won the trophy for the most unlucky team last year. Is it a trophy to finish 12th and win the Carling Cup? The real quality of a big club is to fight for the championship.”-Arsene wenger NO FIGHT, NO TROPHY

Arse-en-al Arse-en-al Arse-en-al, Arse-en-al Arse-en-al Arse-en-aaaaal, etc Man Utd 2-1Chelsea;  a good result. How so? The longer Man Utd are in tournaments the better for Arsenal's title aspirations Chelsea will want to seek retribution in the league fixture which would be good for Arsenal's title aspirations I can't countenance the thought of Chelsea being the first London club to win the Champions league. And if you think that's straw clutching; what about this one Sp*rs 5-0 Real Madrid Mourinho falls out with the board over this debacle and they part company. Kronke sees that Jose is a proven winner and installs him at Arsenal in the summer with Wenger going in the opposite direction; which would be good for Arsenal's title aspirations Sp*rs get even more carried away and feel the inevitable effects of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' and lose to Arsenal in the Derby which would be good for Arsenal's title aspirations Barcelona humiliat...

"Their mental strength this season was a positive surprise for me"-Arsene Wenger INCORRECT;THEY HAVE SHOWN NONE!

"Our players are continuing to develop and grow. We can fight for all four trophies and I feel that we have a squad with enough talent and commitment to make the 2008/09 season a successful one"-Arsene Wenger 2008 STILL WAITING ARSENE!

I guess its nice to collect things.

“I feel the team have great spirit. There is quality there. I know people will be harder on us than we deserve. That's why I'm positive, because I believe in this team.” -Arsene Wenger WHERE IS THE SPIRIT?

The mission statement was come back from the seaside with a stick of rock and three points. Despite another Jekyll and Hyde performance that's what we did. No analysis of the game necessary. It's strictly one game at a time now. http://youtu.be/JQVhSBelF-c one 'game' at a time

A solid first half, no flash bang wallop but two good goals and a pretty sound defensive display. Jens showing safe hands and the sun is shinning.All that matters today is 3 points, however This first 45 has shown us why a player like Diaby will never be top drawer; a good performance in parts with a cool finish for the first goal, wastefulness in front of goal and an unnecessary yellow card. That's the standard I'm afraid. Lets hope that, as at Newcastle, he doesn't get a second yellow and leave us with ten men. Aside these gripes it's the Arsenal and we are winning let's finish the job in the second half. Come on boys!

Pre kick off news; Jens is back! http://youtu.be/CcoqrXeD1rw Return of the Mac

"The team goes from strength to strength and we have shown again we are hungry"-Arsene Wenger DELUDED; THE PLAYERS AREN'T

"I am very confident. I have a great belief in the team" -Arsene Wenger WHY? WE DON'T!