Morning all.
Like many, I’ve accepted that until Arsene Wenger departs, our Arsenal is in decline. He and his footballing ways, together with the way he tackles a transfer window, is way out of date. If he were a loaf of bread, he’d have been binned years ago but because we can’t visibly see the mould, he soldiers on. He’s turned our club into a laughing stock and will continue to do so with his archaic ways.
£180k a week has apparently been offered to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain which in itself smacks of desperation. Anything to keep a player but this time, the player has said no. I don’t want you money Arsenal, I want out! Love or loathe him all you like but I admire him. This player is clearly saying that the club is rotten and unambitious. Well, not so much the club but the man who manages him. I get it too.
What card does Wenger play now? To lose Ox means we’ve lost our right back, Mind you, that’s possibly one of the reasons he wants out because in his eyes, he’s a midfielder and a central one at that but of course, Ramsey has that spot. As a right sided midfielder he wasn’t bad but he didn’t get the goals Theo does but then the latter hasn’t featured much so far this season. Perez offered more than the pair of them but, well, we know what happened there. Another example of dreadful management by the Frenchman.
As I said yesterday and we’ve been saying all summer, once a player isn’t prepared to stay beyond their current contract, they should be sold. Up until now, the only one we know for sure that doesn’t want to remain at the club is The Ox. So why has it been left until this stage of the summer to hold those ‘crunch talks?’ Shoddy to say the least and now Wenger will have to scrabble around to find another right back. Although he won’t will he, hell shunt other players around to fill the void.
Meanwhile, across town, the neighbors have snapped up the kind of player we could have done with… No one is smiling now are they as Poch strengthens his already strong squad. He clearly had a plan all along. Unlike Arsene Wenger appears to. Of course I’ll eat huge portions of humble pie should things change between now and August 31st although I won’t starve myself between now and then to accommodate the large number of calories I’d consume.
Back to The Ox and as said above, love or loathe him, like many of us fans, he’s clearly had enough. Enough of being shunted around all over the pitch, enough of Wenger and his archaic training methods and the continual decline of the clubs football. I think he’ll end up at Chelsea where he’ll probably be a bit player for a while until he proves himself worthy of a starting place in the current league champions side. I doubt he’ll be offered £180k a week but clearly he doesn’t care. He just wants to be at a club which challenges for trophies, big trophies and aren’t just about making up the numbers. Personally, I think he’ll flourish under Conte, Klopp too if he ends up there but then so would a number of our players.
But there’s more to him leaving than him leaving. It’s why he’s leaving and why the likes of Ozil and Sanchez haven’t signed a contract extension either and if Wenger wants to know the answer to that question it’s simple.
Go and look in the mirror..
Totally agree
Funny how AW has now been quoted as saying the final decision over Alexis will be made by the board. Yet all summer he’s told us Alexis is staying…
Morning Rico. The truth is something of a moveable feast and this is hardly the way to get the fans onside I would have thought.
You have a Whatsapp!
Rico you obviously mean £180k pw…..you’ll get that prick Crispen on your case!! ?
Brudder. That made me laugh. 🙂
Morning Adam. I’ll turn my phone on then.. 😉
Thanks Lee, that’s funny. Unlike Arsene, I’ve now amended my error… lol
I seem to have riled a few Wenger fans this morning. Needless to say they won’t be let on here… ?
Mustafi departure rumours are gathering pace…
Gibbs fee agreed with Watford, just personal terms to be sorted and he’s gone..
Morning rico, all, Yet more frustrating news. Another season under way where most of us feel somewhat deflated, LOL
As long as they are not abusive you should let them on ,if they agree to hang around to stand their corner..Your post is a rerun of everything I said this morning to my wife as we made breakfast . It’s scary how similar our thoughts are. No doubt there are players in the club that also believe that The Arsenal will not win the Premier with Wenger and they are our contract rebels. This year we have three heavily publicised ones and I am not convinced that the other two will not go as well and next year I believe there are a few more coming up. Arsenal has become a rest home for the just about good enough , no-one stamps their mark on a position and grabs the shirt. They are all happy to drift on good contracts where winning is not the be all and end all. Hopefully when he goes the Ox will put his cards down and tell the real reason and then we can discuss the actions of the board and our silent leader in renewing the contract of a man that should have left and allowed enthusiasm to be injected into the club 4 years ago.
I would be interested in any rational argument as to why Wenger is the man to manage Arsenal at this time.
Morning Andrew, same old eh.
Potter, there was no suggestion they’d enter into a sensible debate. Abuse was all I got and to be told to fook off and support Chelsea..
Agreed then , that sort of comment is probably beneath contempt. However I agree with Adam it would be nice to hear a sensible argument in his favour other than Scott who wavers on the odd splinter from time to time.
Sadly Potter, I suspect we are not alone in our thoughts. Spooky though to have them on the same morning…
I too hope Ox spills the beans, it would be interesting to know and if the financial reports are to be believed, it’s certainly not about the money so that old excuse is gone.
Adam, I truly can’t think of one.
Even Scott doesn’t think he should be at the club though but that sometimes gets lost because of his Kroenke, Ivan etc comments.
How any supporter can support Wenger is beyond comprehension!
But they’re out there Lee…
Some people spend their lives just looking through the Arsenal sites waiting to be infuriated.
I hope to be surprised… 😉
If you think Ox has been offered 180k pw you don’t even deserve an opinion let alone run a blog!
Dan. How much is the contract offer?
Is that right Dan. And who exactly are you to suggest that…?
I doubt he’ll be back to answer that Adam…
Oh, I don’t know Rico. He must be ITK to make such a bold statement. 🙂
🙂 Adam. Of course, he clearly knows more than I realised… 😉
This post is literally how I’m thinking good job rico…. This club from top to bottom is just weak with no ambition……
Wenger to be sacked by xmas for me.. (preferably today)
Europa league really is the only realistic chance of getting back into CL so we can get beat 5-1 again…. ?
Can any Wenger supporter tell me where is Arsenal going? Up or down? Do they see a plan? All i see is an over the hill manager with no plan dithering yet again in the transfer market and player’s who don’t believe in him anymore all overseen by a pathetic owner.
Thanks Kel. Down, the club is going down and fast…
Great article Rico. Spot on. I fear there may be a mutiny at our club soon. More and more players don’t want to play for Wenger, at least that’s the vibes that I get.
Gibbs is off to Watford, and thats about five years too late. How is it Wenger has taken this long to see he cannot defend and is a mediocre player. Beggars belief.
Mustafi is off to Milan, if you believe the papers.
Ox has had enough of Wenger.
Ozil and Sanchez holding a gun to Mr. Wengers head.
Wenger must step in and buy Virgil Van Dyke if Mustafa leaves.
Sad times ahead….
Van dyke won’t find his way to Arsenal, not even if Mustafi leaves. He’s too expensive! Ebeneezer won’t part with his gelt, not for a defender!
Not sure any new hs will arrive at the Ems before September 1st. Just can’t see it.
Imo, Wenger has not only lost the plot he has also lost the dressing room. Even Theo has fallen out with him, after his jibe about buying good players, Wenger dropped him and he’s been a bit part player ever since. It’s what the old feller does. He’s spiteful and vengeful. Alexis too, had a go and got dropped for the last dippers fixture, which was a must win game, at the time. Their relationship has been strained ever since.
Wenger just won’t be told, not by anyone and just won’t or can’t, adapt to the needs of the modern game. Presently he seems to be on a self destructive path to doom and damnation. The club is going nowhere unlike many of the players who are going to be going everywhere, very, very soon.
Sunny here today and warm. Lovely
Good post Rico. The Ox is a symptom of a far greater disease that is currently plaguing our club. And Wenger is doing nothing to cure the pain. Far from it, he is actually exacerbating it!
Thanks VCC, it’s all quite depressing really isn’t it? Shame Wenger can’t see it..
Thanks Wavy. No chance of VVD eh, as he’s not the kind of player Wenger signs. And to think we could have signed him from Celtic once.. Pff!
Spot on re your last bit and it’s only going to get worse until a new face comes into the dugout… Perhaps he’ll talk to Bouldy too or rather, listen.
Mustafi in Inter. Two central backs out. No buys?
Without Mustafi, Ozil is preparou to peace too.
Dark season again…
Just finished watching Man City play B’mouth. Mike Dean has to be the worst referee ever. He should not even ref a kindergarten game of 6 year olds, but is entrusted with a professional game. Absolutely horrible.
According to Sky, Mustafi has agreed to Inter move. Why wouldn’t he? He’s probably not going to be a regular starter at Arsenal so…….another discontented player? Sorry nearly ex player. This is not looking good, not looking good at all.
Why the fcuk did Wenger sign a new contract why the fcuk was he offered another contract? What the fcuk is going on behind the Emirates doors? When is this pantomime going to end. It’s really embarrassing.
Did you expect anything different Jm?
Who was he favouring today ? Probably not Bournemouth at a guess.
The muddy waters are clearing a little showing those that wanted Wenger to stay and those that wanted a new exciting manager to get behind. It’s fair to say that the club needed a clear out but we have to ask whether the right ones are going and if the wrong ones are staying.
Obi, I’d have thought you already knew that… 😉
If Mustafi does go, there has to be a plan to replace him, surely. Holding, Merts, Kos and Chambers won’t see us through the season…
100% agree Potter, the majority of the players with a bit about them will leave and we’ll be left with Ramsey, Ozil etc. All shoe-horned into Wenger’s haplessly assembled team of over paid under achievers, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
New manager given Wenger’s budget etc please!!!!
Good point Potter, goodness knows what our squad will look like in five days time.
Mid table finish this season?
yes, by thw way, Aurier probably sign for totts. They have a good team and they figth for the title.
rico: Kos is injury (and will be out may games), Mets can play 5-6 games in the year, Chambers not enought quality and Holding is a good replace .
I know Jm. It’s a bloody joke but not many of us are laughing. Wenger has seriously lost the plot if he’s not got some kind of plan in place…
How must Lacazette feel? He must have been promised all sorts! Unless of course he is another prepared to just collect his wages without much effort! You do seriously have to wonder if Wenger lives in some parallel universe where he sees things others don’t. There can be no other explanation for some of his comments and decisions
Another player signed on the back of empty promises no doubt…
Mind you, he and Alexis looked happy in training. Just hope he makes the most of it…
Hi rico, other posters.
That bloody jobsworth Mike Dean has won outright ‘The Ultimate Officious Incompetent Little Git of The Season Cup’. Awarded after only three games.
He knows all the rules (twelve yellow cards and one red), but nothing about football.
Manure haven’t scored yet, but they are relentless in attack. Leicester re doing well to keep it 0-0, not for long though I fear.
The incompetence of Arsenal in this years Transfer Window is breathtaking. A few days to go, and we have a worse squad than this time last year, with at least three wanting away. So much for ‘change’. Well, it has changed, but for the worse.
Hi Meerkat..
Nighty..
G’night rico.
Strange isn’t it? Last season I would have jumped at Slaven Bilic to replace Le Prof. This season he is next up for the sack from the bubble blowers. The Porn kings and their Moll will soon give him the elbow.
Rico @ 9.59-thank you.
Plenty can’t seem to grasp that my comments holding Stan responsible is not a defence of Wenger.
May, 2014 is when I said the man should go and nothing’s changed, but I’d rather see the back of Stan first.
I am merely of the opinion that no matter who our manager is, very little, if anything, will change while Stan remains our owner.
Alexis back 2day? I hope The Arsenal strike force is more potent than a pedestrian Pommy relic seam bowler?
When’s Jenkinson Arsenal contract run out? Dislocated his shoulder playing for Birmingham yesterday……
So if we lose Mustafi as well as Gabriel that’s two CB’s gone from a defence that conceded 65 goals last campaign…..surely le dinosaur has got to bring in more players??
Greetings,
Wenger is destroying the team that he put together. Instead of adding better players, he is being spiteful and prefers to get back at the fans instead of atoning for his previous gaffes. It seems to me that he is prepared to use this 2 year window to ensure that the next manager will have to build from the ground. He will not leave any decent players within the team when he is Pushed out during or at the end if this season.
I am tired of his excuses and yes his excuses since he claimed that he is responsible for transfers.
He needs to bugger off!!!!!Thanks for the memories!
Scott, Kroenke didn’t build our squad though.
Late or early one Lee? Lol
Welcome Beejaye.
Morning all.
Ready for another defeat?
If Mustafi goes and no defenders are signed, Wenger needs sectioning…
Morning Rico. I cannot believe that Wenger won’t make some signings during the week.
On the other hand…..
It’s hard to be confident for today’s game though.
Morning Adam. If we hadn’t been here before I’d expect him to make a few signings before the end of the window.
There’s talk of Mahrez again, although he won’t stop us from conceding goals…
Morning all,
Pretty sure the board promised Stan exactly what he’s getting. self sustaining business without further investment. Not sure what Stan gets out of it as I’ve only seen one pmt to his company since owning Arsenal.
He’ll get a lot from if he sells his shares though Brad. Perhaps he will one day. Mind you, by then his shares could be worth less if Wenger sticks around much longer… lol
The ITK that is Ornstein has suggested both Mustafi and Ox will be left out of the squad today as it’s expected both will leave this week.
Agreed Rico, new “customers” only come from success on the pitch not good financial management.
There’s always Usmanov Brad. He might be our saviour one day, hopefully Wenger will be gone by then and a new manager wouldn’t be so hell bent on not spending the money available to him.
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Usmanov sells his share and buy another team rather. Not sure about his intentions either.
Doesn’t come across as an Abromovich
Didn’t he suggest he’s in it for the long haul and has no intentions of selling?
Perhaps someone else will come along and make the pair an offer they can’t refuse…
The Ox wants £200,000 and today Sanchez £ 400,000 a week , the clubs inefficiencies have put us over the proverbial barrel.
Morning all.
Yes it’s similar to the Theo debacle, he and his agent took advantage of a desperate Wenger when he had his wages upped and contract extended.
I hope Wenger watched Manure and Citeh yesterday. He may have learned something if the penny dropped at last. If not, we are in for some humiliations this season. Possibly on the scale of our beating by BM.
There is rumour that Everton are after Diego Costa. Why aren’t we? Too many top players have gone to rival clubs.
We will be lucky to scrape a draw today, but we’re not big on luck.
Staggering amount of money…
Wenger couldn’t manage Costa imo Meerkat…
Lee @ 3;15……….he will probably bring Kaulstrom (? spelling) back.
rico @ 10:28……..as much of a mess that we are in, I wouldn’t want Costa at any price. He is a thug
New post up now.
When you consider that Internationals and European ties are taken into account when loading information into the fixture computer at the Premier League, isn’t it unlucky, or strange or conspiratorial that Arsenal are away from home in 5 of their 6 EPL fixtures following Thursday evening matches in the UEFA Cup, and just look at who were playing – Man City, Chelsea, Everton…. Fix? Stitch up? Unfortunate?
On the positive side if we progress in europe the EPL fixtures become more manageable.
Maybe winning the UEFA Cup, as the Mancs did, is our best chance of a CL place next season.
Morning All.
Vcc, but he’d be our thug… 😉
Morning all from baking Cornwall.
Cant see anything one Ornstein twitter, Rico !…………where did you see the Ornstein stuff ?……..unbelievable if true !……..are we going to play Lacazette at CB ?
Wenger has seriously lost the plot !…………………….two years of empty promises, well apart from what he has promised Kroenke !………………………we really are on a downward spiral with the win double egotists at the helm !…………………………….kroenke the biggest evil, but I agree Wenger has to go first as at leats with another manager he might be able to get some verey decent players that we already have playing to their strengths !
I`ve no doubt we will on paper look the better team today, yet we all know Liverpooh will press us into submission !…………………………………..well;, unless our new 3-4-3 tactics thwart them, who knows ?…………………all I know is that when Wenger signed that new deal on the promise of change I was honestly excited about this TW, but I should have known better and I`m probably more depressed about the state of our great club than I have been for a long time !……………………..we are The Arsenal, we have a standing in the world of football that is unique along with only the likes of todays opponents and Manshafter from our league……….the stadium, the fan base, but like I said we have two egotistical dinosaurs at the helm and for that we are fcuked !………………….happy days !