The only surprise is that it didn’t come earlier

Deschamps is recognised as the best manager in French National Team history. Most teams and managers today consider it a huge challenge to play against this master tactician who combines superior judgment and man management skills. Some people forget that he had to manage a great French team in the last world cup that had lost three / four world class players to injury yet they only lost by the finest margin in the finals. He knows also how to get behind key players: he supported Griezmann through his 18 months dark patch and it has paid off handsomely. He has also rebuilt the NT team from the back integrating a new goalkeeper and centre back pairings after key players retired. He knows how to play the media game too. Where does that leave Saliba? Crazy enough, France has probably four young world class centre backs to choose from and another four knocking at the door: Saliba, Kimpembe, Konate, Upamecano, Malo Gusto, Disasi, Todibo, Fofana not mentioning Kounde or Zouma… I agree that this hasn’t helped William assert himself, but also IMHO centre back is probably the position that works best by having perfect coordination as well with GK (and midfield). Just the drills and repetition of playing together enhances performance immeasurably… Saliba hasn’t had this chance with France yet but he grasped it eventually when time came, belatedly, with Arsenal. When I look at these 10 names above I’m convinced he belongs in the top two and that his time will come. I’d be surprised if he isn’t thrown in this window and it would be an important step towards establishing him as a key player and eventually opening up the opportunity to become the worthy successor to Varane.

Nightmartinelli

Let’s agree to disagree: just look at Arsenal’s net spend under Wenger it’s ridiculously low and always dwarfed by the other big 4 teams. The blatant mistake was Mustafi, but managing to bring prime Auba and Lacazette in latter years as well as Xhaka is testament to the professor’s gift. the difficult ego was really Sanchez who by that time was no longer in his prime. Ozil was a notoriously difficult character that Papa Wengz kept in check.

That’s an excellent question! Here is my personal take.

The fans became the story rather than the team. Arsenal’s underinvestment in the team became notorious and lack of results became the norm. Other teams had stepped up investment, and Arsenal became uncompetitive. Of course, Arsène Wenger’s perpetual optimism grated against that background, but eventually the lack of backing by the owner was the big culprit as well as his faith that FFP was going to be upheld. He could no longer attract the young talent for a song , as he had before so basically he was accused of no longer being a wizard.

The fans should have gone against the real culprit sooner, silent Stan.

When Wenger was replaced the results got worse under a very good manager , and they turned only after substantial investment was finally made.

In short, fans and owners were pretty disgraceful: Wenger was given no real opportunity to compete, and was made the scapegoat.

That period remains a very sad stain in club memory and I personally won’t forgive that fans forgot that they are supposed to be supporters. As it were a lot of them were just self absorbed arseholes.

I’d put Odegaard in but tbh Rodri ahead of Rice for defensive midfield.

You didn’t miss anything mate