Arsenal, why you so like that?

The post below were actually written last year, mid-way through the season. Here's my post-mortem of Arsenal's season, with key points that are pretty similar to the post below.

1. If there is any reason why Arsenal cannot win this season, it has to be the defence. I've said it, I'll say it again. Arsenal can't win without a good defence. Its defence is still chaotic and without strong leadership (think Adams and Vieira - no titles ever since then), you get foolish results: Arsenal lead Newcastle 4-0 at HT and drew 4-4 at FT. Arsenal lead Spurs 3-1 and drew 3-3 at FT. Arsenal were looking more likely to score when Birmingham scored the easiest goal of the season to win the Carling cup after a schoolboy defensive mix-up. Arsenal were going to win Liverpool when Eboue gave away a stupid penalty. And the list goes on.

Please get an experienced and proven defender to partner Vermaelen at the centre. The rest are just not good enough.

2. The DM problem is still not resolved which means the back 4 is still poorly protected. No one is a natural ball-winner at Arsenal. We need a Scott Parker.

3. The goalkeeping issue is still an issue. Please get Shay Given. Enough is enough.

4. Who is leaving this time round? I don't know. But 5 years of emptiness can be too much for any players to stomach, even young players.

5. Get a good goalkeeper and central defender, and some star players might stay for another season.

Cheers to all disappointed gooner fans.

Do you know your value?

"In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of value because they were possessed and used by some great person. It is the ownership which gives them worth. It is so with the Christian. The Christian may be a very ordinary person, but he acquires a new value and dignity and greatness because he belongs to God. The greatness of the Christian lies in the fact that he is God's." -- William Barclay

The joy of hindsight - 2010

Woah, it has really been a "long time" since I last blogged. Plenty of ideas but didn't get them logged down.

2010 has been a very eventful year: I finished my studies in bible school, made many good friends with kindred spirit and learned a lot.God has been so so good. He is indeed faithful.

Looking back at the years, not just 2010, I began to understand more and more of God's plans and timing. There are more "aha"s as I looked back and some of my earlier "why"s have been answered. That is why He is God, isn't it? He knows best, does the best, fulfils His plans and everything is in His hands.

"Praise the Lord O my soul, all my inmost being praise His holy name" Ps 103:1

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isa 55:8-9

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" Pro 3:5-6

I think this is really a good way to live life, isn't it? May we always praise the Lord, trust in Him and do all things according to His will.

Welcome 2011.

Football and Spiritual Lessons

We're not into the 2nd half and Arsenal is already 2 goals down. By now, I've stopped watching because 1)I'm very frustrated 2)I don't have the faith to believe they'll equalize, let alone win. I'm very frustrated because they are making the same defensive mistakes. Can you equalize Arsenal? Can you prove me wrong Arsenal? It's too painful to continue watching. I'll know the result tomorrow.

On a sidetrack, there're many spiritual lessons we can learn from football. Examples:
1. I thank God that He is faithful and He will win the day - unlike the uncertainty of Arsenal winning every game. God always win. The result may be 2-0 but He'll win 2-3 or probably more. He'll win - that's for sure - cos He has already won on the cross.

2. Sometimes I wonder if God is feeling as frustrated as me when he watched our lives being played out on earth like a football match. Like Arsenal, we may be smart & having great potential but prone to repeating our mistakes and slow in changing our ways. Don't you think God gets frustrated? My pledge to Arsenal is that I'll remain its supporter no matter what - but I don't have full faith in believing they can win the title or beat Chelsea tonight. God is somewhat similar but very different. His pledge is that He'll remain our God no matter what - and unlike me - He is faithful even when we are faithless(2 Tim 2:13) And as much as He is frustrated and as much as it pains Him to see us fumble like Arsenal, He'll not let go and will cheer us on all the way. What a great God we serve.

Back to the topic, R.I.P Arsenal or prove me wrong.

Tactics & Players Mattered

I'm looking at Arsenal's loss against Man U. Fergie got his tactics spot on and crushed Arsenal. If you haven't notice, Arsenal's tactics are as predictable as a sunrise. The chief reason is the lack of players for them to change tactically, and secondly, they always play the same way!

1. Fergie changed his normal 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1(4-3-2-1) in order to cramp the midfield because that was Arsenal's main attack supply. Without a smooth midfield, Arsenal can't do anything. They suck at long balls, they're not direct enough and they don't depend on wingplay and crosses. So if their passing game is disrupted, Arsenal can hardly attack well.

2. Wenger had little options in attack. I'm sure he's still cursing the Dutch FA. Van Persie was such an integral part of the firing gunners early in the season. Arshavin was isolated up front and he's hardly an out-and-out striker. Notice what happened when Walcott burst down the right wing and whip in a cross? NO GUNNERS were near the box - I only saw 4 Man U defenders in a straight line. Sums up Arsenal's attack yesterday.

3. Fergie got Fletcher or Carrick to snap at Fabregas everytime he got the ball. Fab didn't have much manoeuvre space in the whole game. The man-to-man marking and pressing pushed him off his game and he wasn't really able to push up to attack.

4. Wenger likes denilson a lot. I don't know why. With Song(as acting DM) and Fab playmaking, there is really no space to put him into an already crammed midfield. While Bendtner is not a prolific striker, he can cause plenty of problems up front with his height and running. I would think putting him in(yes, it's a risk when he has just returned from injury) is a better option than putting in denilson. He seems lost in the whole game.

5. Fergie's use of Park Ji Sung in every Arsenal game whenever he's available. That's because Park can attack and runs back to defend with his unlimited stamina and power workrate. He's quick enough too for Arsenal.

6. We've seen enough how susceptible Arsenal is to counter attacks. Man City and Chelsea have shown that and now Man U too. The reason? Not enough protection for two surging fullbacks(wingbacks) and sometimes even surging centrebacks(Gallas and Vermaelen) who got really frustrated sometimes because the midfielders got stuck in their passing game when opponents mark man them. So time and again, Arsenal is badly exposed and not quick enough to recover. Against top teams(who are fast and make their chances really count), that spells doom.

It's really frustrating watching them repeat the same kind of defeats. I wish....

1. I have Van Der Sar, Cech or Given as goalkeepr. Why Wenger chose to stick with Almunia and not bought Given is a mystery. Our goalkeeper is not even good enough to be in a national team!

2. Van Persie is not injured. He would have balanced out Arsenal's lack of strikers.

3. We have more players like Arshavin. Experienced, skillful and top quality. A top class goalkeeper and winger/s would be very much appreciated. (I just don't see Rosicky and Nasri being able to fit into Arsenal. They're too similar to Fab's preference of a centre attacking role. Putting them on the left and right are not working out well)

I hope the next 2 big games would not be a repeat. Else, it's goodbye Arsenal again.

Arsene's Fantasy

I like Arsenal's football but the dream(of winning with a weak defence) is way too flawed.

If you have noticed, Arsenal's defence is weak because:
1. They seldom press for the ball. They tend to have 2-3 players standing around an opponent while giving the opponent enough space to manoeuvre. If you've seen enough Arsenal's matches, many teams have bypassed 2-3 of their players at one go with good, direct passes.

2. They have no strong ball winners in the centre of the park. While I must say Song is getting better, he's hardly in the mould of Patrick Vieira or Flamini - players who not only deliver solid tackles, but wins the ball back with their energy, initiative and determination.

So now we're down 3-0 to Man U and the reasons?
1. Nani skipped past some static standing Arsenal players. The unfortunate Almunia scored an own goal. A repeated pattern of static standing Arsenal players letting opponents through way too easily.

2. Were Arsenal outnumbered at the back when Man U counter attack? NO. The reason was Denilson failed to follow through with Rooney. He ran back but slowed down towards the penalty area for no good reason. By the time Rooney got the ball, none of the Arsenal players was nowhere NEAR him!!! Utterly atrocious!

3. Another counter attack and this time, the defence gone missing. Arsenal is painfully slow in running back(did you notice Song slowing down his run??).

So again, Arsenal have summed up much of its season so far. Good potential, but not good enough. I don't believe a team with a weak defence can win titles. They can leak in goals, but they must be able to defend well. The reason for Arsenal's invincible win in 2003-2004? A solid attack and solid defence.

So Chelsea thrash them 3-0 at the Emirates and now Man U. Highbury used to be a fortress and the Emirates isn't really in the same class. The difference is not so much the place than the players(especially the defence). And Arsenal need a solid leader who can bark at his defence. I rest my case Wenger. You can continue your fantasy but I'm getting tired. So are Arsenal fans. Come on.

Kindred Spirit

Kindred Spirit - "A person whose interests are similar to one's own"

I've found more and more kindred spirits in school and I'm really blessed to learn from them and had the opportunity to share my life's experiences too. Some of them are waiting for God's direction in cross cultural work, some are struggling with institutional policies & structures that baffle, and some had the same passion in a certain area of ministry.

It's been a blessing to have kindred spirits. They encourage one to carry on walking with God in his journey because they understand, they affirm and they make one realised he's not alone.

Thank God for kindred spirits. It's wonderful.

Attending Funerals

"To understand and appreciate more of life, attend more funerals" - Jason Lee

If you've never been to a wake or funeral before, you'll missing out something(plus you probably do not care much about comforting someone going through grief). Go and listen to the message, sermon and testimonies in a wake and you'll find yourself understanding and appreciating more of life.

See you next year Arsenal

It's the same story again. Plenty of possessions, good link play, unable to score and giving away silly goals. By now, Chelsea is 2-0 up at the Emirates and up until that point, Arsenal has dominated.

The first goal is due to poor defending and the second goal's the same. Sounds familiar? Yes. This was the case against Manchester City, Manchester United and now Chelsea. In each game, Arsenal started well, dominated but the game ends in their opponents' favour.

They have yet to win against the big teams and this sums up their entire make up in this season again - Outside title contenders. I'm sorry Arsenal. As much as you miss clichy, gibbs and especially Van Persie in this game, you do not have enough to win the league this season(again).

How much patience do an Arsenal fan has? Not much. 4 years and counting. Au Revoir.

Who is the Real Cause of the Problem?

Senator J William Fulbright in "The Price of Empire", page 172:
"It is understandably difficult... to get off to a good start with a new revolutionary regime when you plot to kill its leaders. If we plan to assassinate leaders we don't like, as the CIA is believed to have done with Castro, you are only asking for trouble. It's self-defeating. It is against our interests. I don't think it ever succeeds. It gives others an excuse to engage in terrorism, to kill our ambassadors or citizens travelling abroad[or at home]. You start a process of terrorism that has far-reaching and unpredictable consequences. There is a good case to be be made that we initiated it. We and some of our friends have initiated some of the worst aspects of modern terrorism."

Sometimes, we thought the problem is out there. But often, upon reflection, the problem begins in-house; in the heart, in the mind and in the supposedly benevolent action. Can we blame terrorism totally on one party? Who actually 'created' them? It's really no use pointing the finger now. I read with much sadness news about lives that are innocently lost in senseless bombings. A week ago it was Pakistan, today it was 90 lives and more in Baghdad. We have not heed the full extent of the phrase "You reap what you sow", especially when it comes to using force and violence as a problem solver - it never truly solves any problem.

Not too long ago, a man stood on stage and in a reflective tone spoke about the problem of 'rice christians' and 'christian workers with shallow roots' in an asean nation. Were the local people the problem? Who 'created' these different 'types' of christians? He concluded by saying, "We(the foreign force) are the cause of it". Let us not repeat the mistakes we have learned the hard way.

Reflection: Going Through the Same Thing

Have you experience God bringing you through different stages over the same issue so that you learn and get better after each one? My lessons on Surrendering is already strike 3. The lesson this time? Compromise. It is already strike 2. I hope I've learned and not repeat it. (very often, it is only after the air is clear, and when reflected upon, that the lesson became as clear as a crystal)

Lesson no.1 - Don't compromise. (The issue's very obvious)
Lesson no.2 - Again, don't compromise. (The issue's less obvious)
Lesson no.3 - I hope I've learned! Hold out and don't compromise!

Don't Forget How to Drive!

What happens when you have not driven for almost 10 years? I realized I can't even park a car properly!

Okay, to begin with, I had little driving experience after I passed my driving test but I was still shocked that I can't park a car(head in) in one simple move.

Moral of the story: If you've learned something and not practice it, you'll lose it sooner or later.

God has given you gifts and everything you need for life and godliness(1 Peter 4:10, 2 Peter 1:3) He has saved you and gave you new life and purpose. Use your gifts to honour Him and practice what He says. Otherwise, you might end up losing your gifts.(Matt 25:14-30)

Therefore, let us "continue to to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose"(Phil 2:12-13). Let's continue to walk the talk. :)