From Dan Strong : How do Cesc & Arshavin feel ?
Hi Myles,
I’ve been a reader of your blog for many years now. I disagree with a lot of your views. I agree with plenty, also.
I doubt you care either way, which is why I love reading ANR. Your writing style coupled with your outspoken views make for compelling reading.
The Gunners have entertained my life for as long as I can remember. My father was born in Woolwich and, as such, Arsenal was bred into me. I have seen the club grow at an astonishing rate over the last 10 years. Arsene is to thank for this. He’s has done a fantastic job at Arsenal, unsurpassed at any club in any league (Sir Alex aside).
However, he isn’t cutting the mustard these days and only a fool can fail to see that. His signings in recent years have left me feeling increasingly nervous.
If I feel like this, then how must Cesc feel? How must Arshavin feel? Well, we know how they feel. It was written all over their faces at the end of last season. Arshavin’s performances reflected this. No one player should have to carry a club to glory. Winning teams, such as Chelsea last season, were built around a strong squad. Arsene promised us more signings. What have we got? Don’t know. Never heard of them. It’s no surprise that they’re French, though.
Would Cesc be happier with a greater Spanish contingent at the club? It’s irrelevant because Arsenal is all about Arsene.
Surprisingly, toward the end of last season, Arsenal found themselves in a title-winning position only to blow it. A devastating injury list crippled Arsenal’s starting XI and the squad players turned out to be what we already knew – shit! What on earth is going on with all the injuries at the club. Did this coincide with the depature of Lewin? What do you know?
I appreciate that you’re busy, Myles, but Arsenal News Review is ace so please keep it up.
Kind regards.
From Andy Bell : The shape of it!
Remember, remember. If we had the Arsenal you’d like to see, we’d have been taken over by some consortium or tycoon years ago, probably up to our necks in debt like United, Liverpool and Barcelona and have some pumper like Ancelotti in charge! We’d be playing a rigid tactical formation with all our £30m players and perhaps we’d have won a trophy to take on our pre-season tour of China.
You just don’t get it, mate. You can’t see the beauty and simplicity of our current set- up. You can’t see that we are so close to finding that winning balance and mentality, without overspending, without changing the system. This season you will see Frimpong and Wilshere in the mix while Liverpool (If they can find another couple of Spivs to buy them) and Man City try to round up the top stars and fast-track a trophy.
I so, so hope that doesn’t happen here and the day it does, my Gold Membership will make way for a Red one. I for one hope our structure and system continue to be a beacon of sen sibility amidst the twisted logisticians at work around us. Back the Manager, back the board for this is an absolutely fantastic club, win or lose.
From David Storm: A serious list, seriously?
1. A goalkeeper who can tell French cliques to shape up or fuck off.
Fair enough.
2. Someone with a left foot playing attacking midfield.
Can you name 3 suitable players? Reyes doesn’t count!
3. A fourth CB who is a winner.
Like, like? To solve our ills we need Bill & Ted’s time machine to go and bring back a 26 year Rio Ferdinand. £18m for Gary Cahill, renowned winner! we should probably make a cheeky bid for Carvahlo, he’d teach a few dark arts at least.
4. Someone who can cross a ball near post, far post, on the ground, in the air, on a sixpence for a centre forward to head, shoot or tap in lots of goals.
David Beckham is 35. Jesus Navas finds going to Madrid difficult, so Blackpool might increase his homesickness. That said, I would settle for a cash plus Walcott deal for Ashley Young.
5. People who are doing Wenger an honour by not choosing Real, Barca, Man Utd or the like since that is the quality required.
..and that is the realism required.
6. Players focussed on winning, not on publicity stunts, image rights and women.
It’s a serious list, but there are only a finite number of talented players in the world. The way that squads and the transfer market have evolved over the past 10 years, most of the players we could do with have already been a £20m transfer, happy to be on the bench at one of the world’s top-paying teams.
Wenger and Platini are reported not to be best friends, but Platini’s rules on clubs may be the only way that Arsenal can complete with Abu Dhabi and China in future.