Morning all.
Tomorrow we face a Tony Pulis side away from home and it’s a lunchtime kick-off. Having lost their last two matches, WBA will no doubt be up for taking the scalp of Arsenal but as said last week before we played Bayern, there’s always another option. Actually, Arsenal are a bit like a roulette table aren’t they as we just never know what we’ll get dished up.
Another day, another press conference has gone by and it’s more of the same from the Frenchman. This time the importance of Arsenal has switched to a strong finish to the season because top four is so important. But hey, he’s actually come out with something new for a change, a different excuse:
It’s a strange championship because there’s no continuity at the moment – we’ve had games cancelled, then after you play away, you don’t play, you play FA Cup and you play away again.
So you don’t really know where you stand. You don’t have the same number of games, you don’t have the continuity home and away. What is for sure is that we are in a position where we can’t waste points.
We want to play in the Champions League next season. We have a tough job because we have six or seven teams fighting for the places and how well we do until the end of the season will of course depend on that.
On the rest, we are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, we have an opportunity to do that as well. So overall those are our targets. After that, success is basically to take the maximum out of the potential of the team. Where is that? We will see.
That’s what happens at this time of the season, fixtures get rearranged just as our PL one did last weekend when we took on the mighty Lincoln City in the FA Cup so it’s not just Arsenal who suffer a fixture change.
We want to play in the Champions League? No, he should be saying we want to win the Champions League, not just be a club making up the numbers as we have done for years now and to be honest, I think we’d be better off not being in it because what good does it do other than to bring in a few extra quid each year? He’s never going to win it though because if he knew how to, he’d have won it when he had one of the best teams we’ve seen, The Invincibles.
We can’t waste points he says, well perhaps he should have thought about that at the beginning of the season, not at the end because had he done so, we might still be in with a chance of pipping Chelsea to the title. But no, now it’s all down to getting a top four place, just as it has been for the last ten years. However, with seven teams vying for a Champions League place, it’s looking quite likely that it’ll be us who lose out. That is unless City’s confidence has been sent crashing after losing to Monaco, Liverpool go on another awful run, Utd drop off because of their fixture pile up and Everton suffer a few hefty defeats too. Oh, and we of course win all our remaining fixtures which in itself is highly unlikely, especially when one looks at who we have to play. With Everton sat just three points behind us in seventh place, by the time May comes to an end, the two clubs could quite easily have swapped places.
But dropping out of the top four doesn’t bother me in the slightest as it might be the one thing which convinces Arsene Wenger to walk away and that’s what I think he’s waiting for before making up his mind. Top four and his job will be done, anything other than that and he’s failed. Which is rubbish isn’t it because unless he wins the league, he’s failed to a certain degree in any case and that’s all he’s been doing for the last ten years, top four! Throw in a couple of FA Cups which are never to be scoffed at but we hardly won both of those convincingly.
In an ideal world Wenger would win the FA Cup one more time before calling it a day and no, I don’t mean next season or the one after either but that’s unlikely with City, Chelsea and the neighbours left in the competition.
Yet there was a day when facing any one of those three clubs would be nothing to fear..
Oh how the mighty has fallen! Thanks for that Arsene!
Morning all.
Rico, the mighty may well have fallen, but oil money means they’ve all risen 🙂
Unfortunately, they’ve not just caught up, but overtaken us.
Seeing how much money sits in the clubs bank Scott, the money excuse doesn’t wash with me..
And look how he treats the players he does sign….
Wenger has lost the battle with the argument about money.
He could have, and should have purchased Kante for less than he paid for XHaka.
Agree Vcc. He says he tried, but clearly not hard enough….
yet again you confuse cash reserves with spare money. cash reserves cover future debts etc, its not just sat there waiting to be spent. but then from your articles its clear you are not all that bright
Silent Stan. What a stupid comment. Didn’t Lord Harris say we can afford any player???
I don’t expect Wenger to blow all the funds, just enough to make us compete…
When we signed Xhaka, I really don’t remember any of us being anything but happy.
Hindsight makes things easy.
I was, Wenger has ruined him though…. Same as Gabriel…
But Kante was always the obvious choice…
I thought the chief monk, Arsene the most holy, said of Kante that the club could not afford him. I don’t think he meant the transfer fee but the player’s wages. Well, not couldnt just, wouldn’t!
There is no doubt that the ‘manager’ didn’t think Kante was worth it, well, not after le Boss’ 30 years of management experience. He is truly a great manager, ( of other peoples’ money, not to mention his own incremental rise up the greasy pole). The fact is he is, a pound wise and a penny foolish! Always has been and always will be. But his conscience rests easy every night because he knows that the Char Lady is doing alright under his stewardship. As are most of the other ancillary workers. Not the coaching staff though, they all seem to be leaving the sinking ship.
The Captain of course, has to man the Bridge and go down with his life project!
Top of the morning to you all. Another grey day. The sky’s the colour of Wenger’s complection and hair. Not at all attractive or heart warming!
So he’d have ruined Kante, anyway.
Nothing lost then 🙂
The money excuse is stupid to me. I gave Spuds as examples.
I loath condescending, ass wipes like you SilentStan. Of course everybody knows you shouldn’t spend the whole loot. Who’d spend £200m on transfers? Especially at arsenal? Even I wouldn’t want Arsenal being extravagant. Just not having a list of ‘almost signed’ but didn’t cause probably most were 2-3 Million expensive than Wenger’s valuation.
I liked when we signed Xhaka, still do. Our transfer team were busy looking at Mahrez and Vardy – again overlooking a defensive player for an attacking one as usual. Even Xhaka came in as a CM not a DM.
Morning All
Morning Rico
So, Southgate has left Rooney and Walcott out of the England squad?
All that news means is that we’re approaching another dull interlull…
Agree on point from Wavy, Wenger didn’t view Kante worth £30million,
Apparently not Wavy. The reports of the coaching staff leaving have been strenuously denied…
That’s not even remotely funny Scott… Not imo.
Just proves what an out of date manager Wenger is. A top player like Xhaka who we all knew might cost us a red card or two could so easily have been wisely advised about the way he tackles. Conte and what he’s done with Costa is a perfect example…
Spot on Marshall…
Morning Kev. There’s Ox to watch though, albeit he’s injured…. lol
But thought Mustafi to be worth considerably more ?
Rico, it was one of my best 🙂
Still, it is what it is and as it stands, there’s little hope of change on the pitch.
A manager must be responsible for his decisions I would think. At 8-9 million a year, he certainly should be.
Agreed, Adam.
Even if he were 800k, he should be, and in possibly every other club in world football, would be.
Agree Adam. A manager should be prepared to ask a lot of questions of himself too…
Of the coaching staff, Jonker and Freddie have gone. You and I Rico were of the mind that Jonker was probably being lined up Arsene’s successor. He’s left the listing ship and buggered off to Wolfsburg so he won’t be the new manager, this summer, that’s for sure! Primorac? Has he gone or is he going?? More questions than answers. And as suggested yesterday, are these people leaving as they know our great manager has handed back his Colney luncheon vouchers for June onwards or are they just thoroughly pissed off with the club and its sustainable lack of ambition?
Rico. I just watched Arsene’s press conference. I realise that he must be feeling a bit battered with all the comment and flack but he looks to me like a man in poor health emotionally who is just going through the motions. He looks tired and very flat energy-wise. I reckon this is his last season unless he manages to reinvigorate himself. There is zero sparkle in his eyes.
So it seems it’s O.K. to disagree at HH, as long as you don’t mind being called ‘stupid’ or ‘arse wipe’ huh? You must all be very proud of such an enlightened forum.
Looks like we got that one wrong Wavy re Jonker. Unless he’s coming back in two years time….
Primorac is staying according to Wenger..
He’s looked like that for a while hasn’t he Adam. His health must be suffering because of the relentless mind blowing questions he get’s asked each week. He should do himself a favour and tell us what his plans are, it could make his life a lot easier… Well, if he’s off that is….
MikeB. It was ‘ass wipe’ to be pedantic, which came after a very intelligent blogger suggested I wasn’t very bright in quite a condescending manner. Hope that clears the issue up…. ….
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day folks, no snakes in the grass here and a parade in town to look forward to shortly, I’ll take any parade these days, beggars can’t be choosers.
Micko. Was St Patrick a gooner?
Have fun Micko and a few pints of the black stuff….
A plague on U.S. spelling; but not really, the point is still valid and I think you’re tough enough and smart enough not to need to hide behind semantics. Be good.
Be good? How patronising…..
It’s a lovely thought Adam, we did have a splash of green in our colours at one time didn’t we !
Laters rico.
Micko. I believe that, for years, the club had close ties with Irish football. Hence the amount of Irish players we had in the past. Enjoy the festivities mate. 🙂
Enjoy Micko…
Hi Rico and HH.
Wow Lee, on fire this morning mate 😀
Mike B – None of us can be too enlightened on matters Arsenal because the club refuse to engage with their fan-base, but if you’re upset at some of the language on HH, try reading Le Grove.
Alternatively, if you think Arsenal or the manager are being grossly misrepresented on here, how about enlightening those of us who have strayed from the path, and remind us all what a fantastic job everyone at the club is doing.
Afternoon Rico and All
Happy St Patrick’s Day(Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit)
I know loads of Irish people who live around
by the ground a lot of Irish Pubs also.
Most Irish lad’s support The Manc’s,and the two scouse team’s.
Arsene..I think has blown the chance to leave on a high,
every question is like a stab in the neck for him now,
the more we drift off the top,the more questions are
dodged,with the Next Game is all that Matter’s song.
I bet nearly every Gooner want’s Arsene to leave
with his head held high,but it’s looking unlikely now.
The Syrup will be harder to dislodge..It’s Business to him.
What would he know about Soccer.
Scott..Are you saying The Syrup should get involved
with our club..If you are..I think your wrong me old Cobber.
Afternoon Herb and Fred.
‘Remind us all what a fantastic job everyone at the club is doing.’ – that’s a non starter…
Fred, if he wins the FA Cup he might save himself, however, I can’t us winning that competition…
..
Test
Let’s hope the Irish rugby team are out celebrating tonight…
Test again
I hope so Kev, and the WBA team… lol
Good afternoon Rico and the House. Boro Primorac just gave interview and stated AW is NOT considering leaving. Primorac is not taking Turkish position – Gooners are ungrateful as there is more to football than results he said business plays a role. WOWW The Arrogance seeps through the entire hierarchy.
Agree with Adam – AW looks worn jaded and emotionally spent. He has all the dough, but lost his wife child and now is losing His Beloved Club – No Disrespect but the French Ego is known to be quite extreme for the French Elite.
Cheers
..
Afternoon A117, that’s rubbish news to hear isn’t it. I had hoped he was a gonner…
Me also Rico – Appreciative and Thankful for what he has achieved for Us – AW is clearly past His Sell By Date.
Would be Gutted if he stays another 2 years.
Watching this same style and predictable collapses are mundane and boring on an annual basis.
Losing Top 4 with Ozil and AS17 leaving we could turn into Top 6 team.
I’d stop commenting especially after I’ve stayed up all night 🙂 .
Is there a link to that Primorac interview? I’d like to read it before I say how he and Wenger are two peas in a pod.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/17/arsene-wenger-not-considering-leaving-arsenal-claims-boro-primorac-6515813/
Link to Primorac interview
Certainly is boring A117, a few other things too….
Ah, it’s on the metro. A pinch of salt is advised here.
Wenger denied him moving in his press conference yesterday Marshall…
Afternoon all and thanks Rico.
I know a lot of Irish people who live in pubs !………..infact I think they work in them as well as I never see them leave !
Some nice juicy stuff this morning and although some people get offended by what some may see as bitchy arguements I must say I love it !……. hahahaha……………..beats watching Soaps where it isn`t real !………….passionate stuff, thanks for the entertainment !………………….more please ! hahahaha
I think we maybe able to agree we`re in shit street at the moment and will be in even shitter street if we dont beat The Tea Baggies tomorrow !…….although I dont give a toss really as I cant stomach another CL Groundhog day…………lets do a Leicester and Chavski with the new manager whoever he or she may be !.
Back after gym workout ! XXX
No need to insult Rico,you try putting up a blog everyday.
There is between 190 and 195 million pound SPARE money at the club.Lose out on CL take 30 million off, but TV money is going up.
I would love to hear from anyone who could justify Wenger
and the whole regime taking us back to being true competitors and how they think it could be done,
I really don’t think it mattersif it’s CL oe EL or nothing, but based upon our current form and the stench within the dressing room and around the fanbase, we don’t deserve to be in either, and if we are it is either by a dramatic turnaround of form by our lot and at least two or three above us imploding,despite they still have to play each other in some cases but 4 of our last 12 are against those above us as well. Lose tomorrow, Everton win and we drop further behind..
Kelsey Mate – What is your source saying as mixed signals are coming out of club. Cheers Mate
Passions running high Lc….
As Gazidis said last year, everything at the club is being geared toward a smooth transition of managers.
That’s going well then. 🙂
Nothing wrong with a bit of pasion Rico !………………………..I`d like some in the team !
🙂
Nothing wrong with some smooth transvestite managers either, Adam ! 🙂
Comments in between Planks, thought you`d like to know ! 😆
? Adam
Kelsey, never fear. This is the time of season we go on a good run… lol
Lc, as would i, and in Wenger..
It’s ok, you can spare us your daily exercise routine, it’s like a Wenger conference,we know what’s coming but can’t join in…. lol
🙂
I`ll have you fitter than Arshavin in no time Rico ! 🙂
I already am Lc.
😀
arsenal11730 it is David Dein.
Rico, I believe the not moving part, but the article quotes him saying fans, critics and ex-players are ungrateful… I doubt he’d say that.
Adam, maybe Gazidis meant youth managers. lol
As you said Rico, we’ll win 5-6 games on the trot and all will be back! The cohesion, the mental strength, the only one Arsene Wenger chants then boom 2 more years. Arsenal season is scripted.
Three things that will be abnormal this year…………….1) Spuds will finish above us……………….2) Arsenal outside the top 4 ( Bindippers are 5 points ahead of us and yes we have 2 games in hand, but would you rather the points the way we are playing ? )…………………………..3) Wenger will leave !…………………………….and a new chapter will start next season, hopefully for the better…………..what to do with Kroenke though is the long term problem that wont go away………unless we drop even futher off the radar !.
I didn’t read it Marshall, nothing in the Metro holds much truth….
Kelsey, does DD know you are dropping his name on here?
Morning all.
Fred, the only action I want to see from Stan is him signing a contract to sell 🙂
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/alexis-sanchez-mesut-ozil-lift-10045394
That’ll sort things out on the pitch then Scott?.. Not.
No he doesn’t Rico, perhaps deete the post or disguise his name 😉
Rico, where the hell did I suggest it would?
Gee you’re on a rampage of late, as everything I say rubs you the wrong way but that’s not my problem, it’s how you choose to take things.
I was responding to a comment from Fred where he suggested I wanted Stan to be more involved at the club.
I doubt he’s reading Kelsey…. lol
Blimey Scott, you are always on the attack these days… It’s funny though…
I think the more important question is……Does Arsene know David Dein is telling Kelsey that David Dein thinks it`s 99% sure that Arsene will not renew his contract which Kelsey will be over the moon about ! hahaha
Kelsey !……………wouldn`t it be easier for you to wear a disguise ?…………………………..actually !……….change your avatar to a photo of David Dein and call yourself David Dein !…………..that`ll confuse him ! 😆
Give up, Scott !……………………………Rico is fitter than Arshavin and will destroy you at Russian Roulette !………………….she is a Russian Doll and if you think you have her beat, then inside her is another Rico ! hahaha
LC, seems I have a Target on my back lol
Say what Lc?
Or paranoia Scott…
Not sure how long it takes ?……………..will probably need a science expert on here, something to do with weather formations/el nino/air currents/Atlantic swell/Gulf Stream etc etc…………………………….but if you blow a make up kiss from Oz, how long will it take to reach Reading ? ………………………garpevine has it that Lee has already blown you one from the Pie&Mash shop in Bethnal Green !………… hahahaha
Must be it lol
LC, as Oz is app. 10 years ahead of England, I dare say a deacde plus say, 24 hours 🙂
Work beckons, have fun guys.
……………..where`s Kroenke live ?……………………need to blow a poison dart !
Night night ! 🙂
Guys, If a comment in said in jest, a smiley is fine but there’s so many on here now and often after a cutting comment so I’m going to remove them from being an option… perhaps then the comments will come across as being more real…. or honest.
Shit !…………hope my comments haven`t come across as “cutting” and apologise !………….as with all of them are only an attempt at humour……………………can hear Eastenders music coming up the stairs, must go !.
Could it be that David Dean was the real reason
we were good not Arsene.
Since he left in 2007 you could say we have lost
our way.
He should be remembered and treated with the same
respect as our former legend’s.In my humble opinion
Good question Fred… I don’t think he faffed around with signing players.. But, Wenger inherited leaders. Must have made his life easier, unlike today….
Lc, no, your comments don’t… enjoy Pat Butcher… ?
Dug this out Rico
Former Arsenal hero, Ian Wright described David Dein’s departure as follows:
“I know the players aren’t happy. I know Thierry Henry’s not happy. We’re talking about a man [David Dein] who goes into the dressing room after every single game, shakes every player by the hand and who knows all the youth team players.”
“I know this for a fact that the manager and the players are 100 per cent behind David Dein and I can see real repercussions coming off the back of this.”[14]
Thierry Henry claimed that David Dein’s departure as vice-chairman had dismayed him and left him in no doubt that it was time to move on.[15
I remember reading that at the time Fred. I’d love to know the reason behind his departure…
At the time he fell out with the board
Irreconcilable differences was quoted.
The board is no better now. Idiots!!
Off down the pub with the Millwall boy’s
should be good.
Later
Well, if we’re going to change our avatars to Arsenal directors, I want to be the reverend Bone…
Enjoy Fred… night to you and all…
Night all.
Rico, no leaders is right-when was our last on field leader?
They’re hard to find,I know but has Wenger actually tried?
I’m does seem he is more happy with people who do as he says.
As for smilies, we’ve all been on the end of those comments where we wonder, so I say remove the suckers.
From did leave us a parting gift-Stan.
I don’t pretend to know enough about the situation to pass judgement on whether he could have seen what was coming or not.
Still, there is no doubt that the man was absolutely instrumental in the success of the club in that period before he left.
rico, old skool me, I couldn’t do a smiley if my life depended on it.
Scott, keep talking shite mate, next your be telling me Walcott isn’t a warrior !
Micko, i’d never say that.
He’s up there with Ozil as our new Tony Adams.
Your not wrong Scott, just behind Campbell and Vieira.
I still think if Takuma Asano would have been granted a work permit last August we’d be top of the league right now, everyone’s got it in for Arsene !
Nite Gooners.
CL would be ours if he and Yaya could get a gig.
Morning all…
Morning Rico
Morning guys.
What the hell will happen today?
It’s a mystery to me lol
Morning Adam. Can’t wait for the early kick off eh… Not!
I am going through my pre-match build-up right now Rico. 🙂
So you’ve got the Voodoo dolls out, Adam 🙂
I can imagine Adam…. lol
New post up now.