END OF THE ROAD ARSENE!

[piresistible]

Right i think you need to cheer up now!!!

we don’t have Benitez as manager. Remember this man is rated as a really tip top manager in Europe. He demands total control over the spending of the club (just like twenger and he picks the players, and talks to the press (just like most managers except Sir Alex F-Word).

But if you heard a recording of his commentary about yesterday’s game you’d have noticed the ravings of a mind completely out of control (and on this topic I speak as one who knows). “Crazy gamesâ€

[piresistible]

I write this in reply to a detailed letter that has been published on this site, which says why we should no longer support Arsenal. I believe the opposite.

Partly, because I am a naturally cheery guy (except when I am not) and partly because I am currently writing the history of Arsenal in 1910, and have just got to the bit where they were bought by Fulham, and went on to lose and draw the first six matches of the 1910/11 season.

But leaving that aside, why should we be cheerful just now?

1. Because we don’t have Benitez as manager. Remember this man is rated as a really tip top manager in Europe. He demands total control over the spending of the club (just like the Lord Wenger) and he picks the players, and talks to the press (just like most managers except Sir Alex F-Word).

But if you heard a recording of his commentary about yesterday’s game you’d have noticed the ravings of a mind completely out of control (and on this topic I speak as one who knows). “Crazy gamesâ€

[Lethal]

I'm really starting to think the problem is not a financial one anymore. I think AW is just so caught up in this dream he has of producing a league winning team of homegrown kids that he has discovered that he can't see clearly anymore.

That's what I think at the moment - of course none of us knows what the real story is behind the scenes as regards money and it may well be he is financially restrained by the board.

I'm still prepared to give AW until May 2010 to bring this team to fruition because of what he has achieved for us in the past. But even my loyalty will not stretch beyond that date if we are struggling on the periferal of the top 4 and still watching the inept shite that is Song, Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner and Diaby...

A good post Gus and I can't help but agree with most of it...

thats what i have been saying for the last 2 years

[Galasso]

I'm really starting to think the problem is not a financial one anymore. I think AW is just so caught up in this dream he has of producing a league winning team of homegrown kids that he has discovered that he can't see clearly anymore.

That's what I think at the moment - of course none of us knows what the real story is behind the scenes as regards money and it may well be he is financially restrained by the board.

I'm still prepared to give AW until May 2010 to bring this team to fruition because of what he has achieved for us in the past. But even my loyalty will not stretch beyond that date if we are struggling on the periferal of the top 4 and still watching the inept shite that is Song, Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner and Diaby...

A good post Gus and I can't help but agree with most of it...

thats what i have been saying for the last 2 years

No you havent, you've just been saying "Eboue" alot.

[g88ner]

Gus, it is not a weak argument, its a valid question. Every action must cause a reaction. You cant want someone out then walk away.

If Wenger held a press conference now & announced he was resigning, which is what some of you want, who would come in?

Firstly, I definately DO NOT want Wenger out, but Nice Guy, your argument is - as Gus says - weak!

For instance, if I suggested a little known French manager who was currently managing a team in Japan, and that I truely believed he could take hold of our football club and elevate us to the next level, you'd be well within your rights to dismiss my opinion out of hand as proof that the current boss is irreplaceable.

So WHO eventually replaces Wenger is something for the board to decide, but considering we're 5th in the league (5pts off 4th) and without a trophy in 4 years, then there must surely come a day when enough is enough... improve or get out!

Personally, I think that time is another 18 months away, but this season has been a disaster in almost every possible way, and irrespective of whether Wenger can or cannot be replaced, the manager must take his portion of the blame and this sort of form cannot be allowed to continue into next season, and beyond!

[tel]

I can't argue with Gus or the various replies. If we do manage to finish 4th I fear the board and Wenger will say " told you so" and we'll continue to settle for 4th place and no silverware for the next few years. I still say things have to change come the end of the season.

[Rob]

I can't argue with Gus or the various replies. If we do manage to finish 4th I fear the board and Wenger will say " told you so" and we'll continue to settle for 4th place and no silverware for the next few years. I still say things have to change come the end of the season.

Indeed ! Long term that would be the worst scenario. 'Groundhog day' for 2010,2011,1012 and so on. ..............

Something has to give. Just like all of us I'd be bitterly disappointed from a footballing and prestiege point of view, to see us out the CL next season.

But if it has to be - THEN SO BE IT !

Better that than 'Groundhog day' for the next four, five or more years.

At least if we do fail to make 4th then Wenger cannot live in denial any more. He'd have to accept that we are not in the world's Premiere Club Competition and whilst he might try to shrug it off, the fact would hit him in the eyes every time the CL played itself out next season.

He or someone else has to change the direction of this Club in the coming closed season.

[SWLGooner]

Is this the double and triple response thread?

I agree with Gus. Well said that man!

[Exiled-Gooner]

I believe that the keeping us in the dark about the finances is what's pissing us off most, as we can see we need additions to the squad but we are not showing a inclination of buying anyone!.As stated before Wenger splash the cash at highbury,in his first year he brought in 11 players and while at highbury he never mentioned about youth till the move to the grove?The whole idea of the move was as said by hill-wood and friar was for Arsenal to be able to compete with utd i thought there meant man u not leeds?.
Arsene keeps saying these players are gaining experience,what's that all about as some of these players are internationals and been playing prem football for 2 yrs so how much experience do there NEED!Vela prime example saying he's got to be patient and gain bloody experience the blokes played in la liga for nearly 2 yrs and is biting to show what he can do also young wilshire will only get better if played like cesc was in 04 but no he stays loyal to average joe's who just turn up to get the cash and sullen our great name .It's time he got honest with us,told us we got no money fine we understand but want to know where it all goes?and to say i got it wrong the players i believed in are not up to it and in the summer i shall have a good clear out and re-build again.
We not asking them to do a liverpool or a chelsea and splash 200mil but get a couple of seasoned players to help the youngsters to develop and also give the team direction.If we fail to get a c/l spot and enter uefa cup and don't compete in the transfer market then i'm sorry to say but i think cesc,rvp and a few more of our good players might be tempted to play elsewhere and it shows the board have no ambition for this great club,which has a great heritage and steeped in history,but only for there pockets.I've followed this great club of ours for 40 yrs and in the last 12 yrs this has been our real big chance of dominating but is going out the window due to possible mis-management and lack of ambition and greed.

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

If we finish 5th or worse he HAS to be gone. No excuses. I'm sorry but with the high profile job like Arsenal comes certain expectations. Awesome, you did a great job for the club for many years. Now you're not doing that job so you gotta go. End of. No slack here.

The NY Yankees had a manager (Joe Torre) who took them to something like 14 straight playoff appearances but failed to make it out of the first round for 4 or 5 straight years with easily the highest payroll in MLB and was then fired, regardless of making the playoffs. Just an example that there are expecations for certain high profile teams. This is one of those teams. And 5th doesnt meet those requirements.

Not even 5th place but played well in a lot of games and maybe got unlucky. This is HOPING for 5th way behind 4th and playing like shit.

[Rosie_titters]

Wenger will not leave until his contract expires - He has always honoured his contract -

[Belfast Boy]

If we finish 5th or worse he HAS to be gone. No excuses. I'm sorry but with the high profile job like Arsenal comes certain expectations. Awesome, you did a great job for the club for many years. Now you're not doing that job so you gotta go. End of. No slack here.

The NY Yankees had a manager (Joe Torre) who took them to something like 14 straight playoff appearances but failed to make it out of the first round for 4 or 5 straight years with easily the highest payroll in MLB and was then fired, regardless of making the playoffs. Just an example that there are expecations for certain high profile teams. This is one of those teams. And 5th doesnt meet those requirements.

Not even 5th place but played well in a lot of games and maybe got unlucky. This is HOPING for 5th way behind 4th and playing like shit.

You know what YGD I wish you'd fuck right off to wherever you came from, there has been some excellent, measured posts on this thread, where each of the main posters, especially on the first page ie Gus, Reb and then Spud made at least one comment that I whole-heartedly agreed with putting across their frustration IMO very very well, and the fact that I share that frustration cos I also have invested a lot in Arsenal Football Club over the years is why I can safely say this ............. your signature is an absolute disgrace

[Vince]

I think he's doing the best he can with what he's got. If he had enough money he would have bought Alonso this summer, and this Arshavin saga would have been over in December. And if he can't add better players than he's already got, he stays with the same team

And he never blames them because they are young team, and they need a lot of confidence. They also need someone like him who take all the criticism, all the pressure from outside the Club.

So I think it's a tough time, but it's needed if we want a successful Club in the future. The stability and an healthy financial situation, that's what we need to see titles back. That's my opinion

[DB10GOONER]

3. We sell out short-notice games against little teams.

We sold all our away tickets for Cardiff, and most of us had a jolly good time on the terraces. Then, I have to admit I suggested we might not sell out against Cardiff in the replay. It is short notice, it is on TV, (mark that - it is on TV) and it is against a team that has only a limited amount of gloss and voom and anything else. And you know what, we’ve sold out all the Arsenal seats.

Firstly, fair play to you for being so optimistic. I honestly don't know how you can be, but good on you for being so.

But I have to pull you up on the above. I don't know if you've ever been in the stadium but we do NOT sell out every game, especially against the little teams. How many games this season have there been swathes of empty seats? Too many.

The club count tickets sold (including ST's) NOT how many people actually attend.

[augie]

I think he's doing the best he can with what he's got. If he had enough money he would have bought Alonso this summer, and this Arshavin saga would have been over in December. And if he can't add better players than he's already got, he stays with the same team
And he never blames them because they are young team, and they need a lot of confidence. They also need someone like him who take all the criticism, all the pressure from outside the Club.

So I think it's a tough time, but it's needed if we want a successful Club in the future. The stability and an healthy financial situation, that's what we need to see titles back. That's my opinion

You are honestly telling me that wenger cannot find any better centre midfielders that alex song with his worldwide team of scouts ??? Sweet jesus man I have seen better players playing in our local junior sunday league football As a manager I loved George Graham cos of what he done to break the scouse monopoly etc but that type of comment was typical of what he used to come out with in latter years and it wasnt acceptable then and it is even less acceptable now Christ hand on heart he has even got better players in the squad to fill the spots currently occupied by song and eboue but yet he doesnt play them I know we all read some foolish comments last night by one person who was willing to write off a potential quality player (ramsey) on the back of maybe 2 iffy/poor games but in the same arguement was championing the cause of alex song who has been with us a few years now and cannot nail down a position cos he is shit no matter where he plays