Tag Archive for Cesc

Forgo Sanogo, Summer’s A No Go

May 18, 2013 Arsenal 28 comments

Say that title five times really fast. Social media exploded yesterday with the news that Arsenal are close to signing Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre on a free transfer. In true Arsenal style we are set to sign a relatively unknown player from France and in true Arsenal style a section of supporters have blown a gasket over what they perceive to be a poor signing.

This summer promised to be a close season of quality, big name signings so I could understand the reaction to this news if it was August, as the last time we commented on a player joining before the season had ended it was Podolski and his reputation was/is huge, but it’s not, it’s May. An argument can be put together that Arsenal’s squad, based on February onwards’ form, doesn’t need enhancing too much but I’m not going to make that argument.

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A Girl Arsène Once Knew

May 9, 2013 Arsenal, Guest Bloggers 5 comments

Today on NLIR I am pleased to introduce a new guest blogger Dalitso Njolinjo (@chocoteddybear) . Dalitso is usually a film blogger but has decided to write for NLIR about his true love, Arsenal. Take it away Chocolate Teddy Bear…..

So, I have a friend (she’s more than a friend, she’s a lot like family) and she’s a stunner. Everybody thinks so. Awhile back she was the talk of the town, but then she got together with this Mediterranean looking bloke and to be fair, they were good together – but truth be told, she let herself go.

She used to be with this French-African bloke. I’ve always wondered what happened to him.

Anyway, she and her man were together for a good while. Always smiling and holding hands. I was happy because she was happy. Her family loved him, so did the rest of her close friends and almost 3 years ago things went sour.

It turned out that this fella was still in love with his old Mrs from his hometown. He always carried a torch for her. When my friend first caught a whiff of this old girlfriend poking around, she asked him if there was anything going on and he denied it. She believed him. I believed him. There was no reason to suspect otherwise. Read more

Wenger Still Has Fire In His Belly

April 25, 2013 Arsenal, Guest Bloggers 14 comments

On NLIR today I am delighted to welcome Martijn Stolze (@hahostolze) . Martijn is a Dutch history student with a love for Britain and has been a Gooner since 1997. Martijn has written an extremely emotive piece and I’m sure you’re going to love it. Grab a beverage and strap in for an epic ride.Take it away Martijn…..

You can’t blame Arsène Wenger if over the last two or three seasons he has looked glum, burnt out and tired. You can’t blame him if he has felt despondent and absolutely lost. This is a man whose love for Arsenal FC is absolute and unequivocal.  But also a man who has seen his hard work, on one of his finest generations, fail and falter at the last hurdle too many times, and seen the lure of money and glory rip apart the teams he set about to mould in his image. A man who was on par with the greatest manager in PL history when the influx of money set the PL alight. Yet during recent weeks Arsène Wenger seems a man repossessed. The fire in his belly that drove his incessant desire for perfection, for better, for prettier, seems to be roaring at its fullest again. And just when we needed it.

Very few things are as harsh on a person as their position in history. In the last few days the glory of Sir Alex Ferguson has been sung by all those who love him, need to suck up to him or those who respect the man’s achievements. Looking through the Guardian’s review of the titles he won it makes it very obvious that the only man who consistently got close to his all conquering teams was Arsène Wenger. But Arsène Wenger is not a man en vogue today. He is not popular. His legacy isn’t being remembered the way it should. Not even with some of the fans of the club he has helped into one of the biggest and most valuable in footballing history. That has got to sting. I know it stings me. Read more

Arsenal Fourth By Monday And Third By May?

April 5, 2013 Arsenal 4 comments

I’m not one for match previews as regular readers will know but I’ve been having my usual Friday go at the BBC predictor and I have a feeling that we’ll be fourth come Monday morning which will be nice for me because it’s my birthday on Monday. And no, you can’t ask how old I am.

How I think the league will finish... okay, Stoke probably won't go down but it's nice to dream

How I think the league will finish… okay, Stoke probably won’t go down but it’s nice to dream

I’ve been getting quite annoyed recently with pundits, journos and sports presenters talking about Arsenal’s “challenge for fourth”. We are not in a challenge for fourth, we are in a challenge for a top four finish. There is a difference, a big difference in my opinion. Third is not out of reach considering Spuds are only 4 points ahead having played a game more. Read more

Monreal Is Cause For Renewed Positivity

February 1, 2013 Arsenal 50 comments

The transfer window has slammed shut and Arsenal have managed to sneak in a deal for Peter Crouch lookalike aka Spain international Nacho Monreal to the delight of some supporters. To the chagrin of others it seems that one was not enough and whilst I agree that the team needs further strengthening I have woken today with a renewed positivity.

I feel I have always been good at looking at the positive side of things, especially when it comes to Arsenal, whilst maintaining a reasonable degree of balance. I have never identified with any group or acronym that exist nor will I probably ever. I am an Arsenal supporter and my opinions are my own and not defined by others and I’d like to think the majority of Arsenal supporters would see themselves the same way.

Our newest signing... and a good one to boot

We’ve signed Peter Crouch!

I think we have the makings of a special team. The current squad I think are good enough to make the Champions League spots and good enough to win the FA Cup too but probably a few players away from title winners. The players that will “complete” our squad will hopefully arrive in the summer and I’m quite confident that hopefully is actually certainly.

Arsène said that he almost signed one more player and I wouldn’t want to speculate who but I think it would have been a big money move.

We were close to one more signature, it did not happen because of the desire of the clubs to sell or not sell. It is only linked with that.

Arsène Wenger – 01/02/2013

The signing he did make I feel has really added to our squad despite being told yesterday that Monreal lacking a YouTube video means he is a bad player!! Read more

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