otfgoon wrote:
But Wenger specifically mentioned us lacking 'calm and experience' when he mentioned maturity, so I don't see how you can come to the conclusion that he didn't use it in that sense.
I wouldn't call it a "conclusion". It's an interpretation.
When you're dealing in lists of nouns, you often use them to mean distinct things, not variants of the same thing. Seems therefore that "maturity" in that context lends itself all the more to interpretation as age rather than an intangible psychological attribute closer to experience or composure, mentioned at the same time.
His words are open to interpretation, but I think mine fits his other words and actions.
Leaving aside the battles over semantics: do you think Wenger regards the natural "maturing" of the squad - by which I mean the change in the attributes the players we now have over time - as a source of ongoing improvement in our performances?
To me many of our regulars have hit their level or are in decline, so I'd be concerned if so.
These are some of our regular starters and subs who I doubt will improve much further with time as Arsenal players, and may decline: Clichy, Vermaelen, Squillaci, Sagna, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Chamakh, Arshavin, Van Persie.
Some are superb players but the point is I don't really see them getting a lot better. Some of them are definitely on the way downhill.
These are some who I think are still on the way up: Gibbs, Koscielny, Djourou, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Nasri. And of course a host of youngsters not many of whom are up to scratch yet.
