Morning all.
“My contract clarifies that. Did I ever walk away? Never. Why should I change?”
Well that sweeping statement from Arsene Wenger will get Arsenal fans a bit twitchy won’t it? Well, many but not all as there’s still a number of Wenger worshipers out there in this crazy world. I guess they are the ones who like Wenger, can’t see that without him, the club will go on and it can and probably will improve. 1996-2006 was a long long time ago but perhaps these people are like Dr Who in a tardis which broke down just after Patrick Vieira struck home our winning penalty at Wembley or a year later when having seen the last of the invincibles depart. They are stuck in that era and can’t find the right spanner to secure the bolt which will kick start the engine to bring said tardis into 2018. So be it eh.
Around this time last season, in every press conference Wenger held, the same old question popped up, will he stay or will he go. Some of us, me included, were convinced he’d leave, well, more like hoped he’d leave and as the weeks passed, our football suffered like never before. At the end of the season he admitted his contract situation hadn’t helped the team.
The Champions league exit was the worst that I can remember. Yes we’d been battered before in the first leg of a last sixteen knockout fixture but invariably, we’d gone for it in the second leg, often coming very very close to snaking through. Not last season. No, we were thumped 5-1 at home and away. Appalling.
So it makes sense to me that Wenger has come out right now and told the world of football that he’s staying beyond the summer. Done, dusted and end of. No more questions about his future as he’s made it quite clear. The press should now leave him alone, although I doubt they will if we suffer any more bad results, especially against teams lower down the league.
But just because he’s said he’s staying, it doesn’t mean he is. After all, when was the last time he actually told us the truth about serious matters?
Only just a few weeks ago he said Alexis would stay until the end of the season but now he’ll be sold this month as long as we find a ‘replacement.’ Imo, he was always going to be sold this month because the club have to get some money for a player of his quality. In hindsight, the £60 million Man City offered in the summer should have been accepted regardless of a Lemar turning us down. Mind you, perhaps he wouldn’t have had Wenger sorted a deal for him as soon as last season ended.
For Arsene Wenger to tell the media right now that he’s walking away in the summer would be a bad move imo, just as it was for City when they announced Pellegrini was leaving. The focus for the players should be on getting into the Champions League places in the league, beating Chelsea in the EFL Cup and winning the Europa League. I think top four is beyond us but the other two competitions aren’t, not really. We can beat Chelsea at The Emirates and if Lady Luck smiles on us in Europe then who knows.
But one thing I do know is that Arsene Wenger telling us he’s staying means nothing. The club are appointing staff around him and that’s never happened before which to me suggests change is not far away. I think Arsene Wenger knows it too but he’s just not letting us know, not yet anyway.
Two and two making five again? Perhaps, but I for one don’t think so.
Good morning Rico
I like that last paragraph.
The change is …….imminent ….
The change is …graduall
I am torn on between this two.
Imminent….when le prof …..goes away
Graduall……yeah ..ok….but …how quick is this graduall thing…..
So all the talk about the club and the manager having the option to review Wenger’s position at the end of the season was just a nonsense.
Lies and contradictions part of the values of the club we used to love.
Like you Rico, I don’t know how long Wenger will stay now that Ivan is dismantling his power base. Can’t see a happy ending to this, on or off the pitch.
Morning Steve, Alex, all.
Steve, I think it’s true, I really do. It makes so much sense to sit down at the end of the season, in fact before then would be better, like now. They always say there’s no smoke without fire and the silence following the Ancelotti rumours, to me is deafening…
That was a really good post Rico and certainly a subject that will run and run up till the seasons end. As far as I know Wenger and the Board have a review at the conclusion of every season, I believe he’s always done that so it doesn’t necessarily mean that next May is going to be any different.
Arsenal are apparently raking it in, the cash, and that’s what Stan wants, profits, lots and lots of profits. Aren’t Arsenal the 2nd wealthiest club in football, behind Real Madrid and that’s without winning championships, champions Lge and spending zillions on players. Isn’t that what Kroenke wants, to enhance and enrich his investment, because Arsenal to him is an investment, he isn’t in it for the glory. So why should Kroenke, as a businessman, want to change anything?
This is my worry because despite the club drifting it’s still making a hell of a lot of dough for the man in the cowboy boots and hat as he rides across his ranch. His focus is Inglewood, his mind is on the Los Angeles Rams not his soccer money box.
I personally remain hopeful that Wenger leaves this summer, but there’s a voice in the back of my mind going ‘We’re not going to be fooled again’, so just beware the Silent Man before you all start putting up the celebration bunting…
Yes Rico, the lack of a rebuttal from the club regarding the rumours of Ancelotti are the most positive developments I’ve heard, Gazides has said nothing and I have faith in him and his efforts to bring about change. The Board are an irrelevance.
It’s basically going to be down to Ivan persuading Stan tha5 there needs to change in the managers chair, that Kroenke needs to invest in change to further enhance his holdings in Arsenal, that success will bring further growth and riches for KSE.
I have mixed feelings about success this season, if we win trophies then that could delay the change we badly need. But the Arsenal fan in me wants to be in Lyon next May, with my sons, enjoying another european final. It’s a conundrum indeed.
Thanks Kev. What if the club are happy making money knowing the next manager will be given it to spend?
Ivan comments about change were bold Kev, or perhaps even darn right stupid if he knew at the time the club weren’t planning changes. That gives me hope.
Add to that just a two year contract.
Adam said a while back, giving him a new contract wasn’t right, but kind of understandable. Could it be the man they want wasn’t ready to leave his club, or simply wasn’t ready himself. Lots of ifs and buts I know but I’m optimistic..
I get that re the Europa Final Kev, but I think it’s gone too far to be a results based decision..
That’s my hope Rico, that a war chest for a new manager really is what the plan is next summer?
Maybe that’s what this transfer window is all about, making some room for players who have been lined up next summer?
It wouldn’t surprised me at all if Arsenal once again make a profit this transfer window, it’s what we do.
Just a thought, didn’t Ozil once say that he came to Arsenal to play in particular for Arsene Wenger, so if Ozil does stay May that just might mean that Arsene is staying?
Not that we should pay too much notice to what footballers say.
Afternoon all.
Wenger staying is something that sticks in my craw! It’s wrong on every level. However, I don’t think he sees himself going in May. If he were I suspect Sanchez may stick around whilst Ozil will certainly leave. Is Wenger playing Ozil’s tune in an attempt to persuade him to remain at the club or does the old git have a completely different agenda? Clearing the decks was a job that was started at the end of the last transfer window during this one we shall see an awful lot more culling if other teams want our dross! It may be that Wenger thinks by creating a few more squad places he will then be able to buy big in the summer! How bad may that be? But it is possible and next year we will still be listening to Wenger’s excuses for multiple losses and no hope of even finishing in the top four. Will he then sign another contracts? My best guess is that he will. The wooden box is the only way we shall be rid of the man. He is after all a very, very stubborn man.
And, it’s all about the money! A new manager will demand a huge war chest to fill the huge gaps that Wenger has never addressed, so he will soldier on repeating the same rinse cycle over and over again with the syrup’s 100% support.
Presently, the Arsenal is fcuked totally and absolutely.
Kev, Ozil was hardly going to say that Ivan called him and begged him to join us… 😉
Wavy, perhaps in his mind, Sanchez has similar thoughts to Henry when he decided to leave. He was getting on a bit and couldn’t afford to wait for the club to be successful. I reckon he wants to win something more than the FA Cup before age gets the better of him.
Alexis Sanchez’s family have arrived in London in preparation for the Chilean’s departure from Arsenal, Goal has learned.
The 29-year-old is subject of a transfer tussle between Manchester City and Manchester United this month, although it’s understood that the former Barcelona man has his heart set on a move to the Etihad Stadium, where he will link up with his old coach Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal are demanding a fee of £35m for Sanchez while the player’s agent Fernando Felicevich, previously dubbed ‘the king of South American football’ by Forbes magazine, is requesting a fee of £5m for facilitating the transfer.
Goal understands that Bordeaux starlet Malcom tops Wenger’s wishlist as a replacement for Sanchez, while Thomas Lemar – who came close to joining the Gunners on transfer deadline day last summer – remains another target.
Malcom’s representatives were in London meeting with Arsenal officials on Friday and it’s understood that the club will sanction the sale of Sanchez to City once they secure a replacement.
Agreed Rico, Sanchez sees his life and the team he chose to join slipping further and further away from the glittering prizes. A move is his only option and, frankly only citeh have the potential to go on a silver winning spree of some length!
I don’t begrudge him that at all. He probably feels desperately let down by Wenger’s promises of glory. A couple of cup wins just doesn’t cut it, does it?
Also if the scouts can’t sign an alternative player a a replacement for Sanchez, I suspect the results will hit the wall, the fan base will turn and perhaps even the board will turn……..to find “a new master, get a new man”(the Tempest). Well I can dream, we all can!
This Malcolm thing reminds me of the futile reported pursuit of Mbappe. I reckon we’ll experience the same outcome. Malcom will sign for some other club who show more intent and Arsenal will just give us another well practised French shrug!
If they think the guy is the dogs bollox then buy him and shove Alexis out the door for whatever they can wrestle from man city. As for Lemar he won’t ever sign for the Arsenal he turned Wenger down and as far as he is concerned he has burned his boat.
God I’m a miserable old git. Where’s my glass half full gone?
Bored !! Tonight at 7 45 not sure if it’s uk or Spanish time Deportivo la Coruna vs Valencia is on Sky . This means that Perez is up against Gabriel and possibly Le Coq. Might just look for a bit out of curiosity.
Afternoon and great stuff, Rico.
Wavy`s last sentence is spot on !………I agree and bet Lee agree`s ! 🙂
Without being disrespectful I think any of you who think Wenger is going in May have been sniffing fairy dust . hahaha
He may tell fibs constantly ( the main reason I have no respect for him…………..followed by The FA Cup debacle) ,but his stance on him never going before his contract ends is where I do believe him, he will only go in May if he is sacked !………………….We will have another season of him dismantling all the good he has done previously (and I mean a few years ago)
A new manager is going to have one hell of a job sorting the mess out from players out of contract toreplacing our super star two from getting a new playing system in to getting Kroenke to part with his own money…………………..dont hold your breath on the last one……………….and there`s plenty more we probably dont even know about !
Who ever the new boss is will need a lot of patience from us fans, there is no quick fix !……………but we know how fickle fans are and will be on the new managers back if nothing looks good performance and trophy wise after a year is up !………………..us fans are like Abramovic but without money……………….you know he will sack Conte if he fails to win a trophy this season !
Wavy`s last sentence @ 1:56pm…………
Yeah that’s true about a Ozil, but I’m also sure, as with Ramsey, that he said he would only stay at Arsenal if Wenger stayed?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m sure he was quote as such…
Now Francis has left I may have to change my name !
🙁
That sounds a good game Potter…
The thing is Wavy, maybe there’s other people driving transfers over there now, people who don’t dither, well let’s hope so!
I did read that Malcom is another Mislintat target…
Are Goal reliable Kev?
LC, how about ‘Arnold’ or say something like ‘Anabolic Steroid’…. ?
I think they are reasonable Rico, or about as reliable as any clickbait site.
Which isn’t that reliable I know. ?
They’re about the only one I read tbh.
It could all be done by Monday Rico, if Alexis isn’t in the squad tomorrow then that seems pretty much that…
I might watch that game too. I’d like to see Gabriel again.. and Lucas..
Thanks Lc..
Ten men Leicester have held Chelsea to a draw.
Thanks Kev.
Yep, I reckon you’re right about tomorrow, no Sanchez then he’s a gonner. I’ve got the point where I just wish it was sorted and move on.
If Perez doesn’t play tonight I guess the stories of him returning could be true. I sure hope so.
Anna Bollox Steroid !…………………….ok , I`ll give it some thought !
😆
Night guys.
All three played , le coq was neat and tidy, Gabriel sharp with many good tackles and Perez was looking fit in a poor side showed well and was quite dangerous.
I watched it too Potter. And to think there are still fans who think our playing woes aren’t down to Wenger. Just goes to show what a different coach can do, and the Villarreal manager is hardly a huge name in the game.
Knowledge of the game is bigger than the name sometimes…
Morning all.
New post up.
6th place as good as a trophy? Used to be 4th place.
Sanchez gone, Ozil going. Why would they stay?
Who among the world class players would sign for a club like Arsenal now? They’d be mad to join an outfit in slow and painful decline.
Wenger has really done a number on the club
Morning Adam and all.
Sorry you were stuck in moderation overnight Pete.
I’d have thought you were used to it by now Adam… lol
RIP Cyrille Regis. 59 years old!
New post up now