Poll: *Uefa Champions League Semi-final*- **Spoilers**

[dannyjo22]

The board really really have to step in and get Wenger out before we lose more of our best players, and get more utter crap players in the first team, on long contracts on so much cash no one will leave.

You deluded. He's the best manager in the premier league and doing the job on a fraction of the finanaces. Fair play he's doing it within a wage structure. Time and time again he builds players up to being worth a small fortune and off loads at the correct time.

Even when he gets rid of those players people predict doom and gloom, yet year in year out he keeps you playing champions league football.

The players he sells hardly go on to be world player of the year.

I don't for a minute believe they have all this money to spend, I think Arsene is a team player as is protecting the board in his methods. If they had 40 million to spend on one or two players he would do it.

The day you sack wenger is the day you stop being a top 4 club. In a way I hope you do it, frees up a champions league spot for the rest of us and it maybe a real wake up call for the fans when you go through 5 managers in as as many years.

You sack wenger and he will walk into a bigger club, while you will end up with scolari or sven. Who exactly is going to manage this club for you?

 

[Wicksta]

Cheapest ticket for the final - £65. Outrageous. Most expensive is £183!

People will end up paying a lot more than that from touts so I don't see how it's outrageous, it's simple economics. In fact they would be able to sell them for a lot more.

The cheapest ticket at QPR is about £28!

 

[FrankJH]

You deluded. He's the best manager in the premier league and doing the job on a fraction of the finanaces. Fair play he's doing it within a wage structure. Time and time again he builds players up to being worth a small fortune and off loads at the correct time.

Even when he gets rid of those players people predict doom and gloom, yet year in year out he keeps you playing champions league football.

The players he sells hardly go on to be world player of the year.

I don't for a minute believe they have all this money to spend, I think Arsene is a team player as is protecting the board in his methods. If they had 40 million to spend on one or two players he would do it.

The day you sack wenger is the day you stop being a top 4 club. In a way I hope you do it, frees up a champions league spot for the rest of us and it maybe a real wake up call for the fans when you go through 5 managers in as as many years.

You sack wenger and he will walk into a bigger club, while you will end up with scolari or sven. Who exactly is going to manage this club for you?

You are correct, however Im sure the board would back him if he really wanted to pay a decent amount for experience (which is what Arsenal needed badly in both legs)

Admittedly Fabregas and Ade didnt really turn up in either tie, their best player on current form was cup tied and VP was just coming back from injury, Nasri did what he could but was really the only person able to put in 100% where Arsenal needed, all the rest plodded along

They started really brightly and looked very dangerous for 5 minutes, and then their heads went down - I know it would have been hard to get back from 0-3 aggregate, but they have done it before (well not quite but 4-4 a few weeks ago) - they just needed a bit of belief ....maybe thats a little harsh seeing as the mane componant of the Liverpool result wasnt able to play but that should have given them belief that anything is possible

The big difference is that they should be able to believe in each other - even a big scoring draw while unsuccessful in getting them through to the final would still have felt a whole lot better than how they actually seemingly gave up (until the pen decision, kind of too little too late) - it just doenst look as though they do currently

 

[CliffyG]

You deluded.

That's a nice way of putting it .

On the way home from the game yesterday i heard loads of idiot arsenal fans ring up calling for his head. Here's the bottom line, we don't have the money to spend 30 mil on a player like Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool. Why did it take us about 7 months of haggling to get Arshavin and then us spend 12 mil. He's obviously worth far more than that and Wenger really wanted him but we were left open to another side coming in and spending a couple more and taking him from us.

What Wenger has done with the minuscule amount of money compared to the other clubs is nothing short of miraculous. He has to big up the players we have as we can't go out and change 5 - 6 of our players. Yes he's made some tactically odd decisions this season but who hasn't. Also, if it weren't for crippling injuries this season i have no doubt we'd be contesting the prem again this season (remember we were only a couple of points off last time).

Hopefuly we'll get some decent money in for Ade and strengthen a couple of positions next season but to expect us to have 30 - 50 mil spare is crazy.

 

[dannyjo22]

That's a nice way of putting it .

.

Yeah a typo on my first word, must have gotten up too early

That it looks like Arsenal may get around 20 million for ade is reason enough to pronounce him as jesus christ re-born.

He's a big headed whinger whose vocal noise far outweighs his actual talent. If he was in my team I'd be happy for 8 million to get rid, that he will get over 15 is reason enough to worship wenger

I would never write off wenger, what he did for a long period of last season and getting to this years semi with the players he's had should be reason enough to see the mans a freaking genius.

The one thing I would fear more if I was an arsenal fan is if you sack him in 18 months he might well turn up as united manager.

Pushing a man like wenger out because of lust to win things is suicide, bigger clubs than arsenal have failed to get to a european final this season. You see real madrid go from laughable joke to the next purely because they won't allow any consistency and the fans have this air of god given right to win everything.

Perhaps they should bring in Ramos, he seems to have turned Madrid around?

Come on then drunken, you wish has been granted. Theo and Wenger have been shipped out. Whose your new manager and with a £30m limit who are you bringing in?

 

[NokkonWud]

Let us not forget, the only reason Wenger can't go out and spend big is the cost of the new Stadium, it's a massive financial burden. Before that he had no excuses, but you could also argue he never needed to.

 

[B1gbeard]

I wonder if you asked the people who's opinion actually means something, the likes of Ferguson, Maureen, Hiddink, Rafa, Guardiola etc if Arsenal should get rid of Wenger, I wonder what they would say? I imagine Ferguson would laugh you out of the pub.

Its looking unlikely that Liverpool will win anything this season. Where does that leave Rafa's position in relation to Wenger. What about Chelsea? Villa?

I don't understand Arsenal fans who expected so much from this semi-final. Realistically we over-acheived in the competition this season and we avoided the teams who would probably have knocked us out earlier on. There are two better teams in the final than us. What's so difficult to understand?

Over the two legs we were rightly beaten by a team with more experience, drive and ability. Yes there were players last night who should be ashamed of their performance (and not just the one performace last night to be fair) but none of that changes the fact that even before the first leg kicked off it would have taken two amazing performances to progress to the final. Utd were very good, especially at the back, and anyone will struggle against that.

Overall I can't see how the season can be seen as anything other than a good one. We are 21 games unbeaten in the league (although I'm sure all 21 of those games were against the out of form teams) and we have reached the semi-finals of what in all fairness are lottery competitions. One of those competitions is going to be won by one of the top teams in Europe whether its ManU, Barcelona or Chelsea.

Arsenal fans are quite clearly spoilt by the early Wenger years. Whats funny is that in our long history, its the highlight period. Its the period where we have had the most success. Its not like its as common as say Liverpool in the 70's and 80's or ManU in the last 15 years so I don't understand the expectation.

As for the quality of players. This squad have taken 4th spot at a canter and reached two semi's. What more can you ask for? If it was so easy to build a team to win honours don't you think everyone would be doing it.

 

[dannyjo22]

Spot on B1gbeard, I can understand frustration when you lose. Everyone suffers it, Arsenal have yet again overachieved as thats due to the manager.

 

[[ASSE]Hinchy]

At least CliffyG is an Arsenal fan with his head screwed on. I think Wenger will be given money to go and get who he wants this summer. Those who are calling for his head are ridiculous.

After the game tonight I put channel 442 on, that ESPN Classic channel? Arsenal vs Man United 2005. The game where Man United won 4-2 with O'Shea scoring the 4th. The Arsenal team that day was just immense (other than the defence!). Henry, Ljungberg, Bergkamp, Vieira, Pires etc.

A few big signings in centre mid and up front and Arsenal will be looking good I think. I don't think there is a problem in defence as once injuries clear up, Gallas and Toure is a pretty strong partnership. Fullback positions aren't a problem either.

 

[Visionary]

I'm with dannyjo on this (despite his apparent hatred of NUFC ), Arsenal fans should be begging Wenger to stay, not force him out. After all, who are you going to replace him with?

He's made the signing of Arshavin which shows he still wants to compete on the next level and as everyone has said 2 maybe 3 more players of this standard will probably take Arsenal up to Liverpool and Chelsea's standard talent-wise (arguably better).

 

[NokkonWud]

I agree, I don't see what some Arsenal fans are seeing. Arsenal are only 3 signings away from being a fearful side. What is weird is that they have Eduardo on the bench who is much better than Adebayor.

 

[Visionary]

Arsenal need Bassong for CB (young, French, pacy, calm on the ball), just hope it doesn't happen.

 

[B1gbeard]

I agree, I don't see what some Arsenal fans are seeing. Arsenal are only 3 signings away from being a fearful side. What is weird is that they have Eduardo on the bench who is much better than Adebayor.

He picked up a groin injury pretty much as soon as he came back and is out for the rest of the season I think. I can't see Ade at Arsenal next year. I think Bendy should be in front of him in the pecking order.

 

[Gooner14]

Let us not forget, the only reason Wenger can't go out and spend big is the cost of the new Stadium, it's a massive financial burden. Before that he had no excuses, but you could also argue he never needed to.

Look at what a new stadium has done to Southampton, it's almost put them out of football. (local news claimed it was the main reason for bankruptcy)

There will be a takeover at the club very shortly.

 

[Loki]

I wonder if you asked the people who's opinion actually means something, the likes of Ferguson, Maureen, Hiddink, Rafa, Guardiola etc if Arsenal should get rid of Wenger, I wonder what they would say? I imagine Ferguson would laugh you out of the pub.

Its looking unlikely that Liverpool will win anything this season. Where does that leave Rafa's position in relation to Wenger. What about Chelsea? Villa?

I don't understand Arsenal fans who expected so much from this semi-final. Realistically we over-acheived in the competition this season and we avoided the teams who would probably have knocked us out earlier on. There are two better teams in the final than us. What's so difficult to understand?

Over the two legs we were rightly beaten by a team with more experience, drive and ability. Yes there were players last night who should be ashamed of their performance (and not just the one performace last night to be fair) but none of that changes the fact that even before the first leg kicked off it would have taken two amazing performances to progress to the final. Utd were very good, especially at the back, and anyone will struggle against that.

Overall I can't see how the season can be seen as anything other than a good one. We are 21 games unbeaten in the league (although I'm sure all 21 of those games were against the out of form teams) and we have reached the semi-finals of what in all fairness are lottery competitions. One of those competitions is going to be won by one of the top teams in Europe whether its ManU, Barcelona or Chelsea.

Arsenal fans are quite clearly spoilt by the early Wenger years. Whats funny is that in our long history, its the highlight period. Its the period where we have had the most success. Its not like its as common as say Liverpool in the 70's and 80's or ManU in the last 15 years so I don't understand the expectation.

As for the quality of players. This squad have taken 4th spot at a canter and reached two semi's. What more can you ask for? If it was so easy to build a team to win honours don't you think everyone would be doing it.

I think Arsenal fans have been spoilt and sometimes have unrealistic expectations of what they can realisticly achieve. As a side issue it always makes me chuckle to hear them shout Hoooooooooooooooooooooooof if anyone dares clear the ball over half way line. Like they have the monopoly on being able to play football. The George Graham era must be one that has been conveniently forgotten from the minds of some at The Emirates.

Where do they go from here ??? there has to be a stark reality that nice little triangles and passing the ball to death does not equate to silverware at the end of the season. Nor will the signing of two new players every year. Every summer, the likes of Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool buy two new players so effectively the status quo remains intact. The problem of an effective leader was highlighted once again over the two legs with Fabregas being a flacid observer for most of it.

I applaud Wenger for his philosophy of using a lot of youth players. If these kids are to mature into a dominant force the mix of talent, ability, technique and potential needs to be addressed. They need a leader at the back or in the centre of midfield to help guide this raw potential.

 

[Rich_L]

I think Arsenal have had a decent season given the injuries they've had, I'm sure Aston Villa were supposed to walk 4th place with their 'easy' run-in compared to Arsenals too

 

[B1gbeard]

I think Arsenal fans have been spoilt and sometimes have unrealistic expectations of what they can realisticly achieve. As a side issue it always makes me chuckle to hear them shout Hoooooooooooooooooooooooof if anyone dares clear the ball over half way line. Like they have the monopoly on being able to play football. The George Graham era must be one that has been conveniently forgotten from the minds of some at The Emirates.

Where do they go from here ??? there has to be a stark reality that nice little triangles and passing the ball to death does not equate to silverware at the end of the season. Nor will the signing of two new players every year. Every summer, the likes of Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool buy two new players so effectively the status quo remains intact. The problem of an effective leader was highlighted once again over the two legs with Fabregas being a flacid observer for most of it.

I applaud Wenger for his philosophy of using a lot of youth players. If these kids are to mature into a dominant force the mix of talent, ability, technique and potential needs to be addressed. They need a leader at the back or in the centre of midfield to help guide this raw potential.

I think next season it will be business as usual to a certain extent.

From listening to Wenger talking about Arshavin, I think he has been as suprised by the impact he has made as anyone (although he obviously knew he had the ability). I think this one signing though, seeing the impact it has had on the team, could lead to a slightly more relaxed approach to buying experience in the summer.

I don't expect wholesale changes though. Players like Song (who I think has blossomed in the last 8 weeks), Diaby etc will still feature next season.

 

[PikeyPriest]

Gutted about Fletcher, it was a great tackle, but at the end of the day he didn't have to make it, at that point the match was over and he'd have been better having let Arsenal score. Also, some common sense from the referee would have done some good, why send a player off when the match is over, they got the penalty, just book him.

Weren't you the player that was adament that it was a penalty in the Man Utd Vs Spurs match because gomes either didn't touch it (complete lie) or "get enough on it"? How does it feel to have another slight touch go completely against you?

I`m hoping for some great football in the final so I have to hope barca beat chelsea today! It will be in the middle of my exams, but should make an epic final!!

 

[Loki]

I don't expect wholesale changes though. Players like Song (who I think has blossomed in the last 8 weeks), Diaby etc will still feature next season.

Thats the issue though. Arsenal do not need wholesale changes. Players like Diaby and Song will feature more by default than by design. Of course they will get better but so will the players like Torres at Liverpool, Mancien at Chelsea, Rafael at Utd.

At the moment Arsenal are missing players who are Technically complete for their position, experienced campaigners and more importantly leaders when the chips are down. Henry, Bergkamp, Adams, and Vieria have been replaced by Vela, Bendtener, Gallas and Denilson.

 

[Cob]

BBC News 24 confirming that UEFA have said United can't appeal and Fletcher will miss the final