Pre Season Thread

[GP]

First game of Pre Season today.

Vs. Sydney FC at 11am.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Robbie Lyle has travelled over to Australia for this

Imagine going that far for a pre season tournament

[Marc Overmars]

Robbie Lyle has travelled over to Australia for this

Imagine going that far for a pre season tournament

I suppose with YouTube being his full time job now, he may as well have a jolly up at the same time.

[GP]

1-0

Slowtersacker

[Thierrymon]

All Arsenal so far. Reiss Nelson impressing. Kolasinac had some great touches too.

[Thierrymon]

Merts :doh: Good save from Cech, rebound hits the post.

[Thierrymon]

1-0 HT. Nelson the standout so far.

[Master Splinter]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/HoratioNelson1.jpg/250px-HoratioNelson1.jpg

[Thierrymon]

Pen to us.

[Thierrymon]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/HoratioNelson1.jpg/250px-HoratioNelson1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AXXh95t.jpg

Welbeck with a welshit pen. Shouldnt have been a pen.

[Power n Glory]

What's the line up and formation?

[Thierrymon]

2-0 lacazette.

[Thierrymon]

What's the line up and formation?

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/885422795181613056/photo/1

[Power n Glory]

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/885422795181613056/photo/1

:good: Weird choices.

[Thierrymon]

I hope Ox signs a new deal. Dudes got skills.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/885422795181613056/photo/1

Fake surely? Not even Wenger is that retarded. Besides, hasn't Willock left the club?

[Niall_Quinn]

This game is due to be played on Saturday. But we're already winning it 2-0?

That's amazing progress.

Wenger :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkKASyonUfg

[Niall_Quinn]

Danny and Theo :doh:

Let's just say they are "rusty".

There are 2 Willocks? Thought that crazy bastard Wenger had started a player who had been sold.

Also 2 Sydneys. No time travel required then.

Nelson looked sharp, for the highlights.

Nice finish by VHS.

[GP]

There are 3 Willocks actually.

Chris, who we just sold. Is shit.

Matthew, at Man Utd. Shit.

Joe, still with us. Really good.

[GP]

Danny and Theo :doh:

Let's just say they are "rusty".


Rusty sheriff's badges

[Niall_Quinn]

There are 3 Willocks actually.

Chris, who we just sold. Is shit.

Matthew, at Man Utd. Shit.

Joe, still with us. Really good.

A bunch of Willocks?

[GP]

Not on my watch.

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEw0ic5UwAANq6N.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We can call him The Ox, you can't, Arsenal.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lacazette. :bow:

Though bit of a scuffer effort.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif makes a complete mess of a volley and injured his ankle, perhaps.

Although it isn't an Arsenal game if he isn't down in pain at some point.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif header, straight at the keeper.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Bif header, straight at the keeper.

Which keeper?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

GIROUD!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

RAMSEY!!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

ELNENY!!! Deflected pubber.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Elneny combs one on to the bar.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

3-1. :lol:

Us.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

3-1 FT. We hit the woodwork two more times. :rolleyes:

[GP]

Our team to play @FCBayern: Cech, Bielik, Mertesacker, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

So now we've dispensed with the Antepodean amateur sides, finally playing proper teams I see

Another 5-1?

[Letters]

This whole pre-season tour is so shameless. Could they make it any more obvious that they're just going to places where they want to build fanbase so they can get more and more of that lovely money.

Football :rose:

[Thierrymon]

China doesnt know how to fill out a stadium like us Aussies.

China :pal:

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFGDyXGW0AANGPY.jpg

[Thierrymon]

Well Bayern are all over us...

[Thierrymon]

Niles gives away a pen. Didnt look like one to me.

[Thierrymon]

1-0 after 8 mins. 5-1 incoming?

[Thierrymon]

Great control by Welbeck, plays a perfect cross for Ozil to volley. Saved.

[Thierrymon]

Ref is treating this like it is the champions league final. Yellow card for Coq.

[Thierrymon]

We just got carved up. They have scored but it is wrongfully called offside. Should be 2-0.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

This whole pre-season tour is so shameless. Could they make it any more obvious that they're just going to places where they want to build fanbase so they can get more and more of that lovely money.

Football :rose:

I have absolutely no problem with clubs using pre seasons for financial reasons

As long as that money is being used for the benefit of the football club (transfers etc)

[Niall_Quinn]

Really low energy, low tempo, very pre-season typical. Don't think we'll learn too much from this.

[Niall_Quinn]

For instance, Bayern players going down and faking injury. Nothing to learn there.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Is Elneny playing CB?

[Niall_Quinn]

Was that a drinks break? Do they have a choice of drinks? Do they have to pre-order before kick-off? Are there any snacks? Would have been nice if a few chairs had been brought out rather than making everyone stand.

[Thierrymon]

He is.

[Niall_Quinn]

Horrendous from Lacazette.

[Letters]

I have absolutely no problem with clubs using pre seasons for financial reasons

As long as that money is being used for the benefit of the football club (transfers etc)

Meh. To me it just underlines that it's all big business now and all about the money, pre-season used to be about getting match fitness and bedding in new signings.

[Thierrymon]

What is the deal with Maintland-Niles' shorts? Ridiculous.

[Thierrymon]

These refs and linesman :lol: awful

[Niall_Quinn]

Niles gives that diving shit Ribery something real to cry about.

[Niall_Quinn]

elneny booked for being fouled.

[Niall_Quinn]

Even in a friendly, without Alexis and Ozil there's just nothing to us. Bar the kid Willock, who won't get a chance anyway, there's really nothing encouraging here.

[Niall_Quinn]

Mostly the kids playing now, so slightly more interesting to see if they can compete. This could well be our Europa team, or close to it.

[Power n Glory]

Kolasinac trending on Twitter for the wrong reasons. Sounds like he's had a poor game.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasinac trending on Twitter for the wrong reasons. Sounds like he's had a poor game.

He was ill.

[Niall_Quinn]

Iwobi!!!!

1-1

Nice goal too.

[GP]

IWOBI!!!

[GP]

https://streamable.com/sj25k

Great goal tbf

[Niall_Quinn]

FT 1-1

Kids did quite well in thats second half, even though Bayern sent a few kids of their own on.

[GP]

It goes to pelanties apparently.

[GP]

Arsenal win 3-2 on pels

[Niall_Quinn]

Arsenal win it 3-2 on pens.

Bayern :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

We sure showed them

[GP]

https://streamable.com/dnko8

Monreal can take a penalty :lol:

[Letters]

Wenger :bow:

How/why were any of you watching that by the way?!

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger :bow:

How/why were any of you watching that by the way?!

Pirate stream ESPN.

Personally, I was watching because I refuse to watch another game until Wenger goes.

[Letters]

You haven't quite got the hang of this "boycotting" thing.

[Dicks and chicks]

Wenger out.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Monreal!

What a fucking pel!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

How the fuck did we get away with that?.

Absolutely ripped to shreds

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We play Chelsea at 12:40. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mertesacker, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Bramall, Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette.

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro.

[Thierrymon]

Wenger giving Maitland Niles a lot of time in pre season. I havent really been impressed by him though.

[Thierrymon]

Well we have started shit. 3 minutes in and chelsea all over us.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Horrendous first touch from Bramall.

[Thierrymon]

Niles :doh: passes it straight to William putting him one on one. Should be 1-0 down.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Willian :haha:

What a miss.

[Niall_Quinn]

We are continuing with that ludicrous tactic of allowing acres on the flanks. Makes defending almost impossible if the wide man is any good. It's a mystery why Wenger can't see this.

[Thierrymon]

We are continuing with that ludicrous tactic of allowing acres on the flanks. Makes defending almost impossible if the wide man is any good. It's a mystery why Wenger can't see this.

Other teams that play three at the back dont seem to have this issue nearly as badly as we do. I wish our manager wasnt so tactically inept.

[Niall_Quinn]

Worrying signs we're using Lacazette in the Giroud role, back to goal, linking play. Which is completely pointless. If Wenger sees Lacazette as a pacy Giroud we've blown 52mill.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wake up Mesut.

[Niall_Quinn]

The pitch looks awful. WTF? Bidding 100 mill quid for every PL has-been but they can't afford a bit of grass?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ramsey rubberlegs.

[Niall_Quinn]

Awful from Ramsey. Had to go with the other foot.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ospina. :bow:

Pedro. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

No movement from Lacazette. Always coming back towards the ball. With a player like him you'd think he'd be off the minute we get possession. Surely he can't have been Wengerised this rapidly? Put it down to him finding his feet, but I hope this isn't what he has been instructed to do.

Ospina smashes some chav up. Shame.

[Niall_Quinn]

Pedro :haha:

Ospina first took him down with a punch, then he followed through with knees. Knocked him sparko.

[Gooner23]

Ospina is so dodgy.

Also what's with the Chinese medical team coming out in their hospital whites!

[Niall_Quinn]

Ospina is so dodgy.

Also what's with the Chinese medical team coming out in their hospital whites!

That's the organ appropriation unit.

[Niall_Quinn]

Refreshments break :haha:

Queerball

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Double save from Ospina to deny Willian and Moses.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Disallowed goal for Batshit :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Ospina saves twice.

Very illustrative how the chavs (or any normal team) can break through the middle using pace. We get the ball and slow it all down. That removes all options and leaves us with that plodding passing trying to break down a comfortable defence. Seasons of doing this now and Wenger still has to notice.

Chav goal disallowed. Clearly we're the inferior team here, mainly because we have NO tactics other than pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass...

[Thierrymon]

All over us. So much space for them as per usual.

[Niall_Quinn]

Chavs inject a bit of pace again and waste our defence. They should have scored there, but these PL players are of a very low standard.

[Thierrymon]

Willian scores. It has been coming.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Willian.

[Niall_Quinn]

chavs score - Willian.

Straight through the middle again. Bit of pace, bit of movement, simple really. Rapid movement towards the opposition goal. The thing we refuse to do. Lacazette will be a complete waste of money - because of Wenger.

[Thierrymon]

2-0. So easy. Brammal somehow manages to lose posession, they walk through our defense and a nice easy free shot for them.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-2 Batshit. :lol:

[Thierrymon]

We are in for another rough season if these past two games are anything to go by.

[Niall_Quinn]

2-0

This time down to our careless passing - which we have also been excellent at over the last few seasons.

ZERO indication here that Wenger has learned or changed a single thing.

[Niall_Quinn]

Should have been 3. We have fallen to pieces. 11 individuals out there with no team structure, no tactics, nothing. Just how Wenger likes it. He'll be pleased.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hit it first time there Ramsey, tight angle as it is.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger needs to be sacked at HT. How obvious does it need to be?

[Globalgunner]

Ne-erdowells led by an incompetent should not shock anyone with defeat to a good opposition. Its gonna be a long season chaps.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-2 HT. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

HT

A nothing performance, even for a friendly.

Wenger showing us again why he should have gone this summer. Defence all over the place, midfield ponderous and sideways, zero, zero, zero up front.

I really hope Lacazette is just off form because he looks very, very ordinary.

[Thierrymon]

We have the players to play a fast counter attacking game but it seems wenger drills it in our players to play slowly. It is why we need a player like giroud up front, because by the time we get the ball to the opponents area their whole team is back defending. Fucking painful to watch at times.

[Niall_Quinn]

We have the players to play a fast counter attacking game but it seems wenger drills it in our players to play slowly. It is why we need a player like giroud up front, because by the time we get the ball to the opponents area their whole team is back defending. Fucking painful to watch at times.

Wenger obviously believes, after all this time, that patient probing in an attempt to string together 793,292 moments of technical brilliance and walk the ball into the net is what will prevail over the course of the season. The evidence comprehensively disputes him, but that's probably because we haven't tried it for enough seasons yet.

[Niall_Quinn]

And here comes Giroud. Back to normal. Didn't work at all well in the last 3 seasons. Maybe it will work a treat this time around.

Bif not even on the teamsheet, Wenger wants him on anyway. Misprint on the teamsheet supposedly.

[Globalgunner]

We are having problems making subs. maybe Wenger wants to play 12 v 11

[Niall_Quinn]

Conte agrees to allow Bif on. Close call. We were almost denied the opportunity to witness the maestro in action. Coquelin, Kos, Elneny and Welbeck all on too.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kola on too.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bif makes a halfhearted attempt at it after a decent cross from Ramsey. Should have gone for the header but it's just so much effort.

[Globalgunner]

3-0
We are brilliant.

[Thierrymon]

3-0 already..

[Niall_Quinn]

3-0

That was embarrassing.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Okay, it's a friendly. But what we are seeing here is all the same old shit we've been suffering season after season. What the hell has Wenger been doing? Obviously he thinks we don't need to fix any of the huge problems we have. He must be happy with this shit. Maybe not the score, but I bet he's already dismissed all the warning signs as just a pre-season anomaly.

[Globalgunner]

Winning is not everything. Results are also not that important. What matters is continuity and out traditions. These are our core values and what we treasure mosr
BTW which idiot decided that Elneny can play CB?

[Niall_Quinn]

Winning is not everything. Results are also not that important. What matters is continuity and out traditions. These are our core values and what we treasure mosr
BTW which idiot decided that Elneny can play CB?

Just because we have not won the game does not mean we have lost it.

[Gooner23]

Nothing to fix. We've just been unlucky the last 14 years

[Niall_Quinn]

FK in dangerous position. Alexis to take it?

No, he's leaving.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref taking half an hour to organise the FK.

[Niall_Quinn]

Absolutely pathetic by Bif. Not even pubber standard.

Then Coq blazes it over.

[Gooner23]

Complete air shot from Ramsey :doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

So much unnecessary pressure being invited by our refusal to cover the flanks. It's quite incredible to watch.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bif :haha:

It's like watching a tortoise nosing the ball around. But in slow motion.

[Niall_Quinn]

Has Holding been dumped from Wenger's plans? I mean WHY the fuck are we playing Elneny at CB? We have loads of CBs. How does playing Elneny there help us prepare for the coming season. It's just fucking bizarre.

[Niall_Quinn]

Good wing play from Ox but our scorpion specialist is slumbering in the box.

[Globalgunner]

Has Holding been dumped from Wenger's plans? I mean WHY the fuck are we playing Elneny at CB? We have loads of CBs. How does playing Elneny there help us prepare for the coming season. It's just fucking bizarre.

Internal solutions, to problems that do not really exist.

[Niall_Quinn]

Now our striker is back in midfield playing one-twos.

There must be some method to this madness but I guess it's a secret known only to one man.

[Niall_Quinn]

3-0 down

Tip, tap...

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasanic will get around 38 red cards this coming season, I predict.

[Niall_Quinn]

Refreshment break!

[Niall_Quinn]

Again, the kids providing the entertainment, the first team providing the woe and dread for the coming season.

[Niall_Quinn]

3 mins extra time. Cruel.

[Niall_Quinn]

FT 3-0 chavs.

We can only pray that absolutely no aspect of that performance is repeated during the season.

Wenger showing again that he's out of ideas, without the slightest clue and probably unaware he needs a clue.

[Globalgunner]

Is this the Charity shield match?. If not then it should be....lets not be embarrassed by the same team twice in a fortnight

[Letters]

FT 3-0 chavs.

We can only pray that absolutely no aspect of that performance is repeated during the season.

Wenger showing again that he's out of ideas, without the slightest clue and probably unaware he needs a clue.

It's pre-season :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

It's pre-season :lol:

So what?

We have no tactics. Our fitness levels look shite (compared to an opponent from our own league). We continue to play players out of their natural positions. So what if this is a pre-season? These are all suddenly going to click into place when the season kicks off?

It's this sort of complacency that sees us sleepwalking into a new season and having our arses handed to us by teams that prepare properly.

[Letters]

So I never take results or performances in pre-season seriously. I don't believe there is any correlation between them and the subsequent season, especially now when these tours are merely thinly disguised marketing exercises to increase worldwide fanbase.

[Niall_Quinn]

I couldn't care less about their grubby money chasing either. But these are mostly the same players who will be stepping out to supposedly challenge for a title in a few weeks. And from what I can see, Wenger intends to do exactly what he's been doing before. Unless he has a plan up his sleeve he intended to reveal on the Friday we play Leicester, it's painfully, painfully obvious what he has in mind for the coming season and it's excruciating knowing in advance precisely how it will all work out.

But, of course, we've said this for countless seasons now. Why should this season be any different, in any way, no matter how minuscule?

I guess I'm still struggling to come to terms with the fact this useless fuck kept his job.

[Letters]

As I said, if I thought there was no chance that anything would be different then there would be no point watching. And I increasingly don't really, not just because of that. I guess we can only live in hope that Lacazette will make someone difference.
Not exactly relishing the prospect of the new season.

[Chippy]

Should have been 3. We have fallen to pieces. 11 individuals out there with no team structure, no tactics, nothing. Just how Wenger likes it. He'll be pleased.

11 individuals and a **** of a Manager. How much did we pay for Laccashite?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Name calling for a new signing? Stop that shit.

[Letters]

11 individuals and a **** of a Manager. How much did we pay for Laccashite?

What is wrong with you?

[Thierrymon]

I dont doubt that Laca is a great player but I am worried as to how he will fit in our slow play.

[Power n Glory]

Chip on his shoulder. ;)

It's early days. New signings have to settle in and players get back to fitness. But from what I heard, Lacazette had no service. I'm concerned about our midfield because it's the one area that looks like it's going to remain the same and I don't think we have the right balance with Xhaka, Ozil and Ramsey.

[Gooner23]

I agree.

Xhaka and Elneny always seemed the most balanced partnership but Wenger obviously doesn't rate Elneny.

I think he'll stick with Xhaka and Ramsey and that's really worrying as they leave us too open. Ramsey doesn't have the discipline and Xhaka isn't mobile enough to cover the space.

[Chippy]

What is wrong with you?

What do you mean? Did you watch the match v Chelsea?
I know it was a pre season friendly, However, the same dross and tactics were still there for all to see.

[Chippy]

[QUOTE=Delusions of Grandeur;4413035]Chip on his shoulder. ;)

Hmmmm, very amusing.

[Niall_Quinn]

"It's just pre-season", doesn't cut it any more.

Sure, when pre-season was a kickabout against Barnet in order to get match fitness levels up then there's a purpose there and nothing to draw beyond it.

But if the clubs now want to do big publicity, money spinning tours that trade fitness for air miles then the rules have changed. That performance against the chavs humiliated the club in front of a large audience. It was that bad, even if it was "just pre-season".

[Letters]

What do you mean? Did you watch the match v Chelsea?
I know it was a pre season friendly.
Do you? Really? Look at the team we put out, how many substitutes we made. No, I didn't watch it but I don't see pre-season results as performances as indicative of anything.
And calling our new signing (who scored on his debut, by the way) names? Before he's played a single competitive game for us. Behave...

[Power n Glory]

I agree.

Xhaka and Elneny always seemed the most balanced partnership but Wenger obviously doesn't rate Elneny.

I think he'll stick with Xhaka and Ramsey and that's really worrying as they leave us too open. Ramsey doesn't have the discipline and Xhaka isn't mobile enough to cover the space.

Hearing stories about us accepting a bid for Elneny and seeing him being played as CB instead of in the midfield is a worry. Can’t take too much away from preseason games but seeing that indicates he’s not part of Wenger’s plans in the middle.

Really not sold in Xhaka. We bought the wrong sort of player for our tactics. Also, if Ozil can’t find a way to assist Lacazette this season….

[Power n Glory]

[QUOTE=Delusions of Grandeur;4413035]Chip on his shoulder. ;)

Hmmmm, very amusing.


:hug:

[Power n Glory]

"It's just pre-season", doesn't cut it any more.

Sure, when pre-season was a kickabout against Barnet in order to get match fitness levels up then there's a purpose there and nothing to draw beyond it.

But if the clubs now want to do big publicity, money spinning tours that trade fitness for air miles then the rules have changed. That performance against the chavs humiliated the club in front of a large audience. It was that bad, even if it was "just pre-season".

That was the Chav's first pre season game. They looked very good.

[Letters]

If we looked very good would it seriously encourage people that we'll sweep all before us this season?

[GP]

Conveniently forgetting that we smashed Chelsea to bits at the end of May.

Since then we've strengthened the squad.

[Chippy]

[QUOTE=Chippy;4413044]


:hug:

:)

[Power n Glory]

If we looked very good would it seriously encourage people that we'll sweep all before us this season?

No. But nobody is looking at one pre season defeat and drawing such conclusions either.

[Letters]

No. But nobody is looking at one pre season defeat and drawing such conclusions either.

Aren't they?


11 individuals and a **** of a Manager. How much did we pay for Laccashite?

:shrug:

[Power n Glory]

Aren't they?



:shrug:

He's wrong to draw a quick conclusion about Lacazette but the rest about the manager and squad isn't based off one performance. It goes back to last season and seasons before. We have individual players and not a team that know their roles well.

[Letters]

He's wrong to draw a quick conclusion about Lacazette but the rest about the manager and squad isn't based off one performance. It goes back to last season and seasons before. We have individual players and not a team that know their roles well.

I basically agree with that point, but I'm not sure a pre-season game which was a very mixed team with lots of substitution really adds anything to whether next season will be any different.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I basically agree with that point, but I'm not sure a pre-season game which was a very mixed team with lots of substitution really adds anything to whether next season will be any different.

There's a difference between saying there's evidence things won't be any different and there's little to no evidence that things will be any different.

Saturday's game should be treated in respect of the latter statement. That and the Bayern Munich game provided very little by way of evidence that the same mistakes weren't going to be made again.

[Letters]

I guess that's true, but I'd rather reserve judgement till the season gets going and we see the full team and how they play together, or don't.

[Marc Overmars]

Laccashite.

Won't be the last time we hear that over the course of the next 12 months.

[Power n Glory]

I basically agree with that point, but I'm not sure a pre-season game which was a very mixed team with lots of substitution really adds anything to whether next season will be any different.

There are a few things it can tell you. Formation for starters. It looks like we’re sticking to 3 at the back to start the season at least. Who plays where also. When Monreal was getting picked to play CB during the season, it started off with him being picked to play there during the for preseason.

For me, so much hangs on the balance of our midfield. It’s going to be a real kick in the teeth if Wenger doesn’t add a better player in the mix now that we finally have a serious striker.

[Letters]

Laccashite.

Won't be the last time we hear that over the course of the next 12 months.

Every time he doesn't score, I imagine :rolleyes:

[GP]

Every time he doesn't score, I imagine :rolleyes:

The new Donkeybayor.

[Niall_Quinn]

Conveniently forgetting that we smashed Chelsea to bits at the end of May.

Since then we've strengthened the squad.

Not if we're losing Alexis. If that happens then the heart is ripped out of this squad. Whole pre-season, coming season hangs on that outcome. And then it moves into how we keep Alexis after next season, or, how we find the ludicrous amounts of money it will take to replace him should the inflation in this crazy market continue. What will it cost in 2018/19? 200 million for Lee Cattermole.

[Letters]

The new Donkeybayor.

Sell him, he's shit!

http://e0.365dm.com/17/07/16-9/20/alexandre-lacazette-lyon-top-scorers_3990746.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

If we looked very good would it seriously encourage people that we'll sweep all before us this season?

Only if they were fools.

Wouldn't it be nice to watch a pre-season schedule that seemed to be a bit more that money chasing though? It'd bee cool if we could see the first eleven start to take shape over the course of the matches, if it looked like our defence was at least clued up, if we were showing we'd corrected that sloppy passing, just a few basics that showed we were on the right track and building towards the start of the season.

All we saw was total randomness. It's hard to know what anyone at the club could have determined from the pre-season so far, other than watching a non-CB play in a CB role. But we already know all about Wenger and his square pegs/ round hole fetish.

Pre-season has been profitable in one respect and one respect only. Mind you, we're playing so many damn games perhaps it will all come together in the next couple of matches.

Whole things a joke anyway. Ronald McDonald was the honoured guest for the Utd match ver in the States. That's how low football has sunk.

[Letters]

Ronald McDonald was the honoured guest for the Utd match ver in the States. That's how low football has sunk.
:lol:

:ilt:

This is why I can't take any of it seriously. This isn't about building match fitness or bedding new players in. The whole thing now is about building fan base in far-flung corners of the world. Just another part of the big-business juggernaut which has long since run over the sport that football used to be.

[Niall_Quinn]

I guess that's true, but I'd rather reserve judgement till the season gets going and we see the full team and how they play together, or don't.

But you do that every season. Watch the same old shit unfold and then pick some future date until you make a judgement. And it seems fair on the surface. Yes, of course don't judge a coming season on the strength of the pre-season. That's reasonable. At any normal club.

This isn't a normal club. Watching the lack of options and the lack of ideas in that chav match was like meeting work colleagues on a Monday morning. You know what you're going to get all week long.

[GP]

:lol:

:ilt:

This is why I can't take any of it seriously. This isn't about building match fitness or bedding new players in. The whole thing now is about building fan base in far-flung corners of the world. Just another part of the big-business juggernaut which has long since run over the sport that football used to be.

https://twitter.com/utdxtra/status/889233220616818701

It's beyond parody now.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://twitter.com/utdxtra/status/889233220616818701

It's beyond parody now.

Are you sure that's not the new ref's kit? Highly appropriate if so.

[Letters]

But you do that every season. Watch the same old shit unfold and then pick some future date until you make a judgement. And it seems fair on the surface. Yes, of course don't judge a coming season on the strength of the pre-season. That's reasonable. At any normal club.

This isn't a normal club. Watching the lack of options and the lack of ideas in that chav match was like meeting work colleagues on a Monday morning. You know what you're going to get all week long.

The only other option though is to stop watching.
If you watch a TV series and you hate it then you stop watching it. The only point in continuing to watch is in the hope it will get better. If you don't have that hope then what's the point in continuing to watch?
Unless they hire different writers of course...

[Niall_Quinn]

The theory is Wenger can be outlasted and we'll still be here when he's gone.

Admittedly, this theory is starting to look shaky. The day I see him wheeled out on a trolley with a new contract pinned to his chest is the day I walk.

[Xhaka Can’t]

The only other option though is to stop watching.
If you watch a TV series and you hate it then you stop watching it. The only point in continuing to watch is in the hope it will get better. If you don't have that hope then what's the point in continuing to watch?
Unless they hire different writers of course...

Worked with Blackadder TBF.

[Xhaka Can’t]

The theory is Wenger can be outlasted and we'll still be here when he's gone.

Admittedly, this theory is starting to look shaky. The day I see him wheeled out on a trolley with a new contract pinned to his chest is the day I walk.

I think I'm very close to out the door.

The only thing to do with Arsenal that I have, is this forum.

[Letters]

:lol:

That's the cleverest post since the cleverest man in Clevertown was having a particularly clever day.

[Letters]

I think I'm very close to out the door.

The only thing to do with Arsenal that I have, is this forum.

Watched about 5 games last season, mostly in the FA Cup. Quite often I didn't know the result at all till I saw it on here or happened to stumble across it online somewhere.
Most of the time I had no real idea when or who we were playing week to week.
I can't completely detach from him, I did enjoy our Cup win. But my ennui is growing year on year and it's not just because of Wenger. It's a factor but it's mostly how football is going generally.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The theory is Wenger can be outlasted and we'll still be here when he's gone.

Admittedly, this theory is starting to look shaky. The day I see him wheeled out on a trolley with a new contract pinned to his chest is the day I walk.

We are essentially already a retirement home with one resident.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Watched about 5 games last season, mostly in the FA Cup. Quite often I didn't know the result at all till I saw it on here or happened to stumble across it online somewhere.
Most of the time I had no real idea when or who we were playing week to week.
I can't completely detach from him, I did enjoy our Cup win. But my ennui is growing year on year and it's not just because of Wenger. It's a factor but it's mostly how football is going generally.


I feel the same but I think Wenger is a much larger contributor to my apathy. Though I generally don't enjoy the sport as much as I did for quite a long time. Watching Borussia Dortmund and Monaco at their best have been welcome distractions as was Leicester City's title win. They are the involuntary movements on the cadaver of football.

[Marc Overmars]

I'll never be able to go cold turkey because following football is a monotonous habit, however I've done some serious checking out over the last few seasons. I just can't be bothered anymore in all honesty, far more important things going on in my life that I've become emotionally and financially invested in.

Wenger's never-ending reign has sapped the enjoyment from supporting the club and football as a whole is awash with too much money now. Maybe when I have kids the interest will return as it will be something we can share but right now I don't see a point in becoming so invested again.

At work last season Spurs and Chelsea fans constantly gave me shit but it was like water off a ducks back, most of the time I was just sitting there thinking how irrelevant to me their boasting was and how sad they actually were for thinking I gave a damn.

[Penguin]

We're losing interest because there's no hope for us. It's the same shit every season. if Wenger stepped down after the cup win there would be something to look forward to. It probably wouldn't be smooth sailing and it would still be an uphill struggle for us but at least something would be different.

Instead he's signed for another two years and we all know that's just another two years of mediocrity, boring football and embarrassments.

[Özim]

To say Wenger isn't a big reason for many fans turning their backs on the club is untrue, yes football is ridiculous these days, but with the right manager there's still enjoyment to be had, but with someone who saps all of the enjoyment out of watching the club in charge it's hard to have any enthusiasm at all, it's just one boring game after another, followed summer, where little really changes.

When things stay the same for so long, it all goes very stale and that's what happened to this club. I was more optimistic when we signed Lacazette, but now it seems it's all going the usual way again, days/weeks going by with nothing more than BS transfer rumours, some utterly ridiculous ones some people even choose to believe.

[selassie]

I feel the same but I think Wenger is a much larger contributor to my apathy. Though I generally don't enjoy the sport as much as I did for quite a long time. Watching Borussia Dortmund and Monaco at their best have been welcome distractions as was Leicester City's title win. They are the involuntary movements on the cadaver of football.

Yep, it's how I feel too. Wenger is definitely the main contributor to my apathy. I honestly don't care anymore, of course I get frustrated and want the best for Arsenal but I know things won't change under this current regime.

[Niall_Quinn]

'Elneny is a player who has a fantastic mentality and attitude, and his main target is to help the team. When he plays there, of course he does extremely well.
'I always felt that a good central midfielder can be a good centre back. With the fact of course that when you’re playing in the back four you have to be decisive in the challenges, you have a bit more flexibility in the middle of a back three. He can do that.'

Guy really is a joke. He's getting worse, if anything. Jamming players into the wrong positions, that's his absolute speciality.

[Power n Glory]

Guy really is a joke. He's getting worse, if anything. Jamming players into the wrong positions, that's his absolute speciality.

Wenger all over. If we’re taking a risk at CB, why not play Holding or Chambers in that role? Introducing Elneny as CB just pushes them further down the pecking order, stunting their growth and confidence whilst fucking over a perfectly fine CM unsuited for that position. We weaken ourselves in two areas. Elneny is probably the most well rounded CM we have available. We’re always going to have this problem with Wenger. He finds a way to weaken the team.

[Niall_Quinn]

Holding, Chambers, Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Jenkinson, Gibbs - what's it all about? Wenger gets these players, based on their potential, and then drags that potential down into a pit of mediocrity.

Kane, Alli, how come the spuds can get it right?