Munich at home

[SPARKSY]

He seems a nice guy, but I can't be the only one getting sick of seeing Giroud's "damn, I just missed another massive chance" face. He puts himself about and gets in decent positions but I'm afraid he seems a woeful finisher.

And at the other end, Szczesny is not good enough for a team challenging for the top 4. Not even close.

It is coming to the stage where Giroud has to start scoring on a regular basis. Thats what he's paid to do and he's not. The honeymoon period is definately over for him i think.

Chesney is a good keeper. Remember he's only a young bloke to. Problem is he has no experienced gk to help him along or push him for his place. That in itself breeds complacency, mistakes happen and then affects confidence. He's a decent keeper, stick with him.

[littlefire]

[Herd]

I predicted defeat in both legs and so was not surprised by last nights score line or performance.

More fool me I went and the amount of Bayern fans speaking German and wearing colours in the home section of the clock end lower was obvious. Many of them celebrated the goals too.
Perhaps this is the norm in the Bundesliga but this game sold out to silvers so this really pissed me off. The club comes down hard on regular home supporters who stand or show any sign of misbehaving so seems bizarre that the stewards took absolutely no action to prevent them entering the home seats or celebrate their team scoring.

Grow up fella ,aren't you man enough to mix ,mingle with other fans or are you the type that needs a wall so you can make wanker signs and and then run off after the match . There was a big big black market for this game and tickets were easily going at 150 quid a time which the currants snapped up . I've always found German fans to be OK with the possible exception of Bremen !

[SPARKSY]

clearly bould has no influence.

Remember early in the season he'd bark some instructions from the touchline, now he sits there never speaking.

Rice and Wenger used to speak all the time!

Bould only there in writing.

It was clear at the start of the season that Boulds presence was having an effect on the defence. Two 0-0 draws against Stoke and Sunderland but more importantly the defence looked like they all knew what they were suposed to be doing.
Another thing that stood out was the near post corner that we had started to use in those games.We hadn't seen it since it was used back in the days when Bould and Adams were playing. Thing is since that 2nd game we've not seen it since and the defence has fallen apart.
I think Wenger has told Bould thats not the way i want us to play, i want zonal marking so go away and work to that system.Bould would never work that system. He is at the mercy of Wenger and not in a position to say anything else.

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

Awful again wasn’t it – no point going into it, we were ripped a new one by a superior side……..BUT the second goal was criminal defending (how many times have we said that – especially from corners?) and I’m not being funny, teams player superior teams all the time and at least have a go, we just gave in far too easily and they themselves have commented on how easy we made it for them. Picking Cazorla on the left made no sense given he isn’t one to track back thus giving TV no protection on a flank Munich constantly exposed.

Another season over far too quickly in terms of any real massive games, how many years can this go on for? Personally, I think the squad is littered with average players, the 4-3-3 doesn’t work with the players we have in the real big games, the squad is weak and there is a huge problem in terms of attitude. Everybody said as early as the Lescott goal playing City away our defending at set pieces was awful…….you can train for that, work on it……I can only assume we havn;t been if we have been then it’s a major flaw within the coaching staff. You can look at resources, transfer funds….Wenger has spent a lot of money on players like Gervinho, Santos etc….at minimum both nowhere near the level we need, both crap players in my opinion.

A fresh, motivated Villa at home next, and we are not great after a bad result usual, followed by the Spuds away – daunting. Personally, I think Wenger is coming to the end now, I just hope he gets to go with his head held high and not hounded out because he certainly does not deserve that, but whilst I admit we might drop another level, id rather we were working towards getting back to the top rather than treading water in averageness, which is frankly, what we are doing at the moment – we are not competing in any of the competitions we are in, and it’s been the same for years now.

[OneBardGooner]

Oscar Pistorius has a better defence than Arsenal !

[arseofacrow]

Arsenal embarrassed in Europe post Christmas - check

Arsenal embarrassed in the FA Cup - check

Mental strength to be proved in quest for Virtual Vase - check

[Macca]

Sat upper block 116 overlooking the German fans - what fantastic support the have, they had guys at the front orchestrating throughout, they didn't even to be watching the game.
Then I heard a faint 'by far the greatest team' now and then as we tried to get some noise going which made me guffaw...
We had a good mix of German fans, French Arsenal in 116 and there was a good buzz with songs and passion....
but some jobs worth steward kept telling the Germans to sit down and when they scored their 2nd he made his way down my row to have a word with 2 Germans inparticular who stood up and cheered and clapped.
I felt sorry for these guys as they didn't even stand or raise their arms as before when they scored their 3rd as a result of this steward, who sped down the front of 116 and glared around trying to find a fan who dared celebrate....

[flash gunner]

I predicted defeat in both legs and so was not surprised by last nights score line or performance.

More fool me I went and the amount of Bayern fans speaking German and wearing colours in the home section of the clock end lower was obvious. Many of them celebrated the goals too.
Perhaps this is the norm in the Bundesliga but this game sold out to silvers so this really pissed me off. The club comes down hard on regular home supporters who stand or show any sign of misbehaving so seems bizarre that the stewards took absolutely no action to prevent them entering the home seats or celebrate their team scoring.

Grow up fella ,aren't you man enough to mix ,mingle with other fans or are you the type that needs a wall so you can make wanker signs and and then run off after the match

[OneBardGooner]

How shit are our fans for leaving early! It's the Champions league for fuck sake. It's embarrassing!

Agree 100%. Whatever anyone thinks should or should not happen to, the board , the manager, the players; that leaving early in droves is just something ridiculous imo. I sit there getting mad at fellow apparent fans, it just fucking riles me! Have never understood it and never will.

Steve, to be honest five years ago i would have been one of those people looking daggers at them, but how many times can you pay through the nose to be disappointed - its not like we're paying 15 quid to watch Brentford toil in hope.

plus we have the second largest stadium in the Country, the highest ticket prices, the second highest paid manager in Europe and the fourth highest wage bill in England.

it's not just about one result - its cumulative. norwich, swansea, schalke, bradford, blackburn, bayern, birmingham, milan, the 8-2.

we've beaten just one team in the top 6, we've won just 12 out of 26 games in the EPL - that's 45%.

and we're paying top dollar for the privilige.

Totally agree, with this CE, supporting this gutless shower of pansies to the hilt doesn't help them one iota, they need to be boo'ed, jeered and have shit and rancid fruit thrown at them... that'll make them player better!

Sorry but that's absolutely fucking ridiculous in my eyes. Really.

I, as have all I assume, experienced a massive atmosphere and seen what it can do to the team, how it can boost them. I've seen players (in most teams) try to get fans cheering when they are up against it. We were given a class in organisation and teamwork by Munich this evening but still, in the second half we improved dramatically. The atmosphere rose the players seemed to give that little bit more. When the goal (3rd) went in the whole place went flat and folk started from then! walking out. THAT is when the crowd need to be lifting the team even moreso; the deflation is exacerbated and highlighted by folk walking out.

Crowds can make a difference and in the last few minutes when an extra goal might be the difference that's needed is when they can often spur on a team that extra mile. Exactly the same with Blackburn at the weekend, folk walking out with minutes left to go...

I will, as I said already, never understand it. The cost is irrelevant to me in this regard. Of course I would prefer not to pay as much as I do, but I will pay it and I will attend every game I can and cheer on my team whatever the situation... I will leave my whinges whines and moans to the trip home, the pub, work next day, the internet etc etc but when I'm in the ground I will continue to cheer as I have always done, up to and beyond the whistle. I will also certainly never boo the team at half time either.... what a bloody disgrace that was..

Until someone gets right in the face of the board/wenger NOTHING will change - They are (and have been for the past 6 seasons) been Mugging us off.....Do you honestly thing P-Hill-Wood and co give a shyte about what you or I say on the internet....they couldn't give a toss as long as the tills are ringing and they are making a very healthy profit...
HAd they had the balls to invest more money when and where it was needed AND Put the Club first - instead of all the in fighting and personal vendetta's with Dien and Usmanov - We would NOT be in this predicament...

I fully understand what wenger is trying to do - on a shoe string budhet - but it has now come to light that he has indeed had the money to spend and buy some class players instead of Lidl rejects like squilacci, santos and park....

They could have and should have kept JVP - yes they got £23million for him - BUT a) They sold him to a rival (guaranteeing them the Prem title) when instead they could have made him honour his contract - He plays for one more year most likely guaranteeing US a place in next years CL...which will bring in more than £23million...

The club is being run and managed by people no longer able to keep up with the shifts in both the finacial world and the world of Premiership Football.

I would prefer Wenger to be brave and honest and simply leave - I could still have respect for him then and be able to cherish and hold onto the very fond memories of what he has done for us in the past...But because his 'Project' has failed miserably and instead of owning up to that 'Fact'..and stepping down....he keeps on triying to rais ewhat is now a dead corpse...

And the board are equally culpable in all of this. Why haven't they stepped in - because he has kept the profits rolling in - at Our Expense, whilst dumbing down the class of our players and lowering the sight of his expectations...to which none of us agree .

6th is the new 4th in his eyes...

Not Good Enough and never will be

Time for HUGE changes right throughout the club...

[Steve_I]

Until someone gets right in the face of the board/wenger NOTHING will change - They are (and have been for the past 6 seasons) been Mugging us off.....Do you honestly thing P-Hill-Wood and co give a shyte about what you or I say on the internet....they couldn't give a toss as long as the tills are ringing and they are making a very healthy profit...
HAd they had the balls to invest more money when and where it was needed AND Put the Club first - instead of all the in fighting and personal vendetta's with Dien and Usmanov - We would NOT be in this predicament...

I fully understand what wenger is trying to do - on a shoe string budhet - but it has now come to light that he has indeed had the money to spend and buy some class players instead of Lidl rejects like squilacci, santos and park....

They could have and should have kept JVP - yes they got £23million for him - BUT a) They sold him to a rival (guaranteeing them the Prem title) when instead they could have made him honour his contract - He plays for one more year most likely guaranteeing US a place in next years CL...which will bring in more than £23million...

The club is being run and managed by people no longer able to keep up with the shifts in both the finacial world and the world of Premiership Football.

I would prefer Wenger to be brave and honest and simply leave - I could still have respect for him then and be able to cherish and hold onto the very fond memories of what he has done for us in the past...But because his 'Project' has failed miserably and instead of owning up to that 'Fact'..and stepping down....he keeps on triying to rais ewhat is now a dead corpse...

And the board are equally culpable in all of this. Why haven't they stepped in - because he has kept the profits rolling in - at Our Expense, whilst dumbing down the class of our players and lowering the sight of his expectations...to which none of us agree .

6th is the new 4th in his eyes...

Not Good Enough and never will be

Time for HUGE changes right throughout the club...

As you will be aware, my views are not the same but my response above was basically 'whatever the situation I go along to support the team and manager when the game is on. I will never understand folk who leave early [obv special circumstances aside - family probs, projectile vomitting, heart attack etc] when they have already paid to come in to support the team they follow and try to do their little bit to help the team in any given match. likewise I will never understand booing.


My argument wasn't about a need for change it was about support during a game.

edit: just seen the specific bit you highlighted, hence yyour response. Will respond again from work if I get the opportunity.

[arseofacrow]

Would you boo at the end of the game, Steve?

[franksav63]

How shit are our fans for leaving early! It's the Champions league for fuck sake. It's embarrassing!

Agree 100%. Whatever anyone thinks should or should not happen to, the board , the manager, the players; that leaving early in droves is just something ridiculous imo. I sit there getting mad at fellow apparent fans, it just fucking riles me! Have never understood it and never will.

Steve, to be honest five years ago i would have been one of those people looking daggers at them, but how many times can you pay through the nose to be disappointed - its not like we're paying 15 quid to watch Brentford toil in hope.

plus we have the second largest stadium in the Country, the highest ticket prices, the second highest paid manager in Europe and the fourth highest wage bill in England.

it's not just about one result - its cumulative. norwich, swansea, schalke, bradford, blackburn, bayern, birmingham, milan, the 8-2.

we've beaten just one team in the top 6, we've won just 12 out of 26 games in the EPL - that's 45%.

and we're paying top dollar for the privilige.

Totally agree, with this CE, supporting this gutless shower of pansies to the hilt doesn't help them one iota, they need to be boo'ed, jeered and have shit and rancid fruit thrown at them... that'll make them player better!

Sorry but that's absolutely fucking ridiculous in my eyes. Really.

I, as have all I assume, experienced a massive atmosphere and seen what it can do to the team, how it can boost them. I've seen players (in most teams) try to get fans cheering when they are up against it. We were given a class in organisation and teamwork by Munich this evening but still, in the second half we improved dramatically. The atmosphere rose the players seemed to give that little bit more. When the goal (3rd) went in the whole place went flat and folk started from then! walking out. THAT is when the crowd need to be lifting the team even moreso; the deflation is exacerbated and highlighted by folk walking out.

Crowds can make a difference and in the last few minutes when an extra goal might be the difference that's needed is when they can often spur on a team that extra mile. Exactly the same with Blackburn at the weekend, folk walking out with minutes left to go...

I will, as I said already, never understand it. The cost is irrelevant to me in this regard. Of course I would prefer not to pay as much as I do, but I will pay it and I will attend every game I can and cheer on my team whatever the situation... I will leave my whinges whines and moans to the trip home, the pub, work next day, the internet etc etc but when I'm in the ground I will continue to cheer as I have always done, up to and beyond the whistle. I will also certainly never boo the team at half time either.... what a bloody disgrace that was..

Well what a superfan you certainly are... although I used to stay till the very end and used to support them to the hilt, until I saw the light in the 4-4 up in Newcastle.... great support never helped them in recent finals against Birmingham and the Chavs, a total waste of time, the only way things will changed is to get on the shit player's backs and also the *word censored* of a manager!

[Clash]

Talking of support, I almost find myself dropping off at Arsenal games now. The type of game we play, especially the first half, is just not going to get any atmopshere going. Its too slow, too pedestrian, too predictable and this just kills a crowd. We need a higher tempo game, some tough tackling, more aggression. Hell, lets go even more crazy and have two strikers up front!

To be honest I enjoy watching Everton play at Goodison on TV far more than I enjoy watching Arsenal from my comfortable padded seat at the Emirates. Its just not real football there now. Not how I like it anyway.

I knew we had no chance last night so I actually quite enjoyed watching Bayern. It reminded me what football can be like if you have a well drilled and competitive team mixed with quality.

[LDB]

Then I heard a faint 'by far the greatest team' now and then as we tried to get some noise going which made me guffaw...

Rather then guffawing ever consider joining in to make the atmosphere better?

Too many people at Arsenal nowadays complaining about atmosphere but doing fuck all to help the situation.