16 Feb 2017 08:39:30
Tell me why play Xhaka when he hasn't kicked a ball in anger for two weeks, why give the armband to Gibbs, why play Ospinia in a game of such importance? I know he played ok but play your best team. They should all be playing on Monday, Wenger has gone stale, none of the players fear him, I can't see any respect for him from the players . If the club won't sack him and I understand why give him another job, seven straight defeats in the last 16 is an awful record, as I say each year there is no point finishing in the top four if we have no chance in the CL. At least we might have a chance in the PL . oh no silly me.
16 Feb 2017 09:31:53
A lot of his selections made no sense last night, not playing Welbeck up top so Sanchez could occupy Robbin and help Gibbs. Chamberlain out of midfield. Mystifying.
So I'm not saying this as a rant or moan as I'm not even remotely annoyed by a situation at our club that you really had to be blind to not see it coming. That is not meant to offend anyone because to a degree I've been there.
I have stood by Wenger and been forever frustrated by the lack of understanding of our own fans to his achievements whilst we moved stadium and the then needed financial constraints. He stood by us and the club stood by him. That was how it was. Yes we'd all have loved some kind of trophy in that period but it wasn't to be.
So whilst it was a long trophy less period I believed that once out of that period he would put together another title winning side and when Ozil came on board I thought that to be the start of it. Two FA Cups and a 2nd place finish however gave a false impression we were going places. Any manager can win an FA Cup and 2nd place was gifted to us by the mighty spuds.
Thus I personally felt that Wenger should have gone last year, to simply buy Cech then capitulate to Leicester in the league was unforgivable. To buy Mustafi, Xhaka, Holding and Perez this season when those exact four players were available last season makes it even more unforgivable and in honesty what do you see in a 30+ million Mustafi that you didn't see in a £12 million Van Dyjk. Why if you were looking at Kante before he went to Leicester didn't you buy him then.
Constant talk of mental strength and it's the one thing our team is continually devoid of, constantly rolled over at the slightest set back.
We really have stood by players who showed glimpses of real talent but ultimately are not up to it, mostly our British contingent. We have failed as yet to sign up Ozil and Sanchez, do they know already their demands have not and will not be met, is there an unacceptable offer on the table that means they already know they're off. Why wouldn't that be the case and what does it say. That's aside of what you think of Ozil.
Wenger truly has had ample time since the purse strings were allegedly loosened to show he is still capable and he is clearly a million miles from that.
I believe we are destined to achieve very little, certainly nothing whilst Wenger remains, but very little whilst Kroenke remains. I listened to Robert Kraft on the radio the other day, billionaire owner of the Super Bowl winners, he wants to win, he says he wants to win and clearly gives his club the opportunity to win.
You can dislike Chelsea or Manchester City but the people who own them want to win. We don't have that and that is a huge stumbling block for who ever comes in, HUGE.
It's always a difficult moment when a great has to realise they are no longer a great, one fight, one race or sometimes one game but sadly it's clear Wenger no longer has what it takes. I wish him nothing but good things but it really is time to go. Nothing good will come of him staying.
16 Feb 2017 09:41:50
Good post Stoner.
16 Feb 2017 09:00:54
I though Ospina played well. Atm he is streets ahead of Czech. Wenger is guilty of not assembling a world class squad when the money was available. Even if you pick the best eleven Bayern would beat you. There is so much quality at Bayern. I think you should have bought a world class striker in summer or Jan mate. Some one at the level of Suarez of Costa. Hummels and Martinez are the weakest links in Bayern and you did nothing to test them.
16 Feb 2017 09:45:28
It really is a sorry state of affairs Banbury. I think Wenger will honour his contract and leave in the summer. He can't be allowed to go upstairs the whole set up needs to be reavaluated.
16 Feb 2017 10:00:29
Excellent post stoner.
16 Feb 2017 10:53:21
Great post very true stoner.
16 Feb 2017 12:24:01
Good post Stoner, I have always been pro Wenger but can't really argue with your points and everyone else's for that matter anymore. I struggle to believe that anybody could actually take Van Dijk for £12 million though. I've heard that figure too but it would be a crime for the Saints to let him go for that.
16 Feb 2017 14:03:22
Banbury there is no sense in a lot of what he's doing now. Good post stoner. Tpg ha ha the saints bought van dyke for 12 mil, they'd want 50 for him now. The pount was wenger didn't see it and paid 35 for mustaffi.