Well I went and checked Arsenals point totals over the seasons, to see how many points from 1st Arsenal had finished every year since they last won the PL in 2004. (Yes I am bored) and this is how many points Arsenal were from 1st: 04/05 : 12 (2nd) 05/06: 24 (4th) 06/07: 21 (4th) 07/08: 4 (3rd) 08/09: 18 (4th) 09/10: 11 (3rd) 10/11: 12 (4th) 11/12: 19 (3rd) 12/13: 16 (4th) 13/14: 7 (4th) 14/15: 12 (3rd) 15/16: 10 (2nd) Looking at that, the only time you were even in with a sniff was 07/08, when you missed out by 4 points. Heck the only other time you were even within single digit difference on points was in 13/14, 7 points behind. And even then you had 3 teams above you. Thats some ****ty luck you got there
I'm not disputing the above and I don't subscribe to the idea that it was just down to bad luck that we missed out on titles, but those points totals don't show the whole picture in terms of injuries to key players over those seasons. True part of that is down to Wenger not having adequate replacements and there's a question mark over our training/medical methods, but I firmly believe that we could have won the league at least once during the decade if it hadn't been for for our cursed injury record.
You have had a torrid time with injuries, yes, but that cannot be unluck surely? Like you say, to continuously have this problem, for over a decade, points to a problem in training and the medical staff. Didn't you guys change your main training coach and physio couple seasons ago?
Yep, I think we've changed a few personnel and to be fair (touch wood) we don't seem to have had the intensity of problems like we've had before. There's still a bit of a hangover with players like Wilshere who just don't ever seem to be able to get 100% fully fit, and as all teams suffer, we still get injuries. But hopefully the worst is past us now. Also we actually have a bit of depth in our squad now, so we can provide decent cover.
How we could do with a Henry/RVP type player as CF. Probably our most balanced side we've had in ages. Unfortunately we don't have the man in front to bang'em in like a 25+ goal man to capitalise on it.
Yep, we'd be complete with worldie up front. I don't blame Wenger for not being able to sign one this window though. The Higuian for £89m deal says everything about the availability of strikers this summer.
And yet United quite possibly have three. Would take Martial, Rashford or Ibra at Arsenal. Who knows maybe Perez will hit the ground running.
So, the rumours are that Howe will be joining next season. Good move? https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/foot...-frenchmans-contract-set-to-expire-in-summer/
The only bad luck I can think of was the Eduardo leg break, all our other collapses were down to management/squad deficiencies
I wouldn't be totally against it. I made a thread on this a while back and said it would be interesting to see how he does at a bigger club with a significantly higher budget. He's 38 and has already been in management for 8 years, so we wouldn't have to worry about a lack of experience so to speak. I'd prefer someone like Howe over suggestions like Henry or Viera that some Arsenal fans have put forward. I think he's a good manager, though. He did phenomenally well to keep Bournemouth up last season (and he did it comfortably), but whether he remains in contentions depends heavily on how he does this season. If he can keep them up again and get quite far in a cup competition, I reckon he'll be in serious contention. He's not my first or second choice by any means, but I think with the right backing and time given to him, he could be a success.
I like the way he sets his team up. You are a big enough club to get someone with a bigger reputation, but Bournemouth play nice football and it would be interesting to see if he can scale it up (fingers crossed for not, obviously)
Howe would be a big risk imo. It's a massive step up from Bournemouth to Arsenal. I'd prefer somebody like Simeone who has proven experience at the top.
Don't get me wrong - if there's any sliver of hope that we can get Simeone, I would be totally down for it. But I realistically can't see him leaving Atletico anytime soon and even if he does, there would be a queue of other clubs that he could choose from. Depending on situations at other clubs, and considering that he's fluent in other European languages apart from English, I don't think we'd be his first-choice. Would be over the moon if we could get him, but it's not likely. If we don't get Simeone or anyone of that calibre, I still think Howe would be a decent shout.
We should at least try and get a big manager in before considering Howe. But in order for us to get that big manager in we need to start courting him/them now. Problem is without a Dein type who can play hard and get results, we may struggle. I believe that we are a very desirable club to come to but I don't think we are clinical enough in the recruitment angle. When was the last time we beat a decent club to a signature? Our big signings have been more under the radar rather than flexing our financial or desirability muscles. But we need to do it now and do it properly. They SHOULD have contingency plans in place when Wenger goes. I mean, he's not even a mature chicken anymore, he meets the requirements for a free bus pass!
Talksport have been claiming Arsenal have been discussing bringing Eddie Howe in as the next Arsenal manager.
On the injuries record, it has also got a lot to do with how many of our players play International football (even U21), the fact that we always play CL football and that we often go deep into the cups (I am sure there is a Tony Adams joke somewhere there). In some ways we are a victim of our own (near) success. For example, I don't think we should play Sanchez this week-end. There is no way he can be ready after jetting across the Atlantic, 2 days after playing for Chile.
Turns out Wenger rejected 3 offers to leave Arsenal for PSG in the last 5 years. That's loyalty. My favourite bit is when he said: "I always remained loyal to Arsenal because it's a club that has the qualities I love - and that's why." Which I read as "I don't have to win, or even challenge for the league, and they never sack me! And they pay me £8m a year to not win.....why the **** would I ever leave this place?"
