From Shubham: All things wrong with Arsenal
Dear Myles,
Trust you are doing well.
Though the year is on to its last 2 months, in footballing terms the season is just heating up. Repeated international breaks are playing dampener in building momentum.
All this aside, I thought, it will be interesting to point out a few things about your blog.
First, you claim to be a football lover but not an Arsenal fan.
Fair enough. But, in such case why not call the blog ‘Football News Review’ instead of the existing one.
Second, the content put up here is no news review but criticism that is overwhelmingly negative from the Arsenal point of view. As an experienced journalist, your sense of balance would have made for much better reading.
However, weekly there are at least 3 pieces which slates Arsenal in every possible way.
Finally, thought I will counter one of your favourite contributors, Rhys Jagger, who goes around trashing Arsenal on all platforms available.
So here is my list of 5 things that are right about Arsenal:
1. Arsenal have invested in talent consistently and now have 5-6 players with senior caps for England
2. Arsenal have continued its business organically without any personal contribution of a wealthy benefactor. As per several reports the club has revenues that put it amongst the top 10 in the football world.
3. Arsenal have one of the best arenas in the world. Ask teams that come to play at the Emirates.
4. Arsenal have 13 league titles which is 3rd best in England.
It will take another decade or more for the benefactor dependent clubs at least to match
5. Arsenal have over 100 million fans (and growing) spread over the globe.
Many of whom have supported the club for over 10-15 years (through the barren period).
Myles says:
I’m not here to provide “negativity” and I’m not here to be a cheerleader either.
I’m here to tell you honestly what I think.
My value, if I have a value, is my objectivity.
I don’t see your club through rose-tinted glasses because I’ve been to far too many games since 1986 and spent hundreds of hours with its managers and attended a dozen AGMs and written a 404-page book about it.
Readers like you provide balance.
Next time this Arsenal team impresses me, I’ll let you know immediately.
I JUDGE A MANAGER BY HIS TEAM.
28th October 2014