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Camden New Journal - CROW by RICHARD OSLEY and PIP WROE
Published: 13 November 2008

Arsene under fire: Is this how us Gunners fans get our kicks?

TWENTY-FIVE years of going to football and there are still some fans whose curious behaviour I still can’t quite fathom out.
Like the ones who go into the club shop and choose to buy a goalkeeper’s replica shirt – instead of an outfield version. Like the fans who go to Reserve matches – that sort of “I’m-crazy-for-the-Gunners-me” commitment is surely at the expense of something more meaningful in your life. Like the fans who leave their seat 10 minutes before half-time to get first place in the Emirates burger queue as if gourmet food awaits. Like the fans who read the programme during the match (this was acceptable, however, during the George Graham era).
Like fans who insist on wearing team colours whenever they go on an aeroplane.
Like the away fans who, as soon as they return to a London rail station on a Saturday evening, raise their arms aloft and begin chanting on the platform as if they are returning war heroes.
Like the fans who have Rosicky printed on the back of their shirts, as if there was somebody called Rosicky who plays for Arsenal.
And like the Arsenal fans who, at the first sign of panic, criticise the wisdom of Arsene Wenger. He might not win the Gunners the league title this year, but as long as he is capable of poking Moan United in the eye with the first team, and walloping Wigan with the reserves, he’s good enough for me. In Arsene, we continue to trust.

WHO could have believed that Redknapp’s much-praised “arm around the shoulder” technique would be quite so effective?
In the past fortnight he’s given everybody a massive hug and a cheeky wink and now optimism is flowing around White Hart Lane.
Darren Bent is scoring freely despite having few chances, an achievement that the wasteful Arsenal strikers should watch and learn from as they seem content scoring one in five chances.
The weekend saw two big steps for Spurs: our first away win and our escape from the relegation zone.
On the other side of north London Arsenal continued their inconsistency, this time with a win against United.
A great shame really as the press were beginning to circle above Wenger’s worried frown.
Also this week the FA had to fight to save their Respect for Refs campaign, but why is this problem specific to English football?
Why can’t we find 10 referees like Pierluigi Collina, who earn their own respect by always being correct?
Perhaps this is a sad case of bad refereeing and very high emotions.
Managers have proposed keeping the players in the dressing room until just before kick-off in protest to recent decisions. Terrifying stuff.

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