Wenger’s major first-team selection headaches

TotalArsenal

Mannone or Szczesny, Theo or OG or Pod, Ox or Rambo, Pod or Gerv, Jenkinson or Sagna, TV or Koz?

Arsene Wenger is facing a number of major first-team selection decisions in the next weeks, in order to get his system of football working properly again.

Arsenal are going once again through a major transitional period, which was forced upon us predominantly by the traitorous departure of you-know-who. Various new players are being incorporated into a new system of football, and it should come as no surprise this is taking some time; although most of us were fooled – including this Gooner – into believing Arsene had somehow worked miracles in gelling together the new squad over the summer, after witnessing a number of fine team performances at the early start of the season. It just was too good to be true.

It is clear to everyone, we are going through another transitional period, and in order to get out of it as successfully as possible, Arsene is faced with a number selection choices for his ‘ideal’ first team squad.

I am assuming that Mertesacker, Arteta, Cazorla, Jack and Gibbs are automatic first team starters, but for the other six team positions first choice decisions have to be made.

Assuming everybody is fit, who would you make our first team starters?

Mannone or Szczesny

They are both young and relatively inexperienced, and are both promising talents. Vito had a number of fine performances recently, and Wojcieh has had a very rough patch in his football career since the Euros. Who is the biggest talent as well as the safest pair of hands, and who fits best with the rest of our defence right now?

Theo, OG or Pod as our main central striker

Van Judas’ enforced departure and the subsequent purchases of Podolski and Giroud, Theo’s continuous contract shenanigans, and the late arrival of Santi Cazorla, meant that, except for Gervinho, Arsenal had to incorporate into the team an entire new strike force.

Giroud has been our main man up-front, but Theo and Pod really want to play there as well, and Arsene has also tried Gervinho as our central striker. Many of us have suggested we should play two up-front: Giroud and Theo, Giroud and  Pod, or even Pod and Theo, but let’s assume Arsene is going to stick with our current 4-3-3 system this season; who would you play upfront and why?

Ox or Rambo (or Gnabry)

I personally still feel that Theo should be an automatic start on the right, but we know that his starting position is a major part of the current contract negotiations, and as a result, Arsene has seldom started him on the wing this season. We played Ox there and Rambo. The latter was played there if and when we felt we needed an extra body in midfield. Both have had mixed performances on the right, and I feel it is an area in which we need to strengthen during the winter-break. But who should Arsene go for until then: Ox, Rambo, or maybe even Gnabry?

Pod or Gerv

The left wing is the most natural position for Gervinho, but Podolski has been Arsene’s first choice LW in most of our games until now, with Gervinho regularly starting in the centre or on the right. The Pod looks utterly ineffective on the left without his twin-brother Gibbs supporting him, but the young Englishman has almost recovered from injury, so things could improve again for the feisty German. Who would you choose?

Jenkinson or Sagna

Well, this is probably the most difficult one to decide on. One is less experienced, but has done very well for us this season; the other has returned from a long injury and is a safe pair of hands for us. Jenkinson is the better crosser, but Sagna is the calmest and most composed of the two. Sagna had a great partnership with Theo last season, but Theo is not playing much on the RW anymore; who would fit best with your first choice right winger?

TV or Koz

That is another hard one to decide on for us, and TV’s captaincy difficulties do not make things any easier. Some might argue they should play together and Mertesacker should be left out, but I reckon that none of them can bring to the team what the big German is giving us at the moment. TV and Koz are very similar players and are great to have in our team, and I would struggle to choose between them, but who would get your vote?

I have deliberately not made any choices yet, as I don’t want to influence the debate too much today. However, I will post my choices later in the day.

Bergkampesque always welcomes contributions of (new) bloggers, so please don’t hesitate to comment. 🙂

Total Arsenal.

69 thoughts on “Wenger’s major first-team selection headaches”

  • Hi Total,
    this ‘transition’ you speak of has been a never-ending cycle since 2006.
    You clearly begrudge RvP wanting to win some personal medals, I remember Liam Brady and Frank Stapleton doing exactly the same back in 1980.
    I forgot to put Gervinho on my list, and Ramsey out on loan to prove himself too.

  • Hi Herb,

    We discussed the van Judas situation more than once and I respect your perspective on the matter.

    Gervinho is one of the best left-wingers in the PL, but again, it is your view. Ramsey out on loan is not a bad call.

    What are your views on the choices in the post?

  • Hi Herb… I remember the Stapleton exchange well. It stuck in my throat then and smacked of Manc dealing all those years ago. This might be the reason I detest them so.

    Do you remember it went to tribunal and the panel elected the Arsenal board sell him for £500,000.

    We had to pay the same amount for Lee Chapman. What a stitch up.

    Total……ManOne has come on leaps and bounds for me and I would not like to choose between them, although neither are the finished item by a long chalk, but what can we do when we refuse to spend good money.

    Ox or Rambo = I think you know already my decision there, its a no brainer for me.

    Pod or Gerv. Pod needs a rest at the moment by when fit rotate them according to the opposition

    Jenks or Sagna. Sagna is one of the last true quality players we have so he would be in the starting line up for me. I would like to add if it where me I would not have been happy in Jenks boots being dropped straight away when Sagna got fit, he was performing heroically.

    TV or Kos……Kos at the moment but again whoever was the fittest two out of Merts/Kos/TV. I would strip the captaincy from TV as I feel this has contributed with his drop in form. Responsibility is not his thing by the looks of it. Arteta captain for me.

    As Herb says many times I feel we need to ship out all the dross, but not as much as he says, we need a little continuity.

    The drum has worn out Total, most Arsenal supporters are saying the same now, we need to spend and by top quality which we havn’t been doing for some time now. Wenger willnot drop his stubborn stance and buy the finished article, he keeps wanting to pull one out of the hat and it simply is not working.

  • Hi VCC, good reasoning for your choices. Agreed on letting go under-performing players, but unfortunately you need two to tango for this, and we will always have a residue of unwanted players, as per the nature of competitive football with only 11 starting positions.

    I am not sure about Arteta as captain: I think he might suffer the same fate as TV5. For me it is the big fabulous German.

  • I really don’t know, Total, I’m baffled by Mr Wenger’s obsession with buying French/French Africans. When he went to Lille he could have bought Hazard, but chose Gervinho, just the same as he chose Walcott over Bale at Southampton. I’m already dreading January and Mr Wenger’s other obsession for bringing back ex-players – Thierry Henry. For him to have to bring back a semi-retired Sol Campbell and a fully retired Jens Lehmann tells me everything I need to know about our manager. Patently not good enough, and way out of his depth.
    Hi VCC, I was just as angry over losing Brady and Stapleton as I am with this current set-up, and that’s why for me Brady will never have legendary status at Arsenal.

  • If I see something wrong with the way my club is being run I am entitled to air my anxieties and will continue to do so until the penny drops among those who see challenging for 4th spot as an exciting/real achievement. You believing Mr Wenger to be a footballing genius doesn’t make it true. Personally I think he would make a better Chancellor.
    If you would rather I didn’t do that on your site, then so be it, but thousands of Arsenal fans can’t all be wrong. Le Grove get more hits than ‘AA’, ‘HH’ or ‘BK’ put together. Why? Because they are disgusted at the way the club is being run and aren’t afraid to say it.
    Why do you think the Black Scarf Movement and Red Action are joining forces to protest at the Swansea game? Or are you buzzing at how well you think we are performing on and off the field?

  • Good idea for a post TA, I love hypotheticals. Great comment also VCC.

    I also Agree Arteta should be the captain. He reeks of leadership quality and leads by example. BFG is also a good shout, and until I saw a recent video of him on youtube I would have never thought of him as an option.

    And the winners are….

    * Szczesny: Man One has been reliable and consistent but a fully fit and confident Szczesny is a force. He is our future keeper so the more experience we can pump in to him now the better we’ll be in the future. As GIE always says the only way to get experience is by playing so chuck him between the sticks now. If Arsene shows a leap of faith in him like that it’s show to give Szczesny some confidence.

    * Podolski (Giroud off the bench/Cup games until he gets settled): At the moment we don’t know how to get the best out of Giroud, and while he is settling in he does not know how to get the best out of himself. A big brute like Giroud coming off the bench against heavy legs is a dangerous prospect. Podolski suits our system best at the moment. He is dangerous both inside and outside the box, he has great finishing skills, strong, and determined. Theo needs to stop whinging to be honest. It’s the system we play, Villa and Pedro are strikers yet they play out wide for Barca and get the job done. They cut in just like theo did against Schalke, and still manage to get goals.

    * Ox: Like Szczesny, the more games he plays the better. Ramsey has suffered because of injuries to key players. Had diaby, rosicky, wilshere all been ready to go I think he would have gone out on loan. He needs game time and is quality enough to warrant fitting him in wherever we can.

    * Gerv: an on song gerv is a big handful. He gets to the byline with ease and with that possibility Pod or Giroud will be ready to pounce (see Giroud against Schalke).

    * Sagna: One of the best RB’s in the world easily. Massive fan of jenks, love how he goes about it. It would not surprise me if we cashed in on Sagna next season because he will only have one year left. Jenks will make it easier on us if Sagna decides he wants the last big pay day at another club. Sagna could well be Lauren part 2. Next season it’ll probably be Jenks as 1, Yennaris as 2. As much as I love Sagna, Jenks will become too good to ride the bench.

    * Kozzer: Besides Kompany he was the best defender in the league last season (honourable mention: Collocini from Newcastle). Best in tackle percentage and interceptions in the league, and scored the most goals (6) as a defender in the league. Vermaelen needs to find form and fast. In an ideal world we could rotate the three without any major consequence, providing adequate rest.

  • I have no problem with people voicing there concerns Herb (you do it very reasonable, and i enjoy reading), but i don’t think it’s that black and white.

    Lille dug their feet in as best they could to keep Hazard, knowing full well they needed him if they were going to replicate their winning form. Also knowing full well if he developed further he would command more money. Didn’t we get Gerv for 10/11? At that stage Lille wanted 25 for Hazard, and he obviously wanted a substantial salary to boot, hence the Chelsea arrival.

    As for theo vs bale, what has Bale done besides a few glimpses against lower teams and a couple of good games against an ageing RB at inter?Not a whole lot. TA has shown stats on numerous occasions comparing both players outputs and theo has come out on top. Also look at theo’s output this season…a goal every 75 minutes (thanks Rocky). Theo gets labelled as a one trick pony, but what is Bale? A speed demon aswel just without the brilliant finishing that Theo possesses. If Bale was that good do you really think he’d still be at the scum? All the reports of 45 million ect ect are far off the mark.

    Things are by no means perfect. Confidence is low and times are tough, but what is getting rid of half the squad like you want going to do? It’ll only put us further behind. We are only a couple of players, further development of several more, and some solid tactics/variation off from being a real competitor.

    The majority of those joining forces are twits who think Arsene and Arsenal owe them something in return. Yes there are a few that are concerned and do debate reasonably, but some individuals go way over the top. We all have our concerns, we all want some things to change. Please don’t go down the ‘I’m realist’ path ect ect because that gives me the willies

  • Herb, we are all disappointed but we deal different with things. I asked you to respond to the content of today’s post but you just drone on about the same old thing. VCC has probably very similar views than you have, albeit less extreme. However, he is able to mix his negativity – to which you and he are of course entitled – with some positivity now and again. He also is not trying to convince everybody in the world how shite everything Arsenal is.

    I am getting tired of you again, so feel free to keep commenting, but for my own sanity, I am going to refrain from responding to you for a while.

  • hi Oz, thanks for a comprehensive response. I agree with all your choices.

    Time will tell who got the better signing: Arsenal or Chelsea. At the moment, Gervinho is outscoring Hazard and the jury is still out re the Belgian. Once defenders have studied him a bit, he might turn into the next Joe Cole for the Chavs. Gervinho is one of the best LW in the PL and despite our attack not being settled in at all, he already scored five goals.

  • Hi Oz, why would I have chosen Bale over Walcott? Because he is a winger, something Arsenal fans have been crying out for since the departure of Robert Pires. I don’t really care about their individual goal-scoring records, Walcott isn’t a winger. Eden Hazard would have been a lot cheaper in 2011 than he was last summer for Chelsea, and well within our budget had we shown enough ambition, in the same way that we put in a derisory bid for Gary Cahill, who went to Chelsea for £7m.
    There’s a world of difference between telling fans you can’t compete and then choosing not to when the critical decisions need to be made. We were offered Affelay in the summer, but he went instead to Schalke, who took 4 out of the possible 6pts against us and will probably win our CL group. Are Schalke 04 a bigger club than Arsenal?

  • Hazard was tagged at 25 million, and far out of our reach at that stage. At that stage he helped Lille win the double and was named french player of the year. They were not interested in getting rid of him in the slightest as they needed him for their Champions League campaign. They only got rid of him this time around because 35 million was far too good to refuse.

    True Walcott isn’t really a winger but what does that say about Bale? Bale is getting out performed by someone who is not playing in his preferred spot.

    Gary Cahill who needs him? He is overrated. Who is he going to replace? because he is not better than BFG, Kozzer, or Vermaelen. It’s as simple as that. CB is not our problem personnel wise.

    I’m not sure what happened with Affelay but I thought Barca changed their mind and did not want to sell. He himself stated that he wanted to make it at Barca to prove to himself he was good enough. Having come back from a major injury a loan deal was needed. I would like to see him at Arsenal though and have wanted to before he made the move to Barca.

  • Cahill was cheaper, and is better than either Koscielny or Vermaelen, Oz, home-grown, and from centre-half already has 5 goals this season. Does Cahill make as many defensive howlers as Vermaelen or Koscielny? But people see what they want to see to suit their agenda. If Arsenal really wanted Hazard, a deal would have been struck, Lille are nowhere near the same status as Arsenal.
    We could have had Kompany from Anderlecht for £7m.
    I did say Koscielny was capable of warrior-like performances, just not consistently enough. One week he’ll be the best player on the park, the next he’ll be the reason for us collapsing again, and Vermaelen is just plain over-rated.
    I don’t agree that Walcott is out-performing Bale, because Bale isn’t primarily a goal-scorer, so those stats are redundant. Why is Mourinho looking at Bale and not Walcott?

  • I’ve said this before, so apologies for repeating myself.
    Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in England, and have spent more years in the top tier than either Manchester United or Liverpool. Herbert Chapman made Arsenal the best club side in the world, and he spent money doing so. and it never once compromised our future. There is nothing left of the football institution that he built, it has been sold off to line people’s pockets. Not one of the sides he assembled were ever humiliated 8-2, and this was during the 1930’s, when goals were plentiful, and sides were scoring over 100 goals a season.
    The club’s whole identity is missing, and Stan Kroenke really doesn’t get it. A year on from last years AGM, he didn’t understand why he needed to be at this years. So no mission statement, no vision for the immediate or long term future, no leadership. And that theme is at the core of Arsenal’s biggest problem from the top down.
    We lack back-bone, hunger, desire and passion, and all that stems from leadership.
    The money argument is wearing thin and is trotted out to excuse rank bad buys. Such is a players stock these days they pay for themselves. Money makes money, and Arsenal are a rich club, who could comfortably compete with Chelsea and Manchester United, but CHOOSE not to.
    We aren’t spoilt. I’ve lived through many barren years, the mid 1970’s and most of the 1980’s was depressing, but never as soul-less as it feels now. Thousands of fans have been frozen out from the shiny new bowl that is The Emirates because they are the most expensive football club to watch in world football. Our wage bill is the same as Bayern Munich’s, who would smash Arsenal right now.
    If all of that is acceptable to you, you are a far more generous man than me, and we support different clubs.

  • Really looking forward to the Fulham game now. I guess we’ll see some changes and it is a good test for our strength in depth in certain areas.

  • Total……I think it’s worth a punt at starting Meade at left back and trying out Eisfeld wide midfield. If the Ox is fit start with him too. This would give a couple of players rest period and recharge their batteries for the Spurs game. If things go tits up we can sub them. What do you think?

  • Hello Ladeeez

    Too knackered to speak much, but a fine post Total. Your questions show that we have a decent squad when all fit. All I can say is, I want two fast wide men and someone up front !.
    Oz has been on fine form today and If Arsenal win on Saturday, I will honour him in my viodeo Match report !. hahaha
    Thank you Herb, for making me laugh with ” Personally, I think he would make a better Chancellor ” !. hahaha

    PS
    I read all the comments on glic junior`s new 50 inch plasma screen, shame he hasn`t got a mouse for it, instead of a X-Box controller ( it was hard work ). It`s going in his Love Shack. I start digging the 12 foundation pads next week !.

  • Hi VCC, I reckon we have to make some changes, although our CL game was on Tuesday and not Wednesday which makes a bit of a difference. Of course it is a must-win game. I went to the same fixture last year and it also was in November, I think, and we were knackered after a CL game, and just about got a point by a latisch Vermaelen equaliser.

    I would play Coquelin for Arteta is he needs a break, and agreed on Ox if he is fit. I also like Yenaris. Playing Cazorla is dangerous though, but do we have an option with all the other injuries?

  • Only a slight edge, but Zaha is a gooner !. Then again, so was Smalling, Red and White Van Man U and Cashley !.
    😦
    Going back to previous stuff, when we were in for Theo, we were after a forward, so Bale cant be compared to Theo at the time as he was playing LB and we had Clichey and Gibbs !.

  • We desperately need to beat Fulham to stay in contention for a forth spot trophy, but I think is this going to be a hard game and I`m suffering the same as our team in having low confidence ! . To me, at the moment, it`s about winning not performance, that will come with wins and nothing more, however we get them !. 😦

  • Honoured maybe Total, but VCC`s ugley boat on a screen that size is not for the faint hearted !. So back on the 23 inch screen ! hahaha
    Are you watching American Horror Story Series 2 ?. If you are, Bloody Face !, need I say more !.

  • Hi GLiC …..long distance driving today?

    I’m polishing my boots as we speak. I fancy goal hanging and let Theo do the pace work and just slip me in.

    I could run towards the camera after scoring, and you could see my lovely looks on your big screen.

  • Hi VCC
    Make sure it`s after the watershed 9 pm !.

    500 miles of listening to your CD, It needs updating though, they keep mentioning Beef van Curtains in the songs !. hahaha

  • The Edge..that’s impressive GLiC….I think you should arrange an AA get together once a year. You can play the cd and we can have a right old knees up.

  • I know one thing that will be set in stone, it`s that me and the boy will watch Arsenal on his 50 inch screen away from the missus !. Ahh peace and quiete !. hahaha
    Gang members are all welcome to stick a tent on my land If you fancy a break in the summer, free of charge, but no interfering with the neighbours sheep !. hahaha

  • Yeah, but Stretch is related to a Cretian goat herder and knowing him, I can guess what he herds them up for and it`s not just their beautiful “come to bed eye`s” !. hahaha

  • I may have to use it too interview glic jnr`s potential love aquisitions !.
    ” Now what is it you have to offer my son ? , Look at me when i talk to you, not the naked man in the mirror ” !. hahaha

  • Without looking at anyone elses answers:

    Scz, Sagna, Koz,

    The rest, for me at least, are all a bit mix and match. My only request is that Gerv gets more time out on the left. at the moment its like its 100% Podo’s spot…when in truth, based on his recent outings, that spot should be up for grabs.

    Mert at CB is an absolute must !!

  • “He also is not trying to convince everybody in the world how shite everything Arsenal is”

    That’s it in a nutshell

    End

  • M’Villa has been suspended by the French FA till after the World Cup in 2014 today, for going to a nightclub between two French international games. It looked like we were very close to signing him up, but I reckon Wenger changed his mind at the last minute. We got Santi instead and I guess we had a lucky escape.

  • Frankly I’m not too bad Total.

    I think when we play the fluid front three they should rotate more, with more switching and passages of play with a false 9, ideally Podolski dropping deep centrally.

    The crazy thing about Podo playing wide left is the amount of time he spends drifting infield.

    Nb. I think you’re right to highlight how the absence of Gibbs has impacted Podo’s performances

  • Suspended til 2014….what an idiot. How does he expect to go clubbing and not get spotted..??

    Santi vs M’Vila…lol

  • Sharkey, just imagine the wingers working properly again: Gibbs and Gervinho/Pod, Theo and Sagna, with Cazorla and Wilshere bossing the midfield: Giroud and or Pod get so much service they don’t become totally trigger happy.

    There does seem to be a special bond between Gibbs and Pod: they look like each other, they have a pretty similar physic and running style and find each other really easily. It is like a double terminator.

  • Guys , the more dissing talk about M`Villa, the more I see his price dropping, he could be a steal at £1m !.

  • Yes Total 🙂
    Probably why Arsene and Arshavin were destined for the Arsenal ! and Mrs Terry`s little pr**k was destined for the Chavs and Beef van Curtains was destined for Clungechester United !.

  • Yes, let’s all tow the party line, let’s never question the shoddy toothless side-to-side football, or the injury list that permanently has eight or nine players on it. Let’s celebrate and raise the roof because 4th place is a real possibility this year. Let’s pretend that David Moyes doesn’t do a better job on far less resources, and for a much smaller salary. Let’s appreciate the warm glow that taking the moral high ground is giving us and ignore all the mediocrity that comes with it. Let’s all close our eyes and defend the indefensible.
    I enjoy reading things that make sense, and nothing about Arsenal’s weak, lethargic strategy makes sense.
    Please somebody prove me wrong and I will humbly apologise to you all.

  • To address your your fine Post, Total, I’d switch to a 4-4-2, and my line-up would be as follows:-
    GK: Mannone (based on recent form)
    RB: Sagna
    CB: BFG
    CB: Miquel
    LB: Gibbs
    Right Wing: Jenkinson
    CM: Eisfeld
    CM: Wilshere (Capt)
    Left Wing: Cazorla
    ST: Walcott
    ST: Podolski

    Bench: Szczesny, Kocielny, Coquelin, Arteta, Gnabry, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain

  • @ GLIC

    very jealous of Jnr’s love pad. It’d be the perfect man cave for Arsenal games. When I was a teenager we had the same sort of thing out back but at the time I was too young to more out there. Told my mates we are going to have pool parties, girls, beer, ect ect…then we moved! So yes I accept you’re invitation to move there, on the grounds that I don’t catch you playing kiss chasey with yourself in my pad.

    @ Sharkespeare

    glad you thought so, cheers

  • Hi Oz,
    hope you’re good.
    Just to say, I have absolutely no problem with your opinions, you’re clearly more up-beat than me, and that’s fine.
    My opinions are just that, and I will fiercely defend what I believe until I see differently, but they are never aimed at belittling or insulting a fellow blogger, or their opinions on Arsenal.

  • No one is accepting anything Herb. We all know things need a shake up, but some perspective is needed first. I’m not going to go into the way we run the club financially, new stadium, new deals bringing us more money, Arsene finding gems, FFP ect ect because it has forced our hand in some areas and i look forward to seeing more money spent on acquisitions.

    You can’t beat up Arsene for players like Kompany, he can win them all. Yes he was a great buy and ironic that man city’s best player was their cheapest. But at the time he was considered more of a DM and the change to CB really reinvented him. He himself took a while to get going. It’s only really been the last 2 seasons since he’s got a move on with 2010/11 seeing him make the team of the season. What’s that Vermaelen got that same honour in the 2009/10 season in his first year in the league?????

    Vermaelen suffered a major injury that left him out for most of the year. Anyone who has done their achilles knows it is a horrible injury and takes a long time to grow confident running again. The follow on injuries shook up his game a little but last season he still played some very good football. He was however forced to play out of position at LB at times.This season was primed for him to step up and start dominating again, I’m not sure why he hasn’t since the break but that’s what confidence will do to a man. Recent form aside there are not many teams in the WORLD who would not want Vermaelen as there CB, and that is a fact.

    Koscielny was a revelation last season. He settled in after a mixed first season, added some strength and rarely (if any) had his flagged lowered. Lets not forget he even controlled Messi at the Emirates. His metoric rise has seen him earn international call-ups (something I hoped wouldn’t happen due to injuries) and at the Euro’s he got injured and has found it tougher to get back into it this season. One bad game against Torres does not mean he is rubbish. As i said before best in the league in tackles and interceptions last season, 2nd best defender in the league behind Kompany last season what more do you want from him???

    Be reasonable Herb because it’s the last time I’m going to defend these two with you because they are bloody good defenders and a few slips this season does not prove otherwise. Cahill haha come off it. Yes he is solid and dependable but he plays behind Luiz and Ivanovic most times. 5 goals…2 in capitol cup, one in UEFA super cup. Amazing how you alter that stat when it suits your argument, yet when I say it for Vermaelen and Kozzer you disregard it. Their is no agend with me, It is you who is disregarding the facts and calls for any player that has made a transfer in recent years to other teams can not be shifted onto Arsene. Cahill wanted a lot of money because his transfer fee was so low (heading into the remaining 6 months of his contract. If he came to us he would be our highest paid player, compare him to our 3 CB’s and most in Europe will laugh in your face!

    Mourinho was all over him after the inter milan games, but the fire has long gone on that one. If he is so good then why is he still at Tottenham? He is one dimension, does not dominate games and is far too inconsistent, that is why the number of potential buyers have cooled

    I’m not going to get into the Arsene debate with you, I’ve said it before and would just be repeating others. It’s not like we all walk around with smiles pinned to our faces 100% of the time, we are not naive to everything. If anything most on here and AA are more awake to the situation then you. We see everything as it is, no agendas, no misleading stats in an attempt to persuade our argument.

    I want Arsenal to win more than anything but not at the detriment of our future. We will return to the top, and contrary to what you think we are not far off it! When we are their again I will be VERY happy knowing I stuck by the current regime and supported the team 100%. I’ll have a clear conscience knowing I was not chanting for blood and shoving tired used rhetoric’s down peoples throats. I want victory not the chance to shout ‘I told you so’s’ to anyone who will listen.

    I’m not question your allegiance Herb, so don’t take that path. But I do think after all of your years of support you stumbled down the wrong path and have held a grudge ever since. I hope you find your way again because it’s going to be one hell of a ride back to the top and I’d hate to see you not enjoy it.

  • You have no reason to explain yourself to me herb, the same goes for me. I have nothing wrong with your opinions, I’m all for healthy debate. If we don’t see eye to eye then so be it. But once it’s said it’s done and dusted and we move on from it. I think we are as stubborn as each other so at the end of the day we have said nothing that will change anything haha

  • Nice one, Oz, and you make a good passionate debate too, all of which is worth valid consideration.
    I respect Mr Wenger, he has achieved amazing things at Arsenal, for which he deserves great reverence. But it was so long ago, and we’re not getting closer. We’re in a loop where we’re eternally two or three players from ‘greatness’, and that has nothing to do with our finances.
    It would be humbling, but at the same time fantastic if Mr Wenger and Arsenal were to prove me and all the nasty, vitriolic doomers/critics/doubters wrong, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince many Arsenal fans that their model is the right one. For whatever reason, the chemistry and karmic energy around The Emirates is not working, and that is worrying.

  • Morning Herb 🙂

    I don’t agree with all the first team choices you put forward, but I still like the look of the team you put forward. It looks fresh and capable of causing opponents serious ‘damage’.

  • Herb and Oz…….I enjoyed that debate. Both parties passionate about their beliefs and together have some good points. Keep it up. Herb, that’s why I say keep around, it’s healthy in my opinion.

    Herb, you say there is so much wrong with Arsene/Arsenal and yet in your last post you admit we are two to three players away from greatness……..that’s says we are doing something right, it’s the same drum I have been banging for a couple of years now.

    By the way Herb, I like your line up, think its worth a shout against Fulham, enabling a few players to get a rest.

    Sage payroll classes today chaps won’t be around for a while, happy blogging,laterz.

  • 22.20….L…o…n…g…….f…u…c…k…i…n…g……y…a…w…n !!!!!

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