The Wenger Criticism Thread

What evidence do you actually need?

 

A trend. This season suggests there isn't an upward trend and that last season was just fluctuation from the mediocre norm.

 

I know what you mean but this thread is specifically a Wenger criticism thread so I was doing that. We all expect more from Arsenal, from its resources to its previous success with Wenger. Unfortunately for him, he is a victim of his previous success and expectations have increased due to all the work he's made in the financial department. But this isn't the point of the thread, we're now talking about the football in general, are we going into the right direction to challenge? Even loyal supporters like yourself see the deficiencies in Wenger's ways. I would like nothing better for Wenger to bring back the good ol days, but they are just not coming. The same old problems resurface year after year, but this time Wenger no longer has the lack of funds excuse any more. Even with three top quality signings (Ozil, Sanchez, Cazorla) we still look damn vulnerable and next to useless against the top sides.

 

It's far too early into this season to make any concrete judgements on the trend as a whole. However, there has been an upwards trend in the League since the start of the trophy drought in 2005-06. Not so much in the UCL though, which has been a disappointment for years (even if I think records of 1-1-2 against two of the biggest and best European teams is almost excusable).

 

Our league finishes since 05/06:

443434344

Upward trend?

 

Points-wise, yes.

 

OK... put these numbers onto a line graph and tell me you see a consistent upward trend rather than just fluctuation around a mean: 67 68 83 72 75 68 70 73 79

And even if you do see a consistent and statistically significant upward trend there (which I don't)... then if it doesn't lead to an actual improvement in chances of success (which we haven't had), does it matter?

 

There is a line of best fit that goes upwards from just over 70 to 75, but whether it is statistically significant I don't know. I guess my choice of starting year probably helps my cause a bit seeing as the trend is downwards from the first Double year onwards, however I wouldn't argue that the team has ever been at the heights that it was when Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp and co. were in the squad.

As for actual success, I agree that getting more points doesn't actually prove much when it comes to trophies. After all, Arsenal managed 78 points when they won their first title under Wenger in 1997-98, which is one point less than last year's 4th. Again though my point is not that Wenger is amazing or that the team have been excellent under his tutelage over the last nine, ten years - more that the argument that he's lost his way belies the actual performance of his team over the last while, at least in the league.

 

Wenger out. Does anyone still truly believe that he is doing the best possible job with this squad? The sooner we replace this incompetent, gutless, clueless **** the better. **** off ****!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Why not take off Chambers today after witnessing him getting murdered all game by Moreno? Why not bring on Theo to stretch them at 1-0? Those are two decisions that in hindsight would have won it for us today.

 

I was hoping that Wenger wouldn't wait until the last 10 for Walcott, and he did just that. At least give Walcott time to adjust to the tricky conditions. But I guess having Monreal as CB took the biscuit....

 

Wenger's pre-match and post match comments for the Swansea game should worry any Arsneal fan.

 

Does anyone on here still really support and back Wenger? Does anyone actually think he can take us any more forward as in challenging and winning major honours? Common people, it's time to start being honest with yourselves.

Wenger's time is clearly up.

 

Piskie
Oxo
Afcftw
Voice of reason

 

And me

 

Piskie, AFCW, OXO, do you guys really still support Wenger and think he can take us forward? That's the Q, moving forward, nobody is talking about whether Wenger can continue to secure top 4 and Champions League football, he's clearly shown that when it comes to that he is the right man, but in terms of moving forward and consistently challenging for major honours and winning those honours, do you guys honestly believe he is the right man for that task? All indications clearly show otherwise, he just doesn't have what it takes to take us to the same levels he did during his first era at Arsenal.

 

Not sure Piskie does. He's just trying to be supportive, but shares our general view hat Wenger should have left on a high when he won the FA cup. I really wished he left after the FA, now he's going to drag this on...

 

We're still going to finish above you come end season. Getting top 4 is something you can always guarantee from us, what's currently happening is not at all a dent to those hopes.

 

Wenger has my full support, he is doing an amazing job.

 

He should have called it a day at the end of 2008/09. Had he left then and been replaced by a top manager I'm quite sure Arsenal would have been better off but it's got to the point now where the damage has been done and you'd be worse off without him than with him.