West Ham away (PL) Match Reaction Thread

[Power n Glory]

Kante's tackling and interception stats are very, very impressive. Throw in his ridiculous work ethic and you have a top player.

I'd take him over Coq who I think is fairly average. Our midfield is tame so his aggression is welcome but I don't think it covers up the fact he is a limited player.

It's our system and set up that's the problem. The majority of Leicester players probably dwarf our players stat wise. How that translates into our set up is the problem.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

So you knew about him and wanted us to go for him while at Basel?

No but I'm not a football manager or a scout, my point is considering he was playing in Europes premier competition getting to the last sixteen I don't think he was flying under the radar.

[selassie]

Nah, I think Wenger often gets it right with these players. Sagna, Eduardo, Hleb, Monreal, Kos....it's the really young players that he doesn't do so well with. It's a revolving door. Bielik, Sanogo, Eisfield, Ryo...cheap punts that usually end up being sold after a few years.

Yeah totally agree, Elneny looks like a Wenger "Gem" to me, I really like him from what I've seen of him so far and think he has the potential to be a top level CM.

[Letters]

What's the point of top 4?

Ozil, Sanchez and Cech, to name 3 reasons why it's important. I guess throwing enough money around can land you top players without CL football but only if the end result is breaking back in to the top 4. If it's not important why are clubs in the top half of the table trying so hard to get in there? The money, yes, but also the prestige which can help you sign top players. I think if we'd finished outside the top 4 as a one off it wouldn't have harmed us but dropping out for 2 or more seasons in a row (as many predicted we would under Wenger) and it would have harmed us.

IMO he deserves some credit for keeping us up there when money was tight but now money isn't tight so he should be judged by different standards. He's had a few years to push us on and while the FA Cups have been nice and a good start we needed to push on for the bigger prizes and we haven't.

[Letters]

Pretty much summed it up. Wenger is not going to be shown the door with people talking like they are in a boardroom meeting being respectful of each other. The fans are agitated and it'll only get worse. There is serious anger and there will be vitriol shown.

Which kinda makes sense at the ground in the heat of the moment.
In the cold light of day on a messageboard that no-one of note reads, not so much.

[Power n Glory]

No but I'm not a football manager or a scout, my point is considering he was playing in Europes premier competition getting to the last sixteen I don't think he was flying under the radar.

Yet Man Utd had their eyes on Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger. How much did they pay for the pair? Even Newcastle spent £16m on Shelvey. They could have picked up a cheaper bargain if you ask me.

Genk made it to the last 16 of the CL, dude! What's your point? Don't take the word 'hidden' so literally. I don't think it's possible for a player to truly fly under the radar for a manager or scout in this modern age. It's just a case of who is smart enough to find an undervalued player that can slot into their system.

[Power n Glory]

Yeah totally agree, Elneny looks like a Wenger "Gem" to me, I really like him from what I've seen of him so far and think he has the potential to be a top level CM.

Really been impressed with him so far. Makes a huge difference to how we move the ball. Pleased with the purchase.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Which kinda makes sense at the ground in the heat of the moment.
In the cold light of day on a messageboard that no-one of note reads, not so much.

In the cold light of day people are still frustrated and venting.

This should have been our year, and we have failed spectacularly that's not something that's got over easily.

[Özim]

I'll reserve judgement on Elneny as it's early days, Coquelin was flavour of the month last season and now people think he's average so things can change quickly.

[Niall_Quinn]

Elneny seems like a Wenger signing of old. A quality player and one that nobody else spotted. No idea how we picked him up for cheap. Really impressed with his performances. Wenger gets credit for that move.

Players I suspect Wenger wasn't that keen on bringing in.....Welbeck, Arteta, Merts, Santos and Arshavin.

Yes but wait. Are you impressed because he's not a total bloody shambles? You always have to ask yourself that question when it comes to Arsenal and Wenger. We love Coquelin. Why? Because he's halfway competent, a huge step up for us. Maybe it's the same with Elneny. Is he good enough to play in the middle for Barca, Bayern or Marketing? Probably not. So we have another second tier player. But at least a player that seems to have a clue what he's supposed to be doing on a pitch. And so comes the next question. Is that a hangover from his previous club? Will Wenger train this out of him and instil that tippy, happy goodness he has bathed the rest of the squad in?