04 May 2021 10:12:58
On Sunday I saw a couple of glimpses of vintage Wenger football and it reminded of just how brilliant we were back in the day.

When we were at our all time best, we really were an absolute pleasure to watch regardless of the final result.

1.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 10:46:29
I started watching football properly in 97 and I must say looking back now I really took it for granted 😂. It was the only style of football I had known!

2.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 17:30:35
I think we all got a bit to used to it and stopped fully appreciating how good it was.

Although in the latter part of Arsenes reign the sexy football was overshadowed by the by the ever increasing weaknesses even then the good bits were still a thing of beauty.

3.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 20:28:23
Ah the The two phases of Arsenal Wenger, as I like to call it G62. The first, and most successful, was when he played fast football across the full width of the pitch, including wingers, and all driven by a powerful and physical core. The second phase, or the Fabergas phase as I like to call it, was far less successful as we became obsessed with possession football played mostly through the middle, using only small technical players. Shots at goal became discouraged while multiple complicated passes within the opposition penalty box became the ultimate ambition of our game. It’s been mostly downhill since!

4.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 21:39:56
Very true Epping, he certainly lost his way mate, but when he had it right, WOW!

There was some breath taking football on show and although of course we always wanted to win but win lose or draw there were moments that would have you drooling with pure delight, obviously the drooling moments got fewer and fewer and the frustrating moments became more and more frequent, unfortunately.

On Sunday Just for a few seconds I was taken back down memory lane with some of the intricate passing and moving and it made me realise exactly what we all miss so much.

5.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 21:47:54
Very true G62. To be honest I was just happy to watch Dennis Berkamp play football, everything else was just a bonus!

6.) 05 May 2021
04 May 2021 22:19:50
I'm with you there too Epping mate, best player I've ever seen in an Arsenal shirt, Henry Vieira Wrighty Were all wonderful players but Dennis was just class above even them in my opinion mate.

On the future
Saka ERS Martinelli Tierney all excite me because although obviously none of them are in the same postcode area as Bergkamp they are all class above anyone else around them and given their age it's difficult to think they won't get even better.

7.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 10:46:35
Very true guys! I loved watching That back 4 though or the back 4 with Kolo in, Big David catching crosses, Cole bursting down the left, Pires was an absolute joy, Anelka explosive, Overmars was fun and deadly in front of goal, Kanu and his bag of tricks, Freddie and his energy and late runs into the box. So many excellent players in every position while the names above grabbed the headlines others plus Gilberto were just as magnificent in their own positions and shouldn’t be forgotten. Pires was special.

8.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 10:55:58
Those two periods were so alarmingly different. Why we moved from a tall, strong, mobile, intelligent team packed with leaders to a small, slow in possession, tippy tappy team with no leadership, intelligence or stature on the pitch was gobsmacking.

He brought PV4 and Gilberto to our club and brought height, strength and speed. Why change your values so dramatically when results don’t mirror

He had a hands off approach relying on intelligent players who wanted to win and would self manage. Why continue that with players who lacked discipline and wouldn’t stand up for poor performances eg Song thinking he’s a creative midfielder or both wingbacks pushing forward because there was no voice controlling the defence.

Complete change in style of play and characters but managed the same way.

Old skool even if we won the league - we strengthened key areas addressing opportunities to make us stronger.

The change and two periods frustrated out of me especially as Wenger was so god damn clever and had a vision when he joined. What happened dude!

Feel better now 😂.

9.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 12:52:07
A few special individuals in a team surrounded by really sound team mates can make fantastic things happen as long as they are set up and motivated by a manager who's ideas they trust and buy into 100%.

That's what we had with both George and Arsene during the good times.