So close…so close to the miracle of Munich but this is only the beginning

The miracle of Munich may be over but the spirit shown in Munich must stick around if Arsenal wants to go to the likes of Munich again next year.

Munich away was one of the strangest games I have ever been too. You go to Munich (one of the most in form teams in Europe) and win 0-2 and are still disappointed at the end. If someone had told me that Manuel Neuer would be holding on to the ball in a desperate attempt to time waste in the 85^th minute or that Robben would be taking the ball to the corner desperate not to give the ball away then I would have been expecting pigs to start flying.

I would say that I am one of the more optimistic supporters but I’m not sure if I believed we could achieve the impossible pre match even though I made the trip to Munich. I think many like me were hopeful but did not expect.

Arsenal put in a performance to make every Arsenal supporter proud. The players had the spirit the manager has been talking about and you would think, if that spirit remains, the fight for the top four will get very interesting.

Arsenal got off to the best possible start and even though it was not Theo Walcott’s best ever game, he managed to get into a dangerous position and create a goal. Giroud got himself in the correct position and a position he must get himself in more – I feel for Giroud because I think he puts in a shift (perhaps he could have put himself about a bit more at the lane though). I hope we add a striker in the summer but keep Giroud in the squad because he offers us something a bit different and does have 15 goals and 10 assists this season after all.

Laurent Koscielny was back in the side and scored the second and always is a threat from set pieces. I called for him to start more a few weeks ago and get a run of games together because I genuinely believe he is our best centre back when playing regularly and has a massive part to play in the remaining games. It was a massive decision to ‘rest’ our captain and our goal keeper but it paid off as Koscielny and Fabianski both were outstanding and should keep their place at Swansea.

Swansea away is massive but the victory in Munich should give some much needed confidence. Arsenal lost to Bayern Munich on AWAY GOALS, Bayern Munich did not score more then Arsenal over the two legs but went through because of where they scored their goals. Arsenal can take a lot from the tie and must believe they can do it. Arsenal in my opinion have massively under achieved this year – they have good players; in Wilshere (when he is back), Walcott, Cazorla etc we have the talent and ability to get us into Europe but they must believe.

Win at Swansea and get on a winning run and it is more then possible – confidence brings wins BUT the only way to keep confidence is to keep winning.

Munich may have been seen as impossible but getting in the top four is not impossible. Trust me.

Up The Arsenal.

AGM / QPR Rallying call

‘My job is to deliver a team with the resources we have’ – Arsene Wenger.

The AGM was a tense one to say the least and for the first time that I have seen, things got a bit heated. It took a speech (again) from the manager too calm things. It wasn’t quite the standard of the Churchill speech last year, but it was still full of passion.

I won’t go into the content of the 75 minute meeting as many others who are MUCH better writers then me have already published their summary but I will give my own opinions.

For the first time ever, I found myself agreeing with people I have never agreed with and had thoughts I have never had. These were NOT against the manager, who I still support and back but being usually the one to defend the club and its policies, I found myself questioning them. I guess that is what being a supporter is all about though.

I was first up in asking a question and after a slight stumble from the chairman on my name I stood up and took the microphone. Talking in front of shareholders, the board and the manager, who I have admired for so many years was a bit nerve racking but I got my question out there (which was on ticket prices and Ivan telling us there will be less reliance on supporters when the new commercial deals and TV deals come in).

To be honest, I was not expecting a proper answer but it was more a way of reminding the board that ticketing is very important to us supporters, but also complimenting the League cup pricing as it is fantastic value.

The meeting went on and there were a few interesting points; the dividends question was not answered and there was a bit of a stand off between the AST hierarchy and the board. I have had a few people ask me why the AST are so chummy with Ivan and why they do not ask the right questions; it is safe to say the AST did ask the right questions and did not give up when they were answered back by the board. Ivan and Stan both named the two AST board members and were visibly disappointed at their outburst. I think this puts the AST Christmas drinks (usually at the Emirates and usually with the Arsenal board) in question!

After the meeting, Ivan to his credit stuck around and spoke to shareholders/supporters and so did Arsene. Arsene had been very quiet and did not get involved in any matters until his speech with was more about team affairs (as you would expect). Despite all the heckling and frustration, when Arsene spoke, everyone listened. He still had the respect of the whole room; he may not have their full support any more but he certainly still has their respect which personally was good to see. We all have opinions on players, managers, board members etc but I think it’s important to keep the respect. Peter Hill-Wood who comes from a family who were/are devoted to Arsenal and despite his stuttering, his sarcasm towards supporters, he should still be respected, thinking its time maybe to move on though, is another question!

Speaking to Arsene has always been a privileged because listening to him is fascinating. I tweeted a few things yesterday which he told a group of us and I think him talking about wages, overseas tours etc show how much football has changed over the last few years.

Overall, I am frustrated as anyone but I did what I could by asking about ticket prices and now I will head to the Emirates on Saturday to support the club I love.

QPR, despite being bottom of the league, could cause a threat. They have spent money in the summer and brought in some good players and sooner or later, you would think they will click but let’s hope it is not on Saturday. I have a feeling the players WILL play for the supporters and the manager on Saturday and will be motivated to get all three points. I think in Arteta, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Podolski etc we have players who have been through it all and will help the younger lads through. Having Sagna and Wilshere back in the squad (who by the way, Arsene talked so highly off and seems genuinely excited about again) will only help matters.

Like you guys, I am desperate for a win on Saturday and therefore will remain as positive as ever, will support the team and will not panic if we do not score within the first 15 minutes! Despite what we think, despite what we are not happy about, three points is the immediate thought, anything else can wait…for now anyway.

COME ON YOU ARSENAL!

Living The Dream, Living Our Dream

 Playing for the club you support, the club your dad has a season ticket at and the club you are desperate for to win - that is a distant dream for most… 

Unless you’re Carl Jenkinson.

 For a player that was playing in the sixth tier of English football, his rise to ‘fame’ is quite remarkable.

 He was told he was no good, he was rubbish, and was not an ‘Arsenal player’, yet he still went on and fought. He was sent off at Old Trafford early in his career and many doubted him. Some people even thought he would never get capped by Finland, let alone talk about the prospect of him playing for England.

 He played here and there, sometimes played well enough, sometimes didn’t have the best of games, but never really got spoken about. That was until this season. An injury to Sagna has meant Jenkinson has played, and played very well indeed. He has developed defensively and offensively and his natural height gives him a big advantage at set pieces. He has created goals too and has been a threat in the opposition's half of the pitch.

 Carl Jenkinson is truly living the dream, a dream we would all love to live. We cannot directly influence a result (we can chant songs and try and motivate players but not much else) but knowing Carl Jenkinson, a man who loves the club as a supporter, makes me feel rather good.

 I hope he gets picked for England and hope he proves to be a top player for the country because I am sure he will be for OUR club. 

 Up The Arsenal!