Comments on: An Arsenal perspective on Chelsea’s win over Man Utd

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:52:47 +0000

I started off bothered about this game but after the first 20 mins or so the only thing holding my attention was the fact I had money riding on it: however then I see this website and find out I’m being ripped off on my punts anyway! http://bit.ly/eIw9r – EU law stopping people getting the best odds on sports betting…

The Right2Bet website are doing analyses of how much money we’re losing, and have a petition you can sign if you’ve been burnt too!

By: Steve-O

Steve-O — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:51:05 +0000

There’s no way I could cheer on Manure, no matter what the circumstances. The best team won on the night and of course United got filthy and started initiating their Plan B which is elbow, push, trip, injure, niggle, whinge (in fact they whinge all the time come to think of it eh Rooney?) Good on Chelsea for sticking it to them.
As I’ve said before, I reckon it will be a dogfight between Arsenal and Chelsea at the end of the season and hopefully youth wins out. Wouldn’t it be great if we could trade Essien for Diaby though!

By: Hey Nonny Mouse

Hey Nonny Mouse — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:11:51 +0000

Darren Fletcher – what a pathetic, whinging berk. That’s right, mate, it’s all Arsene Wenger’s fault you’re a dirty bastard.

By: Hey Nonny Mouse

Hey Nonny Mouse — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:06 +0000

@shambogunner – thanks – and I return the compliment. I always enjoy your posts and I totally agree when you say a ‘huge factor’ of our current success is the manager. If ever a team was the creation of the manager it is this current Arsenal team and if – if, I say – they were to win the Premier League this season it will be an absolutely astounding victory – and an amazing endorsement of The Great Man, who has bucked the trend and gone up against the huge financial outlays of manure, man shitty, chelsea, Liverpool etc. with a team created his own way and dedicated to football excellence.

By: ignatz

ignatz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:26:57 +0000

Good comments.

But let’s not get carried away, we haven’t won anything yet.

We imploded at Old Trafford and at Citeh, and even though we haven’t really been tested since, West Ham clawed themselves back and we’ve been dropping unnecessary goals.

In 19 days when we face Chelsea we will have a much better idea of how good this team really is. We’ll be minus Bendtner and Diaby who both add muscle and size. We could be without Song if he picks up a yellow beforehand, which could be fatal. If we can beat them, we can push on and win the league. If we don’t, we’ll have to see how resilient we are.

It’s going to be a beast of a game.

By: sirish

sirish — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:07:34 +0000

As a manager, you MUST take a supportive approach when dealing with young players. They cannot feel as if they will be replaced by a “high-priced replacement” the moment they make a few mistakes that are due mainly to inexperience in the first place. Young players MUST be allowed to learn from their mistakes. I can remember the likes of Tony Adams as a teenager and yes, he was indeed every bit the “Donkey” that opposing fans said he was. Man, he made some blunders. Given the way some modern fans are impatient with certain players you would have to think that Tony Adams would NEVER have been allowed to learn and progress as a player nowadays. The fans would have crucified him. I think a lot of modern managers that have gotten used to “chequebook managing” have forgotten the art of developing young players, something Fergie and AW have never forgotten. You have to be patient and you have to allow them to screw up. Luckily for Fergie, he has always had the biggest chequebook as well (except for Roman) so he could cover up mistakes with the most expensive talent as well.

And “Dont believe the Hype”’s point about supporters needing to give as well as take is a hugely important point as well. When that young Arsenal team of the mid-80’s was developing there was very much an attitude around Highbury of “the fans have to help these kids learn by encouraging them at all times” that is nowehere near as prominent nowadays. The need for instant success seems to overwhelm many fans, and that is a great pity since watching a TEAM grow and build and mature is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest joys that a supporter can have.

I think watching young players develop is insanely exciting, and so much more rewarding for supporters than “chequebook” success.

By: sirish

sirish — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:05:40 +0000

Another high quality post, Walter. A further crucial factor in my opinion has been the blessed Wenger’s determination to take a supportive rather than a punitive approach to team management, a key source of conflict in the debate bettween supporters.

Our players know that when they sustain injuries, or go through a temporary loss of form, they will be given every chance to recover and regain their place in the starting lineup. This is so important in creating a sense of optimism and of loyalty to the team and the manager.

Of course, he has also made it clear that there is an expectation that every player will put maximum effort into their preparation and their game, and where this hasn’t happened individuals eventually lose their place and go elsewhere.

Contrast this with the sudden death approach to management advocated by many of the moaning minority. If a player is underperforming, they assume it is due to lack of effort and motivation to win, and say simply, drop him. Following this advice could well have seen the loss of many of our best players and the rapid disintegration of our team. If you want an example of how unsuccessful this method can be, look no further than Roy Keane’s managerial record. Scary, yes, effective no.

By: Andy @ Arsenal FC Blog

Andy @ Arsenal FC Blog — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:47:23 +0000

Great comments today all. I don’t really have the time to reply to them all but good to hear some really rational commenting and arguing again.

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:54:05 +0000

@ Vancouver. They tries doing that moving the ball closer 5 yards for fouls but teams would abuse it. If a beckham free kick came about players would deliberately foul a player to restrict the angle of the shot. A novel idea though. Fletcher us worse than most though. I won’t be surprised if fergie comes down hard on him.

By: Vancouver Gooner

Vancouver Gooner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:27:55 +0000

Fletcher is one dirty bastard. The amount of things he gets away with astounds me. The way he screams abuse at referees and linesmen when he is blown up for his numerous fouls is scandalous. I have played rugby all my life and if I were to talk to a ref at all during the game, not being the team captain, I would be assessed a penalty which means the opposition gets the ball and ten yards closer to our try line to boot.
Maybe this should be happening in footie. The antics of the players ruins the game for me, and it inflames the crowd encouraging violence.