I'm 31 years old, I've seen Arsenal play some of the best football in Europe. Wengerball was a beautiful sight, it was fluid, quick, attractive football and beautiful on the eyes. Yet, it was married to finishing 4th, with the odd 2nd or 3rd thrown in for a bit of flair. Big games over and over, being beaten by our rivals time after time. 5-1 at Anfield, 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, 8-2 at Old Trafford, home and away being thrashed by Man City.
So tell me why I've now got every media outlet & jounralist looking for a clicks telling me I shouldn't be happy with what I'm seeing?
"1-0 to The Arsenal" or "Boring boring Arsenal", this isn't a new part of the game, this is Arsenal's history.
Social media are more than happy to talk about some of the best defences in the Premier League. Ferdinand/Vidic, Terry/Carvalho, Adams/Keown, Campbell, Van Dijk, Kompany. Or Chelsea only conceding 15 in a season, a remarkable feat.
Liverpool being crown "set piece kings" a few years ago during the title run, Chelsea having a piece done by Jamie Carragher about how Champions use set pieces during a title run - By now it's an issue? An issue much less brought up Jamie Carragher himself.
For years Arsenal were beaten by physical teams, lesser teams would play Arsenal with the pure intention of kicking us off the park. But now, we're too physical?
Arsenal go play defensive away to big teams, get accused of not going for a win or being "scared" - Yet no one talks about Haaland playing CB during Man City's trip to Arsenal this season?
Arsenal go all out attack and try to go toe to toe with teams we weren't simply as good as a few years ago & get beaten. Arteta is "out his depth" or Arsenal aren't good enough - Yet, when do you ever see a team go to Arsenal and attack us for a game? Man City tried and lost 5-1. PSG had Donarumma to thank for not leaving the 1st leg with a defeat.
When it's Arsenal who are the ones being beat or being treated like the little boys of the league, the media are quick to paint Arteta as the bad guy or find a fake story about a possible squad fall out. But when it's Arsenal being the bullies, dominating the game and acting like a big club should, suddenly it's an issue?
You can keep your days of beautiful football with Fabregas, Hleb, Nasri, Rosicky, Wilshere, Arshavin, Diaby etc.
You can keep your horrid defence of Sokratis, Luiz, Chambers, Cedric, Lichtsteiner, Mustafi.
The squad as a whole right now is one of the best squads Arsenal Football Club have ever had. It is completely unfathomable to me that this squad do not win silverware - And when we do, I cannot wait for every single media outlet to have to post their graphics that 70% of our goals were set plays. I can't wait for them to have to make graphics of Mikel Arteta lifting the Premier League trophy.
Another ‘knockout’ result at court
The men, Billy Joe Saunders (36), Maurice John Smith (36), Noah Stanley (54) and Noah Stanley (26) were convicted after dogs used for hunting were found in their possession and videos of the crime were found on their phones
@NFUtweets
1/2
This is what it’s all about. Complete stranger from behind me, captured me and my sons reaction at the final whistle. A video to cherish forever. #cpfc
Spare a thought for Arsenal fans who have to sit through another 90 minutes of their team knowing for absolute certainty that they are not capable of scoring a goal.
🤬 “This is UNACCEPTABLE.” - Ex-PGMOL Chief is absolutely raging after what he spotted in Arsenal-Man City clash between Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes.
@jackgooner123@FFS_WhatNow@ollie_blosse@lewivilleafc I am a brewer in California, USA. Thank God we have no Keir Starmer here. Beer is my life. I follow Real Beer Drinkers around the world. Hope Real Beer Drinkers follow me back.
Cosm's new immersive sports-viewing experiences are going viral.
• 87-foot-by-55-foot dome
• Onsite restaurant and bar
• Locations in LA and Dallas
But now Cosm has raised $250 million to open 50 locations by 2030.
Here's how it works 👇
Cosm's primary business is providing and servicing its technology to nearly 800 planetariums and science centers worldwide (i.e., immersive displays).
But sports represent a bigger opportunity, so Cosm started building physical venues.
Cosm's current venues cost $80 to $90 million, and they were designed by HKS — the same architecture firm that designed SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
These venues use a 180-degree LED display that can go from 8K to 12K, and they flip through 5 to 10 camera angles per event, allowing fans to experience courtside seats in the NBA or against the fence for a UFC fight.
Cosm can do this because...
1. They have signed distribution deals with many of the biggest media rights holders in sports:
• ESPN
• Fox
• NBC
• TNT
• NBA
• UFC
These deals allow Cosm to stream the events.
But equally as important...
2. Cosm's proprietary tech stack includes physical setups at stadiums around the globe.
This is the secret sauce.
Many people probably don't know this, but Cosm owns a company called C360, which handles video technology for sports leagues, including:
• Pylon cameras in the NFL
• 360-degree cameras at MLB games
So Cosm sends a handful of people to each game.
These on-site individuals work with a production team back at their venues, rotating between different camera angles to provide fans with the best viewing experience.
Cosm's venues have about 700 seats inside the dome, and tickets can cost up to $200, not including food, depending on the event.
However, Cosm's venues also have a sports bar (with a 150-foot big-screen TV) that gives you standing-room-only access to the dome for just $11.
And while Cosm's first two venues just opened in Los Angeles and Dallas, they already have bigger plans.
Cosm recently announced a $250 million investment that valued the company north of $1 billion.
Investors include:
• David Blitzer (co-owner 76ers & Devils)
• Marc Lasry (former co-owner of the Bucks)
• Dan Gilbert (owner of the Cavaliers)
This money will help Cosm open 50 locations by the end of this decade, including venues in Atlanta, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Europe, and the Middle East.
So don’t be surprised when a Cosm venue opens in your city.
There is clearly demand for immersive sports experiences outside of attending games in person, especially when you consider that professional teams play half their games on the road.
And no one is better positioned to deliver on that trend (for both fans and investors) than Cosm.
P.S. Follow me (@JoePompliano) for more sports business content!
(📹: @FOXSports)