Daily Bits and Bobs

Can spending money solve Arsenal’s frailties?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Another 24 hours have passed but it doesn’t feel much better does it?

Why do Arsenal kick themselves in the teeth so often at a time when things are looking good? (well, good ish)

I think it was back in 2008 when we were sitting pretty at the top of the league when Birmingham rolled into town. A nasty and pretty much criminal leg breaking tackle on Eduardo early in the game led to Martin Taylor being sent off. Down to ten men, the visitors took the lead but then Walcott, yes, Walcott, not only scored the equaliser but showed he had what it takes when he made the score 2-1.

Then right at the end, Clichy gave away a penalty ( which actually wasn’t a penalty thanks to Mike Dean.. enough said), Gallas had a strop and off we went, down the table.

Then, just a couple of years ago, Arsenal again sat top of the tree. Christmas came and went, a Champions League exit followed and again, we went from top spot to a top four place….

But it’s not just that is it, since 2004, there’s been something missing, seriously missing in every squad Arsene Wenger has assembled. And that’s the ‘winning at all cost’ mentality. Players who roll their sleeves up and get stuck in, who fight for a point or a last gasp win not just just accept the outcome.

Just like many fans, I’ve watched the invincible season time and time again and as much as it was a fantastic season for all the club achieved, once Arsenal had been crowned champions before the season was over, Arsene Wenger had a lot of work to do. He had to drag a bunch of elated players out of their ‘champions’ moment and lead them towards making history despite many of them having little left in the tank to give.

But he did it back then, so what has changed?

Since that invincible season, Arsenal have all too often looked more like invisibles in certain games. Whether it be against West Brom, Southampton, Championship clubs in the cups, West Ham, Norwich or any other side who on paper we should have beaten but we haven’t turned up. Let’s not forget the worst Utd side in years under Moyes also turned us over. To be honest, there’s been far too many to mention.

Why oh why can’t the players step up and beat the teams which we really should be beating?

Arsene Wenger is to blame say many, after all, the lackadaisical approach starts at the top. Hang on, it’s the players fault say others because most of them are experienced internationals so why aren’t they able to raise their game each match day. Then there’s the English players who have been labelled ‘useless’ so it’s their fault isn’t it?

Come on, none of them are really that bad are they – not bad enough to be losing away at West Brom and Southampton – or to surrender a 3-2 lead with seconds to go at Anfield or inexperienced enough to fall for the antics of a player like Costa. Are they? No, not when one considers the performance at a place like The Britannia and the way they played against Utd and Man City at home which shows that on their day, they can gel and they can play well, very well but those days are all too often forgotten when a shoddy half-hearted performance follows.

What about Arsene Wenger, a manager who could motivate his team back in the good old days, yet for some reason, doesn’t always seem to be able to today. Has his mojo left him or has he simply not got the skilful, dedicated and determined players he had back in the good old days? After all, give a builder a bag of nails with only a screwdriver in his hand he wouldn’t get a lot done very well would he? But I guess a top quality builder would soon go and buy himself a hammer, or a bag of screws and get his job done properly.

Just a week to go until this transfer window closes and perhaps there’s a shiny hammer or a bag of screws out there somewhere with Arsenal’s name on them.

Or perhaps just a mediocre builder who will keep on trying to bang his nails in with his screwdriver….

rico

138 thoughts on “Can spending money solve Arsenal’s frailties?”

  3. potter says:

    Nice analogy , Sure the English players are not useless but they don’t seem to have the willpower to step up to the next level . Are they cossetted too much too soon ?

  7. bradster says:

    Well Southampton, Tottenham and West Ham must be doing something right to have a production line like theirs. Liverpool used to be good at developing youth but that seems to have slowed lately too.

  9. rico says:

    10th. One day we will be… lol

    Potter – I honestly believe that a different coach/manager would get a lot more out of our English players than we are getting at the moment. Well, when fit that is.

  10. scottfromoz says:

    Which clubs produce top players and results though?
    Barca.
    Which other successful club has the vast majority of their squad who’ve come through the ranks?
    Seems a near Impossible mission to do both.

  11. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, how many other English players are best at their clubs though?
    Not defending Wenger here, but it’s more a comment on Enlgish players.
    They all seem to find their level fairly early on and stay there.

  12. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Rico, I have been saying all along that if the same team AW has, is given to Jose we would win the league at a canter.

    having said that……….I do not want him at our club.

    But I feel that Ancelotti would be a very good manager with this lot of players. And we would win more games

  13. scottfromoz says:

    I am comfortable with Wenger finishing his contract.
    An extension though…….if he does not win the League this season, that’s farcical.
    To extend it now would be simply irresponsible.

  16. scottfromoz says:

    I never even knew he was English, Rico lol.
    Vardy probably rates up there, but he’s a different case having hit his peak so late, and he certainly wasn’t a Leicester junior.
    No simple answer, that’s for sure, but I’d suggest Arsenal are not alone in this instance, not that it excuses them.

  18. potter says:

    The quota system gives them a safety net at their respective clubs . Give them close to 1/2 million a year before tax and the incentive to push further is gone. They always said that a hungry fighter was best.

  19. Hell Raising Devil says:

    It will always backfire Rico. The home grown rule is not beneficial to English national team. Because once players establish themselves they know that its protecting them. So they remain at the level they are when they breakthrough.

    If it is removed, we can all be sure that those English lads who want to make it will really be the top. Because players like Bale and Ramsey, even though they are not English, would still have risen to the top.

    Remove the home grown rule, concentrate on good level of coaching on the young ones and I can assure you that in a few years time England will have a national team better than the current crop.

  20. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Welbeck has just tweeted……..Every top club has a mid table club they struggle against……

    Manure……Southampton
    Liverpool….Palace
    Man sitty….Sudnerland
    Arsenal…….Chelsea.

    lol

  22. Malaysian gunner says:

    Leicester have spent only a fraction of what the top teams do and yet they are top. I know its early days and it would be good for them to win the epl.Even if they cant win it,I hope they finish 2n/3rd.
    As far as spending money is concerned,you just look at MU.Its the tactics that count.
    Tactically ,imho,Wenger aint as good as the top guys. His type of game is easy to counter by denying the ballet dancers of Arsenal time and space.
    I hope I am wrong if Arsenal can beat Saints.

  23. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, make the bastards keen.
    Don’t allow them to sign with a players agent until they’re 18.
    Don’t allow transfers between clubs until they’re 18.
    Thoughts???

  25. rico says:

    Says a lot about the players though Devil, in terms of the people they really are. Many often cite Wenger for his salary, but a lot of players are equally as bad for taking their money without earning it. And that doesn’t just apply to the English either…

  26. rico says:

    Scott, i don’t think there are many clubs who are bring players through their academy, other than Southampton… Long gone are those days imo as clubs are too ready to sign from abroad rather than be patient with the young ones.

    Perhaps that’s because the fans aren’t very patient either…

  28. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I can never agree with people criticising Wengers salary.
    He runs a club, yet so many suggest he should earn less than plenty of players??
    I honestly find it ridiculous because there wouldn’t be a business in the world where a team member earns more than their manager/supervisor/CEO.
    Criticise the man, no dramas, but for people to say we should pay 150k a week for a player then criticise Wenger on similar money is ludicrous IMO.
    Rooney…is he on 300k a week or so??

  30. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I have no doubt it’s due to fan pressure.
    Fans demand success.
    Fans the criticise clubs for releasing players that haven’t been given a chance.
    On Soton……how many of their starlets have gone on with the job???
    Plenty have been sold for big money.

  32. rico says:

    I think so too Scott, can you imagine the fans being patient with Hayden, Akpom, Lansbury, Afobe, Aneke etc etc?

    I’m not even patient with Chambers… 😉

  34. scottfromoz says:

    I guess if Stan put out a statement saying for 2-3-4 years, we will focus on youth, charge less for tickets and build a squad, people may not like it, but I dare suggest most would respect it.
    Top 4 finishes with promises and high prices is what annoys people.

  37. tsgh says:

    Splendid read Rico…

    Has it taken Ranieri 20 years in the game to stop being a tinker man? The fact that fans are beginning to say Ranieri is a better manager than AW makes one laugh considering fans were tipping Ranieri to be ousted..

    Ranuieri is a top manager but there is a reason why he has been sacked at every single club he has been at…

    He suffers from 2nd season syndrome…

    AW gets slated whenever we lose BUT he has shown longetivity where ever he has been…

    When the British core was being promoted it was said that it would make the said players stagnate; 3 years later and none of them have truly established themselves.

    The fact is they are all over rated or as injury prone as Diaby…The fact that the media lauded JW as our best player against Bradford (when we lost) when in my view he was the prime reason but not Gervinho goes to show how we can be brainwashed to believe whatever isrepeated often enough…

    Gibbs i feel sorry for because he was on the cusp of establishing himself but Monreal moved up a gear…

  38. scottfromoz says:

    I’m with you on Gibbs, Ginge.
    He’s quality IMO.
    We lose him, we will then complain about losing him.
    Rico, I don’t think we will ever know why spending hasn’t happened, but if we do, it won’t be until Wenger retires.

  41. bradster says:

    i think that we attack down one flank means Wenger prefers Monreal to stay home than have 2 gun ho wing backs. Especially with one CB too slow to cover the flank.

  49. tsgh says:

    I thought what fans didn’t like about Gibbs was that he could not cross teh ball when he got into the final third…; reason Leighton baines was so over rated even though he was always very defensively suspect.

  51. Bob John says:

    Hi all
    Arsene’s early sides were full of top class self motivated players who would pretty much self-manage. That combination doesn’t come along very often. If you don’t have that you need a coach who is either a great motivator or tactically astute. Not sure Arsene is either sadly.

  53. potter says:

    Gervinho was fine with the ball at his feet , like Theo his problem was that he couldn’t control a bag of wet cement and in a quick passing team he either lost the ball or ran into a blind alley and his shooting was suspect . The sort of player that needed to change to be a success with Wenger which is another problem too many players playing an unnatural style to fit into a mysterious game plan.

  54. 4th Place Cowboy says:

    Wenger’s teams ability to disappear in biig matches is insistent over the years. And when you consider the array of talent over that period it’s hard to blame it all on weak-kneed players. When Mourinho smashed Wenger 6-0 on the occasion of his 1000 game, my opinion changes. It’s almost mystical, Arsenal’s ability to play scared, without a true chaion’s mentality. I love the. Lub and I always will, but since that Chelsea drubbing I’ve felt that Wenger must go before our mystical perpetual 4th place mentality will be replaced by the spirit of champions. Wenger can’t do it. It’s not in him. Smashed by Southampton over the holidays, then twos points from nine in a crucial stretch against Pool, Stoke, and Chelsea. I see nothing new and special about this team based on a run like that. It feels ‘same ole Arsenal’, proverbial 4th Place Cowboys!

  56. Wath says:

    70 million ready to spend…………..! On what…? don’t make me laugh, we wont spend 70 million Zim dollars let alone 70 million quid on players…!

    Ts ans Gervinho………… attached at the hip… Wait til Micko reads that…!

  59. allezkev says:

    I wonder what Pep Guardiola would do with our squad and how many of our underperforming players would survive?

    Of course with different coaching and more pre-match preparations re: opposition and how to stop them, certain players might improve to a higher level.

    Others could quickly be out the door…

    It ain’t gonna happen because Kroenke isn’t ambitious enough and wouldn’t sanction the finance needed to transform our squad into one that could seriously challenge for the CL and EPL.

    But it would be interesting to muse at who might survive the cull and who wouldn’t…?

  61. rico says:

    Afternoon all..

    Bring Sanogo back, thank gawd you are kidding Orf….

    Kev, that’s rotten news re Jenks, he’s been on the end of a lot of abuse recently…

  65. Obi says:

    Ok, Guys!!! Arsene does the same things every year and we expect different results. It was said by nearly everyone here since last season that at the minimum we need a DM & a Striker. We are no MANAGERS by any means, but we have watched/ played enough football to make intelligent assessment. Nearly every EPL team buys a player and 2 games later they are playing. Even in the rare case where he buys they sit for months. I will never 4get his reason for not being interested in Scott Parker- because “we have Diaby” – like you can’t use them both. And I love Abou, I have his Arsenal #2 Jersey still. I am frustrated because we spend so much time/ money on Arsenal. I have about 5 jackets and 4 jerseys (Abou, Rosicky, Dennis & Gilberto) I force my 11 y.o. daughter to watch Arsenal games. Since 2003 I have made the trip from New York to London to catch an Arsenal game. Btw Scott, this is not coming from an Arsene hater, but really when would he stop putting so much faith in strategies and players that don’t work? And is not about finding another club. I don’t want another club I want Arsenal to show ambition, I want a team (Manager, Owner, Board & Players) that fights.

  66. rico says:

    Orf, our free kicks and corners are rubbish. No pace all to often so leaves the player needing to generate his own power on a header. (when/if it gets there)..

    Why not wack the bloody ball in with pace…

  68. arsenal11730 says:

    Hi all. Spuds losing their centre back may halt their impressive run. Trying to remain calm but we have seen this film many times before as Rico stated. Trusting for a Hollywood Fairytale ending. Wish i had answers. I believe squad is good enough to lift title and we just need consistency that only Foxes have achieved. Hopefully that was our annual November wobble and we can move on strongly with fit squad members returning. Looking forward to Rosicky, LeCoq, Welbeck and JW returning. Competition should be ripe and time for AW to earn his 8mill.
    My brother is a spud and he is quietly confident. I trust the cream rises to the top.

    Cheers

  69. tsgh says:

    Rico- we have been bad with set pieces this season but last season we were joint 2nd on scoring from set-pieces…

    peeps, AW is not that bad; only one person can come first or should I say 1 team…

    Wath- Micko won’t admit it publicly but he is Gervinhos’ barber or should I say hairstyist. 🙂
    gervinho flies him Micko over 2 times a month just to sort out his hair…; Micko flies business class on Aeroflot.

  70. rico says:

    Taking of English players who get oiked out by a new manager, Townsend is heading to Newcastle yet just a couple of years ago, the media were raving about him big time…

  72. rico says:

    Ts, last season is irrelevant now though isn’t it? It’s the here and now which matters and imo, far too many balls getting floated into the box instead of with pace and accuracy…

  76. arsenal11730 says:

    Yes Rico. Knee medial ligament could be couple months. Spuds had stingiest defence. Could be an adjustment for them. Spuds have a top manager who knows how to motivate and has everybody rowing in the same direction. They are fighting for title, we need to wake up and smell the coffee quickly. Cheers

  77. arsenal11730 says:

    I am fascinated to see AW lineup when majority are fit. I trust he will allow competition to be fair and who performs plays. Rather than stick with his favourites and flog them to pulp. TW and the OX need to earn their spot and recognize how important is to wear that crest. Flam is a back up and has done his best in Le Coqs absence. Time for Gabriel to show us in a few starts how he has progressed. Cheers

  78. potter says:

    OBI If you are travelling across the pond , what is the American take on Kroenke and his position at The Arsenal ?

  79. rico says:

    About time they had to suffer a setback A117, really hope it blows their season to pieces as I really worry about them winning the league…

    Could you imagine that….

  83. allezkev says:

    ary Rowett has tipped Birmingham City’s Spanish play-maker Jon Toral to play Premier League football – with Arsenal.

    Toral, whose stunning volley in the 3-0 defeat of Ipswich on Saturday made him Blues’ leading goalscorer, is on loan from the Gunnersl until the end of the season.

    And Rowett says his performances have developed so well he can see him returning to the Emirates and breaking into Arsene Wenger’s team.

    “I know Jon is not our player, but he feels like he is because he’s been here all year,” said Rowett

  85. Obi says:

    Potter @4:39. Interestingly Potter most American that I know associate him more with the Rams (NFL) and the Nuggets(NBA) and the ones that are Arsenal fans can’t stand him because they think its his fault and not Arsene’s . The NFL operates on a Socialist model – meaning there is a hard salary cap and the NBA has a cap with a hard $ for $ luxury tax. But even more so they both depend on the Colleges to develop players and your best bet is to get a kid who’s really good on the cheap for 4 years (i.e,Russel Wilson or Kevin Durant) Moreover you don’t buy players, you trade for players – so its easy for him to agree to Gallas for A.Cole. So not spending, relying on academy kids are all b- product of Stan thinking and not Arsene’s. They think he’s treating Arsenal like his USA teams.

  86. arsenal11730 says:

    Agreed Rico. Pochettino is the issue. I believe even if Manu came knocking for him he would decline because he seems to get on with Levy. Obviously there remains divisions in our fanbase but we must stick together as the squad needs us for the big run in. We can do post mortem at seasons end, lets remember it may be worse and we could support another team.
    I want the passion to show on each Gooner just like the Eagles,Geordies & Scousers at Selhurst,Anfield and St James week in week out. I salute their unity and ongoing passion.
    I believe Our Away Fans are more representative of a True Gooner, like when i stood on the North Bank in Highbury days and went to away games. They sing scream and show real passion. At the Emirates you can hear a pin drop, sometimes it is so boring…..
    This is not meant to offend any Gooner but just my tuppence in the day of internet and armchair fans.
    Cheers

  88. allezkev says:

    FOOTBALL
    FOOTBALL NEWS
    BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

    Blues manager believes Toral could break into Arsenal side when he returns to the Emirates.

    Gary Rowett has tipped Birmingham City’s Spanish play-maker Jon Toral to play Premier League football – with Arsenal.

    Toral, whose stunning volley in the 3-0 defeat of Ipswich on Saturday made him Blues’ leading goalscorer, is on loan from the Gunnersl until the end of the season.

    And Rowett says his performances have developed so well he can see him returning to the Emirates and breaking into Arsene Wenger’s team.

    “I know Jon is not our player, but he feels like he is because he’s been here all year,” said Rowett

    “He’s a great lad, really humble, he works hard and he’s enjoying his football.

    “Ultimately when you see a player of that quality and also that stature – he’s six feet one, great in the air, strong, has got a great touch and scores goals like that (against Ipswich), I still see a chance for him to potentially play in the Premier League with Arsenal.

    “What Jon is good at is that he finds space and knows where the space is and is very clever.

    “Against Derby, he was the difference in my opinion, in t

  89. allezkev says:

    Obi, that’s quite interesting re: Kroenke…

    I understand that Stan, got a heck of a lot of abuse at a basketball game, following news of the Rams move to LA…

    From what read, from over your way, Stan isn’t popular with the fans of any of his franchises….

    That doesn’t fill me with a lot of hope over here…

  92. rico says:

    A117, I reckon Poch would run to Utd as quick as anything tbh, he’s clearly working his way up, although it’s debatable whether Totts are better than Southampton but that’s because I detest them.. My own view is that he won’t be there for very much longer…

    I’m keeping out of the Emirates fan debate but it is very quiet, mind you, it does attract a lot of ‘plastic fans’ apparently…

  95. Micko says:

    Evening all,

    Funnily enough rico I couldn’t help thinking of Gallas on Sunday as Kozzer sat dejected on the Emirates turf after the game and had to be pulled to his feet, then you go and bring it up in the post…..depressing stuff lol.

    Australia Day, isn’t that the one day of the year all the Aussies run around trying to catch as many poisonous snakes as they can, strange lot.

  96. arsenal11730 says:

    Thanks Rico. Just believe Untd need a proven manager used to the Big Stage maybe to early for Poch just like it was to soon for AVB at Chavs. We ALL Bleed Arsenal. Come on You Reds…

  97. rico says:

    Adam, are you sure?

    Hi Micko, Kos nearly landed us in the poop at the start, maybe that’s why he felt dejected, or because he wasn’t back quick enough to protect his mate…

    I never knew that about Australia Day, could be worse though, they could drink Guinness all day… Lol

  108. arsenal11730 says:

    You are right Rico re LVG.. I dont know anymore. With the Tele money and astute purchases by the Mid Tier teams. BPL is more competitive and the distance between Top 4 and Mid table is narrowest ever. I believe we are in a new Paradigm.
    AW must be flexible and we could sneak if…
    Cheers Rico for the Excellent Respectful banter that your wonderful site offers us. We really Appreciate it and You. Cheers

  112. rico says:

    Certainly different times ahead A117, money, demands etc… Not sure it’s all for the better tbh… And thanks…

    Whattsapp Adam.. Lol

  113. arsenal11730 says:

    Rico the one thing I Love about BPL is botoom team can beat top team any day. Unlike Spanish German and French Leagues where Top 3 or 4 dominate. BPL for the neutral is fantastic fun. i would rather have Foxes in Champs League than Spuds for sure…….

  121. allezkev says:

    Robin Van Persie playing alongside Fabregas, at the Bridge?
    Now that’s a scenario to chew over…

    Maybe we can persuade Chelsea to take Gervinho and Bendtner as well…

    Nothing ventured and all that jazz…

    Night All…

    Keep it real Mick…

  123. rico says:

    Wonder if he’ll get a pair of football boots, or a Postman Pat toy car….

    Morning Lee and all..

    Horrid old morning it is too….

  124. rico says:

    Arsenal are reportedly set to blow their rivals out of the water with a stunning £61million bid for Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.

    The Spaniard is one of the most sought-after frontmen on the continent, with his former club Real Madrid understood to have first refusal should he leave Turin.

    Italian outlet Tuttosport claim there is interest from Liverpool, but that the Gunners have made the big-money approach.

    The 23-year-old has struggled so far this term, scoring just once in Serie A in eight starts and 11 substitute appearances.

  127. rico says:

    Another pile of poop:

    Arsenal have reportedly had a bid for Napoli midfielder Jorginho rejected.

    The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to north London, having been seemingly cast aside by the Italian side at the start of the season.

    However, he has gone to establish himself as one of the key components in Naples as they have reached the summit of Serie A.

    Italian publication Tuttomercato say the Gunners have tabled a bid, but Napoli are reluctant to sell.

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