I think they are. A bit of failure, as experienced by others, might be character-building ... http://salutsunderland.com/2012/02/arsenal-a-club-in-crisis-give-us-a-break/
A bit of a whinge is all fine and dandy. It's when it enters the realms of becoming an obsession that is worrisome. Look at our board and see just how many new posts that all but pronounce the end of the world every time we drop a point. It's all rather smacks of petulance and self pity tbh
Kingshirker welcome to the Arsenal board. I'm sorry to say this and hope you don't take it the wrong way but we're a winning club that isn't used to failure. I guess that's why we're unhappy. As said elsewhere, I think you have a good club and an excellent manager but you could leave us with the last smile on Saturday
In reality, Arsenal have been on the slide for a few years, and the question is, IMO, whether the choice to not spend and strengthen is Arsene's, or the clubs owners. The club can't compete financially with Manchester City, but does it have to? Would a player of the highest calibre not be more inclined to sign for a famous, established club like Arsenal, than for a nouveau rich club like City (point of note, I AM aware City have a pretty healthy trophy cabinet from years back, but then so do we and the Toon!.... and Blackpool, Huddersfield...) If I was a player, i'd be much more inclined to sign for Arsenal than Manchester City, but then we see players leaving Arsenal to go there, and that's financial, and that's not Arsene's fault. It seems to me his failing as a manager has been his inability to sign the correct defensive players, both in defence, and the holding midfield role. Surely a big, strapping centre back like Samba would have been obvious, even Cahill, a ball playin centre back would have been a wonderful addition, surely? In the holding role, Song is a very decent player, but he can be outfought, and often ends up on a yellow, taking some bite out of his game, a top class holding midfielder would provide the protection to a suspect back 4, even better if that back 4 had the obvious to everyone gaps filled. I don't see Arsene making many big howlers, the AOC substitution against United was one, but they aren't apparent every week. If Arsene goes, surely a new manager would seek assurances that a HUGE budget would be made available to bring the team back in line with the others, is this plausible, or is the money simply not available? Arsenal are not light years behind the other 3 sides in the top 4 , as i've seen suggested, I would suggest 3 player (CB, CDM and Striker) would be enough to get them right back in the mix. If Arsene goes, a lot of us will be sad to see him go, the wonder of the 'invincibles' team gave me some light relief at a time when our own side was going though utter turmoil, culminating in a standing ovation for them after theytonked us 4-0 at the SOL (they took it easy, they could have scored 15 if they'd pushed it). Summing up, I don't think Arsenal's issues are nearly as deep as some seem to think, it all depends on those 3 positions being addressed, IMO.
Well I'm not saying we will win at the weekend but last night, as a spectacle, Arsenal looked as good on the eye as a pair of National Healths.
I think the only problem Arsenal has is simple enough... Arsene, the fans expect to be right up there with the top two or three at least. IN the UEFA every season.. I think it's only time before these younger player's improve some.... apart from Walcott.. his crossing is about as good as mind was... C""P... the guy has pace to burn but too ofthen he's cutting back inside the defender.. GO for the byeline and CROSS it simples. Last night? I can't rememer a single cross that missed the first defender. Don't be too hard on Arsene, would I sway places with the Gooner's right now.. after tonight. YES I would.
I think the only problem Arsenal has is simple enough... Arsene, the fans expect to be right up there with the top two or three at least. IN the UEFA every season.. I think it's only time before these younger player's improve some.... apart from Walcott.. his crossing is about as good as mind was... C""P... the guy has pace to burn but too ofthen he's cutting back inside the defender.. GO for the byeline and CROSS it simples. Last night? I can't rememer a single cross that missed the first defender. Don't be too hard on Arsene, would I swap (league) places with the Gooner's right now.. after tonight. YES I would.
Last night was dismal, but the problem we have, is that the younger fans are spoilt by the sucess that we have enjoyed. Most of the older fans, appreciate that you support the club through thick and thin. Yes changes are needed, but overall, there are probably only 3 or 4 teams that wouldn't prefer to be us.
the problem with walcott is he has a medical condition . His eyes cant actually register defenders , he really cant see them at all . Thats why his crosses , and shots hit the first defender in front of him. he comes from a magical kingdom where all defenders are invisible you see. sad really.
Thanks for the ray of sunshine MONsMush. However in the real world of an Arsenal supporter I can't see us addressing cover for those three positions. If we get a defensive strategy in place that would be a great help but can you really see our buying team of Gazidis and Law securing the players we need or indeed that many players would want to come to us right now? We haven't been too far off the top over the past years but in keeping with tradition, our season starts to come apart from the middle to end of February and the beginning of March. It is this problem too that needs to be addressed.
This is what I don't know as a Sunderland fan mate. Is it Arsene's choice not to spend, or is he held back by the board? The club is one of the most profitable on the planet, even without player sales, surely there is money there, somewhere? You could by, off the top of my head, Samba, Moussa Sissokho and Giroud for a total of around £50million, and the team would look awesome. Surely that kinda money is in the club?
I dont buy into this notion that spending would solve all our problems. Personally I think our issues stem far more from the defensive system Wenger employs, ie the full backs are ALWAYS up field making it very easy to get behind us, because of the huge gap down the wings. It relies on midfielders dropping back to cover the full backs, but barring Song, none of them do! Wenger doesnt seem to think that good results come from the back line.
I, personally, don't think your defenders are good enough, I think Song is too easily outplayed, and I think bar RVP there's few goals. That's why I think you need to spend.
Well MONsMush according to the balance sheet the money does exist. It could well boil down to the board and our majority shareholder. Discussed elsewhere and in the previous week, he is buying the Dodgers ( keep getting confused with the Rams ) and I wouldn't be surprised that in being able to show a healthy balance sheet in all his ventures will be of great importance to him. He doesn't have to take the money out, just show his worth as I'm pretty sure the funds to buy the Dodgers will be borrowed. Now in respect of those players, it would depend on Arsene which again would depend on whether he can find cheaper alternatives. That in turn would depend on whether the tiresome duo of Gazidis and Law have the mettle to go out and get our man. To date, their record has been woeful. Another reason I feel for generating a P45 for our egghead CEO. My friend, the thinking at The Emirates sadly, is all about bargain basement. Some would call this a lack of vision........ Thanks for your thoughts
It was mentioned on here that the combination of £20 ticket charge by Sunderland and Arsenal laying on £5 coach travel has ensured a sell out of our allocation.
