Morning all.
I think winter is disappearing fast. The cold frosty mornings are followed by glorious sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Daffodils are growing rapidly, crocus are in full bloom and the snowdrops are standing strong. Everything in the garden and on hedgerows is moving forward towards a new season. Spring. I love springtime, I really do. Sorting the soil for planting, pruning the apple trees and grapevine whilst having a general tidy up in the garden. Everything is heading towards a new beginning.
Except Arsenal.
The old man has hinted that he’ll see out his current two year contract because that’s what he does. Regardless of being so much in demand over the years, turning down top European Clubs along the way, he’s shunned them all to stay in North London. We can all guess as to why and my hunch is it’s because he knew he wouldn’t last five minutes at a club which demands success, a club whose fans would turn on him if he did to them what he’s doing to us and Arsenal. I don’t mean a small group booing or jeering either, he’d face the wrath of of full stadium with one aim and that’s to get him out of their club. They’d probably succeed too, that’s if the club hierarchy didn’t beat them to it.
Arsenal don’t have that kind of ruthless streak at board level. If they did, Arsene Wenger would have been history long before now. Who is there at the required level to be telling Wenger to stop all the idle chitchat about him staying on past the summer and make the best of the time he’s got left which should be just three and a bit months? Sixth place in the league at this stage of the season simply isn’t good enough, certainly not considering how many points sit between us and City or between us and a top four spot. We’ll not overcome the latter gap that’s for sure. So in reality, the only way we can get Champions League football next season is by winning the Europa Cup. The chances of which are slim to none imo. The League Cup might be a nice piece of silverware should we by some miracle beat Man City but I think the chances of that happening are less than winning Europa. I know Pep Guardiola appears to be taking the League Cup seriously but that’s for very different reasons I think. He wants to win every competition he’s in, not just a trophy which very few top managers take too seriously at the beginning of the season.
For Arsene Wenger though, it’s become important, almost as if he needs to win it to justify his own position. Win the Europa League too and he’ll hold all the cards. After all, Mourinho was lorded for doing just that last season.
There’s a bigger picture of course, one which most of can see. After twenty one years at the club, there’s more to Arsenal’s future than winning a trophy which top clubs/managers don’t strive to add to their CV from the moment the new season begins. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d love the club to win both but the future of our club is more important. The way we play is more important, having a strong balanced squad, which we haven’t had in years, is more important, having discipline and passion for the game is more important as is having a well thought out plan for every game we play. That’s important.
We can all turn to money and blame it for ruining the game, for ruining our players who can only turn it on when they feel like it, but what about Barcelona, both Madrid sides, City, Totts, Liverpool, PSG, the list is endless, why can they turn it on in nearly every game they play? The answer for me is simple and it’s because they have a manager who they believe in, who they trust, who they know has plan and more often than not, it works well. Not all are successful and by that I mean winning trophies every season but to watch them play is a pleasure. Watching Arsenal has become a chore for me. It’s boring, predictable and far from being entertaining and football should be entertaining. Not always though I know that, as there’s certain fixtures when pragmatic football has to take over but that’s called being smart and outthinking your fellow manager. Arsene Wenger doesn’t seem to have that tactic in his locker, in fact he doesn’t appear to many tactics in his locker anymore.
This Arsenal team under him has gone from being the most feared in the game to the one everyone wants to play because they know we are weak, they know we are predictable and they know we are there to be bullied and beaten…
No matter what happens between now and the end of May, the time for change is long overdue.
Even Arsene Wenger must see that by now…
We’ve all screamed until we are blue in the face. We’ve all sat open mouthed when teams have smashed 5, 6, 8 goals past us. We’ve all lamented the passing of the Dutchmaster, Vieira, Henry et al. Sadly, we also all know that irrespective of protests, petulance and rage, the man is Teflon! We need change so badly it hurts. Look across Europe at the teams who have cast aside ageing managers for youthful drive and desire. What you will see are clubs who play for their manager, have fresh ideas, work as a team and play a high pressing intense form of football that has just passed us by.
Enrique, Jardim, Allegri, Toral, Emery – the list is endless, just choose one FFS!
You’d think it would be simple. Sit him down, tell him as it is and job done.
Why are our lot so spineless…
Morning Rico. A fine post – again. There does seem to be movement within the club and I may be wrong but I can’t see him doing the last year myself.
Morning Adam, thanks.
I can’t either, surely if he had every intention to stay on with the backing of the board, he wouldn’t be going into another season where all the debate will be about him again.
I’m convinced this is his last.
Seeing this contract out because he has done the same a quarter of a century ago is hardly a reason to continue though is it?
I don’t think so, no.
Another thing. Why would a player as good as Auba want to join us knowing how we play? Mikki too and unless Ozil is a money grabbing toad, then surely he’d know he could do much better things elsewhere…
In arsene we trust ?
Afternoon Rico great long post though that took me a whole 5 minutes to read ???what more can I add you covered it all. Hopefully he fucks off by the summer. I doubt it though.
Is Kronke sending his son here to sack the old geezer or, is he just “joshing”?
I wish I could believe that he will hand in his bib at the end of May but, I just can’t see it! What’s more I can’t see the ancient board of mis directors sacking him, either. Men of their considerable age just don’t have the balls anymore, or so I’ve been led to believe. (Neither has Arsene and that’s his real problem and why be play with such reserve. His testosterone has all dried up!)
Ho hum, another annum!
Afternoon all. Turned out cloudy again.
Is Kronke sending his son here to sack the old geezer or, is he just “joshing”?
I wish I could believe that he will hand in his bib at the end of May but, I just can’t see it! What’s more I can’t see the ancient board of mis directors sacking him, either. Men of their considerable age just don’t have the balls anymore, or so I’ve been led to believe. (Neither has Arsene and that’s his real problem and why be play with such reserve. His testosterone has all dried up!)
Ho hum, another annum!
Afternoon all. Turned out cloudy again
rico, they say it’s medicine without a prescription, gardening leave for Wegner anyone.
Cold lazy wind here, would rather go through ya than around ya !
Afternoon Goonster, all.
Five minutes to read goonie, did you misbhave at school?
It sure is Micko, I reckon a bit of titivation amongst the weeds and flowers would do the old boy the world of good… On French soils of course…
Wavy. Apparently he’s rented somewhere for three months during which time he wants to get to understand how the club is run according to reports. I reckon it should take him five minutes if he just asks Wenger. ‘What I say goes’…..
Wavy – I agree with you, he won’t walk at end of this season nor be sacked because those old men on the Board don’t have the balls, maybe they are all shrivelled up (not the old men). Le Fraud has nothing in his life but AFC. He feels important being the Manager of such a large Club. The people I blame are those 60000 sitting in their seats on match days. If there were plenty of empty seats maybe The Wig would sit up and take notice. I remember standing on the North Bank 40 years ago listening to the thunderous noise from our supporters. Still doubt if those type of supporters are allowed in any more.
Rico, you mean that he is only renting? You’d have thought daddy Stan would have bought him a Ranch out High Beech way!
Still, Wenger will tell him all he needs to know because, after all, the Arsenal is his club and he built it! So,………..after all these years what can a young whipper snapper like Joshy have to offer???.
Perhaps, with the ignorance of youth Josh will ignore his obsolete ways and show him the door and how to pass through it, without touching the sides!
I’ve just entered dream time!
….
“Except Arsenal”
……
The cruel reality.
The best solution: Joaqum Moreira
Wavy, don’t forget it was Josh who wanted Henry on the management team so I think he could have a bit of influence. I can see Stan handing over the reigns sometime soon and maybe, just maybe he’ll listen to Ivan..
Ha ha Jm, I reckon you might be right…
Hi Rico
Just read post. Agree with most of it but not Arsene’s reasons for not leaving for another club. At the time he was the most in demand coach in Europe and would probably have been a success elsewhere. However, he would not have had the control he had at Arsenal. Ironically, the very thing that has caused the problems in recent years but was the key to his success in the early years of his reign.
Thank you Rico for a fine post although at first I thought I had slipped onto a Gardeners World blog written by Fuchia Riccartonii a hardy variety who would rather instead of sticking a knife into Wengers back, stick a Kniphofia up Arsene`s arse !…………………..only keen gardeners like myself and Rico will get that one !…………………….hahaha
You know what I`ve come across ?……………………………all the teams above us are doing quite well, especially CFG, all in latter stages of CL, four of them probably into FA Cup semis and all above us, with all their extra games not once have I heard them complain about …………Fatigue !……………………..yet when Wenger was briefly challenging on all fronts and it went pear shaped, straight away he would use the “Fatigue” excuse !…………………..amazing when you are winning and have plenty of games Fatigue is invisible !
Personally I have never believed or listened to that “Fatigue”….RedZone crap, they are professional athlete`s with sports science on board, two games is nothing with the rest inbetween and light training.
Red hot poker LC. They say Edward II enjoyed his last moments after an untimely insertion of such an object. It cost him his life and his lover’s too. Bit harsh on old Arsene but perhaps the treat would see him change his mind about staying for fear of a kniffophia up his derrière!
Forget Edward II, I’d say he’s going the same way as George III meself !
Micko – reckon he could be worse than George III. What was the remedy for George, red hot poker was it. Believe strait jacket was involved. Either would do for le fraud.
I think of Arsene as more of a Richard the Third nowadays !…………………………….bit of Cockney Rhyme and Slang in there !
🙂
Still haven`t forgiven him for the Forest loss because of the weakened team he put out ………..should have been chucked in the Trent !
Morning all.
Cold and wet here , van next door stuck in mud , Had to tow it out with my car , hope the clutch is ok. Off to the dump ( recycling centre ) soon . Arsenal stagnates whilst work goes on.
Rico HH has been off for a day now. I have been trying to get on for a whole day. Keeps bring up this message “forbidden you ‘re not allow to view this website ” but am glad am finally back on. Afternoon good people.
Looks like we ‘re really going to get ozyakup*spelling* seen a few (handful) games of him and he does look good. Could replace xhaka in our starting 11 and from what I ve heard he’s keen on rejoining us from besiktas. I ‘ll take him pronto but I only have one problem though. He’s just so puny. He needs to bulk up big time. With Wilshire seemingly on his way out and Rambo not committing it’s logical we get someone in.
No idea why that was Goonster.. would you email me please if it happens again…
Ok ma’am will do.
I heard we just signed a new deal with emirates worth million for 5 years. Sounds good more money for the kronks to siphon*spelling * back to America. Gazidis is really pulling his finger out. That catalyst of change bullshit is actually paying off. Lol
Guess she’s gone to sleep. Night Rico.
I am hot and cold on Myles Palmer but sometimes he gets more right than wrong . It’s just his ITK stance that gets on my nerves. However this is interesting especially the last lines.
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/king-arsene-knows-arsenals-future-is-josh-kroeke-and-ivan-gazidis/
Rico I ‘ll be expecting my 50p in cash and that goes for you too paddywack? pep ‘ll definitely lose to Wenger on Sunday. It’s written in the stars. They ‘ll probably be without aguero who sucker punched a fan yesterday after the final whistle. Told you Wenger is the king when it comes to saving his arsenal career. I ‘ll be 100p richer by Monday. In arsene I trust ?????
Morning good people
I read that somewhere about Josh Kroenke too. He must be up to something having come over for three months and my guess is it’s not all about finding out how the club is run. Imo, he’d already know much of that.
No chance goonster, my money is safe in my pocket I reckon…
New post up now.