Arsenal Banter Archive April 18 2014

18 Apr 2014 21:42:37
Yet another post about our injuries.

I have been following Arsenal for over 40 years now and as far as I can remember I have never known an injury list like it. (I'm sure most supporters can say the same about their team).

For example, when did you ever see Dixon, Winterburn, Adams and Keown injured? In fact, I can't even remember, apart from Steve Bould, who our 'reserve' defender's were.

Henry injured? Vieira? Pires? (maybe), Bergkamp? Petit? Lauren?
Even going back a few more years, the likes of David O'Leary, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, Alan Sunderland, Frank Stapleton, Brian Talbot, Rocastle, Rix, Brady, Michael Thomas, I'm just plucking names out of the air now.

But my point is, I hardly remember these players getting injuries.

Sure, the modern game has changed. It's faster, more physical, more tactical, more life or death, but surely with change comes more advanced diets/nutrition/protective boots/pads, so why do we get so many long-term injuries?

Dags

The answer is simple.
Giroud has not been injured much, and has pretty decent form away from home.
Book up the entire premier inn.

YNWA

I think like your previous post about the extra games, back in the 70s 80s and early 90s to an extent there wasn't as much euro football.
I would also say I believe pre season currently consists of fitness training the players which wouldn't be to dissimilar to marines training. The need/desire to get the players to peak match fitness so quickly, then continuing pretty heavy fitness training through the season, I'm not surprised that by Xmas when the fixture list piles up we suffer from all these injuries.
Surely by the time your 6-8 weeks into a season fitness training should be at a minimum ( unless obviously the player is recovering from injury ). When you think about marathon runners, the won't run a marathon every time the go for a jog. Probably 10-15 miles at a time. When you play football every 3 days pretty much the only thing training should be for is tactics, something we have clearly struggled with this season.

Mick, there is a rumour that he scores more in the Premier Inn than he does in the Premier league, lol

Good points Rocky, totally agree mate.

I should hope so too Dags, he, s scored less than skrtel since christmas and you wouldent f@@? with him.

Now this is another gem of a question and a tough one to answer. I really don't think that it can be blamed on our medical team entirely if at all. let's go back a few years. Pitches were shot to pieces come Febuary we never had the space age treatment we have now as an example a cartilage operation would put you in a plaster cast and you were out of action for 6 months now its keyhole surgery and walk out the hospital that day etc. I think the a lot of the blame has to come down to the salaries players are getting. Why? Because when clubs are paying the massive salaries they are now the club as a company are under pressure to get those players back on the pitch. The company has a duty to keep the supporters happy, shareholders and so on. So therefore the medical staff are also under pressure. Now this is my controversial part! Ill call it "The Eye Of The Tiger " Players being hungry enough! I'm not saying all but you can bet your life that when some players are on 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 thousand pounds a week there is not a great rush in worrying about whether they are fit yet. I'm not saying they want to be unfit. I'm saying that some players drag it out. Years ago the more a player put in the bigger the star he become not like today when a player is a star by virtue of his pay packet. Years ago a player seemed to want to play because they had passion for the game and the club. They wanted to be fit if you were not on the pitch nobody knew who you were. Today that's all taken care of by the media! You could be a famous footballer just by being seen in the directors box on TV on a pair of crutches or by being a TV pundit. So I'm going to say to this question that there is no hunger to get back like there was. There you go .

{Ed025's Note - good post that goldie..

DAGS
I think Lord Wenger gets good players to the top of their game.
We own a share in a race horse the bloody thing is the vets best mate.my daughter has some old nag, thing is as tuff as old boots.
I don't agree with it being more physical,, but they are at their peak fitness

Top reply Golds

Agree about the hunger Gold. But would you say that's down to poor management? I mean take Man Utd, their wages have been considerably higher than ours for the last 10 years. Fergie wouldn't let the hunger drop, and you could tell that by when a "2nd string player" was called upon they would play so well they would end up keeping their place for some time. Where as like you say there's an element of complacency amongst certain players because they know even if they play well replacing a regular first teamer they will be back on the sidelines no matter how well they do.

Hello goldB

excellent post. none of them will of course admit to it, but I think you are pretty near the mark.
you've hit the nail on the head:)

COYG! we need our 4th place trophy:):) haha andi doesn't mind:P

COYG andi:)

Ummmm, a tough one.

I personally think it's because our players are overplayed and the squad is not big enough.

When I say the squad not being big enough, I mean simply the amount of 1st team regulars.

As a 1st team player, there must be an immense pressure to be the best you can be. To make everyone happy, knowing that being injured for to long could mean you lies your spot to an emerging player.

Thus pushing yourself to hard, overdoing the physio etc. ultimately increasing the risk of further injury.

Arsene's ancient training methods and the lack of quality squad depth which leads to players being overplayed. Simple.

ROCKY. On Manchester United and Moyes . The perfect answer is to your question is " A new broom doesn't! always sweep clean " and that's what we have to watch out for.

New broom old broom that is the question Gold's, as you say new brom doesn't always sweep clean but look at Spurs, they've had the same old broom 40 years, ok its had 15 new heads and twenty odd new handles but its still the same old broom that cleans up nowhere slowly and leaves everything looking worse than before it started

Our training methods are outdated

Funny how other than breaks and tears, they are all muscle related injuries

It's the same every year

US
what make you think they are out of date mate
i guessing its a guess

18 Apr 2014 20:13:08
Interesting stat from today's papers.

I hope this doesn't come across as sour grapes but Liverpool have played 12 games fewer than us this season.

Let the debate begin.

I would say that ours and liverpools squads fully fit are pretty similar. We both have a great first 11 but the back ups are a little weak. Obviously the amount of games played makes a difference and the injuries certainly come from more games being played so liverpool have certainly had that advantage.
Take Saurez or sturridge out and their next striker is Aspas. Would he have the same impact as say Sanogo, quite possibly. Take Gerrard out and would their midfield be as strong. Who have they got to fill his boots?
The question will properly be answered this time next year when Liverpool have those extra games to play.

Monsieur Dagenoir

Sour grapes indeed.

Did you miss something?

Liverpool tactics 1,, smash 4 in 20 minutes
2,, rest up
3,, buy more little hendersons
4,, sorted.

YNWA

Kind regards

Good perspective Rocky mate.

Those Extra games make a big difference I don't think to many would argue with that, I think pound for pound our team and squad are better not sour grapes just my opinion.
Ramsey most importantly but so many injuries haven't helped our cause, but the single biggest difference is Suarez.
He has had an unbelievable season and his form has brought belief to others that has grown and grown. Put Ranaldo in the Everton team?
A player like that who makes and scores so many goals is sometimes the difference between a 4 th place battle and a title challenge

Ouch Sizemick,

I wasn't having a dig I promise (well just a little one I guess), lol.

And get your facts right, it was 4 in 19 minutes, so up yours mate.

(Smiles)

Good points G62

18 Apr 2014 18:03:55
After watching a recent AW interview, it seemed like there was a change in his general demeanour ( recent successes) has there been any movement on Mr Wenger signing his contract, I can't help it, I still have a soft spot for the guy, even though he is bit inscrutable at times

I think most of us still want Arsene in our hearts, its just our heads that that have lost confidence in him.
Some good really singings AND a statement that we have be prepared to adapt our style in certain games and times would soon have the vast majority very much back on Arsene's side

I agree with that G62. If Arsene can change and modernise his ways and start to spend some decent money then I'd be more than happy for him to stay. However, I know in my head that he will not.

For me I don't think it's a case of we still want Arsene in our hearts. I think it's a case of "Better the devil you know than the one you don't "! We may end up with a manager that takes a season or two to get himself bedded in. Look at the state Moyes is in? Who would have predicted that at United before the season started.?

Sir Alex??

Estepona gooner:- ole!

18 Apr 2014 15:04:47
With the PFA player of the year nominations just being announced I can't help but feel gutted for Rambo, but for the injury he would surely have been in contention.
Hey ho Aaron you and Mesut can battle it out next season.

Totally agree G62

17 Apr 2014 19:30:04
Hi Eds, any interest in any of the Southampton boys?
Shaw? Chambers? Lallana? Rodriguez?

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - Not from Arsenal.}

18 Apr 2014 09:07:50
Arsene says Mesut Ozil will be Arsenals player of the year next season, I wouldn't argue with that for a minute, but I think with a fully fitt Theo Aaron and Ox plus 2 or 3 very good signings Ozil might just prove to be a bit more than just our player of the year 2014/15.

If you look at the bles - if Aaron had stayed fit and MO had only had a couple of week off we would surely have been right up there with the leaders

Ozil has 43 million resons to be our top player.
but how can you not love the welshman.
pure class .