Match Reaction v Swansea at home (15/16)

[Marc Overmars]

Alexis Sánchez believes Arsenal lack the self-belief to become Premier League champions this season. The Gunners blew a big chance to increase the pressure on the current leaders, Leicester City, when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Swansea on Wednesday night.

“We lack self-belief, that we can actually be champions,” he told Directv Sports. “I think we can win the Premier League with the players we have. That said, we lack a certain hunger. We need to step out on to the pitch as if we’re already 1-0 up.

“I remember a game against Manchester United last year. The lads looked hungry for silverware as we took to the pitch. We crushed them in the first 20 minutes and went 3-0 up. We were hungry and brimming with confidence that day.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...ague-champions

Not sure he should opening his mouth - his decline in form is one of the key reasons for the state we're in.

[Letters]

He is right but yeah, do your talking on the pitch Alexis.

[Özim]

There's no killer instinct in this team, hasn't been for years, when th opportunity arises and they are controlling a game they don't go on to score 5 or 6 more often than not at 2-0 they stop playing and pat each other on the back, safe in the knoowledge it's been a good days work.

We lack the hunger and desire for sure, one of our own players has come out and said it now, we desperately need a motivator on board and I'd argue a bit of a clearout with some new blood brought in.

I'd get rid of crocks like Rosicky, Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere and also get rid of the likes of Mertersacker, Flamini, Arteta, Ospina, Debuchy (already on loan), Jenkinson I'd also be looking at replacements for 31 year old Cazorla, as good as he is not sure how long he's going to remain at the top of his game at his age now. Gabriel, Ox can have a bit more time to prove themselves under a new manager to see if they're up to scratch.

There's a lot of work to be done with this squad to be honest, too many crocks and players we need a step up from, a top striker and DM and CB are a must and we'll need some new squad players who can come in and do a job too and perhaps a long term replacement for Santi, I really don't think Wenger is dealing with any of the issues with the team or squad, there's no plan in place to fix the issues or replace players who just can't stay fit.

[selassie]

http://le-grove.co.uk/2016/03/03/the...arsene-wenger/

Very good article, exactly how I am feeling now, emotionally drained with it all.

[Power n Glory]

There's no killer instinct in this team, hasn't been for years, when th opportunity arises and they are controlling a game they don't go on to score 5 or 6 more often than not at 2-0 they stop playing and pat each other on the back, safe in the knoowledge it's been a good days work.

We lack the hunger and desire for sure, one of our own players has come out and said it now, we desperately need a motivator on board and I'd argue a bit of a clearout with some new blood brought in.

I'd get rid of crocks like Rosicky, Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere and also get rid of the likes of Mertersacker, Flamini, Arteta, Ospina, Debuchy (already on loan), Jenkinson I'd also be looking at replacements for 31 year old Cazorla, as good as he is not sure how long he's going to remain at the top of his game at his age now. Gabriel, Ox can have a bit more time to prove themselves under a new manager to see if they're up to scratch.

There's a lot of work to be done with this squad to be honest, too many crocks and players we need a step up from, a top striker and DM and CB are a must and we'll need some new squad players who can come in and do a job too and perhaps a long term replacement for Santi, I really don't think Wenger is dealing with any of the issues with the team or squad, there's no plan in place to fix the issues or replace players who just can't stay fit.

Before any player is sold the manager has to go. Even old crocks like Rosicky and Arteta may have something to offer behind the scenes in coaching roles. First person out the door should be Wenger.

[selassie]

There's no killer instinct in this team, hasn't been for years, when th opportunity arises and they are controlling a game they don't go on to score 5 or 6 more often than not at 2-0 they stop playing and pat each other on the back, safe in the knoowledge it's been a good days work.

We lack the hunger and desire for sure, one of our own players has come out and said it now, we desperately need a motivator on board and I'd argue a bit of a clearout with some new blood brought in.

I'd get rid of crocks like Rosicky, Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere and also get rid of the likes of Mertersacker, Flamini, Arteta, Ospina, Debuchy (already on loan), Jenkinson I'd also be looking at replacements for 31 year old Cazorla, as good as he is not sure how long he's going to remain at the top of his game at his age now. Gabriel, Ox can have a bit more time to prove themselves under a new manager to see if they're up to scratch.

There's a lot of work to be done with this squad to be honest, too many crocks and players we need a step up from, a top striker and DM and CB are a must and we'll need some new squad players who can come in and do a job too and perhaps a long term replacement for Santi, I really don't think Wenger is dealing with any of the issues with the team or squad, there's no plan in place to fix the issues or replace players who just can't stay fit.

Aye I agree, think we need a bit of an overhaul, we're carrying a lot of baggage and as such our first team ends up being half full of what should really be squad players if we are club that is striving to be a top domestic and european powerhouse.

Wenger won't do a damn thing, he's way too deep in this mess because it's his doing, he probably can't see or doesn't want to see the issues that are now being discussed to death by all and sundry. He'll just do his usual, retreat into a shell and create strawman type arguments about the current situation, "we're not fighting relegation", "everybody tells me to buy messi", that type of shit.

As being discussed on here the issues run way deeper than team selection, tactics or his flawed transfer policy and what makes it worse is that none of these issues are being resolved, same old every single season, absolutely nothing changes.

I actually watched his post match interview yesterday and aside from the usual crap about how we were unlucky etc he sounded like a defeated man, the thing is we've been here before and quite frankly I have no faith in him rectifying what clearly needs to be rectified.

I also found his reaction to the Cech injury interesting, he almost answered it as if he was embarrassed and responsible for it. I mean how many muscular injuries do we get a season? It's a huge issue and has affected pretty much everyone in the squad.

[Munchies]

A mate of mine just mentioned Amaury Bischoff as a Wenger signing

Remember him?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaury_Bischoff

[mastermind84]

Cant even get mad anymore.

I saw Giroud mentally capitulate last night. Reminded me of the Monaco match.

Taking off Campbell was absolutely comedy.

Gabriel looks and plays like he belongs at Stoke.

[Özim]

Before any player is sold the manager has to go. Even old crocks like Rosicky and Arteta may have something to offer behind the scenes in coaching roles. First person out the door should be Wenger.

I agree about the manager but not the other players, with all due respect to Rosicky he's been around here for 10 years, we want some fresh ideas not players who have been brainwashed into Wengerball.

[Özim]

Giroud is a 2nd rate striker, always has been, yes he goes on a run of a few matches where he scores goals, but then he has a long dry spell where he couldn't hit a barn door, he's a sub at best.

I'm not a big fan as he doesn't really seem to have great technique, he scores the odd cracker but it looks more due to luck than skill to be honest.

We've needed someone who can actually put the ball away regularly and has a good shooting technique for years and yet Wenger still persists with this sorry lot up front.