Match Reaction v Barca (home) 15/16

[Xhaka Can’t]

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.

You aren't even on the same chapter - I doubt you're even reading the same book.

[Power n Glory]

You aren't even on the same chapter - I doubt you're even reading the same book.

Would winning the title this season vindicate Wenger?

[Globalgunner]

Would winning the title this season vindicate Wenger?

It would be fine. If he stepped down immediately afterwards.
The game has moved on. Next season. United, City Chelsea, Pool, Spurs will all have new young managers. We will still be stuck with Wenger, Clueless and ambitionless, top 4 is a trophy Wenger. Ranieri at Leicester will be the exception but who can deny he deserves a 2nd season.

[Niall_Quinn]

Would winning the title this season vindicate Wenger?

Ideal scenario if handled properly. Wenger bows out on a high, the story goes into the history book as Arsenal legend riding out the doper storm in football, conquering the financial crash, elevating the club to a new level in a new stadium, and coming through to triumph. Even though that would be less than half the story, but I'm sure we could all live with it. But he'd have to go and go completely. Move him upstairs so he could continue to scupper the transfers windows and drive from the back seat and all bets would be off.

On the other hand, if we don't win it he'd better pray the gypos come through for him again because there would be no explaining away a Leicester or spud title win. He'd be totally exposed and shot to hell if that happens.

[Niall_Quinn]

You aren't even on the same chapter - I doubt you're even reading the same book.

As the old proverb goes, never judge a book until the end of the season.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kronke is a problem and I don't like the fact that he's picking up £3m a year for nothing but he's not the main problem. The ownership talk is a distraction. The real issue here is Wenger. It's not Silent Stan, Gazidis, oil baron clubs... the focus has to be firmly on him. I've always believed Wenger has been in cahoots with the Board way before Stan and Ivan arrived. For years he's been able to keep the focus off his own shortcomings as a manager and have everyone focused on the money. Fans were blaming the old board for years and then it shifted on to Ivan and Stan because Wenger kept talking about the financial state of other clubs and talking about not 'bankrupting' Arsenal. Forever talking in code and riddles about our financial state, creating this air of mystery that had us all guessing about what was going on.

We'd sell star players and buy basic beans. PHW and Ivan would continuously say the money was there for him to spend but he'd never strengthen the squad in the way we needed. It would always send the fans up in arms but the Board would be in question instead of Wenger. I've always maintained the money was there but Wenger was being cheap and the last few seasons have proven that. Not crazy money but enough to replace star talent for star talent. We didn't gave to downgrade. When Ivan announced the new sponsorship deals and clearly spelled out the sort of player we could afford along with the wages, the excuses from Wenger had to stop and the spotlight went firmly on him. That's why he's losing fan support so quickly. He's always hid behind the money excuse. You can go back to the Highbury days to here that when he talks of our small stadium capacity and other teams having better sponsorship deals. It's been a convenient crutch. He can't depend on that anymore since the funds are now being delivered. Now it's his turn to deliver because we're sitting comfy cosy financially.

Whoever owns the club will probably be a dirt bag. That can't be helped. They'll want the club to be profitable and stable and that's understandable from a business sense. I don't think we'll find an owner that just loves the club and wants to plough and endless stream of money in to make us successful. If that were to happen we'd have to question whether that's buying success but that's another debate. Right now the main issue is Arsene Wenger. I really don't get how he can be comfortable with his record. Why he isn't pushing the boat out for more. Why he never leaned on the Board for more money or bringing in certain players that would strengthen us. That's all on him.

Forget the owners. If you rent a property that's a complete and utter shithole, whose fault is it? Why are you happy living in a shithole and not taking proper care of the place? Even if you have a complete and utter shite of a landlord that's cheap and reluctant to spend on the place you make a nuisance of yourself and demand they fulfill their obligation and duty. You leave if the situation is that bad. Wouldn't you be embarrassed to show your friends and relatives how you're living? That's how I feel about Wenger and this club. The whole Board/Manager debate. Where Wenger's pride? His record in Europe is woeful and going so long without silverware must have stung the ego but he kept making excuses for himself and doing very little to address our problems. We now have the money but we're hearing the same excuses we heard 10 years ago about players not being available and so and so being good enough when they are clearly not. It's incredible. He has to be the first one to go.

Except it all depends on what angle you look at Wenger's record from. As a fan you shake your head and imagine what might have been with a bit more ambition. As one of the leeches who slithered off with half a billion between them or the incoming vampire you can only grin in admiration. This guy is gooooooooood! He's in a class of his own for delivering what really matters - cash.

[Power n Glory]

Ideal scenario if handled properly. Wenger bows out on a high, the story goes into the history book as Arsenal legend riding out the doper storm in football, conquering the financial crash, elevating the club to a new level in a new stadium, and coming through to triumph. Even though that would be less than half the story, but I'm sure we could all live with it. But he'd have to go and go completely. Move him upstairs so he could continue to scupper the transfers windows and drive from the back seat and all bets would be off.

On the other hand, if we don't win it he'd better pray the gypos come through for him again because there would be no explaining away a Leicester or spud title win. He'd be totally exposed and shot to hell if that happens.

We're on the same page with that.

[selassie]

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.

Really? You think the fan base would be satisfied with the season if we lose the title to Leicester or dare I say it the Spuds? Come on, he'd have no excuses, the faith in him would be at an all time low, if he can't win it against that lot he'll never win it.

Sure the owners are and will continue to back him because he makes them a tidy profit but I really don't think the fan base would happily sit back and lap up his excuses if the above happened.

[selassie]

Kronke is a problem and I don't like the fact that he's picking up £3m a year for nothing but he's not the main problem. The ownership talk is a distraction. The real issue here is Wenger. It's not Silent Stan, Gazidis, oil baron clubs... the focus has to be firmly on him. I've always believed Wenger has been in cahoots with the Board way before Stan and Ivan arrived. For years he's been able to keep the focus off his own shortcomings as a manager and have everyone focused on the money. Fans were blaming the old board for years and then it shifted on to Ivan and Stan because Wenger kept talking about the financial state of other clubs and talking about not 'bankrupting' Arsenal. Forever talking in code and riddles about our financial state, creating this air of mystery that had us all guessing about what was going on.

We'd sell star players and buy basic beans. PHW and Ivan would continuously say the money was there for him to spend but he'd never strengthen the squad in the way we needed. It would always send the fans up in arms but the Board would be in question instead of Wenger. I've always maintained the money was there but Wenger was being cheap and the last few seasons have proven that. Not crazy money but enough to replace star talent for star talent. We didn't gave to downgrade. When Ivan announced the new sponsorship deals and clearly spelled out the sort of player we could afford along with the wages, the excuses from Wenger had to stop and the spotlight went firmly on him. That's why he's losing fan support so quickly. He's always hid behind the money excuse. You can go back to the Highbury days to here that when he talks of our small stadium capacity and other teams having better sponsorship deals. It's been a convenient crutch. He can't depend on that anymore since the funds are now being delivered. Now it's his turn to deliver because we're sitting comfy cosy financially.

Whoever owns the club will probably be a dirt bag. That can't be helped. They'll want the club to be profitable and stable and that's understandable from a business sense. I don't think we'll find an owner that just loves the club and wants to plough and endless stream of money in to make us successful. If that were to happen we'd have to question whether that's buying success but that's another debate. Right now the main issue is Arsene Wenger. I really don't get how he can be comfortable with his record. Why he isn't pushing the boat out for more. Why he never leaned on the Board for more money or bringing in certain players that would strengthen us. That's all on him.

Forget the owners. If you rent a property that's a complete and utter shithole, whose fault is it? Why are you happy living in a shithole and not taking proper care of the place? Even if you have a complete and utter shite of a landlord that's cheap and reluctant to spend on the place you make a nuisance of yourself and demand they fulfill their obligation and duty. You leave if the situation is that bad. Wouldn't you be embarrassed to show your friends and relatives how you're living? That's how I feel about Wenger and this club. The whole Board/Manager debate. Where Wenger's pride? His record in Europe is woeful and going so long without silverware must have stung the ego but he kept making excuses for himself and doing very little to address our problems. We now have the money but we're hearing the same excuses we heard 10 years ago about players not being available and so and so being good enough when they are clearly not. It's incredible. He has to be the first one to go.

100% with you on this PnG, excellent post.

[Kano]

Really? You think the fan base would be satisfied with the season if we lose the title to Leicester or dare I say it the Spuds? Come on, he'd have no excuses, the faith in him would be at an all time low, if he can't win it against that lot he'll never win it.

Sure the owners are and will continue to back him because he makes them a tidy profit but I really don't think the fan base would happily sit back and lap up his excuses if the above happened.

That's not what I said. What I'm pointing out is that there is a big difference between being unsatisfied and galvanising that into a group action, all focused on one outcome. I don't see that happening in the stadium, enmasse, at all. Especially on a regular basis. It's wishful thinking to believe otherwise. Either Wenger will decide to hang up his hat or he'll continue as is.