Morning all.
Whether Piers Morgan is telling the truth or trying to stir the pot I don’t know but he’s said that Arsene Wenger has a new three year contract on his desk and all the Frenchman needs to do is sign it if he wants to stay on beyond the summer of 2017. Morgan says his ‘source’ is very reliable.
If true, doesn’t it tell us a lot about our current majority shareholder?
Arsene Wenger may not sign ‘da ting’ though, he may just realise that his time at Arsenal is coming to an end but I wouldn’t bank on it!
But it’s funny really as many ex Arsenal players think losing Wenger would be a disaster, David Seaman being the latest. He’s been quoted as saying he’s fed up with all the negativity surrounding the Frenchman and the club should simply wait until the summer and then during the break, put right what is wrong. He did however knowledge that falling away at this time of the season so often is frustrating.
Perhaps David Seaman should ask himself why that happens rather than to think back at how things used to be at the club when he played. You know, a great back four in front of him and then in front of them was a lot of quality. Equally as important though was a young, innovative and motivational manager and that’s just what Arsene Wenger was when he arrived at Highbury nearly twenty years ago. Mind you, he also had David Dein alongside him each summer.
Domingos Quina, a 16 year old Portuguese midfielder could be on his way to Arsenal in the next couple of days. The youngster has quit Chelsea as he doesn’t think he’ll get a chance in their first team and Arsenal face a battle with a couple of other clubs to get a deal over the line.
This news might not excite all fans because experienced players are what the club need in the summer rather than more youngsters but I’m all for Arsenal snapping up younger players who look as if they could be the real deal in a few years time. After all, look at so many who slipped through the net but are doing really well right now. Lukaku is just one we have all talked about of late. If only Arsene Wenger had snapped him up before he moved to Chelsea as a youngster. The same re the two young Nigerians Arsenal are reported to confirm in the summer, none of us know right now if they’ll turn out to be great players but at least we’ll find out whilst they are wearing an Arsenal shirt rather than moaning about how Wenger missed out on them in 3/4 years time…
Signing youngsters isn’t a problem imo, it’s not signing experienced players as well but we’ve been over that time and time again but if Arsene Wenger is set to stay on for another three years after his current contract expires then we need them in the summer and early so that players like Ozil, Alexis, Cech etc etc can see the club really mean business.
Clear the deadwood out too, players who aren’t prepared to give their all each game or those who are simply not good enough because I truly believe they are the ones dragging the club down and to a degree, the victory at Everton last weekend went a way towards proving that.
There were no passengers in the side, everyone was singing from the same hymn-sheet and the football played was some of the best we’ve seen this season so adding quality and hard working players to that starting eleven has to be the way forward.
Even if Arsene Wenger remains manager….
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wouldn’t be a bad start! Reports last week said the Man Utd had spoken with the player’s agent, but French outlet Le10 Sport says Arsenal are willing to pull out all the stops to land the Gabon international and are preparing a bid of £63.2 million to blow United out of the water for the player who has scored 32 goals in 36 games this season..
Bit early for April fools isn’t it….. 😉
Have a great Easter Monday guys…
Good Morning Boss and Peeps.
A week is a long time in football…..let alone 3 years after the present contract ends. lol
and remember that the present one runs till summer 2017. Do you think we will be singing the same notes in 15 months time???? I dont know what will happen this evening let alone June 2017.
But the thought of it terrifies me. So there you are.
I still feel there are more twists and turns for the next two weeks though.
Just a thought with regards match fixing……an under 21 match between Malta U21 and Montenegro U21 is being investigated by the authorities and the police. And this is a match were not much money is at stake. So please do not tell me that matches in the EPL are not fixed…..especially where there is way TOOOOO much at stake.
I still feel that some of the EPL matches were fixed. Especially where there are clear favourites and suddenly the team which is not expected to win does so..
I agree Rico….why not sign young players instead of moaning about how AW lost them when young?? Yes we should sign QUALITY youngsters….but we must also provide them with quality coaches. And quality coaches mean getting A Uefa coaches from the under 21 down till the under 8 where the emphasis is on technical.tactical skills together with determination and hard work. And if that means chucking out some of the coaches then so be it….yes even if they were club legends or ex players.
Morning Devil and all.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few coaching changes in the summer. Henry, Pires, Freddie and I think Gilberto could be in with chance…
Morning all.
Well done, Rico….tough time for you at present 🙂
Morning All
Morning Rico, good post…
Morning Coach.
Is it just me, but the young Portugese kid leaves me totally unmoved.
He dumped Benfica and is now on the point of dumping Chelsea. He certainly gets itchy feet and would almost certainly dump Arsenal as soon as a Barca comes sniffing.
One for the future?
Or.
A typical Arsenal investment – a nice little earner for Syrup and Co…
Kev, he may be a star of the future, but could also be a nightmare.
Does he want first team football next season?
Transfer rumours….nail biting stuff.
I envy clubs such as Barca (their coaching system), Bayern and German clubs (Administrative system where no one has more than 49% of the shares).
Imagine Arsenal having an administrative system where a board is elected every two/three years….where everyone is accountable to all the stake holders. Where no shareholder has more than 49%. Where if a club president is piss poor is chucked out after three years. What would Kroenke do?? lol
Imagine Arsenal having A Uefa coaches down till their under 8. Where no coach has more than 12 players to work with. Where the emphasis is all the time on 4v4 and 5v5 games in small pitches. Where players must learn how hone their ball skills and be attackers, defenders and midfielders at the same time. Imagine kids playing 2v2 games where they see ball all the time.
That my friends……teaches players to THINK how to learn all the time. not till they arrive and then stop.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang for £63+ million?
I just can’t see it myself, not at that fee…
I think that PEA has his heart set on Spain, Barca or Real. Well that’s what I heard him say in excellent English in an interview just before last Christmas.
Barca don’t really need him, nor do Real, when you look at the strikers at their disposal. But when has common sense prevailed in the crazy world of La Ligas duopoly…
Certainly is tough trying t be positive Scott.. 🙁
Morning to you and Kev..
I don’t know anything about him Kev, but if that’s his style, then I hope AW will steer clear. Unless he thinks about how much he could sell him for when Barca come calling… 😉
Morning Kev. I agree with you……another Anelka it seems.
Scott, my thoughts exactly…
And isn’t it just dandy to see Arsenal scrambling again for crumbs off of the Chelsea table.
That’s where we are…
There’s always the ‘other Pea’ Kev… lol
Rico/Coach, he’s only 16, but some of the media are reporting it like its a major coup…
If he was the next Cristiano Ronaldo then there would be no way he’d be leaving Chelsea…
Devil, next year, some parents from my lads school want to head over with a group of 8-10 kids.
I’d love to match them up against some of the acamdey squads over in London, and I’ll lay any bet they handle themselves.
They get exactly what you’ve just outlined every day of the week.
Rico, it sure is a tough gig lol
Kev, if we get him, it’ll be crumbs.
If we don’t, it’ll be another we missed out on.
Bloody media 🙂
The notorious arrogance of many Portuguese players would signal alarm bells for me. Sixteen and already dissatisfied with two big clubs? I would steer clear – he’s not the only top young talent around.
It seems that since he is a free agent he will come free. So if he is to get itchy feet and depart in a few years time, you can be sure that he will fetch a tidy profit. Especially if he proves to be another Anelka.
I know Kev and perhaps that’s because it’s Chelsea and they see it as something big… Maybe it could turn out to be if Arsenal sign him…
But he’s free Iceman and Kroenke/Wenger like those… lol
‘Free beer tomorrow’ – free doesn’t always lead to joy!
62 million for PEA. 32 million for Xhaka. that is an outlay of 94 million for two players. And much as I would like them to come to the Ems I cannot see AW departing with such an amount. Yes Theo can soften the blow if he is sold for 20 million. Arteta, Flamini and TR07 would free up their wages. But i still cant see AW getting them.
Then again stranger things have happened.
Even if AW does get PEA and Xhaka, that still leaves us short of a RB, LB, CB and a striker. True, Ollie may be sold but surely he will not be sold for more than what a new striker would cost.
And a new GK is a possibility as well if both Ospina and Ches decide that their future lies elsewhere.
Unless AW decides that Martinez should be number 2 (imo he is good enough to be 2nd choice and step in to rest Cech)
I believe there Will be a bigger chance of dinos walking the Earth before we sign aubameyang,he alteady have a pre contract with Real according to spanish papers.
Can you see Kroenke spending that much Devil, let alone on just two players…?
No, me neither..
As Danish Gooner said boss. There is a bigger chance of Dinos walking the earth than…..
I was going to add that there is a better chance of you eating chicken stew than…… 😉
Why LB? We have Gibbs and Monreal…
If Gibbs decides to go and AW agrees then we have to get a new LB.
A new RB is a must…..unless AW decides that Jenks is good enough.
Another CB since both Per and Kos are 30+ And tbh Per is not getting better.
If’s and but’s though Devil, right now we have two… 😉
Tbh, the club are going to have to pick and choose wisely which English players go because of the home grown quota.
As it stands…………..
Players who will stay…..Cech, Martinez, Bellerin, Gabriel, Kos, Monreal, Mertesaker, Chambers, Jenkinson, Jack, Ozil, OX, Aaron, Cazorla, Coquelin, Elneny, Alexis, Danny, Campbell, Iwobi,
Players who might leave…..Ospina, Ches, Debuchy, Gibbs, Giroud, Theo,
Players who will leave….Rosicky, ARteta, Flamini, .
I am putting Ollie and Theo in the ‘might leave’ section for the simple reason that their future is doubtful. The Ox I have put in the will stay since I feel that AW might opt to give him another 2 years as he is still 22.
Nine out before any additions?
That would be very unlike AW..
Rosicky, Arteta and flamini will surely leave…..that would leave a hole in the middle.
One of both of Ches and Ospina will surely go. Debuchy will leave as well. Gibbs has been showing discontent. Then again he might stay and win his place back.
Ollie and Theo are up in the air. Esp if a new forward comes.
Not saying I disagree Devil, just we know AW always says too many at one time disrupts a team and I reckon a couple of the youngsters might fill the gaps…
http://news.arseblog.com/2016/03/report-from-arsenals-sport-and-exercise-medicine-conference/
A good read
I blame you Rico you have a poll last week for Arsenal fans and who they want out of the club.
What happens Wenger gets a vote of 5% or so the very next week Wenger’s getting a new 3 year contract well done I say.?
Not my fault couldn’t get the poll to work.
I voted over 600 hundred times for everyone but Wenger
I see the under 17’s beat Barcelona on penalties to make the final of the future cup its a new one on me.
Currently watching the woman play man city still 0-0 Arsenal down to ten men ops woman.
Arsenal have won the Future Cup after defeating three-time winners Anderlecht on penalties in the final.
With the scores goalless after normal time – matches in the Under-17 tournament last just 60 minutes – the game went straight to a shootout and substitute Emile Smith-Rowe netted the winning spot-kick.
The Gunners beat Red Bull Salzburg, Ghanian academy Right To Dream and Ajax in Group A before knocking out Barcelona via a shootout in the semi-final to finish the tournament with a 100 per cent record.
Arsenal not only become the first English side to win the Future Cup but also the first team other than Anderlecht or hosts Ajax to lift the trophy, with both team boasting three wins each in the first six years.
Liverpool and Manchester United have both reached the final in recent years, losing to Ajax on each occasion, but Arsenal have bettered them both by triumphing at the first time of asking.
While Arsene Wenger’s next generation of young stars were crowned champions, Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig was named the Most Valued Player after helping the Catalan side finish in third place.
I take it you are happy with the prospect of AW staying for an extra three years Joe?
Afternoon guys…
Didn’t Wenger pick up Denilson from an u17 tournament? And look what happened to him! Another developmental failure. Our production of kids into first teamers has been chronically bad sine, for ever! Still to win a prestigious tournament his to welcomed, even acclaimed but, what will come of it going forward will probably amount to much. So, well done to the u17s and when they return they can look forward their ÜBER 40s or is that their P 45s? – in a couple of years time!
Afternoon Rico.
Change Wenger? If he wants to stay why would the Board want a new man? Stick with what you know and know what you’ve got! Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t! And all all the rest of the sayings that mean nothing ever changes!
As has been said many times and oft on here, change may give the cash cow a bit of a stutter and a fall in revenue and the Board don’t want their pocket money reducing! So they’ll keep what they’ve got! And it’ll save them a fortune in silver polish because we won’t be increasing our silver hoard in the cabinet any time soon!
Another 3 years? Ffs!
Afternoon Wavy.
It really is baffling if Kroenke and the board really have offered Arsene Wenger a new three year deal. Talk about lacking ambition….
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-no-doubt-arsenal-7643737
Night…
Morning. Yesterday AW confirmed my ( and most fan’s) fears saying he’ll stay. Rumors of another contract makes me feel sick.
No way we can folk all that on auba and other targets. French league 2 players will come to paper over cracks as usual. It’ll be another long summer and a worse ’17. Am ready!
Seen how Ardan has explian the gulf in Barca and Arsenal, sad but truth. The whole Europe knows we ain’t good enough.
Morning Marshall and all.
Ardan could say that about most other clubs in football and not just Arsenal. Not that that makes it right of course…
Arsene Wenger for four more years is a worry, Kroenke for many more than four is equally as worrying imo.
Resign ourselves to a future of whinging fans, but I must say, I can’t condemn them too much, if at all lol.
Seriously, I’m not surprised he was offered an extension, because Stan has no imagination, and no care for the club, but I’ll be stunned if/when Arsene accepts.
I can’t find and reason he would think things will improve.
Anyway…..morning all.
Morning Rico and all. I imagine that Turan is just trying to deflect attention from his own position at Barcelona. As ‘Clogger In Chief at Athletico he was immersed in a culture of foul play. He was good at it. Play the man, leave your foot in, cause damage and be spiteful. These were his mantras at AM. Now he is at Barcelona he has become that weirdo that runs strangely, comes on in the 78th minute, gets a yellow card with his first touch and spends the rest of the game moaning until he is either sent off or the whistle blows.
Three or four more years of Arsene eh? I would say “interesting”, but I doubt it.
If he signs on Scott, it shows AW doesn’t think as much of the club as he suggests…
Not that I hold out any hope of it happening, but the only way fans will even slightly be willing to accept this is if he spends up in the TW.
Imagine the uproar if he offers us up another joke similar to last year?
It’ll be interesting viewing, that’s for sure……a reality TV show in the making?
Morning Adam..
Depends how you define ‘interesting’…. 😉
Don’t think he has much choice but to sign a few players this summer, not with 3 out of contract and Debuchy pushing for a way out…
Rico, I’d say it’d make the odd banner seem very, very tame lol.
I’m stunned he’s talking of staying, to be honest.
It’ll need to be more than 3 replacements, Rico….they’ll want to be top quality players ready to go.
I’m sure it will Scott, and after the first shoddy performance… lol
I know – four going need to be replaced but to be honest, after what they have given us this season, one can hardly say they are being replaced. Well, apart from Flamini I guess who turned out a few times.
If he replaces those four alone with quality we’ll be a much stronger side.
Yeah no question of that, but he can’t replace them with guys not ready to play League football.
They must be quality, and experienced.
“When you start supporting a football club, you don’t support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history, you support it because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place where you belong.” – Bergkamp
Agreed there Scott, although I think a couple of those on loan might be thinking about their chances.
That says a lot from Dennis. I’ve read so many comments from fans who suggest they won’t support Arsenal until AW leaves and I just don’t get it.
It’s the club we fans support, not any one manager, player etc etc….
Rico. Unless a miracle occurs, he will know that he has effectively wasted this season. He played his cards and despite just about everyone saying that the hand wasn’t strong enough, it looks as though his own judgement is seriously flawed, because he lost.
Judgement is a huge part of being a top manager. Not all your decisions will be good but that is no excuse for being inert. And it hasn’t just been this season has it? Offering him a new contract will certainly be a way of postponing making a huge decision.
With all the new money rolling in and the dearth of top players £60 million is the new £40 million this coming transfer window. Hardly smart from an economics graduate.
If he does sign then I reckon the pressure on him will be more than enormous next season.
Adam. I know, I think we all do. As Lee always says, it’s rinse and repeat season after season…
Rico. As you know, I am a supreme optimist and after this season’s debacle, how can he serve up the same old crap again, if he wants to avoid a fans revolt?
I am not saying he won’t though.
Adam, I’ve been hoping for that for the last few seasons, however… 😉
Still, all he has to do is listen to someone else, a bigger man would…
With the inflated prices of players Ozil’s £40M looks like a bargain. The club looks reluctant to compete with other big clubs on that front.
How can one quit supporting the club when things are going wrong comeback when it’s all good?
On the brighter side those lazy journos will stop linking every manager to arsenal. Aw should say he won’t be signing anyone already and arsenal NN would go silent 🙂 .
Ha ha Marshall. That wouldn’t stop the media buffoons…
I think the Bergamp quote is on the button. Wenger has found his spiritual and practical home. He has been at Arsenal so long he doesn’t what he will do or where he’ll go if he leaves the marble halls. He has become totally institutianalised and is unable to leave his ‘natural home’. He still feels he has stuff to offer and nobody will ever be able to replace him or his philosophy, or his practises. He believes he is still the answer and will brook no criticism, not from any quarter. So, when Stan the syrup offers him the opportunity to carry on, no need to make any changes, just keep washing, rinsing, drying and downing the same things again and again, he sees the future and he likes what he sees, so why would he ever want to change the status quo?
He doesn’t. The Arsenal is the institution that he, single-handedly has built. It is his monolithic creation and no other person on this planet is going to get their hands on his controls! Well, not until he falls out of his tree!
Sad but true, I think.
Morning all.
Good morning Rico and all…
Ginge returns.
Where have ya been mate?
Massive international about to kick off.
Australia v, ahem, Jordan.
Tommy Rogic, Ginge…..do you remember the name?
God points Wavy..
Morning Ts.
‘Arry is Jordans manager…..massive step up for him from Tottnum.
Support is a matter of degree, just how far you go to show or actively your support. You can stop or reduce your input but still support the club in as much as following their results. The supporters that the club value are the ones which contribute, those that follow with their hearts are less valued.It’s too easy to say withdraw your support, don’t renew season tickets, ignore the merchandise , ,no programmes etc. but that won’t actually create change. Only by the paying customer revolting will the present leadership be unsettled and the protest has to be vociferous and in all fairness whilst a good protest might carry a large section of the Clock end and North Bank certainly I can’t see the the upper tier joining and without doubt, the overseas clubs seem to be Wenger infatuated. And they want the cash to keep rolling in from wherever they can get it. I can’t really see how the fans that are having their hearts torn out can effect the change they want. The more I think about it the more depressed I get , Following and travelling to every silly oclock kick off time is not only time consuming putting strain on relationships at home but reveals the true course that the powers that run football wish to follow. They want tourist spectators , they want a trip to football to be like a theatre trip , they want people to see the match in the same light as going to a concert or the latest Star Wars blockbuster. They don’t want fans that have an opinion of their own just the one provided by the media in whichever form they can supply it.and mostly they want the cash to keep rolling in from wherever they can get it.
Be afraid of ‘Arry’s boys Scott… lol
they want the cash to keep rolling in from wherever they can get it.
Must be an echo
Rico, they certainly know how to dive.
12 minutes in and the count is 4.
Good Morning Boss and peeps
It is going to be a loooong HOT and Humid summer. Brace yourself.
In AW’s world summer begins next friday and ends on 31st March. Yep. it begins on 1st April and his day lasts 365 days in our world.
Ah by the way…..remember that next friday is April fool’s day. His favourite day of the year.
Tim Cahill scores…he’s still a top footballer.
Good comment Potter. Sad but so very true….
Potter, I guarantee you, the verse as clubs are NOT Wenger infatuated.
Certainly the divide is similar to English supporters.
Aaron Mooy…the next Aussie surely to end up in England.
Aussies ups 2-0.
Ps….this guy IS Arsenal standard.
A late bloomer, but simply brilliant.
Scott- I have been around mate… just been busy
Heard the one about Gibbs?? He messed up a call to the English team because he is on holiday.
Not that I am worried. At least that is him getting a good rest and not get injured on international duty.
.. and disillusioned with AW and his crew I must add
Another Aaron Scott ? I was thinking a little more of the far east / African clubs that seem to be a tad sycophantic.
Today is Rocastle’s anniversary mates.
I thought it was the end of the month??
Time flies Dev… 15 years already. sad
Yeah fair enough, Potter, and a good call.
Hey, I never had a second thought of him being an Aaron lol.
Very, very serious player, this guy
Ginge, we all have been….
Devil, my son has his Rocky remembrance shirt on, and Kev, if you find some tolerance, get me your address so I can send one over 🙂
2 years ago, I was in North London.
Bugger!!
That’s gone quickly.
Morning Devil. It’s not today re Rocky…
OOOopppppssss. Thought it was today……it is Thursday.
Ginginho. How are you my friend. I miss your friendly banter. aye mate. like you we are unhappy with Arsenal’s world right now.
Yes life and time go quickly. But I still have great memories of Rocky. Would love to have him on our right wing at the moment.
Dev… I am well, thanks to the Creator.
Hope all is well with you and its speedos weather where you are? 😉
Re. Arsenal, I never thought I would run out of making excuses for Monsieur Wenger but hey… 🙂
I am delibrating whether to take up the chance to make the watford game or watch from the comfort of my front room….
Return from my patch to the Grove is £44 though… so i am looking at close to £100 for same old.
Theo injured
What’s up with the crock now then?
Someone put him out of his misery…. 😉
Dead leg. And he will not play against the Netherlands. That means there is a big chance he will not get selected for the Euros…..as Hodgson has said that it was last chance for him to stake a claim.
I bet he’s still at Arsenal next season….
I thought it was Sturridge and Welbeck on their last chance to prove themselves?
Feo or Arsene or both?
Wonder who crocked him and whether we should be thankful ?
Both Lee…
The injury was four days ago, he’s prob fit now…
or b)….
http://www.squawka.com/news/arsenals-theo-walcott-ruled-out-of-england-friendly-with-last-minute-injury/631221
Shame for Theo I guess…
Tbh, I couldn’t believe that Hodgson still considered Walcott as a part of his plans…
I mean, ffs, the guy is 27, in his prime, and we’re still waiting for him to deliver…
Sometimes you’ve just gotta accept that ‘a player’ isn’t gonna step up, and move on…
Of course Wenger will wait, and wait and wait and wait, ad nuseum…
Digger, did you get my email?
Neither could I Kev, and I bet he won’t be in the summer…
Catch up tomorrow guys…
Walcott playing for England not bad for an injured player media prints sh*t Wenger haters pile on and rubbish an Arsenal player even with no truth to the story.
Good morning boss and peeps
Joe its not damn hard to rubbish Theo with his attitude and lack of footballing intelligence. For 140kpw I expect him to influence games not struggle to get game time and leave us waiting for him to deliver consistently
Morning Devil and all..
New post up now.