Arsenal Banter Archive May 03 2018

03 May 2018 22:32:52
Can someone please explain why our players don't shoot? Laca, Ozil, Ramsey, Welbeck all with numerous chances to have an attempt on goal and for some reason they think it's acceptable to try and pass it 'ONE' more time. We are 100% up there as one of the most depressing teams to watch as a fan! 21 years from the age of 4 I've supported Arsenal and it's a shame the greatest days were when I was so much younger. We are going to struggle to appoint any world class 'manager' but it looks as if the club is going along the lines of head coach which I think is the better option. Will be a difficult next few years Gooners as the footballing market gets ever more expensive! One day we will be great again. COYG! 🔴⚽️.

03 May 2018 22:55:32
We've just got to be patient next season as there is a lot to be sorted regarding this squad not only in comings and goings but also in total re-education of those who are kept on.

03 May 2018 23:01:57
Wenger doesn’t like shots from distance, he likes to keep the ball.

03 May 2018 23:13:07
Arsenal remind me of a bit of myself in bed, takes me a while to get going and when I do the whole thing is over fairly fast.
They also remind me of old dags just can't get past the semi.
😀😀😀😀.

{Ed0333's Note - there’s me thinking Dags was a hardman

03 May 2018 23:15:53
Actually think our squad is ok don’t shoot me they just need re educating Wenger has crushed them as a squad in last two seasons and I’m glad his gone let’s get right man in and move on! Thanks for the distant memories Wenger.

03 May 2018 23:24:58
I'm not too sure about that Ed,
We will have to ask the man himself dags,
He is definitely hard to find when arsenal lose.

04 May 2018 00:22:42
Leahy 😂😂😂
That made me laugh 😁.

04 May 2018 08:01:40
Ramsey Pea Lacasette Mesut Miki Monreal apart from that I can't think of a single player who looks good enough.
Whether they can be under a different manager is the big question but I really don't get how people keep saying our squad isn't that bad. On the evidence of the last two seasons the squad is absolutely awful.

04 May 2018 09:28:19
I agree our squad need some improvments, but I don't think it's as bad as some of you claim.

Ospina - Colombian int.
Bellerin - wanted by Juve and Barca, must have some qualities
Kos - french international
Mustafi - german international
Monreal -? Descent (? )
Kolasinac -? proven good LB in Bundeliga
Ramsey - wales int (? )
Wilshire -?
Xhaka - swiss int. proven good DPM in Bundeliga
Özil - german int. wc winner
Miki - proven great winger/ IF in Bundeliga
Laca - wanted by Athleti last summer, proven goalscorer.
PEA - proven worldclass goalscorer

interesting prospects.
- Holding, Chambers, Mavropanos, Maitland-niles, Wilcox, Nelson, Nketiah

players who doesn't improv the team IMO
- welbeck, iwobi, ospina, cech, wilshire.

I think it's a mather of coaching and tacticts. In both games againt athleti the goal came from unstructured defence and lack of awareness/ risk management that lead to goals. Yesterday Bellerin was wrongly placed. He should be aware of the risk of not being in line. last Thursday Mustafi and Monral "thought" Kos would handle it instead of securing for Kos.

If you look at the ups and downs of Chealsea last seasons, it gives me hope. And player by player we are not much behind Liverpool or Spurs.

04 May 2018 10:40:48
I think that's what next season needs to be about Norgunner, finding out who is and isn't capable of being better under a different coach.
People will want to see improvement from day one next season and if we don't improve on this season next season some people will be saying " we may have well stuck with Arsene " really quickly but the fact is as a unit our players are pretty poor bunch and it will take time to work out who can and who can't steep up to become good enough.
I know you think lots of the squad are good enough Nor mate but if you look at your list and evaluation of the players none are premier league proven over a season either with or before Arsenal, what they've all achieved in the past is in a less competitive League or in Mesut stay case playing in a far superior team and those who have played premier league football before joining us like Danny and Miki were let go by United for a reason mate.
Probably the two most consistent players we've had over the last 5 seasons are Monreal and Kos and they will both be 32 next season so there really is a lot to sort out and we are going to need to be patient with the next manager no matter what next season brings.

04 May 2018 10:50:31
Next manager guys, next manager. Maybe the players need to be reborn mentally. One or two additions by the new manager and we could be back on our feet. I always say this crop of players have been soft by Wenger.

04 May 2018 11:05:20
softened*.

04 May 2018 12:49:41
This squad is awful as it stands, it's just a matter of what the new manager can salvage from it.
One thing is certain and that's if Arsene had seen out his final year there would be no hope at all for next season but his leaving makes everything no matter how difficult possible again.
Optimism and hope for the future are once again on the menu and that's got to be good for everyone.

03 May 2018 22:15:43
Chambers having a great end to the season

Ospina ruined his good evening going down too quick and Mustafi still dodge. Diving in too much.

Both full backs were poor especially with the final ball while the rest did ok but just not enough special big gamers to make a difference. We worked hard, created a lot of half chances / openings but we just lacked that killer edge up front while our naivity in defence killed us at home & away,

Over two legs -,5 minuets killed us while we created a number of "good" chances but lacked the composure / fortune or world class edge to take the advantage

Better shape and discipline again

Did themselves proud but came up short - just!!

Well played boys - good effort. At this level, lapses cost you at both ends of the pitch

Well played Chambers!!

03 May 2018 22:35:17
If when the draw was made for the semi final someone said Athletico would willing the final whistle to go in stoppage time of the second leg i think most people would have laughed.
The fact is Athletico are a very well organised disciplined and very very effective unit and we simply aren't.
Considering our season over all and our average standard of performance of our team over 9 months I think we did a lot better than most expected over 180 minutes.

03 May 2018 22:41:13
Yeah we did not play badly in either game but in the key moments both in defence and attack we could not make it count, and TBH I never really fancied us to get passed such a well drilled A. Madrid side, it would have needed a big slice of luck.

The most shocking thing for us tonight was neither fullback being able to put any half decent final ball in the box, this final ball let us down everytime they got into a decent position and was very frustrating when we rely on the fullbacks for our width and crossing. Why Kolasinac does not play anymore is anybodies guess as early in the season when he was a regular he was such a good attacking threat and I felt he gave us another demension.

03 May 2018 22:12:57
Well it all over bar the formalities. I just never fancied us to to score to be honest. It is clear tonight we need better fullbacks that can actually cross well as it kills us when we rely on them so much for our width and they can't get a decent ball in between them. The whole defence and goalie needs sorting.

03 May 2018 22:52:56
We need a top class CB ESP with Kos out probably Christmas time. A top dm. Top winger. Top goalie. And like you say at least one full back.

03 May 2018 22:04:49
Hi Ed,

Not an arsenal question but an Arsene question. Would like to still see him succeed in Europe. Any chance of him winding up at PSG?

{Ed002's Note - sure.]

03 May 2018 22:30:45
No european titles in 35 years. Why would that change anywhere else. There is a reason.

03 May 2018 22:54:46
Psg ship has sailed imo manager wise. France job.

03 May 2018 21:57:42
Haven't posted in awhile, but can't hold back. Monreal tries hard but he is a terrible football player and a liability. Total howler today beginning to end. Sorry for the boss.

03 May 2018 22:05:11
The final ball was shocking throughout we are so poor at crossing. Monreal just has not got that technique. Bellerin was equally as bad. When you rely on the fullbacks like us for that only bit of width it really kills us when they can't get decent balls in the box.

{Ed0333's Note - You got into some great positions but no one wanted to take the responsibility to shoot. You needed some men out there and all I saw were lambs.

03 May 2018 22:15:04
Exactly Ed. It's so frustrating these are the games players should be dreaming about making names for themselves. I saw no one do. That. Monreal and bellerin I thought were terrible. Switching off at the back and poor crossing. I really can't explain what bellerin was doing on the goal. Such basic defending.

{Ed0333's Note - maybe nerves play a part. It’s a semi final of a European Cup competition and its high stakes. That’s the only reasoning I can muster. I agree both full backs were wasteful. But then again will Wilshere, Ozil and Wellbeck didn’t cover themselves with glory either.

03 May 2018 22:59:32
That's very true Ed. Ozil is the kind of player that should step up to these games that's why he's earning the ridiculous salary. Welbeck to be honest just doesn't seem to add much for me and wilshere I'm still not sure he's good enough. Doesn't seem a coincidence to me he is looking poor again now Ramsey seems to be picking up some sort of form.

{Ed0333's Note - wilshere is not the answer in any way shape or form. If you guys give him a new contract shame on you guys mate.

03 May 2018 23:12:29
How on earth are people slagging Nacho? Yes his distribution wasn’t tip-top tonight. but. He’s been one of our if not our best player this season.

One bad game n get shot of him. 🙄.

03 May 2018 20:17:58
Speedy recovery Kos.

03 May 2018 17:32:56
Arsenal are reported to be targeting an overhaul of our defence and keeper.
We have signed Mavrapanos and reports in the Evening Standard that we have won the race to sign 21 year old defender Calgar Soyuncu from Freiburg. Holding has extended his contract. We are on the look out for a pair of full backs, to replace Bellerin and Monreal.
Mertesacker retires, Mustafi was nearly sold last summer and has had a poor season. Age and injury are catching up with Koscileny and Chambers simply isn't PL quality. We are also reported to be after Dortmundt's Greek CB Sokratis. Paspastathopoulos. We are also after a DM and a wide player. This makes complete sense as anyone could see these positions need attention. Clearly Mislintat is pulling the strings with the likelyhood that Buvac is arriving at the club.

03 May 2018 17:53:42
Maybe when the Cologne fans took over the Emirates earlier in the season they were just the warm up act getting us ready for the Dortmound fans filling the stadium each home game next season.
Maybe you could use your private jet to fly to Dortmound once a fortnight RG, I'm sure they will have a fan park there where they will find room for you at the back somewhere :-)

03 May 2018 18:15:37
G62 - You are always welcome to hitch a lift to Germany aboard my Gulfstream G550. It's with me in Madrid at Barajas Airport today, if you need a lift back we can meet at my Hotel, The Ritz in Madrid. Enjoy the match, get the Krug on ice.

{Ed001's Note - is Madrid in London then?}

03 May 2018 18:26:27
Ed001 - The Ritz in Madrid, not London!

{Ed001's Note - not according to your IP address...}

03 May 2018 18:34:50
Good try Ed! I don't live in London and I am here today in Madrid, looking fooling forward to tonight's match.

{Ed007's Note - Well your posts are showing up as originating in London (Hampstead/Camden/Southwark maybe?) and through SKY Broadband and you've been posting from the same connection and location since at least April the 30th.}

03 May 2018 19:04:11
Caught rapid 61, love it ed001.

03 May 2018 19:19:53
Busted RG61! Hope that's some computer tomfoolery and not ed007 spying on him . Intrigued though, can you see where I am?

{Ed007's Note - Your last 2 posts are showing up as originating in Florida (Davenport or Haines City maybe?) and your internet provider over there is Frontier Communications.}

03 May 2018 19:27:48
Hahaha 😂😂😂😂😂😂 that has made my balls fall off. I needed that ed because I’m full of dread about the game 👍🏻.

03 May 2018 19:37:08
Hahahah rg u been done hahahah.

{Ed007's Note - How's the weather in Swansea, Jelfy? I find Virgin Media are the best internet provider as well :-D

03 May 2018 19:48:25
EDS ARE SO SAVAGE!

{Ed007's Note -

via GIPHY

03 May 2018 20:20:01
I bet you haven't got a clue where I am Ed.

I'm an International Man Of Mystery.

{Ed007's Note - Another Virgin Media customer eh, Dags, did you go to the Seven Kings School?}

03 May 2018 20:51:58
Bloody hell Bond.

I've evaded the police, FBI, Miami Vice, Starsky and Hutch, Hawaii 5-0, The Sweeney, Dempsey and Makepeace, Magnum PI and Elliott Ness, and you can find me at the drop of a hat 😁.

{Ed007's Note - You do know that I can remotely switch on any of your webcams or cameras on your phones don't you?}

03 May 2018 20:58:48
Correct Bondy half time what was bellerin thinking 86 degrees time for a dip and a stella😀☀️☀️COYG Susan Boyle ain't singing yet.

{Ed007's Note - I would turn into a wee puddle of water as soon as I stepped off the plane in that heat. I can't hack the sun/heat but - now I know this might surprise you - being from Scotland it isn't much of an issue.}

03 May 2018 16:57:48
Hello guys! Just my prediction for tonight's game against Atleti. It will be a 2 All draw. Hoping Micki and Danny will be the scorers. Qualification is doable. NO FEAR. COYG.

03 May 2018 17:25:37
4 2 for Miki Danny Dozy Titch :-)

03 May 2018 12:29:22
Good luck for tonight lads. I would love to see Liverpool and Arsenal lift European Trophies this season and it would be a superb way for Wenger to finish at Arsenal. i'm going for Arsenal 2-1. Fingers crossed.

03 May 2018 11:15:59
Liverpool fan here, just wanted to say good luck for tonight, and hope you smash it and get into the final, all the best guys.

03 May 2018 02:30:49
Sky sports reporting that bovac is mislintat's choice to be the head coach. sky sports does put out some rubbish at times, but they are semi-reliable. What leads credence to this story is the bit that mislintat and bovac knew each other from dortumund days.

I still doubt the story but you never know with Arsenal, anything can happen but it totally makes no sense to me. Why would the club take a risk on a 56 year old coach who never served as a head coach in a big team? Why would they do that when there are better candidates available? I am not the biggest fan of allegri but we can all agree the fanbase will unanimously get behind him not because we all like him but because of his profile, because of who he is and what he has achieved. I am not sure buvac will be afforded that oportunity. things could go south really fast.

If it was an ex player or a prodigy like a nagelsmann or a tedesco, i would understand but a 56 year old assistant coach who is introverted and who has never managed a big club is a concern to me.

What i find a bit surprising is why is misinltat involved in the selection process for a new manager? isn't he just a scout or is he trying to gain power in the club? I am not against having his input, but i think it is dangerous to have a situation where the scout has more power at the club than the coach. Scouting is not an easy job and it does require hardwork and talent but you can't compare it to coaching. There are so many good scouts in this world but not really exceptional coaches. To me, a coach is more important to a club than a coach.

03 May 2018 05:36:18
Im not sure about this story either, i am sure its just paper talk for talk sake, it doesn't make sense.

03 May 2018 08:01:06
To be fair if any half successful manager or coach suddenly left his job right now peole would put 2 and 2 together and come up with Arsenal.
Imagine Brendan suddenly announcing today he's leaving Celtic at the end of the season or Eddie Howe Bournemouth the media would be all over it and so would most Arsenal fans who are desperate for news.
We will know a lot more once the season ends and Arsene has actually left in my opinion.

03 May 2018 08:01:33
I think this is just a story the press are wanting to force on people. As for sven tho I have no problem him assisting with choosing a manager. We just got to find someone who'll work well with himself and the director of football or whatever his title is whilst giving the players the coaching they've needed for too long.

03 May 2018 08:54:13
People have been accusing the board of knowing nothing about football for years so now they seem to be bringing in people who do to advise them which has to be a good thing surely.

It will be interesting to see who the Sven men actually sign this summer because all the rumours at the moment seem to have a German if not Dortmound connection, personally I'd like to see us sign 2 or 3 players who have no German connections in any way shape or form to dispell these one dimensional rumours that suggests such limited knowledge of the wider game.
It's a big old world out there and the wider your radar the more likely you are to spot the next Kante Salah or dare I suggest even cominal garden plain old English sensation that might just be lurking in the championship or league one.
I know names like Baggio Ronaldo and Suarez sound a lot more sexy then Brown Smith or Jones but I'm sure we'd learn to love them if they turned into a Moore Gascoigne Shearer or even a Harry Kane play alike:-)

03 May 2018 09:43:04
Bovac adds up for so many reasons:
1. He would be Gazidis's 'bold' choice.
2. Worked with Mislintat at Dortmund

3. Continues the German connection at the club, with German players, coaches or players that played in Germany.

4. A successful career as a coach and assistant manager with Klopp.

5. His recent departure for 'personal reasons' until the end of the season from Liverpool, despite their Champions League semi-final and final.

6. He would, presumably, be a cheaper option salary-wise than a top established manager.

7.He would, possibly, agree to work with a non-Champions League budget.

8. There is no obvious choice for manager.

9. He could definitely work on the defensive side of the game that has been so lacking at the club for a long time.

10. He could slot into a more 'European' set up, with the manager being more of a coach and the other duties that Wenger dominated being spread amongst other members of the backroom staff.

11. Reports that we are after German players such as Leno and Meyer, as well as other players we are reportedly chasing or players at the club whose deals we are actively extending, such as Elneny and Holding or others such as Wilshere, Ramsey, Cech and Welbeck that we are working on. This leads one to make the assumption that a manger has been chosen and is involved in these decsions. If not the new manager could be landed with players on long term new deals that he doesn't want.

Against, would be a lack of actual managerial experience and whether the players and fans would respect and accept a manager without such experience.

The other explanation is that having reportedly fallen out with Klopp, he is being employed as Assiistant Manager to a managerial appointment we have chosen. My own feelings is that there are so many reasons that he may be the chosen one and little concrete noise for any other potential manager that it makes sense.

03 May 2018 10:40:57
Stop Stop Stop with the German thing ahhhhh.
I've got nothing against German people or anyone else come to that, I love Aldi as much as the next bloke but I don't want to buy my pants socks and aftershave from them :-)
Mind you I am partial to Becks beer :-) .
Please please Please RG, tell me all about how we are short at the back and selling Gabriel was a mistake again, or what about your Arsene to PSG theories there always good! Tell me how long it's been since Spurs won the league, anything but please no more German connections this week :-)

03 May 2018 11:28:30
I don't really understand why he would be option either to be honest! Granted, he gets high praise on a coaching level and maybe that's purely what they're looking for with the new structure at the club? Plus, the Allegri's of this world want power. They want to bring all their own backroom staff and have big influences on decisions and Arsenal don't want that. Very similar to Conte at Chelsea who doesn't have a say in much apart from the team sheet!

03 May 2018 12:12:13
G62, I can of course humour you.
However:
Germans at the club: Meretsacker, Mustafi, Ozil, Lehmann and Mislintat
Non-German players that played in Germany: Xhaka, Kolasinac, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan.
Fitness coach who worked with the German national team: Shad Forsythe
Possible new German manager: Bovac, Nagelsmann and Loew.
German cars driven by the players and staff: Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes and VW

Don't mention the war.

03 May 2018 12:26:29
We are looking for a well established manager but other choices might not be bad, yes it might be risky but it might well also surprise everybody. I know mourinho isn’t everyone cup of tea but what he was before he be came a manager, wenger who knew him before he started with arsenal, Zidan was real B team coach.
Loads of top managers got the sack from top teams too.
Every great manager had a break through at some pointe.
Personally I would like an italian manager to sort our defence out. but wouldn’t mind a fresh blooded manager with ambition too.

03 May 2018 12:32:54
You won't be laughing next season RG when you go to take your seat at the emirates and find a towel on it :-)

03 May 2018 13:35:53
Don't fancy Seanino Dychino then Moe? Bloke seems to know a thing or two about defence and he like Arsene and Jose once were is looking for someone to give him his big chance somewhere.
If only he wasn't so frightfully British and all that malarkey :-)