Ahead of the New Year’s Day trip to the Emirates, who better to have a chat with than Arsenal fan and friend of TEB, Mark Harrison.
Q. What were your hopes and dreams for the new season before a ball was kicked?
The main aim is always the Premier League for me. We came second last season so with the advent of players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil around, then signing Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi, I felt we had the squad to finally stay the course. On the flip side I’ve also felt for a long time that Arsenal lack the right mentality when it matters, only time will tell if we do have what it takes this season.
Q. Was it a successful summer transfer window for the club or are there areas that still need improving?
For me it was, we needed a centre half of stature to play with Laurent Koscielny and Mustafi fits that, oven ready. I also feel Xhaka is a good signing, young but experienced, been a club captain already so knows the game too and a lovely passer of the ball. Lucas Perez also a decent signing, but in all honesty I really wanted a ‘killer striker’ to finish what I see as a very very good side if we had that.
Q. Arsene Wenger continues to attract the critics but what is the view of the fans?
It’s more mixed these days, but he still has the lions share of backing at Arsenal. We live in an era of ‘every game is your last’ now I think so that doesn’t help but overall he’s been a fantastic manager and I will forever be grateful he came through the doors of the marble halls twenty years ago.
Q. What is your fondest memory of Arsenal in your time supporting the club?
There’s been so many, but I would say watching the invincibles season with my then 13 year old son, who I very clearly remember telling one day ‘Ben, please take every moment you can in of this, it won’t happen again.’ Then, lifting the trophy in May going unbeaten, it felt like history being made and we were there every step of the way to witness it. Very special.
Q. What are your thoughts on the new rule changes for this season?
I guess there are a couple of improvements that I like more than others, the penalty change where you are not automatically sent off helps with the integrity of the game for me. If you concede a penalty, thats enough, a red card too just ends the game almost. The others are all ok, but until we get the level of officiating right what does it really matter? Some games are ruined by officials who to me, want to be the centre of attention, and sometimes are!
Q. Even though Leicester City managed it last season, it is looking increasingly difficult for an un-fancied team to break into the top six this season but if you were to pick one, who would it be?
I think Everton, although not showing it week in week out, with the new investment and Ronald Koeman coming in I can see them improving somewhat.
Q. Perhaps you could share your views on Palace as a club, how we did last season and our start to this season?
I found last season really strange in terms of Palace, really was a season of two halves wasn’t it! Flying in the first half, falling in the second, couldn’t really work out why to be honest. I know it got very uncomfortable near the end but thankfully got sorted. The club are clearly trying to set out a future by making signings like Yohan Cabaye and Christian Benteke and I sensed a change in the type of football Alan Pardew was trying to instill, but of course, it is a results business and this season hasn’t been kind so far hence why the change to bring in Sam Allardyce was made.
Q. Name one player from each team that the opposition should be concerned about?
Sanchez for Arsenal, truly world class with a work rate to match. For Palace it’s an easy one for me, Wilfried Zaha. He has got it all, I love his ability and think he will get better and better. I’m still fuming England haven’t got him sorted, it’s a travesty when you consider the dross that exists in our national team these days and the FA haven’t shown him he’s wanted. The national team have lost what I consider a major talent. Still, we’ll carry on with Wayne Rooney and Jordan Henderson.
Q. Prediction?
0-2 Sorry!
Q. And finally, if there was one player past or present that you could choose to play for Arsenal, who would it be and why?
Wow, great question! I think I’d have to say Diego Maradona. I don’t think even to this day there has been a player since, who for me won a World Cup almost single handedly, had super natural dribbling ability and a physique to allow it all to work so effectively. An unbelievable player. He went to Napoli when they were in the bottom four and the next season they won the league ….. really? Yep, I’ll have him as my number ten please.
