Had anyone dared to suggest sacking Arsene Wenger in 2006, they’d have been carted off to the funny farm by men in white coats. And yet that was his nadir. He peaked with Arsenal’s CL Final appearance, and though the fall hasn’t been cataclysmic over the last eleven years, Arsenal are still light years away from being the power-house they should be. And 2006 was the best it was ever going to get for Wenger on the global stage – he is the only manager ever to lose a UEFA Cup final, Cup Winners’ Cup final, and European Cup/CL final, so maybe it is just an intrinsic part of his DNA, his glass ceiling that he’s unable to break-through.
As our second-best manager ever (I know many will disagree, but it’s only my opinion), he deserves an enormous amount of respect, but that has to be a two-way street.
He brought the greatest football these shores has ever seen, and rightly earned the love and adulation of the entire Arsenal fan-base. There were ‘ricks’, flaws, and even plenty of clues of his vulnerability during his early successful years, but when the club are winning titles and going a whole season unbeaten, these are easily ignored as seemingly insignificant ‘nit-picking’.,
At the same time we have to be honest and genuine enough to accept humans make mistakes, all of us, and football managers are no different.
We have to reference 2006, because just prior to the change of ownership, it was probably the biggest pivotal moment since moving across the river many moons ago. Before 2006, Wenger’s transfer success or failure rate wasn’t scrutinised too much, because fans were happy. The significant thing about this, is that Dennis Bergkamp was the last non-Wenger first-team player to retire and although it would be a gross exaggeration to say Bergkamp was the key component in Wenger’s early success, his presence at Arsenal alone allowed Wenger to get away with some very expensive mistakes. Those expensive mistakes are still being made with far too much regulatory, but because there are no players left with the aura and character of Bergkamp et al, these expensive out-lays are being made to look like fool’s gold.
The philosophy of letting players work things out for themselves during play on the field works if the whole team are working as a cohesive unit, bonded by the same cause, and with experienced international leadership to rally the troops should it be needed. It doesn’t work if you continually buy the wrong type of player whilst ignoring glaring holes in key areas of the squad.
We’re still waiting for Adams/Keown/Campbell, Vieira, Bergkamp, and Pires to be properly replaced, and we’ve been waiting for a WC striker since selling the title – sorry RVP – to a direct rival.
2006 for me is a line in the sand defining year for Arsenal, from a football perspective. And the fact that this has been allowed to spiral over a long period of time, makes it right and natural that some pretty tough, direct questions should be asked of a manager so handsomely rewarded based on no more than historical success.
By Herbs Army
Morning all.
Top post Herb, great read.
Arsene has done great things and always given his best, but the time will never be more right for him to do one more great deed for us and leave.
If we never sold RVP, Arsene may just have won one last title…..one of the very few times our Yank mate did step in lol
Anyway, lets hope Arsenes cryptic little comment about managing next year is elsewhere because as stake as Arsenal is with Arsene, the same may well apply.
Trouble is , you will never replace the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, Henry, Pires…Importantly, we have to move on – without making the mistakes Manu made when Fergi left. We also have to unshackle that glorious past, otherwise we will never re-invent ourselves. Bergkamp, for me, was the greatest signing and player Arsenal ever had, but we can rise again, and collectively be better.
I think you are spot on with the Euro trophy brick wall. Sad, but true. However, whether it is Allegri Tuchel or another Arsene Who? the new manager will inject much needed spirit, venom and ideas into a slumbering giant.
Cracking post Herb, thank you..
You can’t Db but he went from signing big players with big attitudes to small players who are flaky…
morning all
Sutton Unit. v. Arsenal 19.55 on sportv3 – Portugal
I hope I will not go through any great shame.
with RVP we may just have won title? Many doubts
If we had a strong nº6 (like Kanté) maybe; if we had a confident GK, maybe; if we had not be naive last year, mybe. I forgot the injuries, ok.
JM, if we’d bought more than Cech…….
I was thrilled when we signed Cech, but he’s far from being the keeper he was in his Chelsea days…
Rico, I mean more than Cech as in, we only bought him-no outfield players.
There was absolutely no justification for that.
We must ask a question on Cech, I guess.
How good was he really??
He was behind one hell of a defensive unit after all…..was he over rated at all?
Have some of our keepers been under rated as they’ve been under constant pressure?
Hard to know, I guess.
I realised Scott…
Think he was a great keeper until the day Chelsea played Reading perhaps…
Going back to Herbs post, Wenger could have signed stronger players, we missed out on van Dijk (Saints) Wanyama and last summer, Sissoko…
Yeah that’s a good point.
It must have an effect.
Good post Herb, morning all. Think Cech proved over a long international career that he was top class. Has been a few howlers this year though that Sczezesny would have been pillored for.
Very true Andrew. The last one at Chelsea was a shocker..
Totally agree with your opinion that Arsene Wenger is not the greatest Arsenal manager and presume that you are referring to Herbert Chapman as being your choice for that accolade. Chapman laid the foundation for Arsenal to be the club they are today. Loved the Emirates when we first moved there but now realise how much I miss our former ground as Highbury was so special. We didn’t need the trophy years stuck all around the ground to remember that. Need the Executive management and owners to remember the traditions and values which made the club what it is. Wenger can be given the chance to move upstairs so the transition is smooth and ideally a true Arsenal man needs to appointed as his successor who has his own vision to take the club forward.
Good evening everybody,
Is Herb your ghostwriter Rico? Get it ?
Anyway, just reading that Dick Law could be off. Now being down under, down under, some of the nuances of The Club I never really bother knowing about. But I see he is American!!
What do Americans know about football ffs. They should stick to pansie games with helmets & padding & leave footie to those with footie history. And I don’t include Australia as a footie nation, we are still learning the trade. No bloody wonder the club has signed mostly duds since circa 2009.
Dick Law? Dickhead!!!!!
Thankyou for a most enjoyable read Herb. I probably should have said that at the start.
No GG, he’s my saviour… 😉
Doesn’t Wenger choose who he signs rather than anyone else? Can’t imagine Law being the one responsible for signing Sanogo…
I preferred Highbury too AL, a great ground but I guess we needed to move in order to keep up with other bigger clubs across Europe.
Only sadly, we haven’t…
Time will eventually win out, it always does, only problem is if you asked Arsene he’d probably tell ya he was timeless !
Nice one Herb, afternoon all.
The plot thickens. Did this Dick Head come with Silent Stan’s recommendations?
Loved GG and his players as well – like many others Gooners, Anfield 89 was my all-time favourite.
Hi Rico and HH.
Thanks for having confidence enough in my writing ability to make a Post, Rico, it is an honour to represent you.
Thanks to everyone for their generous words, it’s a difficult time for all of us, and trying to make any sense of the whole sorry mess even harder.
The consistent pattern of failure year after year is absolutely astonishing when you remember that Wenger is lauded for being ‘super intelligent’.
Personally I think he and his team have displayed shocking levels of cowardice on every occasion that really mattered.
He publicly criticised Chelsea and City for being ‘financially doped’ – which you could level at any of Europe’s elite clubs, but this was Wenger essentially waving the white flag and surrendering. He decided that he couldn’t compete, and that inner resignation of accepting defeat imprints itself onto the players who then manifest into all the manager’s worst nightmares.
You’re right DB 10, we need to purge, absolve and move forward, but as usual the club are making us wait. The future is very unclear because massive wholesale change is needed at the very core.
So many players need moving on and bringing in as well as changing the whole philosophy of the club.
The Arsenal are a massive football institution recognised globally as one of the games fore-runners, and it’s about time we asserted our position and power.
We’ve been an embarrassment to the club’s name for far too long, cowering and hiding behind all the clubs we’re meant to be challenging.
I know the Kroenke’s are the biggest poison at our club, but there’s no excuse for public cowardice, especially when it’s taking our club’s name in vein and turning Arsenal into a world-wide laughing stock. I really can’t wait for Wenger to leave, I wouldn’t go as far as to call him a thief, but his overall ability has been grossly exaggerated.
Good opening post Herb.
The whole thing reminds me of Leicesters situation in a way. Last season they had ‘the perfect storm’, similar to the one we had back in the day. Whilst they have dropped like a stone since then, our downall had been much more gradual.
Being a big, big, club, we would never fall away completely, but the fact is that we have basked in the reflected glory of ‘that’ team.
We have papered over the gaping holes left from when that team aged and broke up. With never more than two WC players, and the rest making up the numbers we have coped.
Too many last day of the window purchases, scraping the dregs and paying well over the odds.
Which is ironic really, because if Arsene had payed top dollar for top players we could have stopped the rot. WC players were not attracted to the club and went to our opposition.
This is all no more than stating the obvious I know, but sadly someone else is going to have to come in and start a whole new regime. Clearing out the dead wood in back room staff, and with players, having no loyalties to pet players.
The sad thing is if Le Prof had had his priorities right, and was loyal to the fans instead of the owners, it needn’t have come to this. He just hasn’t earned his 8.5 million a year for quite some time.
Micko, Wenger would tell us it’s 1996…
Agree with your last Herb and it’s my pleasure. Afternoon to you…
For me this Arsenal has two scenarios, both of which are failing.
Kroenke and the board – useless and I’m sure we could do a lot better.
The other is Wenger and we’ve all said what there is to be said about him. He needs to go and nothing will convince me otherwise.
Only one of the above can be resolved quickly and imo, it’s the more important of the two right now because we fans deserve change. The football, squad, tactics, approach etc etc is what’s holding this club back..
And only when a new manager comes in will be certain of whether Kroenke is too…
Nice one Meerkat…
Hi Rico
We can all get over the odd defeat, and we’ve had less than great manager’s in the past, but public cowardice is unforgivable, especially when he’s representing our club and helping himself to a King’s ransom. In any other walk of life he would be facing criminal charges for the £millions he has wasted.
Every time I think of Wenger I am immediately filled with anger.
Hi Herb, sorry, I was outside cleaning my car…
Absolutely right, it’s not losing the odd game that irks it’s the manner in which we do.
Yes, always pleaded poverty whilst we moved stadiums but my goodness, he’s wasted some money on a lot of dross. And there was me thinking he was a man who wanted quality over quantity…
Well done to Lincoln, that’s a shock result….
Nice one Herb. Excellent read and I agree wholeheartedly with you, especially his surrender to the Chavs billions. He just gave up and if anything he chose not to compete in the market. He perhaps over thought his ability! He arrogantly believed he could produce a championship winning side or sides from rag tag and bobbintail! The last eleven years demonstrates quite clearly that he hasn’t nor couldn’t. Project youth I has been shown to be still born and most of his philosophy of football would seem to be flawed and patently out dated.
Time for us to move on.
As for the Kronkes they should think about playing the Hackney Empire again! However, they do have one value able asset, and I don’t mean Wenger, they don’t interfere with the goings on at the football club. That surprisingly is an excellent thing not to do! None the less a little ,ore engagement with the club and its fans would not come amiss and it wouldn’t cost them an arm and a leg, either. Still we’ve got what we’ve got, for now. When Trump starts taxing the yanks on their overseas interests we should see them shuffle off back to their high plains estates. Well we can hope, can’t WE.
Sunny and blue skies here. Just like my thinking???
Bobtail Bobtail ffs
The money ploughed into Chelsea and City was just an excuse to hide behind for not winning anything, or being truly competitive….
Pathetic really…
Money helps you buy players but determined ability makes you set up those you have to get the best from them. Wenger has always been to proud to change his priorities to suit differing opposition. His style is effective 80% of the time but that is what gets you there or thereabouts.
Dick Law , the man that chased Joel Campbell’s father all over South America whilst Juan Mata was available from Valencia at a cut down price. Wouldn’t be surprised if Law was responsible for the Suarez debacle as well. 2011 a midfield with Mata , Rosicky, Cesc , Nasri and Song but no lets spend the close season chasing a player with no work permit. He should have been sacked then and there.
Herb we are two peas from the same pod , we seem to see things from the same perspective on most subjects.
Milwall have knocked out Leicester….
Evening all………….beautifull day here, so mild I worked down the gym in my boxers !
Didn`t like that post Herb !………………………………..I loved it, but it was too short, I wanted more you lazy fcuker ! 😆
I think Wenger put a lot of his eggs in the FFP basket, it was to make us be at the top and better our crooked rivals with our much respected self sustaining model !…………the demise of FFP was also possibly a great contributor to the demise of Wenger !……………….FFP became ………….Fucking Flying Pigs !………….it was never going to sit well with the big money clubs !
!
Wenger once said that the potential of PSG was enormous stating that it was the only football team in Paris an unbelievably oppurtunity and he`s right, can you imagine Arsenal being London`s only club instead of what is it ?….. 13……14 others ?………………..will not be surprised if he ends up at PSG.
rico, the foxes are becoming an endangered species….they haven’t scored a league goal this year.
March 11th can’t come around quick enough for them.
Just had a chance to read the post…
Herb, that was a nice job, and I agree with you wholeheartedly, Herbert Chapman is número uno…
For those that don’t agree, try getting a copy of
‘Cliff Bastin Remembers’ (self explanatory) and/or ‘Forward Arsenal’ by Bernard Joy….
Where I may diverge with you Herb, is the ‘best football ever seen at Arsenal’ or something along those lines…
I think we’d need to go a long way to eclipse 1930-31, 127 goals scored with some amazing results.
Then Chapmans team who won a hat trick of titles 1933/35.
Chapman may have died in 1934, but make no mistake, it was still his team, his coaches, the players Allison signed such as Bowden, Drake, Copping, Cranston etc, had been identified before Chapmans death. So I still consider them to be his signings.
But then I’m biased ?
Ha ha Micko…
Lc, well I hope that’s his next destination, and very soon.
Morning all.
It’s absolutely a unanimous decision amongst HH contributors that Wenger moves on at season end, but please, let’s not cheapen the work he’s done, and what he’s given the club and its fans by downplaying his achievements, just so we don’t feel guilty about wanting him gone.
We should feel a little guilty, but not too much as it’s the right thing, no question.
I don’t feel guilty at all. What’s he’s done for the last ten years has been very very average…
He could have built a team around Fabregas, he didn’t. He could have shown more ambition, ambition which would have kept RVP but no, the idiot sold him to him to one of our most bitter rivals.
Ok, guilty may not quite be the right word 🙂
Doesn’t matter what word is used. We fans have a right to feel how we feel and right now I have so little respect for the manager….
Rico, he started building around Cesc but the guy left, and sorry, but he didn’t selling RVP.
His hand in that got us 24 million instead of what those above him were prepared to take so that’s most definitely not on him.
I believed it was pretty common knowledge that the owner wanted that cash, and there was the famous call between Feegie and Arsene that at least for us a decent fee.
I’ll never understand the lack of respect for the man but hey, we can’t change what we feel.
He’s not an idiot.
How did he build around Fabregas Scott?
He should have never sold RVP, instead, make him play out his last year. Either that or shown some bloody ambition in the way the club was going forward.
He never had the chance to build the squad around Cesc because he left lol
He never wanted to sell RVP, either.
These are decisions people like to blame on Arsene, but really, as much as most like to think he’s the all powerful entity at the club, he’s answerable to the Yank.
Saying that, I’d have sold them both.
Why would we want players at the club who start talking about leaving?
Give me players who want to play for the shirt rather than the cash.
You don’t know that about RVP… And Fergie said that he called Wenger to seal the price. Nothing to do with ‘the yank’!
Disagree re Fabregas, he had plenty of time to build around him before the Barca stuff.
Just to add, the Nasri sale was embarrassing imo. He was getting on a plane to play for Arsenal in Europe only for Stan the syrup to haul him off said plane because Citeh had offer £25m and there was no way he wasn’t having the cash. I think if memory serves me right Samir the snake had made it up with the wrinkly one, so selling him was not Wenger’s fault either.
I think where Wenger let himself down was that he just wasn’t assertive enough with the money hungry (greedy) owner. As in 2006 he just rolled over and let it all happen around him. With hindsight that should have been the last straw. He should have quit then and left the spineless board and the greedy goat of an owner get on with it!
Seriously Wavy?
Bed calls.. night all…
Seriously Rico.
Wenger out!
Rico/Scott, the reason we lost Hleb, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie et al, was not only a lack money, ie contracts, it was the general lack of ambition shown by the manager and the club in general…
Generally that is… ?
Night Rico…
Why didn’t Wenger object to the sales of Nasri and Van Persie?
If he has that much power and Kroenke indulges him, why did he not put his foot down?
Was it syrup or was it Wenger or was it just collusion between the two?
Kev, I have a ready made reposnse when those names come up-used it for years now, and it works every time 🙂 🙂
Did any single one of those players leave for less money, or even the same that they were on at Arsenal???
It’s very easy for a player to lay blame elsewhere, but when every one of them cops a big pay rise, then it gets a bit old, imo.
Their ambition is to bolster their bank account lol
Wenger did object and does not have the power people say….not when it comes to cash 🙂
Keep in mind that Wenger told us around that time he was required to make a 20 million profit on transfers each season, and it was after these sales that Ivan said we no longer have financial constraints.
No, for all the negatives with Arsene, he’s been blamed for things that can’t all have been his fault.
Ashley Cole was willing to sign his deal until Hill-Wood vetoed it and cut Arsenal’s offer to him by £10grand a week, Dein had agreed everything, Wenger would have also been on board.
Cole joined Chelsea, probably for more money, but he was willing to stay, I think the others would have as well if Arsenal had shown ambition…
That’s how I see it Scott…
If Wenger had threatened to resign, what do you think would have happened?
Maybe, Kev, but I guess we can only deal in the facts and the facts are they all took more cash.
The rest really is heresy and opinion.
On Cole-that’s one situation I believe the player was not at fault, as he stood his ground and has every right to.
If Wenger threatened to resign, who really knows what would have happened, but which time should he have made the threat?
He can’t make it every time he doesn’t agree with a decision made by Stan, surely.
I like Herbs 12:44 pm as well !……………..as it is along the lines of mine and Scott`s constant “fact” that although we all want Wenger out……………………………The Kroenke`s are the bigger poison !
Wenger will surely go, but it`s how do we get rid of the Kroenke Klutz Klan ?
Kev your 8.38 is 100% correct. In Cesc’s case the final straw was as Chelsea bought Torres and Davi Luiz , Liverpool bought Suarez and paid a fortune for Andy Carroll, Man City bought Edin Dzeko we bought or actually got free Ryo Myachi.Cesc’s father was being wined and dined by Laporta to put the pressure and so he left to win things. The next window Nasri and Clichy went and the next year RVP. People have blamed the players , they insult them but really the target should be those that chose not to invest any money in the team and the man that went along with it.
No disrespect to all the mob on here
But ..Rico,Adam,Kelsey and Herb
have a way of telling it…Don’t they.
Plus on the subject of leaving for more money the following is an interesting development.:-On 15 August 2011, Barcelona signed Fàbregas for an initial fee of €29 million with a further €5 million in variables, plus Fàbregas would pay Arsenal €1 million a year from his wage for five years.[
Potter, Wenger is complicit with Kroenke when it comes to the lack of investment, but what worries me is what are we going to get from syrup when AW leaves?
And will Kroenke pass up on a top manager or two if they don’t fit in with his financial policy?
Change is not to be feared Kev
Standing still is.
The Syrup is an Unknown to us.
When G G went I had a downer
but deep down he had to go
he lost the plot..Fact
Without going into to much detail
I knew the man so was a Supporter of
his stuff.
I will be just as upset when Arsene as gone.
The truth is out there!
If Wenger ever,puts,pen to paper, after the dust has settled and he is full of his favourite bottle of red and or white, perhaps,we’ll get to hear/read the version he wants to peddle. He did say at the end of the Cesc,saga,”I could,write,a,book. You wouldn’t believe,what’s happened this summer.”
Well, I’m waiting…….with bated breath! Because at present we none of know what or who is to blame or even why.
The abject failure of the club to make any kind of progress in the last eleven years is scandalous. Wenger, Kronke, PHW, even Fizman, et al all have culpability hanging all over them. But will anything change? You can bet you sweet life it won’t, will there be a powerful response from the Arsenal faithful? Potter’s view,that there is a vast social dico next between the fans is probably right so, sadly fan power will be dissolved,and ignored!
How the fukc have we arrived at this parlous state?
Yeh, I know,the answer! I just rehearsed most of it!
That is a real worry, my thoughts are that he will continue on his course. He has sacked people in his American franchises and replaced them before. The difference is that Wenger is the cog that makes his Arsenal franchise work. It may well be that the fall that inevitably will come might distabilise him and as his only interest is increasing his portfolio’s value , he might decide to cash in . In that case the pertinent question is who would wish to buy him out. At the moment we all assume Usmanov but it could easily be Chinese , Indian or Arab.
So Wenger wants four more years……………. that’s enough to give me nightmares tonight and zero fucking sleep…..!
Least he says he adult enough to know when the time is right to leave…………. We shall see won’t we…! He now has no wife no family and very little to retire for so obviously he wants to feel loved and wanted at a club…. I bet that’s music to the ears of our lot on the board….! Do they actually have the balls to accept him signing the new contract that they offered 6 months ago.
I reckon they do, they stuck in their little bullet proof tower drinking their krug and laughing at all us plebs thinking “mugs the lot of you”
Unfortunately the fear a lot of support have of Arsene going,
is the reason he still has the finger on the button.
H e can’t go on for ever..Can He
The empty seat’s the last few games
could really help for a change.
Stan couldn’t give a toss
who takes up the mantle as long as the
Arse is on a seat.
Fred, is it really fear of Arsene leaving, or the fear of what inept manager we will get afterwards?
In my case, I’m fearful of what type of manager Stan will bring in, or allow to be brought in.
I can’t see him getting a high profile guy who’ll want to spend.
I reckon he will try and get a Wenger replica.
Fred, it’s totally pathetic anyone fearing a manager leaving irrespective of who it is…. If anyone casts their mind back 99.9% all asked ‘who is this Wenger bloke’ so what’s different now..? Nothing…! just fans who think they are entitled to winning yet we not done much of that lately so shows fans are as gutless as the team in many ways. Why be careful what we wish for..? why the negative and point fingers at United, what about lets look at the Chelsea effect and why with the right appointment won’t that be us…?
I do fear the board taking the easy gutless option I must say but that will also have it’s own snowball effect as well so we have very little to lose…!
In case your wondering what Wath is on about ?………….here`s the stuff to make Freddie Kruger scream like a little girls blouse !…………..any faint-hearted gooners should NOT read this article, you have been warned !!!………………………..good night !…………….mwahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahaahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahha…………………..imagine an evil Vincent Price laugh there you pant shitters !…………………..mwahahahahahahahahhahaahaha
http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/18/arsene-wenger-i-want-four-more-years-at-arsenal-6457845/
If the board get in a nobody Scott then that’s them digging their own grave, then you may well have your wish and as Potter says if the bottom lines gets affected Stan way well then consider getting out at the top..!
LC… you’re cruel and spiteful mate…!
My little mob have had the knief’s out
for Arsene for over 8 years now,
this is not new for me.
The syrup as I said is unkown to us lot
the other yank Ivan..Do me a favour
What bus did get off.
One thing is certain if a takeover is the ultimate outcome, it won’t be a fan based buy out! At 16 or 17,000 per share the cost is way beyond the means of even the average fan, except Kev of course!
The prospect of another yank or the Chinese moving in I find deeply worrying. Perhaps we should tap up the remaining Bracewell Smiths and the Woods et al. Or do we not want their type around our club!
Wath, I don’t want him to sign a nobody, but I can’t see him signing a somebody, because that somebody may well want guarantees that Stan won’t agree to.
Sorry to harp, but everything that’s wrong with the joint leads me right back to the Yank.
Be honest does anyone here think Stan will allow a Simeone to the club?
Someone strong willed and aggressive?
If you do, then how do you come to that conclusion when Stan loves Arsene-the complete opposite?
I’ve seen a few no hoper’s
running the club,so it’s Ok for me
Never ate a prawn sandwich at a game yet.
It’s was alway’s Pie and Mash for us lot,
As a Wath said, maybe some failure is what’s required as it may budge the Yank.
Scott how do you know what The Syrup
has up his sleeve,
Arsene was here when he bought in
he could suprise us….Who Know’s
Fred, you’re absolutely right.
But then, none of us really know everything that’s happening behind the scenes.
It’s all guesswork because the club are so close shop about things.
Everyone knows, without Arsene we won’t finish in the top 10……classic lol !
Fred 9.44, can’t help but thinking your selling a few of the housers short on here, as for rico, said it before she has a tongue that could cut a hedge !
Wath, 4 more years, this cheese eating surrender monkey must seriously think he is the Last Emperor, definately one of a kind.
Lol
We will scrape top ten, Micko.
Keep the faith bahahaha
I bet Arsene has been offered a deal already
The Chinks are flashing the cash,
The Frog’s want him to come home.
The Spainard’s offer him a job every year ..He say’s
National jobs await him all round the world ..We Hear
What I want to see is Arsene in a new job,
and prove all,us lot wrong.
Because at the moment I feel he hasn’t got a clue.
4 more seasons of Arsene, and what comes with it would truly be unbearable.
Micko 9.44
Just talking top Four
sort of tie’s in with the club.
Fred, I said yest today that as stale as Arsene arebof Arsene, maybe the reverse applies s
Surely he’s improve if he had one job and one only-on pitch performance.
I hope he does well next season and I’m sure we’d all agree on that.
I think the softie’s have got the hump with Arsene now
look at the empty seat’s £65-85 a go
That won’t carry on..Trust me.
Interesting times ahead, As always 🙂
No worries Fred, your in my top 4 just keeping out Wath lol.
Nite Gooners.
Scott I have had a good look through
Arsene’s 20 years at the club,
I could argue that except for a couple of signing’s
his been very lucky.
All them years ago most manages were like Fatsam
and Arry.
Arsene turned up with a brain..Bit like the Cowley’s
in none League.
Who I know quiet well.
Laters Guy’s
Fred, I reckon Arsene brought proedessionalism to the club and was elahead of his time.
His scouting was also terrific.
The trouble is, the world caught up.
Have a good night, gents.
One thing about Herb’s postings, whether you disagree or agree with him, it’s always “cracking”.
I find it fascinating that most of us will agree that football has changed and it’s not the same game anymore, the money, player power etc. However some here are always stuck in a “time warp”. Quite frankly all I care about is Arsenal moving forward not reliving the past: 1932, 1940, …..1998, or 2004. What’s the point? It’s not going to help us this season or next. Yes history is significant as part of the total club culture, but it has nothing to do with results or the next game.
The “old timers”, for a lack of a better term, love bringing up history and its significance, but when AW brings his history up, “its what have you done lately”. The merit of whether AW goes or stay at Arsenal, should be based on his ability to manage now and into the future, to which I believe most reasonable football persons will say go; not according to some antiquated standards in the 30’s or for that matter 90’s or 2016.
He sold Cesc big freaking deal!! This is a player who refused to practice because he wanted to leave. And yes AW did build around Cesc, that was part of the reason he sold PV04; RVP refused to sign a contract even after Arsenal matched his wage demands, when his agent shopped him to MU for more he left, let’s face it this is a player that owed his career to Arsenal, he was even worse than Adebayor on the royalty front. Nasiri had verbally committed to City an AW still played him hoping to change his mind until the plane incident.
I am not an AW apologist but let’s be objective. Yes he has to go but let’s not rewrite history here.
Obi, you’ve just written a cracker yourself.
Brilliantly said.
At times, most of us are guilty of contradicting ourselves to suit our argument but yes, you do raise a good point on rehashing past glories.
It’s impossible to say how past managers would handle things now.
It’s equally impossible to know how current managers would handle things nowadays but one things for certain, Arsene was on the cusp and has done well in both periods-well, kind of.
He’s the very reason the transformation happened when it did.
Obi, the posts about Arsenal’s past are not only interesting but quite significant in identifying where the start of Arsenal failings begun. You may not like looking back but others, including me, do. Had Arsene Wenger addressed more of the highlighted problems and time went by, maybe we wouldn’t be in such a slump right now.
Similar can be said about the owner and board. If those who sold their shares had sold to a different person/persons, then perhaps the Stan Kroenke argument wouldn’t be taking place either.
Whether you or anyone likes the history or not, it’s very relevant to where we are today. No-one is denying Wenger was great for the club when he first arrived and anyone who did would be foolish imo but as you say, football has moved on, the money in the game is greater, the game itself is very different and we all want a brighter future.
However, the key is that the game has moved on, but Arsenal under Arsene Wenger haven’t….
You may only care to read and think about what’s ahead but that doesn’t mean others do.
Morning all..
Hi Rico, Obi did make some valid points, though.
It’s brilliant looking back in time, but it’s not so good when comparisons are attempted as everything is just so different.
It’s nearly impossible to compare different eras, and players or managers from those eras.
Admittedly, it’s fun trying 🙂 🙂
Morning all.
Hi Scott.
But that doesn’t mean the past should be forgotten or not discussed.
No, that’s more than fair.
One thing I do know is this, and I’m 100% on it-history is very, very kind to anyone or anything involved in sports.
Memories tend to be of the best things.
History is important to us all as it makes us who we are today and Arsenal are no different. Perhaps that’s where fans who weren’t born and bred in north London are different to those of us who were, after all, can you imagine what 1989 was like for red side of north London….
Rico. I was up early that morning watching 🙂
But it’s still not the same Scott, I’m sure…
You’ll never know and nor will I 🙂
Nah it has to be different.
I see the Wenger to PSG rumours are gathering pace…
Rico
I know what the red side of North London was like in 1989?
Morning Rico. Lovely and bright here. ’89 was a hoot. We travelled up to the ground a la Fever Pitch, after watching it on TV. There was still a ‘local’ felling about Arsenal then. Pride of Islington and all that. It was great.
Local juniors would’ve added to that.
Then us tourists chimed in Hahahaha
Adam
We lived in a squat in Manor House. It was like living on the set of The Bill, it was a bit savoury!
Morning Adam. I would have loved being there…
We went to Highbury in ’89 & watched The Arsenal beat France 2-0 one night. Fcuk it was cold, I’ll never forget that!!!!
I remember Perry Groves played well that night. He used to cop heaps of stick on the North Bank.
We went to Highbury the day that, if they beat Derby, they would win the Title, but Dean Saunders scored a brace in a 1-2 loss. It felt like a death in the family after.
Rico. You would have loved it. GG. I know Manor House, just up Green Lanes next to Finsbury Park. We probably brushed shoulders. 🙂
Watched Brian Marwood ‘on the wing’ score in the 80+ minute to beat the Geordies 1-0. The place went crazy when he scored. The same day as Hillsborough
Indeed Adam, just off the Seven Sisters in Pewsham House, which I see on google map they have since demolished.
And I saw Chelski whack us 6-0.
I feel cheated lol
GG. I had a few mates came out of the Woodbury Down estate just along from there. I suppose Arsene caught the end of that period and then moved the club down a more International route and the rest of English football followed.
Scott
I saw The Arse beat Norwich ( who were either 2nd or 3rd) 5-0 & Rocky Was on fire. I remember Lukic kicked the ball back into play, Alan Smith chested the ball down from the kick, & went whack into the back of the old onion bag.
I was speaking to a fellow Gooner the other day who was at Highbury for Man Utd’s last game before that awful Munich air crash. Told me about Duncan Edwards and their great team. What a different world we live in now.
Adam
Pewsham House was on Woodbury Down, across the road from the Swinging Arms, I mean Manor Arms?
GG, I saw 4 games, including a ladies CL game, and saw 2 draws and 2 losses.
And people reckon Arsenes record is bad lol
GG. Ok. I never knew the names of the individual blocks. Then we weren’t too far from each other as I came out of Liverpool Road at Highbury corner.
Morning all.
I liked Obi`s comment aswell, but we have to look at history sometimes, for example the way players like Adams, Keown, Storey, Frank etc` etc` from the past had an effect on the dressing room………….that`s a bit of history I would like to have seen in the dressing room in Munich !…………….big beatings are becoming far to frequent imo, but as I have said before todays player is chalk and cheese compared to men from the past who “felt” for us the humble supporter !……………………makes you wonder how worse they will be in the future !………….imo players now are more for the riches found than the love of playing the game………………apart from Alexis and a small few !
That game is legendary Adam from all accounts. I love hearing all the old tales from all you Blighty Gooners. Don’t ever hold back with more tales HH!!
Obi you may not wish to accept things but in the case of the three players you castigate for leaving just ask yourself “why ” . Why did Cesc get his head turned ? Why did RVP and Nasri want out ? All of them knew that Arsenal were not good enough to win the things they wanted and that investment was needed to get the players required. As I said earlier as other teams,those showing ambition ,showed that ambition as we got Myachi on a free. The next window Hazard went to Chelsea and we bought Gervinho.Santos et al. Was it bad scouting or a club trying to progress the fiscal policy to pay off the mortgage in record time putting the bottom line before the team. If I was an ambitious player I would have left too. Would you ?
GG. Did you emigrate to Australia then?
Potter, if they’d all stayed, things may well have been different, but we will never know, unfortunately.
“As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the Boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season.
“This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.
“Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract.
“You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC.
“Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.
“I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last 8 years. As soon as Mr. Gazidis is back from his 2-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments
It doesn’t take a lot of reading between the lines to see what RVP was saying, he wanted squad improvement and the clubs position was not to do that.
He became a Judas for saying exactly what the fans wanted.
No Adam, but my Great Grandfather did on my old man’s side. No convicts in our family, for the record tho?
GG. 🙂
Potter, he became a Judas because he was happy to accept the clubs ambition whilst collecting a hefty salary and sitting in the stand injured for most of the previous 8 years.
Well, to me, he did.
GG, I go back to the First Fleet-an English lass at some point met a Dutch gent after they hit Oz,, but sprinkled amongst the bloodlines is also Scottish, Welsh, Irish, German and Norwegian.
And they say today’s youngsters are promiscuous lol
Ok HH, thanks for letting me reminisce, I’ll give the floor back to those concerned with the present situation in North London. Bye for now?
‘Sweaty Sock’ me as well Scott, Fort William. Ok I’m off this time.
GG, trust me, the memories won’t be banished from HH… 🙂
Apparently, a very distant relative owns some castle in Scotland that’s a tourist attraction of sorts.
Missus is born here to Aussie parents but both of whom are pure bred Irish.
Oh she’s a cranky, fiery little fekker, indeed.
I actually admired his honesty Potter and for once a player had the decency to speak to the fans. It hurt that he went to Utd, but he wanted a PL title as we all did back then and still do.
The club could have easily told him he was going nowhere or that he wouldn’t be sold to a direct rival but no, the club, Wenger and whoever else agreed to that deal kicked us right where it hurt…
New post up now.
Rico, it was a kick in the guts to a club that had supported him during very tough times.
It was a low act from what turned out to be a low human being.