5 live Martin

[Topside Northbank]

Hi guys,

It's been a disappointing last few hours,days, weeks,months and years as an ex Arsenal player,but things have been taken out of context.

The players have it seems not performed,Arsene will be a tad upset and the players need to look at themselves.Difficult away days at Ostensunds in Europe where we kept a clean sheet seem to have been forgotten.no easy tie in Europe especially away from home have to give Arsene credit for putting out a team that could win in Sweden,Malmo were no mugs back in the day European Cup finalists as have Arsenal been both lost but one learn't more than the other.Brian Clough obviously must have learnt a lot in 1979 but I think Arsene set out the template in 2018,have to give him credit for that,football is like a time machine and whatever year you play in against whatever opposition.Victory is never a given.Learn from defeats look at the reasons and for outsiders be careful what you wish for.

Any manager needs time and I believe Arsene deserves time,so close in 2006 and 12 years later he can look back and say we are not Malmo.

Watched the game today against Brighton and these games are never easy 2 down and it's a fact that from that point on Arsene worked wonders because statistically it was 1-0 to The Arsenal from the 43 rd min onward.Fact and detractors will brush over that important point.

Arsenal won the home game 2-0 against newly promoted Brighton and testament to Arsene he will be telling his players it would have been enough to take them through had it of been in Europe,3-2 infact.

Did that play on the players thoughts when happy to attempt to keep possession without threat throughout the second half,with Europe looming and Milan,it was no doubt a chance for the manager to experiment,testament to his beliefs and players buying into the plan,guess the usual critics will see it another way.

On to Thursday and AC Milan have won the European Cup 7 times,but in transition also have won the old UEFA cup twice.Arsenal have won the Fairs Cup the equal of the UEFA cup but have never won the Europa League AC Milan either.

Arsenal last won an official European title in 1994 the Cup Winners Cup AC Milan winning the European Cup the same year.

I would argue the 5 forgotten Emirates Cup titles under Arsene have been forgotten AC Milan came 4th in 2010 and it has weighed heavily on Arsene since as it was a ground braking third Emirates Cup title.

Expectations are always high both clubs and AC Milan 9 European titles to Arsenal's 2 recognized and 5 unofficial,will be dangerous...they have not managed to qualify for the Emirates Cup since 2010 and it must hurt a club of AC Milan's size.

Look forward to Thursday and no doubt there will be many players in the squad vying to catch Arsene's eye in training pushing for selection and busting a gut to perform on the big stage.

[DB10GOONER]

Superb mate. I actually thought Martin had hacked your account for a minute! You should write for TV.

[John F]

Agree with every word Martin.Another positive is Cech has now kept two 2nd half clean sheets in a row that's 90mins.All the people who have called him a plank,useless,Chav,Helmet head,worse then Father Ted's football team's goalkeeper,goes down about as fast as a 90year old porn star,has penalty saving aversion syndrome, hang your heads in shame he has proved you all wrong I think.We need to be supportive in such trying times.Well done Martin.

[Topside Northbank]

Hi Guys,

Think at least the dust has settled after yesterdays result and it was great to see Arsene being so positive in his news conference after the setback at Brighton,trousers off or on,no one would of gone to bed hurting more than him last night,you have to give him credit.

Having played under Arsene,there will be no finger pointing,blaming players or questioning his own tactics or even team selection and that is reassuring as an Arsenal man stability and consistency the key.The results in the last four games have been very consistent,no one can argue with facts.

The positive vibe amongst the group will be generated by Arsene and by pointing out had both the City home game and yesterdays game had have been judged solely on the second half in regard the awarding of league points,Arsene I mean Arsenal would now be sitting on 47 points,testament to the belief in the group.It a rule change that Arsene has mooted before when his team have lost and he has a valid point to be fair and maybe two had of that rule,rightly in my opinion come into effect.

Lots of talk about VAR,what about AWR I would certainly be an advocate,it's the least the man deserves for his contribution to English football.His position and even Arsenal's would no doubt look a lot rosier than the current blip this season.

Building a title winning side takes time and history tells us Arsene in 1998,2002 and 2004 has been more than capable of delivering three titles in over twenty one years,one every seven on average so my maths tells me to expect Arsenal fans if as they should do get behind the manager they can expect another title around the 2024/25 season mark,lots of Arsenal fans would if that was the scenario bite their own hand off if that were the case.

I expect if it were to play out that way the match going fans will be happy if that were to be achieved under Arsene,credit to him and the board for the vision and planning for the future.I honestly believe Arsene is coming into his prime years as a coach and he would be around the 74-75 year old mark and would be thinking of maybe just maybe giving someone else a chance,

Not before his 29th season of course because that is a prime number in itself and Arsene being the guy he is would not want the new man coming in trying to follow him as a title winning manager,very unselfish is Arsene and always thinking of the club.

[John F]

So good to have a positive Wenger thread.I think Arsene will go on until he is 75 not because as some not very nice people would have you believe he is deluded old fool who thinks a tactic is a white mint in a square box and he wears Velcro on his shoes.No it is because he wants to be in common with ordinary working people.He knows the pension age will rise to 75 and beyond sooner or later and he feels he should not be treated differently. Those of you who are sceptical and feel that he is a greedy trousering 10mil a year musty smelling sociopath should remember his concern for ordinary working people about the world record ticket prices.While we were fretting this wise old sage said don't worry the cost reflects the quality on the pitch. Wow what a guy ,remember form is temporary, class is for life

[Topside Northbank]

Hi Guys,

Hi John F,yes agree with you 100 percent on Petr Cech,he has made the number 33 shirt his own and some naysayers will suggest that reflects the amount of mistakes he has made so far this season.

Petr is highly thought of as a guy that will grow into the role having signed in 2015 it's fair to say there has been a current settling in period and I really think the best of Cech is yet to come at 35 years old I have no doubt he will be rewarded with a deserved contract extension.Arsene has a track record with goalkeepers and what other club would have given guys like Manuel Almunia a reported 60k a week contract and declare him world class.If Arsene believes in you,you will be given far more opportunities than at other clubs Manuel can rightly point to over 100 first team appearances as a poster boy for the standard you need to be at.It's in Arsene's DNA to really believe players will come good he has a second to none track record in this department. Denilson another who can also be thankful to Arsene and his unique style of sticking to a player others seem to not appreciate their quality.

I honestly see guys like Alex Iwobi really continuing the conveyor belt of really developing to the level of player that will enjoy working under Arsene,must be very comforting and relaxing to know the manager sees something in you nobody else does,great eye for talent Arsene has made this a trademark these last ten years or so.Many other examples.

Arsene as always is modest about the success stories like Almunia and Petr Cech is another in the line of custodians who have bought into Arsene's ethos and methods,Gerry Peyton reflects the coaching into taking players to levels they have never been at before.

On to the penalty situation and Cech has a 100 percent record on penalties going in and I know the club's staff are working on improving a statistic that should be open to improvement in the future.With a projected six more penalties to probably be conceded this season,it's an area the defensive unit are keen to see Petr get the chance to improve on.

Inside information guys Petr has been studying on loop another veteran keeper in Peter Shilton they share the same first name all be it different countries way of spelling,but Arsene thought it would help to have a connection,wise move from a wise manager.

Petr has been watching the Germany v England penalty shootout 1990 where Shilton actually went the right way throughout the shootout,sadly reacting too slowly to save any and believe it's a target Petr Cech should be at least trying to aim for,dive the right way,it's a start and no need to set him unrealistic targets at this point like saving one,great coaching and management in my eyes,kudos to Arsene.

Should Petr Cech get the mooted four year contract extension in the summer it will breed stability and give him a real chance to grow into the number 33 role,glad to share the positive news on coaching at the club with you all.

[DB10GOONER]

[Clash]

On to Thursday and AC Milan have won the European Cup 7 times,but in transition also have won the old UEFA cup twice.Arsenal have won the Fairs Cup the equal of the UEFA cup but have never won the Europa League AC Milan either.

Arsenal last won an official European title in 1994 the Cup Winners Cup AC Milan winning the European Cup the same year.

I would argue the 5 forgotten Emirates Cup titles under Arsene have been forgotten AC Milan came 4th in 2010 and it has weighed heavily on Arsene since as it was a ground braking third Emirates Cup title.

Expectations are always high both clubs and AC Milan 9 European titles to Arsenal's 2 recognized and 5 unofficial,will be dangerous...they have not managed to qualify for the Emirates Cup since 2010 and it must hurt a club of AC Milan's size.

Look forward to Thursday and no doubt there will be many players in the squad vying to catch Arsene's eye in training pushing for selection and busting a gut to perform on the big stage.

haha

Didnt get time to read this earlier but I can hear Keown's tone with every word

[John F]

Great to read some positive news on the goalkeeping coaching Topside Martin.
Just wondering if you had any insight into AWs innovative side to side passing tactic so successfully used In games.I did hear it was influence d by Paul McKenna.If the boys can successfully pass side to side for exactly 55 times it sends the opposition into a state like trance then we strike like a Cobra.Another example that the boo boys who think training consists of overpaid old men putting cones out for a bunch of pampered dim witted dipsticks watched over by a clues less manager are wrong.

[DB10GOONER]

Top work fellas.

[OneBardGooner]

My gawd oh lawdy lawdy...perhaps it is the actual possibility that wnger might actually be gone from Arsenal by the start of next season that has got me all flustered and dizzy I dooo deeclaaare! ...BUT this kind of reminds me of Vintage Time Threads and Aunty Gus.

[Topside Northbank]

Hi Guys,

I used to be told as a defender if in doubt kick it to row z,you can't concede from there.Times change and now everyone wants to play out from the back and possession football is 9/10th's of the law.High line defending requires at least a sweeper keeper well we all agree Arsene has those bases covered.

Arsenal used to regularly have over double figures on attempts at the opposition goal but since Arsene has evolved his 'Cuttinatchio' system translated 'death of a thousand passes' we have seen that statistic drop to a maximum four or five per match.

'Cuttinatchio' was a forgotten system from post war Italian football,popular between 1946-47 season especially,Arsene was a big fan and has looked for years to implement the updated version,Wenger-nomics football style,less is actually more,brave and a mould many will follow.

Sideways and backwards passing.possession based and upon a minimum 20 passes a forward pass is allowed,for the uneducated football fan it's obviously why they don't work in the game and a bit above their respective station.Revolutionary as statistically goalkeepers 1946-47 were found the more under worked they were the more liable to become cold lack concentration and concede.Brave call from Arsene as always.

It is high risk football poker,teams have counteracted Arsene and Arsenal even by either pressing them high into making a mistake or sitting deep and catching an Arsene Wenger coached team on the break.

Shortsighted in victory some may attempt to claim to have applied the above tactics successfully,opposition playing an outdated style but like Arsene I believe he is looking at the bigger picture it is a system that is beginning to show real shoots of promise,great for Arsene and even Arsenal fans for what lies ahead.

Get behind Arsene and even support the team in addition if you wish but as an Arsenal fan that is argued should be secondary.Setbacks in defeat pave the way for comebacks and time and patience are the key words for the exciting times ahead.

[John F]

Thanks Martin for the enlightenment.Just wondering how you view Arsene s input during game time. The cruel non believers would have you believe that he has no impact ,all he does is sit on his bony arse fidgeting because of his piles like grape's next to silent Steve and the only time he gets up is to tell the fourth official that the ref has no father. His half time routine consist of 10 mins in the toilet trying to work his trouser zip,4mins blotting the wet.patch just below the groin area,1min telling the boys to carry on.I know these negative comments are just wrong.Take silent Steve I have been informed that he suffers from a rare nervous disorder called travailler avec un vieux fou syndrome. This causes him to bite his tongue in the company of Frenchmen rendering him temporary mute.As for Arsene only getting up to berate the fourth official,what people do not realize is that to become a 4th official they have to have a level one coaching badge,something Arsene doesn't have.He is merely asking for advice as you can clearly see when he stretches his arms out and says "fourthy shall I play everyone out wide".

[DB10GOONER]

Thanks Martin for the enlightenment.Just wondering how you view Arsene s input during game time. The cruel non believers would have you believe that he has no impact ,all he does is sit on his bony arse fidgeting because of his piles like grape's next to silent Steve and the only time he gets up is to tell the fourth official that the ref has no father. His half time routine consist of 10 mins in the toilet trying to work his trouser zip,4mins blotting the wet.patch just below the groin area,1min telling the boys to carry on.I know these negative comments are just wrong.Take silent Steve I have been informed that he suffers from a rare nervous disorder called travailler avec un vieux fou syndrome. This causes him to bite his tongue in the company of Frenchmen rendering him temporary mute.As for Arsene only getting up to berate the fourth official,what people do not realize is that to become a 4th official they have to have a level one coaching badge,something Arsene doesn't have.He is merely asking for advice as you can clearly see when he stretches his arms out and says "fourthy shall I play everyone out wide".

Actually laughed out loud on a packed commuter train there!

[Topside Northbank]

Thanks Martin for the enlightenment.Just wondering how you view Arsene s input during game time. The cruel non believers would have you believe that he has no impact ,all he does is sit on his bony arse fidgeting because of his piles like grape's next to silent Steve and the only time he gets up is to tell the fourth official that the ref has no father. His half time routine consist of 10 mins in the toilet trying to work his trouser zip,4mins blotting the wet.patch just below the groin area,1min telling the boys to carry on.I know these negative comments are just wrong.Take silent Steve I have been informed that he suffers from a rare nervous disorder called travailler avec un vieux fou syndrome. This causes him to bite his tongue in the company of Frenchmen rendering him temporary mute.As for Arsene only getting up to berate the fourth official,what people do not realize is that to become a 4th official they have to have a level one coaching badge,something Arsene doesn't have.He is merely asking for advice as you can clearly see when he stretches his arms out and says "fourthy shall I play everyone out wide".

Hi Guys,

Yes agree John F it's embarrassing the constant refusal of the fourth official and the referee to acknowledge they are wrong when questioned by Arsene.He is trying to win football games but forever having to question the blatantly bad calls against Arsene and in fact Arsenal as they are related to each other.Not just the big calls but added time,especially time wasting.

The most recent example being the cup final against City.Arsene was right to bring up the constant time wasting 3 added minutes at the end of the game when at least 5 or 6 would of been warranted,who knows what could of happened.It knocked the stuffing out of the team,who were building up a fair amount of pressure,I felt City could easily of been taken to extra time if the correct amount of time was added,yet the official mocked Arsene.

The first half also at least 5 minutes should of been added as City blatantly prolonged their goal celebrations three times to break up Arsenal's rhythm.The main media refused to highlight this has become one of the dark tactical arts Pep Guardiola has bought with him and he should be given a season long touchline ban,it's unprofessional in my eyes.Cheating of the lowest order in my eyes,worse than diving.

Steve Bould and Arsene have an almost telepathic understanding it seems and are at the stage where they really don't need to talk at all.
Steve Bould did have some brief control over coaching the back four a few years ago and Arsene felt it was too much too soon,especially after the 2-0 away win at Anfield when Cazorla and Podolski scored.

The press praised Bould and Arsene quite rightly had to review that it wasn't working out.Arsene knows the pressure of top class coaching and how cruel the press can be when things go wrong,Always thinking of others he rightly put the end to that arrangement,Bould just gives off the vibe of a man loving working under and learning his trade under Arsene,who wouldn't be.