Morning all.
March 18th and I’m snowed in. How weird is that eh? For a few days its seemed like Spring was in full flow, but no, winter has reared its head for what I hope is the last time. The roads haven’t been gritted either so I’m not going very far that’s for sure. I might not like it but the hound does, bonkers dog who makes me smile big smiles.
Anyway, enough about the weather, football or more importantly, The Arsenal. Not a lot is going on though, certainly not publicly but behind the scenes we’ve just got to hope that Ivan Gazidis, Sven Mislintat, Jaeon Rosenfeld and Raul Sanllehi are busy. They are the four tasked with not only identifying and sealing our transfer deals but finding the right man to replace Arsene Wenger too. According to The Mirror that is.
There’s plenty of the usual transfer gossip around, there always is and considering this season is nearing its end, thank goodness, it’ll only get worse and as much as it’s easy to get caught up in it all and get our hopes up, most of it is utter rubbish. Arsenal don’t do transfers in public, actually, Arsenal don’t do transfers much, period. I can’t recall the last time we went into a new season believing that the squad looked really good and strong/deep enough to face the challenge which the next ten months would bring. I reckon that time would have been just before Almunia took the number one goal keeping shirt but I could be wrong. Regardless, it was a long time ago imo. We’ve been a defender or two light, a midfielder or two short and since the day RvP left, toothless up front. Sven Mislinat is the man to identify the players who will put that right this summer. With two highly rated strikers in the camp, I’m hoping he concentrates on defensive signings and a proper winger to play on the left.
But the biggest signing this summer is the manager, it’s got to be if Arsenal don’t want a season worse than this one next time around and there’s one sat waiting for the phone to ring according to reports and that’s Luís Enrique. (Yes Kev, not Emre! Lol) Suggestion is that Chelsea want him to replace Antonio Conte but he wants Arsenal and who wouldn’t out of the two clubs? Sounds arrogant I know but Arsenal, despite not winning much over the last ten years are a sleeping giant whereas Chelsea are a club who switch managers more times than Adele swears during a concert. Another bold statement from me but I think the West London club are on the slide, I really do.
So, what about Enrique then, would he your choice to replace Arsene Wenger, or is Allegri still top of the tree? To be honest, either would do me right now but then so would plenty of others. Not Mourinho though, not in a million years, he can stay at Utd and drag them down to the depths Mourinho deserves to be at.
We missed out on Pep Guardiola and I feel a bit of a twit now having said I didn’t think he’d be good for Arsenal, so perhaps the next best thing would be his fellow Spaniard. The guy who left with his club at the top, rather than keeping going and exhaust not only himself, but perhaps the team. That’s what pressure does to a manager, pressure from the fans, the board and the media. Pressure to be successful season after season knowing that to fail means the sack. (Yes, if only eh.)
The Barcelona board wanted him to stay because he was good, very good and now, after his short break from the game, he rejuvenated and ready to return.
To the best club in London perhaps, and that isn’t Chelsea or Totts…..
and what if AW ends up o0n the board? C hrist almighty himself could not succeed with AW down on the pitch interfering
You’re back then Alan, what makes you think he’ll end up on the board?
Morning Rico and all.
Why would be giving Wenger a spot on the Board be a total and unmitigated disaster? Answer, because he would be unable to leave the playing staff alone, coaching, picking and just generally interfering. He would just be a pest! Let him sit in the stands for free and watch or travel with the club to away games, but further involvement than that would be absolutely undesirable,
I rest my case. Put the old chap out to pasture.
Snow here 4-5 inches, quite a lot. I reckon it will all be water by tomorrow lunch time. short and sharp Russian snap!
It’s got to be the biggest danger of the whole scenario . We know that Wenger has been leading the board by the nose with Kroenke’s total agreement. As far as football is concerned Wenger’s voice is the only one that they hear and until the worm turns in the “” YUUUesssEhhh ” it will always carry the argument.
I suppose we just have to wait until Josh gets the gig and he can bring in Henry to lead the troops..
As much as I think Enrique would be a good appointment I can’t see him waiting for Wenger to depart . His record before his return to Barca was sketchy but as soon as he had the players that Guardiola left him his record was pretty good.
Apparently he fell out with Messi and then it became a battle of wills and realising that Messi effectively ran the dressing room he bowed out at the end of his contract.
At our place he wouldn’t have anyone that held that much sway so his abiltiy to coach and bring through new players would seem to be ideal for us but there is still the elephant in the room that simply refuses to go away.
Morning Wavy. I can’t see it personally. When he goes, he goes and in any case, I think he’d look for another managerial post, France perhaps..
I’m not convinced Potter. It seems Ivan has brought in a few faces to gain support and when push comes to shove, they’ll be a stronger force and one the Kroenke duo can’t ignore.
I might of course just be raising my own hopes up too far…
Morning all and thank you Rico.
I notice from the fixture list up top that we played Leicester away yesterday !……………….we must have won as there`s no Wenger bashing !
😆
A sprinkling of snow here, you lot are so lucky to get it, ours was probably brought in from Devon as the tropical climate here doesn`t allow it to snow !
🙂
What a shit day yesterday was ( apart form our win at Leicester)………………both Manshafter and Spuds in OUR cups semi`s !
🙁
At least the decent managers to replace Wenger list is getting longer, but it`s still Simeone for me.
Afternoon all!
The board decision it’s between Henrique and me.
JM I think your being lined up for the Benfica job.
Watching the Southampton vs Wigan cup tie.
Wigan are wearing blue and white striped shirts, with blue shorts and blue socks.
Southampton are wearing their changed strip.
Blue shirts, blue shorts and blue socks – wtf…..
Instead of red and white striped shirts, black shorts and red socks.
Only in England….
That might be the final Lc..
🙂 Jm.
If you didn’t know, I think you’d struggle to pick the Premier League team from the League One team, Wigan look a good side, Southampton look a team of expensively assembled players who look as if they wish they were on the beach…
Mark Hughes has a big job on his hands.
Thank goodness I didn’t watch it then Kev..
The 2nd half was a lot better Rico ?
Tottnum vs Mancs in s/f I hope…
I’d like to see Chavs getting to the final as I think they could win it.
Lesser of 3 evils…
Whoever gets Southampton will fancy their chances.
I’ll take your word for it Kev.. ?
I hope Southampton can surprise everyone, even though I can’t stand Hughes…
Allez:never!
With me, Benfica risked winning the Champions League!
Good post Rico. No snow here in A licence, bit chilly though only 16 degrees. Simeone for me but Wenger must not be near the playing staff. He can snooze the day away with the rest of the BoD. I don’t think Simeone would let him interfere. Would tear him a new one with those teeth.
Meant Alicante, bloody auto correct.
Thanks Paddy, I can’t see Wenger being at the club in any other capacity than manager, don’t think it’s his thing but who knows. It’d be dire if Kroenke thought he could take over from Chips etc..
Simeone for me! Luís inherited Peps team so is still untested imo.
Allegri for me but, he’s not available until 2019. If the ancient retainer keeps his word and sees out his contract then Allegri would be available. If the Board do the honourable think and sack the worthy old man the Massimo will probably not be on offer.
Sorry to disagree but I don’t think Simeone will ever manage in England. First there was Beckham, then there was English, speaking it, and, he doesn’t nor do I think he’s capable of learning it, well not quickly. I mean how will Sir Chips make himself understood?
Other alternative would be Jardim but, I don’t think he’s available either, not this summer anyway.
Tomorrow I’ll have another name…….but whose?
The team he inherited certainly helped , Anyone that walked into a dressing room housing Alves, Alba, Mascherano , Pique , Busquets , INIESTA , XAVI , MESSI , Neymar and Suarez bought in Rakatic would have half a chance . Could be another Mourinho a 3 year wonder.
Could say the same about Wenger, on a slightly less scale of course but would have been successful so early with the back five, Dennis and Wrighty? Or Parlour?
Morning all.
New post up.