Arshavin: the little Russian that Couldn’t?

It was the January transfer saga of 2009.  And it only got better with his 4 goal game AT Anfield.  The little Russian Arshavin seemed to be the final piece of Arsene’s puzzle.  Wily, quick, a veteran and captain of a big national team, Arshavin brought the guile and attitude Arsenal seemed to so desperately need, not to mention his ability to score goals.  Expectations for the 2009 campaign were unimaginably high for his first full season as a Gunner, but it didn’t quite come to pass.  And now, solidly into the 2010 season, the little Russian that could, seems to be the little Russian that can’t.  A fan favorite for his unfiltered commentary and often incoherent discourse with fans, Arshavin put it best when he said he’d “lost his sparkle.”  So what happened?  Is it time for the St. Petersburg Express to move on?

Arsenal America fans: it’s called soccer and that’s okay

 

Nike got this one right....

 

Sigh. Unfortunately, Americans feel like they can’t say the word “soccer.” Somehow it’s wrong or dirty.  Sometimes fans get a little too emotional, it’s all very “The Soccer Dialogues.” Some guy hoists a beer and starts talking about what the word “soccer” means to him, from his days as a young AYSO player, while a bunch of other fans nod their heads knowingly.  Then another fan steps up and talks about all the stick he takes, if any Brits are around, yelling at him for using the word “soccer” because “it’s called football since it’s played with your feet!”  Another cries softly as he talks about his embarrassment, when he accidently said “soccer,” but he meant to say football and everyone looked at him funny.  He tries so hard to fit in!  Until finally, one fan stands up, looks at the others in turn, looks to the ceiling and shares an eye-opening discovery that changed his life: It’s okay to say: soccer.

Mozart has heart: understanding Arsenal player Tomas Rosicky

Editor’s Note: This is a special piece submitted by a guest writer (Michael Schreiber) that GOA is proud to post.

This piece analyzes the role and importance of Tomas Rosicky.  The Czech international has had an injury-plagued five years at Arsenal, but he seems fit and ready to prove his worth in 2010-2011.  This piece discusses 1) his journey to the Emirates, 2) his role at Emirates, and 3) his value to the club.

As the Arsenal Turns: Arsenal’s goal keeper soap opera has 8 more months to run

I don't want to play with goal keepers!

No soap opera would be complete if there weren’t multiple story lines. Arsenal is no different. The main plot is and will be Fab’s role on the team: will he or won’t he? And of course how will other players react. Nasri made his feelings clear: I think he impregnated his shirt after he scored a penalty against the tiny Totts. Yes, you’re a Gunner, we got it. But the most recent subplot to unfold is yet another summer story come to pass: the goal keeper. Unfortunately, this story is more fodder for everything else. Anyway, go grab your notepad, because walking through this plot ain’t easy. Thanks Arsene (sarcasm).

Arsene is right; the EPL should stop trying to sacrifice virgins

"Really, it's this big!"

Watching Arsene battle with the English press and culture about protecting players sounds like someone trying to explain to a Hollywood movie tribe that sacrificing a virgin will not make it rain. The response by a bunch of second rate managers is stupefying. Their defense is classic, if absurd: “[soccer] is a contact sport.” Sounds like: “If burn her, rain come.” Or in reality, the EPL must sacrifice a player’s career, ideally a young one, to appease the football gods. This is life. This is the law. There is no other truth. Since when did the EPL become a cult? And why is England putting up with this nonsense?

As the Arsenal Turns: thanks to B*rc* Fab is no longer the real captain, but that’s good

It's not easy being El Capitan

This season’s soap opera is already unfolding before our eyes. And true to a quality telenovela, it will be daily, dramatic and emotional for those involved and those watching. Fab is facing a loss of esteem by his own creation. It’s a hard lesson for one so used to being loved. But the race is on to replace Fab as the face of Arsenal and it has all the makings of a fun year long drama. And football fans love nothing more than a good telenovela.

A new approach to GOA, Arsenal America and more

Hello boys and girls. Sorry for the long delay in posting. I had an extended Labor Day Week(end) trip with the lady friend. But I return with some announcements. For a long time I’ve tried to post as much as possible as fast as possible on GOA: quantity over quality and all that. Now, however, I’m writing on Arsenal America more regularly and hopefully the Arsenal USA website. In order to balance all of this, I’ve decided to try out a new method of posting. We’ll see how it works. If not, I’ll change it.

• GOA will have longer, hopefully more thoughtful, pieces. Back to the polemics that you can read while sitting in the bathroom. Likely a weekly post, maybe two if I can work it out.
• Arsenal America will have pre-reports (a la Goonerdamus) on as many games as I can, so 1 to 2 posts a week. This will be perfect for the quick read on your phone or whenever you have a minute to kill.
• Arsenal USA will have whatever they let me post occasionally.

I wish I could write more, but timing is such that, well, it gets difficult. So keep following GOA to satiate your intellectual appetites about all things Arsenal; stay tuned in to Arsenal America to follow Goonerdamus’s losing battle with that master of time and fate with Arsene Wenger; and, check out Arsenal USA for the occasionally puff pieces permitted by the Lords of AFC.

Cheers!

Late posts

Sorry for not posting. Am on a vacation and things are a bit off. Posting will resume next week. But let’s be honest, the interlull is upon us. Bleh.

off to the caves of Blackburn! the Goonerdamus pre-report

Also posted on Arsenal America (8/27/10):

For Goonerdamus, last week can only be described as awkward. It’s fairly obvious that Arsene Wenger controls both time and fate. How else to explain the starting lineup? It’s pretty clear that Wenger’s powers extend beyond the average manager -he’s made some sort of deal the devil or is a demi-god. Either that, or perhaps Goonerdamus shouldn’t be so optimistic when looking into the future. But a new day awaits and an old evil is back: Big Sam and the people that live in caves up in Blackburn.

Walcott quits the Mousekeeters; Rosicky retires; Gooners get a man-crush and a terrifying rodent joins the squad

There’s a lot going on following the game against Blackpool. First, we had the Walcott show. Then Rosicky announces his retirement…from forward to central midfielder. Song has become a mainstay on Tiger Beat magazine for Gooner fans. And, oh yeah, we picked up another central defender: a squirrel with a vicious streak a mile wide.