Arsenal Confessions - Ten images that represent thoughts of Gooners worldwide

1. Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere; the future of Arsenal FC and England. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

With news spreading about Wilshere’s return being set back yet again to October, Arsenal fans around the world are disappointed that our young star midfielder has been out for more than a season.

His breakthrough season (2010-11) was incredible for a player his age, having made 49 appearances for the club with 3 goals and 9 assists, while fitting in and making key contributions to Arsenal’s challenge for trophies.

2. Pat Rice

Pat Rice’s contribution to the club that is Arsenal will never be forgotten. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

It has already been difficult for Arsenal fans to not see the usual combination of Pat Rice and Arsene Wenger on the bench during pre-season, and that feeling will continue to be present throughout the season.

Pat Rice’s contribution to Arsenal FC will never be forgotten, after spending 14 years as an Arsenal player from 1966 to 1980, and then being a part of the Arsenal training setup as a youth team coach, caretaker manager, and assistant manager to Arsene Wenger from 1984 to 2012 – all adding up to a whopping 42 years at the club.

3. Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny – unappreciated at first? Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

Regularly branded a failure by many in the media and opposition fans as well, Laurent Koscielny had a bumpy start to his Arsenal career, but has quickly taken one of the centre-back positions in Arsene’s lineup and made it his own, after a brilliant season in 2011-12.

Arguably the best centre-back last year in the Premier League after Vincent Kompany, Koscielny proved all his doubters wrong last season, and has shown rapid growth under Arsene Wenger.

4. Inconsistency

Arsenal’s inconsistency has left many of us disappointed more than once. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

Let’s face it, we’ve all been left heartbroken at some point by Arsenal. It could be the 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford, the slew of Barcelona encounters we’ve had (save for one which is mentioned below), or the AC Milan drubbing.

What leaves us most disappointed is the fact that we know our players are capable of performing better. That being said, more often than not, we have legitimate reasons for our losses – terrible luck with injuries to our squad, bad pitches (the San Siro anyone?), awful decisions to name a few.

5. Inspiration

If you’re an Arsenal supporter and you’ve still not watched the 2-1 Barcelona victory, you’re missing out. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

The one game that left most of us in tears – for the right reasons though. Arsenal going down to a David Villa goal, coming back with Van Persie’s shot from an incredibly tight angle, and dare I say, “Arshavinnn!”

The Emirates had never been that loud for a while – the atmosphere was absolutely electric. I know I’ve watched that game a number of times after.

6. Arsenal and Joey Barton

Accept it; many of us would love to get an opportunity to do stamp on his feet. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

I’d say the image is pretty self-explanatory. Joey Barton has had several incidents with Arsenal and other clubs as well (the game at Etihad that effectively left QPR with 10 men, and United without the title, for example). This is enough evidence to say, he isn’t the most loved player in the Premier League, by quite a distance.

7. The name on the back is never bigger than the crest in the front.

No player is bigger than the club. None of them. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

No player is bigger than the club. While people have constantly written off Arsenal after our marquee players left in the summer, Arsenal has always come back to mount a serious challenge in the competitions they take part in.

Vieira, Henry, Gallas, Adebayor, Fabregas – all players whose exit sent the media into a frenzy, attacking Arsene Wenger and boldly predicting that THIS was the season Arsenal would drop out of the top four.

That season is still yet to come.

8. Heartbroken

It’s been a few years since these two have played together – and neither of them will be as loved by Arsenal supporters as they were. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

With Arsenal being a self-sufficient club that refuses to let any dodgy foreign billionaire invest his money into the club to bring players on obscene wages and pay ridiculous amounts to clubs for them, Arsenal’s best players have had their heads turned at the sight of more money on a regular basis in the recent past.

While some of it may come down to Arsenal’s recent trophyless run, there is no doubt that many players who were fan favorites over the last few years have effectively stabbed Arsenal supporters in the back with their decision to move elsewhere for a better salary.

9. Arsene Wenger

It is simply impossible to think of Arsenal without thinking of this man. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

It is hard to imagine Arsenal FC without Arsene Wenger. He is the most successful manager at Arsenal, and has served us longer than any other manager in the history of this club.

Regardless of the hate he receives from some people, Arsenal’s growth from a club that did not win trophies regularly in a stadium for 38,500 people, to a club that generates huge amounts of revenue worldwide and now owns one of the most modern, state-of-the-art stadiums in the world is an amazing turnaround. Arsenal will never be the same when Arsene Wenger leaves.

10. Passion; Attachment

No questioning the statement made above. Image credit: http://arsenalconfessions.tumblr.com/

Whatever happens, once you truly become an Arsenal supporter and love the club for what it is – there’s really no way out of it. Arsenal becomes a part of you that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

And cherish it, we will.