Derby Debacle! Wenger Out of Ideas?

Morning all.

I’m not going to go through the game as everyone would have watched it and needless to say, a draw was not a good result.

A victory yesterday should have been a formality against a very average Tottenham side, so what does that say about us eh!

Why Arsene Wenger didn’t start with Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (who was exceptional yesterday) I don’t know but it seems to be one or the other these days instead of both, yet both, together with Danny Welbeck in the middle is probably our strongest attacking option. Them together with our little German maestro dictating things behind them would surely have been the right selection on the day.

But no, out to wing again it was for Mesut Ozil which shows just how arrogant our manager is. Having destroyed Aston Villa last weekend it was clear to see for everyone just how good Ozil is when played centrally but the old stubborn one doesn’t get it does he?

Perhaps he does and he’s just out to try and prove a point because that’s what he does. Well that point is clearly not being made as it hasn’t worked up until now and it won’t and the sooner he wakes up to that reality the better. Somehow though, I doubt he will!

Back to Alexis, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had said before yesterday that our Chilean couldn’t wait for the NLD – well Wenger made sure he did!

Another big negative was the injuries suffered to both Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta.

Wenger has spoken about the injuries:

On what the injuries are…

I think Ramsey is a hamstring and Arteta is a calf. Wilshere [has] an ankle [problem].

On whether he’s concerned about Wilshere and Ramsey being injured…

Not constantly. Wilshere, if you look at the incident again, has been tackled and turned his ankle over. Ramsey is a concern that he did his hamstring. I don’t understand because he had a good rest this week, I didn’t play him against Southampton on Tuesday night. It’s a surprise because he’s usually a resistant boy.

On whether he expects the three players to be out for Chelsea…

Wilshere, I don’t know. The two others are out for Chelsea for sure.

On whether Wilshere will be available for Galatasaray…

I don’t know.

But never fear, we have a huge squad, one which is full of talent and experience, one which has players chomping at the bit to play and take their chance, players who are so good Arsene Wenger says he couldn’t find better than in the summer….

We went into this season with an ill-equipped squad, well now it’s even worse and although Wenger can’t be blamed for injuries, he can be blamed for not making sure we have a squad strong and deep enough to cope with such events.

Now, we are not far short of being in a crisis.

Gawd help us if one of Mertesaker, Koscielny or Chambers gets injured and the latter is just one booking away from a one match ban!

Still, we have Abou Diaby waiting to be unleashed any day soon!

Oh no we haven’t, he’s not ready according to the manager..

Something has to change as our ship, which has had a leak in it for a few years now, is sinking fast under Wenger…..

Three more years of this?

I truly hope not…..

 

138 thoughts on “Derby Debacle! Wenger Out of Ideas?

  1. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, when is the march? i’m there! a ship without a captain, first mate,no rudder, cast adrift in a sea of mediocrity. A mutiny is surely only a matter of time…

  2. rogerbij says:

    Seriously though, we completely dominated. Only the result was awful.

    Their goal came from a mistake by us – Merts putting Flam under pressure who wasnt tight enough in control and knockknock goal. Bad mistake.

    But we dominated but couldnt find that inspiration in front of goal, their defence was well organised. But we dont have the quality, strength and sharpness up front still. Welbeck is easily our best option there, but he’s not the quality to out muscle or swerve very good defences. We had enough half chances, enough possession, its just plain frustrating.

    Btw, love Sanchez but he was awful – lost the ball regularly, was trying too hard or something. Ozil played wonderfully, hardly a pass wrong, lovely conducting, just not always enough happening in front of him. Ramsey injury you cant blame on Wenger – he rested him midweek! And Jacks is just… dejavu.

    So poor result and not happy, but I dont think Wenger got it too wrong – just the players available didnt make it happen…

  3. BrainwashedKev says:

    Morning All.

    Morning Rico, a downbeat but realistic post that puts into perspective the situation we find our selves in…

    I think that we’ll beat Galatasaray this week, could be by a narrow score, but we’ll win.
    Anything else is surely unthinkable.

    Mourinho, Costa, Fabregas, Terry, they’ll be rubbing their hands in anticipation.
    A Costa hat-trick is in the offing I fear.

    But Arsene only has himself to blame!

    It was interesting listening to the Jonkers interview.
    Most revealing was when he said that nobody did anything without Wenger’s approval…
    That meant the Academy.
    But I like Jonker. He doesn’t sound like a Wenger poodle. He sounds like a man who has been assistant manager at Bayern and Real and who’ll ensure that things are done correctly and not wait for Wenger to give him the ok.
    His interview was diplomatic but firm. I like him…

    I think also that there’s gonna be a bit of a staff turnover at Academy level.
    And a change in Scouting policy (Fred!)…
    A few members of staff could find P45’s in the post in the near future.
    And not before time…

  4. rico says:

    We did boss the game possession wise but I still maintain that had Alexis started, we’d have seen a very different game and Ozil would have ruled the midfield and opened up their defence a lot more..

  5. rico says:

    Morning Kev. Think the post reflects my mood about all thinks Arsenal, well, Wenger and Kroenke.

    Sick of them both really…

    I dread the trip to Stamford Bridge…

  6. Henry says:

    Wenger will not carry arsenal to any were for the next three yes because he is considered ancient football wishes our down fall I require his retirement so that we come back to our best like others clubs thanks.

  7. ozgunner says:

    I hear you but it’s not about one player Rico – the problem in this club runs way beyond that and has done for many years now. We have had serious issues for some time now and only now as the bullshit of we’ve got no money to compete has subsided, are we seeing the actual managerial ability. Look at that squad and in particular the bench, he should be kicked into touch big time

  8. BrainwashedKev says:

    I don’t dread the trip to Stamford Bridge so much Rico.

    A thrashing might just make a few sit up and question how we’re progressing (or stagnating), nothing will change otherwise…

  9. kene says:

    Morning all. Diaby shoud replace Arteta. Flamini is too one dimensional for my liking! Diaby plays with confidence and his passes have much greater precision than Flamini’s.

  10. LP says:

    Wenger ran out of ideas about 4 years ago. Watching Aresenal now is so frustrating, one also sense the players are just as frustrated.

    Why did we buy Ozil? If we wanted a left winger, then we should have bought Reus.

    Knowing Wenger he would probably play Reus on the right.

    Sorry to moan, but Wenger cannot that this club to the next level. Yet we have for another 3 seasons.

    Thankfully the peer teams such as , Liverpool, Everton, ManU, Spurs, are not performing any better.

    This season it’s a two horse race Chelsea and Man City.

  11. Wavy says:

    Rico I agree, yet again. We bossed 75% of the game, more corners, more shots on target, more shots not on target etc etc shoreline? 1-1 crap result against a side that wouldn’t hold its own against manure, and that’s saying something!
    Got to say though, you”re being a bit pessimistic re Wenger. Three years you say, another three years of this sh1t! But you’re wrong…….it’s only 2 years and 8 months! I’ve got a tick off day by day calendar and I’m ticking them off!
    May 31st 2017 will become a new latterday saints day! It will be known as St Arse’s Day, St Arse of the Emirate of Highbury. And speaking of burials he should opt for burning at the stake when tied to a goalpost and have his ashes scattered between Gillespie and Avenell Roads! Or up the Alsace!
    Rest in peace all.
    I’m off to watch the Ryder Cup, see if we can win that? Think we’ve gotta proper Irish manager in charge so we should be ok!

  12. ozgunner says:

    kene – Diaby? Thrown in at Stanford Bridge after how long out? Not saying it won’t happen, in fact i can see him limping off now. Whats up with the new fitness guru as well?? Not a real good start is it?

  13. BrainwashedKev says:

    Rico, you should read that Jonker interview, it’s very good.

    Questions shouldn’t just focus on Wenger, even though he is the architect of the inertia that is surrounding Arsenal.
    It comes from the top, of course, and Kroenke being an absent owner.
    Wenger’s staff haven’t covered themselves in glory either.
    Some of the Coaching staff need refreshing.
    Tactically Arsenal have stagnated, it seems that everyone and his dog can predict how we’ll play. Where are the tactical suprise’s?
    Free kicks, corners, the same.
    Defending corners free kicks, the same.
    Predictable.

    It reeks of a manager with no new ideas.

    A manger who has nothing new to give.

    A manager who has run his course.

    And it ain’t gonna change, it’s gonna plod on until inevitably Arsenal miss out on the top four and the financial people wet their collective knickers/pants…

    Maybe that’s what we need?!!!

  14. ozgunner says:

    again though Wavy a lot of strange scores are helping paste over the cracks he will refer to these in the coming weeks as some have already done

  15. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yes Oz, accidents mate, accidents that Wenger has learnt nothing from mate, accidents that will litter the rest of this season…

    Kene, Diaby is never fit mate, you gotta come up with a better idea that Abou.

  16. kene says:

    Oz, a half fit Diaby is miles better than Flams. Play Diaby against Chelsea then rest him for as long as it takes to recover. Flams is no where near Matic!

  17. Canadian Goonersists o says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    A decent game yesterday, if not for the injuries. Those were a combination of bad luck and the usual thuggery of our noisy neighbours. We dominated the game and all the stats, except for fouls and yellow cards.

    As for why Arsene didn’t start Alexis, I think he had a eye on Wednesday’s UCL game vs. Galatasaray and next Sunday’s game against Chelsea. This past few seasons the constant complaint has been that Arsene didn’t rotate the squad and rest the first string players. Now that he does, it still judged to be wrong. It is a no win situation.

    My only real question is why he persists on playing Ozil on the wing to accommodate Jack the Lad. Maybe with Jack injured Mesut will be restored to his proper number 10 position.

  18. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    A decent game yesterday, if not for the injuries. Those were a combination of bad luck and the usual thuggery of our noisy neighbours. We dominated the game and all the stats, except for fouls and yellow cards.

    As for why Arsene didn’t start Alexis, I think he had a eye on Wednesday’s UCL game vs. Galatasaray and next Sunday’s game against Chelsea. This past few seasons the constant complaint has been that Arsene didn’t rotate the squad and rest the first string players. Now that he does, it still judged to be wrong. It is a no win situation.

    My only real question is why he persists on playing Ozil on the wing to accommodate Jack the Lad. Maybe with Jack injured Mesut will be restored to his proper number 10 position.

  19. rogerbij says:

    Serious request – can someone list all of our first team who wil be out for Chelsea? Curious to see the sick bed.
    -Walcott,
    -Giroud
    – Debuchy
    -Ramsey
    -Arteta

    (missing anyone? ps dont write Sanogo pps Diaby is not on the list!).

  20. rico says:

    Oz, re your earlier, I was only referring to leaving Alexis out yesterday…

    Just one of many stupid decisions AW is making these days. I know all the rest you say, only too well. What is going on, and what is allowed to be going on stinks!

  21. rico says:

    Kev, your 11.28.

    3 battering last season didn’t make anyone stand up, well certainly not at the club…

    Absolutely agree re the American, why he even bothered I don’t know, other than using us to make money. Worst thing that ever happened for the club, gutless he is, as is the board.

    If he wants to get fans back onside, the best thing he and the board could do is sack the manager, but that isn’t ever going to happen…

  22. BrainwashedKev says:

    CG, I tend to agree with you on the Sanchez issue, we had enough out there to win the game yesterday, although I’d say that Spurs is more important than Galatasaray and if you are resting Alexis, then Gala was the game to do it.

    Rosicky will now become a very important played over the next couple of weeks.

    Pity Gnabry and Walcott aren’t fit, their recovery just drags on and on and on and on and on…

    Funny how that never seems to happen at Chelski.
    Are they better at conditioning their players,
    Or do they only sign players with good injury records?

  23. rico says:

    Wavy, I feel better now knowing it’s only 2 years and 8 months.. 😉

    Enjoy the Ryder Cup, I’m watching too.. Go Europe.. 🙂

    Kev, is the Jonker i/v on afc.com?

  24. rico says:

    Morning Cg. Long time no see, hope all is well?

    I get what you are saying about rotation, but why play Alexis for 90 mins in the CO Cup and then leave him out yesterday, surely it would have been better the other way round.

    Also, if he’s worried about the CL game, then he should have made sure we had a deep enough squad so he wouldn’t have been.

    The NLD is one of the most important fixtures for all fans and AW goofed it yesterday imho..

  25. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – Regarding “Funny how that never seems to happen at Chelski.
    Are they better at conditioning their players,
    Or do they only sign players with good injury records?”

    I think Chelsea tend to sign bigger more robust players. However, Arsene has always been enamoured with smaller more skillful players, especially midfielders. We really miss a strong physical presence like Petit and/or Vieira in our midfield. That is why I’d rather see Carvalho than Khedira in the new year.

  26. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yes and no CG…

    I wouldn’t call Oscar, Hazard, Ramierez, Schurle even, big players.
    But they don’t have their players out for weeks, months on end.

    Now Ramsey is supposed to be out for two weeks.
    Let’s see eh???

    Rico, can you find that Jonker interview and put up the link for CG, thanx boss…

  27. rico says:

    Cg, good point re the big/robust players, we don’t have any of those.

    Looks like Carvalho is set to sign a new deal so that ship may have sailed sadly…

  28. BrainwashedKev says:

    Rico 11.50.

    The FACup saved his arse.

    If Hull had won, then I think it’s safe to say that Arsenal would now have a different manager.

  29. ozgunner says:

    the press seem to be working over time getting all excited about the January window, diversion tactics at work here or what??

  30. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – Thanks for the info. I’ll search the Daily Fail website for the article.

    Rico – I’m fine. I have been busy with the family. September has been daughter’s month; daughter, granddaughter #2 and daughter-in-law No. 2 all had birthdays. That, baby sitting all three grandchildren and trying to get the the house ready for winter have kept me busy. You have to be fast to keep up with 2 1/2 year old twins. They`re sweet but busy and just wear you down.

    I know the NLD is very very important for the supporters, but the money from the UCL is more important to the club. Just look at the ridiculous fees and wages that ManUre, with no UCL this season, have had to pay to attract good players. Also, if you think Arsene is stubborn, just look at Van Gaal.

  31. arsene knows says:

    yes!! we so need a powerful big DM, would have loved cavhalio, yes its glaring that without one or ideally 2 big strong DM’s the team just does not work… but this article is odd, there were lots of positives too, i was at the game, arteta started well and went off which was why we had no choice but to bring on flamini who had a terrible game overall and gave the goal away he also is so slow that when they broke we had no ‘gilberto’ wall to stop them, him & dm apart i thought all our players played great, every one of them out passed them, worked thier socks off and we had 70% of the ball, they defended deeper than any scum side i have ever seen in a NLD and kaboul was everywhere just like kompany was, they parked the bus but even so we battered them 2nd half… so yes awful result to not beat this poor side but lots of positives too, aresene is our manager get behind him and be careful what you wish for, look at spurs!

  32. rogerbij says:

    In my view, we’ve dropped 4 points this season – draws vs Leicester and Spurs. The draws against City and Everton were average results. We were well beaten Dortmund. Its not the worst, but could be better – we are undefeated in the PL!

    Vs Chelsea with have a big chance to close the gap, or stop it stretching out. I would take another draw… but then we need to go on a run of straight wins. Lose to Chelsea and its not looking too good, is it?

  33. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – “If Hull had won, then I think it’s safe to say that Arsenal would now have a different manager.“ I think Arsene said much the same in one of his interviews a few weeks ago.

  34. Canadian Gooner says:

    Oz – Thanks for the update re: Carvalvo. I`ve been a bit out of touch lately, except for catching our games.

  35. rico says:

    Cg. A hectic but lovely September. Quality times….

    I understand re the CL and it’s money, I really do but all the time we are so financially well off, I do wonder why AW doesn’t actually equip us win the darn competition, not just worry about the extra few million getting us into the knock out stage only to fall at the first hurdle.

    I do think AW is stubborn, as might be LvG, but the latter hasn’t been doing that for the last 6/7 years… 😉

    And my guess is if he carries on in the same way, the Glazers will sack him…

  36. minaj says:

    Wenger is just an inconsequential being. We all read how fired up Alexis was prior to this NLD and instead of unleashing the dragon inside him, Mr Wenger chained him on the bench, how silly can this Wenger get? It kills me that this kinda man is still left walking the streets of England and some all mouth no trousers fans ain’t doing anything about it. Dare not try it in my country (Nigeria), justice would have be done to Wenger way back.

  37. ozgunner says:

    Rico – very much agree on Van Moyes – was chatting football today to a mate and said the big issue with him as always been his ego, it is enormous and i think United will only ride so far with it – Might be Southampton have ended up with the best Dutchman ?

  38. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – Yes! – A very interesting article and interview with Jonker, especially the following two sentences;
    “Jonker, a Dutch coach with experience of working alongside Louis van Gaal at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is driving this project home.” If he could work with van Gaal, I`m sure he can make a point with Arsene.

    “On the continent, as Jonker conceded in his interview, they are streets ahead in terms of developing players at youth level.”

    Rico – Thank you for the link.

  39. rico says:

    Oz, I’m not a fan of his. Utd will soon be wishing they kept Moyes… 😉

    Pleasure Cg, I thought another interesting line was:

    ‘Almost every day Wenger and I go through a number of things. He is approachable, but I do have to show him what we are doing. We must not go behind his back’.

    ‘It is important that Wenger and I work closely together. What I do see is that everybody at the club has the feeling that they need to have the green light from Wenger before they do anything. But maybe that is not the case’.

  40. rico says:

    Welcome to those just joining HH..

    LP. Spot on…

    arsene knows – ‘be careful what you wish for’ – Oh dear……

  41. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Both articles with Jonker were very informative. I especially liked “Ivan Gazidis [Arsenal chief executive] wants Arsenal to be the best academy in the world. He realises that will cost money and will take time, but that is his ambition.“

  42. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – If van Gaal can`t right the Titanic that is ManUre by the end of October, I doubt he`ll see Christmas in Manchester. Ridiculous when you consider the money he has spent.

  43. rico says:

    Cg, I think IG cares and from little bits I’ve heard, he always wants us to have a good transfer window, sadly, his sidekick doesn’t feel the same..

    Agree re LvG, fancy spending £35 million on Luke Shaw, then not play him… Crazy..

  44. ozgunner says:

    well well well – how often has this argument been raised – thank you Mr Jonker…
    What I do see is that everybody at the club has the feeling that they need to have the green light from Wenger

  45. ozgunner says:

    rumor has it part of the contract hold up was Wenger insisting on no transfer pressure from IG or the board – bad move Arsenal if true. I can easily believe that to be true as well

  46. Canadian Gooner says:

    Well, I`m off for the night. Have a great day everyone.

    Keep The Faith!

    Rico – Don`t forget to rinse off your Wellies before going into the House.

  47. Danish Gooner says:

    Wenger ran out of ideas 10 years ago,he keeps playing the same way over and over and over again.His view on squad quality is as ancient as the old greeks and his know how on changing formation and tactics during a game is non existent.Mourinho will have a field day and Chelsea will put so many goals behind chezzer his head will start to spin.

  48. Adam says:

    I imagine that Kroenke is quite happy to stand still. The crowds are still coming, the TV money is rolling in and the sponsorship deals are working out. The stadium debt is decreasing and the fans are taking his ST increases on the chin. He is nicking a few quid every now and again and most importantly, the share price is climbing making his potential profit outlook rosier. The cold hard facts are that, if he wanted to make the club more likely to compete for top honours, he would need to invest about another £200 million in players and a new manager. He doesn’t want to do this and Wenger offers the perfect solution in that he can’t move Arsenal forward, has completely lost the plot on the field, but is likely to do what he specialises in and that is getting the club into a lucrative CL situation without being in too much danger of winning it. We don’t want to tread water any longer but I imagine it suits Kroenke down to the ground.

  49. potter says:

    I spent a lot of the last few years pondering the situation at Arsenal Whichever way I looked at it I always I came to the conclusion that collectively the hands were tied by the intransigence of the board and that I would see what the club did when the financial shackles came off.. Now I know , Adam is correct they are not prepared to spend what is required to go the extra step to truly compete. As we drove home last night the atmosphere in the car was poisonous but to a man we all agreed , season ticket holders for 25 plus years , IF the club can’t be bothered :- WHY SHOULD WE.

  50. Adam says:

    Rico. I know you do. We have no guarantee that Usmanov would be any better though, just hopes. As the games roll by we can see the ongoing limitations of Wenger’s gameplay. But, he is a safe pair of hands and brings stability. If you are an American owner with no feel for the game and zero understanding of the fans, then what could be better? Wenger brings a lot of good things but is power-crazed ( reading between the lines of Jonker’s interview) and he can’t deal with top players (Ozil and Sanchez or even Arshavin). He always knows best and has been making the same strange mistakes for years now. Nothing much has really changed for years and despite our wage bill climbing we are still just about as strong and just about as liable to concede at any time, against any opponents. Apart from playing well against Man City and an illness-ridden Villa, we have still been very average this season. We were incredibly lacklustre yesterday with no power or drive and little cohesive team play. The worst thing that I notice at the games is the incredible apathy I see as most people seem to be texting their way through games or slumped half asleep in their seats. It is all too boring and way too predictable surely.

  51. Adam says:

    Rico. The statistic of our wage bill being above Chelsea’s should be sobering to Arsenal supporters. Now, Wenger can no longer claim the high ground morally over that little creep. I have thought for a while that it really doesn’t matter who he buys as he won’t use them properly and will persist with his favourites. I like Arteta but for me we panic-bought him and he should have done his work for us fora couple of seasons before being sold on and replaced by a truly great player but instead we see him replaced by Flamini who, though willing, is not a great player and certainly not good enough for such an important position. But, for me and I imagine Potter too, the biggest mistake was passing on Fabregas and at the same time allowing him to complete Chelsea’s midfield. How many midfielders as good as. Cesc have we seen in the last several years? Precisely. Then how do we not re-sign him? Forget all that rubbish about his behaviour when he left. Who cares when considered against what he could have bought to our team? To sacrifice that against what we know to expect from Jack this season, is ridiculous. To me anyway. I don’t expect everyone to agree. You really do not get the chance to sign players of his calibre too often. And to add insult to injury, Wenger actually has the neck to complain that there are no players of Diaby’s quality on the market.

  52. GunnerFromGhana says:

    I used to abhor the “Wenger out” chanters but now I’m indifferent about them. I may soon join them if Wenger doesn’t stop his stubbornness and the “I know it all attitude”. I can see he is trying to create Xavi and Iniesta out of Ramsey and Wilshire respectively. He plays Ozil out wide to accommodate the duo but that is not yielding any good results. We’re struggling! I’m sure he knows we will triumph with Ozil in the middle but he refuses to feature him there partly because people have been calling for it. He just doesn’t want to be seemed agreeing with what people say .

  53. Adam says:

    I have seen very few players suffer a loss in form as Ramsey is going through at the moment. Put bluntly, he is a liability at the moment with all his back heels and flicks. We really need him back on track quickly, after he returns from injury that is. 🙂

  54. potter says:

    The Ramsey / Wilshere axis is difficult to criticise unless you watch it carefully. Individually they both have moments when they look absolute quality and these moments take the eye and a lot of the available time in a highlights programme. Jack’s surging runs past players look great on the box but it’s only the ones that come off that get shown . Similarly with Ramsey his forward running looks terrific in the 9 minute slot of match of the day but it’s the other 80 minutes that lets them down. Ramsey gives the ball away trying to do things that shouldn’t be tried . Play the easy ball for Gods sake can often be heard inside the stadium and how many times will we see Jack run into trouble lose the ball and go to ground in a vain attempt to get it back and pick up a yellow in the process.? . The combination doesn’t work , to my mind they are either or . Unfortunately we have lost Ramsey for Galatasary and Chelsea and this would have been an opportunity to give Wilshere his chance but as things go at Arsenal he got crocked too leaving us with Diaby. Two games that will shape the future of this season ,lose them both badly and I have a creeping feeling that Wenger might just call it a day..

  55. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Question….actually, 4 of them.
    Firstly…..what is the worst thing that can happen if we go with Flamini v Chelski?????
    We get obliterated.
    The best?
    We probably scratch out a draw.
    Now, what’s the worst if Diaby plays?
    We get obliterated.
    The best?
    Well, no matter the odds, if he lasts 90 minutes and does what he’s capable if, we can win the game.
    It’s a no brainer to me.
    Play Diaby.

  56. David says:

    Wenger is totally shot of ideas, and tactics. I the past the team had so much talent they did their own thing. Now they rely on Wenger for tactics he simply has no idea.
    Fan pressure will come as the losses come which this year will finally catch up with him.

  57. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Aftenoon all!
    I’ve posted what was clear yesterday. Our mistake (I don’t understand how a world cup winner could putting Flamimini under pressure) score because we haven’t any player able to construct the game since the back. Without Arteta this is so obvious.
    Flamini went bad in the game and “cold”. Also coincided with the only period of the game, where totts balanced the game. In my opinion, we left not in a good way, playing totts. Only during of entry of the Flamini, and realizing the installed disorganization,, they rose in the field.
    More features: The right defense has no depth in the attack; it is unclear why it has changed the structure of the team; in my opinion, will players like Coquelin having to be launched in the team; we lacked “firepower” in the area. The midfields players flee the area; I still do not understand why Fabregas had no place in the team. If it was because of Ozil, in Arsenal they will play in different positions. It’s show the evidences. He, in Chelsea, is the distruibor of the game and he has the protection of Matic is his back, Consequently, the transition from defense to attack is rapid; the next two games are unbelievably important: either to earn Galatasaray and can aspire to pass the 2nd stage of the champions, or is not lost with the league chelsea and may not yet be lost

  58. scottfromoz says:

    JM, Fabregas not joining was a personal matter, and not a professional one IMO.
    There is no way Wenger didn’t believe he could do a job for us.

  59. Wavy says:

    We’ve stuffed it up the yanks……again!!!!!!
    Life is sweet! All that talent. All tha t focus! All that dedication! Alll that practice! All that Great Leadership!….just like the arsenal, well nearly all, we rather lack the leadership thing both on and off the field!
    Sam Ryder will be dancing in his grave again! What a competition! What a team! What a performance!
    Shame about yesterday though, spoilt my weekend, well took the shine off it! It could have been so good! Bloody Arsenal! And Bloody Spuds!

  60. binjgunner says:

    Here we go again injuries Galore I Think we would be stuffed by the chavs next week blame wenger not buying when the window was open where is our dm or cb Arsene

  61. BrainwashedKev says:

    Adam 2.26

    Agree totally…

    Europe beat the Yanks again then Wavy…

    Teamwork mate.
    I remember when Arsenal played like a team, some 8 years ago.
    Now they are just a bunch of disfunctional individuals…

    But, on the bright side, this cup of tea is superb… 😉

  62. rico says:

    Adam, 2..26 – sorry, I suddenly had to dash..

    We differ on Cesc but I understand what you and Potter are both saying. Imo, Ozil could be doing what Fabregas is, IF old silly bollox allowed him too.

    My issue is more with what positions we didn’t sign, a DM which would have allowed Ozil all the freedom in the world, a defender who would be on the tails of Kos and Merts, pushing them all the way and in the case of Merts, possibly replace him…

    Had all that been done and more, the Cesc debate would not perhaps be taking place…

  63. Adam says:

    Rico. Personally I would have seen them working well together but it will never happen now. Cesc isn’t a No 10 for me.

  64. rico says:

    Adam, no he’s not, but he’s still the player making Chelsea tick by all accounts and both Santi and Ozil could do that for us, but not from the wings…..

  65. rico says:

    And not without a proper midfield rock behind them.

    I’d rather see Hayden in our midfield than Arteta or Flamini. Perhaps we will soon the way our players are dropping like flies…

  66. rico says:

    And, for what it’s worth, I think Scott is right about Abou Diaby. If he’s fit for the Chelsea game then why not. In fact why not play him and Flamini and do a West Ham on them.

  67. AndrewH says:

    Night rico, agree, superb ryder cup, golfers really are the top sportsman for respect and honour. And playing for nothing ….

  68. scottfromoz says:

    Hi guys.
    Adam, poor management…..well, not knowing the full facts leaves me hesitant to go that far, but one things for sure, the guy is too good a player for any of us to enjoy having him play against us.
    When we sold him, I’m amazed we saint put in a clause he could not come back to an opposing PL club though.

  69. BrainwashedKev says:

    Scott, we can only go on the tit bits that leak to the Press, but I’m sure that Cesc would have returned and that Arsenal could have afforded him.
    Yes, he may well have been disruptive in forcing through his move to Barcelona, but surely stopping him joining the Portugese Prick would have been worth it to Wenger.
    Wenger is supposed to be the bigger man.
    Isn’t he???

  70. Adam says:

    The question is really very simple. Would Arsenal have a better squad with Cesc in it than they do now? The rest is bum fluff.

  71. BrainwashedKev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico/Adam…

    It a dull old day in London Town today.

    6 points behind the Chavs already!

    Will it still be 6, this time next week?

    It could be 9… 🙁

    It could be 3… 😐

  72. BrainwashedKev says:

    I usually have a read of another blog, it’s quite pro-Wenger.

    But I’ve gradually seen a change among 40% of it’s contributors.
    The ones, funnily enough, that go to matches.

    I wonder if they pick up on a frustration that isn’t apparent on TV/PC..?

    It was getting quite tense at times yesterday.

    The support for Arsene is haemorrhaging before his eyes and he seems powerless to do anything about it.

  73. rico says:

    Just kidding Kev, the Cesc debate will probably rumble on until the New Year, that’s when he normally starts to struggle and his game drops off… 😉

  74. BrainwashedKev says:

    Oh no, don’t talk to me about January Rico… 🙄

    According to NewsNow, Reus is in the bag (crap), were gonna sign Rabiot (crap), Delph is a possibility (not in January he ain’t) then there’s numerous other nondescript names floating around, but we all know that Wenger will do feck all…

  75. Adam says:

    Kev. You have been sentenced to listen to Arsene Wenger press conferences on endless repeat in your cab for the next 24 hours. 🙂

  76. Adam says:

    It seems that Wenger is completely incredulous that we have so many injuries. He reckons he has never known anything like it.

  77. BrainwashedKev says:

    Adam, that is a very cruel sentence…

    Yeah, I too am shocked by our injuries mate, I gotta say that I never saw it coming, much…

  78. BrainwashedKev says:

    Arsene is ‘concerned’ about our conversion rate at corners and free-kicks…

    Er, has he just noticed?!!!

    You couldn’t make it up…

  79. BrainwashedKev says:

    Thanks Adam, I am looking forward to being told how many games Arsene has managed in…
    I also cannot wait to be told that this is the best squad he’s ever had. zzzzz

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