Match Reaction: Arsenal 2-1 Burney

[IBK]

Yep, just challenging isn't enough. Not this year.

We should be comfortably clear already but we've conspired to cock it up.

[Marc Overmars]

At the start of the season, looking at our squad, Wenger's mistakes in not getting another striker and good back up or more for Coquelin and looking at the 'traditional strengths' of our rivals, putting in a decent challenge was enough.

But it's become apparent that this is our best chance in ages to win the damn thing. I don't buy the idea that we should be walking it - that rarely ever happens in this league anyway - but compared to those around us, we have enough to win it. Both the players and the manager have a responsibility to make that happen.

I don't think much will change next season either, teams will continue to play on the counter, press hard, win away from home a lot more and generally make life harder for the traditionally big teams. So our chances won't be restricted to this season only but that's no excuse not to capitalise on the chance available now.

And if not, Wenger out? I'm not sure what that even means in real terms outside of showing frustration on the Internet or the pub. Unless there is palpable, continuous anger shown toward the manager from the terraces, then he won't leave until the board says so.

6 months ago challenging might have been enough but the state of play has changed since then and we have to pass judgement on what is actually happening. I don't believe we should be walking it because I know we're not that good but you don't have to be that good to win it this year, that's why there is a strong feeling of now or never.

Wenger in, Wenger out, I don't care. I know he's not going anywhere but any criticism that comes his way this season is probably going to be warranted.

[Letters]

Wenger in, Wenger out, I don't care. I know he's not going anywhere but any criticism that comes his way this season is probably going to be warranted.

Do you think the level of criticism of him so far this year is warranted?

Despite our car crash of a start to the CL campaign we've qualified from the group. I don't think we have a chance of beating Barca but I don't think any other club in England does right now. We've had pretty easy FA Cup draws so far but we've not slipped on any banana skins yet and really should get to the quarter finals at least. And in the league...well, we've had our disappointing results but you get those. We're level on points with City who early season many were declaring champions elect - some still are.

If we fall away then Wenger does deserve a lot of criticism but If I didn't know any of the results so far and I saw how the season had gone so far I don't think I'd be too disappointed.
We're still in the 2 main Cups, we're in touch in the league. The season has been fine so far. I've no idea where this expectation comes from that we should be walking it.

[Marc Overmars]

Do you think the level of criticism of him so far this year is warranted?

Despite our car crash of a start to the CL campaign we've qualified from the group. I don't think we have a chance of beating Barca but I don't think any other club in England does right now. We've had pretty easy FA Cup draws so far but we've not slipped on any banana skins yet and really should get to the quarter finals at least. And in the league...well, we've had our disappointing results but you get those. We're level on points with City who early season many were declaring champions elect - some still are.

If we fall away then Wenger does deserve a lot of criticism but If I didn't know any of the results so far and I saw how the season had gone so far I don't think I'd be too disappointed.
We're still in the 2 main Cups, we're in touch in the league. The season has been fine so far. I've no idea where this expectation comes from that we should be walking it.

Sometimes it's OTT the way people express themselves but if you strip away the bile there are normally legit concerns. The trouble is we've been here before and the drop off in performance over the last month has brought all those concerns back into the mix, especially as we are about to enter the Feb/March period where things have unravelled for us in the past.

[Letters]

Sometimes it's OTT the way people express themselves but if you strip away the bile there are normally legit concerns. The trouble is we've been here before and the drop off in performance over the last month has brought all those concerns back into the mix, especially as we are about to enter the Feb/March period where things have unravelled for us in the past.

I agree, but the level of criticism on here is based on the unravelling having already happened this season. I agree there have been some worrying wobbles of late but you get those, while we're in touch I'll believe we have a chance. I've spent all season being WUMmed for suggesting that maybe we should actually wait to see what happens before over-reacting, I really don't think it's such an unreasonable position. Meh.

[IBK]

I agree, but the level of criticism on here is based on the unravelling having already happened this season. I agree there have been some worrying wobbles of late but you get those, while we're in touch I'll believe we have a chance. I've spent all season being WUMmed for suggesting that maybe we should actually wait to see what happens before over-reacting, I really don't think it's such an unreasonable position. Meh.

The problem (for me at least) is that the criticism has become all-encompassing, and this leads to debate that is neither measured nor nuanced. It is obvious that the manager has many strong points. Achieving the level of consistency that our team has shown over the past 10 years without throwing huge money (relatively) is no mean achievement. We also get to see players develop over a period of time, rather than simply and constantly bringing in expensive mercenaries, and a style of play (often) that Manure and West Ham fans - for all their traditional claims to adventurous style football - would give anything to have. All this while achieving results that 80% of the league would love to get.

Wenger has never been a tactician per se - and so while I can understand the criticism of our performances in certain games, the emphasis on this, particularly this season seems wide of the point.

But I can also understand the frustration that has led to this polarised state of affairs. The risk-taking with players; rigid and sometimes contrary approach to transfers; and apparent refusal to tailor his teams' approach to different opponents, combined with the flaky mindset that his approach seems to breed in often rudderless players breeds resentment because the mistakes seem so obvious, and we are left with the impression that with moderate attention to glaring shortcomings, our team, and our success, could be so much more.

This is particularly the case this season, when many of the traditional barriers to league success are not there...

[Bumble]

Another victory and good draw as we move towards another double in the Wenger era.

[Niall_Quinn]

...we are left with the impression that with moderate attention to glaring shortcomings, our team, and our success, could be so much more.

Precisely that. The routine stuff that other managers consider to be the very basics.

[Letters]

Another victory and good draw as we move towards another double in the Wenger era.

It's ON!

[Bumble]

It's ON!

it sounds crazy but we are the stable club, city, united and Chelsea will all have new managers next season. I think City have one eye on the CL as they aren't playing Barca for once. United will struggle to get into the top 4 let alone maintain a title charge. Leicester next 3 games home to Liverpool, away to City and away to us. think that should really sort out where they will finish.

We can do it. Bring it on!!!!!