Former Players Views

[Cripps_orig]

LIKE all fans, Arsenal supporters like a good grumble.

But they are actually extremely tolerant and patient, particularly when you compare them to regulars at many other Premier League clubs.

Arsene Wenger was booed by a massive number of supporters in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United due to his decision to replace the excellent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Andrey Arshavin.

The intensity of the jeering may have been a surprise to some but this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

What with six seasons without a trophy, expensive season tickets and the fact this team is nowhere near the top of the league.

Defeats to Fulham and Swansea were bad enough yet against United, here was a young kid with bags of talent having a great game getting taken off. The fact United ended up winning — with fingers pointing at Arshavin for the goal — made matters worse.

Wenger had his reasons for replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain but you have to look at the wider issue and that Arsenal now face a major struggle to make the Champions League.

It is maybe understandable that over time, Arsenal fans — like United and Chelsea ones — have got used to finishing in the top four.

I still feel Chelsea could be caught. However, there is a realisation among the fans that their side could face some trips to random towns on the continent in next season's Europa League.

And Tottenham's success this term has made things more painful. If they finish third or even fourth, they will celebrate and claim the campaign has been a major success, while Arsenal have been finishing in these spots — and higher — for years.

Yet the fact Spurs are still 10 points ahead of Arsenal proves Wenger needs to make some major improvements while there are maybe a couple of players who need to be moved on. The jeering was a case of the locals making a big point to their manager.

These actions were totally understandable and sometimes it's not a bad thing for fans to voice their disapproval providing it's a one-off.

Also, I could see why Robin van Persie was frustrated with the substitution as there is so much pressure on him to score and the skipper recognises Oxlade- Chamberlain is a help for him.

But it's important for the negativity to end right now. And I'm confident Arsenal's fans will get behind the team and not turn on Wenger.

I know some people are tearing their hair out after Wenger hinted he is unlikely to spend in the transfer window. But even though the team needs strengthening — that's clear for anyone to see — rushing out next week and making some rash signing would not be the answer.

This happened on August 31 last year and I'm not sure whether Arsenal really benefited.

Mikel Arteta has done OK — while the jury is out on Per Mertesacker and Yossi Benayoun has not really been given a chance.

So I wouldn't say they have all been amazing successes. Arsenal have been hit badly by injuries and having four full-backs crocked is crazy.

But Jack Wilshere is coming back, among others, while I like the central defensive partnership of Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, who is turning into a Nemanja Vidic-type player at the back.

Arsenal are on a bad run in the league and it certainly isn't good enough. But as they have already proved this season, they are just as likely to go on a really good run and still have a major chance in the FA Cup — Sunday's home game with Aston Villa is massive.

Also, it's easy to forget Arsenal still have a huge tie against AC Milan in the Champions League and both Manchester United and Manchester City would certainly be happy to swap places.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will continue to develop over the next few months.

He proved against United he is capable of causing major damage against the big teams, so he will be a terrific asset.

I accept why Arsenal fans wanted him to stay on against United and the lad will look back on his performance with a great deal of pride.

The booing of Wenger's decision will not affect him — he'll see it as a positive as it proved the fans love him.

Yet it is also important for Oxlade-Chamberlain not to be weighed down with expectancy and this is where Wenger comes in.

He needs to get the best out of his team and not just rely on one or two players. And most importantly of all, despite that moment of raw emotion on Sunday, Wenger needs to know that all the fans are behind him and the team.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...g-surgery.html

Wrighty

[Cripps_orig]

Stewart Robson has claimed that if Arsene Wenger’s relationship with Arsenal fans continues to deteriorate it could end up costing him his job.
Wenger, who has been in charge of the north London side since 1996, is enduring his toughest period as the club’s manager, with a fight on his hands just to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
The Frenchman has come under fire for some of his decisions in leading Arsenal to this point, with the substitution of Alex Oxlade-chamberlain during the 2-1 defeat to Man United at the weekend leading some supporters to vocally vent their anger and question Wenger's stewardship.
And Robson reckons that supporters’ unhappiness about the club’s direction may lead to a parting of ways with Wenger.
He told talkSPORT: “Ivan Gazidis said at the beginning of the season in one of the general meetings that we will never get rid of Arsene Wenger, he is here for life, although if the relationship with the supporters becomes so bad we might have to look at it again.
“Well I think the relationship with supporters is getting worse. Their reaction to the [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] substitution wasn’t just about that, it was because they are unhappy with how the season has gone so far.
“They’re very frustrated that Arsenal aren’t going to challenge for the league title this year and that substitution was the culmination of a lot of anger that has been vented towards Arsene Wenger in recent weeks.”

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...st-him-his-job

That is the dream

[Xhaka Can’t]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...st-him-his-job

That is the dream

Really?

I'd have thought an Arsenal fan would dream of better things than sacking Wenger.

Like things turning round and Wenger winning the League.

It is unlikely to happen, but seeing as we're dreaming, I'll dream of success rather than the sacking of a man who bleeds red and white for the Club.

[Cripps_orig]

JOSE MOURINHO has helped Real Madrid move seven points clear of Barcelona in La Liga.

It will be a truly astonishing achievement if he adds a Spanish league title to his collection of championships from Portugal, England and Italy.

Yet it also seems that Mourinho will be leaving the Bernabeu this summer, whether he resigns or ends up being sacked.

I would love to see Mourinho back in the Premier League — and I think he will be next season.

He is a fantastic character and great value for both supporters and the media.

But I hope he does NOT turn up at Arsenal.

There is talk of a job swap with Arsene Wenger and I am sure many Real fans would love to see the Frenchman take charge of their club.

He would certainly change the current playing style imposed by Mourinho. It is certainly effective. Yet while Real may be racking up both points and goals, they are still not winning any friends.

Against Barca last week, Mourinho's team — not for the first time — seemed happy to kick lumps out of the opposition and it certainly was not pretty.

Mourinho has brilliant tactical ability but also a nose for an argument.

He always seems to be in conflict with his players, opposing managers, fans or the board. The Premier League is where he is happiest. Perhaps over here, the fans understand what he is all about.

But I just do not think he would be suited at Arsenal, who have a history of doing things the right way.

I cannot imagine any Gunners manager celebrating a goal by sliding on his knees in the Emirates technical area.

Equally, I do not think Mourinho will ever get the chance of managing Manchester United for much the same reasons as why he will not manage Arsenal.

It would not surprise me, though, if Tottenham, who could lose Harry Redknapp to the England job, make an attempt to lure him to White Hart Lane.

Also if Roberto Mancini suffers a nightmare with Manchester City and wins nothing this season, they, too, could come in for the self-styled 'Special One'.

Providing he is given money, Mourinho could be a massive success at either club.

I think Spurs and City fans would tolerate Mourinho's style of football — and behaviour — if the end product was the Premier League title.

Chelsea fans, I am sure, would take him back immediately.

Yet there is no way that Roman Abramovich would ever have him return, no matter what Andre Villas-Boas does this term.

Obviously, United and Arsenal would love to win the championship. But not at any cost.

They want to see trophies, yet also football played in a certain way.

People often ask me what I would prefer, good football or trophies. Of course, I want both. But first a team needs to play a decent style.

Despite my frustrations with the current situation at Arsenal, and the fact the club has not spent anywhere near enough money on top-quality new signings, I still want to see Wenger remain at the club.

He is the best thing ever to have happened there, along with Dennis Bergkamp. Next up come players like Thierry Henry.

I have no doubt Wenger would go to Spain and do an amazing job. He has had the opportunity before and turned it down and I am sure he would once again snub Real if the offer came.

Wenger has certainly enjoyed some spats with Mourinho down the years and I feel convinced that they will be locking horns with each other again very soon.

Mourinho may win both the La Liga title and Champions League with Real this season.

But that volatile relationship is still heading for a divorce.

Meanwhile, there are some key Premier League matches this week which could give another indication as to how the title race will pan out.

I am sure Manchester United will win at home to Stoke tonight and I do not think Spurs will have too many problems with Wigan at White Hart Lane.

But I believe Manchester City face a tough test at Everton this evening and a draw could make the title race that bit more exciting.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ne-Wenger.html

Wright speaking shit as usual

Needs to STFU

Apart from the Bergkamp bit

[fakeyank]

Really?

I'd have thought an Arsenal fan would dream of better things than sacking Wenger.

Like things turning round and Wenger winning the League.

It is unlikely to happen, but seeing as we're dreaming, I'll dream of success rather than the sacking of a man who bleeds red and white for the Club.

I dreamt that AW won us the title or some sort of silverware but now I dream of him being sacked. He can bleed red and white but so can I and many on here and around the world. That does not mean we put anyone in charge or not replace someone who is not taking us to the levels we should be in.

[Cripps_orig]

John Hartson has admitted he sympathises with Arsenal fans planning to protest at the game against Blackburn.
Gunners’ fans intend to cover empty seats with bin liners to show their unhappiness at a return of just one point in four Premier League games and a lack of activity in the January transfer window.
And Hartson has backed them, criticising Arsene Wenger’s unwillingness to strengthen a squad which has slipped to seventh in the league table, and is struggling to qualify for the top four.
“
I’m absolutely sure there is money to spend, I don’t know what Arsene Wenger is thinking sometimes in not wanting to spend the money.
”
John Hartson
“Arsenal fans watching every single week must be feeling very despondent at the lack of money spent,” Hartson told talkSPORT, “Even if they brought in one player, just to appease the supporters.
“There must be players out there that Arsene Wenger fancies. A club like Arsenal should be strengthening at every opportunity.
“They need players, as a squad they can’t go and say they are as strong as other squads out there. If you look at Spurs, or even Everton and Newcastle who have spent money [in January].
“Arsenal really do need to be spending. I’m absolutely sure there is money to spend, I don’t know what Arsene Wenger is thinking sometimes in not wanting to spend the money.”

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...unity%E2%80%99

Before the Blackburn match this was and its spot on

[Xhaka Can’t]

I don't give a fuck about 'spending money'. I'd like the team strengthened. Now while I accept punters trotting out that line, I expect more from people paid to offer an opinion as Hartson was in this case. Why pay Hartson for an opinion that is limited to repeating a number of times that money should be spent.

Hartson is presumably an expert, otherwise he wouldn't be asked, so rather than trotting out some line any punter can and has been stating, what is his opinion on where in the team it should be spent? On who? When and where it could have been done?

John, say something that takes some fucking thought, or stfu.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

I don't give a fuck about 'spending money'. I'd like the team strengthened. Now while I accept punters trotting out that line, I expect more from people paid to offer an opinion as Hartson was in this case. Why pay Hartson for an opinion that is limited to repeating a number of times that money should be spent.

Hartson is presumably an expert, otherwise he wouldn't be asked, so rather than trotting out some line any punter can and has been stating, what is his opinion on where in the team it should be spent? On who? When and where it could have been done?

John, say something that takes some fucking thought, or stfu.

[Marc Overmars]

Angry Gary scares me.

[Ollie the Optimist]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...unity%E2%80%99

Before the Blackburn match this was and its spot on

hartson said that he was sure there was money to spend yet nigel witerburn said this week taht he knew for a fact there was no money. not sure who to believe but winterburn was adament there is no money and the board are lying to us