I think that you missed out one very important factor, HIAG. Redknapp's tactical failure when Lennon was out. Leaving aside arguments about rotation, the switch to two holding midfielders, moving Modric and van der Vaart out of position and allowing Bale the freedom of the park clearly cost us badly. Results with that system were consistently poor and our form didn't recover until it was abandoned. Even more mystifying was the manager's failure to realise that the same system was coming up with the same results for the Netherlands in the Euros. He watched on baffled, his half-time punditry showing that he'd learned nothing from the previous months. Truly bizarre.
How can RVP's good form be a reason for our collapse? He's not on our team! Even the Harry head turning theory is questionable (even though I agree) when actually, if Harry had simply gone all out for the win that we needed against Villa, and put Defoe on instead of Parker as a substitute.......maybe.... ...lets just say we'd be having completely different conversations right now.
Yes, I know! But that isn't what I'm saying. I'm saying that our losing 13 points to AFC was a combination of (a) RvP playing the season of his career, and (b) Harry's ineptitude/head being turned.
It's hilarious that HIAG's thread about his fantasies of Arsenal's demise, actually ends up discussing the very real collapse and demise of Spurs
Nice try, PESKIE! I can see what you tried to do, there. See, I was relating why it is that we lost out to you last season, and one of those reasons was your one-man team, RvP. Without him, I think even you would agree that you'd have struggled to finish above even the likes of 'Pool. He made all the difference to you. In fact, he was the only difference. Without him, the fall of Arsenal is almost assured. Yes, you'll always stand a chance of competing, because you have your tactical genius, Whinger; but I am truly fearful how badly your players will be affected by the inevitable slump in morale, when RvP joins United. That's where it looks like he's headed to. Certainly, all the clever money seems to be running with that option. You can pretend that you are not worried, PESKIE, but I know that inside you are crying like a frightened little boy, wondering if his mummy is ever going to return from the shops. It's no shame to cry, PESKIE.
Perhaps you forgot that along with RVP - Sagna, Rosicky and Walcott (x2) all scored against you in that match that was the catalyst for your demise last season ? Even without RVP, we would have still beaten you 4-2 . . . Keep em coming HAIG
That's the only example you can come up with as to why Arsenal aren't a one man team though. Scraping the barrel a bit.
I've noticed that when ever someone suggests to a Gunner that Arsenal last season were a one man team, the retort (among other things) is the 5-2 kicking they gave us, leading swiftly to.... ...forgetting the match would've most likely been a different affair without him on the park from the start. Plus by that same logic, what would the other league matches outcomes be without RVP? Who was going to put away the chances RVP took? Chamakh?
There's no such thing as a one man team though. Sure RVP was integral for Arsenal and in terms of goal scoring carried them last season but they will survive. When Henry left everybody said they would never recover and the next season they nearly went and won the title having played some of the best football ever in about 5 months. Someone else will step in I'm sure
No, I'm just giving it as a pertinent reminder to Spurs fans that even without RVP that day we would have still tonked you 4-2
haha are you blocked from the arsenal board HIAG. I don't see why tbh i think you're entertaining and i personally love it when people count us out! So with regard to your article the logic applied dictates oldham shall miraculously compete for the prem title next season while ajax cape town are on par with manu...right?
It's for no reason other than the fact that the kids on your board cannot bear the weight of my intellectual insights, and the cuts of my razor-sharp humour. It frightens them. I can understand that, and I bear no grudges.
What a dreadful position AFC is in! A demotivated RvP, neither really at Arsenal, but still not quite out the door. Things are looking pretty grim for them, next season.
