Comments on: How Arsenal players will get on in the world cup

By: AaronGSi

AaronGSi — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:27:10 +0000

I think you are being a bit unkind to the Belgium National team Walter. I for one remember them playing some great stuff for a good number of years – from the 1986 semi-final side through to the late 90′s, and the current crop of Belgium players seem very good. Players like TV, but also Lukaka, Stephen Deffour (would he be a good option should Cesc leave?) Alex Witsel, Jan Vertongen and Fellaini. They seem poised for a revival again, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them take the next Euro qualifiers by storm.
I do agree with you about International football in general though. I’m not a big fan myself either, and am struggling to get behind an England team with idiots like Cashley, Terry, Gerrard in it. I also think the start of this WC has been the poorest for a long time. All the games have been decidedly dull, and thank goodness for the Germans last night, who actually showed what some attacking guile can do. It’s no surprise Arsene is looking at Mesut Ozil and I think he would be a great addition to a team like Arsenal. Lets hope that RVP can bring some joy today.

By: Lanre

Lanre — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:03:09 +0000

Walter, Diaby would be red-carded in the match against South Africa, thereby spelling doom for the french team. U do know that he is their star player now. Our Diaby will be home early. Could you believe we were linked to Green and Schwarzer? These guys are not better than our Aluminuim Almunia.

By: Hartwick89

Hartwick89 — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:41:41 +0000

Rhys,

You sound alot like another poster.. Sean maybe? Fighting the world… Maybe support the country on the other side of the lake.. I heard Capello makes 18x more than Bradley… Bradley at least has the intelligence… Former coach of an Ivy Leage School…

By: Hartwick89

Hartwick89 — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:37:58 +0000

No nuetrality here…. England got served and not because of a gift… cause Green was gifted by a post too.. Bon Chance England the inventors were reinvented…

By: Gf60

Gf60 — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:50:19 +0000

Tony you are not alone. France…dozed off. England…dozed off. Algeria dozed off. Pity the football doesn’t match up to the vibe around here and the stadia.

By: Rhys Jaggar

Rhys Jaggar — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:20:12 +0000

I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear Walter that our commercial media station screwed up last night, failing to show the England goal. Rob Green described the game as like an EPL game with national team shirts on. And lots of Chelsea players aren’t playing.

The World Cup was the first major international football tournament which took hold, starting a generation before the Champions League. And long before the media started controlling football in the grip it now has it.

I think that 1970 to 1986 were 5 fantastic football tournaments which were won by 3 great attacking sides, one defence-minded side and one who were a bit of both.

The problem with the World Cup now, from a European point, is that it became a bash for the rich or corporations. But it was the same at Euro96 here in England – prices were really high. I worked with a guy who played for Celtic youth teams before becoming a scientist and he found it hard to afford tickets for Scotland games.

I think you should be a little less selfish and maybe reflect on the fact that, perhaps in Europe, the world cup past its golden period. But for Africa, Asia and the Americas that may still be the case or becoming the case.

I suspect you want 20 unaccountable oligarchs owning EPL franchises to control world football who break all long-term links with the English towns and cities that they came from. It runs through all that you write. I’m sure the millionaire players think likewise. And I’m sure NIKE see it as the way to break the stranglehold of Adidas.

You are in effect saying that you see football now as pure entertainment and not a plank of regional pride.

Whether you would be honest enough to tell all the supporters who think differently what you propose to do to destroy their dream by creating a globetrotting behemoth is something else…………

I write this from a point of neutrality………..

By: china gunner PATO

china gunner PATO — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:00:24 +0000

oh i ve just enjoyed yo comments onn yo Belgium national team.so u mean u are real man who gives bolton,hull,stock those tricks to play us?why do u teach them park the back and kick the leg but not the ball.u should even stop writing in our website or u ve to tell those teams in EPL to change their game on arsenal.haha i ve enjoyed yo website anyway.u are just like arsenal funs who say that diaby plays in slow motion.how can football be played in slow motion.u guys are amazing anyway keep up coz we are feeling good to read such laugheable stories.it helps us remove stress.CHINA GUNNER PATO

By: walter

walter — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:35:39 +0000

Yes Tony, I have also noticed that it is business as usual and nothing will be done. I must say that I only see the games mostly when I am doing other things in between but I have seen some tackles that made me shiver.
I think that it clear that the appeal from the medical committee has been burried by Fifa itself. I think the only way they will change things is when one of the really big superstars suffers from such a terrible injury. When a Messi, a Ronaldo, a Rooney is carried off maybe they will rethink it all.

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:25:58 +0000

I have to say that the prediction that the referees might protect players a little more has gone out of the window. The attack on Sagna only got a yellow card, and some of the tackles in the Argentina game and the England game should have been more severely punished in my view.

With this laxness I think it is great news that Theo has been protected.

Watching these games it is at best like seeing a mid table clash in the EPL. At worst it is Hull v Bolton.

Ten minutes at the start of Argentina’s opener made me feel, this could be great. In the second half I fell asleep. Mind you I had been to the pub.