TFG
The recent game against Leeds United stands out for me as a particularly fond memory among the Arsenal home-games which I have attended since we left Highbury. Amidst the wild celebrations, my friend allowed herself a tear or two, as our most prolific goal-scorer wheeled away. The obvious affection was entirely mutual, for all but the Yorkshire Puddings.
Following that night, the erstwhile number 12 added icing to the cake against Blackburn and a far more valuable winner at The Stadium of Light. Even prior to the debacle in Milan, it was widely agreed that Thierry Henry had contributed some much-missed va-va-voom to Arsenal. A potentially risky short-term signing has proved to be more than simply a sop to placate fans. Nevertheless, those hoping for but not expecting further transfer activity could have been only mildly disappointed, however irritated. Expectations in this respect continue to plummet.
Following a predictable reverse on our return to Sunderland, the only remaining target is fourth place. Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt. The fans’ increasing disdain is a reaction to the extent of this Board’s apparently ongoing lack of ambition. The media’s gleeful barrage reminds us that we are approaching a decade without a pot on the mantelpiece, rubbing salt into a deepening wound.
Much as Thierry Henry has added value, his return has highlighted some harsh truths. Goals added to his previous record of 226 came with a measure of efficiency and created an impressive ratio. Nicklas Bendtner has spent his time at Sunderland doing virtually everything but scoring goals; whilst Marouane Chamakh and Ju Young Park have been practically anonymous. Theo Walcott. and especially Andrey Arshavin, have, in different ways, been frustratingly enigmatic. Gervinho certainly adds effort, but he must quickly recover from the disappointment of his woeful penalty in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a tremendous prospect, expectations have to be managed sensibly. Only Robin van Persie’s record bears any testing scrutiny and, although he is having a brilliant season, his career will always carry the subtext of “if he had been fully fit more consistently…”
It is surely an indictment on the current situation that the return of a legend at the grand old age of 34 generated such excitement. Quite obviously, the over-riding emotion has been one of nostalgia. In his pomp, Thierry Henry was the most marketable of a group of players who were a balanced unit. They fought for the cause together, no more so than at Old Trafford during that infamous incident in 2003. Critically, there could be reasonable argument that nearly every player in that squad was or could be world-class; their gargantuan efforts rewarded with an indelible entry in the record books, in 2004.
During that unbeaten run, and until Mike Riley’s 2 – 0 victory ended it, each game at Highbury was a spectacle and outstanding in many ways. There have been countless others, even in my lifetime, starting with an incredible 3 – 0 victory over Anderlecht in 1970. Nobody is suggesting that we should come to continually expect such lofty standards. However, the freefall which began after the painful defeat in Paris in 2006 has since accelerated. It represents a stark contrast on Arsène Wenger’s CV to the period between 1998 and (arguably) 2006.
Since moving to Ashburton Grove, the number of truly exhilarating games has been the exception, rather than the norm. Following the grand opening, which those present will surely never forget, there have been few occasions bearing witness to a truly vibrant atmosphere. Victories over Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs, Villarreal and the dual humiliation of Blackburn Rovers stand out. Individual moments including Eduardo’s class in a 5 – 1 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk, the long-overdue unveiling of the replica clock, and the parade of legends prior to this season’s Everton game equally bring the joy of football folklore. What other games or moments are there? Have a think… and then trot off the encyclopaedia of Highbury highs. On compassionate grounds, I have not considered here the liturgy of despair which we have intermittently suffered at home post-2006.
The stadium-related debt, prolonged severe recession and introduction of petrodollars have all contributed to a gross distortion of the anticipated benefits of our brave new world. In some ways, reality has now once more been restored – the only statue depicting a current legend being that of Arsène Wenger. Sadly, there has been an increasing need for it to be Teflon-coated and neither he, nor an ever-inaccessible Board, seem moved to make changes. It doesn’t actually matter who is refusing to spend – it is ultimately a collective decision, which I believe further sullies the manager’s legacy with each passing game. Citing Rangers or Leeds United as the antithesis is entirely disingenuous. We have considerable means: let’s operate sensibly within them, rather than insisting on a “bargain basement” culture. Largely, it isn’t working.
So Spurs are next up. I suspect that, as we file out after an ugly afternoon, the image of Thierry Henry celebrating a legendary goal will evoke more wistful reflection. Too many times we have been assured of a reaction following an abject surrender, and too many times there has been more of the same. That said, what we, as fans, have to do is to remember “The Arsenal Way”.
It was ironic in the extreme to hear Spurs’ fans booing John Terry, in relation to allegations made about him. These are the same fans who sang with gusto songs about Emmanuel Adebayor’s parents. Irrefutably, we have not been by any means beyond reproach since his appearance down the other end of the Seven Sisters Road. Since we are unlikely as a Club to show much class on the pitch, let us control what we can and not indulge in disgusting behaviour of our own. Things are bad enough.
Twitter@tfgwrites
