Gunnersaurus wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2017 9:08 pm
Nothing but respect for Ox, could have easily stayed in his comfort zone and taken the 180k a week but values his career more (unlike others)
He never had a chance of succeeding, that game against United at home summed it up, he was playing well and got hooked in the second half, Van Persie wasn't impressed and the cameras picked that up, that pretty much summed up his career, when he played well it meant nothing as he'd be out of the team as soon as injuries cleared and he was never given a proper run in one position so he could get some consistency.
Completely mismanaged and the only reason Wenger wanted to keep him was to not have the embarrassment of him looking to break away from him or for another coach to help him fulfil his true potential and really show Wenger up for the crap coach that he is.
Couldn't have put it better myself, this is exactly how I see it. I'd only add that his performance as a youngster in the 3-0 against Milan, in centre midfield, should have signalled his automatic selection for a period of at least 10 games, to give him a proper chance.
Gunnersaurus also highlights a key point.....this is Wenger nightmare scenario. A player who has the ability and getting out at the right time, to go and develop his potential at a big club. Wenger is an utter coward and has ruined no end of promising careers. Youngsters getting a couple of final 10 minute substitute appearance, often out of position, then not in the match day squad for 3 months, then another 5 mins as a sub, then a couple of season long loan spells at shit sides, before the poor bastards are 23, no further on than when they were 17 and their confidence and hopes shot. So it's then a permanent move to Brentford or Rotherham, a shell of a player who'll never return to haunt Wenger.
He's terrified of a youngster going somewhere and turning into a success, so people can ask him why he failed to develop them. Well, I've always rated the Ox, there's a real player in there imo and I hope he haunts Wenger for as long as the old bastard is around. I'd fucking cheer if he bangs in a brace against us !!
My God what have I become ? Driven to despise the team that was (and somehow still is) part of my being. Fuck 'em all.