Morning all.
If we are to believe reports in the media this morning, the club and Arsene Wenger are planning contract talks with several players who when the new season kicks off, will be in the final year of their current agreement. Those players would surely want to know who the manager will be before committing to any new deal and lets be honest, would you sign up for more of the same if you were them? I wouldn’t. Like Alexis, I’d want to be at a club with an ambitious manager, one I believed in, one I trusted to go all out to win the Premier League, one who had a squad which when Bayern Munich came out of the Champions League pot, I’d relish it, not think ‘that’s our European journey over then.’
There’s rumours about the Frenchman telling his close friends that he’s staying for two years which I really hope is like most transfer stories. Rubbish.
Two more years of what we’ve been witnessing for the past 6/7 seasons if not longer, really is a depressing thought. Still, until anything is confirmed there’s hope. Hope that Ivan and the rest of the board can convince Wenger it’s time to go. Time for new ideas, new coaches, new scouts, new everything. Apart from a new owner though as it looks like we are stuck with him then his son Josh for a long long time.
Back to those confirmed changes which relate to our final fixtures, many of which have been moved for television viewing.
Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Monday, April 17
Kick-off: 8pm
Sky Sports
Manchester City v Arsenal (Emirates FA Cup semi-final)
Sunday, April 23
Kick-off: 3pm
BT Sport
Arsenal v Leicester City
Wednesday, April 26
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
Sunday, April 30
Kick-off: 4.30pm
Sky Sports
Arsenal v Manchester United
Sunday, May 7
Kick-off: 4pm
Sky Sports
Southampton v Arsenal
Wednesday, May 10
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Stoke City v Arsenal
Saturday, May 13
Kick-off: 5.30pm
Sky Sports
Arsenal v Sunderland
Tuesday, May 16
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Arsenal v Everton
Sunday, May 21
Kick-off: 3pm
Five matches in fourteen days….
There is a possibility of one more fixture on Saturday May 27th but let’s not kid ourselves, the chance of us beating Man City are slim to none so another trip to Wembley is a pipe dream.
Finally, Arsenal are reported to be close to sealing a deal for Sead Kolašinac, although Chelsea are allegedly interested in him too so I wouldn’t be too confident. He’s available on a free transfer, a defensive player who is mainly deployed as a left-back for Schalke but he can play in any defensive position, including midfield.
And it’s not even the end of the season…
Allegri, Allegri, Allegri! 😉
Fingers crossed Db…
Andante, andante, andante!
This blog is getting,more,arty by the day!
And more quiet Wavy. A reflection of how we feel I guess…
Just the calm before the storm…
It’ll be one heck of a storm if he stays….
If he stays, we might as well all move to North Korea!
Morning all
Story changes daily.Now many are reporting that Gazidis wants AW out and is threatening to walk out himself if AW stays, but not of course Kroenke, his bank manager Wenger will get his full blessing. So the boardroom is finally beginning to not be so unified..What a mess,all a bit late for my liking.
I have e-mailed Gazidis and Wenger asking for clarity before season ticket renewal time. I will report back if anything definitive comes back.
Afternoon Rico and all. If he signs another contract then that will be the end of my family’s patronage via ST’s. The idea of another 2 years of the crap Wenger has dished up is unappealing, to say the very least. Still, I suppose that people like us aren’t really the future as far as Arsenal are concerned.
Afternoon Adam. Another two years would be awful. I don’t think you’ll be alone either. Very sad times at Arsenal.
Potter, I bet you don’t hear back from either…
Kelsey, I’d heard that too about Ivan, hope he gets his way..
NN headlines suggesting we’ve offered Alexis £300k a week…..
Afternoon Rico, Hope your good and all is well, God it,s hard to be upbeat these days, disinterest, apathy, detachment from all things arsenal, seems to be more and more prevelant, among the fanbase, myself included,
The relationship between AW and the fans is simply unrepairable, No one can tell me those players are playing for the manager, no character. No commitment, no fight, no heart, its embarrassing
21 points of the top, it,s just not going to get any better under this manager, why the board can,t see that baffles me, we continue to regress, theres no leadership. It,s just a vicious cycle that won,t be broken till AW goes, theres no one to take control of the situation, outside of Wenger,
I do believe that Gazidis wants changes at Arsenal and possibly does want to see the exit of AW, but I dont think he has the power and the full backing from Stan. Can gazidis step up and take control of the situation, I,d love to believe so, but frankly I can,t see it
Monday night was a new low for me, it just looks as if they,ve given up, it certainly looked like it was us in a relegation battle, not Palace.
Unfortunately it does seem, according to reports, he,s almost certain to stay but there has to be major concern behind the scenes about his unwillingness to embrace change.
And his dismissive remarks, calling Gazida,s proposals superficial, says it all for me.
Hopefully there is a power struggle behind the scenes and common sense will prevail, A.W ceased to be a top manager years ago, the fans know it ,the media know it, let,s hope the board get it…
Afternoon Dublin. Good to see you back..
Totally agree re his relationship with the fans. Nothing, even the signing of Messi would win back their faith imo, it’s all gone far to far for that…
Afternoon Rico…
Good post, but heck, it’s quiet on here. But that’s got nothing to do with the post and everything to do with the antipathy we all feel about a club that is sleepwalking towards 2 more years of mediocrity and angst.
I see that the good people of St Louis are planning to sue Silent Syrup, for around a billion…
All to do with promises he made to those folks before crapping in their faces and upping sticks for Los Angeles. That is the man we have running our club.
Now if he’s facing a multi-million Court case whilst trying to negotiate and get a mega loan from JP Morgan to cover most of the £3 billion cost of his vanity project in Inglewood, then does anyone think he’s gonna be too concerned about what is going on miles away in London?
He has Arsene keeping the profits rolling in, so best leave well alone…
Ivan can brief the press as much as he likes, nothing is gonna change.
Afternoon Kev. Thanks.
Perhaps being sued might force him to sell his shares?
Afternoon Rico and all
I fear its Wenger in another 2 years, a boat load of sales, some failed transfers and Gazidis out.
We will make the regular 3 signings and some youngster will join in some of the returning loanees in adding to the squad.
We are facing a slide at present and cannot see anything changing any time soon.
Will be interested to see if Potter hears back from IG or anyone at the board.
Next year will be tough.
A mass exodus and cash generated from sales will be made making Kroenke happy but will do f all for our sides development.
Toral, Campbell, Wilshire and Chez should be brought back and played.
Only David Dein’s return and some dodgy Uzbek can help us return to former glories.
Hey all,
When I first saw Mpappe, I thought wow he’s a gem to try get before he makes his name. There goes that idea after this season.
Start of this season I thought we could do with Anders Herrera. Reminds me a lot of Alonso but hey we have Xhaka.
@ Bradster 4:40
Xhaka may still come good, but the press and his crap tackling have made him so scared to make a challenge its like playing with 10 men
Hi George, you’ve really depressed me ……. ?
Rico, remember when we used to go away and win 5-1? even with the mighty Cygan
Brad, he’s a lovely player. Way out of our pride range though. Well, Wengers if he stays on…
Breaks my heart George. Oh how good we once were…
How have things got so bad eh… or even allowed to..
i remember meeting Jeremie aliadiere in Dubai last year and he used to say we were like Brazil in training!
I thought id cheer you up , and not put Sanogo’s hatrick up
I bet we still are…. in training. Our problem is when there’s an opposition who know how to beat us.
I still think Xhaka will come good…
Next season will be a big one for Xhaka Rico….at 24/25…he will have to justify the reputation and price tag
George, he’s already been Wenger’d! Just like so many others. A new manager and he’d thrive I’m sure…
“wengered” i like it loool
I’ll Be honest, when I heard he was getting Xhaka and Mustafi, I was disappointed. Once again we were left paying over the odds for players who weren’t good enough. They were just last minute buy’s after the other top teams in the league had cherrypicked the best.
Arsenal shouldn’t be going for this quality (or lack of it) of player.
We needed a strong fast Central Defender, Mustafi is none of those things. Xhaka is a liability because he is too slow, and fouls the man instead of winning the ball.
Ox and Theo haven’t got football brains, they can’t see the right options when in possession. Being a fast runner doesn’t equate with quality football. Arsenal should have players with both a brain and quick feet.
Ramsey is a waste of space, as is Ozil. Petr Cech should have been replaced last summer.
We won’t get much for these players, and they can sit tight now and see out their contracts and get away for free next year.
Bringing Wheelchair back is a terrible mistake. A smoker, who is injury prone, and too slow, and too small. Monreal is so-so, Bellerin is a disappointment now. Another fast runner, but no brain.
Kos is ok, but not world class. But who is in the team? Sulky Sanchez? I could see the writing on the wall with him months ago. Hugging Pep after the game, laughing with Cech when the team were getting stuffed by BM.
I dread every game now. Whilst I have always respected Arsene Wenger, I won’t do so for much longer. He really needs to admit defeat now, and hand over to someone who will kick them all up the arse.
My choice would be Simeone. Then we would see the men from the boy’s.
I was happy when we signed both Xhaka and Mustafi. Neither are novices. Mustafi looked the mutts in the first few months, Xhaka was being introduced gently.
Seriously- it’s not the quality of their play, it’s what’s happened to them since they joined Arsenal..
It’s happened to too many for it to be a coincidence….
Night guys.
Just fuck off Wenger, I see your scrawny boat race on Tv delivering some post defeat bollocks and just want to punch you!
You were an absolutely top drawer revolutionary manager but over 13 years ago (should of won a European cup) and now you have ruined my love for Arsenal…
£300k for Sanchez pw?
£200m war chest?
Season ticket renewals up?
Wenger could have £500m he’d still fuck it up!
The two FA cup wins against absolute fucking dross totally painted over the cracks! To think we were a gnat’s bollock away from going 3-0 to those European power houses “Hull!”
All of the opposition fans singing for Wenger to sign on…..
Arsenal sabbatical beckons!
Wheelchair and Walcott epitomise all that’s wrong with Arsenal…. there’s a few more too!
Sanogo being at the club for 4yrs, what a waste of funds and internal organs!!!
When the Foxes screwed Ranieri, I thought they were out of order, but it looks like they did a good bit of business as it’s turned out. Listening to him on TV after our game, I couldn’t believe it. He sounds shot away and after all these years, still can’t speak English. How do you coach a team when you speak like that?
The Arsenal board should take a leaf out of their book, and show Arsene the door.
Unless we get a man in to shake the whole place up, we are doomed.
As Jamie Carragher said (when Theo had said CP wanted it more than Arsenal) no-one should be surprised. This IS Arsenal, and has been for ten years.
Shocking state of affairs.
Sorry Rico, I can’t agree re Mustafi and Xhaka, both are second rate IMO and always were.
Good Friday rico1 & all,
Adam/potter, you are playing into his hands if you do not re-new your season tickets. Plus you will regret it later. Wenger wins if you don’t renew!!
That goes for anyone else who is thinking the same. You have him now making policy on the run. Now all of a sudden he has found the money to pay Alexis; and changes being mooted about positions for new back room boys.
Arsenal is in the midst of a civil war & you’ve landed some considerable hits to its stale establishment. Now is not the time to turn your backs on what you truely believe in. Arsene Wenger thought he was invincible, like hell he is & you are the ones who have stuck it up him. Like one of your WWII heros Corporal Jones used to say ” they don’t like it up’em”. Keep the old fart accountable & the best way to do it is to continue to be in his face, & the best way to be in his face is in the stadium.
I actually never heard of Xhaka before we signed him but was hoping we’d get Kante.
Mustafi I didn’t know much about either but thought a German international at 24 is better money for 35m where Stones was unproven potential for 50m
Morning Bradster and all..
I see Sir Chips walked out of Selhurst Park after Palace scored their second… He must be on Ivan’s side then…
I’d hoped we’d get Kante and Xhaka, those two with Elneny and Santi. Midfield done….
Morning Rico. I get what you mean GG but it feels like the right thing to do if Wenger stays for another couple of years.
Rico. Keswick knew exactly what he was doing when he walked out and it’s a very public show of where he stands on Wenger’s continuance I would think. Like most of us he realises that it’s time to move on and the risks involved if the club pander to the ego of one man are considerable.
Morning Adam. My thoughts too re Chips…
Catch up later guys.
Family day out to collect all my Easter Eggs… 😉
Happy Easter all…
GG I agree about being in the stadium to protest but without possibly upsetting people a lot of the problem relates to the number of once a season attendees in the ground. The club actively encourage people that come once a year , go into the shops and spend on their extras.
If the people that want him gone , the marchers then they need to get tickets and protest inside. On the concourse they are easily ignored , banners and A4 placards outside look to be totally ineffective . When Billy Wright was sacked the action took place on the North Bank the board could not look the other way , he was gone I think within a month.
Kroenke and Wenger versus Keswick and Gazidis , only one winning team here . Sadly
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/gordo-heartless-kroenke-evicts-poor-texans-with-tragic-results/article_22e3c8e8-cf55-526a-8390-317848260731.html
Seems that the syrup is just as popular over there. Reading the comments shows just what we are dealing with . I wonder just how much investigation into his affairs was carried out before our custodian board sold out and took the money.
That’s a shockingly awful story.
Afternoon Potter/Adam, I think it just goes to show, potentially, what a shit we have as an owner…
He cares nothing for anyone, it seems, above profit and what he wants, he cared nothing for the St Louis fans, so why should anyone imagine that he cares at all about us and what we think.
I feel that part of the reason he says so little is that when he does he says something that reveals how he thinks and what a cnut he is. So he stays silent and stitches us up in silence…
I have always believed that no matter how big you are one day you will meet someone bigger . It would be nice to think that someone would take him down a peg or two however it would appear that he has carte blanche to ride roughshod over anyone in his path.
What a darling of a man.. Don’t think he’ll be going to heaven when he shuffles off his mortal coil. What goes round comes round! Except his soopah stuck syrup.
I see Wenger has spun the handbrake’s on again, bollocks. And suggested more commitment is needed and to play with more freedom. In that his sole aim is to inculcate the players to pass the ball sideways or backwards as the first ‘tactic’ it seems a bit late in the day to expect your brainwashed automatons to change their style. They also have to remember that if they upset the manager and don’t do what he says they will find themselves on the old sub bench. I’m sure the players lack of clarity will be evident on Monday, especially when they lose to a very poor Middleborough team!
Ffs.
What a git of a man Kroenke is!
Evening guys.
We’ve agreed a deal for left back Kolasinac, according to The Mail..
I guess Walcott will be on the bench Monday after his ‘unacceptable’ comments after the Palace defeat…
Nighty, chat tomorrow…
Evening all.
As we`ve all known, Wenegr doesn`t like polayers having an oinion !……………no wonder we dont have many ex-players at the club in vital positions unless they are gagged like Steve Bould !……………………
http://www.givemesport.com/1029502-ian-wright-reveals-details-of-arsene-wengers-bust-up-with-martin-keown?autoplay=on
Is that opinion or an onion 🙂
Kolasinac, on a free, how exciting, and just the kind of signing to induce everyone to go out and renew their season tickets.
Mish…
The fixtures are very difficult.
I think will be cathastrophique. …..
Morning all.
New post up.