Southampton, Swansea, Villa, Fulham etc

Wenger: “You have other ways to sort out problems inside a club like getting your injured players back, getting everybody focused and motivated. It's not only in buying players that you sort out problems.”

Basically an admittance by the manager of a lack of focus and motivation from the players for the first half of the season then.

Lex

I know it doesn't work like this but for the money they're paid our players should bleed for the club, their sloppy attitude is a disgrace IMO.

Wenger's excuses are becoming truly tiresome. I want nothing more than for Arsene to come good but he's miserably failing at the moment. It's almost like he dislikes the supporters and thinks of them as brainless trash (some of his recent interviews give that impression anyway).

I think Arsene feels he's untouchable at Arsenal now - and tbh he is - so whereas other managers have to reign-in what they say when they're going through bad spells, it seems Arsene doesn't.

He has to be one of the least diplomatic football managers out there at the moment. Every time he opens his mouth it's the verbal equivalent of chucking more and more petrol on the fire.

Best squad he's ever had apparently.

No doubt Cesc will be on the bench when he comes back.

You lot are ridiculous. AW has been incredible for you!

A few years back, the money was there and he was fortunate with some of his French contacts in the transfer market...when scouting wasn't as it is now.

Your club decided to spend money on a stadium that will serve you for the next 80 years if need be. You knew that would mean purse strings tightening for 10 years or more. The fact AW has got you in the CL for all that time is a great effort.

The bloke could leave for Real Madrid in a flash, and has been offered the job numerous times. But he loves your club, works his socks off despite the burden of a cr@@p board and is so loyal to the club and his team that he will lie to the media and even the fans to protect them.

And I'm a Spurs fan. (Although it is easier to be nice to him when we're above you in the league!)

Your rage shouldn't be aimed at that poor, battered Frenchman. Your problems lie higher up the chain.

TommyEgg

Appreciate your sentiment and it's nice to see a non-wum comment from another fan. There are numerous issues at play at the club currently from board-room level to the training ground. Many people have made mistakes including the manager.

I've always said recently take away the money situation and look at player motivation, team shape, tactical awareness, adaptability, defensive organisation and all those other facets which cost nothing and compare how they stack up to other clubs. For me we are severely lacking in these aspects of the game even in comparison to teams with a fraction of our budget.

That's what has worried me the most these past few seasons.

And to just get back to finances for a second we are hardly paupers at the minute, there are decent finances there to strengthen a squad that is threadbare in quality.

Wenger is a legend and has given us so many amazing moments but for me he is open to serious scrutiny as long as it is done in a respectful manner. All of us in our lives have to perform to a standard in our jobs and if we don't we can't expect an easy ride.

I hear you Chris, but if there are decent finances...and I suspect you're right, it is the board who are deciding where that cash goes.

Wenger works with what he's given and keeps schtum - where many managers would complain publically, dropping little hints in interviews.

I'm not sure you could realistically get in any manager who would do a better job than Arsene with the players you've got. You've been overperforming for a couple of years now and that's all based on the mentality and drive AW has instilled.

Who would you like to see come in and take over the reins? My guess is many top names would see it as a poinon chalice...low finaces to work with, 15 years or so of constant CL football to carry on...a lose-lose situation. Plus none of the options would know and love your club as much as him - a few dodgy results and he might be out the door too. Roll on 10 years of insecurity. You might land Roy Hodgson...? Or Tony Adams!!

Sometimes you should be careful what you wish for.

TommyEgg

Appreciate your sentiment and it's nice to see a non-wum comment from another fan. There are numerous issues at play at the club currently from board-room level to the training ground. Many people have made mistakes including the manager.

I've always said recently take away the money situation and look at player motivation, team shape, tactical awareness, adaptability, defensive organisation and all those other facets which cost nothing and compare how they stack up to other clubs. For me we are severely lacking in these aspects of the game even in comparison to teams with a fraction of our budget.

That's what has worried me the most these past few seasons.

And to just get back to finances for a second we are hardly paupers at the minute, there are decent finances there to strengthen a squad that is threadbare in quality.

Wenger is a legend and has given us so many amazing moments but for me he is open to serious scrutiny as long as it is done in a respectful manner. All of us in our lives have to perform to a standard in our jobs and if we don't we can't expect an easy ride.
--------------------------

Not wishing for anything Tommy, just saying that a bit of logical analysis of the manager is more than reasonable. I'm not advocating Wenger out currently......I'm going to wait the season out and see how things go.

Desperately want to see signs of improvement and lessons being learned. I honestly don't give a toss if we don't win a trophy for the next twenty years (football is not about trophies, it's about more then that) just want us to do everything in our power to do the best we can. That's all anyone can do in life.

Time for sleep! Night lads.