Arsenal America fans: it’s called soccer and that’s okay

 

Nike got this one right....

 

Sigh. Unfortunately, Americans feel like they can’t say the word “soccer.” Somehow it’s wrong or dirty.  Sometimes fans get a little too emotional, it’s all very “The Soccer Dialogues.” Some guy hoists a beer and starts talking about what the word “soccer” means to him, from his days as a young AYSO player, while a bunch of other fans nod their heads knowingly.  Then another fan steps up and talks about all the stick he takes, if any Brits are around, yelling at him for using the word “soccer” because “it’s called football since it’s played with your feet!”  Another cries softly as he talks about his embarrassment, when he accidently said “soccer,” but he meant to say football and everyone looked at him funny.  He tries so hard to fit in!  Until finally, one fan stands up, looks at the others in turn, looks to the ceiling and shares an eye-opening discovery that changed his life: It’s okay to say: soccer.

As the Arsenal Turns: Arsenal’s goal keeper soap opera has 8 more months to run

I don't want to play with goal keepers!

No soap opera would be complete if there weren’t multiple story lines. Arsenal is no different. The main plot is and will be Fab’s role on the team: will he or won’t he? And of course how will other players react. Nasri made his feelings clear: I think he impregnated his shirt after he scored a penalty against the tiny Totts. Yes, you’re a Gunner, we got it. But the most recent subplot to unfold is yet another summer story come to pass: the goal keeper. Unfortunately, this story is more fodder for everything else. Anyway, go grab your notepad, because walking through this plot ain’t easy. Thanks Arsene (sarcasm).

Arsene is right; the EPL should stop trying to sacrifice virgins

"Really, it's this big!"

Watching Arsene battle with the English press and culture about protecting players sounds like someone trying to explain to a Hollywood movie tribe that sacrificing a virgin will not make it rain. The response by a bunch of second rate managers is stupefying. Their defense is classic, if absurd: “[soccer] is a contact sport.” Sounds like: “If burn her, rain come.” Or in reality, the EPL must sacrifice a player’s career, ideally a young one, to appease the football gods. This is life. This is the law. There is no other truth. Since when did the EPL become a cult? And why is England putting up with this nonsense?

As the Arsenal Turns: thanks to B*rc* Fab is no longer the real captain, but that’s good

It's not easy being El Capitan

This season’s soap opera is already unfolding before our eyes. And true to a quality telenovela, it will be daily, dramatic and emotional for those involved and those watching. Fab is facing a loss of esteem by his own creation. It’s a hard lesson for one so used to being loved. But the race is on to replace Fab as the face of Arsenal and it has all the makings of a fun year long drama. And football fans love nothing more than a good telenovela.

A new approach to GOA, Arsenal America and more

Hello boys and girls. Sorry for the long delay in posting. I had an extended Labor Day Week(end) trip with the lady friend. But I return with some announcements. For a long time I’ve tried to post as much as possible as fast as possible on GOA: quantity over quality and all that. Now, however, I’m writing on Arsenal America more regularly and hopefully the Arsenal USA website. In order to balance all of this, I’ve decided to try out a new method of posting. We’ll see how it works. If not, I’ll change it.

• GOA will have longer, hopefully more thoughtful, pieces. Back to the polemics that you can read while sitting in the bathroom. Likely a weekly post, maybe two if I can work it out.
• Arsenal America will have pre-reports (a la Goonerdamus) on as many games as I can, so 1 to 2 posts a week. This will be perfect for the quick read on your phone or whenever you have a minute to kill.
• Arsenal USA will have whatever they let me post occasionally.

I wish I could write more, but timing is such that, well, it gets difficult. So keep following GOA to satiate your intellectual appetites about all things Arsenal; stay tuned in to Arsenal America to follow Goonerdamus’s losing battle with that master of time and fate with Arsene Wenger; and, check out Arsenal USA for the occasionally puff pieces permitted by the Lords of AFC.

Cheers!

Fabregas is no longer captain of the squad

No matter what the Fab apologists might say, the damage is done. The unending, enduring and voluminous noises made out of of barca have had an effect on Fab. Mostly though, because of Fab’s reluctance to put an end to it. Regardless, every action has a reaction; and in this case, it’s time for Arsene to strip Fab of the armband. Fab is no longer the captain of the squad, at least not in spirit. Fans know this, players know this, and even Fab knows it. For the sake of the Club it’s time to give the armband to its rightful owner: Vermaelen.

Why the liverpool sale might mean Arsenal is sold too

With the impending sale of liverpool to another billionaire, the challenges to Arsenal off the pitch are growing. Last season the debate about Arsenal’s potential ownership structure was a constant theme up until the anti-climatic May deadline. But watch for a resurgence in this debate if liverpool are purchased by an owner that has no desire to operate within any fiscal restraint. As liverpool go, so goes the Arsenal.

Arsenal’s savior: it’s Nasri’s time to take over Arsenal

Watching Nasri this preseason I can’t hep but think Nasri senses that his moment is now. Only two games and three weeks into preseason, but one can sense something is afoot in the french tasmanian devil. For all of this summer’s talk about Fab, GOA is going on record to say that this will be Nasri’s breakout season. Too often playing second fiddle combined with failing to make an impression when given an opportunity last season, the stars are aligned for the frenchie from Marseille. Besides this goal, and this goal, here are five reasons why:

Is it time: Szczęsny, Arsenal’s new number 1?

Iker started young at real madrid, so why not Szczęsny? Why can’t Szczęsny be Arsenal’s keeper?

Age doesn’t matter if the quality is there. Look at Fab, Messi and company. Granted, a clip is just a bunch of highlights. One should look good. But what’s more important is his presence and fearlessness. It’s the strength of character Arsenal seem to be missing between the posts.

Arsene bets on youth all the time; maybe it’s time for a risk on Szczęsny.

Four reasons Gallas will stay at Arsenal

It sounds crazy to say Gallas will be back next season: with his up and down temperament, locker room conflicts, the French World Cup debacle and downright obstinate nature. Oh yeah, also his age and injuries might have to be taken into account as well. But still, Gallas may return to the Arsenal family and honestly this might be best for both Gallas and Arsenal. Here are four reasons why.