It’s the footballing equivalent of a playground fight, except this time Arsene is the kid being picked on:
I believe we have to take the critics on the chin
And this kid is not for being picked on any more:
We live in a world where everyone can have opinions but it is people in a position of responsibility who make decisions. There is a big difference because people who make decisions have responsibilities for the longer-term of the club, for the survival of the club and for the financial resources of the club.
So, Yah Boo Sucks to you all who doubt the policies we follow. In other words, you are entitled to have an opinion but do not presume to tell me how to my job, (a) because it’s my job and (b) you do not have all the facts to hand, merely media presumptions and suppositions upon which to base your opinions. A bloodied nose for the bullies. Not content with that, he applied the boot whilst they were down:
I do not deny United deserved to go through over the two legs but we did not have an opportunity to show how good we are. Afterwards people always take definite conclusions but I believe the distance between the two teams is not as big as people make it today
That is where the opinions come into it. There is no doubt that a gap exists between the two clubs simply because United are in a more than decent position to retain – not just win, retain – the two major trophies for which they compete on an annual basis. Forget the trinkets such as World Club and European Super Cups, there are two very important trophies. They won them last season and there is no argument. Is it as big as we are led to believe?
Well there is a question for the answer can only come in the future. Arguments about how much money was spent last summer are to an extent, futile. The signing of Berbatov is not a universal success, he is more likely to end up compared to Birtles and Veron than Cantona or Law. Did Ferguson spend more wisely? The evidence suggests yes but does not take into account the injuries to key personnel that have been suffered by Arsenal.
Are they the core reason for the fourth place currently occupied in the league? Partially. However, inconsistency in the opening three months of the season was far more damaging when the squad was relatively strong. The crucial aspect of this season is that there has been no one, single, solitary reason for not realistically challenging for the Premier League title, not progressing to Rome or Wembley. The ‘exits’ have been for different reasons or any mix of them, highlighting the difficulties faced by those on the coal face over the course of the season, as opposed to us who sit in our comfy chairs and pontificate.
Wenger had an answer to Emmanuel Petit‘s criticisms:
At the end of the day, it is down to how strongly we believe in ourselves and how good I think the team is
And those in his squad who opined that new players might be needed:
If you ask the players in what position, you will never get their position. Every player wants to play with big names because it is reassuring
In short, leave me alone to get on with job. I will make the decisions about the squad in the summer.
A key matter is Robin van Persie‘s contract:
Why should we not [hold on to our best players]? I am hoping Robin will sign a new deal and I am trying very hard to get him to sign. I want Robin on board. He is a very important player in the squad and on the pitch he is a very efficient player.
And he is not beyond using emotional blackmail:
We want him to stay because we gave him a chance when he was in a very bad position at Feyenoord.
But praise was not far away:
I think he has developed well here and I don’t see a reason for him to go and he loves the Club.
The Dutchman stated recently that he was keen to sign and would probably be doing so in the close season. Whether he has any second thoughts is known only to him and until he offers his views, I am not going to believe media presumptions that he has been adversely affected by Tuesday night’s outcome.
’til Tomorrow.
Wenger said there was not much difference between the 2 sides.
“What do we make of old sir wenger saying man utd are better then us then????????”
After a 4-1 defeat over two legs what do you expect him to say DG???
The current players of the Arsenal don’t measure up to the previous Arsenal teams. Now the skill level of most Arsenal players are not anything special.
The quality is not up to the required standard. So we have Almunia, Djourou, Song, Diaby, Bendtner, Denilson, Sylvestre all getting chances to play for the club.
It means the about six players coming from West Ham, Everton, Villa have skill levels that qualify them to play for the Arsenal now. It shows how far the team has dropped in quality.
Steve
What has the team achieved. The table don’t lie.
2006 4th
2007 4th
2008 3rd
2009 probably 4th
So what is the achievement? We’ve moved backwards since 2005.
4th the target…are you saying they are worse then john jensen and glen(hit the corner flag)helder and ian bloody selley. cmon you spoilt git.
4th the target it is your sort of fan that does not measure up as a true supporter not that the players skill levels are low.
Last year we played much better than we have this season yet still only finished 3rd.Why are we going to improve 3 places over the next 12 months.Are Man utd suddenly going to fall apart.Come on everyone lets get real.I honestly think 4th place is the best we can hope for again next year and Wenger knows that.
4th is still Arsene Wenger’s target for 2010.
AW has not been doing well of late. Too much power has made him drunk. It could also be complacency or security of job or any of the above.
We’re in a shit
When will some fans get it into their heads that other teams have progressed as well. ManUSA are a far better team than they were in 2000-2005. The Chavs were not even a good team in 2000.
Teams have got better therefore it is harder to compete now with 4 top teams instead of 2. We compete with far less in financial power than the other top clubs, the differnce is ours financial position is sustainable.
West Ham players good enough for the Arsenal: 0
Everton players good enough for the Arsenal: Cahill
Villa players good enough for Arsenal: Young.
Arsenal players that’d play for Everton, Villa and West Ham: The entire squad including several youth team and reserves players.
Everton players good enough to play for the Arsenal: Louis Saha of course. But Saha is always injured so he doesn’t count.
jbh
the only statistic that count are: 4
years without a trophy: 4
Average finish last 4 years :4th
Yards run by Adebayor every game:4
RJCD, what a cock you are.
Number of brain cells in RJCD’s head: 4
He’s soo f***** irritatig. UGH!!! He should be drafted into Consols project. Send him a freaking letter, get the authorities involved. Pick him up from his home, and force him to do what few would dare to do.
You’re a FUCKING disgace!! You’re a fucking disgrace!!! You’re a fucking disgrace!!! (Drogba style)
3 borrowed from his knob
Ron, hang on bigdick we have only lost 5 games this year(same as chelsea) with a team that had to be rebuilt.
How about Arteta??
Don’t know why people hark on about Henry, Pires, Vieira, etc all the time. They joined the club as relatively unknowns, and all took time to get into their strides. Vieira was an non playing reserve for Milan when AW bought him.
Remember how long it took Henry to start scoring goals. Remember how many panned him.
Where is the patience with the players? You expect them all to be world beaters from the first minute?
The one thing that distinguishes AW selected players is high skill levels.
What about Arteta???
jbh,
thats why he wont sign barry coz he may be able to pass but he lacks the skill levels to play for us…infact thats why we dont have many english players.
Duke Chelsea have lost 5 games,4 of them v Liverpool twice.Man Utd and us
We have lost to the migthy Hull,Fulham,Stoke,Man City and Villa.Only Villa van be could any good
DG,
I would assume he would be on any list that involved Everton players good enough for the Arsenal squad.
Ateeb,
Ready for the job on Monday?? Or will the game tomorrow determine that…..
What is with all these people lately who need a name with a phalic connection, are they suffering with an inferior complex?
…so in summary from the above comments…Arsenal …with a different business and technical strategy …both of which are unique in terms of sustainability…have taken the hit for 4 years…and are about to increase the pressure on other clubs…no other club will be able to compete with Arsenal until they have put in the necessary ground work….
… now is the time to dust off that old word…’gooner’…
…it is a good time to be a gooner… yes …I think it really is….
Maria,
Really not looking forward to it. It’s going to be the first time I’d be working. And it kind of makes me sad about the lazy life I’ll be giving up. And I did go shopping today, and sort of messed up by buying more of the casual wear. So there you go.
…they are fewer in number than you might imagine, Steve…
Arteta will get in the Arsenal team. You’re right guys. Thanks for the remind.
I think you are right Frank just a SMALL erection..oops collection.
Frank while you’re on your quest to analyze the D&G psyche and how it varies. Pay close attention to the type of players they want. One section of them want the big stars from big clubs, irrespective of the costs. While the others, ask for players who’d cost less and playing for the not so big clubs. The latter, emphasize their point, by keeping the club finances into context. And how in the end it will only benefit the club and what a good bargain it will be. Such as, Bullard, Lescott, Hangeland. Notice as well, that the latter’s suggestions are always British players playing in the EPL, because that’s as far as their knowledge stretches.
I really don’t get this thing about our record under Wenger. All these fans who want him out forget where we were before he joined us. Imagine if he had joined the Spud’s and we had had their turnover of managers. You can forget the magnificent new stadium, CL football every year, some of the finest football played in the world, superstar players like Henry and being able to laugh yourself silly at the deluded people just down the road who claim to be the biggest club in London. All this as a well run club that has an affordable mortgage, compared with our main rivals who are drowning in debt or no more than a rich man’s play thing.
“Notice as well, that the latter’s suggestions are always British players playing in the EPL, because that’s as far as their knowledge stretches.”
Stop on…but considering their new lord and master Arshavin is for a far far away land….they may want to stop with that BS.
If AA has 3 or 4 bad games those idiots will be on his back as well. These idiots wanted Reo Coker and Barry to ‘improve our squad’ ffs.
Arhsvin was suggested by the first sections of the supporters I was talking about. The ones who’d want a player at any cost. They usually, base their suggestions on the Euros. That’s where Silva, Villa, Senna, (half of the spanish team), comes in. Also the likes of Benzema. Moreover after we play someone in the CL, they pick up some players they’d want to see in our team. That’s where Pato, steps in. And how we’d be better off if we could exchange him for Ade. And other players that are suggested are the ones who left us, and we sorely miss. Like Flamini. Just cant get over that lad. Our saviour.
Bit of mixed tense there :$
And we have the ACN this january. Just fantastic.
I was thinking about that Ateeb.
Song,Adebayor,Kolo and Eboue will be out and their all in the first team now….!!!
Am i missing anyone??
God i hope not….while i love me some ACN i am seriously worried about the effect it could have on our squad i mean KK has only just recovered his best form since the last one…..damn you rainy season!!!
[...] Arsene Fights Back & RvP It’s the footballing equivalent of a playground fight, except this time Arsene is the kid being picked on: I [...] [...]
With the Scousers winning today we lost the possibility to finish in 2nd place.
I disagree with Amy Lawrence
“Didier Drogba’s bulldozing style can solve Arsenal’s woes
• Guus Hiddink warns Arsenal they need more power
• Arsène Wenger could do worse than look at Drogba
Amy Lawrence “
If even Harry Redknapp can see it, why can’t our so called “supporters”?
“And Arsenal, they’ve had injuries that have cost them this last week or two, defensively they’ve not been as strong, they’ve been missing people like (William) Gallas and (Gael) Clichy.
“They’ve got some great young players and I think they’ll be strong again next year, Arsenal. I really couldn’t say I see them dropping out because I only see those young players improving.”
Someone from Liverpool challenged Pyles Palmer:
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1268&cntnt01returnid=42
Arsenal!
Arsenal