Arsenal Banter Archive November 15 2014

 

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15 Nov 2014 21:43:47
Again, based on Red Dog's earlier post, I'm going to flip things a little.

Would you keep Arsene as manager or replace him with George Graham? ( Graham from his Arsenal days, not now)

Would George Graham, from his Arsenal managerial days, do a better job than Arsene?

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I think everybody wishes for a more adaptive modern manager dags. George Graham is a shadow of winger if that.

Personally I'd like to see winger go upstairs or become a director of football etc and bring klop in and stick with him.

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15 Nov 2014 23:20:05
Fair point Gav,

But our biggest problem is our defence, don't you think Graham could sort that out?

Actually, a dual management team of Wenger/Graham could be the answer.

Wenger to work on the midfield/attack and Graham to sort out the defence.

Dreamteam, lol.

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I don't think sending Wenger upstairs would be the right thing to do. A new manager coming in needs free rein to do his job properly and with Mr Wenger upstairs he may always be looking over his shoulder.

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George had to bring back a player he swore he'd never play again Paul Davis to create chances for Wrighty to score because we had become so sterile.
Personally I hated the George era, boring boring Arsenal was being polite.

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The early days of Graham were fantastic, he brought the goods days & trophies back. The latter dats were dire, with boring football and terrible signings, such as Helder, McGoldrick, Carter, Lydersen, Kiwomya, etc.
Wemger has been an amazing manager, transforming the club, with new training facilities, a new stadium & trophies. The post 2005 period of his reign have been perpelxing, but he is a very hard act to follow, At present the four managers that come to mind are Mourinho, Anceloti, Guardiola & Simone. The first three would be costly & virtually impossible to prise away from their clubs. Whilst Simone has not managed in the PL and I am not even ceratin whether he speaks English.

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Yeah fair play Robbie the first few years of George were good as we had been starved of success and he more than delivered that even with players who imo were lucky to be in the top flight he won us titles, I was tad harsh.
But I was so glad when he went because we were a dreadful advert for football.
The league cup wasn't that bad by George standards and but those two Fa cup finals with Sheffield Wednesday yarn yarn the poor Nation didn't deserve to have to go through a replay that was just horrible

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This is a good question DG. I am convinced that most people backing Wenger at the moment are doing so with the memory of what preceded him. I remember the dark days of Terry Neill through to George Graham. As much as I was delighted at what we became under Graham, some of the football we played was dull as dishwater. Yet under Wenger some of the football we have had the pleasure to witness puts those dark years behind us, and I guess people (me included) are scared of who would come in now to replace Wenger. We don't want to go back to those dark days.

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15 Nov 2014 21:09:27
337,

Good post earlier mate.

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15 Nov 2014 21:07:21
Red Dog posted earlier about 'The Invincibles' and I mentioned the back 5 of Lehman, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Ashley Cole and Lauren.

Do you think they would give David Seaman, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon a run for their money?

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16 Nov 2014 14:52:19
All they lacked was longevity I think

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I can't put Lauren and Lee Dixon in the same class DG. we have a good history of decent full backs at Arsenal, LD is part of that exclusive club IMO, but Lauren is not.

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15 Nov 2014 20:59:17
To reverse Red dogs excellent question below a little, would chavs be where they are now if Arsene had become their manager in summer 2013?

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{Ed025's Note - with that quality of player..yes..

15 Nov 2014 21:38:21
Partly agree with Ed but, tactically, I don't think anybody can compare to Mourinho.

I've seen Chelsea go to The Etihad to face a rampant City, who were tearing everybody apart, and come away with a draw or a win.

Same at Anfield, Emirates, Goodison and Old Trafford.
Don't get me wrong, it can be boring but, when it comes to getting a result, as opposed to a performance, Wenger sometimes, I stress sometimes, should take a look at Mourinho's in-game tactics/formations/substitutions.

I know I'm swimming against the tide here but, Mourinho for me, is a cut above everybody else in football.

PS, I know its boring, but hey, remember we had our very own Mourinho in George Graham.

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But that's part of the question Ed, would he have built that team regards money spent players let go and brought in plus the mentality installed as well as tactics to produce a winning team in the modern game.
Or would he still be trying to do it his way with his philosophy?

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{Ed025's Note - it always has been his way G62, its the trait of all great managers, they get labelled conceited and stubborn and that they wont listen mate, but thats what sets them apart from your average joe, he could win the league with any of the top 4 for me, and i believe he can win it for arsenal in the future, yes he has made a few mistakes recently, but the cream will always rise to the top..

I hope your right Ed, even close would do me mate. All I ask for is to truly compete, its not all about the winning its about the truly taking part and I'm desperate to take part and actually compete again. Winning would be the icing on the cake

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15 Nov 2014 19:56:15
Danny boy got 2 tonight.

Let's hope he repeats that against Moan Utd.

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{Ed025's Note - he done well dags..pity about gibbs, he was awful..

When he's good he's very good Ed but on the rare occasion he's not so good he can be exactly what you say he was

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{Ed025's Note - it might just be me spoilt by baines G62, but his positioning was very lax for me mate..

15 Nov 2014 20:57:18
Didn't watch game Ed, but Gibbs is having a poor(ish) season so far.

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Welbeck was very impressive for the 3 lions last night. I have a feeling the red side of Manchester will regret his departure in the not too distant future.

VDG

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16 Nov 2014 09:34:47
Your feeling is wrong

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16 Nov 2014 09:36:04
Lol moan United, bless ya. U lot still whining about wenger?

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Chris I'm going to stick my neck out and say Welbeck will get more goals this year than Falcao!

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16 Nov 2014 12:29:16
U think welbeck will play once giroud is back?

Are u saying in all comps or just prem goals mate

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I would say all comps but as you know we are in more comps this year so I'll make it fair and go for the league. I think he will play before Giroud if he can keep up performances like last nights!

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15 Nov 2014 18:01:49
Evening eds,

Can you put this in banter please, thanks.

Guys,

If the invincibles were our team right now 2014 and Wenger was still the manager as we stand today, how would they be doing and would Wenger be doing the slightest thing different tactically to what he was before people started calling him tactically inept?

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15 Nov 2014 18:24:23
I think we'd be doing slightly better, we'd certainly have the steel defensively, with Henry's magic touch up top.

I don't think we'd go the season unbeaten, the league is getting stronger year after year.

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Great question Red.
I think they would be right up their with chavs because of the strength physically and their Strong mentality that they knew what was needed in games.
The players talked to each other and knew what was needed plus as has been said before they knew when to go against Arsene's philosophy although in those younger days I feel he as a little more flexible and open minded.

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15 Nov 2014 19:36:55
Good question Red.

I'm not taking anything away from Wenger, but our invincibles team were totally different from the team we have today.

Look at the typical line up.
Lehman, Campbell, Toure, Cole, Lauren, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Vieira, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry.

Every one of them were leaders. When they crossed the white line they knew their job, they knew their team mates strengths and weaknesses.
They knew how to play and had an incredible winning mentality. If things were going bad they knew how to change tactics and formation to turn a defeat into a win.

Wenger was our manager and deserves the plaudits, but that invincibles team could manage themselves.

The same can't be said about our current team, hence why Wenger is struggling and people are questioning his tactical nous.

In answer to your question Red, the invincibles would pi55 this league by March.

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15 Nov 2014 20:44:05
What dags said

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Valentines Day and the league would be done!

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{Ed025's Note - i agree mate, as good as the chavs are...they would be a poor second

15 Nov 2014 20:58:31
Thanks AG you lazy bu**er, lol.

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15 Nov 2014 14:38:11
Ox and Jack as a DM pair until January any one?
Its got to be better than Arteta and Flamini which has been tried and detested time and again surely

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15 Nov 2014 15:47:51
Ox played the centre when we got minced 6-0 at Chelsea. I honestly cannot see how Wenger and even himself think he will be a central player in a few years.

He's a winger and nothing else in my books

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15 Nov 2014 17:05:54
Ox as a DM?
As long as we are attacking than yes, but against the bigger boys? Not for me mate.

We have the money and should be forking out for dedicated DM's like Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Carvalho, even Diame, and not moving players around like Chess pieces.

Chambers yes, Ox no.

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15 Nov 2014 17:21:19
Loving that tried and detested g62. I'm like Dags just want to see a real DM back there like Wanyama.

Still not convinced about Carvalho, he seemed to hit the ground running but didn't look that great last couple of games I watched him and that 37 million buy out clause, whether euro's or pounds, seems way over the top.

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Fair play lads I was thinking pre January window not instead of the real deal that would be inexcusable after our season so far, Ox has looked good for England in the middle especially pre world cup and his graft rate and tackling aren't awful by a long shot.
Yeah Red tried and detested made me chuckle too :-)

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Wanyama over carvalho all day. We are not paying 37mill for him not a chance

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15 Nov 2014 14:08:44
Ed's, does anyone read the 'other posts' page?

I very rarely write a long post but was feeling sentimental for a few minutes and my post ended up there.

It was a big one for me as i've always been an AW fan but had an emotional moment!

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{Ed001's Note - yes mate they do, being on there means they are on view for longer as well.}

Thanks, just don't get emotional very often on here that's all :-)

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15 Nov 2014 12:48:11
Hello guys!

Long time reader, first time poster. Firstly would like to say that there are some top posts on this page and I enjoy reading everyone's opinion.

My question to you guys is in your opinion, assuming we get £20mil in January to spend and say £60mil in the summer (assuming we finish top 4) how would you realistically invest it in the team? I'd like the ed's opinions on this too if possible?

I really think we can finish top 3 this season if we get our act together and strengthen in the new year.

VDG

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15 Nov 2014 13:08:14
Unfortunately that's not a whole lot of money in today market but we a defensive overhaul. GK/CB/CDM cover players in those positions also

We need a WC Striker as well but those are priorities IMO

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Welcome aboard Van, 20 mil would make it difficult to get a DM and CB especially in January so I'm sure we would need to raise more through sales too.
I agree 3rd is a very realistic target if we wake up and accept the whole world and his dog have sussed us out and everyone fancies they chances against us if they keep it tight at the back and hit us on the break getting a result from us ain't rocket science anymore

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Sheeny who would you bring in as a striker? It's a tough market trying to get a top goalscorer for a reasonable price. I personally think Bony would suit our team at the moment.

G62 if £20mil was the limit (as reported in the press) would you rather we brought in a top player in Jan such as Schneiderlin for instance or would you rather see the money split between two 'lesser' players who play DM and DC?

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15 Nov 2014 18:19:46
Well one doesn't exist for what we're likely to spend. Not that we skimped on Sanchez/Ozil. I'm not fully convinced on Bony. I don't think he'll score more than 12 this year. If he get's close to the 20 mark someone will take and I suspect at the £30m bracket. Personally I wanted Lukaku I think he's cream. Not a player that gets bullied either. 21y/o and has put in 2 very good shifts in the EPL. He would have been perfect for us I think

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I agree that Lukaku would have been perfect for us, heck I wanted him straight from Anderlect but if the Toffees were made to pay £28mil for him Chelsea would have wanted £45mil from us!

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{Ed002's Note - No, that would not have been the case.}

Bony or lukaku to score Most goals this season interesting one that. Itl be close.

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Van we need both a CB and a DM so I'd split the money mate somehow be it 20 mil or 50 mil and get the best of each we could.
DM is totally crucial and CB ain't far behind mate

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We need money spent on the spine of the team, a def mid an urgent priority, followed by center back. By the way I would put big money on welbeck scoring more than lakaku or bony, this season.

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15 Nov 2014 07:56:25
Great to see Giroud back in training. I wold like to see Giroud up front with Welback, with Walcott & Sanchez played wide in a four man midfield, with Wilshere & Ozil completing the quartet. Defence of Debuchy, Merts, Kos & Gibbs. Szczesny in goal.

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We would be far too exposed.

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No Ox? No way apart from Sanchez no one is playing better than him right now.
He looked good last season looked great for England pre world cup injury and is looking like he's more than ready to be a very top PL player already this season.

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15 Nov 2014 11:19:24
With every one fit come mid January we will have so many serious options up front.

If Wenger adds Victor Wanyama and Virgil Van Dijk in the window then we will look more like it.

So all of the players you say but swap out Wilshere for Wanyama and Mertesacker for Van Dijk.

Would have no problem with shifting out Podolski, Flamini and Rosicky to ensure we stay within FFP on wages.

Back up of Wilshere, Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ramsey, Campbell, Arteta, Monreal, Chambers and Mertesacker looks so much better than it does now.

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Players may or may not arrive in January but either way the most important thing we can do is stop this pay no attention to our opponents attitude.
We have to be more respectful and at least consider who we are playing and their strengths and weaknesses to ever be realistic title contenders again.
We can't and never will again be a top top side unless we become more respectful of others.
Fear never respect always

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15 Nov 2014 15:48:34
Will be delighted to have him back

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15 Nov 2014 17:09:48
Totally agree with Stoner.

Wanyama and Virgil Van Dijk would make a massive difference to our team.

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15 Nov 2014 00:22:13
A few years ago me and a 3 mates formed a band, but we sounded so much like the Beatles that Oasis threatened to sue us

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{Ed007's Note - Was that the pre Paul McCartney's death in 1966 Beatles or the post 1966 Beatles with the replacement Faul? (Fake Paul = Faul)