RealSocialDad

The Arsenal Handbook to surviving 11/12

2012-02-02T09:23:00.003Z

By @TheRSD

We're only 3 points off safety

Avoid twitter on match days especially after an away draw it’s as bad as 2-8

Texts from spers mates saying mind the gap, can be dealt with, 2 titles in 130 years, Mind the Gap!

Don’t bother with league table till May, it's not worth it

Reduce SFD "Seasonal Furniture Damage" by removing the coffee table maybe replace with a cardboard box, ( softer and has a better flight)

Don’t believe anything wenger says in a presser

Remember 8th is the new 4th

If we make Europa league, the Ukraine is in Europe, I hear it quite nice in the fall

Less games will be on the telly, loads of 3 o’clock kick offs

it’s never as good as it seems and it’s never as bad as it seems, so chin up and take it like a gooner

“There aren’t many football clubs around where both young and old have lived through the good times.” - Nick Hornby

If you've got any more please add below.

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D-DAY

2012-01-31T09:58:00.003Z

By @SweGoon

It's that day we all dread, that day when all our hopes and dreams are smashed. It's DEADLINE DAY! Thank god it only comes twice a year. By the look of things it will yet again be a slow day if you're an Arsenal fan. But let's forget about that for a while, let's indulge ourselves in dreaming about who might possibly maybe come or go. Even though we all know it won't happen. So here we go.

Hugo Rodallega
Rodallega you say? What can he bring? Well, he would be that more direct offensive alternative that could operate both on the wing, as a lone striker or up front with Robin playing off him. Is he good enough? He certainly wouldn't be first choice in any position but he would give us more depth in offensive positions. For instance it would open up for Chamberlain to play in the center sometimes and carry some of Ramsey's load. Is this likely? Rodallega has definitely indicated that a January move might be imminent but it looks like maybe QPR or Fulham is a more likely destination for him. However, as far as potential players in on deadline day this year Rodallega is one of the most likely unlikely.

Yoann Gourcuff
Gourcuff would certainly bring both that depth we've all been dreaming about as well as top class quality in the midfield. But, no he won't come. Not even in a blog like this can I dare to dream about it. It's a no go.

Lewis Holtby
There were some talk yesterday about Holtby and he'd certainly be a smart signing. He could both support Ramsey and give us more options on the wing. Not really on the radar of any of the giants, probably not very pricey or salary demanding. So he'd definitely be a good option. For some reason I have a feeling that if we see some action today it might, just might, contain Holtby. But that's just my gut feeling.

Lucas Barrios
Very pacey, can play on the wing or up front. Would bring largely the same as Rodallega minus Premier League experience. Don't see it, seems very non-Wengerish to me.

Adrian Mariappa
Can play either as CD or RB and a the need for a utility player in defence has been imminent this winter. Could be bought for around £4m. Don't see him coming in unless Squillaci leaves. Mariappa would certainly bring something new to the defence with his Championship background, but would Wenger go for him? Not sure.

We could really use a good utility player at the back, preferably someone who is comfortable at both LB and RB. Zabaleta is a good example, Zanetti another. Unfortunately those players are hard to come by and I can't really think of anyone that would be available.

One thing is almost certain, if we buy anyone it will be a to improve the depth of the squad. As for players like M'Vila, Hazard etc. forget it, at least until summer comes.

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Live Chat with Yogi warrior from aclf and darrenarsenal1 from twitter

2012-01-26T20:04:00.000Z

RSD live blog chat thingy
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What if Wenger leaves?

2012-01-25T18:13:00.000Z

By @Swegoon

First of, this is not a Wenger out blog it's a what if Wenger leaves blog. Second, these are just my opinions and not facts.

So it looks increasingly possible that come summertime Wenger might be out the door. Apart for all the other troubles it would leave us with we'd be without a manager. This leads me to ask, if Wenger leaves who would I like to see replace him. On second thought replace might be a strong word here, no one can really replace all that Wenger is in this club. When he leaves a lot of what he does will probably land on the board or perhaps a newly appointed sports director. However as far as coaching goes someone will step up in his place, the only question is who. For me there are many possible and more or less suitable candidates. To somehow rank these I scored them in five different categories which I also weighted differently. Finally I summed up their total score. Below I have presented top 5 and given my views on them.

5. Paul Lambert
Age: 42
Nationality: Scotish
Team: Norwich
Paul Lambert represents a football that would be acceptable, he has a decent winner instinct and experience. In this competition most things about him are average and while that gives him the fifth highest total score it may also be his biggest draw back. The only thing that really stands out about him is his ability to deliver good results with low investments. Though we have to remember that Wenger was not the obvious choice back in the day and Lambert could, if he is given time, deliver longterm. Lambert would almost certainly be available if we were to inquire about him.
Score: 39

4. Lucien Favre
Age: 54
Nationality: Swiss
Team: Borussia Monchengladbach
What Lucien Favre did last season with Borussia Monchengladbach is quite extraordinary. When he was brought in Gladbach was seemingly hopelessly heading for relegation. Favre put his mark on the team and without any transfers at all to speak of did he not only save them from relegation but transformed them into one of the best teams in the Bundesliga. Gladbach is currently 4th in the league, only one point behind leaders Bayer Munich. Question marks can be raised over his winner instinct and philosophy. He is also not the most experienced manager of the bunch. Securing Favre would be more complicated than Lambert but certainly not impossible.
Score: 41

3.Nigel Adkins
Age: 46
Nationality: English
Team: Southampton
Nigel Adkins started his off pitch career as a physio which lead the fans of Scunthorpe, his first club as a manager after an early spell at Bangor City, to chant “Who needs Mourinho, We've got our physio”. Adkins has an excellent record as manager, three seasons at Bangor he won the league twice. Four seasons at Scunthorpe saw them being promoted to the Championship twice, something he also achieved during his first season at Southampton. Questions could be raised over his ability at the top after two failed seasons in the Championship with Scunthorpe, although the current season with Southampton has shown otherwise. Still the least experienced of the five. Would probably jump at the chance to manage Arsenal would it be given.
Score: 42

2. David Moyes
Age: 48
Nationality: Scotish
Team: Everton
David Moyes need no further introduction, he is well known amongst all gooners. Moyes has for years kept Everton just below the absolute top despite being heavily restricted on the transfer market. Along with Favre the only one who has done this at the highest level. If any manager deserves a chance to prove himself at a financially more sound club it would be Moyes. The only question is if he would go to Arsenal or if he is waiting for Sir Alex to retire.
Score: 44

1. Jürgen Klopp
Age: 44
Nationality: German
Team: Borussia Dortmund
Of all the managers not already snapped up by absolute top clubs in Europe Jürgen Klopp is by far the best. He is also the one most suited for Arsenal. Klopp is a winner who urges his team to play a beautiful yet efficient football. He is excellent at bringing young players into the team in a way only matched by Wenger himself. Lacks a bit of European experience but apart from that he is as close to a perfect fit as there is. Although there is one, big, question mark. Will he ever leave Germany? Maybe, but he would be expensive and we'd face fierce competition. May be out of reach but would certainly be the obvious choice for me.
Score: 47

My choice is to go for Jürgen Klopp if we think we can get him, otherwise I wouldn't mind Adkins or an outsider like Favre.

Others that didn't make the top 5 are Ralf Rangnick, Owen Coyle, José Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Brendan Rodgers, Christian Gourcuff and Remi Garde.

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The Arsene Wenger Flow Chart

2012-01-25T06:04:00.000Z

By the tweeter formally known as @darylphotoshop

Keyboard Warriors

2012-01-23T22:38:00.001Z

By @buxtongooner

I’ve become a bit angry of late. Odd, because I’m not an angry person.
And what has been fueling this ire? The recent on pitch performances? The lack of spending? Not really. Can’t say I’m too happy with them, of course. No, what’s been really getting to me is the supporters.

I’ve been on Twitter for coming up to a year. I’ve ‘met’ some good Arsenal people, proper supporters, funny people, interesting people, informed people and passionate people. I’ve been lucky enough on a few occasions to put faces to @names, have a drink, a chat - you know the drill.

I’m telling you now, I’m pro-Wenger. If you’re anti, that’s fine, it’s your opinion and I respect it. But, look at this –

" All you cunts that think Wenger knows best need to fucking wake up.’

This sumptuous little snippet appeared on Sunday on the back of the Man Utd defeat but more specifically about one substitution, and you know which one I’m on about.

And this is just the tip of a fucking horrible iceberg. Twitter, to me, seems quite fairly split between pro and anti Wenger. I don’t unfollow people because I don’t agree with them, I choose sometimes to engage in debates and banter, we’ve all got a point of view. It’s sometimes frustrating, sometimes maddening, but it’s generally enjoyable, often funny, and healthy.

I don’t generalise and call people cunts, though. I’m not that stupid that I don’t realise our club is in a bad way at the moment. I don’t think having our most creative and talented midfielder, along with four full backs out injured is helping our cause, either. I also think that some of Wenger’s purchases have been way short of what was required, and the dithering in the summer? Don’t get me started.

Sack him. Get someone else in. Ok. Who? It’s been asked before, but really, who? You can name names, but do you really think given the budget we assume Wenger has to work under that someone of Mourinho’s ilk is going to take the job? Because that’s the level of manager we should be looking at if we are to replace Wenger.

The boos at The Emirates? The reported in-fighting? Is this what it’s coming to? It’s not the Arsenal I know, the classy club that I love.

I think some of the abuse that’s being given out because of differing opinions is out of order. Some of the abuse that’s being hurled at our manager is spiteful and disrespectful, and surely unhelpful when our support is needed the most.

It’s just opinions. I have mine and you have yours, but let’s not all fall out about it. Disagree all you want, it’s always been that way and it always will, but please –

Don’t call me a cunt

.

A Greek Oddity

2011-12-09T18:59:00.001Z

By @buxtongooner

After a rather amusing day out in Wigan, where for once we didn’t throw away a lead, the four of us found ourselves at Manchester airport the following morning at sometime after five o’clock.

Myself, Jay and Darren are three exiled Gooners from London, and young Sam is a Buxton lad who, luckily for him, I have decided to adopt football-wise.

Things did not start to well. Sprung by the hotel maid whilst lounging on the double bed in a towel as my room mate (nameless) straightened his hair, followed not long after by the four of us falling for the oldest trick in the book. Yes, we followed a friendly local who we had chanced upon to The James Joyce Irish bar, only for him to invite us for a quick beer where he ‘worked’, just ‘round the corner’ from our destination.

Why not? What a helpful chap.

I’ll fucking tell you why not.

Three small beers, one mineral water, semi-naked eastern european women and 38 euros later, we made our excuses and left.

‘Fresh of the plane’, we were. I wouldn’t have minded but it must be the, oh, fifth or sixth time it’s happened to me. The BuxtonGooner never learns.

The James Joyce finally found, we settled in for some beers and watched the two mind numbing games that were on offer. A late night, then bed.

The following day, we trekked up a large hill and visited the Acropolis, as one does when in Athens. Impressive the Parthenon may have been in 432 BC, one can still sense the weight of history but cannot fail to notice that in reality it’s a bit shit these days. The newly constructed museum, however, if you ever find yourself in that part of the world and can be arsed, is rather pleasant.

A ramble around the centre of town led us predictably back to The James Joyce. Alan Whicker I may not be, a creature of habit I most definitely am.

Gooners were arriving and Gooners were a drinkin’. Danish, Austrian, Italian, Welsh, and even a few English ones. We watched the Liverpool game, got pissed, you know how it is, and laughed at the goalkeeping cock-up that gifted Fulham their winner. Karma, as well as two kebabs were around the corner.

We swerved back to the hotel via nightclubs that refused to let us in, the slightly insane Bulgarian Gooners, Bully, and cheap beer from a kiosk.

Matchday was finally upon us. We did some serious lurking, coffee sipping, enjoyed a fine Greek lunch to celebrate Jay’s birthday, some skulking and trolling, before predictably ending up at the same pub.

A TwitterStorm followed as we tried to get hold of a spare ticket (thanks to everyone who tried to help) and rounded up the thirty or so of us to leave together amid reports of mild slaps being dished earlier by groups of young Greeks with marvellous hair.

A Sing song on the Metro caused much mirth, and we skipped merrily to the ground to find that someone had had his phone nicked, someone else 40 euros and Jay had the two tickets he was holding swiped. Some excellent work by the lady from the Arsenal Travel Club (kiss kiss) left Sam and Darren in the away section and myself and Jay in the VIP section.

More excellent work from Jay, a bit from me and various stewards who frankly had no idea what we were going on about, and we eeked our way back into the away section. Miraculous.

The match? Well, um, you saw it. I thought, glaring howling mistakes apart, we did ok considering the youth in the team and the bear pit atmosphere of the Karaiskakis Stadium they had to put up with. Proper lairy.

We were through anyway as group winners, so we weren’t too bothered. Yeah, a win would have been nice, but it was far more amusing watching the locals sneak out after the news of late goals in Dortmund.

Back to you know where for a couple more drinks (5 euros a pop, I should add) and we were done.

An odd trip, on the whole, as it was utterly pointless in the end. Met some good people among the 550 Arsenal supporters that travelled, and I now await next Friday’s draw to see where I can get ripped off in a knocking shop next.

Can’t wait

.

Hayley Wrights Video Diary Oly Away, The one where Chamakh "shot his bolt."

2011-12-07T07:36:00.001Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

Hayley Wright elsewhere on ginger4limpars
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Transsexualtransylvania

Hayley Wrights Video diary City in the cup

2011-11-30T08:28:00.001Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Hayley Wrights Video diary Dortmund Home

2011-11-24T09:08:00.001Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Daryls Sepp Rant

2011-11-19T08:07:00.000Z

By Daryl

Good day,

Before I start, I feel I better apologise for not doing my own blog for months. My work and spare time has been somewhat busy. So, now I have dealt with that..

I got a DM from @TheRSD asking if I fancied doing a blog on Sepp Blatter I decided, why the fuck not.

Now, unless you are a fully paid up member of the EDL/BNP or Nick Griffin I would imagine you are, like the vast majority of the UK, roundly opening the hate guns on old Blatter.

And I don’t think I can add much more to the already well published/blogged viewpoint that Blatter is a man who is out of touch and should be replaced. So I won`t.

However, I will look a couple of other things around this topic.

Just what does Sepp have to do before he is sacked/forced to resign?

Here is ten things I think he could get away with..

1 Fuck a goat live on stage at the next FIFA meeting. Might cause a stir, but he’d release a statement along the lines of “It backed up onto me while I was dancing”

2 Sleep with a prostitute that turns out to be a he and not a she. Sepp would spin this into a “I love the gays” initiative. Even though, he wasn’t aware `she` was a he.

3 Get filmed snorting class A cocaine from a 14yr old boys arse cheeks. He would merely laugh this off as “A new grass roots programme”

4 Get caught masturbating in a public park. He’d simply sell it as a new `FIFA gets back to nature` promotion

5 Remark on camera “That gollywog chap Drogba is very big isn’t he, what tribe is he from” I reckon Blatter would merely say he was `getting down` with modern gang slang. He`d maybe even wear an Ali G get up to really sell it.

6 Get caught up in a corruption story of votes for bungs. He would…oh, he just did.

7 Go on record as saying that women are to stupid to be able to understand tactics in football. No problem, good old Blatter would merely play it as “We want to educate and raise awareness of football among new female fans”

8 Get filmed clubbing a baby seal to death with a car jack. Sepp would simply announce he is testing the strength of the FIFA motorcades tools to avoid lose of life on the road.

9 Filmed getting a poodle to lick marmite off his knob end. No worries. Blatter would merely point out he dropped the jar on his cock and hates wasting food given the third worlds food problems.

And finally,

10 Pull a gun live during the next FIFA world cup draw and shoot Zidane stone cold fucking dead. Old Sepp would just say he is stamping out violence in football, and the act was a new retrospective punishment system for that head butt in the world cup final in 2006.

For me, the most damning thing about Blatter, is that what he said was not in the context of a joke (not that it would excuse it), nor did he see what he had done wrong. He did not even think what he said would get that reaction (see BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15782265.stm )

The man is a fucking fool, but more of a concern is that, aside from mainly UK based players & David Beckham, no other `big name` European players seem to be jumping up to damn him. In fact, to my knowledge, only the English FA have dared to speak up with the rather flimsy limp response. (and I’ll gladly stand corrected)

This for me is more of a worry. In a world where Europe is an open area, it seems the inherent racism in parts of Europe are behind by decades what we have accomplished in the UK. And yes, even in the UK we have still got work to do (looks at Stamford Bridge)

Now, don’t get me wrong, the UK has its share of Blatters. But lets be honest, I cant hear any anti-Blatter comments coming from the usual suspects (Spain I’m looking at you and your fucking monkey chants) http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2011/02/09/spains-commitment-to-racism-will-never-end

And therein lies the problem. All the time other countries accept, ignore or tolerate the Sepp Blatters of this world, he will stay in power, and no progress will take place.

If the man is stupid enough to go on record with his comments over “hand shakes” then fuck knows what goes on in his fat fucking stupid head behind closed doors.

Well that’s enough from me. So I`ll leave you with a couple of pics.

Ta ta.

Daryl

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Hayley Wrights video diary West brom Home

2011-11-06T08:03:00.000Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

Hayley Wright elsewhere on ginger4limpars
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Hayley Wrights Video diary Marseille home

2011-11-02T06:53:00.000Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

Reuters

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Sponsored by betting tips at Onebooker

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Individual video comps from Chels (RVP, Kos, Ramsey & Arteta )

2011-10-31T07:35:00.003Z

Contributors @CWDailyGooner @GERSSISDAVID @emirejc @bataritamas @DmitryMD

Hayley Wrights video diary of the chelsea away

2011-10-31T07:31:00.000Z

by Miss @HayleyWright

AP photos

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Hayley's Diary of a Season - Arsenal 3 Stoke 1

2011-10-24T09:57:00.001+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Video comps from Marsielle and loanees (song Kos & Joel Campbell)

2011-10-21T08:37:00.001+01:00

On the first playlist is Kos and Song individual comps from Marseille and on the loanees is Joel Campbells performance vs Rennes. Am expecting Arteta and Rosicky soon.

Kos and Song produced a great defensive display vs marseille incredible discipline from song to go through the whole game almost, being on a yellow. Enjoy

Injury news on Jenks he'll be out for three weeks with hyperextension of the knee. according to @northbanklower

Contributors @CWDailyGooner @GERSSISDAVID @emirejc @bataritamas @DmitryMD

to keep up to date with all new and video comps follow us on twitter @TheRSD

Hayley Wrights Video Diary Marseille Away

2011-10-20T08:51:00.000+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

AP PHOTO

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Hayley Wrights Diary of a Season Sunderland home

2011-10-17T09:37:00.000+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Hayley Wrights Video diary Spers Away

2011-10-03T07:30:00.002+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Arsene's Anniversary: An Ode to Arsene

2011-10-01T19:57:00.000+01:00

By @buxtongooner

Who the hell is he? I ain’t got a clue

A bespectacled Frenchman – Arsene who?

Think he was at Monaco, then Grampus Eight

And now he’s at our place, wow, fucking great.

Pints were put down and fags were put out,

It’s grilled fish and brocolli, chicken and sprouts.

Drills to the second, how weird, how uncouth,

The bodies of the old boys redsicovered their youth.

A double in his first year,

Dennis at his peak, Vieira, Overmars, Wrighty, Petit.

The old back four solid, safe hands in goal,

The league title at Highbury, a pleasant Wembley stroll.

Henry arrives for eleven million quid,

Replacing Le Sulk, he’s fucked off to Madrid.

A winger turned striker, you’ll get there, chum,

He did, and how, in spades, and then some.

Giggs at the replay, the Turks at The Parken,

Owen’s damned left foot, the light seemed to darken.

Three seasons with nothing, we stumble and fall,

But fuck it, it’s football, you can’t win ‘em all.

And now, Robert Pires, D’Artagnan from Marseille,

Gilberto adds steal, the invisible wall,

There’s Ljungberg and Bergkamp - the best of them all?

In comes Big Sol, and we’re falling about,

The mob up the road - ‘Judas!’ they shout.

Shut up you tossers, he’s here, red and white,

Your Captain, your leader, from your Hart Lane of Shite.

Back we came stronger, a Premiership again,

Thierry sparkling, a king among men.

‘It’s only Ray Parlour’, yeah, pick that one out,

Freddie’s sweet finish, Pride of London? No doubt.

Thirty eight games played, twenty six games won,

Twelve are draws and losses? Not one.

Invincible, untouchable, peerless, any more?

Legends, each one of you, the class of ’04.

Vieira’s last kick, Paris heartbreak in the rain,

These feelings of football, of joy and of pain.

More madness at Wembley, more title hopes crashed,

The press rubbed their hands as they saw our dreams dashed.

Then Barca came calling and ripped out our heart,

And Fuckface seduced like a gold digging tart.

As the rats left the ship, into the arms of another,

You could still hear them whingeing and blaming each other.

But still you carry on, strong, on a mission

Your young charges tasked with seeing through your vision.

Black Scarf, marches, some want you to go,

Trust or Rust? Some have forgotten you know -

The good that you’ve done, and the way that you did it,

With panache and intelligence, good humour and wit.

So for all you haters, just look back and see,

Where this club was and where it could be.

So thank you, Arsene Wenger, for the past fifteen years,

The trophies, the glory and even the tears.

You’re a gentleman, a scholar, to you I raise my glass,

Miracle worker, Arsenal legend, manager – first class.

Hayley Wrights Video Diary, Olympiakos Home

2011-09-29T07:37:00.000+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

Hayley Wright elsewhere on ginger4limpars
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Hayley Wrights Video Diary Shrewsbury Town

2011-09-21T08:43:00.000+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

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Video Diary of a Season, Blackburn away by Miss Hayley Wright

2011-09-18T08:47:00.000+01:00

by Miss @HayleyWright

getty

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Arsenals Cold War: One club, two billionaires, many questions.

2011-09-16T17:07:00.000+01:00

By @AAllenSport

In July 2003, speaking in the aftermath of his decision to sell his stake in Chelsea to Roman Abramovich, Ken Bates prophetically remarked, “I think this could signal the arrival of overseas sugar daddies...if this is the start of the super-rich invaders it'll be very, very interesting to see how the fans react to it.”

Eight years later and attempting to distinguish any uniformity in the reaction of fans towards the influx of oligarchs, sheikhs and billionaire businessmen remains near impossible. While it is safe to say that supporters at Chelsea and Manchester City are very pleased by the investments made by their big-money donors, the anger and suspicion voiced on the terraces of rival clubs hint at a far more complex relationship between punters and board members.

Regardless of the contrasting outlooks, one fact remains clear; the football landscape in England has irrevocably changed since Stamford Bridge ushered in the era of Roman’s Roubles. Indeed, in boardrooms up and down the country, power struggles have proved as customary and bruising as a lumbering two-footed challenge by Ryan Shawcross. At Arsenal, however, the internal wrangling has played out less like a feisty Premier League confrontation and more like a stolid Cold War chess match.

While American businessman Stan Kroenke has patiently accumulated 66.67 per cent of the club and is obliged, under City regulations, to make an offer for the remaining shares, his path to a full takeover remains firmly blocked by Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov who has himself acquired 29.25 per cent of the 62,217 shares issued by Arsenal Holdings plc.

As it stands, the showdown is locked in a stalemate - a state of affairs which both Kroenke and Usmanov appear willing to accept as each mulls over their next move. In the meantime, for Arsenal fans already struggling to come to terms with a six year trophy drought, and all too aware that Champions League football is increasingly difficult to secure, the issue has become divisive.

The longer ‘Silent Stan’ lives up to his nickname by failing to declare his vision for the future running of the club, the more likely his rival, still aggravated at his continued isolation, is able to stir the boardroom melting-pot from afar, while simultaneously rehabilitating a shadowy reputation.

Whether criticising a recent hike in ticket prices, questioning the club’s policy in the transfer market, absolving Arsene Wenger from any blame or promising a cash-injection, Usmanov has found it very easy to curry favour with disillusioned Gooners. A recent poll by the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust reflected the increased popularity of the Moscow-based mogul with 70 per cent of members in favour of him being given a place on the board – up a staggering 30 per cent from last year.

That Usmanov has been denied a directorial position up to now, is an issue which Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke may be forced to reconsider in the near future. Approximately 460 shares short of the 29.9 per cent mark which would allow him full access to Arsenal’s accounts, the Uzbek stands close to consolidating his credentials as a thorny customer. Rather than passively allow the billionaire to continue sniping from outside, it may be easier, to aid stability at the club, to extend an olive branch to Usmanov by involving him in high-level board discussions.

Although it seems implausible, recent history suggests that a volte-face isn’t totally out of the question. The Arsenal board drastically shifted their attitude towards Stan Kroenke inside 18 months, promoting him to non-executive director in September 2008 having initially treated him with disdain.

That such a shift in attitude was forthcoming had much to do with Kroenke’s decision to sever relations with David Dein. The former vice-chairman of the club, ousted from his position in April 2007, has much to answer for. Indeed, if anyone is to blame for the current deadlock, it is Dein.

Recognising, like Ken Bates, that the arrival of Abramovich would precipitate further takeovers by other big money donors, he took it upon himself, behind the backs of his fellow board members, to sound out Kroenke about a potential investment in Arsenal.

Never in favour of the expensive move to the Emirates, Dein, who initially supported Wenger’s plan to cut transfer costs to help fund stadium loan repayments, privately reneged on his backing for the idea in favour of a quicker solution. Regrettably, having betrayed the trust of his colleagues, his removal from the board due to ‘irreconcilable differences’ had far more damaging consequences. Backed by an individual considered toxic by majority shareholder Danny Fiszman, Kroenke had little choice but to ruthlessly cut Dein loose to preserve a line of communication with fellow stakeholders.

A canny operator, Dein found a second willing benefactor within four months. Joining forces with Alisher Usmanov, he sold his 14.58% stake in Arsenal to the billionaire’s investment vehicle Red and White Holdings Ltd becoming, as part of the deal, its chairman. Making £75 million along the way, he placed all his trust in his new partner’s ability to push through a takeover. Lock-down agreements, a pact with Kroenke and sheer bloody-mindedness saw his old boardroom adversaries put an end to such hopes. By September 2008, Dein took it upon himself to resign as chairman of Red and White in the hope his decision would aid Usmanov’s relations with the board. So far it has not.

There is no doubting that David Dein has been a fantastic servant for Arsenal. Having protected the club’s interests during the advent of the Premier League, boosted its European standing by assuring entry into the powerful G-14 group and been responsible for shepherding the revolutionary Arsene Wenger era, it is guaranteed that his fingerprints will forever be embossed on Arsenal’s modern history. Unfortunately, having played an unequivocal role in the boardroom schism of the last three years, and having isolated himself in the process, his careless grubby footprints have also muddied the club he loves.

So what next for Arsenal? Will Kroenke push for a full takeover? It appears unlikely, even though he must make an offer under City rules. Would Usmanov opt to sell even if a lucrative offer was made? It seems even less plausible given his extraordinary wealth. Could Kroenke grow tired of the impasse and opt to sell to Usmanov? In time it is feasible, but given Danny Fiszman’s decision to sell his shares to the American before his passing, it appears his chosen ‘protector’ has committed to a long-term strategy. Might Kroenke and Usmanov enter a period of détente and work together for the good of the club? In an ideal world their combined might could well be harnessed for the greater good, but realistically it is a pipe dream.

In the short-term the current uncomfortable truce looks likely to continue; only time will tell if either party can find a way to end the stalemate. The Cold War continues.