ARSENALISM©

http://youtu.be/bx5Wl998yKY Bacary Sagna lay on the side of the WHL turf in pain; injured in combat. The mindless fans of the enemy rained deritiion and spittle on him as he exited on a stretcher. On 26th February Arsenal trailed 0-2 to the enemy. Come the 40th minute it was Sagna who girded his loins and met Arteta's cross with a thunderous header. Grabbing the ball from the enemy's net and running to the half way line to place it firmly on the centre spot Bacary showed those fans of the enemy that their taunts and venom from the previous fixture would not stand. Sagna led the fight back and his return to the right back position has coincided with Theo's upsurge in form (liberating him perhaps), his return in defence has coincided with more stability. Bacary Sagna is all Arsenal, a real player and one whom we missed greatly and can now see how much his absence cost us. http://youtu.be/Rcj_00LQzBI

Saturday 3:00 kick off QPR entertain Arsenal. We can't be complacent (look at what Rangers did to Liverpool) but we have to be looking to gain an eighth straight win and three more points to increase the pressure on London's second and third best teams. Given their cup commitments each victory that we can grind out adds to our momentum and their need to try and catch us. This fixture brings us into contact with that Pantomime villain Joey Barton; let's keep cool heads and not be prodded into anything silly by this mischievous miscreant. Current form points to an away win but as the Manager said "humility". Let's go there, get the points, come home and let the others worry about the gap. QPR LLDLWL AFC WWWWWW

'This is The Arseanl way boys' Seven wins in a row has propelled Arsenal to the heady heights of third place with a three point gap between us and the fourth placed side and an eight point gap between ourselves and the fifth & sixth place sides. This is a great achievement in anyone’s books, but the job is not over; it’s far from over. Where and how we finish the season will have a tremendous impact on next season. In terms of keeping players, attracting players and giving The Club a lift and a positive outlook for the future. What these seven games have already taught us is that these guys have more character than we thought; that this group of players are created in their own image. They look like a team. For the last few years there has been blandness in our team, a detachment between the players and the supporters. The likes of Almunia, Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner etc always (to me anyway) gave the impression that they weren’t ever that bothered, weren’t ever th...

Arsenal must 'keep humility, focus and fight for each other' in race for Champions League- Arsene Wenger Spot on from the boss. The six game winning streak has propelled us into a great position to grab ahold of a Champions League spot. However, we as fans, along with the players, must take nothing for granted. Others have taken Gaps, power balances and such ‘as read’ far too early and we should be above such crystal ball gazing. Don’t get me wrong; I, along with all Arsenal supporters are enjoying the moment, after having overtaken our premature neighbours. But come Saturday at 4:45 things could be very different, which is why we have to (in the immortal words from Anfield ’89) “Keep our powder dry”. Saturday’s earlier kick off; Chelsea v sp*rs is pretty much the perfect fixture for us. It’s a win/win/win scenario that will either give us an opportunity to go 4 points clear in 3 rd or 3 points clear, if not it will give us a 9 point advantage over Chelsea. If we...

http://youtu.be/aP3LzKUulhg No Feelings So Liverpool lose after taking the lead, Chelsea lose after taking the lead, Sp*rs drop two points at home; quite a few problems there. Then the Arsenal produce an old School 1-0 win to take us into 3rd place. Some evening and some turn around.I have no feelings for those other teams and tonight showed that The Arsenal don't; we just did what we had to do. Let's keep going now, let's have no talk of 'job done' let's keep The Arsenal ball rolling. For some of tonight's teams there may be  no future as far as The Champions League is concerned but we could possibly look forward to our Holidays in the sun safely tucked up in the ECL.

Everton V Arsenal; the two clubs who have been in the top flight the longest come head to head in a game that is vital to win in order to pile the pressure on the team currently above us in the league. Given that Sp*rs kick of a quarter of an hour before we do, we could find ourselves in an interesting position at the 9:30. Least way we should know what we need to do when news comes in from WHL when their whistle goes. What was once potentially a 13 point deficit could (and I stress could) become a 2 or 1 point advantage to us. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; Everton won’t be easy but that is the nature of the beast. Games like this, though, are when you see character, and if we show the character that has put us into this position in the first place who know? If the opportunity presents itself let's grasp it firmly. The players and the fans can’t concern themselves too much with events in Tottenham but, be honest, we will all have one ear open for updates. ...

It's a shame we're not in the FA cup this weekend. The competition has some great memories for the Arsenal and we are second to one when it comes to winning it. http://youtu.be/GiAD38djorY copyright Stewart McFarlane 

“ A big team when it’s under pressure, it pulls together, it makes the trouble go away. Sometimes you know you have difficult periods, even the best teams. You accept the opponent is stronger, you defend, you stay strong, more compact. You accept you have to suffer We did it in the [2005] FA Cup final against Manchester United. I’ve no idea how we won – United were all over us for 90 minutes. We knew the only way to win was penalties. Some days are like this. It’s not your day. Accept it and find a different way to win. Fight for each other. It’s not the way you want, but what’s important is to win.”-Patrick Vieira Former Arsenal Captain   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpovLUvJyzY&feature=player_detailpage PV 4 Honours Premier League-97/98, 01/02, 03/04 FA Cup-98, 02, 03, 05 FA Community Shield- 98, 99, 02, 04 Serie A- 05/06, 06/07, 07/08, 08/09, 09/10 Supercoppa Italiana-06, 08 FIFA World Cup-98 UEFA European Championship-00 FIFA Confederatio...

http://youtu.be/IVs5GVh-UJs let's get dystopian That's what we are being in our pursuit of the third spot that guarantees Champions League Football. The place that is reserved for London's top club. By reducing a potential 13 pt deficit to a gap of 1 pt is remarkable.It's almost machine like; Terminator-esque. Last night we were relentless in our pursuit of those valuable three points. The team spirit was evident and our rapid response to Newcastle's opening, badly and embarrassingly celebrated, goal, was swift and beautiful. Theo, Tomas, and the rest of the boys put in another all action performance. You sense that now, finally, this lot want it; they want it badly.Late goals and overturning leads is now our stock in trade. Whatever happens, however the chips may fall, if those fellahs in Red & White, or two shades of blue or Yellow for that matter, give this level of performance I for one won't complain. It's imperative that we finish the sea...

http://youtu.be/A9rHV_HRDx8 Tonight we play Newcastle in an old and history laden fixture. Newcastle are one of those clubs that have been around for ages and have a traditional flavour about them. Generally flattering to deceive they are currently having some moments in the sun so they present a challenge. These are the games when you show what you’re made of; taking the opportunity to capitalise on your enemy’s failings. A couple of weeks ago Arsenal were looking at a13 point deficit in league positions between us and the enemy. At the final whistle tonight that gap may be closed to just a single point. That’s quite something, that’s a response from the team. But let us not assume anything. Newcastle are decent and have hung on in there all season. We must not underestimate them tonight; that would be foolhardy, but we must also embolden ourselves by remembering that we are the team that sunk Sp*rs, grabbed victory from Liverpool, battered Milan, tonked Che...

http://youtu.be/QUncUQn7P20 Bob Wilson appeared on the radio during the week, as ever Bob was as erudite as always. He talked about the current state of play at The Arsenal and was intelligent and informed. We all know Bob for his amazing charitable work; primarily for the Willows Foundation and we all know Bob for his exploits in the Arsenal goalmouth; no gloves, rolled up sleeves diving fearlessly at the feet of attackers. Which got me to thinking about the team in and around the 1971 Double side; this team were, for me, the quintessential Arsenal team. A team that define what the Arsenal are all about. Frank defined what an Arsenal Captain should be he leadthese guys through battle week in week out and still defends them to this day in corporate boxes, TV studios and Radio stations. Dogged, gritty, full of character, a bit of flair dotted about, not opposed to having a drink and a tear up a team that would win against the odds and make their own bit of hi...

The new model is actually starting to give us some faith going into the final stretch. Let's finish the season with purpose and look ahead to 2012/13   ...and if him on the left is joining perhaps we can start to have a postive horizon ahead Images from:   http://footballinblacknwhite.tumblr.com/

It would be churlish to talk of the referee's inadequacies or the Milan players inability to stay upright. It would be negative to ponder Arsenal's poor performance in the first leg or discuss our lack of depth when it came to effecting change from the bench last night. No, let's revel in a blistering first half performance that saw the Gunners throw the kitchen sink at the Italian champions and give us a 3-0 victory. You couldn't ask for more from the players last night and the Emirates faithful once again played our part as the twelfth man. 15 goals in the last three home games and an exit from the ECL that leaves the Arsenal covered in glory have seen this group of players turn a corner. We've seen heart,character and just plain obduracy that has propelled us right back into the mix for third spot. Leaving the Emirates last night I was buoyed by the positivity that swirled around the local environs. I paused in the Tollington and purchased a copy of So Paddy Got ...

Let battle commence   It’s not so much that tonight’s game is a dead rubber it’s about putting in a performance to keep confidence high. A 5-0 victory is unlikely, albeit not impossible (stranger things have happened) however it’s the manner in which we meet the challenge that is going to be vital. Let’s not forget the stadium will be full of supporters who deserve to see a gallant effort. The players who have raised their game in the League will, in all probability see a few changes. Whoever wears the red shirt tonight will know that they are up against it but let’s get behind them. Sometimes when you have nothing to lose you have everything to gain. Going out on our shields will also maintain the positive feeling as we seek to further cement our ECL spot. Now I won’t pretend that catching Sp*rs is not a delicious thought but we have to be mindful of Chelsea as well. Fourth or third are achievable so we need to resist the temptation to be too consumed with finishing above our fellow L...

http://youtu.be/juEeau5nHVU An Ugly win is a win is a win. Last week we showed how to turn the tide and fight back, at Anfield we dug in and hit them with a touch of class. Sometimes in life we don’t always get what we deserve or want, and this victory may not have been just from a Liverpool supporter’s point of view (something our honest Captain acknowledged after) but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. We won, simple as. Despite Suarez’ dive, despite losing Arteta, in spite of Liverpool’s overwhelming dominance in the corner’s won department, with the aid of the post and Szceszny’s great double save we took home the spoils on what is turning into an auspicious weekend. http://youtu.be/NZlhY_GJTYM With Chelsea beaten at the Hawthorns we now look to WHL and how Sp*rs respond to their Waterloo at The Emirates. Regardless of recent cup disappointments our current League form is excellent and this has been down to a combination of things, not least some genuine ...

On their way to the 1950 Cup Final Arsenal v Liverpool Freddie Ljungberg; loving your red hair and golden shirt hitting the back of the Anfield net. Merson rippling the Scouse onion bag. Bobby's curler, Tomas, Thierry, and many more. Michael Thomas, let’s never forget Michael Thomas and of Course Smudger’s glancing header. Some great goals and great memories at one of the world’s real homes of football. Whether up there or at Highbury, Wembley or Emirates the games between the two of us have a certain something. Mind you  I once drove with friends up to Anfield and we only got into the ground after a Robbie Fowler Hat-trick, but less said a bout that the better From the 1950 Cup final to 1971, the Littlewoods Cup and 1989, Games between Arsenal and Liverpool have often been significant ones. Today’s is significant in that every game between now and the end of the season is significant. We need to win, to keep confidence high to maintain momentum. Liv...

© 3nil Phew, what a week it's been. Sunday's blistering performance certainly gave us a ll the feel good factor that has lasted for days. Not just the overturning of the prophets of 'balance of power' but the manner in which each and every man in a red shirt decided to take back the game from the hands of the enemy. The atmosphere at the emirates on this fateful Sunday will resonate with all of us that were there for many a year . Valuable, precious league points and essential goals harvested means we now sit fourth with a seven point gap betwixt us and the third placed team, but let us not forget that we are only in Fourth on Goal difference with lots of football still to be played. Our adversaries on Saturday have had their own feel good factor following on from their marginal victory at Wembley. Regardless of how the game was won they came home with the Red & White ribboned spoils. Thus the two big winners of the week lock horns at Anfield in a ga...