I suspect I was taking one of my usual vacations on another planet when the news came through that this year’s Ems Cup will include Inter, PSG and Rangers.
I don’t support any particular Scottish team, and as I am not a Christian, I don’t fall on either side of the sectarian divide, so I don’t have a natural allegiance for or against Rangers.
There’s also no firm evidence on the matter, but I do hear regular comments to the effect that there is a extreme right-wing element within KGB Fulham’s support that also travel to watch Rangers, and would love to get access to a fair chunk of the Ems in order to cause mayhem. (I certainly have met a few right wing KGB supporters in the tube on occasion – not very nice people in my view).
Plus of course the people who went to Manchester for the last Diddly Widdly Cup final to support Rangers. I know that many people think that mass drunkenness in the streets is fine, but I’d sooner stay with what we have at the Ems at the moment.
Maybe I am exaggerating the problem – I had a look around to try and find some neutral commentary on this matter, and of course that is tough, but the same stories come up over and over, and by and large they are not happy reading.
So as I ponder tonight’s jolly jaunt to the Insolvents, and the equally jolly time to be had in the Yoooof Cup tomorrow, I just wonder what the thinking was of inviting a club like Rangers, that at least has an association with problematic behaviour.
What was the thinking? Is it money? (Rangers will buy as many places as they can). Did they ask to come? (Celtic are playing in Wembley) Did no one at our end look and ask about what happened in Manchester? Or is it just me getting all steamed in my old age?
Still, it is good to know life goes on as usual. One of the blogs I read this morning has a piece about Wenger having finally lost it because he is talking about the fact that we could still win the league. I seem to recall the same situation with the Unbeaten Season – indeed I still have the picture of him holding the grey t-shirt that poked fun at him; in fact I have still got one myself.
I like the Lord Wenger making all sorts of suggestions about future success. If he had never delivered it would be different, but he has, so he has earned the right. The Lord Wenger says that next season we should play on Pheobos (a moon of Mars) and I say fine, where do I buy my spaceship ticket.
And he’ll include Alex Song tonight – one of my two nominees at the start of the season in Highbury High as a player who will shine this year. Everyone thinks he’s ok now. No one goes on and on and on and on about Flamini (currently sitting on benches in Italy). Such is life.
Last thought: lovely piece about the owner of Fulham circulating today. He called the leaders of the FA and EPL a load of donkeys so one up to him. Interestingly he’s calling for a new maximum wage – which one of his predecessors (Henry Norris) spent most of his time as chair of first Fulham, then both Fulham and Arsenal, then Arsenal, trying to get rid of. (Norris believed that if you got rid of the maximum wage, salaries would go down).
Right, hat, scarf, boxing gloves, defensive helmet, hub cap security device, armoured car, tank, support vehicles… yup, it’s time to go to Liverpool.
(c) Our man on the job. 2009.
“The Lord Wenger says that next season we should play on Pheobos (a moon of Mars) and I say fine, where do I buy my spaceship ticket.”
Tony, I love this quote so much I put it on my facebook status with your name attached to it. I suppose that’s allowed, yes?
Which 2 teams will we play in the Emirates cup this season. I would have thought that Rangers will be there to make up the numbers which says a great deal about their claims about where they would be if they played in the PL.
Could this be part of a plan to try and bring Rangers and Celtic into the PL?
Enjoy the game Tony but your soujourn to Liverpool is an efficient way to lose your hat, scarf, boxing gloves, hubcap secuity device, a perfectly good tank and a fine array of support vehicles.
In that town not only will they steal everthing that isn’t nailed down but also what is.(Then they will come back later for the nails!)
It may help if you have a translator with you unless of course speaking ork is one of your many talents. hehe 😉
Hey Tony, I too love the quote about playing in Mars. Can i put it up on my facebook?
I agree, I have serious reservations about Rangers playing in the Emirates cup. That pre season tournament is usually a lot of relaxed fun with a good atmosphere and family feel to it. Let’s hope the Rangers fans who turn up are just there to enjoy a game of football without causing trouble. Maybe the fact that it is not really a competitive game that counts, they will enter into the spirit of things?
Morning Chaps…I know you’ve heard it before from a lot of AFC fans but believe me when I say NEXT SEASON is when this team and Le Boss should be judged. Let me explain…Ahem…Last season we over performed simple as that. We started last season without our talismanic all-time great amongst others. The ‘kids’ started on fire ‘free from constraints of living in the shadow so to speak’ and continued that way until our ill-fated encounter with Birmingham in Feb. Anyone who has ‘kids’ will know they display a supreme confidence (almost arrogance) as long as things are going for them but… when something comes along that they have not legislated for due to a lack of experience they don’t know how to deal with it – through experience comes learning if you like – I have witnessed it with my own child several times – this is what happend with AFC last season. Aaahhh I hear some of you cry, what about Utd all those years ago? Well Utd had a perfect blend of youth and experience at that time. Now to this season. These ‘kids’ of AFC thought ‘we’ve learnt from last season and it will not happen to us again (even though we lost 3 main men at start). Unfortunately (for us AFC fans) their ‘confidence’ became ‘arrogance’ esp against the ‘lesser lights’ of the EPL. No coincidence we lost to both Hull and Stoke earlier in the season – both promoted sides. Our ‘kids’ simply got too arrogant. No coincidence BTW that we haven’t lost in EPL since Nov ’08 – the ‘kids’ are growing up somewhat and don’t forget all the teams we lost to so far this season in the return fixtures we have beaten convincingly. So there you have it Imho – the season to really judge ‘Arsene’s Brave New World is NEXT season when the ‘kids’ will have learnt and all our injuries should have cleared up. If he or his team don’t put up a damn good fight of the EPL then questions shall and will be asked.
How good was Arhavin’s shooting last night? Amazing stuff.
To come out with a draw last night was actually a very good result, because Liverpool were excellent. Last night meant everything to them and they played their hearts out. To survive that showed a lot of character on our part.
On to next week at Old Trafford, there isn’t much we can do other than hope that our defensive injury problems ease. In midfield I would rest all of the key players against Boro. The five key players at the moment (excluding Arshavin who can’t play) are Fabregas, Song, Walcott, Van Persie and Adebayor. The sixth spot is one (in my opinion) from Nasri, Denilson or Diaby.
Denilson has played so many games for such a young player I think he is struggling a bit at the moment.
So on Sunday I would pick from Arshavin, Diaby, Denilson, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey and Eduardo. I’d still fancy us to win.
Good points Ian and Masur.
Tony, would you PLEASE stop saying Flamini is sitting on benches in Italy! IT SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE ANYMORE AND HASN’T BEEN THROUGHOUT 2009! Do you even watch Serie A???
Both Flamini and Senderos have been starting regulars (often not being subbed) for some time now. I watch Milan nearly every week and they are regular starting players. PLEASE STOP REPEATING THIS MYTH THAT GOONERS TELL THEMSELVES. It simply proves that a lot of gooners don’t watch football outside England.
Hleb, however, remains a benchwarmer and will most probably be off to Germany in the summer.
Also heard that there were a couple of nasty racial abuse incidents outside Wembley by Chelsea fans against gooners.
Agree entirely about Rangers — don’t like their fans, don’t like their players or their football. They’re not good enuf to be invited to the Emirates Cup.
Ian, Denilson is just exhausted. Out of all our players, he’s played the most games this season. He really should be rested.
I am a Rangers fan and was in Manchester. The atmosphere was incredible and I, withoutout blue tinted specs or exageration, seen absolutely no trouble whatsoever before during or after the match which I watched in Albert Square, only seeing trouble later reported on the news. Some predictions put 200’000 people in Manchester in Rangers shirts, sometimes they struggle to seat 50’000 at Ibrox. Everyone and their dog went to Manchester, many to simply get wrecked and cause trouble – Rangers supporters they were not. No club or city should have reservations about Rangers fans coming to visit. I stay along the road from Ibrox and it does not turn into a battle zone after an old firm or any other game, never mind a friendly.
Just on the issue of Flamini and Hleb, my general point is that both left to go onto higher things, and if we take the season as a whole, neither have achieved that. Flamini has started 17 games out of 28.
Flamini had made the point in his penultimate season at Arsenal that he wanted to play in every game, and he got that in his last season with us. My view is that he must be aware that when he finally did break into the Milan team it was because of injury, rather than as a right, and his place is not as secure as it was at Arsenal.
I don’t think I have commented on Senderos. He was injured for a long time, but has indeed started playing again, and has had six starts I believe.
But I don’t ever recall Senderos making a fuss about his place in the Arsenal squad. I don’t think he asked for his loan to Milan.
As for
WE WILL BE THERE AND WE WILL SHOW YOUS HOW 2 PARTY,MANCHESTER WAS VERY REGRETABLE BUT IN DEFFENCE IT WAS MOSTLY MINDLESS THUGS AND ENGLISH HOOLIGANS WHO WERE WEARING OUR COLOURS AND THAT GENTS IS FACT!!
MAK UP THE NUMBERS??? US??? HA HA HA WORLDS MOST SUCCESFULL CLUB 51 TITLES SOON TO BE 52 WE WELCOME THE CHASE!!!!
Hi guys,looking forward to gracing your new stadium.
Most of the publicity you will find regarding Manchester is very one sided,i would urge you to remember how many fans travelled to the city and the relative few who caused problems out of the majority.
Greater Manchester Police only appealed for 50 thugs i believe?
Out of nearly 200,000 i think you will agree that is a significant minority that shamed our great club.Also most videos posted on Youtube are of Bears having fun and singing.I lead you to an article supporting W.F’s allegation above me.http://blogs.notw.co.uk/newsoftheworld_scotland/2008/05/english-rent-a.html#more
Take care lads keep up the silky football
Bluenose
HALLO LONDON …..WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT ??? YOU SHOULD BE PROUD AND HONERD THAT GLASGOW RANGERS THE WORLDS MOST SUCCESSFULL CLUB 51 LEAGUE TITLES AND GOING UP …A WORLD RECOURD !!!!! ALL FACT ,,,WELL PAY GOOD MONEY TO COME DOWN TO LONDON WHO NOBODY LOVES BUT THE ENGLISH …PAY FOR OVERPRICED TICKETS ,,,COSTLY HOTELS ,,,AND DRINK YOUR SHITE £5 A PINT BEER ,,,WHY ???BECAUSE WE GO TO ALL THE GAMES HOME AND AWAY …NOT LIKE YOU,S WHO WILL COME TO THIS MATCH JUST TO SEE THE RANGERS ,,,PS …WHEN DID YOU,S LAST WIN THE LEAGUE ???? MUST BE PISH BEING 2ND FIDDLE IN LONDON TO …CHELSEA ,,,SPURS …FULHAM ,,,WEST HAM ,,,
TO THE EDITOR/MODERATOR OF THIS BLOG CAN I JUST POINT OUT THAT YOUR COMMENT 2 QUOTE…”I don’t support any particular Scottish team, and as I am not a Christian, I don’t fall on either side of the sectarian divide, so I don’t have a natural allegiance for or against Rangers.” KIND OF LETS YOU DOWN BEFORE YOU HAVE EVEN GOT GOING ON THE SUBJECT OF THE GERS COMING TO LONDON,HAVE YOU EVEN SAT DOWN AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THAT COMMENT MEANS? ITS SMALL AND VERY NARROW MINDED.IM NOT SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE SUBJECT AT ALL SO TO COMMENT IN SUCH A DEROGITRY WAY AGAINST US B4 KNOWING FACTS IS WRONG,ALSO ID LIKE YOU 2 HAVE A READ AT THE LINK MR GORDON SENT AFTER MY LAST COMMENT AND THEN POST WHAT UR THOUGHTS ARE AFTER DOING SO THANKS
I ALSO AGREE WITH MR GORDON …I TO AM LOOKING FOLWARD TO COMMING DOWN TO SEE THE NEW STADIUM ,,,OVER THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO TO WEMBLY WITH THE TARTAN ARMY TO WATCH ENGLAND V SCOTLAND MATCHES ,,,,AAND FRIENDLY GAMES AT SPURS AND CHELSEA V RANGERS AND HAD A GREAT TIME AND THE TRAVELING SUPPORT WAS UNBELIEVEABLE ,,,MR GORDON IS ALSO RIGHT …I THINK MANCHESTER GOT A SHOCK BY THE SHEER NUMBER OF FANS THAT TURNED UP AND THE SILLY TROUBLES THAT HAPPENED WERE BY A VERY SMALL PERCENT ,,,BUT I DO THINK 2 REASENS ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB INVITED RANGERS WERE ……ONE …THEY KNEW THEY WOULD COME DOWN IN THERE THOUSANDS AND SPEND MONEY ON PROGRAMMES ,,,SCARFS AND OTHER ITEMS TO TAKE HOME AS KEEPSAKES OF THERE TRIP ….REASON TWO ….ARSENAL FC WILL KNOW RANGERS WILL BRING LOTS OFF FANS TO BRING ALL THE ARSENAL FANS TO GIVE IT AN ENGLAND V SCOTLAND ATMOSTHERE THEY MIGHT NOT COME OUT AS MANY TO SEE A FRENCH OR ITALIAN CLUB WHO WOULD BRING ENOUGH FANS TO FILL ONE OF YOUR FAMOUS RED DOUBLE DECKERS BUSES !!!! HOPE IT TURNS OUT MAGIC !!!! ALL THE BEST AGAIN ..CHARLIE ALLISON ….BATHGATE TRUEBLUE RSC ….
As a massive Arsenal and Rangers fan for all my 24 years on this earth it upsets me at the mindset and criticism i have seen with regards to Rangers being invited for the Emirates Cup.
With reference to Manchester, it was already highlighted in another reply that a lot of people in Manchester that day where indeed English hooligans who seen Rangers cup final appearance as merely an opportunity to get the union jack out and cause some mayhem, and yes i dont deny a lot where from scotland and indeed my beloved northern ireland, but before one jumps to point the finger, look closer to home and actual events.
I have been to several away trips with Arsenal in europe such as prague and have met arsenal boys with rangers sympathies aswell, so it isnt rare, they where great lads who where proud to support 2 of the UK’s biggest and successful clubs, as am I.
I will look forward to the day, should it go ahead, when i can travel to London to see my 2 beloved teams play in a friendly, will be great to reunite with old rangers and arsenal friends, with hopefully sun and beer and a bucket load of laughs. Lets hope the Arsenal fans dont ruin the opportunity for a great occassion with paranoia and negativity.
Bluenose Cannons……Pride of the U.K.
YOU SAY WE ARE HOOLIGANS BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ARSENAL FANS WHEN THEY PLAYED THE TURKS N THE UEFA FINAL. IF YOU NO YOUR ARSENAL; HISTORY YOU WILL NO THERTE IS A LONG HISTORY WITH THE GLASGOW RANGERS I WILL BE DOWN AT THE EMIRATES N AUGUST BUT HOPE I GET A BETTER WELCOME THAN THE LAST TIME I VISISTED ARSENAL WHEN RANGERS PLAYED ARSENAL WE WERE ATTACKED BY THE ARSENAL CASUALS WITH CS GAS SO MATE DONT PREACH
Tony, I think these people have a point. Everybody’s history has stains they try to ignore, just we all have our own prejudices.
Being from far away, I can testify to the fact that the Old Firm Derby is used worldwide as a textbook example for the close link between football and its larger communities and how through that link football exhibits historical tensions. At least in that sense Rangers is a team with marvelous tradition. I would be proud to host them for a friendly tournament.
I agree entirely Nhan Le that we all have prejudices, and I fully admit to having witnessed some awful situations in the late 70s at Tottenham Arsenal games.
I will also confess I have only seen Rangers rarely so can hardly make a personal comment. I also recognise that games I have visited in Scotland are not going to be the same as a game at the Ems
But I was trying to make a slightly different point, and that is that some right wing Chelsea fans do attach themselves to Rangers FC, and cause problems, and given our proximity to Chelsea I am not sure how this is going to be dealt with.
One other detail – one Rangers fan sent in a comment which if you click on it takes you to a Rangers web site. There’s nothing wrong with the web site, but I’ve taken it down because that isn’t the purpose of the discussion group. He did add in the comments that my silence spoke volumes – so now you have the full gist of what he said.
Tony
2nd fiddle don,t make me laff!Only reason why Rangers and Celtic are in London for tournaments is to SELL TICKETs..Both us and Celtic will be the main events…As a gers fan living in manchester and spending 2days in town for the uefa cup final-I seen no trouble.I am not saying gers fans are angels! However there was trouble and now it is up to all fellow gers fans to make sure nothing of the sort happens at the emirates or for that matter anywhere again…Come on Rangers make us proud and invite Arsenal into the family.
RE manchester , just look at the G8 RIOTS N reaction to the police contanment tactics to see keeping mass peoples hemmed in not allowing people to leave the area just inflames tension , when the riot police get involved heads get cracked first questions latter , plenty of vid evidence of police brutality by the manchester police n lots of office complaints but where was the outrage, 175000 400/500 ,(generous estimate) involved in trouble , the majority of fans behaved in the face of bad planning of the event n the overt police aggresion , if the streets be broad or narrow
I agree with the last posts. I’ve supported Rangers for 28 years and never been in a football fight. I’ve never uttered a word of sectarianism and wasn’t at Manchester causing riots.
The majority of us love or club, love our country and just want to watch some good football.
Rangers supporters are vile sectarian thugs intent on causing mayhem wherever they go. Fined twice by UEFA for sectarian singing, they are now on their last warning with UEFA, and will probably soon be banned from European competition due to the seriously far right wing extremism of their support.
See these for further details:
http://i40.tinypic.com/x393t2.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/30w5jdz.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2i6mil4.jpg
These are just a few of the hate filled bigots who regularly sing songs about their hatred of minority groups.
The comments here have become somewhat partizan, and are no longer addressing a key point of the article – that there is a danger that right wingers from other teams might attach themselves to Rangers supporters during the Ems Cup.
Since the main point of this blog and correspondence is Arsenal, I think it is best to stop this discussion at this point.
Tony