A world champion

Its not often I can say that we have a world champion amongst us. Infact, Viswanathan Anand just retained his World Championship title in chess. Who would have known he was a World Champion already? Lalit Modi and the fake IPL blogger wouldn't. So wouldn't Arundhati Roy for that matter. And why should anyone expect Shah Rukh Khan and his best friend Yuvraj Singh to do so? It may also be due to the fact that one is so far away from Rajdeep Sardesai these days. Maybe I am full of shit, just like the others.

And it all came about, by this innocous link that I saw right at the bottom of the Times of India web page today. A fascinating write up by one Hari Hara Nandan ensured that I managed to read a ToI article from start to finish. Which is a first, I think. Got to reproduce the best bits from this exciting article on the 12th game from Sofia, Bulgaria.


There is a saying in chess that if black is hell bent on going for a draw (of course, in top-flight competition), there is nothing white can do about it. The Bulgarian found a determined black in Anand, who was solid as a rock in defence. A draw was looming ever since Anand made his second move going for the extra-solid Queen's Gambit Declined, which has hundreds of lines analysed deep into the endgames.

But there was a dramatic turnaround in around move 30 when Topalov stretched the position by going all out.

With black, Anand did not want to do anything special, except bore Topalov to death. The Bulgarian, known for his attacking chess and also for scoring points in the last rounds when it mattered the most, tried to break through the Lasker Defence put up by Anand, a line that has been played time and again for a century. Expectedly, the players reeled off the first moves quite fast and then on move 16, Anand followed a road less travelled by posting the knight in the sixth rank. It was time for Topalov to take a break and analyse the position. Whether it surprised him or not, it was clear that Topalov was not completely comfortable with his preparation anymore.
                             

Corner flag (vol 2.4)

Its been days since I've checked football websites, blogs, news. Its the feeling of guilt. Of shame. Of disgust.

Its the final stretch of the season and we, Arsenal fans, are left holding our nuts in full public view. Its that familiar territory of failure that I am staring at - after a horrendous come back defeat to Wigan right after our first loss to the neighbours in over 10 years.

Balls they could become bigger players - the self-destructive ability, which has happened before even with the famous players in the side, has demonstrated yet again the lack of consistency that continues to plague the team. All the Wenger baiters are out in full force - for not having a team that wins things. A valid point I admit. The heat, rightly, should be turned on and the manager made amply aware that not all supporters believe that he is the right person to manage the club.

On such situations in the past, I have had discussions with fellow Arsenal supporters on the reasons behind our frustration. We go through all the well compiled reasons: not spending enough and therefore not having enough experienced players, lots of guys who do not deserve to be part of this team, injuries etc.. yawn. But it does boil down to Arsene Wenger. Doesnt it? Yes. So I then ask the question: do you want a new manager?

Some say yes, while most are agnostic. I belong to the "Wenger should continue" camp (though I am not one to claim something as twitty as "In Arsene We Trust"). But, as I have admitted before, I am a part-time twit and as a general principle of twits, I believe that all focus should be on the "means" and that the "end" will eventually take care of itself. I do realise that it sounds highly wankish but what to do, that's the way it is.

The fact that we have a strong club in terms of ownership, finances and structure is a considerable achievement - especially at a time when the rest of the big 3 are being weighed down by humongous debt. But no one gives a fart about achievements of that sort - as winning is the only thing. Just as building more homes in the US was the only thing a few years ago. Of course, winning is important, but the gumption to chart a different path is way more appealing and with the hope that it will eventually come together. Mr. Wenger has embarked on a path (of some sort of neanderthal philosophical belief - which I completely connect with) that may only be successful in winning sweet fuckall before he leaves or is asked to leave. But then, such is life, such is football and such are the travails of having general principles.
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Third ball has left this planet and that should be the last we've heard from the little fucker. So its back to square one for me and more monkey business.
                                  

Corner flag (vol 2.3)

It eventually was one of the most exciting games that I have ever witnessed. Out played for significant periods of time, to come back and equalise in the manner they did, was just fucking fantastic. Yes, we lost Fabregas and Arshavin for rest of the season, but the final 30 minutes was just fucking brilliant - a bit emotional for the monkey over here and for scores of other monkeys around the world.

Its only half-way though the QF and with our 2 best players out, its going to be a bigger ask away at Nou Camp. But its all there to play for as Petit declares over here. With our squad decimated, its pointless to analyse our chances in the Champions league and the Premier league. Its down to the 12-14 players that remain to become bigger players (in height, skills and mental ability) - one way that can happen, is to plug into the Matrix.

In other words, I don't expect them to win anything - but have every opportunity to become bigger players by putting on a show - for the club, for us monkeys and for themselves. Its time to hope and only hope - which is not a bad thing honestly.

                       

Corner flag (vol 2.2)

In a few hours, one of the most anticipated games of the season kicks off in North London. Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league QF. Much has been written of the 2 stylish teams - but they couldn't have been more different - one a champion of all silverware last year and the other, a young, naive lot who have won nothing.

It is going to be tough for Arsenal no doubt. Wenger has, as always before big games, challenged his team to beat the odds and their more accomplished opponents. As I have been saying on Corner flag before, its all down to the mental ability of the team to deliver a balanced performance. Calmness in attacking, defending tightly when not in possession and keeping shape at all times. I continue to think that the ingredients, in terms of players, are there and have developed even further this season. It pretty much boils down to being alive for 90 minutes and not getting excited. Its about learning from the quite a few fuckups that have occurred this year.

Will they do it? We have faced this question a few times before. I remember Feb 2007 Carling Cup finals against Chelsea - there were similar expectations; "could this be the win thats going to kick-start a secular championship winning run?" I remember thinking then:  "Could this be the silverware that is going to infuse that mental ability, that confidence, to be feared, to be champions". Balls happened (and a few red cards), as we now know. Following year it was the league that was promising - captain & an ankle exploded and all confidence quickly vanished. Last year, the expectations never really took off - but this year, its all holding together. Strangely.

But, can they beat Barcelona - over 2 legs and do the impossible? I think they will. But I am a monkey, so the fact that I do think Arsenal will beat the greatest club in the world shouldn't surprise you.

The manager has toned down his "public" expectations of his team and has on a few occasions admitted his frustration with the team and shortcomings in crucial games. I am beginning to wonder just as the team has started to mature, he too has evolved i.e. being more open about the weaknesses that persist and "facing it". In a subconscious sort of a way, I think its basically handing over control to his players.

Though, we all know that one day things will click - but the interim period has been terribly painful. Will nothing change this 2 leg clash? Fuck knows.

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Must direct all to this wonderful interview with the greatest legend. For some one who had said when he retired that he will never return to a football pitch, he seems to be revelling in his role at the Ajax youth academy. Its wonderful to come across his thoughts, as he seldom is heard in public. And more importantly for me, it was interesting to read his objective look at Wenger's philosophy and the absolute defence of his old coach's beliefs. For monkeys like me, reassurance is required from time to time. And this has been long overdue.

Corner flag (vol 2.1)

Yes, the Third Ball has been in touch and I have been rather busy, therefore unable to communicate his views in time. I obviously didn't know that the team would run into this patch and things would look so good - but lets listen to the third ball now:

1. "I told you it would yo-yo. And it will still do so. But we will win. Premier league it will be."

Third ball then admitted that if it doesnt happen, he is more than happy to go missing forever.  And I would take over. Thats what I am, the third ball.

2. "Champions league - not to worry, we will get through the 4th round and do more damage".

Didn't quite know it will be so easy against Porto. But the team has come together, like the season they did when Flamini was at Emirates and (ironically) before the Eduardo incident, since the Stoke City win.

The quiet hero of all this has been Gael Clichy. When the captain Fabregas and the "new" leader Sol Campbell were busy holding their heads at the ungainly sight of a, yet another, crooked ankle, it was Clichy that caught hold of his team mates and said, 'Lets go do this'. He obviously remembers the story at St. Andrews and took the opportunity to be the real leader. And quietly. Beautiful.

I am possibly a greater twit than the third ball. But then such is the life of a football fan.

3. "And yes, we will be playing Inter Milan some time soon - quarters or even later."

Though Wenger has a funny feeling that its going to be an English team next.

4. More records tumbled in this Champions league campaign. Apparently, its the first time in over 30 years where we reversed a first leg loss to win a tie. First Ronald Koeman, then this and next it will be Jose Mourinho the special cunt. And after that it could be the Champions league itself. But that strangely Third Ball was non-committal about.

The view from a pint (vol 1.1)

Amidst all the world changing developments of the last few weeks, the most critical, in my opinion, sitting where I do - i.e. on a pint - was the filing for bankruptcy by Japan Airlines Corp. Japan's largest non-financial bankruptcy ever. Critical because one would have never expected the Japanese, with their heightened sense of pride led insecurity, to allow loss of face of this scale.

Its common knowledge that the land of the rising sun has an enormous task of pulling themselves out of the ever-ballooning debt problem & deadly deflation. Regressive policy making, corrupt politicians are the obvious culprits and nothing seems to have changed with the defeat of the Liberal Democratic Party. But pain, or truth, cannot be postponed for ever and thats precisely where JAL's bankruptcy can play a key role - in demolishing the cosy relationship between the corporate world & spineless politicians/bureaucrats. And while at it, it could also inspire a thought revolution amongst the people (Ahem! I could well be in a bar in Calcutta now).

Have always felt that in many aspects, Japan leads the world. The problems in Japan, which became quite evident in the early 90s, of slowing birth rates, aging population, general discomfort with immigration, huge public debt : are all quite common now in a number of western, developed nations. So its time for a Jake Sully to enter the scene - a person from another land to rescue a society that is falling apart. And what happens in Japan, like it or not, will hopefully help rest of the developed world to figure out their path to survival.

Heres a link to the story on the bankruptcy filing by WSJ's Tokyo correspondents.

Gekiga san

The 74 yr old man walked up to the table laid out for him and sat down facing us, who were waiting to hear him. He was alone as his minders were busy getting ready. In those few minutes he spoke in English - precisely 4 words - "I happy in Singapore". Or something like that.

Then the others, his minders, joined him at the table. One of them being Eric Khoo. Probably Singapore's most well recognised film director (not that I have seen any of his movies). Anyways, Mr Khoo's latest project is to make an animated film out of Yoshihiro Tatsumi's (the 74 yr old) autobiographical graphic novel - A Drifting Life.

So then the questions began: the origins of Gekiga? his feelings about the movie thats being made? his relationship with Adrian Tomine, the fellow responsible for giving him a second lease of life? his inspiration to become a mangaka? and why the Japanese, who are big animated film makers themselves, never approached him to make a film based on his novels?

He answered all of them in great detail and humour. And laced with all the graciousness that one would have expected. Tatsumi was overt in conveying his deep gratitude to Adrian Tomine for taking him global and also towards "Eric san" for taking on the challenge to take his characters onto the big screen. It emerged that he felt unappreciated in Japan - "In Japan, people always feel that only the new things are good"; "I was told that I am too old". Age was also a constant theme in his views: "You are fortunate that you are still young - draw your stories when you are young, at my age I get tired before I begin". He also spoke of the writers block: "When you hit a block, take a break and look around you and bring all thats around you into your work". Ahem. Right at the end, to a query on the city of Hiroshima's influence on his stories, he got quite emotional as he spoke about the bombs and the destruction.

And when the questions were done, and he stood up to do a sketch, it was quite clear that its spontaneity that inspires Yoshihiro Tatsumi.

Corner flag (vol 1.5)

As promised, the third ball has been in contact - right after the Villa game. And he had the following to say:

1. Continues to believe that we would win our first piece of silverware in years this season. He did mention that the confidence in the squad would continue to yo-yo until the end of the season, but the steady development of belief within the setup will culminate in a trophy. So "not to give up" was the key message

2. Very difficult to predict which particular trophy amongst the 3 it will be. {May comment next by Feb end to provide a status update. I think its too late as we would have done our 3 major games by end Jan, making it easier to make predictions at that point}

3. Is very confident that Arsene Wenger will add to the squad in this window. Believes it could be a total of 3 players: couple of them who are 'Full HD' and one 'HD Ready' type. It will be a striker, defensive cover and someone else

4. The third ball also had a strange comment to make: Its been a historic season (in a strange and arbid manner) for Arsene Wenger, because he finally won against a Ronald Koeman team, which he has never managed to do. TB now believes that Inter Milan will take out Chelsea in the first knock out round and then will be drawn against the Gunners - who the Gunners will beat convincingly over 2 legs. Could be the QF or SF - not sure yet.

This third ball is a strange, but brave fellow. Lets see, how it all pans out.

Jailed abroad

Came across this series on National Geographic channel. A series of true stories of people who were jailed in a foreign country - most of these individuals are not professional criminals, but idiots like you and me who embraced spontaneity and then lived to regret the foolishness. Its narrated in first person, brilliantly reconstructed by some high quality acting and production, making it one hell of a watch.

Heres the link to the official web page of the series.

And heres a preview to one of the episodes that I watched : a young English fella in Kuwait gets arrested for peddling hashish and just when he reconciles to spend 5 years in the Kuwait Central Jail in the middle of some desert, help comes calling from an unlikely source.

Corner flag (vol 1.4)

A crucial win on Sunday at Anfield and strangely enough there was an incident at half-time that echoed, in a small way, what was said in vol 1.2. The skipper's statements this week also mirrored the view that it is not necessary to have Big players to win the league.

Incident at half-time

Small sides can be successful: Fabregas

Corner Flag (vol 1.3)

Ten reasons why England shouldn't win the World Cup via The Independent

There are probably 10 more very valid reasons, but this is a start. Its not that I support a particular team and therefore I wish England doesn't win - its just the overtly jingoistic English media + a few players in the team - for example, the ones featured at 1 and 8 in the above link.

         

Corner flag (vol 1.2)

1. Disastrous London derby
It was the third humiliation that we have had to suffer in the last 7 odd months. And oddly enough, all 3 took place at the Emirates - 2 against Chelsea and the CL semi-final against Manchester United. Absolutely horrendous experience to see ourselves, yet again, shoved aside so easily.

The statistics were familiar:
- at the outset, we begin with injuries to key personnel which somehow has a major psychological impact on the playing 11;
- majority of pretty possession;
- manage only a couple of attempts at goal;
- lack of alternate attacking strategy against a packed defence;
- and the enemy scores with the handful of chances that comes their way.

The last point underscores what I believe is our key weakness: the inability to organise defensively as a team and its not just about the back 4. Must highlight once again, strength in defence has never been a characteristic of Arsene Wenger's teams since the famous back 4 hung up their boots. To me, this chronic problem is called "inability", and not "inexperience" and the responsibility rests squarely with the manager.

I don't believe that the lack of physical players being the reason for our inability to compete for the league / silverware or against teams like Chelsea and other big clubs. Yes, its always good to have few more world class players in a squad - but there is a deeper issue that needs to be fixed first: the need for a stronger team ethic / attitude when it comes to protecting the ball. In other words, a better balance between attack and defence - which was demonstrated brilliantly by Barcelona last season. Development of this understanding can be built and drilled into the entire team on the training ground. Just going out and buying 6'3" X, Y, Z will not solve the problem.

I totally believe that this team with its existing squad can compete and win silverware this season (the third ball, as promised, will separately communicate late December after the Villa game). Which, however, can only happen if the squad is honest enough to admit that a lot more work needs to be done collectively to protect the ball. And that I believe begins with the Manager, rather than the odd 'back-to-reality' utterances from Arshavin / Fabregas after a weekend like last.

Wenger has for years been very careful of shielding his players during his interaction with the media. That strategy, especially over the last few years, in my opinion has been destructive and regressive with regards to the development of the squad. This is regardless of the fact that he maybe a lot more forthright with the squad behind closed doors. Persistent public deflection of the team's inadequacies infuses a false sense of security that results in the players not taking enough responsibility. He has to say what he sees - which means being publicly critical of his players when the situation demands.

And as a last point, Eduardo can certainly play against the likes of Terry and Carvalho. Am 100% certain we will see him play an important role during rest of the season.


2. Hand of God episode II
The whole Thierry Henry fiasco that erupted a couple of weeks ago appears to be fading away, rather slowly. My initial reaction was that it clearly was a case of cheating and hypocritical of a man who has positioned himself as a philosopher on many an occasion. While this opinion still holds, the rabid response to the incident by the British press (savagely dismissed over here) was way over the top and is yet another exhibition of the heightened levels of hypocrisy by the British media (an issue previously raised over here).

3. Hiddink's failure
Another related development that caught my attention was the failure of Russia to qualify for the World Cup. I don't give a shit about Russia qualifying or not, but it was the English media's lack of criticism of Guus Hiddink that caught my eye - a few months ago he was being heralded by the English media as the greatest footballing mind of modern times by turning around Chelsea's season and replaying his conquests with the Australian/Korean national teams ad nauseum. Now he has spectacularly failed to take the 2008 Euro finalists to the WC finals and there isn't a word of ridicule from the likes of Richard Williams or Kevin McCarra. Well...



           

The house of durians

Will the real "Slim" shady please stand up

Corner flag (vol 1.1)

1. English media and their footballers
It doesn't help anyone shed their rather biased opinion about English footballers when the captain comes out and says shit like this. When the reality is something like this. My biased opinion of English players has just been reinforced: that they are a bunch of deluded pricks.

Prior to these comments from the stalwarts of English football, it was the English media that dived into the Eduardo incident. It all adds up when one realises that their next WC qualifier is against Croatia - and a win away from booking their place in the finals.

The similarity between the Indian media and English counterparts is quite evident - both are substantially loud and often more ruthless than the most extreme capitalist. "The dark side of free speech" - but thats for another time all together.

2. The presence of a third ball
That's me I am talking about: as I believe Arsenal will win something this season. It could well be the league. Imagine how it would be if its the Champions League. Yes, its very early and we have seen things disintegrating in no time before so one shouldn't get carried by the start to the season. And lets not forget the mistakes that cost us 3 points last weekend against the champions - classic immature brain failure. But thats where the third ball comes into the picture - its the third eye, its the gut instinct that has metamorphosed into a physical organ that takes responsibility for such opinions. It sees a different season all together where there will be silverware. The third ball is expected to communicate next in December.

The Intolerance of Tolerance

In an attempt to get things right, we are steadily losing the plot and as a result shedding our individuality. The recent burqa episode is possibly the best example. It always seemed a rather impolite gesture on the part of anyone to consider banning Muslim women from wearing burqas. But its happened now and that too a brainwave from a mainstream political leader of the developed world.

The human race is already on its way to losing any sense of humanity to the tentacling ways of technology. Acts of such intolerance are only going to hasten the process.

Heres, Sarkozy figuring how to be tolerant. Wag the Dog time.

Fearless

This is no official video - but a special song produced by Pink Floyd. It has the famous Liverpool FC chant at the end: "You'll never walk alone". Orginally written by Rodgers and Hammerstein and has since been adopted by Liverpool FC as their own. "Fearless" apparently stands for the commonly used football slang: "awesome". Searched to find if the band members were fans of LFC . And that got me to a rather surprising, yet pleasant revelation.

Roger Waters has been a long standing fan of Arsenal Football Club. Came across this April '08 interview with the man by The Word magazine. The relevant bits:

Q: When I interviewed you just after Live 8, you talked about these "huge holes in your psychology" that needed to be filled by large crowds of people appreciating your music.


A: Yes, but I'm not sure you even have to have huge holes in your psychology, and in recent years I've grasped that. And I love it now. How much longer I'll go on doing it I don't know, but I do work every day - and work and sex even come before sport on the Pleas-o-Meter. Mind you, [Arsenal] beating AC Milan two-nil last night was pretty spectacular. If only Chelsea had lost...


Q: If only. Do you keep an eye on the game partly out of homesickness?


A: Well, as you know, the coverage of English Premier League, and even the Championship, is actually better over here. You actually get to see more matches than in England. And I've been an Arsenal fan all my life. I lived there from 1968 to 1975, and when I wasn't on the road I went to every home game. Stood under the clock, before they built the stands. I can name the whole squad now (he does so). I can still remember everyone going out into the street in Islington at the end of the Cup in '71 [Arsenal beat Liverpool in extra time], wandering about, slightly dazed, just remembering the pleasure of it. Which puts me in mind of listening to the radio inside and then going back out into Rock Road in Cambridge back in 1956 when Jim Laker took ten Australian wickets. Another of those moments that never ceases to be magic. They never evaporate.

Enter Tony Adams

April 11, 09

This was originally written around a month ago when it was 'two months and a few days to go' to the end of the season. Club's fortunes have improved since, but I still think its all quite relevant.
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Two months and a few days to go before the season ends, and we find ourselves in familiar territory: a league where we are nowhere close to winning and clinging desperately onto hopes of some silverware in either Europe or England. Last season we were much further up in the league at this stage, but its around this time in the season that our confidence started to evaporate.

Like I said, there is nothing new about this feeling, but the fatigue of 5 disappointing seasons in a row has been getting a lot of fans on the back of the manager, a once holy grail. Yes the familiar hopeless feeling running through me frustrates, but as described somewhere here earlier, its difficult for me to look ahead without hope - looking at aspects that are not that bad and contemplating the adjustments that need to be made to make us strong contenders on every front.

Since the end of last season, many decisions made by the manager have been said to be rather dubious. So its not surprising that fans are beginning to turn on him as his stubbornness to strengthen the side upfront appears to be weighing on the side. I have had my reservations as well, specifically at 2 major aspects.

1. Exit of Flamini & the lack of replacement

The contribution of Flamini to the midfield last season was immense and was a big part of the reason that we had a robust start to the league last year. Letting him go was to me the biggest mistake made by the manager in the last 4-5 years. Not replacing him was probably a bigger one, considering the huge hole left behind - both physically as well as mentally. But then the call has been made, and we have gone through 8 months with Denilson in the same role - and must admit that the Brazilian has been showing increasing intent of making it his own - albeit, differently.

People talk about letting Hleb & Gilberto go as a mistake as well - I don't agree. Hleb was not indispensable and I considered him a fellow with his mind slightly twisted. In any case, a replacement in Nasri was bought who settled down quickly and has shown far more dynamism in front of the goal.

Gilberto has clearly seen better days. Watched him for Panathaninkos this week, and I doubt he would have added much to the Arsenal squad except for an experienced head. Importantly, he would not have gotten playing time, upsetting him all over again. Whilst I do like him, I don't think he is the experienced personality we needed. But letting Flamini go was a fucking disaster - first for the club and secondly, for himself.

2. Lack of champion mental make-up

One area the team has been found out, repeatedly, over the last few seasons in its endeavours to be genuine challengers for the league: is its lack of 100% concentration, discipline & motivation on the road and at home against all kinds of opposition - regardless it being a top 4 or bottom 10 team. In other words, not having the optimal amount of 'bottle' to manage a successful season long campaign.

I believe touting lack of experience is not an excuse any more for not being consistent. This bunch of players have been playing together for a while and there is no doubting the quality of talent in the team. I see each one of them - especially the derided midfield combination of Denilson, Diaby, Song - playing strong roles in any other set up if they were to.

We've seen this season the team putting together some outstanding performances against the bigger teams in the league but have lost/drew games to/with teams that we should not have. Eerily reminiscent of our 2006-07 season. One would have thought the lesson would have been learnt - but then there has been constant flux in the squad: departure of 'inspirational' Thierry Henry, a captain sulking all alone in the middle of the pitch, a captain losing his captaincy for his publicly scathing attack on his team mates: thereby resulting in no stability at the top of the squad. Therefore, all onus on leadership has continuously been on the manager and his coaching team.

Lot of people have felt that we have been frail defensively as well. According to me, that is a criticism that can be levelled against the best of Arsene Wenger teams - including The Invincibles of 2004. So its not a new issue, but needs to be addressed nevertheless.

I believe that the solution to this problem lies less in infusing fresh blood into the playing squad, but rather into the coaching set up.

Arsene Wenger has known to be a strict disciplinarian, but is the kind who employs the hairdryer treatment rarely. In line with his footballing ethos of playing fluid attacking football, he often talks about letting the players express themselves - therefore criticise less and focus on positive energy. I believe that it is not entirely adequate when managing a young team and there is enough evidence that the zen strategy has not worked consistently.

All the problems mentioned above - concentration, discipline & motivation - can and will be addressed with the presence of a strong personality being around the young squad letting them know that there is no room for complacency.

I suppose it is common management wisdom that there needs to be fresh infusion of thinking in any set-up from time to time and I believe its time that it took place at AFC. However, it is critical that the present day Arsenal footballing philosophy of Wenger & Pat Rice is not disturbed, but needs to be suitably strengthened to bridge the gaps in the mental make-up of the squad.

And this is where I see the addition of Tony Adams proving to be immense for immediate impact & the long-term strength in the squad. He is an all-time champion of Arsenal Football Club and will have enough to contribute with regards to leadership, focus, defensive strategies and the motivation to grind results. His mere presence on the training ground will be enough for all the squad members to reinforce the importance of the Arsenal t-shirt they wear.

Personally, he has had a very ordinary attempt at managing thus far. He needs to reconcile to the fact that he is far away from being one and understand what such a role would offer. Working with Arsene Wenger & Pat Rice will help him move up the skill curve when it comes to his overall managerial ability and at the same time, contributing in a major way in infusing much needed belief & dynamism to the mental make up of the squad. And have a hand in winning trophies that the club deserves.

In terms of the longer-term future, it is tough to rule him out managing the club on a full-time basis in 5 years or so. But that's besides the point for now.

For those interested, here is something interesting regarding the changes at the shareholder level of the club. Another reason to look at the future with hope.

Can You Recognise This Face

This was one corner of a photograph I came across at the War Remnants Museum, HoChiMinh City. Amongst the many startling pictures on the wall there, this one stood out, as the face seemed familiar. The face of a Nung mercenary.

The caption (*) beneath the photo says: Duc Phong, Vietnam 1966. A viet cong suspect is hung up and questioned by mercenaries of the Chinese Nung tribe. The Nungs formed a special forces unit, organised and commanded by US special forces. After 15 minute in this position, suspect admitted being the sniper who had earlier fired on refugees sheltered in a church.

The big picture explains much more. The stillness in the jungle air; eerie silence followed by verbal rat-a-tat & some rifle punches in the gonads. And finally the bullet goes off.

Those were the better days for the Nung mercenaries. Early days of the war in Vietnam - aligned with the US Forces, and widely expected to aid the South Vietnamese in sending their communist Northern brethren back into stone age. A quick buck from what they know best - killing, and eventually moving on. Perfect.

We all now know that things ended up very differently. Not many survived the war. The viet cong steadfastly pursued the Nungs all over the country well after the American departure: ensuring that there will be no comebacks. From being seasoned survivors all their life, some of the Nungs did manage to escape. Into Cambodia, Laos primarily. Few groups emerged in China, Indonesia and in South East Asia. And specifically Singapore.

On hindsight, it is quite logical that Singapore was the preferred unlikely destination for the Nungs. Not having any tradeable skill they could call their own; tried their hand at almost everything. At the same time, the island country was just emerging from the depths of their post colonial confusion - in the process of locating their identity & relevance in the modern world.
The Nungs discovered that trading came quite naturally - and so did Singapore. Commodities, textile, oil, spices anything. Found themselves slowly entrenched in a society that was filled with immigrants - and similarly looking to survive in a relatively independent, peaceful new age. No racial profiling; no checks on their past and likely intentions.

That of course was many years ago. The Nung Identity has been since forgotten, without much protest. And the absorption complete. But if you know what I am talking about, its easy to discover a Nung from time to time. And thats where I recognise the face.

Heres, the big picture:




* The only piece of truth in this post

The Midfield Chieftains

I understand geometry plays an important role in Arsene Wenger's scheme of things. The one touch passing game is built on parallel runs, patterns of equilateral triangles in offence and tangential runs by the full-backs. A new equation seems to have emerged: the size of the preferred midfield set-up is inversely proportional to the size of the home pitch.

The Invincible season at Highbury in 2003-04 saw a midfield primarily of 6 + feet individuals - Robert Pires, Patrick Viera & Gilberto Silva, Edu and ofcourse, Freddie Ljunberg who brought down the average. However, with Van Persie & Bergkamp often playing behind Henry, it helped in maintaining the mean at 6'+. Much as the small pitch at Highbury had to do with the fast-paced counter attacks that was synonymous with the Invincibles, I believe long legs also had a crucial role to play.

But in the interspersing 3 years, as everyone knows, many things have changed; crucially being the exit of Viera and thereon the exodus of the core Invincibles group. Which (along with the shift to The Emirates pitch), from empirical evidence leads one to believe that the strategy changed.

The point is: the bright first months of this season has undoubtedly been driven by the new-midfield quartet in Cesc Fabregas, Mathew Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rocisky. Generating a good mix of offensive and containing midfield play. And this has become more apparent with their absence in the last few games of this season leading in 2 defeats and 1 draw, when at least couple of wins should have been the case.

The average height of the 4 would be around 5' 6.5" - very different in structure from the Invincibles midfield. Whilst it could be just coincidence, am sure hours of rat analysis would have helped the think tank to arrive at the conclusion that shorter centre of gravity leads to more pace over a longer pitch and 90 minutes. Also enabling them get around proponents of direct football. And this would also explain the energy of the team resulting in over 60-70% of goals coming in the final quarter.

Leading in from last season, the big surprise that many had to contend with was the fact the Flamini was the preferred number in the holding position - naturally most took it as a unreasonable considering the experience & proven capability that Gilberto brought along. The question is raised no more as Fabregas' goal scoring this season can be definitely attributed to the effectiveness of Flamini in his role.

Whilst its indulging in a bit of wishful thinking to think that this team could go on to win the League this year - however, a lot would be determined as to the availability of 4 for the rest of the season.

I refer to the 4 as chieftains - for some reason chieftains to me are people of small stature.

Over the last couple of seasons, with the team being largely comprised of youngsters with lack of experience & maturity, I always felt the need for an enforcer. On the pitch as well off it. Someone to believe in the youngsters and bullying them into playing to win matches. It was important in dealing with the pressures of a long season.

Thats where I think the scoop of the Arsenal season rests - making Gallas the captain. Which had most of us think if some screws had fallen in the manager's room. The truth was that Gallas is a whinging fuck, which wasnt a great thing for a team of neophytes. Am sure it was a big call for the manager to make - but seems to have made it with his head. Another day, another frenchman I thought - but this one prefers winning rather than mentally compiling the number of clean sheets. And again on hindsight, it appears to be the right decision for the club. His presence is as important as the midfield quartet's till the end of the season.

Despite the recent hiccups, I believe we are on our way this season - i.e. there wont be a repeat of last season where all hopes of silverware disappear over the course of 3 games in March. The manager has been making more of an effort to set expectations more realistic - which will help a squad with such little experience of dealing with a long season & expanding fans' expectations. The squad has amply shown in the last season as well the current one that they most certainly can deal with the pressure of a game. But a season is a lot different and takes much more from the squad.

As most have been predicting: todays game will not decide the season, but will certainly indicate whether Arsenal has it in them to surprise everyone.