ARSENALISM©

To Put it simply here's how Arsenal have gotten on in the last ten years in the annual nominations for what is generally considered the best players in Europe. This year there is an ex-player nominated, reflecting his performance for us in the first half of the year, but he's a player that we were unable to keep. Balloon D’or 2012 Nominees: None Balloon D’or 2011Nominees: None Balloon D’or 2010 Nominees: Fabregas (Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2009 Nominees: Fabregas (Arsenal), Arshavin (Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2008 Nominees: Fabregas (Arsenal), Adebayor (Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2007 Nominees: Fabregas (Arsenal), Van Persie (Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2006 Nominees: Fabregas (Arsenal), Henry(Arsenal), Lehman(Arsenal),Gallas(Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2005 Nomines: Henry(Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2004 Nominees: Henry (Arsenal), Vieira (Arsenal), Reyes(Arsenal) Balloon D’or 2003 Nominees: Henry (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal),...

Balloon d'or nominations 2012 Notice anything? Player nominees: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/Argentina), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid/Spain), Mario Balotelli (Manchester City/Italy), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/Italy), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona/Spain), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid/Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua/Ivory Coast), Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid/Colombia), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain/Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany), Neymar (Santos/Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid/Germany), Gerard Pique (Barcelona/Spain), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United/England), Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast), Robin van Persie (Manchester United/Netherlands), Xavi (Barcelona/Spain) Coach nominees: Vicente del Bosque (Spain/Spain national t...

In looking at the current state of play at The Arsenal it’s easy to feel anger, frustration, disappointment and sadness. I don't expect anything from money men, be they employed by Football clubs, local Authorities or other businesses, therefore the pronouncements of Hill-Wood, Kronke and Gazidis do not surprise me. That they are concerned about Pounds Shillings and pence is the reality of the modern football landscape. Our Manager, however, is by definition responsible to the club and the supporters for delivering footballing success alongside the other aspects of his job description. A lot has been said about Arsene Wenger. Those that criticise him as the manager of our club are vilified (yes, If that criticism is of a personal nature then it should be rightly reprimanded) by those that feel he is beyond reproach.  And there's the rub; Arsene Wenger is beyond criticism from those that pay him to do his job. Just as every Arsenal supporter has an opinion, goo...

Manchester United came back from the dead to win the Champions League on a night of high drama at the Camp Nou. Liverpool came back from the dead to win the Champions League on a night of high drama. In Istanbul Chelsea came back from the dead to win the Champions League on a night of high drama in Munich. The Arsenal, after a dramatic opening reduced us to 10 men, drew first blood in Paris but could not hold firm against Barca’s passing game. Our moment of glory in the ultimate club competition did not materialise. Are we one of those clubs who like Aston Villa had one shot and one shot only? How near have we been to that pinnacle since then? For me the Champions League and our failure to maintain a realistic challenge is a bone of contention. Qualifying year on year is an achievement, that has to be said but the merits of qualifying for a tournament that we are nowhere near to winning can only be a matter of commerce. I’m not envious of those Englis...

What are the expectations at Arsenal? This is not a diatribe nor a matter of 'choosing sides'  This is not about a sense of entitlement; no club is entitled to anything, it's about having expectations based on the resources available. Every club looks at what it wants to achieve at the start of the season and reflects on how realistic that expectation is. For some it's staying in the Premier league and having a good cup run for others it's finishing in a European place and perhaps winning a cup, for others still its winning the Premier League or Champions League. I wonder which category we fit into. Looking back in time I think it was clear, now I really don't know. We haven't had a top class keeper for 5 years; I don't know why. We don't buy top quality players of the ready made variety, a Mata or an Aguerra for example, on a regular basis. We don't successfully develop young players, despite the myth this is actually the case...

A Premier league season ticket became a premium item some time ago. A corporate box the 'go to' destination for client shmoozing. The hype of the modern game allowed avarice to flourish, it allowed financial morality and loyalty to the lifeblood of the game (the supporter) to be ridden over roughshod. We have seen the price of everything associated with the Premier League product climb and climb; much like players wages. Those players' greedy agents push things ever upwards. Owners and board members are only interested in a bit of reflected glory and having their dividends bloated. The figures below are truly saddening as they exist because we, the supporters, have allowed it to happen; almost by osmosis. These figures are nothing short of scandalous as they are a clear indicator that Football is unconcerned about being a game for the masses. The Clubs and the people at them who set prices have a simple philosophy; "don't worry about the price hikes, thos...