Arsenal

[Rev]

To quote someone, at some point:

"Meh"

[a big boy]

What makes me doubt that the transfer pot is the fact that although the party line may often be Wenger doesn't want to buy older guys to stunt the youth of the kids, it just doesn't stand up to scrutiny. He's actually perfectly happy to pick up absolute dinosaurs when they become available - so long as they're free.

[Shevchenko]

Sorry.

And Theo is shit and will never make it in the Premier League. He's out of his depth in Europe and it's painful to watch.

I still think we'll do Porto at home but there's no way we are going to get past Man United or Chelsea when we inevitably meet one of them in the competition. They are streets ahead of us.

Yeah, I thought Bendtner though was piss poor. You shouldn't be relying on him to get you goals considering he was your 4th choice in the last few years. In the games against Man United and Chelsea, the difference was Drogba and Rooney plus they have two world class goalkeepers. How longer can you rely on a sicknote like Van Persie?

[Rocafella]

Yeah, Nasri doesn't appear to actually offer anything besides keeping posession by playing it safe, which although not the worst thing in the world, won't win you games. Especially when he's playing as one of the front three. Comedy of errors tonight really, incredible given the importance of the game. Still think we'll turn it around for the second leg though, 2-1 isn't the worst result, the away goal being crucial.

[Liamness]

So... if Gibbs is out and Clichy is playing like balls, is it worth giving Traoré a go again?

[hauk]

I didn't think it was that bad a performance or result, just 2 stupid goal keeping errors cost us the game!

With Song, Arshavin and Van Persie in the side tonight it would have been a different game. As has been the case the last 5 seasons (except maybe last year) our first 11 is excellent, but the subs just aren't up to the task.

As for bringing in 5-6 new players and getting rid of Wenger as some people are suggesting, I would hazard a guess that when he board talks about 35 million being available for new players they are including wages in that figure. So Wenger might be thinking about spending 10 million on Chamakh's wages and 25 million+ on a new contract for Cesc in the summer, which may explain bargain basement buys of late...

[Daley]

As for bringing in 5-6 new players and getting rid of Wenger as some people are suggesting, I would hazard a guess that when he board talks about 35 million being available for new players they are including wages in that figure. So Wenger might be thinking about spending 10 million on Chamakh's wages and 25 million+ on a new contract for Cesc in the summer, which may explain bargain basement buys of late...

I would be amazed if Fabregas is still an Arsenal player next season. I don't blame him. If the choice was pissing off back to Barca to play with Messi or stay and watch Denilson give the ball away and Walcott fall over I would be on the first plane.

I would rather we went out of Europe. There is no way on God's green Earth we will beat any team that is half decent so rather than beat Porto and get stuffed by Chelsea/Man Utd/Whoever let's just get it over with now. Last season's semi-final was embarrasing quite frankly.

I said years ago in here that I don't think we will win anything more with Wenger and unfortunately that looks like it will be the case. The only question is, is Wenger a hero who has consistently got us into the top four while operating on a tiny budget due to the new stadium or is he a crazy old man who refuses to spend any money while protecting his bunch of over-rated, over-paid injury-prone fancy dans? Time will tell I guess.

Laurent Blanc or Pep Guardiola in 2011?

[Dude Ranch]

So... if Gibbs is out and Clichy is playing like balls, is it worth giving Traoré a go again?

I'd play Traore, if only to put a rocket up Clichy's arse. Anyone remember those photos of Clichy wankered in a nightclub? I think that coincided with him turning shit. He's lost his pace and wingers are skinning him for fun. Sagna has gone backwards too.

The only question is, is Wenger a hero who has consistently got us into the top four while operating on a tiny budget due to the new stadium or is he a crazy old man who refuses to spend any money while protecting his bunch of over-rated, over-paid injury-prone fancy dans? Time will tell I guess.

I was thinking this last night. If this is genuinely all he's had to work with, if there's no money or so little that his only hope is to try and build from the ground up for virtually free, then his discretion and restraint in not moaning or using it as an excuse or leaving, and the miracle of getting this lot into the CL knock out stages every year and being almost title challengers is quite incredible. Push will come to shove one day and the fans need to know. Either way, can he take this lot any further?

Laurent Blanc or Pep Guardiola in 2011?

Bergkamp just finished his coaching badges.

[Daley]

I'd play Traore, if only to put a rocket up Clichy's arse. Anyone remember those photos of Clichy wankered in a nightclub? I think that coincided with him turning shit. He's lost his pace and wingers are skinning him for fun. Sagna has gone backwards too.

If only Traore hadn't looked completely incapable of defending on the few occasions he played. Not sure what has happened to Clichy and Sagna. Best full backs in the league a couple of years ago. This season they've been shocking.

I was thinking this last night. If this is genuinely all he's had to work with, if there's no money or so little that his only hope is to try and build from the ground up for virtually free, then his discretion and restraint in not moaning or using it as an excuse or leaving, and the miracle of getting this lot into the CL knock out stages every year and being almost title challengers is quite incredible. Push will come to shove one day and the fans need to know. Either way, can he take this lot any further?

I don't think so. Once Fabregas leaves the "experiment" is well and truly over.

Bergkamp just finished his coaching badges.

I'd be very surprised to see him get the job without a bit of experience in another high profile job. At least as a number 2 for a bit.

[SeanR]

I'd be very surprised to see him get the job without a bit of experience in another high profile job. At least as a number 2 for a bit.

I read here that wenger doesn't "do" any coaching?

[Dude Ranch]

Interesting piece on football365 about their second goal. Obv. we'll all have out own opinions but this sums up my feelings.

If Fabianski had dropped the ball, the Porto player had grabbed it and they had taken it from the right place, I think that would be fair game. However, the referee requests the ball from Fabianski, and as soon as he does this I think he forfeits the right to allow the quick free-kick.

To me, he is indicating to Arsenal by taking control of the ball that he will organise the free-kick. Dropping the ball and letting Porto play on, to me, is seriously unfair and, frankly, against the spirit of the game.

I think it was a bit mean, to say the least. Especially given the stonewall penalty moments earlier.

Anyway..

[Eats hoops and leaves]

If fabregas goes to barca, wouldn't he be on the bench a little too often for his liking? He is only young still. Maybe he will stay at arsenal for a couple more years then move over when he's guaranteed a place in the starting IX.

[Daley]

If fabregas goes to barca, wouldn't he be on the bench a little too often for his liking? He is only young still. Maybe he will stay at arsenal for a couple more years then move over when he's guaranteed a place in the starting IX.

Xavi is 30. Barca also have the rather novel idea of having decent players on the bench. Helps with injuries, suspensions, loss of form. Crazy idea I know.

[Dude Ranch]

I know there's talent in spades at Barca but Fabregas is too good to warm any bench.

[Daley]

I know there's talent in spades at Barca but Fabregas is too good to warm any bench.

I don't think he would be warming the bench but that's another story.

[Dude Ranch]

I don't think he would be warming the bench but that's another story.

Well, that was my point. I think he'll play. He might not get in the first eleven on match day one but when he gets in he'll stay in. He's a beautiful player.

[Daley]

Well, that was my point. I think he'll play. He might not get in the first eleven on match day one but when he gets in he'll stay in. He's a beautiful player.

Indeed. Is it a little sad that I look forward to seeing him play for Barca with all those quality players?

[SeanR]

if he delivers silverware this season he should be allowed to go.

[BlinkyBear]

I really don't see Cesc getting ahead of Xavi and Iniesta. There's a reason that Cesc struggles to get in the Spanish starting 11 as it's because those two are still far and away the two best central midfielders in the world ad frankly, Cesc isn't as good as either. He would be the third choice for that position unless he went there in 2/3 years when he could play alot more when their legs start going.

I would fully imagine that he'll hoba year before his contract is up which I think is in 3 years.

Not that it matters-he can't elevate this team any more than he is doing and with Ramsey to step in, I'm sure it'll leave us in the same consolidating 4th place type position.

[Art Vandelay]

Barca would surely just move Iniesta onto the left to accomodate him. I'm not sure they're worried as they obviously want him and won't exactly be scared of having too much talent in the squad.

[Rev]

If fabregas goes to barca, wouldn't he be on the bench a little too often for his liking? He is only young still. Maybe he will stay at arsenal for a couple more years then move over when he's guaranteed a place in the starting IX.

Is a league winning Barca bench much worse than fighting for a Premiership Play-Off place?

[Arc'Tan'Gent]

Anyone think that apart from the backpass hoo-hah, Sol had a cracking game?

[Eats hoops and leaves]

Is a league winning Barca bench much worse than fighting for a Premiership Play-Off place?

I'd say so, yes. If I was paid to do what I adored and I only had 13 years to do it, I'd want to play as much as possible. It's not as if he's not playing on the biggest stages in the game while at Arsenal. But then I'm not competitive at all so I don't know if to a footballer, playing is more important than winning.

[BlinkyBear]

Barca would surely just move Iniesta onto the left to accomodate him. I'm not sure they're worried as they obviously want him and won't exactly be scared of having too much talent in the squad.

Probably, but he's not quick enough to play there at this stage of his career.

Thing is, I can well imagine Cesc going there tomorrow or in 3 years time, but Barca are unlikely to spend 20+ mill on a player to play understudy for a couple of years. They tend to wait and buy big when necessary and use the academy kids and the oldies as benchwarmers-it's Real that stockpile talent in the squad for the sake of it.

Question is though, what realistically is it going to take for us to start challenging for silverware again, on a consistent basis? Not like now, where we're in the mix if the wind blows the right way, but like Chelsea who seem

to be favourite for every competition they're in, even if they haven't won it recently/at all?

Realistically...

[Lucas]

If only Traore hadn't looked completely incapable of defending on the few occasions he played. Not sure what has happened to Clichy and Sagna. Best full backs in the league a couple of years ago. This season they've been shocking.

Surely it's Wenger's fault for not coaching defence?

How many defenders have to regress before it stops being their fault and an underlying cause is identified?

[SeanR]

Anyone think that apart from the backpass hoo-hah, Sol had a cracking game?

you mean apart from needing backup from sagna because he couldn't catch 'em when they did get past him? Yeah.

Intelligent defending, experienced. Solid.

[Art Vandelay]

Why did Keown leave after his success as a coach? We were as tight as a drum when he was about.

In answer to Blinky's question I genuinely believe it's too late now to correct the mistakes with this squad. The way Wenger dismantled the invincibles with surgical precision meant that we'd lost the knowledge of how to actually win anything. There's a malaise that hangs over the squad and a genuine lack of desire. Put it this way, Vieira would run through a brick wall for you, Vermaelen aside who would do that now? We get bummed in big games because we don't care as much, it's really as simple as that.

[Daley]

Sol didn't do bad for a 47 year old who started the season at Notts County.

[SeanR]

Why did Keown leave after his success as a coach? We were as tight as a drum when he was about.

In answer to Blinky's question I genuinely believe it's too late now to correct the mistakes with this squad. The way Wenger dismantled the invincibles with surgical precision meant that we'd lost the knowledge of how to actually win anything. There's a malaise that hangs over the squad and a genuine lack of desire. Put it this way, Vieira would run through a brick wall for you, Vermaelen aside who would do that now? We get bummed in big games because we don't care as much, it's really as simple as that.

abou diaby was like a blue-arse fly last night, with no reward.

it's not so much lacking players with desire, as players who ENJOY the football that arsenal flair.

unfortunately porto kept getting 7-9 men back, and when it was 3 on 3 we'd look for the pass, rather than trying to go past them, and end up playing into traffic.

[Arc'Tan'Gent]

you mean apart from needing backup from sagna because he couldn't catch 'em when they did get past him? Yeah.

Intelligent defending, experienced. Solid.

Yes, apart from the bits where he was outpaced because he's a 35-year-old lump. You know, like the goal-saving challenges and so on?