UNTOLD ARSENAL

I started this blog as an experiment just around a year ago.  The experiment being to see if anyone was interested in following a different sort of approach to commenting on Arsenal - one that backed Wenger, covered issues that others didn’t bother about too much, including the financial background, and which maybe included a spot of humour.

The blog now has a monthly audience of between 50,000 and 60,000 people - that is 50-60,000 people read at least two pages of the blog each month.

I’ve only just begun to realise that this is quite a significant number - somehow I imagined that all the other blogs were getting 250,000 a month, and I, as the new kid on the block, was gradually picking up the pace.

Turns out Untold Arsenal is fairly much up there with the big boys - and getting an audience that others are quite interested in.

Obviously I write this blog for fun - and the fun is quadrupled by the comments I get in - both to the blog itself and directly to me.     It really does mean a lot when there are compliments - and I take note of the criticisms too - although the racist abuse I could do without.

Anyway, I’m writing this for two reasons.  One is because, as Bob Dylan would have said, in the aftermath of last night’s game, “I need something strong to distract my mind”.

The other is because I am looking to see if there are any other related projects that could sit alongside this blog.

One thing that is on the way is a book about the end of Woolwich Arsenal and the move to Highbury.   I don’t think there is anything around that is detailed on this topic (it is obviously covered in passing by all histories of the club, but the real detail is missing).   The research is more or less done, and I’m really into the book itself now - it should be available next year.  (Incidentally if you do know of a book that covers that period in detail do let me know.)

That’s easy for me, because I earn my living as a writer.   But I’m also looking for anything else that could be associated with the web site.  This is not to say I am going to turn this into a full-scale shop - the whole point of the blog is that it is a blog.   But rather, instead of just having a couple of ads that lots of other blogs have on their site, I’d like to try and have different things, things that are original and which reflect the “difference” of this blog.

So, if you have anything that is not widely avaialble elsewhere and you are looking to market it, please do write to me (Tony at Hamilton-House.com).  I won’t be coming back and saying, “fine - you can advertise here, the cost is ££££”, but rather talking about a commission on sales or something like that.

Here’s one idea I have had: t-shirts with slogans on that are 100% different from what everyone else has.  I don’t have any background in t-shirt manufacture, but if you do, maybe we could talk.

Or indeed if you have an idea which you haven’t yet started bringing to market, we could talk about that, if you felt able to share it with someone you don’t know.

Overall, what I am trying to say is this.  Readers have kindly said over time that this blog is unusual and different.  So what I am thinking is - let’s go further.  Let’s try and develop not just a blog, but some products that are different and unusual, and which might appeal to Arsenal fans.   This site would then become the home of Arsenal seen from a different point of view.

Therefore just a simple rule: if the product (or something very much like it) is already sold in the Arsenal shops or on-line, that’s probably not what I am after.  But if it really is different, then maybe some of the readers here (who by definition like an approach that is a bit different from the norm) might like to buy them.

If you think that I’ve finally lost it, gone over the top and disappeared up my own backside, then fine - you are not alone in that point of view.  But if you see what I am rambling on about, and you have an idea, do drop me a line.

Many thanks for reading.  Last night was a bugger, but its nothing that a 16-0 victory against Stoke and a few glasses of red wine can’t put right.

This is not the only day I have felt bad about football.  Like when we lost to Wrexham in the Cup - I can still remember the feeling the next morning.  Took me days to get over that.

Or when we lost 6-1 to Manchester Bankrupt (or Manchester U as they were known in those days).   We were (I think) 1-1 after Henry scored, and then it fell apart, with Grimandi desperately being pulled out of all positions and having no central support.   Apparently Wenger went utterly spare at half time - and I suspect he did as well last night.

I felt just as bad when we lost at home to Leeds, and so lost the title.   That turned out to be one game before the start of the 49 run as far as I remember (contrary to popular belief I don’t sit at work surrounded by my Arsenal handbooks so I can’t look it up).

Strangely I had a similar-ish feeling when we drew 2-2 with Bolton in the Unbeaten Season itself.   Bolton were playing a terrible game of rotational fouling and Fat Sam was on the touchline just below my place, screaming as his players to get stuck in.

So, last night, it was the same.  Great joy turning to terrible sorrow - and the lovely article which I thought was a real scream having to be scrapped.

It was stupid playing - Clichy buggering about and falling over, Eboue thumping the ball up the field from whence it came back straight away.  You remember how Henry used to take the ball into the corner flag and hold it there - where’s that gone?

But on the positive side -

a) we have no problem scoring goals

b) we do have a solid midfield and defence

c) Almunia had a really bad time of it, but that is rare - he is a good keeper who has saved us over and over again.

d) What we lack is discipline and organisation - and if there is something that Wenger can instil in players in discipline and organisation.

So when it comes down to it, what we lacked was discipline and organisation, and those can be instilled.  Maybe it needs a bollocking and a half.  Maybe it needs a new captain.  I don’t know, but then I am not the manager.   But I can tell you, it is much better to be in this position than in a situation in which the obvious answer is that we should be buying a new team.

What we, as supporters, have to do is accept that we drew, try not to look at the league table for a moment, and ensure that we give them everything against Stoke, and then have another celebration of football in the Euro League.