Ace in a hole
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Ace in a hole
By Boris Mellor
May 11 2009
Wenger believes that fans should take the positives from yet another humiliating home defeat in a row. He takes comfort that Arsenal had six shots on target, Arsenal had 17 shots in total to Chelsea's 13 (5 on target). So according to him that means it wasn't a 4-1 game. That's very comforting, but I just checked my newspaper and it clearly states that Chelsea scored 4 to Arsenal's 1.
Ace in a hole
May 11 2009
Wenger believes that fans should take the positives from yet another humiliating home defeat in a row. He takes comfort that Arsenal had six shots on target, Arsenal had 17 shots in total to Chelsea's 13 (5 on target). So according to him that means it wasn't a 4-1 game. That's very comforting, but I just checked my newspaper and it clearly states that Chelsea scored 4 to Arsenal's 1.
Perhaps if Arsene could get the way that league points are awarded based on chances made rather than actually scored then he would have a far more successful season. I can't think of a much worse result when Arsenal have played a top team at home.
Mental Strength?
At last we didn't have to put up with his mental strength speech, even Wenger must realise that this team now falls apart on conceding the first goal. Two games in a row the team has failed to find an adequate response to going a goal down.
Not just the defence to blame
After Drogba conned his free kick it was nauseating to watch Alex head in. Was I the only with Déjà Vu? Was it not the same goal that PSV scored to put us out of Europe? What is being learnt here?
Yes the defence was to blame for that goal, but in the rest of the game the midfield failed to shield the defence. Not one midfielder went to block Anelka as he had a free shot at goal. I don't blame Fabianski for that one, I blame the midfield, it was a great shot. You do not stand off Anelka. Yes Fabianski was to blame for the Toure own goal, and is increasingly looking like the new Richard Wright.
Increasingly the midfield has refused to engage, most of the time Arsenal appear outnumbered in defence and attack. In defence the back four are not shielded, and in attack strikers are left isolated.
Wenger has to change things quickly
Wenger's concentration on youth policy has become exaggerated to the extreme. He said he couldn't buy because it would kill Diaby. There were quite a few who would willingly have killed Diaby on Sunday. There are those who argue that the youth project is the only show in town because Arsenal cannot afford any other strategy. If Wenger cannot make it work then no one can. Perhaps being fourth at everything is a good achievement with players of limited quality, but it won't keep fans (I use the term advisedly) paying £4000 a year for Club level.
Businessmen wanting to show off will hardly say to their clients would you like to come over the Arsenal to see a bunch of youth beat 4-0
Youth doesn't come free
If it carries on in the same way Arsenal won't be able to afford the youth policy either. Considering Arsenal have a limited number of big name stars the wage bill is nearly as expensive as Man U and Chelsea's. Also players like Ramsey, Denilson and Theo do not come free. Ramsey cost £5 million and only one start in the Premiership this season, not exactly cheap. wenger clearly has little confidence in him, so thats £5 million for one game.
Youth develop best when surrounded by experience
It's not a matter of either or, there is a need to mix it. Already Arshavin has demonstrated the difference one experienced player can make. If Arshavin has played Arsenal may not have lost so badly. So does that mean that Wenger is right? No it doesn't - because even if Arshavin scored the team would still have conceded sloppy goals, the game at Liverpool proved that.
What Arshavin proves is that two or three more top class players would transform this team and help the youth to flourish. Wenger may not have a lot of cash, but that didn't stop him obtaining handy players in the past. His recent signings of Sagna and Nasri proves he can still make the top class buy on the cheap. Now he needs to find a good centre back, a quality keeper and a midfielder who knows how to shield the back four and play out from the back.
Two or three good buys will do it
Arsene does have a nucleus of a good team, Almunia, Fabregas, Gallas, Sagna, Nasri, Arshavin, Eduardo, Walcott and Bendtner joined by three top players, with the rest of the squad as back up, could close the gap between Arsenal and the top three. Without them it will be the same old same old.
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Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 11/05/2009 18:46
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:16:19:01:59 by Padre Pio.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:16:19:01:59 by Padre Pio.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Goofle11 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/05/2009 19:15
And a top class winger.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Bring back stepanovs! (IP Logged)
Date: 11/05/2009 20:22
nice post.not sure id say nasri was cheap at 14mil though but get your point!oh and agree with your interesting point about ramsey it does ask questions doesnt it
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: karsene16 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/05/2009 21:40
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: microdire (IP Logged)
Date: 11/05/2009 21:48
The players that are not ready to die for the team should die who cares,what is their use when they are alive?
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 02:34
the only positives from this whole fiasco is that may be it has finally shocked wenger out of his deluded advanced stage of self denial.
fans back in nigeria are calling for his head.
he has no right to demand anything from us cos we have tried.he has been selling a sham to us and we always gave him the benefit of the doubt.i won't duel on the years when arsenal had rougher times cos we are in the present and old things have passed away.we are in 2009 so i will duel on the present.
hope the new board will force wengers hands cos he has failed us and needs to improve this team with quality & experienced signing to balance it.
fans back in nigeria are calling for his head.
he has no right to demand anything from us cos we have tried.he has been selling a sham to us and we always gave him the benefit of the doubt.i won't duel on the years when arsenal had rougher times cos we are in the present and old things have passed away.we are in 2009 so i will duel on the present.
hope the new board will force wengers hands cos he has failed us and needs to improve this team with quality & experienced signing to balance it.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 08:14
Some salient points,the Alex goal was yet again a feeling of deja vu.I have asked why Ramsey and Vela have seemingly dropped off the radar,and its pretty obvious that a mix of youth and good quality experience is necesary.
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Goofle11 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 09:13
Fans in nigeria can all fo an f*ck themselves silly and p*ss on each other for all I care. As can all of the plebs that support us in any other country.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 10:36
Very altruistic TH14,just us Englishers that count then is it?
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: karsene16 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 11:17
Tom14 don't be a dick, our players come from all around the world.
Would you tell Arshavin to go back to Russia?
Do you think Wenger should buy only English?
Do you think we should have an English manager instead of Wenger?
no, so
Why should our supporters only be English?
There are people in other countries that love the club more than you and would support every decision Wenger chooses e.g Diaby starting, Theo RM etc
so, saying their opinion doesn't count is a @#$%& move.
[www.transferleague.co.uk]
Would you tell Arshavin to go back to Russia?
Do you think Wenger should buy only English?
Do you think we should have an English manager instead of Wenger?
no, so
Why should our supporters only be English?
There are people in other countries that love the club more than you and would support every decision Wenger chooses e.g Diaby starting, Theo RM etc
so, saying their opinion doesn't count is a @#$%& move.
[www.transferleague.co.uk]Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Goofle11 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 13:21
I included every supporter in any country, England included.
fans back in nigeria are calling for his head.
People who think like that.
fans back in nigeria are calling for his head.
People who think like that.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 14:18
Not what you said or how I read it.
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Goofle11 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2009 14:38
"Any other country" - from initially talking about Nigeria.
But I can understand the way people took it. My bad.
But I can understand the way people took it. My bad.
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Big Guhnz (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2009 10:38
it will be positive
when we go to chelsea and return the favour
same with manu
same with spuds
same when we win something
when we go to chelsea and return the favour
same with manu
same with spuds
same when we win something
Re: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 4 What positives Arsene?
Posted by: Lewis_198four (IP Logged)
Date: 02/07/2009 17:28
We have a bigger stadium, more fans, play better football and we don't care about Chelsea.
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