The past two seasons, I don’t know if it’s a case of Wenger let the team down, or the team let Wenger down?
Wenger had stood up to defend his team whenever things went against us. And he had kept his faith in his players by repeat announcing to the public that he would not be bringing in too many new players. The message, make no mistake, was not aiming to the media or the fans, it’s aiming to the players, and it was crystal clear - I have faith in you guys, and go out and prove me right.
Next season will be the final year of Wenger’s current contract. He’s a man of his words, when he says he will be here next year, he WILL be here. I have no doubt about it. But so far he has not committed to the club AFTER 2008.
The way I see it - Wenger’s waiting to see how the current set of players, of whom he had been giving so much faith, perform next season before making a decision to stay or leave.
Two years ago, David Dein and Wenger came up with this “5 years project”. Since Wenger’s arrival at Highbury, the press constantly described his influence to the club as a “French Revolution”. In true though, it’s more like a EVOLUTION. Wenger changed things around bit by bit. This “5 years project”, however, it’s the first time we can call it a truly REVOLUTION.
I believe it’s fair enough for the kids to have 2 years’ time to develop. Next season they should be mature enough, and ready enough to take on the big things. In short, a moment of TRUTH. It will be a true test of what do they really got in them.
Talent wise, they had it in aplenty. But will they have the required character to be a title-winning challengers?
While the fans are waiting, Wenger is waiting to see how good his team really is too.
As far as I’m concerned, if the team fail again next season, it would not be a case of that “they are not good enough”, it would be more like a case of “wasteful talent”. Just like what we did against CSKA last season, creating 30 scoring chances yet failed to score once.
If, however, the team do win the title against all odds, it would be foolish for Wenger to leave, and let someone else to inhert a squad with so bright a future ahead of them.
60 Responses to “Arsene’s Arsenal Future”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
June 11th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Off Topic: Wanna talk a bit of Bentley.
His decision to pull out from the England U21s in the wake of European U21 Championship finals is a shocking decision.
He reasoned it because of feeling exhausted. As if Blackburn had challenged in all fronts and Europe last season.
Not so long ago, he was heard complaining of “lack of first team opportunities” while he was with Arsenal. Last season it was the first time he started really established himself into the Blackburn starting XI. One season, and he’s “exhausted”? I seem to remember Fabregas played over 100+ matches in two seasons for Arsenal + the World Cup finals, yet u never heard him moan abt being “exhausted”.
Or, maybe Bentley felt he’s too good for the U21s now.
The thing is - he’s not pulling out from a friendly, the final squad has already been submitted to UEFA, Bentley’s decision to pull out now making England with one player short in the tournament. I don’t think that ever happen in any tournament of any level with the England national sides before.
The current set of Bentley’s teammates in the U21 squad are very likely to be his future teammates in the national squad as well. Some of those players probably played the same amout of games as Bentley, or even more. Yet for some reasons, they are not as “exhausted” as Bentley.
As Stuart Pierce rightly asked “would u be saying you are “exhausted” if you are going to get picked for a World Cup finals in the future?”
It just shows what kind of a “professional” player this guy really is.
June 11th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Not sure how the team let Wenger down, they simply aren’t good enough. He let the senior players down by losing experienced players and not replacing them. It cost us dearly.
So if the players let Mr.Wenger down again this year, he’ll leave at season’s end? Maybe he shouldn’t set them up for failure… and make a few of those “very exceptional player” signings.
June 11th, 2007 at 10:34 am
If Cesc had done that BTW the press would’ve lapped it up and spoted some garbage IMO but since its an English guy the press is a bit quiet.
As for Arsene leaving or staying I do believe there’s more pressure on him this season than there has ever been. Not just because he hasn’t won anything substantial for 3 years thats not the pressure…the board would is and will always back AW because of his brilliant economic skills and 100% perfect balance sheets.
Its because of so many clubs being bought over by so many people and Arsenal being the only big club still unbought. Clubs smaller than us have been bought so the press think “Arsenal cannot go on this way .. they also HAVE to be bought”. No logic really if you consider all the other factors..but thats what will happen. Plus TH and WG will go next season if we dont win stuff..which is OK by me IF IF they havent pulled their weight as much…dont get me wrong ..I dont want them to leave.
I have never witnessed an AW contract signing…never paid that much attention and am just a 6-7 yr old AFc fan. Does he delay his contract signing as well like he does with other players? thats what I’ve read..can someone tell me?
But i think he’ll stay and I think we’ll be in the top 2 next season if we’re injury free. I’m calling it now… WE WILL BE IN THE TOP 2 if we have a relatively injury free season…like ManU .. and if that happens…or we win the league..maybe..
Don’t leave Arsene..don’t leave…cause you would’ve earned it…bigtime…BIG BIG time
June 11th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Stag: Senior players are supposed to be accountable. They are the ones your team’s success is based upon. Okay Titi was injured and Bert stepped up … Freddie hasn’t done it , WG has been n hot n cold n Cesc has shouldered everything. Last season it was the same.. Gilberto, Freddie, Pires, Campbell … hell even Titi n times were abysmal … and lets not go into figures ok?? we saw the games .. we saw who messed up.. tactically the loss of Paddy was bad…. Wenger screw up..agreed…. the rst .. I dont see how it is his fault…reply tomorrow to your rant
.. leaving for home … from work..
June 11th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Maybe my glasses are rose tinted but does anyone think that the other clubs in the top 4 are trying to improve so much cuz they saw The Arse play last year and are worried?
Arsenal had a killer injury bug and a very long streak of poor form this spring. YET the team still finishes 4th and had more scoring chances than anyone in the league.
Against the biggest teams in England the only team we didn’t beat was chelski. the rest we were way over .500.
Maturity is the key word. Everyone is a year older now and Gallas, Henry, Rosicky, who are all 26 & up were injured for large portions of the season. Thats not even mentioning RVP who I thought was having a break-out season until his injury.
A few more goals from the midfield and tightening up of the wretched set piece defence and that could turn 5-7 losses or draws into wins. I don’t feel i’m being overly optomistic here. Look at the record and watch a few games from last year. A double over the champs and winning at Anfield consecutivley is pretty impressive to me.
that all said I agree with stags 1-2 “very exceptional player” signings could put this team in pole position for more that one trophy next year.
June 11th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Consider this team
Lehmann, Almunia
Cole, Clichy, Eboue, Hoyte
Campbell, Toure, Senderos, Djourou
Reyes, Rosicky, Hleb, Ljunberg, Walcott
Gilberto, Cesc, Flamini, Diaby, Denilson
Henry, RvP, Ade, Aliadiere
With this squad and the same set of injuries, wouldn’t we have done better last season? Campbell and Cole could have changed some of those 0-1 defeats to 0-0 draws and Reyes could have changed some of those 1-1 draws to 2-1 wins.
But Campbell, Cole and Reyes let Wenger down by leaving Arsenal. After a year, Clichy is ready to take over from Cole. Hopefully Gallas can do the same for Campbell. If we get a winger for Reyes, we can be strong for next season.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:09 am
While I cannot say that Wenger has let the players down, it is true that by playing youth, we did lose a lot of points. But unless you keep playing the youth, they will neither improve nor get the experience. It’s a kind of catch 22 situation.
Look at all the youth who are doing well now. They did so only by playing regularly. Cesc, Sendy and Eboue in the 05-06 season. RvP and Clichy (and Ade to some extent) in 06-07. The ones who are yet to make it are Diaby, Denilson and Walcott (and Sendy in 06-07 season). None of these played regularly.
One can only hope that now after two seasons the youth are ready.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:24 am
A very good point nipuna. Things in this world is never perfect. In an ideal world, we want want to keep all the veterans and give the young players chances as well. But there is only 11 spots in the starting lineup.
Someone wrote an Ex-Arsenal team pointing out how much we missed the ex-Gunners. Yet consider this:
HAD Vieira still be with us, Cesc would never improve as quick.
HAD Lauren’s here, it would set Eboue back.
HAD Kanu’s here, AW would not have bring in Adebayor.
HAD Pires’ here, we may not be able to see Rosicky’s arrival.
HAD Cole’s here, Clichy would still be sitting at the bench.
HAD Sol’s here, Wenger may not want to bring in Gallas.
Too many players fighting for one starting spot on paper is great, but in the end it might end up upsetting everybody. Can u imagine how either Sol or Gallas (if they r both here) will take if they’d have to sit on the bench?
There are a lot of things in life is a catch 22 situation, u either have it one way or other, but never both.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I tell u why i feel the team let the manager down stag: Name how many games when we dropped points it was because we were OUTPLAYED?
I can think of only 3 - away to Bolton, 1-3 away defeat to Liverpool, and the final match Vs Chelsea.
The rest of the matches when we dropped points, we always CREATED SCORING CHANCES. The fact that we dropped points either because :
(1) miss chances in front of goal
(2) a silly mistake or a leak of concentration allow the opponents to score
Then let’s look back HOW we CONCEDED our goals?
How many times we conceded because an opposing team create a brilliant goal from OPEN PLAY?
From what i remember, the majority of goals were either conceded through:
(1) set pieces/corner - someone forgot to mark an opposing player and allow him to score
(2) we got hit at the break in an one-on-one situation.
Those things they are within our ability to correct and improve.
I tell u when we should really start worrying : it’s when we got OUTPLAYED and beaten in a regular base, then you can say the team is not good enough, and the manager has lost the plot or whatever.
But this has clearly not been the case.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Andez,
if we had a few of the VIEIRA, LAUREN, KANU, PIRES, COLE and SOL in our team… when we were creating scoring chances, and OUTPLAYED the opponents…
then I GUARANTEE we would have won quite a few of those matches because they are all WINNERS with big time experience.
You’re making my point.
June 11th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
But we still wouldn’t have challenged for the title, and apart from Cole these players were getting old and past their best. At some point you have to start to rebuild and the young players have to come through - you have to face with bravery not look backwards. Look at Ljungebrg, he is just getting worse and worse, eventually you have to get rid and give his place to someone else and look forward.
You have to understand that these players had won everything domestically and lost their motivation - once that has gone you HAVE to get rid of them. Vieira and Cole were unhappy, Kanu and Campbell fading fast. Why keep them so you can score an extra few points and finish 10 pts behind Man Utd instead of 20? Pointless. It would have been nice to see Pires stay, but who would sit in the bench, Pires or Rosicky? What would be the point, one or other would become unhappy within months.
Wenger has been brave and done the right thing, rebuild as soon as possible- whether he has bought the right players remains to be seen, and we need more quality - but the players that left, I think he probably did the right thing in every case.
June 11th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
stag, answer one question: if the present squad is soooo bad how come we created far more chances than anybody else including the very attacking ManU.
how come of all 38 games, we were only outplayed in that liverpool game away?
if we were not creating tons of chances and OUTPLAYING the opposition then we would be in deep, deep trouble.
no one on this site is saying that we are the finished article but please stop underestimating our squad.
we need about 2 quality players to complete us….everybody here agrees on that. so stop with your negative-overdrive. please!
June 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Fred, its a nice story… that we outplayed everybody… but its simply not factual.
We finished 24 points behind 2 years ago, and 21 points behind this year.
No, we aren’t “soooo bad”. I never said that once. We finished 4th place 2 years in a row. We’re pretty good actually. Just not close to winning the league. Haven’t been close to doing that for 2 years running… with the league chase over by January in both instances.
The fact that we create chances and can’t finish them, tells you that the players aren’t good enough.
Well I agree, we need 2 QUALITY players to compete… IF we are keeping Henry.
If he goes… (and there are rumors abounding that he’s signed with Barca)… then I don’t care what you say… we’re YEARS away from contending for any trophy without him.
(Unless we break the bank for a proven star striker to replace him)
Our current strikers without Henry, simply aren’t good enough, and the midfielders can’t score goals at all.
June 11th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
1. Going back to the topic - Wenger. Wnger himself has wondered out loud whether he has done the right thing by having faith in this squad. I think he beleives that if the team doesn’t make a big improvement this year, then it is his judgement that is at fault. If that is the case he will need persuading to stay.
2. Bentley - his arrogance about saving himself for the full England team next summer shows why he didn’t make it at Arsenal. If you have an ego that is bigger than your ability, you will never be a great footballer no matter how big that ability.
3. Transfers - I have already given my views on this. Nice to see a goalkeeper to challenge going forward. Two more quality signings - a wide player plus wherever Wenger thinks we need it.
4. Last season - agree with Andez, we would be worse off if we were being outplayed all the time.
June 11th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I’ll tell you one thing. If Wenger does not buy a central defender then he is finished and any hope of Arsenal winning a thing is finished. That is categoric.
June 11th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I don’t think anyone’s being let down. We just missed our top two strikers for half the season. There’s not a team in the world that could win a title like that. Take away United, Chelsea, or Liverpool’s top two strikers and tell me they can still win the title or even qualify for the Champions League. Arsenal DID qualify for the CL.
Take just one striker (Drogba and Ronaldo) away from each team and tell me they’re still twenty points better than Arsenal. If it weren’t for Drogba, the mighty millionaire Chelsea lose the Carling Cup to our second string. Spurs had all of their strikers fit all season, including Berbatov, and still finished behind us.
I don’t know about you but I record nearly all the Arsenal matches. If you have just one match (any match), sit down and watch it and tell me this team isn’t good enough. For you to say that is absurd. I can guarantee that no one else in the EPL is saying Arsenal aren’t good enough. Our boys are damned good and will be better next season.
You can also think we’ve got Famianski, Bendtner, Song, and maybe Merida or Carlos Vela bringing something new into the team. Sure, they’re not big names but what were Henry, Pires, Ljunberg, or Vieira when they first got here? Just sit back and enjoy watching atleast one of these guys become a superstar.
June 11th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
TH14 says… “persuade me to stay”.
I don’t think Fabianski, Bendtner, Song or Merida are quite going to do the trick. Wenger has been talking about signing one or two star players for a few years now. Thats what Thierry is talking about.
I believe its up to Wenger to bring in a few players to show that we are serious about winning trophies THIS YEAR, not just going with the kids and the potential for another season. Its either that, or I think Henry goes to Barcelona… and I can’t say I’d blame him at all.
Arsene’… balls in your court mate. The 17 yr. old from Norway ain’t doing it either… David Trezeguet anyone?
June 11th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Trezeguet isn’t doing it for me. I’d like a player with Italian experience because maybe they could teach us to keep our focus better, but it would probably be a defender.
I agree with most of the points made. We have a great, but young and inconsistent, team that might find consistency as it grows up. If any group has been a collective letdown over the past couple years it has been the senior players. A couple key signings would be great, but if they don’t bring critical experience we’ll not be happy.
I don’t think Wenger staying beyond this season has much to do with the players we have or will get or we let go, it is only about the board. There is the game of takeover chess being played, and Dein is out, and that is I think the biggest reason for doubt about Wenger staying. It is possibly the main reason for Henry’s mood as well. Possible outcomes are 1.) Board does not get taken over; depending on how the season goes, Wenger signs a new contract. 2.) Board gets taken over, Dein reinstated, Wenger probably signs a new contract. Hopefully the club does not add leveraged buyout debt to stadium debt. 3.) Board gets taken over but not including Dein; handbasket arrives for us to ride to Hell in. Of course these are not the only possibilities. But the opening moves of the chess game have been made, but it will be a while before any more significant moves are made. So Wenger says, I will stay for this year and then see where we are.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:32 am
I’d pass on Trezeguet as well. He’d do worse than Sheva. The truly unique thing about the way Wenger has this team is if we don’t buy a single soul for the next five seasons it will still get better every season. Who else can say that?
As far as Henry goes, It’ll be a sad day when he leaves but he’s not the be all and end all here. Arsenal won trophies before Henry came and that’s likely to to continue after he leaves. While it’s nice knowing you’ve got the baddest mofo on earth in your side, all good things come to an end.
His tantrums surely will not be missed. That sort of behavior coming from a senior player can ruin team spirit and make playing unpleasant. At this level winning requires total focus and players don’t need those distractions. This team knows they’re talented and are trying to transform on-field dominance into sliverware. Arsenal aren’t that far away from being a great team again.
In recent history Arsenal have ALWAYS improved and it’s NEVER been because they’ve made big name signings.
June 12th, 2007 at 8:14 am
stag: why cant you look at the facts before continuing to talk out your ass. We were in the title race (8 points plus a game in hand) in January! Our title race ended when both Henry and RvP got injured. And its because our two top strikers got injured that is the main reason we didnt bridge the gap.
As i said before, we still create far far far more chances than anybody in the league. That shows with a healthy first choice strike force, we are good to go.
Infact if Henry sods all concentrates on scoring alone and scores 25 goals next season, then we will WIN the league. 25 goals is 14 more than he did this last season.
14 extra goals from him scored in 10 different matches will mean an approximate 20 more points! Add in the extra goals RvP will score.
20 extra points will mean we are in the title race easily!
So instead of complaining, Henry should just concentrate on his goalscoring…because he knows the midfield are very good creators and they will feed him with chances. If he is really serious he can score 25 … and he will have nothing to complain about because we will be in the title race then.
June 12th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Stag: Again, Henry came in ‘99 and he didnt sparkle immediately….infact he was culpable for missing a LOT of gloriious chances (ala Adebayor) for years.
We didnt win sh-t for 3 seasons. We sold quite a number of good players. We squandered lots of chances. We had some utter garbage like Luzhny and Stepanovs. We lots a couple of finals bitterly. Henry himself squandered so many chances that even he himself said that we probably should buy a more natural goalscorer (fox-in-the-box) after the Liverpool FA cup final defeat.
What did Wenger do? Wenger kept faith in HIM. Did we buy any real big name to win the double in 02. A big NO! And we still had a bunch of useless players in there as well. Yet the team grew together. It was Pires, then Ljunberg who caught fire and helped us through.
So stag, If you were manager you would have discarded that entire bumbling and fumbling team in those three years. You would have sold Henry and brought in an “established striker”. You would have sold Bergkamp. Because from 99 to 03 Bergkamp was in a big slump.
Wengers faith in Henry MADE him. Wengers faith in his system made the “unbeaten” season possible. If you, stag, were manager we would not have ANY of the above listed.
Wenger is not a tactical genius. That is his main flaw…but with regards to everything else including transfers and faith in players, he got it spot on.
If Henry does not like it, he should have gone last season. If he wants to go now, he should go. There is no room for both Eto’o and Henry in the same lineup. So we WILL get Eto’o in such a case.
If he wants to stay, then he should just do so, and concentrate on scoring goals. Because the team he plays for creates by FAR the most chances in the goddamn league!
Either way, Arsenal will survive him. Wenger kept faith in his system in HIM. If he cant keep faith in this team for ONE more season at least, then he should F-CK OFF!
June 12th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Good Rant Fred.
Doesn’t change the facts, but good rant.
We ain’t winning shite without Henry this year… just like we were mediocre without him playing last year.
If Wenger doesn’t fulfill his statements of bringing in one or two SUPER class players… he will be off, and you can enjoy the kids playing for the club all you want, when the finish 8th, you’ll be sooooooooo happy, because we’ll have all that potential.
You can say it till your blue in the face, but Eto’o is NOT coming to Arsenal for Henry. There’s a chance he’d want to play for us WITH Henry on the team, but NONE without him here.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:30 am
wrong again. we will finish in the top 4 COMFORTABLY without henry.
eto’o will play for us as long as we are in the CL. and especially with an unselfish midfield behind him.
without henry, we wont win the league next season…but that is only the league. we would have to make do with 3 cups out there.
and if henry leaves please, stag, leave with him. he is your god after all. despite his big-game-choking ways. lol
June 12th, 2007 at 9:42 am
actually coming to think of it, eto’o will have to leave for the ANC….so wenger could just pocket the 25 mill for henry and bring in a 7 mill anelka.
surely anelka will score more than the 11 goals henry managed last season.
michael owen: less than 10 million. his injury record is scary, but even if he plays for just 4 months he should be able to better henry`s 11 goals.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Anelka, I’ll take. Owen, no. Anyway, I think it’s a moot point. Wenger is not leaving. Neither is Henry or Cesc. We won’t be signing any striker.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:01 am
yep, you are right Fred,
ARSENAL (not Arsene) will pocket any money made on Henry.
And thats great for fans like you who are OK with whatever the board do.
Henry is the best striker the club has EVER had.
We wouldn’t have sniffed a trophy without him scoring all those goals. Big game choking… yes, he’s terrible. Shows what you know about footy.
If you don’t like my opinion, you don’t have to respond, but I’m not leaving with or without Henry. Didn’t leave when Vieira left, and we haven’t won shite since he last kicked the winning PK against United.
Anelka and Owen.
I like both players, honestly. They’d be good playing next to Henry.
But together, combined, they couldn’t carry his jock-strap.
And… YOU KNOW THAT … but good try.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Why are you arguing about such crap? What has changed between the end of the season and now? Nothing. Why are you falling for this crap paper talk - why do you fall for it every single year? You are the people who keep these sh*tty websites in business and ensure that these papers sell on the back of completely fabricated stories.
Just shut up and take a month off - and if you’re going to say anything don’t speak of absurdities like Wenger will sign Owen, and Anelka of all people. One betrayed the club in the worst possible way and has spent almost his entire career shafting teams so uniformily that now nobody will touch him except Bolton - the great dumping ground for over-the-hill troublemakers, and the other has played about 10 games in 3 years.
Get a grip for god sake.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:37 am
and here’s a positive spin:
We moved to new stadium, released Pires, Bergkamp, Campbell, Cole and Lauren, played a significant part of the league campaign without Henry, Van Persie, Gallas, Rosicky, Ljungberg, Walcott, Clichy, Eboue and err Baptista(who must have cost us points) and finshed with one point more in the EPL than the previous year.
2005-06
P38 W20 D7 L11 F68 A31 Pts 67
2006-07
P38 W19 D11 L8 F63 A35 Pts 68
Henry went from 27 goals in 32 league appearances in 05/06 to 10 goals in 17 in 06/07. He was clearly not fit and I think will have added motivation from the press lauding Cristiano Ronaldo as the ‘world’s greatest player’ with a total of 23 goals and 20 assists in one season. Henry managed 5 consecutive seasons of 30+ goals and and average of 13 assists and all he got was a debate about whether Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a better striker. Henry will be motivated.
After a summer of resting, players will be fit - most importantly Gallas. Clichy will keep getting better and Eboue can’t get any worse at defending. Players have one more year of experience both together and of the new stadium. Gilberto at the Capa America at the start of the campaign is a big miss, but it gives Diaby, who I really rate, a good chance.
I don’t think we’ll win the league next year, but with the current squad alone we will do a heck of a lot better than last season.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I agree. But the squad needs more depth - who is to say big players won’t get long-term injuries next season as well? If you want to be competitive you need decent cover. So a couple of very good players are required and I’m sure Wenger will make a couple of purchases - preferably a centre-back and a left sided-midfielder that can play up front. Someone like Reyes, but not Reyes. I don’t like the idea of Rosicky, Hleb etc, being sure of their place week in week out. Especially Hleb. They need to fight for their place and be aware that poor performances will see them dumped from the team.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Couldn’t've have agreed more, Danny. Henry leaving is pure paper talk piggybacking on Spanish stories that act as transfer feelers for Barca & Real.
June 12th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I think Arsenal have a 35% chance to win the league next year. We’ve all heard the saying that the Premier League is a marathon. It’s true, last year Arsenal on their best day could beat anybody in the world on their best day. The problem Arsenal had last year is that they didn’t play up to their potential all the time, namely at Sheffield United. Next year will be different, because there aren’t any major european tournaments (except for the U21 championships) over the summer. As for the long term future, as long as the squad stays together they have a bright future regardless of whose voice they hear in the dressing room. Arsenal have had big changes before and made it out alive. Think about when George Graham left. It looked as if things would go to hell, and they did for a few years, then Arsene Wenger came. When Arsene leaves then someone else will come, probably Tony Adams who said he would love to manage Arsenal one day.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
The ANC is definitely something to worry about. Toure and Eboue out. Possibly Ade too. It does make sense to sign a defender in addition to a winger. Wenger has already signed a GK and I am confident he will sign a winger. If he makes one more signing after that, I think we are all set.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
dannyt, i do not for a second believe the press, i was just pointing out to stag that if henry left it wont actually be a disaster (ie. us droping out of top 4).
henrys contribution to our 4th place finish last season was only 10 goals…..and i can name at least 10 affordable replacements who can hit 10 goals easily.
stag ofcourse believes that should henry leave we would drop to 8th.
anelka and owen are not people i would personally go for…..just using them as an example of the numerous cheap strikers we can get who would easily score henrys 10 goal contribution.
henry aint bigger than arsenal. arsenal made him.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
we wont sign a defender…..unless gallas (and his big mouth) bugger off.
wenger is just waiting for june 17, so he can clear the reyes situation. then he will surely buy a winger.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I’m looking forward to next season with big excitement. We have incredible talent in this side whether we buy or not.
Diaby won’t be a holding midfielder as he’s wasted in that position. However Djourou was fantastic in the final game against Portsmouth there. Also, we still have Flamini and Alex Song has about fiifteen EPL games that may have helped his development where we can challenge. We’ll have to wait and see.
As far as Hleb goes, we’ve got Walcott, Ljunberg, Eboue, that can play there but neither are good enough to move Hleb. van Persie can but it would be a waste not to play Hleb. He’s a fantastic talent who can make anyone look ordinary on his day. His best is yet to come.
Clichy’s defending and service is much better than it was in November. He’s our most improved player and may be the best LB in the world by the end of next season. Diaby’s can turn anyone in any space. van Persie and Rosicky are better. Fab’s finding the net and will be sharp after a summer off. Hoyte and Djourou are also better now than at the start of last season.
Add a fit Henry and Gallas to that team and I’m optimistic. I really don’t care if Wenger signs a new player. They wouldn’t be able to help us before late next spring at the earliest, anyway. It takes time to adapt to Wengerball and the EPL. But this Arsenal team is good enough to challenge for the league. There, I said it!
June 12th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Fred, I think Jose will sign for Real Madrid. They have to replace Beckham and Reyes was playing well. But Beckham came back into incredible form and Reyes had to drop back to the bench. They were trying to get Robben but that’s not going to happen and I don’t think they have a replacement in mind.
Jose’s already there and already knows Capello. They probably won’t find a better player available for less than ten million quid and that’s what I believe Arsenal would sell him for.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
For all the flak it may bring, I actually pretty much agree with you joshuad- I honestly don’t think we’re that far off from challenging for the EPL. I also have half a mind to ditch teh cup competitions & concentrate solely on the league.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
joshoad, i second you. With our first team fit for 80% of the season….we WILL challenge for the title. The last time we had no problems with injuries was in ‘04 when we went undefeated.
personally, i want two wingers, Quaresma plus some 18, 19 year old speedster like Nani (but less known). Then we can sell off Ljunberg.
I also wont mind if we sold of Senderos to spain and got in a C. Davies though. Rumor mill has it that Zaragoza are offering 4 million - which aint bad. Djorou must stay though.
So 2 wingers for about 20 million plus maybe a replacement for Senderos and we can better ourselves. The sale of Aliadiere, Ljunberg and Reyes should cover this sum. So I am optimistic.
We dont need any new strikers - except Henry leaves.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
curtismo, i agree too. we CAN surely challenge. but we will probably have to ditch the FA cup early. and we should us only kids in the CC. no toure or fabregas, etc. those numerous cup games in january really hurt us badly.
despite our disastrous start to the season, in january we were 8 points behind with a game in hand. but the FA cup replays ruined it all.
we should concentrate of: League and CL.
ditch FA cup.
play only real, none-first-team youngsters in CC.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
“So stag, If you were manager you would have discarded that entire bumbling and fumbling team in those three years. You would have sold Henry and brought in an “established striker”. You would have sold Bergkamp. Because from 99 to 03 Bergkamp was in a big slump.”
A very good one fred! yeah stag, I too feel,with the logic you been having these few seasons, you would have asked Wenger to SELL Henry and Bergkamp back in 99-2000!
To me, losing the league by 1 point or 30 points ain’t make a slightest difference.
Liverpool lost to us back in 1989 by ZERO point, ZERO goal difference as well (we won by “goal for” ratio), but they were the LOSERS that year, and nobody would remember how small a margin they lost. Ppl only remember the WINNERS.
As danny pointed out, we could have kept our veterans, and delay the transition process, so at the meantime we would be losing 5 or 6 points, but it would take even longer time for us to seriously challenging for the title again.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
btw joshuad, i 2nd ur view of Djourou. I think he could make a very good holding anchorman. Diaby is not an anchorman.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
thats exactly what i have been trying to get into stags rather thick head. wenger kept faith in henry (and his team) for 3 years…then suddenly out of no where we won the league.
if wenger had thrown out henry and half the team in 2000 or 01 as a lot of us fans wanted….then 02 and 04 would never have happened and henry would have been an absolute nobody.
so henry has no right making ultimatums really….because he is a product of arsenals patience. he has the right to be ambitious and if he really wants to go to barca he should go.
either way he should make up his mind quickly. so we can plan for his replacement IF he decides to go.
June 12th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The defence is a massive problem because Toure and Eboue are probably missing for six weeks due to ANC commitments. Imagine we are challenging for the title at Christmas and then Hoyte & Senderos have to step in for Toure & Eboue, one silly mistake and it will destabilise the back four and the confidence of the entire team. By the time Eboue & Toure get back we’ll could be out of everything. If Wenger doesn’t buy decent cover he’s the lost the plot. How on earth can you place your trust in Senderos for anything after the disastrous season he’s just had - Djourou is not exactly the real deal yet either.
So yes, a top class centre back is needed in my opinion - and I would sell Senderos. If we can get a big centre back who can cut out the crosses then Toure can switch to right back - as he’s great going forward but useless aerially. Eboue can fight with Hleb for right winger and cover for Toure if necessary. It’s seems a simple solution as Eboue cannot be trusted as a full time right back.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:34 am
hmm, I’d forgotten about about the ANC and like you say it is a massive problem. In an ideal world we’d sign Ledley King, though I suspect that Wenger will be thinking he can play Silva or Djourou or Senderos if he’s still with us. If we do play Senderos, Wenger has to change the style of play to fit him in, which with Eboue also out might not be a bad thing.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:38 am
There’ve been a lot of stories BTW on Djourou going on loan BTW and if Kolo n Manu also go and Gallas gets injured… then we’re in a mess again…I think Sendy’s ok in the right system and in the right games…though…a CB would be nice but if everyone are fit and the ANC is once in what 2 years for a month??? then we’re selling someone…for sure..noone’s gonna sit on the bench that long….
June 13th, 2007 at 4:46 am
During the AFCON we’ll be covered at RB with Hoyte as he can surely deputise for a few weeks. I can’t remember if we’ve sold Kerra Gilbert or not. Also, Wolves has a kid that was their young player of the year who looks a very descent RB.
As far as Toure, I think we’ll have to play Djourou. We can play Senderos there only if we play a 4-5-1. I don’t hate Senderos but he simply doesn’t have the qualities necessary to play CB at Arsenal (mainly pace). As much as I’ve bashed him on here, he’s not that bad just lacking a few qualities. But he’s definitely fourth choice.
June 13th, 2007 at 6:30 am
u got a valid point about the defence Danny. the African Nations Cup really hurt, particular when it’s held every two years.
just only one problem of a top class central half addition - how would Gallas take?
I mean, Toure is a MUST in the middle with our attacking style of play, his pace when tracking back had saved our a*s time and time again (when opposing team broke our offside trap). So even he’s capable of moving to the right, he’s too vital for our central defence to move him right.
That leaves either Gallas or the new central half would partner Toure in the middle. During the African Nation Cup of cos the problem is gone. But we can’t tell a new signing that we can only guarantee a starting place during the African Nation Cup.
If the new guy is going to start from the off, Gallas would have to give way or move to left. But this guy is yet another player who likes to moan and sulk.
i said at the beginning of last season Gallas and Toure in the middle would not be the ideal defensive pair. The two just kinda similiar. They got plently pace, but they can’t handle the cross. Senderos’ mistake on the ground had been highlighted, but i think Gallas had let his man free particular during the set-piece situation just as much as the mistakes Sendy made with his floor game.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:40 am
yall convinced me, we’re all set…
we can win the league with the same team.
So we lost by over 20 points, that means nothing, we got potential…
keep drinking the kool-aid.
If we don’t sign a few players, Fred will get his wish, as Henry will depart…
As Henry said in his interview… nobody is bigger than the club, but Wenger and Dein … were close to being the club.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:54 am
How will he depart when he’s under contract, Stag? THis is why people make fun of you. He is under contract, so the decision to leave is NOT his at the moment. Understand?
If we’re drinking Kool-Aid, what are you drinking? The brew that the papers & websites that you read make are far worse than Kool-Aid, my friend.
My $100 offer before, Stag, if Henry left wasn’t for compensation it was a bet. Henry will NOT leave within 2 years, at least. He’s under contract plain & simple, so he can “talk” all he likes, b/c it’s Arsenal’s decision to make not his. But you can continue to equivocate all you like about what he says in papers that insuate this or that but he’s not leaving. Did I mention he’s not leaving? B/c he’s not leaving.
And why do you constantly complain? I don’t know why some of us try to reason with you b/c you only see what you want to see. You keep harping on the point difference but you don’t ever put that differenc einto the context of how it happened. Also, we have 2 1/2 months to sign players. Unless of course you just like to worry. By all means, carry on if that’s the case.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
personally, i think if he wants to leave the club wont stand in his way.
the only thing that surprising is why didnt he just leave last summer. he was given the option.
maybe he was too ashamed after missing 4 one-on-one chances with the keeper and afterwards making a demeaning statement against women. lol.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
FUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got fired on FM07, because I (played with Arsenal) finished fourth in 2022/2023 season. How can they fire me when I’m first in the Hall of Fame in the whole world, by that time I won 12 league titles and 45 cups, nine were Champions league and nine World Club Cups, the rest of them are FA, CC and CS. And they fired me because I finished fourth for the first time… Fu*c that.
Does that mean that Wenger should be fired too, we are finishing fourth for the second consecutive season? Naaaaaaaaaaahhhh, I’m just kidding, Arsene is a legend, I want him to stay as long as he is able to manage the boys on the pitch.
WENGER FOR LIFE!!!
June 13th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
I like the idea of Thierry and Trez playing together again. But as Trez is the same age as Henry it would be too much to have them both in the team. When they decide to retire we would have to sign two worldclass strikers to replace them and that would be very difficult, cos there aren’t much of them.
My idea, and I think it’s very realistic, is to sign Adriano. Inter have just signed Suazo, and they also have Ibra, Crespo, Recoba and Cruz, so I expect Adriano to be available this summer, and he would be a great addition to this team. His finishing is second to none, has a powerfull shot, good in the air and he is one of the strongest players around, if not the strongest. He would be perfect, but that’s only me, maybe you all have different opinions.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Sheed, the only shame of FM is - they still can’t create the Arsenal type of one-touch passing game! Even with those players got a perfer move as “Play One Two”, they are not really playing one-two give and go like the way Arsenal do.
And even if you set all the players to “Free role”, they still wouldn’t move around the pitch (out of position) like Arsenal does.
This is just sometimes make me feel very proud of Wenger’s brand of football at Arsenal.
Be it FIFA07 or ProEvolution or Football Manager… none of them can create Arsenal’s type of football.
June 13th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
andez, exactly, i am afraid to lose that kind of wengerball. i want it to be effective again…so that wenger can stay after this season…..because when its finally gone….we fans will MOURN big time.
as for adriano apart from not really having such a prolific scoring record recently he is clinically overweight - wenger wont touch him with a long stick!
thinking of it there arent that many great strikers out there!
i wish there was a way for us to get sheva off the chavs. the guy is suffering big time at a club that has no midfielders who actually PASS the ball. all their mids are either defensive, muscular or shoot-at-sight types.
if he is served a few fabregas dishes he will be hitting 25 goals again.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:33 am
All those calling in for a tap-in specialist like Trezeguet would do well to remember why Arsenal is now a big club with a global fan following. Not because of marketing , not because of big stars, not because of T-Shirt sales. It is primarily because of their brand of FOOTBALL. Isn’t that supposed to be the most important thing?
Hell…the main reason why I started following football was because of Dennis Bergkamp in 2001-02 I think…then I started watching Arsenal…the movement ..the passing..Wengerball as Fred says..and I loved it and mebbe they didnt win everything but the football they play is absolutely breathtaking and no-one comes close to doing it on a consistent basis.
So if Wenger goes and Tony Adams or someone comes we might go back to the basics of English football and buy more RVN’s and crossers and win more…but nothing nothing can ever compare to Wengerball….I ask people who slam his style…
Why did you start supporting Arsenal? Hell..why did you like football? did you prefer Portugal or Holland or Brazil winning?? or did you enjoy Euro 04 when Greece won … ??? I think I know the answer…winning is great but not at the cost of sacrificing your principles… footballing principles in this case. Never…sorry Stag…..
All those who want AW gone….Reminds me of a line in an old Savage Garden song…
“I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye” …
June 14th, 2007 at 5:40 am
I love the term u used Fred, yup, Wengerball! exactly!!
I 100% agree with u LDE, some of Wenger’s biggest critics here in fact were drawn to support Arsenal by Wenger’s brand of football at the FIRST PLACE. It’s very irony now they r the first one jump on him.
For those who had endured GG’s long ball era would definitely treasure more the remaining days Wenger will be with us. We can win trophy in the future with any manager, but to be able to watch this kind of football again it’s very unlikely.
i also agree with what Fred said - good strikers these days are kinda rare.
Eto’o for instance, he was money two years ago. But had him really been that great playing for Barcelona this season? Heard that Man U has back off by the 40 mil price tag.
Trezequet is the same. He had been scoring goals a few years ago, but his form in recent years aren’t so impressive at all.
Even Ronaldinho wasn’t that impressive this season.
In fact, the past few seasons the only strikers in the world who kept on getting the job done is our very own Thierry Henry. apart from this season he was bothered by injury.
the only reason i can see us signing Trezequet is because he’s Henry’s pal. And as a mean to pursuade Henry to stay. but if we have to come down to this route - to sign someone just to please our star player, which will be kinda sad.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:33 am
personally i hope pat rice has been taking note - he is the only one i can think of who can preserve our style of play.
the fixture list is out:
if our present full team are all fit and healthy with a solid preseason behind them, then we should be able to get at least 25 points from our first 10 games (30 points).
That should set us up nicely for our 11th game at home to Man U.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Chelsea have signed Ben Haim. 3 free signings by Chelsea!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Your wish come true, we have singed a new defender.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I forgot to tell you, he is 16 years old :))))))))))))))))))))))))))
June 16th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
This coming season is a big one, the team needs to win big and with style, if they flatter to deceive again there will be a more than a few future superstars leaving….along with Wenger! If all goes to plan this team should become the blueprint for other teams to follow.
Personally I feel that if Henry left it would benifit the team and get us over the ‘hump’. I’m not saying T.H is crap, he is still one of the best frontmen in the World, it’s just that I feel that he is ‘over Arsenal’ and wants a move and that translates into his play. There are too many shrugs of the shoulders lately and rolling of the eyes!
When he came he was a winger and because Wenger converted him to a center forward his game became World class, could R.V.P not follow suit?
If Henry left we would obviously need to buy, but would we need a center forward?
Dont get me wrong, if Henry was his old fired up self then I would want him to stay…but he’s not is he, so lets not let this drag on and disrupt the pre-season.
Who should we buy in my humble opinion? …..There are two players that I would like, not including the obvious ones already talked about.
First Micheal Owen up front with R.V.P would provide a bucket full of goals.
Second Robbie Fowler on a free..WHAT!? Serious, bring on Fowler here and there to snatch a goal and cover injuries / suspentions and African Nations Cup players missing…sounds good to me.
N.B.G is back!