Saturday, August 28th, 2010 « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger in all he does

By Tony Attwood

What a jolly day.  And so many issues.  I’ll combine them into one article, so we can move on to broader matters of substance for consideration and in-depth analysis tomorrow (or not if I get up late, or if you are bored and have had enough).

Wenger’s “rant” (as one correspondent described it in these august columns) was neither an embarrassment nor a rant as was claimed.  In fact it was a very clever and calculated approach which arose once it was clear that the ref of our game was the man who refereed the Stoke game the previous week.  By focusing on the Stoke play, Wenger was able to criticise the ref prior to the game without criticising the ref, and thus gaining the attention of the FA and EPL.

It was a brilliant strategy that paid off to the full.  Blackburn were less thuggish than usual, played more football, and the ref knowing that everyone would notice him after last week, watched his step.

Blackburn we must recall are not an easy touch. Another correspondent pointed out that it was quite appalling that Wenger was unable to beat Blackburn, and it is of course quite true that we lost there last year.

But if you look at the records you will see that aside for ending the season in 10th place last year they won 10, drew six and lost only three at home.  And Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Villa all failed to beat them at Blackburn, just as we did.

In fact the attack on Wenger for his supposed inability to beat Blackburn was typical of the growing AAA hysteria.  Facts have long since departed – it is now a case of making up any statement and just saying it, without any justification.

There was another one this week (while I am on the subject) claiming that we didn’t develop Cesc, even though we took him from obscurity and no progress at the age of 15 and played him at 16.   Ah well.

At Tottenham of course they don’t need an Anti-Tot group, since they are one themselves.   The planet Earth (as I am sure you will know) is 4.6 billion years old (give or take a year), and in all that time the Tinies have not made it into the Champions League.  Now they have, and you would think that someone somewhere might be rather pleased.  But no.   Following their defeat to Wigan they were booed off the pitch.

Loyalty and deep support is clearly not on the agenda for the old Middlesex club.

But still – they do have room to celebrate, and in keeping with past traditions the Tinies have now bought out a DVD of the draw for the league cup, celebrating their victory in getting a home tie when they play us in the third round.  I am told a congratulatory mug commemorating the draw is also on the way.

For us the issue is, what sort of team will our Lord put out? Will the junior kiddies get a kick, or will it be members of the “25″ who have not been having too many games of late?   Come to that what will the maniac Arry do?  Knowing (if he remembers) that for the first time in those 4.6 billion years the Tinies have Champ League games on the horizon will he play the first team (as he has done before) or will he too put out his reserves?

Actually there is a problem there since the Tiny Totts don’t have a team in the reserve league.   I think they have a youth team somewhere though, although I am not sure where.

So there we are, three games in and already two points behind  the KGB, in second place.  Obviously time to demand Wenger’s head and shoulders.  The Tinies are in 9th, having played three and won one, scoring a mighty two goals and conceding two as well.

And what price relegation for West Ham?

And, and, you will forgive me I am sure (well really you don’t have any choice) if I point out that Torquay United won again today, and are top of League Two (the fourth division) having played four and won four.  I must admit I don’t know if this is just an English thing, but it is quite common for English followers of a top club to support also a second club, in a lower division.   My second club is Torquay (because I lived nearby for three years and the final football matches I went to with my dad were there), who recently suffered the ignominy of a spell in the conference.  I won’t bore you with the details, but it makes me very happy to see them on the up.

Incidentally talking of lower leagues, AFC Wimbledon (the club born with Wimbledon FC left London and moved to Milton Keynes to become Milton Keynes Dons are now top of the Blue Square Premier league.   If they stay up there they will get into League Two next year, and could even be playing the Dons.   Now that would be a game worth seeing!

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