By Ian Grant
ANR READERS REPLIES
David Evans
devans@asaprograms.com
Misc
Dear Mr. Palmer:
As a displaced gooner I always look forward to reading your columns all the way from NYC.
I think you give a refreshing perspective on all things Arsenal with an insiders edge. You obviously have access to information and people who are very close to the club and this adds a large degree of authenticity which is often hard to find. I also think your analysis is excellent, but maybe you have an unfair advantage! You do what a lot of us would like to do ourselves.
You take whatever players and Arsene say very seriously. Are able to make a judgement about different players and people and how real/valuable their comments are? In other words is what Patrick Vieira says more important than what Ashely Cole says because he is a more important personality and influence or simply because he speaks with a greater degree of candor? When does it become dangerous to read too deeply into comments made by players? Does Freddy care or realize how happy he makes the fans or is he just doing a job? Do you ever take what someone says for exactly what it is and when do you decide to pick it apart?
I have been lucky enough to know some people at the club who have invited me to pre-match behind the directors box. I have talked with Sven Goran and David Dein over lamb chops and they are just normal people like you or I.
Dein is an astute businessman who has revolutionized AFC and he must feel a tremendous sense of pride as he takes his seat at Arsenal v. Juventus. Dein is soemone who I’d like to see you speak to for a couple of hours. I think the biggest challenge facing Arsenal is too keep the momentum going for a consistent period of time. Arsenal need to keep growing and succeeding up until the new stadium and for that to be a new level to continue on from. What is Dein’s vision? When do he and Arsen say”Ok we’ve done it, we can retire now?”
Arsene has raised the bar so high that winning the Champions league is an obvious next step along with the incredible assumption that we’d need to be premiership champions again as well. Arsenal have massive potential and play amazing football but they need to step it up a notch on the marketing/busines side in order to become a heavy hitter a la United , Real, Juve etc. When you go to Niketown on Madison Avenue you see United shirts, not Arsenal and the re-branding only happened last year.
Anyway back to your column:I remember when I was a kid and I’d go to the JVC centre and watch the players train and even took the tube with Stewart Robson on one occasion. That obviously doesn’t happen anymore and the distance between fans and players is much greater. That is why your column is so enjoyable, you narrow the gap between fans and players.
Long may it continue.
Kind regards,
David
PS Are we going to go for Recber when the transfer window opens in January?
Jeff Morrison
jnmorrison@attbi.com
The Professor and ANR
Myles,
I ordered your book from here in the States (only 12 pounds including shipping and handling), and it was a great read. I have only been following Arsenal since about 98 – always been a Bergkamp fan. Just wanted to say thanks for insights into the League and the team that I’ve grown to love.
The book and your ANR articles (and my subscription to 442) keep me informed in a way that wouldn’t be otherwise available to me over here.
Also, I’ve been impressed with Kanu recently. Not quite as static as last year, though still not a great work rate. Do you think he’ll keep playing once Dennis is healthy? I’d love to see a way that they could both be in the side.
Thanks,
Jeff Morrison
Ipswich, MA
USA
david als
david.als@shell.com.au
Australia- The Professor
Just a quick message- Michael Hormoz wanted to know if the book was available in Australia- a definite yes, I have seen it in many shops, mostly specialised sports bookstoes tho’.
An ex-pat who left his heart in Highbury.
adam
England
I know what you mean about watching England. In the old days, watching international football was like watching club football, only better. Better players, better opposition, better coaching, etc. Now, for gooners, it’s the opposite. Arsenal play better football than England, have better players, a better coach – watching England’s a poor substitute.
Paul Barnes
paul.barnes@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Palmers article prior to England v Macedonia 16/10
I cannot resist pointing to the inconsistency shown about partnerships.
Previously Palmer has extolled the virtues of developing partnerships within the Arsenal team and picking a balanced team preserving developed partnerships.
Here for some reason he feels that partnerships will not work for England. Why?
Maybe method, letting Owen choose Heskey is bad, how does he know it isn’t Sven doing the choosing. Or maybe if Sven let Ashley Cole choose his left side midfield partner that would be OK.
I think the problem is that England are a whole lot harder to watch than France at the moment and Palmer has given up. Given up on Sven as well, if the man were a stamp collector the tabloids would have found something wrong with stamp collecting by now.
Intelligent manager, super shagger or rabbit caught in the tabloid headlights it sells papers if pundits like Palmer are prepared to buy in and recycle it.
Tanja Maleska
tmaleska@yahoo.com
England – Macedonia
I’ve been visiting this site for almost 6 months and since I am a huge arsenal fan, I really enjoy reading what you have to say, although I don’t always agree.
And even though there have been times when I didn’t like what I read here, I never really felt the need to write. Until yesterday. I read the article about England vs. Macedonia, and since I am Macedonian, I got really angry and I hoped that my country’s team would prove you wrong, and now that they did, i just had to gloat 🙂
I thought it was a great match, one worth watching, and I’m very happy that we didn’t end up being “the easy win” you all expected.
mingfeng
arsena12002@yahoo.com.sg
ridiculously funny !
Hi, I find your comments ridiculously funny.
u give brilliant insights into all the players’ mentality and access into the press conferences at times.
but most of the time, u show a exceedingly frequent tendency to put your foot into your mouth.
Argentina vs England comes to mind. Though I’m glad u thick skinned enough to entertain us by posting another article rather than taking the month long break u promised when England did beat Argentina and u admitted u don’t know what u are talking about.
Again, predicting a Macedonian trashing by England goes to show how u sometimes think u are Mr Know It All.
Still, I hope u do continue because the next time u try to entertain us by stuffing your foot into your mouth, I might benefit by going against u with a bet.
Regards,
Mingfeng
Coulddobetter
illiterate@trendy.com
There’s 500 things
Basic grammar shouldn’t be a problem for a professional journalist . So why do you start today’s article by saying ‘There is 500 things’. Is ‘there are 500 things’ too hard or just not trendy enough.
From Joel Che – on Roy Keane
Forget the sum of the fine. That’s nothing to today’s footballers and less than 5% of what Keane is reportedly making on his book. Footballers are only punished by missing games.
The FA has the responsibility for protecting FANS, PLAYERS, OFFICIALS and the IMAGE of football.
That is why Eric Cantona was banned 8 MONTHS for a VIOLENT attack on a FAN. It was NOT premeditated, he lost his temper and did stop to think. The FA had to protect the fan and the image of the game and handed out proper punishment. A court of law would have found Cantona guilty of assault.
Paolo Di Canio got 11 GAMES for a non-violent confrontation with an OFFICIAL. It was NOT premeditated, he lost his temper but did not get violent. The FA acted rightly to protect officials and the image of the game. A court of law would probably have dismissed an assault case against Paolo but it was fair punishment from the FA.
Patrick Vieira got 6 GAMES for spitting on Neil Ruddock, another PLAYER. It was NOT premeditated, he was allegedly provoked with what amounts to racial taunts about the French and Garlic. If that was true then FA only had to protect the image of the game here. A court of law would have dismissed this case or even charged Neil Ruddock for racial abuse under new laws. The FA could be regarded as fair on balance in this case.
Roy Keane:
• Planned his assault – He’s quoted to have said he thought about it during his fight for fitness while injured. Months of planning!!!
• Planned the timing – He’s quoted have said he waited until the game was nearly over in order not to give his team a disadvantage. That clearly shows that he knew what he would do would result in an immediate RED card.
• Executed his assault in cold blood – directed at the knee, a career-threatening assault (this wasn’t a foul, it was an assault) that intended to cause damage (Roy is quoted as saying in Football you have to get your own back) basically suggesting he wanted the player out for as long as he was and would have used enough force to ensure not just pain but damage.
• It doesn’t end there. He goes out, admits it – effectively boasting about it. Then writes a book that brings him a reported profit of more that £1M. In a court of law, this will be ABH bordering GBH and substantial extra offence for profiting from it. In a court of law, these offences would put Roy Keane in jail for longer than the FA ban!!!!
None of the other players above were both guilty of Premeditated actions. Secondly, only one of them actually perpetuated violent conduct. None of them put an official, Fan or player at risk of losing their livelihood. Forget the fine – that’s just the FA generating revenue, fines are meaningless. Can the FA then, explain why Roy has been given less punishment than all above 3 examples. Why should any player run into the park and risk his career playing against Roy Keane?
Jason
pcsiung@yahoo.com
Michael Owen’s form
England 2-2 Macedonia.
England definitely played well.
Michael Owen this season definitely has lost all his touch. His hat-trick against Man City, to be honest, all of them goals, if you look carefully, are lucky and the last goal was a mis-hit. He aimed at far left of the goal mouth but his shot just scrapped through Schmeichel’s left hand. First and second goals were lucky too. I haven’t seen for a long time he scores a goal like he did against Arsenal in the FA CUP final. Darius Vassel played much better than him. More pace and much clever than Michael.
Can’t believe Alan Hansen said:” This is the last time he ( Dave Seaman ) wears the no.1 jersey.” or something like that. And I can’t believe John Motson or Trevor said Seaman aren’t any good with balancing his body. I bet Seaman didn’t expect that ball was going at his way which led to the fisrt goal. It’s just a split second lost of concentration. 9 out of 10 goalkeepers who don’t concentrate at that particular goal would concede it.
I hope Seaman’s self believe is not shattered… That would affect Arsenal’s form too.
alex barker
alex.barker@csfb.com
re: Highbury the Library
Hi Myles
I Really enjoy reading your articles – great stuff.
I agreed with your assessment of the Sunderland game. I was there and at half time read an interesting piece in the Sunday Times that supports your view. It showed that Arsenal score more goals in the first 30 minutes and more in the last 15 than anyone else in the premiership. ie they kill off teams like Sunderland in 20 – 30 minutes, go on cruise control for the rest of the game and then throw on some goal hungry subs in the last 15 minutes.
Discerning fans do recognise the worth of being able to win games inside 20 minutes and conserve energy for the more testing games, especially when there is Champions League games midweek.
I think some people get frustrated because they would like to see Arsenal go out and score 5 or 6 against all lesser opposition. Against Sunderland, Arsenal simply kept the ball for long stretches, passing it amongst themselves with, understanbaly, no real urgency to go forward.
The guy sat behind me complained at the end about Toure, Edu and Gilberto. ‘Whats exciting about them?’ he asked. Which is a shame.
A Man U supporting friend of mine, warned me this sort of thing might happen – people become dissatisfied with anything less than a sparkling 4 – 0 victory. I hope we won’t all become like Man U fans!
Question: What do you think of the Van Bronkhorst? How good is he? I couldn’t decide last seaosn. Will he get a game, other than as cover for Cole?
Congratulations on the paperback & best wishes
alex barker
ED COMMENT: The article, incidentally, was written by Ian Grant, not Myles Palmer.
Toro
htororey@yahoo.com
Arsenal new phenomenon
Why isn’t anyone commenting of the fact that Arsenal has a new phenomenal striker in the revived KANU.
I think Kanu is playing great at the moment and more importantly is seeing the back of the net at a higher rate than any of the Arsenal forwards at the moment.
“Kudos Kanu” and please lets give him the congratulations and support he deserves for his superior play.
Matt nicholson
mattnicholson@banks-sadler.co.uk
gooners
Hi Myles,
In your article today you touched on something that really really annoys me about most of the Arsenal games I go to.
Noise.
There is often close to none coming from the Arsneal fans. Virtually every game that I go to I end up leaving feeling embarrased at how easily the couple of thousand away fans in the clock have out sung the library.
This affliction seems to me to resemble the one I have so often witnessed when I’ve been to gigs in London. Namely, the “I’ll cross my arms and wait for you to show me that you sdeserve my applause” attitude of London audienc.
I love watching Arsenal playing at the moment but I HATE the way so many gooners sit there and behave as if they are at the cinema.
A PLEA TO ALL GOONERS OUT THERE – flex your vocal chords and let the players know that you appreciate the football that they play. The North Bank in the eighties was at least a noisy place.
Whenever, I hear the players yalking about the fantastic fans I wonder where they would rate them in the premier league table of noisy fans? Bottom?
The silence during the Sunderland game was nearly as humiliating as being comfortably outsung by Dortmund fans singing in ENGLISH.
Then again, Myles, you profess not to be a Gooner so all ofthis is incidental to you, eh!
Keep p the good work
Matt
PS Why did Sven go 4-3-3? Engurlund were inept after bridge went off
ED COMMENT: Ian Grant wrote the article – the bloke who set up ANR in 1995 and who funds the site.
Tom Pakenham
tom.pakenham@slaughterandmay.com
Highbury Library
I agree that the atmosphere at Highbury has changed, even over the 13 years that I’ve been going. Sitting in the West Upper, it’s rare that we get things going, though not through lack of trying by a few of us at least. I find there are three problems:
(1) Older fans who used to stand in the North Bank/Clock End have gone up in the world, chilled out a bit and feel they don’t owe anything anymore…a sort of: “Let the Clock End do the singing, I’m above that now” kind of mentality.
(2) Corporate seats, where people either don’t support Arsenal, or do, but only in a very sort of wishy-washy way.
(3) Occasional fans. THese are people who don’t have a passion for the club, don’t know the songs and would be too self-conscious to sing anyway.
If my memory serves me correctly, the East/West Uppers never sang much anyway (“Can you hear the East Stand sing? we can’t hear etc etc”), so things haven’t changed much in this respect. Where the ground has changed is in the North Bank primarily. Admittedly, even the Clock End is a little quieter at the moment, but that I reckon that’s more to do with being arrogant and knowing we’re the best than any long term change.
Ok, you’re never gonna get the frenzy of pre-seating, but even if you compare now with the opening of the North Bank, there’s a massive difference. More families, tickets are more expensive and unless you’re a season ticket holder/bond member, you can’t get in without strict military discipline years in advance.
Things could change at the new ground, but given our experience in Wembley, moving to a bigger ground does not necessarily mean more noise; in fact, I suspect that without some real initiatives to inject some fire back into the crowd, the new ground will be even quieter.
Solution?
There are lots of ideas floating around, such as: drum corners like we briefly flirted with in the early 90s european games, but it just isn’t the English way and only works at high octane games; bands a la Wednesday, which is a giggle (I’ve stood with them on a few occasions), but the Wednesday fans are good anyway and mostly just slag off the brass band anyway these days; song sheets?!?! – might make a bit of a difference but all the best songs are “too rude” to be printed and constantly changing. Besides, did they ever make a difference at cup finals?! Don’t think so.
So, if none of the above will make a big difference, what will?
The reason people don’t sing anymore is cos the tickets are too expensive and, as we all know, the demographics at Highbury and throughout the premiership are changing – more middle class. If the Arsenal board is serious about improving atmosphere, it needs to reserve a minimum number of tickets in the ground at a cheap price. And I don’t mean cheap relative to know, I mean properly cheap, like in Germany or France – say 10 max. And if you ask me, it’s as simple as that.
Sadly, the change is a class thing to a large extent. Once there’s something resembling the social make-up
Peter Coyne
peterandclaire@onetel.net.uk
What sort of fans?
Just a quick note re: Ian Grant’s piece on the Highbury library. It really has hit the point home to me that the football fan is never happy!
Do we want to see thrilling, close games, or a stroll to the title? Before last season, I’m sure the huge majority would have plumped for the latter.
Reading Ian’s piece (which I agree with as an observation), I can see feelings for the former. A case of ‘CelticRangersitis’, where we are only stimulated for a few high profile games, and simply mop up the rest, waiting for the big Euro game? Maybe. But I hope that, at the same time, the Arsenal fan does not take the current level of performance for granted. I remember Man Utd fans calling for Fergie’s head a couple of years ago after the semi defeat against Madrid, which illustrates the lack of perspective and memory displayed by the average football fan.
I for one am perfectly happy to win games in ten minutes, stay in low gear, and raise the game when required (i.e. Leeds)! Thanks for the interesting piece, and the work on the site in general.
Easily the best Arsenal site on the web.
anthony
armohipp@hotmail.com
Hello Mr. Palmer.
Do u think it would be best for England to play a 3-5-2?
I don’t think Ingerland use Ashley to their best advantages and playing him and someone like Mills on the right would give us more options ie Beckham can play in the centre like in 98 and he wouldnt be stuck out wide for 25 minutes doing naffing!
Its sumfin thats annoying with Ingerland. Ash gets the ball, motors past a couple of statues, makes a pass, continues his run and then some idiot decides to pass sideways and back ignoring him!
How many times have we seen Tel, Wiltord, Dennis and the likes give him the return ball to score or have a shot?!!
its bloddy annoying!
i think…
Robinson in goal, a back 3 of Gary Neville, Rio, Sol, a 5 man midfield of Mills, Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes and Ash with Owen and Jeffers up front should do the trick….aginst Leichtenstein!
Anyways its most interesting that u should mention Kirkland in your article. Do u think he’s someone Arsene might move for in the summer as David’s replacement?
IMO I still rate young Taylor. He had some shaky moments last season but the lad performed when we needed him! Remember his terrific save to deny Nedved in the opening minutes against Juve at home. It was a great save that set the platform for a 2 nil half-time lead.
Listen if the lad gets another 14-15 games this season u never know what might happen…If we are in a really hot patch and the kid is partly responsible for that then i have a funny feeling Arsene may stick with Taylor!
Kelvin Tan
kelvin1855@yahoo.com
Silvinho’s departure.
Dear Myles,
Given your highly opinionated style of writing which i really enjoy, what are comments on Silvinho’s departure to Celta Vigo for a mere 2.5 million pounds.
Was his passport anything to do with it?
I read your book and i really liked it and i remembered that you mentioned something about AW buying players young and having them developed the way he wanted.
Silvinho’s departure was said to due to Ashley Cole form, but i don’t believe that bullshit, Silvinho is more versatile, can play left midfield better than Ashley. I think a lot of fans are still wondering WHAT HAPPEN TO SILVINHO?
Hope to hear your version of the story.
Thank you.
Kelvin Tan from Singapore.
henry moss
h.moss@attbi.com
rascist taunts from the terraces
the player should make sure that is able to identify the rascist fan to the ref who will then report that a.s.a.p to the police, the player will point out the person to the law? that would be preferable to the player jumping into the crowd to sort it out himself. i’m sure there is a moment during the game when the player can get a fix on the person?
Jason
pcsiung@yahoo.com
Nice one Myles
On you latest piece of article, you did explain very well indirectly how Arsenal lost their amazing record.
We gooners were all shattered after saturday but I have got to say that after reading your article, even after many many post-match reports, I feel really better.
Keep it up.
Shaz Kidwai
shaz_kidwai@yahoo.co.uk
Writing
Myles
I love your writing skills, it is a very fluent style, you have a great talent for putting down on paper what many of us are thinking.
Was wondering; what was you FIRST impression of Mr Wenger. When I first saw him on Sky News, I knew he was going to be a legend the first time I saw him speak; I could’t believe the disgraceful abuse that went on when he first joined.
His one fault is goalkeepers; he doesnt have a good record in this respect.
Sean
seanmao@hotmail.com
David Seaman
I must agree with Arsene Wenger that we should not push the panic button just because we have lost two games in a row (even though I admit those defeats surprised me); I also agree with Vieira that we need to respect Seaman considering his contribution over the years and he is still the best we have at the moment.
As much as I agree, I wish to see him replaced at least for the next two to three weeks. Evidently, Arsenal opponents have been trying to lob Seaman more than often in recent games. Why? Because the chances of getting a goal are better, and scoring from a lob (especially from a distance) makes the scorer look good. Of course, Managers and players from Arsenal will try to justify how difficult it is for Seaman to save those shots or lobs because they cannot be wrong.
The bottem line? Seaman is conceding goals from lobs and he looks to have lost much of his confidence in the last two games. Not just him, his fellow defenders have not been themselves lately because they too, have become less confident of Seaman.
By resting Seaman, it can effectively break the pattern in the way we defend and the way opponents are trying to score. In addition, Seaman more than ever this season, needs a break to regain his confidence and learn from his mistakes. Finally, Shaaban may do well and help restore the zest of the defenders.
I am not you Myles so I cannot analyze in much depth that you do so well. Please give us your opinion on Seaman, and what lies ahead with our seemingly Goal Keeper crisis.
By the way, thank you for shedding some light on Jeffers. However, I still cannot see him fitting into the Arsenal’s style of play.
Best regards.
Richard Waters
richard.waters@drkw.com
flippant aside
Myles,
I love your site & am in the middle of the hardback version of The Professor which I am thoroughly enjoying.
I just wanted to ask you whether, in view of your recently stated comment about your lifelong football viewing habits, you will no longer be attending Arsenal matches since they have stopped winning?
If this is the case, I know more than a few people who would take your ticket from you!
Regards,
Richard Waters
paddy barnes
paddybarnes@easynet.co.uk
dead balls
Why does henry persist in taking free kicks and corners? Why does Wenger allow him to? Why, in fact, has nobody in this otherwise very well organised machine pointed out that Henry has something like a 2% success rate (he scored twice from free kicks last year – from about 70 I guess, and none this year).
Not only is Henry not very good at deadballs, his presence behind the ball deprives the team of his presence in the box where he stands a much better chance of scoring.
Who could take his place? How about Cole, Wiltord, Ljungberg, Lauren, Gilberto or Edu?
There is virtually nothing to be gained from a free kick around the opponents’ penalty area – unlike Man Utd who know they stand a 1 in 4 chance of scoring from the same position.
Sort it out!
Kevin Reed
kevin_reed@vnu.co.uk
FAO Myles – 90 minutes
Hi Myles, just thought i’d make a comment about good ole 90 minutes. It was a super rag that definitely filled the gaps between games, with it’s cheeky stance and homegrown coverage. A much better option than trawling through World Soccer!
Anyway, nice too hear someone mention it, i’m sure i’ve got the “embarassing player photo” cards lying around somewhere!
kev
Julian
joules118@yahoo.com
Absurd!!!
Hi,
Just read on PV4 getting a 2 match ban. I think it is totally absurb the ban considering Roy Keane who admittted to deliberately hurting a fellow player being banned for 5 games. Well, it either shows PV4 crime was almost as bad or that Roy’s wasn’t that bad. Somehow, I feel Arsenal are being targeted for any minor offence… Just thinking back, PV4 was very restrained in his emotions and had no reason to insult the ref. Feel that refs now have too much power in their hands.. You reckon?
Tom Pakenham
tom.pakenham@slaughterandmay.com
Cygan
I agree that Mexes and Boumsong were excellent the other night, though I also think that Cygan more than matched them. He held the Arsenal defence together single-handedly. Cole, Lauren, Campbell and Seamen all played without confidence, imagination or aggression.
This defensive frailty was compounded by Paddy’s poor performance and Ljungberg and Wiltord being muscled off the ball time after time.
In the face of this, Cygan won headers, made some crucial interceptions, covered brilliantly for Campbell at least twice and read the game far better than anyone in Arsenal colours.
Mexes and Boumsong were playing behind a team that was fighting and winning, as a team. They were complimented by two fast and aggressive full-backs and the excellent Tainio in front of them.
I agree that they looked better than Cygan, but not necessarily that they played better. Cygan looks massive already and along with Gilberto (who admittedly was off-colour on Tuesday) will be vital to our chances at home and in Europe, particularly when PV4 is having an off day.
Paul Burland
paul@aic.co.uk
Football Brain
Spot on about Arsenal lacking a footballing brain against Auxerre.
Bergkamp, Pires and Edu can all give us that. Be interesting to see if Bergkamp and Pires’ return will give Arsenal a needed lift.
Maybe Edu will also get another chance with Vieira suspended.
Would be nice to see the Brazilians in midfield.