A guest post today from Rickaaaaay!
I’ve wanted to write another piece on ACLF for a while now but only so much can be said about performances, results and board room battles, all of which are more than covered by far better bloggers than myself. So I decided to wait for some inspiration and this week it arrived with the departure of our mercurial little Russian, Andrei Arshavin…who ironically on many occasions, gave the impression he was doing much the same.
Now if you’re expecting this to be either a staunch defence of, or indeed vitriolic epitaph for him, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. As this won’t be either, in fact it’s not actually about Arshavin at all.
Its about second chances and if we as football fans are really able to give a player one, once we’ve made our mind up…something we seem to want to do as quickly as possible nowadays, and all within 140 characters of course. Anyway, there’s obviously plenty of case studies I could pick from over the years but I’ve chosen a few recent ones in the hope that both younger and more recent followers of the club are able to relate.
I’ll start with Adebayor, a player who despite his natural offsideyness was at times absolutely outstanding. Adebayor (perhaps alongside Nasri) left under the darkest of clouds. My personal belief is that talk of dates with Beyonce were just that, talk as he tried to play the negotiation game (a la Vieira & Henry) and failed miserably. See, he had never won a trophy and a spell of average form leading up to a very poor show in a CL semi-final against Man United at Old Trafford, meant he was afforded very little patience despite scoring 46 goals in 86 games in his last two seasons.
Some seemingly couldn’t wait to see the back of him, a certain mock Michael Owen style brochure was even created whilst he was still on our books which despite being ‘spit your tea out’ funny, was simply damning and yet was in fact a fair reflection of the wider opinion of him as both a player and a man.
His for me is now something of an indefensible case following his appalling on-field antics during a 4-2 defeat at the Etihad, not to mention the fact that he currently wears a cock on his chest…but these are the crimes that stop me wanting him back and they have been committed since he left the club. So the question is, had we brought a few less burning torches to his door for wanting an evening with the bootylicious one and actually kept him, what might we have achieved? Theres been long periods in the last couple of seasons when I think we could’ve really pushed on with him in the squad.
Should we have given him another chance? In hindsight, I think its hard to argue anything other than a yes.
Then there’s Denilson, our shakey-headed crab like Brazilian. A player whose main attributes will always split opinion amongst English football fans, who tend to prefer quick, direct, powerful attacking play. He didn’t do anything to disrespect the club. Much like Adebayor and most others that have gone, he did have a watershed moment with the fans and the gavel seemed to hit the block even quicker for him after a home game against Everton at the end of January 2010.
Filling in at DM, in an incident similar to that of our big f-ing German at Sunderland a couple of weeks back, Denilson, under very little, if any pressure collapsed in a heap in the middle of the park, allowing Pienaar a clear path towards goal to give Everton the lead. The anger directed at him within the ground at the time and even online hours later was again widespread, very strong and for me, unjust.
Now I know he stayed for another year but he lived on the fringes of the first team last season. Admittedly the emergence of a certain Jack Wilshere didn’t do him any favours but he started an incredible twenty less league games than in each of the two previous seasons, so the writing was on the wall long before he eventually joined Sao Paulo on loan in the summer. Again, there’s been plenty of occasions this season when we could’ve done with his ability to read the play, position himself well and most importantly maintain possession and recycle the ball. He of course is only on loan, so the question here is ‘could’ we give him another chance?
The answer is obviously yes we could and I actually think the club might but would those that hounded him out truly offer a clean slate? Or would human nature dictate that they would simply wait for the first opportunity to satisfy their own ego with an ‘I told you so’ moment?
To my mind there’s only three players I can think of that have been afforded a second chance of sorts, namely Sol Campbell, Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue but they are slightly different cases.
Campbell doesn’t really need justifying, he left suddenly during a game against West Ham at Highbury due to what I can only imagine were personal demons and only came back as a stop gap. None the less, his return certainly served as a reminder of what a truly world class centre back looked like and his will and desire in the games he played removed any ill feelings harboured in the Gooner ranks.
Throughout Alex Songs rise to what I believe is one of the best DM/CMs around, its become patently clear that in the lead up to and including that awful night at Craven Cottage, he didn’t lack ability or desire, he simply wasn’t ready. Whilst being massively melodramatic, I distinctly remember turning to my old man during the game and saying ‘he’s got to be the worst player I’ve seen an Arsenal shirt’. His name is now on the back of mine and many others, but how many of us would have batted an eyelid had he signed permanently for Charlton rather than going on loan? I know I wouldn’t.
As for Eboue, his second chance was in the guise of a cult hero amongst the fans following the shameful booing after he was substituted against Wigan. It was as if he were permanently wearing his tiger costume for the rest of his time here and sadly, it was only a collective sense of guilt that went someway to repairing the broken heart of a grown man. Once more, there’s been plenty of games this season when he would’ve come in more than useful but the club knew he was living on little more than a sympathy vote and he was moved on in the summer.
Now we return to Arshavin who following a barrage of criticism, has finally gone. He like Denilson has only on loan but unlike the Brazilian, I’d be absolutely amazed if he were ever to wear a our famous colours again. His departure seems to have been met with a mix of astonishment, anger, frustration, indifference and relief, with three of the five relating to the clubs precarious position in the league more than public opinion of him, so its a hard one to pull apart.
What has become clear, is that the majority of people who would’ve happily paid for a one way ticket to St Petersburg a little over a month ago, would in fact be more than willing to offer him a second chance now it suits them now because we were offered immediate hindsight of sorts due to the Russian transfer window closing sometime after our own.
On Twitter, countless fans timelines will read like this over the space of two months > he’s sh*t > he offers nothing > don’t take off that kid I complained about signing for this lazy so and so > sell him in January > good riddance > what, he’s leaving? > we’re doomed. Heh.
I for one am not the slightest bit surprised that he forced a move (which is the only logical explanation) and perhaps we are doomed but maybe it’s our own fault to a certain extent. There seems to be this insatiable appetite to be right all the time, we over analyse, we’re over critical and I believe in a lot of cases we’ve hounded out players that could’ve improved our fortunes in recent times…some efficient, some quietly effective, some magical and some, well simply un-playable.
It even extends to the manager. If Wenger were to win the league or a European trophy next season, would those that suggest his time is up change their minds? Id suggest its very unlikely.
So in closing, I think once fans are finished with a player, thats it. All we can do is urge the more impatient amongst us to be careful who they boo for because, well…we just might need them.
Right, I’m off to take another bubble bath with my pants on. If all the fighting stops, well, next time I’ll do it sooner.
Peace, Ricky
Follow me on Twitter @geezypeas
Over at Arsenal On This Day, a day Clive Allen will enjoy forever. ’til Tomorrow.
Great post, FunGunner (10:16pm); agree with that 100%.
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What is it with all this “bride burning” today. Is this some kind of pagan ritual only performed on 29 February?
goonerkam at 9:20 am
All brides back to the ARSENAL have been burnt.
Aman | February 29, 2012 at 9:49 am
Not all brides’ve been burnt u know…
So, which is it – have all the brides been burnt or not?
The camp nou leg of our first CL game against them pg. I remember seeing him watching the game in the barca end with his catalan mate when he should have been sitting behind his team. We had half the team missing through injury and the youngsters had actually held their own until the referee obliged by dishing out some strategic yellow cards thanks to the usual barca play acting. Our players could hardly tackle thanks to the risk of a second yellow and the rest is history. I also thought at the time that his ‘heroics’ in the first leg had more to do with his own profile and trying to impress barca as he had been yellow carded and would not be able to play in the nou camp. By the time of the return to the nou camp last season he was a barca player at heart and should have never been playing as he was not fit and was actually a hindrance to Arsenal.
Well put Limestone.
Cheers Jonny – I think we’re a minority on this one but I just don’t have any ill feeling towards him and would love it if he one day returned.
Tbh, I do have some ill feelings. His behavior in the tunnel with the Barca players was inexcusable and nauseating. I was seriously upset when I saw that.
@mgk
I can’t see how Cesc can be blamed or held responsible for Arsene building teams around him or letting players go (not sure who?) in order to accommodate his style or weaknesses (surely this is the case for most star players – strengths out way weaknesses?).
He knew very well that we were building the squad around him. If I knew it, he must have done. They would have talked about all that when negotiating such a long contract. Who else has ever signed for 8 years?
The project was not wasted as we’ve come close to big things on many occasions (could have realistically won the league twice in the last 5 years) and it’s success or failure should not be levelled at one player. I for one would not blame Arsene for “wasting” these last 6 years or for getting the project wrong per se and I’m not going to blame Cesc Fabregas for not seeing Arsene’s plan through to the end. He wasn’t the first and he wont be the last.
I am not blaming AW – I think you are well aware that I am blaming Cesc. The sacrifices AW made were wasted because the core of the squad left at 24 – so we have had to rebuild and alter our style. Cesc was the lynchpin and the heart of the team and he was found wanting.
Cesc is from Catalonia and as much as we develop players, mould players and give to players, the boy, regardless of their rejection (not making the grade at 15 can happen anywhere – not really rejection) is Barcelona through and through.
So what? Walcott comes from a family of Liverpool fans. Arsenal was Cesc’s job and he made a commitment which he reneged on.
When we let players go / sell players who don’t particularly want to go, do they have a right to hate us or should they be thankful for the time they have had with us? Can we only except a player’s exit if it is 100% on our terms? I’m not sure I agree with this way of thinking.
IWe’re not angry because he left, we’re angry because of why, when and how he left.
Anyway, I don’t hate Cesc. I despise him. He gave us countless wonderful footballing moments, but ultimately soured his own legacy and the implication that because he was a brilliant footballer we should just be grateful and not question his conduct is distasteful to me. I like to think I have a little more pride than that.
****
@ Limestonegunner
Vieira was let go to allow Cesc to flourish, Gilberto sidelined and let go because flamini’s defensive grafting helped Cesc.
***
Anyway, off to bed now. Good night all. Or (you never know) gute Nacht.
LG – agreed, I have some ill feelings too, but I prefer to keep a sense of perspective and forgiveness. Hate, despise, (big difference!) cunt, betrayal, wanker are just a few of the words used on here recently it all just seems disproportionate.
I’m sad it ended the way it did and yes I agree that we should and can question his conduct but Wenger got things wrong as well, but seems to be completely blameless and beyond question.
As ever we don’t know what was said behind closed doors – what was promised & what the full personal story was.
Ah well me an’ MGK can welcome him back as a party of two…
FG
1) “He knew very well that we were building the squad around him. If I knew it, he must have done”
Still the boss’s choice – when did a player become so important in shaping the whole club decision – not the players responsibility.
2) “I am not blaming AW – I think you are well aware that I am blaming Cesc”
But the decisions were all Arsene’s – my point is if I’m not blaming Arsene for building the team around one player then why should you blame Cesc – why is it anyone’s fault? I’m a AKB at heart but if there is blame to be attached then AW’s insistence in pursuing with project Cesc must surely be in put into question before blaming Cesc himself.
3) “So what? Walcott comes from a family of Liverpool fans. Arsenal was Cesc’s job and he made a commitment which he reneged on”
Not remotely the same and if it was, would any player ever be a one club player? Why do we love it when we find out players are genuine gooners? Also, if it was a question of just being a job then what is the fuss about – surely the let down is because we hoped it was more than a job to Cesc. If it was just about being his job, then who in their right mind wouldn’t go for the promotion that was Barcelona? Confused point at best.
4) “Anyway, I don’t hate Cesc. I despise him. He gave us countless wonderful footballing moments, but ultimately soured his own legacy… I like to think I have a little more pride than that”
O.K. you’re a lot more invested in this than I am.
5) As Johnny as highlighted previously, Arsene sold Cesc, at the beginning of an eight year contract and on the fucking cheap. Luca Modric is still at sp*rs, fucking Tevez is still at Citeh and they can afford to give him away – but they played hard-ball and told them both that they are staying put. WE SOLD CESC.
Like I said, I can hear some of what you’re saying but you clearly feel stronger about this than I do, so we’ll have to agree to disagree.
I miss Cesc, I’d have him back in an instant and hope that he comes back in a few years when his Spanish adventure has come to an end and we have built a team around Jack ; )
COYG
If Cesc were to ever come back, be it visiting us in the CL with his Barca buddies or as a player, I don’t think he would deserve the heroes’ welcome we reserve for players like Henry. He wouldn’t deserve the booing that Ade etc. get, either, because he has been a fantastic servant to the club for 8 years and it was really only in his last year that things started to get sour. And for him to be ever forgiven, he would obviously have to resign for us and work hard to re-earn what he lost this summer.
A pox on Cesc. A devious poli-trickster.
This had me cracking up
Lansbury, Campbell and Chamberlain all score on yesterday’s international duty
COYG
Cesc, a good player (not a great playe, mind you), but haven’t done enough for us to deserve any special reverence for. Certainly no Cesc bronze statue is merited.
Just like any other good player, he has moved on after being seduced back to where he felt he belongs. He is undeserving of any special treatment of a prodigal son should he returns for a match against us, or to play for us. Enough said of Cesc. It bores.
Oh yes, and Ryo has been voted Bloton’s ‘Player of the Month’,
Not so shabby for a manager who is reputed as having lost his transfer mojo!
Fun’s take on Cesc should be rolled out every time this ‘debate’ comes up. Spot on.
Plus the poster, ZP? who called him quite the little politician. Also spot on.
1. Proper LOL Irish – that’s the way for me to start my day! I’m SUCH a sucker for slapstick. If there is anything funnier than someone falling over I’ve yet to see it.
2. Rickaaay – I must have been blurry eyed when I read your piece yesterday morning – I completely missed the Prince line from ‘Dorothy Parker’ at the end – great line, great song about a great woman off one of the greatest album’s ever written.
3. MGK – yup totally agree.
4. Evil – correct no ‘heroes welcome’ but I hope that people wouldn’t boo him either. Judging by some of the vitriol here though, it seems as though I am in the minority. That would be a real shame for me – hopefully we won’t meet Barca again for 5 years and by then ya’ll will be feeling more magnanimous and forgiving.
Jonny
Someone watching a good looking gal across the road and then walking into a lamppost is one of my favourites.
That was me Bob,
Strange eh?
Simple fact is, if Cesc was ever to wear the Arsenal shirt again most would support him anyway. They may not like it but they would support him.
From a guy on twitter
“Davey Jones of the Monkees is dead. The missus just told me. I thought she was joking. Then I saw her face. Now I’m a believer ☺”
It would just be nice if the same level of support was given to our current players.
I agree with that comment Passenal.
http://aculturedleftfoot.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/awkward-interlude-ends-as-key-anfield-trip-comes-into-view/
Warning: Sarcasm Alert.
Eh Passenal – same level of support as who? (Genuine question)
Dups – yes, always classic.
Can’t believe the Farrelly brothers have made a movie of this -
@cbob
why, thank you, sir.
@ dups, Passenal, Evil
Quite right. I support every player who is currently wearing the shirt. And if Cesc came back (highly unlikely) I would swallow my resentment and start with a clean slate. It doesn’t change what he did, but it would be forgotten, if not forgiven, for the sake of the team.
Sincere apologies that I’m not able to get involved in any sustained dialogue due to the demands of work and 2 young children. I really enjoy the site and most of your discussions, so thanks for reading & commenting.
Anyway, phones ringing…Jonny, whoevers calling, cant be as cute as you
Denilson was actually kinda disrespectful, he made constant digs at the team when he stated his desire to leave, as for his playing ability, the guy is poor. His link-up play was apparently his strong point, all he ever really did was make short sideways passes, he only got about 40% of them right. You could maybe argue he was pushed into a regular first team spot quite prematurely at his age, but he seemed to feel he was ready for it. The only fond memory I have of him is that freekick against Hull City, other than that, he was way below par.
Eboue shouldn’t have been sold, he was a very good versatile back-up player, we missed him this season with injury problems on the rise. Arshavin’s spark went out rather quickly and was probably at the end of the peak of his career at the Euro’s.
I’m sure Bendtner’s name has come up in the comments but I’m not going to read them all, but he is the guy that needs another chance. I don’t really see what wrong he has done at the club, his positives are hugely outweighed by his negatives by 90% of people. There is no doubt he has ability, people who disagree with that either haven’t watched him play that often or are slightly deluded, you can’t judge the guy’s ability on the press he gets which in turn is extremely unfair and often taken out of context. He used to revive out title hopes all the time when he had a regular run in the side, he also scored the winner in the North London derby all them years back (remember that?!) oh and he scored at the Nou Camp. Needless to say, I would love to see him back here. Please don’t tell me Chamakh is doing a better job.