The fat lady clears her throat
By Joël Che on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
If you thought our title hopes were over after the Middlesbrough game then you would have firmly given up by now. For those of us who thought there was still a chance, hope gave way to defiance after Manchester United beat Bolton and after today defiance has given way to mathematics.
It's not over until the fat lady sings so it's a little early to start doing a post-mortem on the season. Right now I already know what questions I have to ask at the end of the season and what answers I already have.
Is our squad too thin or is it that our football requires such precision that it is impossible for substitutes to be effective unless they get a long run of games?
Is our football suited to the Premiership or must it change for the Premiership? If it does, is it possible to play two different styles consistently? Liverpool have managed it but at huge cost to the title hopes every season.
Do we still even have a mathematical chance without Bacary Sagna for the title and Champions League given that we have no wingers and Sagna and Gaël Clichy are so vital with their two jobs as wingers and defenders?
Is it really that wrong to prioritise the league and Europe over the cups (FA and Carling) or are we just saying that because it was costly this time?
Was it too early for this team this year (Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Manuel Almunia are pretty much having their real first season) or is the team just plain wrong?
How much will it damage the confidence of certain players to keep going on without winning any titles? Will there get more determined or will they want to cut and run?
So there are lots of questions to make interesting discussion in May. However, I think most fans have now got the answers to other questions we may have had since the beginning of the season.
Is Almunia good enough? My view is yes. Almunia is a good goalkeeper and I trust him now after his run of games and will be happy to have him between the sticks.
Are Arsenal's attack good enough? My view is no. Emmanuel Adebayor simply cannot protect the ball well enough to do anything useful with it in tight situations, his main threat is physical but there is nobody to exploit it.
Yes he can improve next year but the partnership has to be right. van Persie is still an unknown to me since he has never had a full season. There is certainly no evidence of a 30-goal partnership anywhere at Arsenal – that means in practical terms that we cannot win the league with this strike force.
We also know that Francesc Fabregas cannot play a full season next year – nobody is that lucky with injuries and that we have no match-winner.
Will Wenger prioritise the Champions League now? I hope not. But it is increasingly clear that we cannot score goals and that it is rather easy to stop us doing so.
The challenge against Liverpool is going to be tough and William Gallas will have to stop his optimistic defending where he slows down or stops when he thinks it's offside rather than when it is given.
The season is not over but there have been many occasions where we expected the players to find extra resolve to push and they failed on each occasion so it is a big leap of faith to hope that they will rise above this one. But that's what being a fan is all about. It's all mathematical now but we have to expect and support the team to rise again. It's football – stranger things have happened!
User Comments
141Robin
Posted on 30 Mar, 2008 at 06:15 PM - Reply
AW has been a revelation!!
He signed Adebayor, Fabregas, Toure, Clichy and Flamini for less than the cost of Craig Gordon, Sunderland's keeper.
140topgunner101
Posted on 30 Mar, 2008 at 01:41 PM - Reply
i back arsene.not out of sentimentality.i realy cannot think of anyone who would do so much for the club.think some confuse us with newcastle. ill leave the managerial merrygo round to them. and the chaos disruption and results it brings.
139windmill
Posted on 29 Mar, 2008 at 02:20 PM - Reply
ade is improving and almunia is getting better.hope we'll go through it.
winners never quit.
138sbakht
Posted on 29 Mar, 2008 at 06:42 AM - Reply
absolutely right.
137simon
Posted on 28 Mar, 2008 at 03:08 PM - Reply
be a realist our squad cost less than half that of main rivals we've done well, Sagtna and Flamini have been brilliant,
136GGGOOONNNEERRRSSS
Posted on 28 Mar, 2008 at 01:04 PM - Reply
AW resign HHEEEELLLL NO!!! he is greatest manager is the past 20 years we have had he should not leave and i hope he never does
135Mose S.T
Posted on 28 Mar, 2008 at 06:35 AM - Reply
fatal,you r an idiot!aw shud stay 7 more years.
134FOWZI
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 10:16 PM - Reply
AW and Arsenal should focus evry game rather than thinking ahead dat they usually do and should win the game at Bolton rather than putting young players in order the other player to rest for the crucial UEFA Champions game.
133Bring_Home_Bentley!
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 07:32 PM - Reply
Wenger shudda went to specsavers!
132FATAL
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 07:15 PM - Reply
AW needs to resign
131FATAL
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 06:23 PM - Reply
arsenal need 2 sign these 3 players this summer diego from werder,robinho and fabiano in my opinion oh and a new keeper joe hart
130FATAL
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 05:42 PM - Reply
fahmid go check arsenal. com it say's it there.going to miss all champs league and man u away
129ErwanFung of Kuala Lumpur
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 05:34 PM - Reply
Obviously we need to get something out of setpieces...in any particular games we managed to get at least 7-10 corners but how many goals that we scored from set pieces? On top of that, we are very bad defending set pieces
128Michael
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:56 PM - Reply
I am rather looking forward to seeing Vela next season. He is a force on the left side. I saw him play winger for Mexico a couple of months ago. He needs to shape up though. Kind of big around the mid section if you know what I mean
127fahmid
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:54 PM - Reply
Despite Arsenal's bad form it is not likely that Arsene will go mad spending, despite the money available. Karim Benzema alone is likely to cost silly money of £25 million+. His likely destination is Man United in a few years time.
Genuine targets however are:
Zdranko Kuzmanovic – £5 million, close to sealing a move to the Emirates Stadium for next season.
Yoan Gouffran – Undisclosed Fee – this Wonder–kid IS joining Arsenal as he has a pre–contract agreement, although not confirmed officially I guarantee you he will be playing for the Gunners next season.
Carlos Vela will form a big part of the team after returning from his loan spell at Osasuna.
Hatem Ben Arfa – £12 million – Highly rated from Wenger.
Jeremy Menez – Left Winger from Monaco, Wenger's former team, and his French links mean he could be putting in a bid for him if he does not get Ben Arfa (they play same position, he will not get both)
Samir Nasri – AMC, will only join if Fabregas leaves which is HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
Afc 4 Life.
from football-rumours.com
126fahmid
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:50 PM - Reply
Despite Arsenal's bad form it is not likely that Arsene will go mad spending, despite the money available. Karim Benzema alone is likely to cost silly money of £25 million+. His likely destination is Man United in a few years time.
Genuine targets however are:
Zdranko Kuzmanovic – £5 million, close to sealing a move to the Emirates Stadium for next season.
Yoan Gouffran – Undisclosed Fee – this Wonder–kid IS joining Arsenal as he has a pre–contract agreement, although not confirmed officially I guarantee you he will be playing for the Gunners next season.
Carlos Vela will form a big part of the team after returning from his loan spell at Osasuna.
Hatem Ben Arfa – £12 million – Highly rated from Wenger.
Jeremy Menez – Left Winger from Monaco, Wenger's former team, and his French links mean he could be putting in a bid for him if he does not get Ben Arfa (they play same position, he will not get both)
Samir Nasri – AMC, will only join if Fabregas leaves which is HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
Afc 4 Life.
from football-rumours.com
125GoonerSam
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:41 PM - Reply
In my opinion, Almunia is a decent enough goalkeeper. Our team's problems are not so much with him but elsewhere in the squad. Firstly, we need greater depth, not just to cover for injuries (eg Eduardo, RVP, Rosicky and now Sagna, but to cover for tired players (eg Cesc), players on international duty (eg African Cup) and to cover for players who have forgotten how to shoot and dont know where the goal is (eg Ade). We need to buy some worldclass players for every position (defence, midfield and up front). I never thought I'd ever criticise Le Boss, but I think he has to do some very, very hard thinking before the start of next season and he needs to open his cheque book and buy some quality, established, big name players. Cant go from season to season waiting for youngsters to mature and develop. Also, we need referees to stop giving stupid and wrong decisions against us.
124saade
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:39 PM - Reply
apperently, arsenal are out of the title race. i cant blame it on almunia cos he's been solid for the team. ade, diaby and gallas are the weakest links. these dudes are ridiculously wack! just wonder y they keep getting first team action. players like walcot and bendtner should be given more play time. i still belive in RVP though not at his best.
in arsene i trust, and a gooner i shall remain.
cheer up lads!
123Bring_Home_Bentley!
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:31 PM - Reply
Fatal is Wanker!
122fahmid
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:25 PM - Reply
fatal, from where u knew that sagna is out for 3 weeks
121fahmid
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:24 PM - Reply
ya, i agree with robin and almunia did not conceded a long range goal this season.
120FATAL
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 04:08 PM - Reply
sagna is out for 3 weeks that is bollocks..................ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
119Robin
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 03:53 PM - Reply
Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham. Almunia won us that match, he saved a penalty and just after that bendtner scored the winner. Almunia makes very few mistakes and is a quality keeper.
118JohnMac
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:00 PM - Reply
Almunia is far from good enough! He put the team under a lot of pressure against Chelsea because he kept punching the ball when a simple catch was on. I have never came away from any game and thought that Almunia won us the match.... he is a very ordinary keeper.
I agree that our attack could be better but not necessarily because of our strikers: the problem is that the midfield does not contribute on a regular basis. Hleb Rosicky and Fabregas are primarily providers and do not have the predatory insticnts that real goal scoring midfielders have eg:Pires Ronaldo Lampard Gerrard
117fahmid
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 11:05 AM - Reply
rosicky and eduardo [WE NEED U 2]COME BACK SOON
116termma
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 08:30 AM - Reply
wahoo.......... it seems like a spell, five game with 4 point ,it give headache and heartache,but all is coz by lack of good attacker,and good finisher,the person at the front cant just see post when he handle ball unlike henry.it think the back is good but not strong and good sub,there is nothing to say about the middle.all hope is not lost wonder shall never end......................UP GUNNERS
115knaps
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 07:43 AM - Reply
yeah we burnt out alright but so is every other team in the premier except chelsea who have 25 internationals.our team needs more experience and a rotation to go with.
114Mose S.T
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 07:26 AM - Reply
hey eskiboi01,denilson cannot play cescs position at the moment it will be just adding more frustration to the team.cesc can still go the extra mile.who is ben arfa?
113gooner4life
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:36 AM - Reply
its about time Wenger admitted that he needs to buy some established quality players that are battle tested. Isa all well and good to play pretty football but we have to win as well. give me boring boring arsenal 1 nil any day, at least we won. There is no heart or fire in the back line and its well above time they started playing to their potential. cmon 5 points out of 15? thats not a title contender.
112gooner4life
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:35 AM - Reply
its about time Wenger admitted that he needs to buy some established quality players that are battle tested. Isa all well and good to play pretty football but we have to win as well. give me boring boring arsenal 1 nil any day, at least we won. There is no heart or fire in the back line and its well above time they started playing to their potential. cmon 5 points out of 15? thats not a title contender.
111gooner4life
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:33 AM - Reply
Yeah ok injuries have cost us dearly this year. this only backs up my point that we have no depth, no established defensive players that can be there week in week out. tony adams, martin keown and company could do it. they xertainly wernt pretty, but ask how many strikers thought they could just stroll thru that lot? not bloody many!!! Arsene spend some of the bloody money you are supposed to have at your disposal and buy a quality, proved defensive player.
110gooner4life
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:28 AM - Reply
its about time Wenger admitted that he needs to buy some established quality players that are battle tested. Isa all well and good to play pretty football but we have to win as well. give me boring boring arsenal 1 nil any day, at least we won. There is no heart or fire in the back line and its well above time they started playing to their potential. cmon 5 points out of 15? thats not a title contender.
109Eskiboi01
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 02:14 AM - Reply
Why does Wenger go on like hes seriously broke? I couldnt stop thinking about the things he said about Ben Arfa. If he were for sale then he would be very interested. Why does he behave like a tramp? Apparently he has over 70m quid to spend on transfers so why not go out and buy the players you want. Honestly, Manchester united and Chelsea get the players they want and they have much bigger squad than ours. Bring in Ben Arfa and get rid of Eboue. Vela will be joining in the summer so we'll have plenty of midfielders.
He also needs to rest Fabregas and play Denilson. Either that or go bring in a cover for him because he just cant go on a whole season without any rest. He's lucky he didnt get injured this season otherwise we'd be in real trouble. We've got so many youngsters itching to play so why not give them a chance? I remember being at the Emirates when Arsenal reserves beat Newcastle 2-0. Please start rotating the team. Denilson and Walcott are class, they just need a few games.
One last thing thats been bugging me is our passing game. Sure we play the best football in the league but its useless if we dont make something out of it. I've noticed players pass, pass, pass, and when end up outside the box THEY CONTINUE TO STILL PASS! For Gods sake teach them to shoot. I've noticed Manchester united have improved their passing alot. And they are able to do something with it. This summer the whole team needs extra attacking lessons coz this passing style is frustrating the hell out of me.
108Miss B
Posted on 27 Mar, 2008 at 12:12 AM - Reply
Personally I was disappointed that Chelsea won the last game. Arsenal had good chances and missed many goals. I observed that Adebayor being a striker is always caged whenever he gets the ball, I feel any player that gets the ball should try to put it into the net without waiting for the strikers to come up. In this case nobody will know who is going to shoot the ball.
107G red
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 10:55 PM - Reply
one player that i would love to c play for arsenal next season is David Silva of Valencia
106topgunner101
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 10:52 PM - Reply
yes.def agree.ed can fight thru center to goal better than anyone else.and we get our best results when rosicky AND hleb play together for fab and flamini.rvps time outs taken its toll too.bad run of luck.be the same at man u with a run like that on their top players.
105G red
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 10:48 PM - Reply
does anybody agree with me in the opinion that the injuries of rosicky and eduardo have contibuted hugely to the recent form
104dubgun
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 07:19 PM - Reply
definetly need a striker ! has to hav a reputation to score ! i mean look at torres for liverpool !they paid bug buks and that lil shit is amazin !eduardo in my opinion was on his way to that but sum1 ruined his chances ! so wat an even bigger reason to bring in a bug gun!COUGH,COUGH FRA...RIBER....!YES FRANK RIBERY !
103FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 06:45 PM - Reply
so knaps your happy wid what we got eh,running out of steam with 7 games to go.
102knaps
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 05:19 PM - Reply
u r right benayoun is just what we need.
101knaps
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 05:17 PM - Reply
u r right benayoun is just what we need.
100knaps
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 05:17 PM - Reply
u r right benayoun is just what we need.
99fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 05:15 PM - Reply
but noble is a cm.and our midfield partnership is the best in the league and if flamini goes than only we shud bring noble
98FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 05:03 PM - Reply
another 2 players who i think would do well are niko kranjcar from pompey and benayoun from liverpool.
97FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:44 PM - Reply
fahmid lennon yes woodgate no but wheater more of a prospect petrov i would not mind
i have not seen zapata,benzema yes and i also think noble would do well
96GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:40 PM - Reply
Very interesting comments here from everyone who contributed - well done and thank you. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. For example, our squad needs strengthening, need some top quality, world class players (one or two strikers, cover for Cesc, Flamini, Hleb, Toure, Clichy, Sagna etc). As we all know, some weeks Wenger has struggled to put 11 fit players on the field! I agree we look burnt out and tired and demoralised. We all worship Le Boss, Monsieur Wenger, but he needs to open his cheque book. We have paid the price for some of his odd squad decisions and playing players out of position. I agree with earlier comments that we lost the Premiership at Birmingham - I will never forget the look on the face of Cesc and Flamini when they saw Eduardo's injury. At the moment, in my opinion, we are not quite good enough to win much, if anything. We need a bigger squad, some top worldclass players, greater consistency and some better deciosn-making from Le Boss. I will never, ever support any team other than Arsenal (have supported them since 1971) but it hurts me that we cannot roll over teams like Birmingham, M'Boro and Wigan. Need to beat those sorts of teams every week if we are to stand a chance of winning the Prem Lge. Hope we roll over Liverpool and get somewhere in the Ch. Lge. Won't be easy...Here's looking at Season 2008/2009.
95fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:39 PM - Reply
i cannot name the 4 who shud go because i likethem till they r at arsenal but 4 who shud come1.lennon 2.drogba type striker 3.micah richards/woodgate/zapata4.petrov
94GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:37 PM - Reply
Very interesting comments here from everyone who contributed - well done and thank you. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. For example, our squad needs strengthening, need some top quality, world class players (one or two strikers, cover for Cesc, Flamini, Hleb, Toure, Clichy, Sagna etc). As we all know, some weeks Wenger has struggled to put 11 fit players on the field! I agree we look burnt out and tired and demoralised. We all worship Le Boss, Monsieur Wenger, but he needs to open his cheque book. We have paid the price for some of his odd squad decisions and playing players out of position. I agree with earlier comments that we lost the Premiership at Birmingham - I will never forget the look on the face of Cesc and Flamini when they saw Eduardo's injury. At the moment, in my opinion, we are not quite good enough to win much, if anything. We need a bigger squad, some top worldclass players, greater consistency and some better deciosn-making from Le Boss. I will never, ever support any team other than Arsenal (have supported them since 1971) but it hurts me that we cannot roll over teams like Birmingham, M'Boro and Wigan. Need to beat those sorts of teams every week if we are to stand a chance of winning the Prem Lge. Hope we roll over Liverpool and get somewhere in the Ch. Lge. Won't be easy...Here's looking at Season 2008/2009.
93FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:34 PM - Reply
in my opinion wenger made a tactical mistake in the boro game he should of started bendtner with ade and brought on van persie with walcott for half an hour .we most definently would of went on to win i think.the bottom line is he needs to make some signings for the squad and let some go.players in players out.if you could bring 4 players in and let 4 go who would it be???????????.
92GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:33 PM - Reply
Oh, and a couple of other things. I agree with the comments others have made that at the moment, we can't cope with teams who defend against us in large numbers. We need to modify our playing style to unlock their defence - eg if all their team is in their 18 yard area. Also, we need a couple of strikers with some physical weight as well as skill. Also, one or two of our back line not up to scratch or hit the mark yet.
91GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:32 PM - Reply
Oh, and a couple of other things. I agree with the comments others have made that at the moment, we can't cope with teams who defend against us in large numbers. We need to modify our playing style to unlock their defence - eg if all their team is in their 18 yard area. Also, we need a couple of strikers with some physical weight as well as skill. Also, one or two of our back line not up to scratch or hit the mark yet.
90GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:28 PM - Reply
Very interesting comments here from everyone who contributed - well done and thank you. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. For example, our squad needs strengthening, need some top quality, world class players (one or two strikers, cover for Cesc, Flamini, Hleb, Toure, Clichy, Sagna etc). As we all know, some weeks Wenger has struggled to put 11 fit players on the field! I agree we look burnt out and tired and demoralised. We all worship Le Boss, Monsieur Wenger, but he needs to open his cheque book. We have paid the price for some of his odd squad decisions and playing players out of position. I agree with earlier comments that we lost the Premiership at Birmingham - I will never forget the look on the face of Cesc and Flamini when they saw Eduardo's injury. At the moment, in my opinion, we are not quite good enough to win much, if anything. We need a bigger squad, some top worldclass players, greater consistency and some better deciosn-making from Le Boss. I will never, ever support any team other than Arsenal (have supported them since 1971) but it hurts me that we cannot roll over teams like Birmingham, M'Boro and Wigan. Need to beat those sorts of teams every week if we are to stand a chance of winning the Prem Lge. Hope we roll over Liverpool and get somewhere in the Ch. Lge. Won't be easy...Here's looking at Season 2008/2009.
89FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:28 PM - Reply
hey jesper have you seen any other players that should be looked at by arsenal
88GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:26 PM - Reply
Very interesting comments here from everyone who contributed - well done and thank you. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. For example, our squad needs strengthening, need some top quality, world class players (one or two strikers, cover for Cesc, Flamini, Hleb, Toure, Clichy, Sagna etc). As we all know, some weeks Wenger has struggled to put 11 fit players on the field! I agree we look burnt out and tired and demoralised. We all worship Le Boss, Monsieur Wenger, but he needs to open his cheque book. We have paid the price for some of his odd squad decisions and playing players out of position. I agree with earlier comments that we lost the Premiership at Birmingham - I will never forget the look on the face of Cesc and Flamini when they saw Eduardo's injury. At the moment, in my opinion, we are not quite good enough to win much, if anything. We need a bigger squad, some top worldclass players, greater consistency and some better deciosn-making from Le Boss. I will never, ever support any team other than Arsenal (have supported them since 1971) but it hurts me that we cannot roll over teams like Birmingham, M'Boro and Wigan. Need to beat those sorts of teams every week if we are to stand a chance of winning the Prem Lge. Hope we roll over Liverpool and get somewhere in the Ch. Lge. Won't be easy...Here's looking at Season 2008/2009.
87GoonerSam
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:24 PM - Reply
Very interesting comments here from everyone who contributed - well done and thank you. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. For example, our squad needs strengthening, need some top quality, world class players (one or two strikers, cover for Cesc, Flamini, Hleb, Toure, Clichy, Sagna etc). As we all know, some weeks Wenger has struggled to put 11 fit players on the field! I agree we look burnt out and tired and demoralised. We all worship Le Boss, Monsieur Wenger, but he needs to open his cheque book. We have paid the price for some of his odd squad decisions and playing players out of position. I agree with earlier comments that we lost the Premiership at Birmingham - I will never forget the look on the face of Cesc and Flamini when they saw Eduardo's injury. At the moment, in my opinion, we are not quite good enough to win much, if anything. We need a bigger squad, some top worldclass players, greater consistency and some better deciosn-making from Le Boss. I will never, ever support any team other than Arsenal (have supported them since 1971) but it hurts me that we cannot roll over teams like Birmingham, M'Boro and Wigan. Need to beat those sorts of teams every week if we are to stand a chance of winning the Prem Lge. Hope we roll over Liverpool and get somewhere in the Ch. Lge. Won't be easy...Here's looking at Season 2008/2009.
86IRFAN MOUGHAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:10 PM - Reply
Wenger you need to wake up. You blew it not the players. How the hell were we supposed to win with a wafer thin injury ravaged squad. Spend some money cause 3 league titles in 13 years is not very good. I for one am sick of playin good football and seein no end result. its the titles that matter not fancy skills.
85Jesper
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:09 PM - Reply
to FATAL, I dont know what you though of Gomes after that game where he made to mistakes,(which were not turned in to goals by spurs of course..)
But I come from Holland and watch him every week. And he is as good as Van der Sar, the best keeper Holland ever had..(sorry)
It is unbelieveable that Dunga is leaving him out of the Brazil team and if it was his choice he now wants to play for Holland in 2010... + he is a very nice person and that fits with Arsenal positive image
84IRFAN MOUGHAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:07 PM - Reply
Wenger you need to wake up. You blew it not the players. How the hell were we supposed to win with a wafer thin injury ravaged squad. Spend some money cause 3 league titles in 13 years is not very good. I for one am sick of playin good football and seein no end result. its the titles that matter not fancy skills.
83Baz the Gooner
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:56 PM - Reply
We have done well so far, despite losing so many 1st class players to injury. The squad must be increased to give better support up front. Given the dreadful loss of Eduardo, is it any wonder we have faded in recent games? Keep playing beautiful football, despite these setbacks!
82Chimango
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:39 PM - Reply
Three things in reply to Gabz: You are right arsenal football is great to watch, i love it, arsenal are the reason why football is called the beautiful game (in England). two, Ade is a great player and I wish all arsenal fans would lay off this guy, where would we be without this fellow, this season. We are were are because this fellow hit some fine form Nov-Jan. three, arsenal is the best football club in the world. However, wanting to see your team on the podium picking up a trophy is a good thing. It is not treachery. I hope that the management of the club will realise this, have a sit down (not the mafia way) with Wenger, tell him that a trophy is in order even if it is just the carling cup. Persuade him to use that 70 million on three star players - not players for the future but immediate impact players, persuade him to stay and coach the team. Whatever, it is we are going through, Wenger is still the best coach in the premiership.
81fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:31 PM - Reply
hey,anybbody here on orkut?please contact me.and ya we should bring young .
80fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:26 PM - Reply
i m impressed with gabz comments.very good comment
79donozo
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:15 PM - Reply
I'm very impressed with all you guys dat hav contributed to this debate..Good to c others passionate about this team.
Simple evaluation of why we not where we expect to be:
1: Players like Ade, Hleb, Cecs, clchy are tired. Flamini,Toure,Gallas(thou he shit), Sagna (now injured) can play forever. Theo & Bendtner are hungry, dont kno y wenger wouldnt see dat
2:@ da beginin of season we were totally writen-off = winings
3: The boys only had 1 tin on there minds WIN THE GAME = no preasure, later it is WIN THE TITLE = loads of presure + Injuries
4: Last season we were complainin of injuries, this season absolutly every player on da squad was out for more than a week this season. There are 2 sayings to tis (1)IF U CANT BEAT ARSENAL, KICK THEM (2)U CAN NEVER WIN TITLES WIT TIS LEVEL OF INJURIES WE HAV TIS SEASON, totally impossible.
5: No experience, Da only experiencd player is Gallas but he acts lik a KID, CRY CRY BABY (thou i also knew after da Birm game its BYEBYE to Title, but didnt go crying under my bed).
6:Eboue is shit 222 obvous, play THeo instead.
Ade is tired, play Bendtner.
Robin & Hleb dont kno there positns.Always clashin.
Gallas is always goin forward, Remind him he is a defender. He's job is to hold da bak line.
7: Wenger, u need 2 wake up. U need players. Get a striker wit killer instinct & a winger mayb Ashley Young (he young suitable 4 u) or Pertrov (experience).
Hopefully next season Hleb,Carlos Vella&Theo will be able to handle da RM. Get rid Eboue, Did u here dat RealMadrid overd 10M 4 him, I wil bak his bags myslf 4 free.
God i'm really gettin tired of wenger.
78Almustapha yakubu, From Lagos Nigeria
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 02:50 PM - Reply
pls can you help me talk to Arsene Wenger why does he not telling our player to shoot from a long range as we started this season before, look at at the way Fabregas scored against Ac Milan, Flamini against Aston Villa pls let correct this mistakes of not shooting from outside 18 yards.
77FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 02:50 PM - Reply
so gabz your happy to see all this great football without no trophys eh.what has been good about this season,getting smacked by the spuds and mancs yeah lovely.and no we are out of the title ace and soon to follow in the c.league so no it has not been a good season.
76topgunner101
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 02:09 PM - Reply
gabz you speak my thoughts.wondered recentley if there were many of us left.heartwarming.and this squad will go on to become known as one of greatest.
75gabz
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 01:40 PM - Reply
I cant believe what i've read here today on these comments are we arsenal fans or critics(its easy to stand from the outside and critizes)Befor the season started every body wrote off arsenal saying without Henry we have no hope and look at us now we've knocked out the tittle holders in europe and are in the title race (we didnt come close to any of these achievements last season)can i just reiterate WE ARE STILL IN THE TITLE RACE to me the boys have done really well and i am proud to support such a great team, we play the most entertaining football in europe and we have what it takes to be champs. I have all the faith in the world and support Arsen fully on his team chooice and beliefe in players. you just can not second guese that man he is brilliant(Arsen Knows best)the mere fact that he can compete in the worlds top league without forking out millions shows class.On ADE-the man is good he will score more goals we just need to show more faith, trust me if we sell him it will come back to bite us. No matter what happens this season I still believe i support the best football team in the world and have never been more exited with the prospects of where this team can go and what hights they can reach, on buying new players it obviusly wont hert but i'll still support Wenger in his policy not to over spend(Henry wasnt really well known or a high end quality purchise not many people knew or heard of him and look what he did for the club)HAVE SOME FAITH PEOPLE its been a good season , dont get me wrong it will be disapointing not to get trophies esppesially cause of the quality football we been playin, but it has been a good season none the less. The boys have deffinatly impressed and have made people recognise us as a top european club again( no english team has ever won at the san sero that in itself is a great achievment)everybody loves watching us and we will always pose a mager threat to any apposing team.ALL TRUE GOONER SUPPORTERS STOP BEING CRITICAL PANSIES AND ENJOY BEAUTIFUL FOOTBALL
74oscar
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 12:48 PM - Reply
pound for pound if you look at teams like man u or chelsea we have a very thin squad. you cannot count 7 great players from our team. if you compare this team to what we had when we went the whole season without losing it is clear that wenger needs to buy atleast 2 good strikers, 1 attaking midfilder, 1 defensive midfilder and 2 good versatile defenders.By good i mean players in the mould of tony adams, viera, pires, henry,dennis berkamp etc.It is only obvious that big teams like arsnal need big squads because the players are involved in many games ie for their own national teams, carling cup, fa cup chaps league and premier league.As for winning the prem league this season we must forget.
73www.arsenal.ir
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 12:39 PM - Reply
hi to all . . . . i have the website of fans gunners . . . welcome
72FATAL
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 12:38 PM - Reply
fahmid you are right bro you have hit the nail on the head.i have been saying this to my brother even go for lennon 10 million from the spuds that is a bargain.can provide pace and width,can cross the ball him and walcott would flourish from this trust me.also we need someone who can cross the ball sagna's alright but clichy needs to take some lessons on crossing the ball from traore.
71ademide
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 12:25 PM - Reply
this is all so true,nd i am happy it correlates with my ealier comments....now i am glad the problems are stated,now we can focus on finding solutions
70Rsd
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 11:59 AM - Reply
I fully agreed with your oppinion of poor team's striking force. Adebayor has nothing to offer when we come to the fact of what a striker should posess. But anyway we look forward till the season's end and also the type of change we could get at the beginning of next season. But onething is that Adebayor is not enough to handle the task ahead.
69topgunner101
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 10:15 AM - Reply
wer all angry and depressed mate.guess the squad are to.and the boss.wel come thru tho.we always have.
68fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 09:23 AM - Reply
if gallas and ade can hit back their form ,then arsenal win for sure and gallas is the captain of the team for me and i am sorry for my remarks abt him earlier and he is good defender.i was very angry after chelsea match.that is why i said like that
67zabulon
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 08:29 AM - Reply
About almunia is good but sometimes in the big games like Manu is panicking for instance in some years ago we played with manu when we were beaten 4-2 Almunia left the post to follow the player while they were defenders to do that, the same mistake he did it again when we played with manu last time. And in the champions league against Barcelona Eto's goal Almunia should come out but he didn't do it, one thing with Jens if he made a decision he plays well. But he is not good at long distance shoots that's the problem also he made some stupid mistakes which cost us especially the one for this year. For Defenders what Gallas is doing is the same mistake when Senderos played with Beckamp and it cost us a lot. wenger has to add strikers Ade and van they are not enough and they are different from Thierry was playing the all season without injuries coz he was avoiding that not like ade and van. I don't think manu will drop point my friends for us we are going down we beat Milan but drawing with small teams now we are loosing. this is not 2004 Arsenal we can't compare.
66GOONER ALWAYS!
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 08:21 AM - Reply
2 words...
CARLO CUDICCINI! excellent keeper for chelsea for so many years now. experienced, confident and damn good in my mind
65fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 07:16 AM - Reply
petrov to arsenal[true winger with goals in him]and lennon to arsenal
64fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 07:14 AM - Reply
we miss a consistent scorer.starting of th season,cesc was scoring goals for fun but u cannt expect himm to score like that full season becausehe is a true cm and after that ade was scoring for fun but now he has stopped andnow neither fab nor ade is scoring neither any other player from the team.so we need a consistent scorer.do anbody agrees with me?
63fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 07:03 AM - Reply
can any one tell me for how many days sagna is injured?
62fahmid
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 06:35 AM - Reply
fatal,i have read that article and i agreed.but my decision is to drop gallas and bring a new centre back like vidic or richards and make toure or fab the captain.what do u think?
61Nikolas
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 04:26 AM - Reply
i aint no manager, but i seriously thinks we need wingers...scratch that...we need FIT wingers...
60nigeriangunner
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 03:17 AM - Reply
The simple truth is that wenger made a huge gamble during the acn period and January transfer window. He had every right to be sure of himself. By Christmas and New year, we were topping the table and things were going great. The only noticable injury then was RVP and he believed he had enough cover to handle the Eboue, Toure and Song faction.But what he didnt realise was that with a lean squad playing almost all the competitions, burn out was definately going to be a major factor. To compound his woes, the 3 players came back from the ACN with injuries and the remaining players had to be extra-stretched to play the games especially during the gruelsome christmas and newyear games. When he noticed the burn out, it was almost too late and he had to rely on the youngster who inevitably couldnt withstand the pressure because of rustiness and mental belief.He further forgot that these players were human and were bound to get injured at one point in time and this is the result. Truthfully Arsenal has a great sqaud but Wengers phobia of trying to satisfy all his players made him not buy new players because he believed the existying ones would feel disgruntled aka gilberto, senderous, lehmann and diarra of blessed memory..lol. While i believe this is a lesson for wenger in future, i still believe its not yet over. Manutd still have some pretty funny games to play and i know its not yet over. As long as we try and win 5 out of the remaining 7 and draw 2 at least, i believe something funny will happen. I am going to seriously look at the Manutd v boro game seriously and the manutd v chelsea game which crops up back to back to back after the roma game. Surely manutd are not made of supermen and go on a 7-0 win to the end. No its not possible. The burn out factor will definately come in hand at some point and even if we get knocked out by liverpool in the champs league, manutd have a prospective semi final with barca. So that must count for something and fergie will definately make some rash decisions to rest his key players to tackle barca at some point while we quietly face the premiership. Its all mathematics now but honestly i believe we might just pull a rabbit outta the hat at the end.
59Aksel
Posted on 26 Mar, 2008 at 01:51 AM - Reply
I disagree with some parts of this article. Almunia is good, but not GREAT. He ain't Petr Cech, Van Der Saar or Buffon and these are the keepers that can win you games. Lehmann does a clanger sometimes but when he turns it on, he can be great. Still, he's getting on so I agree with the manager for replacing him
Our attack until the unfortunate disruption of the Adebayor-Eduardo partnership is GOOD. Take that Man C game, we ripped them to shreds in the opening 25 min of the game. But is it as effective as the Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez trio? Nope. Still, we need shoudl work with what we have and I do think that our attack is good enough WHEN we have Clichy, Sagna. Without them it's gonna be difficult
Defence! it's our defence that is letting us down. Man U can go for a 1-0 Shutout most of the time. But how many times have we conceded this season after going 1-0 or 2-0 up. Too many times for me to be comfortable. The Toure, Gallas Partnership isn't really suited for the Premier League in imo. They're too short. Chelsea and Man U both have very tall defenders to deal with those long balls in. We use to have Senderos.... but I really can't trust him now.
58Jim Lamb
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 11:57 PM - Reply
You know lads,start of the season,the media and more sceptical Gooners were saying we couldnt make the top four.No Henry/How do we go? We exceeded all expectations,played superb football and aspired to greater expectation.That has now blown up in our faces this last month.Its only a faiure because theres no success BUT THE BRAND OF FOOTBALL WE PLAY AT TIMES IS INCREBIBLE.As an entertainment product,we are top billing across the world.Its measured in trophies and its critical we win one this season....its no easy task.Unfotunately we will be judged on achiement-we wont be remembered for thrashing Yids 3-1 at WHL-more for being thrashed 5-1 when the real point is we are better than them and 18 other teams in prem.We are so close to being a GREAT side-LOSE GALLAS,EBOUE,ADEBAYOR,DIABY-these players-good-but not champions.We can rule Europe with a few changes.Wenger IS the man and if he spends a few quid,the cCLUB will be AGAIN.Bring back Bergkamp,Henry,Pires,Viera....ok...cant...but REPLACE THEM!!!!!!!!
57FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 11:11 PM - Reply
bring home bentley are you having a laugh?i speak no sense and you say almunia is the best in the world and benzema is not clinical enough. dont make me laugh
56Bring_Home_Bentley
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 10:04 PM - Reply
Fatal u speak no sense, almunia is best goalie in the world, benzema is not clinical enough, but ben arfa can bring a new dimension.
55FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 09:26 PM - Reply
ben arfa wold not be a good signing.benzema will be a great signing, and so will keita from lyon.a new goalie is a must for arsenal.
54Robin
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 09:19 PM - Reply
I agree with AndyB in that we shouldnt spend a huge amount of money, but 2 or 3 world class players would boost the moral and make the players compete for their place in the squad more.
53Robin
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 09:16 PM - Reply
Carlos Vela will be playing next season, and he is a good striker, but he probably wont be ready for the premiership. If van persie avoided injury for a whole season he would probably have around 20 goals by now, and added to ade's 19 that wouldnt be bad. i think AW shold by another striker though as it would make ade play better to fight for his place, because at the moment there is no pressure on him. I think we also need a wide player, as we only have eboue and walott at the minute, someone like ben arfa would be good. also another midfielder that could fill in if flamini/cesc get injured would be useful, same in defence.
52tanim rahman
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 08:41 PM - Reply
i think adebayor is not good enough.he missed a lot of easy chances this season; responsible for all the drawn matches we played. so..
sell adebaoyr, get berbatov. and we ll b fine
51FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 08:01 PM - Reply
can anyone really see us winning on saturday because i can't.i can't even remember the last time we won up there apart from the fa cup match.
50Adam Caton
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 07:47 PM - Reply
I also agree 100%. We need more cover for players everywhere. Wenger needs to spend at least £20 million on a new centre back for cover for Kolo whilist he is away for the ACON as senderos is useless. We also need another quality striker... e.g David Villa. We quality midfielders also, another centre mid and an actual left mid.
I just wish that Wenger looked on this website!!!
49MIMO
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 07:25 PM - Reply
AndyB, i agree with you 100%. We are missing this winning mentality, thats why we lost so many points in only 5 games!!!
48Mose S.T
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 07:05 PM - Reply
i think toure does not trust gallas,he always tries to cover the entire backline creating confusion which creates gaps at the back.
47AndyB
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 06:58 PM - Reply
Is our squad too thin – yes – we do not want to splash millions like there’s no tomorrow like the other big 3, but at least a couple of world class signings not only strengthens the squad properly (instead of hoping a youngster turns into a great player once settled in after a few trophyless seasons) it also adds a bit of moral and confidence to the squad and gets the fans buzzing which helps support for the team. Supporters pour money into the club, supporters should see at least 1 or 2 proven quality players in return.
Is our football suited to the Premiership or must it change for the Premiership? It is suited to the Premiership. The only problem is that we do not have a plan B when the usual flowing football is not working. It is very frustrating to watch us when we are a goal down and cannot break 10 men behind the ball against even average sides who have happened to take the lead against us. Another problem is this amazing team spirit (which Wenger to my complete frustration keeps referring to) is like the Greg Rusedski of football – Brilliant when all is going your way, but falls apart when you discover your opponent is handling your main weapon quite comfortably. I want to see an Arsenal side who proves then can lose well, by coming back and winning the next game after defeat (it pains me to say it, but like Manures and Chelski do all the time) not suffer a string of poor results because the team is still thinking about the last game that got away. This to me is immaturity. Would Tony Adams ever have worried about the previous result, I doubt it.
Do we still even have a mathematical chance without Bacary Sagna for the title and Champions League? – It will certainly be a blow losing Sagna. I would replace him with Eboue (who is useless on the wing) and put Walcott on the wing. Hopefully Walcott would provide the kind of goals he has been doing already in that position.
Is it really that wrong to prioritise the league and Europe over the cups (FA and Carling) or are we just saying that because it was costly this time? – I want to see Arsenal play for all four and see what happens regardless. All this resting players nonsence, getting hammered and ruining the whole season is really pissing me off. I would rather win one of the cups alone, that get to the Champions League final and lose to a silly penalty decision or by a single point in the title race. Can anyone say that resting players is proven to get you better results in the games you are saving your players for? 9 times out of 10 you end up losing the game you were saving your players for because your winning momentum has vanished as you got stuffed in the game that you fielded the weakened side, and you are under big pressure because of it.
Was it too early for this team this year (Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Manuel Almunia are pretty much having their real first season) or is the team just plain wrong? No – how many seasons can we keep saying it is too early and calling our players “kids”? If you are good enough to be 5 points clear in mid February with 4 games you are expected to win coming up, you are good enough to take the title title.
How much will it damage the confidence of certain players to keep going on without winning any titles? It will affect them yes. As I mentioned however, one or two new big signings will give these players fresh impetus that, in effect, you have a “new team” at the start of each season and will not seem like they have to do it all again with the same group of players who bottled it the last time.
Is Almunia good enough? Yes, most of the goals he concedes he is not at fault. He makes some great saves and will improve in time.
Are Arsenal's attack good enough? Yes, the goals will come. Emmanuel Adebayor needs help he is on his own too much. RVP has not returned to peak of fitness yet, believe me the goals will come. If I had £20 million to spend tomorrow on a player of my choice it would most certainly be a centre back (our weakest area on the pitch. Wenger inherited the best defence in the world in 1997 and in my opinion he has done nothing to prove he has an eye for the best players in defence. The secret of our success in early/late 90’s was that our defence sorted itself out so the midfield and forwards could get on with their business. Do you know at one stage we went 11 matches without leaking a goal? I remember playing Palace and Chelski in sussessive matches and restricting both teams to one shot (OFF TARGET) in both matches combined!!!!!!! Those stats don’t exactly mirror our defensive stats in the 00’s do they, where each opposing team is allowed dozens of attempts per match.
Will Wenger prioritise the Champions League now? Probably. The guy appears to be blameless because of his name, but boy I tell you he was soooooooo at fault for fielding that soft team v Manures in the FA Cup. “As Alan Hansen said “you must come into a big game like this with the right attitude otherwise you get punished”. A left back and right back who were still at school against the Premiership Champions? This defeat did more than embarrass us 4-0, it allowed Manures to continue their winning momentum whilst we are currently on a run of 1 win in 8 games. Can anyone tell me the Manures defeat has nothing to do with this terrible run of ours??? Does anyone remember when our 49 game unbeaten run came to an end when a certain Mr (My Misses can certainly shop) Rooney did a Olympic springboard dive with no contact whatsoever in the penalty box? How did we react to that loss? Did we think of it as an unfair result and put it behind us by going on another 49 game unbeaten run? No, we ended the 4-0 and 5-0 wins and started struggling against the Southampton’s and the Crystal Palace’s of this world. Is Paul McKenna available to be hired by the Arsenal squad? Let’s see him put some winning mentality back into our team so that they can learn that a defeat, no matter how hurtful, can easily be turned around in the very next game.
46FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 06:44 PM - Reply
fahmid go check gunner blog . com and read the article about w.g n k.t
45FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 06:42 PM - Reply
hey fahmid i ain't angry with him i just think he is slowing down a little bit and also feel he and gallas have not got a good understanding maybe that will come if they stay together.i think kolo is a sick defender tho.
44fahmid
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:52 PM - Reply
hey fatal ,why u r angry with kolo because he has done nothing wong.did u saw 5 times he saved arsenal from goin behin.aa that 2nd drogba goal was a little mistake.but 99 per cent of the total defenders would have failed to drogba brilliance.and toure won many battles with dugba.so i still elieve he is technically the best defender in the world
43fahmid
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:46 PM - Reply
they say that truth wins ,then why we r not winning because referees have played a big role for this condition
42fataL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:30 PM - Reply
hey jesper did you see the 2nd leg of the psv - yids game re; gomes
41FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:27 PM - Reply
going back to what i said about toure before check the link below.
40fataL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:26 PM - Reply
http://gunnerblog.com/?p=939
39Jesper
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:24 PM - Reply
My opinion on this season and the next:
I think Arsenal lack a plan B against smaller sides. Just put crosses in, they cannot do it.
I think Ade is good enough, he has proven it but someone his age is always going to have a though period in a season.
I think van Persie is the player that can make a difference like Henry did, IF he stays fit.
I think Theo should never play on the wing again but only as a striker. Van Persie can provide him with good passes.
We need a GOALSCORING player on the right like Man U have Ronaldo. Eboue is not a bad player (good 1-2's) but we need someone like Pires who get 15 goals a season from midfield.
Flamini should stay, he is amazing.
Buy 2 xtra experienced defenders as backup, and a goalkeeper, Gomes from PSV...
For now my hopes are on the CL...
We need
38GOONER ALWAYS!
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:22 PM - Reply
well they did put him on the market, but for an unbelievable price. not sure how much it is but i remember him askin the club to lower the price in order to get a buyer. but we also need a more attacking midfield. and as for almunia... i think he's one fantastic keeper! look at the saves against chelsea! ok maybe you won't agree but i think he is really important to the team and i honestly think if worst comes to worst Lehmann will do more than we expect from him. he's a great keeper, he has that x factor you expect in a goalie, that somethin extra. i think wenger made a right decision takin him out during his bad patch but i also think we could be seeing him again soon. BUT IN GENERAL...arsenal are a very empty team, when i look at united (and i hate to say this!) i see a strong, powerful team and when i look at us we look very light and soft, like we tip toe all across the field and pass all the way to the goals and then give the call away.
ok maybe i was a lil rough.OK , Look at the game where we played milan, we played so well that day, not even to our full potential but we still out-did them!
So wat's the problem? we know we have the skill to do it right? yeah, but i think it's confidence. we're one of the best teams in london and it's about time we start playin like it!
37GOONER ALWAYS!
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:21 PM - Reply
well they did put him on the market, but for an unbelievable price. not sure how much it is but i remember him askin the club to lower the price in order to get a buyer. but we also need a more attacking midfield. and as for almunia... i think he's one fantastic keeper! look at the saves against chelsea! ok maybe you won't agree but i think he is really important to the team and i honestly think if worst comes to worst Lehmann will do more than we expect from him. he's a great keeper, he has that x factor you expect in a goalie, that somethin extra. i think wenger made a right decision takin him out during his bad patch but i also think we could be seeing him again soon. BUT IN GENERAL...arsenal are a very empty team, when i look at united (and i hate to say this!) i see a strong, powerful team and when i look at us we look very light and soft, like we tip toe all across the field and pass all the way to the goals and then give the call away.
ok maybe i was a lil rough.OK , Look at the game where we played milan, we played so well that day, not even to our full potential but we still out-did them!
So wat's the problem? we know we have the skill to do it right? yeah, but i think it's confidence. we're one of the best teams in london and it's about time we start playin like it!
36GOONER ALWAYS!
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:20 PM - Reply
well they did put him on the market, but for an unbelievable price. not sure how much it is but i remember him askin the club to lower the price in order to get a buyer. but we also need a more attacking midfield. and as for almunia... i think he's one fantastic keeper! look at the saves against chelsea! ok maybe you won't agree but i think he is really important to the team and i honestly think if worst comes to worst Lehmann will do more than we expect from him. he's a great keeper, he has that x factor you expect in a goalie, that somethin extra. i think wenger made a right decision takin him out during his bad patch but i also think we could be seeing him again soon. BUT IN GENERAL...arsenal are a very empty team, when i look at united (and i hate to say this!) i see a strong, powerful team and when i look at us we look very light and soft, like we tip toe all across the field and pass all the way to the goals and then give the call away.
ok maybe i was a lil rough.OK , Look at the game where we played milan, we played so well that day, not even to our full potential but we still out-did them!
So wat's the problem? we know we have the skill to do it right? yeah, but i think it's confidence. we're one of the best teams in london and it's about time we start playin like it!
35FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 05:10 PM - Reply
i don't think ben arfa will be a good signing for arsenal in my opinion.arsenal need to look around the prem for some new players i think.for a start wenger should of brought anelka back for a start, look what he done on sunday to us,came on and change the game for them.what i am getting at is if arsenal signed some players from the prem, for a start they know the league and what it is about rather then new players coming from abroad taking time to settle in for about a year.arsenal need some success soon otherwise people will start getting edgy and want to leave,and that is something we don't want.i think a little bit of tweaking and the few right perchases arsenal can do something next season.also i have to comment on what a good signing sagna is, next season he will be even more experienced and stronger.
34Atrikstar A.K.A >Kenyan child<
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 04:47 PM - Reply
This season will be ruined due to mainly a lack of goals. Sure they is chemistry in the team and leave Almunia alone, for a 1st season as the # 1, he is doing a fantastic job. Personally, i believe we a droping points due to the selection Wenger is making. After 2 draws and Ade doesn't score, he should have risked Walcott and Bendtner upfront. I can't clearly see y he plays Van P. As much as i like Van P. This is not his season to contribute. He is coming 4rm an injury @ the end of the season. Let him rest for the season or have him come in a sub. Walcott and Bendtner are players who need the run Van p. is getting @ the moment. For Ade, his okay, but he lacks consistency. Wenger can also play Hleb as a second striker, which would allow Walcott to play as a winger and on the occasion attack because Ade has a habit of drifting out wide. As for Hleb, “If u visit this website” PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON THE TOP. SHOT THE DAMN BALL. We are @ the point of the season where I couldn’t care less of pretty, beautiful football that needs to be accurate which Arsenal play. Make the long passes and just shot the ball, scramble for a goal, and start grinding results. Look at a Man U, some of their goals if not most are made between 3 to 5 touches. For me now, as an Arsenal die hard fan, beautiful football with no goals has become UGLY FOOTABLL.
33fatal
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 04:45 PM - Reply
do you really think spurs would sell d.b to arsenal i don't think so, also spurs won a trophy arsenal have not.
32reesheey
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 04:35 PM - Reply
I thing adebayor is not our type of striker..we always had anelka,bergkamp,wright,henry but ade does not belong in those group..he cant do wat they do wic is to score..we need a strong partnership and then only we can even dream the league..I really hope mr.wenger can buy 4 superstars so that our team becomes a bigger team with quality and maturity..
31GOONER ALWAYS!
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 04:22 PM - Reply
ok so it's obvious we need some more attacking players. maybe berbatov? he's lookin for a top class, cup winning team and we sure as hell got the money... RvP Jus aint clickin wit the team.
Adebayor passes back way to often! why can't he turn around and attack? he'l pass it back into midfield and gives the opposition time to re-group. anybody else feel this way?? man i'm frustrated!
30DAN
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:52 PM - Reply
too late for van injury to come up with the goods this late in the season.
29Ryan In the States
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:45 PM - Reply
I'm a fan of v. Persie, however ever since his injury has he really helped the club with goals? I'm hoping now that he's been back for a couple of weeks that he can up his caliber and reclaim some old arsenal glory.
28FATAL
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:35 PM - Reply
did anyone see the a.c.o.n-if so the ivory coast wide player keita keita from lyon he would be ideal for this current arsenal team.also a world class striker is a must too.Does anyone think kolo has had his best years with the club?????because personally i think he can't get any better than this current level he is at i think he starting to make too many mistakes.
27Wandera charles in uganda
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:34 PM - Reply
Absolutely timely questions!Wish Wenger could read them!Why cant we ever sign players!Adebayor is an african as iam but iam so depressed with his laziness and lack of skill.Have always said we need a lethal striker.In africa there are much finer finishers e.g Yakubu,Martins,Owusu,Ayew,Keita,Drogba,Kalou,&others.Can wenger please drop ths.Lad his the reason for our failures ths.Season!He has made our midfield so tired!
26Rafael
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:27 PM - Reply
Almunia is a great keeper and we would have lost badly if not for him. If anyone on the team should go its Eboue who seems to like to run at the heels of his teammate with possession. He is truly a hinderance and quite annoying and would do well in American soccer maybe. I agree with you all on Ade, Bendtner would probably do very well if given a chance. Walcott should get more playing time, maybe some starts. I think it was that birmingham game that changed it all for the lads. It was tragic. But I won't lose faith because I have a feeling that Man U will drop points more than once before the end. What will determine the season will be if the young gunners can start scoring. It might help to take a few shots on goal every once in a while.
25Rafael
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:25 PM - Reply
Almunia is a great keeper and we would have lost badly if not for him. If anyone on the team should go its Eboue who seems to like to run at the heels of his teammate with possession. He is truly a hinderance and quite annoying and would do well in American soccer maybe. I agree with you all on Ade, Bendtner would probably do very well if given a chance. Walcott should get more playing time, maybe some starts. I think it was that birmingham game that changed it all for the lads. It was tragic. But I won't lose faith because I have a feeling that Man U will drop points more than once before the end. What will determine the season will be if the young gunners can start scoring. It might help to take a few shots on goal every once in a while.
24Rafael
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:23 PM - Reply
Almunia is a great keeper and we would have lost badly if not for him. If anyone on the team should go its Eboue who seems to like to run at the heels of his teammate with possession. He is truly a hinderance and quite annoying and would do well in American soccer maybe. I agree with you all on Ade, Bendtner would probably do very well if given a chance. Walcott should get more playing time, maybe some starts. I think it was that birmingham game that changed it all for the lads. It was tragic. But I won't lose faith because I have a feeling that Man U will drop points more than once before the end. What will determine the season will be if the young gunners can start scoring. It might help to take a few shots on goal every once in a while.
23ETHER
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:15 PM - Reply
MUCH AFTER! but right now i feel we on rocks! en this just mek me so sick.
22ETHER
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:13 PM - Reply
God bless ARSENAL!
21Tom
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 03:11 PM - Reply
2022. Thats the next time will win the EPL. 18 years after 2004 the last time we won it.
20ibiz
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:50 PM - Reply
i fink the plyers are tired,as others have said we need more experinced player,what if frabregas gets injured then what?there's no one to led the team any more?up front we lack quality,ade is good yes but his from is gone and he seems tired,RVP can't go a whole season without injury,we need backup and players that will give a bit of competition to the starting ones,and for once can we get obvious talent like aguero what's wrong with him?quaresma can be our christiano ronaldo,micah richards would be a great asset to the squad,y can we just get them we have the money but don't want to purchase players y?toure just had a bad game it hapens and must be tired people are complainig about him 4 what?Can we please sign a big player
19metalgunners
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:49 PM - Reply
Arsenal can still win the EPL! Lets put the BELIEVE in this team!! Come on lads!!!!!
18Dan
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:38 PM - Reply
arsenal are crying out for a natural winger so much.i also think arsenal should try to sign some players from the prem this time, rather than bringing in players from a different league.ie taking a year to learn the game over here.my signings from the prem would be wheater from boro,noble from west ham and also make a move for lennon or martins.
17fahmid
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:34 PM - Reply
i am sorry [even though i like gallas as every other players in arsenal] but i dont think gallas is the captain of the team and i dont think he is a world class defender like vidic and carragher so bring a new cb like zapata or micah richards or woodgate and make toure or fabregas the captain[toure is the best centre back in the world]and our midfield is good if every one is fit and please give flamini a good contract because he is as important as cesc.And i think that ever position of arsenal is strong except gallas and the 2 stikers but dont sell van persie.if he remains fit he is one of the best but sell ade because he is ver inconsistent and bring someone like drogba who has the physical strength like ade and score goals but wenger will never do that.and never ever sell sagna and clich because they r awesome and my starting xi for next year are-1.casillas 2.sagna 3.toure [c] 4. richards/zapata/woodgate 5.clichy 6.eboue/hleb 7.fabregas [vc]8.flamini 9.rosicky 10.van persie 11.drogba/ade
16ibiz
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:33 PM - Reply
i fink the plyers are tired,as others have said we need more experinced player,what if frabregas gets injured then what?there's no one to led the team any more?up front we lack quality,ade is good yes but his from is gone and he seems tired,RVP can't go a whole season without injury,we need backup and players that will give a bit of competition to the starting ones,and for once can we get obvious talent like aguero what's wrong with him?quaresma can be our christiano ronaldo,micah richards would be a great asset to the squad,y can we just get them we have the money but don't want to purchase players y?toure just had a bad game it hapens and must be tired people are complainig about him 4 what?Can we please sign a big player
15David
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:28 PM - Reply
Can't agree with you on that! Must drop Adebayor to the bench. His basic technics are so poor that he can't protect the ball, not to mention break thru the defense like Henry, or pass the ball to a better positioned teammate like Bergkamp. RVP is way better than Adebayor, he needs only time to rediscover his touch. I think most of you should remember Adebayor can't even finish a simple play which would result in good scoring chances in recent games. His vision is poor, along with his rough skills. He is ONLY good in the air.
14knaps
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:17 PM - Reply
fab,clichy,flamini and hleb ar burnt out but no other player is available to replace them,wenger plse do somthin.next season we will av gud run for 6 months then bad one when the season is ending if no changes ar made to tha squad.
13GLENN
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:06 PM - Reply
A new system for next season with 3 centre backs and wing backs,le boss will only buy 2 players when we know we need 4 so with the 2 they will have to be names and to fit in our system and will involve a signing on fee as to not upset the wage structure the 2 players are micah richards and eto.The line up would look like this
ALMUNIA
TOURE RICHARDS GALLAS
SAGNA FLAMINI CLICHY
FABREGAS HLEB
ETO ADEBAYOR
SUBS JASKALIAN,SENDEROS,HOYTE,SONG,ROSICKY,RVP,BENDTNER
12Gare Kekeke
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 02:03 PM - Reply
There has to be greater rotation next season. Fabregas, Hleb & Flamini don't have to play every game when they are fit. Look at Man Utd. Ferguson rotates Scholes, Carrick, Hargreaves & Anderson. If we have learnt anything with Rosicky in almost two years it's that he won't play every game because of little niggles. So another wide player is a must and not play Diaby in a role he clearly feels uncomfortable with. In our general, our squad compared to Man Utd & Chelsea lacks real depth in terms of experience and not numbers. Gael Clichy need proper cover at left back and not an inexperienced & naive 18-year-old in Traore and Adebayor lacks that clinical edg to be a genuine goalscorer. He is better dropping off the main striker. We can't wait for Eduardo as nobody knows when he will be back and when he is back he must be the main striker as he is more of a natural goalscorer than Adebayor, Van Persie & Bendtner put toghether. That or Walcott as a striker from next season. Not convinced Carlos Vela will bring much to teh table because of his inexperince and will probably moan about he physical element of English football.
11Mose S.T
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:55 PM - Reply
some av tried to defend adebayor but he is no gud.u may say he scored 19 goals,but with the midfield spending 90 mins setting up the strikers thats too minimal.a good striker at arsenal wud av 35 goals atleast.ade is frustrating hleb and fabregas.our midfield is O.K.Toure has lost his touch.next season i hop to see benzema,fabiano,lahm and quaresma in arsenal jersies.
10topgunner101
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:36 PM - Reply
we need a strong 2nd team on the bench.and we must stop going at their goal through the center.sunday was like watching a head banging against a wall.all they have to do is stick 7 or 8 in front and keep us out.portsmouth and boro know that!edouardo is the only one who could fight thru that to a result.seem to have lost something psychological somewhere after birmingham anyway.but.it aint over til its over.and we have far exceeded anything the experts predicted of us.we fight on.
9Shohan
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:23 PM - Reply
We just have run out of steam I must say. The 2 teams above us are teams with bench strength. As for us, we have a first team with vital players injured half way through our season.Agreed we've been unfortunate with certain injuries, but still we do need some more reliability in certain departments. no back up for our wing backs. seem short on the strike force with ade not scoring either. Its still not over thou, up the gunners.
8Richard Betts
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:08 PM - Reply
I think that these are all valid questions and to answer them we need to look at various issues but the main problems are definately (1) experience in the squad (2) Gallas not leading by example (3)The style of play which while pretty is useless against teams who play with 10 men behind the ball. Wenger needs to buy experienced proven players this summer to bolster the squad. Gallas needs to stop the childish antics he displayed at Birmingham. I also read an interesting article some time ago about Wenger having not really replaced Robert Pires and i think that's right...we don't really have a player in Hleb or Rosicky that can offer what Pires did. If you look at Manchester United (as much as it pains me to say it) they have a good compliment of young and experienced players and that is why you cannot afford to slip up as they will always finish the season consistently and strongly.
7Richard Betts
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:07 PM - Reply
I think that these are all valid questions and to answer them we need to look at various issues but the main problems are definately (1) experience in the squad (2) Gallas not leading by example (3)The style of play which while pretty is useless against teams who play with 10 men behind the ball. Wenger needs to buy experienced proven players this summer to bolster the squad. Gallas needs to stop the childish antics he displayed at Birmingham. I also read an interesting article some time ago about Wenger having not really replaced Robert Pires and i think that's right...we don't really have a player in Hleb or Rosicky that can offer what Pires did. If you look at Manchester United (as much as it pains me to say it) they have a good compliment of young and experienced players and that is why you cannot afford to slip up as they will always finish the season consistently and strongly.
6lance
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 01:00 PM - Reply
van dar sar not world class and vidic aint all that but i can't forgive almunia for the champions league final he cost us the cup but for the prem am glad we was in the race and not fighting for fourth place.Its show were coming together but i feel theres a twist still in this race
5terfa hemen
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:48 PM - Reply
i certainly agree with most of what joel is saying,the attack is not consistent,adebayor's mental strenght and belief for me is no longer there, van persie is still rusty after a long lay off.there is so much hesitation between gallas and toure,they seem not to understand themselves anymore.I mean the whole team just has to believe more,their self expressions during games shows they are loosing confidence in themselves.I feel we can still win the title if we believe.
4kork
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:47 PM - Reply
Lehman was/is average, Almunia and Fabianski too.
van der Saar is TOP class
Vidic is TOP class (and Gallas is not)
3Josh
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:40 PM - Reply
I totally agree with everything said. As I've said numerous times before, there are 2 things I disagree with when it comes to Wenger as a manager. A) squad policy and B) transfer policy.
I mean, everyone knows that Ade is going through a dry spell; to say anything to the contrary is just plain dumb. So why not give him a rest? Even if its only for a game or two. His excellent scoring run may have given him a sense of safety when selection comes around and Wenger really should start judging players on form, like he did with Almunia/Lehmann. Give Bendtner a few starts, he has the hunger to want to start whereas Ade is a little to comfortable with what he's done for me. Next, transfers; I can see why Wenger is reluctant to spend, it's not his forte. Most of his big buys ended being disappointments, e.g. Jeffers, etc. But instead of looking for the diamond in the rough, why not try to get a few rising stars? I mean, we've missed out on Babel and Torres and they ended up at Liverpool. And it's not like they didn't have obvious talent or anything. I will say, however, that Wenger did excellently with the acquisitions of Sagna and Eduardo. It's just a pity that we're losing them to injury.
I think Wenger should really, REALLY stop looking at young talent for a few seasons. Don't we have enough for the next generation anyway? My recommendations, as unqualifed and unsuited as I am for this, would be either one of Curtis Davies/Steven Taylor/Micah Richards for a good defence, and to shut them critics up. Also, a player like Matias Fernandez, someone who tends to stay out wide rather than cut in. Finally, a keeper of Stekelenburg's/Curci's quality. And yes, I know not everyone will agree with this, which is why I say players 'like' those.
2Øystein
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:33 PM - Reply
I don`t agree with you on Almunia. I think he has done very well, but to win you need a world class keeper. A keeper that will keep the team in the game even though we play shite. Lehmann has had that kind of games, Seaman had them, but I haven`t seen it from Almunia yet. And I don`t think I ever will. I do think he is a very good no2.
1rexes
Posted on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:24 PM - Reply
for goodness sake,it's the same arsenal..all teams have a slump!if you want to rate the team rate them over the number of games they have played.