I cannot remember which of the many former football players turned TV pundit that came out with it, but I must admit that I was left with my jaw hanging open in surprise, although by now I suppose I should be used to Arsenal being criticised and questioned by these so-called experts.
Whoever it was was talking about the upcoming Manchester derby and having talked about Chelsea´s problems, they said that the game between Man United and Man City was between the two sides that could now go on to win the title. As an afterthought they mentioned Arsenal, but with a dismissive, `well they always manage to mess it up somehow´ sort of comment.
This is fairly typical of what the Gunners get from the football press, but I would like it to carry on for a bit, even though I think it is disrespectful, ignorant and inherently wrong. They are happily ignoring the way that Arsenal are playing these days, against bigger or smaller teams and with different tactics as the different game demands.
The reason I want them to carry on is that I think it spurs Arsene Wenger and the players on. That, for me, is part of the reason for Mesut Ozil´s fantastic form and there are others like Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla who have been heavily doubted and seem to draw inspiration from it.
The questioning of the club´s credentials also creates a team unity and although I do not want us to go down the `everyone and everything is against us´ route, I do think that having something to prove can only help the Gunners to succeed and wave that Premier League trophy in everyone´s faces.
So come on Arsenal haters, keep on hating…