Tag Archives: She Wore

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 and Me – Leon’s Story

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So it begins. My father, who had separated from my mother, met me at Watford junction station one chilly autumnal Saturday morning. He rarely came bearing gifts but on this occasion about his person was a small white carrier bag. He leaned over and gave his son a kiss, (I could smell he had been out on the booze the evening before) and he handed me the white carrier bag. I was delighted. A present.
I looked inside and I saw a piece of yellow clothing, and as I pulled it out the letters JVC became apparent. It was the 88/89 away shirt and it was to be my first arsenal shirt of many. My grandfather was a Gooner, as was his father. so my dad was passing the tradition on and quite rightly so.
That year my dad took me to the a QPR match. I have very little recollection of it, I could barely see a thing and the noise was overbearing. He also took me round Highbury Fields showing me where he had grown up, and where our different generations of family had lived. It was a strange feeling taking all this information in. I had the concentration of a gnat at school but this really hit home. This was personal. Dad would go home and away, bringing me programmes every two weeks when he came to meet me at Watford junction.
I became obsessed. Pannini stickers every week, buying score and match when I could barely even read.  My walls soon became drenched in red and white with all the arsenal greats. I loved Rocky, and I loved Tony Adams. They were my favourites.
My mother allowed me to watch match of the day on a Saturday, and when the arsenal played I would have my mum tune the radio-if she could bear it! If not it would be a case of me sitting in front of teletext every Saturday afternoon. I didn’t mind either way. Even then being a mere 6 yr old kid it mattered.
Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. I followed diligently all season and when playing football at school I wanted to be Tony Adams. Now as we all know Liverpool were at the top of their game in the eighties, and arsenal had made it difficult for themselves in the latter part of that season. It would all come down to that final game at Anfield.
I was delighted I could watch it on the TV and was looking forward to it all week. I knew the task ahead was tough, even at that age but I had no reason to think it wasn’t possible. the optimism of youth you might say. So that night I put on my yellow shirt, got my favourite cushion and sat 2 feet away from the box. I forgot to mention that my stepfather, who had lived with me for sometime was…yep you guessed it. A Liverpool fan.
Mum had gone out to work and he confidently roamed about the house warning me that the Gooner’s had no chance. He’s a good man, and I didn’t hate him for it. I just didn’t like him very much that night. As the players came out the tunnel at Anfield I tucked in to my chocolate and lemonade, my eye’s firmly fixed on the screen . The hairs on my arms stood up as I saw the players enter the pitch and when I saw the away boys singing their hearts out the adrenaline began pumping around the newly turned 7 yr olds body.
For sometime I just didn’t think we would score. Then smithy popped up and it was 1 nil to the arsenal! or was it… a sea of red shirts surrounded the ref and lino. My stepdad assured me it was offside and wouldn’t be given. players were ushered away as the ref made his way to the linesman to evaluate the outcome. It felt like they were conversing for an age, and the ground went almost silent. My heart was in my mouth. Then the ref blew his whistle and pointed to the circle. it was one nil. Fucking get in!
I was a quiet kid but on this occasion I roared out of delight, while my step father shook his head at the apparent injustice of the situation. As the game went on It just didn’t look like it would happen. The clock was running down and 90mins was soon approaching. My lemonade had gone as had my chocolate. I bit my nails in anticipation and they were soon gone too. Then suddenly, Thomas comes charging through the midfield, its up for grabs now..Thomas!!! Right at the end
I sat there frozen. I was rushing. I couldn’t believe it. the arsenal fans were going mental, the players were going mental. needless to say, my stepdad wasn’t.
I watched us lift the trophy stunned. I could barely speak. inside I was bouncing off the walls. The sea of Gooner’s celebrating made me tingle. it was a truly exhilarating experience. My first season as a Gooner, 7yrs old and we had done the bin dippers on their own turf. I went to bed wearing my shirt that night. And as I lay there awake that night I replayed that goal over and over until I drifted sweetly off to sleep.
So here I am now 24 years later. as I grew up I went a lot with my dad, and now I’m there at most home games, and some away if I can get a ticket. My dad doesn’t go anymore and most of my mates just aren’t willing to pay the prices nowadays. So I go mostly on my own. I hate the upper tier so I wait for a game to sell out,  get on the exchange and try to get a seat in the North Bank block 5/6. Because it’s just me, nine times out of ten its fine.
I like standing at games and can’t tell you the countless times I’ve been told to sit in other sections. When we beat Chelsea 3-0 at home a few years back at the bowl I was in block 3 and this bloke shouted at me ‘sit down you cunt’. I couldn’t believe it. We were 3-0 up against Chelsea and I was ecstatic and this miserable bastard said that to me.
I don’t know the solution. But when I go I want to sing and shout and be proud. we have to be the 12th man. Everyone is on their feet when the yids come over so why not other games. I’m a BSM member and I should probably start the ‘Billy No Mates Gooner Club myself.
I live in N5 still and like a pint in the Gunners Pub. I’m optimistic this season, but is anything going to beat that first year as a Gooner at Anfield 89…I very much doubt it.
Leon

 

Where are they now? Hajrovic, Gervinho, Chamakh, Bihmoutine & Henderson

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In the final look at the players who have left in the summer (search for the other parts you lazy buggers!) we look at how  Hajrovic, Gervinho, Chamakh, Bihmoutine & Henderson have performed since leaving Arsenal.

Picture: @KieranCPhotoAFC

Picture: @KieranCPhotoAFC

Saed Hajrovic

Was part of a Swiss centre defence last season alongside Martin Angha, both were cast aside this summer after failing to impress. Where as Angha moved to Germany, Hajrovic found he had to return to his native Switzerland and sign for Grasshopper Club Zurich. He is listed as a 1st team player, however has no clickable profile on their website, so I do not have a clue what he is doing, but I can guess it is not much.

Gervinho

After a tough 2 year spell at Arsenal, where red cards, injuries and 2 African Cup of Nations restricted him and severely dented his confidence, few were sad to see him go. He joined Rome for £8 million and made his debut off the bench against Liverno. He has now played 7 games (twice from the bench) scoring 3 goals, including a brace against Bologna for table topping Roma, who coincidently have a record of played 7, won 7. With Arsenal suffering an injury crisis of wingers, you have to feel he would have played for us this season, and in a game such as WBA, his width and pace could have been key. He seems to be settling at Roma and, despite a few negative quotes from the Ivorian about his time at Arsenal, I wish him well.

Marouane Chamakh

Joined Crystal Palace originally on loan, the deal was made permanent a couple of days later after Arsenal mutually agreed to cancel his contract. He has signed a 1 year deal, and I get the feeling Eagle’s fans can not wait for the year to be over. Too think, in 2010, West Ham offered Bordeaux £18million for him. 1 goal in 7 uninspiring games, where he has spent most of his time chucking himself to the ground. Whilst the likes of Dwight Gayle might not be as talented, at least he shows heart, and with Palace in a relegation fight this year, they would be better off with the hard working East Londoner then the disinterest Moroccan. What ever happened to that talented player in France who broke Champiosn League records and scored 10 goals in his 1st 21 games for Arsenal? What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas I guess.

Samir Bihmoutine

The Morrocan youngster has joined the youth side (or development squad) or AFC Bournemouth, after a successful trial match against Coventry City & Oxford City. He has since started 3 youth team games for the Cherries.

Conor Henderson

Once rates so highly by the Arsenal youth team staff, a succession of injuries, including damaging his knee ligaments, led to his Arsenal career being curtailed before it even took off. Signing for Hull he is looking to rebuild his career. A substitute appearance in the League Cup in a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield. He scored as a trialist on his debut for the reserves against Doncaster Rovers, showing his natural talent by curling a free kick into the bottom corner. He has since played a couple more reserve games for the Tigers, but opportunities of 1st team football currently look slim.

Keenos

Thanks to  for the picture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goonerpower and https://www.facebook.com/KieranCPhoto