By Tony Attwood
In the old days it was easy – if Arsenal lost some fans and a lot of the media knew what to do – knock the manager. Indeed I noticed one of the old timer blogs that the Daily Mail still seems to like, continuing to do that, putting the boot in to the manager who left last summer. It seems a bit pointless but that’s what they do, and who am I to argue?
But this leaves a problem. If the newspapers and the little bloggettas, all of whom claim to know where the problem is for Arsenal, can’t assault the manager in the way Mr Wenger had to take day after day, who do they go for? Because after years and years of blaming, it’s a bit hard to stop.
In fact it is not completely true to say they are not attacking the manager. As the Express’ headline “‘Ridiculous’ – Unai Emery training ground methods revealed by coach” shows, yes the honeymoon is over. The Daily Cannon agrees it is time to get out the knives with “PSG was too high for Emery’: RMC pundit speaks out against Arsenal coach.”
However moving on, which players do the pundits think should be, well, moved on? Here’s the list thus far…
1: Ozil
Mesut has lots of haters, as the old mockers at the Transfer Tavern are aware with, “Has been anonymous’ – Loads of Arsenal fans have been slating midfielder after Chelsea display”.
2: Ramsey
With Ramsey it is not so much a case of taking the position that he has to go but rather that is he most certainly going.
- Contract talks stall between Arsenal and Ramsey (
- Why Aaron Ramsey should not sign a new contract with Arsenal (
- Aaron Ramsey ‘wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United’ as Arsenal contract talks stutter (The
- Transfer Talk: Chelsea, Manchester United circling Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey(
Only one site is breaking ground: “Arsenal make breakthrough in Aaron Ramsey contract talks after Chelsea interest” which is in the
3: Xhaka
8 misplaced passes, 1 tackle: Emery must drop Wenger favourite to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around (
Granit Xhaka isn’t the X factor Arsenal are looking for (
Jorginho is what Granit Xhaka should be for Arsenal and no longer has any excuses not to show it (
‘Not good enough’, ‘Should be sold’ – These Arsenal fans were unhappy with this star vs Chelsea (
“Such a horrible player” – These fans call for Arsenal to “sell” star after shocking display (
4: Elneny
Bin Elneny & Xhaka, sign him up … These Arsenal fans react to display of star Emery rejected (
5: Sokratis
Arsenal news: Martin Keown criticises one new signing during Chelsea clash (Express)
6: Cech
Jamie Carragher reveals doubts about one player in new Unai Emery system (
Ticking timebomb – Shearer destroys Arsenal first teamer for making fans uncomfortable (
Not one Arsenal player would get in Chelsea’s team, says Jamie Redknapp (
7: Mustafi
“Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka among those who don’t deserve another chance” (Caught offside)
8: Aubamayang
The Gabon international was bashed on Twitter by several Arsenal fans over his profligacy in the game at Stamford Bridge but he had a positive message on social media nonetheless. (Red London)
Emery told to DROP Ozil, Aubameyang or Mkhitaryan … (Daily Star)
9: Guendouzi
This one is presented slightly differently as 101 Great Goals tells us that Garth Crooks spent the entire game telling his mate that Guendouzi was “killing Arsenal” and that “Wenger would never have played him as he isn’t good enough”
10: Mkhitaryan
Arsenal legend criticises Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s weakness (
So who have we got left? There’s Bellerin and Monreal, both of whom were criticised at times last season – in fact Bellerin was crucified last season.
Then there’s Iwobi – another player who was really torn to shreds last season by some scribblers. That’s about it.
So almost all of the team need to be shipped out and replaced by… well, I don’t know since apparently all the transfer money available was spent.
I must say, it was a bit easier when all the tedious knockers knocked was Mr Wenger. At least that way we had a team left. As for the team, all I can say is sorry guys but this is how it is playing for Arsenal. It’s either your fault, or the manager’s. And this week it’s your fault.
- Arsenal begin their defence of the Continental Tyres Cup with a 3 – 1 win
- Football is teetering on the edge and it is too disgusting for words
- The media turn on the fans; an interesting twist after two defeats
Nowadays, there is no such thing as constructive criticism.
I was very disappointed that we lost both games despite the fact that I knew that the chance was that that was what would happen.
Whether any other club, whether a so-called top club or any other one has had to start their season with 2 such difficult games, I do not know, but confidence must be low and I wonder how the club is able to protect the players from the onslaught set out in your article.
It certainly seems that now that AW is out of the way there is really nothing protecting the players from the negative and possibly destructive criticism that seems to flow with abundance.
Any player to who comes to us must know that he is very likely to be at the receiving end of cruel criticism like this and I suppose the money compensates for it.
Laca and Aubo re fine. Why sell Perez? Now need dedicated defenders I doubt if the new boss’s playing method suits our players
I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of your article, Arsenal are targeted unfairly, however I do not believe we are unique in this factor.
The issue is we are still remembered as the invincibles, we are still remembered as the only team who could challenge Fergies-United. Okay, we have became a meme as such, but no more than united had when finishing in low places under Moyes + LVG.
The other issue with us is we have always played beautiful football, most will agree, and so the average-honest football fan is saddened by our demise, we represent in a way, the death of the beautiful game.
The only after thought we need take from our abundant criticism is the equally energised relief we will disperse from our reinvention.
(That and working as a collective to stop fan mimicking of the hate, I’m looking at you AFTV)
Strong lineup for the U23s
Iliev, Ösen-Tutu, Bramall, Gilmore, Ballard, Pleguezuelo, Amaechi, Willock, Nketiah, Smith Rowe, Nelson
Bench Olowu, Okonkwo (gk), Olayinka, Saka and John-Julles
Brighton
Steele, Moore, Cochran, Collar, White, Barclay, Layal, Tilley (c), Locadia, Gyokeres, Jahanbakhsh
Subs
Roberts, Hugo Keto (ex Arsenal keeper), Dreyer, Davies, Connolly
half time no score and fairly evenly balanced. Only one save in the half a good one from Iliev following a free kick to Brighton where I was sure the foul was on our player. Classic phantom foul routine plus a not given penalty when Nketiah was bundled over. This referee will go far on the basis of his first half performance