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16 Feb 2013 23:26:51
Feel very sad for Wenger tonight his team have badly let him down. I looks like his reign is ending but Stan must go first. who next? Don't want moyles or Jose maybe Dennis and another
Ancelotti, Usmanov, and Henry
How many times do we keep saying Bergkamp won't be doing it because he won't fly.
16 Feb 2013 22:21:57
This fame should of been used to play out side against bayern, not bothered what people say. it should be a canter for the first team to beat a struggling Blackburn team. no trophies. no ambition all the best wenger but bye bye
Wolvo gooner
16 Feb 2013 22:48:24
This board better not be some self-loathing, "we are going to get dominated" pussy atmosphere these next few days.
We have CL football god damn it, so tie one on and get ready
Did Barca come to London and take away an advantage on score? Than why should Bayern? Because its the end of the world?
If you want to bring that doom and gloom rubbish, don't ruin it for us who sweated our ass off last year praying to have the right to play on days like Tuesday. it's a privilege. who the **** watches Thursday football? Sorry were there matches on Thursday?
Enjoy what you earned. we earned this rubbish, CL knockout football, so enjoy it
US Gooner
16 Feb 2013 22:22:13
Arsenal have gone 8 years without winning a single trophy - players that have left since then have won 53 trophies combined. {Ed007's Note - You need a woman mate if you have sat and worked that out.}
17 Feb 2013 00:38:02
haha no I didn't work it out it was trending on twitter after the game.
16 Feb 2013 22:05:26
i am in agreement with paul merson I think the bayern game could be arsenes last.
i think if we take a beating there will be a revolt.
why did the board ever let it get this far?
champagne charlie
I think he will resign but at the end of the season, whether we qualify for champions league or not. He won't go mid season.
Once he's gone I think we will then see the true colours of the board. No more money will be spent than it has been. I can honestly see the next manager last 18 months max because of the constraints the board will impose.
Paul - Rochester
Will it or you just hoping you only bother with this site when were struggling.
Paul I am glad your back posting again.
the thing is for me is if wenger did not agree or instigate these policies why did he not give the board an ultimatum.
its arsenes policies
champagne charlie
Charlie
That I can't answer. I think we all know Wenger is stubborn and maybe felt with limited funds he could still find and create a winning team.
However if you look at when Dein Fizman Lady NBC were at the club spending on the team was on the increase. However they all depart and kroenke and gazidis arrive and suddenly spending flatlines. The birth of "new" man city, and the increased spending from spurs, Chelsea and to an extent Manchester United we have been left behind.
I know you have commented about the "transfer kitty" that is supposed to be available. Yes the financial reports show a healthy balance but if Wenger really had the money available for the squad I don't believe we would sign players like Arteta, koscielny, gervinho, santos, or Giroud. Why did we. Because we only spend what the club turns over to the point of breaking even. The profit the club makes. Who knows where that goes but it's clear it's not on the team.
Paul - Rochester
16 Feb 2013 21:55:03
I just do not know what to say any more.
AW an the Board have taken my beloved Arsenal back to the pre George graham years.
Wenger has run out of ideas :-
Why can't our team defend. Stoke do it without our so called stellar players?
Why can't our team play attractive attacking football. Swansea and the spurs do it
We use to be able to defend, remember 1-0 to the Arsenal
We use to cut teams to shreds with our attacking flair and create 20 -30 chances per game.
Again I say what has happened to this land of milk and honey that we were promised when we moved to this new stadium.
I am so angry. basic football! you play your strongest team for every game simple.
Why couldn't Wenger motivate the players for this game. Blackburn players were, they defended like devils. why can't we do the same.
I don't care if it was 0-0 when we brought on our big players. they should have been on the pitch from the start and maybe we would have had the game wrapped up by then so we could have sub them off.
I want Wenger and the board he is protecting to pack their bags and go.
We need to win a trophy, so you do everything possible to ensure that you do so. can wenger say that he did by putting out that team today
A Very Angry Highbury Old Timer
I wouldn't say it was pre Graham years because this is the worse Arsenal side since the end of Graham's reign which was very poor.
Bergkamp's apprentice
16 Feb 2013 21:35:14
Now is not the time for drastic actions, the team needs full support until the end of the season only then can decisions, blame and changes be made and taken.
Today was extremely disappointing but we have survived worse days. Wenger is clearly hurt by the result no one can doubt his heart and soul is in Arsenal. I believe he s a man of great honour and has proven as such with his loyalty to us. If at the end the season we don't qualify I believe he will walk away. Then we enter a great unknown there is no guarantee a new manager will bring the success we all crave.
Holmesy
Agree Holmesy, but I think this has been Wenger's worst day, this really is a new low.
Not just because we lost one game, it is just one game, but because that team was made up of players that Wenger had put a lot of time and effort into, and a lot of faith, and a lot of money, and they haven't just let him down, they've done it in a fashion that shows they simply haven't learnt from their mistakes earlier this season, and continue to get the basics wrong. This was a real chance to demonstrate Wenger has a strong squad, but it has backfired.
We have about a dozen players on loan or just out of the squad who are not good enough, I think Wenger realised today he has another dozen at his disposal who are the same.
Agree wait until May/June to force the changes, Either 15-20 players have to go, or a new boss comes in to manage them.
gun44
16 Feb 2013 21:32:50
Why on earth would Wenger prioritise the champions league over the F. A Cup. Ask yourself what do we have a better chance of winning. Obviously the FA Cup so why is that belittled by a match that we are going to lose anyway.
That team today should have beaten Blackburn comfortably, that was no reserve team, they were all international players. They simply aren't good enough as a team, whether this is down to individual failings or Wenger, we will never really know because no new manager is coming in, and if he did, he wouldn't keep most of these players together.
Wenger was correct to rest the few players that are expected to start against Munich. Most other starters played because they have all had niggling injuries recently and we need to get them back on form (again all the injuries come at the same time, at the most crucial point of the season, which has become the norm)
There are bigger problems at the club, winning the FA Cup wouldn't even paper over the cracks, a good run in the CL and strong finish in the league is much more important
Should have done but didn't therefore Wenger must be held accountable for not playing the strongest team
16 Feb 2013 20:37:38
I personally held the fa cup in higher priority than 4th place this year. We needed a trophy badly this season, 8 years now we have won nothing, its all well and good saying we need champions league footie to attract the best players but half the time we don't even go for top class, we get whatever utd, city, Chelsea don't want.
Newcastle and spurs attract decent players so do Everton and Swansea and they don't have champions league.
And its not even like we have any chance of wnning the champions league anyway, were not even also-rans. Were in the same folder as Spartak, galatassaray and panathiniakos, always there but not a hope in hell of winning.
Couldnt care less for the 4th place "trophy" this year, we have no place in the champions league. at least with the waffa cup or whatever its called these days we have half a chance of winning something.
Just want this season to hurry up and end with hopefully wholesale changes in the summer - board, manager, coaches and players all need changing
AG
AG it wouldn't matter, if we had won the FA Cup this year, we would still be reminded that it is only one trophy in 8 years, and that we were 20+ points away from the league, and out of the Champions League.
It is the Premier League that really counts, anything can happen in the cups (as we've seen all too often). Being in the CL means you have a chance, and really can attract the better players: No way is that worth one domestic cup.
Build a title challenging team and cup successes come off the back of that momentum, where squad rotation creates quality in depth rather than being a necessary inconvenience.
Birmingham won a domestic cup, wonder if they'd rather be in our position now or theirs?
Rubbish, we need 40m from CL footy to pay the wages.
Big clubs aren't worried about the FA Cup. real talk
Loss hurts, but the game. THE GAME. is Tuesday
US Gooner
Us gooner you're talking rubbish. Wages are not covered by champions league qualification.
And of course big clubs count the fa cup its the oldest competition on the world.
Obviously you felt nothing when only ray parlour fired a 30yarder in the top corner or overmars nutmegged Given.
For me those memories will stay with me my whole life. Don't try nd trivialize today's defeat you clearly have no concept what the fa cup means to real fans
AG
The fa cup is an old british tradition that perhaps doesn't translate itself to foreign fans aswell as it should do. Perhaps US gooner has the same thoughts are our US owner, which is why competing in the champions league (the super bowl of 'soccer') is the be all and end all.
Come the end of the season, I would take an FA cup win and 5th in the league, over being knocked out of the cl at the first knockout stage, every time.
Daniel
16 Feb 2013 20:37:33
you guys seem like you want us to fail the way you go on? This season has been awful hurrendous infact and tbh I wouldn't bet on us beating anyone. The squad just isn't good enough, but we are used to glory days, maybe like liverpool things have changed, and we don't SPEND the massive amounts so its hard to compete ( still this doesn't accept blackburn + bradford) but maybe we should accept that we may have fallen?
I DO NOT MIND us being in league 2 if that's our capababilties aslong as I see men out there scrapping and caring and fihting for every ball I won't mind!
Just want to see us give it everything. I will always be a gooner.
Yorkshire Gooner Joe :D
Complete rubbish, your emotional mate.
16 Feb 2013 20:33:57
Arsenal begging for a trophy and wenger the clever man puts on the reserve team. how can anyone say we have a big game tuesday. our players are super fit and can play 2 games in 4 days, but no the french prof decided against it, all our best players all on the bench, we had diaby a player that can't pass to save his life in the centre mid, giroud was as crap as chamack. we had no strike force what so ever. then after 70 mins he bort on 3 midfielders left diaby on and took ox off who was the only player trying and could score. 70 mins every arsenal fan was snoring that's how bad it was, then blackburn scored you had every arsenal fan rowing with each over in different rows. what was our goalkeeper doing? a 10 year old goalkeeper could have caught that 1st shot but no the plank punches it into the middle of the box so any one could tap it in. players are leaving and people moan about it, but I no loads of people that don't wanna go no more, you have wenger on web site the other day we could have signed loads of players and it would surprise you if I tell you who. but mr wenger tell everyone they didn't want to sign for us and you ain't got the bollox to say it have you. europa cup next season your have 30000 going on thurs night but the board don't give a sh. t because there other 30000 are season ticket holders that have allready paid for them and still say 2nits att is 60000. arsenal mad but they make every fan wanna explode. j lockwood
16 Feb 2013 20:24:54
Well not sure jack was too happy with the crowd (is my guess) but watch tonight as he walked to the tunnel dirty look to his left not sure I can say was shame or disgust with the crowd
Think booing is wrong way to go IMHO and I'm as frustrated a season ticket holder as most on here
I honestly believe we have too get behind them can you imagine the grief coming if spurs get 4th?
Now is not the time for dissection or being a spurs fan in the making we have to get behind umm and put fear of god into them to perform
Time for all this fu**ing negativity is end of may not feb let's stop sounding like spurs and get behind umm
Wenger at least admitted his pain and 1 hr in dressing room shows his pain I know it's blind faith but least he wasn't oh it happens
Goonertillidie
Who gives a f*** what jw10 thinks.
i am more than an arsenal supporter than he will ever be.
posts like this 1 gives me the s***
i hope when wenger goes people like you go as well.
champagne charlie
If you are paying the inflated prices we are having to pay to watch our beloved team get beaten by (no disrespect) a lower league team at home in one of the only trophies left to us this season, I think fans have a right to express their feelings.
We completely dominated the whole game, and then get beaten by one goal right at the end.
We should have sorted the game out by halftime, very frustrating.
Look on the bright side, at least we can conentrate on 4th place, and the Bayern game next week.
Braintreegooner
To charlie, who are you to say your more of an arsenal fan than wilshere? why because you pay for a ticket?
what makes you think you care more about the club then he does?
i bet you think your more of a fan then I am.
yes they should have beaten a blackburn side at home. but rubbish happens I mean they scored a goal with a scuffed finish from what their first shot on target ffs
theres no excuse to lose a game like that, but there's also no reason to boo your own team, what success would that bring?
everyone saying that's it for the season, the fact that we are still in th CL means, why because were playing bayern munich?
so I guess everyone will be going to the match thinking; 'hmmm, how much do you think we'll lose by today'?
i know I wont, il be cheering, expecting a great day, a great win and a great performance, who cares if its bayern, they are just another team, with 11 players.
Waq
Waq,
There's optimism and then there's delusion.
You really think a team that lost to a struggling CHAMPIONSHIP team can beat the German champions (they will be) who have TEN clean sheets in the last 11 games and ONE (yes one) loss all season in their league. DELUDED!
We are not good enough. WAKE UP!
StEvE
17 Feb 2013 09:13:28
Cc You want me to go? Why's that cause I support and try and get behind the team I love?
The time for lessons learned is the end of the season fact
Your behaviour is like the yobs fighting in the stands rumours and always proven wrong!
no one knows what's going on behind the scenes it's all guessing fact!
I suggest take a long hard look put down football manager and have a look at results of the fa cup? Surely cup competition spells this out too you but well it might not
If it were a league competition then utd city would win it year in year out
It's people wanting to boo and jump on the negativity after a bad result looking at your posts the follow that trend that need to leave and find a new team maybe a couple of miles down the road, you sound like one too me
End of the day your entitled to your opinion as I am mine but cut down on the negativity try getting behind umm then summer is the time for decisions
Careful what you wish for
Goonertillidie
Waq, come back to me in 6 years time when jw10 decides he wants to leave and tell me who is the loyal supporter.
champagne charlie
Goonertiludie don't come on here shouting from the heavens putting my beliefs down.
unlike you I never changed my beliefs.
your a wenger supporter not an arsenal fan so yes when he goes I hope people like you go as well.
tick-tock-tick-tock
champagne charlie
There is no doubt Bayern are the better team but that doesn't mean we can't beat them.
We ourselves were knocked out of 2 cups by lesser opposition, we're a lot closer to Bayern than Bradford or Blackburn were to us.
It's knockout football at the end of the day, anything can happen.
16 Feb 2013 20:06:48
just thought Francis Coquelin deserved a mention for his performance today, thought he was solid and assured.
he is one player I hope makes the first team regularly someday.
On all other matters, Wenger I love everything you have done for our wonderful club and thank you for it, but the memorys are starting to fade and I have this sinking feeling you missed your opportunity to leave with dignity. the constant sound bites and endless denial to face the facts is getting boring, you are starting to sound like a Politician and i'm tired of it, even if you turned things around my faith in you has gone and I never thought I would say that.
Stop blaming everyone but yourself and your mediocre transfer dealings, youve ******* things up in the last few years, man up admit you're mistakes and possibly gain back some respect and integrity.
1404
1404 contrary of what people think of me it hurts me to see some 1 like you post what you did.
i all ways wanted to be the 1 that was wrong about wenger.
top post mate
champagne charlie
Agreed, apart from the awful dive he needs to get that out of his game straight away
337
Yes, I think his reign is coming to an end. No plan B. No 4-4-2. Sell your better players and replace them with mediocrity. Everyone in football can see the problem except Arsene. They've spotted it in Germany too! Arjen Robben is quoted as saying " Arsenal don't win anything because they sell their best players" DOH!
Left the Emirates today a very depressed fan. Geronimo has to be the most pathetic excuse for a pro football player. I'm sorry, but who scouted him in a panic and handed over £11 Million.! You couldn't make it up. Please don't play him on Tuesday. I don't understand fans on this site who say we need one player here, one there, etc. NO.
We need major surgery on and off the pitch.
No more than it saddens me, I've backed and backed him Charlie and its just un-defendable now, looking at him on the touch line today moaning at the first official just angered me so much, its never his fault never the players fault, we always show great determination and spirit blah blah **** *** with your sound bite bull **** because that doesn't put the ball in the net, and neither does mediocre players something that is your responsibility. I've half a mind to get in the car go round his house and poop in his letter box.
1404
16 Feb 2013 20:01:35
Out
Wenger (thanks for the memories but enough is enough now)
Gervinho
Santos
Bendtner
Denilson
Vermaelen. ( is not the same player he use to be)
Mertesacker ( way too slow for this league)
Arshavin
Fabianski
Squilacci
Chamakh
Park
Millions off the wage bill and ALL easily replacable.
In
1. A new manager. ( Laudrup, Bilic, Unay Emre, Martinez, Moyes) all capable managers.
2. A brand spanking new central paring. There are plenty of top class defenders who are scattered accross Europe. Sackho, Alderweid, Albiol, Agbonna, Howedes, Papadopolous are all there for the taking.
3. A top shelf striker.
We have not bought an exellent forward in his prime since God. Around him our no name stikers ( Wright and Titi) saw their game rise to the next level.
Jovetic, Higuain, Cavani, Damiao all available for the right price
4. Def mid.
For years we have constantly heard how we miss a Viera type of player, but the player we rarely seem to talk about replacing is Gilberto Silva. We've lacked a brick wall of a midfielder for ages now. Someone who is alomst too embarrassed to attack, a player who knew his role as a defensive/holding midfielder inside out.
Capoue, Kuzmanovic, Fellaini, Mascherano, Lars Bender, Fernandinho are all better than what we've had since the Wall left.
4. Goalkeeper
I have a lot of time for Szczeney, I think he will be a top quality gk one day. But now we need someone at the top of his game now. Rene Adler is a player we should have gone for back in '09. There are not that many of his calibre available, Akinfeev is one who fell off the radar but exellent goalkeepers are few and far between.
This summer will define us truly as a club. Whether we are the big club we are led to be or the dying force we all see for ourselves.
There are changes needed at Arsenal. Drastic changes from top to bottom, we can all see most of our players in the current squad would not get on the bench of the teams we use to have a few years ago.
We have become one of those clubs now where every season seems to pass them by like the previous one. The sad thing is that in our case, it is All self inflicted. We chose to go down this route, we chose to buy 2nd tier players, we chose to pay those average players above average wages, we chose to sell our most prized assets to rival clubs, we chose to charge our fans ludicrous amounts for what we achieve. Its all self inflicted.
Why do other well run clubs like Bayern Munich shell out top dollar for top players? It can't be that we are waiting for ffp to come into play.
For a while now we've let clubs like Chelsea and City overtake us while Spurs and Everton have clawed us back. By the end of the summer we will have known which group of clubs we will be competing with
Long live the Arsenal
16 Feb 2013 20:30:34
Think your living in cloud cook koo land my friend how do we attract these managers with budget that is yet to be confirmed or denied
Be careful what you wish for with another knee jerk reaction
About wenger out
Players most I agree with but merte he reads game well but think he suits cl style football but needs a stable player next too him
Also no player goes from club captain to useless inside a season vermallen looks like he has a knock too me
Goonertillidie
16 Feb 2013 19:40:34
If Blackburn can beat Arsenal, then Arsenal can beat Bayern.
COYFG {Ed027's Note - thats a bloody good point
When was the last time Arsenal beat a team higher than them?
Lol made me laugh!
bradford
blackburn
bayern
champagne charlie
Love it but that will mean bayern pick their squad players and not sure they are as bad as ours but well you never know
Fingers crossed
Goonertillidie
Arsenal always play best when underdogs. watched bayern v wolfsburg last night. their nothing special.
16 Feb 2013 19:27:07
Whoa. for a minute I thought I was on the Liverpool page!
As a Red, I'm sure you lot share our sentiment. how the might have fallen.
It's not that bad yet mate
You guys have spent about 150 million on some terrible players, and came close to insolvency until the new Yank bailed you out.
at least you had a go and kept some of your best players, we have failed to do either and are sinking slowly, but we seem to always have enough to stay afloat.
you're probably envious that we have 40 points in the bag already ;)
topgooner
OP here.
Always a Red but, have tons of admiration for the Gunners, your style of play and. brace yourselves. Wenge.
The reality is managers get too much credit when things go well and far too much blame when things aren't so good. Wenge didn't all of a sudden go from being a genius leading the Invincibles to a flop with the current version of your team. Some serious finger pointing needs to be in the direction of mediocre, heartless, overpaid players--that goes double for our motley crew on Merseyside.
No question, we've got our own MAJOR problems--we are in a much more dire and uncertain predicament. At least, you guys are still in the hunt for a CL spot and who knows. can still make a statement in this year's tournament. Chelski was crap last year in the Prem & look what they did out of the blue (no pun intended) when it really mattered.
Wish you guys well the rest of the way and let's hope (a lot of hope) LFC can regain some semblance of its old self so we can renew our rivalry.
Dark days indeed.
16 Feb 2013 19:26:24
League Cup defeat at Bradford City, defeat on our own pitch in the FA Cup to Blackburn and we are not in pole position to make it to the Champions League next season. Can someone explain to me how we are not regressing?
In actuality, a year out of the Champions League may be good for us - it would show the money people that we need to invest to improve our team to be worthy of that honour!
I am not anti-Wenger but timing is everything and it may just be time for a change. of course, it could easily get worse so be careful what you wish for!
16 Feb 2013 19:17:41
And so it goes on, anyone remember the stick nightdoctor and I got 3 years ago for stating the obvious?
Wenger said he would leave if he believed he had nothing more to offer us, well that has been the case for years now.
Please be a man of your word and go.
Ike.
100% spot on ike.
what ever happened to the nightdoctor?
he was some man to stir the pot.
champagne charlie
16 Feb 2013 19:09:00
Dear Champagne Charlie,
Are you Piers Morgan?
kev88
I have a bigger fan base than piers
champagne charlie {Ed027's Note -
16 Feb 2013 19:00:12
Let's get behind the team and beat the spurs to fourth place, then we can talk about who will replace Wenger. Another question who would ye like to replace Wenger
Limerick Gunner
Anyone would be better than him right now - no motivation - no nothing
Think we need to be careful what we wish for I've yet to see proof that money is there I still think its the board we need shut of more urgently silent stan then give wenger his final 12 months assuming he strengthens
16 Feb 2013 18:54:39
First HOME FA Cup loss since 1997!
First FA Cup loss to lower league opposition in 34 ties!
What does this tell you about the way our club is going? It's pathetic! This is the worst Arsenal have ever been, players, manager, board, staff and what have you in a LONG time. I'm not even going to get into the points about the game because most of them were obvious and i'd just be wasting my time, the only thing I will say is Rosicky was the best player on the pitch and of course he was subbed! Well done Arsene.
That felt worse than Bradford loss. I am actually past the stage of giving a toss as to whether we make top 4 or not. It just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Why should we as fans be satisfied with a club that strives to get into a competition that it has slim chances of winning, without even thinking about mounting a title challenge, and then fielding our 2nd string players in the competitions that we DO actually have a chance of winning? Is top for every season really worth the rest of the BS we go through? I don't think so.
My love and support for Arsenal will NEVER wane and I will follow this club to relegation if - football gods forbid - it ever should come to that but Arsenal, on and off the pitch is now a shadow of its former self. I'll always be proud to wear the colours but I think AW, the board, Usmanov AND the players (barring Jack and Theo) need a gigantic kick up the arse to realize that a change just as big is needed if Kroenke wants to keep charging outrageous ticket prices and fill the ground every week because the further we slip the more empty the ground will become, the less shirts and other merch will sell and Stan will be reconsidering HIS future with the club.
Honestly I think NOT making the top 4 is the kick up the arse this club needs.
Not a happy gooner, and call me plastic for these words but I will always be a GOONER.
But I want the Arsenal that got me into football when I was a kid back. It's still exciting being an Arsenal fan but for all the wrong reasons and the only people doing things for the right reasons are a certain 21 year old midfielder and us fans.
JG
16 Feb 2013 18:53:37
injury time. cross comes in Giroud the only one in the box.
Sums it up.
just on anohter note strip vermelan of captaincy. give it to jack, as its clear he does not like being it
16 feb 2013 18:27:17
in arsene we rust!
champagne charlie
16 Feb 2013 18:26:03
Hello Ed and fellow Gooners. todays result just shows
what we are AVERAGE, being managed by a once great manager who now just specializes in rubbish. That comment earlier on in the week, IF WE BEAT BAYERN IT WILL DO WONDERS FOR OUR CONFIDENCE, no mention of the Blackburn game really pissed me off. What you should have done AW is put your strongest side out, get a good win and that will put us up for the Munich game, instead you have put untold pressure on the team Tuesday night. The next 5 games will wreck what is left of our season, 2x Bayern, Villa, Yids, Everton. If the worst scenario is zilch out of them games, then I think the board should act, some dissent from the fans wouldn't come amiss, even though I feel it is wrong for the fans to do this, but enough is enough. I suppose before T ues he will the usual mental strength, waiting for FFP to come then there will be no stopping us excuses. What f----d me off more than anything was the substition of Rosicky who was beginning to shine. Chezza once again showed he is far from the finished article and badly needs some competion for his place. I could go on and on
but we all know the failings that we have, which AW
has chosen to ignore time and time again. Truthfully I can only see a Bayern win (3-1) on Tuesday night. I have mentioned before his reluctance to play some of our younger players and this really grates on me, espically when we know how talented some of them are. I have totally lost respect for the manager who I once adored, and I just wish he would leave even if we are in the wilderness for a couple of years, I would accept that because I truly believe this is only going to get worse under AW.
Thanks for the site Ed
A truly pissed off Heybridge Gooner
16 Feb 2013 18:25:07
I don't know how anybody can blame the ref for today's result. Ridiculous. I know Dean is always going to give us a hard time but today. come on guys get real.
Stefan
Stefan
Generally I'd agree but with Dean something smells.
In 18 games he has reffed for us we have won one, if you convert his stats to a 38 game season we would scrape 25 points and be relegated. How ca we be relegation certs when he is around but top five across te season?
The stats for him simply smell and (i'm not saying this happened but am just floating the possibility) as someone said in the recent furore ov the Debrecen game being fixed- it's easier for a ref to affect a game than a player.
I still firmly believe Opta and the FA sould be keeping stats and runnng comparisons to spot the inconsistencies. that's how to spot eveyrhing from match fixing to simple bias so you can investigate it.
Metal made a far point that Dean gets our big games and that affects his stats but it's funny how we always havean off day when he is in town.
I'd also admit thati haven't seen todays game but I do have a season ticket and i've seen enough games with him in charge toknow that you can see the inconsistency in his approach when awarding decisions to us and similar decisions to the opposition - at Chelsea he gave them a free kick, no one injured and he didn't speak to any player so he let them take it quickly. 15 ins later he gives us one ad Jack tried to take it quick to exploit a gap, no one injuredand no talking to for any player- so why did he call it back?
Difference is that his act prevented us setting the defence but aoowed them time!
Like I said something stinks nd someone needs to investigate this ref's - and not just with our gaes, with all of his games and then run comparisons and cary out a proper investigation, until that's done we will neverknow for sure about him but to me there is plenty of smoke an that normally meanstheres a fire.
Soopergooner
16 Feb 2013 18:22:40
Nst read that former Arsenal player Anthony Stokes scored twice today (for Celtic). When I looked up on a football website I saw a picture of him.
I don't know what's worse, us crashing out today or Stokes' loss of his hair. I was a bit shocked he is doing "a Rooney" because I still remember him with his full hair. At first I could not believe the picture was actually showing him. lol
Btw have you noticed Diaby playing Alex Song's Hollywood passes in the end (when we were losing)? Can't believe the likes of him and Gerv still get a chance (to play in the 1st team).
Stefan
16 Feb 2013 18:19:35
How in the hell in one year have we gone from beating a premiership blackburn 7-1 to losing to a championship blackburn 0-1?
quite simply we have gone backwards. each starting player from this game has shown no progress in recent years.
wenger's stubborness and faith in players is so misplaced that I struggle to defend him as a manager and leader, but that is a debate for May/June.
we have suffered too long with "decent" players that cannot perform consistently to the standards we need: diaby, rosicky, coquelin, ramsey - these guys have been around a while now, how long can we afford to wait for these guys to actually come good?
and now we have big concerns about the form of all 3 centre backs - vermaelen, kos, and the BFG - who is our preferred starting pair? All 3 have glaring flaws in their gameplay and tbh none should be a starter for arsenal based on this seasons performances
Sagna (unfortunately wants to leave), and Gibbs (injured at key time in the season again), have been let downs, but tbh they mostly perform admirably, baring in mind we have no DM and inept wingers.
shezza, gervinho, ox, jenkinson, arteta, all messing up at the crucial times when they just have to show composure. this is the difference between ok/good players and quality/class players
and we are still paying hefty lumps of salaries to bendtner, denilson, park, santos, squillaci, djourou, chamack, arshavin, frimpong, fabianski and a few more that aren't even expected to kick a ball for us this season. what is even worse is that they are happy with these arrangements, and so are we
we really only have Jack, the 4 new boys (caz, pod, giroud&monreal), and probably Theo who are happy at the club and playing to the levels expected of them respectively. I think we have no choice but to rebuild again around these 6.
wenger has kept the team in the dressing room for almost an hour after fulltime. Probably crying together and preparing his cliches for the cameras, but I hope he tells them all (with the exception of the 6 above) that they have a dozen or so FINALS left to play this season because they are up for sale unless they prove their worth. Guys, see Hleb, Song, Bentley, & co and you will realise how lucky you are to play for the mighty gunners, it doesn't get much better than this, but your body language and desire do not reflect this.
Today is a new low, and that is saying something for this season, beacuse I think we have had around 6 'new lows' in this campaign. sorry for the rant, this is getting harder to take each time. I hate these players. they aren't fit to wear the shirt.
Wenger please challenge yourself to win the title next season, whatever it costs to bring in the players we need, it will be worth it. going for 4th is not good enough. if you don't fancy the challenge step aside and let someone else lead us.
gun44
16 Feb 2013 18:06:21
In this league Giroud is a plan be striker at best. Sort of like Dzeko at City.
We need someone better to lead the attack
Frank Reynolds
Dzeko for City, are you mad. He could be number one for any club just they also have a stubborn manager just like us.
Dzeko is a lot better than giroud
What I meant is, he should be to us what Dzeko is to City. Plan B
Frank Reynolds
16 Feb 2013 18:06:16
resting players for a competition we will crash out of anyway for crashing out of the only competition were we had at least a slim chance to win. very smart Monsieur le Prof. well done and chapeau!
Stefan
16 Feb 2013 18:06:04
No wonder Gervinho would go for the AFCON and a certain Victor Moses could outclass him and look like worldclass.
16 Feb 2013 18:04:18
That felt worse than the Bradford game
No because I am getting used to it
16 Feb 2013 18:01:54
Face facts everyone, arsenal are an average team inthe need of rebuild, lot of average players who let's be honest aren't really good enough.
Not saying this because of the loss to Blackburn, but judging the whole season where the excuse of qualifying for the champions league justifies being a good season is even under threat.
What's the answer?
A good start would be selling/releasing players instead of loaning them.
Some people even saying bring carlos vela back. that's how desperate we are.
Daniel
16 Feb 2013 17:50:13
I think Wenger lost it. he should go. to much bad transfers, beyond average players signed in over past years. Diaby worse player ever, Gervinho, bentdner, Mertezaker, Chamakh, Giroud, Santos, Arteta awfull play as time pass, Vella, Welington Silva, Djoruo, Squid, Koscienly average
Serbian gooner
Spelling -> just leave
Seen worse tbh. He got Chamakh right. Hardly see that
16 Feb 2013 17:50:07
How bad does it have to get for us to bloody change! The fact is half of our squad is not up for it need a major reshuffle! We have gnabry in the wings miyaichi out on loan and even Eisfeld who can play on the left but no we gervinho! Really pi**ed off!
SM1996
Sm1996,, I have said for over 2 years on here that wenger can no longer make a tactical decision when change is needed.
he will stand by his decisions because he is an ignorant man who has too much power at the club.
IF HE WAS AT A BIG CLUB HE WOULD OF BEEN SACKED 5 YEARS AGO.
in arsene we rust
champagne charlie
16 Feb 2013 17:42:06
yet another pathetic display from a bunch of clowns not fit to wear the shirt. gervinho laughable and giroud as I've said all along nowhere near a top four striker and finally mr bean oops wenger a manager who has become a sad parody of his former self. but at least all you keep the faith gooners have got what you deserve just keep on burying your heads in the sand and watch our club fade into oblivion just what will it take for you to drive kroenke gazidis and wenger out. brum gooner
16 Feb 2013 17:35:08
Wenger why take off the one guy who looked liked scoring, rosicky just before being subbed was a huge threat, surely the disappointing diaby should have gone off he was terribly, the ox needs games, our keeper did awful for their goal.
Champions league it is for us then.
Shaneyd
Good point. I thought exactly the same as you did when rosicky came off.
Also, I think Rosicky would really play well with wilshere and cazorla. Arteta and diaby are not on the same level as rosicky, he does everything a second faster than them.
Daniel
Daniel mate totally agree, I have posted this so often about rosicky to muted response, he has the extra second because he moves it out of his feet quicker, last season he rescued 4th for us when he returned from injury, I agree too, with jack and Santa alongside him that will be a fantastic attacking formation interchanging positions and passes.
Shaneyd
16 Feb 2013 17:32:27
Absolutely FUMING but not suprised. Was watching it with a mate and kept on saying they'll get one chance and score. So bloody predictable. If there's anything about the players that played you should hang your heads in shame, and Wenger for buying them. First team good, the squad not good enough. I'm tired of our club being on the end of embarrassing results. Don't know about you, but I am dreading Bayern. GUTTED AND ANGRY.
Congratulations Blackburn.
Flybo
16 Feb 2013 17:32:24
I mentioned before this game began, that we are cursed whenever Mike Dean is the referee and to be honest, I wasn't too surprised at the result, which makes is 1 win in 20, which is staggering. didn't see the entire game, but knew whilst it was 0-0, this is going to turn ugly.
Dont know what AW could have done as it was quite a strong line-up, but whilst Gervinho takes a lot of the blame, I don't quite get how the Ox is rated highly, I just don't see what he brings differently to the others. Even when he comes off the bench, there isn't that feeling of excitement.
Back to our bad luck with the aforementioned referee, on any other day, Rosicky's shot on the crossbar would go inside, and the winner by Kazim-Richards actually would have been hit better and perhaps WS would save it. Was just a bad day and what makes it worse, is that Dean could ref another match for us this season which could kill our top 4 hopes.
16 Feb 2013 17:13:24
Giroud man of the match. pft sorry mate but as soon as the whistle blew you disappeared.
Where did he go? He was invisible for a lot of the game.
One of Podolski or Walcott should've played. Gervinho is no good for Arsenal and Chamberlain has dropped.
Nick.
16 Feb 2013 17:18:18
Oh dear oh dear. Well that was beyond obvious. An average selection were always gong to lose, just like we did against Bradford City. The side lacks class, fight, flair, and as I have said so many times a game changer.
So on to Bayern and rapid departure from the ECL, do not fool yourselves, they are in a different class to us. So before the end of February our season is over.
Will we qualify for the ECL next season? Only if Chelski totally blow up or Bale gets injured, but I doubt it very much.
So 5th or probably 6th place and nowhere even vaguely near a trophy.
But personally I'll say it again. Do not shout for Arsene to go. Do not resort to the standard kicking out. He is still owed our loyalty, still has given us more loyalty than any player, still given us more than we can have ever hoped for or expected.
Yes today was a disgrace, but buying recklessly is no answer - see Liverpool, QPR, Villa, and Stoke - and remember Leeds.
We owe him one more season, one last go. I doubt it will change anything, and I doubt a trophy will come. But we owe him this debt, we owe him the last season. Then hopefully he will move upstairs, and we can honor him as he deserves.
I feel the pain of today, and it's classic contrary Arsene. But we owe him the best years of Arsenal - so please stop before you all com here moaning and groaning. No longer can we say in Arsene we trust, but we can recognize what he has achieved for us, and the fact he has given us the basis for another 100 years.
The ghost of Terry Mancini
The players on the field were not good enough. This is wenger fault, he has bought the players squallici, diaby, ghervino etc etc etc.
Now its time for him to move on.
The loyalty is 7 years of no trophy and yet another coming up. if that not loyalty by the Fans I don't know what is
i am not saying any other manager will do better but we neeed to change something here
Lol
any 1 that agrees with this post is not a true arsenal supporter.
wenger is finished
champagne charlie
Well said mate, couldn't fault your comments. The team needs to buck their ideas up and start fighting for Wenger and their places in the side,
The starting line up of today's match with the exception of Monreal (who's still settling in etc) should not be in the first XI and are only good enough to be backup players at mo, including TV5 who by his standards is having a mare of a season.
I love Arsenal and I love Arsene Wenger. But I'm sorry, I'd also be loyal for £7m a year and there comes a point. It is very clear to fans what the issues are. The club has the money yet chooses (and I use the word carefully) not to spend it. Time for change IF the summer does not herald a major change of direction.
Why do you want him to move upstairs?
If that happened, he might enforce the new manager to follow the exact same path that he himself has.
Imagine this scenario
New Manager: We are lacking upfront. We need a new goal scorer and I have found a target. He will cost £25 million, but I believe its exactly what we need.
Wenger: Yes he is a good player. He has top quality. But this price is high, and I never spent this much. let's look for other targets.
New manager: This is who I want. i'm the manager and i'm saying I want this player. Its not for you to tell me who I can or can't buy, i'm losing patience.
Wenger: You must show mental strength in this situation.
Ad infinitum
Don't be a fool we sound like Liverpool now look what we won before crap! the past is the past wenger is clueless now and has been for 8 years! He has to go
Yes he gives us the basis for another trophyless 100 (0) years right.
16 Feb 2013 17:06:47
cant help but feel we play with 5 attacking midfielders watching as Giroud does nothing. Is like they are playing with Van persie and expect him to bail them out. Never any other players in the box.
result proves what said all along. average arsenal side
16 Feb 2013 17:06:44
How does this happen?
No wonder our best players want to leave us, I wouldn't stick around to be a part of this rubbish.
I am deeply disappointed with this teams performance. Now we have NO CHANCE for a trophy.
9 years without a trophy. Do we have to hit double figures before we can put a stop to this rubbish?
If we can't beat Blackburn, then how could anyone possibly think we will beat Bayern.
Nick.
16 Feb 2013 17:04:53
What can I say about today, I feel proper mugged off by the team again, dominate the game but toothless upfront
I'm struggling to count more than 3 shots by Blackburn 1 on target wtf was shezza thinking parrying like that might be my angle in the stadium but I don't think it will be his finest moment mind you not blaming just trying too understand cause I'm struggling
If arsenal can't see the second string need improving then maybe he needs to move upstairs now, I know what he's thinking he was trying to get a good result for bayern game by resting players
My question to wenger is get the result then take umm off can we try that? Cause your second string are toothless lacking quality
I'm praying for Tuesday but I'm fearful that it could be embarrassing but I'm a gooner and well getting used to it now
Goonertillidie
Ps wenger I hope your sitting in the office whilst I go queue for the tube dusting down that cheque book or helping to find your replacement now I don't want your legacy to be remember for a decade of failure which is where it's heading
16 Feb 2013 17:03:51
So another season without a trophy. Everyone played today with their minds on Tuesday. Why I have no idea? Surely the FA Cup should have been our priority? We're not going to win the CL, but we've always got a chance with the cup. I just don't understand how they can play that lackadaisically when it's been almost 8 years since we won anything. Absolutely ridiculous.
Macc Gooner
16 Feb 2013 17:01:36
Giroud playing musical statues when ever were in the box. Gervinho his usual standard of shocking. Theo 100k a week still doesn't know how to track back. and Chezny 1 good game then 10 bad ones parries ball into centre of goal.
Embarrassed. yet again this season.
8 Seasons without a trophy. and counting
I don't see why theo is to blame for this?
16 Feb 2013 17:01:36
We need a change- I don't care what any says, our club needs a new direction.
Thanks for everything wenger, but we're not going anywhere with you.
Lets be honest, realistically its now 8 years without a trophy.
No excuses- that is too long for a club of our [apparent] stature and the bloody high prices we're paying.
16 Feb 2013 17:00:22
What really worries me is we have been knocked out of two cups with so called strong teams bytwo lower league clubs
Limerick Gunner
16 Feb 2013 16:57:52
Well done arsene. your belief in average players has just cost us the best chance we had of winning a cup this season.
16 Feb 2013 16:57:46
Anyone surprised we lost this?
Arsenal are the only team in the world who can consistently lose matches when they have dominated vast periods of a match.
Boo'd off at the end of the game, rightly so. SO MANY empty seats at the emirates today - our one chance of a trophy (if you think we are going to beat bayern munich over 2 legs, you need to stop drinking) and wenger actually fielded lots of first team players.
Not good enough.
Daniel
Spot on Daniel, no one wants to boo, but it's what the whole club deserves right now,
just concerned that our players really don't care much, the expectations are quite low for a big club and the money is good, so win lose or draw I don't think they care.
gun44
I think your right about expectations gun44. If the better players have high expectations/ambitions, then we see what happens (cesc, van persie). How long will jack wilshere stay at arsenal when the whole world wants him in their team?
Daniel
16 Feb 2013 16:57:16
Absolutely gutted. Thought their goal seemed to have some sort of force-field around it. How we didn't score is beyond me.
Really think Shez should've done better with that save.
Can't believe it.
Sally
Agree he could have caught that ball, instead of palming it away.
16 Feb 2013 16:56:27
You can critsize Gervinho, but he does beat the player and get the ball across more often than not, really it should be Giroud taking the blame for today, he knows what Gervinho is going to do but is not there in time to get the ball.
Sorry guys but Giroud is not good enough to play up top on his own, maybe in a 2 but he is too laid back to be our main striker!
GUTTED!
OP - So wrong mate - Giroud doesn't know what Gervinho is going to do, no one in the stadium knows what Gervinho is going to do, Gervinho doesn't know what Gervinho is going to do.
He's like a headless chicken running in circles until he gets tackled. The most frustrating player since Theo (the earlier years)
redgoon
16 Feb 2013 16:56:26
Useless absolute rubbish, what is the point of this football the opposition can score with one chance!
Sort it out Wenger or out you go!!
16 Feb 2013 16:55:08
incredibly disappointed.
piss poor team losing against an even poorer team,
another trophyless season.
need to get rid of half the team and start again. shouldn't be losing to Blackburn at home.
Oxy Gunner
16 Feb 2013 16:54:15
My hearts breaking I can take no more.
16 Feb 2013 16:53:01
8 years of empty promises.
just resign wenger
for once do the decent thing and go
champagne charlie
16 Feb 2013 16:34:52
If we don't beat Blackburn that is a joke!!
SM1996
16 Feb 2013 16:30:31
Gervinho is such a liability. And anyone who thinks we are going to beat bayern is disillusional.
And why are we so crap in the final third.
Spineless prima donnas. pass pass pass, can't Fukin shoot, now no time. you know, as a team we don't deserve anything, not good enough. never thought i'd say it,,, but maybe AW your time is by.
wally? 100 grand? joke boy.
Bayern? no chance lol: (
andi
16 Feb 2013 16:02:36
We are dominating Blackburn, but we can't get complacent now. All we need is better crossing. I say switch OX so he plays on the left and GERVINHO so he plays on the right. OX always moves central and GERVINHO only uses his right foot. Logic
Lots of huff and puff, get the goddam ball in the goal lads! : (
60 % possession, come on!
COYG! andi
F Sakes!: ( one down, WTF.
Never USE Gervinho again! THAT'S logic.
Stefan
16 Feb 2013 15:53:30
Simple chip over the keeper for Gervinho but he misses, hope that doesn't cost us the game : (
16 Feb 2013 15:48:51
Our old friend is back from africa!, useless.
16 Feb 2013 15:09:17
cum arsenal. a win is a must today.
govonor aja
16 Feb 2013 14:47:11
alright lads i'm a season tickey holfer at parkhead and honestly if big vic was to leave I think he would be wasted anywhere but arsenal he is the linch pin you need in order for young jack to fulfill his potential instead of wasting his game doing the dirty work because he can't trust his team mates you should break the bank for him and it might just get you back on side with arsene because this guy is a gem
Thank you tickey holfer!
You can take our lives but you can't take our punctuation!
Oh, someone has.
16 Feb 2013 12:09:09
I can't think of a top class CB who is a realistic buy. Names anyone?
SM1996
Not sure if has developed into what was expected of him but lots of rumours Sakho could leave PSG would be a good buy in my opinion. {Ed002's Note - Arsenal and Lyon have sustained interest in Sakho and there is growing interest from Newcastle, Inter Milan, Manchester City and possible interest lingering interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona. PSG are not keen on selling but I think there is a good chance of a summer move.}
We have 3 top class CBs fighting for 2 places already, do you think a top class player would want to come and sit on the bench?
Maybe you want 2 of our 3 to leave?
Kos and Merts are very good defenders, top class i'm not so sure and TV5 is a shadow of his former self at the moment. when he plays at CB he looks like a player playing out of position to me
1404
Totally agree with 1404!
SM1996
16 Feb 2013 10:36:01
"There is a big lesson to take from [the Bradford] game. We should not underestimate our opponent, and [should] play like we play when we play [the likes of] Manchester United".
Quote from diaby on the official website. hmm, I'm confused. Thought Wenger said we didn't underestimate Bradford, or any oponents for that matter!
Chi Gooner
If we play anything like we did against Manchester United today we may as well not turn up.
Bradders
16 Feb 2013 10:10:58
Sagalout,
Hope you and your grandson have a great day at the game today with a nice win for the Arsenal.
Stoner
16 Feb 2013 09:55:43
With our season coming to its usual defining 2 weeks, I personally am heartened by the way the club is moving. We have seen a definite change in players at the club with the emphasis on clearing the over paid deadwood. In the summer even more will go due to contracts expiring and hopefully some actually leaving for a small fee. In Monreal we have signed a world class international player. I feel we are only 3 true signings of quality away from really pushing the Manchester sides again.
We are a team who thrive on confidence and suffer quickly at losses, pundits and us supporters hang on to this 8 years without a trophy way to much, I myself have criticised the club strongly recently and though I would still do things differently I am not to arrogant as to say my way would work and the clubs won't. I would love to see our young players it on loan spend more time at Arsenal and shorter time in the wilderness of some spainish team. I feel had Ryo stayed with us this season he would have progressed far greater.
We should defeat Blackburn today and progress and to be honest against Bayern any sort of performance we put in that shows character and commitment I will be very happy for. For let us not kid ourselves Bayern are one the top 5 teams in Europe right now with massive funding and incredibly strong playing squad. There is a reason Guardiola chose them I personally think it was because its safe option for him. Only really has Dortmund to beat, like in Spain where only Madrid were his competition. I don't think it will tell us too much about Guardiola the coach.
So in closing I am a happy but eager for more improvement Gunner. Changes are a coming at Arsenal next season may be very different at the club
Holmesy
P. s. on this Gareth Bale issue he is a very good player but also very very over hyped and isn't anywhere near Ronaldos or certainly Messi's quality yet. The same pundits lauding him as so also spent last season saying the Ox was only a game away from being in the there class and he has struggled this year in my opinion.
16 Feb 2013 09:04:31
Intrigued by the Theo and Bale debate, what do some people want Wenger to say: Bale is better and I wish I had bought him instead? Of course he is going to back his own player and I don't think either have performed well enough for a long enough period of time to be really considered world class and any comparison is so artificial anyway. sorry rant over.
Let's hope for a great game at the grove today!
Josh
16 Feb 2013 06:51:04
been reading people coments left on ssp and tv on Wenger's article about bale. everyone is slagging wenger off for saying he would take theo over bale again if he had the choice. Every1 is laughing at him for saying that and he's nuts. I am just going to put up Theo's and bale stats for the last 6 seasons from when ther first joined arsenal and tottenham.
Theo:
App 250 Goals: 60 Assists: 47
Bale:
App 190 Goals:46 Assists: 36
I would Take Theo any day. Ever since Bale had that great game against inter pundits think he is god yet after that game he done Nothing and everyone went quite about him. Now he has been really good these past 5 games he has become Messi or Ronaldo ha.
Agree if you would keep theo over bale or disagree if you would swap him.
Top Gunner
Were you expecting wenger to come out and tell the whole world he prefers bale?Appreciate a good player when you one, bale is a better player than walcot. Jude
I always back our players and we should get behind them, Bale has become an extremely good player in the last 12 months, and Theo has improved a lot recently.
They are a similar age and both have blistering pace, but offer different things as well.
Bale is a very individual player with the ability to change a game with a magic moment, but he wanders and leaves gaps which can cause problems.
Theo is a solid team player he tracks back now as well and has proven he can finish and cross the ball (even though some pundits say he can't)
The most important factor for me is that Bale is a dirty Spud, and Theo is our man!
COYG
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