Bergkamp statue

[northbank123]

Following on from what Clash said I really wonder if they have any big plan with the statues. I mean they can't plan on churning them out indefinitely, they must have a rough idea how many more they plan on having.

Don't get me wrong - Adams, Bergkamp and Henry are AFC legends and always will be, and all enjoyed great success at the club. But when you add the inevitable Wenger statue to that you are going to have 4 statues that cover a short period in our overall history.

[robbo10]

This might not be a popular view but I think the statues and the giant murals outside the Emirates are bordering on being grotesque.

As Arsenal supporters, we have a history to be very proud of. A history that far exceeds what we are at the present and for me it is typical of what we are at present that we are choosing to display our history in such a gawdy way. The entire Emirates both inside and outside looks tacky to me and statues of former players are not necessary in my opinion.

In fact I cannot think of one good reason for them other than the club trying to cover up their inadequacies when it comes to act like a real football club. I don’t think the people who run the club have a clue what they are anymore. Remember the big fuss the club made when they brought the clock back into the stadium? There was a big fanfare for something that should have been in the ground from day one. They should have been embarrassed but instead they portrayed themselves as being respectful to our history and traditions.

I accept there is an argument for youngsters seeing the statues of these legends and then learning who they are but I didn’t need to see statues of Ted Drake and Frank McLintock and other players before my time to know who they are … as I’m sure nobody here did.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for celebrating our past legends – seeing Bergkamp and the reception he got last Saturday was my favourite moment of the season. But I would have preferred him just returning as a guest of honour for the day or something.

Also football is a team game. Singling out individuals is not always right because of who it excludes. Concentrating on one era isn’t right either. The 3 statues we have so far all played in the same team. Where are the players from the 30s or the 1971 double team?

The problem with statues is that it creates a sort of pecking order. Some players get left out altogether and even those who get done might be made to feel less important than those who were done before them. I would also question why Henry got a statue before Bergkamp? Bergkamp was at the club first, he was with us longer, he didn’t leave us for another club, arguably he was actually a better player and he is retired -which personally I think should be the case for anyone having a statue made of them. Which reminds me … making a bust of Wenger while he is still in charge was both an appalling and damaging decision.

I just wonder why in our 93 years at Highbury the did the club not feel the need to commission statues? Or plaster giant images of former heroes onto the façade of the stadium? Was it because we had class? We knew how to do things in a classy and understated way?

Where do we draw the line with these statues? Will we eventually end up with a statue of a shirtless Eboue milking the applause of his adoring public like he used to do at the end of every game?

I realise I am rambling on a bit (okay a lot) about something that doesn’t really matter but I can’t help thinking the way the club are honouring our past is too forced and too false.

Outstanding post sir,

[Sam59]

I'd prefer an area of the ground, freely accessible to all, which had classy photos of all of our best players from the early days to the present day.
Very uncomfortable with a bust of a serving manager too.
Do any other clubs have statues or busts of their past players all round the ground?

[Theoperator]

I'd prefer an area of the ground, freely accessible to all, which had classy photos of all of our best players from the early days to the present day.
Very uncomfortable with a bust of a serving manager too.
Do any other clubs have statues or busts of their past players all round the ground?

Oh yes- Fulham have a Mr M Jackson

All the players are pictured in a massive "montage" over the years as if in one great line up, not far from DB10

I like the large murals, they really add to the stadium IMHO, all looking inwards to the stadium. The players are all together from different eras, something about them underneath and a nice touch if anyones noticed is that their kit is as it was at the time- shorts at different lengths etc.

I know there is at least one statue at quite a few grounds. its increasingly common as is blue plaques on peoples houses- there is barely an area in central London without a Land Girl Window Cleaner or Winston Churchill popping up. I dont see it as an "Arsenal" thing, its just an increasingly popular thing- maybe casting methods etc are better and easier these days.

Agree there should be a plan, but apart from a project when did we have a plan on the pitch

[DB10GOONER]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... paign=1490

Yes I know who wrote it, and where, but still, even by their standards this is really hilarious.

Suppose we better knock the statue down

I read that "article" as far as this line;

"That goal at Newcastle? I’ve always thought it was more luck than technique..."

And then I just stopped. That one line discredits this fucking mong as not only a jounalist but as a human being. Hope he catches syphilis off his own sister. Prize prick.

[QuartzGooner]

@Clash


I think the number of statues should be limited to keep them special, perhaps one or two more (Drake, McLintock, Brady?) and then that is enough?

I like the large player murals.
I also like the photos of players around the outside of the ground, they span the different eras and respectfully have a written explanation about why each player has been chosen.
One of the things the club has done correctly and deserves credit for.

[clockender1]

no way should Wenger get a statue - not unless they put George Allison, Tom whitaker and Bertie Mee up first - all had a great effect on the clubs History.

Allison - Arsenal's first back to back to back title winner. Programme Editor for Woolwich Arsenal, then Director, Club Secretary, Managing Director and then our manager

Whittaker - player then Herbs trainer, revolutionsed the game, then our manager for 8 years, if it hadn't been for the war he would of won way more than two titles.

Mee - Arsenal's first European Trophy, First Double.

Historically Wenger is with GG i think - 7 trophies in 16 years, to GG's 6 in 9.

[Clash]

@Clash


I think the number of statues should be limited to keep them special, perhaps one or two more (Drake, McLintock, Brady?) and then that is enough?

I like the large player murals.
I also like the photos of players around the outside of the ground, they span the different eras and respectfully have a written explanation about why each player has been chosen.
One of the things the club has done correctly and deserves credit for.

Fair enough mate.

I agree with putting a limit on the statues and also agree with the 3 names you mention if there are to be more. That would provide a better balance of different eras.

I still think the murals are over the top though. They seem life an after-thought to me. Done to cover the grey concrete exterior. These murals wouldn’t have been necessary if the design had been more pleasing on the eye and the stadium didn’t look like an airport terminal.

Of course Highbury was surrounded by houses on 3 sides of the ground so it didn’t have the same problem of looking good outside or such a big area to fill but the East stand façade that we could see was pure class. The simplicity of red letters spelling out A R S E N AL S T A D I U M was just right.

I think the contrast in the stands past and present reflects the contrast in the club. Understated class and style that oozed history quickly becoming a somewhat gawdy commercial brand forced to stick a giant Emirates logo on the outside.

And I appreciate what you’re saying about the written explanations on the photos outside the ground but who are these explanations aimed at? Surely more towards the one-off or first time visitors and not the life-long hardcore support? Unfortunately things like this do not help dispel the feeling that the club is geared too much towards appealing to tourist types.

Anyway it’s all just personal preference I suppose and there are more important things to worry about but I do think it’s a shame we have gone down this route.

[StuartL]

Ken fucking Friar

Yes he has been a "loyal servant" to our club, on a not inconsiderable sum no doubt, but he has now had a statue of him as a wee lad placed by the Ken Friar Bridge ffs

Have we no shame ?

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... re-special


They appear to have missed off the giant pole sticking out of his arse !!

[Perryashburtongroves]

By this time next week, anyone who has ever watched Arsenal will have a statue of them outside the ground.

[Dan_85]

Ken fucking Friar

Yes he has been a "loyal servant" to our club, on a not inconsiderable sum no doubt, but he has now had a statue of him as a wee lad placed by the Ken Friar Bridge ffs

Have we no shame ?

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... re-special


They appear to have missed off the giant pole sticking out of his arse !!

It'll be the Ken Friar Stadium the next time the naming rights come around. That lot on the board sure do enjoy slapping themselves on the back eh? How about instead of fucking around building bridges, statues and congratulating each other on how great they are, they actually start acting like directors of an actual proper football club again?

[Theoperator]

Well at least the Lord and master has a Stand named after him already , but typical Board left an L hanging in the middle of the stands name

[Arsenal Till I Die]

Absolute genius, Arsenal legend and adores the club.....love to see him back in some/major capacity. Have to confess though finding his book slightly hard work.....does that make me a bad person as I absolutely love the bloke!?

Did you buy the Dutch version?

[DB10GOONER]

Ken fucking Friar

Yes he has been a "loyal servant" to our club, on a not inconsiderable sum no doubt, but he has now had a statue of him as a wee lad placed by the Ken Friar Bridge ffs

Have we no shame ?

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... re-special


They appear to have missed off the giant pole sticking out of his arse !!

Dear fucking Christ... is it April Fools day?

Seriously though... WTF??!!

When are we unveiling the statue of that squirrel that ran on the pitch that time...?

[arseofacrow]

By this time next week, anyone who has ever watched Arsenal will have a statue of them outside the ground.

Utopia.