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1. JM - LONDON

   Sep 02, 2012, 1:13 #26079

   'Don't know about you but I've never felt so disillusioned about Arsenal as I do today' - your words SA are shared with absolutely everyone I know who follows the Arsenal, that slag RVP and me included. Lets just hope there's no 8-0 defeats etc in the next few months??, you would think a lesson had finally been learnt after last year?, obviously not. Work commitments mean I'm not actually freely available to get to the Arsenal until the 2 Xmas fixtures, when I will be able to take my 76 year old Dad (first game 1958) to meet with all his old mates in the 'Coronet' and enjoy the Xmas week spirit before the matches. Normally I can mix and match some 10 -12 fixtures around my shifts through out the season when I'm at work in London, but not now, just been let down far too many times in the last 7 years. AVB at spuds was jeered off again today after only a fortnight, believe me the goodwill at Arsenal has (surely) by now gone.

2. paul.

   Sep 01, 2012, 21:34 #26071

   if you dont want to go , why did you not hnd your season ticket back to the club? its immoral what you are doing, and wrong ,,, give it to someone who wants to go rather than one of your cronies.... i used to really enjoy your writes in the fanzine... now sir after reading that i will just skip your page,

3. Rob

   Sep 01, 2012, 9:31 #26011

   Looks like the Spy will be joining me - and a lot of us - in the pub' from now on. There's a certain anger there. But it's mainly sadness now. That and the feeling that I was really stupid to believe/hope that we might have made some real improvements in the team this time out. Anyone who thinks they can be Champions is insane. I don't think there's enough for top four. In fact I could see us falling out the top six. Wenger will panic buy in January. But it will be too late by then. The current Owner/Board set-up really stinks frankly. And until something gives there, I really see no hope for us as far as winning anything goes.

4. Russ99

   Sep 01, 2012, 1:12 #26003

   Spot on. I'm a fan of Walcott, but until Wenger moves him away from the same old tactic, with the same movement and the same lack of options in the box because we have to build up to death, and let the opponent bunker in deep, he won't improve as a player. This is also hampering our ther skilled players as well. I can't get angry with Arsene about transfers or lack thereof, since this is all the board. If it takes Arsene to go to stop the profit pinching, then I can live with it,

5. Dom

   Aug 31, 2012, 19:22 #25974

   26 years I've been a season ticket holder! I sent bk to club and have had enough of the lies and totally sick of in arsene we rust! Pls will fans start to boycott games and start holding up banners for wenger to leave the club! Americans out out out !! Wenger has destroyed our club, we are now no bigger than westham the way we run the club... ****off wenger you stubborn boring prick !!

6. Elliot

   Aug 31, 2012, 19:20 #25973

   Thoroughly agree with you. Kroenke's stake was worth £480m in April 2011, it's now worth £690m. It doesn't take a genius to work out what this moron is after. When the accounts are revealed in September showing a nice big profit, his stake will be worth even more. Do the board really think he cares about them or Arsenal? If they do, then they're even bigger clowns than I thought. Get rid of the board, get rid of Kroenke.

7. Ab

   Aug 31, 2012, 19:18 #25972

   I'm deeply disappointed as I have been for the last seven years of without trophy. I say we relocate back to highbury because in that stadium atleast we were wining trophies. Emirates= bad luck and bad board of directors. For those who keep ranting about arsene wenger and want him get fired, you are delusional. The problem is the f*****g boar, oh lord do they piss me off badly. from this day onwards, I will cancel my GOLD membership and my 2012/2013 season ticket for both home and away to watch arsenal. I have stuck by them for the last 40 years but I can't take it nomore. I don want to just make money for kroenke and his selfish board. arsenal is its dying moment the sooner u face it the better it's for yourself, if like me your really love the club. it suddens me the least to see AFC turned into arsenal money hungry board club. There is no football at arsenal. Rip my beloved club I will always love you with all my heart but we shall depart for the time being untill a better board comes along. Goober forever.

8. maguiresbridge gooner

   Aug 31, 2012, 17:58 #25965

   The reason walcott has been persuaded to stay (temporarily) may be that nobody wanted him but more to do with the fact it wouldn't have looked good for ivan and wenger if another one of our high profile players was flogged or wanted out.

9. Joe Fitzpatrick

   Aug 31, 2012, 17:10 #25964

   DB1979- the fact that you refer to Arsenal stadium, Ashburton grove or "The Grove" by a sponsors name says it all. The way our club is being run is a joke and if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

10. Charles

    Aug 31, 2012, 15:56 #25963

    dont agree with the players you suggest we should have bought but overall well said. summer profit yeat again... how can we accept this? .... hope all gooners boycott the team if nothing happens by the end of the day.

11. Ray

    Aug 31, 2012, 14:44 #25962

    And at the next home game the muppets will sing "One Arsene Wenger".They get the team and manager they deserve

12. DB1979

    Aug 31, 2012, 13:08 #25961

    Good riddance !! The Emirates need to get shot of such negativity !! Whoever is in the team that walks out at the Emirates against Southampton needs everybody behind them !!

13. Harlow

    Aug 31, 2012, 12:14 #25960

    It doesn't matter who owns Arsenal Football Club, Arsene Wenger will always do exactly what he wants. If there ever comes a time when that's not possible, he will leave, simple as that. The fans who believe that he has somehow been forced to be frugal are part of the problem. Ask Stewart Robson who dictates club policy.

14. Frank

    Aug 31, 2012, 6:38 #25959

    At the end of the transfer window we are in profit and for Kroenke thats all that matters.Its a sad state of affairs when the balance sheet is more important than trophies.But as long as fans turn up at the Soul-less Bowl and dont protest nothing will ever change.Wengers furture will be decide by the fans not Kroenke.As long as fans renew their season tickets like sheep it will be no change

15. theham

    Aug 31, 2012, 0:01 #25958

    Cant everyone stop moaning and start supporting again - lets give some positives to the players and let them feel some love at the grove! Hell, i know its hard when we havent won anything for 7 soon to be 8 years but were not man ure supporters who live in cornwall and think a season ticket is the subscription to sky sports and only wear our shirts when were winning - Were gooners and loving our club is all we should do ....whatever the result! ..........we're going to kick ass this year, Up the Arsenal.

16. QuartzGooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 23:58 #25957

    I believe the directors are stashing the equivalent of the amount owed on the stadium. Once this is done, they will either spend on players, or Kroenke will sell up. In the meantime we are playing for fourth place.

17. loyaltoarsenal

    Aug 30, 2012, 22:52 #25956

    Boring moaning rubbish. Our support is unconditional. Ill have your ticket

18. Peter Wain

    Aug 30, 2012, 18:29 #25955

    I cannot believe that we are keeping Walcott without him signing a new contract. I hope this decision doesnt come back to haunt them.

19. Laddy N

    Aug 30, 2012, 17:23 #25954

    All sounds too true, we were told we were leaving Highbury and building the new ground to enable us to compete with the like of Manure, the reverse is happening, and it would be a lot worse if their club was being run by people other than their own version of our Yank. Some thing is rotten at the club, if it is the board i wish Wenger would man up and try to do something about it - his reputation that he built up so well is in tatters, maybe he is a victim of his own succes, the board saw how well he did for a couple of seasons of next to no investment, ie still qualify for champions league and then adapted this as their get richer plan.I think the three new players will do ok,. but buying three and selling two of our best players is not much of a step forward - do not forget how far we were behind the new club and Moanchester, a club who until a few years ago we beat to the championship, we have fallen back into the clutches of the apuds, who as i write are strenghening their team, and Newcastle, who until a couple of years ago were not even in the premiership, even Everton and Liverpool will be eyeing up 4th place, as they have improved their squads by some way - we need saving, and quickly, we will not challenge for the premiership, we will not challenge for the champions league, and if Wenger believes what he said in the press he needs a straight jacket, BUT I STILL LOVE MY CLUB !

20. GoonerGoal!

    Aug 30, 2012, 15:55 #25953

    WOW! If there was ever going to be a single article which was going to elicit responses that would accurately reflect the current chasm of opinion between Arsenal fans it seems this was going to be it. From the 89 responses, 60% were totally positive (AMGs?). 22% were totally negative (AKBs?). 18% were somewhat undecided or disagreed with issues about new players etc. Yep, I think that just about reflects where Arsenal fans are at the moment, and despite our differences, all are real and proper Arsenal supporters!

21. Simon T

    Aug 30, 2012, 15:40 #25952

    I agree with some of the points made but how can you judge Giroud and Cazorla on 2 games? With regards to Walcott, a wise man who sits next to me said during the Stoke game "is he worth five decent games a season?" and I think that represents the opinion of many gooners. As for "loaning" out your season ticket - that is a brave stand!

22. Nick

    Aug 30, 2012, 15:01 #25951

    Im not happy with our transfer policy either havnt been for a few seasons now ,im not happy with Wengers tactics on the pitch either or his maddening habbit of only substituting on the 75 min mark or thereabouts , as if he made up his mind befeore the game who hed bring on and when and wont deviate from it barring injury , i always have hope for silverware but more than ever ive a sinking feeling about this season , if we dont bring in another striker and midfielder it will be criminal, ideally another cenrte back , a full back , and a goalkeeper as well is what we need imo, but i doubt well get it , if we dont get any of these and end up with nothing and dont even get the 4th place "Trophy" then will be the time for the recriminations to start, untill then weve made our bed and will have to lie in it , so COME ON YOU GUNNERS , lets hear some NOISE at the the funeral parlour for a change and get BEHIND the team , whether you still have faith in le boss or not (i havnt by the way) its the TEAM that matters, its THE ARSENAL thats important !!!

23. maguiresbridge gooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 14:53 #25950

    @ ApolloGooner post 28472 bloody well said mate.

24. maguiresbridge gooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 14:36 #25949

    Grown up i assume you were around in the 60's because i certainly was, through it all good and bad and i'm still here and i always will be i agree football wasn't invented in 98 and arsenal certainly wasn't invented by arsene wenger despite what some twats on here think, and the true fans will still be here when he's gone unlike JCL and fairweather fans and indeed the armchair fans who have probably never been to a match who seem happy that we have won nothing for eight years and counting selling our best players in the process and love the fact we compete for third and fourth place every season and when we do manage to scrape third or fourth celebrate like its some sort of trophy.We are all proud of our club and will always be a gooner unlike the glory hunters that were picked up in the 90's who are most likely chavs now or blue mancs but will probably come crawling back when this bad spell is over.

25. Seven Kings Gooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 13:46 #25948

    I stopped going some years ago, after a visit to the Britannia (2-1 defeat) the players were frightned of Stoke that day and I felt ashamed. I prefer to remember the Arsenal of McClintock and Adams. Real men trying to win for the shirt - we are a badly run club whose manager has been in the job too long but has fallen in with the "buy cheap and sell high" philosophy. The fans can make the board change direction but lack any organization to force those changes!

26. Tony Evans

    Aug 30, 2012, 13:34 #25947

    Grown Up - You are wrong when you say it is just the JCLs that are fed up with Wenger. In fact I think it is quite the reverse, with the post 1998 supporters more in favour of him than older Gooners like me. I have supported Arsenal for well over 40 years and I can't stand Wenger's powder puff, crap at defending collection of poseurs that are now so in evidence at our club. It is not the lack of recent success that annoys me so much (as I have said I have supported through much worse times)it is Wenger's over-reliance on and misplaced faith in so many useless players that should never have been bought in the first place, never mind indulged for 7 or 8 years. I don't need to name them as I am sure you know them all as well as I do. Couple this with Wenger's virtual disregard for defending and you hopefully can see why long standing supporters are so fed up with Wenger.

27. fozzy's mate

    Aug 30, 2012, 12:15 #25946

    Spy you are one of my mate fozzy's heroes. Where's you usual picture? As those who follow these pages know, I agree with most of your points. I won't personally give in to this drifting regime, run by a board lacking ambition and a has been manager that has lost his way, and be driven out. You are obviously not a plastic fan as stated in some of the comments. I am against the sale of any half decent player as all it means is more cash in the pile unspent. It doesn't concern me at all whether the cash at bank figure is 120 or 140 million, whatever the figure it is plenty. We are now an accountancy firm not a football club. Let's face it we are in the 2nd tier and the current ownership place profits over glory. But don't despair nothing lasts forever.

28. ApolloGooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 11:59 #25945

    One other thing. I wonder how many of the people who say support the team and stop moaning actually give up their own money and time themselves. The time thing is also worth emphasising. With TV schedulers dictating and making late changes, this can be a real burden on the modern day fan who attends matches. I also wonder how many of those who accuse long time fans of being gloryhunters were (and this is the ironic bit) only attracted to Arsenal in the first place because of the glory in those fantastic early Wenger seasons. Im sure those of us who have been going for 20 years and longer have seen worse teams. But we werent paying over a grand to watch multi-millionaires, mangaged by millionaires back then. Big difference!

29. goonerglos

    Aug 30, 2012, 11:53 #25944

    Well said spy superb article, as usual all the jcl idiots spouting about not wanting your sort ie passionate and with a history of support. As for stoph and rossi gooner I will be at anfield sunday I very much doubt yoy will be

30. ApolloGooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 11:37 #25943

    Great piece Mr Spy. Agree with every word. Nice to see you back on form after your puzzling Wenger worship last season. I cant believe some of the depressing comments on here though. Support the club they say! Get behind them in the hard times. You are not a real supporter if you dare to be critical or pessimistic. Can these people not see the club are taking the pi$$? Are people really this gullible? I have a message for them. THE PEOPLE AT THE CLUB YOU ARE SO NOBLY STANDING UP FOR OUT OF SOME TWISTED SENSE OF LOYALTY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU! The manager doesn’t give a damn either. He shows his contempt for all of us more every year that passes. And I don’t agree that support should unconditional either, that’s more clichéd rubbish people spout when they thinking they are making a good point whilst showing deluding themselves that others will then see them as the real supporters. A mothers love for a baby should be unconditional, supporting your club and team is on the condition that they at least make an effort to achieve what is realistically possible depending on the their status in the game. Its not about winning trophies, its about the club TRYING. Lets see some action! Some ambition. Arsenal are way off this! Anyone who thinks Arsenal are ambitious is an idiot. Also the prices they charge are nowhere near aligned to their ambition to succeed on the pitch. It’s all a blatant rip-off! Do the REAL FANS accept being ripped off by the club? Get behind them? They are giving us nothing to get behind. Anyone who supports this current regime is a mug of the highest degree. I’m a season ticket holder and I feel like the biggest mug going. I hate the people running this club and I cannot stand Wenger. He has made me feel a level of anger and contempt towards Arsenal that I never thought would be possible back in the days when we were a football club. He has divided the support. His style of management has changed a section of our support into something as equally loathsome as he has become. And yet all this and the weak and feeble response from the REAL FANS is to go and support someone else. Pathetic!

31. Don

    Aug 30, 2012, 10:50 #25942

    Great aricle Steve.If you thought the club couldnt be any more of a laughing stock along comes the Theo fiasco.A player who over 6 years has proved he is no good enough is offered an overly generous £75k contract.And this average player turns it down,yes he turned down nearly £4m a year.So what does the club do get rid of him because he can go for free next summer or keep him?We are talking Arsenal here.A club that sold the best striker in Europe remember to our rivals.Well we are keeping him even though he wants £100k a week and at least two clubs want to sign him.What a way to run a football club.So we let Cesc and RVP truly great players go and keep Theo.Welcome to Arsenal 2012

32. jjetplane

    Aug 30, 2012, 10:20 #25941

    I have gone from season ticket to pubwatch to radio and now that is even difficult as a possible win just makes the real muppets think everything is rosy. After 8 years of evaporating identity even a half decent season will not make things any better. Ha ha - even the spudz are selling off - must be a north london thang!

33. SilverGooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 10:15 #25940

    Apart from the comments on the 3 new players, I have to agree with The Spy on the general state of affairs. The collapse of the Sahin deal sums it all up. He ends up at Liverpool because we are too tight to pay the going rate for a class player. Shame on us! And to make matters worse, we are still having trouble shifting the overpaid dross - another problem of our own making. And to top it all, it now seems as if Walcott is going to stay without signing a new deal! How come we didn't force this issue a month ago? Sign or be sold. Simple as that. And I doubt many Gooners would be sorry to see him go either. All in all, rank bad management by those running the club. Sadly, nothing will change until Kronke sells up.

34. RJI

    Aug 30, 2012, 9:53 #25939

    Reactionary much?? I'm just as p*ssed off at yet another miserable transfer window (especially after losing RVP and Song - and walcott??) but no need write-off the 3 great signings we have actually made after just 2 matches!!

35. Lord Froth

    Aug 30, 2012, 9:29 #25938

    I agree with the first two paragraphs of your article and the part about needing four strikers but then you say that you're not going to go to the games but you'll still have paid for your ticket and added some further expensive lining to Kroenke's pockets. Way to fight the power, man. (Rolls eyes)

36. Grown Up

    Aug 30, 2012, 8:51 #25937

    maguiresbridge gooner - presumably you weren't around in the 60's, 70's or 80's when Arsenal experienced similar barren times? Football wasn't invented in 1998 like most tw*ts on here think. Support is a lifelong thing, success comes and goes, Arsenal have had good times and shocking times. The true fans are the ones that stick with it through everything and show that the supporters are those that will always survive whoever owns/runs/manages the club. It's hardly a surprise that true Gooners get the p!ss ripped out of them wherever they go, they're always surrounded by fickle fairweather numpties looking to jump off a bridge as soon as things get a bit tough. If you think Arsenal really have it tough, try looking at the likes of Liverpool, Villa, Everton and even the Scum up the road - historic English clubs which can't get a look in - no Arsenal aren't winning the bloody Carling Cup, for all that that's worth, but they are competing at the top of the game surrounded by petro-dollar clubs who can do as they please. I for one am proud of my club, what they stand for and will forever be a Gooner. Happy for the glory hunters we picked up in the 90's to go back under their stones.

37. Cesi and Nasri will not leave

    Aug 30, 2012, 7:32 #25936

    @mr_rossi_gooner At least in the championship we wouldnt have to watch prima donna's like Walcott Diaby Rosicky and Gervinho pick up £60k a week.We wouldnt be paying the highest ticket prices in the world.And we would end up winning the same as our club under the management of Wenger and Kroenke

38. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    Aug 30, 2012, 2:27 #25935

    Apparently, the main problem with the team is that "we lack a little bit the oil in the engine", whatever that means.

39. Van de Ed

    Aug 30, 2012, 1:04 #25934

    I think we all saw how stressed and anxious Wenger was on the bench during our final game last season as we nicked a champs league spot off of the spuddies by the skin of our teeth. This summer clearly shows the arrogant french man hasn't learnt a thing and is willing to needlessly put our emotions through the wringer once more this season.

40. Joe S.

    Aug 30, 2012, 1:03 #25933

    Jon, having confessed to reading all those books you mentioned puts you in the realm of pretty shady characters. As an aside I watched a Cameroonian named Song play a decent 20 minutes for Barcelona against Real madrid this morning, he looked calm and in control in what was a pressure cooker of a game. He is definitly one for Arsene Wegner to keep an eye out for. Provided with skilled coaching and surrounded by quality players he may have a future at the Emirates.

41. Highbury Boy

    Aug 30, 2012, 1:00 #25932

    Although it was devastating to see RVP follow the path of previous captains/best players in truth it doesn't much bother me to see Song go and perhaps Theo. I have never been big fans of those 2 but what do I know I haven't spent even an afternoon in pro football. However last season the outfield players whose names he put on the team sheet first were those 3. He must have rated them yet didn't put up much of a fight over the past 2 years to extend their contracts or keep them. He seems to have bowed to Stan's philosophy of the P&L Account comes first or at least second after Wenger's £8m pa. Btw last season after failing to score in the first 2 PL games we got hammered at Utd. This week-end could see a defeat at Liverpool but the difference is that by then the transfer window will be shut.

42. Stroud Green Road Boy

    Aug 30, 2012, 0:25 #25931

    A proper fan who sees Kroenke for what he is. Those attacking this article do not suppport the history of AFC but the current incarnation of AFC, which I would like to think will soon pass into history but sadly am afraid is indicative of how things will be from now on. Purple jockey shirts for the away shirt indeed... and that's barely to start. Supporting a profit making model is NOT supporting your club.

43. RVP

    Aug 30, 2012, 0:17 #25930

    Ambition for Arsenal now is Money!!!!

44. maguiresbridge gooner

    Aug 30, 2012, 0:07 #25929

    Grown up one bad spell ? obviously you haven't been an arsenal supporter for very long so let me fill you in this bad spell you talk about has lasted for eight years i'd hate to hear what you think would be a really bad spell another eight years ?

45. Adrian

    Aug 29, 2012, 23:21 #25927

    Victor Moses, Adam Johnson or Scott Sinclair? The last thing we need is more English non-technical, thick trash!!!! Did you not watch the Euros??? Or any other major competition???

46. Gooner89

    Aug 29, 2012, 23:13 #25926

    Well done spy. The comments against you on here are best summed up by "Wenger is the best thing we have at this club and if you don't realise that then stay indoors and keep your couch fan opinions to yourselves". This would be the same manager paid more than SAF, who hasn't won a trophy for SEVEN years, kept Almunia for 8, still keeps Fumblefingers, kept playing Denilson, gave a new contract to Djorou, said he wouldn't sell our best players then did just that, thought Squillaci was a good player, got rid of Lansbury without giving him a chance and presided over a team who lost a cup final to a team that got relegated. I could go on. None of the above is the fault of Chelsea or the two Manchester clubs and all their money. They are all down to AW. I will never give up my ST but I understand those that do. I make my point by not buyin any merchandise or food etc. If you are ok with just scraping in the top 4 every year good for you. We do not have the right to expect to win trophies. WE DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT TO CHALLENGE FOR THEM. That will not happen all the time OGL is in charge. And that is my opinion and I am entitled to it. That is what the Gooner is all about. Opinions. If you just want the club line go and read Pravda (The Official Arsenal website)

47. GoonerGoal!

    Aug 29, 2012, 22:40 #25925

    "The sin of silence when they should protest makes cowards of men..." (Abraham Lincoln)

48. Clocked Tony

    Aug 29, 2012, 22:31 #25924

    What a pile of absolute sh**. Half the people on this site think they can run a club better than Arsene because they've had a few successful seasons playing Football Manager on their computer. RVP = greedy w****r, same with Song, disloyal ungrateful low life's, Theo too if he goes. Why should we pay £70k a week more to someone who has already been offered £130k?? How is their absolute greed Arsenes fault? The players are so detracted from the real world it is untrue. You are my age so we have seen it all, the 80's was for the most part was not much fun on the pitch but you know what? We enjoyed it, we stuck together and we got behind the team. Anfield was our reward. I can forgive the new fans for coming on here and talking total b*******s because they don't know any better but for an old campaigner like you to come on and cry and throw his toys out of the pram and do the equivalent of taking his ball home, well you are just a disgrace. P**s off to City or Utd or Spurs or anyone stupid enough to accept you but do us all a favour and give your season ticket to someone who deserves it.

49. mr_rossi_gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 20:04 #25921

    I think you should just give up your season ticket NOW! We don't need people like you attending games moaning an whining through 90 minutes of every match like alot of people do at the emirates instead of getting behind the team, I support arsenal, not the players and not the trophies and I'll still go if we were in the championship or lower, you seem to want to only sing when we are winning and that's not a true fan

50. Harold

    Aug 29, 2012, 19:38 #25920

    Do you really think Wenger was FORCED to make a £50m profit in last summers transfer window? Or forced to break even this summer despite our riches, including as you mentioned the huge Queensland Road windfall? No-one forces Mr Principle to do anything, if they did he'd be off before you could say fourth place trophy. Kroenke is the owner but Wenger runs the show from top to bottom, and he will never stop playing the underdog, never stop trying to prove that you can win the major trophies despite spending much, much less than the other contenders. Fine when we were building the stadium and skint, but our finances have changed and Wenger hasn't, resulting in our club drifting needlessly towards mediocrity. I'd love to blame the big, bad foreign owner for our problems but he won't put pressure on Wenger while so many of our stupid terrified fans lap up the manager telling them we're 'a little bit short' here, and 'a little bit short' there year after year, or that Denilson and Diaby are going to be world class one day, and nothing will change. You get the club you deserve, and that's just what Arsenal fans are getting right now.

51. Stoph

    Aug 29, 2012, 19:35 #25919

    God you are all such ****s! "Wenger is to blame for the downfall blah blah blah"... for **** sake none of you know what is going on behind the scenes. Wenger is the best thing we have at this club and if you don't realise that then stay indoors and keep your couch fan opinions to yourselves.

52. Neil

    Aug 29, 2012, 18:41 #25918

    Spot on mate. It's about time someone told it like it is. Can't understand why some fans are still so blinkered to what is going on. Supported Arsenal for over 40 years and now it just seems it's all about the money.

53. Peter Wain

    Aug 29, 2012, 18:37 #25917

    Could not agree more . The rank bad management of the club is a scandal. Looks as if we will be with the also rans this season.

54. BringBackDene

    Aug 29, 2012, 18:15 #25916

    Sadly I quite agree with your article Steve. I have thought for a year now that Wenger should have stepped down but he is still here and we can only hope the new buys come good. This time next year will we be talking about the exit of Wilshire and anyone else who comes good during the year? perhaps 'ARRY might be the answer...!!!

55. David

    Aug 29, 2012, 17:52 #25915

    Jon 11:43am 29th Aug 2012 - that's the best critique I've read. This article is fifty shades of s***e.

56. DW Thomas

    Aug 29, 2012, 17:29 #25914

    Good article, can't see one thing wrong. This once great club is a farce. We only make players to sell them. Profit before all else. No more excuses can be tolerated from Wenger. He has had 8 years to get it right, but no trophies. If two or three more are not brought in before the deadline, it is complete mismanagement. Been happening for years now.

57. Stevesam

    Aug 29, 2012, 17:28 #25913

    Silent Stan and AW could send out a statement to our competitors, if it is not all about the money and making a profit on assets, then how about taking a player in exchange or part exchange. DeJong from Citeh or Mascherano from Barca, Enrique from Liverpool ? It is clear to me, top players either no longer want to come to The Arsenal or we cannot meet their wage demands. Let's see what happens when Wally gets sold. We are no longer a big club !( maybe Silent Stan and AW shall surprise us all)

58. maguiresbridge gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 17:11 #25912

    Wonder what the RVP haters think of darling little theo holding the club to ransom and will he be getting the same treatment if he jumps ship to win silverware and for more dough ?

59. JOHN SMITH

    Aug 29, 2012, 17:05 #25911

    You are spot on, 100% agree with everything you said and it is not negative moaning you are clearly a lifelong arsenal fan like me and your expressing your honest view. I have been calling for wengers sacking for 4 years now, people said i was wrong it was not his fault it's the boards fault, so i did some research and found out that wenger has clearly been given a target of only top 4 as being arsenal main goal every season by the one and only Koronke and the board so i felt like maybe i was being to harsh on him but than i said wait a minute he is consenting to this manic concept so he still has to go same with the board. we have become a selling club no way you can dispute that with a straight face look at the last 2 seasons as prove of my point. Cazorla will leave soon as he will be looking around saying to himself why im i playing with mediocre players i.e diaby etc when i can be playing with world class players week in week out. its all about profit as this club it is so evident no ambition to win stuff really it its disgusting we buy 3 new players than guess what we sell two off are best players of last season looool now Theo walcott who in all honesty is not worth 100k a week he is clearly delusional loool makes me laugh thats all i can do as a arsenal supporter now is LAUGH LOOL WE HAVE BECOME A SELLING CLUB I.E PORTO, BENEFICA

60. The Fonz

    Aug 29, 2012, 16:35 #25910

    The muppets on here citing this as a "great article" and claiming they will be giving up their season tickets, my response to them is GO, GO AWAY! If (like you claim) there are sooo many of you then giving up your season ticket will send a strong message! Sick of all the talk on here, so many of you give it the verbal but dont back it up, or we would have an empty stadium! The last paragraph is disgusting and Im surprised it was printed, but negativity is the daily diet on here!

61. jjetplane

    Aug 29, 2012, 16:27 #25909

    Nice one Spy! and saying it like it is. Arsenal are an ordinary team fighting to stay in CL til it means winning a one off game. Sahin has been telling the scousers that Scholes is a god! so does it matter anymore who signs with who. The mercenary culture is all over the PL and sad to say I look forward to Arsenal unravelling and not singing the prof praises should he win a lesser cup - which he wont. Walnut will hopefully go to Liverpool but just a big boy lining up a fat fee for messrs Jack and the Ox - next summer

62. Red Rag

    Aug 29, 2012, 16:20 #25908

    Finally, Someone gets it............I was banging on about this last season. If RVP had not produced his best performance ever we'd of finished mid table. The fact of the matter is that silent Stan, is ripping our club apart, and will almost completely exhaust it before finally handing it over to Usmanov. The only way to get the message across is by peaceful protest. It's time to not attend games and leave your seat empty. Selling your ticket on is not going to help matters. It needs to be brought to the attention of everybody at AFC we will bend over and take it up the ARSE. One thing is certain, no champions league next season.

63. Georgaki-Pyrovolitis

    Aug 29, 2012, 16:17 #25907

    Well there is no shortage of dipsticks commenting on here. I hope you have enough intelligence to understand, that if Arsenal the business fails, then Arsenal the football club disappears....what a bunch of morons...

64. One day hamos

    Aug 29, 2012, 15:58 #25906

    @Grown Up One bad spell unfortunately it has lasted 8 years!!!.And it will continue that way.We cannot afford to sell the likes of Cesc and RVP and hope to compete.That will continue as long as Diaby and Gervinho are starters.

65. CT Gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 15:51 #25905

    I agree with Bard, let's wait til next week. I like our 3 new signings, but want more. I don't believe enough dead weight has been shifted either. As for Walcott refusing 75K a week for 5 years, screw him! Finally it appears the team are being trained to defend, so let's hope Wenger can improve the quality of his squad in the last few days. And please, play the ox and stop replacing Carzola with Ramsey (who I think we should loan out this season).

66. Martyn

    Aug 29, 2012, 15:50 #25904

    The thing that depresses me most at the moment is the thought that whoever performs to their maximum this season will be a transfer target at the end of it regardless of the contract they are on. The premiership is, and will continue to be, dominated by those with the bottomless pit of money to sustain them, however short-term that will be. I cannot see how we can be successful on the pitch when faced with such a situation. I will always support Arsenal but my excitement at the start of each season has eroded over the years in the knowledge that nothing will change in the light of such predictability.

67. John Abrehart

    Aug 29, 2012, 15:30 #25903

    Spy, I wondered where you have been! There is a lot in what you say but I cannot agree with all of it. It seems to me that we have a very arrogant approach to this cut and thrust transfer and loan business. It is the Arsenal way to try and keep our transfer dealings as secretive as possible. Nothing wrong in that but when it appears that another club becomes interested in one of our targets, we loose interest and withdraw. I refer to Cahill, Mata, Hazard, Sahin and now M'villa among others. Le Prof said only last week that we can't compete with the likes of Chelsea and Man City. OK, I generally agree with our aim of being self-sustainable but we have to bite the bullet sometime. We should be able to compete with the likes of Spurz and Liverpool; if not, why the new stadium? I believe whoever is doing the face to face negotiations for Arsenal likes to think that they are in the driving seat and want to dictate terms. In reality, things are not like that. This perceived arrogance may have cost us the services of Cahill(a fourth centre back of the required class that we needed, especially as the back up of Song is not now available). If at 31st August, the club break even or make a profit from the latest transfer dealings, either we are being led up the garden path or there is gross incompetence at top management level. If we have a successful season in spite of all this I will eat my words.

68. Fishpie

    Aug 29, 2012, 14:54 #25902

    Spy, I have a lot of sympathy with your position and I don't think for a second that your decision to boycott something you love so much is anything other than a painful one. I've come close to withdrawing my financial support too in the last two years. But I haven't had the courage. I say courage because I think to take action, to demonstrate, go against the accepted norm (i.e. to support your team through think and thin regardless) is a brave act. You get abused and you get stick from others. And inside, a big part of you will feel you are indeed letting the players who play each week down. And yet if the club isn't made to understand the depth of dissatisfaction many fans feel about the direction the club is going, it will think it can carry on settling for second best. If there is no pressure from inside the club to acheive trophy success, it has to come from outside. And that's where the individual personal sacrifices and the accumulative impact of people like you Spy comes in. In my mind there is a match going on at the Emirates and all the Arsenal fans are standing outside the stadium, emotionally supporting the team, chanting their encouragement but not one of them has paid for a ticket to go in the stadium. Essentially that is what Spy is doing. I think his action is the act of a deeper love and even if you disagree with him, he doesn't deserve the unthinking abuse he's receiving. He's not abandoning the club, he's seeking to do his bit to make it great again. In the past you could count on the club to realise when things weren't going well and they'd change the Manager. And by and large this has worked for Arsenal down the years. Billy Wright after 4 years was replaced by Mee. When his initial success wasn't sustained , he was replaced by Neil. When Neil's/Howe's success in the Cups wasn't sustained, they were replaced by Graham. When Graham put his hand in the till, he was replaced by Rioch. And Rioch was immediately replaced by Wenger. But when Wenger's success dried up, nothing was changed. The owner, unlike those of City and Chelsea, doesn't care enough about Arsenal to be bothered to change things. And it's the lack of hope that change will ever come that drives Spy and others like him to try and stimulate change themselves. If things do change down the line, I for one will be thanking Spy for doing his bit. Don't abuse him, respect his decision to fight for his club. While the rest of us support the players in their battles against the external enemy: other teams, he and others need our support in fighting the internal enemy inside the club itself: complacency, lack of ambition and taking fans for granted. We are all supporting our club and it's future. Buy each other a drink.

69. maguiresbridge gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 14:44 #25901

    Purse strings loosened ? don't forget we have the best spin doctor in europe.I agree the Sahin deal falling through was all about money but we have no problen paying dross like bendtner chamakh etc, inflated wages not to mention what walcott will be on if he signs a new contract.For a player like sahin to choose a club that will be playing in the EL over arsenal thats playing CL football sums us up perfectly.The purse strings have yet to be loosened on the keeper situation like i've said in an earlier reply the back ups we have are accidents waiting to happen.

70. pat rices nan

    Aug 29, 2012, 14:26 #25900

    'Giroud looks like he couldn't hit a barn door from three yards out' I guess you didn't like Bergkamp when he signed then? or Henry? Those legends didn't hit the ground running either. You wont be missed at The Emirates. You dick.

71. AFCasap

    Aug 29, 2012, 14:21 #25899

    aws...spot on(the money)mate....we all know stan could'nt give a monkey's about soccerrr...so its a coup for him that he has wenger, a wheeler dealer acountant first, a football manager last...that why stan okayed wengers massive 7.5 mil salary, so wenger carries on running the club as pure business for kronky corp...stan/wenger they "get" each other

72. Bard

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:58 #25898

    After reading that I feel like topping myself. We haven't even got to the end of the transfer window yet and we're already dead and buried. I don't disagree with the arguments about the board but its a bit too gloomy for me. Yes we lost RVP but Song wasn't that good and if we lose Wally its no great shakes because he flatters to deceive. All the players you mention buying are journeymen; they are not going to take us anywhere. Let's wait and see where we are this time next week before slitting our wrists.

73. Grown up

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:40 #25897

    Clearly not a true supporter who gets behind his club through thick and thin, one bad spell and throw the toys out of the pram. The club doesn't need you, nor do genuine fans want you and we won't want you back when we finally start winning things again (whenever that may be) - no genuine supporter likes a glory-hunter. I'd hope that The Gooner (if it's genuinely the voice of supporters) will now stop publishing your clearly ill-educated rants.

74. roy jewell

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:17 #25895

    U r getting bad review on twitter, so I read it and I actually agree fully (1 or 2 exceptions), I'm so sad, really, worse is having to explain to an eight y/o, who lives for her beloved Gunners. I'm a loyal supp'for 42 yrs and I share your despondency, doesn't seem the decision makers want to restore pride, it's simply business (which I DO understand), there's no heart left in it, I'm so heavily invested in this team,in my blood, heart and soul. The "Powers that be" need reminding, a rude awakening, WE need to find a way to show our discontent, PUBLICALLY, to hit them where it will hurt them, on a par with what we've been put thru, in the pocket. I've had enough, I'm so angry, but also so sad, there's NO such thing as loyalty anymore, ours, has been trampled on.

75. Angry Dave

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:16 #25894

    Good article. You say 'Don't know about you but I've never felt so disillusioned about Arsenal as I do today' well for me that day was this time last year and now I just go through the motions watching this rubbish in front of me. Arsenal died in August 2011 the moment Nasri left.

76. John Gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:14 #25893

    I reluctantly agree with a lot of your points. Our reticent and pusillanimous approach to transfers is worthy of ridicule. But your claim that you will loan out your season ticket doesn't really do justice to the passion with which you have written this article. I appreciate that money is tight at the moment, but you cannot claim to be boycotting the club, you are abandoning it.

77. Jackson

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:08 #25892

    @Big Lebowski how come we won 13 trophies under Dein?Who brought George and Wenger to the club?.No Arsenal FC has been ruined by Fisman first and now Kroenke.Who would not allow a richer man than Abramovich on the board.

78. Arsene is a Fraudster

    Aug 29, 2012, 13:01 #25891

    I personally can't disagree with any of that but i'm sure there will be plenty of acolytes to the church of Arsene who will. Sahin is such a monumental cock up it's untrue (and as someone who worked in Germany for 2 years and seen what I have of him, I can vouch that Liverpool have got themselves an utter gem). Yet again, we have found ourselves in a position where we are weak and there is nothing that the club nor Arsene "we only want special special players" Wenger will do about it. Hopefully we can finally not win the coveted Champions league place trophy and maybe just maybe the board will do something about this pathetic situation we have got ourselves in.

79. ddd

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:57 #25890

    wtf just read halfway but since when did ambition and money be the same thing

80. Gee

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:54 #25889

    Just wonder how an earth the Club can explain this one away. They tell us every single year that all revenue is available for investment in the squad. so why don't we do it? And I before anyone says it I agree with AW saying we shouldn't spend money for the sake of it. But what club does that anyway?? Unfortunately we have absolutely lost all ambition to win the League or European Cup. We are now happy to "look" like we are competing whilst ensuring the business runs smoothly. How can we have a rainy day fund in case we fall out of the European Cup for 2013-14? What the hell is that about? We have set aside money in case we fail to reach the top 4. If you think in this way eventually you reap what you sow. If Theo goes we need 3 quality players by Friday 11pm. At present if we were to get a solid Central midfielder (M'Vila) and a solid Striker then the squad looks good. However it looks all the more likely we will flog theo and not replace him and likely bring in 2 players we've not heard of. I repeat the club continues to tell us all revenue is available for reinvestment in the squad. From that I deduce Wenger does not wish to spend it on improving the squad or that he thinks he doesn't need too. Yet year after year no investment is made and we are out of the title race by September. Every man and his dog can see we need improving. Just like every man and his dog knew Denilson was not good enough yet some how racked up 150+ games for us. And I really haven't worked half a day in football...

81. Gooner_lad

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:52 #25888

    Quite a disappointing read. My take on it is anyone who is struggling to support AFC during the hard times are not true fans. I also think the so called AST chief, Tim Payton is sending out the wrong signals, too negative person to be in that position

82. Dan h

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:37 #25887

    Groundhog day again at Arsenal can't disagree with any of that Spy as it's what most of us have been saying for a long time.I don't expect any major spend between now & friday night but come sept 1st you may well see frustrations really start to boil over with club policy,ambition etc.I can't prove anything but who disagrees that the PTA money is being held back as a buffer for when we do eventually fail in CL qualification it is more & more obvious at every passing transfer window.Good to see you back online Spy pretty sure i saw you in the Highbury Barn before the Wigan game in April.I was going to say hello but had to rush off to meet someone shame as i have enjoyed your articles over the years.People can hide their heads in the sand as much as they want still back the management AW etc.I will tell you this club is reaching a real defining time in it's history which way do we want to go?

83. Tony T

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:34 #25886

    Welcome Steve.I have boycotted home games since 2009.The club will not get any of my money until Kroenke and Wenger go.We hae ceased to be a football club we are no different from Tesco's.Its unbeliveable what has happened to our club since 2004.To go from the Invincibles to a club that is only interested in finishing 4th and making profits.Selling our best players every summer.And we moved from Highbury to the Soul-less bowl to compete with Liverpool Newcastle and Spurs.But as long as 60,000 turn up every other week Kroenke and Wenger are laughing.Dont forget Wenger is on £7m a year to produce hese results.We need Usmanov to take over We want our Arsenal back

84. b0sH

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:27 #25885

    We didnt lose out on Sahin for money. We insisted on an option to buy as part of the deal. Liverpool offered them a deal with no option to buy. They prefered that deal in case he comes good this year. Big Surprise..... dont blame Arsenal for not going for a deal worth £12m for potentially one season of playing.

85. pwaypete

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:27 #25884

    after reading this....what more can you say. nothing will change untill we finish outside the top 4 or all the directors are picked off 1 by 1.

86. Tony Evans

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:24 #25883

    Don't blame you one bit for not wanting to go to The Emirates and thereby supporting Kronke, Gazedis and Wenger. I feel as disillusioned as you are and the gaping holes in our squad do nothing to inspire me. Another season of trying to scrape home fourth on the cheap beckons and I have had enough of it. Totally agree that Walcott out (good riddance) and a cheaper replacement is the only likely further transfer dealings we will see before the transfer window shuts and that will be that. Happy Days!

87. Jayelljay

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:22 #25882

    I could not agree more with you Steve. Absolutely correct. I have done the same with my ticket and unless things DO change will not be renewing any more. Never felt so frustrated and this is my 49th season.

88. ric

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:14 #25881

    Awesome post Steve I agree fullheartedly. Keep up the struggle!

89. Bill

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:12 #25880

    I don't know what you are, but I can tell you what you aren't; an Arsenal supporter.

90. Gooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 12:05 #25879

    Good for you! Now why don't you go **** off and go support a club like Man City instead? They're doing everything you'd like your club to do. Have some integrity for goodness sake.

91. aws

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:48 #25878

    Stop blaming Kroenke.The club was going downhill long before he took over. Have the courage to put the blame where it belongs- with Wenger. He lost his way when George Graham's defence went and wasn't replaced. Very lucky with the squad he took over, and at a time when very few British managers knew much about foreign players so he could get Viera etc, in the last six years he has just proven what a second rate manager he really is.

92. Jon

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:43 #25877

    I've read some pretty bad things in my time, all the twilight books, 50 shades of grey, hell even harry potter. But these few paragraphs from the "highbury cry" *spy could well be some of the most stupid and inane things ever produced. I don't even know where to begin in discrediting the whole article, i'm really spoilt for choice. Instead though, I think i'll just speak for quite a few people when I say cheerio highbury spy, someone else is better off taking your seat, you don't deserve it. Supporting a football club isn't conditional, unless of course your a plastic fan, sadly this article confirms you are. Perhaps you didn't use to be, but you are now. You should be embarrassed.

93. Ron

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:36 #25876

    Can see your point but if you reckon those players in your 9th para are Title winning types, youre well off beam i'd say. Agree on Walcott. Agree with most of your sentiments, but Arsenal need a few top performers, not more 2nd rate journeymen. Wengers done 'journeymen' to death surely hasnt he? Thats what everybody is griping about. His record in the transfer market for some years has been poor, hence the sheer amount of non producers the Club needs to ship out exists to the extent that it does. Signing such players wouldnt have persuaded Van Persie that the Club was reaching for the stars, he d still have gone!

94. MysticGooner

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:28 #25875

    I'll keep this very simple! American investors are only interested in making money and not winning trophies! This how their national games operate! The irony is.If the club were to allow Usmanov on the board he could unlock the untapped wealth of Eastern Europe! Talk about biting off your nose to spite your face and in the process hurt Arsenal.

95. Arsene Apologist

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:27 #25874

    Superb article, agreed with every word. Club is not getting a penny of my dosh until both Wenger and Kroenke are gone and history. If that takes 20 years, so be it. Shocking management by Wenger, appalling lack of ambition, rubbish tactics, disgusting planning, scamming te fans by charging top dollar for a garbage product. No longer. Ooooh the AKBs will be seething ha ha ha... 7-8 years no trophies. Arsene Knows.

96. Kartik Shekar

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:27 #25873

    This is an utter load of ****. What makes you think Usmanov wants those shares so he can eat into these player profits as well? Just because of one propaganda leaked letter to the board? And sell Walcott for 15m and buy a player worth 12m is not improving the squad? I fail to see your logic all through this, how much did Santi cost again? you obviously don't know bollocks if you don't think Santi is our best Midfielder since Fabregas. LOL unknown African from Montpellier?? That has to be the last straw. Thank god you decided to avoid Arsenal games, AFC could use less of fans like you constantly whining

97. nobby

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:27 #25872

    The Emirates will be a better place without you.

98. Terryja210

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:25 #25871

    Couldn't agree more. But i am just waiting for you to be abused and told your spouting rubbish. It's time for the fans to wake up!!

99. Bum

    Aug 29, 2012, 11:24 #25870

    Stopped reading after 3 paragraphs. Giroud, Cazorla, Sahin - whatever you said about them couldn't be farther from the truth.

100. Ben

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:21 #25869

     Ill have your ticket then. Getting fed up with reading articles like this. More "fans" need to get behind the players on the pitch rather than thinking they can run the club better

101. Joe Fitzpatrick

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:21 #25868

     Great to see you writing online and telling it like it is. People may not want to hear it but I think a lot of people are on the brink of loaning out their tickets because of the lack of transfer spending.

102. GoonerGoal!

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:21 #25867

     I absolutely understand where you are coming from, because at the end of last season I too decided that enough was enough. I am no longer prepared for my money to be used by an extremely rich man simply to maintain the value of his shares, and so I refused to renew this summer. That means for the first time in over 90 years, no member of my family will be in attendance at any of Arsenal’s home matches. In addition, I will not purchase a single item of Arsenal merchandise. I have simply decided to economically boycott Arsenal as long as a single member of the Kroenke/Gazidis/Wenger mafia remains connected with the club. Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind; and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key to that era. … VIVE LA REVOLUTION!

103. Fatos Berisha

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:16 #25866

     "If we couldn't afford Sahin (though God knows why, we have more money than Liverpool, but not the same ambition it seems)..." Maybe we didn't get him because of this: "The BBC reported that Sahin earns a staggering £115,000 a week at Real Madrid, the majority of which Liverpool have agreed to take on. That would immediately place him as one of the Reds’ highest earners. Additionally, Liverpool paid a loan fee of close to £5 million, a staggering amount considering that Sahin cost Real Madrid only £3.7 million more for a permanent transfer last summer."

104. cannonfodder

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:13 #25865

     a touch reactionary!

105. Angry & Frustrated

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:05 #25864

     Your article echoes my sentiments 100%, and the only crumb of comfort I have these days when i think about Arsenal is knowing many other fans are as disillusioned with things as they stand as you clearly are. Until Kroenke, Gazidis and Wenger have gone we are just in limbo and it's pure torture what's happening at our once great club right now. It's now profits first, second and even third in the clubs priority stakes, with actual football ambition itself a mere afterthought!

106. Graham

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:03 #25863

     The lack of ambition at the club is heart breaking to see, so near but so far every season it seems. This year 3 excellent players signed and if they'd been added to a squad that included RVP and one more top class midfielder, would have seen us challenge on all fronts no question .... BUT NO, lets take take 3 steps forward and then when the season tickets have been sold, sell players to balance the books, it's disgraceful ...... for gods sake, sell the dross for whatever you can get, give them away if you have to and at least the weekly wage bill is saved ..... and can anyone tell me why Lansbury wasn't given a chance and why is Afobe at Bolton ? .... the club needs to stop ripping off the fans and deliver on the promises made when we left our Highbury home. Mr Kroenke - it is time for you to address the fans and explain the clubs strategy, because we will not win anything again and 4th spot is getting harder every year ..... and I'm fed up with my Chelsea mates laughing at our decline !!!

107. Ramgun

     Aug 29, 2012, 11:00 #25862

     After the compliant AKB stuff you were trotting out in The Gooner last season it is good to see that reality has bitten The Spy. With so many still blindly supporting Wenger and co I fear that you (and me) are in for a long wait. If our nation had been as servile as some Arsenal supporters in 1939 we would all be goose-stepping and speaking german now!

108. Graham Simons

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:56 #25861

     Why don't you go and support Spurs then? Seriously mate - I feel your pain. My relationship with the club feels like that of an ex-girlfriend where you still love them but unless they change you're just doomed to the same cycle of hope and then disappointment. I wish I coulod turn my feelings off but I can't so I've just taken to ignoring them as much as I can and pretending I don't care and they go and offer you hope by signing up Bouldy who reminds me of why I fell in love with Arsenal in the first place. It wasn't because they were my dad's club, not because my best mate supported them, not because they were my local club but because I actually like the fact that we were universally loathed. These days we're an also-ran who even Man Utd fans don't mind anymore. If we can get mean and keep tight at the back while recruiting players that want to play for us and despatch those that don't then there is hope. But I'm with you - you manage a football club by spending more than you bring in with transfers and let the gate reciepts take care of the rest - making a profit on transfers season after season is asset stripping and takes the michael out of loyal fans such as yourself - until that stops - the pub is the best place to watch Arsenal.

109. Big Lebowski

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:55 #25860

     It isn't Kronke thats the problem it's David Dein & that son of his Darren that is undermining the club. At least now that Song has gone that is the last of the Arsenal players represented by Dein.

110. Inconsistent

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:51 #25859

     If you loan you pass out, its not the same thing as a boycott. But there's plenty of us in the queue if you decide not to renew.

111. Peter

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:51 #25858

     You're disappointed we're not signing Junior Hoillet?

112. Gods name is Bergkamp

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:49 #25857

     Snap, same for ALL my gooner mates too. pubs/ streams from now on (plus in my own house I can sing songs and swear without getting dirty looks or told off by plastics So sad

113. Dicky

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:38 #25855

     Steve - I have always liked your articluate articles. This sums it up perfectly. I will not be renwewing my season ticket next seaons and currently share it with another long suffering fan. We now are a business pure and simple and no longer a football club

114. NileshBhagat

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:36 #25854

     What a load of self important claptrap. Moaning old gits pumping out negative energy like yourself will not be missed from the stadium. Ending on the old Keith Burkinshaw quote impresses nobody and it would be better to paraphrase it so it applies to you. There used to be an Arsenal fan over there ...

115. MRMROD

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:29 #25853

     Well written heart felt article Steve, although slow down on berating Giroud and particularly Cazorla, who looks immense! The point's were made about the time it took Bergkamp and Henry to score their first goals. Yes, its obvious, overall the club have been economical with the truth. We knew when we moved to the Emirates that we would need to qualify for the Champions League for the 15 years that followed; and we've done that. I also agree that we've missed out on Dembele, who is blinding, and Adam Johnson, who I think is great but Sahin...seven mill for a player to sod of back to Madrid doesnt make great business sense at all (whoops im sounding like AW and IG!). I also agree that all of the players you highlighted, including Walcott are nowhere near good enough and there is also the glaring risk/ problem of having an injured Szczney; Lloris, Stekelburg and Cesar are all up for grabs but we're not buying...why?! Moreover I concur again that SK, IG, AW and the Board are happy to sacrifice trophies for a positive balance sheet...its just not on. I take your point(s) entirely Steve but I for one will be there on Sunday to cheer on the Arsenal but also the new boys because I am still confident of picking up 'some' silverware this season...lets just see where we stand at midnight on Friday when the window closes.

116. Rob

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:25 #25852

     I have much time for the Spy as we are of a similar vintage. And he's not afraid to say it like it is. And I certainly agree with him on Kronke. Who can really trust the bloke or believe he gives two cents for Arsenal ? How many games has he watched ? Five or is it six ? And as was said in an Editorial on here, who believes he watches anything in Denver even on the record button ? But having said that - and admitted that I stopped going in 2010 for the same reasons the Spy has outlined - I think we could do well this season. Let Walcott go, along with four or five others and bring in at least two quality signings - Yes I know ! But I'm trying to be optimistic - and I think we'll be far better than last year when we were overly reliant on one player. I honestly think this will be a good year, if we can get these last two signings and perhaps a backup keeper as well. If not, then Steve's probably right. We'll know come Friday.

117. Red Member

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:24 #25851

     best article I have seen written on here. the last paragraph is spot on and I am reluctantly coming round to the fact that Wenger is also to blame in the decline of this once great club

118. Herbert

     Aug 29, 2012, 10:16 #25850

     Ranting, moaning, pintless tat. If you want to launch a bradside at the club, I have no issue with that, the sentiment is understandable but like so many writers on here you talk out of your a**. Your words about Giroud and Cazorla make you sound like a DM journo.......please dont go to the Grove, we could do without your negativity!!