The Soccer Blog: Negativity Reigns

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Negativity Reigns

By: Martin | April 4th, 2011
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Just some brief thoughts today in lieu of any actual news to report on:

The big thing is that everyone just seems all negative-d out. A sizeable minority booed the team off the pitch after Saturday’s listless 0-0 draw. Twitter is always a haven for negativity, but it’s been so bad the previous couple of days that it has become the dominant story of the day. Arseblog wrote about it. So did LadyArse. So did 7amkickoff. I thought they all had great takes on it, and I won’t go into as much detail as they did. I was particularly struck by the quote from 7 am kickoff to the effect of (and I’m paraphrasing here) — there are two types of Arsenal supporters: those that hate the team, and those that hate the first group. Given the amount of ignorance and bile that is spouted by Arsenal “supporters” when the path gets the least little bit rocky, it’s hard not to feel antipathy towards fellow supporters.

It all just starts to fall into this siege, us vs. them mentality for so many supporters — you must agree with the most extreme position, or you are stupid and should go support someone else. Some people think Wenger is the worst manager ever, completely unfit for the job, and needs to be booted out. Others think Wenger is perfect and flawless. Needless to say these groups say terrible things about one another, but they also say terrible things about anyone who falls in between. What ever happened to moderation? What’s wrong with saying that Wenger is a great manager who has done great things for the club, but has his flaws which may be holding the team back in some respects? Depends on who you ask, I suppose, but it seems like everyone has some kind of problem with it.

I’m not sure really what my point is on this stream of consciousness rant. Other than to say that supporters should tone down the criticism of other supporters. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and those opinions can and will differ widely, but that’s no reason to subject one another to such vitriol. At the end of the day, we are all Arsenal supporters, and everyone would do well to keep that in mind.

And even more importantly, I think we would all do well to remember that: it’s just a fracking game. Yes, I care about Arsenal. A lot. Probably too much. And I get really upset sometimes (certainly on Saturday I was). But given the very real, oftentimes life or death struggles people around the world are facing as we speak, the fact that a bunch of millionaires that we like will end the season not being as good as another bunch of millionaires that we don’t like at kicking a ball around a large grassy area is hardly reason to lose sleep or civility over.

Yes, we’re disappointed, probably a little angry. But the season isn’t completely lost yet. Sairax and I strive to provide some reasoned perspective about Arsenal on this site, and a forum for people to engage in hopefully intelligent, civilized discourse about the club. We try to stay upbeat and occasionally a little bit funny, and we will continue to do so, and we very much hope that you will all do the same in the comments. We will be back with actual news as soon as any occurs.

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Category: Rants

Tags: Rants
Tweet « Arsenal 0 – Blackburn 0: Arsenal Exposed as Title Pretenders with Failure to Beat 10-Man Blackburn | Home | KxevinNice post, Martin. I had to throw up something similar over at the Barca blog, when a lot of the same stuff was happening on the board (and it ain't like we aren't having success this season).

But we are going to lose. Again. And probably again. This season. And people are going to lose their minds, and turn on Guardiola, and each other. And it's posts such as this one that remind us all that this is a game. Yes it SEEMS like it's life and death as you're sitting on the sofa, sweating, trying to physically will your beloved team into a goal or two or twelve, and panicking every time the other team crosses into your half of the pitch.

It's still just a game. What unites us all, no matter what team we hail for and from, is our love for this crazy-ass sport.

Wenger has built a nucleus of success for Arsenal that needs a few pieces, just a few, to become exceptional. I don't know what's going to happen to the side if no silver is garnered this season, but I'd say that folks shouldn't panic. We have a saying: In Guardiola We Trust. And it isn't because we want to, it's because we HAVE to. He's the coach. We can analyze and criticize, but at the end of the day we're sitting in our living rooms watching our club, while folks with the real power make the decisions, rather than us. And we should probably be thankful for that. :DMike StevensMartin, Sairax -- I know we are being positive :). However, was wondering who you would like to see arrive at the Emirates this summer. Are there 1 or 2 players you would like Arsene to make a move for? I know he might do nothing, but I would guess he makes a couple moves.Darren_VIn dream land, or real life?
Dream land, David Luiz, David Villa, Ibrhaim Afellay and Mikel Essien.
Real-life? Does anyone have a clue, other than Wenger? Highly doubtful.Mike StevensI mean real-life. I would vote for Hazard. Could be a long-shot given his rising value, but he has expressed admiration for Wenger/Arsenal before -- and Wenger has said he will try to get him if he can.

This allows Nasri to move into the central role (when Fabregas leaves) and you would have Hazard and Walcott out wide. Hazard is an exceptional talent who can create goals and start moves out of nothing. Despite all the skilled players, Arsenal still lacks someone like him.Darren_VAre there really two sides still? I think everyone is kinda in the same boat, more or less, right now. Some choose to act without thinking, and some choose to get prespective, and that's where the issues are coming from imo.
I think everyone says Wenger has failings, and the players themselves are not good enough, by and large. Some just freak out because they are on the wrong side of the 50% intellegence lever, thats all :)Homey_MillsGood comments, the Martin. I love the pic of that cat. He/she looks so sad. Is that your cat this time?
I've said the same things on here before - about it just being a game, and for our entertainment, etc etc. Usually I get shouted down. But you're viewed as having much more gravitas than me.
It's been a bad sports month or so for me. Not only has Arsenal gone in the tank, but my stinking Panthers lost a ridiculous game to a team that's now playing for the national title tonight. Ugh. WE could have been there. WE should have been there. Ugh. Anyway, I don't want to bore the non-Americans with such things. Well, at least I'm not in the same sports purgatory that our commenters from Cleveland live in.MartinNot my cat -- my cats aren't quite that morose. Most of the time, anyway.

I did think of you when Pitt went down, that was a rough loss. Heck of a way to spend your birthday, between Arsenal crapping the bed and then that.

I do think following other sports helps us realize how lucky Arsenal fans are. This is the part where I usually complain about the New York Mets and University of South Carolina football team, but I've done it before and I'm already bummed out enough.Rickey_banksShit haha try being a Raiders fan lolvisionarythe fact that you compare arsenal to a bunch of millionaires that kick a football around a greasy pitch was hilarious and shows how much you care indeedOrion_saidwiseguyYou have just been owned by The Martin. You can leave the room now, knowing that what he has just told you is indisputable. Or you can continue your invalid argument and risk facing the wrath of the loyal Gooners who side with the all-knowing blogger.

Hint: The first option would be much better for all of us.MartinI don't think that word "compare" means what you think it means. Arsenal are, factually, a bunch of millionaires that kick a football around a grassy pitch.

And yeah, you got me -- I don't really care. I just watch every single match and then spend 1.5-2 hours writing detailed write-ups and player ratings, plus a couple of hours per week on various "news update" posts, because I don't care. Certainly not as much as an internet commenter who leaves a 2-line comment insulting me and directly proving the point I made in the post about how Arsenal supporters are willing to turn on each other at the drop of a dime.ChaityusIt is good to gain some perspective in the matter. There is not much you are going to achieve by cribbing about a loss than just make yourself feel worse. The passion of an Arsenal fan is not judged by how long he sulks after a victory but how quickly he is back up supporting his team after a bad performance.....not just calling for everyone's head.....ChaityusCorrection....make that sulks after a loss...lolMike StevensGreat article Martin. There are reasons to be frustrated and embarrassed as fans (and I am sure the players are as well). But, this year has still been impressive, heart-wrenching, and, at times, amazing (will never forget Barca 1st leg). We need to take the long-term approach. It is our duty to make our voices heard as fans -- hopefully placing pressure for one big buy this summer -- but taking a rational view towards Arsene and the team. They are great. Could be better, but they are great. And I couldn't be prouder everyday to be a Gooner.Danielmike you are easily pleased!!! have been way more lows than highs this year.Mike StevensI wouldn't say easily pleased. There have been a lot of lows this year -- I can still feel the pit in my stomach from the CC final. But, this has still been a great year to be an Arsenal fan. That Chelsea game at home was sublime, and showed what this team is capable of. I still watch Nasri's two goals against Fulham. And I don't need to expand on how amazing that 1st Barca game was. At our best this year, Arsenal have been fantastic to watch. We will likely look back at this season with regrets as we'll probably see no trophies again. Still, I think it is important to take a positive approach. In large part because -- amplified with the wide use of twitter -- it doesn't help to have Arsenal players berated constantly. We want players to come here, stay here, and grow here. We certainly do not help the team when we irrationally criticize Wenger and the players, calling for a different person's head every week.Danielthe reality is, it is always the same problems, same issues and no solutions, and the problems are so blindingly obvious that you get to the point where you just can't stand it anymore, you know what's coming, it comes and you end up getting more and more frustrated. whatever side of the argument one may be, i think to a person everyone knows what needs to be done, there is no magic required here and yet it never gets done. i really don't think the complaints are irational in any shape or form. NO other manager in world football would have been allowed to do what wenger has done, been given so much freedom, been set such modest goals and been held so unaccountable for real results. the fans have largely gone along with it, but you reach a point where you say enough is enough, and we have now reached that point, especially when you announce increased tix prices and so much money in the bank gathereing interest.Mike StevensI certainly understand the frustration over tickets prices. It is tough to justify to fans who spend their hard-earned money on games, that you can't/won't buy established players. Moreover, I think the CC final is especially grating because 1) Wembley tickets are very expensive and 2) it at least offered fans some return on their money in the form of a trophy.

However, seems to me Arsene is (slowly) realizing his flaws. He appears to be giving in regarding a game in Malaysia this summer which will raise extra funds for the club. This is a huge concession for Arsene to make and will only help Arsenal in the short and long-term.

Also, I think he will do some summer cleaning this year and offload Almunia and Denilson. Wenger is never going to make wholesale changes and ship out 5-6 players in the off-season. However, he is figuring out who he can go to battle with (see: Wilshere) and who can be sent packing.

But, as Wenger right points out, every time he buys an established star a younger player's growth is hindered. Our goalie situation is close to resolved despite continual fan uproar. Aside from the CC blunder, Wojo and Flaps were having great seasons until they were injured. There is nothing Wenger could do to prevent injuries to his number 1 and 2 keepers. Nothing. No team would want to play their number 3.

Also, the CB situation is much better than last season. If TV5 wasn't injured all year, Arsenal would have had 3 top quality CBs in Djourou, Kos, Vermalean. Bartley looks to be a future stud and could move into the #4 CB role next year. For all the complaints about Wenger's unwillingness to buy last summer, Arsenal's defense (when Wojo, Djourou, and Kos start) has been very solid.

Wenger is still proving stubborn, but he is building a strong foundation which looks much tougher than last year. Who could have guessed last summer that the reason we would drop crucial points (Sunderland, Blackburn) would be because we couldn't score. Don't forget that in both we had clean sheets.

This team is not the finished article, but it is improving.Mikewe are ALL on the same side, ultimately.demolGreat post!

And the cat is like the cutest evah.Danieli think people have just had it and saturday was the last straw especially as we basically had a good teamout, useless opponents and a real opportunity to shwo that we were going to fight for the league. certainly the most disappointing performance of the season.Danielhard to see any silver linings from saturday, the last month has sucked out all the possible posivity out of people.ladyarseCouldn't agree moreWeedonaldI regularly visit and post on LA's excellent site but am thinking of abandoning ship (sorry Ms.Hurley) because of the droids brigade of Wenger haters that seems to wait in ambush for anyone with a marginally positive outlook and loves to spread Gloom and Doom well before the ship hits the iceberg (like when its still docked!). They also spout vile and vitrolic abuse at anyone who challenges them and its getting a bit tiresome to hear this crap after every non-victory! Nice article on your site Martin and the bloggers seem balanced and respectful, like it used to be on LA's site. Once that opprobrium returns, I will as well.SairaxThe worst part was hearing about the fights that broke out after the game on Saturday at the Emirates. That really just makes me sad.

I'll just say that the comments on here have generally been good and not really vitriolic. I hope we can all keep it that way even if we disagree on things.blog comments powered by Disqus