REVIEW: Football Ambassador by Eddie Hapgood

Football Ambassador by Eddie Hapgood
Published by GCR Books

“It is rather hard to try and get over to you readers what I mean about Arsenal, because, of course, I was one of them, and, in some way, it sounds like personal boasting. But we were proud of ourselves, as I suppose we were entitled to be.“

Signed by Herbert Chapman in 1927, Eddie Hapgood was arguably the first in a long tradition of outstanding left backs in Arsenal’s history.

The first encounter with the manager is recounted, Hapgood suitably impressed. Chapman’s question for the future England captain was similar to that which you can imagine Wenger asking, “Do you drink or smoke?“. Hapgood did neither and before arriving at the club was a vegetarian, something that the club were keen to end, eventually the player being more than happy to devour steaks “the size of Whittaker’s Alamanac“.

Born in Bristol, he worked as a dairyman, driving a milk cart for his brother-in-law. It was a job that he considered important enough to decline the overtures of Bristol Rovers, “there was a social distinction between driving a milk cart and a coal cart.“

The book recalls in vivid detail football of that era. The words of those of an honest man, hard-working and should be read by all players today. Hapgood gives an insiders view of the club and brings to life the histories of Arsenal which abound, offering a key insight into personnel on and off the pitch.

Hapgood would become a key member of the successful side of the 1930s, captaining club and country duing his career. During his time at the club, he won 5 league titles and 2 FA Cups, the club’s most decorated captain. At this point, Arsenal were the pinnacle of English football, illustrating how exceptional a player Hapgood was. Hard to believe that this was a man who was conned out of his £10 signing-on fee during a train journey into London to join Arsenal for the first time.

Hapgood’s international career often goes remarkably unnoticed. It was far from that. Forged in the decade before and during World War II, his debut came in Rome under the gaze of Mussolini. The Italians were prominent in his career, the opposition for his first match as England captain in the Battle of Highbury in 1934. Most controversial was the fixture in Berlin, 1938 against Germany.

The 6-3 victory for England is forgotten amid the ‘Nazi salutes‘ proferred by the team at the behest of the weak-spined politicians of the day, carried out to ‘keep the crowd in good temper‘. Hapgood and the rest of the squad were uncomfortable with the whole scenario, the captain noting that “Personally, I felt a fool heiling Hitler“.

Hapgood would go on to become the most capped England player at that time, 43 in total, 21 as captain, a record recognised by the Football Association who awarded him a £100 testimonial in recognition of his services.

Every Arsenal fan should read Hapgood’s story and so should the players. The opening quote shows what it meant, and should still mean, to play for Arsenal Football Club. Click on the titles to buy Football Ambassador: The Autobiography of an Arsenal Legend, along with The Arsenal Stadium Mystery and Forward, Arsenal!, the other GCR reprints, keeping the history alive.

Arsene Gets All Cesc-y & Return To Sender-os

Cesc is a player who is an exceptional talent but part of the exceptional talent is that he is never happy with what he is delivering. There is a lot more to come from him because these players always get better.
- Arsene Wenger on Cesc

Cesc Fabregas return to the Arsenal side this weekend has been confirmed by Arsene , the captain back into a midfield replacing the injured Denilson.

Wenger has been praising the improvement in Fabregas’ game this season:

I believe he is more mature and he has gained a fraction of physical power. He’s 22 and that’s when you really become a man. Cesc hasn’t worked especially on his finishing.

I believe it’s just his calm in front of goal. He always had chances and, in some games, he missed three or four because he always wanted to finish with power. Now, he finishes with calm. He places the ball and suddenly he scores goals.

It is a return to the form that Fabregas displayed in 2007/08. Last season too much rested on his shoulders; too many of the midfield duties relied on his diligence, passion for winning and tenacity in the tackle. With a more defensively-minded player alongside him, the Spaniard has thrived.

However, it is not just this aspect which has ‘freed’ him. Attacking responsibilities are distributed through a number of players. If Cesc is marginalised, Arshavin, Nasri or Rosicky can be effective in that role.

Cesc is still crucial to the side though. His captaincy is more from the Bobby Moore school, leading by example, handing out a rocket if needed, inspiring through actions rather than the typically British mould, very vocal and inspiring through choice words more often than not. It is not ruling by fear but a certain amount of bullying is involved.

The experience of 2007/08 will stand this team in good stead this season. Falling away so badly having been in control for long spells of the season is a lesson that they will not wish to repeat. This time, 3 points behind the leaders is a good position to be in, capable of capitalising on any mistakes which may be made by those ahead.

Key to it will be keeping the squad fit. Injuries have been pretty horrendous this season yet the team has not been dropped from the title race. That perhaps says more about the inconsistency of others as much as it does the tenacity of Arsenal, the desire to recover quickly from setbacks.

However, at some point, a team is going to be consistent and put together an unbeaten run which will put them into a very good position to wrest the title from Manchester United. If Arsenal are not that team, they must match it to keep within striking distance. The fixtures against teams lower down the table are key to this; the top four clashes are showing that taking points from each other is the order of the day. A defeat in those fixtures does not mean the end of the season as it may have done in the past. It is not helpful but not disasterous.

Wenger has signed Sol Campbell to strengthen the squad, a divertissement to the events on the pitch. It has not been entirely welcomed, some viewing it as further evidence of the collapsing financial situation in football. The truth is that Wenger is not in a position to sign a world-class centre back since it will break up a good working partnership in Gallas and Vermaelen, an area where the manager has identified that consistency of selection is essential.

It also provides cover when Philippe Senderos leaves. The Swiss international has made no secret of his desire to go, needing regular first team football to ensure that his aim of playing at this summer’s World Cup finals is not adversely affected.

Rumours have linked him with everyone from Everton to Bayern Munich but no apparent firm offers have been received. With his contract ending this summer, little surprise there since it is the same situation that Marouane Chamakh faces – why would anyone pay for him now, knowing that he will cost nothing once the season is over.

’til Tomorrow.

Stone Cold Friday: 6 Ways Arsenal Fans Can Survive The Season

”My name is Darius Stone and I’m an Arsenal Addict”

Like many of you, I have been afflicted by this infectious disease of Arsediction; I am taking steps to manage the situation. It’s not just the sleepless nights when we lose or draw games we should have won, the raging anger for match officials, pundits and hacks who sell us down the river. I suffer serious withdrawal symptoms during any lengthy period without football.

As part of my therapy, I was advised that it will help if I share my 6 stage recovery plan that will help me survive the rest of the season.

1. It’s a conspiracy, you best believe it

When we play well and provide a footballing master class, they say the opposition was weak and didn’t turn up. When we play badly and win, they say we were lucky and didn’t deserve to win the match. When we fight for a draw and gain a point, they say the opposition undeservedly lost 2 points. When their other media darlings do all the above three, they are lauded as top quality sides having ’the stuff champions are made of’.

From Sky to Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN to Setanta, Radio 5Live to Talk Sport – commentators and pundits find it hard to be complimentary about any aspect of Arsenal’s game. If and when they have to, it is done through gritted teeth whilst looking for any excuse to negate their previous statement. They will peddle unqualified myths about the height and strength of the team, the virtues or not of foreign vs. home grown players; all designed to keep us in that corner they want us to be in. You will live much better by appreciating that these are not just misconceptions about Arsenal – it’s a conspiracy.

2. Watch Match of the Day with a serious health warning

Hansen has never recovered from the humiliation on May 26th 1989. He wakes up during the night in cold sweats with visions of Alan Smith lifting the ball over his defensive line into the path of Michael Thomas. It’s the legend of ’It’s all up for grabs now’ – and Hansen has never got past that nightmare of Arsenal smuggling the title away from Anfield with the last kick of the game.

20 years on and without the appropriate psychiatric treatment, Hansen and the Match of the Day crew will never give Arsenal it’s proper due and will go out of their way to amplify our short-comings. Unfortunately for us, the BBC has wide coverage and people actually believe what these clowns say. Understand that the men who sit on those sofas are not well and have been deprived of the necessary support over the years and this affects their impartiality.

3. Listen to Talk Sport radio at your own risk

It’s a rare phenomenon in the history of commercial radio broadcasting to find a station riddled from top to bottom with anti-Arsenal elements. Take your pick of any show and you won’t struggle to find presenters and pundits who find it hard to hide their contempt and disdain for all things Arsenal and Wenger. In extreme cases, the venom unleashed tests the boundaries of what public broadcasting will accept as free speech or what is outright xenophobic.

Their producers have mastered the art of screening callers only to allow the most eccentric Arsenal fans on air to bolster the station’s unreasonable positions against Arsenal. It was only the other day for example, that they spent a whole show blaming Wenger for Ireland going out of the World Cup at the hands of France. Believe it or not, I’m still baffled as to why Wenger was responsible.

You cannot listen to this radio station if you have high blood pressure.

4. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet

Just because you find it on a newspaper’s website, a sports news aggregator or a blog that says it’s about Arsenal FC doesn’t mean that it’s not certified male bovine faecal matter. Not everything that you read about Arsenal on the web is good for your health.

There’s a famous saying in my culture that loosely translated, suggests ”what devours you is within the threads of your clothes”. I particularly go out of my way to avoid certain entities masquerading as Arsenal blogs as it’s hard to fathom how being an Arsenal supporter gives you the licence to unleash such venom.

Keep a positive and balanced approach and it will directly improve your well-being.

5. Understand the media cycle

It’s all about the money. Understand the money trail and you’ll understand the motivation. Money is paramount and must be generated at all costs to pay salaries for employees and dividends to shareholders. To get the money, you have to sell advertising, and to attract high paying advertisers, you need the ratings. This applies for TV, radio, print media and web media. What to do to generate the ratings you may ask?

Well, try peddling sensationalist nonsense to attract attention and try and convince advertisers that your differentiated model actually brings in the numbers that justify their high advertising costs. Now think of the lazy journalism that is abound in order to fill the entire 24 hr news cycle. The hoggwash is inevitable as journalistic integrity flies right out of the window. To keep your sanity, you have to understand that this environment is responsible for any non-story about Arsenal being amplified to the nth degree far surpassing any acceptable measure on the diatribe scale.

6. Develop a thick skin and a sunny disposition

Stop being a weak fickle minded fan. We are not going to win every game by scoring 6 goals without reply. If and when we don’t win or we draw a game, it’s not because we’ve become a bad team overnight. The team needs you most when they’re fighting for a point or fighting for that elusive win.

Instead of walking out of the stadium for example, your support is paramount in those last 3 added minutes. Shout your head off if you must, scream at the opponents time wasting tactics – nobody cares what you do to show your support. We just want you and the other 60,000 fans to suck the ball into the opponents’s net when we’re fighting for that last gasp goal.

Don’t forget to enjoy the football, believe me, it works.

Injury List Eases To Brighten Wenger’s Mood

Ahead of the trip to Bolton this weekend, Arsene received an injury boost with Cesc expected to return in time to have lumps kicked out of him at The Reebok. The injury list is in danger of reducing substantially in coming weeks. Gael Clichy may make the visit to Bolton but Wenger is reticent in doing so judging by his comments:

Gael Clichy is available and he might be in the squad as well on Sunday. I don’t want to go overboard with Gael because he has been out for a long time but he looks very, very sharp in training.

Had the game been crucial and Traore not coping in his absence, Wenger may well have been more bullish in his outlook, possibly putting his compatriot into the starting line-up.

The modern propensity for squad systems overrides the previous inclination to believe that having three good quality left backs would lead to one leaving. Traore has a versatility which will stand him in good stead in the future, able to fill in on left midfield whilst Gibbs and Clichy battle for defensive supremacy. If Arsene cannot choose between the two, he could organise a play-off using whichever version of FIFA is available for the Xbox.

Nicklas Bendtner is back in training, a fortnight away from returning, presumably in either the Stoke or Aston Villa games. His return will ease the pressure somewhat on the stretched forward line is possibly the reason why no immediate signing has been made. That said, his return will not prevent Wenger spending if he deems it necessary.

The Dane has his critics and can be inconsistent but this season, prior to his injury, he was putting in some good performances albeit on the right hand side of the attack predominantly. van Persie’s absence though may change that. Eduardo has led the line in some games but is used on the wide left of the forward line.

Whilst the interchangibility of positions in the 4-3-3 used this season renders traditional tactical thinking redundant in terms of this player stays in this position, Eduardo is being eased back into the side via Wenger’s usual route of using someone on the flanks, giving them time to acclimatise. Bendtner in the centre allows Arshavin to drop deeper whilst keeping the threat from the Croat up front.

Defensive midfield will be occupying Wenger’s mind more though. Denilson is unlikely to be used this weekend so Abou Diaby‘s willingness to drop into the deeper role in Alex Song’s absence seems the most likely option. Whilst other less experienced players are available, Diaby seems the most likely solution to his short-term problem.

Will the return of these three change anything as far as a new signing is concerned? I suspect Andrey Arshavin hit the nail firmly on the head when he said it will be at the end of the transfer window that any activity in the market takes place, if anything happens at all.

Either path is fraught with problems for the manager; if he makes a signing and that player does not perform, he will be criticised although nothing like to the extent if he does nothing and Arsenal fail to win a trophy.

’til Tomorrow.

Promised You A Miracle

Is It A Dream

Andrei Arshavin spoke earlier this week: 

“My greatest dream is to win a title with my club. Naturally, it would be better if we won the Premier League or the Champions League. But to do this we need a miracle – which is to start playing finally with our optimal line up. I do not think we have had it once so far this season.”

It is clear that Arshavin’s remarks are more out of frustration at the club’s injury list rather than not being able to compete with Chelsea or reigning champions United.

I left the last sentence in, the journalists interpretation of how the Russian more accurate than numerous online proclamations that Arshavin does not believe that the Arsenal squad is good enough. Indeed, the Russian appears more to be praising the squad for remaining in contention in difficult circumstances, surely a recommendation rather than condemnation.

As opposed to boosting rampaging negativity, Arshavin further burst the balloon by playing down any signings coming in – presumably he does not count Campbell – during the current transfer window:

I have a feeling that Arsenal are not going to buy any new players in the winter transfer window. Or if we do, it will be at the very last moment

That seems to be the Arsenal MO in recent seasons; expect a media storm when the transfer window is extended with paperwork faxed through to the FA at the last possible moment. Whether Wenger needs anyone or not is another matter, one that he is best placed to decide on. Personally, I would have thought a striker is needed, even with Bendtner’s return, to have sufficient cover through to May. History will tell us if that is the right decision. Or more likely, leave arguments raging if no signing is made and Arsenal end up without a pot to…

Oh Yes, I Was A Great Defender

Apologies to Elvis for that one but if the club can use a song by The King entirely inappropriately, then I’m sure he will forgive me as well. Either that or I will buy him a cheeseburger should our paths ever cross.

Sol Campbell reportedly is once more an Arsenal player, covering for injuries should they arise in the centre of defence. What difference between this and Patrick Vieira is a good question. Quite a lot as it happens, especially since the Frenchman was widely wanted to play first team football on a regular basis to further his own international desires. Campbell is under no such illusions, fully aware that he may get games but not on a regular basis as long as Vermaelen and Gallas remain fit.

And that is how it should be; the pair have been outstanding for Arsenal this season and unless there is a severe injury or monumental loss of form, neither should be replaced. Whilst, as the new boy, Vermaelen has garnered most of the adulation, Gallas’ turnaround is no less spectacular considering his fall from grace. Those who talk consistently of a winning mentality and question whether this exists at Arsenal, need look no further at the recovery of his form for evidence.

The signature of Campbell on a short-term contract signals that Wenger will not be pursuing any other central defenders. That in itself is a boost for Johan Djourou. Currently out injured, had the manager not been confident in the Swiss international recovering fully and more importantly, believed that Djourou had a long-term future at the club, the short-term solution of Campbell would not have been considered.

’til Tomorrow.

 

The Future Is Some Time Away

Arsene has been talking to French TV about his future. His current contract ends next summer, some eighteen months away which does not necessarily mean a great deal.

Following on from the Q&A with shareholders where he felt the squad was underappreciated, for the first time in his career he came close to breaking his contract, admitting to talks with Real Madrid. There is no evidence to suggest that this summer will see a repeat.

I am giving myself a bit of time to think. What is important is that the club is in good hands, whether they are mine or someone else’s.

Ivan Gazidis dropped a hint last week that the club were keen to tie the manager down for a longer period but Wenger does not necessarily renew with this much time in hand. Much will depend, I suspect, on how the squad continues to develop, whether he retains his enthusiasm for the quest for silverware.

There is no doubt that he truly believes in this group of players, his defences are too consistently staunch for it to be bravado. The squad is reciprocating, in touching distance of Chelsea, the next phase of the Champions League and 4th round of the FA Cup. It is a decent performance, statistically; a good position to be in during January. The next step is whether they can go and win one or more of the tophies.

Whether I personally leave on a positive or negative note is a little bit less important

From his personal perspective, I have no doubt he would prefer the former since there is a world of difference between the two scenarios. He may not be concerned with the difference between the two so long as it is right for him, which from his point of view is all that matters.

The nuance is not that he is concerned for his future though. It is that constant criticism from the stands does not bother him. Nor will he stay to be abused in circumstances where others might do so.

Having 60,000 people believing they can do the job better comes with the territory; the reality is that another manager may do so but he is pretty safe in the knowledge that he could count on the fingers of a non-existent hand how many of the Arsenal crowd can.

Football is based on opinions and Wenger knows everyone who follows the game has one. We may think on occasion we could do better; we cannot otherwise we would be in situ rather than he. And we are not. That does not mean criticism cannot be aired nor should it be stifled. It should be constructive and not abusive.

One aspect will be crucial to him. He must feel that the support is with him on this journey; it should be. Having been hamstrung by an inability to command transfer kitty’s comparable to others, he has kept the club at the top end whilst the squad is rebuilt.

Some who want the club to borrow to fund extravagance should look at Old Trafford this season. £80m from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo has not been reinvested, used instead to pay-off interest on their loans, the outlay increasing every season.

Those who want Arsenal to go down this route have an interesting contradiction which they have not settled – in some cases even realised. If borrowing is the policy for growth that they want, why oppose Usmanov since his credit rating is as good as Kroenke with the banks.

At all clubs, success is the yardstick by which managers are judged. Each club has different benchmarks. Having put the squad back into contention, the possibility to land the first trophy to adorn the new boardroom mantelpiece is at hand.

’til Tomorrow.

Everton Hit By Bouncing Czech

Arsenal 2 – 2 Everton

0 – 1 Osman (13)
1 – 1 Denilson (28)
1 – 2 Pienaar (81)
2 – 2 Rosicky (90)

Before kick-off, the assumption was that the game in hand would be won, pressure placed on Chelsea as the gap to the top closed to but one point. As events unfolded, Everton proved anything but the routine cannon fodder they were presented as being, an unrecognisable outfit from the one obliterated on a sunny August afternoon on the opening day of the season.

The point gained could quite easily have been three dropped; whether the negative aspect of the result matters will be known when the new home for the Premier League title is found. Tomas Rosicky has been missing for some time, flitting in and out of the first team as his fitness permits. A telling contribution to Arsenal’s season came as full time loomed, a deflected equaliser saving a snowbound afternoon from being a disaster for the home team.

Everton claimed the early ascendency pressing forward with their usual directness. Saha had a goal rightly chalked off for offside before squandering a great opportunity, getting goal side of Traore, Almunia blocking and the rebound sent skywards. Positionally, Traore’s inexperience betrayed him on that occasion yet he did not crumble, continuing to work hard on the Arsenal left.

Their pay-off came when Osman headed the ball from a Donovan corner, Denilson powerless to stop the ball entering the net. The goal was a poor one to concede. Gallas and Vermaelen marked their assigned men but no-one picked Osman’s run from deep; he attacked the ball, Gallas holding his ground under pressure was the nearest Arsenal player, Osman arriving ahead of him to the trajectory.

Thereafter, Everton retreated into their shells, defending in numbers and hitting on the break when opportunities arose. Arsenal responded, the best opportunity fell to Gallas from Diaby’s subtle chip over the defence, the defender beating Howard to the ball but Baines retrieving the situation with more cover behind him, an indication of the tenacity with which Everton were defending.

Fifteen minutes passed before Arsenal equalised. Nasri crossed from the right, Arshavin and Eduardo played a neat triangle, Denilson firing from range, the ball deflected to leave Howard wrong-footed. Shortly after, the Croat wreaked havoc being fleet of foot through the visitors defence, denied by running into one of the numerous centurions on the edge of the area.

The second period saw the Arsenal and Everton attacks trading punches, the host’s flurries met with the occasional jab. Yet few clear cut chances were created, most of the impetous petering out as sights of goal came, snuffed out by numbers in the area, Arsenal perhaps the better side in attempts at goal. Rosicky bravely attacked a cross, not ducking out of the challenge as Howard sought to meet the same ball.

Vermaelen struck a stiff shot, Neville blocked, Denilson clattered by Neville as the rebound left the ball safe. A penalty? The infuriating aspect is that some referees would have given it. Arshavin emerged from the periphary to smuggle the ball down the touchline, sprint into the area, weave an opening, blocked en route to goal.

Everton thought they had won the game with 81 minutes gone. Denilson was struggling as Pienaar sprinted from the Arsenal half, collected the ball and ran unchallenged towards the penalty area. Almunia came to meet him, went to ground perhaps early, Pienaar lifted the ball over the Spaniard and watched as it ekked towards the line, enough pace to evade the retreating ‘keeper.

Moments later, Denilson collapsed whilst in possession, Vaughan broke and Almunia saved, perhaps answering some of his critics with a point-saving parry. The referee should be suitably chastised. At no point could he ascertain what caused the collapse yet play progressed. He could not have known whether it was a life-threatening injury but decided play must progress, presumably sure that the Brazilian was feigning his condition.

A familiar scenario ensued. Arsenal pressed to save a point and Rosicky duly provided it, slamming home a shot via a defender into the net. Calmness reigned in the middle of the battle, the Czech confident in his own ability to hit the ball with the outside of his right boot. The goals were an object lesson in shooting; Frank Lampard has built a career on scoring deflected shots, Arsenal’s midfield has learned the benefits as well.

It was not a fantastic performance, one reminiscent of those immediately following the international break as I feared yesterday. A point though is welcomed, three now the deficit, emminently retrievable.

The question as to whether Wenger needs a new striker was not answered. Eduardo’s confidence has returned, his willingness to put himself in the firing line undiminished. A question arises over whether central midfield cover is required, Denilson’s condition will answer that. However, Diaby was willing to put his boot into tackles and perhaps provides that solution yet as quickly as players return, others are falling by the wayside.

’til Tomorrow.