Should Arsene Wenger resign?
Arsenal have been very consistent for the last 10 years and their progress has been hampered by the financial burden of the new stadium.
But that is all behind them now, they have pots of cash and have been able to buy marquee signings for the last few years - Ozil Sanchez Cech, to build on the talented squad they had already.
But they seem to have failed to make the right sort of signings and a lot of faith has been put in players who really are not of the highest calibre. I have always thought that if they bought a top quality CB, DM and striker they would probably stroll the league most season, because around that solid spine they have some of the best creative players. For whatever reason they havent.
There is something to be said for putting faith in players and giving them a chance, like Coquelin and others, when perhaps fans want a big signing, but may be this is the reason why Arsenal seem to have plateaued. Is he no longer able to judge a player or to really develop them to a higher level. How long were they without a top quality keeper...since Seamen retired probably? Why has Walcott and Ox never really fulfilled their potential? What about Chamberlin, bought for £14m. WTF is Mertersakker?
Wenger has had a lot of time and a lot of money at his disposal to move this squad on, and although the season is far from over there seems to be the same old flaws.
If Spurs (who are following a similar path and approach to their development) and Leicester (who have come from nowhere) can within 12-18 months develop their teams, without vast fortunes, and surpass Arsenal, should this signal the end for Arsene?
If Spurs or Leicester Win the League
posted on 9/2/16
comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 7 seconds ago
Nothing to do with the Arsenal board. Pep always looked likely to go to City.
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Do u think then if we went all out for him hed tell us to feck off then?
posted on 9/2/16
Yes I do.
posted on 9/2/16
When it comes to money I suppose we are fecked if we had billions to spend he would have come.
posted on 9/2/16
If u think about it not even utd are attractive enough for him.
posted on 9/2/16
I would hope he would resign out of pure shame. It's embarrassing enough we are where we are at the moment. So many chances to open up a good lead. Injuries are no excuse, everybody could see the midfield needed strengthening.
posted on 9/2/16
I would hope he would resign out of pure shame.
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posted on 9/2/16
"I'm not saying that is necessarily enough but if you consider some of the teams he achieved top 4 with (Denilson, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin etc) I do give him credit."
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I honestly loathe this rhetoric. Sure, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin, Denilson and the like were the absolute pits, but here's where the argument falls down:
1) Leicester (and elsewhere Atletico when they won the title) have proved that you don't need world class plaeyrs all over the field to at least compete (we weren't competing in those years just ensuring we did enough to finish above Spurs, Villa, Everton etc). If Wenger is this managerial genius many have him pegged as, why has he never been able to extract overperformance from his individuals and his units?
2) How much of an achievement is finishing top four really when your rivals for the position have players like Zat Knight, Ashley Young, Darren Bent, David Bentley, Huerelio Gomes, Peter Crouch, Sebastian Bassong, Andy Johnson etc as their players? And then have the managerial might of 'Arry, Moyesy and Martin O'Neill directing them? Wenger was able to call on the likes of Arshavin, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie (all of whom would have been the stand out players in any of those rivals teams) and had a wage bill that dwarfed many of his rivals for the spot and I'm supposed to believe his achievement was some God-like gift? Please.
posted on 9/2/16
comment by Herbie (U7136)
posted 30 minutes ago
"I'm not saying that is necessarily enough but if you consider some of the teams he achieved top 4 with (Denilson, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin etc) I do give him credit."
============================================
I honestly loathe this rhetoric. Sure, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin, Denilson and the like were the absolute pits, but here's where the argument falls down:
1) Leicester (and elsewhere Atletico when they won the title) have proved that you don't need world class plaeyrs all over the field to at least compete (we weren't competing in those years just ensuring we did enough to finish above Spurs, Villa, Everton etc). If Wenger is this managerial genius many have him pegged as, why has he never been able to extract overperformance from his individuals and his units?
2) How much of an achievement is finishing top four really when your rivals for the position have players like Zat Knight, Ashley Young, Darren Bent, David Bentley, Huerelio Gomes, Peter Crouch, Sebastian Bassong, Andy Johnson etc as their players? And then have the managerial might of 'Arry, Moyesy and Martin O'Neill directing them? Wenger was able to call on the likes of Arshavin, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie (all of whom would have been the stand out players in any of those rivals teams) and had a wage bill that dwarfed many of his rivals for the spot and I'm supposed to believe his achievement was some God-like gift? Please.
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Agree with this.
Saying it is an achievement to stayvim the top 4, when the resources available (50m a year in wages more than Spurs) should make that bare minimum.
We have had the 6th largest (or thereabouts) wage bill for years. I would not see finishing 6th as an achievement at all to be honest. It's where we should finish
posted on 9/2/16
Yes
posted on 9/2/16
comment by Herbie (U7136)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
"I'm not saying that is necessarily enough but if you consider some of the teams he achieved top 4 with (Denilson, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin etc) I do give him credit."
============================================
I honestly loathe this rhetoric. Sure, Squillachi, Chamakh, Arshavin, Denilson and the like were the absolute pits, but here's where the argument falls down:
1) Leicester (and elsewhere Atletico when they won the title) have proved that you don't need world class plaeyrs all over the field to at least compete (we weren't competing in those years just ensuring we did enough to finish above Spurs, Villa, Everton etc). If Wenger is this managerial genius many have him pegged as, why has he never been able to extract overperformance from his individuals and his units?
2) How much of an achievement is finishing top four really when your rivals for the position have players like Zat Knight, Ashley Young, Darren Bent, David Bentley, Huerelio Gomes, Peter Crouch, Sebastian Bassong, Andy Johnson etc as their players? And then have the managerial might of 'Arry, Moyesy and Martin O'Neill directing them? Wenger was able to call on the likes of Arshavin, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie (all of whom would have been the stand out players in any of those rivals teams) and had a wage bill that dwarfed many of his rivals for the spot and I'm supposed to believe his achievement was some God-like gift? Please.
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I appreciate your views and I understand your frustrations.
All I was saying in mine was basically I don't feel Wenger has underachieved. If we agree that Arsenal have been within the top 4 best teams in the league then I would say finishing 4th is meeting expectations. Finishing lower is underachieving and winning the title is surpassing expectations.
I'm by no means advocating an acceptance of mediocrity and if all a manager does is just meet expectations year on year they are not going to be appreciated. With the stadium move etc I do feel that all Wenger could do was this so it was an exceptional circumstance.
I also feel Arsenal are improving and have improved over the last three seasons. Obviously the FA Cups have helped but also it seems like it has gone from fending off the Villas, Evertons and Spurs to maintain fourth to now be knocking on the door for the title. Still think you have a great chance this year and coming years.
I guess it's just a difference of opinion in what over and under achievement is and as a paying fan you have every right to expect a lot.