Barca v Arsenal - Match Reaction

[Xhaka Can’t]

We had a circus tent full of chances but took them like clowns.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Couldn't even defend our Moral Cup.

[fakeyank]

Flamini was fantastic today

[adzzzbatch]

Shambles.

Still back to the old days of going out of two cups in the same week :bow:

[Globalgunner]

Lets do this again next year

[hobson's choice]

Well we have a genuine talent in Iwobi, how long till Wengs ruin him?

[adzzzbatch]

Lets do this again next year

You know it'll be exactly the same next year (that is if we haven't completely lost our shit and manage to hold on to a top 4 place)

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger out of his depth.

But some of the players at least put in a shift. Handicapped with the ludicrous strategy of allowing Barca time and space in midfield, hamstrung by zonal defending no matter what was happening on the pitch at any given time, and made impotent by a front line that couldn't score in a spastic's IQ test we never had much chance. But we still made chances.

I suppose that's what we have at Arsenal now. It's a result when we haven't been humiliated.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

FULL-TIME

Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (agg 5-1)
Posted at 21:36

All over in Barcelona. The holders cruise into the Champions League quarter-finals - anyone betting against them being stopped?

Arsenal fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

BBC making it up to protect our CL record. :cloud9:

[Niall_Quinn]

Lets do this again next year

I don't think we pay enough for the privilege.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well we have a genuine talent in Iwobi, how long till Wengs ruin him?

He doesn't play enough sideways passes for me. And he shoots when there are plenty of passes on. Don't rate him but he's young and could still master the Way of the Wenger.

[Master Splinter]

How many sitters can we miss at Everton?

I'm going for 457.

Welbz, Iwobi and Elneny have to start that game.

[Niall_Quinn]

How many sitters can we miss at Everton?

I'm going for 457.

Welbz, Iwobi and Elneny have to start that game.

We should rest them for the Emirates Cup.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

BBC making it up to protect our CL record. :cloud9:

I think it was trying to say we fail to make our first quarter final since 2010

[Marc Overmars]

So ends another futile CL campaign, we didn't have a prayer of going through when the draw was made. Given how the 2 legs panned out though, we might have had a chance if we weren't allergic to scoring goals.

Oh well, 9 games left, if we can be bothered to turn up for any of them that is.

[adzzzbatch]

How many sitters can we miss at Everton?

I'm going for 457.

Welbz, Iwobi and Elneny have to start that game.

How many will everton score with their only shots on target?

[Globalgunner]

Alexis sadly has joined a long line of world class players that Wenger has ruined, Reyes, Arshavin, Podolski, Now Alexis,

[Master Splinter]

How many will everton score with their only shots on target?

One shot on target = 1 Lukaku goal, 1 Barkley pubbed scuffed deflection, 1 Gabriel own goal.

[Gubby Allen]

Decent effort.

Oddly if they had all of our chances from this evening and we had theirs, they would have still won 3 or 4-1.

You need to be clinical and for 80 odd million, Sanchez and Ozil didn't offer much over either leg, although Sanchez was a little better this evening but were both out performed by a teenager on his debut and more concerning, rather predictably so.

[fakeyank]

Very impressed by Wengers management today.

[adzzzbatch]

So ends another futile CL campaign, we didn't have a prayer of going through when the draw was made. Given how the 2 legs panned out though, we might have had a chance if we weren't allergic to scoring goals.

Oh well, 9 games left, if we can be bothered to turn up for any of them that is.

I think barca get much more credit than they deserve, look over the two legs the chances and goals we gifted them, stupid mistakes, rank amateur defending and then look at our performance at the other end not being able hit a cow's arse with a banjo, things could and should've been different but in the end it was all too predictable, something that only arsenal know how to make things.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

5 defeats in the CL in 8 games. Impressive.

[adzzzbatch]

Alexis sadly has joined a long line of world class players that Wenger has ruined, Reyes, Arshavin, Podolski, Now Alexis,

50% Wenger's mismanagement 50% himself

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis sadly has joined a long line of world class players that Wenger has ruined, Reyes, Arshavin, Podolski, Now Alexis,

Players who have been at the top of the game elsewhere will have sussed Wenger out pretty quickly. It must be pretty demoralising to figure out your big London move has turned into the equivalent of a footballer's gap year.

[Letters]

Didn't see it. Predictable enough. I don't think we learned anything new tonight, did we?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Also, I'm not sure Iwobi did too much, not having a go at him, just a little unsure where the praise arises from.

[Master Splinter]

Also, I'm not sure Iwobi did too much, not having a go at him, just a little unsure where the praise arises from.

I think it's just that he's a better option than all the other under-performing morans at the moment.

[Niall_Quinn]

Also, I'm not sure Iwobi did too much, not having a go at him, just a little unsure where the praise arises from.

Fascination of seeing a player who knows which direction to play in. Also an Arsenal player with composure, a pleasant novelty. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[Niall_Quinn]

Didn't see it. Predictable enough. I don't think we learned anything new tonight, did we?

No, nothing for the fans to learn. But it was yet another opportunity for Wenger to get a clue. He won't.

[adzzzbatch]

Didn't see it. Predictable enough. I don't think we learned anything new tonight, did we?

New? No nothing. A few oldies though.

[Gubby Allen]

We need to focus everything on the league to qualify for the Champions League next season and then get through the group stage but then priority must be getting a top four place in the league next season to ensure that we qualify for the 2017/18 Champions League where we will need to make sure that we get out of the group's but then the focus must switch to making sure that we finish in the Top 4 above all else, to ensure that we qualify for the Champions League 2018/19 and then get through the group stage but the priority will have to be the league rather than the knockout stages, to ensure that we qualify for the Champions League 2019/20.

[fakeyank]

Didn't see it. Predictable enough. I don't think we learned anything new tonight, did we?

We did. Next year with proper signings, we will win the quadruple.

[Marc Overmars]

I think barca get much more credit than they deserve, look over the two legs the chances and goals we gifted them, stupid mistakes, rank amateur defending and then look at our performance at the other end not being able hit a cow's arse with a banjo, things could and should've been different but in the end it was all too predictable, something that only arsenal know how to make things.

Nah they deserve all their credit mate, they're a truly great side who should really become the first team to retain it. They know we're a pub team and didn't bother to get out of 3rd gear.

[Niall_Quinn]

We need to focus everything on the league to qualify for the Champions League next season and then get through the group stage but then priority must be getting a top four place in the league next season to ensure that we qualify for the 2017/18 Champions League where we will need to make sure that we get out of the group's but then the focus must switch to making sure that we finish in the Top 4 above all else, to ensure that we qualify for the Champions League 2018/19 and then get through the group stage but the priority will have to be the league rather than the knockout stages, to ensure that we qualify for the Champions League 2019/20.

I make that £120mill.

Niiiiiiiiice!

[Marc Overmars]

Also, I'm not sure Iwobi did too much, not having a go at him, just a little unsure where the praise arises from.

As I said the other day, you only need to look mildly competent right now to stand out in this team.

[Power n Glory]

Iwobi looked comfortable. It was a good CL debut for the kid but he really shouldn't have been making his debut for that sort of game. Cynical but I think Wenger just wanted to show off a little and pick up some sort of praise this evening by revealing another one of his many 'prodigies' on the world stage.

But a decent performance from the kid. Not bad at all.

Predictable result. Poor defending all night. Poor finishing.

[Gubby Allen]

I didn't mind the look of the side when it was picked. I like ElNeny, Ospina, Welbeck and Iwobi and all are in form compared to the others.

Flamini or Coquelin isn't much of a choice but the latter has been poor lately.

I'd start with this side against Everton but with Campbell instead of Ozil and to not be tempted to bring Walcott on, regardless of how much anyone says, "His pace may be useful"

[fakeyank]

IF we absolutely have to play Walcott, please let it be down the middle rather than on the flanks. He has barely put in 2.5 good performances on the flanks in his 10 years at Arsenal. Why the fuck will things be different now? Oh wait, the manager believes in doing the same thing over and over again, and expect different results. That makes sense.

[Marc Overmars]

IF we absolutely have to play Walcott, please let it be down the middle rather than on the flanks. He has barely put in 2.5 good performances on the flanks in his 10 years at Arsenal. Why the fuck will things be different now? Oh wait, the manager believes in doing the same thing over and over again, and expect different results. That makes sense.

He is shite up front, the guy is completely reliant on being able to run into space, space that is never available because of how we keep possession. Maybe in another team he would be utilised properly for the one trick pony that he is but we'll never get that from him here consistently. His most productive spells for us have always come from the right where he doesn't need to be involved in the build up play.

[Marc Overmars]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1917168_1187509031261942_6439319361762802708_n.jpg ?oh=bad1b62f8b059307e165efd74419c842&oe=57844A3C

[Kano]

Lets do this again next year

Don't think we'll get the privelige. Finish fourth and we'll get a stinker of a group next year. Might do better in Europa though.

[selassie]

Thought we played quite well considering we've been awful for a few months now. Same old flaws reared there head though, giving the ball away cheaply and comical finishing.

Like others have stated we were out the moment the draw was made.

[selassie]

Iwobi looked comfortable. It was a good CL debut for the kid but he really shouldn't have been making his debut for that sort of game. Cynical but I think Wenger just wanted to show off a little and pick up some sort of praise this evening by revealing another one of his many 'prodigies' on the world stage.

But a decent performance from the kid. Not bad at all.

Predictable result. Poor defending all night. Poor finishing.

Aye, think Iwobi has shown more composure than Theo & Ox in his few performances. I'd start him ahead of both of them. Last night was predictable, our finishing has become a major issue, one of many we now have in the team.

[AFC Leveller]

The truth of the matter is we are NOT a CL team, we belong in the Europa league where the level is lower. I can see us going far in the Europa next season tbh.

People wil say we played okay, which we did yesterday but Barcelona created abut 10 clear cut chances over the two legs and should have beaten us by more.

Wenger has to go now.

[Xhaka Can’t]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1917168_1187509031261942_6439319361762802708_n.jpg ?oh=bad1b62f8b059307e165efd74419c842&oe=57844A3C

:lol:

[Globalgunner]

Specialist in failure now says basically that we lost to a trio of aliens.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35828543

No we lost because we are managed by an idiot.

[Power n Glory]

Aye, think Iwobi has shown more composure than Theo & Ox in his few performances. I'd start him ahead of both of them. Last night was predictable, our finishing has become a major issue, one of many we now have in the team.

As they always do. I remember Theo looking like lightening in his first few games. Ox looked even better on his debut. But Iwobi is on form he should get some games ahead of them. But I think Campbell needs game time. He looks on the cusp of something good. He's been unlucky not to score but he had an assist in his last game. He has end product and is willing to defend. Wenger needs to trust him more and can't believe he didn't feature against Barca in either tie. Crazy.

[KSE Comedy Club]

So is it fair to say that Elmo was our best player last night?

[Power n Glory]

Elmo has been impressive.

[Marc Overmars]

Nice to have a normal and disciplined CM for a change. Elmo should start every game for the remainder of the season.

[GP]

Nice to have a normal and disciplined CM for a change. Elmo should start every game for the remainder of the season.

So should Iwobi.

[Power n Glory]

Disciplined, effective passing without the Hollywood crap, accurate and still manages to get shots on goal. Helps us control the midfield as he always comes looking for the ball from deep. Great positioning.

[Munchies]

Watched some of the AFTV vids this morning

The DT banner guy said Ozil stormed down the tunnel and didn't acknowledge any of the fans (only player who didn't)

Seems he's gone :(

[Niall_Quinn]

Ozil at Arsenal is like a complete waste of time if he's the whole picture rather than a piece of the puzzle. You buy Ozil. You follow up with Alexis and then you go out and splash £60mill on the striker. We bought flowers and dinner for two but forgot to have a girlfriend.

On a happier financial note, I reckon Ozil and Alexis are worth £60mill a piece in this inflationary market so we'll be turning a quick profit. Then we can buy a striker who won't be able to do it on his own. Been there before.

It's almost as if we have a complete idiot in charge of the transfer policy.

[Power n Glory]

Watched some of the AFTV vids this morning

The DT banner guy said Ozil stormed down the tunnel and didn't acknowledge any of the fans (only player who didn't)

Seems he's gone :(

Arseblog said the same.

Good riddance if that's the case. He doesn't turn up for the big games and if this is his best season for us and he can't up his game any further he's not what we need.

[Kano]

Watched some of the AFTV vids this morning

The DT banner guy said Ozil stormed down the tunnel and didn't acknowledge any of the fans (only player who didn't)

Seems he's gone :(

DT :lol: what an absolute prick

If Ozil wants to fuck off he can quite frankly. Too flaky, he's had his good season so he can go hide in another team elsewhere.

[Letters]

Ozil has created how many chances for us this season?
It's not his fault if the muppets in the middle can't finish them and if he's frustrated enough about that to leave then I wouldn't blame him one bit.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Ozil has created how many chances for us this season?
It's not his fault if the muppets in the middle can't finish them and if he's frustrated enough about that to leave then I wouldn't blame him one bit.

Totally agree

[Kano]

One good season out of three, constantly missing in the big games. Not worth the money, or the flakiness.

[IBK]

Didn't see the game so can't comment, but it seems like we created a bucket load of chances, but didn't finish, and we know we can't defend. Our woeful finishing encapsulates Wenger's outmoded approach to the game. Its as though he thinks that he turned Anelka; Henri; RVP into world class strikers, then the same will automatically apply to Giroud and Walcott. The same applies to the likes of Ljungberg; Pires and Vieira. Wenger seems to think that goals from midfield will do the necessary - yet teams are better organised and the way we play means that space for MF's to exploit goal wise is a rare thing - particularly for the 80% of teams who look to contain and hit us on the break. And at the same time playing the high line that he insists on doing and his rigid adherence to zonal defence looks dated and completely ineffective these days.

Its so frustrating that with a real class striker we might have won this game if not the tie - but this is Wenger all over - stubborn refusal to take relatively small steps to make us properly competetive - and I don't see it changing.

[IBK]

Ozil has created how many chances for us this season?
It's not his fault if the muppets in the middle can't finish them and if he's frustrated enough about that to leave then I wouldn't blame him one bit.

But on the other hand - its not all one way. We don't have the luxury of employing players - world class or not - who only ask what the club can do for them and not vice versa. We need world class talent that performs 100% in bad times as well as good. We have been dogged by players who are more interested in wanting away if things aren't going well - and this cycle is very damaging.

[Power n Glory]

Ozil has created how many chances for us this season?
It's not his fault if the muppets in the middle can't finish them and if he's frustrated enough about that to leave then I wouldn't blame him one bit.

The best attacking midfielders I remember would create chances and come up with the important goals. They’d have way more of an impact on the game besides creating chances. Zidane, Ballack, Sniejder, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Totti, Iniesta, Silva…..even Cesc….it’s a long list. Ozil doesn’t score enough goals and it’s not as if he’s creating quality chances where the striker of the ball hasn’t got much work to do. Cutting the ball back in a crowded box so someone can pop a shot off isn’t exactly a great chance created. Still requires a lot of work.

If he had pulled off that ball over the top Messi had or even the assist Campbell set up for Walcott the other day on a regular but we were fluffing our lines, fair enough. But he isn’t. I really can’t stand how often he’d choose to cut the ball back instead of dropping a shoulder and driving in on goal. Create a shooting opportunity for himself. All the best attacking midfielders have that ability and way more of a menace when on their best form. He doesn’t score enough for an attacking midfielder and doesn’t touch or spread the ball around enough to be an essential playmaking passer like Xavi and Pirlo. If this is the best he has to offer then I’m not really fussed. I’ve seen better players.

[Niall_Quinn]

But on the other hand - its not all one way. We don't have the luxury of employing players - world class or not - who only ask what the club can do for them and not vice versa. We need world class talent that performs 100% in bad times as well as good. We have been dogged by players who are more interested in wanting away if things aren't going well - and this cycle is very damaging.

Not that simple either. When you bring these players in it needs to be part of a bigger plan. You can't bring them in and say right, it's up to you to move us up a level. You don't sign Ozil and just get better. Instead, you get Lewandowski too. This ridiculous manager has Flamini and Ozil on the same pitch. His over reliance on individuals has always been a huge issue. Alexis carried him for a while. RvC before that. These types of players have stepped up, they have done their part but got fuck all in return except more weight for their troubles. Wenger and motivation go together like cunnilingus and herpes. When somebody gives, he takes and gives fuck all back. In every aspect of the team he leaves something incomplete, undone. He's lost his advantage in terms of spotting young talent and he hasn't got the balls to play in the transfer market with the big boys. So we are stuck in this frustrating in-between state. One step away from being mid-table, another step away from being able to compete. It doesn't help that our sugar daddy is a tight-fisted, miserly cunt of a bloke.

[Globalgunner]

The best attacking midfielders I remember would create chances and come up with the important goals. They’d have way more of an impact on the game besides creating chances. Zidane, Ballack, Sniejder, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Totti, Iniesta, Silva…..even Cesc….it’s a long list. Ozil doesn’t score enough goals and it’s not as if he’s creating quality chances where the striker of the ball hasn’t got much work to do. Cutting the ball back in a crowded box so someone can pop a shot off isn’t exactly a great chance created. Still requires a lot of work.

If he had pulled off that ball over the top Messi had or even the assist Campbell set up for Walcott the other day on a regular but we were fluffing our lines, fair enough. But he isn’t. I really can’t stand how often he’d choose to cut the ball back instead of dropping a shoulder and driving in on goal. Create a shooting opportunity for himself. All the best attacking midfielders have that ability and way more of a menace when on their best form. He doesn’t score enough for an attacking midfielder and doesn’t touch or spread the ball around enough to be an essential playmaking passer like Xavi and Pirlo. If this is the best he has to offer then I’m not really fussed. I’ve seen better players.

Dont worry , we wont miss him when hes gone. Wilshere will be back next season, just like a new signing. For 3 months of the season mind you.

Ozil is the least of our problems. He was never a goal scorer so why should we depend on his goal scoring now. Did we not know what he was before we bought him?. That like buying a Ferrari and complaining that its shit at the off road thing. Its a crap car, cant pass though a wet grass field FFS!.

[Bumble]

Thought we did ok although Barca won 3-1 without really even having to try or play properly. At least for about 10 minutes you thought if we could sneak another to go 2-1 Barca might panic. Then Suarez scored a player we could have bought had we not arsed around. Elmo does look decent not a world beater but someone who is consistent and good enough in the position he plays perhaps sign another defensive minded player alongside him a bit more powerful (Kante) . Welbeck did well again. I don't know what has happened to Sanchez though. Iwobi looked decent too.

We are out for another year and I am sure the same thing will happen this time next season as well because with our performances we will be the 2nd pot and drawn with Bayern, Real, Barca, PSG, Dortmund, Juve that level team. Basically Live.Die.Repeat.

[IBK]

Not that simple either. When you bring these players in it needs to be part of a bigger plan. You can't bring them in and say right, it's up to you to move us up a level. You don't sign Ozil and just get better. Instead, you get Lewandowski too. This ridiculous manager has Flamini and Ozil on the same pitch. His over reliance on individuals has always been a huge issue. Alexis carried him for a while. RvC before that. These types of players have stepped up, they have done their part but got fuck all in return except more weight for their troubles. Wenger and motivation go together like cunnilingus and herpes. When somebody gives, he takes and gives fuck all back. In every aspect of the team he leaves something incomplete, undone. He's lost his advantage in terms of spotting young talent and he hasn't got the balls to play in the transfer market with the big boys. So we are stuck in this frustrating in-between state. One step away from being mid-table, another step away from being able to compete. It doesn't help that our sugar daddy is a tight-fisted, miserly cunt of a bloke.

Don't disagree with that - but at the same time it does frustrate me that players' first instincts these days are to want away when things aren't going right for the team. Sure, Ozil has turned up this season. Sure - we all know that Wenger gambled with Giroud and Walcott, and this hasn't come off. But it's not a one-way street, and Ozil has gone missing in some key games...

[Niall_Quinn]

The best attacking midfielders I remember would create chances and come up with the important goals. They’d have way more of an impact on the game besides creating chances. Zidane, Ballack, Sniejder, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Totti, Iniesta, Silva…..even Cesc….it’s a long list. Ozil doesn’t score enough goals and it’s not as if he’s creating quality chances where the striker of the ball hasn’t got much work to do. Cutting the ball back in a crowded box so someone can pop a shot off isn’t exactly a great chance created. Still requires a lot of work.

If he had pulled off that ball over the top Messi had or even the assist Campbell set up for Walcott the other day on a regular but we were fluffing our lines, fair enough. But he isn’t. I really can’t stand how often he’d choose to cut the ball back instead of dropping a shoulder and driving in on goal. Create a shooting opportunity for himself. All the best attacking midfielders have that ability and way more of a menace when on their best form. He doesn’t score enough for an attacking midfielder and doesn’t touch or spread the ball around enough to be an essential playmaking passer like Xavi and Pirlo. If this is the best he has to offer then I’m not really fussed. I’ve seen better players.

There's no movement in our team. We're static. Slow. Fucked up little triangles, always finding the congestion, always dallying long enough or playing that extra pass sideways so the opposition can organise themselves at leisure. We create tight spaces, we engineer eye of the needle requirements, we make it twice as difficult as it needs to be. Wenger's system is fucked up beyond belief and it's killing all our players, not just Ozil but Alexis, Theo, Ramsey, all of them. Ozil often has to come and find the ball himself because the fuckers behind him won't move it on. It's as if possession is the only purpose, everything after that is a secondary concern or even unimportant. How many times do you see our players finally engineer a shooting opportunity and then opt to pass - again? That can't be what the player actually wants to do. That has to be some fucked up regime installed by he who shall not be named. When players join the team they look fresh and inventive. By the time Wengermort has weaved his magic they are confused, jaded, plodding imbeciles on the pitch. It's him. Forget about blaming the players. We spent season after season doing that but we've had so many players through the door now, so much talent, it's time to slam 100% of the blame where it belongs. He's fucking killing us. We can't even pass these days. Can't score a goal to save lives. Can't cross a ball. Can't defend. Won't press. A total shambles and we know why. It's as if the idiot has literally choreographed our football and players are compelled to pass to a spot on the pitch rather than directly to a team mate. The team mate in turn is expected to be on that spot, regardless of where the ball is. It's the only explanation that can explain our new found tendency to measure passes directly to the opposition or into a vacant space.

Get Owen Coyle in. Used to be a joke but now we need him before this gets worse.

[IBK]

There's no movement in our team. We're static. Slow. Fucked up little triangles, always finding the congestion, always dallying long enough or playing that extra pass sideways so the opposition can organise themselves at leisure. We create tight spaces, we engineer eye of the needle requirements, we make it twice as difficult as it needs to be. Wenger's system is fucked up beyond belief and it's killing all our players, not just Ozil but Alexis, Theo, Ramsey, all of them. Ozil often has to come and find the ball himself because the fuckers behind him won't move it on. It's as if possession is the only purpose, everything after that is a secondary concern or even unimportant. How many times do you see our players finally engineer a shooting opportunity and then opt to pass - again? That can't be what the player actually wants to do. That has to be some fucked up regime installed by he who shall not be named. When players join the team they look fresh and inventive. By the time Wengermort has weaved his magic they are confused, jaded, plodding imbeciles on the pitch. It's him. Forget about blaming the players. We spent season after season doing that but we've had so many players through the door now, so much talent, it's time to slam 100% of the blame where it belongs. He's fucking killing us. We can't even pass these days. Can't score a goal to save lives. Can't cross a ball. Can't defend. Won't press. A total shambles and we know why. It's as if the idiot has literally choreographed our football and players are compelled to pass to a spot on the pitch rather than directly to a team mate. The team mate in turn is expected to be on that spot, regardless of where the ball is. It's the only explanation that can explain our new found tendency to measure passes directly to the opposition or into a vacant space.

Get Owen Coyle in. Used to be a joke but now we need him before this gets worse.

Funny how this mirrors what's being said about LVG too...

[Niall_Quinn]

Don't disagree with that - but at the same time it does frustrate me that players' first instincts these days are to want away when things aren't going right for the team. Sure, Ozil has turned up this season. Sure - we all know that Wenger gambled with Giroud and Walcott, and this hasn't come off. But it's not a one-way street, and Ozil has gone missing in some key games...

Ozil is not the only guy who has gone missing. Far from it. It's not hard to go missing in a pit of quicksand, which is the best way to describe our game these days. Nobody can tell me Theo is really as bad as he appears right now. Or that Ox is genuinely that incompetent. Or Koscielny, a defender who was rapidly finding authority in this league, suddenly can't defend. And what about Alexis? What has been going on to make a guy so enthusiastic for the game appear as if he just doesn't want to be here? There has to be something catastrophic occurring behind the scenes. And that catastrophe has a name.

I'm not going to blame any of the players any more. It must be twice as frustrating for them, knowing in advance how the season is going to go and being powerless to prevent it because some fool has them tap dancing and striking balletic poses instead of playing football. Watching the emperor stroll around, buck naked, prattling on about his 4th place trophy.

Let's see how things are once he's gone. I'll bet anyone right now our football and results will be transformed once he fucks off out the door. That's if he hasn't destroyed everything beyond repair beforehand.

[Letters]

One good season out of three.
That's a complete myth. His stats over all 3 seasons are fantastic.

[Power n Glory]

Dont worry , we wont miss him when hes gone. Wilshere will be back next season, just like a new signing. For 3 months of the season mind you.

Ozil is the least of our problems. He was never a goal scorer so why should we depend on his goal scoring now. Did we not know what he was before we bought him?. That like buying a Ferrari and complaining that its shit at the off road thing. Its a crap car, cant pass though a wet grass field FFS!.

Because the best attacking midfielders in the world could come up with piece of magic to settle a close game. Be the deciding factor. A sublime pass or an unstoppable goal. I don't often see Ozil pull off a splitting pass that creates that sort of opportunity. Just look and compare the attacking midfielders that are at the top of their game today or those from the past.

Yes, we have a Ferrari. But it's like buying a Ferrari F50 and realising the older Ferrari F40 was a lot better. But scratch the car analogy because I've never driven those. :lol:

It's like buying a Samsung S6 and realising the Samsung S5 was better because they've removed a lot of features from the S6 like removable battery, memory card expansion....there. A better analogy. :lol:

Maybe we bought the wrong player for this team. I agree with that. He never was a goal scorer but to be up there with the Zidane's, Ronaldinho's, Iniesta.....he needs to put in more work. He's supposed to be a star man.

[Niall_Quinn]

Funny how this mirrors what's being said about LVG too...

Another dinosaur. But Utd will have him out the door the minute this season ends. There's the difference.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's a complete myth. His stats over all 3 seasons are fantastic.

Completely true. But the media says no. So completely false. The jury is still out on him. We have Flamini who can play there.

[Power n Glory]

There's no movement in our team. We're static. Slow. Fucked up little triangles, always finding the congestion, always dallying long enough or playing that extra pass sideways so the opposition can organise themselves at leisure. We create tight spaces, we engineer eye of the needle requirements, we make it twice as difficult as it needs to be. Wenger's system is fucked up beyond belief and it's killing all our players, not just Ozil but Alexis, Theo, Ramsey, all of them. Ozil often has to come and find the ball himself because the fuckers behind him won't move it on. It's as if possession is the only purpose, everything after that is a secondary concern or even unimportant. How many times do you see our players finally engineer a shooting opportunity and then opt to pass - again? That can't be what the player actually wants to do. That has to be some fucked up regime installed by he who shall not be named. When players join the team they look fresh and inventive. By the time Wengermort has weaved his magic they are confused, jaded, plodding imbeciles on the pitch. It's him. Forget about blaming the players. We spent season after season doing that but we've had so many players through the door now, so much talent, it's time to slam 100% of the blame where it belongs. He's fucking killing us. We can't even pass these days. Can't score a goal to save lives. Can't cross a ball. Can't defend. Won't press. A total shambles and we know why. It's as if the idiot has literally choreographed our football and players are compelled to pass to a spot on the pitch rather than directly to a team mate. The team mate in turn is expected to be on that spot, regardless of where the ball is. It's the only explanation that can explain our new found tendency to measure passes directly to the opposition or into a vacant space.

Get Owen Coyle in. Used to be a joke but now we need him before this gets worse.

The above bold point is Ozil in a nutshell. How many times have you seen him in the box and pass instead of shooting? When he did that rare bit of trickery to in the box against Watford but passed to Campbell, why didn't he hit try to whack it into the top roof from a tight angle? The greats usually have the audacity to try something spectacular. He plays it safe and calculated too often. Great dribbling ability but he won't attempt a take on in the box in fear out of losing it.

[Power n Glory]

That's a complete myth. His stats over all 3 seasons are fantastic.

What's the stats in the big games?

Wait - 5 goals and 9 assists is good for last season?

6 assists in the league and 4 goals

[Niall_Quinn]

What's the stats in the big games?

This is just illustrating my point. What you have been asking is why Ozil is not winning games for us. The answer is, because that's not his job. That's the job of the team, and we don't have one of those. Trying to single out our most productive player is not going to get us closer to the real problem (singular).

[Letters]

The best attacking midfielders I remember would create chances and come up with the important goals. They’d have way more of an impact on the game besides creating chances. Zidane, Ballack, Sniejder, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Totti, Iniesta, Silva…..even Cesc….it’s a long list. Ozil doesn’t score enough goals and it’s not as if he’s creating quality chances where the striker of the ball hasn’t got much work to do. Cutting the ball back in a crowded box so someone can pop a shot off isn’t exactly a great chance created. Still requires a lot of work.

If he had pulled off that ball over the top Messi had or even the assist Campbell set up for Walcott the other day on a regular but we were fluffing our lines, fair enough. But he isn’t. I really can’t stand how often he’d choose to cut the ball back instead of dropping a shoulder and driving in on goal. Create a shooting opportunity for himself. All the best attacking midfielders have that ability and way more of a menace when on their best form. He doesn’t score enough for an attacking midfielder and doesn’t touch or spread the ball around enough to be an essential playmaking passer like Xavi and Pirlo. If this is the best he has to offer then I’m not really fussed. I’ve seen better players.

Of course there are better players but that's not an argument.
A top striker would have filled their boots this season with the service Ozil has been provided. We don't have that many really top players but he's one of them.

[Marc Overmars]

Ozil's importance to this team now isn't just measured in assists. Without his competency on the ball I dread to think what this team would have produced this season, even at the best of times it's such a slog for us to construct decent passages of play.

Most importantly though, what kind of a message would it send out if we lost our marquee/game changing signing after only 3 seasons? It would set us back years.

I've criticised Ozil plenty of times in the past and I acknowledge there are issues about his consistency but he's not why we've flopped this season, far from it.

[Power n Glory]

This is just illustrating my point. What you have been asking is why Ozil is not winning games for us. The answer is, because that's not his job. That's the job of the team, and we don't have one of those. Trying to single out our most productive player is not going to get us closer to the real problem (singular).

Did Cesc not win us games? Zidane, Ballack, Iniesta, Ronaldinho not win games for club and country? When someone is being dubbed 'world class' and you pay a premium, it's not unfair to expect more from them. They are match winners. That doesn't absolve Wenger but it doesn't absolve the players either.

[Letters]

The Southampton game is a case in point. He made chance after chance in that game. No-one could put any of them in the net.
He's doing his bit, his frustration with those around him not doing theirs is understandable.

[Power n Glory]

Ozil's importance to this team now isn't just measured in assists. Without his competency on the ball I dread to think what this team would have produced this season, even at the best of times it's such a slog for us to construct decent passages of play.

Most importantly though, what kind of a message would it send out if we lost our marquee/game changing signing after only 3 seasons? It would set us back years.

I've criticised Ozil plenty of times in the past and I acknowledge there are issues about his consistency but he's not why we've flopped this season, far from it.

Ozil isn't the main problem. I just won't cry if he leaves the squad. Honestly, if we change managers he might not be an essential part to their plans. Losing marquee players isn't the big deal as it once was because we have the money to replace them.

I had no problem with Cazorla playing Ozil's role.

[Power n Glory]

The Southampton game is a case in point. He made chance after chance in that game. No-one could put any of them in the net.
He's doing his bit, his frustration with those around him not doing theirs is understandable.


The frustration is understandable but the best would do that plus attempt to score themselves if nobody else can.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Most importantly though, what kind of a message would it send out if we lost our marquee/game changing signing after only 3 seasons? It would set us back years.
.

That's my biggest concern as well.

It'll be a terrible signal to other World Class marquee players that we'd want to sign in the future if our first one was eager to leave after only 3 seasons here.


On another note, I honestly reckon if Wenger hadn't delayed on that Higuain deal a few years ago, we'd be sitting top of the table right now. Mind you, we may not have signed Ozil if we got Higuain.

[Marc Overmars]

http://talkingbaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Screen-Shot-2016-03-17-at-11.12.10.png

[Power n Glory]

Elneny :bow:

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/elneny-impresses-arsenals-finishing-doesnt-4-big-things-barcelona-3-1-arsenal


3. Elneny’s intelligence and composure impress

Bagging a goal in the 50th minute was nothing less than the new signing deserved

Making your Arsenal Champions League debut at the home of the European champions is no small task – and less still when it’s in the heart of the midfield – but Mohamed Elneny’s performance at the Camp Nou not only suggested he was comfortable with the stage, but also that he could excel on it.

The Egyptian was never afraid to accept possession in difficult areas, producing some lovely turns to wriggle away from multiple assailants and help his team out when they needed it most.

It wasn’t just his comfort on the ball that stood out, but what he did with it next: his passing frequently broke lines and allowed Arsenal to get on the front foot, while in shorter, quicker exchanges, his movement invited a return ball and created space for others.

Bagging a goal in the 50th minute was nothing less than the new signing deserved, and his first-time finish on the inside of his foot showed that his good technique extends to his shooting.

This was a hugely promising showing from the Arsenal man that would have impressed any Barcelona coach watching, and will provide hope that he can help the Premier League side to step up a level in the middle of the pitch in the near future.

[fakeyank]

http://talkingbaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Screen-Shot-2016-03-17-at-11.12.10.png

Elneny will be benched soon Inshahallah

[Letters]

Elneny will be benched soon InshahWenger
FYP

[KSE Comedy Club]

Elneny :bow:

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/elneny-impresses-arsenals-finishing-doesnt-4-big-things-barcelona-3-1-arsenal
He should have been first choice starting since we bought him in January.

[Bumble]

That's my biggest concern as well.

It'll be a terrible signal to other World Class marquee players that we'd want to sign in the future if our first one was eager to leave after only 3 seasons here.


On another note, I honestly reckon if Wenger hadn't delayed on that Higuain deal a few years ago, we'd be sitting top of the table right now. Mind you, we may not have signed Ozil if we got Higuain.
we should be sitting top of the table even with Higuain, we were top of the table only a couple of months ago.

the problem we have is that none of our midfield score goals with any regularity. Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Coq, Elmo etc none score that often. Even Sanchez, Walcott, Campbell, Chamberlain don't look like chipping in with 10 league goals this season and even with injuries that is really poor. I would be happy with Welbeck leading the line next season if we had goals being shared around.

[Globalgunner]

we should be sitting top of the table even with Higuain, we were top of the table only a couple of months ago.

the problem we have is that none of our midfield score goals with any regularity. Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Coq, Elmo etc none score that often. Even Sanchez, Walcott, Campbell, Chamberlain don't look like chipping in with 10 league goals this season and even with injuries that is really poor. I would be happy with Welbeck leading the line next season if we had goals being shared around.

How can you score goals when you never shoot from anywhere outside 2 ft from goal. Do people not look closely at our football. It is not at all conducive to scoring goals only to maintaining possession. when you have your main striker. Giroud constantly laying off the ball 4m from goal and players not having the intelligence to make runs through defernce without being caught offside. How will you ever score goals?. We made tons off fun of Lampard. How did he score all those goals?. Wenger thinks he has invented a new way to play footie. Sorry, its a shambles. New players will not solve that problem, not by a long shot

[Bumble]

How can you score goals when you never shoot from anywhere outside 2 ft from goal. Do people not look closely at our football. It is not at all conducive to scoring goals only to maintaining possession. when you have your main striker. Giroud constantly laying off the ball 4m from goal and players not having the intelligence to make runs through defernce without being caught offside. How will you ever score goals?. We made tons off fun of Lampard. How did he score all those goals?. Wenger thinks he has invented a new way to play footie. Sorry, its a shambles. New players will not solve that problem, not by a long shot

didn't we have 20 shots yesterday and missed the target or had most of them blocked. we need more composed finishers as it isn't just the striker missing all the chances.. everyone seems to be at it. and I don't even think we retain possession that well anyway... any sort of pressure on the player and there tends to be a mistake. Sanchez regularly cuts in only to lose the ball. Walcott couldn't trap a bag of cement. Maybe we just have too high expectations..... if ticket prices were reduced to championship level maybe we wouldn't complain as much.

[Marc Overmars]

How can you score goals when you never shoot from anywhere outside 2 ft from goal. Do people not look closely at our football. It is not at all conducive to scoring goals only to maintaining possession. when you have your main striker. Giroud constantly laying off the ball 4m from goal and players not having the intelligence to make runs through defernce without being caught offside. How will you ever score goals?. We made tons off fun of Lampard. How did he score all those goals?. Wenger thinks he has invented a new way to play footie. Sorry, its a shambles. New players will not solve that problem, not by a long shot

Everything has to be so methodical, no one does anything off the cuff anymore because their natural instincts have been altered. Once in a blue moon do we see a goal like Elmo's last night and I'm sure WUMger had a word with him about that after.

[Globalgunner]

Everything has to be so methodical, no one does anything off the cuff anymore because their natural instincts have been altered. Once in a blue moon do we see a goal like Elmo's last night and I'm sure WUMger had a word with him about that after.
Elmo, is new. Give him a pre-season with us and he will have learnt the errors of his ways

[Power n Glory]

He should have been first choice starting since we bought him in January.

Definitely. Seems to understand how to build from deep but still get into scoring positions. Something we've badly missed with Ramsey because he bypasses the building from deep part. Just bombs forward.

Credit to Wenger for the signing. £8m seems like a bargain. Was really impressed with him in the cup and thought he had anothee solid game yesterday.

[Globalgunner]

didn't we have 20 shots yesterday and missed the target or had most of them blocked. we need more composed finishers as it isn't just the striker missing all the chances.. everyone seems to be at it. and I don't even think we retain possession that well anyway... any sort of pressure on the player and there tends to be a mistake. Sanchez regularly cuts in only to lose the ball. Walcott couldn't trap a bag of cement. Maybe we just have too high expectations..... if ticket prices were reduced to championship level maybe we wouldn't complain as much.

The reason why they missed all those shots is simple. They dont do it in training. In training they are told to continously pass the ball until the optimum chance, 3ft from goal comes along. Thats why when we are desperate and need to score it hardly ever comes off. There is no confidence to shoot as it has been bred out of them. Van persie & Podolski were the last players to shoot with composure and instinct. We soon got rid of them.

[Maestro]

Arsenal FC haven't been seen on Twitter since before the game yesterday, good fucking idea. They have been taking a battering on their social media platforms lately

[Niall_Quinn]

didn't we have 20 shots yesterday and missed the target or had most of them blocked. we need more composed finishers as it isn't just the striker missing all the chances.. everyone seems to be at it. and I don't even think we retain possession that well anyway... any sort of pressure on the player and there tends to be a mistake. Sanchez regularly cuts in only to lose the ball. Walcott couldn't trap a bag of cement. Maybe we just have too high expectations..... if ticket prices were reduced to championship level maybe we wouldn't complain as much.

No, we shoot when we have run out of all other options. So take it as read it's not a genuine shooting opportunity when we let fly. When we get a genuine sight of goal we pass it sideways or backwards. This makes it much harder to win football matches. Wenger's tactics are essentially to make it very, very hard to win a football match. We compete against ourselves more than against the opponent.

Every team has fitter players now, prepared to run more, prepared to cover space and press as a unit. This has rendered Wenger's tip, tap, tip, tap, super secret system almost incidentally ineffective. I don't think the opposition has "sussed" us out as much as we are playing a system that has zero bearing on a game. If you tip tap around enough times you will lose the ball. 1 in a million the ball will ricochet just right and an amazing sequence of passing will end up in the net. This is used to reinforce the belief we know what we are doing on a pitch, but all it proves is statistics work.

We have Theo Walcott in the team and then play a short, slow game. We have Bif in the team and we keep him out of the box with his back to goal, congesting everything through the centre. Our wide men tear down the flanks and the check back, slow it down, pass it back, re-establish the triangle. Our defenders mark empty space and actually seek out opportunities to be double teamed, standing haplessly in the space between two opponents and the running backwards and forwards like a compliant dog.

I haven't a clue what Wenger is trying to achieve, or thinks he's trying to achieve. We've been doing this all season, expect on the odd occasion (like that first half against Utd) where suddenly the team can play. Suddenly we have pace. Suddenly we can pass. So it's not as if the players have forgotten how to play football. Most of the time they are trapped in a hellish system that doesn't give them a prayer. This would all change overnight if we changed the manager. I don't know what else would change, for better or worse, but our football would be a lot more effective.

[fakeyank]

FYP

I have seen this posted before.. but what is FYP? :unsure:

[adzzzbatch]

I have seen this posted before.. but what is FYP? :unsure:

Fixed Your Post.

[Power n Glory]

The reason why they missed all those shots is simple. They dont do it in training. In training they are told to continously pass the ball until the optimum chance, 3ft from goal comes along. Thats why when we are desperate and need to score it hardly ever comes off. There is no confidence to shoot as it has been bred out of them. Van persie & Podolski were the last players to shoot with composure and instinct. We soon got rid of them.

You say all this and mention Lampard but not too long ago said it's not Ozil's responsibility to score goals. He's the one player I can single out and say doesn't shoot enough or even attempt to get a shot on goal. Was just looking over his shot attempts over this month and it's like one shot a game if that. Also, I can't blame Wenger or the training on it because Wenger openly said he needs to score more goals.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2015/10/23/16602992/wenger-world-class-ozil-needs-to-score-more-goals


"A player of his calibre, you want him to add goals to his assists. He is world class

But he replies with this.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenals-mesut-ozil-i-dont-need-to-be-more-arrogant-in-front-of-goal-a3160496.html


"It doesn’t really matter if I’m scoring or assisting, as long as we win.

"I don’t think I will be doing myself any favours if I focus on scoring more, or becoming more arrogant in front of goal – and certainly not my teammates."

It flies in the face of what the boss is telling him we need and what a player of his calibre should be producing hence the comparison to other top attacking midfielders. Certain attacking midfielders you wouldn't want to give too much space to on the edge of the box. Ozil doesn't seem like much of threat there. Mark the runners and players in front him tightly and I don't see him punishing the opposition for giving him shooting space.

Plenty of other guilty parties for the lack of goals but I'm pointing out Ozil today. Unlike Giroud who can't create space for himself to shoot or guys like Welbeck, Campbell, Walcott and Sanchez who just seem to lack the composure, technique or finesse on certain occasions, Ozil is the one player that has Hleb/Chamakh syndrome when in on goal.

[Globalgunner]

You say all this and mention Lampard but not too long ago said it's not Ozil's responsibility to score goals. He's the one player I can single out and say doesn't shoot enough or even attempt to get a shot on goal. Was just looking over his shot attempts over this month and it's like one shot a game if that. Also, I can't blame Wenger or the training on it because Wenger openly said he needs to score more goals.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2015/10/23/16602992/wenger-world-class-ozil-needs-to-score-more-goals



But he replies with this.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenals-mesut-ozil-i-dont-need-to-be-more-arrogant-in-front-of-goal-a3160496.html
."

It flies in the face of what the boss is telling him we need and what a player of his calibre should be producing hence the comparison to other top attacking midfielders. Certain attacking midfielders you wouldn't want to give too much space to on the edge of the box. Ozil doesn't seem like much of threat there. Mark the runners and players in front him tightly and I don't see him punishing the opposition for giving him shooting space.

Plenty of other guilty parties for the lack of goals but I'm pointing out Ozil today. Unlike Giroud who can't create space for himself to shoot or guys like Welbeck, Campbell, Walcott and Sanchez who just seem to lack the composure, technique or finesse on certain occasions, Ozil is the one player that has Hleb/Chamakh syndrome when in on goal.

You are a bit like Letters in that you are fixed with winning the argument instead of making the case. Is Ozil a natural goalscorer, does he score goals for club and country?. Everywhere he has been before Arsenal, it was not his job to score goals . Now suddenly at Arsenal it is his job to carry this team, make the goals...and score them. Yesterdays game and our season was certainly not ruined bacuse of Ozil. He will be the first on the German team sheet and not to score goals. Coaches who know what they are doing dont want him scoring the goals. No matter what Wenger says. Any goal from him should be considered a bonus not a baseline. WTF are Giroud, Walnutt and Welbeck in the team for then?

[Kano]

LVIV, Ukraine, June 8 (Reuters) - Talented midfielder Mesut Ozil should be scoring more goals for Germany, coach Joachim Loew said on the eve of their Euro 2012 opener against Portugal on Saturday.

Ozil, who has scored eight goals in 33 internationals, is one of Germany's most creative players and has had a successful season with Real Madrid.

Loew, who said Ozil's technical skills had improved since he joined Real in 2010 and he was now a more mature and confident player, made it clear that the 23-year-old could be even better.

"There always things you can work on, improve as a player. I think he has played many games this season on a very consistent level ... I think he has the ability to become even more of a goal threat with his wonderful shot and skills.

"Overall, I think there is room for improvement in his goalscoring abilities," Loew told a news conference.
http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKL1E8H87CW20120608?irpc=932

[Power n Glory]

You are a bit like Letters in that you are fixed with winning the argument instead of making the case. Is Ozil a natural goalscorer, does he score goals for club and country?. Everywhere he has been before Arsenal, it was not his job to score goals . Now suddenly at Arsenal it is his job to carry this team, make the goals...and score them. Yesterdays game and our season was certainly not ruined bacuse of Ozil. He will be the first on the German team sheet and not to score goals. Coaches who know what they are doing dont want him scoring the goals. No matter what Wenger says. Any goal from him should be considered a bonus not a baseline. WTF are Giroud, Walnutt and Welbeck in the team for then?

:doh: You criticise the training and say we don't shoot enough, bring up Lampard as an example below but absolve Ozil of the blame even though he's a part of the problem.


How can you score goals when you never shoot from anywhere outside 2 ft from goal. Do people not look closely at our football. It is not at all conducive to scoring goals only to maintaining possession. when you have your main striker. Giroud constantly laying off the ball 4m from goal and players not having the intelligence to make runs through defernce without being caught offside. How will you ever score goals?. We made tons off fun of Lampard. How did he score all those goals?. Wenger thinks he has invented a new way to play footie. Sorry, its a shambles. New players will not solve that problem, not by a long shot

Isn't it part of an attacking midfielders job to score goals as well? It doesn't have to be a ton but Silva, Yaya Toure, Zidane, Ballack.....past present, they'd all come up with match winning goals when their teams were struggling.

Ozil said himself earlier in the season he needed to be more selfish and score goals in the summer. It's not all on him but he has to take responsibility for the lack of goals too. It's not just the strikers job to score them. Heck, maybe we have bought the wrong player which is why I won't lose sleep if he leaves.

[Power n Glory]

http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKL1E8H87CW20120608?irpc=932

So that's the German International coach as well as Wenger.

[Niall_Quinn]

Seriously? One player is being asked to hone his contribution in the middle of a sea of shite? There is so much more to be fixed as a priority. For one thing, how about our strikers scoring goals? Let's start there surely? This is a Wengerish argument. Missing a million other things so one aspect of one detail can be analysed to death as if it will make the slightest bit of difference.

[Globalgunner]

Its a typical Wengerite argument. We would much rather criticise and get rid of our World class players than our world class manager

[Power n Glory]

Seriously? One player is being asked to hone his contribution in the middle of a sea of shite? There is so much more to be fixed as a priority. For one thing, how about our strikers scoring goals? Let's start there surely? This is a Wengerish argument. Missing a million other things so one aspect of one detail can be analysed to death as if it will make the slightest bit of difference.

Every player is being asked to hone their skill. It's not enough that Ozil just passes the ball and it's a bit nuts for people to criticise Wenger for having this tippy tappy pass pass style but want to excuse Ozil who can obviously contribute more when it comes to shots on goal. Plus it's documented in the press that Wenger has said he needs to score more goals. We know the strikers are struggling but are you saying Ozil can't do anything more to help? That he's that robotic and rigid that he can't adjust his game?

[Power n Glory]

Its a typical Wengerite argument. We would much rather criticise and get rid of our World class players than our world class manager

Oh you are retard if you think I'm for Wenger staying. A Wengerite? You have got to be kidding me.

[Globalgunner]

Oh you are retard if you think I'm for Wenger staying. A Wengerite? You have got to be kidding me.

Well if your quoting Wenger to make your case, a man who talks tripe almost all the time and clearly knows not how to manage a top team, then what else can one deduce?

[Power n Glory]

Well if your quoting Wenger to make your case, a man who talks tripe almost all the time and clearly knows not how to manage a top team, then what else can one deduce?

If that's how your brain works then I can't help you.

[fakeyank]

If that's how your brain works then I can't help you.

:popcorn:

[Globalgunner]

If that's how your brain works then I can't help you.

says the man who thinks Walnutt is some super duper striker. Ok. Ill have to survive bereft of your insightful wisdom. Woe is me!!

[Mr. Lahey]

that is the only issue with ozil's game is his goal scoring. but let's not go on about it like it's even close to the biggest problem it the squad.

he's created enough to win a shit ton of matches but we have no reAL quality upfront and the tactics deployed by our captain shitacular don't help either.

we need a ST, CM/DM and a new CB in the summer . I like elneny a lot, tidy player but I think we either need to upgrade on him or if he's starting, get someone to play alongside him.

I have a feeling that Sanchez has checked out, I have nothing concrete but just watching his play and body language. I fear the same thing is happening to Ozil, they are being sucked into Wengers abyss - The Shit Abyss.

[Power n Glory]

that is the only issue with ozil's game is his goal scoring. but let's not go on about it like it's even close to the biggest problem it the squad.

he's created enough to win a shit ton of matches but we have no reAL quality upfront and the tactics deployed by our captain shitacular don't help either.

we need a ST, CM/DM and a new CB in the summer . I like elneny a lot, tidy player but I think we either need to upgrade on him or if he's starting, get someone to play alongside him.

I have a feeling that Sanchez has checked out, I have nothing concrete but just watching his play and body language. I fear the same thing is happening to Ozil, they are being sucked into Wengers abyss - The Shit Abyss.

The biggest problem is Wenger and the decision he made over the summer not to sign a striker. Since we can't solve the transfer problem now and it looks like Giroud is out of goals, we need others to step up on shooting duty. Ozil falls into that category but he's not the biggest problem.

In fact, the conversation started with Ozil's reaction to the defeat and people worrying about him leaving. Honesty, i'm beyond the point of worrying About players leaving. It's inevitable if Wenger stays on and Wenger out the door has to be first priority. The next manager may have other plans and may want to bring in his own players or build around a different type of player so I'm not really fussed about what happens with this current team.

[mastermind84]

Every player is being asked to hone their skill. It's not enough that Ozil just passes the ball and it's a bit nuts for people to criticise Wenger for having this tippy tappy pass pass style but want to excuse Ozil who can obviously contribute more when it comes to shots on goal. Plus it's documented in the press that Wenger has said he needs to score more goals. We know the strikers are struggling but are you saying Ozil can't do anything more to help? That he's that robotic and rigid that he can't adjust his game?
Özil needs to score more goals

But he is a player that should not be criticized for not adjusting his game. Alexis Sanchez is the biggest culprit for that he thinks he is a #10 when he is nowhere near good enough for the role and it gets into Ozil position.





Only positives were Elneny, but also Iwobi looking like a future star. That kid is special.

[mastermind84]

Ozil isn't the main problem. I just won't cry if he leaves the squad. Honestly, if we change managers he might not be an essential part to their plans. Losing marquee players isn't the big deal as it once was because we have the money to replace them.

I had no problem with Cazorla playing Ozil's role.
This is crazy.

Özil is so much better than Cazorla in that position that it's not worth computing.

If Özil had a competent goal scorers in front of him he would be running away with the POY awards and would be near 30 assists. He has been that great this season. Better than Mahrez, Vardy, and whomever else.

And losing a player like Sanchez is not a big deal. That guy is replaceable. Losing Özil is something else entirely. Real Madrid still have not replaced Özil.

Even after all these years some fans still don't appreciate what Özil does.

[Munchies]

Ozil would have 30 assists already this season if he didn't have Walcott/Giroud infront of him

[Niall_Quinn]

Ozil was supposed to be the start of a new era at the club. Forgetting for a moment the loss he'd be on the pitch, if our new era lasts all of 3 seasons and consists of 2 FA Cups culminating in our worst season ever under Wenger, we're done. Finished. Not that I think it will bother anyone at Arsenal.

Of course if we'd have moved the heavens to get Guardiola, well that would have changed everything. Just TRYING to get him would have changed everything.

[Munchies]

Just looked at the fixtures of ourselves and the Spuds

they have Pool/Chelsea/Stoke/Newcastle away and United at home left

Our hardest games are tomorrow, West Ham away and City away

Surely we can finish above them? Win our game in hand and we're 3 off.

[Munchies]

Ozil was supposed to be the start of a new era at the club. Forgetting for a moment the loss he'd be on the pitch, if our new era lasts all of 3 seasons and consists of 2 FA Cups culminating in our worst season ever under Wenger, we're done. Finished. Not that I think it will bother anyone at Arsenal.

Of course if we'd have moved the heavens to get Guardiola, well that would have changed everything. Just TRYING to get him would have changed everything.

:gp:

[Niall_Quinn]

Just looked at the fixtures of ourselves and the Spuds

they have Pool/Chelsea/Stoke/Newcastle away and United at home left

Our hardest games are tomorrow, West Ham away and City away

Surely we can finish above them? Win our game in hand and we're 3 off.

The spuds will choke, collapse and die. It's the only thing more certain in life than us doing the same.

[Power n Glory]

Özil needs to score more goals

But he is a player that should not be criticized for not adjusting his game. Alexis Sanchez is the biggest culprit for that he thinks he is a #10 when he is nowhere near good enough for the role and it gets into Ozil position.





Only positives were Elneny, but also Iwobi looking like a future star. That kid is special.

That's all it boils down to. Each player has to look at their own performances and see what more they can do to contribute in order push us over the line. That doesn't excuse Sanchez, Giroud and the rest but that also doens't excuse Ozil.

From my perspective, we criticise the players for passing too much and Ozil is one of the most unselfish players we have and I would like to see him have a go himself when we're really struggling to score. I know some will hate the comparison, but in Cesc's best seasons for us (07/08.) he scored 13 and had 22 assists. (09/10) 19 goals and 20 assists.

[Mr. Lahey]

The biggest problem is Wenger and the decision he made over the summer not to sign a striker. Since we can't solve the transfer problem now and it looks like Giroud is out of goals, we need others to step up on shooting duty. Ozil falls into that category but he's not the biggest problem.

In fact, the conversation started with Ozil's reaction to the defeat and people worrying about him leaving. Honesty, i'm beyond the point of worrying About players leaving. It's inevitable if Wenger stays on and Wenger out the door has to be first priority. The next manager may have other plans and may want to bring in his own players or build around a different type of player so I'm not really fussed about what happens with this current team.

Agreed, it was criminal that he did not add an outfield player and agree overall about ozil needing to score more.

The club needs to stop with this revolving door when it comes to our star players. Its creating such negative culture around our club, the way we are viewed across Europe, it needs to stop IMO if we want to be regarded as a European powerhouse. Cech, Sanchez, Ozil is a good start, we need to keep these players as they are the type of quality we need going forward.

[mastermind84]

That's all it boils down to. Each player has to look at their own performances and see what more they can do to contribute in order push us over the line. That doesn't excuse Sanchez, Giroud and the rest but that also doens't excuse Ozil.

From my perspective, we criticise the players for passing too much and Ozil is one of the most unselfish players we have and I would like to see him have a go himself when we're really struggling to score. I know some will hate the comparison, but in Cesc's best seasons for us (07/08.) he scored 13 and had 22 assists. (09/10) 19 goals and 20 assists.
the thing is, im not sure Ozil is actually passing too much.

Its not like Hleb where he refused to shoot. Ozil takes it when available. He needs to score more, but the expectation of Ozil has been met.

To say we would be the same with Santi Cazorla who flat out cannot shoot is a nonsensical statement.

Also, iirc you mentioned Iniesta earlier. Iniesta is even worse than Ozil in goal output. Ozil should score more, but thats like reason #200 as to why Arsenal are not successful this season whereas Alexis' play is easily top 5.

[Özim]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Arsene Wenger 'surprised' to be linked with striker

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35842214


Top player but at 34 probably not far from the end of his career, can't see this happening though.

[mastermind84]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35842214


Top player but at 34 probably not far from the end of his career, can't see this happening though.

he is a top player and will probably be great over next year or so.

Wont happen because Arsene does not think like that but it would be a great signing.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We should have got him in the summer - even on loan.

Would've been a game changer

[Niall_Quinn]

he is a top player and will probably be great over next year or so.

Wont happen because Arsene does not think like that but it would be a great signing.

He'd be pissed off within a month and he's not the sort of character who would put up with it. He's a showcase player, no way would he be up for the 4th place trophy and the Last 16 Cup. And the danger of him coming here to cruise through a final pay day would be too great. What would he want £250K+ per week?

[Özim]

He'd be pissed off within a month and he's not the sort of character who would put up with it. He's a showcase player, no way would he be up for the 4th place trophy and the Last 16 Cup. And the danger of him coming here to cruise through a final pay day would be too great. What would he want £250K+ per week?

He won't come here, don't think he'd have any interest in becoming a 4th place bottler, I agree he'd have enough in no time. He may tell a few people some home truths if he came though, wouldn't go down well though as most of these bottlers think they are the muts nuts thanks to Wenger.

[Power n Glory]

the thing is, im not sure Ozil is actually passing too much.

Its not like Hleb where he refused to shoot. Ozil takes it when available. He needs to score more, but the expectation of Ozil has been met.

To say we would be the same with Santi Cazorla who flat out cannot shoot is a nonsensical statement.

Also, iirc you mentioned Iniesta earlier. Iniesta is even worse than Ozil in goal output. Ozil should score more, but thats like reason #200 as to why Arsenal are not successful this season whereas Alexis' play is easily top 5.

If he needs to score more how has expectation been met?

Also, I didn't say we'd be the same with Cazorla. To be more precise, I'd have taken a top quality striker like Suarez over Ozil if it was one or the other. But that's another debate. Hindsight also.

But really no point in dragging this out. Ozil needs to score more goals. That's what we agree on.

[Power n Glory]

Agreed, it was criminal that he did not add an outfield player and agree overall about ozil needing to score more.

The club needs to stop with this revolving door when it comes to our star players. Its creating such negative culture around our club, the way we are viewed across Europe, it needs to stop IMO if we want to be regarded as a European powerhouse. Cech, Sanchez, Ozil is a good start, we need to keep these players as they are the type of quality we need going forward.

I'm so fed up with this team and season. For once I don't care who stays or goes just as long as we change manager. I don't think there is an essential player to this team because we have no identity. We're all over the place with our style of play and I'd rather just retain the players that want to be here at the club and win.

[mastermind84]

He'd be pissed off within a month and he's not the sort of character who would put up with it. He's a showcase player, no way would he be up for the 4th place trophy and the Last 16 Cup. And the danger of him coming here to cruise through a final pay day would be too great. What would he want £250K+ per week?
thats why you sign him. He would change the mentality in a way that Wenger knows he cannot. Guy is a HUGE character.


If he needs to score more how has expectation been met?

Also, I didn't say we'd be the same with Cazorla. To be more precise, I'd have taken a top quality striker like Suarez over Ozil if it was one or the other. But that's another debate. Hindsight also.

But really no point in dragging this out. Ozil needs to score more goals. That's what we agree on.
He needs to score more but thats #200 on the list of problems with this team