Champions League, does it matter..?

Well we kick off the Champions League campaign tonight away in Zagreb.

Arsene looks as if he is going to rotate the team a little although not to much as Aaron and Hector have not even flown out with the squdd. I think that’s a sensible move as Debuchy is quality and we seem to be pretty covered in central midfield as well even with Jack set to miss possibly three months with yet another injury. Lets hope when he recovers it’s the end of his injury nightmare but somehow I have a nagging suspicion it won’t be.

There we a few results last night which raised a few eyebrows particularly the two Manchester clubs both getting beat…….. I am not going to laugh to much but I did have a big grin.

That leads me onto the heading really, are we equipped to win the Champions League….. I think most if they honest would say no we are not so hence at what point is it really worth it. In it to win it and all that jargon but it seems to me the last few years we have suffered every time we play matches and travel every 3 days..! The squad is decent but not good enough and so we suffer poor form all round. Our league results normally suffer because we seem unable to cope with so many games all at once.

The prestige is all about Champions League and the top players want to be playing in it but we are never going to win it as we just not good enough are we?. I accept that nor were the Chavs when they won it but we don’t play boring negative football like they do and to be able to grind out 1-0 wins just isn’t our game. We could never be negative just to get a bore draw away or at home it’s not in the managers nature nor our players so at what point do we look at the CL and say we have done ok..?

The monetary gains are obvious for sure but when we look at the transfer window it begs the question that just one or two more good solid players would of made us more competitive and maybe we’d of been able to challenge better on more front? Maybe I am being harsh but i see it as being honest about our teams chances.

I’d love nothing more than to win the big ears cup and our club needs that in the trophy cabinet but I just can’t see it. We have suffered the last few years finishing second in the group stages so a win tonight is imperative. None of these games are easy anymore so we need to be properly focused and to hopefully become a little more clinical in front of goal.

I think it’s a game for Giroud to start and i’d expect Ox to replace Aaron to give us speed and yes width if he actually stays out wide… Arsene please instruct him to hog the touchline and get at the full back.

The boss definitely has one eye on the weekends game despite saying Zagreb comes first and a good win tonight gives us impetus and confidence going into the weekend. Lets hope they get beat as well tonight but tonight not about anyone else but us. Lets win lets see if we can give it a proper go in the CL and I hope the team prove me wrong in writing off their chances to finally win the big one.

 

142 thoughts on “Champions League, does it matter..?

  1. Wath says:

    Hi John, A point is fine yes but I think a win sets the tone for the rest of the group games…! Also getting harder to win home games as teams set up to nick a goal on the break and set up not to concede so 3 home wins ins’t a given at all

  2. allezkev says:

    10/11 points should be enough to come second.

    We aren’t gonna finish above Bayern, so we need to win at least 3 games and take a point or two from the other three games…

    To win the Cup with Big Ears, you need to be pragmatic, boring at times and even cynical.
    Wenger can be pragmatic occassionally but not the other two..,

    I just don’t think he can escape from his vision of fantasy football enough to win this trophy…

  3. Adam says:

    Afternoon Wath and all. After watching the PL games over the past few weeks and the CL last night I am not really sure how good/reasonable we are right now. Our recent wins v Newcastle and Stoke haven’t really tested us. We certainly need to start scoring though.

  4. potter says:

    There is no reason to believe that we have to finish 2nd. As I said before home and away match Bayern and our head to heads decide the group. If we feel that we can’t beat them and aim for 2 nd then there is no point in entering apart from monetary rewards.

  5. Tai says:

    Afternoon, Wath, All…

    Good read…

    But I bet to distance myself from negatives before any Arsenal match. Injuries to Welbeck and Wilshere might have robbed this team of required squad strength but I don’t think the squad is so terribly thin to believe we don’t stand a chance in hell in the CL.

    Yes, I may have wanted one or two more signings but I’m not underrating our squad for anything. Against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern and a few others we may appear underdogs but I’ve seen teams built on real chemistry and team spirit better a team of galacticos.

    I’m willing to bet Arsenal will get to the semis of this year’s UCL…and then anything becomes probable.

  6. Tai says:

    Any successful team is built on defensive solidity…with Cech and Gabriel added, and Coquelin ‘discovered’, I think this team has surreptitiously improved much more than her fans are willing to give credit for.

  7. potter says:

    I would like to see the last 8. Then go for it. It’s long been a criticism of the club that we just drift through competitions.I would be happy to see a gallant defeat providing we make an all out effort to go for it.

  8. Wath says:

    potter, it’s about time we beat the Krauts at home, something we have yet to achieve, win at home and draw away…! then we can top the group…!

    Thanx Tai, I think it’s not negative thoughts rather realistic ones and hand on heart I feel we don’t stand a hope in hell of wining the CL…! That’s just me though.

  9. Wath says:

    Tai, 3:14…. if in ten more games we keeping clean sheets scoring more goals and looking solid I will agree with you but as it stands far to early to judge and we have really not played anyone decent yet… That is all about to change over the next 8/10 games…!

  10. Rick says:

    Afternoon Wath and the House
    Good news from Zagreb
    At half time the U19’s are beating Zagreb 1-0 with C Willock scoring in the
    44th min.
    The team is the mostley the U21 team with Willock replacing Kamara(too old)
    and Nelson playing in place of Jeff )injured)

  11. Tai says:

    All right, Wath…we may not have played anyone decent in your views…but Chelsea who most believe are more solid defensively have conceded 12 in same five matches. In your definition of decency, only Man City perhaps belong to the list of five Chelsea have played.

    Personally, I believe in this season’s EPL, everyone is decent. Check West Ham’s results so far!

  12. Micko says:

    Wath, easy money, another 20 million for the Board to pocket come March.

    When was the last time we topped our group anyway, I’d be happy with second place and with a bit of luck this year avoid getting drawn against one of the European Giants like Monaco.

    The FA Cup on the other hand brings in a measy 2 million for the winners, loose change to Stan but the ‘shiny ting’ keeps the peasants happy.

    Top 4 Trophy or a bit of silverware, got a hunch I know which one gives Kroenke a real hard on !
    .

  13. Madhav - Indian Gunner says:

    Worthy post Wath…
    I agree with you Wath… Winning will set the pace for a future fixtures and to gain confidence before the chavs game… It’ll help us to perform better and beat them in Stayaway bridge…

  14. tsgh says:

    Wath- you have now set a higher standard for yourself.. 😉

    good read..

    We would have played BM more often than any other EPL teams has played any german team by the time we play the Bavarians.

    They have been AW’s Achilles heels since his days at Monaco but hey…

    Kev- what was all the dogs and riot police they had ready for the black cab driver demonstration… talking about police state. If Comrade Micko did that to his country men the news coverage would be different.

  15. Micko says:

    Slightly different approach here tsgh, firstly the Garda would probably give you a lift home and tell ya they’ll be back in the morning to arrest you ! They can’t be arsed with paperwork.

  16. Wath says:

    Rick, Sheaf looks a proper player to me… like the look of him and he puts himself about as well and the lad loves to have a shit… Arsen will soon stop that though lol

  17. Wath says:

    I thought you would like that Micko… and stamp all over it no doubt… a little faux pas… lol

    shot shit all the same really… normally ours are shit shots

  18. Rick says:

    Full time 2-0 Very good win for the lads. L4ete hope the big boys do the same tonight.
    Willock was outstanding with brilliant goal . Was given standing ovation by Zagreb fanswhen he was subbed.
    I agree with you Wath Sheaf has a very good Shot

  19. goonster says:

    Afternoon good people….great post wath. Insightful. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Hey have anyone been following zelalem’s progress at ranger. He’s seem to be taking a lot of knocks kicks and hacks from opposing players and his defensive contributions haven’t gone unoticed too. One for the future? ? Heck no he’s ready from all I ve seen. Folks have been raving about him being the successor to arteta for that deep lying role but I say he’s ozil’s. Graceful elegant and an eye for a pass. Two more years on loan and we ll have a player on our hands.

  20. goonster says:

    Howdy ts bayern robbed ausburg of atleast a point over the weekend. Shameful from Douglas costa. He should be banned. Good thing tuchel is having us play some intricate fascinating football. Am super chuffed.

  21. Joaquim Moreira says:

    we need the 3 points today! Be 2nd is good but 1st is much better.
    I remember 2 years ago, we go ahead because our better goal-average.

  22. Wath says:

    JM, totally agree, We need to aim for first, you get nothing for 2nd…!

    Stan, I tried to keep the post as crap as possible, I knew you’d appreciate..! 😉

  23. Lee says:

    Never win the CL with Wenger in charge….
    Giroud is a useless thick cnut…..
    How much longer do we have to put up with this fucking shit?
    Just fuck off Wenger and take Stan with you!!

  24. goonster says:

    Now you dee why comments are low on the arsenal blog world. It’s apathy. He has succeeded in killing the gooner spirit within all of us. That’s the Worst half i Ve seen in a while. No more excuse. We re shit. Hi lee.

  25. goonster says:

    AOC haven’t developed since he burst into the scene. Theo wilshere et al. In the past we weren’t winning trophies but we plated the best football outside of the camp nou. Lately we look dire. Where’s the passion? Commitment? Where’s the pride for the shirt??? Forget it guys arsenal is dead. Not until the current board coach and medical staff fucks off. So sad.

  26. Micko says:

    Yeah but we’ve had more possession, shots and corners than them !

    They’ve had to play 6 games to reach this stage, we should be battering them.

    C’mon Arsenal ffs.

  27. Micko says:

    What a let off, looks like the half time team talk went in one ear and out the other.

    40 minutes to rescue a point !

  28. potter says:

    None of these players are in the megabucks class but they are out playing us. It’s about desire. Of course they weren’t out there or anything like them during the windows. I wonder if Dick Law is watching.

  29. Gunnerdna says:

    Under AW AFC have been humiliated by so many shit teams, it’s a disgrace. But the people who let him got away with it deserve it. The transfer window was shit, we got humiliated by Wes Ham and the fans still turn up at the Ems like nothing happens, talking about get behind team, stadium and class. Arsenal and Class. lol

  30. Micko says:

    Arsenal, a team that just keeps on giving while shitting on it’s own fans, however hard it was to watch tonite, it’s the away fans feel sorry for.

  31. Micko says:

    Nash, the last time they won a game in the Champions League was 1999.

    Never beaten a premiership team until tonite, good ole Arsenal !

  32. Joaquim Moreira says:

    3 portugueses in Dínamo team. A good and humble team against an arrogant and superstars team
    We said today, goodbye to the CL.
    The game, laid bare the weaknesses and shortcomings of Arsenal.

  33. Gunnerdna says:

    The fans need to draw a line and stop following this bunch. AW is finished for years now and the season tickects keep selling out. After what happen in the last transfer window and people choose to follow this shit. I have no sympathy for them away fans. if you are not in agreement with AW and his garbage don’t go, watch this shit from your house.

  34. Lewis says:

    I knew we’d lose tonight, had all the hall marks of another failure. Fuck up any of the good work that had been done recently.

    Expect a spanking this weekend people.

  35. Nashua Gunner says:

    Micko. C.Palace or W.Ham, we could have seen more efforts and a different result. Why AW is not seeing what everyone is seeing is beyond mormal human being. OG12 was arguing with the ref as if he wanted the first yellow card.

  36. tsgh says:

    premiership football is on its knees…

    Not making excuses for AW but lets be honest; how may 20+ a season strikers are available in Europe?

  37. potter says:

    T’S If you don’t have the players then change the tactics to get the best out of what you have. Time to look at a flying winger who stays wide and get a forward next to Giroud. Ok we would lose our possession advantage but it doesn’t do us much good at the moment.

  38. Micko says:

    Gdna, ignorance is bliss, the away fans are a different breed, until you’ve actually travelled to an away game, I wouldn’t knock em, pish poor mate !

    Nite Malaga.

    Nash, this time last season we lost to Dortmund, at least we’re consistent !

    tsgh, stop making excuses !

  39. frednerk1 says:

    Two ways too play the game,
    some on here think like wenger
    and cover up with one excuse or another.

    By luck wenger found out how to play by
    a player considered surplus to requirements.
    He decided to wrap him in cotton wool.

    What a stupid idiot he has now become.
    What a prick he is.
    Good night from spain.

  40. Joaquim Moreira says:

    The big problem is just one: the squad is very short.
    We don’t need stars. We have enough. We need three/four more humble, young and workers players. Too many games a long season. In theory, Arsenal is better then Zagreb but yesterday the 2 Mancs were lost too. For an English team be in the semi-final of the CL or have a deep squad, or be lucky or forget other competitions and it’s real target is the CL.

  41. Micko says:

    Kel, thought it was a bit unfair of Arsene to start him tonite, he’s only fit for coming on and helping Merts lift a trophy or two these days ! No offence tsgh.

  42. Gdna says:

    Micko, doing the same thing year after year, following something that always fail and after you complain is being ignorant. The only top team in Europe not to buy a single outfield player, that is being damn ignorant. The only way AW will walk away is if fans stop turning up at games, i don’t care if its home or away. They need to invest some of that hard earn cash on themselves.

  43. scottfromoz says:

    Stan, on your 8.37…..there’s another reason people don’t comment so much.
    After that result, I know the same people will say the same things, so why would I bother as it always ends up the same way?
    Wath was right…..the second yellow was never a yellow, but most passed over that and stuck the boot straight in to Giroud…not that he didn’t deserve it, mind you, because it was just bloody stupid.
    People saying we should stop following them?
    Criticising the away fans??
    How the fuck does one with any intelligence respond to that?
    By ignoring it, that’s how.
    Saves a lot of time, effort and stress.
    When things calm down, I’ll be back 🙂 🙂

  44. Micko says:

    Gdna, that’s where you fall down in my eyes, if I was to agree with you we’d both be wrong but what the fcuk do I know !

    Nite Gooners, keep it real.

  45. potter says:

    Unbelievable…………….. a 2nd yellow for that………… this ref is a cnut… !

    Unfortunately predictable though, as it was obvious that he was getting nothing from the ref and the frustration was boiling over. Should have come off after the first card.Their defence was tailor made for Walcott they were pushing up , there were gaps behind them . A proactive manager would have made a tactical change before he went.

  46. Wavy says:

    Neither was I Adam. Not chuffed at all! Thought we were rather poor, played like headless chickens, running around aimlessly and purposelessly! Result inevitable. However, Giroud being sent off made absolutely no difference to the result in that when he was on the field he was useless in fact a bit of a hindrance!
    Performances and results like this on
    Y go to support the popular view that the pensioner has lost it, big style. I wonder how much notice he takes of his coaches’ views vis a vis the picking of the sides that turn out or whether he just knows best and after 30 years how could anyone know anything about football more than him?
    Time for him to wake up and smell the double, no, make that a treble espresso!
    Tonight was just not up to snuff! Not up to snuff at all!

  47. Wath says:

    I thoroughly enjoyed that Adam, Like a hole in the head….!

    Clinical finishing… Nope
    Fight and spirit Nope
    Mental strength.. Nope

    Crap ref… Yes
    Did we think we just had to turn up again to win.. Probably

    Gdna, Please don’t slag off fans that follow the team…. As Micko says it’s piss poor when you sit on a pc and complain.

    If they were moaners am sure they would not be following the side, the moaners are already NOT following the side but show some respect to those that chose to follow the team no matter what and no matter what your opinion of them is kindly keep that to yourself..!

  48. Gdna says:

    AW – “It is not the way we wanted to begin the competition. We were a bit unlucky. We faced a Zagreb team who were committed.

    Donald Trump > AW.

  49. Wath says:

    potter totally agree, Giroud has been a bit of a waste of time since Henry said he wasn’t good enough, instead of acting like a big girls blouse he needs to grow up and show some cojones and not just in a hotel room…!

    As for Arsene being pro-active and changing things we all know he don’t do that kind of thing. Ox trackng back for the first goal as well…? We were generally piss poor all over the park. Take out Coq and we have zero bite in midfield, Arteta is a good player but he’s finished when he running and people walk past him….! Then we are told no one was out there in the TW that would of improved us… Really…? A JM said 2/3 grafters as we said last week would improve this squad big time.

    To late now crying over spilt milk. Roll on Saturday… I think I’ll arrange to go out somewhere and conveniently miss that..!

    Nite all.

  50. Wath says:

    The opposition were committed……! Well fuck me, that’s something new on a football pitch eh…….

    Laughable and pathetic both at once.

    I’m gone need a very large GG

  51. Adam says:

    I thought that Santi and Arteta were a strange selection myself, but that the stench of complacency hung over the team. A complete joke of a performance from Arsenal tonight. Disappointing for the fans, especially those who went all that way and completely unacceptable from players and the manager who were useless.

  52. potter says:

    I would blame individuals but in the main it’s a collective. We do need a forward ,one that can hold the ball and one with pace that can finish . Unfortunately we have two players to do that job. If we play them together we would have to lose a midfielder and lose our grip on possession stats. Midfield :- Cazorla , Arteta , Sanchez , Ozil , The Ox one of them doesn’t play. Ozil/Cazorla one sits deep and the other forward both close passers , Sanchez/The OX both dribblers , Arteta holding. Probably that’s the first mistake tonight. If you play both Giroud and Walcott up front you need a wide supply line from a true winger( which we don’t have ) , so that’s another midfield slot gone. So your midfielders have to be workers with plenty of running in them both forward and back. Le Coq and Ramsey fit that bill with the added bonus that Ramsey runs past his forwards into the box to create danger. This means that either Santi or Ozil sit it out. In defence if BFG doesn’t play and Giroud is missing we are strapped for a tall defender and still do get caught on set pieces and corners. Without those two zonal cannot work , if you are shorter than their forwards you have to attack the ball . Our squad is unbalanced and has been for a few years. We have plenty of good players but they need supplementing with specialists in the positions we are weak in . So do I blame Giroud ? Not alone :- I blame the club , it’s systems and the manager’s tactics.

  53. Wath says:

    Ah Adam…. that word again rears it’s ugly head………… “Complacency”……….. who’d have thought?

    Least it’s not happened before………….. Oh but…………………

    Am really gone now…. Someone check on Kev make sure he not choked on his tea….!

  54. potter says:

    Reports coming out from Arsenal that there was a fight in the dressing room with Giroud ending up with a black eye #bbcsportsday

  55. ScottfromOz says:

    Potter, Giroud needs a kick up the arse.
    Honestly, as much as I defend him, I doubt Wenger is the man to give it so maybe a player took it upon himself lol.
    He’s copping unfair criticism from fans, imo, because of our failure to buy a striker…..the frustration is being taken out on him yet he’s a decent player…..his attitude is woeful at present, though.
    Anyway, let’s hope the performance was due to having one eye on Chelksi.
    That situation should never happen, but in this case, I hope it’s true.

  56. allezkev says:

    Ok, so we had Giroud sent off…

    Wasn’t it 0-0 at that time?
    where was the reorganisation, where was the bloody mindedness of our team, to get a result despite the sending-off…

    Too many if our players don’t have the guts for a fight…

    And Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
    I keep on hearing about how good he is.
    I’m still waiting to see it…?

  57. scottfromoz says:

    Kev, 2 years ago, I thought Ox would end up world class.
    He keeps giving us little snippets of class, but that’s all.
    He isn’t the only one, either.
    Guts, determination and consistency…we have too many who lack one or more of those traits.
    I’ll say this, and I reckon even Ginge will agree……Coquelin plays, we just win today.

  58. Nashua Gunner says:

    OG12 is a let down once again. We need a strker who can incorporate both Theo and OG qualities, as one.

    There are lot of Arsenal players I’d let go if it were my call to make: OX, Theo, MA, MF, JC …

  59. scottfromoz says:

    NG, there aren’t any Thierry Henry’s around at present 🙂
    Ox……apparently he was very nearly sold a month or so back.
    Jack…..we get very little value out of him, and must question whether we ever will.
    Theo…..likewise.
    Flamini….we should have paid him out and sent him packing.
    Arteta…should be used very sparingly and kept as a coach.
    I could not say I’d be distraught if any of those players were sold, though.

  60. Lee says:

    Wenger out, another European masterclass in how not to win an away game against a shit side.

    Wenger’s inactivity in the transfer window will yet again will bite us in the arse!
    To say there were no striking options available is madness….there were plenty of players available that would make us more potent!!

    It’s the same old bollocks every season and Wenger just needs to fuck off. We need a younger more dynamic manager, a manager with ambition, foresight one that does tactics. I’m livid still but knew in the back of my mind how the season would play out….like so many before!

    Top four, second in the CL group (if we’re lucky) knocked out last 16 and maybe a decent cup run? Sound familiar??

    Wenger out!

  61. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    The players looked like they never played together before. Seems like the regular first 11 practice together and the rest of the squad on their own.

    Well now Wenger can see that Debuchy and Gibbs are rusty, Arteta cannot be relied on and Giroud is having mental issues since everyone including his countrymen are saying he’s not good enough and it’s affecting his game.

    Walcott is like Podolski in that he’s a good finisher but doesn’t offer much else and the only striker and player scoring goals, so he better adapt the team plan to suit him.

    Finally, Ox is still young and with all his flashes of class will make mistakes that all young players make, let’s just hope he learns quickly from them.

    Against Chelsea, their tails will be up and we just need to keep our shape and catch them on the counter like the rest have this season. Which means pace up front and Giroud having a break to clear his mind and focus.

  62. Adam says:

    When Wenger says there were no players available that would have improved the squad I think he means ‘during the last 12 hours of the transfer window’. What happened during the previous 3 months was shameful to him and the club and no amount of his spin will alter that.
    Last night was a complete and total disgrace and gave focus to the folly of his attitude and ludicrous decision to remain inactive.

  63. Lewis says:

    We’re basically just cannon fodder in the Cl. Sure bayern were over the moon when we were drawn in their group.

    Hopefully we can make it a hattrick of FA Cups this year as other than that we have no chance.

  64. bradster says:

    I tottally agree with you Adam. Especially when you look at the quality that the lower sides have picked up.
    Not to mention the good players we could all recognise in the premiership last season that would be an improvement on the back ups we have now.

  65. Lee says:

    We don’t need a back up for Coq??? We do as Arteta/Flamini are finished…

    Clinging on to potentially wining the FA Cup, what about challenging for the CL or PL? Well we won’t be doing it with this manager and his band of over paid under achieving cnuts!

    Arsenal need a shake up from top to bottom!

  66. Lee says:

    So 3 months 24/7 hard graft and they can’t find a single player that would strengthen Arsenal……please fuck off! What a load of bollocks?!?

    It’s embarrassing to say the least…

  67. tsgh says:

    Over- hyped, over- paid and over here, the demise of the EPL since 2011…

    Between 2005 and 2011 no English club lost their first game in UCL.

    Since then Yanited, Chelsea, City and Us have all lost to the likes of Basel, and Zagreb…

    Like most things in our country these days, over hyped… Fallon and co will tell listeners and tax payers we have a strong defence force whilst they cut here, there and everywhere but in reality we probably have more Spitfires and hurricanes than we have operational Typhoons and Tornados…

    I digress, I read somewhere from one of the former U.S presidents, that repeating the same nonsense is as bad as repeating the same unsuccessful thing … 😉

    Kel- no offence taken mate re. Arteta. You point is obvious but it is even more compounded when we play Santi, Ozil and Arteta all none runners but thinkers together…

    I concur with Adam’s assessment i.e Complacency. Then there is the small matter of arrogance but hey we all merely armchair fans who if we are to heed an advice, are to riot and bring the stadium down so that Aw can be ousted…

    Then again if I had the ‘balls’ to remonstrate and riot I would be investing my energy in more important stuff than football manger..

  68. tsgh says:

    Scott- taking over form since 2008, apart from 2012 when Ramsey, Arteta and Per were in their peak we have not been able to successfully play in away in UCL and EPL without compromising’ on results.

  69. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, hi bud.
    I’ve said it before, so it’s not a reaction this crap result, but CL doesn’t bother me at all.
    League title is where it’s at.
    Oh to win one again.

  70. tsgh says:

    Scott- EPL is priority but we can’t win it with this squad without an obvious disregard for the UCL.

    Monsieur Platini won’t be pleased with AW fielding B team on Tues and Mondays.

    The EPL will also be pissed off as we are another season of underachieving from losing our 4th spot in UCL meaning 4th won’t be a trophy for Stan.

    We are caught between a rock and a hard place…

    As someone who has followed Dortmond for over 20 years, I get surprised when fans say Klopp should replace AW, when Klopp plays the same way as Aw and will rather play a JW or Arteta in CM than a Le Coq.

    Moreover, when the going got tough for him at BVB he left.

    If Aw had left us in 2006 like klopp did to BVB, most of his current bashers would be calling for the good all days of Aw following the 8 year barren period.

    I think AW should have left 2 seasons ago after his FA cup win to allow someone/mercenary in so fans can see if it is AW who is the problem or the whole business ethos of the club.

    I believe the devil you know…. mantra even more…

  71. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, I said at the time I hoped Wenger left.
    First trophy out of The Emirates was the perfect time.
    Maybe some truths would’ve come out but we will never know…..

  72. tsgh says:

    Scott- I agree with your 2:51 point re. Le Coq playing.

    As I say I have nothing against Le Coq… I rated him to follow him at freisburg.

    My concern of Le coq needing an intelligent/tactician like Ramsey or SC19 next to him to make him look good is as true as Arteta needing a Ramsey next to him to cover Arteta’s lack of legs in CM.
    You don’t have to have managed 2 games to see Sc19 and Arteta are both readers of the game and so in away games playing those 2 teams will not work.

    AW needs to stick to a working combination or he should sign the right players

  73. bradster says:

    I agree in signing the right players ts. How many combinations of 2 of our players we wish we had. A strker that can hold the ball up, have pace and a finisher.
    A DM that is hard tackling, a worker and a good distributor.
    A number 10 that has vision, great passer and can score goals.

  74. Wath says:

    Morning…………… Are we all still spitting nails………….?

    Not quite sure what to think feel or say anymore if an honest…! Wenger just knocks the stuffing out of all of us with his utter bollocks re signing players and results and blaming everyone but the bloke he sees in the mirror every morning. Where is the man management to sort out nancy boy Giroud when he starting to have a stop in the first place and where were the leaders on the pitch to grab him by the neck and tell him to wind it in and get on with the game and focus…?

    Lacking
    Lacking
    Lacking……!

  75. tsgh says:

    Brad- in my view there lies the problem; AW has been looking for a DM that is hard tackling, a worker and a good distributor since Anthony Garcia of Monaco.

    No such player exist in my humble opinion apart from maybe Alonso and Busquet… but can busquet make it in the EPL?

    Its all about combinations imho…

    Edu and Gilberto could never work in midfield and so did Kanu and DB10 upfront…

    Butt and Keone hardly worked in europe

  76. bradster says:

    You’re right there, I was so excited when we were supposedly in for Vidal, but that was just paper talk.
    I also think Sanchez needed more of a break after the Copa America and time to get back to his top level. I fear he’ll burn out trying so hard to perform like last season and especially if he feels he should be scoring because no one else is.

  77. allezkev says:

    When my son texted me the team yesterday, I replied, ‘I like that team’…

    That team should have been good enough to have won that game in Zagreb, nevermind the referee and the sending off.

    I’ve seen these scenarios so many times in the past and not just under Wenger…

    Complacency, plain and simple…

    Even with all the changes, goalkeeper, Arteta, blah blah blah, we should have won comfortably…

    No excuses, poor preparations, poor tactics, whatever, we should have won…

    This team is still fragile mentally, still weak mentally, and that’s down to Wenger, and the reason he’s never won the CL.
    And never will…

  78. tsgh says:

    Brad- if history is to repeat itself then AS17 is due a 2nd season syndrome injury around November…

    Its all conjecture I guess being armchair manager…

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