We (don't know who exactly) have fecked up just about everything this window. Who makes all these derisory bids in the first place? It's been argued it's other people (Gazidis + Law) failing Wenger. I'll go with this explanation.
But Wengers near-delusional confidence in his own players is holding the club back, too. We have seen it with Diaby, Nicky B and others. The belief that an MF of Wilshere - Ramsey - Rosicky has the right balance to play in the Prem.
This means we are not even going after muscle in MF in the window, and probably the reason why were not that overly bothered to miss the opportunity to sign Gustavo, and now are after Cabaye who is so obviously not the solution. Whatever happened to the man who got us playing w/ Petit/Gilberto + Vieira?
Also, what comes across from recent seasons is that the club has geared its MO towards spending the minimum amount required to get the 4th whilst maximizing profits before all else.
This propensity towards mediocrity now permeates the club throughout. In retrospect, it is hardly surprising that it, in combination w/ Wenger's unsubstantiated belief in his players and the failed philosophy (technique above all in MF disregarding the need for muscle) has culminated to such an abject failure in this very transfer window. Replacing Wenger would only be half of the job.
Of course there is STILL time left in the window. But does anything about the way the club have been going w/ transfers this window convince you in the slightest that they can sort it out. The best they can do now is a damage limitation effort.
I have the feeling this season is a write-off already, and the loss of CL football almost imminent.
It is not the extent of the loss of status/reputation that comes with that which pains me, as I feel the brand of the club will still be strong. But the fact that so much could have been done this summer to prevent it. Our failure to strengthen effectively amounts to taking a step back.
Gunning for mediocrity
posted on 21/8/13
Wenger has too much power, sets valuations and refuses to go above them, that's is what is happening.
The fact that the board have little or no football knowledge and many are over the hill is just another side issue.
posted on 21/8/13
A lot of the media / press articles recently have it all down to Wenger. Despite some muppets on here writing off the press - because they are sticking their heads in the sand, the press do have well placed sources, and a lot of their musings are generally correct. For me - its Wenger that is solely responsible - and he has to go. I just wany my Arsenal Back!
posted on 21/8/13
What is glaringly obvious is that the best and most successful teams of the premiership era have had a mix of power and finesse, the invincibles, utd over the last decade, as well as mourihnos and ancellotis double winning Chelsea.
Wenger had a golden formula that worked, yet for one reason or another has stepped away from that and atthe present time looks unlikely to even consider revisiting it. I said on an earlier article, our media links with Pogba and Kondogbia, if there are any substance in the stories then we should go for both, one physical presence in the midfield just won't cut it in the prem. it's 38 games a season, therefore our team should be geared towards that competition before any other.
posted on 21/8/13
Wenger had a golden formula that worked, yet for one reason or another has stepped away from that and atthe present time looks unlikely to even consider revisiting it.
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This is one of the most baffling things about it. I cannot understand why.
posted on 21/8/13
If it was all down to wenger surely the board would have stepped in by now. But no, they all have a role to play.
posted on 21/8/13
Based on his interview yesterday he suggests he is the one making the decisions
The fact he is under such pressure at this stage of the season after difficult moments in the last few years suggests he simply isn't learning from mistakes
Why the rest of the world sees that Arsenal need power in the middle and he doesn't only god knows. You have to give ball players a platform to play. Even Barcelona use a defensive midfielder....
Any other top level manager has got a wish list of 50 players....Arsene seems to have a very short list for a team not competing in its league or in Europe.
You'd think having not won a European trophy and clearly coming to the end of his career he'd want one last crack at the biggest pot. He seems fine however to sell the best players and replace them with panic buys
Didn't he even say that this summer has been OK as they haven't lost anybody. The truth is there is no one left that people want...he's insulting the fans continually with his head in the sand denials, poor media and worst of all failure to actually act
I wish I earned £7.6 million a year for standing on the touchline looking lost
posted on 21/8/13
comment by Emmanuel FrimBoue (U12551)
posted 2 minutes ago
If it was all down to wenger surely the board would have stepped in by now. But no, they all have a role to play.
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Most probably. It's evident that until now the MO of the club has been 'sell best players, make the CL despite it, make as much money in the process' and AW never failed to deliver. It worked a treat for everyone involved.
But it can't go on forever. Everyone around us is strengthening while we have forgotten the meaning of the word. The lack of ambition permeates the club, and hence the board are afraid to replace AW, too, because I feel they don't have anyone else to keep the club running the according the same MO for them.