Peter Marinello, anyone?

Who?
These days the news are full of stories of Jose Antonio Reyes. A young player with exceptional talent, but also a young boy struggling to settle into his new life a long way from home. In some ways Reyes reminds me of my boyhood hero, Peter Marinello. I would like to share the history of Peter Marinello with you, the way I remember it. In 1970 a player arrived at Highbury. A player whose pace and skill would have made Arsene Wenger's eyes go spinning. Sadly he was 25 years too early. There were no Arsene Wenger at Highbury in 1970, and instead of the story of one of the greatest footballers ever the story of Peter Marinello was to be a story of missed opportunities and fatal decisions, or even worse - a symbol of failure.

Early days in Edinburgh
As the name suggests his family is of italian origin, or Sicily to be more precise. They had a shop in Leith (Edinburgh). Peter was born february 20th 1950 into a neighborhood with a mixed population of protestants and catholics. There is a club called Salvesen Boys Club in Edinburgh and Peter joined them after leaving St.Anthonys Secondary School. The purpose of the club was to build bridges over the religious divide in the population trough football. Graeme Souness grew up in the same area, and the two of them are the best known players to come out of the Salvesen Boys Club. Peter's talent was soon to be recognized, and he landed his first professional contract when he signed for Hibernian in 1966. The following years he amazed the scottish football audiences with his dazzling skills. There were many highlights, but perhaps none bigger than his two goals at Ibrox that gave Hibs a rare 3-1 win in 1969. I reckon that day is still talked about amongst the Hibs fans, at least the grown ups. Scouts from the big english clubs also became aware of Peter Marinello who by now had been labeled "the new George Best".

London calling
In january 1970 Arsenal paid Hibs £100.000 to bring Peter Marinello to London. The transfer was a big media event . The fee was a huge amount of money in those days. In today's market value that should be around £15 million or so. In George Armstrong's absence Peter became a regular starter right away and expectations were high when the little winger made his debut no other place than at Old Trafford, George Best's home ground. When he also scored the media went mad. Imagine the headlines. How on earth are you going to top that? Peter played 18 games for Arsenal during the spring, including 4 in the Fairs Cup. Perhaps it was symbolic for his fait that he didn't make the team for what perhaps was the most memorable night at Highbury ever, the 3-0 win over Anderlecht that won Arsenal the Fairs Cup.

The playboy
Things looked good at Highbury now. Arsenal had just landed their first trophy for 17 years and they had plenty of young promising players like Pat Rice, Sammy Nelson, Ray Kennedy, Charlie George and perhaps the greatest talent of them all Peter Marinello. Arsenal went on to win a league and cup double, but for Peter things started to go wrong. A knee injury sidelined him for most of the double season. However Peter was just as big a star off the field as on it. He had the looks of a movie star and plenty of girls had a crush on him. A perfect object for commercial forces. He got his own news columns, participated in commercials and fashion shows, had his face on posters all over and last but not least he had guest appearances on the tv-show "Top of the Pops". That was a big deal back then. Someone even made him record a demo in an effort to become a pop-star himself. Everybody wanted a piece of the Peter Marinello phenomenon, and Peter willingly let himself be used. Imagine what all this attention can do to the mind of a 20 year old that in reality is all alone in London. These events probably changed him from a football wizard to a football playboy.

The come back
In the spring of 1972 he finally clawed his way back into the team. The venue was Highbury and the occasion was a second leg quarterfinal tie in the european cup. Arsenal were 2-1 down to holders Ajax from the match in Amsterdam and just needed a 1-0 win to go through. John Radford were suspended and new signing Alan Ball were ineligible for the game. That opened the door for Peter Marinello and he responded with a magnificent display. He did everything against the european champions, everything except score. If you ask people what they remember best from the match I bet just as many will answer Marinello's miss as George Graham's own goal that in the end sent us out of the competition. Some of europe's best footballers was at display that night and Peter Marinello was the best of them all. If he just had put that ball in the net it could have been Ibrox all over again and perhaps things would have developed different the coming months. Instead of being the hero he became the scapegoat. Just his luck!

Another set back
For some reason Bertie Mee never seemed to find room for Peter Marinello and George Armstrong in the same team. Perhaps that was due to tactical reasons, or perhaps Peter's playboy image just was a bit too much for the strict disciplinarian. In the end of the day Peter always came out as second choice. Peter got a good run of games in the first half of the 1972/73 season when Geordie was out injured. I remember seeing him live on tv in november 1972 at Molineux. The only way to describe his performance that day is "sheer brilliance". Nevertheless that was to be one of his last matches for Arsenal, because come december Geordie was back in the team and Peter was out once more. It just wasn't meant to be. Bertie Mee was starting to break up the double team and a new generation of players was coming trough the ranks. Peter didn't feel apart of either and the boss didn't seem to appreciate him much anyway. I think that was the final straw that made him give up on Arsenal and settle for just being a football playboy once more. He was offered a new contract for some reason, but he had his hart set on moving on. In fact he had been "tapped-up" by Portsmouth.

The rest of his professional career
Portsmouth put in bid of £100.000 for Peter Marinello and also tempted him with a paycheck that the Highbury board didn't want to top, so Peter decided to leave. The playboy got the upper hand and Peter took the money and ran. In fact the fee and salary for Peter Marinello was almost more than Portsmouth could handle, and the club got into some economic difficulties as a result. After two years as the girls favorite and the cashier's nightmare in Portsmouth he returned to Scotland where he played three seasons for Motherwell doing well enough to get back into the scottish national team. Next in line was a visit back in London, this time to play a few games for Fulham before the temptation of american dollars became too much to resist. When he joined Phoenix Inferno he was 30 years old. He later returned to Scotland to play for Hearts and Patrick Thistle, without any luck.

Where is he now?
With his professional football career over and done with in 1984 I believe he settled down in Edinburgh running a pub. However I guess he conducted his business in the same way he did much of his football career after Highbury, in search for quick money. Subsequently he went bankrupt in 1994 and ended up in Southbourne near Bornemouth where friends helped him back on his feet. He settled in with his wife and two sons (Paul and John) and he has stayed there for the last 15 years. He has always loved his football though. He continued playing for a amateur team called Parkbury until he was 50 years old and a bad hip finally put a stop to it. In fact he played in the same team as his oldest son. He was also seen playing for various Arsenal XI charity teams through the years.

Why am I writing this?
I don't know. I just felt like it. It gave me a chance to pay tribute to a man whose fait I have followed for the last 35 years. Life hasn't been easy on Peter, but I've learned that he hasn't become a bitter grey haired man. Not quite true - he has gray hair now, but he also has a smile on his face and is still the gentleman he always has been. Perhaps we all have something to learn from Peter Marinello, learn to be able to see beyond the footballer. See people as people and not as merchandise. Especially the media who had a big responsibility in the wrecking of Peter Marinello's career. They were first in line to ridicule and bury him when things went a bit stray, and in the end we are the ones feeding the monster by buying all their bullshit. Just a thought.

Is that really so, Ashley?

Unhappy players
Not much happening these days, just the usual stuff about Ashley Cole and Jose Antonio Reyes (and everybody else who wants to leave the club). Some of them may very well be heading elsewhere during the summer. For different reasons they seem to think that the grass isn't green enough at Highbury. I can sympathize with Reyes. People are different. Some adapts well into new environments, some find it harder. Just be honest about your problem and we'll see what happens. Nobody will keep you in London against your will. When it comes to Ashley Cole on the other hand.....

Ashley Cole
Charges have been made in the Colegate scandal. Among those accused is Ashley Cole himself. The Sun claims that was the final straw and that a new contract is out of the question as far as Ashley is concerned. If that is to be believed he must think that Arsenal somehow are to blame for his misfortune since his illegal meeting with Chelsea. Of course Arsenal could have played along with the cover up, but they didn't. Someone has to draw the line for what is acceptable, and Arsenal has taken it upon themselves to do just that. Well, I for one am proud that they have handled this situation the way they have. Regardless of the outcome.

A few weeks ago Frank McLintock stated that he thinks the whole affair has been blown out of proportion as illegal approaches has been common for years. I disagree, Frank. Lot's of things have been common. Drunk driving and shop lifting are common. Still, when you get caught you pay the price. If you are the prime minister and get caught it becomes a major issue, and rightly so! There is nothing out of proportion about it at all.

Bottom line is, rules matter. By comparison the future whereabouts of Ashley Cole doesn't. The club had to take a stand to protect itself, and if you can't see that Ash - then off you go! No player is bigger than the club. Thank God for people like Peter Hill-Wood. He cares, and he is willing to put action behind his words.

About time to shut up!

Anders Frisk
Frisk is (was) one of europe's absolute top referees. After having been subject to blunt violence and finally death threats Anders Frisk calls it a day in fear for his family. Representatives from the UEFA points the finger at managers for exaggerated public criticism of referees. I agree. How many stupid examples haven't we seen lately. The last and final straw for Anders Frisk may very well have come in the aftermath from Jose Mourinho's paranoia after Chelsea's game in Barcelona. Mourinho might consider himself one tough customer, but without mentioning his name it is no secret that it was the Chelsea boss' behavior that was on Sepp Blatter's mind when he labeled some football managers as "enemies of football". I can understand where Blatter is coming from. Chelsea have reacted on behalf of their manager by making a public statement condemning the threats made against Anders Frisk. That's fine, but the Chelsea leadership might be well advised to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror. They're not alone to be bashing refs though. Guess whose fault it was that Bolton and Tottenham was eliminated from the cup. Right or wrong, it's about time footballs leaders takes their responsibility. Arsene Wenger isn't fault free either, but he is the one who has been ridiculed because he "didn't see the incident". Perhaps that comment isn't so stupid after all?

FA Cup
We were drawn against Blackburn leaving the final open for another battle with Manchester United. Given that we will get past Blackburn and United beat Newcastle I'm optimistic that it will be our turn to come out on top in these encounters. But then again, I'm always optimistic!

A question of honor

Bolton
Yesterday Arsenal secured a place in the semifinals of the FA Cup. Bolton played their usual crap game, but this time they didn't succeed with their bullying. They were one down and reduced to 10 men within minutes, and they should have finished with even fewer on the field and more goals conceded. The ref got the bookings of Pires and Lauren wrong. According to the rules of the beautiful game the correct decisions should have been a Arsenal penalty and another red card for Bolton. Still Sam Allardyce insists to embarrass himself and his club further by moaning about Ljungberg's goal and even pleading Diouf's case. What a disgrace.

The team for the new stadium are being prepared
Arsenal now have played 4 straight games without conceding a goal and Phillipe Senderos are more and more emerging as a solid defender. Solid is also the only appropriate word for Mathieu Flamini's performances these days. Having already seen the ability of Clichy and Fabregas there now is a handful of youngsters in the side that may have what it takes to perform on the top level for years to come. Adding to that a injury free centralline in Campbell, Vieira and Henry and a couple of quality signings during the summer Arsenal will once again become a formidable force for next season. Enjoy your moment, Jose!

Investigations
Speaking of Jose, Peter Kenyon and Jose Mourinho are piling on lots of work for investigators in the UEFA and the FA. As a matter of fact their mob style operation may be making Chelsea the most investigated club in history. The Cole saga has also taken new momentum with Chelsea claiming that they were the ones to be tapped up. Jeez. Who do they think they are fooling? There is little honor in the way they conduct their business. Not that they care. I just hope the FA has it within their power to educate them.

Another Jose
Jose Reyes has again spoken about how honored he would be if he were to play for Real Madrid. One thing is to be fooled in a telephone hoax, another matter is to willingly feed the tabloids with more of the same. If this is how you feel that's fair enough, but you should honor your club. All you have to do is to knock on Arsene's door and you will be on your way. Perhaps a exchange deal bringing Michael Owen to Arsenal would be the best thing for all party's involved?

Hey, there's a light up front

Arsenal are out of the Champions League
So are Manchester United and spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. Not much comfort in that on the night, but it illustrates what kind of competition the Champions League is. It takes something really special to go all the way, that and a good portion of luck. The scandalous defending from the first leg had left us with too much to do, and over both legs we lost to a team that didn't make the errors we did.

Thierry Henry
To often he has been accused of not performing in big matches. The truth of that can be debated to say the least. He has scored his fair share of goals in europe trough the years, and he did it again tonight. A sublime Thierry Henry strike gave Arsenal the momentum they needed to go through to the quarterfinals. Sadly his teammates was unable to provide the necessary support for him to clinch a remarkable recovery from the "Munich disaster".

Was a new star born tonight?
A dip in form for Kolo Toure combined with injuries to Sol Campbell and Pascal Cygan has given Phillipe Senderos a run in the first team now. He has matured game by game, and tonight I thought he was colossal in the Arsenal defense. Sol Campbell's partner for next season could very well be Phillipe Senderos. It's early days for Senderos yet, but I just wonder if we might have seen the first glimpses of yet another masterstroke from Le Boss.

Bolton
We are now left with the FA Cup as our remaining hope for a trophy this year. First up is a trip to Bolton. They might think they are in with a fair chance to upset The Gunners again. No way. Thierry Henry is back in goalscoring form, Patrick Vieira is once again (at long last) being counted in midfield and we have three straight clean sheets now. Perhaps that wasn't enough to rise from the dead against Bayern, but it will be more than sufficient to overcome Bolton. We may still be parading the cup in may and come august we will have just as many points as Chelski. So, my fellow gooners - we may be down, but we will never be out.

Emotional rollercoaster ride

Jermaine Pennant sentenced to jail
Sam Allardyce reckons this is Pennants wake-up call. I'm not convinced. He has had lots of wake-up calls, and following every single one of them he has stated that he don't have any attitude problems. Still his lack of professionalism has been obvious for years for anyone with their eyes open. Pennant's eyes have been well closed. All he has seen is an illusion of his own greatness. Is anything about to change? Feel free to hope, but I don't. What a vaste of talent!

Robin van Persie at St.Mary's
It has been like a emotional rollercoaster ride to follow Arsenal this season. It has been ups and downs, twists and turns. At half time we were one up in Southampton playing 11 against 10 following David Prutton's sending off. We were cruising - to a draw. Again we saw one of our goalkeepers at fault for yet another lead going down the drain. I'm not going to dwell about that now. Robin van Persie's well deserved red card annoyed me most at the time. Only minutes before he had been told to keep his cool. Then he rushed into a pointless tackle in the middle of the park. Second yellow and goodbye. Do we have another young boy about to vaste his talent on our hands? He came to Arsenal with a history of conflicts from his time at Feyenoord. We have also seen signs of his hot head earlier this season. Arsene Wenger reacted in public. That's a first. His rage was obvious for all to see, and of course it prompted speculations that van Persie was on the verge of a fall out with Le Boss. I doubt that will happen. There is one significant difference between Pennant and van Persie. Robin doesn't run about pleading his innocence. He accepts the criticism and gets on with his job. Furthermore, Wenger's outburst is due to his own frustration of not achieving the results he hungers for. Wenger has had to handle young hot heads before and he prefers his players to be very competitive. The trick is to find that slim line between competitiveness and stupidity. It is enough to mention Patrick Vieira and Ashley Cole. Ashley immediately recognized the situation coming to van Persie's defense talking about his empathy with him after the game. I believe Robin van Persie will learn. Unlike Jermaine Pennant he hasn't given me any reason not to do so. I reckon he will be back to face Portsmouth.

Shootout at Bramall Lane
The rollercoaster ride continued in the replay at Bramall Lane. No controversies this time, but is was a fierce encounter that took me through the whole range of emotions. A typical cup tie that in the end warmed my "old" nostalgic hart. It started with the shock of nearly conceding a goal in the opening seconds. It continued with frustration as Arsenal dictated the game completely, but was unable to score the winner. Extra time came and went. Fear crept in as penalties was needed to settle the tie. Then the joy. The players got their reward for working their socks off for 120 minutes giving us a display that brought my thoughts back to the days of Frank McLintock and Tony Adams. Pride is the word. Quincy and Cesc was a sight, but the name of the moment was to be Manuel Almunia. Praise when praise is due. Not just for the penalty saves, but also for making match winning saves at crucial moments. Goalkeeping like that earns you at least 10 points a season in the league. Imagine if he could play like that with consistency! Sadly, that is probably just what it is - imagination. When the rush of the moment wears out I bet he will get lost again chasing a ball when he shouldn't be and dropping a ball he shouldn't have dropped. All the errors that cancels out his great shot stopping ability. However, he has earned his moment of glory. He was a major contributor to sending Sheffield United out of the cup and to me falling asleep a happy man.

Another build up
So for Portsmouth. After the frustrations from Bayern and Southampton tuesday night was the first brick in the build up to make the impossible possible. The target is to eject the germans from the champions league next week. For us to go into that battle in the right state of mind it is vital to get a positive result from the Portsmouth game on saturday. Bearing in mind the twists and turns of the season Robin van Persie is likely to provide us with the winner.