With a threadbare squad, torn apart by injuries and truncated by a lack of action in the transfer market, it’s none too surprising that fans begin to fret when yet another players rules themselves out of game-time by picking up a suspension. The latest to commit this execrable offense is the Gunner’s Ghanaian born midfield enforcer Emmanuel Frimpong. The disappointment is made all the more potent by Alex Song’s suspension (after he stamped on Joey Barton’s leg in Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Newcastle).
Arsenal’s midfield was one of their strengths last season, but it’s currently looking pretty sparse. Cesc Fabregas has moved to Barcelona, Samir Nasri is on his way out, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are injured and now Song and Frimpong have picked up suspensions and won’t be involved for the next few games.
As for Frimpong himself, I was mightily impressed with his performance, despite him taking a while to settle in. He demonstrated the ‘warrior’ mentality that Arsenal have so often lacked, got stuck in (a little too much, clearly) worked hard and got play moving forward at every available opportunity. The fact is, however, he put in two rather ungamely tackles and deserved to be sent off.
I just hope the fans don’t get too frustrated with him and are willing to accept that he’s a youngster learning his trade and really shouldn’t be facing such high-pressure situations at this stage of his career.
Despite this fact, some fans have taken to message boards and Twitter to launch tirades against the 19-year-old. He’s even had his name changed to ‘Bare Fouls’ on his Wikipedia entry. A player this young ought to be protected and nurtured, not cast asunder. His over-eagerness, should not be confused for stupidity and let’s face facts: if all Arsenal player’s played with his passion the Gunners would be in a much better position.
I can’t say the same thing for Alex Song who is old enough and experienced enough to know better.
The real blame, however, has to lie with Arsene Wenger, whose transfer activity has left his squad in an incredibly bad shape. To be forced to rely on inexperienced youngsters like Emmanuel Frimpong and Henri Lansbury in important Premier League games against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United is absolutely unjustifiable. He may not have foreseen the injuries or Alex Song’s suspension, but he must have known that Fabregas was likely to leave this summer and to not have a replacement lined up to join immediately is just bad planning.
He’s had all summer to act so as to avoid situations such as this, but all he’s managed to do is bring in more youngsters. As things stand Arsenal are in a lot of trouble and when they’re forced to rely on the likes of Emmanuel Frimpong, it’s little surprise that they buckle under the pressure and can’t secure the Gunners the points they desperately need.
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I have supported Arsenal for 40 years. I was a season ticket holder for 16 years at Highbury and have lived through some amazing times and a few tough ones. However, I have never been so worried about my own club as I am now. The board and manager have lied to their fans and made us a laughing stock. We behave as if we are a skint Championship club and are now viewed as a selling club and an easy touch. As fans, we have been betrayed and lied to over how much money there is available for players. We knew last year that our defence needed strengthening, yet we have made no moves at all when there are top players like Baines and Cahill available. We could have bought Mata for £18m but stalled and missed out, and now we have all the stories about Kaka on loan. What a shambles. The current players are also being cheated – with players like Vermaelen playing his heart out, knowing deep down that we need a bigger squad and have done for many years – but fed up like the fans of all the speculation and stories but no recruits. Shame on you Arsenal. Shame on the board and the manager for betraying the fans who have made this once great club a laughing stock across the football world. It is a disgrace and the fans are sick of all the lies. Sack Wenger, change the board and bring back Dein and Usmanov. We have 10 days to add to the flimsiest squad in the Premier league. If it does not happen, I fear that the club I love will be just another ordinary mid-table team – ok if we can afford to watch them, but shameful as we are the most expensive team in the world to watch.
Surely if you lose a player like Fabregas and you think you have a youngster coming through the ranks but not quite ready , you buy a experienced player like Scott Parker to get you over the line while giving your youngster a chance to come through.
Surely Wenger should know that , he claims to give him MORE time to bring players in ?
He`s now backtracking on all his earlier claims ,about a busy summer of movements, he has now lost the fans.
We are sick to death of all the cheap charlie deals he does,screwing other clubs with pathetic offers .
Spot on, I’m quite impress with frimpong, he has the potential to be great player in arsenal.
Again spot on, the person to blame is definitely wenger.
There is a saying: Arrogance and self proud leads to failure…
If he continues with his arrogant and stubbornness mind, He will eventually one day leave arsenal in disgrace, despite of what he has done in previous years…
Blame even the board..am sure wenger can bring in more experienced players, and then after that??the board is not ready to pay them good salaries. mind u arsenal has the lowest wage bill.. i cant blame nasri for wanting to leave for more penny.Arsenal board should style up men!!
WENGER OUT!!! jose in?
enough is enough, missed jones missed mata wont get jags or cahill even cheap players from FRANCE are refusing or offers are too cheap, somebody at arsenal needs to explain what is happening, its our club not wengers or the twat that is Peter (over the)hill-wood.. livid!!!!!
We should look to buy players such as podolski, gourcuff, bentley, van de wiel.. All good rising prospects who won’t cost that much..
frimpong is going to be a main man for arsenal and in short time fans need to get behind our young players.arab and russian money is distorting the league on wage front m c have load players they cant get rid of because of wages maybe wenger should buy midioca players to shut people up
I imagine all of those fans having a pop at frimpong were doing just the same when wilshere got himself sent off last season???
Attempting to blame the loss to liverpool on a 19 yr old midfeild player is desperate really.
Wenger will not be allowed to sign anybody until thursday morning, if we qualify for the champions league. To believe that a board of incredibly rich and powerful experienced businessmen would blindly put their trust in one man’s word on not spending money is blinkered at best. Wenger is loyal and never talks negatively about the team or the club. He definately needs to be pushed in some directions but the multi millionaires lapping the cream from the top of the club are quite happy to let him trot along keeping the balance sheet black.
For four years we have boasted huge profit figures, we have spent zero in terms of net transfer spend. Were has this money gone??
Wenger never learns that when you play only one defensive midfielder, and he gets booked early in the first half, he will get over-run, desperate, and will be sent off later in the game. Time and again we have seen it. Yes, the squad is bare, but having 11 players on the pitch is always better than 10. As soon as we went down to 10, it was game over.
It seems Wenger and the board are at loggerheads ,this could be the reason for the failure to bring in top players.If Wenger walks and a new manager comes in he will want to bring in his own choice of players .Also top players will not want to join a club in turmoil until things are sorted out.
USMANOV, USMANOV, USMANOV!!!! Any1 notice the decline started when Stan started buying up shares?
Wenger is the same guy he has always been whats changed? The Owner!!!!
Sack the board not Wenger
Wenger should not be blamed for the lack signings,why does the board refuse to state the exact transfer kitty available?