Posted 16/03/08 15:20
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Stop Talking About Potential, Start Winning
Let's be honest, the league has been spunked, and in truly gutless fashion. The gaping holes of a wafer-thin squad are as plain to see as Wenger's comfort in a non-pressure, no-expectation job.
In reality, the league was probably lost in the home-draw against Villa following the Birmingham debacle, but draws against the pish of Wigan and Boro have only compunded what was already obvious. It's hard to imagine what we're going to get out of the fixtures about to come and where we'll end up in the table in May (Chavski are only three points behind with a game in hand now).
I feel a bit conned by the whole 'my boys will come of age and win something big' after three seasons of mediocrity, when it's as clear now as it was then that too many of them don't look up to it.
Our defence has an average height of 5ft and no decent cover, our midfield has no depth when someone is out through injury or suspension, while players like Eboue and Gilberto have become hated figures. And our strikeforce is inexperienced and lacking a decent cutting edge (which, admittedly, it did seem like we were starting to get from Eduardo before his leg snapped in two). Also, the likes of Hoyte, Denilson, Traore & Co. have failed to show any signs of growth from last season or the season before. Strangely enough, after months of critiscm, only Walcott from the pool of 'youngsters' looks to be showing signs of promise of late, and him along with Flamini can be considered success stories of this season. Fabregas and Adebayor have received the most plaudits, but in actuality, in too many games lately have they simply been absent or damnright wasteful.
Already Wenger is saying he won't be making any major signings in the summer, and no doubt, when we end up empty-handed again this season, he'll get on his high-horse about the morality of sport and how winning things shouldn't be the be all, and end all!
For all the prettiness of the football on a good day, would us fans not prefer some success and trophies? And would you not like to see some major names come on board rather than another teenage 'wonder kid' who doesn't quite make it after all, and ends up on loan at Birmingham before being sold off to a lower-flight club? The kind of signing that was damn exciting back in the days when Wenger wasn't afraid to sign experience and class, such as when we stole Campbell or signed Henry or Pires or even Wiltord and Reyes.
So I'd like to ask youse fellow Gooners a hypothetical question: right now, considering how inept we've been challenging the top sides since Wenger dismantled the Invicibles all too bloody quickly, would you be willing to trade Wenger in for the efficient, brash and tremendously succesful Mourinho model, even if the fancy-dan football was to stop?
I have to be honest - personally, I would. If only for league consistency and real success in Europe. Because Wenger's European record of zero wins, as well as three league titles in nearly 12 years simply ain't the record of a true 'winner', and his comfort in the hot seat has become as frustrating as our challenging on the trophy front.
I don't care if it's pretty and fast 'n flowing... I don't care if it's built on shirt buttons and the shareholders pockets get filled... I want to celebrate something in May, not listen to excuses and more promises about the team's potential being realised next year!
Bully
...It pains me to say it, but the title is all but Man Utd's. They showed this weekend why they are going to be the champions again and my Gunners are not (at least this year). I know, I know, there are a lot of games
left to be played, but United played horribly and still managed to get three points. You simply cannot draw against teams like Birmingham, Wigan and Boro (and earlier in the year, Newcastle) and expect to be champs at the end when your rivals are getting wins by comfortable margins.
All the credit to United, they do what they have to do. It kills me to say it, but it looks like it will be Man U again this year. I just hope we can hold off Chelsea for second...
Michael Cairns
...If Arsene Wenger believes this current Arsenal side does not need additions in the summer, then he is either lying or perhaps does not want to acknowledge just how much he has lost the plot.
Since the Invincibles of 2004, the Arsenal have gone steadily backwards. We played some nice stuff in 05, but were very fortunate to win the FA Cup at Man U's expense and after some truly dire performances in 06 and last season can count ourselves very lucky to finish fourth on each occasion, despite reaching the European Cup final.
We're now so predictable, it's no surprise that teams know how to snuff Arsenal's creativity, bully them and get ready for the inevitable slide rule pass, the side pass 14 yards out, the overlap by full backs and the offside appeals.
Some of the squad is unbelievably awful. Senderos and Diaby should never be allowed to buy an Arsenal shirt, let alone wear one and none of Hoyte, Gilberto, Bendtner, Denilson, Song, Fabianski or Walcott are good enough and Rosicky has been a massive disappointment.
The side are too airyfairy, too predictable and better suited to the European game than the Premiership, which is why we'll win nothing this season and be put out of Europe by Liverpool.
And although this will be treated as sacrilege by a lot of Arsenal fans, if Wenger can't see it, perhaps it's time for him to go, as his best days are clearly long gone
Gary Westfallen
