THE WENGER THREAD

[I Hate Hleb]

Credit where it's due as ever but come the end of the season the cold hard facts will be 1) it's now 7 years no trophy, 2) this year we haven't even been in contention for one single trophy and 3) it's another season of regression - albeit I much prefer & am much more positive about this team than last year's.

I'm resigned to the fact Wenger's here for next season at least now, whereas up until a few weeks back I really thought he'd be on his bike in the summer. And as it happens I think there's genuine cause for optimism, not that I'm banking on any of it. But these past few weeks just show what could have been & that it's not all about the lack of signings, it's the way we've continually failed to get the best out of what we do have that's just as bad. If any of this "comeback" has been a reaction to Wenger bollocking them after the 1st leg in Milan then it begs the question why was the gauntlet not laid down to them sooner, considering Milan was just one in a long line of unacceptable performances.

Spot on IU4GN.

[gunner_ace]

I think people are missing the point slightly. What Northbankbren was trying to say (well, my interpretation anyway) is that the team are now on an upward curve and we seem to have fitted a couple more of the jigsaw pieces together in terms of the team mentality, spirit and confidence and it looks like were probably two or three more signings away from a great team who can challenge on several fronts. (where have I heard that before?)

Yes I know that it has taken us 7 years to get to this point, but when I look at the team now I see it as a really good mixture of experience and youth. A bit like a fine blended whisky if you like. Im very excited at seeing a Midfield next year comprising of Wilshere, Arteta, Ox, Theo, Ramsey, Gerv, Song and hopefully one other (One noticeable exclusion there  ) . The defence also look formidable now less one more addition, and assuming the Podolski deal is a done one, the strike force is tip top, again less one more addition.

Assuming we can nail the 2 or 3 extra signings in the summer after shifting the dross (Barry Bendtner, Manuel, Sqully etc) hold onto RVP, then I really believe we have put together a formidable team that can push all the way with Wenger at the helm.

I know some of you will come back with been the same story over the last summers , but this year already looks and feels different a la the podolski deal done well well in advance of the transfer deadline which is very un-wenger like and the apparent abandonment of our ridged wage caps. 2 signs that show me we are really going for it next year as a club.

So getting back to my original point, I think what Northbankbren was trying to say is that after the 7 years of limbo, we seem to be finally in a good shape to mount a serious campaign next year, so surely this should be Wengers one last chance at going out with a bang.

[armchair]

I think people are missing the point slightly. What Northbankbren was trying to say (well, my interpretation anyway) is that the team are now on an upward curve and we seem to have fitted a couple more of the jigsaw pieces together in terms of the team mentality, spirit and confidence and it looks like were probably two or three more signings away from a great team who can challenge on several fronts. (where have I heard that before?)

My take on this is that far from being on an "upward curve" perhaps we have halted our downward spiral and while teams around us are capitulating we are doing what we should be doing - beating spuds, barcodes at home. Sunderland and an awful Pool side away etc....
The new found mentality and spirit imho now exudes from RVP and his captaincy is giving the team belief and balls. RVP for me is a great captain. Loved his emotion last night. Bout time this team got emotional. (Credit must go to Wenger for making him captain although as with Cesc he seemingly only did it for ulterior motives.)
The confidence comes from winning. A winning team is a confident team.

Yes I know that it has taken us 7 years to get to this point, but when I look at the team now I see it as a really good mixture of experience and youth. A bit like a fine blended whisky if you like. Im very excited at seeing a Midfield next year comprising of Wilshere, Arteta, Ox, Theo, Ramsey, Gerv, Song and hopefully one other (One noticeable exclusion there  ) . The defence also look formidable now less one more addition, and assuming the Podolski deal is a done one, the strike force is tip top, again less one more addition.

Yes I agree this season with the signings of Mert, Arteta, Benny on loan etc there is a good mix of young and experienced players. This only proves that Wenger has realised what we all seen years ago that his "project" has failed miserably. Years of supporters, pundits, ex players etc crying out for quality experienced signings alongside his young French/African "prospects" have fallen on deaf ears. For this alone he must go.
BTW Gervinho? You're joking - Gervinho excites you?

Assuming we can nail the 2 or 3 extra signings in the summer after shifting the dross (Barry Bendtner, Manuel, Sqully etc) hold onto RVP, then I really believe we have put together a formidable team that can push all the way with Wenger at the helm.

Remember who brought the "dross" in the first place. Told them they were "world class". Paid them ridiculous wages. Gave them contract extensions. Now we cant get rid cause no-one will pay underacheivers top class money except.......oh yea Wenger.
As for the 2 or 3 quality signings. What in the name of Jesus makes you think he'll do it this time when he hasn't done it up to now? We can only go on form and Wenger has plenty.

Sometimes I wonder how fans dont realise that we went fron Invincibles to a team that hasn't won anything in 7 years for good reason.
Doing what you and every right thinking gooner now advocates back then - ie investment in a couple of quality experienced players every year instead of p issing money up the wall on "prospect" players we now cant get rid of would undoubtedly have seen us win something. And we wouldn't be having this debate and it wouldn't even be a talking point that the Arsenal have strung a few wins together ffs. Who'd have thought it eh- Arsenal win a few games is headline news!

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

He will sign Podolski and Goetze and life will be good

[TeeCee]

All the BS about signings is the yearly rubbish that they don't deny because it sells ST's. EVERY year it's the same, Wenger will start to mention a big name and how he likes him blah blah blah.
Wenger has destroyed this club enough, he must go ASAP.

[seb_afc]

Yes this has been a decent turnaround, however what we must remember is that it is Wenger who got us into this position into the first place!! If I had told you at the beginning of the season we would be 15 points behind Man Utd and up until 2 or 3 weeks ago 12 odd points behind the ****, you would be screaming for Wenger to be sacked. Thankfully the **** are in a bit of a free-fall and chelsea have shat themselves to allow us to be in the position we are in.

We have lost 8 times already this season, most of which has been in a typical soft manner that has needed fixing for 7 years, just this year it has happened even more frequently and is even more apparent!! This has easily been our worst season to date under Wenger. Whilst I always welcome this great run of form we have hit, this season has been truly woeful and therefore I will not sit here and say Wenger is doing a marvellous job at the moment.

I desperately hope we can clinch at least 4th spot and the wenger of old can rebuild not only the team but also his reputation as one of Arsenal's finest managers of all time.

[Goose]

I tend to sit on the fence regards Wenger but then I watch an episode of sky sports year reviews of any year between 98-05 and it makes me realise how far we have fallen behind and it make my blood boil.......

[nexum5me]

He will sign Podolski and Goetze and life will be good

*IF* he does sign these 2 (or assuming we don't get goetze, someone of a similar ilk), and we don't lose any of the actual good players (while hopefully clearing out some of the shit) then for the first time in a long time i'll go into next season looking forward to it rather than dreading it!
i also do wonder if the stay of execution waiting for cesc's inevitable departure had unduely held us back and left the team on the field feeling a bit like a rudderless ship until robin found his feet as captain and we realised we could win and play football without him


however...

Yes this has been a decent turnaround, however what we must remember is that it is Wenger who got us into this position into the first place!! If I had told you at the beginning of the season we would be 15 points behind Man Utd and up until 2 or 3 weeks ago 12 odd points behind the ****, you would be screaming for Wenger to be sacked. Thankfully the **** are in a bit of a free-fall and chelsea have shat themselves to allow us to be in the position we are in.

We have lost 8 times already this season, most of which has been in a typical soft manner that has needed fixing for 7 years, just this year it has happened even more frequently and is even more apparent!! This has easily been our worst season to date under Wenger. Whilst I always welcome this great run of form we have hit, this season has been truly woeful and therefore I will not sit here and say Wenger is doing a marvellous job at the moment.
.

this post is spot on, regardless of the current optimism, in the grand scheme of things it's been another season of regression, i just really hope that now the spectre of cesc has left us we CAN start to actually build a team this summer rather than systematically dismantle one bit by bit.

of course though, that all hinges on whether rvp signs a new contract or chooses to become the next in a long line of "sorry boys, not my problem"

[northbankbren]

Dont get me wrong I totally agree the poor start fell on the managers shoulders, and there is no excusing it. But I cant help feel that he done a great job to turn it around. I think we'll finish third.

I may also say that credit has to be given for the consistancy of finishing in the top 4.

Now before the rants start. NO finishing in the top 4 is not enough of a goal to set for a club of our stature. We should be fighting for titles year on year, and seven years without a trophy ISNT good enough.

BUT finishing in the top 4 in the premiership IS an achievement. Year after year on this forum most have said they didnt think we'd finish in the top 4, for different reasons in different seasons, regular intelligent posters who openly didnt think top 4 was achievable. Yet we always got there in the end. After the start of this season, it was honestly the first time I thought we wouldnt be in the top 4, top 6 at best. But what a turnaround, amazing even. Forget the chelsea and spurs falling off the bandwagon excuse, look at the way we have come good.

Policy at the club needs to change, and the moneychest they sit on needs to be delved into, so that our aims are where they should be, fighting for titles. But credit where crdit is due, the champions league is bloody hard to qualify for, and considering the start we had to possibly finish 3rd above the scum and chelski, nothing short of brilliant.

[augie]

It is generally felt that we are on a great run at the mo but does that really reflect the truth ? A winner 4 mins into inj time on Monday night, the game v scousers we absolutely robbed them, Milan away we got a hiding and could have lost by more and game before that saw us tamely depart the fa cup away v mackems so is hardly an outstanding run of form is it ? The game v the scum summed up this team in a nutshell....inconsistent - we were totally outplayed for first half hour but after that we dominated them. Of course I haven't forgotten the home game v Milan where we came up just short but put up a heroic performance but my point is that we are not flying along as many seem to feel but the return of spirit and fight is the crucial factor in this run

[HashKads]

The thing is though Augie, the injury time winners, robbing Liverpool, the display against Milan (2nd leg) are things which we've moaned we've lacked for so long. Giving up and not caring. From the Sp*rs game which I feel we didn't deserve to be 2 down tbh, it seems like the players are really trying and giving their all. It finally feels like it actually means something to them. Maybe I'm just blinded

[SWLGooner]

Credit where it's due as ever but come the end of the season the cold hard facts will be 1) it's now 7 years no trophy, 2) this year we haven't even been in contention for one single trophy and 3) it's another season of regression - albeit I much prefer & am much more positive about this team than last year's.

I'm resigned to the fact Wenger's here for next season at least now, whereas up until a few weeks back I really thought he'd be on his bike in the summer. And as it happens I think there's genuine cause for optimism, not that I'm banking on any of it. But these past few weeks just show what could have been & that it's not all about the lack of signings, it's the way we've continually failed to get the best out of what we do have that's just as bad. If any of this "comeback" has been a reaction to Wenger bollocking them after the 1st leg in Milan then it begs the question why was the gauntlet not laid down to them sooner, considering Milan was just one in a long line of unacceptable performances.

^^^this.

[northbankbren]

I agree augie, but how many times over the years have we seen the yank mancs, play awful and yet pull off the last minute winner or mad comeback. Its results like the newcastle one that really raise the moral, the feeling of we will win no matter what. The comeback against the scum more than anything gave a boost to everyone, and its continued. Luck has a lot to do with great confidence which leads to improved form.

Even during wengers glory years we had to grind out results, but it really is a confidence game, and wins are wins, and if it continues till the end of the season, we could make third comfortable.

The summer is massive. All the loaned out crap needs to be sold. The current squad needs to stay the same, and 3 real quality signings.

[LDB]

It is generally felt that we are on a great run at the mo but does that really reflect the truth ? A winner 4 mins into inj time on Monday night, the game v scousers we absolutely robbed them, Milan away we got a hiding and could have lost by more and game before that saw us tamely depart the fa cup away v mackems so is hardly an outstanding run of form is it ? The game v the scum summed up this team in a nutshell....inconsistent - we were totally outplayed for first half hour but after that we dominated them. Of course I haven't forgotten the home game v Milan where we came up just short but put up a heroic performance but my point is that we are not flying along as many seem to feel but the return of spirit and fight is the crucial factor in this run

What game were you watching? They were just camped on their 18 yard line looking to counter. Its shameful that such shit tactics can hold such rewards against us but no way were we totally outplayed.

Other then that I dont disagree with your sentiment, this run is built more on fight and the long overdue return of some good luck then it is on verve and swagger.

[augie]

Dont get me wrong there is nobody more happier than me that we are winning the games through pure passion and fight cos it is the one thing that I have bemoaned in recent seasons and as far as I am concerned skill and talent will only get a team so far if they dont have the passion and drive to go with it. My point was that all of a sudden the fans have more confidence and belief in these players and this manager and I think that is misplaced confidence - we still aint good enough, we still need major investment in quality players in the summer and we still need better tactics to suit the players and better and more clinical judgement of the players we currently have. If the new contract to rosicky has proved anything is that wenger is not gonna cut loose these players who are not good enough so how confident can any of us be that the major surgery that is required will be carried out in the summer ?

Anyway I think that it is great to see the passion and commitment we have witnessed from the team lately - it is great for the fans but hopefully it will also remind the players that passion and commitment can make in difference in results and will see total backing from the fans