Following a recommendation from my Arsenal-supporting mate Andrew many, many moons ago, I am a daily visitor to your site.
Love it. Love your incisive, sharp style of writing. I agree with most of what you have to say.
Less keen on some of the rambling ANR replies you post. I hope this is not one.
I lost my faith on 29th October 2008. The catalyst?
Not necessarily the result, a 4-4 home draw against Spurs, but Arsene’s post-match interview.
I was simply stunned.
He castigated the team for not pushing on for a fifth goal, when 4-2 up in the 89th minute. No Arsene, run the bloody clock down and take the three points!
It was around that time I concluded that it was time to say thank you and goodbye to Le Professor. I convinced myself we would never win another trophy with him at the helm.
Two and a half years on – I haven’t changed my view.
I think in years to come we’ll look back on Tuesday night as a key milestone in Arsenal’s modern history.
The nadir in Arsene’s eventual legacy. The beginning of the end of his leadership. He gambled “absolutely everything” (as he might say) in the Nou Camp. Played two players in key, spinal positions who were very obviously unfit. Selected Diaby and Rosicky. Slipped into an uncomfortable, tactically defensive straightjacket for only the second time I can recall (the other being the 2005 FA Cup Final).
He is now claiming we would have won the game had RVP remained on the pitch. He wants an apology from UEFA. This is, quite frankly, embarrassing. Someone at the Club must control this before we become a laughing stock. Before Arsene Wenger is cast as Comical Ali.
I don’t expect us to win at OT on Saturday.
I expect us to drop yet more crucial league points at West Brom, Saturday week.
Our squad is littered with overpaid mediocrity. Key, quality spinal players , Vermaelen, Cesc and RVP are regularly injured. Szczesny is a great prospect – we’re still missing a quality, experienced keeper. Our leader, tactic-less, with a glaringly obvious defensive blindspot.
The only bright spot is Jack Wilshere – an amazing player, not a prospect.
I don’t want to hear “Judge me in May”, “This team has great mental strength”, “I believe we can do it” or any of the usual early Spring calls to arms, whilst our ambitions collapse around us.
I want him to go, with dignity in May. His legacy deserves that.
I’m tired now.
Night night.
Paddy in Belfast
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Myles says:
Sorry for the rambling, mate.
West Brom will be hard because they are fighting for their lives.
Did you know, Paddy , that some tweeting morons think I make up the readers’ letters I publish here?