No not City fans protesting at our current position but 2 Arsenal supporter groups have announced plans to protest during City's match with Arsenal on Saturday. The Black Scarf Movement & REDaction have released statements urging their supporters to hold up placards reading "Time For Change. Arsenal is stale - fresh approach needed." There are plans to hold these placards up on 12, 78 & 90 minutes. The timings are in reference to the 12 years since Arsenal last won the title, & there is also unrest in the lack of investment in the first team squad by Arsene Wenger With such unrest amongst the Arsenal fans and 3 points needed for City we need to get fully behind our team to lead them to the victory they need whilst Arsenal are being stabbed in the back by their own fans. How do other City supporters feel about this planned protest, do you think it will work for or against us on Saturday?
It must be so difficult for them not to have the excitement of a relegation battle year after year! Thank God for little old Norwich!
So strange. I'm really mixed on this. My late Grandad who passed a few years ago, was the biggest Arsenal fan you'd find. He died just before they won their first cup for........a lot of years, was it 11? Since he died they have won 2 or 3 trophy's. He would have loved to see just one of them!! I can nearly see their point, but at the same time, I really think that are one of the only big teams who have run their club properly. They haven't bought big because the self financed a new stadium. I think that's respectable.
I get exactly what you're saying Jedi but I really don't think we should talk it up - I feel like we've been here before expecting some club turmoil (e.g. going away to Aston Villa) and our players just didn't seem up for it. If we're going to get anything out of this game, we need to forget about Arse and their fans, focus on tightening up our defence and work on being more ruthless in the final third. We have to stop knocking the ball around up there, which leaves our midfield out of position when we inevitably lose the ball because our players aren't moving well enough and retaining possession.
Well said, Rob. This will be one for the West Brom style. Keep it tight and make it hard for them and then try to hit them on the break. I don't have high hopes, but that'd be the way I'd play it.
I'm not sure the protest will make any difference, we would have to still be in the game in the twelfth minute, without Klose, we may not be! Bah!
I wonder if we (all fans) would ever be satisfied with our teams circumstances. Obviously most Norwich fans would be delighted to swap situations with Arsenal right now steady in 4th with Champions League footy. Things could be worse! If Norwich do stay up and build some stable mid-table performances, will we become frustrated with our inability to be regular "top-halfers" for instance. I suppose it's natural to always want more and dream of better things. Bit of perspective though please Gunners. We're the ones fighting to stay in this league and they choose our game to protest their plight in 4th.
I can see their point as paying customers, I believe they are the most expensive side in the World to watch and the fans believe they should be buying player to reflect that, in January they were very much title contenders but didn't strengthen their squad. Having lived next to the Emirates for a few years half of their fans leaving after 78 minutes is not out of the ordinary at most of their games.
I think it comes down to a perception of whether you are punching above or below your weight, whether you are doing all you can to get what success you can. Arsenal fans do not think they are doing that. This season more than any other i can understand that. Most of the usual suspects have slipped up and that should have spelled oportunity for the Gooners, that they have only amassed 64 points with 3 to play means that they can't even reach 75pts - the lowest ever total that has won the PL. That isn't good enough. Every man and his dog can see that they have the same problems over and over again. Since a number of the invincibles have retired or moved on, Arsene has never quite got a top defence together, they have always seemed to have a soft underbelly and tend to lose the big games. Couple that with their more recent failures to spend on a proper striker, Giroud is good, but as is demonstraited by them having not won a title in his time there, he is not the sort that will turn you from also ran to winner. If those around you are recruiting the best, at some point you need to keep up, or like leicester find a magic formula to have your players exceed the sum of their parts to be a great and effective team. Arsene has been there a very long time. I would contend that much of his early success was built on the work of others and a ready made league winning defence. Since they have moved on, it is an area he has never come to terms with. His methods have brought success of a kind and qualify for europe every season, even when others are spending crazy sums is commendable, but now the stadium is paid off and they have very impressive resources, they should be challenging for the title/winning the title. It is this sheer lack of variation that also breeds discontent. Had they slid out of the top 4, 3-4 times then the fans would be more greatful for the work when they get back in. But if you were a Gooner you could probably not get very good odds on finishing in 3rd or 4th because thats what they do. And most importantly of all, SPUDS are gonna finish above them this year! Wenger out! Bah!
I am off out to the city tonight so will watch the game in the Sports Bar but obviously wont be commenting on here. So in advance.......my comments are likely to be along the lines of..... 1st Arsenal goal - that's been coming. Unless it is in the first 2 minutes when it would be FFS. 2nd Arsenal goal - making it too easy for them 3rd Arsenal goal - game dead and buried. 4th Arsenal goal - we are as good as down. at which point I will have to hook myself up to one of the local girls (yes GIRL - NOT ladyboy for those that find the need to stereotype) to cheer me up a little. Every cloud has a silver lining Clearly I am of the opinion that we are going to get spanked good and proper but who knows. I am covering all bases tonight
You'll need to ensure all bases are covered if you do, indeed, resort to a Thai girl for solace at the final whistle
I saw a shocking video of a guy and his elderly parents getting knocked out in Thailand the other day . Although it was deplorable you couldn't help admire the clinical delivery of the K O's.
I'm guessing this will be today's match thread , I think KIO has pretty much resigned himself to watching Championship football next season.
Sounds like you are going to get spanked good and proper too Thai, though if we do manage a win, you owe us a night with a Katheoy
When was the last time we hit anyone on the break? It's not something we do, a 0-0 is probably the best we can hope for!
Afternoon guys, sorry but I just couldn't be arsed to do a MDT today. The thought of having to update the OP at the end of the game when we've just been tonked by 6 is too much to bear. That on top of being second bottom, three points from safety and basically relegated already
Mate, if some of the players had put in as much effort as you have over the course of this season, we wouldn't be in the scheisse up to our necks as at present. Anyway, on the bright side, you get to do 46 of the little blighters next season instead of a mere 38