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)
Dissenter, mischief is a strong word, but whatever, you own your thumbs..and your mind.
Didn’t know the game has started. Wish Nketiah started or will play a part. Y’all remember that Lucas is coming back next season? What to do with him??
Our defense is so poor , Wenger can be fired for that alone.
Mustafi is pathetic. Same type of goal he caused last time out.
The referee is allowing a lot of late challenges to go unpunished.
Auba more impressive as a winger for me than as a striker.
Marko
“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”
Was said among the punditry circle that Gary Neville let onto them that Valencia didn’t rate the guy . Glad to see the back of him.
Must be replaced in the summer in the first XI along with Xhaka and Bellerin.
Chambers top English defender
Auba only started playing as a striker in his second season at Borrusia Dortmund. Had been a winger all through
Mystic
You realize that you didn’t answer the question, right? The same accusation you were throwing around.
What did you need the information for?
Are you completing a survey about the reasons le-grove posters started supporting Arsenal by any chance?
Bob
“Chambers top English defender”
lol he is not good Bob.
As others have said mystery why a bid for him was turned down,
Laca and Auba both look like decent strikers. Neither of them are in sanchez ‘ league though
Must be replaced in the summer in the first XI along with Xhaka and Bellerin.
Absolutely. Need two new starting midfielders and midfielders for me. Maybe a swap deal with Roma Mustafi for Manolas? Mustafi for DeVrij? Tah of Leverkusen?
Ishola I think bob taking the mick.
Marko
“Absolutely. Need two new starting midfielders and midfielders for me. Maybe a swap deal with Roma Mustafi for Manolas? Mustafi for DeVrij? Tah of Leverkusen?”
Issa Diop would be the one I’d go for from Toulouse. 21yo but shows leadership, concentration and discipline superior to Mustafi.
Barca are trailing him though and Man Utd been linked as well. And Spurs.
Samesong
“I think bob taking the mick.”
Course yeah.
Auba only started playing as a striker in his second season at Borrusia Dortmund. Had been a winger all through Don’t think that’s true. Think the last time he was a winger was at Milan. He was bought from St Etienne because of the performances he made as a striker. I’ll be honest I don’t like him there because he’s our best CF and that’s where you get the best out of him. It’s classic Wenger square pegs in round holes approach to fit in everyone at the expense of balance and actually challenging. If he stays on it’ll stay… Read more »
Issa Diop to replace Mustafi.
Gaspar to replace Bellerin.
Emre Can/Fabinho to replace Xhaka.
Still not enough but a start.
Cech, Wilshere, Mustafi, Xhaka should be out the door next summer. I will keep Bellend as a back up RB unless some club is silly enough to cough up good money for him.
Dissenter, I already answered why I asked the question, first it’s not my question, someone else asked it and he totally ignored, my own question was about Kroenke and fans and he didn’t answer too. Though I am interested in the answer to the both, as my earlier post suggested.
What I don’t understand though is why you are pushing it. He has already said he won’t answer and I am not pressing. What’s up?
Issa Diop would be the one I’d go for from Toulouse. 21yo but shows leadership, concentration and discipline superior to Mustafi.
Excellent shout. Lad looks a good prospect. There’s a fella at Leipzig Umpaemang or something to that effect who’s like 20 and is an ever present in their side. He looks great too
Marko, double check, will do same too. Auba has always been a winger before Dortmund. Maybe he played striker at St Etienne but he was majorly a winger for them, like I said, I will double check
Mystic
Nothing’s up.
How are you doing? I’ve got no bones to pick with you.
Marseille had Upmecano on toast. Maybe it’s a bad game though but him and Diop are not the players you want to win the league with especially when you are talking about replacing your most reliable CB with them.
Hate it or love it, Mustafi is more reliable these days than Kos. And that’s saying a lot.
Right out the gate I’d target Fabinho and one of Manolas/DeVrij/Gimenez in the summer. After that you sell Mustafi and replace with the money. You sell Bellerin and replace with the money (Ricardo Pereira). Sell Ramsey and Xhaka and replace with the money. Technically speaking our net spend in the summer should be only a starting defending and midfielder
lol Mystic.
Mustafi reliable?
I think you just like to be contrary.
Dissenter, good to know. Am ok, waiting for Wengerok like all of us. hehehe.
You heard it first here folks.
Mustafi is a reliable CB.
Mustafi is worse than even Xhaka.
Marseille had Upmecano on toast. Maybe it’s a bad game though but him and Diop are not the players you want to win the league with especially when you are talking about replacing your most reliable CB with them.
Agree that’s why I personally want two of Manolas/DeVrij/Gimenez/Tah/. Also we have zero reliable defenders these days
Ishola, IKR? No way to say that without being misinterpreted. I meant between Kos and Mustafi who are both not reliable anymore, Mustafi is more reliable and yet that’s who you want replaced with unknown quantities.
This Diop fella has a very high ceiling and already shows as said more discipline and concentration than Mustafi does.
Physical beast as well.
Reason Barca are sniffing him.
There are too many 10-15 million youngsters that will do a much better job than Bellerin.
Alban Lafont from Toulouse is probably a good shout for a top-keeper but he may turn out to be another Sczezny without excellent coaching.
mysticleaves
“No way to say that without being misinterpreted. I meant between Kos and Mustafi who are both not reliable anymore, Mustafi is more reliable and yet that’s who you want replaced with unknown quantities.”
Yeah they are both not good enough but I’m not sure that Mustafi can be coined more reliable than Kos.
There are about five positions that need replacing in the first XI but realistically that is too many to replace in one summer.
Ishola, apart from the odd mistakes and being bullied in physical battles, I have actually lost count of how many times Kos picked up a back or achilles injury and was replaced in the midst of an important game.
Kos has fallen a long way from grace and is almost at ground level now. Replacing him is more pertinent than replacing Mustafi
My problem with Iwobi is he gives the away too much.
Ball*
Well Mystic if Mustafi and Xhaka keep rolling out for the first XI next season nothing of real note will come to this team.
Two flawed players there I’m afraid.
Get Eddie on
Spark it up
This game needs a Wele
Commentator on NBC; “The fee Arsenal paid for Aubameyang would have bought the ENTIRE Newcastle Utd team”
That’s an amazon statistic and just shows how badly managed we have been for too long.
Wenger salary pays for FOUR Rafa Benitez, since Rafa makes about £2.5 million.
I’m failing to understand what iwobi brings to the team ?
Can anyone explain
Iwobi looks involved all the time but nothing productive comes out of his involvement.
Despite having over 100m up front
We don’t look lethal or likely to score
Tr
His vision an shooting are shocking
Looks like he mind drifts during games .
We ain’t gonna score again today not with this line up,
If there were any doubt as to the utter rubbish we are as a team, one only has to watch 5mins of this game.
Two flawed players there I’m afraid.
Blindingly obvious bro, blindingly obvious.
Welbeck comes on and they score…………..
Monreal can’t head a ball to save his life.
That was bad
Unbelievable defending by Monreal. Holy fuck not a one of them are worth a fuck. Sunday league defending by Arsenal as per usual
What a great clearance header from Mustafi.
Right in the danger area.
Must be dropped from the first XI.
Need I say more … Just fucking leave Arsene
Monreal is was shit there
lol, Marko is boiling. Chill man, Wengerok is near
Yes Monreal was poor for the goal but Mustafi’s very poor attempted headed clearance caused the first problems.
Hands up who saw it coming
Europa league or not, WENGER SHOULD GO at the end of the season.
One more season of this and we become a permanent 6-7th place team.
Iwobi’s probably been our best player and that’s saying something
Everyone has his wish list of ins and outs, but for me the basic question is, what are the 3-4 additions / changes that absolutely must be made this summer if we want to finish top four next season? (This is aside from a change in manager, obviously.)
For me it’s: new GK, new CM, new CM, new CB.
5 defenders, 3 attackers and, guess what, it’s a goal for the magpie’s.
2-1
Monreal’s worst match for us
Is there an option to just let Madrid have a pass so we don’t have to waste two games playing them?! They will destroy us!!
Mystic
As poor as Kos has been, I don’t know how Mustafi has been any better. In truth he’s been a bit of a disaster.
Bellend must be chucked as well Bamford.
No good having a fullback who can’t tackle properly.
This team needs a new GK, two new CBs, RB and DM to have a chance.
Mustafi and Chambers are fucking awful, neither would get into this Newcastle team
Absolutely toothless without Ramsey.
Massive disconnect between midfield and attack.
I’m grand mystic. You get used to it. Last season we concede 60+ goals all comps and so far including today we’ve conceded a massive 65 goals on the season. Incredible so you get used to it
Niles got a hair cut. Will he now play better……
2-1 down and they refuse to shoot. No urgency either.
Chambers is shocking poor, typical Wenger player
No off the ball movement, no third man runs, no diggity.
Hope to never see chambers in arsenal again
I don’t think we’ll be seeing much more of chambers. Kind of feel sorry for him. He’s just not up to it.
Xhaka with a Xhaka special there.
Long pass into the stands.
“Becoming a bloody pain all this petty Neymar banter.”
…and here we go again, the beginning of another meaningless debate about Ramsey.
This team needs a new GK, two new CBs, RB and DM to have a chance.
Yep. At least. Need a new left back too if we’re honest Monreal is 32 and Kolasinac is a back up at best
‘No off the ball movement, no third man runs, no diggity.’
Shush boy, don’t you see how neatly Elneny and Xhaka are maintaining their position and how defensively solid that’s made us.
Your losing to Newcastle.
What
A
New
Looooow
Rambo – Yeah look how solid we look with no one vacating the middle.
Newcastle haven’t had a sniff have they?
Wenger, please go
Is it true that in 2018 we’re the only team without an away point?
Lets be honest, we need a whole new defence.
“Absolutely toothless without Ramsey.”
…and here we go again, the beginning of another meaningless debate about Ramsey.
If only Ramsey was fit for every game we will be blasting the league by now.
B10
Wenger out, no additions/changes= 25-50% improvement.
Imo, would make top 4 with existing squad and a half decent manager.
Elneny another disaster of a player
“Lets be honest, we need a whole new defence.”
Nope
First we need a new manager.
To little too late
You fucking wrong un wenger
“Elneny another disaster of a player”
Bargin bin trash
Classic Wenger you need a goal throw on 4 strikers and hope for the best. You need to defend a lead throw on a second LB. He’s an atrocious manager
“ZE Mental Strength”
“Handbrake on”
Xhaka can literally only play one ball.
Same one over and over again to the overlapping left back.
We have utter shit on display at the moment. It doesn’t look like 6th means all that much to us. Why? Because we can get into Europa even with 7th. Yeah – he has a cunning plan.
shocking performance all around,fail to see how a new manager can improve these lot,they’re simply not good enough, hurt to see the club sink so low
In as much many would pin the blames on Wenger,its not his fault Monreal can’t head a ball to save his life,sad times
“First we need a new manager.”
I have it on good authority that Wenger has another league title in him 😉
Michael
I disagree.
The five teams above have stronger and far more balanced squads.
They also all have very capable managers.
With this squad the next manager would have to be a genius to get us back in the top four, let alone challenge.
El Neny is a decent squad player.
Don’t care if he wins Europa
He needs to go
Now the clown of a coach is strolling the touch line after sitting on his tukus for the entire game. What a waste of $10mil
“Don’t care if he wins Europa”
On what planet do you think these jokes have even the smallest of chances against Madrid?
” shocking performance all around,fail to see how a new manager can improve these lot,they’re simply not good enough, hurt to see the club sink so low”
Yes, lets change all the players, then the ball boys and the stewards too.
We can keep Wenger since it’s not his fault that Monreal can’t head a ball.