Comments on: Arsene Wenger: Legacy at the Crossroads

By: pjcuk

pjcuk — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:50:51 +0000

You make some very good points. I too wonder at Wenger not deepening the squad over the summer and before the transfer window closed. The Euros unearthed some fantastic talent. He grabbed a few signings, but didn’t go for experience, and lost so much at the end of last season, as you observed.

One thing that I’ve learned about Wenger is that he plays his cards very close to the chest. It is hard to know what he is thinking. As such he is unpredictable. Did anyone predict an undefeated season in 03-04?

I hope he will yet surprise us…but I confess, I too, am beginning to doubt.

By: lindenhann

lindenhann — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:56:21 +0000

All teams with debt should be kicked out of Europe??? come on wenger… did Arsenal buy the new stadium in cash. lol

By: Beautifulgamer

Beautifulgamer — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:11:40 +0000

Yes – classic Wenger football against Newcastle. Loved it. Fabregas was the clear difference. Not only with his leadership and play-making but even with his tackles.

Nice to see Nasri go after that psycho Barton who nearly broke his leg.

Arsenal needs someone to protect it’s beauty.

Veira was ideal for this when he was around – he had everything you want in a central midfielder and captain – not even Roy Keane could intimidate him.

If Fabregas had a tough, large and skillful midfielder alongside of him, Arsenal could do it all this season – that an a solid centreback…

By: frem

frem — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:02:59 +0000

just because a club makes transfer funds available it isnt always the best thing to spend it. Also wenger spent 11million on nasri. That is not an insignificant amount, he has generally bought players when he thinks he needs them. The only player he hasnt been able to get is a replacement for flamini, the simple reason is that there are not that many quality DM going for the cheap these days, letting go of diarra is easily the biggest mistake wenger did, if he was there the departure of flamini wouldnt have been as big a deal.
Now back to the money thing. Lets say the club gives 30 million for spending, you only spend 15 mill. Now that extra 15 million goes straight back to the bank to reduce your loan debt, you save ALOT of money by paying your debt off as fast as possible because compound interest generally means you end up paying nearly twice what you got a debt for if you only pay off the minimum required. Chelsea has it easy since theirs is interest free but manU will be paying theirs off for another decade at least. Wenger has a MASTERS in finance and know more about it then most people so he know that if possible get rid of debt first, after that everything else is profit. He also knows that buying young and selling is the best way to clear the debt so thats what he has to do. And anyway alot of arsenals squad is no longer that young, only the midfield are really young in terms of age, with the main forwards(cept bendtner) and defenders in mid 20’s or older. Also the “best” players are usually past their due bye date before a club lets them go so its hard to find really world class players. A classic example is chelsea’s team, alot of expensive signings because they needed to make a good team fast so each player cost in excess of 20million. C.Ronaldo cost 12mill and was shit for the first 2-3 years he was at manu.

By: tomarse

tomarse — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:28:21 +0000

once again b d condell replying to michael i look at these articals and its all the same biased numbskull opinions i read but listen to this man michael we all love our clubs yes but lets be apprecietive to such sense shown from a man u fan that speaks so highly of our team bd condell yes we are short of what it takes wenger obviously sees something in that lightweight midfield what we think is missing secretly think he will do the business got till monday night heres hoping good luck hope you get berbatov

By: tomarse

tomarse — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:52:45 +0000

bd condell enjoyed your article about wenger and afc affairs completly agreed with your suprisingly knowledgeble and intelligent opinion about our club you are obviously a true football observant and know your stuff it was refreshing to hear what you said wish all fans had the same outlook on the beautiful game we love so much lets stop so much hatred with eachother we love football our league is great historical teams man u chelsea liverpool and arsenal and the players cantona zola bergkamp klinsmann we have been lucky to witness such greatness and if more fans were like bd condell the game would be for the better a man u fan talking such sense about a rival team i agree we are one or two special players short of you and chelsea to all disenchanted gooners out there dont underesimate wenger he knows what he is doing happy christmas to all we need a top def ball playing mid veloso or alonso in mid and huntelaar best striker in europe keep fingers crossed for xmas hope you listening arsene or santa make a humble gooner happy.

By: BD Condell

BD Condell — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:08:30 +0000

Michael, I’m not saying he will go 7 years without a trophy. I suggest that its ‘not inconceivable’, if he doesn’t invest, that they could go 7 years without The Title. 4 down and I don’t believe they have enough to win it this year.

RemiGarde, regarding: “Further I suspect that you failed to foresee the â€˜outstandingâ€™ performances of arsenal last season, teaching you (I hope) that the general consensus in football is a foolâ€™s province. put another way, letâ€™s just wait and see come May shall we?”

If you read the article properly you may notice that I give praise to Arsenal’s excellent football last season. I also point out that the ‘experts’ view that Arsenal lacked experience and strength in depth was EXACTLY what unfolded. So the general consensus was a fools providence was it? I think not.

Ryan, I don’t think I skipped over Wengers achievements. I felt I was forthright in my praise of his achievements. And yes, Arsenal were excelent yesterday, as they were for much of last season. The debate comes down to whether you believe that he can do it with just youth or needs to spend a little to inject some experience and strength in depth that MAY make the difference between success and coming up short. I believe the latter, as do many others, including Arsenal fans.

Nobody is suggesting he should be sacked, that would be outrageous at this point. I have no wish whatsoever to see his demise. I merely suggest that he may be blinded by his own ideology, to the detriment of both himself and Arsenal.

By: Ryan (Arsenal Fan)

Ryan (Arsenal Fan) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:02:11 +0000

Hey…anyone watch today’s win over Newcastle?

Yeah, well if that amazing football doesnt shut up this writer about if Wenger has lost his touch, than nothing will. I saw an Arsenal side (still short with injuries to Diaby, Rosicky, and Walcott was knicked up but did play) that had much more quality than other side ive seen in a long time. They don’t look to me in deseperate need to sign anyone. In fact, this site critizes Wenger so much, its mad. He is one of the best managers in the history of soccer. And what do you do, you skip over the best part writting etc, etc, etc to everything he has done/

By: Beautifulgamer

Beautifulgamer — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:41:59 +0000

There’s a beautiful piece on Wenger in today’s Independent written by the great James Lawton:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-wengers-revolution-lays-down-test-of-loyalty-for-arsenal-fans-913161.html

Lawton is bang on when he says:

“…what he promises is something that makes supporting a football club truly worthwhile.”

I am a neutral and while I am impressed by Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy cabinet I am also equally impress by Arsene Wenger’s philosophy in terms of building a team and the style of football he strives for.

If I ever could be fan of any club – Arsenal would have to be my top pick just now.

By: Marco

Marco — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:31:38 +0000

And blabblahblab . . . Its soooo obvious that sum people spend 2 much time on futball manager and therefore have all the answers b4 the season even gets going. Hypothetically,imagine all us ‘wenger brigade’ agree with all the pricks, and we get wenger sacked! Please please all u ‘all-knowing -futball-gods’ tell us please who will replace him. I mean u have all the answers, so answer that u bunch of cunts! Maybe we shud get Ramos, he’ll be out of a job soon enuff . . . So, the ‘anti-wenger-brigade’ Piss off unless u have positive criticism!