Earlier in the week, I received an e-mail from Ray of Arsenal Articles, asking if I’d like to do a joint Q&A prior to Sunday’s game. As you know we like these sort of articles, so obviously I said yes.
Below are Ray’s answers of my questions, and my answers to Ray’s questions can be found here.
1. Arsenal are still in all 4 competitions. At the beginning of the season there was some grumblings about Arsene Wenger. Are those grumblings still about? If so are they justified?
Most Arsenal fans are very happy with Arsene and recognise that he is doing a stellar job at the club. He has kept the team in the Top 4 for 14 years and the club has been title challengers nearly every year since he has been here.
Balancing the books is one of his strengths and we needed someone exactly like him during the transition to a new stadium.
I honestly think that most of the pressure was coming from the media regarding the trophyless seasons. But we are not the only club without a cup in the last few years and while we would all love to win something, the last few seasons have not exactly been short of excitement either. And this season has been great so far for us so no one is complaining!
2. Following on from the previous question, do Arsenal see the Carling Cup as an irritant with the other competitions on the go?
Not at all. Winning the Carling Cup will give the the club, the players, the manager and the fans a huge boost. George Graham started his era at the club with a League Cup win and many think that this cup could be the start of a new era for Arsene at the club. It will also give this set of players the belief that they can go further in other competitions.
3. When you look at the two squads there appears to be a big gap – however is there anyone in our squad you would like to see in an Arsenal shirt and why?
I have always rated Ben Foster and he is a solid keeper who could have done a good job for us, especially last season. He has made a couple of errors but most keepers will drop a clanger or two but I think he is now getting better as he has been on the bench too long with United. I also thought of Larsson as the one who got away. He is really a classy midfielder and most fans thought he would make it with us.
4. Mr Wenger talks a lot about teams playing football, (which is fine if you have the quality available), and he criticises other teams for being too physical. What is the gooners take on this? (Bearing in mind the number of red and yellows that Arsenal have had this season).
There is a difference between physical play (perfectly acceptable) and leg-breaking tackles (like Ben Arfa’s injury earlier this season) which is what Arsene was asked about. Many misleading headlines are generated by tabloids concerning Wenger’s take on this issue and if you read his full interviews you will see he has repeated many times that he loves the physical and committed style of English football.
As for the disciplinary record, it says more about the refereeing standards if a team, which is sometimes accused of being “too small” or “too soft”, get so many cards. In any case, the disciplinary table changes every week. This week Manchester City are at the bottom of that league but you only seem to hear about it if it is Arsenal who are down there.
5. What is your take on the Blues so far this season?
I have been impressed every time I have seen Birmingham play. They were outstanding against Man United at home and we really had to fight for our wins against you (even the 3-0 win was a lot more difficult than the scoreline suggested). McLeish was said to be under pressure with the chairman but the West Ham games have been a turning point of the season. I watched the two West Ham games and the fighting spirit showed after each half was excellent. I really think Birmingham will comfortably finish in the Top 10 this year.
6. Zigic – yes or no?
Arsene once said that foreign players need at least six months before they adapt to the Premier League and Zigic is beginning to prove his worth lately. His scoring rate is impressive at every club he has been at (including at international level with Serbia). He troubles defenders with his size and I can see him improving next year once he settles down in England.
7. What is your prediction for the final?
It will be a difficult game especially that Birmingham has been on a great run recently. I think McLeish knows his business tactically and I can see the first half being very tight. What is clear is that we will need to be at our very best and I will go with a hard-fought 2-1 win for us.
You’ve got an interesting interview on both side of the website. Read it all tru with special interest on my co arsenal fan rating your players to the best of his knowledge. What I see here is the spirit of sportmanship. He is truthful,wasn’t biased but what I really loved to hear was the truth of sunday being a tough game and eventually,We’re going to win. I’m Sam by name and I’m always dreaming of playing the wings one day at the Emirate….! Dreams come true!
Thanks Sam. I enjoy doing these interviews and find that most of the time they are done in a fair and sporting way.
Good that you do this on this Birmingham website, really good idea.
ps. forgot to add i am a gooner!
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That’s a bit unfair mate.
I spoke to a number of Arsenal fans after the game and they were very gracious in defeat.
Kev
Apart from ‘exiting’ the stadium as soon as the whistle was blown , Arsenal’s gutted fans were exceptionally gracious in defeat. They stood with their heads held high in the train queues as some of our more ingracious followers yelled banal abuse at them. My least favorite moments in a truly memorable day.