Arsenal Thread

[bebo]

It's not about who has been supporting the longest, I know you support Arsenal and you are very passionate, alot of die hard fans are turning and getting frustrated and are saying the same things. So I understand completely everything everybody is saying, but I just believe there is so much more to what is happening at Arsenal now.

Well, back in the highbury days having a pint with the locals I got stick about what is my correlation with the club and whatnot. Maybe I took it the wrong way because I was such a young lad in my early 20`s everything I took was the world was against me attitude.

Alot of people are calling for a whole new set of players and just want to see some movement. I don't necessarily think we need that much changes in personnel.

agreed a few in 3 departments attacking-mid (cesc leaves)- defense

Our defence is always going to suffer because of the way we play, they are always going to have alot of pressure on them. so it may never get better, what we need to do is make sure we put away our chances and not rest when we are in the lead and not take teams for granted. these are our biggest downfalls.

Our defense gets the blame because along with the keepers in recent years there have been alot of high profile mistakes, but if you actually look at our defensive stats, then it isn't that bad.

Things need to change, but not necessarily the way fans are calling for it to happen.

Our mentally of everyone attacks with the ball can limit our backs, where clichy was getting caught on top leaving the back wings exposed .I see gibbs doing the same thing so yes you are spot on. I like when we pressure our opponents the way we did to beat Chelsea at the Emirates. Barca does that very well you need to have a strong conditioning squad to do that effectively or get caught on the counters .

 

[jonneymendoza]

fans have every right to boo them. we have been fucking shit for the past 6 years. what do you expect?

Most fans will be booing our team for every little mistake they make until they learn how to fucking deliver the goods in the last half of a season.

Its like emplying someone and they working with u for 6 years and underachieving and when they are doing minor none important work, they get slagged off because of past performances.

Perfectly fine to boo these fuckers. useless twats, all of them

 

[BobbyBox]

fans have every right to boo them. we have been fucking shit for the past 6 years. what do you expect?

Most fans will be booing our team for every little mistake they make until they learn how to fucking deliver the goods in the last half of a season.

Its like emplying someone and they working with u for 6 years and underachieving and when they are doing minor none important work, they get slagged off because of past performances.

Perfectly fine to boo these fuckers. useless twats, all of them

They haven't done shit Jonney and it is stupid to boo them in a friendly preseason game.

I just don't get your attitude because it only focuses on winning and nothing else, but I guess that is your perogative (if that is how you spell it?! ).

Go and ask Liverpool and Tottenham how hard it is to get into the top 4 and the champions league year after year? two teams that have spent much more money than us over the years.

We have also built a new stadium that is going to benefit us over the next many years and we are regarded as one of the best run clubs (Business wise) and also one of the most attractive teams to watch in world football.

so to say we have been shit is just way way over the top

 

[Rantboy]

As I said before it's a mixture of things that lead to fans frustration and booing. And let's not forget one of the most important things in the mix: Arsenal raised ticket prices. That was cheeky to say the least, in a moment the team seems to be getting worse. It's baffling really.

Arsenal is just not living up to its promises. The board say we have more money to spend, and the difficult years after builind the stadium are turning into a more stable period when there are more funds to invest. But we haven't been seeing much action, IMO.

I know the Jagielka bid was a starting offer, but to offer less than before just means it will take us more time in the process. Juan Mata could be sealed by now, probably, but it isn't. It's ok to negotiate the best price for us, but this might make us miss out on players.
In the meantime, reports suggest that Man Utd is on the verge of signing Wes Sneijder. This is really frustrating...

The Juan Mata thing is somewhat unclear, why would his price go up from July 31st to August 1st? But maybe there really was this clause in his contract with Valencia, whereas a club that decides to buy him "last minute" will have to pay more.

In the meantime, our Fabregas situation should be dealt in the same way... If Barcelona didn't put in a decent bid, guess what? Now he'd cost more in August, for the hassle of stripping us of our captain in the last minute. But I wouldn't be surprised if they got him mid-August for £5M + £35M in 59 installments...

Ok, I'm bitching now, sorry for the rant, but things aren't looking good at all.

 

[gerd]

This is still one of the major reasons I still support this club. Everyone should try to live within their means, especially in such hard economic times.

This by far the most sensible post in this thread...that's the right attitude.

 

[BobbyBox]

As I said before it's a mixture of things that lead to fans frustration and booing. And let's not forget one of the most important things in the mix: Arsenal raised ticket prices. That was cheeky to say the least, in a moment the team seems to be getting worse. It's baffling really.

Arsenal is just not living up to its promises. The board say we have more money to spend, and the difficult years after builind the stadium are turning into a more stable period when there are more funds to invest. But we haven't been seeing much action, IMO.

I know the Jagielka bid was a starting offer, but to offer less than before just means it will take us more time in the process. Juan Mata could be sealed by now, probably, but it isn't. It's ok to negotiate the best price for us, but this might make us miss out on players.
In the meantime, reports suggest that Man Utd is on the verge of signing Wes Sneijder. This is really frustrating...

The Juan Mata thing is somewhat unclear, why would his price go up from July 31st to August 1st? But maybe there really was this clause in his contract with Valencia, whereas a club that decides to buy him "last minute" will have to pay more.

In the meantime, our Fabregas situation should be dealt in the same way... If Barcelona didn't put in a decent bid, guess what? Now he'd cost more in August, for the hassle of stripping us of our captain in the last minute. But I wouldn't be surprised if they got him mid-August for £5M + £35M in 59 installments...

Ok, I'm bitching now, sorry for the rant, but things aren't looking good at all.

Completely agree about the raised ticket prices, it was a silly move at probably the worst time they could have done it. You won't get me arguing about that one at all.

I don't think we are getting worse, but I do think we are stagnating and doing the same things and suffering in the same way we have been for the last few years, that is what is frustrating.

Arsenal are not living up to their promises at the moment, doesn't mean they will not. Just because they are not doing it in the time frame you want them to, doesn't mean they are lying.

The thing is we know absolutley nothing about the Jagielka and Mata deals, so I don't think it is wise to comment so harshly on the situations. I really can't believe the whole Mata price going up (see Arseblogs post today and he seems to have the same bemusement on the suggestion of what happened there).

Arseblog also seems to mirror my feelings on the how the fans are picking absolutley everything out they can to beat Arsenal up with.

The main things holding us back are the Fabregas and Nasri situations, both are fucked up and have an effect on the other. Arsene doesn't want to lose both players at the same time, so it is a very unstable balancing act.

Both don't want to be here and we should just let both go and get in replacements as soon as possible, that is my opinion. But that is not happening and I understand why on the other hand.

We are in a very tricky situation and it is unique to us.

The Man United getting Sneijder thing doesn't bother me as I doubt very much that he would want to come to us. This also highlights my point even if we had all of the money in the world, alot of the world class players wouldn't come to us anyway. So we are stuck paying for overpriced 'good' players just to appease fans anxiety.

I really don't have all of the answers but I know it is alot more complicated than a lot of fans are making it out to be.

 

[Rantboy]

Completely agree about the raised ticket prices, it was a silly move at probably the worst time they could have done it. You won't get me arguing about that one at all.

I don't think we are getting worse, but I do think we are stagnating and doing the same things and suffering in the same way we have been for the last few years, that is what is frustrating.

Arsenal are not living up to their promises at the moment, doesn't mean they will not. Just because they are not doing it in the time frame you want them to, doesn't mean they are lying.

The thing is we know absolutley nothing about the Jagielka and Mata deals, so I don't think it is wise to comment so harshly on the situations. I really can't believe the whole Mata price going up (see Arseblogs post today and he seems to have the same bemusement on the suggestion of what happened there).

Arseblog also seems to mirror my feelings on the how the fans are picking absolutley everything out they can to beat Arsenal up with.

The main things holding us back are the Fabregas and Nasri situations, both are fucked up and have an effect on the other. Arsene doesn't want to lose both players at the same time, so it is a very unstable balancing act.

Both don't want to be here and we should just let both go and get in replacements as soon as possible, that is my opinion. But that is not happening and I understand why on the other hand.

We are in a very tricky situation and it is unique to us.

The Man United getting Sneijder thing doesn't bother me as I doubt very much that he would want to come to us. This also highlights my point even if we had all of the money in the world, alot of the world class players wouldn't come to us anyway. So we are stuck paying for overpriced 'good' players just to appease fans anxiety.

I really don't have all of the answers but I know it is alot more complicated than a lot of fans are making it out to be.

I agree on your views on Fab and Nasri. I want them out too, ASAP. So everyone who's on board is fully commited. Look at the sheer joy Gervinho shows playing in an Arsenal shirt. I know it's only pre-season, but this is one very positive thing already. We need more guys with that attitude, wanting to play for Arsenal. More guys in the positions we need, mind you. Gervinho's great, but we are loaded with wingers!

Supporters don't really know the full extent of things, of course, but if there really was a bid for Nasri in the region of £20M, I think we should have taken it and already reinvested it on our targets. With that kind of money, we could have offered a little bit more for Mata and maybe seal the deal before too long.

I read Arseblog today too and I know there's a lot of noise in this story. But I'm afraid it really looks like Mata's price could have risen as of today. This Guardian article makes some sense out of it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/01/arsenal-valencia-juan-mata

Again, we're not sure this is true, but if it is, there's a classic example of how things aren't getting done properly when it comes to transfer market activity.

As for Sneijder, I'm not saying he would come to us. It's just the notion that the champions are getting stronger by the minute and are working faster than us to get their targets. We have targets of our own, but we're not moving swiftly enough.
Sneijder wouldn't come to us, the same way Mata doesn't want sign with Spurs. We had the upper hand but didn't seize the opportunity. Now all Spurs did was inflate his price and we're unlikely to meet what Valencia want for him.

On previous seasons I was much more easy going about transfer windows, but I have to admit this one is doing my head!

 

[bebo]

Well, if Arshavin can be sold for £15m from the Rich Russian I say take it! He is not really the experience sort of player that would lead. Nasri could leave too only if he really wants out. Fabregas is not replaceable . Wenger`s game plan will change so that in mind. A new approach might require a new system n players to form it. Fabregas has not worked and Wenger tried over n over again.


I really think Chamahk could really be a great target man. Our league demands lots of air balls and speed. Fabregas n RVP are the slowest players I seen in an Arsenal squad since Emirates was build. Theo is fast and only Gervinho is up to par. Ramsey n Jack holds the ball very well and distributes it too. Not WC but are getting much better w/ every game.

Cahill I`m not so impress Gallas is much better. Jageklina he has lots of energy but not very solid. Wenger wants a DM to play CB we all know this and that`s why we struggle. There is a lot of ground missing if players leave or maybe not. I would like to see 4-1-3-2 or a custom 4-4-1-1

Plan A

LB...CB...CB...RB
.......CDM.......
.LM...CM.....RM
...RS.....LS..

Plan B

LB...CB...CB...RB
...................
LM...CM....CM...RM
........CF........
.....ST..........

 

[BobbyBox]

I agree on your views on Fab and Nasri. I want them out too, ASAP. So everyone who's on board is fully commited. Look at the sheer joy Gervinho shows playing in an Arsenal shirt. I know it's only pre-season, but this is one very positive thing already. We need more guys with that attitude, wanting to play for Arsenal. More guys in the positions we need, mind you. Gervinho's great, but we are loaded with wingers!

Supporters don't really know the full extent of things, of course, but if there really was a bid for Nasri in the region of £20M, I think we should have taken it and already reinvested it on our targets. With that kind of money, we could have offered a little bit more for Mata and maybe seal the deal before too long.

I read Arseblog today too and I know there's a lot of noise in this story. But I'm afraid it really looks like Mata's price could have risen as of today. This Guardian article makes some sense out of it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/01/arsenal-valencia-juan-mata

Again, we're not sure this is true, but if it is, there's a classic example of how things aren't getting done properly when it comes to transfer market activity.

As for Sneijder, I'm not saying he would come to us. It's just the notion that the champions are getting stronger by the minute and are working faster than us to get their targets. We have targets of our own, but we're not moving swiftly enough.
Sneijder wouldn't come to us, the same way Mata doesn't want sign with Spurs. We had the upper hand but didn't seize the opportunity. Now all Spurs did was inflate his price and we're unlikely to meet what Valencia want for him.

On previous seasons I was much more easy going about transfer windows, but I have to admit this one is doing my head!

yeah it's really refreshing having a player that was desperate to join us and is showing hunger.

That Gaurdian article does make it clearer, but It sounds like Valencia don't want to lose him, so they could have done alot more to delay the sale to make sure it wasn't processed in time etc? who knows?

It is true about Man United getting stronger and us not seeming to progress, it is frustrating and I agree and I understand why it is doing your head in, looks like a huge portion of the Arsenal fans are the same.

I do hope we can still get Mata as he seems to be exactly the quality we need and it looks like he wants to come, so it would be great to get him.

Him and Jagielka (although I don't think we necessarily need Jagielka) would really strengthen our team, so I do hope they can be concluded soon.

 

[tc811]

The Times: Barcelona will not (yes, not) increase their £29.6 million bid for Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri has told Arsene Wenger he will stick around this season but Manchester City will renew their pursuit of the midfielder soon.

.

 

[jonneymendoza]

They haven't done shit Jonney and it is stupid to boo them in a friendly preseason game.

I just don't get your attitude because it only focuses on winning and nothing else, but I guess that is your perogative (if that is how you spell it?! ).

Go and ask Liverpool and Tottenham how hard it is to get into the top 4 and the champions league year after year? two teams that have spent much more money than us over the years.

We have also built a new stadium that is going to benefit us over the next many years and we are regarded as one of the best run clubs (Business wise) and also one of the most attractive teams to watch in world football.

so to say we have been shit is just way way over the top

Mate its not about winning trophies. its the manner of how we lose. fair enough if we lose because the other team played brilliantly o we just had one of those off days then fair enouigh but to lose soo many games at EXACTLY the months between march-may for the past 6 years? come on mate that doesnt give.

Also, blow away a 4:0 lead? has liverpool or spurs done that recently? Why even put spurs and liverpool in our level? i thought arsenal werwe suppose to be challenguing for titles? if so we should be compared to manu, chelsea, barcelona and RM. not spurs!

No pun intended with spurs but lets face it, they are not a team that challenges for titles for a VERY VERY long time so to compare us to them says it all about arsenal on how we once was a team fighting for titles.

So by your logic, are you expecting arsenal to fight for the PL trophy and champions league? Im not. Not when wenger is in charge of a team full of idiots.

Only idiots make the same mistakes for 6 years at the backline.

 

[Rantboy]

.

!
...
So Barcelona really won't pay more than £30m for one of the most talented midfielders in the world? In a crazy market where a Pastore costs 40m? Ok, then I say keep him, even if against his will.
Fabregas has been very professional and great for us really, but I can sense that he's beggining to make things difficult. I'd say he would be just going through the motions this season, along with Nasri.
Now, Nasri could and should be shown the door already. I think Wenger doesn't want to strengthen City too much, for they would have Aguero and Nasri adding up to an already very strong squad. But that's another story, I think we need to sell to the highest bidder, because this means money now. Next year, he'll go on a free. If Wenger cares so much about our finances, he should consider that. Plus, it's always the best way to deal with a mercenary.

The season is almost underway, those things have to be sorted! First thing is give to captain armband permanently to RVP, with Vermaelen as vice-captain. Secondly, start Fabregas in the bench getting around the fact that he's staying, whether he likes it or not. If he gets his head right and regains match fitness, great! He gets in the first team again, and it's like a new signing. Otherwise, he will have to be an overpaid super sub... but no fucking way we're gonna let go a player of that calibre for £30m.

Jonney, I think you're being a bit harsh to sum all of our problems to mistakes in the backline. While those mistakes have been horrendous, they didn't have all that impact you imply. There are other much deeper mistakes, and the root of it all are some of the decisions made by the manager. The team is clearly unbalanced. Not everything weights at our defenders shoulders. Being exposed like our guys are, even Vidic would struggle.
The problem is, our team is unballanced, there's no solidarity and they don't defend as a team. We play possession football(much of it innocuous, not incisive, not enough shots on goal), go forward with all guns blazing and then get caught with our pants down at the back. Remember our last League game at Old Trafford.
That's how smaller clubs make our life difficult too.

As much as I wanted a new Centre Half, I have to agree that a Jagielka is not the answer to our problems. This team is unballanced and we're not seeing the slightest change of philosophy.

 

[BobbyBox]

Mate its not about winning trophies. its the manner of how we lose. fair enough if we lose because the other team played brilliantly o we just had one of those off days then fair enouigh but to lose soo many games at EXACTLY the months between march-may for the past 6 years? come on mate that doesnt give.

Also, blow away a 4:0 lead? has liverpool or spurs done that recently? Why even put spurs and liverpool in our level? i thought arsenal werwe suppose to be challenguing for titles? if so we should be compared to manu, chelsea, barcelona and RM. not spurs!

No pun intended with spurs but lets face it, they are not a team that challenges for titles for a VERY VERY long time so to compare us to them says it all about arsenal on how we once was a team fighting for titles.

So by your logic, are you expecting arsenal to fight for the PL trophy and champions league? Im not. Not when wenger is in charge of a team full of idiots.

Only idiots make the same mistakes for 6 years at the backline.

You said we were shit, so I gave an example of two of the other clubs that have been in the top 4 lately and have failed to stay there. It was to highlight how difficult it is to stay there and to note that these clubs have spent much more money than us over the years. Also the fact we have qualified and done well in the champions league I think around 16/17 years in a row. With all of the plaudits spurs got last season and the season before, they couldn't stay in the champs league.


It doesn't matter when we lost games, it doesn't make us shit. Just makes us not good enough to win anything at the moment.

You can be frustrated and annoyed but saying that we are shit and all our players are idiots etc is just not right.

I think we will challenge for all of the competitions, like we do every season, we were in all 4 up to a point last season before it fell apart. we got knocked out of the champions league by the eventual champions and best team in the world (Who we also beat aswell). So I really do expect us to be right up there as usual, especially with some new faces in and old faces out

One thing I am worried about is the Cesc saga, looks like he might not be going, I just hope he plays well and doesn't resent it. I would really like to see a change of captain anyway if he does stay, we can't have somebody like that as our captain anymore, his mind is on another club and it has gone a bit too far now. give it to somebody that actually wants to stay at Arsenal.

 

[Rantboy]

Here's something interesting. Too lengthy a reading, but he does point out somethings I questioned before.

http://yankeegunnerblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/the-summer-of-our-discontent/

"If you believe the reports, and there’s reason to believe them, Arsenal can get £22 million for Samir Nasri. Yet for some reason, Arsene Wenger has departed from his usual policy of fiscal responsibility and said that Nasri is not for sale. It’s hard to understand really. Nasri is far more replaceable than Cesc. We can get more money for him than he’s probably worth. We’re likely going to lose him for free next summer anyway. But Arsene has chosen this moment to show a callous disregard for finances. Why?"

[...]

Mr. Hill-Wood is a millionaire who attends Arsenal matches for free alongside fans who pay the most money in England for their ticket and are still coping with a new 6% increase. Those fans were treated to a disgraceful capitulation by their team at the end of last term and promised changes this summer, most of which haven’t come. And to add insult to injury, those fans are experiencing the range of emotions that come with losing our captain and best player to the team that knocked Arsenal out of European competition the last 2 seasons after a protracted tapping-up campaign.

Here's reason enough for the fan's discontent. The booing at Emirates Cup was more directed at the board and AW than the players.

If they do have bids for Nasri and refuse to sell him, only to let him go on a free next season, while still counting pences and being far too cautious when bidding for new players... then I'll give up understanding their "logics".

The board hasn't been firm enough IMO. They gave Barca a 10-day deadline, which already expired. So why the fuck are we still discussing this negotiation?
For all the good Cesc has done to Arsenal, he's not exactly doing favours to the club. He's the best paid player and signed a 5 year contract.
I think he should be stripped of captaincy anyway, while reintegrated to the squad no matter what.

It's time AW became a bit harder on his boys.

 

[tc811]

IMO Fabregas is not the right man to be captain.

 

[IceMan_Bergkamp]

RVP for me - captain all day.

"Very active in the transfer market " That's the words from Gazidis and Wenger repeatedly. Obvious to everyone where the errors are - defending, and maybe a defensive coach.

However, here we are looking at the season beginning Sat week, yet no movement to solve the situation. Wenger said before the Emirates cup he expected signings very soon. We then need them to mix with the squad. I think Utd went the right way and bought early, and integrated the players into the preseason games, whilst we're still looking at the business end of the transfer market.

Furthermore, we're now, according to reports, scouting Scott Dann on Sat? If we don't know who are main targets are yet, then this seems woefully slap dash to me. It might be just paper talk, but shoring up the defence should have been number one, and also, judging by Gibbs injury record, having no outright cover there (i don't wanna hear that Vermaelen can play there - he's the most commanding CB we have), leaves us woefully light.

With August potentially being the mother of all banana skins, CL qualifier, Utd and Liverpool - this must be one of the most nervous seasons for me in some time. Clichy, Nasri and Fabregas leaving, with only Gervinho coming in leaves us lighter that we were last year from Wengers "we were close" statement.

I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[jonneymendoza]

!
...
So Barcelona really won't pay more than £30m for one of the most talented midfielders in the world? In a crazy market where a Pastore costs 40m? Ok, then I say keep him, even if against his will.
Fabregas has been very professional and great for us really, but I can sense that he's beggining to make things difficult. I'd say he would be just going through the motions this season, along with Nasri.
Now, Nasri could and should be shown the door already. I think Wenger doesn't want to strengthen City too much, for they would have Aguero and Nasri adding up to an already very strong squad. But that's another story, I think we need to sell to the highest bidder, because this means money now. Next year, he'll go on a free. If Wenger cares so much about our finances, he should consider that. Plus, it's always the best way to deal with a mercenary.

The season is almost underway, those things have to be sorted! First thing is give to captain armband permanently to RVP, with Vermaelen as vice-captain. Secondly, start Fabregas in the bench getting around the fact that he's staying, whether he likes it or not. If he gets his head right and regains match fitness, great! He gets in the first team again, and it's like a new signing. Otherwise, he will have to be an overpaid super sub... but no fucking way we're gonna let go a player of that calibre for £30m.

Jonney, I think you're being a bit harsh to sum all of our problems to mistakes in the backline. While those mistakes have been horrendous, they didn't have all that impact you imply. There are other much deeper mistakes, and the root of it all are some of the decisions made by the manager. The team is clearly unbalanced. Not everything weights at our defenders shoulders. Being exposed like our guys are, even Vidic would struggle.
The problem is, our team is unballanced, there's no solidarity and they don't defend as a team. We play possession football(much of it innocuous, not incisive, not enough shots on goal), go forward with all guns blazing and then get caught with our pants down at the back. Remember our last League game at Old Trafford.
That's how smaller clubs make our life difficult too.

As much as I wanted a new Centre Half, I have to agree that a Jagielka is not the answer to our problems. This team is unballanced and we're not seeing the slightest change of philosophy.

if the issue lies with wenger then how the fuck is he still our manager? why do some fans continue to be blind and support him? if fergie went 6 seasons without a trophy and making the same mistakes, the fans would all ask for his head

 

[Rantboy]

Yeah, he's digging his own hole, Wenger. Him and Gazidis with fake promises and Silent Stan being silent as ever.
This tells us (what we kinda knew already) how we missed out on Mata: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04082011/58/la-liga-valencia-hold-firm-mata.html

What really pisses me off is that if (big IF) we do sign someone else, we might miss the deadline for registering them in the Champions League (another IF). Or it may happen just like we did with Arshavin: it took so fucking long for his "summer" signing, that he ended up signing on the very last day of the winter transfer window, and therefore couldn't play for us in the CL knockout stages.

It's a show of incompetence how they conduct transfer business. It's getting harder and harder to get behind the team and support with the same enthusiasm, you know. I will do it still, but won't be surprised if we finish 5th or below, what doesn't happen for a long time.

Oh, not even thinking about membership renewals, of course. Won't be paying 100 quid to watch fucking Diaby.

 

[PLF]

Most people hate him and rightly so but Joey Barton is now available on a free and he would be great! If people put away person dislikes, they can clearly see that he'd improve the team. He would be the commanding presence in the middle of the pitch, a leader and he'd fight for every ball 100% and his commitment and competitiveness would rub off on others as well.

I prefer Scott Parker of course and he's available too for cheap but 1 of these should come to Arsenal. If only Wenger saw what they could add and that it is something Diaby simply can't. Proven. English. Full of heart and commitment and leaders. Both off their best seasons yet and full of confidence and both real cheap! C'mon Wenger, get one please!!

Many have problems with Joey Barton and I can understand that, I would too, but there's no question, he would improve the team and give it that extra bite it's missing and as he proved to every one last season, he's a quality player and capable of quite a lot.

I don't see Arsene making a move for either though.

 

[gerd]

I totally agree with you PLF, Barton is a very good player...

 

[PLF]

Very good player in general but also he brings what Arsenal NEED. So I think he'd be an even better player for Arsenal than let's say Stoke or Everton. Because he or Parker would be what's missing in the current Arsenal camp/set up. So not only do they add their ability as footballers but more importantly their mentality, competitiveness and leadership skills.

But I can't see Wenger wanting to deal with him so I don't see it happening but I'd love to be proven wrong. Wenger doesn't even seem to be interested in Parker who's even better alone the more problematic Joey Barton even if both would bring more to this team than the wonderfully talented Mata would.

 

[Rantboy]

Their manager seem to want to hang on to Barton.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/04/newcastle-alan-pardew-joey-barton

Not that I care anyway. Our players are already injury prone as it is, we don't need that psycho ripping legs off on the training ground.

If it ever happened, I'd say Wenger has totally lost the plot and it would be the final straw for me. Being aggressive, competitive, committed or whatever you call it, is one thing. Another thing is punching people in the middle of a match. Have you guys seen him punching Pedersen?
We have enough idiots in the squad (I'm looking at you Diaby) who get sent off for not keeping their cool.

The fact we're doing so horribly in the transfer market actually fuels my interest in this season. I'm shifting from worried to curious. It's gonna be intriguing, how will Wenger get away with this one. I'm gonna sit back and watch, and of course, if we fail miserably, I'll join Jonney in his 'sack Wenger' mantra.

 

[gerd]

Which is the easy thing to do instead of supporting your team...what will you do if Arsenal wins the title this year...cheer along with the other sheep in the flock?

Sorry for my reaction, but this is all too easy.

 

[BobbyBox]

I'm looking forward to the season, I don't think we will do to badly

But I know that if we don't do well and the same mistakes keep happening Wenger will be forced to go, it will be huge shame, but if we really do not get anybody else in and we do fail, then he has to take a large proportion of the blame and it might be time for him to go.

I hope we do well and he stays though, I know it annoys Jonney, but I love Arsene and I want him to succeed again with Arsenal more than anything. I appreciate everything he has done for the club and hopefully we can get back to what it used to be like.

I've said it before, but I really think that Arsenal will go properly down hill when Wenger leaves. I really hope i'm not right, but I can see alot of players leaving and the downward spiral will begin.

So I am praying that we do some good things this year!

 

[Rantboy]

I will still surely support the team, and most likely suffer together with the flock. The thing is, I support Arsenal FC. I don't support a manager. This isn't Arsène FC. I want the team to win, regardless of who's the manager.

Us fans are getting to a point where we miss the one-nil to the Arsenal days. I for one prefer to see this team to win ugly rather than failing with grace.

Of course the neutrals here will point out how Wenger is the manager capable of delivering attractive football, going against the tide. Fair enough, for neutrals it's too easy to judge. They watch Arsenal's beautiful football throughout the season and when the campaign collapses you don't suffer as the fans do.

I've said it before, but I really think that Arsenal will go properly down hill when Wenger leaves. I really hope i'm not right, but I can see alot of players leaving and the downward spiral will begin.

So I am praying that we do some good things this year!

Bobby, it's all happening now mate, as we speak!! Our most important players already want to leave. People need to wake up and acknowledge that things are falling apart, the players are leaving, and the downward spiral is underway, with Wenger onboard and all, you know?

I like Wenger too, you know, it's hard not to like a guy who's trying to do things right and play football the way it is supposed to be. But he's not working his magic anymore, plus "times are a-changing" as Zimmerman would say... When we last won the League, Chelsea and Citeh were not splashing cash around.

AW inherited his "1st team" (Adams commanding the backline, Seaman, Parlour, Bergkamp, etc.), built his "2nd team" very well with Pires, Henry, Vieira, Freddie... but his 3rd team didn't come to fruition and the revolution is not happening. We're walking backwards, in fact.

After Fab and Nasri leave, then what? Which players would follow Wenger out the door? Diaby, Rosicky, Almunia, Chamakh, Bendtner? That's precisely the lot we want to ship out anyway...

In my heart, I don't want Wenger to leave either (not because of players disbanding, I don't fear that). But him and the board aren't really helping the situation.

 

[BobbyBox]

I will still surely support the team, and most likely suffer together with the flock. The thing is, I support Arsenal FC. I don't support a manager. This isn't Arsène FC. I want the team to win, regardless of who's the manager.

Us fans are getting to a point where we miss the one-nil to the Arsenal days. I for one prefer to see this team to win ugly rather than failing with grace.

Of course the neutrals here will point out how Wenger is the manager capable of delivering attractive football, going against the tide. Fair enough, for neutrals it's too easy to judge. They watch Arsenal's beautiful football throughout the season and when the campaign collapses you don't suffer as the fans do.



Bobby, it's all happening now mate, as we speak!! Our most important players already want to leave. People need to wake up and acknowledge that things are falling apart, the players are leaving, and the downward spiral is underway, with Wenger onboard and all, you know?

I like Wenger too, you know, it's hard not to like a guy who's trying to do things right and play football the way it is supposed to be. But he's not working his magic anymore, plus "times are a-changing" as Zimmerman would say... When we last won the League, Chelsea and Citeh were not splashing cash around.

AW inherited his "1st team" (Adams commanding the backline, Seaman, Parlour, Bergkamp, etc.), built his "2nd team" very well with Pires, Henry, Vieira, Freddie... but his 3rd team didn't come to fruition and the revolution is not happening. We're walking backwards, in fact.

After Fab and Nasri leave, then what? Which players would follow Wenger out the door? Diaby, Rosicky, Almunia, Chamakh, Bendtner? That's precisely the lot we want to ship out anyway...

In my heart, I don't want Wenger to leave either (not because of players disbanding, I don't fear that). But him and the board aren't really helping the situation.

It's not happening now, Fab wants to leave because he wants to go to Barca which we all know about and Nasri is unfortunate, that is two players.

Arsene is respected, young talented players will come to us before anyother team because of what Arsene does. Players are more Loyal to Wenger I would say than to Arsenal on the most part.

If we don't win anything and supporters call for Arsene to leave and Arsene leaves. I expect Van Persie to leave and others may think more about leaving. We won't get a top class manager and we will be stuck with a manager that will be a complete gamble and may get in shit players etc. A manager that has no connection with the players and so the players won't mind leaving.

I know it can go either way, we may get a great manager who buys really good players and we do really well, but i think the chances of us going properly down hill when Wenger leaves are bigger than us being successful afterwards.

I really don't think it is going downhill all ready, we are basically the same, we have plateaud at a level for the last 6 years and we need to try and build on this (which doesn't seem to be happening much at the moment granted) but I agree with Vermaelen (http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vermaelen-small-details-can-make-difference) I don't think we need wholesale changes. Little tweaks here and there are what is needed and for some players to wake the fuck up!

Wilshere, Song and Ramsey are looking good together, Gervinho is looking like a great signing (I know it is early days) and if Van Persie and Walcott can keep fit and Arshavin can play at a good consistant level, then I think we will be well on our way. So I don't think it is going downhill at the moment, ask me at xmas though and I might tell you something diffferent .

 

[Rantboy]

I don't think we need wholesale changes. Little tweaks here and there are what is needed and for some players to wake the fuck up!

Wilshere, Song and Ramsey are looking good together, Gervinho is looking like a great signing (I know it is early days) and if Van Persie and Walcott can keep fit and Arshavin can play at a good consistant level, then I think we will be well on our way. So I don't think it is going downhill at the moment, ask me at xmas though and I might tell you something diffferent .

Nice to notice you didn't mention our defence
The problem is in the making of these "little tweaks", which seems a small step for men, but a huge step for Arsene Wenger. For a couple of seasons now we've been having this same talk of "being so close to having the right team together", "we're only 2 or 3 players away from being a winning side". While Wenger tries to find The Ones and try to get them on the cheap, other important players are leaving. Therefore we're getting weakened.
So in my books the maths are simple: we are 3 players away from being awesome. Oh well, there's Gervinho... I'll give you that So we're 2 players away. But if they don't come and if both Fab and Nasri leave, we're gonna be 4 players away from awesomeness

The little tweaks aren't coming mate...
Gibbs/Traore and Sczez are kinda like an unknown quantity. I can't recall an Arsenal defence as fragile as this one. We're a right mess!

 

[BobbyBox]

I don't think we will get rid of both Nasri and Fab together (That is one of teh reasons he is willing to take a big hit with Nasri going for nothing next season) and if we do I think we will definately get a replacement before the end of the transfer window. Not ideal, but we have enough to keep us going for a month before they get fit and up to speed.

Definately not ideal, but hey hoo!

I do agree with you mate, it's all a bit too fragile at the moment and looks more ominous than positive at the moment, but there is still time for it to get better.

On the Barton option he is a good player, but you get soooo much baggage with the guy, I think he might do more harm than good in the long run. I do think we should maybe have gone for Parker though, weird how nobody seems to be going for him?

I do think our defence will come good though, as good as they can with our style of play (I know I am the only one). If we sold Nasri got in Mata and kept Cesc for one more season and gave the captaincy to Van Persie I would be quite postive for next season. I would like to get Jagielka aswell, just for shits and giggles to strengthen us up more.

As ever though it depends on injuries and morale of our players and that is suspect with this team at the best of times.

 

[Rantboy]

Ops, just making clear on my previous post that I wasn't questioning Wenger's courage (actually he's too brave for his own good) but setting him apart from men, since he's treated like a god by some.
I'd hate to see him leave and admit Arsenal would feel less like Arsenal if he left. But he's bringing it on to himself. Also, I don't think many players would leave like you point out. If they do, shame, but life goes on.

Nasri should be sold IMO, because he will be going through the motions this last season with us and then go for free. Oh my, since when did Wenger get so irresponsible with money? Sell the mercenary already! Even if no one comes in as a replacement, it's worth to take the (reported) 22m.

On Barton, yeah, he's bad news and everyone knows that. Wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. Would Wenger straighten him up? I doubt it.

Oh, just read that Fabregas might feature in the 1st leg of our CL qualifiers, thus being prohibited to play for another club on this CL edition. I can't wait for this.

 

[YoungGun_UK]

Agree I wouldn't touch Barton but Parker on the other hand is perfect.