It was essentially half an hour of one fan being told what is wrong with Arsenal, with Jamie Carragher appearing spiteful, while Shay Given made his debut on the channel and seemed eager to impress those he perceived as influential.
A content creator’s role is to generate as many views as possible. Yet it raises the question of whether Gary Neville will address the fact that the debate lacked moderation and appeared to be driven by bias.
It makes little sense for Arsenal to be mocked more than the other 19 clubs combined on the podcast.
Bias and Narrative
Not even Tottenham Hotspur were criticised as heavily, despite being involved in a relegation battle. Meanwhile, there appeared to be more sympathy for Liverpool despite Arsenal holding a 21-point lead over them.
An Arsenal supporter was being laughed at by fans of clubs who would all readily swap positions with them. Yet, to a neutral with no prior knowledge, it would have seemed as though Arsenal were bottom of the table.
Shay Given insisted that the Bournemouth match did not matter, even when it was correctly argued that the next round of Premier League fixtures could influence the significance of a trip to the Etihad.
Carragher dismissed the suggestion that the majority of Arsenal’s squad who withdrew from international duty are already assured of their places at the World Cup.
Reaction and Perspective
He also criticised those who place Thierry Henry on the left side of attack in an all-time Premier League eleven, arguing that it was not his preferred position, yet included Cristiano Ronaldo on the left.
He then asked for a show of hands from the audience, questioning who did not want Arsenal to be champions.
Some argue that Arsenal supporters would be difficult to tolerate if the club wins the title. However, given the level of mockery they receive when results go against them, it is understandable if they choose to celebrate extensively should they end a 22-year title drought.
If this is the nature of the coverage while leading the Premier League, it raises questions about how the narrative would shift if they were to falter.
One way or another, it is set to be a long summer.
Dan Smith
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Arteta is already figuring out what to say in Lisbon.
Yeah we use the frustration of tonight on Saturday against Bournemouth then the same thing on Saturday after Bournemouth on Sporting Lisbon the following Wednesday lol
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“Arteta is already figuring out what to say in Lisbon.”
This statement works both if his team wins and if he loses. Why? because Arteta has to figure out what to say. So don’t be coy sending riddles why not say outright what you think.
@Dan
Thanks for the write up.
Since the advent of internet the arsenal fanbase is regarded amongst the biggest. Pundits with allegiances elsewhere are trying everything in the book to offset our season. We need to put everything including the kitchen sink in to what remains of our season to ensure success. It only works if the manager and players are determin-ed to win than they are frightened of losing all that they’ve worked hard for.
Carragher and like-minds are not expected to be unbiased. No matter how a channel purports to be [*fair] the leanings one way or another will be apparent. If others can’t tolerate our gunners fans its tough; my only hope is we kick the door down – debunk all the BS by winning any one of the honors remaining and announce ourselves as outright bone-fide champions.
It’s funny how arsenal were mocked, ridiculed and deriled in the last three seasons where their football was sublime and easy on the eye. They were mocked for being soft and easily bullied… Now they are harder to beat and have added a bit of “streetwise steel” about them and yet you would think they were at the bottom of the table . You just can’t please everone
Dan, this has been the situation for many seasons and even before internet was around.
Look how Arsene Wenger was derided by ex managers and players, just as GG was for his “boring” football.
We know exactly what the narrative will be if we fail to win the PL, as we’ve gone through it during the last three summers.
Bottlers, money spent badly, manager needs to be changed, owner not interested in winning, happy just to finish in top four and / or CL qualification, not taking the domestic cups seriously, playing negative football, the list goes on and on.
Let’s just hope this season sees us winning the PL, but then, of course, they’ll say it’s only because the rest of the PL were poor, completely ignoring the proven cheating of Chelsea and, it seems, that of city115.
Would that narrative be wrong if we bottle the league title Ken ? Would you be happy to continue playing like this under this manager with another trophyless season under his belt ?
Kev, I believe your a season ticket holder and have been to many games?
I’ve seen every type of game one could imagine this season and I’m never sure what one is coming next.
In the CL I’ve seen great football and that’s been consistent.
I’ve only seen us lose twice this season in the PL – Liverpool, and Manure and been fortunate enough to be at Newcastle and Sunderland, witnessing the passion and belief of our magnificent away Gooners.
I was also at Wembley to see Mikel Arteta schooled in tactics and our squad fall apart in the second half.
Then watched the Southampton debacle last night.
You ask me if I’d be happy playing like this and I guess my answer is it depends on what the end of the season brings.
The narrative? It would be wrong in my opinion because I firmly believe that MA has been cheated out of two PL titles (and it could be three!!!) and that was when we were playing more attacking and attractive football.
After finishing second, the pressure was enormous from the media and our fans – that’s why he decided to change his style of play…. only my opinion of course and I know many disagree with it.
Finally and to answer you post fully, I would not sack Mikel for all the reasons above, even though I know he’s made many mistakes and that goes against what I said at the beginning of the season.
After confirmation that chelsea have cheated their way to their numerous titles, it seems only a matter of time until city115 are also found guilty and this has changed my mind.
He’s been playing with his hands tied behind his back, just as Arsene Wenger was it now turns out.
Long winded reply, but you asked some really good questions.
Than you Ken for echoing my thoughts on Mikel.
Some folks want to keep changing managers and leave the club in turmoil, its good for football that Carrick has enforced discipline at ManU similar to Mikel. I don’t think De Zerbi will have an immediate positive effect on the TH players, they seem too spoilt at the moment.
Can the Arteta out brigade find a suitable replacement for Arteta who can win us trebles and quadruples?
That last question…
The reality is there is no guarantee that any manager will work out. Abramovitch went down the path of sack ’em the minute it looked dicey in the certain knowledge that there was a bottomless pit of money to ensure the best manager and players joined Chelsea. City took their time and had the foresight/sponduliks to tempt the man I would have had at Arsenal, in a heart beat.
Considering how many clubs there are around the world, there are precious few who have that fairy dust. Arteta is not irreplaceable but neither are there guarantees whoever takes the helm can deliver.
After the weekend’s result, I’m surprised there haven’t been calls for Southampton’s manager to come into consideration. One thing is for sure, supporters yearn for success and getting it isn’t so straightforward. Slot got his victory with what can be argued was with Klopp’s team, and was heralded by all and sundry on Just Arsenal. What a difference a season makes!
However, if the club feel that Arteta has taken the club as far as he can, then I am sure a replacement will be considered.
@TRSRS
You only have to look at slot and what an amazing job he did when he came in ,spent no money and turned a 20 point gap around ,this season obviously rebuilding ,so it can be done ,plenty of managers who would have won us something in the last 6 years .
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Not just Slot that secured LFC the league. Anfield is the epitome of a fortress. I expect you’ve been and experienced it for yourself, I have. The passion and fans energy at their place has as much to do with their club success as Slot taking the reigns after Klopp.
*reins
👍
I would ask the other question IF he fails again. Is there not a manager out there that would have won the league at least once in the past few seasons. If the answer is yes, which it is. Then Arteta is wasting a golden era of Arsenal where trophies are inexplicably passing him by. 🤞still crossed for this season. Because to fail this season from where we are, would be unexplainable. This golden era SHOULD NOT be wasted. It won’t be here for ever.
Care to name your choice(s)?. I could name a couple of potential candidates but circumstances can dictate their ability due to contract status or willingness to join. We could all rustle up a wish list
Futile Sue, of course I can but there is no point. The point is the one we have didn’t.
Fact is, Arteta SHOULD, if he is good enough be winning the league, with the close calls we have had. I still have🤞and toes for this season. But it will be a bigger indicator of his deficiency if we don’t.
I am not a season ticket holder Ken never was and I have been to plenty of games in the past don’t go anymore and definitely wouldn’t pay to watch Arsenal under this manager it’s hard enough watching it on TV without falling asleep. I’ve never rated Arteta there has been times where I thought maybe I’m wrong he’s proving me wrong but then I get smacked back to reality! I despise Chelsea and man city but even if man city do get found guilty how does that explain the annual capitulation each season Ken ? What about the cups ? His record especially in domestic cups is atrocious and I believe the only reason we got so far this season is because the draw was favourable! Every other season we’ve played good teams and got dumped out early. We played a cup final against a very good team and got played off the park and a decent championship team and got dumped out of that deservedly! We weren’t even at all convincing against Mansfield! This manager gets paid more than Luis Enrique he’s the 3rd highest paid manager in world football unbelievably and we’re playing this survival type of football? His man management is terrible and his eye for talent seems to be rummaging in Chelsea’s recycling bin! If he wins the title then fair play to him, I’ll be as happy as anyone but that may also come with consequences, his playing style, sticking with these underperforming not good enough players like Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz, Jesus etc. let’s just hope we do the business tomorrow night and we’re all happy Ken 👍
Thanks for the full reply Kev – one of the conundrums with us Arsenal fans, is the way we see and judge our team.
One thing I think we do agree on is that, if we win either the PL or CL the fans will be united….. won’t they?
If we win either or both and any Arsenal fans aren’t happy then they just have an agenda against the manager and some fans do Ken, some would rather we fail so they are proven right! For me personally I don’t care for personnel as long as I’m entertained. Do I think Mikel Arteta is good enough to take this club forward in the next few years ? No I don’t but if he wins one or two of the remaining competitions I’ll accept he has to continue even if I don’t like it. One thing we can all agree on is we all want the same thing – trophies! So fingers crossed we can get over the line Ken 👍
could the problem be that we underestimate lesser
opponent´s.. ? but its also evident that there are
players in the squad that contribute nothing in
some games.
Here’s my take on the narrative that the se pundits and opposition fans are now saying about Arsenal.
I’ve said in a few posts throughout the season that all these plaudits we’ve been getting is empty praise to be honest.
Most pundits and opposition fans alike have continually throughout the season been bigging Arsenal up to the rooftops with comments like they look unbeatable, their squad is so strong and full of quality. Just look at the strength of their bench. Their the best team in Europe.
Well I’ve not been taken in one bit by it. Why would they want to wax lyrical about an opposition team with such passion in the first place. Yes they can acknowledge how good they are or look, along with some other nice observations. But the way they’ve gone over the top is for one reason only.
Their waiting for the season to go belly up for Arsenal, and then it will be open season as to the hate that will be meted out to them as well as their fans.
Now having slipped up regards the League Cup final, and going out of the FA Cup in the quarter finals, these very same pundits and opposition fans alike are just warming up for what’s to come if we don’t get out of our current slumber.
Trust me, if Arsenal don’t produce the right result over the two legs V Sporting Lisbon along with beating Bournemouth in between, then just watch them go.
As the piece states Arsenal are getting all sorts chucked at them, and it’s being largely ignored what’s happening regards what other teams are going through, and a lot of them are having terrible seasons.
And I believe that is because they ease any frustration they have regards their own teams short comings, by focusing it onto another team. And what easier target could it be than good old Arsenal.
All that said if we don’t win a trophy after all they’ve put in this season, then the team would deserve a large portion of the stick they’d get. But that would be from their own fans, I don’t really care what other fans think to be honest, they should concentrate on their own teams.
Just one last thing, Arsenal could have won the quadruple and they’d have still tried to find a way to belittle it. Along the lines of, well the quality of the League isn’t as good now, the teams in Europe under performed. None of which is Arsenal’s fault of course, but it wouldn’t stop them using it.
Rant finished. Who said thank goodness for that! 😂👍😉
Good for you Derek and a first class post
SueP,
Thank you for you’re kind words. Or like these pundits and opposition fans, do you really mean it. 😂👍
I do indeed mean it. I don’t always agree with you but on this I did
We are no different to any other club, in praise and ridicule. Its called football BS. Good post Derek.
And we do it at Arsenal and on this site.
Careful you two – you’ll be accused of starting a “cult” if you keep this up!!
Ken1945,
Do you want to join. 😂👍
Good God NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I’m already a Arteta lover / hater / apologist / bully / old fart /Wenger cultist etc etc etc.
I’m happy to watch this new “cult” blossom and be abused 😂
Ken1945,
You’re not an old fart. 😂👍
But that’s the only one my wife believes is true Derek!!
Ken1945,
😂👍
@ken1945
Well said Sir Ken…🤣👍🏾
I have lots of mates who are fans of lots of different teams and the banter flies about every Monday, when we meet up. Above and below the belt, good and downright disrespectful, in a banter way. Every team gets the treatment and fan. But the big thing is Arsenal are known as the bottlers. And (good old banter) many think, we will bottle it this year. And they are giving it large at their correct predictions at the two cups so far. We will ONLY be able to throw it all back, when we FINALLY drop that tag.
Reggie, I know a few Liverpool fans that have called us bottlers. They soon shut up when I remind them of the 13/14 season when they were top of the PL with 3 games to go and ended up 2nd. 3-0 up at Palace and drew 3-3. The the Steve Gerrard slip at Anfield against Chelsea which led to them losing 2-0.
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Add 1989, Michael Thomas scored with seconds to spare as we beat L’pool 2-nil at Anfield to bag the league title.
they might though they won the Prem last season so can’t be bottlers ?
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Sure – I’m just reacting.. much like a Bull does to a Red rag. That ‘bottler’ tag is disturbing tho’.
They certainly bottled it in the 13/14 season.
but didn’t since
just like if we win titles no one can next season call us bottlers
30 years it took them to win a League Title…
? no one said other wise
Well you’re always moaning about us not winning it in fewer years than Liverpool…
Thats banter HD.