Even then I wouldn't make it all Giroud. If Wenger had had the gumption to bring in another striker or (at the worse) let Bendtner start games, Giroud wouldn't be so gassed at this point. Ultimately, this is Wenger's fault.
I think you are all on the right track here. The key is balance. This is a one-dimensional-one-pace team currently and what few game changers we have are out injured. Not enough depth/quality, overuse, selling our best players, make do mentality, are all contributors. And this failure in squad management has to be laid at the feet of the manager. Another thing that I've been harping on about for years is our tempo - s l o w. Possession game works, but has to be done properly, with the right tempo, with different options (speed/power), and game changers that can recognize and exploit the opposition's mistakes and weaknesses.
here is the thing, the attack wasnt doing great with all those players. Although I will say that its been bang awful without Ozil, who many thought was a player that wasnt really needed. THose players are good, but only Theo is a speed threat. We need more.
What is really sad is we had the parts, but the real world doesn't turn parts into a winning team. Denilson's back injury, Diaby is like a GM needs a recall, Cesc had Barca DNA, Ramsey lost about 18 months of development, Wilshere has failed to kick on mentally from the youth game. Is Arsenal a case study in developing teams from within? Sad really.
I was talking about players who are healthy when I mentioned those who drive the ball from the midfield or wing. In any event, this bunch of players just isn't good enough and Giroud is awful now that he's tired and overworked. He should be a 3rd striker on a title challenging/trophy challenging team.
Workt through the weekend, what did I miss? Everything else aside, I'm putting this down on the table. Read this guy's feed April 6 and I think we can come to the conclusion that radical changes need to be made with at least the medical staff of this team. https://twitter.com/raymondverheije
I would replace Wenger with Martinez on the sole reason of injury policy based on those tweets if they can be believed.
Just because he has managed to give us CL football almost every season doesn't mean we cannot achieve the same or even better results if he leaves. The board needs to make a decisive decision and needs to do it fast. If Wenger gets sacked, I would wait with bringing another long-term coach as it can be chaotic (see: Moyes, Pardew) Give Moyes, or Pochettino, or maybe someone like Klopp a 3-years contract and let's see how it goes. If it goes good without too many problems, extend the contract. If it doesn't, you can always hire someone else after the 3 years. The thought of hiring someone for more than 3 years and only finding out that he is not competent enough for the job is quite worrysome.
@samuelj29060 10h RT @bajankris Arsenal fans waited for Wenger to turn up before boarding the train back to London & told him to ******** off. This is absolutely out of line. Some people really need to get a life. Pathetic.
He's a nut, but a lot of what he's saying appeals to common sense. Also, maybe he should reconsider Twitter as a platform. You don't read too many 31-part Tweets.
You make some interesting points, notably I have not gone to the pub for a "big" Arsenal match in years. Last one was the 4-4 Newcastle debacle a few years ago. We haven't bottled it against smaller clubs this year, we were on top for 128 days because we were successful against them this season finally. That has troubled us the past 8 years prior. We have totally bottled it against the top 5. No need to repeat, we all know. And get off Giroud. The man has literally run the front line ragged. Could anyone do what he has done? No. It's impossible. Watch replays of some of the past few games. We are down and trailing, look at a freeze frame shot downfield. Giroud is literally alone amonfg4-5 defenders. Because of our slow, plodding pace it is simply impossible for him to do anything. He is gassed beyond belief. He is not stellar, he is not the guy I would sign up for as my major striker, but I also refuse to bash him and blame him for offensive misfiring. Be realistic guys. Look at the injuries we have. Astronomical and a number of us rightly point the finger at the medical staff. But what about the training? These injuries occur every year to name the player. They are always calf problems, hamstrings, and groins. Our guys don't just miss a game or two, they miss months! As for me, I hope we beat Wigan. I hope we win the FA Cup. It will bring some confidence to a badly shaken, threadbare squad that we loved in January. It will instill belief. I personally am ambivalent to 4th place or 5th place. A year in CL as a play-in match yet again or a year out of the CL doesn't make much difference. This squad needs a break. We have the same players, sans Sagna, tied up for years. Let them pull a Liverpool and focus ont he league. Watch Pool and Everton implode as they have to play exponentially more games next year with threadbare squads. Think Stevie G's legs will hold up? No. Give us a break. Also, let Wenger ride off into the sunset or upstairs holding that last piece of silverware. Fighting for the Wenger Trophy is getting old. As much as I respect and admire him it is time for a new era at the Arsenal.
Unfortunately finishing 5th means a greater number of European fixtures, not fewer. If we don't finish 4th I'd rather finish 7th. (For the record, though, I think we will finish 4th.)
based on? He hasnt said anything. THis guy is a loud mouth. He had a job at Cardiff, iirc but got fired. I am not defending Arsenal's methods at all, but this guy is a jackoff.
Understood, Tonerl. I meant not focusing on Europe league like most of the English teams that make the tournament. Use that for youngsters and fringe players.
If Wenger left, I'd go hard after Pochettino. Southhampton may go far, but Arsenal can and will go farther than the Saints.
Just saw an interesting thought on twitter...Could part of our problem be the fact that we lack any true gooners on the pitch lately? These guys just don't seem to give a rats ass about the crest or the team
I think that's total bull, regardless of the team. Nobody gives a crap about the club they play for, it's a job and a paycheck and they play for pride. Look at Sherwood. He got a chance to manage Spurs, who he allegedly should hate more than any other team. Regardless, he had an opportunity to prove he was a top flight manager (which he quite hilariously mucked up). That opportunity is worth more than a crest or a team. Also, I agree that Pochettino should be someone that we look at long and hard. There's no reason we should be trying to poach as much of Southampton as we can. Their setup is superb.
Fans who say this say it because they have no idea what they are talking about. I am not saying you, but just think about that.
Rep was for the first part. I disagree strongly with the idea that we should try to turn ourselves into Soton's London branch. Love watching them and they're a great story, but I don't see a single player on that team who would start over any of our current regulars, and Pochettino is less proven than Martinez. He may turn into a great manager, or he may not. 14 months ago everybody was clamoring for Laudrup, ffs!