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Hope springs eternal

There are believers still out there

6 October, 2011 10:00 47 comments
Hope springs eternal

Gilberto – Fans used to complain about him!

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I had my first season ticket in 1996/97 so the fact that I’m an AKB is no real surprise, they were formative years. It’s not an easy thing to be these days, we’re a dying breed. I’ve been out of the country for a year so the last game I got to see live was Arsenal vs. West Ham on the 30th October. Pretty rubbish performance but we won! Maybe being away has helped my continuing AKBness and the fact that there aren’t any opposing fans to give me abuse in India helps as well.

What I can say for sure is that being out of the country for a year has helped my love of all things Arsenal, in the same way that watching terrible league two football while at University helped me appreciate what we had between 2002-2004. I remember going to a game during the 2003/4 season and I couldn’t believe the grumpiness of the Gooners that day, especially with Wiltord and Gilberto. I thought at the time they didn’t know how lucky they were! In the first season I watched Bristol Rovers they didn’t win at home until April.

So I’m coming home soon and I can’t wait to go to a game when I’m back in November. I haven’t had a chance to see all our new signings in the flesh and I can’t wait to see Gervinho, the Ox, Arteta etc. I am also hopeful that Arsenal can turn it around this season and salvage some pride and maybe some silverware. That would be good. Football is all about hope so here is a short list of what I’m hoping for in the coming months. I’ve scored them on a scale of 1-10 for the amount of abuse I will get for each ‘hope’.

• TV will come back and form an excellent partnership with the BFG – 2 (we’re all hoping for that surely)

• Diaby will shake of his injuries and finally live up to his potential now he is out of the shadow of Cesc and Na$ri- 10 (People hate him but I think he’s been unlucky with injuries)

• Theo will score 20 goals this season and people will say “he’s not bad” - 8 (people get frustrated with Theo even though his stats were better than Na$ri last year)

• Jack will return fit and healthy in the New Year, ready to help us push for 4th as Spurs and Liverpool falter – 5 (for the optimism about coming 4th rather than Jack)

• Arsenal win the Champions League! – 9 (I must be a complete idiot who knows nothing about football)

I’m looking forward to lots of abuse about how deluded and stupid I am. Get it off your chest Gooners. At least the hope is making me happy and I’m excited about watching my team again after such a long absence. If you want to ridicule me in person I’ll be the Arsenal fan walking to Ashburton with a great big smile on my face sometime in early November to take up my seat once more. COYG!

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47
comments

  1. Ni

    Oct 09, 2011, 14:54 #14003

    I have always thought during my 50 years supporting the club that Arsenal fans were different to the glory hunters that attach themselves to lesser clubs. On the evidence of recent Gooner articles and posts I am quite clearly wrong. We now have a sizeable brigade of glass half-empty merchants who seem more concerned about being ribbed by friends and colleagues following a defeat than they are about the health of The Arsenal. Like Tom, I have sat in amazement at Highbury and The Emirates as the chorus of ill informed moans grows ever louder, even during the pomp of the 2003-04 season. Is it any wonder that the reputation of Arsenal supporters is at rock bottom? Read the quality newspapers and their snide remarks about fans being more concerned about getting to and from the bars and getting away early than they are about the game if you don't believe me. Time to man up boys and get behind this great club as us oldies did during the difficult years of the 60s, mid 70s & early/mid 80s. Our time will come again. It always does at The Arsenal. Otherwise, buy yourselfs a blue shirt - I'm not fussy if it is light or dark blue.

  2. Sean Cork Ireland

    Oct 08, 2011, 19:07 #13984

    Diaby personifies all that is wrong at a once proud club. Spineless, bottlejob, headless chicken, take your pick...oh yeah and a tosser who wears a spud shirt in his spare time. F O DIABY AND TAKE YOUR MATES WITH YOU...CLOWN.

  3. Ed enough....

    Oct 08, 2011, 14:27 #13979

    Nothing wrong with blindless faith, but you need a straight jacket my friend.....

  4. Mike

    Oct 07, 2011, 18:02 #13953

    Like Thomas, Wiltord does have a claim to fame I believe. He scored in the match which secured Arsenal the title at Old Trafford to beat Man Utd 1-0

  5. HowardL

    Oct 07, 2011, 17:59 #13952

    I'd forgotten what it was to be young and see everything through rose-coloured spectacles. I love the Arsenal too but the team has been mishandled into decline and possibly a relegation struggle. I too used to admire Arsene Wenger but cannot avoid the fact that his refusal to support the squad by some obvious player purchases is the common thread in the clubs decline. Think about it: injuries - no back up (eg poor young out of his depth Jenkinson, intense match schedule - insufficient playing staff of right calibre - players leaving because of lack of progress - need I continue?

  6. Darren Ledger

    Oct 07, 2011, 13:32 #13944

    Hey Tom I know exactly how you feel. I moved out to Middle East when Arsenal moved to The Emirates and have to say that the running battles, verbal abuse and general football cameraderie that is a genuine bond between expats was awesome. However, upon returning c18mths ago I was somewhat aghast at the state of affairs in terms of how our supporters have become so fickle and have basically developed a selective memory process. Don't they realise that hope springs eternal, it is like a living organism that breathes and moves and infests like a virus. If we had 60,000+ supporters all being positive (and I have to say that at the Bolton game the North Bank was exactly that) our team may just get that extra lift. I'm going to the CL, Marseille game on the 1st November and I can assure you I will be fully behind my team, my manager and my club! Good to see you back, I'll watch out for you in the Gunners pub soon!

  7. El Piresidente

    Oct 07, 2011, 12:24 #13938

    You're optimism is admirable. But you lost me a little with the phrase "can't wait to see Gervinho." Seriously - the guy makes for painful viewing

  8. Tony Evans

    Oct 07, 2011, 8:21 #13934

    Ron - I know what you are saying, we have never maintained a position at the top of the tree. We struggle to get there and then just throw it away by sitting back and letting others catch up and overtake us again. Like you I am used to it and just find it frustrating. The situation for me now is different because of the promises that were made to us and the sky high prices we pay. I now expect more than I used to and am less tolerant of failure. Especially when the likes of you and I know that in the past we nearly always had a rock solid keeper and defence and to see what we have now in this respect makes me dispair of Wenger.

  9. don froth

    Oct 07, 2011, 8:17 #13933

    Wiltord deserved abuse, especially when he did that digging for oil thing.....he was another turkey that Wenger spent good money on, just because he scored that tap in at old trafford, people forget how bad he was!!!!

  10. Gunner666

    Oct 07, 2011, 7:25 #13932

    Wenger on a sky interview firmly stated that we can't compete with the likes of Chelsea and Man utd when it comes to player wages, yet Gazidiz at a conference states we can compete and that we don't have a salary ceiling. Wenger states that we are after a top 4 finish and can't be expected to win the championship, yet Gazidiz states we can survive without CL payments. Confusion reigns supreme on and off the pitch..............GOD help us.

  11. TheWineMouse

    Oct 07, 2011, 6:18 #13929

    I always love going to The Arsenal,home and away,i cant see that ever changing whatever happens.By the time our injured stars return we are going to be stuck firmly in the mire and they will be joining a battle.I gave up on Diaby a long time ago but i envy your blind optimism.

  12. Munitionsman

    Oct 07, 2011, 5:20 #13928

    Deluded and stupid.... there you go. Gazidis has come out today and said we dont need CL football. Your return will be welcomed by him as there are plenty of season tickets available.

  13. DW Thomas

    Oct 07, 2011, 3:41 #13927

    To be honest, I think all the things you hope for are things most of us would hope for as Arsenal fans. Yet, this is the real world and we shouldn't be holding our breath. I think the one thing in your list I'd like to see most, other than winning the Champions' League is for Diaby to come good. He has all the talent, but under Wenger he is exactly the type of player who seems to stagnate or actually get worse. He has literally been plagued by injuries for a long time now, but can produce some magical stuff. When he scored that own goal against United a little while back, he almost and should have made amends a little later on in the same game. He made a great run, hit a shot, but missed narrowly what should have been a great goal and the equalizer I think. So fine a line is it between winners and losers sometimes. It is nice to hear optimism in the sea of negativity. Yet, we must keep bitching and moaning until real change happens. Fans cannot be taken for granted. Players must man up and prove themselves. This is no fairy tale land the Premier League. Those with character succeed and win championships. Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, et. al. really need a good run of wins and to show some real leadership if anything is too come from this season. And, yes, Jack and TV could really help to change things for the better. But, will it be too late by then?

  14. Gare Kekeke

    Oct 07, 2011, 3:04 #13926

    Tom, I admire your optimism, but I can't share it with you. I'll cut you some slack, but although I'm grateful for what Wenger has done for our club and I'm sure I speak for ALL Gooners when I say that, I just don't see it things getting better in time under Wenger. Shame it's come to this really. He's better than it and he knows it.

  15. Marky

    Oct 06, 2011, 23:02 #13925

    beam me up scotty (i bet you are also too young to know what that means). you are clearly someone who is very easily pleased in life, totally non competitive, probably dont like winners or contact sports. makes me realise just how in trouble Arsenal really are if they have alot of fans who dont know pre wenger arsenal. these are truly sad sad days. wenger and board out !

  16. Unbeaten 03/04

    Oct 06, 2011, 22:41 #13924

    Firstly, I agree with fully with 71guns! Secondly, there's nothing wrong with for having hope in fact it's the most positive thing we can think about BUT hope is only good to think only if we can control it in some ways - Arsenal is deep in our veins and yet it isn't for a while now! Yes AW is the best person to turn it round if only he can change himself first and accept his mistakes!

  17. Afc1989

    Oct 06, 2011, 21:41 #13923

    Diaby??? Says it all. I started watching Arsenal in the 80's, and although it was us against the world, the lack of passion shown by Diaby, squillaci, Walcott, Chamakh, koceilney would not have been tolerated. Rocky, Adams, o Leary, etc fought tooth and nail for our club and some of these guys should look at them and see what it means to play for Arsenal. As for league 2 there are some great games in the lower leagues and I admire some of those clubs and their fans who don't even know if their club will exist in years to come!!!

  18. jjetplane

    Oct 06, 2011, 20:20 #13921

    Shows the kind of arrogant person you are when you rubbish football outside the premiership. Some of it is well worth watching if you like football. You obviously don't. I had my season ticket (long since gone) the same time as you. But unlike you, I was watching Arsenal in the Schoolboys/North Bank.... since the 60s. You think Wenger was behind that initial success - think again.

  19. aj

    Oct 06, 2011, 19:26 #13920

    It seems that out of the fans I talk and listen to the ones that have been supporters for the longest time want changes and the ones who have been around for the last 20 years or less are happy with Wenger.Which goes against everything that Bob Wilson said a couple of weeks ago but what does he know.I'm in Frank Mclintock's camp personally.

  20. peter wain

    Oct 06, 2011, 17:54 #13919

    load of rubbish.A true supporter constructively critises its management it does nnot blindly follow, The management of AFC has been a joke for the last 6 years with a steady decline in the quality of the squad, No amount of wishful thinking is going to change that.

  21. Harold

    Oct 06, 2011, 17:46 #13918

    Sweet boy. Do you still believe in Father Christmas as well?

  22. TENERIFE GOONER

    Oct 06, 2011, 17:46 #13917

    I was one who wanted Gilberto replaced by Edu,loved Edu but i soon realised Gilberto had to be one of the first names on the Team Sheet.Been saying for ages get him back for 6 months and teach Song how not to get booked.

  23. GoonerGoal!

    Oct 06, 2011, 16:40 #13916

    Belief is a wonderful thing, but realists amongst us know the Truth. Our team is total pants right now, led by a manager seemingly approaching total meltdown, and with Jenkinson replacing Sagna in the coming weeks, it’s even possible that things could get worse. You want the Truth? You can’t handle the Truth! Right now our club is a rudderless ship, without qualified leadership on the bridge, on the edges of a Perfect “Relegation” Storm. But, no doubt you will be satisfied just to hear that Gervinho is in fact Sylvan Wiltord in disguise, enough to keep you smiling while in danger of appearing like some kind of Village Idiot, as we battle to maintain this season’s new target of mid-table mediocrity...

  24. allybear

    Oct 06, 2011, 16:28 #13915

    What an absolute joke! That shower of wasters and the Great Arsene Wenger are a laughing stock&he AW has mismanaged the club and stood still and been overtaken by ManU etc etc continousely and he never learns!Glad i dont pay exorbitant ticket prices to watch that lot!

  25. Ron

    Oct 06, 2011, 16:26 #13914

    Tony. Respect your view. I think AWs main ally has been the splintered, dispute riddled Boardroom to be honest. No cohesion there, so there was never going to any unified demands on him to change much while the cash flows. Im still stopping short of being a strict and unconditional 'Wenger out' man, but mainly due to to my belief that hes going to go in the Summer anyway. Ive always liked him despite having concerns about (and for him) for the last 2 years or so and cant quite get behind the frenzy that some want to create demanding his head. Its been a slow decline with a marked downturn this Season thus far, but we ll never know the full story till we see his inevitable book in a few years time and only then if he severs all ties with us. The 6 years thing doesnt resound too much with me as we ve always been cyclical in the trophy winning stakes for many decades. Its Wenger that's created the illusion that we should be up there EVERY Season and it shdt be forgotten. Hes being hammered now by the very stick that he created and it seems a bit unfair in the face of what is his first seemingly lousy Season. Just my view. Im receptive to most others though like your own view.

  26. Van Basten

    Oct 06, 2011, 16:06 #13913

    Marco Van Basten for manager anyone? He has experience working with youngsters, speaks his mind, prefers an attacking approach, would attract world class players ( if money hungry board want to part with any of the fans hard earned money) and would keep RVP happy! Sao Paulo have realised how bad Denilson is and want to send him back to us, and Wenger has convinced Eboue to wear a wig and call himself Gervinho!

  27. MikeC

    Oct 06, 2011, 15:45 #13912

    Diaby will shake off his injuries... Haha haha (talk about a player with no heart) Just that statement kind of sums up this article!

  28. Tony Evans

    Oct 06, 2011, 15:41 #13911

    Ron - I may have agreed with you a few years back but not any more. Wenger has had more than enough chances to put things right on the pitch and it is getting worse rather than better. As for the Board, that appear to sit back and let him get on with it - great if all is well but when it isn't should we not be expecting more of them, especially when you consider the prices we pay and the promises of competing at the top that were made. Any remaining hope I had has long gone - Wenger has run out of time for me and I would like to see the back of Kronke too.

  29. Carlos

    Oct 06, 2011, 15:16 #13910

    "I must be a complete idiot who knows nothing about football" I don't know you so I have no comment on the first part of what you say. The second speaks for itself

  30. Mark

    Oct 06, 2011, 14:28 #13909

    Its fans like you who give the real fans who love the club a bad name.Worse start in over 50 years worse defeat in over a 100 years yet you still up Wengers arse.Here's a history lesson to you and all the JCL AKB's George Graham won 6 trophies in 8 years before Wenger arrived.We had success before Wenger arrived and will do when he goes.

  31. tpm

    Oct 06, 2011, 13:48 #13908

    tarquin, jcl, its the likes of you that have allowed this malaise to surround the club. you dont really care about the club itself whatsoever. stick with bristol rovers, why change clubs anyway, sums you up. nothing more needs saying

  32. Dave

    Oct 06, 2011, 13:37 #13907

    What an absolute garbage article this is, a typical AKB sheep follower, its people like you that keeps that incompetent manager in his job and take it from me you WON'T be smiling once you see this team play next month.

  33. kdmgooner

    Oct 06, 2011, 13:03 #13906

    mmmmm been away in India eh? Too much sun them I guess, its the only explination

  34. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:59 #13905

    Chances of you singing "there's only one Arsene Wenger" at the Shamirates like a good little boy - 10....

  35. win AFC

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:47 #13903

    Tom when you see Arsenal play in November i wonder if you still have a smile on your face after the match. But i will agree with you on silverware the carling cup or fa cup, As for the champions league if Arsenal win it this season, I will take back everything i said about Wenger.

  36. What was the point in Leaving Highbury?

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:43 #13902

    Good on ya mate, I'm looking forward to seeing Rudolph at Christams.

  37. The Dec

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:39 #13901

    ""I’m looking forward to lots of abuse about how deluded and stupid I am."" Its not abuse...its fact...you, and "fans" like you are the reason Wenger still lives and breathes his incompetence into our once great club.

  38. Graham yates

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:38 #13900

    Simple Football equation: Usmanov + Dein x Money(÷ Wenger) = Silverware

  39. king gooner

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:34 #13899

    that would be the same "diaby"who likes pulling on a spuds shirt in his spare time-prick!not you,diaby!once you see this bunch of jokers in the flesh,believe me,your optimism will be long gone.sad but true...

  40. Tony Evans

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:20 #13898

    I envy you your optimism but when you see how low we have sunk since your last visit that big smile will disappear very quickly.

  41. Lewis

    Oct 06, 2011, 12:10 #13897

    Tom Spencer you legend. Chin up and onwards.

  42. 71guns

    Oct 06, 2011, 11:59 #13896

    We all love the Arsenal Tom but at the moment it's tough love because if the issues aren't put right soon we will continue on this very slippery slope. Do you really think any true fans enjoy slating the team? You are correct in saying some go to have a moan but thats old school and I would imagine certainly for Arsene's early years 'tongue in cheek'. The reason we're all so pissed off is that what we had has been allowed unneccessarily slip away. I accept we can't win or be at the top all the time but a club our our statue should at least be challenging or in the process of rebuilding to challenge. We have gone from needing 1 or 2 players to 4 or 5 in as many years and why? Because either the manager genuinely believed what he had was good enough or he didn't have the money to improve things or he chose not to spend it. Either way the fans deserve better, the club deserves better and though I also approach each game with a smile and optimism (otherwise what's the point)but after my smiles been wiped and my pockets emptied I feel I have a right question the situation we find ourselves in.

  43. Goonanana

    Oct 06, 2011, 11:58 #13895

    What a refreshing change! Good post sir

  44. BNG

    Oct 06, 2011, 11:50 #13894

    Good luck to you Tom..........I'm happy for you........your not alone as my mate 'golden' Gordon also always has a cheesey grin on his face.......I'm not sure what he knows that I don't

  45. Goonersaurus

    Oct 06, 2011, 11:42 #13893

    Im wont be surprised if everyone tears you apart for this article, especially since you mimicked braindead s***s fans with your sign off.

  46. Ron

    Oct 06, 2011, 11:27 #13892

    Nothing wrong with 'hope'. Despite many of the criticisms i feel that most match going supporters are still behind Arsene Wenger, albeit with their faith shook to the core. Its easy to dismantle him on blog sites, based on what the Television shows of games, even the live ones. Attending the games gives a far different perspective at times.In my view, most are damning of him to different degress but want him to turn things round.

  47. Happy Gooner

    Oct 06, 2011, 10:51 #13891

    We will finish 7th this season behind the Big 3,the Spuds,Liverpool and Everton.And Wenger will resign.RVP and Jack will leave in the summer.