An Interview with the Arsenal Manager-a young fan's story

SJ234 · September 9, 2007

good update

Mambaman · September 13, 2007

Thanks SJ-this new situation with Jake will allow him to stay very close to the action hehe (Liverpool away in the FA Cup next hmmmm)

Mambaman · September 16, 2007

Saturday 16th January 2010 at the Emirates Stadium 1230hrs

Jake struggled to keep the camcorder from shaking as they sat in the Manager's warm and spacious office: here he was interviewing Garth Crooks who was interviewing Ben Amponsah. It was a surreal situation to say the least and one which he had not had any time to prepare for as Ben had only warned him off about the BBC interview for Football Focus when he had arrived at the stadium that frosty January morning.

Amponsah had noted the flustered look on Jake's face and the hot flush that came to his cheeks.

'It's only Garth Crooks Jake: he's a bit annoying really but not a difficult interview-just stay in the background and he wont notice you.'

So here they were and Garth had already trawled through the usual raft of vacuous questions: would Arsenal retain their slender lead at the top? What were Ben's thoughts on the excellent 2-0 away FA Cup tie win at Liverpool? Did the subsequent 2-0 away defeat at Newcastle hurt their title hopes? Did it feel good to get revenge last Wednesday by beating Spurs 2-0 here at fortress Emirates? Arsenal now had a remarkable record of 10 wins and only 1 draw there this season so would Fulham provide any threat this afternoon?

Jake rolled his eyes heavenward. What did he think? Who told him to ask these questions? There had been a couple of nuggets amongst the dross though including: what had happened to Fernando Torres's form of late? A good question and one that Ben had discussed with Jake during the Christmas period. The fact was that the Spaniard had only scored 2 goals in the whole of December and only 1 at the beginning of January so it was with a collective sigh of relief that the club had welcomed the Captain, Henry, back to the fray for the game against Newcastle. He wasn't able to influence that dismal game when they had been outfought and outplayed all over the pitch but he'd only had 20 minutes. He certainly did influence the following game against Spurs, though, scoring the 1st goal in 50 seconds in typical Henry style, beating about 4 Spurs defenders and the goalie with a 50 yard run and arrowed shot into the top corner of the net. It was a joyous welcome back indeed!

So Torres was now warming the bench and having a well-earned rest and there was further good news in that the mercurial midfielder, Augusto was also back for this afternoon's game against Fulham. Jake had struck up an unlikely friendship with the Brazilian and was using it to practise his Spanish for his A-Levels (Spanish, French and German). He would ask Renato to speak to him in his broken English and he would respond in Spanish, which was partially understood by the South American. Any words that they got stuck on they asked Torres to help out on as he spoke both Spanish and English fluently.

'Jake!' It was Ben waking him from his reverie. 'Garth wants a few words with you....'

He had to be joking right? Jake felt an icy cold creeping over him: if Garth wanted to interview him didnt this mean he would be on National Television? They were both looking at him expectantly and Garth was waving the BBC Camera crew over.

'You stay filming young man' Garth said in that extremely patronising way of his 'just a few questions...'

But all Jake could see as he smiled through gritted teeth was the satisfied look on Ben's face and the effort to suppress a full bodied roar of laughter. He'll pay for this Jake thought, also supressing his own mirth-he'd really pay for this...........

Mambaman · September 21, 2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Fortress Emirates is breached at last The Independent Thursday 21st January 2010

Arsenal 0

Liverpool 1 (Kuyt 9)

Sam Wallace writes

They are calling it 'the Amponsah 2 Step': 2 steps forward and 1 step back and this was a giant step backwards. Where to start? The turgid performance in front of 70,000 of their own fans? The inability to put any sort of meaningful pressure on a Liverpool side who came with negativity on their minds? The first defeat at an Emirates that has yielded up a win rate of 95% so far this season? The continuing injury problems that have now added Tevez to the list? The list is endless-have the wheels finally come off the Arsenal bandwagon?

Arsenal are now sinking down the form charts and Manchester United who are only 4 points behind with a game in hand are above them: if this continues it will be the Northern club that retains their title. Amponsah's stormy countenance in the post match Press Conference and his defiant assertion to Benitez that he would best Liverpool next time around are beginning to sound like the hollow ravings of a manager who knows the game is up. Or will we be saying at the end of the season that Amponsah saw what was wrong and made the necessary moves. Present form indicates not........... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mambaman · September 21, 2007

Friday 22nd January 2010 at London Colney

Pat Rice and Ben Amponsah were poring over the squad list which was spread on the Arsenal Manager's spacious Oak table.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> 1st in English Premier Division

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| GK | PR | Gianluigi Buffon | GK | Very Good | 7-6-7-7-7 | 98% | 33 | - | 7.21 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| DR | Rst | Micah Richards | D RC, DM | Superb | 7-7-7-7-6 | 95% | 32 | - | 7.38 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| DL | Wnt | GaÃ«l Clichy | D/WB L | Good | 8-8-8-6-7 | 93% | 4 (6) | 1 | 7.10 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| DC | | William Gallas | D LC | Superb | 7-7-7-7-7 | 100% | 30 (1) | 1 | 7.26 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| DC | | Philippe Senderos | D C | Very Good | 7-7-7-7-6 | 98% | 7 (5) | - | 7.17 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| MR | | Aliaksandr Hleb | AM RC | Okay | 8-7-8-7-6 | 96% | 18 (2) | 4 | 7.40 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| ML | | Sanli Tuncay | AM LC, F C | Very Good | 8-6-8-7-6 | 95% | 28 (1) | 4 | 7.31 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| MC | | Gilberto Silva | DM | Superb | 6-6-6-7-6 | 96% | 17 (4) | 1 | 6.90 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| MC | | Renato Augusto | AM RLC | Good | 7-8-7-6-6 | 98% | 19 (2) | 1 | 7.43 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| FC | | Nicklas Bendtner | ST | Good | 7-7-6-7-6 | 100% | 8 (5) | 4 | 6.85 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| FC | Inj | Carlos Tevez | AM/F C | Superb | 7-7-7-7-7 | 82% | 19 (8) | 19 | 7.30 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| S1 | Unh | Maarten Stekelenburg | GK | Good | 7-7-8-6-7 | 96% | 2 | - | 6.50 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| S2 | Wnt | Justin Hoyte | D RL | Okay | 8-7-5-7-6 | 95% | 12 (1) | - | 6.85 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| S3 | | TomÃ¡s RosickÃ½ | AM LC | Very Good | 9-6-7-7-7 | 99% | 14 (4) | 2 | 7.00 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| S4 | | Theo Walcott | AM R, F C | Very Good | 8-7-6-7-7 | 100% | 13 (16)| 4 | 6.93 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| S5 | PR | Fernando Torres | ST | Good | 7-7-6-7-6 | 99% | 26 (6) | 17 | 7.38 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | Inj | Thierry Henry | ST | Superb | 9-8-7-8-6 | 79% | 14 (1) | 14 | 7.80 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | PR | Arturo Lupoli | ST | Okay | 7-6-6-7-7 | 94% | 1 (4) | - | 6.60 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | Int | Kolo TourÃ© | D RC | Very Good | 8-8-8-7-7 | 100% | 27 | - | 7.37 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | Int | Mahamadou Diarra | DM, M RC | Very Good | 7-7-6-7-7 | 92% | 23 | 7 | 7.35 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | Int | Alexandre Song | DM | Good | 6-7-7-7-7 | 100% | 7 (4) | - | 6.91 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| - | Int | Armand TraorÃ© | D/WB L | Okay | 8-7-7-8-7 | 100% | 32 (1) | 1 | 7.24 |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| | | | | | | | | | |

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

'Aye I agree it's a problem: we have injuries to some of our key players and 4 of our main men away on the African Nations. Add to that the loss of form of players like Torres, the fact that Richards is in need of a rest and we have a looming disaster on our hands boss......'

Amponsah's look was as dark as the clouds that were gathered outside the state of the art Arsenal Training ground.

'Well players like Hoyte and Bendntner are going to have to step up to the plate and prove their mettle Pat-we need every swinging dick in the squad to be on their game'

The wily old Assistant Manager, who had given so many years of his life to the club, allowed himself a smile at the profanity

'what about Lupoli boss?'

'I don't rate him-at all' was the instant counter. 'Nope it's down to player like Niclas and Renato-have a word Pat: they are sick of the sight of me ranting'

'I'll do my best boss'

'Make sure you do....."The Amponsah 2 Step" I'll make that journalist eat his words!'

Mambaman · September 27, 2007

Saturday 30th Jan 2010 at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal vs Bolton Half Time

Jake was having to get used to a number of momentous things: being an integral part of the Team's match preparations was one but also being right at the heart of the fiery passion that was the impressive 75000 seater Emirates stadium. The young man was also having to get used to the unwelcome idea that both his manager and his beloved Gunners were fallible and there was nothing like being pitch-side to bring that home. He had travelled to Newcastle exactly 1 week ago and witnessed satisfaction at snatching a bore draw with a Geordie side that had hammered them 2-0 at that very ground only 2 weeks previously. Why were they satisfied an exasperated Jake had demanded of Micah Richards on the plane back to Heathrow? Richards, who was on an extended break after complaining of feeling jaded responded with that big grin of his, clapped Jake on the back and said,

'so we can hammer them back at home base blood! You get me?'

Jake didn't get it at all but he bit his lip on this occasion.

He had to miss the mid week trip to Aston Villa as his father was, once more, on the warpath about his lack of study. It seemed the explanation that all this filming was going to guarantee him an A Grade in his Media Studies A-Level cut no ice with his Dad who merely shot back with 'And what about your other A-Levels Jake?' The game had ended 1-1: another draw! He had remembered seeing the headlines in Thursday's paper:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Tuncay Torments Villa but Arsenal are held The Guardian Thursday 28th January 2010

Aston Villa 1 (Kahlenburg 38)

Arsenal 1 (Torres Pen 79)

Jeremy Cozens Writes:

At the end of this match we saluted the ethereal brilliance of the mercurial Turk, Sanli Tuncay. He was aided and abetted by a resurgent Fernando Torres and a Gael Clichy restored as Left Back in the absence of the African Nations attendee Armand Traore but it was not enough to overcome the resistance of Martin O'Neil's team............ </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not a bad result, Jake had thought, especially as their nearest challengers Manchester United had stumbled at 5th placed Bolton, only managing a draw there: they remained 5 points behind with a game in hand now.

So here they were facing Bolton, who were now in 3rd place unbelievably. Ben had taken Jake aside before the game so that he could be privy to his tactical thinking.

'Always have a look at the opposition defence young Jake!' Ben had said smiling, 'the reason that they have done so well this campaign is that they have conceded the fewest goals-only 14 all season so far. We have let in 24 conversely. Looking at their defensive unit I can't see anything really outstanding though I must say' It was a joy to watch him poring over graphs and stats of the opposition players-he had a state of the art PDA that had all of this info beamed to it from various websites-fascinating.

'I'd have my wingers hug the touchlines and cross a bit more than you do Ben' Jake piped up: he had become quite cocky like that of late.

'Yes cocksure arent you these days-hey Pat!' he called across his office to Pat Rice who was briefing the playing staff 'This one reckons he knows how I should play today!'

Rice laughed good-naturedly and Jake smiled ruefully as Amponsah ruffled his hair.

'No look in-I will indeed play to the flanks and try and stretch the Bolton midfield but I will ask Tuncay and Alexiandr to dribble into the box as usual-their centre backs are big and tall and Jaaskelainen is too good in the air. Come on Jake let's go gee up the troops!'

It had all gone according to plan on a breezy, chilly winter day. The sun was out though and leant a crisp sharpness to the setting. Out on the pitch Walcott and Torres were up front and Theo had really taken his chance with both Tevez and Henry injured and Bendtner firing blanks. The midfield picked itself usually but it was the ageing Gilberto who had the holding role as Diarra was also on African Nations duty. Rosicky was the spark in the centre. In defence Micah Richards was back and in his favoured position of centre half whilst Kolo Toure was also away in Africa. Hoyte and Clichy were on the flanks.

Jake had positioned himself slighty behind and to the right of the Arsenal Manager so that he could capture every gesture, command and display. He wasn't to be disappointed. Arsenal started in a controlled and measured way, pinging the ball about and out to the flanks in order to stretch the play as instructed. In the early exchanges Vaz Te and Anelka were lively and very quick but Gallas and Richards were no slouches either and seemed to be containing them. The Bolton defence were having a harder time dealing with Walcott though who's thrusting runs and propensity to shoot on site were causing mayhem in the Bolton rearguard. Twice in the 9th and 11th minutes Jaaskelainen was forced into point blank saves to deny the young Englishman and on each occasion Jake had to remember to keep filming when his natural inclination was to jump up with the rest of the subs, staff and 70000 raucous Arsenal fans.

And then on the 21st minute a moment of brilliance....Torres who had been putting himself about in the centre of the park won the ball with a well-timed tackle of the Slovenian midfielder, Ceh-he swivelled and spotted the thrusting run of Walcott straight up the centre of the park. He arrowed a through ball that found the young Englishman 40 yards out; he took it first time with a superb touch and ran at speed towards the Bolton goal. Walcott was so fast that by the time the only Bolton defender goal-side realised what was happening Walcott was past him. The same fate befell the otherwise excellent Jaaskelainen as he watched Walcott breeze to his left and fire a shot low and hard into the corner of the net. Pandemonium! Even Jake had stopped filming to join the celebration: this was what Arsene had hired him for-the quicksilver youth that could move like their legendary skipper was back!

Ben Amponsah was in good spirits: it was vital, he had told Jake earlier, to see off the threat of their nearest challengers and send a signal to the rest of the League. As the match eased towards half time Hleb was booked for some rash shirt pulling.

'Easy Alex!' Ben was mouthing to the Belarus winger: he had been fighting a running battle with his opposite number, Chevanton all afternoon. The play continued and then the ball was played out to Chevanton on the Bolton left. He was felled by a clumsy challenge by Hleb. Jake instantly trained his cam on Ben as he knew instinctively what was going to happen.

'No no no no!' Ben said but it was a foregone conclusion as Mike Dean reached for his 2nd yellow.

'Silly silly silly man!' The manager glared at Hleb as he came off and went into an instant huddle with his Assistant. 'Ok no changes Pat-Walcott to the right-Torres up the centre and switch to counter-attacking. Apart from that no change-we keep them on the back foot-ok?'

'You got it boss' said Rice and went to convey Ben's orders to the team. Jake had his heart in his mouth: how long would they last against a good Bolton side with only 10 men for 55 minutes?

They got to half time without mishap and indeed with Torres making a right royal nuisance of himself alone up front and with Walcott a willing runner from the right it was hard to actually notice that Arsenal were a man down.

'Keep it going like this lads-I want to see the same effort and no drop in performance in the 2nd half!' was Amponsah's admonishment to the team at half-time. They looked hungry again Jake noted.

But just after half time Gigi Buffon made one of his 'once in a season' blunders. An innocuous back pass to him just outside the area but the Italian mis-controlled the ball straight into the path of a grateful Anelka who made no mistake. At this point Ben was clenching his fists and rolling his eyes heavenwards-that was 2 monumental player ****-ups now in one match-there would be some tongue lashings after this game thought Jake grimly-great footage though!

It was a lucky break that Bolton didn't deserve and after the restart Arsenal went straight back on the attack. Sure enough the next break went the way of the team that best deserved it: the 53rd minute brought an injudicious shove of Gilberto in the box: penalty! It was despatched coolly by Torres despite the Grobelaar-like antics of Jaaskelainen to take his season tally to an incredible 20 goals. The best thing about it was the young Spaniard running back to the Arsenal dugout to give his manager a big hug as if to acknowledge him and say 'I'm back!'

Afterwards Amponsah turned to Jake and shouted abovce the din of the still-wildly celebrating crowd 'Loss of form? What loss of form?'

When Bolton's Harry Worley hacked down Tuncay with a horrible 2 footed lunge in the 67th minute and got sent off for his pains the game was up. Phil Brown tried to keep what little pressure his team had exerted on by playing a 3-4-2 formation but with Arsenal maintaining their wide play it just played into a chuckling Amponsah's hand

'What a f*****g amateur!' he had scoffed to Pat Rice and the torment continued.

Torres capped a truly fine display with an angled header into the far corner of the Bolton goal prompting Ben to substitute him so that he earned a heartfelt standing ovation from the Arsenal faithful. The fans-like Jake-had begun to worry that without Tevez or Henry and with Torres off-form, the season was in serious danger of becoming unstuck. Torres and the rest of the side had responded and shown that it was a squad game and that they were up to the task. Jake had tripped off the pitch at the end feeling almost as if he was one of the team-he shared their elation, their ups, their downs and their confidence: he was becoming a part of Team Arsenal..................

SJ234 · September 28, 2007

another good update

Mambaman · September 30, 2007

Thanks SJ

Rewind to August 2006 a Press Conference at The Emirates Stadium

Peter Hill-Wood (Arsenal Chair), Keith Edelman (Managing Director) and the new Arsenal Manager, Ben Amponsah:

'Peter, Sam Wallace from the Independent, what is the real reason that Arsene has decided to resign from your club before realising the dream of moving to the new stadium?'

'Well Sam, as we have said in the Press releases, Arsene is his own man and he feels that he has taken Arsenal as far as he can take them: he genuinely believes that it is time for fresh blood to take things on. Next'

'Hello Peter, Jeremy Cozens, Guardian: it seems that you have appointed a virtual unknown to the post in Ben Amponsah. The fans are not at all happy with the appointment-what do you say to them?'

'Were the fans happy when we appointed Arsene? He was a virtual unknown as well as I remember. I should just remind you that Ben was a highly respected player for this club and had been part of the coaching set up for some time in an advisory capacity before this appointment was made.'

'Very true Peter but he has absolutely no management experience and certainly no silverware to his name-is this the sort of blue riband manager that everyone would expect Arsenal to appoint?'

'Well maybe you should let Ben speak for himself here. Ben:'

'Hello everyone. Erm-yes it's hard for the fans to accept an unknown to take over from such a legend as Arsene but I will remind you all that Arsene and I are great friends and have been for some time: this appointment was made because Arsene wanted it to be made: he has moved on and he felt at the time that it was the right time for me to take over. I have been mentored by him for the past 2 seasons and can assure you that I will carry on the best traditions of this club in the way that he would intend.'

'Ben! Ben! Jack Dempsey from the Sun'

'Yes Jack I know of you: wasn't it your headline that screamed Fans should demand both the Board and Amponsah's head!?'

'I stand by that headline Ben-you are an..an unknown quantity shall we say-don't Arsenal deserve better?'

'Listen Jack and listen all you fans: I will say it again: I will carry on the best traditions of this club and the winning tradition of Arsene: I am a lifelong Arsenal fan myself: I have all the necessary coaching qualifications and I believe I have what it takes to capture lasting glory for Arsenal. You know what? I will make you all a promise right here and now: I will win this club a Champion's League title within 3 years and the Premiership title within 5 and I will win silverware in every season. If I haven't then you can all judge me. How's that for a promise?'

'Ben! Ben! Ben!.................'

'I think we should draw these proceedings to a close-can I just say that none of us on the Board have made any such stipulation of Ben: we have utmost faith in him. Now I will hand over to Keith to give a snaphot of where we are financially-Keith:.........

September 30, 2007

good writing mambaman; keep up the good work!

Mambaman · October 1, 2007

Saturday 6th February 2010 1000hrs outside the Emirates

Pat Rice grabbed Ben Amponsah by the arm just as he was about to board the Team bus to The Valley.

'Boss, Maarten has put in a transfer request...

'What?' Amponsah's demeanour was stormy 'He did what?'

Jake was lucky enough to be catching all of this-he didn't miss much these days. He had even put his own view in after the Gunners Supremo had had a fiery meeting with the Dutch International goalkeeper just after the team had seen off the challenge of a spirited Newcastle United on Wednesday night in the 4th Round FA Cup replay. Walcott had scored the only goal in that game in front of a half empty Emirates after only 9 minutes but it was, once more, Fernando Torres, who caught the eye with his intelligent running, his ability to hold up the play and bring others in with his flick ons and passes. It was another man of the Match performance from the powerful spaniard: he had definitely got his form back.

After the game a flustered and angry Stekelenburg had confronted the manager in his office. Jake had been there enjoying a glass of fine Rioja with Amponsah and the new Newcastle Manager, Mane. Ben was able to converse fluently in Spanish with the Spaniard, who had been recently recruited from Real Sociedad. Jake too was pretty good at Spanish so he was just about able to keep up.

Mane had just cracked a ribald joke when the Dutchman burst in.

'I want a word with you boss!' he shouted: he was quite besides himself.

'Mane if you will excuse me.' Ben said smoothly. 'Jake please stay-you can document this.' He turned to the agitated player a gentle half smile on his face 'Maarten could this not have waited until Friday?'

The Newcastle Manager excused himself. Jake quietly picked up his palm cam and started filming. If the hulking Dutchman noticed he certainly didnt show it.

'You promised me glory when I came here Ben and you have only played me in one full seasom-ONE FULL SEASON!!!' The Dutchman flung these last words at his boss like an accusation. 'I was a Dutch International and 1st choice goalkeeper at Ajax when I arrived and now thanks to that Italian I am nowhere.'

Jake grimaced: he had noted in his wanderings around the team that there was no love lost at all between Buffon and Steleneburg and had been told by certain members of the squad that it was a simple case of professional jealousy. When Buffon had arrived at the beginning of the 2008/9 season with his massive reputation and massive fee it had been a case of 'move over Maarten'.

'Maarten you will get your chance but I pick the 1st team. I know that it is frustrating being a squad player but you will have to be patient.' All of this as if he had been talking to an unruly child rather than an extremely volatile and frustrated adult footballer.

Not knowing how to take this patronising tone Maarten turned on his heels and stalked out slamming the massive oaken door behind him (some feat given the weight of the door). And that was when Jake had expressed his sympathy with the Dutchman's predicament.

And now he had played his hand. Ben looked furious but only for a second Jake noted as they boarded the coach. It was a 45 minute journey across to South East London: well he would go and sit down right next to the Dutchman: there were legs in this story............

Mambaman · October 1, 2007

Mambaman · October 1, 2007

Thanks Dagic-nice to see that you are still keeping up with this story

October 6, 2007

Of course I am - it's a quality read.

Mambaman · October 6, 2007

Saturday 13th February 2010 Ward D Islington Royal Infirmary sometime in the evening

'Nurse! Nurse!' Jake shouted. He had woken from what had seemed like a deep dreamless sleep to entirely unfamiliar surroundings. It had been immediately clear that he was in a hospitol but how on earth had he got there? His shouting had set a fierce pain going in his temple and the young man was alarmed to feel a large lump on it when he gingerly put his hand up there.

A nurse came hurrying over to his bedside and started checking his charts, whilst eyeing him up warily. Jake was confused: why the look of concern? She gently but firmly pushed him back from his upright sitting position and took his pulse

'Dont be shouting like that now Jake Patterson' she admonished 'you'll do yourself an injury so you will.'

She seemed nice so he did as he was told whilst simultananeously wondering where to place her accent: it was soft, lilting and Irish-yes that was it-she was from the Republic and probably somewhere in the south west-Jake prided himself on his ability to recognise most accents immediately.

'What happened to me?' Jake said softly: he was calmer now

'Now I will let your Da tell you that Jake but you are a lucky boy right enough' She finished what she was doing and departed. Jake sat back and closed his eyes and started to remember flashes of what had happened to him: a creditable 1-1 draw at the Valley the Saturday before, a draw tempered by the fact that Arsenal had led for most of a very even match after yet another blinding interplay between Torres and Walcott.This was the young Emglishman's 3rd goal in as many matches and his 7th of the season. Unfortunately Buffon switched off in the last 5 minutes and allowed the impressive Russian midfielder Eugeny Aldonin to loop a 35 yarder over him. It was hard luck but, in truth the game had been very tight with almost as many chances going to Charlton and Buffon had otherwise played a blinder.

Jake now remembered that he had endured a lot of ribbing and bullying on the buses to and from school that week with his old 'friend' Matt Ibson (the Newcastle supporter) at the fore. By the end of the week and with Jake looking forward to travelling with the Arsenal Squad to the FA Cup 4th Round game at Wolves, the bullying had taken a sinister turn for the worse: some gay taunts were being thrown in now (he was used to that Jake had thought wearily) as well as some stuff about him and the Arsenal Team that were less than complimentary. It was when Matt had made yet another sly comment in the same vein, this time involving his Dad in a disgusting scenario, that Jake snapped back

'Yeah well you've never been afraid to have me round your place have you Matt-Can't say I remember ever hearing you say no when I offered it to you eh?'

Now it wasnt as though anything had ever happened between them but the fact that they used to be close and everyone knew they had been leant rather a lot of weight to Jake's words. The result was that Matt had to save face and the only way to do that was to make Jake suffer.

Jake hadnt seen it coming but the first punch dropped him to the bus seat stunned and in considerable pain, then hands were on him dragging him to the floor where the boot was put in and all he could remember was that there were alot of people kicking him before one particularly heavy boot to his temple turned out his lights.

So it had been a lucky escape eh? He was hurting all over-his ribs in particular, his genitals and his temple. He wiped away a tear angrily: he had always been bullied and teased but there had never been any real violence until recently-first the happy slapping episode that had also involved some of the school football players-now this. What next? He looked over at the elderly patient reading The Mail next to him-the back page article was something about Arsenal. He leant over and read:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> CLICHY VOWS TO FIGHT FOR HIS PLACE

Rupert Grindle Chief Football Writer:

Gael Clichy has vowed to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place saying that he cant see himself playing at any other club. It is sometimes hard to believe that Clichy is still only 24 as he is in his 7th season at the Gunners but his place at left back has now come under threat from the Senegalese wonderkid Armand Traore, who has normally been preferred this season. The decision by Ben Amponsah to also purchase the Welsh Boy-Wonder, Gareth Bale, has left many at the Emirates wondering whether Clichy has a future at the North London Club. Certainly with Bale's dead ball abilities allied to his excellent all-round game and Traore's devastating fleetness of foot, Clichy is up against it but the young Frenchman welcomes the challenge and claims that the competition for this position can only benefit Arsenal in the long term............ </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jake leant back-yes he had felt that it was a strange purchase but there was no doubt that Bale brought more to the position than Clichy for sure and maybe even Traore as well. His musings were interrupted by the entrance of his Dad and a Police Officer. His Dad wore a fatigued and worried expression: he didnt look like he had slept at all. He came over and just hugged his son close-Jake could feel that he was crying.

'Dad, Dad, I'm ok. I'm ok.' Jake said as his Dad gripped him so tight he felt out of breath 'Really Dad-I'm ok' When finally Seb let him go he looked at Jake through red moist eyes then smiled half-heartedly

'Well good news son-Arsenal won the FA Cup game and you will not believe it but we only had 9 men on the pitch at the end!'

'No!' Jake exclaimed 'What happened?'

'Gilberto was sent off after only 25 minutes for a hack at Boothroyd-a bit harsh, the game was full of needle. Then Henry came on on the 50th minute only to be sent literally within seconds of coming on for elbowing Evans in the face. Again it was a bit harsh though replays have shown that he did clearly elbow him.'

'Unbelievable'

'Yes but that was nothing- we dug in and looked to hit them on the break with only Tuncay up front and it was he who scored for us in the 85th minute-it was an amazing victory-I've been watching it downstairs waiting for you to come round' at that Seb broke down again. This in turn set Jake off-what a spectacle they were making thought Jake as he hugged his Dad again.

Behind them the Police Officer cleared his throat. Jake had completely forgotten that he was even there.

'Hello Jake. My name's PC Downs. Do you think that you might be up to helping us with our enquiries as regards the assault on you?' He had a kind face, thought Jake.

'You bet-I'll tell you everything'...........

Amaroq · October 6, 2007

Still enjoying this, Mambaman, quality writing in my opinion. You've more than two readers.

Mambaman · October 6, 2007

Cheers Amaroq-it's always good to get positive feedback. Sometimes writing can be a bit isolating-thanks again mate

SJ234 · October 7, 2007

another great update

October 7, 2007

a very good update

Mambaman · October 8, 2007

Thanks so much Dag, SJ and all who are still reading-I am trying to reach the end of the season and close the story off as the new game will be out by then-your continued support is very mucg appreciated

Amaroq · October 15, 2007

Congratulations on your two-category nomination in the FMS Awards, Mambaman! Well done!

Mambaman · October 16, 2007

Hey thanks Amaroq-am well chuffed and congrats to you too for your many nominations-all richly deserved fella

thanks for all who voted for me so far-makes the writing very worthwhile

Amaroq · October 16, 2007

You're welcome, and thanks in return. Let me just say I do hope you plan on writing again!

Mambaman · October 19, 2007

Absolutely Ama-I have been otherwise engaged this last week but will post the next installment back end of the wknd

Mambaman · October 21, 2007

Saturday 20th February 2010 1455hrs

'And so we go to our featured match at the Emirates where League Leaders Arsenal take on struggling Portsmouth. Johnathan what can you tell us?'

'Well Andrew I can tell you that today Arsenal have just been hit with a double whammy in that the FA's Disciplinary Panel have doled out a further 2 match ban to both Thierry Henry and Gilberto Silva after their shenanigans in the Match against Wolves-add to that the suspension of Renato Augusto and they really do have problems!'

Jake groaned and reached across his bed for some Nurofen-the headaches had been hammering away at him all through his bed-ridden week but he had insisted on listening to the Saturday game commentary on Radio 5 Live. The Hospital had banned him from TV for two weeks and confined him to his bed but he had managed to get his Dad to lift the embargo on the Radio. It was, however, giving him a crashing headache but he was going to grin and bear it-it was the only way to get over the fact that, for once, he wasn't where the heart of the action was.

'........The Arsenal Line up is as follows: Buffon in goal then at the back Bale, Gallas, Toure and Richards. Tuncay replaces Augusto on the left wing, Diarra, Denilson in for Gilberto and Hleb on the right then Walcott for Henry and Torres as the striker. Subs are Stekelenburg, Senderos, Traore, Rosicky and Bendtner. I should remind you listening that this is the core of the team that faced Besiktas in a tricky 1st Leg Away tie in the Champion's League knockout stage-they won that game with something to spare so I doubt that Pompey at home will hold too many fears. What do you think Kevin?

'I agree Jonathan though I am slightly surprised that Amponsah has chosen not to rest any of his key men...'

'Well he has Kevin-the 3 who are suspended! It's just not a planned rest shall we say-here come the teams!'

Just for a few moments Jake allowed his thoughts to drift to more trying matters: the hear and the now: the Police had taken his statement concerning the attack on him and then charged Matt Ibson and 3 other boys with Assault Occassioning Actual Bodily Harm. They were due to attend Islington Magistrates Court in a month. His Dad had said that this should be an end to the matter but then he started getting threatening text messages describing in lurid detail what was going to happen to him if Matt and his accomplices were punished severely. The problem was that the texts were not on any numbers that he recognised so all he could do was pass on the messages to the Police and hope that the malicious texters were caught out. At the same time Jake had his Dad buy him a new phone so that he got a new number: he was in no hurry to give this one out except to his family, the Arsenal Squad and Ben Amponsah. He had been very touched by some of the messages of support that had come flooding in-he genuinely hadn't realised how much the boys cared for him. God these headache pills were strong Jake thought dreamily: they made him so drowsy.....

He woke with a start. The radio was blaring away across the room.

'.........and with a quarter of the game gone Pompey are more than holding their own! In fact I would say that it's the Italian Keeper who has been busier so far-Kevin?'

'I agree entirely-it looks like Portsmouth are the home side-they are stroking the ball around as if they owned the place Jonathan-Arsenal look out of sorts'

'They do Kevin-they just havent settled down yet......'

Jake vaguely remembered feeling irritated and frustrated before he nodded off again....

His dream of playing in the hallowed Arsenal shirt for the Arsenal team was interrupted by his Dad bringing him a mug of steaming tea.

'There you go son-3 sugars just the way you like it. How's the head?' His Dad said smiling down at him.

'Sore Dad-thanks for ruining my dream by the way!'

Seb Patterson laughed 'I don't want to know what sort of dreams you must have been having-you certainly had a smile plastered all over your face when I came in just then'

'Oh Dad!' Jake shouted after the rapidly retreating back of his father-it always made Jake uncomfortable when his Dad tried this sort of banal lads humour on him but it was endearing nonetheless.

'Well Arsenal have taken control as expected-Pompey havent been out of their half for the latter part of the 1st half but all we are missing is a goal!'

'Yes Denilson's gone close from a free kick as has Bale. Tuncay with a header just over and Hleb. As you say Jonathan all that's missing is a goal.'

'What do you think Ben Amponsah will be saying in the dressing room Kevin?'

'Well he will be asking Torres to get more involved for a start-he was virtually anonymous in the 1st half. He may decide to stretch the play too. Apart from that keep it as is I reckon and encourage the team that they can win this game-it's only Portsmouth for Goodness sake!'

Cheeky sod Jake thought-there were no 'only's' at this stage of the season: they had a slender 1 point advantage over United who weren't playing this weekend due to their Carling Cup Final appearance the next day: they would take on Blackburn at Old Trafford on Wednesday but here was an ideal opportunity to stretch their lead to 4 points. It was an opportunity that Arsenal didn't seem to be taking..........

Mambaman · October 21, 2007

Monday February 22nd 2010 1100hrs

Jake should have been reading the headlines glorifying in Manchester United's predictable victory over Charlton in the Carling Cup but instead he was more interested in the round up in the Mirror:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Arsenal March on Whilst Chelsea and Spurs falter The Mirror Monday 22nd February 2010

Arsenal 3 (Tuncay 54, Torres 70, Walcott 79)

Portsmouth 0

The Gunners have stretched their lead at the top of the table to 4 points over Manchester United and are looking increasingly like a good bet for the title. Whatever Ben Amponsah said to his team at half-time must have worked as the home side came out for the 2nd half and finally converted their undoubted superiority into goals. All 3 goals came from free kicks taken by the young Welshman Gareth Bale: Tuncay was first to strike with a bullet header from 10 yards out, then Torres with a flicked header and lastly Walcott profiting from Torres's flick-again from a Bale free kick.

Carlos Quieroz may have cause to rue the Welshman's interventions as he received a dreaded vote of confidence from the board but, meanwhile Amponsah's Arsenal march on and will hope that struggling Blackburn do United no favours when the Manchester side play them on Wednesday. Next up for the Lancashire side: The Gunners next Saturday!

Meanwhile elsewhere in the Premiership yesterday Chelsea crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Middlesborough and another of Arsenal's nearest rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs were beaten 2-1 at West Ham..... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jake smiled, stretched and pulled his duvet close-he could feel the end in sight: there was one quarter of the season left and he could begin to taste the victory-wait til he saw the boys again he thought and let himself drift back to sleep......

Mambaman · October 22, 2007

Sunday February 28th 2010 at Ben Amponsah's Residence North London 1600 hrs

It was a perfect day.

Ben Amponsah was listening to the last of the lunchtime coverage of the Sky Sports Ford Super Sunday game that had just been played and couldn't supress a massive grin. Chelsea had just been beaten 2-0 at home to Premiership minnows Reading and the delight of that result was only eclipsed by yet another spluttering display of bad sportsmanship by Jose Mourinho who blamed everything and everyone but his own and his players' ineptitude for the disaster. The newly installed Manager of Reading Sven Goran Erikson was magnanimous in victory but he could afford to be-he had, after all, just mugged the Premiership contenders in their own back yard.

The Arsenal boss made a mental note to give young Jake a call-a bad business that-see how the lad was. He had definitely been missed around the club. Nonetheless the battling 1-0 away victory at Blackburn and the fact that their nearest challengers United were falling away with only a goalless draw last week at Old Trafford followed by a stinging 2-1 defeat to their rivals in the blue half of the city meant that there was good news to cheer the young man up with.

Ben looked at the Sunday Papers spread out before him in his massive airy atrium-it was a brisk but clear February afternoon and the sunlight on the glass slanted down, giving an overpowering impression of light and space. The back page headlines were perfect:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Mancunian woe for United as the Gunners march on The Independent on Sunday February 28th 2010

James Wallace Writes:

Saturday the 27th February 2010 might just be the moment that the Championship began to slip inexoraby from Manchester's posessive grasp and what an irony it is that it should be a second regional neighbour in four days that should inflict the blow. City were good for their 2-1 win yesterday in front of their passionate supporters and even more passionate manager but Blackburn, who managed to stymie United on Wednesday despite being utterly dominated, had no answer to Arsenal's pace and movement. Attributes which were epitomised by the fleet-footed Walcott, a goal scorer fast realising his potential in the Henry mode and the peerless Turk Tuncay, the goal provider. The conspiracy theorists may well point out that the midweek game the FA Computer foisted on the two North West clubs only weakened United going into the Manchester derby and Blackburn when they faced Arsenal. But they're just bitter right? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

With a flick of his remote Ben switched to the Internet and tapped a URL address on the cordless keyboard sat atop his massive glass coffee table, which also served as a rather spacious fish tank in which Coy Carp and other exotic aquatic species were contentedly swimming.

The Premiership Table flashed up on the Sky Sports page:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | | Arsenal | | 29 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 62 | 26 | +36 | 63 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | | Man Utd | | 29 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 44 | 21 | +23 | 57 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Charlton | | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 36 | 29 | +7 | 47 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Bolton | | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 30 | 17 | +13 | 46 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | | Newcastle | | 29 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 34 | 22 | +12 | 46 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | | Chelsea | | 29 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 38 | 35 | +3 | 46 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 7th | | Aston Villa | | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 42 | 32 | +10 | 44 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 8th | | Tottenham | | 29 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 42 | 33 | +9 | 44 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9th | | Liverpool | | 28 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 37 | 30 | +7 | 44 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 10th | | Man City | | 29 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 38 | 41 | -3 | 41 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 11th | | Middlesbrough | | 29 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 39 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 12th | | Sunderland | | 29 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 31 | 36 | -5 | 37 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 13th | | West Ham | | 29 | 11 | 4 | 14 | 24 | 32 | -8 | 37 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 14th | | Sheff Utd | | 29 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 25 | 27 | -2 | 36 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 15th | | Blackburn | | 29 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 27 | 33 | -6 | 32 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 16th | | Everton | | 29 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 30 | 44 | -14 | 32 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 17th | | Reading | | 28 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 26 | 46 | -20 | 27 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 18th | | West Brom | | 29 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 26 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 19th | | Fulham | | 28 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 33 | -24 | 18 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 20th | | Portsmouth | | 29 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 21 | 46 | -25 | 18 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

The shock of seeing heavyweights like Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea so far down the table was tempered by the fact that there were only 2 points seperating them from the Champions League places-it really was very tight in the chasing pack. The good news was that Manchester United and Arsenal had put clear blue daylight between them and the rest of the table-the even better news was that with United's latest slip up there was now more than a chink between his own team and their hated rival as well. Just for a moment he allowed himself to slip away into dreaming of winning the title...he snapped out of it rapidly-now was not the time for day-dreaming and thinking of what might have been-now was the time to focus-or as his good friend Lewis Hamilton was always saying to him 'Ben we come from the same sort of backgrounds-we never got to where we are by dreaming' Hamilton was now the dominant force in F1-a driver to rival the Schumachers and the Sennas of the world. Now he was poised to dominate football in much the way that Ferguson and Wenger had done before him. The beauty of it was that it was at the expense of hot-heads like Mourinho, who he had no time for at all.

He reached for his mobile and dialled Jake's number:

'Jake! How are you son? Much better? Excellent. You watched the game? Yes good news-we are on the right track for sure and grateful for the breathing space...yes....yes. They will come back at us though..............listen son-how are you fixed for a triumphant return? Yeah we've got Besiktas in the week but why don't you join us for Spurs away next weekend-not far from you-wanna meet us there? You do? Excellent son-you've been missed......thanks.......yeah see you next weekend.'

It was a perfect day.........

October 22, 2007

an excellent update! kutgw

williamshankley · October 24, 2007

Nice update I'm another reader

Mambaman · October 24, 2007

Hey thanks Dagic and thanks Will-always good to see who else is reading this odyssey

Mambaman · October 26, 2007

Saturday 6th March 2010 At White Hart Lane 1700hrs

The Arsenal Dressing Room

Jake was in seventh heaven and so were the players.

'One nil to the Arsenal! One nil to the Arsenal!' was the boisterous refrain as he, Pat Rice and Ben Amponsah entered the hot, steamy dressing room. Gary Lewin and his brother were already at work on some of the players, notably Tomas Rosicky, who had been withdrawn at half time after picking up a knock. The boys had given Jake the best possible homecoming present and overcome a spirited Spurs side to win through to the FA Cup Semi-Final against West Brom in just over a month's time. Rosicky, back from yet another lengthy injury, had a good game prior to his withdrawal and supplied the corner that Torres expertly headed into the net. The deadly Spaniard was aided and abetted by another Paul Robinson howler as he tried to come out and punch and got nowhere near the ball-Torres was grateful for his generosity. Add to that the mid-week 1-0 defeat of Besiktas and Arsenal were still fighting for a treble and looking good bets for at least 2 out of 3 trophies.

'Nice one boss!' shouted Walcott

'Nice one to you Theo-I am loving the way that you can switch from playing up front to providing a threat on the wing-love it!' Ben ruffled the youngster's hair: he had really grown as a striker since deputising for the Captain these last few weeks and his all round game had improved as well.

'Gaffer what have you bet on us winning both the FA Cup and the Title?' shouted the Man of the Match Tuncay but was hushed by a suited Thierry Henry who had had to sit this one out due to his suspension.

'You know I don't bet Sanli' Ben said smiling. 'Lads! Lads-shhh. I've got some words to say'

Pat Rice and Thierry Henry hushed the players and subs down-most of the first team squad were there now as they had just been joined by Denilson, Augusto, Clichy, Hoyte, Senderos and Gilberto, Jake noted. He fired up the cam-Ben hadn't said anything to him but he sensed a Henry V moment coming.

'Good that you are all here boys.' The Arsenal manager took a moment to survey each and every player-acknowledge them all with a nod and a smile.

'You all have a part to play boys-all of you. Here it is: we are now into the final quarter of the season and we are fighting on all fronts: we are into the Semi-Final of the FA Cup to play a struggling West Brom-can they live with us?'

'No boss.' quietly from a few of the more vocal players.

'I don't think so-no I don't. After that we have Manchester City, Reading or Portsmouth to contend with. All of the big guns are out....' He let that point sink in.

'We will never have a better chance to lift the FA Cup in one season: do the double: it's what you dream of right?'

'Yes boss!' This time louder from the boys: they were catching the mood.

'I'll talk about the Champion's League in a sec-we have 9 league games to go. They are as follows:' Ben was talking loudly but firmly now as he warned to the theme.

'Next Saturday we take on Man City at home-it will be a good chance to assess our potential final opponents, after that we have this sorry lot here again but we have proved that the Lane holds no fears for us haven't we?'

'Yes Boss!' They were all joining in now and enjoying it. Jake was walking the room-getting the passion and capturing the emotion: it was brilliant stuff.

'Chelsea at home the following Wednesday in the first of the Champion's League Quarter Finals-we could have got them later but you have to beat the team that's in front of you-we don't want an easy run to the final do we?'

We certainly don't Jake thought-but Chelsea! The draw could have been kinder and given them an Ajax or a Porto or even Spurs again. Spurs had been drawn against United, though, so there would be 2 'Battles of Britain' waged in the quarter finals.

'We then have a killer run of games in quick succession: Everton, home on the Saturday, one day's rest then we have to travel to Sunderland on the Monday-yes don't worry I have had my say with the FA but we cant get out of it cos then we have the return leg against Chelsea on the Wednesday and then the FA Cup Semi on the Saturday.....'

There was dead quiet. Did the boss really just say that they were going to have to play 4 games in 1 week?

'Yes I did' said Ben as if reading the unspoken thoughts 'that's 4 games in 1 week for those of you who cant add up. That's why I mean I will need every last man of you. Question is will you be ready when legs and bodies are tired? Will you be ready to put aside your resentment that I haven't been playing you, to do your bit for this club and really make a difference when we need you?' Ben surveyed the room again but let his gaze linger on the bit-part players; the Senderos's, the Clichy's and the Song's of the squad. They were the players that were going to make the difference and the Arsenal Manager was directing this latest bit of rabble-rousing directly at them.

It was pure theatre, Jake thought...and a brilliant piece of Psychology.

'We then have Chelsea again the Tuesday after that and then we finish with Premiership games on consecutive weekends against Reading, West Ham, Sheffield United and West Ham-all very winnable games don't you think? That's the story of the run-in guys. It's going to be tough-very tough but I need all of you to play your part. The question is do you want to be one of the youngest squads to do the double or treble?'

'Yes boss!'

'The question is do you want to be the first team ever to retain the Champion's League? DO YOU?'

'YES BOSS!' The boys shouted in unison 'YES BOSS-YES BOSS!'

Above the din Ben shouted 'DO YOU WANT TO BE ARSENAL HEROES-EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! WELL DO YOU?'

'YES! YES! YES!'

The raw passion was incredible-it was so powerful that tears started in Jake's eyes. He lowered the cam and found himself chanting with the team.

'YES! YES! YES!'........................

Tomunco · October 26, 2007

more good updates

SJ234 · October 27, 2007

another great update

Mambaman · October 28, 2007

Thanks SJ and Ama (and really well done on all your awards Ams-well deserved)

Wednesday 31st March Press Conference at the Emirates Post Arsenal vs Chelsea Ch League Qtr Final 1st Leg

'Ben, Brian Viner, Independent, what does this 2-1 defeat to your arch rivals Chelsea mean to you and your squad?'

'What do you think it means? It means that we have given ourselves a real mountain to climb for the return leg and are staring elimination in the face-that's what it means-next!'

'Ben-Sam Woolnough-Sun, what were the main reasons that you lost today?'

'I presume that you were watching the same game that I was Sam? Yes? Michael Ballack was the bl**dy reason that we lost today-in a nutshell. He did, after all, score both their goals didn't he? Jeremy?'

'Hi Ben-the stats say you dominated this game-you had 15 shots on goal to Chelsea's 3-can you pinpoint the moment when you thought you might lose this one?'

'Hmm-not really. We had them on the ropes in the first half hour as you could see-Peter Cech pulled off a series of world class saves in that time though. They then hit us with the classic sucker punch and caught Buffon at a moment when he wasn't concentrating as much as perhaps he should have been.'

'You've criticised the Italian's form of late-time for an extended run for Stekelenburg perhaps Ben?'

'Maybe-Gigi was certainly at fault for Ballack's first goal but couldn't really do much about the penalty that Gail conceded at the beginning of the second-frankly he was lucky to only get a yellow card for hauling Drogba down when he was through on goal. Who's next please?'

'Ben, Andy Sharpe here from the Mirror.'

'Yes Andy-go on.'

'Ben, you decided to start with Torres on the bench and Walcott up front along with Henry-was that wise given that you usually play a target man with either Henry or Walcott in the more mobile forward's position?'

'What are you trying to say Andy?'

'Well aren't Walcott and Henry too alike to play together?'

'Good players can always gel Andy. Listen the reason that I left Torres on the bench is that his form has been very patchy of late: he's tired so I decided to leave him on the bench.'

'But he scored your only goal Ben-'

'YES I KNOW THAT! I was there too remember! Is anyone going to say how well we continue to do in the League and what a good chance we have to win the FA Cup this season. No one's died-it's the first leg of the Champion's League Quarter Final for God's sake! Does anyone remember that we are now 9 points clear of United after their slip up at Everton last Saturday and we did that with a very creditable second victory at White Hart Lane. HELLO!'

'Hi Ben, Eric Trueman, Mail-I think we all agree that you have a great chance of a double but surely this result will mean that the treble is out of your grasp now-surely even you cant think that you will go to Chelsea and beat them by 2 clear goals?'

Eric, Eric, Eric-I have enjoyed notreading your caustic articles in that rag of a paper that you call the Daily Mail-anything is possible Eric-that's my philosophy-that along with never say never-how's that for a soundbite? Last question please? John'

'Hi Ben, West Ham inflicted Chelsea's 3rd home defeat of the season last Saturday by lining up with a 4-1-4-1 formation and hitting them on the break. Might you line up like this as well in the second leg?'

'I always try to play offensive, attractive football John but I will study the game in more detail and see what can be done. From initial analysis it was defensive errors on Chelsea's part and clinical finishing on West Ham's that won them the victory-we shall see. Thanks guys. Before you go, though, I would like you all to welcome back young Jake Patterson here, who has been making a film about Arsenal's journey this season-I know that some of you have gotten to know and like Jake so will be as delighted as I that he is back after recovering from a particulary nasty assault. He actually started back with us two and a half weeks ago but I have been keeping him away from the rabid press pack on Doctor's orders!'

'Welcome back Jake!'

'Good to see you son-welcome back!'

'Nice one Jake!'..........

Mambaman · October 28, 2007

Oh and thanks too Tom

williamshankley · November 4, 2007

Nice Update

Mambaman · November 16, 2007

Thanks a bunch William-time to get writing again eh?

Saturday 10th April 2010 2000hrs The Wembley Press Room

Sam Wallace shifted in his luxurious seat. He was in the bowels of Wembley in the state of the art Press Room. All the mod cons were here: satellite links, banks of computer terminals and berths for wireless laptop access. Each station was like something out of a scene from Star Trek, Sam mused-a very busy Space ship at this moment given the bustle of correspondents from all the main UK newspapers and some of the Continental ones too, all of whom had just witnessed Arsenal dismantle West Brom to book their place in the FA Cup final. The Gunners may have blown the chance of a historic treble the previous Wednesday when they scrapped to a plucky draw at Stamford Bridge, going down 3-1 on aggregate, but they were seemingly intent on doing the double nonetheless.

The Independent had come mob-handed to this game: his boss, James Lawton, his mate, Brian Viner and himself had all made the trip and there were reporters from their sister paper, The Independent on Sunday, there too: he could never remember any of their names. He had wanted to write the match report itself but James had ordered him to, instead, concentrate on writing a piece that concentrated on the fact that Arsenal were having a bit of a wobble and float the idea that they might choke with the finish line in sight.

Sam got up and headed for the nearest coffeee machine. Caffeine-how he loved the stuff! His wife was always going on at him about how unhealthy it was but he had to have it to function. He bought a double expresso and returned to his workstation. Arsenal, wobble, loss of form....you wouldn't know it to see them today but there were certainly problems at the club: rumours of players falling out, a bust-up between the Manager and combative Chairman, Dan Saunders (again!) and only 4 goals from their legendary striker, Henry, since the beginning of the year....

Sam started to type:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Will Arsenal Stumble? By Football Correspondent Sam Wallace

Crisis? What crisis? You wouldn't think so to look at the noncahalant ease in which they brushed aside a courageous West Bromwich Albion team at Wembley this afternoon. If this is a club in crisis then I know many Premiership managers who wished that they were in the same predicament-something tells me that Arsenal have steeled themselves and are intent on securing their 3rd double in 10 years.

Let's look at the chronology of this thing: the 'crisis' began at the end of March when Ben Amponsah's team, who were on a 13 game unbeaten run, contrived to be ambushed by Michael Ballack at the Emirates in the first leg of the Champion's League Quarter Final-this was only the second time, this season, that they have suffered defeat there. They followed this shock 2-1 defeat to Chelsea with a routine 3-1 home victory against Everton. But then-shock of shocks: they went to Sunderland-a team, let us remind ourselves, who had only lost 2 games at home all season-and they lost 1-0. What seemed to anger the Arsenal faithful and their manager was the manner of the defeat: there seemed to be a lifelessness about the team-especially in the final third. Henry seems disinterested at the moment, as does Torres and 2 of the stars of the early part of the season, Diarra and Renato are operating well within their capabalities at the moment.

If reports are to be believed it was after this game that a furious Chairman confronted his manager in the Sunderland Board Room and angrily accused him of lacking 'bottle'. Apparently Ben Amponsah had to be physically restrained by his Assistant, Pat Rice and a young film-maker, 17 year old Jake Patterson.

If it is true that Arsenal's big guns appear to have gone missing at the moment there is still much to cheer them-they have not all been spiked yet: Walcott seems to be rediscovering some of the mid-season scintillating form that has been missing of late and whatever is going on with Henry and Torres, Carlos Tevez is having no such problems, leading the Arsenal scoring charts with 23 goals in 21 starts-the only problem has been keeping the mercurial Argentinian fit. And Tuncay continues to carry the fight on the left flank, as he has done all season

Given the way that they have steamrollered their way through this season then I suppose they are having a bit of a wobble but the Gunners will seek their revenge against Chelsea on Tuesday before taking on such premiership minnows as Reading, West Brom again, West Ham and then Sheffield United. Let's remember that they are 6 points clear of United at the moment and they have to take on Chelsea at the Bridge as well as Barcelona home and away in the Champion's League Semi final- a big ask.

Crisis-what crisis? Ben Amponsah and his incredible team seem to be dealing with it-will they choke? This reporter does not think so...... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sam smiled and reached for his coffee-let the readership think what they will: he was almost certain that the team that he had supported for as long as he could remember would do it-they had to because their manager was a genius.........

Mambaman · November 17, 2007

Monday 3rd May 2010 Upton Park 2142hrs

It was as much as Jake could do to hear Ben above the din of the home support as they sang and chanted in jubilation,

'That mistake may have just cost us the title Pat.....' Ben mouthed grimly at his assistant.

Jake couldn't remember ever being so despondent and nor could he recall Ben looking quite so-what did he look like? He looked defeated and he looked ill, his normally glowing brown skin had taken on a sickly pallor. His shoulders were slumped and the strain of the last few weeks had clearly made their mark: Ben had always been a lean man but he was a well built lean: normally he was like a model in the way he filled his expensive Armani suits. Now, however, he looked like a ragamuffin boy who had been tossed an ill-fitting outfit to wear. How much weight had he lost Jake mused worriedly as he filmed?

It was just as well someone was worrying about the Arsenal Manager because all he had been consumed by was the implosion of his team and the very real possibility that they would fall at the final hurdle. It had been, even by recent standards, a horrible few weeks starting with another 'shock' home defeat to Chelsea the Tuesday after the FA Cup Semi final triumph. It seemed that Mourinho and his Blue Army were intent on single-handedly spoiling Arsenal's march to the title. The Gunners defence had once again simply failed to cope with the fluid Chelsea 4-3-3 formation and Kolo Toure, normally a rock in defence, had been particularly culpable. Add to this Buffon's stuttering display in goal and the miserable picture was complete. After scoring a remarkeable opening goal in only the 2nd minute, Henry went missing once again and neither he nor Tevez could do anything to respond to the 24th and 29th minute strikes from Carvalho and Robben. After the game Ben had been simply too deflated to address the team and he left the Stadium without going through the normal niceties of meeting the Chairman and opposing Team Manager and having a drink with the Squad.

The Madejski Stadium on a crisp spring saturday afternoon was to have been the turn-around. Or that was what Ben had admonished the Team about in the dressing room prior to the game. Jake had also happened to catch Ben taking Thierry Henry aside just before the Teams were called out and say in a low urgent voice:

'Get a f******g grip of the players this time Titi-you need to lead by example. If you don't then I will get someone who will-understand?'

If Henry was supposed to have been impressed by this warning he didn't show it: he just pouted in that rather moody Gallic way of his, shook off the hand that was gripping him by the arm and stalked out. The team lost that game 2-0 and Renato Augusto was sent off in the 61st minute for kicking out at the combative Glen Johnson: things had gone from bad to infinitely worse.

They had returned to winning ways last Saturday with a thumping 4-1 win over West Brom at the Emirates but Amponsah had had to take drastic action and had dropped Henry to the bench, recalling Fernando Torres for his first start in a month. Torres had promptly repaid his manager's faith in him by scoring the opening goal in only 5 minutes-a thunderous effort from just outside the 6 yard box. The Arsenal Captain had sat and watched stony-faced from the bench- a sight not lost on Ben Amponsah, who was considering which player to appoint as Captain next season: of one thing he was sure; it was not going to be the moody Frenchman. Captains were there to stand up and be counted when the chips were down, not go missing as Henry had in too many games recently: the fact was that Ben had inherited him as Captain from Arsene's squad but there were several influential people much better placed to lead the side, chief among whom was probably Micah Richards, who had emerged as a real leader in the dressing room.

Another contender was Gigi Buffon but he had just made another howler and gifted an equaliser to West Ham in a game that Arsenal had been controlling up that point-no what Ben needed was consistent performers, week in and week out. This last goalkeeping mistake may have cost his side the Championship. There were only 8 minutes of normal time left in the game but it didn't need anyone to tell Ben that if Arsenal failed to win this game the fate of the Championship would be out of their hands if Manchester United won their last 2 fixtures, the first of which was on Wednesday away to Chelsea-a big ask but none would bet against a United team that had won their last 8 games in a row.

Ben was up and gesticulating at the team: spread the ball wide and stretch the play; more crosses from Tuncay and Hleb on the wings; Walcott and Henry constantly inter-changing up front; it was no use: West Ham were obdurate and this was not the Arsenal who had been destroying teams earlier in the season: The home crowd's bile poured forth from the stands as, at the final whistle, Amponsah stared into space.

"Arsenal you're sh*t, Arsenal you're Sh*t! League title? You've only gone and lost it!"

It was soul-destrying stuff and when Mark Hughes went to shake his opposite number's hand Amponsah looked right through him. Jake had felt tears well up in his eyes as he witnessed the unravelling of all their hopes but he had to keep filming!

It was the dying of a dream............

Mambaman · November 18, 2007

News:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> United Strike at Bridge to reclaim right to title The Times Thursday 6th May 2010

Ged Evans, Football Correspondent:

Chelsea 0

Man U 2 (Heinze 20, Pandev 65)

So that's it then-United have shown their mettle and in front of a grim-faced Arsenal Manager, who was watching from the Stands, the visitors gave Mourinho's Chelsea a master-class in attacking football. The statisticians are no longer required: all United now need to do is overcome Middlesborough in Salford this Sunday and the title that has seemed to be beyond them all season in the face of the Arsenal charge, will be theirs again.

This is some turn around and owes as much to the spectacular collapse of the Gunners as it does to United's coruscating league form over the last 6 weeks but as much as we should applaud the sheer will that has driven the Reds to this point we should also ask just how their North London rivals have managed to let it come to this? Remember the Gunners were 9 points clear of United only 5 weeks ago with 7 games remaining but they have somehow contrived to lose 3 of those games and draw one of them meaning the destiny of the title is no longer in their own hands. Arsenal have led the division since the 6th week but now must rely on Boro to take something from their visit to Old Trafford on the last day of the season, whilst they must overcome Sheffield United at the Emirates: a draw at Old Trafford matched with an Arsenal win and the Gunners will be Champion's but the chances of the former happening is, quite frankly, slim.

It has been an amazing title run-in with some marked similarities to Newcastle's doomed tilt in the 95/96 season-Middlesborough had a part to play in that one too with the game against United then provoking the infamous Keegan 'I would love it!' rant. Nobody would now bet against Aguirre's team retaining their title but something, just something, in my blood tells me that this will be one of the most thrilling final days in the history of the Premiership. Normally all the excitement is focused on the relegation scrappers but for once all eyes will be at Old Trafford and at the Emirates: you couldn't have written a better script. Do not count the Gunners out though: there's a fat lady clearing her throat but she hasn't started to sing yet.

In tonight's game itself you would have been forgiven for thinking that Chelsea were a team of imposters so lacklustre was their performance.......... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

SJ234 · November 19, 2007

three great updates KUTGW

Mambaman · November 23, 2007

Thanks SJ-we move into the final 3 episodes now fella so stick with me to the end

Sunday 9th May 2010 'Super Sunday' 1555hrs

Sky Sports:

'Welcome back to Super Sunday-the epic final day of the Premiership season where you, the viewer, gets to choose which game you want to watch on Sky Multi-watch. It promises to be an afternoon of high drama: will Middlesborough pull off the impossible and thwart Manchester United at Old Trafford and hand the title to Arsenal? The Gunners have to see off Sheffield United at the Emirates too, of course. At the other end of the table which of Portsmouth, Reading or West Brom will join already relegated Fulham in the drop zone? We have cameras at all the grounds-don't miss the action only on Sky Sports!' Here on Sky Sports 1 we're at Old Trafford-over to you Andy Grey and Martin Tyler....'

Pitchside at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal vs Sheffield United

This was it! A fresh, bright sunlight dappled day in the cauldron that was the Emirates and here Jake was walking out with his team, his hero: the last day of the season and the crowd roared as if they had already won the Premiership-no matter for the Arsenal faithful that the destination of the title was wholly out of their hands: they saluted the team that had dominated this league for most of the season, poured scorn on the red and white stripes of Sheffield United and condemned them as the sacrificial lambs that they were expected to become.

As the reserves and coaching staff took to their seats Jake started filming. They had become so used to him that they took absolutely no notice when he was filming now-which was exactly the idea. To the right of Ben Amponsah sat the ever-dependable Pat Rice. On the other side was the Physio, Gary Lewin and beside him the 1st Team Coach, Boro Primarac. Behind sat the other coaches and the reserves; Buffon (who was paying for one inconsistent performance too many), Bale, Gilberto, Rosicky and Walcott. They sat quietly, impassive, watchful as if waiting for something.

Jake trained the cam at Ben Amponsah, he was calmer than he had been in many weeks as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked better, not so ill and drained and was immersed in an intense conversation with his Assistant.

He panned round to the pitch as the players prepared to kick off: it was, more or less, the same team that had kicked off the season: at the back Stekelenberg in goal in place of the deposed Buffon. Gallas and Toure, the rocks at the heart of the defence, the fleet-footed Traore at left back and Hoyte, filling in for the injured Micah Richards at right back. In the middle of the park were Diarra and Denilson with Tuncay out left and Hleb on the right: up front were Henry and Tevez. The out of form Torres wasn't even on the bench though he was in the Dugout behind them: he had come to share in the pain or the joy of his team regardless of whether he was playing or not-some statement, Jake thought.

The whistle went. This was it-their destiny awaited them and Jake was at the heart of it.....

Pitchside at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Middlesborough 15th Minute

Javier Aguirre squinted through the shower that had suddenly descended on this part of Salford, Manchester. He was not one prone to superstitious worry but he had watched his team huff and puff against a spirited Middlesborough side with very little effect. Most of the United attacks were coming down the right flank through Ronaldo, as he had directed, but the Portuguese was worrying off the mark and had flashed several shots wide of Simon Cort's goal.

The Mexican jumped to his feet to gesticulate at the players. More from Pandev supporting Saha in attack please! He had been virtually anonymous thus far Aguirre complained to his Assistant, Brian McLair. McLair nodded grimly-it was going to be a long afternoon.......

Radio 5 Live 30th Minute

'......It's been a suprisingly even game so far Trevor'

'Yes United are definitely missing Rooney up front Johnathan! Boro aren't here to make up the numbers either: they are right in this game.'

'Yes chances at both ends-it's still 0-0 at Highbury by the way.......

Sky Sports 1 44 Minutes

So as things stand at the moment United are the Premiership Champions Andy!'

Long way to go yet Martin. Amazing chance by Rochemback there! He's causing United all sorts of trouble down United's left flank: Guardado has been pegged right back!

I agree Andy-there are more twists and turns to come yet, I feel-here come United again. Guardado, headed out by Reguniussen-only as far as Heinze-to Saha-oh brilliant-shot from Saha-OH IT HITS THE POST! An amazing turn and shot from 25 yards rattles the upright! So close United!'

Pitchside at the Old Trafford 65th Minute

Aguirre was now on his feet as the tension rose in the Stadium. He had told his players to get a grip in his halting English at half time: his use of language may have been difficult to understand but there was no mistaking the urgent fury with which he assailed them: the retention of the trophy was theirs by right and all in their hands-they simply could not rely on Sheffield United holding Arsenal at the Emirates for another 45 minutes. Get a grip and start attacking and shooting with purpose he had screamed.

His words had been heeded as United went at Middlesborough in the 2nd half. First Pandev, breaking from deep, had forced a superb save from the Boro youngster Cort in the 48th minute, flashing an angled drive at him from the left, which had the goalkeeper beating it out. United were relentless and 10 minutes later Pandev's point blank effort was blocked by desperate Boro defending-the rebound fell to Heinze who blasted it over. Aguirre, his head in his hands, groaned and wished one of his forwards had been on the end of that one.

6 minutes later the crowd were on their feet again as Carrick led a break out from the midfield and drilled the ball ahead of Pandev, who was striking terror into the Boro defense every time he got the ball. Sensing an opening he hardly broke stride and lashed a 35 yard swerving drive at the Middlesborough goal. The bend eluded the goalkeeper who watched the ball crash off his left upright in another reprieve for the North Eastern club.

Aguirre watched grimly-was this going to be one of those days?

Pitchside at the Emirates Stadium 68th Minute

Jake was struggling to continue filming as the excitement and tension built. He and the bench all knew that Boro were fighting a heroic rearguard action at Old Trafford and the game there remained at 0-0. The first half here had been frustrating. It had been a one sided affair, right enough, but the boys had been strangely subdued and only the intelligent running of Tevez had provided any real threat. He had had a shot bounce back off the post and seen 2 others go narrowly wide. There had been some support from Diarra and Traore but precious little from anyone else. Henry had been anonymous.

Ben Amponsah had calmly told the lads at half time that there was always a chance that Boro could hold out but it would mean absolutely nothing at all if they didnt get in amongst the Sheffield Team and start putting the ball in the net! They could still be Champion's today he had said quietly but firmly-Jake had never seen him so serene. The determination behind his soft speech was unmistakable though and some of this seemed to have transmitted itself to the players.

Henry was a changed player in the 2nd half and Denilson was suddenly all over the park. Straight after kick off the latter robbed one of the Sheffield United players, fed Hleb out on the right who played a first time cross into the penalty box where the lurking Henry crashed a first time volley onto the post. The players had got the bug and were playing like they meant to take the title that afternoon. More chances came in the 58th and 60th minutes but 2 thunderous Henry shots were both brilliantly saved by Richie Stroud, Sheffield's 21 year old keeper.

by the 68th minute the crowd were getting restless-the tension somewhat tempered by news of the continuing stalemate at Old Trafford. Jake could hardly bear to watch. Amponsah, by contrast, was sat calmly in his chair, as if he was watching an afternoon game of cricket-how could he be so cool?

Radio 5 Live 68th Minute

'.............Arsenal are definitely knocking on the door here Mark. Hoyte takes the throw from the right. Tevez back to Hoyte who plays a first time deep cross into the penalty box TO THE LURKING HENRY WHO'S CLEAR ON GOAL-HE SHOOTS-OH BRILLIANT SAVE BY STROUD-STRAIGHT TO DIARRA-DIARRA MUST SCORE!!!! IT'S ONE NIL TO THE ARSENAL! They've broken the deadlock at last. Arsenal are in front at the Emirates with 20 minutes of normal time remaining'

Sky Sports Xtra

'The crowd have gone berserk Gary-you could see it coming. Henry especially has been unplayable in the second half-He made that goal!'

'We can hardly hear ourselves talk Jamie! The crowd are jubilant. Look at Ben Amponsah in the dugout though-he's hardly moved. He is smiling I see. This afternoon's not finished yet. As things stand at this moment this will be Arsenal's first title since 2004. It's been six long years!'

Pitchside at Old Trafford 72nd Minute

They had all heard the news in the United dugout but Aguirre had worries of his own: he had substituted the inneffectual Saha and brought on the mercurial American Rossi 5 minutes previously. He had also hauled off Guardado who was having a torrid time against Rochemback and put the utility player Fletcher on. No sooner had they heard that Arsenal were one up but Fletcher was also badly injured by a typical forward's challenge from Defoe and had to be stretchered off. Defoe hadn't even received a booking, Aguirre noted wryly.

The Mexican was up and down his technical area gesticulating like a crazed marionette-Aidy Boothroyd in the Middlesborough dugout was no less animated: he hadn't brought his side here to be whipping boys to anyone and it was the last game of the season after all. He barked out new orders for the players to switch formation to a Christmas Tree 5-4-1 with 3 centre backs, Defoe at the apex and Vyacheslav Hleb playing off the little striker-let's give them something else to think about Boothroyd thought.

It was desperate stuff though and in the 80th United came straight back from a Boro clearance, the ball falling to Carrick who played a first time ball through to Toure who fed the ever-willing Pandev on the left. The crowd were on their feet-Pandev struck: the ball flashed past the despairing dive of the heroic Cort....and past his right hand post as well; another let-off for Boro-another knife in the heart of the United faithful. Pandev was at it again 2 minutes later, this time blasting over from 15 yards: it was becoming desperate for United as well.....

Sky Sports 1 83rd Minute

'The tension is unbearable-look at the United supporters Andy! They cannot believe this. And here come Boro on the break-Hleb to Rochemback to Defoe-he's beaten the United offside trap-HE SHOOTS! Oh wide-well wide.'

He's gotta do better than that Martin-I always say a striker of his calibre should be testing the goalkeeper from positions like that. It has given Boro some breathing space though......'

Radio 5 Live 87th Minute

'.......with the game still tied at Old Trafford. Arsenal aren't finished yet though. Traore out wide to Diarra-to Tuncay. He feeds it back to Diarra who looks for the run of Hleb 20 yards to his front left. First time from Hleb into the box-Finds Thierry Henry-ON THE VOLLEY!!!! IT'S IN!!! 2-0 TO ARSENAL! This game is over.........'

Pitchside at Old Trafford

The news that The Gunners were now 2 up was greeted with grim silence on the United bench. They weren't paying that much attention anyway: it wouldn't matter if Arsenal put 10 goals past the witless Sheffield players, none of that would make any difference so long as they could score just one goal here.

And then on the 90th minute young Cort, who had played so well between the Boro posts thus far, had a rush of blood to the head when playing a ball outside of his area. Instead of just putting it into row Z he tried to control the ball first but was horrified when it bounced back off him towards the onrushing Goran Pandev of all players. Without breaking his stride the Macedonian looked up and sent a chip over the back-tracking Boro Keeper and towards the net......'

Radio 5 Live

'...HAS CHIPPED THE GOALKEEPER AND THE BALL GOES....WIDE-Oh it's wide Trevor! Agony for United-relief for Boro and triumph for Arsenal maybe because United now only have injury time to retain their title!'

'What an afternoon Johnathan! How much time-5 MINUTES??? Where's he got that from I wonder? Well it's going to be a roller-coaster that's for sure.....'

Pitchside at The Emirates Full Time

The game was over but there was a deathly hush in the stadium. The Sheffield United players had already trooped off and their supporters were being marshalled away from the stadium. Everyone else was sat watching the massive screens at either end of the pitch as they showed the final few minutes of the United game. It was amazing that 80,000 odd people could make so little noise but the hush was deathly.

It was hearts in mouth stuff as United poured forward. Jake felt physically sick but he had to stay calm, stay focused. Carlos Tevez, he noted, couldn't bring himself to watch at all but was sat with his track suit top covering his head as the action unfolded.

Boro were holding but United had one last chance in the 95th minute when they were awarded a dubious free kick 25 yards out on their left. Carrick stepped up to take it. You could hear a pin drop: if he scored their title dream would be over for another year....Up came the Englishman-he swung his boot.....

Sky Sports 1

AND BLASTS IT OVER!!!! And it is all over because that's it at Old Trafford. Absolute despair here in the red half of Manchester as their great rivals Arsenal are crowned Champion's!!! It has been an unbelievable afternoon and one in which the bravery of a modest Middlesborough side has thwarted the ambitions of mighty Manchester United and handed the Championship to the Gunners! Brilliant!'

Pitchside at The Emirates

Jubilation.

Jake was so proud his heart was hurting-he struggled to get his breath and tried to focus on Ben. It was the first time that he had seen him break down but all the stress of the last few weeks seemed to erupt from him in a huge release as he was hugged by players and staff alike.

The stadium was a mass of red and white scarves and banners proclaiming them Champions. Where had they got those Jake wondered through his tears-he was still filming. He had to stick close to his hero-he couldn't believe it. They had done it-finally after 6 long years his idol had led his team back to the promised land.

Ben was being dragged towards the central podium, where the trophy and the Team awaited but he shrugged off the guiding hands, turned back to Jake, strode over and clasped him in a massive bear hug.

Sobbing freely he mouthed into Jake's ear:

'For you and all your sort Jake. Thank you for believing'

ARSENAL WERE CHAMPIONS AT LAST..................

williamshankley · November 24, 2007

SJ234 · November 24, 2007

Mambaman · November 24, 2007

Monday 10th May 2010 Ben Amponsah's Residence

Ben rolled out from under his duvet and reached blindly for the glass that usually sat on his bedside table. He'd had the foresight, when he had staggered in, at some point during the early hours, to make himself a pint of Alka Seltzer. He had managed to drink some of it before falling unconscious knowing that he could finish off the foul tasting drink when he awoke properly.

What time was it? He had done his usual of waking up exactly 6 hours after going to sleep: a habit he didn't seem to be able to break and one that he had learnt from his years as an Army Officer in his younger days. 1005hrs. So he had managed to make his way home at about 0400-ish.

Recollections of last night started to come back to him: the jubilation and pride, celebrating with the players in the dressing room. Words of thanks to his playing staff and especially to Pat. The massive party for all the staff, players and their families that had been thrown in the Hospitality Suite upstairs at the Emirates. Speeches: lots of them. And he especially remembered the unbridled joy on young Jake's face, throughout, as he faithfully filmed it all. That boy had become like a son to him he thought fondly, smiling. He had remembered asking him, as he prepared himself in his office for the party, what he was going to call the film? Jake had smiled that beautiful little smile of his and told him it would be titled 'An Interview with the Arsenal Manager: a Young Fan's Story.' Interesting, Ben had thought: it certainly had a ring to it even if he wasn't quite so sure that it needed to be quite so focused on him but that was Jake for you-dedicated, dogged and ever-so slightly obsessive. He had vaguely remembered offering a lift back to his in the same taxi that he was in but the lad had insisted that he wanted to walk home as it wasn't far and he had College in the morning. Ben had hugged him close, realising that their journey together was going to soon be at an end. Jake had then headed off-all blonde tousled hair, glasses and smiles-moving easily towards the massive glass doors at the entrance to the Corporate area of the stadium.

Ben wrapped himself in his voluminous ermine dressing gown and padded across his bedroom to the kitchen. What was he going to do on a Monday morning when he had a rare day off? He had granted the team not only Monday but also Tuesday off and then they were to report back in earnest for preparation training for the FA Cup Final that following Saturday. A Double beckoned in only his 4th season as manager-it was all to play for.

There was a warm bacon sandwich waiting for him on the kitchen table along with the papers and a large glass of Orange juice. Bless Luke, Ben thought. Always attentive, his personal assistant seemed to have a knack for knowing at exactly what time Ben would arise and would have the necessaries ready for him: papers turned over at the Sports Pages, the bacon sandwich and a glass of OJ or a large strawberry and banana smoothie. The trick was he did it all so unobtrusively that he remained almost invisible.

Ben eyed the back page of The Mirror with a grin:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> AMPO'S APPRENTICES SEE OFF CHARGE OF UNITED TO STAY ON COURSE FOR DOUBLE Steve Bunce Writes:

It was an unbelievable afternoon of football but at the end it was Ampo and his young guns who came out triumphant... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

'Ampo' Ben chuckled: what a ridiculous nickname! Only in the tabloids. He scanned the final league table:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Holders - Arsenal

| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | C | Arsenal | | 38 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 76 | 35 | +41 | 79 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | | Man Utd | | 38 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 63 | 26 | +37 | 79 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Charlton | | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 54 | 43 | +11 | 65 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Bolton | | 38 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 43 | 26 | +17 | 64 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | | Liverpool | | 38 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 49 | 38 | +11 | 63 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | | Chelsea | | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 46 | 43 | +3 | 59 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 7th | | Newcastle | | 38 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 57 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 8th | | Aston Villa | | 38 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 52 | 40 | +12 | 55 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9th | | West Ham | | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 36 | 42 | -6 | 52 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 10th | | Man City | | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 48 | 51 | -3 | 51 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 11th | | Tottenham | | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 50 | 45 | +5 | 50 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 12th | | Sunderland | | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 42 | 50 | -8 | 50 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 13th | | Middlesbrough | | 38 | 14 | 5 | 19 | 50 | 54 | -4 | 47 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 14th | | Everton | | 38 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 38 | 52 | -14 | 45 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 15th | | Sheff Utd | | 38 | 9 | 17 | 12 | 32 | 37 | -5 | 44 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 16th | | Blackburn | | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 33 | 40 | -7 | 42 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 17th | | Reading | | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 35 | 62 | -27 | 38 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 18th | R | West Brom | | 38 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 37 | 55 | -18 | 35 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 19th | R | Portsmouth | | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 28 | 52 | -24 | 33 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 20th | R | Fulham | | 38 | 2 | 15 | 21 | 11 | 45 | -34 | 21 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well it had indeed been a close run thing at the top with his team almost losing it with their particularly bad run of form at in the last few weeks. Thankfully they had just done enough and then had Middlesborough to thank for helping them to a title that they should have clinched with weeks to spare. Ben put a reminder in his mobile to contact Aidy Boothroyd later that day and proffer his thanks for his team's efforts: no harm in cultivating what friendship may arise there, he thought. At the other end of the table Alan Curbishley's West Brom and Carlos Queiroz's Portsmouth were joining Fulham in the Football League. Too bad. Queiroz had always been a better number 2 than manager-his stint at Real Madrid proved that and as for Curbishley, he had very little time for the man. What was astonishing were the relatively lowly placings for Liverpool and Chelsea who had both been pipped to the Champion's League spots by Ian Dowie's Charlton and Phil Brown's Bolton respectively: a herculean achievement and one which would hurt the 2 elite clubs for a long time to come.

Ben smiled-what did it concern him? The discomfort of 2 of his main rivals was pleasing but there were more pressing matters ahead. He reached for the heavy glass of juice with one hand and turned on the News: what was happening in the world?

The headline that screamed at him from the Sky News vide-printer made his blood run cold:

YOUNG ARSENAL FILM MAKER STABBED TO DEATH ON WAY HOME FROM TEAM PARTY

'.....that this young man of only 17 had been making a documentary film that charted the course of the 2009/10 Arsenal season. It seems clear, at this stage, that he was attacked by a gang of youths for the posessions he had on him, which included the video cam with the film on it. The Home Secretary has reiterated his fear that there is a growing stain on British youth culture where children...'

But Ben was no longer listening as the glass that he had been holding slipped from his grasp and shattered on the tiled floor.....

SJ234 · November 25, 2007

another twist

williamshankley · November 25, 2007

Mambaman · November 25, 2007

Tuesday 11th May 2010

A vale of tears:

The father laid low by grief: he had not had a chance to say a proper goodbye to his beloved son-it had been a rushed 'see you later son' amidst all the tumult of the celebrations.

The Premiership Manager consumed by despair, anger and guilt: he was the last friend to have seen the boy alive-could he have done more to persuade Jake to come home to his?

The estranged friend who had done so much to make his life a misery: consumed by guilt she was to take her own life only 1 week later.

The Psychiatrist who contemplated how unfair life and fate could be: the lad had done so well and had such a bright future ahead of him. The headlines in the papers on his desk said it all:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> JAKE PATTERSON STABBING: SHOCK OF A NATION/GRIEF OF A FATHER/TEARS OF A FOOTBALL MANAGER The Mirror Tuesday 11th May 2010 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

and here:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Patterson Murder: A club mourns as Police arrest 3 suspects and retrieve precious Documentary The Independent Tuesday 11th May 2010 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dr Drempetic shook his head and dabbed a hankerchief at his moist eyes: it was a waste-such a waste.......

Mambaman · December 1, 2007

Monday 17th May 2010 Morning at Ben Amponsah's Residence

It had been a week that he would never forget and one where he had had to marshall all of his emotional strength to keep from falling. It had started with utter despair and tragedy but had ended on an altogether different note. Now, on a warm and sunny early summer's morning, Ben sat at his breakfast table eyes squinting up at the sunlight streaming through his skylights-so beautiful he thought, contemplating, remembering: the colour reminded him of the brilliant blonde hair of the person whose passing had left such a void in his life.

His speech at Jake's funeral, mid week, was probably the hardest thing that he had ever had to do-worse even than the eulogy that he had written for his mother when she died a few years ago: he had known for some time that she was dying and so had she. It had given them both time to make peace with each other and approach the end with a measured calmness that was altogether lacking at Jake's service. There were so many distraught young people there, Ben had recalled. All of whom were on the edge of hysteria: kids of 17 from well-to-do families and with so much ahead of them simply weren't supposed to go like this-were they? The whole of the Arsenal 1st Team squad were also there, many of them in tears and with all the stars came a posse of the nation's media: it was quite an event.

Ben and Jake's father Sebastian had embraced afterwards at the family commemoration: they had both, in their own ways, been like fathers to the boy and in their shared grief they came together naturally for support.

'Your words were so kind Ben.' Seb had whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. 'He thought the world of you...you know. I-it always made me a bit jealous the amount of time that he spent with you in the...in the end.'

Ben's eyes filled with tears again, 'Mr Patterson-'

'No call me Sebastian please. I don't resent you for it Ben-not one bit. He was truly happy in his last few months-working with you and the team. He had found a sense of purpose that had, perhaps been lacking. It gave him balance: if anything I should be most grateful for that, so thank you.'

It was quite a thing to be thanked by a grieving father at the death of his son so all Ben could do, as the tears flowed, was envelop Seb Patterson in a tight embrace. In that simple gesture was all the meaning that he could convey: everything this man's son had meant to him in the brief time that he had known him.

so here he was. He was surveying two things in front of him on the breakfast table: one was the morning newspaper, the other a letter:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Triumph and tragedy as grieving Gunners march in at the Double The Independent Monday 17th May 2010

James Lawton, Sports Writer of the Year

Arsenal 3 (Torres 8, Henry 20, 87)

Man City 1 (Beasley, 22)

They came to conquer, this Arsenal team and Man City were the sacrificial lambs to be held up for slaughter. Vengeance for the tragedy that has befallen them and for the family of young Jake Patterson was all they wanted and vengeance they got. The aberration of a DaMarcus Beasley goal was the one note of defiance from a feisty Manchester City side but this result was almost as certain as the tears that poured down nearly every Arsenal player's face as the silence that was held to commemorate the young Arsenal fan and film-maker before kick off: it was immaculately held.

Both sides lined up with a 4-4-2 formation: the only change to a solid Arsenal back line was Maarten Stekelenburg's continuing presence in goal: clearly Amponsah has had enough of Buffon's inconsistency. Hoyte also remained at right back, standing in for the injured Richards and Bale on the left as Traore was not fully fit either. Along the midfield no surprises for Arsenal as Tuncay, Diarra, Denilson and Hleb provided the platform for the attacks of the explosive Torres and the mercurial Frenchman, Henry. Ranged against them the rather more workmanlike talents of Carson in goal behind, Jordan, Distin, Dracena and Onuoha in defence. The main attacking threat for City was to be the pace of Wright-Phillips, the tenacity of Barton and the trickery of Theo Janssen in the midfield behind 2 quick forwards DaMarcus Beasley and Daniel Sturridge.

The opening 6 minutes were surprisingly even with Man City shading the number of chances but gradually the power of Diarra and the clever runs of both Torres and Henry began to tell: Bale and Tuncay were linking up dangerously on the left too. It was from the latter two that the first Arsenal goal came: a link on the left from Henry to Tuncay, who fed the overlapping Bale, whose first time cross to the edge of the City Penalty area found Torres lurking. His first effort was parried by Carson but the explosive Spaniard made no mistake with his second. First blood to the Gunners.

City came at Arsenal hard but with Stekelenburg looking good value in goal it was always Arsenal who looked more dangerous on the break. Henry had already had a couple of destructive runs into the City box, both thwarted, when on the 20th minute he collected an innocuous ball from Denilson 35 yards out and simply bent a stunning right foot shot around Carson and into the City goal. Rapture for the Arsenal team, jubilation for their fans and quiet contemplation from a clearly emotional Ben Amponsah in the Arsenal dugout.

City were not to lie down, however and struck back almost immediately with a Beasley goal from an incisive City break-away: it was a well-taken strike and one which the City tormenter in chief, Henry, would have been proud of, as it came down the Sky Blues' left and was taken with aplomb by the American. This only served to rile the Gunners who then proceeded to ratchet up their dominance, almost scoring immediately. It was only extreme selfishness by Henry denying his team another goal when, with the goal at his mercy and Torres square he shot straight at the advancing Carson. It's no exagerration to state that, if it wasn't for the brilliance of the young English goalkeeper, City would have found themselves going into the break 3 or 4 goals down since, in that time, he produced several stunning saves.

The start of the second half was almost a carbon copy of the first with a determined City forcing several saves of quality from the Gunners keeper and then Arsenal reasserting their dominance. Within 10 minutes of the restart it was suddenly Carson, once more, forced into dipping into his quality saves book as three times he denied Henry. The game then swung once more and again it was Stekelenburg that was the busier keeper with one particular save from Beasley at point blank range drawing gasps from the crowd: one thing was for sure City had not come to Wembley to make up the numbers: national tragedy or not. Game on.

Amponsah, clearly feeling that the game was in the balance took off the tiring Torres in the 75th minute and brought on Walcott, who had been instructed to interchange with Henry and provide something else for the Manchester defence to think about. The tactics worked brilliantly and Walcott and Henry started to cause havoc. It was thus no surprise when Henry put the cup beyond City's reach in the 87th minute with a searing, jinking run that started in the centre circle and left no less than 5 City defenders trailing in his wake.

It had been the worst of weeks for this proud club and their proud manager but amidst all the tears and grief here was vindication of what young Jake Patterson had been saying all along: Ben Amponsah is possibly the best manager in the world at this moment and he manages quite possibly the most vibrant and scintillating team to boot...... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ben smiled ironically at those last few words and then scanned the letter he was holding:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> To The Arsenal Chairman: 17/05/10

Dear Dan

As you know managing the Arsenal Team has been nothing short of a miraculous honour and one which I shall always look on with the utmost gratitude. I have delivered to you, in the short time that I have been here, 5 trophies: The League Cup, the FA Cup, The European Super Cup as well as the Champion's League and the League title.

In normal circumstances I would be hungry for more and I would be working out with you how we could preserve our dominance but, as you know, these are no ordinary circumstances. It is with great regret, therefore, that I am writing to you to tender my resignation as the Arsenal Manager.

I inherited a team of winners and I feel that I have taken forward and developed that winning mentality: I am emotionally tired and I am grieving, however, and now need some time away from football and the public gaze to deal with that grief.

I hope that you, the Board, the players and all the staff will understand my decision and respect it: I am certain that you will all continue to do all that is in the best tradition of this proud club.

Yours Ever

Ben Amponsah </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That was it then, the Ex-Arsenal Manager thought as he leant back in his chair. But there was one final thing to do: he picked up his mobile and keyed in a number.

'Arsene, mon vieux, comment ca va? Yes a bad, bad business tres triste c'est sur. Now Arsene, my old friend, I have a proposition for you: how would you like to........?

THE END

Haowan · December 1, 2007

Amazing story...

One of the best in this forum...

god...sad dat it ended

SJ234 · December 2, 2007

wow what an ending a great story

Handi_Andy · December 2, 2007

Great story.

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An Interview with the Arsenal Manager-a young fan's story

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