Gunning From Sussex

Arsenal vs Napoli

2013-10-04T07:00:00.004-07:00

This article will lack the traditional GFS punch so apologies for that. I hope it will be a good read nonetheless!

First of all, I would like to express my disgust at the incident that took place at Piebury Corner. I hope the Gooner who got injured is recovering well!

The UCL game between Arsenal F.C. and S.S.C. Napoli was a game of two halves. Surprisingly, both were controlled by Arsenal!!

The first half was a demonstration of Arsenal's attacking prowess and the second showcased our resillience and determination to keep a clean sheet!

I am not going to write about the first half. Almost all the blogs have covered it and showered deserved praise on the trio of Özil, Ramsey and Giroud.

There were a few players in the second half who played well. The Flamini & Arteta partnership provided solidity in front of the defence.

Flamini with his organizing the defence and midfield while we were defending and him shadowing Hamsik proved to be too much for Rafael Benitez's men. Arteta was brilliant as usual. Between themselves, they choked any attempt/possibility of a Napoli counter attack.

Ramsey did well defensively as well! I must say, I have never seen Rosicky play a physical game.. This was different. His passes were off a few times but he played his heart out. The intensity of his challenges and the urgency he showed while pushing up was really really good to see.

However, i was really surprised by the performance of Bacary Sagna. The last game (before this) he played, I wondered if he is better off playing as a centre back. He was tracking back well and providing good support while attacking. Looks like it will only get harder for Wenger to pick his RB!

BFG and Kos did a good job. BFG with some critical saves and Kos covered well when he went a bit forward.

I am glad Kos didnt make any rash challenges either ! :)

Gibbo, baring a couple of times, looked on top of his game. He had a good chance to score as well, but unfortunately, the ball came to his less preferred foot!

I feel sad for Woj, he hardly had anything to do in the game. The poor lad could have slept like a baby throughout the game and we still would not have conceded thanks to Flamini and his organizational capabilities!

All in all, a good victory!

#UTA #COYG

- @karansingh9008

Ozil is the key but who changes the locks?

2013-09-13T08:35:00.001-07:00

Well I am back, well GFS is back, I was just asked to write the first blog for the new season. Thanks GFS, no pressure. I will not waste time chatting about what has happened or not happened since a last post was put up. 4th again blah blah blah, new signings, blah blah blah, champions league, oh dear yawn yawn yawn. Done to death since June Arsenal, could keep most tabloids and broadsheets going in the UK for ever.

How ever this is important. Not since Sir Dennis of Berg has a player raised so much spirits and expectation as our £42 mill plus signing M. Ozil. Now do not get me wrong, I was dancing all over the living room when Sky Sports said it was a done deal but after the dust settled and interlull killed twitter I got to thinking but todays news said it all for me.

Ozil is the key to Arsene Wengers future. Head lines ablaze with it today as he is named to start against Sunderland this weekend. Wow a fantastic statement of intent from Arsenal, a major signing we have longed for and he is going to be the foundation of Arsenal's new future. All well and good I hear you cry but hang on. We know what the team needed in regards of signings and one signing does not make a title winning side. As with Dennis Bergkamp it took further signings to make a title winning team and given what 1995 was like we as fans should take a pinch of salt of the PR spin currently surrounding Ozil.

I am pleased we have made a statement of intent with the signing of Ozil, by the way we have an ex German international to thank for this not Silent Stan who had damn all to do with it. What worries me is that every one thinks we are title contenders. We should temper our fervour with the thought that signings to make us solid were not done and a last gasp singing of Ozil does not mean a premier winning team. If Chubb make the locks, come January lets hope we are not shopping in B&Q to sure up an already damaged door.

You may disagree, that is your right, but would you put your life savings on a one horse wonder?

Till the next time.

Darkman

Victoria Concordia Crescit!

2013-02-25T03:36:00.000-08:00

So days on and the hurt and fall out from recent humiliation still hasn't gone away. Our last realistic opportunity to win a trophy and get this ridiculous monkey off our backs has been spurned once again in the most frustrating of circumstances. More worryingly the infighting between supporters has reached a point where the atmosphere and vibes around the club are almost exclusively negative.

Negativity hurting the club

This negativity and frustration was palpable on Saturday and the team roundly booed at full time. This was to be expected, I guess, and people were within their rights to boo what was an arrogant, lazy and, at times, half-hearted performance. However, what was disappointing was that the negativity around the ground was evident long before the full-time whistle. At times, it felt like their were certain sections of the crowd that were hoping players like Gervinho would fail so they could continue their ranting about the decline of the club.

Gervinho has hardly set the world alight at the club and he put in another disappointing display on Saturday but I can't see how jumping on his back every time he makes a mistake can possibly encourage him to play better. We don't do it with Giroud, in fact we do the opposite, despite the fact that he has also put in some pretty lethargic performances this season (Saturday included). Unsurprisingly, he has improved as a result, so why can't we do the same for Gervinho?

After all, we are supposed to be supporters, not critics, and should be supporting our team whilst they're on the pitch not chastising them.

Banish the boos

People will argue that they are within their right to boo, as they did with Eboue, I can't deny that that is their right, but I don't see how it benefits the team in any way. The team is under enough pressure as it is from the media who seem to relish regularly ridiculing Wenger and lambasting the team at every possible opportunity. Us as fans adding to this by slagging off Wenger and jumping on the players every time they make mistake will only add to that pressure.

Again, people will argue that the players and manager are big enough and paid handsomely enough not to let that pressure get to them but clearly the evidence of recent seasons suggests to the contrary. You only need to look at yesterday's press conference, where a usually cool Wenger lost it with some very disrespectful hacks, to see that the opposite is true.

In short, the side needs all the support we can give them between now and the end of the season. We were embarrassing against Blackburn, doing little (North Bank aside) to try and lift the team. We need to put the infighting and anger about the way the club is being run aside until the end of the season and get behind the boys.

I have no doubt that will be the case but it needs to be like that every week just as we expect the team to be up for it every time they take to the field.

Beating Bayern

The concern for me, though, is that even with a great performance - and it will have to be to beat this Bayern side - we will fall short over the two legs as we did against Barcelona a couple of seasons ago.

However, the next leg is two weeks away and what's important now is that we all unite as a club and show what Arsenal FC is really about not only now but for the rest of the season. After all, our motto is Victoria Concordia Crescit!

PTBAG

Nero Fiddled Whilst Rome Burned!

2013-02-25T03:17:00.000-08:00

In 40 years of following the Arsenal, I have never known the fans to be so divided. I intend to examine and discuss this divide with you, but I’m going to save that for another time. I don’t want to do it in the emotional aftermath of losing at home in the Cup to a Championship side! Instead, I am going to talk about something that should concern every single Arsenal fan regardless of which side of the fence they reside in the “Has Arsene Lost It” debate…the role of the current Board and the club’s direction!

Arsene’s extremely angry reaction to the stories that he is to be offered a new contract, to me suggests a real nerve has been hit and could in fact mean there is an underlying truth to a theory I have had for a while. It is my belief that Arsene intends to walk away from the club when his contract runs out in 2014. We know he will always honour a contract and we know the board won’t sack him, so for a while now we’ve been drifting on an undefined course!

For all his faults (and AKBs there ARE many), Wenger has been steering a ship for several seasons where the paymasters are refusing to advise him of the destination port and have hidden is compass! Wenger’s somewhat extreme reaction to the suggestion that he is about to be offered a contract could be explained in that it is not good for the team or the club as a whole for his intentions to be made public (even if the Board are aware of them) this far ahead! Being forced to answer questions on his contract intentions may just let the cat escape out of the bag!

Being the kind of man he is, will he spend the alleged £70m war chest in the summer if he is likely to not be there a year later? I think not, so I guess my theory will be proven or disproven this summer one way or the other! If of course he does intend to stay and he doesn’t spend big, he is cutting his own throat anyway! You see where I’m coming from?

So to the real point of my concern. There are two main reasons why Arsene Wenger would never be sacked. 1) He is financially astute i.e. he keeps the club extremely profitable to the delight of the non-football fan who has the majority shareholding and the Board of Directors who merely act in Kroenke’s interests (see below for justification of this sweeping statement)! 2) The current Board are effectively steered by Mr Gazidis who is probably still unaware that there are two clubs in Vienna, let alone who their managers might be! In other words the Board would have absolutely no clue as to who to appoint (unless Arsene tells them)!

You think I’m being harsh on this board? OK here are a few facts:

All the current Board Members sold their shares to the same individual, yet kept their PAID places on the Board. So clearly no deal made there! (a Sandy Shaw song springs to mind….”Like a puppet on a string…”)!
Representation on the Board is continually refused to the second largest shareholder [whether we like Usmanov or not] which most odd! Why? Because we wouldn’t want any difficult questions being asked at a Board meeting now would we?
The Chairman of the Board said at the last shareholders AGM “Thank you for taking an interest in OUR affairs” when in fact every shareholder in the room had more “interest” (in share terms) then him! This suggests an ‘out of touch’ Chairman to me!

Each of the Board Members (Gazidis aside) is at least 742 years old (OK this is patently untrue but the use of sarcasm to illustrate the point saves me Googling the age of each individual Board member – but you got the point right?)!
The perennially absent Kroenke aside, Piers Morgan owns more share than the Arsenal Board of Directors!
Mr Kroenke’s “sports franchises” all have one thing in common…they are all very profitably run and they all never win anything!

So, although Wenger walking next year is only a theory at this point, should a pro-active Board with a clear direction not already be making plans to line up Arsene’s successor? Formulating his achievement targets and providing the resources to achieve them? Rome is burning and the Board I fear are Nero! “Crisis? What crisis? Look at our financial results!”.

The Arsenal ship is drifting albeit slowly towards the rocks. We need to plot a new course and quickly. Arsene is the Captain and does share some of the blame…but far from all of it! We need direction and Arsene badly needs his right hand man back to lead a new, younger and more dynamic board. He needs, we need, the return of David Dein! Now if Mr Kroenke was to make that bold move, he would regain the faith of the faithful, give Arsene his mojo back and defeat his rival from Uzbekistan for the foreseeable future in one fell swoop! Arsenal would have direction and Wenger would have the little push he needs to rediscover his magic (I’m sure of it)!

But what do I know…I’ve invested my entire life in this club as have 2 generations of my family before me (and one after). By comparison, Mr Kroenke has invested his U.S. dollars, so clearly he understands the passion of the supporters and the game as a whole and he really knows what club stands for and has stood for (since Mr Chapman redefined us) more than me right? I want to see the Arsenal play and win in Rome and not burn like it, whilst those with the power to steer us to safety are fiddling and stare blankly at the computer screen trying to work out how they open that email that has just arrived in from a ranch in Colorado!

@lonewolf153

Behind Enemy Lines

2013-02-15T05:53:00.000-08:00

Whilst I was still at school, a change within my father’s job meant we were uprooted from London (where I’d lived all my life) and relocated permanently to the south coast! I was upset at losing my friends but absolutely devastated to be taken so far away from Highbury and my beloved Arsenal! Furthermore, his new role meant he would work most Saturdays and therefore even my weekly pilgrimage to Highbury was to be curtailed!

I soon made new friends and duly convinced them that they were Arsenal supporters! After all, the alternatives didn’t bear thinking about! My parents however, flatly refused us permission to hop on a train and go to Highbury, using the feeble excuse that at thirteen we were too young, despite the fact that I had the ability to get there with my eyes closed! After an inordinate amount of whinging (I know, who’d have thought a teenage boy could do that?), they offered a compromise that we could go and watch the local side Brighton & Hove Albion as they were newly promoted to the old 1^st Division (yes, I know I’m very old…don’t rub it in)! Anyway, it would just have to do until my dad could get a Saturday off and drive me to Highbury!

After a season and a half of watching the Albion, it suddenly dawned on me that my parents would have no idea whether I went across to Brighton or in fact up to London! All I needed was the extra revenue (which was provided by not eating at lunchtime and saving my school dinner money) and a little courage from my friends to break the rules! The rest was history and by the time I was given permission by my parents to travel up to Highbury (having shown I could be responsible), I’d already been doing so for a year and a half! I have been a regular at Highbury and the Emirates (and numerous away grounds) every season since!

Anyway, what’s the point of this trip down memory lane you ask? Well, it is merely that going to the Goldstone for that season and a half as an impetuous teen and with Brighton being the local team to where I now lived, meant that since they disappeared from the top flight in 1983, I have been desperate to see them draw the Arsenal in a cup competition! And 30 years on…it finally happened!

Ironically, nowadays I live much closer to London again (but still in Sussex…just), though I still work in Brighton with one or two vociferous Brighton fans! Our office also has a number of shared Brighton & Hove Albion memberships! I do not go to enough Arsenal away games these days to have acquired a ticket through the club, so to get a ticket for the fixture that I had waited so long for, I was going to have to utilise one of those Brighton memberships and sit with the home fans!

And this is where the story truly begins. I was on a hiding to nothing. Travelling to the game and sitting with my Brighton supporting mates amongst the home fans, I knew an Arsenal win was more imperative for me than even Arsene Wenger himself, simply to avoid the ridicule that would have come my way if the result went in the home side’s favour! There had been threats of a blue and white decorated desk and (heaven forbid) pictures of Craig Mackail-Smith on my monitor!

Once inside the ground, I was amazed that unlike at the Emirates, I didn’t have to queue for my “£7 pie and pint” (but equally amazed that I had to wait for it to be cooked [the pie not the pint] – were they not expecting a demand for this type of fare on a match day?)! We took our seats early and I took in the AmEx. Nice ground, funny sloped roofs at each end as one main stand is taller that the other (odd architectural choice)!

And then 15 minutes before kick-off, came the moment I had dreaded! The teams were announced…No Sagna, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Wilshere, Carzorla or Walcott! I was furious because I knew Brighton were half decent (did you learn nothing at Bradford Arsene?). Furthermore, I knew that should Brighton cause an upset of any type, I was not going to hear the end of it at work for years…and years...and years! In your infinite wisdom Arsene, you expose a lot of your humble subjects to potential ridicule that you remain totally and blissfully unaware of! My Brighton supporting mates’ faces lit up! They could prepare to watch me squirm. A shock was on!

And for 90 minutes squirm I did! I won’t give you a blow by blow account of the game because you will already be well aware of what happened. I was relieved when Giroud’s classy effort put us ahead but not surprised that it took Brighton just a matter of minutes to realise that George Weah’s cousin was on loan from Southampton, but these days calling himself Andre Santos (if you are young, Google “Ali Dai” or “George Weah’s cousin” and you’ll understand)! Now it’s not Andre’s fault that he is crap…it’s Arsene’s fault for buying and selecting him, but the fact remains he was a liability every time Brighton had the ball (and sometimes when we had it too)!

1-1 became 2-1 and then again within minutes 2-2 due to Santos wandering off to do some shopping in Hove rather than where he should have been, defending at left back in Falmer! Meanwhile, I confidently predicted to my peers that Arsene would bring on the big guns after 72 minutes (his substitutions are nothing if not predictable). Well, Arsene must have either been worried too or his watch was fast because he did it after 68 minutes! From that point we actually looked in control. My mates got to see the imperious Wilshere for a full 22 minutes as well as the classy Gibbs before Theo provided the winner by way of a fortuitous deflection.

Theo’s winner engendered such relief that I leapt to my feet only to suddenly realise I was in the middle of the home supporters, wherein I turned to my scowling compatriots and merely said “Bugger!” and tried desperately to suppress a broad grin!

In essence, I understand why Arsene rests individuals but please one or two, not five or six. We simply are not good enough throughout the entire squad to take gambles on this scale. On this occasion Arsene you got away with it and in terms of the levels of grief from my friends…so did I!

LoneWolf153

Consistency and other matters!

2013-02-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

After Liverpool's latest capitulation at the hands of West Brom brought an end to another weekend of Premiership action, attention has rightly turned towards the return of the Champions League.
Now, I'm no fan of the new staggered match day format. It's a money making exercise for UEFA and inexplicably means there will be a three week gap between the two legs which is far too long. However, in light of our current injury situation it has definitely worked in our favour as we've now got an extra week to get the squad fit for the Bayern game.
Of course, there's the small matter of Blackburn in the FA Cup to negotiate before that, and you cannot take anyone for granted as the Bradford game illustrated, but you'd like to think that we'll be able to rest the likes of Wilshere, Cazorla and Koscielny and still get through.

Time for consistency

Arguably, Blackburn is the bigger game as the FA Cup is a competition we are far more likely to win than the Champions League and winning is vital to keep momentum going as we enter the business end of the season.
Both Wenger and Arteta have alluded to this in the last couple of days and I really hope that the squad take heed of their words and push on as fourth, third and even second are all still possible.
We showed signs of a greater determination and concentration in our performance against a typically combative Sunderland. What pleased me the most was our refusal to be bullied out of our passing game despite Sunderland's repeated attempts to kick us off the park.
Sagna produced his best performance of the season and Szczesny was absolutely outstanding. The players rolled up their sleeves and showed the kind of character that has too often been missing this season. Arteta played a pivotal role in this and I do think he would have made a big difference against City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Defenders on the mend

With Santos now out on loan (arguably the smartest move Wenger has made this season), Vermaelen is in line to play at left-back against Bayern and the boss must be confident that all our defenders will be fit in time for Tuesday. That is fantastic news and Gooners everywhere will be blowing a collective sigh of relief as the prospect of the likes of Santos, Jenkinson and Squillachi lining up against Ribery, Robben and co would be enough to give anyone a heart attack!
Longer term, it also suggests that Gibbs is progressing well. This is great news as he has come on leaps and bounds this season and been one of our most consistent performers. Nacho has settled well, too, though, and it will be very interesting to see who gets the nod when Gibbs is back to full fitness.

FA need to get a grip of football thuggery

As a neutral (of sorts), I'm looking forward to the United game in Madrid tomorrow. Personally, I think United will get taught a bit of a lesson by Madrid. They haven't been tested this year in the league and the twelve point advantage they've got is more a reflection of how bad the rest of the league have been rather than how good they've been.
Sky and the pundits, of course, would argue to the contrary but excitement is not the same as quality. Technically, the league as a whole is miles behind and whilst we continue to condone (and on occasion laud) the likes of Stoke City and Sunderland for their physical approach to the game we'll never be on a par.

It results in players spending less time on technique during training and sees some players get kicked off the park.
The FA need to clamp down on dangerous tackles by players like Whelan (who again has avoided sanction for a potential leg breaker on Saturday) and Shawcross at Stoke or Cattermole at Sunderland and managers and pundits alike need to take a leaf out of our book and look to play more football. Otherwise, the result against Brazil was fantastic but if we want that to be the norm rather than the exception.

By @mrhappyontherun check me out on Twitter

The world wakes up to Wilshere’s talent

2013-02-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

After watching the England game last night it was great to see Jack Wilshere transfer some of that terrific club form he’s been showing for Arsenal onto the international scene.

The morning news reports are filled with nothing but praise for the 21 year old. Am I surprised he was the best player on the park? Certainly not. He’s been doing it all season for the Gunners, it’s about time the world realises just “how good” this kid really is. He’s really flourished in the more advanced midfield role he’s been playing this season which I think is his best position. He has the drive and determination of Gerrard while still possessing the creative ability of Cesc.

Being 4th in the Premier League for average dribbles per game this season and 2nd centre mid (only behind to Gerrard) in key passes per game this season you can just see the impact he has going forward.

In the midst of how good Jack was last night let’s not forget to mention Theo Walcott. He put in a solid performance and probably could have bagged a goal or two if it weren’t for the inform Júlio César. Theo completely skinned Adriano 3 times in the space of 10 minutes and made him look like he was about as quick as Jamie Carragher. Just a shame England didn’t have that poacher such as Jermaine Defoe to gamble at the near post to tap in those driven crosses.

It seems to be formality now that international breaks come with injuries for Arsenal and this one is no different. Ramsey and Koscienly both picking up calf injuries and both now a doubt for the Sunderland game. To make things worse, Santi and Nacho both having to fly back from Qatar (don’t get me started) and Jack, Per and Sagna playing 90 minutes yesterday we could struggle for fitness at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

By Matthew Stratford

If it's hurting Arsene, it's killing me!

2012-12-03T04:25:00.000-08:00

Boos at the stadium, banners wanting the manager out, a big defeat! Well that is enough about the Chelski crisis let us talk Arsenal!

So Arsene is hurting and even hinted in the Sunday Mail that he may look at the end of the season and assess his position. Steve Bould blasting the team this morning, "You've been letting us down all season". A team which looked like it would poo it's pants if they had the ball longer than 30 seconds then the chairman has a heart attack (Get well soon by the way PHW). Sound like a problem or a crisis?

It is now our worst start under Wenger and why is this happening? Listening to the "Press Pass on radio last night Matt Law stated that there is £200 million in the bank, that is surprising? Not really. We have a board which now lacks a football man's influence. With David Dean at least we had someone who knew football, now we just have business men and Wenger is looked on, not just as the team manager but also as the chief executive when it comes to football matters. These guys may know the business and banking world but are clueless when it comes to knowing what a football player is, let alone what position they play or if they are good for the club. Keeping the club in the black and viable is an admirable trait but not at the expense of the team competing on the pitch. A football team is there to compete, win things, sadly at our club that is no longer the case!

With Kroenke drooling over possible dividends, Gazidis and Wenger on top whack wages, tickets prices freezing out the genuine fans it's no wonder we are not the first port of call for top class players. In fact looking at the Van Pursie situation it looks like he was right to head for the exit. A player plays to win, both for his team and himself. I would not be surprised to see further stars leave but Gazidis will be happy as we will have another season of profit!

The AGM fiasco was the tip of the iceberg and unless someone grabs the club by the scruff of the neck and shakes some reality into it Arsenal are heading back to mid table mediocrity of the 70's and eighties. I do not have the answers, if I did I would be running the club. I do fear the future and hope that someone is listening to the fans at Arsenal. 1k plus at the BSM march says something!

Cheers

Arsenal Darkman

Arsenal v Southampton preview and Stuff!

2012-09-14T04:45:00.002-07:00

Thank god the Inter lull is over, this is my first post for GFS so let me tell you dear readers now that I have no patience or interest in Internationals or anything that puts money into Sepp Blatters ever growing wallet or panders to FIFA's ever growing ego. However it is gone for while now so we can get back to proper football. After all that is why you come here? To read about Arsenal? Thought so.

This weekend sees Arsenal actually playing at home on a Saturday at 3pm. I did at one point think we were a Sunday team so it is good to see normality return. That is of course unless you cannot get to a game and long for televised Arsenal match at your local bar. Tough living in the UK so I do envy our fans abroad who get to watch games live. However I will be at the game, rubbing salt in the wound? Ah well!

So Southampton are currently bottom of the Premier, Nigel Adkins' side will be using this trip to gain points. Arsenal, now 8th with five points will want to continue in the vain of the Liverpool win, keep a clean sheet again for a fourth game. Amazing that you have to go 1924/25 for the last time we went three unbeaten. I have no doubt that Steve Bould is having an influence here. I also hope Giroud gets a goal to get that monkey off his back. As several people have been commenting, lets hope we have a Henry/Bergkamp awakening as we do seem to have luck against Southampton.

It would be wrong to write off Southampton in this match. Their game against Man Utd shows they are not to be under estimated but if Arsenal can keep their composure I am hopeful for a result. Here are some Opta facts for you.

Southampton have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team (19)

Arsenal have allowed their opponents the joint-fewest shots on target in the Premier League (7)

The players missing for Arsenal after internationals will be Walcott with a virus (possible agent speak for sulking) and Diaby who is rated at 50/50 but don't hold your breath. For Southampton Guly Do Prado could be dropped for admitting drink driving. Perhaps he and Santos could have a chat!

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta, Podolski, Giroud, Mannone, Koscielny, Ramsey, Santos, Coquelin, Gervinho, Djourou.

Southampton (from): K Davis, Gazzaniga, Richardson, Butterfield, Clyne, Fox, Shaw, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Seabourne, Stephens, Chambers, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Chaplow, Cork, De Ridder, Ramirez, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Puncheon, Hammond, S Davis, Lambert, Lee, Rodriguez, Mayuka.

As for stuff? Well Wenger does not want to discuss a new contract but just to focus on doing well. That makes a change for someone at Arsenal not to be bleating about money etc. Sagna has upset people with his comments on selling players etc. Be careful what you wish for I say. I still feel that something is wrong deep inside Arsenal but will leave that for another day.

Fingers crossed for the weekend all and see you on the other side.

Arsenal Darkman

Arsenal vs Liverpool match report‏

2012-09-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Arsenal vs Liverpool match report

Liverpool vs Arsenal would be the Gunners first game against a team of top four prestige. One might argue that Liverpool have abandoned that reputation, and quite rightly so. The Reds have failed to make a top four since the 08/09 season (where they finished 2^nd). All considered, they were still a tough team to beat.

Liverpool made a bright start and was the dominant team in the first half. However, Arsenal’s defence was solid and Liverpool failed to penetrate it, a frustration which would continue throughout the match (Frustration for Liverpool and their fans of course) .At one point the Reds practically set up shop in our half and threw attack after attack at the Gunners defence. The Arsenal counterattacks were impressive, they exposed the Liverpool defence over and over, until Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski combined in a 70yard attack scored the match’s first goal. Podolski caught a sleeping Gerard in possession. The ball eventually found Cazorla, who made a dashing run through the Liverpool defence. Podolski made a staggering run of about 70yards to support the Spanish midfielder. Cazorla had two options, pass to his right and hope Giourd can find the target or supply the galloping Podolski. Cazorla chose the more sensible option, he stepped inside and then outside confusing the Liverpool defence (which was already disorganised as a result of the intelligent Giroud sidesteps) and passed the ball to Podolski. The German international made no mistake and shot the ball across the view of Pepe Reina into the right corner of the box.

My family looked rather perplexed at the sight of me running around jumping with tears in my eyes. Two hundred and something minutes without scoring had tensed me up that much.

The Gunners were more confident now, and played excellently for the rest of the match. There were some scary moments in our defence but we kept a well-deserved clean sheet. Liverpool should have had at least one penalty though.

The second half goal for Cazorla was rather similar to the first. But it was just as special. The little Spanish sensation shot straight through the fumbling Reina, scoring his first goal in an Arsenal shirt.

It was a great match to watch and extremely entertaining. The Gunners will go into the international break with an unbeaten streak of three games and as the only team in the league who haven’t conceded yet.

Really looking forward the Southampton match. They’re a strong team as they proved, but they will face the league’s best defence. I fancy another clean sheet win for Arsenal.

Laters J

A Very positive Ghost

Several wrongs and a big Liverpool right!

2012-09-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to this which for me is my first blog of the new season.

Firstly i'd like to thank all my followers for their continued support and kind words last season.

As im sure your all aware, i have now changed my name to KatiesGooner85 and that name change is due to my engagement over the summer.

In todays post i hope to cover a little bit of everything, my thoughts on the summer signings and my overall opinion on the club and finally the Liverpool game.

right so here we go...

In my 24+ years of supporting Arsenal i find it hard pushed to think of a summer as stressful as the one that has just passed us by. 3 great signings in Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla really had me excited for the new season, but as is always the way with Arsenal it soon went downhill. Rvp released that statement and Song followed him out the door a week after Robins "little boy inside" decided his piggy bank wasnt heavy enough.

With nearer £80m in the bank we all sat there on the final day of the window expecting Mr Wenger to put his hand in his pocket and spend some money, but as time ticked on and the closer it got to 11pm it became clear that it was never going to happen. Twitter was not a very nice place to be that evening and im sure some of you reading this read my tweets as i was rather vocal myself.

The question you have to ask yourself is why?

Why wasn't money invested?

Some blamed Wenger, some Kroenke and some Gazidis. I myself happen to blame all three.

Since 'Silent Stan' rocked up it seems we have been more interested in making money than the overall success of the club.

Gazidis seems unable to tie down a transfer target or renue a contract, and as for Wenger he seems the man that has to take the brunt of the abuse.

We've all been told to wait till January so thats what i'm going to do, and if nothing materialises then, then things need to be changed and certain people should be sacked.

Now onto the Liverpool game. A game which promised a lot and didnt fail to live up to expectation.

2 bloody 0!!!! what a result and so far the display of the season. Cazorla was superb, Podolski was strong and Diaby's play at times was mouth watering. The introduction of Steve Bould as assistant manager has made us look strong and im full of praise for the work he has done with the first team so far. My fact of the day is that out of all the 92 teams in the football league only one has conceeded no goals this season? can you guess who that team is? ;-)

Anyways enough from me for one day and i look forward to writing for you all again very soon

Much Love

@KatiesGooner85

Old Ladies & Arsenal!

2012-09-01T13:17:00.002-07:00

Helllllllllooooo there sports fans!!!!!

Here we are back in the football season and I for one am a happy bunny! Listening to everyone on twitter over the summer bitching and moaning bout who's going, who's getting signed, was like listening to a bunch of old women on the bus... LOL!! Glad that over, and the transfer window is firmly closed and we can get on with supporting the team.

We got a pretty good Champions League draw, with Schalke, Olympiacos, and Giroud's old team Montpellier. I personally think Schalke will be the toughest to beat. If other seasons are to be brought in tho, we seem to step up to the harder teams and the lesser teams can't seem to get a goal in... Frustrating to say the very least, I know, but hey, let's look forward!

Right now with a slow start we are 13th on the Premiership table. Not great but at least the media isn't saying we're going down at the end of season, like they were this time last year and we finished 3rd and are still in the Champions League. Tomorrow is Liverpool at Anfield, we haven't lost at Anfield since 2008. At the risk of 'Murray-Walkering' it lets hope it's a win instead of another draw. A win would put us up to 7th on the table and 6 jumps in the right direction!

There's alot of talk about players needing to gell with the rest of the team and this is where our magician of a manager comes to play.. Wenger will get them playing together and playing well. I have faith in our team and in our manager. Yes, we lost RVP, but hell, he only played well for one season so what's all the fuss about? good riddance. I doubt any other club has lost so many first class players almost every season and could still keep up!

Sooooo! Heads held high, let's get behind the team and kick some Scoucer butt tomorrow!!!

Come on you GUNNERS!!!!!

Take care guys!
Surfergirl x

Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland‏

2012-08-28T12:55:00.001-07:00

Arsenal's first match of the 2012/2013 season ended in an extremely upsetting 0-0 draw at a sun-drenched Emirates Stadium. Quite the unexpected result, as many supporters, myself included, had high expectations for the clash. Expectations mainly due to the fact that we signed some quality players thus far in the transfer window. Was the 34 degree Celsius heat the cause? Or was it plainly the fact that Sunderland piled a plethora of defenders into their box every time we attempted to attack? It was obvious that Giroud and Podolski (Although he had a superb match VS Cologne) would take a while to gel well with the rest of the squad. Cazorla had a great debut in which he displayed why he will be arguably the best signing of the summer.

Match positives were: The Gunners played with a solid defence only allowing the off half chance. We looked quite good in attack, although the lack of finishing did set the course for the rest of the match. As I mentioned earlier, Cazorla had a great debut, hopefully his pitch perfect cross and pass ability will continue. Gervinho played an iffy first quarter, but once his nerves settled he played well and was arguably our best attacker of the day. Szczesny and the back four kept a clean sheet and defended our goal well. We had an absolute overwhelming amount of position and territory.We got one point…

Match negatives: We were to slow in attack at times, which could be forgiven due to the “un-footballer friendly heat”. Although they were few, our lapses in defence were rather stupid and unnecessary. We gave the ball away cheaply now and then. We failed to find the target consistently.

Score	Arsenal	0 – 0(HT 0 – 0)	Sunderland
Score

Possession	70% 70.0	30%
Corners	7	0
Goal attempts	23	4
On target	3	2
Fouls	12	9
Offside	2	1

Arsenal	· Wojciech Szczesny, · Carl Jenkinson, · Per Mertesacker, · Thomas Vermaelen, · Kieran Gibbs, · Santiago Cazorla, · Mikel Arteta, · Vassiriki Abou Diaby (Aaron Ramsey, 69), · Theo Walcott (Andrey Arshavin, 77), · Lukas Podolski (Olivier Giroud, 64), · Gervinho
Sunderland	· Simon Mignolet, · John O'Shea, · Carlos Cuéllar, · Sebastian Larsson (David Meyler, 79), · Jack Colback, · Craig Gardner, · Kieran Richardson, · Lee Cattermole, · James McClean, · Stéphane Sessegnon (Louis Saha, 64), · Fraizer Campbell (Ahmed Elmohamady, 69)

Referee	Chris Foy
Venue	Emirates Stadium
Attendance	60,078

Thomas Vermaelen - Verminator

2012-07-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

Latest video from @XEIESHAN_GUNNER, one of the best I have seen. Enjoy

RVP.....A BIG PLAYER......???

2012-07-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

How big is Robin Van Persie.....? That's the question most of all have failed to ask and possibly get the right answers to...When our dear Thierry Henry was with us,we saw how big a player her was...Banging in goals after goals and bringing those trophies home...
Everybody in world football are all screaming about how big RVP is and how he needs to move on to another club to win trophies...But hey,lemme ask u....How big has RVP been since we signed him in 2004 from Feyernoord....Any answers....Any.....? The truth here is that a player cannot have just one good season since 2004 and automatically becomes a superstar with SO many demands.....
Don't get me wrong guys, RVP is a fantastic player who "scores whenever he wants" But I always wonder what could have been if he had been able to stay fit for more seasons...We would have won more trophies?
AFC deserves his loyalty if not for anything else but for paying him every single week and not getting our moneys worth...Sentiments you call it!!! I call it believing in a course and a club that has brought fame and fortune...

THERE IS LIFE AFTER RVP?

It would be devastating to watch him leave after just one good season....But I'm sure there is life after him...When Henry left,i remember a friend telling me that was the end of AFC....And there came Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor who banged in 30 goals...The ghost of Henry was no where to be found coz we had found a goal poacher in him & if he had stayed, he would have achieved a lot more...Nobody at that time talked about RVP for obvious reasons...
Adebayor left and there came the emergence of RVP scoring like there was no tomorrow...And he is the superstar that we all know he is.

So do the maths....If he leaves,we have Podolski and Giroud who can fill his shoes....RVP was not a household name when we signed him and today he is....There is no doubt that Giroud can have the same devastating effect....RVP wanted us to show ambition and we sure ain't doing badly...He just needs to tell us what he wants exactly?

Looking forward to the coming season and hoping RVP eventually stays......
@ade12_arsenal

RVP! Don't fool me Robin, its money!

2012-07-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. Robin Van Persie does not want a contract with Arsenal as he is worried that the club is going in the wrong direction, cannot win trophies, cannot compete and not going where he thinks Arsenal should be! Sorry, I thought Arsene Wenger was the manager?

Don't get me wrong, he has been a great captain, but one great season a legend does not make. What does this say to the other Arsenal players eh? Yes your good lads but your not capable of winning anything so if you don't mind I am off to somewhere that can, Oh and by the way I shall earn alot than more than you by doing so!
Yup, once again Agents (inset your own word for agent here) have bent the ear of an Arsenal player "your worth so much more" fawn fawn "best for you" and then running all the way to the bank!
Why not be honest Robin? Thank the fans the right way, say this is your last chance at a big move, you want to do right by your family but do not blame Arsenal. That is just a blatant use of player power, supported by agents, which in my humble opinion makes a mockery of the " I love everything at Arsenal, all the the staff I know by first name etc" Yes he did say that!

What Next

Sell, sorry but Arsenal have no option, as with Nasri, if they are unhappy get rid. The kind of influence he has at the club will make it impossible for other players to take to the pitch with confidence. Now in some ways I do blame the board, this insistence on not spending and being viable is just another phrase for profit. Again just my opinion but one that is shared by alot of fellow Gooners!

So Arsenal, sell and sell now! I spoke to both @Dognash1 and @Mattcarr85 two months ago warning of Man Citeh interest and that the amounts would turn his head. Am I happy about that? NO, Am I ITK? NO! I was just talking to friends who worked in the business and was advised of the offers going about. However I always hoped at the back of my head that he would prove me wrong.

So |Robin, thanks, for last season you were on track to become a legend, you were relied upon to pull us out of the coals, you did so. I will always be grateful for all that you did but that was last season. I do not know the player you are now and the sooner your gone the better in my view. We do not need another Nasri. All I ask for is honesty, something lacking in your announcement today. As they say in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, "so long and thanks for all the Fish!

@Arsenadale

Juve offered how much? Also Euro Final view.

2012-07-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

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Well, Juventus has tested the water with an estimated £8 million bid for Robin Van Persie. Yes £8million! Now given that he had a poor Euro tournament it is still a low offer so it is no suprise that Arsenal rejected it. They really will have to up the amount to match Arsenal's valuation but I doubt if this will be their first and last try to land our captain. Also with PSG and Man City sniffing around it could lead to a bidding war. Talking of City, Mancini is playing his cards close to his chest. He has been quoted as saying "Van Persie? He is an Arsenal player and I don't want to disrespect Wenger." Given his Tevez turn around I take anything he says with a large packet of salt. Well that's all from me for now so will hand over to @ade12_arsenal for his view on last nights final.

SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AGAIN

And they are worthy champions....What a game...What an amazing game of football...They came to show the world that they are indeed the best team in world...They came,they saw and the conqured....again! They have made history ,done what no team has never done...Retained their title and make it a hatrick of trophies....

DISAPPOINTING ITALIANS

To say they disappointed is saying it mildly...The mid-field was poor and the defence;shocking...There was no rhythm about their play and it was hard to believe that this was the same team that played the Spaniards in the group stage...Even the spectacular Pirlo found it hard to dictate the game from mid-field...It was a disastrous final game for the Italians...They just did not click on the night that was the most important...This was probably the last chance for some of these players to make it count,but sadly ,it was not meant to be for them...

Congratulations to the World and European Champions....
‏
@ade12_arsenal

Goodbye Yossi and a quick Arsenal round up!

2012-06-30T08:38:00.002-07:00

I have said it before and I will say it again. I hate this time of year! With very little Arsenal news and the only football game is Sunday (tomorrow) I feel I am scratching around for something to write. Hey ho, perhaps I should be looking for inspiration from a large bottle of something?

It is a goodbye to Yossi Benayoun as his loan spell ends today and he goes back to Chelski. I would like to thank Yossi, he has been a brilliant player for us, under used at times but gave us some very important goals at the end of the season and he has a history of hurting Spurs with goals. Remember Lasagnegate? He scored for West Ham then too so they missed Champions League football! Farewell and thanks Yossi!

Another player going today is Almunia. He really did fall out of favour but I will remember him fondly for allowing me to use the nickname "Tin Foil" Get it? Oh never mind! He played 175 times since joining in 2004 and along with David Seaman he holds the record for the most successfull keeper in penalty shoot outs, Doncaster, Sheffield Utd and AS Roma. Also leaving are Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy, James Campbell, George Brislan-Hall and Jeffery Monakana. Good luck to them all in their future careers!

Finally team GB, without David Beckham( he looks like the mask from the film V for Vendetta ), will also not feature Jack Wilshere (Thank god!), diving specialist Garath Bale but Ramsey and Gibbs included so I hope for our sake there are no injuries or I will be helping Pearce to walk funny in future. Psycho or not!

Well transfer window open very soon so until then take care.
Laters,
The Dog

GERMANY OUTPLAYED‏

2012-06-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

This was obviously not the game we had hoped for...Many football enthusiasts would have expected for a fire cracker,end to end stuff...But the Germans simply did not show up on the night...There was no outstanding player for the Germans as each player left their boots in the locker room...
I seriously expected a lot more from the Germans considering the fact that they came out of the "Group of Death" with 9points,blowing everybody aside...It was just not their night....Not even a late penalty could save the day...Guess they'll have to wait a bit longer for their first competitive win against the Azzuris...

ITALY THROUGH TO THE FINAL IN KIEV

What a game by the Italians...They came to party and they sure had a fantastic party...Cassano, Montolivio, Chielleni Pirlo,and Super Mario all came to prove a point and boy,they did in style...This is arguably their best game thus far and I won't be shocked of they go all the way...If not for some wasteful finishes,there would have been more goals...Sami khedira forced a fantastic save from buffon....

AGELESS PIRLO

Even at the age of 32,he still has all the skills and passes some younger mid-fielders would be envious of...Precise passing,perfect control of the ball and understanding of the game still very much on point....How Ac Milan would be regretting letting him go...

BALLOTELI THE HULK

What a 2nd goal...Amazing!!! But the celebration was even more amazing...Oh well!!! Think he listened to the words of Gattuso who said earlier in the day that he hates the fact that he never celebrates a goal...Gattuso,hope you are satisfied....The Hulk pose was for you.....

@ade12_arsenal

GERMANY vs ITALY‏

2012-06-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Germany would be looking to go into the finals yet again and set up yet another finals with the reigning champions...But would be hoping to go one better this time...And it would be a show-piece final as both the Spaniards and Germans{if the qualify} would want to get their hands on the trophy...It would be re-called that the Germans were loosing finalists in 2008 and would be hoping to take their pound of flesh if they get through the Italians...

KLOSE vs GOMEZ
Joachim Low has some serious thinking to do as these two men are on a good run of form...Klose has 64 goals in 120games for his adopted country and is just 4goals short of Gerd Mullers all time scoring record...It is left to be seen if that gives him the nod ahead of Gomez...
Gomez on the other hand,has scored 3goals so far and was in blistering form in the past season...
I think low will go for Gomez and if he mis-fires,then there is a more than reliable back in Miroslav Klose...

@ade12_arsenal

SPAIN MAKES IT TO THE FINALS‏

2012-06-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

The reigning champions have qualified for the finals of the Euro 2012...It was an amazing game of football from both teams with both of them coming close on several occasions...Cristiano Ronaldo came close on many occasions,but it was not his night as many of the chances went begging...
Andres Iniesta perhaps came closet on the night...It took an amazing save to deny him of what could have been the clincher for the Champions...
Both teams in my opinion would have deserved the final ticket,but its a single ticket,so one team had to go through...

HEARTBREAK YET AGAIN FOR CR7

The look on his face said it all...It was not meant to be for Ronaldo as all his trickery and wizadry could not break the dead lock...He has been very unlucky in the national team as his team fell short on the night...The pain of penalty can never be over-emphasized...I was shivering like I was the one taking the penalty...I just had to wonder what those men would have been going through...The hopes of their entire nation were rested upon their tired shoulders...Big up CR7....You surely did your best....

SERGIO RAMOS
Hmmmmm....seemed like this man wanted to redeem himself for that horrible penalty kick @ the semi-finals of the champions league...He did it the "Pirlo style"

On a final note,CONGRATULATIONS to SPAIN.....Im hoping for SPAIN vs GERMANY final in kiev.....

@ade12_arsenal

EL-CLASSICO at EURO 2012‏

2012-06-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yes....It's the el-classico at the euro 2012 coming up in some few hours...Will CR7 bring that blistering form of the past season into one of the biggest games in this calendar year? There is certainly no love lost between CR7 and some of the Spanish players,reasons not being far-fetched!
Personally, I think CR7 is going to have the last laugh...Spain have not yet picked up in this tournament...They have not played that brand of football that they are renowned for...While CR7 chose the right time to peak...But as we know,a football match is not won on paper, it's on the field of play...You can look out on this page for proper analysis after the match...

ARSENAL TABLE BID FOR ALAN DZAGOEV

Cannot confirm the authenticity of this story...But it's being rumoured we are replacing the "little Russian" with yet another "little Russian". He had a good outing at the group stages where he scored 3goals...But its going to take some convincing as he is a self confessed Chelsea fan...Represented by Juan Mata's father and the Chelsea billionaire is Russian...We'll see how it goes....

MAROUNE CHAMAKH SET FOR CLEAR THE AIR TALK

Maroune Chamakh has been urged to sit with AW with regards to his future...Arsenal scout Grimandi says it is important to know if he is in the plans for the coming season...On a personal note, I don't think he is...With the arrival of Podolski and Giroud...And hoping RVP remains with the club, I don't see how he will fit in anywhere...But I must say here, he is a fine player who just did not hit the ground running.

ON OTHER NEWS

It seems we will be seeing AVB soon in the premiership...If stories making the rounds are to go by,then he'll be in the hot seat at White Hart Lane...Sorry AVB, you just might get sacked...Theres only 1 team in NORTH LONDON....The RED&WHITE army...
And talk about ambition...Southampton has contacted Internacional for Leandro Damiao...It's left to be seen if they can match the £18m asking price...There have been inquiries from Man utd, Spurs, Juve and PSG....

@ade12_arsenal

Giruod's a Gunner!

2012-06-27T06:47:00.002-07:00

Finally...What we all have been waiting for has been confirmed...Olivier Giroud becomes a GUNNER...Not that I had any doubts anyway...These stories always find their way out even before its confirmed...

OLIVIER GIROUD

What exactly does he bring to AFC? We surely have read a lot about his capabilities...His explosive left foot,his physical presence in the box,his hunger for goals and a strong desire to succeed...There is no need going on about his abilities,we have all read that as Arsenal fans....But I can't wait to see that forward line next season...Hoping our talisman remains a GUNNER!!!

M'VILA
I'm hearing some stories this morning that "The Prof" is thinking of pulling the plug of further negotiations because of his off field personality and especially because he's being investigated by the FFA for misconduct...He's a fine player with strong capabilities....Sits very well in front of the back four and provides adequate cover for them and also a good link between the back four and the midfield...But his off the field behaviour is important too...Well,let's see wat AW does....He's a good judge of character....But I think we need him...Song has been very creative with his surging run upfront..And we know what that means,leaves us opened at the back and that's where M'vila comes in....Let's trust that AW knows exactly what to do....He has got us up and running very fast in the transfer window.

This is my first write up and you can look out for a whole lot more.....
@ade12_arsenal

Battle of Highbury, England V Italy History!

2012-06-24T03:05:00.001-07:00

Hello all,
commenting on anything other than Arsenal is not the norm for GFS as regular readers will know but I just could not resist putting this out there today to show that there is always a link with with todays' game to Arsenals' past. I am wishing England all the best for this evening, especially to Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain but I hope the game is nothing like what happened at Highbury on this occasion!

Highbury November 14 1934

It was being called, in Italy, the most important game in their history, England were to face the Azzuri (world cup winners) at the home of Arsenal. There was a heavy Arsenal presence with this England team with seven, yes seven Arsenal players called in to the side, Tom Whittaker, Arsenals' trainer looking after the England team and even the Arsenal manager, George Allison giving commentary for the game.

The Arsenal players involved were:
Moss
Male
Hapgood (capt)
Copping
Bowden
Drake
Bastin
The rest of the team was made up of the following players:
Britton (Everton)
Barker (Derby County)
Stan Matthews (Stoke)
Brook (Man City)

The Game

Eddie Hapgood, the captain, later wrote that it was the dirtiest game of football he ever played in. Within thirty seconds England were given a penalty which Brook blasted but was well saved. He more than made up for that after nine minutes by heading home from a Matthews cross and then two minutes after his first goal he scored a free kick from just outside the penalty box to make it 2-0. This was when tempers began to flare and the game turned nasty.

Hapgood was the first casualty with an elbow smash to the face and breaking his nose. In those days they did not have subs like we do now so he was taken off to be patched up so he could return to the game. Whilst he was off, Drake scored to make it 3-0 England but the battle was on. Hapgood returned to the game but his injury set the tone with studs, two footed tackles and elbows being as freely used as if it was a rugby game.

Second half was not better, Brook had his elbow smashed and played the rest of the game with his arm strapped to his body and further facial fist injuries were inflicted upon Bastin and Bowden. With the coming and goings on the pitch the Italians were able to score mid way through the second half with two goals from Meazza but England were able to hang on and win the game 3-2. One writer at the time signed off his story as "from your war correspondent" which gives you a clear idea of the battle that had taken place. Two England players went to hospital after that game, Hapgood and Brook, with a further three needing treatment to cuts and fractures in the dressing room. The medical care at that time was more patch up and off you go! What was important however was a win from an England side that had a massive Arsenal influence.

Good luck

So to England tonight I say good luck and do us proud. Another strike from Walcott as in the Sweden game would not go amiss and although I would love to see a similar result as the score line as above I would not want to see a pitch battle. Besides having to watch the likes of ITV and Adrian Chiles covering the type of match above would be enough for me to put my foot through the tv.
Ferret on a lead anyone? Mind numbing!

On a final note look out for the GFS postings on all things transfer wise and forthcoming pre-season shenanigans. We will keep you up to date.

Laters,
The Dog

T'was the season Part III

2012-06-19T07:51:00.004-07:00

Well it's the final part of the season review, not quite Lord of the Rings,so lets jump straight in!

February 2012 (A fond farewell and strained relations)

Arsenal's start to the month was pretty much where January signed off, deflating! Banners at the Emirates were the order of the day, both pro and anti Wenger. Now with me I feel that if you pay you also have a voice but there is a time and a place for it. As Gooner Dan said on 8th February, most are armchair fans and do not know why we sing "She wore a yellow ribbon". Anyway the first game of the month was a drab 0-0 away to Bolton, only to be followed by a 7-1 blasting for Blackburn at The Emirates. The came the league farewell again for the legend that is Henry away to Sunderland and he did what he always does. The Dog remarked that the goal might be worth the £600k paid for those three points alone. I will ask to borrow his crystal ball! The Champions League saw Henrys' last for Arsenal but no fairytale ending as Arsenal lost 4-0 and then out of the FA Cup to a team they had just beaten early, losing 2-0 to Sunderland. It all seemed so depressing but then came this!

Spurs 5-2

Roy Keane had been quoted this month that this was the worst Arsenal team he had ever seen and given the results of the previous weeks it seemed a par for the course win for the dreaded rivals and Arsenals' home. With Arshavin going out on loan, spirits low it did not help that Arsenal were 2-0 down and seemingly heading for another defeat. It was 34 minutes gone, Bale produced a swan dive for a penalty and Saha with a deflected goal, it looked as if another high score was on the cards. It took a man to show the fighting spirit Arsenal had been lacking, one I did not expect, in Sagna. His goal assisted by Arteta turned the tide and followed by a goal from RVP with a sublime strike. 2-2 at half time! The second half produced a goal fest for Arsenal with Rosicky finding the net and a resurgence of form followed by 2 goals from Walcott. He really did wake up in the second 45. Sagna summed up the game with the words "we could not lose to the enemy". How apt! A year since the defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup signalled a rally of Arsenal and a collapse of Spurs.

Arsenal ended this month in 4th with won 14 drawn 4 lost 8 and 46 points. Six behind Spurs in third!

GFS had 2 posts from Statto, new to the site but 3 caught my eye this month and they are around the Spurs game from The Beck, The Ghost and Surfergirl.

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/north-london-derby.html

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/2-0-down-5-2-up-arsenal-destroy.html

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/sore-throat-sore-hands-filled-with-joy.html

March 2012 (Goodbye Champions League)

Arsenal were now on a run of form and it continued with a 2-1 win against Liverpool with RVP at his best. Following this a win at home against Newcastle 2-1, the fourth comeback of the season, Everton away 1-0 and Aston Villa on the receiving end of a 3-0 at the Emirates.. The only blight on the league run was the final game of the month at QPR with Arsenal losing 2-1. After what Arsenal had been doing it disappeared in this game and it was a haunting from this season which would strike us again before it all ended. For me the highlight of this month had to be the following game.

Milan 3-0

After the run of form people were asking, is it possible they could do it? Could the comeback kings spring another shock? Well I thought so for the first 45 minutes. Three goals and it looked like more to come off the back of Koscielny, Rosicky and a RVP penalty. With another 45 minutes I, like other Gooners were dreaming of the impossible. What a slap in the face to our critics. Sadly dreaming was all it was. The second half saw an Arsenal team out of puff, drive and finally exhausted. What really struck me was the pride they showed, the fans reaction and a sense of satisfaction. OK we were out but what away to go. Also the hope it gave for the move up the league was immense and I was very proud of my club that night.

So the month ended with Arsenals' league position as 3rd. Yes I know 3rd! HAHA Spurs 3rd!!!!! 31 played, won 18 drawn 4 lost 9 with 58 points. Three above Spurs (3rdHAHA) and..............MIND THE GAP!

For GFS however not a great month. The Dog succumbed to Testicular Cancer, you did meet me so a big highlight there Dog, meant a low blogging month of only 7 bits. These 2 did catch my eye though.

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/1-point-behind-spuds.html

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/arsenals-lucky-number-3-4-6-errrm-0-1.html

April 2012 (Oh Theo etc)

The month of fools, well some anyway, began with the after taste of QPR leading to Adrian Durham starting his daily Arsenal digs to raise his ratings on Talksport. Well I did say fools! I have only one thing to say on this......Shock Jock my Arse........nal! Also Theo did not help matters with this quote....

" With QPR we probably underestimated them. But it's always going to be a tough game. I felt that we didn't really want it as much as QPR did but that will change on Sunday" Oh No Theo!

Where was I? Oh yes. Arsenal. A game was looming which, including the fool above, was already being hailed as a loss so Arsenal might as well not bother to turn up as it would be a further

embarrassment. Some people should use another part of their anatomy to speak sense with!

Man City 1-0

A team destined to be champions it all looked to much for them. A flaky performance from the northern money bags, scared to death of winning? Just plain scared with Balotelli sent off (Does this player have a brain?) and no mental strength to speak of. Arsenal really ran the show and Arteta with a stunning 87th minute strike to seal the points. RVP was sharp and Rosicky a player reborn. Here is Mrs Fs' ans Shortstuffs' take on it.

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/mrs-f-and-shortstuff-mix-things-up.html

The month continued with a win over Wolves and a really good write up from the Ghost. I love the way he calls them Wolfs!

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/last-howl-of-wolves-confident-arsenal.html

However the wobbly Arsenal of this season returned with a 2-1 loss to Wigan, Chelsea and a 0-0 draw ending with a 1-1 draw with Stoke. Arsenals' league position was 3rd (3RD HAHA) with 36 played, won 20, drawn 6 and lost 10. 66 points and 4 ahead of Spurs in fourth but it was Arsenals to give away. Maybe Durham was right, NOT!

GFS had more writers joining this month with Matt Carr and Tazwoz. Who knew they would be so popular. Also Ben in Black. Here are there first blogs.

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/my-first-arsenal-blog.html

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/new-blog-member-citeh-wolvesarsenal-and.html

http://gunningfromsussex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/stunned-at-home-arsenal-and-me.html

May 2012 (The end of the line)

Two games left for Arsenal and some sadness to come as well as a final game to match the scene from Fever Pitch. (Happy days 1989).

Norwich was the last game at home and saw The Dog get out of Hospital to see it. Arsenal had it all to gain or throw away!

Norwich 3-3

Given that Benayoun was finally having an impact at Arsenal it was fitting that he scored the first on his 32nd birthday to give his team the lead. "At the time" said The Dog "it looked as if we would romp away with it!" It was the start of an abject performance which saw Arsenal lose the lead twice and leave the fans on a knife edge. Sagna broke his leg again and having lost Arteta to injury the midfield was devoid of a play maker. There were sparks of genius and inept passing alike. A gifted third for Norwich gave the advantage to Spurs. Thankfully their season collapse continued with a draw at Villa and it was all down to the last game of the season. Was this also the final game at The Emirates for RVP? Time will tell.

WestBrom 3-2

Well here it was, the last game of the season. Both myself and The Dog were in Hospital for this but I got a stream and we watched the saga unfold. It was a day of goodbyes. Roy Hodgson off to all things England and Arsenal legend Pat Rice retiring as the ever faithful no2. A win, nothing else would do as going fourth would mean relying on other teams to help Arsenal clinch a Champions League spot. This was my first experience of watching an Arsenal Game with The Dog (sadly my last too) but I am not sure my nerves could take another. Arsenal started again taking the lead with Benayoun being gifted the opener by keeper Marton Fulop. "Bloody Norwich all over again" came from the Dog. He was right. Back came the resting on our backsides. First Long, who was offside, hit back followed by Dorrans to strike home. "For Gods sake Arsenal!" started this dialogue between us.

Me "What?"

Dog" It's bloody typical Arsenal!"

Me "Yes Bud but it's not done yet!"

Dog "Give me an Ice Hockey team to support!"

Me "F@ck sake shut up!

Nurse " Keep the noise down gentlemen"

Us "Yes Santos!!!!!!!!!"

So half time came, Spurs were comfortable at Fulham, Arsenal were.....well Arsenal.

Second half and more of the feeling of being in a car with no brakes and hoping to hit a wall of mattresses. As we both watched the game it was obvious we were going from hope to despair every few minutes so the nurses left us to it.

Dog "Can't bloody stand this"

Me "Want it Arsenal"

Dog "Want it? What's that?"

Me "Up yours!"

Dog "With knobs on Numpty"

Us "Koscielny, get in!"

There it ended. A win, 3rd Spurs below us. A season of heartache over. Jacks' bet won and then that horrible empty feeling that will not be filled until the 18th of August. It was all over! I do think though that this pic from Fever Pitch sums us up nicely for this game. Dogs the bald one!

The season league position was this. 3RD played 38, won 21, drawn 7, lost 10 and 70 points. One ahead of Spurs. (3RD HAHA, sorry)

I think Wenger did a good job overall where some managers might have crumbled. Yes as a season went it was not the Arsenal we wanted. For a season of highs and lows it had it all. I do however think we will not see it's like again. It gave us a full season of RVP, Sagna two broken legs, players lauded and decried in equal measure but we got through it. So as they say that was that!

GFS had grown from a small idea to having a great group of writers and finally it's own plaque at the North Bank Terrace.

Sadly due to site issues with Hacking I cannot give an accurate hit level as the site was rebuilt losing information but I did do some digging and can confirm that their hit rate stands at over 30k plus, no small feat with the amount of blogs about and 5 Google plus recommendations. Also the top writers is as follows.

1. Matt Carr.

2, The Dog

3. The Ghost and Tazwoz joint

4. Mrs F and Surfergirl joint.

5.Arsenal Statto and The Beck joint.

I will in a later blog give a full breakdown but it has taken me too long for this and could be a blog in its self!

The site has it's own unique feel which I feel really makes it special along with the writing. To GFS keep up the good work. I look forward to reading you in the future, I also have another piece in mind for you.

I hope you enjoyed my season review and thank you for reading.

@Arsenadale