The "Arsene has damn well earned the right to stay and improve things himself" crowd has gone underground after that result.Originally Posted by Steppy
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The "Arsene has damn well earned the right to stay and improve things himself" crowd has gone underground after that result.
It was a wonderful performance by Liverpool this morning. Just lovely. And to see Sturridge score again--warmed my heart.
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News now that Keita is confirmed for Liverpool. But joining next summer (July 1st 2018)
Liverpool did look like they could beat anyone with ease, though under Klopp they have generally been quite good against the top sides (leaving for later the debate on whether Arsenal still is one). It's dropping points against the lower tier clubs that undid them last season, so it will be interesting to see if they've solved that issue. But either way a very, very impressive performance regardless of the Gunner's awfulness.
It's interesting to hear Wenger's comments and it's clear he doesn't really think it's his fault. Of course players play the games, not the manager. Those guys should not be absolved of guilt here, but when you have someone who has full control over everything at a club, how can it not be laid at his feet? These are his players, his tactics, and the atmosphere is one that he has created and fostered. You have seemingly no one committing to the club, with most of their top players seeking a way out or biding their time until their contracts expire and they can bail out. The level of effort from the opening whistle would be disgraceful from a youth side, much less a club with their history going to a storied ground like Anfield. Clearly the tactics chosen last week were woefully incorrect, which no doubt adds to the player's attitude of 'why bother?'. Losing 4-0 is bad, but everyone has off days and sometimes things go the other team's way no matter what you try. But this was a complete capitulation from the start, and the lack of effort and intensity from everyone was pathetic, though at this point I don't think it is surprising.
What I find most puzzling is the lack of personal responsibility shown by AW. Perhaps it's just a different perspective as an American, but if something like this happened in the NFL or NBA, you would see the coach stand up and take 100% of the responsibility himself. If the players weren't prepared, the strategy was wrong, whatever the issue, the public blame would be shouldered by the man in charge. It would be left to the fans and media to point out the player failures and determine how much of it was really the coach's fault. But Arsene has no problem throwing his players under the bus and doing his old "If some people feel as if I am the problem, then I am sorry that I am the problem" routine, as if we are supposed to feel sorry for the guy? I genuinely don't understand it but if he thinks that will turn around the attitude of his players, best of luck to him.
Good signing, happy about that, still need 2/3 for this season though
Hell of a lot of good that'll do us now. It's fine beating Arsenal silly, but if we can't hold solidly against counterattacking teams that sit on the edge of the box, we're still going to be fighting for a top six spot instead of the top spot. We need people who can do the easy things right.
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I think he actually shoulders less of the blame for this result. I can't point to more than one player out there in an Arsenal shirt who looked like he gave a damn. Ozil has been the magic disappearing man for years now, Alexis wants to leave and looked like it, Ramsey couldn't figure out if he was coming or going, Holding was clearly out of his depth, Welbeck continues to be Welbeck, Monreal isn't a center back, the big headline summer signing on the bench, Bellerin is one of the new breed of defenders who can't defend, and Ox was the only player who looked who he half cared about the result (and it's increasingly looking like he'll be at another London club come the next match). Not all of that is Wenger's fault. Some of it is, yes. But not all of it.
The team has lost the will to play. They look like a Mourinho team in year three. He does need to go, because the locker room has gone already.
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Agreed, still good to get this sorted now.
Lemar the latest rumour. Need a CB though, that I believe could make or break the season
Yes but my point is who brought in those players? Most clubs have a technical director or board making the decisions, so there can be some shared blame when things go this bad. But these are his guys, he's completely in charge of tactics, and if the team isn't prepared and motivated, it's on him. Who created the toxic environment last year with his 'will I stay or will I go?' nonsense, and who has the team in limbo with a two year deal that gives no real picture of what the long-term future of the club is? Of course everyone always says these are highly paid professionals and they shouldn't need anyone to motivate them. But teams don't run themselves and there's a reason why you have coaches and managers. Again, the players are to blame for their own performance, but the state of the club can't be blamed on anyone but the man making ALL the decisions.
We need two. If Sakho goes or stays and doesn't play, we need two. Lovren isn't good enough and Klavan is only a little better. That leaves us with one reliable CB, who could be injured at any time.
Read my latest IWL blog entry! An Ode To Rule Breaking
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