Alexis speaks out – good! You said it Ivan Gazidis, so has that time come?

Morning all.

Alexis Sanchez has said that this current side lacks ‘hunger’ in their challenge for the Premier League title which is all a bit odd really.

‘If we go out on to the pitch with hunger to become champions, to win the Premier League or the Champions League, we can achieve it,’ the Chilean said. ‘There are great players (at Arsenal), I train with them daily and they have got the mentality and the desire to win but we lack hunger.

‘The mentality we need is that we are winning 1-0 when we go out on to the pitch. Sometimes we lack this hunger to believe that we can be champions.’

He’s right imo but isn’t the dream of all footballers to be successful, to be the best and to be at the top? Aren’t they all gifted with that winning mentality, a mentality which I thought all sports people had otherwise why enter into a career which is competitive.

If his comments are true, which I suspect they are, then it says a lot about the kind of player Arsene Wenger signs and the kind of drive he forces into them on training/match days. Maybe it’s more simple and it’s the manager whose lost his hunger and passion and that’s filtering through into the players minds, after all, if any group of men and women are led well, they can achieve anything they set their minds to, as long as they have the skills to do so. After so many years without winning the league, one would think the hunger in Le Boss is greater than ever but that seems to not be the case.

Which is probably why so many Arsenal fans are done with the Frenchman and want a new face sitting in the dugout wearing a posh Puma Puffa Jacket.

But with an American owner who seems to be happy enough with all Arsene Wenger’s doing, as always, it comes down to us the supporters, to force the club’s hand.

Attendances are dwindling. I doubt that there were 50,000 at The Emirates on Wednesday night and and 5000 of those were Welsh and the question remains, will the 40,000 season tickets get renewed? Will the people who have followed the club for most of their lives cut off their arms and walk away?

It does seem that whilst the money rolls in, nothing will change but should it really come down to people turning their backs to make the point?

Many of us have given up our social calendar, going to Highbury firstly, latterly The Emirates and many fans travel away to all parts of the country, all with the family argument that comes with it, ringing in their ears.

Football, not just The Arsenal is becoming more and more anti-social and there is no great advantage in having a season ticket other than the right to go to the big games. There’s no price advantage, no discounts, just a direct debit that plunders your account as and when your love feels fit.

Games are played at all ends of the day and at all ends of the week at the whims of the great television companies to pander to their public.

So short of giving up the ticket how do we implement change ?

What can the general public do to regain it’s national sport, how do we collectively say enough is enough?

What about managerial change at Arsenal too?

Years ago the supporters got shot of Billy Wright by setting light to pictures of his celebrity wife and her sisters on the Clock End and North Bank. It was the lowest attendance on record against Leeds with around 4500 or close to that amount watching on. The board reacted and he was gone. Later, similar things followed and a fan’s protest removed Terry Neill.

A few years ago Gazidis said that the only way that Wenger would go is when the fans made it untenable for him to stay .

Has that time arrived now ??

And exactly how do they do it?

By Potter

202 thoughts on “Alexis speaks out – good! You said it Ivan Gazidis, so has that time come?

  1. rico says:

    Morning again all..

    Thanks Potter, Good read. I think you are right. It will be down to the fans, but it shouldn’t be imo…

  2. Wath says:

    Great post Potter, Agree with you Rico, it’s a cop out from the Board to say the fans will make it untenable to get rid of Wenger, shows a lack of governance and foresight from those in charge but we also been saying that for years as well it’s not just that Wenger is the problem because so are they, to happy to sit around eating and drinking freebies every other weekend and not showing any ambition nor holding the manager accountable..! Comes from an owner that just looks at the accounts and says “job well done” whilst sitting at his new ranch watching the rodeo…!

  3. scottfromoz says:

    It has to be the fans, because we have nothing and nobody above Wenger with the balls or inclination to sack him.
    Rico, from the previous page, we can not be giving our superstar record signing leeway any longer just because he’s running around.
    I mean, nobody gave Ramsey any a few years back, and I do not hear anyone saying of Wenger “but he is trying”.
    He’s absolutely ineffective at the moment, and as good as he can be, his worst is bloody terrible.
    We need him back at his best this week.
    Nice post Potter, and very relevant at this time.

  4. Rudi says:

    Think differently.Losing the championship on the last day of the league in May is devastating.So the accountant called Mr.Wenger makes sure we’ll lose it every year come February at the latest ,and by doing so,prevent us being heartbroken in May.
    Seriously,I agree that that frenchman can not remain in his job any more.and the current board and owners ,as well.None seem to have the hunger any more, and i doubt that they had that in them at any given time in the past.

  5. Wavy says:

    Yes Scott, we have a board! But have they made us bored with the same old platitudinous rubbish? Yes they have.
    Good post Potter most apposite.

    Trouble is with all long term and largely successful ‘leaders’ they often don’t know and can’t recognise when enough is enough! They believe they are indispensable. Sadly no one is. Wenger is not ultimately he has to leave, his gathering years will have a say on his mortality, but how much more satisfying for us the fans and for him and his self esteem, if he would go gracefully, and not find himself on the wrong end of a witch hunt. The end, when it comes should be a celebration of all his achievements not a vilification of all his recent faults and failures.
    A wise man knows when to leave. Is Wenger a wise man or is he a selfish money grasping, failing meglamaniac? If they sack him I think we all know how his tenure will be perceived and, it won’t be pretty.

  6. Adam says:

    Excellent post Potter.
    I think I read the whole Alexis statement as being more collective than most and agree that, despite his poor form, he has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to effort.
    The players have certainly let Wenger down. His established favourites like Walcott, Giroud, Ramsey etc have been truly awful for a while now. Perhaps the whole Barca link has gone to Ramsey’s head, who knows? But what seems true is that, the more you pay these players, the less they put in.
    Wenger has created the team in every facet as far as I can see. That they haven’t repaid his faith is beyond question. The responsibility is shared by the squad (most of them) and the manager. Nobody else.
    I really hope that moves are in place for him to move on and that his replacement has been discussed. To make his position untenable doesn’t have to mean boycotting games or everyone arriving or leaving at half etc.
    He still deserves our respect but he simply must make the right decision himself. And right soon!

  7. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, is Wenger capable of seeing the truth, though?
    I hope he is, sooner rather than later.
    I’m not sure what it is he thinks he has to prove any more.

  8. Adam says:

    Scott. The truth is a moveable feast. He can certainly see the points column and must realise that the team has thrown away far too many opportunities this season to be seriously considered as deserving the PL crown.
    From my experience of life I would say that success tends to breed arrogance and arrogance is often blind.

  9. scottfromoz says:

    Fair call, Adam.
    His mind is a weird and wonderful beast, of that’s there is no question.
    I’d love to see him after 6-7 glasses of red…..see if he opens up, because he will have some stories to tell.

  10. potter says:

    It’s granddaughter day today so my visits to the site may be sporadic. I stand in block 10 and have seen the mood go from happy to disenchanted and now downright ugly. However no – one wants to give up their tickets but the topic revolves around the club it’s progress and the desire to go forward. Most agree and the word stagnation is often heard. It’s still an undercurrent but it’s growing. Gazidis needs to listen and someone needs to tell Wenger the facts of life.In all of our working lives it is quite simple, we put up or get shipped out and so it should be for him.

  11. rico says:

    It’s a tough call Potter because should AW walk away in the summer, but after the ticket deadline date, things could improve very quickly…

    Well, that’s if Stan reaches in his pocket…

  12. goonster says:

    Morning guys….alexis in the news? He’s the one to talk. How many times does that tosser lose the ball or make an erratic pass in each games. He’s so inept it’s cringe worthy. Like someone said on arsenal fan TV these guys feel like they are doing us a favor playing for us but I for one am not having it. Either they all put up or FUCK off. I don’t care who too. We are a big club ozil Sanchez or wenger is not bigger than us. We have a 100 and something year history. Fucking retards.

  13. Wavy says:

    Just seen a Wenger comment in reply to TH14’s remarks about the toxic nature of the crowd after losing to Swansea. His reply, “Henry? He sits in the expensive seats so how would he know the nature of the crowd?”
    How about that for shovelling stuff under the carpet and burying your head in the sands of self delusion? But it’s not. He knows exactly how the fans feel and has done since the away game at Stoke last year. I’m not condoning the response or vollies of abuse he received or is likely to receive but he knows the score. Presently he’s deflecting all criticism and ignoring the crap. Whether he can improve the performance of the team enough to remount a serious,challenge for the title, is a moot point but he he can’t I seriously believe,that he knows his days are numbered.

  14. goonster says:

    I see us getting thrashed this weekend. A penalty a red card and a 3.0 deficit. You head it here first but the spuds won’t win this league. It’s leceister’s time. I won’t begrudge them either. Come on leceister.

  15. Marshall says:

    AW hates critism. He wouldn’t know it if it was thrown by 60,000 boos. What is that bullsh*t about Henry sitting on the best seat. Atleast he can read the mood. AW is suchan ass

  16. Wavy says:

    A wise man knows his exits and his entrances and Wenger is not stupid. He knows he has to exit stage right, followed by a bear (Usminov?) sooner rather than later. The only thing he can’t control now, is the manner of his leave taking.
    (With apologies to those who love Shakespeare and feel my remarks are in somewhat poor taste!)

  17. adam says:

    A loss against Spurs and another away at Hull might turn the Emirates into the Roman Colosseum for the next home game.

  18. Bob John says:

    Great post Potter. My brother was among those outside the marble halls calling for Billy Wright’s head after he sold George Eastham and Joe Baker. The last days of Terry Neil were just as toxic. Arsene is in great danger of destroying the legacy that puts him up there with Herbert Chapman in the way he transformed the club and it’s image. So sad.

  19. rico says:

    Bob, couldn’t agree more there. Why on earth has a man who breezed into the club, made changes for the better, win trophies but then sit back and watch all the good things slowly but surely go into reverse..

    I just don’t get it….

    It is all so very sad….

  20. allezkev says:

    Adam, never mind about the manger, what about the mangal..?

    Wavy, those comments re:Henry are like a castle pulling up its drawbridge. The pressure on the man must be enormous, even though much of it is self-inflicted…

    His marriage has broken up, his daughter is probably living in France somewhere, his players are a bunch of bottlers, none of them deserve his continued support.
    He might be a stubborn man and a fool to himself but his millionaire players are a bunch of fcuking frauds, with a few exceptions…

    If those cnuts had anything about them and some backbone, they’d go out tomorrow and beat the Scum…

    But they won’t, they’ll capitulate because they’re all spineless…

  21. Bob John says:

    I would play Alexis down the middle tomorrow and tell him not to keep dropping back into our half where his dwelling on the ball could be costly. Wellbeck on the left and Ramsey on the right with Elneny & Coq in the centre. Will probably end up with Flamini though!

  22. Steven says:

    Now is not the time for Cech to be out… season is slowing drifting away dare I say Utd have been picking up pace as well… could even 4th spot be in jeopardy

  23. Santos says:

    Rico

    Good post. First of all I must commend you for still blogging about Arsenal. Wenger has obviously lost the dressing room. It’s painful that our annual collapse happens at the same period every year, yet there is no performance appraisal by the board. The league is changing for good. Come next season, the big clubs will be managed by a younger generation of tactically flexible and creative managers, while we may likely and scaringly remain with Wenger.

  24. rico says:

    Steven, that might wake the silent one up….

    Santos, Potter wrote half of today’s so I can’t take much credit.. But yes, it’s all getting rather boring to write and quite repetitive really…

  25. Steven says:

    Be interesting to see what City fans are thinking atm as there is quite a bit of trouble there as well…. theres nothing worse then being an arsenal fan well actually Liverpool fans could be just as frustrating after their fall from grace but we really do get the fans hopes up and just don’t deliver 3 big signings in 3 years Wenger is at least spending on quality but the same results…doing my own head in these days.

    What I’d like to see if the league is fans revolt at the end of the season and no1 renew season tickets until there is change… doubt it’ll happen in my life time but I think fans are now understanding that with us a club has nothing

  26. Obi says:

    Really good post because these thoughts been running through my
    mind since the Barce game – how do we get our ARSENAL back.
    FINALLY Wenger has beaten me into submission. Sure Stan is the
    owner, but Stan will spent if Wenger wants to spend – look at every team
    in the EPL spending. Wenger has never believed in a big squad nor has he been
    comfortable with independent thinking players and his willingness to place faith
    in unreliable players can’t be blamed on Stan – really why is Walcott ahead of Campbell?
    About 5 years ago, I watched Wenger give a reason for placing a higher value on
    making the Champions League vs winning the PL, his reason, “the prize money between 1st and 4th position is a difference of 2m, whereas making the Championships League was worth as
    much as 40m”. He bought Ozil and Alexis because the initial NBC deal had adjustments
    in the payouts. So Wath is not the owner because if it was, Wenger would’ve
    walk-out already. Scott is right on Sanchez, running around must have an end
    product, Pep “got rid” of him because he slows down the attack by holding onto
    the ball too long and he still hasn’t learn but yet he wants to question others, play the
    right way and others will follow. It goes back to Rico’s post a couple of week
    ago about Winners been in the squad. I have always said we don’t need winner
    but Leader, leaders make winners and right now we have only 2 leaders in the squad.

  27. potter says:

    It’s catch 22 though Steven. I and those around me in the ground have held our S.T’s for many years and we are fully aware that once they are given up it would take a lifetime to get another. I am in my 60th year of going to matches if I give it up then I walk away.

  28. Micko says:

    Afternoon all, good post Potter.

    It’s true some season ticket holders are staying away, I’m being offered tickets for any game I want at the Emirates.

  29. Micko says:

    Nite rico, I’ve had enough “Wenger ball” to last me a life time, he’s long past his sell by date !

  30. Marshall says:

    The club knows if S.T holders don’t renew, there would be other fans lining up to pick them up. How about 100% boycotts to the games. Light up the jerseys and fly a plane over- can they allow that in london?

  31. Rick says:

    Our youth team reached the semi final of the youth cup by beating the dippers 2-1 at the Ems tonight. Mavididi and Hinds with the goals. 3,293 watched.

  32. Marshall says:

    Sure Micko. The pilot’s sacrifice would be worth it.- I’d do it 🙂 . Fans should really turn the heat up.

    It’ll get worse after NLD, yet Wenger thinks fans are not angry. Such a knob!

  33. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Great result yesterday in the FAYouth Cup.

    Did you see the game Rick?
    How did Bielik play?
    Does anyone have a link to the goals/highlights?

  34. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good morning chips and chops.

    I have a sort of solution…. Yes walk out…but when the opposition scores.

    I can assure you they will take notice.

  35. Kel says:

    Good luck to The Arsenal today. .
    I’m not gonna bother watching it tbh tired being angry at wenger.

    Hopefully 2-1 til the good guys.

  36. potter says:

    No gotta watch it , Can’t comment if I don’t. Normally I travel in hope to these games but today it’s more trepidation.

  37. potter says:

    The Rapids declined comment Thursday when asked if Hinchey was traveling to London to meet with Howard. They also declined comment on whether Hinchey’s trip was to visit Arsenal, a club also owned by Stan Kroenke.

    Hinchley is Colorado’s Gazidis .He wants Tim Howard apparently but the MLSD might be a place for some young fringe players to gain experience.

  38. Wavy says:

    I shall watch too but without much hope of a positive result. More in fear than anticipation! 1-1 and we’ll do well to manage 1.
    What have we come to? We are streets ahead in ability and we should be streets ahead in the league, but we aren’t!
    Come on Arsenal pull one out of the bag. We need a repeat of the ManUre at home game. Please just stick it up ’em and all will be forgiven.

  39. ScottfromOz says:

    Who wants an omen????
    Our dog, Dee Bee Ten just bolted in a race
    It’s our day!!!!!
    Morning all.

  40. Lewis says:

    great save.

    So many of output players are so off form and need dropped but we have no decent replacements.

  41. bradster says:

    Wenger out thought Potchetino. Filled the midfield and left the left wing open. Ramsey seems to prefer box to box and not worry about DM job

  42. Lewis says:

    Ramsey gives the ball away a lot but he never hides does he. He just needs to keep it simple and will reap the benefits.

    Elneny and coq covering helps

  43. potter says:

    So Lamella pushes Sanchez and Sanchez pushes him back. So if one gets a yellow surely it should have been one each and Spurs down to `10

  44. bradster says:

    There’s a song about us “always cheating, cheating Arsenal”. We should sing that at the game and change Arsenal to referees. At least then it gets media coverage.

  45. scottfromoz says:

    Oliver is a decent referee, but why do we manage a second yellow and they don’t??
    Where are all the haters?
    We performed admirably, though Coquelin killed us.

  46. potter says:

    Fought for it and deserved the point. Coquelin cost us badly and Alexis walked straight off the pitch he did not look happy.

  47. Adam says:

    We got our game back today and got fitted up by Oliver. If he had sent Dier off when he should have, then I think we could have won it really.
    But well done Arsene and the team.

  48. Wavy says:

    Think we would have won if Le Gross Coq hadn’t stupidly got himself sent off………..and all the rest is history.
    If we’re crap then the spuds are crapper! Home, ten men, all over us like a rash until they all disappeared! Equaliser was deserved and perhaps, dare I say it, we should have won!
    Get Wenger signed up for another 3 years. (Not really)
    It’s made me happy enough to take Lady Wavy out for a fish supper!

  49. Kel says:

    Just seen the result looks like the boys decided to stop being pussies for once and fight for us, well that’s a positive, and finally Alexis gets a goal another positive….

    10 men get a point at shithart lane is a good day at the office.

    Le coq is off my xmas card list.. atm.

  50. Wath says:

    Well i had zero hopes for the result expected us to lay down and die and we didn’t, at long last we showed some bollox, Coq was fkin stuid but least he showed some fight but zero brains….! Listening to Per after the game it seems as if the players are pissed off, seems the comments maybe have hit a nerve….. Gooooood about time it did now maybe you’ll all pull your thumbs out your arses this league can still be won.

    As for Ramsey, our worst player by a country mile yet he scored a stunning goal, why oh why is he being asked to play out of position though when Wenger could of played Danny right Joel left and Alexis through the middle…!

    Anything but anything to stop that vermin shit winning the league is ok with me and for us to show some balls is great but it’s been a long while coming, why does it take so long to actually show up and get stuck in..?

  51. Wath says:

    In case you all wondering Rico out for the day and I not had internet access so you ain’t got a post for the today but am sure you’ll survive 😀

    No Ts i really can’t be arsed to copy n paste so it’s back to the GG

  52. Wath says:

    He’ll only miss the Hull replay JM, one game bam…. Yids are shit Nash, they were fuck all until the red card they they suddenly came to life…!

  53. Nashua Gunner says:

    Wath. You’d have thought after our poor runs they could have taken us out for lunch, but no. All the media big up before the game. Not even when we’re one man down.

  54. Lee says:

    Well played lads, could of nicked it the death!

    I suppose the deluded Wenger apologists will have something to crow about today, but the stark reality is we should be leading this poor PL by a few points?!?!

    Onwards and upwards!!

  55. kai says:

    Seriously guys ramsey played over joel because he offers more defensively. Plus regardless of what Ramsey think anyone else who think he’s playing out of position by playing wide right that’s were he should play. Cm box to box shouldn’t be it.

  56. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good evening Chips and Chops.

    we got a 2-2 draw. Considering the situation it harmed the spuds more than it harmed us. That is the NLD out of our system for this season. 1-1 home 2-2 away with a man less.

    Before the game I would have taken a draw (although I felt and wanted a win) with a man less. Because if there is something which is a season changer is the backs to the wall. This was no fluke result….it was backs to the wall, seemingly on our death knees and suddenly there is the spark of wanting to fight back, wanting to take something from the game.

    Coquelin out?? No problem. We have Elneny. did not do much wrong did he. And played for 75 mins. So next game, when Le Coq is going to sit out, Elneny will play as well. And I hope Flamini gets to play beside him as we will need both of them.

    If anything this game and the first half against Barca showed that if we need to be controlled we know how to. It means that in all the games we lost, bar both games against the Chavs, we should have got something out of each game. If we are cautious, pragmatic and tactical, this team would have around 10 more points.

    That is not AW’s way though.

    I do not agree with AW with one thing though. When Coquelin got sent off, I would have taken off Ozil, who imo did not have any impact out of the game and replaced him with Chambers. That would have given us a 4-4-1 with two walls between Danny and Ospina (today he was motm imo).

    But no….AW left it as it was and the team conceded two in the space of 2 mins.

    Micko…..top four??? Imo we will get much better than that. I still will dare to say it will be 1st or 2nd….with the spuds behind us.

    Unless we keep shooting ourselves in the foot.

  57. Hell Raising Devil says:

    honestly, I feel that Aaron should play in only two positions…..either wide on the right or in the number 10 position.

    How about this line up…..without Alexis and Ozil……

    Ospina,
    Bellerin, Gabriel, Per, Nacho
    Elneny, Coquelin,
    Campbell, Aaron, Gibbs
    Ollie

    I would seriously love to see AW play this lineup against Hull.

  58. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Coquelin will be replace by Flamini next game.
    Leicester up and the title in their pocket

  59. Kel says:

    Leicester 8pts ahead of us now, imo i don’t think we’ll claw that back considering we’ve only managed 3 league wins this yr.

    So well done Leicester increasing your lead over the scum to 5 pts. 🙂

  60. Marshall says:

    8 points behind, with 9 games left. can we do it? First Arsenal game I’ve missed in a while- the yanks in Vegas wouldn’t know what channel to flip- heard the guys did well. Nice run in in acquiring our usual top 4.

    Glad to see Ramsey off our CM. Nice flick for the goal.

  61. Rick says:

    Evening All.
    Kev yes I did watch the game lat night, it was the first football I had seen in a fortnight.
    It was a very impressive performance by the entire team and I would find it hard to name a mom.
    It looks like Bielick is at last coming to terms with the physical aspect of the english game and I think that his performance last night is the best I have seen from him.
    We now play Man C in the semi final ( home and away) which I think will be very hard(no dates yet) and I would like to see this team given another run out together before then.

  62. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    What a performance.
    It wasn’t silky smooth, but where he the did the guys and determination come from?
    More importantly, where has it been hiding for so long?
    If our guys played with that intensity for the last two games, we’d be sitting on Leicestershire hammer.
    Oh well, we live in hope.
    Lee, nobody should be defending Wenger, but EVERYONE should be questioning why the guys can offer up an effort like this a few times a season.

  63. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, I’d say there’s more chance of Alexis leaving than there is Ozil….just an opinion.
    I wonder how much Wenger staying or leaving will impact their decisions…..

  64. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Chips and Chops

    I feel both will leave Scott. But the rest will stay.

    This morning all the news are awash with PV04 being the next AFC manager,

    Well well well this year we will not only have the usual silly season of transfer merry go round only, but also the managerial issue will be hanged, drawn, tortured, quartered, disembowelled, chip chopped and butchered until the next manager is in line.

    I would like Koeman….that would make our staff dutch. However I feel that PV04 will be the next manager. It would have been a tad difficult to move from U21 to AFC manager. So he went to America (like AW went to Japan) to learn a bit first hand and then come back. Whatever or whoever comes, I feel it will be a looooooooooooong time until the beginning of next season.

  65. Lee says:

    I can’t blame either of them for leaving, Wenger’s stubbornness and lack of transfer activity is a massive factor. The list of players wanting out is growing annually well apart from “yes” players that love life on the Arsenal gravy train!

    As Micko said top four is back on, the club has become a fucking joke with it’s persistent choking!

  66. scottfromoz says:

    Morning guys.
    It’s shame our 11 can’t show that amount of enthusiasm and just plain old guts every week.
    Why is it we only dig in on the odd occasion?
    The players showed once again what they’re capable of, but they’ll probably back to their lazy arse selves next week.
    It’s so disappointing.

  67. Lee says:

    Scott as I said after the Barca game if we can replicate how we played for the first 70 mins we’d win the league…… shame Wenger can’t get them to do it!!

  68. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, I know it’s his job, but ffs they’re bloody well paid individuals who should do what they’re paid for.
    Before last nights game, I watched a replay of an 04/05 NLD.
    Two things stood out.
    A-the speed of our build up play compared to now was ridiculously quick-we played our share of long balls.
    B-Wenger was much, much more animated on the sideline back then, happy to yell at his players.
    I’ll add a third…..all players out in a shift back then.

  69. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Two reasons are to blame for the serial chokers situation…….

    1) Manager and Players are not accountable.

    2) Not enough rotation except if forced.

    Anyone noticed Gibbs yesterday?? He knows that he has to vie with Nacho for the LB berth. And he knows that he has been given a chance to play He grabbed it with both hands.

    If players are accountable and not molly coddled they will perform.

    The club do not want to be seen as sacking AW after all he did for the club. So they just wait.

    I tell you that after he goes, the new manager will not have the same leeway AW has. We might see a different animal in the board.

    When AW came into the club he was told….do not touch the defence.

    The new board and owners were told…..do not touch AW.

    When the new manager comes in I doubt he will be given the same chances as AW has been given.

  70. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, it’s going to be a very interesting time after he leaves.
    He’s got to go, and at seasons end.
    For himself, the club and the fans, the time is right.

  71. allezkev says:

    Only saw highlights, so it’s difficult to judge, but from what I saw the players must have sorted out a few things between them.
    Yeah, they were drinking a the Last Chance Saloon, and all the criticism from both media and fans forums must have been painful, but they showed a resolve and determination that I haven’t seen since Bayern, they would not lay down, they would not accept defeat and in the end we’ve seen the Scum bottle it instead…

    I think psychologically, we can take a lot from this game and almost certainly will.

    Can we go on a winning run from here?

    This group of players have done it before?

    Tottenham cracked under the weight of expectations.
    Maybe Leicester will also if Arsenal go on a run and turn the screw?

    Give Wenger credit for making the right team changes.
    Elneny seemed to have a steady game and might prove valuable in the run-in…

    Ospina was very impressive and as Coach said was imo our MotM…

    Great news Rick, that sounds very encouraging…

  72. scottfromoz says:

    Hiya Kev,
    We shouldn’t be in this position, but we are so I hope we do take plenty from that performance and win all remaining games.
    Hard, but possible.

  73. Hell Raising Devil says:

    We had other good performers Kev…..

    Bellerin was outstanding. Elneny was steady and as you said will prove to be a good and shrewd acquisition. Danny was good and was only let down by his touch, although he gave their defence enough to chew. Sanchez worked his socks off. Gibbs was good as well….and I would have no qualms about him playing the next 3 to four games. Aaron did not do bad but was not so much good either. Ozil was ….where was he? did not see much of him.

    But Ospina was the outstanding performer so far.

  74. allezkev says:

    Morning Scott, yes, without doubt we should not be in this position,
    but the players are responsible for where we are and this result will hopefully give them the confidence to give it a go from here on, to make up for the pigs ear they’ve made of it since the turn of the year…

    No more stupid selfies or rubbish on social media…
    Focus everything on what you have to do over the next 9 EPL games and just hope that Leicester drop some points…

  75. allezkev says:

    Coach, I was pleased to see Welbeck lead the attack.
    He would be, imo, our No.1 striker for the rest of the season – play Giroud up at Hull.
    Sanchez scoring was a bit of a life-saver and hopefully he’ll hit a hot streak for remaining games.

    Yes Ospina was very good although he almost fcuked up when, again, standing too far inside his goal. That was the bit of luck we needed, when the ball was all but in, about 20% on the line and saving our arses….

    Ramsey on the right wing from now on methinks, Mr Wenger.

    Morning All

  76. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Moirning all
    Just I’ve posted before, we must played with Coquelin and Elhemy at the same time and not Coquelin-Ramsey. It’s not in cause the quality of the players but the balance of the team. When Ramsey attack, he is not covered back quickly and we were very expose. Moreover, we always attack with the full backs. Besides, at this time of the season we need a fresh and a new blood at the midfield,
    We can not be so strong in the attack but we balance the midfield, be much more secure and rescue in the back. Then, our forwards could make the difference.
    So I ask myself, why i’m not next Arsenal manager? 🙂

  77. goonster says:

    JM you ll probably do better 😀 morning guys great game yesterday. No one seem to have mentioned how composed gibbo was. He gave as good as he got. Almost had an assist too. Everyone did remarkably well yesterday. Proud of the lads. Still don’t think we ll win the league but atleast we halted the spuds progress. Come on you gunners.

  78. goonster says:

    Oh dev mentioned him earlier. Good to see am not the only one who noticed how well he played. Gibbo that is

  79. goonster says:

    Just been watching chelsea vs stole highlight. How we didn’t snap up bojan or shaqiri still baffles me. We could do with a player with their skill set. It’s a shame. Our scouting has gone to shit. Is Steve Rowley still alive??

  80. Joaquim Moreira says:

    A little hope if Leicester dropped points yesterday. Now, it’s very difficult – just 9 games – 8 points the difference but must be 9, because Leicester goal-average is better then us.
    So, only Leicester, totts and … M. City (have 10 games).

  81. goonster says:

    JM we won’t win it and I ll rather they don’t drop points and give totenham a sniff. Anyone but totenham for the league. It’s too late now for us. We won’t be winning the league. Leceister should and deserve to.

  82. potter says:

    I said that welbeck’s header was potentially the biggest mistake of the season. Hopefully yesterday’s result will slow the Totts down enough to lessen it’s effect.

  83. goonster says:

    Liverpool won it at the dearth. Damn top 4 is looking crowdy now guys. Is the year we slip off the radar?

  84. Kel says:

    West Brom getting the result today is a huge help to Arsenal hopes of finishing 4th…

    Well done West Brom and mike dean lol… 😉

  85. Wavy says:

    Manure beat Arsenal 3-2, WBA beat Manure 1-0, Arsenal play WBA next, result ?-?. I’m assuming WBA will at least draw with us and on form have a fair chance of nicking the result!
    We live in very strange times. The world is still flat, isn’t it?

  86. Micko says:

    Wavy, we’re the only team to have done the double on Leicester this season, Arsene deserves a medal.

    rico, I feel your pain, come back when your ready !

  87. Micko says:

    Fcuking l Pads, that should have read “Wath, how’s your sore head today lol”

    Nite Gooners, keep it real.

  88. potter says:

    We got snow about 3 inches on the car this morning , got tail ended at stop go traffic lights , damage to bumper and reversing sensors. Looks like an insurance claim.

  89. allezkev says:

    Hi Scott…

    Big game tomorrow, we’ll big in the sense that we need to get on a roll, a winning run, try and build on the 10 man fight back at the Slum…

    I’d take extra time and pens as long as we get through…

  90. allezkev says:

    I think that Wenger has to stick with Coquelin/Elneny at the back and Ramsey on the right for the rest of the season…

    Also Welbeck up front as he is fresh and Giroud looks so out of form…

  91. Marinello says:

    Hi Rico and Kev, Scott and Micko,
    Hope all okay.
    Certainly saw a fair bit of hunger in the team on Saturday following the sending
    off. Could have nicked it at the end when Danny looks to be in on goal….
    I think that there are still a few twists and turns ahead for all the teams in the top 6.
    Injuries to key players would obviously upset the apple cart at both Leicester and the Spuds.
    Cannot ever remember a season quite like this one whereby many teams are blowing hot and then cold.
    Big round of applause for Aspina for putting in a shift against the Spuds.

  92. Orfevrerie says:

    So Potter,

    When you and Rico will organize a protest?

    Action speaks louder than words.

    Rico, I think you as blog owner can coordinate fellow antiwenger blog owner like Le Grove, Arsenal Truth, and others to meet and discuss what kind of real actions can be planned to take things louder and push the corporation to the edge.

    Arsenal Truth blog has been writing the idea:

    http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/arsenal-truth/2016/3/3/arsenal-fans-must-boycott-matchesswiss-ramble.html

    So when will you take action, Rico?

  93. allezkev says:

    Jon Toral scored again for Birmingham,
    that’s 7 goals this season, a good return for a midfielder.

    And Lee will be delighted to hear that his favourite postman played 90 minutes for Charlton…

    Onwards and Upwards…

  94. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good evening Chips and Chops

    I think Iwobi will start tomorrow’s game. Infact I think he will come in place of Coquelin with Aaron dropping into midfield again. Unless AW plays Flamini that is.

    imo the team will be …..

    Ospina
    Chambers, Per, Gabriel, Gibbs
    Elneny, Aaron
    Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez
    Danny

  95. potter says:

    I would think Walcott and Giroud will be involved hopefully if we get ahead by enough to take our big hitters off early.

  96. Joaquim Moreira says:

    ozil not play tomorrow. TW must win confidence again so probably plays tomorrow. Welbeck? maybe but we must be carefully with him. So probably, giroud. Flamini plays. And minutes to Campbell.
    Ospina will be the gk.

  97. allezkev says:

    I’m not sure that Wenger can rest too many, what would be the point, unless they’re in this mythical ‘red zone’..?

    If we win our next game will be again in the FACup.
    If we lose then our confidence will nose dive, and what good is that?

    I’d rest Welbeck and Coquelin is suspended, but unless anyone else is carrying an injury, I think they should play.

    Maybe rest Ozil, but we cannot afford another balls-up…

    Morning All…

    Morning Rico, plenty of hot drinks… ?

  98. Lee says:

    Me too Rico…the trauma of getting a hiding in Spain will totally de-rail our season (if possible)

  99. rico says:

    Agree Lee, I know he’s got to pick a side from the named CL squad but I’d send a really weakened side and hope Barca are kind to us. Maybe AW could strike a deal with them… 😉

    No hot drinks Kev, just plenty of Paracetamol and a dark room…. 🙁

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