Comments on: Arsenal’s worst season

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:49:20 +0000

Good article. It is a sad reflection of our times that many people do not have a sense of history. If Arsenal do not ever win another trophy I still have the memories of Highbury, the victory parades and pleasure of watching players such as Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp week in week out. But obviously, I’d like them to do the double this coming season.

By: S.Indrarajah

S.Indrarajah — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:02:20 +0000

Brickfields Gunner
Ref:Worst

A timely and well written article .As a Arsenal fan since 1971 , I ‘ve seen
some crap teams.The last 10 years will probably remembered as “the best years” in Arsenal”s history.The worst season was in 1974-1975 where relegation was avoided by the aid of 2 ex-Man. Utd players -goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer and the goals of Brian Kidd .It was truly a close call.I waited for 19 barren years to see Arsenal win the 1st division championship- on a magical night in 1989 -vs Liverpool in Anfield.The rest has of the journey has been mostly pure joy.Enjoy this Golden Period.

By: CanYerLendMeAQuid

CanYerLendMeAQuid — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:27:49 +0000

Ref: Worst
I am very happy to see someone put in a post, and so coherently at that, what the reality of our situation is. These past four years, while they have been disappointing, have provided some of the best football I’ve seen played. In my opinion this coming season will be the turning of the tide for the Gunners, I expect us to win a trophy or maybe two.
I remember as a kid going to Highbury, not very often because I lived outside London most of my childhood, and being in awe of the occasion. On of my lasting memories was a game against Fulham, with the memorable Johnny Haynes playing, which we won 4-2. Might have been 1968. That was the last year I lived in England and haven’t been able to go to a game since.
This post was excellent! Full of valuable historical background to put the most recent performances in wonderful perspective.
With the amount of displeasure I hear from fans both through the media and in the stadium it makes me wonder whether they even appreciate great football or whether they just want Arsenal to be successful so they can use their ‘fan’ affiliation as a status symbol.

By: SeanyBoy

SeanyBoy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:51:38 +0000

Great article, it puts a lot of today’s ‘fans’ complaints into perspective.

By: stuartlondon

stuartlondon — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:15:28 +0000

Excellent article LRV.

Even though I’m a relatively new fan and only familiar with Arsenal in the Wenger years, I still understand the value of loyalty and commitment. After all, we expect our players to have these qualities, so don’t they have a right to expect exactly the same from us? We should also consider the functional value of fans who are unwavering in their support. Who is likely to perform best, a team that can count on the loyalty and optimism of its fans, or one where players and manager are subject to public vilification whenever they are perceived to fall short of perfection? Do fans make a difference to the chances of success (or failure)? You better believe they do!

By: Arselicked

Arselicked — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:46:48 +0000

Thanx LRV, you have made my day.

Our fan base is a rather strange one, Everton and Aston Villa are keeping up with Moyes and O’neill for the possibility of a 5 or 6 position whilst spuds keep hiring and firing coaches and in the process taking 2 steps forward and 4 steps backwards, Newcastle tried and went down whilst we want to replace AW for keeping us in the top 4 whilst having around 15million to spend per season.

By: Renan

Renan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:47:58 +0000

This post really completes my day ! Good night !

By: daokta

daokta — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:20:31 +0000

Excellent post LRV. Unfortunately, I am a “newbie”, becoming a gooner only over the past 10 years or so. Absolutely spoiled by the Wenger era.

By: Non Edible Nacho

Non Edible Nacho — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:42:10 +0000

Excelent stuff.

By: waltergooner

waltergooner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:02:43 +0000

I was just thinking of the old days where I followed Arsenal in the newspapers. I had to wait until mondaymorning to see the results. And then it just said: Arsenal – Sunderland 1-0. No idea who scored, never seen the goal, just the result on paper.
Then a few years later the BBC came on the cable in Flanders (Belgium) and I could watch MOTD. It was the days of Jimmy Hill. O my God… what memories.

What a difference, now I think I have seen almost every minute from the last seasons live on tv or on my sons pc.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:59:06 +0000

Good post LRV. Well done.
The late George Graham era was pretty dire. Names like McGoldrick, Caesar and Hillier on the teamsheet. Our flamboyant foreigners were John Jensen and Glen Helder back then. My goodness how things have changed!

By: Gunner From Nigeria

Gunner From Nigeria — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:31:12 +0000

Excellent, lovely and ethereal article.

By: Faron

Faron — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:39:53 +0000

The reason why people moan is because we have been spoilt with some of the best football ever to be seen. Records broken never thought to be broken again. and because of a bit of recovery and a few mistakes made, fans gat the arse. A story like this will give the niave fans a better picture. Well played.

By: steww

steww — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:57:49 +0000

What a wonderful dose of perspective. Thanks for an excellent piece LRV. Those who bemoan the state of affairs as we go into this season need to have a better grasp of history. This should give it to them.

By: IndianGooner

IndianGooner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:56:43 +0000

Oops!!! My mistake.. Didn’t see “LRV” at the end of Were the Last Four Years the Worst in Arsenal’s History? by “LRV”

Excellent post, LRV. Hope to see more such articles in future…

By: Adam Smith

Adam Smith — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:45:56 +0000

Excellent post LRV/Tony.

I was there as well Flint.

Can’t really add much to the post,except during years of being in the shadow of Spurs,,we finally made itto Wembley for The League Cup Final, against Third division Swindon, on a bog of a pitch.A formality turned into a nightmare and I cried more than Bobby Gould even though he took the game into extra time.

How things have changed.In those days,there was no live TV, no mobile phones,no Internet or blogs.We chatted face to face even if we supported rival teams,which in most cases was Spurs.No bitterness,just friendly banter and the occasional p*** take.

It is hard for the younger supporter to grasp those dark days,but even then there was a waiting list for season tickets, showing we had a great following regardless of results.

No doubt we have been spoilt by the arrival of Arsene Wenger,who has acted like a juggler to keep us apace with the other top teams,with a limited budget.In years to come he will be even more appreciated.

Last published accounts in May 2008 showed our net spend under Mr.Wenger was just under 4 million.Incredible.

By: The Gunner

The Gunner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:37:57 +0000

Brilliant article, but i am afraid to start the new season without any new signings,if that happened then unfortunly we may even lose our favourite forth postion in the last three years.

By: Ole Gunner

Ole Gunner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:35:58 +0000

Bravo Tony…

By: Flint McCullough

Flint McCullough — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:25:17 +0000

George Eastham- it was 4,500 against Leeds and I was 1 of them.

Walter- Jan Mulder left a huge impression on the Arsenal players, who thought he was ’shit hot’.

By: Armin Medic

Armin Medic — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:16:29 +0000

As in everything so in football too, success attract people. So I think that most of “complains” coming from people who started support Arsenal in last 10 years. I guess most of them now wandering did they choose “right” club to support. In fact I am not sure are they supporters or they like to be on winning side,and its great shock once you realize there are some defeats in life. I survived 80ies, I survive last 4 years, I am going to survive next 10 if necessary. Its not about winning its about belief, you do or you don’t, you support or you are only sympathizer.

Another interesting thing, a bit off topic but, let me as foreigner notice some things. Although in last decade Arsenal became “foreigners club” by players, by style of play. But deep in his whole being Arsenal is still maybe “most English” club in EPL, conservative, closed, without to much “fame” around, players who are “players”, no Beckams… So I guess press which is always hungry of sensations is too much annoyed with Dinosaur team which still stands on values of “our fathers”.