Arsene Wenger

[HomerJSimpson]

I thought Wenger was a good manager, making the top four every season, and getting CL football. However I think he has perhaps come to the end of the line and he needs to start winning cups. I don't think the current Arsenal side is good enough but I do think they are only a couple of top signings away from being competitive on all fronts. Whether he'll get the time or the cash is debatable now and I think if they have a poor start to next season he'll be out

 

[MadAdey]

No I think you miss the point I love Arsene Wenger I want him to manage Arsenal, I know he is getting older and one day he will want to hang up his unzippable sleeping bag coat and retire and when he does I will be very sad.

I love Wengers ways of playing football the way it should be played. Problem is at times you have just got to get down and dirty and fight one out, which Arsenal just do not seem capable of doing. IMO opinion and most other peoples, Arsenal needed to sign a striker and some who can get stuck in the middle of the park. Did they buy either? No he went and spent £43M on another attacking midfielder. Ozil is a great player, even though he is not having the best of seasons.
T
he amount of Strikers that moved to top teams in the summer is incredible, I think there was about 10 or 12 strikers moving in the summer, all that would have improved Arsenal. If he did have £80M then why did he not try and get Cabaye or another central midfielder.

It is OK buying a player Ozil, but if you can't win the ball back to give to him, or give him a top class striker for him to feed then it is a waste of money.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

8yrs without a trophy isn't good for a top club like Arsenal, regardless of how well they do in the league.

In 16 years of being in the champions league only once they've reached the semis, the final and never usually get past the quarters.

That's not good enough.

As much as i dislike Mourinho he's spot on about him being a champion failure!

 

[sawtooth]

You have spent £150mil in three years - what return would you expect from that ?

Yes but players have been sold in the same period so the net spend is much less, probably a negative figure. Also some players have left for more money elsewhere, adebayor, flamini, song, nasri, RVP, Wenger could not (would not) match salaries of the super rich clubs.

For the record Liverpool have spent more in the last 5 years than Arsenal, what return did you see on that?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes but players have been sold in the same period so the net spend is much less, probably a negative figure. Also some players have left for more money elsewhere, adebayor, flamini, song, nasri, RVP, Wenger could not (would not) match salaries of the super rich clubs.

For the record Liverpool have spent more in the last 5 years than Arsenal, what return did you see on that?

We have a trophy in the cabinet.

And I think it's more of a case of would not match.

 

[Pin-seeker]

We have a trophy in the cabinet.

And I think it's more of a case of would not match.

Would Arsenal swap that trophy for Champions league football?
Whilst I agree they should be winning trophies I suspect the top teams would rather finish top 4 than win a league cup or FA cup. Arsenal have managed to stay in the top 4 whilst paying for a new stadium. No wonder the Arsenal
Board love Wenger.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Boards love top 4 - Wenger calls it a trophy

Fans love days out at Wemberlee and seeing their team raise the trophy

One is about money - the other is glory.

 

[Papas1982]

Boards love top 4 - Wenger calls it a trophy

Fans love days out at Wemberlee and seeing their team raise the trophy

One is about money - the other is glory.

i think it's a close call though, I'm sure fans also like the prestige of facing European giants such as Bayern and barca too. The fact that they're isn't a massive call for his head would suggest that he still has a strong backing with the fans.

IMO I'm sure arsenal fans would of course like a trophy or too, but I don't think they would have settled for one league cup in the last 8 years instead of any champions league football.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

i think it's a close call though, I'm sure fans also like the prestige of facing European giants such as Bayern and barca too. The fact that they're isn't a massive call for his head would suggest that he still has a strong backing with the fans.

IMO I'm sure arsenal fans would of course like a trophy or too, but I don't think they would have settled for one league cup in the last 8 years instead of any champions league football.

Arsenal aren't progressing on the pitch

It's the same situation for them every season and it looks like we are going past them also

Either Wenger needs to look at the glaring holes in his team or the Arsenal fans will start to want a new person in to do it ( think a great deal already think that way )

 

[Pin-seeker]

i think it's a close call though, I'm sure fans also like the prestige of facing European giants such as Bayern and barca too. The fact that they're isn't a massive call for his head would suggest that he still has a strong backing with the fans.

IMO I'm sure arsenal fans would of course like a trophy or too, but I don't think they would have settled for one league cup in the last 8 years instead of any champions league football.

Spot on this. Top teams need Champions league football,not only financially but also to attract the best players.
Let's be honest none of the top teams would be happy winning the league cup & finishing 5th.

 

[Imurg]

Spot on this. Top teams need Champions league football,not only financially but also to attract the best players.
Let's be honest none of the top teams would be happy winning the league cup & finishing 5th.

So Arsenal always get into the CL and therefore can attract the better players but still don't win anything...
They have turned into a shop rather than a Football club, all they do is produce profits - nothing wrong with that but the point of playing the game at that level is to win, not just games with an aim to finish 3rd or 4th every year, but win trophies
While the Club and the fans have this attitude that qualifying for the CL is the result of a "good season" the status quo will not change and they won't win, certainly not the PL....

 

[Pin-seeker]

So Arsenal always get into the CL and therefore can attract the better players but still don't win anything...
They have turned into a shop rather than a Football club, all they do is produce profits - nothing wrong with that but the point of playing the game at that level is to win, not just games with an aim to finish 3rd or 4th every year, but win trophies
While the Club and the fans have this attitude that qualifying for the CL is the result of a "good season" the status quo will not change and they won't win, certainly not the PL....

Sadly that is the modern game. Imagine the players they'd be signing if they weren't in the CL.

 

[sawtooth]

Boards love top 4 - Wenger calls it a trophy

Fans love days out at Wemberlee and seeing their team raise the trophy

One is about money - the other is glory.

Yes but what good is winning a trophy one year but not then challenging for honours for several years or worse dropping out of the league? Not referring to Liverpool here but there are some teams that have won silverware but have struggled. Portsmouth, for an example.

You may not agree but Wenger has been hugely successful over a the last 18 years and he has helped lay the foundation for Arsenal to compete for several years to come. Probably the only club in the black in the league and he's done it largely without massive cash injection from rich benefactors. I think some are dismissive about the financial security and stability he has brought to the club.

I don't blame rival supporters having a pop at Wenger (that's what rival supporters do ) but I think its disgraceful for so-called Arsenal supporters to start calling for his head. Thankfully they are the minority.

Henry said it right, be careful for what you wish for.

As for Liverpool overtaking Arsenal, you might well be right. But we will have to look back in 5 or 10 years to see if that has been the case, not 1-2 seasons.

 

[USER1999]

just think he has taken arsenal as far as he can. He hasn't adapted to the modern game, no analysis of opposition, poor use of player stats, etc.

Yes, he has worked miracles, but it's time to hand it over to someone younger with a new vision.

The injuries are not a mystery. He over trains players, and then won't rotate. Did Ozil need to play against Colchester?

It's the same every season. Something needs to change.

 

[freddielong]

Arsenal aren't progressing on the pitch

It's the same situation for them every season and it looks like we are going past them also

Either Wenger needs to look at the glaring holes in his team or the Arsenal fans will start to want a new person in to do it ( think a great deal already think that way )

How can you say that we have progress we have challenged for the title this season yes it was ended by injuries but we were there top4 and FA cup is better than top 4 are you going to call for B R s head as you are only top 4.

Anyway the board see it my way the only way he will leave will be when he wants.

 

[MadAdey]

How can you say that we have progress we have challenged for the title this season yes it was ended by injuries but we were there top4 and FA cup is better than top 4 are you going to call for B R s head as you are only top 4.

Anyway the board see it my way the only way he will leave will be when he wants.

You make some sensible posts on this subject, but you also make some ridiculous ones.

Rogers has taken Liverpool from not even getting into the Europa league, to being in with a chance of winning the league with only a few games to go. Why the hell would anyone get rid of him for that. He is improving the squad and the first 11 and is lining up some tasty looking players for next year. But if he gets to the point that he is stagnating in a few years then it is maybe time to look for someone with new ideas.

Like we did with Rafa, he looked to have gone as far as he could, but the board swapped him for Woy Bodgson, who took us the wrong way. Maybe you should keep Wenger, better the devil you do.........

 

[bluewolf]

top4 and FA cup is better than top 4 .

Not that you aren't favourites, but I do wish people wouldn't keep assuming that Arsenal have already won the FA Cup.. Another club did that last year, and look what happened to them... Massively disrespectful, if that's what you meant by the above statement..

 

[garyinderry]

Arsenal aren't progressing on the pitch

It's the same situation for them every season and it looks like we are going past them also

Either Wenger needs to look at the glaring holes in his team or the Arsenal fans will start to want a new person in to do it ( think a great deal already think that way )

if luis leaves you guys in the summer you will find it very hard going next season. the boy is a legend of a footballer. I personally think he will stay for another two seasons to see how far you progress but if he leaves it will put you in the same position arsenal have been in for donkeys years with the big spenders picking off the cream.

 

[jp5]

Yes but what good is winning a trophy one year but not then challenging for honours for several years or worse dropping out of the league? Not referring to Liverpool here but there are some teams that have won silverware but have struggled. Portsmouth, for an example.

You may not agree but Wenger has been hugely successful over a the last 18 years and he has helped lay the foundation for Arsenal to compete for several years to come. Probably the only club in the black in the league and he's done it largely without massive cash injection from rich benefactors. I think some are dismissive about the financial security and stability he has brought to the club.

I don't blame rival supporters having a pop at Wenger (that's what rival supporters do ) but I think its disgraceful for so-called Arsenal supporters to start calling for his head. Thankfully they are the minority.

Henry said it right, be careful for what you wish for.

As for Liverpool overtaking Arsenal, you might well be right. But we will have to look back in 5 or 10 years to see if that has been the case, not 1-2 seasons.

So much wrong with this post!

Wenger was hugely successful for the first 9 years of his reign. Not successful at all for the last 9 (unless you count the Virtual Trophy of 4th place which most fans don't - only the board do). And all this nonsense of finishing 4th helps Arsenal sign top players, rubbish. They sell more top players than they buy.

I don't think it's the lack of success as much as the manner of it. Wenger is arrogant and treats the fans with disdain. Despite the fans not 'having worked half a day in football' (Wenger's words) it was clear to all that buying a striker and a big lump in midfield could put Arsenal very close to the title. Instead Wenger buys yet another small midfielder. Leaving a Ligue1 oaf up front who is not a top quality striker, with the back up being a Ligue2 injury riddled kid that resembles a baby giraffe (let's not even talk about the disgrace that is Bendter).

I love what Wenger used to represent. Teams built on defensive solidarity, midfield powerhouses and attacking flair - every player a leader. I can only assume that Wenger doesn't like his power being challenged, hence why we no longer have a Vieira, Adams, Campbell, Lehmann, Petit, Bergkamp....

Fortunately more and more fans are waking up and seeing that Wenger is taking the squad backwards. When Wenger does eventually leave, the team may continue to regress as that is the path it is on anyway, but I think it will be the best for the future.

 

[jp5]

By the way:

Arsenal results vs the top 4 over the last 5 seasons:

Played 15
Won 1
Drawn 1
Lost 13

The fact that Arsenal were top a few weeks ago was an illusion of the fixture list. Ultimately Wenger has lost it tactically and the team won't genuinely challenge for the title until he is gone, as much as it pains me to say it.