I’m lapping up the hottakes on whether Arsenal can win the Europa League. Ballague reckons there are some positives, mostly highlighting that they have a threadbare squad and have had some issues defensively. Dennis Wise reckons we have a good chance, I’m struggling to take him seriously.
I think the biggest worry is Wenger teeing up the press with excuses before we’ve started. His line of attack is focused on player fatigue. If we go to the final, it’ll be 61 odd games this season.
“Fatigue is a little bit of a concern,” said Wenger. “You look at [Manchester] City and they look a bit like that in the second half of games recently. I do rotate much as I can. Unfortunately, some players have to play all the games.
“It is very difficult. Not only are you physically very jaded but also you are under huge pressure each time to win the game. It is mentally maybe tougher than physically.”
I’m struggling to buy this. Arsenal had the luxury of one game a week most of the season. The League Cup wasn’t a priority until the final. The FA Cup failed at the first hurdle. The Europa League has been a second string affair until the knockouts.
Not only that. It’s also worth noting we have a £200m squad propping up this half-baked campaign. We shouldn’t be putting up excuses around fatigue. Wenger shouldn’t be giving the players a pass we know they’re more than capable of taking. The manager should be firing up our chances in the press, not trying to craft a plucky underdog narrative.
I think he knows this is going to be very, very tough. He has to hedge his bets, and hope Josh and Stan are so ignorant about this season, they take his excuses and let him have another go next season. In my humble opinion, I really think the best we’ll land out of this is maybe a one leg victory… or going out on away goals.
Still, it’s hard to gauge what this means for his future. Jeremy Wilson ran an article with a title suggesting his career is on the line, but had no substance in the body copy. It’s telling that the only two journos with skin in the game on his future are Honigstein and Laurens who both say he’s staying.
If Wenger goes out to Atleti, there is no story. There are no excuses. It has to be over.
Unreal that it likely won’t be. If you haven’t seen the Juve doco on Netflix, I implore you to do so. It’s a bit cheesy/American, but damn, it’s good. It shows the absolute gulf between Arsenal and Juve. As a club, we have no culture for winning. There is no pressure. When you watch how seriously the Italians take it, it’s inspiring. All the players talk about the immense levels of pressure placed on them to succeed. The CEO has the players in his garden in preseason and he lays down the law about expectations.
Can you imagine Ivan doing that?
The next manager can’t just be a great thinker, he has to be a change agent. Someone who can create a new culture at the club, stump out the averageness, and regear us for the next 10 years.
Allegri would be perfect. The right age, fantastic experience and a huge presence.
We can but dream…
(written in an iPhone on the red eye)
Regarding George Graham
Watch the 89 DVD
Your Comment Here
Salah may have scored 40 goals but am i the only one who still thinks he’s shit
Banford You posted the exact quote from the summer thinking it would lead to some shock and awe moment. Both Marko and Paulinho said it appeared I was insinuating Wenger could win titles again. I clarified I wasn’t stating what output would be achieved given the context, simply that Wengers output would change with a different owner at the club – one that outlined success in the form of PL and CL. Really not much point talking about it further with you, you’re not bright enough frankly. The depths you’re sinking in an attempt to discredit my opinion are absolutely… Read more »
Yes Red you are. It’s not your fault though you’ve been a contrary idiot I imagine your whole adult life. It’s hard to change.
Honest question what does give you joy red? Don’t say the Lord please. Like movies or reading?
(Charlie bring up #Neymargate) ahem *cough *cough
Marko I don’t want to mention Neymargate, Mustafi as a Rb, Benteke being class, Icardi being Italian, Lacazette being shit because he spoke in favour of Wenger, the Ramsey infatuation, Bernardo Silva proving he’s one of the best CM’s in the league, Morata being the dogs, Kroenke “only” giving Wemger a two year deal…..and the countless others. I just don’t want to bring those up tbh. Certainly not to a guy who quotes me, then proceeds to tell me what I meant by what I stated….despite me clarifying what I said, why it was said, and what was meant when… Read more »
Players not playing for him. Very little support from the board. A concentration on the EL that could easily lead to 7th place finish, and going out of the Europa in the semis anyway. Empty seats, fans not interested. The debacle of the end of last summers transfer window. Losses to Stoke Watford Bournemouth Notts Forest Brighton Swansea Cologne and a Swedish team I cannot remember how to spell A consistent failure to get the better of top six teams A mindset , when under pressure, reverts to the comfort blanket of 15 years ago when last successful, and the… Read more »
Yeah good don’t mention any of that. Let’s pretend they never happened
Actually, Charlie, Paulinho mocked your lame attempt to explain away your Wenger comment. Apparently you can’t even keep up with threads here that concern you.
And Marko long ago called you out on this matter as well — and he didn’t buy your bogus explanation either. Why he isn’t saying so now, only he can say. Apparently he thinks it more important to align himself against me. Fine. So be it.
Everything else you’ve said is meaningless — i.e., amounts either to bogus distortions or empty insults.
Bamford you are just pathetic.
Bamford you know why Arsene was given an extension last year cos he has borne the criticism of us fans rather than the owners who are just investors . They are just interested in their investment nothing else
Marko I don’t really care to talk to you anymore, but I want you to know that far from having lost any argument re Neymar — as some of you lot seem to think — I continue to believe that I was correct on that point. All I ever said was that he has yet to show that he can be THE decisive player in the biggest matches, on the biggest stage, against the best players. That he has played well or scored in big matches does not for one moment touch my argument. Doesn’t touch it. Therefore, all of… Read more »
Bamford – you are just digging a bigger hole for yourself. Just keep quite on Neymar . A player who went for £200 mil and just good . Think over it
What wager you will take on Neymar this World Cup Bamford?
Nw9 One, there is only criticism because Wenger is fucking terrible. If they hired a decent manager, there wouldn’t be any criticism for them to fend off (or at least there wouldn’t be the level there has been for the past ten years). Two, Wenger is very expensive. If they’re only in it for the “investment,” why would they be spending so much money on a manager who doesn’t even produce good results. Three, the better the team performs, the more valuable the brand, the more the CL revenue, the more the commercial revenues, so it would make no sense… Read more »
Nw9
Dipshit. Can you fucking read? I just said I’m still thinking about it [the WC wager].
Oh, and great point: Neymar is good. Yeah, no one’s challenging that claim, dickhead.
The question is whether he can do what the greats have done on the biggest stage. For me, the jury is still out on that point.
You truly are a glutton for punishment, Bamford. Completely of your own doing.
Bamford Thanks I just wanted to see your usual arrogant self . Still thinking of a wager? Fine U will wait for your decision after your “thinking”
“Marko…I don’t really care to talk to you anymore”
Am i the only one that finds this comment hillariously petulant and juvenile in its intent? Perfect summation of the world according to Bamford.
What are you going to do next, walk off in a huff? Hillarious!!!
Sorry I meant I will wait for your decision after your “thinking “
Bamford why are so insulting . “Can u f-OMG read etc u say u r a teacher and this is how u react . Just hope none of your students read your comments here
Nw9
Guy, you insult me, then you ask stupid questions, and I’m supposed to be nice to you? What the fuck are you on about? Treat me with a bit of respect, dickhead, and I will gladly extend the same respect to you. Team up with the other empty-headed jackals here, and I’ll treat you as you treat me.
I’ll let you know, though, when I formulate a wager.
And again, citing big matches where he has played well or scored goals does not touch my point. So please do not do that. It will accomplish nothing. If you want to post the replay of a match against Madrid or Bayern or PSG or Atletico in which you believe he was THE decisive player on the field, please do so. I’d be glad to watch it and see if I agree. Maybe I’ll even concede that he has done this once or twice. Can’t believe you wanna go down this road again. I literally gave you examples of him… Read more »
Treat me with a bit of respect, dickhead, and I will gladly extend the same respect to you.
Can literally think of no one you treat with respect on this blog
Marko
One, I just explained that his scoring in those matches doesn’t touch my point. I never said he doesn’t score in such matches.
Two, I pasted in Charlie’s comment once. One time. And I did so in order to highlight the fact that he is not being honest about what he said. One time, not “constantly”.
Three, nothing I’ve said about Neymar is “wrong” or “stupid”. So what you’ve said there is nothing more than empty ad hominem.
Marko
Totally and completely false.
I actually agree with red truth. salah isn’t a world class player but he’s getting the job done at the moment. I’d prefer mane or firmino over him. but I’ve always believed most players succeed in a specific set up. salah wouldn’t have the same numbers with another team even if he played in the same position he does at liverpool…
similarly, it’s one of the reasons why KDB flourishes under pep…
Bamford
“Two, I pasted in Charlie’s comment once. One time. And I did so in order to highlight the fact that he is not being honest about what he said. One time, not “constantly”.”
You may have pasted in the comment one time but as you well know, you have mentioned the comment” constantly “over the last few weeks which has been quite pathetic in my opinion.
Everytime Charlie has an opinion on something you butt in with” but you said Wenger can win the league blah blah blah”..give it a rest… Your (sorry you’re) making yourself look a “dipshit”
David Smith
If only such a listing of abject failure could be communicated to the powers that be.
“If Stan keeps Wenger here next season, there really is no point”
Yep, totally agree, it would be a complete travesty of justice.
I was asked the other day if Wenger upped and walked, would I respect him for doing it?
I replied by saying “No, it’s too late for that now. In any case, he would only be doing it based on his terms and not that of the clubs”
With Wenger it’s always been about him and nothing else.
Bamford, I have noticed you have a knack for avoiding direct questions. You did it with me in the other post and then with someone else that asked why you support Arsenal. Honestly, I still want to know, why do you support Arsenal? You are American right? started supporting around 2004 by your own admission. So why did you pick Arsenal? Oh, and Charlie is not alone, guy, from what you quoted of what he said, your claims on what you say Charlie said is wrong and many other people saw it that way. I bet they just cant be… Read more »
gonsterous
There is no doubt, that at this moment in time, he is the best and most consistent player in his position in Europe, which basically means the world.
I would definitely put him up there.
He’s terrific.
Gonsterous Salah might not have scored this number of goals but he has always being terrific and unplayable at at times. His two years at Roma was a great success, he scored and assisted regularly and always left defenders for dead. His year at Fiorentina also was lit. He was their chief creator and scored plenty too for a winger. In fact, since Basle he has maintained a high level except for Chelsea where he wasn’t given chances to play. Will he repeat his goal feats next season? Probably not, but he will remain a terrific winger and will still… Read more »
What set are we in now with B10 versus The rest?
3rd or 4th?
Becoming a bloody pain all this petty Neymar banter.
Reading the thread this morning I am reminded of a famous behaviourist who made the point that it’s much easier to judge others than reflect on oneself.
Mentioning no names, some people on here who are so vociferous about their views need to take a moment for some self reflection. What are you achieving through your persistence? What you not confronting in your life ? What truth are you deflecting?
Apologies for my amateur psychology moment.
Are the barcodes going to beat us today?. Willock and Nelsen to start? PEA double. 2-2.
The thing is two big clubs are going to finish outside the top 4 every year. The spuds are going to play in the CL for the third consecutive season. When they eventually finish outside the top 4, the players like Kane, Erikson, Alli et al aren’t gonna accept it. Heck, alderweireld and Rose are off this season. Even dembele is refusing to sign a new contract, with juventus circling around. Spurs are playing at their peak potential right now. With all due respect, they’re not going to win the PL or the CL. Their best bet is one of… Read more »
Chelsea are finishing outside top 4 and there are already rumours of hazard, willian and Courtuois leaving. I bet at least one of the above leave them.
It goes without question,when one starts to raise a few questions about”said’ poster for a considerable length of time. Is he really who he claims to be?Doubtful,when he’s known to have a propensity to lie about the most basic things.Even when it’s clearly evident in black and white,his utterings(usually gibberish) when contradicted or questioned,sees him pouring vitriol upon his perceived detractors(enemies/critics). His usual stance will be to lie,obfuscate,twist and attack. Is he really a teacher?Is this how teachers respond when questioned on their views?To lie,obfuscate,twist,attack,abuse and then seek a banning,or wager a bet to be off the blog for a… Read more »
Today’s fixture brings back those halcyon days of fighting for the fourth place trophy,oh the memories,how we celebrated,distant days of glory.
Mystic
No one here is required to answer anyone else’s questions, especially those that are designed to set up an ad hominem.
And no, I got Charlie’s meaning exactly correct, and anyone who reviews the record will see this.
I’ll drop it, though. Not a big deal.
PhD….your paragraph on why he would be spending so much time on here, doing what he does is particulately intriguing. The ‘name’ coupled with the anonymity allows for a certain keyboard machismo. I suspect his real life existence is somewhat different.
Akilan Spurs have spent 121 million this season which is a sizeable amount. D. Sanchez looks the best of the buys.. Aurier has been in and out Lucas rarely gets a game but looks a decent player. Llorente.. Poor return similar to Jansen previously.. Foyth.. Rarely plays but looks a decent prospect though may be lacking in physicality. However, spurs have managed to get the maximum for bentaleb and wimmer 19 million each and walker 50 million. Have spurs progressed this season with the additional signings … Debatable…. Probably stronger in depth squad wise but not improved at the top… Read more »
Spurs steady and solid but need a couple of players with wow factor to challenge for the title. Kane, Erickson, Dele Alli, Wanyama etc. are grafters who can give you a 6/10 or 7/10 performances on a regular basis but can’t turn a game on its head by individual brilliance, something players like Bale, Suarez,Aguero could do. I think Poch should take a leaf out of Klopp’s book and sign a couple of adventurous players.
Mkhitaryan will apparently be back in training in 2-3 weeks time. Will miss the first leg against Atletico, but could be back after that.
https://news.arseblog.com/2018/04/wenger-dont-worry-about-henrikh-mkhitaryan/?utm_campaign=autotwitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
The Harry-Kane-is-world-class-and-off-to-Madrid-to-win-titles crew might need to have a word with TR7. He doesn’t seem to think Kane is at the level of a Suarez or Aguero, doesn’t think Kane has the individual brilliance to turn a game on its head.
You have some work to do, lads; I guess not everyone is convinced.
OK stating the bleeding obvious here but have just been looking at the table after the Spuds were given a lesson last night – we are 33 (yes thirty fricking three) points off the top of the league. The next level isnt much cop is it!
‘Pep Guardiola insisted that the Premier League is harder to win than the Champions League’
Lol ofcourse he’d insist that after the tonking he took at the hands of Liverpool and largely failing in the grand European stage five years running.
The PL is so much harder to best when armed with a blank chequebook.
Not so easy is it, Pepsy, in a competion where you’re up against equally good sides or equally rich sides?
Bamford, fair enough if you don’t want to answer, I am not one for ad hominems I just really wanted to know why you support Arsenal seeing as it’s not your local club. Also the other question I asked was about which was more stupid, Kroenke giving Wenger a new deal or fans emotionally backing Wenger (wrongly). Nothing ad hominem about it. You can choose not to answer though. As for Kane, he’s world class. He can start and play in any team and the general consensus is that he will be successful GIVEN his Tottenham form and stats and… Read more »
Bamford
No, Kane is good enough to play for Real Madrid and he will score goals for them as well. I meant to say Spurs need a couple of explosive players who can beat their markers in one on one scenarios in the mold of Sane, Mane, Salah etc. to reach the next level.Kane is good at converting the chances he gets but he can’t win a game on his own. Your argument was Kane isn’t good enough for the best teams in the world whereas my argument is more on the style of players including Kane.
We are certainly at another level. Just a few weeks now until Stan receives a bleating phone call, the word ” values” will be mentioned, as will achievements 15-20 years ago. And a chance to sit with British royalty at Wembley in recent seasons. Then, the building up of club coffers at the expense of ambition so Stan can get even better loan rates for projects he really cares about. Wenger may even stoop to asking for a favour from Stan in return for his loyalty over the years. The players will really respect him for that should Stan be… Read more »
First PL start for Willock.
Twitterati thinks our new kit sponsorship deal will be north of 50m PA.
Our sleeves sponsorship is worth 15+m PA, the highest in the league.
Apologies for my amateur psychology moment.
Thought it was pretty good Bob
Michael24,
‘Becoming a bloody pain all this petty Neymar banter.”
It’s sad that the blog is being reduced to the same petty arguments;
Ramsey-obsession
Neymargate
PhD07 long rants about Bamford
People keep trying to relive the stupid arguments of the past.
Honestly what the fuck is that midfield? Holy shit it’s ugly as fuck. And I see Ozil gets another weekend off. Along with the abject performance he had in Moscow midweek it’s like he’s done pretty much nothing the last two weeks to warrant what 700,000!!! Good lord
People keep trying to relive the stupid arguments of the past.
It’s worth noting Neymargate was brought up in response to Bam again and again and again bringing up some past comment from Charlie like he caught his hand in the cookie jar. Once in a while he has to be put in check otherwise he’ll run the fecking blog. And no one wants that
Let’s hope those scum sucking Geordie pigs give us a spanking.
Extinguish all hope of fourth and pray Athletico don’t have a bad two games…that would be a lovely little trifector to hopefully kill off Arsene’s bargaining power.
Wenger out. Stinky Geordie pigs in.
Mystic
What difference does it make why Bamford supporters Arsenal?
What do you hope to use that information for, other than. mischief?
That’s probably why he’s not giving you a reply, some may find the question itself odious. He’s here everyday and it’s obvious he’s a gooner.
Marko
League games are dead rubbers for Arsenal. Good to see a youngster given a chance to prove himself. Will be interesting to see how Auba -Laca partnership works.
Wenger have the team talk for Newcastle a week ago.
The only time Wenger will get up is to
A. Have a go at the fourth official.
B. Halftime.
C. Full time.
Prick.
Where does jonjo shelvey Park his caravan while he plays football?
League games are dead rubbers for Arsenal. Good to see a youngster given a chance to prove himself. Will be interesting to see how Auba -Laca partnership works. Sure but there’s zero creativity in midfield. What’s Ozil done recently to warrant another rest is my point. Lad has done fuck all for a couple weeks not in form how could he be and he’s given more “rest”. We don’t play Atletico until Thursday week and you’d imagine he’ll be rested next week at home against West Ham so it’ll be three weeks doing nothing. Underserved really. And how can the… Read more »
I like the defence
Wenger doing his end of year pat on back for kids we will never see again
Elneny is the Egyptian Denilson.
RSPC A…giving an opportunity to youngsters in unimportant end of season games has been going on forever. Wenger did not come up with this sensible idea.
I just wish Wenger had rested Lacazette and give Eddie Nkettia a run-in.
Elneny has been out ,most consistent performer for the past few weeks now.
He’s definitely ahead of Wilshere on the pecking order.
Auba -Laca pair scores
That was a very good finish from Laca.
He was lucky to escape injury earlier on. Without a fit Laca, our Europa league changes are a lot slimmer.
Great goal
Lol Wenger loves these end of the season games doesn’t he? Give the impression that he’s doing a good job in meaningless games. What a fraud.
Great goal. Both Auba and Laca were brilliant there. Still don’t like Aubameyang being deployed wide, but whatever.
We do the same thing all the time score and then do something dumb.
How shit is chambers
£113m worth of goal
Cech and his ball distribution
Ouch…we need a change.
Nice goal !!
Was that a handball?
I don’t agree that league games are dead rubbers. We can still be caught by Burnley and that would be more unnecessary embarrassment added
I’m sure it’s already been discussed, but why the hell is Wenger testing Wilshere? He shouldn’t be played vs Atletico Madrid!
They shouldn’t let commentator with that northern accent to do Arsenal games.
The bias on NBC is stunning.
Auba is almost playing as a winger. I’m not suggesting that’s his best position, but it’s working well in this game.
It shows how much we’ve missed having a winger.
AlexanderH’
Isn’ it cheaper to just get a winger. itv just shows the imbalance in our squad.
Who’s the youngster in our midfield? He’s doing a very good job and putting Wishere to shame.
Dissenter
Agreed
Sorry, Cech should be getting to that ball.
In reality Xhaka is a worse Shelvey.
Said it earlier this guy Perez is a good player.
Terrible defending as usual and terrible goal keeping
Cech is so much past it, it’s unreal. I’d rather give chance to Santi who’s a crock, than Cech.
Mustafi hasn’t got a clue that player running in because he watching the player crossing the ball.
Cech looked a little pathetic there.
Terrible keeping from Cech.
English chambers got left for dead again
Why isn’t that a yellow card on Laca
The officiating this year has been shambolic.
We are just so square at the back.
Mustafi twice fucked up on their goal. Made a pigs ear on a simple long ball and again switched off at the near post. Used to be a fan but my god every game is littered with mistakes and errors
We need a proper rightback, better centerbacks and Oblak or Alisson
Just wait as Cech gets that extension.
I don’t even think Cech is still good enough to start for any premier league club talk-less of a big club.
I wonder what Griezmann and co will do to our defence?