THE MEDIA: Ex-Arsenal Players, Pundits and Journalists

[northbank123]

Quartz how can you in one post (rightly) point out that Keown, Henry and co are stuck with this glorified perception of a 2004 Wenger and then in the next suggest they offer insight into his management style? The whole point is it's all changed in the last decade and if they have a fucking clue about what he's like now they are doing a pretty good job of hiding it.

Dixon is okay generally as a pundit although he seems to appear less and less now. They don't put ex-Arsenal players on there for insight, they put them on there because they're fucking lazy and in Sky's populist world some vague connection is what passes for punditry. Expect Hamann to be wheeled out for Liverpool v City, possibly Bellamy for the same reason.

[SteveO 35]

I wonder if we'll secure the Secomd Leg Trophy that we've defended so bravely these past few seasons ?

[QuartzGooner]

Quartz how can you in one post (rightly) point out that Keown, Henry and co are stuck with this glorified perception of a 2004 Wenger and then in the next suggest they offer insight into his management style? The whole point is it's all changed in the last decade

No contradiction at all.

There is little if any suggestion that his management style has changed.
What has changed is he has lost his cutting edge as tactics have changed and has lost some of his his sheen as the last League win fades further into the distance.

TV companies could get a player to be a pundit who has only just left Arsenal, but chances are such player would be playing for another club and have little availability.
Cesc and RvP would have very interesting views on Wenger but they are otherwise occupied!

It is obvious why such players as Dixon, Henry and Keown are pundits; they are eloquent, have a good record of trophies, longevity of career and were internationals, plus are very aware tactically.
They are also high profile and non-Arsenal fans know them.

[QuartzGooner]

Quartz how can you in one post (rightly) point out that Keown, Henry and co are stuck with this glorified perception of a 2004 Wenger and then in the next suggest they offer insight into his management style? The whole point is it's all changed in the last decade

No contradiction at all.

There is little if any suggestion that his management style has changed.
What has changed is he has lost his cutting edge as tactics have changed and has lost some of his his sheen as the last League win fades further into the distance.

TV companies could get a player to be a pundit who has only just left Arsenal, but chances are such player would be playing for another club and have little availability.
Cesc and RvP would have very interesting views on Wenger but they are otherwise occupied!

It is obvious why such players as Dixon, Henry and Keown are pundits; they are eloquent, have a good record of trophies, longevity of career and were internationals, plus are very aware tactically.
They are also high profile and non-Arsenal fans know them.

Do Arsenal's mistakes go unnoticed?
No.
Neville and Carragher and Souness and others point them out.

Our ex-players see what is going on, they are intelligent, but they do not hate Wenger and do not want to publically humiliate him.
They are careful with their words, allowing fans to read between the lines.

Most of The Forum sees them, as do a fair size chunk of the crowd.

But none of us were knowingly in Arsenal home dressing rooms or at Arsenal training sessions or on the pitch with Wenger as our manager.

It is all about a balance of pundits, ex players and journalists.

[clockender1]

Dicko does much more co-commentating than studio punditry now.

in the past during games he's had some telling comments about our lack of defensive organisation and midfield.

i thinik he's freer to speak honestly during a live game than in the studio where wenger might see it.

[Offside]

Gary Neville didn't even sound angry at Arsenal being so bad. He just sounded disappointed. We've managed to grind him down!

[flash gunner]

Keown on radio:

"I'm 100% behind Arsene".

"He needs to be given time".

Keown knows which side his bread is buttered. I have hardly got my ear to the ground when it comes to goings on at the club but even I know that Keown gets a lot of cushy corporate access etc.

How uncomfortable was Henry when Souness had to bully him into telling that Barcelona anecdote? I think he'd rather chomp down on his cyanide tablet then direct some criticism at Wenger.

Add to that lot this little gem:

"There's nobody I'd rather have at the club right now". - after hearing Wenger post-match. I think I'll stop listening to him from now on; he spouts too much shit.

Honestly - listen to Sounness, it's the best tonic. The bloke cuts right to the heart of the issues, doesn't get dragged into populist nonsense and is genuinely passionate and forthright in his views. Last few times I've seen him cover Arsenal he has hit the nail on the head with just about every word. He embarrassed Henry and Redknapp today and made them look like the vapid dallying fools that they are.

Totally agree

[flash gunner]

I wonder if we'll secure the Secomd Leg Trophy that we've defended so bravely these past few seasons ?

[Bradywasking]

I wonder if we'll secure the Secomd Leg Trophy that we've defended so bravely these past few seasons ?

For the fourth consecutive season Arsenal are going into the second leg of the round of 16 at least two goals down. But playing with bravery , focus and desire we oh so nearly turned the previous three around. It is now five seasons since Arsenal won a knock out game of consequence in the Champions League (qualifiers excepted) and even then we went out in the second leg. So off the top of my head it was Villareal in 2009 that Arsenal won a game in the Champions League knock out that put us through to the next round.

[Bradywasking]

I wonder if we'll secure the Secomd Leg Trophy that we've defended so bravely these past few seasons ?

For the fourth consecutive season Arsenal are going into the second leg of the round of 16 at least two goals down. But playing with bravery , focus and desire we oh so nearly turned the previous three around. It is now five seasons since Arsenal won a knock out game of consequence in the Champions League (qualifiers excepted) and even then we went out in the second leg. So off the top of my head it was Villareal in 2009 that Arsenal won a game in the Champions League knock out that put us through to the next round.

Sorry forgot the 2010 5-0 v Porto and the hat trick from The Prince of Denmark.

[VAVAVOOM 14]

I feel like Tony Adams would tell it like it is if he were a pundit. He really has gone underground, haven't seen nor heard from him in years. Wonder what he's up to and I'd love to pick his brain about the state of Arsenal.

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

i actually do like neville as a commentator surprisingly. he called the monaco game here in the states and was spot on the whole time.

[VAVAVOOM 14]

i actually do like neville as a commentator surprisingly. he called the monaco game here in the states and was spot on the whole time.

Neville is probably the best pundit but I could tell from the get go he was out to get Ozil tonight (Mesut did play shit though).

[Theoperator]

[Sam59]

Patrick Vieira owes his successful career to Wenger, but I think he might say what needs to be said without being unfair or histrionic (Stewart Robson is an embarrassment to himself imho).