No. The manager is 100% responsible for how the players perform. Haven't you been reading all the anti posts about him? If it wasn't for Wenger, RVP would have struggled to knock in 50% of his goals this year. I would also add that if it wasn't for our fantastic medical team, he wouldn't have been around to score the other half either
Wenger was lucky today imo. Should of changed things earlier than he did and got oxo and gerv on earlier. But it worked out in the end. Hope next game he starts oxo gerv and rvp up top
I don't think his job was in any danger to be honest. My hope is we get 4th and then rebuild in the summer. I really hope Wenger doesn't see getting 4th as a vindication of the squad; nothing has changed, we still have far too much dross and not enough world class talent. Gotze and Poldolski would be a great start.
I don't think he'd ever see 4th as a success, but given the turmoil of last Summer as a fan I think 4th is about as good as I could have expected - not there yet but the past week has done us no harm. As others have said, clearout the dead wood, bring in some real quality in the Summer and get RVPs contract done and 12/13 could be an exciting season...
AVB has to be gone by tomorrow. I'll put my house on it if West Brom win. Turning out to be a good day today.
No not really, he would've been great anywhere with the technique he had BEFORE he came to Arsenal. Like Fabregas
As mentioned before Van Persie was a real hothead when he was young. Now he is the captain and a leader. How many people thought Van Persie was going to be a lone front man in a front three? Not many. Wenger and Van Persie have a great relationship and Arsene has been massive influence on Van Persie.
He may have kept him out of trouble but he hardly made him the player he is - there is a clear distinction in my eyes of the 2. As for him being a leader, well that depends on your definition of a leader - he isn't my definition of a leader. Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira .. they were leaders. RVP doesn't give up and thats about the only leadership quality I see in him. Leaders "gee up" the players and give them rollickings where necessary, I can't say I have ever seen him firing up the team mates or telling them not to let their heads drop.
Van Persie has been a great captain off the pitch. You just need to watch the last two post match interviews to see how he acts with his team mates. He is always giving a team talk in the warm up and all the players around him speak highly of Robin. On the pitch, not many thought Van Persie will become the player he is today. A front man in our system. Everyone thought he would be the classic number 10. Arsene got the best out of Van Persie in this system. Also lets not forget about all the injuries he has had. You need your manager to be there when someone has that many set backs. Arsene kept the faith and now we have one of the best in world.
I don't think anyone saved anyone. Why always so much focus on individuals in what is almost the ultimate team game. Everybody is ontinually picking players out as brilliant or rubbish, without appreciating the finer points of the game and how players influence each other. You can't rate Walcott's performance without appreciating how much extra space the threat of his pace gives our midfield (for example). So, I am sure Wenger and RVP will tell you that although no doubt RVP is playing superbly, his goal tally is owed in part to the entire team. Wenger is part of that team, and so I don't think RVP has saved him. He saved himself. Mind you I also agree that he wasn't in any danger of being sacked anyway.
