Arsenal and the Wenger story

[marakana10]

I felt compelled to start a thread after watching the community shield today against Chelsea. After watching today's game I must say I didn't start to cry but I was very proud to be an Arsenal supporter. Even if we did lose 2-1 it didn't bother me that much because the way we played was beautiful. Even when Drogba scored I was thinking we could come back. So I felt I should give some respect to Wenger for his work. Chelsea bring in 240 million pounds to the club and we bring 25 in the same period... And we're this close?! I mean I have to praise Wenger even if we don't win anything this year for being the true football coach. He brings up players from the academy and for me is the only TRUE voice in football after Manchester United and SAF have started buying like crazy. In a business world we have somehow maintained a discipline not because we want to but because there is not other way fianancially. After the new stadium which is a real treat I must say even though I'm very sad about leaving Highbury is that I'm proud of the Gunners and I'm proud to be their supporter. In today's society where everything revolves around money and all the clubs buying players left and right, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan just to name a few and for us to be on the same level as them is for me the best thing to have ever seen. As a football player who has seen his share of success at club level in the US I must say I really do admire Wenger and what he has done. Last season the state champs got 6 players from the other finalist after they won and we still tied them. So to me AFC is 'till I die....

[Its only Ray Parlour]

Top post. Rep.

[red & wite army]

Yea, great post.

I also felt that exact same way! We were so exciting to watch and we really seem to have great fighting spirit and an amazing team forming! It really didn't feel like a defeat to me- i was happy! :)

[jwaldman11]

Totally agree. We tried to play football, while Chelsea tried to play longball. We were one pass away from quality chances about a dozen times before Cesc's goal. I think we're going to be on par with Chelsea all season!

[AmericanEnglish]

Before the game even started, we all knew that chelsea had become an ugly club, with a rude arrogant manager and a chairman that makes satan seem cuddly, both of them riddled with dispicable actions off the pitch

But today I think that game thoroughly exposed how ugly chelseas football is on the pitch,
especially when contrasted with the silky passing and complex plays arsenal employed. Chelsea and Mourinho only play to results, results and just that. Abrohimobitches money wont last long enough.

Not to mention we got what they cannot ever have, that they can never buy, we have our beautiful football. Very few teams in the history of the game have had the cohesion, skill and precision that our players display on the pitch together. While our squad was astronomically cheaper than chelseas, when they play together under wenger, the sum is always much much greater than all the parts put together.

Wengers firm commitment to nourishing youth and dedication to beautiful football makes Arsenal's team not only better than Chelsea's, but will ensure that long after abrahimobitches money dries up, Arsenal will still rule supreme.
So basically
We got Style.


and
Ya cant buy Style.

[antifan]

Top post. Rep.
Seconded.

[Armis36]

Some good posts. I completely agree.

It only took Chelsea 10 years and $200+million to finally beat the Arse.

It's just one game, nothing to worry about...besides, I wasn't worried about winning the 'Charity Shield', that damn things jinxed or something :p

I think with some more time together, they'll only get better. Really expecting good things from Hleb. Think he'll be a surprise to everyone else in the Prem this year.

Poor Senderos, he probably wishes he could forget this game...but in his defense, Drogba is big and fast. Phillip was getting muscled around and outrun. Not many can do both to him.

[SnipersBreath]

Here....Here !!! :)

[AmericanEnglish]

Now that weve lost the community shield, we are set to win the premiership.

[GunnerOToole]

Geat post. But easy on the feel good. It tougher to be at the very top than being close to the top (or in Spurs case having one good run that keeps you out of regulation trouble). No doubt this is a transition year and we have outstanding young talent who have the chance to be truely one of the great teams. What Wenger needs to do is to protect them from getting burnt out too soon and from getting kicked about. While I also was proud of the team, what struck me is that without Vieria, Henry is the only individual to really fear. Arsenal is definately a team that is wourth more as a team than the sum of its parts. All team should be that way. However it helps to have people that other teams need to mark tight, which gives our other players great freedom. Vieria was like that and he protected the younger players from the Keanes of the world. Lets hope Wenger has got the balance right.

[AmericanEnglish]

We should sign Mr T

Then id pity the foo who mess with arsenal

[Milkman]

Geat post. But easy on the feel good. It tougher to be at the very top than being close to the top (or in Spurs case having one good run that keeps you out of regulation trouble). No doubt this is a transition year and we have outstanding young talent who have the chance to be truely one of the great teams. What Wenger needs to do is to protect them from getting burnt out too soon and from getting kicked about. While I also was proud of the team, what struck me is that without Vieria, Henry is the only individual to really fear. Arsenal is definately a team that is wourth more as a team than the sum of its parts. All team should be that way. However it helps to have people that other teams need to mark tight, which gives our other players great freedom. Vieria was like that and he protected the younger players from the Keanes of the world. Lets hope Wenger has got the balance right.
You are a great voice of reason. Can't rep, for I have done that too much in 24 hrs.

Did you all realize that after one half of play Chelsea had one shot and Arsenal had four? Of course we were down one-nil, but it's worth remembering.

I think The Boss is right when he said Chelsea supporters may have some concerns following the match, not taking anything away from the overall victory which was earned fair and square.

[Thierry_Is_God]

I support arsenal and hate chelsea but to ridicule the way chelsea wins is incorrect they change their style of play depending on their opponent. if the only way to win is by playing the longball then why wouldn't you play that way. why play in a style that you can't beat an opponent with. the point of any game is to win, you play to win. style is second to winning. everyone would like to win in style but sometimes they can't. the way chelsea played against arsenal just showed how much they really fear arsenal and their ability. If liverpool tried to play in style vs. juventus in italy or against chelsea in the champions league they never would have reached the final. they played to win and they won europe. I wish Arsenal had the ability to play different styles it would lead to many more trophies when teams try to jam up the midfield with 5 players.

[marakana10]

Just wanted to refresh some Gunners' memories at the beginning of the season. I think this is "our" season, no matter if we win or not.

Arsenal til the end.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/soccer/03/28/champions.tuesday.ap/p1_henry_vieira_0328.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/graphics/2006/03/29/sfnsmi29.jpg

[marakana10]

The Future:

http://ww2.sport24.com/photos/1143577214.jpg

[marakana10]

Heroes Part 1

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/85/lehmann_jens_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Jens Lehmann, GK

http://www.uefa.com/ml/images/Players/220X220/95238.jpg

Emmanuel Eboue, DR

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/toure_kolo_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Kolo Toure, DC

[marakana10]

Heroes Part 2

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/91/senderos_philippe_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Phillipe Senderos, DC

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/flamini_mathieu_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Matthieu Flamini, DL

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/hleb_aleksandr_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Aleksandar Hleb, MR

[marakana10]

Heroes Part 3

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/86/silva_gilberto_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Gilberto Silva, MC

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/85/fabregas_cesc_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Francesc Fabregas, MC

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/reyes_jose_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Jose Antonio Reyes, ML

[marakana10]

Heroes Part 4

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/ljungberg_freddie_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Fredrik Ljungberg, MR/AMC

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/pires_robert_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Robert Pires, ML/AMC

http://images.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz_images/sport/soccer/english_prem05/henry_arsenal_salute_d.jpg

Thierry Henry, FC

[marakana10]

Heroes Part 5

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/86/van_persie_robin_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Robin Van Persie, F

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/bergkamp_dennis_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Dennis Bergkamp, AMC/F

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/83/lauren_afc_profile_2005.jpg

Lauren, DR



All Photos courtesy of www.4thegame.com