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Post by Grape on Mar 7, 2011 14:14:43 GMT -5
The is the first season for years where Wenger has played to win the competition. Many a youth team player has been bloodied in the first team via this cup. The truth is that this trophy is a very poor fourth in the priority list for us. That's true, but I'm talking like 15 year olds. Just turn it into a sideshow act for one game. I'm obviously only half serious, but I just don't think it's worth playing any first team players in this competition, even if it's a final. Also, with this squad's injury record, young players seem to get more chances than they deserve (I'm looking at you Denilson). I'm not sure if they even need the experience of the Carling Cup anymore. As for supporting the Gunners, it goes back to my childhood to a certain extent. There was a cable channel that played English games, with MancU and Liverpool always on. I came to hate the two of them, and grew to like Arsenal. Unfortunately, after many years of playing year round competitive football, with constant drama regarding coaches, teams and parents, I got sick of it and didn't play or watch for a long time. It was around 2004 when I moved to Florida and for whatever reason, started to love football again. I picked up where I'd left off, having missed the glory years. Now, other than grand slam tennis, it's the only sport I care about. It's strange being so far away (right now I'm downloading the match since I couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning). None of my friends care about football either, so it's something I enjoy primarily in isolation, knowing that when I harp on about it, I'm only annoying people. It's kind of like MST in that way ;D. I also know that I'll never have the same feelings toward the club that a Briton would. I'll never fully grasp the history or understand the intricacies of the different sections of fans in the stadium and all that jazz, but whatever. I'm not in a competition to be the greatest fan in the world. I just love watching them play, and I'll probably support the red and white for the rest of my life.  Well, Fabregas made his debut at 16, so Wenger's not a million miles away from your suggestion (as long as the team are home before bed time). If you love watching them play, then that's 90% of it right there. I grew up in London (about 1.5 miles from The Spurs ground but we won't go into that), so my choices were Spurs or Arsenal (most of my family are Spurs, so I suppose I was just being bloody minded ;D). I know what you mean about not understanding the importance of it to a native, as I quite enjoy watching Baseball (although I don't follow a particular team), although by the sound of it, your knowledge of Football puts my knowledge of Baseball to shame! Here's hoping for at least a draw against Barcelona on Tuesday (although I fear the worst). If you ever need anything sent over from the marble halls, let me know. |
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Post by BJ on Mar 8, 2011 19:46:51 GMT -5
Well, Fabregas made his debut at 16, so Wenger's not a million miles away from your suggestion (as long as the team are home before bed time). If you love watching them play, then that's 90% of it right there. I grew up in London (about 1.5 miles from The Spurs ground but we won't go into that), so my choices were Spurs or Arsenal (most of my family are Spurs, so I suppose I was just being bloody minded ;D). I know what you mean about not understanding the importance of it to a native, as I quite enjoy watching Baseball (although I don't follow a particular team), although by the sound of it, your knowledge of Football puts my knowledge of Baseball to shame! Here's hoping for at least a draw against Barcelona on Tuesday (although I fear the worst). If you ever need anything sent over from the marble halls, let me know. Well, that was a downer. I didn't know what to expect, but I thought the passing would be a lot better. Fabregas clearly wasn't fit, and Rosicky just isn't the player he once was. Unfortunately, we saw another game significantly affected by a ridiculous decision from the officials. With 11 men at 1-1, I liked the odds to win the game. With 10, there wasn't a chance. I'd really like to look back on big games and not be thinking of the officiating, but that's a pipe dream. Also, for all the talk of Barcelona's greatness, they were only great at one thing tonight, falling down. I've never seen a team so anxious to go to the ground. Anyway, The Spurs rivalry is something I love, but must be so much more meaningful if you live there. When I first realized how close together the two stadiums are, I couldn't believe it. And I can't even imagine having to deal with Spurs supporters in your own family. Oh, and it's funny you like baseball. I grew up in St. Louis, a huge baseball town. I'd go to dozens of games each year, watching the rest on tv and highlights after that. It was my obsession right up to the moment I realized the steroid problem was so widespread, and I felt like there was a culture of cheating in the sport. I think it was the excitement of Mark McGwire's home run record chase that did me in. I was there when he broke the record, and it amazing. Then, living in California, I was in San Francisco to see Barry Bonds a few times during his record season. Knowing that it was one cheat passing another made me sick. Like a jilted lover, I remain bitter to this day. |
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Post by Grape on Apr 3, 2011 13:50:30 GMT -5
Well, Fabregas made his debut at 16, so Wenger's not a million miles away from your suggestion (as long as the team are home before bed time). If you love watching them play, then that's 90% of it right there. I grew up in London (about 1.5 miles from The Spurs ground but we won't go into that), so my choices were Spurs or Arsenal (most of my family are Spurs, so I suppose I was just being bloody minded ;D). I know what you mean about not understanding the importance of it to a native, as I quite enjoy watching Baseball (although I don't follow a particular team), although by the sound of it, your knowledge of Football puts my knowledge of Baseball to shame! Here's hoping for at least a draw against Barcelona on Tuesday (although I fear the worst). If you ever need anything sent over from the marble halls, let me know. Well, that was a downer. I didn't know what to expect, but I thought the passing would be a lot better. Fabregas clearly wasn't fit, and Rosicky just isn't the player he once was. Unfortunately, we saw another game significantly affected by a ridiculous decision from the officials. With 11 men at 1-1, I liked the odds to win the game. With 10, there wasn't a chance. I'd really like to look back on big games and not be thinking of the officiating, but that's a pipe dream. Also, for all the talk of Barcelona's greatness, they were only great at one thing tonight, falling down. I've never seen a team so anxious to go to the ground. Anyway, The Spurs rivalry is something I love, but must be so much more meaningful if you live there. When I first realized how close together the two stadiums are, I couldn't believe it. And I can't even imagine having to deal with Spurs supporters in your own family. Oh, and it's funny you like baseball. I grew up in St. Louis, a huge baseball town. I'd go to dozens of games each year, watching the rest on tv and highlights after that. It was my obsession right up to the moment I realized the steroid problem was so widespread, and I felt like there was a culture of cheating in the sport. I think it was the excitement of Mark McGwire's home run record chase that did me in. I was there when he broke the record, and it amazing. Then, living in California, I was in San Francisco to see Barry Bonds a few times during his record season. Knowing that it was one cheat passing another made me sick. Like a jilted lover, I remain bitter to this day. Sorry for the delay in replying, been a busy fortnight or so. Arsenal, ever the traditionalists, blow up in March. The whole season and its its promise come grinding to a halt. The Carling cup, out of the Champions league and now after a couple of draws, the Premier League is out of the window (barring miracles). I've always been a great supporter of Wenger but refusing to see that playing in the English league you do need players that can handle physical teams is starting to look like sheer bloddy-mindedness. We're now reduced to re-signing a 41 year goalie who retired 12 months ago. Wenger really needs to start spending some serious money through the centre of the team (new 'keeper, at least 1 centre half and a central midfielder (possibly a striker as well)) or we're going to slip further behind. Despite Spurs being in the doldrums for years, they're still the team that most Arsenal fans still love to beat. There's about 3 1/2 to 4 miles between the grounds, which is not uncommon in England. In London alone, there are 13 professional football teams, which is a fair amount even for a city of 8 million or so. In some places, Dundee in Scotland for example, the grounds of the 2 clubs are about 500 yards apart! I don't get the chance to watch Baseball much. Games are broadcast live on TV here but they tend to be at 2 or 3 am our time, so I only ever watch if I not going to work the next day. Although, I think they show highlights on ESPN now, so I'll have to start watching those instead. One thing that's always puzzled me, is that American Football and Basketball seem to be huge games at college level (colleges with 80,000 seater stadiums is a real source of wonderment over here), so why not Baseball? |
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Post by BJ on Apr 6, 2011 14:04:01 GMT -5
No worries on the late reply. That's what the Internet's all about.
At this point in the season, I've just about checked out. Sure, I'll keep watching, but there's not much to get excited about anymore. I just wish someone knew what's wrong. I think the outcry to get rid of Wenger has the logic of a lynch mob, but he has to do something. This same team was scoring goals in bunches earlier this season, and now can't even get a shot on goal.
The offensive woes have somehow masked the need for help in the central defense, which as you said, needs help. The goaltender situation is just a fluke to me, and I can't really blame anyone. Fabianski was playing like the keeper Wenger always said he was, and Szczesny came up so fast, and then they both get hurt. That never happens, except at Arsenal, where Murphy's law applies. What makes this even more frustrating is that Manchester has been so mediocre this season. The title was there for the taking.
There's actually a simple reason for this. Baseball has always had a minor league system, similar to the academies of football. Most players go professional right out of high school around age 18, and skip college. The NBA and NFL rely on colleges as feeder leagues, which gets more controversial and problematic every year.
As for 80,000 people watching amateur athletics? That's odd to me as well, and I think you'd have to live here to fully understand it. I think the sheer size of the country plays a big part. There are a number of large states with no professional teams, so people focus their energy on college teams (or even high school in places like Texas). The abundance of lower tier teams in European football is another big difference. That really doesn't exist here. Then there's school pride, state pride, etc. One funny thing I've noticed is that most college football fans never even went to college.
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Post by Grape on Apr 11, 2011 13:05:46 GMT -5
I'm really not sure about Fabianski (or Flapianski as he's known here) but I think Szczesny has the makings of an outstanding 'keeper. To make matters worse (or possibly not), Almunia missed the Blackpool game due to illness, which meant 41 year old Jens Lehmann was back in goal and he made a fair old fist of it as well.
The big Arsenal news today is that Stan Kroenke (owner of several American sports teams) has bought his share ownership up to 62%, which makes him the new owner. Hopefully he pimp some cash in and Wenger will go on a spending spree.
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Post by BJ on Apr 11, 2011 17:04:09 GMT -5
When they showed the lineups, and Mad Jens was staring at me, I couldn't believe it. Then, he took someone out, just like that Champions League final a few years back. It was like I'd warped back in time, complete with Eboue man starting. Only in this game, he wasn't sent off, and Blackpool isn't Barcelona.
I think Kroenke will be good for the club, but I don't see anything really changing. All his other teams are good without operating at a loss, so it's basically the philosophy Arsenal already have. At the very least, it keeps Usmanov from taking over the club.
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