Arsenal fans reconsider after Wenger and Mourinho comments?

It seems to be an increasingly rare opinion among Arsenal fans, especially after the season we are having with a bigger than ever gap between us and the Premier League leaders and almost no chance of finishing in the top four, but for years there has been a theory that Arsene Wenger is taking the blame for the woes of the Arsenal team when the real fault lies with the people in charge of our club, such as Stan Kroenke and Ivan Gazidis.

A lot of the anger of Arsenal fans has been caused bu the transfer dealings where we have lagged behind our main rivals and you could argue that Wenger has been doing great things just to keep us in touch given this situation. Others will say that it is the manager to blame for the lack of signings or their quality and it is certain that more Gooners than ever want to see the back of the Frenchman.

Maybe we should reconsider, though, if we accept that our recent transfer addition from Manchester United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, has a point when he suggests, as reported by Metro, that our manager is better than the much lauded Jose Mourinho.

The Armenia international said, ‘When I heard I could swap Man United for Arsenal, I said, “Yes, I want to do that”, I didn’t think twice.

‘It’s important for me to play in an offensive team. I couldn’t have imagined a better start [providing three assists in his home debut against Everton].

‘I’d missed playing offensively. I joined Arsenal because Wenger wanted me, not because he wanted to replace Sanchez.

‘We are different players and characters, with different abilities and skills, so I’ll try my best to do everything for the club.’

Maybe this just shows that Mourinho is a feisty character who did not get on with this player, but we have seen a lot of this sort of thing and we have also heard a lot about how well Wenger’s players respect him. Add in the difference in transfer spending and wages between the two and perhaps Arsenal fans are forgetting just how good a manager Wenger really is and how much he has done for us a difficult situation.

Sam P.

59 Comments

  1. Sam you are a die hard Wenger fan, and although i disagree with you wholeheartedly, i admire your stance in the face of overwhelming opposition.
    An honest question to you is what or how much responsibility should Wenger take?
    Ivan brought in Sven, Raul, and Huss, as well as wanting Wenger out finally. What more do you want from him? Coach up our defense? Relay tactics to Wenger?
    Sheesh, we already have one sir chips, we don’t need another who goes along with Wenger when he has a plan, and go along with him even when he doesn’t.

    1. Wenger over paid for Xhaka and Mustafi and Chambers no one else.

      Wenger is responsible for this average squad alone, get him out.

      1. Look at OX, starting for pool Vs city is CL whilst we fight for a Mickey mouse cup.

        And pool arebossing it.

        Wenger out can’t coach talent

        1. It isnt that bad. Facts remains that 90% of the top players are in the club because of AW. Take it or leave it, ost coaches haven’t done enough based on the resources available to them. Mcity could end up with only PL and Carabao cup. Sorry Winning Europa cup isn’t Micky mouse cup…you only need to see the number and caliber of clubs chasing it now. And what’s wrong in being successful in Europe? What needs to change in the club Starts with policy,,,,,transfer policy , contracts managements policy and you can see what happens next. I beloved Wenger also needs to change but sorry he isn’t as bad as being maliciously portrayed. I am yet to see the trophies from Poch, Klopp, Kolhman, Padres, etc most of whom have had chances upon chances and as much opportunities as AW in the last 5aeasons but zero trophies,,,even the so called Mickey Mouse trophies. So much negativity on this platform. If we had changed coach a month ago, the headlines would have been reading “the new coach is a genius, he turned things around instantly”; “the players were not playing for Wenger anymore”; “the players now believe”; blah blah blah,.,,,sorry no new coach yet. You are still not allowed to make team selection at every match,….someone is still doing it and has done well in the last matches, he doesn’t need your advice or opinion to turn things around. Sorry Wenger aren’t going nowhere. You might as well start to look for a new club to support,

          1. I agree with you 100% ……..i think fans before starting criticism AW should ask the history or look the squad we’ve at last 20yrs and compare to others for every season

        2. Hate to say it but i fully agree with you, the ox is 10 times better since he joined the pool and he is still improving, he pass better, his shots to goal outside the big box has improved be tracks back and tackles, Wenger out please we need a younger coach with fresh ideas that will give the players a good kick up the behind.

  2. Liverpool are really taking the game to Man city! If it were Arsenal we would be discussing how many goals we will lose by. What a weak team we have become! Liverpool are tearing man city to shreds while we folded like tissue paper and let man cith have their way with us.

    1. Most teams go to Anfield & get stuffed…. City haven’t got a great record there..
      Yes we have become weak, but hopefully that will change soon….

    2. when was the last time Arsenal won a game that got all of football talking? Have to go back probably a decade. Liverpool are bossing it. Good for them.

      1. RSH,
        What a selective memory you have.
        Last years cup final when we were given no chance whatsoever against the premier league champions.
        We took them apart, blew them away and did it again in the community shield.
        That certainly ot the football world talking didn’t it.
        Eat Pie,
        Funny that Manure didn’t see it as a “mickey mouse cup”. They won it and qualified for the C.L.

        1. Who talks about FA Cup for more than a day? Anyone can win that trophy. It’s nice to win but it’s not one of the big ones.

        2. Arsenal being in QF/Semis of a major competition like UCL is way more important than winning the odd cup. An average Mourinho team won that trophy two seasons ago, and I’m pretty sure Wigan got relegated the season they won it. It’s a good trophy, and I’m happy to win it, but it’s hardly something everyone takes notice of. You think Bayern were scared of Arsenal after they heard were FA Cup winners? You think Atletico Madrid will be scared. Why do you think Arsenal fans fear facing them. it’s because they boss other teams in UCL and make it to finals. They are far more relevant.

          1. RSH
            Anyone can win the fa cup? Hope you choke on your words if Spuds win it this year.
            Funny, but I still remember feeling fantastic as I watched my club lift the trophy for a record seventh time, was you even there?
            Of course I remember going back and watching us beat Chelsea again in the community shield. So do over 30,000 other gooners, it was great, was you at this game?
            But of course it wasn’t a trophy, I didn’t say it was did I?
            I don’t care about Bayern or Atletico and what they think about our club.
            I want our club to go forward and be successful, but I do want others to appreciate what our club has/is achieving and stop them moving the goalpost to try and ridicule our history. The worst part of it all is that it’s our fans that are doing it.

  3. how can any arsenal fan watch 2 english teams in UCl quarter finals and not want Arsenal to desperately become good again and go in a different direction? Im so sick of top4 and obligatory UCL appearances. It’s frustrating that the fanbase was satisfied with mediocrity for such a long time and I am just praying Wenger gets the sack. Even if it takes a bit for us to get back to being our best the time to start is right now.Must be great to believe your team actually has a shot at winning UCL trophy. Good game so far.

    1. Everyone always used to take the p**s out of us for finishing 4th…. saying it’s not a trophy etc never happens to any of the other teams, just us!!

      1. because thats all we do. We were placeholders. Chelsea, City, United were all winning titles while we were just washing around waiting for the penny to drop and become the mediocre mess we are now. The state the club is in right now is not surprising even a little bit.

        Spurs celebrate top 4 because they have lower expectations. Liverpool celebrate top 4 because theyve been rebuilding for years and are starting to get to where they wanted to be. I don’t get the hate for being angry we get made fun of for being 4th. You do realize that is because we used to be good and had higher standards?

        1. Yes I know we were good & had higher standards…. it’s not going to be like this forever you know! I believe we will be good again… we will be as good as we used to be, maybe even better

          1. Sue,
            Your right on both counts.
            RSH makes the ridiculous statement about the Spuds expectations,
            Then quotes Liverpool celebrating top 4 because they have been rebuilding. When did they last win anything?
            We have been in the C.L. every year this century and in top four until last year.
            The club was ridiculed because these facts were not trophies and when we won the FAcup it was decided that was no good either.
            We all know change is needed and it will happen, but don’t keep moving the goalposts to belittle what our club has achieved.

            1. Yes, Liverpool have been rebuilding and we have not been. We’ve just been existing and getting worse. Spurs and Liverpool are not the same club and they do have vastly different standards. And you think a few Fa Cups make Arsenal bigger than Liverpool you’re crazy and this is exactly the reason AW has stayed so long. You keep lowering the goal post for Arsenal.

              1. RSH,
                So a new stadium is not rebuilding?
                Tell me how you know what Spurs standards are please?
                I didn’t say a “few” Fa cup wins made Arsenal a bigger club than Liverpool, you just made that up as you did when saying clubs have different standards. HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT?
                Just making things up to support your argument is crazy.
                So , if Spuds win the fa cup this season are you going to tell them it doesn’t count. If they qualify for the C.L. twenty years in a row does that not count?
                I tell you one thing is for sure, their supporters have stuck by their club through all the years of seeing us as their betters. How they must be laughing at us know when they see infighting going on with our supporters. Perhaps you should look at them when you talk about standards. The same goes for Liverpool. Eight years without even that stupid fa cup, but the fans stayed with them. No moving of goalposts by me, ready for the change and just enjoying what our club has achieved, wanting more, but not dismissing what we have achieved.

                1. the standards of EPL teams are pretty obvious and if you think Liverpool dont have higher standards than Spurs then i dont know what to tell you. They are the ones who are used to European success and winning while spurs are not. And now you are making stuff up by saying I say things don’t count. I’m simply saying they are not the same pedigree of winning UCL/EPL which should be obvious but is not. Defend Wengers record all you like but it’s merely been passable these past few years.

                2. Ken1945 is a true Arsenal fan and I doff my hat for you …for your facts and for your faithfulness.

            2. And you’ve said nothing about United/City/Chelsea. Wonder why? Competing with them is the goals that Arsenal shouldve been after for a while. Instead FA Cups and 4th place finishes have been papering over the cracks for years and keeping fanbase satisfied while Liverpool get Klopp, play great football, and Spurs overtake us in our precious top 4 spot.

              1. RSH,
                Saw this after my last comment:
                So, what have Spurs won while we have been papering over the cracks?
                NOTHING
                What have Liverpool won whilst papering over the cracks and under Klopp?
                NOTHING
                What have United won during the period we won three fa cups? ONE
                What have City won during this period?Champions and League Cup and we beat them in the cup semi final remember?
                What have Chelsea won during this periood? Champions who were completely outplayed by us at Wembley last year.
                You seem to completely miss my point that we need change, but you are just wiping out the clubs history in your effort to make a point. THAT is moving the goalposts!

                1. Ken it’s a good point however, we criticise other fans for history lessons for example UTD and Liverpool have won more top trophies than we have. But again it’s history so let’s talk about now

                  We are 6th no where near top 4 never mind the league

                  1. John0711,
                    I am happy to talk about today, as long as the past is not re-written to damage our history and those that made it.
                    There is no doubt in my mind that the club has to change to try andcompete with the “big boys” and their endless supply of money.
                    A new manager will be coming in on May 18th we are told, but it could be another season.
                    I hope Arsene wins the Europa cup and can then resign on a high.
                    It then remains for Kronke to step up and give the money to the new man.
                    The board and players also need to accept their part in all of this and support the new man.
                    I am proud of this club and what Wenger has achieved. I will defend his record and thank him for all he has achieved.
                    I am not a AKB or WOB or a spud supporter, I am an Arsenal man.
                    This season has been a disaster and the sooner we move on the better.

  4. its wenger fault how the team play.
    wenger brought xhaka.
    wenger didn’t bring dmf and cf for many seasons no matter how bad we need them.
    wenger sell chamberlain and walcott leaving us with no wide players, and never bring a replacement.
    wenger management lead to many humilating defeats****.
    wenger still plays mesut in wide position (he doesn’t learn).
    wenger brought (chamakh,kallestrom,denilson,bendtner amd many more average players)
    wenger is the problem and its painful that some fans are blinded from the reality

    1. It’s not going to be like this for much longer… things are going to change (for the good) keep the faith!

  5. On Ox I’m gutted but happy for him.
    Liverpool against arsenal = better manager, better players around ox, better atmosphere in the stadium, ie better team.
    Klopp makes players ie Ox and Robertson, Wenger if the players let him ruin them.

    1. And yet Wenger made Thiery Henry, fabregas, van Persie etc . Ofcuse we need change,the club hasn’t been in a good shape for a while now, we all know that. Wenger has made past mistakes and it has caused the club but then again He has also made initiatives that has improved the club. We all need change but change will come, it’s a gradual process so instead of us fans crucifing Him let’s just get behind Him to finish what He has left for the club and pay Him the respect that He deserves after all we are all hoping for the best but hope comes not from the future but it comes from referring to the past.

  6. Durand Old Friend,
    Gazidis has been Wengers right hand man for nine years, so who do you explain the previous eight?
    Raul Sven and Hussy are great aquisitions to the club, no problem there.
    BUT, I have to ask you why they did not address the two areas Wenger has taken most stick for, a CD and CDM?
    They ended up paying exactly the amount they were quoted at the start of the January transfer window for Abue, but spent all of it trying to get a knockdown price. Shades of Griezmann perhaps?
    Mkh has explained the reasoning behind him joining Arsenal and it wasn’t the four mentioned above, it was Arsene Wenger and this player has won “player of the month” twice in a row, so he is no mean player is he?
    Suddenly Ivan has become the terrible anti Weger board member, where was this knight in shining armour before?

    1. Ken old friend
      Arsene Wenger Nov.29 2017 ESPN Article
      “Ivan is not involved in buying players.”
      It may even be title of article, unless Wenger is lying.

      I explain previous 8 years as total power by Wenger, Rember sir chips famous quote? How they ( the board) go along with Wenger when he has a plan and even when he doesn’t? Recent hirings, (like a “dof” Wenger mocked) show responsibilities are being placed in new people, Ivan in Germany shows he is as well. Finally for whatever reason ( I don’t know) he’s acting like a CEO. Josh Kronke in town maybe?

      As for Auba, Giroud said they (Dortmund) wanted him and offered more money than Chelsea, plus he didn’t want to leave London. So Arsenal had to pay more, sell Giroud because Dortmund wanted a player in return, hence Mb from Chelsea. Once that done, Auba came quick, right?
      But you knew that, or should have at least before talking about Auba deal.

      As for CD CDM, you asking me a rhetorical question? I don’t know, only a few do probably.
      Maybe they leaving that decision to next manager possibly?

      Mkh? When have i singled out mkh about anything?
      We have better debates when we stick to topic or statements we made.

      1. Durand,
        A lot to cover here, but I’ll be brief.
        Myk was mentioned in the article, if you read it you will see why I mentioned him.
        CB/CMD: I was just observing the first little hitch from the dream team.
        Abue deal: Giroud wanted Chelsea, Abue wanted Arsenal, Dortmund wanted Mb,
        the delay? Ivan made many lower bids until he had to cough up. Could this have been why Griezmann, who Wenger wanted but despite his “total power”, missed out on the player? Someone wouldn’t pay the money? Wonder who?

        1. Ivan wasn’t involved in buying players before november 2017 according to Arsene Wenger.
          Therefore if he is telling the truth why do you blame Ivan?
          Or secondly, he’s covering for the club, therefore lying.
          So you tell me about Greizman deal then, which of the above is it?

  7. If only we had a 10th of the Anfield volume at the Emirates!
    Annoying me though that not one pundit has mentioned the impact it may and probably had on the bus ride in to the players in blue.
    That then followed into the arena with the hostility everytime they had the ball.

  8. What a daft article, trying to argue that black is white. About what I would expect from Sam P, Wengers almost alone hero worshipper!

  9. Sam P reminds me of Jeremy Corbyn leading the Conservative party and yet expecting Conservative voters to agree with him. Sam P is a desert among an oasis of realists , where Wenger is concerned. Yet we mustn’t call him deluded apparently as that’s not nice. And yet, he is allowed to constantly insult us and our intelligence by penning puerile junk like this article. Sam P, I say you are deliberately trying to wind up your readers and to force us to leave . If we do, you 3 or 4 Wenger lovers will have this empty site all to yourselves, which is clearly your aim. You must have learned these tactics well from Wenger himself. He empties stadiums; you will empty this site of sense.

    1. Jon you wind up readers on a regular basis. Can’t you listen to anyone else’s opinion without taking umbrage?

      1. It is Sam P writing such arrant nonsense, which he knows the overwhelming majority of us regard as nonsense, who is doing the winding up , Mr Admin. You being someone who agrees with him, obviously have no conception at all of how hurtful this sort of twaddle is to people who truly want our club to progess.

        1. So anyone who disagrees with you is talking twaddle? What is the point of this website if only one opinion matters?

    2. Jon fox let me be clear: i am not insulting you but just stating the facts:
      considering your comments on here its impossible to not conclude that you are arrogant disrespectful, not very intelligent and overall not such a good human being if you cant even discuss without insulting each and everybody while you always mention “how you have such a superb insight, grammatical prowess, that you would never abuse anybody and that you are very old..” well i dont know why you always mention that you are old :/ maybe you have some inferiority complex? but let me give you some advice.. dont be such a hateful person,be less arrogant, try to understand other opinions amd if you cant do it, dont insult them and if they insult you back dont preach from your high horse..
      and…
      please just stop it with those embarrassing capital letters.. thats just childish

  10. Liverpool, Spurs, City, United make us look very very average

    We are actually closer to Burnley in quality than to them. We are closer to Burnley on the table than to Chelsea.

    Wenger overpaid for Xhaka, Mustafi, Chambers. Alexis, Aubameyang, Ozil, Lacazette were all the right price. Kolsanic and Holding were good deals. But we have loads of very average players ie Iwobi, Welbeck., Eleny. This year even Bellerin has looked average. Our defense is lacking big time. And central midfield has no strength or creativity

    We also got rid of our best squad player in Oxlade who was starting matches before he left. We got rid of Theo without a replacement. Both are better than Iwobi and Welbeck.

    Wenger has made us weaker and weaker.
    Enough is enough

    1. Innit,
      Just a couple of points before I depart down south for the match:
      we didn’t get rid of the Ox. He was offered a new contract but decided he wanted to go to Liverpool. A decision had to be made before his contract ran out His choice not Wengers.
      Did Walcott deserve to stay? It seemed everyone on here wanted him out.
      What position in the team would you play him in with our current squad?

      1. @Ken spot on . I am sure some deluded fans would think Ox would have been the Messiah if he had stayed forgetting the pains we all went through through based on his inconsistency. Don’t tell me he scored agains ManCity in CL game because i will ask you how many goals has he scored based on the loads of playing time at Liverpool. I will remind you he also scored pocket of big game goals for us (remember is loan strike against Chelsea at a recent Community shield ). So it’s nothing new fellas. Though he started to play good.l,yet he wasn’t consistent, he wanted out ;we sold him,,,,let’s move on. Afterall, both Sallah and Debrune are currently the top two players in EPL today but a certain top EPL club rejected both at different times just in the last 4-8yrs. Common….come back home and reason a bit straight,

  11. Just that chamberlain scored today everyone one is saying we left one of our best players to live. Hmm, this guy has been at arsenal foe 8 years and nothing special to show we made the right decision selling him.

    1. I agree. He’d have one good game… score a beauty then play crap for the next few, where his shot on goal (or a cross) would end up in row z!

  12. People here talk about how klop has change chamberlain but I personally don’t see anything special about his play. Yes he is Atleast scoring some goals but we seen this glimpse of chamberlain before

      1. He did score a great goal (he’s done that at Arsenal previously) But when he was moved to the right wing in place of Salah who went off injured, how well did he play. Liverpool were lucky not to concede from the numerous chances Sane had to play in a good ball despite always finding himself in space because Chamberlain was not alive to his defensive responsibilities.

  13. Although I want a new manager/coach to replace Arsene Wenger, I do not want Jose Mourinho any where near the Arsenal.
    Also it is upsetting that Arsenal fans would denigrate winning the FA Cup, the oldest football knock out trophy in the world. Most clubs only dream about winning the FA Cup, which Arsenal has won 13 times.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors