Match Reaction vs Soton (away)

[Power n Glory]

Umm. You said:


Now you're saying they have, listing some reasons why and asking whether we've improved enough which I agree that is a better question.

As for why compare last season - that is the most relevant comparison. You mention 2007/8, how many of those players are still playing for us? I can't be arsed checking but it can't be enough to make the comparison relevant. It's a completely different set of players now. Comparisons with last season are the most valid ones as it's mostly the same players so you're comparing (more or less) like for like.

You cite our problems with 'pressure', but as I said in that Liverpool game they'd have leap-frogged us had we lost, since the turn of the year we've had City and Chelsea right on our tails. Every game has been a must-win game as they've kept winning and till last night we had won every one. One slip-up and you cite it as the old problem of us not winning under pressure.

I agree we haven't made the most of our resources but we have been hampered by the stadium move and poor commercial deals, those are coming to an end now and while I agree we've been over-cautious in the transfer market the Ozil signing is an indication that we are ready to play with the big boys now. We need more, but it's a start.

Obviously we can only judge this season at the end but so far I'm happy with where we are and am content that the club are heading in the right direction. The important thing is we continue that.

But what’s one Ozil on the pitch for us when oil rich clubs can have such players on the field and on their bench!

[Letters]

But what’s one Ozil on the pitch for us when oil rich clubs can have such players on the field and on their bench!

It's a step closer to them but even if you're being sarcastic you're right, it's not enough to bridge the gap.

[Niall_Quinn]

I still don’t know why he went out of his way to talk about Chelsea selling Mata as if it’s a disadvantage to us. It’s not the sort of message you want to put out there.

Because what he said is related to FFP and this could be a crucial factor in the coming seasons if it is applied properly. We are starting to generate significant revenues using proper business methods so theoretically we should have an advantage, and rightly so as this is about financial FAIR play. We haven't been dumping sugar daddy cash into the club or using shady self sponsorship to balance the books. The chavs and gypos are doing the opposite to us. Their financial figures are manipulated and if the FFP rulings go against them they will suffer penalties for financial UNFAIR play.

These decisions are being made right now and the outcome will be crucial. Will the chavs and gypos be permitted to stick two fingers up to the regulating authorities or will the new rules be applied in the proper manner? If the latter then we are suddenly in the driving seat and the comedy clubs are scrambling. Wenger put the message out at the right time and in the right manner. The thick, hyped-up twats in the media decided to turn it into a Mata soap opera instead. Maureen threw a fit because he'll be more than aware his job will be a lot harder if the rules are applied and he can no longer apply his preferred management tactics, namely chucking cash at every problem.

The authorities respect Wenger and use our club as a model example. Whether they have the balls to go up against major criminals like Abaramovich and the arab scum that have hijacked city is another matter. That will need balls. Wenger is reminding them of this. And why not? He's trying to do whatever he can to ensure 10 years of sacrifice and careful planning is not undone by financial doping elsewhere. He's doing his job.

[Power n Glory]

Do you think UEFA and FIFA are actually paying attention to Wenger? I don't think that's the way to get his message across. There are more powerful people within the club that can talk on that.

[Niall_Quinn]

Do you think UEFA and FIFA are actually paying attention to Wenger? I don't think that's the way to get his message across. There are more powerful people within the club that can talk on that.

Everyone in the club has been talking about it, excluding Silent Stan. I don't think they pay exclusive attention to Wenger, but they do seem to pay a lot of attention to our financial model. I would say, like most large and influential organisations, they have people in one camp who genuinely want to improve the game, then they have corrupt bastards on the take. Wenger, along with other figures who value the integrity of the game, will be lobbying to one faction, the chavs and gypos will be bunging cash and favours at the other group. I can't prove that of course, but it's the normal way for business and politics to interact and the usual outcome when criminal elements posing as respectable businesses are involved.

[Power n Glory]

Everyone in the club has been talking about it, excluding Silent Stan. I don't think they pay exclusive attention to Wenger, but they do seem to pay a lot of attention to our financial model. I would say, like most large and influential organisations, they have people in one camp who genuinely want to improve the game, then they have corrupt bastards on the take. Wenger, along with other figures who value the integrity of the game, will be lobbying to one faction, the chavs and gypos will be bunging cash and favours at the other group. I can't prove that of course, but it's the normal way for business and politics to interact and the usual outcome when criminal elements posing as respectable businesses are involved.

Honestly, it seems like he's playing the 'poor old Arsenal' card and I hate that. We know we're underdogs but from the outside it looks like Wenger is appealing for more help and protection. We just need to get on with it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Honestly, it seems like he's playing the 'poor old Arsenal' card and I hate that. We know we're underdogs but from the outside it looks like Wenger is appealing for more help and protection. We just need to get on with it.

We each have our opinions, but it doesn't look anything like that to me. I see him focusing on the only area that could undermine the financial dopers. I see the gypos are likely to be excused for breaking FFP rules, posting up yet another loss despite the fact they have blatantly cooked the books. It seems that without sustained prodding the bods in charge won't be doing much to implement FFP in practical terms. So Wenger (and I'm sure others) are prodding and reminding. What's wrong with that? I did't hear any sort of "poor Arsenal" message, it was more like a reminder to UEFA about their own rules which they have made a big song and dance about.