By Tony Attwood
Jury service prohibits me from attending the AGM of Arsenal this year, which is a shame, for I’ve enjoyed it recently.
I’ve enjoyed it in fact for two specific reasons. One for the superb speeches delivered by Arsene Wenger – totally without notes, but organised, coherent, developmental, structured and packed with insight. And if you think it is easy to deliver a speech packed with that lot without notes, give it a try. While remembering that is not really his prime job and there’s a bunch of slavering hacks waiting around the hall just ready to turn your words upside down in the normal mis-reporting.
The other is for the way in which the journalists covering the event tie themselves in knots.
Last year they spoke of a revolt among shareholders, failing to comment on the fact or even note that only 3% of the shareholders (by number of people not volume of shares) voted in favour of the motions critical of the board or against the positive motions.
They howled with abuse (through their articles) when the chair, not bothering to count such a tiny number of hands raised (referring to them as “the usual lot”) was forced to make the count – thus confirming the 3% figure.
But not peace is breaking out, for as the Daily Telegraph said in the run up to the AGM, “it should be remembered that it is still a strength rather than a weakness of Arsenal that they have so many well-informed fans who are repeatedly prepared to shine a spotlight on the club’s inner workings.”
Well, yes, thank you Daily T. The inner workings, not just of Arsenal, but of other clubs in world football, and the way the press report them. We do our bit.
They could also have added that we “shine a spotlight” on such matters, “despite the inane, bizarre and eccentric reporting of the club’s affairs by the press” but maybe that would have been pushing it a bit.
But they are on the button with the comment that, “There are certainly some things that they could do better but, basically, Arsenal is run in a way that most neutral fan would surely support.
“They have never been impatient or unrealistic with the manager, they are stable, they are financially healthy, they give young players a chance and, for a generation, they have played the most consistently progressive football in the Premier League. ”
And matters on the pitch are looking bright. Mesut Özil might not be as badly injured as the Guardian has suggested, and a certain Santi C. should be fit. Maybe one will sub the other. Kos might be injured, but if so Vermaelen got a run out for Belgium and should be fit.
Jack did not have to play as much as we feared, and although he’s not ready yet Theo will be back soon with Podolski just a few games behind. Plus Ramsey kept up his scoring record, knocking in one for Wales.
And as I said in a previous post, although Mr Kronke doesn’t seem to have met with fans as promised, he is more visible than some owners we could mention, and seemingly not as crazed out of his head as the owners at Cardiff and Blackburn etc, etc, etc, etc.
The endless Anti-Arsenal story that Mr Kronke was going to sell up and take a fortune by buying at Mr Usmanov’s top price for shares has not come true. Mr Usmanov has stopped buying shares just short of the 30% needed to start of formal offer of a takeover (which he knows he would lose). Mr Kronke has not taken any money out of the club.
thank you mate,keep up the good work…victoria concordia crescit
Lets hope the shareholders show their undivided support for the club , the manager and the owner .Let their questions be pertinent and relevant and not to boder on speculation or rumours .And enjoy the prawn sandwiches !
Let there not be any misunderstanding , as in this unfortunate case …..
The seven dwarfs go to the Vatican , and because they are the seven dwarfs, they are immediately ushered in to see the Pope.
Grumpy leads the pack..
‘Grumpy, my son,’ says the Pope, ‘What can I do for you?’
Grumpy asks, ‘Excuse me your Excellency, but are there any dwarf nuns in Rome ?’
The Pope wrinkles his brow at the odd question, thinks for a moment and answers, ‘No, Grumpy, there are no dwarf nuns in Rome .’
In the background, a few of the dwarfs start giggling.
Grumpy turns around and glares, silencing them.
Grumpy turns back, ‘Your Worship, are there any dwarf nuns in all of Europe ?’
The Pope, puzzled now, again thinks for a moment and then answers, ‘No, Grumpy, there are no dwarf nuns in Europe ..
This time, all of the other dwarfs burst into laughter.
Once again, Grumpy turns around and silences them with an angry glare.
Grumpy turns back and says, ‘Mr… Pope! Are there ANY dwarf nuns anywhere in the world?’
The Pope, really confused by the questions says, ‘I’m sorry, my son, there are no dwarf nuns anywhere in the world.’
The other dwarfs collapse into a heap, rolling and laughing, pounding the floor, tears rolling down their cheeks, as they begin chanting……
‘Grumpy fucked a penguin!’
‘Grumpy fucked a penguin!’
Well done sir and well done ARSENAL for shutting up these two faced wolves in sheep’s clothing that will do what they do since they have an agenda. Always counterproductive they don’t speak for me nor the majority of TRUE ARSENAL SUPPORTERS.
They surly are on the take. Alisher? Bet your last dollar on it.
UP WITH THE GUNNERS!!!!!!!!
who is the REF this weekend? You got me concerned.
Tony,
Can’t a proxy attend the AGM?
I am sure that one topic that will come up is Wenger’s new contract. Goal.com report as fact that he is on the verge of signing a 2 year contract extension but it will not be announced at the AGM, only hinted at. Great news for all who care about the club if it is true.
@nicky
I was thinking the same thing. It would be good to have representation and then a balanced report.
@Brickfields
Very funny – my sides hurt and you are responsible!
Arsenal v Norwich Lee Probert R Ganfield M Scholes K Hill
“Grumpy fucked a penguin”. I didn’t see that one cumming.
Tony, you gotta get someone there who’ll report on what actually happens – in the way you were able to last year. **** the jury service. Tell the judge why you have to have half day off (and expenses paid by the court).
@Bricfields, Your postings are a book in the making or a daily blog in its own right. Nonetheless, it lightens up and makes Untold unique. I now look forward to them in the replies section. Which makes me wander: Why hasn’t Lord Tony edited you off the field a long time ago? Is he saying that jokes are never off topic in Untold or that Untold is always a joke?
If the main greviance is the owner not having meetings with the fans, I think we are in a reasonably healthy position. Expect a few questions on Wengers future
@ Shakabula Gooner & guys , glad you enjoyed that ! I may seem to be outwardly tell jokes and having fun ; but to those
in the know , understand that there are very , very deep messages about football in them .
Some of them may even be gems of inestimable value ! I like to think of myself as the Nostradamus of Untold Arsenal ! Hidden bits of knowledge woven into the fabric of the mystical post .(I know , that sounds very profound !)
As for Tony and Walter , I think they cringe when they see my name appear , but still have a morbid fascination to see what new mischief I’m creating !
Tony , Walter , this month’s baksheesh is in the mail !
Mr Wenger has spoken
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8976507/premier-league-arsene-wenger-convinced-arsenal-are-on-right-path-to-success
Its always important to double check or proof read what you write about or want to reprint .Another ‘loss’ in the translation……( there may be a hidden meaning here for coaches , players & WAGs !)
A young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to helping the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church by hand.
He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies, not from the original manuscript.
So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked up!
In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.
The head monk, says, “We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son.”
He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscripts are held as archives in a locked vault that hasn’t been opened for hundreds of years. Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot.
So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him. He sees him banging his head against the wall and wailing.
We missed the R !
We missed the R !
We missed the R !’
His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying uncontrollably.
The young monk asks the old abbot, “What’s wrong, father?”
With a choking voice, the old abbot replies,
“The word was…
CELEB R ATE !!!”
Direct Arsene Wenger quote from the AGM:
“Then, the third part of our development and ambition is to scout and buy recognised world-class players. This season for example we have bought Ozil. You don’t need any scout to buy Ozil. You just need money!
“I am quite happy that we have shown to you that we are not scared to spend money when we think the players have the quality and we have the funds available to do it.”
I hope those talking about change in policy hear this. There is no change in policy about buying quality players! It has always been about the player being worth their quoted amount. Ozil is worth it, so we paid. Period!
Maybe it’s my AKB tinted glasses but I just love reading (and hearing) Arsene talk about football. ANYTHING about football. The man is a walking encyclopaedia of the game. We are lucky to have him.
To our friends who are worried about his contract extension, relax. He is going to sign.
This the very last for tonight – goodnight guys !
PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT VS LAW STUDENT.
A guy asked a girl in a library, “Do you mind if I sit beside you”?
The girl answered in a loud voice ,”NO, I DON’T WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU!”
All the students in the library started staring
at the chap and he was embarrassed. He quickly moved
to another seat at the next table..
After a while, the girl walked to the guy’s table and said,
“Sorry, I study psychology and I know what a man is thinking, I guess you felt embarrassed right?”
The guy answered in a loud voice, “$2,000 JUST FOR ONE NIGHT!? THAT’S TOO MUCH!”
And all the people in the library looked at the girl in
disbelief. The guy then whispered to her, “I study Law and I know how to make someone guilty.”
Lol. Super joke.
Thanks for the info. RANTTETA .
That we are more concerned about the ref than the side we are playing against tells you all you need to know, and isn’t acceptable . I just hope he doesn’t give one of our players a red card, got some key games coming up after this one.
Bootoomee, same over here.
whenever he speaks it worth listening.
I wish he would write for Untold 🙂
Walter,
We can only wish and hope 🙂
More seriously though, what if Tony or yourself go over to Arsenal.com and do an article on the AGM. I trust Tony to give nuanced and deep analysis of the speeches made by AW and SK. I hope he plans to as I am looking forward to reading it here.
Just heard on the radio that Usmanov has bought more shares. He must be mighty close to the 30% mark now which I believe gives him the option to make a takeover attempt.
Mick,
Although I worry what it would be like with Usmanov in charge, I don’t worry about the 30% mark. If he wants to own the club, he can make a bid at any time with or without the 30% holding. Anyone can do this. The 30% mark just means a takeover bid MUST be made and an offer to all shareholders made however no one needs to sell.
If someone gets to the 90% mark then they have no choice but to buy all the remaining shares.
The fact that Kroenke appears to have no interest in selling is reassuring. It flies in the face of those AAA’s who claim he is only in it for how much he can make from the club.
Yes Mick.
If that would be true then he would gladly take the 3 or 4.000 a share he can get compared to what he has bought them and would add it to his already well filled bank accounts. (Well at least I think it is well filled 😉 )
On first reading the speeches they do seem to be more ‘aggressive’ towards Arsenal winning trophies in the near future.
And I seem to have the impression that the first object this season is the PL title. The rest seems not that important at the moment. But have to re-read the speeches
Bootoomee, nothing wrong with being a rose tinted AKB, in fact it is a rather positive trait. Agree with you on wenger signing, that speech did not suggest the great man is going any time soon, nor is his philospphy