[zonetatious]

Is this a coincidence? I think not, ala 98/99, 02/03 and now 04/05. In Arsene Wenger we have a man in love with the club and the game in general, but a stubborn man he is, and perhaps out of touch with reality. The fact that we are a deeply flawed side. It is easy to blame Pascal Cygan. Heck, I blamed him tonight for Campbell's injury. However, he is a footballer that plays to the best of his limited ability. It isn't his fault that he is our third-choice centre-back. I counted 31 days in January. That's 31 oportunities to sign some much needed cover for a squad filled with talented internationals, but also a squad containing youngsters that are not quite up to it, despite their massive potentials. At the start of the season, I remember reading a statement from one of the club's financial supervisors. A statement reasurring the fans of the club, that despite our huge debt on account of the Emirates Stadium, we do have enough money in the transfer kitty to sign one or two established names. Even to the biggest morons, it is clear that in this current time, we NEED to sign one or two established names. However, this wasn't to be. My point being. Wenger is a twat...

 

[Onree]

It should've been obvious this season was doomed the moment we won the Community Shield wearing blue. It's double the curse.

 

[DeJackal]

Wenger is a twat, I'm not disputing that, but he is the reason Arsenal are one of the top 3 teams in England, and one of the top 2 of the past eight seasons. At the start of the season Arsenal were this amazing unbeatable team, they have the same group of players as then.

 

[Haroon]

At the start of the season Arsenal were this amazing unbeatable team, they have the same group of players as then.

... but the heat is on now. It requires strong minds to pull through. Skill alone is not enough to be hero of the day.

 

[DeJackal]

... but the heat is on now. It requires strong minds to pull through. Skill alone is not enough to be hero of the day.

It's funny you talk about strong minds. Because I think Arsenal are a great team if they are winning, but when they are losing they seem to lack something. It's the reason I reckon they haven't won back-to-back titles. I think it could be French mentality and yes although they have been one of the top 2 teams of the past eight seasons, in that time they have mostly been second best.

Still.....Wenger is still the reason Arsenal are a team they are now.

 

[*OZ*]

wenger is great....and this normally reflects on his team.. however, i believe beneath that calm and very ugly exterior, hes quite weak and unstable.. hes been accused of panic substitutions and shutting up shop when only a calm head is needed for the final 3rd of the match for example

arsenal are a wonderful team, and they were fortunate that they hit theit best when united were facing the reprisals of a much different team last year, and a mourinholess chelsea were still establishng themselves.. now that united are a team again, and chelsea are true quality, arsenal crumble...

you guys only do well when others falter

 

[Twayka]

yeah, thats why we were unbeatable last season.

the injuries have not helped, gilberto is a much needed player, becaus elike gravesen does with madrid, he is to us, the extra defender, and the GK crisis should have been noticed by AW, and the aging of pires hasnt helped, hes not been in form we know he can be in.

reyes should definetly start,. and with the arrival of gilberto we will be strong again, but we need a GREAT gk, and an Established defender.

 

[Tunis4life]

We just need a a little more depth, a gk and another quality CB and we'll be ok.

Hell we've never finished below second under AW so let's not let a single season obsecure the man with the magic hat.

Just have to be patient Gooners as there's no doubt will reach the summit again.

 

[Twayka]

but to do that, we need to buy players, BIg players so that we can compete with the depth of united and chelsea, and maybe this loss, will boost that chance to sigh new players.

 

[Tunis4life]

but to do that, we need to buy players, BIg players so that we can compete with the depth of united and chelsea, and maybe this loss, will boost that chance to sigh new players.

Well the only positve about last night is now not even AW can have any illusions on what must be done next summer to insure a real run at the pl crown. We need depth and quality depth not players in the ilk of Cygan.


My only guess at our inaction during the January window was that AW admited to himself this season is basicly over as the title is Chelsea's and just hopes we can win the FA Cup and make some sort of run in the UCL with the current squad, and save as much cash as possible for this summer.


Again I don't want to hear the no money nonsense, we made recored profits last year, we had were willing to spend 10 million on the likes of Angulo and Trabelsi and somehow got five million for Franny Jeffers.

 

[Onree]

My only guess at our inaction during the January window was that AW admited to himself this season is basicly over as the title is Chelsea's and just hopes we can win the FA Cup and make some sort of run in the UCL with the current squad, and save as much cash as possible for this summer.

That wouldn't surprise me at all. I think he probably knew we wouldn't win it and, basically, just gave up. He knows we're far better than the trash below us for them to jump us but what's the point in tiring out an already exhaustered and thin squad for a fruitless challenge toward a team who look about as likely of dropping points as United fans from Manchester?

We just get an early preparation for next season. Try some new formations and tactics out before pre-season and the annual Vieira to Madrid stories happen :thmbup:

It's not exactly a winning attitude, but really, what's the point? We can't win the thing and we're more than good enough to stay where we are ... and in the long run, we actually make more money finishing third than we do finishing second. And we don't have to worry about the curse of Community Shield since we'll be off in Moldova or something.

 

[Mohamed]

Why is everybody saying Arsenal are out of the title race when they are only 2 points behind Man Utd?

Let's be honest, last night's game was for second place in the league. Arsenal's title hopes were not ended last night, they were ended at the Reebok stadium two weeks ago.

I am not sure why Arsenal can't retain championships, but this season domestic downfall can be put down to a lot of reasons. The long-term injuries to Gilberto and Edu, two top-class central midfielders who were an integral part of that unbeaten run, was obviously a major blow. Of course Fabregas held his own early on, but he is still a kid and was never going to last the entire season. And then we have the goalkeeping issue. True, Lehman made a couple of mistakes but has Wenger forgotten that Lehman was the man in goal when Arsenal went 49 games without defeat? Almunia is a frickin' joke, he's cost Arsenal points last night and at Bolton. Wenger must take some responsibility for not strengthening the defense nor the midfield, it's good having faith in your players but sometimes you have to listen to what the fans are saying. Arsenal dropped too many points after the Mike-Riley-inspired 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, and no matter how disappointing that was, it should not have taken Arsenal six weeks to recover mentally. I am disappointed because they are my local team and I wanted them to win the league again, but Wenger has to now re-group and concentrate on winning the FA Cup and having a crack at the Champions League.

 

[Twayka]

well its cause Arsenal are out of it, look chelsea are even winning now 1-0 so far, o say concentrate on FACUP, and try to do well on CL.

 

[Haroon]

For once Arsenal will at least pay serious attention to the UCL instead of having pre-occupied thoughts on the Premiership which is a goner this season. It will be interesting to see this new approach. However Wenger must bench Henry. :mute:

 

[Twayka]

i dont really see that happening, but u could wish for it

 

[gunner4ever]

i wud love to see henry get a break to recharge his batteries and bergy and Robin Van P start..... that could be very interesting and a truly great experience for robin

 

[Tunis4life]

We gotta give Reyes a real run in the team, as it's difficult for Gooners to admit but the Dutch Master won't be a Gunner forever.

 

[Onree]

For once Arsenal will at least pay serious attention to the UCL instead of having pre-occupied thoughts on the Premiership which is a goner this season. It will be interesting to see this new approach. However Wenger must bench Henry. :mute:

FA Cup > Champions League.

At least it's something we can win :dielaugh:

 

[Twayka]

agree, we have to WIN something, i think we will the FA cup, thats something that i think is likely to happen, and the Cl, lets hope we beat bayern first.

 

[fantasyfootball]

The season might still worth salvaging!! I say go all out for the Champion League and try to win the FA CUP.... :thmbup:

so... KEEP THE FAITH GOONERS