THE WENGER THREAD

[kiwomya]

We drew a game we ALL wanted to win and Wenger clearly wasn't happy about it. Who would want a fucking jumped up "reporter" questioning your decisions? The power these people have now is laughable.

If he wasn't happy about it why did he wait so long with 1 up front, and then instead of going 2 or even 3 instead switch to 0? He said in the conference that Wilshere was only there if we really needed him, he obviously therefore thought we didn't. Listen to what he says, he was really quite happy with the point.

Being able to ask a question is hardly a sign of power. That Gillian Duffy woman who asked Gordon Brown about immigration and was called a bigot in response didn't have any inherent power. Wenger and Brown respectively gave those two people 'power' by not answering their question in a respectful and honest way. Had Wenger come out with his usual bollocks about Giroud looking tired and us needing a change of shape etc etc then the fans may have grumbled but the press wouldn't have picked up on it like this. It's a storm entirely of his own creation.

For once I actually completely agree with the reporters' questioning. Claiming he doesn't have to explain his decisions to the reporters is one (childish) thing, but rubbishing the views of the travelling fans is another. Even Ferguson got hammered when he refused to field a question about playing Lindegaard ahead of de Gea at Benfica last year. Why should Wenger be immune from criticism as he obviously thinks he is? Presumably you agree with his repeated assessment that unless you've managed for a few decades you're not qualified to have an opinion on football?

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

[northbank123]

We drew a game we ALL wanted to win and Wenger clearly wasn't happy about it. Who would want a fucking jumped up "reporter" questioning your decisions? The power these people have now is laughable.

If he wasn't happy about it why did he wait so long with 1 up front, and then instead of going 2 or even 3 instead switch to 0? He said in the conference that Wilshere was only there if we really needed him, he obviously therefore thought we didn't. Listen to what he says, he was really quite happy with the point.

Being able to ask a question is hardly a sign of power. That Gillian Duffy woman who asked Gordon Brown about immigration and was called a bigot in response didn't have any inherent power. Wenger and Brown respectively gave those two people 'power' by not answering their question in a respectful and honest way. Had Wenger come out with his usual bollocks about Giroud looking tired and us needing a change of shape etc etc then the fans may have grumbled but the press wouldn't have picked up on it like this. It's a storm entirely of his own creation.

For once I actually completely agree with the reporters' questioning. Claiming he doesn't have to explain his decisions to the reporters is one (childish) thing, but rubbishing the views of the travelling fans is another. Even Ferguson got hammered when he refused to field a question about playing Lindegaard ahead of de Gea at Benfica last year. Why should Wenger be immune from criticism as he obviously thinks he is? Presumably you agree with his repeated assessment that unless you've managed for a few decades you're not qualified to have an opinion on football?

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

Maybe offer some way of explanation as to his decisions? As I said it wouldn't have placated the irked fans because playing no strikers against relegation fodder is crap, but it wouldn't have been hugely disrespectful.

Watch today and you might see a phenomenon after the games where the reporters ask questions based on what happened in the match? Apparently it's been happening for quite a while now??? His bizarre substitutions coupled with yet another tangible sign of considerable dissatisfaction amongst the fans was the main talking point by a long stretch. They weren't creating a story, the fans getting pissed off is a story in itself. If he'd have answered it with dignity and respect then we wouldn't have this farce, he created the story not them.

And Wenger clearly does think he's immune from criticism because any time any whatsoever is levelled at him he just tells everybody that they haven't worked for 30 years in football and therefore they haven't got any right to question him or any clue what they're talking about. And therein lies his refusal to change things at all, he literally believes he can do no wrong.

[northbank123]

The 5 stages of views on Arsene Wenger:

1. He's the best manager around, look at what he's achieved, he's got a job for life.
2. We may have slipped a bit but he's still doing a good job with the resources he's got, he'll turn it round in time.
3. We're not doing well enough but given what he's done for the club and the circumstances I'm willing to give him another year.
4. I've still got respect for the man for what he's done but it's time he went quietly.
5. He needs to go at all costs, he's an embarrassment, ruining the legacy he worked so hard to create and more importantly poisoning the club.

I'm definitely at Stage 5, I'm amazed how many people are still stuck between stages 1-2.

[I Hate Hleb]

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

No, but he could have come out and said along the lines of "I understand the fans frustration because the performance wasn't good enough and not what they or I expected." It's something I see countless other managers saying so why is Wenger above this? Then something like "The reason I took Giroud off was because he was tired" or "had a little strain / felt a pull that we didn't want to get worse by leaving him on". There are any number of ways he could have responded which didn't insult the fans but instead we get the usual 'who are you/they to question me?' And the '30 years coaching' bollocks!!

Whilst I agree that we've hardly ever got a fair press stretching back over many decades, Wenger has been able to get away with real criticism of a lot of poor performances and the many trophy less seasons without anyone from the fourth estate really applying the pressure that would ordinarily be exerted on someone with that record because he helps them do their job by commenting on everything else that's going on in football and even the world at large. Yet strangely, when they actually ask a few relevant questions concerning his club and shortfalls, he decides he doesn't need to answer!! Where once he use to display intelligence and wittiness, he now shows only ignorance and contempt.

Where once he was humble and modest, nowadays he is too arrogant by far and he now believes he's bigger than the fans and the club - something I feared would happen way back in the days when D.D. and Hill Woood kept coming out in the press saying 'I don't know what we'd do without Arsene'. Unfortunately, now even Wenger himself believes it.

[g88ner]

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

Oh, come on! He's an intelligent man, so lets not pretend he behaved appropriately.

Watch the press conference here, and watch it in full.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... Villa.html

In the second half of that interview (as if the first half wasn't bad enough ) he becomes jaw droppingly childish. None of those questions put to him were that surprising or difficult to answer without resorting to "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing" retort, as you're suggesting was the only alternative

Wenger know's how to deal with questions appropriately; he just chose not to. It was pathetic, and what he said about not being questioned by people who haven't managed a game of football, is a dig at everyone - fans and media alike.. it was arrogant and immature. He lost the plot in there, and it's embarrassing to watch, and actually very sad that he would stoop so low.

[g88ner]

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

No, but he could have come out and said along the lines of "I understand the fans frustration because the performance wasn't good enough and not what they or I expected." It's something I see countless other managers saying so why is Wenger above this? Then something like "The reason I took Giroud off was because he was tired" or "had a little strain / felt a pull that we didn't want to get worse by leaving him on". There are any number of ways he could have responded which didn't insult the fans but instead we get the usual 'who are you/they to question me?' And the '30 years coaching' bollocks!!

Whilst I agree that we've hardly ever got a fair press stretching back over many decades, Wenger has been able to get away with real criticism of a lot of poor performances and the many trophy less seasons without anyone from the fourth estate really applying the pressure that would ordinarily be exerted on someone with that record because he helps them do their job by commenting on everything else that's going on in football and even the world at large. Yet strangely, when they actually ask a few relevant questions concerning his club and shortfalls, he decides he doesn't need to answer!! Where once he use to display intelligence and wittiness, he now shows only ignorance and contempt.

Where once he was humble and modest, nowadays he is too arrogant by far and he now believes he's bigger than the fans and the club - something I feared would happen way back in the days when D.D. and Hill Woood kept coming out in the press saying 'I don't know what we'd do without Arsene'. Unfortunately, now even Wenger himself believes it.

Agreed.

I think your reply to kiwomya is better than mine ( ) so I've bumped yours as it had fallen onto the previous page.

[armchair]

The 5 stages of views on Arsene Wenger:

1. He's the best manager around, look at what he's achieved, he's got a job for life.
2. We may have slipped a bit but he's still doing a good job with the resources he's got, he'll turn it round in time.
3. We're not doing well enough but given what he's done for the club and the circumstances I'm willing to give him another year.
4. I've still got respect for the man for what he's done but it's time he went quietly.
5. He needs to go at all costs, he's an embarrassment, ruining the legacy he worked so hard to create and more importantly poisoning the club.

I'm definitely at Stage 5, I'm amazed how many people are still stuck between stages 1-2.

I'm amazed it took so long for some to reach stage 4- 5.

[armchair]

The 5 stages of views on Arsene Wenger:

1. He's the best manager around, look at what he's achieved, he's got a job for life.
2. We may have slipped a bit but he's still doing a good job with the resources he's got, he'll turn it round in time.
3. We're not doing well enough but given what he's done for the club and the circumstances I'm willing to give him another year.
4. I've still got respect for the man for what he's done but it's time he went quietly.
5. He needs to go at all costs, he's an embarrassment, ruining the legacy he worked so hard to create and more importantly poisoning the club.

I'm definitely at Stage 5, I'm amazed how many people are still stuck between stages 1-2.

There are still very many who are stuck perpetually on stage 3 year after year..............
Just cant bring themselves to go to stage 4

[SteveO 35]

I haven't looked at any of the post match comments but please don't tell me he tripped out the one about the "30 years working in football"

There's a bloke who works for our local council that's been there for 40 years - doesn't make him any good !

[I Hate Hleb]

The 5 stages of views on Arsene Wenger:

1. He's the best manager around, look at what he's achieved, he's got a job for life.
2. We may have slipped a bit but he's still doing a good job with the resources he's got, he'll turn it round in time.
3. We're not doing well enough but given what he's done for the club and the circumstances I'm willing to give him another year.
4. I've still got respect for the man for what he's done but it's time he went quietly.
5. He needs to go at all costs, he's an embarrassment, ruining the legacy he worked so hard to create and more importantly poisoning the club.

I'm definitely at Stage 5, I'm amazed how many people are still stuck between stages 1-2.

I like that definition so much I'm going to set up a poll to see at what stage people are at.

[armchair]

I haven't looked at any of the post match comments but please don't tell me he tripped out the one about the "30 years working in football"

There's a bloke who works for our local council that's been there for 40 years - doesn't make him any good !

SteveO - Watch the vid. It really does plumb the depths of arrogance and pure, pure contempt for fans.
I usually switch off for his post match stuff but this was apalling........

[SteveO 35]

Thanks for the vid...

'*You have a little bit Alzheimer''

LOVE IT!

To be fair, sitting there after the game and getting punched by a group of media guys (and the sun probably is not the highest quality footie magazine) is not what I would want. Also Wengers point is fair that they have written him and the team off last year and Arsenal managed to finish fourth. The squad is not built for competing for the title and hopefully Arsenal can reach the CL places again, but this year it looks like the competition is even more.

Does not change the fact that it looks from the outside that there are some structural issues within the club and the squad, again not wanted to piss anybody off

Cheers,
Thomas

You're welcome to swap managers any time you like Tomas !

In 8 years time when he's pissing you lot off, telling you all to be patient and you're watching a style of football on a par with the England national team and then have to listen to the bloke make patronising remarks in every post match interview.....you'll realise how fucking irritating it is mate !

[SteveO 35]

Just watched the video - didn't actually think it was that bad

I've heard a lot worse from him. At least we didn't get any of that 'illusionary domination' bollocks.

The only cringey bit was "have any of you managed a game?" - a little bit 'don't you know who I am'

[kiwomya]

I'm not suggesting Wenger should be immune but at the same time he can answer however he see's fit. What did they think Wenger was going to say? "Yes, it's true. I don't know what i'm doing". It's to cause him to answer like he did and try to create a fucking headline out of it. Which they've succeeded in doing.

No, but he could have come out and said along the lines of "I understand the fans frustration because the performance wasn't good enough and not what they or I expected." It's something I see countless other managers saying so why is Wenger above this? Then something like "The reason I took Giroud off was because he was tired" or "had a little strain / felt a pull that we didn't want to get worse by leaving him on". There are any number of ways he could have responded which didn't insult the fans but instead we get the usual 'who are you/they to question me?' And the '30 years coaching' bollocks!!

Whilst I agree that we've hardly ever got a fair press stretching back over many decades, Wenger has been able to get away with real criticism of a lot of poor performances and the many trophy less seasons without anyone from the fourth estate really applying the pressure that would ordinarily be exerted on someone with that record because he helps them do their job by commenting on everything else that's going on in football and even the world at large. Yet strangely, when they actually ask a few relevant questions concerning his club and shortfalls, he decides he doesn't need to answer!! Where once he use to display intelligence and wittiness, he now shows only ignorance and contempt.

Where once he was humble and modest, nowadays he is too arrogant by far and he now believes he's bigger than the fans and the club - something I feared would happen way back in the days when D.D. and Hill Woood kept coming out in the press saying 'I don't know what we'd do without Arsene'. Unfortunately, now even Wenger himself believes it.

The bolded part above sums up my feelings. Arsene Wenger isn't like countless other managers. This is by no means a defence but another opinion. If Wenger was a manager like the ones that drop in and out of the game year after year then he wouldn't have been Arsenal manager for this amount of time. Whether you like him or not, he is not just another run of the mill manager.

He's managed to get away with comments about poor performances because regularly the club turns itself around in the season. That was what he was getting at in that press conference as well when he referred to comments from the press last season.

[clockender1]

the difference yesterday was that normally AW would said something diplomatic like - well yes, i understand the fans are disappointed blah blah blah ....but instead he went ultra defensive.

he could of even just said,....i was worried about the clean sheet in that rain, we were too open etc ....and most fans would have grudgingly accepted that. as it was he called out the people he needs most.

i think the press smell blood here. watch the backpages on thursday morning if we get done by Everton.