Random Arsenal Shit (When it's not worth starting a thread)

[GP]

I laughed at everything he said because he's clearly a moron.

[IBK]

I laughed at everything he said because he's clearly a moron.

Disagree. Delivery was comical, but essentially I can't see much wrong with his points.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Because like most people he shows no understanding of the finances of the modern game, he reads these media reports about how much money we have to spend. Failing to understand just how much we as a club spend on players through the wage bill which is far more relevant than transfer fees, we have the third highest wage bill in the league and I don't think we are in a position to spend until we get the dross off the wage bill which is nigh on impossible. Now I don't know if Wenger is responsible for wage negotiations (no other manager in the league is) but he cannot spend money on wages that the club doesn't have to spend on new players. The blame on Wenger is spending unwisely rather than not spending, that plus the failure of Ivan Gazidis to bring in revenue through marketing

[Kano]

Because like most people he shows no understanding of the finances of the modern game, he reads these media reports about how much money we have to spend. Failing to understand just how much we as a club spend on players through the wage bill which is far more relevant than transfer fees, we have the third highest wage bill in the league and I don't think we are in a position to spend until we get the dross off the wage bill which is nigh on impossible. Now I don't know if Wenger is responsible for wage negotiations (no other manager in the league is) but he cannot spend money on wages that the club doesn't have to spend on new players. The blame on Wenger is spending unwisely rather than not spending, that plus the failure of Ivan Gazidis to bring in revenue through marketing
he doesn't have to rely on newspaper reports, just listen to our ceo whilst he sits next to the manager at our AGM's.

you are right about wages, as people rarely bundle in the cost along with the transfer fee which takes away from whatever grand total is available. dick law does all the transfer dealings from texas (unbelieveable i know).

spending won't turn around our fortunes under wenger - he will find a way to mismanage the squad over the course a season now, because he is too set in his ways and those methods are behind the times now.

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX5vpIok0j0

All the goals ... :cloud9: . Man wish we still had him :(

[GP]

wearethenorthbank ‏@northbanklower
Wenger has banned The Sun from London Colney.

:bow:

[Ollie the Optimist]

wearethenorthbank ‏@northbanklower
Wenger has banned The Sun from London Colney.

:bow:

Fucking brilliant.

Wenger :bow:

[Xhaka Can’t]

wearethenorthbank ‏@northbanklower
Wenger has banned The Sun from London Colney.

:bow:

Fantastic if true.

[PGFC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX5vpIok0j0

All the goals ... :cloud9: . Man wish we still had him :(

:crying:

[Cripps_orig]

Good player

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Henry :bow::bow::bow:


What I'd give to have a player with half his talent on our books at the moment.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIqErHr86w

Remember when we used to score great goals like this. :crying::crying:

[Cripps_orig]

That assist was one none of our current players can give and that is what is missing

[Munchies]

I still remember that Edu goal in that game, we've only won once at SB since that game right ?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Twice. 1-2 (2008/2009) and 3-5 (2011/2012).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arteta was on The Fantasy Football Club doing his One2Eleven.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/8518752/Mikel-Arteta-talks-Merse-and-Fenners-through-his-One2Eleven


Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has played with some great players during his career - but who does he rate as the best?

The Spaniard has played for the likes of Barcelona, Paris St Germain, Rangers, Real Sociedad and Everton before joining the Gunners. See if you agree with his ultimate XI, picked from the players he's played alongside!

GOALKEEPER - Lionel Letizi: He was a French goalkeeper who played for Paris St Germain and was brilliant. Ahead of him, I'm going to play 4-3-3.

RIGHT-BACK - Bacary Sagna: He's a great right-back. Very strong and good going forward. He's one of the best guys you can imagine, a really nice guy. I know he loves Arsenal and loves living in London so hopefully we can keep him for a few more years.

LEFT-BACK - Leighton Baines: I think he's been sensational in the last five or six years and it's difficult to find a left-back who makes the difference like he does. In the first season, he hardly played at all because Joleon Lescott was playing really well for Everton. After that season, he got the confidence back and since then he's been top drawer.

CENTRE-BACK - Mauricio Pochettino: He is the coach of Southampton now and he played with me when I was in Paris as well. He was a great player, a great leader. He was 30 or 31 when I was there and I was 18, and he really looked after me so he's going to be one of them. You could see he was going to be a manager because his knowledge of the game was really good and he's got a big personality and character. I think he's going to do well with them. He will be my captain.

CENTRE-BACK - Gabriel Heinze: I'm going for another Argentinian and a very good friend of mine, who played for Manchester United. I think they were a good couple with big tackles. Elbows always. He was quite dirty but very competitive and a winner.

MIDFIELD - Xavi: I'm going to put three in midfield and Xavi has to be one of them. When I played with him in Barcelona he was unbelievable. He still is, for me. He's one of my favourite players because he's very consistent and I've never seen him have a bad game.

MIDFIELD - Ronaldinho: I played with him in Paris and for me, he's the most talented player I've ever played with. He was 19 when he came there and he was absolutely amazing. A very tricky player - a fantasy football player. After that, he was probably the best player in the world for three or four years in a row.

MIDFIELD - Jay Jay Okocha: Again, a very talented, creative player and a really nice guy as well. I will go for a creative midfield!

RIGHT WING - Claudio Caniggia: I will go for another Argentinian in Caniggia, who I played with at Rangers. He used to play with Diego Maradona. He was a very, very good player and still very quick even though he was 35 or 36 at Rangers. You could see that he still had a special thing that not many players have.

STRIKER - Nicolas Anelka: I think he was really quick and powerful. Just a great player.

LEFT-WING - Steven Pienaar: This was my biggest doubt. He's not a left winger but he works really hard and he plays so well with Baines. I'm going to name him because that pairing has been terrific for Everton the last few years and hopefully can continue for a few more.

MANAGER: I'll take one I had in the academy. He was my first manager in Barcelona and was the one who coached into me the most important things. He was the most important manager of my career.


RVP. :lol:

Merse wasn't happy Wilshere hadn't been included. Not sure why tbh.

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab4-24Cd9lY

[Globalgunner]

That could have been me, except i`m a tad bit slimmer.

A man who has reached the end of his tether. Slowly a consensus is building. Wumger out!

[Thierrymon]

wearethenorthbank ‏@northbanklower
Wenger has banned The Sun from London Colney.

:bow:

Wenger would fit right in on RAWK.

[Kano]

off all the cu.nts to get done by

http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/10483.jpg

[Syn]

Hasn't got the verified tick to confirm his identity so it might not be him. Although the thought of anyone actually going through the trouble to pretend to be Silvestre is a bit fucked up.

[Munchies]

My friend just mentioned that we've scored more goals than the invincibles did at the same stage in the EPL season, conceded a shit load more though I'm guessing :good:

[GP]

We conceded 26 that season.

30 so far this season.

Which, incidentally, is the 2nd best in the league.

[GP]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/club-announces-latest-financial-results

[Marc Overmars]

Profit through player sales. :faint:

[Letters]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/club-announces-latest-financial-results

"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the Club strength and independence." - Peter Hill-Wood

:lol:

:doh:

That would make some 'king sense if we WERE competing at the top of the game.

****s

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Darren ‏@DarrenArsenal1

Arsenal £155m wage bill - MUFC £162m wage bill - Arsene "we have a socialist wage structure" proves rewarding of poor players



Absolutely scandalous if true.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

which goes to show, they have how many 200k a week players? 2/3? we can theoretically have the same if we cut out a small percentage of the crap wenger bought in and used it to invest in top players instead.

[Grebbo]

Darren ‏@DarrenArsenal1

Arsenal £155m wage bill - MUFC £162m wage bill - Arsene "we have a socialist wage structure" proves rewarding of poor players



Absolutely scandalous if true.

Of course those wage quotes are not true but we still pay too much dross too much money.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Well on the plus side Arshavin (80 k) , Squillachi (50 k), Denilson (55 k), Diaby (60 k ........ yes I know), Bendtner (52 k) and a few other turd munchers will finally be of the books at the end of the season I hope.


However Jack, Ox, Theo and a few other youngsters have had contract renewals so I'm not certain whether it'll actually decrease much overall. Still completely unacceptable - for all our bravado about making transfer profits every season people always overlook our excessive wage structure. Spurs I believe are much lower in this regards yet still are managing to compete with us comfortably on the pitch.

[fakeyank]

Well on the plus side Arshavin (80 k) , Squillachi (50 k), Denilson (55 k), Diaby (60 k ........ yes I know), Bendtner (52 k) and a few other turd munchers will finally be of the books at the end of the season I hope.


However Jack, Ox, Theo and a few other youngsters have had contract renewals so I'm not certain whether it'll actually decrease much overall. Still completely unacceptable - for all our bravado about making transfer profits every season people always overlook our excessive wage structure. Spurs I believe are much lower in this regards yet still are managing to compete with us comfortably on the pitch.

Is Denilshit, Diaby and Bendy in the last year of their contracts? Please let it be true :pray:

[Marc Overmars]

We've wasted a fortune on wages, or more specifically Wenget has not managed to get the best out of a large crop of players who are now subsequently running down their contracts without even having to play for us. That is terrible management from the suits at the top right down to Wenget.

[IBK]

We've wasted a fortune on wages, or more specifically Wenget has not managed to get the best out of a large crop of players who are now subsequently running down their contracts without even having to play for us. That is terrible management from the suits at the top right down to Wenget.

Well said.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Is Denilshit, Diaby and Bendy in the last year of their contracts? Please let it be true :pray:

On reflection, Diaby signed a long term contract in 2010, so he may actually have to stick around. Likewise Bendtner still has a deal till 2014.

Arshavin, Squillachi and Denilson are definitely gone at the end of the season unless Wenger decides to have rush of blood to the head and decides to keep them .... which given some of his current decisions may not be surprising.

In any case I'm more hoping that a combination of Wenger and the club applying pressure and each player having some desire to join another club where they may actually be wanted rather than being perpetually loaned out, forces all of them out of the door come the end of the season. Though who'd be willing to take Bendy of our hands with his 52K a week wages still remains to be seen.


Hopefully Chamakh, Fabianski, Djourou, Park, Gervinho, Park & Santos join them but I'm probably hoping for too much there. It sickens me thinking about the amount of wages we're wasting on this shower of shite who are not only awful, but aren't at the very least contributing anything to the team. We could have signed three Van Persie players on their combined wages.

[Marc Overmars]

That's the thing, I wouldn't have a problem giving these squad players a reasonably big wage if they were proving to be of use now and then, but the fact we have so many who don't even play (or are out on loan) is such a waste and it really does call into question Wenget's eye for talent, something he's supposed to be famed for.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

who's contract is up in the summer exactly? squillaci, denilson, bendtner and arshavin? and chamakh the following year?

[Power n Glory]

It's a serious waste of money and it's never made any sense to me. If the likes of Stan and Gazidis are denying Wenger funds then why have they allowed the wage bill to rocket? Shouldn't we be cutting it down and operating on a shoestring budget?

[Niall_Quinn]

"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe ( :haha: ) is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the Club strength and independence. Our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal proud of the Club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through the way we do things and that will remain our constant guide."

To which I say - ****!

[-Xs-]

Burns: "Look at them, Smithers, enjoying their embezzlement.."

Smithers: "I have a much uglier word for it sir, *dramatic close up* Misappropriation!"

[IBK]

"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe ( :haha: ) is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the Club strength and independence. Our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal proud of the Club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through the way we do things and that will remain our constant guide."

To which I say - ****!

It gets more laughable by the day. Truth is we're not even that well run a club any more. The likes of Swansea are the shining example. Not us. And my fear is that with prolonged lack of silverware, commercial sponsorship and new fans in emerging markets will start drifting away as well.

[Fist of Lehmann]

It gets more laughable by the day. Truth is we're not even that well run a club any more. The likes of Swansea are the shining example. Not us. And my fear is that with prolonged lack of silverware, commercial sponsorship and new fans in emerging markets will start drifting away as well.

Not well run? The 6 month balance sheet looks to be in good health, the CEO is being awarded huge bonuses based, we assume, on profitability.

I'd say we were an extremely well run business.

[SayNoMore]

I think your forgetting we are a football club, not Walmart. A manager who cant motivate his team anymore and had been in decline for the last 5 years. A team with no morale and more importantly no high prices assets to sell, and a board who are intent on bleeding the club dry at the expense of the clubs sporting ambition. I dont see how this is a well run club, our profits are through charging the highest ticket prices and selling our best players each year it would be extremely hard to NOT have a healthy balance sheet.

[IBK]

Not well run? The 6 month balance sheet looks to be in good health, the CEO is being awarded huge bonuses based, we assume, on profitability.

I'd say we were an extremely well run business.

I disagree. Well run businesses build on success rather than trade on past glories. The no. 1 purpose of a football club is to achieve on the pitch. We have forgotten this.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Arsenal Financial Club :bow:

[Fist of Lehmann]

I think your forgetting we are a football club, not Walmart. A manager who cant motivate his team anymore and had been in decline for the last 5 years. A team with no morale and more importantly no high prices assets to sell, and a board who are intent on bleeding the club dry at the expense of the clubs sporting ambition. I dont see how this is a well run club, our profits are through charging the highest ticket prices and selling our best players each year it would be extremely hard to NOT have a healthy balance sheet.

I apologise if the irony wasn't ironic enough.

Do you really think any that any paying supporter, myself or otherwise, has forgotten what we are supposed to be about?

[Grebbo]

Podolski10
Another productive training session today, just at home studying our next opponent

Watch Bale, switch off tv and pray.

[Maestro]

Watch Bale, switch off tv and pray.

Watch Bale, switch off tv and repeat to yourself "Kill Bale" every half hour till kick off

[Kano]

Watch Bale, switch off tv and repeat to yourself "Kill Bale" every half hour till kick off
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1695/f390d7dd214103963d2.jpg

[GP]

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/59756_10151328734963316_849459780_n.jpg

[Injury Time]

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/59756_10151328734963316_849459780_n.jpg
:bow:

[Globalgunner]

Dennis the menace......Ahh those were the days. Bet he could still do a job for us even now. Brings me to tears to think of what we had and what we have to toil with nowadays.

If I had 1 pill of eternal youth and could give it to any player. It would be a tough choice between Dennis and Wrighty. I`d probably give it to Wrighty, he was so damm Arsenal. If he had come to us 3 seasons earlier he would have racked up at least 300 goals. A fkn goal machime

[Munchies]

Pires doing a media tour for Arsenal in the far-east to advertise the summer friendlies: (http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/robert-pires-in-jakarta)
http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/696x392/mar_13/gun__1362144393_pires_jakarta.jpg

--
Surely we could use him to help us out on the pitch instead of employing him for this.

[Ralpheroo72]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8533168

This

[RomfordPele]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8533168

This

That's right woodchuck-chuckers...

[Cripps_orig]

Wtf? So he's using the current European champs and a team that has won many trophies recently as a reason not to spend?

He is embarrassing

[fakeyank]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8533168

This

Wenger has become a joke thats not funny anymore! Cant leave soon enough!

[PGFC]

Juventus striker Nicklas Bendtner was arrested on Saturday night for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The 25-year-old Dane, on loan from Arsenal, took to Twitter, saying: "I am very sorry to all my friends and fans. It's not OK to drink and drive, I take full responsibility."

C***.

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJtCCpRSfw

[Grebbo]

Everyone gives it large when surrounded by police - take them away any they're quiet as a mouse. Pretty gay tbh.

[Cripps_orig]

Bendtner banned by Denmark for 6 months cos of the drink driving

What an absolute waste of space

[kas]

Not one of all of Wengers dross out on loan is doing any good. In fact the one player we managed to move out (Vela) is having a wow of a season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Campbell is tbf, had a good game in a ridiculous match against Real Sociedad last night (which incidentally Vela scored in too).

That match ended 3-3.

[Özim]

Not one of all of Wengers dross out on loan is doing any good. In fact the one player we managed to move out (Vela) is having a wow of a season.
Yes he's finally out of the clutches of Wenger and his clueless ways! Was always a very talented player it's just that the manager played him out of position 99% of the time and never offered him the experience around him or coaching he needed.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Yes he's finally out of the clutches of Wenger and his clueless ways! Was always a very talented player it's just that the manager played him out of position 99% of the time and never offered him the experience around him or coaching he needed.

so talented that under martin oneil at sunderland he set the world alight followed by a massive move to juvenetus where he even got close to breaking messi's record under their manager

[Cripps_orig]

so talented that under martin oneil at sunderland he set the world alight followed by a massive move to juvenetus where he even got close to breaking messi's record under their manager

Vela never played for Sunderland or Juve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ollie. :doh:

[Özil's Panoramic View]

:haha:

[Özim]

Vela never played for Sunderland or Juve.
:lol:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

:haha:

[Cripps_orig]

What Messi record btw?

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNG-5P7LPJE

Agree with almost every point he makes

[topgun]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNG-5P7LPJE

Agree with almost every point he makes

Likewise,except the part where he say's let's see what Wenger does in the summer,I dont think he is going to be around for the long term anyway,so it would be a good time to get someone new in and give them the money to reorganise the team and put there own stamp on it.If he is given a large transfer kitty in the summer all we are going to get is more of the same and I dont think anyone wants that,it is not going to improve him as a tactician and we all know about his blind spot when it comes to defending,so can someone please explain to me what is the point of giving him our transfer kitty,he has been great for our club but it has reached a point where its time to move on for both him and the club.:oldboy:

[Özim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNG-5P7LPJE

Agree with almost every point he makes
Yeah agree with everything, especially the bit about the Gooner Harlem shake.

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah agree with everything, especially the bit about the Gooner Harlem shake.

Don't agree with "Yeah, well done to spurs..." - at all! The rest isn't rocket science though, everyone knows it except Wenger.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal are to become the first Premier League club to play in Vietnam after the north London club announced they will play a pre-season friendly against the Vietnamese national side in Hanoi in July.
Full story: Daily Mail


Vietnamese :pal:

[Kano]

http://www.nextgenseries.com/Watching-NextGen

biggest game of the season.

[Niall_Quinn]

Anyone see that Gazidis...

the C U N T

... is on a £5mill payout if his contract is terminated for any reason and regardless of whether the...

USELESS C U N T

...performs or not?

[PGFC]

http://www.nextgenseries.com/Watching-NextGen

biggest game of the season.

Great pitch.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

http://news.arseblog.com/2013/03/wenger-im-worried-about-our-mental-state/

"Contrary to our two cup defeats we are on a good run in the Premier League....yadda yadda yadda...blah blah blah..."

:ilt:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Anyone see that Gazidis...

the C U N T

... is on a £5mill payout if his contract is terminated for any reason and regardless of whether the...

USELESS C U N T

...performs or not?

Hmmm, I might be reading between the lines here, but it seems to me that you think Gazidis is a bit of a ****.

[Niall_Quinn]

Hmmm, I might be reading between the lines here, but it seems to me that you think Gazidis is a bit of a ****.

Stop trying to put words in my mouth.

[Kano]

all part of kroenke's brand promotion? (watch with sound)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPaOqDEiFs

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Weird

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Anyone know when the next Tuesday Club will be out? Eager to hear their take on the Spurs defeat.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

yeah probably on tuesday mate

[fakeyank]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4828395/Thomas-Vermaelen-and-Daniel-Agger-top-Barcelonas-wish-list.html

Smells like BS but please let this be true!! :pray:

[Niall_Quinn]

A bid of £15 would test our resolve, never mind £15mill. They'd take the whole arm at that price. Would e interesting to see what happened if he went to Barca, if he'd turn into a world eater overnight.

[Munchies]

Haha, yeah Vermaelen can sod off , its clear to see that he doesn't want to be here anymore and he's not that good either.

Swansea defender being tracked by Gunners as Wenger looks set to ditch Vermaelen and Mertesacker
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2289317/Arsene-Wenger-plans-ditch-Thomas-Vermaelen-Per-Mertesacker-Ashley-Williams-potential-replacement.html#ixzz2Mqg2mb2U

"Marseille’s Nicolas N’Koulou, Atletico Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta, Real Madrid’s Raul Albiol and Swansea’s Ashley Williams are among possible signings.

He has considered scrapping the club’s back-four system in favour of a back five, with three centre halves and two wing backs — as Sportsmail revealed in November."

--
Can't sort out the defence ? Put another player there :pal:

[Özim]

Back 5? No thanks just buy some decent defenders that can play in a back 4, wing backs are sh*t at getting forward and crossing so what's the point in playing a back 5 and restricting your attacking threat.

[Marc Overmars]

Wouldn't mind Williams or that nutter from Bilbao.

It's all a bit redundant though if we don't bring in a new defensive ethos.

[Kano]

just fuck off vermaelen you shit little bitchcünt.

[Letters]

Back 5? No thanks just buy some decent defenders that can play in a back 4, wing backs are sh*t at getting forward and crossing so what's the point in playing a back 5 and restricting your attacking threat.
We have decent players they're just not coached and drilled as a unit.
I said this before - our 'famous back 5' (I'm including Seaman) had a couple of players (Bould and Winterburn) who struggled to get into the England side (they got 2 caps each). BUT, they were drilled well as a unit.

[Özim]

I personally don't think our players are good enough, very error prone, never cover for each other, at some point defenders have to take responsibility they're all at least in their mid 20's (most in their later 20's) by now they should be able to do simple things, sure the coaching is poor but it doesn't explain the general poor play and constant mistakes....Mertersacker is slow and ponderous and gets caught out often enough, Vermaelen has no sense of position and Koscielny is an disaster waiting to happen with his error a game style (the keeper has become badly error prone as well).

The back 5 we had in those days, were disciplined, covered for each other and didn't make many errors, sure they were coached well but they were also far better defenders, Bould may not have played for England but his reading of the game and ability positional play was superb, Winterburn knew how to defend and also worked incredibly hard for the team.

To an extent coaching and the blend of players matters, but at the age they are now for me they have to take responsibility for their awful play as well. I've said it before, scrap the lot and start again and buy defenders who can tackle and have good positional awareness first and foremost and buy players that complement each other, speed, being good in the air, leadership, great tackling should all be qualities that are combined adequately to form a rounded defence.

[Letters]

There were only 2 top class players in the famous back 5 - Seaman was, IMO, right up there with the best goalkeepers of all time; Adams was a fantastic captain. The other 3 weren't anything special, they were just very well drilled. They were better defenders but only because Graham coached them until they could do it with their eyes closed, I don't buy they were necessarily better players . I'm sure it was you that said that Wenger "doesn't believe in defence". Slightly over-stating things maybe, but he certainly doesn't want us to be a defensive side. I applaud that to an extent but there has to be some balance. I take the point about self-organisation but were that so what's the point of coaching? Players do need some guidance in how to play and be organised and our lot clearly aren't. The fact that Vermaelan is such a useless captain doesn't help - I thought he'd be OK but I got that wrong. Adams wouldn't let players get away with poor performances, Vermaelan not only permits it, he makes his fair share of stupid mistakes himself.

[LDG]

Arguably Wenger's biggest failing IMVHO.

He is not a tactician. He is the spotter of technically gifted footballers, but is reliant on the "mental strength" and "intellegence" of said players in order for them to organise themselves.

With Wenget Mrk1 you had the old back line who took care of themselves and bedded that same spirit in with Vieira, and other mentally strong individuals.

With Wenget Mrk2 he bought a ready made warrior in Campbell to marshall the backline. But still with that added protection of Vieira.

Wenget Mrk3 saw us buy Gallas who didn't have "mental strength" and Vieira had gone.

Wenget Mrk4 sees him chucking technically good players at a system which has no regulation.

At no point, has he ever paid attention to getting it right at the back. He was just lucky that his earlier teams had the spine, teaching and intellegence to do it.

[Marc Overmars]

The modern game dictates you should have technically adept defenders but what Wenget has done is give them a free reign to express themselves, which is just plain wrong given there doesn't appear to be much of a defensive ethos to begin with.

[Letters]

Aye. Wenger's never been a great motivator or tactician, his success came when we had better sides than anyone else - you don't need to be a great tactician when you've got players like Henry, Bergkamp and the rest. They'll smash most sides regardless. And you don't need to be a great motivator when you've got Adams and then Vieira to do it for you.

[LDG]

Yup :(

We're also suffering little bit, for that period where no experience was bought in to supplement the burgeoning talent of our younger players.

We lost the continuity of experience and winning mentality.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our defenders evidently aren't very smart full stop. Even if the coach is hindering rather than helping with his fucked up tactics and formations you'd think professional footballers would be able to apply a bit of sense on the pitch. Our three look like they are incapable of injecting a bit of common sense into the proceedings. When they see they are getting caught time and again they just keep playing it the same way until things break. Either they are as thick as planks or Wenger is so ruthless with his fucked up instructions they have no choice. And if they are given the option to express themselves, why don't they do it by defending properly? Why the need to suddenly dream of becoming midfield, wing or striking maestros? Just kick the fucking thing away, head it away, cover each other, talk, learn, adapt. They don't do it. Silly bastards.

[Marc Overmars]

Yup :(

We're also suffering little bit, for that period where no experience was bought in to supplement the burgeoning talent of our younger players.

We lost the continuity of experience and winning mentality.

The culture at the club has totally changed. A team full of dullards who don't want to take responsibility and a manager who prides himself on achieving the bare minimum to save face. I can accept not winning things but when you start to feel like there's no hope of improvement, that's when you know things need to change.

[LDG]

In other news, the Emirates Cup is back this year :dance:

[Letters]

In other news, the Emirates Cup is back this year :dance:
That's going to be packed to the rafters


:tumbleweed:

[Power n Glory]

Boycott that shit!

[GP]

The Green Day gig will arguably be the best performance seen at the Emirates.

[GP]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27453474@N02/8536232883/

:haha:

[Özim]

In other news, the Emirates Cup is back this year :dance:
Great news, we can't pick up a major trophy early on in the season, I don't know what everyone is complaining about to be honest.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Wouldn't mind Williams or that nutter from Bilbao.

It's all a bit redundant though if we don't bring in a new defensive ethos.


We have decent players they're just not coached and drilled as a unit.
I said this before - our 'famous back 5' (I'm including Seaman) had a couple of players (Bould and Winterburn) who struggled to get into the England side (they got 2 caps each). BUT, they were drilled well as a unit.

Spot on. We can speculate on these names but I doubt it's going to make a blind bit of difference.


Our defenders evidently aren't very smart full stop. Even if the coach is hindering rather than helping with his fucked up tactics and formations you'd think professional footballers would be able to apply a bit of sense on the pitch. Our three look like they are incapable of injecting a bit of common sense into the proceedings. When they see they are getting caught time and again they just keep playing it the same way until things break. Either they are as thick as planks or Wenger is so ruthless with his fucked up instructions they have no choice. And if they are given the option to express themselves, why don't they do it by defending properly? Why the need to suddenly dream of becoming midfield, wing or striking maestros? Just kick the fucking thing away, head it away, cover each other, talk, learn, adapt. They don't do it. Silly bastards.

I don't think so. Mertersacker looked really good for Breman and for Germany before arriving here. Likewise Vermelean looked really good in his debut season here, playing alongside Gallas. I don't think it's a question of intelligence when it comes to our defence, it's a lack of coaching and drilling. As someone commented on in the match thread, they each seemed to be playing for themselves rather than as a cohesive unit like Adam's back four.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/27453474@N02/8536232883/

:haha:

:lol:

[fakeyank]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8545809/Manchester-City-reluctant-to-discuss-Kolo-Toure-s-future-at-the-club

I can see this happening. Dont think it will be a bad deal if we can get a defensive coach in.

[Munchies]

Just saw this image again, Eboue :bow:

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/eboue2.gif

[Maestro]

The look on Stan's face in the video link is priceless. That's what we're up against lads, a capitalist extrimist.

Someone do the right thing & sticky uppy that pic somewhere

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4828395/Thomas-Vermaelen-and-Daniel-Agger-top-Barcelonas-wish-list.html

[Munchies]

Hate that fucking knob

[Özim]

Spot on. We can speculate on these names but I doubt it's going to make a blind bit of difference.



I don't think so. Mertersacker looked really good for Breman and for Germany before arriving here. Likewise Vermelean looked really good in his debut season here, playing alongside Gallas. I don't think it's a question of intelligence when it comes to our defence, it's a lack of coaching and drilling. As someone commented on in the match thread, they each seemed to be playing for themselves rather than as a cohesive unit like Adam's back four.



:lol:
Mertersacker wasn't all that good for Bremen to be honest, they were happy enough to sell him on, he had half a decent season for them but wasn't so good for most of the rest of the time.

Vermaelen had half a season where he galavanted forward and got onside with the fans by scoring a few goals, other than that he's been hopeless.

They're both average players, throw in Koscielny the calamity and you start to realise our defensive players would be better suited working in a circus.

If we want a decent defence we need to scrap these clowns and bring in some quality players who know how to defend and have the attributes to make a good backline.

[Munchies]

Might end up going to a emirates cup game this summer, if the tickets are over-priced though , they can fuck off

[Cripps_orig]

Emirates Cup tickets are usually cheap

[Munchies]

Oh it's been 3 years since I last went to it, missed the 2011 one and it wasn't held in 2012.

I think PSG will be in it again, Fly Emirates and everything, other 3 not sure.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Depends on who's competing. If it's some reasonably quality teams it might be worth a trip.




Plus it'd be nice to see our new signing in action. I'm talking about Falcao of course.

[GP]

Nah, we'll keep Falcao under wraps, only bringing him out when needs be, like Sir Killalot on Robot Wars.

[fakeyank]

Depends on who's competing. If it's some reasonably quality teams it might be worth a trip.




Plus it'd be nice to see our new signing in action. I'm talking about Diaby of course.

We sign this guy every season :cloud9:

[Letters]

Mertersacker wasn't all that good for Bremen to be honest, they were happy enough to sell him on, he had half a decent season for them but wasn't so good for most of the rest of the time.

Any basis for that? Do you watch the German league avidly? He played for them for 5 years and was first choice throughout so Bremen obviously didn't feel he was playing poorly. Dduring that time Bremen were one of the better sides in the German league, they were in the top 3 several times, won a few cups and were in the UEFA Cup final. He has 83 caps for Germany who have been a pretty decent International side of late. He is arguably too slow for the PL but clearly not an average player.

Bould and Dixon were average players. Dixon's clubs before Arsenal were Burnley, Chester, Bury, Stoke (who weren't then a PL club), he was 24 when we bought him so not some kid with potential. Bould was 26 when we bought him and his previous club was also Stoke (he had spend some time on loan at the mighty Torquay). Neither got into the England team (2 caps each). Hardly world class talent. BUT, they were well coached and drilled as a defence.

[LDG]

Any basis for that? Do you watch the German league avidly? He played for them for 5 years and was first choice throughout so Bremen obviously didn't feel he was playing poorly. Dduring that time Bremen were one of the better sides in the German league, they were in the top 3 several times, won a few cups and were in the UEFA Cup final. He has 83 caps for Germany who have been a pretty decent International side of late. He is arguably too slow for the PL but clearly not an average player.

Bould and Dixon were average players. Dixon's clubs before Arsenal were Burnley, Chester, Bury, Stoke (who weren't then a PL club), he was 24 when we bought him so not some kid with potential. Bould was 26 when we bought him and his previous club was also Stoke (he had spend some time on loan at the mighty Torquay). Neither got into the England team (2 caps each). Hardly world class talent. BUT, they were well coached and drilled as a defence.

How dare you come on here with such good evidence for your argument :sulk:

[Cripps_orig]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4832031/Arsenal-fan-in-embarrassing-rap-attack-on-Gareth-Bale.html

Ollie :bow:

[fakeyank]

:haha:

[Munchies]

Hahaha, he thinks we won at the San Siro last year :bow:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Hahaha, he thinks we won at the San Siro last year :bow:

I think he means 'next year'.

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKm85q3t6bQ

We should get Neville as a defensive coach :yawn:

[Cripps_orig]

Can't see him taking a step down tbh

Anyway just read that we have a buy back clause inserted in Velas contract when we sold him. Apparently he's done well this season and he's better than Giroud. Cheeky bid? Clause is only £4m as well

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Only buy back clause I'd like to hear of is that of Cesc.

All others, whether sold or on loan can stay put, tbh.

[Cripps_orig]

Fuck Cesc. He's a ****

[Munchies]

Vela had plenty of promise in La Liga before he came to us, and is having it again, but for me the EPL is going to be difficult for him.

What about Flamini ? :ilt: , think his legs are gone now

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Not all ****s are bad.

[Özim]

Any basis for that? Do you watch the German league avidly? He played for them for 5 years and was first choice throughout so Bremen obviously didn't feel he was playing poorly. Dduring that time Bremen were one of the better sides in the German league, they were in the top 3 several times, won a few cups and were in the UEFA Cup final. He has 83 caps for Germany who have been a pretty decent International side of late. He is arguably too slow for the PL but clearly not an average player.

Bould and Dixon were average players. Dixon's clubs before Arsenal were Burnley, Chester, Bury, Stoke (who weren't then a PL club), he was 24 when we bought him so not some kid with potential. Bould was 26 when we bought him and his previous club was also Stoke (he had spend some time on loan at the mighty Torquay). Neither got into the England team (2 caps each). Hardly world class talent. BUT, they were well coached and drilled as a defence.
IMO and many pundits he was an average defender, Hansen and co pointed out how awful he was in the World Cup in 2006 when they highlighted the CB partnership as the weak point of the defence, as for Bremen he'd had an awful season and they were all too happy to sell him on for peanuts....he's slow, ponderous, not great in the air and doesn't cover for his teammates either.

So yeah he's shit and we should have never signed him, I never wanted us to, we did and this is the result probably the worst defence we've ever had and that's saying something as we've had some pretty awful defences under Wenger.

Bould was no average players sorry, he was a very very good CB, Dixon was one of the top full backs in the country, his defensive work was superb....he may not have been the flashiest but he was rock solid in defence and was in the England reckoning for years.


Bould vs Mertersacker, no competition one knew how to defend and was very underrated, the other is an overrated barge.

[Cripps_orig]

:blink:

Mertesacker was excellent at the 2006 World Cup.

[Letters]

:blink:

Mertesacker was excellent at the 2006 World Cup.
ZimmWUM...

[Özim]

ZimmWUM...
Wrong again, he was sh*t I remember how vulnerable Germany's defence looked, as I said Hansen and co made a point of it. Germany did well but it wasn't down to their CB partnership that's for sure.

Anyhow I don't even need to refer to that, just look at the state of our defence which he happens to be a big part of, he's as guilty as anyone else with regards errors, no coaching is going to make that shower of sh*t defence solid...scrap them and start again.

[Kano]

didn't alan hansen call the german team 'average' a couple of years ago

then at the last euros predicted his top four of Spain, Germany,Netherlands and Portugal - despite the last three of those being in the same group :lol:

[Xhaka Can’t]

You. 'but we don't know a lot about them'.

[Özim]

didn't alan hansen call the german team 'average' a couple of years ago

then at the last euros predicted his top four of Spain, Germany,Netherlands and Portugal - despite the last three of those being in the same group :lol:
Lawrenson was there too, besides we're talking about defenders here, not teams and he was a top defender after all so he should know.

[Kano]

Lawrenson was there too, besides we're talking about defenders here, not teams and he was a top defender after all so he should know.
alan shearer is the prem leagues top scorer. ever. shocking pundit.

hansen says 'pace, power, precision' every week and think that equals analysis.

he is no cornerstone for any argument. well, apart a prime example of how bad motd pundits are.

[Özim]

alan shearer is the prem leagues top scorer. ever. shocking pundit.

hansen says 'pace, power, precision' every week and think that equals analysis.

he is no cornerstone for any argument. well, apart a prime example of how bad motd pundits are.
Again though, we're talking about defending, something he knows inside out after all that's what he did for a living for many years and did very well. It would be like asking Shearer about being a striker, he'd know what it takes.

[Kano]

i'm sure they do. but they can't articulate it.

[Xhaka Can’t]

i'm sure they do. but they can't articulate it.

Nonsense.

They just can't find the words to express the message they are trying to convey.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

"@GoonerTalk: Giroud: "I like to play against German teams because they are attacking all the time. There I get myself more possibilities to score.""

:haha:

Go to hell you useless bastard.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/features/arsenal-mikel-arteta-interview-beating-1757059

Arteta interview.

Bits of the interview I almost puked as I swore it was Wenger being interviewed a la:


.....Arteta claims Arsenal can show their never-say-die spirit....

....And just as important, Arteta is convinced the Gunners are not far away from a new era of success.....

[GP]

What else do you expect him to say?

[Niall_Quinn]

....And just as important, Arteta is convinced the Gunners are not far away from a new era of success.....

He's right, WHL is just up the road, hardly any distance at all.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/features/arsenal-mikel-arteta-interview-beating-1757059

Arteta interview.

Bits of the interview I almost puked as I swore it was Wenger being interviewed a la:


.....Arteta claims Arsenal can show their never-say-die spirit....

....And just as important, Arteta is convinced the Gunners are not far away from a new era of success.....

You've picked out two parts that aren't quotes of his and he doesn't say anything like what is suggested.

It's John Cross you should be criticising, not Arteta.

[Power n Glory]

There’s only a few trophies: after the championship, the FA Cup, the Champions League. There are so many clubs, so much competition, it’s tough.

We can’t be in that position, because we have the best basic structure I’ve ever seen at a football club, great philosophy, good players, we’ve got financial backing to do whatever we want, unbelievable crowds for the stadium.

But with 10 games to go it’s an impossible catch and that, for me, is not acceptable

That's a bit more accurate and its fair.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

http://goonertalk.com/2013/03/12/grimandi-young-forwards-are-easier-to-scout/

Time for a overhaul/freshening up of our scouts? :shrug:

[fakeyank]

Good piece in the NYtimes.. nothing that we didnt know but either way, its good to see that there is a growing legion of fans disillusioned by the manager:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/sports/soccer/in-england-wenger-and-arsenal-have-lapsed-into-mediocrity.html?_r=0

[LDG]

Good piece in the NYtimes.. nothing that we didnt know but either way, its good to see that there is a growing legion of fans disillusioned by the manager:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/sports/soccer/in-england-wenger-and-arsenal-have-lapsed-into-mediocrity.html?_r=0

No, it's not good to see a growing legion of fans disillusioned.

[Niall_Quinn]

Good piece in the NYtimes.. nothing that we didnt know but either way, its good to see that there is a growing legion of fans disillusioned by the manager:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/sports/soccer/in-england-wenger-and-arsenal-have-lapsed-into-mediocrity.html?_r=0

No mention of Kroenke, Mr Mediocrity himself.

[fakeyank]

No, it's not good to see a growing legion of fans disillusioned.

Under our situation, may be it is.. It's always darkest before the dawn

[Injury Time]

Under our situation, may be it is.. It's always darkest before the dawn

Racist :sulk:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Good piece in the NYtimes.. nothing that we didnt know but either way, its good to see that there is a growing legion of fans disillusioned by the manager:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/sports/soccer/in-england-wenger-and-arsenal-have-lapsed-into-mediocrity.html?_r=0


The young talents Santi Cazorla

Stopped reading there.

[fakeyank]

28 is the new 20 :rolleyes:

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW4GsjKp3O8

[Munchies]

Wenger out :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEv3JZRlnS4

:rolleyes:

[Özim]

Pretty much spot on other than for Moyes (though he does say he'd have Mourinho but that's fantasy football).

[GP]

Wenger out :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEv3JZRlnS4

:rolleyes:

What a dumb arsehole. Hasn't got a clue what he's talking about.

[BOBN]

Removed from the swansea match thread for saying we play better without wilshere?

Get a grip corrupt mod. I feel sorry that you religiously worship a child half your age :pal:

[GP]

Shut up

[Joker]

Removed from the swansea match thread for saying we play better without wilshere?

Get a grip corrupt mod. I feel sorry that you religiously worship a child half your age :pal:

If that's the case it's out of order. What happened to freedom of speech?

[BOBN]

If that's the case it's out of order. What happened to freedom of speech?
Yes friend, this is what happens when you have unaccountable mods. Sheer corruption.

At manchester united, somebody with as poor productivity as wilshere is cleverly. shows how small this club is these days that this child is a god here. Jokes on the mods.

[Syn]

You should see how long childish 'I told you so' point-scoring, in pretty much every post, is tolerated at other places. From what I have seen, compared to a couple of other forums, this place has been completely ruined because of that. The mods are actually far, far too lenient.

[Marc Overmars]

BONBON is right. Wilshere is shit.

[BOBN]

You should see how long childish 'I told you so' point-scoring, in pretty much every post, is tolerated at other places. From what I have seen, compared to a couple of other forums, this place has been completely ruined because of that. The mods are actually far, far too lenient.
As long as its about the accepted scapegoats it's ok. Walcott, ramsey, gervinho, rosicky... you can repeat how lazy and useless they are for as long as you like. Say wenger is a retard to keep playing them.

But if you suggest we may play better without a non-scoring/non-assisting attacking midfielder? End of the world :violin:

It's favourite worship that kills places like this. Ain't people supposed to grow out of that after like 16? Lol? Let's judge based on facts friends.

[BOBN]

BONBON is right. Wilshere is shit.
Not shit, but I'm tired hearing how he "carries the team single-handedly". It's lies.

Oh and liverpools continho is younger and has more premier league goals that him this season and he joined last week :haha:

[Power n Glory]

As long as its about the accepted scapegoats it's ok. Walcott, ramsey, gervinho, rosicky... you can repeat how lazy and useless they are for as long as you like. Say wenger is a retard to keep playing them.

But if you suggest we may play better without a non-scoring/non-assisting attacking midfielder? End of the world :violin:

It's favourite worship that kills places like this. Ain't people supposed to grow out of that after like 16? Lol? Let's judge based on facts friends.

True about the 'agreed' scapegoats. He's not essential to the midfield but I don't think we're better or worse without him. The midfield still isn't ticking as well as it could and even when he's back I don't see it improving by a great deal.

[Xhaka Can’t]

What you are saying is not a problem.

Your posting style is a problem.

You can now post in the 'Reaction Thread'.

[Syn]

As long as its about the accepted scapegoats it's ok. Walcott, ramsey, gervinho, rosicky... you can repeat how lazy and useless they are for as long as you like. Say wenger is a retard to keep playing them.

But if you suggest we may play better without a non-scoring/non-assisting attacking midfielder? End of the world :violin:

It's favourite worship that kills places like this. Ain't people supposed to grow out of that after like 16? Lol? Let's judge based on facts friends.


You can think what you want. I think it's a pretty silly opinion but you're entitled to it. It's not just Arsenal fans, read other teams' forums and they'll tell you Wilshere is an excellent player. e.g. http://www.redcafe.net/f7/wilshere-bale-366494/ He is one of our best players, he has had a decent season on return from injury longer than Ramsey's, Eduardo's and Diaby's. You can try to shit on him if you like, no-one's going to listen though. And that's why you need to be aggressive about it to get the attention you crave.

I'm guessing you being banned from the thread has nothing to do with your opinion on Wilshere - that was a very minor part of your post. Pretty much every single one of your posts is a "I told you so", and that's what the mods probably thought was irritating. Even if people agree with your opinion you post stuff like this:


​Back when the "who should be the next captain?" thread was made way back when, 95% of you were rejoicing at the thought of it being vermalean. You dont have the right to jump down wengers throat...

If you're that proud of yourself that you feel the need to remind everyone with every post, I can only hope that it is a case that you're young and haven't grown out of it. A few months ago some were saying Theo's near enough as good as Bale. I don't keep banging on about it now that Bale's on fire and Theo's off form - it wouldn't even be sad..just weird.

[BOBN]

What you are saying is not a problem.

Your posting style is a problem.

You can now post in the 'Reaction Thread'.
Cheers but I dont buy the posting style thing. Sounds convinently vague.

I know its kind of embarrassing, but I think you need to accept that whoever did that got flustered like a little schoolgirl because little jack got criticised. Tell your mods to work on dealing with emotions. I like Walcott, I don't lash out whenever I see him getting it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Your last post in that thread talked about Vermaelen too though didn't it? I think you're overreaching.

[BOBN]

You can think what you want. I think it's a pretty silly opinion but you're entitled to it. It's not just Arsenal fans, read other teams' forums and they'll tell you Wilshere is an excellent player. e.g. http://www.redcafe.net/f7/wilshere-bale-366494/ He is one of our best players, he has had a decent season on return from injury longer than Ramsey's, Eduardo's and Diaby's. You can try to shit on him if you like, no-one's going to listen though. And that's why you need to be aggressive about it to get the attention you crave.

I'm guessing you being banned from the thread has nothing to do with your opinion on Wilshere - that was a very minor part of your post. Pretty much every single one of your posts is a "I told you so", and that's what the mods probably thought was irritating. Even if people agree with your opinion you post stuff like this:



If you're that proud of yourself that you feel the need to remind everyone with every post, I can only hope that it is a case that you're young and haven't grown out of it. A few months ago some were saying Theo's near enough as good as Bale. I don't keep banging on about it now that Bale's on fire and Theo's off form - it wouldn't even be sad..just weird.
I don't care about the wilshere part of your post. It is what it is. 0 prem goals this season for an attacking mid.

And that vermalean quote was sticking up for wenger. A man who has done a thousand times more for arsenal than vermalean and wilshere put together. what sort of person criticises a man for a decision they themselves would have and supported at the time? Just idiotic football fans I guess. A reasonable person wouldn't dare.

[Marc Overmars]

BONBON is the most original poster on GW.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BFj8Nh-CEAE1j9H.jpg

Holy fuck....

No wonder Sagan has gone dogshit on the pitch.

[Syn]

I don't care about the wilshere part of your post.

No why would you? The 99.9% are wrong.

And your previous comment to this


Its almost sad that vermalean has been well and truely found out. it was a guilty pleasure sticking it to him after every game where he'd invariably facked up. Now everybody accepts hes the biggest central defensive fraud in premier league history wheres the fun? But i'll never truely forgive wenger for making him captain

and lets see if we can get this straight:

-You're allowed to bang on about what a bad decision it was for Vermaelen to be made captain because you said so at the start.
- The fact that some people (and at the start of the season there were quite a few that thought Koscielny and Mertesacker were/are good defenders and that Vermaelen shouldn't be guaranteed a starting spot) thought that it was a good choice (mainly due to a lack of other options, mind. Who else is there?) means that even if they now think that it was a bad decision they can't say so. For a start you don't even know whether the poster supported the decision or not.

"but...but...only I'm allowed to criticise it!". And you're saying others are behaving like children?

[BOBN]

Your last post in that thread talked about Vermaelen too though didn't it? I think you're overreaching.
So? He's not still on the untouchables list is he? Haven't we all agreed he's shit now?

Just give me a list of the untouchable players then I'll know what I can and can't say beforehand. Bergkamp is one (cos I got banned for saying vieira was better than him even though Madrid were all over him but there was not a peep about bergkamp from spain). Wilshere...jenkinson maybe.... Any more?

[fakeyank]

So? He's not still on the untouchables list is he? Haven't we all agreed he's shit now?

Just give me a list of the untouchable players then I'll know what I can and can't say beforehand. Bergkamp is one (cos I got banned for saying vieira was better than him even though Madrid were all over him but there was not a peep about bergkamp from spain). Wilshere...jenkinson maybe.... Any more?

Gervinho

[Xhaka Can’t]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BFj8Nh-CEAE1j9H.jpg

Holy fuck....

No wonder Sagan has gone dogshit on the pitch.

We've re-signed Nasri!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So? He's not still on the untouchables list is he? Haven't we all agreed he's shit now?

Just give me a list of the untouchable players then I'll know what I can and can't say beforehand. Bergkamp is one (cos I got banned for saying vieira was better than him even though Madrid were all over him but there was not a peep about bergkamp from spain). Wilshere...jenkinson maybe.... Any more?

Well the tone of both talking about Vermaelen and Wilshere is consistent (you knowing it all), therefore it's quite likely that is why you were banned from it, not because you were talking about one particular player. It's telling you that coming in to a thread every match to self-aggrandise is just as tiring from you as it is from everyone else that might have done it before.

You can talk about whoever you like but just like everyone else in the history of this forum has had something done to them (a post deletion/thread deletion/thread banning etc) no matter what their views on Wilshere.

I can't remember you being banned from any other thread so it's hardly like you've been continually persecuted. Do people disagree with you? Well yeah of course they do, you already made up that 95% stat about Vermaelen so do you expect disagreements to you or don't you?

[Master Splinter]

BONBON is the most original poster on GW.

Disgusting how originality is stifled by corrupt mods.

Mr.Singh :rose:.

[Xhaka Can’t]

BOBN - maybe this isn't the place for you.

Try another Arsenal forum.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

We've re-signed Nasri!

:lol:

Now, that just plain alwful.

[BOBN]

Well the tone of both talking about Vermaelen and Wilshere is consistent (you knowing it all), therefore it's quite likely that is why you were banned from it, not because you were talking about one particular player. It's telling you that coming in to a thread every match to self-aggrandise is just as tiring from you as it is from everyone else that might have done it before.

You can talk about whoever you like but just like everyone else in the history of this forum has had something done to them (a post deletion/thread deletion/thread banning etc) no matter what their views on Wilshere.

I can't remember you being banned from any other thread so it's hardly like you've been continually persecuted. Do people disagree with you? Well yeah of course they do, you already made up that 95% stat about Vermaelen so do you expect disagreements to you or don't you?
I've got 300 odd posts in here since the 2011 move or whatever. One of the lowest post rates of active members. Cant be that relentless.

What's tiring is seeing the same faces plus wenger being blamed for every ill (but that's ok of course). Provocative phrases like "wage thief" can be used but thats ok. without those I'd have no motivation.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I've got 300 odd posts in here since the 2011 move or whatever. One of the lowest post rates of active members. Cant be that relentless.

What's tiring is seeing the same faces plus wenger being blamed for every ill (but that's ok of course). Provocative phrases like "wage thief" can be used but thats ok. without those I'd have no motivation.

Given you rarely come on to say anything else other than praise yourself, have a go at Jenkinson, Wilshere, Vermaelen or Bergkamp it's probably a large percentage.

Your second line: Loads of people have been called out on how they've layed in to Wenger unfairly hence why some often say they're the ones being targeted too, so I don't really know what you're trying to say.

[cheesy bites]

I've got 300 odd posts in here since the 2011 move or whatever. One of the lowest post rates of active members. Cant be that relentless.


:whistle:

[IBK]

Not shit, but I'm tired hearing how he "carries the team single-handedly". It's lies.

Oh and liverpools continho is younger and has more premier league goals that him this season and he joined last week :haha:

Haven't bothered reading the spat - and Wilshere's not shit. BUT I don't have a problem with the suggestion that Wilshere is over-hyped - generally by Anglophile pundits. He is not our saviour - and a 21 year old should not be regarded as such. The problem is that for all his dynamism, Wilshere has much to learn before he can be regarded as a match winner. Even with our average squad, we are capable of playing effectively without him - and its no surprise that we can put in performances when he is not on the pitch. Yesterday, for example, Diaby (once he had come up to speed) gave us something a little different in MF. Its a crying shame that he will never play consistently enough to make a real difference to our team - and Wenger IMO is mistaken by persisting with him to the exclusion of signing an alternative. But in a fantasy world - if we could play a fit Diaby on a regular basis, he would probably keep Wilshere on the fringes of the first team. I love Wilshere - but he is not, and should not expected to be 'world class' at this stage of his career. I have said it before, but I am concerned about Wilshere's capacity to improve with a dearth of players, and a manager whose strength is not really as a football coach.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger played him into the red once again when it wasn't even necessary. The midfield have been struggling for ages and I can't understand why Rosicky wasn't given a few games to give Jack a rest. He wasn't getting battered for months and wasn't exactly playing well either. Not to the point where he was a vital cog any way. I agree, I fit Diaby could add a lot to this team because he's something else when confident and fit. Rosicky too. Also, why not try playing Arshavin in the middle further up field? The midfield look exhausted and I'm worried Arteta or Cazorla will pick up an injury next. They've been looking knackered for ages.

[Niall_Quinn]

We have Wilshere, Cazorla, Chamberlain and possibly (but probably not) Sagna and Gibbs. These are our football players. Rosicky too if he wasn't injured all the time and Arshavin and Podolski if they hadn't already been destroyed by our shitty, shitty club.

All our other alleged players are dogshite. That's the reality. Dogshite garbage we make do with and who wouldn't get within a mile of a proper football team anywhere in Europe. This is why some players get a pass while others don't, because they are actual players. It's not about favourites its about reality. Jack can kick a ball and pass, ****s like Walcott and Diaby can't. Simple. Can't play football if you can't pass, unless you manage to land a gig with Arsenal where a segment of the fans will cover for you, while stuffing your pockets too.

[Cripps_orig]

Agreed. All those goals and assists from Theo over the years proves he can't kick or pass :rolleyes:

Do you love being humiliated or something?

[Cripps_orig]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BFj8Nh-CEAE1j9H.jpg

Holy fuck....

No wonder Sagan has gone dogshit on the pitch.

:sick:

[Niall_Quinn]

Agreed. All those goals and assists from Theo over the years proves he can't kick or pass :rolleyes:

Do you love being humiliated or something?

And to demonstrate the fact, walcotts biggest apologist gets his google alert and jumps straight to it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Anyway spuds losing is on now. MOTD2

[Cripps_orig]

I'll take that as a yes

More importantly spuds are indeed on.

[Power n Glory]

We have Wilshere, Cazorla, Chamberlain and possibly (but probably not) Sagna and Gibbs. These are our football players. Rosicky too if he wasn't injured all the time and Arshavin and Podolski if they hadn't already been destroyed by our shitty, shitty club.

All our other alleged players are dogshite. That's the reality. Dogshite garbage we make do with and who wouldn't get within a mile of a proper football team anywhere in Europe. This is why some players get a pass while others don't, because they are actual players. It's not about favourites its about reality. Jack can kick a ball and pass, ****s like Walcott and Diaby can't. Simple. Can't play football if you can't pass, unless you manage to land a gig with Arsenal where a segment of the fans will cover for you, while stuffing your pockets too.

This is the sort of bias BOBN is talking about. When we can't even admit or see when players outside of the scapegoat list are playing shit. Our midfield has failed to protect the back four or create chances for months now. Diaby and Ramsey aren't even guaranteed starters and we've played a huge chuck of games with Caz, Arteta and Wilshere but they get nowhere near as much criticism or scrutiny as Ramsey and Diaby.

Also, mods...how is it that BOBN's post are under such scrutiny for point scoring or whatever and there are frequent posters on here that are far worse.

[Niall_Quinn]

You don't seem to be understanding this. Ramsey and Diaby can't pass a football. That seriously disadvantages us when they are on the pitch. That's why they get stick, because they are detrimental to our chances of success. Other players can have off days but that's not the same as being a fundamentally bad football player. And stop crying to the mods FFS. They were highlighting the "I told you so" posting habit. Not the same thing as pointing out how shit Diaby is.

[Xhaka Can’t]

This is the sort of bias BOBN is talking about. When we can't even admit or see when players outside of the scapegoat list are playing shit. Our midfield has failed to protect the back four or create chances for months now. Diaby and Ramsey aren't even guaranteed starters and we've played a huge chuck of games with Caz, Arteta and Wilshere but they get nowhere near as much criticism or scrutiny as Ramsey and Diaby.

Also, mods...how is it that BOBN's post are under such scrutiny for point scoring or whatever and there are frequent posters on here that are far worse.

It was explained earlier. The moderation here is light touch. That said BOBN has by no means been the only one to be moderated.

And like BOBN the moderation has not been as a result of his POV. No one has had to my knowledge, a post removed because of a POV of anything to do with Arsenal.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/swansea-0-2-arsenal-per-mertesacker-1770671?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Hope you guys keep it up.

[Power n Glory]

It was explained earlier. The moderation here is light touch. That said BOBN has by no means been the only one to be moderated.

And like BOBN the moderation has not been as a result of his POV. No one has had to my knowledge, a post removed because of a POV of anything to do with Arsenal.

I find some shit on here annoying because you get posters constantly on the wum or banging the same drum about the same players but I have to ignore it. Is it fair that you guys can delete what you personally find annoying when the rest have to just ignore what we don't like?

[Xhaka Can’t]

I find some shit on here annoying because you get posters constantly on the wum or banging the same drum about the same players but I have to ignore it. Is it fair that you guys can delete what you personally find annoying when the rest have to just ignore what we don't like?

Nothing is removed because it is simply annoying.

In other places that is not the case. I'd wager that some are posting here because their povs aren't tolerated elsewhere.

And for the record, a post was not actually removed.

[Power n Glory]

You don't seem to be understanding this. Ramsey and Diaby can't pass a football. That seriously disadvantages us when they are on the pitch. That's why they get stick, because they are detrimental to our chances of success. Other players can have off days but that's not the same as being a fundamentally bad football player. And stop crying to the mods FFS. They were highlighting the "I told you so" posting habit. Not the same thing as pointing out how shit Diaby is.

As said, Ramsey and Diaby don't play every single game and can't be held accountable for every shitty performance. The guys that never get mentioned have had more poor games than Diaby this season and that's a fact because Diaby has only made a handful of appearances this year. There needs to be true acknowledgment of where things are falling apart. I know there are terrible players in the squad but getting rid of the fringe players doesn't explain why key starters can't perform for 90 minutes.

[Xhaka Can’t]

My mistake. A post was removed.

It was a post later on in the thread personally attacking BOBN.

[GP]

Some forums I frequent you can be suspended or banned for taking a thread off topic, or for questioning moderator decisions.

To complain that mods here are heavy handed is laughable.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BFlvAiZCUAAn9UO.jpg

This pic has been circuling around on twitter with claims that it's our 2015 Adidas sponsored shirt.

Real or fake, no thanks.

[GP]

Looks quite smart, but the badge looks a bit off.

[Niall_Quinn]

As said, Ramsey and Diaby don't play every single game and can't be held accountable for every shitty performance. The guys that never get mentioned have had more poor games than Diaby this season and that's a fact because Diaby has only made a handful of appearances this year. There needs to be true acknowledgment of where things are falling apart. I know there are terrible players in the squad but getting rid of the fringe players doesn't explain why key starters can't perform for 90 minutes.

Didn't say they have played every game but when you chuck a spanner into an engine there's a chance of fucking the engine up or at least impairing its performance. That's what Ramsey and Diaby do every time they play and that's why they attract a lot of shit. Doesn't mean other players aren't fucking up too - they are. But why throw junk in the engine in the first place? Diaby plays well once a season, plus he's not just unlucky with injuries, he's completely injury prone. Sticking with him is just dumb but I guess it's a way to avoid spending money to properly fill that role. Ramsey has been awful in 90% of the games he's played since his injury, unfortunate for him but why is Wenger persisting with a player who is shot? It costs us. We want to win don't we? So we'll need to get rid of these faulty parts.

The whole Walcott thing is down to the tosser's contract negotiations. He's always been average (not based on opinion but if you look at what he produces) so listening to him squeak about how much cash he wanted and where he wanted to play was laughable considering we needed somebody a lot better than him anyway if we wanted to push on. He alienated some of the fans, not just because he's a cock with a huge and unjustified opinion of his own abilities but because he's a walking opportunity cost. We could have signed a decent player for the wages wasted on Theo. In fact we should have sold Theo and given all that money to RvP. Who can possibly say that wouldn't have been the smart way to go?

Doesn't matter though because we have what we have. Doesn't mean people have to like it. Diaby, Ramsey and Walcott are a constant reminder of how average this club has become. Should everyone be silent about it? What about Santos? What a pile of shit. Should people have just ignored how badly he was killing us each time he played?

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Didn't say they have played every game but when you chuck a spanner into an engine there's a chance of fucking the engine up or at least impairing its performance. That's what Ramsey and Diaby do every time they play and that's why they attract a lot of shit. Doesn't mean other players aren't fucking up too - they are. But why throw junk in the engine in the first place? Diaby plays well once a season, plus he's not just unlucky with injuries, he's completely injury prone. Sticking with him is just dumb but I guess it's a way to avoid spending money to properly fill that role. Ramsey has been awful in 90% of the games he's played since his injury, unfortunate for him but why is Wenger persisting with a player who is shot? It costs us. We want to win don't we? So we'll need to get rid of these faulty parts.

The whole Walcott thing is down to the tosser's contract negotiations. He's always been average (not based on opinion but if you look at what he produces) so listening to him squeak about how much cash he wanted and where he wanted to play was laughable considering we needed somebody a lot better than him anyway if we wanted to push on. He alienated some of the fans, not just because he's a cock with a huge and unjustified opinion of his own abilities but because he's a walking opportunity cost. We could have signed a decent player for the wages wasted on Theo. In fact we should have sold Theo and given all that money to RvP. Who can possibly say that wouldn't have been the smart way to go?

Doesn't matter though because we have what we have. Doesn't mean people have to like it. Diaby, Ramsey and Walcott are a constant reminder of how average this club has become. Should everyone be silent about it? What about Santos? What a pile of shit. Should people have just ignored how badly he was killing us each time he played?

:gp:

Ranks right up there with any other top post on here.

[Cripps_orig]

Walcott average cos of what he produces? :haha:

You are on the WUM for sure now.

[Munchies]

Quite like that shirt, looks like the ones we had in the early 90s, emblem looks funny though,

[LDG]

Looks quite smart, but the badge looks a bit off.

We need to bring back a decent badge.

The cannon on it's own?

The Victoria Concordia Crescit one?

Anything but that corporate guff we have at the moment.....

[McNamara That Ghost...]

How about Wenger's WUM face?

[LDG]

How about Wenger's WUM face?

Failure Through Wummery?

[Xhaka Can’t]

We need to bring back a decent badge.

The cannon on it's own?

The Victoria Concordia Crescit one?

Anything but that corporate guff we have at the moment.....

:gp: The Cannon on it's own would be my first choice. The current badge looks like it was designed by Siobhan Sharpe.

[LDG]

:gp: The Cannon on it's own would be my first choice. The current badge looks like it was designed by Siobhan Sharpe.

Not sure who she is, but she sounds like a ****.

[Injury Time]

Failure Through Wummery?

Instead of "forward" have
"sideways" or
"sponsor wanted" or
"never knowingly undersold"
"esprit de wum"
"transition=on"
"firstly ROI"

[Xhaka Can’t]

She was the marketing chick on the BBC 2012 spoof.

[BOBN]

My mistake. A post was removed.

It was a post later on in the thread personally attacking BOBN.
And were they banned from the thread? Course not. Because "posting in a know it all style" are more important than actually breaking rules. Comical.

But deep down we know thats not true anyway, I was banned for criticising wilshere and whoever did it knows it was oestrogen-fueled tantrum which is why no mod has put their name on it. I would be embarrassed about getting amped up about a teenage non-relation too.





The whole Walcott thing is down to the tosser's contract negotiations. He's always been average (not based on opinion but if you look at what he produces)
See now thats where you messed up, because when it comes to productivity everybody knows walcott has the goals/assists to rival any english player.

Better keep it to opinion buddy.

As said, Ramsey and Diaby don't play every single game and can't be held accountable for every shitty performance. The guys that never get mentioned have had more poor games than Diaby this season and that's a fact because Diaby has only made a handful of appearances this year. There needs to be true acknowledgment of where things are falling apart. I know there are terrible players in the squad but getting rid of the fringe players doesn't explain why key starters can't perform for 90 minutes.
Youve made some good points friend. The short answer is most football fans lack intergrity and courage. Look at the way chelsea fans lash out at rafa for taking a job, rather than the man who employed him since hes holding all the cash.

so the good news for attacking players tho is that they can roughly judged by their numbers. People tried to say you cant judge attackers on numbers then ronaldo and messi kinda blew that one out the water. You always could. Walcott, carzola, giroud, podolski have all put up fair numbers. Everybody apart from wilshere im afraid. The weakest link :lol:

[LDG]

Yeah, whatever.

[BOBN]

The German was clearly shocked by the Gunners' defending in their 2-1 defeat in the north London derby and responded with clean sheets against Bayern Munich and Swansea City.
The Swans were not allowed a single shot on target by a defence that did not include captain Thomas Vermaelen.
"Sometimes as a player you have a different view and you can't believe what we did as a defensive unit," admitted Mertesacker. "Sometimes you need to learn from games and that was very important for us.
"There was a lot of room for improvement after the Tottenham game - we saw a lot of things on television. Sometimes we didn't choose the right direction and we just lacked a bit of defensive work as a unit.
"There were a lot of situations where there was no pressure on the ball and the back four was not prepared for any balls between us. To cover each other, that was the most important thing we learned."
is this guy admitting to relying on gary neville on the telly? Scary.

[Power n Glory]

It’s funny because it seems like a complete revelation for Merts. Did they think they were doing what gave them that impression? I hope some staff members put together a tape of the bad defending and what was in the media rather than the players discovering it for themselves. Frightening stuff. Were they totally oblivious to the lack of pressure they’d put on opposing teams? I thought it was an intentional flawed strategy because we used to see the same thing week in week out.

[LDG]

It’s funny because it seems like a complete revelation for Merts. Did they think they were doing what gave them that impression? I hope some staff members put together a tape of the bad defending and what was in the media rather than the players discovering it for themselves. Frightening stuff. Were they totally oblivious to the lack of pressure they’d put on opposing teams? I thought it was an intentional flawed strategy because we used to see the same thing week in week out.

Wenger has had them watching Benny Hill sketches for the last eight years.

[Syn]

This is all horseshit. He talks in such generic terms. 2 games - which were anything but mistake free - is no sample to conclude anything. Might as well call it a time-lag for the Bould effect.

[Niall_Quinn]

is this guy admitting to relying on gary neville on the telly? Scary.

I guess you just haven't been watching Walcott play (or not play), instead you scan the stats columns. But if we're going to rely purely on stats then let's take it all the way and look at the games won and points columns and the league table. That's what we need more of, wins, points. You get those by outscoring the other teams and you outscore the other teams by playing more effectively than them during matches (bar the odd fluke). Judged by what actually matters Walcott and Giroud son't look so hot now. And the main objection is the club had to fork £100K and unbalance the team just to keep this kid who isn't delivering. I urge you to watch him play. The laziness, the lack of coverage, the stupid positions he takes up, the inability to pass a ball, the inability to complete more than 1 in 20 (I'd estimate) crosses, the inability to influence important games except once in a blue moon (Reading doesn't count).

Stick a proper player up there and he'd have at least what Walcott has, plus a lot more because that useless midfield of ours has provided enough opportunities. It's the lumps up front who can't convert them. All you have to do is watch. In the last game you could have watched as Theo stood still while the opposition ran straight past him, he didn't bat an eyelid. Can we be effective with players like that in the team? Not really, I wouldn't have said so.

The answer therefore is to ignore Walcott's inadequacies and pin the on Wilshere instead. Even then, I don't think that will help us with the stats that really count.

The Merts thing is the newspapers being shit as always. I figure the guy knew a bit about defending before Neville piped up.

[Niall_Quinn]

It’s funny because it seems like a complete revelation for Merts. Did they think they were doing what gave them that impression? I hope some staff members put together a tape of the bad defending and what was in the media rather than the players discovering it for themselves. Frightening stuff. Were they totally oblivious to the lack of pressure they’d put on opposing teams? I thought it was an intentional flawed strategy because we used to see the same thing week in week out.

It's just the BS PR that goes along with football these days. Something for the players to say (heaven forbid they say nothing) and something for the hacks to write about. Keeps the sewage flowing along. The changes we have seen can only have come from one place (or else the guy is not the dictator he's made out to be and people can't have it both ways). Wenger rang the changes. Is he admitting he was wrong? I hope so. Do I think he's admitting he was wrong? No. I think this is more of the same, having to hit the bottom before action is taken even though the trip to the bottom is tiresomely predictable. The manager places a lot of faith in sub-standard players and then he eventually gets the hump when those sub-standard players fuck up once too many times. A big push is organised and it works for a few games before the drift into complacency begins again. We've seen it for years, same shit. Even if this is the start of a run that sees us grab the coveted 4th place trophy it won't be built on come the transfer window and it won't be built on next season.

[Power n Glory]

How many times have the midfield put Walcott or Giroud clean through where they've fluffed their lines?

[Kano]

giroud is only rated 80 in fifa, so he ain't so good.

[Power n Glory]

It's a simple question. I can't remember the last time we've opened a team open for a clear goal scoring opportunity only for Giroud or Walcott to miss. Not the greatest up front but they're feeding off scraps.

[Niall_Quinn]

How many times have the midfield put Walcott or Giroud clean through where they've fluffed their lines?

How many times do players ever get clean through on goal? It's a rarity. However it does happen and you'd put money on Giroud missing and go evens on Walcott. Nobody says he isn't quick, nobody says he occasionally has a competent finish on him. Whether those rare moments compensate for all the other shit, that's the question. Ramsey, Walcott and Giroud, guilty of the most destructive mistake in football, turning possession and attack into defence. Walcott's first touch is comical, it lets him down so many times. His decision making even worse. If you look at players like Cazorla and Wilshere and even Rosicky, Gibbs and Sagna to a lesser degree, they know what to do with the ball when they have it, they are aware, they hang onto possession even if they have to lay it off. Walcott doesn't do that, he loses the ball. It's a sin. We'd be so much more comfortable in games if we didn't have players like Ramsey, Diaby and Walcott on the pitch.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's a simple question. I can't remember the last time we've opened a team open for a clear goal scoring opportunity only for Giroud or Walcott to miss. Not the greatest up front but they're feeding off scraps.

I see what you are saying. Those opportunities come one of two ways, either by luck or by design. When it's design it comes from control. You have to get all the basics of football right before you can exploit the other team in the way you are talking about. Passing, movement, awareness, intelligent decision making and also trust that the guys you are playing with are capable of playing at a certain level. That's where we break down. We have some players who can do it, and it breaks down around the players who can't.

On the other hand, how many times have we seen Theo with the chance to take his man on and beat him, only for him to check and lay it back or square? If he's the 100K player the club has invested in and changed the style of play to accommodate, where's his confidence and belief?

[Power n Glory]

How many times do players ever get clean through on goal? It's a rarity. However it does happen and you'd put money on Giroud missing and go evens on Walcott. Nobody says he isn't quick, nobody says he occasionally has a competent finish on him. Whether those rare moments compensate for all the other shit, that's the question. Ramsey, Walcott and Giroud, guilty of the most destructive mistake in football, turning possession and attack into defence. Walcott's first touch is comical, it lets him down so many times. His decision making even worse. If you look at players like Cazorla and Wilshere and even Rosicky, Gibbs and Sagna to a lesser degree, they know what to do with the ball when they have it, they are aware, they hang onto possession even if they have to lay it off. Walcott doesn't do that, he loses the ball. It's a sin. We'd be so much more comfortable in games if we didn't have players like Ramsey, Diaby and Walcott on the pitch.

Once again you're lumping too much of the blame on the strikers and ignoring a lot of key factors. They're part of the problem but we lack zip and temp in our play because Cazorla, Arteta and Wilshere aren't working well together. Hansen did a good job on highlighting the amount of good forward runs are strikers made without receiving a good pass. That can't be ignored and they're part of the reason why we're not a threat in the final third. In fairness, Giroud and Walcott have chipped in with a fair amount of goals and assists. 2 goals and 5 assists from Wilshere isn't anything to shout about. It's not just the stats I'm going on either. The general play from our midfield has been poor. Arteta isn’t protecting the back four or distributing the ball well. In one game Merts made more passes than him in a game. That isn’t right and he’s really struggled this season to help dictate the tempo of the game. Cazorla has too many games where he plays for 10 minutes then takes 30 minutes off. He’s had a host of anonymous games which hasn’t helped. I’m not denying that these guys are good players but there has to be some sort of accountability and acknowledgment that they haven’t been up to par. That’s what you’re ignoring.

[Niall_Quinn]

Once again you're lumping too much of the blame on the strikers and ignoring a lot of key factors. They're part of the problem but we lack zip and temp in our play because Cazorla, Arteta and Wilshere aren't working well together. Hansen did a good job on highlighting the amount of good forward runs are strikers made without receiving a good pass. That can't be ignored and they're part of the reason why we're not a threat in the final third. In fairness, Giroud and Walcott have chipped in with a fair amount of goals and assists. 2 goals and 5 assists from Wilshere isn't anything to shout about. It's not just the stats I'm going on either. The general play from our midfield has been poor. Arteta isn’t protecting the back four or distributing the ball well. In one game Merts made more passes than him in a game. That isn’t right and he’s really struggled this season to help dictate the tempo of the game. Cazorla has too many games where he plays for 10 minutes then takes 30 minutes off. He’s had a host of anonymous games which hasn’t helped. I’m not denying that these guys are good players but there has to be some sort of accountability and acknowledgment that they haven’t been up to par. That’s what you’re ignoring.

If you mean I ignore the inadequacies of the team as a whole by slaughtering them after each inadequate performance then fair enough. In fact I probably go overboard with the criticism because it pisses me off so much when we play badly. Yes, everyone wants the team to play better, and the manager to manage better too of course. Surely a good place to start would be to find the biggest problems and correct those. In terms of players Wenger has already acted by replacing our biggest liability Santos. But he seems blind when it comes to certain other players.

If you at least get rid of the weakest links and replace with better and stronger options it gives a good base on which to address the other problem you have highlighted. Arteta hasn't been great this year but at least he can pass a ball, albeit negatively and too slowly of late. Put better players around him and maybe he'll improve. Cazorla may drift out of games, again put better players around him. Look for the improvement and replace him too if it doesn't come. Replace them all if need be but start with the players who actually cause damage rather than advantage when they are on the pitch.

For me the prime suspects are Ramsey, Diaby and Walcott. I know they can sometimes do positive things but I want to see players who have a better first touch, who can pass consistently and who don't lack some of the fundamental skills that are essential at the level we want to play at (allegedly). Others will disagree of course but you can't ignore the number of times the play breaks down around these players. And when the play breaks down everything else goes to hell too. Just by doing the simple stuff to a competent level we could take some of the strain off that creaky defence. Or link the midfield, particularly in dangerous situations. But watching the ball bounce off Giroud or Walcott when the simple pass and move is open, watching Diaby and Ramsey slow it all down to then give the ball away or sent it back into defence, it's infuriating and it disrupts our game.

You look at other teams, shit teams like Wigan yesterday. They are very, very ordinary but at least their players can pass five yards without giving it away. Why can very ordinary players do these simple things while superstars (in their own minds) on 80K or 100K fuck it up week after week? That can't be allowed in a serious football team surely? We missed a big chance to be shot of Walcott (although it doesn't seem anyone wanted him) and we should have been rid of Diaby years ago. We could have had better players in on the money we would have saved. We went through the whole saga with Chamakh too. The unrealistic hopes that flew in the face of the reality. We're now in the even more ludicrous situation of having a wandering winger/ striker who can't control a ball. Regardless of the runs the kid makes the chances of him actually doing something with the ball if it reached him are negligible. We see it every week and frankly this silliness about him playing in the centre needs to be knocked on the head fast and we need to get a real striker on the books this summer. Okay keep Walcott but get him back to school where he can learn the basics. Get rid of Ramsey and Diaby though.

[LDG]

Agree with all of that.

Funny. The invincibles, whilst superb individual players in their own right, kept it very very simple. There was none of that pass-pass shit. It was get the ball down. Move it quickly. Move it forwards. Work the space and take your chances.

[Marc Overmars]

The difference with them was that they were athletes. Pretty much everyone in the team was solid as fuck and could run all day long.

[LDG]

Yeah, it's weird.

All of our best players were fucking beasts. And then WUMget decided it would be good to have all midgets.

Fuckin nutter.

[Kano]

Yeah, it's weird.

All of our best players were fucking beasts. And then WUMget decided it would be good to have all midgets.

Fuckin nutter.

It comes down to evolving the team and it’s style of play. The only problem was he fucked it up.

If he had complimented the squad around the 07/08 with more buff than guff, we probably wouldn’t be here now.

[LDG]

It comes down to evolving the team and it’s style of play. The only problem was he fucked it up.

If he had complimented the squad around the 07/08 with more buff than guff, we probably wouldn’t be here now.

Agreed.

[BOBN]

It comes down to evolving the team and it’s style of play. The only problem was he fucked it up.

If he had complimented the squad around the 07/08 with more buff than guff, we probably wouldn’t be here now.
07/08 was a good enough side to win most titles. It would win the league this year. Problem is they came up against the most talented united side you could imagine.

no we are worse in every single position bar none. biggest drop off is the central midfield (remember it was mainly adebayor up front and he was good but not a real great, pretty comparable to giroud actually) fabregas-flamini vs wilshere-arteta-carzola. Flamini did the physical work of two men and fabregas did the creative work of 10 wilsheres.

[Syn]

If you have 6 players in your midfield and attack whose close-control is brilliant and they're clever, then you're sorted. It's as simple as that. The poncy little tricks and dribbles never used to come out 10 years ago, because there was trust. You knew as a player that you can slam the ball forward to your teammate whose in an awkward position, you don't hesitate or slow things down and look for another option because you know that you have a margin of error. Not every pass 10 years ago was pin-point accurate through the eye of a needle. The control was. Even if it came at pace, an awkward height, closely guarded by opponents, you knew your teammate would find a way out and play a sensible (and that's all it was) ball. The speed of passing is so underrated but I guess it's only appreciated in quality teams like Barcelona. What's the point of slamming the ball at someone who's never going to be able to control it.

When you have no faith in your teammates to control a quick pass, that's when you start looking for another option for a player who's less guarded. And if you don't have players who are clever enough to always move around, find some space and be available, then you need more time and you need more touches to find someone. And then everything's slower.

[Power n Glory]

If you mean I ignore the inadequacies of the team as a whole by slaughtering them after each inadequate performance then fair enough. In fact I probably go overboard with the criticism because it pisses me off so much when we play badly. Yes, everyone wants the team to play better, and the manager to manage better too of course. Surely a good place to start would be to find the biggest problems and correct those. In terms of players Wenger has already acted by replacing our biggest liability Santos. But he seems blind when it comes to certain other players.

If you at least get rid of the weakest links and replace with better and stronger options it gives a good base on which to address the other problem you have highlighted. Arteta hasn't been great this year but at least he can pass a ball, albeit negatively and too slowly of late. Put better players around him and maybe he'll improve. Cazorla may drift out of games, again put better players around him. Look for the improvement and replace him too if it doesn't come. Replace them all if need be but start with the players who actually cause damage rather than advantage when they are on the pitch.

For me the prime suspects are Ramsey, Diaby and Walcott. I know they can sometimes do positive things but I want to see players who have a better first touch, who can pass consistently and who don't lack some of the fundamental skills that are essential at the level we want to play at (allegedly). Others will disagree of course but you can't ignore the number of times the play breaks down around these players. And when the play breaks down everything else goes to hell too. Just by doing the simple stuff to a competent level we could take some of the strain off that creaky defence. Or link the midfield, particularly in dangerous situations. But watching the ball bounce off Giroud or Walcott when the simple pass and move is open, watching Diaby and Ramsey slow it all down to then give the ball away or sent it back into defence, it's infuriating and it disrupts our game.

You look at other teams, shit teams like Wigan yesterday. They are very, very ordinary but at least their players can pass five yards without giving it away. Why can very ordinary players do these simple things while superstars (in their own minds) on 80K or 100K fuck it up week after week? That can't be allowed in a serious football team surely? We missed a big chance to be shot of Walcott (although it doesn't seem anyone wanted him) and we should have been rid of Diaby years ago. We could have had better players in on the money we would have saved. We went through the whole saga with Chamakh too. The unrealistic hopes that flew in the face of the reality. We're now in the even more ludicrous situation of having a wandering winger/ striker who can't control a ball. Regardless of the runs the kid makes the chances of him actually doing something with the ball if it reached him are negligible. We see it every week and frankly this silliness about him playing in the centre needs to be knocked on the head fast and we need to get a real striker on the books this summer. Okay keep Walcott but get him back to school where he can learn the basics. Get rid of Ramsey and Diaby though.

Getting rid of Ramsey and Diaby won’t solve the fact that we can’t control the middle of the park with our passing or protect the back four. I hear what you’re saying to an extent and there are some players I want to get rid of but our problems are deeper than a few fringe players. Arteta is a weak link and shouldn’t be playing as a DM. He’s too easy to mark out of a game and our CB’s shouldn’t be making more passes than him in game. That’s scandalous. But me saying that doesn’t mean I excuse the shower of shit we see from our defence and goalkeeper week in week out. I don’t believe a new DM will help improve our defending and I can’t make excuses for that department failing to do what they’re paid for. Lumping so much blame on Theo and Giroud ignores the fact that our midfield aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

We don’t even play tippy tap no more. The midfield trio don’t work in a unit in the same way you’d see Barca work. Or any other team like Juve or Milan. I hardly see a flurry of pass exchanges between Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta. There is no give and go moves between them, they lack understanding of where each other should be or anticipate what each should be doing, it’s a horrible mess when you compare the way Cesc , Song and co used to have the opposition chasing shadows. Remember that 1 nil victor against Utd where they couldn’t get near us? That’s a distant memory and we’re nowhere near close to playing at that level. We’re not even anywhere close to playing the boring tippy tappy crap where we saw endless sideways passing with the opposition pinned on their own half for the majority of the game. This is a different problem and we’re struggling to hold on to the ball and it has a lot to do with the fact that the midfield trio have no understanding of how to play together. It’s not working and they’re struggling to find each other. Our wing backs and defenders are having to move the ball up field a lot. Losing Song and Cesc has been a huge blow and I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t look anywhere near as bad if we had those two in this current squad.

[Letters]

All of our best players were fucking beasts. And then WUMget decided it would be good to have all midgets.
:woohoo:

[Ollie the Optimist]

am seeing ramsey's name pop up as a deadwood player etc, but am i the only one who thinks that since january he has improved massively and has been one of better performers recently?

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Ramsey might have had a few games where he looked slightly above his usual standard, but I wouldn't exactly say he's "improved massively".

[Power n Glory]

If you have 6 players in your midfield and attack whose close-control is brilliant and they're clever, then you're sorted. It's as simple as that. The poncy little tricks and dribbles never used to come out 10 years ago, because there was trust. You knew as a player that you can slam the ball forward to your teammate whose in an awkward position, you don't hesitate or slow things down and look for another option because you know that you have a margin of error. Not every pass 10 years ago was pin-point accurate through the eye of a needle. The control was. Even if it came at pace, an awkward height, closely guarded by opponents, you knew your teammate would find a way out and play a sensible (and that's all it was) ball. The speed of passing is so underrated but I guess it's only appreciated in quality teams like Barcelona. What's the point of slamming the ball at someone who's never going to be able to control it.

When you have no faith in your teammates to control a quick pass, that's when you start looking for another option for a player who's less guarded. And if you don't have players who are clever enough to always move around, find some space and be available, then you need more time and you need more touches to find someone. And then everything's slower.

That’s a really good point and we don’t have the players and it goes beyond just a few individual players. You can see with Barca that they’re not afraid to ping the ball off to any player even if in a tight space knowing that the player will be able to retain possession. But how is that Swansea are able to play good possession football with the squad they have? We seem so unorganised and chaotic compared to how they usually play. The system just seems broken.

[Marc Overmars]

am seeing ramsey's name pop up as a deadwood player etc, but am i the only one who thinks that since january he has improved massively and has been one of better performers recently?

Improved to the extent where he's cut out the stupid flicks and hospital passes, but he still doesn't really have much of an impact on a match. The guy is not good enough by any stretch of the imagination IMO, unless a reasonably good workhorse is what you're after.

Just a buy a quality midfielder and stop persisting with players who rarely do anything of note for us, despite ample opportunity.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Improved to the extent where he's cut out the stupid flicks and hospital passes, but he still doesn't really have much of an impact on a match. The guy is not good enough by any stretch of the imagination IMO, unless a reasonably good workhorse is what you're after.

Just a buy a quality midfielder and stop persisting with players who rarely do anything of note for us, despite ample opportunity.


isnt that what we need though? a good workhorse? ive noticed when we play him centrally, he works very hard, breaks up play and lets other get on with the creative stuff. been impressed by him, yes quality is needed, but he is ok imo, doing well.

[Özim]

All of our best players were fucking beasts. And then WUMget decided it would be good to have all midgets.
Midgetist.

[Syn]

That’s a really good point and we don’t have the players and it goes beyond just a few individual players. You can see with Barca that they’re not afraid to ping the ball off to any player even if in a tight space knowing that the player will be able to retain possession. But how is that Swansea are able to play good possession football with the squad they have? We seem so unorganised and chaotic compared to how they usually play. The system just seems broken.

Swansea get more pretty moves going and there's more of a commitment flooding forward on their end, but they're 9th in the table and it's not like they're consistently effective with it. You're right that they're probably still punching above their weight and that's because of sensible buys (a key one - Michu at £2.5m) and good discipline from the manager.

Wenger could us to play better. But we could be instructed to be more adventurous - yet more moves would break down but we'd score more pretty goals and maybe end up 9th where Swansea are. But to stay effective as well as get prettier we need the right players. Giroud is looking like the wrong buy with his first-touch being bad (as shown for Monreal's goal). Because our wide players are more direct (both Walcott and Podolski prefer being strikers), you need a striker like Berbatov or someone who's clever and can bring Walcott and Podolski into play.

Maybe the 'system' is wrong but I don't think Wenger - who has made his name through building a quick pass-and-move - doesn't know the value of moving the ball quicker. I think if we had a Van Persie or instead had some proper technical wizards out wide then it would make a big difference in that moves wouldn't break down and players would feel more confident. It begs the question why Rosicky hasn't played more but maybe he's not just up to playing 2 games a week any more.

[Marc Overmars]

isnt that what we need though? a good workhorse? ive noticed when we play him centrally, he works very hard, breaks up play and lets other get on with the creative stuff. been impressed by him, yes quality is needed, but he is ok imo, doing well.

2-3 years ago we needed a workhorse because we had more talent than hard workers.

Now we have more hard workers than talent.

[Kano]

It begs the question why Rosicky hasn't played more but maybe he's not just up to playing 2 games a week any more.
One game a week would be a start.

Play him sporadically as we are right now, then we'll get turd performances like Bayern.

[Power n Glory]

Swansea get more pretty moves going and there's more of a commitment flooding forward on their end, but they're 9th in the table and it's not like they're consistently effective with it. You're right that they're probably still punching above their weight and that's because of sensible buys (a key one - Michu at £2.5m) and good discipline from the manager.

Wenger could us to play better. But we could be instructed to be more adventurous - yet more moves would break down but we'd score more pretty goals and maybe end up 9th where Swansea are. But to stay effective as well as get prettier we need the right players. Giroud is looking like the wrong buy with his first-touch being bad (as shown for Monreal's goal). Because our wide players are more direct (both Walcott and Podolski prefer being strikers), you need a striker like Berbatov or someone who's clever and can bring Walcott and Podolski into play.

Maybe the 'system' is wrong but I don't think Wenger - who has made his name through building a quick pass-and-move - doesn't know the value of moving the ball quicker. I think if we had a Van Persie or instead had some proper technical wizards out wide then it would make a big difference in that moves wouldn't break down and players would feel more confident. It begs the question why Rosicky hasn't played more but maybe he's not just up to playing 2 games a week any more.

I’m really baffled by Giroud’s purchase as well. His touch is so bad and he needs the goal set up on a plate for him because he’s too slow to get away from his marker and his touch isn’t good enough to get him that inch of space needed to pop a shot off. I totally agree with you about needing a striker that can bring our wide players into play and I tempted to say Chamakh would be better at that job even though he’s such a coward in front of goal. But I agree with the points you’ve made and I can’t see why Wenger has made certain purchases or what sort of team he’s trying to build. To go from Gervinho on the left to Podolski is very odd. Pod is clinical but not creative or a trouble maker on the flanks. We needed an upgrade on Gervinho, a talented dribbler with some end product. On paper, the midfield should be doing so much better to dictate the pace but it’s not working at all.

[Globalgunner]

isnt that what we need though? a good workhorse? ive noticed when we play him centrally, he works very hard, breaks up play and lets other get on with the creative stuff. been impressed by him, yes quality is needed, but he is ok imo, doing well.

Ramsey is todays equivalent of Romford Pele: Ray Parlour. Except Parlour as limited as he was technically, was a really hard worker and was on occasion capable of great things. Ramsey is not. Parlour was surrounded by an ocean of talent and a team full of great personalities. Ramsey looks around and all he sees is Walcott and sometimes Gervinho.