Finishing outside the top four - Life after this

We have to consider this as likely now. What's the plan then?

Van Persie, it pains me to say, would probably leave.

However, other players, I think, would stay. Out of the others, those who might leave: Sagna, Walcott, Vermaelen. Vermi's recently commited to a long term deal, and Walcott probably won't be bought by anyone, but we should plan for life after Sagna, I think.

Out of the other players, I think, they are either too young, too old or have signed too recently, to move. I think that Song might stay. Koscielny too.

So a team next season would look like:

Szczesny
Jenkinson Vermi Kosc Santos
Song Arteta
Oxocube Wilshere Gervinho
Chamakh

That squad could finish... 8th maybe. Ooh.


Let's see, Arshavin's probably gonna go. We'd need a striker to replace Van Persie, a midfield general to replace Fabregas, a new versatile defender who can play right back and centre back, and a winger.


Szczesny
Bosingwa Vermi Kosc Santos
Song Wilshere
Arteta
Gervinho Campbell Oxocube

Unfortunately, the above is the most we can hope for. Bosingwa on a free, and Campbell 'will be ready'.

But who would you sign if we dropped out of the top four?

 

Bosingwa can't defend, i'd rather take Simpson from Newcastle, he's out of contract in the summer. At least he can defend a bit.

 

Walcott won't be bought, Sagna still has a couple of years left
A couple of buys would be needed but we can cope

 

This is one of the most defeatist articles I have ever read.

 

One of the advantages in the system we have is that honestly not a whole lot would change. And I wouldn't be so sure about RVP.

The players are a lot happier with Wenger than the fans are and they are a lot more realistic about what is going on.

And as Robin says, this kind of defeatest talk is not helpful.

 

I think Mr Samurai is just preparing himself for the worst. Given the level of our performance and the form we have shown which now comes close to a year I believe it is not unreasonable to suggest that we will not make the top 6. Some would suggest that the players are happy with Arsene. However it needs to be appreciated that the players can hardly say different, can they? From a sporting point of view, the club is in meltdown. For the players to pour more fuel on the fire would not be the wisest thing for them to do. They simply have to get their heads down and get on with the job. The frustrating thing is that I don't believe they have been given sufficient guidance to win by which I mean our tactics. We go into matches without taking into account of the opposition. It has been said many times here and I believe that came from Wenger himself so our rivals are able to read us like a book and when we stagnate on the pitch, the absence of a plan B further accentuates the problem. Beyond guidance I wonder how much motivation is given to our players. Wenger since last February has looked like a man unable to influence his team, unable to inspire them to order. On occasion perhaps, to order, no.

It is time for him to appreciate that change is needed or for someone else needs to come in his place.

Once again, the board bears a level of responsibility for our situation. They too should look at the security of their own tenure. We really need an injection of fresh ideas to get back into the top 4 and not have to face life away from it.

 

RVP seems a loyal fella, if you spend in the summer I think he'll give it another season.

 

That's just it, isn't it?

The Big If.

Under the regime that occupies the corridors of power at The Emirates, it is the business model, the Gazidis and Kroenke model that rules. I won't rule it out since one always holds out hope but can anyone see us spending in the summer?



Going back to Mr Samurai's thread I was thinking about the year after TH left. Actually when I saw him introduce the team to the Queen and that he did so with pride, it seemed to me that here was a man who was not contemplating a way out but he did. In 2008 however, we were on a high. Our season was looking as though it would finally come together now that the influence of Henri was gone and the players could be themselves. Perhaps in a way his presence had the effect of subduing them in the way that they did not rise to the occasion. Instead they did. Well, until that Saturday afternoon at Birmingham of course. Then they proceeded to draw at almost any match they could find. The next year was no better but our side was young and you do make allowances for a young side, don't you? In 2010 that side seemed to have gained a level of maturity and we led the Premiership by 5 points going into February if I recall correctly but this lead was swiftly whittled down and we ended up without the trophy. We all only know too well what happened last year of course. All our seasons have been about hope so it is right that Mr Samurai should prepare himself for the worst while retaining hope for the best since every year, our hopes are dashed. This year, once again we hold out hope. Hope for a fourth place. Getting it won't be dependent on us since it's that which takes place on the pitch that matters. Hope won't count for a thing. Our manager, club and team getting it right, will. Beyond that, there's always hope.

 

That's what I think, if we drop out of the top four but RVP is assured that we are going to really improve the squad with some big signings I think he would stay and we could make a real push for the league without the distraction of the CL. Personally I foresee four possible outcomes: 1. The above happens and we start next season with an exciting squad and there is a new sense of optimism at the Emirates. 2. Assurance are made to RVP, he stays but the signings are disappointing and we have a pissed off resentful captain and an insufficient squad. 3. RVP leaves anyway but we bring in a group of big players and still start the season with a fresh optimism with a quality squad. 4. Worst case scenario - RVP leaves, we do not replace him adequately or bring in needed back up and big signings and we start with a seriously worrying squad and things are worse than ever.

 

It all depends on the club's plans for the summer. If we really made some big name signings, I think RVP might stay. I still think we could attract some top talent, competing for the PL is a big draw in itself and despite his recent failures, Wenger still has a good reputation on the continent. If Wenger and the board decide to scrimp again, we could be in serious trouble.

 

Bloody hope not!

 

Nice positive comment article as ever, its february and we are still well in with a shout of getting top 4 but yeh lets be pessimistic sad fans and contemplate what it will be like if we don't get top 4. God some fans have no backbone, they just accept defeat too quickly, obviously we aren't in the best position but we can definately finish 4th so look at it that way rather than the usual omg rvp will leave and we must sack wenger and we don't spend enough money, it helps nobody whatsoever.

 

Any reason why? Or is it just because you say so?

My feeling is that we are still the #1 club for young players with Wenger. Without him we will still be the #4 club for established players and we will not get players like Ox, Ramsey, Walcott, either. You guys keep making the mistake that it is a supermarket out there for players. It isn't, it is an auction house.

 

cesc said Invest- else I'm off.

Nasri said Invest or I'm off.

What will RVP say...

 

Cesc said I'm off to play for my childhood team
Nasri said pay me more than i deserve...which we tried to do but the C U N T went to city
I don't know what Robin will do

 

I meant #4 financially. Once again all this talk of plenty of players. But when pushed, the group of has beens and never will bes that you come up with is pathetic.

 

Random fact: Since 03/04 Arsenal have no Net spend on Transfers and instead have actually made money.

 

Suarez? Really? Where are you going to play him? Gonna drop RVP?

 

Yes - Lets change our entire formation and playing style to accomodate a player that has scored 5 goals in 18 games and then got himself suspended. How can you possibly say this and expect to be taken seriously?

 

I don't see why? A little while back everybody was proclaiming that Caroll was the best player in the world, and Torres? You wouldn't get too many people saying they would improve us. And if you think changing a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 would be easy for us, you know nothing about football.