@Swales1968 Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
So where do I start with Wenger and the news he is leaving at the end of the season. I think he as a man and as a manager has been let down
Let down by the :-
The board
They have just let him time and time take the flack for their decision making and not just Stan the previous board as well (including David Dein). Wenger has fronted up at every time to explain decisions the board have made. The press have just had a field day with him over selling of players, how much money there is to spend right down to the cost of season tickets etc. I would put David Dein in here as well, if it wasn’t for his attempt at a grab of the power within Arsenal by going behind the boards back to get a certain Stan K on board the we may not have had the disruption and mess that the years since at board level.
The players
Again not just this bunch of players who seem to lack the fight needed, yes that’s partly down to Wenger but when they cross that white line they are all international players at one level or another they know what to do on the pitch. Players like RVP who threw his toys out of the pram and sold his fitness down the river for one season at Old Toilet, the Barcelona boys who all wanted to leave Arsenal to play in the sunshine of Spain (and yes that includes Henry), PV who spent a summer touting himself around Europe in hope of a better deal and when one didn’t appear he was upset when Wenger told him there was no new contract and he could leave.
The ex players
Where do we start with the players who would climb mountains for Wenger this week but have spent years earning the media’s shilling and towing the media line to find fault no matter how small with Wenger’s reign. Petit, Adams, Robson, Campbell (Kevin), Wright (Ian) and so on, the one constant with most of those who have spent most of their time criticising Wenger is that they have not tried to manage a club. They have just sat in a studio and talked the perfect game, with no pressure telling you, I and Wenger how he should be doing his job.
The media
From the beginning to the end they have been on the back of Wenger, where was the unbiased reporting or views on Wenger. From the day Wenger called to media out on the steps of Highbury when he was accused of unfounded and slanderous rumours, there has been a sly and manipulative attempt to get to Wenger from the media. No backing of Wenger when Man U cheated and kicked Wenger’s team off the pitch in the 50th game, the constant referring back to that’s Arsenal’s 937th red card under Wenger, the pushing of the they don’t like it up them mantra and laughing at Wenger when he fell over and I won’t even start on the twisting of words from his press conferences to suit their big headline agendas. Oh and I nearly forgot Talk bloody sport, with Adrian Dungball, Alan Brazil nut, Jason Cunty, and the rest of the anti Wenger presenters they employ.
The fans
Not all the fans, most, the silent majority have stood by him through thick and thin. It has just been a shame that over the past few seasons that supporting your team has meant you have got abuse because that included the manager. We’ve seen the rise of AFTV, bloggers and vloggers who’s whole life depends on negativity, they had to create the divide they said was down to Wenger. We have heard fans call Wenger a ‘cancer’, wished him dead, abused to his face at train stations and had demos calling for his head. Is that the actions of supporters, they claim that it’s because we are not challenging for titles and cups, then we go and win 3 FA cups but somehow the FA cup is now not that important and it the CL & PL that count, top 4 isn’t good enough for Arsenal, but it’s good enough for every other bloody team in the league.
And finally the FA/PL & officials
Okay I admit I’m paranoid about this but I honestly believe there is a different set of rules for Arsenal. From Petit being sent off for swearing at a linesman from the centre circle in French to PV being given an extra game ban for failing to leave the pitch, to how many broken legs from “not that type of player” to Xhaka being the only player I’ve seen for being sent off for a taking one for the team challenge to the Lacazette “yes his heel was a fraction offside so it’s the correct decision” and finally to the probably hundred not given penalties that Arsenal do not get while Vardy, Alli, Kane, Rooney, Gerrard, Owen etc got or get on a near game by game basis. Then there are the run ins with Wenger & the FA being banned for saying this or that while mangers like Sir Red nose and Jose look-at-me seemed to be allowed immunity.
I could of added more to each section, but you would of been here all day and night reading through, but I believe that Wenger has been let down by each and everyone of these groups, he is without doubt one of the greatest managers English football has seen, if it wasn’t for the money from Russia and the Middle East just as the club were either moving or trying to rebuild he would of won more trophies, but you can’t see the future and Wenger’s stock fell because of it, it’s just a shame that these people could not report fairly, could not support properly, could not officiate and follow the rules of the game fairly and could not stand up to the media and back him as they should.
Also this is not a post to say Wenger was without fault, but I feel that has been covered elsewhere on blogs etc over the past few years or so.
I will miss Wenger as Arsenal manager, but time and tide wait for no man so goodbye Arsene it’s been a pleasure and hello……? Let the rollercoaster ride begin again
Positively Arsenal 
ossie ardiles spurs side were better at defending than our lot
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I am soooo angry I don’t even know if I’ll get a wink of sleep tonight.
I will still be angry tomorrow and through the week.
I totally understand how it feels like to be Jeremy Corbyn!! You just can’t catch a break!
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Does anyone have any plausible explanation as to why Wenger didn’t put more effort into defence, he could maybe still be here next season and beyond if he had done that and improved results?
Stubbornness? Principles of how to play?
Some say defending is Less difficult than aspects Wenger tries to coach, just don’t get it at all, seems so self defeating on so many levels , increasingly poor defending seems to have cost the club, team and manager .
This is a manager whose team once conceded 17 goals in a league season, this season, the figure is around three times that. I really don’t understand.
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Mandy Dodd, yes Harsh in my opinion
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I thought we played really well against top opposition. Their keeper stood on his head. A chain of minor errors cost us the win. Whaddayawannado?
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not sure many there is a lack of effort or training on the defense, its loads of individual mistakes for the most part, Wenger has stated that as its mistakes spread right through the players, and not similar mistakes, its not a coaching fault, its more the players lacking the coolness to keep their heads
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Mandy accuse a man who coached an unbeaten fucking season of not knowing defence. Join the fucking daily mail Guardian
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Arsene trusts his players all over the field to do their job Mandy – in game after game players who are highly experienced have made glaring errors. A more hands on approach will be order of day.
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Over 93 minutes to have to push forward against a team designed to counter attack and only restrict them to two chances is good defending. I know you should never let Kos or any CB be 1on1 with a quality attacker and for the most part we managed that, the one time we didn’t we got punished and even then there was some luck with their goal.
We played very well against a very good side and I bet they couldn’t believe their luck to come away with 1-1.
We are a good side and the second game should be a cracker.
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Wenger’s after game comments – from football.london
On tonight’s performance
I feel we produced the performance we wanted to produce but the result is not in line with the performance. Once we were 1-0 up, the task was clear to us not be caught on the long ball. The only chance they could have was the long ball. We were a bit unlucky with the goal because it was a foul on Welbeck, but we can only look at ourselves tonight.
Are the team disappointed?
Yes, because it is a special game. For us the task is clear. But tonight we have a bitter taste because we have the chance to be in the final tonight.
It’s not about blaming individuals. The whole team is disappointed and down. We need to build the desire and confidence to go there qualify.
Once they were down to 10 men it destroyed the flow of the game. It was not to our advantage. The only advantage of that result is we know exactly what we have to do.
Our fans were fantastic, that’s what you want. We created the anti-climax by giving the goal away.
For me [Jan] Oblak is one of the best keepers in the world.
On Santi Cazorla
He feels well, but he need full preparation in pre-season now to try and come back. Will he stay at Arsenal? I don’t know.
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Keep it civil – we are all disappointed
Not a night for shouting at the players, the manager or even or fellow fans. We played a lot of good football tonight against a very capable opponent. I’d say the initiative is slightly in AMs favour with the away goal – but will they stick or twist at home.
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Can’t help but feel that was a fuck up.
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We’re still well alive. Had us at marginal favourites but close to 50:50 at 1-0; now it’s maybe 65-35 given their comfort with defending.
Better odds than we had against big teams going into 2nd leg of CL all those years.
So much really good work tonight. The goal was a savage, cruel blow. The susceptibility we have shown to long ball in recent weeks was not a factor whatsoever tonight, not once, until that one moment. Hate that Kos is somewhere now with that on his mind. Only a result next week can make sure it isn’t for a long time.
Oblak was as billed, a Dea Gea job who you can normally only beat with great power from close range or by putting it right in the corner. They are handy but eye-wateringly expensive.
It’s still alive. Another big night and another big push from the players who I’ve no doubt are desperate for it.
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watching their goal again, I really can’t understand why kos did not head that ball back to ospina, must also say they had a massive amount of luck on the goal too, everything dropped their way, hopefully we get that sort of luck next week
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Completely avoidable defensive mistakes explain our season….
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Alex Kirkland
@alexkirkland
1h1 hour ago
Chelsea, Barça, Villarreal, Qarabag, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Girona have gone to the Wanda Metropolitano and scored this season. It can be done.
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Fantastic atmosphere, certainly the best I’ve ever experienced at the Emirates. No point crying over spilled milk, but if only the support was like that more often… Also a great game of football, despite the disappointment at the end. I have to give credit to Atletico, Arsene is right, they have no obvious weakness. Griezmann is clinical, their defence is rock solid and that goal keeper, although he should have been booked for time wasting and that 3 minute extra time was a travesty. Not too impressed with their cheating and theatrical diving in an attempt to get our players booked. Fortunately, although the referee fell for too many of them, he didn’t allow himself to be pressured into issuing the cards they were pushing for.
I thought all our players worked hard and mostly did a good job. If only Mustafi hadn’t slipped over at the wrong moment! But sometimes that is how these things go – small margins. I have to give a special mention to Danny Welbeck, who is impressing the hell out of me lately, and it’s great to see signs of the old Jack Wilshere tonight. I do think we missed the difference Elneny could have made from the bench late on to provide that shield for the defence – we might have got out of there with the old one – nil to the Arsenal!
Although Atleti have the advantage going into the second leg with the away goal, I have not given up hope that we can progress. If we play like we did tonight, but put away some more of those chances, we still have a shot. It’s not over until it’s over.
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Sometimes I weep. As long as I have played and watched football, it is 11 v 11 with numerous chances for random, uncontrollable events. So even with the best teams with the best players get most things right shit happens over 90 minutes. The difference between the best and lesser teams is the better ones find a way to compensate by outscoring their opponents. As a gooner, I found it difficult but necessary to accept this reality. If not, then I have no business supporting this football club.
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Stupid stupid Arsenal.
I think we can definitely go there and score to wipe out the away goal advantage. I think we can beat them. But no question this was a huge opportunity lost.
Now what do we do for Sunday? Mourinho will want to humiliate Wenger. Do we play the B team or go for the…. A- Team
Sorry. But I love it when a plan comes together. Sadly it didn’t yesterday.
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That was one game that left me fuming more than usual. You can spend all week coaching defense but there is really nothing you can do about individual errors like their goal. And it’s been a recurring theme all season, silly individual errors costing us games time and again.
I think we showed with that game that we are a much better team than Atleti and have every chance of getting to that final. Keep the faith. #coyg
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Pass your right about the atmosphere at the start but it failed off in the second half and at points the crowd was quite quiet.
At 1-1 where we need the twelfth man it took a while for everyone to shout again (basically when we got a corner)
I must admit even after seeing negatively from some quarters for years I couldn’t believe the amount of fans who thought the tie was over.
I see Smith and Mersin saying it’s in a DNA which is strange seeing as the ref didn’t the give the free kick, an awkward bounce of the ball and someone slipping over can be practiced, how they get paid is amazing.
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I cant stand Smith ‘No more than a yellow’ he said after the ankle smashing tackle on Diaby. Bitter Brummy twat. Never got over Graham liking Wright more than him.
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As for Merson, a paid village idiot.
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It wasn’t until I woke up this morning that I realised I hadn’t done a preview.
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Proper dilemma for Old Trafford.
Strong argument for not risking any of the players we need for the 2nd leg, i.e. the whole team from last night.
Don’t know if that’s feasible though. We have Cech, Holding , Chambers, Kolasinac, Iwobi and Aubameyang to come in- 6.
But going there with 5 youngsters in team? 4 with no experience of a game like that?
Really I think all fans should be accepting of any result and scoreline from there given the special circumstances. Horrible thing though for Mourinho to have such a wonderful opportunity to inflict a heavy defeat on us.
One last big challenge for Mert perhaps. Three at back and sit deep with Dasilva joining Maitland Niles and Willock in mid? I’m not half-convinced saying it but that 2nd leg matters so much more than the Utd game.
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By way both youth cup games are live on itv4. First one tonight at 7.45.
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New post up
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People talk about Wenger not knowing how to defend, his tactical naivety, etc. But you have to remember that he had a particular management style which may not be conventional. So ultimately you have to look at the big picture. And here is the big picture:
1) Until before this season, he is the only manager in world football to finish 21 consecutive seasons with a Champions league knockout stage appearance or a trophy or both.
2) He is the only manager in the modern era to have gone undefeated for an entire season
3) He is the only manager to have won the oldest football competition in the world (the FA Cup) the most number of times.
If he is tactically naive and unable to teach his team defence than what does it say about the the rest of the managers?
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