Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

And its just got even worse with Wilshere being given his orders.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

On the bright side Van Persie is captain of my dream team.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

And on the minus side Rooney cost me points by missing his spot kick.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

in the real world Arsenal are living in fantasy world! which is ironic having been told other means of running football clubs is fantasy.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Well at least they got a consolation goal.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

so it was.

---------- Post added at 14:39 ---------- Previous post was at 14:38 ----------

yup and i cheered loudly too. soo depressing.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Bugger, should have had a tenner on it.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

another shocking first half display by sunderland no shots again martin sort it out for god sake

PS championship here we come

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Come on Dave surely it ain't that bad.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

ive had a think about this and indeed Santos should of been left-back...

...in Turkey!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2012/11/13.gif

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

it is Den we don't have shots we absolutely shocking

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Well Colin can thank his lucky stars as West Ham's goal was onside.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Right I've been doing a bit of reading and mulling over yesterday and the consensus is what an absolute joke. Arsenal have become an actual half arsed club. Yesterday was Utd vs Arsenal. What do you guys and girls instantly think when that fixture appears? a battle or elite vs average. In the tunnel prior to the game everyone was kissing and hugging RVP. Utd vs Arsenal! HT, Santos swaps shirts with Van Persie! Utd vs Arsenal! Look if players are friends so be it but showing this sort of worshipping is not on. Its a joke and incredibly embarrassing not to mention letting our pride and stature slip.

Formation, setup, the XI was all defensive. When will Wenger learn that it doesn't even work. Fair enough if we was winning convincingly how could you possibly argue against but we're just getting picked off. Post match vs Liverpool I think Wenger said we're lucky to have Santi. What a killer of a statement. Previous to that we'd have no ambition without Fab and Nasri. The endless decline is worrying.

Wenger whom spends within means but fails to efficently spend that money is failing. He said at the AGM when hes gone Arsenal will finish 15th but not while hes around. Wenger is done. Hes actually lost the plot content with top 4. They have all become obsessed banking. What I fail to understand is if we had a sqaud on low wages low on number of players then you'd kind of get your head around banking money but its not even that. We have a pretty decent squad that could perform a lot better after a tune up and may be even change is formation. Wenger doesn't fine tune, hes always wanting players to express themselves. This wont work with a squad of players that need guiding. You look at Arshavin and what he could offer if someone hung him up by his manhood. The Russians even admitted he responds to managers who put him in his place rather than he himself having to do it all himself.

The Arsenal board have created a bubble with Wenger in it. This decline will continue until someone bursts that bubble and changes things. Arsene gets paid a huge amount. Our CEO too including player sale profit %. Stans a sucker, hes there as Mr Security. PHW is lost in his own ways, some of which are very good but the bad aspects are holding us back.

Arsene Wenger said the 4th while I'm around, 15th when I'm not here because his ways would result in that. Any other manager would fail doing exactly what Wenger does. Thankfully theres a certain person whom is named Pep Guardiola who has said to have made it known that he would be interested in joining Arsenal next season. Pep wouldn't copy Arsene so no we wouldn't finish 15th without Wenger. Guardiola would fine tune this squad and get us performing. Players like Arshavin would be put in their place. Pep would be forcing Arsenal through on the pitch. Wengers ways do not suit this squad that he himself has built or rather declined to. Will we see Pep in? probably not because our board are lost.

I done a bit of research on Usmanov last night just to gain a bit more knowledge of him. Interesting findings all of which are negative for a football club in the spotlight. I know the Russians are secretive and all but when we talk about Usmanov we forget his equal partner Farhad Moshiri. Farhad Moshiri was Usmanovs accountant and ended up becoming a business partner advising the Russian. Moshiri was against recent business Usmanov done by investing in Facebook. The result was Usmanov out doing his accountant but do we need that at Arsenal. Conflicts such as that? It is healthy make no mistake, we need it now within our current boardroom but over spilling into the media? To have Usmanov and Moshiri reminded me of Liverpool under the 2 yanks of yesterday. Not exactly appealing stuff then to top it money being pumped in.

Arsenal need to change. The only way I can see it happening is a change in manager. Wenger doesnt like to be told what to do by the fans and the board distance themselves from fans view to their own ways rather than looking at both and finding middle ground. With a new manager we'll not only see a fine tune up of the squad but progression including in the boardroom. The man for the job is Pep for me no one else. Arsene needs to resign. His ways are outdated, they don't fit in and being sold self subtainzzz when many resources are being wasted is just pathetic. Sadly 4thwilldo.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

come on Liverpool make sure you win today

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

What is wrong with 4th? Chelsea & Man City are owned by people who are willing to pour money down the drain to get success. Man United probably scrape a profit through merchandise sales.

Newcastle is the business model that everyone should be following, maybe Mr. Usmanov is trying to do that.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

:cleader::cleader:

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

1-1, Suarez & Ba.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

A draw for us is not a option today.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Hopefully Cissé starts up and removes even that choice.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

nothing is wrong with 4th. Wenger success ranking made great sense...

1. The League
2. The Champions League
3. The FA Cup
4. Champions League Qualification
5. The League Cup

but we are not performing. our squad isnt forming, on the field we've clearly fallen off. the decline is linked to methods that just dont work. this isnt all about spending huge amounts. Arsenal can compete within means. its management methods.

Usmanov has touched on efficiency but make no mistake he has clearly said further investment is needed. I just think he'll end up getting sucked into throwing money around all the while bending around FFP with Gazprom banking rolling us.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

At least Wenger knows & chose the players though, no new manager will walk into a club the size of Arsenal and not want to spend a fortune. Liverpool have done that and failed miserably. Spurs managed it due to selling key players, Arsenal don't particularly have any key players to do it with.

Anyway, come on the toon.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

theres 70mil in the bank. Pep fine tuned Barca and yes did spend a fair amount but if thats not available he'll do what hes there to do anyway by fine tuning getting players performing.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Maybe he's just a git like Ashley was originally, buying new Sports Direct stores rather than players.

---------- Post added at 16:45 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

Getting sacked in the morning...

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Here we go again.:(

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Newcastle are the type of team that can see none of the ball for 80 minutes but score three. Liverpool should know this.

This whole refereeing business conspiracy with Liverpool is annoying the crap out of me, Suarez takes a tiny knock on his foot and then proceeds to hold the back of his ankle, then throws his arms up into the air like a little girl.

This guy is going to go down fast as one of the most disgraceful players to grace this league.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

A flawed genius nevertheless though.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Well I was mostly right.

---------- Post added at 17:44 ---------- Previous post was at 17:26 ----------

Presumably Coloccini is wearing steel toed boots or Suarez was shot at exactly the same time.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Another two points gone in another frustrating afternoon.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Oh yeah, have an owner that wants to sell, great model and that's part of the problem with the modern game, football clubs were never meant to be businesses but the heart and soul of communities.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Yes but football has already turned so businesses are a better choice than money pits.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Arsenal’s £143.4m wage bill exposed

http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/...l-exposed.html

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

What the source?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

ask friends at the AST

---------- Post added at 21:11 ---------- Previous post was at 21:05 ----------

well done Ivan and Wenger btw. Not only did we not touch Pods relegation release clause but offering him 100+k. wow.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

The AST doesn't release that information? I haven't got an e-mail from them yet...

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Ask a friend at the AST. I didn't say they released the information or will email you.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

I know he is not everyone's favourite person, but doesn't Robbie Savage talk some sense in his analysis of Arsenal's failings against Man Utd?

Article Here

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Yes its not that often l agree with him.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Why Podolski is on £100k a week is beyond me. Arsenal needed to replace RVP and brought in two players that will never come close. Lets be fair, RVP had one amazing season for Arsenal so the truth is Arsenal never actually replaced Thierry Henry.

If Arsenal can get a guy that can score that amount every season then your laughing.

Santi Cazorla was the best signing of the bunch.

Those figures are ridiculous, the fact someone like Per Mertesacker is on £80,000. I hope for Arsenal sake those figures are completely wrong.

The above down to some amazing scouting and the fact the new players coming in were relatively unknown and could be tempted by £30,000 a week, when it comes to a new contract you can guarantee said players like Tiote, Cabaye, Krul, Ben Arfa, Ba, Cisse and co are going to want a significant increase.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

l hope your team gets a decent result tonight Julian as they need to start winning games before they get adrift of teams outside the bottom three.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

I suspect they are wrong. If the AST really did have access to the payroll why leak it to some blogger? :confused:

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

why do you keep saying the AST released the information? the Pod figures are believable. well placed sources in Germany said Pod was signing a 100+k contract and the transfer was wrapped up way before the end of the season so the relegation clause wasnt used.

---------- Post added at 16:35 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

Arsenal have done it all wrong. They think they know better and look where its got them! In 08 we needed a player or two. 1 player who can force himself on goal and able to score from distance and a defensive player. Neither were signed and instead Arsene persisted with faith. During 08 we played a proper Barca style but lacked the real prolific scorer to bed the number of chances created. Our own players wanted an extra playrr or two in. Imagen that! players willing to risk playing time to get success! instead Wenger knew better and everyone ended getting fed up. Now he's changed it and is soo lost i doubt he'll find himself again.

Prior to the summer voices were heard by Arsenal of the worry of us not offering more money to keep players. Its obvious Arsenal have done a bent one and killed that off by giving Pod 100k. What they fail to see is the bigger picture. lost.

We've gone from needing a new Thierry Henry or even prolific AM/Winger to nearly needing a complete overhaul! its incredible.

whats the point.

As far as I know Pers on that level of salary.

Arsenal have all the names but when it comes to spend, instead of capping max salary for new incomers so more can be brought in and future contracts for those players can be sorted without a fuss Wengers vision is to hand mega contracts, make them feel good for it then allow them to express themselves. when brickwalls appeared Arsenal or the squad themselves knocked it down. with the recent years of change Arsene has found very few answer or ways to knock walls down. it was simple, add a player or two but the boss has made it incredibly hard for himself and its getting worse.

What Newcastle have done is similar to what we the fans want at Arsenal. We've declined due to Wenger own crap ways. He knows best. We could of been progressing and competing for honours rather than moving making 1 step forward then backwards then sideways. It really is time to part ways with Wenger and get Pep in. Our CEO doesnt understand either.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Because you said it came from someone within AST. I don't know why the AST would have that information or who leaked it if they did. Someone got hold of it, if it's true, and to verify it's authnicty we need to know the source. Otherwise it's one of the many crackpots on the internet.

I don't believe information without a credible source. I am not impressed by vague 'someone in the know' sources.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

when did i say the AST released the information? i said ask someone, a friend at the AST. big difference. please dont put words in my mouth. and why would it be verified? the crackpots at Arsenal would probably get rid of that person.

you can believe what you like. i believe a pretty big chunk of that account.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

He has managed for most of his life, he has been in football all of his life, he is probably the best manager Arsenal have ever had and he is still is high demand. He still outperforms his spending by a considerable margin and really only Newcastle compete when it comes to bang for your buck.

He is still greatly respected by most fans. Don't let keyboard warriors on the Internet who have supported Arsenal for all of a few years create a false impression.

What makes you think Pep will do better? I think Wenger would win numerous titles if he had Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi in his side. That's when he arrived, he still had the additional luxury of the bigger budget for both transfers and wages than he would at Arsenal as well as a harder league.

I think he a good manager but it's deluded to think that replacing one good manager with another will be the end of all our problems.

---------- Post added at 16:58 ---------- Previous post was at 16:56 ----------

So it is just some guy with a blog? Information which none of the press has picked up?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Arsenal have no chance of getting Pep as he is going to one of the top 3 in the summer with Chelsea as favourites.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

he has indeed managed near enough all his life but that doesnt mean hes earned a right to manage Arsenal for the rest of his life. the decline is worrying.

he doesnt outperform at a level we could be. thats worrying. standing still moving sideways when we could be moving forward is worrying. bang for your buck. yup there you go. thats true self subtainzzzzz peaking.

Arsene is indeed well respected. i want him to turn it around but make no mistake it isnt just keyboard warriors. people in the stadium are annoyed with the lot but continue to support what we love that is the club.

Pep fine tunes for a start and would not accept half arsed ways. he'd get players performing. as for investment agreed he did get a huge boost but look at it this way. Barca and Real compete on that level for pride. Arsenal is different. Our values are completely different. as for funds theres 70mil in the bank and resources taken up which could be cleared to buy quality able to make a difference. Pep would find a way. Hes not a person who would put up with crap.

it isnt just 'some guy', 'keyboard warrior' or information taken from thin air. the information has been obtained by persisting by he or she. i dont know why the media hasnt exploited Arsenal but i assure you they know. if Iain Dowie knew a couple of years ago the salaries of Bendtner, Chamakh and the rest of the players offering little to Arsenal wondering how they got those figures which match the figures in this new release makes me believe it somewhat. How would Iain Dowie know? for all the people in the world Dowie on SkySportsNews?

---------- Post added at 17:22 ---------- Previous post was at 17:17 ----------

i wont be surprised. the amount of qaulity that has passed by Arsenals doors and not touched is criminal.

just a note to everyone who says Pep wont fit in at Arsenal.. did you know Arsene would fit in when he arrived and stay as long as he did, has?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

To be perfectly frank Pep wants to go to a club that wins trophy's and Arsenal like Liverpool have been a bit short in that department.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

dont be silly Den. Peps a fighter not a pussy. hes still got something to prove. can he manage a side outside of Barca? can he turn yet another club around? is he really a top class manager.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

I don't see a reason why Pep wouldn't go to the gunners.

Chelsea isn't an option and should never be as what Di Matteo has done is brilliant, Chelsea look awesome and a loss to united in the league shouldn't kill that as they will be challenging for the title this year.

Arsene Wenger will never be sacked as Arsenal Manager though, He'd have to resign as the media backlash would be too much. I'm in no position to comment on his performance but he has a Sir Alex like status at Arsenal in terms of years served and success, albeit not in the last 6 years.

I'm guilty of owning an Arsenal shirt with Henry on the back (Emirates Version 06 I believe) as at the time I thought it was one of the best looking kit's in England. I've followed Arsenal solely because of the Invincible's and and old term used for us (The Entertainers) was surely passed to Arsenal because the whole country loved the football they played.

I know what you lot and Liverpool fans are going through, I went through the same until relegation, It's a horrible feeling knowing your Football club should be challenging for trophies and European football and you're not certain whether they'll get it. But for the first time in my 22 years I'm happy where we are, We've built a great squad that's capable of challenging top teams and if we don't get it then it's not a disaster because we've went about it the right way this time.

Arsenal and Liverpool naturally won't get relegated naturally but truth is they can't be relegated, not if we want to sustain the reputation of English Football, They are two clubs that are vital to that.

Regardless of the outcome down there I just hope they don't make the mistake Liverpool made, getting rid of a top manager in Benitez after some great seasons and replacing him with the likes of Hogdson and Dalglish, now Rodgers, a once great club that's now stooped that low. Neither of these managers achieved anything close to Benitez and Liverpool have effectively started a merry go round.

We ourselves were guilty of this, Sacking the legendary Sir Bobby Robson and replacing him with the likes of Graeme Souness and co. Our club just got worse, we slipped from Champions League football into Oblivion and finally Relegation before thank god the club sorted itself out and is now set for the long run with Pardew who came in and made the most of it, Fact is he got lucky, his skill didn't turn the club around, he inherited an excellent boardroom and some great coaching/scouting staff.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Its called being realistic great man.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

its a club made for him to turn around but the obstacles in place are looking to be too high for him to climb over. i truly hope thats not the case. falling out the CL would be killer but would it take that to get Wenger out? I truly hope not. I really hope Arsene resigns allowing Pep in.

Chelseas Russian has to accept Chelsea isnt and will not be a Barca. Chelseas success evolves around a different style. Roman was in love with the way Arsenal played in 08. Thats fact and he wanted to replicate it at Chelsea. I think after many years of trying he's finally accepted Chelseas style is its own built around what Jose done. I agree sacking Roberto would be a massive mistake even for Pep. Terry and co need their manhood on show for success to come at Stamford Bridge. That sort of attitude doesnt work well when implimenting change.

backlash?

and will the board risk being forced out for Wenger? i dont think so. PHW will go to hell and back before that happens. he showed how big his balls were when showing Usmanov he, PHW is too a man you dont want to mess with (PHW has dark contacts in Russia who compete with Usmanov)

:D

it wont be. we would be replacing Wenger with Pep. Not Wenger out, Tony Adams in. now that would be a repeat of Liverpool.

again Peps completely different.

---------- Post added at 18:16 ---------- Previous post was at 18:12 ----------

no it isnt.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

You live in hope.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

prosperity.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

If Arsene decides he has had enough Roberto Martinez would be a good and realistic choice.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Arsenal isn't Liverpool Den.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Yes they have been trophyless for the last eight years but we did win a tinpot cup but it was a trophy nevertheless.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

is that all you can remember?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Better then remembering sod all.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Pep's holding out for Old Trafford.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

It's going to be tough Den.

Good to see Ramirez back in the team and the change of keeper was inevitable.

I reckon we will definitely score tonight, I just hope it's more than the baggies.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

i remember consecutive CL nights. you forgot to mention in the last 8yrs Liverpool won the CL, Super Cup, FA Cup, Community Shield but hey you did state the Suarez blessed Carling Cup :)

Is Fergie leaving in the summer?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

No idea but someone with Pep's background is likely to want to step higher than Arsenal. The only team at that level which is guaranteed to have a vacancy in the not-to-distance future would be United.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Fergie's there for another two seasons from what l hear.

---------- Post added at 19:40 ---------- Previous post was at 19:38 ----------

Such a wonderful memory from a potential Liverpool supporter of the future.;)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Higher than Arsenal? lovely. Someone with Pep's background would suit Arsenal. I think the real challenge here in turning things around like he did at Barca would be appealing. Plus I can't see Fergie leaving anytime soon.

---------- Post added at 19:49 ---------- Previous post was at 19:44 ----------

no, i walk with my eyes open not shut.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

But don't forget to take those rose tinted glasses off.:D

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

that coming from a Liverpool fan is hilarious :p:

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Ah but we know we are in our rebuilding process wherever Arsenal seem to be in a gradual decline.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

rebuilding? if you say so ;)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

no sign of handball there then.....:rolleyes:

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Amazing scouting? Who did you sign that was an unknown before they came apart from krul?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

l know when things ain't going well even the decisions go against you it seems.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

They have all those lovely champions league nights to remember and look forward to, I know what one if rather have.

---------- Post added at 20:49 ---------- Previous post was at 20:48 ----------

You're rebuilding process has lasted 20+ now

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Took Man Utd 25 years if l rightly remember.:)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Oh that's ok then, why don't you go for thirty years and try and beat their record...

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

I want to laugh but I too get frustrated hearing that sort. I've had those sort of come backs from fellow fans and now Ivan, Arsenals CEO has even started saying Liverpool this, Liverpool that. Stan our owner tried selling the Glazers to us Arsenal fans.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Tiote, Cabaye, Krul and Cisse were all household names before they arrived in England? :confused:

All signed for Fee's under £10 million and all if sold will go for a huge profit.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Err for any fan with any real knowledge they were apart from krul which I acknowledged, tiote was the only one I'd never seen play but considering he was part of a Dutch championship winning team its hardly amazing scouting for clubs to have noticed him, cabaye was captain of a French league winning team and cisse was the German leagues top scorer playing for a crap club, you say its amazing scouting I say its the bare minimum clubs should be doing.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Yeah signing players that have won mickey mouse league's and quadrupling their value is the bare minimum.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Not forgetting they were all internationals to, imo if there's a team that should be getting plaudits for scouting then its West brom, they've taken players from real backwaters for Pennies not pounds and not nipped across the channel and spent millions.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

You say that and then go on to say ''cisse was the German leagues top scorer playing for a crap club''

Was Mario Gomez injured that season?

:confused:

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

It's kind of a myth that much of an advantage can be gained from scouting. Occasionally you can unearth a gem or, more likely, take advantage of a misjudgement from a team. However the advantage Arsenal enjoyed with Wenger's knowledge of the French leagues has disappeared. All the major clubs have large and sophisticated scouting networks and usually quality has to come with a premium price. It's all very well to demand cheaper, quality, signings but there is a risk involved when you do that as they may not be consistant. So for every Koscielny you have a Squillaci. This is the risk when shopping for unknowns...

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Agreed, I think Arsenal have a gem in Cazorla and he'll probably take signing of the season and at a good price. Hopefully he'll be staying around for a bit and even if Barca come crawling they'll be looking at a hefty sum.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Actually I would say it's Manchester City or Chelsea. Neither have a reluctance to fire their managers afterall. I don't think Pep would want to succede Sir Alex, you would have to be insane. First of all of the pressure would be immense, the comparisons endless, and at some point that debt will have to be paid back. Meanwhile City and Chelsea would still be flushed with cash.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Yeah your right, my mistake, cisse won the award for most efficient striker that year, even more of an accolade in some ways perhaps.

---------- Post added at 23:38 ---------- Previous post was at 23:36 ----------

all the major clubs.except Liverpool, the more i.hear about scouting the less I like it, seems like agents.are the driving force on a lot of clubs transfer policy.

---------- Post added at 23:40 ---------- Previous post was at 23:38 ----------

And have the constant threat of the sack looming, I could see him at arsenal

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

The decline seems to have been timed exactly when Chelsea came into Russian money. We seem to be a level below City and Chelsea smart buying isn't going to let us overtake them.

It's not as easy as bang for your buck. Players tend to be priced what they are worth and often a premium on top of that. There isn't a legion of great title-winning players waiting for a knock-off price. They are are rare and difficult to find. Otherwise everybody would be buying them.

People in the stadium still sing 'one Arsene Wenger'. Some are annoyed at the board and understand the limitations Wenger is working under. I do not speak for all of them. However we don't see much chanted against the man or protests against him.

What? That isn't a qualitative assessment of his strengths. It's a bunch of clichés. I don't see how those qualities can be measured or why he could give it and Wenger could not. You seem to be placing a lot of faith in him to 'find a way' without a clear idea of what that isn't given he would operate under the same contrants as Wenger does.

Fundamentally the problem is thus, the squad isn't good enough, the club can't pay for the premium level players that City and Chelsea can.

All the more reason to take it with a pinch of salt. People state the wages without ever given a source, seems dubious at best.

---------- Post added at 23:48 ---------- Previous post was at 23:41 ----------

What annoys me is the narrative that there is a legion of excellent players if only they would be brought. It isn't the case. Even Newcastle's impressive transfer dealings don't seem to be enough to let them break into the top four. At a certain level the scouting is too good and too competitive for a team to really be able to purchase established, quality players cheaply. It happens quite rarely. Normally to get a player cheap you need to take a risk. A sure thing will incur a premium. Occasionally you can buy a already known player and Wenger did this with Arteta, Mertesacker and Cazorla. However there isn't many of those purchases available.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

smart buying isnt going to allow us to overtake? are you joking? so spending on crap useless players wont see us decline? its always been blamed on Chelsea, boohoo get over it and pull your finger out.

really? adding a player or two in 08 was possible but not done.

we did hear chants against Wenger, even banners.

oh so PHW picks the team does he? Ivan insists on playing Ramsey as a winger? the formation is set out in the boardroom? the way the team is addressed is voted on in the boardroom? the players the manager has to make stars is set out by the board? Stan tells Wenger to tell the team to 'go play'? come off it.

again your going to extremes. theres players who Wenger could sign but he persists with crap instead. 'keep the faith'.

everythings dubious to you.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

that's just it though according to Rogers they didn't have any scouts and good scouting for me is minimising the risks, doing you're home work and putting the miles in to identify unknown players. I'm not knocking Newcastle it just doesn't strike me as impressive that they managed to sign some of the top players from neighbouring leagues, that's the minimum they and everyone else for that matter should be trying to do imo.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

It's not a coincidence that the teams with the most money rose to the top of the league. Established, quality players incur a premium precisely because if they're good enough to be in a title-winning team then there will be competition for those players and two teams in our league can afford to incur a loss.

You seem to be outraged that Wenger hasn't found a way to challenge that dominance. That isn't fair.

I have gone to several games this season thus far. I have not heard a single chant against Wenger. Look, you're not dealing with a ignorant fool despite your tone. I have gone to Arsenal games since I was 7 years old. There are Arsenal fans who agree with me, there are Arsenal fans that agree with you. However you do not represent the entire fanbase.

No. I was posted about why Pep Guardiola would do a better job. I don't think I said PHW picks the team? What's that got to do with anything. Guardiola would have to operate under the same circumstances as Wenger and I do not see evidence he'll be better at it. At Barcelona he had an incredible team. We do not have that team. His dealings in the transfer window were as hit and miss as Wenger's has been. The best players in his team were there when he arrived.

Now I like him, I like his style of football, so I want him at Arsenal. However it's not evident where we can break past the level we're at now. 3rd/4th seems to be reasonable given the resources we have.

Everyone is an expert when their shouting at the TV. Maybe there is a better way and better players to buy but I don't you either you or me know what or who they are otherwise we would be paid a lot more than we are. He has been managing for a long time, he isn't a fool. Chances are he knows more than us.

No. Unsourced proclamations on random internet blogs are dubious to me. Sorry but I find it hard to believe someone who posts a nameless blog on the internet claiming to have the entire Arsenal payroll information is a trusted source.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

in 2008 we was short of a player or two. instead of buying which we could of done, Wenger banged out mega contracts to upcomers which couldnt produce at the time or at all. just because clubs are throwing money around doesnt mean its the end of the world. we have the best league in the world. Arsenal is highly attractive, well was. Wenger insisted on not signing. his choice.

because theres a way. there was a way to avoid all this. he didnt want to do it.

im well aware you attend games and are highly intelligent. i dont represent the fanbase. theres people who support blindly. i didnt say this season. it did happen though.

Wenger has different methods to Pep. Methods of not taking crap is a big one having seen atleast half our squad fall off doing nothing but toy around getting paid huge amounts.

not entirely true. if we can grab 3rd like we did last season with half a squad dont you think having the other half of the squad raring to go would put us in the title race? remember the players that offered little to nothing are not on low wages.

would we be given a chance. jeez our own scouts were said to have reports after reports on players who Wenger didnt bother signing and instead persisted with his ways. not all players are good enough i know but its fact Wengers persisted with way too much crap where we could have signed players to offer something to the cause.

ok. your choice.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Pep was managing the greatest footballing team on the planet, problem being, What can he do with finite resources?

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

agreed he did have extremely good players at hand and he did buy some highly fee'd players on big contracts. what i see is Pep fine tuned Barca bringing back roots of the club. he'll fine tune wherever he goes. its something we're crying out for. Arsenal have decent players at hand. even those offering little could step up. theres also the fact resources are being wasted. clear that and theres something to work with to get better, decent players in.

with regards to buying big and i mean big, does it really always have to be that? no in my opinion. its up in the air whether or not Pep could work with a budget smaller than Barcas and lack of Messi but can you doubt he'll get a squad playing how he wants? joining Arsenal would be a big challenge for Pep. Not only would he have to sign within means but get the squad playing. everything else including stability is here. plus HE would be turning round yet another club like Barca hitting snags.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

No its not okay but the fact remains it might take thirty years because of the mess created by the previous regime.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

They were only there a few years, what's the excuse for the other 26 years, Liverpool and their fans need to wake up imo, the decline is on the brink of becoming terminal and a league cup victory isn't going to address it. That said I think Liverpool have a chance to turn it round but blow it this time and the next chance maybe many years away.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Santos dropped, Koscielny in. Theo in, Ramsey out.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

They need a win tonight thats for sure.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

The process that led to the current Barcelona generation pre-dates Guardiola's stint as manager and actually dates back to when he was a player at the club under Rijkaard and Louis van Gaal. That's when Barcelona decided to focus a lot on their youth players. This was in large part to their upper management included their President, Laporta. All this sort of started in 2002 and since then they focused a lot more on their academy and ensuring players like Inestia were considered the future of their team as opposed to big, strong, fast players.

Guardiola arrived as the first generation of this new era Barcelona team came to their peak. However it was the product of 10 years of work. He had all that going for him as well as a bigger budget in a less challenging league.

I think he is still a great manager. His team play good football and it takes a certain strength to cope with the pressure he was under. You may have the best players in the world but you still need to manage them. However we have no idea how Guardiola will do outside Barcelona, a team he knew well, a culture he understood and the organisation he grew up in.

Importantly we haven't seen how he would cope in a set-up and scenario that would meet him at Arsenal. He has one real job in management and it wasn't one that had the challenges he would face in England or at Arsenal.

Remember it's not playing how he wants. It's playing how Barcelona want. The kids in the youth team are taught to play in that way from the day they join. You can't export that style of play and impose it on other players. Arsenal want to do the same, Wilshere being our best product of that system so far, but it's difficult.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Not a good start for Man City tonight.

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Until the goal, I had thought it was a good start. But sleeping a bit, I thought there should have been a guy on the post

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

City going out :)

Re: Football Season 2012/2013
 

Now two :(