As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
SteveO 35 wrote:Leading up to the Blackburn game the team had a bit of form and momentum winning 4 of the previous 5 matches (the other being a comeback from 2 goals down to draw with the Mickeys). The forward line was bedding down and Wenger chose to start with the Forehead and left out Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott and Podolski (who had been inspired in the 5-1 drubbing of West Ham). As you say....for what? To rest them for the visit of Bayern, who proceeded to settle the two legged tie within 20 odd minutes (no matter what anyone says about the so called second leg heroics)
Its so predictable too. I called it on here weeks before it happened just by looking at the calendar, when I saw the 5th round of the cup came a few days before the CL round of 16. That is how the calendar works and that is why we'll never win a trophy under Wenger because even when we're blessed with a decent draw he will send a strong message to the players that 'the cups really don't matter' by playing second string squad players. If Santi, Jack, Theo and Pod had managed to get us 2 goals ahead the tie would have been dead against Blackburn and if any had the chance Forehead squandered at half time, we would have been 1 up. FFS, he could have taken 3 of them off after an hour or so if he wanted to.
The same thing goes for the League Cup........the quarter finals come shortly after CL Group stage completion, the semi finals in the midst of what is usually a very full period in January (two FA Cup rounds, holiday fixtures etc) and the final is usually a week or so away from CL football again.
Wenger sacrifices the cups because the owner is hellbent on top four at all costs, and I can't see that changing. If we finish 5th this season it won't be any different next year either because the pressure for top 4 will be even more intense and I can see Wenger fielding an U-21 side in both the Europa and League Cups, and squad players in the FA Cup.
So the question is........what is the point anymore? The club supposedly craves two trophies but don't even come close to spending the money required to even remotely challenge, but then don't take the opportunity to compete properly in the remaining competitions
Great post mate!
And your last paragraph perfectly describes what Arsenal are all about in 2013
we picked surprisingly strong teams in both cup games (compared to what the papers predicted)
and all the dropped/rested players were on the pitch when CKR scored
As correct as you might be Steve O ,nothing this year will unseat the Lord Wenger unless he walks to PSG.....which is in my opinion very very doubtful but you may hope .
The only difference 4th or 5th place will make is in the amount of cash we will spend .
4th max 20 Million Quid Net
5th Zero to 5 Million Quid Net
So the Question is How do you get the Lord Wenger to change .....................well the Lord Wenger will have to want to change ,and he doesn't .
Herd wrote:As correct as you might be Steve O ,nothing this year will unseat the Lord Wenger unless he walks to PSG.....which is in my opinion very very doubtful but you may hope .
The only difference 4th or 5th place will make is in the amount of cash we will spend .
4th max 20 Million Quid Net
5th Zero to 5 Million Quid Net
So the Question is How do you get the Lord Wenger to change .....................well the Lord Wenger will have to want to change ,and he doesn't .
Pass me the razor blades ethel !
Agreed mate. Not only will it not hasten his departure if we finish 5th....more importantly it won't change Wiggy's opinion and he will get offered a new deal anyway
Any chance of Uncle Herd making it over from Singapore for Wenger's new contract BBQ ?
Haven't been to a game this season Stevo,first time since I was about 7 years old that I haven't seen at least 1 game .
Missus is planning a trip in August so I might pop back then .
They used to have a good BBQ in the Beer Garden @ the Gunners which we've had a few Jerk Chicken and steak feasts.
If the weathers nice its good out there.
highburyJD wrote:we picked surprisingly strong teams in both cup games (compared to what the papers predicted)
and all the dropped/rested players were on the pitch when CKR scored
Yes but the team that was out there had let the game drift for so long that the away side could see their name up in lights and feeling confident (not the first time this has happened at the bowl). Yes the team that was out there "should" have been good enough to win the game but it's never easy for players brought in from the cold/bench to break down championship opposition with 10 men behind the ball at all times.
Wenger underestimated the opposition with his team selection that day, I can't remember the last time I was quite so angry after a game.
LDB wrote:Wenger underestimated the opposition with his team selection that day, I can't remember the last time I was quite so angry after a game.
what team would you have picked instead?
Sagna isnt great good going forward - leCoq's best game at RB came v Blackburn
Cazorla is basically our best player and got burnt out, he needed to play fewer games not more
I like Ox better than Feo v a deep defence. When would Diaby or Rosicky get a chance if JW (recently injured, heard it attributed to overplaying) is always selected.
1Szczesny
22CoquelinYellow Card
5Vermaelen
6Koscielny
15Monreal
15Oxlade-Chamberlain 71
2Diaby
8Arteta
7Rosicky 71
27Gervinho 71
12Giroud
Substitutes
24Mannone
3Sagna
10Wilshere 71
14Walcott 71
19Cazorla 71
16Ramsey
9Podolski
The lack of drive (and arguably shallow squad) killed us
but the team selection was stronger than I expected.
The Bradford game was mostly down to Gervinho. I know it seems ridiculous to place the weight for such a woeful performance and absolute disaster on one player but the performance he put in that night was the most inept I've ever seen in all my life.
As well as missing some gilt-edged chances (and an open goal from a few yards), every single move broke down at him. Every single fucking move. Now as much as I've tried to black that night from my memory, I do remember everybody being pretty turd with the possible exception of Wilshere. But there's only so much midfield players can do when you play 1 up front and he has woeful movement, a terrible touch, zero confidence and a complete lack of footballing brain. Had Giroud, Podolski or Walcott played up front we would have won that game, even though we were shite.
