I predicted ages ago we would get top 4 and probably not win the FA cup.....I hope I'm wrong or half wrong!
I predicted ages ago we would get top 4 and probably not win the FA cup.....I hope I'm wrong or half wrong!
After today's game, I bet Bif starts the final. Also, I think he'll take a gamble on Ox starting if fit.
This 343 formation is at least unpredictable and not as easy to defend against as our previous "formation". I saw some nice interchanges between the front players and the wing backs are very hard to defend against because nobody knows who to pick up. Montreal got in behind loads of time yesterday (and against City where he scored a crucial goal) and i hope he stays there instead of playing as the third CB. Gibbs is too robotic to play as a wing back, he doesnt commit forward and is happy just passing it to the nearest Arsenal player.
The crouch handball goal was a pivotal moment in that match, too often we have just felt sorry for ourselves and shot ourselves in the foot through being indignant.
It's a head scratcher because sometimes we think it seems settled that there are many players in the squad that just aren't good enough.
Ramsey would be one of those, but judging him on the last three games that's an unsafe assumption because he has played well....his cameo yesterday was positive and through sheer force of will outmuscled Stoke defender to provide another assist for Giroud.
It's infuriating, what is Wenger doing if his players are capable of playing like that against Stoke and yet be so utterly feeble against Spurs. It helped yesterday that we were agressive and on the front foot from the off, yet we've been so often hesitant to start games that way.
You could say Stoke had nothing to play for, but to be fair they are very rarely ever battling relegation or pushing for European spot when we do play them. It's absurd, we clearly have decent players that we aren't getting enough out of when it really matters.
Its pretty much ingrained into this club that top 4 is all that matters. I would not be surprised to find that there are secret bonus clauses written into the players and managers contracts. How else an you understand such a feeble performance against Spurs. back in the 90s we would have gone there simply with the mind to fuck them up, derail any hopes of the title, such as they would ever wish to do wth us. Can you imagine Adams, Keown and co going to WHL and hoping for a draw? But Wenger was afraid as such went with a belt and braces approach simply to contain them. Monreal and Gibbs. All to no effect. they battered us from the off and we were elated to go in at HT level. The warrior spirit is essential to win anything, even if you lack the top level quality. You must have the determination to not be overcome in a fair duel. If someone could promise them 4th place at the start of the season you would see them promptly lose every single match.
West ham wanted the satisfaction of messing up the Spuds, we are their traditional rivals and couldn't be arsed. Fans deserve better.
I hear they are trained not to get involved in physical matches. To pass their way out rather than get stuck in. It plainly doesnt work. Even a team as talented as Madrid. They scrote first, then they play. Its the only way.
Last edited by Globalgunner; 14-05-2017 at 11:44 AM.
Make 2mrw better than 2day
It's typical Arsenal. Always manage to do just about enough to keep our heads above water. Stink the place out for most of the year but when Top 4 is in peril we suddenly find all the ingredients that were missing when we really needed them.Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Bollocks to this top 4 push, go and do it in the cup final and you'll have my respect.
But that raises the question if you can play like that for top four, why not for the title push?
It's totally bizarre. You can't simply dismiss it as being unable to handle pressure because if they are under pressure to reach top four wouldn't they equally fold under pressure.
I don't believe for a second Wenger is telling them not to try to win the league or not put the effort in unless top four is on the line, so I don't get it.
On a side note, can you imagine the reaction if one of our players scored that Crouch goal?
Because it's Crouch, it's been laughed off. He was using his experience apparently!
Because top 4 is the bare minimum required of them. To challenge for the title is to go above and beyond and that takes a different mentality.
But is it what is required of him?
I think it's fair to say that he probably wouldn't have been sacked if he had finished outside the top four
The consensus is that he would be staying with us top four or not.
And even if top four was such a priority, would it not be better to do it without by the skin of our teeth by getting positive results against palace or Spurs.
I agree with you that the manager isn't under pressure to achieve more. But there's something more here.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote