Saturday 28 February 2009

Fulham could be in trouble today

Fulham are having a fantastic season. Roy Hodgson has done a great job there and made Fulham into a side that is really hard to beat.

Against expectations Fulham have taken points off the top teams in the Premiership this campaign. How can we Gooners forget that!

People have often remarked on how bad Arsenal were at Craven Cottage earlier in the season during our 1-0 defeat there. Yes we were terrible, but Fulham played well and deserved their win. They should take a lot of credit for that.

That's why I don't want to sound disrespectful when I say Fulham could be in trouble today but I really believe that Arsenal will start to score goals, and lots of them, sooner rather than later.

The signs are there. We have been beginning to create plenty of chances during our last few matches. A 1-0 win over Roma could have easily been 4 or even 5-0.

We played with so much pace against Roma. It suited us and put them under pressure. We need to do that today against Fulham. Put them under the cosh early and try to get that vital early goal.

I think an early goal could be key. If we get a quick goal the Emirates and the players will be buzzing and confidence will be high.

Someone is due a hiding from Arsenal. It's been a while since I've looked at a scoreline and thought to myself, "have that!"

Fulham are difficult opponents but I think an early goal, plenty of Arsenal pressure and Arsenal wanting to atone for that defeat early in the season could result in Fulham being in trouble today.

Today, we may see plenty of Arsenal goals. I can't wait.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Friday 27 February 2009

Its refreshing to see such honesty

I admire Cesc Fabregas even more now I have read his comments about Arsenal's title aspirations.

Its true that football is a funny old game and mathematically Arsenal are still in with a shout for the title but the realistic aim for Arsenal's league campaign is now a top four finish.

I'm used to hearing Arsene Wenger say that the title is still an ambition this season but we Gooners are no fools.

By saying Arsenal can still win the league I understand Wenger is trying to get some belief into the squad and not let their focus drop.

Perhaps he should go a different route and explain that his methods and their inconsistent form have resulted in our current league position and is the real reason for us not competing for the title!

Perhaps he should explain that they, and him, owe the many Gooners who are disappointed with how the season has paned out, an end of season flurry.

Sometimes it better to be honest because it makes people think. William Gallas was brutally honest and ended up losing his captaincy but his comments were true and I'm sure that many in the Arsenal squad took note.

I'd prefer to see honesty and I applaud Fabregas for saying what he said. His comments were spot on and that's why he will be the perfect captain for this team.

What he said makes perfect sense. Arsenal need to focus on a top four finish and the squad is definitely good enough to achieve that.

Keep it Goonerish.......

Thursday 26 February 2009

FIFA's '6+5' rule would ruin the English league not Arsenal!

FIFA's '6+5' rule, if allowed in England, would mean that teams must field at least six players who are eligible for England's national team.

Now I've heard a lot of people saying that Arsenal would be knackered if this was the case. Maybe in present times it would affect us but Arsenal aren't the only ones would suffer. I believe the whole English league would suffer as a result.

If this ruling was implemented then football in England would become a shadow of what it is right now. The English Premiership is regarded as the best in Europe, if not the world and like it or not the influx of foreign players has only helped the Premiership become as big as it is today.

People say that English players have suffered as a result of players from over-shores players coming here. I really don't believe that is the case. In my opinion, if anything, the foreign players have helped to improve the standard of football in our country and have raised the standard of English players too.

I'd go as far as saying that we owe a great deal to the influence of these players coming to England. Diet has improved and players now are much better than they were years ago.

I think it is nonsense that English players and England's national team have suffered since the number of foreign players have increased in England. Especially the stuff I've heard that Arsenal are ruining the English game by hardly using any English players.

If an English player is good enough then Arsene Wenger will use him. His passport has no bearing on his chances. That's good enough for me. I couldn't care less if a player was from England or Mexico as long as they do the business for Arsenal.

I've heard that the '6+5' rule would improve the England national team's chances of winning things. I think that is rubbish. England haven't won a thing since 1966. Foreign players really began coming to England in 1995ish so what happened to England from 1966 to 1995 then? Every team had mostly English players in the side and still England won nothing.

The foreign thing is an excuse for our own mediocrity. Having this rule wouldn't improve England's chances of winning things. It would only award mediocre English players who usually wouldn't get in the team. How would that improve England?

The truth hurts and the truth is Arsene Wenger and foreign players have benefited England's league's. Hardly any English people will admit that but its true. We will never admit our own failings and it's easy to blame the influx of foreign players as an excuse.

As I've said people say Arsenal will be ruined. I don't think we will. We have a great crop of young English players coming through and I'm sure the methods they have picked up from Arsenal will be a great benefit to the England national team in the future.

Keep it Goonerish.............

Wednesday 25 February 2009

Lets wait until the end of the season and then judge Arsenal

For Gooners this campaign has been pretty painful. We've seen our title hopes disappear in November and our Champions League place for next season is under threat.

I, along with many other Gooners have been critical of Arsenal this season and Arsene Wenger has also been under the cosh at times. In my opinion the criticism has been deserved at times but maybe not all the time.

Obviously there many Gooners unhappy at the moment, I'm not the happiest but lets just wait until the end of the season until we judge Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

It's clear the squad isn't the strongest we've had under Wenger but its what we have and nothing can be done about it now.

Arsene Wenger should have strengthened the squad more than just Arshavin but he didn't and he believes in this set of players even if some Gooners don't. He has put his head on the chopping block and that's why I say wait until the end of the season to judge if he is right.

Who knows? We may well be Champions League or FA Cup winners by May!

I understand it is frustrating at the moment. I'm frustrated because I see the performance of last night, the wins over Manchester United and Chelsea and then a defeat against Hull or Manchester City.

The inconsistency can drive drive you mad but we are picking up now at the business end of the season. And I'm sure that we will qualify for the Champions League next season. I happen to believe we will win it this year!

Of course I'm slightly concerned about Arsenal's position in the league but I say only slightly because as I've said I'm quietly confident that we will finish in the top four despite how bleak our league position seems.

Trophies are what we Gooners want and while we are still in with a shout for the FA Cup and Champions League we have the chance to achieve these targets.

Granted the league position is far from what we want but I'm sure most Gooners would be satisfied with a top four finish and a trophy. I would have taken that at the beginning of the season.

If we don't succeed in getting into the Champions League next season or win a trophy then by all means Wenger and Arsenal will get plenty of flak and deservedly so. Until then lets just get behind the team and fingers crossed we can end up with a campaign that didn't end too badly.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Tuesday 24 February 2009

We CAN win the Champions League!

Yesterday I was called deluded for believing that we could win the Champions League, well I'm deluded a little bit. But not where Arsenal are concerned.

I've believed all season that this is our year for the Holy Grail and I'm not about to change my mind now.

I know our short-comings. I know that this Arsenal group of players are far from the strongest squad we've had under Wenger but we are Arsenal and for as long as I can remember we have always been at our best as underdogs.

We are big underdogs for the rest of the season and that will suit us. We were underdogs throughout our run to the final in 2006 and this time we will go one better and win the damn thing.

We will have many massive games for the rest of the campaign. You could say every game from now till the end of the season is a cup final. This game against Roma is massive.

This team have reacted to big games all season. We've beaten the "unstoppable" force of Manchester United, we've beaten Chelsea. On our day we can match the elite and be even better.

Our football suits the Champions League. Who keeps the ball better than us in Europe? Maybe Barcelona equal our ball keeping skills but once we find that cutting edge I'm confident in this Arsenal team.

I understand its hard to believe in the squad but its all we have until the end of the season. Yes I know this is Wenger's fault for not strengthening when we needed it but lets wait until the end of the season and then we can judge.

Until then I'm going to try to keep calm. It probably won't last long but I'm going to give it my best shot!

And believe me, Arsenal CAN win the Champions League.

Keep it Goonerish..........

.

Monday 23 February 2009

Everybody wants us to fail! I say F**K 'em!

Whats becoming painfully obvious to me is that every man and his dog wants Arsenal to fail. And fail miserably too.

I understand that it's frustrating to be a Gooner at the moment (expensive too!) but we really need to pull together and prove everyone out there wrong.

Excuse my lingo but FUCK 'EM! The team need us more than ever and the booing (that I can understand) probably doesn't help them.

According to Stan Collymore we are living in dreamland if we think we are going to finish in the top four. FUCK HIM TOO!

Lets prove Muppet's like him wrong. These "experts" and others are predicting our demise and they can't wait to say I told you so.

I'm fired up, and I'm sure every Gooner is, for the rest of the season. We can still achieve something this campaign despite the seemingly negative position we find ourselves in.

We CAN catch the top four, we CAN win the Champions League and we CAN win the FA Cup despite the situation we find ourselves in.

There is so much at stake still this season. It could still be a big one. We need an "us against the world" attitude and maybe if we Gooners show this then the players will adopt the same attitude too.

C'MON ARSENAL!

Keep it Goonerish..............

Sunday 22 February 2009

Are Arsenal feared too much or not enough?

There used to be a time when Arsenal beat the opposition in the tunnel before the game. Sometimes it can appear that those days are no more.

Unfortunately for Gooners, and Arsenal, we are seen as the soft touch of the so-called top four and the fear we used to generate through the Premiership seems to be at an all time low.

Sides play Arsenal and believe that they can beat us. Or at least get something from the game. It used to be so different.

We have become predictable and teams know that putting ten men behind the ball causes us real problems. We are finding it hard to break down sides when we used to have the answer.

When teams "park the bus" in front of goal it shows an element of fear but more than anything it shows that teams have worked us out. Causing frustration for the players and especially us Gooners.

I think that our lethargic starts to games doesn't help. We seem very slow in our build up play and allow teams to get behind the ball. Which as we all know, causes us problems.

We need to somehow get that fear back. As much as it pains me to say the current personnel in the Arsenal squad probably doesn't help.

Without trying to sound as though I'm making scapegoats the likes of Song, Denilson (although he has improved this season) and even Bendtner probably do not strike fear into the opposing side.

Wenger can't add to the squad until the summer now but the return of Eduardo, Fabregas, Rosicky, Walcott and the signing of Arshavin will add a lot more to this Arsenal side.

We need to get behind the team until the end of the season and turn the Emirates into a cauldron. Perhaps if the players aren't scaring the other team then maybe we Gooners can have a go?

I believe we will finish in the top four but we need to get the fear back into us. Let other clubs dread playing us not fancy it.

Keep it Goonerish..........

Saturday 21 February 2009

Aston Villa are the real winners despite being losers

Despite losing today I'm sure there will be plenty of Aston Villa fans walking around with smiles on their faces.

Today Arsenal had a great opportunity to close the gap on Aston Villa, instead we have had to endure another frustrating afternoon.

These are frustrating times to be a Gooner. And worrying times too. We have to start turning draws into victories and soon.

Despite the fact we have missed the chance to put real pressure on Aston Villa, I honestly believe that Aston Villa are on the slide. We have to take advantage of that.

Aston Villa have never been in the running for a Champions League spot and I'm convinced that they are beginning to feel the heat. We should have made it even hotter for them this evening.

Villa will be breathing a sigh of relief that their defeat hasn't weakened their top four place too much while Arsenal will be kicking themselves.

It's an old cliche but every game for Arsenal to the end of the season is a cup final.

Keep it Goonerish.......

Thursday 19 February 2009

Adebayor being injured could do his Arsenal career the world of good

Last season Adebayor had a fantastic season. He scored plenty of goals and even when he wasn't scoring he at least put in a good shift of grafting for Arsenal's cause.

Players like John Terry and Rio Ferdinand said he was the hardest striker to play against in the Premiership; that is some compliment if you ask me.

This season he seems a shadow of himself. He isn't scoring as much but the worst thing for me is that he isn't grafting and making defenders miserable like we know he can.

He believes he has made it. He has in a financial sense of course but that shouldn't be enough. He should want to improve and become one of the worlds best strikers. He has the potential to do it but does he have the hunger?

He is out for three weeks. This time out could really benefit himself and Arsenal. He needs to get his head straight and rediscover the Ade of old.

It's obvious his head was turned in the summer. He began to believe the hype surrounding him. Maybe it was a mistake to offer him such a well-rewarded contract after just one good season.

What I do know is its time he earned his money. I hope he reflects on his season so far during the period he is out and realises he hasn't been good enough. This time could do him the world of good.

Keep it Goonerish.......

Tuesday 17 February 2009

I'm feeling a real positive vibe about OUR club

The return of Eduardo and the arrival of Arshavin have really uplifted spirits at Arsenal. And in perfect time too.

To see Eduardo even play again is a joy to behold. The effect it could have on the club could be massive.

Arshavin signing for the club, combined with Eduardo's comeback, couldn't have arrived at a better time. We Gooners needed a lift, we got it with these two.

Add Rosicky coming back to the fold, Cesc and Theo returning from injury, there are exciting times ahead.

A top three finish is very achievable. As is winning the Champions League or FA Cup. I really believe it.

A couple of posts ago I wrote that someone was going to get a hiding soon and it could ignite our season. We gave Cardiff a hiding and I honestly believe we will begin to start smashing teams now and go on a long winning streak.

I'm starting to look at the rest of the campaign with a real feel good factor. I'm feeling positive that we can achieve something this season.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Monday 16 February 2009

Eduardo has the biggest heart

51 weeks ago Eduardo suffered a cruel injury that threatened to end his career. Tonight he took a huge step in his road to recovery.

He is one of the bravest players, if not the bravest, I have ever seen wear an Arsenal shirt.

Physically he is fine. The test was mental. And he passed with flying colours.

Tonight was the biggest test Eduardo would have to face in an Arsenal shirt. He has overcome the first hurdle and is well on the way to completely overcoming his trauma.

Lets be patient with him. He needs time.

But I can't help but be excited by his comeback. What a boost to the club it really is.

Keep it Goonerish...........

Sunday 15 February 2009

I'm sure Gooners AND Liverpool fans will back me up on this!

That Harry Redknapp. The things he does and says. He is just a rogue!

The man can say what he wants and it is eaten up by the English media. He scratches their backs and they scratch his.

I've never known a football manager who taps players up so publicly as him. He is at it again. Now he is "admiring" our very own Armond Traore from afar. Well its not that far from Shite Hart Lane.

Perhaps he forgets that Traore was arrested entering Shite Hart Lane with a knuckle-duster but I'm sure Armand would rather stay at Arsenal.

Of course Redknapp will escape criticism again for tapping up players because he is such a nice bloke.

I'm sure I'm not the first person who is annoyed by Redknapp's antics. He does it all the time yet is never punished.

He did it when taking Robbie Keane back to Tottenham from Liverpool and he will do it again. And again. And again.

Perhaps the FA have no bollocks and the English media will never mention it because it enjoys a "special" relationship with Redknapp.

Its about time Redknapp was punished. His lovable ways maybe loved by the media but all he does is publicly unsettle players.

And there was me thinking that was illegal!

Keep it Goonerish.......

Saturday 14 February 2009

Will some Gooners eat humble pie over William Gallas? I have.

Regular readers of my blog will know that I rate William Gallas as a world-class defender and I'm more than happy with him being at our club. I always supported him, even when many Gooners were ready to throttle him.

I believed that he was a great captain for Arsenal. I'm ready to admit I was wrong on that part. The captaincy was too difficult a job for William Gallas at Arsenal. I don't think he was helped by the media jumping on his every mistake but maybe it was a step too far for him.

He was never really accepted by many Gooners as the new skipper either. What we needed to remember was that he was new to the job and had to learn how to be captain. He was never given that chance.

Whats certain is that since the captaincy has been removed from him we Gooners have seen Gallas produce arguably his best form in an Arsenal shirt since he joined. That says a lot to me. It proves he is strong mentally because he could gone to pieces like many people said he would.

Instead we have seen William Gallas come out fighting and producing the kind of performances we expected from him. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that and I hope that the Gooners who doubted him now realise what a good player he is.

A lot of people (including Gooners) predicted that Gallas would be trouble when he was demoted as skipper. We haven't heard a peep from him. If anything it seems to have motivated him into proving people wrong. What a reaction from Gallas.

I think Gallas is misunderstood. The rant that finally cost him the job of being captain was true in many ways. He only told the truth and really he was only echoing what many Gooners were also thinking at the time.

Maybe he should have kept quiet but perhaps he believed a kick up the arse was what the players needed. It worked. Look at Arsenal now. A long run of unbeaten results have since followed. Would people have reacted the same if the words were spoke by Patrick Vieira when he was captain? I doubt it.

Anyway, Gallas is proving a lot of people wrong and I hope they realise it and are not too stubborn to admit it. I've admitted I was wrong that Gallas was a great captain. The circumstances didn't help him but it was a step too far for him to take.

Arsenal are now seeing the true player Gallas is. And I'm glad.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Thursday 12 February 2009

Success is built on a solid defence/ Arsenal to explode

We have lacked creativity throughout this season and that is very unArsenal like under Arsene Wenger. In the past even if we leaked goals we would have sufficient attacking options to outscore the opposition.

We have to be honest though. Any team would miss players like Fabregas, Rosicky, Walcott and Eduardo for as long as we have. Fabregas and Walcott have missed long periods of the season while Rosicky and Eduardo obviously haven't featured at all.

These players are crucial to Arsenal's style of pass and move and without them we have struggled. Hopefully these players will soon be featuring in the Arsenal first team again shortly, and when they do, alongside new signing Arshavin, Arsenal I'm sure will far more potent in attack than we have been this campaign.

I'm looking forward to seeing Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin, Rosicky and of course Eduardo in the Arsenal team. It could be very exciting. Lately Arsenal have been far from exciting. You could say boring. I'm not going to bore you with statistics but everyone can see with their own eyes.

However, despite being boring I welcome the new found defensive stability at the club. We have looked very solid at the back and that is a good foundation to build upon for the rest of the season.

Gallas has had a lot of criticism in the past but I hope people realise the good job he is doing for Arsenal. Since the captaincy has been taken off him he has played really well and deserves credit for keeping his head down and getting on with the job. It must have been hard for him but he has proved he isn't fragile in the mind as some would say.

We have been on a long unbeaten run now and the fact we are more defensively sound obviously is no coincidence with this run. All we need is to give someone a hiding and I really believe with the amount of talent coming into the side, Arsenal can finish this season on a high.

It's only a matter of time until Arsenal give a team a real beating. I can't remember the last! Despite this, Arsenal could be ready to explode and with the final furlong of the season coming up there is no better time to do so.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Stephen Appiah on a pay-as-you-play-deal?

Stephen Appiah is available on a free transfer and I would be quite happy for Le Boss to sign him to Arsenal. I suggest giving him a six month long pay-as-you-play deal. People have said that his knees are shot but didn't people also say that about Marc Overmars before he signed?

By giving him a deal like this deal we have nothing to lose. If he doesn't play then he doesn't get paid, simple. We then wont get stuck with an injured player eating up the wage bill.

In my eyes if Amaury Bischoff is worth a gamble then Appiah most certainly is too. He is a player who is different to anything we have at the moment in the squad and will add depth to a midfield light in numbers.

Who knows, he may prove a great signing and we could end up with a very good player in our hands who at the age of 28 is experienced as well as talented.

Appiah could be over his injury, signing for Arsenal would provide him with a new lease of life. He may then even regain his form of old.

He has been in Wenger's radar over the last few years so maybe a pay-as-you-play-deal until the summer could be on the cards?

I think he has been an impressive player in the times I've seen him play and if he is willing to come to Arsenal then I would welcome him to the club.

Keep it Goonerish................

Saturday 7 February 2009

Forget Tottenham's position, lets deal with ours!

Whilst it is funny to see Tottenham in relegation trouble I'd advise Gooners to forget about them and concentrate on our season. Obviously Arsenal are in much better shape than Tottenham but the fact is we are in fifth place and playing catch up for a Champions League place. Both clubs appear to be underachieving.


The rest of the season is so important for Arsenal. So now is the time for every Gooner to pull together and get behind the team for the final part of the campaign. In Andrey Arshavin we have a signing we have been asking for, lets hope he can be a catalyst for better things at Arsenal.


Tomorrow will be a difficult game. Arsene Wenger has a fantastic record against Tottenham despite it being their cup final. Lets hope that record continues, I think it will. I've no doubt that there will some very hairy moments but I'm confident we will come away without defeat.


North-London derbies are so difficult to predict. A point away from home is usually a good one. After todays results I think we need more than a point tomorrow. It has become a must-win game. We can't drop many more points and expect to preserve our top four status.


Bearing that in mind, and the fact Tottenham will come at us, I'm sure of an Arsenal victory. Adebayor has great scoring form against Tottenham and he is due a goal. In fact I believe this whole Arsenal team are due goals! It's been a while since we gave someone a hiding and surely a big win is just around the corner.


Robin van Persie is crucial to Arsenal at the moment and has really stepped up to the plate since Cesc Fabregas' injury. At times it seems he is single-handingly dragging Arsenal through the season. The Boy Wonder has matured so much this season. It clear that he has always had so much talent, the problem was the niggling injurys he always picked up. Hopefully he is over the niggles now and will be fit for the remainder of the season, we need him.


I'm confident Arsenal will finish in the top four. It's going to be tight getting there but we will. The season starts now. Lets begin it with a victory over Tottenham tomorrow.


Keep it Goonerish.........

Tuesday 3 February 2009

The new Arshavin chant?

I thought I'd have a bit of fun and create an Arshavin chant for Gooners to sing.

It is based on the Abba song "Dancing Queen"

If you fancy leaving a little chant of your own in the comments feel free.


You are our Arshavin,

Move those feet, Arsenal's twenty-three,

Arshavin, score a goal for the Arsenal team, oh yeah

You can score, You can pass,

Gooners all round know your class

Woooah,

See that boy, Arshavin, he is the Russian King.

Here is the original!

"You are the Dancing Queen

young and sweet only seventeen

Dancing Queen feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah

you can dance, you can jive

having the time of your life

see that girl, watch that scene dig in the Dancing Queen"

Keep it Goonerish.................

Arshavin is like Hleb with b******s!

Many Gooners felt that Alexander Hleb didn't bring much to Arsenal. I disagree with that.

In my opinion he was a fantastic player with the ability to hold the ball better than anyone else in the Arsenal squad. This created space and allowed Cesc Fabregas more room to weave his magic.

Arshavin is similar to Hleb in his ability to glide past players and hold the ball up. The only difference is that Arshavin will actually attempt to shoot.

Many said that Hleb was a good player but with no end product, well Andrei Arshavin certainly has that. His vision to spot a pass and his shooting range will endear him to Gooners.

That's why I believe Arshavin is like Hleb, but with bollocks.

Hleb was outstanding in his last season with Arsenal. I felt the way he left was disappointing but Arshavin can do the job Hleb did, but even better.

The signing is a welcome boost to the squad and one player in particular, Cesc Fabregas. As I mentioned Fabregas benefited from Hleb last season. He will benefit from Arshavin too.

I'm not expecting miracles from Arshavin, especially straight away. He isn't match-fit and needs time to adapt to Arsenal and the rigours of the English Premiership.

Having said that, I think he will adapt quicker than we think though. I know the Russian league isn't at the same standard as the Premiership but he is quality, proven by his performances for Russia.

Keep it Goonerish..........

Monday 2 February 2009

Arshavin must think it's summer in England!

I've just seen Sky Sports and Andrei Arshavin was outside his hotel wearing a pair of bermuda shorts, sun glasses and some flip flops.

He is in his element. Despite the weather freezing every British person's bits off, Arshavin wanted to top up his tan.

I was almost in tears this morning because of the cold, however the Russian's would eat this weather for breakfast.

Arshavin basking in the equivalent of a Russian summer over here is great news for Arsenal. The deal should finally be done.

It has taken an age but we are almost there. The 6th best player in the world is set to join. It will be a boost to the club and us Gooners. Going by recent displays we need him.

Let's not expect miracles straight away, he isn't match fit. When he gets that fitness back he will be a great signing for the club.

With Arshavin signing, Fabregas, Walcott, Eduardo and Rosicky to come back from injury Arsenal look strong enough to finish in the top four at least. I actually fancy a top three finish.

Keep it Goonerish.............

Sunday 1 February 2009

£31 million pounds worth of s**t down at White Hart Lane

I have to laugh.

I've just spoken to a pal of mine who happens to be a Spud (unfortunate I know)

After the Spuds defeat by Bolton my pal has informed me that they have £31 million pounds worth of shit down at White Hart Lane.

He is crying into his beer because the £31 million pounds worth of shit is £31 million pounds of Arsenal rejection, a fact I love reminding him of!

Bentley and Palacios happen to be two players who couldn't succeed at Arsenal. Now they find themselves at Tottenham wondering where it all went wrong.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Why I'm rooting for Arsene Wenger

Without doubt this is the most testing period Arsene Wenger has had to face in his reign at Arsenal.

For the first time since Wenger took over, Gooners are becoming disgruntled at what is going on at the club. And that really worries me.

I'm worried because I fear that unless Arsene Wenger sorts it out, his legendary status at the club, amongst Gooners, could become undermined. I'm also worried because Arsenal seem to be going backwards.

He has done so much for Arsenal and I would hate for him to have his time at the club tainted because he refused to budge in his beliefs.

There is pure frustration surrounding Gooners at the moment and I can understand why. It's glaringly obvious this squad needs freshening up but for some reason Wenger doesn't appear to see it.

It's no good Wenger relying on players coming back from injury. It's a gamble he took in the summer and one that has since bitten him on the arse.

We haven't won things in a long time now. I understand that there have been barren spells in the history of Arsenal before but this is a first under Arsene Wenger.

I want Wenger to turn that around so bad. For Arsenal's sake, and of course, Arsene Wenger's sake.

In years to come I don't want to remember Wenger's time at the club as being great but he out welcomed his stay. It has happened to many legends in the game. Brian Clough is a massive example. I don't want Wenger to go down that route.

At the moment there are even some Gooners who are calling for Wenger's head. I don't think that is the answer to Arsenal's problems. In fact, I think if Wenger left now Arsenal would end up in a far worse position.

These calls for a change in manager are a first in Wenger's time at the club though and I think that shows how frustrated some Gooners have become.

Wenger has left himself open to criticism but I hope he can turn it around. Because if he doesn't then his reign at the club won't be remembered for the good times. Sounds fickle I know but some people have short memories.

There will be a time when Wenger leaves the club and I really hope it isn't under a cloud. That's why I'm rooting for Arsene Wenger. Its up to him.

Keep it Goonerish...................