Can Wenger drive… Scoles bang on

If Wenger can drive then all these accidents ewe keep having are no coincidence, he’s a crap driver obviously.

Well where do we start after watching yet another performance that highlights that when we have a few key players missing we’re decidedly average…..

We saw yet again last night a team with no belief, we played like we were playing for the season to end. The way we lined up gave us very little width or speed and how does Wenger expect Sagna and Gibbs to defend when he wants them both to also be our wingers? Would it not be best to actually play wingers or is that far to simple an option? Don’t get me started on the striker and as for front three, what front three we only ever play one up we play five midfielders, joke.

Our movement off the ball apart from Rosicky was basically non-existant and Tomas looked like the only player who was intent on actually running at Swansea and trying to take the ball forward, Ox on occasions did it as well but he seems to think he wants to command the central midfield role as well which gives us very little shape. He isn’t a central midfielder in my eyes he’s a wide man and that’s where he should be played and also taught that he needs to graft as well.

We played aimless hopeful balls into the box yet have no one attacking the six yard box, amazingly both our goals came from decent wide play one good cross and one brilliant cross and two goals created, doesn’t that show Wenger the way? Our movement off the man with the ball has stopped no one runs in behind defenders and hence we play tippy tippy sideways and backwards rubbish with no tempo easy to play against and oh so predictable.

Have the players been so pampered they have one set back and fall apart like bone china, are we really so fragile under pressure when we need to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in, who in that side would you want by your side going into battle, I would say none…. Could you say that about the 98 double side or the invincibles..? How far we have come since then and not in a positive way is just mind boggling, anyone who brings up new stadium and no money really needs to take the blinkers off and look at our finances.

We have money, had money and yet our manager failed to buy the right kind of players, yet he has chosen to made do and to play players out of position. Enough is enough. We had a great chance this year to win the league but again we failed in the transfer window and started a league season with one average striker, delusional mad or stubborn…. All three..?

Scoles is dead right, we fail to turn up for big games or when the pressure is on, we lack fight and passion all over the pitch and leaders to kick others up he arse when heads drop or we don’t pick up a player or make a run of slack off.

What can change well lots of things and think most will now say the managers time is up, do we trust him to even spend £150 million on new players who he will play out of position and run into the ground physically? Would better players force a change of tactics and formation and attitude?

Well the way we going we doing a great job of blowing 4th place and who knows if we will turn up against Citeh and Wigan in the Cup…. From top of there league to this in two months, something is very very wrong at the club on many levels it’s time we had an owner who shows ambition and gets involved or he needs to bail out if he don’t care. We also need an proactive board who make decisions based on the club moving forward and taking control of disastrous results and to hold a manager accountable. We need a manager not stuck in a time warp with fresh ideas training methods tactics and a different look at our medical staff and injuries we keep getting.

The answer to me is clear but I don’t think it will happen and all I know is I am getting pretty pissed off watching a team with no balls take to the pitch week in week out.

0 thoughts on “Can Wenger drive… Scoles bang on

  1. Mr Wath says:

    We have no leaders on the pitch and a manager so negative we got two up he takes of attacking players and puts on defensive players against a team like Swansea, as my mate Lee says the team isa. Reflection of the manager and never more so has it been highlighted than the last few months.

  2. Mr Wath says:

    He does nothing on the sidelines Lee, just sits watches and throws water bottles, why no coaching why no instructions or tell Bouldy to tell them, is Bouldy allowed to interrupt ?

  3. mattyboy86 says:

    Was at the game last night… and the boo’s have once again started to come out to play… I along with many last night believe wenger need to step down at the end of the season and a new face is required to take over with fresh ideas.

  4. Mr Wath says:

    See he can’t even get that right and also gives up….. Sounds about right, when it don’t go right, give up…!
    Tomas and Gibbo did well last night and Sagna run his nuts off as for the rest. We were clueless when chasing the game but what’s new if ex can’t walk the ball in then we resort to aimless crosses into no one.

  5. Mr Wath says:

    Marty the boos for me achieve very little but how else do fans get their displeasure across…? I think we need a new manager fresh ideas on all levels and to freshen up the whole of here back room staff and Colney needs to be swept clean. Training methods medical practices and a manager who is young and can see the huge potential at the club and with money behind him. Look where we were before Arsene joined and the people that asked who he was, change is no different now, we need it and need to embrace it and move forward. We need a squad of players who you know will fight for the shirt and that’s all I ask for win lose or draw, effort and commitment.

  6. mattyboy86 says:

    No i agree wath its not nice, but your right how do you get your message across? Protest? didnt they do that last season with the black bags on the seats, was that effective?

    I read alot of article in the media and across the net (whether there true or not is another case, but they sound reliable enough) He has not plan b when we face the big boys it the same tactics… he plays player out of position if you look at the likes of vela, arshavin gervinho and chamahk ( ok not all playing in the PL) there all in form in the leagues there in Gervinho is on fire in Italy. If you look at Cazorla his half the man he was last year and that simply because his out on the wing… The guy is not a winger!!

    Training a chap who sport psycho for wale was in the mirror not long ago stating how wenger training methods are outdated and from the caveman days, he puts players that have come out from a long injury back in the mix too soon (walcott, Wilshere ok not his fault this time).

    Defo a change is required dont get me wrong i dont despise the guy what his done for the club is a miracle on the commercial FRONT.. but we are a Football club and we want to now see success you cant keep using a stadium that was open nearly 9 year ago as an excuse.

    Who would you like WATH as his successor ?

  7. tsgh says:

    A fine post or was it a GG rant… 🙂

    I am not so sure about lack of leaders… Man city do not have leader… nor do BM who won the Bundesliga last night

    The issue to me is we have so many technical players who have blinkers on and do not see the bigger picture like DB10, Edu, Cesc, PV04 etc…

    We know have a team of Pires’s who are excellent at what they can do but need a parlour or a Ljunberg to graft for them…

    How many in this current squad can anyone honestly see becoming a manager or a coach… To me only Arteta and TR07

    At the top level where we aim to compete you need players who can make decisions and be accountable for them on the pitch…

    At the moment we have only 5 of those imho…

    Man to man we have a very good squad but as a team the balance is skewer against us and it is a shame a manager with 35 years experience can’t see that…

    I guess it can be called lack of leadership; But I think we have bottlers and lazy players who are promoted and worshipped too early in their career…

    It hurts me to say it but time for AW to go!

  8. ArsenalDK says:

    When did any other team miss so many of their key players at once?
    Apart from Wilshere, all the others are a result of overplaying. Why?
    Because we don’t have reserve players good enough to rotate with.
    Surely this HAS to be Wengers last season? Even if we do win the cup, and even that task is a high mountain to climb right now.. How will the players react if we get spanked against City?

  9. mattyboy86 says:

    So who do we see as the man for the job peeps? also is it time for usmanov to step in and bring back Dein?

  10. tsgh says:

    Matty.. some fine points made there…

    I may be splitting hair but where do you think Sc19 should play?

    In my view Sc19 is a winger and has always been a winger… he plays as a winger for Spain when Silva and Iniesta are not playing…

    Pelle’ hardly ever played him as a CM or no.10 when he was in spain…

    There were times when he played next to Toulalon in CM but that was very sparse…

    Sc19 had 5 or 6 good months but got found out very easily…

    As I was saying on the previous page… SC19 likes to have the game infront of him and so when he is playing as a no.10 or as a winger in this league and gets pressed he retreats into a no.6 role…

    How many players did we ended up trying to be a no.6 last night…

    Arteta being tactically astute took it upon himself to move…

  11. Wavy says:

    You can just hear them in the BR.
    Kronke and Gazidis line will be, on hiring a new manager, “we will only get a new manager if we can find a truly exceptional man or woman who will improve our club, if we can’t we will stick with what we’ve got.

    I rest my case, more of the same old tired excuses but no changes of any proactive significance!

    Morning all…..happy days!

  12. tsgh says:

    I would have said Rudi Garcia but he will bring back Gervinho.. lol

    He may want to buy Hazard but the Special needs one won’t sell so…

    I won’t mind Conte either… he may buy Pogba for us…

  13. BT62 Gooner says:

    Morning all,another stale,stagnant,floundering display last night,as mentioned earlier, a true reflection of the manager and the team.Same shit year in year out,can’t believe the bubble hasn’t burst yet ,and alot more people havn’t seen through the same lame excuses.Changes at Arsenal will not be just for the sake of change,but for necessity to push Arsenal ahead. A fresh invigorating approach to everything connected to the playing side,fitness,transfers,tactics and the rest.

  14. tsgh says:

    adk, we have the players.. AW just has a motive…

    I said ages ago that AW will make sure Serge won’t go to the WC…

    I rate Serge higher than Ox… and in my view Serge should be starting a few more games but…

    Eisfield has played 2 times in the senior team and has 1 assist and 1 goal…

    Olson can rotate a game or so…

    Akpom can play as our Hoffman or Goetze on the rhs or even ahead of Yaya…

    Aneke has always been better than JW but will never get a chance…

    Flappy is the new Manninger…won’t get a chance when it matters…

    The list goes on..

  15. ozgunner says:

    Don’t forget the statement ‘if i feel i can not take the step forward to making Arsenal truly competitive i will leave’ How much more proof do you need Arsene.

  16. mattyboy86 says:

    Tsgh – i dont think SC has the legs for a natural winger but thats my personal opinion chap… gervinho he is a sprinter (ok shocking shooter) but who took the ball up the wing with pace along with Ashley Young, Nani, Navas, mirallas, Schurrle you rarely see there clubs playing them sort of players in the CM role simply because they have the legs. A winger for me is a sprinter which is why were missing Walcott this season..

    SC for me is a natural CM simple cause he can dribble and score… Now another example would be Mata for united now, Quality player for Chelsea as a CM but for united, Moyes aint seeing the same impact cause he keeps playing him out on the wing.. Arteta isnt a DM sorry but his another ACM for me, dont get me wrong he has done a good job filling this position but shouldnt be playing there.

    i dont understand and ive said this before on here why he doesnt put TV in that role whilst the PM and LK are playing well in defence. surely he could be converted into a Yaya type of role?

  17. frednerk says:

    Great post wath,

    Injuries at our club,no one knows when or how long.its a joke.
    I hate having a go at wenger,
    but he sits on his arse,hoping for something to happen,
    we hear from past players his not the tea cup thrower or the boot kicker,all we see is the water bottle hitting the deck every time the ball hits the back of our net.
    We need a manager who directs our team,when its going wrong during play.
    The game plan wenger talks about..We train all week not to lose 6 nil.
    Well thats what happens when you set a team up,and spend the week telling them that what ever happens in the game.
    With my system plan A..We won’t crash

  18. mattyboy86 says:

    Man for me would be Klopp, decent manager and is have a stinker of a season cause of the support of dortmund board, selling the best to Munich. Surely he would jump ships

  19. tsgh says:

    Like Comical Ali or Nero… he does not see it that way Oz…

    I respect still love and respect Aw for what he has done for us BUt …

    Personally, i do not think there is a lot wrong with his tactics as all top managers play the same way…

    Jose plays the same way in most games too…

    The issue imho is that we have too many similar players…

    When BM take of Mandzukic and bring on Pizzaro or Muller it is a new dimension…

    When Man city take off Aguero and bring on Dzeko it is a new dimension…

    When Poldi or Sc19 is taken off and Monreal/Ox is brought on AW expects either to do what Poldi/Sc19 was doing better which can never be…

    When we take off OG12 and bring on Yaya or B-52 we are trying to get someone else to do the same job…

    When Aw use to take off DB10 and bring on Kanu it was like for like again… that is the issue…

    In games like aainst reading or WHU last season when he actually changed tactics we came back from behind to win…

    2 seasons ago we had one of the best records in the whole Europe from coming from behind… certainly best in EPL
    Even last season we had the 3rd best in the league…

    This season how many times have we come from behind to win?

  20. tsgh says:

    Matty… Emma and I always rated Gervinh, personally i thought he should have stayed but most don’t rate him so…. lol

    As you rightly said he couldn’t shoot but boy he cause defenders problems..

    The issue then as I always said was that he played better when TR07 was playing; that was because he needed intelligent players like he has Totti, Pjanic, Strootman next to him…

    We have very few intelligent players in our squad…

  21. rogerbij says:

    Pretty much agree with the sentiments of all – like we all predicted at the start of the season, its largely our chickens just coming home to roost. We didnt do the business in the transfer window to maintain a season of 4 competitions at top level without burnout or injuries. Lately we have been looking like a team on a shoestring. Probably the worst thing is that we saw glimpses this season how we CAN compete at the top with a few more world class players and a little more depth. But near enough is never good enough in the PL. Right now I would bite your hand off for forth place and the FA cup.

  22. mattyboy86 says:

    Tsgh – Spot on, I thought he was great had everything but the finish but surely that should be something wenger should of worked on in training… we can all see that prob is why doesnt he?

  23. potter says:

    Bringing back Dein is not the answer any more , it might have been 5 years ago or at least when Fiszman went and our previous set took the money and ran back to their seats in the luxury to which they are accustomed.. Our board is too old and like all old people ( me included ) set in it’s ways. Everything about the club screams complacency , the board , the manager , the coaches and the tea lady have all been there too long. A radical change is required and it’s not only at pitch level. This lot should be remembered for the legacy that they have built for the club and their epitaph is the stadium but it is time for them all to move aside and let football become the number 1 driving force of the club again.

  24. tsgh says:

    Draxler would have been the answer though imho…

    He was another Ozil or Sc19 who would have been played on the rhs…

    What we needed was someone to rotate with Ramsey..

    Not a DM but a mobile ball playing box to box CM… that was why Cabaye should have been bought…

    I would have used Draxlers’ money for Koke of Ath Madrrid …

  25. ozgunner says:

    matty – and who on our board has the nuts to stand up and select someone especially if Wenger says no. In fact who on our board has the football IQ to replace Wenger at all. If he steps aside as he very much should now, he will dictate his replacement

  26. ozgunner says:

    I am not sure we still understand how deep a hole this club is in now – Wenger can’t do anymore than one thing at a time, that is very obvious, all the neglected contacts, last minute trolly dashes to transfers etc etc – He shouldn’t have all the power but he well and truly does.

  27. mattyboy86 says:

    Ive read on about Draxler apparently offensive he is amazing defensive he doesnt like to back track.. Dont we have that in podolski?

    Oz – thats what me and TS were saying what can you do to make a difference.. The only hope of any impact in the board would be if Usmanov got in for me.. But is that a direction altogether you want to go down? Surely this is what the AST are there for?

  28. ozgunner says:

    potter – agree 100% mate but easier said than done – The American idea of taking the club forward is to throw his son in there – that mentality wont change either – his sports franchises are not exactly setting the world on fire are they. Football is not in his blood, money is and it shows

  29. Ashley says:

    Why do the fans pay money to go and watch a team with a manager who has zero respect for the fans ? Best way to get our point across , stop going to matches , hit them where it hurts . We all know the Arsenal hierarchy are money grabbers Wenger included so why not mess around with the only thing they care about , then they would have no option but to listen to the fans . They take us for granted in a massive way , Wenger especially . He is an old man who won’t be told any different , the jan transfer window proved that to all who cared .. How does he think our forwards are in any way good enough to mount a serious challenge ? How can he seriously compare our forward line To the best teams in the world and think it cuts the mustard ? He refuses to even change his tactics for each game , Brendan Rogers changes his tactics for just getting out of bed everyday …. Jose Mourinho changes his tactics for just brushing his teeth everyday .. We need a manager that is willing to move with the times and try new things .. How bad does it have to get ? We are only so high up in the league because of luck and the lack of quality of the teams below us .. If any of them go on a run , I.e Everton , they catch us up .. I’m honestly over supporting this team .. Call me a plastic fan , I couldn’t care less , it’s too hard to get behind a team that ultimately doesn’t care about opinions of the fans when we are arguably the most important part of the club off the pitch ….

  30. ozgunner says:

    matty – I have been calling for Usmanov for years – like Mourinho whether you like him or not he’s a winner. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants – excuses are like ulcers to him – we need that again. Get the banners out, encourage him to take on this dross.

  31. mattyboy86 says:

    Ashley – Agree with you mate lucky for me i only pay for half a season and wont commit to a full. Purely because it doesn’t brake my wallet, i get to see what i love and the simple fact i aint a whole huge investment to the board. Until the club justify the ticket cost i wont be going full anytime soon.

  32. ozgunner says:

    Ashley – “over supporting this team” i relate mate i really do, its fkn hard work and oh so predictable year after year

  33. ozgunner says:

    we wonder why things are going wrong – Flamini on a team result against a side less than 2 games from relegation ffs –

    “The team spirit is still here and we gave a good example because coming back to 2-1, we were holding the result until near the end, so yesterday was a good reaction for the team.

  34. mattyboy86 says:

    Oz – Im with you there but how does he muscle into a board where his competition (the yank) is the only obstacle in his way?

    Even that 30% share take over is nonsense that doesnt guarantee a place on the board. Wouldnt surprise me if usmanov sells his share and invests in a club more appreciated.
    Maybe Everton the way there playing lol.

  35. ozgunner says:

    lets the pricks know they ain’t welcome every chance we get – there is no other option – we need to start at the top

  36. ozgunner says:

    he’s clever enough to know this was never the way forward, his time will come i have no doubt about that

  37. Lewis says:

    I can abide the failure if we are doing everything in our power to be successful, but we’re not, we just saunter along with the same monotonous predictable bullshit every season. To have a squad as depleted as ours and have all that money sat in the bank is gross negligence.
    The people in power at our club don’t give a shit about us fans, if they did the same shit wouldn’t happen every year. So fed up.

  38. Sukky says:

    Yesterday match was…….I hope we could do the impossible and beat citeh on sunday.I thought wenger will go with Gnanbry and Ox on the wing last night but it turns out Wenger knows best.

  39. tsgh says:

    Oz- Flamini has learnt the art of spinning the truth too…

    Those from the UK will know Aw went to the same spin school as Alastair Campbell… Tony Blairs best buddy… 🙂

  40. Sukky says:

    As much as am hurting about recent performances,I still feel wenger should stay and make corrections.A club replace it manager last season,we all know what they’re going 2ru now.

  41. tsgh says:

    I go to away games to help the poorer teams but you won’t catch me at the Erms… unless it was free or it was the u-19 UEFA cup for £4…

  42. tsgh says:

    Where is Mr Scott btw? I hope he has not jumped into the thames after the visit to the Ermirates last night? 🙂

  43. Mr Wath says:

    Sulky us win against Citeh, can you hand on heart say you believe we have one iota of a chance to beat them? I think a draw is the very best we can hope for, players to fragile and we don’t have the players to hurt Citeh simple as that

  44. ozgunner says:

    Sukky – Wenger has survived on this mentality for years and it can’t go on – every season we get nothing presented as surprised improvement – its bullshit

  45. ozgunner says:

    what we will see is, do City have the Mourinho cut throat mentality to get it done – after old trafford it appears they might but we’ll see. We’re there for the taking now no doubt about it – we’ll get one or two more wins and Wenger will work hard trying to convince us the accident is over. We should by now, know better surely.

  46. Adam says:

    I would like to hear a coherent argument from anyone that can string a few words together as to why Wenger should stay at Arsenal as manager beyond the end of the season.
    Anyone?

  47. tsgh says:

    We will beat Pellegrini the old one at least…

    He looks a different manager to the one who always failed with 10 games to go in the past…

    Lo… Sukky

  48. tsgh says:

    1)Because he sees the bigger picture which we can’t see at least not in the immediate future… psyche ability…

    2) Because Aw actually owns AFc not stan… lol

    3) Because I am trying hard to make shite up but struggling…

  49. ozgunner says:

    the only ones you will get Adam are those based around history – what he once did, what he once was. In many ways Gazidis has betrayed him in admitting this club has some serious cash under the bed – obviously this cash has not accumulated in one season, i have argued the financials for years. I also have no doubt Ozil was a forced move on Wenger, he would have been happy with 2 frees. Reading between the lines he wants guarantees they will not do that again. He shouldn’t get them but i fear he will. We will find the player exodus continuing as why would they stay if they are worth their place in better sides? Giroud wants a long term improved contract… wonderful. He was personally responsible for costing the club tens of millions with his average salary nonsense, all sept away because he makes profits every year. He’s gotten that 2 ways, by selling of our best and upping the anti to the fans. Where are the world class players now, where are the tigers to bleed for the badge? In a season of unrest for all the big clubs, we have stood still again but hey, we show a profit.

  50. Mr Wath says:

    Matty you asked earlier who I would want it, I like Martinez as I think he is still growing as a prem leg manager but he knows what it’s about has the hunger and desire and like the way he tries to get his teams to play.
    Rijkaard an option and Kloop I like but wonder with the fact he has worked wonders at Dortmund on a shoestring would AFC think he a great option just to come in and carry on making the club money…? Hope he would insist on using the cash wouldn’t any ambitious new manager knowing there £150million to spend on new players..?

  51. Sukky says:

    What I learn here today: (1)city are now epl bayern (2) you guys want wenger out (3)Giroud is the reason we play like crap. Lol,arsenal fans.

  52. ozgunner says:

    Mr Wath – Wenger goes upstairs, neccessary spending won’t happen and thats why he’ll pick the guy to make sure of it

  53. mattyboy86 says:

    Haha love how you call me Marty feel like the kid from back to the future WATH… Yeah i like Martinez also but would he leave after a year in a new club.. really dont think so especially when there in the mix.. Like i think Oz early i hope wenger doesnt have a say…

    Everyone at work this morning also mention Diego Simone but whether he would leave A.Madrid is another question.. how about Hiddink wheres he atm?

  54. Mr Wath says:

    Seeing as u only been here a very short time sulky think you way out of tune if you think Giroud is who we think is the cause or root of our problems, read here for a few months and you can make an assumption..!

  55. tsgh says:

    Sukky- can’t blame OG12 too because he gets little service imho…

    As a BVB fan I would say Klopp can be very tactically naive too…

    Wath- I love Klopp but he has played 3 seasons with 2 CB’s like Aw has gambled with our CF position and CB position in the past…

    This season the dfb had to grant him special permission to buy an emergency CB…

    His whole team is built on Lew too like we were built around VP10 a few years back…

    I am not sure he can buy big players or handle them either imo as Kagawa, Reus have all gone public with his tactics in the past…

    what he has is a team rip with good team ethics

  56. mattyboy86 says:

    Are biggest flaw this season was not landing Suarez in the summer… arsenal should of paid 45 – 50 mil and stopped playing around if they meant business this season.. was ozil really necessary? i dont think so, for me he was the one who got away!

  57. Mr Wath says:

    Sorry Matty stupid iPad correction thingy, I thought back to the future and then laughed so changed it 🙂

  58. tsgh says:

    BVB have won the CL in the past…

    Klopp has not taken them higher imho… maybe I am being harsh he has equaled Ottmar Hitzfeld record but they have always had a very good team and bought cheap decent players… a younger TR07 is an example… Paul Lambert helping them to the 1997 CL win when he was bought from Scotland is another one…

    In the bundesliga it is a 2 horse race… with Schalke and B04 way behind even BVB financially…

    Wolfsburg are the only under achievers…

  59. Sukky says:

    Mr wath,another mistake.Have been reading rico’s post for the past 11months or something,I just don’t wanna go public since I still got a lot of time but I can’t keep doing that again because its getting interesting day by day.And I don’t wanna miss the fun.

  60. mattyboy86 says:

    Haha wath is all good in the hood matey ! Would you agree about Suarez though? best striker in the world for me he has everything

  61. tsgh says:

    Matty, Ozil was necessary imho because we create very little in most games…

    We needed a top striker but Higuain was never the one with the little service he would have got…

    Sure Suarez can finish but we create nothing… all the starts with creating goal scoring chance does not paint the perfect picture imho…

    I know Wath was calling for Bony and he would have been perfect so would have Negredo who we actually placed a bid for but we again failed to close the deal off…

    Personally, i would have preferred us to have bought Negredo instead of Suarez mainly because he was in our cheap-skate price range…

  62. Adam says:

    Last night Wenger was out thought by a manager I have never heard of. On Saturday he was humiliated by Mourinho. The last good football we played in the PL was probably against Southampton in November I think. Our best performance of the season must be Napoli at home.
    Anybody who doesn’t think we need change, including a new manager, must be buying into something or seeing something that I don’t.

  63. mattyboy86 says:

    Tsgh – dont get me wrong im not insulting his ability i think with the right player ozil will be class but striker was something we needed in both windows and he failed to land someone…

    Ahh everyone was saying we sound of landed bony too l like what he has to give.. Read yesterday Chelsea are willing to sell Lukaku for 18mil but know Moureen he would want double if we went for him.

  64. Mr Wath says:

    Matty, agree Suarez would of won us the league, we knew he had the buyout at £40mil couldn’t push it though or they could of done us for tapping up as how did we know there was a buyout. Negredo next best option really like the way he’s put himself about in his first season.
    Sulky ppl on here not blinkered we are realistic simple as that.

  65. tsgh says:

    Even when we had Cesc teams use to pack the bus against us so I am certain it ain’t a new issue… back then fans were calling for a plan B in a OG12 type of player… we then got Chamakh…

    When we had TH14 we struggled and needed a so called fox -in – the box and so we went for Frannie Jeffers…

    Even in the 2003-2004 season we could not break down 2 banks of 4 that was why we drew so many games when AW decided to play Kanu and DB10 together or TH14 was out of form…

    We have always lacked options and it looks like peeps are right Aw has not evolved much…

    Another issue is that the competition is now fiercer with the new kids on the block whilst we have not changed course to meet the new challenges… imho…

  66. Adam says:

    Oz. I just can’t understand the reasoning behind anybody wanting Wenger to stay. There have been no arguments put forward that make any sense. As I have said on many occasions, one of Wenger’s great achievements has been to lower some fans expectations. We are a top club aren’t we? Or should I say we have all the tools to become a great club and to win things. Why are we pissing around with a bloke who is clearly way past it? It can only be for sentimental reasons. He was great, Arsenal paid him mega money to be great-but that is in the past. You can’t live on that forever.

  67. Mr Wath says:

    Ts do you not think Klopp also been hampered by Dortmund needing to balance the books so hard to kick on when BM buy all their best players…?

  68. Sukky says:

    The only flaw of highbury house is that people should be able to comment on other people’s comment

  69. Mr Wath says:

    Diego Costa and Remy will do me with Akpom and Sanogo as back up, a million miles better than what we have now

  70. Adam says:

    Sukky. That’s what you are doing isn’t it? I just can’t understand what point you are trying to make.

  71. Mr Wath says:

    Sulky your can address any comment you like as long sis you don’t slag anyone off if you been reading here so long you will know that.

  72. Adam says:

    I think Oz summed it up perfectly yesterday(?) when he said that even with the best 11 players in the world, Wenger wouldn’t do much. Having sat through the crap Wenger has been dishing up this season I think he may have a point.

  73. Mr Wath says:

    Very apt Ts, we know there new money around an d tons of it but we have also not changed with the times we’re acting like it’s all unfair so we will carry on regardless like it’s the late 90’s.

  74. ozgunner says:

    Mr Wath – no argument from me – i though Remy was a cert in the summer. Remember talking to you all about it – never understood that one either, bloody French as well! 🙂

  75. Bob John says:

    Our major problem is having businessmen with no idea about football running the club. They take Arsene’s deluded logic as gospel and are happy as long as the bank balance increases.

  76. ozgunner says:

    Adam – him sitting there motionless against Chelsea will leave a lasting memory for me – I know no top manager that would done that. OK there is no plan b, never has been but come on. Talk about defeated and resigned to it all.

  77. Adam says:

    Guys. Trying to play musical chairs with who should or shouldn’t come in is missing the point for me. The whole culture of failure within Arsenal that says 4th is a trophy is fundamentally totally and completely wrong. That is for clubs like Everton and Southampton, not Arsenal. Otherwise, what was the move to the Emirates really about?

  78. Mr Wath says:

    Adam that’s rather cynical but cannot really be argued at the present as the proof isn’t in the pudding. Power n pace would he know what to do with it in 2014 or does he think it’s outdated so it won him trophies in the 90’s n 00’s…?

  79. tsgh says:

    Of course Mr Wath…

    But Bvb board have given Klopp the same freedom as AW has so i am told…

    He chose to keep Lew for this season when they could have made £35M on him.

    BVB can only finish 2nd but as a BVB fan who has gone to tehWestfalenstadion this season believe me the talk among fans is the same as we have with Aw…

    The same gambles and lack of defensive discipline that include Klopp preferring to play Sahin ahead of club captain Kehl and spending most of Gotze’s money on Mkhitaryan who has played 24 times and scored 6 goals only is cheesing off some of the fans…

  80. Mr Wath says:

    Bob J, I said that yesterday! while we have an investor as owner we’re up shit creek. If e owner can’t see beyond the £ signs then the bubble will burst soon enough.

  81. Adam says:

    Wath. That Wenger is not the same as this Wenger.
    Cynical? Probably but sitting week in week out, season in, season out watching the crap that he is dishing up. No tactics, no shape, playing people into the ground, square pegs, round holes, Giroud etc.. will do that to you. Plus all of his absolute bullshit.
    I got tired of sitting on the fence.

  82. tsgh says:

    Not much difference imo Sukky apart from recent CL performance… but as I have said their record has always been superior to ours in the CL…

    They are the biggest club in Germany too by number of fans and stadium size… whilst we ain’t the biggest in this country.

    Fans had been so frustrated with Klopp that club CEO Watzke had to give Klopp an impromptu improved contract and say he won’t sack him…

    I am not saying Klopp is not a suitable replacement… all I am saying is that the grass is not always greener as we all know…

    Even Pep is not liked by BM fans because they say he is boring… the Kaizer even said the same… only Sammer supports pep on the board…

    It sounds like what I read on here daily with Stan supporting AW whilst maybe the board want him out apparently…

    But as Mr Adam says, change needs to happen from the top…

  83. Mr Wath says:

    Agree Adam, no fence sitting here that’s not an option the board have done that the past 4/5 years, I will accept the stadium move and Wenger did an amazing job but last 4/5 years the school report saying could do better has become more and more real with each passing season and with very little excuses that pass as being even half acceptable.

  84. Mr Wath says:

    Brad, only time Giroud puts himself about these days seems to be in a hotel room. He got into the 6yd box once last night and scored so shows he can be a lot better than he is if he puts himself about but situation not helped also when we don’t play proper wide men and he don’t get constantly good service.

  85. Mr Wath says:

    Ts, how long Klopp been at Dortmund..? Needs a new challenge? Getting stale? Getting sick of Munich dominating German football knowing he can’t ever compete with them consistently when his board sells his best players…? Just thinking out loud..?

  86. tsgh says:

    True Wath… I think when ambitions are lowered then the rot kicks in…

    The same as Aw really… deep down the board and AW just want to chance a trophy…

    Are they going all out to win… Hell NO!

    Is the an incentive to spend 100M and make back £150M when they can spend a net of £35M and make £110M…?

    Klopp has been there only since 2008 but he has done extremely well…

    BVB fans have just become impatient…typical fans really I guess.

  87. bradster says:

    Totally agreed Mr Wath. We may even have more width by playing Monreal in front of Gibbs.
    I ‘m more upset about the Ox where he could fill in perfectly for Walcott. I dunno if it’s Wenger or himself deciding to play centrally.

  88. Mr Wath says:

    Ts Dortmund fans must know that Munich are head n shoulders above them financially it would be like the prem leg being us against the chavs and they would normally beat us but also buy all our best players, sense would kick in that occasional you can compete but not year in year out

  89. Mr Wath says:

    There lies the problem Brad, Ox needs to be told, play on the wings get at the full back get in behind and that’s where I want you to play NOT dropping off into central midfield. I have players to do that, we need width n pace be that player Ox… Why do our players not have such discipline, because Wenger says they have the brains to decide and. Type must express themselves on here pitch, sorry doesn’t work..!

  90. tsgh says:

    Wath, I think they know but like us they do not understand why Klopp chose to go into the season with Hummels and Subotic as the only CB’s.. they had to play Bender as a CB for large part of the season…

    Fans have been calling for competition for those 2 as they think they are not sound against the likes of Adrian Ramos, Keisling etc

    They also do not like the lies about Gundogan injury/return like Diaby coming back soon as a new signing…

  91. Micko says:

    tsgh, I thought I heard that an agreement had been struck earlier on this season in Germany that Dortmund would no longer sell their best players to Bayern as it was destroying the Bundesliga, turning it into a one horse race, I know I must sound like Malaga but I didn’t imagine it….honest.

  92. Adam says:

    Is the Bundesliga really as terminally one-sided and boring as the points suggest? I always hear Beckenbauer and the rest of the Bayern people going on about how they do it for the fans, that the money is not important etc..
    Is Pep not popular with the Deutches Volk then? Too boring, too many passes, no lebensraum?

  93. Micko says:

    Adam, I struggle to keep up with the premier league but I do know they’ve gone 50 odd games unbeaten in the Bundesliga, something we used to do as well in the good ole days.

  94. Adam says:

    Hi Micko. But aren’t they this enormously wealthy powerhouse that have essentially made the league a procession by buying all the good players? Having seen BM twice this season I didn’t think they looked as dynamic as when they had that old geezer as manager. But then Pep’s whole gameplan looks to be about possession and endless passing leading up to a dynamic finale in the final 3rd. Having said that, I would love to see him at Arsenal. Or Simeone of course.

  95. Wavy says:

    As far as Remy is concerned he was offered to us
    , I believe, when he was at Nice. Wenger had his chance then, he was comparatively cheap, but he was consigned to the unwanted pile. I don’t think there’s a cats he in he’ll that he will ever be signed by Arsene!
    Move on….I’d have Costa, even though he is shite! Mind you Wenger wouldn’t take long before he played him as a winger or a DM! And then he really would be shite!
    New manager? Martinez for me, similar to Wenger but better, new ideas and shrewd tactical awareness. Etc etc
    Or
    De Boer with Bergamp. They could be quite tasty!
    Oh dream on…….

  96. Rick. says:

    Afternoon to the House . We really are missing Rico ar’nt we .
    Adam in one of your posts today you asked why would anyone want Arsene to stay on. I would like to put forward why I think he should.
    I have been a Gooner for 68 years and in that time I have seen some appaling Arsenal managers, Swindon, Wright Cranston Rioch to name a few. I beleive that Arsene is by far the best that we have had and will be a hard act to follow.
    Saying all this I am lost for words at the way things are going and I am in total agreement with most of what has been written today.
    I totally respect the veiws of the members that pay to watch week i and week out.
    I have been following our youngster for a number of years now and like Ginge and Kev I believe we have some very talented players on the way up. I cannot understand or accept the way Serge is being treated all he seems to doing is warming the bench.
    Saying all this I believe that Arsene should not go at the end of the season. You can all see the mess Utd are in after the sudden retirement of whisky face, do you really wont to chance that happning to us.
    In dec that lot down the road tried to get F.Deboar and DB10 to take over. Both of them stated thankyou, but no thank
    you. We are in the second year of a 4 year project (with Ajax) which we intend to complete and then we will see where we will go from there .
    I would like to see Arsene given 2more years and then D’Boar and DB10 take over. Having seen his veiws on coaching I think he tailer made for a return to the club he loves.
    I’m locking the front door in case you send the heavy mob round.

  97. Lenz says:

    Tgsh

    i hope you are not talking of klopp going into this season with 2 defenders because they have hummels,subotic and they bought sokratis

    so for a said BVB fan and you dont know that?

    P.s Sokratis has been the best dortmund player this season

  98. Wavy says:

    Going back a couple of hours to Bob Johns remark about the Board being business men, clueless business men, at least where football is concerned, maybe we should adopt the Bayern model of employing and promoting ex players to the Board. They are after all very successful and totally self sufficient, with a little help from Munich District Council! A marvellous model even if one or two have a delictation for fraud and the pleasant prison vacation! At least when footballing decisions are made the ex footballers do have some idea of what they are talking about. Not so with Kronke or Gazidis or even Lady Nina I’ll wager even Usminov has more knowledge of football in the pinky of his fat hand than the rest of the gang.

    A complete overhaul needs to be made for the good of the future of AFC! Imo

  99. Lenz says:

    Tgsh

    i hope you are not talking of klopp going into this season with 2 defenders because they have hummels,subotic and they bought sokratis

    so for a said BVB fan and you dont know that?

    P.s Sokratis has been the best dortmund player this season..

  100. Adam says:

    Hi Rick. I completely respect your opinion but a couple of points. Because Man U appointed a dud that doesn’t mean that we have to surely. And the risk of making the wrong appointment will not diminish in two years.
    As for youth? Wenger has made that a big part of his whole approach but, in honesty, how many players has he bought through to being valuable first teamers in that time? As for Serge, I watched him in the U19 turnout recently and thought he looked very ordinary. And look what Wenger has done for Jack’s development. He has ground him down by overplaying. Scholes is right. He has not improved much at all. I cannot remember the last time a player that young really made an impact in our team. There has always been an inclination to turn to those players who aren’t playing as being the answer but it seldom, if ever, is.
    Wenger has been at the club for so long and now, with £100 million plus in the bank, he has blown out yet again. The truth of his management lie scattered on the pitches of Chelsea and last night’s debacle for me. Look at the figures re our performance against the top teams. It is truly disgraceful.
    Dennis doesn’t fly and is a complete non starter in my opinion.
    Waiting another two years for what? We have seen what Wenger is all about haven’t we? Last night he got out thought by a bloke I have never heard of.
    Personally I am really not interested in another 2 years of humiliating defeats by a manager who used to be great but isn’t any more.

  101. Scott from Oz says:

    Afternoon all.
    Just had a nana nap and am feeling brilliant.
    For anyone wishing to donate to the “Send Scott home early” fund, ask for bank details.

  102. potter says:

    The board has been a problem for many years , and like other aspects of the club it has grown old together. I doubt if you put a laptop in front of Friar , Keswick , Bracewell Smith etc and asked them to do a reprogramming job that they could do it. They would get someone to do it for them. They are tired old and have a dream world where they can turn up once a meeting , quaff Brandy have a few cigars and toddle off to their club in the Strand. They are out of touch and need revitalising. Only when that happens will we know the truth about what the smoke and mirrors is hiding.

    Wenger’s contract negotiaition , What’s holding it up ? Is it that the board are trying to wrest some power away from him and he won’t sign or is it that they have let him down in many ways and he wants control of the cheque book to go out on a high . ?

    Why did the man that bought and sold so readily in his early days stop buying ? because the money dried up.
    Why has he not started buying again ? Could it be because the board won’t give him the money ?

  103. potter says:

    Interesting snippet from the BSM .

    A strong rumour is that Kroenke wanted (to raise prices by) 8%, but staff advised him of the backlash,” he said.

  104. tsgh says:

    Lenz, the greek CB Papastathopoulos was bought last season albeit May. I think you will find bvb were so desperate 34 year old free agent Manuel Friedrich in November who made his debut next to Sokratis in the 3-0 loss against BM…

  105. tsgh says:

    Does anyone know if Stan has paid his creditors yet…
    Also Lady Nina’s share…

    The last I checked he owed some money to previus owners of his other franchise…

  106. tsgh says:

    Talking about square pegs etc… check out Erik Durm a striker being converted and played as a LB by bvb this season due to injuries…

  107. Sukky says:

    Take back song,sign a pacey striker and 2 wingers,one of Adams type and joel campeLl.He play on the flank for oly. I think

  108. tsgh says:

    Sukky, mention of Song on here will make you loose all credibility mate… lol 🙂
    ———————————
    Sokratis has been the best dortmund player this season made me laugh though… its like saying Djourou was AFC’s best CB 3 seasons ago when he was playing next to Le Squid…

    Lenz I think you were the same one who argued with me a year ago that Hummels was a better defender than Per etc. time proved otherwise… 😉

  109. potter says:

    Sukky as Ts implied , why would you want Song back ? He has not been successful at Barca what makes you think he will get better back here.

  110. Sukky says:

    Because Song is the strong,big DM we have been dying to sign.He knows the arsenal way,he will fit in without problem.

  111. potter says:

    He failed last time . Unless he has learned to follow his man and not dive into tackles and give away free kicks with gay abandon, not get drawn out of position and abandon the defensive duties. I don’t think so. There has to be better out there. Barca are only aiming him at us because they need to recoup some of the money they most unwisely spent on him.

  112. Sukky says:

    So Song is out of the picture,right?What of diame of westham,the guy is strong,pacey and skillfull.He may be a great squad player

  113. NashuaGunners says:

    “He’d be a decent option.”

    Are you telling me that Diame is better than Song?

    As much as I don’t want him back because of the way and manner he left, he’s better than Diame.

  114. NashuaGunners says:

    Diame is (was) always injured. I can’t even compare his assist to Song. Song was one of our regular and most consistence player in our team sheet when not suspended.

  115. Mr Wath says:

    No Song for me thanx, egotistical shit stirrer I am told and most were happy to see the back of him.

    Scott how you doing fella, pay your own bloody fare back you jinx…. 😉
    Hope you not drunk the Gunners dry yet? How was ya day what ya been up too

  116. Mr Wath says:

    We need far better quality than Song and Diame simple s that but if history anything to go by they the kind of players we will end up with.
    The power struggle within the club will continue, to buy or not to buy to be ambitious or to poodle along…….

    Pretty sad really when you think of the effort the fans go to and yet the club couldn’t give a rat arse cos the owner knows nothing about football or the club he owns nor the passion the fans have for the club they love.

  117. NashuaGunners says:

    There are better options than those two where money is concern but Song knows the ways we play and even make JW looks good if we have limited options. When Song was with us we were always building our team because we sold players every season and never replace them quality for quality. And Song was improving every season.

  118. BrainwashedKev says:

    Evening All…

    It’s been quite entertaining on here today…

    Can’t quite believe that nobody mentioned the single one player who should be signed in the summer and who would definately take to another level….

    I give you the one and only Darren Bent…
    Or Dashing Darren as I like to call him…

    I also know that Malaga Micko is keen in Saloman Kalou…

    That, simply, has to be the dream ticket…

    And cheap…

    It’s a win win Gooners, problem solved.

    Now you can all sleep soundly, safe in the knowledge that Brainwashed Kev has saved the day…. 😛

  119. BrainwashedKev says:

    Mr Wath 🙂 how are you my fine fellow…

    You seem to have unleashed a hornet’s nest on here today…

    Seems as if Rico had an idea that the shit would hit the fan and timed her holiday accordingly…

  120. BrainwashedKev says:

    Lee certainly appears to have found a kindered spirit in Sukky.

    I can for see many future interesting exchanges between those two like-minded Gooners…
    It should be fun… 😀

  121. potter says:

    If we are looking for a midfield general then someone of the Schweinsteiger quality is what we are looking for.

  122. BrainwashedKev says:

    And if anybody out there needs someone to do any tiling and grouting in their bathroom, don’t ask me, ask Oz…

    Night Al
    and night Malaga, er i mean night Mick.

  123. ozgunner says:

    Wenger surprised by Arsenal fans reactions – uuumm why? So out of touch this lot, all of them. You got Stan smiling Arsene that’s the important thing right? ppfftt

  124. ozgunner says:

    hey Kev – looking at the value for money aspect of what Arsenal give, i have decided i can up my rates 158% at least ha!

  125. Mr Wath says:

    Morning u lot…….
    Sorry I missed ya Kev was off to uncle ned 4 an early one.
    I was waiting for your Darren Bent comment…… 🙂

  126. tsgh says:

    😀 Malaga Micko…

    Morning Wath, Scott, Oz and all btw…

    17:15 k.o on saturday… we will win! Our record at that time is superb especially when either Keown or Adams is not the pundit…

  127. tsgh says:

    I like Sukky views though…

    He is like Scott before he took the flight over and caught the ‘doom’ fever… 😛

    Actually like me before I woke up from the Wenger hypnosis… 🙂

  128. Mr Wath says:

    Mornin Lee,

    Ts, Rico assured me that we would win last week against the Chavs now your starting with your mystic meg crap, I think another 5/6 could be on the cards…… Then you n Rico going into the sin bin 🙂

  129. Mr Wath says:

    Ts u always been anti Wenger you just didn’t know it until Scott made all those feelings surface.

    Scott last seen in Cornwall on a surfboard paddling off in the direction of Australia

  130. tsgh says:

    lol. Mr Wath…

    Rico and I share similar crystal balls; hers has some fluffy stuff on it which tarnishes its accuracy but.. she won’t admit it but I can sense it… 😛

  131. tsgh says:

    don’t knock it until you have tried it mate… 🙂
    After visiting channel ‘Wenger Predictions’ you will be sent a customary furry dice… you have a choice of 2 colours, pink or neo green…

    Both match my car upholstery so I let them choose for me…

  132. Scott from Oz says:

    I am alive.
    Looking forward to tonight 🙂
    Morning all.
    One thing I failed to touch in the other night was Kallstrom.
    He is one big, strong guy and looked bloody good in the tackle.
    Let’s hope he stays healthy lol

  133. George says:

    hi all,

    from sunny Dubai..

    The man we need is already there but not functioning without David Dein…

    A big burly Rusky with a few bob might actually throw some firepower to the cause.

    If we let le prof manage the football side of things , with Bould onside we chould be ok.

    players like le quif would actually start running in games if they knew we would just go and sign a Diego costa anyhow-

    see Dzeko at city for example

  134. Adam says:

    According to his agent Giroud is going to stay and sign a new contract too. I am of course ecstatic at that news. Next thing will be Park committing his entire career to us. Forgot about him didn’t you?

  135. Mr Wath says:

    That Green Park Adam…?

    Morning mate knew you’d be over come with emotion seeing the Giroud news…!

  136. Scott from Oz says:

    Honestly, unless we are planning to play 2 up front, I will be astounded to see his contract upgraded.

  137. Mr Wath says:

    If someone at that club upgrades Girouds contract they should be hung in public for gross neglect of duty…!

  138. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    We can win Saturday. Wenger will play Kallstrom to negate Toure and Arteta will be able to counter Silva.
    We’ll win 1-0 with 5/6 defenders ending the game and it’ be from a set piece.

  139. Mr Wath says:

    Scott if we lose Sat you ever be allowed back, gonna have a name and shame pic of you in the AFC program so they never let you in.

    🙂

  140. Adam says:

    Scott. I hope you are going to wear it this evening then. 🙂
    Lee. Looks like Costa is on his way to Chelsea. He is shit though.
    We are apparently going back in with a massive offer for Kalou. He will be our number one summer target.

  141. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam, I haven’t taken it off.
    A guy come up and asked for an autograph.
    I think it had been so long since he saw Park he just assumed……

  142. Lee says:

    Torres back to his old club and that shithouse Costa to the chavs…makes sense! Is Wilfried Umbongo available still?

  143. bradster says:

    Remember when we were top…Wenger was just about to sign that 3 year deal. I wonder if he’s stalling or Arsenal to see if he gets 4th and the FA cup.

  144. frednerk says:

    Not that long ago wenger was telling the world,
    My team is the most consistent in the league,
    He said that no strikers were available in january,
    He said we have one of the most clinical strikers on the world=Podolski.
    He plays Sanogo against Bayan Munich
    He now blames it on injuries,
    and that he would need a crystal ball,
    Do you reckon his getting his balls mixed up.

  145. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath, who knows, but if Wenger really is copping it for Stan, I can not wait to read his autobiography!!!!

  146. frednerk says:

    Looking at the league table now,
    Where are we,……….Car Crash wenger calls it
    I call it the Winter breakdown

  147. Mr Wath says:

    Adam, 2032 did you just say, fuck me where’s the Stanley knife I need to slit my wrists….

    I think I need to make a phone call

  148. tsgh says:

    asser Ghanim Al-Khelaïfi said a couple of years ago that AW told him personally he won’t work for an American way back in 2007… interesting?

    Did the board sell their soul to AW to keep him when things were really dire just before they sold up to the yank?

  149. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yeah Wath, Adam and I have spent many an hour discussing the pros and cons of Wenger’s obsession with Kalou…

    As for Dashing Darren, well everyone should know by now that I’m a massive fan…

    Hi Rock

  150. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Get those gnashers sorted out for tonight Kev.

    Not a big weekend for me Scott…. I’m going to be blissfully unaware of us getting our arses handed to us on a plate by City as I’m not going to bother listening / watching. I’m in a massive Arsenal fug at the moment. I really can’t be arsed with it all (he says, typing on an Arsenal Fan site….). I know it sounds shit but my hearts really not in it at the mo.

  151. W.A.T.H says:

    All ok here Rock, am bit like you mate, expecting a hammering Sat, dreading it in fact and just hope I am wrong but have resigned myself to the fact they are not gonna ruin my weekend anymore…. When they don’t give a shit why should I…?

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