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23 Jan 2013 22:16:46
Getting annoyed at some of these comments that say we where rubbish the first half. We played well and West Ham was lucky. One misstake by Cazorla and we created a a lot so stop the moaning. The game was really good and I thought that all the players put a very good effort in. I was especially pleased with Ramsey and Wilsheres backtracking. Impressive in both halfs. The rest speaks for it self really. Great game.
The Swede
23 Jan 2013 22:11:50
Very good performance from the boys today. Very surprised with how well Ramsey and Wilshere did as central midfield pairing. Ramsey had a very good game both offensively and defensively. Wilshere was brilliant as always.
But for me, Podolski and Walcott ran the show (the German shading it for his sheer power and ruthletvess). They were absolutely destroying West Ham's wings and you could see that Walcott was completely taking their back line out of shape whilst Podolski took advantage with some really good final balls.
However, I hope Arsene doesn't let this performance paper over the cracks. We still need to strengthen quite a bit. But it's definitely a great result today considering I wasn't very optomistic with what I expected the result to be.
Eman.
Yeah destroying "west ham" a championship club.i mean we didn't destroy Chelsea.dont be fooled it won't be like this next wednesday.
Wolvo gooner
West ham are not a chamionship club ^ lol.
You do know this was a PREMIER LEAGUE game?
An impressive victory is important, trying looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty, it makes life more enjoyable!
23 Jan 2013 22:05:15
French and German papers suggest that Arsenal will buy Goetze, Hummels and Diame for 50mill... seems like BS but we can only hope.
That would be a dream set of signings
Throw Villa in also!
SY4
You forgot Cavani and Fellaini!
23 Jan 2013 22:03:55
Love the result - but can't help feeling we'd have been better served with scrapping a dodgy win - so that Wenger doesn't start believing his own propaganda.
23 Jan 2013 23:02:17
Post match press conference Wenger was asked about signings to which he replied.
'Nothing to report but I am working very hard that is why I have to go'....
Looking like something is happening Gooner Guys and Gals....
Also interesting that Diame didn't start the game for WH....
Hackney Gooner
Yes I have feeling Diame is angling for a move to us, I it would be typical Wenger signing with a low fee. He looks a beast the little I have seen of him.
23 Jan 2013 23:00:41
hey guys, just wondering how rambo played tonight in a more central position??
brummy gun
Very well indeed.
Well played Rambo - back in his preferred position and showed it
We need to get behind him.
SY4
Very very well, odd stray pass but he didn't look out of place at all, mature performance......but the Pod was excellent, realy think he should be given a more central role.
and the whole front 6 played well together, Sagna the only let down again better but still think Jenko would do better.
1404
He had a really good game worked hard, passed with confidence looked at easy in the central mid role
Bryan
I am trying to be as unbiased as possible here - I thought he worked hard defensively. However, for much of the game when we had possession he was routed to the spot once we were in their half. There were times where I just thought 'I wonder how long it'll be before Jack starts kicking off with him about lack of movement'. I thought on the whole we played well but we definitely had the 'handbrake on' in the first half as Wenger would say. In the second half we stepped up a lot and it showed how slow Ramsey was at times. He was good defensively, slow offensively, too much backwards and sideways passing but one or two nice attempts at through passes. But all this in context - he did not have a bad game, just a better version of the typical Ramsey. He is getting better. If the rest of the team plays like we did in the second half against Chelsea and the second half today then I hope it sinks in with Rambo and he begins to up his tempo in the future.
Just trying to be fair, he defended well but wasn't great on the offence.
Metal Gooner
Pod is good in central or in that left wing. I think he is good finisher, but in left wing we don't have anyone so we should let pod stay there for the timebeing until we buy someone worthwhile. (Will that time come? I don't know)
He played a deep lying holding role so in that respect he had a brilliant game keeping play moving and breaking up west ham attacks, I do agree he needs to pass the ball quicker but that will come once he gets a few games under his belt in that role.
Baz136.
23 Jan 2013 22:31:04
Interesting from Wenger's press conference when asked about signings, he replied that he had no new information, but that is why he was cutting short the press conference as he has work to do!
Im not usually one for overly reading into things, but seriously?! At 10.30pm? That can only involve Diame...
PWR gooner
23 Jan 2013 21:59:46
The 5-1 today really worries me now because all that wenger is going to think now is that the squad is good enough to get in the top 4 now and therefore he won't buy anyone except maybe a youth player or 2.
No I think he has made it very clear he wants 2 signings this window, and he has done so on numerous occasions now.
Even I have faith!
Metal Gooner
23 Jan 2013 21:51:05
Imagine what we could do with 2 world class players.That is what is so frustrating 2 more players to go to the next level
Limerick Gunner
23 Jan 2013 21:48:49
Well slap my thigh, tickle my balls and call me Shirley. I really didn't see that coming. I would have bitten your hand off just for the win. Always nice to do over bombhead Sam Allardyce.
Plus chelski get knocked out. They are few and far between, but today is a good day :-)
Flybo
Lets hope for many more, we've lost many battles but not the war...
ARSENAL FC TILL I DIE
Yorkshire Gooner Joe
23 Jan 2013 21:47:21
Really miss Pod and Giroud since subbed
SY4
23 Jan 2013 21:31:41
With how s**t Vermalaen has been this season we need to do something. Now we can;t drop him, as Wenger has given him the armband, which should have gone to Arteta. So why don't we experiment and try him further up in the DM position. It seems like it could work, as he's quick, agile but can tackle as well. Anyone else agree?
Only Gooner In The Village
Sounds good to me.
Completely agree, I said towards the end of last season I would happily replace him in defence with a top quality defender and put him in the dmf role
1404
Vermaelen's actually done pretty well in the last few games.
23 Jan 2013 21:24:12
Give the players and wenger praise for this performance.
These players have not been with each other long btw 1-3 seasons. Boy they are going to be awesome next season
23 Jan 2013 21:14:18
SAF wants Wanayma this window and is considering a bid, he was there to watch him on tuesday too, if we lose him to UTD then this would be very bad for arsenal, he's a real beast and just what we need, better than Diame AND can play centre back.... Wenger sign him up!!
Source: tv
Celtic won't accept any bids for him atm, he is one of there bet players and the have juve just around the corner, just onto see him going anywhere
Glasgow gunner
23 Jan 2013 21:10:11
IMO we don't need any new players.. We have a title contending team... Confidence and passion is what we lack.. Look at the game tonight ... Not scared to get in and attack the ball - everyone should take a lead from Wilshere- watching his 'another view' filming of his goals you see the same passion as Stuart Pearce was for England .. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED!
The only one who looked like they didn't care in the west ham game is Sagna.
I'd rather have jenkinson than Sagna any day of the week!
IMO the only thing that buying new players will do, is add a bit of competition at Colney for the team sheet .. Which isn't a bad thing..
Ed, with such versatility in the game of a midfielder these days, do you think there really is a need for a DM?
Chriscamo {Ed001's Note - yes, for Arsenal I do. There is no one taking responsibility in the middle, that is the problem.}
23 Jan 2013 21:07:03
well I guess arsene's half time pep talk really does the trick...
MrD.
23 Jan 2013 21:54:30
5-1 amazing power play spell in that first 15-20 Mins of 1st half, did not expect that. Just about the most fluid we have played all season.
I do not what the players take at half time but they need to take it from the start.
Podolski start player and got us going after a slow start tonight but all played pretty well. Even Sagna had a decent game considering his poor displays of late. The bad injury to Potts meant the game faded out but still.
4 point behind Spurs now lets get a run of wins going now.
23 Jan 2013 21:05:02
Are these guys taking EPO at half time or something?
Lwi
Must be taken some sort of drug (Speed maybe), Cant explain it otherwise. Need to start taking it before the start of the game.
23 Jan 2013 21:04:49
Lukas what can I say? Great game from him so far! 5-1 and hopefully more to come COYG
Josh
23 Jan 2013 21:04:22
Is there a fire drill where the Ham fans going lol
OMG best footy I've seen us play in years #im 16
23 Jan 2013 21:04:03
Spanking for Sam!
Build some confidence up boys!
SY4
23 Jan 2013 21:03:23
Best I've seen us play in a long long time!
23 Jan 2013 21:02:01
1 good result shouldn't mean we forget all are problems, lets not forget that we need a couple of world class players and we wold be doing a lot better
Wilmslow Gooner
Behave mate enjoy the moment ffs
Yep Set piece defending is my biggest concern. Until we started to fire in 2nd half West ham still looked dangerous on set pieces and it is still something we must improve with better communications and organisation and players being stronger attacking the ball. It is something that can be worked on in training so Steve Bould must have more input here.
In open play we can still beat any side on our day when our tempo is high press well and our passing crisp.
23 Jan 2013 20:55:35
I don't know why everyone continues to fall over themselves during tte transfer window, Arsene has made his intentions clear, he has secured the core of the team on long contracts and now he is looking for any bargains that might be there to be had simples.
Please can someone show me a presedence of him spending 20m+ on a transfer fee, eeeeer you can't so stop living in lewandoski land
23 Jan 2013 20:41:10
half time.... COYG
podolski!:) thank goodness... wally where the F are you? the idea is you WORK for 100grand a week!
andi
23 Jan 2013 20:39:51
1-1 got better as half worn on after a slow start. Well taken goal from Podolski. The look dangerous at every corner and free kick mind so need to be stronger a defending set pieces. Walcott looks more dangerous when more central and has the beating on them in one on one situation.
Need to keep the tempo in our passing up and get walcott on the ball more. Gibbs linking better with Podolski.
23 Jan 2013 20:37:24
Well 1 st half was rubbish saved by podolski again were making Westham look like Milan
23 Jan 2013 20:11:09
M'Villa gone to Russia. Ruben Kazan. Probably to disappear and get paid a lot of money.
cs
23 Jan 2013 20:07:15
Westham all over us great team you built wenger please get sacked after this game
Say something now sunshine!
You absolute plank, egg firmly on face!
They were never all over us lets be fair
1404
23 Jan 2013 20:04:06
Im so gutted for this team...better team and go 1 nil down so unlucky
23 Jan 2013 20:01:00
Sagna just made a forward pass!...Wish I took a picture.
Detroit Gooner
23 Jan 2013 19:45:28
superbowl is nearly over (even though he team not in the final). What will kronke do with all that spare time, hockey or fishing. Certianly not watching or sorting out the mess at AFC.
23 Jan 2013 19:29:43
With Newcastle being overloaded with new players I think arsene should take a cheeky 12mil punt at cabaye, no mad wage demands, great player, proven in prem, all round midfielder, and a complete professional. May not be a superstar, but him wilshere and arteta/cazorla will be such a good midfield trio.
23 Jan 2013 19:25:09
Rubin Kazan has confirmed the signing Yann M'Vila after the player opted to move to Russia instead of England
23 Jan 2013 19:21:21
It's looking less and less likely that Arsenal will sign somebody this January window who will be able to make a seriously positive and instant contribution. A few players do remain available though who Wenger is rumoured to be interested in.
Let's take a look at the players who we were linked with throughout the window who we missed out on:
*Mbiwa (joined Newcastle)
*Remy (joined QPR)
*M'Vila (joined Ruban Kazan)
*Belhanda (about to sign for Inter Milan)
*Adrian Lopez (wants to stay at Atletico Madrid)
*David Villa (staying at Barca)
*Huntelaar (extended contract with Schalke)
*Holtby (signed pre-contract with Spurs)
*Zaha (about to sign for United)
Here are some who we have been linked with who are still either available or have not flat out rejected the possibility of a move:
*Wanyama (I doubt Celtic will sell in January considering they're in the last 16 of the Champions League)
*Gourcuff (overpaid and injury-prone but a possibility)
*Diame (realistic chance of signing him)
*Llorente (not the mold of striker we want plus he's probably going to Serie A)
Others we have been linked with are ridiculous prospects that clearly will not happen (i.e. Gotze and Hummels). Looks like fairly slim pickings left but let's just hope Wenger has an ace up his sleeve that he'll pull out before the end of the transfer window.
~~Gunnersaurus's understudy~~
23 Jan 2013 19:16:17
Diaby is not injured, Wenger wants to be carefull with him to prevent an injury set-back. It is incredible how some of you is always on the manager and the players backs. First it is calling Theo a money-grabber for not signing, then he signs and all of a sudden he is not good enough. Stand by your team please. Tonight is an important match, as we can close the gap again.
Norwegian Gunner
23 Jan 2013 19:00:54
Not confident about tonight.
I don't think half the players have belief in the manager or themselves.
Can see Big Sam setting up to play deep, long ball counter-attack stuff (I'm a bit psychic) and exploit our high line and Mert's lack of pace/Sagna's lack of effort/Vermaelen's lack of leadership/the whole back four's lack of communication skills.
AG
WOW YOU ARE PSYCHIC!! You should become a professional, not! COYG!! lets get a couple more :)
How did your prediction work out for you?
Have some faith!
23 Jan 2013 18:42:57
Belhanda's deal with inter Milan denied by inter apparently so maybe this was a ploy to get a bidding war on the go, hope wenger slips in and makes a steal, on the plus side linked with a player from Germany, hummels Goetze and lewandowski being claimed would love any of these but doubt it is, personally hoping it is hummels. expect us to sign diame as wanyama is Kenyan and will need to appeal a work permit and interest from united will deter us to go into a bidding war we will only lose which will only lower confidence and self-esteem further. However diame Is a great buy for 3.5mil! Also if we get David villa then that will be a great sign we are willing to take chances, and lets be honest only a couple years back he was the most sought after striker in the world. Now come on arsenal make a real statement tonight! And arsene give us a cheeky hint in the post match interview ;)
Horses mouth
23 Jan 2013 18:30:31
Yann M'Villa has signed for Rubin K blah blah blah!
This is now ridiculous!
Out with Wenger! I had enough. It's like we don't want to qualify for CL next season
Hughesy118
23 Jan 2013 18:24:20
Gunners4Life - thanks for the epic reply! I will look at it after the game, kind of tied up between now and the game...cheers though.
Metal Gooner
My friend for you it had to be epic!
A great result, onwards and upwards!
Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!
23 Jan 2013 18:06:04
Do not expect much in January as wenger does not like this period due to players prices being forced in wrong directions.Also why would a player leave Dortmund to join us when we are not setting the world alight plus we have Munich in next round in which IMO we will struggle to go through.confidence is the issue lets all get behind aw and the mighty arsenal and not boo and moan yes it's not the greatest season but the spuds are only 7 in front and they think that they are having a great season so let's all join together and get us over the line in minimum 4th place then we can build with a bit of tweaking we will be back
Arsenal fan
23 Jan 2013 18:02:21
that, because Wanyama is Kenyan, his work permit, which is more than likely to be granted, would need to go to appeal as his country are ranked outside the world's top 70, which is a criteria set in the UK.
So, in order to finalise a deal for Wanyama, a bid would need to be made prior to next Thursday's deadline and most likely by the weekend to give the process enough time to be completed.
So there you have it..if by the weekend, if they've reported it correctly, and AW haven't made a bid, we're not in for the big fella :/ {Ed001's Note - you can complete the WP process after the signing is all agreed and the paperwork passed through the FA.}
23 Jan 2013 17:58:42
Must win tonight.....need to win this match at hand on the leaders and make some points up...long way to go
Players need to play hungry and angry tonight....I still say this team needs an injection of Tomas Rosicky...he was the tonic last season when we turned it around.
We need to start treating every match we play like a knockout match we MUST win because that is what it's come to now
Coyfg......get the points and lets move forward
US Gooner
23 Jan 2013 17:39:52
Does anyone know a good, free stream to watch arsenal on tonight??
Thanks Gooner5555
Cool sport.tv stream 7
Thefirstrowsports.eu
Its being shown all over european tv stations, but nothing that us Brits can view(unless you have a motorised satellite dish, of coarse).
Braintreegooner
23 Jan 2013 16:27:47
People need to get off wengers back look wear he has took this club we was average team he won lots of trophies moved us to a stadium wich is awesome we have bought cheap players an young player because of the 365 million to pay for the stadium an we still finish in the top four every year the stadium is now paid for an arsenal will compete again now look at teams around us at the time he took over who was in the same mould /situation as us villa going nowhere leicester Leeds championship Newcastle got religated not long ago so give the man a break he managed this team so well over the last 16 years just think if we got another manager we could still be a highbury in the championship so back of arsene 'IN ARSENE WE TRUST'
You must be wearing blinkers, football is all about now, the invincible s team was great. Try comparing it to the teams and football that we have been playing for the last few years.
Wenger has to much power at the club and he does not recognise the problems within the team.
What should we do, just say nothing, pay high prices, and watch the same mistakes and mismanagement over and over again !
Open your eyes and see what's happening !
Old Gooner
you have been brain washed by Arsene, the clown in a suit Ivan and the other greedy mugs running the club! Yes he's done a great job while being paid 7million a year to do so 8 years without a trophy says it all! On top of that he's also responsible for many average players earning sky high salaries we can't even give them alway let alone sell them on, all this while the board demands 20m dividend.
23 Jan 2013 18:55:24
no one is ungrateful for what he has achieved.
but the fact is all his achievements are in the past and the team has been on the decline for 7 years.
end of story.
AG
23 Jan 2013 22:27:46
Just be careful what you wish for every manager makes bad signings good result to night gunners
23 Jan 2013 16:23:15
Surely scouting players is as much to reject those who don't fit requirements as it is to sign them!
yorky gooner
23 Jan 2013 16:06:12
Tonight won't be easy, its big sam after all he don't where the chain for nothing ;) ... he's hard and so are his team, very well organised don't roll over easily
tough game tonight, imperative we start well could do with an early goal, don't want there being tension in the stadium
Midfield concerns me, they have strength and some good quality tbh and we don't have a recognised defensive player fit, if wilsher rambo and santi play, lack fo height and strength not to mention protection for the back 4... ERM DIAME PUT ON AN ARSENAL SHIRT FOR TONIGHT MATE?
HAHA cheer his name and song him a song, WENGER WENGER SIGN HIM UP?
i'm going 2-0 arsenal CMON YOU GOONERS! walcott and podolski.
3 points a must!
what score do you guys think? predictions??
comments welcome
Yorkshire Gooner Joe
I think 3-0 if we can get it in our heads to perform like we did in the 2nd half of the city and chelsea game then we defo can't lose, just bring in Jenks instead of Sagna and we should be solid!
23 Jan 2013 15:45:23
If Arsene Wenger says he needs new faces why does he not act like other clubs instead of dithering.
23 Jan 2013 15:29:18
m'villa has joined rubin kazan.
sissoko has signed a pre contract with newcastle
diame will stay at west ham
arsenal will sign nobody
23 Jan 2013 15:11:37
Arsenal has become a mid table team. we are suffering here in Nairobi Kenya please you guys over there in the UK please tell Wenger to do something and lift us up. tell wenger to join illuminati so that we can win trophies!!!!!!
23 Jan 2013 14:55:05
Sagna interview: Q. Do you want to leave #AFC? "That's difficult to answer. I want to win something first"
And his performance on the field matches this attitude. Wish Wenger sold him this window and bought in someone new. Also needs to use Jenko more.
I guess he will be here a while then. that's good isn't it
dave
Another reason wenger needs to move upstairs! Jenkinson was in great form and got dropped like a hot potato, and sagna rewards this faith with the worst form of his arsenal career whilst asking for a big pay rise and long term contract!
23 Jan 2013 14:49:50
DIABY injured yet again plays crap for 3 games then crocked buy someone else for god sake wenger
I wouldn't be surprised if AW has made a bid for M'villa, missed out on the other targets so left with the scraps
N. Wales Gunner
He's not injured he's being rested.
23 Jan 2013 14:09:14
Why for me Wenger needs to go.
We have sold our key players year after year, we have listened to B.S year after year, false hope and praise and the highest tickets in the land to watch a 4th place trophy hunt.
Look at athletico bilbao...they turned down Juventus offer and would rather let the player walk out for free...they are not playing for a champions league spot or will they find another basque player with Llorente's skills. however this is about pride and they are sending a message that it is not about money. Now Juventus are left scambling for other targets and for all that we know, David Villa could be one of them, if at all we were in for him ( depends what wenger says)
So here we are 5 months after we sold a striker for 24 million. we took the money and we ran...the striker is taking his employers to the top of the league...we are struggling to get that 4th place trophy we keep winning and may miss out on the same all together.
Have we sent any message to any player? NO
Wenger once stated if we sell Cesc and Nasri we are no longer a big team. fast forward a month later and we were 55 million richer but no trophy to show for it, well besides the 4th place trophy.
Where is all this money going? gerv, poldi and giroud have combined to score jack squat compared to one rvp.
Cazorla and Arteta have lowered the vision that we had with cesc and nasri.
So now we send a message? we sign what was our scrub player and make him the highest paid player and all of a sudden we are sending a message we are not selling? PLEASE. we are inviting the likes of andy caroll to drool over the prospect he can earn big money for a decade.
So here we are with a 40 million transfer budget...there are absolutely no quality players available...We sold Alex song and we converted Arteta into a DM. Hazard, Mata, Sneijder, Cesar, remy, demba ba, I could go on and on...none of these players are quality...compared to what we have.
So why are we in this game? are we just here to make up numbers? where have all the supporters gone? does wenger realise the stadium is emptying out?
Quotes on here state that wenger does not buy as he does not deem them worthy of Arsenal....when we are the club hanging on the the garbage how can we call out a club with ambition?
Newcastle have some of the best french talents on their team and we boast a manager from there who has brought us gervinho and giroud...
I'm tired, frustrated, in despair, cannot watch this clueless team or the players who are there to pick up their cheques...i wish we would send them a message to show them that the club is nothing without its fans...
Almunia ran down his contract and left...Arshavin is doing the same, fabianski is doing the same, squillachi is doing the same, pretty soon giroud and gervinho and ramsey will do the same...i mean is wenger r*******?
how many players out on loan? just hire a assassin and get rid of them.
Game is tonight...i honestly want west ham to destroy us...i have had it with this Arsene Knows best, he knows as much as benitez...
I don't want that 4th spot...i want the fans who have not woken up to wake up...getting that 4th spot only means we get 25 million and end up buying more garbage...
id rather we don't get the 25 million, don't buy garbage and then in a season without champions league, try to win the league...in what will be wengers last year and if they falter with less games compared to the other top teams...there is only one man to blame.
after 3 years we considered his excuses...
after 5 years we were on the bring of denying his excuses
after 8 years we have to wake up...or we are as thick as our manager.
we did fine when titi left and we will be fine when wenger leaves.
Critics say you will only realise what we had in wenger once he leaves...perhaps they have not realised he has not won any trophies for 8 years...what exactly is the point of having a manager and paying him 7 mill a year to do exactly what?
Frustrating times...
Gooner in need is a goner in deed.
How can you want arsenal to lose tonight are you a spud fan.Get over yourself and back the gunners not slag them off
23 Jan 2013 13:52:01
do you have any specific names we have actually targeted rather then all this twitter rubbish? thanks
wilmslow gooner
Fook inno wan latest korean sensation
23 Jan 2013 13:34:25
The way Arsenal are at the moment and have been for the last several years we look like we'll be known as the club "who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory".
Almost everything is in place for us to be challenging at the very top but Wenger and our current board are content with mediocrity.
Last year we were given a wake up call, or at least it should have been. We arrogantly thought, that a scare like that couldn't happen again.
Well guess what? That attitude will result in us missing the Top 4 this year, and by quite a bit truth be told. Mark my words. The will get it this year.
Call me negative or pessimistic I don't care, but I implore all of you to WAKE UP!!
The club is being run into the ground you all stand idly by doing nothing but complaining about it. DO SOMETHING!
StEvE
Gob rubbish calm down its only football not war, Arsene knows what he is doing, stand by for a big signing and we will make top 4
So tell us StEvE...
...What are YOU doing about it, other than moaning about people moaning and not doing anything about it?
Genuine question pal.
I think 6th behind
1.city
2.utd
3.chelsea
4.tottenham(shocking)
5.liverpool
6.us
7.everton
My opinion
Wolvo gooner
Please add
Are you telling to club to stop complaining or the fans....
Because if you are telling the fans to stop complaining and do something would you like to explain how this post is not a complaint and what you would like us to do?
Maybe you want a protest at the next game to bring team morale down even more..... Or maybe posters with "Wenger out"....
Or how about you take the same view as the true fans....
That Wenger is having trouble competing with the current cash flow and and can't do what he needs to in January because of contracts and and pricing and the length of the window and also players being cup tied.
Wenger needs a Bill Shankley moment and I do think that Wenger will leave soon and I wish him all the best for the future and thank him for everything that he has done for this club but Wenger is not the problem, I think the problem is Ivan the dick......
Bring back Dein!!
Gunner187
23 Jan 2013 13:33:42
Where do you all think we will end up this season? It pains me to say that I cannot see us finishing higher than 5th and the Spuds finally having something to sing about. I hope that I am proven wrong but the only way I see us getting top 4 is to purchase a quality DM and a Striker to support TW, LP and OG. Time is running out Arsene, please dont let us down.....
I think we will certainly finish outside the top four...
1) Man U
2) Man C
3) Chelsea
4) The Toot - grrrrrrrr
5) Everton
6) Liverpool
7) Arsenal & bye bye Wenger...
23 Jan 2013 13:33:38
just watching tv Diaby is a doubt for tonight anyone got any info. he coulde'n be injured again could he
Limerick Gunner
Yes, he definitely could...
Diaby injured! no...he is one of our fittest players...
He just needs a rest
23 Jan 2013 13:29:15
Gervinho stat! In 41 PL apps since joining Arsenal (24 starts on the wing), Gervinho has found a teammate with just 3 of his 63 attempted crosses
In any other profession a 5% success rate would be shocking. This means there is literally more chance of recovering from brain cancer than there is Gervinho finding an Arsenal player with a cross.
O and we need to win tonight. COYG!
Eman.
23 Jan 2013 12:56:55
Hate it when a win means you don't even change league position, time stands still waiting for the next game!
Used to be like that all the time for us but we was top a lot of the time then so hard for 3 pointa tho change that
23 Jan 2013 12:54:06
Club needs to sell - prices go down before end of the window.
Club doesn't need to sell - prices increase as people bid for players or the opportunity to find replacements diminishes.
23 Jan 2013 12:20:55
Come on Mr Wenger put bids in for some Bradford players at least they are winners.
Too expensive for him, I heard they want £750 a week lol
That's what you can achieve with proper organization .
Flybo
All of them better than Squilacci & Park! Our 'special' Wenger signings!
Nahki Wells destroyed Vermaelen and Aston Villa's defence. Think he's a great 3rd choice striker/winger.
23 Jan 2013 12:19:47
Both SAF and ABU were at Celtic Park last night, presumably watching Wanyama. If Wenger really is interested he'd better get a move on.
Yes he will be very expensive and we may lose out in any auction, but put in a REALISTIC bid now and see what happens.
He will be worth every penny in the not too distant future, the guy has class and so much potential, any fee now will be a bargain soon.
Sorry for my ignorance but who is ABU ?
I think ABU is ferris buellers brother, he is having a day out.
Lakerville
Abu Diaby
He meant AVB
kev88
23 Jan 2013 12:13:06
Eds please post this in the banter section, it's hilarious.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=spJ8mql_a3c
Thanks,
Metal Gooner
23 Jan 2013 11:49:32
Wtf is going on with aw he's defo not sign anyone times running out
23 Jan 2013 11:18:09
Nicked from JUSTARSENAL.COMAn American's view of Stan Kroenke by JeffAs a diehard fan of another team that Silent Stan owns (The Colorado Avalanche) know that I feel the same pain you do. I have been following the Arsenal story since he became the majority shareholder and it's nothing but unfortunate for all of you wonderful fans - and unfortunately not all that surprising to me.The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2001 when Kroenke owned the team, but it was with players that were there long before Kroenke was the owner. Since then, the team has consistently gone downhill and is one of the lowest-spending teams in the league year in and year out, and traded away many of their top players. Because he owns the St. Louis Rams he has since given control of the Avalanche to his son Josh Kroenke, who is just as bad. Just last year Josh Kroenke remarked that Avalanche fans were "spoiled" when the team was moved to Colorado in 1995. Strange choice of words coming from a little boy who was given two sports teams (he is also in charge of the Denver Nuggets now) by his daddy. I sincerely hope that he does not gain control of your stadium as well, as he has done here in Colorado. The ticket prices at the Pepsi Center (Avalanche and Nuggets arena) are overpriced and the atmosphere at the games is dreadful. He also owns the television station that broadcasts both teams' games, and the broadcasters are basically forbidden from saying anything critical of the teams.If you ask me, Stan Kroenke is the absolute worst owner in all of sports and I wish for nothing more than him to sell the teams he owns to people who are actually passionate about sports. It saddens me to see Arsenal going the route of my dear Avalanche and I wish that Kroenke would retire to his ranch instead of taking out what I can only guess is his apparent disdain for sports and being picked last for everything in school on sports fans by purchasing teams and running them into the ground.
Think Stan is a Spurs supporter.
Bergkamp's apprentice
23 Jan 2013 11:11:24
"We only buy players where there is zero chance of competition for his signature. I am sure we were IN for Zaha but in recent days as it became apparent that United were in for him also, Arsene ducked out. No way would he like to go into a public bidding war for Zaha as he knows he would lose and heap further embarrassment on himself. Far safer to say we weren't interested. Also worth disecting his comment "we were never in for him" - so he can still maintain we had an interest but we never lodged an official bid. I don't want to write Arsen'es excuses for him but this would seem an obvious rebuttal to any accusation that he lied to us.Giroud, Podolski, Cazorla, Gervinho, Arteta, Mertesacker, Santos etc - no other club were reportedly in for these players, if there was any competition we would have backed out. Wenger's comments about the last week of transfer window being an opportune time to buy I sless to do with prices and more to do with less chance of competition as more sensible clubs would have done their business early doors.Wenger is a person."
LOL
23 Jan 2013 12:12:41
Arsenal till I die, but what's going on with this arsenal is the most frustrating thing ever ! Wenger makes it worst by not saying nothing to the 60000 people that spend £100+ more a week to watch them home and away, this jan transfer month has been a nightmare, you get people on rumours were guna sign 6 players worth 30 million each and they no sumone that works at arsenal that told em, what a load off bollx,,, the papers say wenger wants to sign zaha, the next day wenger on tv not interested in him at all, you no why coz man united have beat him simple as ....everyone has got to stop texting things on here that are crap, if we sign 1-2 players it will be at the end of jan 11.59pm.....J locky
23 Jan 2013 10:58:22
May I just say there is an absolutely brilliant post on Le Grove today.
I really recommend everyone go and read it. It's about time. I do not read that blog and take it as gospel I really don't, in fact I don't do that in any aspect of my life and my family and friends say it's one of my biggets traits - I will always assess what is shown to me and make up my own mind. A lot of people say that when it's not true, just as a lot of people say they aren't selfish when they really are. If I disagree with a Le Grove post I will tell them. And we discuss and often agree to disagree as they do have a rep for unnecessary slating of the club...however, they aren't saying much that they weren't saying or warning us about 5 years ago, they really aren't. But that long ago, there was far less supporting evidence to their claims.
Well, regardless of all that, I really would suggest reading to day from a neutral perspective. That won't be hard for most of you as you echo their sentiments on here a lot as do I...
..but Gunners4Life, if you read this post, please go have a read, I specifically would like to hear your thoughts on it. Cheers!
Metal Gooner
Youtube Pedro's interview with Brazil Arsenal. Everything his says is 100% spot on
Marty
A thoughtful and honest assessment on our decline.well said
Thankyou for pointing that blog out mate, he was spot on!
Cheers Marty it's on my to do list! been meaning to watch it for a while actually...thanks for the reminder.
Metal Gooner
I stopped reading Le Groove long time ago, because he started to blame AW for everything bad in the world. Many times he was far over the top and was very disrespectful to our most decorated manager in the history. About this post I will start from the end. You have to be very stu*id actually to believe that Arsene have 200 mil in the bank for transfers and he doesn't make a move... How come this man, the engineer of all our success in EPL, the creator of the Invincibles has lost his desire to win. The idea that he likes to depart with the players who he create and players refering to him as a father is ridiculously. And from where comes this 200 mil? We had depth, we had the worst commercial deals since 2004, and in 2010(or 2011) we made new medical center(one of the best in the world)... Just the idea that Arsene is holding money in the bank with no purpose is absurd...
After that the scouting... One players is an argentine national player the other is spain's international so you need a couple of minutes in the internet to see that they are good enough. Complete joke... It is not as easy as that... You have to judge, if this player would adopt to Arsenal's way, would he adopt to EPL and how fast would that be, you have to compare them to other possibility and many other things...
Diame is a brilliant player... I don't know whether he is coming or not, but I will be very very glad if he became arsenal player. Fellaini's release clause is some kind of a myth for me. Don't you think that if that clause was really there he would be now with chelsea, man city or psg jersey... The RVP situation... What could we do.. He wanted 260k weekly, we can not give him that. Personally I think that is good, because no one deserve such a salary... This man hold the club for ransom. And after he publicly declared his intention to leave what are we supposed to do... Make him stay one year more..., yeah keep the player that don't want to play for you and wait to change his mind and to play his regular game... I don't think so... Why ManU ? Obviously the only really interested were ManU and ManC and he choosed ManU... And finally the question about the commitment of the players... What he supposed to say in the current situation of lack of team spirit. Maybe he must have said that they are a bunch of pu**ys and are nowhere near the greats. And after that what is happening whit team spirit... crash. I think that wenger gave the best answer in the current situation. He is giving his best to try to lift the team and some of us are slating him for that.... Disrespectful my fellow gunners, disrespectful...
BGGOONER
BG- Thanks for your post!
I wrote a big reply and was almost done when the sodding electrician accidentally flipped the trip and my computer died... "person" haha.
So sorry if this appears blunt, just rewritten.
Re: 200 mil - I think banked is the wrong term. We have received 200mil in transfers, more than any other club, and spent less than almost every other club, in the last say 6 years. This is what is being referred to. To suggest Wenger hoarded and did away with 200mil and put it elsewhere is perhaps daft, but it's the money received for transfers. Put that against what we've spent and it's shameful especially considering the low payments for the stadium and the way much of the debt was serviced with Highbury property sales.
As for the scouting - I totally agree with Le Grove. We need players with specific attributes and whilst passing and movement are obviously up there, those are innate footballing traits, kind of like a runner being able to walk. We need a striker who can pic up the ball, take players on, turn if he has his back to goal, create something from nothing and score goals. It doesn't matter if they're young (Benteke), old (Berba) big (RVP/Drogba) or small (Defoe/Suarez/Aguero). They need to be strong and capable of those basic strikers traits. They must also have that bred-to-succeed hunger to get a goal no matter what. Chamakh has talent - but he doesn't have the mojo, drive, agility and drive to succeed when the going gets tough. He Giroud B52 cannot pick the ball up with their backs to goal, turn, wriggle away from someone and shoot. All the ones I mentioned can and they aren't all the most pacy or youngest. Those are not traits you get from playing at Barcelona but don't get if you play at Stoke - they're traits you get from being a good footballer and being hungry and having that drive. By the same token, Diame would be a risk as he's at West Ham. They get the ball wide, lump it to Jarvis or Vaz Te who sends it in to Cole/whoever to hold it up fro Nolan to get onto. That's what they do. It's why they got Carroll and now why they got Chamakh. By that sentiment alone Diame is not a good signing. However, Diame actually makes their midfield mobile, gives that dimension and has history at Wigan. All I am saying is it doesn't matter if you sign a Barcelona DM or a Stoke DM if they have the traits we need and are missing.
As for RVP - I hear you. Although, he would have been more valuable to us to keep til the end of his contract and go on a free next summer than sell for £24m hand United the title and lose top 4 as nobody could possibly replace him. He is a winner he would have given it his all even if we'd held him to his contract. We should have done and we're paying for it.
As for Fellaini - what people forget is that when that clause was put in his contract he was nowhere near the player he is now, for one. Or only showing glimpses. At the end of the day 3 seasons ago he was a bit of a muppet, inconsistent, had no real side to his game that was batter than the next, and like I say he showed glimpses. Only last season did he start to produce and maintain consistency, and this year he has continued that meteoric rise in quality. Everton were flirting with Europe so that release clause was enough to do them a favour but not enough to price him out of a move.
As for why teams haven't come in for him - just my thoughts, but lets' see...Man United - best league tally for this number of games in their entire history, poorest looking side in recent history. £24m players on the bench. Fellaini would want to go somewhere where he'd be gauranteed a starting berth no doubt - would this happen at united? Would Fergie want to add to his team, or would he prefer to see out the season, get what he's got firing on all cylinders as he usually does, and wait til the summer? As for City - they spent big money on Rodwell and Garcia, didn't really improve the squad and are yet to see that come to fruition. They're always linked with big signings but they've got Barry, Yaya, Rodwell, Garcia...maybe they just don't want Fellaini and maybe he isn't up for going there. As for Chelsea, kind of the same. Doesn't look like they want to keep adding midfielders...they spent a lot of money and they have other issues...maybe if Lamps goes then they'd think about Fellaini and pay him well no doubt but maybe they're sticking til the summer. To me it seems like Spuds and us are the only two teams who could readily accommodate him - but for us, well, we would improve no doubt but we do have a lot of mids and we know what Wenger's like.
As for Wenger...well, different styles resonate with different people but when one style seems so limp-wristed and ineffective and much more openly critical style reap far greater rewards often with lesser players then there comes a point where people are right to criticise. I don't think there is a fan in the country who doesn't have Wenger's back but in terms of how he manages the team there aren't many left who like they way he does it. In fairness to him, it's pretty clear he had very little to say to the team against Chelsea and kicking them straight back out early was a brilliant move - go and there and do your f***ing jobs you cretins, nobody deserves to witness a first half display that bad. Remember who you are, who you represent and whose history you carry on your shoulders when you put that shirt on - remember the club you play for and remember the ridiculous wages most of you were put on right from the start! If he has to humiliate them in order to get them playing then so be it and I hope he does, they shouldn't need reminding what they are paid to do.
Metal Gooner
Greetings and salutations my fellow Gooners,
Cheers Metal for the link, I gave it and many of the other articles a thorough read.
Here are my thoughts:
1. Our current performance and extended barren run has led to an enormous amount of frustration amongst the supporters, as such there is a growing belief that Arsene is at the heart of this because he "refuses" to spend money.
This refusal is magnified by our expensive ticket prices and the loss of many world class talented players.
The inherent believe by some is that Arsene is penny pinching and has lost his will.
Allow me to retort. I am very well versed with Mr Kroenke's sports empire, he has a propensity to buy teams and allow them to operate with the agenda that profitability is the first criteria of success. Winning while respected is not his first priority. The Avalanche, Rams and Nuggets are all managed in the same manner. Each team works within the confines of their resources to first produce viability and then to win accordingly. As such I am not surprised by the current state of Arsenal, in fact this is the reason why I support Arsene even more. No manager could attempt to be as competitive year in year out with the agenda of Mr Kroenke specifically in football where the financial considerations are very different than the NHL, NBA and NFL. The Avalance, Rams and Nuggets have not been even in contention for a significant period of time and like Arsenal have sold tremendous talents for a younger dynamic players, as such what Arsene is doing with Arsenal is phenomenal.
2. Acquisition of Talent - I believe when you want to win and have limitatons on your ability to compete financially you will look to purchase assets that have higher risk. Some players such as Carzola, Chamberlain, Kos, Verm have been fantastic acquisitions others such as Arshavin, Gervinho and the many others have not been. This is simply Arsene trying to unearth gems to give us an opportunity to win, yet we criticize his failings unmercifully, with greater risk comes both greater reward and greater failure.
3. Consistency/Competitiveness. If one examines the sports landscape they will see a commonality in organizations that are continually succesful. The Red Wings, Spurs, Patriots, all of whom have won multiple championships and have not won in recent years continue to understand that winning is not a given, but remaining competitive and consistent is the responsibilty of the franchise/club. I ask you to comment on the level of our competitiveness during Mr Wengers term....only man united has been as consistent, it is a tremondous accomplishment!
4. Understanding your owner. It amazes me how many who claim to love the club know very little of the operating mantra of Mr. Kroenke. As such all the blame has resided at the feet of Mr Wenger, place blame where it should be placed, get to know your owner, I believe this will shift your mentality and enlighten your understanding.
5. Appreciation. Simply put when men such as Mr Dein and the very many greats we have, continue to acknowledge the sheer genius of Mr Wenger I find it shameful that despite our current barren run that we cannot look beyond our nose to see the empire this man has created for the club. A world class stadium during a global economic recession, a brand of football that is admired globally, an ethos that stands for an integrity. Arsene has built this club, loyalty is an underheralded trait and I believe some needed to be reminded of his impact for our club.
6. Time. As I have stated when the time comes for the club to move in a new direction I will respect their decision and applaud Mr Wenger for his contribution to our club. I find it very shortsighted that we assume he is the problem when we do not have access to any credible information. Instead of relying on the facts as presented by the ownership in different sporting avenues we base our opinion on the opinions of others.
Conclusion:
I apologize for this elongated write up, but I believe Arsene deserves more respect that he has been shown. He loves the club more than anyone we know and I am certain he wishes to hoist trophies again more than us all. I believe he is not without mistake (and yes I too pull my hair out at some of his tactics), but I will never ever question his rational because a man of his intelligence does not make decisions without knowledge, its ironic that we make certain decisions of him in this same manner!
Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!
23 Jan 2013 10:48:18
At what point did a nationality determine a player's quality? If anything, it is genetics that determine quality but certainly not the country where players play.
Wenger makes such discriminate statements it is embarrassing being associated with him. 'France does not produce players of quality' - yes it does Wenger, however, the best players get PAID FOR by other teams and away they go. You used to do that, now you don't. The players are there but you won't pay for them. There are some amazing DMs in France who deserve better in all honesty, would cost about what we paid for Santos and would ask for half the wages.
Anyway the point is no the French products may not be as good as 10 years ago but what difference does it really make if we won't buy the best on offer anyway? No point complaining about the talent not being there when you totally ignore the talent that is!
Last time I checked, a player is good enough if their attributes, talent and work ethic match what is required for our club and in this league and champions league. Not whether he's French or German. There are plenty of crap french and german players, and we ignore the good ones.
Dumb cynical commment. He is making a comment about markets, not players...
What Wenger said is know different than saying, I see value in investing in Brazil or China, etc...
Billybob
Billybob we all know you defend Arsene to the hilt, only come on here to say something pointless and rarely offer a good post of your own volition. But seriously, you cannot defend this. France produces good players. The French League has good players. German produces good players, and their league's market also has good players. Wenger is full of crap. There are many defenders. DMs and possibly CMs in France who would improve our squad and cost nothing. Wenger just misses them. It makes no difference about the league he is buying from, there are amazing players in every league and his comments on the market as usual are wide of the mark and meaningless considering he won't go to Germany and buy a great player will he. Dumb cynical comment or dumb cynical reply?
I think its fair to say that there is cycle in Europe for talent. If one looks at the national teams one can clearly see that both Spain and Germany are certainly at this point ahead of France.
I would imagine that Arsene would be the last person to criticize the talent pool in France unless there was some merit to do so.
23 Jan 2013 10:31:40
Just read a post saying we need to beat West Ham 4 or 5 nil to really boost confidence - this is not the problem.
We have had about 5 games this season where we have scored 4 goals or more.
At no point did this give the team confidence...or even just the bother to go out and try hard next game? Not once. We don't start playing til the fans are on the team's back, the pressure is on and the game looks lost. That is not going to change if we beat West Ham 1 nil and it's not going to change if we put 7 past them which we have done twice to teams already this season.
This will change when Wenger starts to become a bit like a better manager in terms of riling his players for each game. Moyes makes damn sure he gets one hell of a game out of his boys from start to finish. So does Fergie. They win - so what, he wants the same if not better next time.
How is it that the players are allowed to walk onto the pitch unprepared for a big game? How is Liverpool can and always have squared up to man united and Chelsea in the last 8 years regardless of their form and league placing, as have Everton, but when it's Arsenal we just roll over? How is it that this is a trait regardless of who is playing for us? The players must take some responsibility obviously but our revolving door policy always yielding the same results proves beyond doubt that this is managerial - as does the fact that we are Jekyll and Hyde. No pre-game bollocking - awful display. Half time bollocking - the sort of display that would make us champions if we brought that to every game. It's managerial.
Hang on, I for one completely disagree with this. For one yes we may have struggled with the big teams this season, but for the past 8 years hell no! Last year if I recall we smashed Chelsea 5-3, beat Tottenham 5-2, beat man city 1-0 bossed both matches against united, fair we never got the results in those games but far from rolled over same with man city's other game where we drew 1-1 but totally dominated from start to finish, so before you go guns blazing, think first. Rediculous post.
To the first response- what are you talking about? Let's look at some of these bigger games more closely shall we?
City 1-1 : we did turn up. We went a goal down and only turned it on second half.
Man you 2-1 last season. We didn't turn up til we were a goal down. Then we have them hell, Wenger took of our best player Chamberlain who couldn't believe it, nor could RVP who made a show, we brought on the woefully off-form Arshavin and we killed our ascendency stone dead and lost the game. Managerial.
Man you 2-1 at OT - we went 1-0 down after 3 mins, we played SHOCKINGLY, went 2-0 down in the second half, came back into the game for about 5 mins and Cazorla got a goal. We didn't turn up, were awful from start to finish, Fergie gave an interview that showed nothing but pity and embarrassment on our behalf, and the fans came on here saying how we wouldn't care losing if we actually made some effort to win. Diabolical game.
Schalke - 2-0 at home. One of the worst displays of any arsenal team ever. Schalke - 2-2 away - we were great in the first half, but we threw away a 2 goal lead and our second half display was embarrassing. Sloppy goal just before the break and we were done for the day.
Chelsea 5-3 Away last season - we were absolutely pulverised for the first 20 and could have been 4-0 down after 10 mins. We went 2 goals down before doing anything of note. Only then did we start to play and this is EXACTLY what I am talking about. Game of 2 very different halves, and worryingly so. Buzzed off the result but the first half worried us deeply.
Chelsea 2-1 at home this season - I would say we did turn up for that. We were on form, defence was best in the league at that point, and we conceded 2 goals from set pieces. It was a real shame but fans were pleased with the effort from the team. We were better than them all game.
Spurs 5-2 - at home, they totally dominated us for the first 15 mins, it was shocking. We relied on Szcz to make some incredible saves within the first 10, they had a goal ruled out for offside and they went 1-0 up after 10 mins and it was none other than that tool Adebayor. Only then did we start playing like it was a derby and we were at home. In fact it wasn't until the 23rd min when we nicked a goal but still. And last season 5-2 we only started to play when we had gone 2-0 down!! Even worse!
Everton 1-1 we barely turned up, Everton did not really do a massive amount of impressing but they had us on the back foot most of the game and in the end most of us were relieved to have a point. feel free to check the posts after that game on here for proof.
Swansea isn't a big game but we don't turn up and we lose 2-0. Norwich isn't a big game but we don't turn up and we lose.
Reading we went 4-0 down in 33 Mins before deciding we wanted to play football. cup game = big game.
Bradford - cup game - big game - we were AWFUL. Their forwards and mids won every single aerial dual and free ball and out-muscled our capped defenders every time. IDC about Wigan and Villa, at that point they did not seriously expect to beat us. Had we played the way Villa played in the first and even second half yday, we'd have rinsed them. Awful game. Only in extra time did we turn it on.
FA Cup Swansea 2-2 we were shocking by AFC standards. All arsenal fans thanking the skies for the replay.
Man City at home - 2-0 loss. Could have been 3-0 down after 10 mins AGAIN this season, we were at home and that should have been a reversed stat. Lucky to lose by 2. Only turned it on in the second half after a shocking first half and predicted half time talking to.
Chelsea loss 2-1 at the Bridge - one of the worst first half performances I have ever witnessed. And the sad thing is we had chances. Theo was offside 5 times before being onside once. Giroud should have put us one up but failed. In a half where our best player was Coquelin and Jack was yelling at the team to do anything, we were totally embarrassed yet again we only started to play after conceding 2 goals and getting the half time treatment from the boss.
So....I don;t really care if you completely disagree because most people with their eyes open can see that there is nothing to disagree about.
23 Jan 2013 10:26:35
Mr Wenger hummmmmmm, for how long will you keep us waiting for your last minute meeier that will resolve great club problem? Do remember its get boring watching arsenal playing this days compare to the days of 8years ago.When do you become scout for club like NewCastle?Becos all the players begin linked has to be infavour of other clubs WHY ?If you think your tactics is not working in france then shift to Russia and get wild player that want win cups.Stop been Headlines in daily news paper.
Please make haste while the sun shine.Spend big on player and expecting something frm them .....
I swear this is Alexsander Orlov from comparethemeerkat.com or maybe A. Arshavin making an incognito contribution to our site?
CECEGUaW
23 Jan 2013 10:21:59
Wenger will continue to hint about 'quality' signings but inevitably he will either miss out or find they are not available (D. Villa). The transfer window will pass us by and with it the opportunity to compete for 4th place. He will then declare that he believes we already have enough quality in the squad to make a success of the season (ie.scrape 4th). It's pathetic. He knows we're not good enough but can't or won't spend.
JayJay
There is absolutely no reason why Wenger can't come out and say 'We are doing what we can but we are paying stadium debts so can't afford players - I am trying my best.'
Listen to Harry, Moyes, etc etc - straight on the mic, 'We're doing what we're can but we're skint. If we can get some loan deals done then excellent. The main thing is keep hold of our players.'
I do not believe it is the board.
I believe we had the money for Mata, we had agreed the fee, we just wouldn't pay him the wages he wanted, so all of a sudden he wasn't an improvement upon what we had. Absolutely pathetic. And why? Because Wenger looks at players through status. We have seen this time and time again. Mata was 'only' a Spanish U21s player at that time. So how was he worth big wages in Wenger's eyes? Wenger ignores the talent time and time again. He will choose status and age and price that. Then he'll buy Oxlade-Chamberlain and confuse the sh!t out of everyone.
When Wenger sits there and says 'I choose the wages', 'I sign the players', 'I run the club', I am no longer tempted to think it is the board. I believe he has a remit as well, but he could meet that in many different ways.
Had he accepted offers for some of our players last year, he could have made this apparent £20m with ease. He didn't want to accept £6m for Arshavin who plays about once every 2 months now. Fergie sells his first team starters and bench players for 3-4m just to make way. That's a manager who knows what he's doing.
Wenger doesn't say there are constraints imposed upon him because there simply aren't. It is as plain and simple as this:
If our wage bill is ~£150m, then our BUDGET is £150m. Yes? Yes. So if he decides to spread that out by paying rubbish players too much, and not paying the best players enough, how on earth is that going to see us sign players? He wants players like Aguero who are at winning clubs to come knocking on the door, ask for a transfer and ask to be paid between 40 and 70kpw - the guy is mental. Life has moved on from the 80s. And Arsenal, through sales, ticket sales and being immense, have the wage budget to match Man U, Spurs, Chelsea and even City, but we don't because Arsene Wenger wants to pay fringe players, over the hill crocks and far too young prospects the same amounts as people who go to European cup finals with their countries. He is crazy. I don't believe for one second that the board didn't 'sanction' Mata's wages. Wenger has a budget and he won't jig it to allow for improved players. So the whole stadium move and high ticket prices is a total waste of time while he is in charge.
Oh well, in 5 years time maybe we'll have a manager knows how to tweak a budget to get the best out of it!
Is this the Wenger that signed the amazing talented: Mannone, Fabianski, Squilacci, Djourou, Santos, etc?
23 Jan 2013 09:04:12
I am extremely concerned, that even if Wenger makes the two quality signings he rambles on about, we will not finish top four. My concerns are:
1) We have an excellent, but inexperienced goalkeeper, with no adequate cover.
2) We do not have a tall commanding centre back in the Adams, Keown mould.
3) We use zonal marking
4) We have no true strong defensive midfield players
5) We persevere with the wrong formations, giving little protection to the overworked defence.
6) We have too many small technical players in a league that cries out for powerful players
7) We play too many players out of position.
Wengers great teams played a very fluid 4-4-2, with tall string centre backs & two strong powerful midfield players. Two forwards were successfully used.
We should sign a dominant right-sided centre back, experienced goalkeeper, two powerful midfield players.
A right sided cb is a must, the defence need more stability. full backs need more discipline.
I agree with a right sided centre back, but the reasons the fullbacks seem poor is that in Wengers formations it leaves a gap in front of the fullbacks, which in turn leaves them exposed to one on one situations far too often. In the successful 4-4-2 formation so successfully used previously by Wnger, the right & left sided midfield players can double up with the full backs when defending & can drop back & cover if the full backs overlap. Using two tall althletic central midfield players adds defensively. In our double winning team of 98, we had Vieira & Petit, whilst in the invincibles we had Vieira & Gilberto. Why Wenger thinks smaller technical central midfield players will be successful in the Premier League is beyond me. Last seasons champions had arguably the leagues top performer in Yaya Toure, a tall athletic cenntral midfield player. Wake up Wenger & stop being so obstinate, sign Fellaini & Wanyama now!
23 Jan 2013 09:03:40
Using the previous analogy about Ebay - Mark Hughes was great on Ebay that's why QPR ended up spending a 100 million or so and were playing with 4 planks, 2 sofas 3 odd chairs and a 1972 cortina
yorky gooner
23 Jan 2013 08:53:43
Hi ed, I must say I find it very annoying and extremely frustrating, to hear arsene constantly claim his team lack belief, character and a big game mentality. He seems to overlook, they are his players, his team. He is taking no accountability for our situation. Face facts, he has bought a load of lightweights and paid them a princely sum in the process. Watching arsenal is like dining in a vegetarian restaurant. There's no meat on the menu! It's weak, light and lacks real power. We see no strong challenges, no physical domination of the pitch. We are bullied by stronger players who in the process dominate our players mentally. Seeing all these things going on, what does arsene do? Well he throws in diaby who could pick up an injury at lidl's. He makes these pronunciations that diaby is the nearest to vieira, surely he has seen yaya toure play. Now diaby is knackered, probably out till the new kit comes out in July. Take responsibility wenger! Spend on real players, hummels, wanyama, villa. Players to take us forward. We pay top dollar as fans and deserve the best. Not when they are mugging us of to line the pockets of a few. If diame joins because of a 3.5 mill clause, it's a joke. He should be an auxillary player at arsenal, it's a wanyama we need, not another player From the blue cross sale rail. Sorry, they have brain washed us for too long that arsene is a genius and irreplaceable. Well 8 years without a trophy, losing to Bradford with his first team and sending out a team repeatedly that he can't motivate and lacks self belief, suggests to me he is a man past his best. Window closes in a week, if it is diame we sign, then the only beneficiary is kroenke and his bank manager. Puffa
23 Jan 2013 08:38:21
mr wenger, in the interest of our Arsenal FC please sign at least a player or two because the squad needs an alternative route to the players you have currently. Plus it will put players on there toes to work that 5 to 10% harder. For me a keeper, def mid & striker needed. If No players come take a good hard look around the emirates and you will see a lot of red seats empty...is that what you want? because that's what you will get! Listen to the fans...undo your stubbornness! ATID COYG
23 Jan 2013 07:23:09
The way things are going at the moment even the Europa league looks beyond us !
23 Jan 2013 07:15:02
We need to not just beat Westham tonight we need a 4 or 5 nil to really boost our confidence
Agreed, a couple each for Walcott and Cazorla with each other making assists, and a clean sheet and an assist or 2 for Gibbs will do wonders for my fantasy football team.
Three points is all I care about for now. Anything else is a bonus I'm afraid.
Flybo
This may sound ridiculous, but does anyone have a worrying feeling about Chamakh up front with the crossing game they play. I suppose it highlights our frailties that I am worrying about him. (Is he eligible to play against us, I assume he is..?)
Kermit79 {Ed002's Note - Not eligible.}
23 Jan 2013 11:12:00
You can't assume we'll beat Weat Ham like that - they're an average side and so are Arsenal these days.
23 Jan 2013 02:11:24
Not a rumour more of a fact for the last 7 years wenger seems to think a unheard young players form France is better than a world class player if you think about it who of the unheard young players from France have made it Kolo Toure, Gail Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Alex Song and all the rest of these youngsters wenger signs go out on loan come back out on loan again come back then sold on so stop wasting your freaking time wenger and get player like we used to have eg...
Thierry Henry
Dennis Bergkamp
Tony Adams
Ian Wright
Patrick Vieira
Paul Merson
Charlie Nicholas
Liam Brady
Charlie George
David Rocastle
Pat Rice
And the list goes on.
Lols at George, Brady, Nicholas, Rice.... how far back in time are you going.
I think we could really do with a Cliff Bastin type player. :)
Don't leave out Ted Drake. We could do with a player who can score 7 in a sinle game!
Paul - Rochester
Can't go quite that far back as players i've seen but my Grandfather was at Villa Park to see Ted Drake score the 7 goals, bless him he was apparently peed up for a week after, my grandpa that is but Ted could have been as well, my first ever Arsenal game I went to was at West Brom and was Mel Charles debut game I think, can remember Vic Groves( Perrys uncle) Derek Tapscott, Jack Kelsey(great keeper), and we wernt winning anything then either
23 Jan 2013 00:49:10
By the looks of it arsenal are not going to buy anyone during this window wenger has said that a lot of business is done in the closing stages of the window in other words he will say we tried our hardest to get new players but fell short of the cut off period so forget reus, cavani, gourcoff basicaly anyone arsenal are intrested in
23 Jan 2013 00:24:31
Seems like every player we get linked with newcastle or chelsea sign them, maybe we should be starting rumours about going after players from the Cuban third division
23 Jan 2013 00:24:23
On the subject of 1st games:
Mine was Leicester City away. A pre season game in 1988. Arsenal won 4 - 1. Smudger bagged a hat trick and Rocky got the other. Ah the good old days. I was 7. Good old Rocky :-) what a player.
My next game is Bayern Munich. £82 for a ticket. I bet the Leicester game was less than a fiver!
I wonder if we'll have any new heroes to cheer for come the Bayern game. Here's hoping.
Alsager Gooner
Can't really be sure who my 1st game was against. I think it was Blackburn. But Jack Kelsey was in goal :) It was way back in 1958 & I was to the left [looking at] of the clock end. Loved 'em before & ever since.
Sagalout
22 Jan 2013 23:46:34
Just a thought on the English core story, where we signed 5 players on longer term deals.
Now we are being told that this was done because we are shifting up staprategy, however I think there is more to the story.
If you look at the timing of these contract extensions (December), it suggests that Wenger's had to use a large portion of the available funds to secure as much of the team as possible.
As far as I can tell there are 2 reasons for this:
1. To deter transfer speculation in the winter window so that the players would be kept and could concentrate on their football
2. As a contingency... Sadly, with a little common sense I think we will all come to the same conclusion. Wenger's realises that the is a reasonable possibility that we will not make the champions league. (let's call it 50/50 for the moment). Knowing this Wenger's needs to secure as much of the team as possible - with other players expected to go... Such as vermaelen, Cazorla, Sagna.
Sad times for arsenal.