why did Citeh and Arsenal finish ahead of ManUre and Sperz?

[Herd]

We came third in the weakest Premier league for a very long time however we could have even won it had we been better prepared for the start of it .
When you also Consider the Injuries and lack of decent back up players its a miracle to finish 3rd but one that will be hard to repeat !
Some people have done well this season though
RVP Naturally !
Rosicky came back strongly this year !
Arteta ,did well in most games !
OX ,why he doesnt play more is beyond me !
Kos, most improved player in the country bar none !

[Gunnerz4life]

A lot of people including Gooners have been wrong about the scum this season, few expected them to implode like they did in the second half of the season. But we need to have a broader perspective while analyzing our season than just looking at the standings at the end of the season.

1. Our defending have been shambolic for yet another season. We conceeded 49 goals and our defenders have been found out time and again like school boys and in many occasionas against so called 'lesser' teams. Teams like Swansea, Wigan and Norwich have shown that if you are willing to be adventurous against Arsenal, you have a great chance. How many times have Wenger moaned about having to play against 10 men behind the ball? Well this season we have been punished by teams willing to have a go.

2. We have lost focus and become complacent at critical stages, something the manager admitted to not once, not twice but time and again this season. How many times have we taken the opposition lightly and been punished over the last few seasons? Yet we continue to fail to learn our lesson. This raises a serious question about how the manager prepares the players for a game.

3. We have again capitulated at the end of the season and been extremely lucky that our rivals have managed to be even poorer. Furthermore we again went out of 2 competitions in a week. Not a great advertisement of the mental strength that the manager keeps banging on about. We have buckled under pressure for yet another season.

So overall 3rd place is a relief more than anything, finishing above the scum is great but its getting closer each year. Its all good laughing at them but lets not continue to rely on our rivals being sh*t. There are glaring holes in the team and the set up as a whole which needs addreessing and most of it doesn't involve paying millions. But given how its been deja vu year after year, I won't hold my breath.

[bunch]

Credit to the team for getting 3rd after the start we had. In fact before a ball was kicked this season I thought we would be chasing 4th as a maximum target, so poor was our summer transfer activity. Chelsea's very poor run of form from about when we beat them 5-3 is something me, and many others didn't foresee.

We're on an upward trajectory. The end of this season feels a lot better than the end of last. Finishing above them is down to us having better players. And specifically four key players have dragged us up the table:

1. RvP - goals and leadership. I think he took the role of captain seriously and didn't just lead by example I think he added some mental strength to the team by being made the captain (well done Arsene for that decision)
2. Rosicky - return to form driven by a 'needs must' long run in the team. Added pace from the centre of midfield and really worked his socks off on both sides of the ball.
3. Arteta - zero pace, not flashy but isn't he missed when we have to rely on Song and Ramsey for defensive midfield? Again, an experienced older player with what looks like hunger to succeed. Midfield link up man and at last a midfielder who isn't afraid to shoot now and then
4. Koscielny - excellent defender, most improved player of the season as someone said. When he joined we were all worried he looked a bit weak, not big enough but now whenever we play against big name stirkers he puts them firmly in his pocket. Turned into a good signing. Well done Arsene, goes some way to making up for Pascal Squilvestrenovs*

There are players who need to pull their socks up (Song) and some who need soem consistency (Walcott, Ramsey) and the manager need to clear out the players who just aren't contributing. We need a 25 man squad that provides depth and quality in all positions.

*apologies to Arseblogger

[arseofacrow]

stumbled and fumbled our way into third because of a collective ineptitude

qualifies for champions league - that should be done anyway. highest ticket prices in european football and one of the highest wage bills in the country. 5th on the delloites list. All that gets you 1pt ahead of spurs.

having top scorer in the league didn't hurt either.

[SinghaSong]

stumbled and fumbled our way into third because of a collective ineptitude

qualifies for champions league - that should be done anyway. highest ticket prices in european football and one of the highest wage bills in the country. 5th on the delloites list. All that gets you 1pt ahead of spurs.

having top scorer in the league didn't hurt either.

Amazing ability to remain negative and not give credit where it's due.

I agree we should aim to get champs league (along with title/throphies) every year but the reality is both Manchesters, Chavs & Liverpool have spent more than us on players over the last few years... So why do we have a given right, we have to earn it. And fair play to the manager and players for getting us there again...

5th on Delloites is a load of bull5hit, a bunch of accounting tricks and takes into assets which mean nothing in reality. I can name at least 10 teams in Europe that are able to spend more on players then us.

Maybe we had the topscorer because of the play of wingers and midfield? As great as VP was, he wasn't running past 8 people.....

[Red Member]

good point singasong

that is why I have said that there is a big 3 at Arsenal - RVP, WALCOTT and SONG

[arseofacrow]

stumbled and fumbled our way into third because of a collective ineptitude

qualifies for champions league - that should be done anyway. highest ticket prices in european football and one of the highest wage bills in the country. 5th on the delloites list. All that gets you 1pt ahead of spurs.

having top scorer in the league didn't hurt either.

Amazing ability to remain negative and not give credit where it's due.

I agree we should aim to get champs league (along with title/throphies) every year but the reality is both Manchesters, Chavs & Liverpool have spent more than us on players over the last few years... So why do we have a given right, we have to earn it. And fair play to the manager and players for getting us there again...

5th on Delloites is a load of bull5hit, a bunch of accounting tricks and takes into assets which mean nothing in reality. I can name at least 10 teams in Europe that are able to spend more on players then us.

Maybe we had the topscorer because of the play of wingers and midfield? As great as VP was, he wasn't running past 8 people.....

Thanks mate!

Salaries on unproven young players higher than at most clubs.

I'm quoting the information from Deloittes, you're using a catchy slogan to discredit it.

I believe that we are able to spend the money and we choose not to.

And van Persie wasn't knocking all of them in from 2 yards either. A lofted pass looks great when the guy volleys it first time into the corner from acute angles. And if we have other players laying on the golas, isn't that then their job? - I mean, for the incredible salaries they are paid?

[stg]

I have been reading bits on here, on other forums and listening to the radio about what a poor season this has been and how I have been brainwashed by Wenger and Arsenal into thinking 3rd is a great result.

Arsenal played
38 PL matches
10 CL matches
2 FA cup matches
3 CC matches

We finished 3rd behind Man U & Man city but above Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle & L'poo all of who everyman and his dog were saying would finish above us. IMO the only thing we could of done better with was closing the points gap between us and the top two. If I was to say at the end of last season that Wilshere, Nasri & Fabregas would not play any part of this season, Arshavin would go out on loan at christmas. We would play with no recognised fullback for 2 months of the season, TV5 & Per would miss large chunks of the season through injury, Sagna would break his leg twice and that we would finish 3rd you would of called me mad but that is what happend.

We lost to AC Milan in the CL who at the time were top of the Italian league and have just lost it to an unbeaten Juve side. We qualified against an Udinese side who have just finished 3rd in the Italian league. Then we played Borussia Dortmund who have just cleaned up in Germany, Olympiakos who have just won the Greek league and an average Marseille side.

We lost to Sunderland in the FA Cup who at the time were on a great run of games with O'Neil as their new manager(won 7 out of the last 10)

We lost to Man City in the CC to an Sergio Aguero goal in the 83 min

Yes there were some bad results and it all to easy to focus on them but we have had some bad luck during the season(the spurs goal hand ball, no penalty's at home, Sagna leg breaks etc) and we had some great results.

I have not been brainwashed by Wenger I can clearly see what is happening it is just unfortunate that we are now not just up against Man united's ability to go out and spend £30-£50 million each summer but Chelsea & Man City's £50 to £100 million, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcalona, the rise of Italy again and the money in Russia. Football is not what it was even 10 years ago it is a huge beast that will chew you up and spit you out if you are not careful and without the mega rich owners who are happy to put in the billions that are needed(without taking the money back) Arsenal are where they are a well run club with a manager who is with the board looking after the club so that in the years to come you, me and your children still have a sucsesfull(ish) club to support.

For too many it is all about the here and now take a step back and look at the bigger picture and think of the future...

[MM99]

I have been reading bits on here, on other forums and listening to the radio about what a poor season this has been and how I have been brainwashed by Wenger and Arsenal into thinking 3rd is a great result.

Arsenal played
38 PL matches
10 CL matches
2 FA cup matches
3 CC matches

We finished 3rd behind Man U & Man city but above Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle & L'poo all of who everyman and his dog were saying would finish above us. IMO the only thing we could of done better with was closing the points gap between us and the top two. If I was to say at the end of last season that Wilshere, Nasri & Fabregas would not play any part of this season, Arshavin would go out on loan at christmas. We would play with no recognised fullback for 2 months of the season, TV5 & Per would miss large chunks of the season through injury, Sagna would break his leg twice and that we would finish 3rd you would of called me mad but that is what happend.

We lost to AC Milan in the CL who at the time were top of the Italian league and have just lost it to an unbeaten Juve side. We qualified against an Udinese side who have just finished 3rd in the Italian league. Then we played Borussia Dortmund who have just cleaned up in Germany, Olympiakos who have just won the Greek league and an average Marseille side.

We lost to Sunderland in the FA Cup who at the time were on a great run of games with O'Neil as their new manager(won 7 out of the last 10)

We lost to Man City in the CC to an Sergio Aguero goal in the 83 min

Yes there were some bad results and it all to easy to focus on them but we have had some bad luck during the season(the spurs goal hand ball, no penalty's at home, Sagna leg breaks etc) and we had some great results.

I have not been brainwashed by Wenger I can clearly see what is happening it is just unfortunate that we are now not just up against Man united's ability to go out and spend £30-£50 million each summer but Chelsea & Man City's £50 to £100 million, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcalona, the rise of Italy again and the money in Russia. Football is not what it was even 10 years ago it is a huge beast that will chew you up and spit you out if you are not careful and without the mega rich owners who are happy to put in the billions that are needed(without taking the money back) Arsenal are where they are a well run club with a manager who is with the board looking after the club so that in the years to come you, me and your children still have a sucsesfull(ish) club to support.

For too many it is all about the here and now take a step back and look at the bigger picture and think of the future...

Post of the century.

[augie]

I have been reading bits on here, on other forums and listening to the radio about what a poor season this has been and how I have been brainwashed by Wenger and Arsenal into thinking 3rd is a great result.

Arsenal played
38 PL matches
10 CL matches
2 FA cup matches
3 CC matches

We finished 3rd behind Man U & Man city but above Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle & L'poo all of who everyman and his dog were saying would finish above us. IMO the only thing we could of done better with was closing the points gap between us and the top two. If I was to say at the end of last season that Wilshere, Nasri & Fabregas would not play any part of this season, Arshavin would go out on loan at christmas. We would play with no recognised fullback for 2 months of the season, TV5 & Per would miss large chunks of the season through injury, Sagna would break his leg twice and that we would finish 3rd you would of called me mad but that is what happend.

We lost to AC Milan in the CL who at the time were top of the Italian league and have just lost it to an unbeaten Juve side. We qualified against an Udinese side who have just finished 3rd in the Italian league. Then we played Borussia Dortmund who have just cleaned up in Germany, Olympiakos who have just won the Greek league and an average Marseille side.

We lost to Sunderland in the FA Cup who at the time were on a great run of games with O'Neil as their new manager(won 7 out of the last 10)

We lost to Man City in the CC to an Sergio Aguero goal in the 83 min

Yes there were some bad results and it all to easy to focus on them but we have had some bad luck during the season(the spurs goal hand ball, no penalty's at home, Sagna leg breaks etc) and we had some great results.

I have not been brainwashed by Wenger I can clearly see what is happening it is just unfortunate that we are now not just up against Man united's ability to go out and spend £30-£50 million each summer but Chelsea & Man City's £50 to £100 million, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcalona, the rise of Italy again and the money in Russia. Football is not what it was even 10 years ago it is a huge beast that will chew you up and spit you out if you are not careful and without the mega rich owners who are happy to put in the billions that are needed(without taking the money back) Arsenal are where they are a well run club with a manager who is with the board looking after the club so that in the years to come you, me and your children still have a sucsesfull(ish) club to support.

For too many it is all about the here and now take a step back and look at the bigger picture and think of the future...

Post of the century.

So selective it is unreal - you decide that you are going to be specific about matches but then gloss over the fact that we lost to blackburn, fulham, swansea and qpr to name just 4 so how does that stack up with your lack of financial clout argument ?
We did indeed suffer some injuries but how is that any different than last season, the season before or the season before ? We have too many tippy tappy light footballers who are going to pick up injuries playing in a physical league like this but then it is the managers decision to pack the team with flyweights

The bottom line here is that we have money to spend and wenger wont fcuking spend it - you could argue that if you had a strong squad you wouldnt need to go spend the money but the bottom line is that we are far from that. We have no back up to rvp that are at the required level and you could say the same about chesney. We have no physical presence in our midfield to win the ball back and send a "dont fcuk with us" message to the opposition. We have no tactical plan - people used to say that we had no plan b but I would argue that these days we dont even have a plan a We play a system that doesnt suit the players we have (note the massive improvment when we went 4-4-2 v norwich 2 weeks ago) and more often that not leaves the rvp and/or our full backs isolated as the two brainless fools on the line havent got the aptitude to know where they should be or what their role in the team requires Yes we finished 3rd but this season the standard has been as low as it has been for over 20yrs - I know that you can only beat what is in front of you but to lose 10 games in a league as weak as that is disgraceful. Like it or not wenger has accumulated the worst squad we have had representing our club for almost 30 years and has been allowed to do so unchallenged and that is unacceptable

[franksav63]

I think a more valid question that needs to be asked is why when Man City buy our players do they, perform better and now, win things, Man city have or had about 4 of our players with the possibility of more to go there, it just goes to show to everyone (except Wenger of course) that competition for places, better training and tactics improve players.

[highburyJD]

So selective it is unreal - you decide that you are going to be specific about matches but then gloss over the fact that we lost to blackburn, fulham, swansea and qpr to name just 4

er, he talks specifically only about the games that KO'd us from the cups, then generally about the league. Perfectly logical.

so how does that stack up with your lack of financial clout argument ?

pretty well, only teams who spend way more and have higher wage bills finished ahead of us

We did indeed suffer some injuries but how is that any different than last season, the season before or the season before ?

the difference was it was very unlucky to lose all our fullbacks simultaneously, you cant keep a decent player on the books as 3rd choice fullback. Losing Wilshere for the whole season was admittedly typically unlucky - but I do see the fullback free winter as an aberration

We have too many tippy tappy light footballers who are going to pick up injuries playing in a physical league like this but then it is the managers decision to pack the team with flyweights

did we lose many players to impact injuries?

The bottom line here is that we have money to spend and wenger wont fcuking spend it - you could argue that if you had a strong squad you wouldnt need to go spend the money but the bottom line is that we are far from that. We have no back up to rvp that are at the required level and you could say the same about chesney. We have no physical presence in our midfield to win the ball back and send a "dont fcuk with us" message to the opposition.

I expect further signings up front and a backup goalie. Think Coquelin and Frimpong will be the backups to Song.

We have no tactical plan - people used to say that we had no plan b but I would argue that these days we dont even have a plan a We play a system that doesnt suit the players we have (note the massive improvment when we went 4-4-2 v norwich 2 weeks ago)

I think Wenger has never been a very tactical manager - gives players their head. I thought we were way to open when 442 v Naarwich

and more often that not leaves the rvp and/or our full backs isolated as the two brainless fools on the line havent got the aptitude to know where they should be or what their role in the team requires

don't understand this bit who are the brainless fools on the line?

Yes we finished 3rd but this season the standard has been as low as it has been for over 20yrs

I think the league was dreadful last year, ManUre the worst champions ever. Chelski the year before were IMO the worst double winners ever. I think this year the league was improved (marginally) by the promoted teams

I know that you can only beat what is in front of you but to lose 10 games in a league as weak as that is disgraceful.

we def lost way to many games, some embarrassingly

Like it or not wenger has accumulated the worst squad we have had representing our club for almost 30 years and has been allowed to do so unchallenged and that is unacceptable

this squad needs serious renovation but I think there's potential. Sczc will improve, Koscielny has already, Vermaelen and Song only need tweaking positionally to cut out the errors, Arteta has been immense, Sagna is the best RB in the league, Wilshere can be our best player, RVP is, Podolski is a good signing, Walcott + Ox need to find consitency but can be real weapons. There's no way that's worse than our mid-90's teams if only because of the difference in midfield quality. We had Hillier, Selley, McGoldrick, Morrow and Carter all getting loads of time in midfield, Johnny Jensen was standout quality compared to those lot FFS. Parlour was still pretty lame pre-Wenger and Merse was pissed. I liked Stefan Scwartz but he only stayed one season.

[highburyJD]

I think a more valid question that needs to be asked is why when Man City buy our players do they, perform better and now, win things, Man city have or had about 4 of our players with the possibility of more to go there, it just goes to show to everyone (except Wenger of course) that competition for places, better training and tactics improve players.

Greedybarndoor got worse (and they still play a chunk of his huge wages)
Clichy responded well to competition and looks back to the player he was
Na$ri did OK, was better in his one half-season for us, wouldn't be surprised to see him play even less next year. Don't think he's done enough to convince Mancini.
Toure pretty much stayed the same, decent but not the great player he was pre-malaria.

[arseofacrow]

lack of character/will to win runs throughout the squad.

Unfortunately, I believe that this will see us fail in our quest for trophies. Despite the fact that we do have a some very good players.

[highburyJD]

lack of character/will to win runs throughout the squad.

Unfortunately, I believe that this will see us fail in our quest for trophies. Despite the fact that we do have a some very good players.

could say that about the '99,'00,'01 bunch...
with a little tweaking, they did OK in the end