Now that the vestiges of any lingering delusions about the quality of the Arsenal team circa 2021 have been mercilessly shredded, and the stark reality of the club’s complete irrelevance in upper echelons of the European football is staring straight at us, I wonder what really is the point of the Arsenal football club?
To go back to basics — away from all the feverishly regurgitated fashionable wisdom of the day about everything from ownership to tactics to super league to player contracts, a favorite pastime of modern football fans, including this one – what I think best answers that question is really another question: what is the point of football?
I can only speak for myself, and football to me has always been about the joy of the game: creativity, flair, movement, precision, imagination…in its very finest moment approaching something close to an art form. Arsenal football club in the 21st century had earned a well-deserved reputation of being one of the key exponents of such artistic, joyful football in Europe. The pleasure of watching Arsenal play with such panache had made many of us around the world — without any umbilical connection to London, let alone Islington — become devoted fans. The trophies at those early years were great, but even when the silverware became all the rage simply by refusing to any longer be associated with Arsenal for nearly a decade, Arsenal continued to grow its fanbase because the football almost always was sparkling, and on few occasions every season was truly champagne. Arsenal had rightly earned a much prized identity in football: a team that consistently plays attractive football. It was more than an ideal, it was a principle that inspired how the team trained and behaved on the pitch, and once that identity was firmly established in the hearts and minds of so many football lovers around the world – Arsenal fans and beyond – I always felt that it surely makes most sense to focus on carrying that identity forward even when its architect inevitably leaves the club one day.
And now here we are, after a few tumultuous years defined by utter chaos masquerading under the respectability of “transition”, and that proud identity too has become but a distant memory. Not only are we now a mid-tier club in English football, but our football too gives as much aesthetic pleasure as is expected of a mid-tier club in English football.
This is supposed to be a match preview. But to be honest there isn’t much I am looking forward to anymore in what’s left of this season that never seemed to have taken off for us. Except, maybe, hoping against hope, that the manager and the team decide to put on a performance that can bring some joy while watching and at the end of the match won’t make me feel that I have completely wasted precious hours. Given how dire the quality of our football has been at home – ten home matches in the entire season where we failed to score any goals – I realize it is but an unreasonable hope of a fan, but maybe the manager and the coaching staff will have a sudden collective realization that there is good attacking potential in the team, and unshackled from a cautious, over-orchestrated, highly tactical approach and sent with encouragement to enjoy their football and express their qualities the team can produce maybe more than one shot at goal at home. Maybe even five!
Our opposition this Sunday is the relegation-struggling West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies are on the verge of being relegated, but they still have a mathematical chance of survival, being 10 points behind the 17th placed Burnley with both teams having four more matches to go. As Burnley enjoys a significantly better goal difference, if WBA want to harbor any hope of survival after this weekend they will have to win this Sunday. The match preview on the Arsenal website rattles out one eye-catchingly positive statistic after another – WBA lost more top-flight matches against us than any other team, Arsenal have scored in all 25 Premier League meetings against them etc. – which this season has typically meant a favorable result for the visiting teams. Let us hope Arsenal breaks that trend of trend-breaking home results this season.
I would love to see this starting line-up in a simple, elegant 4-3-3 formation:
Ryan
Cedric – Chambers – Gabriel – Tierney
Ødegaard – Partey – ESR
Nelson – Balogun – Martinelli
Saka needs a break as he has been playing non-stop, Nelson deserves a rare start because he at least scores the odd goals and plays with a directness and pace that is often missing in our game, there will be no better matches to give Balogun a confidence inspiring start as we will need him next season, and since his recovery from injury Gabriel Martinelli (one of the few players in this squad who has a truly elite mentality of never giving up and always playing with a positive intent) has been mysteriously underused.
But I suspect we will see something like this (with two holding midfielders passing the ball around endlessly with the defenders in their own half):
Ryan
Chambers – Holding – Gabriel – Tierney
Partey – Ceballos
Saka – Ødegaard – Willian
Lacazette
As West Brom will have to come out attacking I think we will find more chances to score a few more goals in this match than we have generally been able to master at home. A 3-1 win seems likely.
Come on Arsenal! Play like Arsenal …
THE CONVERSATION: EPISODE TWO
And again…the second part of the conversation, and the second part of our Double Celebration!
GHF.com are pleased to release this, especially considering the Arsenal events of these past couple weeks. Lift your spirits by watching the second episode of two video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice about Arsenal’s 1970-71 Double year, on the 50th Anniversary of our FA Cup win over Liverpool at Wembley. Remember to donate to Willow, or bid on the GHF.com Auction!
Click on the image below (or on the Youtube link below that) to watch
“Episode Two: Double Glory — The 1971 FA Cup Run”
Or, watch here: “Episode Two: Double Glory — The 1971 FA Cup Run“ (on Youtube). This is especially helpful if you’re having any loading issues with the link to the one the site is serving above.
Let us know what you think in the “drinks” section below!
THE AUCTION: NOW ACCEPTING BIDS
We are also pleased to remind you that our auction of signed 1970-71 Double memorabilia is now open for bids! For full information, please visit The Double/Willow Auction tab above.
Just a taste…the lots offered are as follows:
Lot 1: A 1971 Cup Final replica shirt signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham & Charlie George.
Lot 2: A 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham & Charlie George.
Lot 3: A second 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham & Charlie George.
Lot 4: Bob Wilson’s autobiography, ‘Behind the Network’ signed by Bob Wilson & Arsène Wenger.
All proceeds from the auction go to the Willow Foundation.
An elegant and honest preview Dr.F.
What is left for us this season?
-to end with momentum
– to blood some future talent
-to relegate Fat Sam
We struggle to win against anyone at home mainly because of Arteta’s cautious set-up and tactics . Today will probably be no exception . It’s a match report I’m not looking forward to because I’m not looking forward to the match
Thanks Dr F but you’re wrong. We’ll win 3-0.
UTA.
A fine synopsis of this season and where we are now Dr F. There is still pride to play for in our last 4 games – does this team have any and will the manager manage to dislodge the handbrake that appears firmly cemented in.
The Baggies don’t have the most watertight of defences so there’s every opportunity for some attacking intent – will we see some shots on target and the net rustling, let’s hope so.
Watching the team under the tutelage of Arteta is hard going – equally it’s the same watching The Walrus’s teams – this doesn’t augur well for an enjoyable evening’s viewing.
I won’t try & guess the team ( Dr F’s is probably close ) but hope to see some injection of youth, who at least will show plenty of enthusiasm.
COYR.
As well-written as ever Dr F, many
thanks. I’m sure you won’t mind if
I don’t entirely agree with your
conclusions 😄
Actually WBA have played some
decent football at times this season
(as of course have we). Not often
enough obviously but I’m looking
forward to the game.
4-1 to The Arsenal
Cheers Doc. I too share your apathy. There’s not much I’m looking forward to with any of our remaining fixtures.
I have absolutely no idea what side Arteta will put out. Will there be a game plan? Will there be any tactics involved? Who knows. With Ødegaard and Ceballos departing at the end of the season I wouldn’t have them anywhere other than the bench for the rest of the season. I would certainly be looking at involving some of the younger players on the squad and getting them vital match practice.
The sun is shining and my focus for most of today will be on cricket. I will hopefully get home in time for the second half. Hopefully we will actually turn up and put in some kind of a performance. At least it will give BtM something to add to his birthday celebrations.
Enjoy people.
The sun is shining and my focus for most of today will be on cricket.
If Jimmy White gets to the final of the World Seniors Snooker this evening, I’ll be watching that and flicking to the game every so often to see what the score is.
Keep me posted cynic. I might join you.
As clear-eyed as ever, Dr F. Other obligations will keep me from watching the game, but here’s hoping for a joyous result.
Thanks Dr. F. Your mood reflects mine and I’m sure also that of most fans. It’s time to turn over a new leaf so I would like to see Balogun too but like Steve think our loan players shouldn’t feature for the rest of the season.
Great stuff, Dr F. The Pleasure Principle indeed!
As ever, you make interesting observations and raise important questions.
Televised globalisation of the game from the mid 90’s drew far-flung fans to the team by virtue of its attractive style, success and urbane manager. This extended an earlier process that had been less obvious: the post-WW2 extension of support from its core in distinct districts of London, Hertfordshire and Essex to scattered fans across the UK who replaced or supplemented parochial bonds to their most geographically local team. Without making any value judgement, I suspect that the bonds of local tribalism are stronger than those of distant attraction on an aesthetic basis and that many of the latter group have already fallen off the Arsenal bandwagon over recent years.
Who is to blame them? Watching the Arsenal has recently been very painful despite last season’s surprising FA Cup win. It has re-inforced my decision to relinquish my season tickets two seasons ago as the last two years of their tenure had turned from a privilege into a chore.
Like Arsenal, football is at an interesting crossroad. The sport has turned itself from a parochial tribal competition into globally televised entertainment. Therein lies a risk. I do not pay to listen to bad music, nor do I pay to watch bad theatre or bad cinema. If I experience an unsatisfying performance, I do not patronise that artist/actor/director again. I do not buy more books of an author whose work I have found to be uninteresting or unsatisfying. Why would I pay to watch persistently bad football? Without a deeply ingrained tribal loyalty perhaps resulting from family indoctrination, peer or community pressure, who would? A longer association would undoubtedly require a longer time period of dissatisfaction to weaken the bond. There are many, of course, for whom the bond will never be broken but a weakened bond weakens the pull of matchday attendance and even a willingness to watch from afar. This is perhaps part of the answer to Tim’s recent question on 7am Kick-off, regarding why people support mid-table teams who have no prospect of ever competing let alone winning trophies?
This phenomenon is perhaps also illustrated by our stalled commercial success. At an anechdotal level, I have often noticed that the congestion of the Armoury and other club shops is closely related to recent results of the team – no doubt this also applies to international sales of merchandise.
Interesting times.
The future may be darker for Enos Kroenke than he had envisioned a few short years ago while in the cosy embrace of an attractive Arsenal team.
It should be pointed out that Balogun played on Friday night when we achieved the remarkable feat of avoiding relegation with the U23s by scoring in the last minute . So I very much doubt he will be used today
Awkward phraseology – Balogun did not score the last minute goal .
Steve T – Jimmy White won his semi and faces David Lilley in the final. Sorted.
Turning to today’s game and the rest of the season, I agree with the opinion that we should have seen the last of the loanees starting an Arsenal match. We should play the players who will form the core of next season’s squad and give opportunities to the young players who are still around and in our future plans. We should give our loanees from Real Madrid an opportunity to get used to being on the bench or in the stand.
Good reviews, again, for Kido Taylor-Hart from Friday’s U-23s game.
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Saka, Ceballos, Elneny, Pepe, Willian, Smith Rowe, Martinelli
Subs: Runarsson, Bellerin, Tierney, Cedric, Partey, Odegaard, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah
Willian. Bloody hell.
Ceballos, Elneny, and Willian all starting should make for an exciting, dynamic, attack-oriented match from Arsenal.
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Saka, Ceballos, Elneny, Pepe, Willian, Smith Rowe, Martinelli
Subs: Runarsson, Bellerin, Tierney, Cedric, Partey, Odegaard, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah
Nelson not even on the bench. So much for giving youngsters a chance. At least Martinelli is starting.
Thanks for another very fine preview, Dr.F. Now that we have nothing to lose, the team will probably play with freedom and score a few goals and win the game at a canter.
I don’t have an issue with starting Elneny – he’s a good squad player and though limited, generally puts in a 6/10 shift. I do have an issue with starting Ceballos but I suppose Partey looked exhausted for the last quarter of Thursday. Will Willian surprise us with a decent performance? The odds have to be long.
Despite Martinelli starting, I think ecg’s ironic comment hits the nail on the head. That starting 11 should give Fat Sam some hope.
Starting Willian and not giving Reiss even a chance tells me Mikel is yet to learn true humility and acknowledging mistakes.
Even Joel Campbell scored a few goals in half a season, and now and then arrived in the penalty box. Much maligned Lucas Perez scored a champions league hat trick and a few goal in PL.
If Mikel insists on playing this aging dud to show how smart he is I am sorry to say he is worse than I thought.
Aye Dr F. Dave Seager has a good analysis of how his trajectory on MA8 has moved over this season and I have to confess feeling the same.
COYG
Team selection seems to get more baffling week by week, even allowing for injuries & sickness. I can only assume Nelson has disappeared from the team & squads is he is not meeting Arteta’s non negotiables.
I’m not inspired or confident for a good performance & result – the baggies still have their premiership place next season to play for. As Baff says above it must give The Walrus some hope.
Hoping I’m entirely wrong ( not unusual) & it’s Noosa’s 3-0 prediction come true.
Looks like we’ve started well then?
Very much on top?????????
I can sum it up in one word Steve.
Meh
Saka demonstrating conclusively why he should have been Tierney’s replacement in every game that he’s not available.
Willian picks up the ball outside our penalty area with acres of grass in front of him. As he breaks we are 3 v 3. Willian jogs 40 yards unchallenged, thinks about it, thinks about it again and finally plays a five yard pass. By that time we are 3 v 7.
Pépé on the other hand looking more like a 70p player than a £70m player.
We look as we have looked for most of this season if MA is looking for a response this is definitely not it.
Get in!!!! ESR
The future strikes!
Get in ESR
A goal made in Hale End! Saka to ESR thumped in.
Excellent work by Saka and a beautiful volley by ESR. What would we do without our youngsters.
Can’t understand why Arteta plays Willian so much. Waste.
Not forgetting Willian’s brilliant pre-assist 😉
Pepe!!!!! 2-0.
A Pepe special!
Pépé responds to my jibe. Very satisfying. A fine strike.
Cracking strike from Pepe 👏🏻
Where was all this pressing against Villarreal.
Great strike from Pepe. Always rated him. 😉
Shame this is 3 days late?
Anyone watching over 50s snooker is missing some good stuff.
Yes Cynic I’m looking at you.
Saka, ESR and Pepe had a fine first half. More of the same please.
Understandably tentative start. Some dodgy moments at the back. Saka outstanding. ESR energetic. Two lovely goals. But we all know that confidence we began to show at 2-0 will evaporate faster than 100% alcohol on a hot plate if the Baggies get one back.
I wouldn’t say Pepe had a fine first half. He scored a cracking goal but he was appallingly unproductive forthe whole half before that.
stevet@44, that was my thought, to a t. where was *that*?
saka to esr is the future. i’d certainly love to have esr take what is now an excellent first touch and have a chat with god about it…rise it up to masterful. he has a chance.
mother’s day in america, happy mother’s day to the mothers of all you fine sons and daughters out there. got to pamper my son’s mother this morning, and will have a chat with my own mom later today. don’t forget!
Great cross by Saka but ESR and Martinelli both miss it.
Martinelli, who had a iffy am, replaced by Laca.
game not am.
That should be a nailed on red card for Robson Kanu. No surprise VAR Mike Dean says no.
KT on for ESR. Bit strange that.
It’s been a good experience for Martinelli and for all those fans clamouring for him to play centrally up front. Back to goal with less time and less space for fancy manoeuvres requires different skills.
Agree totally, C100. That looked deliberate too. If our player had swung that elbow it would have been a red.
Looked like ESR was holding his hamstring.
So why did no-one take him out in the centre circle?
FFS
Ceballos should have taken a yellow on the halfway line. You know City, Liverpool, Chelski and Manure players would have.
WBA get on back. Where was our defence? Someone runs seventy yards and scores.
Ceballos and Elneny sooo slooow
Now for an edgy 25 minutes.
From 15 yards in his own half????
Embarrassing. Absolutely no excuse for that.
Too late with the yellow Dani!
Ceballos commits a fou near the half way line and gets a yellow. He should have done that earlier and taken out their scorer.
You can see how this is going to pan out. We are SO fragile mentally.
Got away with that one, I just don’t get our players just foul him ffs
The difference between ESR in the hole – all energy, movement, twisting and turning, and Willian, low energy, is huge.
Ceballos hooked and Partey comes on. Arteta has leant a lesson, apparently.
Martin Keown’s constant negativity really gets on my mammary glands.
Always liked Willian.
At last. Deserved that goal.
Brilliant free kick by Willian. 3-1.
WILLIAN SCORES he’s like a new signing 😂
Let’s just hope he gets moved on this summer.
Finally a goal by Willian! 🙂
Great free kick – quick give him a contract extension.
Only four points behind Spurs now with three games to go. Chelsea next but they have the Cup Final at the weekend. After a crappy season it would be lovely to celebrate St Totteringhams day.
I can’t understand why we keep backing off and allow someone to run fifty yards towards our goal without a challenge.
Sam may look like a walrus but Sammy Lee is more ratty than the rat faced Chav.
Bye bye. You won’t be missed.
Clairvoyant Dr.F gets the score right. Congratulations.
We had the added pleasure of relegating fat Sam’s team.
Focus on the positives – we scored three fine goals.
And, as Bath says, we relegated Sam Allardici. Don’t make me laugh it hurts.
a game of ups and downs. their goal wasn’t atypical of our goals against this season. step up and take him out at worst!
good goals, all our three. saka to esr the best, and congrats to esr and willian for breaking their duck. future vs. past right there.
and dr. faustus: again a great preview and a nailed holic pound!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>