Morning all.
Few things hitting the headlines relating to Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere took a knock last night during the Under 21’s loss to West Brom but thankfully for him, he got up and carried on. He scored too. Tomas Rosicky didn’t feature so he’s either injured again or he’s ready for a first team run out. Fingers crossed it’s the latter as I’d love to see him in an Arsenal shirt again before the season ends, and he departs.
Onto a story in The Telegraph which alludes to there being a problem between Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff/players. If true, it’s worrying but not at all surprising. Matt Law writes:
Arsenal players and staff are becoming increasingly mystified by the decision making of manager Arsene Wenger as they now face a fight to make sure the club’s season does not completely fall apart.
Rather than rip into his squad for the draw with Crystal Palace that finally ended any faint Premier League title dreams and left Arsenal battling to remain in the top four, Wenger gave the players who had failed to secure three points Monday off.
The decision was met with a sense of surprise and bewilderment, as Arsenal face a must-win game against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates on Thursday night.
Arsenal’s players had already been given Friday off before the Palace game, having been allowed to take Sunday and Monday off in the immediate aftermath of the 3-3 draw against West Ham United – in which the Gunners threw away a two-goal lead.
With games coming thick and fast over the run-in, Wenger has been carefully managing the schedule of his players in an attempt to avoid more injury problems.
But the Frenchman has given his players four of the last nine days off, as Arsenal’s season threatens to implode, leaving little time to work on problems at both ends of the pitch. The Gunners have conceded the most goals of the sides currently in the top four and also scored the least.
Wenger’s training schedule is not the only thing that has raised questions within Arsenal recently, as his team selections and substitutions have also left players and staff members scratching their heads.
Whether Matt Law has someone inside the club leaking information or not I haven’t a clue but this is a juicy story and one which surely wouldn’t have been written without some kind of substance to it. To be honest, it’s no great surprise to me, just as it won’t be for many Arsenal fans because something is seriously wrong at the club. Something has to wrong in training too because things are dreadfully wrong on the pitch.
The defending as a unit is a mess and it’s nothing to do with Steve Bould according to Ian Wright who told The Sun‘s Goals Podcast :
I would love to see Steve Bould’s fingernails and to see the walls in his house because they must have been punched in, his fingernails bitten to the quick.
There is no way that I’m looking at Steve Bould, my former team-mate, who with Tony Adams when they were doing defensive work, they would tell us what to do. He simply can’t have any say.
We’ve all believed for years that Arsene Wenger doesn’t let his coaches coach, certainly not the defensive ones and bearing in mind what Sebastien Squillaci has said over the last few days, defending hasn’t always been the priority, so Wrighty might be right. Yes we’ve seen glimpses of great defensive play by the entire team but for the last few months, that’s disappeared and with it, Arsenal have leaked goals.
Not only that, for a manager who loves to play attacking football, our forward play is disjointed, too narrow, static and frankly, quite boring.
Still, only one more season at most to go hopefully and in the meantime, I just hope Alexis, Ozil and co, don’t call it a day in North London….
Talking of which, there’s a few headlines suggesting talks with Ozil over a new contract have broken down and Alexis is being urged to move to Germany by Vidal who wants to see our man in a Bayern shirt…
Could be an interesting summer ahead and not all for good reasons…
Adam, from the old post.
You are right, it will be Wenger who chooses when he’s going but that’s another reason I detest the owner, Wenger shouldn’t be the one to decide. Kroenke should and the board.
When Ivan took over from Dein, albeit far too late, what Dein did should have been immediately passed to him and taken away from Wenger but I doubt it did.
Far too much control and say in all things other than what he should be doing but what he hasn’t…
Bang
Morning all.
So Bould and Ivan aren’t allowed to their jobs, and get sympathy.
Funny, but why aren’t people saying if they had any integrity, they’d quit?
That’s the common answer when people raise the possibility that Wenger is not really allowed to spend on players.
Morning all.
Wenger must go IMO, so no defending him here, but it does not change the fact that many talk in circles when it suits them.
Still, there’s a distinct possibility that we may win as many trophies as Barcelona this year..
Damn, the wheels have fallen off Barca every by as bad as us.
Scott, but do you or any of us know just how much money AW is told he can spend? I know I don’t and if we believe the words of Lord Harris, he could afford to buy anyone….
Difference is deejay, they win plenty every other season…. lol
No, Rico, but plenty think he’s got 200 million ATM 🙂
I’m the first to say none of us really know what he has available.
I do remember being told annually by PHW Wenger could buy anyone he wanted, then Ivan just a few years back saying the financial restrictions were no longer on us.
Most ignore that comment.
There is another difference between us and Barca…we aren’t hundreds of millions in the red.
Good Morning Boss and Peeps.
We are back in the same situation to when GG was sacked. GG had far too much power and when Rioch was hired it was decided that the manager should not have that much power. That is the way AW has began…..now it seems that he has wormed his way to the same position GG had.
Too much power and too much to do.
I wonder if there are any hidden agendas.
‘I do remember being told annually by PHW Wenger could buy anyone he wanted, then Ivan just a few years back saying the financial restrictions were no longer on us’.
So why has AW not spent more then Scott?
Not that spending is the solution imo..
Bottom line is no one wants to be coming on here moaning all the time, but it,s just so hard to see the positives these days, how can we have the feel good factor on here if it,s not shown on the pitch. We win 2 games get carried away and then bang, get brought back to earth with a shoddy half hearted, couldn,t be bothered display. It,s just repetitive and boring now.
As i said, Sanchez, Ozil, Cech must be feeling really peeved when their hearing Wenger say “Arsenal’s summer transfer activity will be limited,Our team is good enough,” Stalling on contract talks, these players are winners, why wouldn,t they want better,
Rico. The difference there is that Dein was a football man operating at Arsenal for the good of the team. Gazidis is essentially a businessman operating at Arsenal to maximise revenue. From what I hear though, he is a good bloke who cares for his staff but is on the wrong side of the power balance at the club.
Morning guys. ..
You’re right Scott if bould isn’t allowed to do his job then he should grow a set ffs and Walk away and state he isn’t allowed to do it. . By staying he’s just enjoying the gravy train imo.
Adam from the pervious post spot on m8.. The depression around the club is because no one can see any change in the horizon.
Another good post rico I don’t always comment but I pop in to read almost everyday I’m sure it’s tough for ya these days as everything around Arsenal is negative…
Morning Devil.
Spot on Dublin..
I would do that imo …… I would walk away if I were Bould. Not being allowed to do my job would leave me very frustrated.
I will keep on saying it…..there are hidden agendas. Something fishy is going on. And will say it again…….some of the games were fixed.
mark my words.
it will all unravel in time.
Good morning Rico, Dev, Adam and all,
Recently I have been reading the post every day without commenting but thought I had to ditto Scott’s comment-” So Bould and Ivan aren’t allowed to their jobs, and get sympathy.
Funny, but why aren’t people saying if they had any integrity, they’d quit?”
Well he’s doing well in that role Adam… 😉
Thanks Kel..
Re Bould, if he wants to to his job but he’s not being allowed to, perhaps he’s just like all of us, waiting for change…
Morning Ts.
There’s a difference between not doing a job properly and not being allowed to surely?
Well that’s always possible rico that he is waiting for change but for me id walk I’ve done it in previous jobs in my life where bullshit surrounded me. . Adios amigo I’m outta here. .
Someone has to put the cones out Kel… 😉
Lol haha good to see a bit of humour rico 😀
Rico, He spent plenty on Ozil and Sanchez since that comment was made.
No comment on the past summer TW though 🙂
You also have to wonder about Arteta being involved in the coaching capacity … city apparently wanting him and maybe spurs… yet he can’t get a chance with us? Is that down to wenger? Most likely I’d say.
I just hope the fans can make enough noise that Ivan and Co. Gotta do something booing doesn’t do for me imo, but a walk out would, unfortunately the fans need to create negative headlines to get change.
Have to keep a bit of humour Kel, otherwise it’ll drive us nuts… lol
Scott, he should have spent £30 on a good book. ‘Football tactics in 2016’… 😉
Ginge, agreeing with me is a slippery slope Hahahahahahaha
Good to see you back, mate.
That comment wasn’t really intend to defend Wenger or attack the others, more to say how critics of Wenger twist and turn things when it suits.
I still await the day Wenger writes his memoirs……..it won’t explain why he didn’t buy in the TW, but I bet it explains plenty.
Rico, I hear it’s great read lol
I don’t know Scott he seems to tell a lot of lies tbh I think his book will be full of bollocks. Let’s hope its out this yr anyhow 😉
True, Kel lol
Still, with all his failings and fibs, I can not help respect the mans passion for the game, and the club.
For all the negatives, I am convinced he does what he thinks is best.
We all know plenty he does is wrong, but I’ve no doubt his intentions are good.
His book will be full of all the player names he could have signed and how many clubs tried to tempt him away from Arsenal…
Not forgetting, ‘how I gave back £100 million because I didn’t need it’…
😛
Can’t believe I’m agreeing written you again scott lol think I might have to pick another fight with ya im feeling kinda strange here… ;p
Id say that’s true though I believe also that he thinks what he is doing is the right thing and that is why imo I still have some respect for him, unfortunately though he is holding us back now and the fans are bored outta their minds ffs..
*with
He must go, Kel, no doubt.
Not sure he will though lol.
This really is where Stan must step in.
Not sure he will though 🙂 🙂
Also how he built the Emirates rico…. lol
How would yous feel if… Koeman, Bergkamp, and Arteta where put in place for next season.
Hi All,
I doubt Bould would be hired as either an assistant or a defensive coach based on his Arsenal record and I’m sure he knows that.
I totally agree we are stale and narrow and predictable.
🙂 Kel, and London Colney training facilities…
Scott- definitely a slippery slope.
Defending AW now will be living in denial…
Then again it appears folks who were calling for AWs’ head must have been right all along…
Kel, I’d have Bergkamp in a heartbeat, and would love to see Arteta stay on as coach.
Koeman, why not……..
Depends Brad. Other managers might know what he’s really capable of doing…
Ginge, there is a time when every player and manager comes to halt.
I mean, if jumped on a Barca page every day and said Messi is past it, eventually I’d be right.
My point…..nobody can say there was an absolutely correct time for Wenger to finish.
We all have our opinion on the subject, but who was or is right is simply another matter of opinion.
Can’t see Bergkamp ever leaving Ajax myself…
Morning TS. It has been a long decline to where we are now though. Not an overnight thing.
Rico. Yes, it seems as though Ivan has done well financially for the club but surely the sponsors don’t hand over the dosh without some sort of return. And they won’t want to be associated with a club in the turmoil we are in. Brand image and all that.
I only say that scott as when I look around at who’s available etc and who imo i think is ready to prove himself at a bigger club then Koeman stands out to me of course no manager is perfect, And most likely we will have a dip in the league but we gotta start somewhere.
Frankly, I can’t wait for this season to end, but it seems to be dragging on endlessly…
Quite looking forward to Euro 2016 and forgetting about Arsenal, Wenger and KSE
Kel, Dennis brings plenty to the table, for mine….like Rico, I’m not sure he’d leave Ajax, though, but the massive thing he brings is respect.
He would have plenty to lose, but he’d step in and not have to really prove anything to Arsenal fans.
I think he has the mentality to be a brilliant manager, but seems to be happy coaching so Koeman could be a great choice, seeing they already work so well together.
You’d think not Adam. I know I wouldn’t.
I’m the same kev… can’t wait to put Arsenal in the rear mirror is fucking tiresome…
Yes scott is very possible he is just happy where he is now and fair play i wishbin all the best but ya never know I would hope we at least try.
Well I’m off guys, work to be done here. . Later.
April 24: Leicester vs Swansea
April 25: Scummers vs West Brom
May 01: ManUre vs Leicester
May. 02: Chavski vs Scummers
May. 07: Leicester vs Everton
May. 08: Scummers vs Southampton
May 15: Chavski vs Leicester
May 15: Newcastle vs Scummers….
The Scum are gonna take at least 10pts I reckon and have a superior goal difference.
So Leicester need 6pts and probably 8pts to be sure. I think they’ll beat both Swansea and Everton and need to draw at Old Bog and Fulham Broadway…
It’s too close to call and I have this horrible feeling that the Scum could even win at Chavski… ☹️
What a total fcuk up…
they changed the referee yesterday, they played always after Leicester and on monday, they are allways in banners with nice words, they are always “in the moon” in the media, the referes are with them, they have a few players in England national team, they are always news against the others importante teams, ,… this is not strange?,
Kev if the spuds winning the league is unbearable think how much unbearable would it be if Pocchettino goes to RM, LVG stays at Manure and Josay goes to the spuds and wins the CL with them.
that is a total fuck up
When Arsenal recruited Wenger as manager it soon became apparent that he was ahead of the game and in appointing him was about as progressive as it got. Now we are looking at who should take over. It may not be this close-season or the next, but change is going to have to come.
Who are the most progressive managers around now that Klopp etc have moved on to new posts with their respective club? Would a manager like Simeone even consider a move to our club? Tuchel seems as if he knows what he is doing but how would he get on at a ‘big’ PL club like Arsenal? There must be others too.
It could be quite a challenge for whoever takes over.
Aye Adam. Pocchettino was unheard of before he went to Southampton. Look at him now.
So there surely must be someone out there who we may not have heard of.
The board need to think outside the box though. Are they capable of it?? I doubt
Have a good day Kel..
Kev, I fear the worst….
What about a young upcoming manager from Portugal. Someone like Mourinho but without the arrogance and big mouth…
Arsene Wenger said to be left shell shocked by the level abuse from Arsenal fans after his team’s latest meltdown.
Angry supporters near the dug-out turned viciously against Wenger and screamed foul mouthed abuse at the Arsenal manager.
According to witnesses, it was some of the worst, loudest and most abusive that Wenger has ever suffered during his 19 years at Arsenal.
They told him to “f*** off” and urged him to go now as the mood among fans has turned nasty at the Emirates.
One witness said: “He cannot have not been aware of it. It was very close, personal and nasty. It’s some of the worst that people have ever seen.”
Although the majority no longer see him as the man to take us forward, and simply must step down at the end of his contract, or sooner.
Their is a line that should not be crossed, and it should not be condoned,but it does appear even the patient have lost patients. So much anger. you,d have to fear it could get worse.
Apparently thursday will be the lowest crowd for a home league game since we left Highbury. Sign of the times.
Tickets are still on sale for Thursday aren’t they?
Speaks volumes….
If that really happened DG…..then it explains why he gave them another day off. He needs time to reflect and hopefully his reflections will lead him to walk away.
Rico. People I know close to Southampton are impressed with what Koeman has done down there. There’s a German that people keep mentioning to me but his name eludes me. Might be Schmidt? We all have our favourites though.
As Rico,s post said, Wenger giving the players 4 of the last 9 days off, Staff said to be “increasingly mystified” by his decisions..
All seems rather odd.
An old Gazidas Quote surely you,d wonder what he thinks now,
Gazidis “If the relationship between fans & manager break down, its unsustainable”
even I am mystified by it. 4 out of 9 days is unheard of. now is not the time for personal reflections. its time for togetherness and grouping. its time to batten the hatches and dig deep together.
not everyone to himself. lol
So pissed, that if Spurs win the league and it heaps more on AW and the board, so be it. Spuds play so much better football that us, there I’ve said it. Haven’t even had a drink.
Leicester and spuds deserve to win PL we don’t, we’ve been bang average all season typified by Wenger’s bizarre tactics, comments and lac of activity in the summer.
You reap what you sow!
– Youngest Team in EPL
– Highest goal scorer in EPL (Kane)
– Most goals scored in EPL
– Least conceded goals in EPL
We used to be like that…..
Bet Man U are challenging us for the most possession too, they’re as boring as we are.
Adam, I wonder if his name is even in Kroenke’s mind..
Although it pains me to say it, you’re right Lee….
Afternoon guys…
Wonder where Agag is these days, and a few others who don’t come on here any more…
We are still around Rico and still follow you.
H/H is still the best.
Afternoon to you all nice sunny day down south
see you latta.
Thanks Rick… Enjoy the sunshine..
Kel, never mind the League, Arsenal should be strolling to another Double…
It’s unacceptable for a club of our size and for the wages paid to our players…
One man is responsible…
Coach, Mourinho at the Spuds is a nightmare, but fortunately with Joe Lewis at their helm there won’t be enough money on offer for the Conceited One to spunk on transfers TK ever tempt him to the New Slum…
How could it all go so horribly wrong…..
Have the Totts got to pay for their new stadium?
rico, Olympiakos coach
Is he good Jm?
Marco Silva…
I think so. Work harder. Belongs to the new generation. Olympiakos will be the champions. We lose versus them in the first leg.
Interesting then Jm, not that Arsenal losing them was any surprise… Lol
Catch up tomorrow guys..
Night all…
ManCity 1-0 @Newcastle
Newcastle 1-1 ManCity
Nice one rico, welcome to the fun factory tsgh.
Adams, Bouldy, Keown and later on Sol, all big physical mother fcuker defenders, Gabriel, Merts, and Kozzer, all very determined but that’s where the comparisons end, keep a clean sheet and you’ve always got a chance of the 4th place trophy these days !
rico 3.51, we are talking about the Yiddo’s here, nothing would surprise me lol.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36075347
Interesting piece about the referees and which team they personally support…
Good Morning Boss and Peeps.
Just a question……do you think the players know something we don’t?? Like for example….AW is going to go in the summer and that is why they have folded?
what do you think?
Morning All…
It’s another warm, sunny day in London Town…
Morning Kev, Devil and all..
Beautiful day here too and my poached egg yolk is the same colour as the sunshine… 😛
Coach, it’s a theory and does make you wonder, but I suspect that rather than Wenger leaving in the summer, that he and club have probably had in- house discussions over a contract extension
Morning Rico and all.
I reckon that ref / club list is bullshit Kev.
Morning Adam.
So do I and whose to say referee’s are honest when declaring which club they support…
Rico. And we know that Dean supports Rodent City FC.
Utd or Totts Adam? 😉
Devil, you have a point. The question is, are Ozil and Sanchez delaying signing new contracts because they know Wenger IS leaving in the summer or, that they know he is NOT leaving in the summer? Either way it would seem that the good ship Arsenal is in a bit of a state of flux!
At his presser Wenger stated that there were no injuries to report so he has the same squad available as he had for Palace. Does that mean we can look forward to another pulsating draw or worse another home defeat?
Lovely day here. Blue skies and windless. Brings joy to the heart! What will tomorrow bring, one wonders?
Morning all
You know what Adam, that was exactly my first thought on reading it…
And even if you support Tranmere, for example, do you also not have a certain fondness for Liverpool & Everton?
Funny how so many of them don’t follow big clubs, a coincidence or what???
Smacks to me of PR spin
Am I in moderation or not? What have I said to upset the type face police?
The gist of it was, will Wene be there next year or not and could Ozil and Sanchez be delaying contract talk because they know he’s going or know he’s not going? A dilemma as you might say!
Not sure what happened there Wavy…
New post up now.
Me too neither