Written by Wenger Boy on Tuesday, 16 August 2011 13:27

G’day Arsenalissimos. I trust you are all well.

Tonight, as mistress fate would have it, we have a much unwanted Champions League qualifier. As desirable as Europe’s premier knock-out competition may be, the early rounds become increasingly less so the further back from the actual event they are. They are to my mind a bit like a series of obnoxious and insufferable aristocrats that one must schmooze in order to gain access to the royal court - you feel it’s below you and you may not enjoy much of it but the end result is more than worth the effort.

Our opposition tonight are, on paper, very beatable. Yes we’ve lost Fabregas and will face them (today at least) without Jackie, Robin or Samir ‘Mr Arsenal’ Nasri but Udinese have lost key players too, including Sanchez to our mutual bezzie mates in España. Yay.

And just to add a lil’ context to proceedings: we finished 6 points above a team (Spurs) that knocked out the Italian champions (AC Milan) who in turn finished 16 points above Udinese last year.

Unfortunately for us the contest of choice this evening is not a duel to the death with marker pens so our paper advantage rather gets tossed in the recycling, I’m afraid. And as well being a traditionally unpredictable cup tie we have the added bonus of having only, literally, just right now lost our captain to a rag-tag bunch of conniving bastards only, literally, a couple of literal days ago. 

I mentioned a couple paragraphs back (check if you don’t believe me) that Udinese have had departures as well but luckily for them the reigning champions were kind enough to conduct their business swiftly and effectively. Which in Barca terms meant a couple of tediously drawn out months rather than several eye-scratchingly infuriating years.

With the Nasri situation seemingly destined to come to a head at some point in the near future and the general mood amongst the fans at pretty much the lowest point it’s been some might say this was actually a great time to play Arsenal FC, and in many ways you could be right. Our mental fragility in the wake of summer events is yet to be truly tested and a couple of away goals from Udinese could spell disaster for the boys in red and white.

Wondering how we would react to such a situation is as worrying as it is intriguing, and while I am content to play out that scenario theoretically I must admit I hope that reality takes a slightly more sleep-beneficial route tonight.

But before the doomers, gloomers and...er...baby boomers (?) think I’ve tumbled head-first off The Positive Wagon and landed face-down in Negative Swamp I’d like to present a different perspective entirely. 

I see this tie as a massively positive opportunity for Arsenal - not just in the present but in the past and the future as well. Let me explain.

In the first instance (the present) the benefit of winning this tie, and especially tonight’s game, is essentially twofold. On a basic level winning would allow us to progress to the Champions League ‘proper’ - which is clearly an end in itself – but on another level it gives us a chance to get right back on our feet after the Newcastle debacle at the weekend. 

Luckily for us this game has come so hot on the heels of the previous game that there will have been little time for those involved to sit around contemplating the negatives from St. James Park. For those facing domestic bans tonight will provide a welcome distraction and some much needed game time and for the team as whole there is the possibility of a massive confidence boost and immediate, if temporary, redemption. These positives should not be taken lightly and as unwelcome as this game appeared to be three months ago it could yet turn out to be just the fillip that we need before facing Liverpool this weekend.

In the second instance (the past) this game becomes an opportunity to heal some of the mental scars left by last season’s decline. This Champions League qualifier is basically a huge reminder of how far we fell and, while we should be grateful to even have a chance to participate in the world’s most prestigious club competition, it hurts like hell knowing we have to fight for this right while the Man City squad frolic about licking whipped cream off Aguero’s navel. 

But this is in many ways the end of that chapter. Win here today and win the tie and we revert back to equal status with those whose group place is guaranteed; more than equal, even. We go from needing to qualify to being seeded and that’s a massive leap forward mentally from where we are now. 

So far forward in fact that it may be hard to picture for some, but if I were neither an Arsenal fan nor adverse to gambling I would definitely place my hard-earned Euros on the team from North London progressing. Advance and we can start to draw a much-needed line under last season so that we can better focus our attention on this. With all that’s going on at the club right now to be able to drop even the tiniest portion of our unwanted baggage would greatly aid our attempts to view the coming season as some sort of fresh start. A very good thing indeed.

In the third instance (the future) it’s a good chance to show that Arsenal can and will go on without Cesc Fabregas. It may only be an unnecessary qualifier against a team we should be beating but what better opportunity is there in the short term to show that we can still be considered part of the elite without our former captain? 

We can’t win any of the four available trophies until at least the new year but since participation in the Champions League is of such incredible importance to the stature of the club these games are the closest we can come to that feeling in the immediate future. Doing it without Cesc will give those most hurt by his departure – RvP for example – a level of renewed belief in the team he left behind and a good performance coupled with decent results against Liverpool and Man U might even get the media off our backs for the foreseeable.

A Cesc-less team may be doubt-inducing for some but it’s what we have to work with, and every important win chips away at that doubt like a tiny grinning woodpecker. So if you ever feel the doubt coming back just picture the woodpecker chipping away and picture the doubt as John Terry’s eyes and you’ll find yourself smiling and humming a fabulous little ditty in no time at all. I promise.

There is one final opportunity I forgot to mention with regards tonight, and that’s an opportunity for the fans. We all know that the mood in Arsenaltown isn’t great right not and I’m sure the players can feel the fans dissatisfaction with I’d guess that some are being affected by it as well. 

But that mood will only affect them if it’s actually there and that’s why tonight is a great opportunity to get behind the team 100% and cheer them every step in the way. If we don’t boo and we celebrate and we sing their names and we help them along the way the affect on the team will be profound I assure you. 

If you want your team to progress to the Champions League proper then please, please, please understand that you really can make a difference to the outcome of this match. I’m not the first to say it and I won’t be the last but a unified crowd really is like a 12th player and since 12 players can clearly beat the shit out of 11 players there is no excuse for not uniting together in what is a difficult time to support the team that you love and cherish and hold dear in your heart.

I won’t be at the stadium tonight but I can guarantee you’ll hear me shouting inside the ground so if you notice just shout back. I’ll hear you.

Nothing left to say really except good luck to the lads. Tonight is an opportunity so let’s embrace it together. 

3-0 to the Arsenal. You know we can do it.

WB

@WengerBoy1

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Comments (25)

• 16-Aug-2011 13:35 | | MeanLean
  

  Great read, very inspiring. Well done fella.
  
  Lets show how good we are tonight.

• 16-Aug-2011 14:13 | | MANUEL
  

  PLSSSSSSSSSSSS lets cheer them tonight, lets all make a difference

• 16-Aug-2011 14:18 | | Alex
  

  Will be cheering the boys all the way. Forward line is sorted but the midfield seems light. Dont know who the third midfielder will be alongside Ramsey and Song tonight. Will be good to see Kos and TV5 play together again. Up the Arse!

• 16-Aug-2011 14:36 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Thank you kindly my friend. I'm confident we'll make the most of the opportunity we have.
  
  Come on Arsenal.

• 16-Aug-2011 14:36 | | TB Gooner
  

  Great read. Well said WengerBoy

• 16-Aug-2011 14:40 | | roy
  

  I love the article , We'll cheer the boyz to victory

• 16-Aug-2011 14:48 | | tomstoned  - what
  

  well since The Arsenal i ONLY about makin money i guess we should get used to it...stop being doomers and accept the facts..We're only in it to make money for Wenger Gazidis The Board and Kroenke..the results doesnt matter anymore..and we only produce youngsters so that we can sell them later with a good profit...
  so lets get behind the Team, so that we could earn a buck or two ..
  finally..nasri Mr Arsenal.?.summed it up just perfectly..we're about to sell Mr Arsenal then..but again we will make some money...and then its all good...
  these days we should be very very proud to be Gooners...heck we should all wear a nice tie and a suit...we're the money makers remember..

• 16-Aug-2011 15:08 | | PLS NO  - Are you serious
  

  I haven't felt as less inspired and non conformative since the early eighties to this borish regime. Are you seriously trying to convince us that all is rosey in the garden of Arse???
  
  I'll be there tonight banging the corporate drum and doing my best but you must realise that the current system is going to flush us into the abyss.
  
  Oh well. I really hope your optimistic approach bears fruit. From where I sit (green quadrant row 11) I don't see it personally.

• 16-Aug-2011 15:29 | | Wenger Boy
  

  I don't remember trying to convince anyone that things were rosy, hence:
  
  'the general mood amongst the fans at pretty much the lowest point it’s been'
  
  'Our mental fragility in the wake of summer events is yet to be truly tested'
  
  and
  
  'With all that’s going on at the club right now to be able to drop even the tiniest portion of our unwanted baggage would greatly aid our attempts to view the coming season as some sort of fresh start.'
  
  Among other things.

• 16-Aug-2011 15:30 | | RedandDread  - Tonite's game
  

  The vision of doom and life in the Europa League & mid-table mediocrity promulgated by the current hate mob will be sooner achieved if we don't have a unified voice tonite! Get behind our team and give them the lift that they need to kill this tie off early!
  
  As the author has so correctly pointed out-tonite is a massive opportunity for us to move forward POST Cesc and allow the team to earn some confidence in a massive match for the club.
  
  
  Do our fans have the heart and courage to make the difference tonite-I certainly hope so!
  
  
  Come on you REDS!!!!!!!

• 16-Aug-2011 15:54 | | PLS NO  - Apologies
  

  It appears that I have misread your sentiments and for that I apologise.
  
  If I have 1 big concern it certainly isn't the lack of trophies in the cabinet for now but the lack of excitement in the future plan.
  
  Somebody knows the truth. Either Wenger inherited the best defence in the land and added a little midfield steel and attacking nous or we have been fed an amazine line from the best yah slayers in the business.
  
  Has Wenger ever bought a decent centre half????? Campbell was free. Vermaelen is not proven.

• 16-Aug-2011 16:18 | | aeroberg  - Bigger game than it already is
  

  Good point on this being a very important game now. Allowing Cesc to leave couple with an exit at the qualifier stage of the Champions League would really send the wrong signal out from Arsenal. While qualifying to the group stage proper may only paper over some of the cracks but it does allow the club time to rectify the situation. On the playing side, a real performance is needed from the team in their first "actual" game post-Cesc.

• 16-Aug-2011 16:23 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Agree totally. If the team can just push themselves through these two games the rewards will be bigger then many think. Lose and morale will drop sharply.
  
  The team should view this as an opportunity however. Do that and I know they will find it within themselves to win.
  
  Thanks for reading. Much appreciated.

• 16-Aug-2011 16:30 | | okanbi1  - Happy
  

  I am very happy with your write ups, its very inspiring. We surely need to cheer our players up for success tonight. If you check last season matches that Cesc didn't play, you will see that we won them. No much problem with Cesc leaving but we need solid defence. Gunners 4 life

• 16-Aug-2011 16:37 | | Wenger Boy
  

  First let my just say I appreciate your apology fully. Very respectful and not necessarily the common route.
  
  I do have to disagree with you however about the CB. Toure was immense at his best and while the current crop may be slightly unproven I think to describe them as less then 'decent' would be very harsh.
  
  Koscielny marked Messi out of the Barca game last year - no easy feat - and Vermaelen had a pretty impressive debut season and together (and with Szczesny) I feel they could form the foundations of a very solid defence.

• 16-Aug-2011 23:48 | | richie  - Best defence
  

  Campbell might've been free (In other words good buisness) but Wenger signed him. Played alongside Toure, Lauren, Cole & in front of Mad Jens Lehman (all signed and developed by AW) it was turned into the best defence the prem has ever seen. None of the above were inherited, the inherited bunch were the earlier model of Dixon, Adams, Bold, & Winterburn, played in front of (safe hands) Seaman

• 17-Aug-2011 01:32 | | luis zelaya
  

  well it certainly wasn't an inspiring match, you could expect as much seeing our preseason. this is the worst arsenal i've seen in my life, and the case could be made that this was not our first eleven, but i'd like to point out that our first eleven will be very similar to the one lined up today, at least for a considerable period. udinese are a better team than arsenal, and actually have options up front and an above average midfield, and they are a mid tier team, so where does that leave us? we did win, but in all honesty they deserved at least a draw. the one positive aspect i'd take from the game and our pre season is that we have looked more solid at the back than last year, but that isn't saying much either.

• 17-Aug-2011 12:24 | | richie  - LZ where'd you hear they were mid tier?
  

  Luis, Udinese finished 4th in Italy last year. Not only that but they had the second best attack in their league. I saw them play and they were the most attacking Italian team I've seen in a long long time. I know they've just sold a few of their top players, but they have strength in depth. I knew before we were drawn against them that they were the most difficult opponents we could end up with. The others possiblities were only difficult because of the distance's travelling to their country's their grounds. There are now 3 things in our favour 1st we won, 2nd we should have some important players returning, 3rd they are an attacking team that also often conceded in the calcio, we need to score.

• 17-Aug-2011 13:21 | | Spectrum
  

  ** Deleted ***

• 17-Aug-2011 13:19 | | Spectrum
  

  “I will pay £30 million, I will even pay £40m if I find the right player,” Wenger told Sky Sports News. “It is not a question of money, it is a question of quality.
  
  “I think I have a wrong reputation for not wanting to spend money. I do not want to spend money for average players; I am not the only one.
  
  “We have plenty of scouts around the world and we are not frightened to spend money when we think it is right.”
  He’ll pay 30 or 40 million for “quality” ? Cahill can be had for 17 million. Mertesacker for 6 million Hazard for 23 million. These are not quality ? You can’t be looking very hard, then.
  ” I do not want to spend money for average players.” Yet we are looking at the likes of Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Jadson e.t.c.
  “We are not afraid to spend” ? So go get Mertesacker for 6 mill, or Samba for 12 mill.
  
  Wenger is a liar and a hypocrite. His own words and lack of action, prove this.
  
  ” ******************”

• 17-Aug-2011 13:22 | | MeanLean
  

  This is a football blog Specturm. Take that shit elsewhere please.

• 17-Aug-2011 15:13 | | Feeno
  

  if you believe that from what youve seen then you are a fucking fool, if like everyone else knows your being delibiratly obtuse, your still a fucking fool

• 17-Aug-2011 17:35 | | IndiGooner  - Shut up Scumtrum
  

  If you have decided that you are anti- Wenger and your stupid rants will change anything get yourself checked. Mental hospitals are waiting for you..
  He’ll pay 30 or 40 million for “quality” ? Cahill can be had for 17 million. Mertesacker for 6 million Hazard for 23 million. These are not quality ? You can’t be looking very hard, then.
  
  HOW THE F**** DO YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVENT TRIED TO SIGN THEM? DO YOU WORK FOR WIKILEAKS OR NOTW?
  
  I do not want to spend money for average players.” Yet we are looking at the likes of Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Jadson e.t.c.
  
  STOP PICKING NEWSPAPER STORIES, THE SAME NEWPAPERS MENTIONED WE ARE TRYING BENZIMA, TEVEZ, KAKA and RIBERY ALL QUALITY PLAYERS.
  
  But since you have made choice to look for dirty and Anti Wenger/Arsenal News you can find plenty of it and more on a SPUD's blog.
  So get the fuck outta here before someone kicks your Arse out. you Plastic Spectrum.

• 17-Aug-2011 18:44 | | Man United Killa  - Wenger's fabrications
  

  Once you start speaking of how much of a liar Wenger can be,its a slippery slope from there.It goes and on and on.We will be lucky to make 6th place if we dont strenghten.The state of the current squad is a joke at the least.
  Wenger can say whatever he wants but this time his malarkey wont was-the wide-awake half of the Gunner faithful have learned thier lessons.

• 17-Aug-2011 18:45 | | Man United Killa
  

  Wenger can say whatever he wants but this time his malarkey wont wash*

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