The game against Barcelona evoked a number of emotions among all Gooners. Most were infuriated by the ref, some were disappointed with the performance, or by the tactics, or for any number of reasons. As always, there were also those who came up with irrelevant and illogical rhetoric based on their personal fancies that had very little to do with what happened on the pitch. Interestingly, most Gooners did acknowledge that Barcelona were the better team and played a superb game despite their shameful theatrics and throat-grabbing antics.
Having taken a day off from all news and blogs I was able to dwell on the game without further external influences. One thought that came to my mind while doing this was – If fans can be so gutted, how would the players feel?
Over the last few years I have seen and read a lot of thoughts over the internet but not many have talked about this issue from the players’ point of view.
We have a group of players fighting hard all through the season in a squad that is struggling with injuries. They deal with a number of physical teams that leave them bruised and battered without any protection from the refs. They also have to live with constant negative press and cheap, lazy opinions from pundits. Recently, they’ve also been playing in front of some fans who haven’t always been vocally supportive. Still they go on fighting. They reach a stage where they’re in the final of a Cup, fighting for the League, and facing a daunting challenge against the best current team in the Champions League.
They lose the final to a mistake by two usually reliable and high-performing players. How much of that was affected by all the negativity around the club? Could that have led to a hint of self-doubt or indecision in these players at a key moment?
Then we have a game like the one against Sunderland. Arsenal dominate the game, create a number of chances, the opposition keeper saves well, finally a blatant penalty is denied, and a perfectly legal goal disallowed. For some fans it’s easy to criticize from the comfort of their chairs or couches. But what would a player, who has been cheated out of two points after all the hard work that has gone in, feel? And this hasn’t happened once but over and over again. Sometimes one can find a way past it as the players did against Everton but on other occasions it doesn’t work.
Even in the Champions League tie, the players were against a better team and a genius like Messi. They had to play a completely unnatural style and the only real way of staying in the tie was to strain every sinew and fight till the end. Suddenly you have opponents grabbing you by the throat while one of your own is down genuinely hurt. The ref watches everything but doesn’t take action.
Obviously, it has an effect on the players’ mindset as we saw from the way RvP pushed Alves. Once again it’s easy to say he shouldn’t do it but this is not a result of one moment. It’s something that’s come from fighting the whole year against the odds. And it only gets worse when the ref sends him off for virtually nothing.
As a player they must be wondering just what it is that they’re supposed to do. How long will this go on?
The clichéd argument is that the players have to get over it and get results despite the injustices, that champions find a way. But as we saw in the last two games that United lost, it’s not easy to win games when key decisions go against you.
I know I’d break down if I had to go and perform against the odds so many times. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always questioned those who challenge the mentality of these players. They have to establish their credentials and show that they actually understand what winning mentality is. I don’t think ordinary guys like me (and you?) ever face the kind of pressure these players are under. How then does one form an opinion on something he/she doesn’t even begin to understand?
There is no law against irrational arguments or ignorant opinions. You can claim that so and so would have done better or that certain players in the past were better. But those who remember the chances missed by Henry in the Final against Barcelona will hardly criticize Bendtner. Those who remember how the earlier Wenger teams fared in Europe, how they lost to the likes of Mallorca, Werder Bremen, etc will not really feel let down by a loss against this Barcelona side under such circumstance. They’ll be proud of the effort.
This season Arsenal have performed above expectations in all competitions so far. No one expected a title challenge in the league. Who predicted Arsenal will reach the Carling Cup final at the start of the season. The team is still in the FA Cup quarter-finals. And the loss against Barcelona certainly wasn’t a shame.
There have been a number of blips, and there are some weaknesses as there are in all teams, but the depth of the squad and the spirit of the players has taken the team forward.
It’s amusing that Fergie recognizes this better than some Gooners.
But Arsene Wenger and his players have rearranged the pecking order to come storming through to lie in second.
When one admits the fact that this ‘rearranging’ has been done under extremely strenuous external circumstances, a great deal of credit has to go to the players and the manager. I don’t like all of them but that doesn’t take anything away from what they’re doing as a group. It’s almost been two days since the game and right now I feel a stronger sense of support for these players than I have ever done.
PS: Does anyone know the reason Nasri has been charged by UEFA? Something he might have said in the tunnel?
Today i listened AGAIN, not of choice to Westham fans giving me lectures about Arsenal downfall, the Why’s in their opinion we won’t win anything this season. I had to remind them only two games previous,they were considering abondoning the team they supported all their life.
But in all honesty, I firmly believe Arsenal have come of age and are ready to be Champions. Even though Refs will continue ruling against us and pundits will rule us out.
Greate post desi.i was disapointed by most fans for thier comment after the barca match.cos it was clear to anyone who watch arsenal matches the tactise wenger used.which is to let them have the ball without any meaning full penetration,which was what happened in the first half they had only 2 shots on target.forever gunner.
Not all of the players seemed to care… http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1364926/Arsenal-striker-Nicklas-Bendtner-hits-London-club-Barcelona-defeat.html
Good article though and Up The Gunners!!! We will be great again sooner than later.
I dont understand this criticism, what Nick was supposed to do after the defeat? Should he have abandoned all his routines, duties etc even some private celebrations that have nothing to do with the game (which is his profession) and go into a hiding? Why people don’t think that players have their own life? Why is it not possible that he was out to celebrate his friend’s birthday or something? and that too 1 complete day after the Barca game. Who knows? But certainly we are not the people to draw conclusions!
Please Arsenal fans, don’t fall for these cheap media tricks against Arsenal. This is the time when a true fan should be standing by the team. Don’t know about others but I am firmly standing behind them!
Well said. It’s surprising how many people fall for these media tricks. How is going out for a function related to not caring? If there is a late night before the game one could see the connection and lack of professionalism but after the game players have to live their lives.
i just hope the players learn a few tactical lessons more than anything. Barca arent the most physical or defensive team but they manage to win the ball back so easy on so many occasions in midfield, were supposed to be good at keeping the ball, but i dont think we put together more than 2-3 passes at a time all game. thats what hurt me the most, along with the fact we had zero shots. in the 1st leg barca dominated possession but not the game, and we showed them what we were about right from the start whenever we had the ball. it just fustrates me that we didnt show any of that in the 2nd leg, i’d prefered to see us play our game (like a.w promised) and take a worse scoreline but atleast have a more memorable game to remember. if were going to be a passing/possession type team than we need to improve the speed of thought in the team, why should we be weaker than barca, but built on similar philosophies and with a more experienced manager? i always thought we should have the advantage due to the type of rugged teams we play every week. damn, i need to go out, i’ll be back to get the rest off my chest later desi
from my point of view we were probably going to make some subs and start attacking right around the time RVP got sent off. it’s not a guarantee, but i thought it was a very good choice of tactics to hold them 0-0 going into halftime. we were only a foolish mistake from cesc away from doing so
throw in all the throatgrabbing red-cards that should have happened, take away the red card that happened to persie. and we have a different game.
even if messi got the penalty, there’s no telling what could’ve happened in the game.
i watch arsenal for the beauty, but there’s no shame in changing your game for one match. it shows versatility.
besides that, the half-fit players weren’t ready to play our game against barcelona of all teams. just think about that.
ofcourse the sending off foiled the plan you just said everything that i’ve been telling everyone who’s had something to say about it. AA would’ve definately caused more problems if RVP had stayed on, i just dont think barca are that much better than us. problem is i dont have much eveidence to prove it.
Exactly.
For me there were 3 points which spoiled AW plan.
1. Szczesny’s injury which wasted one sub.
2. Cesc’s gift goal, we should have made them work harder for that goal.
3. RVP sending off which we left us one short which is not possible against this Barca team.
May be this is how the game would have gone after 60 mins Arshavin-Chamakh-Bendtner on for Cesc-Diaby-RVP.
Also i blame AW for starting with both RVP and Cesc who were not fit enough.
Just how far is this arsenal team from emulating the likes of barca’s passing game. I’m puzzled about the way we can pass most teams to death in premier league but can’t retain possession for more than a minute(exaggeration) against barca. I do realize that barca is more technically superior than teams in the league but just wondering.
thanks
Funny how Nasri got written up. Where was Cesc our captain? I would expect him to be the one going at the ref. I have some serious concerns about his leadership quality of late. He took the blame on twitter? Sounds like he was feeling sorry for himself. Jack or Robin need to be captain…. they both have the fire and courage to confront other dirty players and refs. Sure, its a risk, but to keep quiet shows no fight or leadership to your mates….
BTW, it would be interesting to know how often our players get attended to by sports psychologists? This is not uncommon in pro sports whatsoever and im sure can really help players who are lacking confidence or esteem.
Just my 2…
yeah, cesc was only that way out of respect.
but i agree, against barcelona he is too respectful, just because he wants to be buddy, buddy with his spain teammates.
i’m not sure exactly how to feel about that one, but some of the comments against him have been pretty disgusting.
If you really think this way you obviously havnt been watching cesc, in our first game he hassled everything to do with barca, and did you miss that cheeky push on pique (amazing), and the last game he was still there pushing on (albeit slightly unfit). I’m sorry but it seems like unless cesc somehow develops superpowers no one will be happy with him, such a shame
Arsenal have always had vocal tough minded leaders who dont take any crap on the pitch. Just think of PV4! Just because he pushed his mate does not mean anyhting to me. He should have been defending his teammates from getting choked and getting unfair yellows. He took the blame on twitter???? where is his interviews post match??? Im sorry, I love Cesc just like everyone else but my point is that in big games crunch time when his team needs him he is gone… RVP, Nasri, Wilshere have the fire and courage to stand up for what is right….
i hate admitting that we need to buy, but we are definately missing some strong characters with leadership skills but we didnt need the barca game to show us that, every team sport needs determined, inspirational leaders. john terry would be playing for cheltenham if he didnt have these qualities, hopefully vermaelin, koscielny, ramsey and co. will gain these attributes with experience. hopefully.
what an excellent post, and the only one giving a thought for the players, the thing that registered with me was the look on nasri’s face at the end of the game, he was totally exhausted having had to play unnaturally for the whole game, such a talent, kos who for me has again proved the genius of wenger, he has been torn apart by the press and so called fans since day 1, but he is learning in every game,and keeps going, djourou coming back after a horrible year out, van persie who really shows the passion for the club that according to some our players do not have, sagna who is the most underrated player in the league, I know barcelona are wonderful and all that jazz, Little Jack a superstar in the making, the critics of cesc who in all honesty should not have been on the pitch, I wanted to crawl into the nou camp and throttle alves, they dived and played every card in the book to aggravate and wind up our players because they were scared that we could actually beat them in their own front room. As for uefa the same media now ripping wenger and our players apart, and praising Barcelona were not so supportive when their beloved England did not get the world cup. Oh the hypocrisy of it all, I hope Wenger goes into his hang, drawing and quartering tells them all about themselves, whatever the consequences. I must take the positives from that night and hope the players know that the majority of arsenal fans are behind them whatever the talk shite says, and finally congratulation to a Mr H Redknapp on his glorious quest to become the next England manager, if the spuds beleieve he would not drop you like a hot potato if the calaling comes they are delusional,I live in the hope that he draws Barcelona in the next round, where his tottingham team will learn that uefa want barcelona in the final against, I suspect any english team so they can put us firmly back in our little islander mentality, and make loads of money from the tv rights. I am looking forward to saturday where I expect arsenal to walk out with pride and their heads held high. Vistory through harmony.
Desi,
Sorry to burst your bubble but the point you made about the realistic fans who try to show you the reality “as illogical rhetorics and based on personal fantasies”, equally applies to what you and others living in fool’s paradise are making; your points are equally based on fantasies and some hidden potential in the mediocre players eating up more than half of our club’s turnover every year.
I have seen the game about fours times now, and I did not see our flat track bullies stringing more than four passes together, or venturing on the other side of half way line or testing a make shift defence there for taking not to mention the goal keeper. All the cries about ref were a distraction from the fact we were awful from first whistle to the last. Yes, our assessment was based on what happened in the game, not on some fantasies.
Wenger says, Denilson does not get the credit he deserves; well we give him credit for lots of worst thing happening in the midfield of the team, for not tracking back, for giving the ball away, for falling down when no one seems to be around. The worst thing is that, nothing of this is new. It’s happening season after season, however, with all the persumed intelligence Wenger talks about his players, no one is teaching him or he is not learning.
Talking of Koscielny, yes , we give him credit for handing the cup to Birmingham on empty plate, for getting sent off a number of times, for conceding against spurs and giving them way back in the game when we were on top, for giving away penalties at Newcastle and at Barca.
Mark my words, this team with current defence, current lack of defensive cover in midfield, and lack of cover in terms of creativity when Cesc is out, lack of strikers who could finish the chances, this team will not win anything. Wenger can take away 5 millions and spend 117 million on wages on these largely mediocre players and club can charge highest ticket prices in country, and give nothing back in return other than some flat track bully performances every now and then.
Talk of square pegs in round holes, well thats current Arsenal team. We used to say that about spuds team lack balance, now that taunt come to bite us on the bum.
Desi, you can criticise us as much as you can and want, come end of May, sadly we will be proven right, then you have to admit that. But, I dont expect that, like Wenger, you will come up another shit laod of excuses as ever.
Saying X team will not win is the easiest thing to do. The problem is in finding solutions and I’m afraid your Football Manager approach will not work otherwise there would be plenty of successful managers in the world. There are way too many details involved which you just haven’t covered and I’m not even sure you realize that.
apologies for the spelling i just had to get it all out.
Wise words desi
i think this way after every game. but the players are paid obscenely so you can see where the other side of the coin comes in
for me we are mature, but we need to win the title, not for the fans, but for the players confidence. with the exception of messi, their team is very mature (although very, very immature in their antics)
we aren’t that far off and we have many years to grow with eachother.
as evidenced by martin keown’s statement, it seems we do actually need to unload some players. if players like denilson can’t be trusted in that game and make way for a half-fit diaby, then i’m not sure what they are doing here. of course, i leave room for denilson to prove me wrong. but i think even wenger won’t be able to leave it to chance next year if we don’t win the title.
a 5 year experiment seems very reasonable IF we have money in the bank.
well. harsh on denilson, right after i thought, “wenger would have been thrown to the slaughter had denilson played”
so it is harsh, like i said, i love our squad.
good article desi, i’m sure the majority of players are gutted.
bendtner sure has odd taste in women. the baroness was still better looking!
the most exciting team in the epl happened to allow the opposition 74% possessions and spent the whole 90 minutes defending and hardly put in 3 passes together.
guess what? its all referee’s fault. its about time arsene start producing a matchwinning team and stop making pathetic excuses. barca was not all that, its arsenal that was crap.
So in your opinion, Barca are not currently the best team in the world? What team is then? I don’t think that anyone, myself included, is surprised that we lost to Barca. Barca’s pass and move football was some of the best I’ve seen but their pressing was absolutely asphyxiating. It was a masterclass in defending. That as much as anything was why we were on the defensive so much. We couldn’t string passes together because we weren’t allowed to. Barca managed to not only replicate but, in my opinion, exceed their performance in their 5-nil demolition of Real Madrid. That’s not too bad a team, by the way.
Having acknowledged that, the referee was horrible. Failing to recognize that widely accepted opinion is simply willful stubbornness. At 1-1, leading the tie, would Barca have tired as they did this year and last at the Emirates? Would Barca’s pressing have become less effective, as it definitely did in the first leg? The ref robbed us of that answer. Barca may well have rode the strength of their performance and scored anyway and it wouldn’t have surprised me. Who knows at this point? Again, I ask who is the best team in the world, if not Barca?
Desi I do agree with you but this team and club have to really look in the mirror. We are trying to be Barca on a shoestring budget. As much as I have tried to believe that it can be done the reality keeps hitting us in the face. You can’t have it both ways. We are a good team but not an A class world class team. It doesn’t mean we cannot accomplish things but it’s the slow painful scraps approach for now. Interesting to hear almunia criticize the players and saying they were walking toward the end. I thought the same thing and was disgusted. I’m hoping they were tired and it was not for other reasons they were walking.
Thank you desi, you are so right!
Fans are angry because they care. Some players deserve applause for their effort, but some others, it showed their lack of interest. Strolling in a big match like this, didnt take any effort to close down nor create some off the ball movement. Almunia is right, if they have been strolling during whole game, I cannot see how tired they can be towards the end of the game when we are desperately chasing for a goal.
The Arsenal are the best footballing team in the world. They are better than Barcelona.
Watch the game and carefully observe the fouls that Barcelona got away with. The Swiss cheeze that was officiating was biased and ignored the throat grabbing that occured in front of him and warranted 3 red cards. Barcelona are good footballers with a cheating mentality. Messi falls over easily when he loses the ball. He dives!!
For Guardiola to make such a stupid statement after the game, having lost to the Arsenal in the previous encounter is rich. His team cheat and are not capable of fair sporting football.
UEFA are corrupt and will not punish the Barcelona players that assaulted Arsenal during the match in front of the world and the idiotic official they appointed. There is evidence galore and UEFA are chicken livered corrupt and an embarassment to sport.
i’ll see you at the title winning parade m8! maybe you should be our new captain. not avin it at all, i like it!
RVP? Legend what a gooner! Nasri? that little guy don’t take shit from nobody, I hope he nutted the cheating Swiss cunt of a ref. Wenger? Get angrier, my man! The FA/UEFA/FIFA mafia is a farce. They are ALL cheats!
Not much sympathy from me. These guys get paid millions to play. I’m sure that is enough for them to push thoughts of disappointed fans out of their heads.
It’s not always all about the money, you don’t just turn to an emotionless robot because you are getting paid a millions.
“the most exciting team in the epl happened to allow the opposition 74% possessions and spent the whole 90 minutes defending and hardly put in 3 passes together.
guess what? its all referee’s fault. its about time arsene start producing a matchwinning team and stop making pathetic excuses. barca was not all that, its arsenal that was crap.” that is your opinion Sam.
You just don’tget it do you Sam? The tactic was to hand the ball to Barca, and let them blow themselves out,then bumrush them for the last 30 minutes.
Brilliant tactics, were it not for the referee.
Obviously leading the World Champions elect 3-2 3/4 of the way through the tie is not enough for you.
oh well….
Desi, well said.
Support the players now. Do the moaning in the off-season.
I’ve read of posters on other Arsenal blogs who leave insulting messages to our players on Twitter. What kind of an idiot fan does that?
You took the words (lines 1 & 2) right out of my mouth (err…fingertips).
Well said!
I am a fan from asia. I believe I am supporting the right team but I think majority of the Arsenal’s fan is the worst. They do not realise how lucky they are with Arsene around.
we are only a few players away from being the best in europe.i think some of the dead wood players need to be sold eboe rosicky denilson diaby bendtner and i think that if fabregas doesnt have his heart set on arsenal then we should cash up on him.
i know koscielny has got alot of critism this season bt i honestly think he will come good next seson
and spend some money and bring in at least 3 top quality players
I agree completely that we had every chance of progression were it not for the ref. I also have no doubts in my mind at all that the ref was influenced from above. When will people take action? Are there no truly passionate football fans? I am surprised that such little action has been taken to take the power away from these corrupt bastards. Imo Arsene will cull the squad at the end of the season. The players I expect to go up for sale are Almunia, Eboue, Squillaci, Denilson, Rosicky and Bendtner. Almunia because we have three very good keepers. Eboue because he is the same age as Sagna so wont overtake him and a new young right back with potential needs to learn from Sagna. Squillaci as imo he was only a short term signing and I would like to see a tall, left sided center back come in as there is no direct replacement for Djourou. Denilson as if he isn’t trusted for the games he is suited to why does Arsene have him in the team? (Terrible decision to play Diaby over Denilson and it showed all game. Diaby was not ready and was made to look a fool all game.) Rosicky because Ramsey is the replacement for Cesc now and he is not quick enough to play on the wings. Bendtner because I have a feeling he will find it in his best interests to leave to a club where he is the starter. I don’t expect all of these players would sell in one window but I would expect 4 of the 6 to go. Then i’d like to see three signings and two promotions. These would be Vertonghen, Gregory van der Wiel and Jack Rodwell. Mannone to come back into the team and Vela to be given the back up role to Theo. This would mean he would get a lot more game time and also give him a set position. I’d like to see him on the right as he has played very well there for West Brom as he does a similar job to Theo. Imo Sagna keeps the width on the right wing while Theo often comes in as the last man more centrally just as Bendtner did before him. Vela of course would excel at cutting in and we would have the pace and finishing we need when Theo is out. This would leave us with a squad of:Gk Szczesny Fabianski Mannone, Rb Sagna Der Wiel, Rcb Djourou Koscielny, Lcb Vermaelen Vertonghen, Lb Clichy Gibbs, Dm Song Rodwell, Ldm Wilshere Diaby,
Cam Fabregas Ramsey, Rw Walcott Vela, Lw Nasri Arshavin, St Van Persie Chamakh. Two of the previously mentioned 6 would stay in the squad too. Imo even though we lose more than we gain the few additions and the return of Vela will be enough to see us reach a new level again. Not to mention the core of the squad will improve even more over the next year. Bad time to talk about all this but its what I had to do to take my mind of the scumbags at fifa/eufa etc.
i agree on almunia and am sure that will happen come end of season.
eboue,,,apart from versatility believe me or not is highly valued for the bright and funny mood he brings to the club.i’ve heard it mentioned time and again. i believe his out of form coz sagna is pretty much putting him out in the cold.
rosicky…he’s only lost speed but he has his all other abilities.only question mark is…WHERE IS HIS CONFIDENCE AND GENIUS
denilson…i love his long range shots but i believe his going to be overun by new hungry blood in the form of frimpong and francis at lorient.
squillaci isnt going anywhere…he is a happy squad player.there isnt a team with a better 4th choice centre back than him in my opinion
bendtner…is a tricky one…he shows genius moments and is developing still so i dont believe his going anywhere unless he’s unwilling to be VP back up. i just wish he could improve his first touch…it really lets him down.he has skill.
I haven’t thought about the summer window thus far. Will probably do that only after the season is over. There is likely to be some churn but a lot will depend on Fabregas.
Very good and sensible article.
If someone told me in the beginning of the season that we will be 3 pts from the top with 1 game in hand at this stage, but losing in UCL & CC — i would probably kiss every players feet to thank them.
That probably put the perspective.
Of course, we can be better. But also looks how far we are. Chelsea probably dying to be in our place at the moment, given their early season form.
we know that Man C spending like hell – but still we’re way ahead of them.
Barca will always be Barca, they even spanked Madrid 5-0.
Let’s be thankful for a while – and keep supporting our beloved Gunner!
Wonderful post man, for once I can’t fault anything you’ve said, even with all the criticism I have for the like of D&D, this season has given us Jack Wilshere and a number of players who continue to fight against the odds and just don’t seem to get any outside luck, the nearest we’ve got to that has been the offside against bowyer and maybe the theo penalty against leeds.
It truly has been a good season if people actually take a step back and analyze what’s happened; we’ve dealt with ridiculous injury lists as usual- our best CB, CM and CF have been out of action for extended periods throughout; we’ve missed the pace of Theo and the full fitness of Cesc and RVP in our most important match (Barca) and when we had everyone fit, we resigned Chelski to also-rans by showing them we’d come of age.
I just hope we end up winning the league cos Marsh U have no excuses and their best striker (apparently 5-goal scoring Berbaflop) is somehow always sent to the bench in the biggest of games, I wonder why…
And I do hope Arsene makes the necessary changes at the end of the season to strengthen our supporting cast and refresh the team; it’ll be a shame if Denilson, Diaby and sadly Rosicky are ‘all’ back next year, I’d like to see Ramsey continue with his progression before Ryan Hitmancross did him in and Frimpong get some time either on an educative loan or backing up Song.
Before we anoint this season though, there’s the small FA cup matter against those wackos, lets go boys, this isn’t Barca, we’ll see who has 0 shots on goal!
Why this obsession with “trying to be barca”? We are not trying to be barca, we are trying to be Arsenal. AW played like this long before it became a success recipe for Barca. Dont ever compare us to barca. Do you compare all teamst tht play 4-4-2 to United when they play with Rooney and berba up front? No did not think so.
Arsenal are not barca light. arsenal are Arsenal. We do not want to copy Barca. We want to be ourselves.
@desi, very good article. Unfortunatley most arsenal fans have already been brainwashd by the media. I bet the majority even thinks taht Bale is a better player than Walcott too.
I guess that obsession also comes from the constant comparisons in the media.
Brilliantly read mate, the one thing people have to understand is Arsenal werent as bad as lot of them are making them out to be. If we had gone to the half time 0-0 a lot of people would have been raving about our defensive performances, the same way if we had managed to hold on to 1-1 irrespective of whether we had a shot on goal or not, the whole world would have ben raving about our defensive side. Criticism is one thing, concrete criticism is another. SO when someone criticizes remember the kind of expectations you have for its literally expected that Arsenal need to win every damn game and that to with grace, brilliance and what not.
Well said V
That’s why I like Wenger’s opinion that one must always analyze a game by taking distance from the result. Most people end up basing their analysis on the result.
excellent post desi….quite excellent.so excellent.superb.matured like those french wines…lol
i agree 80 percent with you. but some players sulk and thats the truth,thats where a vocal leader comes in the pitch. i play football too and i have players in the team who sulk but when they are pushed and told “lets give this team something to remember us with/think about ” any kind of motivation. do u remember the kind of motivation sol campbell gave the team last season…his vocal support is akin.
cesc is a great leader but jack has that captain quality about him that can drag others with him.chamakh has it too and many others in this arsenal team. when you look at their expression within and after the game you can feel it.an excellent example is post barca rallying support from the players from sagna and wilshire.
they way wilshire sums up the spirit of arsenal makes me wish i could play alongside him…cesc hasnt put a public rallying cry,i suppose maybe in the dressing room he has but fans need to hear something to yell about tomorrow.
WENGER HAS DEFENDED HIS TEAM VEHEMENTLY BY THE WAY….PROUD OF THE MANAGER.
even ferguson blacked the media out.and he’s wrong about it but the way he backs his team up rubs off on the players coz they think”if the manager cant take shit,why should we….lets react”
i suppose also our supporteres at the emirates need to yell more but i’d blame the club for the expensive ticketing…corprate fans come to have a drink…real fans like teams abroad in russia and scotland dont look at the score board,they sing before,during and after the team gets out…in england we only have liverpool…who never walk alone except under roy hodgson who trully almost pushed them to the limit….
Fabregas has been a bit matter of fact in what he has said this season. Even after some big wins he’s come up with statements like ‘we’ve won nothing yet’ and ‘this is just one win’. Those are valid points but not really inspiring.
I don’t doubt his character or commitment but mentally Cesc must be struggling at some level at least.
I hope they resist the temptation of punching the officials!!!!
it’s crazy to hear that the refs are still the main focus of discussion amongst gunners fans… and of corse, barca’s “throat-grabbing antics”… it’s like an arsenal fan by default have selective memory loss. before all these wrong decisions took place; let me remind you, in the 1st leg, messi’s legit goal was ruled-out offside, and that arshavin handled a ball in the penalty box; and messi had a clear penalty that was not given. THREE big decisions went against barca… if the same thing happened to arsenal, we would not hear the end of it. it is the attitude of the coach, players and fans, as oppose to the lost itself, that i’m the most disappointed by. with this attitude, arsenal will win NOTHING for years to come.
I completely agree with you. These so called supporters are happy to hide behind the excuses as does the manager and players instead of admitting their shortcomings and flaws which are there for everyone to see.
I did not see anyone complaining about Barca goal, penalty shout at the emirates and the one at Nou Camp, which could have put the game to bed a lot earlier.
I remember after Stokes game, Desi wrote an article about calculated assault when Crew bardged into Djourou after the ball has been kicked away by Djourou however I did not see any article by him about Clichy doing the same to Xavi in the first couple of minutes of 2L and Rosicky and our other players doing that repeatedly to the Barca players.
There are two different types of mentalities,
1. Losers who are trying to hide behind excuses and blame everyone and everything e.g. poor playing surface, opposition parking the bus, too many games, injuries, too physical opponent etc etc. Remember old idiom of “blaming the tools” anyone?
2. Winners who try to analyse what went to wrong as no one is perfect and the best professionals are those who quickly learn from the mistakes and move on.
Unfortunately, the first mentality is endemic among not only the manager and players but also so called fans.
The best part is that when someone tries to bring them to the reality, they are told to go and support supds
I actually did write about Rosicky and his ‘grappling’ but it was nowhere in the vicinity of assault.
And sorry, You lose all credibility by comparing what Clichy did with Carew’s actions. Clichy barely touched Xavi and the Spaniard was hurt more by his theatrical fall.
There was only one malicious, deliberate tackle intended to cause serious pain in that game and that was Alves’ needless scissors kick on Clichy.
You forgot the third kind of fan – someone who doesn’t get the game and doesn’t realize what is being done but pretends to know a lot more than some of the most qualified people in the game.
Mike,
After the game I did the match report. In that report I clearly mentioned that Barcelona deserved to go through. For me that was the end of that.
This article is not about that game per se. It is about how the players must be feeling. Obviously, if someone is grabbing your throat on a football pitch and getting away with it, it affects the way you feel. Same can be said when one is sent off in a decision that can at best be described as a joke.
Now if your point had been that decisions go both ways and players know this so it balances their feelings I’d have given it some consideration.
But by making this about Barcelona (and Arsenal’s attitude) you’re coming across as an immature, love-struck Barca fan who has missed the basic point in a simple article.
Don’t worry about Arsenal’s attitude. I don’t see any evidence that you have the ability to understand it. Do you think Wenger is going to spend days crying over decisions in his office? No, he will work on the issues. In public he will always focus on the topics that make sense from an Arsenal point of view.
It is amusing how ignorant and clueless individuals actually think they’re qualified to comment on what Arsenal will or will not win.
I like how you getting so personal so quickly, although I don’t think it shows much class or maturity. My comment was not a direct response to your article, but the general feeling of a lot of fans on this forum.
You’re an intelligent man, and although you may be or feel that you’re more qualified to comment on your beloved club, we are all fans of football; and as with any fan, i have my personal opinion. I’m happy for you that you’re amused; and I’m glad spiderman agrees with me.
Well if you’re coming and writing a comment on an article that has been written with deliberate effort to focus away from the game and on another related issue, then isn’t it your responsibility to clearly state who you’re responding to? Use of quotation marks certainly implies it’s a direct response. And the lack any statement that would relate to the original point of the post doesn’t send the right message either.
And if you’re being honest, what can I say to someone who is linking the response of some fans on this forum to whether Arsenal will or will not win anything. It’s nice to see you can make it personal as well but then hide away from answering the real questions.
And you have every right to your personal opinion but others too have a right to forming an opinion on you based on that, don’t they?
The Ref was silly. I’m sure, I hope, he regrets that decision.
Let’s get behind our team 100% plus.
let’s hope the team find the audacity and tenacity to win somethings this season.
Good ballansed well thought out article, like you I’m often shocked by the illogical vitriol we have to suffer post defeat, especially from our own. I’d almost understand a Spud space invader posting garbage on a Gooner sight, but it seems to happen so often these days that we have to suffer the looney Arsene out boys, or the buy buy buy brigade and worse these are “our own?” I know you and this great blog are positive Gooners which is why I bother to read and participate. Its still shocking nontheless to arrive on a known positive blog and have to read the oh so negative “Gooners”? Your points are so well made because after getting themselves up for a fight, a boxer, who loses will take time out to regroup, and his trainer will gradually raise his confidence and self esteem, especially if he’s been robbed by a bad desicion. For pro boxers this might take place over months. Which brings up my point how does Arsene manage to keep getting his players up for the challenge? It must take some psycological talent because this isn’t having to get your man up twice a year, at the moment the games are coming thick and fast like twice a week. How do you get them back up after suffering both physical and psycological damage recently?