Morning all.
Well the voting yesterday was interesting even if it doesn’t reflect a true opinion. Surveys/Polls never do unless everyone votes and that will never happen on the internet.
But, the general consensus is that the following players really need to leave this summer:
Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini,, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanogo. Arsene Wenger had a few votes too but not as many as I thought which perhaps shows that not everyone thinks his time is up.
Ollie, Mertesacker, Gibbs notched up a fair number of votes but nowhere near the above group of players. The rest, well Jack Wilshere, Joel Campbell and the ‘others’ option received a really low vote for them moving elsewhere. Campbell was a surprise with just four people thinking he has little or nothing to offer Arsenal FC. Personally, I think he’s worth keeping but considering Arsene Wenger continues to overlook him, the player may think differently.
One player going nowhere is Hector Bellerin. When asked about the rumours linking him with a return to his previous club, he made it clear where his future lies:
I left Barca without looking back. I left focused on London and Arsenal and I am really happy there.
I signed a new deal last year and there’s still a lot in front of me. It’s true that on a club level things aren’t going as we wanted and that’s complicated things, but personally I am really happy with how things are going
My future is there and I am happy where I am. A lot of things can happen in football, but I am at Arsenal, giving my all for the club. I am not thinking of going anywhere else.
Barcelona won’t like that, not one bit.
The back pages continue to be full of how Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are ready to have a big clear out in the summer and bring in players of quality to replace them.
I think we all know a few are going as they are out of contract, but unless Arsene Wenger has suddenly seen the light, I’ll believe he’s ready to spend mega bucks when I see it..
Perhaps though he’ll want to celebrate twenty years at the club by going big, win the league and then wave goodbye to the club and it’s fans from the top of a big red bus.
What do you think, is Arsene Wenger ready to change his spending ways and will Stan Kroenke support him if he is?
More pigs flying I think….
Good Morning Charlies and Elizabeths.
Just borrowed my son’s binoculars and honestly after 10 minutes scanning the skies the only thing I saw flying was a plate across my neighbours living room.
Good post boss.
Stats reflect what people think. And even though its not everyone, the votes you got were a fair reflection of what people out there think. We get people from all walks of life here. if you do the same with 10,000 people I guess you will get the same percentages roughly.
I think most of us agree on who we’d like to see gone or stay Devil, give or take an odd player or two…
Can’t see much changing in the summer though..
Morning all
I Dont believe for one moment that the club will not support buying players in the summer. This is after all the same Kronke that was manning the phones in the last hours of the window when we bought Ozil to ensure the deal went through.
The stupidity last summer when we, the only team in the top 5 leagues in Europe, that did not buy an outfield player was entirely up to the manager and no one else.
I´m sick and tired of arguing the case of the club when it comes to player purchase. Its the manager and the manager alone that determines whether we buy or not. No Arsene fan has ever delivered one thread of evidence that he currently is being starved of money to buy players and its his doing we are stuck with players on mega money that are simply not good enough and have never been.
We have one of 3 highest wage bills in the league and only 3 players that would walk into most top teams in England, Ozil Sanches and Chec. Rest is second or third tier if that. I suppose that is Kronke´s fault too?
Not excusing Kronke entirely though, he is the owner of the club and this is happening on his watch but look at it this way. If the club is still in profit and the sheep keep putting money in his pocket why would he change managers?
I have said this many times before and will keep repeating this, its the fans that are at fault here. While the cult of Kim Il Arsene is the most vocal of all the fan groups nothing will ever change. And here is a thought for you all. Is anyone ready to bet against the current manager not only being here next season but extending the lucrative contract beyond that……….?
Mad TT – I reckon Kroenke is more likely to offer him a new deal rather than search for a new manager. I strongly suspect that’s in the ‘too difficult’ tray..
Any ambitious owner would encourage AW to depart in the summer…
Nothing to do with difficult Rico. Its simply good management to keep a manager that turns in profit year in year out. Whats different here to other forms of businesses is the clients. The fans are not happy in general about the lack of ambition but still make sure the club turns profit so why change and since when did ambition on the pitch ever become one of Kronke strengths?
We knew about his lack of ambition when it came to silverware when he bought the majority in the club. It has always been the fans of football clubs that have been the biggest drivers for winning and put pressure on managers/owners/boards to deliver. Thats were we are falling down imo.
Well it seems to be for Kroenke MadTT…
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico
I actually think that quite a few of our players would be snapped up and play regularly in the starting XI’s of of rivals…
Ramsey for sure, Oxlade-Chamberlain and a fit Jack Wilshere…
Just because Wenger can’t motivate them, that doesn’t mean that other coaches can’t.
Coquelin, Bellerin, Cazorla, Monreal, Koscielny, to name 5 more…
All top players in my view…
But it’s all opinion I guess…
Afternoon Kev. I couldn’t agree more. I reckon someone could even motivate Walcott….
Doesn’t matter who AW signs imo, our problems begin off the pitch…
Well Clichy and Sagna have done quite well since leaving Arsenal, haven’t they Rico. Both have won EPL titles, as have Fabregas, so yeah, Walcott could possibly be transformed if he joined, say, Liverpool…
But it shouldn’t be that way Kev, if a man who manages can’t, it’s surely he who has to go. Can you imagine who cheesed off we’d be if a few like Gibbs, Walcott, Jack, OC, Campbell were all sold on and excel elsewhere?
I know I would be…
RIP Johan Cruyff….
Aternoon, Thats sad news re Cryuff, Rico
My mothers partner of 28 years passed away too last night, 2 year battle with Cancer, sad day all round,
RIP Johan,
RIP Christie,
Ditto Mad TT, It,s just a shame the fans can,t give up their weekly fix, they just love the club too much to stay away, therefore the club know they have the winning hand.
What we will see is inflated prices, other clubs know now we will need replacements and will no doubt call the shots,
sorry state of affairs, imo
It is Dublin.
I’m sorry to hear of your family loss too. Evil disease..
Afternoon Rico and all. The fans are at fault? Can’t see that myself.
Afternoon Adam.
Sorry to hear that DG and sad about a Cruyff too.
If I was a ST holder, I’m not sure I’d stay at home just to prove a point as I’d want to be behind the team, regardless of what I thought of the manager..
RIP Mr Total Football. Because that is who you are…..total football.
Kev, Rico et al…..if Theo, Gibbs, Jack etc are sold and they excel anywhere do you honestly think we will miss them if we have superior players on the level of Ozil and Sanchez?? Imagine if we had Xhaka and Kroos in midfield and Gotze beside Ozil and Sanchez. Do you honestly believe we would give a rat’s arse if Theo begins playing better elsewhere??
We would miss them yes….if we get no one or inferior players.
Be honest with yourself……after seeing Iwobi play, who would you prefer on the flanks?? Theo or Iwobi?? Are you ready to let Theo take 140Kpw for sitting down?? Why not give that money to someone who wants to play??
If we get Guerreiro as LB and he proves to be better than Gibbs and even Nacho….would you miss Gibbs??
Yes Sagna went and did ok at Shitty. Who would you prefer….still have Sagna or the present incumbent? The unknown Bellerin.
Afternoon Rico and all,
RIP Cruyff… a proper footbaling legend… last of a dying breed.
I agree Rico.
Afternoon TS.
Good point Devil but that’s a big if all the time AW is manager isn’t it?
Afternoon Ts..
I think that perhaps most of whom suggest the fans should stay at home, walk out, protest etc etc etc don’t go to The Emirates or travel to away grounds very often..
That’s not meant to sound offensive but I think it’s easier to suggest staying away when one hasn’t stumped up the vast amount of money the club charges for St’s and tickets in general.
Adam Johnson given a 6 year prison sentence…
Thanks, means a lot , Big Big part our lives, Will be sadly missed.
We seen what Fan power can do with the Liverpool ticket prices, although I woudn,t expect fans to stay away, It is perhaps the only voice we have. still Maybe a one match boycott, could be a good idea, I,m sure even the ST holders could manage that, for the love of our Club.
Condolences to you and your mum DG. Sad moments especially when someone goes to a better life.
Afternoon Adam,
wellsaid Dev… Mr. Total football indeed.
Firstly, one would need to define what a ‘fan’ is in this context.
If you have had enough of Arsene and decide against renewing your season ticket in protest, then someone else will buy it and most likely spend more than you did on merchandise and food etc.
Fan action en masse is a different thing and could be effective. Perhaps we are seeing some reaction from the club to the clear dissatisfaction that is all over the Arsenal sites. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, there are no alternatives. But we arrive here just about every season at this time after the usual disappointments.
My condolences Dg
RIP Totaal Voetbal…
Easily the most complete footballer who I’ve had the privilege to see live…
Cruyff will be remembered by all coaches and players for the Cruyff turn.
Wonder if Theo will have a blind alley named after him!!!
Just heard that Jack is going to open a physio clinic as well.
What reaction do you think we are seeing from the club Adam?
Coach, I’m not sure if I’d miss anyone,
The King is dead, Long Live the King,
that’s football…
Theo is in his prime, and he is still an enigma…
Gibbs is good back-up, and given a regular game would improve, but he isn’t irreplaceable.
Wilshere would be my biggest regret because injuries have robbed Arsenal and England of a top top player…
And remember Coach, Gotze is almost as injury prone as Wilshere…
Kroos I really like…
And for that reason, Arsenal won’t sign him. ?
I would’ve been quite happy to see Sagna stay and not buy Debuchy…
Sorry to hear that DG…
Yes Kev….I agree about Gibbs. He should be kept and played regularly….rotated with Nacho and resting Alexis or another winger…..he should have got more playing time.
I agree with regards Jack as well. Had he been injury free he would have played much more since he is a top top player. Elneny is not 1/5 of him with regards talent but he will not get injured on the same level as Jack for (or Aaron as well) one simple reason ….. he does not run with the ball. Elneny plays one/two touch football and already reads the game quicker than anyone. Jack and Aaron run with the ball, three, four, five, six touches and that is why they get injured. They are all the time on the rough end of tackles. And get more knocks than anyone else.
Kev….do you think Islington Borough will name a couple of Alleys for Theo?? 😉
Thanks guys, means a lot..
None that I can think of Coach, in Islington…
How about Cardinal Cap Alley in Southwark?
Sorry for your loss DG, my condolences to you and your mom. Saddened by Johan Cruyff loss. It’s deeply dishearting how cancer is robbing us of our loved ones.
Afternoon all..
RIP Johan Cruyff. I had the privelage of seeing him live at Highbury. As good as any player who ever lived. Heavy smoker throughout his career though. Also full of attitude. During the 1974 world cup the Dutch team wore adidas kit with three stripes. Because Cruyff was contracted to Puma he removed one stripe from all of his shirts and shorts in protest! If ever a man deserved the initials JC it was him.
I’d say the best Bob, he certainly was very special…
He hadn’t smoked since day 1991 I read, yet still that evil disease took him….
Catch up tomorrow.
Night guys…
rico, it’s not all bad news, isn’t Pat Butcher making a return to EE shortly, I miss her big ear rings lol.
Dublin, my thoughts are with you and ya family bruv, my uncle’s been given 48 hrs, when are they gonner find a cure for this bastard disease if they haven’t already……..life’s over-rated, the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep.
Nite Gooners, I’m with Arsene, when the going gets tough the tough get going, no room for fickle fans…..he really is a prat and a half !
Sorry to hear that Mick…
Micko, thankfully it’s just a one off to finally say goodbye to Peggy… 😉
Sorry to hear about your Uncle… 🙁
Morning all..
New post up.