THE WENGER THREAD

[northbank123]

see Man Utd fans with banners out calling for Van Gaal to go, strange no piss taking as there was with the Arsenal fans similar protest

our lovable unbiased media at work

The reality is that the media write what the fans want to hear. They savage van Gaal and have done continually because the fans have never taken to him there. Most glory-hunting sad sacks who pass themselves off as United fans would resent any criticism of them under Ferguson and be convinced that it was bias and jealousy against the club. Now most of them enjoy reading that shit because they agree with it.

Likewise the media would gush every week about Rodgers when Liverpool fans adored him even before their title charge, but as soon as the fans got fed up they couldn't wait to start depicting him as a David Brent wannabe. You'll be hard-pushed to find anybody willing to tender any serious criticism for Klopp because Liverpool fans will furiously disagree.

With Wenger the personality cult will always be there and there will always be OTT calls for "respect", but the media would change their tune tomorrow if they thought that a majority of Arsenal fans really wanted him gone.

[Herd]

Even his biographer John has Criss Crossed this season ,they like to be informed but since they never sit or talk to fans themselves they have no clue what supporters really think .
The Wenger dilema is a complicated one and even some of those who would see him leave have mixed feelings about how that should come about !
It is unfortunate that the WOB have idiots like DT who have become spokespersons !

[Herd]

David Seaman ''I'm desperate for him to win the league again just to shut everybody up'.
What a Fing idiot. Does he not realise 12 years without a league title is THE reason for why so many oppose Wenger.
Another thing, is why is Seaman desperate for Arsene to win another league title, and not Arsenal?

I think Seaman is just desperate to get a life after football !

[DB10GOONER]

David Seaman ''I'm desperate for him to win the league again just to shut everybody up'.

What a Fing idiot. Does he not realise 12 years without a league title is THE reason for why so many oppose Wenger.

Another thing, is why is Seaman desperate for Arsene to win another league title, and not Arsenal?

Seamo the keeper, for me, was the best keeper we ever had. A Gunners Legend. End of.

But David Seaman the man is an absolute himbo dullard. Any time I've seen him being interviewed my overriding impression has always been "he is thick as shite". And by all accounts he's not a very likable bloke, if what his first wife and kids say about him is even half true.

[Herd]

I didnt go to his testamonial because of my dislike of him as a person , (apart from the fact he was allready considerably richer than me and hardly needed another million )!

I met him several times and was almost as rude and thick as andy linegan who ended up on the floor after disrespecting a fan !

Was a great player although and we dont have to like them although I thought we should have shifted him earlier !

[SPUDMASHER]

I'd be interested to know what people on here consider to be a successful season.

The reason I ask is that reading the last few pages would have you believe that nothing other than 1st place can be considered any kind of success!
I'm as pissed off as anyone on here at our groundhog club and the increasing ineptitude/arrogance of our manager. I also believe that failing to win the league this year is not acceptable given that everyone else failed to turn up. So in that respect I totally understand the feeling of other supporters as I largely share them. I'm not as extreme in my views as some people though, I admit that. Feelings of hatred etc. are best saved for those that actually have a major negative effect on my life or those of my loved ones. Not for a football manager that doesn't really affect my life.

So, assuming the normal standards we've come to expect from Citeh, The Chavs and The Mancs are restored, what would make people consider next season to have been a successful one on the pitch (and that's assuming that AW is still here so don't bother with the Wenger leaving comments, that's not what I'm getting at)?

For me, top 4 is a must, top 2 would be nice, winning the PL would be the ultimate. Champs league last 4, maybe the final? FA Cup semi/final/winners? Don't really give a toss about the league cup anymore though.
I don't think any club achieving that could say the season was a 'failure' unless they'd spunked a bucketful of cash as well. Of course, winning all three would be great, and we know it can be done, but is highly unlikely.

So, over to you.......

[Henry Norris 1913]

Every time I hear or see spunky being interviewed he always comes across as a gentleman who everyone likes. What exactly has he done to be thought of elsewise?

[DB10GOONER]

Every time I hear or see spunky being interviewed he always comes across as a gentleman who everyone likes. What exactly has he done to be thought of elsewise?

Allegedly *cough* he left his first wife for a fling and basically went and lived the life, abandoning his sons. To me, as a father that takes responsibility and raises his kids to be honest decent people, that is criminal. You can't just have kids and then decide you want out. But that's just me.

In interviews he always strikes me as being not very intelligent, but harmless enough, I suppose. By all accounts he is well liked within the game.

It's a bit like Merson. He comes across as a total dullard. And a bit of a cúnt. I loved him as a player and always kind of thought of him as "one of us" a lad that got to play for The Arsenal - like Charlie George. Then I found out he was a lifelong diehard chav fan and he went down in my estimation a bit. And then I read his autobiography and he came across as a childish, spoiled, selfish prick who didn't give a fuck about anyone but himself. He thought it was piss funny to have pissed away two fortunes while there are people out there not as lucky or as gifted as him and are homeless, starving, losing their homes and jobs etc.

[NickF]

I'd be interested to know what people on here consider to be a successful season.

The reason I ask is that reading the last few pages would have you believe that nothing other than 1st place can be considered any kind of success!
I'm as pissed off as anyone on here at our groundhog club and the increasing ineptitude/arrogance of our manager. I also believe that failing to win the league this year is not acceptable given that everyone else failed to turn up. So in that respect I totally understand the feeling of other supporters as I largely share them. I'm not as extreme in my views as some people though, I admit that. Feelings of hatred etc. are best saved for those that actually have a major negative effect on my life or those of my loved ones. Not for a football manager that doesn't really affect my life.

So, assuming the normal standards we've come to expect from Citeh, The Chavs and The Mancs are restored, what would make people consider next season to have been a successful one on the pitch (and that's assuming that AW is still here so don't bother with the Wenger leaving comments, that's not what I'm getting at)?

For me, top 4 is a must, top 2 would be nice, winning the PL would be the ultimate. Champs league last 4, maybe the final? FA Cup semi/final/winners? Don't really give a toss about the league cup anymore though.
I don't think any club achieving that could say the season was a 'failure' unless they'd spunked a bucketful of cash as well. Of course, winning all three would be great, and we know it can be done, but is highly unlikely.

So, over to you.......

For me, obviously I want us to win everything but really as long as the club has done everything possible to win, if we come up short i would be disappointed but at least I could except that. Being out of the league by March (again) and getting knocked out in the last 16 (again) is not really acceptable as it is the same mistakes year in year out. Ultimately it is all about challenging.

[Gunner Rob]

as Nick says firstly it is whether you are competing or not.

although we beat the scum in the league table, it has to be acknowledged that they competed with Leicester City for longer than us this season.

AKBs can't seem to see this.


secondly there is the question of ambition at a club.
West Ham have it and could well overtake us if we are not careful in the next few years.
meanwhile we have an owner who openly admits he is not at Arsenal to win league titles and a manager who openly admits if he finished 2nd every season they he will be happy.

basically this season was therefore as good as it gets (in terms of league finishing position)

[Herd]

I do not demand trophies but as our motto now says I want us to go "forward"
I only demand that the players who represent the club give everything in every game to win !
I demand inovation not stagnation and intransigence from the manager !
I'd like to see a youth policy that aims to deliver first team players on a regualr basis not once in a blue moon !
Id like supporters to be treated as a part of the club instead of milking Cows to be squeezed hard until the udder is sore or empty !

I see none of that happening in the club right now nor do i see it in the future ,and thats why I'm pissed off !

I feel cheated by the club the players and the manager ,but most of all I just miss my Home !

[DB10GOONER]

I do not demand trophies but as our motto now says I want us to go "forward"
I only demand that the players who represent the club give everything in every game to win !
I demand inovation not stagnation and intransigence from the manager !
I'd like to see a youth policy that aims to deliver first team players on a regualr basis not once in a blue moon !
Id like supporters to be treated as a part of the club instead of milking Cows to be squeezed hard until the udder is sore or empty !

I see none of that happening in the club right now nor do i see it in the future ,and thats why I'm pissed off !

I feel cheated by the club the players and the manager ,but most of all I just miss my Home !

Good post, Herd. Sums it up for me too.

I'm not some spoiled armchair Manure fan that just wants to go into work on a Monday and shoot their mouth off about winning the PL. I've never thought we were entitled to a trophy every season. But I believe we ARE entitled to expect our club (Board, Manager, Players) to do everything in their power to try and deliver a trophy - and if they fail then hey-ho, it happens, they gave their best - that's all I can ask.

The stagnation at Arsenal is stunning, heartbreaking. We have a manager that tries to sell to us that he views qualification for the CL (that we cannot win) as success. We have an owner with no interest in "soh-kar" and only views us as a business. We have a manager and a Board that openly and publicly dismiss us the supporters as mere customers and plebs. We have players with little ambition beyond receiving ludicrous money.

If we are trying new things, new players, a new manager and giving it our honest best effort to achieve something then I'm happy enough. Having said that, I also have never believed in the chav/tottingham style of revolving manager. I don't want Arsenal trying a new manager every year. I want us to appoint someone new and give him full support and monies to see what he can do over three full seasons.

[StuartL]

I dreamt there was an Atomic Kitten New album last night - So no sleep for me

surprising news OneBard, I had you pegged more as an sclub fan.......

[foxinthebox2001]

Look at the different attitude of Rafa at Newcastle, he will extend his time there only if sufficient funds are assured for transfer dealings. He wants success, and has no input in how much the club can keep in reserve, exactly how a normal board/manager relationship should be.
Not saying he should do a 'Redknapp' and bankrupt them, but the priority is improve the team to the maximum they can afford.
Can we, hand on heart, say Wenger has done that?
Its called ambition, wants success for the club on the pitch, not in the bank.
Our clown, memorably once said if given £100m for players would hand it back.

[armchair]

Look at the different attitude of Rafa at Newcastle, he will extend his time there only if sufficient funds are assured for transfer dealings. He wants success, and has no input in how much the club can keep in reserve, exactly how a normal board/manager relationship should be.
Not saying he should do a 'Redknapp' and bankrupt them, but the priority is improve the team to the maximum they can afford.
Can we, hand on heart, say Wenger has done that?
Its called ambition, wants success for the club on the pitch, not in the bank.
Our clown, memorably once said if given £100m for players would hand it back.

Exactly mate. A proper manager would be banging on the owners door demanding funds/resources to make us a successful team.
Instead its the owner and board who have consistently made funds available for squad improvement but Wenger wont use it.

This is the "manager" who also said he would take "2nd place for the next 20 years" and that top 4 was "a trophy"