Alright, back again from a great trip, that kept some of the more annoying feelings towards Arsenal away - or almost at least. I have managed to get some input about the last friendly games, before EPL kicks off.
Not surprisingly (AT ALL!) we have thrown away leads against opponents we should be able to control. And again our defence apparently looked quite terrible. How can Vermaelen (who was seen as THE one missing last season) lose a physical challange against a curly-haired midget?
I think we are in for another frustrating season.
This leads to the first bullet:
1) The trust is gone
For several years the perhaps most well-known mantrum "In Wenger we trust!". And it would be unfair to claim that he hasn't done a lot to earn that trust. When he arrived, he managed to re-design the entire sports setup, implementing more sophistic physical training, nutritional programme and even designing training facilities. Moreover he managed to put creativity into the game, allowing players to develop those more "sexy" sides of their game. And of course his ability to spot and nurture talent cannot be forgotten.
However, in the last seasons there has been a growing dissatisfaction among Arsenal-supporters. In a recent survey conducted by AST, 42% of the respondents stated, that if Wenger fails to deliver a trophy in the upcoming season, the board should reconsider its confidence in Wenger. Moreover, more than 60 percent believed that Wenger's philosophy had taken too much precedence over the objective of winning trophies. I general it seems like people believe that Wenger has simply lost touch with reality.
And it is not really hard to understand why. During the last seasons we have seen the same mistikes repeating over and over again, an mainly in the defensive area. Each summer Wenger has claimed, that there was focus on the defensive area, but the only solution has been to buy a couple of defenders. Again this year Wenger stated that the coaching setup would not be changed.
The Nasri/Cesc-situation doesn't make the situation any better. We have two profiles, who seem very little interested in staying and fighting for the club. As I wrote earlier, selling them will not be catastrophic. Actually we can get stronger. Yet Wenger seems to be keen on keeping them.
If Wenger does not bring silverware to the club this season, he MUST be replaced. The excellent Tuchel could be a solution. But I'll dig into that issue once it seems like Wenger is about to either quit or get sacked.
Not surprisingly (AT ALL!) we have thrown away leads against opponents we should be able to control. And again our defence apparently looked quite terrible. How can Vermaelen (who was seen as THE one missing last season) lose a physical challange against a curly-haired midget?
I think we are in for another frustrating season.
This leads to the first bullet:
1) The trust is gone
For several years the perhaps most well-known mantrum "In Wenger we trust!". And it would be unfair to claim that he hasn't done a lot to earn that trust. When he arrived, he managed to re-design the entire sports setup, implementing more sophistic physical training, nutritional programme and even designing training facilities. Moreover he managed to put creativity into the game, allowing players to develop those more "sexy" sides of their game. And of course his ability to spot and nurture talent cannot be forgotten.
However, in the last seasons there has been a growing dissatisfaction among Arsenal-supporters. In a recent survey conducted by AST, 42% of the respondents stated, that if Wenger fails to deliver a trophy in the upcoming season, the board should reconsider its confidence in Wenger. Moreover, more than 60 percent believed that Wenger's philosophy had taken too much precedence over the objective of winning trophies. I general it seems like people believe that Wenger has simply lost touch with reality.
And it is not really hard to understand why. During the last seasons we have seen the same mistikes repeating over and over again, an mainly in the defensive area. Each summer Wenger has claimed, that there was focus on the defensive area, but the only solution has been to buy a couple of defenders. Again this year Wenger stated that the coaching setup would not be changed.
The Nasri/Cesc-situation doesn't make the situation any better. We have two profiles, who seem very little interested in staying and fighting for the club. As I wrote earlier, selling them will not be catastrophic. Actually we can get stronger. Yet Wenger seems to be keen on keeping them.
If Wenger does not bring silverware to the club this season, he MUST be replaced. The excellent Tuchel could be a solution. But I'll dig into that issue once it seems like Wenger is about to either quit or get sacked.
2) Bartley - a future Arsenal hero?
When Bartley arrived from Bolton, it was obvious that he had some of the classical tool, that could contribute to an Arsenal-team that lacked such attributes. Tall, physically strong, strong in the air and quite pacy, he soon became an integral part of the of the reserve team. In 2010 the Blades secured a loan deal for the remainder of the season, and later the first half of the 2010/2011 season. In the period Bartley proved to be mature and commanding and became a favourite. Later he went to Rangers and continued to impress, also performing quite nicely on the defensive midfield.
Now he is back at Rangers. As Wenger seems to have a strange confidence towards the ever worrying Squid, this is at least better than selling. At some point there was reason to fear that Bartley would move elsewhere on a permanent basis. But apparently Wenger has convinced him to extend the contract. And I like this! He has all the tools to be a great defender for us.
3) Countdown
Less than one week to go. In the beginning of the summer I could not wait until the season got started, but as weeks have passed by I fear for another replication of what we have seen so many time before. Unfortunately I have little belief that we will not again experience loads of frustrations. Wengers comments on the training setup and the preseason matches have given little reason to regain optimism.
In August the schedule is this:
Newcastle away
Udinese home
Liverpool home
Udinese away
ManU away
Against Newcastle we need to wash away the shame from our last meeting. Luckily we won't have to struggle with Carroll, but on the midfield they look stronger, especially with should've-been-an-Arsenal-player Cabaye. Against Udinese we'll miss Nasri and Van Persie, as they are banned. Moreover there are still doubts over Wilshere, Nasri, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Walcott and of course Cesc.
I can't wait to get the season started.......or over with.
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