Nigel Winterburn: If Arsene Wenger leaves, several players will do the same | Arsenal Blog & Arsenal News

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Nigel Winterburn: If Arsene Wenger leaves, several players will do the same

Written by Jeffrey on April 19, 2011 – 4:45

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn admitted he cannot understand why manager Arsene Wenger is under heavy criticism.

Speaking to talkSport, the 47-year old explained that he knows how the Frenchman works and that disappointing results are not always down to the manager’s decisions as it is important to understand that in more than one occasion the manager was let down by the players.

About where Arsenal would be had the Arsenal boss signed two or three players during transfer windows, Winterburn explained that new players do not automatically win you trophies as he added that an Arsene Wenger exit would see the Gunners having to build a new team as current players would leave as well.

On Arsene Wenger, Winterburn said:

The Carling Cup was so important for Arsenal because it would have given them that belief to win other things. But I find (criticism of Wenger) hard to understand because I’ve seen what happens from the inside.

I’ve seen the way Arsene Wenger works and I’ve seen the rebuilding job he’s done so I appreciate all of that. I understand that if you’re a supporter you’ll be saying ‘it’s all well and good to have good training facilities and a good stadium but we need to win something.

But rather than look at the manager you have to look at the players as well and ask have they let him down on a couple of occasions, and I think you can say they have.

It’s easy for us outside to look in and say he should have bought two or three more players but there’s no guarantee that even buying those players will win you the title or a cup.

If Arsene Wenger leaves in the next couple of seasons I would think several of those players as well so you’ve got to build a new team. So how long is it then going to take a new manager to win something?

Even if that manager spends £60-70million, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be successful.

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Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:33

Youth policy has failed.Grooming players for God knows how long is getting us nowhere.Balancing the book and looking for cheap players has left us BARREN.
Spending money on great players BRINGS RESULTS! For 35 years city have never been where they are now.Money made that happen.manutd have the so called killer attitude because of money and a phenomenol coach.The list goes on and on.
Time without number,we have let teams snatch points from us due to inexperience and lack of dicipline.For how long will the fans continue to contend with AW’s arrogance and pride?

Reply to this comment »
- Spiderman says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 14:58
  
  I agree Uz.
  
  Reply to this comment »
- lee says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 17:43
  
  “Time without number,we have let teams snatch points from us due to inexperience and lack of dicipline.” so u basically agree with the article about the players letting us down? but your head is too far up your own ass to see that. On another note, where are City’s results from the hundreds of millions of dollars poured in?
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Uz says:
    
    April 19, 2011 at 18:54
    
    Lee,because you are myopic,you dont realise what city have achieved so far.Should they win the FA cup(i beieve they will)then mate,thats a huge achievement considering they havent spent a long time(6 years) together.They also have a great coach that understands what a trophy means to the FANS!!!!!! They dont see their fans as irrerelevant.
    May i suggest you dont let your hate for success consume you.if you are ambitious and work extremely hard,you are bound to succed.city have demonstrated that they are hungry for success.That can only be denoted by winning a trophy.
    By the way,your utterences suggest you are lazy.thats why you choose to support the idea of being contented with top four finish every year.Dont you want something better?Dont you aspire to grow?Or are you one lazy dude that drinks himself to stupor daily and heavily relying on welfare.Wake up man.Its morning already!
    
    Reply to this comment »
    - gerry dee says:
      
      April 19, 2011 at 20:36
      
      simply “spending money” hasn’t made city a success. millions upon millions have made city a success, millions that should never have been in football in the first place
      
      money won’t make the biggest difference to our team because we are already good. i’m aware we can strengthen in all areas (eg szczesny can and will still improve + purchases)
      
      our thoughts shouldn’t be directed on spending 20-30mil to grab hazard. rather it should be, why are such ridiculous sums considered in a game? hazard is 19. he doesn’t even scratch the surface of big spending. just blows my mind
      
      i’d feel very dirty winning the fa cup with city’s motto.
      
      Reply to this comment »

me says:

April 19, 2011 at 5:28

yes nigel, the criticism comes because he continues to play the same players that let him down ….. we all could name 4 or 5 so its pointless to do so …… if he grew a pair and sold the players who are not good enough to wear the Arsenal shirt, signed some who do and swallowed his pride at the same time, i bet the criticism would subside. I can accept finishing second, but dont tell me to expect to finish second

Reply to this comment »

Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:23

Good comment mate.I think this is the right time for any right thinking,positive minded manager to throw in the towel and walk away with his dignity in tact, cosidering that nothing seems to be working for him.
Its been 6 years and nothing to show for all the patience we the fans had.we believed in him but now we really need to win something and as horrible as this may sound,AW is not the man to turn things around at arsenal FC.

Reply to this comment »
- Spiderman says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 15:00
  
  Yes that is 100% true.
  
  Terry Paine said Wenger has done what he could and his time is up.
  
  His like Ricky Ponting, they both hold on.
  
  Reply to this comment »

D.j. says:

April 19, 2011 at 5:32

We won’t be winning anything as long as Wenger and the players think that second place is good enough.

Reply to this comment »

stevie says:

April 19, 2011 at 5:58

Yes Nigel, but isn’t Arsene the one who decides on the players?

Reply to this comment »

Tecko says:

April 19, 2011 at 6:13

I am one of them that think some of the fans are too critical of Arsense and some of the players but lately I am running out of excuses. Arsenal is the only team at the moment who
cannot protect a lead for even 2 minutes. This is certainly not excusable. Arsense got to really take a look at his team and more importantly the way the team plays. The way they are playing, I fear that we cannot even finish 4th. Cannot imagine if we lose to the spuds this Wednesday……. Qualification for the champions league is not guranteed with the way we’re playing now

Reply to this comment »

Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:26

mate,its best we dont qualify.maybe that would wake up the board.

Reply to this comment »
Paddy O'Neill says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:42

Couldn’t agree more – qualification for CL is definitely not guaranteed – I’ve been a supporter for more than 40 years and can see the way they are going – they will lose to Spuds and MU and then the real panic will set in with AW and the Board when the CL money next season is in big danger. My prediction I hate to say is:

Champions MU

R/Up Chelsea

Quality Man City
Spuds

Horrible isn’t it. Hope I’m wrong though

Reply to this comment »
- jonjo says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 18:48
  
  Your’e mad mate have you seen the spuds run in us, liverpool, chelsea, man utd we are nailed on for CL spuds may not even get 5th!! there’s only 6 games left and we are 10pts clear of spuds and 7 clear of man city calm down. instead be a real supporter and get behind the team till the end of the season.
  
  Nigel is right if players come in and others go how long do you think it will take them to gel as a team. and then you’ll be saying why didnt we win a trophy again? the fact is there are one or two players that should be moved on. but i would not expect the mass exodus you seem to want.
  
  1 centre back(bye bye squilachi), a right back to replace Eboue and a effective attacking midfielder instead of Diaby, Denilson, Rosicky.
  
  my choices would be Cahill, Hazard, Oxlade chaimberlin, Frimpong (promoted), Ramsey(fit)
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Uz says:
    
    April 19, 2011 at 18:58
    
    what if you loose 3 games and city or spurs win all three,what next?Anything is possible mate,especially with this arsenal team
    
    Reply to this comment »

A.D. says:

April 19, 2011 at 6:25

Time & time again one or another player has let the manager down. No arguments there. Time & time again the manager continues to rely on these same players who let him down! Where’s the sense?? Time for an overhaul! The experiment has failed. Accept it & move on for the sake of the club & for the fans.

Reply to this comment »

Leon says:

April 19, 2011 at 6:44

If Wenger leaves then several of his players will ? Well considering that Arsenal are a team of chokers who will never win a thing I dont consider that to be bad news. The best thing to happen will be Wenger and his chokers to leave the club and get a manager and players in who fight for success. I dont think we will be satisfied with second because personally I feel that Chelsea will finish second.

Reply to this comment »

You says:

April 19, 2011 at 7:10

Unbelievable, second in the league, playing wonderful football for most of the year and people are all over them. 99% of teams and supporters in the league would love what we have. What an ungrateful lot we are. There is no doubt that if the Wenger out brigade ever get their wish then many players would go and Arsenal would quickly spiral down into the mire. Be very careful what you wish for. How are Charlton doing these days?

Reply to this comment »
- Archimedes says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 7:26
  
  Hear Hear
  
  Reply to this comment »
- tommy says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 8:40
  
  The fans that are complaining, and I am one, just want Wenger to get some experienced quality, and a true captain, so the team can be strong at the business end of the season, instead of only being able to beat Blackpool and Leyton Orient. Take a look at the FA Cup semi final between Man U and Man City, and look at how brilliantly, smartly, and strongly City played. That’s what experienced quality gets you. And without it we will fall apart next year at this time too, and the year after that, and the year after that etc etc etc
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Gooner4life says:
    
    April 19, 2011 at 9:21
    
    Where was that experience when city lost 3-0 to Liverpool?
    
    Reply to this comment »
    - Uz says:
      
      April 19, 2011 at 14:35
      
      manutd lost to chelsea and liverpool but they are on top.Chelsea are about to leap frog us.Mancity could win the FA cup.That my friend is all due to EXPERIENCE
      
      Reply to this comment »
- Pat says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 8:58
  
  Quite true
  
  Reply to this comment »
- Chris says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 9:25
  
  We all respect what you wrote.
  
  But this is what you should have written.
  
  Unbelievable, such a great squad, so much talent, yet we again dropped points against a team I believe we should be beating at home and unfortunately this means we are only second in the league. The problems in the final third – highlighted by Arsene and Johan Djourou – clearly show that the wonderful football is part of the history.
  
  And, 99% of teams and supporters in the league are making fun at us because we keep on failing when it matters the most because our manager is too stubborn to address the small weaknesses in the side.
  
  There is no doubt that if the Wenger knows best brigade stop saying that everything is going according to plan, our players will then wake up and finally understand that they are good enough to win something. But as long as they hear people saying that is 2-3 years they will be there, of course, they will never try hard to “be there” today.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - pong says:
    
    April 19, 2011 at 9:44
    
    Just a good gk would have won us the league.
    
    Reply to this comment »
- Spiderman says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 10:03
  
  You sound like love settling for second best.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Spiderman says:
    
    April 19, 2011 at 10:05
    
    Sorry matey it was not for you.
    
    Reply to this comment »
- Spiderman says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 10:07
  
  You sound like you love to settle for second best.
  
  Reply to this comment »
- A.D. says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 10:49
  
  Obviously you haven’t been watching the matches. We are very lucky to be where we are and are undeserved of that position. Most times we have just scraped through. I cannot remember a game where we were convincingly dominant. Even playing against sides with 10 men it has been laborious. We are only kidding ourselves if we believe Arsenal are title contenders.
  
  Reply to this comment »
- brian waldron says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 11:06
  
  Granted, we are 2nd in the league. But since when has coming second been the objective? The aim of a game of football/soccer is to score goals and thereby beat the opposition. Terein lies the problem. We cant hold onto a lead and lately we cant score goals.Wenger created and put together the most unbelievable team and is amired by all and sundry for that, but, lets face facts that lately his team selection has been poor to say the least This implosion has been coming for a long time and is due to the performances of a few of the players ie, glichy,diaby,walcott,koscielny,djourou,chamak,bentner,arshavin and of course the village idiot, Eboue! Not one of them is EPL material, they are too soft. Look at all the succesful teams ,they all have a hard man at the back and a front man who can put the ball into the net. RvP is too injury prone, and the rest just lack the ability. Our defence is poor and cannot play as a unit, glichy is like a chicken without a head , the other two , djourou and koscielny will bring a player down stupidly and then act as if they are hard done by, arshavin is played out of position , walcott is like rvp , a sissy, and the two idiots , diaby and eboue should be sent back to africa to enjoy themselves there. If these are the players that would go with AW then i say , goodbye and goodluck! If you want to compare Arsenal to Charlton then so be it , yes we are better off, but , hell, your standards have slipped ,havent they!
  
  Reply to this comment »

Moray says:

April 19, 2011 at 7:48

I wasn’t aware that Charlton have the highest ticket prices in the country, a wage bill of some 111m per year, and 60,000 seater stadium and 40m quid rotting away in the bank account.

The problem is that Wenger is doing a half decent job. The other half is disastrous. Actually, I would prefer to be mid-table than keep failing at the last hurdle – it is becoming embarrassing. I would also prefer some less talented but more committed players.

too many players owe their careers to Wenger, but his lack of coaching, no over 30s policy and culture of rewarding failure all contribute to this failure to achieve when it counts. And as A.D says, it is the SAME players, the SAME mistakes and the SAME pattern of failure which has beset us for the last five years or so.

I’m afraid we have to admit that Wenger doesn’t know how to win in the new era. It takes the heart of Ferguson, the meticulous planning of the young generation: Mourinho, Guardiola or Villas Boas, or the resources of Barca. We don’t have the resources yet, so why not concentrate on heart and planning, rather than making the same defensive mistakes, tactical errors, a mishapen squad with giants on the wnig crossing to dwarves in the box and no stregth anywhere and a squad of freebie or injury-cursed players?

Reply to this comment »

Pat says:

April 19, 2011 at 8:36

Haha, like the commenter above you said – be careful what you wish for, ask the spuds what it means to actually be mid-table, and stop yapping yer mouth. People moaning all over the web repeating the same old statements fed to them by Sky and some irresposible bloggers, who given the extreme hate they exhibit of the team and the manager, I’m beginning to think have simply got to be spuds.

Reply to this comment »
- kelly says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 10:01
  
  first wenger leaving doesn’t guarantee us anything and trust me,this is not the worst that happen just remember juande ramos almost had spurs relegated after they had built a ‘dream team’. we are all frustrated by the sheer indifference and the ridicule that fans all over the world have to endure but sacking a coach is not necessarily the best solution.i would say the board should be honest with the fans and stop cheap propaganda.verybody can see we lack quality in depth at the back our DMs are mediocre or average at best and we need another striker,a fox in the box.
  
  Reply to this comment »
onywoki says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:14

its fans like you who make things difficulty for the players. infact arsenal should consider playing their games away from home. am sure they will wine 98% of their matches

Reply to this comment »

Hunter says:

April 19, 2011 at 8:28

Arsene picked the players and he is the one who keeps relying on the same ones who fail over and over. It’s no one else’s fault but his own.

Reply to this comment »

Aussie Jack says:

April 19, 2011 at 8:51

Not all want Wenger to leave, in fact I think it`s very much a minority but they do want results and he`s not providing them. As in the previous comment ” he picked the players” so it`s his responsibility and if they under perform time and time again he is expected to take action.
He must plug the holes in the dyke that`s his job. He doesn`t have to leave and he doesn`t have to spend big but he must off load the non performers, take a good look at what`s coming through the system and buy experience to foster them through.
Ofcourse, should he leave (which he won`t) players will also leave, not necessarily follow him, but will look to protecting their future, that`s obvious.

Reply to this comment »

Aussie Jack says:

April 19, 2011 at 9:02

During this summer period not only must he `off load` and buy a couple of impact players he must learn from last summers mistakes and buy insurance or promote it. There will be injuries next season and a lot of football to play so rotation is a must, but only with quality back up.

Reply to this comment »

steve. says:

April 19, 2011 at 9:10

I’M AN ARSENAL SUPPORTER THROUGH AND THROUGH BUT, YOU CARN’T GET AWAY
FROM THE TRUTH,WENGER HAS PAST HIS SELL BY DATE,THE PLAYERS HE’S GOT,
HAVENT LOST IT, BECAUSE “THEY NEVER HAD IT”,AND WHO BROUGHT THEM TO THE
CLUB? “WENGER” SO WHO’S FAULT IS IT”? I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT I’VE LOOKED
AT THE REMAINING FIXTURES,AND I HONESTLY CAR’T SEE THEM GETTING ANOTHER
POINT,APART FROM ABOUT SIX PLAYERS,GET RID OF THE REST,GET A NEW
MANAGER,AND LET HIM REBUILD A NEW ARSENAL TEAM.THE SOONER THE BETTER.

Reply to this comment »

Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 9:38

Hi Guys.

To all who think we as supporters are ungrateful for wanting change at Arsenal by believing Arsene Wenger must leave.

We do appreciate what he has done by winning the trophies he did with Arsenal but we cannot stand by and watch Arsenal be like the South African Cricket team.

The South African cricket team shows so much promise but when it matters they fail.

As a South African supporter it is very frustrating to see.

All we want is for all the mistakes that cause Arsenal to fail at the last or final hurdle to be addressed.

We all feel as though Wenger does not address.

He keeps on saying for the 6 years we can win all 4 cups but there is no substance to it.

When you look at the players, there is no substance to their game when it matters.

It’s become a culture of just talk and no action.

Yes they play good football most of the time but what does it matter if you cannot score and thus cannot win any silverware.

Now you tell me how do you change things?

I like Arsene Wenger and Arsenal but let’s be transparent and realistic.

It’s not working.

Fabregas is wasting his time at Arsenal because he is talented and can win silverware at Barcelona.

Reply to this comment »

onywoki says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:25

he can as well join Barcelona but we are not as bad as some of us think. we have spent less cash on new players compared to other teams. wenga needs to bring in some few quality players and sure we will dominate Europe! sometimes i do not understand why some fans can’t see that we are almost reaching the very top of the game.

Reply to this comment »
- Uz says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 14:41
  
  Fabrigas can go to barca but believe me in no time he’ll get the same treatment Helb and henry got.The point is that arsenal need a new coach to instill that killer attitude in the players.A great coach can transform any player.Ask jose munrihno,ask Sir Alex.
  
  Reply to this comment »

Bob says:

April 19, 2011 at 9:41

depends on the calibre of the replacement doesnt it !

and the calibre of new players coming in, doesnt it!

so. if better players are coming in and a better manager comes in and the existing players have a better chance of winning, why would they leave ?

….thats right!!!!!! see no one is irreplaceable.

Reply to this comment »

Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 9:54

I agree matey.

Reply to this comment »
kweku says:

April 19, 2011 at 10:59

City bought better players – i mean super quality players- but they’ve only achieved a 5th place finish, fighting for a top four place this season and a place in de fa cup final. Considerin they spent over 200million in the transfer windows. I hope u’ve gotten my point.

Reply to this comment »
- Fonz678 says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 16:25
  
  Of course what City did was an extreme example of buying a group of pricey players.
  
  The issue with us is buying the adequate players and the adequate backups. Backups are one of the main reasons that we lose alot of points because due to the clubs regular injuries they are relied upon a fair bit in crucial games.
  
  The other issue is why we make the same mistakes over and over again? How many times have we given away leads and drawn/lost this season. This puts a question mark over the mentality of the players. The issue isnt talent the issue is having players who are wise enough to adapt to different footballing conditions. Jack Wilshere is one of the best examples ive seen, especially for his young age.
  Good backups are needed, for some positions more than 1 good backup is needed as we have regulars plus backups being injured at the same time.
  
  Reply to this comment »

Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 10:23

Arsenal Football Club must listen to the fans otherwise they will have no more fans.

Reply to this comment »

onywoki says:

April 19, 2011 at 13:05

arsenal fans are really a bore! most of the so called fans do not really support the team. home matches should be played away from emirates. wenga might be having some problems but our fans either. we need fans like Newcastle, Liverpool or even spuds! get behind the team

Reply to this comment »
- Uz says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 19:02
  
  onywoki,you are wrong.These fans are very passionate and that is the reason for the criticisims.Understand that.
  
  Reply to this comment »

kweku says:

April 19, 2011 at 10:47

You keep on sayin its de manager dat selects players who have let him down, and i kno u re talkin about Denilson, Diaby, Eboue, Bendtner,etc,
But i would like to remind u dat our top players like Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri and others hav also let him down. For those of u who want him to leave, i hope u know all our top players apart from maybe Wilshere and Walcott will leave wit him, then we will be fortunate enough to be a mid table club wit a huge debt on our hands.

Reply to this comment »

gunnerzealot says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:06

i completely agree

Reply to this comment »
Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:15

You Know Kweku you cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

At least City made a change by getting a new coach and players.

At least they tried something different.

Man United have also bought players over the last 10 years, the only difference is Sir Alex bought good players that immediately made a difference.

With City it was like Chelsea under the italian coach but when Jose M came to Chelsea they sold old players and bought new players.

No one knows whether or not buying new players will work but just do something different for a change and if it does not work move on.

One learns as you go along.

You cannot do the same thing season in and season out and expect a different result.

Reply to this comment »
Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 19:08

Kweku,the players dont respect him and thats probably why they let him down.Isnt that a huge problem?isnt that a dangerous trend?What would be the remedy?I leave you to figure that out.
if walcot and whoever chose to leave with him,too bad but we all know why.He chose to ignore your quest for a trophy and chose to stick with players that keep making the same mistakes.These players have become so predictable.It would be a shame if wilshere left but believe me he would thrive under a better manager.he would learn how to score goals and not just make tackles.

Reply to this comment »

Edward Nyakahuma says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:11

Nigel, no excuse this time with un serious characters who cannot keep determined until the final whistle. When i remember your superb determination at the back those days and go a head defending such laziness i feel dizzy. Remember if am to mention a few, the tragic incidence when Newcastle and Totenham which we face tommorrow both came from behind to draw and win us respectively, and again continue sympathising with this system, my God.

The lazy characters are known, overhaul them and the boat will sail.

Reply to this comment »

jack says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:30

i wish we had a player like him back at the club…

Reply to this comment »

Gooner says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:31

Has this site turned Sp*rs? Yes we are playing rubbish sideways football when we need a plan b. But that same football got us in 2nd place is prem, and a home win agaisnt the best team in the world. Which is no small feat. Even Real Madrid could only manage a draw! I honestly believe its the top players as well as second team players letting Arsene down. RVP, Cesc, Nasri, and maybe Walcott we all poor against liverpool. There is only one manager in the world better then ours thats fergie. Man city have loads of top players yes. Maybe enough to split the team into two teams. And we are above them. And Chelsea and Liverpool. If manure played againgst us the way they played against city, the win is ours. And city can only park the bus aganst us or get battered 3 nil. Remember that guy Chamck what he did for us at the start of the season? When there was no rvP doouble figures goals hes got hasent he? In his first prem season. Take a look at our club and other clubs and what we have achieved and what they have.

Gooooneeerr win or lose…. Whoever the manager is.

Reply to this comment »

Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:48

Lets not compare us to others clubs.

The best coach in the world is the special one at the moment.

What makes Arsene Wenger the second best coach after Sir Alex?

Guardiola is also a good coach.

What makes a good coach?

I think it is results but at the same time admitting there is a problem.

Reply to this comment »
- PaulK says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 14:50
  
  You are comparing Wenger to manageRs with unlimited budget. Barcelona are 0.4B Euros in debt and Real Madrid receive government monetary assistance. Wenger used to spend but hasn’t due to the owners focusing on building the new stadium. We’re not comparing apples to apples. For a fair comparison pick one of the managers from a team below us in the league table.
  
  Reply to this comment »

Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:33

To the guys that disagree with us saying Wenger must go etc.

It does not mean we are right or wrong and you guys are or wrong.

We are simply just expressing how we feel.

If so many Arsenal fans feels Arsenal needs change, it is probably time for change.

So many that say it is time for change recognises the problems.

Can so many fans be wrong?

Reply to this comment »

realistic tony says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:44

Wenger should do the honourable thing and step down. He has tried his project for 6 seasons and we are in a worse state now than then. Forget the invincibles etc…how long is that going to be argued as a reason to keep the faith with Wenger?..another 6 years?
One of the problems at Arsenal now is the whole reputation of ARSENAL FC. Before Wenger came no player or manager was bigger than the club and thats the way you build a strong team..a spirited unit that will fight for each other in their pride for THE CLUB!!!.
Wenger’s pandering to Thierry Henry (the greatest player for us of course), making him captain as a gesture to plead for him to stay, started the belief that players were bigger than the club. (DITTO FABREGAS) Look at fergie in general, he doesnt roll over so easily with players, and if he has to chew someone off he will do.
This is the centre point of Nigel Winterburns argument: wenger leaving would take players with him, proving my point that the club hasnt the prestige and sheer mighty image it used to have.
We have a fabulous club, amazing world-wide acclaim, a superb stadium, (credit to wenger), but at this point in time Wenger is self-absorbed in his project development and isnt putting the success of the club first, (like he mistakenly claims or believes). In doing so he panders to the players, keeping mediocre and useless players, seemingly unable to consider that they are not good enough for Arsenal.
It stems from Wenger’s weakness in man-management……give me george graham any day of the week…he knew what it was like to play with spirit and pride and foster in the players minds that they were fortunate to play for this great club.
So I agree with Nigel that this could happen, not because Wenger is anything special now, its just that the club has been pulled down by wengers style and players are only loyal to him not the club (as it should be…as it has to be for a successful club).
This is ARSENAL FC….not Wenger and his disciples FC….

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Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 11:53

I agree Tony.

Reply to this comment »
Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:44

I love you Tony.

Reply to this comment »
Fonz678 says:

April 19, 2011 at 16:54

Tony i agree with most of your points. No player or manager can be bigger than the club itself. But i think Wenger is a brilliant manager in many aspects even today (considering the brewing of great talent, coinciding with a great financial model, and the culture of the beautiful football that Arsenal promote to the world).

Ofcourse the issue as you put is the fact that this method hasnt really worked for 6 years interms of obtaining silverware, even though we have gotten close. The fact that we have gotten fairly close to winning silverware shows signs that the manager/general management has made the right choices concering many areas but not all.

Due to this, i think that Wenger is suitable to continue being manager considering certain tweeks/conditions are fullfilled; one being that he needs to realise the issue of players who havent consistently performed and bring needed replacements. Arsenal ofcourse is one of the giants of world football and winning silverware in the end needs to be one of the top priorities.

If he doesnt realise (or realises and does nothing about) the major shortcomings of the squad ie. underperforming players/ inability to holdout under pressure, then i think his time will be short. But if he is willing to make the necessary changes and turn this talented squad into mentally tough fighters, then im sure most fans will be happy for Wenger to remain at the helm.

Reply to this comment »
- Uz says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 19:12
  
  he hasnt made the necessary changes in 6 yearrs due to pride,what makes you think he’ll want to do that now.
  
  Reply to this comment »

kweku says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:10

I know u cant do the same thing and expect different results, but if u really observed this season, we would hav been on top if the referees in the league hav been fair, even tho we’ve been playing some crap lately.

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Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:39

There you go again blaming the referees.

A good and confident side finds a way to win whether the referee was good or bad.

The referee is not fair all the time whether we are playing or not.

This happens in rugby too as well cricket.

One should look past the referees mistake and focus on you own game.

Sorry but blaming the referee is sad excuse.

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dando says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:26

$60m spent may not guarantee success but at least it signals intent, something we haven’t done for about 6 years.

Yes we have bought players in that time such as Nasri that have proved an asset but we haven’t bought to show intent and it’s this that instills confidence in the team/supporters and the reverse in the opposition.

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Nii says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:34

i am so happy to hear this from u my formal player wenger is doing a good job it the players who have let him down and not wenger people should stop all those stupid comment they have been writing about wenger so u keep faith on him

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Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:01

You have not been paying attention.

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ARMAN says:

April 19, 2011 at 12:58

Oh !!!
really its so confusive that arsenal didn’t win trophies for 6 years…. AMAZING (how a big team like Arsenal cannot win any trophy such long time..)

For me, I think the problem is from the manager Arsene Wenger and I am entirely confused of whether Arsenal is a supermarket of special bussiness purposes… the absolute amazing thing I saw is that whenever any player becomes popular in the football world they sell him because of profit gaining.

For Arsenal to win trophies, it needs skillful manager who has the ambitions to win like Jose Morinho, Alex Ferguson … etc

90% of Arsenal players are youngs who yet did not gain experience relevant to how to win big trophies like Champions league, for instance Alex Ferguson still holds Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs….. why? simply they have the experience of the guidance roads for winning big trophies.
like Pep Guardiola he has a key for any team’s lock, XAVI HERNADEZ.

Lastly, inorder Arsenal to win it needs better manager and high experienced players not youngs ONLY……….

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William says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:12

I quite agree with what Winterburn says about the players let Wenger down sometimes. However, that’s part of his fault as well for always praising his players even when they play really bad. So the squad will never learn from their mistakes.

There should be a massive clear-out in the summer. Denilson, Squillaci, and Diaby must go. Eboue should also go unless Wenger buys a new right back and promotes the Ivorian as a backup for Walcott. Eboue is an attacker, not a defender. Wenger should NEVER let Eboue to be inside his own penalty box.

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Uz says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:49

Eboue just had a bad day.he’s a good player with so much passion and i think he still has a lot to offer.But that should be under the guidance of a skillful no nonsence manager to bring out the very best in these boys.Clearly,that wouldnt be AW

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Spiderman says:

April 19, 2011 at 14:56

I agree matey but I must say Theo Walcot is not a good player. Paul Merson was a good play maker.

Compare Walcot to Merson, Merson by far the better play maker.

In my opinion Walcot has done very little for Arsenal.

Reply to this comment »
- Hunter says:
  
  April 19, 2011 at 21:10
  
  You are comparing apples and oranges. Walcott is not a winger either, he is a central striker who is played out on the wing. One of the things I don’t get about Arsene is why he won’t buy players to fit positions instead of buying a bunch of players who are the same and playing them out of position. If we had a real winger we would have less trouble opening teams up because we would have some real pace and 1v1 skills. Instead we have a bunch of central players playing out of position.
  
  Reply to this comment »

toni says:

April 19, 2011 at 17:56

- clubs think we are too soft and only come to play physical football with us ( it works must times for them)
- clubs/people think we pass the ball too much with little clinical finishers (only rvp) , they come to us and park the bus, close the space and get at least a point( it works some times for them)
- clubs think we are mentally fragile, they come to us and give us a few kicks, work us up all in the bit to frustrate us and throw us out of concentration (most times it works)
- they think we are poor at defending set pieces

what do you think? are these true?

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Xray2000 says:

April 19, 2011 at 21:31

He he he
If your wife cheated on you every year and you took her back on the premise that she wouldn’t do it again and then every year for 6 years the same thing happened, what does that make you?
You deserve everything you get for being so stupid.

Born and raised as a Gooner, Wenger out!
no more lies and fake players from Africa! Games up
Every year I watch the transfer window and all the good players go else were?
I love Fab but if he’s not committed then a good manager should let him go and thank him for the service to Arsenal.
Wenger can come to my work place and watch me get murdered by spurs workers if they win!

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westlondongoon says:

April 19, 2011 at 22:02

Did you leave Nigel? Did Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Lee Dixon et all, when George Graham was sacked? No, because you loved the club. So, I guess you are saying that these players do not love the club, but they do love the manager.
Something, that deep down, I already knew.
I’ve got so tired of Wenger’s side failing that I have to question the man now; we’ve thrown consecutive league titles away now, yet very little has changed. During the course of a game, very little changes. It’s just so predictible now….so….boring.
We keep the ball, we keep the ball a bit longer, and for a little bit longer….then the ball comes down our end, and suddenly, we look like schoolboys again.
I could do better; seriously, I could. I played to a decent standard, and I was drilled in defending by an ex-Charlton player. He drilled, and drilled, and drilled us, until we all knew our jobs. He taught us all the tricks, what to do and what not to do, and more importantly, what to expect.I see none of this in our players. They are so naive. Yet paid so well. £40,000 and above a week, and they don’t even know their craft.
It’s simply not good enough, from the manager or the players.

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Spiderman says:

April 20, 2011 at 9:09

Ek stem saam.

It means I agree in afrikaans.

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jason says:

April 19, 2011 at 23:37

Arsene Wenger is the answer he is in the top 3 best Managers in the world.

I still love Wenger he is the answer just get 3 players Wenger and we will win things.

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Spiderman says:

April 20, 2011 at 9:14

Then marry him.

If he cheats on you take him back.

If he cheats on you again then take him back again.

Do that for six years see how you feel then tell us.

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zai72 says:

April 20, 2011 at 2:29

i have been arsenal supporter since tony adam time. it would be frustrating that arsene did not buy player in january. but if u put urself in his shoe i argree with him. juz look at man city and real madrid,which position are they now with spending millions of dollars? barcalona with less spending? barcalona and arsenal they play same brand n style of football it only a matter of luck and injuries. think for urself………

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Spiderman says:

April 20, 2011 at 9:17

Which she is that?

Left shoe or right shoe?

You are missing the point.

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Ray says:

April 20, 2011 at 5:33

Well, that depends on which player you bought. Of course not everyone is lucky to get Overmars, Petit, Pires, Ljunberg, Vieira and Henry every time. There are times when you ended up with Cygan, Senderos, Gallas, Silvestre, Almunia, Diably as well. But we all depend on the eye of Wenger to decide who to bring in after all, that is part his job. I was one of them who wanted Appiah and Joe Cole to join us, Wenger decided not to have them, for that he is right and I am wrong. Now, the fans are shouting for Sakho, Metasacker, Vertoughen and Garry Cahill, of course it is impossible for us to get all but we all believe anyone of them is better than Squilacci, not sure if Vermaleen will come back as the original Vermaleen or he will be like Eduardo (I really don’t know) and Koscielny + Djourou are still a under develop product. We need to challenge for the title next season, I don’t any fans wanted to wait any more, so I will still shout for Wenger to free out the wages budget for Almunia, Rosicky, Diably, Denilson, Bendtner, Eboue and Squilacci, buy some players that I think will work for Arsenal BUT I will leave the final decision to him with my finger cross that no more low end product even though they are much cheaper. If you pay a peanut, u get a monkey. I doubt that we can pay 5 million but we expect the player to deliver > 20 goals like Henry. If I am the player I will say “Don’t you know my quality from the price tag and how do you expect a 5 million player to deliver something like a 30 million player over the night? Rome wasn’t built in one night!”.

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