The Official 2011/12 Thread for Arsenal F.C.

[d_phaneuf]

I think that is his problem, he's a very good manager especially with youth players, but he always wants to get the best he can out of a deal

so he won't go 2-3m more than he thinks a player is worth, even if the board will sanction it

[Montana Moe]

To me, the article seemed to be saying that Wenger is willing to pay market value for players of "exceptional quality". The board is OK with the high transfer fees, but not with the higher weekly salaries.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

To me, the article seemed to be saying that Wenger is willing to pay market value for players of "exceptional quality". The board is OK with the high transfer fees, but not with the higher weekly salaries.

Arsenal's salaries have always been high though, right up there with Man United and Liverpool

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Arsenal's salaries have always been high though, right up there with Man United and Liverpool

The last numbers I saw had Man City and Chelsea well above everybody in wages, Man U a ways behind them, Arsenal a bit behind Man U, and Liverpool far in last place of the big clubs. I'm sure numbers have changed recently with Liverpool picking up several new players and Arsenal losing a couple, but wages don't seem to have been too huge of an issue for Arsenal.

I mean, they aren't going to be buying any Aguero types any time soon, but they are seemingly pretty even with Liverpool in this regard.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

The last numbers I saw had Man City and Chelsea well above everybody in wages, Man U a ways behind them, Arsenal a bit behind Man U, and Liverpool far in last place of the big clubs. I'm sure numbers have changed recently with Liverpool picking up several new players and Arsenal losing a couple, but wages don't seem to have been too huge of an issue for Arsenal.

I mean, they aren't going to be buying any Aguero types any time soon, but they are seemingly pretty even with Liverpool in this regard.

ya just found the numbers from the year 2010 which was the last released

in millions of pounds

Chelsea 174
Man City 133
Man United 131
Liverpool 121
Arsenal 110
Tottenham 67

City will have gone way up this year

Chelsea and City spent more on wages than their revenue for the year, the other 4 teams were within budget comfortably

So wages have never been an issue for Arsenal, and shouldn't be with the new stadium and all the luxury boxes.

It will be interesting when Wenger's time at Arsenal does end, because it may not come out until then, he says he has money to spend, the board says he has money to spend, but outside of some kids and players from Ligue 1 there isn't much spending going on

[KTown]

When should we bring the noose out, and just hang ourselves?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by KTown

When should we bring the noose out, and just hang ourselves?

About 90 minutes ago.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Locke

About 90 minutes ago.

Worst day since I've been following the club in the mid 1990's. Probably one of the worst days in club history. Complete disarray.

[Locke]

I dont know what Wenger was thinking going into Old Trafford with a squad like that. He didnt adapt his tactics for play with a weaker squad, nothing. What was he thinking when he was looking at his team sheet?

A horrible back 4, a threadbare midfield, but he didnt do anything about it. Its not even about buying players, its about changing tactically to play with the squad he has.

[Igottago]

Wenger has lost the club. Reminds me of Darryl Sutter's last days with the Flames.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know what Wenger was thinking going into Old Trafford with a squad like that. He didnt adapt his tactics for play with a weaker squad, nothing. What was he thinking when he was looking at his team sheet?

A horrible back 4, a threadbare midfield, but he didnt do anything about it. Its not even about buying players, its about changing tactically to play with the squad he has.

I think Wenger is too proud to concede his team was the underdog and play with 10 men behind the ball hoping for 0-0.

[GirlySports]

The signing of Park Chu-Young makes no sense. He's 26, not very good in Asia or Korea, was not good for Monaco and got them relegated to Ligue 2.

He can barely hack it in Monaco in the weak French Ligue, how can he be any impact in the top half of the Premiership?

[Cheese]

this sure looks and sounds like the Liverpool thread...last year....except it has more of a death smell to me.

[Addick]

I usually hate watching games hungover but still being a little bit drunk yesterday morning helped numb the pain... Since I'm pretty sure Wenger won't be buying anyone, at least any of the players we need, I think it is safe to assume my kidneys will be getting a real workout this season...

[Finny61]

Is anyone from the Board stepping up to say money is available for Arsenal to spend? Are they cuffing Wenger with a wage cap?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Is anyone from the Board stepping up to say money is available for Arsenal to spend? Are they cuffing Wenger with a wage cap?

From what I'm hearing, which isn't official by any means, the only potential handcuff would be wages. Personally, I think the major hurdle is Wenger's mindset and his steadfast adherence to his ideological beliefs.

[d_phaneuf]

just got Andre Santos from Fenerbahce for 7m

Left back, 22 caps for Brazil

[DeanOMac]

I turned to my gf when I saw the lineups and said this will probably be
5-or-6 to 1 for Utd. Sure enough Arsenal managed to get beat even worse.

It is the first time I have ever stopped watching an Arsenal game. I am still a diehard and just renewed my membership a week ago, but if Wenger is going to field that lineup for such a big occasion and get rightly embarassed for doing do, then I am not going to bother to watch them got thumped. We were fortunate to have 11 on the pitch still and it could have been worse (although RVP could have changed the game as well).

Park Chu-Young and Andre Santos are decent signings if you are finishing up your team or looking for depth; however we needed 2-3 quality signings BEFORE Clichy, Fabregas and Nasri left.

I realize we had 10 first teamers injured or suspended, but it is our lack of signing replacements before we sell (like other teams) and not signing the new quality we already needed that makes this spell the most frustrating.

Wenger needs to go!

Also thought I should add, our league form since the Carling Cup is DDDWDDWDDLWLLDDL. Surely this is a sign we don't need an extreme level of quality to improve on the players we have (as Wenger constantly says).

[Addick]

Question, is it time to push the panic button or has it been thoroughly worn out by now?

Personally, I'm a little hesitant to press the the panic button as the media and certain sections of the supporters always over hype things. However, I am becoming rather scared at the situation.

It's interesting because I wasn't overly frustrated with this weekend's result and I don't think it's because I'm getting use to Arsenal pulling this so often. I'm starting to believe this squad has enough in it to do the job and could AT LEAST pull a Top 4 finish. What I'm losing more and more faith in is Wenger's ability to organize this squad and bring out the best in them. For instance, I was thinking to myself what could SAF do with this squad?

I'm still not completely in the "Wenger Out" camp and I think the largest reason is worries about the ability of the next gaffer to continue Arsene's great work with the club's setup, player development system, and philosophy. However, if the system and mindset is deeply entrenched at the club my worries might be misplaced because, for example, look at Barca. At times they can have a revolving managerial door but La Masia continues strong.

It is a poor period at the Emirates but a very important one as well.

[Addick]

One thing I forgot to mention when I was talking about media hype is that the team will need some time to gel. That could help with some of the defensive coordination but the lack of a consistently pressing nature, not so much... Would a defensive coach do?

Arsenal Players Back Wenger - But Want A Defensive Coach

18 September 2011
Daily Mail
John Cross

Arsene Wenger has the full backing of the Arsenal players – but they want a defensive coach to help them through their crisis.

The Frenchman is under pressure after his defence shipped four goals at Blackburn to condemn Arsenal to their worst start to a season for 58 years.

It follows an eight-goal mauling at Manchester United to leave Wenger looking at how his side can turn things around.

Mirror Sport understands the dressing room is still rock solid behind Wenger despite their wretched start.


But some senior players are concerned about their porous defence and believe extra coaching would help.

Complete Article