Wenger Out, Wenger In: Is The Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup was a tale of two halves. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal found themselves down by 2 goals going in to the half. The booing at the Emirates was loud and the angst of Arsenal fans on Twitter filled my time line...with many "fans" directing their anger at manager Arsene Wenger and calling for his head.

Whatever Wenger said to the team at half-time worked. They came out and took control of the game and within 16 minutes were on top 3-2. They then held on and ran out the clock to secure victory and their place in the 5th round. Cheers were heard at the Emirates and true fans were filling my Twitter time line with positive statements and telling the "Wenger out" brigade to shove it.

RVP turns the jeers to cheers

In essence, the division among the fans mirrors the two halves of the fixture...one half poor and one half great. Personally, I am disgusted at the vile things supposed Arsenal "fans" are saying about one of the greatest football managers ever. (Check out my last post for more specifics on the two types of fans.) Wenger has brought so much to Arsenal over the last 15 years and to see him treated with such disrespect is disgusting. There is definitely a spoiled "what have you done for me lately" contingent that call themselves Arsenal fans. These folks need a reality check.

These two tweets were my favorites of the day and represent exactly what I'm talking about with regards to the split that currently exists between Arsenal fans:

ArgentoTD
Well done AFC for getting it in from somewhere #InArseneWeTrust. I bet it was a Twitter of 2 halfs on here earlier. #COYG

Sydneyzw
@Piersmorgan I beg to differ I think there is a group that want Wenger out and a group that says #InArseneWeTrust. All fans want trophies.

Rather than go on and on, I thought I'd let the words of actual Arsenal supporters show the divide that currently exists. So here in their own words are the two halves of Arsenal fans:

The "Wenger Out" Crowd

markbennett2011
Only gonna play football now, no more watching/supporting. Can't take this bullshit anymore #arsenal #WengerOut


JoshuaSweeney
Quality finish by Bent. Arsenal are a shambles. As always #WENGEROUT


j_bamford
Absolutely nothing about today's game lends support to the Wenger apologists. Quite the opposite. #wengerout #afc


karimboularbah
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa #wengerout HT

BarnysArmy
The worst thing about my weekend is being an #Arsenal supporter, this shit is devastating. Hate to say it, but it's time. #WengerOut


JohnnyMartinAFC
There's literally no excuses any more #WengerOut


EdinGooner1
#arsenal #arsenallive enough is enough this, is going to far we need to win something #timeforchange #wengerout out out out


Bylesie27
#arsenal #Afc this is bollocks!! Wenger your a complete cunt, just fuck off out of out club now. It's embarrassing. So glad I gave up my ST

dspsjs
#Arsenal Now do you AW backers see he has lost the plot. Time to move out. #wengerout


ajo_R
You can say what you want, but we are in fucking misery again with Wenger.... #Arsenal #wengerout


Wazza_86
@mjallenjune what is happening to us?! It's a shambles!! #wengerout


Lee_Sherminator
Wenger has to go after this game, he is an actual disgrace to AFC #wengerout


DiscoDan142
Fucking terrible do the right thing and resign!!! Your taking us in one direction! Your time is up! #wengerout


rmhfootymerch
I agree with everyone on my time line enough is enough & 7 years without a trophy with our club is not good enough #WengerOut


Lapsy09
4th loss in a row?? #WengerOut


MattNewman93
Same old shit #Arsenal #WengerOut


HazhirAmir14
@MessiMinutes fuck this. I'm supporting Barca #wengerout


ShjBoySalim
4th defeat in a row #Wengerout #WeNeedAMiracle


jackthirlaway
I've had enough of this rubbish, time to jump on the band wagon #WengerOut


Sam19Yannis
@MaxBakerDFW #WengerOut I'm officially done and I'm 100% serious this time, not Arsene the board

ChalireDickens7
Would happily buy Wenger a one way ticket to France #Wengerout


grizzlybaz
Oh FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!!! Switching the radio off now, can't be arsed listening to another #Arsenal humiliation #WengerOut


taoyung
Safe to say Arsenal are out of the FA Cup...#Wengerout..??

TPettifer0304
4 defeats in a row? #spendsomefuckingmoney #wengerout


lewymalone
Glad I'm missing this fucker #wengerout #afc

The "In Arsene We Trust" Loyalists


Frimponged
This win is very good for our confidence. Also where are all the Wenger haters now? I don't see anyone screaming #WengerOut now. Dumbasses.

AFCMarc73
We stuck together as ONE...Up The Mighty Gunners! #InArseneWeTrust. Night all

princesssaraheq
@piersmorgan Actually not everyone was booing the players off. Some of us were getting behind the team for a better 2nd half  #InArseneWeTrust


matthewdoddsey
all fans calling for wengers head should be very careful what they wish for #inarsenewetrust


henrytt3
A very welcome return for Arteta and Sagna. A brilliant second half performance that has rightly silenced the doubters. #AFC #InArseneWeTrust


JamaalQuailey27
Just got back from the Arsenal, great game! #bouncebackability #inarsenewetrust


londonn87
@samuelj29060 I love Arsene #InArseneWeTrust


BSTURGE1986
#InArseneWeTrust take back my comments from early. Very angry at the time!! #goonerpower


Elliot_Flowers
This is why I'm an Arsenal fan! #InArseneWeTrust


johnny_marsh42
arsene wenger you fucking genius, I'm sorry for ever losing faith .#inarsenewetrust #theprofessorcomesgoodagain


Z4YNAB
Two nil down 3 nil up. We're gonna win the FA Cup!! #InArseneWeTrust


Neloversion
RT @TheGoonerArmy: Dear Beliebers, do u mind loggin out of twitter for a couple of mins? We're trying to get #InArseneWeTrust trending


MissGoonerAFC
You guys have absolutely no idea of what it's like to be a Manager and what it involves...#InArseneWeTrust That's all I have to say.

dinkarnold
The Professor gave #AFC a test and they fucking passed with class! #InArseneWeTrust


Hairil90
We never give up..have faith and the boys will surely repay your faith...#InArseneWeTrust #GoonerPower


toby_hs
Brilliant second half performance. Sorry was the "Arsene Out" at half time  #inarsenewetrust


JanViskoper
Wenger doesn't have to justify his actions to anyone! He is a legend! #InArsenewetrust #AFC


lotamaster
By the way dumbasses we went 2-0 down to 3-2 WITH NO SUBS. Still criticizing? #InArseneWeTrust COYG


MimiGooner 
Just allow those negative Gooners who said Arsene out etc. Enjoy the victory. Those people will feel like fools whether they admit it or not.

The_North_Bank
The boo boys around always make me laugh. Spent whole of first half whining and spent the whole of second half squiming #supporttheteam


Bosscielny
"Fans" who find joy in Arsenal losing to prove their point are a disgrace to the club, the other fans and more importantly, themselves.

positivegunner
So all of you who tweeted me and asked if I can find anything positive about this...do I need to find anything more positive than this comeback?

Gooner_Keyz
Fuck the doubters. #inarsenewetrust


ArranK
Hope that silences all the narrow minded people calling for wengers head #genius #InArseneWeTrust


LjMcCann4
Great come back from the boys what fighting spirit! #InArsenewetrust #AFC


goonergurl20
FUCKYOU WENGER HATERS!!!! #InArseneWeTrust


tmann14
I don't want to say I told you so but look at my tweet at half time...#IToldYouSo #InArseneWeTrust #ILoveYouArsenal


TomMaggsAFC
All Anti Wenger people, He changed the game with his team talk, Walcott was immense, Ramsey was superb #InArseneWeTrust


mo_telford
@piersmorgan start supporting and stop your moaning! You embarrass yourself every week! #inarsenewetrust

BhavishMenon
Hopefully all those who wanted Wenger out just after 1st half can rot in hell now...#InArseneWeTrust


dbarham88
Form is temporary, class is permanent! #LeaveItYeah #inarsenewetrust #AFC


JordyVanderkley
RT @GIGIHOSNY: No other manager Could've turned a game Like This #InArseneWeTrust


Bad877
I Love Arsene Wenger for everything he's brought to our club, including the high expectations of the plastic fans. #InArseneWeTrust

Fan Loyalty - Die-Hard or Fair-Weather?

While Wikipedia is not considered the most credible source on the planet, I am turning to it for a couple of simple definitions:

Fan loyalty: is the loyalty felt and expressed by a fan towards the object of his/her fanaticism. Allegiances can be strong or weak. The loyalties of sports fans have been studied by psychologists, who have determined several factors that create such loyalties. Fan loyalty can be threatened by team actions.

Fair-weather fans: Fans who only follow their team when they are winning.

Die-hard fans: Fans who follow their team no matter they are winning or losing.

I have turned to these definitions as recent events for the teams that I support have been pretty abysmal and fan loyalty is definitely being tested.

Arsenal have lost 3 straight League matches (2 of them to weaker opponents) and the club is currently fighting for a top 4 finish which has been a given since the '95-'96 season. Weaknesses in the squad have been exposed and fans are starting to vent their anger at each other. I personally find both situations sad. As a fan of the club, I am definitely bummed that they are not as strong as they have been in the Arsene Wenger era. However, I am also bummed to see the nastiness of some fans towards the team, the manager, the players and each other when things go bad. (One example is the "fan" who threatened to "murder" Aaron Ramsey following last week's terrible loss to Swansea and another is the name calling Twitter "conversation" that I just saw in my time line between 3 Arsenal fans).

I have no interest in judging how others should feel or show their support for a team. I am just questioning those that turn so nasty when things don't go their way.

English Football and American Baseball have very little in common but when I look at the New York Mets in comparison to Arsenal I see a glaring difference in fan expectation. The Mets have a 50 year history of underachieving. Mets fans have to have thick skin as we live in the same town as the Championship buying entitled Yankees. The 2012 baseball season hasn't even started yet and everyone is predicting last place for the hapless Mets...yet the fans remain loyal to the club (not the owners though who have further tarnished the club by their personal association with Bernie Madoff). Mets fans would be thrilled to not finish in last place. Yes we want the team to win, but there are 30 teams in the league and only one can win the title. The fact is that 29 fan bases will be left disappointed.  Most teams have their ups and downs. We live with the Mets and sadly lose with the Mets. Mets fans just keep hoping for that time when they will be on top. It will be that much sweeter when it happens.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans expect trophies and a top 4 finish no matter what. I will always support Arsenal and I want the trophies and championships for the club as well. However, no team has a divine right to win everything. (Yes, even the Yankees). Arsenal have been a shell of themselves this season and yet they are in 5th place out of 20 teams. Overall that is pretty damn good. I can only imagine how hard it is to be a fan of teams such as Wigan, Bolton, Leeds, Blackpool, West Ham, Blackburn, etc. Yet, they have loyal fans that put up with the ups and many downs of the clubs they support. 

Don't even get me going on the New York Jets who haven't been to the Super Bowl since 1969. It would be easy to just turn on them and support the Giants who always seem to find a way to win. That would be easy...but it would also be seen as being a "fair weather fan" rather than a "die-hard".

I choose to remain a die-hard fan and support my teams no matter whether they are winning or losing. I'd prefer winning but die-hard fans don't always get the choice.

The Return of the King...Thierry Henry Adds to His Legendary Arsenal Status

The King returns

Thierry Henry! There's nothing else to say. The name says it all.

Arsenal's all time leading goal scorer left the club five years ago to sign with Barcelona and has since moved on to New York and the Red Bulls. His heart, however, has never left North London and he is still and will always be revered by the Arsenal faithful.

Henry salutes the fans

So, when the MLS season ended Henry returned to London. His intention was to stay in match shape during the MLS off season by training with the Arsenal first team. It wasn't long before rumors started to build that Henry would return to Arsenal on loan until the start of the new Red Bulls season. Then last week, it became official. 

Henry shoots

Henry is now 34 which for a football player is considered "old". Despite losing a bit of pace, he still possesses more talent and skill than most players ever will. Plus, Henry's presence at Arsenal alone is enough to lift the club and its fans.

Henry scores

Then came today's FA Cup 3rd round match versus Leeds at The Emirates. Henry was named to the squad and started the game on the bench. Just the sight of him warming up made the crowd go nuts.

Henry celebrates

As too often seems to be the case, Arsenal were dominating the possession, but their finishing was awful. The crowd had been chanting Thierry Henry's name throughout the match and it was inevitable that he would come on as a sub.

1-0 to The Arsenal courtesy of Thierry Henry

Henry came on in the 68th minute along with Theo Walcott. Ten minutes later a brilliant pass from Alex Song found Henry who coolly slotted home the only goal of the game.  The crowd went nuts, the commentators were yelling and Henry showed such exuberance and joy that I'm sure many fans (even big tough guys) shed some tears. Seeing Henry salute the fans and immediately run over to hug Arsene Wenger was amazing. It was better than any Hollywood movie. It's as if whatever higher power there is out there is a Gooner. It was truly written in the stars. It was one of the greatest Gooner moments in recent history.

Henry celebrates the victory

One thing that does need to be addressed is the vitriol coming from the inevitable "haters" (mostly from Spuds fans). Comments such as "it's only Leeds" and "Arsenal were lucky to win" were interspersed with hundreds of tweets from happy Gooners. What these idiots seem to be missing is that this was a celebration more about welcoming back a hero than simply beating Leeds.  It is a feel good story that was magical and brought happiness to so many. It is worthy of a massive celebration.

The script was written

Here's the goal and what the press had to say about the return of "the king" Thierry Henry.

BBC Football - Arsenal 1-0 Leeds   
The Guardian - Thierry Henry Revils in 'dream' return to Arsenal against Leeds United           
Guardian Blog - Fans go wild for Thierry Henry, the genius who writes his own scripts
Daily Mail - It was written in the stars...Henry's sensational return to Arsenal in pictures
Red Bulls website - Photo Gallery: Thierry Henry's Return To Arsenal

The Sun - Deja Voom Arsenal 1 Leeds 0
The Sun - Nobody Does It Better, Thierry

Henry celebrates with the boss

Telegraph - Arsenal 1 Leeds United 0
Daily Express - Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger In Dreamland At A Legend's Return

ESPN - Henry Makes Hero's Return

ESPN Written in the stars - Written In The Stars
Telegraph - Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says 'it was like a dream' when Thierry Henry scored winner 
Daily Mail - Arsenal 1 Leeds 0: Va-Va Boom! A classic touch, a clinical strike. King Henry reigns again
Daily Mail - Henry Savours Magical FA Cup Moment After Netting Winner on Stunning Return to Arsenal

The Festive Holiday Period Brings Upsets and the Return of Thierry Henry

The festive holiday period and all the fixtures that it brings has come and gone. There were a lot of upsets and some crazy games. One lesson that I learned is don't laugh too hard at the failure of others as it may come back to haunt you. However, it is fun to see mercenaries, dirt bags and arrogant overpaid prima donnas lose and even get humiliated.

My favorite results from the holiday period:

12/26

*Chelsea 1-Fulham 1 - Clint Dempsey scores to give Fulham a point at Stamford Bridge.
*Liverpool 1-Blackburn 1 -  A Charlie Adam own goal at Anfield gave last place Blackburn a point.
*West Brom 0-Man City 0 - Crisis in Manchester. Overpaid millionaires fail to score.

John Terry misses again and Ireland scores 

12/31

*Chelsea 1-Aston Villa 3 - More dropped points for Chelsea & "the new special one" Andre Villlas Boas.
*Man United 2-Blackburn 3 - At home, Fergie & boys lose to last place Blackburn. A very enjoyable result.

Fergie increases his gum chewing after loss to Blackburn                  

01/01

*Sunderland 1-Man City 0 - Happy New Year big time! My favorite result. Mancini must have wanted to tie that scarf a bit tighter.

Ji Dong gives fans of every other team something to cheer about

01/04         

Newcastle 3 - Man United 0 - My second favorite result. Not only did Newcastle rip United apart and expose many flaws in Fergie's team, they played one of the best all around team games that I have ever seen.

Demba Ba scores and Phil Jones will score for the other team later

As for Arsenal...drawing with Wolves 1-1 was somewhat annoying. They then went on to beat QPR 1-0 and I was confident that they would easily beat Fulham. Well, here's where karma got me. Up 1-0 with about ten minutes left in the match, Arsenal threw away the lead and the game. While I would like to blame Sebastien Squillaci (who actually came on as a sub when Johan Djourou was sent off after a soft second yellow card), there was plenty of blame to go around. Outside of Robin Van Persie, the rest of the team seems to have forgotten how to score. Walcott looked lost, Ramsey made a lot of bad passes and Arsenal's back line is in shambles with injuries to Sagna, Santos, Vermaelen, Gibbs and Jenkinson.

The return of the king

Some good news was delivered to Arsenal and the team's fans this holiday as the rumored return of Thierry Henry for a six week period was confirmed. Just having Henry around the team is enough of a boost to hopefully drive the team forward. Sagna, Wilshere and Gibbs are expected back soon and hopefully Wenger will bring in some talent during the transfer window. #COYG.





     
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Bankruptcy could be good news if it gets rid of the Wilpons

As for the Mets...well there isn't much to say. The only good thing to happen to the team lately is that everybody's favorite mascot, Mr. Met, was profiled in the New York Times.

Also, there is speculation that the Wilpons may file for bankruptcy. You know your team is in trouble when filing for bankruptcy is treated as good news.

As for the baseball, pitchers and catchers officially report to Port St. Lucie on February 15th. Whether we're ready or not, Spring Training is coming and so is the season.

The face of the New York Mets...not Bill Clinton...it's Mr. Met