French strike?

[HighburyGoon]

There goes our season.....

http://football365.co.uk/All_News/Premiership_News/story_61409.shtml

[CDNGooner]

UGHHHH . . . hasn't Pires known what Saddam's son did to their soccer team when they lost? They all got beaten and they are totally mistreated . . . France rolled over in WWII, they are rolling over now . . . I don't want this thread to be too political . . . sports are one of the things that makes the news of the world more bearable. I just hope that Arsenal's form is due to our French lads just mailing in a performance due to the War in Iraq. Sheesh, where is the Do or Die spirit? No wonder Arsenal got tossed out of the CL - the character and spirit aren't there . . . I'm pissed off. Arsenal's recipe for success is always strong D. We've got the forwards . . . time for Wenger to tinker with the D.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by CDNGooner
France rolled over in WWII, they are rolling over now . . . I don't want this thread to be too political . . .

Just because France doesn't support this war or the way it's being conducted doesn't mean they are "rolling over." For their latest contribution on the war on TERROR (remember Al Queda? They're the ones who, unlike Iraqis, actually attacked the US):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,918926,00.html

[martymarts]

Let's stop this thread before it begins. It is totally out of order.

CDNGooner - The best thing I can say about what you wrote is that it is completely ill-considered. Go find a war forum somewhere!

[Fudthebiker]

I just saw on Arsenal.com that Pires said he will be playing.

This thread should not be discontinued though. Sports, like wars, re a very important part of our society. Michael Wilbon wrote an excellent column in Wash Post the other day about how servicemen were emailing him saying that keep track of their teams in March Madness was the best and most beneficial diversion they had, and that if players were protesting the war or owners and organizations cancelling events, then it would send the wrong message. I'm sure the British troops feel the same way, and want to come back to their tents and hear the news about their teams. Walking away from your job just because you're opposed to the war isnt the best way to go about it. Can any of us just walk out because of a political belief? I sure wish I could! The French players should play, because sitting our accomplishes little and sends the wrong message.

[CDNGooner]

Originally posted by martymarts
Let's stop this thread before it begins. It is totally out of order.

CDNGooner - The best thing I can say about what you wrote is that it is completely ill-considered. Go find a war forum somewhere!

I'll apologize for my rant . . . like I said, I didn't want this post to be too political . . . I come to the Big Soccer Forum to talk about our beloved team and not about the War in Iraq. There are lots of forums (Yes, I would talk about it there Martymarts!). There are lots of reasons why France doesn't support the War - some good and some bad - and it's not all about diplomacy . . . it's also about keeping trade relations . . . I definitely am one person to try to research both sides of the story to be as informed as possible. So if my rant is offensive - I'm sorry.

It is great that we live in a place where we can state our views and opinions. Its something that we shouldn't take for granted. Not everyone in the world has this opportunity to do so.

In Montreal, during the Montreal Canadiens game, the crowd booed the US National Anthem . . . that's something that's quite out of line (this news even made the Jim Rome show - so even world events have impacted sports) - what if a player had a relative that was serving in Iraq? One of the players on the Vancouver Canucks has a brother-in-law serving in the Iraq. I, for one, wouldn't want the Canadian National Anthem being booed by our friends below the 49th parallel. It doesn't help that US CDN relations are quite strained at the moment even prior to 9/11. Infact, our Prime Minister didn't attend 9/11 memorials in NYC b/c he had a political fund-raiser to go to - what da!?! Our PM's ego is affecting our relationship with our long-time neighbours!

Let's agree on one thing though - I hope Arsenal kicks the crap of Everton tomorrow! I would like to see a bashing like NewCastle and Chelsea did today. Let's hope our boys take back the top spot in the EPL and keep it . . . that's what I look forward to.

[michaec]

From a purely football point of view, if Pires wants to strike, let him strike. Spouting off in the papers can only take the other players minds off of the job in hand, which is to knock the Mancs off top spot. I'm all for the players and staff to say absolutely nothing to the press and let their feet do the talking on the pitch.

[Desigol]

Originally posted by michaec
From a purely football point of view, if Pires wants to strike, let him strike. Spouting off in the papers can only take the other players minds off of the job in hand, which is to knock the Mancs off top spot. I'm all for the players and staff to say absolutely nothing to the press and let their feet do the talking on the pitch.

Absolutely. He said something similar about the World Cup whenever LePen got into the Second phase of the French Presidential Election. At the end of the day, it's all about what happens on the field. Let's hope we don't do a Newcastle 95-96. :)

[Lanesra]

English tabloid journalists often deliver loaded questions ie, 'would you strike for your beliefs' for most of us there is only one answer, this is then blown out of all proportion to seel papers, I think this is probabally whats happened here, I shouldn't worry too much about it. Still after yasterdays performance he may have started already. :)

[Jeff L]

Apparently (after a talk with the club) and these comments were "apparently" made on a French radio broadcast that Pires does, that it was a "mistranslation".
However some of our "foreign stars" do miss that "British steel" element in their game, as Ray Parlour proved yesterday when he came on.
At times when the sleeves need to be "rolled up" and you have to "dig in" for a performance to get you out of the mire, it seems that it's only the English players are able to do it. (Keown, Campbell, Parlour, and former legend Tony Adams was probably the greatest example).
The foreigners want to be "too pretty", and make 20 passes and walk the ball in.
Maybe it's just the way the game is played over here, or maybe it is a "cultural thing".
What they all need to understand is that "When the going gets touch, the tough get going".
Maybe that's why the English are in the Gulf and the French aren't. However the main thing is that has already been stated... "Let's keep this on football, not war".

[Ellison]

Originally posted by Jeff Lancaster
... "Let's keep this on football, not war" ...

agreed,

you gotta love Henry saying he'd NEVER STRIKE and that politics don't belong in football.

[OPArsenal]

Originally posted by Ellison
agreed,

you gotta love Henry saying he'd NEVER STRIKE and that politics don't belong in football.

TH14 is a real class act. I wish Cygan would strike... Maybe then we could find him a decent replacement. Is it just me, or was Pires WAY out of line in his assumption that he spoke for all of the Frenchies on our side? Hmmm...

Vive le AFC!

OPArsenal