Morning all.
I touched on the summer Olympics a few days ago with Alex Iwobi set to be heavily involved for Nigeria. Well there’s other players who could be missing too, not only from pre-season, but the start of the new campaign too.
Serge Gnabry should be involved for Germany and Damian Martinez is expected to be on show for Argentina.
Then there’s the over 23 year olds and the possibility of Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and David Ospina being called up according to an article in the Mirror but considering Germany will be fighting to win the Euros, which kicks-off on the 11th June, I doubt Mesut will be be going to Rio. At least Alexis Sanchez will have a good rest this summer as his country aren’t involved in either.
But we have plenty of other players who will be playing at the Euros. Ramsey, Wilshere, Koscielny, Giroud, Monreal, Cazorla, Bellerin, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cech and even Rosicky but with his contract expiring in the summer, for once, him playing for his country, won’t effect Arsenal. There’s still a question mark on whether a few of those players get called up for their country of course with current form and fitness being an issue.
On top of that, there’s the ‘ten up for sale in the summer story’ which if by some miracle is true, the likes of Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud and even Ramsey, might be another club’s concern if they come back from the tournament knackered or injured. That would mean spending a lot of money.
I still can’t see Arsene Wenger going for a mass clear-out, not in one go anyway. Three will depart in Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky as their contracts expire and there’s a few younger players knocking on the door for their chance. In any case, who knows whether Arsene Wenger will still be the manager as we go into the new campaign but I’d like to think the board/owner know what his intentions are and they have a cunning plan up their sleeve if he’s ready to walk away..
But as we all know, just as there’s a slim chance of him going, there’s a huge chance that Stan Kroenke will be happy if the customary top four place is filled by the club come the end of May and he’ll use all his negotiating skills to persuade the Frenchman to stay on for another few years…
Atletico Madrid got one over Barcelona last night by dumping them out of the Champions League which is always good news in my book. Seems like the Catalans are struggling in front of goal, especially Messi. Shame our defensive unit isn’t as organised as Diego Simeone’s, especially in Europe……
Perhaps Kroenke would be better off tempting him to London for £8 million a year….
PS – N’Golo Kante has a £20 million release clause in his contract, worth a punt Arsene?
Apparently not according to reports in Portugal which claim Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Porto for midfield ace Danilo Pereira,. Apparently Arsenal scout Luis Boa Morte has been spying on Pereira so to get a better look at him.
Don’t get too excited though as Correio da Manha, whoever they are, say Porto have turned down an approach from Arsenal for the player. Apparently the offer made is below the player’s release clause.
Surely not….. 😉
From previous post…
I definitely care about signing youngsters Rico, when we don’t sign the quality established players required to better the current squad…..
Surely Wenger should have some self esteem, take some pride in what he does for a living (a fucking great living at that) NOT act like a complete ungracious, arrogant, self opinionated prick?
The bollocks he spouts on a weekly basis is tainting my love for Arsenal, he makes us a laughing stock…. and supporters still back him? Fucking Mental.
Kroenke should sack the specialist in failure.
That’s what I was saying though Lee… 😉
It’s all very well signing kids, but only if the first team squad gets addressed too which is doesn’t and hasn’t for years…
If AW had any pride, and if Kroenke is holding him back (which I doubt) then he’d have left by now instead of taking a huge salary.
But if he’s doing all what Kroenke asks, then imo, they are all as bad as each other…
The board is full of oaps spouting rubbish, (Gazidis apart so I’m led to believe) the owner says sod all and the manager just seems to make it up as he goes along.
It’s all quite embarrassing really…
Morning all.
The love affair with Pep goes on I see.
Guys, he’s isn’t coming, no matter how hard you want him to lol.
Simeone, damn, he is impressive.
The results that guy gets while replacing top quality players, but not with a limitless budget is what we should be looking for in a manager.
He definitely has the ability lift sides for big games and his players obviously play for him.
Quoting Joe Say, Lee?
Damn.
What struck me about A Madrid was that their players are all men. No wimps or bottle jobs allowed. They knew that Barca would kill them if they let them get behind and the game became stretched and open and they simply weren’t having it. It was, in many ways, an awesome display of how to win against a technically superior side.
I was fascinated rather than entertained by the football on display although the first goal was a peach.
Not for me Scott… 😉
Quoting the last 12 years Scott….
Not a love affair with Pep just respect for a manager that pisses all over Wenger…..
Simeone is the polar opposite of Wenger….. a winner for starters!
Rico, I reckon it’s time we got a hard nosed bastard.
We have the quality, so a little grit would top us off.
Simeone would be my choice, hands down…..
I’m firmly in the love affair with Wenger camp he’s the best…
So do I Scott, it’s all too pink and fluffy under Wenger. Back in his winning days, he had real men playing football, these days he just has a bunch of soft centres and that’s because of him.
As Kev said the other day, he trains the hardness out of them…
Lee, Wenger has done plenty for Arsenal, high you I obviously choose to put aside, yet you respect Pep?
Based on?
Barca and Bayern!
Every kids dreams.
In fact, most kids could win trophies with them lol.
At least he’s got a bit of a challenge next season.
It’ll be the first time he’s in a League where there’s more than 2-3 clubs in it so if he performs then, even given a half billion dollar squad at least he will eliminate my question on him, not that it matters much.
Still, respect for him and none for Wenger.
Men in white coats will be with you shortly Lee.. lol
As I type I am sporting the red hat!
You got yours on Brudder?
Rico, he’s too much the idealist.
It’s an honourable trait, but no longer one that is successful.
Saying that, could you see him training out the attitude of Adams or Vieira?
No chance.
He seems to sign players who will tow the line.
Wenger did plenty for Arsenal 12years ago…. he’s been appalling since.
Where did I say don’t respect Wenger? His time is up, he’s finished as a top flight manager and should be shown the door!
Pep is a top drawer manager and would of taken Arsenal to a level that Wenger never will be able to…… there is life after Wenger.
Pep respects Wenger, so how smart can he be 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wish they’d take Wenger Rico.
Lee, your posts are laced with abuse and insults.
How is that respectful?
I say it nearly every day-the criticism doesn’t worry me a single but, but why the personal attacks and name calling??
Does it get the message across more emphatically?
Loads of people respect Wenger, certainly not on what he’s been serving up for the last decade or so…..
Oh, and I’ve stated ALL SEASON Wenger must go, IMO, but there’s another thing that gets lost.
I do realise there’s life after him, and I look forward to it.
I don’t use that as an excuse to abuse the man, though.
Abuse? Calling him a prick? What about the guy with banner?
Get over it mate.
Or just steers clear from big characters because he knows he can’t manage them Scott?
I too once respected Arsene Wenger but all that has gone now. I will always try not to insult the man, but even that gets harder by the day.
He clearly doesn’t respect the fans, so why should we respect him….
Morning Rico and All
After the recent loss to Barcalona Wengers press comments:
Arsenal are out of the Champions League, beaten 3-1 on the night, but Arsène Wenger was magnanimous in defeat, describing Barcelona’s attacking football as art and their extraordinary forward line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar as players who “transform normal life”.
We created plenty of dangerous situations but we couldn’t take the chance. As well, Barcelona going forward, the accuracy of their passing, especially Messi, is exceptional. Over 90 minutes he didn’t miss one first touch. At some point in sport you have to admire art. They have two or three players who transform normal life into art and I respect that. Of course, for me it’s suffering but it’s exceptional.”
The contrast in a managers view of a game.
Watching Simeone last night urging on the the players and the fans
to “transform normal life” as wengers calls it.
To an Athetico advantage
It surely is time to go(upstairs) for wenger
or prehaps get the paint brushes and the easle
and consentrate on a different Art.
Not sure I want anymore Exceptional Suffering.
He’s a serial liar, a busted flush and is holding the club back that’s why I’m losing respect for him…
Well, I give up.
Let the abuse continue.
Enjoy.
Long live Pep the imperious.
Hope he thrives lol
Morning Fred, good to see you back…
Best when he leaves, he leaves. Don’t want him anywhere near transfers or tictacs….
Fred Wenger is too reactionary as a manager, we need a proactive man in charge.
Ha ha ha…
Theo’s goals cost Arsenal £726k each…. now there’s value for money!
He’s lost his edge, no question.
Lee, I know you don’t agree, but the fact Stan hasn’t the balls to sack him is exactly why I blame the bastard.
Anyway, that’s another topic lol.
Man up Scott… 😉
Sturridge £792k and Rooney £1.225m FFS!
You can’t call Kroenke a bastard Scott… 😉
Plenty wanted Rooney a few years back 🙂
Vardy scores 3 goals to the pound!
Rico, I can lol.
That arseholes never done a single decent thing for the club so all bets are off with him 🙂
Theo’s not so bad then… lol
He paid for a few players though Scott… lol
Everything in life has a natural cycle and therefore an end. Wenger just can’t win the really important games anymore and it has been like that for many years. From the outside it seems as though he is intransigent and rather staid. Both Bilic and Koeman mullered him this season and this must be concerning to those at the club whose job it is to move forward. Perhaps we are ready, as a club, to move to the next level. Whoever comes next might be terrible, but that’s the way football management at the top end goes. Seems to me that Simeone was the right man for AM, with the right tactics, at the right time, rather like Arsene was when he arrived. Pep was the logical next step but the timing was wrong. Top managers get the top jobs and have the best squads. I see no incompatibility in that situation.
Is like to see how many minutes players per pound earned for them.
Shaddup about Diaby and Jack!!
Adam, I have never suggested Pep can’t manage.
All I’ve ever said is he’s had top squads that were dominant in their Leagues and he maintained the momentum.
What’s made him a top manager??
Did he improve those clubs?
I say no.
Next season will tell us a lot, IMO.
If he makes Citeh a dominant squad, then he’s proven himself, for mine.
Can anyone see ANY slight chance Wenger will stand down??
I’d rather he did than were sacked, though I can’t see that happening.
Bugger!
Kroenke clearly didn’t want Pep, or Pep clearly didn’t want Arsenal. imo
When you have loved someone/something
its hard to say goodbye
He can only sack himself thats….. the sitch
Stan could’nt give a Monkeys about us fans
Lets be fair what the fcuk would he know about
football(soccer)
Never understood the stan route regarding
football and fan discisions
Wenger knows stans happy……….
thats all that matters to him
Banners opinions results mean nothing
all that matters is 4th 4th 4th 4th…..
I can see him walking at the end of the season Scott..
Agree there Fred….
Rico, I hope you’re right…….
Let him make a 50 million signing and the go lol
Forgetting a change of training, tactics, transfers etc etc etc
A new manager will inject a new lease of life into the club, players and fans.
It’s needed.
It’s gettin’, it’s gettin’, it’s gettin’ kinda hectic.
It’s gettin’, it’s gettin’, it’s gettin’ kinda hectic.
No Scott, leave the £50m for someone else if he goes… lol
The options to replace him are quite limited now though. Simeone won’t leave Madrid according to a Spanish friend of mine as he loves the club.
Pep gone.
Klopp gone
Tuschel (spelling) only just gone to Dortmund.
Who else is there?
Total trophy record
League victories: Six (2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15)
Champions League victories: Two (2008-09, 2010-11)
Domestic cup victories: Three (2008–09, 2011–12)
Super cup/Club World Cup victories: Nine (2009 x3, 2010 x1, 2011 x3, 2013 x2)
Grand total in six seasons as a manager: 20
He averages 94.62 points per season.
Fairly lively?
Wenger’s 2 FA Cups in 12years looks the bollocks in comparison doesn’t it?
Lee, he’s managed in two countries where there’s 2 and possibly 3 clubs can win things, there’s always a massive amount of non competitive games and in leagues where they have summer breaks.
There is absolutely no comparison….he’s had two soft targets,
If he succeeds next season, I’ll be the first to say so and it wouldn’t surprise me.
Oh, and you never mentioned the stadium.
Facts and figures offer up BS and we all know it.
Even in easy Leagues, I’m yet to see Pep go undefeated.
See, I just did it lol
Everything in the right context mate.
Off shopping so play nicely.. 😉
We will.
Promise.
Don’t spend too much!
He’s won the CL twice against Europe’s elite teams…. Wenger never and never will.
Wenger fucked up the PL this season massively, being made to look stupid by two small teams… no oil/Russian money no fucking excuses for Wenger.
Pep’s attention to detail is apparently unbelievable, while Wenger doesn’t even know that Andy Carroll is fit to play for West Ham last weekend…..
Brudder. That is an impressive CV alright. 🙂
After simple seasons, with Woeld Class squads, and after other managers did the same thing.
No invincible thogh?
No stadium?
Needs to lift his game lol
I wonder what quality officiating his sides have copped but shhhh…..we don’t discuss that lol
He didn’t unearth Sanogo, I suppose that’s one of his shortcomings…
He spent a hell of a lot more on worse lol
Still, it’s all about spending, I guess.
Spend enough, and one success will make people forget the failures.
Spend enough on the right players is the secret, we have a massive wage bill it’s just not distributed properly…..
Agreed.
Some of our guys earn ridiculous money for their output.
Yeah Wenger’s the biggest culprit….
Hi All,
I agree with Scott on this one. I would also like to see how Pep performs in England where there is no easy game or guaranteed wins.
Also, here’s a team of old players that need replacing not taking over the reigns from Reijkard and Heynkes and adding 1 or 2 players.
Hi Brad, me too. Could be quite interesting….
Afternoon guys.
Brad, I get what Scott’s driving at but I truly believe he’s a top manager and feel he would of been perfect for Arsenal…..
He certainly wouldn’t of been as appalling as Wenger this season, imo!
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Nice sunny day down south but not so good in Swansea
Needing just 3 points from the final 2 games but playing their second in 4 days
the u21’s have lost 3-1.
Jack played the full 90andTomas played 71. The main plus was Gnabry who had a very good game and scored with a long range shot.
He is starting to look like the player that he was before he picked up his injury.
Bielik and Plegi both off the pace today ,hope they can be up to their best for next monday.
I’d agree there Lee, we have the players to have been a whole lot better…
Afternoon Rick, that’s not good. Who do they play in the final game?
Its WBA. Would be great to beat them 1-0 with Serge scoring the goal.
Show the Rugby manager what he could have had if he treated him right.
Wouldn’t it just Rick…
Fingers crossed eh. Good to hear Serge is getting back to the player he was…
Morning All:
Wenger must go, I think even he knows that. Ironically, judging by some accounts in the press here in the US, Stan is not a micro managing owner. I heard this regarding the Rams making a blockbuster trade (for the upcoming NFL draft) and when the Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony, the press said that he was not involved in the discussion. Which lead one to conclude that Stan only cares about the bottom line. And btw, Pep is overrated. Enrique came in and is doing it at the same/ better rate than Pep did. Pep high sensitivity and the English press can’t wait for the first blow-up.
You wait until Josh gets more involved Obi, he’s worse than his father apparently…
You may be right. It was Josh that traded Carmelo Anthony apparently because he did not want to give him the max contract prior.
Messi struggling rico, no goals in his last 5 games, he’s all washed up I tell ya !
The club should announce the Wenger contract situation now , if he is getting a further 3 years ,people should know and have the ability to jack in their season tickets should they wish to.
He is Micko, must be tough for him going through such a barren spell…
Spot on potter, but that’s just not going to happen is it…
But then hasn’t Wenger said he’s going nowhere yet… Not that he ever fibs of course…
Potter, that is exactly the reason why they’ll say nothing…
Kev I know but that’s why I posted it . It would be interesting to see how many would jump ship should they announce it before June 1st. and just how many of the waiting list would suddenly come up with £1000. plus.
Like I said, there’s no chance Arsenal will do the right thing because Kroenke will be scared stiff that fans might not renew their STs….
Even though there’s meant to be a long list of fans just jumping at the chance to get an ST….
I know but when you are 4 to 5000 on the list you are not expecting it to come round quickly.If there was a mass exodus and you have to come up with the cash quickly it’s not that easy.
Maybe some of those 4 to 5000 would think twice in any case…
Catch up tomorrow.. Night all..
Nite rico, CL draw tomorrow, remember watching it live back in 2008/9 when we drew Man United in the semi’s, we might have got spanked that year but still ran away wiith the 4th place trophy, some fans conveniently choose to forget that !
It’s fruition, getting spanked again the following season by Barca, but hitting the heady heights of 3rd, nothing changes.
Scott, it was only a matter of time before you warmed to Pep lol.
Nite Gooners.
Hahahah Micko.
I believe he is a terrific manager, but my description of him as unproven remains, for mine.
If he makes Citeh dominant, then he gets his due credit from me.
He needs to make them dominant though, as they do have far and away the best squad on paper and limitless resources to back him, said anything but a decisive win in the League would leave the question over his head, imo.
Dortmund just made the Bundesliga look even less competitive, though.
Just saying 🙂
Would there be a mass exodus if Wengers contract was extended?
I mean, fans keep saying its Arsenal FC, not Arsene FC, so who are they paying to watch 🙂
As the wining goal went in for the Scousers last night, behind the goal there was about 20 or so supporters in wheelchairs 3/4 of them stood up to applaud it!
You couldn’t make it up!!!!
🙂 Lee.
Morning to you and all…
Totts rumoured to be heading for a £800m takeover….
Morning Rico and all. Great game last night. Klopp and his team were impressive.
Morning Adam. Another club which will probably overtake us next season after Klopp has his first summer in the transfer window…
True Rico. As I tend to view these things, rather pathetically, through an Arsenal prism I did wonder if we had that kind of performance in us. Two down in the first 10 minutes etc..
I imagine many others did too. 🙂
Stand still and you go backwards.
If that had been Arsenal last Wenger would of given a Churchillian speech at half time and we would of smashed the krauts!
Lee we would have spent the second half looking for a beach to9 fight them on.
I am quietly confident there’d have been no way back from 2-0 Adam… 😉
Having seen the CL turnout with AM the previous evening, followed by the scousers, it just shows what input a manager can have though. I hear that Wenger says almost nothing at half time, preferring to rely on the astute footballing brains of his players. Unfortunately it hasn’t been working that well of late as evidenced by the West Ham turnout most recently and many more occasions previously
How dare you doubt Lord Wenger!
Lee I just saw that footage.
It’s a miracle!!
Morning all.
Would we have been 2-0 down at home?
Nope 🙂
Didn’t Klopp have them fired up and ready to go from the start?
Klopp out lol
So if Citeh win the CL and the Scousers win the Europa what happens if we get Arsene’s favourite position?
Scott, quite often we have been in Europe…..
Sorry Brudder. For a moment there I strayed and had my doubts. I was even going to mention a Spaniard again but I caught the downward spiral and will be ok in a few minutes. I shall read Untold for an hour as a penance.
Scott, I wonder how many are on disability benefits?
Most, Lee.
Same thing happens here though…….scumbags everywhere.
Rico, true, and Wenger would’ve copped it.
Klopp failed in the end at Borussia so we shouldn’t get carried away.
Once he finishes top 4 at least in the League and wins something, we can rate him, but let’s face it, he’s got a long way to go yet.
Spuds have the only manager in the League I’d love to have.
Martinez would be second choice, for mine.
I’ve gone off Martinez Scott, Everton should be doing a lot better than they are with the players they have…
Sounds familiar….
He talks a good game though Rico. 🙂
But a game is 90 minutes Scott, if we’d have gone 2-0 down against Dortmund but come back to win, the goals conceded would have been forgotten for a while I’m sure…
He does Adam, as do a few…. 😉
Journo: “Arsene, you’ve had a problem in the air…what have you been working on this week?”
Wenger: “On heading the ball.”
😛
New post up now.
Rico, they all have go and bad periods though.
People have a crack at Wengers lying, yet Martinez is absolutely honest when interviewed so there’s a fault lol
Anyway, I still say the Spuds have the man.