London is a city that is forever pushing the boundaries of fashion, which is perhaps why Arsenal football club have seriously been pushing the boundaries of what can be determined as an acceptable football kit over the past thirty years or so.
Along with the club’s illustrious history of league titles and domestic trophy wins, comes a long standing tradition of having some rather questionably designed footy jerseys to send their top stars out to play in.
To think style icon Thierry Henry, Mr. “Je ne sais quoi” himself used to perform in some of these fashion faux pas week after week in the Premier League is truly shocking, as many of these kits would be more at home in a 90’s rave, the Tate modern or perhaps even a distopian future.
It’s difficult to quite put your finger on how any of these kits actually came into existence, or even how the designer came up with such crazy ideas, but unfortunately they have, and now stood the test of time, we can look back in horror and awe at the attrocious football shirts that the Gunners wore on a regular basis back in the day.
Some are fashion howlers, others consist of the most bizarre patterns known to man, and a few are quite simply awful.
So protect your eyes, peer through the gaps in your fingers and check out the top ten worst ever Arsenal FC kits ever to be worn by the London club.
Click on Thierry Henry to check out Arsenal’s worst ever fashion faux pas!
As the possibility of League One football looms for Wolves, guest blogger and Tranmere fan Paul Harper explains why Wolves fans shouldn’t feel too apprehensive about life in another division.
While League One football might not be what all Wolves fans would like for their club, let me reassure you all that it’s not as bad as it sounds. There’s a lot to like about the division, so here goes.
While divisions such as the Premier League has runaway leaders, the same teams battling for the same four or five top places season in, season out, League One is exciting and unpredictable. All teams can beat each other, whether they be at the top or the bottom of the table.
At time of writing, there is just nine points separating the top eight teams in the league. The league is up for grabs and will almost certainly be so until the last kick of the last game of the season.
On the pitch, whilst, yes, there are some teams who play what people call ‘old-fashioned lower-league football’ (they hoof it I mean), there are a lot of teams who like to play good, passing football too. MK Dons, Swindon, Bournemouth and my own team Tranmere all try to play football on the grass (it’s just a pity there isn’t much about at this stage of the season).
You have an eclectic mix of big, medium and small clubs all battling on a level playing field on merit. There are big boys like Sheffield United and Coventry City who have recently been in the top flight, together with teams who have gone up the football pyramid like Stevenage and Crawley Town.
There are some great grounds to visit on your travels. Bramall Lane, the Ricoh Arena, Deepdale, they’re all nice grounds. But you also have smaller, more traditional grounds too, where you can stand on the terraces like the good old days. Personally, I love all that at places like Brentford and Crawley. There’s some great atmosphere created at some of the smaller grounds in the division.
Atmosphere is generated by the people though and the support may be smaller in terms of numbers at some of the League One clubs, but they are as passionate and dedicated as they come.
Of course, not all the stadia in League One is fantastic, and in League One (possibly not next season though) there is Oldham Athletic and Boundary Park. It’s freezing there. You might think it’s lucky to be drawn to play them there in August or May. Think again. Dig the winter wardrobe out on that hot, sunny summer day because it WILL be needed!
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League One is home to the oldest professional football club in Notts County, founded in 1862. Not only are they old, but they are the reason that Italian giants Juventus play in black and white stripes. An English member of Juve, John Savage, back in 1903 had a set of County’s kit sent over to Turin and the rest, as they say, is history.
League One is not a bad division. There are some good clubs, good teams, good players, good stadiums and good days out to be had.
Dave Whelan says Wigan’s clash at West Brom on Saturday is one they simply “have to win” if they are to stay up this season.
Latics are again in dire relegation trouble as the season reaches its conclusion but a win over the Baggies on Saturday could be the tonic they need to go on and beat the drop.
With four games to go this season, Wigan are five points from safety but they have a game in hand over Newcastle above them and Whelan knows just how important a victory could be this weekend.
“It’s a massive game for us – and we all know that,” he told the Evening Post. “We have to go there and win. We have to win.
“We actually went to West Brom last year and won 1-0, and it will be a real fight again this time. They’ve played well this season, even though they have had a bit of a patchy run of late.
“They showed last week at Southampton what they are capable of, when they won 3-0, and we have to be ready for that.”
Despite making it through to the FA Cup final this season, Whelan has again insisted the priority remains staying up.
“Survival in the Premier League remains the number one priority for this football club,” he added. “Winning the FA Cup would be amazing, but not if it comes at the expense of us losing our Premier League status.
“You always have to concentrate on one game at a time, and for us that is West Brom in the Premier League.
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“The feeling in the camp now is one of total concentration ahead of the West Brom game.”
Had it not been for a changing of the managerial guard at all of the Premier League’s top three clubs, the focus would have almost entirely been solely on David Moyes this summer. The new Manchester United boss has never had the luxury of virtually unlimited finance before, and with the Red Devils camp still remaining quiet regarding future purchases, we are yet to see what avenue Moyes will take in the transfer market.
Whether he will spend big or small, sign superstars or useful parts to the Old Trafford jigsaw remains to be seen, yet the overwhelming rumour that has emerged since the Scot’s appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor has been the potential purchase of two of his former employees at Goodison – Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.
[cat_link cat=”manchester-united” type=”tower”]
But should Moyes be so keenly reliant upon signing the two Everton boys? Is it more telling of his naivety at the highest level that he expects both to comfortably make the step up from a club with relatively little pressure to succeed to a club that can claim to be one of Europe’s footballing superpowers? Are there more risks than meet the eye, and would the two potential transfers be worthwhile?
Moyes’ first priority in the transfer market will undoubtedly be to sign a central midfielder. In the past few years, Ferguson has let opportunities to sign John Obi Mikel, Moussa Dembele and Wesley Sneijder slip by, and following the retirement of Paul Scholes in addition to Darren Fletcher still in recovery from stomach surgery, the issue of United’s midfield future needs to be addressed this summer.
But should the outstanding candidate for the role be Marouane Fellaini? The Belgium international has just come to the end of his most successful campaign in England, recording 11 goals and five assists in 31 Premier League appearances, and for the first half of the season was virtually unplayable – his hot form kicked off with an exceptional display against none other than the Red Devils during the Premier League’s opening weekend, scoring the single, deciding goal of the afternoon and dominating Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic in the air.
Yet at Old Trafford, the 25 year-old’s role would be comparatively different to this season. Rather than being an attacking threat, Moyes would use him first and foremost to add some physicality and power to United’s midfield, to provide protection for Michael Carrick and the back four. Fellaini is certainly capable of doing so, and we often witnessed his defensive utility, but if it is mettle alone that Moyes is looking for, there are cheaper and more accustomed candidates on the market.
Lars Bender for example possesses a much higher work-rate than the Everton midfielder, in addition to being more mobile and still capable of producing end product, with three goals and six assists for Bayer Leverkusen this season. Similarly, Celtic’s Victor Wanyama is clearly destined for a higher calling than the SPL, having impressed in the Champions League and become the most physically dominant midfielder in the Scottish top flight, all at the age of just 21. Both cannot compete with Fellaini’s Premier League experience, yet both are younger than the Belgian and both could be available for half of Fellaini’s costly £30million price-tag.
Similarly, a physical midfielder might not be quite what the Red Devils need. Over the past few years United have been their most efficient and profitable with Paul Scholes partnering Michael Carrick, with the pair bringing to the table enough quality and composure on the ball to enforce control over any match via their pulling of the strings and direction of play in the middle of the park. There are plenty of more creative midfielders who could be available should the price be right, such as Kevin Strootman, Yohan Cabaye, and Luka Modric. That being said, Fellaini’s utility is undeniable; his ability to play a rather unique role in attacking midfield would give Moyes a solid Plan B, and the importance of height at both ends of the pitch should never be underestimated in the Premier League.
Whilst central midfield is a clear priority for the United boss, the situation regarding the left-back slot is comparatively different. The Red Devils already possess two senior left-backs in Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner, with both having an impact amid the Premier League champions’ successful campaign. Bringing in Leighton Baines would undoubtedly be an improvement, with the former United player reaching the twilight of his career and the latter yet to prove he is ready to be first team regular, but the transfer is by no means a necessity unless Evra takes a widely rumoured pay-out to join up with former club Monaco.
That being said, Baines has been by far the strongest left-back in the English top flight this season. The England international finishes the footballing year with five goals and five assists in 38 Premier League appearances, is the division’s most creative player according to OPTA, having created 116 chances to score, and has even rivalled Ashley Cole’s position in the Three Lions set up. Furthermore, his ability from dead ball situations makes him one of the biggest set piece threats in the top flight.
The only concern with Leighton Baines is whether his price-tag can be justified considering his age. The 28 year old still has a good few years left in the tank, but considering his importance to Everton and Bill Kenwright’s reluctance to let his star defender leave, any fee involved could well exceed the £15million mark – an excessive amount even by the standards of the modern market for a full-back who has already reached his peak years.
Similarly, with Evra himself recording four goals and five assists this season, would Baines’ acquisition bring any greater benefit to United’s cause? Buttner has many fans amongst the Old Trafford faithful, and some would prefer to see the Netherlands international share first team duties with Evra for a year before taking over the role completely.
Although David Moyes is desperate to step out of his predecessor’s shadow, he must ask himself what would Ferguson do. Both would be solid and stable acquisitions to the United roster, yet neither would add any further star quality and both have their fair share of drawbacks. Fellaini is useful, tried and tested, but his ill-discipline and poor attitude is not befitting of the Red Devils’ mould, whilst Baines is English and presents uniquely technical skills for a full-back, but his age in terms of cost-effectiveness will remain an issue.
The Scot could certainly do with some on pitch allies; for all his reputation, he will still need to win over the support and confidence of the squad at Old Trafford. But the ploy could easily backfire – should Moyes’ tenure get off to a poor start, the Everton pair would become synonymous with the United gaffer’s failings.
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Both transfers represent more risk than meets the eye, and it will probably come down to fees. Manchester United are by no means penny-pinchers, yet Moyes initial purchases in the transfer market will have to be a success if he is to have a bright start to his tenure. The proposed £40million fee, for the pair, as quoted in the tabloids, seems like a realistic price for both, yet it is still a lot of money for the Scot to part with in his first transfer window, for two players who will overall not be considered as marquee stars of the first team.
Despite the media focus, there are undoubtedly other candidates on Moyes’ radar. Yet he knows more than anyone what Fellaini and Baines are capable of and where their abilities can take them, having brought both of them to Goodison Park during his 11 year spell with the Toffees. Rather than club officials, coaches, the owners or scouts getting involved, the decision will rest on his shoulders. He must consider all of the alternatives however, as whoever he brings in during his inaugural transfer window will be representatives of his tenure at Manchester United and a new era for the Premier League champions.
Should Moyes sign Fellaini and Baines or will the Scotsman focus his attention elsewhere?
Your midfield will speak volumes for the way your team plays. Not quite the actual quote, but more or less words to the effect offered by Juanma Lillo, incidentally a mentor to Pep Guardiola.
It can be easy to lose sight of what matters during the summer transfer months. The playing philosophy and “values” of a team can go out the window as fans become ravenous for something substantial. All the while, Arsenal fans are torn on exactly what would constitute a good midfield addition – the only common ground is that a midfield addition of some kind is absolutely needed.
So you can understand those who are underwhelmed by news that Arsenal have singled out Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye as their top target, especially after the Frenchman had a largely forgettable season last term. Though what if it were Barcelona who were targeting Cabaye, even after last season? Wouldn’t the football world be a little intrigued as to what the Catalans saw in the midfielder, possibly holding a perspective that was lost on everyone else?
Make no mistake, Cabaye is an Arsenal player in every sense of the word. Ok, last season was nothing to write home about, and yet the majority of Real Madrid’s squad had a dire season, almost losing their spot in the top two to Atletico Madrid. But would supporters be averse to signing Karim Benzema or Angel Di Maria, both coincidentally are linked with Arsenal?
Cabaye clearly isn’t the all action, all powerful figure some Arsenal supporters may want. Size and stature aside, the Frenchman leans far more towards the Xavis than the Makeleles. He’ll help Arsenal in a big way, though, lifting pressure from both the team and Mikel Arteta. It’s no surprise that Arsenal’s game can begin to crumble in the absence of the former Everton man. As Lillo more than implies, Arteta, in Arsenal’s case, is the engine room and the primary cog that keeps the whole machine ticking over. Replacing or supplementing with Cabaye is one of the most important moves Arsenal will make this summer.
Of course it doesn’t take away from the fact that there isn’t a ‘presence’ in the midfield to stop, say, Gabby Agbonlahor or Scott Parker from marauding through untouched. But Arsenal’s style of play, at least the one that they’re most associated with, leans towards the Barcelona model. The Catalans don’t use a defensive midfielder behind Xavi and Andres Iniesta, despite possessing at least two individuals in the squad who can play that role. The defensive responsibility starts with those high up the pitch, pressing the opposition and forcing turnovers and mistakes. Much like at Borussia Dortmund during their back-to-back title wins, this style of play can negate the need for a tradition holding midfielder. In the case of Arsenal, we’ve certainly seen better pressing and a willingness to do so in the previous two games.
An important point to make is that clubs like Dortmund, Barcelona and now Arsenal need a pivot in the midfield far more than they need a destroyer. Alex Song’s failure at Barcelona thus far – and by that I mean his lack of overall contribution – is that he isn’t good enough to replace Sergio Busquets, the team’s pivot, and he can’t really offer too much at centre-back either. Even if he made a name for himself in England further up the pitch, Arteta plays the pivot role fantastically well for Arsena,l linking the defence and the midfield and offering stability and composure when the team are without the ball.
But then there’s the matter of the fee and whether Cabaye is worth circa £20 million. Reportedly the fee will fall somewhere between £15 million and £20 million, but for arguments sake we’ll go with the higher figure. Cabaye is a title winning, French international. Eden Hazard may have taken most of the plaudits when Lille won the Ligue 1 title, but much like the case with Xavi and Lionel Messi, Rudi Garcia’s team wouldn’t have been as successful without Cabaye in the midfield.
In today’s market, where there really isn’t any moral grey area with clubs throwing obscene amounts of cash around, Cabaye, at 27, for circa £20 million is about right. It’s not so much that Arsenal want him, but more that the club need him. They need him to help appease the fans. They need him because Arteta is out with a lengthy injury and is the wrong side of 30. But importantly, they need him because he perfectly fits the mould of a player who will continue to define the level of football the club want to maintain.
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Is Yohan Cabaye the right target for Arsenal this summer?
Each of the teams vying for a place in the top four in the Premier League have put forward at least one eye-catching display, either domestically or in Europe. Liverpool’s 5-0 win away at Tottenham was their turn to put in a fantastic performance and use it as the impetus to push on.
Tottenham’s performance doesn’t accurately portray the mindset going into this game. Initially, there would have been a feeling from Spurs fans that they could get a result, such has been the recent history of results in this fixture in their favour. At the same time, Liverpool would have been well aware that they were travelling to a top four rival who, recent form aside, are capable of denting their Champions League aspirations. From the outset, no one could have predicted such a gulf in quality.
What Rodgers has now is a reference point for his team when it appears as though their backs are against the wall. They’ve won convincingly at a tough away ground without Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard in the squad. It’s proof that they can do it, and the fact that they put five past Spurs should provide Rodgers confidence that he has players in his team who can not only put in winning performances, but also performances that really make a statement. Tottenham were poor; abject, in fact. Liverpool could have won by two or three goals, or they could have gone for the jugular. The fact that they did is the biggest take away from this result.
Liverpool, however, will need to remain grounded and focused. Nothing has been secured yet. They’ve taken an impressive win that keeps them second in the league and joint on points with Chelsea – a Chelsea team whose riches and resources far outstretch that of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
But as I’ve said on multiple occasions this season, Liverpool are not the finished article. Yes, they were aided in their performance by a Tottenham side who were set up to produce little and in turn work in Liverpool’s favour: the high line deployed by Andre Villas-Boas was the perfect foil for Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, as well as Jordan Henderson’s industrious performance. But not every game will be so inviting.
It’s also not to say that the top four is a sure thing. Liverpool have benefitted from a schedule that sees them play every weekend with no interruptions midweek, but that changes going into the Christmas schedule and beyond, with the FA Cup adding a potential problem. Why is it a problem? We’re not too far removed from Rodgers bemoaning the lack of quality in his squad. As good as Suarez is, will he be able to play every game from now until the end of the season? Sturridge has already suffered a long-term injury and will have to rediscover his form upon his return.
Liverpool needed a performance for themselves, not just as a statement to the rest of the league. They’ve beaten a poor Manchester United team at home and also recorded big wins against West Brom and Norwich. But something else was needed to convince themselves that they do have the killer instinct to put bigger teams away convincingly.
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They played an in-form Arsenal at the start of December and were outplayed, with both Suarez and Sturridge kept relatively quiet. With upcoming games against Chelsea and Manchester City, Rodgers’ side needed a confidence boost of their own abilities in big games. Yes, Tottenham have problems of their own, but the biggest statement is in the size of Liverpool’s win and not just the win itself.
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew hopes the club will attempt to sign more British players in the next transfer window, after claiming there are too many foreign players at St James’ Park, according to the Daily Mail.
Pardew is set to work with the Magpies’ controversial director of football Joe Kinnear in January to bring in new signings, and has claimed his relationship with the Irishman has improved.
“Joe has asked what I want, I’ve told him and it’s his job to get it out of Mike Ashley,” Pardew said.
“We need to look at British players because we’re starting to get filled up with perhaps too many foreigners.”
One English signing Newcastle missed out on in the summer was Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who scored a stunning goal on his England debut against Montenegro on Friday night.
“We weren’t sure; I think that’s where everybody was at the start of the season,” he told Sky Sports when asked about the Townsend deal.
“You’re talking about a high level. We’ve got fantastic players at our football club and is he better than the ones we’ve got?
“I was a bit like “hmm, not sure”. I think (Andre Villas-Boas) was a little bit like that as well.
“But fair play to the lad, he’s come into Tottenham’s team and done terrific and now he’s made that extra step which is great for England and Spurs in particular.”
Pardew has also revealed that Kinnear has been more supportive of the work he is trying to do, while claiming club owner Mike Ashley gets ‘confused and upset’ by the game.
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“I didn’t know Joe at all. So far, you can only take someone as you find them and so far he’s been supportive,” he added.
“He [Mike Ashley] can’t understand the logic of how football works and it confuses him. I think it upsets him.”
West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has an unusual clause in his current Hammers contract that could earn him up to £60,000 a week by the end of January, according to the Daily Telegraph.
A number of clubs have been watching the exciting England under-21 international who has shone for the struggling East London club this season, although big money bids may have to wait until the summer.
The clause in Morrison’s deal means that if West Ham receive a bid of £10million or more, the players’ wages will be quadrupled taking his earning to £60,000-a-week.
The Hammers owners were so keen to ensure the volatile star was happy that they bowed down to his demands, although even though would not have expected the 20 year old to impress in the way he has this season.
With the club struggling to find some funds to buy a striker or two in the January transfer window, a £10million bid may not be immediately dismissed although the players’ £18million release clause is a more likely scenario in the summer.
The empire that Sir Alex built is crumbling; an ageing squad coupled with a misdirected approach to management has seen Manchester United toppled from their throne and condemned to the ignominy of Premier League mid-table mediocrity.
David Moyes may be the ‘Chosen One’ but of late he is proving himself to be the ‘Incompetent One’ as well.
The Scot was faced with the tallest of tasks when joining the Champions last summer, but to date his naïve approach has only done further harm to a club desperately in need of a rebuild. His acquisitions haven’t exactly helped things either; both Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata look to be ill-fitting parts in a creaking United machine. Moyes’ United side are neither resilient nor cavalier, they are unable to form a cohesive attacking unit while also being pretty susceptible at the back. It is hardly surprising therefore that the boo boys are out in force baying for his head.
Yet it isn’t just Moyes that ought to be battening down the hatches at United, a former great and club legend is also facing the wrath of supporters. Targeted for his appointment of Moyes, Ferguson is also the focus of an astonishing barrage of hatred.
This is the man that delivered them 38 trophies in 26 years, including 13 league titles and a couple of European Cup victories to boot. Arguably the greatest manager of all time and a living legend, surely he deserves a little more respect from the fans that he gave his life to?
Legendary status doesn’t make you untouchable. Whilst criticisms of a man that achieved so much seem a little tasteless, many of the grievances are actually justified.
United’s grip on the English game was fading alongside Sir Alex’s tenure, the final Premier League crown was won on borrowed time with an ageing squad readied for one last hurrah under their soon to be departing leader. There was no legacy at United, no real preparation for an era after Ferguson. This was a squad capable of one last great season held together by the aura and reputation of the great man himself.
Retirement planning for Ferguson focused on racehorses and red wine, not Manchester United.
The conspiracy theorists may argue that this was all a ploy by Ferguson to cement his era as the greatest of all; I’d like to think he is a little better than that personally. But clearly there was no great effort over the last few years to ensure this transition was a smooth one.
Should we just blame Sir Alex?
It would be harsh to lay all the blame on the great man himself. Clearly the board have a lot to answer for, allowing a club of such stature to fall so far in such little time is pitiful. But I didn’t expect any less from the Glazer’s, a family yet to really grasp what football means, what is needed for a club like Manchester United to thrive. You can accuse Moyes of being naïve but the United board are even worse for failing to realise the enormity of the task the club faced.
David Moyes’ managerial appointment isn’t the main issue at United, you would struggle to find a manager that would be able to succeed in such a short space of time with the resources he has had available to him. Fans may have wanted Mourinho or Guardiola, but really what would they have done so differently? Sure Moyes has made mistakes, but these aren’t actions alone that explain United’s dramatic fall from grace. The hand had already been dealt last summer and from then on in the task was largely a hopeless one.
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Criticising Ferguson seems ungracious and even a little conceited; but it shouldn’t be. The Scot left the club in the lurch last summer, and weighed upon his so called chosen son an unachievable and somewhat thankless task.
The issues at United go beyond David Moyes’ door and in some ways it is good that fans are starting to realise this.
Ferguson is far from infallible, and even his reputation shouldn’t deflect from the mess he left United in last summer.
In a crazily impressive response to this tournaments noŵ traditional England World Cup shambles the visionaries at the FA are already planning ahead- 20 years ahead in fact.
WOB understands that the FA is looking at the “yet to exist generation of playing talent” and how they can “be born AND made” by creating ENGLAND stud farms all over the country where they might sire, squire and yield the next, next, next, next generation’s victorious England World Cup squad.
Nicknamed the “DIAMOND GENERATION” (because they really are forever) and following Germany’s considerable experience of forward thinking & biological planning, senior FA figures have started using Capital Cup cash and FA cup ticket sales not just to pay for things we can’t legally mention yet but to invest in an elaborate “science” programme.
“Soccer Camps” will select healthy English-qualified women and use genetics, phonetics and ebonetics to create a new breed of so-called ‘Spinal’ players. Not only will these have a spine, like all players, but they will fill key positions of Goalkeeper, Central Defender, Captain, Playmaker with a Haymaker and Big Scary Genius Striker. The recent obsession with who should play left back was, it seems, a smoke-screen to deflect attention from the policy of purposely playing wrong players in key roles to justify this ambitious programme.
Though details are hazy, it appears that DIAMOND children could be created in football shaped test tubes and then implanted somehow into a host, possibly with a plastic spoon or an icing attachment. WOB has already seen an email sent out by the FA to its entire address book, searching for players willing to “seed the fertile host with football talent”, though for many the trail ended in their spam folder after the header ‘are you fertile?’ was used. England greats that have been mooted as possible sources of “material” include David “Goldenballs” Beckham, David “Safe Hands” Seaman and David “Aston” Villa.
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Though even the FA can’t guarantee results, such pedigree will mean that these children of the damned will be born with an innate predisposition for managing a twitter profile, negotiating image rights and dealing with sponsors offering free money. Stage Two, currently mooted to go online in 2054, should deal with defensive structure and ball retention, especially in conditions such as needing to preserve a 1-1 score line in the first round of the World Cup just to stay in the bloody competition.