Arsenal - pre match thread.

[blueinsa]

Expect another disjointed and pathetic performance. The old fool put all his eggs in one basket and now we are paying the price. You can still get 7/2 on the vermin making top 4 if you are quick.

Not seen you in a while but I suppose there is nowt like a bad week to get your creative juices flowing once more.

 

[come-on-barney]

Expect another disjointed and pathetic performance. The old fool put all his eggs in one basket and now we are paying the price. You can still get 7/2 on the vermin making top 4 if you are quick.

The board need to also take responsibility for this mess.

 

[mosssideblue]

The board need to also take responsibility for this mess.

Absolutely, and the players too.

 

[oasis-city-greek-fan]

Whats on Manuals mind ? The table or the win ?

 

[tiggsywiggsywoo]

I can't come up with anything that makes me feel we can win this game. The sheikh should ask does anyone fancy playing, then make the rest of the team up with the under 21 squad.

 

[Steve68]

The board need to also take responsibility for this mess.

Yea, everyone does. I hope Pep takes a long hard look at our scouting system. Identifying players like de B is easy. Looking at players like Otty and Mangala and seeing through the hype isn't. Finding the Poyet's and the Mahri's is harder.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Been the worst season since the take over for me team spirit seems none existent

 

[bluemoon98]

Been the worst season since the take over for me team spirit seems none existent

Worst for me was 12-13 Christ it was dire.

 

[malg]

Yea, everyone does. I hope Pep takes a long hard look at our scouting system. Identifying players like de B is easy. Looking at players like Otty and Mangala and seeing through the hype isn't. Finding the Poyet's and the Mahri's is harder.

I think whoever negotiated the transfer fees needs questioning. There's no doubt that Mangala and Otamendi are good players, however the money we paid is questionable. We paid over the top for Sterling as well.

Looking at how players perform in other teams is difficult as well, as there's no guarantee they would perform in our set up.

 

[Omnia Vincit Riot]

I think whoever negotiated the transfer fees needs questioning. There's no doubt that Mangala and Otamendi are good players, however the money we paid is questionable. We paid over the top for Sterling as well.

Looking at how players perform in other teams is difficult as well, as there's no guarantee they would perform in our set up.

That's true, and plenty of other teams have spent big fees on players who end up shit or underperform. Going back a bit, who'd have thought Torres would become so poor after his £50m move to Chelsea, or all the shite the rags have bought that turned out bang average. Benteke at Liverpool is another, £30m-ish and he's always on the bench.

I think some players just suit certain clubs, and a big transfer is no guarantee they'll repeat their performances with different team mates, coaches, expectations, etc.

We're better off going for the very best, who are so good even in off days they make a difference (players like Pogba, Bale, Neymar) plus get younger, hungrier players willing to learn from Pep and fight to make the team. Any who don't make it are cheap enough to loan out or get rid. The mistakes come when we buy decent players for superstar fees, which we seem to do a lot, then expectations are raised and they soon disappoint.