Is there any reason for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about 2013/14?

171 Replies to “Is there any reason for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about 2013/14?”

1. awesome… Thanks for this! I’m also looking forward to the start of the season… COYG

2. I will get in before the moaners and groaners try to drag us down. Great article, couldn’t agree more. Long may Wenger remain Arsenal manager.

3. Please ban me so I don’t have to read any more of this verbose, turgid, self-serving, complacent twaddle.

   Luck!! Hahahaha. Alex Ferguson would be chuckling with pity at your stupidity. You make your own luck in football by: having a better squad, doing tactics, understanding subs and having a gameplan. Yep, SAF lucked his way to all those titles, cups and European titles didn’t he? He lucked his way to shatting on us in the European semi by understanding that the liberal application of Darren Fletcher could nullify our oh-so-simple gameplan of ‘give it to Cesc’. It’s luck that every year his teams get stronger as the pressure mounts in the title challenge and ours folds like a pack of cards. He’s been oh so lucky for oh so long – I bet he’s in league with the devil, eh?

   Maureen “lucks” his way to shitting all over wenger’s teams with his “lucky” application of scientific prep, forensic analysis of the opposition and specific gameplans and DVDs focussed on neutralizing the opposition. Helped by the application of paying top dallar for the right players in the right positions.

   Man Shitty lucked their way to the title with a huge outlay on the right players they needed to win, right?

   And we’re unlucky because we play Ramsey on the wing, rely on Diaby every year, sell our best players to key competitors, don’t buy what we need to strengthen, don’t do tactics, don’t ever, ever get any new coaching support (poor old Boro, he must be knackered by now!) and rely on kids at the start of every season, get embarrassed at OT because of it (8-2, anyone – sounds like the aussie openers!). And Andres Santos. Hee Hee. Yep – that’s some serious bad luck that you couldn’t possibly see coming could you?

   All luck! Loser talk, I am afraid.

4. Your article is to long and boring I could not even finish it, Fans are pissed of simply because we was told we will spend big thus far nothing,our current team is not good enough simple, I promise you now if we do not buy anyone I will put my season ticket in the bin that is how disappointed I am.

5. Bootoomee! A good and articulated article, well done. The Internet in the last ten years have given the idiots a licence to vent their spleen and become keyboard warriors with no real outlook to their lives? Arsenal will have a good next season.

6. Damn bro..

7. So when the scum add £50m of additional talent so far, and either keep monkey/human hybrid or get 70-90m for him plus players you all REALLY think we’ll still finish 1pt ahead of them this year. REALLY??

   So what £50m buys you nothing these days??

8. I personally think the only reason that we have not won a trophy in the last times is because AW stuck to a one-dimensional way of playing our football. If he had acquired new strategies to enhance the team by using the players more effectively we would have. Now we see our team is more than one-dimensional and can change shape in an instant, as well as being a team of players who have been playing with one another for a while. I think our team is good. What is lacking is a hardened will to not despair when a game has been lost. I have watched our players one week, and the next week and it was like two different teams, even though the same players were playing. Although AW is good for them, i think he is a little too soft with the players. We all know (as fathers) our children need discipline else they take advantage of you, and i think our players have had too much leeway for a long time. All that seems to have changed and only the first knock back will show if they have grown in mentality as much as their team bonding and improvement has.
   I expect Arsenal to surprise many this season, but the squad has become a little thin considering the many games we have to play. This is not acceptable, because one or two injuries and we start losing points that can never be reclaimed. So we need players to replace the depleted squad, and i hope sooner rather than later. What i don’t want is a “insert name of top striker here” who is fed relentlessly by all other players so he can score and build his value up, that he can be sold for double the price next or two seasons on. This is a common thing done by all teams.
   I would prefer a striker who really fits in at Arsenal and who is there for the long term.

9. worth “reposting” this from (not me!) Le Grove, to give a sense of the general sentiment on what is a more popular blog… The anti-argument to the one above.

   Myth no 1: arsene wenger is a great manager

   Reality: Wenger inherited the greatest domestic defence of the last 50 years and Dennis bergkamp. He’s not won anything for 8 soon to be 9, 10, 11 and 12 years. He won precious little before he arrived at arsenal

   Myth no2: arsene wenger has been stymied in the transfer market by the board

   Reality: Tens of millions of pounds have been available for the last few years, he’s not deemed it necessary to spend it.

   Myth no 3: Arsenal cannot compete with regard to wages

   Reality: our wage bill is £150m per year, over 50m more than our nearest rivals

   Myth no 4: arsene wenger is frugal and always gets value for money

   Reality: djouru 50k, arshavin 80k denilson 50k bendtner 50k diaby 60k etc etc

   Myth no 5: arsene wenger is loved by everyone who has played for him

   Reality: anelka viera henry petit overmars fabregas nasri clichy song van persie have all left arsenal at their peaks to go and win stuff elsewhere.

   Myth 6: there is no-one who could replace him

   Reality: there are people who post on this blog who could do a better job with 100m to spend on players and 150m to spend on wages!

   Myth 7: wenger has an amazing ability to unearth young talent

   Reality: 1 world class player in 17 years and hundreds and hundreds of kids that never made it, arsene wenger has unearthed 30-40 Craig Eastmonds for every Cesc Fabregas

   Arsene Wenger – more myths than a Wagner opera

10. And we’re off again for a day of Theo nonsense, oh well, we ca always skip onwards.
    Brilliant article Boo. Every word true and sensible.
    Roll on August.

11. Its not about luck at all , its about the ability to win. Arsenals problem starts with the frenchman, and ends with him, nothing else!He told us year after year that he is building a team and 8 years on we still have nothing to show for it. He cant keep class players ,only rubbish like Diaby,Djourou,Bentnail,Chammak,etc.. In SHORT Arsenal wont achieve anything until Wenger returns to France!

12. Having England’s best midfielder fit and hopefully available for the whole season is reason on its own to feel positive.

13. OK – Dec, let’s try and engage in a civil way – I am really interested to understand the mindset. Some of what Boo writes is factually correct, but the huge glaring omission is externalities.

    The factors outside of the above to give us context for the season. Namely the competition.

    I am genuinely interested in how you account for the huge sums on new players that our competition have spent and the players that are even now training with and bedding in with their colleagues – against our reduction in the first team squad and no current replacements.

    It seems perverse to ignore it and discount the impact, and yet you all seem to completely discount the impact.

14. Well spoken dude, Special the part about RVP that ungrateful asshole. On the last day of the season while we battled for top four, he said he found himself rooting for Spurs………I mean really now……Asshole of the decade for me.

15. There is every reason for true Arsenal fans to be optimistic
    towards the new season. For the following reasons:
    1. Messrs Podolski, Giroud and Gazorla, our signings from last season, will now enter their second term in the EPL… when they would be expected to blossom.
    2. Wilshere and Ramsey are expected to play a dominant part in the team’s engine room. Wilshere after injury and a minor operation, while Ramsey has found his true niche in more central midfield.
    3. Arsene has promised new blood will be brought in to strengthen the team and we should believe him, up to and including the last day of the transfer Window.

16. Alex your comment speaks far more about your attention span than about this blog

17. DITTO; Many fans call our players average. Truth be told, the only issue i have with AW is about tactics (and oh am no coach neither have i ever played football). BUT i have confidence on the current squad and the manager.
    Come on August and let the EPL feast begin.

18. Couldnt give a monkeys about this shit Blog I guess my attention span doesnt compare to yours Sir Tony because I wouldnt waste my time to continue reading a load of drivel.

19. I agree with you on this article. However with the departures of players, although “deadwood” we lack depth. The current sqaud of players are reasonably good, but we have to face the reality of injuries, lack of form etc. Do we have adequate replacements? The tyope of players that can step into the squad and make a significant impact.
    We might not need 3-4 new players but I feel we need at least 1 or 2 really good players.
    Squad depth is not merely having players as backup, but having exeptional quality to compete on any level throughout your ranks. Some of our players aren’t ready to compete on the highest levels as yet. We need to strengthen!!

20. I have just come online to see that my opinion is found worthy of publication – thanks Tony!

    I will endeavour to engage as many commenters as possible, especially those who may disagree with me or have different reasonable opinions. I will ignore the usual childish posters as I would with any other article here. Life is too short to be spent arguing with idiots!

21. Bye Alex. Missing you already, not really.

22. Agree Bootomee, plenty of reasons. Others around us are in serious danger of losing their talisman players, wonder if they will cope with such things as well as we have in terms of maintaining stability during all this, I somehow doubt it. The fallout for the Spuds if Bale goes will be huge, not least of which an unhappy manger. Liverpool fac similar issues.
    But ultimately, we should now be able to forget those behind us, to catch those in front with huge resources, we need to strengthen as well s develop, and strengthen we will. We have let a lot of players go and though I like the look of our first team…on the back of how many games is that without defeat? – we still need more up front and at the back to get through a season and that is with injuries we have now.
    You mention luck, think there was more than just plain bad luck going on in the season we last challenged fo the title.

23. Para,

    I like your critiques. They show that you have thought about them and I respect your points even if I don’t agree with all of them.

    It’s good that you agree that the team is no longer one dimensional. I think the more creative people we have, the more dimensions we have due to their indidvidual craetivity. The advantage of this is that we are less predictable and this is a good thing.

    About our will to not despair, this was my biggest disappointment with Gallas on that fateful day in 2008. Cesc also, as great as he was as a player, was not the best leader in time of adversity. This is where Vermalaen is great. Arteta is also always calm at all times.

    More importantly though, the will to not despair is best endowed by history of victories. Recall how confident the Invincibles always were even when they trailed? I think sustained victories will bring that with it.

    Like you, I am looking forward to a successful 2013/14 season because that is what fans do!

24. Alex,

    Grow up!

25. doc wally,

    You either did not read the article or you ouright lack comprehension skills. Either way, you are not intelligent enough to moan at Arsene Wenger. Besides, you sound like a xenophobe so I have no use for your opinion.

26. I am certain that by this sites criteria we will have another successful season.

    My criteria are borne out of a desire to see success on the field but it appears this site is happy if we just stay mediocre and secure our financial future. I supported this approach when we were paying off the stadium but now there is cash there is no reason not to compete- lets see what excuses they use if we finish fourth again. If we can compete with the squad from last season then great if not bye bye Wenger(unless the new signing diaby can save him)

27. I wish I could grow up I am 54 years old and been a season ticket holder for more than 15 years and spent more money on arsenal than you have earned in your life so hey if I want to act like a immature child I am well with in my rights to do so you right shit so can I.

28. On that issue that probably unite fans of all clubs: Strengthening/adding depth, hereis my 2 cents to all who raise this issue.

    No matter how knowledgable youmay be as a fan, we can at least agree that AW knows more than you, especially how to run Arsenal. Now, he has always added depth but sadly fans never count players promoted from the youth team or newly purchased ones because they are not stars and don’t cost £30million+.

    We’ve added Sanogo as a new buy and if Gnabry, Miquel, Zelalem, Akpom etc were new signings, gooners would be gushing over them by now in light of their Asian tour exploits! I know most of us at Untold do though.

    You can also have 3 players for position and have 3 injured! Let’s wish the team well and hope that we are lucky, yes LUCKY, with injuries this season.

    I am not against additions but our team is strong enough as it is. Let’s have faith in and support them.

29. Boo – I know you try and ignore me, but I would genuinely like a view from somebody here, from the smugocraty, around this cursed thing called competition.

    All the various “we’re OK next year” articles I’ve seen here don’t even consider what our competition are actually doing.

    I’d certainly like a mature debate about it. Or you can continue to ignore if you want to.

30. Are you really saying that: Gnabry, Miquel, Zelalem, Akpom, etc. will propel us to the title?

    Rather than Higuain (arg intl), Suarez (uru intl), Fellaini (belgain intl), Bender (german intl), Bernard (braz intl) – who we could afford certainly 3-4 of?

    Just trying to assess.

31. Lea,

    Thanks for your comment. I agree about criticising Wenger for his tactics. Of course, most of his tactical criticisms are wrong but at least they show some thoughts on the part of the critics.

    Like you, I eagerly looking forward to the new season.

32. I think that is what Boo Boo is saying he is a very intelligent man.

33. A good read, However, maybe your misunderstanding a lot of the Arsenal Fans frustration. Most fans think that the problem lies with the fact it should be a pretty simple fix. and that’s to tighten up the defense. There is no question about the Attacking Quality we posses. probably the most versatile in the league. We have pace in TW and AOC. Power with LP and Height and an eye for goal with OG. we also have vision in abundance with MA, JW and SC. But strength in defense is poor and has been for the most of the 8 years we haven’t won anything. Players that have been bought in to the squad to strengthen the defense have been terrible. I wont bother with the list as you all know who they are. I’m obviously not talking about your TV’s or LK’s. but the players that replace them when they are suspended, injured or having a bad couple of games. Why do the Scouting team get it so wrong with the Defending side of things, when in the past we had one of the best defenses the world had ever seen.
    Barcelona are by far the best at going forward in the world but still know how to defend well.

    Amongst the fans i dont think we care for “Sugar Daddies” running our club, and i think we are all very proud of how the club is Ran.

    Would Van Persie had left if the defense was better and we were closer to winning something bigger, he was getting tired of not seeing quality coming in. I believe he wouldn’t have. Nasri and MF obviously are a different kettle of fish and deserve all the disgruntlement from the Gunner fans.
    We seem to be going down the same road again, by going after more strikers, and not concentrating on what is needed. Sometimes i think AW is like sending your 12 year old kid to get the groceries to find him coming back with just a bag of sweets with no change.

    Anyway gripe over. And come on you Mighty Mighty Gunners! Hope we have a good season.

34. Mandy Dodd wrote:

    “You mention luck, think there was more than just plain bad luck going on in the season we last challenged fo the title.”

    Thanks Mandy. I assume you mean 2007/8 (correct me if I’m wrong please). I think we were also undone in that season by some questionable refreeing but I am not a great fan of referee bashing. I know that Arsenal suffers form bias officials but bad luck has robbed us much more than the referees have. Also if things are going your way, if your shots are not hitting the post and you are not conceding deflected or own goals, there isn’t much the referee can do to derail you.

    Here is a fun fact: Did you know that we did not concede a single own goal during the 49 matches unbeaten run? We also conceded very few (don’t have the number) deflected goals!

35. Tony, Walter thanksssssss a lot for heeding my request in allowing Bootoomeee to write an article for untold.
    Boo, great article bro! Wish U could add some of your usual jokes. Keep it up.
    Can’t wait for the season to begin! COYG.
    To all usual moaners,keep it up! High blood pressure and hypertension is just right behind your door. Just a little while before it becomes the owner of your life. I pity you

36. byron,

    We are all going to miss you when you stop supporting the team after we come 4th again as you have so divinely predicted.

    Bye bye!

37. @Hlanganani

    Think what RVP said was that he wanted Totts to beat Man C earlier in the season, which is understandable as at the time it was a 2 horse race for the title. Its not happened for a while however, I have in the past wanted Totts to beat Man U.

    Oh Theo

    The wage bill is an interesting one and it stems from the policy made by the club some years ago. The decision was made that all first team member should be on a relative parity which has in my opinion back fired. Lee Dixon said some time ago that full backs always used to be the worst paid players in the team. He said that was the case under George G and was addressed as soon as AW joined with both he and Nigel W being given pay rises.

    I agree that this policy has back fired and that the knock on affect is that we have been unable to move players on, but we are not alone with this. As an example Moyes has made it clear that Rooney is there to replace RVP if he gets injured, so if Rooney moves who is going to pick up his £250k per week salary?

    Also I am aware that Wayne Bridge was on £100k per week at Man C, he was loaned out to Brighton last season who contributed only £10k per week to his salary. I am sure that there are many examples at many clubs.

    To make it clear I am not defending AW or the board, but we are not the only ones that make mistakes on transfers and contracts.

    I recall watching Arsenal reserves away to Leicester City (8/9 years ago). We had Muamba in midfield and Lupoli up front with Bendtner, cant recall exactly but have a feeling that Clichy and Bentley also played. Our young team was up against a Leicester team that had 4/5 players that had lots of first team experience and one of there better players and a current international on his way back from injury, we beat them 4-1. They were physically stronger than us but the pace and movement of the boys was truly wonderful.

    Had I been in charge then I too would have been tempted to tie many of those young players down.

    The AFC wage policy (I believe) has now changed and that we have learned from it, but I guess time will tell.

38. Alex,

    We can all make stuff up on the Internet to make ourselves appear important. I never give any credence to the autobiographies of anonymous Internet commenters. I can infer how well you are doing in life by the quality of your contribution to whatever topic is being discussed.

    In this regard, you sound childish. And if you are indeed 54 years old, you sound like an unintelligent loser. How can you say you spend more than my lifetime income when you have no idea what that amount is?

    You are a child or a moron.

39. @ Bootoomee – Ya to you ! Nice !

40. “I am not supporting Arsenal for the players that we might sign or the trophies that we might win; I am supporting Arsenal for the values of the club and as long as those values are maintained, I will always be a proud gooner!”

    I started supporting Arsenal in 2009. And I guess these words define me as a gooner.

    Brillant Article, by the way.

41. Hi Bootoomee

    Nice article but I guess you have missed the biggest point. Its not luck its bad referring.

    1) How can we forget the horrendous tackles which broke the spirit of the team

    2) How can we forget the red card to that cunt

    3) how can we forget how the invincible run was stopped

    4) How can we forget the cropped pitch in Milan with no grass on the sidelines

    And then we have the list of all those matches where we survived even after no protection from referees (eg against everton last season). Rant over

42. soglorious,

    Thanks for the kind word!

    BTW,is your name a play on Sogo, a Yoruba name? I am really curious! Please pardon me if I’m wrong.

43. Just watched the G.Neville analysis. My respect increases for the Wenger led team. Theo boy, can you sustain the team on 9million pounds in eight years with constant champions league fOotball. You are indeed a big clown. All your nonsense mythology about 150million available is made available because of this man spending wisely 9 million pounds. If an outsider who doesn’t even support the team could acknowledge what Wenger has done, you will be an idiot if you can’t give honour where honour and respect is due.

    And next time, don’t ask to be banned. If a goat finds itself in the midst of sheep. It wisely dissociate itself. Read the title of this blog and don’t bring in your negativity here again.

    Tony and Walter, sorry for my use of words. Somebody has to show him the right path.

44. Abhishek Kumar,

    We are on the same side, the pro-Arsenal side!

    As I said earlier, I agree that the refs are not our best friends. I am just not into referee bashing. I think many of them are just incompetent as their actions in other teams’ matches show. I don’t read Walter’s ref based articles and I like Walter! I think if things are going your way (in other word, LUCK), there isn’t much the ref can do to stop you.

    Example: the penalty awarded against the Keown at the OT during the unbeaten run – is there a better definition of luck than RvN hitting the post at such a critical point in the match? Although the ref tried to screw us, mother luck was on our side and we escaped undefeated!

45. Boo, though a yoruba man, my name isn’t Sogo. Just love the word “soglorious” thats why I use it a lot. Thanks for asking though.

46. Meet Ah Beng ,the local twit !

    Ah Beng : People consider me as a ‘GOD’
    Wife: How do you know??
    Ah Beng : When I went to the park today, everybody said,
    “Oh GOD! Why did come here again?”

    Ah Beng comes back to his car and finds a note saying ‘Parking Fine’
    He writes a note and sticks it to a pole ‘Thanks for compliment.’

    Ah Beng was sitting in a bar and his cellular phone rings.
    He picks it up and says ‘Hello, how did you know I am here?’

    Ah Beng always sit on the lower level of double-decker buses.
    When asked why so, he says upstairs no driver.

47. Brickfields Gunners,

    Are you sure Ah Beng isn’t a commenter here?

    Love the jokes.

48. Oh Theo

    Just read the link below.. it was written two years back and I know u would have pasted it here immediately.. Look how this guy is looking like a fool now..

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9103072/Arsenal-vs-Tottenham-Robin-van-Persie-the-only-Gunner-in-Henry-Winters-combined-XI.html

49. Soglorious,

    Omo Yoruba gidi ni Bootoomee sugbon ilu oba lo ngbe. Inu mi dun lati mo pe Yoruba ni eyin na!

    All the best bro and 2013/14 will be our season!

50. @Tony
    I am Alex too in your blog but I don’t share the other Alex views. Surprised that you allow that.

51. Yes, was referring to that year Bootoomee. As for ref bashing, I am sure many are completely honest and do their very best, I also believe some are too weak to break from the status quo, some are career minded, others,…well… I respect your opinion on this subject and it is shared by many, but I have seen too much with my own eyes, both here and abroad, have read too much on this and other sites, know too much about the workings of FIFA and too little about the PGMOL to completely let refs in general off the hook I’m afraid

52. Brickfields gunners.

    See you do jokes, here’s one for you!

    Teacher: “Anyone who thinks he’s stupid may stand up!”
    *Nobody stands up*
    Teacher: “Im sure there are some stupid students over here!!”
    *Little Johnny stands up*
    Teacher: “Ohh, Johnny you think you’re stupid?”
    Little Johnny: “No… i just feel bad that you’re standing alone…”

53. Bootoomee, same here bro! Inu mi dun wipe e ko ti gbagbe ati maa ko ede wa. Ilu Oba a tu yin lara o. E o ko ere oko dele. Eni ni ojo ti inu mi dun ju ni UNTOLD. Proud to be a gooner with a brother! COYG

54. Uplifting article, I must say. It even brought in feelings of pride within me as well.

    As much as I respect Wenger and what he has done for the club do I still get that uneasy feeling of us waddling along yet again this coming season.

    No doubt we are able to compete at a bare minimum level for Arsenal Football Club (or what has become a bare minimum). Unfortunately we dont seem to do anything significant to push us to the upper echelons of the game, areas where we should be.

    You can quote me, ban me, whatever, but if we dont strengthen in the required areas it will be more of the same, underachievement and nothing for us supporters to stand up tall and shut up all our opposition supporters with.

    No matter what magic Wenger has, its not enough to take us across the line. The players know that as they are right now, Wenger himself knows that as he looks at his squad right now and WE all know that as we stand here right now.

    Credit to Untold though for trying to view our situation of underachievement in a positive light.

55. That was a party broadcast by wenger. What drivel.brainwashed into accepting a top four. Soon europa will be acceptavle

56. Bootoomee – I plead the fifth ! Me lips be sealed!

    (Just in case anyone didn’t catch the above .To plead the fifth – To decline to give self-incriminating information. Refers to the fifth amendment of the US Constitution, which states that no citizen “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself…”)

    But you may know these guys !
    Paddy Died in a Fire-

    Paddy died in a fire and was burnt pretty badly. So the morgue needed someone to identify the body. His two best friends, Seamus and Sean, were sent for. Seamus went in and the mortician pulled back the sheet.

    Seamus said “Yup, he’s burnt pretty bad. Roll him over”.
    So the mortician rolled him over. Seamus looked and said “Nope, it ain’t Paddy.”

    The mortician thought that was rather strange and then he brought Sean in to identify the body. Sean took a look at him and said, “Yup, he’s burnt real bad, roll him over.”

    The mortician rolled him over and Sean looked down and said, “No, it ain’t Paddy.”

    The mortician asked, “How can you tell?”

    Sean said, “Well, Paddy had two arseholes.”

    “What? He had two arseholes?” asked the mortician.

    “Yup, everyone knew he had two arseholes. Every time we went into town, folks would say, ‘Here comes Paddy with them two arseholes….'”

57. Ta, Bootoomee

    I see that as an excellent article.

    I am a ‘ref basher’, having watched so many refs consistently allow Arsenal’s opponents to kick them, unpunished. You’ll have seen the bias in the media (nothing matches the vitriol handed out by that lot, nor the doom-monering/lack of credit, and general disdain).

    I was shocked when I first saw GN’s comments on Sky, but I perhaps – unwisely – hold on to GN’s play during his time against us on the the pitch. Then there’s the anti-ex-Arsenal-anti players. Booooooooooooooootoothem.
    Between all of ’em they’ve fought tooth and nail (or is it “root & branch”) to ensure Arsenal fans are as miserable as hell, or so it would appear, given the Internet’s penny’s worth.

    Weighing heavily in on the dooming/shitstirring front is our minority owner, who, following a loss of game(s) or player(s) makes ‘interesting’ statements – the sort of statements that certain posters on here dumb down and splatter across the ‘net, presumably in the hope that they’ll catch me like they did in 2008, when I first hit said ‘net, and before I found Untold. God almighty, they had me in depression (ish). I read my first Untold piece and it directed me to an analysis of Denilson, which was positive and statistically correct, in my opinion.

    So, to the new season. I got so high through watching the youngsters in Asia. The same sort of high I had years ago watching Bendtner, Bentley, Diaby, Fabregas – and before that – Anelka, Henry – and before that Rocastle, Thomas…. it goes on and on. So I’m not a believer in only being satisfied about the team if some mega-mega player comes in for mega-mega money.

    Arsenal (for me) have played some amazing footy since the Invincibles, and some rubbish, but mainly the former. The Reading-Ars cup match was outrageous entertainment – perhaps acceptable only because we won? but I went along to see how the youngsters would get along, and the away fans, who I hadn’t witnessed since 2004 at Loftus Road, against Fulham, made this a night I’ll never forget.

    I too wanna see us do well this season and I believe we will. It’s a pity any desperation I have for us to win BIG is mainly to shut up the negavistas. If we don’t win the Premiership and Champions league I’ll still be an Arsenal supporter. Because I love ’em.

    Forward Arsenal

58. And on his own request I did what one person asked to do to him. 😉

59. @ SS – Here’s Paddy again !
    Declaring War on the French

    The French President is sitting in his office when his telephone rings.

    ‘Hallo, Mr. Sarkozy!’ a heavily accented voice said. ‘This is Paddy down at the Harp Pub in County Clare , Ireland .. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you! We voted to reject the Lisbon treaty!’

    ‘Well, Paddy,’ Sarkozy replied, ‘This is indeed important news! How big is your army?’

    ‘Right now,’ says Paddy, after a moment’s calculation, ‘there is myself, me Cousin Sean, me next door neighbour Seamus, and the entire darts team from the pub. That makes eleven!’

    Sarkozy paused. ‘I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100,000 men in my army waiting to move on my command.’

    ‘Begoora!’ says Paddy. ‘I’ll have to ring you back.’

    Sure enough, the next day, Paddy calls again. ‘Mr. Sarkozy, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!’ ‘And what equipment would that be Paddy?’ Sarkozy asks.

    ‘Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy’s farm tractor.’

    Sarkozy sighs amused. ‘I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 6,000 tanks and 5,000 armoured personnel carriers. Also, I have increased my army to 150,000 since we last spoke.’

    ‘Saints preserve us!’ says Paddy. ‘I’ll have to get back to you.’

    Sure enough, Paddy rings again the next day. ‘Mr. Sarkozy, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We have modified Jackie McLaughlin’s ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Bar have joined us as well!’

    Sarkozy was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. ‘I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100 bombers and 200 fighter planes. My military bases are surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I have increased my army to 200,000!’

    ‘Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!’ says Paddy, ‘I will have to ring you back.’

    Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. ‘Top o’ the mornin’, Mr. Sarkozy! I am sorry to inform you that we have had to call off the war.’

    ‘Really? I am sorry to hear that,’ says Sarkozy. ‘Why the sudden change of heart?’

    ‘Well,’ says Paddy, ‘we had a long chat over a few pints of Guinness and packets of crisps, and we decided there is no fookin’ way we can feed 200,000 prisoners.

60. Alex 2013 at 9:26 am

    I would love to buy your season ticket…even if you are a 54 year old muppet!

61. hmmmnn…..Off Topic Troll is back eh…

    Did some one say “tactically naive”?. Well, I dont think so about Mr Wenger. The thing is may be we dint have personal to carry out a different tactics. Last year we had them and we did see different tactics being played out to secure our 4th place.

    AS for the Troll, Let me reinstate some myths you just busted..

    Myth 1. Well, The invincibles were mostly Arsene Wenger signings. You cant take that away from him.

    Myth 2. Even if money was available, it could only buy the players of the quality like the ones already in the team. So Mr Wenger must have thought he can have the money for when he really needs it.

    Myth 3. May be Arsenal are paying 50 mil more than the team below us. But you have to look at the number of people taking that salary. Also when we say we cant pay the wages, we say we cant pay the wages that ManCity, Chelsea or ManUtd pay.

    Myth 4. Djourou, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner, Diaby, all their wage may look laughable now. But when they were given an extention, they were all worth what was being payed to them. People who criticized the board for not giving into that Dutch skunks wages are the very people who criticized the club for having the injury prone striker in the roster.

    And the things that you have posted as myths for 5, 6 and 7…….they are not myths. ITS CALLED FACT.

62. rantetta,

    Thanks for your comment. Gary Neville has actually impressed many gooners in a positively surprising way.

    I hope all readers are clear that I agree that we get undone by biased officiating especially in lack of protection of our players. I am just not that into it. I’m sorry but you’ll have to forgive me as I think that when all things are working for you, no referee can stop you.

63. A bus stops and two Italian men get on. They sit down and engage in an animated conversation. The lady sitting behind them ignores them at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of the men say the following:

    “Emma come first. Den I come. Den two asses come together. I come once-a-more. Two asses, they come together again. I come again and pee twice. Then I come one lasta time.”

    “You foul-mouthed sex obsessed swine,” retorted the lady indignantly.

    “In this country … we don’t speak aloud in public places about our sex lives …

    “Hey, coola down lady,” said the man. “Who talkin’ abouta sexa? I’m a justa tellin’ my frienda how to spella ‘Mississippi’.

64. Boo – great write up and makes me feel good that Arsenal still has supporters like you.

    @Walter – you’re an honorable gentleman to give Theo her wish; thank you from me and I’m sure others appreciate it too. When one person insists on spamming and taking over with emotionally fired up nonsense, without any intention of engaging in discussion, they are detracting from what this blog is for a lot of us. Again, thank you for action.

65. Walter – I know for sure that you read that last one in an Italian slang !

66. It’s going to take something drastic for the club to realize that it’s prudence policy is now crossing into the anti risk (anti growth) territory. I am not saying that they should go out there and spend like Man City and Chelsea; but its risk appetite does not resemble that of the fourth most valuable club on the planet, that’s for sure.
    Yes, we’re a corporate body in the legal sense and profit is undeniably important. But let’s not forget that in economic substance we are an organization which is there to serve public interest. If profit is made at a direct expense of this, then it becomes self defeating. Profit should be the club’s purpose and not its objective! For instance, the club has dramatically increased its retained earnings over time as a direct result of selling our best players, and while this was understandable during the earlier years due to the stadium construction, we still continue to sell our best assets and field a team that gets weaker by the year. We are now in a position to absorb losses (if need be), and it’s about time we stopped compromising market share for profit. Look at Liverpool- it’s going to take a long time before they start competing with the elite as market forces can be very unforgiving. We’d be in an even worse predicament, as we do not have the luxury of their history to fall back on.
    Moreover, what makes the current predicament difficult to accept is the fact that our strategy is underpinned by factors outside our control-FFP. Honestly, is that the best they can come with up. There are serious doubts as to whether this regulation will have the teeth to change things, and even it does, its strict enforcement will be by no means immediate. In which time, the gap between us and the rest might just become too great to claw back. I just hope that we don’t end up looking back at this crucial period in the club’s history as the ‘lost years’?

67. SA Gunner,

    Please don’t be paranoid. No one gets banned at Untold for expressing a different opinion. What I think the blog frowns upon (Tony/Walter: please correct me if I’m wrong) is outrageous dickishness and plaigiarising of stuff from other sites.

    You haven’t done anything to warrant banning and your pre-emptive protest puts this blog in a bad and unfair light.

68. I have great hope for the coming season ( as always for the last 44 years !) for the simple reason that we did not lose the core of last season’s team and are in a position of strength .
    What AW does , I ‘ll wait with baited breath and with full anticipation for he know best .
    Up the Gunners !

69. From the medical division of UA –

    Irish Medical Dictionary

    Artery: The study of paintings.

    Bacteria: Back door to cafeteria.

    Barium: What you do when patients die.

    Benign: What you be, after you be eight.

    Caesarean Section: A neighbourhood in Rome.

    Catscan: Searching for Kitty.

    Cauterize: Made eye contact with her.

    Colic: A sheep dog.

    Coma: A punctuation mark.

    Dilate: To live long.

    Enema: Not a friend.

    Fester: Quicker than someone else.

    Fibula: A small lie.

    Impotent: Distinguished, well known.

    Labour Pain: Getting hurt at work.

    Medical Staff: A Doctor’s cane.

    Morbid: A higher offer.

    Nitrates: Cheaper than day rates.

    Node: I knew it.

    Outpatient: A person who has fainted.

    Pelvis: Second cousin to Elvis.

    Post Operative: A letter carrier.

    Recovery Room: Place to do upholstery.

    Rectum: Nearly killed him.

    Secretion: Hiding something.

    Seizure: Roman emperor.

    Tablet: A small table.

    Terminal Illness: Getting sick at the airport.

    Tumour: One plus one more.

    Urine: Opposite of you’re out.

    Goodnight lads !

70. @Bootoomee — nice piece. I might disagree about the relative significance of the factors, but they all fall in line with what I feel about the current situation.

    @Theo Theo — Ithers have picket up on some of your stuff, like the myths, but I figure I should attack the Spurs stuff.

    First of all, they have not spent £50 mil this summer. Every source out there puts it at about £24-25 mil, with a new spend of around £20 mil. For perspective, that is about how much they usually spend to finish behind us; so business as usual.

    I agree that the key is Bale. If Spurs keep him, If his form is not affected by all the crap that has gone on this summer, if we do not strengthen in the next month or so, and if the current squad gelling has no impact on the pitch, then I agree we could be in trouble.

    That is a lot of ‘ifs’. Its probably the difference between the different fans, some take then as given, where I cannot see all of them falling into place for our worst case scenario: we buy players, they sell him, and Spurs end up in their usual place as also rans.

    If Spurs sell Bale, they are screwed in any event (at least for this year). He is so central to their game and at the level of player, that no amount of money will compensate in the short term.

    Worse for Spurs, I have the sneaking suspicion that if they cash in on him, the money may not end up back in the team. Their stadium build has been stalled, and £80-90 mil may well get the project moving. We did it after all (Overmars, Petit?).

    Lastly and snarky — What can you get for £50 mil? Well Spurs’ wage bill is around £90 mil; ours around £140 mil, so I guess £50 mil gets you Champion’s league football.

71. When does criticism become abuse. If you are a good parent you know that there can only be a certain amount of criticism your child can take before you start breaking your child’s spirit. Simarlarly how long can you criticize a player before he loses confidence and starts becoming a bad player. You can disagree with someone and still support them however you cannot constantly criticize and still be a supporter of said person.

    Our players are not robots neither is our manager or the board for that matter, this abuse affects them the same way it would affect you or me.

72. Hi Boo Boo

    I just Know I just Know.

    Good day to you, got to take my Dentures out now.

73. Thanks, Bootoomee.

74. Great piece, and some probing questions for our fickle fellow fans.

    To put things in perspective, if Arsenal fans feel depressed with what we have achieved in the last 16 years, then Liverpool and Spurs fans should be feeling suicidal by now. But they are more upbeat than our fans, and you summed it up right there why this happens to be the case. I think Arsenal’s biggest obstacles are, not necessarily in that order, negative media bias, biased referees, idiotic fans. Though I believe the last bracket is the worst to be honest; they give these journos plenty of reason to go write poisonous articles knowing full well there’s a ready market for it! I suspect they are post-98 fans like you say.

    I’m very optimistic about 13/14 COYG!!

75. Well done Bootoome,

    Fantastic article and this echoes exactly how i feel. Too many fans out there just look at the “8 years without a trophy” fact without really thinking about why it hasn’t happened. We have been terribly unlucky over those 8 years not to pick up a trophy or two.

    Hopefully in 2013/2014 we can put that right.

76. Rufusstan, Swing, AL & Ian Jenkinson.

    Thanks guys!

    AL,

    True about the idiotic fans. Absolutely annoying to see a write up, any write up, about Arsenal and you’ll find so called Arsenal fans crapping all over the comments section against the club. The day that I start feeling this way about Arsenal, I’ll just withdraw my support by being silent; not making an ass of myself by spreading negativity all over the Internet.

77. Harisa,

    Thanks and keep the faith, it’s going to happen soon.

78. Only if it means the end of Wenger’s reign…

79. Exactly Bootoomee. If anything were to cause me so much stress in my life I WOULD cut it out. What’s the point of following a team/sport if it causes you so much misery? Football is meant to be fun! Sad people.

80. SpereZ mate. Kindly go back to Le Grove where that slang has become your daily prayer and national anthem instead of the Lords prayer and your country’s national anthem. Wait, sing it once again! Wenger STAY!!!!

81. There are many spoiled Gooners. And, sadly they also give us a somewhat deserved reputation as being arrogant. We have been so good for so long that this lot take it for granted and shove it in the faces of other clubs. Now that we have gone 9 years without winning the Premiership they are getting bitter and surly and are lashing out at all and sundry.

    Further, some are acting like fan terrorists, trying to bring down the whole Arsenal regime because they feel disenfranchised by the team not listening to their ‘solutions’. I do not believe in constructive chaos. If they succeed in their agenda of despair the only victors will be other teams who will swoop to pick up the pieces.

    Victory through Harmony; Defeat from discord

82. Wenger is killing all fun…

83. It was not down to ‘luck’ Arsenal not winning trophies. It was down to incompetence…

    At least you agree with the 8 year trophy drought…4th place will never be a trophy.

84. GoingGoingGooner,

    So true.

    Is it not a bit sad when fans become so aggrieved and depressed by the results of actions of others who don’t even dwell on such results very long?

    My advice has always been find something else to derive joy and fulfilment from that you have more control over. But they never listen. I would pity them if they weren’t so fucking annoying.

85. In a word, no. If Spurs get Soldado, it’s good night Vienna for 4th place. And do not tell me losing bale will cause a different outcome, in such an event, Spurs will not be replacing him with the likes of Santos, Park and Chelsea squad players, nor will they gamble their season on a sick note. The fact is, and this summer is going to prove it, AW is idealogically opposed to spending more than 15 million on a footballer, this is in direct disobeyance of his subordinate CEOs orders. Suarez is just a smokescreen, a summer long distraction to avoid the proper signings everyone but AW can see we are crying out for. Some suggest he will sign in order to get a new contract, this is crap, the reality, he is saying to Gazidis yes, I will sign a deal but everything stays on my terms, and boy is wenger going to make that point this summer. Don’t believe me? Listen the the recent words of respected journalist and confirmed AKB Amy Lawrence. She says there is disagreement between AW and IG over all of this. In most organisations, the CEO outranks the manager, not at Arsenal. Wengers conduct this summer will cause huge tension with his board, his fans and from recent comments, his players, and this stubborn fool would not have it any other way

86. Dennis Brady,
    any link to what Amy had to say?

87. @Bob, just scroll half way down to radio programme link

    http://arseblog.com/2013/07/logic-v-fear-v-sense-v-panic/

88. @bob, she was on 5live. http://arseblog.com/2013/07/logic-v-fear-v-sense-v-panic/

    there’s an audio file on that arseblog entry, and I think it also has a link to a longer piece (i think)

89. Bootoomee, top article mate.

    Brickfields, you are a nutter, keep em comin.

90. So now we have the truth, thanks to that great authority, Amy Lawrence, “respected journalist” of the Guardian.

    But for her wisdom, I would have continued to think that Arsene is one of the outstanding managers of his generation throughout Europe.

    Perhaps we should ask Piers Morgan to take over our club.

91. @ AL– agree about the fans. Back in the day, I would have been in therapy before I was 12 if I had to cope with the ‘winning is everything’ outlook.

    Of course back then, therapy would have involved being told to suck it up then be sent out into the playground for the United/Liverpool etc fans to keep laughing about just how crap we were.

    @bob @Dennis Brady — DAMMIT!!

92. John (@7.56pm),

    I love you man!

93. Dennis Brady,

    Did you see the line below in the article?

    “We have too many fans who have outsourced their thinking about their team to the media, rival fans and other Gooners instead of thinking for themselves.”

    Think for yourself man!

    So Soldado is Spurs’ Holy Grail? Good to know.

94. BTW, who the fuck is Amy Lawrence and why is her opinion more valid than mine?

95. We keep hearing about those in-fighting in the board and how they are all anti-Wenger, then they reward him with new contracts.

    AW must have some really terrible info on these men with which he keeps blackmailing them for contract extensions.

96. People talking about strengthening, well IMO, without the wholesale changes that seem to have been standard in past seasons, we’ve actually strengthened every position on the pitch through keeping the same payers we already have. Our team are not having to start the season getting to work each other out, we really can hit the ground running this coming season.

97. Dennis Brady, Rufusstan,
    Thanks for the link. I’ll have a listen.

98. Bootoomee, was directed here by a n other. Excellent Post

99. Good article Bootoomee.

    But from what you write about the other football sites, I’m glad I don’t bother reading them.

100. Bootoomee, no her opinion is no more valid than yours or any other Gooners, but she is not some fanatical WOB so she is at least worth a listen. There is now also mention that we do not have the people in place to close these deals for top players, our execs may be willing, but lack experience with the likes of Real Madrid…..and for that matter, Bolton Wanderers where we had Cahill but wengers procrastination destroyed all, and do not even mention Mata. There was a man who could conduct transfers at such an elevated level, and cajole the manager into seeing these deals through eg Sol Campbell, but our board, in its wisdom sacked David Dein, the results are there for all to see. Some on here have said Deins son does us no favours, these people are damn right, I would do the same to anyone who treated my father the way this club treated dein. Some on here demonstrate intelligence, I am sure, whatever they say that they know who is holding this club back. It is excuse after excuse not to spend, the stadium, the world wide recession, killing youngsters, petro dollar owners, rich French clubs, Real Madrid getting as much as they are able for a player , unlike this club. Believe me he will have an excuse for missing out on Suarez too, and several others this summer. He will this summer directly contradict the wishes of his CEO and therefore, the clubs owner. Lets get things straight, AW is not a man without talent, but he is out to prove a point long disproven, he has remained unchallenged for too long, he is now going native, back to his obsession with developing youth. There will be no big signings this summer. If you think he can compete that way, fine up to you, but the majority of the board, the fan base and increasingly vocal and CEO briefed first team players see things very differently. Ivan Gazidis must see through what wenger is doing and rescue this club from stagnation, or do the honourable thing.

101. Bootoomee @ 8.33, no they are just scared to take on Wenger and even more scared to get rid. They are for the most part old Etonians, American advertising execs, our CEO is a lawyer, all gifted men, who I am sure are doing their utmost, but how can such people challenge the mighty Wenger, let alone have it on their CV they let him go? Like Bayern Munich, we need football people on our board, people who would make this manager accountable, and maybe publically recognise the huge part our assistant manager played , the fight he had to put up and the risks he took to save last season.

102. @ Bootoomee – thanks for this great article. The fact that you have got a bunch of eejits clucking is witness to this fact. I hope there will be many more to follow, maybe following your experience of the cup this weekend?

103. I see some are trying to sow the seeds of dissemination. Spread their own opinion as fact.

     Well done untold for getting shot of some negative commentors.

     Onwards and upwards.

104. Happy days….
     http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-luis-suarezs-price-2105921

     Free scoring four million pounds relegation ridden Loic Remy it is then…if we are lucky….Wenger would love that, it is what he probably wanted all summer

105. I got six foot of rope if it will help end you pain?

106. A sweet lesson on patience…this just made me weep!

     A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

     I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

     After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.

     By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

     There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
     box filled with photos and glassware.

     ‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

     She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

     She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’

     ‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive
     through downtown?’

     ‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly..

     ‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.

     I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice..’The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

     ‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.

     For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

     We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

     Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

     As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired.Let’s go now’.
     We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

     Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
     They must have been expecting her.

     I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

     ‘How much do I owe you?’ She asked, reaching into her purse.

     ‘Nothing,’ I said

     ‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.

     ‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.

     Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

     ‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

     I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..

     I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

     On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

     We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

     But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

     (This was posted on facebook and I found it befitting).

     https://soundcloud.com/mixessss26/depeche-mode-vs-imogen-heap-vs

107. Bootoomee You lost all credibility with me when you referred to Van Persie as a F…… A…… You proved to be a foulmouthed lowlife with that swearing. If you cannot express yourself without obscene language you should go back to school to learn how to express yourself in the English language.

108. So Ken, you obviously haven’t attended a football match then?

109. Dennis Brady,

     I don’t deal in conspiracy theories and insiderism (a word I made up but I’m sure you get it). It is for the same reason that I don’t dwell on refereeing issues even though I feel like we get undone frequently by the officials. Whenever people start talking about things that I cannot verify, I always switch off.

     So we only got 4th because of the assistant manager? I wonder how we got 3rd before his arrival! And what about those achievements pre-Emirates and all the previous 15 ECL qualifications?

     Those Etonians and old businessmen on the board have given us a world class stadium which gives me more joy than players or trophies (that’s me!). They have kept us financially secure despite our huge project expenditure. Arsenal is now the 4th biggest club in the world – despite not winning a trophy in 8 years! How can that not make any true fan proud? I am very grateful for those men.

     You don’t seem to have a good knowledge of businessmen though; they are ruthless! Arsene Wenger remains popular with the board because he has been helping to move Arsenal up among all clubs. Trophy is not everything. Where is Nottingham Forest today? Liverpool was Man United of the 70s and the 80s, where are they now? While it is painful that we have not won anything in 8 years, I derive so much joy from knowing that we are going to be competing at the highest level for decades to come.

     Look, you don’t like Wenger. I get it. You are looking for others to validate your position, hence Amy Lawrence whose name I suspect you weren’t dropping till she has a position that mirrors your own. But I don’t believe in name dropping or insiderism. My attitude to Wenger is based on what he has done and how he has always conducted himself. He is much more humane, forthright and classy than his detractors. I continue to trust his judgement.

110. Ken,

     Fuck you!

111. I have attended many Arsenal matches since 1970. I have never felt the need to refer to one of our former players in such a manner whatever the circumstances of their departure.

112. Boomtoomee You are the true ignorant a……

113. Ken.Is it nice in you shelter? let me guess, is it called Belmarsh?

114. Goona Gal,

     Yes, I’ll be very happy to recount my experience on Sunday. My wife is giddy with anticipation. It’s a family affair as we are taking my 20 months old twin daughters for their ‘baptism’ at the Arsenal ‘cathedral’ 🙂 Their Arsenal jersies are waiting with anticipation! I’ll post a video and a few pictures if the site format can take it.

115. Bootoomee Would you be brave enough to call Van Persie this way to his face?

116. Adam,

     Ken is a prudish hypocrite. I know his type – The self appointed thought monitor and PC police. If Tony, the site owner is ok with my language, I wonder what his problem is. This is not church/mosque/synagogue/temple and our assumption here is that readers are not babies.

     Ken, you are a fucking asshole. Fucking fuck off, you fucking prude!

117. Ken, a question for you. What do you think when at a football match and half the crowd are singing the referee’s a w*nker?

     Bootoomee, Nice article, and you don’t have to explain bad language to me.

118. Ken,

     Nothing will give me more joy than to call RvP a fucking asshole to his face. What is he going to do? Punch me in the mouth?

     Hubba hubba hubba – I’m drooling! It is my dream to get punched in the face by a fucking millionaire! Why don’t you fucking think before you fucking post? That was a fucking soft ball. Com’on try harder.

119. BOOTOOMEE, LOVED YOUR ARTICLE, YOU REALLY HIT A HOME RUN. YOU WROTE WHAT MOST SANE ARSENAL SUPPORTERS FEEL. LETS TAKE PRIDE IN THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF OUR WELL RUN FOOTBALL CLUB. ALL THESE NEGATIVE FANS WITH THE SAME OLD MANTRA, NO TROPHIES FOR EIGHT YEARS NOW. BOO HOO BOO HOO. JUST LIKE A BUNCH OF FUCKING BABIES.GIVE IT A GODDAMN REST.THEY ACT LIKE A TROPHY IS GUARANTEED THEM EVERY YEAR LIKE IF IT IS THEIR BIRTHRIGHT. I AM SO SICK OF THESE FUCKING CRYBABIES, LETS GIVE THEM A TISSUE TO PUT THEIR TEARS.

120. @ Adam – I have received that e-mail many times and still tear whenever I read it .Here’s one you may love .
     http://www.baba-mail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=5097&memberid=763708#.UfiFaazyQTE

121. It’s all in the translation .

     Brochure circulated by a 5-Star Chinese Hotel
     —————-

     Getting There:

     Our representative will make you wait at the airport. The bus to the hotel runs along the lake shore. Soon you will feel pleasure in passing water. You will know that you are getting near the hotel, because you will go round the bend. The manager will await you in the entrance hall. He always tries to have intercourse with all new guests.

     The hotel:

     This is a family hotel, so children are very welcome. We of course are always pleased to accept adultery. Highly skilled nurses are available in the evenings to put down your children. Guests are invited to conjugate in the bar and expose themselves to others. But please note that ladies are not allowed to have babies in the bar. We organize social games, so no guest is ever left alone to play with them self.

     The Restaurant:

     Our menus have been carefully chosen to be ordinary and unexciting. At dinner, our quartet will circulate from table to table, and fiddle with you.

     Your Room:

     Every room has excellent facilities for your private parts. In winter, every room is on heat. Each room has a balcony offering views of outstanding obscenity. You will not be disturbed by traffic noise, since the road between the hotel and the lake is used only by pederasts.

     Bed

     Your bed has been made in accordance with local tradition. If you have any other ideas please ring for the chambermaid. Please take advantage of her. She will be very pleased to squash your shirts, blouses and underwear. If asked, she will also squeeze your trousers.

     Above all:

     When you leave us at the end of your holiday, you will have no hope. You will struggle to forget it.

     See you again!

122. “We also know that Borrusia Dortmund assembled their ECL final reaching team spending hundreds of millions of pounds. Jokes, irony and sarcasm apart”

     They reached the final but Bayern spent millions on Robben,Ribery,Mandzukic(all be it a bit less) and Martinez and THE WON THAT TROPHY .

     Spending is an important part of winning a trophy , but not the only part.

123. Brickfields are you sure this hotel is not In Margate

124. Shame this thread descended into a stupid slanging match. It’s a bit odd that someone should be prouder of the stadium rather than the football. I appreciate architecture too but really Highbury is a far more attractive structure.As usual both sides ignore facts because there are precious few to base arguments upon, most people base their beliefs on their own bias and from that attempt to turn conjecture into fact.

     The Emirates Cup should be a good gauge of how prepared we are for the coming season.

     And Bill from Manhattan, I know you live in the US and there’s an ocean between us but there’s no need to shout. Maybe your computer needs fixing as it seems to be stuck on caps.

125. Dennis Brady,
     I have to quote you here :-

     “There was a man who could conduct transfers at such an elevated level, and cajole the manager into seeing these deals through eg Sol Campbell, but our board, in its wisdom sacked David Dein, the results are there for all to see.”

     So you clearly identify the issue that since Dein left, his responsibilities have been left with Wenger who is clearly not as good as Dein was at them, but your solution is to sack Wenger instead of bringing Dein and the winning combination back (or at least another person to shoulder those responsibilities leaving Wenger to do what he did when we were winning trophies.

     What was it you were saying about intelligence ??

126. Bill from Manhattan,

     Thanks for your contribution. It generally frowned upon to post in all caps as it reads like shouting. I know that you are passionate about this issue but the appropriate and acceptable manner of communication still needs to be observed lest those who disagree with you ignore the contents of your post while clinging onto the format of your expression.

127. rgniris,

     What about Wigan against Man City? And when did reaching the CL final by beating Real Madrid (world’s biggest and richest club) become something to scoff at? Oh I get it; since Dortmund ultimately failed to win the trophy, all their exploits count for nothing.

     It is always about trophies isn’t it?

128. Rupert Cook,

     I am responding to you because I wrote the article for this thread. I think I owe every non-abusive and non-moronic post a response. Your comment violate neither. So here’s my response:

     I am always amused by your condescending calling out of dwelling commenters (acting like the fake adult-in-the-room); except you are, by some dint of happenstance, always on the side of the trophy junkies! At least you know where I stand at all times and I don’t need anyone to validate my opinion.

     Your dishonesty shows when you twist my words from: “a world class stadium which gives me more joy than players or trophies” to “It’s a bit odd that someone should be prouder of the stadium rather than the football.” The two comments are not even far apart!

     I have always thought that you are full of shit and if you have to twist and change the words of others to make your point valid, you just need to not bother.

129. I’m pleased the stadium gives you more joy than the players or the trophies, your words, so don’t forget to watch the football, after admiring every concrete column, when you go to the Emirates, I hope that gives you equal joy.

     I usually don’t respond to abusive posts like yours but I’ll make an exception this time. That’s all, no need to prolong our interaction.

130. Stuart, Dein is not coming back, and AW is not going to change because nobody makes him accountable. But this will at least be the summer Wenger runs out if excuses thanks to the carefully chosen words of Ivan Gazidis. If wenger goes into a season with the squad we have he has nowhere to hide.

131. Fair enough Bootoomee, I am not saying any of these guys lack talent nor am I saying they do not care for the club, but the fact is, we could be doing better if we had a manager not scared to strengthen, adopt new coaching methods. Many are not into what they regard as conspiracies, inside knowledge, does not mean it don’t exist though. Ivan Gazidis has throughout the year invited selected journalists and bloggers for off the record talks. Amy Lawrence would have been one of them, maybe the untold writers were amongst them too. When she writes what she does, it is not out of thin air, believe me, wenger is being encouraged from all angles in the club to spend, even the players!

132. Rupert Cook,

     You are a verbal gymnast and contortionist aren’t ya?

     “Players and trophies = Football”

     You must live in a diffrent reality.

133. If we win a trophy will the AW abuse stop? Dont think so but I love him and that’s all that matters to me!

134. @Bootoome, no, players and football don’t equal trophies otherwise I wouldn’t watch Oxford Utd eight or nine times a season.

     I agree with much of your article. I take issue with why Cesc is singled out from criticism. I seem to recall his being just as intransigent when he wasn’t getting his way about leaving Arsenal. He was not in his last year of contract and we had no reason to sell him but he made it quite clear by his attitude he wasn’t happy and was quite the diva.

     As for RVP, well he wanted to win trophies, all top footballers do. They have a short career and if they feel they can do better elsewhere then they leave. Sure we paid his wages when he was injured but he was on a contract and that’s how it works. For all any of us know Arsenal might have wanted to sell him but it’s not easy selling an injury prone player.

     He was under contract for another year and I find it odd that we didn’t just hold on to him as we now are throwing stupid money at Suarez to replace him. Seems like a false economy to me. Surely Arsenal had an idea they’d be cash rich this summer what with new deals coming up and if RVP had been aware of our spending power he might have signed a new contract thereby ensuring we wouldn’t have to fork out crazy money for a world class striker.

     As for the criticism about Wenger not splashing the cash I think he’s done a fair bit of spending, either on the odd expensive player or sanctioning huge wages for players (if that was indeed his idea).

     As Amy Lawrence suggests, and it is only a theory and perhaps some believe it because she is a respected journalist and an Arsenal fan, there is possibly a clash between Wenger and Gazidis with the latter wanting the money we have spent and Wenger trying to be prudent. I think it would be mismanagement if we do not spend a good chunk of that money as this squad does need strengthening as there are many games in a season and injuries are inevitable and I think our squad is a little too light to mount good challenges in all four competitions.

135. @Bootoome, no, players and football don’t equal trophies otherwise I wouldn’t watch Oxford Utd eight or nine times a season.

     I agree with much of your article. I take issue with why Cesc is singled out from criticism. I seem to recall his being just as intransigent when he wasn’t getting his way about leaving Arsenal. He was not in his last year of contract and we had no reason to sell him but he made it quite clear by his attitude he wasn’t happy and was quite the diva.

     As for RVP, well he wanted to win trophies, all top footballers do. They have a short career and if they feel they can do better elsewhere then they leave. Sure we paid his wages when he was injured but he was on a contract and that’s how it works. For all any of us know Arsenal might have wanted to sell him but it’s not easy selling an injury prone player.

     He was under contract for another year and I find it odd that we didn’t just hold on to him as we now are throwing stupid money at Suarez to replace him. Seems like a false economy to me. Surely Arsenal had an idea they’d be cash rich this summer what with new deals coming up and if RVP had been aware of our spending power he might have signed a new contract thereby ensuring we wouldn’t have to fork out crazy money for a world class striker.

     As for the criticism about Wenger not splashing the cash I think he’s done a fair bit of spending, either on the odd expensive player or sanctioning huge wages for players (if that was indeed his idea).

     As Amy Lawrence suggests, and it is only a theory and perhaps some believe it because she is a respected journalist and an Arsenal fan, there is possibly a clash between Wenger and Gazidis with the latter wanting the money we have spent and Wenger trying to be prudent. I think it would be mismanagement if we do not spend a good chunk of that money as this squad does need strengthening as there are many games in a season and injuries are inevitable and I think our squad is a little too light to mount good challenges in all four competitions.

136. finally read the post and the comments, so lets go;

137. oh theo theo,
     you did great. i’d have said you need to cut out the insults, but i know how impossible that is on untold, where you have to give as much as you get from the AKBs. good job man

138. on to the CRAP post, but thats what i expect from bootoomee
     1. the emergence of sugar daddies(billonaires who have decided to put their earned monies into their football clubs, as against those who’d rather buy ranches with theirs), hasnt stopped some other big clubs from competiting, as long as they were competing before eg man utd, barca,madrid,milan,bayern. it hasnt even stopped some who werent competing before from doing so now, eg dortmund,napoli,juve

139. 2.i agree the stadium move constrained us financially. however, there was a plan which was sold to the fans. clearly spelt out that funds for squad investment remains intact. besides the problem some of us have hasnt been fund availability, but how efficient it has been used. who do we spend on? why do we have thousands of players on the payroll who never get to impact the club?

140. 3. player departure
     probably as much down to having an uncompetitive team as anything else. for big players job satisfaction is about competing and winning, if you dont get that, then money becomes the only other incentive most times. when you dont get either then what the hell are you doing in that job? add to that the interest of a better placed team?
     argue till you are red in the face that wenger gave them in the first place, well wenger didnt give the chance to drogba,yaya toure, zlatan, ronaldo, etc, did they not make it? mourinho told diaby he couldnt guarantee first team football, wenger told him you are my next viera, did it change a thing?
     SAF, didnt give pique,rossi,pogba a chance, he gave macheda,faizer campbell, etc, have pique,rossi and pogba not gone on to big things?
     RVP was injured a lot(playing for arsenal), he signed a contract saying he’ll give you 5years. he didnt renege on it, just said if you refuse to get your arse in shape, i wont give you 5more years of my injured arse, simples.
     AKBs make themselves feel good by saying cesc pined to go back home, well i guess henry iss from barcelona or ronaldo from madrid. if cesc was from alcocorn im sure he’d have been crying to go back earlier. theres a way big clubs carry themselves that makes the stars wanna play for them

141. 3. luck!!! hehehehehehebebebehehehehe. well OTT has told you all you need to know about SAFs and arsenal’s lucks

142. 4. “as long as we continue to compete…” reeeeaaaalllyyyyyy! i guess thats for the 4th placr trophy. cos if its for the title, then yea, even sunderland have been ‘competing’ for that according to ‘bootoomeelogy’

143. i would hve thought the guys who go on about RVPs loss not affecting us wouldnt be going on about bale’s loss affecting spurs. i guess i was wrong… oh the HYPOCRISY of fans

144. this craze about the 2nd seasons of giroud,caz and poldi. how about the 2nd seasons of chamakh,vermalen,aguero,silva etc. i know i’ve mentioned the ones who did poorer, but thats the point. it could be better, it could be worse. ot definitely means the player gets to know the league better, but also as jan vertonghen puts it, the league gets to know you better too, and is in a better position to neutralize you

145. and bootoomee,
     AW has managed for 30years doesnt mean he knows better than anybody. in sept 96 when wenger became arsenal manager, mourinho was just starting out as interpreter/assistant to bob robson @barca, guardiola was still playing at barca, just 2coaches who have gine on to be more succesful. ancelotti’s /benitez coaching careers wete just starting. conte was stiill playing. i dont have much issues with wenger, not everyone can do a SAF, but AKBs please, dont make it sound like we’re doomed without him
     and bootoomeee,
     just like you can infer alex’s age and winner/loser status from his post, so he can infer your income from yours. it does sound really foolish and childish for you to say “i can infer how well you are doing in life by the quality of your contribution…..” then go on to ask “how can you spend more than my…. when you have no idea…”

146. @Rupert — I, like I think a lot of fans, have a complex relationship with the Emirates.

     Highbury is always going to be special to me in a way that will never go away, but there is something that gets me every time I go to the new place. Its the way you turn a corner and suddenly it is there. Going over the hill from Highbury and Islington seems to have the most impact, and in a clean way, it is beautiful.

     In the end though, it is what the stadium represents that means the most, the achievement in both building it and surviving the experience.

     As far as the different transfers go, I try to be logical, but at some level emotion takes over. I can understand the way you see Cesc’s departure, but emotionally I can understand his reasons and so cut him slack that maybe another player wouldn’t get.

     Its that emotional part that drives my dislike of the RVP transfer. Logically I can see the why he went, but react to it emotionally in a completely different way. You have to reverse the thought and wonder why RVP burned his bridges so completely if he could have stayed another year at the very least and must have known the money was near.

     As far as the Amy Lawrence stuff goes, my read is that Ivan is acting from the point of view of appeasing the fans by bringing players in now everyone knows the money is there, where Wenger is taking his usual approach of directing spending to improve the squad, so there might be conflict.

     As someone else pointed out, part of our issue was clearing space in the wage bill, and all sides have worked efficiently to carry it out. So tension could simply be down to the frustration of missing targets.

     We happily bid a club record for Higuain, and it seems to have being going well until Napoli dived in and offered far more than his market value. If there is any tension, it could drive from what the club should have done next maybe?

147. Dennis Brady,
     Dein may not be coming back but that doesn’t stop Arsenal implementing someone else in the same role. So by sacking Wenger, the board will change and make someone accountable?

148. arsenal 13
     you say wenger isnt tactically naive then go on to say he just didbt have the personnel to execute the tactics. hnmm. so a manager with a club over a decade didnt recruit the personnel to carry out his tactics isnt naive, but one who who had less than that length of time in his entire career, already knew to get the personnel for his tactics? if that isnt the definition of naivety, i dont know what is

149. @john
     “perhaps we should ask piers morgan to take over our club…” would probably be the best decision we’ve made in 8years.

150. @bootoomee, where is liverpool? they are right where arsenal is. the only reason why you dont have man utd or chelsea to your list of ‘wheres’ is because they are still winning things… chelsea fans are currently asking “where is arsenal now”

151. @rustedfan,
     we certainly werent doing well with the higuain transfer, just ambling along waiting for someone else to get him off our hands. afterall mr perez said we hadnt even made an offer. i know if an AKB hears that we bid £2m, he’d say “@least we bid”, but if you told that to a person like mr perez, he’d say you havent. in other words, we probably went in with another derisory bid, like we did for cahill, and were told, go stuff yourselves

152. uk,

     Here is why I cannot have a sustained conversation with you:

     “@john
     “perhaps we should ask piers morgan to take over our club…” would probably be the best decision we’ve made in 8years.”

     I have no idea how to respond to that!

153. I agree that a lot of teams in the premier league would prefer to be in our shoes (including Liverpool and the Spuds). But we have to improve on that. Lack of trophies have an impact on fans and also great players. The great and ambitious players in the team want to believe at he start of the season that they have a chance of winning the championship. And they compare their tem with other teams. I believe Wenger also mentioned something like that during the recent trip to Japan. I don’t really blame Wenger for this. I really think the sugar daddies have spoilt football and the EPL. Wenger’s advantage in the early years was him being prepared to look for talent in every nook and cranny of the world. But nowadays, nearly every promising talent is on show on “you tube”. And the super rich clubs just buy them (in some cases, just to keep them out of reach of the other teams). People and the press bandy around a rough figure of 70M as our budget. If that amount is all it takes to win the league, a few clubs we know, will pay twice or even 3 times that. People sing praises of Jurgen Kloop and Borussia Dortmund. Get them to come compete in the current EPL and see how they fare. Is there any hope? I hope somebody invents cheap practical fusion energy and bankrupt those billionaire oil barons and sheikhs.

154. @bootoomee
     like i give a damn

155. Bootoome:

     “You don’t seem to have a good knowledge of businessmen though; they are ruthless! Arsene Wenger remains popular with the board because he has been helping to move Arsenal up among all clubs. Trophy is not everything “.

     ————————————————————-Are you able to prove that Wenger still remains popular with the board in contrast to what Amy Lawrence writes ?

     It would be very helpful & reassuring if you have.

156. @Bootoomee

     Sorry to come into the debate rather late – due to business pressure. This was a well reasoned article which attracted many sensible comments. Predictably, twits like uk tried to devalue the article, all as twits like uk achieve is to show everyone how little the know about football.

     Time is past for uk to be red carded – he contributes nothing constructive and is deliberately disruptive.

157. Ah – the double talking xenophobic half gooner has referred to the Amy Lawrence crap – just as rupert the rat has done on another thread on this site – interesting. Obviously the AAA scum are trying to pretend there is a gulf between the manager & board.

     Lets have Amy Lawrence substantiate the speculation with quotations before anyone is required to comment.

158. bjtgooner:

     You really are a sensitive little sausage. I just asked Bootoomee a reasonable question.

     Amy Lawrence is a respected Arsenal supporting Journalist.

     I suppose she joins the Anti Arsenal club with Arseblogger, John Cross et all, for questioning current policy.

159. @halfgooner (the black scarf twit who thinks he is twice the gooner of everyone else)

     You did not ask a reasonable question – more double talking – you accept the Amy Lawrence speculation without question and then ask Bootoomee to prove the opposite – and you were trying to be clever – but not succeeding!

     Lets have Amy prove her speculation with a quota/source first. We have been subject to too much fantasy from the press this summer.

160. when you skip over the time and energy thiefs there are a lot of great comments and interesting points made on this article.

     @ Bootoomee, if Gnabry, Miquel, Zelalem & Akpom were playing at other clubs some fans would be screaming blue murder that we missed out on them and would have much more appreciation of their talents than they do now!

     @ Arsenal13, 1:35pm – nice detailed comeback. You might remember that Cesc was handed an 8 year contract whilst RiP got a 5 years extention. I can’t help but think that this was in part because of the anger of fans making it known they thought he was useless. Facts are often bypassed when spewing bile.

     @AL – I am with you, I don’t follow arsenal for tranfer and gossip stories. I enjoy watching my team play a game.

     @ GoingGoingGooner – there are definately some people out there with a determined agendga to try and bring others down to their level. I am going to sign off more of my comments with ‘Victory through Harmony; Defeat from discord’ or victoria concordia crescit

     @ Bjtgooner – That double guy chats crap, you can’t reason with him because he is not a reasonable individual.

161. yaaayyyy! the terrible bjt red card! im sooooo scared

162. @ Bootoomee – I’ve got to say I prefer this site without the gutter cussing but Ken was clutching at straws as he had nothing of merit to say.

     RE: the Emirates Cup, it will be a bit strange for me as this is the first time I will miss it. I will look out for view of the Cup.

163. @ uk – considering how you have been desperately trying to start conversations/get a reaction on just about every article for weeks, I reckon you will be very upset when this sites moderators finally get fed up of you.

164. Goona Gal,

     As you might be able to tell from my comments on thi site, I am not really a potty-mouth but I refuse to be censored either. I used the F word once in a 2,000 word article and that was all the idiot could talk about. It was as if we are in a church and he is the clergy. I cannot stand people like that. They will applaud a liar if he uses the right vocabulary. My position is that as long as you are not in company of children or any formal setting, speak with freedom but speak the truth.

165. @ Bootoomee -fair enough.

166. @goona gal
     and the basis for your 9:26 is? difference in opinion?

167. @ uk – I doubt you have understood much of the article Bootoomee wrote or anything else. It’s not just a difference of opinion, it’s the stench you have started to leave on everything on this site.

     Are there any sites that might appreciate your contribution?

168. Interesting article, I agree with many of the views put forward. Its a shame the anti-supporters don’t make the same amount of noise at the Emirates by actually supporting the team

169. @gg
     UA of course.
     and thats the basis of your 9:26?

170. @gg
     UA of course.
     and thats the basis of your 9:26? a difference in opinion leaves a stench in your nostrils?

171. @alan,
     thats because, as tony said, they constitute an insignificant portion of the gooner population. im sure if they shouted till they were hoarse, you wouldnt hear. the problem lies with the noise made by the significantly majority ‘pro-supporters’