23 Oct 2014 07:48:07
It's a funny game. We won the FA Cup & Charity Shield. Assuming we beat Anderlecht at home & Dortmundt beat Galatasaray, we will have qualified for the last 16 of the CL, after 4 matches. Did we seriously envisage winning the group? We have only lost one Premier League match & are 2 points off 4th place. In all reality do we expect to finish above Chelsea or Man City? Our rivals for the 'remaining' two top four places, Liverpool & Man U, have not had great starts either. If we can get a run going before Christmas, there is no reason why we can't go up the table into 3rd place. We have Walcott due back soon, Giroud ahead of schedule, Debuchy hopfully back in December and Ozil in January. If Wenger signs a centre back & a defensive midfield player in the next window, I am quietly optimistic. Let's stop being negative and get firmly behind Wenger & the team. It could be far worse, look at Tottenham!

1.) 23 Oct 2014
I was with you up until the last two lines Robbie, yes because the other also rans are far from looking good I can see it's not to late to get 3rd still ( incredibly) and qualifying from our group ( not winning it by finishing above Dortmund, that's crazy talk) but dispite looking awful we can still live up to our preseason potential of top 3 and CL last 16.
As for January and Arsene doing what he should have done in the summer I need to see it before I can even think of believing it and get behind Arsene? How about he gives us some reasons to do so!
People aren't bored by Wenger because he's been around so long their angry and have no trust in him because of his actions and inactions, I'd say if ever a man got what they deserve Arsene's getting it now.
Arsene's not been unlucky he's performed unbelievably badly in his job and anyone else but him would be under very serious pressure from his board

2.) 23 Oct 2014
23 Oct 2014 08:27:45
Great post Robbie.
Spot on mate.

3.) 23 Oct 2014
Gunner62 - I note your comments and at times I too am critical of Wenger, but overall, he is a top manager. Would anyone else be able to compete with the spending power of Man City & Chelsea? Never mind the funds Man U & Liverpool have spent. We have excellent training facillities which are going to be overhauled, a magnificent virtually paid for new stadium, we are the current FA Cup holders, we have qualified for the CL during every year of Wenger's reign. Yes, he should have bought a central defender & a defensive midfield player in the last window, but he did make 5 quality signings, which isn't easy. The season hasn't gone quite to plan, but we have won the Charity Shield, have virtuallt qualified for the last 16 of the CL & are a couple of points off a top four position. The first 8 matches of the PL were not easy, having played the top two teams, plus Everton & Tottenham. let's look again at the end of the year.

4.) 23 Oct 2014
If we somehow go on an unbeaten run until January, then no way in hell will Wenger look to strengthen the team in the window

5.) 23 Oct 2014
Robbie I totally respect where your coming from mate and have wish to change your views on Arsene even though I no longer share them.
Compete with Man city and Chelski? when did they last happen? We haven't competed at the very top for an awful long time only for a CL place and let's face it when was that not Squeaky bum time during the run in.
I have doubted Arsene's tactics for a long time now and some of his decisions are bizarre at best but this time there was money available because it's been spent (70 mil) but sadly not where it was most deffinately needed.
Money and transferless aside Mesut Ozil on the wing? All of football is asking that question along with the DM one and the two CB's to last a season one amongst others.
I admire your loyalty Robbie and as said have no wish to take that from you but just can't share it any longer, for me its time for change before it's too late, which I believe will prove to be the 15/16, to me Arsene leading that is very scary thought

6.) 23 Oct 2014
Why is it wrong to think we can't finish above Man C & Chelsea? This is the myth holding us back. We are NOT a poor club in any way we have 2 very wealthy owners management is all about using resources, are we using ALL of ours to the best end? Over 100mil in the bank & we field a 3rd choice keeper! Come on that just ain't right. Ospina has his 2nd injury now why does this keep happening to us. The old story avail urge to invest in key areas is costing us time and again in any other industry that is unforgivable. The tatics ain't working & haven't for too long. Looking at Spurs suffering as the always doesn't mean we cat be better. They should be looking up at us wining games with power & style getting frustrated at the fact that they haven't done it for 40 odd yrs. something still needs to change at the club

7.) 23 Oct 2014
Its sad thing about wenger that if we look good going into jan he won't buy. And that's the sad thing about him. Top2 by the way. No chance

8.) 23 Oct 2014
23 Oct 2014 12:46:52
Wenger's win percentage has been higher than any other of our previous managers for each season he has been in charge. including Chapman and Graham. I don't disagree that there are things that frustrate and that we didn't address the areas we needed to in the summer, but to say he has 'performed unbelievably badly' is just an over reaction. The club tried to bring in a MF and DF but it didn't happen. that is obvious to see from Wenger's interviews.
It is what it is, every single one of our midfeild and attacking players would get a game at another top side, as would Kos and Gibbs. The players are not performing well, why does that automatically mean that Wenger should leave? The formation change is so slight, any player erning over 1k a week should be able to adapt. The buck for me stops with the players. Each team sheet reads well and shows you on paper that we should beat most teams in the league. Confidence brings top performaces, support the club, the players and the manager. I predict a long time out of the top 4 should Wenger move on with out handpicking and handing over to a manager of his annd the clubs choice.

Louis1913