Arsene Wenger was understandably annoyed by Arsenal’s home defeat against Man United. The Gunners dominated possession but were undone by a farcical own goal. As the team were pushing for the equaliser, Wayne Rooney somehow broke away with absolutely no Arsenal defenders between him and the goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Wenger admitted that he was “surprised” by the lack of defence. “We were 1-0 down and we wanted to desperately come back, and we forgot our principles a little bit,” he said.
“I have to see it again because I was surprised there wasn’t anyone there [in defence]. It was a moment where – especially with such a long injury time – if the game stays 1-0, it gave United some confidence because they just defended after.
“I have a lot of respect for this group because of their great attitude, spirit and energy levels. Maybe the disappointment of being 1-0 down meant everybody wanted to go forward too much.
“Individually they have been really good. At the moment it’s very difficult because we lack a bit of experience in some positions.”
Le Prof refused to blame the players as he felt they did more than enough to win the game, but he was more angry than disappointed. “I wasn’t angry with the players – I have a lot of respect for the energy they put in the game and the spirit they show.
“I’m just angry because the players do not get rewarded and our fans do not get rewarded for the result that was just there for the taking today. We have suffered against United before but we cannot say that we suffered against them today.
“If you look at the number of games recently, the number of shots our opponent has and the number of goals we concede, that is quite a continuity at the moment.”
I guess that last remark means that United only had two shots on target but ended up with two goals scored! It still seems incredible to me that Arsenal have dominated so many games completely this season, but rarely come away with all three points, if any at all. No wonder Wenger is angry…..
im not surprised- no one is! you didnt get reinforcements we desperately needed- as usual
off topic: An Arsenal fan has been arrested after allegedly throwing red wine at the Manchester United bench during Saturday’s Premier League fixture between the two teams….
red wine? smh
highbury will always be my teams home
The more I think about it, the more it seems like there is a sickness at the club. There is absolutely no fight anywhere you turn -board, manager, players.
Too many have become too concerned with being “classy”. Hope we don’t become a club of classy losers!
What are the functions of Captain of a Ship …..?
1, Call his boys to order.
2, Make sure the ship is properly functional.
3, Sail the ship as well as head of communication and more….
Once a ship sinks who is to b blame……? Wenger is full of complain…… I will give all to see him out….
I am here to declare that I am now a fully AOB for the sake of arsenal. thank you. your faithfully #WengerOut
Congratulations…. It only took you 4 years too long!!
Well done however…
@Muda……….weLcome 2 d family….. However, We have waited so Long for your arrival
that weird moment just before Rooney’s goaL…….. Our formation was …… 1-1-9
@RwRw and Soopa, thanks you guys #ArsenalFirst
Wenger seems always surprised by “this” or “that”…
Sometimes or may we should wonder who is the manager of this club.
Personally I know those players have been left on their own for years. We only got the results due to their pure talents.
As we look back, we should have lost the FA Cup finale… It might have triggered Wenger departure. Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better.
We have the most clueless and tactically disgraceful manager in the BPL… That is just a fact, proven more and more those last weeks.
What I want is Klopp coming on Wednesday and “auditioning” for the job…!!
Wenger this, Wenger that… F*ck Wenger… He is 65 yo and should have been retired long time ago… Again this is what happened when you give your product to clueless yankees…
Kroenke has “no love” for Arsenal, but the money.
Have you seen his Basket ball franchise, the Denver Nuggets… This team is sh*t it is shocking to watch…!!
Keep running like “chicken” to get the new shirt and pay your “heavy” price seats (which will increase again… Why not, they know we have mugs who will pay for it)… You are part of the problem anyway.
If Arsenal was playing in an empty Emirates for 4 to 5 games (or more), we will see some serious changes… A few “boycott” of the shops for weeks and weeks… You will see some changes.
I could not have said it any better. It is the players who has been saving us for a long time now. I wanted us to win the FA cup and just do well as a club but that just gave Wenger a new contract and we are now stuck with him. For the first time in a long time we got young world class players who want to stay with us and succeed and players we we can build our team around. Worst thing is we are just a couple of good players away from being right up there with the best teams!!
Sometimes working really hard is not enough, you also need luck in order to succeed in something, but Wenger expects luck and things going well without putting in enough efforts!! That’s why he has always somethings else to blame. Football has changed and he has not and no one is bigger than the club! The board and the majority owner are worst than him for allowing this to happen, so they should leave too!
But seriously, what is wrong whit Arsenal fans and specially those living in l
London. How can they except this?? Where are the banners and the boycotts?
Actually the worst thing is that Arsenal is a dictatorship and we can only pay and watch the show!
Stay strong people! we can wait three years plus a transitional period with the new manager.
Of course you can expect players like Sanchez, Ozil and koscielny have already left by then.
Sorry, did not meant to be negative!
We all know we need a world-class central defender, and probably a defensive midfielder too-
But as a few have suggested, I don’t know why Chambers isn’t played in the middle, and Bellerin played at right-back – he looks good to me. And Chambers has the pace to help save Per, and is much better than Monreal – who has no business being played in the middle!
that can only prove how clueless Wenger is!
Well we can see exactly what the the problem is, our players are taking matters into their own hands instead of having one strategy which is supposed to be enforced by the manager. This is why we have no cohesion in the final third, Ramsey thinks he can score from every opportunity and has become selfish, Wilshere’s ego is far too big and his spat with Fellaini just proves that he still has much growing up to do. Even Rooney of all players was laughing at him, Mertesacker thought he was a CF for the last 20 mins, exposing our defense big time and Wenger says he was surprised we were so vulnerable at the back? Either Wenger told him stay up front, or he did it on his own accord which according to Wenger’s statement this was the case!? No one is taking responsibility for our players actions and this has been the problem the whole season so far. Each player is doing their own things instead of working together as a unit with our manager as the brain. Total disunity, our left hand has no idea what the right hand is going.
End of the season, I want Pep Guardiola to replace Wenger. We deserve nothing but the best.
what happened big gun, i thought arsene was your messiah, weren’t you the same person that called us all fickle for wanting his head, in fact you wrote an article about it a week ago,smh, watch us scrape a win off galatasaray and u’ll be back to your wenger worshiping ways
I do agree with you though, as much as i think rodgers is a rubbish coach, i have an 1000x’s more respect for him then i do for arsene, cause rodgers doesn’t blame officials, other coaches, fatigue, injury, lack of concentration, defensive naviety EVERY FKN GAME, rodgers takes on the chin, like a man and vows to improve, whilst our headless chicken thinks the worlds out to get him and he is always right cause no one else “has managed soooo many games”, arsene is a fking coward
Malik. I have always been in agreement that Wenger must go – at the end of the season, where as some of the people on this forum want him gone right now. I wrote an article and have commented numerous times as to why he must stay until the end of the season. Please you and all the other dimwits please stop taking my comments out of context. Thank you have a nice day.
@big gun eh? exsqueeze me? remind me what you were saying less than a week ago?
1 game an u change ur tune- wow
Haaha, welcome to the club Big Gun, Sumo is next to join the parade!!! Better late than never lads.
– Ramsey thinks his Messi now and shoots each time his close to the 18
– Per thought he was Ibra and stayed in Man U’s box
– Gibbs was in his own world
– Arteta thinks the team is playing so well and have the form of their lives
– Welbeck has his mind in 2 places each time, should I shoot or should I pass
– Sanchez is shocked at the kind of pu+++’s his playing with
– Schez thinks his WC already
– Wilshere – just no comment
– Ox still miles away from an Arsenal starter
Most of these players don’t deserve to be in our 1st team, especially the manager.
But what do I know, I don’t get 8m to think about such!!!
“Ox is miles away from being a starter.”
Ox has been pretty good, don’t understand why’d you think otherwise.
@ Adienl granted the Ox has had some good games though for me he blows hot and cold too frequently for him to place down a starting position AT ARSENAL.
Trust me, should Theo get back and regain the form he had before the injury you will see what weve been missing on that right side and Ox will go back to the bench.
His a good squad player and very valid to our team but him been a starter is highly questionable. In a perfect world he would be our super sub and played against lesser teams.
All well, what do I know, thankfully am not the 1 getting 8m to think about such!!!
OX has stepped up but he doesn’t have an end product.. So I guess without it everything he does is in vain.
See my response to Malik. Never have I said I support Wenger indefinitely…that would just be insane and I don’t think there are many of those fans out there. There was a poll recently for those want Wenger gone now, and those who think it would be wise looking at the bigger picture that he stay till the end of the season. The latter got almost 30-40% more votes, which I also voted for. Patience guys, Wenger’s time is coming to an end, but the way in which we handle his departure is crucial in making sure we get a top manager to replace him. Bould will never been given the job temporary as Wenger will NEVER be sacked unless the man outright refuses to leave once his contract expires. Bottom line is, we are going to sit with him either until the end of this season, or until his contract expires. It all depends on where we finish this season, how much financial impact it will have, what the board think, and to a degree how much pressure the fans and media put on the whole situation.
You change your opinions more frequent than Wenger changes his game plan. Was only the other week you were sucking Wengers’d dcik!!
Big Gun-
And what if in January we bring in defensive reinforcements and win something let’s say FA Cup. Would you still want him to go?
Sumo I hear where you are coming from and if Wenger wants to see out his contract he will have to do exactly that – bring in at least 2 world class players in Jan. How he will accomplish this I do not know as Jan is like scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel – but he must act and money talks.
The biggest problem I think is that Wenger can buy certain players, but mentally the guy just isn’t up for it anymore and the last couple of games we have seen it. No passion, no wanting to get on the pitch and kick his players up the backside. We need a manager with fire and Wenger unfortunately due to old age and complacency has lost a lot of that, something I don’t think new signings will really fix. I really thought the beginning of the season was just bad luck, that stats would soon win the day, but as we can see Arsenal play well, but lack that killer instinct, that bit of hulk rage to kill games off. My BIGGEST problem right now is Wenger’s inability to win big games. When last have we beaten Chelsea, United, and even City in crucial games?
Please remember I never ever said Wenger must stay indefinitely…my words were if Wenger keeps on winning trophies from here on and our team shows top class performances in beating the best, there is no reason why he should not. Signing Sanchez and all the others was an excellent bit if business, as well as winning the F.A Cup. That is why I thought well lets give him till the end of the season to see what happens. Right now, things are looking bleak.
Why is he suprised? It happened in the 6-0
plz dont mention that game ever- better forgotten
“I have to see it again because I was
surprised there wasn’t anyone there
[in defence]”.
The funny thing is that, I was in a forum (untold arsenal to be precise) where two brainless AKBs were repeatedly stating that the defense wasn’t the cause of the Man U loss.
Arsene is a clown for saying he was surprised. I have seen Morinho repeatedly calling on his players to fall back and maintain their defensive structure if they were pressing too high up the opposition area but Wenger sits down with a forlorn look on his face and does nothing.
Dino-
“The look on RVP’s face when they lost- Classic
The smile on Arsene Wenger’s face when asked about transfer- hopefull.
Watching Giroud score his 3rd BPL goal in as many games- Spectacular.
Being linked with Ozil, Di Maria and realizing we might actually get one of them- AMAZING.
All this in one day-priceless!!”
After reading through last years posts and comments i realised something. Just Arsenal has lost its charm.
Like Mr.Wenger.
@Sumo
It’s not that it’s lost it’s charm. It’s because the inmates have taken over the asylum…lmfao
Ohh, so Arsene were you surprised when we drew with anderlecht with 3-0 lead? Were you surprised when we lost to swansea with a 1-0 lead with 20 mins to go? This same sh*t happens over and over again but you are surprised now? What’s next Arsene? You are surprised to learn that you can make a sub before 70 mins mark?
Wenger is a spectator these days, so we shouldn’t be surprised on learning that he was surprised.
#WENGEROUT
WENGER surprised, when the entire Fans aren’t…….. Someone’s been drinking Hard kush!
The funny thing is he was standing on the sidelines and all the action was unfolding in front of him
He could have given instructions to any other player or told per too stay back
Alisher Usmanov interview
“My opinion – and I tell it openly – we need to strengthen every position to play on the level of such teams in the UK as Chelsea and Manchester City, in Europe like Real [Madrid], Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and other clubs,” Usmanov told CNBC.
“First of all. I decide nothing in this matter. This is a strange position when the second biggest investor, who has more than 30 per cent, decides nothing – and it is frustrating. Although, I have a great respect for the president of the club.
“As for Arsene Wenger, he is one of the greatest coaches, not just of European, but of world football. But we have a Russian proverb which goes: ‘Even an old lady can have a roof falling on her’. Everybody makes mistakes. He can make mistakes. And I know as you age it is more difficult, more challenging, to accept one’s mistakes.
“Maybe it’s a problem today. He’s a great man, a great coach, he had great victories and he has to have an opportunity to secure the place which he and he team ought to have. I think men who create winners have to be winners themselves, and I wish him this.
“Another question is how to make this possible, and there are conditions for this. I think club leadership relies on Wenger. So it is his responsibility, so I wish him all kinds of success.”
“I can say that Arsenal is a dream that sometimes becomes a mirage. And sometimes a pain, as every dream,”
“The potential of the team is there but there is no critical evaluation of mistakes. And we need to acknowledge them because no genius can retain the same level of genius if they do not acknowledge mistakes.
“It’s only when you admit your mistakes that you can get rid of them. I wish this to my club. Nothing bad is happening apart from repeating the same result. If we were to keep being in the middle of the Champions League but we only lose the first play-off games, some may be happy with that, but as a shareholder I am not.”
Breaking news, Arsene Wenger has resigned form struggling Arsenal!!!!!
Oh wait its Armin Veh who has resigned as head coach of struggling Stuttgart.
Damn it, when will my fantasy come to life.
Even though I now eant Wenger out (supporting him through 1998- this October) the fact is if Wenger doesn’t quit, we have roughly 3 more bad seasons with him before the Board will do anything.
Even if we finish outside the top 4, I honestly believe he will keep his job.
The only hope we have is to put huge pressure on him to spend big in January and Summer. Like last season, the Arsenal Supporters Association wrote a very tough letter and that made Wenger buy Ozil. I believe if there wasn’t pressure on him to spend big we wouldnt have got Ozil.
We desperately need a top DM, top defender and top striker (Giroud is okay, Welbeck is okay but can be much better in couple of years)
@ LoCkAy u are so so right I hav been saying this for long…..protest, raise banner, boycott matches as well as shops and see if they(the board) will not beg the fans n do their wish but Too much of everything is bad…We so love our club that we can do a small sacrifice for the betterment of our club…..its Time and the time is now….Wenger Out
HE WAS SURPRISED!!! F*** ME! He’s on the sidelines and can see the whole pitch and the gaping hole between the midfield and defence and he was surprised! Excuse me while I pick my chin up off the floor here……….
Ok it’s back where it’s meant to be now.
Just a thought…..Could Wenger not see the hole? Perhaps he was having trouble with his zip again and didn’t see, or he was doing some online banking watching his balance grow ever larger. I could argue that Bould perhaps must have seen the gaping hole but then he’s not allowed to make any decisions regarding the defence is he.
Watching Arsenal is like watching a dog trying to take a big stick through a doorway. The dog never learns that the stick won’t go in long ways. The same can be said of Arsenal’s last 3 performances. How many times will I have to hear Wenger tell us that defensively Arsenal were naïve? WELL F***ING DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ARSENE!! You have the power to change that. How can we KEEP making the same mistakes?!
The man will remain a legend in my heart for the first 7 years of his reign. I can even forgive some of the last 10 years considering the budget constraints he was under. But now I can’t accept anymore excuses! Not reinforcing the defence before the transfer window shut was suicide. I cannot forgive Wenger for not being at his club on deadline day! And to then come out and say ‘I wouldn’t have bought Welbeck’! Well, I hate to state the obvious here Arsene but had you been here you could have had some input. But then who would you have bought. Perhaps my neighbours 3 year old son? He looks to have bags of potential for the future. He can walk, has two legs and can even say a few words.
Opposition fans even chant for Wenger to remain at the club! What does that say?!
Part of me keeps telling myself it’s just a game. In the grand scheme of things it’s not important and I shouldn’t get angry. But then I think about how much of my hard earned money I pump into this club. How much those board members must enjoy living their luxury lifestyle of our money, safe in the knowledge that their manager will most likely deliver 4th place and not spend too much. That’s why i’m so angry! You’ve taken so much from us and given us back very little. It’s time this changed.
Once the players are on the field Wenger seems to lose control of his players and they do what they feel like, how can a coach make such a statement like that in public.
I am not saying wenger should be on the sidelines barking orders right through the 90 minutes, like what my coaches use to do when i was playing competitive football, but in the situation we gave away one goal, we did not need to give away another and then saying you were surprise by the lack of defense for wayne rooney’s goal is just RIDICULOUS.
Right now steve bould needs to be fired, sitting there being known as a DIE HARD defender and watch arsenal capitulate on several occasions, its obvious you are there for the money, because any decent defender could not , would not bear to see this and if he could not get is defensive idea across would resign
Only surprised why Wenger still got the job.
Really, Mert was playing right midfield from the 70th minute, Rooney scored in the 8th and Wenger in all his wisdom didn’t tell Mert to get back or else we will be exposed, pathetic, does this guy ever takes the blame for anything.