Halloween Thriller: Robin Fang Persie...

There are times in life when you just have to stop and take a moment to think about what has just happened. Today, now, is exactly this time for me. On Saturday, I ventured over to Stamford Bridge, courtesy of my personal banker and now good friend, Ryan Sparrowhawk.

Whilst it was my first time at The Bridge, I’ve been fortunate, or unfortunate depending on how you look at it, to have seen Arsenal play Chelsea numerous times including those painful Carling Cup ties and the defeat in the FA Cup Semi at Wembley back in 2009. Take it from me, it’s a long journey home from Cardiff when you’re on a train surrounded by Chelsea supporters.

I wrote in my previous blog that I would have settled for a draw and that I also thought this team was capable of getting all three points. Now, I’ve seen some games in my time, but this derby was simply extraordinary. With both teams demonstrating defensive weaknesses, there were eight goals scored in 90 minutes of madness and there could easily have been more.

With the likes of Vermaelen, Sagna & Wilshere missing, we named our strongest eleven available. I must admit that the absence of Didier Drogba from the Chelsea starting XI made me feel somewhat at ease although on the other hand, I was slightly worried that my continued praise for Torres would come back to bite me in the bum! Fortunately, El Nino went missing – rumours are that Larry Koscielny found him in his back pocket this morning. Speaking of whom, what an incredible player he’s turning out to be. People forget that last season was his first in England and that he had to get used to three different keepers and four different centre-back pairings. Some also forget his master-class display against Messi when we beat Barcelona at the Emirates. He is a fine young player with all the raw attributes to be a top class defender – and he was nothing short of outstanding on Saturday.

The main man however, was Robin Van Persie (RVP) who bagged a hat-trick, taking him to 28 goals in 27 league games in 2011. Phenomenal. Fingers crossed he can stay away from knocks and that he signs a new long-term deal with the club.

This week sees us battle it out against Marseille in the Champions League and then back to the Premier League on Saturday with the visit of West Brom. Personally, I would rest RVP and give Park a go in Europe and I think we can win both of these games.

And finally, two things:

1. I will never stop laughing at the sight of John Terry being left on his knees chewing grass like a donkey.

  

2. The walk from the stadium all the way home was one of the most satisfying walks of my life. Head high, chest out and cannon showing (err, once I’d got to the station anyway). Untouchable.

Much love x

Days are forgotten...

As the summer draws to an official close this Sunday, I have decided, after much deliberation, that central line women are the fittest of them all. Believe me, I'm right, particularly as I have conducted extensive research in this field – worthy of a PhD. Imagine, Dr. Khanage!

Anyhow, what an interesting month it has been for Arsenal FC. 7 wins from 8 since our capitulation at Blackburn – our only defeat at White Hart Lane and the Club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) - more on this later.

The unexpected loss at Ewood Park was quickly followed by wins against Shrewsbury (Carling Cup), Bolton Wanderers (Premier League) and Olympiacos (Champions League). Unimpressive performances but the results were most welcome. The irony is that I think we actually played well against Spurs and in fairness, the game could have gone either way. In the end, it was settled by another wonder goal, this time from young right back, Kyle Walker. As expected, I received numerous abusive text messages at full-time and rightly so – if you can give it, you’ve got to be prepared to take it. However, all this nonsense about the ‘shift of power’ and that Spurs are now the ‘force of North London’ is total bollocks. May I remind those fools, that in addition to the fact we have finished above Spurs every season in the Premier League, our club honours also boast the following achievements:

13 League Championships

10 FA Cups

2 League Cups

European Fairs Cup Winners

European Cup Winners Cup

and Champions League 14 years running – a feat matched only by Barcelona and Manchester United

As Kasabian sing, (those) days are forgotten, simply forgotten.

I must say, some of the headlines that have followed our losses this season have been nothing short of hilarious. Claims that Arsenal are finished, or that Arsenal won’t finish top half and my favourite, Arsenal for relegation, are laughable. Such sensationalism is expected from the media but when it comes from the fans, it spreads like a poisonous cancer. Needless to say, this negativity has spread to match-days at the Emirates resulting in hostile receptions for the team every week. This isn’t healthy and must stop. For the record, Newcastle United will not finish top 4, we will not be relegated and we are certainly not finished!

Since the North London derby, we’ve picked up wins against Sunderland, Marseille, Stoke and Bolton. It would be fair to say that we’ve ground out some of these results with less than impressive performances but is this such a bad thing? Considering where we were, we can’t complain and I am convinced the performances will come. As Arsene once brilliantly put it, ‘If you eat caviar every day it is difficult to come back to sausages’.

Incidentally, I must apologise to my fellow Emirati for my outburst at the game against Stoke City. I should not have lost it – sorry. Peter Crouch’s equaliser came as a result of awful defending from a set piece. Ryan Shawcross was left totally unmarked, much to my dissatisfaction (as caught on Sky Sports, below) and he headed it straight across the goalmouth to get an assist.

The club held it’s AGM yesterday and to be perfectly honest, there was nothing of significant interest. We had a few words from Stan Kroenke, the usual polished waffle from the Chief Executive and a rousing speech from Arsene, calling for the club (fans) to be united. The media immediately picked up on some disgruntled supporters outside the stadium who all urged the club to spend millions. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we don’t have the money. Trying to keep up with these sugar-daddy funded clubs isn’t the right path to take. In twenty years we’ll all look back and realise that Arsene was right all along.

Next up, Chelsea. I’m going to the Bridge for the first time tomorrow and am really looking forward to it. Much has been made of their disciplinary problems and JT’s spat with Anton Ferdinand but make no mistake, they will be up for this and will be very tough to beat. I’d be pleased with a point but I think we’re capable of all three.

Oh and guess who’s back… Tommy V = nails.

And finally, an interesting find that has caught my attention. Rambo’s statistics in terms of ball retention, pass completion, goals scored and chances created are on par with David Silva. Of course, he won’t get the same press coverage, but I’ll take that all day long.

Viva Le Arse!

Feature: Joe Husson - Why I love 'The Arsenal'

Hello chums, I am delighted to introduce a special guest blog from a good friend and fellow Gooner, Joe Husson:

Joe has recently turned 21 (much to my disgust... not that he doesn't deserve to be 21, just it makes me realise how ancient I am). Joe lives and breathes football and one day, would like to become a coach at Arsenal - good luck, son! Enjoy..

During the international period, which for the record, is the most unnerving yet boring two weeks of my life, I took it upon myself to do a guest blog on 'Why I love The Arsenal' for my dear friend, the legend that is, Faisal ‘I’ll make a move on anything with a pair of breasts and a heartbeat’ Khan.

Although this is proving to be one of the toughest seasons in my 21 year affiliation with Arsenal Football Club, I think it’s about time someone gave a positive view of our club which has been dragged through the mud and kicked in the nuts repeatedly from all corners of the media since the season began.

Highbury

Where else would you expect me to start? Highbury. This is a place where I spent most of my childhood, come rain, wind, snow, ice or sun. I'd be there with my brother and dad cheering on The Arsenal. This was back in the day when I used to be at school all week, almost wetting myself in pure excitement that I was going to Highbury at the weekend.

Everything about match days back then seemed so much more special. Coming out of Finsbury Park train station and walking down the road, past the four burger vans, the pubs, all the sweet stalls and the 'Away Boyz' selling copies of their CD from outside someone’s house. All the time walking past these houses wondering where on earth a football stadium could be. Standing in the huge queue to get through those old fashioned turnstiles, holding my dad’s hand to make sure I don’t get crushed by all the big old men who looked as though they were in the clouds.

Once the game starts I would stand on my chair trying to catch a glimpse of my heroes over the much bigger man sitting in front of me. Then all of a sudden I’d hear ‘Right Here, Right Now’ by Fatboy Slim and the players would emerge from the tunnel. The likes of Henry, Adams, Wright, Pires, Overmars, Vieira, Petit, Keown, Seaman and Bergkamp... MY HEROES.

Players

Now I have a girlfriend, and I worship the ground she walks on - not only because she’s a Gooner. The only other people that come close to worship; the players who pull on that Arsenal shirt.

Not so much in recent times of struggle but, again, those players in the Highbury days and a very select few from the Emirates. Tony Adams, Mr Arsenal, scoring goals, Everton in particular, and putting his life on the line, just to make sure that The Arsenal keep that clean sheet!

Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry who provided me with so many happy memories of scoring goals and making defenders look like blind rhinos on that hallowed Highbury turf. Robert Pires effortlessly gliding past defenders and curling the ball past the goalkeeper from pretty much anywhere he saw fit.

Marc Overmars roaring past defenders like the roadrunner and always providing a pin point cross or composed finish (take note Theo) Patrick Vieira dominating every game from the centre of midfield, roaring his teammates on and wanting to kill anyone who wore any other kit.

Last but not least Mr Cesc Fabregas. Arguably one of our best ever players. Another player who glided across the pitch, making the beautiful game look so very easy. Soon to be added to this list Jack Wilshere and RVP.

Fans

Although The Emirates atmosphere resembles that of a morgue 99% of the time I still think we have some of the best fans in the league. The one night I remember from the Emirates, Arsenal vs. Barcelona, when we beat them at their own game and came away with a 2-1 victory. That night, the stadium was rocking; the atmosphere and noise were incredible! That night showed me the fans were capable of making the Emirates everything it should be! An intimidating arena where The Arsenal can have a 12^th man and destroy anyone who dared to challenge us.

The away fans do our club proud. Myself, FK, Denetris and Yeamilson often travel around England supporting our boys and I think we'd all agree that the buzz we get standing in the away end of a stadium, singing till were blue in the face with a throat lined with sandpaper by far outweighs the mundane match day experience of the Emirates.

Other honourable mentions, people who I’ve spent hours discussing the ups and downs with, my dearest Kaizer Chief who also has to put up with me when Arsenal lose, like it or not. James ‘brick shithouse’ Woodhouse, Evie ‘fat thumbs’ Ranscombe, Ben ‘BA Hons’ Morcombe and many more who all have such passion for Arsenal that their weekend is dictated by the Arsenal result. I salute you all.

Arsene

A man who has single handidly turned our club into one of the elite clubs in world football.
A man who with a transfer budget of peanuts has got us into the Champions League for the past 15 years.
A man who buys young kids with no experience and turns them into world beaters.
A man who created ‘The Invincibles’.

Arsene Wenger has come under a lot of criticism in recent times, something that hurts me greatly, but he is without doubt one of the clubs greatest, and most important figures at any level. He has turned boring boring Arsenal into the second most attractive footballing side in the world, with a much smaller budget than that of those bastards in Spain, and with a lot more class. He has overseen and inspired Arsenals transitions on and off the pitch and I can think of no other manager who has played such a big role in the continued development of a club.

The Cannon

I love the cannon. Simple but effective. It’s not a cock sitting on a ball, a devil, or some sort of wild animal roaring ferociously. It’s a symbol of war and destruction, something I think our current squad should be reminded of. A bird or animal isn’t going to defeat a cannon, if a cannonball is fired at a bird I think we all know what the final outcome will be. Anyone for KFC?

Goals

Is there any better feeling than seeing an Arsenal player sticking the ball in the back of the net? It doesn’t matter whether it’s from 3 or 30 yards, they all make us feel about six years old again! Now everyone has their favourite goals but these are my top three and they're not just based on quality, it's how they made me feel in the moment:

1.    Adams vs. Everton – This goal summed up everything about Arsenal that I loved. What other team would have their centre back charging through the centre of the field to slam the ball into the back of the net with such a composed and accomplished finish? Was there a more fitting way to secure the Premier League title?  ‘Would you believe it!? That, sums it all up!’ 

2.    Henry vs. Man Utd – That volley that flew past Barthez and nestled beautifully in the top corner. It also had Andy Gray spraying his man juice all around the sky studio and covering Martin Tyler from head to toe.  

3.    God vs. Newcastle – I’m sure I don’t need to tell you all who God is but just in case you have inexcusably forgotten who the god of Arsenal was, DB10; St James’ Park was the venue for his phenomenon. We were not worthy. Genius.

I could go on all day and night but I simply don’t have the time. I love Arsenal Football Club and the chances are if you’re reading this you do too. Our club is going through a hard time, truth is they need us now more than ever, the good times are only around the corner, so let’s get behind the boys cheer them on and make sure we turn this season around!

Till next time.

Joe ‘JdotH’ Husson