Written by John Friend Saturday, 06 August 2011 11:40

GunnerTalk Blog

it may get worse before it gets better

By John Friend

Firstly a call for some perspective – as a fan who started supporting the mighty Gunners (‘Gooner’ was a thing of the future back then) since 1976, who witnessed the dark times of the Seventies through the press and minimal TV coverage and those of the early to mid-eighties in the same way but with some first-hand experience thrown in , I, and others of my vintage, know about ‘bad’ times. Seeing the old North Bank literally split in 2 and fight over the sacking of a manager, ugly protests outside the old East Stand in Avenell  Road, losing to Walsall and York in the FA Cup and many many other “end of the world” scenarios tells me one thing – this really ain’t the end of the world. Things to come as I see them?  Well......

Fans relationship with Club

At this rate it may get worse before it gets better. The promised hectic transfer activity hasn’t really materialised has it? Or has it? Could it be that the (sitting) duck that is Arsene and the Board have serenely glided over the surface and turned the other beak, sorry cheek, out of ignorance / arrogance or any other ‘ance you may wish to lob at them? Or have the feet been paddling like fuck beneath the surface only to get snagged in the metaphorical reeds flourishing in the murky waters that are the futures of our current numbers 4 and 8? I suspect the latter and when one of those dominoes falls then the others will fall very quickly having already been lined up. Assuming that the replacement 4 or 8 is top quality and a centre back joins we’ll all be happy won’t we?? No? No you’re right coz it’s all about trophies ain’t it? Ok.......

Trophies

Want us to play like Stoke every week and end up winning the FA Cup? Thought not.

Want us to play like Barcelona (sorry to mention them but they really are the benchmark) and win fuck all? No?

Some fans expect us to play like Barca and win the lot and won’t be happy till we do. Well let’s hope this is posted before their mummy’s put them to bed coz it ain’t gonna happen. Not this season anyway. It’s still early to call; a) because of the transfer uncertainty mentioned above and b) coz the bleedin’ season hasn’t even started yet BUT.... if we can get the defensive reinforcements we need, complement whatever midfield we end up with after the window closes with some top quality and learn to concentrate for 90 minutes + (and we get a bit more reffing luck!!!) top 4 is a certainty, possibly top 2. Can we win it? Yes. Will we? Probably not.  Champions League – the Udinese draw could have been better, could have been worse. If we qualify I see quarters as a minimum but with luck and some decent draws, and if we actually play out the group stage to come top rather than piss about trying to give everyone a game then maybe we could go a long way. Winning it is unlikely but stranger things have happened (1961).

WE WILL WIN ONE OR BOTH OF THE FA CUP AND CARLING CUP. There you go I’ve said it. Why? Because we will play our strongest team wherever possible and have, just HAVE,  to be lucky with the draws again sometime.

In summary

You may agree with all/some/none of the above. To be honest I’m not really bothered. I’m not trying to preach or teach anyone, I’m just giving my opinion. If you do wish to comment please feel free to tweet @mrjohnfriend.  One final thing – I live on the South Coast and over the years have watched very closely as 2 proud teams from down here fought huge battles. Not to get a new centre half or to create about their season tickets going up 60 quid – they watched their teams almost literally disappear. Now that IS nearly “the end of the world”. We as Arsenal fans should think ourselves very lucky and privileged to support such a wonderful, classy (most of the time) and successful (??!?) football club. One that is the envy of virtually every other club in the country. And that’s not just internet chatter bollix – that’s FACT.

A final final point - to be born an Arsenal fan really is an enormous stroke of luck. 92 teams in the league; divide 92 by 4 and you had a 1 in 23 chance of supporting one of Spuds / Stoke / Chelsea / Birmingham. 91/1 vs 23/1 in a 2 horse race and you won – not so bad is it????

Boo that !!!!! COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!