17 Dec 2012 23:46:04
Got to laugh of how absurd a Club like Man City are when their Chief executive is applauding a 97Mill Financial loss 2011-12 tax year as if its great news.
This loss down from a 197Million loss the year before (120mill odd year before that)so even with there dodgy insider sponsership deal that is way above fair market value they still make huge losses.
No chance of meeting FFP unless drastic wage cuts are made. Going out early in Champs league will not help for next years books either.
Will their youth acadamy suddenly produces a whole team of young stars, not a chance. That has not happened since Utd got lucky back early 90's with all those young players like Scholes, Becks etc.. all developing at the same time. There are too many good scouts about these days at all clubs for it to ever happen like that now.
I see a gradual decline back to where they belong a mid table level side when the finance's bite more and more with every season.
Arsenal Banter Archive December 17 2012
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17 Dec 2012 23:39:37
Arsenal played well with no Ramsey and Gervinho in the starting line up................ What a shock
Hopefully even Wenger could see that we are a much better team without these two, please Wenger keep the momentum going and keep them out
Watch are performances improve until brought back in
I did get a tad worried when I saw Ramsey stripping of at 4-2 anyone else?
Spanner
Funny that he came on at 4-2, gave 110% as always and got stuck in, I would say a good substitution as the OX had gone to sleep and so had Podolski - give Ramsey a bit of credit.
Ramsey is not good enough for arsenal never has been never will be FACT.... but they want to give him a new contract ,please don't waste anymore money on none trying effortless players.
I feel slightly sorry for Ramsey, when he is played as a right-wing back, which exposes his lack of genuine pace. He looks far more comfortable in the centre.
Ramsey bashers out in force today even though he came on and played welll, everyone is entitled to an opinion, put your name on your post and it might have a bit more credability?
337
^^Ramsey puts in more effort than most you Doughnut!
18 Dec 2012 17:40:16
337 is a weird name
17 Dec 2012 23:00:10
If walcott does end up leaving, it just prooves arsenal need a pacey striker to do anything up front. Walcotts movement created alot of the goals tonight and the reading defence where scared of him all night
17 Dec 2012 22:09:40
That's what happens when we don't play Ramsay and Gerviono a the same time! IM convinced we cannot carry both players! good win thou!
It does show that in our game we need to play at a constant high tempo to be effective and when you have weak links like Ramsey that slow play down it can really effect the whole way we play and make us much less effective. In a team game your only as strong as your weakest link.
I don't mean to pick on Ramsey and he not a terrible player, It not personal and he works his socks off but he is just not at Arsenals level for the game we need to be playing.
I do not think he will ever make it at Arsenal. Stats back me up on this aswell check out win rates with and without Ramsey.
17 Dec 2012 22:03:03
Champagne Charlie - hope you enjoyed judgement day! Sometimes I think you want us to loose even though you are a huge fan
I just don't get it buddy
I don't care who manages us - I want to win trophies and play great football. I don't want a George Graham type manager as he bored the hell out of me and we did nt have many world class players.
I want the Arsenal back when Wenger had the Invincibles - built off his own back and with a mixture of stars, flare, heart and passion. That could be Flopp, Wenger, whoever - I don't care.
BUT while Wenger is in charge - I am behind him.
I expect the board to manage him - that is who needs the kick.
SY4
17 Dec 2012 21:28:45
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not again!!!!!!!!!
17 Dec 2012 22:09:16
Well done you Gooner supporters, you were great again tonight! The players did quite well too.
17 Dec 2012 21:24:22
4-0 Arsenal and a hat-trick for Santi Cazorla, class signing!
Class act no doubt and finally and a decent replacement for Fabregas although quite not the same type of player. Fab had perhaps better passing range but Santi better shot and better in and around the box, more goal threat.
All we need now is a Fit and able Veira replacment (Sorry Diaby you just cant stay fit) to balance that midfield up more and things will get better for us.
^^ NO! Do not ever compare Diaby to Viera, thats like trading a Porsche for a Skoda.
17 Dec 2012 21:17:36
Santi clause has come a week early. Flybo
17 Dec 2012 21:17:14
Carzorla - 4 months to get his first Hat trick for us....V.Persie was 7 years was it not?
Detroit Gooner
Yeah but in his defence he did only get his glass ankles off the bench an average of 10 games per season.
337
17 Dec 2012 21:08:16
I know its Reading but who is this red team they are playing against I dont recognize them.
Darren Tampa
17 Dec 2012 20:59:32
HAHA how good is gary neville as a pundit, loved that half time analysis
17 Dec 2012 20:56:30
Looks like Wenger did his home work and got his strategy right.
It's only Reading and only half time but he has changed the formation to exploit the opposition - guess he des understand the game!
Come on you Reds - big second half and a few goals from Theo would be nice.
SY4
17 Dec 2012 20:50:41
As much as i have criticized wenger lately cant beat that smile.......just keep up the tempo and show the killer instinct........bold decisions have paid off so far look more comfortable...giroud will have a field day if he comes on
GS
17 Dec 2012 20:48:02
think AW's finally found gervinho's best position
AG
17 Dec 2012 21:54:37
My favourite post by a mile!
Stoner
My stress levels are kept in check when Gerv doesn't play...... I will never understand that signing, thank god for ACON
1404
Brilliant AG!
Metal Gooner
17 Dec 2012 20:07:38
3-1
pod
theo
caz
AG COYG
3-0, nice one
come on lads:)
another 3!
pod!caz!
keep it up
COYG
Well i got all the scorers correct :-p
AG
17 Dec 2012 19:55:45
We are close to signing Stopilla Sunzu, a dm from Zambia, 23 and ofcourse highly rated
17 Dec 2012 19:53:34
Ed, is Eisfeld not getting chances because if he makes first team appearancecs we will have to pay more for him? Same for the Japanese Messi Ryo?
Ash {Ed002's Note - That is a "Dear M Wenger" question Ash.}
Good one Ed :)
COYG! Poddy Scores!
Ash
17 Dec 2012 19:38:38
Walcott through the middle! Yess!!
Sally
17 Dec 2012 19:31:31
Ok it looks like Theo is going to start up front, let's see what he can do.
17 Dec 2012 19:25:00
So finally pod or theo will get a chance up top, question is tho who will it be? Because I can't see us playing 442
17 Dec 2012 19:14:04
So walcott looks to start upfront, is this to convince him to stay?
17 Dec 2012 18:45:47
Quick point on our scouts. When was the last time we unearthed a real gem. A gem that wasn't already known (Henry petit, viera, overmars, bergkamp, (Christopher wreah! joke) I mean the list really can go on but as of late (move to emerites) we haven't delivered on that consistency. Now is that because that was the bench mark and now there isn't the Tallent a available or is it the fact that we don't pay the going rate for class and our scouts are finding players only for the board to turn them away. Thus leaving us short in quality depth. One player I want to see more of is einsfield but for some reason he can't get on our bench. 3:0 tonight carzola giroud and jack.
Bergkamp wonderland
Sunzu who apparently Arsenal have signed. The Zambian defensive midfielder/central defender, which Wenger has unearthed kept Drogba, Demba Ba amongst other top strikers in his pocket. The guy is fearless. Once quoted as saying he fears no big name, and he finds it easy dealing with Drogba. He oozes confidence. Hope his performances show how good he is. Also scored the winning penalty in the ACON final 2012 which Gervinho missed.
Henry, Bergkamp and Overmars were already stars before they came to Arsenal.
sorry fella.
Naz
17 Dec 2012 18:00:22
Cannot wait for kick off! I am expecting a big win - I don't care what happens...I want to see our boys find their testicles and fight for this win. I want to see intelligent runs, quick passing, no stupid nonsense from the back 4 or keeper, and no weird subs please Wenger!
I am behind the manager and the team for this game and I want and expect to be proud to be a gooner after 90 mins. Nothing but a cold hard WIN is acceptable!
I don't want to see our poor players start, or come on, and I don't want to see this toothless 433 crap. Come on Arsene and the team, pull your finger out and start repaying the fans!
Metal Gooner
2-1 to Reading sadly.
17 Dec 2012 17:24:23
same old story... names being thrown from every direction claiming to be coming to arsenal,but as we all know nothing will happen & we will win nothing again,roll on the summer when we can get excited again....
17 Dec 2012 16:51:41
Something that needs to be said really.
Lots of posts have claimed that we pay too much money to our 'average' or 'deadwood' players, we need to decide exactly what we want?
Example:
Everyone wanted Podolski and Cazorla in and the going rate for their wages was say 70-90k per week to get them to sign, as it stands at the moment one of them looks a bargain and the other not so good - will we in a years time be moaning that they are paid too much?
We all wanted Arteta, me included but if we sign a DM and he gets benched will we moan that he is being paid too much?
My point is that everyone is blaming AW for Chamakh, NB52, Gervinho, Ramsey, Diaby etc..... But as an example Chamakh scored something like 9 goals in his first 12 games (not 100%) on merit he could have been worth 80-90k per week at that point.
There are other clubs that are paying players a lot more than us and they don't even have a squad number!
Make your minds up if you call for a player and he comes, you have to pay the going 'weekly' rate.
337
17 Dec 2012 17:38:08
I wouldn't mind Arteta earning that to be on the bench if we had better infront of him. would be great having quality on the bench like that. its having garbage like ramsay chamakh bendy squillaci gervinho etc on the bench earning big money that gets our goats up! We pay big money to see bad players earning big wages and play with no passion or talent.
I don't really understand this post.
They're talking about Squillaci and Djourou's wages. Santos's wages. Arteta is one of the classiest players around and being on the bench doesn't stop that. Just because Oscar is on the bench at Chelsea doesn't make him not worth the wages - it means Chelsea have a ridiculous bench! It's what we need!
Simple truth is we offered Djourou a lot of money before he'd proven a single thing here, just because he has international status - fine, but Switzerland are no Spain. Chamakh - 16 goals in each of his last 2 seasons, came on a free and we started him at 75k when he hadn't done a thing - massive mistake. Considering he was always going to be benched as soon as Robin came back, that was a massive wage to give a sub. Perhaps there are one or two others who could be mentioned too.
Anyone who knows anything about Podolski will know he should be worth every penny we pay him - the sad truth is Wenger plays essentially as a left winger instead of one of two up top or in the Rooney role and the fans are left wondering why he's ineffective. You play Podolski properly and he will show his class. I fear Wenger won't though.
Metal Gooner
Metal, not understanding is my point! We as fans need to decide what we want, I am consistent with my posts, the same people that come on here asking for 'world class' signings then moan that we are paying out of favour players too much - Arshavin for example, we all wanted him, he had to be paid top wages and now the same people are sl*gging him off, it happens in every team, players lose form or are not suited but our fans blame AW.
Maybe the post didn't get this across, but we can't have it both ways.
337
17 Dec 2012 16:17:02
Tonight's the most important game we've had since.... oh, the last one. Just want to stay close to the spuds and hope for their annual pin in a bouncy castle moment. They scored five against us, and three against manc u. The lads are gonna need their tin hats on to get the three points tonight. Roberts will be rubbing his hands together. He'll fancy himself against our centre backs.
See you on the otherside.
UP THE GOONERE. Flybo.
''their annual pin in a bouncy castle moment.''
hehe, that's awesome:):) see thier sad little bewildered faces, poor lil mites:) HA
great posts Flybo :)
17 Dec 2012 13:56:58
sorry but are people seriously happy about just finishing in the top 4 every year? i'm not being funny but a team like arsenal should be challenging for the title, and this season and last season we've been out the race before xmas. yeah finishing in the top 4 gets us into europe but it'd be nice to be in the mix for the title.
another thing i don't expect much to happen in the january transfer window but in the summer we need a big clear out and need to bring in some big names but that's no guarantee either.
all we need is usmanov to have control with david dean sorting out transfers and contracts.
gooner mark
17 Dec 2012 15:56:17
In my opinion Arsenal FC has no place what-so-ever for a person like Silent Stan Kroenke on the board, regardless of how the team and the manager are peforming.
This man has no passion or desire, two of the fundimental things needed for a top 10 team in world football to be the best, and it shows with the teams he owns in the U.S.
He has not benefitted our club one bit. He is a worm.
We cannot and should not let this man drag us any further back, we were once the best, and now look..
Im not saying go out and spend hundreds of millions but at least show some desire/intent/guts and show everyone we are still The Mighty Arsenal!
I really want to let Stan be known he is NOT welcome nor is he wanted at our club and i am all in favour of Red and White Holdings to take his place.
I want to see Wenger re-united with Dein and become the force they once were.
The sooner the better in my eyes.
OnceARedAlwaysARed
17 Dec 2012 14:37:55
Great to see that Jack Wilshere is interested in renewing his contract at Arsenal, despite the rough times we are going through.
Thankfully we got lucky with a player like Jack, let's hope he can be our Gerrard.
I just hope he doesn't get his head turned by Real Madrid or something because we really can't afford to lose him and I think we all know that at some stage, there will be offers for him, without a doubt.
Im not ready to trust a player not to leave as I've been let down over and over again, but if there is one player I can trust not to leave, its Jack Wilshere.
Nick.
Really hope so, remember rvp was happy to pen a new deal a few times whilst he was warming the treatment table, the one full season we got out of him he was off!
17 Dec 2012 14:33:42
Gervinho doesn't even like to play central, he's a class act if he's played right. He carried the team with Sow to win Lilles first title in 57 years with 18 goals and 11 assists, give the man a chance.
That was the french Ligue 1, but over a year is a long time to "adapt". His decision making is erratic to say the least and he can't even finish his dinner. Sorry, but dribbling, and being direct without any end product is not what we need.
To say he carried the team is a tad far fetched. Was hazard not player of the year and in the same team
Spanner
17 Dec 2012 14:09:24
just checked in and apparently i've been the source of confusion and/or anger perhaps.
i didn't mean to call Charlie a whacko, but i do think some of his more claims are a bit far from credible. this is a good example of a transferred epithet gone wrong.
i don't intend criticise charlie or his support for the club or his right to question or comment on posts here. more power to you. but in all fairness, the freedom of speech applies both way, right?
if he or anyone is of the opinion that everything wrong at the club boils down to the alleged failure of one person, i think it's only fair that i question the integrity of that logic.
it's the claims that i spoke out against, not the individual. being a sane person (or so i am told) i could make an emotional or alcohol-induced claim that giraffes are plotting to take over the world and such a claim would be worthy of a title along the lines of 'whacko'. it was meant as a lighthearted jab rather than anything else and i'd hope it was taken as one. but nonetheless, i apologize if it might've come across a bit rough around the edges. i intend to bring nothing here apart from good banter.
psychocyst.
Really? No need to apologise, I'm sure Charlie is ok with it, right Charlie?
Ha I actually thought you were calling me mental....thanks anyway Psycho :D
Let's all enjoy the page...I've said what I have to say about Wenger. I wish he'd change and there is still time to stop playing Rambo RW and maybe change the formation, will he though? Hmmm.
Still, this game tonight is all I care about, I expect a big win!
Metal Gooner
I'd bet good money on Giroud scoring tonight if he's playing. perhaps an assist for Poldi. if Walcott plays, count an assist of a goal on his tally.
psychocyst.
17 Dec 2012 12:34:16
The way the club is run as a self sustaining business model, i would say that before we sign anybody we will be hearing the old excuse of the squad is too big and we need to sell/release players before bringing others in.
We have far too many players on our books on stupid wages for doing jack sh1t. there isnt a great deal of difference between average and top players at our club in terms of wages and that is were the problems start, How can Chamackh, Squid, Denilson, Ramsey, Arshavin, Diaby, Fabianski, be on or around the 50,000 a week mark, barely play a game and still pick up the wages. THIS is where AW has cocked up the most for me, hes responsible for the wages, i mean how the hell can we be going through the same thing with Theo, just give him the extra money and keep our best players, get the deadwood out and free up a shed load of money towards wages and improved contracts for our top players and stop them leaving on the cheap
N. Wales Gunner
17 Dec 2012 12:22:19
By Jason Burt11:59PM GMT 15 Dec 2012
Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov bids for bigger role in running Arsenal and calls for shake-up in the boardroom to give Arsène Wenger more support.
Alisher Usmanov, Arsenal's second biggest shareholder, will renew calls for a shake-up of the club's board at the end of the season if the team fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Uzbek billionaire is understood to believe that such a failure after 15 successive seasons in the competition could prove a catalyst for change but, like the board, he supports of manager Arsène Wenger.
Usmanov believes Wenger lacks board level expertise to help him and has been starved of resources, although there are now substantial funds to spend.
Usmanov does not want Wenger to be replaced as manager he has 18 months left on his current contract and remains an admirer of the Frenchman and what he has achieved as well as his approach to football.
Usmanov is believed to be frustrated with the continuing refusal of the club's board to hold talks with him and has privately claimed that his patient approach should have been met with greater respect. Usmanov bought into Arsenal five years ago and believes he has not taken an aggressive stance and not been an outspoken critic, despite his frustration at largely being ignored.
It is understood that Wenger met David Dein, Arsenal's former vice-chairman, last week to discuss problems over the team's lacklustre displays. That is a regular occurrence as they have stayed firm friends since Dein, who brought Wenger to the club, left the Arsenal board in 2007 after irreconcilable differences.
Dein sold his Arsenal shares to Usmanov for £75 million and was appointed chairman of Red and White Holdings, the company the billionaire established to build his stake in the club, but quit the following year. His relationship with Usmanov remains good and it may be that the return of Dein could figure in the tycoon's plans if he is able to hold talks with the Arsenal board and the biggest shareholder, Stan Kroenke.
Usmanov, who owns 29.9 per cent of the club, is believed to consider Kroenke's effective sole control, with 66.76 per cent, unhealthy and regarded Arsenal as being in a stronger position when there was more than a 'plularity' of owners with a variety of opinions on the board.
His chances of a role at Arsenal a seat on the board remain slight. But he will continue to call for greater team investment and offer to pay down the debt that remains on the Emirates Stadium. So far the Kroenke camp has refused any dialogue.
Usmanov feels there is a lack of expertise on the Arsenal board; he has highlighted that some of the commercial deals are not as strong as he would have expected and he believes the club should capitalise more on social media. His greater concern is that Wenger has seen a drain of talent, such as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, while replacements such as Juan Mata and Eden Hazard have moved to Chelsea as Arsenal failed to 'close' deals.
Arsène is an honourable guy, he never criticises the board, he protects them, one source said. At some point it is maybe the board that needs to be refreshed.
Usmanov sent a letter last summer in which he questioned the way the club was run at board level and the lack of investment in a team that has not won a trophy since 2005. His stance has been reiterated by fans' groups such as the Arsenal Supporters Trust who have questioned the strength of the Arsenal board and the support structure around Wenger.
However, Wenger has appeared resistant to change and his backroom staff has remained largely unaltered in 16 years. Steve Bould and Neil Banfield were promoted in the summer but neither has much influence. Claims of a rift with Bould have been denied but there has been undoubted tension with the former defender not being allowed to coach as expected.
Wenger has also been resistant to requests from some former players to be involved in the club's set-up. It is believed both Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp approached Wenger to ask if they could take coaching or ambassad-orial roles before being appointed by Manchester City and Ajax.
Usmanov attended a charity dinner with Thierry Henry in Moscow this week and called for the striker to be given a role as an ambassador not a player.
Contract negotiations surrounding Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna have followed a familiar pattern of drift with Wenger unwilling, it appears, to confront the likelihood that both can leave for free at the end of this campaign. Sagna is believed to be bewildered by the non-scheduling of talks as he wants to stay.
Wenger has significant funds available in January and has tasked Dallas-based transfer-fixer, Dick Law, to strengthen the squad. Inquiries have been made about a raft of players with a striker and a goalkeeper a priority.
We need stan out!
Usmanov sounds like a lad, if he's not a sugardaddy like Nahyan and Abramovich - then give him the majority right now, and get Kroenke away from our club.
We need to get silent stan out! We need to call for his head.
He doesnt care about arsenal or us fans, hes just happy sitting in his U.S.A lodge gettin paid..
17 Dec 2012 12:17:12
Big shout to the away fans tonight lets make some noise for the Gunners.
Positive vibrations love your team 3 pts=5th place.
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever Arsenal
John Player Special
17 Dec 2012 13:36:21
Nice post but give up those fags!!
Stoner
17 Dec 2012 11:29:31
if theo does not sign by jan then instead of letting him run his contract down then ffs wenger needs to sell him. let him go. i've said this before but we should make liverpool an offer for sterling with theo as part of the deal.
gooner mark
Whats to say that sterling would wont to go to arsenal away? you cant just say here is walcott and a bit of money and we will take sterling off your hands!
It don't work like that.
17 Dec 2012 11:19:37
Football really is so simple at times,
Q: who's your best finishers at the club?
A: Theo and Podolski
Q: where do you play them?
A: UP FRONT!
This is what i have been saying!!
metal gooner
17 Dec 2012 10:24:06
do not expect any big names players to come in january, in fact don't expect any big names coming in under Wenger's tenure.
He has never brought a world class established player because in doing so it will mean he has to finally deliver. Which is something he will not be able to do.
He also can't manage anyone with an ego bigger than his own. He is a massive OCD control freak and does not like any variable that is not under his full control.
It sounds all negative but it can be a positive managerial style if he didn't pamper the squad and treat them like school kids.
Very upset with Wenger at the moment and do not agree that the board has to take responsibility, I believe if there was a real transfer target that Wenger was adimant about, they would make the funds availible. There has been so many players that have passed Wenger by, that he should have brought and have gone on to become world class.
I am looking at what Micheal Laudrup is doing and I am a big fan, not many would agree, but he is a coach to keep an eye on.
Most important season ever for Wenger and Arsenal FC!!
Pinchy the Gooner
17 Dec 2012 10:46:40
I too am a fan of Laudrup's work, he is able to spot talent and allow them to play their style of football. He has to be tested in terms of squad depth but he seems to have a plan B without having to change much in the team
Is Cazorla not world class?
Sally
Sally, pointless arguing with the 'Anti Wenger' crew, they will say that santi was only bought because he is cheap. These guys won't be happy until he spends £100m on 3 players which are no better than the ones we have.
We need players who can play our style of football, we had those players and we could not hold on to them, that is the problem AW will put it right, but he does need to be able to change tactics when things are not going our way during games, this is his downfall at the moment.
Wenger matched hazards and mata's transfer fees! Why didn't they come? Wages! Wenger will spend but with our wage structure we will always struggle to complete deals when up against the clubs that have to offer ridiculous wages to attract players {Ed002's Note - Arsenal made no offer to Lille for Hazard this summer.}
I dont think we need to spend 100m on players, i think we need a manager who is ambitious, is Wenger still ambitious?
We are Arsenal, not Spurs, Everton or Newcastle! Have some pride in your club....
Pinchy the Gooner
17 Dec 2012 13:18:55
Ok, I have not posted anything for some time now, but have enjoyed with interest reading all the various posts recently. I'm sorry if this seems long winded.
First thing I see is that no matter how much we discuss, agree or disagree, we are seemingly split on whether we trust Wenger or not. So for that reason I don't feel that by changing him we would be better off (other than from a knee jerk reaction of a few games?).
Unfortunately results like the Bradford game do not help the feeding frenzy that seems to be building against us as a team or Wenger, especially with the media absolutely loving the fact that they have a storyline to die for. "How the mighty Arsenal have fallen". I was as pi**ed off as the rest of you in regards to the result on Tuesday, one that didn't surprise me in the slightest, because this is Arsenal now or whenever. We have a way of making life hard for ourselves and tripping up. (League Cup Final - Swindon, League Cup Final - Luton, FA Cup Final - West Ham, FA Cup Final - Ipswich, Cup Winners Cup Final - Real Zaragoza, League Cup Final - Birmingham.) Then the odd stumbles. ( FA Cup Final - Sheff Wed, FA Cup Final - Man Utd 3-2, The run in to winning title in 1989, loosing at home to Derby.) I'm sure there are others.
So after letting myself calm down, the Bradford game is another of those results that happen in a one off game. I will be more gutted if I don't see the name of Arsenal FC in the draw for next year's Champion's League group stage and believe me the rest of you will feel the same if it happens. So I go along with the argument that 4th, 3rd or 2nd place is the next best thing if we're not to win the Title. Arsene Wenger has managed to do that for us now 15 years on the trot, even if we have just stumbled over the line recently, but then how many of you got more enjoyment out of pipping the spuds than most other results that year . Winning the Capital One cup (nice as it would be) and not getting into Europe's prestige tournament is like having all the trimmings but no turkey at Christmas. (thought I'd make it seasonal) Can't see many top players saying "Gotta move to Arsenal now, they've only gone and won the Cap One Cup".
I'm one of the people that believe in what Wenger is trying to achieve and that he is covering for a lot of what is going on at boardroom level. I feel that he has tried to help get the debts paid off as quickly as he possibly can so that he can then concentrate on re-building the next generation Arsenal. If he could have won a couple of things along the way (Cups mainly), then that would have been a bonus. Now that it seems we are close to being in the so called financial safe zone everybody is calling for all sorts of things to happen.
He also covers for his players when most of them, not just Gervinho, Ramsey, Walcott, Arshavin etc. all of them need a good kick up the Arsenal. They are the ones out on the bloody pitch kicking the ball to one and other, looking to put it into the thing they call a net, not Arsene. It's like being taught how to drive a car and when you have a smash all your friends and family blaming the driving instructor.
I'm screaming at the tele sometimes when they don't play the most simplest of passes one minute and then pass it two feet when a quick look and they can play someone through. That's not Wenger's fault. Missing the goal or not even hitting the keeper, that's not Wenger's fault. Like someone said in another post, poor Wenger looks like he is lost as to why things just aren't happening. Agreed he does pick the wrong players sometimes and I agree that he'd be better off and get less stick if he was to throw a couple like Eisfield and Gnabry in there, maybe not together.
So getting back to keeping Wenger, let's get behind him as well as the team, there are enough opposing fans taking the p**s without us giving him the bird.
Arsenal is a family to me and hopefully to all of you and if one of your family was getting stick or being attacked how many of you would stand by and let it happen, even if you didn't totally agree with him. He's your family and you'd be right there for him.
We have a great team who will need our support more than ever at the moment because of all the flack that is flying their way. They don't go out intending to lose games, but if they start getting stick then they will never be able to produce their best.
If we get a few more players in January (my take I'd like at least two, Striker DM, Henry a bonus and it would be good to get the others fit.) then we do have an incredible team. CL is a must, not just for the money but the prestige value too.
Early cheers to all for Christmas, starting tonight.
Estepona gooner
Wenger is as responsible for the wage structure as anyone else at the club,
he's the one who sanctioned high wages to so many poor players
AG
17 Dec 2012 15:00:01
When all others were losing theirs. Nice post and happy Christmas.
Stoner
17 Dec 2012 09:49:15
even if we win tonight it won't make a blind bit of difference to me because the problems are still there. a good result will just paper over the cracks
We only get to within 2 points of 3rd so no difference at all
A win tonight will put us in to 5th place - doom & gloom merchant
How many times is this dude going to use the phrase "paper over the cracks"? ; it's getting boring. Imho, yes a win won't fix all of our problems but it would certainly go a long way to lifting the mood and as an above poster noted; we will be in 5th play (2 points below Spurs I believe).
I beleive that apart from a couple of complete duffers in the squad (Gervinio and Santos) and out of form players (Sunch as Ramsey - although I'm not sure if he is out of form, crap or just played out of position), we have a great squad who show a lot of fight (especially compared to last season); they just need some confidence, which will come with wins and positive work in training (something in training obviously isn't working at the moment; could possibly be that with this current formation, unless we are really on top form, our attack is like a wet fart..).
Also, I really wish Wenger would give Podolski to play as a striker (I know he fluffed a sitter the other day..) - would be the best of both worlds to either haev Poldi and OG playing side by side, or Poldi as the main striker, with OG heading on/slipping passes to Poldi.
Anway, just my two cents there - really looking forward to the game tonight; I think we will win either 3-0 or 3-1.
p.s; Have tickets for the boxing day game; gonna be gutted if it get's resheduled due to the greedy TFL workers striking (any thoughts on when it could be rescheduled to in that situation?)
17 Dec 2012 09:26:07
If Wenger wanted to, and Usmanov would allow it as well.. Could Wenger take out as much money as Usmanov would allow? Just curious because it's something that interests me and maybe something that would need to happen if things get even worse.
-LacedUpTJG
17 Dec 2012 10:33:39
Of course they can. Usmanov once offered £100m no strings attached to be spent on the squad. Guess what the clowns making the decisions at Arsenal chose to do?
Usmanov never offered £100m, he merely suggested that a non-interest issue be raised, which in effect meant fans would lend the club the money, with no interest being paid. I would like Usmanov in charge, as he seems far more interested than Kronke & would in all probability bring Dein back.
17 Dec 2012 09:11:55
Play Thiery Henry upfront, get Viera back in midfield and ask Bould to get his shorts back on. The season is doomed and you know it and soon you will fall into a decade of darkness.
Last season was a miraculous ending of fairy tale proportions, but even Everton and the laughable Liverpool will be too much for you this season. The table will finish as follows;
Man Utd
Man City
Chelsea
Tottenham
Everton
Liverpool
West Brom
Arsenal
8th is where you will finish, the future is doomed after wasting so much on mediocre players and allowing superstars to leave because you no longer offer incentives to careers.
It is Christmas time. And you are not going down this season. You are still in the Champions League, and you have a nice stadium. Enjoy the season and go see Arsenal in Europe, as soon you'll be swapping Wednesday for Thurssay nights on the box, and if you think I am joking safe this until the end of the season and see for yourselves.
The Oracle
17 Dec 2012 09:35:54
Well oracle aren't you a mind of useless information, bet you were born at an early age and walk with your feet close to the ground too, apart from the obvious mistake of Utd at the top you're not far off to be fair, now jog on back to what ever part of the country you come from outside of Manchester.
Jenny Taylor
You should be on stage. Sweeping it. Flybo
He is a fellow person like me, but we never listen to a word he spouts either, dont worry goons, he`ll get the message one day! well we hope anyway.
Much love
Oracle, more like OROTHIS!
Go back to your Spud page before I come over there and make you all cry again
Sonny Boy
8th we're not the spuds
I thought that ORACLE/CEEFAX etc. had been taken of air... and so his pathetic little synopsis should also be banished to anals of history.
Or maybe he is in the Matrix fanclub...I'm not sure which.
I suppose if he were a Spurs fan then at least he speaks from experience on the Thursday night football side of things...
I think that it would be knee-jerk to start jumping out of a ship that is still afloat.i.e. Let's see where we are at the end of the season before we start getting too concerned. We are in a bad patch, nothing that can't be remedied. We normally come good later on whilst Spurs implode. We do however, need a good DM and Striker in Jan....IF they are available.
Kermit79
The Oracle - get a life mate.
Don't you have anything better to do than to?
You really must have too much time on your hands.
We will always finish ahead of spurs so if we finish 8th you will be 9th dont you ever learn your lesson
watford gooner
17 dec 2012 08:50:19
judgement day!!!
champagne charlie
17 Dec 2012 03:17:38
Arsene Wenger has been absolutely superb at Arsenal, winning two doubles and picking up silverwear along the way. The club has remained in the top 4 and has moved through the group stage of the Champions League time and time again. It is absolutely amazing to hear so many fans call for his head, when he has orchestrated a team whilst managing the boards intention to fund the stadium expenditure.
Every Gooner knows the board have sold them short, and poor old Wenger has spent the last 7 years with pirates attacks on his warchest. In the same time the main competitors like Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and even Spurs and Liverpool have invested considerable amounts of money in their squads.
Then there is the history of developing and culturing players into stars like RVP, Thiery Henry, Anelka, Overmars and Viera. These success stories have clouded many judgements since as players like Chamakh, Diawara, Denilson, Cygan, Squilacci, Djourou, Fabianski are all given too much air time hoping they will become the next superstar.
On a positive note there are some real talents like Wilshere, Cazorla, Vermaelen & Oxlaide Chamberlain. The issue is more the facts that average squad players like Mertesaker, Santos, Rosicky, Arteta, Gervinho, Jenkinson and Gibbs have become the core of the club. How standards have fallen from a few years ago when top players warmed the benches hoping for their chance to impress on the field.
The great news for non Arsenal supporters is this year is a burden too great even for Wenger. The squad is the weakest ever, and players actually are no longer commited, you need only ask Clichy, Fabregas, RVP and the departing Walcott to confirm this point. I expect a panic buying spree in January but Arsenal have already proved that they are very skilled at wasting money on over-hyped stars in this department. I think the growing disconcerted will force Wenger out the door this season, and just imagine a Benitez or even Hughes in his place.
The solution is simple, keep Wenger, give him money, get rid of the dead wood and move forward for the first time in 7 years. The reality is Wenger will go and the board will continue with it's overly conservative financial policy, and Arsenal will fall into a decade of darkness.
The Oracle
State the obvious mate...
I agree with most of your comments, except there if Wenger wants them. It is his decision not spend, please dont blame the board. As for the dead wood, again Wenger is responsible for these players, some simply not good enough & others have become worse players under him. The problem with the board is that they are pretty much anonymous . Previously we had the superb Dein & Fiazman at the helm. Now we have an absent owner, Hill-Wood ~ who is in 70's & has ahd a heart attack & Gazidis.
I have seen it all now!!
wenger supporters have brought in the "oracle" for support!
they will resort to anything to keep their man in a job and drum up support.
you whent tooo far when you brought in a dirty spud for help.
low,very low!
champagne charlie
If someones mediocre then it's certainly Vermaelen. Mertesacker is class and arguably Londons best centre back. Name a CB who was voted man of the match on Etihad other than him please?
Also Rosicky is a great player, remember his majestic performance in the 5-2 game vs Spurs (the first one).