What has happened to our football?

[Özim]

Watched Benfica last night, reminded me of what we use to play like.

So much pace and incisiveness in their play, it's the best type of football IMO and a lot more exciting than anything we've seen from us in recent years. One of the worst things that ever happened was Wenger wanting to play slow paced continental style football, it's just so dull to watch.

[Daniele]

I think the big change happened when AW bought Reyes. Reyes was the firs wrong buy made by AW. Ok, he got Stepanovs and Jeffers etc but they were on the fringe. On Reyes he spent and relied on heavily but wasn't the kind of player who could take us to the next level. He then started buying players more pleasing on the eye than effective or not as effective and consistent as you'd expect from players who have to win a 38-game league like the PL.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

I think the big change happened when AW bought Reyes. Reyes was the firs wrong buy made by AW. Ok, he got Stepanovs and Jeffers etc but they were on the fringe. On Reyes he spent and relied on heavily but wasn't the kind of player who could take us to the next level. He then started buying players more pleasing on the eye than effective or not as effective and consistent as you'd expect from players who have to win a 38-game league like the PL.

You could have a point about Reyes, he may have been the first player who believed that his very name carried some weight and that we owed him, he was the first one for whatever reason to start bitching about this and that and TBH I dont think Wenger can handle this kind of player. . . .even Bendtner ran rings rround him
Henry and Viera were in a word rescued by Wenger so respect was forthcoming. . .did Wenger make them great players? that may be mote difficult to answer in hindsight as he hasnt been able to repeat the feat. . .maybe they were already great and just needed a team to play in
the current team+additions may need a bit of time but I think we may be looking at the start of a more workmanlike Arsenal, players who are going to go and do a job. . .in my opinion it needs a formation change and some to ve reassigned jobs even if it means to the bench
I think MVila would be a very good buy, less thrills and more about the job at hand. . . .Hazard too but could he be a bit of a Reyes?

[Syn]

I think Reyes did mark a change in signings but more in terms of the fact that he was the first one who had technical ability and nothing else. Before weenier would go for athletes...here was a short, skinny runt. He was clearly a technically gifted player and maybe the start of the obsession to get success in europe. Wenger wasn't content with just being the best in england.

[Syn]

Btw, weenier was an phone auto-correct...coincidence? Yes.

[Flavs]

I think the big change happened when AW bought Reyes. Reyes was the firs wrong buy made by AW. Ok, he got Stepanovs and Jeffers etc but they were on the fringe. On Reyes he spent and relied on heavily but wasn't the kind of player who could take us to the next level. He then started buying players more pleasing on the eye than effective or not as effective and consistent as you'd expect from players who have to win a 38-game league like the PL.

reyes main 2 problems were his mum and being a complete fuckwit.

Cant fault his performances for Arsenal before the aragones thing happened really.

[Daniele]

I think Reyes did mark a change in signings but more in terms of the fact that he was the first one who had technical ability and nothing else.

exactly, that is what I meant.

[Coney]

reyes main 2 problems were his mum and being a complete fuckwit.

Just tell it like it is.

[Ernesto]

Ironically, we're probably crying out for a Reyes-type player now- someone who can play with pace on the wing and cut inside. He's far better at it than other players who are considered the "best" at it in the league, the Youngs, the Downings, the Malouda's of this world.

In terms of attitudes and big-money flop signings, I'd argue it started with Wiltord......

[Flavs]

Ironically, we're probably crying out for a Reyes-type player now- someone who can play with pace on the wing and cut inside. He's far better at it than other players who are considered the "best" at it in the league, the Youngs, the Downings, the Malouda's of this world.

In terms of attitudes and big-money flop signings, I'd argue it started with Wiltord......

Or even Jeffers, should of been the next big thing turned out to be, well...shit.

8mil down the drain on him