Match Reaction vs Aston Villa (home).

Always said you were the best mod on here tbh

:lol:

Wenger is massively frustrating. He's like a girl who you never quite break up with because every time she messes you around to the point where you're about to snap and call it a day, she does something really nice which makes you remember why you're with her in the first place.

There are a few signs that things might be changing - signing players like Ozil and Sanchez, winning the FA Cup, winning away at City. If we finish the season strongly I'll probably be swayed enough to give him one more season, sentimental old fool that I am.

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Originally Posted by Letters

:lol:

Wenger is massively frustrating. He's like a girl who you never quite break up with because every time she messes you around to the point where you're about to snap and call it a day, she does something really nice which makes you remember why you're with her in the first place.

There are a few signs that things might be changing - signing players like Ozil and Sanchez, winning the FA Cup, winning away at City. If we finish the season strongly I'll probably be swayed enough to give him one more season, sentimental old fool that I am.

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:lol: So you were that guy in school.

The squad go in every season handicapped because he fails to address all the weaknesses. Having said that, he's slowly sorted the attack out, now with Paulista here the defence is sorted, so that leaves DM.

If he ships out Diaby and Flamini in the summer (the only reason I don't add Arteta to that list is because I think that's unrealistic and won't happen), ties Coq down to a long term deal, then signs a top DM in the summer, we would be ready to give the league a proper go next season.

But things never seem to work out smoothly with us, so we'll probably have our worst start in 100 years next season. Equally, it wouldn't surprise me if we won the champions league this season. That seems to be the way with us in recent years; a complete mind fuck. Full of extreme lows followed by extreme highs.

I'm not so sure Arteta leaving in the summer is that unrealistic, the media reported he'd signed a one year extension the other day and Wenger was quite dismissive of those reports.

Not to say he will go in the summer, but I think he's not a sacred cow either (captain or no captain)

Coquelin and Akpom would be happy if both sign contract extensions soon

Akpom seemingly has some outside interest so hopefully he signs and is given a fair chance. I'd hate to lose a homegrown talent and see them thrive at a rival.

The fans were pissed because last transfer window we didn't make the obvious signings in defence and midfield. This time around we have signed the defender. We also got lucky with a midfielder hitting form but Wenger had to call him back and play him for us to get lucky. So he's just about gone in the direction the fans were demanding. It's unlikely he did so in response to demands, that's not how he operates. But he's arrived where we wanted to be nonetheless so we're all on the same page now.

The performance against the gypos was huge. Again, the fans have been demanding a performance like that for a long time. We haven't been saying he has to win the title, or win the CL, we've been looking to properly compete against our major rivals and kick out the crazy shit that saw us get battered every other time we played them. That has happened. Again we're not sure why it happened but at least it has happened.

We've strung together a series of wins and we haven't dropped off the pace as the teams around us pick up points. So that's an indication of an improving character in the squad. Injured players are starting to come back. We also signed a player who has made a huge difference right across the team, Alexis. A guy who is an inspiration to everyone around him. The difference between signing an Alexis compared to a Flamini on a free is incalculable and shouts of ambition rather than make do and mend.

So however we got here, we're here and things are going well. When things are going well you can't shout for the manager's head. Therefore, as things stand it's Wenger in. Keep on doing what you are doing and don't fuck up. I'm being entertained by the team and I'm looking forward to the matches again so I'm a happy camper.

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Originally Posted by Marc Overmars

Akpom seemingly has some outside interest so hopefully he signs and is given a fair chance. I'd hate to lose a homegrown talent and see them thrive at a rival.

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I like what I have seen of Akpom so far, he looks a little raw but with massive potential IMO. I hope we keep him.

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Originally Posted by She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Does 15 games wipe out 9 seasons? No.

Going on a good 15 game run when we're out of the title race and there's less pressure means nothing, because the league is ultimately done and dusted between the top 2 clubs now. It's no good going on this sort of run now we're out the title race. For me to change my mind we would need to go on a run like this at the crucial point of a title race i.e. when we're still in for a shout. Now you could say 'well we could still win the title', which is technically true, but do you deep down in your heart think we will? Or even put up a fight for it? No.

Another thing that would weaken my stance would be beating a team managed by Mourinho, because that's something we haven't done before.

Having said that, top 4 and the FA cup would be a good season and it would lessen my anger towards him too, because football's all about winning trophies and 2 in 2 seasons would be great. That would mean I give him another season to see how things unfold next season.

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:gp:

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Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Arsenal :bow:. Should have been 12-0.

Cazorla :bow:. Stunning player.

The speed and energy of Coquelin and Bellerin have made us a different team. And do not forget we have also Alexis and Ox who are having little bit winter break.

Walcott and Ozil scoring is great too.

Giroud is such an under-appreciated player. We know he has his faults but he is so valuable when he's sharp and his productivity is so much more impressive than some so-called big names all around Europe.

Monreal has been virtually faultless all season and Ospina is extremely solid and calm.

Good to see Akpom making an impact, despite his poor final ball/finish.

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Churlish to be negative but yes it should have been 12-0. Final ball in box still sloppy

Anyone see that analysis from Neville?

Bellerin :bow: