View from this side of the fence.

[clockender1]

I do not Wenger is the messiah anymore,

he's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy ....

[Vinny1967]

I do not Wenger is the messiah anymore,

he's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy ....

[Vinny1967]

Great thread BDB and kudos for starting it and for putting your point's across so well.

Firstly I think I would be in the minority here in wanting Wenger to stay and it's nice to see other people express their views on this in a grown up manner. Not what I'm used to in the last 4 weeks but hey ho

Personally speaking I think finishing third only papered over the cracks that have been evident over the last few years. While I think it was an achievement in itself, I also think we stumbled over the line like a guy with a belly full of beer trying to walk in a straight line, and only succeeded because of others ineptitudes, different priorities and no small amount of luck. The run of games from late Feb on was surprising to me and it showed me there is some character in the team although the run in was dissapointing to say the least. The result was a third place finish and I agree with you and others that the League table does not lie. Finishing so far behind an ordinary Utd team is a better indication of our season and we were found lacking to my mind

For me I was reasonably happy with 'the project' up to 10/11 season. For me I thought we could compete for the League title until that season and indeed could have had one or two in the previous 5 years if Wenger was not so stubborn and loyal and gone and bought a decent keeper. I do admire loyalty to some extent and it can have it's rewards but it can also be misplaced and I think Wenger has indeed proven that over the last few years. The good news for me came in an interview late on in 10/11 when he finally admitted he needed to strengthen in certain areas and would be doing so last summer. Unfortunately last Summer was an unmitigated disaster for the club and I would hold Wenger largely responsibe for this.

Last day signings is no way to run a club imo. Now don't get me wrong, if someone came up that could strengthen the team I would never complain but to sign so many so late showed a distinct air of desperation and if anyone else had done this in a publicly quoted company there would be serious questions asked of their management policy which shows no foresight and was completely reactionary. Now even if they buried their head in the sand and believed they could keep Cesc and Nasri why the hell were we buying a striker, a full back and a centre half so late in the window when they had all summer, leaving now time to integrate.

Last winter was another failed opportunity and while I agree that Henry was a no brainer and do believe he was a positive force both on the field and on the training ground, I still believe it was a band aid on a cut that needed stitches. I really agree with Donaldo when he said it was Russian Roulette management (like that phrase btw ) as given RVP's injury record leaving us with Chamakh and Park was a bad decision imo.

The noises coming from the club are positive imo. I think Pod is a good signing and will bring a bit of character and discipline that we have lacked. With the imminent signing of Giroud it shows me a change in policy because bringing in players of their age has not been policy heretofore. I would also like to see a decent DM signed, decent back up keeper like Gordon and RVP to stay. If that happens I would be a very happy Gooner and would be confident we can compete next year.

The biggest signings for me could well turn out to be Bould and Banfield. I admire Rice and and will be forever grateful to the man as he is an icon to me and will always be a legend in my book. However I do think we have needed a shake up in the management structure and hope Bould and Banfield can step up to the plate, give us some much needed structure especially in our defense and fill the role that Dein previously provided us by becoming a positive influence in Wenger's earhole.

I do believe Wenger will see out his contract and no more, and I also believe the man is a winner and will not like to leave with another two seasons of a 3rd/4th place trophy.

Great thread again

Enjoyed reading that mate - can totoally see your point of view - i do believe support is waning to an extent towards Wenger.

However, the home support is improving massively, our away fans are the best in the country - bar none - we sell out everywhere no matter what day of the week or where the opposition is - and i think we do have a nucleus of players like Woocheck, Kos, Sagna, Wilshire, Walcott, Arteta and VP that seem to enjoy the interaction on matchdays (Eboue used to be the only one who clapped the away fans ) and the players and crows feed off each other. What im saying is, the improvement / recovery whatever you want to call it, was a group effort as a club - and thats pleasing.

As ive said, we have a base to build now - and i think we all agree we cannot let that slip away from us or waste that opportunity.

As for VP, if he goes, he goes - it will be a shame obviously but we cant keep a player if he doesnt want to be here. What i will say is, he owes Arsenal massively. We plucked him when his career was going the wrong way (behaviour) stood by him when he was thrown in Jail and have held out on his injuries - we havnt not let him down to the extent some would have you believe. We overelied, most definately - but with Podolski and possibly this French geezer coming in - it does seem there is some movement there.

Hi BDD.
Yeah I would be of a similar opinion on RVP. If the lad want's to go, let him go and I would hold that opinion with any player. I do feel he does owe the club but I would not blame him if he left. He has to do what is right for him and his family and clubs view these guys as assets and not people so it has to work both ways for me. In saying that I have a sneaky suspicion that he will sign the new contract offer. Just hope his injury record drastically improves if that happens

I agree with you on it being a joint effort and take your word on the fans. This is one of the reasons I have joined the forum, to read what people say who go on a weekly basis. For a variety of reasons I have not been to The Arsenal in a few years and its great to read opinions from people who see them on a week in week out basis. Your opinion on the support is not alone and it's great to see others voicing the same opinion. You are the guys who can exert influence and I applaud you.

Hopefully there will be good news coming for us all over the summer and the team can compete next year for the Premier League, which is where I think we should be every season.

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

Great thread BDB and kudos for starting it and for putting your point's across so well.

Firstly I think I would be in the minority here in wanting Wenger to stay and it's nice to see other people express their views on this in a grown up manner. Not what I'm used to in the last 4 weeks but hey ho

Personally speaking I think finishing third only papered over the cracks that have been evident over the last few years. While I think it was an achievement in itself, I also think we stumbled over the line like a guy with a belly full of beer trying to walk in a straight line, and only succeeded because of others ineptitudes, different priorities and no small amount of luck. The run of games from late Feb on was surprising to me and it showed me there is some character in the team although the run in was dissapointing to say the least. The result was a third place finish and I agree with you and others that the League table does not lie. Finishing so far behind an ordinary Utd team is a better indication of our season and we were found lacking to my mind

For me I was reasonably happy with 'the project' up to 10/11 season. For me I thought we could compete for the League title until that season and indeed could have had one or two in the previous 5 years if Wenger was not so stubborn and loyal and gone and bought a decent keeper. I do admire loyalty to some extent and it can have it's rewards but it can also be misplaced and I think Wenger has indeed proven that over the last few years. The good news for me came in an interview late on in 10/11 when he finally admitted he needed to strengthen in certain areas and would be doing so last summer. Unfortunately last Summer was an unmitigated disaster for the club and I would hold Wenger largely responsibe for this.

Last day signings is no way to run a club imo. Now don't get me wrong, if someone came up that could strengthen the team I would never complain but to sign so many so late showed a distinct air of desperation and if anyone else had done this in a publicly quoted company there would be serious questions asked of their management policy which shows no foresight and was completely reactionary. Now even if they buried their head in the sand and believed they could keep Cesc and Nasri why the hell were we buying a striker, a full back and a centre half so late in the window when they had all summer, leaving now time to integrate.

Last winter was another failed opportunity and while I agree that Henry was a no brainer and do believe he was a positive force both on the field and on the training ground, I still believe it was a band aid on a cut that needed stitches. I really agree with Donaldo when he said it was Russian Roulette management (like that phrase btw ) as given RVP's injury record leaving us with Chamakh and Park was a bad decision imo.

The noises coming from the club are positive imo. I think Pod is a good signing and will bring a bit of character and discipline that we have lacked. With the imminent signing of Giroud it shows me a change in policy because bringing in players of their age has not been policy heretofore. I would also like to see a decent DM signed, decent back up keeper like Gordon and RVP to stay. If that happens I would be a very happy Gooner and would be confident we can compete next year.

The biggest signings for me could well turn out to be Bould and Banfield. I admire Rice and and will be forever grateful to the man as he is an icon to me and will always be a legend in my book. However I do think we have needed a shake up in the management structure and hope Bould and Banfield can step up to the plate, give us some much needed structure especially in our defense and fill the role that Dein previously provided us by becoming a positive influence in Wenger's earhole.

I do believe Wenger will see out his contract and no more, and I also believe the man is a winner and will not like to leave with another two seasons of a 3rd/4th place trophy.

Great thread again

Enjoyed reading that mate - can totoally see your point of view - i do believe support is waning to an extent towards Wenger.

However, the home support is improving massively, our away fans are the best in the country - bar none - we sell out everywhere no matter what day of the week or where the opposition is - and i think we do have a nucleus of players like Woocheck, Kos, Sagna, Wilshire, Walcott, Arteta and VP that seem to enjoy the interaction on matchdays (Eboue used to be the only one who clapped the away fans ) and the players and crows feed off each other. What im saying is, the improvement / recovery whatever you want to call it, was a group effort as a club - and thats pleasing.

As ive said, we have a base to build now - and i think we all agree we cannot let that slip away from us or waste that opportunity.

As for VP, if he goes, he goes - it will be a shame obviously but we cant keep a player if he doesnt want to be here. What i will say is, he owes Arsenal massively. We plucked him when his career was going the wrong way (behaviour) stood by him when he was thrown in Jail and have held out on his injuries - we havnt not let him down to the extent some would have you believe. We overelied, most definately - but with Podolski and possibly this French geezer coming in - it does seem there is some movement there.

Hi BDD.
Yeah I would be of a similar opinion on RVP. If the lad want's to go, let him go and I would hold that opinion with any player. I do feel he does owe the club but I would not blame him if he left. He has to do what is right for him and his family and clubs view these guys as assets and not people so it has to work both ways for me. In saying that I have a sneaky suspicion that he will sign the new contract offer. Just hope his injury record drastically improves if that happens

I agree with you on it being a joint effort and take your word on the fans. This is one of the reasons I have joined the forum, to read what people say who go on a weekly basis. For a variety of reasons I have not been to The Arsenal in a few years and its great to read opinions from people who see them on a week in week out basis. Your opinion on the support is not alone and it's great to see others voicing the same opinion. You are the guys who can exert influence and I applaud you.

Hopefully there will be good news coming for us all over the summer and the team can compete next year for the Premier League, which is where I think we should be every season.

I think the signing of two strikers does say it all...could be construed as clever in the sense that if VP stays we have a potentially explosive top three, but we are covering ourselves for what will be seen as the inevitable post these signings.

Still, two in, lets hope for a few more in the right places.

[augie]

You two guys should consider getting a room

[arseofacrow]

You two guys should consider getting a room

Beat me to it

www.hrs.com

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

You two guys should consider getting a room

We are starting our own Clique

The resistance begins!!!!