"Judge me in May".....OK Arsene, here goes

[SteveO 35]

"Judge me in May" said Arsene defensively when the rest of the football world dared to question our performances up to March. Most folk on this site certainly voted that we wait till May and then judge. OK, Arsene seeing as you asked

1. I will judge you as the man who will ultimately lead us to an unspectacular 4th place and another trophyless campaign, losing five league games by November and then (in true AW fashion) improving when the stakes were reduced. I remember the "it must never happen again" bollocks when we finished 4th on the final day in 2005/06....thank your lucky stars for the spectacular Villa collapse or it would have happened again within 3 years.

2. I will judge you as the man who let 3 international class central midfielders leave within a six month space (Diarra, Gilberto and Flamini) and replaced them at the same cost with Ramsey, Bischoff and Coquelin, whilst promoting Denilson and Song

3. I will judge you as the man who has been saved by the skin of his teeth by the flattery of two overhyped cup runs. Coming 2nd in a mediocre group to Porto, beating Italy's 7th best club on penalties before the only half decent knock-out display against a team who may not qualify next season. In the FA Cup we beat the might of Cardiff (after a replay), Plymouth, Burnley and Hull.

4. I will judge you as the man who led the team to 3 of the most insipid, uninspiring cup semi final performances I have ever witnessed. Just when is the "magnificent performance" planned for now ?

5. I will judge you as the man who forever bangs on about "great desire", "mental strength" and refers to each player as "a winner". Can I remind you that your record over the past 2 years against the other top 4 clubs at the business end of the season (i.e. when it actually fucking matters from January onwards) reads PLAYED 10 WON 0 DREW 3 LOST 7

6. I will judge you as the man who despite 60,000 fans regularly telling you to buy a centre half, chose not to and then decided to send one of an already poor choice of four at the club, out on loan for the season leaving Gallas, Djourou and Toure to cope all year

7. I will judge you as the man who could have bought Arshavin in the Summer but instead chose to wait until we were a distant 5th before exposing the club to the most drawn out deadline day saga in history. And quite what advantage did that gain as opposed to having signed him last August or July ?

8. I will judge you as the man who was the big believer in the stadium move as it was "needed to cope with Europe's elite". Yes, we saw how well we competed with them on Tuesday. Since our move we have not finished in the top 2 and have won fuck all. At my beloved Highbury in the last 3 seasons, we reached the Champions League final, won the FA Cup and the Premiership (unbeaten). Glad we moved in order to compete. Still we have to be patient don't we....does the club want me to be as patient with the ticket prices. Shall we pay top prices in 2017 when we are competing with Europe's elite ?

9. I will judge you as the man who at 0-2 down the other night sat with his head down throughout the rest of the match and whose inspired half time magic was to add Eboue for Gibbs. We might all hate Mourinho but at least he had the balls to make first half substitutions (sometimes all three).

10. The final judgement will be if you fail to add to this overpaid bunch in the Summer with some genuine quality of the Arshavin level. Oh sorry, we don't want to "kill" the likes of Diaby, Denilson and Song do we

I think that's my judgement finished for now......

[REB]

well said

my own opinion for what its worth is that wenger has failed the first team while still serving the football clubs board and saving them a fortune by again finishing 4th and guaranteed cl money coming in again next season, but we are no closer to a trophy this year then we were last year

[jaymitch81]

"Judge me in May" said Arsene defensively when the rest of the football world dared to question our performances up to March. Most folk on this site certainly voted that we wait till May and then judge. OK, Arsene seeing as you asked

1. I will judge you as the man who will ultimately lead us to an unspectacular 4th place and another trophyless campaign, losing five league games by November and then (in true AW fashion) improving when the stakes were reduced. I remember the "it must never happen again" bollocks when we finished 4th on the final day in 2005/06....thank your lucky stars for the spectacular Villa collapse or it would have happened again within 3 years.

2. I will judge you as the man who let 3 international class central midfielders leave within a six month space (Diarra, Gilberto and Flamini) and replaced them at the same cost with Ramsey, Bischoff and Coquelin, whilst promoting Denilson and Song

3. I will judge you as the man who has been saved by the skin of his teeth by the flattery of two overhyped cup runs. Coming 2nd in a mediocre group to Porto, beating Italy's 7th best club on penalties before the only half decent knock-out display against a team who may not qualify next season. In the FA Cup we beat the might of Cardiff (after a replay), Plymouth, Burnley and Hull.

4. I will judge you as the man who led the team to 3 of the most insipid, uninspiring cup semi final performances I have ever witnessed. Just when is the "magnificent performance" planned for now ?

5. I will judge you as the man who forever bangs on about "great desire", "mental strength" and refers to each player as "a winner". Can I remind you that your record over the past 2 years against the other top 4 clubs at the business end of the season (i.e. when it actually fucking matters from January onwards) reads PLAYED 10 WON 0 DREW 3 LOST 7

6. I will judge you as the man who despite 60,000 fans regularly telling you to buy a centre half, chose not to and then decided to send one of an already poor choice of four at the club, out on loan for the season leaving Gallas, Djourou and Toure to cope all year

7. I will judge you as the man who could have bought Arshavin in the Summer but instead chose to wait until we were a distant 5th before exposing the club to the most drawn out deadline day saga in history. And quite what advantage did that gain as opposed to having signed him last August or July ?

8. I will judge you as the man who was the big believer in the stadium move as it was "needed to cope with Europe's elite". Yes, we saw how well we competed with them on Tuesday. Since our move we have not finished in the top 2 and have won fuck all. At my beloved Highbury in the last 3 seasons, we reached the Champions League final, won the FA Cup and the Premiership (unbeaten). Glad we moved in order to compete. Still we have to be patient don't we....does the club want me to be as patient with the ticket prices. Shall we pay top prices in 2017 when we are competing with Europe's elite ?

9. I will judge you as the man who at 0-2 down the other night sat with his head down throughout the rest of the match and whose inspired half time magic was to add Eboue for Gibbs. We might all hate Mourinho but at least he had the balls to make first half substitutions (sometimes all three).

10. The final judgement will be if you fail to add to this overpaid bunch in the Summer with some genuine quality of the Arshavin level. Oh sorry, we don't want to "kill" the likes of Diaby, Denilson and Song do we

I think that's my judgement finished for now......

I think this is the phrase we call 'hitting the nail on the head'

I wonder if Arsene will do Q&A session with us fans???????

[Magic Russian]

Let my first post on this site be one that says that this thread is 100% spot on.

[flash gunner]

Welcome Magic Ruskie

and Steve O well said mate

[goonersid]

FFS lets give him another chance.

[Magic Russian]

thanks Flash

Waiting for the 'Wenger can do no wrong' brigade to answer the point raised by Steve O.

[Red Carpet]

I must say I am growing tired of the "I demand a trophy because I pay a grand a year" argument, which is essentially what is being said by alot of contributors on this site.
Exactly when did it come about that we have a God given right to win trophies ??.
Are we paying more than Spurs and West Ham supporters for our season tickets ??. Don't see either of them qualifying for the CL.

The sooner we accept that we have been spoilt in the Wenger years, remembering where we were when he took over and how the face of football has changed financially over the last five years (I will come back to this point) the sooner we can come to terms with our current situation.

We are the 4th best team in the country at the moment, in the top 10 in Europe. Thats about it.

Of course we want to be the best, but I'm sure it hasn't escaped everyones attention that we are the ONLY club in the top four to have moved to a new stadium, which was an enormous financial undertaking and we are the ONLY club in the top four that are not running at a loss.

Trophies are not handed out for running the club as a proper business but I for one am not ready to see my clubs financial future put at risk because I can't wait to win a trophy. When we do win one, and we will, it will be all the sweeter.

The landscape of football changed the day Abramovich threw money at Chelsea in a desperate bid to compete. Both Liverpool and Man U followed this model and it maybe shouldn't surprise us that we have struggled in comparison since. That will change, but will require patience.

Tuesday night was humbling. Beaten by a side who a few years ago saw us as their main rivals in a comprehensive manner. Better in every department over 180 minutes.
But its the rationale as to why that causes me to question some of our contributors.
Wenger has made mistakes, no question, and tactically he has been found wanting, two semi-finals where formations and team selection left many puzzled.
But most of all I believe that the ground move and our sensible long term business model are closest to the reasons why the gulf has developed.

I believe we will get it right, but expecting us to compete with clubs operating to completely different rules to us may not be realistic in the short term.

Getting shot of a Manager who is better placed than anyone to guide us through this period is not the answer.

For those that think it is, be careful what you wish for.

[Boomer]

I must say I am growing tired of the "I demand a trophy because I pay a grand a year" argument, which is essentially what is being said by alot of contributors on this site.
Exactly when did it come about that we have a God given right to win trophies ??.
Are we paying more than Spurs and West Ham supporters for our season tickets ??. Don't see either of them qualifying for the CL.

The sooner we accept that we have been spoilt in the Wenger years, remembering where we were when he took over and how the face of football has changed financially over the last five years (I will come back to this point) the sooner we can come to terms with our current situation.

We are the 4th best team in the country at the moment, in the top 10 in Europe. Thats about it.

Of course we want to be the best, but I'm sure it hasn't escaped everyones attention that we are the ONLY club in the top four to have moved to a new stadium, which was an enormous financial undertaking and we are the ONLY club in the top four that are not running at a loss.

Trophies are not handed out for running the club as a proper business but I for one am not ready to see my clubs financial future put at risk because I can't wait to win a trophy. When we do win one, and we will, it will be all the sweeter.

The landscape of football changed the day Abramovich threw money at Chelsea in a desperate bid to compete. Both Liverpool and Man U followed this model and it maybe shouldn't surprise us that we have struggled in comparison since. That will change, but will require patience.

Tuesday night was humbling. Beaten by a side who a few years ago saw us as their main rivals in a comprehensive manner. Better in every department over 180 minutes.
But its the rationale as to why that causes me to question some of our contributors.
Wenger has made mistakes, no question, and tactically he has been found wanting, two semi-finals where formations and team selection left many puzzled.
But most of all I believe that the ground move and our sensible long term business model are closest to the reasons why the gulf has developed.

I believe we will get it right, but expecting us to compete with clubs operating to completely different rules to us may not be realistic in the short term.

Getting shot of a Manager who is better placed than anyone to guide us through this period is not the answer.

For those that think it is, be careful what you wish for.

Good post Red!
The bold bit I highlighted is an arguement I'm tired off and your right!
Sp*ds and L'pool have higher ST prices which I've posted and proved several times. Because we have effectively paid for an extra 7 'cup games' included in the price makes us the highest fee. (on paper)
Take off 7 games in the ST price and you're back in the pack with the other clubs!

[MK Gould]

I'm back to where I was at the start of this season....and the start of last season....!

YES - I agree with everything said on this thread....and yet.....

We are still 4th, and still with a more than mathematical chance of 3rd, in the most difficult league in the WORLD. We were never in with a chance of winning it I agree, but 4th still ain't bad!

We reached the Semi Final of the Champions League which is something that so called bigger/better teams such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Juventus etc did not do....

We were incredibly unlucky not to reach the Semi Final of the Champions league last season as well.....

We lost badly to United on Tuesday....but what might have been if Gibbs had stayed on his feet. I know it was only 8 mins in, but Arsenal really looked capable at that point.

We were beaten in the Semi Final of the Champions League by the World Club Champions. Now I don't recognise that title....but by any measure United are in the world top 2!!

So I share everyones frustration, but don't fully subscribe to the idea that this has been another disastrous season of failure!

Chelsea are the biggest failures this season. For all their investment they look like picking up only the FA Cup. Failure is relative!

So lets not talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.... Wenger is still the best Manager for Arsenal (albeit that he is definitely not infallible)..... and we still have a good platform on which to build!!!

[Red Carpet]

Agree MK .. why does that seem so difficult to accept by so many of our support??.

[wlchuccc]

I'm back to where I was at the start of this season....and the start of last season....!

YES - I agree with everything said on this thread....and yet.....

We are still 4th, and still with a more than mathematical chance of 3rd, in the most difficult league in the WORLD. We were never in with a chance of winning it I agree, but 4th still ain't bad!

We reached the Semi Final of the Champions League which is something that so called bigger/better teams such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Juventus etc did not do....

We were incredibly unlucky not to reach the Semi Final of the Champions league last season as well.....

We lost badly to United on Tuesday....but what might have been if Gibbs had stayed on his feet. I know it was only 8 mins in, but Arsenal really looked capable at that point.

We were beaten in the Semi Final of the Champions League by the World Club Champions. Now I don't recognise that title....but by any measure United are in the world top 2!!

So I share everyones frustration, but don't fully subscribe to the idea that this has been another disastrous season of failure!

Chelsea are the biggest failures this season. For all their investment they look like picking up only the FA Cup. Failure is relative!

So lets not talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.... Wenger is still the best Manager for Arsenal (albeit that he is definitely not infallible)..... and we still have a good platform on which to build!!!

I agree, but with a only condition that AW needs to buy some good and experienced players.

[MK Gould]

Agree MK .. why does that seem so difficult to accept by so many of our support??.

I have no idea!! F*ck me, we seem to moan even more than supporters of Leeds, Southampton, Spuds and Newcastle. I'm sure most other supporters look at us and think "what the f*ck have you lot got to moan about!!".

We are in the top 10 clubs in Europe - which is fantastic given our new stadium (built for the medium/long term benefit!) and sensible sustainable business model.

I can only think that there are some on this forum who look to Arsenal for the quick fix and will walk if we go another season without a trophy. Open your eyes guys.....things ain't nearly as bad as some seem to make out!!

And I wholeheartedly agree that going for a few seasons without a trophy is good for the soul. We'll enjoy future success even more as a result.... And maybe have shifted some of the glory hunters who have joined us in recent years.....

[tel]

well said

my own opinion for what its worth is that wenger has failed the first team while still serving the football clubs board and saving them a fortune by again finishing 4th and guaranteed cl money coming in again next season, but we are no closer to a trophy this year then we were last year

That's pretty much how I feel. 12 months ago we all knew the areas that needed strengthening but 4th has clearly become the new winning the league for the manager and the board. The fact we've been totally outplayed in all 3 semi final games should tell us everything we need to know about how far our team has dropped below the top sides. Wenger won't leave or be sacked so I see little change until he or the board move on.

[StokeyGooner]

Fair enough we were outplayed in all three semi games but do you not think the fact we go there in the first place says something about the side?

It's funny a lot of fans moan about the leadership of our club but I dread to think what kind of a state we would be in as a club if the directors were as fickle and short sighted as some of the posters on here!