Focus On Doing What You Want To Achieve – Arsene
May 11th, 2012 by 'holic
“You deal always with the consequences of your performances after the game, and before the game you focus on doing what you want to achieve.”
In other words, Arsene, let’s show confidence and belief ahead of the final day of an astonishing season. That is quite an ask, given our last four results, but it is obviously the correct way for manager and players to approach the massive task ahead of them.
Supporters on the other hand are tall or short, thin or fat, confident or nervous, respectful or otherwise. So many have again invested so much during the course of the season. I’m not just talking financially either. It is difficult to remind yourself at times as you get caught up in the emotion of football that others are experiencing real hardship, and in some cases the ultimate disappointment.
The final whistle on Sunday will prompt elation for the champions, the club that clinches third place, and the club that survives the drop. Supporters of the teams who fail to hit those targets will be inclined to make their feelings known in ways probably best avoided.
We are already having to deal with the rumours surrounding Wojciech Szczesny’s fitness. A fully fit Szczes would be a massive miss (you know what I mean!). The injury may well explain his performance last Saturday. Everything is crossed here that he makes it. Of course Bacary Sagna will not be out there, having been victim to the challenge that never was. Carl Jenkinson or Francis Coquelin will have to step up, as well as step in, if you get my drift.
The midfield is an area that owes us a performance on this most important of days. Since Mikel Arteta limped out of the Wigan game the engine not been firing on all cylinders. There is no logical reason for that. The trio of Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, and Tomas Rosicky is a balanced one when all are in form and concentrating on what is required of them as the game pans out.
The benefit of having Yossi Benayoun starting is that he is quick to drop back to help in areas where he is used to playing. The Israeli will face a challenge for a starting berth on the left if Theo Walcott is fit to return and the boss wants to reward Gervinho for his improved second-half showing last time out.
All of the above seems to concentrate on potential negatives. There are however grounds for believing we are about to achieve something that looked highly unlikely less than three months ago. No team, with the exception of Barca, has a forward as on top of his game as Robin van Persie. Few have a central defender as accomplished as Laurent Koscielny has been this season. Then there is the fact that this group of players, considered technically inferior to previous Arsenal teams under Wenger, have managed to make up for any perceived deficiencies with attitude and application when it has most mattered this season.
This game will be one last test of that determination and appetite for the fight. “West Brom will be giving it everything for the departing Roy Hodgson” I am hearing in places. Well we will be giving it everything, and then some, for Pat Rice. As a player, Pat epitomised the hard-work and single-mindedness that his charges will have to display on Sunday. We owe him one last present. He will treasure three points this weekend as much as any honour he has won with the club as player, captain, and coach.
The last ‘holic pound of the season has to be chucked recklessly at a value punt. It will be the punting equivalent of a ‘hail Mary’ pass. No, I cannot remember the last time it came up trumps either. This season has not yielded the same rich rewards as last. I am on a bet I wouldn’t normally touch with a bargepole. Bookies love the first goalscorer/correct score double for a very good reason. However the 22/1 I am getting for Robin van Persie to score and Arsenal to win 1-0 is decent value, I believe.
If you are one of the lucky ones to be going on Sunday then I know you will once again prove to be the best travellling support in the top flight. As someone I have a lot of time for mentioned in the previous drinks the team owe the awayday Gooners for their support this season, and full restitution for the debacle of Old Trafford will only be made if three points are secured this weekend. If it goes well we will all have a drink or two and celebrate on Sunday night.
Should that not be the case please, please think what others may be going through on Sunday night. There are worse things that will happen to families across the globe. Trust me we will all be feeling the same things, whatever happens. It is how we deal with those emotions that is important.
For the last time this season, have a bloody great one ‘holics.
86 Responses to “Focus On Doing What You Want To Achieve – Arsene”
me?
Glory at last!!!!!!!!!!
Top Three..yea!
Top five? Now to read it…
Actually I think that I am second??
Now to read the post …
GOLAZO! TOP 5!
Not busy in the transfer window good old tightfisted Arsene,you have just committed an incredible professional suicide.
Oh Danish, have a go at the crack pipe for fucks sake.
“I want to believe!”
“Come on, Moulder, not again”
“No, no, Scully, hear me out…I can see the little green baggies going boing and boing and boing all the way to nothingness”
“Lay off the mushrooms, Fox, will ya”
“Yeah, right”
Never mind Gooner Terry, your 3rd place in the drinks is an important example !
This Danish is stale. Hand me a can of beer somebody. If not making third is the worse that happens to any Gooners this Sunday then what a small and thankful miracle that would be.
If nothing else, let’s do it for Pat!
Evening mollusc.
I think we’ll make it.
…at the moment π
Well played ‘Holic.
Hopefully I don’t need to remind myself of the wise words in your penultimate paragraph.
I am going to be mostly focused on the withdrawal that comes from someone stealing my valium.
I suppose I could take up drinking, but I’m a bit out of practice π
“Should that not be the case please, please think what others may be going through on Sunday night. There are worse things that will happen to families across the globe. Trust me we will all be feeling the same things, whatever happens. It is how we deal with those emotions that is important.”
Well worth taking in again and again ‘Holic, that paragraph. You do know why we always return to your blog, time and time again right? Year in year out? Because of paragraphs like that. And all the rest of them.
If the gunners fail to get the third place through the usual failings in the defence, Wenger should go. The defence has been the problem area for the last six seven years.Wenger’s over emphasis on pretty soccer (less nowadays) and an obsession with attack has made the gunners vulnerable.
Don’t be surprised Albion break out fast repeat fast to score.I’ve been saying for years the gunners attack is ponderos due to an over passing culture.
Hopefully the gunners will get the third place.Fourth is irrelevant because we want to be guarateed cl soccer.
I want the gunners to score asap and with minium passing if possible. You just look at how the europa cup winners did it.
lovely post ‘holic and I’ll be thrilled with an old-fashioned one-nil to the Arsenal with a dogged performance. I remember early in the season and again in the middle saying we were nowhere near as poor as we may have appeared. At the same time on paper I was amazed that this team had the wonderful run this year that took us to third. It’s a shame Arteta and Sagna won’t be part of the action this weekend as for me they’ve been two of the stars of the season. Sagna’s header against Sp*rs was the moment our season revived – he deserves third and champions league again next year.
Let’s leave nothing the tank gunners – and as ‘holic said if you are a traveling gooner my God you’ve done us so fucking proud this season. Every match (and I’ve missed not one in the league from 5,500 miles away) I’ve heard you loud and proud. One more big effort Sunday and we can all have a large drink on Sunday.
Cheers ‘holic on a wonderful season of blogging and to all in the bar. Pat Rice – Thank You.
Wolfgang, 5th is still a possibility
Cheers for a great seasons worth of blogging ‘hols.
Ahead of Sunday I’ve found myself having those little moments where your mind wanders and you silently mouth ‘come on Arsenal’ with a little fist pump.
Sunday is massive – come on the Arsenal, do it for us, do it for Arsene, do it for yourselves and do it for Pat.
danish gooner needs help…this guy is talking drivel for the last 2 years,,,,,,i dont believe in this HODGSON SEND OFF BULLSHIT,,he ditched the baggies,,,end of story,,,why should the west brom players care what send off he gets,,,he jumped ship fairly fast if you ask me,,,up the arse,3 points sunday,,,end of story
Away support has indeed been magnificent all season. Let us hope they get to travel home in relative triumph on Sunday.
Thanks all…
…well nearly all, anyway π
More valium please nurse…
Holic, Nice photo, reminds us what a wonderful time we had that day…and there will be many more great moments in our future. Regardless of the outcome. In some ways, fans are like proud parents, they just want to see their team do well. Because they love them. On a broader note, are you familar with the term, self actualization. You should be. You’re there.
This game has been obsessing us all week but we are not alone.I have a mate who is a QPR fan and has thought about nothing else but their game for days. The stakes are huge but there is a delicious irony in Tottenham cocking it up one last time on Sunday even if we do as well. Imagine the pressure the next time ( if ever) they got into a position to finish above us.
Frankly I’d rather do it the straightforward way but remember 2006 and Lasagnagate. The last game at Highbury Spurs have it in their hands but we can still qualify by winning the CL and they blow it. I’m for ever Blowing Bubbles from the North Bank and 4-2 to the Arsenal from the Bobby Moore Stand.Two rivals united in their hatred of Totenham.
This suggests a weird twist,something dramatic and far from straightforward will occur. This could be a pivotal moment for us.If FFP bites and RVP stays we really do have a chance to become a major factor in the future of Englissh football.Win and we are in clover.Lose and who can tell what may happen.
The game I thought we would skate weeks ago now seems much more problematical but I believe we can and will win.Come on you Gunners! It matters so much!
Effectively there are six games with meaning on Sunday. Two for the title, one more for relegation, and three for the third place.
Odds are there will be a late sickener for someone in one of them…
Just sayin’ like.
I’m absolutely terrified.
I have a horrible, horrible hunch of a draw.
Snir: Just calm the fuck down! You need to smoke some weed Bro cause that beer is doing you no good at all π
‘Holic, who needs valium after reading your soothing and sagacious words? I feel calmer already but I may need valium on Sunday.
“This season has not yielded the same rich rewards as last.”
This must be some code language for “This season the ‘holic pound has sucked, big time.” π
But this time, I would be willing to lay odds that 1-0 to the Arsenal with the winning goal coming via RVP’s chocolate leg is as likely a scenario as any other. Come on RVP and the chocolate leg!!! And come on the away clean sheet!!!
Well there’s ingratitude for you 8 ball π
Evening bath. I have to confess the Tullamore Dew has a most calming effect, and yes, I know it is from the wrong side of the water π
I am not really a drinker but I’d murder a Southern Comfort right now – or maybe I could accept comforting by a Southerner…Oh stop it Terry!
well considering the last time we lost to west brom away was 2005/2006 in premier league and we have scored 2 or more goals on visits to hawthorns. last season was a 2-2. Add the fact in our last games of the season sin 2005/2006 we have won four of them and drawn 2 the only last day loss was to barcelona in the champions league final. on the downside may is relatively poor for us though when looking at the seasons we have only played two matches we have taken four points from a possible six our worst was 5 point of a possible twelve. Having taken all this into consideration and the fact its Hodgsons last game in charge I think the score will be 2-1 to us with rvp getting both morrison scoring for them
@32 –
“comforting by a Southerner” – do you mean a fancy licker, or a fancy liquer ? π
Nice one ‘Holic – final preview of the season then. π
I think we will do it, because I always do. That’s because we almost always can, if we want to.
Attitude on the day is the big factor for this team. If that is ok, we will win. If this game, for all the reasons you have mentioned, cannot induce the right attitude, maybe the team does not deserve it. What a shame it would be to lay to waste the herculean effort of that ’27 from 30 point’ run.
The fans, this season, perhaps more than any other since the move to The Emirates, do deserve the win. Let’s go get it.
Nice one ‘holic, excellent as ever.
Me, I’m not worried in the slightest. Win, lose or draw, we’re still the Arsenal and are streets ahead of our so called local rivals in every concievable way.
We’ve been written off so many times this season,it’s unbelievable. I’ve heard/read crap like “worst Arsenal team ever” , “Wengers lost it” and “shift in power” all year long. It’s boring and sad and those that subscribe to such ideas really need to fuck the fuck off.
If you can’t appreaciate all the hard work our manager and team have done after, by our extreamly high standards, a bad start to the season then you don’t deserve to call yourself a gooner. To hear some of these so called fans rant you’d think we were as shit as Aston Villa or even fighting to stay in the league and not one win away from clinching third place. Get a grip you wankers.*
To all my HT amigos, thanks for all the laughes and tears, it’s been a pleasure and an honour sharing and swapping stories and opinions throughout the season, all through the ups and the downs there was always you guys (and our gracious host) here and even though I havn’t yet been able to join you in the flesh (hoping to get away next season) I always felt like I was there while reading your great reports and I’m sure my fellow international HT gooners feel the same way.
To sumarise, what ever may come to pass Sunday, I’ll still be here all through the summer raring to go for the new season, Arsenal for Life!!
Still hope we kick the living shit outta the Baggies though. π
*Apologies ‘h sir, I’ll take the yellow card for that.
Nice one, H2H. Cheers. And don’t worry about yellow cards. The barkeep believes in sinbins.
Wolfgang @17
I can only presume you have inordinately large testicles , because there’s only one true Wolfgang of these pages and he’s got small balls !!
By the way , your opinion isn’t worth the weight of a gnats piss on a nettle .
Re: H2H, Now that is the proper way to show gratitude to our good and gracious host! And you are right to thank the HT gooners, scattered far and wide, for adding to a great interactive experience following the ups and downs of this incredible season. It has been incredible in both bad and good moments, but the good have far outweighed the bad if for no other reason than because we have bounced back from the bad moments each and every time. Which leads me to think it would be the most fitting end to the season to see us triumph in the face of adversity one last time. Come on you Gunners, don’t let us down now!
Wise wise words on so many levels Holic .
Great post , all the Best to everybody (except to Wolfgang the Imposter and Danish ) . Up the Arse !
Nice to see you’ve finally come round to the crack pipe Holic π
“Me, Iβm not worried in the slightest. Win, lose or draw, weβre still the Arsenal and are streets ahead of our so called local rivals in every conceivable way.”
H2H – one sentence , one thought, one truth .
As many drinks as you want Sir !
H2H , now read the rest of your post , as didn’t get past the first great para first time round .
Magnificent , magnificent stuff .
We are The Arsenal and fuck all the rest !
As always Holic pens an excellent piece and puts things in proper perspective. Likewise, H2H and Takeabowson capture my sentiments and those of so many at this bar–We are the Arsenal and fuck all the rest!
Sack up, get behind the team, and cheer on every player wearing the badge for every second of the match on Sunday. Leave it all on the field (or stands or bar) because its a long summer.
cheers
Top post, ‘Holic. Well said, H2H@36. Class is permanent.
Indeed…..We are the Arsenal and fuck all the rest
On our darkest days still the proudest club in the land by a long chalk
With the noises from Wenger don’t be surpised the gunners are beaten at Albion.He seems to think the Europa league is not bad after all.And don’t think the gunners can win it especially after MC and MU were beaten.
This is a season best forgotten. The defence has again been caught napping by Norwich. Wenger blames everybody but himself.Tactically he has lost it.
Roy will want to go out on a high. So if the gunners get to play in the europa league and are unable to fight for the epl 2012-2013,that ‘s it.It’s time for Wenger to go.
Malaysian gooner well said Sir ! Should of been 5 years ago !
Yawn.
A cup of coffee, please, barkeep. Black as midnight on a moonless night. Just like Special Agent Dale Cooper used to order them before he got a bit too interested in the well-being of Annie.
Great post mate. You currently seem to have some sort of muppet infestation, sadly.
No just gooners being honest !!
I do not think it is your honesty that Esso has doubts over, Mr Kev.
Anyway, now, this isn’t the most pressing issue tomorrow and I would accept some goals from wherever in the team, but if Robin does score a brace that would mean that he will have become to player to have scored the most goals in a 38-game Premier League season. It would become him to hold that title I must say, and I wouldn’t mind Christiano Ronaldo to lose it.
Peter Odemwingie is back in training ‘and looking sharp’ according to the WBA website.
Ben Foster says to the website:
“I think we’ll be looking to try and contain him and the rest of their attackers, and then hit them on the counter-attack.
We’ll look to nick a goal along the way like we know we can do.
We’ve been outstanding at the back this season.”
Counter-attacking plan + Odemwingie (who usually scores against us) really does make it squeaky bum time.
Just thinking about the game itself is making me sweat. I have an inkling Arsenal will come out of top by putting up a dogged performance. There have been a few situations this season where we have pulled out something from the hat when it was dire, Udinese, Spurs at home come to mind.
My only hope is that when I watch on TV or follow the match on twitter I keep calm. Losing my rag when watching matches has always seen us end in defeat. OK off to practise my yoga and meditation for tomorrow I will need tons of it.
Played ‘holic – a piece as sweetly balanced as the finest AW (with a bit of Pat Rice thrown in) Arsenal sides.
Now back to making offerings to the football gods and that
UREDS!
Excellent post as usual ‘Holic.
I haven’t a fucking clue what the result will be the way we have performed this season, whatever it is I won’t be surprised.
However, I’ll be hurting like hell if we lose I’m afraid, it’s always the same for me, no matter what the competition or the circumstances of a game is.
Top draw Post Mr Holic !
I could not agree more, if Arsenal not finishing 3rd is the worst thing you can think of then you have lived a life blessed from the heavens.
I would be up-set and feel angered fot a little while but it will pass and the genetic Arsenal gene will soon kick back in and want the new season to start.
It has been a huge roller coaster ride this season and its still not over but the high`s have out weighed the lows so with a team rated the worst in AW tenuer by so called footballs know fuck alls on talk shite and so on. We stand here still able to claim 3rd and with the teams who finished above us the best we could acheive taking into consideration the likes of Wilshere who hasnt kicked a ball all season. On top of a back four that changed as often as my underware, we should be proud !!!!! I am !!!!
Gooner til I die !
And H2H @ 36 – gettin!
First!
Great post @ 36 H2H.
Whatever happens tomorrow, long-term, we will prevail.
Crack pipe, please. 8)
Morning all,
Today I will be trying to keep my mind of things by…
erm…
ah…
hmm…
shopping perhaps π
H2H@36: agree with every word. While I might be nervous about tomorrow, it’s not because I belive the world is about to come to an end if it goes badly – it’s just because I really, really want us to finish third to shut a few people up. But if we don’t, well, we’ll still be the Arsenal.
‘holic, I am strangely feeling away from football.
Weirdly serene, sort of ‘que sera sera’ mood. Not swaying between pessimism and optimism, just not really thinking about it.
It is quite strange and unusual.
Keeping away from twitter probably helps.
It will probably hit me tomorrow even as I attempt media lock-out, I’ll be watching the Multiplex on Canal+, fretting at the sound of every goal.
‘holic – If you go shopping buy things you already have two of – that way you’ll be focusing on 3rd
heh Tim
lets hope chezz is fit holic if it all goes well on sunday there will be a hell of a lot more than a drink or two.
Calm before the storm, Ollie?
Valium supplies depleted, I’m off to a walk in the woods in search of a substitute, fresh air, which despite all warnings to the contrary, may provide some useful respite. If any baggies jump out from behind the trees, I will be sure to smack them with a big stick.
Excellent preview, ‘holic
@ 36 H2H
Encapsulated the situation and our feelings. Brilliant.
Boys, never mind anyone else, do it for yourselves.
Having said that, can I join the queue for the valium, please?
FunGunner,
Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, this is the song I plan to be singing on Monday morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmOecBHVhLg
Whisky – check
mild – check
Guinness – check
bitter – check
popcorn – check
Reeces – check
Sorted for the weekend. going nowhere. Bring it on.
If you all behave yourselves there will be a special guest treat in a short while. The century may go begging today…
popcorn ? you can’t be serious.
You need something to chomp on while watching people abuse each other on Twitter π
No alcohol here, saving myself for tomorrow. Quiet night in front of the telly for me.
And, if H2H’s brilliant post wasn’t enough, let me remind you of this little piece too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXAZJ28s1rU
Yes, I missed the bit where you pleaded for a yellow card, H2H.
Sorry mate, nothing doing.
Every word…
agreed π
Good news my little guinea pigs
Have been chatting up a pretty little nursie on TwAtter recently and have convinced her I’m actually a real Dr!
Bless.
Anyway, the upshot is she’s smuggled over bountiful supplies of Valium, opium and methadone.
Tuck in. There’s no paper trail.
Even a touch of the old marching powder, should we need to party long and hard tomorrow. Or forget.
Off to a family do. Don’t do what I wouldn’t.
Thanx for all the kind words gents, I’m truly humbled.
Keeping myself really busy today, cleaning out/rumidging through the attics above the bars, approx 500square meters of history/shit. You wouldn’t believe the crap I’ve found.
Check in for the special treat later.
A drink from me on the bar for those who need it…..
Evening all. Must say that I feel pretty non plused about tomorrow. I have always been a believer that the league does not lie. You can fluke cup wins but the league is the true barometer for me. So that said, wherever we end up will be the position that we deserve.
Before the start of the season, if someone had offered us a win in our final game away at the Baggies to finish top 4 we would have probably thought that was not good enough. After the start we had I am sure we would have ripped the arms off of those making such an offer, such has been this topsy turvey season.
So tomorrow it is in our own hands. It is our cup final. A chance to secure third. On paper there is not one reason why we should not do it. Not one. So I guess we can just see how much we have managed to learn. I am sincerely hoping that Shezza is fit. I can’t say I will feel an increase in confidence if I see Flappy between the sticks. An appearance by Theo would also be a welcome boost.
Sunday is a day when we have to want it more. we have to genuinely be up for it in a massive way. We have to play as a unit, unlike in certain recent games. Players have to be disciplined and i am sure that we will reap the rewards. We really do not want to be looking out for others.
Onwards and upwards dear holics. Time to bring it on home.
A treat from one of our own, as promised. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I’m not worried about tomorrow.
Every Player in our team will be accountable tomorrow at the Hawthorns and we all know what has happened this season on many occasions when we have played like a club in need of a win.
If you don’t believe me then ask Villas Boas and Roberto Mancini to tell Ben Foster what will happen.
Come on you Gunners!
In a b-b in brumie and u get beer with breaky happy days 3 nil
Yossi !! 1-0
Come on you reds
(and spuds are ahead too)
2-3 COYR