Revolving Doors of the Decade

There’s always a smell of nostalgia commencing at midnight of the 31st of December. Every year we look back at your troubles, our achievements, our happiness and the world around us. And best of all, we look forward to a new, fresh year.

Premier league football of 09 and indeed the decade ended at Fratton Park, the most archaic of stadiums you may ever see. Yet, with all the fear of trudging in the cold without skipper Cesc, Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 win over bottom of the table Portsmouth. The three goals after Eduardo’s free-kick all summed up a poignant reminder of what Arsenal have really achieved this decade; the trailblazers of youthful, beautiful football, and earning the footballing world’s respect. I don’t say this out of arrogance, but when you listen to fans of Bolton groaning about their lack of style, fans of Liverpool wanting some punch, and even fans of Chelsea wanting some flair, Arsenal FC and Arsene Wenger have earned a large portion of the ‘noughty’ respect.

Of course, all this wouldn’t have happened without the continuam of trophies in the early phase of the decade. Between years 2000 and 2007, we managed to reach a final every year and/or win a trophy. Thats a magnificent feat for a continous shift in the first team. The years 2000-2005 was also a stable team, and one looks at the team sheet now ( a first 11 non-injury team sheet) must say that Arsene is trying to replicate a much needed stability.

I remember back in 2001 having a computerised version of Ashburton Grove as my desktop wallpaper. It looks stunning, and the final version serves the similarity well. There was always going to be a lull in team fortunes; losing the ‘invincbles’ at that crucial moment was not inevitable, but it was always inevitable that the team would slump in form.

Yet, something magical has risen. The club has rebranded itself, renamed itself in the world of football. Everywhere you go AFC signifies different meaning to the AFC of the 90′s or even early 00′s. By playing football as it should be, or near perfection, AFC symbolises a gentleman’s version of football, away from that misty cloud of the many red cards in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

As we approach the cusp of this new year, this new decade, always remember, if you beleive in something special, it will happen. The little miracles will grow into large ones. Keep the faith.

Victory through Harmony

Smiles And Storms All Round

“I’m going to burst my head. We’re back in businessssssssssssssssssss….”

That is the sound of the turning point, another milestone, in this incredible, delictable season of mad football. I won’t bother with a match report; every Gooenr in the land watched with glee at the way a spirited Arsenal fell and came back back from the gutter to wrench out a 2-1 in at Anfield. They were the last team to come back from bvehind at Anfield back in October 2003, and they did it again with a little help from that thorn in the red-bush, Andrei Arshavin.

Never before has Arsene smiled at his own candid quotes. Maybe once in an interview, but certainly not twice. This weekend was unseen, and perhaps, if not the best weekend of football since sliced bread was made. United lost, Chelsea drew, Spurs lost, etc etc etc.

I was at the rain soaked Arsenal-Chelsea match, which opened the gulf to 11 points. I always had a feeling we could overturn something like half that deficit – how I was wrong. With a game in hand at home agaisnt a leaky Bolton side, Arsenal F.C are back/

The preview in the London Evening Standard newspaper called Arshavin’s tenure at Arsenal so far as ‘flashes of genuis’. He has done mroe than that. The Russian stepped up to the plate, time and time again. At Anfield, twice, at Old Trafford. All he needs now is a goal agiasnt Chelsea (he could have but for it being disallowed). If Arsene didn’t know, he knows now. Arshavin must play upfront alongside pacy strikers who can strech the wings.

For me, Theo lacked sharpness and control. Ironically, it was his prescence in the box that led to the own goal. If he wants any chance of being on the plane to South Africa, he must start to show some control of the ball at his feet, and a desire to get into the box.

I implore everyone to watch this youtube video of fanzone, convering the match. HIlarious, it’ll bring a smile to your face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYa366GmIoY

One certainly returned from the Professor.