I think the fans have to take their share of blame for yesterday.

[Monty91]

Ultimately you cannot expect the first team to be fully motivated for such a pointless competition.

I think Wenger's decision to play a full-strength team was a yielding to pressure from fans and, possibly, the board, who want us to win a trophy - any trophy.

We'd have had a better chance of winning with a fully motivated second string.

Well done Arsenal fans http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/rolleyes.gif

['Neg]

[Nicosia Gooner]

[sodd]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Nicosia Gooner]

[redgunamo]

But trophies is still trophies.

[sodd]

[Monty91]

[sodd]

['Neg]

[Ashberto]

http://www.awimb.com/fudforum/index.php?t=tree&goto=3599 631&rid=2804&S=f0623739fc39900b3bdc51dcadbab16b (http://www.awimb.com/fudforum/index.php?t=tree&goto=3599631&rid=2804&S=f0623739fc39900b3bdc51dcadbab16b)

[7evens]

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Wenger doesn't listen to fans or media about anything else so why would he have done so for this?

But certainly we have created a culture in the club where it is a youth/reserve competition. So the first team have no connection or history with it.

[Monty91]

and indeed beaten higher placed teams with relative comfort (including a full strength Spurs a few years back), so why not trust them yesterday?

As for the reasoning behind it, I do think in this instance it's conceivable that Wenger was influenced by the prevailing mood that dictates that we need to at least be seen to win anything we can.

[Chief Arrowhead]

snark and obtuse references.

[Monty91]

Not least because that would be hugely disrespectful to Bradford.

Unless you think he should apologise after every game we lose? Or just when it's cold out?

[7evens]

1. No game until Monday week against Reading, Keeping the first team match fit.
2. A decent chance of going all the way, now that Chelsea were the only perceived obstacle to silverware.

[Ashberto]

as our club has done before. As has AW, I believe.

[Ashberto]

Oh.

[PSRB]

[JUNGLEMAN]

He is untouchable.

The board cannot and will not let him go because he makes them too much money.

Fans can't do anything as the non-sale of tickets is comfortably offset by the ticket prices hike.

Arsene calls the shots and that's just the way it is.

[JUNGLEMAN]

http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/shrug.gif

Not sure our fans even care about winning anymore.

I mean how can I guy score repeatedly from 30 yards out with his left and right foot but miss from such a close range.

[Peter]

It isnt as if they are setting fire to any other competitions is it.

But overall i would say we got what we deserved, all of us.

[Monty91]

if they joined in my five-a-side matches at Mill Hill Power League.

[Peter]

If you are right then wenger has 'lost the dressing room'

No other explanation. If his standards and his instructions cant motivate the team, he is finished.

Poor us

[7evens]

Do you happen to know Marc Goldstein ? I'm sure he still plays a bit of football in that neck of the woods.

[Peter]

Once out of the cl it will be about slashing costs, starting with the wage bill. Arsene earns more than anyone else.

[Peter]

Maybe the milan game last season

[redgunamo]

[Monty91]

no player in the world would be fully motivated for it, whoever their manager.

[7evens]

Sort of a, win at all costs and a knock it about mode; while playing before their travelling fans ?

Don't be a pillock.

[Monty91]

regardless of context?

[redgunamo]

Like brain surgeons.

It doesn't mean they always get the result they want though.

[7evens]

were able to gauge a predetermined languid approach to a fixture that the players deemed beneath them.
It's a ridiculous notion. Our lot were throwing the kitchen sink at Bradford in that extra time. They desperately wanted to win but didn't possess the guile with which to break them down.

Whatever your thoughts, you couldn't fault the determination of the players and manager during that final half hour.

[Peter]

Perfectly motivated to me. Sagna was running to pick up throw ins after half an hour. Energy was good, no problems there.

We just lacked quality in the last third. That is the worst thing- we had the game our own way, we just werent good enough.

[Peter]

[Peter]

Remind me.

[Paul Vaessen's moment of glory]