POLL: WOULD YOU GIVE ARSENE WENGER A NEW CONTRACT

[North-Bank-1987]

No, I think hes accustomed to being happy with 4th and 4th is not fecking good enough, therefore we need a manager (and board) who share our ambition as supporters.

[clockender1]

Bould's touch was evident today. And will be more so as the season wears on. Less tippytappy play. Midfield w/out Song more useful as Song was way too casual many times.

Per worked his socks off today, he's definitly been coached on his positionin - neither bouldy or adams were the quickest but it was the positioning and working as a unit that made them the famous four.

we'll face much better opposition than today but it was noticeable that when soton started playing keep ball we dropped back in to two compact lines of four and let them have the flanks and the middle of the park.

an encouraging sign.

[northbank123]

Bould's touch was evident today. And will be more so as the season wears on. Less tippytappy play. Midfield w/out Song more useful as Song was way too casual many times.

Per worked his socks off today, he's definitly been coached on his positionin - neither bouldy or adams were the quickest but it was the positioning and working as a unit that made them the famous four.

we'll face much better opposition than today but it was noticeable that when soton started playing keep ball we dropped back in to two compact lines of four and let them have the flanks and the middle of the park.

an encouraging sign.

Agreed. He seems to make so many more interceptions this season, whereas last year he was getting dragged out of position too easily. I really can't believe the difference in our defensive set-up this season. Subtleties like how Arteta and Coquelin today were chasing and doing the dogwork whilst the defence kept their shape, instead of last year where Song was nowhere to be seen and a defender would come charging out to compensate.

[StuartL]

Bould's touch was evident today. And will be more so as the season wears on. Less tippytappy play. Midfield w/out Song more useful as Song was way too casual many times.

Per worked his socks off today, he's definitly been coached on his positionin - neither bouldy or adams were the quickest but it was the positioning and working as a unit that made them the famous four.

we'll face much better opposition than today but it was noticeable that when soton started playing keep ball we dropped back in to two compact lines of four and let them have the flanks and the middle of the park.

an encouraging sign.

Agreed. He seems to make so many more interceptions this season, whereas last year he was getting dragged out of position too easily. I really can't believe the difference in our defensive set-up this season. Subtleties like how Arteta and Coquelin today were chasing and doing the dogwork whilst the defence kept their shape, instead of last year where Song was nowhere to be seen and a defender would come charging out to compensate.

Somthing that any coach / manager / pundit / bloke in the street who hasn't worked half a day in football could see years ago.
A hard working midfield, who track back, and making it difficult for the opposition, not just sticking out a leg like Denilson, Song used to do (see also Wigan's defending yesterday !)

[arseofacrow]

Bould's touch was evident today. And will be more so as the season wears on. Less tippytappy play. Midfield w/out Song more useful as Song was way too casual many times.

Per worked his socks off today, he's definitly been coached on his positionin - neither bouldy or adams were the quickest but it was the positioning and working as a unit that made them the famous four.

we'll face much better opposition than today but it was noticeable that when soton started playing keep ball we dropped back in to two compact lines of four and let them have the flanks and the middle of the park.

an encouraging sign.

Agreed. He seems to make so many more interceptions this season, whereas last year he was getting dragged out of position too easily. I really can't believe the difference in our defensive set-up this season. Subtleties like how Arteta and Coquelin today were chasing and doing the dogwork whilst the defence kept their shape, instead of last year where Song was nowhere to be seen and a defender would come charging out to compensate.

Somthing that any coach / manager / pundit / bloke in the street who hasn't worked half a day in football could see years ago.
A hard working midfield, who track back, and making it difficult for the opposition, not just sticking out a leg like Denilson, Song used to do (see also Wigan's defending yesterday !)

Yep, not quite a subtlety

[armchair]

Surely the fact, (if indeed it is correct) that its Boulds influence that is giving the team a more stable defensive look, then this is only another reason for Wenger to fcuk off and not as some on here keep saying as a reason for him to stay.

Let me get this right -
Wenger hasn't a scooby doo about tactics, formation or defence. Doesn't study the opposition, brings in a number two who actually does. (About 5-6 years too late imo) and peeps see this as a reason for him to stay?

[SteveO 35]

The guy will definitely get a new contract anyway. Ivan the Terrible's gushing tribute last week confirmed as much. We are going to finish top four this season because AVB will work his unique form of magic at the Shitole and the Mickeys are in a mess (and nobody else is capable). So when Summer comes around and we've made 4th again and 80% of the Bowl are singing 'There's Only One Arsene Wenger', there will be a complete inevitability about a contract extension of at least 2 years

Only if Kroenke is bought out will that possibly change, so we need to get used to the idea.

[Clash]

Surely the fact, (if indeed it is correct) that its Boulds influence that is giving the team a more stable defensive look, then this is only another reason for Wenger to fcuk off and not as some on here keep saying as a reason for him to stay.

Let me get this right -
Wenger hasn't a scooby doo about tactics, formation or defence. Doesn't study the opposition, brings in a number two who actually does. (About 5-6 years too late imo) and peeps see this as a reason for him to stay?

Absolutely right mate.

Wenger should be on his knees weeping tears of regret and beggin forgiveness for selling us short for the last 6 seasons. And if he had a shred of integrity he’d pay back at least half of his wages to reflect the percentage of his job that he has neglected.

Instead there is not a hint of an apology from him for his part in our underachievement since leaving Highbury or any acknowledgement that his managerial decisions have failed us in any way.

There is no doubt his refusal to address the most obvious weaknesses in the side by making the most basic changes has got us a lot of points in those seasons and maybe a few cups being won too. His massive ego not being able to resist doing the unconventional thing has had the same effect. Unconventional things like: playing Bendtner right wing, dropping Arshavin for the FAC SF, playing with no goalkeeper for 4 years and many more ...

[Clash]

The guy will definitely get a new contract anyway. Ivan the Terrible's gushing tribute last week confirmed as much. We are going to finish top four this season because AVB will work his unique form of magic at the Shitole and the Mickeys are in a mess (and nobody else is capable). So when Summer comes around and we've made 4th again and 80% of the Bowl are singing 'There's Only One Arsene Wenger', there will be a complete inevitability about a contract extension of at least 2 years

Only if Kroenke is bought out will that possibly change, so we need to get used to the idea.

The thought of change in 2014 was keeping me going but I fear you'll be proved right.

Ivan the Terrible's tributed included the following sickening words:

“When you look at what Arsene has done, within the overall constraints, he has outperformed our spending every single year he has been manager. It is extraordinary.”

“To me this is the most ambitious football club I know.”


Outperformed our spending eh? Is that something we’re meant to be proud of? It’s the clubs choice not to spend the money they have available so the ‘’restraints’’ are entirely self inflicted.

And Wenger has hardly outperformed his £7m a year salary has he?

It would be far more interesting to compare ‘’what Arsene has done’’ to the extortionate ticket prices Arsenal have charged us to witness it.

That would be far from ‘’extraordinary’ woouldnt it Mr Gazidis ??

[Lost_Gooner]

Ok I've took the weak option and gone for one year rolling, reason for that is I feel there's no real better options out there, as I feel any manager would struggle with board! Also I think wenger has done some good stuff for the club over the years, there's just a lot more than meets the eye in my opinion!

[Clash]

Ok I've took the weak option and gone for one year rolling, reason for that is I feel there's no real better options out there, as I feel any manager would struggle with board! Also I think wenger has done some good stuff for the club over the years, there's just a lot more than meets the eye in my opinion!

What are the board doing that is causing Wenger to struggle though mate? And if they were the cause of him struggling, would he say this?

"I believe any player or any employee always has to defend the company he works for and if he is not completely happy with it, then he has to go somewhere else,"

Unless Wenger is telling more porkies, then we can only assume he is completely happy with his employers. I’m sure we’d all be completely happy to be paid £7m a year without the expectations our peers are under. Wenger is being paid a fortune while operating in the comfort zone.

[armchair]

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

[clockender1]

Subtleties like how Arteta and Coquelin today were chasing and doing the dogwork whilst the defence kept their shape, instead of last year where Song was nowhere to be seen and a defender would come charging out to compensate.

top top comment mate.

whether it was obvious or not, it now seems to have been fixed or at least being worked on - i remember the paper stories about a team meeting in the winter of '97 where Adams laid into paddy and Petit for not protecting them for the same reason. then we went on to win the league.

what we have lost in Arteta's creativity the team has gained in shape. i said the team could carry Song or Ramsay not both.

i goal conceded in four games, with still 3 of the four to come back. if we get more than 2 points off the next two games due to a tight defence i'll be well pleased.

[OneBardGooner]

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

Who said that!?

Who's there!?

[northbank123]

Subtleties like how Arteta and Coquelin today were chasing and doing the dogwork whilst the defence kept their shape, instead of last year where Song was nowhere to be seen and a defender would come charging out to compensate.

top top comment mate.

whether it was obvious or not, it now seems to have been fixed or at least being worked on - i remember the paper stories about a team meeting in the winter of '97 where Adams laid into paddy and Petit for not protecting them for the same reason. then we went on to win the league.

what we have lost in Arteta's creativity the team has gained in shape. i said the team could carry Song or Ramsay not both.

i goal conceded in four games, with still 3 of the four to come back. if we get more than 2 points off the next two games due to a tight defence i'll be well pleased.

Yeah perhaps not subtle but ah well...

I don't expect us to keep defending this well all season, I'm sure we'll have one or two wobbles and wouldn't be surprised if we ship in a few at OT again (although not but surely it'll be a huge improvement on 49 goals conceded.

I think Arteta suits his slightly deeper position, he seems disciplined and able to anticipate danger instead of reacting. Plus, if he's playing alongside Coquelin or somebody else defensive then he can still get involved more going forward. I think he has always been more important to our tempo and rhythm than a more 'creative' player like Cesc or Santi, in the same way I think that's what Modric was for Spurs.

Good to see some genuine competition for places and Kos not being able to get back into the side after last season's improvement has to be seen as a positive, and Sagna will be a huge positive when he returns. That said I don't think Santos is good enough to really challenge Gibbs and Fabianski and Mannone certainly aren't good enough.

I'd love to see some footage of Bouldy (allegedly) having Song by the throat for being a lazy undisciplined *word censored*.