West Ham United and Arsenal; A tale of two teams in the same city.

By the Coach (who has an allegiance to West Ham)

There is a very strong paradox in English football. It is called West Ham United.

Over the years the famous East London club is providing some of the best talent in English football and yet its performance is one of mediocrity, to say the least.

Why is this paradox? Why is it that the club that produces so much talent hardly achieved anything significant over the years (with the exception of winning a few Cups and a European Cup Winners Cup)?

Some West Ham supporters will also argue that West Ham has won the World Cup. I disagree; England won the World Cup, not West Ham.

West Ham players were used to win the World Cup in 1966 just as they are today (and through the years) by other clubs to win trophies.

What generates this acute paradox then?

The answer is almost a total lack of ambition by the owners and low expectations by the supporters. The two combined together create a ground which is fertile for promoting personal gain.

And over the years, owners, agents, lawyers, even financiers and other intermediaries have taken advantage to make private fortunes.

And history repeats itself. Since it is almost impossible to alienate the loyal fans of West Ham United it is easy to use the club to make deals that create personal wealth rather than building an infrastructure and a team that can make West Ham great.

West Ham United fans are just so easy to fool. They are passionately in love with a dream team which in reality doesn’t exist.

So many supporters travel all over the country despite the fact that their team more often than not will disappoint them.

They spend so much money out of their limited income because they live and breathe West Ham United.

And unlike Fulham and some other London clubs, West Ham has a very strong supporter base which could easily fill a 50,000+ capacity stadium (such as the Olympic Stadium).

Moreover, West Ham fans are so understanding and forgiving. It is like they have been conditioned to accept their fate. Survival is everything, anything else is just a bonus.

But it shouln't be so...

So, lack of ambition and low expectations are the roots of the problem. Attitudes need to change before a real change takes place. This is easier said than done. It takes many years and sometimes generations for attitudes to change.

In the meantime, the owners and other people close to or associated with the Club who are proficient in promoting their self interest will always take advantage.

They will know that they can get away with anything as long as they package it properly so as to be palatable to the ever understanding, passionate and forgiving West Ham fan.

Meanwhile on the other side of town, in north London, there is Arsenal and a totally different story.

Arsenal, like West Ham has a huge support base. But that’s where the similarity ends.

Arsenal is a club that even before the era of Arsene Wenger and George Graham showed enough ambition both by the owners and management to build a team that competes and entertains and one which always aims for the top.

Unlike West Ham United fans, Arsenal fans are more demanding and less forgiving. They expect their team to compete for everything and do stay home if the entertainment and success level of team falls below par.

Some West Ham fans may say that Arsenal fans are spoiled and that they are not true fans. But I disagree. Fans should not give their support to the team unconditionally. Loyal fans deserve something in return for parting with their hard earned money.

The owners of the club should never become as comfortable as traditionally West Ham owners have been so as to take for granted the supporters and thus be tempted to abuse their position for short term personal gain.

Squillaci follows eboue and eight other things you didn’t know about him

By Aries

1. Sebastian celebrated his 30th birthday eight days ago on the 11th August

2. He was born in Toulon, France and has represented his country 21 times. He played in France’s defeat to South Africa in the recent World Cup.

3. He is only 6ft (1.83 m)

4. All his clubs bar the current one, Seville, have been in the French leagues. Toulon, Monaco B, Monaco, Ajjacio, Lyon

5. He has played 49 times for Sevilla scoring one goal

6. He played for Monaco in the Champions League final against Mourinho’s Porto losing 3-0

7. He won the French League championship twice with Lyon in 2007 and 2008

8. His goal scoring record is not that great. Played 372 games in total and scored 23 goals

8. Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez 'Monchi' confirmed: "The player asked not to play (against Braga in the CL qualifying game) because of the offer from such a big team” to ensure he won't be cup-tied in the competition for Arsenal.

9. Squillaci is said to support the eboue cause as he is a rastafarian eboue follower.

Cheer up... Wenger made the wrong choices

By 1970’s Gooner

I was left disappointed rather than relieved at the end of Arsenal’s game last Sunday at Anfield.

Disappointed because facing 10 men we not only allowed them to score but also could not put them under the necessary pressure to get not only an equaliser but also a winner.

But when you think about it further, the performance should not have been a surprise.

For a start Arsene Wenger made the wrong choices for the starting 11.

Arshavin has been non existent all throughout the friendlies (and I watched all of them). He in no way deserved a start against Liverpool. He was a passenger, often giving the ball away.

Strange as he was not involved in the World Cup. Better to have started with Walcott who has looked sharper lately.

Secondly starting with Wilshere in the middle of the park was another decision that did not work.

The boy has potential for sure but to start him away from home and against Liverpool was asking too much.

And he was to be partly blamed for not controlling the ball outside the area which eventually resulted in their goal. He made the same mistake in the first half which resulted in a dangerous move by the opposition.

Better to have started with Rosicky who indeed looked the most creative and penetrative Arsenal player when he came on.

I do not see Wenger making those choices again unless he is forced by injury or these players improve their performances dramatically.

And therefore Arsenal’s first 11 will surely not be as weak again.

And there are two more reasons to be cheerful.

The first has to do of course with the likely return to the first team of three vital cogs in Arsenal’s engine: Song, Fabregas and van Persie.

Their stand ins left a lot to be desired. Especially Chamack.

He will turn out to be an excellent buy by Wenger but on Sunday he repeated his performances in the friendlies: lacking control of the ball and also penetration.

The second has to do with Almunia.

He is Arsenal’s best goalkeeper at the moment but will not be when Given or Schwartzer arrive.

I don’t think that either of those goalkeepers would have let Ngog’s effort at the near post (which was a carbon copy of Imbrahimovic’s goal for Barcelona at the Emirates remember?).

So cheer up…..

Rosicky asks for time to think about his move from Arsenal

By 1970’s Gooner

It seems that the rumours about Tomas Rosicky moving away from Arsenal have some foundation.

Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet” is reporting that Rosicky’s agent has already started negotiations with Galatasaray. It seems that Frank Rijkaard, Galatasaray’s coach is in pursuit of a number 10 and Rosicky fits the bill.

It appears that Galatasaray are only willing to negotiate around a transfer price of 5m. Rosicky’s agent has already began negotiations with them with regard to the player’s possible demands. But crucially Tomas has asked for two days to consider the move.

If this transfer materialises it will mean that Arsene Wenger has decided to get rid of the two players that have suffered long term injuries in the recent past (Eduardo and Rosicky).

However Rosicky’s transfer will leave a big gap in the squad in terms of experience and quality.

Montpelier coach sets price for Spahic’s transfer to Arsenal

By 1970’s Gooner

A lot has been written lately about the “imminent” transfer of the 29 year old defender, Emir Spahic, from the French club Montpelier to Arsenal.

First there was the player’s quotes that the “deal was close” but this was swiftly followed by an official statement by Montpelier itself denying there has been any contact with Arsenal.

"There appeared in the media information that Montpellier are in negotiations with Arsenal regarding the transfer of Emir Spahic. Montpellier deny any contact with Arsenal regarding this issue"

Now we have a bold statement coming from the team’s coach Rene Girard who has set a ridiculous price for agreeing to the transfer:

"Indeed I am astonished. There has never been talk of this departure to the Emirates, he said to the local media and in answering the question of whether he will cooperate with Arsenal if they get offers he replied:

"Yes, but only if the English are willing to pay us 25 million pounds."

This rubbish is to be expected of course as Montpelier know that the player desperately wants to leave and they cannot stand in his way. They are merely trying to up the price as much as they can.

This transfer looks a wise move by Wenger. He will not only make sure that he has enough central defenders but will also be adding maturity and experience at the back.

Fabregas in Spain celebrations wearing a Barcelona shirt (video)

By 1970's Gooner

'All I can say is that this is for all the Arsenal players and fans, they are a world-class club,'I am an Arsenal player and I am proud to be.'

Thus spake Cesc Fabregas...

Reading these comments right after Spain's World Cup triumph gives me the impression that he doesn't look like he will be leaving after all.

He was so embarassed when his felllow team mates, Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and Bernabeu skipper Carles Puyol, had a chuckle at his expense by holding his arms, enabling Gerard Pique to push a Barcelona shirt over his head.

Fabregas smiled but as you can see he was clearly trying to get out of the shirt....

Boro Primorac speaks on Eduardo’s future

By 1970’s Gooner

We all noticed last season what a different player Eduardo had been since his come back from that horrific injury. Sadly what we all feared came true. The psychological rather than the physical impact, as always, has proved to be the crucial factor in his rehabilitation.

There were many occasions last season when he found himself in the box with only the goalkeeper to beat and all he had to do was to stick a leg out… he failed again and again…

Arsene Wenger though granted an extension on his contract until 2014. He obviously wants to give him all the time to recover and at the same time protect his financial investment in the player.

So it appears that the only way to do that is a loan to another club. The alternative is to sell him but he would only fetch a fraction of the fee Arsenal originally paid for him, so that is not on.

The trouble is to convince the player that he has to move as Boro Primorac has revealed to Croatian paper “24sata”

“I do not know what will happen to Dudu. Preparations are just beginning and I do not know whether he will go or stay. He just has to decide - says Boro Primorac

It is believed that a move to a European club rather than in the more physically demanding Premier League would be better for Eduardo. This would give him the opportunity to build up his confidence ready to return to the Premier league fit and running.

Three reasons why you should bet on Holland to be crowned world champions

By 1970’s Gooner

There are many pundits who have already given the World Cup crown to Spain. And they are of course picking the team in form after beating Germany in the semi final so comprehensively.

Yet I can’t help thinking that they will end up being disappointed. There are three strong reasons why this will be so.

Lack of a recognised goal scorer

Yes you might laugh considering that Villa is top scorer in the tournament at the moment. Yet due to Torres’s lack of fitness he is not playing in his natural position which is on the wing.

The goals he has scored have come from the all out pressure and dominant possession that Spain enjoys. If for any reason this rhythm is broken then the chances for goal will be greatly reduced.

Spain reminds me of Arsenal a lot. Too much possession which stifles the opponent. But for this to be effective you have to have a real killer of a forward. Arsenal lacked that last season and finally paid the price.

Things would be different for Spain if Torres was fit but he isn’t.

The Dutch have the players to break Spain’s midfield domination

Mark van Bommel the Dutch midfielder is expected to start alongside Manchester City's Nigel de Jong in the defensive areas of the pitch.

Both will aim to cramp Spanish style and invention. And I believe they have the capability to succeed.

Germany allowed Spain too much time to monopolise possession and construct their attacks. Holland have the players to counter that. Succeed at this and Spain will be reduced to a team running around like headless chickens.

It will then allow the space and time for Robben and Kuyt to hurt them on the counter attack. Sneijder and van Persie will, I feel, have a field day on Sunday. Bet on them to score.

Spain have already reached their peak. The Dutch can get there

Just as when Germany was scoring those four goals against a dismal England and Argentina I could not help but feel that they were reaching their peak too early in the tournament.

It proved very difficult for them to reproduce that form against Spain and that was the main reason I predicted that Spain would beat them.

The same applies now for Spain. Can they reproduce that form they showed against Germany? Will the Dutch lie back and let them walk all over them?

I doubt it.

The team that wins the World Cup is usually one that reaches its peak at the right time. Remember Italy last time out? Nobody gave them a chance during the group stages and they had a difficult time qualifying. They won the World Cup though.

Holland have not played that fantastically so far but they have progressed to the final beating Brazil on the way.

They are peaking at the right time….

Arsenal’s injury scares begin

By 1970’s Gooner

One of the main reasons for Arsenal’s failure to win anything last season was the unusually large number of injuries to key players coupled with the fact that the alternatives were inexperienced youngsters.

Robin van Persie was the most notable injury but as important was Nicklas Bendtner’s groin injury which deprived Arsenal of a viable strike force. Wenger had to rely on Arshavin for too long a period.

In fact that groin injury seems to be returning, as Bendtner who had suffered a recurrence of this injury just prior to World Cup, is now laid low with it again. It is so bad that he can’t even get out of bed.

“Some days I wake up and it's so perfect that we can go out to play tennis here on holiday, but a second morning makes it so bad that I almost can not get out of bed” said Bendtner to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

The Premier League begins on 14 August and there is a danger that the Dane will not be ready for the opening clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

Not that serious you may say as he will not be first choice anyway. But RVP himself may be playing with an injury.

He went to hospital for scans after hurting his elbow during the 2-1 victory over Brazil. And I am pretty sure he will play come what may against Uruguay tonight running the danger of aggravating it even more.

The same goes for Fabregas who wants to declare himself fit to face Germany in the other semi final. He is more likely to warm the bench rather than play of course, something he is likely to continue doing if he gets his wish to play for Barcelona…

Still let’s wish that they all return in one piece back ready for the start of the new season.

Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Panathinaikos reject Gallas

By Aries

Gallas’s contract with Arsenal ends on 30th June and you would think that there will be a host of clubs queuing up for his signature. Yet three clubs that have recently reported showing an interest are now back tracking.

The real reason is the high salary demands by Gallas who is holding out for a two year contract with 80.000 a week.

Paris Saint-Germain and Roma have cooled off and now Panathinaikos officially announced only yesterday that they are not interested, denying ever making an offer in the first place. Their interest was widely reported in the French press who had Gallas seriously considering it.

Gallas is keeping quiet and has recently refused to appear before the media at the World Cup. If he does not lower his wage demands then he may have no one to speak to.