Arsenal

[Rev]

* Out of ten, how would you rate Arsenal's defending this season?

"Ahhhhh....about 6/10. But I was a big fan of ze Shenmue, so with zat I am happy"

[Rev]

But if he's actually had £30 mill sitting in the bank waiting to be spent while he mulls over from which position Abou Diaby is most likely to win you the Premier league

We've not tried him in net yet...

[CandyBob]

We differ then. I don't think they're rubbish at all, they're subjects that we all discuss on here daily. The fact is that Arsene puts up with no nonsense whatsoever from the board and if he was made to be more accountable then maybe we wouldn't be in the shit. There's giving people freedom to work and then there's giving them free run of the place with no comeback. If the board aren't asking the questions and the fans aren't asking the questions then who the fuck is? We all know it's too comfortable at Arsenal, maybe that needs to change.

You still haven't pointed out any you disagree with .

Its not that I disagree with them. Its just that Arsene is the manager, and ultimately the board either trusts him in what he is doing or they don't. I'd like to know why we took Sylvestre on a two year contract and let Bobby go or what exactly is happening to Rosicky but ultimately I have no right to know. I support the club because I love it and not what I think I should get out of it or that the manager or anyone else should be accountable to me (even when I payed for a season ticket).

You are also assuming that the board doesn't support what he is doing. How do any of us really know how accountable he is.

[Dude Ranch]

I'd like to know why we took Sylvestre on a two year contract and let Bobby go or what exactly is happening to Rosicky but ultimately I have no right to know.

I must have spent nearly 20k following the Club over ten years or so. I feel like I've got the right to know. Same as the lads in here who still go. And the ones with Sky Sports subscriptions.

You are also assuming that the board doesn't support what he is doing. How do any of us really know how accountable he is.

One look at the trophy cabinet and the current state of the squad tells you all you need to know about his accountability. Short of getting us relegated he's untouchable.

[CandyBob]

Well as the F365 article asks, if Pires was only offered a 1 year contract because he was 30 years old (as demeaning for a model professional like him as that is), why was Silvestre given two years at 31? Looking at how Giggs and Scholes have helped United win the Premier League this season and the double last, wouldn't you like to see a few more of your players from that generation and who used to hand those players arses to them, were still around?

As said above yes I would. I would have especially liked to have seen Bobby and Gilberto (who is one of my fav Arse players ever) stay.

I just don't hold with the feeling that its all Arsene's fault as we don't know everything that was involved with the transfers.

[Rev]

Apologies, I must be in one of those moods...

I must have spent nearly 20k following the Club over ten years or so.

Imagine working out that, then realising all you have contributed is to pay Diaby for a week or less...

EDIT: I'll stop now though. I'm just finding it all a bit hard to take seriously, really.

[Dude Ranch]

Imagine working out that, then realising all you have contributed is to pay Diaby for a week or less...

Yeah, I know. It did occur to me .

[CandyBob]

I must have spent nearly 20k following the Club over ten years or so. I feel like I've got the right to know. Same as the lads in here who still go. And the ones with Sky Sports subscriptions.

One look at the trophy cabinet and the current state of the squad tells you all you need to know about his accountability. Short of getting us relegated he's untouchable.

I guess we are coming from opposite ends then. I spent the money because I loved the club and football. I don't feel Arsene owes me anything as I feel I got what I wanted from it.

On your second point. Again we can only assume what the boards expectations are.

Is it that we should be winning something every year (completely unrealistic and reserved for clubs like ManU, Barca, etc).

We expect periods with no silverware but do expect some success (probably this and pretty reasonable but just imo again).

We expect nothing and are willing to let Arsene get on with it (highly unlikely).

Or any level inbetween?

We just have different expectations I guess. I don't think the current situation with silverware is alarming. Its frustrating sure, but not desperate. I think Arsene has earned the right to carry on as is. If things are seen to stand still for the next two seasons then I may feel a bit more like yourself.

[Cosmic_Guru]

Part of the reason Vieira was sold was his serious and persistent flirtation with Real Madrid in earlier years - there was one year when he reputedly cleared his locker and didn't go to Austria pre season etc. With Pires, he would not accept the rolling one year arrangement used successfully with Bergkamp. With Henry there were problems with his marriage, he had almost gone the previous year etc etc. In short the circumstances were different in each case and you can't begrudge these players the opportunities they sought elsewhere after their service with club.

I would only criticise Wenger in relation to the DM muddle and in particular his apparently insensitive treatment of Gilberto.

[Lucas]

I'm not sure why Wenger gets so much flack for the players that left when there are so many other factors involved.

Pires was offered a one year contract for example, which was club policy for a 30+ player, but wasn't happy with that. He also said some daft things after being sacrificed in the CL final when we went down to 10.

There seemed to have been a big drive to cut the wage bill as well.

Wenger's policy, not club policy.

I always thought that Le Bob left with dignity intact. I don't think he said anything stupid after the CL final, just that he was disappointed and could see that he would not be as important in the club's future plans.

[CandyBob]

Wenger's policy, not club policy.

I always thought that Le Bob left with dignity intact. I don't think he said anything stupid after the CL final, just that he was disappointed and could see that he would not be as important in the club's future plans.

Surely it has to be club policy then as well by default?

It was good enough for Bergkamp.

[redbloodcell]

Fantasy?

Sagna - Keown - Adams© - Clichy

Pires - Vieira - Fabregas - Arshavin (Or Freddie in his prime)

Bergkamp

Henry

Did you guys hear about him? You probably know he moved over to the MLS to play for Seattle, but when he got there and had a scan they found that he'd been playing with a broken hip...for over 2 years!

How on Earth did they miss that over here?!

[CandyBob]

Did you guys hear about him? You probably know he moved over to the MLS to play for Seattle, but when he got there and had a scan they found that he'd been playing with a broken hip...for over 2 years!

How on Earth did they miss that over here?!

Blimey. His form did seem to leave him almost overnight.

[mop]

Did you guys hear about him? You probably know he moved over to the MLS to play for Seattle, but when he got there and had a scan they found that he'd been playing with a broken hip...for over 2 years!

How on Earth did they miss that over here?!

That is fucking insane.

[Lucas]

Not according to wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Ljung...eattle_Sounders

In December 2008, it was announced that Ljungberg would undergo surgery to repair a persistent hip injury that has plagued him throughout his later career. Surgeons repaired a slightly torn hip labrum and shaved a small amount of bone where the hip meets the femur to prevent future injury. The Seattle Times reported that Ljungberg was expected to miss 10-12 weeks of training and possibly be sidelined for the team's inaugural game

[redbloodcell]

The citation doesn't exist, and all the others I can find say it was broken:

Seattle Sounders official website

Seattle Times

[Pilotwings]

Arshavin 5 foot 8? That has to be a lie!

[SeanR]

Arshavin 5 foot 8? That has to be a lie!

Yeah, 5ft 4 more like!

[Dude Ranch]

Rosicky actually back in training apparently .

I mean, I know it's a long standing joke. And there are rumours of drug abuse, totally unfounded as far as I'm aware and also totally illogical. So on face value to be out injured for so long must have been a nightmare and whatever we say we could have done with him all this time. A fit Rosicky next season would be great.

[carlito]

Rosicky actually back in training apparently .

I mean, I know it's a long standing joke. And there are rumours of drug abuse, totally unfounded as far as I'm aware and also totally illogical. So on face value to be out injured for so long must have been a nightmare and whatever we say we could have done with him all this time. A fit Rosicky next season would be great.

To be honest, I wonder, even if he could dodge the injuries (which is a big fucking if), whether Rosicky would be the same player we bought in 2006.

His first season was pretty tepid, he had a few moments, although I seem to remember he used to have a habit of scoring goals when the games were already won didn't he? Anyway, as I recall it was pretty much play one game recover for the next two games for most of the season wasn't it.

His second season he played even less and this season he hasn't played at all. He was what 25 when he joined us? He must be at least 28 now and he's had almost no chance to improve himself on the pitch - those are some pretty important years for a midfield playmaker to miss. He really should be peaking in this period rather than relearning how to run.

I would love to think he will come back as the player he was when he bought him - when he scored those two goals for the Czech Republic right after his transfer to Arsenal I was fizzing at the bunghole with bargainous joy. At the very least he will be a significantly less mobile player on his return, let's just hope he hasn't lost too much else.

[Lucas]

Rosicky actually back in training apparently .

I mean, I know it's a long standing joke. And there are rumours of drug abuse, totally unfounded as far as I'm aware and also totally illogical. So on face value to be out injured for so long must have been a nightmare and whatever we say we could have done with him all this time. A fit Rosicky next season would be great.

He did appear for the reserves earlier this season, but he suffered a groin injury (iirc) and had to come off early.

Truth

This. After such a long time out I don't think he'll ever be the same.

My best Rosicky moment was at home to CSKA Moscow in the CL a few seasons ago. He missed an absolute sitter and the guy sitting behind me started screaming how it was a "knob ball". he then explained to the person with him that "it was so easy, he could have out that in with his knob". lolz.

[Daley]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...nal/8051143.stm

I know I have been moaning more than anyone but reading that makes me sad.

Questions for such events usually have to be pre-submitted, but on this occasion the floor was open and the Arsenal manager was involved in a couple of heated exchanges with disgruntled supporters.

Having overseen a fourth consecutive season without silverware, he faced some fierce scrutiny over his transfer policy, team selection and tactics.

The 59-year-old made an impassioned defence of his players, hit out those who have taken to haranguing them at home games and was particularly stung by claims they lack the stomach for a battle.

"At the moment what this team needs is the support of the fans. I must say there is a massive difference between the away fans, who are absolutely fantastic, and the home fans."

One shareholder was applauded for expressing a desire to see striker Emmanuel Adebayor - scorer of 30 goals last season and 16 this term - sold in the summer.

Just makes me sad that people feel like that and harass someone who has done so much for the club. Don't get me wrong they are perfectly entitled to feel this way. Just shows something is wrong at the club.

"If we do not get there next year or the year after then you can say this was not the right way."

He does admit here that if he doesn't deliver a trophy in the next two years then he has failed with this plan. Some of us just feel like we have reached that point already.

"This season has not been disastrous at all," he added. "One day you will look back and say it was not as bad a people thought.

"But the most important thing is that, structure-wise, the club is in a fantastic situation.

"We have built a massive new stadium and maintained this club at the top, top level in Europe and I'm very proud of that. The future of this club is great."

Maybe he is right, just feels shit coming close but failing again.

[CandyBob]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...nal/8051143.stm

I know I have been moaning more than anyone but reading that makes me sad.

Just makes me sad that people feel like that and harass someone who has done so much for the club. Don't get me wrong they are perfectly entitled to feel this way. Just shows something is wrong at the club.

He does admit here that if he doesn't deliver a trophy in the next two years then he has failed with this plan. Some of us just feel like we have reached that point already.

Maybe he is right, just feels shit coming close but failing again.

Some good, some bad from reading whats come out so far.

I think he is absolutely right about the condition of the club from an infrastructure point of view. We are in a great position.

I find it sad as well that fans feel the need to put things in the way that they do. This one man has probably had the biggest impact on the club in its long history and almost all for the positive. This witchhunt, which is what it appears to be turning into, just doesn't feel right. Saying that, if in a couple of seasons time things haven't moved on then you would have to expect him to either have a plan in place for radical change, or step down. If he does step down though who knows who could replace him. Maybe the likes of Adams and Bergkamp by then will be big enough for the job.

The one issue for me is the way he appears to fail to deal with one or two of the players and how they are performing. When you look at a player like Nasri or Gibbs, who even when they aren't having a great game put in 100%, and someone like Adebayor, I feel its a bit of an insult to their effort.

I agree with him regarding how difficult it must be for Ade to walk out in front of 60,000 people knowing that they are feeling negative towards you, but then really in that situation you'd expect the player to at least put in the effort, even if its not happening from a footballing aspect. I think fans appreciate this. I feel that off the field, this isn't dealt with properly. In public sure, defend him, but away from the camera's sometimes a player needs to be told how it is, and I'm not sure if Arsene does this. Adams or Vieira, which is maybe where the real problem is, wouldn't have stood for it.

I also agree with him about the fans to a certain extent. Often myself and my brother have, in the recent past, been surrounded by people not even watching the game. I remember us taking apart Charlton a couple of seasons back, Henry had a great game that night, but all around us people were talking to each other about work, dinner, whatever but barely watching the game. No singing, nothing. Looking up and clapping when we scored. This has been quite common. I also remember giving Sheff Utd a right drubbing, about 5-1, and their fans singing their lungs out right up until the final whistle.

While Arsene has to take the responsibility for how we perform on the pitch, I think the fans have not been doing their bit. What happened to the support after ManU's first goal went in last week? Sure it was a shock, but we gave the team nothing to work with for the rest of the game. The second goal came shortly after but pretty much as soon as the first goal went in, the fans gave up.

Still, plenty to talk about over the summer again.

[Peter Hitchens]

This. After such a long time out I don't think he'll ever be the same.

Sadly this is probably true... but having said that he could still be a very useful squad player if he can stay fit for a couple of years. He's only 28 not 35 so IF (and I know it's a huge if) he can go through next season without injury he could still get back to being a top player. I doubt he'll ever be as good as he could have been but he could be valuable as an option to bring in assuming we have Nasri/Walcott/Arshavin as first choices.

[carlito]

Sadly this is probably true... but having said that he could still be a very useful squad player if he can stay fit for a couple of years. He's only 28 not 35 so IF (and I know it's a huge if) he can go through next season without injury he could still get back to being a top player. I doubt he'll ever be as good as he could have been but he could be valuable as an option to bring in assuming we have Nasri/Walcott/Arshavin as first choices.

The strangely positive scenario would be that if he can stay fit and he is still good, there is the slim possibility of having a world class player playing mainly from the bench who isn't constantly bitching for a transfer due to lack of playing time as with his injury record I can't imagine him being a viable signing for many clubs, bar his inevitable return to Sparta at the end of his career.

[Peter Hitchens]

The strangely positive scenario would be that if he can stay fit and he is still good, there is the slim possibility of having a world class player playing mainly from the bench who isn't constantly bitching for a transfer due to lack of playing time as with his injury record I can't imagine him being a viable signing for many clubs, bar his inevitable return to Sparta at the end of his career.

Yeah. In theory, he could be sort of like Giggs and Scholes have been for the last few years at Utd.

[Steve007]

Had my renewal come through the day before last. £1400

Obviously I will pay it, but I can totally see why the fans gave Wenger such a hard time at the meeting. He's tactically inept, many of his players are not good enough for Arsenal and they have every right to question him in the manner they did. Wenger has had it far too easy and now it's time he sorts himself out.

Another season of mediocrity cannot happen and Wenger cannot be allowed to do what he is doing. Resting players in a FA cup semi-final to save them for another game was bloody criminal. Wenger treated all of us that turned up for that game like mugs. It's sad that he believes so much in so many players that are not up to the job.

Clearly Usmanov has got the hump. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he meets Kroenke...

[Lucky]

Le Grove is seriously pissed off with AW.

Interesting read. Even more interesting, click on the 1996 squad.

Warning: Could make you sad!

[CandyBob]

Le Grove is seriously pissed off with AW.

Interesting read. Even more interesting, click on the 1996 squad.

Warning: Could make you sad!

He's not that far off about the situation at the Emirates though is he. We all must have seen it, even when we've been winning and playing well. For a 60,000 seater stadium its hardly pushing the decibel counter.

Whether he should say it or not is another matter but I guess when the floor is open for fans to ask what they like, we have to accept the same in return.

[Steve007]

He's not that far off about the situation at the Emirates though is he. We all must have seen it, even when we've been winning and playing well. For a 60,000 seater stadium its hardly pushing the decibel counter.

Whether he should say it or not is another matter but I guess when the floor is open for fans to ask what they like, we have to accept the same in return.

Too many 'first timers' coming through the turnstiles. Look at all those idiots with the cameras when someone is taking a corner or a throw in - I bet for most of them it's their first and only trip to the stadium. I get really pissed off when I'm trying to watch the game and I have some clown standing up pointing to the pitch while his mate fiddles around with the camera/phone trying to get the shot. Just watch the fucking game!

And how the hell are all the people from abroad getting tickets? There must be 1000's of seats owned by companies that sell people a sporting package holiday. I've spoke to a lot of these people and they pay these companies a large amount of money, they get a game on Saturday and a game on Sunday & a hotel and transport. Most of them come from Scandinavia.

The reason for the shit atmosphere is that the club has sold itself out. They don't give a shit who sits in the seats, as long as they get sold it's job done as far as they are concerned.

When Wenger mentions the away fans, it's because they are the true Gooners. I don't do as many away games these days as I used to, but it was always the same old faces that I'd see. All of us were 100% behind the team.