Morning all.
A weekend off for Arsenal as far as competitive football goes as our match doesn’t kick off until Monday evening which is really considerate of the FA considering we have a Europa Cup fixture on Thursday afternoon away from home. Yet Man Utd, who also have a Europa fixture on Thursday, played a day earlier in midweek, play again this evening in Manchester and then at home in Europa.
I get it, TV coverage and all the money it brings into the game is a big thing etc but for goodness sake, where is the common sense when deciding who plays who and when and where?
The only positive, if there is one is that Freddie Ljungberg has a few extra days to try and do something about the mess he’s been tasked with sorting out. Not that I now believe he can, or anyone can else for that matter, not unless that person is given a license to sell and buy who he wants next month which isn’t going to happen in my opinion. January isn’t the time to rebuild a squad, but it is a time to sell those whose contract is soon to run into its final year. We have five players in that very situation. Ozil 31 years old, Sokratis 31 years old, Mustafi 27 years old, Luiz 32 years old and Aubameyang 30 years old. A German club might fancy making a cheeky offer for Mustafi, one of the big clubs might see Aubameyang as being the one whose goals could secure a big trophy but as for the other three, well good luck Arsenal trying to offload those.
But the club need too I think, because what with our frugal approach to spending, FFP and no Champions League football returning next season by the look of things, the only way the club are going to raise money is by selling players. I bet if all of us here on HH named the players we’d like to see be sold, we’d be left with very few. Probably not enough to field a six-a-side team let alone a full side. No wonder the club are reported to be struggling to find a replacement for Unai Emery.
The ‘interim’ label never does a coach an good really, certainly not as far as transfer dealings go and as it’s proving for Freddie, having a positive impact on performance and results is a struggle too when working with a number of players who seem to think they’re better than the rest or simply couldn’t care less. After the Brighton game, I hope he and Merts made their feelings clear. ‘This is Arsenal Football Club, one of the best clubs in the world and any of you who aren’t prepared to fight for the shirt and the fans, stand aside.’ Those who walk, drop and then put them up for sale.
Freddie needs to work with players who want to work with him. It doesn’t matter what any player thinks about his appointment or the man himself, the bigger picture is the club. The club which pays their salary. For too long now they’ve been getting a free ride. Not all I know, but too many.
Arsenal really are in a similar situation to Man Utd as both clubs are struggling to get things right after having twenty odd years of one manager. Utd are onto their fourth attempt after Moyes, (Giggs as interim) van Gaal and Mourinho came and left. Solskjær was appointed as an interim option after Mourinho was sacked and his positive impact was immediate. 14 wins out of 19 and his job became permanent. Six footballing months later, Utd are all over the place and Solskjær seems to be one bad result away from being sacked. Just two points separate them in 6th and us in 10th place.
Utd are the best example of not only how difficult it is to get a managerial appointment right but how easy it is to get it wrong too. My point being, just as they were too quick to appoint Solskjær, Arsenal should not be too quick to discard Freddie. Not when it’s clear that the problems Arsenal have run deeper than just the coach.
If a bigger name, a stronger character, a more established and experienced coach came in tomorrow, we’ll still have the likes of Luiz, Sokratis and Mustafi who can’t defend, a lazy Ozil, an attacking unit who most of the time can’t hit a barn door from six inches and a midfield which is about as strong as a soggy old paper bag.
Not even Pep or Klopp could do much with our squad in my opinion. Other than sell half of it….
And that’s exactly what I think we need to do if we’re to start heading in the right direction.
Who takes us there though is the million dollar question..
See you in the comments guys.
Morning Rico,
Things just seem to get worse and worse don’t they. I agree, we need to get rid of a lot of our players. There attitude must be like a cloud of doom in the dressing room.
It must be so hard for Freddie….. Read them the riot act and they sulk but still get paid copious amounts of money.
Other than a nearly complete clear out to get rid of this Cancerous apathy I don’t know how things can change.
Bloody Hell apologies for my spelling!
Their, There , They’re. One day I’ll learn how to type……..Bloody old Dinosaur that I am.
Morning Mike, yep, must be a right old job working with so many egos..
Their? There? They’re? However you say it something is seriously wrong at the highest level at Arsenal.
The Emery saga highlights the problem. After a less than stellar first season it was obvious to many observers that the job was beyond his capabilities. Yet he was allowed to continue for the best part of another half season whilst our top management sat on their hands. Only when the situation got to be a calamity in waiting did they wake up to the situation
only to go into full panic mode, sack the coach and appoint a severely limited interim replacement.
There was no hint of any forward planning, no hint that they’re deliberations about a full-time replacement had even begun.
Add to that the mixed, to say the least, success in the transfer market and we have seemingly spent £72 million on a non-oven ready turkey who cannot command a starting place despite the failure of our two regular strikers to hit any trace of their top form.
After only two shambolic games under the luck-less Freddie the hunt is on for his replacement in a what is probably the worst possible than me in the season.
The boy Josh says “we are looking to appoint the best available option not the first” In view of the present disorganized state of the squad, the “best option” may turn out to be another less than stellar Emery mark 11.
Worst possible time in the season. My sub editor let me down again. 😉
Morning all.
It’s all very depressing atm.
I had a feeling a few months back Auba wanted out and was thinking Emery leaving might get him back to the table, but the club need to stand their ground as they said they would.
I’d rather see the club bring a generation of Arsenal kids through, top it up with a few signings but get back to having players who live and breathe Arsenal.
We are a long way from that right now.
Mike, on yesterday’s post, again, I’m with you.
A lot of Fans defend their own players diving and commentators do not have the back to call these cheats out.
Do they even care about the game any more, or are they more interested in their pay packet, just like the players?
everton 1 up.
Everton has a good team. He lost to his neighbor because he was greatly helped in two key moments: the non-expulsion of a player who intentionally stepped on Richardson and a penalty that was not scored (and not shown yellow) when the game was 2-1. As always, the pitch is “tilted” when playing Liverpool (and others …).
Come on Arsenal!
We’re all at it Cicero lol. And you’re right …..Worst possible time in the season to be in a shambles.
Thanks Scott , and yeah a new crop of players who at least have the heart to play for Arsenal. Although watching the commitment of eg Saka lately , I only hope the cancer hasn’t spread down through the younger teams. We might need a Bloody minded Aussie like Ange to give everyone a kick up the arse. lol.
Pie in the sky stuff, Mike, but Ange would sort them out, that I can assure you lol
Anyway, I’m sure our board will make the right call.
Ahhh who am I kidding hahahaha
Just a little levity.
The new Einstein theory.
1. If you were to strip naked and run around in a circle at the speed of 186,282 miles/sec (the speed of light), it would be theoretically possible for you to screw yourself.
2. However, since you are not physically capable of achieving that, you can also accomplish the same result by voting for Jeremy Corbyn in the election on Thursday.
Our board might even want to make a sensible decision re picking a manager, but at the moment who wants the job!
They will be paid a lot of money, I know but all the good managers are pretty well off all ready.
Hey it’s nearly Christmas and a miracle might happen. The owners could spend some money on players!
As Everton beat Chelsea 3 – 1 perhaps we can learn a bit from them about interim coaches.
so I’ve reposted a comment from yesterday…I see that Everton have appointed Big Dunc as caretaker manager. For those who don’t know who, or what, he is Google Duncan Ferguson/Steffen Freund photo.
Big Dunc in his first press conference has demanded “Blood and Thunder ” from his players. Good luck with that.
Arsenal in contrast already have our own version in “Thud and Blunder” otherwise known as Sokratis and Luiz. 😕
Afternoon guys. I’ve been checking out Christmas trees and they’re are prickly. 😂
Bit of a shock at Everton, are we still 10th..
Toots are rejuvenated by Mourinho….
Rico, prickly or pricey? A few years ago I used to go and dig my own up from a nearby forest, but now have a pre-lit artificial one. No falling needles. 😉
Yep, as it stands still tenth twenty-seven points from top, four points above the relegation zone.
Cicero, did make me chuckle 🤣 . But I wish it wasn’t true!
Rico , Cicero… Prickly and blimmin’ pricey I’d say.
Duncan Ferguson has a bit of a presence about him, Maybe we need a bit of fear factor.
Everton run into a bit of form just in time for the visit of Arsenal to Goodison- hooray!
Afternoon Rico, I think that Guendouzi only has a deal until 2022, will he want to stay and what if we can’t make him sign next summer?
It’s unraveling badly, but such is life in the era of KSE, enjoy….
Nice though Mike, Cicero. But yes, pricey…
Afternoon Kev, the one who worries me more is Martinelli, he’s actually a player I wouldn’t want to leave.
Yep Rico, lovely smell in the house.
Martinelli is my favourite player and one of the only ones I don’t want to lose either.
I hope Tierney gets better, he’s been a bit disappointing.
Agree re Tierney Mike but early days after injury I guess. And in a side which can’t defend..
Has anybody read Hector Bellerins’ comments after the Brighton loss ?
Talk about deluded, crikey.
Apparently we defended good??? and teams score with very few chances against us????
I want some of what he’s smoking.
I think we just have to be patient with Tierney, Bellerin and Holding, these guys are still trying to catch up and without the benefit of a full pre seasons preparation.
If that was good defending, I’d hate to see bad.
Agree on Tierney, Bellerin, Holding and Mavropanos too. And Medley should he make an appearance at some stage.
I forgot about Mavropanos, I wonder if Uncle Bouldy is gradually rebuilding his confidence after over two years of an injury nightmare Rico?
We might as well give him a try because if I see that fraud David Luiz anymore in our defence I think I’m going to explode….
Yeah true Kev , all defenders, all injured at once. Strangely unlucky.
Good point a Kev re Bould, Medley too perhaps might benefit from his defensive knowledge
Can’t be easy for Freddie though, no more than it was for Emery really looking back. Mustafi, Sokratis and Luiz his options and a midfield devoid of strength or even footballing common sense.
No wonder he wanted N’Zonzi… If true of course.
City trailing Utd 2-0 at The Etihad. That’s a bit of a surprise
Looks like those darn scousers are going to win the league…
Watching the Manchester derby I was impressed with the way the City players were racing back to defend when United attacked, then Rashford showed them what real pace is and was brought down in the box, a clear penalty but it needed VAR to convince the ref.
A lot of possession, a lot of intricate passing by City but they look shot shy to me. Does that remind anyone of another team, one that plays in red and white at home games?
Levity time again…..On a pre-election trip to Northern Ireland Dianne Abbot was asked if sho liked County Down. Oh yes, she replied, but a liked it better when Carol Vordeman was in it. 😉
Let me think….l
Cicero, it would not surprise me at all if that was true.
And if it is true then God help us if that fat moron gets into government!
Hey Rick, you’ll remember Brian Sparrow, ex-Arsenal trainee, attacking midfielder who never made it at Arsenal, brother of John Sparrow the Chelsea full back.
Just read that he died yesterday of a heart attack, only 57 ffs.
I remember watching him playing at Highbury in the Stiffs and youths.
Makes me feel old…
That’s a bit cruel Kev, calling the lovely Dianne Abbot a fat moron.
😂 Cicero
City get one back, a consolation only?
Yeah, you’re right Cicero, I was a bit cruel….
She’s just a plain moron then…
Kev, 😉
Yep just a consolation goal, I can’t see any team catching the Scousers now.
Me neither unless they suffer a glut of injuries to key players…
Hi Rico and all
What shabbles we have again it reminds of years ago when we had no midfield and then Paddy turned up from day one we looked a team who could win the league,when he left we become a cup team.
I was at Hornchurch when Freddie managed an Arsenal team at the beginning of the last season
and at the time thought he was not up with play as regards instructions to in play what bothered me was the Hornchurch men decided to get stuck in, Freddie I thought neve got angry enough
even though we won,Willock run the game.
In my experience to manager top men you have to have a passion for the club or a superior knowledge well above this super stars.
Maybe we need another two or three managers like everyone else,just can’t see Freddie winning over the over 25’s.
Hi Fred, good to see you back. Hope all well with you.
We are a shambles. Freddie has the passion I reckon but I’m not he can control the egos. And he certainly can’t turn rough old stones into diamonds..
Just to lighten the gloom. http://www.youtube.com/embed/ub1Dc3NHZ3s?autoplay=1&cc_load_policy=1
Could it be that Freddy is just too nice to be a manager?
Seeing as I cannot run at the speed of light I shall vote for the Arsenal fan on Thursday !………………………I fancy a £60 pw pay rise and my missus wants the pension compensation she should have got at 60 !
Kev`……………….. I only listen to the Jim White show and the fact that on his show they have championed causes like Postrate cancer reseach/treatment etc, fought against Racism, Homophobia and argued for the likes of Bolton, Bury and Macclesfield…………………..not forgetting I get to listen to Arsenal legends Perry and Martin…………….only speaks volumes for that show.
I used to listen to Durham, but stopped when he stopped “The Daily Arsenal”, which I found very funny as being a wind up merchant myself I was immune to getting upset by him……….you cant wind up a fellow wind up merchant 😆
Cant stand Brazil or Cundy so never bother with them, so basically only listen betweem 10am and 1pm.
Question ?……………………………does anyone think Kroenke will sell if we get relegated ?
Question 2………………………if we win EL and get relegated would we still qualify for CL ?
Cocker I find that TalkSport 2 has less interruptions and ad breaks, or maybe it just feels that way, but in general the level of phone ins has slumped in quality, I’m sick of hearing fans moaning about referees and wanting their manager sacked.
Sam Matterface, a Chelsea fan, is easily the worst commentator on radio, I can’t stand him.
Ian Danter, a Birmingham fan, is a far better, more balanced commentator and one of the best on any radio station imo.
Jim White shouts too much, he gives me a headache and Andy Goldstein, a Manc glory hunter, is the most conceited man on radio, a right prat.
Despite Danny Kelly being a Spud, I don’t mind listening to him.
I listen to a lot of radio in my work and skip from 5Live, to LBC, to Radio 4, to BBC Radio London, to TalkSport and TalkSport 2 to 5Live Extra, depending on the coverage of sport etc.
HI Scott I had the same feeling that Freddie is being nice to the players to win there trust, I felt he is a bit quit on match day which is why I think he should be more aggressive to the players and let them if you stuff up on match day you train twice as hard as one of our great AFL coaches was told on the field to shut up by a player and his response was when you play like a champion then I will shut. funny how all the players lifted after that.
Hi Geoff,
It’s time for some discipline imo.
It’s needed.
Someone needs to get these players to realise what a privileged position they’re in and to appreciate it.
There’s a story about a League coach who, when smart mouthed by a player stood up and just said “don’t let fear stop you, son”.
That was that.
Never heard a peep from the player again 🙂
Hi Scott the quote I mention was said by Ron Barassi the other line I liked I believe was Allen jeans who said to his players ( I don’t care what you do but do some thing ). for you uk people both these coaches would have arsenal players hanging by there b–ls is the played like they have been under them.
I see The Telegraph are reporting that arsenal are tossing up between signing Mikel Arteta now or what until the end of the season and find some one with experience
Hi All read that Real Madrid want to swap Luka Jovic for Aubameyang does any one now how good Jovic is and did you see the report that claim Arsenal financial result for 2018/2019 ( up until may 2019 ) show a Pre Tax loss of 23.5 Million pounds were has all the money gone.
£350,000 x 52 = £18.6 million. Geoff.
Geoff,
Phil Gould was the character in my story.
None of these players at the Arsenal would dare backchat him lol
It’s a shame that these players today are so self absorbed that professional pride is lacking in many.
Luka Jovic :- A young Serbian reserve striker probably no better than Nketiah or John Jules and totally not required by us .If Aubameyang wants to go , let him , but don’t get another striker our requirements lay elsewhere.
With you on most of them, Kev`………yeah, Danny Kelly, I think he lives near The Arsenal and his wife is a Gooner, same as Bob Mills, he loves Leyton Orient but all his wife`s family are Gooners.
Dont mind H&J even though they are a Spud and Chav, but there is a lot of humour in their programme.
At the end of the day, delivering around Cornwall It`s nice to listen to some sport talk to know what`s going on up there in England ! 🙂
Thanks Potter that’s why I have not herd of him
Agree Potter, if we sell, we really need defensive players.
Morning all.
Following on from Rico’s headline, Freddie could learn something from Big Dunc. In just twenty four hours he managed to turn his Everton team from supine failures into a rampaging group capable of tearing Chelsea apart. Blood and Thunder is alive and kicking on Mereyside.
Still need the kind of players to do that though Cicero. Do Arsenal have it in them?
Hi everyone, Yeah Rico, Potter and a good strong midfielder who can score every now and again.
He’d be my first Mike, before defenders.
I don’t think we have got the players for blood and thunder Rico , Cicero…. They might get their hair messed up.😁
Trouble is that isn’t funny 😩
Morning All
John Jules scored another net buster in the U23’s, I hope he gets a chance in the visit to Standard Liege, agree with the above, any cash we have to spend in January and next summer must be invested on the defence and in getting not one but two decent defensive midfielders, players who are disciplined, defensively minded and can read the game.
https://mobile.twitter.com/ArsenalAcademy/status/1199299554119688192
Neither do I Mike
https://mobile.twitter.com/ArsenalAcademy/status/1203312173163958273
December 8th. Do we already have a new coach?
Kev, I know it’ll be said that ‘it’s a different level’ etc etc but imo, you can’t teach being clinical in front of goal. Wrighty had it, Agueo, Eduardo, Kane etc, but regardless of the goals we score, too many sitters go begging I reckon.
Jm, if the stuff in the newspapers is correct, we might have a new coach very soon..
Arteta and Vieira seem to be the media favourites..
Hi All I just wish the board would get of there fat arse and make a decision on who our next coach is no offence to Freddie but it feel like the same thing when we go after a player they select the one they want but by the time the finale decision is made some one else has stepped in and signed them and we keep missing out
I like the way he takes the shot on early Rico, you just don’t get the time to take a second touch unless you’re Dennis Bergkamp.
Agree Kev. We’re experts at playing too many touches. Before losing the ball. I guess it’s all about knowing where the goal is.
Geoff, the club need to make the right decision, not a quick one and I doubt it’s an easy task.
That’s why I like to hear Frank Lampard talking Rico, he continually talks about his players taking shots at goal and complains about them overplaying, something we’ve moaned about for years and at last someone is realising it.
Lampard was the master of the deflected goal . If you don’t shoot it won’t happen.
Exactly Potter….
In other news the Inglewood project for the LA Rams costed at $2b is rumoured to be spiralling towards $6b, is it possible, is it conceivable, that KSE may need to sell Arsenal to stave off a financial catastrophe?
Ozil is one of the frustrating players for not shooting Kev. I quite like Lampard, talks a lot of sense…
Gerrard was another who would take a shot… Xhaka used to but now seems reluctant to.
Years of Wenger drumming possession stats into players . Shooting was frowned upon and the shooter got a telling off if it didn’t go into the net.
Even today we get a high possession rate with hardly any shots on target and wonder why we never put teams to the sword.
Reading Women Vs Arsenal Women kick off 14.30 live on BBC Red Button.
C’mon Arsenal!!
Great second goal – very similar to the team goal Jack scored..
You’d have thought Emery would have changed that mentality Potter, Freddie too now he has the chance.
Half-time Reading 0 – 2 Arsenal. Two excellent, well crafted goals but our girls aren’t at their best.
Oops! Am I allowed to refer to them as “girls” ? 😕
Defending is a bit suspect Cicero. Must be an Arsenal thing.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/niko-kovac-tells-arsenal-chiefs-21051417
If Brighton beat Wolves we go to 12 th . Relegation scrap coming up.
Frightening reality…
For the moment, 11th…
I think we’ll beat West Ham.
Miedema’s second puts Arsenal three nil up.
Final score 0 – 3.
Top of the Table.🔔🔔🔔
Team training pictures today …..No smiling which I’m pleased about….. Tierney in shorts and short sleeves again makes me smile though.
I bet Ozil is in his puffa jacket…
That’s interesting Rico, and guess what, no compo needed to get Kovac, that’ll fit the KSE model nicely…
Lose at West Ham and a relegation battle becomes a reality this season, hard to believe but the state of our club is becoming more that just a slight concern, it’s approaching a crisis…
I didn’t think of that side to him Kev.
Still, it’s only a rumour I suppose..
If we do drop in the relegation zone, I can’t see us getting out.
Don’t think it’ll come to that though…
It has come to something where I am looking at the bottom three teams results instead of the one`s above us and thankfully the bottom 3 only managed a point between them with Watford drawing yesterday……………………..and we have a game in hand over them ………..it has been a good weekend for us……………yippee ki yay !
Eleventh in the table, just four points above the drop zone. This is Arsenal. It is just not acceptable.
Lose at The Hammers tomorrow and we will lucky to get Harry Redknap to accept the manager’s job.
Who else in their right mind would even consider working for the Kroenke family.
Plenty of people at ASDA`S in Bodmin ! 😉
Cicero, you have to put things into perspective, the premiership is one of the toughest league’s in the world and you only have to see some of the footballing greats above us like Newcastle, Palace and Sheffield United to see how shite we are !
Give Newcastle their due, Micko, they have won the title twice as many times as the Spuds !
🙂
Brighton coach is the same coach of Ostersund who won us a few years ago.
2 months ago, I posted that with this team, we were going to fight for the relegation. Now, it’s practically assumed.
Hi Rico I know we have to get the right coach but the board should have started to think about Emery’s replacement before we sacked him and not just hope that Freddie can get some thing out of this team to buy them more time to start looking after all other clubs don’t take there time like our board does.
They probably have Geoff but who they want and who wants to come to Arsenal are perhaps two very different things.
Morning all.
New post up now