Following the Chelsea v Arsenal game this week, an interesting side story developed which I thought worthy of writing a blog on. It brought up the issue of 'Fans v Pundits' or 'Fans v Media' which is something that is finally being addressed of sorts in the wake of Chelsea's win over Arsenal.
It started towards the end of the game when an Arsenal fan - following Giroud's consolation goal in stoppage time - held up a banner saying "WENGER OUT!" which prompted commentator Gary Neville to describe the fan as 'an idiot' for pre-meditating the situation and bringing the banner into the ground before the game despite everything Wenger has done for the club.
Wenger of course has led Arsenal to great success in his first nine years at the club, winning three titles and four FA cups, including an invincible season. However the eleven years that followed have brought only two FA cups - both of which followed an eight year haul without a trophy, and no titles. Crucially though, Arsenal have qualified for the champions league - and reached the knockout stages - every season and have remained financially stable as well. This is likely why Neville believes Wenger's achievements should be respected - however it is the lack of progress and titles that has angered a large section of fans creating a Wenger in/out divide.
The main issue that seems to have derived from this is the issue of opinion - that fans opinions should be respected. This is what Neville got the most criticism for - although afterwards he made it clear he was not insinuating that the Arsenal supporter did not have a right to his opinion. In fact Gary Neville has a right to his opinion so if he thinks that Arsenal fans that want Wenger out are idiots then fair play to him - but I think it's all about perspective.
Fans pay money to go to games - and going to football now is expensive. I'm a Chelsea fan and no one needs to tell me this - I made a judgement call based on circumstances not to renew my membership this season (boy am I regretting that now). But fans will literally pay money they barely have, wake up ridiculous hours and travel all over the country to watch their favourite team - they clearly care. While pundits like Neville and the rest of his team at Sky, as far as I'm aware, would not have been paying to attend Stamford Bridge on Saturday, they would have been getting paid to be there in fact. So is it right that Gary Neville can be so dismissive and patronising to a fan for expressing his opinion that he believes it is time for change? Especially as that fan would have been paying to be there. Surely we should respect his opinion?
I was watching a video on YouTube channel "Ball Street" the other day, which had Robbie from Arsenal Fan TV and Sophie from the Chelsea Fans Channel on there as guests - and Sophie made a point about how fans how currently disillusioned with how 'corporate' the game has got. You can't stand at games, at least not without stewards telling you to sit down (something a concerned Chelsea fan reached out to John Terry about on Instagram a few years ago) you can't sing in certain pubs - its all starting to feel corporate. I would add that I can relate to those points myself as a Chelsea fan but also that certain pubs that usually contain more 'atmosphere' are being closed down throughout Fulham (the famous Shed Bar being one), the influx of the prawn sandwich brigade and the prices themselves which are pricing ordinary working class fans out of the game. But this doesn't mean fans don't care less and to have Neville and co all suited and booted sitting in their corporate TV studio dismiss them as idiotic or a disgrace is, as Sophie mentioned, very patronising.
I am however, going to play Devils advocate - just for the sake of it :)
On some level, I can understand Gary Neville's particular singling out of Arsenal TV - as can anyone who has ever watched it. We have something similar at Chelsea and I believe Man City have their own version too, amongst other teams. But no one outside of Chelsea is talking about watching it, especially when we lose, but everyone wants to watch Arsenal TV when Arsenal lose. Why?
Simply that - without sounding rude - the kind of characters that are on Arsenal TV are so ridiculously over the top they set themselves up for ridicule. Hell even I watch some of their videos - it IS comedy gold in all fairness. Some of the points they make, can be easily dismissed. "We lost to Watford because of the rain". Really? To be fair the Arsenal Fan TV presenter did make a point that those fans do get interviewed every week, even when they win and are mostly positive.
The point is - do fans really know better? Just because they pay money does it necessarily mean they know better than the professionals of the game and that their opinions should be heard? Not always the case, although of course everyone does have a right to an opinion. A famous example that surfaced just recently in the wake of Frank Lampard's retirement was the 1997 video from the West Ham fan forum. In case you've not seen it, a West Ham fan tells then manager Harry Redknapp that two players they recently released - Scott Canham and Matt Holland - were both better than Frank Lampard and firmly disagreed with Redknapp, prompting Harry to famously and correctly predict that Lampard would go 'right to the very top', which he very well did. Redknapp's arguments were that Scott Canham 'definitely wasn't good enough as he's gone to Brentford and can't get in Brentford's team' (Scott Canham's career after that would be mostly spent in non league football) and Matt Holland 'might bounce back as a good First Division player' (Matt Holland did indeed bounce back as a good First Division player with Ipswich Town) so that's two more predictions Mystic Harry got right. The West Ham fans logic was 'I go to a lot of games and Reserve team games so I clearly know what I'm talking about'. He clearly didn't.
My point is fans don't know what goes on behind the scenes in training, with players attitudes and mentalities etc so do they really know better? If they don't is it then therefore understandable why the likes of Gary Neville would be so (even if they don't mean to be) easily dismissive? Perhaps he shouldn't have been so rude and at least worded it differently but maybe it's not hard to see his viewpoint. Fans don't have the insight professional and ex-professional footballers have - it's like the saying 'if you know, you know' etc.
I remember a few years ago I was mystified we sold Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool - especially as he started scoring loads of goals for them. Couldn't believe we let him go. But fast forward to now and we are hearing that Liverpool aren't happy with him either as he apparently 'doesn't work hard enough in training' and apparently doesn't have the right mentality. Seems unlikely they will keep him beyond the summer - which means he will have been moved on from Man City, Chelsea and (potentially, looking likely) Liverpool.
Yet four years ago I could not believe we let him go and i was very angry.
But then what do I know? I'm just a fan :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0GShEWw5x4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAjd_jTvURc
Thursday 9 February 2017
Sunday 5 February 2017
Chelsea 3 -1 Arsenal
Chelsea retained their nine point lead at the top of the table with a comprehensive win over their title rivals in a game that demonstrated just how accurate the current points gap between the two teams is in terms of showing just how much stronger Chelsea are than their London neighbours.
The reverse fixture earlier in the season was somewhat of a defining moment in Chelsea's season as Chelsea were bruised, battered and 3-0 down at half time and Antionio Conte decided to switch to his signature formation of three at the back at half time - and it was that change of formation that saw Chelsea go storming to the top of the league and win 13 games in a row. I even saw a tweet from one Arsenal fan who acknowledged 'We'd have been better off beating Chelsea 1-0 instead of 3-0 as hammering them has given birth to this Barca-esque team'.
Chelsea made one change from their midweek draw with Pedro coming in for Willian but ultimately remained unchanged from the team that had dominated the Premier League for the last four months. Much was made by the media of Arsene Wenger having to sit in the stands amongst Chelsea fans (due to his touchline ban) but I feel this was an attempt to make a story out of nothing as they always have seats reserved in the East Upper for managers/staff serving touchline bans and this has been the case for about 16 years or so.
A mix up with Courtois and the Chelsea defence almost let Arsenal midfielder Iwobi in with a shot - bit it was deflected around the post for a corner. After that, Chelsea took full control with their midfield dominating the show. They took the lead on 13 minutes when a Pedro cross from the right was headed against the bar by Diego Costa - before the ball dropped down and was headed in by Marcus Alonso. Alonso is becoming somewhat of an unsung hero for Chelsea - he has had a fair few critics regarding his defensive duties but the fact he has played every game in our winning run since we changed formations cannot be ignored. Arsenal fans though were furious that a foul was not given for Alonso's elbow making contact with Bellerin's head as he went up for the header - feeling that Alonso should have been sent off. It was a 50/50 ball though the fact Alonso's eyes were clearly on the ball mean it was correctly allowed.
Chelsea then started to create half chances and openings, with Costa shooting wide of the near post when assisted by Pedro, and the Spanish striker had the chance to put Pedro clean through on goal some minutes later but tried to take the Arsenal defence on and spurned the opportunity. Later in the half the roles would be reversed with Pedro spurning a golden chance to put Costa clean through.
Pedro himself would go close only for his left foot shot to be saved by Cech and out for a corner. (As a sidenote - Chelsea's corners haven't been that great lately I feel, either not clearing the first man or going to wide. I can't remember the last time we took a corner that led to at least a chance)
As the first half came to an end Arsenal created a few chances, with Courtois saving well from a Gabriel header and then on half time Ozil shooting low through a crowd that Courtois comfortably held.
The second half started well and Chelsea doubled their lead on 53 minutes with a wonder goal - picking the ball up on the halfway line, Hazard proceeded to dribble and bamboozle his way through the Arsenal defence and chip the ball over Cech for a sublime finish. For a player that received a lot of criticism last year for various reasons, he seems to be winning the Chelsea fans over again. One thing is for sure is that he is certainly better than Ozil, who was having another one of his 'missing' days.
No clear cut chances followed but Chelsea continued to dominate - with Kante immense in midfield winning every tackle. Gary Neville commented in commentary that Arsenals midfield of Iwobi, Oxlade Chamberlain and Ozil would not win you league - and it definitely showed. There was a flash point that will no doubt have been ignored by Arsenal fans still incensed about Alonso's 'foul' - and that was an elbow from Gabriel on Hazards face which was missed. Arguably more of a red card than Alonso but the media chose not to focus on it for some reason. Gabriel of course was sent off in the corresponding fixture last season when clashing with Costa.
Welbeck and Mustafi both went close with headers late on as Arsenal tried to get back into the game, but then the game was put to bed when two former players on opposing teams combined in a comical moment. Cech against his old club, seemingly forgot he was no longer a Chelsea player - or forgot Fabregas (who had come on as a sub) was no longer an Arsenal player as the Czech keeper passed the ball straight to the Chelsea midfielder who then lobbed him for number three.
Arsenal did grab a consolation in stoppage time with a Giroud header - a goal that I think Courtois should have done better with. Zouma - another substitute - should have been tracking him but he is probably still lacking some slight match fitness after his long lay-off. Lots of rumours that Courtois will be off in the summer. I am still not totally 100% convinced of how good he is as a keeper and I feel like if he really did want to move on to Madrid, then Chelsea should possibly make a move for Joe Hart, if City don't want him back of course.
So it finished 3-1 and at the start of the week, I'd have taken two draws but considering no one took advantage when we drew with Liverpool in the week, this is more than acceptable. Still nine points clear and having played most of our main rivals played twice accept for City, who we still have to face at home and United away. We're also still in the FA cup which I think, may become more of a priority the longer we stay in it providing our Premier League form continues to be good.
Plenty of reasons to be positive at the minute! Come on the Chels!
The reverse fixture earlier in the season was somewhat of a defining moment in Chelsea's season as Chelsea were bruised, battered and 3-0 down at half time and Antionio Conte decided to switch to his signature formation of three at the back at half time - and it was that change of formation that saw Chelsea go storming to the top of the league and win 13 games in a row. I even saw a tweet from one Arsenal fan who acknowledged 'We'd have been better off beating Chelsea 1-0 instead of 3-0 as hammering them has given birth to this Barca-esque team'.
Chelsea made one change from their midweek draw with Pedro coming in for Willian but ultimately remained unchanged from the team that had dominated the Premier League for the last four months. Much was made by the media of Arsene Wenger having to sit in the stands amongst Chelsea fans (due to his touchline ban) but I feel this was an attempt to make a story out of nothing as they always have seats reserved in the East Upper for managers/staff serving touchline bans and this has been the case for about 16 years or so.
A mix up with Courtois and the Chelsea defence almost let Arsenal midfielder Iwobi in with a shot - bit it was deflected around the post for a corner. After that, Chelsea took full control with their midfield dominating the show. They took the lead on 13 minutes when a Pedro cross from the right was headed against the bar by Diego Costa - before the ball dropped down and was headed in by Marcus Alonso. Alonso is becoming somewhat of an unsung hero for Chelsea - he has had a fair few critics regarding his defensive duties but the fact he has played every game in our winning run since we changed formations cannot be ignored. Arsenal fans though were furious that a foul was not given for Alonso's elbow making contact with Bellerin's head as he went up for the header - feeling that Alonso should have been sent off. It was a 50/50 ball though the fact Alonso's eyes were clearly on the ball mean it was correctly allowed.
Chelsea then started to create half chances and openings, with Costa shooting wide of the near post when assisted by Pedro, and the Spanish striker had the chance to put Pedro clean through on goal some minutes later but tried to take the Arsenal defence on and spurned the opportunity. Later in the half the roles would be reversed with Pedro spurning a golden chance to put Costa clean through.
Pedro himself would go close only for his left foot shot to be saved by Cech and out for a corner. (As a sidenote - Chelsea's corners haven't been that great lately I feel, either not clearing the first man or going to wide. I can't remember the last time we took a corner that led to at least a chance)
As the first half came to an end Arsenal created a few chances, with Courtois saving well from a Gabriel header and then on half time Ozil shooting low through a crowd that Courtois comfortably held.
The second half started well and Chelsea doubled their lead on 53 minutes with a wonder goal - picking the ball up on the halfway line, Hazard proceeded to dribble and bamboozle his way through the Arsenal defence and chip the ball over Cech for a sublime finish. For a player that received a lot of criticism last year for various reasons, he seems to be winning the Chelsea fans over again. One thing is for sure is that he is certainly better than Ozil, who was having another one of his 'missing' days.
No clear cut chances followed but Chelsea continued to dominate - with Kante immense in midfield winning every tackle. Gary Neville commented in commentary that Arsenals midfield of Iwobi, Oxlade Chamberlain and Ozil would not win you league - and it definitely showed. There was a flash point that will no doubt have been ignored by Arsenal fans still incensed about Alonso's 'foul' - and that was an elbow from Gabriel on Hazards face which was missed. Arguably more of a red card than Alonso but the media chose not to focus on it for some reason. Gabriel of course was sent off in the corresponding fixture last season when clashing with Costa.
Welbeck and Mustafi both went close with headers late on as Arsenal tried to get back into the game, but then the game was put to bed when two former players on opposing teams combined in a comical moment. Cech against his old club, seemingly forgot he was no longer a Chelsea player - or forgot Fabregas (who had come on as a sub) was no longer an Arsenal player as the Czech keeper passed the ball straight to the Chelsea midfielder who then lobbed him for number three.
Arsenal did grab a consolation in stoppage time with a Giroud header - a goal that I think Courtois should have done better with. Zouma - another substitute - should have been tracking him but he is probably still lacking some slight match fitness after his long lay-off. Lots of rumours that Courtois will be off in the summer. I am still not totally 100% convinced of how good he is as a keeper and I feel like if he really did want to move on to Madrid, then Chelsea should possibly make a move for Joe Hart, if City don't want him back of course.
So it finished 3-1 and at the start of the week, I'd have taken two draws but considering no one took advantage when we drew with Liverpool in the week, this is more than acceptable. Still nine points clear and having played most of our main rivals played twice accept for City, who we still have to face at home and United away. We're also still in the FA cup which I think, may become more of a priority the longer we stay in it providing our Premier League form continues to be good.
Plenty of reasons to be positive at the minute! Come on the Chels!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)