"I think we all know that 1 trophy in 9 years isn't good enough. But surely anyone with any psychological knowledge/awareness knows how much of a boost/trigger for further success that one trophy will have been?"

Quite possibly, and we'll see how that unfolds. But does the fact that they needed that boost of an FA Cup to instil belief, only serve to underline the fact that there are mental issues in the fray?

Divide those red cards by the length of time Wenger has been at the club and you'll soon see Arsenal's disciplinary record is no worse than most our top flight clubs.

As for including William Gallas in your analysis...

*other top flight

"As for including William Gallas in your analysis..."

Yes?

What happened that day illustrated the frailties at the club (in my opinion). Of course, it could simply have been a one-off, or I could even be charitable and say it was a co-incidence.

But I think you'll find other fans that recognise Arsenal's tendency to implode when squeaky bum time comes around.

comment by Villain of the Peace (U19898)
posted 1 minute ago
"I think we all know that 1 trophy in 9 years isn't good enough. But surely anyone with any psychological knowledge/awareness knows how much of a boost/trigger for further success that one trophy will have been?"

Quite possibly, and we'll see how that unfolds. But does the fact that they needed that boost of an FA Cup to instil belief, only serve to underline the fact that there are mental issues in the fray?
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I think it's a combination of mentality and quality to be honest. For the last 5 years or so we've not had squads comparable to Chelsea or City etc and that has shown when we've played them and over the course of a season.

The fans' main frustration at the moment is that we are now supposedly free from financial restrictions but Chelsea and City are pulling even further ahead in terms of squad strength.

Chelsea's CL winning team included Torres - One of the most mentally weak players around.

If you have the quality, the mentality is less important

comment by Villain of the Peace (U19898)
posted 1 minute ago
"As for including William Gallas in your analysis..."

Yes?

What happened that day illustrated the frailties at the club (in my opinion). Of course, it could simply have been a one-off, or I could even be charitable and say it was a co-incidence.

But I think you'll find other fans that recognise Arsenal's tendency to implode when squeaky bum time comes around.
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I hope you're not of the opinion that we 'bottle' it and the end of every season or that we 'always' implode in (insert month that suits the argument)......because every team has a bad month every season.

The myths are slowly being put to bed, yet they still seem to be raised now and again.

Surely it doesn't get much squeakier than being 2 goals down during an FA Cup final?

And yes, including Gallas severely undermines whatever point you're trying to make, because not only has he been gone from the club for... well years now, but, as someone has already pointed out, so have most of that squad been moved on since then too.

Villain of the Peace

It doesn’t take a genius to appreciate that Arsenal’s trophy haul over the last decade has been poor.

However when taken into consideration the financial restraints placed on the club, (transfer outlay was comparable to mid to lower PL sides) the club did extremely well just to remain competitive.

Is also worth noting that the financial limitations imposed on Arsenal, coincided with the hundreds of millions expended by our direct rivals.

Also - If you're using examples from 6 years ago because Wenger was and still is manager......then surely we still have the spirit of the Invincibles at the club? Or does it only work with negative aspects?

Plus after losing at Goodison Park last season, Arsenal's place in the top 4 was severely in doubt.

Funny then how sturdy, strong willed Everton went on to crumble whilst weak willed bottle jobs Arsenal finished strongly thus ousting the Merseysiders.

I was actually so confident in our concentration/dedication after the Everton game that i never really doubted we'd get 4th.

It's not much of an achievement but it's a lot more than in previous seasons in terms of relying on the team to get the smaller games won.

"If you have the quality, the mentality is less important"

That only stands up if there are no teams with equal quality about. (E.g. when United were dominating the PL in the 90s, they didn't have to withstand too much pressure every season)

If it is a three-way shoot-out (for example) between financial titans of City and Chelsea, and then yourselves, surely having a know-how and a nerve at the end of the season will be a factor?

Villain of the Peace

Would be grateful if you could provide any evidence which supports you view (of AFC indiscipline)?

One of the foremost methods of gauging indiscipline is the quantity of (red and yellow) cards accumulated during a 38 game league season.

Arsenal have consistently been at the upper region of the fair play tables:

http://www.premierleague.com

comment by Villain of the Peace (U19898)
posted 1 minute ago
"If you have the quality, the mentality is less important"

That only stands up if there are no teams with equal quality about. (E.g. when United were dominating the PL in the 90s, they didn't have to withstand too much pressure every season)

If it is a three-way shoot-out (for example) between financial titans of City and Chelsea, and then yourselves, surely having a know-how and a nerve at the end of the season will be a factor?
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Like Chelsea did last season???

Ironic how indisciplined the thought process behind this article is, really...

"comment by Lexington Sanchez 125.2 (U8879)
posted 1 minute ago
Plus after losing at Goodison Park last season, Arsenal's place in the top 4 was severely in doubt."

I think that it was the fragile mentality that cause Arsenal to be in that position in the first placer, but I do concede that I would never be able to prove that.

As for the spirit of the invincibles, they were unable to retain the title (ever since), and, indeed, when you were defending your crown in 2003, you failed to retain that one too, probably because of the pressure of playing as champions.

My article is not suggesting Arsenal are incapable of winning trophies (as you have all pointed out, you beat Hull in May), nor does it suggest that you have not found a formula in the past; but when you HAVE failed, some of the blame must be put down to either in experience or bottling it.

Whether that has just become a myth I will leave you to decide.

"Like Chelsea did last season???"

Do you think they didn't bottle it then?
Did Liverpool?

"comment by Lexington Sanchez 125.2 (U8879)
posted 5 minutes ago
Ironic how indisciplined the thought process behind this article is, really..."

How do you know what the process was? The process could have been militarily disciplined, even if you don't agree with the final outcome

"...when you HAVE failed, some of the blame must be put down to either in experience or bottling it."

Same as when every other club 'fails' then.


"Whether that has just become a myth I will leave you to decide."

Nothing to decide really. It has and it's only now really people that are happy to digest the rubbish the media spoon feeds them that continue to regurgitate it.

Beating Wigan and then Hull in the final does not necessarily constitute a turnaround in attitude, as opposed to simply having superior outfit.
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What about beating Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham in the previous rounds before?

"Nothing to decide really. It has and it's only now really people that are happy to digest the rubbish the media spoon feeds them that continue to regurgitate it."

What? Why? Because they won the FA Cup?
What about all the February implosions??
If they did not happen, I will stand corrected. I don't think it was just the "media" that made that claim either.

But again, I am happy to be educated on that matter.

What about all the February implosions??
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I thought it was January/March/the end of the season?

"What about beating Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham in the previous rounds before?"

Sporting Renaissance! I draw your attention to your own username

Basically, we have a bad month in the second half of the season most seasons and everyone comes out with 'Arsenal's yearly January/February/March/April/May implosion' as if other teams don't have bad months

April/May were great for Chelsea last season

comment by Villain of the Peace (U19898)
posted 23 seconds ago
"What about beating Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham in the previous rounds before?"

Sporting Renaissance! I draw your attention to your own username


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Are you suggesting that despite all their efforts, Arsenal failed to implode against Wigan and Hull then?

Because that's how it reads.