Moments That Make You Smile

This is the first in a series of regular articles by Paul McArthur from the Wellington branch of Arsenal Supporters Club New Zealand.

January 21, 2007

Arsenal                        2             Manchester United            1

Ahead of this match one would have been forgiven for having that same sinking feeling experienced for almost the entire season of 2005/06. The squad was not yet seemingly capable of taking the title and the rampant champions-elect came knocking on the door. The scene was set for a disappointing evening on the couch. Already well behind in the premiership and seemingly out of the race, the main focus of this match seemed to be far from the Emirates. It was more about whether or not United could continue on their merry way to the title. As it turned out they did continue on their merry way, but not for this week at least. Arsenal stepped up to a level that they hadn’t for a long time and secured a memorable victory in the dying moments - a nicely timed Henry header from a pinpoint corner. It was a good win in a season of disappointment.

When explained in this manner it all sounds a bit ho-hum. Apart from the brief couple of moments during the game, nothing was going right. It was a disappointing trophy-less season doubled by the pain of losing our talismanic Henry at the end of it to Barcelona. Already 2 years had passed since the last trophy and Arsenal have still to win one since. So this game was perhaps just the central point of a barren patch… a negative thought one might say? Is it possible that in 20 years time this victory would be glossed over and forgotten like a pre-season win over Burnley? 

For me at least, the short answer is no. Try this - think of your favourite Arsenal moments. What comes to mind first? No it isn’t big Tone celebrating the double on the open-topped bus in ‘98, it isn’t Arsene fronting a press conference after a second double in ‘02, it isn’t watching the trophy being lifted after an exceptional unbeaten season in ‘04. It is the moments that led to these events, not the events themselves - Adams thumper against Everton, Henry’s amazing back-to-goal volley against United, and then his amazing solo goal during his hat trick against the Scouse in ‘04. If it is to be believed that these small moments were more memorable than the events they led to, then theoretically any great moment you enjoyed during an Arsenal match is just as memorable, no matter the season, no matter the silverware.

When I tried to think of my favourite moments, three of them sprang to mind involuntarily. First one to pop in there was an Ashley Cole goal against Aston Villa, I remember it clearly. Henry beat a couple of defenders and passed cross-field to our dutch master.  With his first touch, in typical Bergkamp style, he flicked it beautifully into the path of Cole for him to volley first time past the advancing keeper from 20 yards. This was a typical Arsenal team goal with all three involved showing amazing touches of brilliance one after the other. The goose bumps appeared on my arms before the ball even crossed the line. This moment had come on the back of a scintillating half hour of football by the Gunners that had me humming. Not being able to recall when this match was played exactly, I was surprised to discover it was a premiership match in the 2004/05 season. Though Arsenal did claim the FA Cup in that season, they were a good 12 points off the pace in the premiership.

Much like the Cole goal against Villa, the second moment that crossed my mind occurred in a losing premiership campaign - an Henry goal to kill off a poor Leeds side at the beginning of the 2002/03 season. It was the third of four goals in the game after a spectacular opening half. Arsenal gained possession inside their own 18 yard box and the ball was pushed out to Vieira. He played a sumptuous through-ball to an on-rushing Henry who paced away from the defenders and slid it under the keeper to send me into a state of insanity. It was another excellent team goal that typified the extremely quick counter-attacking style of Arsenal’s play at the time. But a key thing about this moment was that again it was in vain - Arsenal’s premiership campaign dithered and they collapsed in the final months of the season, eventually losing the reverse tie to Leeds at home, in the process handing the old nemesis Manchester United another title.

The third of my three moments was the aforementioned Henry header to beat that nemesis in 2007 - again in a failed titled race. The similarities between these three moments struck a chord. It is not the outcome but the moment that we strive for. Yes we’d probably prefer to lose to Manchester United and win the title than the other way round, but look at what we’re missing. The moment when that header beat a flailing Van Der Sar can’t be topped. In the middle of the night, with your Manchester United ‘fan’ of a father obliviously asleep in the next room you’re jumping around the lounge screaming… your Arsenal supporting brother is doing the same… that stuff just can’t be bought. This was the moment I didn’t know I valued most. It was the moment I didn’t realise I would never forget. Why do these moments excite us more than everything else? Because they are the whole reason we watch football - that little piece of brilliance that draws you back to your team time and again.

Next time you’re watching an Arsenal match and a breathtaking goal makes you emit a noise you didn’t know was possible, take a moment of your own. Sit back, forget the situation of the game, forget the current state of the league ladder, forget everything else and just fuse that particular piece of play into your memory. Savour how you feel and savour watching your beloved team celebrate. Because one day when somebody mentions Arsenal and the team crosses your mind, this is the moment you will remember first. Not the trophies, not the unbeaten season, not the doubles, just that goal that made you smile for an entire day.

Memories from a Kiwi Gooner

Hi Bill.     

 

I was just doodling through the Arsenal website and I got on to “Fanzone” and then you.     I have been an Arsenal supporter since 1932 when my Dad took me to Highbury for my 5th birthday.   From then on there was only one team for me.   My regular spot was under the clock.         1964 was the year we decided to come to New Zealand and settled in Blenheim, had 5 kids and decided to stay.       

I really missed following the Gunners, but we have had Sky since it started up and have never missed a match if it was on the box.       

The game last night at Bolton was good, especially the first half.  I’ve seen a lot of Arsenal teams over the years, but since Arsene has been in charge, he has produced magic. The teams in recent years are head and shoulders better than the so called great teams of yesterday.

Its funny ,  I was watching the sports news the other night and the item was about Newcastle’s manager troubles and in the background was the ex Arsenal half back McDonald of 1960 s.    I got to know him pretty well, because when he retired he bought a little Cafe on the north side of Blackfriars Bridge.   I was working on the newspapers at the time so I spent plenty time ear bashing the guy.   So he must have moved back to the Toon , where Arsenal bought him from.

In 1932 we Lived at the Elephant & Castle so really and truly my team should have been Millwall.  GOD!.   I did go there once or twice to see the Gunners play in a cup match.    I don’t think there was a blade of grass on the pitch.

I remember when the turnstile prices at Highbury went up from 3 pence to 4 pence, was there a stink.  We stood outside the main entrance with billboards hoping this would make them change their minds.  Not a hope.   My son was in the UK for a good few years doing the European Golf Tour.  Of course I had brainwashed him over the years to follow THE TEAM.  When he told me that he paid 35 Quid to see one of the last games at Highbury, I nearly shot over there with a billboard again.  How can the ordinary supporter afford those prices?.  I would probably have ended up at the Den!!!!.

 

Well Bill I had better sign off,  good luck with membership up there.     All the very best.  Happy days!.   Bob Boult

 

 

Cesc: I’ll never quit Arsenal

Cesc: I’ll never quit Arsenal

By MARK GILBERT

Published: Today

CESC FABREGAS has vowed he will NEVER quit Arsenal as long as the team continues to keep play their scintillating style of football.

The midfield star was linked with a move to La Liga over the summer, with Real Madrid and Barcelona all interested in taking him back to Spain.

But Fabregas insists he has no intention of leaving the Gunners – even if their trophy drought continues.

He said: “It was not a hard thing for me to stay. I was really relaxed during the summer because I knew I was going to stay at Arsenal.

“I am so happy here that I will never think about moving as long as things keep going the way they are.

“For me it’s not a problem. My mentality is the same since the day I signed for the club.

“What’s the point in having millions and millions in the bank if you don’t enjoy playing and you are not happy?

“I am happy, I love the way we are playing and the fact I’m still here after three season’s without winning anything means something.

“It’s because I love the game, I love the club and I love the way we play football.

“I really enjoy the way we play on the field and for me, that’s the most important thing.”

Fabregas, 21, won the league title with the Gunners in their unbeaten 2004 campaign and followed that up the next year with success in the FA Cup - the club’s last trophy win.

The Spaniard was an instrumental figure in his country’s triumphant Euro 2008 campaign and is now targeting more silverware with Arsene Wenger’s latest crop of young guns.

Speaking at the launch of Real Football 2009, Fabregas added: “I won the FA Cup and that was a great feeling but I won it with Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp – the team was already done.

“To win something with this team that is completely new would be something really special. I really want to do it.”

 

7 A Side Football Tournament

We have entered a team in the summer 7 a side football tournament. The Gooners have entered a team every year since 2000.

If any one is keen to join the team this year please let me know ASAP. It kicks off late october and is played every wednesday night. Ko times vary between 6pm and 7.30.

Please email bill on  info@arsenalnewzealand.co.nz

Arsenal to Announce Record Profits

by Wayne Veysey

If Theo Walcott is going to ask for a pay rise at the Emirates, he couldn’t pick a better time. Arsenal are about to announce record turnover figures, making the club the world’s third-richest behind Real Madrid and Manchester United. Walcott, on about £15,000 a week, will have no shortage of suitors if the Gunners don’t bump up his salary in line with his enhanced status after his dazzling performance in Zagreb.
Arsenal’s annual results, to be released on September 26, will show that turnover from the whole business has rocketed to about £225m. Club sources say the figures for the year ending May 31, 2008, will also reveal record pretax profits of nearly £40m, while the group’s operating profit is expected to comfortably exceed £50m.

Twelve months ago, Arsenal reported a turnover of £200.8m to become Britain’s richest club, but they were overtaken by United (£245m) and Chelsea (£223m). In the global rankings, Real Madrid reign supreme after recording a turnover of £263m for the 2006-7 season.
Although Arsenal failed to win a trophy for the third consecutive season, the results demonstrate the success of the Emirates stadium and the board’s policy of living within its means. Arsenal hosted 31 home matches last season to increase match-day revenue to more than £96m, while the club received an extra £17m in broadcasting revenue compared with the previous year through the “uplifted” Premier League TV contract.

Although Arsenal’s turnover figure includes nonrecurring property income, the club is expected to report more than £200m from its “core football activities”. The figures are “before player trading and depreciation” and do not take into account this summer’s transfer dealings. Players’ wages will not be revealed in the report, but it is understood that the wages-to-turnover ratio has fallen below 50%, the lowest in the league.
With the club £245m in debt and having to service annual repayments of £24m, much interest will centre on its success in selling flats at Highbury Square amid the economic downturn. Arsenal announced earlier this year that they had sold 91% of the flats, but some buyers are understood to be willing to forfeit their deposits and the club may have to adjust its prediction of recouping £350m from the redevelopment of Highbury.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are close to appointing their new chief executive. The board reduced the shortlist to two candidates, understood to be 49-year-old former Vodafone executive Paul Donovan and Alistair Mackintosh, the former Manchester City chief executive. The final interviews were held last week and an announcement is imminent.

Welcome South Island Gooners

We have developed this website as a forum for all Gooners in New Zealand ,to be able to communicate with each other, meet new Gooners and grow the Arsenal Name.

We are hoping to develop some regional centres, for the local Gooners to be able to grow the supporters Club.

Currently we have no members from the south Island so we look forward to having some reprentation from the region

If you feel you have something to offer the club, or would just like to join up please get in contact.

To join the club see the membership details and if you would like to email me for any other issue or publish an article / post on the site , contact me at info@arsenalnewzealand.co.nz

Regards

Bill Whitelegg 

Chairman ASCNZ

Calling Wellington Gooners

For all you Gooners based in the Wellington / Lower North Island, you now have a forum to communicate with each other.

We are looking for somebody in the region as our contact. If any one is keen please email me @ info@arsenalnewzealand.co.nz

We would like Wellington Gooners to use this site to advertise any events you may have planned.

Amy Lawrence Interview with Cesc

Amy Lawrence
The Observer
Sunday August 24 2008

It has not been the most edifying summer for the nation’s footballing icons. It is extraordinary, really, that players such as Frank Lampard and Emmanuel Adebayor consider badge-kissing a reasonable gesture at the end of dreary media sagas in the name of a whacking pay rise. In their defence, they might argue they were only playing the game. Everybody’s at it. Cristiano Ronaldo. Gareth Barry. Given half a chance, who wouldn’t? Flirting through an agent, or via a conveniently placed back-page lead, is simply what footballers do nowadays when they want something.

But the everybody’s-at-it excuse simply doesn’t wash. Even in this era of overbearing player power, some exceptionally talented players manage to increase their salary without whining to the papers or hiding behind the obnoxious claims of ’sources’. In 2006, without any fuss or attention, Cesc Fábregas penned an improved eight-year contract with his employers. At the time he was coveted enough to write his own terms with any European superclub. He could have increased his earnings if he had been prepared to kick up a stink, but he has better manners than that.

Two years on and the young man is preparing for a new season with Arsenal after another summer in which he could have joined Ronaldo, Lampard, Adebayor et al without even trying. He found himself starring in many a mischievous transfer story emanating from Spain. His response? He swiftly knocked them all back, outlined his commitment to Arsenal and quietly got on with enjoying his well earned holidays. If he wants a pay rise he will do it without the help of a public inquiry, muchos gracias.

It is almost impossible for a young footballer thrust into gold-tinged celebrity to maintain perspective. Fábregas has, to the extent that conversation with him begs the wistful question: ‘Why can’t they all be like that?’

Read entire article…

The Making of a Modern Superclub

 

Book Review by Brian Dawes

by Alex Fynn & Kevin Whitcher

An unlikely combination of authors you might think, potentially this particular pairing are as similar as chalk and cheese. For those not familiar with the names: Kevin Whitcher is the editor of Arsenal’s most successful fanzine ‘The Gooner’ and well known for his balanced but hard hitting ‘Talking Reds’ editorials. While Alex Fynn is a leading football guru. A man who worked as a director at Saatchi & Saatchi advertising for nearly 20 years and who is also acknowledged as one of the architects of both the Premier League and the Champions League. Unlikely bedfellows maybe, but previous collaborations on such Arsenal titles as ‘The Glorious Game’ have clearly honed this combination and so it should come as no surprise that their latest work on the Club should be so well researched and executed.

Look carefully at the front cover and you will notice a very subtle but telling grave accent over the è in Arsènal, which in essence says everything you need to know about why Arsenal Football Club is as it is today. But clearly there is far more to the story than the one man who just happens to be the most profound influence in Arsenal’s illustrious history since Herbert Chapman and this book provides the answers to a background saga that has taken Arsenal from being a famous club to, as the title suggests, a modern superclub.

This in essence is the story of the transition, trials and tribulations of a Club whose turnover in 1996 when Wenger took over was some £21 million compared to where it stood in 2007 with a turnover of £200 million. The book is not just about the football played or the trophies won under Wenger, but also provides the background to the Boardroom ups, downs and battles that have all to obviously curtailed Le Boss’s spending on the squad. As the Club built a new stadium and undertook some massive gambles in the property game it could all so easily have all gone tits upward. At one point building stopped on Ashburton Grove due to the money drying up and we might gone the same route as at other Clubs where relegation accompanied new stadiums, But we didn’t and throughout the upheaval Wenger still managed to produce some truly classic football. How this all happened is explained here. That Arsenal didn’t go bust is down to some astute financial management which was anything but plain sailing and cost us dear in other respects. That Wenger was able to maintain a place in the Champions League while other Clubs went bust or got themselves relegated whilst building a new stadium is miraculous. That they should do so with a background of Boardroom upheaval, key directors being booted out and turning renegade, plus the serious threat of a hostile take-over makes a weird and wonderful story. That anyone could consider, while all this was going on, dismantling a team as fabulous as the Invincibles and rebuilding a young squad on a shoestring almost defies belief. Between them what Alex and Kevin don’t know about Arsenal is probably not worth knowing and reading between the lines of this impressive volume there may still be more to come from this saga. What’s for sure though is that this title covers a lot of background information not touched elsewhere. It ranges from Dein’s rise and fall together with both his deals and his clandestine dealings, kit and naming rights that are costing us dear, property speculation, superfluous stars, Wenger’s ruthlessness, the rise and fall of Edelman, the scouting system, financial problems, transfer budgets, boardroom sackings, lock-downs, the advent of foreign investors, work stopping on the new stadium and much more all set against a background of Le Boss building three quite separate teams. One of the very few questions it leaves unanswered is exactly why Dein and Fiszman fell out, but then even our Chairman Peter Hill-Wood says he doesn’t know the answer to that one. I got to read some of the manuscript prior to publication and knew then that this would be pretty good book. Having read the whole thing I now think ‘compelling read’ is an altogether more accurate description. Any Arsenal fan with an interest beyond just the football will enjoy it and many a Club Chairman and Director will find it seriously enlightening. It won’t help them match Arsenal’s rise though, because unlike us they won’t have the miraculous Arsene Wenger. ARSÈNAL - The Making of a Modern SuperclubAlex Fynn & Kevin