Tag Archives: She Wore

10 things to have happened since Arsenal lost in the FA Cup

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1231) Wigan won their first FA Cup, and got relegated, twice

2) Jose Mourinho rejoined Chelsea, won the league, got sacked

3) Abou Diaby played 16 minutes of football against Norwich

4) Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, replaced by David Moyes, who was replaced by Ryan Giggs, who was replaced by Louis van Gaal

5) England failed to win a game at the 2014 World Cup Finals, then won every game in the 2016 Euro Qualifiers

6) Arsenal signed Mesut Ozil. And Alexis Sanchez. And Petr Cech

7) Mathieu Flamini rejoined Arsenal. Scored a goal v Spurs. And another

8) Spurs won nothing

9) Andy Murray became the first Brit to win Wimbledon for 77 years

10) Arsenal won the FA Cup. Twice

Bonus: Arsenal knocked out Hull in the FA Cup. Twice

Keenos

shewore

The abuse of Arsenal legends

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Over recent weeks, we have heard a lot coming from ex-players of the clubs. These ex-players are not just your average players trying to make a name for themselves (Robson) or bitter ex-players with an agenda, but bonafide legends.

Most recently, it has been Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Tony Adams. Whether it is by tweet, by newspaper column or by interview. They have all had their say this week.

Firstly Keown had this to say on Twitter about pictures in the dressing room:

Next up was Tony Adams, who in written media for Inside Futbol discussed the reason why Arsenal have not yet won the league:

“He has got a great offensive unit, but I think he is neglecting the defensive side and I think that’s where the problem lies. If they strengthen that area I think they could go and win the league, but I think that’s the error of the team.”

And finally, we have Lee Dixon, who tweeted his opinion on the Jamie Vardy dive:

All 3 had their view on topical subjects regarding Arsenal. And all 3 created a huge debate with their comments.

Now before I go into things too much, I understand how the media works. There is often a difference between what someone says and what the media then report them to say. Things are changed to get hits. Headline’s added for controversy.

Tony Adams is a perfect example. Read the full quotes in the Express. Then look at the headline:

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At no point has Adams slammed Wenger or blames him for no trophies. He just offers a view that Wenger favours attack over defence. And that many sides, not just Arsenal neglect the defensive side of the game.

Clearly the headline writer got a bit creative.

Twitter is a different story, as is radio interviews. It is the players actually view. No twist, no media spin, just their honest view (in most cases – some do tweet for attention).

What shocked me was the amount of arguments all 3 created.

Debate is good. Debate is healthy. But arguments are not. And it led to some fans throwing abuse at 3 Arsenal greats.

But you get the other side as well, who act as if everything an Arsenal legend has to say is golden. That it is fact.

Neither of these sides are correct.

A legend of the club should not be abused. Often they gave decades of service, albeit well paid, to entertaining the fans. Many of them have won everything there is to be won. Have some respect.

On the flip side, just because they played 500+ games and have medals in their pocket, does not mean their opinion is correct, or valid.

Having previously played the game does not mean your view is gospel. That it is more important than a fans. You only have to watch MOTD for that. Or listen to Thierry Henry speak.

Thierry Henry is a perfect example in fact. An Arsenal legend, but an awful pundit.

We should not support his punditry, or his view, just because he used to play for us. But likewise, the fact he is a legend means he should not get the abuse that we often give to eachother.

Should club legends talk about the club? YES. Does them being a legend add weight to what they say? YES. Are we allowed to disagree with said club legend? YES. Should the club legend be disgracefully attacked for their view? NO.

Have some respect, even if you disagree.

Keenos

shewore

Would Michael Carrick do a job at Arsenal?

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If it was not for Patrick Vieira, Michael Carrick’s Arsenal career would be dwindling to an end right now.

Back in 2004, Vieira was flirting with Real Madrid. In fact, he was more than flirting, he was England+v+Ireland+International+Friendly+NVcUQH2Tlifxhaving a dirty affair, and on the verge of leaving Arsenal for them. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger expected him to leave. And lined up was West Ham central midfielder Michael Carrick.

The deal was done for just a few million. Everything all but signed. The 23 year old midfielder was set to herald in a new era of Arsenal . Less about the pace and power of Patrick Vieira, more about incisive passing. A team built around a young talented Englishman.

At the last minute, Patrick Vieira decided the grass was not greener, and the Real Madrid deal fell through. With Gilberto Silva and Edu at the club, a decision was made, there was no space for Michael Carrick with Vieira staying. Especially as the signing would have killed the development of a young Spaniard who had recently been signed from Barcelona. Francesc Fabregas.

The Carrick deal did not happen, and a few weeks later, he joined Spurs, and later, Manchester United, where he won it all.

With his contract coming to an end, he has been linked with Arsenal once more on a free transfer. After a hot debate with a few people, I decided to come up with “why” and “why not” Arsenal should go for Michael Carrick

Why

Michael Carrick comes with a wealth of experience. He has been there, done it, got the t-shirt. With Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta & Mathieu Flamini set to leave this summer, Arsenal are set to lose a lot of experience.

We could replace all of those players with one signing, Michael Carrick.

If Arsenal are investing their future in Francis Coquelin as first choice defensive midfielder, and Mohammad Elneny as 2nd choice, we look a little light beyond that.

Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere & Calum Chambers can all do a job, but Michael Carrick can do a better job.

He would be ideal to back up, and provide experience, to the two defensive midfielders we are likely to keep.

Why Not

We need to be looking at bigger, at better. We need to look at the first 11 and think “right, where can we improve”, and go out and buy better players than what we currently have.

In defensive midfield, we need to go out and buy someone better than Francis Coquelin. That then makes Coquelin 2nd choice, and Elneny 3rd choice.

Michael Carrick is not better than Coquelin.

And at 35 (which he will be in the summer) and his recent injury record, he would not be someone to rely on.

Carrick would be a cheap option, like when we signed Mikel Silvestre from Manchester United.

If we are looking for someone to add experience to the squad, then why not stick with what we have. Offer Flamini a new year long deal, and let him do the job which he currently do’s, provide back up for Coquelin and Elneny.

If you do not rate either of these as first choice defensive midfielder, we need to buy better.

Quality, not quantity.

Have your say…

Keenos

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