Match Reaction v Barca (home) 15/16

[Marc Overmars]

Let's hope Wenger's job is on the line this season. He's been saying he'd have been sacked if he didn't win the FA Cup. We can only hope he's not talking BS and they're looking at the league closely this year. If he messes it up he has to go.

Even if we cock the league up, which lets face wouldn't be a surprise to anyone, he'll stick around. Though given it could be Leicester or Spurs we lose out to, maybe the fan backlash would be too much.

But unless we drop out of the top 4 he's pretty cushy. If we had football men at the top it would be a different story.

[Niall_Quinn]

Every team in England is this far behind them. Most are further behind than us.

So we are one of the best also-rans? Barca had millions on the pitch, we have it in the bank. That's the difference. The fans did everything asked of them when the promises were being dished out. Coughed up 100% more cash, turned up, subscribed, literally bought the fucking T-shirt. So where are the executives who were dishing out the promises? What have they delivered?

[Power n Glory]

They'd make a big signing and the fans would be happy with that. Wenger would survive. To save his arse, suddenly there would be quality out there and we'd find it. Or they could try another Suarez stall tactic, pretend they were going to sign somebody huge and leave it to the last day of the window and then blame somebody else for the pretend deal falling through. Lots of ways they could stall and tease out more time for their bagman.

I don't think anyone will fall for it this summer. The Ozil and Sanchez discontent stories will rumble on this summer if we fail.

[Letters]

So we are one of the best also-rans? Barca had millions on the pitch, we have it in the bank. That's the difference. The fans did everything asked of them when the promises were being dished out. Coughed up 100% more cash, turned up, subscribed, literally bought the fucking T-shirt. So where are the executives who were dishing out the promises? What have they delivered?

It is part of the difference but sides like City have been spunking millions on the pitch and they're nowhere near the level of Barca either.
I'm not going to get worked up we lost to Barca - they're on a different planet from almost everyone.
Let's start competing domestically first, 2 years ago we started buying players which should enable us to do so, it's yielded some results. The title's there for the taking now, let's see how we get on there. Fail there and you and I will be on (more or less) the same page.

[Kano]

TBH, I think if we don't win the league this season then his position would become untenable, the backlash from a large majority of the fan base would be too much.

I dread to even think of the consequences if we were pipped to the title by those boys down the road...Wenger would be a "dead man" walking and no amount of spin would wash.

I think it's all very much wishful thinking. The internet v stadium crowd are two completely different animals in terms of how they react to the teams performances and thus the managers future.

Without a doubt he will be here next season if he decides to see out his contract.

[Marc Overmars]

I think it's all very much wishful thinking. The internet v stadium crowd are two completely different animals in terms of how they react to the teams performances and thus the managers future.

Generally I think that's right but judging by the last handful of games I've been to, the match going crowd and internet fans aren't really that far out of sync, all the moaning and bitching I hear in stadium is stuff you can read online. Fans are expectant now and in fairness we've been very patient and had to put up with a lot of repeated mistakes and failed promises.

Hell, looking at Arsenal Fan TV these days the stadium crowd/online fan have merged into 1 anyway.

[Kano]

Generally I think that's right but judging by the last handful of games I've been to, the match going crowd and internet fans aren't really that far out of sync, all the moaning and bitching I hear in stadium is stuff you can read online. Fans are expectant now and in fairness we've been very patient and had to put up with a lot of repeated mistakes and failed promises.

Hell, looking at Arsenal Fan TV these days the stadium crowd/online fan have merged into 1 anyway.

Galvanising that into a larger movement is something entirely different. People moan all the time at matches, no matter what the status but I can't see the crowd making a concerted effort to push for Wenger to leave. And quite honestly, even if they did, I don't think the board would listen. They've made it pretty clear how far they are willing to go with the paying punter.

[Power n Glory]

Galvanising that into a larger movement is something entirely different. People moan all the time at matches, no matter what the status but I can't see the crowd making a concerted effort to push for Wenger to leave. And quite honestly, even if they did, I don't think the board would listen. They've made it pretty clear how far they are willing to go with the paying punter.

If Wenger isn't talking nonsense about his job being under threat a couple of seasons back, we really don't know what is going on behind the scenes.

[Munchies]

old vid but relevant

Thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye

[Niall_Quinn]

It is part of the difference but sides like City have been spunking millions on the pitch and they're nowhere near the level of Barca either.
I'm not going to get worked up we lost to Barca - they're on a different planet from almost everyone.
Let's start competing domestically first, 2 years ago we started buying players which should enable us to do so, it's yielded some results. The title's there for the taking now, let's see how we get on there. Fail there and you and I will be on (more or less) the same page.

Nor am I getting worked up over one game, I'm pissed at the net result of 10 years wasted that was supposed to see us at least progress from where we were at Highbury. On the pitch I mean. But we've slowly slipped backwards, year on year and now we have a team that can't string a pass or get a shot within a mile of the goal. And it;s not just the bad patch this season. Our football has been regressing for years. I'm lamenting the fact that we could actually be challenging that Barca team if the manager had got his act together (after all this time). But he didn't and he won't. 3 more signings over the last 3 years and we'd be set. That's not too much to ask from a collection of individuals who have skinned the fan base to the bone. The last summer transfer window was the end. It showed the real intent of the club. And it's not just Wenger. We'll have to see out this board as well before anything happens at this club.