Arsène Wenger’s consistent failure to purchase leaders and address problems in the middle of the pitch continues to amaze and appal in equal measureIf Brian Clough was displeased with a performance, his players knew about it.There was an occasion at half-time during a Nottingham Forest match when, unhappy with a couple of failed stepovers and a cross that went behind the goal, he punched the culprit, Nigel Jemson, in the stomach. Related: Another early-season breakdown for Arsenal but no sign of any change | Amy Lawrence Continue reading...
The 4-0 humiliation at Liverpool was one of 20 such in the past five years but no one seems able to initiate the radical changes needed in responseIn the thick of Arsenal’s chronic breakdown at Anfield on Sunday it did not take long for football’s splurging social commentary to begin establishing just how bad this was compared with other abhorrences. How rotten exactly are things in the state of Arsenal? As bad as the 8-2 at Manchester United? On a par with the season they were dismembered by vicious scorelines at Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea? Worse than an aggregate 10-2 thumping from Bayern Munich? More embarrassing than imploding in fright at home to Swansea or Watford or Aston Villa?Hereby...
After a comfortable win by Liverpool, Arsène Wenger may regret turning down the chance to field his ideal triumvirate of forwards at AnfieldWere Arsenal fans excited about the return of Alexis Sánchez? Yes. Were they dismayed when it turned out to be at the expense of Alexandre Lacazette? You bet. Much had been written and said about the performance of Liverpool’s front three after the performance against Hoffenheim in midweek. Here was Arsène Wenger’s chance to fight fire with fire by selecting a fairly nifty front three of his own. Yet instead of going for the obvious option, not to mention the strongest, the ever quirky Arsenal manager chose to bench his new record signing and give Danny Welbeck a...
Will Arsène Wenger give new first-team coach Jens Lehmann direct influence for a season with a Thursday-Sunday rhythm and potential ins and outs unresolved?Guardian writers’ predicted position: 6th (NB: this is not necessarily Amy Lawrence’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 5th Related: Arsène Wenger: Mesut Özil standoff could work in Arsenal’s favour Related: Transfer window 2017 – every deal in Europe's top five leagues Continue reading...
On balance the manager’s extended stay is welcome but changes will still be required behind the scenes – and in the Emirates Stadium standsSo the banners, the YouTube videos and the fly-over planes have failed. The “Wenger Out” campaign has been ferocious in recent months, even becoming a global meme, but, alas, the manager has agreed a two-year contract extension at Arsenal.A new deal seemed improbable between February and April when Arsenal were losing against Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace in the league, and enduring two 5-1 humiliations against Bayern Munich. More and more fans began to demand Arsène Wenger’s head, swathes of empty seats became a feature of home matches, and the man himself seemed on the...