Bad Press, Undeserved Bad Press!! Let's feed them no more!!

I am stunned by the bad press Arsene Wenger attracts, it is beyond what is acceptable and borders on bullying. Arsene has the grace to attend every press conference and answer questions that at times are damn rude and disrespectful. If Alex Ferguson received a fraction of this treatment, there would be no journalists at his press conferences as they would all have been banned.

As an Arsenal fan born in the sixties, I have seen a considerable amount of football and appreciate what Arsene Wenger has done for this club. I have never seen a football manage so castigated in the press like Wenger over such a long period of time. Whether it is because he is French or because he took on the English kick and rush community, I don’t know but something is behind it.

I have just made a complaint to the PPC on the ‘Exclusive’ report by Phil Thomas of the Sun, concerning a two-year extension to Arsene’s contract. This story was made up, Wenger quite rightly lost his temper when the press asked him about this during yesterday’s press conference prior to the Bayern Munich game.

Not one mention anywhere about Arsene’s gesture on Saturday to David Oates widow.

(David Oates was BBC matchday reporter who died aged just 50 two weeks ago).

Can you imagine how much pressure he was under straight after the game but he rushed to give a hand written note of condolence to Charlotte Oates and offered to support any charity of her choice.

The BBC commentator on 5 Live was gushing with praise for what he claimed was an amazing gesture from Wenger, who had heard she was in the ground and made arrangements before his press conference. This shows the class of Arsene Wenger. The fact that the media have not reported it, speaks volumes. Had that been Harry Redknapp or Alex Ferguson, it would have been all over the media.

It is bad enough that we are subjected to the ‘Daily Arsenal’ on Talksport and the gullible Arsenal fans that seem to believe everything they see and hear.

The abuse aimed at Arsenal and in particular Arsene Wenger, is not based on fact, it is based on ignorance. The eight years without a trophy mantra is getting tiresome. There is never the mention of the fact that during that period we built the Emirates AND redeveloped Highbury.

At the same time, Roman Abramovich started flashing his cash and replaced us as the Megabrand Utds closest rival. With Man City’s Arab owners also thrown into the mix, quite why we were expected to compete is anyone guess. The media seem unable to understand the disadvantage we were at or that the continual qualification for the Champions league was a massive over achievement.

Arsene Wengers achievements should be celebrated. Instead he has become a figure of fun, ridiculed by the media at every opportunity.

I find this totally unacceptable but with Lilly liveried glory hunting Arsenal fans queuing up to help the press, it is getting worse.

Somebody has to make a stand or I feel Arsene will just walk away and I for one would not blame him. Unless we form a collective and start questioning the press and putting out positive support for Wenger it will only get worse.

I apologise if this has turned into a semi rant but I am currently seething at the treatment Arsene Wenger is receiving in the press. The fact that Phil Thomas, a journalist for The Sun newspaper has written and had printed an exclusive story consisting of a lie about Mr. Wenger speaks volumes but should not be tolerated.

Instead fans believed the story and took to the phone-in shows.

Ignorance is bliss.

Written by a man called Kevin…….

I’d normally do a pre-match post but so much has gone on, so much is going on, it’s hard to write about tonight’s match.

But clearly Arsene Wenger was angry yesterday in his pre-match talk to the press and maybe he had every right.

I hope that every player in our squad was watching their manager yesterday and I hope they feel a huge pang of guilt for contributing to what he had to endure and they go out there tonight and do themselves, the fans, the club and of course their manager proud….

Even if it’s just to give Wenger a breather from those gits in the press……

0 thoughts on “Bad Press, Undeserved Bad Press!! Let's feed them no more!!

  1. Adam says:

    Kevin. Excellent post. What we witnessed yesterday is the human cost of what Wenger has to suffer. I find it very sad and ultimately destructive.

  2. Matt Deacon says:

    I can see your point, but he is on 7.5m a year and has simply let the team get worse and worse, 11m on gervinho and 6.8m on Santos is not good management

  3. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    The best way to stick it to the press is to win a trophy. Arsene Wenger has has plenty of chances to do that in the last 8 years, but has blown every opportunity.

  4. Adam says:

    Matt. All that you say is true but there is no need for the press (not all of them) to invent stories just to compound the club’s problems surely.
    They did the same with the infamous Rafa’s rant, by portraying it as a meltdown when, as far as I could see, Benitez just ran through a list of the ways that Ferguson’s influence on football is so unfair and self serving.

  5. Scott from Oz says:

    Brilliant Kevin, just brilliant.
    Unfortunately, there are plenty in the media…not all, as i have incorrectly suggested in the past….who will do what it takes to sell a paper, regardless of who it hurts or whose character is torn apart and for what real benefit?
    Why is it the media can make up stories yet hide behind the fact that they first distance themself from it?
    “Rumour has it”, “it has been reported” etc, etc, etc.
    It is a cop out.
    I would love to see Wenger, or any ounded celebrity, follow one of these muck rakers around with a microphone and camera, just to see how they like it.
    What ever happened to common decency?
    Well done Kevin, and cheers to Rico for publishing it.
    I know there are parts you may ot agree with, but fair play for having the grace and class to allow it.

  6. ScotchEggsRule says:

    Hold on there Kevin, you’re saying because someone doesn’t believe in Arsene any more they are lilly livered or gullible? That’s bullsh*t and you damn well know it.

    Half of us who spend our time shouting the team on from the stands know full well what the great man has done for our club and what we’ve achieved even if the press will paint the last 8 years as failure.

    What brings Wenger down to the role of mortal and potentially replaceable employee is the fact that these last few seasons he has been the weakest link at Arsenal. We know the squad needs strengthening and there’s money to spend so why not strengthen it. We know the team needs a “plan B” (for about 6 years we’ve needed it now) when faced with massed defences or a different style of play, so where is this “plan B”. The team is a miserable failure from set pieces (both defensively and offensively) does it really take 6+ years to organise a defence to be able to defend and attack set pieces properly? The socialist wage structure is an abhorrent deformity in world football and does NOT work. We’ve seen this and with the loss of several key players it has been proved.

    I could go on and on with various other, obvious and tiresome, issues but I think you get the idea.

    he has had how many years to rectify half of these problems (which aren’t money based, just time based issues) and yet we still suffer the same rubbish mistakes year in year out.

    if he cannot change this then he is NOT justifying his huge salary and must be replaced. If we see some sudden change and these issues cleared up then great he stays. I’m an Arsenal supporter first and foremost, before being an Arsene supporter.

  7. Alex says:

    I agree with all the points you made. Very well written, and nice to see a true Arsenal fans thoughts expressed in the correct manner. The press can blame Wenger all they want, but what they seem to be missing is the fact that the players were the ones on the pitch on Saturday but couldn’t put it in the net. When players score they get the accolades, but when they don’t it’s the managers fault? I really hope we beat Bayern tonight, for Wengers sake, at least.

    Also, I didn’t know about that classy gesture from Wenger regarding the deceased BBC commentator. That was a lovely thing to do.

  8. ScotchEggsRule says:

    I forgot to mention that YES the press treatment of Wenger is appalling and I couldn’t agree more with that.

  9. gary says:

    bang on son!! disgraceful witch hunt occurring allover our media. this man who practically dragged english football out of the doldrums should be reveered for what hes done. i can remember the days where mid table mediocrity was all we were served. maybe mr wengers time is almost up, but he has done it at the expense of himself for the club he loves. give this great man some credit because believe me, when hes gone we will be scratching round to find domeone half as consistent in a money driven league.

  10. TT says:

    The press has no agenda towards Arsenal, to suggest so is just another conspiracy theory.

    The reason we are so much in the press is that we are still a huge club that wins fuck all, sells it’s best players, cannot defend and has by your own well made point been turned into a property development business, not a serious football club.

    Here is a point you should consider before you start slating the press for doing what it does best,sell news. Arsenal football club is quite happy to use the press to peddle lies and misinformation to it’s fans via the press. 70 million war chests, we can buy whom ever we want and pay what ever wages we want and this usually reaches a crescendo around ST renewal time.

    As much as I dislike the journalists I cant see the point in lambasting them as they are every ones whore, including Arsenal’s.

  11. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    On a more positive note. A win against Bayern would put it fair and square up the collective media arse :D:

  12. sielmilo says:

    Blaming our lack of competitive edge (due to financial constraints) is an insult to the players we have. Last season, Montpellier won Ligue 1 with bare minimum budget. Even more impressive considering the fact that PSG was already being fuelled by petrodollars.

    My point? Money does not guarantee success but in the other hand, AW seems to be a little naive in the modern game. Doubtful selections, insistence in playing players out of position and never has a plan B. That and the fact that he can’t seem to inspire his players (like Fergie).

    I’ve been a Wenger supporter through all my years of supporting Arsenal but this season is a bit much. We’re already in a worse position than last season which is even more unbelievable considering how terrible we were last season.

  13. Wavy says:

    Anyone here Stuart, I hate Wenger, Robson on 5 live this morning? More vitriolic hate radio. I don’t know what his gripe is but I know his hatred of Wenger is total. He never misses an opportunity to damn him.
    There is no doubt Wenger has been the best manager Arsenal have ever had he may be approaching the end of his stewardship but one thing is for certain nobody can expunge his successes albeit there haven’t been many recent ones.

    Time for us to wind up the drawbridge and fight the oppressive masses and particularly the press from the Emirates battlements.

    CoyGs

  14. ScotchEggsRule says:

    Is Wenger not the only manager in English football history to have finished runner up in every competition available to him? It just highlights a lack of ruthlessness in him that many other successful managers have, I know Ferguson has lost more cup finals than Wenger, but he’s also won over twice as many. There’s just something missing from Wenger’s make up nowadays that gives off t he impression of “vulnerable” and that is effecting the whole club.

  15. Matt Deacon says:

    Adam, But the press have always invented stories, its down to AW to says its rubbish or maybe start getting tough like Fergie and start banning them. As much as I like Wenger, I am just getting sick of hearing the same things when are season is nearly over, we get the usual, we will sort it out in the summer and add some new faces to make the team stronger but all we do is sell our players and Wenger is taking full responsibility for the RVP sale to Man U, Something is not right at our club, if its the board, then Wenger needs to be more honest with us.

  16. goonergal (@arsenalmine) says:

    Thank you! Currently fuming at the gutter press they would not dare treat fergie like this, whatever your views on Arsene this is an all out attack on our club and its about time we the fans fought back!

  17. Bradster says:

    I think he gets it from the press because of the way he reacts to the questions make headlines where other managers just give a half assed vague answer or ignore the question.
    I also think journo’s didn’t like that the foreigner came in, changed the game and dominated and haven’t got over it so always find a way to stick it to him when the chance arises.
    Lastly, Wenger always talks like he knows better than all others in terms of financial, judging players and making observations. That just fuels the journos to prove him wrong. Controversy sells, so when Wenger is right or does a good deed, it’s not mentioned because it’s not sensational.

  18. rico says:

    Morning all.

    Very good read Kevin. I feel sorry for Wenger, he seems to be ‘attacked’ by the press far more than any other manager.

    Despite our results, I don’t think he deserves much of what he gets thrown at him….

  19. Scott from Oz says:

    There is never an excuse for personal attacks.
    This is where the media over step the mark, and the point of the article.
    Unfortunately, as usual, a few missed it.

  20. rico says:

    Why would I not post it Scott? I always say that everyone has the right to a view, and the freedom to express it here on HH, even you….

    🙂

  21. Craszygunner says:

    I share your sentiments matt deacon….I love Arsene more than most die hard fans he is the most successful manager in our history….but that does not detract from the fact that the club is being run very poorly off the field and the results are showing on it….

    Name one excellent signing Wenger has made in the last 5 years?….l mean a player that has made us go wow!….but we’ve lost at least 4 wow players….therein lies the problem….there is too much analysis dithering and in the end buying not so good players ie gervinho santos mertasacker …

    The bottom line is AFC has been knocked out of perhaps the only 2 competitions we had any chance of winning in real terms by INFERIOR opposition ….that has never happened before Arsene needs to reflect within himself and ask why is it happening and has he given the club all that he can…is he the right man to lead the club forward….

    I am sure in the quietness of his bedroom he would regret his outburst yesterday….he used to have more class than that….therein lies the problem with Arsene….we’re now using the term “used to ” with almost every aspect of his life behaviour achievements conduct etc..

  22. rico says:

    Bradster, I think you make a very good point.

    Don’t we all say that the contradicting statements which Wenger spouts makes him look silly and he has no-one else to blame for that but himself.

    The press don’t forget and they use that against him….

  23. ScotchEggsRule says:

    I think we all can agree he doesn’t deserve half the stick he gets, the same as he doesn’t probably deserve half the blind loyalty he gets either. As always the answer lies somewhere in the middle……

  24. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    I am not privy to much of what the English press say about Arsene Wenger coz I don’t live in blighty, but I certainly get to see what vile crap many Arsenal fans say about him. It’s not good

  25. Matt Deacon says:

    Im not sure asking if a two year extension has been offered is worthy of an attack, but I agree he is probably too nice to the press which has resulted in some stupid questions

  26. Obi says:

    Obviosly Wenger should be praised for what he has done.
    And journos of the British press should do their jobs better.

    But Wenger still needs to adapt his methods to todays standards.
    When Mourinho came to Porto, he based his entire training to American ways and using statistics. This clearly worked, and many others quicly followed.
    But not Wenger. His stobbornness does not allow him to do what others do. He wants to be an original and keep producing good players out of either young players or bad players.

    And that will get us no way near a trophy.

  27. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, it can be both.
    When it is a point blank lie about Wenger, Arsenal related or not,i think it is personal.

  28. rico says:

    GG – ditto. He is accountable when it comes to being our manager, but some of the stuff he gets called is so often simply wrong.

    I think he’s a tight arsed git who has lost his mojo, but 😉

  29. Lewis says:

    Morning all.

    Nicely put Bradster. In trying to answer all questions thrown at him he seems to go off a bit on a tangent, thus serving up quotes and contradictions that allow the press to attack him. I do feel he is targeted, but he should take a leaf out of fergies book and ban these journos, SAF wasn’t seen on MOTD for about 2 seasons because he felt he was disrespected by the interviewer.

  30. Lewis says:

    I didnt really understand in the interview where arsene said, only questions about the champons league and 2 minutes later a reporter asked about what bayerns strengths were and he said, no questions about Bayern. Strange….

  31. GunnerDNA says:

    AW attacked the press, why asking some “why you looking at me”, that’s just plain ignorant. AW spreads his bed so why not lie in it. Its best to pray for BM to have an off day and save him further embarrassment, excuses, excuses bla bla bla..It’s just too comical

  32. Sam says:

    A great, impassioned post and you are absolutely right that Wenger is a man of immense class and dignity and deserves the respect and gratitude of all Arsenal fans. Not to mention football in general and the media – he is one of the few managers who will normally answer any question thrown at him.

    However, it is still perfectly legitimate to question some of Wenger’s decisions over the last years. Having gratitude and respect for someone does not mean that they are unable to make mistakes, or for their abilities to decline.

    Whether in terms of player acquisition, decisiveness in the transfer market (it all started when we decided not to buy Xabi Alonso because the price was 1m more than we wanted to pay…), the construction of the wage policy, tactics, substitutions, manipulation of fans through public statements, etc, etc there are questions to be answered. Fans pay their money and have a right to an opinion provided they do so with respect.

  33. Rob says:

    Totally concur with all you say. It irks me immensely that journalists or minor celebs (Morgan, idiots on talksport etc) get the air time to peddle their decisive messages. The gullible or short sighted follow and it adds to the problem.

    However I would also point out that one source of constant criticism are the many Arsenal blogs. This seems to have evolved into a constant knocking of Arsene. Often very abusive and provocative language. If I were really cynical, it almost seems that many of the writers are nothing to do with Arsenal but others keen to lay the boot in and further undermine the club.

    Many times I have written in response to these…undoubtedly at times ‘ranting’ about all that Arsene has achieved, that people are living in fantasy land if they expect us to spend like the oil sponsored clubs, that there is no obvious or proven better option etc. How we stop the crap that is published is unclear.

    It would be nice if the major Arsenal blogs and their editors put more effort into supporting the team. One article that was on one site was so inflammatory I mailed their admin team to ask where they had got such rubbish (patently made up) and why they were slagging off our great club. No profanities. They barred me. I guess it gets clicks!

    Very sad to see Arsene getting the flack he does. It would be nice if this evening to open the game there was a resounding……’there is only one Arsene Wenger’ ringing around the emirates!

    COYG’s!!!!

  34. ScotchEggsRule says:

    Thanks Rico, always read this fine blog, but have never got round to contributing anything (well worthwhile atleast!!) lol

  35. Scott from Oz says:

    Dna, he was looking a the guy who wrote the bloody article.
    Tell us…in his position, how would you react?

  36. Lewis says:

    Lets hope a few of the players saw his reaction and feel that he is being targeted. Maybe they will show a bit more passion for him, or maybe not…..

  37. Luke says:

    I don’t usually comment on blogs, but I just had to say that I feel exactly the same, I’m just getting so feed up with both the press and the so called fans. Anyone that want wenger out especially at this time in the season really needs to have a good look at themselfs. The only other thing that is eating at me is the ex arsenal player e.g Ian wright that think just because they played under him they are well within the right to slag him off! We all love arsenal let just try and stick together, not boo the players 5 minutes in to a game, if all is still the same by the end of the season them maybe the last game everyone should voice there opinions, boo or chant or whatever they want. Well looks like I’m rammble too now, but just want to say I completely agree with you

  38. Nathgunner says:

    thanks for the article kevin…cant believe that pioers morgan and stuart robson’s views are aired in the media as arsenal fan views…all they do is talk sh*t all day…our manager desrves better..and its high time we arsenal fans send out a message to STOP ATTACKING OUR CLUB…

  39. Jonewy says:

    Just the reason I have not purchased any newspaper for at least the last 5 years. i can post an insider told me a juicy bit of gossip about Asene and no one knows if its true or made up. He has made mistakes we all do in home and working life but he has done the best he can under difficult circumstances. The press hounding is like inciting a lynching inciting protest so that they have further easy pieces to write LAZY JOURNALISM.

  40. Bradster says:

    I see our PR captain was saying that the team shouldn’t hold back and Wilshere will be key in today’s game. Let’s hope we do that, we used to come out the blocks full tilt in seasons past and teams used to shit themselves.
    Glad to see Schezny has quietened down, perhaps he’s concentrating more on playing than talking smack.

  41. rico says:

    I’m not convinced asking him about a contract is personal Scott. Moyes has been asked about his over the weekend by the same idiots in the press…

    Don’t know what you mean fred. 😉 Am struggling to keep up mind you and it doesn’t help as I’m not at home ….

  42. yousefaa says:

    To some extent I agree with you , but lets be honest this is football and football only respects winners not money makers. I love Wenger thinks he is a revelation but not now only 10 years back. It is time for him to step down for the better of Arsenal FC him fielding a weak side last saturday was an indication that trophies an pleasing the fans is the last last thing on his mind, because lets be honest we will not win the chanpions league this season so really our best chances for any kind of silverware were The league cup and FA cup but again he blew it. Just like he did last year an the years before that. Managing a Club I have no doubts he is the best, but managing a team he is far from the best and a team like Arsenal deserves the best and only the best can bring the best out of his players no matter what caliber they are. If you truelly love Arsenal you will agree with me that it is time for a change and a big one.

  43. Adam says:

    I have been very critical of Wenger for some time now but I have always believed that the club owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. This has become a personality-driven thing and the lower quality of journalists and those with a personal grudge, like Robson, always rise to the surface in such situations because it is easy. It is easier than doing real research and coming up with a fresh angle on whatever they believe the story to be and it gives them more time in the pub. I do believe that Wenger is a more than decent man. In fact I know this to be the case as friends of mine have met him to discuss charity work and found him incredibly attentive and open – plus generous.
    What I despise most in life is stupidity and viciousness and these are things that are never in short supply especially if you read a blog like Le Grove. They have very high quality posts but are these days totally defined by some extremely horrible and nasty people with obvious personal problems. Sociopaths in fact. Once you throw decency and empathy out of the window you lower the quality of the debate to the gutter. The fans are certainly turning against Wenger’s management but still respect the man.

  44. Scott from Oz says:

    It is ok to disagree, Rico 🙂
    Arteta speaks very well, and is confident.
    He is also very competitive.
    Good qualities for a leader.
    I was a massive advocate for Vermaelen as captain, ut i think it would better for all if it was taken off him at the end of the season.

  45. tsGH says:

    Morning all…

    An excellent read Kevin. I owe you a pint if I ever meet you.

    We can all disagree because we want the same success for AFC. But facts and history shows AFC has always been a selling club. Blaming AW for that is like blaming Tony Blair for taking us to war when most people including politicians know he is just a poppet just like most leaders in public office.

    Anyway, I have a busy day so we shall catch up later because we show the Bavarians you are wrong to appoint the younger AW in Pep as your future manager. lol. I had to… 😀

  46. Adam says:

    Rico. I agree, but they were asking him about something that was apparently invented to irritate Arsenal fans and cause trouble. I think that is the difference. When was the last time Moyes was criticised for anything? It’s another brick in the wall and should perhaps be viewed as part of a greater trend?

  47. Adam says:

    Rico. I agree completely, even though it’s ok to disagree on HH. 🙂
    It’s nice to see that people are being roused in the man’s support on a human level. He bleeds like the rest of us.

  48. rico says:

    You have a valid point Adam, I’m not excusing the press at all, I think they are in general, quite vile people and when it comes to Arsenal & in particular, Arsene Wenger, I do think they have an agenda.

    My own view is it all stems back to him coming in and signing so many overseas players. Funny how the same reporters now love witnessing overseas players do well at other clubs….

  49. Uzochukwu says:

    Go to ”ARSENAL TRUTH” and see the rubish that guy is vomitting. He calls himself arsenal fan but prays bayern munich should beat arsenal blue and black so that Wenger can suffer more misery.

    I live in Africa and once in a while, you see where jungle justice is meted out to a thief by a mob, despite the fact that a thief is a thief, I always get a pang of pity for the thief being manhandled. Yet, people that call themselves arsenal fans get deep satisfaction because Wenger is suffering, even if our team needs to lose a champion’s league game for the ‘prize’.

    Who is Arsene Wenger? Or rather, Arsen Who?

    1. He is the guy who turned Arsenal from a mid-table team to a top English team.
    2. He is a guy under whose reign as the manager that the club moved from Highbury to Emirates.
    3. He is a guy whom has kept Arsenal competitive even with little or nothing.
    4. He is a guy whom the best clubs in the world have all tried to poach, and for bigger pay, but he stuck with Arsenal
    5.He is the very guy that changed the brand of football played in England from boring branch to beautiful one.
    etc.

    What is his crime?

    1. He has not won a trophy for 8 years, although it’s okay for man u to have gone on about twenty something trophyless years and Chelsea for fifty something too.

    2. He is French

    3. English press especially hate his face, for whatever reason
    4. Because he realised that the press does not like his, he has persitently tried to change this by being nice to the press, whom in turn hate him more as he makes more effort.

    The board makes out he has money to spend, but deep down, we all know he does not. Neither does he like selling his best players. What other evidence do we need than when we were about selling Fabrigas and Ramsey, he kept shouting to the press that we cannot continue selling our best players and still claim we are a big team. You think he was telling that to the press? NO, he was telling it direct to the board.

    He is not without fault. because he could have made better use of the little money he is allowed to spend. What with buying Gervinho, Santos, schilaci etc. But who is perfect? And before I forget, Almost all Arsenal fans were shouting for Gervinho and Hazard before he was bought.

    Let us support the team. At least until the summer. If Wenger is to leave, let him do so by summer, in a most dignified manner, not this current buls***.

  50. potter says:

    Problem is TT. newspapers don’t peddle news, that is covered by rolling news electronic media, nowadays newspapers cover conjecture.Pure and simple.

  51. rcraig911 says:

    How about we start to comment daily on the performance or salacious gossip that may or may not be true applicable to Durham, Morgan, Robson etc….

  52. Joywedsjeff says:

    Thanks author for such a fine post… I was fuming on sunday and saturday not because we lost but because the loss was being blamed on wenger’s selection by the ignorant press. This personal attacks on wenger have to stop. We all have issues with wenger’s coaching methods but stooping so low to try to incite the fans against him which was the point of that pointless article by the sun has crossed boundaries. I didnt read any report on his gesture to the widow and i would not have heard if not for HH. That man still has class unlike some people…..

  53. Tasos says:

    Good article.

    Its about time Arsene/Arsenal stood up for themselves. The constant daily media abuse from the usual suspects has had the unfortunate effect of destabilising some of our fan-base (divide and conquer).

    Arsenal FC may not be where many supporters want them to be just now but by the same token its a long way down.

  54. Thorough says:

    ‘The Mata deal is dead and I don’t have to explain anything to ANYONE.’ ‘I have made 50,000 subs and dont have to listen to people who have not made 1’ (Not verbatim). ‘Believe me, we are working very hard in the transfer market’ (on 29th of January, yet Gibbs got injured on 30th night and we got a top-rated left back in some hours of transfer hardwork. Wonder what we would have achieved if the 30days of the window were really spent minding our team). THOSE ARE HIGH PROFILE LIES AND RUDE STATEMENTS BY WENGER AGAINST THE FANS. why on earth should one solitary lie make a perpetual liar like him go gaga? He’s tasting from his own brew and it sure doesnt taste fine, Ok Arsene. Do the honorable thing and throw in the d**n towel. Even if the next coach is a dud at least we can live with the hope that is sure not present with your perpetual mediocrity and head-in-the-sand posture. So long for friendship.

  55. rico says:

    jowed, AW could have been a lot more proactive though during the game. Why wait until 70 mins to make changes when it was clear a few players were having an off day…

  56. Ziggy says:

    “Arsene has money to spend wont spen and sells our best players in the summer time and time again” and shit defences etc. We should realise that no Arsenal manager has been allowed to pull the purse strings since Graham bung scandal,AW recommends transfer targets and its up to whoever on the board to negotiate the move,Dein was good at that and knew the market rate for Top clubs.

    We were gazumped on Mata,Hazard and even Essien just as Abramovich arrived, When arsenal say we have 70m to spend it includes the whole contract of the player and fees to agents and the rest,Hazards contract alone was 78m over the term.Cahill went to Chelsea because Arsenal wouldn’t pay above his valuation and Arsenal made 60m available hence we but average or just above average hoping they develop into better players but then the EPL takes Johnnycake Foreigner by surprise so takes a season to adjust.

    Selling players,Cesc engineered his own move so did Hleb and after lambasting Flamini until his final season did we expect him to sign? Likewise Nasri was average at best before his final year,if we had given him an extension then Wenger would have been yet again lambasted and then eterna crock till his last season RVP who wanted him to sign a new contract 2years prior to his contract expiring when he was averaging 18 games a season lo and behold he recovered he was offered a contract he refused to sign.

    Somethings you can’t predict and if players won’t come or won’t sign cannot be forced and in these circumstances it was right at the time not to extend their contracts.

    Next will be Diaby,eteral crock,contract coming up for renewal he becomes a super star and refuses to sign AW’s fault for not tying him down yet again we will hear. The media,when they report transfers don’t mention this they just say how stupid it is to leave it so late and that is not factual.

    We’re 2points of CL out of the cups in CL 1/8th final but it’s all negativity.

    Spurs spent more than we ever have in a season 2points ahead out of cups in Europa cup,do you hear the same negativity? Liverpool spending absurd amounts for average players 0-2 down in Europa struggling in league any negativity? So AW may have his limitations but the bad press is uncalled for and biased,if you keep telling someone he’s ugly over and over in time they start to believe and act accordingly.

    We booing our own team at home has made them shaky at home but play freely away because the support is positive away.So yes I concur with this article time for us to unite and bat away the insurgents and we can have our own opinions within.We show a united front and they will tire of it.

    Lift the team that’s what we have after all,lets make the most of it and maybe time for AW to stop being accommodating and start being rude like Fergie. Remember when he was winning they still found a reason to hound him.It was red card count for 10years no one else had that.

  57. rico says:

    Thorough. We all know AW makes daft statements, contradicting statements but that doesn’t justify the way he’s treated by the media!

  58. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, i could counter that by saying within two minutes of making changes, we conceded 🙂
    Thanks Eggs…i stand corrected.

  59. Ziggy says:

    I’m not saying Diaby shouldn’t or should,what I mean is if he becomes a very influential top class player and injury free within his last year of contract then refuse to sign,the media and everyone will blame Wenger for not tying him down earlier. But that was how RVP situation arose likewise,Flamini and Nasri and even Song to an extent.

  60. ScotchEggsRule says:

    I don’t think any of us would be sorry to see Diaby go now. Let me start by saying I know this all started because of that scumbag Dan Smith, but since then he’s been an absolute waste of space, one good game, 5 bad then injured for 3 months then the cycle starts all over again. That £60k per week or what ever he’s on can go towards someone who can contribute in more than 4-5 games a season (the same applies to Rosicky as well). What makes it more frustrating is that it’s Wenger who is wasting £7 million a year in wages on these two alone just through some sense of loyalty when most players have shown him none. It’s our clubs money not his and he’s wasting it on them no?

  61. Ian ferguson says:

    Well said I totally agree wish people would look at the whole picture and not just the press and some pundits just writing and spreading rubbish with only one intention to damage the club

  62. Thorough says:

    ‘The Mata deal is dead and I don’t have to explain anything to ANYONE.’ ‘I have made 50,000 subs and dont have to listen to people who have not made 1’ (Not verbatim). ‘Believe me, we are working very hard in the transfer market’ (on 29th of January, yet Gibbs got injured on 30th night and we got a top-rated left back in some hours of transfer hardwork. Wonder what we would have achieved if the 30days of the window were really spent minding our team). THOSE ARE HIGH PROFILE LIES AND RUDE STATEMENTS BY WENGER AGAINST THE FANS. why on earth should one solitary lie make a perpetual liar like him go gaga? He’s tasting from his own brew and it sure doesnt taste fine, Ok Arsene. Do the honorable thing and throw in the d**n towel. Even if the next coach is a dud at least we can live with the hope that is sure not present with your perpetual mediocrity and head-in-the-sand posture. So long for friendship. And for those who will call me a glory-hunter because they feel Wenger hasn’t competed just because he doesnt have the resources I say the problem most angry Arsena fans have with Wenger has to do with his unwillingness to even try and compete, in the transfer market, which invariably translates to the team and the cups. I dont blame Wenger formissing out on Hazard, Balotelli, Silva Mata and their likes whom the prices seem exorbitant. But I absolutely blame him for missing out on bargain buys that would have lifted this team: Demba Ba, Cahill, Moses, Loic Remy, Sisoko, Yanga-Mbiwa,just to mention a few in the recent. If i go a few years back them it gets embarrasing. I, as a person, believe that his testosterone has run dry and he is scared stiff of competing henceforth, and the rule says ‘if you cant stand the fire, the kitchen isnt the place for you.’ let’s not get too emotional, he was good those days, now he is not, as simple as that. All the youths we have bought recently have gotten worse under him: Ramsey and Ox cases in point. He makes the most unbelievanle subs in modern day football, Rosicky in the last match was the best on the pitch, Ox against manure that made VP quip wtf. He was great, ‘now he’s a yob thats lost it’ borrowing from Victoria Beckham. Ffs ma great grades in high school didnt get me a pass through college, we’ve all got to prove ourselves over and again or fall by the wayside. Wenger is finished, let’s get over it.

  63. rico says:

    No sentiment in Football ScotchEgg, and that’s been part of Wenger’s downfall. He looks after the players too well and stands by them for too long.

    Had he been a bit more ruthless, we may have seen better signings…

    But, suggestion is this will be the summer…

    And it could be with so many contracts running out and those out on loan will hopefully never return….

    But, I have thought that for a few summers now…..

  64. Adam says:

    Interesting to see so many new faces entering the fray this morning. I bet that the team get some big support tonight in the ground. I might even wave my prawn sandwich.

  65. jimd says:

    Cannot believe all this protesting at the press. We all know most of the gossip is made up but we all mostly love reading it. So the Wenger extended contract story was printed to wind up a now massive anti Wenger brigade. So what! This is no specific anti Wenger campaign. In my opinion your blog is way off beam. Considering the enormous decline in our team’s level of performance in the years since our last trophy I believe Wenger has had an easy ride with the press. How often have I cursed the press for not asking really probing questions ( the ones that we fans have been tearing ourselves apart with over recent years). Wenger is seriously failing to recover and then maintain the standards he had set.
    Get over it this incident and cry out for continued critical questioning of the highest paid manager in the country.

  66. Barry Bethell says:

    Disrespecting Arsene seems to be more interesting to most Arsenal ‘fans’ than the games we play. When we win there is Twitter and Newsnow tumbleweed, when we lose the sites are on fire with poorly thought out opinions.

    I completely agree with your post. The constant negativity and unfair criticism of Wenger is beyond a joke, I believe it is down to the fact he is French.

    I believe the negativity that has surrounded Arsenal for the last 4 years is beginning to rub off on the team and clearly they are getting nervous during games. The negativity has become a self fulfilling prophecy within the team. I believe this is a very good team who is capable of beating most if not all but clearly recently there have been psychological problems, this is not help by booing the team we are supposed to love off the field.

    Sure there are problems that need addressing but these cannot be fixed by buying 1 player at massively inflated prices in the January window. I think Wenger knows this and is taking measured action to address these issues but so called fans seem to expect him to come out and destroy individual players after games rather than show the support that the fans should be giving.

    As you point out the moving of Stadium has placed massive constraints on spending and the emergence of Chelsea and City have made move far harder than it would have been, none of this balance has been shown in certain ‘journalists’ opinion and sadly a lot of fans just tow the line on the agenda set out by these opinions.

    I for one have just decided to ignore the opinion of these fans and pundits as it is based on ignorance and stupidity. They are the same fans who said Song & Walcott weren’t fit to wear an Arsenal jersey and they’re not so vocal about those opinions anymore are they!!

    Don’t get me wrong there are problems and we can talk about them but please show some balance people! If you think we can see it and Wenger cant then you are stupid.

    Thanks

  67. rico says:

    Adam, it nice to see so many new faces, I hope there is some support tonight, great support because our team needs it…..

    jimd – our team has declined, and AW has played his part in that, I don’t think that is the question today.

    But if you want to go and boo the manager tonight, and the players and that makes you feel good then crack on. But I hope you are a very loan figure.

  68. rico says:

    It would only cost the club £90k a year to do that Lee… That’s what Fergie had to pay when he refused…

    I like that idea…

  69. ScotchEggsRule says:

    Rico as with many things Arsenal, we keep expecting better (obvious) things each summer and keep getting let down. If Wenger can turn it around then great. If he can’t someone else should have the chance. As mentioned earlier, my allegiance is with Arsenal first, Wenger second.

  70. Adam says:

    As ever with Arsenal there seems to be some confusion over Wenger the manager past and present and Wenger’s treatment by certain press factions and people like Stewart Robson, who, for some un fathomable reason, seems to pop up whenever the shit is flying. Actually, I correct myself. It is not unfathomable at all. Robson has become the go-to guy if you want someone to pile the shit high. You know what you will get from him before you even ask. Kev’s post was aimed purely at the way certain people write lies about Wenger and treat him with disrespect. Not about his current or recent managerial achievements.

  71. Thorough says:

    Thankks for understanding, Rico. Glad to get that outta my system. Now let’s think about how to beat Bayern. I’ll be ok with a back 5 of Schez, Sagna, Verm, Koscielny abd Per, Coquelin to play left back for me if Kos dont make it. DM Arteta, CM/Box to box Wilshere, AM Rosicky. In attack I’ll go for Cazorla and Theo on the wings and Podolski in the middle. Think that team stands a chance against Bayern, No?

  72. rico says:

    Of course it’s Arsenal first, always has been and always will be, Wenger just happens to be employed by them right now…

    Like you say though, too many hopeful summers have been and gone. This one imho is about one thing, and that is will AW stay or walk away.

    If it’s the latter, I hope it’s sorted early and he’s replaced quickly so whoever comes in has plenty of time.

    But, I see him staying and seeing out his contract as long as we finish in the top four….

    And should that happen, he’ll have no choice but to replace the ones who are set to depart….

  73. jimd says:

    Adam Rico
    Where are you coming from? You are as bad as the the most vitriolic anti Wenger mob.
    I have been supporting Arsenal and I mean acually attending almost every home match for just over 60 years and you insult me with your insinuations. And yet you complain at Wenger’ treatment by the press

  74. rico says:

    Exactly Adam, and a mighty fine post it is too inmo…

    Arsene the manager, well that’s a whole different story 😉

    Got to pop off for a bit…. Back shortly….

  75. rico says:

    jimd, I couldn’t care how long you have been supporting Arsenal to be honest, what difference does that make??

    Just saying, if you want to sit at The Ems tonight and boo the team and manager before, during and after the game, then I hope you do that alone. During a game is not the right time to do that imho…

  76. rico says:

    Oh, and if you read this blog more than just today jimd, you would know that your judgement of HH is far from correct….

  77. Gunnerdna says:

    Managers also gets respect for trophies won. The media gets credit for stories true/false published, football manager gets credit for their team performance. Excuse, excuse, excuse. Gervinho is the reason we aren’t going to win a trophy this season. The fans are the reason the team plays badly. Take the blinds off, AW is a liar

  78. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rico… Some accused wenger of reducing his team confidence by throwing in three subs at once. Rico another reason we lost to blackburn was because of the fans that day. I have never heard individual chants in the emirates on tv before. It was so loud and clear. The guy was trying desperately to raise the rest of the fans but failed. What kind of people go to the stadium and refuse to support their team yet boo loudly at the final whistle. People will say what they want to say but i still maintain that this season we have seen a wenger trying to correct his mistakes… Its time either we support our club or shut up. I wish i could see that same reaction in any press conference he gives. The media need a bollocking and they got it yesterday. Up next is le grove, piers morgan, robson and tony adams.

  79. rico says:

    Joywed.

    I think AW is getting a lot wrong right now, but that’s my own view. I wouldn’t boo, but that’s just my own choice. Others do and that is there choice.

    Empty seats would say a lot more – then it’s quite clear to see what people think….

  80. jimd says:

    Rico
    I get this blog emailed tome every day and I read most of all the other arsenal bloga daily.
    Just tell me why you asked the question insinuating I might boo?

  81. Adam says:

    jimd. A couple of points. You are wrong to say that most of us “love” reading stuff in the press that is made up. We don’t, but you it seems, do. You clearly did not notice that this the very essence of Kev’s excellent post. So, you start with a wrong premise and then run with it. You seem to miss the fact that most here are very unhappy with the way things are going on the field. Who could be happy with it? To describe Rico and myself as being ‘as bad as the most vitriolic anti-Wenger mob” is so wide of the mark that it hampers the remainder of your rant and rather dilutes whatever point you seek to make. As far as I can see you came on, ignored what had been written, claimed the higher ground with your 60 years of support stuff then accused us of insulting you when, in fact, no insult was made or intended.

  82. devilgunner says:

    Good article Kevin.

    Better still………..BLOOMING GREAT.

    And all of it written without referring to the AW knows best, or falling into the trap of saying what can we do without him.

    I am usually down after every defeat, because I have only ever loved AFC in all my life.

    But this has perked me up a bit.

    Well done once again.

    BDW Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

  83. devilgunner says:

    Rico put it rightly…………AW the manager is a totally different person to AW the man.

    Kev rightly and awesomely managed to describe Arsene the man.

    I am extremely impressed.

  84. David says:

    We have the highest ticket prices in the world, our manager is one of the highest paid in the world, so we should expect better. He has brought at least 12 poor players who are overpaid and do not get a game.Its his tactics,his players and he cannot blame anyone else.

  85. devilgunner says:

    Yes Adam……..unfortunately people will manipulate it for their own reasons. But that is the arrogance they accuse AW with.

    Yes Kev, ignorance is bliss. But idiocy is pathetic at its best

  86. jimd says:

    Adam. There you go insulting me again by insinuating I did not understand the post. Honestly it was not that deep or beyond most peoples understanding. I do not claim any high ground. My reference to the number of years supporting was meant to convey that I have experienced mutch worse pain than the cuerrent Arsenal team inflict. Sorry that this was not made more clearly. I am still awaiting an answer to your reason for insinuating I might boo tonight or any other night/day. In case you do not explain I will at least let you know that I have never booed an Arsenal team or player in my life

  87. Simon Taylor says:

    Ok, here goes, you might notice that I opened the comments on this topic and would have been happy to leave it there. However, I feel I need to put forward a view that is not being shared here.

    Wenger is the best manager going by a mile…

    Why?

    Because he is doing exactly what he is told by the board. The defeat to Blackburn was always a calculated risk on Wengers part, his eye firmly on a bigger (financial prize) ECL!

    Wenger’s future will be determined not by us the fans, but by the board, as I have stated, he’s doing a great job for them.

    When Gazidis stated that in two years time we will be able to challenge any team in Europe, he said that knowing that it would be in that time-frame, the clubs financial strategy (whatever that is) would be complete.

    In the meantime the poor fans (and I include myself firmly in that number), will be sorted into two groups by their own actions.

    Those who accept the short term future and will let time be the shaping factor in the next chapter of our great clubs history.

    And those who wish to ignore whats going on around them, and feel pressurised to shout for results, based on todays battle lost, rather than the promise of winning the war.

    I promise to review and comment on this post when the two years are up.

  88. Adam says:

    jimd. For the very last time. I am not insulting you. Ok. A question is not an insinuation. That’s it for me. I am out. Go and argue with somebody else.

  89. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Afternoon all. Great post. Echoes what most think and have been thinking for ages. There was about 4 or 5 consecutive pages in the Sun either yesterday or Sunday absolutely ripping into us. 4 or 5 pages. Why? Why did it warrant 3 seperate hacks from the same paper to put the boot in? That many pages was a massive overkill.

    That being said, I did have a chuckle at the journo’s response to Wengers snarled “Well why are you looking at me?”…. The reply of “well it’s your press conference” actually made me laugh out loud!!

  90. devilgunner says:

    jimd………..want to argue with me or Scott????

    We will gladly take up the challenge. Not just a battle but a fully bloodied war 😉

    Calm down Adam my friend. We do need your down to earth sanity in such difficult situations.

  91. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I hear Talksport are looking for relatives of Cliff Bastin who may have an opinion on Arsenal too, SYG! Jesus!! WHo AREN’T they going to try and talk to in a hope they will slag us off?!

  92. devilgunner says:

    syg and Lee………..want to join my army to fight the dark forces??

    Rocky and Adam are already my assistants.

    We’ll beat the sh** out of anyone trying to destabilise the club.

  93. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Haha!! I try and NEVER listen to that gash SYG! Absolute Radio is on the radio behind me all day at work, and that’s the way I like it!!

    I’m there Dev!

  94. devilgunner says:

    I am off now my dear friends. Time to pick the little prince from his class.

    Hold the fort for me Rock and Adam.

    See you tonight.

  95. SD London says:

    It is difficult to be a fan.You can’t really influence things on the pitch or the training pitch or changing room.

    Then came the internet; boom, fans was given a voice , a voice that the players and coaches can hear and read about the same day.

    The only way which fans can influence the outcome of a season or game is via posts, twitters, forums, online debates and email to media houses.

    A little difference is made in the stadium because the preparation would have been done and when the manager gets it wrong from the onset , there is little he could do.

    Then again fans let Santos know how sensitive his hugging RVP was (he is out on loan definitely never play for us again)

    Ebue came in a match and caused many havoc he was booed and Wenger had to take him off but he came back stronger.

    Wenger made the wrong decision of substituting OX for Arshavin in a game we were dominating against Manure , fans didn’t like it and blamed the lose on that singular decision for days after.(Arshavin has not recovered)

    Yes , fan’s have more power now and it is making Wenger uncomfortable and I must tell you , Arsenal fans are still the most tolerant.

    Therefore as fans, the power shift is with us right now (since we lost against Blackburn) even though we don’t own any part of the Arsenal shares anymore but we can still influence this season either positively or negatively.

    So let us think about whether to boo or chant the players names and the coach today. The choice is ours.

    Wenger knows for sure he is loosing our trust but we still trust him.
    I can only hope he doesn’t take the trust for granted further

  96. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Gervais is 125/1 to score a hatrick lol …..

    Adam has more chance getting one than he does …..

  97. rockyrocastle07 says:

    SYG – So Sagna scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win is 660/1 – An outcome that could happen…. Yet Gerboue to rattle in 3 is only 125/1?! Something that is so far beyond the realms of all possibility?!

  98. W.A.T.H says:

    Afternoon All,

    For what it’s worth I think for the most part the media are pure scum, they have always hated us always will do and any Arsenal story sells cos we’re big news. We are class we won’t blank the media we won’t ban them and Arsene won’t ignore them that’s how it is….! Again it does show our class to even entertain some of these pricks. We know Arsene brings a lot of this upon himself but again do the media have ago at other clubs and managers like ours the answer is no…! So fuck em…………..

    What I would say is there has been an effort online to galvanise the fans for tonight…. Put aside the fact we all pissed off with how things are going and Arsene aside we need to put the team first and give them total support tonight what ever we’re feeling….! Make the place bounce tonight…. make it a cauldron of noise… get behind the team let the krauts know the fans are right up for this and if the fans are who knows what that will do for the team, wear ya colours if your going and shout yourself silly… lets proper give it to em tonight and see if we can be the 12th man…! Lets face it we don’t have much choice we need to win we want the team to win so lets play our part….!

  99. Adam says:

    Henry Winter, the posh schoolboy who likes soccer instead of rugger. Every time I see that man’s smug boat race I feel an almost prehistoric urge to…

  100. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Cheers SYG! Only a fleeting appearance though…. Off to the gym now and will be uber busy later!

    Maybe catch you all later! COYG!!

  101. southyorkshiregunner says:

    That one’s fiction, Adam…

    …. “S5” is currently being rewritten from a 14-episode script into a book …. That is based on a TRUE story covering 12 months and four days……

  102. NashuaGunners says:

    Good day one and all.

    This is line caught my attention, Kevin…

    “Arsene Wengers achievements should be celebrated. Instead he has become a figure of fun, ridiculed by the media at every opportunity”.

    Well it not just the media, we fans and supporters disrespect this man at any opportunity we get. We can disagree about his tactics but to call him names, is beyond me.

    Mancini spent close to a Billion, people say he’s a tactician; Maureeno spent other people’s monies recklessly, they say he is what we need.

    We Arsenal supporters are giving the media the tools to abuse AW.

  103. allezkev says:

    Ginge, re: selling club….
    It depends what you mean by selling club mate?!
    To a greatet or lesser degree, you could say that every club is a selling club, simply because all clubs sell players at some time or another.
    But the usual meaning of the term ‘selling club’ infers yhat .’said’ club sells it’s best players to other/rival clubs.
    An action that both weakens the selling club, whilst strengthening the buying club.
    Arsenal, have not always been a selling club…
    Even under Wenger’s tenure, that has not been the case.
    Arsene could have sold Vieira and Henry, in their prime (that’s the key ) many time over. But did not.
    Abramovitch was ultra keen to buy Henry, but Dein in particular, prevented this.
    Ferguson dearly wanted Tony Adams…
    And you only have to look at the Chapman/Allison years of the 1930’s…
    Arsenal paid a record £10,000 for David Jack (1929 I think) a record that stood till 1938 when Bryn Jones moved for £14,000…
    To Arsenal…
    Arsenal were known, during the Thirties, as The Bank of England club…

    How does that equate with always being a selling club?

  104. SD London says:

    Let us invade the WorlWideWeb and galvanize support for Arsenal,
    Invade every media post , forum , blogg and open twit feed and galvanize support, shut down all possible hatters.

    Go to BBC, Mail , Metro, Sky sports, Sun, Twiter feed and Talksport forum and galvanize support , shut the hatters down.

    Shut them down.

  105. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Nice history, Kev…. I love football history …. especially ours …
    ….Alan Ball was a Brittish record signing too … I also think McLintock was … you’ll have to confirm that …. MacDonald was just £16,700 less than Bob Latchford’s record move to Everton and we were one of the first to stump up a million …. for Clive Allen ….

    Should be down next month Adam v’s Everton ….. unless I get a phone call to visit a sewer or pipeline inside the M25

  106. ozgunner10 says:

    Any admins around? If so, can you check why i don’t get any email notices anymore of new posts being put up please? thanks in advance

  107. allezkev says:

    Hiya SYG…
    Alan Ball was £220,000
    Clive Allen was around £1.25m
    SuperMac, £333,333.
    Frank Mclintock £80,000
    Bobby Gould, £90,000
    Peter Marinello, £100,000

    Afternoon Gooners btw

  108. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I wish Torres would join our Spanish contingent ….. He was a right handful when we played Chelsea at our place ..

  109. ozgunner10 says:

    SYG – i agree mate, followed him since he was 17 – just wrong choices, we came close once so story has it

  110. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Torres is another one then Oz …. Torres, Ronaldo and Ibramovich as our front three …. Wow !

    It’s a pity our “come close to signing” midfield would still have Diaby – our new signing in it lol…..

  111. agirlagunner says:

    Some real great discussion in here. Still reading, back in a bit. 🙂

    But someone said the magic word, “Torres” 😳 and I fully agree!! We should make a cheeky bid for him.

  112. W.A.T.H says:

    Oz no idea why you don’t get the email notification for a new post is it ticked on your notify box under the comment box..?

  113. W.A.T.H says:

    Offer the chavs 10 million for Torres……….. I’d still have him in a flash…! Maybe they’d take Gervinko off us..?

  114. southyorkshiregunner says:

    hiya agag ……….. it would be a bit like the Bergkamp signing … buying a quality player at a proper age whose career had stalled ….

  115. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I very much doubt it WATH lol ….. Abramovich would rather have a dose of crabs than have Gervais cluttering up his byline

  116. southyorkshiregunner says:

    That’s it then DG ………

    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”
    “Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal””Torres for Arsenal”

    Hopefully the Director of Worldwide Web Affairs within the Emirates will pick up on it and give agag her wish …..

    …His shirt sales would be through the roof ….

    …Gervais has has sold 8 shirts so far ….. and Eboue bought one of those

  117. agirlagunner says:

    Re: AW– He doesn’t help himself with all the excuses he trots out when we play poorly. He is too protective of his players to the point that they do not feel accountable for anything it seems. Having said that, we know he has it in him to make quality signings. He should loosen the purse strings in the summer and make some top quality signings beginning with…

    Torres, for one. 😛

  118. ozgunner10 says:

    WATH – thanks for looking mate, i used to get them ok, now suddenly for about three/four days, they stopped

  119. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Rock Me Amadeues – March 1986 reached number 1

    The same time Samantha Fox made Number 3 with Touch Me (I Want Your Body) ….. Was she singing about Charlie Nicholas I wonder?

  120. W.A.T.H says:

    If you’ve clicked the tick box to get them Oz then there is nothing we can do about it as it’s a word press thing to then send you the notification. No idea why it has stopped mate and i can’t tick it for you it must come from your side.

  121. Lee says:

    Maybe just maybe these pampered millionaires might all put a shift in for AW and show some bollocks!?! He defends the fuck out of them on a weekly basis……just a thought!

  122. Lee says:

    With “Rock Me Amadeus”, Falco became the first German-speaking artist to be credited with a No. 1 single in all mainstream US pop singles charts: the Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox Top 100 Singles. The single hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 29 March 1986.[2] Falco is erroneously often considered a one-hit wonder for this song in the United States. However, Falco had already had a minor US hit in 1982 with “Der Kommissar” (a hit the following year there for After the Fire), “Sound of Musik” which reached No. 13, and his follow-up single from Falco 3, “Vienna Calling”, which reached No. 18 on the Hot 100.

    In the United Kingdom, the song hit number one on 10 May 1986, becoming the first single by an Austrian act to achieve this distinction. In the UK, where his “Der Kommissar” failed to make the charts, Falco is also often regarded as a one-hit wonder, despite the fact that “Vienna Calling” hit number ten and three subsequent singles briefly charted.

    In Canada, the song reached No. 1 on 1 February 1986. (There, “Der Kommissar” had reached No. 11 in January 1983, and “Vienna Calling” would hit No. 8 in April 1986.)

    “Rock Me Amadeus” would later be ranked No. 87 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s and No. 44 in VH1’s 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders.

  123. W.A.T.H says:

    If they can’t be arsed tonight Lee after the way Wenger sticks up for them and when that ground is rocking tonight they should all be sold… Bar Jack of course…! 😀

  124. southyorkshiregunner says:

    This one was 1967 and got to number 8…
    This was the first UK top ten for any German speaking, zieg heiling and Marching band ….

    —-

  125. SD London says:

    Chelsea will never sell Torres to us, nor will Man city or Manure utd sell one of their top players to us.

    But we are a nice bunch, we do sell to rivals 🙂

  126. Lee says:

    Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski believes his former side Bayern Munich are among the best teams in Europe but over two legs the Gunners can beat them in their Champions League last 16 tie.

    The ex-Bayern player was interviewed by German daily Die Welt and, while praising the runaway Bundesliga leaders, he refused to accept they are certain to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

    “Bayern are favourites, no doubt about that,” Podolski said. “In two games we will have our chances to reach the next round. You can be sure, we will not sit and wait to find out what Bayern does. We have the quality to stand our ground against them.”

    Despite Arsenal’s FA Cup exit at the weekend versus Blackburn, Podolski said: “I have a good feeling as it was going pretty well for us over the past few weeks. I am looking forward to those matches against Bayern especially as it is nice to meet up with Uli Hoeness or Jupp Heynckes once again.”

    Podolski, who left Bayern for his hometown club FC Cologne in 2009, said he had no hard feelings looking back on his three-year stay at Bayern. He said: “Overall, I had a good time in Munich. Good contacts and friendships emerged from that. They are important to me. In life, football is not everything.”

    The Germany international, who has 107 caps to his name, added: “They [Bayern] are playing a sublime season. They are the clear number one in Germany and also are among the top two, three teams in Europe. It looks like they have decided the championship [in Germany] but they now face us in Champions League.”

    Podolski also said he did not regret making his switch to Arsenal and that he was happy to work under Arsene Wenger. “To begin with, Arsene Wenger is a great personality,” he said. “A fine person. He has got a clear idea of football. He sets great values upon possession of the ball and wants us to quickly get into an attacking position. He does not want us to park the bus.

    “Wenger’s philosophy is that Arsenal attack. It is understood that this does not always works out. But he has coined this style since his arrival in 1996.”

  127. NashuaGunners says:

    @Rico: Where is Kevin, don’t he know that when he Stir he suppose to stick around to sniff?

    Very good read to light up HH before the game.

  128. W.A.T.H says:

    I shall indeed be propping up the Bar in the local Lee… The GG has been ordered in specially for the occasion I do believe a case was ordered…………..!

    RED ARMY………………………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  129. southyorkshiregunner says:

    ……I used to have to sing it for my Grandma when I was about 4 or 5 years old agag … That and Sugar Sugar by the Archies (1969)… Oh and Away in a Manger …….

    Amazing Factiod …. My Grandma was the signatory on the UK’s biggest mortgage back in 1988 …. over £11,000 per month ….

  130. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening AGAG, Hope your good and looking forward to the game………. Make sure you wake the neighbours…! Lots of shouting and screaming at the tv…!

    1967… that was AK’s 50th Birthday…!

  131. agirlagunner says:

    We should play like we played against Milan last year, Lee.

    SYG, :lol:. I was always the grandchild who couldn’t be cajoled into performing any song and/or dance number. Ever.

    WATH, the neighbors are used to it. 😛 Please have a bottle for me. With sweet stuff. Thank you.

    I don’t know anyone who was born in 1967 that I like. My boss comes to mind. Haha.

  132. Kevin Downton says:

    As the writer of the article, Kevin, I would like to say I am stunned that so many of you have commented. And thanks Rico for publishing it.

    Some of you understood the angle I was coming from. It was not meant to be a tribute to Arsene Wenger. It was meant to be the stoic defence of the club I love, against a barrage of abuse from the press hoardes that I beleive has crossed barriers. It has gone too far and is harming the Club I love.

    Successful clubs have always built a siege mentality. You stand together, as one. Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson are prime examples of managers that have successfully built a siege mentality at their clubs. No one messes with those two and quite right too. They do not allow their club or themselves to be bullied or pushed around by anyone, let alone the tabloid media. Unlike us, they are not afraid to make a stand. We are showing ourselves to be as weak as a club as we are defensively.

    Too many Arsenal fans jump on the Wenger knocking band wagon. The recent example proved that, an untrue story about a contract extension and Arsenal fans were queueing up to bash the club for offering Wenger this extension

    If we are not strong as a club, how can we be strong as a team? You have to be united to succeed. Like it or not, ex players and fans are weakening the club by joining the Wenger bashing. I do not agree with a lot of what Arsene has done but I am grateful for him and respect him. You cannot forget what he has achieved for us, the facilities, the stadium, the football, Thierry Henry, attacking football, the many successes and lets not forget The Invincibles. The least we can do is protect him and our club from the disgusting hounding by the press hoardes.I would be happy to sit alongside Wenger at the next press conference and deal with the media. Very happy indeed. Unlike the Arsenal PR machine and fans that are leaving Wenger to handle the flack on his own.

    This is our club, warts and all and we have to get behind it. Maybe our strength will be reflected on the pitch.

  133. Adam says:

    Hi Agag. Hope you are well. It’s a clear day in London and I am expecting it to be cold at the Emirates tonight.

  134. NashuaGunners says:

    I take my hat off to you Kevin…Let us criticize constructively and come up with solutions but not Wenger Out brigades.

    We fail to put some of the blames where its belong…
    Who own the club? when was the last time we saw him in the field unlike Roman Abramovich, he’s there every single Chelsea game.

  135. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, it’s always cold in London based on what you guys tell me. 😛 Howdy?

    Hi, rico. Where have you been?

    Well-done, Kevin. You are the “other” kevin, since we have a resident Kev (doctor, preacher, grandpa, shopper etc. etc.) 😉

  136. Lee says:

    Good comment Kevin and again I’d like to congratulate you on the thought provoking article! Even if it passed some supporters by…..

  137. W.A.T.H says:

    I reckon it’s gonna be hot at the sou bowl 2nite Adam… Make sure you take your hip flask with you….

    Get those vocal cords warmed up properly………..

    RED ARMY………………..!!!

  138. Adam says:

    Not always Agag. But seldom as hot as where you are. I am pleased to say. Tomstoned is way, way north and it is much colder up there. His neighbours are Polar Bears. 🙂

  139. rico says:

    Hi agag, had to walk Fido, sort the garden out a bit and have a purple rinse 😉

    And just noticed today that someone arsehole has hit my iQ when it was parked and caused a load of damage…

    I am not very happy!

  140. Lee says:

    Adam, will Mrs Adam be partaking in any pre-match fizz? If so I’ll be glued to the tv to look out for the fight….. 😆

  141. emma says:

    Good post kelvin,
    I think tonight’s match i might just mute the volume. feed up with all the thrash sprouting out of pundits,commentators, media outlets. etc. For those irresponsible fans planning a protest 8mins into the match, shame on you. Why not lend your voice to support the team. You never know what you have until you lose it. Look at liverpool FC as a case study despite the amount of money they’ve pumped in season in season out they still can’t get into the top 4. Some of us saying he is being paid 7.5m to do a job, do you know he would have earned more when real madrid came calling a couple of years back, but he stocked with us through thick and thin for all these years when we were in the financial wilderness trying to pay off the stadium debts same time keep us in the eyes of the global world(3rd/4th place). Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel some of us are allowing the media to get into our head. PATHETIC
    It’s only the blind man that can’t see that changes are already taken place. Players he taught would stick with him during this period of osterity and rebuilding process failed him b/s of the luxury of more money(Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, nasri, dutchman, clichy etc). I am rest assured that more players will be brought in to improve what we already have in the summer
    Now the media has gone as far as suggesting David moyes as a suitable replacement. hahaha

  142. rico says:

    I would have thought you’d have Mrs Adam warming them for you Adam 😉

    Well said Lee, and here here

    COYRRG’S …….

  143. agirlagunner says:

    AK, how could I forget?? I am languishing in this self-imposed non-shopping exile. 🙁 🙁

    Adam, haha. May the thaw be upon you guys soon. 🙂 Hi to Mrs Adam. 🙂

  144. George says:

    I’ll buy the 60000 pittes of souvlakia if we get David Dein back. See what bad press we get then…!

    Somehow my heart got the better of my head and i bet £5 on 2-0 gooners correct score £87.50 if it comes in and the best was this. 93/1 Arsenal win and Giroud scores 1st goal. ..lumped a £1 on that. I know it wont cover the kebabs but..

  145. rico says:

    🙂 Adam…

    emma 😆

    He does Ng, and I personally think we are very lucky to have him lurking in the background. Roll on eh!

  146. Adam says:

    Agag. She says hi back and says she is still eying that Roberto Cavalli dress. 🙂
    Not that I have ever seen her in a dress come to think of it. 🙂

  147. SD London says:

    we should all adopt the AGAG approach to been a fan, we will be less frustrated.

    Yes Sanga scoring the only goal!!

    Anyone ?

  148. Adam says:

    I will Agag as soon as you can find it in a sale for me with about 70% discount. I will buy it and she will hang it in her wardrobe alongside all the other dresses and then decide to wear one of her 32 pairs of Maharishis with a brightly coloured top. 🙂
    Tonight though she will go well wrapped up. 🙂

  149. agirlagunner says:

    SD, I am frustrated, believe me. I just don’t know how to say it in proper sporty sounding words. 😀

    Koscielny to score. I have a feeling. (Not for Bayern, I hope).

  150. southyorkshiregunner says:

    southyorkshiregunner says:
    February 19, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    SD London – For all the flack he’s took of late, it’d be nice to see him rattle one in …. Some of us forget he’s been one of the best right backs in Europe and has been one of our most consistent performers over the years and that last season he copped two broken legs ….

    Arsenal 1-0 Bayern Munchen
    Sagna 45

    650/1 on Skybet

  151. agirlagunner says:

    emma, I am warm . Haha. Hope you are, too. 😛

    Adam, wait for the spring sales. I hope Mrs Adam is able to wait for the end of season sale. Kev and I are. 😀 😀

    Off to sleep now!! Catch you later guys. 🙂 Again, Kevin well-done.

  152. Kevin Downton says:

    NashuaGunners, Emma, Barry, Adam, Rico and the others , many thanks for the great comments. be great to share a drink with you and discuss football….

    I was pretty peeved yesterday which may have been evident in my article! Apologies if i upset anyone, I am very passionate about The Arsenal, a club supported by several generations of my family.

    Cheers for allowing me to vent my feelings on the press, I feel so much better sharing feelings with like minded Arsenal fans. What a fantastic blog this is, I will be spreading the word.

    It is great that we all have opinions but at the end of the day we all want the same thing. Be careful what you wish for though,.
    We are the best fans in the World just a shame that we aren’t standing together on this issue.

    I think we could sneak a good win tonight, Theo has the pace to hurt Bayern but i suspect they will sit deep and deny us space behind. A draw would suit them. We need to get behind the boys on the pitch and avoid getting on their backs if it goes pear shaped. This could be our Year, it is a funny old game.
    Kevin (KJ)

  153. Lewis says:

    Thanks for you post Kevin. Enjoyed reading it and most of the posts today.

    Hope tonight is happy viewing!! If you are lucky enough to be at the Ems tonight, blow the roof off, it’s about time that stadium found its collective voice!!

    Oh to, Oh to Be, oh to be a GOONER!!!!

  154. rico says:

    Bet you don’t sleep through excitement agag 😉

    That would be nice Kj, but we are all dotted too many miles apart sadly…

    Thank’s re your kind words about HH, hope you stick around and become part of this family….

  155. tsGH says:

    Evening all,

    Ak re 1:35 pm, I really appreciate you explaining it better than I could possibly have. What I meant was we always sold our better players when they hit their peak, the reason why we have not been able to dominate the league continuously in the last 30 years or so. I always admit I have not supported Arsenal for as long as some of you guys and not have the privilege of having a family tree of family supporters. I have supporter AFC for just under 30 years.

    However, if Ajax is considered a selling club even though they hardly ever sell to their domestic rivals (PSV,FC Twente and Az) then imho, I think we are not far off at all. Because even when we were winning every other year the media always told those who wanted to read/listen that the PV and even Edu of this world would rather play for another team…

  156. Scott from Oz says:

    That is possibly the best over night posting i have ever seen on HH.
    No, not because it supports, in general, our manager because it is nearly unanimous in its positivity.
    This is what football should be all about, in my humble opinion.
    Loved every bit of it.
    Let us hope i can wake up to similar tomorrow.
    Devil, your 12.34 proves you are suitably named 🙂
    Great morning, my fellow Gooners.
    I am buzzing like the game is a Cup Final.
    Haven’t been this pumped for a long, long time and i it is all down to everyones posts, so thank you, one and all.
    Do us proud, lads, do us proud.

  157. Kevin Downton says:

    Evening tsGH,

    No doubt whatsoever that we were a selling club during the financing of the stadium and the redevelopment of Highbury. Tough to take but it was a fact. Does not excuse some of the rubbish buys but we have to recognise we were skint and had no choice really.

    Our main source of income during that period was making profit on the buying and selling of players, our assets. It was a short term strategy for the longer term which should be starting next season. Remember it was bad timing, it was right at the start of the period when the Rich Russian bought Chelsea and started flashing his Cash. Then we also had the Arabs buying Man City, so what chance did we have? They were offering silly wages and players are greedy and disloyal. It amazes me that people think we should be winning trophies when it is not possible, unless you want to see us go bust, outspend technically insolvent clubs like Chelsea and Man City. That’s why we needed a 60,000 seat stadium and other revenue streams, sponsorship deals etc.

    There is a great website that explains the finances, player sales etc (but i wont post the link without Rico’s permission). It makes fascinating reading and educates you on the last seven to eight years because there is a lot of ignorance in that respect from fans and press alike. A win tonight will be great!

  158. Rick says:

    Hi to every one at HH.
    I have been a very proud Gooner since 1945 and with my elder brother was a ever present member of the North Bank untill it was pulled down. Over the last four years I have become disgusted with the consistant attacks on my beloveded Arsenal and Arsen in particular. I did try to write a post like todays but at the moment it came to post it I got cold feet. I think your post is just Brilliant Kevin
    and I find myself over the moon at the surport you have received on your blog.
    I also agree with Emma that something very special is taking shape
    and that there is more to come from Arsen.
    I hope that that tonight could be the start..

  159. DutchGooner10 says:

    Swiss Ramble Kevin?

    Don’t shy away from sharing. We’re allowed many privileges on HH, all in good stead. Tnx for a good read.

    Evenings Goonerdom worshippers.

  160. rico says:

    Scott – no human deserves what Arsene Wenger has had written about him, not as a human being.

    You know we all talk about his tactics, selling/buying ideas, but that’s at him as a manager, not a man.

    I don’t doubt he believes in what he is doing,. what his tactics are and of course, the players he signs….

    And certainly not the vile stuff Jose threw at him…

    My big wish is for AU to takeover, he keeps Wenger on and signs who we need to give us a trophy and more and then when AW wants out, he goes in style and not like it all is today….

  161. Scott from Oz says:

    Kevin, can you bugger off back to where you came from.
    You have made more sense and relevant points in a mere few hours than i have in 18 months 🙂
    Hats off again mate……
    Brilliantly done.

  162. W.A.T.H says:

    Arsenal: Szczęsny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Podolski, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Santi Cazorla.

  163. W.A.T.H says:

    Mikel, Jack and Aaron in midfield is pretty decent………… Time to show some collective cojones Arsenal………. Stand up be counted get at em and lets batter this bunch up kraut upstarts…!

    RED ARMY…………………….!!!!!!!!!

  164. tsGH says:

    I totally agree with Mr K. Downton. My reason for saying we have always sold when the price is right is that, a lot of people not particularly from this site in the blogoshere assert that AW is the reason why we sell. This may be due to ignorance or just not being aware of some of our past sales in the last 30 years or so that included Charlie George, Kelly, Stapleton to PV recently.

    Even AW said 2 years ago that a club could not consider itself to be a big club it it sold its best players yearly…( as mentioned by ziggy too).

    Anyway past is the past. we are now in a better position imho, and first thing first. a 2-1 win with Schweisteiger coming off in the 2nd half and missing the 2nd leg. Gomez and Pizzaro have a stinker if fit would be welcome. COYGsss

  165. gunnernet says:

    Evening gunners! What a huge match today under such adverse circumstances..

    @ WATH, my feeling looking at our starting 11 is that Wenger will try to keep defence tight in order not to concede and target aging and slow Van Buyten at counter attacks.

    It will be a massive test tactically. Hope the Ramsey experiment works against a world class midfield-attack.

    COYGS!!!!!

  166. W.A.T.H says:

    gunnernet, I always say attack is the best form of defence and lets be honest our defending is poor that we should never look to try and keep it tight we should look to attack and keep them on the back foot if we can do that we can win

  167. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening Ts………. Ramsey may not be wasted out wide mate I hope not cos we can do them damage if we play our own game with real tempo.. Robben on the bench.. Wait til he dives under it….

  168. tsGH says:

    Mandzukic starts instead.

    Followers of the Bundesliga may know that their line-up shows they are going to be very disciplined tonight. Its up to Walcott to show Boateng and Kroos a thing or two.

    sub bench is very telling imho… Robben, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Luiz Gustavo, Gomez, Tymoshchuk

  169. devilgunner says:

    rsenal: Szczęsny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Podolski, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Cazorla

    Substitues: Mannone, Diaby, Rosicky, Giroud, Ox-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Jenkinson

    Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Müller, Kroos, Ribery Mandzukic

    Substitues: Starke, Tymoshchuk, Rafinha, Gustavo, Shaqiri, Robben, Gomez

    Wow….Africa’s best player is not even on the bench

  170. Scott from Oz says:

    Dutch, he has brought it on with his performances though.
    I have seen plenty of players on different codes who can’t handle the step up to International competition, but i can’t remember one who can’t handle the step back down from it.
    Strange.

  171. W.A.T.H says:

    DG, the fella needs to take a long hard look at himself and decide if he wants to be an Arsenal footballer or not… if he does grow some and pull his finger out if not request a transfer and do all concerned a fabvour.

    Scott, what are you on about… you ain’t made any sense in 18 months….! 😀

  172. tsGH says:

    Badstuber I meant not Kroos.

    I hope not too WATH. He should be is very effective through the middle. With him and Arteta holding this could be our night.

  173. emma says:

    from that teamsheet I think Wenger is trying to confuse us/bayern. I still think Podi is the front man. cazorla and walcott as wide players

  174. tsGH says:

    I think Gerv is a goner. same as Le Coq too. I believe if he had not gone to the AFCON we would have swap him with Gourchuff. His dad even mentioned that his son needed a change and AW was the idea person for him…

    PSG will not want him now whilst his old team are skint.

  175. W.A.T.H says:

    I am surprised it took so long fella lol

    I’m off fine folk the pub calls…………….

    Shout scream and sing at the tv or in the pub and let em all know your Arsenal…………

    RED ARMY………………..!!!!!!!!!!!

  176. devilgunner says:

    That is a 4-2-3-1 formation mates. designed in such a way to become a 4-5-1 when defending.

    I have a hunch it will be Theo as front striker with Cazorla and Podolski on the flanks while Arteta and Aaron will be DM.

  177. W.A.T.H says:

    Pace can hurt them Emma.. this whole game revolves around our tempo and keeping the game played quickly so they cant settle and getting at em………..

    Let’s see if they like it up em…………..

    Lata all

  178. Scott from Oz says:

    Is Bayerns manager simply finishing out his contract by choice, or is he being shown the door?
    Incredible that a guy leading a team who has the league sewn up this early could be sacked.

  179. Will XL says:

    Huge game. Come on you Gunners. I feel like I’m about to watch a final.

    I have no idea what I’m about to see. Let’s hope it’s 2 or 3 arsenal goals.

  180. devilgunner says:

    pace, accuracy and with it, destruction……its all in this piece of music…………..

    I hope the lads will honour AW tonight.

  181. rico says:

    My only gripe with our squad is Ramsey on the right of a front three….

    It’s not fair on the player, it’s not fair on the team…..

    Imho of course….

  182. rico says:

    Dg, I have had an email from ronaldo7.net asking for me to put their links up on the main page.

    I think they may have been reading HH 😉

    Thanks to you of course.

    Can’t wait for HH to go independent…..

  183. DutchGooner10 says:

    Rico we will do an amazing job on the next HH site. Promise. Ronaldo7 probably noticed click through rates have sky rocketed via HH. 😉

  184. Scott from Oz says:

    Just don’t have that stupid thing where if too many people don’t like the comment, it is hidden away.

  185. devilgunner says:

    Look away now lads. I have a feeling it will be the Manure thrashing all over again. And its only 20 minutes gone and with our best team to boot.

  186. Scott from Oz says:

    I have never seen Ramsey go off before, but he is now.
    Disgraceful marking.
    Actually, to call that marking is ridiculous.

  187. gunnernet says:

    hate to say it the tie is over after just 20 min. Sorry Arsene but it has become irreversible now. Time to turn a new leaf. End of an era. Look how composed is this Bayern team. Quality, discipline, efficiency. This team needs a radical change in the summer.

  188. rico says:

    I wonder why Pep decided to join Bayern?

    Could it be for the same reason he joined Barca?

    That is everything is already in place and he won’t have to do to much….

  189. gunnernet says:

    The fans are outstanding again before a humiliating and below the par performance.. Same mistakes over and over again.. PAthetic 🙁

  190. Scott from Oz says:

    I am not tring to deflect attention, because we just are not good enough, but Bayern are one serious football side.
    They get a chance and finish it.
    We do not.
    There is your difference.

  191. eastsidepaul says:

    We couldn’t beat a championship side…. why would anyone expect better tonight?
    Its going exactly as we all knew it would.

  192. Bradster says:

    Still the same players to choose from, think they’ll play any differently under the guy who said he shat himself when Wenger was banned?St

  193. Scott from Oz says:

    Lewis, we have torn their defence apart a few times already though.
    Starting to think a Torres, Tevez, Cavani truly is all we need.
    We can’t finish enough of our chances, and we create plenty.
    Even when we were destroyed by Utd, we had more shots on goal than them!

  194. Lewis says:

    Definitely need at least one top striker Scott.

    How many of this arsenal team would get in this bayern team?

    I make one player. That’s the difference.

  195. GunnerDNA says:

    Hey u scott, i don’t even read your comments so ill ignore u. AW got to be your wife for you to always be jumping up. You are pointless just like him

  196. Scott from Oz says:

    Dna, yes,ok.
    Get that weapon out again hey lol!!
    If you do ignore them, then why respond??
    Classic hahahaha.

  197. eastsidepaul says:

    I’m sorry but this is once again an embarrassment to the club. The entire of Europe is looking on and we can’t even muster one shot…. WE”RE PLAYING AT HOME!!!

    Rightly booed off.

  198. Scott from Oz says:

    Is ok Rico.
    Had my say.
    What can we do to get back into it…apart from the obvious, score lol!!
    Is it worth trying Ox up front, because Theos pace is worrying them, so throwing Ox up will double the trouble??
    Wenger must act now.
    20 minutes into the 2nd half is too late, if it isn’t already.

  199. emma says:

    First mistake of AW. Playing Walcott as a central striker. He is better on the wings. Cazorla giving the ball away all the time. Podolski is still in anonymous mode. Per shouldn’t be on the post allowing ramsey to contest that header with van buyten. Szeszny needs competition for his place otherwise he will continue to give silly goals.

  200. rico says:

    There are a few Lewis, and to be honest, the ones who are not in the game are the ones I’d expect to be up for tonight…

    Poor poor defending and keeping again though.That really needs addressing this summer….

  201. southyorkshiregunner says:

    PODOLSKI is playing shit
    MERESACKER not much better
    SZCEZ is shit

    and we are fcukng toothless….

    It has to improve…

  202. Scott from Oz says:

    Merts shot was deflected by one player, but 3 defenders had a foot in.
    That was 6-8 yards out from goal.
    We do not do this.

  203. gunnernet says:

    Outperformed, outplayed, outwited. Ramsey off, Rosicky on. We need urgency and speed instead of engine players now. Podolski and Cazorla don’t look good either. I know what most of you think, including me but if Podolski keeps playing like this bring him off na d unleash Gervinho. OMG horrid times ahead 🙁

  204. Lewis says:

    Agreed Scott, for once he must change things now. Would giroud with the ox and Walcott either side be a better option. Ramsey and pod off.

  205. Scott from Oz says:

    Why is it that Sagna insists on taking a first touch before getting his cross in?
    He does it nearly every time.
    The one time he didn’t, he got a ripper cross over.

  206. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Arsenal under AW over the past 8 years has become a financial plan. The manager is on 7 million, the owner in it for the dividends. Oh that reminds me, I’m off to work now.

    “2 nil to the football club”

    Sorry rico, thats me for this game.

  207. rico says:

    Were they booed off??

    Oh dear…..

    Syg, maybe they don’t like facing German sides… Those two really are dire.

    Ches – he really needs an older keeper to challenge him, and knock him down a peg or two….

  208. devilgunner says:

    No passion, not heart.

    Do you get the impression that the players want to run down the time asap?

    Predictable pass lines, movement and no direct running where it hurts. We keep playing in their hands and just 2 YES TWO shots off target throughout the first 45 minutes. Just one corner for us.

    Scott we had only a few dangerous attacks. Like you I will not look away but will face it. But the reality is there mate. Do not try to change it.

    We are so far away from Bayern. The know that we need to score three now to have something to shout……………and honestly we will not score one with this team let alone three.

    Yesterday I said that we will loose 0-2 at home. We should thank our lucky stars if BM decide to sit on their lead knowing full well that if we do not get a goal tonight we will fail at their stadium.

    Just compare the performance of this game to the 2-1 win vs Barca and the 3-0 win vs Milan/

  209. goonster says:

    calm down scott leave DNA alone for crying out loud…….he’s entiltled to his opinion. this is HH aint it….where its ok to disagree. what’s gwan DNA, i can see you re having a great time. we ll win this i tell you. 6.2!

  210. rico says:

    Lee Dixon has just defended zonal marking but says that where we are getting it wrong is not one player attacks the ball…

    Back in his day, they defended zonal too….

  211. Scott from Oz says:

    Dna, straight up.
    Why is you always say the same thing?
    You never, ever give us anything other than Wenger out.
    I never try and rev you up, but you do say the same thing every single time you post.
    Don’t react with your normal name calling or threats, explain why you can’t offer us some incite into what would help us.
    Constructive criticism is fine, but relentless attacks that say norhing but get rid of Wenger give us not a songle thing to discuss.

  212. Joaquim moreira says:

    Ramsey,wilshere,Cazorla and Arteta in the same line-up again… another defeat.
    since when I’ve say the same?

  213. Scott from Oz says:

    Onya Stan lol.
    Devil, we are two classes below them, and that is the reality i accept.
    We are not good enough….simple.

  214. tsGH says:

    wow…

    So SC19 showing his true class?? AW must surely be thinking I can’t do anymore.

    I totally agree Emma, a centre forward who can not win a header or duo against a third choice CB does not deserve 95k…

    Dna get rid of AW for us please.

  215. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, i don’t see zonal defending as the problem, we never pick up the runners.
    Our guys seem to think that zonal defending means marking the piece of turf under their feet, but surely they are instructed to move a little…you’d like to think so, anyway.

  216. rico says:

    Ts. I’d have started Giroud too….

    Dixon said just attack the ball Scott, forget the runners, just attack the ball, and it worked for them back in his day. But our back five had balls back then. This lot seem a bit weak…

  217. Scott from Oz says:

    I reckon we have had around 5 shots, but not one has gone more than 3 feet.
    Bayerns last ditch defending is incredible.

  218. Lewis says:

    I don’t see podoski adding many more caps to those he already has. Very poor tonight. Make a fucking change Arsene.

  219. devilgunner says:

    Lewis….start slagging Theo and Cazorla.

    We are too narrow. when we open up and keep the width we will either force more corners or we will score.

  220. Lewis says:

    Horrible little twat that robben.

    Make a change Arsene, our impetus has slowed in the last 10 mins, change it up a bit FFS.

  221. rico says:

    Thanks Scott, really appreciate that…. No problem re the time, just whenever. Means I will sleep without worrying…. 😉

  222. Lewis says:

    Nothing to do with luck brad. We don’t defend as a team, we defend as individuals, individuals who aren’t good enough!

  223. Lewis says:

    Why couldn’t they have shown themselves in the first half?! It’s like they want to wait until they are beaten before they try. WTF is wrong with them?

  224. Scott from Oz says:

    Lewis, we weren’t that bad in the first half, as usual our last decision was the wrong one though, imo.

  225. rico says:

    Just think it was down to Bayern and the way they started Lewis…

    But we helped them on their way with silly errors at the back again, but 2nd half we created a few chances but their defence didn’t help us out….

  226. Lewis says:

    It wasn’t a patch on the second half tho was it Scott. How many times have we seen that this year? Every big game I’d say.

  227. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Goalkeeper at fault for every goal
    Podolski shite
    Mertesacker shite
    Ramsey not good enough
    Vermaelan & kosc below average
    THIS IS THE REASON WHY WALCOTT ISN’T A CENTRAL STRIKER

    Shining light …. Wilshire and Rocisky …. Apart from that nothing

  228. rico says:

    Night Scott…..

    I too am off. Sad, disappointed but not surprised.

    We lack so much in so many areas and until Arsene Wenger addresses that, things will get no better.

    We lack:

    GK
    CF
    DM
    CH

    And that is at least imho…..

    NIght all, until tomorrow….

  229. gunnernet says:

    Better second half performance but still second best. The season is over and we are at mid February. If we had beaten Blackburn now we we would play Milwall for last 4. Appalling to fight just for 4th. Sorry guys. Not much left in the bottle for me. I don’t feel frustrated… Only sad and despondent. Night gunners,

  230. tsGH says:

    SC19 has failed to turn up in any of the big games we have played this season unless you consider Liverpool in September a big game… Absolute shocking.

    AW should surely be thinking its about time. Considering Jupp Heynckes has managed big teams such as RM, Benfica in the last 15 -17 years and has won jack all but then all of a sudden, BVB lose players and then he has a team tipped to be the next invincible…

  231. Lewis says:

    Honestly though, who thought we ever really had a chance against this lot. They are one of the best teams on the planet, we are not even top 4 in England.

  232. tsGH says:

    Its funny how fans warm to SC19 but hounded AA23 for having no passion! At least he could make something out of nothing. Before their 3rd goal what was the meaning of that lame backheel he attempted? He never did that at Villareal or Malaga so why now?

  233. kel says:

    probably the last champions league game at the Emirates for a season or more… Investment, New manager, new ideas…. Nothing changes, if Nothing changes….

  234. tsGH says:

    night all. Those who can voice and kick AW out do what you can because it is becoming tedious with the negativity ….

    It has now become a game of hoping AFC lose every match so that AW can be sacked? Is your hate for AW greater than the love some profess to have for Arsenal?

    Later Scott

  235. kel says:

    Emma, another season or two of this bullshit team, and he’ll be playing for city/utd… and who could blame him!

  236. tsGH says:

    Finally those who are wishing we do not qualifier for CL next season because 4th is a failure and only wanted by AW… how are we going to attract the better players to improve us even under a new manager. The last time I check Pep and Jose are not available and certainly Rednose is not either… !

  237. GunnerDNA says:

    AFC needs a younger fresher manager who is hungry for success to drive the team forward. Change is relevant in life….

  238. dy says:

    I have seen enough of SC19, he might possesses fancy footwork but not a good player for Arsenal. Mata is a much better mid fielder. It may not be fair to compare the two but at this moment Arsenal absolutely needs someone who can control the ball with his head up and access the situation before making a pass, all the while going forward.
    Come to think of it objectively, we pay what is the market value of most players, so we get what’s fair in return.

  239. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening,
    Good read Kevin, I agree Wenger is unfairly treated by the press, and by some of the supporters, but when the club leak out storys about £70 million Transfer kittys and then spend seven, is enough for most fans to hold their head in their hands. You don’t have to be an Einstein to work out that this team is not good enough. £70 million is an enormous amount, and its probably not true, but we could spend all of that and still not win the league. But in all honesty they don’t even look as if they care. Wengers faith in his team wears a bit thin with results such as tonights, and another chance slipping away.

  240. NashuaGunners says:

    @tsGH, agreed there with you, it’s becoming tedious with the “Wenger Out Brigades”. How much BM spent just on one player this Transfer Window????

  241. emma says:

    kel – It’s better we go out now instead of being embarassed by Barca, madrid et al. There is a mentality block when we are playing the top teams(chelsea, mancity, etc). Only wilshere was up for the fight until Rosicky came in. For the media clamouring for TW14 to start up front, I hope they are happy now. Walcott is only effective from the wings. Vermalaen needs a kick up the ass. Poor poor defending for 2 of the goals. Sales of our best players have eventually caught up with us

  242. kel says:

    couldn’t agree more Emma, just to make it clear i’ve no problem with losing my problem is we cant even compete anymore (were that bad)? and i have had enough of wenger’s stubbornness and lies, and thats why i want a change jurgen klopp would be my choice but hey thats just me 😉

  243. emma says:

    The weak link in the team was Vermalen. Since his dutchman left he has being acting strange. All bayern needed to do was attack from the left back and it paid off

  244. emma says:

    The weak link in the team was Vermalen. Since his dutchman left he has being acting strange. All bayern needed to do was attack
    the left back and it paid off

  245. GunnerDNA says:

    @emma. lol the ducthman was sold for footballing reason..Playing ramsey and MA08 against those midfielders is suicidal, we are just the laughing stock in Europe. Lets pray it ends soon

  246. allezkev says:

    Kel, if you analyze the remaining fixtures, i think that Arsenal could well finish 9 points ahead of Tottenham…

    But one points is enough…

    Not sure we can catch Chelsea though…

    But FA Cup and UEFA Cup commitments could have a draining effect on their resources…

  247. NashuaGunners says:

    @Kev, I believe so too. BM is a good side but everyone expect us to take the piss out of them. When was the last time we spent 30million on just one player? That just what they spent on one player from Spain.

    I hate when we loss but I’m happy Diaby didn’t play because people will abuse his name.

  248. allezkev says:

    GDNA, to win anything, you have to have talent…

    You also need a bit of luck, and Arsenal have had absolutely none in the last two games…

    Blackburn’s goal was a fluke, Kazim almost put it wide after firing into the pitch…
    But it hit the post and went in…

    Arsenal had no luck what so ever in that game….

    Tonight, Bayern, to my mind, scored 3 scrappy goals…
    That’s not to underestimate their superiority on the night…

    But they were superior to Chelsea in the final a few month’s ago, but Chelsea were lucky…

    Arsenal are not…

  249. GunnerDNA says:

    Afc should never be beaten 3-1 at home by any team, this BM team is not as good as people have them to be, if Giroud shot did score they would have lost, BM team is full of bottlers. AFC standard is low these days so we can expect anything

  250. kel says:

    law of averages we are due a win lol ffs… the season is over for sure, i just hope and pray we react this wk,end and fucking destroy villa…

  251. allezkev says:

    Hi Adam, the result was not a suprise to me…

    The manner of the goals, was though…

    Giroud scores and it’s a different game…

    He hit it well, but Neuer got lucky, lucky German’s, as per usual…

  252. GunnerDNA says:

    The manager and the playing staff is below average, that’s the problem. They all need to be donated to the salvation army.

  253. allezkev says:

    Kel, destroying Villa is the wrong thought mate…

    Let’s just ‘beat’ Villa…. 3 points is all that count’s….

  254. allezkev says:

    GDNA, every team loses at home, even Barcelona….

    I’ve seen Arsenal concede 6 to ManUre at home…
    In the League Cup….
    I’ve also seen Arsenal score 5 at the Slum, 6 at Boro, 5 at Bramall Lane, and if i think hard enough, i’m sure i could think of a few more…

    It’s called football mate, it happens….

  255. allezkev says:

    I know Kel, i know….

    In a way, i’m glad to get this poxy game outta the way….
    I never thought we could beat Bayern, and we need to focus on the EPL….

    The FACup still rankles though…

  256. kel says:

    i actually agree with ya there kev, i knew Bayern would do us over the 2 legs for sure, but the Blackburn game is still stinging me ffs finding it hard to shift it outta my head tbh..

  257. allezkev says:

    I’ve been in a bit of a rage since the Bradford game…

    But i’m coming out of it…

    I might be senile, but i’m quite optimistic about the rest of the season and the summer…

    I can still see some light at the end of the tunnel, it’s called Jack Wilshere…
    Wenger simply has to give Jack some help…
    There is the basis of a good side there, maybe a new goalkeeer as Sir Stevo constantly bangs on about…
    The def-mid that Rico prays for…
    And maybe another striker….
    All get-able, if only stubborn-bollocks finally accepts the need of quality reinforcements…

  258. Adam says:

    Kev. Every game tells us a little more about where we are in reality. Whether the results are tinged with bad luck or not, Bayern were simply in a different class and the truth is that they beat us quite easily. Their passing was crisp and precise and they looked very dangerous with every ball played forward. Look at their 3rd goal. A long ball played into their player’s chest. We couldn’t win the first ball but there was no pressure whatsoever on the second ball. Shocking, shocking defending really.
    The first two goals were weak from Chesney. He is another player that Arsene rolled the dice with. He might be great one day, but at the moment he is costing too many points through silly mistakes. Looking through the team it seems to me that we have a number of ok players and I mean that in relation to the PL, not the CL. We have Jack and that’s good and we have another couple who could possibly play at a high level. But Kos, Ramsay, Vermaelen,Giroud, obviously Gervinho and a few others are just not good enough. If the aim is to build a world class team then it won’t happen with these blokes and this regime. Not their fault of course but a bit of realism is called for now. Be honest and tell me how the 4th richest club in the world don’t have a truly world-class forward in their ranks, or a defender that could get into a top, top team. Arsene bet the farm this year but football is a cruel game and the folly of that stance lies cruelly exposed today.
    There’s lots more I could say but you get where I am coming from. The club needs not only a new manager, but a new direction and a renewed sense of vigour, ambition and commitment to their fans. Do those things and it will be reciprocated a thousand times. At the moment we’re on the road to nowhere, as the song says.

  259. kel says:

    yes a GK,is needed for sure szcznesy, just not good enough (he’s still young tho) a strong dominant centre half is a must, a tough tackling def-mid also, we also need a winger (ramsey on the wing?? no good) and a top class finisher is required… without this next season we will have a repeat of this season…. groundhog day fs

  260. LJB says:

    Jack Wilshere will be driven out of the club like all our best players before him, by Wengers incompetence.People used to say “All our best players will leave if Wenger leaves” but now they all leave because he stays.Jack or Wenger?You choose.

  261. Will XL says:

    Firstly, the game. Bayern are a top team in top form. Arsenal are a talented, but underperforming team in a period of transition. These are the things we knew coming into the match. We had a CB at LB, with Podolski for help, defending against probably the best RB/RW combination in the world. Home team or not, it was advantage Bayern before the match even started… But the hope that we all have before every match made us think that a good result was possible.

    And it was… with some commitment and no bad luck,

    We got the worst possible start, because 1) Bayern are good at what they do, and 2) We do not have any defensively aware midfielders. When the ball went wide, every single Arsenal player was watching the ball. Not one player looked around to see where the attackers were positioned so they could cut out a potential pass. Hence, Kroos had more space than he should have when at least 2 players were in prime position to pick him up before the cross. Had one of those 3 players been more defensively aware they would not have had a chance.

    Then we had some bad luck when a save from our keeper fell to Muller. And before anyone goes off blaming Zonal marking or the goalkeeper, just look at the goal Bayern conceded with man marking and one of the world’s best goalkeepers. Regardless how u defend corners, goals will be scored. Our only problem is that we concede too many of them, and Im almost positive we have conceded a lower percentage since we started defending zonally.

    In the first half Bayern were at their best and we werent at ours. The first half syndrome struck and the scoreline was a fair one. We were out classed. We could not get going because Walcott was started at striker. We crippled ourselves by doing that. He and Wenger now need to put that notion firmly to bed. The game changed when we introduced a true centre forward.

    Also, Arteta should be a rotational player and not our starting holding mid. Ive always said it and I stick by it. He’s just one step up from Denilson, with less athleticism. He’s a good guy, but not what we need there.

    Despite all this, the game could have been 2-2. And had it gotten to 2-2 i would have fancied us for the win…. then no-one would be calling for Wenger’s head.

    Rosicky is still my favorite Arsenal player and with good reason. He and Wilshere were the only real problems Bayern had all night. The midfield needs to be reworked to include him.

    Im a bit disappointed, but only that we conceded the third. Im looking forward to seeing how we do with no pressure.

  262. Adam says:

    Bayern’s movement was simply in a different class to ours. Their passing was sharper, crisper and more accurate. They are full of superb players front to back with no weaknesses that I could discern. Analysing different phases of play and formations might work for some but not for me. I see the problems as far more basic and fundamental. The quality of the whole squad needs to be lifted in all areas. If this team can’t play winning football against all types of team then players must be drafted in who can lift that quality considerably. The outlook isn’t all bleak but the club surely needs a rocket under it.

  263. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Evening rico & various Gooners

    I guess there is no question now about the players/management being distracted from the task of finishing 4th. The pending spuds fixture is shaping as Arsenal’s cup final.

  264. Lee says:

    Totally out classed by a football club that wants to win trophies….Jack was a shining light and I thought Rosicky did ok!
    Still got the 4th spot to go for…..

  265. Scott from Oz says:

    Lee, i am not so sure were totally outclassed.
    They were better, but we at least broke even in the second half….again lol.

  266. Scott from Oz says:

    I have heard plenty of our players ask people to stop blaming Wenger as it is their responsibility to perform.
    They should stop talking and give us nothing to say.
    I am not just picking on Jack here….he is the latest….but all of them know their job, know their responsibility.

  267. Adam says:

    Morning Lee. Certainly true but we must have optimism for the future. Last night we played a top team who are ruthlessly efficient rather than exciting. We were never really in it except for that period in the second half when Giroud’s goal might have made a difference if it had gone in. But we were playing with pace – but at a stretch. The options they always had were frightening compared to ours and their technique was awesome really. The bastards.

  268. Scott from Oz says:

    At least you guys slept on it….i have been awake all day copping it from blow in, blow hard Utd, Citeh, Chelski and Spuds fans that suddenly appear when we lose.
    Could be worse….i could follow one of those sides 🙂
    Morning Rico.

  269. tsGH says:

    Are we going to band together or what ladies and gents. We the fans are AFC, players and managers come and go. 11 games to go lets ensure our team stays in the CL qualification spot and then heads can roll…. including AW if that is the case.

  270. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Yes and no. The fans were pretty good last night and I think that most of the booing was aimed at the ref. There wasn’t a really bad tackle in the match yet he managed to book how many? We just got beaten by a much, much better side with better players and far superior organisation. The most depressing thing is that it shows how far we have slipped. Nobody should be remotely surprised at the result really. Look at it as an indicator of where we are and hope that the powers that be do the same.
    Usmanov’s 3 boxes were full last night I noticed but I never noticed the syrup.

  271. rico says:

    Morning Adam, Just read that Stan was there to witness our shambles….

    Glad Wenger wasn’t the target for the boo’s but reading the reports the morning, you wouldn’t think he wasn’t…

  272. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    Another day after today.

    But now I am no longer copping it from my friends who appear when we loose. I am becoming immune to that.

    Adam………..what would you like? An exciting team or a ruthlessly efficient team?

    I would like ours to be a ruthlessly efficient team.

  273. Kevin KJ says:

    Adam, Emma, Scott and various others well said. Lot of sense on here.
    It was dissapointing to say the least, another slow start and sloppy defending. Keeper needs to either catch the ball or get it out, I personally believe we need a World class keeper which Sczesney is not. We can argue about team selection, I would but Fair play to Bayern, they are a quality side and have improved since their CL final defeat last season. It isn’t over yet.
    PS: Here is the link I promised, which is quite interesting: http://www.theshortfuse.com/2012/9/27/3418558/arsenals-2012-finances-in-review-and-opinion

  274. Bradster says:

    Totally agree ts. Changing managers now will not help with the players we have currently and the style they are used to playing.
    I don’t see us keeping a clean sheet against Bayern nor scoring 3 or 4 to win it. So concentrate on the league and send the fringe players to Germany.
    If not, they try the Milan tactic and go for it 3-5-2. We scored last season a few with that formation.
    Mert is not good enough for us, he should’ve followed van Beyten not leave for Ramsey, needed to be quicker to close down shots on our goal. Still feel he should’ve been told to man mark Manzukic and the others to Kos and Arteta but clearly no plan like that. For Arsenal to use Mert, there needs to be lots of training how the other cb needs to cover and who to be last man.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading