15 Aug 2017 09:36:28
Morning all and eds,
Well our season is underway and off to a good, if unconvincing start. Truth be told defensively and not just in personnel, but structuring and organisation wise, the same old problems and lack of attention seem to have not been addressed.

It doesn't matter who the lineup is players need to be prepared and conform to certain tactics and find in-game solutions to counter act an opponents threat.
Wenger does not subscribe to the idea of shutting down even the potential threats of our opposition.

he's in the league twenty years and has seen some players whole careers come and go yet in the case of a player like Vardy, who he even identified as recruiting and subsequently bid for, he can't prevent this guy from scoring twice to increase his already impressive recent scoring history against us.

And this is why we will not and cannot win a Premier League title under this methodology. The Bournemouth game away last year is a prime example also. You have to match up against your opponents and this means their hunger and desire as well and all too often players such as ozil are found wanting in this regard and are left shell shocked aa we fall two or even three goals behind.

Then when the inevitable lull or tempo decreases in games such as these you will see Arsenal appear to come on strong for the last 15mins when really its a case of them having conserved energy by not matching the opponents running or energy in the first instance.

This can be addressed on the training ground, which hasn't and won't be, or it can be addressed in the signing of defensive players whose leadership ties in with their ability.

Whats wrong with a player dishing out a rollicking to team mates when momentum is going against you and concentration is needed as a unit to prevent the inevitable concession before it happens.

So often Arsenal have near misses from shambolic defending but even, and especially, the likes of Koscielny will simple amble out, head down and simply wait for Cechs kick out. This is a far cry from Adam's, Keown, Campbell, Gilberto and Vieira. Even Lauren would lose his rubbish at rb when needed.

Im not one for spending obscene amounts for overrated players with inflated transfer fees but if we want to ACTUALLY contest or WIN the PL in its current state then we need to go and sign another quality, aggressive and vocal CB, CDM and we need to stop putting square pegs in round holes and stunting players progression and form like in the case of the Ox and now Rob Holding.

Weve signed two excellent players but we need to offload the well documented players aswel as Sanchez and Ozil as neither really believe in the project anymore and will only impede us until their inevitable departures anyway.

There is very little between us and Chelsea on recent head to heads, not to mention they are champions, yet they are willing to spend and sign and are pursuing big signings because they know City and Utd are threats this year.

Apply this logically to what we are doing and where we are at this moment and how can you conceive anything other than yet another 4th place scrap at best as we have less players in this squad committed to or who believe in the cause than ever before.

I hope Wenger is actually aware that we are still very short and is waiting on some movement around him at other clubs before making moves because as it stands we are looking at more of the same for the next two years at the very least.

1.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 10:25:05
When are fans going to realise, Wenger doesn't do players that have character and fight in them.
He doesn't want any players that will undermine him.

2.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 10:34:18
After that uplifting post I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season. 😉😂😂😂.

3.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 10:49:06
Stoner mate, it's the same old problem.
We have no plan in the transfer window.

Any other manager would give their CEO a list of players and tell them to get them.
Wenger wants to control everything and is given the freedom to do so.

Where's the change Ivan Gazidas was talking about.

Nothing has changed.

4.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 11:03:28
You don't ever knowingly invest money or your time in a player who could undermine you or hurt the unity of the squad Malaga but he always seems to sign players with a passive mentality, combine that with the fact he never holds the players accountable, always focusing on refs, opponents or bad luck as in the draw or injuries. In this process he's also deflecting responsibility and accountability from himself also and its sent a bad message within our ranks for years now.
If I examine Theo Walcott for instance, who has spent his career under Wenger, I hear a lot of soundbites and catchphrases but rarely do I see him represent those words on the pitch. His best form is usually aug til oct when he feels his place is in jeopardy and he has to step up, which he always does and then always retreats back into anonymity as the season progresses and not only is this tolerated by the coaching staff its been rewarded to the point of salary over 110,000 per week so now we can't sell him because nobody else would pay him half that.
We have a lot to be proud of in how AW conducts himself and the integrity he shows but these are the core issues here and there is a huge want when it comes to the demands he puts on players and as a byproduct, the ones they put on themselves between their own ears before they tog out.
Stoner, it is what it is bro. Manage our expectations realistically and we can't be dissatisfied or angry at the outcome.

5.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 11:07:17
If you look at Costa, bad egg that he is, he still won a league last year and his teammates speak highly of him. We lack these sorts and the 'us vs every one' attitude and mentality.

6.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 11:56:09
Shambo/ Malaga,

I'm not disagreeing with you guys but we know what it is as it happens so often. We make two great signings then shy away from making the real killer ones.

It does drive me nuts but I'm kind of immune to it now and just look forward to the season.

He will go eventually and maybe then we'll get some true excitement back.

7.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 12:50:52
I make you right Stoner, the club is treading water and we have no choice but to do the same.
How things could or should be is irrelevant they are what they are and under Arsene and are extremely unlikely to change.
Arsenal football club are huge and the potential of the club to have a very competitive team is huge too it's only the ambitions of those currently making the decisions that's holding us back but it won't always be like that.
But until change comes" come on the Arsenal " and " bring on the europa league" says me, we can really challenge for that.

8.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 14:14:33
John I know you are all in for the Europa cup, but how about all those fans that have travelled Europe and pay the highest season ticket prices in the world, how do you think they feel?

I'd say they feel mugged off.

9.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 16:15:29
Hi Mark mate, personally I would rather travel and watch us try and win the europa league than simply make up the numbers in the champions league.
I personally have no apatite for yet another last 16 champions league exit, 8 on the bounce is quite enough for me, but the europa has my interest and while I'm not saying I will be missing a few days work to travel to Bulgaria or anywhere a short hop to Holland Belgium or France isn't out the question for me if I think we will play a side worthy of the club and competition.
To the champions league we are what Sunderland and Newcastle are to the premier league (usually take part but seldom do anything worthy of getting excited about) the europa offers us the chance to play at being Real Bayern Barcelona for a season and why not i ask?
As a club we are potentially big boys but currently we are more pretenders than contenders when it comes to big boys competitions, horses for courses mate and as we stand we are europa league contenders champions league pretenders whether we want to admit it or not that is where we are.
It's not about putting the club down its about accepting things for what they are at this moment in time.

10.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 20:15:15
Gunner I can see that you are trying to set realistic targets and that's ok. The problem comes when them targets aren't reached. Do we lower our sights again or should we aim as high as possible to make us get better. It doesn't matter a jot really what we all think, the club set the ambition and there isn't much we can do.

11.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 21:12:54
Exactly Steve but most people know in their heart of hearts we won't be champions this season or any time soon, so you can only look at what is possible under the current circumstances mate, as we stand the Europa league is doable for this current Arsenal set up imo.

12.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 21:42:05
I don't think gunner, anyone should aim lower, whatever. People haven't bought tickets to watch us lose, they bought them in expectation of winning the league and most won't be happy if we don't. The Europa league is within our compass and it will be viewed another failure of we bomb. I don't think we will win the league but I don't find that acceptable for this club. It has to be a goal.

13.) 15 Aug 2017
15 Aug 2017 22:03:20
Steve have Everton fans bought tickets excepting to win the league ? I doubt it mate but they do want Everton to win as many matches as possible.
My 2 top tips for the season?
1 Utd will be champions
2 there will only be an absolute maximum of 3pts between Everton and Arsenal after 38 games. I will be quite happy for anyone to remind of both these tips at the end of the season.

14.) 16 Aug 2017
16 Aug 2017 09:10:11
You lot are the most pessimistic and negative fans I've ever heard. Seriously the season has just started we have the maximum points we can have and you lot are acting like it's all doom and gloom. We've just signed a £50million striker and got an absolute tank for nothing, both look like decent signings, we have a very good squad and we don't know what's going on transfer wise behind closed doors.

You guys need to stop moaning and get behind the team, be optimistic and hopeful of what's ahead.

15.) 16 Aug 2017
16 Aug 2017 09:57:56
ECG I think most fans lost faith in the team and management, as well as they lost their patients too. Yes we brought in a decent players, but there is a big problem at the back need addressing as well as a CDM needed for the team. We have been crying out loud for a beast at the back to play alongside kos and now mustafi, I doubt we will be biying a CB this year, However I feel arsene has something up his sleeves. Also I think the fans are frustrated for the lack of tying up players and letting them go to the last year of their contacts. I'm sure these fans wanted the arsenal to be the best in the world.

16.) 16 Aug 2017
16 Aug 2017 12:50:23
Okay but can you name said player?

Would he come in a instantly be a hit in the premier league? Is he available?

Personally don't think there are many 'beast' type centre backs out there anymore, as for will they improve us or be a hit in the prem it's really hard to tell. Look at Falcao and Di Maria. Two top players both couldn't make it in the premier league, just our style and systems don't always suit certain players (personally think di Maria would have been a success if he had not been playing in such a negative and defensive system)

I would welcome us buying a centre back, think Van Dijk would be incredible, but is he out of reach? By the looks it he wants Liverpool. Think we missed a trick last season with Ashley Williams, 12mil was a bargain.

As for the defensive mid, it has been a position we needed but do we need it with the 3-5-2 formation? I don't think so, I think Ramsey and Xhaka will do well, it also gives Ramsey the freedom he needs.

we could do with a midfeilder to replace cazorla though or compete with ramsey and Xhaka for those places, would like to see seri but like before we can't say he will be a success

But I do think we will sign one more, so let's wait and see and hope for a decent season.