A basic problem that AW never seems to address, is that we continue to get outmuscled in midfield
He keeps signing physically small/light players. Yes, when on form, they can outpass the oppostion and look good. But when they're not, as Ramsey and Cazorla have been most of the season, other teams just bully their way through
We need some engine room steel, enforcers. minders, whatever they're called, Viera and Petit were the heart of that great team, with the flair players player off of them. Song was good for a while as well.
Arteta and Flamini put their foot in, but once again, they are physically small.
If all the Prem teams had a tug of war contest using their regular players, we would come last by some distance. We need to beef up
I think that's true, and don't forget with Viera and Petit you had two players who had that rare mix of power and amazing technical ability. Not easy to find though, Patrick Viera was one of the best midfield players I've ever seen.
I said the fans booing him at the station would have no effect and he's said as much. He just shrugs it off.
I wouldn't be too sure, he's far too thin skinned to deal with it that easily. I know we might not agree on this but his ego simply isn't going to stand sustained abuse from the fans. If performances don't improve (and there's no sign of that) it will only get worse and I'm confident he'll walk before the end of the season ... accompanied by plenty of comments about how ungrateful the fans were after all he had done for them.
Yep, the old judge me in May routine - problem is dear Arsene, we've been there before many many times.
Exactly. He really knows how to play the media. They're the only ones that can highlight these issues as the moment fans show their discontent with banners and abuse they're ignored.
"We showed a lack of experience defensively but we could have scored four or five."
Lack of experience? It was Per Mertesacker who let the team down defensively. If Wenger went back through the tapes he'd see this rather than take the easy option and blame the youngsters.
Also who's fault is it we're in this position? He sold Vermaelen without a replacement and sent Jenkinson on loan who's been our best defender this season! Obviously he can point to the injuries but surely you should plan for injuries with adequate back ups like every other realistic title challenging team has rather than gamble on no injuries knowing Koscielny has tendonitis and Debuchy played every minute for France in the WC including friendlies and Euro qualifiers afterwards.
I’m tired of hearing about “individual results”. One of the reasons I’m so frustrated with Wenger is because of comments like that. It’s not about an individual performance it about a whole series of them for about 7 years with no sign of improvement! Just as he’s asked us to judge him May for the same time period.
He’s just putting his fingers in his ears going “nah, nah, na, nah nah, can’t hear you”. We have problems at the club that are nothing to do with the funds or the personnel we have there. The fact we still cannot defend a set piece or even set a defence up after years of the same problems means the buck stops elsewhere.
Wenger likes to dismiss things like this as “one-offs”, he needs to be pressed by the media on this and questioned on the same repeated failures, season in season out. He gets away with this far too easily for my liking.
I can’t believe that Steve Bould isn’t fuming at the state of our defence yet he seems to have no influence at all. Certainly don’t see him on the touchline during matches.
I wouldn't be too sure, he's far too thin skinned to deal with it that easily. I know we might not agree on this but his ego simply isn't going to stand sustained abuse from the fans. If performances don't improve (and there's no sign of that) it will only get worse and I'm confident he'll walk before the end of the season ... accompanied by plenty of comments about how ungrateful the fans were after all he had done for them.
I do hope you're right - but I think it'll have the opposite effect, as we all know his ego knows no bounds and he generally thinks of the supporters as idiots.
I think the old pattern will just continue, we'll lose some more, the fans will be up in arms, he'll weather the storm, then out of nowhere we'll go on a winning streak, 4th place etc and all will be forgotten until next season - rinse & repeat.
Debuchy is back tonight, so some good news at least CC will get a rest.
No he won't. Wenger's confirmed Chambers will be in the middle with BFG. The only reason I can think of is because we're down to the barebones at the back especially at CB and LB.
I’m tired of hearing about “individual results”. One of the reasons I’m so frustrated with Wenger is because of comments like that. It’s not about an individual performance it about a whole series of them for about 7 years with no sign of improvement! Just as he’s asked us to judge him May for the same time period.
Neville alluded to it last night on MNF (watch the clip I posted last page). More and more pundits are starting to realise. Just need them to hammer it home more often Merson-style
Arsene "Groundhog" Wenger gets off so easily in the media. If any other figure in public life kept on repeating the same rubbish - word for word - year in year out, they'd be a figure of derision. I wish Spitting Image was still around to have a latex Wenger drooling out "judge me in May" (etc etc etc).
I'm out tonight for a Xmas party so will miss the game. Hope Poldi does well, that's all. I dislike Galatasaray otherwise I'd be totally indifferent to the game.
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I think that's true, and don't forget with Viera and Petit you had two players who had that rare mix of power and amazing technical ability. Not easy to find though, Patrick Viera was one of the best midfield players I've ever seen.
Yep, the old judge me in May routine - problem is dear Arsene, we've been there before many many times.
I said the fans booing him at the station would have no effect and he's said as much. He just shrugs it off.
This quote really gets me - yes Arsene, but we didn't score 4 or 5 did we, that's the whole buggering point.
"We showed a lack of experience defensively but we could have scored four or five."
I wouldn't be too sure, he's far too thin skinned to deal with it that easily. I know we might not agree on this but his ego simply isn't going to stand sustained abuse from the fans. If performances don't improve (and there's no sign of that) it will only get worse and I'm confident he'll walk before the end of the season ... accompanied by plenty of comments about how ungrateful the fans were after all he had done for them.
Exactly. He really knows how to play the media. They're the only ones that can highlight these issues as the moment fans show their discontent with banners and abuse they're ignored.
Lack of experience? It was Per Mertesacker who let the team down defensively. If Wenger went back through the tapes he'd see this rather than take the easy option and blame the youngsters.
Also who's fault is it we're in this position? He sold Vermaelen without a replacement and sent Jenkinson on loan who's been our best defender this season! Obviously he can point to the injuries but surely you should plan for injuries with adequate back ups like every other realistic title challenging team has rather than gamble on no injuries knowing Koscielny has tendonitis and Debuchy played every minute for France in the WC including friendlies and Euro qualifiers afterwards.
He’s just putting his fingers in his ears going “nah, nah, na, nah nah, can’t hear you”. We have problems at the club that are nothing to do with the funds or the personnel we have there. The fact we still cannot defend a set piece or even set a defence up after years of the same problems means the buck stops elsewhere.
Wenger likes to dismiss things like this as “one-offs”, he needs to be pressed by the media on this and questioned on the same repeated failures, season in season out. He gets away with this far too easily for my liking.
I can’t believe that Steve Bould isn’t fuming at the state of our defence yet he seems to have no influence at all. Certainly don’t see him on the touchline during matches.
I do hope you're right - but I think it'll have the opposite effect, as we all know his ego knows no bounds and he generally thinks of the supporters as idiots.
I think the old pattern will just continue, we'll lose some more, the fans will be up in arms, he'll weather the storm, then out of nowhere we'll go on a winning streak, 4th place etc and all will be forgotten until next season - rinse & repeat.
No he won't. Wenger's confirmed Chambers will be in the middle with BFG. The only reason I can think of is because we're down to the barebones at the back especially at CB and LB.
Neville alluded to it last night on MNF (watch the clip I posted last page). More and more pundits are starting to realise. Just need them to hammer it home more often Merson-style
I'm out tonight for a Xmas party so will miss the game. Hope Poldi does well, that's all. I dislike Galatasaray otherwise I'd be totally indifferent to the game.
Ok, guilty as charged!
Because there's absolutely no pressure on them, they can suddenly play. It's so frustrating.
Bingo.
Seen it all before, and if Wenger thinks this is a sign of progress and maturity then he's frankly deluded.
Yeah it was obvious this would happen. Well lets hope anderlect can do a job
Don't worry - we'll be back to our useless best on the weekend no doubt!
What a time to be alive.
Lol. No point keeping ur best on in a meaninglesss game. Still it is good to see this lot up for it.