Arsenal were booed off the pitch after a tough 2-1 loss to Manchester United. The boos were not directed at the performance of the players, but instead of Arsene Wenger who inexplicably took off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrey Arshavin.
Not only was AOC playing well, but Arshavin’s lack of interest was directly responsible for United’s second goal. When the change was made, it was met by boos from Arsenal fans within the stadium and by a shake of the head by Robin Van Persie. It will be interesting to see how Wenger responds to questions about the substitution.
It was a game of two halves for Arsenal today. I cannot remember a first half, especially the opening 30 minutes as United totally bossed the game.
Not sure what Wenger said at half-time but Arsenal were much better in the second half and created several really good chances before and after Robin van Persie scored.
I totally expected Arsenal to go on and win the game and then Wenger that made substitute. Besides the question of why did you bring Arshavin on, the other question is why take Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain off? If Wenger was desperate to get Arshavin on, why not take Theo Walcott off who went missing today and move AOC to the right?
The way that results went this weekend; Chelsea drew, Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs all lost, this was a great chance for the Gunners to close the gap on the teams above them.
But they didn’t and now sit 5 points behind Chelsea for that fourth Champions League place and a massive 10 points behind Spurs.
What did you think of the game?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Heartbreak! Ash for Ox was a scandalous sub! Cant blame the boo boys. Is Wenger eccentric or plain dumb? Taking off Ox, in my view, is Wenger’s way of suppressing talent.
AW has done a lot of good for the club. In fact, substituting seasoned full back Djorou with the young novice Nico Yenaris (my man of the match) was the best sub AW made. Nani, Evra, Giggs etc were running rings at Djorou’s side of Arsenal’s defence. The 1st goal is evidence how both our full backs failed to responsibily defend. Djorou allowed the cross, TV let Valencia head straight at our goal. But as soon as Nico came in, Nani was out & remember Nico’s crosses in the 2nd half were better & more than Djorou’s in the 1st half. RVP’s reaction speaks volumes. . In Arsene we do trust . . . But at what cost. Arsenal were not good enough to beat Man U in the 1st game but Man U were not good enough to beat Arsenal in the 2nd game. . .
Arsene wenger really spoil d match himself! He was d architect of d loose. How culd a reasonable coach did such wrong subst! D whole fans kick against him, whn he made d subst. Van persie ask him why nd he dnt no wht to say!
The only person on the planet who thinks Arshavin is worthy of a place in the team is the idiot in charge. We had the momentum to win the game. Joke
Wenger is a confused coach,he should retire in d name of God..he is d problem of arsenal footbal club
In Arsene’s post-match interview he says he doesn’t have to defend his subs – really? In any case I fully expect Wenger to walk sooner or later because the fans think it’s time and they’ve been showing him that for the past 7 years. Sure he’s still one of the best managers in the world but he’s not good for Arsenal anymore. He really needs to go somewhere where he can start fresh and not have to worry about money……………or defense.
A stupid mistake by arsene wenger , what the hell was he thinking, every gooner knew as soon as he took ox off for arshavin that it was a bad decision. Arshavin needs to be immediately offloaded.
The train has left Wenger behind, he is not going with the time. He was a good manager but has not matched up with time. The game has changed so fast that Wenger has been left by many years and distance. A new manager will only need to add three or two players and the team will be unbeatable. Two defenders, a creative midfielder and maybe a backup stiker that can interchange with RVP and that is all. RVP will leave next season and the team will be in tataas
Wenger has costed Arsenal today. Was is it amust that he makes those subs? The team was playing well before those stupid subs. Not always subs have to be made especially when team doing well as it was evident b4 Arsene spoiled everything.
madness just madness.
1. Alex was one of our best players.
2. He took off the wrong man (should have been walcott)
3. brought on the wrong man (Arshavn has not shown any indication that he is even of premiership quality for a while now).
4. We had just equalised and were the team on top apply pressure and looking for a second goal.
5. United’s threat come from wide positions and crosses.
6. We did not have any first string or second string fullbacks( vermaelen needed protection or help from the winger)
7. Arshavin can’t and often wont track back even after losing the ball himself he cannot defend.
WENGER HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY LOST THE GAME FOR US. I am a longtime Arsenal fan from the time of George Graham and have seen Wenger come in and win the league the following season but “I believe”(<-That's Wenger's favourite thing to say, says it every interview) he has lost his mind.
7.
5.
Wtf was wenger thinking?taking aoc off!..sell arshavin..he doesnt want 2 play!..mxiii!..and someone should step up and sack wenger..the arsenal board has no ambition!..its really annoying!..somebody tell wenger to Get The Fuck Out
MR.WENGER IS FIT TO BE A COACH OF CLUBS LIKE QPR, SWANSEA, ASTON VILLA, EVERTON, WHICH HAVE NO AMBITIONS OF TITTLES & CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. THEY JUST NEED TO STAY IN PREMIER. Really mr wenger where are you taking Arsenal. kindly you and your medical team leave the club before you spoil the little you put at the clud.
Ox was sick and couldnt last 90 minutes. WTF do you expect??
Those whingeing like babies should be ashamed to call themselves Gunners
Arshavin, Ramsey hell no…we can’t have 2 coasters on the field, playing 9 against 11???And you take a match winner off…??????I think we need to look for a better coach. He doesnt want to spend, and insists we have quality…where is the quality????11 players injured, if we had quality we wouldn’t have lost 3 games in a row….but we dont and that’s why we lost 3 games in a row. Why can’t you buy good players and get rid of the shit ones like Arshavin and Ramsey and the rest of those below par players?
Even Man U Fans were smiling when they saw the substitution…. I thought the referees were against arsenal but now even the coach in whom we had trust is clearly ruining alll chances to restore the pride of the club. I think we can’t rely on wenger if he can’t get rid of his old fashioned approach to soccer. He is simply using his heart and not his brain. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AS TO WHY THE SUB WAS MADE APART FROM SYMPATHY FOR ARSHAVIN, WALCOTT & RAMSEY.
shut up you hypocrites. should wenger win d next three matches, you’ll be here praising him. in wenger we trust fans, continue trusting in him while he is thrusting your team down.
This stabborn manager boasts by starting AOC. The question is why you replace him by useless Russian? why is the need to subs. in the first place? even if you want why not Walcot? Ramsay? who were not in the field at all. I will bet AOC will not get a starting opportunity in the few upcoming games. I am angered not only by his action but by his answer!
What a joke. Time is up Wenger. You’ve buried your head in the sand when faced with Cesc and Nasri leaving, you brought in less than adequate replacements, you insult us with the ” people forget we have 10 players out” crap.
Only 2-3 of those are worthy players, why you stick with and support Arshavin is beyond belief. Who cares if he has the “right attitude” ? HE CAN’T PLAY. Take a look at RVP’s reaction. Should say it all.
You made a very bad decision today and it just sums up the popular belief that you really have lost it. It’s been brewing for a while now and you really need to step down. You have run this once great club into the ground. It’s always someone else’s fault according to you. Have you heard yourself lately ? Pathetic. Top 4 is not going to happen this year I’m afraid and it’s all because you refused to be proactive and actually improve the team. Did you see Newcastle ? Signed Cisse. Not a huge deal, but sure could help us out as Walcott (never ending promise of potential is wearing thin)and Arshavin are useless.
If you truly love this club, then set it free. We need a new direction with new blood. My vote goes to Paul Lambert or Brendan Rodgers. Great young talented managers that “get it”
Our supporters are frustrated at the moment, yes the manager made a mistake but to be fair we were not very impressive in the first half and that is mostly down to injuries. It is strange when an Arsenal player gets injured they always seem to get “setbacks” and take longer to recover than first anticipated?! I think Ramsey has been playing well and is receiving unfair criticism, he will improve once Jack is back. The way that the club handled signing new players over the Summer was unbelievable (perhaps it was because fabregas and Nasri had sprung their intention to leave on the club at the last minute!? Shocking. As for certain players Walcott and Arsehavin …… Dreadful, get rid …. So frustrated.
My guy , calling him stupid is not even enough word to qualify what he looked like, well i think Arsene knows what he is doing, look Gaz, Wenger has a plan for Arsenal yes, what is the plan?
Wenger plan is to destroy Arsenal as he feels he made Arsenal and he can unmade Arsenal. Guys this is just all Wenger have in mind for Arsenal, believe me, He want to bring Arsenal out from Big 4 before his retirement.
Just take a look at what happened on Sundays;s match, Wenger immediately saw that Arsenal want to Win the match, he immediately changed OX, because he knew that the boy has become a threat to Man U, he changed him. On a second thought, I think Wenger is a gambler, he gambles against Arsenal pretends to be our Manager. Wenger openly sold yesterday’s Match against Man U. But in Arsenal we stand, with or without Wenger Arsenal remains Arsenal.. Please Our Plays dont give up your love for Arsenal, play your best . We Fans Love you all and share u boys up always.. UP GUNNERS!!!…
Simply put,Arsene Wenger is d problem the gunners are nursing till date
and until he changes his policy,the team will remain stagnant.its so obviour
Wenger does not have the interest of the fans at heart, the truth is if
you refuse to spend money on quality players,you’ll not gonna get
result…the likes of Man city and Man U spend money,what did they
get in return,(good result)
AlwAyS a GuNnEr
The like of Man city and Man U spent money and both teams
are getting good results.Mr Wenger,pls hearken to the voices
of the people,its all for the betterment of our dear club.
AlwAyS a GuNnEr