Arsenal compete at the highest level every year and fans get to see the best teams in Europe competing in their new HQ every year.

Despite competing clubs’ billionaire bosses throwing money into their toys (English clubs), Arsenal refuse to buy their way to success (cost control), have the lowest wages to revenue ratio in the premiership, nurture youthful employees (players), developed a stunning new HQ (stadium) and last year enjoyed the highest revenues in UK (albeit boosted by property sales). Arsenal have a stable platform for long term survival perhaps another 125 years if they don’t get sucked into ‘buying short term success’.

And the club has some soul. The single over-riding personality trait that the French footballing philosopher, Arsene Wenger, looks for in a new player is humility (assuming the player has the basic footballing skills). One of its young talents has another personality trait, compassion, which caused a social media stir this week….

Football star caught betting on his team’s results – on twitter Arsenal’s teenage sensation, Jack Wilshere, made a bet with North London rival Tottenham fans (who follow him on twitter) by betting £3,000 that Arsenal will end up higher than Spurs in the league table. If not he’ll pay £3k to Jack Marshall Fund for children. If Arsenal do finish higher than Spurs he’s asking all his Spurs followers on Twitter to pay a £1 towards the fund. Either way, charity is the winner. Now there’s innovative use of twitter from a conscientious, & highly talented, teenage footballer.

Another engaging use of social media is the club’s invitation to its fans to create banners online for display in the stadium. They move with the times.

Finally, Wenger & co displayed great sportsmanship in 1999 when two of their new overseas players were unaware of the great sportsmanship tradition – after kicking a ball out when a player is seriously injured, the ball is thrown back into play and given back to the opposition. The new Arsenal players unwittingly played the ball and scored a goal to win the game. Wenger & co knew this was wrong and insisted, after beating Sheffield United, and despite the FA Rules, on a replay. Full story in the eBook and book.

As a rival London club (with 129 years history) – a QPR fan, I have to applaud Arsenal’s approach, their football and their manager, Arsene Wenger.

In an economic era when survival is success, congratulations to the Arsenal, on not just surviving, but continually playing some great football on the highest altars and having some soul.  Here’s wishing them the best for the next 125 years.

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All Black Snow Angels:  Cory Jane, left, and Israel Dagg enjoy the tickertape after receiving their winners’ medals. Photo RWC

Congrats to New Zealand on a hard fought battle with the magnificent French revolutionaries – what a game. As they say in the song, it’s been a long time coming.

The then reigning world champions South Africa, when beaten by Australia in the quarter finals, exited with great dignity. As the final whistle blew I watched their   world’s best second row, Victor Matfield, smile warmly whilst congratulating the victorious Australians. So too did the Springboks  talisman captain, John Smit. He got up from the bench and promptly walked over to the Australian bench to congratulate them with a  smile, whilst privately sad, knowing that his international rugby career was over.

But the moment of the tournament  came from a real winner in rugby, in sport and in life, the Romanian captain, Cristian Petre, who after suffering a 67-3 loss to England,  was asked by a reporter about the game and replied "I play rugby for happiness".  

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Note: Springbok captain John Smit and vice-captain Victor Matfield retired a few days after the World Rugby Cup (Smit from international rugby and Matfield from all rugby with the quote: “It has been an unbelievable experience being part of building our great nation and bringing people closer to each other.”

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In 1999, Palermo made international headlines when he missed three penalties for Argentina. They lost 3-0 to Columbia in the Copa America.

Next day Palermo gave interviews and promised to get on with his career. Three days later, he scored in the 2-0 win over Uruguay.

He scored from his own half against Independiente something even Pele failed to do in the 1970 World Cup.

His 200^th goal for Boca Juniors was a 40 yard header to win the game 3-2 against Velez Sarsfield.

In the lashing rain, last October, he scored the last minute goal against Peru to propel Argentina into the 2010 World Cup. Listen to the commentator roar ‘goaaaal’.

Although he’s stuck on the bench behind Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero he loves being part of the team. “Diego will decide when I get on the pitch, and it will be when he considers it beneficial for the team. I value greatly being where I am.”

“The problem is that we are talking about a team in which every player is more of a superstar than the one before, in the best way. I am surrounded by monsters!” the Boca Juniors legend joked with Ole on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile Palermo does not rule out a last minute goal in a crucial game like the final! “That would be one hell of a film ending no?! Something incredible. Whatever is coming my way, bring it on. Meanwhile I’ll enjoy this time like nobody else.”

Why don’t they celebrate with maybe a huge roar and a big smile? Where are the smiles gone? I remember in the 70s when players scored they lept in the air, or in George Best’s case, he’d just hold one arm up in victory and smile. Pele would leap into the arms of other players and wear the biggest grin you can imagine – it just lit up the world (except of course , if you were the opposition).

So why is there a need to be so angry? Frustrated? Uptight? Is it a

release of pressure? If so, is there more pressure today than in

years gone by? Can anyone help answer any of these questions?

As I’m puzzled