Arsene Wenger

[MadAdey]

After the great debate that has been going on about Moyes I was just wondering what people think about Wenger and is he getting to the point of living on borrowed time.

Since winning the Premier League in 03-04 the have managed to win an FA cup in 2005 and get to the Champions League final in 2006 (not taking anything away from Wenger as that is something to be proud of).

When you look at results against the other top 4 clubs they have lost 6-0, 6-3 and 5-1. In 3 away trips they have conceded 17 goals, so rather than blowing £42.5M on Ozil he should have sorted out the greater problem of his defence and how weak they are in midfield.

I work with a a couple of Arsenal fans and even one of those think that maybe Wenger is coming to the end of his time, if he does not start to show some kind of improvement.

At the end of the day you can't keep living on past glories from 8 seasons ago, so who will make the first move? Wenger to retire or will Arsenal replace him, what do you think?

 

[MegaSteve]

Thierry has recently told 'us' to be careful of what we wish for... Well I am wishing for something a bit more tangible than a top four finish... Can't see AW walking away and neither can I see the board moving him on... There's no obvious replacement on the horizon either...

 

[Pin-seeker]

I can't believe he's still in a job. His record against the top teams is terrible. Obviously the Bored love him.

 

[Foxholer]

[faux French accent] Ooohh. I don't see that [/faux French accent]

I think he's doing about as well as he can without the huge funds of a Sugar Daddy owner (Liverpool is doing better, but, to me, that's a 'form' thing. Seems to wobble at this time of year though - mainly because injuries take 1 or 2 key players out, as is the case now.

As a business, they have made a profit all but 1 year (and that was only a 'small' loss) of the Premiership (from memory) and built a new stadium. No-one else has come close to that sort of record.

Interesting relationship with their 'tame' oligarch though!

Anyone else read the story of how Dien went acquired him?

 

[happyhacker]

You could have Moyes soon with a bit of luck

 

[MegaSteve]

I can't believe he's still in a job. His record against the top teams is terrible. Obviously the Bored love him.

Record against 'average' teams ain't so good either...
But still in a better position than sixteen other clubs...

 

[cookelad]

Loved the line on the Beeb website the other day, basically saying the next few results would decide whether Wenger signed a new contract!

Isn't that a bit like me saying unless my medal scores improve I'm leaving my course and going somewhere else?

 

[garyinderry]

david moyes is proving the top 4 is not a given for a top team. you have to earn it.

 

[fundy]

Thing is, Wenger is doing a great job for the shareholders, constantly growing the value of the business etc. This doesnt provide the best option as a short term football fan where other clubs are being funded by benefactors and hence spending excessive amounts of funds but on relatively minimal spend Wenger is keeping them in CL football and keeping the expensive stadium with expensive seats full almost all the time. Boils down to priorities and those of Arsenals board dont necessarily reflect the same as those of the modern football fan. Has to be said though, the fans that really get me are those that think Arsenal have a divine right to be winning something every year - they dont and nor does any other club. Whilst as a fan there is plenty to criticise about Wenger its far more stable than it has been previously (or at many many other clubs who constantly change managers to little effect). The big issue Arsenal are going to have to face is the same as Man U are now, the initial impact when he goes could be pretty damaging

 

[sawtooth]

Wenger has been hugely successful with Arsenal and even in the last 9 seasons he has still brought success to the club. OK it hasnt been in the form of winning cups but in other areas. New ground, new training facilities, qualification for CL every single year. All that when trying to balance the books and a average net spend on players less than most other clubs in the league. Amazing.:whoo:

Dont forget, Wenger has competed with hugely rich clubs Man City, Chelsea and United for years - hardly a level playing field. I think about how much he would have won if rich benefactors hadnt come in with their millions. They buy all the best players, they tempt them away from Arsenal with salaries, I've lost count of the players that were signing for Arsenal but then money turned their heads.

Anyone who thinks Wenger should go either support rival teams or dont really have a grasp on reality in my opinion. Its not all about winning cups year on year. In any case Wenger (if he sticks around - i think he will) will now have a better chance in the next years ahead. Financial fair play rules should start to kick in and because he has doubled the gate receipts by building the Emirates , Arsenal football related earnings should be on par if not better than most of its nearest rivals.

I predict another long spell of success similar to when Wenger's earlier years coming up.

Top 4 again this year and possibly an FA cup as well. Is it really all that bad? Of course it isnt.

 

[USER1999]

Hes been great for the club, but my view is its time to go. Thanks for everything, but it's now time to change.

He is stubborn, tactically naieve, out of date, etc. His training kills the players, they get injured, rushed back etc. His team's are one dimensional, his scouting is now poor, his judgement in the transfer window is poor too. The last few transfer Windows have been a shambles.

Arsenal need a new manager, with a new vision. Some one like klopp.

No given right to win stuff, but an end to ground hog day.

 

[Foxholer]

Wenger has been hugely successful with Arsenal and even in the last 9 seasons he has still brought success to the club. OK it hasnt been in the form of winning cups but in other areas. New ground, new training facilities, qualification for CL every single year. All that when trying to balance the books and a average net spend on players less than most other clubs in the league. Amazing.:whoo:

Dont forget, Wenger has competed with hugely rich clubs Man City, Chelsea and United for years - hardly a level playing field. I think about how much he would have won if rich benefactors hadnt come in with their millions. They buy all the best players, they tempt them away from Arsenal with salaries, I've lost count of the players that were signing for Arsenal but then money turned their heads.

Anyone who thinks Wenger should go either support rival teams or dont really have a grasp on reality in my opinion. Its not all about winning cups year on year. In any case Wenger (if he sticks around - i think he will) will now have a better chance in the next years ahead. Financial fair play rules should start to kick in and because he has doubled the gate receipts by building the Emirates , Arsenal football related earnings should be on par if not better than most of its nearest rivals.

I predict another long spell of success similar to when Wenger's earlier years coming up.

Top 4 again this year and possibly an FA cup as well. Is it really all that bad? Of course it isnt.

H'mm! Along with Liverpool, probably the most patient (or gullible?) fans in EPL.

It hasn't all been down to Wenger by any means, but he has certainly been the man for his job during the period imo. Good for the shareholders is quite different from being good for the fans though!

I don't believe FFP will achieve all its 'goals' and it's likely to further polarise teams - at least in the EPL and other top leagues. It's generally fine for lower leagues though - in spite of the likes of QPR being 'blips', if they ever get their act together!

I actually hope that Arsenal win the FA Cup to quash the 'no silverware' criticism - though that'll just change to 'only 1 trophy'. But performance against 'peers' has been pretty woeful!

It might just be bad timing as well! Any success a couple of years ago would seal his 'greatness' but he may be getting a bit 'past it' in so many ways (not just his eyesight!). But would still be in the running as a candidate for a 'replacement'!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Wenger has been hugely successful with Arsenal and even in the last 9 seasons he has still brought success to the club. OK it hasnt been in the form of winning cups but in other areas. New ground, new training facilities, qualification for CL every single year. All that when trying to balance the books and a average net spend on players less than most other clubs in the league. Amazing.:whoo:

Dont forget, Wenger has competed with hugely rich clubs Man City, Chelsea and United for years - hardly a level playing field. I think about how much he would have won if rich benefactors hadnt come in with their millions. They buy all the best players, they tempt them away from Arsenal with salaries, I've lost count of the players that were signing for Arsenal but then money turned their heads.

Anyone who thinks Wenger should go either support rival teams or dont really have a grasp on reality in my opinion. Its not all about winning cups year on year. In any case Wenger (if he sticks around - i think he will) will now have a better chance in the next years ahead. Financial fair play rules should start to kick in and because he has doubled the gate receipts by building the Emirates , Arsenal football related earnings should be on par if not better than most of its nearest rivals.

I predict another long spell of success similar to when Wenger's earlier years coming up.

Top 4 again this year and possibly an FA cup as well. Is it really all that bad? Of course it isnt.

Think that's a good post

I admire Wengers methods and his tactics at times

The problem is he seems to fail to see the glaring holes in his team - a prolific striker and a strong battling centre mid, they have been the teams issues for years. He seems afraid to try and play a little bit ugly at times to get a result.

 

[freddielong]

As an Arsenal fan I love Arsene there isn't another manager in world football I would want at the club FA cup and top 4 will be a good season.

 

[cookelad]

I think next season will be the defining season, after coming through the stadium build and financial restraints he now has a point to prove, but needs a couple of good signings - the same ones we've been saying for a couple of years!

 

[MadAdey]

I admire Wengers methods and his tactics at times

The problem is he seems to fail to see the glaring holes in his team - a prolific striker and a strong battling centre mid, they have been the teams issues for years. He seems afraid to try and play a little bit ugly at times to get a result.

This is the one criticism I have heard and read from Arsenal supporters about Wenger. His choices in the transfer market have not been the best. He needs someone who can dig and get ugly in the middle of the park, stop other teams pushing them around. With all attacking midfield options he has, did he really need to blow the transfer budget on Ozil?

Whu didn't he go and break the bank to get Cabaye, Newcastle proved that would sell him if the offer was right. Maybe he just did not play enough pretty football for Wenger. Wenger needs to wake up and realise one thing, this is the English game and people will just dig in and get physical with you. He has moaned many a time about this, a bit like Mourhinio did the other week about West Ham, BUt hen again at least he was man enough to say that if he was Allardyce he would have done hte same.

 

[freddielong]

He didn't blow the budget Arsenal have over 80 mil in cash in their accounts.

 

[USER1999]

At the end of this season, arsenal need to replace Sagna, fabianski, and probably vermalen. Wenger could spend 30 odd mil, and still have the same massive holes in the squad. He needed to buy in January.

There is no plan, there never has been.

 

[MadAdey]

He didn't blow the budget Arsenal have over 80 mil in cash in their accounts.

There might be 80M in the accounts but how much of that was he allowed to spend in the summer?

 

[USER1999]

There might be 80M in the accounts but how much of that was he allowed to spend in the summer?

Probably most of it, as it's nearer 140 mill as far as I know.

Ozil fell into wengers lap. He was never part of the plan. The targets were higuain, then Suarez. If he had been serious, with a proper plan, he would have offered pool what they wanted for Suarez. He didn't, and that's part of the problem.