~Sauron~:

Haba. . . . .what about the contributions of Puyol, Valdes, Xavi and Iniesta?

Contribution is the right word - on their own they would've won NOTHING.

So what is preventing Liverpool from winning trophies?
They have now gone 4 seasons without a trophy. . . . .

Some of the same issues affecting Arsenal - a very deficient squad, coupled with a control freak manager.

Why has the Premier League title evaded Chelsea for the past 3 seasons with their multi-million pound squad?

Yet they at least manage to win the FA cup - like I said, trophy preventing flaws - the EPL is not the only trophy there is.

United's defence have that flaw as well.
Same as Liverpool, Chelsea and Citeh.

Not true - ours is the worst, especially in terms of goal keepers - all those clubs have better goalies than Arsenal. That is a BIG flaw that is killing this team. The goals conceded column is all you need to look at for evidence.

silly argument - the people who won for Rijkaard were Ronaldinho and Eto'o - without them NOTHING would've been achieved.

Ronaldinho had very little pedigree before coming to Barca and its common knowledge Laporta preferred beckham to him. Rijkaard/Barcelona moulded Ronaldinho into what he is now.

Yeah right - everyone's dream job and he's done better than Bayern in 5 of the 6 past seasons in the CL.

The done better trophy and in this same 6 years he has never won a trophy.

2009/2010- Bayern semi at least, Arsenal Quarter finals
2008-2009- Bayern Quarter, Arsenal semi
2007.2008- Arsenal quarter, bayern Did not Qualify
2006/2007- Arsenal second round bayern quarter
2005/2006- Arsenal finals, Bayern Second round
2004/2005- Arsenal second round bayern Quarters

Those are results from the last 6 seasons, Do we need any more evidence that Debo is a plonker?

The flaws in other teams are not trophy preventing - ours are!

That depends on how a manger does it, Manure doesnt have a World class RB but have won the EPL 3 times on the bounce, Barca doesnt have a world class Defence/keeper yet they have dominated

debosky:

Clearly promotion from the academy is NOT the issue with Arsenal - without having Eto'o and Dinho to win trophies around those players, they'd have ended up possibly not winning titles.

But it's not as if Wenger has not bought in the past 5 seasons.
Nasri check! Eduardo check! Vermaelen check! Gallas check! Hleb check! Rosicky check!
Surely, these players are the equivalent of Eto'o and Dinho as well.

There clearly is - he is intent on 'making' players from nothing into champions, while he used to enjoy blending experience and young talent. Bringing in Lehmann and Gilberto, added to those coming up at the club won trophies, not trying to develop everyone at the same time.

Gallas and Almunia have brought that 'experience' to the present kids as well.
Debo, stop clutching at straws.
Jeeeez, let's burn Wenger right away. . . .get your pitchfork out now.

Who is talking perfection now? We don't even have capable players in certain roles and you talk about perfection?  

What are you missing?
Sagna--Vermaelen--Gallas--Clichy are solid unless you prefer the relics in Bayern Munich.
Do you want a mask-wearing Dimechelis?

Perfection is when you are on another planet - competent players will give you a fighting chance, but we lack such in too many areas.

Arsenal are okay in ma opinion - this season is just crazy in that no single team can actually say they have done well.
The so called BIG FOUR have been shower of shyte - look at the loss column and you will see ma point.

Sorted indeed - still conceding more than any team in the top 7 except for Man City. If that is a sorted defence then I am Irish.  

Like i have said, it's a crazy season.

Buying ONE player while losing another cannot solve the defensive problems.

So what do you really suggest?
Buy 5 CBs in the name of sorting out the defence?

lol @ Dayo. . . .Bayern na team sef.

No be Bayern some yama yama English team
eliminate from UEFA CUP not too long ago.

doyin13:

lol @ Dayo. . . .Bayern na team sef.

No be Bayern some yama yama English team
eliminate from UEFA CUP not too long ago.

Bayern just eliminated Man Utd so allow Dayo to gloat.
However, the fans of Fulham, Burnley, Chelsea and Everton can also gloat by the same token. . . .
Dayo is a tard.

Dayo. . .you should be worrying about getting yourself a proper left back.

That gangly idiot can't pass, run or defend to save his life.

Almost gave me a heart attack. . .

follypimpi:

As much as i know this is wrong,i wish AW can just fall ill and quit coaching.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa. . . . . .Letz infect him with HIV.

What are you missing?
Sagna--Vermaelen--Gallas--Clichy are solid unless you prefer the relics in Bayern Munich.
Do you want a mask-wearing Dimechelis?

"Zorro" would be leading his team to the semi finals, What about Vidic and ferdinand? Still hallucinating seeing images of Olic in their dreams

lol @ Dayo. . . .Bayern na team sef.
No be Bayern some yama yama English team
eliminate from UEFA CUP not too long ago

Doyin, what have you been smoking, A combination of rice chaff and saw dust cant pass as cigarette.

Which English team eliminated Bayern in the UEFA cup recently, Name it or have Arrow stamped to your forhead forever.

Bayern just eliminated Man Utd so allow Dayo to gloat.

Like we always do.

However, the fans of Fulham, Burnley, Chelsea and Everton can also gloat. . . .

Anyone that is playing in this years semi finals can gloat

Gbenga is a tard

MINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dayo. . .you should be worrying about getting yourself a proper left back.
That gangly idiot can't pass, run or defend to save his life.
Almost gave me a heart attack. . .

Dont worry about HOLGER BADSTUBER, He is still in the CL semis and he is Far better than all those eeeediotssss at assanal FC.

wenGAY would sacrifice a night with Theo walcott just to get Badstuber train at Emirates

follypimpi:

As much as i know this is wrong,i wish AW can just fall ill and quit coaching.

Wonders shal never seize sha so Gaynners have Lost faith In the MESSIAH

Folly,Dobo,Edoyad, Kit. . . . . . . . .  the list keeps on growing

dayokanu:

"Zorro" would be leading his team to the semi finals, What about Vidic and ferdinand? Still hallucinating seeing images of Olic in their dreams

I doubt Zorro will play in 2 European finals---never mind winning one.

Like we always do.
Anyone that is playing in this years semi finals can gloat

We await your downfall in Europe before May.
Trust me to be your guest for 3 weeks straight if y'all don't win the trophy.

~Sauron~:

But it's not as if Wenger has not bought in the past 5 seasons.
Nasri check! Eduardo check! Vermaelen check! Gallas check! Hleb check! Rosicky check!
Surely, these players are the equivalent of Eto'o and Dinho as well.

You must be a court jester to compare those players to World Footballer of the Year quality like Dinho and Eto'o.

Gallas and Almunia have brought that 'experience' to the present kids as well.
Debo, stop clutching at straws.
Jeeeez, let's burn Wenger right away. . . .get your pitchfork out now.

Almunia brought what experience? Someone who was in the SECOND DIVISION before coming to Arsenal? Someone who just started playing fulltime in 07/8?? He brought NOTHING to Arsenal except what he learned here.

What are you missing?
Sagna--Vermaelen--Gallas--Clichy are solid unless you prefer the relics in Bayern Munich.
Do you want a mask-wearing Dimechelis?

We lack a quality goalkeeper and we lack back ups of quality.

Arsenal are okay in ma opinion - this season is just crazy in that no single team can actually say they have done well.
The so called BIG FOUR have been shower of shyte - look at the loss column and you will see ma point.

Yeah right - ok to compete for half or maybe 3/4 of the season, but not more.

So what do you really suggest?
Buy 5 CBs in the name of sorting out the defence?

Don't be silly I said 3 players - one more quality CB, one attacker and a goalkeeper, that to start with will galvanise this team far beyond where it currently sits.

Trust me to be your guest for 3 weeks straight if y'all don't win the trophy.

I would have sworn you made this exact statement 2 weeks ago

dayokanu:

I would have sworn you made this exact statement 2 weeks ago

I never knew Platini would send a bent referee to OT to officiate a big game.
Shame on the Frenchie!

debosky:

You must be a court jester to compare those players to World Footballer of the Year quality like Dinho and Eto'o.

Eto'o was average before joining Barcelona. . . . . .His best season in Mallorca was scoring 21 goals in 41 apps.
Surely, Eduardo's record was better than that before joining Arsenal.

Ronaldinho wasn't better than Nasri when Dinho joined Barca.
A Nigerian striker(Ogbeche) wouldn't even let Dinho get games at PSG. . . . .Dinho's butt-prints are still visible at PSG before he was sold off to Barca.

Almunia brought what experience? Someone who was in the SECOND DIVISION before coming to Arsenal? Someone who just started playing fulltime in 07/8?? He brought NOTHING to Arsenal except what he learned here.

Ok. . . .strike Almunia out.
What about Gallas, Sagna, Rosicky, Hleb and Adebayor?

We lack a quality goalkeeper and we lack back ups of quality.
Yeah right - ok to compete for half or maybe 3/4 of the season, but not more.

Don't be silly I said 3 players - one more quality CB, one attacker and a goalkeeper, that to start with will galvanise this team far beyond where it currently sits.

The mentality has to change.
What i have noticed is this. . . . . .some of those Arsenal players don't believe in themselves and it's quite pathetic.
I watch Man Utd players and they seem to be more hungry than Arsenal players in spite of the fact that United players continue to win titles.

Don't know how you can blame the ref. . .

Van Bommel was booked for clattering a player
from behind without actually grabbing his jersey.

Your boy grabbed a handful. . . .

I wasn't surprised when he got sent off. All that applause
the tighter he got to Ribery's rear end was always going to
get him in trouble.

follypimpi:


Well i have lost faith to be sincere,i pray FAB4 leaves & AA23,RVP as well.The rest won't leave cos not even Bham wld bid for em.

Things ain't that bad ya know
A couple or more World Class signings and y'all would be contending for the EPL  and UCL trophies next season.

doyin13:

Don't know how you can blame the ref. . .

GBAM!!!


Rafael clearly deserved the Red Card. I actually thought the Ref was fair on the night considering away teams hardly get favourably decisions @ Ojoro trafford.

doyin13:

Don't know how you can blame the ref. . .

Van Bommel was booked for clattering a player
from behind without actually grabbing his jersey.

How many times did Van Bommel clatter United players?
The foul that got Rafael booked in the first half was as a result of a career-threatening tackle to Rafael.
Mr Line Assistant saw it and gave the freekick to Bayern instead. . . .How isn't that the fault of the match officials?

Your boy grabbed a handful. . . .

The referee wasn't even going to book Rafael. . . . .He was attempting to give him the last warning but the Nazis surrounded him
Ribery knew he would breathe easier with Rafael off the pitch and he complained vehemently to the referee. . . . The referee suddenly remembered the instruction Platini gave him and he sent Rafael off without warning.

I wasn't surprised when he got sent off. All that applause
the tighter he got to Ribery's rear end was always going to
get him in trouble.

Rafael was outstanding in that match.
I am yet to see a 19 yr-old defender make the best player in any league look so inferior.
He sodomised Ribery throughout.

~Sauron~:

The referee wasn't even going to book Rafael. . . . .He was attempting to give him the last warning but the Nazis surrounded him
Ribery knew he would breathe easier with Rafael off the pitch and he complained vehemently to the referee. . . . The referee suddenly remembered the instruction Platini gave him and he sent Rafael off without warning.

Can't believe anybody involved with United can bring this up. . . .

When that Skinhead Keane was leading your pack, intimidation
of referees was a regular feature at Old Trafford and everywhere else.

U and Fergie should be ashamed of yourselves. HYPOCRITES

doyin13:

Can't believe anybody involved with United can bring this up. . . .

Sharrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrap!!!

When that Skinhead Keane was leading your pack, intimidation
of referees was a regular feature at Old Trafford and everywhere else.

It became atrocious when a group of men in their 30s were intimidating the referee to send off a teenager.
Would Ribery have done the same if Rafael was a French youngster?

I wouldn't have bovvered if the culprit was Scholes or Fletcher or even Rooney but Rafael??
Jeeeez, i expected Ribery to shake hands with him and get going but he bawled like a baby. . . . . .Meanwhile, Ribery retaliated when he was pulled back by Rafael. . . . .Did the referee card him for retaliating? Hell Nah . . . .But he carded Rafael for retaliating against Van Bommel.

U and Fergie should be ashamed of yourselves. HYPOCRITES 

Nah. . . . .European referees should be ashamed of themselves.
Some of the decisions in Europe would make a Silverback  feel intelligent.

See people's belief failing, so if we had won this season there would have been no problem abi, why are people so fickle minded? This team has always been a project and I insist it is one that is very close to fruition. My take on the Arsenal team remains the same. We suffered a setback in the 07/08 season when we shld have moved onwards, this team with a little bit more luck could have won something.

This team was a team given no chance but has exceeded all expectations this term, is no where near its peak at all, could be improved yes, but takes nothing away from the commitment to a principle that built it in an era of irresponsible spending that is now generally accepted as unsustainable.
Keep the core of the team, improve the places where we are lacking and we'll have a squad that can sweep all before it next season. I see a repeat of the 02/03 and 03/04 season repeating itself, Arsene said his team could win the league unbeaten in 02/03 and they didn't do it then losing only 1 match, he was derided all over the press and the squad went ahead and did it the next year. Arsene saw the improvement in this team and believed he cold win this season, we have come very close and maybe fallen short but this team can hold its head high this season, up till the very closing stages we pushed.

This team matches on and Arsene still knows, there is no Manager I know who could have achieved what Arsene has achieved with his resources apart from Van Gaal perhaps. The foundation is set and in the new dispensation of financial responsibility about to be ushered in I think Arsenal will be the best placed club in England at least.

duduspace:

See people's belief failing, so if we had won this season there would have been no problem abi, why are people so fickle minded? This team has always been a project and I insist it is one that is very close to fruition. My take on the Arsenal team remains the same. We suffered a setback in the 07/08 season when we shld have moved onwards, this team with a little bit more luck could have won something.

Arrant nonsense - anyone who looks at this season realistically would know that we needed an alignment of the planets that occurs once ever 1,000 years to win, despite the OBVIOUS weaknesses in our main rivals.

The team has always been a project and will always be - an endless project that delivers nothing.

This team was a team given no chance but has exceeded all expectations this term, is no where near its peak at all, could be improved yes, but takes nothing away from the commitment to a principle that built it in an era of irresponsible spending that is now generally accepted as unsustainable.

The same rubbish assertions - who cares what chance the team was given? Unless Arsene is saying he didn't expect the team to win the title and they did better than he expected, then the people who didn't expect anything are IRRELEVANT. If Wenger says the team should have won a trophy and they DIDN'T, that is CLEAR UNDER performance.

The matter is not irresponsible spending - Barca hasn't spent irresponsibly - Utd has not won the last 3 seasons spending 'irresponsibly' - they made more from one sale than we likely made in 4 seasons.

Keep the core of the team, improve the places where we are lacking and we'll have a squad that can sweep all before it next season. I see a repeat of the 02/03 and 03/04 season repeating itself, Arsene said his team could win the league unbeaten in 02/03 and they didn't do it then losing only 1 match, he was derided all over the press and the squad went ahead and did it the next year. Arsene saw the improvement in this team and believed he cold win this season, we have come very close and maybe fallen short but this team can hold its head high this season, up till the very closing stages we pushed.

Dream on - only the most optimistic dreamer will think Chelski and Utd will not improve on their flaws of this season. On the other hand, Arsenal will likely sell one or two key players, thereby rendering it another REBUILDING season.

This team matches on and Arsene still knows, there is no Manager I know who could have achieved what Arsene has achieved with his resources apart from Van Gaal perhaps. The foundation is set and in the new dispensation of financial responsibility about to be ushered in I think Arsenal will be the best placed club in England at least.

Best placed financially but no trophies, which WILL eventually start affecting game attendances which will eventually affect finances in the end.

We have heard the same rehashed tales since 2006 and we keep hearing it. It is VERY convenient of you to try to draw the line at 07/08, what happened in 05/06 or 06/07? Or there was no project then??

I don't care if some people are satisfied with the sub par performances of Arsenal football club in the past 5 years, but as the biggest club in London, we deserve far better.

Debosky, don't be a pessimist!!!

The amount of money United and Chelsea have spent in the past 5 seasons will surely outweigh whatever Wenger wants to achieve.
Besides that, the ridiculous 90-min rule has put paid into grooming quality players like Barcelona, Madrid and other top European teams.
Blame the FA for this mess. . . . .not Wenger.

@Sharon,

I am sure you dont see anything wrong when Ronaldo and Carvalho made the ref dismiss Rooney at the world cup despite Ronaldo and Rooney being best of pals

Dudu,

You obviously dont know where Dobo is coming from,

Debo used to be the best student in his class and all his life he has never experienced FAILURE before.

Now he is facing all the FAILURE he missed in his life with Arsenal

dayokanu:

@Sharon,
I am sure you dont see anything wrong when Ronaldo and Carvalho made the ref dismiss Rooney at the world cup despite Ronaldo and Rooney being best of pals

Ronaldo did not ask the referee to book Rooney.
Actually, he didn't book Rooney for the foul on Carvalho - He booked Rooney for pushing Ronaldo whilst Ronaldo was stating his case.
Carvalho was clutching his balls and i doubt he mentioned a word to Wazza.

~Sauron~:

Debosky, don't be a pessimist!!!

The amount of money United and Chelsea have spent in the past 5 seasons will surely outweigh whatever Wenger wants to achieve.
Besides that, the ridiculous 90-min rule has put paid into grooming quality players like Barcelona, Madrid and other top European teams.
Blame the FA for this mess. . . . .not Wenger.

Are you taking the mick Sauron didn't expect to hear this from you. Debo's confidence is shattered but mine remains as strong as ever and to be honest a lot of gooner fans I know are getting their belief back. One was calling me yesterday to make plans for attending the Emirates cup in August after staunchly refusing to attend the last one because he didn't want to give any more of his hard earned money to stingy people.  
I would still take Arsenal as it is right now to a lot of other clubs including manure but we do need to win something very soon, hope deferred has made Debo's heart weak.

@Duduspace
5 seasons is enough to fail anyone's beliefs my guy. We are fans and not Auschwitz camp inmates. You say 'if' we had won but we failed again. Policy or no policy if a couple got married and after 5 years of consistent shag.ging and no conception i think it would not be outta line if they went to see a fertility doc

You say we where given no chance and i ask since when did The Arsenal sink to that abyss? How much longer would The Arsenal settle for such mediocrity? Clearly Wenger must have learnt Universal Mind Control in Japan because this mass hypnosis is beyond me what even irks me the most is when y'all talk about improvement! We won nothing last season and would win nothing most likely this season so what else has changed except the diapers on Wenger's babies? Improvement is going from trophyless in one season to carling cup to the league and then the league and UCL and then the league & carling cup again not 5 seasons of barreness where we have not even featured in a final in 3 seasons! That ain't improvement thats mediocrity

You say you don't know any manager that can manage with the little he gets. Fair enough let him go to Madrid where he would be given a blank cheque. Haha he may have forgotten how to win trophies but he is no fool he is well aware no elite club in europe would tolerate no trophies for two seasons never mind five

duduspace:

Are you taking the mick Sauron didn't expect to hear this from you.

I ain't taking the piss.
Over the past few weeks, i have done a lot of research on what makes Barcelona tick especially with their young'uns. . . .I now know why.

Barcelona spend a whooping 15 million pounds on their academy annually with the freedom to pluck any youngster anywhere on the planet.
In England, United spend £4.0 annually, Arsenal spend £2.5 million and a free-spending Chelsea spend £3.6 million.

Since they are not bound by the useless 90-min rule, they have been able to concentrate on the best local talents, groom them in the Barcelona way and their loyalty is guaranteed. Managers in the EPL don't have the same luxury because Ronaldo will always go back to Spain and Fabregas will end up in Barcelona one day(it's only a matter of time).

Therefore, it is easy for Barcelona to have more than 50% of their youth products in their Starting XI.
They have the finest academy in the world but so it should be as they are by far the most expensive academy on the planet.

debosky:

Arrant nonsense - anyone who looks at this season realistically would know that we needed an alignment of the planets that occurs once ever 1,000 years to win, despite the OBVIOUS weaknesses in our main rivals.

And what makes you think those weaknesses won't continue in our main rivals? wasn't Manure better than this last year? why has their performance dropped this season and where are the guarantees it won't drop further next year? why the dip in Liverpool's fortunes?  I still think our squad overall is still the best going forwards, that Chelsea squad is old, they should be thanking God Arsenal and Manure finally allowed them a last hurrah. They will need another investment between 50m and 100m to keep up standards. The likes of Ballack, Lampard, Belleti, et al will even be worse off and for Manure, the likes of Giggs and Scholes are reaching retirement age rapidly and you only need to look at the performance against Blackburn to see that the quality coming through the ranks is in no where near what we have already or can add and no matter what anyone says, Manure are not going to have much money to splurge as their recent signings indicate what we can expect going forwards. In reality, this squad overachieved this season no matter what Arsene said they could or could not do at the beginning of the season, what you believe and what happens are different things.

debosky:

The team has always been a project and will always be - an endless project that delivers nothing.

You can hold that view, but you can also hold the view that everything having a beginning is bound to have an end. I hold this view and also the view that this end is very near based on recent events.

debosky:

The same rubbish assertions - who cares what chance the team was given? Unless Arsene is saying he didn't expect the team to win the title and they did better than he expected, then the people who didn't expect anything are IRRELEVANT. If Wenger says the team should have won a trophy and they DIDN'T, that is CLEAR UNDER performance.

If you don't aim high then you can never fall short, I have never expected Arsene to go into a season telling the players they are young and can't win anything, if other clubs do that then they lack ambition in my opinion. If you fall short of your goals then you do a reexamination and move forward. Arsene believes the team was of a sufficient strenght to win a trophy yes, and the team did show that in being in the title race this long. Our chosen way is one that takes time and patience, we would only have failed when we go into a season without believing we can compete for titles or when we go into a season with the manager telling us we need 60m in squad investment when we already have a 300m debt. I don't believe in Pyrrhic victories of Pompey proportions.

debosky:

The matter is not irresponsible spending - Barca hasn't spent irresponsibly - Utd has not won the last 3 seasons spending 'irresponsibly' - they made more from one sale than we likely made in 4 seasons.

Barcelona is indebted to an amount over 300m, they are a club not allowed to fail by reason of their regional importance to the catalans a luxury not afforded to the Arsenal as I'm sure the English media would barely refrain from rolling out the drums if Arsenal does a Pompey. The financial rule tightening should help in providing a more level playing field. If RM decide to put in a ridiculous amount into Manure's pocket that is fine but where is RM itself now? anything to show for their ridiculous spending?

debosky:

Dream on - only the most optimistic dreamer will think Chelski and Utd will not improve on their flaws of this season. On the other hand, Arsenal will likely sell one or two key players, thereby rendering it another REBUILDING season.

I will dream on Debo, it would make the victory all the more satisfying when it comes. There is a certain pride in being able to say "I did it my way" or in this instance "The Arsenal way". This club believes it can win without paying unreasonable amounts that will jeopardise the club's future. It prioritises the PL and UCL participation because that is where the money is.

debosky:

Best placed financially but no trophies, which WILL eventually start affecting game attendances which will eventually affect finances in the end.

We have heard the same rehashed tales since 2006 and we keep hearing it. It is VERY convenient of you to try to draw the line at 07/08, what happened in 05/06 or 06/07? Or there was no project then??

I don't care if some people are satisfied with the sub par performances of Arsenal football club in the past 5 years, but as the biggest club in London, we deserve far better.

We've also heard this year after year now, infact I'm beginning to think that the only thing that can change is that Arsenal can and will some day win a title, there will always be rumors about being taken over or unsettled players and when people will no longer turn up at the emirates. Some fans don't seem to understand what the club is committed to, everyone has the right to be disappointed when their club comes up short but no one has the right to demand the unreasonable.
Arsenal is all about long term sustainability, the board and the management have done that and done it well. The short term "trophy" success will come and certainly very soon.

A-40:

@Duduspace
You say we where given no chance and i ask since when did The Arsenal sink to that abyss? How much longer would The Arsenal settle for such mediocrity? Clearly Wenger must have learnt Universal Mind Control in Japan because this mass hypnosis is beyond me what even irks me the most is when y'all talk about improvement! We won nothing last season and would win nothing most likely this season so what else has changed except the diapers on Wenger's babies? Improvement is going from trophyless in one season to carling cup to the league and then the league and UCL and then the league & carling cup again not 5 seasons of barreness where we have not even featured[b] in a final in 3 seasons![/b] That ain't improvement thats mediocrity

This is the crux of my argument - unless Wenger INTENTIONALLY set out with a weak team that HE BELIEVED could NOT win the premiership, then there has been NO IMPROVEMENT. Some idiotic pundits might have been shut up, but unless we set a LOW target of just coming 4th can we say this team has overachieved.

Overachieved by doing what?? By exiting the CL and FA cup earlier than last season? By moving to third because Liverpool disintegrated?

I don't buy any rubbish about improvement - our points total might be marginally better than last season, but it is still a disappointing performance.

Those of you who have set your expectations at 'anything better than 4th' is an improvement, or anything better than last season should go at take a reality check. This is the third most successful club in England and we CANNOT accept such mediocrity.

The aim of Arsenal Football Club should be to win a trophy (FA, CL or EPL) every season - the only time we can claim over achievement is if we win ALL. Has that happened? NO!

Even the Invincibles were not said to have 'overachieved' due to coming short in the CL, not to talk of a side that couldn't take the chance to win the league when the main opponents were limping.

Till Wenger signs the calibre of players we need to fix the glaring flaws in this team, there is NO CHANCE of winning anything with this side. . . .other than air crashes taking out half of the Chelski and Utd squads at the same time.

Your friend is wasting his cash at the Emirates cup if he feels Arsene is no longer stingy - the same man that refused to buy a goalkeeper when needed? The same guy who refused to sign a capable CB instead held on to Silvestre? The same man that refused to buy a striker (or even loan one) to tide us over in January where more points against our main rivals might have counted?

I am tired of the spin and the cow turd - if we CAN'T afford to compete, come out and say so - Stoke know they will not win the league but have staunch supporters, so do other clubs. It is the height of deception to continue to sell a future that never comes. Moving to the Emirates will allow Arsenal to compete, yet apart from a brief stint in 07/08, we have failed to do so credibly.

duduspace:

And what makes you think those weaknesses won't continue in our main rivals? wasn't Manure better than this last year? why has their performance dropped this season and where are the guarantees it won't drop further next year? why the dip in Liverpool's fortunes?  

Oh I get it now - our strategy is to HOPE our rivals get worse and we'll just continue to stagnate and somehow win right?  The same way they've gotten worse since 2006? 

I still think our squad overall is still the best going forwards, that Chelsea squad is old, they should be thanking God Arsenal and Manure finally allowed them a last hurrah. They will need another investment between 50m and 100m to keep up standards. The likes of Ballack, Lampard, Belleti, et al will even be worse off and 

All these arguments don't hold water - Ballack did little this season, so did Belleti. Next season Bosingwa and Essien will be FIT, so will Joe Cole for the FULL season - what then? Utd have Carrick, Nani, Anderson, Gibson and others coming through - apart from Cesc, who do we have at the top level that can come in??

for Manure, the likes of Giggs and Scholes are reaching retirement age rapidly and you only need to look at the performance against Blackburn to see that the quality coming through the ranks is in no where near what we have already or can add and no matter what anyone says, Manure are not going to have much money to splurge as their recent signings indicate what we can expect going forwards.

Right - and our performance against Spurs after 8 days of rest showed that we have quality coming through - quality that can't beat an injury wrecked Spurs side. Quality indeed.   

In reality, this squad overachieved this season no matter what Arsene said they could or could not do at the beginning of the season, what you believe and what happens are different things.

Overachieved according to what standard? What is the standard set for a team at Arsenal FC that exiting Europe in the quarters and earlier in the FA cup and likely coming third at best is overachievement?? Please enlighten me on this.

If you don't aim high then you can never fall short, I have never expected Arsene to go into a season telling the players they are young and can't win anything, if other clubs do that then they lack ambition in my opinion. If you fall short of your goals then you do a reexamination and move forward. Arsene believes the team was of a sufficient strenght to win a trophy yes, and the team did show that in being in the title race this long.

We aim high and you claim a team that comes third 'overachieved'?? What a contradiction - I guess if they came 4th they'd have met your expectations? 

Sufficient ability WINS titles simple. If you don't win, it's because you are pipped 1-0 in the final or on the last day, not crashing out of the race like we have.

Our chosen way is one that takes time and patience, we would only have failed when we go into a season without believing we can compete for titles or when we go into a season with the manager telling us we need 60m in squad investment when we already have a 300m debt. I don't believe in Pyrrhic victories of Pompey proportions.

Can you stop comparing us to Pompey? Why not use our rivals? Is Tottenham in debt? Yet they will be few points off us and gone further in the FA cup for crying out loud!! This chosen path will never pay off if the necessary is NOT DONE -buy the needed players in addition to what you have!! Failure to do so will continue the one step forwards two steps back dance we keep doing.

I will dream on Debo, it would make the victory all the more satisfying when it comes. There is a certain pride in being able to say "I did it my way" or in this instance "The Arsenal way". This club believes it can win without paying unreasonable amounts that will jeopardise the club's future. It prioritises the PL and UCL participation because that is where the money is.

It will NEVER happen the way Wenger wants it to - he will NEVER be able to blend ALL the players and do it his way - if he doesn't change tactics, he will end up eased out or this club will go into terminal decline. His stubbornness to achieve an unrealistic ideal will do great harm to this club if allowed to go on unchecked.

Arsenal is all about long term sustainability, the board and the management have done that and done it well. The short term "trophy" success will come and certainly very soon.

Long term indeed - a project after 5 YEARS brings No returns and that is sustainable? An endless project with no termination date in sight is sustainable?  You can only fool people for so long - when people start voting with their feet you'll know. Attendance will drop next season - count on it. Maybe then the board will begin to sit up.