Morning all.
It’s season ticket renewal time and as so often, out come all the transfer stories. A £200 million war chest will be given to Arsene Wenger says the headlines. £100 million of that is money already set aside, the other £100 million will be generated from selling off a few players. Well, that’s what The Mirror will have us all believing. They write, well, John Cross, that for the first time in the clubs history, we’ll be employing a Director of Football with Marc Overmars name thrown into the mix along with Michael Zorc of Borussia Dortmund.
Those expected to depart are Ozil, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Ospina and Lucas!
On the way in, well there’s a long list with Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette topping it, just like he has for the last few summers yet still he plays in France. Celtic’s, left-back Kieran Tierney and forward Moussa Dembele, are also on the Arsenal radar as is Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, Sunderland starlet Jordan Pickford and Stoke’s England international Jack Butland.
I would say they couldn’t make it up, but clearly they have….
The only way such a major overhaul would take place in my opinion would be if a new manager came in because Arsene Wenger doesn’t do big change does he? And can you see him handing over many of his current responsibilities to a Director of Football? He should, of course he should but would a man who so loves to have his fingers in every Arsenal pie, give up on them after so many years? He’s 67 years old and he isn’t going to change now.
Personally, I can’t see any justifiable reason that our major shareholder and the board would think giving Arsene Wenger a new contract is a good idea. The decline at the club has been slow and steady yet this season, it’s hit an all time low under the Frenchman. It’s looking highly likely that they’ll be no Champions League money heading our way, something which might be a concern for Stan Kroenke, and the way things are going, they’ll be no Europa football either which is a good thing. We really don’t want to be playing Thursdays and Sundays. Money aside though, finishing further down the table is something Wenger has never experienced and if he can’t motivate or organise a team to beat West Brom and Crystal Palace to name just two of late, how the heck can he be expected to drag this squad back next season and make us title contenders? He can’t in my opinion, and shouldn’t even be given the opportunity to try.
Arsene Wenger will have us believe that this is just a rocky period and everything will be rosy again soon but he’s not only trying to kid us, but he’s kidding himself. He’s burying his head in the sand with comments about it’s hard to understand why we can’t win away from home when we’d been on a twenty match winning run on the road, or something like that. As Ian Wright suggested on Monday night, Arsene Wenger has lost the players belief, they are not playing for him anymore, and I totally understand why.
We can be linked to the best of players as the summer transfer window approaches but I wouldn’t bet on many top players wanting to join the club as it is right now. Our current crop all go off on international duty and they’ll talk. I can imagine Alexis Sanchez telling his Chile team mates that he’s glad to be away from the place for a couple of weeks. Xhaka the same to his Swiss chums and Mustafi must be thrilled to again work a coach who knows how to organise a defence.
So when these seasoned international players hear what our own players really think of life at Arsenal, and not just the usual ‘we love Arsene’ comments they come out with when a microphone is shoved under their nose, it’s quite unlikely that they’ll hear many good things is it? Fans booing the manager, turning on the players, how we lose so many games, players playing out of position or being selected even though they are out of form and all that kind of stuff. It’s hardly likely to paint a bright picture or convince anyone that Arsenal are the best club to be at.
And if Arsene Wenger stays, it’s only going to get worse….
AW staying is an unthinkable scenario. We have spiralled down the rankings for 4 or 5 years now. Failure to invest, reluctance to change and a head in the sand mentality mean that this once great giant is well and truly asleep. We are a laughing stock and if he is allowed to stay and spend money then I fear for our future. A director of football is obviously the correct move – bring us into the modern age, but not if AW remains. It must be a clean slate. New manager, DOF, backroom staff and players who actually want to play and have desire.
New manager, DOF, backroom staff and players who actually want to play and have desire.
With you there Db…
Tony Adams Granada press conference was different…. 😉
A top CEO sees trouble brewing and acts upon it. The mass rebuild that the club so sorely needs is largely down to the position that Wenger has carved out for himself and isn’t he milking it for all it’s worth at the moment? His failure to announce the plans that he himself has declared he has already made is disrespectful to the fans and dishonest. Just come out with it man. Tell us what you are doing.
Of course the notion that they will cream in the season ticket money before announcing what is happening might seem like a shrewd business move to them but I would disagree with that too. Just tell the truth and do it now. This latest insult to the intelligence of the fans who pay a fortune to watch and support the club will not be forgotten and has served only to drive a wedge even further into that already brittle relationship. Forget the old ‘war-chest’ cobblers. We just aren’t fooled by that stuff any more. Be straight up, as you should have been from the start and make the decisions that you Gazidis, Keswick, Kroenke, Harris and the rest of those growing fat on the back of the club are so handsomely rewarded for.
But, if you have found yourself in a position where the manager has become the most important man at the club and that manager is failing then being afraid to act is never, ever going to be the way forward. Every day sees us slipping out of contention in a footballing sense. Every game heaps new humiliation on the club and lessens its relevance within the footballing world.
That Wenger has failed big time this season is surely beyond dispute and we could discuss how long this has been coming and why it has happened for many hours, but me that seems an irrelevance right now as the people in positions of power at Arsenal must start right now to make sure that next season sees a bold new set-up from top to bottom. It is because things have been allowed to drift for so long that we are looking in such poor shape and if the club want to treat us like customers then surely we have every right to expect that the product they are peddling is worth the admission fee. At the moment it certainly isn’t.
But Arsenal are, or should be, about much more than that.
Worst case scenario for me is that nothing changes. Wenger is given a lot of money which he wastes and in a year’s time we are having the same conversation only the wage bill is much higher, the fans will have drifted away in their thousands and the road back is even longer.
Act now while you still have time. Start today.
I don’t think a decision has been made yet, I really don’t….
But you are right Adam, we should all know by now…
Rico. We are witnessing the alternative to honesty right now and it is achieving nothing but negativity and the further erosion of Wenger’s reputation. His press conferences and post match interviews are cringe-worthy. Even after Crystal Palace he was banging on about how many games he has managed. It’s very embarrassing and even painful to watch.
I know Adam. It should have been a simple decision to make. There is nothing to convince us that he deserves a new contract and no doubt this was on the table a while ago, certainly before the usual flop took place…
But this flop is worse, much worse than years before and as said in the post, there is no way he has the ability to turn this mess around…
Morning. Agree Adam, I thought at the time, what the hell has how many games you have managed got anything to do with the question! It’s like a politician having pre-set answers, but ignoring what’s been asked.
Morning Andrew. I know and agree. I think he was in a state of shock and fell back on the old cliches and general cobblers. But his PR has always been awful.
There are hugely serious issues to deal with here but, if the stories from within the club are true there will be blood on the boardroom carpet soon. (Just to introduce my own cliche of course). 🙂
I know whose blood it should be… 😉
http://dailycannon.com/2017/04/no-new-deal-for-wenger-reports-suggest/
Thanks Rico .
I know he should let us know what he`s doing, but in theory he has !…………………..he always tells us he sees out his contract to the end !……….so dont expect anything until end of season !
🙂
If the AST are to be believed, or rather what the club have told them. No contract offer….
I reckon you’ll be right Lc, although a disgraceful way to treat the fans…
I listened to Arsene on talksport yesterday, Rico. 🙂
http://talksport.com/football/arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-exclusive-i-dont-know-if-fans-are-fit-support-us-170411234981
That was a spoof wasn’t it Lc?
Certainly was, Rico..
No Rico !!….I thought it was really Arsene ! hahaha
Luke Kempner was brilliant on Big Brothers bit on the side……….if you like that sort of stuff !
Wouldn’t put it past him though Bt..
@le coq…
It is a link that possibily posted by a happy spud that his living his best moment in an era…
I dont see why post it here as we are not having enough crap….keep your craps for yourself i say.
I`ve been practicing my Arsene impersonation aswell, it`s quite easy really, just use words like………….look er…..well…….I believe……..Mental Strength…….our spirit etc`
I shall try it on my AKB mate ……….the Chef in Charlestown !
He cuts out clippings for me to read about why we should be carefull what we wish for and other stuff, but he does take the abuse I give out in good spirit….look er…he has mental strength and has cooked over 2ooo meals !………………….hahaha
Hey Rico
Giving current situation what your shout come …say June
it’s just a bit of humour Alex…
It was on talksport, Alex !…………………the man impersonating Arsene is an Arsenal supporter…………….Luke Kempner…………………..chill out ! 🙂
Not sure what you’re asking Alex…
I know ….but we need something different that lift us…..hurted hurted hurted grrrrrrr i cannot even take small jokes grrrrr
Meant the managment saga
Will he stay or go
Usual TalkRubbish piss-taking shite…
We don’t need any advice from those cnuts….
Afternoon Rico, good post, £200m war chest, ha ha bloody ha…
Afternoon All
Afternoon Adam, mate you was combustible back there at 10.18am
It should have been a post Rico…
I’d include it in tomorrow’s post, get more hits…
Adam for Arsenal CEO… ?
Don’t know Alex.
Afternoon Kev, thanks..
The £200m transfer budget is funny, but so bloody annoying…
My wish
Serious surgery on that squad
Out
Le Prof
Feo
Gibbs
Gabriel
Monreal
BFG
Le Coq
Wilshere
Ramsey
But i know will not happen
Le Prof will stay i am 70/sure and none of the above will happen.He will keep his trusted pets but Ozil and Sanchez will be sold for higher bidder.
Sanchez will not extend his contract and the club will not risk loosing him.for free.I hope he will not end at Manure .
Thanks Kev. 🙂
http://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-owner-stan-kroenke-eyes-12883621
“It is not yet clear whether Kroenke will seek to finance any of the development by guaranteeing loans against the stake he has in Arsenal”
No idea what trhat would mean to us, but I bet it aint any good !………….any money men on here ?……enlighten us !.
Afternoon Rico and All
Not my usual short and sweet comment..But:
Read this to-day..Maybe not the greatest?
Remembering with some sadness the decision of Muhammad Ali to come out of retirement and fight Larry Holmes to try and claim the world heavyweight title for a record fourth time. In order to get the ok to box again Ali underwent a physical examination in the Mayo Clinic. He was given the all clear despite later confessing to having tingling sensations in his hands and slurred speech.
For sixteen years Ali had fought and defeated the greats of two generations, but he was now 38, and his former sparring partner was the deserving holder of the world crown, and at the peak of his powers. Like moths to a flame the world was drawn to watch the mismatch of the century, stubbornly clinging to the hope that Ali would still be able to avoid the puncher’s fiercest shots and maybe make the dream come true.
However time had caught up with him. His doctor, Ferdie Pacheco, had left his entourage after Ali had taken severe punishment in a bout with Earnie Shavers three years previously. He had also pleaded with Ali, his family, and his corner team to retire at that point after receiving a damning medical report from the the New York State Athletic Commission.
His powers on the wane, Ali lacked the speedy reflexes that once kept him out of range of the big hitters. Holmes picked him off at will, winning every round, and he later claimed he had pulled his punches in order not to seriously hurt his one time employer. After ten rounds Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee, finally threw in the towel to prevent his man taking further punishment. Too little, too late.
Incredibly Ali attempted one more fight. This time nobody wanted to watch, to go through the pain of seeing ‘the greatest’ battered again. Trevor Berbick inevitably won the bout in Nassau and at long last Ali took his broken body into retirement.
You’re ahead of me, aren’t you? For the second time in my life ‘the greatest’ has gone on too long. The greatest Arsenal manager has taken more than one fight too many. His responses to his inquisitors in the press suggest he remains sharp of wit, but he says the same things over and over, and the words ring hollow. For years he rolled with the punches at Highbury, hauling himself off the canvas when other managerial giants temporarily floored him before landing a few knockout blows of his own.
After moving to a vast new gym Arsene learned the art of defending himself at all times. The title bouts dried up but he could still inflict damage on those who underestimated him. So it was with a heavy heart I have witnessed his attempts to bring those glory nights back in recent weeks. It was no real surprise that Carlo Ancelotti twice comprehensively outfought him in front of those who had cheered him to the rafters for many years. The Italian most certainly did not pull his punches and delivered a brutal 10-2 verdict.
What must have hurt more have been the humiliations by the likes of Ronald Koeman, Walter Mazzarri, and the unranked Sam Allardyce. Each one becoming more damaging than the last.
Who is Arsene’s Ferdie Pacheco or Angelo Dundee? Who will tell him that those who loved what he did when he had his strength and reflexes intact that it is time to hang up the gloves? Could David Dein hand him that bloodied towel and say “Arsene, old friend, you know what to do, don’t you”. Or will Ivan Gazidis step out from behind the cloak of invisibility and end it all?
The man should go with his head held high, and with the roars of appreciation ringing in his ears. We should not have to want to avoid witnessing one final beating. As Ali showed the legend will never diminish, but the sadness at the end of a glittering career is almost too much to contemplate.
Know you all like a long read.
He could part fund his latest project by selling his Arsenal shares….
Afternoon Fred.
I’m hoping Ivan steps up and makes things clear to him…
Lets be fair The Syrup/Josh are going nowhere,
thats just dreaming.
Ivan has not not got a pair.
Arsene..8 million reasons to stay.
Could Deano come to our rescue again.
Excellant analogy, Fred !
Effectively if he uses Arsenal as collateral we are stuck with him for as long as the loan is outstanding. Unless Arsenal stops being worth it’s today’s value in which case the bank might step in to get their money back . Either way it’s bad news, the board should resist any Arsenal involvement in his American dreamworld.
Morning all.
If you could keep 3 of the present squad who in your opinion would be good enough to make us real challengers again, who would you chose. Not that easy.
2031 the loan is paid up,potter.
So there goes AW pacing up and down the touchline in his zimmerframe trying to get fourth in The Conference.
I was referring to the L.A Rams one for the new stadium . Is that only 14 years?
Still not sure about it all !………….does Kroenke actually own our club or just a majority shareholder ?……………….Usmanov has 30 odd % !………doesn`t he partly own the club as well ?
Personally I think it`s a disgrace that Usmanov is not on the board with some say and input………..I mean at todays rate his worth in Arsenal must be £300M !……………….what do Chips and `arris own share wise ?
Loan paid up in 2031 !……………………………Most on here will be complaining via a Ouija Board by then and Goonster will be Rico`s carer ! 😆
Will it ever be perfect?
Could it be another billionaire comes in
and decides to get involved..DO we want that?
Leicesters training session last night had the
Dad and Son..You know them two Kipper Ties
walking around.
This football now is going Pear Shaped…
Sorry thats Rugby..Getting Confused.
Nurse
what do Chips and `arris own share wise ?
Nothing they sold out to Kroenke along with the rest of the board took the money but unfortunately didn’t run.
Love to know how you get on a board then without owning shares ?…………….are they voted on by theirselves ?…….closed shop thingy ?…………..how can Uzzy owns over 30% and not have a seat ?………………sounds like a conspiracy to me !.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Amidst the doom and gloom, will he go will he stay and who is to blame for the state we are in
the U18 team have given all those that follow the Academy hope for the future.
This morning behind closed doors they have beaten Man C 4-3 in a great game of football.
City are the champions and play Chelsea in the Youth Cup Final for the 2nd year running,and their record untill today was P23 W 17 D5 L1 F 72 A24 and were boasting they would retain the title.
This win has thrown the title wide open and has put our lads in a great position to have a say in it.
Once again Eddy Nketiah was the MOM with another Hattrick making his seasons total 22 goals in 20 games(plus 4 for England).
If any of you get the chance when the highlights are shown watch his 3rd one thats how you beat the parked bus.
Rick Eddy looks good.Fingers crossed
Goonster my carer Lc, what have I done to deserve that…?
Afternoon Rick, all..
Well done to the under 18, I’ll be glad when Eddy is old enough to play for the first team, we could do with his goals…
Crikey, next month we play five fixtures in fifteen days….
Is that including the FA Cup Final, Rico ? 🙂
Eddie even missed a penalty ! 🙂
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/852146197552914432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F04%2F11%2Fthe-arsenal-dilemma-summed-up-in-4-lines%2F
Ha ha Lc..
I dont know about the Wenger dementia debate, but Albert Einstein once said: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Einstein had a point…
Yeah !…………………a point more than Arsene got at Palace ! 🙂
Or 3!
Offski, night Lc, all..
I want my Arsenal back !
Morning.
Morning, So Leicester got a dodgy decision against them in Madrid last night, I wonder was Albrighton lucky not to have been sent off ? His reaction as the whistle blew made it quite clear that it was a deliberate foul on the edge of the box .
I don’t remember such media angst as RVP was sent off in the Camp Nou or even Mad Jens in Paris . The ref gave a penalty , it was 50/50 , live with it.
Shame Torres slipped just before his chance. I’d rather see At Madrid go through than Leicester.
Simeone is on the end of a few harsh headlines this morning…
Just watched the action in Madrid , as always it’s a few but what did they expect , the day after 3 bombs in Dortmund they set off incendiary devices in the main squares . Did they expect the Guardi to just have a laugh , Gibralta is ours “F off you bastards . Sorry , No sympathy.
Me neither. Disgraceful behaviour from the Leicester fans. They deserved all they got.
New post up.