Arsenal related stuff
A FEW random thoughts:
- Someone I know who was last season 13,000 odd on the season ticket waiting list is now 2,000.
- If Arsenal are supposedly struggling to sell tickets and the FA Cup has supposedly lost it’s glamour, can someone explain why 5,000 Arsenal fans are travelling to Stoke next Sunday for a game that is already on terrestrial TV?
- Patrick Vieira appears damned by his brilliant best. Yes, he’s not what he was. But some of the stick he’s taken of late has been absurd. The guy is only 33, has won three league titles in as many years in Italy and enjoyed a brilliant career in the Premiership. If Wenger can be tempted by him, Mancini sign him and Redknapp be spurned by him, is he really so over the hill?
- In today’s Times Tony Cascarino calls this Arsene’s worst side but also his best chance in five years to land the title because his rivals are weak.
The rivals are no weaker than the vast majority of the sides who won the title before 2002. Since then the bar has risen and the Arsenal, Chelsea and then United sides who have been crowned Champions have hit incredible heights. In spite of their supposed struggles, Chelsea will still hit 87 points at this rate – ten more than Arsenal and United were getting at the end of the 90s.
As for it being Arsene’s weakest side, what rubbish. In personnel and formation this is a different side to last season’s, to the one a year previously and that of 2006-07. The current lot are patently better than at least two of those teams. And you judge a side at the end of the season. Not now.
As for lacking winners, three of our four centre backs have each won the Premier League at least twice. Indeed age wise the squad now has a very balanced look, with a handful of over 30s, Arshavin and Rosicky approaching that age and players like RVP, Sagna, Eduardo and Clichy in their mid 20s. Even youngsters such as Cesc, Denilson, Song, Bendtner and Diaby have been at the club for quote a while.
- All that said, these are a massive few days for Arsenal. It’s as if Chelsea looked at the table this morning and realised they risked losing top spot on Wednesday night after our second game against Bolton – unless they gave Sunderland a good tonking today. They did and Ashley Cole scored a very, very decent goal.
- How weird is it to have Sol back?
- Some of you may have noticed I didn’t post a Goodplaya on Friday column this week. I’m thinking of ditching it: partly because I’m about to move to a work role where I’ll often be working until 11.30pm on a Thursday night and partly because I’m not sure how much of a fan I am of having compulsory deadlines on something I do voluntarily. I’ll still be blogging, but I probably won’t be continuing Goodplaya on Friday.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao-tzu
One of the most common recommendations I give to young professionals is to ask more experienced people for advice. After all, there is no better way to know how to do.
The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand.
Catch the star that holds your destiny, the one that forever twinkles within your heart. Take advantage of precious opportunities while they still sparkle before you. Always believe that your ultimate goal is attainable as long as you commit yourself to it.
Take pride in your accomplishments, as they are stepping stones to your dreams. Understand that you may make mistakes, but don’t let them discourage you. Value your capabilities and talents for they are what make you truly unique.