Tag Archives: Liverpool

Arsenal fans wrong to take moral high ground over Stoke’s Ramsey abuse

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Up to this point, I have stayed out of the Stoke City / Aaron Ramsey rumblings that have been going on between numerous Arsenal bloggers and Stoke’s Oatcake Fanzine.

The quick background is stoke fans discussed on their fanzines forum how they were going to ‘mark’ the minute which Aaron Ramsey got his leg broken by Ryan Shawcross. In response, Arsenal fans through blogs and tweets showed their disgust, with it even making the national press.

My opinion is a simple one. Arsenal fans – get over it. Over my years of being a member of various forums, Facebook Groups and on Twitter, I have seen Arsenal fans discuss a lot worse. We should not be taking the moral high ground here.

Stoke City’s discussions to applaud, hold a minutes silence, chant Ryan Shawcross’s name, on the 67th minute is not a discussion which is out of place on a football message board. And even if they go through with their plans on Saturday, it will not be the worse thing sung on a game day.

It perhaps shows the current PC nature of the game that such a scenario has caused such outrage amongst Arsenal fan’s, trying to act holier then thou. In fact, Arsenal fans are hypocrites.

I look at the outrage of Arsenal fans when opposing fans first started singing “she said no Robin.” Now he has left, it is sang loud and clear both home and away. The same is with Ashley Cole. We think nothing about making up homophobic songs towards him. And lets not mention how many children’s parentage we have attributed to Ray Parlour over the years!

Even with the Arsene Wenger song which has disgusted so many over the years has been matched this season with an Arsenal version about David Moyes and Alex Ferguson touching boys.

And lest we forget Emmanuel Adebayor. Who has not sung about wishing it was him, after the shooting in Angola which left 3 dead and 9 injured.

I have been part of message boards where Manchester United have the nickname ‘Munichs’. I have seen Arsenal fans attack Liverpool fans over Hillsborough. I have seen Arsenal fan’s coming up with songs on message boards about both.

So before you get on your high horse. Before you call Stoke fans a disgrace. Think about what you have typed over the years. What you have sung. If you are whiter than white, then fair enough. But if not, get over yourself, do not take the moral high ground. Stoke’s actions are no more then a small part of the big pot which is football banter.

Keenos

Liverpool is in the past, time to move on to Bayern Munich

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One of the best things about football at this time of year is how games come at you thick and fast (unless you are a Spurs fan). No sooner have you recovered from one game, you have to start getting yourself up for the next. And for Arsenal this year, it is not just that games have come thick and fast, but they have been big games too.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. In the space of just 11 days. Whilst Liverpool fans will spend this week still cryarsing over a defeat which was never their fault, or attentions are fully on the next game. The Champions League tie against Munich.

Personally, I have quite negative thoughts about this upcoming game. Not due to side itself, but just towards my current feelings towards Arsenal and the Champions League.

Firstly, I am one of the many who have opted out of the game. I did this with a heavy heart. I love The Arsenal and would walk over hot coals to see then play. But with a 3% ticket rise already for next season, going to Bayern Munich at home would have added £100 to my season ticket price next season. Whilst that is affordable, I had to look towards the future.

Were we to beat Liverpool (we did) and then draw an FA Cup quarter final home tie (we did), my season ticket would then go up an additional £50 (approx). That takes my ticket to £150 more than this season. And that what if we beat Bayern Munich? And then beat whoever we draw next? That would mean an additional £300 on top of this seasons price – and also makes the 3% even more unjustified.

I am unable to justify a potential £300 increase so have had to make sacrifices. And that sacrifice is Munich. Will I be going to Everton? Yes. I prefer the FA Cup (more on my issues with the Champions League later). I am just more comfortable missing 1 game – such as Munich – to enable myself to go to further games later in the season. Especially if we get a sexy tie again; an away European trip will be on the cards. I wish I was there, but sadly ticket prices means this fan can’t go.

I am not a massive fan of the Champions League anyway. I find the group games often boring, predictable and laborious. For the group stages, you turn up, on a cold winter night, to watch us beat some Eastern European side 2-0, in a boring game where the result is not in doubt and Arsenal are just going through phases. It is not the excitement that TV makes it out to be.

The knock out stages do add a bit more excitement. Obviously going away is a different kettle of fish. But at home, they have also become stale. The same names, playing each other, knocking each other out. Where as 15 years ago, it was exciting playing Barcelona (albeit at Wembley), it has now become predictable. We would have now played Bayern Munich twice in 2 years. And if we were to get through, there is a high chance we could face Manchester City, Chelsea or Manchester United. Exciting.

The Champions League is about money. Not success. It is geared towards TV companies getting enough high profile games that they’ll pay through the nose to be the preferred broadcaster. This money then filters through to the clubs.

Arsenal would have already earnt around £30-£40m from the Champions League. Unless we win it, that figure will not rise dramatically. I am of the opinion that we should ‘take the money and run.’ We have more chance of winning the Premier League and FA Cup. Let’s go and put out the kids in both ties against Munich, get knocked out, but leave the first teamers fresh the domestic battles.

With games coming thick and fast, you need to shuffle your squad. You need to prioritise. For me, the Champions League is the least important this season. Let’s throw the game. Stick out the youth team, say to UEFA “thanks for the money, but we’re out” and concentrate on winning the double – which is most certainly on.

I am sure when we beat Munich 3-0 at home, my opinion will change. I will regret not going. Until then, I will be happy enough that we have something to look forward to this week, whilst fans of other clubs are still harping on about the weekend’s games (or whenever Spurs last played).

Up The Arsenal.

Keenos

Liverpool FC – It’s never their fault

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For a long time, Liverpool Football Club has been mocked by the rest of England. ‘Victimpool’ has been a common moniker. “It’s never your fault, it’s never your fault, always the victim, it’s never your fault” a common song sung.

When it came down to the ticketing issues for the weekend FA Cup tie, Liverpool were true to form and blamed everyone but themselves. Denied 9,000 seats due to safety reasons, they moaned it was not their fault and that they should get the lower and upper tier.

The reasoning behind the denial of 9,000 was due to Liverpool’s history of persistent standing and use of flares. So what do Liverpool then do? Stand throughout, set off 2 smoke bombs and steal a ball. They do themselves no favours. As for the disgraceful interruption by their fans during the minute’s silence for Sir Tom Finney, their fans once more went the extra mile and highlighting that they are the shame of English football.

It seems that nothing ever being Liverpool’s fault has now extended to the pitch, as both fans and the Scouse loving press have gone above and beyond in making it clear that Liverpool were the better team and it was not their fault they lost.

Despite Arsenal scoring 2 to Liverpool’s 1, history is already being re-written, as it is clear Liverpool were the victims of horrendous referring decisions which caused them to lose. Denied a second penalty which was, even to the most loyal Arsenal fan, a blatant foul by Oxlade-Chamberlain. This malicious act by Howard Webb denied Liverpool certain victory in the game. Ignoring the following facts:

  • Cazorla was fouled in the penalty area
  • Steven Gerrard committed 3 bookable challenges
  • Raheem sterling man handled Howard Webb
  • Howard Webb failed to penalise Agger & Skrtel time and again for fouling Sanogo

But of course, it is Liverpool we need to be sorry for. They went out of the FA Cup, and it simply was not their fault. It was not their fault that Daniel Sturridge is greedy and shoots when there is a square ball on for a tap in. It is not their fault that Fabianski was quick off his line then Sturridge or Sterling was to the ball.

It is not Liverpool’s fault that Koscielny and Monreal reduced the influence of Luis Suarez. Liverpool are the victims here. Why should Fabianski, Monreal and Koscielny have such good games? It is a disgrace.

As for Mesut Ozil. He did nothing, yet was involved in everything.

Liverpool are out of the FA Cup, however I expect them to be re-instated, as it is not their fault they have been knocked out. It is Arsenal’s fault for being better then them.

Man up Scouser’s. Admit you are scum. Admit you were beaten by the better team. And give us our ball back.

Keenos