Europa League Semi-Final Draw (13/04, some time).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal
Atletico Madrid
Marseille
Red Bull Salzburg

:popcorn:

[Cripps]

ATLETICO!

YES!

[Letters]

Ooh! :popcorn:

[Letters]

Hmm. We are at "home", I guess that means the home leg first. Would have preferred the other way around.

[selassie]

Oh well...

[Cripps]

Sandwiched in between Man Utd away...

[selassie]

Sandwiched in between Man Utd away...

PL is dead so I expect us to put out a really weakened team for the Man Utd away game.

[Cripps]

PL is dead so I expect us to put out a really weakened team for the Man Utd away game.

Even better.

Get pummeled by Utd, get knocked out the Europa by Atletico, end up finishing 6th.

:pray:

[GP]

That means we get an easier final!

[Goonermerree]

That means we get an easier final!

That's the spirit.

[Goonermerree]

Even better.

Get pummeled by Utd, get knocked out the Europa by Atletico, end up finishing 6th.

:pray:

How can you want us not to win the EL. We probably won't but heck, surely any Arsenal fan would want us to win this. It won't make a jot of difference as to whether or not Wenger goes or stays anyway.

[Cripps]

How can you want us not to win the EL. We probably won't but heck, surely any Arsenal fan would want us to win this. It won't make a jot of difference as to whether or not Wenger goes or stays anyway.

Of course it does, it all basically hinges on it :lol:

A 6th placed finish, 2 years out the champions league and no trophy will mean an early end due to the end of season review he's having.

So I'll happily a sacrifice a trophy to get him out once and for all.

[Letters]

That means we get an easier final!

http://www.goonerhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Arsene-Wenger-laughing.jpg

:bow:

[Letters]

Of course it does, it all basically hinges on it :lol:

A 6th placed finish, 2 years out the champions league and no trophy will mean an early end due to the end of season review he's having.

So I'll happily a sacrifice a trophy to get him out once and for all.

Nah. Because fine, maybe he'll stay longer if we win it but maybe only an extra year. The times they are a-changing, I'd be surprised if he gets another extension.
For the sake of another year of him I'd take a European Trophy.

Reckon over 2 legs Atletico probably have too much for us but you never know

:dance:

[Niall_Quinn]

PL is dead so I expect us to put out a really weakened team for the Man Utd away game.

Probably. Wenger has no pride and no shame and his primary goal for Arsenal Football Club now is to secure his own job. So there's every chance he'll chuck this game aginst our once major rivals. He won't give a fuck what the fans think about that, of course.

[Niall_Quinn]

Of course it does, it all basically hinges on it :lol:

A 6th placed finish, 2 years out the champions league and no trophy will mean an early end due to the end of season review he's having.

So I'll happily a sacrifice a trophy to get him out once and for all.

The EL is for losers anyway. Who gives a fuck about it?

If I thought it was a springboard and it would spur us on to actually compete in the CL then that would be different. But so what if we qualify for the CL? What does that get us other than another Wenger shit show?

One night of bragging rights set against another season of Wenger (at least)? That's not a choice at all. Wenger out is the only positive outcome we can hope for. Everything else is just part of the same old cycle.

[Letters]

Oh fuck off.

Any manager is going to rest players in that league game unless we had a chance of, say, winning the title or even top 4. We don't so the priority is clearly the Europa League tie.

[Goonermerree]

Of course it does, it all basically hinges on it :lol:

A 6th placed finish, 2 years out the champions league and no trophy will mean an early end due to the end of season review he's having.

So I'll happily a sacrifice a trophy to get him out once and for all.

He might retire and go out on a high if we win EL. Tall order to win it anyway so I shouldn't worry too much

[Niall_Quinn]

Nah. Because fine, maybe he'll stay longer if we win it but maybe only an extra year. The times they are a-changing, I'd be surprised if he gets another extension.
For the sake of another year of him I'd take a European Trophy.

Reckon over 2 legs Atletico probably have too much for us but you never know

:dance:

Why risk it at all? Wenger is the ultimate weasel. And all the cultists will crawl out of their holes and start changing the narrative. There's every chance this fraud could steal another contract extension if we pub our way to a losers cup win. That's way too big a risk for any Arsenal fan to bear, surely.

The priority at this club is to get Wenger out. Everything else is meaningless. We can't move on until he has gone.

[Niall_Quinn]

He might retire and go out on a high if we win EL. Tall order to win it anyway so I shouldn't worry too much

He doesn't deserve to go out on a high - not after what he did at the end of last season. And besides, he's had several opportunities to do that but the old cunt always chose to put his own interests first.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh fuck off.

Any manager is going to rest players in that league game unless we had a chance of, say, winning the title or even top 4. We don't so the priority is clearly the Europa League tie.

Only losers think that way. That cunt Wenger was banging on about tired players again, even though we had most of March on holiday. He's a fraud filled with excuses.

[Goonermerree]

He doesn't deserve to go out on a high - not after what he did at the end of last season. And besides, he's had several opportunities to do that but the old cunt always chose to put his own interests first.

He doesn't deserve to, but if we won he might. I don't think we'll win it anyway. Just think we get CL football, Wenger leaves and a new manager comes in from a position of strength. A person can hope and dream you know.

[Goonermerree]

Only losers think that way. That cunt Wenger was banging on about tired players again, even though we had most of March on holiday. He's a fraud filled with excuses.

Was he? Laat night after the match. What an idiot.

[Letters]

Only losers think that way. That cunt Wenger was banging on about tired players again, even though we had most of March on holiday. He's a fraud filled with excuses.

Then every manager of the history of the game is a loser then. They would all do it and you know it.

[Letters]

Why risk it at all? Wenger is the ultimate weasel. And all the cultists will crawl out of their holes and start changing the narrative. There's every chance this fraud could steal another contract extension if we pub our way to a losers cup win. That's way too big a risk for any Arsenal fan to bear, surely.

The priority at this club is to get Wenger out. Everything else is meaningless. We can't move on until he has gone.

If I thought that winning the EL would mean another, say, 10 years of Wenger then there would be more to consider. But I reckon it'll be another season...and it might be another season anyway.
In 20 years time when people remember the history of the club are they going to remember that Wenger stayed another couple of seasons and that it meant another season bumbling around failing to compete or will they remember that we won the Europa League. Given how sparse our victories in Europe have been, I'd take the EL any day.

As I said a while back, dream scenario is we win the EL and Wenger leaves with some dignity intact, I suspect neither will happen.

[Niall_Quinn]

He doesn't deserve to, but if we won he might. I don't think we'll win it anyway. Just think we get CL football, Wenger leaves and a new manager comes in from a position of strength. A person can hope and dream you know.

That's how it SHOULD be done. I'd buy into that if I thought Wenger had the club's interests at heart. But we know he doesn't. And neither does Kroenke. Kroenke will take the easy option if it presented to him.

What's more likely is that Gazidis and his team will be sidelined (or will leave) as Wenger uses another tinpot trophy to keep a grip on power.

We have 2 decent strikers now and a handful of decent players. That's enough for a competent manager to work with provided he's ruthless in clearing out the trash. Give Wenger another year and he'll ruin those players and sign up the trash on longer contracts and higher pay so we won't be able to get rid of them. Even one more year would do a lot of damage. Has to be the end of this season where we make the change. That's the priority.

Just imagine the scenario. We win the EL. Wenger is all over the shop taking the plaudits. And the day after, the club announces a new 2 year (or 3 year) deal. Now how does everyone feel? How sweet is that EL win under those circumstances?

You don't think Wenger will be pushing for that? You don't think he'll go over's Ivan's head again to get that?

Wenger's a snake. He already did his mea culpa the last time around, suggesting his contract uncertainty hurt the club. Well surely you can imagine the saintly Wenger suggesting a new contract is the only way to avoid that situation again? If he issues a fire me or extend my contract ultimatum to Stan, who's willing to bet which way that will go?

[Cripps]

The EL is for losers anyway. Who gives a fuck about it?

If I thought it was a springboard and it would spur us on to actually compete in the CL then that would be different. But so what if we qualify for the CL? What does that get us other than another Wenger shit show?

One night of bragging rights set against another season of Wenger (at least)? That's not a choice at all. Wenger out is the only positive outcome we can hope for. Everything else is just part of the same old cycle.

:gp:

[Cripps]

He might retire and go out on a high if we win EL. Tall order to win it anyway so I shouldn't worry too much

Behave :lol: you know he'll use it as an excuse to sway Stan :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Was he? Laat night after the match. What an idiot.

No, after the garbage performance and the garbage team he stuck out in the Soton match. Jeez, I can't even remember the details of that game now. It's all blurred into one horrendous shitheap. Tip tap, tip tap. Static. If our players are tired after that then they need to seek urgent medical attention.

Remember the days (not so long ago) when the players could bust a gut twice a week, no problem? In a much higher intensity league than the ultra bored, defensive PL bullshit we are subjected to today? End to end for 90 minutes, tough tackles, warriors like Keown, Adams, Vieira, Keane, and then do it again midweek and not a whinge between them? Remember the intensity in the tunnel before the kick off? Now they are all kissing each other and touching each other up, and exchanging underpants.

[Niall_Quinn]

Then every manager of the history of the game is a loser then. They would all do it and you know it.

They don't all chuck the match before the kick off. The competent ones may rotate based on a season long planned policy of rotation. Our fool will just change the whole team out and then watch as we spend the first 30 minutes trying to adjust to the new randomness, by which time the game will probably be lost.

You go out to win every game. Doesn't mean you need to play the same 11 every time. But neither does it mean you ignore the fucking game and chuck random pubbers out because you're obliged to show up.

BIG difference between a proper rotation policy and Wenger's nonsense. HUGE.

[Niall_Quinn]

Behave :lol: you know he'll use it as an excuse to sway Stan :lol:

Just like he did last time. It's not as if we don't have hard evidence of exactly what's going to happen.

[Özim]

The Europa league is his free ticket to a new contract, he doesn't deserve one, shouldn't even be here next year however we know how we roll, we'll be in the CL and with a European trophy in our hands, the club will claim this is what we've been striving for and this proves we're progressing and that how can we not offer the man who made this happen a new contract, it would be proposperous!

So yeah would like to win the EL but if it means more time with Wenger, no thanks I don't want him here for a second more than he has to stay here.

Why are some people painting the EL to be a great trophy now, I've always said I was looking forward to being in it but most we're very negative and thought it was mickey mouse, at leat NQ has stuck to his guns and not suddenly changed his opinion and decided it's a great prize.

Besides NQ has a point, don't want to be in the CL making up the numbers, would rather be in the Europa league which is more our level, at least we have an outside chance of doing well in that seeing as it's mostly made up of pub teams. This is the sad thing of course, the CL with it's top 4 qualification criteria has really ruined the Europa, the teams that would have been in it are now in the CL, sad really, once upon a time the UEFA Cup was really special.

[Özim]

He might retire and go out on a high if we win EL. Tall order to win it anyway so I shouldn't worry too much

:lol: Not a chance, he won't retire not for quite some time!

[Niall_Quinn]

If I thought that winning the EL would mean another, say, 10 years of Wenger then there would be more to consider. But I reckon it'll be another season...and it might be another season anyway.
In 20 years time when people remember the history of the club are they going to remember that Wenger stayed another couple of seasons and that it meant another season bumbling around failing to compete or will they remember that we won the Europa League. Given how sparse our victories in Europe have been, I'd take the EL any day.

As I said a while back, dream scenario is we win the EL and Wenger leaves with some dignity intact, I suspect neither will happen.

10 years? Who's talking about 10 years?

ONE year. That's all it will take for the club to sink even lower.

Top 2. Top 4. Top 6. That's the direction we have been going with Wenger over these last 15 years. Does anyone seriously imagine this fool will reverse the trend if he gets to extend his stay any longer? We're bottom of that top 6 group now. What's next? Top 8? Top 10? All as inconceivable to some as us being a top 6 team back in the days when we still knew how to compete. But with Wenger, think the worst and you are never disappointed.

One more year is another year too many.

10 years? LOL

Relegated if that ever happened.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Europa league is his free ticket to a new contract, he doesn't deserve one, shouldn't even be here next year however we know how we roll, we'll be in the CL and with a European trophy in our hands, the club will claim this is what we've been striving for and this proves we're progressing and that how can we not offer the man who made this happen a new contract, it would be proposperous!

So yeah would like to win the EL but if it means more time with Wenger, no thanks I don't want him here for a second more than he has to stay here.

Why are some people painting the EL to be a great trophy now, I've always said I was looking forward to being in it but most we're very negative and thought it was mickey mouse, at leat NQ has stuck to his guns and not suddenly changed his opinion and decided it's a great prize.

It's literally a poisoned chalice. Let's sack the old goat. Take a broom to the deadwood. Supplement the few decent players we have. Put together a solid plan to attack the PL next season and get this club back on track. And mount a serious CL challenge. Like the clubs above us that we used to fight with and beat, because that's what big clubs are supposed to do.

The other option is to pub our way to a cup that consists of all the teams that couldn't make it into the big boy's competition. Keep hold of this useless manager and then delude ourselves about PL and CL victories.

We can't afford to win the EL. It would be terrible for the club if that somehow happened. It would derail every possibility for progress. Hell, if it was a choice between the CL and Wenger Out I'd be for the latter. Fortunately a choice we'll never have to make because Wenger is clueless when it comes to the real prizes. Instead we ponder the merits of winning a fake trophy that buys us 5 minutes of Thursday night glory at the expense of fuck knows how much more Wenger induced misery.

We need a hero to step up if we make the final. Somebody who will kick the ball into his own net. We might lose on the night but we'll win the greatest prize in modern football - Wenger Out. That's the prize we should be gunning for.

Wenger out FFS! It's enough now. 12 years. It has to stop.

[Cripps]

Just like he did last time. It's not as if we don't have hard evidence of exactly what's going to happen.

Pretty much.

He said he has plenty left in the tank and sees himself carrying on until Fergie's age, and Fergie managed until 71 years of age. On top of that Wenger is scared of retirement and knows he probably won't land another top managerial job, apart from maybe PSG, so he'll milk this as much as possible :shrug:

[Niall_Quinn]

Pretty much.

He said he has plenty left in the tank and sees himself carrying on until Fergie's age, and Fergie managed until 71 years of age. On top of that Wenger is scared of retirement and knows he probably won't land another top managerial job, apart from maybe PSG, so he'll milk this as much as possible :shrug:

He'd never go to PSG because he'd be shown up and out on his ear within a year. Arsenal is the only place he can hide.

[Goonermerree]

The Europa league is his free ticket to a new contract, he doesn't deserve one, shouldn't even be here next year however we know how we roll, we'll be in the CL and with a European trophy in our hands, the club will claim this is what we've been striving for and this proves we're progressing and that how can we not offer the man who made this happen a new contract, it would be proposperous!



Why are some people painting the EL to be a great trophy now, I've always said I was looking forward to being in it but most we're very negative and thought it was mickey mouse, at leat NQ has stuck to his guns and not suddenly changed his opinion and decided it's a great prize.

Besides NQ has a point, don't want to be in the CL making up the numbers, would rather be in the Europa .

EL is the loser cup, but entry into the CL makes it a bit more important. Can't disagree about your last statement. They wanted a European super league, hey did it by extending the CL when no country went for it. I know we'll be making up numbers in the CL, but we might be ale to attract better players if we're in it.

[Goonermerree]

He'd never go to PSG because he'd be shown up and out on his ear within a year. Arsenal is the only place he can hide.

He'd be shown up at few clubs in the PL now.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Fark! At Pool get Roma as well!


Oh well at least the only positive is that we can't fuck around as we have before. First leg is a home as well which is worrying.

[Bumble]

Fark! At Pool get Roma as well!


Oh well at least the only positive is that we can't fuck around as we have before. First leg is a home as well which is worrying.

I think the first leg at home is better as least we are still in the tie when we play at home.

if we defend against griezman and costa like we defend against most teams think we could be in a spot of bother.

I am actually looking forward to it, I haven't looked forward to a game in a while.

I think the realisation could be that regardless of results Wenger will decide when he goes. So might as well bring home a European trophy, as the best case scenario is win the Europa league for the trophy factor not the CL football factor, Wenger decides now is the time to go as he has finally won a European trophy. A new manager comes in with the promise of CL football. Worst case we get demolished by AM, Wenger stays anyway as he convinces Kroenke that we have progressed by making the semis and we can have another crack at Europa league next year.

[Mac76]

First leg is a home as well which is worrying.

no, i'd say that was the better way around, as we then know what we have to do in the away fixture, and pressure is on the other side not to concede away goals (unless they're already 5-0 up of course...)

[The Emirates Gallactico]

The problem with having the first leg at home is that you don't know how to approach it. Do we go all out to destroy them or do we focus on not giving up any away goals?

Plus we always perform better at home both in Europe & the League so it would have been nice to have that as a backup option in case the first leg went to shit.

The really annoying thing is that is Utd never had to face anyone as hard as Atletico last year to win it - they had pub teams all the way to the end. But no, this year had to be the one year when they couldn't get out of the group stages. :doh:

Only good thing is that Costa got injured yesterday so he may not be back for this. :pray:

[Mac76]

Probably. Wenger has no pride and no shame and his primary goal for Arsenal Football Club now is to secure his own job. So there's every chance he'll chuck this game aginst our once major rivals. He won't give a fuck what the fans think about that, of course.

except that we still have Burnley breathing down our necks so getting nothing at Man Ure means top 6 could turn into top 7...

i hate Sean Dyche btw, don't know why, i just do - just thought i'd mention that...

[Mac76]

we've a tough sequence coming up actually:

26 Apr - A v Atletico
29 Apr - Moan U v A
3 May - Atletico v A
5 May (yes just two days later) - A v Burnley (a 6-pointer these days sadly...)
9 May - Vardy's Gyppo Army v A

i still hate Sean Dyche btw - just thought i'd mention that once again...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Personally don't think it's even a question. Focus has to be on EL only.

It doesn't matter whether we finished 6th or 7th or even 5th really. Think we've already got EL football next year because we got into the CC final and so it's just a question of money and pride.

[dostoy]

I want Wenger gone more than anything but I am certain that even if Arsenal do not win the EL he will still be the manager next season anyway.

This means that Arsenal might as well win the EL and be back in the CL next season.

Wenger is guaranteed to fuck that up as well as the whole season which will hopefully mean there will not be another contract for him in 12 months time although that is far from certain.

Arsenal are a pathetic club who don't want to win, they are just happy plodding along whilst making money and that will not change until Wenger and Kroenke both leave.

[Özim]

First leg at home first is a bad thing, Atletico will know exactly what they need to do at home, that's a better scenario IMO, realistically wins are more likely at home, just look at yesterday we had it won after being 4-1 up but then conceded 2 and almost 3 before pulling it back, could have gone badly if they'd gone 3-0 up as we saw in other ties.

I don't fancy us against Atletico, however Wenger is the luckiest manager around IMO, so I can see him somehow getting a jammy result.

[Özim]

I want Wenger gone more than anything but I am certain that even if Arsenal do not win the EL he will still be the manager next season anyway.

This means that Arsenal might as well win the EL and be back in the CL next season.

Wenger is guaranteed to fuck that up as well as the whole season which will hopefully mean there will not be another contract for him in 12 months time although that is far from certain.

Arsenal are a pathetic club who don't want to win, they are just happy plodding along whilst making money and that will not change until Wenger and Kroenke both leave.

What if his contract is extended on the basis of winning the Europa League? Would you be happy with that, if he gets another two years? That is certainly a possibility.

[GP]

Think we've already got EL football next year because we got into the CC final and so it's just a question of money and pride.

No. Losers don't get anything.

[dostoy]

What if his contract is extended on the basis of winning the Europa League? Would you be happy with that, if he gets another two years? That is certainly a possibility.

No I would not be happy with that at all but I don't think his contract would be extended on that basis this summer.

I think he will leave in June 2019 and not before.

[Özim]

No I would not be happy with that at all but I don't think his contract would be extended on that basis this summer.

I think he will leave in June 2019 and not before.

I'm not convinced to be honest, if he delivers CL football that's his target met and he might get an extension IMO.

[dostoy]

The chances of Arsenal getting in the top 4 next season are very very slim, there is more chance of finishing 3rd in the group stages of the CL, dropping into the EL and winning that.

As Arsenal are regressing every year its very unlikely.

[Letters]

Top 2. Top 4. Top 6. That's the direction we have been going with Wenger over these last 15 years.
That's a little bit disingenuous.

There is no such thing as a top 2 any more, once Chelsea and City bought their way in all that was gone and Utd haven't exactly been raking in the titles since Fergie left.
Liverpool and Spurs have sorted themselves out so now it is more of a top 6 and this season we have been rock bottom of it.
Will we stay there? Maybe.
If Spurs don't win the FA Cup and Kane leaves, if Poch leaves will their star continue to rise? Liverpool have never consistently been a top 4 side to they could implode.
But overall the competition has increased and now it seems we need a better manager to even get in the top 4 let alone properly challenge.
If you think that a manager is going to come in and we'll be top 2 every year then you're dreaming. That won't happen.
But we should definitely be challenging harder with our resources and that's what I expect from a new manager.

I think it unlikely we'll fall much further unless a bunch of other clubs get bought by billionaires and start buying their way in. Otherwise it's quite hard to fall much further.
You think we have the "worst manager in football" and we'll probably finish 6th. There are only so many big clubs and we are one of them. That is the limiting factor.
You get one off crazy stories like Leicester but ultimately we can buy a better squad than most other clubs so there is only so far we can fall whoever our manager is.

[fakeyank]

Let me see.

a) We are playing a team whose manager knows exactly how to stifle opponents
b) We are playing against Griezman
c) Diego Costa

Frankly c) is good enough to say we are losing the tie, but I added another 2 reasons why our chances of going to the final are almost nil.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

That's a little bit disingenuous.

There is no such thing as a top 2 any more, once Chelsea and City bought their way in all that was gone and Utd haven't exactly been raking in the titles since Fergie left.
Liverpool and Spurs have sorted themselves out so now it is more of a top 6 and this season we have been rock bottom of it.
Will we stay there? Maybe.
If Spurs don't win the FA Cup and Kane leaves, if Poch leaves will their star continue to rise? Liverpool have never consistently been a top 4 side to they could implode.
But overall the competition has increased and now it seems we need a better manager to even get in the top 4 let alone properly challenge.
If you think that a manager is going to come in and we'll be top 2 every year then you're dreaming. That won't happen.
But we should definitely be challenging harder with our resources and that's what I expect from a new manager.

I think it unlikely we'll fall much further unless a bunch of other clubs get bought by billionaires and start buying their way in. Otherwise it's quite hard to fall much further.
You think we have the "worst manager in football" and we'll probably finish 6th. There are only so many big clubs and we are one of them. That is the limiting factor.
You get one off crazy stories like Leicester but ultimately we can buy a better squad than most other clubs so there is only so far we can fall whoever our manager is.

Spurs could easily yoyo and will certainly do so if they don't significantly raise their wage bill.... but Liverpool are here to stay, or will be there or thereabouts.

[Letters]

The chances of Arsenal getting in the top 4 next season are very very slim, there is more chance of finishing 3rd in the group stages of the CL, dropping into the EL and winning that.

As Arsenal are regressing every year its very unlikely.

When you say regressing every year, the last 5 seasons our final place and points total has been:

4th 79
3rd 75
2nd 71
5th 75
6th 64

Obviously I've had to extrapolate for this year which is looking like Wenger's worst ever league finish and possibly points total.
My point is there hasn't been year on year consistent regression - till last season it was all fairly consistent BUT other sides around us were getting better which is why we dropped out of the top 4.
This year has gone off a cliff but I doubt we will decline the same amount next year. In fact I'm sure we won't, I just think our squad is too good for that.

Our massive problem this year has been away form. Our home form has been right up there

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/13-april-2018/home/

We have stunk the place up away

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/13-april-2018/away/

It's all added up to a mess of a season in the league. Top 4 is getting tougher generally so it will be a battle next year and every year unless Spurs and Liverpool implode which is always possible.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The Europa league is his free ticket to a new contract, he doesn't deserve one, shouldn't even be here next year however we know how we roll, we'll be in the CL and with a European trophy in our hands, the club will claim this is what we've been striving for and this proves we're progressing and that how can we not offer the man who made this happen a new contract, it would be proposperous!

So yeah would like to win the EL but if it means more time with Wenger, no thanks I don't want him here for a second more than he has to stay here.

Why are some people painting the EL to be a great trophy now, I've always said I was looking forward to being in it but most we're very negative and thought it was mickey mouse, at leat NQ has stuck to his guns and not suddenly changed his opinion and decided it's a great prize.

Besides NQ has a point, don't want to be in the CL making up the numbers, would rather be in the Europa league which is more our level, at least we have an outside chance of doing well in that seeing as it's mostly made up of pub teams. This is the sad thing of course, the CL with it's top 4 qualification criteria has really ruined the Europa, the teams that would have been in it are now in the CL, sad really, once upon a time the UEFA Cup was really special.

...not sure that was precisely his point, lol.

[selassie]

If I thought that winning the EL would mean another, say, 10 years of Wenger then there would be more to consider. But I reckon it'll be another season...and it might be another season anyway.
In 20 years time when people remember the history of the club are they going to remember that Wenger stayed another couple of seasons and that it meant another season bumbling around failing to compete or will they remember that we won the Europa League. Given how sparse our victories in Europe have been, I'd take the EL any day.

As I said a while back, dream scenario is we win the EL and Wenger leaves with some dignity intact, I suspect neither will happen.

Yeah beggars can't be choosing and all that.....

Letters, think about this for a minute, should we even be in this position? If Wenger would have done his job properly..........maybe just maybe....we would be comfortably in top 4......oh wait...

The funny thing is we are going into the Semi finals as massive underdogs against a team that don't even need to win the thing to qualify for CL next season.

The whole thing is ridiculous.

[selassie]

I think the first leg at home is better as least we are still in the tie when we play at home.

if we defend against griezman and costa like we defend against most teams think we could be in a spot of bother. I am actually looking forward to it, I haven't looked forward to a game in a while.

I think the realisation could be that regardless of results Wenger will decide when he goes. So might as well bring home a European trophy, as the best case scenario is win the Europa league for the trophy factor not the CL football factor, Wenger decides now is the time to go as he has finally won a European trophy. A new manager comes in with the promise of CL football. Worst case we get demolished by AM, Wenger stays anyway as he convinces Kroenke that we have progressed by making the semis and we can have another crack at Europa league next year.

Spot of bother? If we defend like normal the tie will be over by half time in the first leg.

We have our work cut out here...

[rodders]

Does anybody seriously believe that under the guidance of master tactician Wenger we have any chance at all? Can see a 6 or seven aggregate loss

[Marc Overmars]

Great draw! Think we’ll pub our way past them.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Does anybody seriously believe that under the guidance of master tactician Wenger we have any chance at all? Can see a 6 or seven aggregate loss

They beat Sporting 2-1 on aggregate. Our defence is an exploding clown car at the best of times...... but Atletico are not really a hit em for 6 kinda team. They've scored 51 goals in 31 games in La Liga despite being second in the table. They are 6th in the scoring charts for La Liga and scored one more than Celta Vigo.

(We've scored 61 in 32 league games)

We're up against it, but it's by no means a forgone conclusion. Were it not for that stupid rule that's been overturned now, I'd fancy Aubameayng to do them.

[Niall_Quinn]

Spot of bother? If we defend like normal the tie will be over by half time in the first leg.

We have our work cut out here...

That's very possible.

Big build up, Arsenal vs Atleti for the final, and it's LIVE!

Sleepy Arsenal come out looking for their usual first half nap, BANG, BANG, 2 away goals. Start planning the glorious failure in Spain, so close and yet so typical.

Wenger will have to do something he's so far proven incapable of doing. Change. I think our first eleven is capable of going toe to toe with them, but we don't have Auba and, most unfortunately, we do have Wenger. It's a massive, massive ask for that reason. Wenger will get everything wrong, so the players will need to defeat him as well as Atleti. Fair play to them if they manage it.

[Niall_Quinn]

...not sure that was precisely his point, lol.

No, not really.

My point is, the PL is where we start. We challenge there and all else takes care of itself. If it's not obvious by now that we can't challenge with Wenger here then it will never be clear to the likes of Kroenke. The start of our challenge is the sacking of Wenger.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Seems like Diego Costa might miss the 1st leg. :popcorn:

[Niall_Quinn]

Lucifer and all his horned demons are on Wenger's payroll, doing what it takes to keep his arse in that seat.

[GP]

Seems like Diego Costa might miss the 1st leg. :popcorn:

Would prefer if he was missing both his legs.

[Cripps]

Seems like Diego Costa might miss the 1st leg. :popcorn:

:lol: Wenger uses up another life then.

[LDG]

Purely speaking as an Arsenal fan (and yes I’m biased). I’d quite like us to win this trophy.

[GP]

Purely speaking as an Arsenal fan (and yes I’m biased). I’d quite like us to win this trophy.

Fuckin AKB scum

[Niall_Quinn]

Purely speaking as an Arsenal fan (and yes I’m biased). I’d quite like us to win this trophy.

Come next November it'll be shit, shit, piss, fuck, I wish we hadn't won that trophy.

Wait and see.

[LDG]

Come next November it'll be shit, shit, piss, fuck, I wish we hadn't won that trophy.

Wait and see.

Well, no, not really. Happy to win trophies. I want us to win trophies. Where possible at the expense of all other clubs I hate.

If you can tell me you want the other side to win, then go ahead. You’re the same as me, but don’t fall in the gap. He’ll be dead in 20 anyway, so nothings forever. Trophy record is though....

You can still protest, and I’ll support you. Silly old dufus needs to go now, not tomorrow, now. He should have gone ages ago, and that we’re going for the EL as our main target speaks volumes of how far we have fallen under a regime or self indulgence and greed.

But I still want to win it. Because I don’t want anyone else winning anything ever

[Niall_Quinn]

Well, no, not really. Happy to win trophies. I want us to win trophies. Where possible at the expense of all other clubs I hate.

If you can tell me you want the other side to win, then go ahead. You’re the same as me, but don’t fall in the gap. He’ll be dead in 20 anyway, so nothings forever. Trophy record is though....

You can still protest, and I’ll support you. Silly old dufus needs to go now, not tomorrow, now. He should have gone ages ago, and that we’re going for the EL as our main target speaks volumes of how far we have fallen under a regime or self indulgence and greed.

But I still want to win it. Because I don’t want anyone else winning anything ever

I'll want to win on the day.

Until then - Wenger out at all costs. We can't let up for one minute on this guy or he'll sneak through the cracks.

[Alpha]

Let me see.

a) We are playing a team whose manager knows exactly how to stifle opponents
b) We are playing against Griezman
c) Diego Costa

Frankly c) is good enough to say we are losing the tie, but I added another 2 reasons why our chances of going to the final are almost nil.

Apart from having a dodgy defense , Arsenal is unfortunately a team who has dodgy supporters who only see a negative outcome in any game .
Any team in Europa League is not a world beater included Atletico Madrid . If there were that good as people want to make them look , they should be in Champions league.
Against Porto , they showed their vulnerability . A better team than Porto could have taken advantage and scored more than 2 goals .
Antoine Griezmann is a good player but not a super finisher . He prouved against Porto he could miss easy chances as he is just a human .
Moral : Arsenal and Athletico Madrid have both 50/50 chances of reaching the final .
So no panic yet .

[Xhaka Can’t]

Purely speaking as an Arsenal fan (and yes I’m biased). I’d quite like us to win this trophy.

Why do you hate Arsenal?

If you truly loved the Club, you’d want us to lose every game and join the rest of the forum greats in competing with them in seeing who can come up with the most apocalyptic and hyperbolic statement on how fucking much they want us to lose.

This forum is a steaming pile of rhinoceros turd.

[Cripps]

I hear the argument that in 20 years time people won't be thinking about Wenger and that the trophy cabinet will speak for itself but there's some things like dignity, self respect, reputation and being a laughing stock that you can't put a price on, and with every year that he stays those take a tumble. The damage he has done is so substantial we need to get this old goat out ASAP to restore some pride and stop being viewed as a global laughing stock, so I think the negatives of him winning a trophy outweighs the positives.

[Letters]

This forum is a steaming pile of rhinoceros turd.
Innit. It's like this, but in reverse


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cEpP9pqSU4

The level of "debate" is pretty much...

Zim: I hate Wenger!
NQ: I hate Wenger more than you!
Zim: Do not!
NQ: Do too.
Letters: "I think Wenger should be sacked, but I don't th..."
NQ: "STOP SUCKING WENGER'S COCK!"
Zim: LETTERS AND WENGER SITTING IN A TREE...



Tiresome...

[Niall_Quinn]

Apart from having a dodgy defense , Arsenal is unfortunately a team who has dodgy supporters who only see a negative outcome in any game .
Any team in Europa League is not a world beater included Atletico Madrid . If there were that good as people want to make them look , they should be in Champions league.
Against Porto , they showed their vulnerability . A better team than Porto could have taken advantage and scored more than 2 goals .
Antoine Griezmann is a good player but not a super finisher . He prouved against Porto he could miss easy chances as he is just a human .
Moral : Arsenal and Athletico Madrid have both 50/50 chances of reaching the final .
So no panic yet .

So how long does this go on then?

Why do you think we can't compete in the CL? And why do you think triumph in the also-ran cup is in any way an acceptable substitute? Because that's Wenger's way of thinking, for sure. And it's the very thinking that has made us a second grade club, despite the top tier resources and the world class fleecing of the "dodgy" fans.

The 4th Place Cup. That's why we don't compete in the PL or CL. Because Wenger has bred mediocre into the fabric of the club. And now the club is trying to sell FA Cups and the Europa League as an acceptable standard. But I notice they haven't dropped the ticket prices.

No other club has had to put up with a decade of this shite. There has to be a cut-off point. Eventually. So there's no point having a go at the increasing number of fans who are now staying away or using 10 years of shit to predict another shit outcome. Why not reserve your fire for the bastards who put the club in this situation. Or maybe you are happy with how things are? Which is fine. Wenger is happy too.

But don't go demanding all fans accept it please.

[Niall_Quinn]

Innit. It's like this, but in reverse


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cEpP9pqSU4

The level of "debate" is pretty much...

Zim: I hate Wenger!
NQ: I hate Wenger more than you!
Zim: Do not!
NQ: Do too.
Letters: "I think Wenger should be sacked, but I don't th..."
NQ: "STOP SUCKING WENGER'S COCK!"
Zim: LETTERS AND WENGER SITTING IN A TREE...



Tiresome...

The weasel spots an audience and starts squeaking.

[Letters]

Excellent debating as always :good:

[Niall_Quinn]

Excellent debating as always :good:

Couldn't find a Newsthump article to spam.

[fakeyank]

Apart from having a dodgy defense , Arsenal is unfortunately a team who has dodgy supporters who only see a negative outcome in any game .
Any team in Europa League is not a world beater included Atletico Madrid . If there were that good as people want to make them look , they should be in Champions league.
Against Porto , they showed their vulnerability . A better team than Porto could have taken advantage and scored more than 2 goals .
Antoine Griezmann is a good player but not a super finisher . He prouved against Porto he could miss easy chances as he is just a human .
Moral : Arsenal and Athletico Madrid have both 50/50 chances of reaching the final .
So no panic yet .

I am sorry if I let an entire decade (and more) of getting NOTHING out of European ties against decent opponents. How on earth could I look at data like that and think that we will have a negative outcome against one of the most tactically astute managers in football?! Makes no sense. I must be a moran.

[Niall_Quinn]

I am sorry if I let an entire decade (and more) of getting NOTHING out of European ties against decent opponents. How on earth could I look at data like that and think that we will have a negative outcome against one of the most tactically astute managers in football?! Makes no sense. I must be a moran.

Kneejerk reactions. Judge him at the end of the century.

[Letters]

I am sorry if I let an entire decade (and more) of getting NOTHING out of European ties against decent opponents. How on earth could I look at data like that and think that we will have a negative outcome against one of the most tactically astute managers in football?! Makes no sense. I must be a moran.

It's fairly reasonable to think we are...second favourites.
Arsenal "fans" who seem to actively hope we lose can FOAD, frankly.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's fairly reasonable to think we are...second favourites.
Arsenal "fans" who seem to actively hope we lose can FOAD, frankly.

When did you become such an heroic fan?

Last stand is it? The one last great hope. And it's pissing you off that fans who actually acknowledge the last decade and a little bit have the nerve to remind you of it? Spoiling the plan is it? Spilling the beans?

EVERY fans would be going into EVERY remaining game 100% behind the club that has shamelessly raped them for over a decade IF that cunt fucked off tonight.

But he won't.

So don't go asking fans to be happy about the prospect of that cunt worming his way back into the manager's chair that he's stunk out by using this competition as a vehicle to save his own sorry arse.

Of course it's bitter sweet. We want to win and we want that cunt to go. But these things may prove to be mutually exclusive.

After what we've seen from this cunt for years and years, what's so terrible about having misgivings about even the faintest possibility of him clinging on to wreck the club further? Fans who give a shit about anything bar the short term prospects of this club should fuck off and die? Is that what you are saying?

[Goonermerree]

I really want us to win the EL, but I can understand why fans might not want us to. I am being very negative when I say, 'I don't think we stand a chance against Atletico.' Based on what you may ask. I watched most of Sunday's match, ant the matches against which ever other teams we have lost to away from home, none of them are as good as Atletico.

I have a friend who has supported Arsenal for longer than we've all been alive, he's seen bad teams and gone through bad phases, but even he is disillusioned right now. He may not renew his season ticket and doesn't go to evening matches any more. He's knocking on a bit and he gets home beyond midnight after week matches, but there is no way he wouldn't go if he were being inspired when he got there

[Niall_Quinn]

I really want us to win the EL, but I can understand why fans might not want us to. I am being very negative when I say, 'I don't think we stand a chance against Atletico.' Based on what you may ask. I watched most of Sunday's match, ant the matches against which ever other teams we have lost to away from home, none of them are as good as Atletico.

I have a friend who has supported Arsenal for longer than we've all been alive, he's seen bad teams and gone through bad phases, but even he is disillusioned right now. He may not renew his season ticket and doesn't go to evening matches any more. He's knocking on a bit and he gets home beyond midnight after week matches, but there is no way he wouldn't go if he were being inspired when he got there

The real optimism that can be dug out from this is how far this club could bounce back if it didn't have to drag Wenger around with it. We're probably the club with the most potential in world football, I can't think of any other club that might be transformed so dramatically once one simple step is taken.

Wenger knows this himself, I'm sure. Which is why it's so shameful that he hangs on.

[Özim]

IMO Wenger won't want t leave before his contract is up at least, but failing to win the CL and possibly ending up 7th would really put pressure on him, winning the EL would pretty much remove that pressure and allow to stay and perhaps even sign a new contract.

As far as hi leaving on a high, really couldn't care less, that ship has sailed, just want him to leave however that happens, I don't think he deserves to leave on a high anyway based on his performance and behaviour his career with us has overall been average.

To those who say Atletico aren't all that, well they've consistently been very good, they had a bad start to the season which meant they dropped out of the CL, but every year they are 2nd or 3rd and they've been very good in the CL before this season, they are organised, disciplined and have some top quality players, including a top keeper, top CBs and a top class attack and midfield.

They're a better side than us, with a better manager, at the end of the day they might not have impressed against Sporting but they still got through and kept they're aggregate advantage from the first leg, the only way we're going to beat them is by lucking this one IMO, I wouldn't put it past Wenger, sometimes he just seems to get the rub of the green!

[Letters]

When did you become such an heroic fan?
I don't think wanting the team I support to win makes me a hero.

Us winning it and Wenger leaving are not mutually exclusive. The first may happen, the second definitely will at some point.
IF us winning it was somehow the key to Wenger having eternal life and being our manager in perpetuity then there would be an argument here but it isn't and he won't be.
So, for now, let's try and rescue something from what has been a poor season.

[Bumble]

i want us to win the EL. I am still naïvely clinging to the hope that Wenger will leave after the EL win and on a high.

Also I do disagree with Zim about Wenger being an average manager. He has won 3 league titles and has won the FA Cup more times than any other manager. I know he has been here a long time but lets not totally rewrite history and forget the job he did at the start.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't think wanting the team I support to win makes me a hero.

Us winning it and Wenger leaving are not mutually exclusive. The first may happen, the second definitely will at some point.
IF us winning it was somehow the key to Wenger having eternal life and being our manager in perpetuity then there would be an argument here but it isn't and he won't be.
So, for now, let's try and rescue something from what has been a poor season.

A "poor" season? Just one of those things?

Or a season that yet again confirms every point Wenger's critics have been making for years? And what are those critics saying now? Even one more year will make things worse. So why are you going on about eternal life? He will definitely leave "at some point"? Well it should be right now, today, based on his record. But there's not enough pressure to force it. Your indifference to the departure date is the very type of complacency and lack of ambition and drive that has put the club in the shit, is it not?

This is like a war of attrition. If Wenger can just endure long enough then his critics will give up. This season is a reflection of that. So many fans thought the old fraud would do the decent thing and fuck off last season. But he didn't, to his legacy killing shame. And even some of his most strident opponents said, fuck it, I'm done. The surest way of Wenger being here for the foreseeable future is if the pressure drops and everyone instead focuses on "triumph" in a competition that clubs like Madrid and Barca and now even the gypos would see as a huge backward slide.

Complacency at its finest. Mediocrity manifest.

[Niall_Quinn]

i want us to win the EL. I am still naïvely clinging to the hope that Wenger will leave after the EL win and on a high.

Also I do disagree with Zim about Wenger being an average manager. He has won 3 league titles and has won the FA Cup more times than any other manager. I know he has been here a long time but lets not totally rewrite history and forget the job he did at the start.

Nobody is rewriting history. It doesn't need to be rewritten to state, based on the evidence, Wenger is a shit manager today. And has been for years. That's what the record states. That's what the results tell us. And it's also history that shouldn't be and can't be rewritten.

Clough was a great manager. Then he was the biggest liability in the game. That's history too.

I disagree with Zim about Wenger being an average manager too. He's not that good. Look at the league table. Look at our European record in the competition that counts. Look at the woeful string of PL collapses year after year. He's not even been close to doing anything significant for well over a decade.

He's an absolute fraud. He's convinced so many fans that winning the little stuff makes him a big guy. The truth is he's a second rate has-been, a sad and pathetic old fool who doesn't know when to call it a day and doesn't care if he's dragging this club down to his level provided he keeps his job as emperor of his little fantasy kingdom.

And his legacy is shot to hell with many fans now, and rightly so. His selfishness far outweighs his achievements at this stage.

[Özim]

i want us to win the EL. I am still naïvely clinging to the hope that Wenger will leave after the EL win and on a high.

Also I do disagree with Zim about Wenger being an average manager. He has won 3 league titles and has won the FA Cup more times than any other manager. I know he has been here a long time but lets not totally rewrite history and forget the job he did at the start.

Who cares if he leaves on a high, we've had years of frustration thanks to him and he's turned this club into some business that's only interested in money and puts results a firm 2nd.

As for him being average, based on his entire career with us it is average, 20+ years and look at his major achievements 3 league titles over 14 years ago, the FA Cups in his early spell fair enough, those were big prizes too, but later on not so much as the FA Cup is very much a 2nd tier trophy. His record in Europe makes for sorry reading as well, he's harped on about how he's qualified for x amount of years and yet not once managed to win it, despite at some stage having the best team in the competition, very poor show really.

You can't look at those early successes in isolation, you have to look at his whole tenure with us, on that basis he's average.

[Cripps]

Leave on a high :lol:

I hope we lose every game until he leaves :lol:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Who cares if he leaves on a high, we've had years of frustration thanks to him and he's turned this club into some business that's only interested in money and puts results a firm 2nd.

As for him being average, based on his entire career with us it is average, 20+ years and look at his major achievements 3 league titles over 14 years ago, the FA Cups in his early spell fair enough, those were big prizes too, but later on not so much as the FA Cup is very much a 2nd tier trophy. His record in Europe makes for sorry reading as well, he's harped on about how he's qualified for x amount of years and yet not once managed to win it, despite at some stage having the best team in the competition, very poor show really.

You can't look at those early successes in isolation, you have to look at his whole tenure with us, on that basis he's average.

Thought about this.

He was above average when he arrived and overcame a number of challenges to make us into a team that was quite simply breathtaking. For a good reason.

Now the team just makes you want to breath your last breath rather than watch another 90 minutes of....well....I can’t describe it. I just know I want no part of it.

The game has passed him by and this coupled with him ditching just about all the qualities that mad him good have turned him into a manager that is waaaaaay below average.

[Niall_Quinn]

Thought about this.

He was above average when he arrived and overcame a number of challenges to make us into a team that was quite simply breathtaking. For a good reason.

Now the team just makes you want to breath your last breath rather than watch another 90 minutes of....well....I can’t describe it. I just know I want no part of it.

The game has passed him by and this coupled with him ditching just about all the qualities that mad him good have turned him into a manager that is waaaaaay below average.

I'd have forgiven him everything had he not made that incredibly selfish end-run around the board last season. That was unforgivable. And look at us now.

I'd easily, without a moment's thought, swap an EL win this year for him having left at the end of last season. Now the thought he might use such a win to stay even longer, it's the deal breaker - I'll probably be done with football if that happens. I'm almost done with it now, and Wenger is at least 75% responsible for that with the general shit state of the super hyped carnival being guilty for the remainder.

Wenger was there when football was the best I ever remembered, not because we were winning, but because we were winning with such spectacular style. The football was enthralling, invigorating, everything that used to make it worth watching this sport, and more. Unforgettable. He played his part.

All those years ago.

And I'm not going to forget what he's done since, to tarnish everything that went before.

Damn. This guy has made a hundred million quid at Arsenal. Why couldn't he just fuck off when the time was right? He'd be the legend of legends now. I thought he was supposed to be an intelligent guy.

[Mac76]

The question is, does Wenger already think he's done enough by getting to the EL semi-final?

everyone agrees Atletico is a CL-standard team so even if we lose, but only narrowly, then I'm betting he'll use that as an excuse

And if we get to the final, then definitely i think he will say that's good enough, having beaten a CL-standard team to get there.

i've said it before but i really remember his reaction when we beat Man City in the FAC SF last season - he jumped up thinking 'that's it I've done enough now, it won't matter if we lose to Chelsea in the final, i'll get a new contract'

[selassie]

The question is, does Wenger already think he's done enough by getting to the EL semi-final?

everyone agrees Atletico is a CL-standard team so even if we lose, but only narrowly, then I'm betting he'll use that as an excuse

And if we get to the final, then definitely i think he will say that's good enough, having beaten a CL-standard team to get there.

i've said it before but i really remember his reaction when we beat Man City in the FAC SF last season - he jumped up thinking 'that's it I've done enough now, it won't matter if we lose to Chelsea in the final, i'll get a new contract'

I think he does.

I also think he willl use the Atletico have been a consistent CL semi-finalist / finalist over the past few years as justification for us going out.

Then we will get the "I have been here 20 years, I have built the club up, I have built the new stadium, everybody should show me some respect" blah blah blah

He really is tiring, I really wish he would just go. :rolleyes:

[Cripps]

I'd have forgiven him everything had he not made that incredibly selfish end-run around the board last season. That was unforgivable. And look at us now.

I'd easily, without a moment's thought, swap an EL win this year for him having left at the end of last season. Now the thought he might use such a win to stay even longer, it's the deal breaker - I'll probably be done with football if that happens. I'm almost done with it now, and Wenger is at least 75% responsible for that with the general shit state of the super hyped carnival being guilty for the remainder.

Wenger was there when football was the best I ever remembered, not because we were winning, but because we were winning with such spectacular style. The football was enthralling, invigorating, everything that used to make it worth watching this sport, and more. Unforgettable. He played his part.

All those years ago.

And I'm not going to forget what he's done since, to tarnish everything that went before.

Damn. This guy has made a hundred million quid at Arsenal. Why couldn't he just fuck off when the time was right? He'd be the legend of legends now. I thought he was supposed to be an intelligent guy.

I'd swap that first FA cup for him leaving that summer.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'd swap that first FA cup for him leaving that summer.

He's had opportunity after opportunity to leave with a bit of grace. He's clung on every time, each being worse than the last as he dragged us down the table and the quality of our football dived into the shitter. I don't know why anyone believes he'd leave if we won this EL. I don't know why they believe he'll willingly leave at the end of this contract. He's shown no indication whatsoever of wanting to pack it in or any acknowledgement he's doing a bad job. Even up until the last game he was sitting there blaming everyone else, everyone bar himself. And if the board couldn't get rid of him last time around, how are they going to do it this time if he secured CL football and the cash it guarantees? Yes, it's a euro trophy and all, but we're very, very fucked if we we win it. Atleti should take care of that prospect easily enough, but Wenger has a habit of finding ways to save his arse. And, as someone else asked, maybe he's going to argue he's already done enough by reaching the semis. His standards are rockbottom, it's not inconceivable to imagine he's sitting there congratulating himself for this season.

[Letters]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wenger-has-been-seduced-by-the-idea-that-he-is-infallible-just-like-blair-99wgx0kwn?shareToken=b5d80fb5d851745afec9f11dd0245 434

Saw this posted on FB.
“Black Box Thinking” is an excellent book by this dude.

[KSE Comedy Club]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wenger-has-been-seduced-by-the-idea-that-he-is-infallible-just-like-blair-99wgx0kwn?shareToken=b5d80fb5d851745afec9f11dd0245 434

Saw this posted on FB.
“Black Box Thinking” is an excellent book by this dude.

What a quality article, best meedja thing I have read for quite some time :good:

[Globalgunner]

The important thing is that wenger`s obsolescence has now become trending news. Most major outlets have now cottoned on to what many fans have been saying for over 8 years. The jig may finally be up.

[selassie]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wenger-has-been-seduced-by-the-idea-that-he-is-infallible-just-like-blair-99wgx0kwn?shareToken=b5d80fb5d851745afec9f11dd0245 434

Saw this posted on FB.
“Black Box Thinking” is an excellent book by this dude.

Nice one Letters, that was a really decent read.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wenger-has-been-seduced-by-the-idea-that-he-is-infallible-just-like-blair-99wgx0kwn?shareToken=b5d80fb5d851745afec9f11dd0245 434

Saw this posted on FB.
“Black Box Thinking” is an excellent book by this dude.

Jeez - compared to Tony Blair. That's a bit strong. Even I'd baulk at that comparison. Tony Blair is the world's worst war criminal, Wenger has committed atrocities against football but it hasn't killed anyone (a few suicides at worst).

[Niall_Quinn]

Makes you wonder what kind of "experts" the journos are though. If it takes them a decade to catch on. Will they all admit they were wrong? Or will they do a Blair and a Wenger?

[Letters]

Jeez - compared to Tony Blair. That's a bit strong. Even I'd baulk at that comparison. Tony Blair is the world's worst war criminal, Wenger has committed atrocities against football but it hasn't killed anyone (a few suicides at worst).

:lol: I saw this article on FB and other people were saying that. They're missing the point.
It's not about comparing what Blair and Wenger have done, more the psychological trap that both have fallen into.
The reason he picks Blair as a comparison is in his "Black Box Thinking" book he goes into the Blair case in quite a lot of detail.

[Cripps]

Tony Blair :haha:

[Globalgunner]

Tony Blair :haha:

Get it right. Its spelt Bliar.

[GP]

Blair :bow:

How he is missed.

[Goonermerree]

Blair :bow:

How he is missed.

The war-mongering, bush arse-licking, tuition fee introducer and liar that he woudn't increase tuition fees - that Blair?

[GP]

Blair :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

The war-mongering, bush arse-licking, tuition fee introducer and liar that he woudn't increase tuition fees - that Blair?

Oh leave him alone FFS! That's all in the past. It's not as if he's still hanging around trying to start a war with Syria and Iran, is it?

[Letters]

Blair Out! :angry:

[Cripps]

Lionel Blair :bow:

[GP]

Linda Blair

[Niall_Quinn]

That's what we need! An exorcist.

That would get rid of him.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Weren't a few calling Wenger, Arsene Mugabe on here anyway....

[GP]

Weren't a few calling Wenger, Arsene Mugabe on here anyway....

A few idiots.

[Cripps]

Atletico Madrid lose 3-0 to Real Sociedad.
Costa possibly injured.

He uses up another life then :lol:

2 more years :lol:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I thought he was already injured....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Anyone tried getting a ticket for Atletico at home recently? Been having some trouble when I tried.....

[Marc Overmars]

Anyone tried getting a ticket for Atletico at home recently? Been having some trouble when I tried.....

Sold out bar ticket exchange.

[Cripps]

:lol:

2 more years :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Sold out bar ticket exchange.

JHC, this competition is going to be the death of this club.

[Letters]

Arsenal fans wanting to see their club in a European semi-final!
What are they thinking?!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Sold out bar ticket exchange.

FFS!

Cheers. The ticket exchange was not returning anything for me neither!

[Marc Overmars]

You’ll probably get the odd seat pop up in the days leading up to the game.

[GP]

Lets win this fucking thing!

[Letters]

Lets win this fucking thing!

I concur.