Arsenal Moving Forward
The Gunners. Does any other team in the Premier League possess a nickname so pertinent? Another season goes by where Arsenal have well and truly shot themselves in the foot. In a season where all of their major rivals have failed to deliver, Arsene Wenger’s side has joined them in pressing the self-destruct button. Now with leaks of the 2016/17 football shirt, fans and bystanders alike are turning their attention to the new season and the summer. If you haven’t seen the new shirts, you can find them at the UKSoccershop blog.
The longest-serving manager in European football knows that the patience of Arsenal supporters is now at its lowest ebb with Wenger not even having the saving grace of an FA Cup win to fall back on – a trophy that has spared his blushes in the last two campaigns.
Every season Arsenal promise so much, but it seems to have reached a stage where qualifying for a Champions League place is a virtual guarantee, but anything else is a bonus. So why are so many question marks being raised against the man whose team has never finished outside of the top four since his appointment in 1996? This is the same manager who led the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ to an unbeaten season in 2003-04 and built a team to compete with the very best that the continent had to offer.
It was only just over two months ago when a dramatic last-minute winner from Danny Welbeck against Leicester City put them within two points of the newly-crowned champions. However, a shocking run of just one win in eight matches which including the double blow of being knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup has meant another golden opportunity has slipped through the grasp of the Emirates club.
Where does Wenger go from here? Has the Frenchman run out of lives or does he deserve more time for the loyalty and consistency he has given to Arsenal? The decision on deciding whether to keep the 66-year-old or not will have a significant influence on how the North-London side move forward next season.
The performances of Egyptian January signing Mohamed Elneny have provided Wenger with a positive outlook in what has been an increasingly frustrated period for everyone connected with the Gunners. Elneny possesses traits associated with a typical Wenger signing – intelligent in possession combined with excellent movement and spatial awareness. On the other hand, the 23-year-old also demonstrates tremendous tactical discipline and physicality – not common characteristics you would associate with an Arsenal player.
How can the Gunners make up for the fire-power deficiency which has been evident in recent months? Olivier Giroud nearly averages a goal every two appearances, but I don’t believe he is the world-class striker Arsenal need to be successful at the top. The expected development of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has never materialised, therefore it is imperative that Wenger spends big on a top-class forward when the transfer window opens again.
A marquee signing such as the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic would whet the fans appetite. Short-term he would offer a solution up top and in turn help mentor the likes of promising youngster Alex Iwobi.
The other key position where modifications are required is in the centre of defence with Gabriel and Per Mertesacker both enduring disappointing seasons. It is essential Wenger finds a top-class centre-half to partner Laurent Koscielny. According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are keen on signing Mehdi Benatia from Bayern Munich which would give the heart of the defence a sense of experience, solidarity and leadership.
In essence, it is the spine of the team where Arsenal continue to show weakness. Until this fragility is eradicated, the Gunners will continue to flatter and deceive.
I had this one sent to me so I thought why not? Gave me a break from writing… 😉
One tends to get fed up with the same old ‘will he won’t he’ discussions Rico.
The club and the majority of its fans are stuck in a kind of limbo-land vaguely hoping for something that may or may not happen, with the odds being on the latter.
Some strange use of English in the post though 🙂
🙂 Adam…
Oxlade-Chamberlain out of Euro 2016 with a knee injury, he won’t be back till July, according to Wenger, so that’s him out for a year then!
Wenger didn’t say if it was the same knee he damaged against Barcelona or not…
So another triumph for our medical team and Wengers outdated coaching methods.
Mr Allezkev. Is that July 2016?
Mr Adam, it could be anytime, who knows in the wonderful wacky world of Wengers Arsenal… ?
That’s a shame for him Kev… I bet he’s gutted…
Mais oui Monsieur Allezkev. One never knows what rabbit Mr Wenger will pull out of his magic hat next.
Yeah, I guess he must be Rico, but from an Arsenal perspective I wonder how that will effect Wenger’s transfer plans this summer?
Wenger’s red hat, no less, mon ami Adamski….
It shouldn’t really should it Kev, unless he’s planning to sell OC.
I would keep Ox myself.
I’m on the fence re OC… I am for a few tbh… 😉
Good Afternoon to The lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – No disrespect intended, but it is a sad reflection on our club that this is what its supporters are discussing.
Adam – I think it is the same old rabbit that he is pulling out of the hat. Like some comedians that milk the same act year after year, Arsene has become very tiresome, almost to the point of being irrelevant.
I don’t think I can take another YAWN boring season. It started with so much promise only to yet again deliver so little.
CG. I agree. When things become so predictable, boredom is sure to follow. That’s where we are now, idly drumming our fingers while waiting for something interesting to happen.
Afternoon Cg, which bit? Selling, buying, Arsene, new kits? Or all of it… 😉
Looks like Arteta will be heading to City….
I saw that too that Pep wants him at City next season.
afternoon all.
Funny Wenger says the door is always open for players to get their license at Arsenal but not for Sol though
And he said he can’t sack someone just to make room for someone else, meaning Mikel Arteta….
Rico – All of it ( Selling, buying, Arsene, new kits). I’m not worried about who we will probably be releasing or selling. As for selling, as usual our club will be linked with with dozens of players, but we will buy few. Last summer’s transfer window yielded only Petr Cech. A great buy, but not nearly enough to meet our needs. Arsene – well just when you think he may be changing his spots, he reverts to type. New kits – a minor concern after all the disappointment of the past decade.
I’m generally an optimist, but Arsene, Arsenal FC and Stan Kroenke are starting to wear me down and out. HOH HUM!
Whoops “As for selling” should be “As for buying”.
Was Ox ever going to be picked for Euros? Well get ready for him to be in and out of fitness till November.
If Ox was to go, am not sure I’ll miss his one goal and zero creative play upfront. Like it is often put though he might thrive under a different manager, different tactics. He likes to shoot, I like that about him.
Me too Cg, the whole Arsenal stuff has been quite a let down.
I don’t think so Marshall, think Walcott is safe to book his holiday abroad too…
Imagine we could make a classy move like Chelsea did with David Louiz with Walcott. PSG need a striker, we just need to advertise him correctly.
Not sure about a holiday Rico, think most of them deserve a one way tkt to Syria for a break…!
Man Citeh n Pep want Mike Arteta…. Why…………….?????????
Has no one at the club asked themselves that question…? so why is he not being offered a place at Arsenal or does he question Wenger so he is seen as a bit of a non conformist…?
Pathetic…!
Wenger doesn’t do that Brad..
Hi Wath, harsh on poor Theo but I see where you are coming from…. 😉
I said “Most” of them Rico not just Theo………………….
Harsh on most of them then Wath… Lol
Maybe Stan can jump in like he did with Ozil, just show him the dollar signs.
Afternoon Wath. Long time mate.
What’s your take on the Wenger situation? One more year or new contract in the summer? 🙂
One more year for Wenger, definitely!!!!
I hope not…..
The weather is glorious…
All round to Rico’s for a BBQ… ?
🙂 Kev, tomorrow hopefully if the weather stays as it is….
Hooray, I’ll pick up the boys and some beers on the way… ?
Fab, see you then…. ??
I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
Hi Adam, If i had my way it would be bye bye to him in the summer but it seems most at the club are in apathetic mode and no balls to do whats necessary…. I think he’ll get to finish out his contract at a bare minimum and god help them if they extend it with 3 more years…. the problem is apathy from fans and club and one infects the other, when fans hold up pieces of paper and then Wengers name is sung by the masses it shows how fragmented the fan base is…! Now you cannot tell me that was 30,000 tourists singing his name or 30,000 jcl’s on Saturday because it wasn’t…! Wenger can see no wrong in what he does so things will continue ad nauseam …..
So many simply say wenger isn’t doing well “But who else is there” ??? what kind of argument is that, its a cop out but it’s endemic with the fan base it seems. Everyone there on Sat I spoke to went on about what utter shit we are and how bad it is yet they are still there…..
Rico, harsh on most of them…. Nope i don’t think so……….!
Hi Chaps and Lassies. We are all understandably downbeat after our teams poor run in.
Maybe Sturridge for Walcott swap. Both players require change of scenery to blossom, also issues with current gaffers. Cheers
Wath. I can’t disagree with any of that. There’s a shit storm brewing.
Adam, but is there………..? I’m not so sure mate, the club will not get rid of a manger that does what’s required…. he brings in the money. We the fans are the ones who want trophies and to win things yet winning trophies for the bottom line isn’t necessary when top 4 does that and in monetary terms finishing 1st or 4th is negligible…. We see millions in the bank and expect more on “our investment” be that a season tkt or shirts or what ever yet the club see fans now merely as a revenue stream and your loyalty is seen as nothing when you give up your seat and someone else will fill it… Only when that changes can I see the Owner instructing the board to sort it out and as it stands he doesn’t have to worry one iota…!
If the fans really don’t kick up a huge fuss then nothing will change and in my view only the fans can change things but while so many sit by and shrug shoulders or even still stick up for him then the status quo will stay the same….
Sad but true, to think there once used to be a football club over there…. How very apt…!
That’s what I mean Wath. It has really changed over there since Christmas. My point is that, if he does continue and little changes then I think the atmosphere will go downhill even more. Lower attendances, more tickets sold on the market, more tourists etc. It will all add pressure I think.
Evening guys…
A117, Sturridge with his injuries might tempt dear Arsene….
Evening Rico and all, are tourists not arsenal fans as well as I don’t hold a season ticket and I live in a different country i am a tourist as well.
Even though I spent more money attendin the 6 game this season and quit close in previous season as season ticket holder and was born in North London.
I make my previous post because I have the idea that the term tourist is an insult by some people with certain views on the manager.
If this is not true on this site it is true on other sites looking at the context it was written in it seems so to me but I could be wrong.
When I used the word idiots recently the was an out cry surely tourist is in the same category when meant as an insult.
Hi Joe, I think the term tourist refers to those who attend because they are in London and have managed to get a ticket. They may not necessarily be an Arsenal fan though… I could be wrong but that’s my perception of the term…
Ok seems right wrong again?
Others will explain it better… 😉
I’m off so have a good evening Joe. Night to you and all…
“Others” rico, I find that quite insulting !
I may or may not be back tomorrow, I bid you good nite.
Joe for the Watford league match a husband and wife with a little girl of about 2 or 3 years old sat in front of me. They had bags of club shop gear took photos all through the first half and left at half time. They were tourists.
Yep why bother
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36234022
Another player dies of a heart attack ☹️
Morning guys….
That’s sad news Kev…
Morning Rico and all. Lovely and bright here.
Morning Adam, a bit overcast here but the sun will be through soon I hope as I have some salmon marinating for later… 🙂
New post up now.