[MP=480,70,true]http://www.sycatv.com.cn/music/oumei/10/keep%20the%20faith.Wma[/MP]
THANIS LIM
Monday, 1 November 2004 2:11 PM
MANIA ARTICLES - It has been clear that Arsenal fans follow a pattern. When the team is not performing, they find a scapegoat: Cygan, Gilberto, Lehman, Lauren etc. Some even criticise Henry, claiming that he is not a big match player that he only performs when the pressure is off him. The most surprising thing is that they even blame it on Arsène: not having faith on youth, tactically weak and can't drop key players. Fans can be fickle, when we are doing well, they will be singing praises and at the same time, their egos are overfed. When the team performs below par, those fans will start their usual blaming philosophy.
Managers make mistakes - but I doubt he will make more than any of us here. He has lead the team for 8 years now - giving up a lot of his time even when not working devoted to managing this club. He is a legend and his commitment to the club is even legenary. National teams, big richer clubs who can offer three times we offer him - he rejects them because he loves Arsenal.
How can anyone turn their backs against Arsène? We did not underachieve to be honest, considering our finances and small stadium. We actually exceed expectations! Last season, I can honestly say the team was shattered; new Chelsea came in, ManUtd boosted in the beginning of the season. Who would expect us to win unbeaten? No one. People even doubt if we could win the EPL, much less winning it unbeaten.
The season before that, we concede a big lead in the EPL and lost to ManUtd. Fans are very quick to blame the team and the manager. Did not they realise at the most crucial time of the season, Sol got sent off and banned for the remaining key matches? Did they not know that when we went to Bolton, how many players were injured in that game? Luck was not on our side and player's morale hit a record low. Furthermore, we did not buy new established players before the new season starts.
When we lost to Inter 3-0, some felt we are never going to win the CL, or the EPL that season. Some claimed we would never win the CL under Wenger; some claimed Wenger needed to have a reality check. Some claimed Wenger is losing his touch and getting too comfortable at the manager's seat. Some wanted Capello to take over Wenger. I tell you one thing - straight. Not even Capello can go on to achieve what Wenger did last season. Those who follow Arsenal will know what happened. We thump Inter 5-1 at their ground, a feat none has achieved before. We finished the season undefeated, going on to break the record set my Nottingham Forrest.
This season, we clearly have too much expectations on our club and manager. We are SPOILED fans, who deserved a smack in the face, to face reality (no pun intended). Arsène will try his best to lead the club. Morale is low when ManUtd and Riley robbed us of our 50th unbeaten game, against Southampton, Niemi had a fantastic performance against us but we managed to score two goals to draw the game. Didn't Wenger make the substitution for VanPersie and Cesc, which changed the game?
Two words for you "Arsène knows" and "Trust Arsène"
Fans should support the team and the manager. We do not give up our life analysing football videos. We do not spend our time interacting with players and the media. We are not Arsène. This is a crucial time for the team. It is not a time for fans to moan and blame. It is a time for fans to give their whole support and cheer the team on to greater things. Come on you Gooners! It's time the fans exceed the expectations of everyone else and be part of the spirit of the unbeaten champions last season!
