So we've finally had a football kicked in anger, on a dodgy 'injury maker' pitch out in Malaysia, and it couldn't have come a minute too soon. The in-fighting and bitching amongst The Arsenal faithful and towards certain players has been appalling and downright disrespectful since the beginning of the crumble last season, but during this transfer window it's progressed to the next level.
Obviously the lack of real action leads to people over analysing every quote/soundbite from anyone connected with the club, be it current/ex-players or staff, but to see everyone and anyone being slagged-off regardless, and shot down for any number of reasons has made me embarrassed of some of the supporters of our great club.
My biggest bug bear has been the elitist nature from some members of the season ticket circle. I don't have one, does this make me less of a fan? No. Some of my mates who are lucky enough to possess STs hardly attend and often are detached from the day-to-day business of the club. Having an ST doesn't give you the right to look down on other fans who either can't afford one or haven't been offered one yet. There's also been a lot of stuff said on Twitter about some fans preaching self-righteousness over our foreign fanbase for not residing in the UK. I've never heard such a load of bollocks. Get over yourselves.
I apply the same to people who belong to Arsenal fan groups (AST etc), just because you've chosen to be a member of such a group, doesn't make your opinion more important than mine, or detract from the level of support I show the club. That's not to say I don't enjoy engaging in debate with those who have differing opinions to mine, one of my closest mates thinks: Wenger needs to go; Arshavin is the worst player our club has ever seen; Cesc, Nasri & RVP should be sold; Gervinho is shit (already); Bendtner is our best striker (that list is genuine. bizarre as it is, it's 100% real). So I'm more than open to debate.
I have no qualm with people expressing concerns and opinions about players/coaching staff/board members, everyone is entitled to an opinion. It doesn't mean you should force yours on others though, nor should you take someone's opinion as fact. Listen, absorb, and then let go; don't be a keyboard warrior, you make yourself look a mug.
On to things more positive, the 4-0 win yesterday saw the first involvement of our new signing Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyachi, and the return of Carlos Vela to the 1st team fold. Jenkinson had a solid, if not spectacular display, Miyachi showed glimpses of talent and searing pace, while Vela resumed work at the chip shop with a ridiculous training ground goal. You're allowed to side foot them Carlos......
Xavi and Barca made mugs of themselves by drawing Wenger out to publicly criticise them for scandalous disrespect towards the club and Cesc, while the Nasri situation hasn't moved.There was some uproar about Wenger's comments re: Nasri yesterday, but there's still a long way to go in the transfer market, I'm not sure why there is such consternation every time Arsene says anything about Nasri/Cesc/transfers in. We should have learnt by now he lives behind smokescreens during pre-season and refuses to jeopardise any potential deals by publicly stating interest. He does this because: 1) he's not a cu*t like twitchy "SSN" 'Arry or "DNA"Xavi 2) He's not a media whore like Twitchy "SSN" or "DNA" and 3) He can hardly call for respect from Barca over Cesc and then start openly tapping up players from other clubs can he?
All of which leads me to believe a number of things this summer: 1) Cesc & Nasri will stay 2) Bendtner will stay 3) One CB will be signed 4) A replacement for Almunia will be signed
That isn't what I want to happen, I'd like a defensive midfielder to compete with Song and cover him during the sodding African Nations Cup, a full back to replace Clichy, one physically imposing centre back (not the footballing type, rather the sort of specimen who doesn't fuck about with the ball) and a creative central midfielder. Too much to ask for I know, but, meh......
Over and out. for now. comments/thoughts/opinions.......
