I am glad we are not playing Ipswich this evening. Not because I don’t want to see the Arsenal but because my day so far has been absolutely horrendous, from the very moment I woke up till now as I write this, everything has just gone wrong, so if Arsenal were playing then the result would only go one way. Unless of course an Ipswich fan somewhere was having a worse day than mine. That certainly would be impressive.
Rumours are that Manuel Almunia could be heading to Turkish club, Galatasaray. Well at least they are supposed to be in the driving seat to secure his services. Hopefully he can get through his medical with his ankle injury that he has been carrying since his elbow injury sorted itself out. *nudge nudge wink wink*
I really take my hat off to Lukasz Fabianski this season. I think silence from Arsenal supporters is perhaps massive praise in itself. The January transfer window is here, Almunia is set to depart the club yet hardly a whisper of a new goalkeeper is in sight. It is a testament to how much he has improved as a keeper. Perhaps he hasn’t actually improved at all, maybe he has found himself a run of games to iron out those flaws and build confidence. It is the reason why Wenger has stood by him and why Wenger has always believed in him.
The silence is a massive compliment.
Regular readers of my ramblings know what side of the fence I sit on, know which players I enjoy and the ones that frustrate me more than others. I have always tried to stay open to other’s opinions as long as it is not confrontational and abusive. I think that is fair, right?
Some Gooners like a certain player, and appreciate what they bring to the squad, whilst others just do not see any good in a player. Everyone can see the game differently and we base our opinions on what we see on a Saturday or Wednesday, that is all fair enough.
But what I find absolutely disgusting are Arsenal fans using twitter to send abuse to certain members of the Arsenal squad because they do not like said player.
I read some of the abuse that was sent to an Arsenal player from ‘Arsenal supporters’ yesterday and I was incensed. If you are older than 9 years old then you would surely understand that it does us absolutely no favours whatsoever. Unless of course you do not want to see our team succeed.
I was never a fan of Silvestre as a player but if he was on Twitter during his time at Arsenal, how would it help Arsenal football club if I continuously sent him messages telling him that he was shite and could not defend to save his life?
I seriously do not understand it. However I could see the benefit of Arsenal fans pretending to be Chelsea fans and telling John Terry to leave the club immediately.
Players get paid very well and accepting such things like the media, supporters getting on their back etc should be taken into account but if we want to play our part in this team improving, no matter what you think of our current situation, you should want the team to do better.
I am absolutely sure that it is these people who were banging on about Samir Nasri being average, fat and a waste of space. I am sure it is these people who wanted Alex Song out of the club as quickly as possible. I am sure it is these people who slagged Johan Djourou off down to the ground after we beat Manchester City at the Eastlands this season. But as with every scapegoat when proven wrong (again), the memory is erased and then a new target is sought after.
Love certain players all you want, dislike others every few months if that is what you enjoy but can you keep it to yourself please.
What I am about to type here will almost be a first. I am so used to saying ‘congratulations to the Arsenal young guns for beating….’
It was a terrible night for the reserves as they got an absolute hammering at Aston Villa 10-1. We had a side out that included the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Chucks Aneke and Craig Eastmond but it was far from our strongest side and we had an early red card. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t get beaten by that margin even if many of our players were younger youngsters. I haven’t read anything on the game yet and not sure if I really want to. The youth coaching team have done such a fantastic job with our kids so far, so I am sure they have what it takes to heal any damaged belief or confidence.
Before I disappear, can I congratulate Arsene Wenger on winning the manager of the decade award. Oddly (or not so) most media outlets have missed the news. Perhaps they have misplaced the information and it will turn up soon. Don’t hold your breath.
We have had some wonderful success under his management and I am guessing that his work since the Emirates stadium will turn up just like Nasri, Song, Djourou etc
I suspect many will have to erase their memories again in the very near future but his work may only truly be admired once he has passed it onto the next manager of this great club.
Thank you Arsene,
Back tomorrow.