After years of being quite frankly disillusioned, thanks to rusting in Wenker, I am at last looking forward to matches, I feel more positive about the team, about what they could achieve, if they stay as a group, over the next 5 years, with the obvious upgrades.Retro Gunner wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 5:58 pmStuartL wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 7:42 amWho, knows what the Kronke’s are thinking ?TomHelo14 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 7:11 amWhat do people think if we say finish 5th again and no trophy? Reckon board gets rid or let him have more time?
Cos surely the timebombs ticking for him after backing him in the window and also allowing us fail for a few years now in getting where we should be.
Are we making progress ?
I think the majority of people would say yes. However, we still retain the ability to self destruct at any given moment, it appears.
Are we the finished package ?
Absolutely not, we still need at least 2 more additions to address our weaknesses ( Xhaka)
Are the players improving / learning under him ?
Yes, he got rid of those that didn’t buy into the “project” and the youngsters have high ceilings as to how far they can reach.
Is he the best manager to push us forward ?
He wasn’t at the time he was appointed, but 3 years in would changing things up again disrupt what we have ?
Jesus, Zinchenko, were happy to sign and be under his tutelage, despite no Champions League, which must mean something.
I think he is still very much learning his trade as manager, the youngsters will grow with him.
I reckon he has this season where progress is expected - Champions League qualification, through top 4 or win the Europa, if not the he starts next season (and I think he will still be in charge, regardless ) under pressure, real pressure, for the first time.
I think this is a very fair appraisal Stuart. As you know, I tend to be less positive than this, but it's a balanced review.
At times over the last 10 years, I feel I’ve had my enthusiasm for the team I love, drained out of me, so It’s refreshing to have that back again.
This team look like a proper “team” who play / fight for each other and that is the Arsenal way - think back to 71, no superstar but great team spirit,
George’s team ( my era of football really ) he got rid of the likes of. Nicholas, Woodcock, Rix to forge a young team that again, worked for each other, again no real superstar in that team of 89 - 91, that won 2 league titles, Smith got 2 golden boots, but was so unassuming he hardly even got a sniff of playing for England.
Think back 3 years ago - preseason Ozil, Auba,Lacazette, Guendouzi all caught doing balloons not the kind of dedication to their team / sport that you would want
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/7919695/ ... guendouzi/
So, yes, I’m happy where we currently sit, hope and expect us now to push on further in the next couple of years, which will need the Kronke’s support still in transfers but after the last 2 seasons it would be money down the drain if they suddenly stopped now.
Despite my current optimism, I’m still a realist in that we have an awful long way to catch up with City, particularly with Haarland up top, but Liverpool don’t look as good so far, and we are as good or better that the Mancs, scum and a turmoiled Chelsea.
Nos 89, you can have your rose tinted glasses back now my friend