Wenger’s iron fist in velvet glove is turning to rust (1/10)

[gooner.ed]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/editorial/index.php?id=126

usual thread starter… do you think Wenger was right to only change Nasri for Eboue last night? The manager would point to the result and claim he made the right decisions. But for me, things are a little too cosy with some of the first team players, and that leads to the type of complacency and attitude we saw against Hull. Players need to know that if they perform badly, their place is not safe. Wenger’s had the bollocks to drop big players before (Henry v Spurs), so I’m scratching my head at the moment. The result last night justifies his decision, but it was also a missed opportunity to put a marker down for the rest of the campaign.

[stixx]

Spot on, Good article, I agree with you 100%

[Sammy Mooner]

Good editorial. But the classic quote by Toshack is quite telling and must ring true of most managers.

I personally would have made a number of changes including dropping Van Persie - which just goes to show how wrong I would have been in retrospect.

Maybe when the subs were put on Wenger was wanting us to pulverise Porto's challenge for the Group. Four goals was emphatic but we might have had eight. Thinking even further in advance - if we can take Fenebahce both home and away, not the hardest of tasks, we are through and could even risk a collective batch of European debuts for the final two games.

[6OONER PETE]

I agree with Stixx. This article was spot on. Well said Kevin.

[dkgooner]

Agree too with the article. I said on another thread when I saw the team that I had misgivings. The result doesn't alter that. We played well enough but were lucky enough to meet a team who are either piss-poor or had an even worse game against us than we did against Hull. I know they were a bit unlucky early on but once we went ahead, they seemed to have no heart at all. The return match will be interesting, that is, if there is anything to play for by then.
What will be more interesting will be the next Premiership games: Sunderland, Everton, West Ham and Spurs. We can be sure that they will all be practising crosses into the box. And will AW make changes for these? What if we give another similar goal away against Sunderland? Can we afford to play without a defensive midfielder? Lots of questions but only time will give us the answers. But nothing less than 12 points will do now if we are to stay in there. I don't think a top 4 place is a formality by any means - Villa are getting results now and we have to be ready for Tottenham's late surge Wenger has left me with egg on my face many times before and I won't complain if he does it again. Nothing is certain in this game - it's all just opinion (and anxiety!)
Hope I can find a decent stream on Saturday!

[QuartzGooner]

If Wenger wanted t be radical, he could have tried Coquelin or Djouru next to Cesc.

Denilson is not yet good enough to play next to Cesc in a 4-4-2, and I think he never will be the right player to partner Cesc. To play instead of him yes, but not as well as in a 4-4-2, though maybe in a 4-5-1.

[androyd]

I agree with the setiments in the article - if Gallas is untouchable this season then we are in trouble because he is not in form particularly against crosses/set pieces. He is great in open field play but I believe any younger player making those sorts of errors we have seen this season would mean him being dropped. Is Arsene scared of Gallas sounding off - is that why he is captain? If so poor reason - the captain should be the inspiration of the team something we have not seen with either Henry or Gallas. Fabregas, Clichy, Toure all seem to feel it more - god knows at least you felt big Phil cared even if he has been too error prone.

[g88ner]

If Wenger wanted t be radical, he could have tried Coquelin or Djouru next to Cesc.

Denilson is not yet good enough to play next to Cesc in a 4-4-2, and I think he never will be the right player to partner Cesc. To play instead of him yes, but not as well as in a 4-4-2, though maybe in a 4-5-1.

Coquelin looked very good in pre-season, but he's only 17, and I would imagine that as he was only deemed good enough to be a sub in the Carling Cup (behind Ramsey and Randall) he probably isn't ready to be a first teamer just yet. (although he had recently come back from injury, so who knows)

It says a lot really, that he's even been considered.... probably because he showed energy and bite, which we haven't seen since Flamini left, so we're almost desperate to find a solution, no matter how raw.

If Wenger felt Djourou was the answer, he would have tried him out by now. He didn't during pre-season, nor when Cesc was injured at the start of the season... preferring Denilson, Song, Ramsey and even Eboue ahead of Djourou, so I would imagine that's a non starter.

I think we just have to come to terms with the fact that - at least till January - Diaby, Song and Denilson are the 3 players in contention for a place alongside Fabregas.

[QuartzGooner]

I think we just have to come to terms with the fact that - at least till January - Diaby, Song and Denilson are the 3 players in contention for a place alongside Fabregas.

True, Coquelin is not seen as ready yet by Wenger.

I would persist with Song next to Cesc, as Diaby is injury prone and Denilson too similar to Cesc.

Will also keep keen eye on Ramsey, Coquelin and Randall to see when they will be ready, if ever, to partner Cesc.

Still want to seee Djourou tried there though I agree, it looks very unlikely.