DRS. A no-brainer.

“If we want to use technology it must be absolutely perfect. Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties so why not keep it the way it is?”

Those quotes are attributed to the BCCI on the subject of DRS. When DRS first came on the scene I was of a similar opinion. I liked the fact that there was still that uncertainty of correct decisions etc and liked that it was all down to the on-the-field umpire.

However, as we have seen DRS used more and more I have been converted into a big believer of the benefits of it.

During the tea break of the current test match between India and England, Nasser Hussain highlighted 12 incidents from this series alone that were incorrect decisions that could have been overturned with the use of DRS. That, to me, is any evidence you need that DRS should be compulsory. These decisions can be defining moments in test series’ and can be the difference between winning and losing.

The quotes from the BCCI show, in my opinion, a backwards way of thinking. We should always be looking for ways to progress and improve the game. This “we’ve survived without DRS for years so why do we need it now?” attitude is detrimental to the progression of the game.

It is quite clear that players, fans AND umpires all want DRS hence why it is used in every other country. I think the ICC, who I think do an excellent job, should make it compulsory for every playing nation and India should be forced to use it. It baffles me that they are so loath for change.

We are seeing these technologies in every sport now. Rugby, tennis and now even football is beginning to use this technology and I think everyone agrees that it is to the benefit of the sports. I think the Indian cricket board need to wake up and realise the benefits.

With Or Without Trophies, This Is The Greatest Club In All The World

‘I had a patient at work who was a lifelong Gooner, first time I met him he told me he “doesn’t watch Sky Sports etc because all they do is bleat on about how long we have gone without a trophy”. He said he spent “most of his years going to Highbury watching a load of old tosh on the pitch and the fans these days don’t know they’re fucking born”. One of the last things he said to me was “enjoy watching them, Steve, because with or without trophies, this is the greatest club in all the world”"

This story was described to me by @Gooner_Steve regarding someone he once met at work. I have never seen anything that so reflects how I feel about the Arsenal.

I love the Arsenal. Always have done for the 23 years I’ve been following them. Matchdays bring about a buzz that you rarely experience in any other part of your life. The ecstasy and agony that the victories and losses provide are feelings that I, personally, wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world.

Steve’s story reaffirmed my belief that I go about things the right way when it comes to football. During the game I live in the moment, experience the highs and lows as they happen on the pitch and then after the game can reflect on it logically and rationally. I like to think I can see what went right and wrong etc without the need to resort to abuse of our players or any such overreaction. Even during this seemingly barren spell without trophies I still fucking love supporting the Arsenal.

After a loss, I’ll have my lip out for a few hours and then go about my life, knowing that there’s another game just around the corner and that my life is not really any worse or better than it was before the game happened and that a good experience will come again soon.
After a win, especially a big one, I’ll be buzzing for days. The old adage of “enjoy it while it lasts” comes very much into play after a win and I’ll walk around like a smug bastard. That’s one thing I love about being a fan. To other people, you ARE Arsenal and you get the plaudits when they win and the abuse when they lose. You have to endure both, even though you had very little (by very little I mean pretty much zero!) impact on what happened on the pitch.

The “Twitter generation” of Gooners seem to be trying to outdo each other on who is more annoyed/elated at a result. It is contagious as more and more feel the need to show off their love for the team by the most seemingly mental updates on Twitter. It is obviously their prerogative to do so but I don’t see how it can do them any favours. To be honest, the majority seem on the verge of a coronary and appear to be mentally unstable at times but as I said if that’s how people want to show off their fandom, then good luck to ‘em.

My approach to supporting the Arsenal has led to a the usual twitter abuse and a lot of people accusing me of being “deluded”, “overly positive”, even “not a real fan”. This is where I take real issue with the “Twitter generation”. As Steve’s story alludes to, some of these fans “don’t know they’re fucking born”. Just because I don’t jump up and down and throw a fucking moody like a child who has dropped his sweets when we don’t win a game of football, I am all of a sudden “not a real fan”. Things, in my opinion, could be a hell of a lot worse and (obviously) a hell of a lot better but I’m still there supporting my team. I would still be there supporting the team if we were in a Championship relegation battle, so don’t try and accuse me of not being a “real” fan.

You support the club your way, I’ll support the club my way.

At the end of the day, we’re all Gooners and this is “the greatest club in all the world”. With or without trophies.

Up The Arsenal. 

One Arsene Wenger

“Fuck off Wenger, you fucking useless paedo cunt”

A tweet from a man called @JD_AFC who purports to be an Arsenal fan. Never, in my whole life, have I been so disgusted by the actions of one of our own.

Sadly, this cretinous tube was not alone in the downright disgraceful abuse of our manager. A quick search across Twitter found plenty of our own abusing Wenger the way some of our opposition fans do. In short, it was fucking disgraceful.

A lot of people think it is time for Wenger to go. I don’t agree with that but people are well within their rights to feel like that. I have no issue with people who have that opinion and I will happily discuss with them.

However, those that abuse Arsene Wenger and don’t treat him with the respect his achievements and efforts he has brought to this club deserves, need a bloody shoeing.

Arsene Wenger is a legend of Arsenal football club. He brought this club to be one of the big powers in English and European football. He brought things we could only dream of. He brought us the Invincibles. He brought us Thierry Henry. He brought us some of the most sublime football the world has ever seen. He oversaw the transition to one of the world’s greatest stadia.

We owe Arsene Wenger a hell of a lot as Arsenal fans.

When he leaves he deserves to leave with his head held high and the respect of every single Gooner for what he has delivered to this football club.

I do not believe he is beyond criticism, despite accusations to the contrary. Plenty of questions need to be asked of his decisions. He has flaws. Lots of them. I still personally feel he is the right man for the club but can understand those who don’t.

No matter what your opinion on whether he should still be at the club, in my mind there is no doubt he deserves respect when discussing him.

If you are lowering yourself to calling him a “paedo”, then you are a scumbag. Simple as that.

He’s not a “cunt”. He’s not a “paedo”. He’s a legend of Arsenal Football Club and should be treated as such.

One Arsene Wenger.

Giving a louder voice to morons.

There are some massive overreactions when things aren’t exactly tickety boo at the Arsenal.

I understand the want for change. Of course I do. It feels like we’re stuck in a rut at the moment and have been for the past couple of seasons now. They seem to be repeating themselves. Poor performances, lack of character, handbrake on and all that. But the reaction of people after a loss/something they don’t like borders on mentally insane.

For instance, Andre Santos and wife received a torrent of abuse because of Andre’s ill advised shirt swap with that Dutchman at half time on Saturday.

Are people really that brain dead that they feel the need to send abuse from the security of a smartphone or computer? Does it make you feel the big man? I have never understood this whole “keyboard warrior” behaviour. It just seems to be an attempt to live out some “hardman” fantasy that people have.

This is why I have issue with these claims (claims I have put forward myself) that we are a “classy” fan base. We purport to be different and better than those fans of Chelsea, Liverpool etc who are branded as “scum” and racist, amongst other things. However, it has become clear that we also have a very high proportion of absolute fucking morons amongst us.

Last year we had people wishing death on Aaron Ramsey. I recall some cretinous individual (who has since removed his twitter account) telling him to “do what Gary Speed did”. This year, we have had a “fan” wishing Ramsey breaks both his legs, abuse aimed at Sagna and wife after he gave a frank and honest interview about the Arsenal, Theo Walcott’s brother has been on the receiving end of foul mouthed abuse.

You have to wonder what goes throught these moronic quim’s heads when they send this stuff? What gives them the right to do it?

Social media is a wonderful thing but you have to question whether ALL people should be allowed access to it as it gives a louder voice to absolute fucking morons.

I am a huge advocate of Twitter and it’s benefits in terms of connecting people. I have been introduced to many Arsenal fans now that I wouldn’t have had the chance to interact with otherwise. I have come to realise just how huge a fanbase we have, how diverse it is and how far reaching it is. People have built up long lasting friendships through it and it has been a place for people to share their thoughts, views and blogs such as this one to a wider audience. In short, Twitter can be bloody awesome.

However, it has borne several beasts that we could do without. As previously mentioned, the atrocious abuse levelled at players and their families which is abhorrent, as well as other “celebrities”. There have been very high profile cases of racism on Twitter that have, thankfully, ended in prosecution and punishment for those responsible.

Unbelievable abuse is also levelled at “ordinary” people on Twitter, merely for having a different viewpoint or opinion to someone else. This is obviously the case in things other than football as well but I can only talk from my experience of Twitter. I have personally received a lot of abuse merely for a comment which people have not agreed with. Mainly from fans of other clubs but also from our own fans (usually on the subject of Wenger). I like to think I am a bit more open minded and can appreciate another person’s opinion, even if I don’t agree with them but some people seem hell-bent on sending abuse if they do not agree.

At the end of the day, I guess the only thing we can do is ignore the abuse (except in the most extreme circumstances like racism etc when obviously it should be reported), as reacting to it will only encourage the morons to do it more as they obviously get some pleasure out of it and wish to “make a name for themselves”.

I am fortunate that the majority of people I follow do not seem to be such plebs, but if I do follow you and you’re gonna start sending ridiculous abuse to our players/fans/anyone, then let me know so I can get rid.

Questioning the faith.

Well, where to begin?

The last few days have seen some of the most fractious and tense discussions and divides between fans that I can recall in Arsene Wenger’s tenure as Arsenal manager.

It all started with the absolute horror show at Norwich. I can’t remember many worse performances during the Boss’s reign as coach. It was an abject display and we got what we deserved.

They had a perfect opportunity to pull it back last night against an in-form Schalke side. There’s no denying we got torn apart. However, I feel a lot of fans did Schalke a disservice by expecting to win at a canter. Despite that it was a very disappointing display. Especially given Vermaelen and Ramsey’s words where they said they “couldn’t wait to put things right”.

It couldn’t really have come at a worse time for Arsene and the board, as this morning saw the AGM. Not the kind of results you want before facing the stakeholders of the club. Especially as we have a famously “knee jerky” fan base. I won’t go into the details of the AGM as that has been covered by more established writers than myself. (I suggest Arseblog to read Hayley Wright’s review of proceedings.)

However, the last few days got me thinking about football and our enjoyment of it. I’m well known for my “positive” outlook on Arsenal. Even after defeats I have found myself picking out the few positives that are there to be found.

However, after the last few days even I found myself questioning what was going on and even questioning the man who I admire more than most, Arsene Wenger.

I have always been staunch in my defence of Arsene. He revolutionised the club (and English football in general with his methods) as we all know and brought about a brand of football that had not been seen on these shores previously. He is, without a doubt, a legend.

But I found myself wondering whether his methods were now dated and maybe we were being left behind. I think the answer to both those questions is “perhaps” (nothing like sitting on the fence!).

I feel there’s some truth in Arsene’s “tactical naivety” that people like to comment on but I feel there is one overriding factor that means we struggle to hang onto the coat tails of those above us. Something that means fans see the attraction of Usmanov etc.

Alan Davies on today’s Tuesday Club podcast said something along the lines of “when Abramovich turned up at Chelsea didn’t you just say ‘shit’?”.

I found myself nodding. That’s how we’ve been left behind. This whole “sugar daddy” culture that has come to these shores for the first time properly has left us trailing in the wake
of the Man Citys and Chelseas of this world. That is what has made Arsene’s methods outdated. We don’t have the financial clout to compete for the top players anymore.

This “financial doping” has reduced the possibility of players playing for the “love of the club” and so we are struggling to keep hold of our top players year in, year out. Especially as the search for silverware continues. It’s a vicious circle.

Should we join the trend and jump into bed with a “sugar daddy” like Usmanov to fund our way to trophies? Maybe I’ve been “Arsenalised” but I don’t want to do it that way. It feels like cheating.

Of course, I want to win trophies but at the expense of moral values? Not for me. I want to do it OUR way. I think we can as well. It will make that victory all the more sweeter when it comes along. To know we didn’t succumb to the “Chelsea” way and still got success will be a lovely feeling.

It might not happen this season. It’s looking increasingly likely that it won’t happen this season.

Until it does happen, I will keep cheering the boys on and enjoying the victories when they come. Sometimes the victories can feel as exciting as a trophy! The 5-2 win against Spurs last season was one of the most euphoric occasions I can remember in recent times and that includes the PL/FA Cup wins of the mid 2000′s.

I’ve kind of gone off on various tangents in this blog (got a lot to get off my chest!) but I think the points I’m trying to get across are:

1) I still believe in Arsene.
2) While I may not trust or like the board, we’re stuck with them for the time being.
3) I don’t want Usmanov or the like.
4) I fucking love Arsenal Football Club.

Things look shit at the moment but let’s reconvene at the end of the season and then really make a judgement. If things haven’t gone well, then we can really ask those serious questions.

On to Saturday and QPR. Let’s get one over Mark bloody Hughes!

Up The Arsenal.

Non League Day. Bloody Brilliant.

With no Premiership or Championship football during the international break there was a lot of focus on Non League football yesterday as part of the excellent initiative Non League Day.

The idea of which is to improve the attendances of semi professional and amateur games and to show appreciation for the efforts that go into running these clubs without the financial backing of the top teams.

I chose my local team, Worcester City. I like to go a couple of times a year if I can and I always enjoy it. Yesterday was no different.

City welcomed Stalybridge Celtic to St George’s Lane, who prior to the game sat 2 places below them. 1038 was the attendance which is one of the biggest gates of the season and will have proven invaluable to the club who need as much funding as possible.

Worcester City started excellently with some absolutely brilliant passing football and Stalybridge really struggled to get a foothold in the game. City were tearing them apart with a pass and move style that neither I, nor my friends who had come with me, had seen down at St George’s Lane before.

Carl Heeley, City manager, has obviously done a brilliant job and re-signing striker Danny Glover was a masterstroke as he was magnificent yesterday and it was no surprise when he tucked away the goal, after some brilliant build up play, to give City the lead.

The only surprise was that at half time the score was still only 1-0. Stalybridge were struggling to cope with City and were restricted to a few counter attacks. It seemed a question of how many for City.

However, the second half took a very different turn. The referee, up to that point, had been anonymous (just how you like it really). However, early in the second half, he adjudged City’s defender Ayres had dragged back Stalybridge’s attacker and gave a penalty. As Ayres was the last man, the referee had no choice but to send the City man off.

However, it was a clear dive and should have been a booking for the Stalybridge player.

The penalty was stroked home by Pepper and the momentum of the match had switched in that one moment. It was a backs against the wall job for City as their goal was bombarded by Stalybridge. City’s keeper made some brilliant saves to keep them at bay.

After City had soaked up the pressure and regrouped. Carl Heeley brought on Edwards who was a constant threat when he came on and linked up well with Glover to create plenty of chances. A Glover header was clawed out by Stalybridge’s keeper, the Stalybridge goal was under constant pressure but City struggled to hit the target.

As is often the case in football, after constant City pressure, Stalybridge broke away and won a corner. It was swung in and in the last couple of minutes of normal time Platt headed home to score what was probably the winner. It was a sucker punch for City who did not deserve to be behind after being the better team even when down to ten men.

The drama hadn’t finished, though. City were to find themselves down to nine men as the referee lost complete control. City’s Rob Elvins was sent off for a second yellow card after a supposed stamp on a Stalybridge defender who should himself had seen red for the two footed challenge on Elvins.

It all started to boil over as sly kicks were aimed at players after challenges and robust tackles were thrown in.

There was time for City to have a gilt edged chance right at the death with a one on one with the keeper but the attempt was scuffed and the keeper saved easily.

Just before the final whistle Stalybridge were down to ten men. Mitchell Austin with a reckless lunge on the City keeper picking up his second yellow card (in all rights it should have been a straight red)

Final score was Worcester City 1 Stalybridge Celtic 2.

Not the result we wanted but it was an absolutely fantastic day out. The atmosphere was phenomenal (always helps having dodgy refereeing decisions!). The football was unexpectedly high quality and the full experience was an enjoyable one.

To use a cliche it was a “great advert for non league” football. If you’re ever at a loose end on a Saturday, get down to your local club and support them. I can’t guarantee it will be as fun as my day out but you never know!

There are worse ways to spend your day.

It’s an expensive game.

£51 for a home game against Fulham. That’s how much I’ve just paid for a ticket in the Clock End Upper Tier.

This is a “Category B” game at Arsenal. To compare, the same seat at a Category C game (e.g. Swansea) would cost £35.50 and at a Category A game a whopping £87.50.

There was a lot of talk when Ivan Gazidis announced these ticket prices. Some said it was outrageous to expect a fan to pay that much for a football game (CAT A). Others said it was a good thing as you had tickets as low as £25.50 for a CAT C game.

I, as always, tried to sit on the fence a bit and see the positives and negatives of the whole thing. It is brilliant that you now have the opportunity to watch Arsenal for as little as £25.50 but it is a bloody outrage that it can cost you as high as £123.50.

Now, I know the old adage of Supply and Demand is a factor that a lot of people like to quote when people, such as myself, have a whinge about the cost of attending a football match. However, just because someone is willing to pay that price, it doesn’t make it right.

It feels to me that, at certain games, clubs are pricing out some fans and this does seem to have an impact on the atmosphere at the ground.

(This is not just a dig at Arsenal. This is a dig at football in general. A Tottenham supporting friend (I know. I know) says it costs £81 for a top seat at a Category A game at the sh*thole. It even costs £12 to go and watch Worcester City who currently reside in Conference North. This, however, is more understandable as the club are struggling for money and need the finances desperately)

It’s not just the price of the ticket though, is it? That’s the major problem for me. I herald from the Midlands (I’ve heard all the “support your local team” jibes so don’t bother) and cost of travel/ticket/food/drink etc can make it into a very very expensive day. Sadly, I don’t have a bottomless bank account and cannot really justify spending £200 upwards on a regular basis to watch my beloved Arsenal. Now, I don’t feel this makes me any less of a fan. Some people do equate the money spent etc to how much they love their club. This, in my opinion, is nonsense. I don’t love the club any less than someone who CAN afford to go on a more regular basis or someone who doesn’t have to travel as far.

I remember at the time of the price rise, I mentioned my travelling costs and got lambasted because it’s not the club’s problem that I have to travel further to the ground. This, in itself, is a valid point and I probably shouldn’t whinge about that. I chose to support Arsenal and therefore any travelling I have to do is my own fault. However, I think, even if you live within walking distance of the ground, you pay £123.50 for a ticket, you’re still gonna think it’s an expensive day!

I know football has changed and that clubs are not just about football but are now a business as well but this one thing that really sticks in my craw. I don’t like to comment on the financial side of football as I don’t have the expertise (unlike a wide range of our fans who seem to be experts).

My Dad goes on about the glory days of when he lived in London and him and his friends would wake up in the morning and decide who to go and see on that day, turn up, buy a ticket for peanuts and watch the game. Now, I’m not sure if he’s just looking into his past with rose tinted glasses or not because that concept is completely unfathomable to me, given that I have to buy my ticket a month in advance at extortionate cost.

Sadly, I don’t think it will change. At least not for the forseeable future. I will continue to buy tickets as and when I can afford it and I will love the day out (dependent on result!) but I will still resent paying such high prices for a football match and the amount of matches I, and thousands of others, can actually afford to attend decreases every year.

I know I probably shouldn’t moan and I rarely do about things concerning the Arsenal as I am very proud to support the club I do but things like this get right on my tits.

I’m sorry for my negative post. I blame the interlull.

Up The Arsenal.