Well after yet another disappointing performance Mr Wenger places the emphasis on a lack of creativity, playing with the handbrake on (at home) and players that are tired and jaded after their recent run of 'tough' games. In the same breath he again trots out the line about the spirit in the team. Now forgive me but constantly blaming tired players is becoming wearisome. If they are that tired give them a rest and use your squad - if you believe your squad players are not up to the task this raises the question of why are they at Arsenal in the first place? Also our games and current fixture list is no more (or less) difficult than that of the other Champions League teams (I can't be bothered to check their stats, but safe to say Man Utd are doing okay as are Man City - even if they are out of that comp. I won't comment on Chelsea!!!). This is the man who tells us regularly that there are no easy games in the league - yes we know!! We are demonstrating exactly that fact this season. Swansea deserved to win today and at least Mr Wenger stated this was true. My point is that the same excuses are just thrown out almost word for word every week (I exagerate). There does not appear to be much spirit in the team at all, maybe it's kept on the training ground. The lack of creativity is not something that can be turned on and off at will. We either have a team with creative players or we don't. The lack of sharpness - why? They are playing together regularly so why is this an issue? If they are tired as stated above give them a rest. I don't belive for one minute that if we had won today's game that tiredness would have been mentioned. (He would have saved that for sending a weakened team out to Greece next week). I thinks he's going to have to do that now anyway if he wants to rest players ahead of West Brom. I respect Mr Wenger a huge amount. I still believe that he is the best man for the job but in my view he's treating us like kids at the minute. Just tell the truth - our team just isn't, at this time, able to consistently put a string of positive results together. There is a feeling that each game is a nervy match to be endured rather than enjoyed. I don't for one minute feel confident against West Brom even though they have lost their last two games. I don't think we'll beat Olympiacos either for that matter - an honourable draw looks the best we can hope for based on our current form - obviously I hope they win hansomely. However, when I saw today's result I wasn't cross or angry like I have been earlier in the season. I half expected it and have formed the opinion that it's really not worth getting worked up about. I'm sure the players will be all over the website stating how they are going to try really hard to get back on track because the fans deserve it etc etc, but really I'll just take what comes. Maybe this is the year that we have to hit the bottom before we can come good again. Do I think we can still outpoint Chelsea, West Brom, Everton & Sp*rs in the coming months? absolutely, but we have to start soon with a decent run (that includes some wins, and some eye-catching performances would be nice). 4th place still viable? absolutely. A cup win? absolutely. Win the Champions League? Not even close as things stand Don't want to start a war with those that disagree - I'm just having a cathartic release. Maybe I'm angrier than I thought ;0) I'm not a Wenger out man nor am I an Arsene knows best man. I'm just a slightly disgruntled fan whose seen this all before (supporter since '77) and wonder why it still rankles so much when we don't compete as we should given the players at our disposal.
Well at least he admitted we deserved to lose, that we weren't good in attack etc. Usually he'd come out and say we played good, were unlucky, showed great spirit, bla bla bla. Though I suspect he will say that in a few days, he always comes back after a few days, after re watching the game, and says oh I felt we actually did good and gave a lot etc.
You're right of course. He'll analyse the game and his Opta stats will tell him that in fact we played very well but were not decisive enough in critical areas of the game. I know he can't come out and say we're rubbish at the minute. He'd be slaughtered. But it's like watching politicians spin their tales at the minute. We can all see that somethings not quite right at Arsenal and we desperately want things to change. I'm not a fan of the booing - but as Mr Wenger rightly said 'I can understand it'.
Well if I'm honest, I want Wenger to go at the end of the season, I think he's taken us as far as he can, it's an end of an era. 3 wins in 10, 1 win in 6, our worst start to a season, all of these are signs that it's really time to move on. I don't see any point in keeping him, no progress has/is being made, we can't keep clinging to the past, at the current moment, the way things have been for a years, have not been good enough, and it's getting worse, so it's time to move on. All we have from Wenger is excuses now, I'm tired of his excuse, and quite frankly, I'm tired of him, might sound rude, but the sight of him makes me frustrated now.
I can see your point. My only issue with that is 'who do we get (realistically) to replace him? I know that we would all welcome Guardiola with open arms but could we get him? Not so sure. Who else is out there? Kloop from Borussia Dortmund (German Manager of the year for the last two years). He's a maybe I suppose. But then are we into the merry-go-round of the usual suspects: Van Gaal, Ancelotti, Jose M. I can't think of anyone currently in the Prem league who would be viable. Moyes? (Maybe), O'Neill, Harry, Big Sam, Lambert, Rafa (not for me). How about bringing Bergkamp back? Maybe that would engender some 'spirit' back into things. But hey this is a whole new thread!!!!
I think Guardiola is very very realistic, we pay Wenger the highest amount in England, so money isn't an issue. I think Guardiola would look at us as a good prospect, he knows he'd have time to get things done, and would know he has the full and firm support of the board, something he will never get at at City or Chelsea. Arsenal's philosophy is also very close to the philosophy he carries, and that's another major appeal to him, he will be coming to a club that already believes in his vision of football. So I think we have every chance of getting him if we tried.
I have to admit that I would be extemely tempted if Guardiola said he wanted to join us. But I think people need to realise that he would need more freedom to spend (transfers and wages) if he was going to do any better than Wenger.
It looks increasingly likely that Wenger will fail to get Champions League football for Arsenal next year. In my (neutral) opinion that fantastic record for qualification is the only thing Wenger has going for him. Arsenal are a big club but it's like they have the board of a small club, so I don't see who would want the job if Wenger leaves; high expectations from fans and history combined with owners who prefer improving spreadsheet numbers rather than winning trophies.
It going to be an interesting time for Arsenal over the next year. We have a lot more money coming in soon - and it could mean that Wenger can go out and buy the players that he really wants. But if we miss out on CL football, then the it's going to be harder to get those players and Wenger may not be in charge if that happens. If we had Guardiola, no CL and lots of new money - we could see a complete rebuild. Either way, like I said, it's going to be an interesting year
I think loads of people would want the job . If they manage to win ONE thing , they can say they have cured the problem that wenger couldnt .
He is honest in his assessment of the performance, but not in the reasons for it. I think it is recognised that managers do not as a rule opnely criticise their players, so I don't expect him to come and out give chapter and verse on the team's failings. I think Wenger has gambled in the transfer market with the player who have come in, hoping to in cheap(ish) players who could come good, but his gamble has failed. I hope he realises that he has been left with a squad of players that need a sprinkling of start quality to come good. If he brings in top class player in January and we start to look good in the latter half (regardless of where we finish - they damage may have been done by then) then I'd rather stick with Wenger than take the ultimate risk with a new manager.
