Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 23 October 2011 05:43

Games against Stoke City doesn't feel like just another game these days. You can always feel the heat simmering underneath the surface. Perhaps that is my own lingering resentment but I get the feeling that I am not the only one.

Five wins in our last six has given this newly shaped Arsenal team a little bit of confidence that is very welcome right now I must say. Every consecutive victory or at least positive result adds to the belief and the mentality of this team and that right now is certainly equally as important as the three points.

Opposition

Stoke City are currently looking down at us from eighth position, A Sunderland thrashing aside, they have started the season in very good form in both domestic and European competition. While the direct game will always be their strength, they have stepped up a level technically and now possess a squad that can hurt you on the floor as well as in the air.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The defensive merry-go-round continues as 50% of our back four from our last Premier league outing will be missing due to injury. It is all change in the fullback department as Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs recuperate in the new Arsenal medical center. Andre Santos will keep his place after his up and down CL display and Arsene will probably call on the services of out of favour central defender Johan Djourou. Djourou came on in Marseille and looked much better than his previous outing at right back.

If Arsene is feeling rather experimental then he could also shift Koscielny out to right back and draft Johan Djourou into a central position alongside Per Mertesacker but that would be breaking up one partnership and putting a new one together which would be unnecessary but would add more height from a central position. Either way, the inclusion of Djourou adds additional height to our team and that height could come in handy on set pieces.

Midfield

Aaron Ramsey fresh off the back of a midweek goal is likely to regain his starting spot and I imagine that Tomas Rosicky will be rotated to the bench. Mikel Arteta could continue in midfield while I wouldn't be surprised to see Emmanuel Frimpong in the side to give Alex Song a breather. Song is vitally important to our team and he needs to be protected from injury.

Attack

Gervinho will return to the starting line up and hopefully the midweek rest would have done him some good. You can see plenty of potential with Gervinho but it still remains unrefined. When he came on against Marseille, he looked dangerous, setting up van Persie for a chance and contributing to Ramsey's winning goal.

Robin van Persie gets the night off on Tuesday against Bolton but I am wondering if his work in France midweek will see our best player start from the bench. van Persie put in a big shift defensively and covered plenty of ground. I don't know about Wenger but I feel a little uneasy at the thought of Stoke physicality and van Persie's legs. While we would lose plenty of craft and goals we would gain an extra defensive player from set pieces if Chamakh was the man to replace him.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

Injuries

Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen were supposed to rejoin the squad after the international break and now they are set for another two weeks or so away from the first team. Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson are also a few weeks away from a return.

Injury  List:

Jenkinson, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Diaby, Sagna, Wilshere.

Conclusion

I expect Stoke to offer their goalkeeper plenty of protection this afternoon with plenty of bodies in between himself and the Arsenal defence. They will most probably try and aim set pieces in the direction of Santos who is still adjusting to English football. I am interested to see how Mertesacker does in this type of situation. Even though he dwarfs his center back partner, it seems that it has been Laurent Koscielny that has been dominating the opposition aerially so far this season.

Arsene will want us to have plenty of the ball in their half to prevent Stoke from being a threat but when they do have chances to pump balls into our box we mustn't give them any incentive by looking vulnerable.

I hope we can start the game the way we started the Sunderland game, an early goal wouldn't go amiss either but I just hope the team can keep that level up longer than they did last weekend.

Lets keep the winning feeling.

COYG.

• Add New
• RSS

Comments (61)

• 23-Oct-2011 10:47 | | Bluemoon
  

  Arsenal may loses with Stoke because this team have strong defense and great thowings almost to be score that AW and team always loss with this tactic. Arsenal turns to be trouble and loss.

• 23-Oct-2011 10:47 | | Passenal
  

  Song will be rested on Tuesday and given that he has already missed 3 games this season due to suspension, he should be able to manage the game today.

• 23-Oct-2011 11:15 | | gunners
  

  im not to sure about this game. i think its a game that we can easily win.. but also one that we can lose.. it depends on what arsenal show up. i really hope we win tho because i cant see us winning against abramovich next week. we will dominate the game but can we break them down thats the question.

• 23-Oct-2011 11:17 | | gunners
  

  onething is for sure tho, playing chamack up front will be a big, big mistake

• 23-Oct-2011 14:13 | | Man United Killer
  

  Quality speaks for itself doesn't it?RVP comes on and all changes.The greedy board and the deluded manager need to wake up and realize quality is what wins games.Take RVP out and all we have is either garbage or players who dont know the first word about the game!Thanks Robin.You are our savior.

• 23-Oct-2011 15:20 | | richie  - Ouality speaks for itself
  

  Agreed Muk RvP's the man but read my answer to our last Q & A and remember David Dein signed RvP because Arsene asked him to just like DD signed Cesc from Barca because AW asked for him.

• 23-Oct-2011 15:22 | | richie
  

  That was a very satisfactor win, with RvP on it looked easy, without him it didn't.

• 23-Oct-2011 16:01 | | pizzy05  - Gerv's the man, not Robin
  

  Please gooners, please let's give honour to whom honour is due. Today's match was all about the Ivorian's impact. RVP, although superlative, was only perfectly shaped to act as sweeper for Gervinho's raking cutbacks. Marouane is not the perfect foil for Gerv, Marouane attacks aerial balls and allow wingers to cut in to cause damage. Today, Theo and Gerv were often unwilling to cut inside and make use of the space created by Marouane in the middle. Maybe it's time Marouane realises that his perfect combo is likely to be Theo and one of Ox/Ryo, with Andrei or Yossi playing behind him. I just knew the media will give today's outcome a RVP contract situation twist. Imagime if AW conducts all his affairs in public! Ha!!!

• 23-Oct-2011 16:38 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - We struggled and were boring for the whole first half against Stoke. Played a little better in the second, but didn't look like breaking through till the master came on. You could tell he was a notch above everyone else. Looked lively, and wanted the ball. What a difference he makes. He lifts his teammates, which is what captains do so well. Don't know if it was a good idea to rest him, but it didn't matter as it turned out.
  
  Theo and Chamakh were crap again, but Gervinho had one of his better games. Kosher made a couple of good interceptions, but most of the rest were average.Stoke had nothing much to offer up front, but Tony Pulis has them well drilled defensively, and they were hard to break down, a fact made easier by our notable lack of creativity. They gave the ball away a lot, and didn't tackle enough to win it back off us, I thought. Thank God for Robin. He was clearly the difference between the two teams.But we shouldn't be relying on him to pull us through all the time.He can't be expected to.By the way, it was announced that Sagna and even Jenkinson, were available for selection, yet we played Djourou at right back. Anyone know why ?
  
  Overall, an expected win, and three more welcome points. But if anyone thinks this mediocre team will go very far on these performances, they're dreaming. Looks like we're settling in to that mid table position. (Yawn ).
  " ******************"

• 23-Oct-2011 16:47 | | Anonymous
  

  are you serious? Jenkinson has damaged his knee and sagna has a broken leg, put the crack away speccie ffs.
  
  From what I saw our one man team wouldnt have been able to score the goals he scored if it wasnt for the play of Gervinho. So the new stick to beat us with as always is a lot of baws.
  
  Good that a game goes for 90 min and all that matters is the result at the end of it. So many can pretend to play pundit or journalist but results and a team performance are what matters.
  
  By the way spectrum i hate you so very, very much. Your last paragraph just sums up the stupidity that spews out yer yap hole. Looks like we've won 6 of our last 7, and your clutching at straws.

• 23-Oct-2011 19:24 | | pizzy05
  

  "Theo and Chamakh were crap again, but Gervinho had one of his better games. Kosher made a couple of good interceptions, but most of the rest were average.Stoke had nothing much to offer up front, but Tony Pulis has them well drilled defensively, and they were hard to break down, a fact made easier by our notable lack of creativity."
  
  Speccies, are you sure you watched the same game all of us watched? I watched it alongside a ManUtd fan, and he couldn't stop praising Arteta and Ramsey. He even went ahead to assert that our play is now more matured and composed with Mikel Arts running the show in the middle of the park, and that ManU will be exqiusite with such a player in their midfield. Don't you just love his skillful display in mid second half? The one where he turned from the byline and nutmegged the full back in one exquisite show and floated a lovely cross to Chamakh?

• 23-Oct-2011 19:40 | | Man United Killer
  

  Richie, I am not disagreeing with you but how are we supposed to be serious title contenders (or even battle for a top four position) when we have only one world class player in our team?I don't care what anyone says but RVP is clearly a class above all the rest of the players.This really bothers me I have to say.
  Arsene asked them to sign RVP,Cesc,TH14 etc etc but when are are not signing quality experienced world class players to strengthen our squad (into one that is actually capable of winning something), but instead sell our best year in year out,it does not make any sense to me. I HATE everyone who has a hand in this.I hope their knee snaps!

• 23-Oct-2011 19:52 | | Man United Killer
  

  Spot on Spectrum.This lack of ambition demonstrated by the powers that be is extremely annoying at the very least.There is too much dross in the team.To think that Walcott gets into the side, game-in game-out is ridiculous.Why not give AOC a chance.He cant do any worse.That is however for long term.In the short term, if we really want to be taken seriously we need to open the check book and sign some quality.I watched the Man U - Man City game today and there is no doubt quality is what wins games not some empty words from a tactically inept manager sitting in a pre-game conference desperately wanting his team to believe they are the best he has ever had when they are clearly,possibly the worst Arsenal squad ever.No guts.no glory!

• 23-Oct-2011 19:56 | | Man United Killer
  

  Errr...Pizzy..this ManUnited fan was clearly trying to build your confidence in your team.Dont take any Man United fan seriously- especially when we are not doing well.Trust me..I am the "ManUnited Killer"

• 23-Oct-2011 20:27 | | Feeno
  

  You are just as stupid Spectrum

• 23-Oct-2011 21:10 | | Passenal
  

  Fuck off rectum you moron. You probably didn't even watch the game but you are just lashing out because your team got beaten 1 - 6 at home.

• 23-Oct-2011 23:39 | | pizzy05
  

  Richie and Spectrum, from your comments over the past one week, I discovered that you just hate Arsene, and not for obvious reasons. You keep harping on his ineptitude, tactical or otherwise even when he has shown tactical understanding repeatedly in three matches, all in the space of one week! Aren't you tired of being proved wrong? Let me intimate you with some over th past one week:
  
  vs Sunderland; using the latent threat of Wallcott to protect Jenkinson at RFB facing Richardson, bringing Arshavin on to connect the middle to the attack, using Per's positional awareness to mark and nullify pacy Sessegnon as against Laurent, who IMHO is a better marker.
  
  vs Marseille; asking Arteta to play a more withdrawn role in order to control the match and preempt counters, asking TR7 to exploit space and seek through balls to wide areas so as to tire out the Marseille midfielders, dropping the D line in the second half for both offensive and defensive reasons, introducing the direct Gervinho and the tireless runner Ramsey late on when the Marseille midfielders were fagged out.
  
  vs Stoke; asking Djourou to play RFB deep, like a centre half so that his lack of pace will not be an achilles heel(I for one initially disagreed with him when he said Johan could play as RFB. who wouldn't after the Blackburn fiasco. But he was right!), resting, then bringing on matchwinner RVP to keep him fresh for bigger assaults, Arteta's advanced role today that made the team so dominant in opposition territory(check the territorial dominance stat), it also gave Ramsey less pressure and helped him excel in the attacking midfield role, completely resting "in form" TR7 today(he's usually useless against teams that park the bus), starting Marouane(pressing and extra aerial cover)... I could go on and on.
  However all I request of you is to make your accusations against our poor manager valid ones. He's not perfect, and you can easily find areas where you can locate his flaws. On the basis of the past three matches, tactical know-how is not one of those flaws. Don't let your hatred of him cloud that fact.
  Plus, once in a while, try to analyse the matches. I believe you are also a passionate football and Arsenal fan, not just a Wenger hater.... say, did you notice the first half cross that Arteta floated in for "crap" Chamakh, only for "crap" Chamakh to be held down and the ref waved play on?

• 24-Oct-2011 00:22 | | MeanLean
  

  Another victory ey? On an afternoon where both Chelsea and Manchester United lost. Decent weekend I would say.
  
  Interesting how some people are almost using van Persie's quality as a stick to beat the team with. Robin is there to make the difference, Wenger bought him young and developed him to make the difference and that is what he is doing.
  
  Some are also forgetting that Gervinho played a massive part in the game today. All three goals went through him in one way or another. He is still adjusting and will continue to progress.
  
  Not our best performance overall but wasn't too shabby either. What is it that they say about winning when not playing well?
  
  You can almost smell the snarling in some posts. Almost disappointment that they cannot say I told you so. Grin and bare it grumpy Gooners, the team are slowing starting to click but don't worry, we will lose again and your moment in the sun will soon be here. However, I intend to enjoy these victories.
  
  Well done you lovely Gooners

• 24-Oct-2011 00:33 | | Man United Killer
  

  oops! was that insult meant for me?it seems to be in reply to my post.

• 24-Oct-2011 01:18 | | richie  - Patience Muk
  

  Muk you are right on all counts concerning "When are we gonna get back to signing world class players"? Like you I wanted Cesc & Nasri replaced. But some people are being over simplistic in blaiming Wenger.
  
  If you look at our clubs books we had a £225M turnover and a profit of £50M but our opperating costs are £55M our wage bill 2010-2011 went up £14M our debts are only £97M but as a business we ain't got no more flats to sell. On a small business plan the only way we end up with no debts in 2015 is to sell a player or 2 year in year out until the debts are finished.
  
  Why do you think the board jumped all over Wenger for saying he would be happy to see Nasri play out his contract? The board (i.e. Kroenke) knew we needed to sell to pay down our debts. The same reason they upped the season tickets by 6% because without anymore flats left to sell we as a club have to find the money. If we hadn't gone into resession the flats sales would've covered everything and we wouldn't have ended up £97M short fall.
  
  We could afford to buy a big named star no problem, but check out our books we wouldn't have the money to pay that stars wages. when all is said and done we're making only £30mil

• 24-Oct-2011 01:33 | | richie  - Muk make an effort for f*** sake
  

  I'm still waiting on your response in the previous Arsenal in crisis blog

• 24-Oct-2011 02:44 | | Spectrum
  

  pizzy05 - I shouldn't be needing to itemise all of Wenger's failings as a manager. Anyone who has been following the fortunes of our club over recent seasons can see what they are. If they truly WANT to, that is. Everyone but the A.K.B.'s. They 're so infatuated with the man that they are blind to his failings, or choose to ignore them, out of loyalty to him.
  
  You say no manager is perfect, but some are obviously better than others. And when you have repeated neglect and incompetence with the same mistakes over and over, Wenger is no longer entitled to be here. No other manager given the time he's had, would continue to be afforded that luxury. He has talent, of course. I have said I would be comfortable with him being moved sideways or upstairs, or the youth team, where he would be much better suited. He likes working with the kids, so move him there. Just as long as he's not involved with the first team.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 02:58 | | Man United Killa
  

  Clichy has learned how to cross a ball since joining Man City.Speaks volumes about our manager.

• 24-Oct-2011 03:03 | | Man United Killa  - haha
  

  Yes sir..I am a little slow you see..I will get to it right away!

• 24-Oct-2011 03:29 | | Spectrum
  

  Anonymous - I keep harping back to those two words that A.K.B.'s like you, just don't take into account whenever Arsenal's situation is discussed. CONTEXT and PERSPECTIVE. Looking at the broader picture, not just shortsightedly focussing on one match, or even a short winning run.
  
  The BROADER picture is that Wenger led us to believe from his public statements ( as he does every year ), that " we were very, very close' last season, and that with further strengthening of the team, ( which wasn't done to the level we expected ), we would challenge for the title ( again ). Instead we had our worst start for 58 years, are 12 points behind City, ( still ) and because of Wenger's poor man management ( Cesc /Nasri saga that he allowed to drag on ), we have blown our chance of winning the league, which the more gullible ones believed we would be doing. THAT is the prism through which we should be viewing our team and its leader.
  
  The new players were signed so late that they didn't get time to acclimatise and gel with their teammates.That didn't help, but whose fault was that ? We let Cesc go for less than he was worth. That was poor business. Wenger also wanted to hold on to Nasri, despite him being in his last year, and risking losing him for nothing. Sensibly, the board overruled Wenger, and we got a fee for him. That is a situation that should not have arisen. Wenger's judgment was clearly poor.
  
  So we sign players at the last minute, despite having all the window to have done so - none of which are world class quality ( unless you count Mertesacker ). One of which will be leaving to do national service in Korea in two years, and whom we haven't even played yet !( Yep, that sure makes sense ! ) Arteta, though he's good, is not the creative force Wenger seems to think he is. We look average, and have struggled, even in the games we have won. Can you honestly say that we have really won or even played convincingly, in any of our matches so far ? If it wasn't for Robin shouldering the burden more than he should be, we wouldn't have scored most of the goals we have now. And it goes on........
  
  So keep things in PERSPECTIVE. To be promised we'd go that step further and win the title, or at least challenge strongly for it, and then struggle and deliver ordinary football, is what we should be concerned with. And asking " WHY ?"
  
  Would you rather celebrate the league title in May, or look back to , and admire the five wins in six wehad in October ? I know which I would have preferred. Some hope of that now. Thanks, Arsene.
  " ******************"
  
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 03:37 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - I trust you. You're one of the few on here with those two qualities - CONTEXT and PERSPECTIVE. We also think in the long term, not just the next match or two.
  
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 03:54 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - Why sign a player ( Park Chu Young ), if we don't want to play him ? He's in good form lately,not injured I believe, scoring goals for his country, yet can't even make the bench. If Wenger doesn't have enough faith in him, then what is he meant to be here for - as a squad player ? Wasn't he supposed to be the ( 'WORLD CLASS" ) back up for Van Persie ? Give the guy a run in the team, see what he can do.He can't be worse than Chamakh. Hell, here's a thought - what about playing him alongside Robin in a 4-4-2 ? So far we've spent 4 million for someone who merely watches the team, rather than being on the pitch with them.
  
  A stat I found interesting on Sunday : We use two wide players / wingers. Yet during the first half, 71% of our attacks were through the MIDDLE.
  
  " ******************".

• 24-Oct-2011 03:58 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - And unlike his time with us, he's soon going to learn what it feels like to win a trophy. Also says a lot about our manager.
  
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 04:55 | | Man United Killa
  

  "Man United Killer - I trust you. You're one of the few on here with those two qualities - CONTEXT and PERSPECTIVE.",,I will take this as a compliment.,,thank you Sir..
  Let me say this..The problem with some Gooners (especially) on this blog is that, they are only happy with you when you state the positives.When you state obvious flaws and opportunities for improvement in the squad, they want to bite your head off for that.But the way I see it, there are positives to draw from the current squad but the problems far outweigh the positives.
  I read your post match comments.I believe you clearly and unbiasedly outlined where we were strong and weak.Needless to say I saw the stick you got for that,,This blog is a solace for a good number of Wenger faithfuls so most of the hostility does not surprise me.There are few people on here though who always give you a clean debate despite differences.Richie and ML stand out for me.
  One thing for sure...Wenger faithfuls need to get out of their black boxes and see the situation for what it is.Wenger and his greedy board have lost the plot.There was Arsenal before Wenger and there will be Arsenal after (hopefully soon) Wenger . In Arsene we rust indeed.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:13 | | Feeno
  

  it is. You and spectrum are past worth debating with, either you are that stupid or you're both just trolls on the wind up, whatever the excuse im done actually debating I will call you stupid and pick holes in your points from now on, i wont supply supporting arguments for my points because it seems fruitless.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:18 | | Feeno
  

  well reasoned and thought out points just ignored to further your wee agenda, you really are pathetic.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:21 | | Feeno
  

  acclimatizing to english football perhaps, not all players adapt right away, he will be playing against Bolton in the Carling Cup and have we lost many game recently????
  
  Really really pathetic attempts here spectrum.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:44 | | Feeno
  

  Clichy allready knows what its like to win a trophy with us, says a lot about your knowledge of Arsenal.
  
  
  MUK even Clichy sometimes could whip one in. wouldnae start wettin ma pants just yet.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:46 | | Feeno
  

  just make things up and state innuendo and rumour as fact and your own biased negative spin onto proceedings and what do you have????
  
  
  
  ..........a Spectrum post.
  
  You keep banging on about perspective but you have none.

• 24-Oct-2011 08:56 | | Feeno
  

  Specci and Killa up a tree K-I-S-S-ING
  
  you can only take each match as they come, as far as long term goes thats one of the thing that you with PERSPECTIVE AND CONTEXT would greetl ike mad that Wenger was focussin on, now he's bought some players for the short term fix as in Arteta and Benayoun to help til the longer term of Gervinho, AOX, Jenkison, Miaychi, Frimpong, Coquelin, Miquel, probably Kos as well have bedded in you want to try and beat wenger over the head with that.
  
  He's done both long term and short term at the same time yet you want demand something thats not even there, are you that stupid please anser that are you that stupid or just that stubborn?? (something you conviently accuse the manager of the club about also)

• 24-Oct-2011 09:03 | | Feeno
  

  why not give x a chance he cant do any worse than Y, excellent way to run a football team, "aw aye chuck him in its awright he canna do any worse" what well thought out a reasoned way to approach things. You saw walcotts assists recored MUK thats why he gets in the team. We signed quality, we tried to sign further quality we didnt get all the players we tried to sign.
  
  Whats wrong with trying to give you players confidence to be the best, you actually want to use that as a negative, ffs how stupid are you please both of you fess up, get on the net do an inteligence test and post up the results, I demand it!!!!

• 24-Oct-2011 09:07 | | Feeno
  

  why not give x a chance he cant do any worse than Y, excellent way to run a football team, "aw aye chuck him in its awright he canna do any worse" what well thought out a reasoned way to approach things. You saw walcotts assists recored MUK thats why he gets in the team. We signed quality, we tried to sign further quality we didnt get all the players we tried to sign.
  
  Whats wrong with trying to give you players confidence to be the best, you actually want to use that as a negative, ffs how stupid are you please both of you fess up, get on the net do an inteligence test and post up the results, I demand it!!!!

• 24-Oct-2011 09:12 | | Feeno
  

  Never has the thums down button been used by so many on so few.
  
  MUK and Spectrum...THUMBS DOWN

• 24-Oct-2011 10:56 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - I watched the highlights of the Manchester derby. Got to say they are working together well as a team. Mancini seems to be getting the mix right, and he's made them serious contenders. Out of the two, I'd rather see them win it this year than United, just for a change. Although I admire the way United play ( don't we all ? ) it's nice to see them taken down a peg.
  
  David Silva stood out for me. Busy little guy, great work rate, skill in abundance, great movement off the ball, he even tried filling in at right back for a while, making a neat sliding tackle to thwart an attack. He is class. And he is the kind of player WE should be looking to bring in. One of this sort each year over the last few seasons, and we would have kept Cesc and likely Nasri, to have played alongside them.Then we would have a team to be proud of. A team which, with a decent replacement manager to guide them, would put us right up there with City themselves. If we had bitten the bullet before this, and dumped Wenger, we wouldn't be twiddling our thumbs wondering what might have been.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 11:05 | | Feeno
  

  im leaning towards genuine idiot rather than troll, its upto you to change my mind speccie.

• 24-Oct-2011 11:16 | | richie  - Spud educating classes continue
  

  The know nothing Spud strikes again!
  
  When you play wide players it stretches the game. The opposition has to cover the wide players which opens up more ground and space in the middle. Thankfully we've got Wenger in charge and not Harry the Twitchers no nothing side kick, Spectrum Spud.
  
  You are a spud in disguise.
  YAASID

• 24-Oct-2011 11:23 | | Spectrum
  

  Man United Killer - Too true about the abuse from the A.K.B.'s. But believe it or not, there are some sites that are more radically pro Wenger than this one. "A Cultured Left Foot" ( ACLF ) and "Lady Arse" have some of the most staunchly patriotic / deluded writers and posters you can imagine.pika and Feeno would be in good company there.In fact,it would be amusing to see who would win first prize in devising new ways to defend him.
  
  Last time I went on ACLF was just before the season started. I predicted on there that this season would be similar to the others for us, because nothing much has changed from previous seasons.They scoffed and laughed at me. I said I'd come back there in May ( which is the traditional judgment time for Wenger ) to see how my prediction went. Sadly, so far we've done even worse.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 11:41 | | Feeno
  

  aww are your feelings hurt Spectrum....good, stupid idiot.
  
  How many more glaring inconsitancies can i point out for you today?? by my counts there's about 6 so far!!

• 24-Oct-2011 11:55 | | Spectrum
  

  Feeno - I was referring to the league trophy, something they and we, have been waiting so long for, that it's a distant memory.Clichy and the others, Robin soon, too, want to make the most of their careers whilst there's still time. If you were them, would you want to stay in a directionless team, believing bullshit fed to you each August, or would you want to improve your prospects by leaving, and going to a team that has the quality to achieve its goals, led by a boss who shares their aspirations and ACTS on them, not just talks about them.
  
  You ask "Who could replace Wenger?" Plenty. Mancini has only been with City for two years, yet he's sorted them out, and is welding them into a solid unit. His profile ;
  
  "After his retirement, Mancini embarked on a successful managerial career. A cup specialist, Mancini has never failed to reach a semi-final of a major national cup competition in every season he has managed and has guided the clubs he managed to a record 5 consecutive Coppa Italia finals from 2004 to 2008, with Lazio once in 2004 and with Inter in the following 4 seasons."
  
  " In 2004, Mancini was given the chance to manage a major club, being offered the manager's job at Internazionale. During his tenure at Inter, the club won 3 consecutive Serie A titles (an Inter club record) and a European record 17 consecutive league game victories stretching nearly half a season. and became Inter's most successful manager in 30 years. Despite his domestic success, many pundits saw the repeated failure to win the coveted Champions League as the main reason for his sacking in 2008."
  
  "After being out of football for over a year, Mancini was appointed Manchester City manager in December 2009 and his team-building achievements at Lazio and Inter were a factor in his appointment. In the 2010-11 season, his first full season at City, Mancini guided the club to lucrative Champions League football and the FA Cup, and has moulded City into a sound defensive unit."
  
  And for Mean Lean who says "Show me who can do as good a job as Wenger, with the same resources " ? there's this ;
  
  "Mancini's first managerial role was at a cash stricken Fiorentina at only 35 years old and managed to win a Coppa Italia, but left with Fiorentina facing bankruptcy. Months later, he took over as manager at Lazio, where again he inherited financial constraints and was forced to lose a number of key players. With limited resources during his two season tenure, he still managed to win another Coppa Italia, reach a UEFA Cup semi-final, and secure a lucrative Champions League place." ( courtesy of Wikipedia ).
  
  Too late now though. City had the foresight to hire him. We get stuck with a has - been.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 11:59 | | richie  - Muk answered again
  

  This is amusing everyone's on a new blog and we are still engaged in our old conversation, well I am anyway.

• 24-Oct-2011 12:09 | | richie  - "Why me" I feel like Baloteli
  

  Please ban the Spuds!
  
  Has anyone ever had to read such drivel?
  
  Mancini only has the biggest budget any football manager has ever had in the history of the game. If any of us had Mancini's resourses I'm sure we could buy a league (Chelski did it after all) buy a cup (City already bought one) buy the CL (that too has been bought in the past).
  
  Try doing any of the above on a tight budget. Mancini never has!

• 24-Oct-2011 12:15 | | richie  - P.S. Muk
  

  Muk, Please help your mate Spectrum Spud out, he's a footballing numbscull. Check out his latest comments, any football nursery would be able to tell him where he's going wrong.

• 24-Oct-2011 12:53 | | Spectrum
  

  richie - You didn't read my post very clearly in your haste to criticise. It was predictable that you would say Mancini has the financial resources at City. Of course he has. Don't you think I KNOW that ? I was describing his talent as a manager, and motivator - his personal qualities, and his achievements in his career so far, which he is CONTINUING with City. Aided at City with the investment from the foreign owners.
  
  But you ignore his record at his OTHER clubs. He has achieved a lot BEFORE he came to City.But you conveniently chose to ignore that, because only his City career provides you with ammunition to attack me. He did well WITH LIMITED RESOURCES whilst he was with Lazio. Which proves that there ARE other manager candidates out there who CAN do as good a job as Wenger on a limited budget.Yet at the same time bring success, unlike Le Senile has been able to do.( Are you listening Mean Lean, pika and Feeno ? )
  
  So before you jump to conclusions, do what I suggested - apply some CONTEXT. That's what you A.K.B.'s have a habit of leaving out.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 13:03 | | Feeno
  

  it was the league trophy back in the 2003-2004 dont try and blame your stupidity on other people, want a fannied we rant you starting to lose it Spectrum, you are eh, you little fanny you

• 24-Oct-2011 13:06 | | Spectrum
  

  richie - "It opens up more ground in the middle". Well it didn't do us much good on Sunday, then, did it ? What good is space, if we don't have the creativity to exploit it ? And what happens when you have a defence in DEPTH in front of you, that's hard to penetrate, as Stoke's was ? Keep battering yourself up against it in vain ? Or use the wingers you have, to get BEHIND the defence, which funnily enough we had our most success with.
  I really think you should give up your teaching role.You're not suited to it.However I hear there's a vacancy for someone to clean Wenger's office. I'm sure you'd love that.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 13:14 | | Feeno
  

  he had ridiculous amounts of money to spend at inter, also the bigger clubs like Ac and Juve were going through there scandal, not saying he's not a good manager but you have to have PERSPECTIVE and put it into CONTEXT.
  
  
  Your having a mare the day Speccie, a proper holocaust!!

• 24-Oct-2011 13:15 | | Feeno
  

  eh both RVP's goals came from getting the ball wide and Gervinho crossing in. Are you weally weally sure you watched the game?????

• 24-Oct-2011 13:28 | | Spectrum
  

  Passenal - Hang on a minute. First I was supposed to be a Spuds fan. Now I'm a United one, according to you. Make up your minds. Fact is, Man United Killer and I are the ones who should be accusing you lot of being the enemies of Arsenal. Putting the manager ahead of the club, even declaring he IS the club, is heresy, and utterly disgraceful. YOU lot should be finding another club to support. I'm sick of all your abuse. You won't accept any alternative view apart from your own. You dismiss out of hand almost every reasonable piece of information I put forward.
  
  Yes, I hate Wenger. As a manager, not as a person. I'd be happy to have a drink with him at the pub. I have nothing personal against him. He's just a spent force, who doesn't belong here anymore. That's my view,and I'm sticking to it. And much as I've "enjoyed" my time on here, I am going to give it, and you, a break for a while. You can go back to your boring Wenger love fest, carry on deluding yourselves that success is just around the corner, and we'll see who is proved right this season.
  Bye.
  " ******************"

• 24-Oct-2011 13:52 | | Feeno
  

  yer just a big douche bag speccie, not a very bright one.
  
  
  Dont let the door hit you on the way out you big cry baby

• 24-Oct-2011 18:24 | | Man United Killer  - Thanks but no thanks Feeno
  

  Feeno..please refrain from using insulting words on me.That will be very much appreciated.If you want to spar verbally with me like two adults, all well and good but if you want to resort to insults,take the other rout.I am not interested.Thank you.

• 24-Oct-2011 20:20 | | Man United Killer  - Indecent Feeno
  

  You could have made your point without the first statement you know.Try being a little decent and respectful in your posts.It will do you a great deal of good.Give it a shot.You will be glad you did.

• 24-Oct-2011 20:47 | | Man United Killer
  

  lol@ Richie.Spectrum is not a Spud.He only has different perspectives.
  I have seen your reply to my latest post on the other blog.No comments at this point.I agree with you on most of them.I still think though that Wenger is not blameless in all this.He plays some role in players finding themselves at Arsenal.Apparently he had too many average players on his list assuming they signed numbers 11-20 on his wish list. savvy?

• 24-Oct-2011 23:09 | | richie  - Please no more ridiculous Spud statements
  

  Again only Spud type logic, until now Wenger has been far more successful on a limmited buget. But that doesn't sit too well with your Spud agenda.

• 24-Oct-2011 23:23 | | richie  - Yeah but no but
  

  We still have the best Squad in the prem for the amount spent. No other premier league manager has achieved so much for so little spent, those are the facts. Even if its true what you are saying that we have loads of average players. No other manager has come anywhere close to us, no matter how much they try. Spectrum Spuds mate Harry spent bundles and got one CL spot. Compared to the other consistant top 4 finishers we've spent pocket change, and made loads developing and selling players which has massively lowered our debts.
  So average players we might have but they make us money.

• 24-Oct-2011 23:43 | | richie
  

  Hardly what you do is batter their defensive wall with a typical centre forward, then bring on your well rested anything but typical striker as planned (Listen to what RvP said about how Wenger planned it) and then let him rip their tired defence to shreds, if the special one had planned that, you'd of climaxed. If Harry had planned it we all know where your tongue would've ended up. Anyway I'd much rather clean Wengers toilet than lick your mate Harry's ring, as you so obviously love doing. If I give up my day job how about you give up your night job? After all haunting Gooners web site's should be outlawed for any type of Spud infiltrator trator.
  "YAASID"

• 25-Oct-2011 11:56 | | richie  - Chance would be a fine thing
  

  If only the Spectrum Spud would give us a break and leave us to discuss the footballing matters that relate to our team and our club, if only!
  
  Most of us love getting into polite disagreements with fellow Gooners over the merits of 433 over 442. Like the great article posted by Hazzaboy2.Is Theo ever gonna be ready to play in the middle? Or whether its right for us to stick with our current system of buying young players or promoting the same from within etc etc.
  
  I guess its way too much to hope for that us Gooners won't have to waste time and energy defending our club our board our players and our manager, from criticism that is for the most part untrue. I'm the chief AKB and proud of it, but I disagree with Wengers team selections, I criticise his substitutions, but when he gets those substitutions right like he did against Stoke I can't help but congratulate him.
  
  Constructive criticism we should all be able to take on board and respond to, negative criticise that for the most part isn't true, thats based around half truths, or out right lies is something I had hoped the more positive blogs would be able to move away from. But I know personally its almost impossible to see that someone has written outright easily proven lies, and sit back and not respond. Especially when others post comments based on the lies as if those lies are accepted.

Write comment

Your Details:

Name:

Comment:

Title:

Message:

Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable