The Arsenal Thread XXIV

[5 days ago]







I'm not afraid to say, I told you so - you are right Jimmy. There is a fundamental problem with Arsenal's mentality and that comes from the manager. You were 2-0 up and cruising but still found a way of bottling it.

Embarrassing.

Mentality is DEFINITELY a factor. People discount it but it's very important.
Take my uni football team, we have a winning mentality, we never give up and are always positive and as a result often win games we have no right to win in terms of individual quality. Won 1 of our leagues this year, where we'd been promoted the year before and were one of the worse sides on paper. But we have a never say die attitude that won us a lot of points with last minute winners and battling results when we weren't playing well. Then I compare that to my summer cricket team, where we go out every week like we've already lost before a ball is even bowled. As a result, we lose games we should easily win, because bar one of 2 players there's no fight.
It's the difference between letting a sloppy goal in and seeing out the half, and getting nervous and ****ing up.

Yet the same thing happens year after year. the only consistent factor in Arsenal's struggles in the last few years is lack of a strong mentality when the pressure for titles is on.

I still don't buy it. We were lucky not to concede twice before we scored and Carroll's goals were just a continuation of the poor defensive quality (and arguably also goalkeeping on the second- great decision by Wenger to play Ospina over a fit Cech) we had shown from the start of the game. People will fit events to their preconceived opinions. You fit it to the 'bottler' narrative. I fit it to the 'poor GK selection and a defence which has been declining since 13/14' narrative.
You could see the goals coming from the start of the game with how shaky the defence was on crosses.

My problem with the 'mentality' argument is that it's too difficult to actually identify it during a game and becomes a lazy, go-to explanation for everything. It's far more worthwhile to look at issues with the tactics, playing style and player quality etc. which are, IMO, bigger issues at the club.

But then I guess it comes down to the manager, anyway, so who gives a ****? No point nitpicking as the people who should take the blame are the same regardless.

Chelsea last season and Leicester this season have had high-scoring starts to their season which gradually shifted to 1-0 wins as they closed in on title glory. They were able to achieve this by keeping their starting lineup fit. I would say that having too many changes in the lineup every week or month can unsettle the squad and cause problems both tactically and psychologically.

Oh wow, Arsenal lost that match about 5-3 and with 11 men, not the 10 they should've had.

I don't buy into conspiracy theories, but that was a really biased ref performance. He gained Arsenal a point, cost West Ham another couple. Normally I wouldn't even question this kind of thing, but we've seen enough from the past few years to know that fixing happens in England and the politics of football aren't exactly pure.

Chelsea last season and Leicester this season have had high-scoring starts to their season which gradually shifted to 1-0 wins as they closed in on title glory. They were able to achieve this by keeping their starting lineup fit. I would say that having too many changes in the lineup every week or month can unsettle the squad and cause problems both tactically and psychologically.

Yet the same thing happens year after year. You've addressed all those points (some more than others) and the only consistent factor in Arsenal's struggles in the last few years is lack of a strong mentality when the pressure for titles is on.

When I talk about mentality, I am referring to a lack of leadership and grit. I agree with your assessment that the defence struggles with crosses, and Wenger does make bad tactical decisions increasingly often. However, you cannot tell me your squad is not good enough. Leicester are top of the league and their squad is far inferior to yours. However, they have huge leaders in Huth, Morgan and Schmeichel and then Kante and Vardy who really lead by example, which allows them to push through these tough moments. Your squad does not have that. Sanchez always puts in a shift but that's about it. When Arsenal are up against it they have no leader to invigorate them, and thus they crumble. After that first Carroll goal somebody should have given that defence an absolute *******ing. How do you think Keane, Vieira or Terry would have reacted? Arsenal have the belief that they are Barca v2.0 and can just outplay teams and not worry about grit. That's wrong and it's a fundamental problem that needs addressing before we start discussing tactics, players and other small details.

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You need to understand that your team will not always play well, but if you want to be champions you need to win regardless. Two or three leaders would transform this Arsenal team and would allow them to push through these tough moments and collect 3 points even when they don't deserve them.

Look at us. We've played **** for most of this season, with players in the wrong positions and kids running the show, but we could potentially be 3pts behind you after tomorrow. Why is that? We collect points when we don't deserve them.

Why would West Ham want Zlatan when they got Caroll?

So it looks like we saved money on not signing schniderline.

Wenger just go upstairs mate, become director of football already ffs.

On the last day of the 2003/04 season we beat Leicester on the final day, who were relegated. Now they're about to win the league before us.