..............Josep Guardiola.
A name that changes everything. Before 2009, it was widely accepted that you can't win anything with sexy football as Jose Mourinho dominated the English scene with defensive tactics as other managers started to follow suit such as Rafa Benitez, Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello. Therefore, most Arsenal fans were appeased with the idea that Arsenal are one of the evangelists of football, never sacrificed their attacking philosophy, even when they could have better shot at glory. Even Barcelona under Frank Rijikaard which shines brightly at first (winning UCL 2006 against well, Arsenal) , then quickly faded away as they lost the 07/08 league title to Fabio Capello's Real Madrid, too much attacking football was one of the debatable reason, other than star power and indiscipline.
It could been said that Arsenal was the model club during those times, even with the barren spell without trophies since the 2005 FA Cup unconvincing win against Manchester United. Most people accept that success comes when you spent a lot of money and playing good defensive football like Chelsea. I am certainly was one of those people, thinking it's okay that we didn't spend a crazy lot of money for players, played fluid, sometimes amazing attacking football and those youth players would develop to world-beaters in near future.
How naive I was.
In the first season when Arsene Wenger in charge, he won the Double, making history in process. Josep Guardiola won EVERYTHING during his first season, basically conjuring an incredible lifetime achievement and made those Barcelona fans chanting 'Mes Que Un Club' ever so aptly.
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| One of those hardcore chanters during those times. |
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The thing is that Senor Guardiola does the same thing with Monsieur Wenger have done in past ten years, playing attacking football with some promoted youth players in the first team such as Pedro Rodriguez, Sergio Busquets and Jeffren Suarez but with some new formula in the equation. He kept some star players and BOUGHT new star players whatever the prices with the FANS in mind, not just the club. Maybe some people will say that Arsenal do bought some star players such as Arshavin and Chamakh, but there is bigger gulf in class and quality when you considered that Barcelona bought Thierry Henry(Arsenal legend himself), Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Javier Mascherano. It's like Arsenal bought Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Essien. (not feasible, but for the sake of comparison.)
But Barcelona in serious financial trouble because of that, some people might say pointing to the economical bright side of Arsenal. Get real. This is a football club, not Wall Street. Unless the fans are comfortable singing 'Profit, profit, Arsenal' in the stands, glory is the name of the game. Saying that we are happy with the amount of money that we made is painting the picture of a money-grubbing club, at ease discarding the passion and tears that the fans shown during those trophy-less times.
So what do I want?
Acceptance. The harsh reality that most players in Arsenal are not up to the task. The truth that there are more better players out there that most interested going to Barcelona right now because there are more star players there than Arsenal. The joke that we got Lehmann back than buying a world class goalkeeper such as Schwarzer, De Gea or Neuer. Yet more people saying that Arsenal would get better in time as most fans are indulging in the future rather than the present.
Change. Be more aggressive in transfer market. Pay whatever the price for players which are really needed. Keep quality players with better wages.(this
link would show what I meant). Don't put all the pressures on those young shoulders. Be realistic.
Too idealistic? Not possible? Well, we could just get Pep to do it then. Sell the Emirates Stadium if needed to get him. Okay, that just crazy talking.
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Sidenote:
1.My late condolences to the people of Japan for the recent tragedy,remembered by the sight of this young Gunner, Ryo Miyaichi, currently creating rave reviews in Eredivisie that had created big name flops such as Alfonso Alves and Jan-Klass Huntelaar. Yeah, I'm being skeptical. Prove me wrong, Ryo-kun!
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| Looks like Poey. Doppelganger? |
2. At the time of writing, Irbid B would be playing in the final of the prestigious Ambassador Cup(Piala Duta) tomorrow against Mu'tah A. Personally, this would be the most historic event as Irbid could win it for the first time at their own pitch as the host. Let's go watch it tomorrow, then. I'll probably make an article about it too.
