Daily Bits and Bobs

A reason to be cheerful as Arsene Wenger set to be offered a new contract, but will he sign it?

Posted on by rico

As time ticks by each season we all discuss players contracts. Who does and does not, in our own view, deserve to stay and not surprisingly those views differ very often.

Players like Walcott, Djourou, Ramsey, Jenkinson, Fabianski, Mannone, Chamakh etc are all names that pop up very often and cause divide amongst us, in opinion only I mean.

The biggest divide though and one which often causes great upset to some, is the fans opinion of the manager, Arsene Wenger.

The daily abuse and name calling of a man who has done so much for our club, seems to hold no boundaries but thankfully here, any kind of criticism is done on a level that any man or woman would be prepared to say to Wenger’s face. Name calling seldom gets anyone anywhere.

Arsene Wenger’s contract expires in the summer of 2014 and Ivan Gazidis has given a big hint that the club are set to offer him a new deal:

It’s not a sense of sentimentalism, not a reward for services, it’s a belief that we have an incredible manager who loves this club and is the best man to lead us forward.

We’re really confident about the direction that the club is heading. I feel he can keep going for a long time. He’s in fantastic shape and he’s as driven as he’s ever been and excited as ever.

At the same time, as a club, we have to make sure that all of the things that Arsene has brought to the club are enshrined in our DNA to make sure that when the day comes when Arsene decides it’s time to hang up his boots – I don’t know what the expression is as a manager – that we are in a position to take his ideas and work forward.

The values that Arsene has brought to the club together with the values the club had before Arsene are what will inform us – and I don’t want to give any indication that this is happening – and give us the framework as to who might take over from him in the longer term.

Many times over the last seven years we have all read, and some of us are guilty of writing, about how the current board and manager are content to finish in the top four of the Premier League each season because of the Champions League financial reward and winning silverware is not top of the agenda.

Well, Ivan Gazidis is having none of it:

We get accused of a lack of ambition or complacency because, apparently, the board are only interested in the top four – that is absolute rubbish.

We’re trying to win. In fact, we try to do more than that, we try to win with style – we have a certain way of playing football that we take pride in. So again, it’s a high ambition.

I know we haven’t achieved that in recent years. There’s no-one at this football club that doesn’t feel the pain of not being able to do that in recent years but absolutely that’s what we’re trying to do and we want to do it on a sustainable basis going forward.

We’re very optimistic about this season, even through the loss of a player as important as Robin van Persie.

We went through some major challenges last season and yet still came near the top of the game. But it’s not what we’re aiming to do. We’re absolutely trying to win silverware and we’re trying desperately hard to do it this year.

We lost Alex Song too Ivan, but I guess he wasn’t that important!

My own view is that Arsene Wenger will accept any offer of a new contract, he’s not ready to hang up his boots just yet and if this summer, signing the players with the level of quality they have is a sign of things to come, then surely him staying on isn’t a bad thing, is it?

From what Gazidis has said, the club aren’t about to change their approach in the way the club is run, so maybe it’s a case of ‘better the devil you know’?

Although I strongly suspect some will say it’s not…..

That’s it for another day, have a good one.

rico

0 thoughts on “A reason to be cheerful as Arsene Wenger set to be offered a new contract, but will he sign it?”

  2. rico says:

    Morning all…

    A lot could depend on what we do this season Pele, a good season could mean better sponsorship deals..

  4. Bendtnersgone says:

    Morning Rico, I must have lost a year somewhere if 2014 is only 10 months away. 🙂
    I think Arsene will stay and I want him to stay. We football fans are fickle and it only needs a trophy or two and suddenly ‘Arsene Wenger’s magic’ will be cascading down from the stands once more.
    It’s been a tough time for him as well as us just trying to stay vaguely within reach of the sugar daddy clubs and I have no doubts at all that once the club has full use of all revenue we’ll see the sorts of signings we’d all like him to make.
    For me this summer was a big indicator of the directional shift the club is going to be making.

  6. Romford Pele (HC) says:

    Morning Rico,

    It really depends on our current positioning at the time. Major sponsors aren’t going to want to back a team which isn’t competitive and has no star players. Part of the reason I think we went after the likes of Cazorla, Giroud and Poldi this summer. I also expect Jack and AOC to turn into stars too.

  9. Romford Pele (HC) says:

    I don’t think Guardiola was ever really an option tbh Adam. I fully expect Bould to take over after Arsene (if he wants the job).

  13. scott says:

    why would he leave, he is getting paid much more to acheive 4th spot, which is the only ambition the club has. Although IG denies it, everyone is aware of the ground reality. CL spot is the only ambition every year. Kudos to the manager, IG, board and lovely fans who are all content with 4th spot.

  19. Adam says:

    Romford. Guardiola would have to be an option and let’s not forget that the ownership could change within the next couple of years too. Bould might or might not be suitable, but a club like Arsenal would surely have to have alternatives available all the time. On field success is by no means assured this season and a few losses and a drop in performance changes the landscape completely.

  21. martin wengrow says:

    Despite making many errors over the passed 5 years or so, Wenger should be offered a 2 year extension to his current contract. The club is in a marvellous position going forward, and Wenger is the man to bring us future success.

  24. Adam says:

    Scott. Speaking personally, I don’t know of any fans who are content with 4th spot. What you say is an opinion, not fact.

  25. rico says:

    I hope we don’t play Diaby, any doubt leave him out I say…

    scott – from what IG says, they are not only interested in 4th spot and this maybe just be the one to prove that, especially if AW signs another player or two in January

  27. rico says:

    Morning Adam,

    AW may not sign a new contract, maybe he is ready to hang his boots up – no doubt he will get fired a few questions at todays press conference but I doubt he’ll give much away.

    Good news on Jack and Sagna there emma…

  29. scott says:

    rico, AW could have signed this summer additional players if he wanted to, however that wud have put the profits for the season awry, hence he did not sign any, chances are he might sign someone in dec, provided Arsenal are in 6th or 8th position. IG also mentioned clearly that emphasis is not on winning, it is about style of play which ultimately results in 4th spot, which he is content and happy about.

  30. Bendtnersgone says:

    Scott, I find it hard to believe that after all the success and trophies Wenger won whilst at Highbury that he’s suddenly not too fussed about winning so long as he gets his annual jaunt around Europe.
    I think Gazidis is as slippery as an eel but I believe Arsene has acted in the best interests of the club as he sees it and would love to get back amongst the pots.
    I don’t know a single gooner that’s happy to just get 4th, myself included, but I’m willing to give Wenger the benefit of the doubt and wait to see what he does when we have full financial firepower. He’s never going to pay £50m for someone though.
    In the meantime I’ll just keep praying it comes together this season.

  31. Scott from Oz says:

    Speak for yourself Scott.
    Don’t jump on here for one or two comments and presume to know what we all think!
    I actually liked hearing a bit of fire in Gazidis belly…just hope it isn’t a facade.
    Guardiola Adam….i reckon he wants two or three seasons off.
    After that though…….

  32. rico says:

    emma – nor do I. I strongly suspect that Ramsey will start as Coq’s comments would not have gone down well with AW..

    Personally, I would start with the latter…

  33. Adam says:

    What Wenger offers is stability and economic balance. These are super attractive qualities for an owner I would imagine. Despite being at the club so long I think he still has a lot to prove beyond those obvious attributes, especially to the fans.

  34. Scott from Oz says:

    I have no doubt Wemger sets his price on a player,and simply will not go one cent over it.
    Really,it takes any emotion out of the equation,and it stops us getting in a bidding war with the Citehs of the world.

  35. rico says:

    scott (not oz)

    There are a lot of assumptions there – and I doubt very much that you know what AW was or was not trying to do in the summer, not his reasons behind not signing any more players.

    And suggesting that IG has said we are not focussed on winning, well you must have read something very different to me…

  37. Bendtnersgone says:

    Adam, did you start supporting arsenal in 2006?
    Surely you wouldn’t have made that last comment if you’ve been around longer. When he first arrived he was a pioneer of what we now take for granted from all the top flight clubs.

  39. scott says:

    Ambition is the key, if we are so ambitious as IG says, then RVP, nasri, song, cashley wud not have left us. Its time for a change, some fresh ideas to be brought in, otherwise we will continue to be a feeder clubs for big fish like barca and mancs.

  40. rico says:

    Bg – try 1926, that’s how long Adam has been a Gooner 😉

    Seriously, read the whole comment again, and I for one think he is spot on. AW is perfect because he is doing all that the owner/board want him too.

    Doesn’t mean that I or anyone else agree that what the board are doing is right

  42. rico says:

    You can’t make players stay scott – and RvP didn’t want to stay, nor did the others.

    Yes, the club could have made RvP see out his contract but losing the £24M we got for him would have been sheer madness, same with Nasri the year before.

    If we are to blame anyone, blame those responsible for sorting out their contracts, which should have been done long before they were about to enter their final season…

  44. rico says:

    scott – have you not noticed the change, the new fresh ideas that have been brought in??

    Their names are Steve Bould and Neil Banfield and their ideas, which are clearly to stop the goals conceded, is actually working at the moment.

    Other changes have been signing three mature and very very good international players

  45. Bendtnersgone says:

    I’m not disagreeing that he’s a board’s dream financially. But we moved from Highbury because we were unable to compete in money terms and Arsene did a great job unearthing gems like Henry, Vieira et al on the cheap. He had to do it on the cheap.
    Now we’ve moved and he still has to do it on the cheap because of the debt. This is why I want to wait and see what he does with big money available to him. He’s never really had that sort of cash to play with before.
    Is he too set in his ways to use it as we’d like? We’ll have to wait and see.

  46. rico says:

    But we all know that part of it Bg, we have been saying that for years, BUT, if the current owner and board continue the way they are then AW can do little about it.

    My preference is to see a R&W takeover, but until that happens, very little will change I suspect.

  47. scott says:

    those 3 signings are not additional signings, but replacements to ensure continuity of reclaiming CL spot. Agree Bould and banfield are in,thats only becoz old fart rice, finally retired.

  49. Bendtnersgone says:

    Adam, I wasn’t trying to be humorous, I just don’t think he has to prove himself. I can’t think of another manager that could have kept us anywhere near the top or would have stuck around long enough to do it.

  50. Adam says:

    BG. But you still haven’t told me what was wrong with the statement that you rather rudely condemned. Also, Vieira and Henry were bought long before we moved from Highbury and at the time nobody thought that Henry was cheap. And he also unearthed a few players on the cheap that we’re not gems. My point is that, despite his financial prudence, his lack of success over the past several years still has many fans questioning whether he can win another trophy. Unless Usmanov comes in he will never have really big money available to him and if we take him at his word, he would not spend £30 million plus on a player anyway.

  51. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good morning Rico et al.

    Scott from Oz — I hope your feeling a bit better. Hopefully our team will give us both something to cheer about this Saturday.

  53. Bendtnersgone says:

    Rico, the only part of what Adam said that I disagree with is that he has to prove himself. Yes, he provided stability when things could have gone tits up. Before that he won doubles and F.A. Cups. Did anyone of us say then that he must prove himself?

  54. Scott from Oz says:

    Scott,would you name ANY club that can simply bring in players whilst NOT discarding others….thus making them replacements…
    I have said this before,and i still truly believe it.
    If we had paid 25 million for Cazorla and 20 million for Podolski,plenty of Arsenal fans would actually give the club and Wenger more credit!!
    It’s true.

  55. Scott from Oz says:

    Thanks CG…still feeling sit,but still breathing!!
    I can’t wat til saturday.
    I have a 3 hour drive to race my dogs,followed by the return trip,then stay awake for a midnight kick off.
    Seriously though…i can not wait.
    Two weeks is a long time.

  58. Bendtnersgone says:

    Adam, the part I disagree with is that you feel the lack of trophies over the last several years means he must prove himself. I just don’t think he’s been able compete on a level playing field monetarily speaking. Therefore I feel it’s a bit unfair to castigate him.
    Didn’t mean to be rude either, apologies.

  59. Adam says:

    BG. I said that he had to still prove himself to many fans. Not for what he did years ago. We all understand and appreciate that. But the footballing landscape is changing and the sad fact is that recently we have not won anything, despite being close. I believe that we could have done better, without spending many millions and am thinking about the way the goalkeeping situation was allowed to drift without being addressed. In this way I think that all managers need to constantly re-invent themselves for the times and, yes, prove themselves.

  60. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam,BG…can i hazard a guess here.
    Adam meant,and correct me Adam,that he must “once again” prove he has what it takes to get us back to the top.
    Yes,he climbed the mountain once,but it can’t be taken for granted he can do it again.
    I believe he defintely has it in him.
    Kel….i am not fussed on Stan,but i do not believe any of us truly know Usmanovs intentions,so think he is a major risk.
    I have splinters in my arse from sitting on the fence 🙂

  62. Adam says:

    BG. No problem mate. A healthy debate is always good and is what HH is all about really. We are probably not far apart in our thoughts but sometimes semantics get in the way.
    Scott (Oz). Didn’t know you were ill. Sorry to hear that. I wish you better.

  63. JW says:

    The chances of Arsenal ownership changing are zero! Silent Stan has never, repeat never, sold a single share in any of his sport franchises. He is extremely wealthy, as is his wife, in her own right.

    His sons, who run his sporting enterprises, are chips off the old block and are just as adamant about retaining control.

    I can’t see Red and White gaining more than a small number of shares, over and above their current holdings, certainly not enough to affect Kroenke’s overall control.

    Gazidis is a Wenger fan and reflects the owners views, I’m confident that Le Proffeseur will remain in command at least until he has completed twenty years as manager.

  67. Bendtnersgone says:

    Now there Adam, I do agree with you. The goalkeeping fiasco and also keeping Pat Rice past his sell by date are blots on his copy book. A fresher coaching team before now may well have convinced some of the splitters to stay put.
    Btw, love Ricey but he needed to put his feet up.

  68. Bendtnersgone says:

    Mr Oz, he definitely can do it again. I’m not sure he’d have fallen from the peak in the first place had the move not been necessary.

  72. scott says:

    Scot from oz, the ones to be discarded are still sitting pretty tight, the ones required to push for titles are the ones leaving. This is a vicious cylce, as we will always be trying/scrambling to fill the void left by these stars leaving,so the ones who gain are those who are not in teh spotlight et al chamaks and squillaci of arsenal world. If you are able to convince your star players to stay and add good quality players, we will be able to challenge for trophies. Do you think AW wud have got poldi and Giroud, if RVP had already extended his contract, the answer is no.

  73. Bendtnersgone says:

    Jack Walker did it first at Blackburn and I remember despising the fact they’d bought the premier league trophy. That’s why I want neither Kroenke nor Usmanov as a sugar daddy. Before the Glazers Utd did it right and were at the very top. We can do that without billionaires.

  74. JW says:

    Adam,

    I think his words were “we don’t need his sort here” However, his financial muscle ensured that the club had the backing to allow it to go ahead with the restructuring while maintaining a reasonable level of competitiveness.

    Before you say it, no I’m not happy that we have failed to win a trophy for so long, but I am happy to watch a team playing the kind of football envied by other clubs supporters around the world. I don’t know how long you have been an Arsenal fan but if you had seen some of the dross served up in the past I think you would take a slightly different view of the manager’s efforts.

  75. Lewis says:

    Morning all. No surprise at all that Arsene would be offered an extension, I believe as long as he is fit and has the desire he will continue as our manager. I love the arsenal brand of football, we are by far the best footballing side in the prem, what has been lacking is proper coaching in defence, it is early days but bringing bouldy in seems to be having the right effect. I don’t think he is ever going to give the defensive unit an easy time if they are accountable for mistakes. So Wenger coupled with the new back room staff looks an exciting proposition to me for another 4 years.

  76. Bendtnersgone says:

    True Scott, another blot on Arsene’s copy book is overpaying crap players who then can’t be moved on.
    Why have I been defending Wenger? 🙂

  77. Dylan says:

    Didn’t he say that the last contract he signed would be his last in management and then he even went on in naming his successor Dragan Stojkovic. A man who himself has stated that he would love the post and has stated that what is missing at Arsenal is world class signings… If Wenger stays- Awesome. If he retires when his contract finishes, at least his successor looks promising

  78. Adam says:

    JW. I believe he went a bit further than that when he initially discussed Kroenke’s potential involvement. And I have going to the Arsenal since I was taken by my Dad as a kid in the late sixties. Long enough to be allowed an opinion?

  79. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    Of course we should be a bit cheerful Rico. No goals against is one of them. Hope we keep a clean sheet in the next three games. Too big an ask??? We did it before, why not do it again?

  81. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Morning all. Evryone well? (Obviously not Aussie Scott – get well soon mate).

    Hopefully the Wenger that signs the new contract will be the Wenger that wasn’t afraid to splash the cash in the transfer window and not the miser we had before.

    Lee – ready to get your eats on tonight?!

  83. Canadian Gooner says:

    We might be a bit premature. If I remember correctly Arsene usually hasn’t signed an extension until the final season of his current contract.

    If we have a good season, I think he will sign an extension. Although he has recently changed his approach by signing more experienced older players, I still think he believes in “Project Youth’. I think he will want to see more young players make the jump from the Academy to the first team. I also think he wants to groom Steve Bould as first team coach and possibly his sucessor as manager if Steve shows the aptitude. It a big step up from coach to manager and there is no guarantee that the club will follow Arsene’s recommendation.

    Many of our larger sponsorship contracts expire in 2014. If the club manage to renegotiate those on par with some of our opposition, we should experience a significant increase in revenue. However, the success of those negotiations and the amounts of the deals will be contingent on the success of the team over the next one or two seasons. Likewise with Arsene’s contact extension.

  84. JW says:

    Adam,

    Glad that you have stuck it out so long, and everybody is entitled to an opinion, just as everybody is entitled to disagree with it.

    I’ll trump your late sixties with my late forties. What do these Johnny-come-latelys know. 🙂

  87. Scott from Oz says:

    Mornng Devil.
    Scott…..i should have realised guys like Vermaelen and Koscielny are just bench warmers…not worthy of first team football.
    I mean,by our definition,it only this type of player who’d extend a contract,right??
    Yeah…..right.
    Answert this,if you please.
    Why is it when we had Cesc,Clichy,RVP,Nasri and Song we won nothing for 7 years??
    Now you can reply by blaming Wenger.
    I will respond by saying he was the guy smart enough to get them to the club when nobody else saw their true value,and was smart enough to sell them on at a massive profit,and also point out that not one of them is actually playing better football now than when they donned our shirt….the tension will build….names may be called……..aaaahhhhhhhh,i have finished it,so let’s leave it at that,hey??

  88. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Scott (Oz) – I actually think that after Fabregas left, he actually played better. But the new manager has come in and benched him for some reason. But the others I totally agree.

  89. Scott from Oz says:

    Thanks Rocky…i am hanging in there lol.
    CG…i am very confident project youth will start paying handsome dividends,and quite soon…..there are some ripper kids in the next batch.
    Add to this the fact that we should have some more bucks to throw around in a year or two,and we do have the makings of a League dominating squad.
    I did say we’d have more bucks to throw around,not that we’d actually throw them around 🙂

  90. Scott from Oz says:

    I disagree Rocky…well,kind of.
    He was suddenly available more for Barca than he was for us,so he just showed his skills more frequently.
    At his best for us,he ran the show.

  91. Scott from Oz says:

    I have read a hell of a lot on Hazard…remember him,my golden haired boy of 6-12 months ago…..the media seem to love him.
    It was lovely to see our lad Santi awarded player of the month!!
    Right…back on topic.

  92. Adam says:

    JW. I’m a Highbury boy born and bred. I have been going for a long time but I believe that we live in the present and am obviously pleased that we play such nice football. Of all the supporters that I know and sit with year in year out, although many have fallen off the map because of the season ticket increases, I am the most pro Wenger. What he did is gone, the most important thing is what he is going to do this Saturday and this season for me. Every season seems pivotal when you are living it game by game. Yes, the club is at a financial disadvantage compared with others but I believe it can still win something of note. If last year’s Chelsea team can win the CL, then why not?

  93. rockyrocastle07 says:

    He did run the show, agreed. But then he also went missing. I still love the guy, and would love him to come back, but sometimes he was nowhere to be found. He just looks more up for it, and to me, just seems to have raised his game another notch. But I know what you mean.

  99. Scott from Oz says:

    Wenger has stated there is no rush to sign a new contract.
    Shit…..that little bastard “inside” is telling him to go to Utd as well 🙂

  100. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott from Oz — “I did say we’d have more bucks to throw around, not that we’d actually throw them around.” That is the big question, will we spend it? It would help to know if Wenger’s parsimony is self-imposed or dictated by a budget set by the BOD and/or Kroenke.

    Another factor that will play a large part in all this is how successfully UEFA’s FFP scheme is instituted and enforced. If it really does level the playing field and force club’s to operate within their commercial means, it could well herald a return of Arsenal to the top. Though again it is another big IF.

  101. rockyrocastle07 says:

    CG – until Wengers book comes out after he leaves, we’ll never know the answer to that question about transfers/budget

  102. Scott from Oz says:

    Exactly right on all points CG.
    I am off to sleep guys….before i collapse!!
    Must try to go to work tomorrow….must try to ………zzzzzzz

  104. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rocky — Unfortunately, you’re probably right, but even then I don’t see Arsene writing a tell all book.

  108. devilgunner says:

    I feel that Song was kept due to the horrendous injuries suffered by Diaby. Now that AW has the GPS he knows more about Diaby and his recoveries than before.

    BDW…..how many weeks has RVP got on the table????

  109. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rocky — Maybe if Arsene agrees to an authorized biography and the biographer gains Arsene’s confidence, he may let slip some juicy details. However, if Arsene is true to his form it will be oblique references or a statement that is open to interpretation.

  111. emma says:

    Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton at Emirates Stadium.

    on Abou Diaby…
    He will have a test on Friday morning and we will go from there. At the moment he is 50:50. It is a small muscular problem that is very minor. But of course we are in the situation that, because we play so many games now, should we take a gamble or not with him? We are playing on Saturday, on Tuesday and then we go to Manchester City.

    on the goalkeepers…
    Lukasz Fabianski is out with a shoulder problem. He has come back from Poland with a shoulder problem and Wojciech is perfectly fit and ready. He will be in the squad.

    on any other injuries…
    There are none from the international games. The only problem we have at the moment is that Theo Walcott is in bed with a virus. He missed the England game with a virus. He should be back today, so we will have to see how well he has recovered from that.

    on Emmanuel Frimpong…
    He is very close. He joins the squad again next week for complete, normal training. It is very good news because he is really fit and ready. He has worked very hard and we are amazed how good he looks at the moment.

    on long-term absentees….
    Wilshere is not far away. Sagna is not far away. At the moment the injured players look like they are recovering well. The main injuries are Frimpong who is recovering well, Wilshere is short-term, Sagna around two weeks and Rosicky around two to three weeks.

  114. Bob John says:

    Hi all.
    If you go back to when AW took over, the club we probably most resembled was Everton. Similar history and stadium size – had recent success but going through a lull. Compare what has happened to the two clubs since then yet AW is castigated for a recent lack of trophies whilst David Moyes is hailed as some sort of miracle worker for keeping them up and sometimes in the top 10!To me, that is a true mark of Wenger’s worth.

  120. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Gooners.
    Interesting post Rico…
    Was it one of Wath’s..? 😉
    Been a lively debate going, but I have to give it to Bob John.
    Great comment Bob.
    And may I congratulate you for a wonderful goal in the 1932 FA Cup Final. Shame about the final score.

  121. allezkev says:

    Those were encouraging words that Arsene spoke when discussing Frimpong.
    He will grow and mature and therefore leave behind some of his youthful silliness.
    I know quite a few doubt him, but i’ve always like Frim, he seems to love playing for the club, therefore I always cut him some slack.

  126. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Nice one, Lee.

    I think we deserved that win over Newcastle in 1998 just from the fact of the “allowed” 1932 goal and Wally Barnes being carted off with a broken leg in 1952…

    As a point of note – the Robledo brothers (Chilean) who played in the 1952 final lived in the same village that my wife came from … The same village that formed the catalyst for the 84/85 miners strike …

  128. allezkev says:

    Thank you Lee.
    I shall speak to you later….. 🙂
    SYG, think it was knees ligaments with Wally Barnes mate.
    If I recall Lionel Smith re-broke his arm, that he had just recovered from and Arsenal finished the game with only 8 players who could actually play.
    So yeah, like you, beating Newcastle in 1998 was a very enjoyable piece of payback…
    Leeds next, we owe them eh?

  130. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    So today we’re being told by Gazidas top four ain’t acceptable but winning and winning in style is while only a while back PHW was telling us finishing outside the top four wouldn’t be a disaster for a club like Arsenal, in one ear and out the other.

    SYG, “Not so much Lucky Arsenal but Plucky Arsenal” I can see that catching on, nice clip.

  133. JW says:

    Rocky @11.25,

    Tony Adams was a great player and a great Arsenal man but his managerial career to date is less than inspiring. Steve Bould has the ability to do the defensive coaching that would otherwise be Adam’s forte, I’m not sure Tony’s “up and at em” approach is still altogether relevant today.

  134. JW says:

    Micko,

    I think you missed out a word in your PHW quote, between a and disaster should be financial.

    The inclusion gives an entirely different meaning to the quote.

  135. Micko says:

    He’s just playing it cool rico.

    JW, Big Tone was offered the chance of staying on when he retired but wanted to go it alone, I’m sure it didn’t pan out the way he wanted, Azerbaijan was a long way from home.

  136. Will XL says:

    I have to love the internet for allowing me to share dialogue with people who have supported Arsenal for so long! I’m genuinely honored. Unlike you lads, the only Arsenal I have known is Wenger’s Arsenal, (my support of the club is pretty much started just as he took over). You can imagine then, that when he does leave, i will be pretty devastated. Despite the dry spell, i just cannot imagine having to get warned up to another manager. Wenger and my Arsenal go hand in hand. i appreciate our impressive history and the fact that many have come before him, but he is all i have experienced. I have witnessed his brilliance and i have no doubt that he is the perfect coach for our club. I just pray that whoever succeeds him, will carry on his legacy and his footballing ideology.

  137. Micko says:

    Didn’t look it up JW, it was just floating about in the back of my mind, I remember him coming out with some kind of codswallop like that anyway.

  138. rico says:

    Doesn’t he always Micko…

    WXL, just because you have only supported our club since AW has been manager, it’s doesn’t make you a bad person 😉

    From what IG has said, all that AW has done, will not be undone..

    If he goes, don’t be afraid of change though, Arsenal will always be here, regardless of who the manager is…

    My own opinion is, the ownership will change before the managers position does…

  139. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Fair poingt JW, but Bergy isn’t even tried at the top level yet. Adams hardly had the greatest of mentors either!! I know he was hardly great, but you never know what can happen, given decent tutelage/tutoring/mentoring (hopefully one of those words is correct)! I get your point, but I don’t think he could be written off. But hey, that’s just me!

  143. allezkev says:

    Not sure what happened to my Gravatar?
    Not even had a drink yet….

    Arsenal DNA, now there’s a question.
    Pat Rice had Arsenal DNA.
    Tom Whittaker had it as well.
    Bob Wall, Alf Fields, Bob Wilson, Frank McLintock.
    Any moee suggestions???

  144. JW says:

    Rocky,

    Dennis hasn’t yet managed at the “top level” he is however the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax, where he will learn a lot more than Tony will at places like Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth under Harry Redknap and some almost unheard of outfit in a former Soviet republic. Two or three years down the road Dennis will be ready and able to assume the Wenger mantle.

  150. rockyrocastle07 says:

    JW – It’ll be more than “2 or 3” years to be able to pick up where AW has left off. A rookie couldn’t just come in and do that. Not a chance. But I know what you are saying, and like the fact Dennis is doing well. However, there’s no point having a manager that can’t go to away European matches. It’s not as if he can leave 3 days earlier to drive there if he has day to day stuff.

    But that’s a different issue.

  151. JW says:

    Henry Norris is largely responsible for our attacking style of play, in the twenties he sold the team bus for £125, so we have never since had one to park in front of our goal. 😀

  154. goonster says:

    hey guys……am having a running stomach. dont know what i ate. grrrrrrr, hey by the way guys am expecting my presents cause next week is my birthday on the 22nd to be precise. AK, lee, rocky,adam, wath,AGAG, syg, micko et al. am looking at you.

  161. goonster says:

    gosh i ll be crossing over to my late 20’s! yikes can’t believe i ll never be 25 again. bummer, am getting old guys. i ll soon be as old as W.A.T.H!

  162. rico says:

    Ha ha JW, how was your walk in the countryside yesterday, can I be cheeky and ask whereabouts you are? Tell me to mind my own, I won’t be offended 😉

  164. JW says:

    Rico,

    All his managerial career so far at Ajax, two Eredivisie titles in the time he has been in charge. Not bad for a beginner!

  166. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Good point JW – But Villas-Boas has done pretty well in his early years as manager. I know a LOT of people that don’t rate him! Still, I don’t care. Dennis won’t be our manager anytime soon, if ever. Really have no idea who will take over from AW in the future.

  170. JW says:

    Rico,

    It’s a secret, coastline with long deserted sandy beaches, rolling countryside, fertile farmland, peaceful forests, lakes and rivers.

  173. allezkev says:

    Yeah Rocky, we’ll be around there mate.
    Ah Henry Norris, Member of Parliament, property developer, wanted to move Arsenal and amalgamate us with Fulham.
    Imagine that for a moment??????
    We might have been Spuds……
    Think about it…?
    Then again, don’t…
    Arsenal DNA?
    Nah, Norris DNA..! 🙂

  178. goonster says:

    gosh you guys sure know how to make a guy’s stomach churn. thanks but no thanks lee……i ll sit this one out.

  179. rico says:

    Hi goonster – not nice for you…

    JW, not bad then, he’s only been there since 2010, bet he inherited a winning squad (only kidding you)

  181. rico says:

    Not you Lee 😉

    JW, in the UK?? Sounds a nice place for me to take my woofa, especially if there are no people around… Not keen on humans…

  187. Tlailaxu says:

    Nice debate today,hi all,Stanley,I had my 27th on 22nd Aug,not a single present from any1…tell u what u getting from me is a jumbo-pack of The…soft soft soft,to wipe away your creams as there is a lot to ‘cum’ before and during January transfer window…=)

  188. rockyrocastle07 says:

    snap! I generally don’t like people! Working in London does that to you. Never used to be as angry a person as I am now!

  189. Micko says:

    rico, I’d be a bit wary about long deserted sandy beaches, sounds like there could be a nuclear power station close by if you ask me.

  197. devilgunner says:

    Good Evening my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    I find it a bit irritating………but whenever I go on NN there must always be some mention of RVP. He is history now. Of course we would like to hear that he has been injured for around 4 months. That would make us glee at the thought. However silly articles make their way round NN and its getting irritating.

  198. rico says:

    Evening devil…

    Funny you should say that, if you look on the AFC pages in the newspapers, they too have all the RvP stories. Why, he’s a Manc now…..

  199. devilgunner says:

    NN is free to publish how much articles they want about RVP….and they have every right. However on AFC page he should no longer be included….he is not AFC material anymore.

  200. devilgunner says:

    Evening lady bdw.

    How is the weather there? Here we are having a storm on the doorstep. Next two days with NNW wind and constant downpouring of rain.

  202. rico says:

    Cold mornings and cold evenings now devil, but in-between it’s sunny and dry and not bad really for this time of year.

    But, this is when the bugs go around …..

  203. rico says:

    All quiet here and the boys are out having a nice curry so I am off to eat mine 😉

    Night all, stay safe and catch you tomorrow….

  204. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all,
    Arsene Wenger is Arsenal through and through, many moan about trophies and rightly so, but getting the club on solid ground has been Wengers pasion having a club where it can be successful but still be self sustaining is the most important thing. Many have moaned about selling players like Cashley Cesc and Nasri and Van Persie but at the end of the day we can not match the wages they are on now its as simple as that, he replaces them with the cheaper option and so far he has continued to get us in the top four. Its my opinion that Wenger will not sign an extention to his contract untill the time is right i can not see him do a Feguson and stay here till he drops, he will keep on making sure that Arsenal stay competative and making a good profit for when he retires, and will then turn his job over to his succesor in the knowlege that Arsenal is in fine fettle.Wenger has never been a manager like Mark Hughs who has been given vast amounts of money to buy success, he has always had the Clubs standind at the fore front and will continue like that till he retires. Picking a new man when Wenger does leave will probably be left to Arsene as why work all those years and then turn it over to a Mark Hugh’s.I believe we are extremly lucky to have had Wenger and will be sorry when he retires Arsenal will never be in better hands than it is now, just my opinion.

  206. rico says:

    Morning Steve, Scott and all…

    I thought one IG’s comments about AW were strange, maybe even worrying:

    ‘He is written into our DNA. He’s incredibly fit, has played in some staff games recently. I’ve watched him on the sidelines in his brogues and he doesn’t look too good. But when you put him out on the football field, he is still fit, quick and a good footballer’.

  218. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Sweet Jesus. What were you eating? Concrete?! Just thinking about a tooth snapping is making me feel ill!

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