Category Archives: Arsenal

Ramsdale’s Dad, Fragile Michael Owen, Cazorla Return and More

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Ramsdale’s Dad

Is Aaron Ramsdale’s old man craving attention or just naive?

I am not sure why he took it upon himself to go onto an Arsenal podcast and air his son’s dirt laundry to anyone and everyone.

The fact that he was sitting their, being interviewed, whilst seemingly having a drink, just showed what an unprofessional shit show it was. There are plenty of questions those involved need to ask themselves:

  • How did Ramsdale’s think going on a podcast would halp his sons Arsenal career?
  • Did Aaron know his old man was going on the podcast?
  • Did the podcast contact his dad to go on; or was it his dad that contacted the podcast?
  • Why did an Arsenal podcast decide to pursue a line of question that would only be damaging to the club and player?

I have seen his old man in away ends. He always wears a silly hat so that everyone knows who he is. He certainly likes the attention.

But I also do not understand the podcasts intention. It is host by Kevin Campbell (who has previously cozied up to AFTV), and someone who has appeared on Sky Sports (and seems to has aspirations of being a mainstream presenter / journalist).

Personally, I have always been uncomfortable with those that manufacture negative content for clicks (and as a result attention and revenue). They show they are happy dragging our club through the mud for a bit of coin.

The interview, Ramsdale’s dad, and all those involved can get in the bin. No better than AFTV.

Fragile Michael Owen

What a poor little sensitive soul Michael Owen is.

The second installment of Match Officials Mic’d Up has had the exact dame criticism as the first, with Owen getting the brunt of the criticism for failing to challenge Howard Webb.

Howard Webb is afforded the easiest of rides by wooden Michael Owen on Match Officials Mic’d Up was one headline of last months show, with Michael Owen panned for NOT challenging the former ref as the second installment’s viral headline.

The show is basically a “party political broadcast” for the PGMOL, with their Dear Leader, Webb, speaking unchallenged for the entire show and Michael Owen just standing there contributing nothing.

As for the decisions themselves, I do get why they failed to give the goal. It baffles me that VAR camera’s are only on one side of the stadium. This was not the first time VAR have been unable to properly review a decision due to not having the angles.

“Both hands arepushing on the back but it is not a foul” was baffling. Surely this was a blatant foul? And the lack of audio for the Bruno Guimarães decison is worrying. What are the PGMOL hiding? Did the refs say “it is a red card, but we can not give it after the Havertz decision”?

What needs to happen is we the fans need to hear the decisions on TV live. It happens in cricket, rugby, American Football, etc. I really do not see why football sees the need to protect its officials from public scrutiny.

Cazorla Return

It is always fun to read what is actually said in comparison to what the headlines are.

Santi Cazorla makes huge return claim was one such headline, which led to lots of discussion about the little Spanish returning to Arsenal in January to finish his career.

The interview these rumours have circulated from were about Santi’s plans once he returns. Now 38, he was talking about wanting to stay in football, but ‘does not know if as a coach, a second coach (assistant manager) or sporting director.’

When asked specifically about a return to Arsenal, he told the Daily Mail ‘of course I would like to come back. I have to wait if the club thinks about me, if I can help in something – as a coach or a sporting director.’

So stop getting your knickers in a twist, or getting excited about him going back for a “final goodbye”.

Arsenal will not be signing Cazorla in January. After 3-years in Saudi he would ahve nothing to offer us on the pitch. But do not be surprised if he does he badges with us, just like Thierry Henry, Jack Wilshere and Mohamed Elneny.

Christmas Jumpers

Not yet got your Arsenal Christmas jumper for 2023? Our range of Arsenal Christmas jumpers is now on the store. Sweatshirts and T-Shirts available, with kids and adults sizes available!

Keenos

Sky agenda exposed in PGMOL exclusive

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After the Newcastle game, it was all very odd the way that Sky pundits went out of their way to defend English referees and the PGMOL.

Gary Neville accused Arsenal of ‘undermining the whole refereeing community’, whilst his best mate Jamie Carragher was a little bet less clickbaity, but still backed the officials.

Love Island star Gemma Owen’s father, and now Sky pundit, Michael Owen also had his say:

‘The only (in his words) ‘embarrassing’ and ‘disgraceful’ thing about it was Arteta’s behaviour. A common occurrence that damages the game more than any incorrect decision. 

‘For his club to now release a statement moaning about the standard of officiating is poor and sadly for a team of Arsenals standing, totally classless.’

It felt like at the time that there was a bit of an Arsenal pile-on from Sky pundits, and many sctratched their head as to why they came out so aggressively in favour of the officials, refusing to acknowledge that the PGMOL need to improve officiating in this country. And we can now expose why.

Yesterday afternoon, the Premier League announced that they will make the audio piblic for the Newcastle goal decision. It would be exclusively released…..you guessed it! Sky!

The VAR audio will be played and analysed on Sky’s Match Officials Mic’d Up – a monthly programme hosted by PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb. And co-hosting the show? Michael Owen.

So we have Sky getting an exclusive from the PGMOL (of which they will earn advertising revenue on) and PGMOL chief Howard Webb talking exclusively to Sky on the decision.

Don’t kick a gift horse in the mouth is what comes to mind.

For those not up to date on their old-English proverbs, this basically means that you you should not criticize a gift, even if you don’t like it very much.

I am sure Carragher and Neville has the same distain for officials as pundits as they had as players, and actually agree with Arsenal that refereeing standards in this country need to improve. But whilst the PGMOL give Sky exclusive access to their decision making process, and their chief ref, they will toe the company line.

They will not want to criticise the PGMOL, as that could result in Sky taking away their new toy, and giving the exclusive access to TNT or the BBC.

As for Michael Owen, he is a horrendous commentator and has now been given the Match Officials Mic’d Up show. It is clear that his agenda is driven by his need to keep his job following his gambling issues.

Howard Webb is afforded the easiest of rides by wooden Michael Owen on Match Officials Mic’d Up… the former England star is avoids the tough questions.

That was just one review of the shows first episode back in October. It is all just a farce.

We are now in a situation where the PGMOL go on TV to say “look, we are giving more access”, but they have also clearly informed Sky that if the grilling or criticisim is too much, they will cut the access.

It is no wonder that fans are leaving Sky in their droves and seeking alternative ways to watch their football and absorb post-game analysis. It is all just driven by generating high advertising revenue using ‘shock comments’ that go viral rather than actually providing good analysis.

I am lucky. I go home and away for most of the games so am immune to what Neville, Carragher et al have to say the majority of the time. But Newcastle I had to sit their BS. For Chelsea v Manchester City last Sunday, I simply switched over (the the Blacklist) at the final whistle.

I am all for listing to experts. But their view needs not to be driven by an agenda.

It is clear and obvious that Sky’s protection of referee’s, and OTT criticism of Arsenal, is due to their cozy relationshiop with Howard Webb and the PGMOL.

UTA.

Keenos

Arsenal positioned brilliantly going into the final international break of the year

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Maybe a 2-2 draw at Chelsea was not the disaster that some fans made it out to be?

12 games in and, ahead of the final international break of the season, I think we can confidently say that we are in the title race.

Some were concerned that last season was a one-off, a flash in the pan. Our 2021, when Manchester United finished 2nd with Ole at the wheel. But we are back again.

Yes, we have not quite looked as smooth as last year, and maybe not as exciting going forward, but that shows the growth of this team under Mikel Arteta.

The fact that being 3rd in the league, with only Manchester City having more points, has left some feeling underwhelmed shows just how Mikel Arteta has raised the bar of expectations.

I for one am please we seem to be holding a little back.

Last season we started quick, and led the title race for the majority of the season. But Manchester City were always just a length behind and, in the closing stages, they galloped ahead whilst we ran out of steam.

Anyone who has played sport to any sort of decent level will know about peaking your fitness. In individual sports such as cycling, swimming or athletics, that will usually be around a single event that season.

They will tend to compete in other events at around 80% whilst in intense training. Then when the major events come up, they will peak and taper to ensure they are at 100% for it.

In football, with games every week, and twice a week for much of the season, teams do not really peak for an individual game but more a period of games.

Sides lower down the table will try and be at 100% fitness at the beginning of the season. The hope is to get some early points on the board and take the pressure off.

At the other end of the table, your champions-elect will usually try and start the season at around 80% fitness and build into the season, with the goal being to be at 100% for those closing stage. The aim is to then get through those first 10-15 games dropping as few points as possible whilst not expelling to much energy.

Over the years, we have seen Manchester City “have a slow start”. They are winning games 1-nil. Dropping points here and there. And then with 15 games to go they are basically invincible. Win after win, week after week. They go up another level.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United was similar. As was Arsene Wenger’s early Arsenal teams. Hold a little back in the first half of the season to be better 2nd half.

It is like a marathon runner when they aim to do a negative split (when you run faster in the 2nd half of the race compared to the first). The top athletes begin to accelerate whilst lesser opponents who were giving 100% to keep up start to fall away.

We are hanging on to Manchester City’s coat tails without having really overexerted ourselves too often this season. That means we should be keeping plenty in the tank for those last 15 games of the season.

There has also been the feeling that we have not been as good going forward this season as last. That is simply not true.

Yes, we are not as exciting going forward. But that is mainly due to Gabriel Jesus being injured. He is organised chaos up-top who gets bums off seats in his play style. This season, we are a bit more simple in attack. A bit more formulatic.

We are top scorers from corners in the Premier League. I always think it does not matter how you score, what matters is that you score.

The international break is now upon us. It will give some of the squad a break and a chance to get closer to full fitness. Hopefully the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard see little game time considering their recent injuries.

Onwards and upwards!

Keenos