Arsenal's plight

[hbhp15]

All seemed so bright at the beginning, doing so well in the premiership and champions league, and that much conveted double seemed to finally head to the Emirates Stadium.

However they got knocked out of the champions league, lost ground to both man united and chelsea in the premiership, and now key players such as Hleb and Flamini have confirmed that they are going away.

So what do you Gunners fans think?
I feel that Arsenal have been poor since after that year 2004, and I am afraid of this fact but this fact is true, which is they need to find another new Viera and another new thierry henry to be great again.

[Gavmundo]

I think a lot of people, especially the media, are over dramatizing things a bit. Arsenal's "plight"? I'm sure the majority of teams wish they were in this so called plight that Arsenal find themselves. Fair enough they haven't won the premiership for a while now but as long as they are challenging that's what matters. They still play very good football and I still rate them ahead of Chelsea ... although not above Man U obviously ;)

But really ... one player has left with one or two more linked with moves away. So what? Arsenal will bring new faces in and Wenger is the best at finding raw ability and turning it in to quality. Fabregas isn't going anywhere and they have a lot of other good players. Flamini has talent but Silva is as good and only wasn't in the side this season because of Flamini's form so even with Flamini gone they haven't lost an awful lot. If Hleb leaves Arsenal can bring in a quality replacement and they also have a young lad c alled Theo Walcott bursting to get into the side. I don't think there's any crisis at Arsenal ... other than seeing Man U lift yet another title.

[Andygers]

Come on in the end they were only 4 points behind Man U so its hardly a plight. I put alot of it down to inexperence of most of the players who don't know what it means to win the league but I would hate to see Arsenal becoming a team that think that 3rd/4th place is fine every season as long as they play the beautiful game.

[Mcbrain]

i just find the media are always there to point out when arsenal have a bad one.. they dont seem to do it the same for other teams

[nelly]

I think Arsenal wil sign a couple of very good players and 1 or two more good players. I have a feeling Theo Walcott is gonna really shine and that he and Fabregas along with a good defence and a couple of key signings will make them have another very good season, next term. They only missed out by 4 points, and look at the money spent compared to Chelsea. As long as players like Fabregas and Adebayor don't leave I can see them right up thier again next year. Also who knows what will happen at Chelsea, they do not have MGR. I would be much more worried if I were a Chelsea fan, no manager, and what will happen if/when Roman gets bored? Also Liverpool, they have a war going with the owners. whereas Arsenal have no where the debt of these clubs, a new stadium, a fantastic manager, a great youth team and a very young 1st team, and finished 3rd behind, oh the best two teams in Europe. (Arsenals plight? what plight?)

[FR Sloboda]

@nelly: is that why Arsenal has got no trophies.

it is like The Germans saying that they are the strongest in Europe as they had the potentiol to conquer europe but they did not as they lost the war to the Soviets and the Alllies.

winning the match counts and the trophies show who is the best!

and this year Man utd are the undisputed European and English Champions

[micmania1]

At the backend of the season, Arsenal's form was terrible. You have to rememberthey lead by something like 7 points.

I think the problem was confidence, but with players that young, its boun to happen.

Overall, they had a good season. 4 pts off winning the league, champions league QF. They wil probably come back next season full of energy.

[nelly]

@nelly: is that why Arsenal has got no trophies.

it is like The Germans saying that they are the strongest in Europe as they had the potentiol to conquer europe but they did not as they lost the war to the Soviets and the Alllies.

winning the match counts and the trophies show who is the best!

and this year Man utd are the undisputed European and English Champions

Arsenal have no trophies becuase they concentrated on the Champs League and the EPL, and were beaten by the best two teams in Europe. (At present) Going by this standard any other team in Spain or Italy would have finshed 3rd at best, are we discussing the plight of REAL MADRID though, no?

I am merely stating that thier is no "Arsenals Plight". If it was not for Roman's money Arsenal would still be the second best team in the EPL. You have to remember that Chelsea have spent millions, they are even buying players just to stop other teams from buying them, W.Philips an exmple.

My point is Arsenal are still a top team- 4 points off the title - and a bright future this is not a team in plight!

[Gunner]

come on, we had a great season but fell short at the very end.. it was a shame but theres a lot to be proud of this season performance wise.

[FR Sloboda]

Arsenal have been saying "We will do great next season" for about 3 years. That mentallaty gets you nowhere:d

They need to sign at least 2 qaulity experienced players to mount a title and champions league challenge next year.

[nelly]

I think they will. Lets wait and see. I agree though that perhaps this will be a make or break season for Wenger, I think the pressure is on. I don't think for a minute the board would remove him, 9Thwe would be madeto even think it) but if he does not the players he wants he would be entitiled to be frustrated, on the other hand if he does get the players and in his mind fails, I wonder how would he then feel going forward? He might then consider he future. But I do not thnink thiswill happen, I have a feeling Arsenal will do well next term.

[Mcbrain]

People,

Lets not overlook a few things here, we are the most profitable club in the world, playing the best looking football in the world, we may not have won anything this year, but Roman wants his team to play like us and is prepared to spend excessive money and sack manager after manager to get there. There has to be an element of entertainment, the gunners provide that without breaking the bank. Patience is key and Arsenal fans have got that, we respect the most talented manager in the world and his long term plan. Ultimately we will be up there again next season and the season after and the season after, with extremely talented players wanting to apply their trade at the Emirates.

[Gunner]

Arsenal have been saying "We will do great next season" for about 3 years. That mentallaty gets you nowhere:d

They need to sign at least 2 qaulity experienced players to mount a title and champions league challenge next year.

i agree we need a couple experienced players.. but we lack the funding that other clubs.. u gotta remember that

[ATraczyk]

I was just wondering what do you guys think of Lukas Fabianski so far? Does he have what it takes to be the number one at Arsenal (not necessarily next season)?

[Gunner]

he has potential, he needs more experience first, but im sure he will get his chance.

[thefaint287]

I think a lot of people, especially the media, are over dramatizing things a bit. Arsenal's "plight"? I'm sure the majority of teams wish they were in this so called plight that Arsenal find themselves. Fair enough they haven't won the premiership for a while now but as long as they are challenging that's what matters. They still play very good football and I still rate them ahead of Chelsea ... although not above Man U obviously ;)

But really ... one player has left with one or two more linked with moves away. So what? Arsenal will bring new faces in and Wenger is the best at finding raw ability and turning it in to quality. Fabregas isn't going anywhere and they have a lot of other good players. Flamini has talent but Silva is as good and only wasn't in the side this season because of Flamini's form so even with Flamini gone they haven't lost an awful lot. If Hleb leaves Arsenal can bring in a quality replacement and they also have a young lad c alled Theo Walcott bursting to get into the side. I don't think there's any crisis at Arsenal ... other than seeing Man U lift yet another title.

Very good points Gavmundo most teams would love to be in the plight that Arsenal is in. They are a top tier club and every team goes through a rough patch but like you said as long as they are competing that is all that matters. To compete with the best year after year is bragging rights in of it self. Great points and I am so happy Man U is in charge!

[Pr0s]

Competeing and winning are two different things. Arsenal lost Flaimini and Hleb, while they only signed Nasri, a very talented young kid, who can't replace Hleb. If Arsenal do not sign anymore (very likely b/c of Wenger's financial plan), I except them to finish 3rd again or even lower.

[beautifulgame]

Everyone's skeptical right now... Give the guys a chance!! Maybe after a few matches we'll really know how much they've been affected...

[Gunner]

Everyone said this last season, that Arsenal wouldnt even finish in the top 5 when Henry left.

Its so funny how they underestimate us year after year, a lot of winning the EPL is down to a bit of luck too, its so tight at the top of the premiership table that you just cant predict who will win anymore.