Morning all.
I was going to say that it’s hard to believe that nearly 22 years have passed since our north London rivals finished above us in the league but in all reality, it’s not been. However, that long-term record is about to be broken as this season, St Totts day just isn’t going to take place. Back then we finished 12th, five places behind the neighbours. George Graham had been sacked in February with Stewart Houston taking over until the season ended. Back then, finishing behind Tottenham would have hurt the Arsenal faithful.
The sad thing is, not many of our players will probably give a toot about the neighbourly battles these days as they don’t understand the rivalry between the two clubs and fans. Yes they might give the NLD a mention each time it comes around but it’s nothing more than lip service. It makes my stomach churn having to admit that for the first time in so many years, they are getting right all the things Arsenal are getting wrong and maybe, just maybe, that’s one of many reasons which have woken Ivan Gazidis.
By opening up to the fans he’s made it clear that he wants our club to change but as said before, we don’t know exactly what those changes he has planned are. But at least he’s ready for change. He wants our club to buck its ideas up and not drift further and further away from the best teams in Europe, and we will, of that we can be sure if changes aren’t made.
Of course the biggest change would and should be Arsene Wenger moving on with someone younger and more dynamic coming in but the longer this darn saga goes on, the more likely it is he’s going to stay. I’m sure that’s not something which is part of Ivan’s ‘change’ plan though.
Anyway, with the season drawing to a close and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal career too hopefully, just for a bit of fun let’s pick our best match day squad under the Frenchman.
Here’s mine:
Seaman
Dixon Adams Campbell Cole
Freddie Vieira Petit Pires
Bergkamp Henry
Subs: Keown, Mad Jens, Wright, Anelka, Gilberto, Edu, Lauren, Alexis and Winterburn.
Ok, I got carried away with my subs…..
Over to you guys…
Seaman
Sagna Adams Campbell Cole
ozil Vieira Petit Pires
Bergkamp Henry
I’d give up my left kidney to have that team playing for us again! It was a perfect mix of guile, grit and grace.
Totally opposite to what/who we have now Grumpy…
Ivan’s ‘Change’ doesn’t really exist, it was only said to ensure fans renew their season tickets.
Pretending to be in for a big player (but then miss out on him) no longer works on Gooners like it used to
I disagree Dave but only time will tell I guess..
Big whoop if the spuds finish above us. It goes way beyond extreme embarrassment, but as usual, the tiny totts can’t resist crowing. Fact of the matter is that in the last 56 years they have been so far down that they’re not even on the list of ‘big’ teams. They’ve had to wait for our manager to become a pensioner before making any in-roads! We will fight back – hopefully with new blood in charge, but as far as a power shift (favourite journo crap) – when they can add another 11 league titles to their meagre haul then, and only then will it be a rivalry.
I wonder if Ivan knows what to change never mind when to change it! As my good lady would say, “he’s a clueless Mary Ellen.”
He’s as time dated as the manager, imo.
As for the wenger years team, I think you’ve got it spot on Rico. The only debate, for me would be do I include Freddie or stick Anelka in, or Alexis, he is pretty good you know!?
Wall to wall blue skies here, glorious.
If Wenger stays though, we’ll fall further away from them and many other clubs imo..
Difference between 1995 & now is that back then Arsenal were still interested in winning trophies & had someone (David Dein) who cared about the club.
Now, even if there was a change of management, it will have no bearing on the aims as it’s all about making sure there is ‘enough’ for $tan’s dividends, paid for by #WengerOut & #WengerIn CUSTOMERS.
More importantly no trophies will be won, buying & selling for profits is the aim for the Arsenal manager with this current ownership.
The billionaire $tan is no sugar daddy but that is exactly what Arsenal, with a David Dein figurehead, need. $tan is only interested in taking £ from Arsenal without putting anything back (like he does with all his sports clubs) therefore all Gooners must make banners, fly planes & sing….
#KROENKEOUT
Wavy, I reckon Ivan is a switched on cookie, I really do…
I went for Freddie as he and Pires worked so well together, almost like they knew what each other was thinking…
Mesut Ozil:
‘When I went from Madrid to Arsenal, I came for him because I told him at the time he’d be my first option. That was the case. We still have a super understanding today.
‘I have his trust, he’s a superb coach. He’s been successful for many years, he’s been here for 20 years and has always manages to get Arsenal to reach the Champions League, making Arsenal a big club. He deserves to be shown respect.’
Dave. I don’t think we’ll know what kind of an owner Kroenke truly is until Wenger goes. Only then, under a new manager will we know who is holding back the clubs money.
Kroenke is far from perfect, but as far as the football goes, transfers, team selection etc etc, that’s down to Wenger…
Sorry Rico aa bit off topic but spot on
From Alan Smith today, much on the lines we are thinking
———————————————————————————-
“This is definitely a crossroads. They could turn left or right or stand at the crossroads by allowing the manager to stay.
“Arsene has spoken about reinventing himself but I am pessimistic about his ability to do that after so many years because there is no-one at the club to challenge him now.
“Arsene doesn’t want to be challenged. He doesn’t want any dissenting voices. So the board know they’ve got a big decision to make because of the reaction of the fans.
“Other fans look at Arsenal supporters and laugh. They think ‘what have you lot got to worry about? You have won the FA Cup twice recently, you’re in the top four, what’s the matter with you?’
“But when you are an Arsenal fan, that isn’t good enough, especially when you are paying through the nose for season tickets and you look at the other top teams.”
No probs Kelsey.
I read that this morning too, reckon Smudger is spot on…
Catch up later, off to enjoy the sunshine…
Pretty much on the same wavelength rico, just a couple of little tweaks, Lauren in for Dixon and Johnny Hartson just getting the nod over Dennis, other than that, all tickety boo.
Big week for Arsene, Champions League is back so he’ll be off working for some French or German channel commentating on Monaco or Bayern no doubt, the brough game couldn’t have come at a worse time, who schedules these matches ffs.
Ha ha Micko re Hartson…
Boro? What about Palace…. lol
I would have Mr Adam in goal…
Seeing that I suggested it :- Seaman ,Dixon, Adams ,Bould , Cole, Parlour, Vieira, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry , Wright.
Freddie, Alexis, Ozil, Keown , Lauren, Gilberto , Lehmann.
No room for Bischcoff I am afraid.
I asked the question just for you Potter.
rico, that’s a new one on me, home or away lol.
I really need to brush up on my Arsenal these days, it’s getting embarrassing.
Night guys.
Hi Rico and HH.
Thanks Rico for yet another unexpected Post, and thanks for the feedback from everyone.
On to today, Arsenal’s best XI under Wenger?
Lehmann
Sagna Campbell Toure Cole
Overmars Vieira Petit Pires
van Persie Henry
Naturally, Dennis Bergkamp would be ahead of RvP, but I kept it specifically on Wenger’s signings.
It’s a world away from where we are now.
I was contemplating about whether football has ever had a ‘golden’ era, without any corruption or cheating.
It has been going on for so long it’s difficult to separate reality from that which is manufactured, and when you look at the way many big clubs have sold out their fans and souls, just so a greedy mercenary can make a quick buck, it beggars belief that our football authorities have sat back and allowed communities to become so disenfranchised from their local team.
When Leicester won the PL last year, they became only the 24th different winners, which shows us it has been monopolised by a few clubs. But there are big clubs in that list whose fans have been cheated for decades, and you have to wonder why it was allowed to happen.
Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland each have six titles, but both club’s last title was way back in the 1930’s. Newcastle are another big club, but the last of their four titles was won in 1927.
After Arsenal are Everton and Villa, whose last titles were in the 1980’s (30 years this year since Everton’s last), Wolves and Leeds have three each, and neither of them are anywhere near.
It’s a hell of a long time for something to be broken at all of these big clubs, and down the years many people have profited whilst watching over-paid manager after over-paid manager further damage the club’s legacy.
Luton are a prime example. Never champions, but beat us in the League Cup final in 1988, and they’ve only recently climbed back into the Football League after dropping to the Conference.
Our F.A. and football regulators really aren’t fit for purpose when you look at the state of our game in this country.
The thing that put me on this train of thought was Arsene Wenger’s recent quotes about how he ‘built’ the club, and when he arrived Arsenal had seven members of staff, ‘now we’re seven hundred…’
Wenger is an intelligent man who will tell anyone who still listens in multiple languages how much ‘he loves Arsenal’. I’m sure he does in his own way, the club have been eye-poppingly generous towards him, but he will never love the club as much as the supporters.
He is also obsessed with football, which is why I find it strange that he is so dismissive of anything the club achieved before his arrival.
Arsenal won their last European trophy two years before Wenger arrived, and the title-winning side of 1991 lost only one league game, so the idea that he was joining some little tin-pot operation is ludricrous.
Just the fact that he keeps bringing up the past to try and convince people that he’s doing a great job is shameful and embarrassing.
He is a narcissistic reptile whose sole interest is self-preservation.
Nite matey.
Seaman
Sagna Campbell Toure Cole
Alexis Vieira Fabregas Pires
Bergkamp Henry
not sure whether to look forward to the Palace game with all the other ‘top teams’ grabbing a win.
Morning all.
Totally disinterested in tonight’s match…
Can’t disagree there Herb, with anything…
Morning Rico. Yes, I can’t get interested in this evening’s game either. Seems as Wenger is only considering one person as we await his decision.
Morning Adam.
H’s made his decision hasn’t he? Isn’t it the board holding this up?
New post up