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Why I Can't Help Respect Arsenal... By A Tottenham Hotspur Fan
It clearly states in the football fans bible ‘thou shalt not covet thy neighbours manager’ but this Spurs fan can’t help but make eyes at Arsenal's wily professor.
'Why does he love me so much? My hands have been empty for five years.'
It’s clearly states in the football fans bible ‘thou shalt not covet thy neighbours manager’ but this Tottenham Hotspur fan can’t help but make eyes at Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger.
This was going to be a flippant, tongue in cheek, knockabout piece on how despite my prejudices I quite enjoy ex Arsenal players as pundits. Merson is an idiot savant, Perry Groves comes across as knowledgeable and enthusiastic and Lee Dixon is the second best of a bad bunch on Match Of The Day. Tony Adams faux-philosopher look has a certain charm to it and I even began to miss Ian Wright’s energy from England games. Compare that to the ex Spurs punditocracy and we’re relying on David Ginola’s charisma to carry the TV personalities of Sheringham, Lineker and to a lesser extend Gazza, Jamie Redknapp and Hoddle.
But the more I thought about it the more I realised there was a major part of the Arsenal set up that I begrudgingly respect, a serious component of the Woolwich Wanderers that I cast an envious eye over, their manager
It brings me no joy to say it but Arsene Wenger is a genius. Even now he’s mental I’d love to have him at Tottenham Hotspur. No slight on Harry but what ‘Le Professor’ has done for those lot down the road is nothing short of miraculous.
I wouldn’t have been able to write this down at all a few years ago. For a disproportionally large amount of my football supporting years Spurs were so much worse than Arsenal the idea of praising them seemed alien. But now the gap is closing I feel easier about passing on a nice word because conversations with a gooner are a bit more even. We can covet each other’s players and admire facets of each other’s clubs. In the dark days if I hinted I quite liked Kanu all I’d get back was dogs abuse about how nobody in our squad was fit to doctor the D.O.B on his driving licence.
But even when Arsenal were winning leagues, cups and appearing in European finals in the late 80’s and early 90’s it was easy to feel moral superiority because they played turgid ‘one nil to the Arsenal’ football. On the other hand we were unpredictable but on occasion played some gorgeous stuff in the traditions of Arthur Rowe’s ‘push and run’.
So in the late 90’s, when Arsenal were playing the ‘Tottenham way’ and we were managed by George Graham, through the tears you could just about hear me sob ‘if only’. If only the timing had been different. If only the managerial musical chairs of 1996 and 1997 had worked out in our favour. Then Wenger could have won the double in his first full season for us and the other lot could be mid to lower table also rans for the next 20 years instead. But it’s the Arsenal who bagged their most important manager since Herbet Chapman and we got a different gaffer every couple of years until the end of time.
It’s been so long since Arsenal fans have had to deal with major upheaval that they’re crying out for a change for changes sake.
The respect for Wenger goes further than results on the pitch. His influence on the way Arsenal is run chokes me with admiration. The youth policy and training regime at the club is such that they can develop a talent brought in on the cheap, sell him on for a ridiculous profit and – most tellingly – that player will be rubbish for whoever they play for next, maybe for the rest of their career. I’d love that to happen at Spurs. To somehow drill it into everyone that when you leave the haloed ground of White Hart Lane all your powers disappear.
During Wenger’s time in charge there’ve been loads of players who either jumped or were pushed into taking a step down on their career trajectory even if they thought they were going to a ‘bigger’ club. These players don’t realise the reason they did so well is not just because of their individual talent but because of the manager and the team he assembled. Obviously there’re exceptions but for every Ashley Cole – who has arguably done better since he left Arsenal – there’re Flamani, Hleb and Bentley, Samir Nasri should take note.
Then there’s the work Wenger did keeping Arsenal competitive while they saved up for a new stadium. Selling players for massive profits then replacing them with clones who were significantly cheaper and in some cases better. You can’t help but be impressed with the number of World Cup winners and international superstars Wenger has let go for silly money yet still had a team that challenges for domestic honours and has made it to a Champions League final, all the while playing the brand of football we think is our birthright.
With all the success comes consistency of vision. It’s been so long since Arsenal fans have had to deal with major upheaval that they’re crying out for a change for changes sake. I’d love a bit of that stability, we had a period of getting four managers in a year, ‘shaking things up’ rarely helps.
I could of course bang on about how he can spot a player and how he’s bought more Thierry Henry’s than Franny Jeffers’, but I’ve pushed my magnanimity to it’s limits. I’m just going to sit back and wait for every self-respecting Spurs fans to have a pop in the comments section. I might even slag myself off. I know I’ve shown myself to be more Lilly livered than Lilywhite but I hope in time there are more things for me to admire about Arsenal, because it’ll mean we’re not doing so badly ourselves.
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COMMENTS
Thank you, I hope other Arse fans read this to get some real perspective. You truly don't know what you got til it's gone, so the saying goes. You say you wrote this because the gulf in class has been closed somewhat, even tho I agree with you, I feel it makes the league better off. When it is more competitive and open,it makes for much more a exciting season. Every game counts for something. Would LOVE to see just how Farcelona would fare if they played in the EPL every week. They wouldn't shine near as bright with Messi, Xavi et al. broken like rag dolls. In my dreams I guess. They are my much more hated foes than you lot. gosh,never thought I'd say that! lol Thanks again for the fun post
Being a Gooner who, for a few years has not been afraid to say I liked the attacking way Spurs play, I appreciate the article. Normally, Spurs fans are so bile filled it is not worth talking. I know aswell that Gooners can be arrogant and smug fuelling the bile. This is a well written piece though that is not too sacharin and over complimentary. Nice 1
Well done sir. Hats off to you for being so 'neutral' in your views. You write so much more positively than some 'neutral' punters, some of whom say Arsenal are in crisis, Arsene has lost the plot etc... I enjoyed watching the last spurs arsenal game and was bought a pint by a spurs man. We had a good laugh. I would rather exchange comments with a spurs supporter such as yourself than many of the idiotic and immature posters that inhabit such sites as Le Grove'. Le Grove has to be one of the most depressing places to visit. I don't do it. They should have a big bold link to samaritans on there. Anyway, nice one, thanks and hopefully we can see the spurs in such a 'neutral' way sometimes. A healthy rivalry is better than a blind hatred and that's for sure. You have money, a very capable ,manager and some great players. I would rather see Modric stay. I hate the super-rich stealing talent. THe players moving nearly always regret it.
AND YOU C*NTS DOWN THE LANE, WON F*CK ALL AGAIN! SOL CAMPBELL HAS WON THE DOUBLE!!! OI OI OI *WE HATE TOTTENHAM WE HATE TOTTENHAM* YIDDOOOOOOSS
Spurs fan here. Sentiments I echo. Great manager who has as assembled a group of top class coaches and scouts and drilled into them what the Arsenal type player looks like.Often you watch from afar and sometimes difficult to make a player out. All technical efficient and not afraid to treat the ball like they own it. Its fair to say if he had addressed the gaps in the team in transfer markets you wold have won more in the last 6 years. But it pains me to say it but I feel those days are not far off. I feel he now realises what is needed although he should stop trying to feel he "owns" the money. Anyway enough of the gushing praise, the sick bucket beckons! looking forward to the games between us this season already.
What? Mud smashers coming to town? Hahaha... Just joking. Thanks to Harry, there has been quite a big leap for the One-Down-The-Road. Harry has managed the players well, which is something that previous managers were unable to do. Looking at the set of players that were/are at the club (for example the speed merchants of the type of Lennon when he was at his best) all Spurs needed was the guts to push, and the need to ditch that inferiority complex feeling that had been the key factor in some of their defeats against the other big ones. Harry is changing this, and, of course,he knows a bargain when he sees one, and I have a gut feeling that he will pull another trick before the end of the window. The only thing I have with Harry is his inability to stay and do what he does best. He has a Journeyman character which was ever so vivid at Portsmouth, Southampton, and Portsmouth again. If Spurs dont give in to Liverpool and money bags such as Chelski, they have every chance of getting to C.League again. I will bet my last coin that Chelski will be out of the top four this season; OLD-MEN-PLAYING! Thanks mate for your compliment, our common enemies now are those who wear blue.
I don't know what it is,but of late I have started to...dare i say,warm to Arsenal.It maybe something to do with the big mouthed loss making chavskis in west London.So I have decided to join the 'love in'At least what Arsenal have achieved and what we have or have not achieved,we did it by our ability to raise money through our fan bases.We can now both hate Chelsea.
Admiration mate, you've nearly changed my view of Spurs fans..................... nearly!
Well 'Sol' comment has expressed in a few words exactly my point about the modern fan. The word banter, doesn't mean bile, it's fun, a laugh and used to be a part of being a football fan. Unfortunately those like him, cannot express themselves with humour or wit, and they allow their lack of intelligence to dominate those who are more light heated and thoughtful about their clubs.I am a North Londoner, born and bred. I chose Spurs, my brother the Goon's, that's what you did and on alternate weekends, on Tues and Weds nights we went to the Highbury or the Lane, and increased the oppositions support by one. I have stood in the North Bank wearing Anderlect colours for instance. The internet allows both the sneaky and cowardly to express themselves in a way that they wouldn't dream of doing if you were face to face. That said, I detest Arsenal, but only twice a year and believe that our rivalry is what has made both clubs what they are and always hope to be!
How is it that a Spurs fan can put into words how wonderful Wenger is? I agree with you but the tide is turning among the fans. You're right about changing for the sack of it. Unfortunately the grass always looks greener. The power he has in the club makes it extremely hard for anyone else to come in. People are just looking at the last couple of years, forgetting all that has gone on during his time at the club. The affect he has had, not only on our club but English football in general. And lets be honest, the games are a lot more interesting now we're closer together in the table.
First, please ignore the ignorant pillock (Campbell won the double), Sadly he is the sort of berk similar to some of your young 'supporters' who have no idea of our joint history. I am 69 and have been a gunner for 61 years and will die a Gunner. BUT, my mate (a Spud for 50 years) and I go to every game we can afford...nowadays the atmosphere is hatred....in the 1950's, 60's and 70s' it was more great banter. If the berk above knew anything about Spurs (and he dont) he would know that in Rowley & Nicholson you had two of the greatest managers of all time. One introduced the style of football that all great teams try to copy even now 'push and run'. And the other became the first manager to buy a whole squad (all UK) who won the doubel etc. and should have dominated the UK for 10 years, but fell into the Arsenal trap of sitting back and not investing. Most of the your supporters wont remember the 1961 team , but I can read out their names immediately, and I can remember many of the 1950/51 side too. That is because of admiration not HATRED. So whilst I will always pray AFC win the lot, I also hope you finish above all those Northern morons. Having said that most of their supporters are born and bred around London? As for Chelski, well I have no time for them, ManU, Man City or Liverpool because they have always purchased their trophy's. Good luck next season (SpudUlikes), but not too much.
DELUDED
How brave and how refreshing. It is right he should be admired for what he is trying to do and the way in which he is trying to do it. It is good that you can see past the natural prejudices even though I am sure the words must at times have tasted like ashes in your mouth.
Unbelievable. Compare this to the likes of Le Grove, where Arsenal fans pour the most appalling bile onto their own manager simply because he is unable to compete with the new breed of cash-rich clubs. This post and (most of) the comments have restored some of my faith in football fans. Bravo.
excellent article even though it was written by a spud ;-) you are very right in the sense that we have a lot of NEW PLASTIC fans who dont understand the joy you get from watching a team and a squad being put together and come to fruition on the pitch. le grove blogger is a prat who thinks he knows how to run a football club better then Wenger. he probably runs a kebab shop down the seven sisters and talks football to his customers so he thinks he knows all about how to put the Arsenal team together. anyways i hope spuds do get back into the top 4 better to have southern teams then those uncouth northern monkies throwing their money aorund.
NICK CLEGG CAMERA SOPHIA LOREN LETTER ROLF HARRIS CONDOM ANKLE WATCH
It actually goes far more than just Wenger. Unless "Stan the man" does a "Roman" Arsenal & THFC are the two best & most honestly organised and still (until recently) English owned or controlled clubs in the PL. As for the moron above (Sol Campbell etc) you should listen to your mates talking about Gallas, an unnamed Chelsea LB and a few current MC players before you spread your diaarhoea on (until you appeared) what was an interesting and fair discussion. IMHO you gooners who whinge about Wenger should be taken out and shot as you don't know just how lucky you have been. Imagine Chelski & MCity with no cash and MU without Ferguson and you without Wenger: no CL domination there although Liverpool's money gave them a similar advantage in the 70s/80s but no one else was smart enough to cotton onto it.
GunnerPete i was there too at WHL from 50 (carried) and 56 (standing) on and I remember how you played then as well (Eastham). The pity was that your 70-71 side did so much damage to your style and it took Wenger to bring it back. Yes they were efficient but they were the embryonic GG side and I consider us lucky to have only been slightly tainted by this style. We are so lucky to have well run clubs who are not owned by foreign toy owners. One point which many fail to remember is that Real Madrid, Juventus, ACMilan, Inter Milan & Bayern Munich all were subsidised by rich owners long before Chelski and MC wre bought and now that parity has come to the PL(skewed though it is) look at the UEFAs squeal.
My lovely yid hubby has been saying this for years AW is a genius enough said cheers
Finally an article that that has the audacity to state the truth, rather than the usual attempt to start a controversy. Hats off to Sifaeli for writing this. An even bigger shout out to all of those who's comments have restored my faith in football fans. Sol wins the double, you are neither a fan of football or Arsenal you are the detritus that we have struggled to remove from the beautiful game for years now and will eventually. Nothing would make me happier now than seeing Arsenal and Spurs qualify for CL football next year, if only for the reason that we could stand beside each other and laugh at the big spending teams like Man City and the Chavs as they fail to make it, fire their manager(again) and start throwing around millions in an attempt to regain their lost position.
I agree with some parts of this, however, it frustrates me how people seem to think being older makes you more of a fan than everybody else and that knowing some players from the 1970-71 side makes you superior to everyone else. I am 14 years old but it is not my fault that I wasn't born 50 years ago, I try to go to as many games as I can and know quite a lot about Arsenal. Fair enough I've only lived to see the glory days of AFC but in my opinion, this can'y go on much longer. Chopping and changing every 6 months is not helpful but it would be nice to see a new manager with fresh ideas take over the side and maybe Arsene to work somewhere upstairs. Pep Guardiola for example, he's won everything there is to win and might want to manage in the BPL some time and he would certainly not get rid of all the youngsters like Mourinho etc. would. Give him 2 more years I'd say.
ArseneGraham...being much older than you does NOT make me a better supporter than you. But it does mean that I have a far larger pool of memories from which to pick and as such i have seen the changes in the way that yr side plays. I see that you have Graham in your name and yes, he was a successful manager but good footballing books apart : ), his side ruined football in the opinion of all bar you gooners. As you are 14 you have probably only seen that 0-2 at Anfield but have a look at some matches from that period (on DvD I think) and see why we used to laugh (and groan) at "1-0 to the Arsenal". Before the 70-71 side Arsenal used to play flowing attacking football and WHL & Highbury between our sides matches were always football fests. What many older supporters tell you is that having only seen the good years, you have to see the bad years also to become a true supporter. Not sure that I agree totally with that but if you listen to Chav supporters it sure seems to apply to them.
Very good article Teshticle. I hope some day I can let similar words pass my lips about Fergiescum. But I am a Leeds fan and the gap will never ever close enough for me to actually do it. I can do it, but it's like puking on my dinner to break it down before I do it...like a ManFly. Not pleasant. I think Wenger is unbelievable, I cannot understand fans who question him. I love his stance on the clubs finances as much as I hate the Etihad mob at Man City. I'd rather watch football like Arsenal play each season, (predictable collapses included) - than watch a BILLION pounds be spent 'willy nilly' - it leaves a bad taste with me in the world we now live in. To all you arsenal fans... Arsene IS Arsenal. If he leaves, you may as well change the name of your club. MOT
Nice piece. Sorry for the comments posted by the neanderthal @ 10.24...he obviously can't take a real compliment when it is given
I don't know whether you are actually a Spurs fan (and an educated one at that apparently...) but hats off to you sir. As an Arsenal fan, born and bred in north london and brought up to despise Spurs and everything about them this is a very refreshing read, as are many of the comments above. Far more neutral and thought out than the vast majority of arsenal blogs I read n a daily basis. Thank you.
When i first saw your letter i thought it is going to be intersting,but when i go through it and read it i discovered that you are "experiencely right but technically wrong " arsenal situation is not like the spurs situation we know winger has done much but forget about the fast and look foward into present.Since, arsenal are more better better and better than spurs but nowadays it seems may be this coming season that spurs can replace arsenal.so bear it in mind that no excuse for arsene this coming season if he did not prove his managerial talent. Training of young and selling them for profit is not what we want in arsenal,arsenal is not a business corporation or company.
Learn to speak English, "Abdulhakeem", you dipshit.
I think hav read all the articles u hav posted and thrill'd the way that spud fan has xpres'd himself. Let the truth AW is a great manager 1st look wots at his disposal interms of rsources and they he brings players 4m scratch to world class beaters, he brought us the most magnificent stadium wea evry player longs to play that's y Brasil like to play their friendlies and Barcelona likes to train. To me without wenger Arsenal is doom'd. U cant know wot u hav until it's gone.
Wenger is the person that has taken Arsenal to a new level, even without spending big money we have knocked on the door. We also have the best stadium in the league and are a profitable club. Arsenal fans stop and enjoy the football being played, the price of winning the league would destroy what has been built. Man City players love the money, not the shirt. Wenger should be a case study in management.
I think hav read all the articles u hav posted and thrill'd the way that spud fan has xpres'd himself. Let the truth AW is a great manager 1st look wots at his disposal interms of rsources and they he brings players 4m scratch to world class beaters, he brought us the most magnificent stadium wea evry player longs to play that's y Brasil like to play their friendlies and Barcelona likes to train. To me without wenger Arsenal is doom'd. U cant know wot u hav until it's gone. From Kenya(KISUMU CITY) Am a goonerific since 1998
I'm an arsenal fan and I would much prefer to see the spuds win a trophy than man ure
I'm an Arsenal fan and to be honest, this is the best piece I've read in a long time.If only other Gooners understand it's not easy what Arsene has done and sacking him would mean us taking a few step backwards. Great great article.
unfortunately this is going to be arsene's last season unless he wins a trophey or gets us into the top 4, its going to be a shame because instead of being remembered as a great manager hes going to be remembered as a stubborn one. teams like city, chelsea, liverpool and even spurs have no shame in spending millions and for us it will be hard to compete, but in arsene we trust so lets do it the 'right way' and so them all money aint it all
Nice article, as a gooner I have to say I have a soft spot for Arry too, although i wouldn't want him at Arsenal. 100% next England manager. Arsene Graham, check out 5-0 win at White Hart Lane a couple of decades back, Liam Brady's amazing curler. It must be online somewhere. i think your name is quite appropriate as we could do with some of grahams teams solidity to mix with Arsenes finesse, although without the total boredom factor that came with grahams football. Sorry Spurs fans but i can't see you threatening us this season, maybe the scousers can. As long as we buy a dirty great agricultural CB we will be in with a shout with the scum(s) from manchester and chelski
I just hate utd
As a 'Gooner' ihave to give credit for a balanced,and well written article. 'My old man' always made sure i was an Arsenal fan,But in the mid 60s He used to take me to WHL every other week(Because he was passionate about his football1) And I was lucky enough to see great players like Jennings,Mullery,McKay,England,Greaves,Gilzeanetc... I would rather both North london clubs be successful rather then the 'nouveau riche' Chelsea & Man city With their 'Dirty money'
Very good article. It's wonderful that even as rivals we can admire and respect each other.
As much as it pains me to say this I will. I feel that Spurs are becoming much more of a threat in the recent years and I welcome the competition from down the road. The derbys spark fire and desire in the players hearts to outplay their timeless rivals. Hell I even would take Bale, Modric and RVdV. This was a great, fair, and polished article about 2 opponents sharing mutual admiration for one another. (Sigh) If we keep this up we might have to form one huge club.....NAHHHHHHH I'm just joking hahaha. Good on ya Spuds. Gooner4lyf
well put. As an arsenal fan i would like to admit that sometimes the way spurs play almost reminds me of arsenal. Gareth bale tearing up the wings is bloody good. Wish we had him..and lest we forget Arsene Wenger whose name matches the club so well that; i suspect; god made him for this job.
Seeing the heading here, I was convinced it was going to be a satirical article spouting the usual tosh about our Manager. It takes a 'great' Spurs fan to be able to swallow pride and wax lyrical about an Arsenal Manager (or anything Arsenal, for that matter). My respects, my man. PS: good thing you didn't post your pic. I know a part of North London you wouldn't be going to after dark.
I'm afc my brother thfc, I was at the lane 71 & 2004, this is best sperz since greaves left (he was bergkamp level). Arsene is a flawed genius, this season could be amazing or disaster we shall see but we were top for a good while last season, we keep the ball we have plenty of cash we are young so I'm up... Sperz could do well as they don't have CL which was why they and we ran out of steam & squad
Thank God some of you know just what lucky buggers you have been & let North London unite versus the northern Vikingss(all three of them) and the Chav Normans who all pretend to be English.
I have absolutely no respect for Wenger - then again, I am a Stoke fan! At least it is unlikely, at least whilst Whinger is manager, that Arsenal will repeat the rather successful signing of defenders from Stoke (aforementioned Lee Dixon & Steve Bould)!
Jukebox the article was about Wenger's value to Arsenal...not to Stoke or any other club so your point is totally irrelevant(if it can be called a "point" that is)
My old man was a spud and I chose Arsenal ..have no clue why as that was 60-61 ..maybe I just liked the colour red or underdogs. I echo what others say back then there was banter, I went to WHL occasionally with my dad and vica versa. I dont HATE spurs but I always like to see them lose ..unless they play Mu or another rival of ours. A well written article and Harry has done wonders at spurs too. I dont rate Bale much to be honest but would love VDV or Modric in our side.
Well done, good article.
Just like yourself, I am a Spurs fan first, football fan second. It is in my role as a football fan that I appreciate everything the crazy professor has done for the Goons. For a long time I've had a hard time explaining why I admire the likes of Pires, Henry, and Viera, only to be met with backlash. I've always pointed it out to Wenger, but still, many have condemned by admiration for anything remotely related to the Goons. Well said!
great article. I think the europa league may hamper u boys though this season. those thursday nite games are a fuckin pain.
great article. hope north london darby contenues to be this competitive always.
I've followed this thread from the outset, and I'll bet a pound to a penny that those more liberal are of an age and actually herald from the area originally. I've been ejected once from WHL for scrapping, unfortunately it was with my elder brother (a Goon), after a 2-2 on Boxing day. That apart I went to school, worked and lived with fans of Arsenal and vice versa. There was little animosity apart from match-days and most of the real 'hatred' was aimed at the 'Cockney Reds' or 'Plastic Scousers' who jumped aboard the band-wagon of easy success. I leapt for real joy, when Thomas scored in 89 and again when Overmars netted to fuck Utd big time. The only other 'altercation' I've come close to was when Ferdinand scored against Utd and some fellow Yids moaned because I could've led to Arsenal getting the title, couldn't believe it at the time, still can't, how any born and bred Londoner could possible give their allegiance to anything other than a London side is complete non-sense to me, I cannot even bring myself to talk football with them to be honest!
Spurs and attacking football fan equally here. been told quite a few times that i can't appreciate the gooner's style of play and be a spurs fan. the truth is , you can't be a football fan and not appreciate what has happened over there over the last few years even if it makes you want to puke. great article. now go write something about the seedy side of arsenal.
Nice to see sensible comments written about both teams,From either side. Unlike other sites full of thick 'chavs' who kant rite proper in the kweens inglish. innit.
It is simple, Spurs til i die, but I was not born a spur. I am an american whose played 'soccer' my whole life and now am starting to coach. I fell for spurs in 2005 because, win or lose, the goal is to play beautiful football. I don't love wenger, mostly because he views the world is unfair to him a bit too often. But arsenal play to score "not bore the other team to death" and that will always get respect. Not to mention the refreshing ability to bring young players up with confidence. Since I could never be a born londoner seeing as Ohio is quite different, but what a handful of darbys we've hand the past few years! So much passion because we want to be better because the standard of London football is high, Which is different than despising chelsea who want money to solve everything... ill stop rambling
AntiOnan - I take it then that only Arsenal & Spurs fans are allowed to comment on this article? My profuse apologies for my misunderstanding
Good stuff mate. Especially in times where utter stupidity and blind bias (hello Redcafe) seem to be the norm for online football discussion. Cheers.
Rebellious Jukebox: Of course your comments are welcome. I have a lot of respect for Tony Pulis and in fact think that Stoke City at the moment are a decent team. Contrary to what a lot of Stoke supporters seem to think though, Arsenal are not a team that is scared of the phtsical side of the game. That is purely a label with no foundation. And also, it is good that Stoke put Arsenal to the sword a few times and exposed our total ineptitude with set pieces. What is refreshing about this article is that nearly everyone who has commented has tried to take a 'looking from the outside' in neutral approach. Now that the media is beginning to be a bit less biased, hopefully we'll get more true fans having banter. This is definitely the best cross-supporter article I have ever read (speaking as a Gunner).
you're welcome to him mate because we've had just about as much as we can endure!!!
Good article and I bow to your neutral bias! As an Arsenal fan I think what you said is more or less correct but I hope you can understand most Arsenal fans criticise and complain not because they are stupid but because they are passionate for Arsenal to do well rather than blaming Arsene Wenger (AW). Although, AW has enabled Arsenal to play gloriously attractive football in the last six barren years 'the Arsenal' defensive tradition has been sacrificed(e.g. last season when Spurs beat Arsenal 3-2! and of course when Arsenal drew 4-4 to Newcastle). That was disgraceful! Yes, AW has done great things on and off the pitch but the balance of attacking and defensive strategy is obviously too uneven. Sometimes, stubborness can be a positive as well as a negative! AW needs to change his strategy for next season, and I still don't understand why he changed a winning formula with strong, athletic, tall and technical players, towards smaller players? Barcelona would find it a lot tougher in the Premiership. As for Spurs, its good your club supports financial sustainability unlike Chelski and Manchester clubs and Liverpool, I hope you can extend your football ground to a 60,0000 but its strange you were prepared to go to East London to achieve it! I think Glenn Hoddle was a genius, and no lover of football, even an Arsenal supporter should disagree! Hoddle would have got in the Arsenal's 'Invincibles' team!
I feel like shading some tears bcos this is all I have been longing to see among fans of different clubs; appreciative of what other clubs can offer while remaining loyal fans of their respective clubs. Believe me if arsenal or spur were to spend like the mega rich clubs or even man.u that spent huge these days the will always be the first two but who will expose the wilsheres on the bigger stage at their present ages. Just imagine wilshere on the transfer list of arsenal you know how much the club will make and for how was he bought? Do you sack such managers? How long did it take chelsea to wing the EPL again?
Sorry, whilst there's some well considered comments here - I haven't read them all - I can't find it within myself to praise A.W. whatsoever. It's not that he hasn't fashioned some good sides and played some 'nice' football, it's his myopia and lack of sportsmanship that just riles me to the bone. His constant tirades about bad tackles on his players whilst seemingly being oblivious to his own sides APPALLING disciplinary record borders on the incredulous. Not once have I ever heard him say the other side played better and deserved to win. Not once have I heard him say that the penalty awarded to the opposition was the correct decision. For all his undoubted managerial talents the man doesn't possess a sporting bone in his body - and for that I revile him. To read a Spurs fan praising him is galling. That said, if I were an ars*n*l fan I'd be praising him to high heaven. The bile I've read from ars*n*l supporters wanting him replaced is quite incredible given all he has done for your club.
I dont believe this article is by a genuine Spurs fan. I think this is a gooner taking the piss.
lee dixon, ian wright good pundits? what are you on mate?
All the usual banter aside, as a Spurs fan of 50+ years I enjoy good football and have to admit that If I could forget the name Arsenal and pretend I was watching a team from Outer Mongolia called abcxyz Utd the I would say they have had some very good teams. Wenger has a tremendous ability and gift of finding and nurturing youngsters and bringing them on to 1st team level, which I think Spurs have fallen short of. COYS
Such a refreshing article.. Banter's good - hate filled bile isn't! All the best for the next season Arsenal & Spurs.. But down with the 'Blank Cheque' clubs!!
As an arsenal fan, I think your article is very "objective" in that you have looked at the big picture of where arsenal are and how well Arsene has done. Unfortunately from many arsenal blogs (i used to post plenty of comments etc on arsenal blogs 3 or 4 years ago and dont waste my breath any more!) the view is super negative as if the world is coming to an end. What I can say for sure is that tottenham have really improved as a team and are knocking on that "top 4" door with real conviction. Harry has done extremely well in motivating the tottenham players. Now every time that arsenal play tottenham, I cant say with confidence that arsenal will beat or draw with tottenham. Tottenham seem to play their hearts out and never give up, where it seems that arsenal cant cope at times
"IMHO you gooners who whinge about Wenger should be taken out and shot as you don't know just how lucky you have been" I have nothing further to add.
I expressed exactly the same opinion about a month ago on a spurs site saying i would swap Redsnapps for Wenger in a heartbeat,i was surprised by the response,I expected a lot of grief but only got a little.In a game where all concerned seem very mercenary Wenger is the only one who in my mind who can hold his head up high.Having said all this i wish Arsenal nothing but badness COYS
I agree with Goonerjim, This also allows you Spurs fans extra license to shoot these embarrasments to our club.
Totally agree with JamesSpur's comment and also wish Arsenal well for next season as long as they finish below us.
the brand Arsenal, has grown tremendously during wenger's time. the Fan base too, arsene is arsenal, nuff said. greetings you all from a tiny island in Africa.
not only are you a spurs fan, but you are also a proper football fan.......thank you....hope some of the arsenal fans ready this and understand how lucky we are to have a Arsene .
one - I will not be reading this as there is a ridiculous mistake in the FIRST word 'It's clearly states' - doesn't make sense, I can only guess this is admiration for Arsene? Why? He has been slated over the last season more than anyone else? He never sees anything, he denies his players for being in the wrong, he moans and moans and moans and can never admit defeat? Harry is everything football should be, as is Hollaway.
What a great read, As an Arsenal supporter I'm still in shock over the fact that there are so many Spurs & Arsenal fans who have a great deal of admration for each others club, it really does open the door to a new found respect for Spurs fans... Well done and well written. I hope some one pastes this on to Le Grove because that's one very very sad blog.
As an Arsenal fan I congratulate you on your objectivity and a well-written article. Now that you have tasted Champions league and have a world-class manager in Harry (my opinion anyway) Redknapp I am looking forward to our derbies. In the last few years our games have been a fantastic advertisement on how football should be played, and what are the true values of sportsmanship anf fighting till the end. I bet there were quite a few spurs+gunners fans sharing a pint together atfer the game :-) In any case, don't let Levy dictate player purchases, have faith in Harry (OK, get rid of Crouch please, you would have had 10+ more with Pav up front and your midfield service), and lets kick those rich-sugar-daddy-sorry-excuse-for-a-football-club off their imaginary thrones!!!
as spurs fans we appreciate good football so anyone that isnt up their own backside would admit arse play good footie, also agree that the club is run well. i do feel that wenger has become to stuck in his ways though re the transfer market, as a spurs fan though this is gr8 as it gives us time to close the gap further COYS
While I always wanted the Gunners to thrash Spurs, I also admired their football, and in my spare time away from Highbury, when I couldn’t get to away games, I used to occasionally go to watch Greaves et al. with Spud friends. It’s refreshing to read a post like this; there can be friendly rivalry without the bile that sometimes infects these forums, when we can acknowledge what Rednknapp has done, but which does however, indeed, pale in comparison to what Wenger has achieved, and about which many of the global J-come-lates get so upset about.
As an Arsenal fan I must say that I really enjoyed watching the Spuds when David Ginola was on your team. Absolute class that player was.
Nice to see that for every moron like the 10.24 example, there are dozens more prepared to show that rivalry can exist alongside respect.
Thanks man, Yes Wenger is a genius but let down by players last few years.....but he is guilty of not balancing the team....you look at Spurs now it worrying they have to many classy players on bench and on field.......but mark my word Spurs,West Ham have always played great Football, it in their DNA .....I would rather we play Spurs 100 times than play long ball merchant like Stoke,Blackburn Etc..... But Spurs should focus on Winning League and stop playing second fiddle when the pressure build up,It strange they lose steam sometimes despite getting momentum to carry them across.....believe it much to do with mental Huddle than lack of quality....plus some of your fans are disgraceful chanting pedo songs...how silly can you get...but full marks to you.
And you have Harry to thank for your current disposition. He may not be arsene but he has put the spurs on the map.
I'm an Arsenal fan but also like Spurs. It is refreshing to read a reasoned and positive blog post. The majority of what is out there is so negative it's not worth paying attention to. With more articles like this and positive attitudes in football it'll help spread goodwill and the popularity of the game. For the vast majority of us football is entertainment and an outlet outside of day to day life. It'd be good if it was a positive one. Otherwise the anger filled hooligan mentality will win the day.
One other thought from an Arsenal fan: while it is true Arsenal do have a fantastic manager, youth program and attacking style. An area Spurs beat Arsenal hands down is the loyalty and enthusiasm of their fans. In contrast our Gooner fans are fair weather fans only too happy to boo the team and predict our demise. Frankly the never say die attitude of the Spurs fans makes me pull for their team and sometimes question whether I want to watch an Arsenal game with negative know-it-all Gooners. Thanks for being bold and expressing a refreshing viewpoint!
Someone else commented along the same lines - banter, fun, etc. We support our teams with passion, but sometimes to much passion. I wrote a similar thing on the sun's website when Liverpool fans reacted angrily to their 3rd strip having some blue on it. I mean really, getting shirty about a colour - how childish is that! We should all show more respect to each other and your article is exactly what I mean. Mutual respect is what it's REALLY all about, respecting other people's passions, opinions, morals and so on. Hat's off to you.
Paulk - do you watch Spurs week-in week-out? They boo their team sometimes as well - I think you're being a bit harsh on your fellow supporters.
Let me say one thing that in late 90's, it was not and never the "The Tottenham Way" that we played. You copied us, alright. Stop being so narcissistic. You were never league champions or Champions League finalists. I thought I'd remind you there.
Paulo. Spurs have always played attacking football.. Arsenal of nowadays are the complete antithesis of what they where in the 70s and 80s, though I imagine you don't remember that. Spurs won the league twice many years ago, believe it or not.
Paolo: your post is as ignorant as are your facts: Once Eastham left Highbury Arsenal damn near ruined football until Wenger came and he taught you to play football as it should be played: "the Tottenham way" .As for your boasts, we were winning the first British euro cup probably before your father was born. Sorry folks but I had to reply to this all too typical (of most blogs) post> This page has shown some London esprit de corp for once.
I think woolwich arsenal are a great club depth history matched only by TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR giants! 20 million loyal berserkers Ive known spurs ic-casuals north london dudes posse outlaws...minority of idiot mouthy gooners smeg-heads spoil for a fight c`mon then...
though I'm a spurs fan I respect the way the gunners play football. I don't however have a good word to say about chelsea
I’m 19 years old. My whole family are massive Gooners. Great to read an article that is not biased and can actually appreciate Wengers work. All I get from my mates is Arsenal haven’t won a trophy for 7 years… fair point. They don’t actually appreciate the work that Wenger has done for Arsenal and the whole of the Prem in that sense. By playing attacking football, Scouting, Structure to a football club, youth policy, sports science.
SABOTAGE
