Arsenal Banter Archive March 18 2016

18 Mar 2016 16:02:02
So against the top teams we beat Leicester twice, tied both games against Tottenham, beat city in the only game we played, there really is no excuse for our position. We drop too many points against inferior teams.

18 Mar 2016 16:14:21
Yep it's the other way round this year.

18 Mar 2016 16:28:41
Yes seems about right.

18 Mar 2016 18:51:07
Everton and Wet Spam games will determine if you qualify for champions league this season.

18 Mar 2016 19:35:59
You could be right NES,
Two big games that we need to win.

18 Mar 2016 17:09:18
We have done our job. It's other teams fault for not bearing them haha Wenger at his best.

18 Mar 2016 21:06:13
Typical Wenger deflection.

18 Mar 2016 21:06:13
Typical Wenger deflection.

18 Mar 2016 21:16:40
Cucumber Dags?

18 Mar 2016 22:00:32
Swansea could say the same about us, as Southampton West ham utd and so on.
What a ridiculous thing to say.
We've got ourselfs into this we must get ourselfs out of it, well take all the help we can get but ultimately its our responsiblity, would have been much better to have said.

18 Mar 2016 22:34:53
Just a bit NES :-)

19 Mar 2016 07:55:24
LIverpool away, Stoke away and Chelsea away could determine yours NE also.

18 Mar 2016 09:14:02
Obviously Flamini Arteta and Rosicky should be released at the end of the season and IMO Theo sold, Ox has had a very poor season even when fit but its the first bad season he's had so is well worth another season at least.
Then be honest about Olly no matter how hard he works or how much he cares ( both are plain to see) but he isn't a premier league winning striker also Mertesacker who no matter how good he is in the changing room or how many times he has a go at Ozil for getting the hump after we've been thrashed he is the obvious weakness for teams to concentrate on because of his lack
of pace.
Replacing Olly and Mert along with clearing out Theo would make a very big difference to us because of the message it send out to the remaining squad that the expectancy level at Arsenal had increased and people needed to perform to stay rather than be kept on because their Arsenal through and through or good in the changing room or regularly have a go at spurs on twotter or all the other reasons they've been popular off the pitch but not on it.

18 Mar 2016 10:48:58
Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky should have been released last summer. With Arteta's injuries last season and his age, I couldn't understand why he was offered a new deal, which has cost us, probably 3 or 4 million in wages. In Wenger's defence I read that he did try and release Flamini, presumably no one came in for him and we would have had to pay his wages, so keeping him was the sole option. Rosicky at 35 years of age wasn't a good idea. As for Theo and Ox, I extremely surprised at Wenger's use of them this season. The Ox looks unhappy, unless we change manager, I can't see him staying and I would hate to see him go, I would love to see him play under a manager such as Mourinho, who would demand so much more, which I believe he has to give.
In respect of Mertesacker, I fail to understand the logic of playing a sluggish centre back in a team that plays a high defensive line, where his lack of pace will be exposed. The same happened to John Terry when AVB was at Chelsea and we put 5 past them at Stamford Bridge, with RVP made to look like an Olympic sprinter! Giroud is a difficult one, as I like him! However, is he a top striker? We have seen the likes of Henry and Wrighty and Giroud is way off their ability. I really like Welbeck, but he seems to lack the confidence and natural ability to finish consistently and score goals out of nowhere. When you see the way the Barcelona front three finished against us, it shows the huge gulf in attacking options, but who can you sign to lead the front line? I would love to see Lewandowski, but he is at Bayern. Aguero so another superb forwards but not available, Do you unsettle the excellent Kane at Tottenham, bu offering huge wages? Not that he would go to us. On paper Sanchez, Welbeck and Walcott should deliver, but that hasn't been the case this season and all three have suffered from injury for long periods.

18 Mar 2016 11:58:16
Rg, you must take off those arsenal glasses as you are talking though your scarf. You said arsenal are having a better season than spurs how, yes we went out to palace in the FA cup and you are boasting that you went out 1 round later to the mighty Watford is clutching at straws. You also talk of Kane joining you is laughable when you can't offer him anything but getting into the top 4. As for Lewandowski, aguero wanting to come to Arsenal you could have held that off for 2 weeks time when it will be April fools day.

18 Mar 2016 12:17:48
Your right raver . There is not much between us either way! The only difference is it's a good season for you and a poor one for us.

18 Mar 2016 12:28:12
The raver - I suggest you read my post again and properly this time.
I didn't say Arsenal were having a better season than the Toot. I said we had done better in the 3 cup competitions. As you know we knocked out Tottenham in the League Cup. We went further in the FA Cup and we were in the CL, rather than the inferior EL. In the PL, we are a game in hand and one win away from catching Tottenham, with arguably an easier run in.
If you read my post correctly, I compliment Kane, as he is a quality player, but clearly state that he wouldn't join Arsenal. I also mention a couple of other top forwards, but again make it clear that they virtually impossible for Arsenal to sign. The purpose of my comments was to explain that Giroud the strikers we have may not be top notch strikers, but the players I would like to see play for Arsenal, such as Kane, Lewandowski or Aguero, simply are not available. As for the inane comment in respect of April fools day, if the cap fits then wear it. A fool and his words are easily parted. The pain at the lane just goes on.

18 Mar 2016 13:32:50
There is no pain at the lane as we are favourite's to win the league. The pain is at your club when going from a brilliant invincibles team to a average side that is not going anywhere in the near future.

18 Mar 2016 13:51:42
the raver - favourites to win the League! I would suggest Leicester are in pole position.
Last league title 1961! Were you even alive? 55 years ago!
Last FA Cup 1991! Were you even alive then? 25 years ago!
Last League Cup 2008! Were you even alive then? 8 years since your last trophy!
The pain at the lane, just goes on.

18 Mar 2016 13:56:54
You maybe right raver but there are a few games left and it's way to early to be getting over excited. It wouldn't surprise me if we finished above you. We always go on a good run after the CL exit.

18 Mar 2016 14:10:49
hah #enjoytheride could easily end up like #mindthegap. It would be so funny if that happened again.

18 Mar 2016 15:34:44
Rg, still the first club to do it all you forgot to mention that. Plus we have a more European trophies in our cabinet lol.

18 Mar 2016 17:10:31
Both teams Are out of the cups. Neither won them. End of.

18 Mar 2016 22:17:52
Mertasaker is our main weak link in defence so need to be sold, but I just don't see Wenger doing it. Would love to see us go for Stones and I think alongside Kos that will be a top partnership.

Yes we need a Top class striker the problem is attracting one to our club. The real top level ones we need are pretty much settled where they are and would be dropping a level coming to us to be honest. Aubemyang may be about the best level we could possibly attract but he will not come cheap you looking at 50-60Mill and would he want to come with Dortmund riding high at present? .

We could get Imbriamivich (Spelling) but that would be just short term with his massive wages. Huigain another option but we tried and failed before with that one and I am not convinced he would be the answer for us anyway.

For me Aubemyang or Canvani would be my top choices. Costly obvs but if we are serious about challenging we need splash out.

Walcott has just not done it for me he should be in his prime now but juts flatters to deceive. I would defo sell Walcott for any decent money. Ox I would hold one more season but he has to start performing and quick. The problem he his best position in in that crowded Am role were Ozil commands.

18 Mar 2016 07:37:28
I remember asking this question around December last year, I will ask it again. Have Arsenal improved this season compared to last season?

{Ed001's Note - has to be a no doesn't it? Even though Cech has arrived, so it should be a yes, the rest of the team seems to have taken a step backward, other than Ozil.}

18 Mar 2016 08:06:39
Bellerin has improved, Monreal a bit, elneny and Cech and Caz have been good, but other than that all backwards.

Never really thought it possible but Zlatan might be the answer, 2 good years from him and we are more title ready than Chelsea!

18 Mar 2016 08:17:54
I remember around October time someone posting things were different this season and we would be champions to which Ed001 asked why things wer different this time I that he didn't see how things were d any different to any other season at Arsenal, its obvious now he was spot on.
We're still the same team of 2 half a season 1 champions form 2 the other mid table at best, no doubt we were calendar year champions for 2015 just as we were in2013.
So in answer Rue absolutely not.

18 Mar 2016 08:23:34
Unfortunately Red if he comes to England its Chelsea he will join IMO, anyway our fans wouldn't want him have you seen his wages :-)

18 Mar 2016 09:06:10
Don't disagree Rue, thought Wenger might, just might, take the plunge for his legacy ;- (

18 Mar 2016 12:19:45
We are about the same! As always 4th place contenders out same as always in CL at the same stage there are currently about 15 teams around Europe better.

18 Mar 2016 12:37:57
15 is a bit of is stretch, yes we have been out at the last 16 of the champ league for the last 6 years, but it has been to Barcelona 3 time and bayern munich twice. by no means do i believe we are one of the top 5/ 6 but after that i believe we would be a match for any of the others.

18 Mar 2016 13:54:23
Don't forget about Monaco! It's not the point who knocked us out it's a point of measuring if we have moved forward and we haven't . Ok you could argue there are 6-7 teams better but if we were in a European league with 20 teams on this years effort finishing anywhere between 10th and 15th would be about right.

18 Mar 2016 18:19:45
Barca bayern juve real madrid psg borussia dortmand monaco athletico seville porto inter ahead of us plus wolfsburgh benfica man city have qualified further this year off the top of my head. Arguably recent results also put us behind man u and chelski who have actually won the thing. May have forgot someone and it is just my opinion.

{Ed025's Note - all arsenal supporters are talking like they are fighting relegation steve!, ok its not great and for a club of arsenals stature and certainly under achieving but come on guys lets have a bit of perspective, great club with some great players and support, brilliant stadium and a history most clubs envy.."so pick yourselves up dust yourselves down and start all over again"..but not till sunday.. :)

18 Mar 2016 18:49:58
If we don't win Saturday ed this site will go into meltdown, easy three points for us usually lol.

{Ed025's Note - big rom might have something to say about that steve.. :)

18 Mar 2016 19:39:37
He won't score against the team whom he will be playing for next season. Nudge nudge wink wink.

18 Mar 2016 19:39:37
He won't score against the team whom he will be playing for next season. Nudge nudge wink wink.

{Ed025's Note - you wish steve..but if he did leave. going to arsenal would soften the blow a bit mate..

18 Mar 2016 20:14:43
If he did happen to move he will not come here ed.

{Ed025's Note - you may be right steve the asking price will be very high i imagine mate, maybe PSG, chelsea or city will out bid arsenal by about £25m.. :)

18 Mar 2016 20:26:23
The fight back starts tomorrow Ed, we will rally no question and will finish top 4 and above spurs, just as we did in 2010 and 11 and 12 etc and I have no doubts we will again next season
How's that for being positive made :-)

{Ed025's Note - its all good G62, i thought we had lost you to the dark side mate.. :)

18 Mar 2016 08:40:25
id said zlatan may not go chelsea. he's old and needs champions league football. although psg winning it could change everything.

i posted the other day i'd love him here it got a bad response. two year deal 250k a week let's do it. he will sell shirts big time.

18 Mar 2016 08:57:23
gunner are you referring to red dogs posts? miss that guy.

18 Mar 2016 06:41:52
It's Interesting that Wenger is being castigated for his management, whilst Pochettino is the best thing since sliced bread:
League Cup:
Tottenham - Out in 3rd round losing at home to Arsenal.
Arsenal - Beat Tottenham away in 3rd round.
FA Cup -
Tottenham - Out at home to Palace in 5th round
Arsenal - Reached the Quarter Finals
CL - Arsenal reached the last 16, going out to Barca
Tottenham - Reached the last 16 of the inferior Europa League, going out to Dortmundt
PL - Tottenham currently 6 points ahead, while Arsenal have a winnable match in hand, at home to WBA, which could narrow the gap to 3 points. Tottenham arguably have a harder run in and Arsenal have top players returning from injury in April for the run in. I believe that Arsenal will overtake Tottenham and finish 2nd, whilst Tottenham will finish 3rd at best, possibly 4th.
So Wenger, despite huge injury problems, may finish 2nd and have had decent cup runs, whilst Tottenham will only have reached the level that Redknapp had years ago. Next season with the strain that CL football will put on the likes of Leicester and Tottenham, I cannot see either them being in the positions they currently are. In addition, their players, Leicester's in particular will be sought after by bigger clubs. Whilst, hopefully Arsenal will have the injured players back fit for next season and Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky will be replaced.

{Ed001's Note - the strain of CL football? Europa League football is much more of a strain, but they have coped with that. The words straw, at and clutching are coming to mind here.}

18 Mar 2016 06:53:08
With all due respect Ed, you can hardly compare playing in the EL to the CL. In the CL you play teams of a far higher level and almost every team puts out their strongest line ups until they play matches that are little consequence ( final matches in the mini-league or 2nd legs where a team has no chance) . Whilst in the EL the teams are weaker and teams, such as Tottenham play weaker line ups, such as away to Dortmundt.

{Ed001's Note - with all due respect, that is simply not always true. You play many more games in the Europa League, there is more traveling involved (which is the most tiring thing of all), plus it is played on a Thursday, leaving less time for recovery. Sorry but any one involved in preparing teams for matches will tell you that the Europa League places a greater demand on a club. Oh and Spurs played a weakened side because they have a chance of winning the Prem and it was too much to go all out in the Europa League, because of the difficulties it presents. The quality of the opposition is meaningless, Dortmund are better than most teams that you face in group stages of the CL anyway.}

18 Mar 2016 07:29:37
Simple reason being Tottenham has improved immensely under Pocchetino while Arsenal have been stagnant or even taken a few steps back in the same period.

So yes, the media is right in rating him above Wenger.

18 Mar 2016 08:32:04
Very positive spin that Rue but spin none the less, I do think we will finish above spurs again but the spursday night league has been accepted as the most difficult to balance with league form by all in the game since it began.
Whether we like it or not spurs are having a very good season and we're doing our usual thing.

18 Mar 2016 08:47:13
Seriously Ed, with the upmost respect you are suggesting that the EL is more demanding, has better teams than the CL and the quality of the opposition is meaningless! Yes, Tottenham played 2 more matches, against mighty FK Qarabag! Even the Thursday excuse, is simply an excuse, as can be seen from this week when Arsenal played Barcelona on Weds and play Everton early on Sat, whilst Tottenham on played Dortmund on Thursday and play Bournemouth later on Sunday. The only people that could agree are Tottenham fans who are used to failure on a grand scale. Any informed fan would realise that playing the likes of Barcelona and Bayern is far more demanding than playing teams that were not at the top of their respective leagues last season when qualifying or were simply not good enough to get out of the group stage of the CL.

{Ed001's Note - if you say so, but funny how all the coaches and staff involved in the game disagree with you, obviously you know better than everyone else. Or it could be that you are a typical biased fan making excuses for his team being well below the level it should be? I know which I believe it is and it is not that you are an expert who knows more than anyone else, that is for sure.}

18 Mar 2016 09:32:47
RG mate making excuses won't sort things out mate.
We as a club need to stop continually finding excuses for our selfs while continually telling ourselves other clubs have it so much easier than us.
Its a 38 game season and everyone plays everyone else twice at some point over the season and everyone ends up with exactlythe amount of points their performances and efforts over that season have earned them regardless of what other teams do.

18 Mar 2016 09:51:48
Sorry the bit about positive spin was to RG not Rue, sorry Rue :- (

18 Mar 2016 09:54:45
Without showing you disrespect, as I appreciate the time you spend on this excellent site, I doubt any sane coach involved in the game would agree with your assertion that the EL is more demanding than the CL. The CL has better quality teams in general and is the top club competition in world football. I am the last person to make excuses for my own club's performance, I merely initially pointed out that Pochettino is being hailed as great manager, whilst Wenger is being shown as a failure this season despite Arsenal having greater success in the 3 cup competitions this season and could well catch Tottenham in the PL, as well. You, on the other hand wish to make a case for the EL being more demanding than the CL, which it clearly isn't. It simply doesn't make any sense. You question my knowledge of football, without knowing me, nor my footballing background, which again make little sense. If I am being judged on my assertion that the CL is a superior to the EL, then it is simply an foolish basis to judge me on, even though I am of course correct. Presumably on your basis, you will say that the Championship is harder to win than the PL, because the teams play a couple more matches or that the League Cup is more difficult to win than the FA Cup because you have to play two legs. As I said, I believe we will have to beg to differ on this occasion, but thank you again for all your efforts on this site.

{Ed001's Note - you might doubt it, but there are plenty of them on record. There is more to being demanding than the quality of the teams involved. Quite simply your constant deflection is completely missing the point. Pointless having a conversation with someone who refuses to understand a single thing being said to them. You carry on with your delusions. It is only yourself you are deluding.}

18 Mar 2016 10:35:30
Hi Gunner62, I am not making excuses, I was just illustrating the small difference between success and failure, with one manager being hailed as a top manager, despite having won absolutely nothing in his managerial career and going out of the two domestic cups fairly early on and conceeding the EL tie to Dortmund in the first leg. Whilst Wenger, who has won many trophies, has come under huge pressure despite doing better in the cup competitions. In the league, with a home match against WBA in hand, Arsenal could easily be just 3 points behind Tottenham and arguably have an easier run in and top players returning in April.
If we finish top 4, then I believe Wenger deserves the final year of his deal and to be judged on next season's performance, before offering an extension to his deal. As we have discussed before and I know we differ, I believe that despite frustrations with Wenger, we have to have a top manager to replace him and most if those are in a top job elsewhere or have problems, such as a lack of English. If the likes of Ancelotti, Guardiola or Mourinho were the replacement, then bring it on, but l received suggestions for manager such as Warbuton and similar, which wouldn't appeal to me one bit.

18 Mar 2016 12:34:07
RG69, the Europa league is a complete nightmare the worst fear of eliminated CL teams is to get put in the Europa league. It's not a difference of opinion it's a fact . Stop obsessing over Spurs. What will be will be. A league over 38 games is a perfect reflection of who's the best.

18 Mar 2016 12:51:10
Rg you as ed says are toally biased and quite honestly deluded but are entitled to your opinions. How much further did we go in the champs league, how many more points are we going to get this year, how have we progressed this year, what positives have slapped us in the face this year and how many less managerial mistakes have we made this year. I would be negative on all them and so are most other people. Why are people all over the country saying wenger should go, if he is doing a sterling job, why because to any person who looks at it objectively, he's failing with the tools at his disposal.

18 Mar 2016 12:58:21
Sonogolovesbentner, and of course the Champions League is a walk in the park! The EL is the failures from the previous season, paired up with the failures in the current seasons Champions League teams. That is the fact, pure and simple.
I am not obsessing over Tottenham, I merely compared Pochettino who is being praised for having a decent season, whilst Wenger who has done better in the cups, even eliminating Tottenham at their place in the League Cup and can overtake them in the League, has been given a hard time.
The amazing manager is Ranieri who has done an awesome job at Leicester and deserves all the credit he is getting. Perhaps a good replacement for Wenger, when he goes?

18 Mar 2016 13:07:52
G62 you are right in that thee are no excuses.
so if arsenal do win the league, unlikely i agree but not impossible, will you say its down to Wenger getting it right and arsenal being the best team in the league or that other teams let us wing buy there player having injury's and being out of form?

18 Mar 2016 13:08:58
Steve. r. - I suggest you read my posts properly. I didn't talk about progress. I simply mentioned that Wenger is being given a hard time, whilst Pochettino is being complimented. I explained that Arsenal have been superior in all three cup competitions and are a game in hand and one win away from catching Tottenham and we have arguably an easier run in.
As fans we all get frustrated and look for someone to blame, I still believe that in the cold light of day Wenger has done an amazing job at Arsenal, including two FA Cup wins recently. We compete for most competitions until the latter stages and have no divine right to defeat the likes of Barcelona and Bayern over two legs. Nor do we have a right to win the league when financially doped teams such as Man City and Chelsea are around and Man U, who have one of the top incomes in world football. I believe that the frustration this season has been amplified by all the bug teams under achieving and teams outside the top four, such as Leicester and Tottenham being above us, with a greater chance of winning the league.
Yes, I would consider replacing Wenger with the likes of Guardiola, Ancelloti or Mourinho, but I have a horrible feeling that we could make the wrong choice and go into the type of decline seen by Liverpool and Man U, since SAF retired.

18 Mar 2016 13:33:26
The quality of the sides in each competition is not the point. It's the day it's the amount of games and the travel to the more exotic parts of Europe . I think your in a group of your own in thinking what you are thinking.

18 Mar 2016 13:36:54
Ok whatever way you want it potch has progressed toots arsene hasn't arsenal. There is no debate.

18 Mar 2016 13:38:25
Poch is getting praise because it's the best Spurs have been in years and wenger is getting crap because we are the same or even worse possibly. It's as simple as that. Not to hard to fathom really.

18 Mar 2016 13:38:51
Rg going back to your last sentence, do you not think we are in decline at the moment, we definitely aren't going forward whatever you may think.

18 Mar 2016 13:59:22
Steve. r - I am not sure we are in decline and possibly not going forward, although we have some good youngsters in the pipeline, such as Iwobi and Reinne-Adelaide. We have signed 3 world class players in Cech, Ozil and Sanchez. The next step is a huge one, to compete with the likes of Barcelona and Bayern at the very top of world football. Is Wenger the right man, probably not, but I would hate to see us replace him with some of the names that have been mentioned. If we were able to replace him with the likes of Guardiola, Ancelloti or Mourinho, then I'm up for it.
Sanogo - pleased stop making out that the EL is more difficult than the CL. It isn't and it's absurd in the extreme to even suggest it. As an Arsenal fan, I adore being in the CL, even if it means getting knocked out by Barcelona and Bayern. I would be embarrassed if we could only manage to qualify for the second rate EL.

18 Mar 2016 14:33:35
Who is saying it's harder . Try and not deflect the debate. The issue here is the way each competition effects clubs domestically and the Europa leauge given all the reasons ed and others have told you. Where are you getting lost!? Who has said the competition in itself is harder? Or are you trying to make out that's what you were on about when you can clearly now see what everyone has been telling you! If your lost I can't help you I'm not a sat nav for deluded peeps.

18 Mar 2016 15:00:44
GB who ever gets the most points is the best team that season over 38 games if its Arsenal Leicester or anyone else whether their the best of a very bad bunch or of a high quality high points totally season their still better the best, as for Arsene doing a great job :-) if Arsene had a formula one car and Raneiri a 110cc fiat and Arsene pipped Raneiri to the post in a10 lap race iI wouldn't be nominating him for world best driver award would you, and that as you point out that's a very big if
RG he's been in the job 20 years mate and the last 12 of which without a title challenge and Poch is still to complete year two is and Raneiri year one come to that mate, just my opinion but I'd say their having a much better season than Arsene right now.

18 Mar 2016 15:07:15
RG = owned!

18 Mar 2016 15:14:43
Don't you start lol 👊🏻👍🏻.

18 Mar 2016 17:13:23
If you guys think poch hasn't improved them you're mad.

18 Mar 2016 21:21:56
Exactly Derby.

18 Mar 2016 00:12:19
Sepp Blatter was paid £2.6m last year.

He must play for Barca.

{Ed003's Note - 50k a week =-O }