This Premier League season must be finished……at some point

Image Credit-Premier League
The world is a quite frightening place at the moment. Our normal everyday lives have been turned upside down as we continue to battle with COVID-19. The virus has already had a devastating effect, taking the lives of thousands of people around the world. In times like this, football really doesn’t matter at all. However, it’s a pastime and a form of escape for so many people and so it’s vital that journalists and fans alike continue to talk about it.

It’s not clear as of yet when it will be safe to resume playing. April seems fanciful bar a dramatic turnaround in the fight against corona virus. The FA have little option but to keep pushing it back until the threat of the virus is significantly limited. In some peoples eyes, including those of West Ham owner Karen Brady, the only solution is to a declare the 19/20 season null and void. That would essentially render all of the games played over the course of the season utterly meaningless. As a proud Arsenal fan, the thought of Liverpool’s march to the title being cruelly stopped in its tracks through no fault of their own would admittedly be quite funny. However, putting aside one’s bias, it would be completely unfair, not just to Liverpool but also to the likes of Sheffield United and Wolves, both of whom found themselves competing for a Champions League place. It would perhaps be even tougher to take for Leeds and West Brom who were looking increasingly likely to clinch promotion. Of course, the word ‘unfair’ in this context is in itself null and void in the grand scheme of things. The virus has obviously had a much more devastating effect and been far more unfair on the elderly lady who died because the person she sat next to on the bus was in the pub the night before. However, even in the most difficult of circumstances we should thrive for justice and fairness, even in  something as small and unimportant as football.

Liverpool achievements this season have been truly outstanding. I’ve spoken before about how they are an admirable team, a team that has been built relatively ethically by a manager whose vision has been put into practice. To force them to surrender a trophy they so richly deserve and to render all of the wonderful goals that they’ve scored completely meaningless would be a miscarriage of justice. Wolves are 6th in the table, just 5 points off Chelsea in 4th. They may never get a good a chance as this to finish in a European place. Similarly, Sheffield United are in 7th, level on points with Wolves and have been a huge surprise package since their promotion to the Premier League last season. The feats they have achieved this season should matter. Leeds have been out of the Premier League since 2004, an era which has included relegation to League 1. They have rarely looked close to achieving promotion back to the country’s finest league, …until of course the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa. Last season was heart-breaking for a Bielsa side that had become renowned for their stylish, attacking football. This season, they may finally get their reward for all their hard work and they deserve a shot at the big time. Much like Liverpool, they are side in the vision of their manager. As well as halting the progress and preventing the achievement of some excellent sides, it’s also a get out of jail card for sides that have been fighting down the bottom of the league table, Karen Brady’s West Ham being one of those sides…….

Declaring the 19/20 season null and void would make next season feel rather false. Any failure or success would be precipitated by the fact that the previous season didn’t actually happen. We’d be watching ‘the holders’ Liverpool attempt to regain a title they never won. If Norwich have a good season and survive, it would also have been because they were given a second chance, a chance that no other team has ever gotten before. These are unprecedented circumstances but it’s important that  we are as fair as we possibly can be. That is why it’s more important that we finish this season than it is to start next season. Whether that means cancelling next season or playing just one set of fixtures is anyone’s guess.

One of the other solutions that has been suggested from some is that we make the current standings final. However, that would have an opposite effect and equally unfair result. Liverpool would be given a title they never really won while the battle for the Champions League, which is still very much ongoing would be ended with Cheslsea granted a place they never really earned. The idea of relegating a side before the season is over would be ludicrous and would have detrimental effect on the teams down the bottom.

This season must be finished even if that means sacrificing next season. In times like this, a debate about how the football season ends seems trivial but for so many, it’s a form of escape from the real world. It goes without saying that we absolutely cannot return to playing, either behind closed doors or with a crowd of 60,000 people watching, until we can guarantee the safety of players, staff and fans. However, when normality finally returns, and it will return, then Liverpool deserve the chance to lift their first Premier League trophy, Wolves and Shefiield United deserve the chance to finish in a Champions League  or European place ,Norwich, Bournemouth and Aston Villa deserve a chance to survive and Leeds and West Brom deserve a chance to achieve promotion. To do that, it is imperative that we complete the 19/20 season.

Arteta tests positive for COVID-19 as football grinds to a halt

Image credit-Talksport

It’s been a rather insane few weeks in the world of sport as the corona virus reaks havok on normality. The Premier League has been suspended until April the 3rd at the very earliest while multiple Champions League fixtures have been postponed. There was an assumption from some that football would somehow escape the virus but the announcement that the Juventus centre back Danielle Rugani was positive turned that idea on its head. However, that didn’t change the shock factor of the Mikel Arteta news. First of all, we wish Mikel well and hope he’ll be back as soon as possible. From the relatively frequent updates, it seems like he’s doing just fine and his wife looks to have avoided altogether which is great. Thankfully, the virus is generally pretty mild for young healthy people such as Arteta and we’re sure he’ll be fine.

It was absolutely the correct decision to suspend football until April. The health and safety of fans, players and staff, as well as those around them must come first. This disease effects society’s most vulnerable more than anyone else and we have a duty to protect them in every way possible. Here in Ireland, we have closed all schools, colleges, public facilities and now pubs (yeah, even pubs) until at least the end of March.  This is an epidemic and we all must be sensible. Sport is nothing compared to what is at stake for the thousands of vulnerable people who would be at risk should games take place. In comparison to Ireland, the UK have taken a far different approach. Ludicrously, the horse racing in Cheltenham went ahead and schools and colleges remain open. I’m no medical expert, but this seems at best ill advised.

The question remains whether or not we continue the premier league season or whether we render it null and void. A number of suggestions have been thrown out from a 22 Premier League season next campaign to simply awarding Liverpool the title and moving onto next season with no other ramifications. This is uncharted territory for everyone and there’s no way this is resolved without teams being unfairly treated. Its almost certain that the European Championships scheduled for this Summer will have to be postponed and that will provide another dilemma for those involved in rescheduling. In truth it’s too early to tell when and how this issue is resolved. At the moment, it feels like we are long way from being able to attend sports games again but lets hope that the experts can slow down this terrible virus.

Please people, if not for your own health, for the sake of the grandmother who you sits beside you on the bus, your roommate with cystic fibrosis or the asthmatic retail worker, wash your fucking hands and don’t be a dope. Avoid large gatherings and most importantly follow the advice of medical experts, not people on Twitter. This is a good opportunity to catch up on that Netlix series or to read that book you’ve never had time to read before. Use your time wisely and stay safe.

In Defense of Modern Football

There is a huge amount about modern football to be concerned about. From dirty money to racism, it would be legitimate for any football fan to take a step back and question their relationship with the beautiful game. It is unquestionably becoming more unethical in many areas and we are seeing a growing challenge to our moral consciousness. We all like to see ourselves as decent human beings who care about the world and it is becoming more difficult to separate this care and our love of football. It would be disingenuous and irresponsible to detach ourselves completely from the negative aspects of football and the damage it is causing in some areas of the world. However, modern football is still more than just a profit driving machine obliterating anything and anybody in it’s way. It has connected people from around the world and united people from the most diverse of places. Football at it’s best is immersive and entertaining. Last seasons Champions League tie between Barcelona vs Liverpool was a prime example of that. It was a battle between different styles and cultures. Barcelonas’s slow jazz against the heavy metal of Jurgen Klopps Liverpool and it resulted in explosive and completely mesmerizing entertainment. For neutrals, it was just that, entertainment, but for fans of either team it was an emotional hypnotic experience that brought both devastation and heartbreak. Despite the endless money being rolled into football by people who have no understanding of the game, it’s still capable of producing this raw emotion in people. The magical moments that make football so wonderful and brilliant are still there and should be cherished. Inequality is an obvious issue in football but football as an experience is an overwhelmingly equal one. The highs and lows, the agony and ecstasy are felt by both the long time season ticket holder and the die hard fan watching from his local bar in Nigeria. Football at it’s most pure is a unifying experience and one that unites people of all different races and cultures. The growing theme of racist incidents and slurs directed at players of colour is a major concern but Raheem Sterlings powerful response has made soundwaves across the world-not just in football. The disturbing level of blatant racism aimed at the English players in their 6-0 win in Sofia would have been a harrowing experience for fans and players alike. However, football ralllied behind them and gave them support in their hour of need. We are by no means complete in our fight against racism. There is dearth of black managers and officials throughout the game and that is something that has to change but with the right ambtition and investment it can and will. With nearly three months to go in the premier league, Liverpool have essentially wrapped up their first league title since 1986. The lack of competitiveness at the top of the table is something of a concern but Klopps Liverpool are a success story that should give us optimism. It’s fair to say that very few non-Liverpool fans will be happy at the thought of the Merseyside club lifting their first Premier League trophy in May. However, Liverpool’s journey from top four hopefuls to Champions League and Premier League victors has been a truly admirable one. They have sold smartly and while key players such as Virigl Van Dijk and Allison have been brought in for big fees, they were just one of two big six sides to make a profit in the Summer transfer window with the other team being Chelsea,who were restricted by a transfer ban. They have been run by ambitious owners who put everything into achieving success on the field while keeping the soul of the club. Klopp has brought in in some raw talent and underappreciated players and fine tuned them. James Milner was a figure of fun for some people before he left Manchester City for Anfield. Since his move, he has been referred to as underrated so many times by Liverpool fans and neutrals alike, he has to be considered pretty highly rated at this stage. Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Andrew Roberton are all players who Klopp has managed to mould into ones that fit seamlessly into a League winning team. In an era which is quickly becoming more influenced and dictated by ludicrous wealth, Liverpool offer hope. Liverpool are an example of a good footballing journey where unheralded individual players have blossomed. Across football, there are other examples of players who have used football as a ladder to enhance their lives. Unlike many other sports, football has athletes of all demographics , some of whom have truly remarkable stories. Just recently, the Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies produced a remarkable performance as the German Giants dispatched Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was a stunning performance and all the more incredible when you consider his journey that took him to Canada and eventually Munich. Davies was born in a Ghanian refugee camp after his Liberian parents were forced to flee the war in their home country. His story is of course miraculous without football but his involvement on one of the sport’s biggest stage has alleviated his progression even further. Davies is not the only footballer who has a story to tell. It has given some the opportunity to escape hardships, others to persue a life away from crime and for some, it simply provides a chance for them to do the thing they love most and that in itself is pretty special. Football has not been unaffected by the political and social circumstances of our modern world but It remains a reliable source of entertainment. It’s still capable of producing those golden moments that can result in incomparable despair or unadulterated joy. The growing influence of mega rich football clubs is a concern but Liverpool’s success somewhat bucks this trend.  Football is still an engaging form of entertainment that plays with our emotions and brings both elation and sorrow to people across the globe. We must fight the plaque of racism that undeniably exists within the game but with the right attitude and ambition from those governing the games, as well as fans and players, we can make football a more diverse and accepting game. There will continue to be spellbinding games that enchant us as viewers and there will continue to be stories like Davies’ that make it that extra bit special. Football has its issues and we should not deny that, but we should also appreciate what we have. Football is a fantastic sport and it will continue to be a fantastic sport. Sometimes, we just need reminding of that. Image Credit-Le Point

That hurt…but

Arsenals Europa League campaign has come to can abrupt end after an extra time loss at home to Olympiakos. I didn’t manage to see the game in its entirety, just catching extra time so I won’t go into too much detail into the game itself. Unfortunately, I did have to witness that heart-breaking last minute goal.

With all the good work Arteta has done since he’s come in, this was at best a huge setback. It was the sort of result that stays with you for the wrong reasons. The Olympiakos goal will haunt us for a very long time. The players looked drained when the ball nestled in the back of Benrd Leno’s net and you could see the devastation on the face of every single player. Pierre Emerik Aubeyangs spectacular equalizer proved to be in vain and you really sympathised with the Gabon international when he missed the golden opportunity to put us back ahead on the night with just seconds remaining. If it felt gut wrenching for myself and most Arsenal fans around the world, I can only imagine how devastating a moment it was for him. Chances come and go and the best strikers miss big opportunities. Unfortunately, this was one of them. Of course he should have scored but he’s one of the few players who doesn’t bear any responsibility for the mess we’re in right now and to blame him would be ridiculous.

When Arteta was announced as Arsenal manager, most sane fans would have agreed that the remainder of the season would be about improving the level of performance and implementing Arteta’s system and tactics. It would have been ludicrous to expect him to take over a side sitting mid table in the premier league with a severely imbalanced squad  and suddenly turn them into a cohesive team who are solid defensively. This was always going to be difficult and a job that will take time. We can be disappointed and angry about the result on Thursday but we also shouldn’t abandon that early optimism that Arteta brought with him. There is no doubt that this was a major step back in the new managers transformation but there was always going to be difficult moments. This will not be the last painful result but I’m also confident that there will be better times ahead if we give Arteta the loyalty and support he needs. This was never going to be a quick fix and long term planning and investment are quite clearly needed.

Our only hope of qualifying for the Champions League now rests on where we finish in the Premier League. 5th will be enough if City’s ban is upheld. If it is not, than we’ll have to finish in the top four which is highly unlikely at this stage.  Qualifying for Europes finest club competition will be a difficult task and one that I don’t think we can be overly confident of achieving. The rest of this season should just be treated as a means of improving our position in the league. If that position qualifies us for the Champions League, great. That would be a bonus and beyond most peoples expectations. Wherever we finish in the league, it’s set to be a summer of change. The futures of Alex Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyeng have been brought sharply into focus while there’s a host of other names that could potentially head for pastures new. It’s unsurprising that a club in our position who’ve recently brought in a new manager  are rumoured to be set for a big summer of change. While, I think it’s unlikely that we’ll see the level of overhaul that some are hoping for, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t considerable movement. Understandably, the big name strikers have been subject of most of the headlines. Lacazette has had really poor season, there’s no getting away from that. His 8 goals this season represent a pretty measley return and there’s a case to be made that we should cash in on him now. I could certainly stomach his departure more than I could Aubameyangs. I can see all the logical arguments for selling the Gabonese international. He’s 30, his contract is set to expire and despite this he would likely bring in a pretty healthy sum. However, he’s such a rare player and not one that you can easily or cheaply replace. He’s rescued so often this season and I dread to  think where we’d be without him. If we can convince him to sign a new contract I’d keep him at the club but if he refuses then we may be left with no choice. It would make me very sad to sell a player who I’ve grown very fond of since his arrival from Dortmund. Sigh. ……..sad music……..

Despite all the disappointment of late, it was a relatively good weekend in football. Chelsea and Man Utd dropped points, Spurs lost and best of all LIVERPOOL LOST!!!!After all the disappointment of the Europa League last 16 exit, we needed something to give us a lift. Thank you Watford and I look forward to the unveiling of the Nigel Pearson statue outside the Emirates. It would be easy to forget that we’re still in with a chance of a trophy this season and we play Portsmouth in the F.A Cup tonight. I’d expect to see several changes to the lineup and perhaps the new boys getting a chance. Let’s hope for a good performance and progression to the next round.

Update: We’re Through to the Quarters!!

Image Credit-Sporting News

The results are finally coming..

image credit- premierleague.com
With each game we begin to learn a bit more about Mikel Arteta as a manager. Of course, it’s still early days and he needs time but’s it’s safe to say that the young Spaniard is having an impact, on and off the pitch. Just ask poor Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman was dropped from the squad against Newcastle due to his involvement in an altercation with a player, according to David Ornstein. It’s not clear yet if said player brought up the Frenchman’s inability to head the ball. Guendouzi also allegedly removed his shirt at a club event and got a mouthful from Edu (according to David Ornstein). Personally, I like this no nonsense and ruthless approach. It’s perhaps been too easy for Arsenal players over the past few years and Arteta and team may  be the iron fist we need.

On the pitch, Arsenal have won three game in a week and are up to 9th in the table-watch your backs Liverpool. The 4-0 win against Newcastle was followed by a 1-0 win away to Olympiakos and then a 3-2 victory at home to Everton. It hasn’t always been pretty but after a good start in terms of performances, it was important that we get some wins together. The Manchester City ban has given us a glimmer of hope and if UEFA don’t cave then we’ve got a decent chance. We currently sit 4 points off Man Utd in 5th so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we can qualify for the Champions League through the premier league. However, it’s entirely possible and perhaps even likely that Arsene and UEFA will be forced to suspend the ban which would mean we’d have to finish in the top four. With 7 points and 5 teams separating us and Chelsea, that’s a big ask. Failing to finish either 4th or 5th    (depending on the outcome of City’s appeal) would mean our only  other option would be to win the Europa League. I’d heartily recommend to Arteta and co that we win this competition as trophies are rather great and the Champions League is rather great. With Manchester United, Ajax, Roma, Wolves and Sevilla just some of the teams competing, it won’t be easy. However, the 1-0 win in Greece was a good start and we should be confident of dispatching our all too familiar friends when they visit the Emirates on Thursday. With that being said, they showed themselves to be a pretty decent side and we can’t afford to be complacent. I don’t see major changes to the team that started against Everton on Sunday, especially considering we don’t play again until Monday in the F.A cup away to Portsmouth, where you’d think we’ll see some rotation.

In contrast to much of the games under Arteta so far, I felt the result against Everton was better than the performance. We played good football in patches and the goals we scored were really high quality but we struggled to control the game and gave Everton far too much space and chances. The second half in particular was fairly disjointed and we looked to be caught in a dilemma between defending our lead and going for the kill. In the end, we didn’t really do either and were fortunate not to concede. Bernd Leno made up for being a little hesitant on the first goal by saving brilliantly from Calvert-Lewin, who was a nemesis throughout. The scorer of Everton’s two goals really should have had a hat trick with a late header as well.  However, while I think it’s essential that we improve on this performance going forward, I think fatigue was an obvious and understandable issue. Saka in particular looked to be feeling the effects in the second half. The players deserve credit for digging in but it made for some uncomfortable viewing. Both fullbacks looked quite exposed at times and we didn’t do enough to give them more protection. The midfield a started relatively well but faded badly and while both Luiz and Mustafi had good games, they were both left to fight fires too often. It’s a win though and I bloody love a win. Despite all the pain and hurt and utter rubbishness that we’ve been subjected to for much of the season, three wins on the trot feels pretty damn good. Also, Aubameyang is just fantastic and we are so lucky to have him. Both his goals were excellent in different ways and we should do all we can to keep him around.

There was initial optimism with the improved performances under Arteta and now the results are getting better and provide more solid evidence that Arteta is improving us as a team. Players are returning to fitness and our squad is beginning to look a lot healthier, despite the bad injury to Sead Kolasinac against Everton. Kieran Tierney is not too far away from return, Reiss Nelson was back on the bench  while new signings Cedric and Pablo Mari are also set to come in and will add depth. At a time where the weather is dreary and horrible, our political and social climate are even more dreary and horrible, life at Arsenal is finally beginning to look a bit brighter and I think we can all be grateful for that.

Just what we needed!

Well that was better. While the 4-0 score line was slightly flattering, the second half against Newcastle  was arguably the most impressive 45 minutes since Arteta took over. I don’t think anybody expected this match to finish 4-0 in our favour after a pretty dire first half. Nothing clicked for us and we struggled to control the game while Newcastle and in particular Saint Maximin caused us problems at the other end of the field.

Whether it was a case of Arteta having to bring out the hairdryer treatment again or simply a case of the players getting up to speed after the break, the second half was much better. We moved the ball quicker and looked far more fluid. The two wide players, Pepe and Aubamayang were far more involved and their combination resulted in us taking the lead. Pepe in particular looked so much more influential in the second half. As well as taking his goal well and assisting two more, his overall contribution was much greater. There was one particular instance where, with Newcastle on the counter, Pepe tracked backed, shrugged off the Newcastle player and won the ball back. If you could pick out a prime example of Arteta having an influence on his players, that moment would be up there.

You get the impression that, despite the results being largely unsatisfactory, confidence is growing amongst our players. It looks like they’re all on the same wavelength and fighting for the same cause. Just a few weeks ago it looked like Ceballos’ would be cutting short his loan and heading back to Madrid but he started against Newcastle and had a good game next to Granit Xhaka at the heart of the midfield. Lucas Torreira is a player I really like and I think he should be starting most games for us but Ceballos’ ability on the ball and dynamism was important against Newcastle. It makes sense to include him in games such as these, where we dominate the ball. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Mesut Ozil had his best game in a while either. Ceballos acted as a connection between the defensive line and Ozil and also helped tale the burden off him going forward.

Lacazette really needed that goal and deserved the bit of luck that came with it. It’s been difficult for him the past few weeks and while I’m sure he’d be the first to admit he hasn’t played anywhere near his best, the lack of service as been a huge factor. There’s still a huge amount of work to do in that regard but the growing influence of the wider players and the greater movement and fluidity throughout the team is beginning to change that. He’s worked tirelessly despite his difficulties and it was good to see him finally hit the back of the net. I also enjoyed the teams reaction to him ending his drought. It feels like, despite the difficulties this team is experiencing, spirit is high.

We’ve drawn 13 games this season in the premier league which Is obviously far too many and even when we have won, it’s felt unconvincing. A win like this should give us confidence as well as giving us a positive goal difference. For me, the top four is beyond our reach at this stage but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t aim to finish as high up in the premier league as we possibly can. If we have any chance of winning the Europa League this season, we’ll need players to be at their best and there’s a much better chance of that if they’re playing regularly and winning games.

Image Credit- Skysports.com

Analyzing Artetas start


It’s been an encouraging start to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal career. While the results are still largely unsatisfactory, there has been some seriously encouraging performances, most notably at home to Manchester United and away to Chelsea. In his 9 games in charge, Arteta has overseen 3 wins, 5 draws and 1 defeat. Considering where we were and the state we were I think it would have been unfair to expect a dramatic upturn in results and while the most recent game away to Burnley was arguably the worst performance under the Spaniard, things are beginning to take some form of shape on the field. We have seen a considerable improvement defensively with 8 goals conceded in Mikels first 9 games compared to 16 conceded in the 9 games before his arrival. We’re clearly making a concerted effort to concede fewer shots and fewer chances and that is being reflected in our defensive record.

There is more structure to the way we play although there is a lot of work to be done in this regard. We lost much of our shape when Granit Xhaka moved to left back in the Burnley away game and so clearly any structure we do have is pretty fragile. The Manchester United game at the Emirates in particular was evidence that Arsenal can put together solid defensive displays with the Xhaka-Torreira midfield doing an excellent job of shielding the back  four. Our pressing game has also improved and while we still struggle to keep it up for the entirety of games, the first 45 minutes against Chelsea (at home) and Manchester United were hugely encouraging.

The thing that has impressed me most about Arteta has been his ability to adapt. It’s obvious that we are a long way from where we should be and the appointment of Arteta is part of a long term project that should coincide with investment in the squad. One would hope that the players who we do invest in going forward will be players that suit the system and style that Arteta wants to play. In the meantime, he’s managed to get players playing in some form of committed system as opposed to the chaotic drivel that we seen under Emery. He’s had to compromise on his ideals but I think it’s a good thing that he’s willing to do that. We haven’t been able to dominate games in the way I think he’d want us to but we at least have a plan and players appear to be buying into what he’s trying to do.

It may a sound a little repetitive as I discussed in this in one of my earlier blog posts but I think it’s fair to say that individuals have benefited significantly as a result of the work that Arteta has done. David Luiz has looked far more secure defensively, Bukaya Saka has been a revelation at left back while Lucas Torreria looks so much better in his natural position. There definitely seems to be a much better mood around the camp despite the results and the position in the league table. The rise of Martinelli and Saka also instil some much needed feel good factor and provide some optimism going forward.  The two have been bright sparks in a pretty dire campaign with the former taking some of the pressure of Aubamayang in terms of scoring goals.

It’s not exactly clear how much of a say Arteta has when it comes to signings but Arsenal have brought two players in since his arrival and I think he’ll definitely be judged on their success to some extent. The signings of Mari and Cedric aren’t the most exciting signings in the world but they seem like relatively low risk smart ones. While the 4 million being quoted seems quite steep for a loan fee, the Portuguese international Cedric will be available for free in the Summer so if he works out, we could have a dependable full back in our squad. With Hector Bellerin only just starting to regain his from after long term injury and Maitland Niles saying that he doesn’t see himself as a right back, this could a very useful signing. I can’t say that i’ve ever seen Mari play but he seems like the sort of ball playing center back that would suit an ideal Arteta system. His arrival from the Brazilian league might not have fans breathing a sigh of relief but he deserves a chance to prove his worth. I think we have to be realistic and acknowledge that this is a long road ahead. There will be bad results and bad performances and there’ll be times where are patience is tested. The ownership and hierarchy of the club are a concern but I think its very important that we stick by Arteta. This project will take significant time and investment and while we’ve seen some worrying trends in the way we’re bringing in players, there’s an equal measure of hope and optimism in the way that Arteta has come in and transformed this side

Image Credit-Fourfourtwo

An Argument against VAR

Video Assistant referring has arguably been the main talking point of the Premier League season and for good reason. It was meant to be the efficient mechanism through which obvious errors were overturned. Instead it has brought further confusion and has considerably slowed down a game that relies heavily on it’s pace and fluidity. In response to criticism, some have defended VAR with the argument that it is in fact referees and their inability to use VAR who are at fault. However, one would think that the competence of officials in terms of their ability to use the new system would have been a  prerequisite before it was introduced. This ‘it’s the referees that are to blame’ is being used as an argument in defense of VAR, but in truth it is an argument against it.

One of the main issues with VAR has been it’s exposition of the offside rule. We’ve seen numerous seemingly good goals ruled out because a player has been millimetres offside, if even. The technology isn’t even sophisticated enough to tell for absolute certainly that the attacking player is indeed offside. It’s true that the same software has been used for goal line technology but that is a completely different thing altogether. With goal line technology, you’re simply asking IF the ball crossed the line. When and How is irrelevant. When it comes to offside, officials are tasks with judging WHEN exactly the ball leaves the foot of the passer and where the proposed offside player/players are at this exact moment. With some of the tight calls this year, we’re talking about dealing with milliseconds. There is no technology for pinpointing the exact moment the ball leaves the foot of the attacker and so this is essentially done with the naked eye. This in turn leads to decisions taking ridiculously long. The joy and emotion, heartache and despair that goals brings is lost in this tiresome wait. It’s come to a point where you hesitate celebrating a goal because you fear your joy will be short lived. That is not the football we know and love.

As stated, I think it’s essential that we do not separate the human and technology here. They are obviously interdependent and if one fails the system as a whole fails. Referees making glaring error should not excuse VAR. We have seen a stark inconsistency when it’s come to decisions. Obvious errors have gone ignored while play has been often stopped in more dubious circumstances .This level of inconsistency was easier to stomach when games were governed by referees alone but VAR was meant to mean a more level playing field. It is essentially impossible for football to be 100 % consistent. It’s natural that a game that’s so fast paced and intense results in different interpretations from those tasked with ruling over the game. However, VAR has brought in this false sense of precision and an end to the blatantly obvious errors.

Football is not perfect and that’s fine. Of course, a higher standard of refereeing would be preferable but Var is not the answer. Contentious decisions have always been part of the game and Var has only muddied the waters. It always seems to poke it’s ugly head in when it’s not needed and remain silent when it would have proofed useful. For instance, in the recent draw between Arsenal and Sheffield United, a blatant foul on Pepe seemingly went ignored while earlier in the season Sokaratis looked to have won the game for Arsenal, only for VAR to disallow it for no apparent reason.  This level of inconsistency has been displayed throughout the season and if the level of officiating continues to see such little improvement, one has to question what exactly VAR is bringing to the game.

VAR is changing the entire fabric of the game and so far the benefits have been far outweighed by the negative impacts on the game. There is a clear lack of understanding between the mechanics of VAR and the officials and this has led to numerous questionable calls. Perhaps, with time it’s use may improve, but for now, myself and the a large proportion of the Premier League fanbase remain unconvinced and frustrated.

Image-Wikipedia

Arsene Wenger: The Early years

Arsene Wenger is most famous for his work with Arsenal, whom he took over in 1996 and has won multiple trophies for, however, one would be forgiven for not remembering his work prior to his Arsenal career. The Frenchman retired from his playing career in his hometown of Strasburg and just three years later he found himself managing Nancy-Lorraine after a brief stint as the assistant manager of Ligue 2 side Cannes.

Despite an encouraging first season where he guided his side to a 12th place finish, his first venture into management was generally unsuccessful and Nancy were relegated in his third and final season in charge. However, despite the struggling start to his career, he learned a lot from his first job and Aldo Platini, who recommended him for the job, cited the lack of funds provided to him as a reason for Wenger’s lack of success.

This is a challenge Wenger later encountered at Arsenal in the years after their move to the Emirates stadium and it is fair to say that Wenger dealt admirably considering the circumstances. Perhaps it is this early struggle that prepared Wenger to adapt so well to dealing with a far more restricted market. The nurturing of youngsters was not only the favored approach of Wenger’s philosophy but often it became a necessity due to the financial restrictions that he had to deal with.

One club that saw past his relegation with Nancy and were willing to take a risk with him were fellow French side Monaco, whom he joined in 1987, after Nancy president Jacques Roussealot reluctantly let him leave. It is arguably his time at Monaco which most impressed Arsenal and prompted his 1996 appointment. The likes of George Weah, Thierry Henry and Jurgen Klingsman learned under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger.

Wenger won the league in his first season at Monaco, followed by respectful 3rd place finishes in his following two seasons as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions league and while his last full season was not as successful he had already acquired the interest of German giants Bayern Munich. Even at this stage, Wenger work was already being noticed and Monaco’s refusal to let him leave reinforces this idea.

Wenger has openly spoken about the use of steroids in football and he also felt strongly about the impact of bribery and match fixing which he felt were prevalent in French football at the time. This willingness to speak out has been a feature of Arsene Wenger’s career and it was important for the benefit of football that someone so heavily involved in football was directly involved in the wiping out of its corruption.

In many ways Wenger was and still is one of the figureheads in the cleansing of European football. This integrity served Wenger well and earned him respect from many. Wenger cited corruption as the main reason for his decision to leave French football and his subsequent move to Japanese football with Nagatoya Grampus came has a surprise to many who expected big things from the young and upcoming manager.

The Japanese league was not just on a different level in footballing terms but the culture change would have also required adapting to for a man who had thus far spent his entire professional career in his home country. It showed his willingness to adapt, a trait also shown on the football pitch and his eagerness to continue to learn and develop and further enhance his footballing knowledge.

Wenger had a very successful 18 months in Japan, winning the national cup competition and his own personal accolade, the J league manager of the year. The J league was so far away from Monaco and didn’t receive the worldwide attention but on a continental level, football in Japan was huge. Some of the large Asian following Arsenal now have can be attributed to Wenger’s work in Japan. Arsenal have since spent several pre-season tours in Asia, using Wenger expertise of the area. The fact that he spoke Japanese in his farewell to the Nagotoya Grampus fans is a testament to his work ethic. This respect earned him many admirers, exemplified by the fact that full stadium of fans turned up to see his farewell. Wenger may only have received the world wide acclaim at Arsenal but in the eyes of Nagotoya Grampus fans, he was already a star.

In the early years at Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus, we see the making of Arsene Wenger. His philosophy at Arsenal is largely influenced by his earlier career. However, they were not simply a period of learning. It is often forgotten that he won silverware for both Monaco and Nagatoya Grampus and this gave him a taste for what would later become an addiction at Arsenal. Wenger faced many challenges in his career, particularly towards the end of his Monaco career and they turned out to be just as important as his successes in terms of how they benefited him as a manager. There is no doubt that Wenger’s career before he joined Arsenal was hugely important in not just his own development but also the development of football and the respective national leagues.

Introducing Myself

My name is Oisin O’Connor and I’ve been an Arsenal fan since the age of 8. I suppose you could consider me a member of the new generation of Arsenal fans whose best memory is probably Aaron Ramsey’s winner against Hull with more traditional magical moments coming too soon for me to truly remember.

I come from a Manchester United/Chelsea supporting family in Dublin,Ireland so the joy and pain of Arsenals respective success and failure was really my own. It did not take long for Arsenal to take hold of a big part of my life with the success and enjoyment of my weekends largely dependent of whether we win or not. Much of my time growing up was spent reliving favourite goals and looking forward to the next game.

My aim with this blog is to create good quality content for all to enjoy. I’m aware that there’s a huge amount of brilliant blogs out there, particularly Arsenal centered ones and I’m hoping this can be another good addition!

Image Credit- ESPN