of the world (well a big deal) if we failed to qualify for the Champions League proper? We were never going to win it anyways) Would it be a disaster if we failed to get a result against Manure, thereby making it 1point from our first 3games? Many a good sides have been to Old Trafford and come out empty handed. Or come end of the season we drop out of the top4? Are we being realistic in expecting Arsene/the powers that be to sign an "established" player or 2 to replace the departed duo (Samir/Fabregas). Recent history suggests it won't happen. Bergkamp, Henry, Viera etc etc were never really replaced.... I think fans (myself included), have very short memories. It will be big ask to expect the club to make a big name signing with just over a week to go before the transfer window is shut. I don't remember the last time Arsenal acted decisively and fast. Maybe we have allowed envy/jealousy to cloud our judgements, we see Mancity, Manure, Chelski, Spudlings splashing out the cash and we say to ourselves, why can't my team have some of that...... Added to that the shame and the ribbing we constantly get for not winning anything for 6years... I know if we got knocked out tonight, I will not be able to face my mates at work!
Most depressing article ever. Now i get accused of moaning on here but this is just out-right negative drivel.
Might not be the end of the world, but it should be the end of Wenger. If Arsenal do go through (and I think they will) then Arsene should consider himself extremely lucky to have got off scott free for all the mistakes that he has made from the day you lost int he CC Final to the present day, as quite frankly you shouldn't have even finished as low as 4th. If Udinese do give his catalogue of mistakes the ultimate punishment then I don't see the point in him staying.
Well I was just playing out the worst case scenario....... I think Arsenal history and ethos is bigger than Nasri/Fab.... The media is covered with doom and gloom with respect to my beloved team: 1) We have lost our 2 best players 2)We play a game of our lives tonight in Italy 3)We play Manure at Old Trfford with a depleted squad 4)We might not replace Samir/Fab before the transfer window closes I am just also trying to put things in perspective, whatever happens, Arsenal lives on..... Right?
@TheBear, I know we all a bit prickly at the moment.... I am not for a minute suggesting we will finish out of the the top4, be dumped out of CL or lose to Manure on Sunday, all I am saying is "so what if all those things was to happen.... it is not the end of Arsenal..... Maybe I did not articulate my sentiments well... I can only apologise, for the distress and alarm caused.
We never get a result against United, even when we have a fully fit team with Cesc in it. So to expect us to get one with this squad is naive, in my opinion.
I think Mr O Gooner was perhaps trying to offer fans some solace were the worse of this week to materialise yet reiterating that like all fans, he too would be unhappy were we not to progress to the group stages of the CL. Well, to answer the first question about having to play for the Europa Cup, I would say that while it was not the end of the world it might be a little like having to do a yearlong sabbatical in the football league championship which I'm sure none of us would relish. The second point about not taking anything away from Sir Alex's backyard probably won't be the ultimate disgrace either but it would be so much better as in September of 2006 when we came away with all of three points courtesy of a goal by our erstwhile friend Emmanuel A. Yes, that one. These are not easy times for an Arsenal supporter with signings not seeming in line with departures but we have much to draw on. Our history under Arsene which happens also to be the best years of the club. That we have been in the Top 3 or 4 teams in the land while not having to spend what amounts to a mortgage and a half on a country estate. Despite the latter, we have been building for the future and not only in bricks and mortar but in the current squad, some of which youngsters are now playing first team football. Over the coming months and years, the names of Ryo Myaichi, Jack Wilsheree, Aaron Ramsey, Emmanuel Frimpong, Carl Jenkinson, Joel Campbell and others will become enshrined in the household vocabulary. Greatness awaits us in the future especially if we stand by Arsene who despite the limitations imposed on his leadership is surely and steadily working to bring the squad back to a position as to return the club to it's former glory. Naturally setbacks disappoint all of us but down the road is the prize if we stick by our man at the helm.
We do get results against Man U my friend. It just seems we don't. Of late, we won 1-0 away in Sep 2006, beat them 2-1 at the Emirates in Nov 2008 and of course again at The Emirates last spring. Until Sir Alex got his game together Man U were easy pickings for us back in the old Highbury days. You'll notice I didn't say ' good old ' because I do believe we are in better times now. The start of this season is just part of a small setback. Every club has them. Some have had to wait much longer for trophies. Man U themselves were in the wilderness for much much longer as were Chelsea and City have only one trophy to their name for how long? Yeah.
That Adebayor winner was 5 years ago?! Dang... I just don't think Wenger should be judged on the United game. This is a hugely tough start to the season, even without the injuries, transfer speculation and media frenzy around our manager's future.
Gosh so it was.... Seems only like yesterday.....OMG I've aged 5 years!!! please log in to view this image
Cheers dude for bailing me out there... I could not have put it better myself. I just us fans would calm down sometimes, I know it is difficult with the media frenzy.... and they smelling blood!
Pleasure pal I'm still wearing my happy hat That article gave me renewed belief and it's a gr8 club and manager to believe in
Fair play!. Tonights game will be tricky and United will be extremely difficult but we still have some very good players in our team and alot of young talent hoping to make an impact. Its been a difficult Summer as an Arsenal fan but with our youth system churning out real quality at least the future seems pretty safe.
I agree but I also expect the board and their money men like Mr Gazidis are happily counting the takings were the usual 4th place and cup run to happen. They don't have to write big cheques in January and over summer nor constantly pay out large sums monthly. So if we get dumped out of the CL, the clamour for their blood may be a shock to them. Sack The Board seems a nice slogan as part of the initiative to get the show back on the road.
It's really depressing out there, chaps from the other defunt 606 who are usually upbeat and positive seem to have to have lost faith and that is very worrying!
I think we will go thru' tonight but in answer to the questions being posed by the OP. i think the fans are being realistic in hoping for Cesc, Clichy and Samir to be replaced and to expect ocassional success. If the £70 Mill is not to be spent on players, where will it go? The stadium debt is on a long term loan and has little facility for early repayment without penalties, so does the cash go into Stan's back pocket or what? The way Wenger is talking today he ' we will replace from within' suggests he will not buy. It would be a nice gesture to refund the 6.5 % increase if he does not spend ( that would only cost £3.9 Mill) a mere fraction of the transfer income.
i think if we dont get into the CL and finish 18th or lower in the league it'll be the best thing that can happen and an amazing season.
