FURTHERMORE-
both AFTV and even our own resident arsenal thread have been on the opposing side of me for years. the exact same way that i’ve been right about xhaka, havertz, shaka, quinn, ehlinger, GoT, ted lasso, rick & morty, etc etc etc, despite vociferous and indefatigable opposition by the masses, i invariably find myself in the very very very small minority, only to find myself once again proven correct when the dust settles.
AFTV shouts that the sky is falling and want to sack arteta every time they speak. they are retards. that said, after 18-24 months under arteta even our own thread wanted to sack him, almost exclusively, except for me. i never wavered in believing in his project, and the club is now miles ahead of where it was when he took over. since then time has gone on, and now we all are incredibly thankful for mikel and his coaching and vision. i said that he needed more time and more of his own players, and i was right then, and im right now.
the only difference this time around (as opposed to quinn, sam, GoT, etc), is that this time i’m the one person preaching future success, and not underachievement or failure. in all of those other cases people either laughed or lost their minds because i said, “player/coach/tv show ‘x’ is not as good as you think it is.” this time, unflinchingly, ive been steadfast in my support of arteta, and considering where arsenal was when he took over and where we are now, its frankly an indictment on your intelligence to act like he hasn’t done an outstanding job and been one of the best managers in europe during his time in charge.
i have never been a blind optimist- far from it. i am a realist who only makes strong declarations when i’m well versed in what it is that i’m talking about, and time and time again i tell the masses they are wrong and i end up being proven right. you’d think people would learn, but they never do. at this point it’s wild to me that anyone still needs to see more from arteta to call him a success or a great manager, but i suppose it shouldn’t surprise me considering the people it’s coming from.
you know who i mean- the people who crush arsenal for finishing 2nd in the epl and 3/4th in the CL with the worst injury record in the league, yet can’t find 1/10th of the criticism for any other club in the league, not even mighty spurs and man u. the same people who cream their pants because forest will finish 9th but who think Arsenal underachieved with half their squad missing. the same people who think that their club could suffer the same injuries and do better. yeah. those people.
i would never out and out wish injury on any athlete who hasn’t raped or killed someone, but if the entire liverpool starting xi were to all tear their acls on the same day this september i would just be giddy with anticipation for their results going forward.