Youngsters Show Spirit and There's a Stench at the Emirates



Okay, I was not expecting a 2-0 loss on Saturday.  I think we were all worried about the possible result, but I figured a draw would be the most drastic.  The first 20 minutes scared the daylights out of me as we mislaid pass after pass.  Only My Vermie's shackling of Carroll gave me any sense of relief as he robbed him of nearly every header.  And watching a Liverpool player attempt to steal the ball off of 'Pong only to be brushed aside by him gave me a chuckle.  But then we know what happened eventually:  injuries, red cards, and losing while down to 10 men.

As far as individual performances go, I can't fault the young 'uns.  They showed spirit and fight (perhaps injudiciously) from Jenks to 'Pong and Ignasi.  SIDENOTE:  If one doesn't have faith in one's fourth pick center back, why isn't he sold?  Ignasi was on the bench and Squillaci in the stands?  Not that I think Squillaci would have done better, but what a statement made by Wenger - intentionally or unintentionally.  Anyway, RVP and Nasri played their parts as well while Theo and Arshavin were, well, pretty bad.  Every time Theo received the ball by the touchline, he was swarmed and usually conceded possession.  And Andrey's attempts at penetrating and passing were intercepted or otherwise nullified.

So all in all, we're in bad shape.  We have won only one out of six possible points.  Song and Emmanuel are suspended for Manchester United next Sunday and we don't know the extent of Koz's injury for the Udinese game, which means we could be short at the CB position.  There are rumblings tonight on Twitter that Jack could be back for the CL match, but what about our only creative player Nasri?  As much as I detest eating Humble Pie, I'll swallow a slice by admitting his performance made me remember why I liked him so much last year.  His move for Manchester City is taking FOREVER so, who knows?  If Wenger plays him against the Italians and he ends up Cup-tied, Mancini admitted that event could be a deal breaker.  What I found interesting is that Mancini expressed confusion and surprise that the deal wasn't done as soon as he expected stating:


"It's a big problem. For 40 days [I've been saying]: 'I hope it's two days, three days, two days, three days.' I don't know why we didn't close it.

It's nice for some other club to express confusion over the actions of its Board, and Mancini had no trouble stating that in public.  I think something similar could be going on at Arsenal, but unlike Roberto, Arsene is not the type of manager to come out and openly challenge the Arsenal Board.  He loves the club, is loyal, and discreet.  He probably views opening up any diagreements about transfers to the public as distasteful. And I do think there are major disagreements going on here which is the only sane explanation I can come up with for us not having the signings we need this close to the transfer deadline.  Our manager is a man who has made big signings in the pre-Emirates past.  Many of these were diamond-in-the-roughs whom he transformed into real gems.  But the Bergkamp signing was seen as a landmark signing.  Fast forward a few years and Wenger has to develop low-cost youngsters, while staying in the Champions League and vying for the title in order to help build the Emirates and keep the debt low.  Now he has money.  There is NO WAY he would jeopardize the whole season, qualification for Europe, and staying in the Top Four unless someone was pulling against his strings in the background.  I'm not saying Le Boss is not playing a small part in the delay, (he does seem very picky), but the guy knows what winning feels like and hates to lose.  I think the Board is not letting Wenger deal the way he wants.  Mata going to Chelsea seems to be the latest hint of unrest behind the scenes.


Of course, I'm not sure of all the details.  I'm as far from being a fly on the wall as I am from - well - ever seeing a game live in at the Emirates.  But something doesn't feel right.  And, on top of everything else,  Wenger is looking horrible as well.  He's dropped weight and is looking almost ill.  If he was truly acting only on his idealism or stubborness, I don't think it would be ravaging him physically as much as it is.  Think about it.  If you truly believe in what you are doing, criticism and defeat are taken with a grain of salt.  Arsene is starting to look like the Crypt Keeper for goodness sakes.

I'm not sure how the end of the transfer window is going to look for the Gunners.   If things continue going south, I fear that our manager will be left holding the bag while the owner and  Board put a spin on the situation.  I trust Arsene.  I don't always agree with him, but I trust him.  I'm not sure I trust the Board.  I'm not sure we'll ever know the true goings-on behind the Red and White curtain until Wenger writes an autobiography or a whistle blower comes foward.  Until then, Wenger will probably just continue to take the heat, stay in the kitchen, and try to make diamond souffle out of whomever he ends up with.

Yep, there's something rotten alright, and it's not in Denmark - it's in London.  Until next time.

Post Script:  Arsenal.Com just posted team news that explains Squillaci's absence.  He has a calf strain.



Could Lansbury See Daylight Saturday?

So, I know we are all biting our fingernails, ruining our manicures, pulling out clumps of hair in an attempt to manage the barrage of anxiety we're feeling about Saturday's match against Liverpool.  Admit it.  Some of you think we don't have a Popsicle's chance in Hades of coming out with a win against the Scousers, never mind another clean sheet.  And looking at everything on paper, that is probably a pretty accurate prediction.  According to the injury update on the official site, we are sporting a threadbare squad.  To summarize, I'll list who out of our first team "regulars" is available:
Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, My Vermie, Arshavin, Theo, Rambo, RVP, Chamakh, Nasri (*cough,splutter*) and...that's about it.  Which means we're in need of a make-shift left back, and one or two midfielders.  Djourou is a "maybe" dependent on a late fitness test tomorrow so he could figure in as well.

Threadbare, right?  So I'm figuring we could see a squad made up of half veterans and half new up and comers which could look something like this:
Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, DJ/Vermie, Vermie/Jenks, Rambo, Ping-Pong, Theo Arshavin, RVP and...Lansbury? 

Why not Henri?  Our other choice could be Nasri, but with his alledged impending Manchester City transfer, I doubt he will be risked.  So our midfield could consist of Henri and The Pong (I can't make up my mind about his nickname.  There are so many possibilities) who have played together for several years at the Academy and Aaron who has taken on the mantle of creative midfielder since the departure of He Who Must Not Be Named.  The average age is - well without having to do real math - it's younger than the roof on my house probably.  But Henri has, as described by Jamie at YoungGunsBlog.com and Norwich staff, grit, determination, and "an engine that won't quit".  I think that's what we need right now.  We don't have the finesse honed by experience in the Premier League, we don't have a vault full of silverware won by recent squads, but we could have some fight in us on Saturday.  We could have enough to prove to give a shock to Liverpool and even we fans.  Henry definitely has something to prove to Wenger.

On the offensive end, Liverpool's defense is penetrable, and with Theo's (or Ox's or Ryo's) speed, Arshavin's magic,Bendy's headers ( hey - he's not gone yet) and RVP 's chocolate and non-chocolate legs, we could outscore them.  Their talisman is out injured.  Suarez seems to be there center of energy and Carroll their aerial threat.  I'm not sure we can get a clean sheet out of it, but I think we can battle through to a win.  I want a win.

Why not? We got one against the energetic Italians (who I thought were very un-Italian -like in their attack), so hopefully, our defense has built some confidence, and Theo will continue some scoring form - especially after announcing he 's aiming for 18 goals this season.  *Gasp*  Someone wants that central striker position really badly.  Go for it Theo!  If you reach your goal, you could write a book about it.  Erm...I mean a second book....filled with interesting things to read about.  Moving on.

I wanted to encourage everyone to visit 'holic's website to view this Arsenal Anthem.  It was the inspirtaion to this somewhat optimistic post.  I think all of us as fans could use some uplifting momentum right now.  Actually, I think the players taking their places on the pitch for Saturday's match could use a view of it too.  Sadly, I don't have that much influence.  Give it a look and tell me that it doesn't get you fired up. I dare you.   I'll have to call you a Gone Gooner then, though.

Whoever is on the pitch for the weekend match, let's all get behind them.  It's the first match at the Emirates, and I hope the boys out there get full support from the fans lucky enough to be able to attend.  If Lansbury does make it to the pitch, give him a good song, won't you?  Take care.

Andrey's Attitude and Is It Bye-Bye Bendy?

Well, like the sweltering heat of an Indiana summer, the Arsenal transfer saga continues with little movement on some fronts (Cesc/Nasri) and some on others.  But more on that later.  In some refreshing news, Andrey Arshavin has been speaking on the Arsenal site about what he wants to accomplish in the coming season.  Our sometimes energetic Russian is going for 15 goals.  I have to say, reading that Andrey is setting goals makes me think that his head might be finally recovered from missing the World Cup.  For him, like the rest of the squad and perhaps even us fans, the slate is wiped clean, and he wants to write success across his.  It's exactly what I want to hear.  I  am tired of hearing that Arsenal players are "suffering" or want to win trophies somewhere else.  Way to lay down the gauntlet for yourself Andrey.  Having only netted six goals in his half season with us in 2009, 12 in 2009-2010, and 10 last season, 15 shows ambition.  I am feeling optimistic that our petite winger is going to have a great season.  I would to see that tongue-hanging-out-celebration thingy much more often.Click here for my all time favorite Arshavin goal (HINT:  it's probably your favorite too)

Onto some potential Arsenal exits, the striker who outscores everyone on the planet as far as self-confidence goes may be off to Sporting Lisbon.  That's right, Bendy may be leaving for Portugal for reportedly 9 million pounds.  I use the word "may" because soon after the Guardian posted the article about he move, Jamie from the Young Guns Blog tweeted a quote from Sporting Lisbon Director Carlos Barbados where he stated "It's highly unlikely that Nicklas Bendtner ends up here. The club pays nowhere near what he is used to at Arsenal." 

Ummm.  Okay.  Many bloggers and fans have commented on the possible dangers giving young and mostly unproven players such high wages.  It's tough to unload them.  Denilson's loan to Sao Paulo is a primary example and it looks as though Nick may have to go the same route if he wants consistent playing time.  It's too bad really.  Nick has always driven me batty at times, but when given a consistent run in the side, I found him to be someone who needed to be reckoned with.  We depended on him back in the 2009-2010 season when Robin got tore up in that friendly with Italy (which turned out not to be that friendly).  Horse's placenta failed, Bendy was called upon and responded by netting 12 goals from November to late April.  I wonder if he hadn't wrecked his car around a tree, carried an injury into the World Cup and into the start of the season last year, perhaps Chamakh would have been called upon less and Bendy more.  What we had last year was not-so-fast and agile Nicklas playing as a winger - which aggravated both him and the fans.  He did manage to score some goals though only two in the Premier League and NONE in the Champions League.  None against Barcelona at Camp Nou.  Sigh.  Unfortunately, that is how I will probably remember Bendy - The One Who Let It Get Away.

Anyway, that's all for now.  Apparently the Joel Campbell story is breaking again (thanks gunnerblog), but unless he gets a work permit, I don't think we'll see him this year.  Speaking of work permits, the ever-informed Jamie again at Young Guns has written that Arsenal are working on the work permit for Ryo which means that Wenger wants to give him his chance at first team football.  Wow. Can you imagine being just out of a high school soccer program and having the opportunity to play at one of the biggest soccer clubs at the world?  Surreal.

I said that was all, didn't I? Okay, so hopefully there will be some clarity on whether our Dane is departing or not.  Until then, try to not let the rumors drive you over the edge.  Take care.

Are You Kidding Me?

Hey - did you hear about Arsenal's bid for me?  Jokers!



This is a joke, right?  Our bid for Jagielka has been reported to have been rejected.  Considering it was two million pounds less than our last bid, I am not surprised.  The obvious question, of course, is why did we offer less? The start of the season is less than a month away, we don't have time to play games, practical jokes or make mistakes here.  I understand the Cesc/Nasri situation making it difficult to assess and sign offensive players, but tying down a central defender seems to be a straight forward job with minimum juggling required. 

I readily admit, I am the poorest bargainer on the planet.  I've bought a car at the sticker price for goodness sakes - never bothering to ask for a better deal.  I have friends who insist they go with me when I'm shopping for almost anything - wanting to be sure I don't get ripped off.  But I do know this one rule when it comes to offering a bid...if your first offer is turned down, you offer a little more.  Are people at the offices of The Arsenal getting bored?  Is the offer a red herring leaked out for media consumption?  Or maybe Ivan knows something we don't about Phil's abilities?  If they're less stellar than what we thought, why are we bidding at all?

Anyway, I am beating a dead horse here, but being that Arsenal news is scarce and usually bad, I felt a rant was overdue.  Moving on...

Let's talk about my favorite of favorites...Vermie.  Does anyone else notice he is on the site often these days being quoted about our chances next season and his opinion on new arrivals?  And, they're putting up some great pictures of him too, thank goodness.  This picture is definitely not flattering, and I remember last season they kept using it again and again.  With my much-loved Belgium back in action, there should be more images to choose from.    Hopefully,we won't see that again.  Anyway, Thomas talks about the squad having a clean slate and the fact that everyone in the league gets the chance to start over.  Which is true.  I suspect it's easier for him to talk about that considering he did not play a part in last season's demise.  This usually positive chatter gets on one's nerves after awhile, but considering the source, I am almost feeling the optimism myself.  Almost.  I am getting excited that football is going to be back and there will be lots to read and watch and listen to and  hopefully cheer about.  If we would just sign Benzema, or Jagielka, or Cahill, or Mertsacker or the next unknown Thierry Henry.  That's not asking for too much, is it?  The answer to that question will in all likelihood not be forthcoming until September when the transfer window officially closes.  Until then, we'll just have to feed on the bread crumbs allotted to us on a daily basis.

I guess that's it for now.  Short but sweet today.  I'm off to go garage saling - with a few chaperones of course.  Have a good one!

Jack No Longer The Lad



Kids grow up so fast these days don't they?  None more so than our Spiky Jack.  Taking the bull by the horns last season, Jack transformed one starting opportunity into a season as Arsenal's most consistent midfielder, playing more games than any other Gunner including his midfield partner Alex Song.  So, I guess that it should be no surprise that this 19 year old fan-favorite is now developing his influence as a leader also.  A leader that is speaking out about what makes a good footballer a good man.  And according to quotes from The Sun, Jack says it's Loyalty.  Here's the meat of the matter according to Jack:

"Loyalty is a big part of football and it shows if you are a real man or not. If you are loyal, it means you are a real man.

Can I tell you what a breath of fresh air that statement is to fan? When players move for money or declare they need to go somewhere in order to obtain trophies (when in fact if they worked a little harder they would maybe have a shot to get them), it rankles a purist like myself.  I had a fit when the Olympics allowed professional athletes to compete.  I also happen to think that a player who is playing for something more than just a paycheck - love for the club for example- he will give more effort.  Loyalty and fidelity to their team can push an athlete to greater heights than money alone.  I truly believe that.   Jack is one of those players that may be driven more by his internal values than the external rewards, and his expectation is that others need to take a look at their motivation.

Now the papers have made much of his statement, singling out Cesc as the primary target of his comment.  Jack did mention Cesc but as an example of one who showed loyalty last year by staying at Arsenal.  Unlike the pundits, I think that Jack might have been speaking about Nasri, whose lack of taking proper ownership for his part in our end of season collapse plus his  refusal to sign a contract probably irks Jack more than the Cesc saga.    He adds:

"We have loyalty at Arsenal and players have shown that in the past. Cesc showed that last year and hopefully a few more players will show it this year.

I don't know who else he would be talking about besides Nasri...Bendtner?  I don't think so.  I think Samir blaming the club for the lack of trophies (while only scoring 18 goals in three years) and expecting either more money or  a move to a rival club probably has pushed Jack's buttons.  See, Jack's not just a player for Arsenal, he's a fan.  He thinks and acts like a Gooner at times which is probably one of the reasons we like him so much.   Anyway, Jack took exception to some of the headlines by the journalists and attempted to clear up any misdunderstandings via his Twitter account @JackWilshere.

Have not read any papers but just so we get it right i actually said 'cesc showed he is a real man by staying and being loyal last season'..

I also said he has been a great role model for me! So why would i tell him to 'man up'!? Get it correct please...


So there ya go.  All in all, we have a 19 year old telling players five years older than himself to show some integrity.  What can I say?  It makes me like him even more.

I guess that's it for today other than to say how much I enjoyed Wenger FINALLY calling out Xavi and correctly labeling him as disrespectful.  I'm sure Xavi will have some intelligent, witty response at the ready as we all know his pie-hole is open 24 hours a day.  I wonder what on-the-spot comment he'll make next? Who knows?  Maybe he'll just stick his tongue out at the Wenger dartboard he has in his mother's basement.

You all have a good night and I'll be back in a couple of days. 

What Can You Expect?

Oh - I didn't mean what can you expect from Arsenal.  I meant from me.  This is all about me.  I mean, you can pretty much predict how the rest of the month is going to go when it comes to our club.  Something like this:

Weekend of July9th-10th - no movement on the transfer front.  Which isn't a surprise because no real business develops on the weekend.  Did you know it's the 7th agonizing weekend without Arsenal football?  Egads!  Copa America is somewhat interesting, but we all know what we're waiting for.  Oops, I digress.

I meant to talk about me.  Not about next week when we will be getting out of bed early to see if Gervinho has FINALLY completed the paperwork (seriously, what is the holdup mes amies?) and has pictures posted on the official site.  And I don't mean to talk about the Daily Mail getting fans' hopes up about Benzema again, or the Guardian telling us that Nasri is just going to play out his contract and then leave for greener (lush from all the manure dumped on it) pastures - full of cow pies I hope.

Nope.  The purpose of this posting is to alert my five readers that I have come out of my post-season coma and guarantee three articles a week - no matter what.  This guarantee is as solid as Wenger's promise to sign five...erm no.  Four?  Nope.  Right - one or two new players into our squad.  But don't despair...he also pledges that he's going to do all he can to fight to keep Cesc and Nasri.  So, rest assured about getting regular- if somewhat nonsensical -writings from me...

Yep, I'll be as regular as the irritated, sarcastic, and somewhat dire communication I'm reading from fellow Gooners on Twitter.  At least @KeithThe Gooner is good for some eyebrow-raising tweets and chuckles.  The rest of us are seemingly suffering from the same impatient strand of malaise.  I even really TRY and not be edgy.  But, it's five days until our Asian tour and...nothing. 

Oh look...that puts into the third week of July where I will have already written two more posts by the time our squad takes off seemingly without our former Captain and with no (good enough) replacement at left-back.  I wonder how much weight the Arsenal plane can carry?  Doesn't dead weight (and you all know who I mean) weigh more?  Yeesh.  The thought of us playing next season with the same back up on the bench gives me the shivers.  Which is not good.  Because remember.

This is all  about me.  And I'm about ready to ask someone to take me out to the back 40 and put me out of my misery with a shotgun.  But, then I wouldn't be able to post another three excellent writings by the time our pre-season friendly against FC Cologna happens on the 23rd. Do we think by then make-me-want-to-Barfalona will have actually offered to pay Cesc's value?  Actually, I hope that the Daily Express' @MattLawExpress had it right yesterday when he tweeted

"Told guardiola and rosell barely speaking at the mo. Pep v pissed off cesc not signed yet. Not everything is rosey in paradise."

 

If there is any truth to that rumor, the rest of my July would be cake.  Layered cake with strawberry and banana filling in between those layers and strawberry icing on top with sprinkles.  Could I please have the sprinkles?  Pretty please, even?  Remember this very important fact.

 

It's. All. About. Me.

 

I guess that it for now.  I'll be back with more pleadings for pastries, desserts, center backs,and closure in a few days.  Really.  Trust me.

 

Have a good one.

 

 

The Grit is Gone

Mine is missing, that is.  The grit that enables a fan  to hang in with their team in the belief that the squad is just going through a rough patch?  That's what I'm talking about.  The fortitude required in order to defend my manager and players against slander and near abuse has faded into the dusk.  I acquiesce.  Wenger is right about one thing:  Something is gone - from the squad and from the fans.

Not even the most even-tempered, moderate bloggers are staying the course.  Many have given up the battle.  Goonerholic's post today broke my heart.  One can look to an objective perspective from him usually.  And to see him finally admit a type of defeat helped break through my last brick of denial.  We are not the team I thought we were.  And where my last post hinted at needing only minor changes within the squad and team,  I am now not so sure that is the case.  If Arsenal's problem is psychological, then that points to a problem at the top.  So either the way the manager and coaches deal psychologically with the squad (where the average age is 23) needs to change, or the manager needs to go.

There.  I said it.  I never thought I would but there you go...no grit.

I have to admit that watching Arsenal without Arsene at the helm is something that right now is unimaginable.  I became a fan under the Wenger-era and hence do not have the reference point that many of you who have been fans for 30 + years do have.  I have rooted for American sports teams that go through coaches almost as frequently as Inter or Chelsea (Cubs, Notre Dame football).  I just have never gotten so attached to a manager before.

And if we were in fifth or sixth place and our boys were still fighting - leaving the pitch,sweaty, exhausted and grass-stained, I would walk around with my head high and my heart full of the moxie displayed by the players.   But that is so often not the case these days that I am feeling lucky to live overseas where the only EPL non-Arsenal fan I will hear from is my Manure-loving cousin.  Stoke fans taunting me with grunts?  Don't have to worry about it. I am safely ensconced in Hoosier-land.

 Still, I feel broken.

I would venture a guess that what I am going through is a reflection of the team's dissipation.  What we saw on Sunday was the anti-thesis of the second-half fight we brandished in the first half of the season.  Something about that Carling Cup Final disaster left a blight on our boys' psyche - and it lives on like a looped nightmare.  The performances are as predictable as a teenage horror flick.  Yelling at a soon to be victim on screen, "Don't go in that pitch-black room by yourself - you'll get off-ed" is the same as watching an unmarked opponent head (or chest or kick or ass) a ball into our net off a set piece.  Skip the middle and get right to the end because I can't stomach  the details anymore.

The last two games are playing while I'm at work.  Normally, not getting to watch my beloved Arsenal (yes - I still love them) would cause quite the hullabaloo and fuss, but now I'm actually grateful for having to work weekends.  It gifts me an excuse - a Get Out Of Arsenal Jail Free card which I will use with no sense of disgrace.  I am - until the end of the season - a Gooner.  But a grit-less one.

That's all for now.  Until next time...

Has Wenger's Experiment Really Failed?

Has the Youth Project failed at Arsenal?  I know this question has been discussed recently ad nauseum.  The reason I'm asking is that usually an experiment has to come to an end for the results to be analyzed and a report of success or failure given.  So based on that, I have two questions.  1)How will we know when the experiment has run its course, and 2) Who will decide that?

The easy answer to the second question is that Wenger knows when the experiment has run its course.  He created, nurtured, and developed the idea of it, carried out the intricacies of catalysts.  And therefore, one would think he gets the final say.  But with fan pressure and new ownership, it may not necessarily fall to him.  I personally think that the experiment needs more time to play out.  I know, I know.  We're all exasperated and depressed and probably sporting coifs with bald patches because we've been tearing our hair out by its roots.  But hear me out.

We probably all read Cesc's controversial (or not) interview with Don Balon.  If you didn't read it, here is a translated article in the Guardian.  I was particularly struck by the end of  the interview where Cesc describes his conversation with Caveman Carlos regarding winning trophies.

"I speak with [the Barcelona captain Carles] Puyol, who says that he didn't win a thing until he was 26. Patience and hard work are the most important things in life"

Right now, the average age of our squad is 23.  What Cesc is saying makes sense.  Most players don't peak until they are 27 years old.  We have a squad full of players who have just started down that road.  Many are under 23 but have loads of match experience.  So what does this mean?  Does it mean we have to wait three more years until Cesc et al are at the right chronological age?  Can you imagine waiting that much longer for silverware to be lifted at the Emirates?  With the wolves howling at the gate as it is, I can't.

What I can imagine, however, is mathematically skewing the age average.  Bringing in two players who are 27 - 30 years of age and unloading a couple of players under 24 years of age (Denilson, Bendy, Vela - take your pick) will bring the average age up to 25 or 26 years, and then we're almost there.  If the new, older players are those who know how to fight and win things, that ingredient could affect the average as well.  See?  We're at the 26- 27 year average right there.  Creative arithmetic can go a long way.

Plus - tweaking the experiment doesn't mean it's come to a  close.  I'm sure medical researchers go off on different tangents depending on what ongoing results they find.  Cancer has not been cured as of yet, but I'd hazard a guess that the expermients for a cure have undergone many manifestations.

The move to the Emirates was the initial catalyst for the initial experiment.  Seeing our boys struggle to get over the trophy hump is an indication that it's time another element was added - an element of knowing how to win, of feeling open to disagreeing with the manager, an element involving two by fours hitting people in the backside when they don't seem properly motivated.

Like I said - just a tweak.

For right now, I don't think we can say The Project has failed.  Because it's not done.  It's still evolving.  It may, in fact, never be truly finished until it's creator leaves Arsenal.  And that's my answer to Question #1.

What are your answers?

That's all for now.  Catch ya later Gooners.

The End Of Hibernation

Sniff...something smells different.  Spring?  Could be.  It feels like I've been in a self-protective cave for awhile allowing life - and Arsenal - to pass me by while I try to regain strength in the part of my limbs and brain that control my fan enthusiasm.  I have to admit my fervor waned after the last two week's worth of losses and the pile-up of injuries.  So I climbed into my hole, curled up, and gave my beat up psyche a rest.

But, as I said - sniff - something smells different.  It smells almost German.  Don't roll your eyes - German is a smell.  Craziness, great cheekbones, granite jaw, muscular legs, and perfect shoulders are all smells - if one is obsessed with Jens Lehmann.

See what I mean?

Jens was my first official Arsenal crush.  Before I understood the game or even cared if Arsenal won, there was Jens standing tall in between the sticks yelling at people, shoving people, kicking people, and even knocking some people's teeth out in the process.  He also did a bit of good goal keeping too, accumulating 10 clean sheets in a row in Europe, keeping out Riquleme's penalty shot in the semi-final allowing us to advance to Paris for the Champions League Final.  Of course, I have to remember, he is a bit Mad.

Anyway - he's back, and I'm perked up.  Jens' return is great timing also, as my second dreamy crush is out for the rest of the season.  Wenger announced that The Verminator (who possesses many of the same great attributes as the German but seems much saner) is done for the year.   Much like the famed Greek warrior, Vermalaen has been undone by his heel - although only suffering a football death worth one season as opposed to an eternity.  I am waxing philosophical today, aren't I?  I suppose that comes from trying to shake away the cobwebs.

What else?  Djourou is also out for about six weeks meaning our favorite pairing of Squillaci and Koscielny are most likely going to face West Brom on Saturday.  West Brom beat us last match at the Emirates and like to play - thankfully - the ball mostly on the ground.  Our French pairing in the middle don't fare so well together against balls in the air, so maybe they'll be alright.

Cesc, Song and Theo are still out so here's hoping Wenger puts Nasri in the middle and Rosicky either out wide or on the bench.  I don't think he is doing well in the middle and Nasri on the wing seems to be less potent with Cesc out.  I'm hoping also that Le Boss gives Rammers a start ahead of either Denilson or Diaby.  I don't care which one at this point, just keep the very non-dynamic duo off the pitch.  Aaron has been called up for international duty so a good amount of playing time would probably be appreciated by the Welsh National Manager.

So with only 10 games to go and only one trophy on which to focus, the end of the season is looking tricky and unexpected.  I'm not sure I was expecting us to be only 3 points behind the leaders with a game in hand.  I know I wasn't expecting both our starting goalies to be out injured and Wenger signing an emergency keeper.  And as far as Saturday's game goes, I really don't know what to expect there either.  I'm hoping for Wenger's selections to make sense, and for our boys to play hard. I figure if they don't play hard, the sight of Mad Jens on the bench, or in the locker room, might make them reconsider.

Because he bites, you know.

Time for a nap.  See you later after the match.

It's Time for Refs to Exit Stage Right

This post is for the men on the pitch with a whistle in their hand and cards in their pockets.  Yep - I'm talking to you.  I want to make sure that you understand why we fans watch this beautiful game.  I want to remind you who the stars really are.  We watch and cheers because of our players and for our club. They are the ones who should take center stage.  Their play should decide the outcome of matches.

Not you.

I'm not one to often condemn you officials.  I usually take the view that a complaint about a ref is a cop out, an attempt at covering up poor play.  However, the past few weeks, the poor play has been on your part.  And since your name is not on the squad sheet nor the reason we pay for a ticket or a cable package, I think that you need to shape up or ship out, as my Dad would say. 

If a player played as poorly as some of you officiate, he would be cut from the squad, relegated to the reserves, or just outright sold.  I hear that one of your brothers - Mark Clattenburg- has gone on a four week hiatus to get away from the recent pressure.  Maybe that's an idea that the rest of you should consider...take a vacation, go on  a retreat, whatever it takes for you to be able to take a step back, regroup, and come back able do your job in an even-handed, logical manner.

Anthony Taylor - the ref who couldn't keep up with our Russian

I understand that honest mistakes are made especially in the EPL where the game moves so very quickly (the aforementioned  Clatttenburg recently admitting that Rooney's elbow against Wigan was in his peripheral vision only).  But if you are too slow to keep pace with the quickness of play,  and a player gets fouled in the penalty box with you too far back to make the call - I have no patience for you.

Nice bump Phil...when ya due?

If you kick a player off the pitch for grabbing an opponent by the scruff of his thuggy little neck and pushing him onto the ground, but then allow the offender's goalkeeper to be put into a headlock with no repercussions for the WWF wannabe's?  Take a trip and  ponder your future occupation because your present one should be in jeopardy. 

Nasri gets throttled

If you allow two players to be put into choke holds and do not card the perpetrators, but instead turn around and kick one of the strangled out of the game for taking a shot ONE SECOND after you call him offsides?  You don't need to go on a month's vacation.

You need to be exiled.  I hear Siberia has vacancies.

Some have called for technology to be used to help decrease the amount of your errors.  Those opposed say that it would slow down the pace of the game.  I have to admit I do not want to see futbol turned into Football - taking up to 4 hours to complete.  Your cohorts in France have their decisions reviewed by their board, correct?  I'm not a UK-er but would support that.  I bet you would like a little guidance now and again, wouldn't you?  Unless you're on the take, of course, which I seriously considered  your Swiss co-worker Busacca of last night.  Scandalous.

So step it up.  Ask for assistance, brainstorm on how to be the best that you can be.  Leave the stardom to the, err...well the stars.  Perhaps it's a wakeup call for you to realize that you are the background.  The players are the art.  Blend in by being consistent, fair, and straight.

Otherwise, Siberia will be your destination, one way or the other.