EX-ARSENAL PLAYERS .. LOVE EM OR HATE EM ?!!?

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:45 pm

Red Carpet wrote:He was their manager !! .. beating us is clearly going to be quite special given his history with club.

If you left your work place of 20 years, for example, and played against your old company you would love to get one over on them. Its not bitterness, just natural given your association.

Jsut think it would give us a bit of class to show a bit of appreciation. Yes, there are exceptions, Ashley clearly being one of them, but I don't care for abuse for abuses sake, which I think we have seen in the past.

I have no problem with ex managers or players celebrating a goal or a win against us. But within reason. O'Leary went WAY over the top running up and down the pitch, jumping in the air and roaring and screaming like Leeds had just won the league.

I watched that match with about 50% Gooners, 50% Leeds in a pub in Spain and even the Leeds lads were embarrassed by O'Leary's f*cking around. He had just handed the league to our main rivals and one of the teams Leeds traditionally hate.

One of our lot asked them if they were gonna do a bustop trip through Leeds city centre now they were champions!! And, in fairness to them, they laughed and then had a few bevs with us to comiserate. Decent lads, most of them that night.

So sure, celebrate, fine. But don't go over the top. I too have disliked O'Leary a bit since that. Even though I met him the night Chippy pissed me off and O'Leary was a gent then.

Actually, I hate the way O'Leary talks total sh*te about every team he manages. For some good insider info on how O'Leary was hated by his fellow Irish players (AND the English ones with Irish grannies!!

) read Tony Cascarino's excellent autobiography.

There is some hilarious stuff in there. Like the fact his own "Irish" grannie was actually Italian and he didn't qualify to play for Ireland at all!!! AND the fact that Big Jack found out and told him to keep schtum!

Genius.

Red Carpet · Post by **Red Carpet** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:56 pm

I'm still not convinced that one moment of madness should wipe out 20 years of loyal service, many of which he was one of the most accomplished centre backs in Europe playing for a team that were far from competitive.

I do love the story about his Gran though ... priceless !!.

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:05 pm

Red Carpet wrote:I'm still not convinced that one moment of madness should wipe out 20 years of loyal service, many of which he was one of the most accomplished centre backs in Europe playing for a team that were far from competitive.

I do love the story about his Gran though ... priceless !!.

Cascarino's gran, not DO'L's. Just to avoid any confusion!!!

I agree O'Leary was a great player but he was a twat after that Leeds game. He has said some cr*p about us since too and winding Bobby up, etc.

He deffo went down in my estimation.

gus ceasar is a legend · Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:19 pm

I think you have to take things into context!

Wrighty I remember saying he was born to play for West Ham! You what!

Merson said a few comments that were a little below the belt considering what the club did for him!

Pires has even said he thought Henry should join him in Spain and we love Bobby!

Also dont forget to ask yourselves why Tony Adams had to tell the world Viera had dodgy legs and that he would be suprised if he could play top class football in a couple of years time. Was that in the best interests of Arsenal?

Most of the time I think these comments are best ignored!

JakeN13 · Post by **JakeN13** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:23 pm

Martin Keown...can anybody with a red and white heart have anything bad to say about him? I think he truly loved the club and the things he say on the unbeaten dvd almost bring a tear to my eye. Like when he says he told Wenger he needed to play Toure a regular centre back...even though that meant taking his place. I also remember him doing something for ITV when we played Zagreb last season and still refering to Arsenal as "we" and "us".

Dennis Bergkamp, Didn't say a bad word about the club while he was here or afterwards. I also find it quite increadable he never really was linked to other clubs during his time here...not seriously anyway.

Kolo Toure, Has been a hero since he came to the club and just got on with his job...good or bad times. He signs contracts without ay fuss and always seem 100% commited to The Arsenal. However, this is what I would have said about a certian Cashly 3 years ago as well so I won't say too much just yet.

Post by **Belfast Boy** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:19 am

Everything that has been said about O'Blarney has been spot on, he has burnt his bridges many times not least with the way he reacted when TiTi scored that quick free kick against him at Villa and yet celebratin like fuck when Ian Harte done the same thing against us while under him at Leeds, and even when asked about that fact in the post match interview he retorted that it wasn't the same thing!
According to everyone who knew him he was an arrogant bastid and even PHW lays the blame for Leeds' demise not at Risdale's door but at our former centre back for his poor record in the transfer market leaving the club with very few assets come the garage sale!
As far as Pennant goes he was already on his last warning and the final straw came when he wrecked (was it Ledley King's???) motor while drivin whilst disqualified, blitzed and at 2am even tho the club had a game the next day and then he'd the cheek to slag us off for not givin him a chance and then when Steve Bruce went public sayin that he was prepared to give him a clean slate he turned up pissed for training!
But I think we always give ex players who have left on good terms a warm reception, cos most do leave with fond memories of their time with us!