Summer Transfer Misery and Recriminations.

I've watched the last few games in the background while I got on with other stuff. There is absolutely nothing of the intensity that used to grip me as kick off approached. Some of this will be down to the general decline in football from my perspective, but not all of it. Watching Arsenal is a chore underpinned by an addiction that has mellowed into a habit. It won't be a hard habit to break if the current standards persist. Wenger should be ashamed of the decline in our game, but I don't think he even sees it as a decline.

Chelsea (a) - 1-0 loss
West Ham (a) - 0-0 draw
Bolton (a) - 2-0 loss
Newcastle (a) - 1-0 loss
Aston Villa (a) - 0-0 draw
Everton (a) - 1-0 loss
Liverpool (a) - 1-0 loss
Blackburn (a) - 1-0 loss
Man United (a) - 2-0 loss
Man City (a) - 1-0 loss
West Ham (a) - 1-0 loss
Sheff United (a) - 1-0 loss
Everton (a) - 1-0 loss
Newcastle (a) - 0-0 draw
Portsmouth (a) - 0-0 draw

Don't get me wrong this season has been totally depressing, but never before or since under Wenger did we go through a phase where we failed to score in so many league games over a sustained period. Our tippy tappy nonsense was at its height and we barely ever registered a shot on goal. It was by far the worst thing to watch, and as bad as things are now I'd honestly consider ending it all if we went through that kind of spell again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

I've watched the last few games in the background while I got on with other stuff. There is absolutely nothing of the intensity that used to grip me as kick off approached. Some of this will be down to the general decline in football from my perspective, but not all of it. Watching Arsenal is a chore underpinned by an addiction that has mellowed into a habit. It won't be a hard habit to break if the current standards persist. Wenger should be ashamed of the decline in our game, but I don't think he even sees it as a decline.

---

It's been woeful. As soon as I see the team sheet I know whether the game is worth watching. It's really uninspiring stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by selassie

Yeah pretty much agree with this, it won't matter who we sign this summer because Wenger is incapable of implementing tactics based on the strengths/weaknesses of the opposition. There is no proper structure to the team, it's as clear as day and night.

We'll probably finish in or around the top 4 next season due to the quality of some of our players, yes we do have some very good ones. We'll not win PL or CL ever again under Wenger because his principles and ideals are too pie in the sky and he refuses to adapt or modify his approach.

I personally think if Poch or even Ranieri was in charge of Arsenal this season we would have won the league.

---

Tactics aren't even the key. Motivation and management of the squad are what make the difference in this league. The top two teams this season aren't tactical geniuses, in fact, they play the exact same way in every match, much like we do, except that our style has broken down completely to become one big mess. Pochettino uses the same system, just changing personnel where he is forced to. Same with Ranieri. The key to Claudio's success was being able to take last seasons run-in, listen to his players telling him to stick to the same game plan and then keep the harmony and manage when and where to change players.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Özim

Is this Xhaka really that good, never really heard of him or indeed seen much of him? Interstingly seems to have been sent off 5 times in 3 years, so seems to have a bit of aggression about him, probably not a bad thing considering the players we currently have.

If we do end up spending this amount on this guy I would think a decent striker coming in would be unlikely.

Priority would have been a striker followed by a CB with a DM third for me.

---

he is this generation's Xabi Alonso. Will be great for us.

Have him at the base of our midfield with Ramsey and Wilshere beside him and a bit forward and we will have the best midfield in England.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

We need a striker. That's the main thing we need over everything else. We saw the difference Suarez made with that bang average Liverpool team. Had them pushing for a the title to the very end.

---

Yup....

I can't see Wenger spending 40 million on another midfielder who most of us barely know.....he was barely willing to spend that on Suarez.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice

Yup....

I can't see Wenger spending 40 million on another midfielder who most of us barely know.....he was barely willing to spend that on Suarez.

---

Honigstein is generally a credible journalist, so I take his word has a lot more seriously than most others.

That said, he's still works for the media, so who knows.

Xhaka Xhaka Hey Hey.

Sorry.

In depth look at Xhaka

http://abergkampwonderland.co.uk/the...-granit-xhaka/

50/50 I guess, I'd personally go for Kante but a signing is a signing :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Munchies

In depth look at Xhaka

http://abergkampwonderland.co.uk/the...-granit-xhaka/

50/50 I guess, I'd personally go for Kante but a signing is a signing :lol:

---

we need Xhaka more than Kante. Way more.

Ramsey and Elneny can do what Kante does, but an actual controller? THe premiership dont have any ones elite at it. Xhaka is potentially elite.