***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

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Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Barry, I can read the passion for Arsenal in your posts.

We need Champions League football though so we can sign a world class player or two. Most WC players want to play CL and I can't blame them for it.

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I wonder if it is lack of direction from Wenger, or just a lack of on the field leadership. We can blame Wenger for not motivating or preparing the team, but ultimately it is the players who choose to lose like this. In these blow out losses, it just feels like they haven't had the heart to get back into the game after conceding early.

[OneDrop]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I wonder if it is lack of direction from Wenger, or just a lack of on the field leadership. We can blame Wenger for not motivating or preparing the team, but ultimately it is the players who choose to lose like this. In these blow out losses, it just feels like they haven't had the heart to get back into the game after conceding early.

It seems as Wenger doesn't prepare his team to face certain teams. It's like he just tells them to "get out there and play their best". Nothing more. I mean, we always play the same, regardless of who we face.

[barryf1fan]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I wonder if it is lack of direction from Wenger, or just a lack of on the field leadership. We can blame Wenger for not motivating or preparing the team, but ultimately it is the players who choose to lose like this. In these blow out losses, it just feels like they haven't had the heart to get back into the game after conceding early.

I read, and then re-read this post a couple more times. . . it's a good one.

While I can most certainly feel and see your point, it is ultimately up to the "Man in Charge" as it is said to lead the team. I, to a point - and others may agree, feel that we just don't have that On-Field General that will take control of the game in the specific area that is needed. A'la Yaya Toure, or for us in the past Patrick Vieira (Paul Scholes, and an up-and-coming is the aforementioned Jordan Henderson - albeit still learning that role). I still can't help but feel that is tied to our Manager, and anywhere else and in any other sport it is something that (sometimes unfairly) falls directly on the shoulders of the man at the helm.

Flamini has tried, and sometimes it worked, to be that guy, but as much as I like him and what he does on field - he's just not that player. It has much more to do with than Physicality, to me anyway. I never thought I would admit this (publicly), but I feel My Gunners miss Alex Song more the RVP and Cesc Fabregas combined. And before you jump on me let me explain. We have quality guys back in there. Cazorla, Ozil, and to an extent Ramsey (and Rosicky this year) are all VERY creative (Cesc covered), and while Giroud is no RVP, he is strong, pretty darn good in the air, and can hold the ball up top (sometimes), and does score goals (whether gifted on a silver platter or not). And while Flamini is more than willing to "mix it up" on a 50-50 ball too often he doesn't win the ball and instead gets a card for a very mistimed tackle.

Alex Song on the other hand, while not perfect, would work harder than any other player on the field. Sort of like Rooney being on the defensive touch line breaking up a play, and bam, somehow be in on a counter going the other way. Right now, and this is just me, we have no Alex Song working his *** off on both sides of the ball. I can't tell you how many times I have scared the bejeezus out of my wife yelling at Ozil to get back and defend. To pressure that guy that he just lost the ball to.

I have always taught my players, especially when going forward in the attacking 1/3, that if they lose the ball or made the bad pass it is their responsibility to make that player pass it sideways or back... if it is played forward they aren't off the hook yet. They must "work" to cover their mistake. Not until the ball is played sideways, or preferably, back are they relinquished to not press the ball. That was Alex Song. And that gives the other 10 guys the time to posture some sort of defensive shape, which far too often (especially this season) we have been countered, and how (see Chelsea game, ManCity game, Liverpool game, even the AV game).

So, while I agree to an extent with your sentiment about it being the players responsibility, and it is, it doesn't change the fact that the guy in charge is responsible for his players. Not only that, but he's responsible for how they play - and it is an unfair charge sometimes, but that's what he's paid (well) to do.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

To be honest losing Ramsey for nearly all of the second half of the season has hurt us tremendously as well as Jack Wilshere.

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Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

To be honest losing Ramsey for nearly all of the second half of the season has hurt us tremendously as well as Jack Wilshere.

True, but Ramsey got injured on Boxing Day which is before the transfer window. Wenger should have definitely signed a good DM and an ST in the January transfer window. They didn't have to be world class players either, just good enough to start for us over Arteta or Flamini which shouldn't be too hard.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

True, but Ramsey got injured on Boxing Day which is before the transfer window. Wenger should have definitely signed a good DM and an ST in the January transfer window. They didn't have to be world class players either, just good enough to start for us over Arteta or Flamini which shouldn't be too hard.

Very true but what still surprises me is that we have been dealing with key injury to players for multiple seasons now. Something is clearly wrong with the Physio team possibly mis-diagnosing players and such. Ramsey being out for a thigh injury is insane.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Very true but what still surprises me is that we have been dealing with key injury to players for multiple seasons now. Something is clearly wrong with the Physio team possibly mis-diagnosing players and such. Ramsey being out for a thigh injury is insane.

If it was a muscle injury than it's probably about right. Messi missed a lot of time with one and still wasn't quite right when Barca rushed him back.

IDK about Alex Song being the missing ingredient. He's not a world-class player like RVP is. Someone who is capable of banging in 30+ goals in all competitions has the ability to mask a lot of deficiencies elsewhere in the team. I think when healthy, Arsenal's midfield is better than anyone else's in the league. Wilshire, Ramsey, Arteta (who I'm not high on at all), Flamini, Ox, Diaby, etc... is pretty dynamic.

What ST's/Midfielders were available last Jan? (Besides Matic)

[barryf1fan]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

If it was a muscle injury than it's probably about right. Messi missed a lot of time with one and still wasn't quite right when Barca rushed him back.

IDK about Alex Song being the missing ingredient. He's not a world-class player like RVP is. Someone who is capable of banging in 30+ goals in all competitions has the ability to mask a lot of deficiencies elsewhere in the team. I think when healthy, Arsenal's midfield is better than anyone else's in the league. Wilshire, Ramsey, Arteta (who I'm not high on at all), Flamini, Ox, Diaby, etc... is pretty dynamic.

What ST's/Midfielders were available last Jan? (Besides Matic)

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything here, especially about what you said about Song not being the missing ingredient - because you're more than likely correct. I sure would want that guy that is gonna have that kind of work rate (and ethic), you know, the kind Ozil and Podolski don't have (and I think both of them are great ((going forward)).

I, for one, am glad RvP is gone. Sure, he had a great season for us (and himself) in 2011/2012, not horrible the year before, but he has only "banged" in 30+ goals for us once - then he left. He's like that plastic car model you build, and then your little brother tries to push it on the floor. It breaks and you have to fix it - not because he was smashing it into other toy cars, he just tried to play with it and now it's out of commission. RvP is WAY to injury prone to make the kind of money he makes.

Anyway, i agree again that Song isn't world class, and I didn't mean to imply that if that was your take away. With all the injuries to our MF, and the fact that Arteta just isn't "young" anymore and has shown his lack of pace, we are missing the exact type of player Song is. To me this team needs that solid guy in the back, sitting atop the back 4 that doesn't mind doing a yeoman's (and that's an adjective, not the noun) day of work. There were plenty of times when Song was forward, mixing it up with Cesc and Nasri -especially when Arsenal was playing the "lesser" teams in the EPL. However, on days when a ManU, Chelsea, etc, was on the field he was more cautious in getting forward -played more of a true Defensive Mid and didn't let balls past him. And if they did get past him, he worked extremely hard to get back and cover.

Arsene has let so many "ingredient" players leave (I understand some out of his control - read Nasri, Cole, & RvP) but others I think, personally, he could have worked harder to keep.

I'll be watching Saturday morning, like I always do, and be cheering on My Gunners - I just hope and pray that Arsene has watched that City-Wigan tape more than once. . . AND he has a plan.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I was talking to my buddy, who is an Arsenal supporter, about their current team.

Honestly? Although he is the butt of many jokes, Gervinho is infinitely more dangerous as a winger than Podolski and should have never been sold. Podolski just really doesn't fit well in your system.

Obviously you guys need help in the DR and CB areas, and perhaps a new physio team, but Gervinho would make your attack so much more dangerous than it is with Cazorla/Podolski out on the wings

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything here, especially about what you said about Song not being the missing ingredient - because you're more than likely correct. I sure would want that guy that is gonna have that kind of work rate (and ethic), you know, the kind Ozil and Podolski don't have (and I think both of them are great ((going forward)).

I, for one, am glad RvP is gone. Sure, he had a great season for us (and himself) in 2011/2012, not horrible the year before, but he has only "banged" in 30+ goals for us once - then he left. He's like that plastic car model you build, and then your little brother tries to push it on the floor. It breaks and you have to fix it - not because he was smashing it into other toy cars, he just tried to play with it and now it's out of commission. RvP is WAY to injury prone to make the kind of money he makes.

Anyway, i agree again that Song isn't world class, and I didn't mean to imply that if that was your take away. With all the injuries to our MF, and the fact that Arteta just isn't "young" anymore and has shown his lack of pace, we are missing the exact type of player Song is. To me this team needs that solid guy in the back, sitting atop the back 4 that doesn't mind doing a yeoman's (and that's an adjective, not the noun) day of work. There were plenty of times when Song was forward, mixing it up with Cesc and Nasri -especially when Arsenal was playing the "lesser" teams in the EPL. However, on days when a ManU, Chelsea, etc, was on the field he was more cautious in getting forward -played more of a true Defensive Mid and didn't let balls past him. And if they did get past him, he worked extremely hard to get back and cover.

Arsene has let so many "ingredient" players leave (I understand some out of his control - read Nasri, Cole, & RvP) but others I think, personally, he could have worked harder to keep.

I'll be watching Saturday morning, like I always do, and be cheering on My Gunners - I just hope and pray that Arsene has watched that City-West Brom tape more than once. . . AND he has a plan.

No argument from me, just good convo.

I think we both agree had Arsenal not been a selling club for a while they wouldn't be in this position. World class players normally attract other world class players (unless it's a WC year).

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Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Good to have a conversation with fans of other clubs who judge everything in an objective way and aren't like "hur hur youre so **** you'll never win anything again u trophyless ****s".

Our physio team can be blamed but also partially Wenger for our injury problems. I'm surprised how Giroud is still standing because Wenger literally runs him into the ground by playing him each match. It's no wonder players get injured because Wenger doesn't want/can't rotate because he's too stubborn to sign anyone as long things work out well. Like I said before, he's so careful on his money that he only dares to splash cash at someone when he goes in panic mode (example: Özil after Aston Villa loss).

In January we could have tried for Matuidi or Schneiderlin as DM options and maybe Jackson Martinez as a striker. Other DM options might have been Freddy Guarin or Naingolan. All guys who could potentially be signed. We could have even tried for Chicharito as a temporary striker solution. But no, we got Kallstrom. I mean, look at Chelsea, your squad depth is nice. You got guys like Lampard who aren't as mobile anymore but they still fight for every ball. They don't give up. We got Arteta who has been a pushover lately.

When we're full strength, we have hands down the best midfield in the premier league along with Chelsea and City. I mean, take a look at Chelsea's midfield, you guys got Ramires, Matic, Lampard, Mikel, Hazard, Willian, Schurrle, Oscar and Salah. Look at the depth AND skill of the players. You can trust ALL those players to play on a high level where as we got Flamini and Arteta who aren't cut out for world class football anymore.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Apparently, Ramsey will be starting tomorrow. Thank goodness.

I'm not saying it's the right decision, or that I want it, but I believe that if we don't win tomorrow (or the cup), Arsene will not sign an extension.

Maybe I don't...I don't know. If we get 4th, I'm sure will help, but I don't see him staying with no cup and a 5th place finish.

Although, leaving after winning the cup wouldn't be horrible if it's what he wants, as he'd be leaving the club with a strong financial foundation.

[/Friday morning rambling.]

[NaturalSelected]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Apparently, Ramsey will be starting tomorrow. Thank goodness.

I'm not saying it's the right decision, or that I want it, but I believe that if we don't win tomorrow (or the cup), Arsene will not sign an extension.

Maybe I don't...I don't know. If we get 4th, I'm sure will help, but I don't see him staying with no cup and a 5th place finish.

Although, leaving after winning the cup wouldn't be horrible if it's what he wants, as he'd be leaving the club with a strong financial foundation.

[/Friday morning rambling.]

I'm actually not sure results matter from here on out. I think he's made up his mind...I just can't decide which way I think he's leaning.

It's not your late 90's Arsenal anymore, that's for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

The question is can anyone do it better than Wenger? I mean someone who won't ruin our team. I do not trust our team in the hands of anyone. Jurgen Klopp is who I'd prefer. Maybe, just maybe Martinez.