Testimonials past and present

[VoiceOfReason]

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, it felt like I was at Highbury for a testimonial every other week. Tony Adams had a couple, then there was Alan Smith, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Paul Merson, David O' Leary, Martin Keown, and of course Dennis Bergkamp - whose match opened the Emirates.

Since then, we haven't really been close to having any, partly due to the lack of loyalty in modern football and partly due to our best players leaving to seek their fortunes elsewhere. However, for the first time in recent memory, there are a couple of possibilities on the horizon! I don't think Rosicky will necessarily make it to 2016 - but then I didn't think he'd make it to 2010 - but he's a candidate. So too is Walcott (also 2016). I can definitely see Theo's happening, as I think he would've left by now if he was going to - and I don't think he's in hot demand, by any stretch. Further ahead is Kieran Gibbs, if he makes it to 2017.

Would anybody actually go to any of these? Will the club even carry on the tradition? Several years ago, I thought it'd be a good idea have a Wenger farewell game, featuring all the players during his time at the club, but I don't think that's guaranteed either. It's not like he needs the money (nor do any of them, to be honest, but I'm assuming the testimonial isn't purely about the cash - it's about recognising and thanking your longest-serving players).

[Herd]

abous up in 2016

[Perryashburtongroves]

I think there would be lots of support for a Wanker farewell game. The sooner, the better.

[remigardeshair]

The original premise of testimonials was to give said player a bumper pay day so that they could plough the proceeds into a pub or sports shop which would then inevitably go bust within a year.

Not exactly needed now although its good to get the opportunity to thank said player - The tendency these days is for the money made to be given to charity (I think Tone gave his to the Sporting Chance thing).

If we get enough money for Abou we can do a Steve Austin on him and make him all bionic.

[clockender1]

djourou was due one this year - as was denilson or Bendtner i think....

they used to be a mark of recognistion - i remember David O'Leary's like yesterday.

lower level clubs still have them, for the reasons mentioned above - it is to help fund the players retirement - Peter Osgood bought a Pub in Windsor, Steve Perryman bought a sports store in Hayes (and Norway oddly).

with todays wages the money is not needed- but the recognition should be, but to be honest, most of our players have been robbing us for the last 10 years so i wouldn't go unless it was for a very good cause like Bob Wilson's Willow Foundation or Rocky's.

[robbo10]

djourou was due one this year - as was denilson or Bendtner i think....

they used to be a mark of recognistion - i remember David O'Leary's like yesterday.

lower level clubs still have them, for the reasons mentioned above - it is to help fund the players retirement - Peter Osgood bought a Pub in Windsor, Steve Perryman bought a sports store in Hayes (and Norway oddly).

with todays wages the money is not needed- but the recognition should be, but to be honest, most of our players have been robbing us for the last 10 years so i wouldn't go unless it was for a very good cause like Bob Wilson's Willow Foundation or Rocky's.

I remember O'Leary's,didnt his brother play? I remember Celtic being murder all night in the streets and Clock End

[clockender1]

yes he did. i don't remember any Celtic having a pop at us - some of our lot were wearing those half an half in the North Bank.

Rangers though were absolute c unts when they came - lobbing bottles indiscriminantly.

[robbo10]

yes he did. i don't remember any Celtic having a pop at us - some of our lot were wearing those half an half in the North Bank.

Rangers though were absolute c unts when they came - lobbing bottles indiscriminantly.

Nah not having a pop at Arsenal, I just remember walking down Blackstock Road with my old man and drunk Scots all over the show,outside pubs and even in the ground,they must have been drinking all day!

[gp543]

Rosicky will be eligible at the end of his current contract. I would love to attend that.

[clockender1]

robbo - oh yeah. they were all shitfaced. i heard there was a massive clean up operation that night at Euston - piss and sick and bodies everywhere as most of them had no hotels to go to.

[This Is The Daybreak]

Can't wait for Abou Diabys in a year or two. Though he probably wont be fit.

[VAVAVOOM 14]

Can't wait for Abou Diabys in a year or two. Though he probably wont be fit.

Diaby will be injured at his own funeral... (or something like that)

[brucegrove]

The original premise of testimonials was to give said player a bumper pay day so that they could plough the proceeds into a pub or sports shop which would then inevitably go bust within a year. .

[SteveO 35]

January 2016 - I'll be there at Abou's !

[Rugby Gooner]

I went to the Martin Keown testimonial just after the Invincible Season. It was a cracking sultry September evening. Wrighty played, and swapped his shirt with a lad in the crowd, Beckham defied his Real Madrid "orders" to just kick off them come off until they were about to come on the pitch and drag him off,(he was replaced by Gazza). I still have the programme somewhere, good days!!!