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1. Daz

   Apr 09, 2012, 15:05 #20976

   Agree with Kenny. 1 season without a trophy is no big deal. 2 years, 3, years, 4 years even. But after 7 years with no trophy and many players (All of which he signed) who show no passion or commitment, let alone skill (Looking at chamakh, Arshavin and walcott)then questions need to be asked. Who'd play walcott over the ox? Who'd keep playing gibbs when it's clear he can't cope?

2. Gooner S

   Apr 08, 2012, 10:12 #20962

   I agree with the general thrust of your post. I abhor the tags AMG and in particular AKB. You can hold a point of view that means you are neither of these things. Most importantly we all support Arsenal, so that's got to be good, right? Let's take @Kenny's comments to your post. He assumes that an 'AKB' supporter must have only known Arsenal since Wenger joined and that any club would have sacked Wenger by now. Kenny I have supported arsenal long before Wenger came to Arsenal and I do not believe that he should be sacked. Do I think he is perfect? No! Do I think he has made mistakes? Yes! If you really think Wenger thinks 4th is acceptable you are mistaken. Look at the bigger picture. Look at how business are run (Arsenal is a business) and who has the power. There is a difference between what Wenger has to say and do publicly and what he says privately. Of that I'm sure. You would probably say I'm an AKB. I would say I'm not. I would say I'm just an Arsenal supporter.

3. CanadaGooner

   Apr 06, 2012, 18:06 #20953

   nevermind podolski, this papiss cisse fellow would be a great addition to provide goals when RVP isnt banging it in. he's got 9 goals in 9 games now cisse. but you have to question player attitude yet again: swansea were impregnable at home most of the season and suddenly with their prem status guaranteed for next season, i cant see them winning any of their remaining games. can one blame the manager for that? next season their manager will opt for some other team and swansea will surely go down next season. such a shame. DW Thomas, like you rightly observed mate, these donkeys (players) get paid so much money and thier level of concentration sometimes is worse than that of a fish!

4. clockendpaul

   Apr 06, 2012, 10:09 #20946

   We did'nt become the club we are because we kept finishing third or fourth. Going back to the thirties we had people running the club with ambition, people that were winners, thats where it mostly started. Wenger was great up to 2005-6, but things have changed and not for the better, now we have people with it seems little ambition other than making a profit, at our expense.

5. Andrew Cohen

   Apr 06, 2012, 9:17 #20945

   I'm afraid that I don't believe that anyone knows best. In any operation where one faces opposition, the strategy and tactics have to be correct. This isn't war and people aren't getting killed, but we do have something invested in the fight, even if it is armchair support. We have a proud tradition, going back to Herbert Chapman, that we strive to be the best. Setting out and being content with second best is anathema. Being an AKB, is sometimes about reason but often, it seems to me, about blind faith. Being an AMG is mostly about a logical questioning of gaps in strategy and tactics, and occasionally about blind hatred. I don't hate Mr Wenger, very much the opposite. I do want him to retire to the beach in Cannes, because I don't believe that he is capable of getting the strategy and tactics right any more. If you want an objective test as to his departure or otherwise, then I would suggest that it is that if Herbert Chapman, George Allison, Tom Whittaker, and George Graham had to decide whether he stayed or went, what would they think? I believe that those stern faced gentlemen, who dragged the Arsenal up by its bootstraps, would call him in and sack him, and for breaking the first cardinal rule of the Arsenal. The Defence.

6. Joe Fitzpatrick

   Apr 06, 2012, 1:00 #20944

   @Lee Afc- yes that's right. I won't be renewing my season tickets unless the board and Wenger get together to strengthen the squad and retain the services of Robin Van Persie. Nothing has changed on that front.

7. CanadaGooner

   Apr 05, 2012, 23:51 #20943

   @ lee fc: ooh to, ooh to be a, gooner! cheers mate. Let's keep supporting the club whatever our emotions. gunner for life!!!!

8. lee fc

   Apr 05, 2012, 20:50 #20942

   Nice peice Canada Gooner. Pretty much all of your feelings in the article are very much how I feel. I can be mad as hell at AW but a game later singing his praises. We have been spoilt rotten over the good AW years and now we have to tread carefully under the disapointing AW years. I will use an example in JOE FITZPATRICK...who was adamant a few months ago that his season ticket was to be given back and not renewed along with a demanding letter that pretty much said 'stick it up your Arsenal' a few games and posts later his fortune had changed and The Gunners were not all that bad. It sums our season up but as I have stated before.... I will be at this club long after AW has been around and probably a few more managres too cos this is my club. OO TO BE A GOOONA

9. CanadaGooner

   Apr 05, 2012, 15:21 #20941

   @ Theo's_Bikini_Line; you're quite relentless mate, I'll give you that. I dont need a groupie or stalker though, so if you dont mind, find someone else to tag on to. To answer your question though: if you read my posts as rigorously as you claim, and do a little less selective hearing/reading, you would have noticed that my clear definition of a fickle fan (and again, it's a free world) is someone who lashes our after a single result, and by the next win wants the manager to stay. But in reflection, what I'm saying is: fair enough. if i have challenged such attitude in the past, i stand corrected as a result of arsenal's season, which shows both promise and disgust all rolled in one. i find it really difficult to carry on challenging such fickleness, albeit one could still attempt a bit of perspective. if that concept is too much for you to grasp, feel free to stay angry as you claim (who cares?), just find someone else to follow, i dont need a fan within a fanzine. push off.

10. Graham Simons, Gooner

    Apr 05, 2012, 13:15 #20939

    "Wenger should go back to being the very good manager he once was by showing faith in what he sees and not what he wants to see. Stop playing the saviour please and return to football management." Alex Gooner - take a bow son - I don't think anyone has ever put it better than that.

11. tpm

    Apr 05, 2012, 13:12 #20938

    wenger replacements: Moyes, klopp, vogel, van basten, favre, van gaal, low,mazzarri, bielsa, bould, emeri, ancellotti to name a few.

12. Tony Evans

    Apr 05, 2012, 13:07 #20937

    Agree with Ron's comments regarding football in general and this is my last season as a paying supporter. The greed and money that drives the game now makes me sick. Also I thought the Reina sending off at Newcastle summed up the cheating that goes on. Yes Reina was wrong to touch heads but what justified the Newcastle player to drop to the ground as if pole-axed? Why isn't action taken (retrospective if need be) against this type of cheating? I will be an armchair fan next season (not Sky though) but with my long association with Arsenal I feel totally justified in continuing adding my comments to articles.

13. Gee

    Apr 05, 2012, 12:59 #20935

    We'll never win another trophy under Wenger. He has completely lost the focus of producing winning teams and content to achieve CL status year after year as the sole aim. He has no regard for domestic cups what so ever and we are regularly out of the league title race by March sometimes earlier. The only reason we qualify for the CL is for ££ and not to actually have a fist at winning it. Until we change manager we will not win another thing. All that said I still think this season can be deemed satisfactory if we get 4th and qualify for CL again. But no more than that

14. Ronster

    Apr 05, 2012, 12:36 #20934

    Ron.Take yourself down to Borehamwood to watch the ladies.It's a fiver at the turnstiles and they play with honesty,grit and tremendous skill under Laura Harvey,a humble and unassuming manager.They play their Champions League semi final 1st leg against Frankfurt at home on Sunday April 15th.It will be a tricky tie so get down there fellow Gooners to lend some vocal support!!

15. Theo's Bikini-Line

    Apr 05, 2012, 11:06 #20933

    CanadaGooner wrote: " You can be an AMG tomorrow and an AKB the next day: if people dont like it, they can go an cry. The ultimate thing is that true fans want to support their club regardless." That's all fine and dandy and most people wouldn't disagree. However, YOU are the person that is always coming on here calling other people fickle!! Yet in your contributions display all the signs of capriciousness. THAT'S what makes gooners like me angry. Haven't you got that yet?

16. Ron

    Apr 05, 2012, 10:43 #20932

    Canada - Just seen your reply to my comments. To be truthful mate, ive no idea what youre saying really! Im well aware of the commercial realities driving football. Thats why ive dropped out of it so i wont be helping buy Podolski for sure! As from the Seasons end, im a 'newspaper fan'. Id poke my eyes out before id pay for Sky again. 43 years going to matches home and away endeth here fella and im glad to be out of it now. I dont like what footballs become and like even less football supporters (across all Clubs) attitudes to it. Content to follow the Club from the periphery.

17. Joe S.

    Apr 05, 2012, 7:19 #20930

    Joe F. I guess we'll know after the Chelsea games as to whether or not Barcellona can handle physical football. Personally I think they'd win the Premier League in style, with points to spare. More than any other team Real Madrid are about money and being bank rolled by the establishment. Also if anything many of their discerning fans will take any trophy but will remain disgruntled unless it's done with flair. Remember how they fired Capello after he miraculously won them La Liga. The reason being they were deemed boring. It is possible to win beautiful in the Premiership. You just need quality players, a deep squad and tactical flexibility

18. Joe S.

    Apr 05, 2012, 7:03 #20929

    Someone raised the point a few weeks ago on whether at this stage of the season it would be better to be Chelsea or Arsenal. A no brainer. Chelsea are competing for two trophies and will make a serious run for a champions league place. Arsenal are hanging on but with a club culture which allows for failre and with a sub par playing squad that has not been able to handle pressure well over the past seasons. Regardless of where we finish in May there needs to be change at the top. Football is evolving. There are any number of promising managers/coaches across the leagues. Take up one of them before the likes of Liverpool, United, City or Madrid beats us it. What's there to be afraid of?

19. Gary

    Apr 05, 2012, 6:23 #20928

    The reason why i look on the AKB's with distain is when they come out with statements that Arsenal were nothing before Wenger arrived.And that if he left we would be finished.Its not Arsene FC

20. New Jersey Mike

    Apr 05, 2012, 5:16 #20927

    Amen. I am a Yank, living in the Gulf, who is a season ticket holder. I get to about 6 matches a year. Win, lose or draw, a true fan must always support the team, if you are devoted to that team for life and do not 'float' and look to support only the Champions in different years or decades. In America I am an avid follower of college basketball. Of 300 Division teams, 64 play during March Madness for the National Championship. There is only one winner. A few days ago it was University of Kentucky. Are the other 63 teams all losers . No, their teams are celebrated just for being good enough to be selected for the tournament. And further praised for getting to the round of 32, 16, 8, the semi's. The 299 teams who don't win the National Championship reflect on the year and may consider it a good year if having beat a rival, beat a top 25 team as an underdog, have a winning record, win big games away from home. The fans then applaud the team. With Arsenal, despite not winning a trophy ( only 4 to go around ) I support the team, applaud good years when we beat Barca at home, beat Chelsea away, trounce Spurs, get through the Group Stages of the CL. These are not bad years. 15 years of CL football is to be applauded. In the USA my college BB team won the National Championship in 2003, I waited 35 years to see that. Once in a lifetime. Of the 300 Uni's , only 40 teams have ever won it. Yet there are millions of fans who continue to praise their teams as having very good years despite never, every being able to say that their team has finished first and won a trophy. If we get a CL spot this will have been a very good year.

21. DW Thomas

    Apr 04, 2012, 23:28 #20926

    I am no AMG or AKB but see both sides have valid points. I consider myself a critical thinking fan-I take into account all aspects. I want the best for the club and am pissed when we lose, happy when we win. However, being critical of Wenger or the board comes as a result of being a concerned and passionate fan. I notice you Canada often rip the players for poor performances and I generally agree. They make more in week than most of us make in a year, so they should be able to deal with the pressure of criticism, media pundits, and fans' passion. It's part of the job. Wenger more so. When you start Ramsey on the wing with two wingers on the bench, sub the Ox vs. Man United when he was the best player on the pitch and lose the game, and oversee the worst loss to a rival in decades, (among other consistent big concerns), you have every right to question whether Wenger is past it. Yes, you should do it with respect and high regard for what Arsene has done in the past, but football is a results industry. No one is irreplaceable. No one should have a job for life. We are passionate fans whose passion can get the best of us. At the end of the day we all want the best for the team and to win. So I ask you, what have we won now for 7 years? The answer to that should drive positive changes in the club to reinvigorate the board, coaches, and most importantly the team. We have been so close to winning trophies, and that is what tries my spirit the most. If we would just do what needs to be done to get over the hump...

22. goonercolesyboy

    Apr 04, 2012, 22:45 #20925

    So come on all you clever clogs, who do you want to replace Wenger then? Your choices should make the next debate, don't you think editor?

23. CanadaGooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 22:43 #20924

    @ Muttley1; good observation. The problem with this site is that some people think you have to be either one or the other. But fortunately, there are enough of us on here who really do not care about such silliness. You can be an AMG tomorrow and an AKB the next day: if people dont like it, they can go an cry. The ultimate thing is that true fans want to support their club regardless. Come on you gunners!!!

24. Busted flush

    Apr 04, 2012, 22:39 #20923

    I hope the wally's on the board are keeping there eye on Brian Mcdermot at the mo, ex Arsenal player doing very well these last couple of years I'd welcome an ex player back and hopefully get our old Arsenal back just like GG did.

25. muttley1

    Apr 04, 2012, 21:53 #20921

    totally agree i thought wenger was finished not so sure now and he,s definitely made mistakes also who,s in a better position liverpool with a trophy and may win another guaranteed uefa cup football or us who will have done superbly well to finish third or fourth and qualify for a tournament we won,t win in the near future and is boring until the stages where we get found out.

26. Wombledin

    Apr 04, 2012, 21:40 #20919

    The very fact the fans are so divided and articles like this are getting written shows that something is seriously wrong at our Club and the culture is badly eroded. Its really quite sad to see. It's incredible to see the AKB say "Arsenal is what it is today because of Arsene Wenger" and "There is no one else who could do what Wenger is doing" but on the flip side of the coin it seems incredible that so many are complaining about a Manager who has got us into CL qualification every season for the past 15 years and play such mostly beautiful football. Both camps have good arguments. But I'm a firm AMG because I believe our great Club does have the infrastructure and funds to seriously challenge for major trophies but I believe Wenger is holding the Club back from that for 2 important reasons: he continually keeps the squad that little bit short of the quality it needs to seriously compete because of his unbalanced parsimony in the transfer window (to keep the bankers and accountants happy first and foremost) and 2. because although he is an attacking coach par excellence bar none in the world, he is exposed as a poor defensive coach who does not seem to understand that the greatest teams are built on rock solid defenses (as George Graham understood) and you need a great defense to win any major trophy (Mourinho understands this). Strikers win games but defenders win trophies but Wenger cannot get the balance right. Wenger has to be judged on what he has done in the last 7 years, not what he might do next transfer window because he has let us all down and lied too many times about that. He deserved a lot of credit for pre 2005 success but thats all used up now. Its been too long and he should go.

27. Theo's Bikini-Line

    Apr 04, 2012, 21:14 #20918

    In answer to the question in the article's title, the answer is No, you don't have to be either an AKB or AMG. However, as has been pointed out by 6ooner Pete and a few others, the problem some of us have is that you seem determined to be both!!!

28. Ronster

    Apr 04, 2012, 17:35 #20917

    chris dee.It's a disgrace that London has never got its hands on old big ears.....mind you,same could be said for the capitals of France,Italy and Germany!

29. maguiresbridge gooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 17:18 #20916

    Good Article canada you're right it seems to be the norm to have to let everybody know how long you've been a supporter even though i'm going to resist. I have respect for every gooner no matter how long they have been a fan as long as they remain a fan and not p**s off somewhere else when things aren't going well (and i know a few) i think all this AMG AKB thing is ridiculous thats why i've never associated myself with either but i do believe and i'm sure you'll agree people are entitled to their opinion and if they want arsene out or if they think he's doing a good job fair enough thats their opinion.I also think you don't have to be in one camp or the other.I myself have criticized the manager on here and said what i thought of certain players etc,etc,and i will continue to do so if needed equally i will congratulate and say well done, others have done the same what does that make us (NAMGAKB)'s . One thing every body can agree on is a lot of work needs to be done no matter what happens in the next seven games lets hope it is.Good piece.

30. 6OONER PETE

    Apr 04, 2012, 16:39 #20915

    Once again I haven't a clue what you are on about Canada Gooner. The Arsenal supporters I know who want the best for OUR club have had enough of the Groundhog Day decisions and outcomes made by Wenger year after year. We have wanted him to go for years for all the reasons argued previously that aren't worth going into now. We are obviously pleased with our recent run but that does not mean we are suddenly Wenger supporters (the QPR performance just adds more weight to our argument). You seem to be suggesting that people on this website keep changing their mind about whether they support Wenger or not but I have not seen any evidence of this.Those that still support OGL write as such and those that don't say so. The only person I have found who writes on this website who changes their opinion from week to week is YOU!

31. Clockender78

    Apr 04, 2012, 15:59 #20914

    Good article. I'm no AKB OR AMG, i care for what's best for Arsenal football club. I have supported The Gunners since i was seven years old in 1985, have been to many games at Highbury and Emirates, have seen managers come and go(albeit only three!), but i will always support Arsenal!I have been very critical of the board and Wenger these past 2/3 seasons, but i will say he has done a good job getting us to third after the terrible start, and on a limited budget. But you can't defend the awful buys(you know who they are), crazy tactical decisions and substitutions, blind loyalty to players who simply aren't good enough and his arrogance at times this season. CanadaGooner i agree with you, in that i wouldn't back our board to get in an adequate replacement. I would fear a puppet/yes man for them, as all they are interested in is making a profit, this is the biggest problem at the club i feel. Wenger delivers this every season, with a return for every shareholder, so maybe this is why Wenger is not questioned by his superiors for 7 trophyless seasons? The grass isn't always greener though..Up the Gunners!

32. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Apr 04, 2012, 15:52 #20913

    I love Arsene Wenger for the memories he gave us but, he is obsessed with trying to get us playing like Barca; on English pitches, against tougher opposition and without ever spending on top talent. Barca spent a fortune on players like Ibrahimovic, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Fabregas and Villa. I would back the more physical Real Madrid over Barcelona in our league any day of the week.

33. JJBergkamp

    Apr 04, 2012, 15:34 #20912

    Sorry Canada Gooner but I agree with Joe, you do seem confused and thank god you'r not in a position to make any decisions restring the manager or club. I agree with the sentiments of your article but reading your comments on here you don't seem to have a clue as to what your saying. Nothing wrong with having an opinion, all gotten all fans do, it's just a shame you seem to pick you'r opinions like a true politician, pandering to what ever the current popular bandwagon is. Your quite boring, truth be told and it seems that decent and intelligent contributors are few and far between on this site, I don't think you really understand football do you?

34. CanadaGooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 15:17 #20911

    @Ron: wow! big, big statements there mate. (1) some fans singing 'you dont know what you're doing' and others singing 'there's only one arsene wenger' doesnt sound like just an online divide to me. I've been to countless games where this has been a heated topic and at the pubs right after the games (only difference is that people put forward better arguments other than the blind dross). (2) not entirely sure where you're getting to with your 'sky tv fan' comment; we should stop selling arsenal shirts in China then? what you dont realise is that with modern day football, those fans you want to turn your nose up against are the only reason clubs now have so much money to spend: TV money, millions of merchandise sold in far off places (where those fans only watch on sky tv). if you think your $40 ticket gets you podolski and the players you continue to clamour for, dream on....

35. CanadaGooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 14:58 #20910

    good to see that the majority on here caught my drift: you can be an AKB today, an AMG tomorrow, and AKBMG the next day and a combination of all the letters of the alphabet the day after, just support your club ARSENAL. We dont have to be DRONES. There's no medal for being an AMG when we're winning 7 games in a row, same as there's none for being an AKB when we cant beat Blcakburn, Swansea or Wolves. People should be allowed to voice whichever opinion they care to, based on their current feeling. And yes, some clever clogs on here think every article is a dumb article (except theirs?); who cares. Am I confused about what I feel should happen to Wenger? it's a confusing form so far for arsenal this season. If it was my decision to keep or sack wenger, then perhaps i would care to be less confused and make a decision, but it's not my decision and as an Arsenal fan, I will remain excited when we win and annoyed when we dont and YES, those feelings will continue to come and go. NOTHING NEW THERE.

36. Treble Double

    Apr 04, 2012, 14:09 #20909

    Good post. I appreciate that all gooners will have differing opinions about the manager, the board, what is deemed as success and loads of other things that effect our club. We are all passionate about Arsenal so there will always be some very strong opinions, but at the end of the day we all support the club and should pull together to support the team. I know that Ashburton Grove will be up for it on Sunday & that's the sort of positivity that will help the team to finish 3rd. I don't care if people think we shouldn't be getting carried away with 3rd - this is our reality at the moment and it's still better than some of the barren years we have had to put up with.

37. Jack the Gooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 14:04 #20908

    Which side of the fence are you on this week canada gooner? Your pieces are getting more tiring every week, you write very well but its easy to see through your type of armchari fan rehetoric, pandering to which ever flavour is most popular with the fans. This site really has become the bottom of all arsenal blogs over the last year, and you are a typical example of why

38. Ron

    Apr 04, 2012, 13:51 #20907

    All Clubs fans have a dig at the Coach at some point. At Arsenal though many fas seem a bit precious about hearing any critique of AW. Its a combination of things. The Club charges extortionate costs to see them, Wenger has a vice like grip on everything and the team isnt even close to winning anything. The squad is stale and hasnt seen a genuinely exiting addition to it for donkeys years (while a good few donkeys have been added to it nontheless) the team regularly gets beaten without a fight and on top of all this the Spuds arent the joke theyve been for years. Wenger cops the flack as its his set up, hes the one who blindly tolerates the non achievers, fairies and lightweights hes persisted with for years and rightly or wrongly hes perceived as having the Board eating out of his hands. Its ever likely he cops it. It doesnt detract from a fans support of the Club. You mention 'revitalisation'. Arsenal have needed it for 5 years. Cash restraint was inevitable after shifting stadium, but the perception is that its not as restraining as Wenger likes to makes out, hence more ammo for his detractors. While all this goes on, the Board sit quietly by getting fat in that Diamond Club, counting the readies from AWs 3rd and 4th place 'trophies' each season, barely putting their heads above the parapet, no doubt happy and contented they have a Coach who's content to take the share of the flak they should otherwise get. Arsenal are in many ways unique. All of this has to be tempered by the new breed of SKY tv soaked so called fans whove attached themselves to Arsenal since 2006. A great many who are heard on blogs but not at the games. The anti or pro Wenger divide is after all largely an internet phenomena and not an actual one.

39. chris dee

    Apr 04, 2012, 13:44 #20906

    We are one of the richest clubs in the world,we have a well run club,we have fans world wide,we have a history and tradition the envy of many clubs and therefore it is not unreasonable to expect our club to be in the running year after year for trophies. It's not a case of ''want it now society'' as someone posted,it is a case of living up to the clubs potential. What is not acceptable for Barca,Real,United,A C Milan,Bayern etc should not be acceptable for the Arsenal. I find it amazing that we have never won the Champions League/European Cup since it began in 1955, and Arsene's defence of 'we have qualified for the Champions League for 14 years' does not add a trophy winning date around the Emirates. The club are ruthless when it comes to finances but not when it comes to winning trophies like the clubs I have mentioned.

40. mark from aylesbury

    Apr 04, 2012, 13:35 #20905

    Looking at the replies it is blindingly obvious that there is sharply divided opinion. For what it is worth I think 7 years is too long and too many opportunities spurned. I think that the divide will remain until either a trophy is lifted or he goes. No point thinking otherwise.

41. Dan h

    Apr 04, 2012, 13:11 #20904

    AW will be with us until 2014 at least this board will not sack him & that is the reality of the situation.It is all about CL qualification & that seems to be what our yearly target is SKE & IG are number crunchers trophys are a very distant bonus.Even if we came 5th this year i highly doubt he would go he won't walk & at a quoted 7m a year salary a 14m payoff tells the reality of the situation.I am a critic of the manager & the board & have the same concerns as many that post on here squad quality,wage bill etc.etc.This regime want to extract all they can from the club without any investment until 2014 at least i see no change WHATEVER happens on the pitch.Sponsorship deals coming up for renewal then you would think the board as businessmen would realise top sponsors will pay more to be linked with success.I like most would love to be proved wrong 7 years without a trophy would never have been an issue if AW & the board had invested in the team these past few years.It's my view but i just want a manager that concentrates on football only leave the finances to the board & because of this the current set up is a match in heaven for SKE & the board why would they change it?

42. chrisy boy

    Apr 04, 2012, 12:25 #20902

    whether you are in the for or against camp regarding wenger, we as Arsenal fans just want the best for our club, what i think the problem us fans who have never worked a day in football have is why wenger is blind to the fact there are several players in our squad or are not good enough to take us to the next level, i hope the reports of a clear out are true this summer, and if wenger goes on to be a success again then i will be more than happy, as i said at the start of my post, we are all Arsenal fans who just want the best for our great club

43. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Apr 04, 2012, 11:18 #20900

    You seem confused to me. Confused and inconsistent. Your confusion stems from ignorance as to why some people want Arsene to either drastically change to pre-2005 tactics or just give up and go away. The fact that is measureable and recordable is that our goals conceded tally keeps increasing every season while we are finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to our best players. You will be screaming for Wenger's head if the Scum and Harry the wheeler dealer finish above us come May.

44. Alexthegooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 11:18 #20899

    Some time ago I became concerned at the way our manager has somehow become synonymous with the club. Ferguson even stated last year Arsenal was 'his club' meaning Wenger had made or moulded the club into its present state. As much as I am in awe of the managers achievements I believe we are in an unhealthy situation whereby the manager has so much focus in the running and identity of our club. As stated we were very successful pre-wenger and hope we will continue to be when he's gone. What we have now is a cult more than a club whereby everything revolves around the actions of one man. The polarity of opinion reflects this. He's either a saviour or a fraudster. In my opinion this does not bode well for the future of our club. The board are believers and petrified of what comes next. They have guarded him from criticism both from within and outside the club.The way they talk some may fear armageddon when he goes. This explains the lack of control over the manager who has been allowed to continue unchecked on various club issues which have compromised badly our ability to challenge for trophies in a realistic manner.Those who disagree need to just look at the players who were 1st team players in recent seasons and have now been moved on either via loan, sale or simply ignored. The list - Bendtner, Denilson, Vela, Almunia, Squillachi, Eboue, Chamakh, Arshavin etc are all to a man the same players all disgruntled fans were naming and shaming week after week. Wenger kept and indulged these losers for no reason except his stubborn belief he would prove everyone wrong and they would miraculously transform into world beaters. The fact they are gone shows a reality check has taken place. Credit the manager for that. However we can only be optimistic if these players are replaced by quality. Podolski is a start if reports of his coming are true. We need another 3/4 quality signings if we are to challenge. And if anyone says we cannot compete with russian roubles and oil money I will throw myself out of the nearest window. We dont need to spend billions to improve our squad. Even now we have the basis of a good squad. We have enough money to improve it. Newcastle are competing for 4th spot after spending a pittance. Its not all about money. Good management is the key. Sticking stubbornly to a plan which is not working is not good management. Wenger should go back to being the very good manager he once was by showing faith in what he sees and not what he wants to see. Stop playing the saviour please and return to football management.

45. Gare Kekeke

    Apr 04, 2012, 11:11 #20898

    Yes we are all Arsenal fans but the impression I get with some Arsenal fans is that they are more Arsene Wenger fans and they take exception to even the mildest of criticism of Wenger. For me they are the ones who claim ‘without Wenger there is no Arsenal FC’ (and I have seen such on comment on this site). The ones who refuse to look at football history pre-1996. The ones who to an extent dismiss anything The Arsenal had achieved as a club prior to Wenger’s arrival in 1996. I have been a Gooner since I was 6 back in January 1987 and will remain a Gooner regardless of the manager and will stick with my season ticket as I have done for years and go to away games too. For all of my criticisms towards Wenger and I am one of those who think his time as manager should come to an end with dignity at the end of the season (no way should he be hounded out, he’s better than that), I have always said that he does deserve credit from EVERY Arsenal fan for his overall outstanding contribution to our club since his arrival. But my views on Wenger won’t change unless he is willing to change, but he has shown reluctance to do so. Since the 2006 stadium move, we have had a manager who seems to think that being 2nd, 3rd or even 4th best is acceptable. Considering we are by far the biggest and most decorated club in London and the third biggest and most decorated in England overall, I find that attitude totally unacceptable. He has consistently built teams since 2006 that can’t compete for honours let alone win a few of them and even when it has a major opportunity to win silverware thrown in front of them (e.g. the 2011 League Cup final against relegation fodder Birmingham) we still fold because they are not mentally built to be winners. And that’s before I mention how I don’t like how he continuously comes up with all manner of excuses for his failings which are echoed by AKB’s and his unflinching support towards underperforming players. But then I forgot, he knows best and I have never worked half a day in football. Actually, I do work in football thank you very much so I might have a bit of a clue. There are also a few myths about Wenger and his record that has been properly scrutinised by people like me on this site but it has dismissed because ‘Arsene knows best’. And don’t get me started on the board that lack ambition either. The Arsenal is in need of an overhaul from the very top to the bottom. Up The Arsenal.

46. Judge Fred

    Apr 04, 2012, 11:00 #20897

    I am not really shocked at the fickleness of football supporters. One minute Wenger is magic, the next minute he is the worst manager ever. This has been going on for years, except now we have the internet which allows everyone a published opinion. You are right to say that we are Arsenal supporters first and foremost - I get no satisfaction from seeing the support split into two camps regarding the manager. There is a time and place for the club to review the managers position and (in my opinion) it is never mid-season, it should always be at the end of a campaign. Arsenal FC have standards that others aspire to - the way we handle our managers contract is one of them. In the footballing world 'Arsenal FC' represents more than football, it means 'Class' too (thats right, with a capital 'C'). Remember that my beloved fellow Gooners. Come On You Reds.

47. Nick

    Apr 04, 2012, 10:56 #20896

    Good article Canada and more or less spot on , football supporters have always been a fickle bunch, reviling a player or manager one minute and hailing them as geniuses the next, how many times have we screamed for a player having a mare to be taken off , only for that same player to score or assist in a vital goal and then sheepishly say i always knew he had it in him, hero or zero in football your always one or the other. In my own opinion Wenger is and always has been tacticly banckrupt, even Paul merson said that he never seemed to have an idea of how to change things when his original plan wasnt working that said he has led us to glory and raised the expectation level of a club that since i started supporting them in the early sixties have always been inconsistent, win a double then nothing for a few years, before winning titles and cups and then becoming mediocre again we had 6 years of almost constant glory and since then weve remained in the top 4 and look like doing so again this time around , the man is a victim of his own sucsess, for we have become used to dining at the top table and will now accept nothing less, whether he is still the man to lead us is unclear at the present, but whatever happens i have this to say COME ON YOU GUNNERS !!!!!!!

48. R Meade

    Apr 04, 2012, 10:55 #20895

    Is there a point to this? We all support the club it's the fans that only really matter managers players come and go we are here forever. For there not to be big questions asked of a manager of a major club after not winning anything for seven years losing a game 8.2 and not competing at all this season plus the problem with having so many players of sub standard quality on the books getting fortunes who we have no chance of moving is a big problem caused by Wenger. So what do you suggest we sit back and let it all play out just be happy to be a supporter! Bizarre.

49. fred

    Apr 04, 2012, 10:38 #20894

    There is nothing wrong with being an Arsenal fan as long as you are an honest Arsenal fan.What drives me mad is some of our fans wont admit the problem at the club is Wenger.Yes he was a great manager up until 2005 but since then he has been clueless.Why cant some of our fans bring themselves to say Wenger must go.Saying Wenger must go does not make you any less an Arsenal fan.

50. hibeegunner

    Apr 04, 2012, 10:26 #20893

    Good article I have been a fan since 1965 and seen many ups and downs but I have always supported the club through thick and thin regardless who the manager was.By the way where in Canada do you live CanadaGooner as I shall be visiting your country in June.

51. Will

    Apr 04, 2012, 9:51 #20892

    Don't really understand the point of the post. Everyone is entlitled to an opinion especially when it comes to the manager. I think the post completely misses the point. To quote Benitez there are the facts.Wenger has squandered chances to win trophies over the last 6 years ( latest being the humiliation by Birmingham in the Carling cup). He hasn't addressed our defensive frailties,he hasn't seemed able to cure our lack of bottle and our sometimes flakey attitude. He has refused to buy experienced players when its been obvious we need them. The club have been dishonest with the fans by making us pay the highest prices in the league and not explaining why the monies haven't been invested in the team. Those facts are why opinion is so divided; its got nothing to do with the fatuous and irrelevant arguments about roller coaster results and seasonal up and downs. If the above don't get addressed then we stay exactly where we are or slid down the table. The legitimate question is not whether Wenger is useless but whether he is past his sell by date and not capable of addressing the problems ( see Dalglish at Liverpool ). My view is he cannot address them because he is not capable of change. It has always been both his strength and his achilles heel.

52. HERD

    Apr 04, 2012, 9:48 #20891

    Puzzling Evidence ...............Hardening your heart !

53. Frank

    Apr 04, 2012, 9:42 #20890

    This is a sad article.Wenger should have gone after the CL defeat by Man Utd in 2009.What has he done in the last three years?.just keeping him on as manager for what he did pre 2005 is bonkers.Until fans realise Wengers job is to make profits and not win trophies nothing will change.This season has been a disaster knocked out of all competitions before march and the Akb's are telling us this is a great season.Are us the fans paying the most expensive tickets in the world to not even compete for one competition?.Fans who think Wenger is going to turn things around are kidding themselves.He just wont clear out the deadwood and bring in real quality.

54. rudytel

    Apr 04, 2012, 9:21 #20888

    I've been gradually slipping off 'the fence' past 18 months or so. The board will never appoint a high profile diva to go berserk with their precious funds, so they'll need a talented yes man to work with their restrictions... Rock and hard place.

55. Tony

    Apr 04, 2012, 9:10 #20887

    What a dumb article.May i remind you we pay the highest tickets in world football to watch us scrambling to finish 4th.You mention the promise of the Ox and Kos but you omit the dross we signed in Chamakh Squillaci Park and Gervinho all signed by Wenger in the last 18 months.Djourou who has been awful this season is rewarded for that with a new contract.As long as fans like you except mediocrty Wenger is never going to change.Just take a look at the league table and see how far we are behind Utd.How much longer are we going to let Wenger and kroenke shaft us

56. Realist Ron

    Apr 04, 2012, 8:46 #20886

    @CanadaGooner Explain why we pay Wenger £7m a year then? Why isnt he being held to account for 7 seasons without a trophy.these are the questions the AKB's cant answer.The way Wenger managed the affairs of the club last summer was gross mis-management.We are the 5th richest club in the world remember yet we are fighting to finish top 4.Whose fault is that?.Could it be Wenger? thats what i hate about the AKB's is they use every excuse to defend Wenger.The buck stops with the manager

57. james

    Apr 04, 2012, 8:30 #20885

    I completely agree I am sick to death of this branding of fans if your unhappy with the way the club is being run unlucky because there's piss all we can do to change it. These so called amg's and akb's are like tottenham fc so concerned with trying to be higher that the arsenal in the league they actually forget to go and try and win the league those fans are in danger of falling into the same dark hole every spurs fan feels when they finish below us in the league And yes I do agree seven years without a trophy is a long time but there has been longer drouts in the cabinet than seven years in our long top flight career but one thing Wenger does bring is consistent champions league so there is always ups and downs to an arguement but rushing to a conclusion of sack the man before you think who could do what Wenger does with our budget the only man I would take in his place is Ferguson 2 managers who stand above the rest

58. Tony Evans

    Apr 04, 2012, 8:23 #20884

    I am not Wenger's biggest fan after seven years of the being close but no cigar football we have witnessed but will acknowledge that he has done well in keeping us in the top four on a very limited budget (self imposed though may be). As I have said before my main critiscism of him is his backing / overpaying of players that have yet to prove themselves worthy and his apparent lack of interest in the uglier, defensive side of the game which in my view has cost us two titles and a cup these last seven years. I am neither an AMG or an AKB, just an Arsenal supporter of many years with a keen interest in debating with other true Arsenal fans. I generally agree with your views, Canada, and you are right when you say that strongly held views can change over the course of a season. I would certainly agree that all the guff written about 'arry and that lot from the Lane was ridiculous. When they have achieved half of what Arsenal have then I might start taking them seriously!

59. ziggy

    Apr 04, 2012, 8:06 #20883

    All well and good whether Wenger must go or Arsene knows best and no trophy in 7 years at ANY club etc. Who can guarantee a new manager will definitely win a trophy?and if he doesnt, get him out and another one in? Its called stability but people should also remember a new manager will not have any more money than now so the Mourinho's and Benitez's wont survive or do you want a Villas Boas type. I guess not so all those who think we need a change of manager and all that is going on has nothing to do with the board, who do you want as an Arsenal Manager? And whilst thinking about it, think about how much money Chelsea, United, city, liverpool, sunderland, spurs, stoke have spent since january 2011 to now and compare to Arsenal and make your own justification with the league table.

60. CanadaGooner

    Apr 04, 2012, 7:47 #20882

    Kenny, I'm sure Berbatov earns more the RVP. there isnt always a simple explanation to everything.

61. [email protected]

    Apr 04, 2012, 7:39 #20881

    I totally agree. We are Arsenal fans and whilst we may not always like what Arsene does we remain fans of the Mighty Arsenal. More strength to your elbow Canada Gooner.

62. kenny

    Apr 04, 2012, 7:37 #20880

    The truth is at any other major club in Europe Wenger would have been sacked after 7 years without a trophy.but Arsenal are not in the trophy winning business.Its all about a top 4 finish and banking the CL cash.Wenger gets paid more than Fergie.Can anyone explain that?.The problem with the AKB's is they think Arsenal were founded in 1996 and that no other manager could manage us.Arsenal were a big club before Wenger and will be again but dont tell an AKB that they are too busy burying their heads in the sand.Wenger was a great manager but those days have long gone.Its time for a new manager to come in who doesnt think 4th place is acceptable

63. ozziearsenal

    Apr 04, 2012, 6:45 #20879

    How can you support the manager and bet him at the same time ,or is it week to week strange way to love your club Arsenal

64. SImon

    Apr 04, 2012, 6:16 #20878

    I totally agree. I have been an Arsenal fan for 40+ years and have seen the highs and lows. We all want Arsenal to be successful but it is not going to happen constantly. I think this recent phenomenon is a combination of our "want it NOW" society and media overreaction. Up the Arsenal whoever manages and whoever plays! Simon