Match Reaction - 0-2 chelski

[IBK]

Can't blame the effort of the players today (IMO even Ozil is just who he is - he wasn't particularly not trying ). But Wenger's whole football philosophy is dated and increasingly obsolete. Just like Dutch 'total football' had its day, Wenger's version of players being able to play multi positions; playing pretty triangles and going out to 'express themselves' is now increasingly susceptible to pragmatic, efficient counter attacking football like we saw today. Mourinho's players know exactly what they are doing; play in the positions where they are strongest; and are meticulously prepared tactically to face their particular opposition. Ours aren't. And soon it won't just be the top 4 teams able to find us out on a regular basis.

[Chippy]

Wasn't as bad as last season but bad none the less. Wenger out.

Wenger out indeed ! No fucking shots on target. Can he not see that he is incapable of managing some very good players? Another two and a half seasons of this shit.

[Munchies]

Next 5 fixtures:
Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Burnley (H)
Swansea (A)
Man U (H)

Must win atleast 4 of them

[gunnerrrrr]

Can't blame the effort of the players today (IMO even Ozil is just who he is - he wasn't particularly not trying ). But Wenger's whole football philosophy is dated and increasingly obsolete. Just like Dutch 'total football' had its day, Wenger's version of players being able to play multi positions; playing pretty triangles and going out to 'express themselves' is now increasingly susceptible to pragmatic, efficient counter attacking football like we saw today. Mourinho's players know exactly what they are doing; play in the positions where they are strongest; and are meticulously prepared tactically to face their particular opposition. Ours aren't. And soon it won't just be the top 4 teams able to find us out on a regular basis.

Post of the day...in fact week.

100% spot on, and excellent analogy with the "Total Football" system.

I would go as far as saying that Barcelona, as brilliant as they are/were, would have not won 80% of their trophies without Messi....who is a once in a lifetime type of player.

My point being, possession football, or an attempt at it is fine to a degree. In fact even going out and saying we are better than you, is again fine...if you have the best players in the world or at least a few complete game changers at your disposal.

We in the past have been blessed with some phenomenal talent under Wenger, however it is no longer good enough to have the best talent, you also now need the very top, meticulous management and a continuously evolving system of play which i believe Wenger incapable of.

It is no accident he has lost 90% of the big games that have really counted....heck you could even use our loss against Birmingham in the CC as an example.

However when it has recently counted, be it against Mourhino, Sir Alex, Guardiola, Klopp etc - Wenger has been found wanting.

The squad we have now is without a doubt one that Mourhinio would take to the title quite comfortably, in fact he would make the additions we need and we could suddenly have a real shot at the Champions league. Unfortunately under Wenger, no way do i see that ever happening again.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

He may be excellent at certain aspects of management and his club building qualities and longevity have to be admired but when it comes to in game management and tactics he simply isn't anywhere near to the likes of Mourinho, Klopp, Ferguson, Ancelotti etc etc etc ..... the best managers in the world at that. It pains me to say it but it's true. The Invincibles success was predominately based on our players being that much better than their rivals and not because of tactical brilliance from Wenger's part. In fact, I'd say had Wenger shown more tactical aptitude we would have won a lot more (and we really should of have with that team) including possibly a European title.

Solution - Either Wenger stops being so stubborn and brings in top people to help like Ferguson did with his myriad of top coaches or he has to go.

[Xhaka Can’t]

There is no way he is changing. Bringing in someone else won't change that.

It is over - he has to go. So we'll be stagnating for another 2 seasons.

[Ernesto]

There is no way he is changing. Bringing in someone else won't change that.

It is over - he has to go. So we'll be stagnating for another 2 seasons.

If it means going two seasons of getting into 4th and possibly not winning another trophy between now and then, then I perhaps would grudgingly accept that.

The 'unknown' frightens me a little. We only need look at Spurs Manchester United or, as an extreme example, Villa. Examples of when change for the sake of change isn't necessarily what the Doctor ordered.

I agree that there ought to be some sort of accountability over continued poor results against the big teams in the big compétitions, but we all know that isn't possible while the board are filling their pockets via the Champions League cash cow.

[Munchies]

'It's alright, I'd rather that £30m go on a CDM'

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis is twice the player, but if you have no clue how to deploy his talents then you aren't going to see results. Maureen has a clue when it comes to utilising his resources effectively. Wenger doesn't. That's what those stats tell us.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's deliberate and Alexis was very lucky not to end up in hospital.