A couple of observations

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well how come he hasn't had a serious injury for so long then? It must be because of the changes he belatedly made - it happens. It happened with Djokovic when he made changes and it happened with Messi when he made changes too.

We'd already spent money on forwards in the Summer (£30 million or so), if we were that desperate for another striker there is always another opportunity in January.

And who cares what anybody said on here or in the media? We get things wrong all the time. We aren't privvy to all the information (although I didn't think he would break down, based on the fact it hadn't happen for a long time). Saying you'd expect Diaby to be fit for a whole season is disingenuous because they don't have the same physiology and they haven't had the same injury problems. Diaby can't avoid using long strides putting strain on his hamstrings because that is the player he is, RVP can stay away from making stupid decisions on going in for challenges because he is a striker and at that same time build-up his strength whilst doing that.

[Özim]

Well how come he hasn't had a serious injury for so long then? It must be because of the changes he belatedly made - it happens. It happened with Djokovic when he made changes and it happened with Messi when he made changes too.

We'd already spent money on forwards in the Summer (£30 million or so), if we were that desperate for another striker there is always another opportunity in January.

And who cares what anybody said on here or in the media? We get things wrong all the time. We aren't privvy to all the information (although I didn't think he would break down, based on the fact it hadn't happen for a long time). Saying you'd expect Diaby to be fit for a whole season is disingenuous because they don't have the same physiology and they haven't had the same injury problems. Diaby can't avoid using long strides putting strain on his hamstrings because that is the player he is, RVP can stay away from making stupid decisions on going in for challenges because he is a striker and at that same time build-up his strength whilst doing that.

That isn't the point really, the point was were we in a position to assume he'd stay fit in August 2011? I'd say no.

Waiting for January is all very good but by then you're already half way through the season, in addition the players you want aren't usually available then so it would be foolish to wait till then.

Like I said though you can't just put RVP's injuries down to bad luck, the work he's done in recent times might have helped the injuries a lot, but clearly before this something was being done wrong meaning he was less likely to stay fit.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That isn't the point really, the point was were we in a position to assume he'd stay fit in August 2011? I'd say no.

Waiting for January is all very good but by then you're already half way through the season, in addition the players you want aren't usually available then so it would be foolish to wait till then.

Like I said though you can't just put RVP's injuries down to bad luck, the work he's done in recent times might have helped the injuries a lot, but clearly before this something was being done wrong meaning he was less likely to stay fit.

It is the point because you are armed with extra knowledge now as to whether it was the throw darts at the wall decison you seem to make it out to be.

It's not about 'waiting' until then, it's about using that time, if it's needed.

I'm not putting it down to bad luck, I've already mentioned that talking about luck or unluck is fruitless and you're admitting that too by saying I can't put something down to bad luck. You say clearly something was being done wrong which is exactly my point - he made the change and has since been doing the right things. It's no surprise that his 'fortune' has changed since.

[Kano]

It helped us get 3rd and a CL spot, that's quite a big difference, especially when we were miles behind them at one point.

you said a couple posts back we were lucky to get 3rd, not lucky to get a top four spot, after saying we were the best of the rest. i'm not sure i follow your point anymore, its moving all over the place.

[Özim]

It is the point because you are armed with extra knowledge now as to whether it was the throw darts at the wall decison you seem to make it out to be.

It's not about 'waiting' until then, it's about using that time, if it's needed.

I'm not putting it down to bad luck, I've already mentioned that talking about luck or unluck is fruitless and you're admitting that too by saying I can't put something down to bad luck. You say clearly something was being done wrong which is exactly my point - he made the change and has since been doing the right things. It's no surprise that his 'fortune' has changed since.

Well yes you have some extra knowledge, but it's hardly conclusive when the period is relatively short, you're still taking a big risk.

You say that but then why don't we replace Rosicky and Diaby, we clearly need to....I suggest that Wenger is assuming they'll be fit just like he did with RVP, there can be no other reasoning behind it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's unlikely we'll be able to sell players that often get injuries, being released is the only likely option, unless things change. In Rosicky's and Diaby's case (for the millionth time) their injuries are mainly related to muscles, RVP's were impact injuries on different parts of his body. The other two have the same injuries again and again making it harder for them to make that change that RVP could to benefit them.

[fakeyank]

It's unlikely we'll be able to sell players that often get injuries, being released is the only likely option, unless things change. In Rosicky's and Diaby's case (for the millionth time) their injuries are mainly related to muscles, RVP's were impact injuries on different parts of his body. The other two have the same injuries again and again making it harder for them to make that change that RVP could to benefit them.

I do not understand why we offered Rosicky a new contract. Thats probably the dumbest thing done by the douche bags in our club this year.

[Toronto Gooner]

As for those above us not performing to last seasons standard, we are over 10 points behind the top 2 so it's scant consolation.

Interestingly, Arsenal were 10 points behind 2nd and 12 points behind 1st, this time last season.

[Toronto Gooner]

I think this is because the overall level of quality in the EPL has been declining and it is pretty much heading in the opposite direction to the level of money pumped in to fund the product we now watch.

And the product is by and large boring, unwatchable dirge.

If we were paying the players of the past along the same lines the players of today earn, the likes of Vieira, Henry and Bergkamp could legitimately command £500k a week.

Completely agree with this. When compared to the football coming out of Germany, the EPL is a pale imitation.

[Cripps_orig]

Interestingly, Arsenal were 10 points behind 2nd and 12 points behind 1st, this time last season.

So what you are saying is that we were little bit shit last season and just as shit this?