Arsenal Banter Archive March 26 2014

26 Mar 2014 23:42:58
Wilshere out,

Ozil out,

Ramsey out,

Walcott out.

4-4-2 anybody?

Giroud and Podolski up top?

Nothing to lose surely?

Against city I think we should play a 10-0-0 formation

I think it should actually be

10 in goal - 0-0-0

make a complete body wall, piled on top of each other.

As you say mate nothing to lose, I think we all expect to get hammered so let's have a go at something new, or old or whatever. What about
Gk
RB RCB CB LCB LB

RW IR CF IL LW

Lakervilie, if we use that formation then also they are going to put 6 goals past us

I do not expect city to lose, they will probably have aguero back, they will want to keep the momentum, after taking care of utd last week and a win at the emirates only means that they will pile more pressure on liverpool and chelsea.

for me the deciding games come at liverpool.

Lakerville

I don't think you should take too much from City beating United. It doesn't take much to beat that lot at the moment!

26 Mar 2014 22:56:29
Who would have believed when the invincibles were crowned in 2004 that would be Arsene's last ever premier league tittlle! I thought we would dominate for years to come that day

G62, it seems so long ago mate.

26 Mar 2014 20:12:11
I know there's the FA cup, but for me this season can't end soon enough.
I'm sure by the time semi gets here I will have got used to the idea of our season coming down to another 4th place battle and be up for it.
But right now the fixture I'm most looking forward to is Norwich away.

G62, you have been, without a doubt, the most optimistic person on this site.

Even you have been worn down by Arsenal's mediocrity mate.

Just bitterly disappointed DG as really felt we were top 3 this season and closing in, mind you now all hope has gone I'm starting to feel much better

I hear you mate

26 Mar 2014 19:21:30
I keep getting confused, has Arsene signed a new contract? someone told me he has signed a new 2 year instead of 3 year?

Personally, I believe the board will give AW a chance with the new wage structure and funds, this will allow him to buy more costly players.
Whether we like it or not, building the stadium and keeping us in Europe have been pretty amazing achievements, maybe the old fella has gone a bit cautious with regards to spending the beans the board hand out, perhaps, just perhaps, he can win the plaudits he deserves before he ascends the marbled staircase.
COYG

{Ed001's Note - he was offered a contract, they were hoping to announce it before the 1000th match, but he didn't sign. I am still of the opinion, from speaking to people that know Wenger very well, that he is still looking to leave soon. It was the plan, to steady the ship through to a new era with money to spend and then let someone else take the reins and push on.}

So when you mean push on does it mean, move upstairs or move to another club?

Someone else to take the club on to another level, while Wenger was looking to move on, probably back to France.

Wow that's big. figured he would stay in some capacity, so looks like a complete restructure of the club.

are any of our players being scouted by other clubs?

its quite likely that they would see it as an opportune time to move on.

{Ed001's Note - Sevilla are keen on Monreal if, as looks likely Montero goes in the summer. Vermaelen has interest from Southampton and Milan. Sagna is holding off on his contract to see what is happening, he has a number of offers on the table, Inter being the main one. There would be a number of suitors for the likes of Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ramsey, Koscielny etc if they became available.}

So does anyone know if arsenal have a shortlist for wengers post? or if indeed no one wants to be moyes part 2?

{Ed001's Note - they have certainly begun the search for a replacement, in case Wenger can't be persuaded to stay. No idea who they are looking at yet.}

My god for a rubbish side, we seem to have a lot of people after our players

26 Mar 2014 17:59:45
I am really really worried is this a spectacular fall coming up. We are going spectacularly backward, recent form awful, no sign of players coming back, just players getting injured. Sheik city, chelski, liverpool and everton steaming on. Not being doom merchant just what I see. Something needs to change and quick. i'm not as confident as some of the players being up to it.

I think quite a few players have proved their not up to it and at times up for it.
I was enjoying this season so much and felt we were well and truly on our way back, I mugged myself

26 Mar 2014 15:28:20
Looking at Everton fixtures, 3 of there last 4 are against man utd, southampton and man city.Whereas our last 5 fixtures, starting from April 15th are west ham/Hull/Newcastle/West brom and Norwich.Fingers crossed most of our injured players will be back by mid april.So it is not as bad as it looks at the moment.

We have a decent enough run in for sure after the Everton game, but its all down to confidence and momentum really. If we suffer another heavy defeat at City now and lose a close game against Everton our confidence will be rock bottom so any game will become very hard then.

I think we will hold onto 4th but we could swap positions with Everton a couple of times yet in the run in it will be tight I feel.

Lose to city ( badly) and at Everton and we could well be 5th having played ball game more than Everton.
We ain't there yet admittedly but its up to the team to make us believe in them again.
A vote of no confidence is what they have earned

26 Mar 2014 13:36:44
was at the game last night, before kim came on, we were being very sarcastic about him coming on and changing the game.

then he came on and for a half debut whipped in one awesome ball and seemed. OK

i think he's a better arteta.

Thoughts on kalstrom guys?

From what I saw, he's better than Arteta. In that short amount of time he played, Kim was in both boxes, made at least 3 tackles, and didn't mess up a pass, playing a beautiful 60 yard ball to I think Giroud. I hope to see more of him against City. I would pair him alongside Flamini.

To be fair, I don't think Kallstrom looked too bad. I saw him chase back about 50 yards and make a crucial tackle in the right corner before making a good clearance. Also made a few nice passes. Of course, this was all before the own goal :( lol.

But fair play to the guy, he showed heart, and that's what we fans really want to see from the team.

Yeah he looks decent.

I agree with messenger he looks better than Arteta right now. I hope he's given a start soon.

Right now he's better than Arteta because he's fresh. So let's take all the advantage of it!

I would be inclined to start Kallstrom yes aswell, a fresh player eager to do well and Arteta does not justify a starting place for me at present when Flamini does the DM role better anyway. Cazorla ineffective at present out wide left and Rosicky is better as impact sub.


My team for City is


Schez.

Sagna -- Verm - Mert -- Gibbs

Flamini

Ox - Kallstrom

Gnabry Giroud Podolski


Gnabry has real pace so will give them something to be concerned about not to press too high.
Podolski is gives better left side balance than Cazorla and I feel will get closer to Giroud more.

26 Mar 2014 13:28:42
As a gooner (for more than 45 years) I support our team and our manager. I've never been part of the WOB and I'm not aligning myself with those reactionary 'Buy everyone!' people now. The conclusions I'm reaching are also nothing to do with our inability to win a trophy. I don't care. Ok, obviously I do, but what I really care about is that under Arsene we developed a style of football that is beautiful to watch and makes you proud to support the club. If we win the FA cup this year by snatching a goal and then replacing all our creative players with defenders and hanging on like grim death- I won't be proud of that. What I'll remember from this season will be goals like Jack's against Norwich or TR7's against Sunderland- that's why I love Arsenal. In retrospect I hated the George Graham years winning everything 1-0. I say in retrospect because I didn't know any different then. But then Arsene came in and revealed to us the beautiful game.
That was then, and this is now. It's obvious to me (for reasons that I'll get to) that Arsene has lost his bottle. Didn't we used to be the team that gave kids a chance? I'm sure that's what Zelalem, Gnabry and Eisfeld thought when they joined us. Now he talks about the importance of experience. How many times has he played Arteta and Flamini together when one good DM would do? How often have we tried to hang on to a slender lead instead of going for the jugular and killing the game off like all our rivals do?
Take last night for example- he says because of the result against Chelsea we were more concerned with protecting our lead. But hang on- you take off TR7 to leave us with no creative threat. Santi can't do it on his own. And that's sending a clear message to our team that we're parking the bus, and it gives Swansea's defence carte blanche to pile forward and put us under increased pressure. He's doing that more and more and it's not the Arsenal way- it's not even his way. He's been forced into it.
The reason for this- and the reason he's lost his bottle- is down to the pressure to win a trophy. And that pressure doesn't come from the club- it comes from the media, and it comes from our own supporters. We're so fragmented with the WOBs and the AKBs and the Piers Morgans of this world all playing a part to undermine us. We know the media hates us, from newspapers to Talkherring and you could argue that's down to Arsene's personality- nobody likes a smart arse. But as supporters and human beings we need to stop believing the rubbish that's talked about us and start supporting our team. Instead we berate them with that destructive 'Come on Arsenal' chant- which must be terrible for the players to hear. I just want us to start playing good football again and haddocks to striving for a trophy just to get the media monkey off our backs.
But if Arsene is to stay then some things have to change. He firstly has to accept help in the transfer market because our dealings there (with obvious notable exceptions) have been shambolic for years since David Dein left. Secondly he has to have an assistant who's tactically aware, intelligent, erudite and unafraid to speak their mind. Sorry Bouldy but that's not you, it's probably Thierry or Denis. And thirdly the injuries situation needs proper investigation and some heads to roll.

Love and respect fellow gooners.

GTID

Eds. So grateful and total respect for all you do on this site, and I appreciate (now) that you have to edit out some of the more colourful language. But- haddocks?! Makes me sound like a proper seagull ha ha! Cheers.

I am totally in agreement about the young players do not get the opportunities under AW like they did in his earlier years.The good thing about playing young players is they have no fear, eager to impress and will graft all the match unlike some experience pros.

26 Mar 2014 13:06:27
GROUP HUG SORRY EVERYONE . We use to be giant killers. We now struggle to become midget crushers. We are fast becoming the under dogs against big clubs where as we use to be the favourites.
I'm not going to come on here and say its the manages fault, dare I! as its a team sport and there are many many spoons in the bowl that make decisions no matter what you might think. How do we attract players we are going to desperately need next season? Well definitely not by playing the way we have. Problem is we are stumped as most of our top players are injured so now we are limping around like a wounded dog. We have no choice now! the damage is done it was done in the summer transfer window and again in January's window. We bought nobody so we reap what we sow. You can't win the EPL probably the strongest and best league
in the world without having the tools to do it. We have been chancers for the last few seasons. Financially it's paid off but now on the pitch it's started to catch up and bite us on the arse. Do we need a new manager? dare I say that? but like who? I say that as loads of managers names are now getting thrown in the mix. But who is genuinely available I'm not hearing that any top manager is desperate to leave where he is at the moment. but even in saying that any new manager has to work within the clubs guidelines and there my friends is possibly our biggest problem . The manager technically is on the shop floor he can only carry out instructions that come from above. If he has any suggestions and the people above are not listening for any reason well there lies another problem.
If I knew the answer i'd be a multi by now. It reminds me a lttle bit of a saying I heard once it goes like this " How comes that the people that know how to solve all the Worlds problems are driving a London Black cab for a living? " I think it sounds a bit like all of us at the moment.LOL

26 Mar 2014 12:51:09
Banter please eds.

Been thinking a lot about our situation today. A lot of the criticism coming up is hard to argue with, including Wenger's suitability for the job. Kicking up a fuss and venting our anger is completely justifiable.

BUT I really, really think we need to sort out or tendency to just be negative supporters, particularly those of us at matches. Last night I was sitting around people who didn't sing or encourage the team at all, just sat around and whinged. When we scored 2 goals some of them started "hoping Swansea would equalise." I get the point of hoping we hit rock bottom so the club will look at itself seriously, but I genuinely don't see how we can call ourselves proper fans while hoping our team don't do well!

Our away fans are legends. I remember them still screaming in support when we were 8-2 down to United. Some people will call that being blind, but it reminds the team that they've got a standard to live up to. The Emirates, on the other hand, suffers hugely from lack of atmosphere. It's got better, but the whinging is still sometimes louder than the singing! I've been told on a few occasions, particularly by seemingly well-off people who have paid through the roof to come and complain, to be quiet when I shout encouragement or even criticism at the team.

I am not against complaining when it's not good enough. The AST statement about Wenger's contract in August, for example, was an excellent move. Issues statements to the club? Yes. Protest outside the Emirates? In theory, yes. Even booing the team when we are not playing well enough? Sometimes, Yes.

But I really can't bear people hoping our team loses and basically abandoning the club when we are doing badly. We need to make the Emirates a fortress, get behind the team every game, and let our feelings known when it's not good enough. Not just sit around moaning and supporting our opponents.

26 Mar 2014 10:53:36
Which of the current squad do you feel are capable of playing 30 plus games ( if totally injury free for the season of course) for a premier league wining team.
For me its
Shez Sagna Mert kos Gibbs Ramsey Ox Ozil Walcott, these I believe are ready to be part of the first 18 week in week out and deliver.
The rest need to up their game and or consistency to seriously challage for a place in team that wins major honours
Just my opinion what's yours?

26 Mar 2014 10:07:30
Morning Everyone, I've read this site for years now but this is my first time posting.
I've been an Arsenal supporter for as long as I can remember and have backed Wenger to the full whenever times have gotten tough. Now though I think it’s finally time to admit a change is needed. Not only Wenger, the whole staff, especially the medical staff – is there a team anywhere with a worse injury record than Arsenal?
Without a doubt, Arsene will go down as an Arsenal legend and one of the best coaches ever to grace the game, let alone the club. I fear if he stays any longer his legacy is in serious doubt. At the time, he was just what Arsenal needed and has helped the club make a step up in quality both on and off the pitch. We owe so much to Wenger but in turn he also owes the club and the fans. He must see that his methods are not so effective in the modern game.
Certainly for the last few years it’s clear that he is struggling to motivate the players, tactically he is outclassed against every top team, his transfer policy and recent track record in the transfer market is dire and his frustrating patience with under-performing players is relentless. For me, Sagna, Arteta and Giroud should all be given substantial breaks to allow for rest/reflection/punishment for their performances over the last few games. It puzzles me why week in week out the same players are getting picked despite their lacklustre performances. Could you imagine the same happening at Chelsea or City – both clubs have dropped star players when their performances have not been what is expected of them. I don’t think Arsene has the bottle or mental strength to challenge and motivate his players to perform better.
Even in his postgame interviews, Wenger looks tired, he looks like a defeated and broken man. Thankfully the season is coming to a close and soon it’ll all be over for another year. Another year of hope, promise and eventually disappointment for the Gunners, sounds familiar huh? I hope Arsene can give it his all and inspire Arsenal to an FA Cup victory and bow out in the summer with his head held high. History has taught me to be sceptical about this though as under Arsene Wenger, mental strength has always been an issue and all the fans knows this is what we need right now!

26 Mar 2014 08:51:33
I'm really worried now. Everton are 6 points behind us with a game in hand and only 3 behind us on goal difference.

I really can't see us doing anything other than losing to City at the weekend, they're right in the groove and we aren't even close to the team we were at the start of the season! With injuries (which I knew would be our undoing this seasons), lacklustre performances and a manager too stubborn to change anything or listen to basic common sense, we're looking like a mid table side at the moment.

We'll drop 3 points to City on Saturday and then guess who we're away to after that. Everton! Providing they don't drop any points they'll come at us tooth and claw if it means they'll nick 4th from us.

We're back to last season fighting for 4th when really we should have already wrapped that up for ourselves, and now we're at the point that if we drop 6 more points (which with our current squad and form looks more than likely) that's no top 4, and I'm sorry but no silverware can make up for that.

As much as I'd love to see what Wenger would do with me money we have now, it's obvious that he's too stubborn to change his philosophy on how we play football and the players we need to play that football - which in the EPL just doesn't work! And then there's the fact that he's done sod all about our injury record for god knows how many years!

4th place, the FA cup and Wenger walking at the end of the season and I'll be happy.

26 Mar 2014 08:39:34
I actually concur with the manager and reckon we were unlucky last night. A bit gutted we won't win the league, even though we aren't out of it mathematically. We will win the cup and get top 4, unless I'm seriously mistaken that's an improvement

Unlucky maybe with the comedic own goal. But we shouldn't have been in this situation. As much as I admire the boss he's made some catastrophic errors this season. Time for a change as gunner 62 says in an above post. He's been terrific for the club but he's run out of ideas. We can blame injuries as much as we want but the overall quality of the squad is down to 1 man and he should be accountable for this.

You so blind mate, we where lucky not to lose.

We had a grand total of two shots at goal in the second half, your as deluded as wenger

Madness.
It is such a sad time at the moment to watch Arsenal as we are so very boring. Passing around and going nowhere. Wenger has the ability to stop creative and attack minded players from actually doing anything attacking or creative. Remember when players like Rosicky and Cazorla used to actually have a shot from distance well now they pass sideways.

Our style of play is pass the ball to death, pass it out wide to Sagna who will put in a hopeful cross with no one in the box. That is it. I want players who will try and beat someone and players who are not afraid to shoot. Unfortunately we will not get that with Wenger

26 Mar 2014 08:37:16
A couple of bad results and everyone's throwing their toys out of their prams!
Get a grip

It's not the results, it's underlying symptoms of the same collapse as the last four years.

Injuries, lack of transfer foresight, lack of tactical ability in big games, not replacing key positions, thinking we can win the league with one good but slow striker.

As I commented below, I am a big Wenger man and it's a wrench, but sometimes you need to locate the issue and then remove it - at the moment the issue looks like AW. He's still a brilliant businessman, with a huge intelligence and great philosophy - there can't be many more who wanted him to do well than I did, but he seems to point blank refuse to listen to any criticism, even when he is proved wrong, on transfers and tactics. He doesn't want to spend money, and he has an eye for the eccentric buy like park, chamakh squallici - we all know the names. He is still one of the best managers in the world, but just can't seem to get to the top. I wonder if he ever will, it's a lack of faith and that lack of faith is down to various elements.

26 Mar 2014 06:25:10
A few weeks ago we were top of the league by 5 points not worrying about 4th, dreaming but not really thinking we were going to win it. Still in the champs league and fa cup. The transfer window was open and we had money and regardless of what we were told players available if the right money was paid. Now booted out of the champs league, looking over our shoulder for 5th and the fa cup doesn't look quite so easy. Why do we look like a pub team sometimes and make school boy errors.

It was all over the papers at the start of the season, we believed it, and then they blinded us by buying ozil. then the normal injuries, year after year, waiting for our january signing diaby who once again has not come thru.

why are we not releasing him? are we FC hospitalia?

Im sorry his career has not worked out but he has made millions, cut him off and buy an actual DM.

atleast give Diaby's money to charity and make me feel better, compared to trying to make us feel like we are caring for a millionaire.

Priorities are wrong.

What money?.


diaby is on 0 wages isn't he?

26 Mar 2014 04:20:12
GROUP HUG SORRY EVERYONE . We use to be giant killers. We now struggle to become midget crushers. We are fast becoming the under dogs against big clubs where as we use to be the favourites.
I'm not going to come on here and say its the manages fault, dare I! as its a team sport and there are many many spoons in the bowl that make decisions no matter what you might think. How do we attract players we are going to desperately need next season? Well definitely not by playing the way we have. Problem is we are stumped as most of our top players are injured so now we are limping around like a wounded dog. We have no choice now! the damage is done it was done in the summer transfer window and again in January's window. We bought nobody so we reap what we sow. You can't win the EPL probably the strongest and best league
in the world without having the tools to do it. We have been chancers for the last few seasons. Financially it's paid off but now on the pitch it's started to catch up and bite us on the arse. Do we need a new manager? dare I say that? but like who? I say that as loads of managers names are now getting thrown in the mix. But who is genuinely available I'm not hearing that any top manager is desperate to leave where he is at the moment. but even in saying that any new manager has to work within the clubs guidelines and there my friends is possibly our biggest problem .

Welcome back mate,

I guess it's one of those that if Wenger goes, we must make sure we get the right replacement - at the risk of further upsetting CTR, we don't want to do what Utd have done. If we can get Klopp, Martinez standard (although neither are really better than Wenger), then OK. The reality is, Wenger will likely sign a two year extension, according to those in the know - if that is the case, we need a proper reaction to the mistakes made this year - no striker brought, no holding midfielder - Wilson at DT is saying Bender is back on the list for example. Then have a transition while a new manager is found.
I am dreading Saturday - if we go all out attacking without holding the midfield we will be routed. But our home form is good, Chelsea and Man U, Liverpool all ok. You never know

SPANNER. Thanks son.

25 Mar 2014 23:59:50
I really wanted to wenger to have a couple of seasons, now that we genuinely have money to spend and push for a title, before retiring/moving on.

I don't think, overall, we can overestimate what wenger has contributed to our club (I wrote a long post some months ago, so not repeating it!).

I read an interesting article just a few weeks ago that said virtually every club that has built a new stadium has been relegated within a few seasons (that's in the world, not just England)- which again puts into perspective, ok no trophies, but a decent league position during that transition is actually a [relative] achievement.

But to collectively lose 17-4 away to our direct rivals is simply unacceptable and something is fundamentally wrong. A one off freak game, ok it happens, but all 3 games? But then the fact the wenger has made excuses about these games, suggests he is not prepared to learn and change something.

I would like to see a talented, young and ambitious manager to take the helm and lead us into a new era.

We're still an attractive club and there is money to spend.

4th is by no means a certainty- we need to cement that for next season, for quite possibly a new manager, who can then bring in key players that we need, etc.

I hope we win the FA cup, for us fans and as a good parting gift and thanks for AW.

But we do need change now- the time is right.

LG1
I agree with most of what you say, but I think wenger needs 2 more years, and we need to bring someone under himfor that period.
We seem to have very bad luck at the wrong time, it was a fluke goal last night.
To read wenger out now/ must go now, makes me think what would that do to our chance of wining the f a cup.
i think we will get more points this year than last, hopefully win a trophy
and for those saying get pep, well I think that sums up what their know,

LG as per usual excellently put, I hope he walks because I don't want it to end on a horrible note.
I do think it might take a season in the uafa to really wake the club up, sadly