There are always 'ifs' and 'buts' in football. Had Ramsey taken the couple of good chances he had, and, as someone has already pointed out, the Villa player not intercepted Arshavins pass to Gervinho, things would have turned out very differently and the chants and criticism of Wenger would be replaced by other conversatiions. I think Wenger is still the man for us, but nothing is forever and he will need repacing at some stage. For now, I count our blessings -we could be QPR contemplating life under 'Arry, we could be Stoke continuing to serve up the agricultural philosophy of Pulis, we could be Spurs going backwards worse than we are, we could be Everton always missing out on the Champions league, heaven forbid, we could be Chelsea. But we are not any of those, we are Arsenal, and we will come good.
That didn't happen, so that's why the whingers are out in force. But you're right, if Gervinho had got on the end of Arshavin's cross then we would all be talking about 0-1 to the Arsenal and how we can win even if we don't play well - the stuff of champions etc. The point is, that it wasn't Wenger's subs that caused the problems, we were flat all through the game. In fact it was his subs in Arshavin and Gervinho that nearly won us the game. So the criticism that he doesn't know what he's doing is wide of the mark in my opinion
I wasn't referring to the virtue of the dissenters views but that someone in such a privileged and well rewarded position should react a llittle more gracefully to these "incorrect" sentiments.
If fans are entitled to express their opinions as they see fit, then I don't see why Wenger should be denied that right too.
Wenger - and other managers - are dammned if they do, damned if they dont. The 'obligation' to speak to the press after a game is relatively new and is only serving the interests of the press in selling papers and gathering sky subscriptions. Sticking a microphone in their faces to answer usually inane questions doesnt helo get to the truth of the matter and is done for such moments as last niight so as to get the most sensationalist headlines. If I had had a bad day at the office and someoine pressed me on decisions I had made and perhaps got wrong, I might well tell them to go forth and multiply. In the cold light of morning the next day, I would probably feel a bit sheepish at my reaction. I'm sure Wenger would feel that way too - after all he is only human......
Not denying that right but could show a little more grace seeing that the fans have travelled half the country sat in the rain for 90min and weren't exactly being abusive...not to mention the disparity of privilege. He has earned from that game what most of those voicing their disapproval (whose support enables these lavish rewards) will need to work several years to earn.
It would be interesting to hear the thoughts of those who were chanting, as to how they would have handled things better...
Fans are entitled to their opinions and we have forums,Twitter,phone ins etc. to voice our opinions.Even though i found Wenger's decision to substitute Giroud with Coquelin somewhat strange,i found the chanting and booing disgraceful.
I dont think that he was aiming his comments at the supporters - his attack was on the press and much more understandable, if dangerous, for doing so.
If Wenger was worried about Giroud having an injury,you would have thought he would have made the substitution earlier
Not sure about is myself but sometimes there tends to be a lag between the time of the injury and the pain itself (personal experience!)
In this respect i think Wenger is right to say whatever he likes. As long as he is the manager he dont have to explain himself to the fans in any way shape or form. However , he does also take all the flak if those decisions look poor . Its a double edged sword but. , i cant stand the usual bland PC crap that managers usually come out with so , i would rather he said what hes thinking that just cliched hogwash .
That is rubbish. You really expect the manager to come out publicly and say, "I thought Giroud was playing crap, so I subbed him!" - End of relationship with player, end of season with rest of team. A very naive and childish comment, from someone looking for to see Wenger in the worst possible light. There is no such thing as a neutral in this case. You either support Arsenal or you don't. And you don't.
I think a manager should say if they are playing ****e. These are grown men, not babies. Tell them the facts, if I do ****e in my work I will certainly be told so.
There's no way Wenger is going to come out and say we were ****e and if you're expecting that then you'll be waiting about as long as it will take to hear Fergie come out and say that the ref played too much injury time.
He should though, I would. I would pick out certain players for major criticism if they played ****e.
