Enough Soul-Searching, Let’s Get On The Good Foot
Jul 19th, 2011 by 'holic
Now that is more like it. No, I’m not talking about waking up without a Darren Clarke sized hangover, although that is a bit of a bonus this morning. I’m looking at the news feeds from overnight and seeing much more to be positive about. About time too, I’ll agree.
First up I have been over to watch Ivan Gazidis being interviewed on Arsenal Player. The repackaged ATvO may have a way to go in terms of presenting matches, but the coverage of all the ancillary stuff from the Asian tour has been first-class.
Ivan has left nobody in any doubt that, although we quite rightly are playing our cards close to our chest, we are addressing the glaring weaknesses that have cost us so dear, particularly at the end of the last three seasons. Nobody but the downright stupid have insisted on vast sums being spent on lists of highly-priced imports. Ivan confirms we are looking to strengthen and is looking for a degree of patience from the hysterical.
“Our fans have the right to be excited, to look forward to the season with anticipation and to expect to see top-class players and exciting things happening on the pitch. It’s our goal and our target to deliver all of that. Certainly if you sign a ‘name player’ that can be an easier way to get that and I’ve got nothing against that. There’s no point of principle involved there. If we found an established world-class player and we thought the economics made sense and he would add to what we could do on the pitch then there’s no philosophical objection to that.”
“Arsène has no point of principle to show the world that he can build his own team of young players. That’s just not the way it is.”
Of course the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and my only concern has been that we could go into a difficult start to the season with an unsettled element to the squad still likely to change by 31st August. That is still a worry in the back of the mind, but squeezing the zits of discontent at this stage just gives you a scabby face for no good reason. Patience restored here, Ivan. I’m trusting you to deliver on those assurances though.
Of course we are not just facing the prospect of bringing fresh blood into the team (yes team, not squad, we still have enough ‘squad’ players!). There are also the futures of the skipper and Samir Nasri to be resolved. I still fear only one of them will be with us in September, but that is not based on any solid insider knowledge, just my gut-feel and interpretation of what is happening.
I’m delighted to read Peter Hill-Wood telling his preferred outlet that we are preparing to keep both. On Fabregas he is quite clear.
“They’ve made one offer, which works out at around £26m, but that was ages ago. But at the moment our situation is very straight-forward: we don’t want to lose him. We have told them a number of times that what they are proposing is unacceptable and yet they haven’t moved on it. I don’t approve of what they are doing, but unfortunately it seems the way of the world right now.”
In other words, you classless Catalan scumbags, you have had your nose pressed up against the shop-window long enough. Pay what the goodies are worth or get stuffed.
As for City’s poaching of Nasri, the chairman is equally defiant.
“City seem to have more money than anybody else, and they keep splashing it around all over the place, but our position is very straightforward: we don’t want the player to leave.”
I know not everybody appreciates what Mr Hill-Wood does, and has done for the club. I can’t change that. I just enjoy reading his words on mornings like this. He is saying what a whole lot of us think, and he will be missed when the Kroenke revolution plays out to its conclusion.
That leaves me just enough time and space to offer a hearty welcome to Gervinho, officially confirmed as a Gunner yesterday. Like Arseblogger, I haven’t a clue where he will play, although if I were Andrei Arshavin I would be working just that little bit harder in training these days.
Have a good one, ‘holics. Especially those of you at work today. Oh, did I not mention I’m on holiday? Sorry.
86 Responses to “Enough Soul-Searching, Let’s Get On The Good Foot”
Oh no i’m a shallow glory hunting nogood!
Nice work holic and interesting words from IG – u’s 2 together helps settle my nerves, for now. But as you say ‘proof of the pudding’ and all that.
And another thing you say – “squeezing the zits of discontent at this stage gives you a scabby face for no good reason” – that’s a wordsmith right at the top of his game that is – get in!
Happy holidays ‘holic!
Up The Arse!
First hatrick of the season?
i’ll let someone else have a go now …
Haha, You are my only reader today, AL.
This one is for you…
A new post during daytime?
No drink for me then, Master!
He, he, heeeh. Same old Gazidiz, same old Arsene Wenger. It’s only at Arsenal FC where the Manager and Board “sign” players using their mouths. Ricardo Alvarez, Radamel Falcao, Romelu Lukaku, Stewart Downing, Gary Cahill, Chris Samba and lately Shay Given. All these stars have been “signed” with words from Ivan Gazidis and/or Arsene Wenger. It happens all the time every summer since 2005. Meanwhile, the gunners’ better players, tired of this “rubish” are looking for trophies away from the Emirates. There can’t be enough adjectives to describe this bunch of “wise men” running Arsenal FC.
Actually Moses, the reverse is the truth. People moan nothing is coming out of the club about targets. But don’t let facts get in the way of a good old moan if you are determined to grumble.
Back in the basket for you, old son.
Morning Ollie.
More good news. Tickets arrived this morning. Now, think I will contemplate a lunchtime pint or two up the local.
I love holidays, me 😉
Moses,
Don’t remember AW or IG saying that any of these players was signing for Arsenal – just the British media whose job it is to lead the masses.
Speaking of which, Moses, get a haircut!
Goonerholic,
some of us are “working” – don’t rub it in!
Actually zico, I was hoping for better weather. I should have waited another week…
Moses, you spouted that same old shite at LeMoaningCunts. Gervais and Gareth lap that bollocks up. Best stay with your intellectual equals at LeOrifice.
I thought this blog was PHW’s mouthpeice of choice..am confused but like you holic am still recovering so its nice to see us on the front foot again. Moses I dont think you were supposed to eat those 10 big tablets, they were for instructional use only..
Great stuff, ‘holic, thanks!
Enjoy your time off! (and stay away from the utter moaning mongs in that place 😉 )
Glad to know there are fellow fans who do not spend every waking moment making unfounded claims of bad leadership and poor transfer policy in regards to Wenger and the board. Surely it would make most sense to wait and see how the transfer window plays out and then judge the outcome on the perform of the new team in the PL in Aug. Moses! go do one, son!
performance : /
Nice post ‘Holic . Good that the wheels of change are turning in the background .
Moses , please lead your people far far away … preferably into the sea .
whoops! 🙂
Is that the Moses of the Bullshit Rushes?
I’ve said before, if we get to September without the additional quality we know we need, and we have started badly, I will be at the head of the queue for flaming torches and pitchforks.
I just choose to be assured by those that run the club than blindly follow those (like me!) who have a very limited understanding of what is happening.
I choose to support, rather than destroy, given the option. I will, however, be as upset as anybody if there is inaction between now and the close of the window.
Hello daft.
Always a pleasure. Need an update on OLD and SLOAD when you have time…
I’m on it ‘holic – take me to the bridge – oh no maybe not.
Nice one ‘holic. Me? I’m permanently on holiday…
Have just been trimming SLOAD, well to be truthful I hang on to him while Mrs d trims. Unfortunately OLD is no longer. She was getting very senile and had to have the euthanasia bit; heart-breaking but in her best interests. Poor old SLOAD was devastated; we didn’t think he would care…
So sorry, daft, but great to hear SLOAD is still hirsute and full of heart. You must try and get down to a game this season. I think actually there may be a bit of a coming together of ‘holics for the Stoke game. We will be making a move on the Arseblog brolly 🙂
cesc is off
Thank you so much. I shall remember it was you who gave me the full lowdown on the situation first.
Good one, ‘holic. I like the sound of increasing positivity in your words today. Enjoy the holiday!
It’s daft!!!!
BBC Transfers
Vinicius Dantas [Unattached – Tranmere]
Better double-check that one, Tranny. Looks suspiciously like an anagram of Danilevicius… 🙂
Tranny ? I will double check ‘Holic 🙂
Haha, Wolfie. Good to see you here. The place is a bit quiet today. Those determined to be miserable obviously gathering elsewhere.
Off to town.
Laters.
Shot of Slivovica from sunny Slovakia for everyone in the bar, at last something happening on the transfer front. Holics beer here is cheaper then a little bottle of coke, 80 cents for a pint, bargain!
not sure but my comments are not appearing here?
(Edit – Apologies Arthur. I haven’t a clue what is going on. My spam filter has you down as an undesirable. I have ‘virtually’ smacked it’s arse and sent it to the naughty step.)
I was really happy to see PHW speak out in regards to Barca fannying around. We have taken enough bullshit from them in the past few years. CUoCO, that’s all that needs to be said.
And while it is reassuring to hear Gazidis talk about their work not being done, I fear a lot of people will take the “substantial amount” to mean that we can just point at a player and buy him if we want to. Still, I hope that they really are working their socks off and that we can see some results before the start of the season.
I plan to travel over for the Stoke game mentioned by the ‘Holic@26, and it would be great to meet up with as many of the drinkers from this bar as possible.
Good afternoon Holicses
Holic – Very pleased to see a new post. There was a whiff of something malodorous building in the bar over the last one understandably, I thought, in some cases. Your latest, I think, has opened the bar windows and allowed some Shake’n’Vac to be distributed into our well worn Axminsters. Time to smile? Like you, I’m highly encouraged by our CEO going on record twice now to say that more quality team strengthening is on its way. I choose to trust and, again like you, will be asking Edwin to afix pitch-forks and torches to the front of the HT Locomotive should it all prove to be a load of old baloney and we start the new season as we ended the last. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to eating my recent words about non-expectations of new signings. Enjoy your hols, whilst we work….it’s p*ssing down here! 😉
WS @ #32 – In Edwin’s world, tranny is short for transistor. He’s working on some new wireless circuits for the HT’s security and entertainment systems as I type this 😉
Lars @ #35 – Pubis and The Mingmongs @ home is in my diary as discussed. Hopefully Edwin and maybe other members of DL Ltd and/or HT passengers will join us too? 🙂
Moses @ #7 – So do you think Arsenal is a basket case? Sorry, couldn’t resist another pun-tastic opportunity. I’m afraid the HT doors are firmly closed to self-imposed wanderers in the desert. Old @ #13 has summed up your peer group very well for me. Don’t let the door hit you in the you know what on the way out.
Ah Lars,
would love to have joined the gang that day but my little black book tells me I will be in Cork, (but like the Murphy’s, I’m not bitter) 🙂
TS, aim is still to make the Grove on 20th for the Scousers, ticket or not!
Good news zico!
I’ve asked Edwin to load in the GPS co-ordinates on the HT Locomotive from zicoville to The Ems to help ensure that DF doesn’t get lost or side-tracked on the day. A saner member of the security team has offered to guide you to your seat with PARS flame-thrower set to pun.
PS: zico – I may be able to help with ticket. Shall I get my people to talk to your people? 😉
TS that’s a big YES 🙂
zico,
I have asked Edwin to initiate contact with DF via the back channels
Afternoon All.
It’s good to finally see some positive news coming out of the club, I just wish they’d done that sooner. We need statements like those of PHW basicaly telling clubs luring after our playes to either get real with their estimates, stop being a bunch of classless pondscum suckers or basically go do one. I do appreciate that it is the Arsenal way to conduct ourselves with dignity, but sometimes in a shit flinging competition it is nice to throw a big bucket of slopy doo-doo (no not a silly named Brazilian wonderkind) back.
If I may, I’d like to add my tuppence worth to last night’s disscusion. I have to agree with Steve T over our GK situation. As you know I am most definetly a glass half full kind of chap, but I too have serious doubts over our current crop, don’t get me wrong, I think Woj has the potential although I’m not sure if he’s totally ready to be a No1, he’s still a kid. I would of welcomed Given with open arms if he’d been signed by us and think he would of went straight into the team. I would of been more then happy with him as No1 with Woj as back up and been able to benifit from his experience. I have no faith whatsoever in Fabianski, ofcourse I will support him if is in our colours, never the less he still scares the bejesus out of me.
Matt, Given hasn’t been on the bench for two years as you posted, as two seasons ago Hart was playing for Birmingham, Hart was only made first choice at the begining of the previous campaign. I also think that our “conceding the least amount of goals from open play” stat is a load of tripe. It’s tantamont to having the “most shots without scoring” stat. What difference does it make if you have a million shots if you only score twice?
The same of course can be said about our defending, it matters not a jot how you concede a goal, be it from open play or a set piece. The cold hard facts are that the goals have been conceded and those goals have cost us points, our defence needs to be strengthened and the whole team taught to defend as a unit.
I’m not gonna speculate on who we need or might buy, because that is just an exercise in futility, I will however offer all you fine gents a drink.
Make mine a Cider please barman.
Cheers.
H2H
I share your feelings re: the GK situation. We need another safe pair of hands to join young Szcz. Mannone and Pole The Elder as able backups should either of the first two get injured/suspended/whatever.
Pint of Peroni please and cheers 🙂
Without the parting of the waves….. he WAS joking, surely?
If not, I too have often found the incessant specific naming of targets by Arsene to be utterly tedious, together with the daily official club bulletins detailing all of our plans, aims and objectives.
Then they went and decreased the season ticket prices and threw away any financial restrictions on what we’ll pay our players.
AND an unhealthy obsession with only targeting experienced defensive players rather than young attacking Turks.
Fools, the lot of them.
PS…. if you were wanting to get the CUoCO message across in Catalan, I believe it translates thus:
Paga o Callarte (polite version)
Expectorar o Ves a la Merda (more literal, according to google translate!).
Cabinet open?
Please observe: the dangers of Zico or TS leaving the CMC unguarded:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7502968.stm
Enjoy your holiday ‘holic. A very well measured and written post. Cheers.
Dr.C
Cabinet always open for you, it is your Green Tin after all 😉
And a pint for your clip. Alcohol induced back spasms?
Funniest thing that I’ve read all day….
http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7509419
Oh how the shitey have fallen 🙂
Howdy Holics,
I’m back in the bar, baby! (Went on a week-long llama recruitment excursion. Found some very nice cuban llamas on display in Tampa. No sampling, but a thorough “hands-on” inspection was conducted.)
By the by, is this how you guys treat news magnates? 😉 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14207924
I hope you give Silent Stan a better reception.
Up the Arse.
Pep saying this summer AFC are ready to negotiate and they have time till the 31st of August to reach an agreement with us.
He also said that they have money saved for that so any suggestions they can’t afford him are wrong.
I really (!!!) hope we really did set a deadline and that they won’t think that they can buy him with days left in the market as that would leave a HUGE hole in the team.
On the other hand, I wonder how Cesc would react if Barca bid 40M for him with days left in the market and it gets rejected. Then, he might feel a promise was broken.
Just a thought…
Lonestar @ ’52
Welcome back, baby!
Cuban llamas? Were you in search of marching powder that makes you bleat? Reliable and cost-effective suppliers for the CMC are always welcomed with open forelegs.
BTW, we treat news magnates here with the full respect that they deserve. Trust your good people would do the same 😉
We await Kroenke’s inaugural speech with bated breath and hearing aids turned up to 11.
UTA 2U2
Snir
If Farca offer more than £40M for Cesc I’ll eat one of LG’s llamas. You heard it here first 🙂
Snir, chill
Cesc will stay this year. Not too sure about Nasri though
Nice post ‘holic, something positive amidst all the doom
A shot of JD for me,please
Harsha, it’s the only thing that bothers me to an extreme extent (I’m bothered with the CB situation but Cesc bothers me a lot more) cause I know that no matter who we have on our team, with Cesc we’re a contender.
That is of course if he can stay fit.
And to answer everybody’s next question – Yes. I do believe we can win the EPL with TV and Kos or TV and JD as first 2 CBs if we have Cesc on our team for at least 30 EPL starts.
Just to make you lot smile…
Indeed Snir.
We are the only religion to have positive evidence of the existence of our deity.
JET needs a shot this year. Another couple of goals and a controlled performance by all accounts. Might not be the answer but has more about him for me than some. Shame he cant take his chances with the first team when he gets them. Pep talking shite now too ? What is it about that club. Yes you are more than just a club..you are a boil on the arse of decency..
Nasri will be sold to Fabregas for an extremely undisclosed fee…and that, my friends, will be the 8th deadly sin.
Hot one for me!
Noel – I don’t rate JET at all, apart from height I haven’t seen anything special he’s got. Very clumsy almost Bendtner like on the ball, bad attitude on and off the pitch and just not ready for first team in the EPL.
Holic – I’m still not sure who my favorite is – DB or TH. DB was the reason I started supporting the Arsenal but TH was mad love. I think the fact that DB retired in Arsenal colors and Titi moved to THAT club decides it in favor of DB.
SG, he can do no more than what he has done for reserves and if arsene was selling him he would have done so by now . His attitude means fuck all if he is banging in the goals but thats what he has to prove. Would much rather see these guys like Watt and Bartley getting a chance in the CC than buying more youth to do the same thing.
Snir – Then you must hold it against a lot of our ex-players for moving to that club mate 😉
Noel – Good thing you mention Bartley, I’m praying he’ll get a chance this year. I saw a youtube clip last season of his performance in the Europa League against PSV if I’m not mistaken (and before everybody goes ballistic hear me out for a sec) and the things that I really liked were:
He organized the defense at set-pieces, not only organized them, but shouting orders at them at 21 years of age.
He got to every ball on the offensive set-pieces.
He was very vocal in the all around game, rallying the defense and the entire team.
And this is a 21 year old playing with established, experienced first teamers.
SV – I don’t “hold it against” anyone who joined Barca, it’s just that the legacy isn’t as perfect. Retiring in Arsenal colors like Adams, DB, Lee Dixon etc. adds to the legacy, kind of like makes it whole.
So yes, I’d like TH, PV etc. a whole lot more if they would have retired as Gunners.
Ah Goonerholic, dear boy, many thanks for your kind words.
It’s rather good to see that someone appreciates my efforts. Trouble is, too many of our fans have lost the old sense of humour.
Anyway, not to worry, I have instructed Gazidis to keep the old Cataloonies busy ’til late August, pretending to listen to their offers, but under no cicumstances is he to sell Samir Fabregas to Madrid this summer.
That’ll stuff their jalopenos good and proper.
As you’re apparantly untroubled by the rigours of work this week, old chap, could I impose upon you to take Lady Nina off my hands for a day or two ?
The dear Lady is absolutely insatiable.
I have other things to attend to and, frankly, could do with the time to get the old pencil re-sharpened.
Thanks, in anticipation,
Peter.
Suarez does the business … again.
Just seen a report on the tele that the young Costa Rican doesn’t want to come to North London.
Actually we pulled out of the deal as evidenced by the owner’s quotes.
http://gunnerblog.com/?p=2899
They just said this on live tv about thirty minutes ago Snir. They could be wrong. But I’d say it’s pretty fresh. I guess we will see.
Hey folks, The season begins in three and a half weeks. Enough time for us to be worldbeaters out of the gate? I’m a little nervous on that point, but if we have learned anything over the last two seasons, I hope we have learned that being worldbeaters out of the gate is not the objective. Being worldbeaters in February and later should be our objective this season, and let’s hope the squad is stronger and AW uses the squad strength to better effect so that the end of season slump is a thing of the past.
Only a matter of time until someone points out a certain similarity between the names of Wolfgang Smallballs and Jonnie Marbles, the comedian who hit Rupert Murdoch with a pie. But I should point out the coincidental nature of the similarity. 😉
Moses, I was off rambling in the foothills of Mount Emirates on the weekend and stumbled upon a stone tablet (not that kind, CMC acolytes, calm yourselves) which was inscribed with the following:
1. Thou shalt not allow thy knee to jerk at the drop of a hat.
2. Thou shalt not bear false witness (ie, let whatever shitty gutter rag you buy inform your utterances)
3. Thou shalt wait until the transfer window is closed before passing judgement
4. Thou shalt not be a monger of doom
5. Thou shalt piss off and support City if you want to see a ton of signings
6. Thou shalt… [tablet broken here, its remaining commandments having fallen on stony ground]
And if you ever come back, make sure you collect your false idols because otherwise you’ll have nothing to worship.
Cheers all! Trebles all round.
It was reported yesterday that he has turned us down. He is heading to the under 20s world cup and he wanted to keep his options open. It seems now that we can’t even get a 19 year old from Costa Rica to sign. What is it all coming to?
Now we are deep in negotiations with Barca according to an interview with Pep. Someone may want to let AW know. Last week he was 100% sure Cesc was staying.
Time to sort this mess out once and for all. Talk can be very cheap if it is not backed up by actions
Steve T,
I wouldn’t get too suicidal about us not signing a 19 year old wonderkid who was only going to go and play for someone else anyway due to work permit regs.
Talk is indeed cheap – a bit like the club that are doing all the talking 😉
Zico. I am far from suicidal I can assure you. But that does not detract from the fact that the current situation is a mess and needs sorting.
Steve T, the suicide chat was about the Costa Rican kid.
I am in total agreement with you on the Cesc thing – we let these feckers dictate the agenda – we should name a price and a cut off date of 24 hours from naming that price. And then CUoCO.
Nas @73 Nah , he wasn’t wearing Speedoes 🙂
Camberwell@74 – Nice one 🙂
SteveT @75 – I share your frustration , I really do , but lets not fall into the tabloid trap of misquoting AW . Last week he did not say he was 100% sure Cesc was staying . He said that we need to ” focus on the season , hopefully with Cesc Fabregas . ” He said that if Cesc was ” in ” then he needed to be 100% in , and that whilst he AW was convinced of this , the player himself remained to be convinced . The 100% quotes all related to the need to be fully committed to the cause and to the players state of mind .
It is all well and good for us all on Blogsites to spout CUoCO – I’ve said it a few times myself – but the reality of the situation is of course far more complex .
Arsenal clearly made an agreement with the player last summer that Cesc would give us one more year if Barca came up with market rate this Summer . That Barca continue to f*ck about is not Arsenal’s fault , and Arsenal still have to be seen in the eyes of the player to be holding to the terms of the agreement . If we simply say pay up in 24 hours or piss off the likelihood is that we are left with a deeply dissatisfied player . The optimum outcome for Arsenal is for Cesc to stay and to be happy to stay . The only way that can be achieved is to be seen to be willing to enter into fair negotiations and hope that Barca spend their money elsewhere . In the circumstances the 14 day deadline is about right , in my view .
Trev/PHW @67 – another great post 🙂 but i think there will be some sort of riposte in this week’s BTA – he’s in love with a Llama don’t you know
Around for anyone at the Bar Barkeeps .
A round for anyone … that should have read
tabs, your rationale above, if correct is part of the problem, (although I don’t see how it is “clear” that we made an agreement) 😉
We are being too nice about the whole thing – too nice to Cesc and too polite to Barcelona.
Cesc was happy to sign a lengthy contract – to hell with gentlemen’s agreements. We hold the cards here and yet Barcelona continue to take the piss with impunity.
DrZ – fair comments .
I think the fact that we are prepared to enter into negotiations for the release of our best player makes it clear that there was some sort of agreement last summer , when we adopted a far more hardline approach last year .
Couldn’t agree with you more re the signing of a long contract . Unfortunately , it doesn’t mean we hold all the cards , as we see time and time again in modern day football . Player power is huge and there is simply no point keeping an unhappy player . The end-game is to keep a player who is happy to stay and as such Arsenal can’t be seen to be adopting the hard-line tactics you wish to see .
Just my opinion , and as I said before , I share your frustration .
Well I prefer the solution suggested by Blogs – “round the back of the bike sheds, fists and no flick knives”
🙂 Agreed . Bring me my bike , Jeeves 🙂
Tabs. You may want to check out the interview he gave on sky.
Fair enough SteveT , thanks for the heads up , apologies if I misunderstood his quotes .