"However lets not act as if we went without success under George Graham (UEFA Cup winners + Runners up 2 seasons prior to Wenger joining), nor act as though the defensive discipline and backbone Graham instilled in our team has had nothing to do with Wengers early success."
Graham did very well in the cups, but our form in the league was erratic.
In the 5 seasons prior to Wenger's arrival, we finished 5th, 12th, 4th, 10th, and 4th, the former of which was achieved under Rioch.
A number of key players that Wenger inherited were entering their 30s, whilst there was a drugs and drinking culture further damaging the talent pool at the club.
Wenger rejuvenated the side and stabilised a sinking ship. Graham's defensive discipline may have helped, but Wenger had a huge task on his hands to turn the side around.
Further, it's worth noting that the Invincibles team had a defensive set-up comprised entirely of players who hadn't played during Graham's tenure at the club.
It may not provide the same level of gratification for the fans, but winning trophies doesn't yield anywhere near the profitability of regular CL qualification, which has been essential in allowing the club to develop new facilities and move into the 60,000 seater stadium that provides us with far more financial potential than Highbury ever could.
"I've always maintained I'd be happy for him to see out the remainder of his contract but what he is 'achieving' with this (and previous seasons) squad is by no means a success. Imagine if Guardiola hadn't left but was to go on a barren spell of 8 years without a trophy. He wouldn't have made it to four years despite being an idol to the board and the fans. Only here at Arsenal do we accept past glory over present failures."
Yes, but that argument is predicated on the assumption that we are at a similar level to Barcelona in terms of infrastructure, talent pool, transfer spending etc.
Barcelona have arguably the best youth and training set-up in the world, one of the biggest stadiums, arguably the greatest player to have ever played the sport, in addition to millions to spend each season and a whole host of other world class players.
We have nowhere near the resources of Barcelona, so the comparison doesn't work.
"We have spent over £100mil on players in the past 2 seasons, we can't cry about other teams investment when we spend our money so poorly. "
Yes, but we have sold players for more money than that. Our net spend over the last 5 seasons is the lowest in the league.
"Fair enough that has been funded by selling our key players, but Wenger has to take some of the blame in letting key players lose faith and be shipped out as opposed to losing deadwood, to create money for investing in the squad."
He can be apportioned a small part of the blame, but I think Wenger's always fighting a losing battle in this respect given his comparative lack of resources.
Until we have the same sort of resources as Man City, Chelsea, and Man Utd, I don't feel Wenger can be blamed for what people perceive as a relative lack of ambition.
I have always wanted him to stay regardless of where we finish this season. The way Wengers team is finishing in the top 4 every year to have his two best players sold every year for the last 4 years just shows how amazing we have got. I just hope the board backs him up this season and get in some big named players during the summer. I just want my old Arsenal back and i'm positive Wenger will bring back the glory days.
do we still want wenger out ?
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posted on 20/4/13
Ah right
Straight over my head that one
posted on 20/4/13
Since his contract ends in 2014, let him have one more season and then leave after that. I like Arsene but his days are long gone and I don’t want his contract to be renewed beyond 2014. My opinion
posted on 20/4/13
A lot of the Wenger lovers seem happy with 4th place trophy every season.
How can they see this season as a success. There are no improvements from last.
There was a time when 4th was guaranteed but even that now is becoming more and more difficult
posted on 20/4/13
Never want wenger out, we will progress this summer I can finally feel it.
posted on 20/4/13
"However lets not act as if we went without success under George Graham (UEFA Cup winners + Runners up 2 seasons prior to Wenger joining), nor act as though the defensive discipline and backbone Graham instilled in our team has had nothing to do with Wengers early success."
Graham did very well in the cups, but our form in the league was erratic.
In the 5 seasons prior to Wenger's arrival, we finished 5th, 12th, 4th, 10th, and 4th, the former of which was achieved under Rioch.
A number of key players that Wenger inherited were entering their 30s, whilst there was a drugs and drinking culture further damaging the talent pool at the club.
Wenger rejuvenated the side and stabilised a sinking ship. Graham's defensive discipline may have helped, but Wenger had a huge task on his hands to turn the side around.
Further, it's worth noting that the Invincibles team had a defensive set-up comprised entirely of players who hadn't played during Graham's tenure at the club.
It may not provide the same level of gratification for the fans, but winning trophies doesn't yield anywhere near the profitability of regular CL qualification, which has been essential in allowing the club to develop new facilities and move into the 60,000 seater stadium that provides us with far more financial potential than Highbury ever could.
"I've always maintained I'd be happy for him to see out the remainder of his contract but what he is 'achieving' with this (and previous seasons) squad is by no means a success. Imagine if Guardiola hadn't left but was to go on a barren spell of 8 years without a trophy. He wouldn't have made it to four years despite being an idol to the board and the fans. Only here at Arsenal do we accept past glory over present failures."
Yes, but that argument is predicated on the assumption that we are at a similar level to Barcelona in terms of infrastructure, talent pool, transfer spending etc.
Barcelona have arguably the best youth and training set-up in the world, one of the biggest stadiums, arguably the greatest player to have ever played the sport, in addition to millions to spend each season and a whole host of other world class players.
We have nowhere near the resources of Barcelona, so the comparison doesn't work.
"We have spent over £100mil on players in the past 2 seasons, we can't cry about other teams investment when we spend our money so poorly. "
Yes, but we have sold players for more money than that. Our net spend over the last 5 seasons is the lowest in the league.
"Fair enough that has been funded by selling our key players, but Wenger has to take some of the blame in letting key players lose faith and be shipped out as opposed to losing deadwood, to create money for investing in the squad."
He can be apportioned a small part of the blame, but I think Wenger's always fighting a losing battle in this respect given his comparative lack of resources.
Until we have the same sort of resources as Man City, Chelsea, and Man Utd, I don't feel Wenger can be blamed for what people perceive as a relative lack of ambition.
posted on 20/4/13
I have always wanted him to stay regardless of where we finish this season. The way Wengers team is finishing in the top 4 every year to have his two best players sold every year for the last 4 years just shows how amazing we have got. I just hope the board backs him up this season and get in some big named players during the summer. I just want my old Arsenal back and i'm positive Wenger will bring back the glory days.
posted on 20/4/13
its not Wenger that should leave its the Owners
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