Arsenal 7 Everton 0

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 May 2005, 09:13

Amazing performance by Arsenal.

Wow 8)

Dennis Bergkamp! 8) I was surprised Henry came on but he was very good. He didnt score but o well

Van Persie is shaping up to be a very good player isnt he? Pires/Reyes were quality also.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 12 May 2005, 11:32

Yeah Bergkamp totally rules. Cant believe people call him too old, as he's obviously still better then 99% of the rest of the guys playing in the PL. But even back in 2000, some people were already saying he should retire...

Each and every year for the last 6 years orso, he has had to cope with a place on the bench at the beginning of those seasons, and then fight his way back into the starting 11, just cause Arsene thinks 30+ is 'old'. He has to keep proving himself over and over again, while Henry is pretty much untouchable in wenger's eyes, as he always keeps Henry in the starting 11.
I like henry, dont get me wrong... it just seems to me that Wenger is unfair to Bergkamp.

Ah well... really hope he can play another year, cause it would be a shame if he'd retire after this season...
I also think it could mean the beginning of the end if bergkamp leaves, as he's been a very important figure in the group, very normal, down to earth, civil and respectfull etc... and things in the side could change if such a character would leave...

Mordib · Post by **Mordib** » 12 May 2005, 12:04

its not that bergkamp is crap now, its just that he's lost a lot of the pace and acceleration that made him the great player he was. He really needs to move to another club to see out his days if he wants regular football , sure he is good enough to play for arsenal still regularly but the age thing does matter, its important to build up good team work between the younger players so that they are great when put together in their mid to late 20s. if doing this means sacrificing some pitch time for older players then so be it, it makes sense in the long run for the biggest clubs..

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 12 May 2005, 12:40

Mordib wrote:its not that bergkamp is crap now, its just that he's lost a lot of the pace and acceleration that made him the great player he was. He really needs to move to another club to see out his days if he wants regular football , sure he is good enough to play for arsenal still regularly but the age thing does matter, its important to build up good team work between the younger players so that they are great when put together in their mid to late 20s. if doing this means sacrificing some pitch time for older players then so be it, it makes sense in the long run for the biggest clubs..

But I really dont see Bergkamp having lost much of his pace. just last season he outran 3 defenders and scored a fine goal. He's always been pretty fast, but he never really had to use it much, cause he usually opts to make a brilliant pass or whatever. Plus he's so quick in his mind already so that he's usually at the right place at the right time anyway. (As Cruyff said, it doesnt matter how fast you can run, it's about being at the end of pass, which really has to do with alot more then just pace...)

I think the best thing for the team is to let the best players play. And as long as dennis is still better then his rivals for a certain position, Dennis should play and those rivals should work and train harder and become smarter, so they will EARN that position, instead of it being given to them from Wenger... That way the team will grow stronger, and it will be fair to Dennis (To be benched cause someone else is better then you, is frustrating.... but to be benched even though you're the best, is just plain evil.)

I agree the younger players should also get time, but there are 2 other positions up front to fill, so Wenger should also bench henry from time to time whenever he's not playing up to par. Plus, the young players will still get plenty of playing time when dennis is subbed or whenever either dennis, reyes or henry is injured...

edit: what age is shearer btw!?

Mordib · Post by **Mordib** » 12 May 2005, 15:55

lol, i assume shearer is 33/34 by now, but then he is a one man mob, he weilds such power both within the club and within the fanbase i dont think they would dare not play him unless thats what he thought was best

its also worth noting that he actually started 36 games and came on as a sub in the another 9 so he has played in a lot of games this season!! plus he only scored 7 goals in that time. so he is playing lots and apart from the odd wonder display he's not playing great

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 12 May 2005, 16:35

Mordib wrote:lol, i assume shearer is 33/34 by now, but then he is a one man mob, he weilds such power both within the club and within the fanbase i dont think they would dare not play him unless thats what he thought was best

its also worth noting that he actually started 36 games and came on as a sub in the another 9 so he has played in a lot of games this season!! plus he only scored 7 goals in that time. so he is playing lots and apart from the odd wonder display he's not playing great

Ah, but Bergkamp is all about creating chances for others, which he has done plenty this season, as usual. Plus he hardly ever loses the ball and always does something usefull with it. Those around him wouldnt be as productive if he wasnt there to 'feed' them...

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 May 2005, 16:54

True. IMO he is a legend, he makes EVERYONE around him play better at times (and that includes Henry). Look how good Henry was when he came off the bench, he created chances too and almost scored himself.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 May 2005, 22:03

I don't even support football and this impressed me. My Dad and brother went to see it live last night (they're both big Arsenal fans).

It must've been one hell of a game.

p.s - This must be my first "Sports" post

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 13 May 2005, 09:57

bradavon wrote:
p.s - This must be my first "Sports" post

I hope you havent strained yourself

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 13 May 2005, 19:49

everton are shit though.i'm embarrassed they finished ahead of us,shows what a crap league outside the top 3 the premiership is.ah well,we have the small matter of a CL final to look forward to.

and whinger wenger's comments that we are lucky to get there were petty & uncalled for imo.sourpuss.