Following a 0-0 draw at Besiktas, Arsenal will be favourites to qualify for the next round of the CL, but the second leg will be a nervy encounter if Arsene Wenger cannot instil some discipline into his squad.
The Gunners' steel has famously deserted them on the big occasion, and all too often they are the victims of their own downfall. Aaron Ramsey was dismissed late-on in the clash after cynically tugging the shirt of former Arsenal trainee Oguzhan Ozyakup to underline the fragile mentality that seems to permeate the club.
Wenger has clocked up over a century of red cards during his tumultuous tenure at the Emirates Club, illustrating a marked flaw in the Frenchman's ability to maintain discipline in the club.
But Arsenal's failure to keep their heads goes deeper than a mere "unfair play" statistic. William Gallas' tantrum after dropping two late points at Birmingham in 2008 was another example of the attitude that Wenger allows to prevail at Arsenal. Suddenly, even though the Gunners had just gone six points clear at the top of the PL, the impressionable youngsters on the pitch were looking around for a leader, and wondering whether they had blown their title chances. In the end, they had. And not chiefly because of their failure to hold off Birmingham's late assault on their goal, but because their captain's behaviour had allowed doubt to infiltrate the squad.
Of course, Wenger's refusal to address the problem, or even admit that there is one, has underpinned their status as the perennial bottlers.
Arsenal should have too much for the Turks in the return leg, but if Arsene Wenger does not learn to control his charges, their customary implosion could be announcing itself early this season.
Arsenal's indiscipline will haunt them
posted on 22/8/14
Arsenal got away with the 1st leg. Besiktas should really have scored 3 goals easily. Reckon Besiktas will go through if they take the easy chances.
posted on 22/8/14
"comment by Oscandwarf (U3677)
posted 3 minutes ago
I think, gentlemen, that you will find all Mr Villain's arguments among this list."
That in itself is a fallacious argument - no evidence, nothing to align your claim, no references.
Deary me,
posted on 22/8/14
Villain of the Peace
You will more than likely receive support from anyone with a degree of animosity towards Arsenal.
Remember it was you who chose to publish your comments on the Arsenal board I agree you are unlikely to receive much support.
The above aside it does not alter the fact that your article was factually inaccurate and without merit.
posted on 22/8/14
"your article was factually inaccurate and without merit."
Really??
Must've missed that. Did I get a date wrong?
posted on 22/8/14
Nothing to do with indiscipline all to do with keeping 25 players fit for a whole season.
If you are going to wUM at least go with something that is feasible not this hackneed idea.
posted on 22/8/14
Villain of the Peace
I think it is safe to say you missed a great number of points but let’s not fall out over them.
We live and learn
posted on 22/8/14
"We live and learn"
But does Mr Wenger?
We'll have to wait and see.
posted on 25/8/14
Just read this on BBC, hope it underlines my thoughts:
"There are some positives: as with their last-gasp win over Crystal Palace last week, Saturday's fight-back from 2-0 down to draw against Everton was an indication that Arsenal now have <b> the backbone they lacked when the going got tough <b> last season.
But the fact they found themselves in so much trouble in the first place suggests some of their other <b> old shortcomings have not been eradicated <b> yet."
posted on 25/8/14
Not many teams come away from Goodison Park with all three points.
It does underline your thoughts. Your media led, clichèd thoughts.
posted on 26/8/14
D'Jeezus Mackaroni
Despite playing poorly throughout and being 2 nil down.
Will be interesting to see how the rest of the league fare at Goodison this season.
The only "shortcoming" is the OP's inability to assess the topic with a degree of objectivity.