Mind if a non-local Arsenal supporter shares his opinion?

Sure you can share too. I'm not local too, that's why i ask because i always wonder how things happen at North London during this moment.

Well, right up front I'll say I still support the team and Wenger. AW is not blaemless in this by a long stretch. His adherence to his tactical philosophy, regardless of the personnel at his disposal is frustrating. I love "beautiful" football as much as the next guy. But at the same time, sometimes one has to win ugly. Couple that with what appears to be a careless attitude towards the backline in recent years, and one can certainly place a share of the blame at his doorstep.

At the same time, those insisting that he spend in the transfer market may not be aware of the entire situation. The stadium debt still needs to be serviced and, for all any of us know, he may be handcuffed in spite of public pronouncements otherwise. Also, the current crop of players need to look in the mirror. None of them, apart from Wilshere and Vermaelen, appear to possess a backbone.

So, I'll continue to support Wenger for now. Really, who would replace him otherwise? And I'll always support the team.

I share the same view as you too. There are lots of insider stuff that we fans don't really know. It is easy to say buy this and that player but actually lots of stuff that must taken into consideration.

Arsene Wenger is still the man to set the ship back to its course. I can't think anybody at this stage that can replace him. If one day he say his time is up, i'm sure he already plan something and his successor for the continuity of the club. He put the club above all and even his personal ambition and achievement.

About the heavy defeat. I think the backline need to be re-worked. Djourou has been off form consistently, last season he was good until half way. Maybe Arsene Wenger will bring two or three players because he said they're working on it at press conference.

Although i'm still imagine Arsenal would stand a better chance if they have Gervinho, Song, Wilshere, Sagna and Vermaelen. It seems injury is one of Arsenal best friend. I don't know why this keep happening. Look at the substitute bench, you can see the senior squad was quite depleted.

The transfer window closes with a busy day for Arsenal:

In-

Santos
Mertesacker
Benayoun
Arteta

Out-
Bendtner (loan)
Lansbury (loan)
Campbell (loan)
Sunu

Not horrible. I figure QPR paid about the same for Traore as the Gunners paid for Santos. That's a plus. Mertesacker should pair well with Vermaelen when both are fit. I've always liked Benayoun's determination. He's no Fabregas or Nasri, but I like him more than Rosicky. Arteta's a good addition. Again, he's not Cesc. But he can bring the flair that Wilshere lacks at this stage.

As for the subtractions, I like that Lansbury will get a chance to play more first team football. And now Bendtner can prove to everyone that all that has been holding him back from being the greatest striker of all time was Wenger's inability to spot quality.

Newcastle completely fail to sign a striker, which is more than a little worrying

Just about Arsenal, these freak results sometimes happen in football. It's just a one off. You may have lost 1-0 on another day, and there wouldn't be quite the same horror! lol If you lose the next game 6-0 then I'll be more shocked.

And! You guys have 'smashed' enough teams in the past! I distinctly remember Postma having the game of his life in goal for Villa at Highbury when O'Leary was our manager (spit), and even then it ended up 5-0...! lol

Also, are Newcastle still for sale?

If Arsenal lose 6-0 at home to Swansea, I think everyone will be shocked.

Heh, that would definitely raise eyebrows.

as far as i know Newcastle are (unfortunately) not up for sale, though i'm sure if a good offer came along he wouldnt hesitate to take it

If Arsenal ships six to Swansea, it'll do more than raise my eyebrows. :-)

after all the talk of definitely getting the Andy Carroll money, the final tally for Newcastle appears to be:

Total spent £12.65m Total received £47m (got from the fan site nufc.com)

i dont even know what to say to that

I'm surprised that Ashley & Co. weren't more aggressive, Dave. I'd have thought with all of the negative sentiment towards his ownership, he would at least be sensitive to anything that could impact his, and the team's, image further.

i think the simple answer is he doesnt care, or doesnt realise what effect his actions will have (i'd go with the former), and its hard to believe anything Pardew says when he's clearly nothing more than Ashley's puppet