Category Archives: Arsenal

Who is Arsenal’s Hardest Hardman?

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In 1995 who was fined $4,000 after pleading guilty to punching a mini cab driver in Hong Kong

On 17 September 1988 Paul Davis broke whose jaw?

Which Scottish international was banned for life by his country before he had even played a game?

These are just 3 of the questions in The Arsenal Quiz Book.

We have had our fair share of naughty boys over the years.

From Peter Storey who was convicted of various criminal offences; including keeping a brothel, and was jailed for three years for financing a plot to counterfeit gold coins, Tony Adams who was jailed for drink driving and Ray Parlour for doing whatever Ray Parlour does.

We have also had our fair share of hardmen; a tag which no player really gets anymore due to the non-contact nature of the modern game.

But who is the hardest?

Paul Davis

It was Glenn Cockerill who had his jaw broken by Paul Davis in 1988.

Davis was the enforcer to Mickey Thomas and Rocky Rocastle’s grace in the late 80s / early 90s and was integral to Arsenal’s title wins in 1989 and 1991.

That punch landed Davis with a nine-match ban and a £3,000 fine.

Patrick Vieira

Sent off 10 times in his Arsenal career, Patrick Vieira was one of the greatest all round midfielders to play the game.

He was an combative, aggressive midfielder who also graceful as a gazelle, striding across the pitch.

At 6’ 4”, he was an intimidating presence in the tunnel. With him leading the line, teams were beaten mentally before they had even stepped foot on the pitch.

A one man wrecking ball in the middle of the park. A man not to be messed with.

Martin Keown

When Martin Keown was on the pitch, attackers knew they were in for a hard day.

Considered to be one of the best man-markers of his day, he was a strong, physical presence in a strong, physical back 4 alongside Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn.

Keown was suspended for three matches and had to pay a £20,000 fine for his role in Battle of Old Trafford.

The mild mannered football pundit is a far cry from the snarling, aggressive Keown that played over 400 times for The Arsenal.

Wilf Copping

During his playing days, Wilf Copping was well known for his quote that “the first man in a tackle never gets hurt.” He also earned the nickname of “Iron Man” because of how physical and intimidating he was on the pitch.

Copping also never shaved prior to matchdays, believing that he looked much more fearsome with a beard.

Despite being “one of the original hard men of football”, Copping was never booked or sent off in his career. Probably a sign of just how much the game has changed.

Peter Storey

The arrests came after Peter Storey had finished playing. But Storey the footballer was a hard individual.

Known as “The Hatchet Man”, Storey was a tough tackling full back known for aggressive early tackles on his opposing winger. His thinking was that a hard first tackle would make the winger think twice before trying to take him on again.

His 15 year Arsenal career led fans to joke that Peter Storey was “one Storey that belonged in the horror section.”

Storey just loved tackling. Hard.

Honourable mentions: Tony Adams, Lauren, Steve Bould, Jens Lehmann, Nigel Winterburn, Ray Parlour, Wille Young

Keenos

Today sees the launch of Kick Off Merchants, a fan led merchandise shop.

Frustrated by the poor quality “official” merchandise clubs produce, 10 fans from 7 different clubs have got together to launch Kid Off Merchants.

With items aimed at the football fan on the Clapham omnibus, we design, manufacture and sell items that we would buy. Truly for the fans, by the fans.

Working exclusively with talented graphic designers, we will be producing art work, mugs, dog collars, phone covers and more.

Recent years have seen the majority of clubs change their badge to enable them to copywrite the image. Most of these new badges have gone down poorly with the common fan, and yet they plaster it over every piece of merchandise. So you will be pleased to know that none of goods will have a club badge on it.

The majority of designs based on classic kits including:

  • Arsenal’s bruised banana
  • Liverpool stripes
  • Manchester United’s green and yellow
  • Chelsea’s 1988
  • Everton 1995
  • Sheffield United’s’ “laver”

With a wide range of goods and designs, we have something for everyone – and more to come.

KOM

Match Report: Benfica 1 – 1 Arsenal

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SL Benfica (0) 1 Arsenal (0) 1

UEFA Europa League, Round of 32, Leg 1 of 2

Stadio Olimpico, Viale dei Gladiatori, 00135 Roma RM, Italy

Thursday, 18th February 2021. Kick-off time: 8.00pm

(4-2-3-1) Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhães, Cédric Soares; Martin Ødegaard, Dani Ceballos; Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Substitutes: Kieran Tierney, Alexandre Lacazette, Willian Borges da Silva, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pépé, Calum Chambers, Pablo Marí, Mohamed Elneny, Eddie Nketiah, Mat Ryan, Gabriel Martinelli, Karl Hein.

Scorers: Bukayo Saka (57 mins)

Arsenal Possession Percentage: 59%

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey)

Assistant Referees: Bahattin Duran (Turkey), Tarik Ongun (Turkey)

Fourth Official: Halis Özkahya (Turkey)

Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

VAR Team (UEFA): VAR Massimiliano Irrati (Italy); AVAR Michael Fabbri (Italy)

Attendance: A minimal amount of attendees (circa 3,000) due to coronavirus restrictions

As has been reported in the media recently, due to coronavirus issues both here and on the European mainland, these two ties will be held at neutral venues. Tonight’s match will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, home of Lazio and AS Roma, and is a perfect backdrop for two clubs of this stature. Unfortunately, Thomas Partey is not available due to injury, but Kieran Tierney is on the substitute’s bench tonight after a period of injury. Let’s go!

We started the match brightly, with intent on bringing the game to Benfica, with good passing movement and excellent pace up front. Our electric pace meant that we were caught in an offside trap once or twice in the first ten minutes, but that did not deter us in our mission to win this contest here in Rome tonight. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed an open goal from point-blank range after eighteen minutes, when it was easier to score than miss, and it was after this incident that Benfica started to wake up and somehow the game became some kind of mobile chess match involving all twenty-two players. With Benfica playing with five at the back when we moved forward, this made things a trifle difficult for the chaps to break through; however, this only served for our players to hit long-range shots in order to try to open the scoring, the best opportunity of which fell to Bukayo Saka, whose twenty-yard shot was scooped up by the Benfica ’keeper quite easily. Both sides appeared to be very nervous indeed, very aware of not making a mistake that might lead to conceding a goal. Five minutes before the break however, we so nearly scored when the quick feet of Martin Ødegaard jinked and turned and passed his way through the Benfica defenders in the penalty area, but unluckily lost his footing just in front of the goal, which ultimately meant that the Benfica goalkeeper easily retrieved it. Despite some shenanigans in our penalty area during injury time, we finished the first half of this match honours even, but in essence we were by far the better side overall.

With no changes at half-time, we started the second half with the same purpose and passion that we ended the first, really. Emile Smith-Rowe was desperately unlucky not to score when his point-blank shot was saved by the goalkeeper’s legs; even though it was offside, it was still a great chance squandered. A few minutes later, after some great passing movements, Bukayo Saka’s clever shot just shaved the outside of the Benfica post, and then, completely against the run of play, a penalty was given for Benfica when a cross from a corner unfortunately hit Emile Smith-Rowe on the arm in our penalty area, as he turned away from the ball, which all players do, of course. Afonso Fernandes (aka Pizzi) made no mistake from the spot to give Benfica the advantage. We responded immediately, with Bukayo Saka scoring a great goal; we stretched the Benfica defence, and Cédric Soares delivered a great ball into the penalty area for our number seven to score from close range. And then, after a heart-stopping few moments when the referee consulted VAR, and the pitchside monitor, we were given the goal, and quite rightly so, too. The goal fired us up, and by rights, we should have taken the lead when both Emile Smith-Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were unfortunate not to score. Kiernan Tierney replaced the man who laid the ball on for the goal, Cédric Soares, after sixty-three minutes, and at this point in the match we started to play some determined football, showing a real desire to score and to leave Rome as winners tonight. Arsenal were first to the tackle, constantly asking questions of the Benfica defence, and as opportunities came and went, it almost seemed like a matter of time before we scored. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith-Rowe made way for Nicolas Pépé and Gabriel Martinelli in a seventy-fifth minute double substitution, and still we tried desperately to score, but to no avail. Dani Ceballos and Martin Ødegaard were replaced by Willian and Mohamed Elneny with a couple of minutes left on the clock, with the idea of injury time consolidation over four minutes by Mikel Arteta, no doubt. And so it finished as a draw, with next week’s match in Athens now becoming the crucial, must-win game.

Yes, we should have won. Yes, we squandered chances that would have put Benfica away. But we didn’t. But it’s okay. However, looking on the positive side, we didn’t pick up any silly bookings, controversial sending-offs and absolutely no injuries; and with the Manchester City game coming up on Sunday (and Leicester City match on the horizon too), tonight’s match, in the cold light of day, may well seem like a good result in the fullness of time. We still have the second leg in Athens next Thursday to deal with, and putting this evening behind us, after what we saw of Benfica, we have the players and the system to beat them. And we will, you just wait and see.

Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as this season is going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Our next match: Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, 21st February at 4.30pm (Premier League). Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon.

Why Willian, Why?

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Willian is becoming the newest figure of hate for some Arsenal fans. Why they always need to have a player to hurl abuse at is mystifying, but it has something that has happened for decades.

I have always thought that at least when they are getting angry at Willian online or I the stands, at least it stops the blokes taking out their anger on their misses.

The Willian saga is one which the narrative on the season will look back on.

Why did we sign him? Why did we offer him so much money? And such a long contract? And why does Mikel Arteta play him so much?

Well all of those questions are for another blog, another day. I am only going to talk about his appearance versus Leeds United on Sunday and the logic behind Arteta bringing him on.

Firstly let’s bust a myth.

Myth: Arsenal were 4-0 up and cruising before bringing Willian on. We then conceded 2 goals

Truth: Willian actually  came on between Leeds United’s first and 2nd goal; and he certainly could not be blamed for the Yorkshire sides second which came down our right hand side. Willian was playing on the left.

So why did Arteta opt for Willian ahead of Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli?

The answer is simple: control.

At 4-0 (when Willian would have been sent to warm up), the game was over, Leeds beaten, demoralised.

Usually in these situations the team leading would end up coasting to the final whistle with about 70% possession, just knocking it about, controlling the game.

The opposition, knowing they will not win, batten down the hatches, do not send men forward like they would at 1 or 2-nil. Defend deep, do not get embarrassed.

The likes of Pepe and Martinelli need space to play in. To run in behind. Both would have been perfect substitutes if the margin was not a 4 (and then 3) goal one.

At a 2 goal margin Leeds would still be motivated to attack, so Arsenal would look to sit deep and hit them on the counter.

But a 3 or 4 goal margin, we are in the previous scenario of Arsenal controlling the game.

And like Willian or not, he is a better passer than both Pepe and Martinelli.

Do not believe me? Let’s look at the statistics:

The fact is, ball retention is Martinelli and Pepe’s weakest asset.

Not only are they the worst of the midfielders for keeping hold of the ball, but when it comes to pass completion ratio, they rank 25th and 27th out of 29. Only keeper Runar Alex Runarsson is worse than the pair, with Cedric Soares splitting them.

So if you want to see a game out, to control the game, to not give away the ball, you do not bring on Martinelli or Pepe.

Of those players who are better at retaining the ball than Willian, 3 were already on the pitch – Granit Xhaka, Dani Cabellos and Martin Odergaard. And with only 60 minutes on, brining Mo Elneny on for Emile Smith Rowe would have been too defensive.

With Thomas Partey injured, Willian for Smith Rowe was the clear and obvious substitution if we wanted to retain control, shape and attacking intent.

At 4-2 up, the Willian substitution looked poor. But as established he was not at fault for either of the goals.

The poor decision was made by Arteta.

He failed to take into account the side he was playing, and who manages them.

Marcelo Bielsa sides do not stop coming at you.

They could be 2-0 up or 4-0 down and they will keep playing one way – throwing men forward.

Arteta should have recognised the man in the other dug out and realised that even at 4-0 or 4-1, Arsenal would get chances on the break. That in this game, pace on the counter would probably have been better than looking for control.

But in 99% of other games, at 4-0 up, you bring on the man that will retain the ball. Pass and move. Move and pass. You do not bring on players with poor ball retention.

Willian was the right substitution but against the wrong opponents.

Keenos