The Coach
No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
The Coach
By Boris Mellor
December 12 2008
Arsene Wenger has no regrets that he sacrificed top place in the CL group to have a fit team for the Boro game. I can't say I blame him, I just wish his team had shown a little more spirit at Porto, and not just rolled over. However the important thing now is that the sacrifice proves to be worthwhile.
The Coach
December 12 2008
Arsene Wenger has no regrets that he sacrificed top place in the CL group to have a fit team for the Boro game. I can't say I blame him, I just wish his team had shown a little more spirit at Porto, and not just rolled over. However the important thing now is that the sacrifice proves to be worthwhile.
Wenger has said that it is a miracle that Arsenal are still in the Premiership race; with the worst defence amongst the top four he certainly is not wrong. Indeed the fact that Arsenal are clinging on to the leading pack by their fingertips is the reason why the manager has taken no chances in preparing for this game.
This time last year he took a squad that had been on the road all week to the Riverside and suffered his first defeat. He is trying to avoid that this time. Talk of Boro being a bogey team is nonsense, true they have won two out of the last three at the Riverside, but that has been more about the weakness of this present squad than Boro greatness.
It wasn't so long ago that Boro was six easy points a year and the only doubt was would Arsenal score four or six. True Boro can, and have beat any team on their day, but it isn't their day very often, except recently against Arsenal.
The Gunners have eight points less than this time last year, and ten points more than Boro. For the miracle to continue only a win will do, anything less will see the top three pull further away.
No Nasri No Style No Pace
Most of the injuries have miraculously recovered, except Nasri who was victim of a very nasty Palacios tackle last week. Nasri played a key role against Man U and Chelsea; and it shouldn't be forgot that it was his going off against Wigan that reduced Arsenal to a shambles.
True Fabregas is the lynchpin, but he is surrounded by one tempo journeymen. Without Walcott and Nasri the midfield has few surprises, or goals, to offer. It must be frustrating for Fabregas, but he is proving to be a good captain. If Boro try to stifle the Arsenal midfield it will be difficult for Fab to find room. Ade and RvP will have to try and find the space beyond midfield, but probably without the support. It could prove dour, but as long as they can grind it out that is all that matters. There again if we can get back to the old habit of scoring five I shan't complain.
Arsenal Squad: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Silvestre, Sagna, Denilson, Diaby, Fabregas, Eboue, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey, Wilshere.
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No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 12/12/2008 22:34
No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 12/12/2008 23:20
Im seeing double
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: zombiez (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 03:44
Its true that we don't have flair players in the squad. Nasri has got that flair along with Rosicky. Walcott has got that pace. Wilshere and Vela has got that trickery. All these players aren't played regularly, either they're injured or deemed too young for the big stage.
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: mapleleafgooner (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 04:25
I am not sure which Arsenal team will show up against Boro. It is very obvious to me from the Porto game that talent alone is not enough to compete when u are up against an opponent who is tactically well prepared and experienced. This game and the season so far has reinforced my view that Wenger's assertion of if u are good enough, u are old enough is completely way off track. Still I will support the boys but go into each game with lower expectations.
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 09:43
I agree Z no flair players, and the system doesnt allow Fab any flair either, he has to plod on with the other journeymen, better than them but no one to bounce off
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 11:33
I have to say the squad threadbare,no fight,no nous,and only about half a dozen players who I perceive to be good enough to play for Arsenal.Too many ifs and maybes in the squad,for me the only proven and quality players we have are,Sagna,Clichy,Fabregas,RVP(in fits)Toure,the rest are maybes,has beens,or not fit to pull an Arsenal shirt.
Back and raring to go.
Back and raring to go.
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 14:45
The sacrifice wasn't worthwhile.
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 16:15
I assume we would have lost without it, but hardly spectacular was it?
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Gooner_Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 16:41
I put on 2 alarm clocks to wake up in time for the match today and slept through them both. for the first time im actally glad I missed a game, sounds to me like we scored early, then had a few half efforts but took our foot of the gas as usual. Overpaid @#$%& as usual talking the talk, not walking the walk.
These guys had a nice long rest before the match so there was no @#$%& excuse to draw 1-1 with boro. We had to win this game and once again after weve just had a big result, this team suprises us with a bag of @#$%& performance.
Im sick to my stomach watching certain players play, Wengers experiment has gone on too far and to me I think I know where I would like Wenger to go at the end of season but out of respect for what hes done for us im reserving that judgement until we @#$%& up badly, possibly finishing out the of the CL places with no trophies, then the pressure will be on him.
All this rotating@#$%&with the youths has to stop. If Wenger even dares to put out a second rate team for the FA Cup im going to right a letter to him personally. We need consistency and maybe because some lads arent playing week in week out, then there not having time to get that "telepaphic understanding" type of football were known for.
But for now ive seen enough, season is over and ill be chuffed to finish in the top 4 at this rate.
90% of the @#$%& problem is you just cant motivate this team. Theyll wear their heart on the sleeves when were playing United or Chelski but when it comes to the second rate games they think that the result will just come.
Not the case. I hate this team Wenger has made, full of half hearted boys trying to play a mans game. What I would give for just one Adams, or one Vieira, or even a Lehmann. Those were real winners who knew what it took to win.
Oh and the next player to come out and say "were still in this title race" needs to be shot,
These guys had a nice long rest before the match so there was no @#$%& excuse to draw 1-1 with boro. We had to win this game and once again after weve just had a big result, this team suprises us with a bag of @#$%& performance.
Im sick to my stomach watching certain players play, Wengers experiment has gone on too far and to me I think I know where I would like Wenger to go at the end of season but out of respect for what hes done for us im reserving that judgement until we @#$%& up badly, possibly finishing out the of the CL places with no trophies, then the pressure will be on him.
All this rotating@#$%&with the youths has to stop. If Wenger even dares to put out a second rate team for the FA Cup im going to right a letter to him personally. We need consistency and maybe because some lads arent playing week in week out, then there not having time to get that "telepaphic understanding" type of football were known for.
But for now ive seen enough, season is over and ill be chuffed to finish in the top 4 at this rate.
90% of the @#$%& problem is you just cant motivate this team. Theyll wear their heart on the sleeves when were playing United or Chelski but when it comes to the second rate games they think that the result will just come.
Not the case. I hate this team Wenger has made, full of half hearted boys trying to play a mans game. What I would give for just one Adams, or one Vieira, or even a Lehmann. Those were real winners who knew what it took to win.
Oh and the next player to come out and say "were still in this title race" needs to be shot,
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Chapman's Ghost (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 18:08
Have to agree Gooner Mike. This team has a hollow heart.
We're a f***k.in' shambles.
We're a f***k.in' shambles.
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Bring back stepanovs! (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 18:18
spot on gooner mike
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 18:37
Blimey wot time zone are you in Gooner Mike?
Re: No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
Posted by: Gooner_Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 13/12/2008 18:39
In the UK Insomnia time zone. Im nocturnal you could say... 
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