Arsène Wenger: Same Old Class

[Mark Tobias]

Welcome to the Piers Morgan school of logic.

Last season Wenger had the best defence in the league by clean sheets, goals conceded and Squawka/ Opta score. But still his critics said we were frail and clueless.

Because, as is the case in EVERY season, we leaked goals at crucial moments. Lapses in concentration leading to a devastating goal which knocks us out of the race are not included in those stats.

 

[Makingtrax]

Because, as is the case in EVERY season, we leaked goals at crucial moments. Lapses in concentration leading to a devastating goal which knocks us out of the race are not included in those stats.

Every loss is leaking goals at a crucial moment.

That's why the overall stats is so important. If you concede fewer goals than other teams, your defence is probably not the reason you didn't win the league.

We shipped 36 goals but only scored 65, Man City shipped 41 goals but scored 71. Conclusion: In all probability our defence was good enough to win the league but our attacking play let us down. We were not frail.

 

[Mark Tobias]

Every loss is leaking goals at a crucial moment.

That's why the overall stats is so important. If you concede fewer goals than other teams, your defence is probably not the reason you didn't win the league.

We shipped 36 goals but only scored 65, Man City shipped 41 goals but scored 71. Conclusion: In all probability our defence was good enough to win the league but our attacking play let us down. We were not frail.

You definitely don't understand this sport. Definitely.

You're using our defense stats to defend Wenger. An Attacking manager.

Yes, every loss is leaking goals at crucial moments. Which is why we lost the league and why, when compared to Leicester, the critics have called us frail. We gift opposition goals through counter attacking play.

It isn't the number of goals conceded that has landed us that title. It is the manner in which we concede!

You've made it blatantly clear you only use statistics to judge this sport. Which is why you clearly don't understand it.

A team can be beaten by 10 absolutely amazing shots in a season and finish below a team who were solid at the back but on 11 occassions they fell asleep and let a lead slip/ultimately lost.

Which defense is better there? Your logic will lead you to the team who only leaked 10. Despite the fact that those may have been the most unstoppable shots ever played in history.

Statistics do not take into account the manner and variety of goals scored. They do not take into account bad penalty calls etc.

Working off stats only in this sport is a fools idea of understanding the game. And you sir have proven to be the biggest fool of them all.

 

[Mark Tobias]

One of the reasons this is the most popular sport in the world is becauase of how unpredictable it can be at times. Because teams like Leicester, with a bit of luck and a really good drive, can and do win titles. Because teams like Barca can have 84% possession and STIL LOSE!

If this game was as predictable as you stats lovers make it out it wouldn't have even half the number of people watching it. That is a fact! Not to mention how few bookies would enjoy it....

 

[notafan]

That's another thing, Mourinho's teams are praised by pundits for winning ugly when they don't play well. We're just lucky to win.

LOL (as they say) at the idea that pundits/the media are somehow biased in favour of Mourinho and against Wenger!

Of course, Mourinho fans (there are few) often complain that pundits/media etc. are biased against their idol.

Actually, I don't get the impression that either gentleman is a particular pundits' favourite. While both would probably hate the idea, there's more similarity between Jose and Arsène, than between them and other top managers.

In particular, when things go wrong, neither Mourinho nor Wenger ever seem to take responsibility for the bad result/form etc. It's always someone else's fault - the officials, the players, even (especially with Wenger nowadays) the fans.

Contrast this with Klopp (especially) and Conte, who don't seem too afraid to accept responsibility for failure, and apologise for it. Of course Conte hasn't recently had that much to apologise for.

The major difference between Mourinho and Wenger is that in recent years Jose has become a specialist in success, while Arsène has become a specialist in the other thing.

 

[Mark Tobias]

Contrast this with Klopp (especially) and Conte, who don't seem too afraid to accept responsibility for failure, and apologise for it. Of course Conte hasn't recently had that much to apologise for.
.

You can add to the list of managers who accept respoonsibility:
Brendan Rodgers
Eddie Howe
David Moyes (although not as much as he should have at United)
Poch

 

[Makingtrax]

You definitely don't understand this sport. Definitely.

You're using our defense stats to defend Wenger. An Attacking manager.

Yes, every loss is leaking goals at crucial moments. Which is why we lost the league and why, when compared to Leicester, the critics have called us frail. We gift opposition goals through counter attacking play.

It isn't the number of goals conceded that has landed us that title. It is the manner in which we concede!

You've made it blatantly clear you only use statistics to judge this sport. Which is why you clearly don't understand it.

A team can be beaten by 10 absolutely amazing shots in a season and finish below a team who were solid at the back but on 11 occassions they fell asleep and let a lead slip/ultimately lost.

Which defense is better there? Your logic will lead you to the team who only leaked 10. Despite the fact that those may have been the most unstoppable shots ever played in history.

Statistics do not take into account the manner and variety of goals scored. They do not take into account bad penalty calls etc.

Working off stats only in this sport is a fools idea of understanding the game. And you sir have proven to be the biggest fool of them all.

How can a team be solid at the back if it falls asleep on 11 occasions? You've lost it mate.

You used to be a worthy sparring partner . . . it's sad you see you descend like this, but if you carry on you'll be depriving a village of an idiot.

 

[grange]

Yes, we lost some head scratching games ie: Southampton 4-0 considering the form they were in. However, Giroud went 15 PL games straight without a goal and he was our starting striker. Thought we were clear on what we lacked last season considering the hype surrounding Benzema and Griezmann all last summer.

Year in, year out - the defense is good, the strike force is ineffective, the strike force scores goals consistently but the defense is ineffective. I don't recall a season where the defense and offense synced up and were both consistent for an entire season.

 

[A_G]

 

[Kingslayer]

I'm bringing Alexis to the MLS, b*tches.

 

[bingobob]

Just read Wenger's comments on taking g the initiative and how Chelsea and Leicester winning the league is essentially big rewards for not taking the initiative by having big possession. Like Wtf is wrong with this guy. This is why there is an ever increasing proportion of the fan base that want rid. Yes attractive football is nice but Shakespeare is right it's a results business. Attractive football should be a bonus not the starting point.

Also if we play a team and dominate possession then it means the other team cannot have big possession. It cannot work both ways. And if all teams decide they want to dominate possession the game will be unbelievably boring.

 

[El Duderino]

 

[El Duderino]

Haven seen Marcotti's name bandied around, is he more of a Di Marzio or a Tancredi kind of guy?

 

[Preacher]

Arsenal Stood Still While Its Rivals Got Better

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/arsenal-stood-still-while-their-rivals-got-better/

 

[Kingslayer]

Haven seen Marcotti's name bandied around, is he more of a Di Marzio or a Tancredi kind of guy?

Nothing like Tancredi.

BOOM!

 

[A_G]

Interesting, Gab Marcotti doesn't usually making statement like that.

 

[Preacher]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[allegro]

Arsenal Stood Still While Its Rivals Got Better

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/arsenal-stood-still-while-their-rivals-got-better/

This stat is WHY 'Wenger Outs' are so vocal and have grown so much over the last season or three. Prior to the last 3-4 years it was "we got no money and cant compete".. OK so that argument DOES have its merit...however many of us could see even over 5-6-7 years the worrying signs of what was about to come.

Poor, poor purchases, contracts being run down, talented players not progressing, no tactical ability to make changes needed during games, lack of respect and planning which has seen humiliating defeats to poor and lower league teams in PL and cups. Thrashings being given to us by bigger rival clubs at home and abroad.

The one thing we have been respected for around the country was playing exciting attacking fast flowing football..which has been replaced by slow, side to side passing football (We even have less possession than some lower table teams we've played) with any lack of drive in the MAJORITY of our games! This clown criticises Chelski and Leicester? LMAO

Over the last 3 years we HAVE had money and now has been proved by those stats we have not improved. We now embark on ANOTHER rebuilding job...yet after the first couple of months in the season Wenger (and players like Wally) were raving this was the BEST squad in his time!

Ffs If this is the best then he is a monumental failure in his tactics or the squad is just not up to scratch. Its one OR the other ... Wenger cant have his cake and eat it..maybe in the boardroom but not with fans that see through his BS!

All this 4th place cr%p! Its NOT a trophy its actually around 20 points worse than the team that won the title. That is THE BENCHMARK of the quality of your team and manager...even a FA Cup win cannot mask that!

 

[Bould14]

Interesting, Gab Marcotti doesn't usually making statement like that.

Agree he is one of the few level-headed journalists. Who has been fair in defending Wenger or criticising him.

 

[allegro]

Agree he is one of the few level-headed journalists. Who has been fair in defending Wenger or criticising him.

Not seen any interviews by Wenger since Wednesday...but I thought after Southampton game he looked visibly shaken and on the brink of snapping at reporters if they asked a challenging question...however as usual they never! Maybe Marcotti does know something is up then? Fingers crossed on this one