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Martin Keown: Arsene Wenger will replace the players who let him down

Written by Jeffrey on April 24, 2011 – 4:45

According to former Arsenal defender Martin Keown the problem with the Gunners is not the manager but players who don’t look entirely committed.

Writing on his Daily Mail column, the Englishman explained that the Frenchman has dedicated so much of his life to the club that it would be harsh to sack him just when he is so close to finally win another trophy.

But, the 44-year old explained that changes are required adding that the manager must have identified players who let him down this season and will take actions during the summer transfer window.

Ahead of next season, Keown said:

There is no way Arsene Wenger should leave Arsenal. He has dedicated so much of his life to the club and I’m confident he will win more trophies.

But to do that he must get the right mix of players because, as good as many of his crop are, he is at a crossroads with some of them.

In public, he has overestimated his team’s ability to win, but in private he probably realises that there are a couple of ingredients missing.

With teams who are champions you can see the confidence – they turn up at places certain that they are going to win. There is an aura, but this Arsenal side are unpredictable.

The team were at their best and their worst against Tottenham and recently seem unable to finish teams off. It is a far cry from when they beat Barcelona at home and looked capable of anything.

They are frustratingly inconsistent and there are games when certain players don’t look entirely committed. Wenger will know which players have let him down and who needs replacing.

Because they are not far away, it is not all doom and gloom. There will be new faces but some of those who stay need to look at their performances and maybe learn to believe in themselves.

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a gunner says:

April 24, 2011 at 5:52

WHAT WORRIES IS THAT ARSENE DOESNT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT HE SHOULD KNOW IN PRIVATE…..

I HONESTLY DONT GIVE A SHIT ABT WHAT HE SAYS IN PUBLIC…WELL BECAUSE THEY ARE …SHIT !

BUT WHATS WORRYING IS THAT HE DOESNT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT HE SHOULD KNOW – PRIVATELY – BECAUSE IF HE DOES IT WILL CERTAINLY BE REFLECTED IN HIS ACTIONS ON THE FIELD THROUGH HIS PLAYERS……AND WHATS ON DISPLAY IS PALTRY WHEN IT COMES TO WANTING TO WIN THINGS !

MANCHESTER UNITED ALSO CAN PLAY GREAT FOOTBALL…BUT THEY CURB THAT MOST TIMES TO WIN

Reply to this comment »

Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 6:15

The worrying thing for me is the choices that he made in the transfer market last summer. You could always rely on Arsene to find talented players without breaking the bank but when he bought a player scoring 1 in every 3 games in the French league and two unknown CBs from France i did wonder whether he was taking too much of a risk. As it turned out he did because Chamakh and Squillaci were flops with Koschielny being very inconsistent. He has given away too many penalties and has occasionally made serious blunders. Arsene needs to make much better choices in the market this time around because if he doesn’t even those of us that support him might start to doubt whether he is still the right man for the job. We’ve seen with Wilshere that the team can improve dramatically from the emergence of talent within the youth system but it’ll take more than that to become the best team in the country. Players like Denilson must realise that their first team chances will become very limited in future seasons. He’ll be behind Fabregas, Wilshere, Song, Ramsey, Frimpong and Diaby next year at least so he’ll know that he needs to leave even if the manager doesn’t insist on it.

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Hunter says:

April 24, 2011 at 6:20

Diaby needs to be out oc our squad next year as well.

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james says:

April 24, 2011 at 16:49

i wouldnt say chamakh has been a flop, we got him on a free transfer-and first halkf of the season he got a lot of goals, when RVP came back he was sidelined which is fair enough but he is a player who needs to play weekly. as for players who are letting him down the two main ones i can think of are arshavin and rosicky, both have been outshone by nasri who has had the season of his life on the left wing.
our main problem this season has been injuries- RVP, walcott and cesc the main ones, Walcott has had his best season-when he plays. But when looking at his goals especially the one against the spuds on tuesday night it was a classic thierry henry goal who wenger played as a winger until he was 23 then he went down th middle, i think its time wenger played him down the middle and brought in a right winger, bendtner is ok when hes down the right wing, weve scored a few goals from his half decent crosses., rvp is another who needs a full season under his belt he can easilt get 20+ which is needed.The defence has been ok sagna and clichy have been top performers as normal but we have definitely missed vermalen in the centre, him and djouru will make a class pairing, with squilacci and koscielny being ok but as its their first season in the prem its understandable they have been a bit shaky goot for the bench. this has been a season of so near yet so far a little bit of wengers magic over the summer and a little luck with no injuries next year we can and will have a world class team.

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Peter says:

April 24, 2011 at 6:17

Martin, is your assessment at all consistent with wenger’s recent statements that any big changes would be stupid? Wenger that sly old fox, he’s done you one mate. Expect no changes. Yes, that means most if not all of our current players will be wearing red and white for years to come.

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Jason says:

April 24, 2011 at 6:20

Hopefully Arsene’s aware of which player to offload this summer.
To keep the star players, we have to show some quality in winning silverware.
Diaby, Denilson, Rosicky, all these players have seasons under them yet not really performing consistently for the team.
Arsene should know what to do with them. One last season, or show the door.

His youth policy is excellent, I would say.
With the coming season, hope to see Lansbury, Coquelin, Frimpong to be in action in the 1st team.
I don’t see any possible target to sign on for the coming season, if everyone stays.
Except a true leader who can lead the team for glory like Vieira did for us. =)

===============Fabianski================
==Sagna====Djourou=====Vermaelen===Clichy==
===============Song===================
=======Wilshere========Fabregas=========
==Walcott===================Nasri=======
============Van Persie=================

Sub: Mannone, Szczesny, Koscielny, Eboue, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Frimpong, Ramsey, Vela, Chamakh, Bendtner, Diaby*, Denilson*, Rosicky*

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Hunter says:

April 24, 2011 at 7:35

You must be watching an entirely different team than the one that’s been playing for the last couple of seasons.

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- Jason says:
  
  April 24, 2011 at 12:51
  
  You can’t deny that Fabianski is playing well for us this season, with Mannone and Szczesny all proven to be good for us.
  
  I agree that in 2008, Flamini and Hleb left us with no trophy, Eduardo broke his leg.
  Adebayor, Kolo Toure sales to ManCity in the following…
  Gallas, Silvestre, Campbell, and Senderos leaving last season…
  All these players who are the constant starting eleven have been leaving…
  We don’t have a same starting evelen for seasons…
  The problem is to keep players, not just buy players…
  
  Rosicky is no longer the Rosicky we have in 2008…
  Denilson is no longer the freshy Brazilian we have in 2006…
  Why do we still need them if they are not performing?
  Lansbury, Frimpong, even Miyaichi are all pushing to be in 1st team in the coming season…
  So whats the issue of lacking players now?
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - David sutasurya says:
    
    April 24, 2011 at 20:40
    
    agree ! be the football producer not consumer !
    
    Reply to this comment »
Rhavine Chandrapala says:

April 25, 2011 at 15:31

Fabianski? Really?

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rashel says:

April 24, 2011 at 6:21

Not a single manager is capable of replacing mr wenger without a doubt, This guy has got this Arsenal team into the CL year in year out since being in charge, and to be able to do that in the EPL your team must be WORLD CLASS – name me a single manager that is capable of doing that without all the m/billions? Not even Jose!

wenger has only spent approx 25m (after selling and buying) all his career, he has made this club into an world elite. This club needs him more then he needs Arsenal.

dont look further, just look at the EPL teams…. ones below us who were once upon time BIGGER then us prior to wenger. Arsenal dont have anything to offer. we have always been a poor club, but thanks to Wenger were able to stand toe to toe with the Reals, Barca and Utds, chelsea of this world…. guess what? they have more money then us, they spend!

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ISLANDGOONER says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:21

He should have been a businessman instead of a football club manager.What the use being in the cl year in year out winning nothing in all our participation.Shame

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- Jason says:
  
  April 24, 2011 at 12:56
  
  If you said it that way, David Moyes, Steve Bruce, Owen Coyle even Harry Redknapp all should have left for business instead of still in charge of football teams…
  
  Its not about winning only to run a football club… Its much more beyond just winning… Arsene has worked tremendously well in keeping us in the top flight position for seasons while the others don’t..! We have a new stadium, constantly be in the knockout stage of UEFA… Don’t these sounds like an achievement or more like a heartbreak to the fans?!
  
  Reply to this comment »
Manu says:

April 24, 2011 at 20:53

Was Arsenal made 4 Wenger?Give him senior accountant job n find a football coach n Arsenal will perform as other senior teams.

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The Song says:

April 24, 2011 at 7:21

A replacement for Cesc. Any others leaving to be replaced by promotions of youth players or maybe one less than 10M injuryprone player nobodys heard of.

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Salim says:

April 24, 2011 at 7:29

What “big change is stupid” Most of people never understanding Arsene, let me explaining u:
selling B52, Denilson, Eboe, Diaby, Rocsky, Arshavin, Almunia and Squl, they will be open space to our youth players, we have player like Jack and Chezza from our youth we need to give a chance, and buy only 3 out side the club one is the stroge no 5 to patner Ver or to cover Djorou and koos, second is defensive mildfield to cover Song and Flimpong and third is centre foward to cover RVP or charmakh.

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dannygunnerdimovski says:

April 24, 2011 at 8:08

There is no doubt that changes need to be made.

-Goal Keepers-
Almunia will surely leave, and I believe Wenger sees Szczesny as the current no. 1 with Fabianski and Mannone fighting it out for the no. 2

-Defence-
Not really all that fussed with defence though I think we need a more stable second choice RB with Eboue’s time at the club limited. I reckon an ideal signing is Phil Jones, he can play CB, RB and even as a CDM, someone with his versatility wouldn’t be a bad idea, and unfortunately I don’t see Squillaci leaving after one season, though I do see Ignasi Miquel or even Kyle Bartley to be more prominent next season.

-Midfield-
With the recovery of Aaron Ramsey and the emergence of Frimpong, Wenger will surely opt to sell Denilson.
As much as I am over Abou Diaby it honestly wouldn’t surprise me if he was still in an Arsenal shirt next season, though I believe his appearances will be limited.

-Forwards-
Bendtner will leave on his own accord I believe, and I don’t think Wenger will dip into the market in search for replacement striker, and honestly with the appearances Bendtner is making currently I wouldn’t mind if Wenger gives more playing time to the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, also, it wouldn’t surprise me if Walcott started playing more centrally also.
As for Arshavin, I believe he may leave, and I hope he does so Wenger can give more playing time to Carlos Vela.

All in all,

IN- Versatile defender/midfielder, 1-2 youngsters/unknowns
OUT- Almunia, Denilson, Bendtner, Rosicky
POSSIBLE OUTS – Fabregas (unfortunately), Arshavin, Clichy, (if he leaves Baines is the obvious replacement), Diaby.

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 8:09

Spot on. In the CB and DM players we need guys who can defend set pieces as well as the obvious qualities. An Arsenal CB must have pace because almost every team plays counter-attacking football against us. Those who say we need a big old-fashioned CB should think about this. It’s ok having a lanky big lad back there to defend against corners but what happens when the opposition lift the ball over our high line and send their pacey striker running after it ? I believe that the difficulty which Wenger has had in finding the right CB is because he can’t find someone with the right combination of qualities for the way that this team plays. Every player has a weakness so what do you sacrifice ? Perhaps you mix it up depending on the opposition but that’s not easy either because it works better if the same back 4 can get used to playing together.

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 8:24

If Walcott is gonna be moved into the middle and Rosicky is gonna be sold that opens up a slot for Eden Hazard or Juan Manuel Mata. The first being, apparently, a potential superstar of the future who will cost upwards of 30m and the second being a proven talent available at a bargain price because Valencia need the money. No prizes for guessing which one Arsene is more interested in. I expect Hazard will be the subject of a bidding war between Man City and Chelsea but we shouldn’t be too disappointed if we get Mata. Should cheer up Fabregas because he’ll know of the quality that we’ll be getting.

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Southerngooner says:

April 24, 2011 at 8:31

Haters will always be haters. With just a few minutes of lapses in concentration per game separating us from the top of the table, how much better are Chelski and Manure, you tell me? Burn haters burn. In Wenger we trust.

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Jason says:

April 24, 2011 at 12:58

Yup… We lost because of the points we dropped, not because of the points they earned…

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Michael Gillon says:

April 24, 2011 at 8:34

Who will put their hand up and say I wanted Wenger out when he finally gets fed up with abuse from so called Arsenal fans and does actually leave, probably to a club that knows he can attract the best youth talent in the world. A club that does not or who cannot spend $50 mil on one player, a club that does not have a benefactor but would like a squad that is worth millions but did not cost that much by being a shrewd evaluator of talent and giving them a chance to play.

Would Man U, Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona or Real Madrid have played Jack Wilshire this year. I think not and therefore the young player of the year and Englands most exciting prospect would be left floundering in the reserves.
Who will put their hand up and say I wanted Wenger out when our new manager comes in and Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie, Clichy, Sagna, Arshavin etc: all decide to leave for a club that plays real football not big Sam and Hodgson style or Graham 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Who will put their hand up and say I wanted Wenger out when Arsenal are an average team languishing in mid table playing English football.

You want trophies, you already have them in Arsene Wenger and the squad behind the squad.
The only real misstep this year was the Carling Cup Final which we probably would have won if not for the cock up of the year. But we were not at full strength and the pressure of trophy less seasons was incredible. That loss caused more damage than we will ever know.

Champions League beaten by Barcelona who are the no1 team in world. Did we play Copenhagen, Shalke FC or any of the lesser teams, no we played BARCELONA. We won first leg in last 30 minutes which is when Barca get tired. 2nd leg we were not given opportunity because of Van Persie red card.
We were beaten by the best team in the competition not the competition that Man U and Chelsea had to face.

Next up FA Cup. Could we have drawn Stoke, Bolton, West Ham or Reading but no we get the toughest tie of the round Manchester United away. It’s no embarrassment to lose at Man U away.

So by now all we have left is Premier League but a little kinder draw could have left us with much more.

Premier League: Sure we let 4 goal lead slip against Newcastle, got beaten at home by Newcastle, West Brom. Let 2 goal lead slip against Spurs and draws against Wigan, Blackburn and Sunderland.
Those results are unacceptable but did we get lucky in any of those games or could a little of Man U luck have gone our way.
So here we are,is your glass half full or half empty.
My glass is more than half full.

A great Manager
Fiscal Stability

A very talented new no 1 goalkeeper in Wojec and good back up in Fabianski and I am sure more talent in wings.
How many teams this year played with no3 goalkeeper . Unfortunately Almunia’s time is up.

2 really good fullbacks in Sagna & Clichy with Gibbs in the wings. Eboue is a clown and should be sold. Jenkinson sounds good but I would love Micah Richards.

Vermelan is like a new signing but would like another central defender possibly Gary Cahill, that would leave Djouro and Koscielny in the squad. Get rid of Sqilachi and promote youth player.

Attacking midfield is good although I am not sure about song. I remember last preseason when Fringpong was looking great until his injury. Maybe an upgrade like Melo would work. Even try Koscielny as he is a very good passer with defenders instincts

UP Front

Wacott, Van Persie, Arshavin (he has at least one good year left and is an amazing talent)
Vela needs a chance, maybe Ryiochi, would give speed on wings. Chamack needs more opportunity.
Get rid of Clown Prince of Dennmark.
Need a striker but who? That is my only unknown.

To leave
Denilson (should have kept Merida) Diaby (sometimes great most times crap) Eboue (diver, clown, diver, clown) Rosicky (This one hurts me but time is up) Almunia (Thanks Manny but your time is up)

No great clear out, just a little reinforcement, let the youth grow.
With a little luck this could have been a different year but its Easter and its unlikely but we are still playing for a chance of the league.
So true football fan why not watch Manchester United play negative unattractive football for most of the year or watch dire Chelsea. Sure they have a trophy but nobody wants to watch them play.
So salute the teams that nobody watches, I’m off to watch a real football game.

BUT Who will put their hand up and say I wanted Wenger out when our new manager comes in

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Jason says:

April 24, 2011 at 13:04

Agree with most of your viewpoints…
But Eboue is a versatile player on the flanks, still hope that he can be on our bench…
I somehow feel that Wenger reluctant to try putting defenders at DM position…
However, Ferguson have even tried putting 7defenders with Fabio and Rafael at attacking flanks…
This is the main difference in the tactics being imposed to the team…

Maybe Wenger can try to immitate some of these moves when injury comes hitting us.
Agree with the emergence of youngster like Frimpong, Wilshere, Miyaichi gonna win some place in senior squad… We dont need any big signings, just some sell out of the floppy one…

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Oti says:

April 24, 2011 at 16:09

If mourinho comes in as replacement, a big IF, then I’ll definately raise my hand up and say I wanted Wenger out! For Crying out loud this man is not bigger than Arsenal! Oh nd btw, I agree with all your other views

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- Shari says:
  
  April 24, 2011 at 20:54
  
  Mourinho? If he replaces Wenger, he’ll be with us for only 2 or 3 seasons at the most, then he’ll leave for other club. So even if he can win us trophies during his tenure, it won’t last for many seasons. We’ll end up like chelsea and inter, struggle to find yet another manager, and then another..and then another..and struggle to keep up to the top level performance with ever changing managers. Is that what we want?
  
  Reply to this comment »

Leon says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:02

Wenger will not do anything – have you not been awake for the last six years ?

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Salim says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:03

Charlie, Rocskey and Asharvin they will sold to make space for Ryo, willington and Tom, B52 he will go to give Theo his positiom,

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:27

Wellington has still only played 1 game for Levante due to personality issues. I can see no way that he will be in Arsenals’ first team squad next year. JET (if that’s who you mean by TOM, isn’t first choice for Cardiff where he’s generally considered to think himself to be better than he actually is. Ryo is the only one who may be ready and he might not have a work visa, it’d need to be a special talent visa. Conor Henderson has a better chance of getting first team action next year than JET or Wellington. If B52 and Chamakh leave they will need to be replaced by a similar type of player. Wenger does see the importance of having an aerial presence in the box or he wouldn’t have both of them in the squad.

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:39

I do agree on one point though. B52 will force through a transfer because he won’t be able to comprehend why he is still not considered first choice. His attitude is a problem, it’s sometimes as if he doesn’t feel like he needs to try as hard as his teammates when in fact he needs to try harder. He’s good enough for the Premier League but not good enough for a top 4 team.

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ezy jones says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:38

i think we need to reinforce our defence by bringing in a more stable cb who can partner johan or vermealen,we also need a rb who will deputise sagna coz i cant see ebue staying.in midfield,we need to bring in someone experienced,some one like melo that is we axe the likes of denilson and diaby.

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RSAgooner says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:46

I’m honestly very happy with this team, obviously arshavin and rosicky’s out and lansbury and frimprong’s in but other than that our squad’s quite fine, i think we should make a cheeky move for sturridge since he’ll not wait to break into the chav attack and then all we need is a proper captain that everyone on the pitch fears and respects (van persie maybe?or future pride of england cahill?), next season i see a very english/young/gritty/hungry squad who knows that their league standing in the last 3 seasons its like this:4,3,2,? so stop yo bitching 2nd isnt so bad and THERE’S NO CURSE AT THE EMIRATES!!!!!(i think the crest is tho 0~0)

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Judith Le'Strange says:

April 24, 2011 at 9:53

It doesn’t matter what Keown says that Wenger will replace the players that have let him and the team down, because we all know we will still be lumbered with Denilson, Abu Diaby, Eboue, Almunia and all the other that week in and week out continually let Arsenal down and still collect their huge wages at the end. If they worked in a 9-5 job and they continually failed their boss they would be out on their ears. But Wenger doesn’t seem to realise this. He keeps saying their a young team, if they’re still a young team please let me know the secret formula as I would love to have some. But Wenger seems to think that the team is his and he alone says who stays and goes, so perhaps it’s Kroenke who needs to sort this out once and for all by either telling Wenger to leave the finances to the board members and Wenger to say who he needs or wants to buy, but I can’t see that happening

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 10:47

I don’t agree. I think this season is different for one very important reason. Wenger finally knows his best 11 (maybe 12) players. They are Schezny (spelling ?), Clichy, Vermaelen, Djourou, Sagna, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Walcott, Nasri, Arshavin and Van Persie. I think everyone knows the best 12 players actually. In the past i always felt that he was experimenting. This is why i believe that there will be a clear out. Many players have reached the age where they are either first team players or are surplus.

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Indo Gunner says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:26

Prof, common wake up!!
1. None of young arsenal academy took part in the invincible team. I ignore fabregas since he was eternal substitute at that time!!

2. Arsenal can’t play with just 1 striker. Bring Chamakh to accompany RVP behind him. Chamakh has an excellent dribbling skill, and header as well.

3. Fabregas is moderate, Wilshire is excellent. But they just can only pass the ball!! Arsenal will not be a champion when u still depend on them. During the game, i am not sure what are their role in the game, whether defend or offense.. since they do not have the capability for both of that!!. But my credit to Jack!! Not Fabregas.

4. Buy Nigel de Jong to play with Song as central midfield. (I remember the solid duo between Vieira & Gilberto at that time). Nasri n the left then Arshavin in the right, will be perfect supports for RVP and Chamakh. They will be just calm in breaking the opponent defense if they save solid central midfielder behind them. Just analyze what we have now!!

5. Clichy and Sagna is terrible. They can not really clear the ball properly. Eboue is better in the right than Sagna. For the left flank, replace Clichy with Djorou, while Vermaleen & Koscielny paly in the cetral defender. Against Spurs, 2 goals came from Clichy mistakes & VDV penalty is obviously Sagna’s mistake!

6. Put the captain ban to Vermaleen.

FIXED!!!

Reply to this comment »

Jason says:

April 24, 2011 at 13:06

Djourou for Clichy, joke of the season…

Reply to this comment »
- singing2no1 says:
  
  April 24, 2011 at 16:36
  
  fact haha
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Indo Gunner says:
    
    April 24, 2011 at 17:49
    
    If you both think so, just watch how Bolton scored their first from corner, also other Bolton’s chances created from this flank. We need more solid figure for this post. I would like to install Djorou rather than sign another player to come in.
    
    My advise to you both: If you do not know what i am talking about, JUST SHUT UP!!
    
    Reply to this comment »

Kero says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:27

Wenger has so strict in transfer policy but in the same time, has no idea or in a clear word, foolish about salaries policy. He offered an incredible wages to good for nothing players and youngster but so hesitant in increasing wages to his in-form 1st team players since the 2005. I hope Nasri will not leave the club in the same way as Ashley Cole, Flamini and Adebayor. His 1 year extension contract for players who reach 30s is also a mistake. How can Arsenal produce the committed, full of experience and legends if their futures in cast when their ages reach 30? They might knew they will not stay for a long at Arsenal. The problem with the Gunners is not the manager but players who don’t look entirely committed (according to Martin Keown), but for me, it’s Wenger who most at fault for his useless policies.

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MikE says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:33

good piece and v good post by aussie jack.

hopefully he will move on two or three and bring in a couple of experienced, quality players even if not massive names as well as taking his usual punts on youngsters for the medium to long term.

i also hope that he will won’t be so rigid on his over 30s rule – unless he knows they are losing pace or fitness. gallas, sol and even lens have proven him a bit previous!

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MADGOONER says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:42

WHATEVER YOU SAID!!! BUT I AM ENOUGH LOOKING OUR “HOBBIT” PLAYER ARE BEING MUSCLED DOWN. BRING US SOMEONE BAD LIKE PATRICK VIEIRA!!

I THINK NIGEL de JONG WILL BE BEST FOR THAT!!

Reply to this comment »

MADGOONER says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:44

WHATEVER YOU SAID!!! BUT I AM ENOUGH LOOKING OUR “HOBBIT” PLAYERS ARE BEING MUSCLED DOWN. BRING US SOMEONE BAD LIKE PATRICK VIEIRA!!

I THINK NIGEL de JONG WILL BE BEST FOR THAT!!

Reply to this comment »

Chris says:

April 24, 2011 at 11:57

I fell in love wiv dis comment when you said “This Arsenal side is unpredictable and they are frustratingly inconsistence). Keown, i love u so much. You’ve really tried in this comment. Everything you said here is true. I just wish Wenger will hear you out. We love our Prof. so much, we don’t want him to leave, but all we want is just for him to sign players and discard the weak ones he has. Fabregas should be d first to leave. Nasri should stay, we love him more than fabregas.

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MADGOONER says:

April 24, 2011 at 12:23

Agree with that Bro!!

Sesni

Vermaleen (C) Koscielny

Eboue Djorou

De Jong Song

Arshavin Nasri

Chamakh
Van Persie

Reply to this comment »

tommy says:

April 24, 2011 at 13:21

While the DM position is a big problem, for me we need more potency up front on the left, some pace, power and consistency to add more balance to the team (esp if Arshavin is leaving).I’m sick of seeing Nasri played here, he’s not a natural winger. Someone like Ashley young would vastly improve our results in my opinion

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Harry says:

April 24, 2011 at 13:31

Calm bro.. Nasri is the best on his position right now, even though he is able to play somewhere in the midfield. Just remember on how Pires played. Actually, he never really played as pure winger right? That’s might be our friend MADGOONER wants to say..

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Hunter says:

April 25, 2011 at 21:15

The funny thing about the DM position is that Djourou was actually a DM when he first came to us. I would love to see him get a run in there again. He is a monster and can tackle which is more than can be said for the current midfield.

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Arsenal4Life says:

April 24, 2011 at 13:41

Buy: Cahill, M.Richards, Hulk!
Sell: Almunia, Squilachi, Eboue, Denilson, Rosicky and Bendtner!

Gk: Szczesny, Fabianski, Mannone
Rb: Sagna, M.Richards
LB: Clichy, Gibbs, Traore
CB: Vermarlen Cahill, Djourou, Koscielny, Bartley
CDM: Song, Frimpong
CM: Willshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Lansburry
CAM: Fabregas, Nasri, Willshere, Arshavin
RM/RW: Walcott, Nasri
LM/LW: Arshavin, Vela
CF: RVPersie, Hulk, Chamakh, Jay Emanuel-Thomas

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Hunter says:

April 25, 2011 at 21:21

Why do people keep putting Diaby in the squad for next season? He is absolutely awful and has 1 good game in every 15 or 20 he plays. I don’t want him anywhere near our squad next year.

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Norman says:

April 24, 2011 at 14:23

wenger can remain with arsenal, but with a different role of developing young players, i think he beyond doubt good at that. We need a winning coach with a bag of strategies plus a team leader who can command the team.I agree, Tim Cahil is one player we can buy in defense to partner Thomas Vermaelen, Djourou and Kos. I differ with some of you, i think we have a good midfield, but the truth is we dont have a tear away striker, the one who uses half chances and turn them into goals.The likes of Rooney, Drogba and even Hernandez.We lack that.Rob Van P can be a supporting striker, not a chief.

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Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 16:45

Sorry but that is utterly ridiculous. Van Persie is, statistically, better than Rooney, Drogba and Hernandez with 18 goals in 28 appearances. That record is phenomenal at this level.

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billp79 says:

April 24, 2011 at 15:57

Arsene knows what he is doing….he cannot force his players to perform on the pitch, but he is not stupid in managing what he has in terms of player selection…the problem is what he has to select from when players go out long term or are thrown into the mix in their first year(s)…obviously some of the 2nd string were given their last chance and have failed…this is critical when we play so many games….

That said;

With what we have available to stay and what we have available to sell we are in a very decent spot financially;

With the talk being around 30 million at his disposal (I know some figures are higher) and with the sale/ loan of;

Arshavan (too small and 30)
Rosicky (30 and off pace)
Eboue (do I realy have to explain?)
Almuia (Fab and Szczney are world class- there I said it)
Denilson (does not track defensively…)
Squilacci (over 30 and was a fill in anyway)
Mannone (too much in front of him)
Vela (not going to cut it and potential good $$$)
Traore (not PL material)
Eastman (bad timing with his age- loan))
Cruise bad timing with his age- loan?)
Bendtner

we can muster another 30-40 million for around 60 mil conservatively…
(I think Diaby has to recover a bit more but should be give a little more time- making the example out of Denilson should wake him up).

with that and the players that we have left nd the ones returning from injury (Vermarelan, Frimpong, JET and Ramsey) that affords us to buy 3 quality players and pay adjustments for the rest…(and maybe promoting Miquel)..

1 CB and
2 Def. Mids (that can also play across the field or CB for versatility and are good on the ball)
should do…coverage for Song and Sagna and defensive injuries, etc.

I would not replace RvP or Chamahk (who are approaching 30) just yet as we have some very good prospects coming up through the ranks…and they remain productive.

I think that all 3 players- Cesc, Gael and Samir will all sign….the reasons are comfortablity and playing time…like Wenger they are not stupid…like some of us fans are emtionally…on line.

We are close…yes I know…dumb mistakes have cost us…Its not youth, or lack of comitment….just dumb mistakes and other teams hitting us for fantastic strikes….chit happens…It does not make this side a poor one.

we only have an outside chance for the league title this year…next year it is ours for sure…and the next…I’ll keep on saying it.

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Alex Song's Hair says:

April 24, 2011 at 17:25

If you think Cesc’s ever gonna sign another contract with us you got another thing coming. Apparently Traore’s been getting better defensively, and Vela created a few chances against the spuds and has won west brom vital points in the last minute. We need a pacy striker 6′0+ that can dribble as well as finish and doesn’t get involved in too much build-up play nonsense and drop deep like Van Persie does as an alternative. Papa Demba Cisse from Freiburg we’ve been linked with and he has 20 in 28 for Freiburg in the Bundesliga which sounds quite impressive. Lansbury needs to be drafted in to the set-up. I wouldn’t mind a back-up RB, although we could probably get away with playing that Jenkinson lad if we’ve signed him.

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- Charlie says:
  
  April 24, 2011 at 18:11
  
  To be honest the way Cesc has played this season we’d be better off without him. Terrible again today against Bolton.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - kalle says:
    
    April 24, 2011 at 21:00
    
    I totally agree!! Wilshire showed more commitment and 10 times more desire….I wish had more players like him..;
    
    Reply to this comment »

Charlie says:

April 24, 2011 at 19:12

After watching the team lose their bottle at every crucial moment including today i just feel sick. Stayed up til 1am in China to watch that trash. Who are we kidding, there are 12 good players in the squad and i’m taking Djourou out of that to replace him with Ramsey. Now even those 12 have forgotten how to play. I’m leaving the “everything Wenger does is great” bandwagon and joining the “if he doesn’t make some major changes this summer he should leave gracefully” bandwagon. I hate to admit it but all those pundits who said that Arsenal need more experienced players were right all along. Fabregas is supposedly our captain, what a joke, the bloke put almost every pass astray and didn’t look interested in a crunch match. That’s not a captain in my book.

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tommy says:

April 24, 2011 at 20:25

Absolutely. Everyone can see it but Wenger. Problem is not even the transfer fees for experienced quality, but the wage structure will have to be broken–that’s why Toure and Adebayor left,and why Nasri hasn’t signed a new contract yet. Wenger will have to admit he needs experienced quality defenders and to get them he will have to pay higher wages. Otherwise we will continue to fall apart at this time of year like we have the last four seasons

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kalle says:

April 24, 2011 at 20:58

The problem is with wenger. The man has decades of experience as a football manager, surely he should known at the begining of the season who was good enough and who wasn’t. For the past few seasons we have been able to use the excuse that we have been hit with injuries to key players at crucial stages of the season..we have had our best squad for most of the season and yet again we have nothing to show for it!!! the 2011/2012 season should be wengers last if he doesn’t bring any players in and we win nothing. Fabregas was 100% right in his interview.

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enku says:

April 25, 2011 at 1:47

how are you anticipating things? This miser winger and his an able players are decieving the fans as if they can. Now a days the attainment of arsenal to third and forth position is only at the expense of the clubs influence (history). But the wingers are showing one pass ball and ascribe the achivement to their philosophy. Now everyone is aware of this. No player is in arsenal like the newly born chicharito of man chester united. If you can see them separately (eboye, diaby, chamak,denilson,rosisky,squlacci,jouru,clichy,…) they are not even fit to the premier league.

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callygooner says:

April 25, 2011 at 2:03

Look everyone has the right to an opinion until the facts say its crap. Lansbury is a sub at Norwich, and Vela is on the bench at WBA. As to Jay.E.T he’s failed to crack it at Cardiff. These guys are not on the radar screen if you want to challenge M.U

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phil aston says:

April 25, 2011 at 8:51

Lee Dixon stated that under George Graham the classic Arsenal back four used to do positional training without a ball for hours on end!! It is obvious that has gone out the window now but it needs to be reinstated in the close season regardless to who goes or stays.
All the talk on transfers is secondary if the current coaching and tactics are not good enough to succeed. If Pat Rice is considering retirement then thank him for his services and let him leave and either promote Steve Bould to number 2 and get him to drill the defence or bring in someone like Steve Clark ex-Chelski coach who worked with Mouriniho when Chelseas defence was watertight!

Back in 2003 Sir Alex realised he needed to bring in fresh ideas to prise the premier league title from us and he appointed Carlos Queiroz whos insight enabled United to change and win back the title.

Arsene, Make the changes neccasary to the coaching staff and the players, and just like Fergie DONT let sentiment get in the way!! Do this and the fans will support you, fail to do it and they will call for your head.

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Billson says:

April 25, 2011 at 13:18

Ideal summer activity

In: Gameiro + Hazard + Sakho(if vermaelen fails to recover)

Out: [1 of Bendtner/Chamakh] + rosicky + [ 1 of Diaby/Denilson] + Almunia

Also promoted to the bench, Id like [1 of Miquel/Bartley] & Ryo Miachi

More Game time for Ramsey & Gibbs and praying koscielny steps up!!

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Peters says:

April 25, 2011 at 18:24

I would say Wenger is still d best in what he does, if he stop being stubborn and can add 2-3 premiership experinced playes to his squad, we will begin to love him again.

Having said that, he needs to sell Fabregas ( he is no longer with us in d spirit), Denilson, Rosicky( dis is painful cos injury never allowed him reach his potentials), Alumunia, Squilaci, Vela, Bendtner(he appears not to want try hard), Clichy( feels so sometimes), He should leave Eboue though can be foolish sometimes but i think he is d only utility player at the club.

Bring in Phil Jones, FeLipe Melo/De jong, Cahil ( 4 his PM experience) and a striker that is 6″ tall and strong to play with VP.

We have quality on the bench and not have a bench for d sake of it.

I remain a Gooner 4 life……

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