From Michael : The Barca game. Afterthoughts
Wenger adapted tactically for the Barca game. That was clear to see.
We were dominated because that’s what Wenger wanted. Clearly.
And I thought he played a very smart game. He knew we couldn’t defend like Inter because we’re simply not that good. So he devised a plan that would work for Arsenal.
You could see that our attacking players were not interested in attacking, First of all, they rarely flooded forwards like they usually do, they were rarely caught in front of the ball like they usually are. The wingers were playing like fullbacks and we had 3 DM’s out there today.
Wenger left Arshavin on the bench because he never intended to play attacking football from the start. He wanted Barca to tire themselves out so he could bring out some fresh legs and score. That was always the plan. Van Persie’s sending off ruined that. We would have qualified if not for that.
Both RvP and Wenger were extremely angry with the red card and they both said it ruined the game.
That’s what they meant, they weren’t able to push Barcelona in the final 15 because they were one man down. Their whole plan out the window.
But I thought Wenger was very good. He adapted and he was ingenious and sneaky, like he should be. If not for the ref, he would have outsmarted Guardiola.
That being said , I think his players failed him. They were afraid of Barca, they were far too respectful. From what UI’ve noticed the players that were blatantly guilty of it were: Djourou, Cesc, Sagna and maybe Clichy. Rosicky is bad regardless of the opposition and Diaby has been bad in the last few games, so it was no surprise.
Van Persie was the real captain out there today. Why was Fabregas pushing RvP away from the mini-brawl instead of standing alongside him and telling Abidal to fuck off? Fabregas has way too much respect for that shitty club.
With a few minutes to go, and only a goal needed to qualify our players, we were content to just stand and watch Messi keep the ball and then pass it sideways. Disgraceful.
You could tell they were relieved that it was soon going to be over. Why? They work all their lives to get here and now all they have to do is run. That’s it. Just run.
It’s because they don’t expect to win.
They don’t expect to win because it’s not expected of them to win. We’ve gone almost 6 years without a trophy, yet no changes have been made. Wenger should go. It’s as simple as that. I think he’s a fantastic manager but maybe he’s lost it. In any profession there comes a time when you just lose it.
Guardiola said that he has many players like Jack in the second team (he doesn’t) but that he can’t afford to play them because at Barca there’s pressure, at Arsenal there isn’t.
That’s what everyone thinks, that’s what our players think. It’s a loser’s mentality that comes all the way down from the people that run the club. Because they’ve refused to do anything about our trophy drought.
Someone said the difference between Arsenal and Barca was technical ability…Nonsense. It’s all in the head.
Myles replies :
Van Persie ran offside. Good lofted pass from Fabregas but his mate was clearly offside. If he stays onside, the flag doesn’t go up, and the referee doesn’t blow his whistle.
The whistle RVP didn’t hear, and couldn’t be expected to hear, sounded because the striker ran offside. If he stays onside, Van Persie stays on the pitch, and Wenger’s canny, fitness-based game-plan has a chance to bear fruit and make history.