Morning all.
Well well, who’d have thought that eh, an all Madrid Champions League Final. Sterling is lucky to be a man walking this morning after the horror tackle on him but hey, Madrid going down to ten men may have given Man City a sniff, although not registering a shot on target all game, maybe not.
Yaya Toure was awful wasn’t he and I for one hope he plays the same way on Sunday because anything other than a loss at The Etihad, 3rd place is pretty much done and dusted. A win and 2nd could still be possible as the Totts face an in form Southampton side on Saturday.
Vincent Kompany limped off early in the game last night and it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be fit for the weekend, neither will David Silva or Pablo Zabaleta. Good news for us I’d say but then I thought that when we travelled to Old Trafford to face a Utd reserve team but we all know what happened then.
Santi Cazorla has announced he’s fit and ready to play on Sunday and isn’t it so typical of Arsenal, the end of the season is just two weeks away and finally, Arsene Wenger has a full strength squad to select from, apart from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that is and perhaps that’s why he refused to sign a single outfield player last summer. When the squad is fully fit, he has plenty to choose from but as we all know because history has told us, Arsenal and a fully fit squad are words which don’t belong in the same sentence. Only our dear Frenchman believes otherwise.
Arsenal were 2nd in the PL when the little Spaniard suffered injury and from that day, things started to go wrong. When Francis Coquelin joined him on the injured list, things went from bad to worse and as we all keep on saying, if only Mohammed Elneny had been snapped up back in the summer, instead of January. The Egyptian, whose signing was scoffed at by many Arsenal fans has impressed, so much so he’s just scooped Arsenal’s Vitality Player of the Month award for the second month running.
With Cazorla back and Elneny in good form, one would imagine they’d be the best midfield pairing for Arsene Wenger but what then for his little favourites like Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere? Poor old Francis Coquelin seems to be in the naughty corner right now because he can’t get a start for love nor money and all because Ramsey is being made to fit in, yet his performances have been nothing short of dreadful. That’s half the problem imo, Arsene Wenger is too scared of leaving certain players on the bench yet on the other hand, he omits others from the side who have done little wrong when playing. Campbell and Coquelin are a perfect example and both must be wondering why and surely, if Sunday is too early for Cazorla, then Coquelin has to come back alongside Elneny?
Anyway, regardless of City being poor last night, they’ll be up for the game on Sunday as they too will be out to secure 3rd spot ahead of their new manager arriving in the summer.
But then again, wouldn’t it be funny if Manuel Pellegrini had other ideas for Pep Guardiola…..
A bit of transfer gossip:
Arsene Wenger is checking on Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi to bolster his strike force according to John Cross. The Argentinian would set Arsenal back £25 million. Juventus striker Alvaro Morata could be an alternative he says, as the Spanish international has been a long-standing target and with the Gunners aiming to strengthen with a new No.2 keeper, centre-half, midfielder and a forward – and the accent is on youth.
Keeper David Ospina, desperate for first-team football, has had offers from Besiktas, several French clubs and interest from Everton.
And finally, Arsenal are leading the race to sign Leicester ace N’Golo Kante, according to RMC Sport. Arsenal are believed to want further talks with Kante before paying £19.8 million to activate his release clause.
Love them, but don’t believe them, that’s my motto…..
“Scoffed at by many Arsenal fans” would this be the same Arsenal fans who want the manager to leave or lose games games so the manager is sacked.
Morning Rico
Morning Joe and all..
I wouldn’t know that about losing matches just so AW might be sacked, which I don’t think he would be anyway, but personally, I’d not want Arsenal to lose any match.
I do think it’s best for Arsene to go though, his better days are far behind him….
Seems like I have been indoctrinated by the people’s republic of Arsenal because I don’t feel the manager has come to the end of the road at Arsenal.
Also because I have a very low opinion of fans who want arsenal to lose or who would sing chants about Wenger dieing in may.
Well, I think wishing that on AW is the lowest of the low but you know that…
Out of interest Joe, what do you think AW still has to offer Arsenal?
If we take Elneny as a case in point the manager is still able to choose some very good players in the transfer market and your right it’s a crying shame he wasn’t signed in the summer.
Now am answering questions before I see them ?
But what about strikers and his tactics, and team selections?
Morning Rico. What a terrible game that was last night. After the interest, clash of styles and intensity of the previous evening, MC and RM served up a right old dog’s dinner of a game.
Morning Adam. City were really poor weren’t they, in fact neither really looked that impressive. At Madrid should win the final if last night is anything to go by…
Yes. Athletico are a nightmare to play against I would think. They had a bit of luck but BM spurned a lot of chances too. People say that Simeone would be called boring if he came to Arsenal. I am not sure that the goal columns support this though. I believe they have scored a similar amount of goals as Arsenal but have conceded far, far less. Perhaps he is a George Graham for the modern era. 🙂
Simeone would do for me. I bet he’d soon whip Walcott into a better player… 😉
Under him we are still winning trophies none this year of course maybe for some fans the trophies we have won lately are not the right kind.
Type of football we now play
Eye for a player
He’s proven ability to get us in to the CL every season he has been at the club not an easy thing to do just ask man utd,Liverpool , Chelsea ,spurs .
Also for me loyalty to the man who has shown loyalty to my club he could have moved on when we started to build the stadium knowing he would have no money to spend on players and he’d have to sell our best players.
At that time he could of had he’s pick of clubs and many clubs now.
Yesterday I had my hair cut the barber was a man utd fan we ended up talking football he Asked me why do some Arsenal fans want Wenger out because in he’s opinion there isn’t a better manager out there.
Yes, I can see Theo defending for long periods under Simeone. 🙂
It would be a huge culture shock and who stays and who goes might provide a few surprises. I doubt it will happen though.
I think the fans of most clubs would like Wenger to stay because under him, Arsenal really aren’t a threat to the league. Eye for a player??
Not sure there Joe, not anymore.. Elneny ok, but before him?
I can’t see it either sadly, he’s too strong a character…
Ah, I see that the annual transfer fest is gaining in momentum as we approach season-ticket renewal…
The final weeks of the season wouldn’t be the same without all the usual tranfer nonsense.
We get all those boring old familiar names linked to Arsenal by the same old agents, super agents and super duper agents.
No doubt Ivan will soon boast about a war chest… Zzzzzzz
Don’t forget Lord Harris Kev… 😉
Nobody in their right mind would condone those songs Joe but just accept that the internet is a dangerous place to get opinion from.Years ago a letters page in a daily paper was the only outlet for views , but then again a prerequisite was the ability to write . The vociferous few that kick up the noise are just that but there is a silent minority / majority possibly that are not happy with the manager’s performance over a few years which has come to a head this season. Personally I do believe that he has run his course and I base my opinion on what I see, not in the board room but on the pitch. Our style is outmoded and too easily countered .For many years , in fact since the first coming of Mourinho a system to thwart our short passing game was developed. It has been copied and now executed by most teams with inferior players when they come to our place. Wenger has steadfastly refused to alter his tactics to counter this system and he blames the fans for lack of support at home for our poor record there ignoring the fact that the teams which shut up shop away when at home play a little more open and we are better at exploiting teams when they do. It’s not the crowd , it’s not the players but it is the tactics and the tactics are the responsibility of one person. We have waited many years patiently to see if the penny will drop and he would make changes. It appears that either he is unwilling to do so or cannot. Which leaves me to conclude that it is time to get someone who can .
Ozil, Sanchez ,kos,Carzola, Cech , monreal, you have been going on about Cambell, Ospina.
I have left out giroud a 20 goals a season striker but is in a bad run he should do better.
Maybe Welbeck, Ramsey, Wilshere ,Ox and I obi.
Each
Elneny and Coq
And that’s only the current players or the players that got away.
TR07.
But, Mr Allezkev, does the idea of Saloman Kalou in an Arsenal shirt, completing a 50 pass move across midfield before a knock back to Cech not fill you with confidence for the coming season?
Joe you didn’t answer Rico on Wenger’s (shocking) team selection and recent tacts of lack of them- and if I may add lack of transfers. What sort of style are we playing Joe? Are we having a game plan or we just hold the ball till it deflates? We are not defensive, can’t counter attack what is it is wenger bringing?????
Now we going into the summer with a full squad, Wenger won’t see places that need to be filled. We cannot go next season with Per and Giroud as our plan As
Rico. Do you think that Sanchez will be at the club next season?
Good comment Potter..
Joe, most of those hardly needed an eye to snap them up.. In fact other than Elneny and perhaps Campbell, I’d say none. AW got really lucky with Coquelin as if it wasn’t for injuries, he was ready to be sold…
Marshall, the saviour could be three being out of contract so spaces to be filled..
Adam, I have no idea but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted out. Ozil too.
It is so sad that nowadays Arsene only have a wish list, he constantly plays his team to prove critics wrong, when everyone says that you cant win any major trophy with a striker like Giroud Wenger sticks with him and he he goes 14 matches without a goal, when we had a chance to sign Suarez wenger didnt push hard enough, When we need a DM wenger will buy a AM or wait for someone who is always injured to come through. It is so annoying, He cannot even use what he have. Up to this point i dont understand why Joel Campbell doesn’t play what wrong did the lad di
Morning Potter as usual you write a very nice post that’s well thought out and written.
We find ourselves on different sides of the argument I watched the protest from the TV on Saturday I thought it was badly supported and shambolic.
Now the last few days there has been a lot written about the reasons for this intimated fans,fans who want Wenger out but would not the holding up of signs and so on.
The fact is Saturday was a big chance to show the club how the disaffected fans felt and not supporting it will have back fired because we could be looking at another 3 year contract for our manager.
The fact is no matter how you look at it Saturday looked like confirmation that the vast majority of Arsenal fans in the stadium still support the manager.
You are right about the world wide Web it can mislead someone in to thinking that their views are in the majority on any subject if the sites the visit or the friends they have on twitter all share the same view.
Perhaps Wenger will make him captain. 🙂
🙂 Adam…
Just read LG about Alexis, just hope it’s made up or his his agent wanting more money but who’d blame him for wanting out as things are….
Joe, don’t forget the empty seats, they tell a story too…
Mauro Icardi and Andreiy Yarmolenko are sub standard players but cheap, then i would rather keep Giroud even though he cant even score in a brothel at the moment.
Welcome Johnie…
Rico. The fact is that nobody I sit near to at the ground sees any future in Wenger but none of us, nor Potter I bet, stood up with a bit of card in our hands. You are right in that the empty seats speak for themselves. I reckon there was about 45,000 on Saturday and even less for the previous game. That is what will concern Ivan. If everybody who thought it was time for a change held up a piece of card it would be devastating and most of us are far too gentlemanly to do that as we still respect Wenger for what he has done for the club.
Apathy between a club and its fans is the kiss of death.
I have a BBQ to clean so catch up later…
Make sure you scrape all that old Halloumi off Rico.
Adam, trouble is, Ivan’s hands are tied aren’t they? There’s little he can do I’d have thought although he did once say the fans would be the ones to change things. I so hope he’s right and it’s this summer….
I believe that is the case Rico.
Good read Rico.
I can understand the faithful wanting AW out but for LG to imply that A17 is some sort of wanted top player is laughable imho…
Who else wanted him when Barca wanted rid?He only stayed at Barca for one more season because Martino came in as manager for a season…
He may want to return to Italy to possibly Juve but Juve cant afford to pay £35m+ for him and offer him £120k a week imho…
Maybe PSg or Monaco may come for him but
That’s fine Rico you asked for a list I gave it to you ask a lot of the players on that list why they are at Arsenal they say the manager but hindsight is 20/20.
Marshall shocking team selection not sure what you mean if your talking about Saturday and playing Giroud and Ramsey two players that didn’t have a great game but Giroud was there for the knockdown for the goal when I might say some fans booed the fact he was not sub off.
If you wanted to start Welbeck he’s not fit enough he said so when interviewed later.
Tactics of course we do tactics but so do other teams as you have said the tactic of parking the bus has given us problems of late but it has also effected other teams that’s why it’s so effective as a tactic but I am not sure I want to watch football with both teams parking the bus.
Now if the manager sends a team out to play a certain way it’s not the managers fault if the team makes good scoring chances and the players don’t take them.
I disagree about the crowd if they are booing the team booing the manager for the player he subs on and booing the crowd for protesting how does this help the team.
I have been to the stadium six times this year and the best atmosphere was for the Thursday game against WBA and look how well we played that night .
The manager says these things because he believes them to be true do you think he says them because he has nothing better to do or he hates us fans.
TS. You, more than most, know that in European football there is more money than sense. 🙂
Aguero the so called elite striker went missing last night…
Another big game he has gone missing in…
If it were OG12 or any other Arsenal player the papers would have been on the case.
The EPL is over rated by the pundits, media and sections of EPL fans
Empty seats I have no reasons for why seats are empty but to assume they are all empty because the owners want the manager gone is putting your spin on the reason.
I could easily say they are sick of the toxic atmosphere at the stadium the change of kickoff times didn’t suit them all reasons just as valid as they want the manager out.
Everyone knew there was going to be a protest on Saturday if the fans in the empty seats want Wenger out why didn’t they turn up and support it.
True Adam. I forgot BM under Carlito may want Sanchez
I can also see Simeone pairing AS17 with Greizman at ATM.
RM- passed up on Sanchez before he joined Barca.. maybe that is a long time ago but if its RM coming in for Sanchez we know from past history that they will offer “25m for him and we will accept it….
An outside bet will be AS17 joining PSG to replace Ibrahimovich on mega bucks…
Either way Sanchez has not spent more than 3 years at a club in Europe yet so…
TS. When we were in negotiations with Sanchez’s representatives, Mourinho tried to sign him for Chelsea. This though may have been more about getting one over on Wenger than anything else. After all, he did sign Remy just afterwards. 🙂 A true story.
I tend to agree about the PL being over rated though
Joe- unfortunately the Emirate’s atmosphere has been iffy for awhile; this season I thought it was improving but I hear it’s not the case.
The scary thing is the away atmosphere is becoming bad this season as well.
For what ever reason the regulars are not attending away games and so the tickets are being picked up by tourist and sections of red members who spend more time slating our players and manager during games than support the XI on the pitch…
The WBA game in November was toxic. I don’t think I have experienced such an away atmosphere since the loss to Blackburn(4-3) when Santos made his debut post old Trafford 8-2 thrashing.
Hi Adam…
Ahh, Saloman Kalou, the thought of him in an Arsenal shirt makes me feel incandescent with the joys of life…
Or something like that… ?
I read about Jose’s exploits too Adam…
He tried with Ozil as well and in most cases it was done to push up the price imo..
Have you read Marina is meeting with Roma to finalise Pjanic deal..
Another player who’s father (agent) promised AW he will join us if he was to leave his current club…
Imagine Pjanic spreading play in midfield; Ozil and As17 could then concentrate on the final third…
Rico, have you ever had BBQ’d lentils..?
I’ve heard they’re very good…
Just saying… ?
Ginge, is there an examination that you have to pass, to graduate from being an agent, into a super agent?
Just saying ?
🙂 Kev. The requirements I suppose are as follows
1. mahogany spray tan all year round.
2. An all year account with a top Russian managed escort agency based in Monaco
3. Sharing at least 13 Turkish bath sessions with Qatari Princes and dodgy oligarchs
4. Definitely have off shore accounts
5. Only using Kev as the cabbie when visiting London. 😛
6. Saying no to Rico’s lentil sausages… 😉
TS. This is very possible I reckon. I haven’t heard about those potential deals but this season tells me that, in the PL at least, fitness and a tactical plan(s) that is flexible, is probably the way to go. Oh and a very mean defence too with the players who buy into the manager’s ambition.
As I mentioned to you a few months back, it seems that the higher the wages go, the less the players want to put in. I haven’t seen much to convince me otherwise.
Most importantly, you must not have done or been close linked to a deal involving AW since 2002 unless you are poaching one of the top players from Arsenal.
Tsgh it doesn’t help when we miss one of the two penalties we got this season at WBA ☺
Why are the seats empty ? Probably because the inertia has worn people down, most of our games have been televised and it’s easier to sit at home than travel long distances to watch and frankly many can’t be bothered.
Well I could definately do with a few No.5’s today Ginge…
Listening to Spotify is the only thing keeping me going. Although the sunshine is nice…
Wenger could allow AS17 to leave so he can accomodate Ramsey. He gotta play somehow- the welsh.
Lentil sausages eh Ginge, think I’ll give them a swerve… ?
Adam- unfortunately, ”fitness and a tactical plan(s) that is flexible” as you have hinted has been AW’s deficiency.
As much as one may try to defend AW, there is no excuse for AW attempting to win/compete in the EPL and UCL with the smallest squad time and time again.
The seats were empty cause the sun is out, so are lotsa ‘tourists’ in London hence mad traffic I tell yah, mad. Gooners don’t wonna be stuck in traffic so they opt out of going to the stadium.
Kev, lentils on the BBQ are fab – cooked on the gas ring of course… 😉
Adam, I did that at the end of the summer so it just needed a wipe over. Then the sunshine was too nice to avoid… 😉
Afternoon guys…
It’s as good a reason as any the sun is out but you want to believe it’s for the reason you’d like it to be that all the owners the seats want Wenger out.
If that’s true can you explain to me why they didn’t turn up the day of a protest if they all want Wenger out surely this was their big chance.
As a so called tourist I go when I can which was 6 times this season Marshall are you a season ticket holder.
Joe, you’ve only got to read the blogs around the internet t see how many fans are staying away because they are fed up with the way things are. I’m surprised you think that sunshine and warm temperatures are stopping people who have forked out so much money to pay for their ST from attending the games of late….
Spotify Kev? There was me thinking since you and Kanye West went way back you only used Tidal… 🙂
Since you have said no to Rico’s lentil delights you are on the cusp of being a super dooper looper agent
I am not defending Wenger for not buying out field players he should have and I posted that at the time.
Yes Rico but I am sure most of those blogs want Wenger out and one thing that Saturday’s protest proves is what happens on line is not the same as the real world.
I don’t read Marshall’s sarcastic post be for mine.
Before mine
I get you are in favour of Arsene staying Joe, but in all honesty, I really can’t see why. Just as I can’t understand why you think the protest/ empty seats are saying nothing…
But hey, each to their own I guess….
Joe I was being sarcastic. If you cared to notice tourists is in quotes, and I meant general tourists in London not at the ems. Chill man.
As I asked already why not turn up on Saturday for the Wenger out protest surely this was the best chance they would get to voice that opinion.
Here’s the thing I was not the one who assigned the reason for empty seats I just tryed to assign other possible reasons for these empty seats.
I would never be presumptive enough to do that I am just a fan who saw a protest organized on line that failed in the real world.
I would think that if the fans who wanted wenger out will not get a better chance than Saturday so why not show up and take part instead of sitting on their hands.
Empty seats speaks louder than a few posters imo…
Empty seats will get the owner interested….
They are paid for mostly and there is over 67000 people on the seaso ticket waiting list.
4,500 empty seats looks bad but it leaves doubt for the reasons they are empty turn up with a poster and there is no doubt Imo. .
Ok Marshall i am chilled ot you bring up sunshine and I get the blame ?
Ok Joe.
Rico. If you have any sensitivity at all you can feel the atmosphere in the stadium and it hasn’t been right for a long time. In actual fact most people talk about other things these days, especially at half-time. They talk about their families, their holidays etc. It seems to me self evident that most think Wenger’s time is up but what does that mean? Financially very little I would say. They can find replacements for those that can’t be bothered to renew their STs and there are always enough tourists to buy the merchandise. Fans feel disenfranchised these days, yet powerless as there is no general appetite to humiliate a man who has done so much for the club hence the conservative attitude to last weekends rather odd demonstration. When you do ask those around you how they feel they tend to shrug and say that they aren’t enjoying the whole match-day experience these days but feel emotionally attached to the club. And these are the people who give a lot to actually travel and watch the team.
I still haven’t heard a reasoned and intelligent case for him continuing.
Adam, what is the deadline day for season ticket renewals ?
Adam, I can totally understand that, I really can… Do you think you’ll renew?
It should be September 2nd Micko… 😉
Rico and Micko. We are not sure, but then again we never are. First of June is the usual last date for renewal. So, the club get all the ST money in a few months before the new season starts. It’s just the idea of another year of the same disappointments. But I doubt I am alone in those thoughts. Perhaps that means nothing to the club though. Or perhaps it does.
June 1st usually apart from the hoity toity in club level and diamond club. Will I renew ? probably it’s too much of my life to just walk away when there’s every chance things might change next year. However should he sign a new three year deal and announce it before the end of May I might just think again.
I prefer the ‘perhaps it does’ Adam.
Potter, I’m not surprised, just the very thought of 4 more seasons doesn’t bear thinking about….
Rico, for most of us Arsenal is an emotional tie that can’t be switched on and off. If the club are looking at something extra from the fans in terms of support during the matches then they themselves will need to change the whole dynamic.
They’ll give Wenger a contract on September and parade him as a shrewd summer signing…probably the only signing 🙂
Afternoon all!
I post my opinion after sunday game.
There have always been teams to buy (good) players, who, for whatever reason, are not confirmed. Arsenal is not the only one. It is important to focus in the next two games.
Cheers Adam, I never gave my one up, a mate uses it instead but I haven’t heard anything from him lately, better get onto him.
rico, I had to look twice at that lol.
Again Adam, I get that…
Which one Micko? Lol
It certainly is Jm, it should have been all season, however………
I’m having an early night guys…
Go Villareal… 😉
Night all….
Liverpool certainly know how to get the job done in Europe…
rico, do ya wanna know the good news or the bad news re the scousers…….unfortunately there isn’t any good news lol !
The scum looking to play their home games at Wembley in 2017/18, got a feeling the Somalians will be up in arms !!!
Nite Gooners, keep it real.
Morning all. I know Rico you hate liverpool and you’ll hate them some more especially now they seem to be on the right track.
Fans welcomed the team bus on the streets, anfield was buzzing during warm up- you can tell clearly the fans are in sync with the club….unlike the empty seats and the ‘hostile’ atmosphere at the Ems
Klopp might take them to UCL next season!!
Morning Rico and all. Liverpool were intense last night (oh how I wish Arsenal had some of that) but Villareal, considering their lofty position in La Liga were woeful in both ties. Klopp is doing a job up there but his whole ‘nutter with shiny teeth’ thing, clenched fist punching and constant playing to the crowd is going to piss opponents off before too long. How he manages to dislocate his jaw sideways is fascinating but equally repugnant after a very short time.
Good morning Rico, Adam and all…
2 finals in under 8 months for Klopp very impressive
Impressive for a man who strategizes for ego…
A win against Seville will put them in next season’s UCL whilst Pep may be competing in the Europa league; wonders shall never end as they say… 🙂
When Liverpool win a match – ‘Klopp’s the man! He gets the best out of average players!!’
When Liverpool lose a match – ‘It isn’t Klopp’s fault! It’s Brenda’s team!!’
… according to media and Liverpool fans, I must add.
Morning TS. Is Klopp ‘all there’?
At times he seems barely in control of himself 🙂
Morning Rico, Ginge, Adam and All…
As much as I dislike Liverpool, you have to admire their ability to reach European finals and actually win the bloody things…
Arsenals record in Europe, Wenger and pre-Wenger, is by comparison quite pathetic…
Since 1969-70 when Arsenal won their first ever European trophy, the Gunners have contested just 5 finals and won a paltry 2…
All that in some 46 years!
:-)Adam. Klopp is an enigma.
Very good manager when it comes to cups. He is a tactician…
Spot on Kev
Morning Marshall, Adam, Ts, Kev and all..
I had hoped to wake up and see Liverpool were knocked out. Shame eh….. 🙁
At least the top four places aren’t under threat if the dippers beat the oranges… 😉
True Rico.
New post up now..