What A Footballer

Many weren't overly familiar with the true quality of Arsenal's diminutive star signing in the 2012 summer transfer window. Cheekily, even the manager claimed he wasn't. But shortly after Santi Cazorla arrived in North London his class was immediately apparent. It took no time whatsoever for the little Spaniard to click with Arsene Wenger's footballing philosophy, while it took supporters quite a bit longer to figure out just which was his favored foot. 

Cazorla's capture represented a kind of return to the Arsenal manager's early transfer style, that of finding technically gifted players who, for one reason or another, were misfits at their clubs. In this case he swooped when Malaga were in desperate need of cash. The move was also consistent with the recent shift to bring in players entering their peaks, with the experience and maturity the side lacked for several years.

The Boy Bastin

Being way before my [and frankly many current Gooners’] time, Cliff Bastin is a player I know only through biographies and written accounts. Admittedly I washed up on the shores of the island Arsenal a bit later than many do in life, but I did so just at the moment when Ian Wright was in the closing stages of his relentless pursuit of Bastin’s 58 year old record as Arsenal’s all-time top goal scorer. Televised coverage was spare at best in the States those days, but I vividly recall Red Geezer’s account of Wrighty’s mastery of that record.

As you do, or at least as obsessive collector personalities such as myself do, I wanted to become familiar with the player Ian Wright had just surpassed. The key points are relatively well known, even if they suggest some interesting parallels with the contemporary version of Arsenal. Herbert Chapman took a chance in 1929 on a 17 year old Exeter boy who showed promise and technique, spending a fair amount to do so. Two thousand pounds was a big sum to spend on someone in that era, particularly an unproven teenager with only a handful of first team appearances.

Chapman played Bastin out wide as a winger, with the directive to cut inside from the touchline on the diagonal to receive passes from the central part of the pitch. As now, this was counterintuitive to the typical use of the wing-play in English football; nonetheless Bastin profited handsomely. In a short space of time he became the target man for Arsenal attacks and would remain the focal point until Ted Drake’s arrival in 1934.

The Boy Bastin was renowned for his deadly finishing and because of Chapman’s tactical innovation was unusually prolific for a winger in that era.   In total he collected 5 league titles and 2 FA Cups over an nine year span, only twice ending a season without a trophy in that period. While the first Arsenal FA Cup was won  while he was just bedding in during his first season, the second came towards the end of his prolific years and he was instrumental in its capture. Bastin scored 6 goals in the run to the 1936 FA Cup final, including the solitary goal* in the 1-0 semi-final defeat of Grimsby town.

A leg injury stalled his career after Arsenal’s fifth league title-winning season in 1938, and it was further cut short by the advent of World War II.  His increasing deafness prevented his participation in the war, and with the suspension of league play the war prevented his career from going much further. Bastin’s best football all came before age 27, scoring an astonishing 178 goals in 395 games.  To put that into context, Ian Wright was 27 when he arrived at the club.

In the process of working this drawing I kept going back to the details that I enjoyed drawing the most: meaty forearms that suggest a less pampered lifestyle than today’s megastars. A severely parted hairstyle, paired with a goofy grin that belies the swagger of his popped collar and his head cocked to the side. He looks to have been a real character, and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of Cliff Bastin Remembers to find out still more about this Arsenal legend.

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*I imagine it’s down to the language of the era, but I found the commentator’s account of this goal rather charming, “[Bastin] caught the Grimsby defender out for once and tapped it home.”  Sounds like a simple poacher’s goal but in reality he runs onto a pass at the top of the area and slots it past the rushing keeper with every bit of coolness we have seen so many times from Thierry Henry. 

Dies Ist Meine Box

The most striking component of the Invincibles side [no pun intended] was their collective attacking ability, representing the epitome of Arsene Wenger’s footballing philosophy: score first and ask questions later. Although not quite held to the same high regard, there was a much-vaunted resilience in that Arsenal team that became a hallmark as well. While Wenger has managed to achieve some similarly breathtaking attacking play since then, we have all witnessed a massive decline in that latter quality.

There is an all too familiar scenario: a tough road trip after a grueling run of games against the likes of United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, traveling ‘up norf’ to play on a less than ideal pitch, towards the end of a long and difficult season. It is the kind of cocktail that would mean almost certain defeat to recent squads. In 2004, it was the kind of game that threatened the unbeaten run.

Waiting For Freddie

come on Freddie, go! GO!

In 2002 Dennis Bergkamp played a vital role in the run-in to the title. Many will remember that Newcastle goal but his influence on creating goals for others was crucial to winning the league that year, as the Gunners piled on 13 straight wins in the home stretch to claim glory.

In December of that season, the Arsenal faced Juventus in the Champions League. The lasting memory from that match is one of Bergkamp dancing along the edge of the penalty area, ball glued to his foot, toying with his defender. Freddie Ljungberg lies in wait only a few yards away, seemingly as mesmerized by the Dutchman’s footwork as the Juventus players. In an instant Dennis rolls the ball back, Freddie darts in, and the pass meets him in stride. Goal.

Remember Rocky

He Looks To Chip Schmeichel.......AND IT'S IN!!!

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The Return Of The King [Redux]

Dumping Carragher on his ass. Thierry Henry.

As 2011 came to a close there were more than whispers that Thierry Henry would return to the club on loan, in a period when Arsenal definitely needed freshening up. Just how much impact he might have was a source of great speculation, with factions both for and against the move. To pay homage to his second spell at the club I wanted to select a trademark moment from our French master, perhaps optimistically wishing for a revival of Henry’s vintage form.

Which to choose from so many? The volley versus United? The Charlton backheel? The 227^th goal [even if the 226^th was way nicer, and by the way how fitting that he would tie Ian Wright’s record then surpass it in the very same match?], the full length pitch run versus Tottenham? I decided on this goal, that played such a crucial role in Arsenal’s crowning achievement.

Like A Boss

"Yet Again Arsenal In A Matter Of Seconds Have Turned Defending Into Classic Counter Attack"

It is a well-worn tale that Arsene Wenger insisted upon the signing of Patrick Vieira from AC Milan before he would put pen to paper on his own contract to join the Arsenal. As much as Wenger was an unknown quantity, so too was Vieira. It wouldn’t take long for either to justify themselves in the Premier League. Vieira became the fulcrum around which Wenger weaved Arsenal’s intricate passing game, combining the graft and guile with which to strip opponents of the ball and immediately launch the Gunners into attack. 

The House That Jack Built

Wilshere's piledriver against Swansea

“There is not even a question over whether or not Arsenal's midfield is in good hands. Jack will be the England captain inside the next two or three years, you don't have to be a magician to work that one out… he's got the capacity to dribble, to pass, he will go on to become a top player of the future. There's not even a question about that.”*

These were Cesc Fabregas’ parting words of comfort to Gooners, that just as with many great players before him, the club would cope with his departure. It remains debateable just how much Cesc’s tenure with the club after Vieira left can be qualified as “coping,” but it is fair to say we were in better shape when he inherited the mantle of talisman than we are today.

There's Only One Dennis Bergkamp

"I play a different kind of game"

The caption above is from a chapter entitled "A Short Interview About Killing" in David Winners Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer."  The quote is the conclusion of a conversation between Dennis Bergkamp himself and the author, the by-product of a chance encounter after an interview with someone else. Winner pressed the Dutchman about the imbalance of his relatively low goals return with respect to his outstanding ability as a striker.

The Rise of Corporal Jenkinson

Joleon Lescott, off screen to your right, will be using some of his massive City wages to get himself a new epidermis, having just been skinned by the Corporal.

No one could have predicted how quickly Carl Jenkinson would be folded into the Arsenal first XI, especially after the most inauspicious of starts to his career as a Gunner. Cast your mind back to last season, as a squad decimated by departures, injury, and suspension, saw us field a League Cup side for our Premier League visit to Old Trafford. Having completed his dream move from Charlton only months earlier, the young right back was thrust right into the thick of things against the champions on their own patch. Theo Walcott memorably [and harshly in my eyes] tore strips off of him that day after one mistake.

Goldi Poldi Halelujah

es gibt einen Fußballgott!

So, Lukas Podolski smashed his duck at the mugsmashers. For all of us this goal had a sense of being overdue, not necessarily for the German, but because it was the first Arsenal goal full-stop this term. The "seven years no trophies" jibe was about to be reincarnated as the "x hours no goals" klaxon. He clearly enjoyed the goal as his own first strike but also as the release valve on the pressure cooker that was building in the absence of last season's talisman after two scoreless draws.

Cry Havoc, And Let Slip The Ox Of War

Oxlade-Chamberlain sets up the equalizer against United

In typical fashion, when the Arsenal were begging for experience during the 2011 summer transfer window, and about to ship off  the likes of Fabregas and Nasri, Wenger went out and splashed cash on a teenager. However much potential he had, the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was greeted with mixed feelings from the supporters.

His introduction to the Premier League came at the rather sharp end of the humbling 8-2 defeat to the reigning champions at Old Trafford, a substitute appearance questioned at the time for the potential impact to his confidence. It proved a needless worry. He made impressive subsequent debuts as a starter in the Carling Cup and the Champions League group stage, opening his scoring account with a well-taken goal in each match. He would continue in the first XI in the cups, with some inconsistent showings that still had enough quality to get the attention of the English media. Good showings at England U21 level boosted the reputation of the burgeoning talent now known as The Ox.

You Are A Legend: Jack Keane

Manager? He's the Sheriff

It might seem a bit odd to feature a Manchester United supporter on this very biased Arsenal corner of the web-o-sphere, particularly to open this series properly. But for myself, the rest of the NY Gooners, a whole slew of New York based supporters groups, expats, tourists, and recurring visitors, Jack Keane is more than a legend. He's a fucking institution.

His support of football culture in this city is unrivaled, and he has nurtured the scene here for longer than the eleven years I've been in New York. He was the bartender at Nevada Smiths for many of those years until he launched the Football Factory at Legends in the Fall of 2010. Throughout the time I've known him he has always been quick to share a word about his team, your team, or any club inbetween, and do so with the utmost respect for and love of the game. His presence behind the bar encourages a vibe that I doubt exists many places in the world.

Here Come The Arteta

Well won Arteta. He might fancy a dip here.....YEESSS!

I think a lot of Gooners were well pleased as news filtered through late on the 31st of August that the Arsenal had prised Mikel Arteta away from Everton. Having just released one of the best midfielders on the planet back to his little home town side, and let the chinless androgynous mercenary many thought would replace him go as well, we were looking well short in the middle of the park. And I'm not just talking about Jack's height. To make Mata's worse, our target to replace Cesc in the market went to Chelsea instead.

The talks stalled in a typical bit of brinkmanship from our club, and in the end it took a transfer request and a drop in wage demands from Arteta to push the deal through at the eleventh hour. Typical Arsenal. After a loyal stint at Everton and despite being central to their plans, he was desperate to take the chance to join us and get his shot in the Champions League and to push for the Premier League title. Before he even took the pitch he took one for the team.

Little Mozart

Rosicky sticks it to the Scum

Tomas Rosicky signed early in the summer of 2006, and took the number seven shirt previously worn by Robert Pires. Then he celebrated joining the Gunners with a 30 yard rocket  and a deft second against the United States in first round of the World Cup in Germany. After a subdued debut season he became an integral part of the best midfield quartet in the 2007-08 Premier League, alongside Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, and Alexander Hleb.  That season the Arsenal led the league until February with a game based on quick passing and swarming pressure in the middle third, and Rosicky was a key component until late January, when he suffered a hamstring injury that would keep him out of the Arsenal side for the better part of two years.

Four years later, only Rosicky remains from that midfield and it’s no surprise that his return to form has coincided with the longest winning streak Arsenal have enjoyed in the league since that season. Perhaps due to his injury absence, he doesn’t have the best numbers in terms of goals or assists. In fact he endured a seemingly endless drought in front of goal in the League for Arsenal. Endless that is, until Spurs arrived at the Grove heavily favored to pull of a league double against the Arsenal.  His inclusion in the first XI at that time was surely down to his return to fitness and form, aided in no small part by Aaron Ramsey’s reverse trajectory in both departments.

Sir Chesney

best. keeper. ever.

Wojciech is badass. Anyone who can break both arms and then come back in a couple of years to take the starting goalkeeper spot at a top club has to be. There were noises for some time about the maverick Pole and his abilities, but when he went on loan to Brentford in 2009 the noises were substantiated by a string of fine performances. At a time when there was a distinct anxiety in the Arsenal back four, fueled by a lack of confidence in our two first choice keepers and their inability/unwillingness to communicate and organize, here was an authoritative and cocksure 19 year old who had no problems shouting at his defense, and even less problems making spectacular saves.

His dad took a swing at Roberto Mancini. He’s a bit mental. He clearly enjoys defending penalty kicks. At Brentford in his second game he saved one. In his Premier League debut he faced Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford and put him off enough to sky the kick. Against Udinese this season in the Champions League qualifier he saved a crucial spot kick by Antonio Di Natale to protect our advantage and secure a position in the group stages. And most recently after a taste of divey Suarez, he just got up and made a double save on Dirk Kuyt at Anfield to set the tone for our defensive display, and maintain the momentum from the thumping derby triumph in the previous match.

Speaking of the scum, he also hates simians. Better than that he just loves Arsenal. Who can forget the Barca celebration? Or the way he sang with the away support at Wigan? You can overhear someone call him a legend in that Wigan clip, and you’ll get no argument from most Gooners, even though the kid will only be 22 next month and is still just in his first season as our number one.  Szczesny’s form in the first part of the season saw him produce a world class save just about every match, and has completely squashed the nagging calls for Wenger to dip into the transfer market for a world class keeper. We’ve already got one. His name is Sir Chesney. 


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O Captain, My Captain

we've got the best player in the league

It’s hard to believe there were doubts about Robin Van Persie’s credentials as a leader when you look back over the season he is having. Even as a longtime admirer of his playing ability I have to admit that he continues to impress in this regard. Amy Lawrence sums it up rather nicely in her piece for The Guardian. No disrespect to Henry or Fabregas as players but they don’t have a patch on RVP as a captain. He arrived with questions over his temperament and survived questions of his durability and we are now seeing the man, who grew up loving the club he now plays for [see him as a kid in the Arsenal kit on Stuart MacFarlane’s Flickr], emerge as a leader to rival Vieira and Adams. He inspires this Arsenal side. His technical ability was never in doubt. In fact, the likes of Bergkamp, Henry, Van Basten, and Cruyff have testified glowingly on behalf of his footballing skill.

Walking In A Bergkamp Wonderland

that goal against Newcastle

The only thing missing from this drawing is the brick that Nikos Dabizas shat right after that indelible flick and turn from Dennis Bergkamp. To add insult to injury he was muscled off the ball by the Dutchman, who then gave Shay Given the eyes to the near post and passed it into the far corner cool as you like.

Suuuuuuuuper, Super Lob...

Take A Bow Son

This was the year that Robert Pires announced himself to the Premier League properly, with a masterful season that got him the Football Writer's Association's Player of the Year Award and the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, Henry, Ljungberg, and Adams to bow to him while he accepted his league winner's medal on crutches. A bad knee injury in the spring ended his season and World Cup hopes but he was a revelation to the Arsenal that year and would become a key figure in one of the most lethal left sided attacks in the top flight for several seasons to come.

This is the lob against Villa--- incredibly deft first touch with the outside of his right boot to flick the ball over and inside his marker, then with the second touch a wonderful side-footed half-volley over Peter Schmeichel  to secure a vital three points away from home. A truly superb football player and the type of legend you want desperately back at the club in some capacity behind the scenes. Hypercool, super Robert Pires.

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Welcome Bac

all you see is Bacary Sagna

I think there are a good many Gooners who would have spoken very highly of Bacary Sagna before this season. In 2007-08 he was selected to the team of the year by his fellow footballers and has maintained a high and consistent level across his Arsenal career since. In recent seasons he has stepped up his attacking play and improved his crossing, while maintaining his defensive tenacity and physical strength.

This year, he started on that same trajectory despite the team’s miserable start but we have been robbed of his services by a broken leg sustained at White Hart Lane in a game that halted the mini-revival after Blackburn.  His absence may have been softened, only for his understudy to also come up lame. Instead his period out has seen our attack suffer, teams regularly profit from attacking down our right flank, and recently a run of dropped points that has undone the real revival we enjoyed post-Tottenham.

His return could not have come at a better time, as we enter into a period of very difficult fixtures across three competitions. He hasn’t featured much yet as he regains fitness, but with a little luck he will be up to full speed very soon. It’s good to see you, sir. Welcome Bac.


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