Written by Mr H on Sunday, 24 April 2011 11:24

As a child, I asked my father the meaning of Victoria Concordia Crescit. He was and still is a Spurs fan (hence the irony of a house divided), so he told me, it was something that Arsenal fans told themselves to keep their heads up for supporting a rubbish football team. This was in the '80s and long before the turn of the century dominance that would seem like some wondrous dream.

These

Where did it all go wrong?

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

It will become all one thing or all the other.

These are the words of the great American President, Abraham Lincoln, who for all of his faults, led America out of Slavery at the cost of a civil war.

We are not fighting slavery, but the Emirates house is one that is divided. That very division is destroying this club. I am not arguing for some fascist footballing state where we all tow the party line. But this division that exists has become a malignant growth that threatens to kill the body.

We have to camps that now exist within Arsenal. Those that see the need to carry on walking the path that we set out upon when we moved from the humble house of Highbury, to the world class stage to practice our art that is the Emirates. We see the need to grit the teeth and bare the hardships of failure on the back of a promise of future glory. In essence we see this period as a period in which we are building a strong foundation on which we will grow a dynasty, an empire, an entity so profoundly awesome that all around the doubters will wail and gnash their teeth for lack of this very foresight. And all of this will be achieved without drowning the club into debt.

This may all be too much for some, and this now is the line of division, the 'slavery issue' in footballing terms. Is it better to suffer drought today so we can have water aplenty in the days to come, or shoud we forgot tomorrow as it never happens as planned and live solely for today? These are indeed hard times to be a Gooner

"I'm an Arsenal fan but I want Bolton to win today. Wenger simply needs to stop making excuses and start to deliver some long overdue silverware. Time to change policies Mr Wenger - have a clear-out and spend some money!"

These are indeed hard times to be a Gooner, but are our problems so easily fixed as to assume a complete overhaul of the body will make it healthy again? Can we just buy our way to success??? Is it really so easy? If it is that easy, why has it not been the case that a team that has spent SOOO much more than us is still trailing us and battling for fourth place?

Does money solve Arsenal?

In my opinion, money isn't the solution, however I am a firm believer that the path we are is not a path destined for ultimate failure, but one that is destined for success, but littered on the way with minor failings. What path to greatness is littered with small failures, but ultimately ends with the promised achievement.

Think of the Hebrews and their journey to Canaan or even America and it's very own civil war. The path to victory is littered with loss. It is that very loss and hardship that strengthens the core and makes it unbreakable.

As fans, we have only ourselves to blame for our teams lack of success. If you look at the table of results, our away success has balanced our failures at home. How on earth is that possible??? How can our home support be so poor?

The fact is, the division is leading to a poisoning of the body. We are so infected with this toxic division we are infecting the very team we are supposed to support. They are no longer comfortable playing at home, because we as fans are making them feel that way.

YES, we do have the right to do that as fans, but this self fulfilling prophecy of collapse does no one any good. What do I mean, simple: too many fans expect (some might even want) an Arsenal collapse so that in some twisted way they can gloat with the i told you so's. How on earth did we have such terrible home support when we were so close? How were we not cheering until things ripped in our gut? We were second place and fans sat on their seat saying 'there's no point supporting, they're only going to bottle it...'

We have poisoned the team we should love and support, plain and simple. This divided house must be united or suffer collapse. Yes, we must all have our opinions and we should all express them. However, the poisonous invective and spittle flecked venom that has been spewed forth is just too much. Of course we are hated by the media, our financial policy goes against the very soul of the banker owned 'free press'. Why, as fans, are we playing into the hands of the anti Arsenal media??? Lets keep the unity up and have a little faith and patience, the cornerstones of any grand empire, be it political, social, economic or even football.

Quite simply: VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT

Mr H

Mean Lean's Response

Thank you Mr H, a very well written piece and I absoutely agree with you.

To be honest with you I am a little lost as an Arsenal supporter in 2011. Football has changed, the introduction to Sky Sports, the internet and the microwave society we live in today has changed the sport we love, or at least the way we view the sport we love.

We have thousands of frustrated Gooners who all know how to fix our problems, who throw our longer term picture into the loft and pretend that it doesn't exsist. It is all about here and now and right now the squad, the manager and the board are the worst thing to ever happen to them.

I remember far worse times at Arsenal before the days of Wenger. Graham's latter years followed by Bruce Rioch and then Stewart Houston. Was the venom and anger quite this bad? I was younger so it isn't so clear but I cannot believe that it was.

It sounds as if I have a big smile on my face and that I am skipping around my house without a care in the world. Not true at all.

We have managed to get into a good position this season and yes our rivals have dropped a level, even though I believe the rest of the league have also improved considerably. We have collopased at the end when we could have gone on to win silverware. I am very disappointed with that and I expect changes to happen to the squad this summer.

But are things are awful as so many are making out? Are we not in a good position to progress as a squad? Is Wenger not in the position to bring in another Sagna, Vermaelen or Nasri if he saw fit?

I absouteley agree with you about the feeling around the Emirates. We can never say either way but the chances of Arsenal turning a few of those draws into victories if we sang like the away boys would be quite high I would say.

Currently we are surrounded by teams who have spent massively to get to where they are. As long as the squad are improving every season and Arsene is working on improving the squad every season then I will keep hoping that we can make the leap from falling away at the end to winners.

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Comments (27)

• 24-Apr-2011 20:58 | | colesy  - A House Divided
  

  I think Wenger has taken the club as far as he can. He has done marvelous stuff in coping with an ageing Invincible's team and starting from scratch again whilst moving the club from Highbury to the Emirates clearly with financial restraints. However, I found this article written in October 2009 and I have chosen a few comments from Wenger he made at the time;
  
  "I believe this team, this year, will do it. When I say that, it is not to please [supporters] but because I am really convinced of it. Whether we win the Premier League or the Champions League, there is no choice; we want both. But I know it's vital for a club like ours to fight for the championship.
  "The championship is every week, every three days and it is vital that we win it. "
  
  So 18 months ago Wenger claimed it was VITAL that Arsenal won it (the EPL) but recently he's been saying that coming second isn't all that bad and is still a success and something he would be happy to achieve for the next 20 years!
  
  From the same article, he goes on talking about his favourite subject- mental strength, referring to the poor opening few months of the 2008/09 season and that by October of that season, the club were effectively out of the race for the title.
  
  Wenger said. "Our mental strength was tested but I could see last season many ingredients in the team and it has a great future. Take everything into perspective and you realise it was not such a bad season.
  
  Sounds familiar doesn't it??? 18 months on and he's saying the same old stuff!!
  
  Arsenal's poor run, inability to see out games and conceding late/stupid goals has been the focus of many a back page, many radio phone in's and pages and pages of blog comments. People are clearly divided into two camps. "In Arsene We Trust" or "Arsene Out". I don't see why time and time again, people cannot simply have a sensible, adult discussion about this and whether it's time for change- not get personal with each other and name calling, etc.
  
  I don't say that Arsenal deserve any right to success. Success is earned. We all crave success as Arsenal fans. We all want trophies. Some would like nice attractive football at times also. But what I want right now is the hope of an Arsenal side capable of mounting a 'serious' challenge for silverware. Lets face it, many media observers acknowledge that this year's EPL isn't of the same quality as previous ones - all claiming that Man U and Chelsea haven't been as good as previous seasons and it's only that reason Arsenal were as close as they were for so long.
  
  We are several points worse off that this stage last season and so whilst Wenger may claim that this current team has 'progressed' - the table doesn't lie. I don't see progress. I don't see progress in the likes of Rosicky, Diaby, Denilson, Bendtner. Song too has had a poor season - today''s game a good example of his poor decision making and tackling abilities.
  
  Time's Up for Wenger - it's a shame he won't be able to repeat his successes he delivered for the club during his initial first few years. Half of his tenure as manager at this glorious club has been without silverware. His time has come to a natural end and he needs to let someone else try. Who? thats a really interesting but difficult question- I'm sure you all will have your own ideas.

• 24-Apr-2011 21:04 | | Pritpal
  

  the question is, is our squad improving? last season we scored 75 points and need to win our remaining games to barely beat it. we didnt last as long in the champions league, again finishing second in our group, all be it playing a lot better against barca, but this time we had our players who were injured last year. yes we got further in the carling cup but we have never really took it seriously before so maybe we could have gotten that far last year. yes we got a round further in the fa cup. but overall, was this season really any improvement on last year when you look at it like this, both trophy wise and points wise. yes we have found a new keeper but the same problems still exist. we cant defend corners, cant shut out games and defend leads, cant stop conceding penalties and try to always score the perfect goal. we have no natural dm and we have no natural winger as well as another striker who can bang in 20 goals a season aside from RVP, who as people say is a luxury. so ask yourselves gooners, have we really improved? because if we havn't... whos to say we'll improve next year, or the year after???

• 24-Apr-2011 21:10 | | MeanLean
  

  What many people either ignore of fail to realise is that when Wenger speaks about his team in public he is in fact showing them that he believes in them. Even if he knows deep down that his squad are not ready for success then he still publicly tells the press that he thinks they can.
  
  99% of the players who work under Wenger talk about how he has so much confidence in them.
  
  Supporters and the media have to ignore his speak of 'mental strength' or 'belief' he is trying to install that into his players by continuously talking about it.
  
  I trust Arsene Wenger not for the sake of it not for blind faith but because he has proved that he has done it for this club in the past. He has built a number of teams that have been fantastic.
  
  If we ignore the age of the squad and the potential for improvement then yes this squad has proved not good enough. If we expect Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to stay at the same level forever then Wenger is well and truly deluded.
  
  It is widely known that players reach their peak at 27/28 years of age. Look at the Chelsea side. Look at the age of their players. Look at Manchester United's squad with Giggs, Scholes, Ferdinand, Van der Sarr and co. We have top players at 23/24 or 19/20 (Wilshere, Szczesny)
  
  You want to risk random manager coming in half way through Wenger's long term plan to throw his ideas into the ring. For so many players who have all their trust in Wenger to potentially go elsewhere for more money?
  
  If we are not reaching the level that their age and development should be taking them then yeah, I'd consider this change. But that simply isn't the case.
  
  There are many problems in the squad that need to be addressed. I'd say many clubs have problems but I see no reason why we cannot fix these problems either internally or externally.

• 24-Apr-2011 21:16 | | MikeSA  - Be careful what you wish for
  

  I see a few Arsenal fans claiming Wenger has "taken the club as far as he can".
  
  That might or might not be true, but sitting on the pundits panel this evening was a man who should make all those fans think twice.
  
  Alan Curbishly incurred the wrath of the Charlton fans, who also claimed he too had "taken the club as far as he could".
  
  Yes, he had. But he had also taken the club as far as it could go too.
  
  So where is Charlton today?
  
  Answer: way, way down, because no-one else could get Charlton up to the level Curbishly had managed too.
  
  Moving and building a stadium is a massive undertaking.
  
  Most clubs go down a division at least, they don't stay in the top 20% of the division at the top, year in year out.
  
  Take a long, hard look at what happened to Charlton before thinking everything is a quick fix just waiting to happen.
  
  The truth is often very different to what was envisaged.

• 24-Apr-2011 21:50 | | CHGooner
  

  I see, it's the fan's fault then. Conceding from two corner's today at Bolton, nothing to do with the manager, nothing to do with our (in) ability to defend what is a fairly standard situation in football, nothing to do with anything we do in training, nothing to do with our brittlenes as a squad. No, it's the fans fault. Makes sense to me.

• 24-Apr-2011 22:24 | | kenny
  

  The way the team has collapsed is nothing short of a disgrace.1 win in 7 games.And Wenger has the cheek to say this is his best squad ever.The truth is in a season when Utd and Chelsea were well below there best we were worse.Our longest winning streak was just 3 games.That is shocking by any standards.The problem is Wenger, he has too much power.There is no one at the club to tell him he is wrong.And he has been wrong a lot this season.Starting Almunia as 1st choice keeper,Not buying a commanding CB and a holding midfielder.We could all see it except Wenger.So the same mistakes that cost us last season have cost us again.Wengers just does not learn the lessons and change things.But remember he thinks a top 4 is the same as winning a trophy.It fucking isnt

• 24-Apr-2011 22:30 | | Charles  - Time for change
  

  Everyone have been speaking on the changes arsenal make but l hope it is not falling on deaf ears.The team at the moment can never win any silverware even if you keep them together for 5yrs.There is no character and experience in this team.l see an Arsenal them that can defend with high degree of concentration.a mid field that can close the space and break the opponent flow as well as support quick break as it is known for.A latent strike force that would not waste chances,but would score with even half chance.The beauty of the present team has been dented with draws and defeats characterised by wasted scoring opportunities.Experience and strengh coupled quality from the defence to the attack would remove the panic at the moment of desicion in a crucial game.The board must now decide whether to remain with the philosophy of an academy or take the right choice to go and fish for player in leagues abroad that may not necessarilly be expensive but march the traditional of possession and quick counter attack.The manager must have the deep hunger to win not break the heart of the teeming supporters who pray and earnestly desire victory...We need the spirit of a Mourinho,who desires to make history...The spirit of victory must return to Arsenal.We want to be proud of our team and the time is now..

• 24-Apr-2011 22:45 | | Disillusioned Gooner
  

  All this talk of the future is a bit misplaced IMO due to the fact the manager & the board keep telling us & the whole world that the club has the ability to challenge for the highest honours here & now. So what we have here is fans trusting that the manager & the board are being honest only for us to fail woefully every season for the last 6 years. Kind of leaves a bad taste in the mouth doesn't it?

• 24-Apr-2011 23:03 | | Boyd  - A house divided
  

  Sometimes divisions are good. Some Liverpool fans used to say "In Rafa We Trust" and some used to say "Rafa Must Go". The rest is history. Nobody is bigger than the club. Rafa and Torres left Liverpool and Liverpool are now doing better without them.

• 24-Apr-2011 23:38 | | Austingunner  - Moaninghole??? HELL NO????
  

  Mourinho is anathema to everything Arsenal....I would find it hard (I would, but it would be hard) to get behind a team that plays the utter shite that is his philosophy...no matter how many trophies we'd win.

• 24-Apr-2011 23:40 | | Daygeedr  - Peerspective
  

  Just a li bit of perspective on the arsenal. Instead of all these bashing and excuses from the coaches of the terraces, lets ask ourselves this question and make comparisons.. U ssay we shld buy, manU has won the league 3 times consecutiveky now, what was the last big name player they bought.. Anybody.. Meanwhile Man City almost bought the refs thats how desperate they were during the windows and where are they rite now. struggling for a champs league spot. Barca had years of investment into that team, look at them today.. those years were barren, now they have no more space in their trophy room.. so wats the problem. One man ayam sure can fix he problem is ARSENE WENGER.. Y on earth would u want that kind of man out.. LIsten to this, just imagine how many clubs would queue to get the signature of a man that has not won a single trophy( the emirates cup apart) in 5 years.. I can just imagiine how blessed we are in this club. Ma point is ManU ha gat loads of experience this young team is just getting. Just imagine this crop of bois together for anoda season and one cup to get them going..
  for mental strength, the team clearly lacks it, Squidbois stats tell us. 40 leads lost since we last won a trophy, but no manager would say thst to the media. How?, The best way to instill that mental strength is to tell them they have.. Positve reinforcements it's called..

• 24-Apr-2011 23:43 | | Matt  - Enough
  

  1. It will now be 7 years (half the time Wenger has been manager) that we have failed to win a trophy!
  2. This side is the most gutless bunch that I believe have played at the club...at least other sides have gone down battling, not out with a wimper!
  3. It is quite possible that Man City could finish above us and we will end up in forth.
  3. Wenger has bought in one of the worst defences in the league, and if these players played in a team with the midfield/forward line of West Ham they would have been relegated by Christmas.
  4. Wenger has been responsible for bringing in and keeping some of the most average players playing in the prem league - Eboue, Almunia, Fabianski, Bendtner, Squillachi, Diaby, Vela, Edmonson, Chamakh, Rosicky, Djourou - none of these are top class players! Add to this Arshavin who now looks only average, Clichy who is a mistake waiting to happen and who cannot cross a ball, then it's no wonder we fail!!!
  
  I have said since the beginning of the season that we would win nothing, and I have thought all along that we have only been challenging because strangely this season has been one where both Man U and Chelsea have lost some of their consistancy.
  
  I am personally sick of seeing Wenger's on the line tantrums, I also have heard enough of his lame excuses for HIS side...ie., We have learnt a lot this season and will come back strnger, or next season we will win the league, or we had too many injuries.....blah blah blah, The only thing I want to hear from Arsene is that he has decided to go before his is replaced.
  
  Enough is enough ..... !!!!!!!!!

• 25-Apr-2011 00:08 | | s j litttle  - little gun
  

  this arsenal team might win a football talent contest but they and the coaching staff seem unable to see that football is a combatable sporting encounter and the 25 players they have plus all the dozens in the Academy and the score out on loan do not seem to be assessed for mental or phyical strenght. Who now plays for this "Arsenal" team that can make you feel proud or excited. It oozes with talent but so what.Watching Clichy,Djourou,etc is like watching two weak strenght inexperienced learners! And has Arsenal ever had a less likley Captain? He looks slow, tired and weary and completely uninspiring.

• 25-Apr-2011 00:30 | | Mike  - Enough Matt Enough
  

  "This side is the most gutless bunch that I believe have played at the club"....and how long have you been on the bandwagon Matt? I've been watching the club for over 40 years. You clearly haven't otherwise you wouldn't write such utter garbage.
  
  It gets better, "I have said since the beginning of the season that we would win nothing." Well what are you disappointed about then? Or are you actually one of the vast majority who actually said we wouldn't even make top 4? That's what we were told by virtually everybody. So we've done a lot better than most (including you) reckoned but still you moan, moan, moan.
  
  "The only thing I want to hear from Arsene is that he has decided to go before his is replaced". Well almost right Matt. True fans only want to hear the likes of you deciding to go to Stamford Bridge where you belong. Stop glory hunting, start supporting or leave the club to the true supporters.

• 25-Apr-2011 02:35 | | Man United Killa  - Agree!
  

  I agree with you bro.It's funny when people come on here to support Wenger blindly.Whatever Cesc said last week to the Spanish media, I believe he meant it.I dont want to think the AKB's know a lot more about what is happening in the club than the skipper does.Cesc loves Arsenal to death but isn't the frustration clear to see?Dont you find it weird that Cesc never came out to dispute the comments except to type single line of defence on twitter.
  He actually never came out to deny the comments but his manager did.Put two and two together.There are really no grey areas in this matter.Arsene has the wherewithal to strengthen the squad.He just does not want to because he must prove that his policies work.Now they might work to some extent but its pretty darn obvious that its not the only policy we need here.Change must come home!!!

• 25-Apr-2011 04:14 | | Mr H
  

  "I have said since the beginning of the season that we would win nothing."
  
  Yes, it is exactly that type of view point that made me write this article. I don't believe in Uri Geller type rot, but seriously, how can we have so little faith in our team, a team with such a great legacy, that is being let down by both players and fans.
  
  CHgunner and MUK, I agree that this team has problems, big problems, but it is not like they are problems exhibited by players in their thirties with little to no room for growth. Quite the opposite. Also, when blaming the support, I think I was pretty explicit about talking about the home support, which is DIRE to say the least.
  
  I don't live in England, I used to, and only ever made it to the outside of Highbury, but I tell you what, I would give my brothers left nut to watch this team, for good or ill, play their footy at the emirates.
  
  I want more from this team, all the fans do, as do most of the players (not all, and in fact I would say the player we have spent the most money on cares the least, AA23, compared to Jack the Lad and his red and white DNA strands) and the board and the management. We all want success, the question is, can that success be bought or built???

• 25-Apr-2011 06:11 | | Phil
  

  Too true Kenny.Everything you write could have been written in 2008.That year we collapsed and lost the league from a winning position.Not one lesson has been learned since then.And anyone who believes Wenger will now change is living in dreamland.He will continue to play pity patty football buy lightweight players and as usual forget all about defence.But Wenger will still have his blind supporters and will follow him like sheep.

• 25-Apr-2011 06:31 | | Steve
  

  Lets face facts.Wenger will not change.So the club will not progress.Wenger would rather go and buy a French centre half on the cheap than buy an experienced commanding centre half.Wenger is all smoke and mirrors.He comes out with his comical saying"This team has great Mental Strength" as if we are all stupid.He could teach Alistair Campbell all about spin.The game we lost the title wasnt Newcastle wasnt Liverpool wasnt Spurs it was the FA cup game v Man Utd when Utd's reserves beat us easily.That told you we were not as good as Wenger told us we were.The same things that are being said today will be said this time next year.As in Wengers Groundhog day everything stays the same

• 25-Apr-2011 06:41 | | Paul
  

  Wenger = The Kings New Colthes

• 25-Apr-2011 07:03 | | 1989Gooner  - Missing ingredient = pain
  

  the problem we have is that we have no leadership on the pitch or in the board room / management at arsenal. the fans are divided and frustrated becuase of a lack of decisive action / communication by arsenal. the home support problem is due to the lack of team leadership, which player looks to the stands to gee up the fans? erhh no one. until we get that them the response from the fans is expected. then there is media situation. easy to resolve all arsenal have to say is the following. the problem areas have been identified at a backroom and playing level and will be rectified in the summer. this does two things, gives fans hope, shuts the media out and puts players on notice. Football is not a corporate affair, it is an emotional affair and the team and the fans need direction and leadership not dull corporate games and that arsenal currently dish out. for all those thatthink we will suddenly emerge as a football superpower are sadly naive. we make the same mistakes every season, that is not a we need new player problem it is a coaching issue.wenger needs Diens direction as he is incapble of recognising the needs of the team and the fans.

• 25-Apr-2011 13:33 | | Subir Kumar Roy  - understanding the frustrations
  

  Agreed that some do go overboard with their comments about the need to change the manager, spend more money on transfers/ big name signings etc etc.... point is most of those supporting the manager and his methods, policies do ever realise:
  
  i) instead of being predictable in formations, tactics, playing style is it too much to ask for some changes regarding the same. Case in point is RM got beat by Barca 5-0, but Morinhuo changed it, first a draw and then a win, albeit 1-0. Point is no change in manager, no change in personnel, but change in tactics.
  
  ii) knowing/identifying weaknesses is good enough but what is done to rectify them? based on what has been seen in the games, nothing so far.
  
  iii) Trying to score the perfect goal, walking the ball into the net etc, but isn't a long range screamer a beauty to behold? Case in point, at 2-1 down, Simon Cox scores with a beautiful curler to bring WBA level with Spuds, how long since we have seen a goal, let alone an effort like that? Anybody?
  
  iv) Youth policy, what youth policy, no. of players to have broken into the first team and playing on a regular basis, Fabregas, Wilshere, who else. Few of them on loan with other teams. Case in point if we draw and lose like we did in some of the games this season, we might as well do it with few more youth players. At least they get to know what it means to play for Arsenal. Winning may be the next corner.
  
  Could go on........
  
  An "Arsenal" fan, repeat "Arsenal" fan
  The club comes above all

• 25-Apr-2011 18:30 | | Passenal
  

  Sad but true Mr H and saddest of all, the worst offenders just do not recognise how they are destroying the thing they claim to love.

• 15-May-2011 20:03 | | chris
  

  arsen wenger should go he no good as manger eny more we should have gushidick or josmerino.

• 15-May-2011 20:08 | | chris
  

  let cesc fabrigas go back 2 barclona not city.

• 24-May-2011 04:27 | | Godwin
  

  Man Utd have had a great team over the last decade which Fergerson has gradully added to as players become surplus. Arsenal had the invincibles, they were not added to and Arsenal has been slowly dieing since. If we don't invest this summer our chances of even getting in the champions league will be slim.

• 24-May-2011 04:29 | | Godwin
  

  "He has done marvelous stuff in coping with an ageing Invincible's team and starting from scratch again"
  
  Except that good managers never let a great team die out, they gradually replace players. Taking a team that was unbeaten then replacing it with what we see today is a crime.

• 24-May-2011 04:32 | | Godwin
  

  Yep, all the fans fault. Thank you Arsenal board for making us pay 6% more next season. I love not winning anything for 7 years, I love it when we don't invest in player. Am I a true fan now?

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