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RapsterReturns

Listed below are comments made by RapsterReturns between Thursday, 6th November 2008 and Monday, 10th November 2008.

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Art for Arsene's sake 1:25pm on 10 Nov 2008 Pretty well written - however if I have understood you correctly you seem to be criticising Silvestre? I guess you were not watching the same game as me then as I think he had his best game for AFC to date (often the way versus your old mates). To my mind Silvestre is deservedly keeping Toure out of the team, who looks a bit muscle-bound at present.
Big four toil as Celtic show spirit 10:11am on 06 Nov 2008 Let's get a couple of things straight about the Arsenal shall we? Our squad is lacking depth, quality and experience. Our manager is either unwilling, or most likely, unable to do anything about it, probably due to financial constraints. Last season we played out of our skin for 3/4s of the season, only to fall short at the end. In the summer we lost some key players in Flamini and Hleb and nothing was done about it. The fact that we are top of our group in the ECL and 4th in the Prem is actually something of an achievement, although admittedly of cold comfort today.

For my money Wenger does have a point re the level of injuries we have sustained from illegal tackles (not "spirited" or "full blooded", but illegal) e.g. Ade and Theo on Saturday, Silvestre last night and Eduardo and Rosicky last season. Unfortunately Arsene has earned a reputation, rightly or wrongly, as a moaner or a whinger (real creative journalism there boys) and so anything he says is under the most intensive scrutiny and open to mindless, bigotted barracking even when he has a very valid point, such as against Stoke on Saturday.

That said, something is most definitely wrong and somehow, someway Arsene needs to be strong enough to make some very difficult decisions, perhaps the hardest opnes of his tenure at Arsenal. Gallas is clearly not the right guy to be the captain, Adebayor and Fabregas clearly have their minds on moves away from the club - much as it pains me to admit it as a season ticket holder of some 20 years - and above all else the balance is now completely wrong in terms of youth and experience. This was not the case last year when Gilberto and Lehmann were still at the club, even if they were not playing regularly they were still behind the scenes exherting some influence.

In my unlearned opinion Wenger should go out and spend some money in January (if there really is money for transfers, but that is another story). He needs to get players who are still avilable for the ECL - and yes Phil, Arsenal will definitely qualify for the next stage despite your lack of certainty. I would bring in Green, Upson and Ashton from West Ham 9there is bound to be a fire sale there sooner or later) and Jimmy Bullard from Fulham, or even Gareth Barry from Villa. These guys all have the grit and experience which would dovetail nicely with the silk we clearly already have.

To conclude, I would say to some of the other subscribers on here that despite Arsenal's injuries and week of malaise, they will give United a very good game on Saturday and may very well get a result whatever team they put out. As for Tottenham - fair play on getting a draw but you were still completely outplayed by us despite all the money you spent. You were exceedingly fortunate against Liverpool and you are still very clearly bottom of the league. If you really think Harry Redknapp is the answer to your prayers that is up to you. All I can say is Gerry Francis, Christian Gross, George Graham, Glenn Hoddle, David Pleat, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol and Snr. Ramos (have I missed any out, there are so many!!!)

Rant over. Amen!

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