TBIF – The Weekly Gunners Town Crew Review

Friday The 1st May, 2015

Welcome to Thank Bergkamp It’s Friday – where members of the Gunners Town writing team gather to take a look at the Arsenal week that’s just passed. It’s a simple format, really – each week, a smattering of our eclectic scribes will select a HERO, a VILLAIN, a HIGHLIGHT, and a LOWLIGHT from the previous seven days.

Lastly they will share what is in their ‘HEADLIGHTs‘, which could be a player to watch, a worry for a forthcoming match, a potential banana-skin to look out for…. 

We’d love to know what you think: do you agree/disagree? Did we miss something? If you would like to participate, please add your selections in the Comments below…

-~• HERO •~-

A shout out to a person/organization that you feel has done something praiseworthy in the past week.

Matt: Michael Oliver. Chelsea should have had a penalty. He didn’t give it. Lucky us.

Paul: Hector Speedy Gonzales Bellerin. What’s the use of having blistering pace if you don’t use it every now and then to brilliantly header away a certain goal? #offsides #controversial

(See it in this great Vine, by Arsenalist)

Dave: Hector Bellerin was one of the few players who came out of the tough encounter with Chelsea with an enhanced reputation. Debuchy has his work cut out.

Awolowo: Ozil. Been instrumental in the last few weeks and it’s telling our two best chances against the Champions elect fell to him.

Andrea: The goalless draw against Chelsea stopped our winning streak but there are positives, one of them is definitely Hector Bellerín. This young fella didn’t have my full trust going into the game but managed to proved me wrong big time. His mature display and composure were great, I’m glad I was totally wrong. Keep it up, boy!

HERO of the Week: Hector Bellerin

-~• VILLAIN •~-

A shout-down to a person/organization that you feel has done something shameworthy in the past week.

Matt: David Ospina. Had Wojciech Szczesny smashed into Oscar in the same way that the Colombian did, he’d have been getting killed for it by the fans. Big Dave deserves to be treated no differently.

Paul: PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). These are the feckers who fix the referees for each match, amongst other things. After the Arsenal – Chelsea game, they released a statement saying that “…Michael Oliver may have changed his decision if he saw [Ospina’s collision with Oscar] again.” And broadcasters shamelessly reported it, without question. The brilliant Tim Todd (@7amkickoff) covers why this is so offensive in this great blog.

Dave: Sorry, but Wenger for me this week. He settled for a draw in my opinion and only went for it in the last 10 minutes. No width which was the only way to attack and frighten Chelsea. The title was a long shot but we threw the towel in at home whne we at the very least could have sent out a message for next season.

Awolowo: Santi Cazorla. No, this isn’t reluctantly singling out a scape goat, but Santi hasn’t been at the level I saw him in Jan and Feb. Looks jaded to me.

Andrea:  What is wrong with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s mom?!? Madam, you can’t throw threats at the Arsenal’s coaching staff or confront Dick Law at London Colney! What is this threat of withdrawing your son from the team?!? Your boy is a professional football player who already made his debut for the Arsenal – you are not helping his career! Like as it was not enough embarrassing to drive him to and back from the training ground………

VILLAIN of the Week: Santi Cazorla

-~• HIGHLIGHT •~-

The most memorable or poignant moment of the past week. Typically an event, rather than a person/organization.

Matt: All the photoshops of Arsene Wenger’s head on top of the model for the club’s Lanvin shoot. So disturbing that it’s genius.

Paul: Everton beating Man Utd. Anything that slows down the chasing hounds serves our quest for 2nd.

Dave: Well, Cesc’s getting booked for diving was pretty funny particularly as Andrea has predicted it in his blog before the match on GT.

Awolowo: Starting and ending the Chelsea game like a house on fire.

Andrea: Hard to tell. We were all expecting a win against Chelsea, the draw left a bitter taste in our mouths…I’d like to take this opportunity to celebrate Leah Williamson’s PFA Women Young Player of the Year award! This 18-year old lady is showing the path to some guys who find it hard to blossom…

Here’s lookin’ at you, Boss!

HIGHLIGHT of the Week: Arséne Wenger Catwalk

-~• LOWLIGHT •~-

The most forgettable or disappointing moment of the past week. Typically an event, rather than a person/organization.

Matt: The ‘do we, don’t we’ debate over clapping Cesc Fabregas. I’d rather dump in my hands and clap than have to argue with people about this issue.

Paul: Not putting Chelsea to the sword. I’m not convinced that we did our utmost to win that game. Mourinho is rightly criticized for his tactics, and I’m not saying that Wenger wasn’t a little bit bold. But that was one game where I would have loved us to be a lot bit bolder.

Dave: Alexis and Ramsey continually cutting in and turning back and the fullbacks offering no overlap for 80 minutes v Chavs.

Awolowo: Failing to score against Mourinho’s side since his return to England, let alone win.

Andrea: Thirteen is not our lucky number. Again we couldn’t win against a team managed by José Mourinho. We had some chances – we squandered all of them. With so many gifted players, it’s a shame we couldn’t really test Courtois’ handling skills. Tight games are won by a moment of brilliance, none of our players could create one.

Looking forward to the day he has to explain a 5-0 loss to the Specialist In Failure.

LOWLIGHT of the Week: Jose Mourinho Remains Unbeaten

-~• HEADLIGHT •~-

A prediction or warning for the week ahead. Perhaps a banana skin that we need to look out for; the return of a player; something you are looking forward to…

Matt: Be prepared for how bored you’re going to be this weekend having to wait until Monday for Arsenal.

Paul: I’d like to see Crystal Palace beat Chelsea on Sunday. And then Liverpool beat them at the Bridge the following Sunday. Then Chelsea would have to win the league at West Brom. On a Monday night. (Hopefully in the rain).

Dave:I will stay with the same until Wenger makes the decision as one of Ramsey or Santi must miss out (unless Santi reverts to left, and Alexis moves to right to allow Ramsey to play with Coq)… Although I have a feeling we will see Jack Wilshere v Hull.

Awolowo: The big test at Hull, who’re fearless at the moment.

Andrea: Hull City away is not the most exciting fixture ever but a win there could spring us to second place – again – and gave us a three-points advantage on Manchester City and open a four-points gap with Manchester United. Steve Bruce’s men will be aiming to take another step away from the relegation zone after beating Liverpool, we must beware their enthusiasm and confidence.

Could we see Jack back against Hull?

HEADLIGHT of the Week: Hull City Away

Special thanks to this week’s contributors:

Matt: 

Paul: 

Dave: 

Awolowo: 

Andrea: 

GT Crew