Opening Day!

Joy to the world and let us all rejoice! For it is Opening DAY! I love the first day of the season, it just has a special feeling about it. For me opening day has this amazing magical quality to it. No matter what has happened during the close season and pre-season, opening day represents a fresh start and therefore anything is possible. Opening day should be the happiest day of the season, everyone should be happy and full of hope on opening day. Why? I hear you ask. because my friends I'll say it again: ANYTHING is possible on opening day. Reality is yet to intervene, the ridiculous schedule is yet to take its toll, the cold hard months of winter are yet to bite, the slate is wiped clean and the squad has all kinds of points to prove. So football fans everywhere, embrace the optimism of this wonderful day and get behind your boys. Wear all of your lucky club associated gear, crack open a beer, SMILE, sing your team songs and yell for all you're worth. Today is not a day for worrying, today is a day for joy. Today we get our football back.

Justice

FINALLY. Finally loyal fans. Finally it has happened. Rejoice boys and girls. Justice has been done. Arsenal have beaten Manchester United. Oh yes, savour that just for a moment.

The end of a Dream

Well it looks like our title hopes are pretty much dashed. There could be some sort of miracle (which I will continue to hope for) but pragmatically speaking our part in the race is run.
Nevermind, there's always next year. Its pretty hard tto say but its also true. The past few weeks have been extremely difficult causing me no end of stress and actual heart-rending pain. BUT overall its been a pretty good season. I've been pretty damn proud of those boys a lot of the time and a little blip at the end of the season isn't going to change that. So with that in mind, I'm looking back over the season at moments of improvement and reasons to be cheerful for next season.

A stressful couple of days

Well my beloved team had two important games in four days. Liverpool on Sunday and Spurs yesterday. My stress levels have now gone through the roof. I've waited till now to wrute the blog as now I can be a little more even handed in my review. There's plenty of controversy to keep us all going, so what are we waiting for?

More like it

The title says is all. THAT boys is more like it. Not only was the game a well-deserved victory and timely morale boost but it marked the competitive return of 'Crazy' Jens Lehmann. Wooooooooooooo.

Righteous Indignation

I've had a relapse of my horrible cold over the weekend so if there's any errors in this one I apologise. But my horrible mood over feeling ill wasn't imporved by the events of Saturday. I was going to go and watch the match at St James park originally but for a variety of reasons I didn't. I'm sort of glad I didn't now. While watching my team score four times would have been awesome, seeing them let in four and attempting to contain myself would not.
Now I know I'm emotionally invested because its my team out there but some of the decisions in that match were just ridiculous. First case in point: Diaby. I know you can't push people on a football pitch but his reaction if not defensible is at least understandable. Barton's challenge on him was reckless and Diaby has been seriously injured by something similar in the past so while he shouldn't lose his rag with scumbag Joey you can see why he did. Another thing, Newcastle defended Barton by saying that he got the ball with the challenge and caught the man with the follow through. Now lets rewind a few months to when Man City said the same thing about the challenge from Nigel de Jong that broke Hatem ben Arfa's leg. Newcastle weren't so sympathetic to that excuse then. They wanted him banned and sued and everything. So why should we accept that nonsense from them? Its double standards. Furthermore the ref indicated that Diaby's second shove on Nolan contributed to the sending off. The incident had nothing to do with Nolan. He came steaming in from somewhere else and got in Diaby's face. So he should have been booked as well, at least. Which brings me to one of the most inexplicable incidents of the game. After Newcastle scored their penalty (first time) the boy Chesney was getting the ball out of the net when Nolan again came running over and grabbed him round the neck and threw him to the floor. The referee's reaction? He books Chesney. Obviously this is galling because of the inconsistency of the ref completely ignoring a clear red card offence that he had no problem punishing our player for. Aside from that its just inexplicable. Why book the boy Chesney? there's no timewasting or provoking or anything, he was getting the ball out of his own net as it was OUR kick off. See how ridiculous that looks now?
Then there was the second penalty. And the free kick. The second penalty was nowhere near being a penalty kick. The newcastle player just fell down. With no assistance. The ref and lino were close enough so I don't understand how they didn't see the lack of contact between them somehow. Then the free kick that led to the last goal was a similar disgrace. Out of a challenge between Tomas Rosicky (hieghtening our sense of injustice) and Joey Barton there was apparently a foul on Barton. The first time I saw it on match of the Day, I didn't realise what was happening and I genuinely thought that Barton had fouled Tomas and the kick had gone the other way. When I learned otherwise, I was astounded.
Jack Wilshere is right the inconsistency in refeering is unbelievable. I was appalled by the blatant mistakes made on Saturday. It keeps happening and its unfair. Somebody somewhere needs to look into it, seriously. Its getting out of hand. I'm not just bitter because its my team, its affecting the outcome of games and it shouldn't. Now after all that moralising I need a rest.

Three and easy

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
At the Emirates we've been holding out for a hero and he's been here all along. Robin van Persie I salute you. Our favourite Dutchman in the entire world pulled it out of the bag this weekend and is now a fully fledged hat-trick hero. Not even skying a penalty can spoil the joy. I'm chuffed to see RvP flying high because God knows I've worried about his varying injuries often enough. If anyone deserves a performance like that its Robin (and Tomas Rosicky but more on that later.) Robin is another one of the boys we hold in special regard down at HQ. One reason is his hilariously endearing dutch accent but another major reason is that last year I read an article saying that he turned down a few big european clubs to stay with us because "Arsenal is in his heart." What an absolute gentleman. It almost made me weep with joy to see commitment like that in our modern cynical times.
Which leads me to sometime club captain Tomas Rosicky. Poor little Dumpling has been ill with a virus of late so he's been hibernating somewhere. But news reaches me that he has recovere. So I'm starting my one woman campaign to bring him back into the squad ASAP. We miss him. Lots. Play him Arsene.

A hammering

Sorry couldn't resist that one.
Anyway here's an overdue return to the season diary. The last couple of weeks have been a little tough. A mini slump if you will. Unsatisfactory cup performances have been rife. The Leeds game was frigging ridiculous. The usual domination and freak against play goal. But at least we only drew so its all still to play for there. But then there was the abomination at Portman Road. What a terrible performance that was. Now I'm the most patient gooner in the world but even I could ee that it was lacklustre and no where near the standard that we could and should have been at. Nightmare. I know Cesc got called churlish an a bad loser and whatever afterwards. And normally I'm not the first person to agree with Senor Fabregas. But whats wrong with being a bad loser? Seriosuly its a genuine question. In sport I would much prefer that my team ( or person i'm supporting) take losing extremely badly than with grace. Why? It shows they care. They should rail against losing, they should complain, they should get really really petty. Or they should in the right situation totally lose it. It shows humanity and honesty. And more importantly passion. Show me a bad loser and I'll show you a man who wants to win.  Plus I'm a terrible loser myself so I enjoy that trait in a sportsman.
Anyway there was no need for me to be childish this weekend as we did actually win. Not just a run of the mill win. A three nil win. A stylish win. Robin van Perise was in quality form. The boy Chesney (as we have taken to calling dear Wojciech Szczesny) was once again cracking, how nice it is to have our two poles in goal in wonderful form. It was a great game and the football was fluid and beautiful, I hope we can learn how to play like that every game because it was a total treat. Come on you gunners.

Top of the league!

What a week! Arsenal have reached the exalted position of top of the league courtesy of a two one win over Fulham and Chelsea dropping points. Rejoice!
The goals in the Fulham were absolutely exquisite from the man of the moment Samir Nasri. He's on a one man goal trail and watching him is such a joy. There was a shaky defensive moment with a Laurent Koscielny sparked out cold but we perservered and the rewards were delivered. Oh to see my beloved team at the top. What a sight. I can't stop looking at the table.
Then we had the excitement of the Champion's League and the terrifying on the edge scenario we found ourselves in.It was touch and go over our qualification and at one point we found ourselves right on the edge as the Partizan equaliser went in. Then we kicked it up a gear. Two One. Then three. Joy unconfined throughout Sports Wall HQ. So there we have it we're sitting pretty on top of the world right now.
BUT there is the spectre of the draw for the next round looming with potentially Real Madrid or Barcelona lying in wait. But hey ho Bring it on, we'd have to beat someone good to win anyway. Positivethinking Gooners. And tonight its the big one. Manchester United. Here we go. Cross everything people.

Crazy days at the schoolhouse

Its been a crazy old week. The champions league result at Braga was just bewildering. Raging does not even cover how I was feeling. I was just deflated and it did take me a while to get over it. I went through my usual ranting of how unfair life is and how unacceptable the situation was. At the end of the day we shouldn't be losing games like that, it was getting beyond a joke. At the time i felt they needed to suck it up and pull themselves together, stop this mental block. Which to an extent they now have. Today we managed to win. It was a must win game and we did. It was very important that we did this to regain the momentum. BUT we're not completely sorted, there were worrying signs today. We were shaky and didn't close the game out properly when we should have. We did at about 85 minutes but we should have done it before then given how we played. I think the new mission statement is 'lets see how close to stress related heart problems we can push Ruth.'
But lets get away from the doom and gloom. A win will bring back the confidence and we were top of the league for a couple of hours. Samir Nasri played exceptionally well today. Andrei Arshavin scored a goal which will do him the world of good. And our favourite Czech Tomas Rosicky was captain (more evidence he should do it permanently.)
But Jack Wilshere was pants

A derby day to forget

A rather miserable weekend. It didn't start that way. Derby day arrived with all the customary excitement, hopes were high. Then things got better, a two goal lead before half time! What more could we ask for. But worrying signs began to creep in, Maroune Chamakh stopping suddenly in the box when clean through and bearing down on goal. Why! why i cried and why you may well ask. No one knows.
Then it all went downhill. Gareth Bale scored a goal. (it pains me to type that sentence.) A mere consolation I thought, its fine we'll go straight down the other end and score. But we didn't. Cesc Fabregas did the unthinkable and the inexplicable, gave away a needless penalty for no goddamned reason. Had some sort of brain episode and stuck his arm right out with a free kick coming right at him. Idiot.
Then the hammer blow. The dagger through  my heart. 3-2. 85th minute. Bastards.
What made it really hard to take apart from everything I've just mentioned is that we didn't play that badly in the second  half, we had way way more chances than they did. There was absolutely no way this was a deserved defeat. But as always we should be grateful for small mercies and God delivered us a small mercy. No sorry, a big mercy. Chelsea lost to Birmingham. HA. (sorry just had to do that.)
Also some more small mercies - Robin van Persie played, looked like he's getting there. And today I hear news that AARON RAMSEY played 45 minutes for the reserves! Joy to the world! Our boy wonder is back! We have a far better welsh wunderkid. Screw you Gareth Bale. Screw you to space.

A victory that tastes like toffee

What a glorious weekend folks. We're totally and entirely not getting carried away but......
Once again we ground out a victory where in previous years (and months) we would have folded faced with that late late fightback. I really enjoyed the game on Sunday. It was open and exciting. Also I really like Everton. So this was a game I particularly relished. Another very impressive game from Fabianski (seriously does he have a twin or something?) with some very very athletic and strong saves. The defence played very well, with Johan Djorou in particular putting in a hell of a shift. Which brings me to Bacary Sagna. Oh Bacary. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....your braids which would look wrong on anyone else, your wonderfully expressive eyes, your legs, your majestic runs down the flank, your touching sensitivity, your friendship with Gael Clichy, your tackling ability (no giggling at the back) and now your goal! I was so chuffed to see such an underrated player score such a peach of a goal. I have a real soft spot for Bac and I'm glad to see him do well. Top notch all round.
Side note - Its also nice to see Denilson has given up on the weird plaits he was sporting and gone back to the lovely curls. Good hair begins, good football follows. Ah so.

Mixed Fortunes

So the fortunes of my beloved team have been a bit up and down of late. WE lost to Shakhtar which didn't feel too bad but of course led to the inevitable doom-mongering which did feel bad. Then we beat Newcastle spectacularly, then we lost to them. spectacularly. That one did hurt. I watched it and we were terrible. Really bad. We didn't deserve to win it so instead of the anger was just a weird empty sort of disappointment. Almost everyone was bad. There was no cohesion or urgency. There was one grain of comfort that Robin van Persie returned. But then Arsene snatched that away by saying afterwards that he wasn't really ready. But then...wait...what's that? Is that? Its a light at the end of the tunnel! Chelsea lost too? Check. Man United and Man City drew? Check Spurs too? Check. Best of all last night, we won. Hurrah. We're back on track (again.) I know this sentiment seems to be repeated a lot but that's the lot of an Arsenal fan. Mr Maroune has found his mojo. Groovy.
Side note 'Stop Crying your heart out' is playing on the radio while i'm writing this. Atmospheric or what?

One nil to the Arsenal!

Roll out the well-worn chant everybody. For once, this weekend it was "one nil to the Arsenal." Not that I'm complaining. It was a good one nil, as one nils go. More of my favourite word here again people, PROGRESS. Yes we're on that theme again. A one nil victory is important as another well documented problem of ours is not being able to close out edgy games. Well there's the proof in black and white we did it. And I must say I celebrated the one goal as if we'd won five nil. A victory is a victory no matter the margin. And now we remain on track in the league. Also Alex Song is developing into quite a player. He's already an absolute colossus in the defnesive positioning game and now he scores goals too. Now I remember why I call him 'superfly.' Its because he is superfly.
Awesome.

Carling Cup Adventures

More exciting adventures in the Carling Cup last night. No disrespect to our lovely opponents but we won at a canter last night and what a canter. A thouroughly brilliant display from the boys. Laurent Koscielny had a cracker of a game, Johan Djorou was absolutely supreme at the back, captain (!) Tomas was great, Wojciech Szczesny was really impressive in goal, Theo was so so energetic and Nicklas Bendtner scored an absolute wonder of a goal. Overall I am one very very happy gooner. I don't want to get carried away and jinx anything but it was one hell of a convincing performance. More of that please boys! Keep it up my lovelies.

Revenge is a dish best served with three goals.

What a weekend. The tide of optimism has definitley returned to Ruth's 's Sports Wall. The Man City match was important for more than just the score. It was important that we continued the resurgence after last week's win. Check. It was important to beat Man City after the fiascos against them last year. Check. And it was extremely important to beat one of the teams challenging for the places around us. Big Check.
Not only that there was further PROGRESS made during this match.
One- Lukasz freaking Fabianski. What a difference. Whatever he's been doing since Belgrade is working. And working big time. He should keep doing it. I don't want to jinx anything so i'm crossing my fingers and touching wood as I type this but I hope he keeps developing in the vein he has been.
Two- Samir Nasri. Boy is he on form. A stunning performance. Commanding, creative, threatening. Everything an Arsenal player should be.
Three- Nicklas Bendtner- Returns from injury and BANG a goal. I like the new Nicky. More Please.
Four- Alex Song. An absolute beast in midfield all day. Strong and fearlessbut most importantly did not get carried away after getting booked. Topped it off with a goal.
And finally the whole team. For all those complimentary points we didn't play particularly well which makes the score even better. We won without looking truly convincing and that people is truly PROGRESS

Back on Track

Well Well. The cloud of doom and gloom over my little house has been lifted once again. The Arsenal rollercoaster rolls on as dizzying as ever. After a disheartening couple of games we're firmly back in the game this week. Not only did Arsenal complete a very important coming from behind victory against Birmingham, but Chelsea nad Man United dropped points by both drawing.
As I said we came from behind to win. This is very important as falling behind from being in a dominant position and being unable to recover has been a persistent fault of this Arsenal squad for some time. I'm not saying that this one game cures that completely but it goes some way to gifting some confidence and proving we can do it. Plus both losing and winning are habits. It was very important to break one habit and form a new one. By coming back fighting this week we prevent ourselves from falling too far behind. While I would like to emphasize the word early in that sentence I still feel its important to be right in the race even now.
Other positives from this weekend's game are the return of Nicklas Bendtner from injury. I know its only Bendtner but he can be a handy player sometimes and having one extra attacking option can only be a good thing. Also apparently Theo and Cesc are nearing returns for midweek. Rejoice gooners and roll on tomorrow night.

Hindsight

I've calmed down now.
I can now look at things in a rational, sane way. With the benefit of a little distance things aren't as heart-crushingly bad as they first appeared yesterday. There are positives to be had. Yes you heard that right. Progress has indeed been made, a small amount but progress nonetheless. Let's get the obvious one out of the way, we desrved to win and it was not for lack of trying that we didn't. We dominated the game much better than the last time, we limited their attacks and actually defended decently for large portions. Progress people. Also Lukasz Fabianski. Is he even the same guy as a few weeks ago? Apparently that penalty did him good. He looked much stronger and more convincing, made some very good saves, didn't do anything silly, wasn't at fault for the goals and once again yelled at people in his box. A vast improvement. Promising. Andrey Arshavin looked much better yesterday. Banging in shots like no ones business and wreaking merry hell without Ivanovic. Marouane Chamakh made a nuisance of himself in the box. Tomas Rosicky looked brilliant when he came on, lovely to see him back to player I've always known he is.
So there it is, a spark of hope.

*insert string of profanities here*

Gutted doesn't even come close to describing the feeling i have right now. I'm so disappointed its unbelievable. I've had it with this shit seriously. The same thing year after year. Its just not fair and its beyond a joke now. What really sticks in my throat is to dominate a game like that and lose to a team that basically does nothing for 90 minutes. I know there's positives to be found somewhere but to be honest right now I'm finding it very hard to concentrate on doing that.
THAT display from Chelsea is not what football is about for me, and that's what makes it hurt all the more. The refereeing was an absolute joke, the ref might as well have just worn a blue shirt and be done with it. It's all just salt in the wound.
I just feel so despondent, a massive heavy feeling in my chest and I could cry I really could. They didn't deserve the win and we didn't deserve this agony. again.

Party in Belgrade

Imagine a massive wave of relief crashing into a pure golden shore of happiness......
Congratulations you just recreated my feelings last night at the wonderful three one victory over Partizan in Belgrade last night. What a fantastic way to shake off any lingering hangover from (whisper it) west brom. Lukasz Fabianski unexpectedly was the man of the hour last night. Yes you read that right. He saved a penalty and produced a stunning save at the end of the game. I could not be more pleased for him and for all the boys. This could well be the shot of confidence that he so badly needs. It was so heartwarming to see him looking so happy after both saves and at the end of the game, an especially nice touch was the congratulatory hugging and patting form the other boys which can only have added to the atmosphere of joy. Oh to have been there in the middle of it all...but I digress. Another encouraging sight was Lukasz gaining the confidence to actually yell at people in his box, VERY very good sign.
All in all an excellent night for the gooners in Serbia. Perhaps Tomas Rosicky should be captain more often....just a thought......