Tag Archives: Premier League

The Myth of Steve Bould

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OK, something has really been bugging me over the weekend. Many will disagree with my opinion, many will call me clueless, and some will say I am just attention seeking. What is bugging me is the current love and credit Steve Bould is getting.

I have seen two opinions about Steve Bould at the weekend which, in my opinion, are no more than myths being used to a) Make Steve Bould look like he is the saviour of Arsenal Football Club and b) Ensure that Arsene Wenger does not get the credit for us topping the table.

The two myths that I will attempt to debunk are:

1) Steve Bould has improved the defence this season and that is why we are top

2) Steve Bould has improved Keiran Gibbs

Improving Defence

At the start of last season, our defence started well. Credit for this was given to Steve Bould. Midway through the season, the defence faltered, and Arsene Wenger was criticised for stopping Steve Bould taking defensive training as he was ‘jealous’ of the praise Bould was getting.

This was ludicrous for two reasons. Firstly why would Wenger stop someone taking training if it was working? Secondly there was no proof that either Bould was training the defence or that he stopped. It was rumours fueled by the likes of Stewart Robson and a lot of the ‘Wenger Outs’.

This season, the same rumours are resurfacing, that the defence is better and the man to get the credit is Steve Bould. This a myth.

Firstly, the defence has not got better. 1 clean sheet in 8 Premier League games is not ‘good’. Secondly, we are currently conceding at a rate of over 1 a game. Last year we conceded at less than a goal a game. So ZERO proof that the defence is improving. Let alone the reason why we are top of the league.

One of the reasons the defence has got better of the last 12 months is because of the players themselves. We finally have 2 top left backs (no Andre Santos), and in the middle, we have finally had a pairing play continuous games together. A lot of the time, a defence is built on the partnership of the middle. And in Mertesacker and Koscielny, we finally have that partnership. Yes, Bould might have assisted shaping the partnership, but it is the form and leadership of a 94 capped German international who has been solid as a rock which has developed the partnership.

As for the defence being the reason why we are top. We are currently 8th in the ‘goals of the season’ table.

For me, it just feels like people are unwilling to give Wenger the credit for us being top of the league, and are therefore trying to give the credit elsewhere.

Kieran Gibbs

I have seen some people this weekend make silly claims that Steve Bould is the man to credit with Kieran Gibbs’ fine form. Again, this is no more than a myth.

Ever since Gibbs broke through in 2011/12, his talent has never been in questions. Strong, quick and plenty of ability. His problem was staying fit. This season he has done just that, playing in every Premier League game. Now correct me if I am wrong, but Steve Bould is not a physio, he is not a fitness coach. Kieran Gibbs’ form is down to himn staying fit. Nothing more. People just seem to be quick to give credit for anything to Steve Bould.

 

Now I am not bashing Steve Bould. I do believe he is doing a top job as a coach, and you feel the refreshing of Wenger’s back room last summer has done a lot for the club. With less yes men, and more people with fresher ideas. But it seems that there is a refusal to give Arsene Wenger any credit, and the consequence of that is Steve Bould is getting credit which he quite simply does not deserve.

I have always been a believer, if you are willing to give someone praise for a job well done, you must also be comfortable giving them the criticism when it go’s wrong. This is highlighted last season with Bould, when many were happy to give him the praise for an improved defence, but were then unwilling to criticise him when it went wrong.

Steve Bould may well be a very very good coach, but he is certainly not the nexis of all things good at Arsenal.

Lets give credit where credit was due, not make up credit in attempt to show someone else in a bad light.

Keenos

Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, The Defence, Wojciech Szczesny and More…

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Mesut Ozil

Sign Mesut Ozil for £42.5million, Arsenal score the goal of the season with beautiful one touch play, Ozil no where to be seen, but then scores a header. Have we signed a freakier Peter Crouch? Of course, I jest. I wonder if Arsene Wenger tells the rest of his side to just feed the monkey? He has shown what spending big on a world class player does to the side, the fans, and more. You have to feel that he gives the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey confidence by being there. After all, if he has joined Arsenal to play with them, how good must they be? Hopefully we will now see one big money world class player signing a summer and build on Ozil.

Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey

After a rough start to the season for Wilshere, he seems to be getting back to full fitness and is looking stronger and quicker for it. A top draw goal, he is silencing his critics who seem to forget he is just 21 and has just spent the best part of 2 seasons injured. As for Aaron Ramsey, he is a reminder to Jack what hard work gets you. Another great goal by The General. The argument about him being the best central midfielder in league is over. He is. The debate now is where does he rank in world football?

The Defence

Whilst Arsenal are getting plaudits from around the world for the scintillating attacking play against Norwich, we once again failed to keep a clean sheet. Arsenal have kept 1 clean sheet in the league this season. It is a worry that we are conceding a goal a game.

Wojciech Szczesny

The Big Pole has grown this season. The way he comes out for corners, dominating the box, is majestic to watch. At 6ft 5in, a huge reach and a brilliant leap, he comfortable gets over 10ft in the air at corners. He not only gets the ball, he catch’s it rather than punches it. He seems to of regained his concentration, probably helped by the signing of Viviano to keep him on his toes. At just 23, he will continue to improve. A new goalkeeper in January will not be on anyone’s list.

Top of the League

2 points clear after 8 games, it feels good chanting “We are top the league”. We might not yet of played anyone of note, and the comparisons to ‘the same games last year’ will continue, but the fact is, we are top. In the calendar year of 2013, we have got more points than any other side. A home match against Liverpool, then an away trip to Manchester United, with 2 games against Borussia Dortmund, a League Cup tie against Chelsea and a tricky trip to Crystal Palace will show us just how good our side is. Come out of the run still top of the league, having qualified for the next round of the Champions League, and in the fifth round of the League Cup would be the dream result. Keep up the positive energy!

Emirates Atmosphere

Success and atmosphere go hand in hand. It is easier to cheer and sing when your team are winning. And it is no surprise that we now have the best atmosphere at home since moving to the new ground in the best start to a season at our new ground. The ground is establishing it’s identity. With The East Stand and North Bank taking ownership of the old “We are the North Bank Highbury” song. where as before, it was fragmented with people singing about where they sat at the Home of Football, they are now signing about where they sit in the new stadium. With 60,000 people, we can be the 12th man. Sing up for The Arsenal.

Keenos

The Arsenal Membership Pack – What a Waste of Money

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This week I finally opened the Arsenal Members pack that all Gold, Silver & Red members get from the club as part of the membership scheme. And what a disappointment it was;

  • A small red and white scarf
  • A fixture list which was already out of date due to TV changes
  • Cheap tin badges
  • A membership book
  • An Arsenal Foundation book
  • A buy one get one free voucher for an audio tour

My first thought was ‘what a load of crap.’ My second thought was ‘where is the bin.’

Now I know why the packs are relevant. It is to make it look as if the club is giving something back to the fans. To appear as if the membership cost is not just a tax on buying tickets. But at the end of the day, I pay £1000+ for my season ticket. This year I will spend around £4000 on tickets (home and away), transport (over land and sea), booze and hotels following The Arsenal. A pack which cost less than a fiver to put together is not exactly the club giving back.

Now sending me a pack is a waste of money, as I am sure it is for many fan of a similar age who does not buy programmes, shirt or any other of the crap merchandise the club pedals. The club could save money by having an ‘opt out of members pack’ box that you can tick when renewing your membership.

I would not even ask for money off my season ticket or membership. The pack costs sweet FA so it would be a saving of a fiver. Not much of a saving when I am willing to spend £4000 following The Arsenal.

And the club would not exactly make an earner from it. The money saved from the packs would probably be less than the cost of a weeks wages for Nicklas Bendtner.

So my theory is this. On your season ticket renewal form, there should be a ‘donate to charity’ box that one can tick. Then, rather than me getting the pack ,it go’s to someone who would potentially appreciate it more. Add to the Christmas gifts the players take to a local hospital. Send them to Great Ormond Street. Distribute it to those living abroad who a little bit of Arsenal would brighten their day.

It would cost me nothing. It would cost the club nothing. But it could make the day of someone less fortunate.

So Arsenal, if you are reading this, allow me to donate my membership pack to someone who would actually like it, rather than send it to me to chuck in the bin.

Keenos