22 Feb 2025 17:42:32
2 shots on target at home against West Ham when we are fighting to compete for league just isn't good enough from Arteta. Not the first time our attempts on goal has been well below this season. hopefully LS learns from his red and moves on. That lad is quality.
Need a result now against Forest.
{Ed025's Note - you are not competing for the league as from now SY, you are sadly playing to secure second place mate, just my opinion of course..
22 Feb 2025 18:03:10
I think you're right ed, the injuries have certainly not helped.
{Ed025's Note - injuries yes Sally, but also a lack of investment just when you needed it to kick on mate, a new top forward would have given the whole squad a lift and the supporters for that mind, a trick missed i feel as i really thought it was your season for the taking..
22 Feb 2025 18:31:35
Truth be told it was over when they bottled it and didn’t buy a decent forward in the last 4 windows. Signing Kai sums us up. We are so so damn close but in terms of thinking like title winners miles away. It’s no surprise thst when City look like they’ve blown it, we’ve not capitalised. Liverpool have this year and we blew 10 points or whatever it was the other year.
We aren’t miles away in terms of starting 11 but I don’t believe Arteta has it in him. Club have a decision to make. Liverpool have replaced well so no reason to fear change, I like Arteta but can’t stand how he has us playing at times. But love how we can play under him. Ultimately think he’s too defensive and indecisive to make the leap from “could be “ to “actual winner. “
Hope I’m wrong as I really like the guy and he loves the club. People round the club top to bottom seem to really like him.
Issue is, why can’t we sign a player with a less than perfect attitude and manage them because winners don’t always come with perfect team attitudes. Is Ronaldo perfect? Was Suarez a saint?
We need to try something a little different to being the team that huddles, drinks hot chocolate and in bed by 10. When you hear about the Invincibles - it was not always perfect in the changing room. But they were winners. and club acted like winners.
22 Feb 2025 18:36:04
Agreed Ed - frustrating as those windows don’t always open.
{Ed025's Note - exactly SY, an opportunity spurned i would say mate..
22 Feb 2025 18:40:01
On a positive - our players will be rested for next season, we will address the weaknesses and we have unearthed some young talent who will really add to us next season. With a transfer ban for City - I think next season will be our year.
{Ed025's Note - we said that this year SY, i have a couple of concerns myself mate, is the manager strong enough?, and will the club invest in what is needed to actually go all the way?, i so want Arteta to do well but im having my doubts if he can actually take this squad any further..
22 Feb 2025 19:19:31
As long as we finish top 2 Arteta and the team have earned the chance of another go next season in my opinion. Obviously finishing lower than second would be step backwards and questions would naturally need asking but 3 consecutive 2nd places finishes wouldn't exactly be the end of the world in my book. We've come a very long way over the past 3 seasons none of us watch games v City and Liverpool from behind the couch any more and we have two very exciting teenagers who have broke into the team and look every inch the real deal at Premier league level. Disappointed of course but certainly not despondent by any means.
22 Feb 2025 19:45:27
The question is 2nd 2nd 2nd - can he kick on to win? If not - why would we not upgrade. Thst doesn’t mean we aren’t grateful.
The club have invested but to really compete - 65m on Kai isn’t it.
Only buying nice guys with no egos - isn’t it
I’m with you Ed - I don’t think Arteta has what it takes. The club have invested enough to suggest they want to compete in epl but they need to demand more from Arteta and give him the starting 11,and bench required. Whoever signed Kai, Sterling etc shouldn’t be in charge anymore. Whoever signed Jorginho etc also.
I think one more year max and 2nd doesn’t count. We move on.
At some point the next City or Liverpool will be top and our players will get impatient so we can’t keep coming second and not changing.
In 62s own words - doing the same again and again expecting a different result in insane. We need to change.
Max - 1 more year or 1 more chance. We’ve bottled 2 golden chances and yes I know we’ve come on miles since last Wenger year but we need to raise that expectation bar.
{Ed025's Note - the problem as i see it SY is that if you dont have the capacity or want to actually win things then your better players will leave, the likes of Saka, Saliba, Gabby and Rice will want trophies to look back on mate.. as Graeme Souness once said...show me a good loser..and i will show you a loser..
22 Feb 2025 20:07:12
Way too many games where we are p*** poor and seemingly have no plan B, can't say i'm that surprised.
22 Feb 2025 20:17:36
That’s the sad truth and we are back to square one. That loser statement is spot on but doesn’t sit well in the snowflake world. I agree but it’s not a popular truth. I go on too much but really feel we should have been Champs if we only acted liked winners. It’s a tough mindset and comes with a hint of arrogance but that’s what’s needed.
We have a few starters that we could upgrade, a need for striker plus a better winger. Push the guys into the bench and we have upgraded.
How do you sign Sterling and say you want to win. ?
Enjoy your weekend - I need to stop posting ?
Thanks for the chat.
{Ed025's Note - dont ever stop posting SY, i enjoy our chats mate..
22 Feb 2025 20:19:17
Hi Sy, the saying is " if someone keeps doing the same thing over and over again and expects to get a different outcome to the one they've always got in the past its a sure sign of madness"
Personally I don't think things are so bad that we should be thinking of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
{Ed025's Note - that to me is a sign of complacency if ever i heard one G62..
22 Feb 2025 21:28:20
Hi Ed025. I'm certainly not complacent mate I'm extremely aware of the fact that you have to keep looking to improve just to stand still because everyone around you wil soon leave you behind if they improve but you don't.
Equally I'm aware if you change a manager that has consistently made you the second best team in England for 3 years running there is only one place a new manager can possibly take you to do better than the one your replacing, but there is endless scope for a new manager to take you backwards. We are currently enjoying our run of seasons for 20 years and I think we'd be very unwise to risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater just because we still haven't quite got the temperature of the water just right yet.
We've seen so many clubs sack managers because they think they the next manager will give them everything they want but we've also seen lots of clubs go through a long list of managers and still not get what they think they deserve.
{Ed025's Note - i get what you are saying G62 and if that is Mikel,s celing and you are happy with that its fine, my view...and its only a view.. is that you have some very good players and some average ones mate but to take that next step you need better players or a better manager that can improve the ones you have..
22 Feb 2025 21:54:21
Do you copy and paste this post or rewrite it from scratch each time?
22 Feb 2025 22:20:47
Who you asking Sir?
We need both Ed and Liverpool show you can find a good manager. The fear of change mirrors the fear in the club of pushing on to win and Arteta’s inability to turn us into winners.
I’d be happy to change - upgrade both as we are carrying some players and come 3rd. That’s better than never trying to win as we are happy with 2nd again.
It’s so funny. No one wanted Kai. Arteta signs Kai and AKB crew state he’s the bees knees and perfect signing. We are so happy with whatever he does.
That’s the difference between Liverpool and Arsenal. Ox noticed that when he moved. We lack ambition and we’ve been so poor that we are grateful to be second. I’m grateful BUT. We need to kick in or what’s the point.
Permanently coming second is a depressing thought but for some it’s heaven. Give me 3rd with a cup, then 1st then 2nd, 3rd and FA cup then 1st. I’d take that over 2nd every time.
22 Feb 2025 22:29:32
I think the key is do we get the replacements we need. For me if we bring in the players and are not challenging for top spot by Christmas then it's time to move on arteta. However if we only get below requirement then it's really time for Kronkes to move on.
22 Feb 2025 22:31:33
Perhaps we should get an attack minded number 2 to help Arteta. Someone who will also shout at the players when needed - bit of friction will help the club evolve and be less cosy.
{Ed025's Note - you need at least 1 new CF SY, its no use a new coach trying to teach these dogs new tricks mate..the quality is just not there..
22 Feb 2025 23:17:01
For me i'm not afraid of change but I totally accept that change can work out negatively as well as positively.
My personal philosophy has always been if you are really unhappy in your job then change jobs! What's the worst that can happen? Your as unhappy in the new job as you were the last one, then simply change again and again if necessary until you find one you are happy in.
The gamble comes when you have a job where you're frustrated with certain aspects of the job but there are other parts of the job you'd really enjoy, then you have an awful lot to lose if the next job turns out to be even worse and your old job won't take you back. I was very happy to gamble with Arsene in the end but I'm nowhere near as confident about gambling with Mikel right now.
23 Feb 2025 02:39:41
There are still twists and turns to this season yet. And while I do agree that you all need a proper CF, you still have done amazingly well thus far with your entire forward line put at the moment. We can still lose to you and to City, and then, you'd be right up there with a chance again. I'm not counting my chickens just yet so I don't think you all should as well.
22 Feb 2025 23:24:55
Sorry Ed - I meant up grade the starting 11 as there are passengers in that side when it comes to top top level. Better cover and a number 2. A striker and a winger - may be sell one of the forwards we have.
We are far from broken but we are lacking to compete. Coming second but the league is over by Feb isn’t 2nd and competing. We didn’t compete 3 seasons ago when it got to the business end and although close last season I don’t think City were ever in real danger. So we need to upgrade for sure. Don’t think that’s even in question.
{Ed025's Note - its so frustrating SY, you are so close but no cigar im afraid and unless you fully commit its not going to change, dont get me wrong 18 other teams would bite your arm off for 2nd but for that ha,porth of tar you could be winning the thing, but not investing in a goalscorer has cost you...again mate..
23 Feb 2025 09:15:23
Hi Drared, thank you for the friendly post mate, you are of course right not to count any chickens yet but for us making up 9 points on yon in 9 games isn't very realistic and of course should you beat City today it would be 12 points in those 9 games we'd need.
For me it's onwards and upwards for us and trying to be the best possible 2nd we can be while giving the champions league out very best shot.
Unquestionably you are having a brilliant season mate and if it can't be us winning the title in May I'm really pleased it's going to be you mate ?.
23 Feb 2025 11:01:49
It's always next season for us!
23 Feb 2025 11:53:26
It's better than the bitter reality of 21 years and counting Oleary. We are closer now than at any time in those 21 years so we each have a very simple choice, to either look how far we've come or how far away we still are. As always to each their own way of looking at things.
23 feb 2025 11:36:28
hi ed025 mate, i genuinely don't know if 2nd is arteta ceiling, if i absolutely knew for sure it was then i'd say we absolutely had to replace him with someone who was capable of coming top. i never want arsenal to aim for 2nd place or anything but top ever again but that's exactly the same for liverpool city chelsea newcastle everton and united fans. i'm a realist in the fact that i accept that no matter how much every fan in the country wants their club to be champions each and every season it's only ever possible for one set of fans to have that dream come true each year, and while winning cups pacifies fans for a little while ultimately it's always where they are in the league that determines their managers fate, as ten hag and van gaal found out at united and countless chelsea managers have discovered over the years.
it's only a matter of time be it this season, next season or the season after when artetas arsenal will not finish second and at that point we will either be premier league champions or we will have gone backwards and it would be time to very seriously think arteta has probably done all he can for us and we should be looking for someone else to have a go.
personally i'm happy to wait and see whether we go forwards or backwards from second place under arteta as i'm pretty certain we wil all know for absolute certain one way or the other before too much longer.
{Ed025's Note - im not saying its all Arteta,s fault you know G62, i believe that he asked for a forward in the last window but was turned down, if you want the league then he has to be given the tools mate because as good as some of these youngsters are they are not quite ready to step up just yet, this year has gone imo and so next season will be the chance to take the holy grail, Kronke has to either back him or sack him i feel..
23 Feb 2025 14:05:25
Hello Ed mate, hope all is good for you and you are enjoying Moysie The Return.
You said it was your belief that Mikel asked for a striker but was knocked back by Stan/ Josh.
If we ended up in a situation with Arteta taking the flak for a trophyless season when at the start everything looked so promising do you think Arteta could walk of his own accord
Cheers.
{Ed025's Note - hi Bill, i think Mikel is as ambitious as the rest of you mate, its his future as well and he wont want to be remembered as a "nearly man", for me there is only one solution and thats...put up or shut up!, give the guy the players he needs to go that final mile or sack him, you are one or 2 quality players from being realistic contenders and thats whats so frustrating, the legacy for Stan/ Josh will be are they remembered as the Kronke,s or the "Krankies"..
23 Feb 2025 14:32:28
Thanks for the insight Ed mate
Take care.
{Ed025's Note - anytime Bill, you take as well mate..
23 Feb 2025 14:57:08
Hi 62, you are afraid of change. Read your posts mate. Nothing wrong with that. There’s sense it what you say - coming 2nd means it’s tough to improve and easy to fail. However, if we are to come first we can have 3 years more of 2nd and sticking with him as this super crop of 6 core players or so will leave and it’s a rebuild. If you look - business end of season when we came 4th or whatever it was - bottled it. Dragon we were second but 19 or so points clear - bottled it. Needed a striker and we sign Kai - bottled if. Last year second - didn’t strength and came up short but we were weak in done easy games and made some daft decisions that cost us. This season - didn’t strengthen, knew it was going to be a slog, okayed players out of position been negative and we are not competing for league from Eatly Feb. We’ve handed the trophy to Liverpool on a plate. I don’t think it that rather cruel summary that we should be afraid to change or don’t have a genuine reason to hope it’s been raised by the board. They MUST change something next year.
Cosy attitude, attack play, discipline, attitude, mentality, starting 11 strength AND the management of the team. If that’s a number two with some balls - do it. We need a better Edu. We need better philosophy in selling players to actual get fees, not signing rejects from City / Chelsea and being decisive in the window. Kept Arteta but change a lot of things to close that gap. Liverpool did it this year. It needs to be us next year.
23 Feb 2025 14:35:34
Ed, who approved the Kai signing? Do you think Arteta needs a David Dein like figurehead to help him. A proper number two? When you look at how negative he was 3 years ago in the run in - why didn’t he ask for signings in that winter window to seal the title? Where was his ambition then? Or when he played out that draw at City thst made City feel they could win the title? You’ve raised an interesting point….
{Ed025's Note - i would be guessing on Kai SY but when Edu was there i think he had the final say on incomings mate, PSR will have a lot to do with lack of spending i imagine but you have a few you could have offloaded to supplement a striker like Isaac, Gyokeres or Vlahovic who i feel would have made the difference, just my take on things though..
23 Feb 2025 17:32:13
Hi SY I'm not exactly sure what it is you think frightens me about Arsenal and Arteta parting company mate?
I've enjoyed the last 3 seasons very much as for me the they have been the most exciting I can remember for a very long time but if someone gave me the choice between Arsenal being champions and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continuing indefinitely or Arsenal being relegated in exchange for world peace and an end to world poverty you've absolutely no idea how existed I'd be about playing Norwich and Middlesbrough next season.
Football is a hobby for me and a distraction from real life events and of all the things I'm genuinely fearful of in the world today Arteta and Arsenal parting company doesn't even make the list in the first place let alone get anywhere near the top 100 things of things I'm actually afraid of happening.
If Arsenal have a new manager next season I'd back him 100% but if he didn't deliver the title next I'd feel justified in asking " what was the point in changing managers in the first place?
23 Feb 2025 20:04:58
There's positive change and there's negative change, and of course no guarantees. Personally I attribute much of our upturn in fortunes to Mr Arteta, and would be thoroughly disappointed were he to leave. Not because I'm scared, but because I believe we can win with Arteta. LCM, LW, ST, give the man what he needs. Worst thing we could do is throw it away now on some random new toy.
I appreciate you're venting because the title is officially dead and buried, but we are missing our 4 first choice forwards and that was going to take a miracle.
Don't take it too personally, G62, the lad wanted us to sign Bobby Firmino a few days ago!
23 Feb 2025 21:23:23
Hi SW mate, I share your feelings about Arteta being responsible for our upturn and I speak as someone who wanted him out when we finished 8th under him for the second season running. It's not so much that I've changed my opinion of him but Arteta and his Arsenal team have changed my mind about him. I love the effort he and his player's give us and I absolutely love the fact that we go to Liverpool and City now days as equals and not simply hoping not to get thrashed too badly. I genuinely think people forget how far we've come under Arteta mate and in my opinion he's earned the right to try and take us further forward until such a time as we start going backwards under his management. Up The Arsenal SW mate ?.
23 Feb 2025 22:17:34
SW - surely a forward freebie is better than Sterling or Merino as our best option. What other freebie is available. Look what happened against West Adam - you saying it would have been worse with Bobbie? You just said he had some LFC buddies. Nothing else. Doing nothing got us here. Bobbie was better than nothing on a loan. Playing a midfielder as striker…. come on mate
In the words of Dave
Look, I'm only angry at the choices that I didn't make
I don't regret what I did but what I didn't say
Be brave - most people regret the things they didn’t do, chances they didn’t take to try and have a better life.