Neil Symington

Films, TV, Music, Fitness, Finance, Technology and The Arsenal.

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@mike_mmcdonald Sorry to hear you’ve lost your job Mike… You’ll be writing about Arsenal full time soon!

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

The Arsenal.

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

CHAMPIONS

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@henrywinter Great words Henry… Much appreciated. 👍

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@mike_mmcdonald Hold the back page Mike..

[Footysm ⚽️ @Footysm]

🚨🚨🗣️ Wayne Rooney on West Ham United vs Arsenal Game: 🤯

“People keep talking about individuals, moments, luck, referees and all the rest of it, but when I watch Arsenal, I see a proper football team. I see a side that is coached at the very highest level. Honestly, if you don’t rate this Arsenal team or you can’t understand the level of football they’re playing, then I’m sorry, you simply do not know football. And I’m saying that as someone who’s played the game at the top level for years.

This Arsenal side are unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. They are so compact, so organised, so disciplined in everything they do. There are no gaps, no panic, no unnecessary risks. Every single player understands his role. When you watch them, you almost don’t even see individuals anymore, you see a programme. You see a machine. Everything is synchronised. It takes a very high football IQ and tactical understanding to truly appreciate the level this team operates at.

People will watch them and say ‘they’re boring’ or ‘they’re robotic’, but do you know what I call it? Elite. I call it winning football. I call it a team that knows exactly who they are. There’s a reason they leave no lapses for opponents. There’s a reason teams struggle to break them down. There’s a reason they control matches the way they do. That doesn’t happen by accident.

I backed Arsenal from the very beginning of the season to win this league and people laughed at me. People told me City would walk it, people said Arsenal would bottle it again, but look where we are now. Two games left and Arsenal are on the verge of becoming champions. And honestly, I’m delighted for them because they deserve it.

The fans deserve it as well. Arsenal supporters have waited a long, long time for this feeling. They’ve gone through years of frustration, banter, disappointment, nearly moments, false dawns, all of it. But they stayed patient. They kept believing in the club, believing in the process, believing in the manager and the players. Now they’re finally about to get rewarded for that patience.

I think Mikel Arteta deserves enormous credit because what he’s built is not just a good side, it’s a culture. There’s standards there now. Serious standards. Every player fights for each other, every player works, every player sacrifices. That’s why they’re champions in my eyes.

And I’ll say this as a Manchester United man, this is the level I want Manchester United to get back to. This is the standard. Watching Arsenal now reminds me of what elite football clubs should look like. The control, the hunger, the mentality, the structure. When you get to this level, football becomes enjoyable again for the fans because they trust their team completely.

Arsenal fans can finally smile again because this team has given them something to be proud of. And I genuinely believe this is only the beginning for them. I think they’re going to do great things over the next few years.

So to everyone who laughed at my prediction earlier in the season, you’re not laughing now. Maybe it’s time people start respecting this Arsenal side properly because what they’re doing is special.”

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Will Arsenal be worthy champions if they get over the line? There is plenty of criticism of Arsenal's football, the set-piece arts/dark arts, the antics of Arteta in the technical area, and triumphalism of some fans such as the one with that presumptuous “champions” shirt. Throw in the usual club tribalism and that season-defining VAR decision (correct call but officials inconsistent in punishing grappling this season) and there’s plenty of antipathy towards Arsenal.

But it is a truism universally acknowledged that the team that finish top first are worthy champions. It’s a marathon of 38 sprints and Arsenal have demonstrated the required ability, character and stamina. They have had their mentality questioned all season (and before). From Raya to Rice, Gabriel to Gyokeres, all of the squad have shown resilience. Battlers, not bottlers. Rice in particular embodies their will to win.

It’s good to see a club keeping faith in a talented manager during the near-misses; keeping financial balance (top with fourth largest wage bill); and building a squad so that hugely capable players can come off the bench and make a big difference as Odegaard did against West Ham. And isn’t it more refreshing to see a range of champions (if they do hold on)? Five different clubs have been champions since Arsenal in 2004.

It’s also important to see a club committed to their academy, creating a pathway for Saka, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman and others, and giving them a chance to shine; it’s good for sustainability, culture and connection with fans. It’s encouraging to see a club working with fans to improve atmosphere (tifos, coach greets). 

Off-field, too. All clubs have vital community departments; Arsenal in the Community is widely acknowledged as the oldest and one of the most impactful at home and abroad with around 100 full-time and part-time staff. There is much good about Arsenal. If they do hold on, Arsenal will be worthy champions on and off the pitch. #AFC

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@henrywinter Wet well said Henry… 👏

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

Great win for The Arsenal now it’s the darts… 🎯 Bring it on!

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

1-0! Get in…

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

Gotta be a pen! #AFCvEFC #afc

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@DelaneyMan @BigIssue That’s a very touching and class bit of writing fella… Think it would make him smile and give you a respectful nod. 👏

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@NatChatsBall Happy 41st Birthday… You wear it well Gooner! 👍🥳👏

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@GunnersTown Cracking read Mike.. Love your insights. 👍

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@mike_mmcdonald Looking forward to it fella! 💪

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@mike_mmcdonald My pleasure Mike… 👍

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

A great read as always from Mike… If you’re a Gooner you should def check this out. #afc

[Mike McDonald @mike_mmcdonald]

‘In the end, it’s quality’

NEW post 🎈

https://t.co/Ew4hpO6e8s

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@mike_mmcdonald Great read, as always fella… 👍

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@Gazwthegooner Well said fella… His overall contribution is vastly under appreciated .

[Neil Symington @NeilSymington]

@ClaireGronland Merry Christmas Buddy!