Arsene Wenger

[Shaggy]

He was very bitter about us winning our fifth European Cup ...had the nerve to compare it to Millwall reaching the FA Cup final the same year. Sour cunt

[Tee]

He was very bitter about us winning our fifth European Cup ...had the nerve to compare it to Millwall reaching the FA Cup final the same year. Sour cunt

Yep, more recently his stance has changed. But what would you expect after the 2000 FA Cup Final. That game has scarred the man.

Thanks Gerard 'anti-football **** on a stick' Houllier.

[Neil Young]

Unpleasant though it is to say it Ferguson's the best manager since the Premier League was founded. Of course he is - it's ludicrous to think Wenger or anyone else is.

Fortunately football was invented before Sky so we can consider other managers as greater.

Regarding Wenger, yeah, he's a great manager in the history of English football. I don't think he can be considered great on a bigger stage.

[Craig_H]

Yep, more recently his stance has changed. But what would you expect after the 2000 FA Cup Final. That game has scarred the man.

Thanks Gerard 'anti-football **** on a stick' Houllier.

Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa

[Tee]

Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa

2001 then??

[red g]

Absolutely

When he took over the Arse, they were in total crisis. He turned them around overnight and made Premier League champions. That's something Fergie and Rafa never did. Unfortunately for him, he's undone all his good work and has completely lost the plot in the last few years.

On a side note, that woman he's rumoured to be having an affair with is pretty fit I think,

Well they finished 5th and got into semis of the league cup i think.
Rioch also bought Bergkamp and there defensive back 4 was beyond reproach.

Crisis????? please!!! what we have now under Roy is Crisis. What Rioch left would be delightful.

[anfieldanfield]

The biggest thing for me is that Wenger hasn't won anything for FIVE years.

There is no way Ferguson, Mourinho, Benitez, Ancelotti or others would get away with that record.

I think history may well be very unkind to Wenger. You can talk about footballing philosophy all you want, but ultimately, trophies talk.

[Fredo]

Absolutely

When he took over the Arse, they were in total crisis. He turned them around overnight and made Premier League champions. That's something Fergie and Rafa never did. Unfortunately for him, he's undone all his good work and has completely lost the plot in the last few years.

On a side note, that woman he's rumoured to be having an affair with is pretty fit I think,

Wenger built a legacy because he was allowed to do his work with few restrictions. Fergie did the same, which can't be said of Rafa - mentioned Rafa here because you did. Therefore, it's unfair to make that kind of comparison.

Wenger has been manager there for how long? 12-14 years? Can't be arsed to look this out, but this helped a lot. He had a very solid foundation to build on though, players like Adams, Bould, Dixon, Keown, Bergkamp who still had a lot to offer who then added the leadership capabilities that were needed at the time.

Because of his initial success, he bought himself the time needed to implement the changes he wanted on an incremental basis. Still, his template for success hasn't brought them a lot of titles though even there they're competitive, so in that sense he'll still be lacking.

[Craig_H]

Wenger built a legacy because he was allowed to do his work with few restrictions. Fergie did the same, which can't be said of Rafa - mentioned Rafa here because you did. Therefore, it's unfair to make that kind of comparison.

Wenger has been manager there for how long? 12-14 years? Can't be arsed to look this out, but this helped a lot. He had a very solid foundation to build on though, players like Adams, Bould, Dixon, Keown, Bergkamp who still had a lot to offer who then added the leadership capabilities that were needed at the time.

Because of his initial success, he bought himself the time needed to implement the changes he wanted on an incremental basis. Still, his template for success hasn't brought them a lot of titles though even there they're competitive, so in that sense he'll still be lacking.

That's not true though, is it? They've worked on a NET PROFIT, in terms of transfers.

[Fredo]

That's not true though, is it? They've worked on a NET PROFIT, in terms of transfers.

That's because he had a different strategy which didn't involve investing a massive amount on player transfers. Massive amounts, relatively speaking, were spent on top talent at youth level, which are at a fraction of the price a club would pay for say, a world class player like Ronaldo or even the Fabregas' at his value now.

[Fredo]

I think Wenger's great skill is spotting a player at a very young age, then develop him into a world class if not an excellent player at least. If you look at it, you'll see a common denominator in the players he buys. They all have to be able to pass it/play before anything else, which might explain the naivety his teams exhibit in the tactical/defensive sense. He's never achieved the right balance on that front.

[CJ]

Wenger loves the very pretty football.

however when he started his teams liked to mix it a little. also the players he signed could get stuck in. its only since this young side developed that the soft centre appeared.

i think he likes the attractive football but its the belief in this group of players rather than a belief in this way of playing if that makes sense.

just thinking out loud. the point i am trying to make is that the football wasnt always as pretty maybe its he thinks these players are the bollocks rather than they way they play

hmm sounds bollocks when i type it but i know what i mean, and not sure its right

[Craig_H]

That's because he had a different strategy which didn't involve investing a massive amount on player transfers. Massive amounts, relatively speaking, were spent on top talent at youth level, which are at a fraction of the price a club would pay for say, a world class player like Ronaldo or even the Fabregas' at his value now.

It's not even about 'massive' amounts. He has worked on a NET PROFIT nigel. That is a MASSIVE MASSIVE difference from the kind of net spends of his competitors. We're talking a chasm of difference.

[anfieldanfield]

After 14 years is he actually in profit from his transfer dealings ? That's what a lot of Arsenal fans claim.

[Rudo]

Wenger's still a top class Manager, however he's just a stubborn old git.

Everyone knows where Arsenal need new signings, and it's been the case for the last 2 or 3 years, but Arsene's done **** all to address the issue.