Arsenal 2-0 Stoke - Match Reaction

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

The problem is, you are unable to debate the point. As has been said, the point has been stated 10,372,448 times, but you still don't register it let alone debate it. I wouldn't have called you retarded, personally. I'd have probably settled for something more political, like "resolute", or "committed" (not literally committed)

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:gp:

He just doesn't get it and there is no point in 'debating' with him.

Oh, now you want to politically correct! :lol:

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Originally Posted by Letters

:). OK, so unable to debate the point you just resort to insults.

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:gp:

:coffee:

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Originally Posted by Letters

I've done it repeatedly in the last few pages, the usual suspects have just resorted to personal jibes and insults.
The "point" seems to be "the last 10 years" but that "point" makes no sense when things change constantly in football, the new financial deals have seen a new level of signing and those players have clearly made a difference. Belittle the FA Cup all you like but it's a start and 3rd and the FA Cup last year is a pretty decent season. Yes, we need to push on and challenge for the biggest prizes, yes the lack of a major signing up front will hamper our chances. But over-reacting after 1 game makes no sense. 5 games in and we're doing OK, Saturday was a good performance. Lose the Chelsea game and yes, it's back to square one but FFS give the lads a chance.

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Football does indeed change, no arguing against that. And it has changed over the past 10 years.

BUT IT IS THE MANAGEMENT OF WENGER THAT HASN'T CHANGED. That is the problem. Yes he has signed better players now he has access to more funds. That's a good thing and everyone agrees with it. But even with these players he is still making many of the same old mistakes he has been making for a decade. This is what stressed out and pissed off observers are keying on. Bad tactics, bad formations with players out of position, seemingly zero appreciation of the opponent (and for Man City, which apparently the players managed themselves anyway, you can point to a Monaco and call the former a one-off), penny-pinching when he no longer needs to, HIS ideas about what represents value even though, as you correctly point out, the game has changed and the whole notion of value has gone out the window. All the signs that have foretold a failure to compete in the league or put up a respectable showing in the CL are still there, including this season. The 10 years are important, despite the new signings and FA cups, because the same patterns are consistent over those 10 years. The game has changed, the manager hasn't. There lies the problem. You have actually stated it yourself, probably without realising. That's what people mean when they say fresh blood, fresh ideas, a manager who realises the game has changed and is suited to dealing with those changes. Agreed, it won't be easy to find somebody suitably qualified, but we should be looking. We mustn't drift into a situation where 2017 arrives and there's no viable alternative so Wenger signs up in a fait accompli. Rather like the striker situation, years to sort it out but again we are hearing his excuses about nobody being available THIS season. Convenient but it's a framed excuse that ignores the past.

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Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

:gp:

He just doesn't get it and there is no point in 'debating' with him.

Oh, now you want to politically correct! :lol:

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Yes, I'm always politically sensitive. Show one example where this isn't the case.

Encouraging performance from Theo, I thought? First time I've seen him play CF where he's looked constantly involved and threatening. Should have smashed about 9, of course, but the chances he was getting on the end of looked varied, and I was pleased to see our playmakers starting to pick him out with some regularity - if that understanding is finally starting to develop, then it bodes well for us.

Is it just me, or is he starting to look a little bit more stocky? And is his first-touch starting to look half-decent too? I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it makes him a strong dribbler or anything, but if it's getting good enough to control the ball under pressure, and create space for himself to shoot, then that might be enough?

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

Football does indeed change, no arguing against that. And it has changed over the past 10 years.

BUT IT IS THE MANAGEMENT OF WENGER THAT HASN'T CHANGED. That is the problem. Yes he has signed better players now he has access to more funds. That's a good thing and everyone agrees with it. But even with these players he is still making many of the same old mistakes he has been making for a decade. This is what stressed out and pissed off observers are keying on. Bad tactics, bad formations with players out of position, seemingly zero appreciation of the opponent (and for Man City, which apparently the players managed themselves anyway, you can point to a Monaco and call the former a one-off), penny-pinching when he no longer needs to, HIS ideas about what represents value even though, as you correctly point out, the game has changed and the whole notion of value has gone out the window. All the signs that have foretold a failure to compete in the league or put up a respectable showing in the CL are still there, including this season. The 10 years are important, despite the new signings and FA cups, because the same patterns are consistent over those 10 years. The game has changed, the manager hasn't. There lies the problem. You have actually stated it yourself, probably without realising. That's what people mean when they say fresh blood, fresh ideas, a manager who realises the game has changed and is suited to dealing with those changes. Agreed, it won't be easy to find somebody suitably qualified, but we should be looking. We mustn't drift into a situation where 2017 arrives and there's no viable alternative so Wenger signs up in a fait accompli. Rather like the striker situation, years to sort it out but again we are hearing his excuses about nobody being available THIS season. Convenient but it's a framed excuse that ignores the past.

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Be prepared for some comeback about competing against two oil baron run clubs with the infinite money cheat and us winning the FA Cup, it's not that bad, judge him at the end of the season....;)

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Originally Posted by I am invisible

Encouraging performance from Theo, I thought? First time I've seen him play CF where he's looked constantly involved and threatening. Should have smashed about 9, of course, but the chances he was getting on the end of looked varied, and I was pleased to see our playmakers starting to pick him out with some regularity - if that understanding is finally starting to develop, then it bodes well for us.

Is it just me, or is he starting to look a little bit more stocky? And is his first-touch starting to look half-decent too? I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it makes him a strong dribbler or anything, but if it's getting good enough to control the ball under pressure, and create space for himself to shoot, then that might be enough?

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Yes, it looks like he's bulked up a bit. Or else he's eating doughnuts with his broccoli.

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Originally Posted by I am invisible

Encouraging performance from Theo, I thought? First time I've seen him play CF where he's looked constantly involved and threatening. Should have smashed about 9, of course, but the chances he was getting on the end of looked varied, and I was pleased to see our playmakers starting to pick him out with some regularity - if that understanding is finally starting to develop, then it bodes well for us.

Is it just me, or is he starting to look a little bit more stocky? And is his first-touch starting to look half-decent too? I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it makes him a strong dribbler or anything, but if it's getting good enough to control the ball under pressure, and create space for himself to shoot, then that might be enough?

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It really was a beautiful touch. Controlled it so it took the ball out of the defenders path and closer to his stronger foot so he could shoot. I like when we plays CF because he can have games where he's just a constant threat like against West Brom, Newcastle and the FA Cup final. Just wave after wave of attack. But he needs to relax a bit and not rush his chances. That should come. But he also needs to a big performance against a major club. If he gets a nod against Chelsea, he has to show up.

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Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

Be prepared for some comeback about competing against two oil baron run clubs with the infinite money cheat and us winning the FA Cup, it's not that bad, judge him at the end of the season....;)

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Unfortunately I have to leave for the airport otherwise I would reply along those lines. Will do so later though ;)

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Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

It really was a beautiful touch. Controlled it so it took the ball out of the defenders path and closer to his stronger foot so he could shoot. I like when we plays CF because he can have games where he's just a constant threat like against West Brom, Newcastle and the FA Cup final. Just wave after wave of attack. But he needs to relax a bit and not rush his chances. That should come. But he also needs to a big performance against a major club. If he gets a nod against Chelsea, he has to show up.

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And if he doesn't show up? Do we stick with him in the hope he eventually gets it together and his long history of injury (unfortunate and unlucky as it is) doesn't come back to bite him? Is he a viable long term option?