Morning all.
Arsene Wenger says he can’t simply make room for a new coach if there isn’t a slot available, yet on the other hand, he hands himself praise for allowing so many ex players the chance to obtain their coaching badges at the club and under his guidance. Not that Sol Campbell would agree, or Patrick Vieira perhaps but then again, both of those players were big characters both on and off the field. Similar could be said about Tony Adams and Martin Keown too and how neither of the four players mentioned aren’t somehow involved with the club today makes me scratch my head. Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn probably have a lot to offer too, but no, Arsene doesn’t want those either.
Still, his fellow Frenchman seems to have found a way in through the back door and not only that, I read a story a few weeks ago about how Thierry Henry had been given preferential treatment when obtaining his badges. True or not, I don’t know…. But there’s seldom smoke without a little fire somewhere.
Mikel Arteta, a player many fans believed should have left last summer but many thought he was worth keeping, if for nothing else but to obtain his coaching badges and join the team. Again, I have read a story somewhere, although I can’t recall where, which suggested he’s already been involved with coaching the younger players but if we are to believe Arsene Wenger, he won’t be at the club next year, not as a player or coach.
It is true that he is out of contract here and when his contract finishes it is a good opportunity for me to thank him for his contribution, not only as a player but also as a great leader.
What kind of orientation will he give now to his career? I heard about [coaching] as a possibility, but he could inform you much better than I can. He is free to decide to do what he wants, he will certainly need some time to reflect on whether he continues to play.
Firstly, I find it very hard to believe that the Frenchman hasn’t got a clue about what our current captain has planned and secondly, if Mikel is heading into coaching, why on earth isn’t he doing so at Arsenal?
He’s a great leader, well respected by most if not all the players and after keeping him in the summer, why let him go now when he really could give the club something in the coaching department? It just doesn’t make sense.
Maybe like all of us, Arteta is wondering where the club is going, maybe he’s asked the manager that very question along with why he, the club captain, has not even been in the squad over the last few months, let alone on the pitch. We all know Arsene Wenger doesn’t like being questioned or challenged and that could be the very reason Arteta is isn’t needed.
Or perhaps he just thinks there’s little to stay for, after all, would you stay at Arsenal and coach under Arsene Wenger, a manager who clearly has no intention of getting Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League or would you rather head off to somewhere like Man City and be part of Pep’s new regime? Tough call eh!
If by chance I’m right and Arteta hasn’t been asked to stay on, doesn’t it sum up much of what is wrong at Arsenal. Big players with big characters are something Arsene Wenger clearly struggles with and blanking Alexis Sanchez after subbing him last weekend was perhaps evidence of just that. Could that be why Joel Campbell has been snubbed and Francis Coquelin of late?
There’s a rumour going around suggesting Arsenal are about to sack Andries Jonker and Jan van Loon and with Frans de Kat already confirmed as departing at the end of the season, there’s a space for Mikel Arteta surely?
But no, it seems Arsene Wenger doesn’t agree…
Finally, Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng suffered a suspected heart attack seventy minutes into the Romanian league match between Dinamo and Viitorul which took place yesterday. He was rushed to hospital but just hours later, he was pronounced dead. He was just 26 years old and no doubt thought he was as fit as a fiddle.
Life can be so cruel sometimes……..
Romford Pele is on Soccer AM this morning…
Let’s be positive. The sun is shining, the stains failed AGAIN and we could still get second. Oh, and Alexis needs to grow up.
Players who organise behind closed doors players’ meetings are seen as dangerous as Trotski by our aged emperor and are therefore to axed and then assassinated rather than being employed and used in a positive way! I was told, always keep your enemies close never spurn them as they will be back to do you damage! Arteta may have a point to prove and do him damned es to upset the pensioner at a later date!
Another nail in the Wenger incompetence box?
Morning all. The sun has just put its hat on here.
Iceman, do you not think he might be cheesed off and frustrated? Like we are…
I’d forgotten about the big meeting Wavy. Good point..
Yes, he might be, but are you paid £140,000 + a week? He sulked like a baby because he got subbed. We may have disappointed yet again, but if you are part of the team then you suck it up and try to make a difference. We all want change, but hollow protests and bleating means nothing to the board. They could not care less about banners or walk outs – once you have paid they are happy. Unfortunately, because of the power afforded to AW, we have to wait until he decides. Stinks, but that is reality.
I think there’s more to it with Arsene Wenger and Alexis…
You could be right, but public shows of petulance should be reserved for nursery school.
Alexis probably could also consider giving the ball away 7 or 8 times may have had something to do with the substitution.
Perhaps he learned from the manager… lol
Steve, not as many as Ramsey though, again….
Anyway, things to do in the garden so catch up later…
Morning Rico and all, just thought you’d like to read the full article about a coaching role for Arteta at Arsenal which includes the possibility of him getting a coaching role.
http://news.arseblog.com/2016/05/wenger-thanks-departing-arteta-coaching-role-still-option/
I just had a thought maybe you all ready havery read the full article
Have read…
Hi Joe, I took my stuff from the official site and there’s no ‘At the moment I don’t rule it out’ comment.. Perhaps he said that during more of the interview but to let him go in the summer would be an odd decision if he’s set to coach. Especially with Guardiola after him…
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160506/wenger-arteta-has-been-a-great-leader
Afternoon Rico, good post…
I always wondered, after Arsenal’s record breaking defensive performance in reaching the Champions a League final in 2006 without conceding a goal, why Martin Keown wasn’t offered a role at the club?
Keown, tbh, has never given the impression of holding any grudge against Wenger, but you have to wonder when you see our performances in some games, about the quality of our defensive coaching, and why Keown didn’t indeed stay…
Maybe Martin asked some awkward questions about the way Wenger did things defensively, and as is obvious, when Arsene is questioned on aspects of his management of the club he clearly doesn’t like it and gets very agitated…
Whatever anybody may think, Guardiola is currently the best manager in club football, his record is there for everyone to see…
So one would guess from those facts, that Pep is not an idiot…
Therefore if one of the first jobs he does, when coming to England, is to headhunt Mikel Arteta for a coaching role at Man City, then you have to ask yourself why?
And also ask why Arsene Wenger is seemingly happy to see him slip through his fingers?
Not just agitated, Kev. He can be really spiteful lom. Cross him and you’re dead meat! Or toast or both!
Afternoon Kev, Keown is a mystery, perhaps he had too much to say about the defence….
Like I said last time I’m just waiting for a day without Wenger. And to think he’s the only Arsenal manager I’ve known but if feel for a better part he caused Arsenal to stagnate. It’s trully sad that as Arsenal fans we spend half the time complaining about what could be only because Wenger has lost his mojo. It’s so sad it’s traumatic
Romford was looking pretty sharp wasn’t he rico, looked like he could walk straight back into our side !
Kev, Arsene taking advantage and tapping into Keown’s knowledge, not on your nelly mate.
Mabo, I wonder if he’s checked with the Lost Property Office at the Emirates lately.
Manc’s 1 nil up.
Afew weeks ago Squillaci explained Wenger’s view on defense, which I believe guys like Tony Adams and Keown wouldn’t agree with hence AW keeping them at bay.
Maybe Arteta would want to join Pep cause Pep would sometimes take his advice and let MA express himself. What’s the point of Arteta staying at arsenal as a coach and Wenger won’t consider his tactics or take/ask for his advice? At arsenal it’s all Arsene. Clearly Bould would have alot input of our defence play but his boss doesn’t give a sh*t.
You’re back Micko, phew. For a moment there I thought I’d offended you…. Lol
Hello All, interesting Fergie changed bench coaches simply because he always wanted NEW ideas….. Arsene doesn’t even want to entertain other ideas….Sad
Micko you reckon he cares that he’s lost it? The man still earns a salary so I get he said ” FORGET ABOUT IT”
The situation for us fans has become torturous if anything. Every fan of every club and sport feels entitled to joke about the Arsenal simply because the manager is trully and honestly stuck up. Hopefully soon we will get back to discussing fun Arsenal football with all the entertainment we deserve for all the passion we invest. Half of it ain’t about the money it’s about the feelings the ones we give and the ones we get. Wenger has lost site of that very thing about football and football fans. Give and take type of thing
3.04 Marshall, spot on imo
That’s what made Utd successful imo Obi, more so than Fergie but he took all the credit and why not….
Exactly Rico that was my point. Maybe Wenger don’t care or worry about success anymore as Mabo @3:38 said, he’s still earning a hefty salary. I used to really like the man but now I can’t stand his @$$ not that he cares. N btw I have no problem with Alexis pertulence wenger favoritism is seriously trouble. …Y take me off when Ramsey has been worse than me, set your example elsewhere.
I think he wants success Obi, I really do but I just don’t think he knows how to achieve it any more. Other clubs know how to play against us and he doesn’t know change things…
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Nice post boss. i agree with all you say……bar one thing (which is reported)……That TH14 was given preferential treatment. Yes he might have been given the said treatment…..but what many people do not know is that there are certain privileges that are given to certain people……
1) A player who has played 50+ times for his country is automatically awarded a ‘B’ Uefa certificate in coaching.
2) A player who has played in the world cup final or won it is automatically awarded a, ‘A’ Uefa certificate.
3) A person who has the intention to pursue a Pro licence must produce as part of his Pro licence certificate the marks obtained in his Uefa ‘A’ licence.
So TH14 has been awarded an ‘A’ Uefa certificate, but since he did not do the exam essentially he cannot produce the marks which will be included in his Pro licence. So if his intention is to do a Pro licence he had to do the exams for the marks. Therefore essentially he has an ‘A’ Uefa diploma but no marks to show for it. So he had to do the exams like everyone else to obtain the marks.
The other coaches who commented upon favourable treatment have in essence SOUR GRAPES.
TH14 has won the WC and the EC. What have the other coaches who have complained won???
The Watering Cabnet trophy????
Rico I think if he really wants it he would’ve adapted already. Even the most layman Arsenal fan sees the things that are wrong. Adaptability is the essence of success in sports; other teams know how to play us because it been the same for 10 years. Let others contribute it’s that simple. You still can take the credit Arsene.
So many good points today on HH. I really enjoyed reading them all.
Kev…..that is a great point you made…regarding Guardiola’s view of Arteta and his working ethos.
says a lot about many people who can coach and AW.
I didn’t know all that Devil, thanks..
Obi….AW is not concerned about the credit he may or may not get. AW is scared of being challenged……that is why Adams, Vieira, Petit, Campbell….etc etc were farmed out and not replaced.
Which coach in his right mind would have bought Almunia as a back up to Lehman and droppped the latter and pursued with the former? While I have the utmost respect for Almunia as a person, he is one of the best gentleman and one of the most humble persons who have ever played for Arsenal, I still believe he was a pawn in AW’s hands. He was, like many, a Yes person.
That’s my point Obi, he can’t change things and won’t let anyone try and help. He just wants to do it all alone but he can’t because he doesn’t know how to…
thanks to you as well boss.
When I was doing the ‘A’ UEFA licence we had five internationals who had played over 75 times for the national team who did not do the ‘B’ Uefa course.
Who was I to complain when they were given high marks in the practical side. They were experienced so it was no wonder that they did well. I could not state they were given preferential treatment since their were top level for the practical session. I came 7th out of 18 doing the course. Their problem was the theory…….I came first in the theory course…which was practically Biology, Psychology and scientific methods of training. when the average marks came out they still placed in the top 7 places….because their high marks in practical were pushed down slightly by their theory marks, while the reverse happened in my case.
but still, the person who came first in the course was our most capped player. Did I say that he was given preferential treatment? no way…..simply for me it was an honour to be in the same course as him. And still ask him for advice when I need it……even though in theory I got about 20 marks more than him.
Ok I got it …Dev and Rico. It’s pure madness.
I still think there’s no smoke without fire Devil, after all, other pro footballers were taking their badges at the same time…
It certainly is Obi….
I know what you mean Wavy, If anyone questions Wenger, they don’t even a chance to finish their query before Wenger is on them, in a quite aggressive manner.
Ultimately I feel that one day AW will turn his back and utter……”Et tu Brute”
I feel that the ides of March will be his downfall.
Of all the flops I saw in the last 10 years, and i feel there have been quite a good number, Almunia is the least I feel should be deemed as a flop. He did his best in difficult circumstances and never ever grumbled or downgraded the club.
Even at Watford, i wanted him to succeed and was sad that he had to give up his career. He is in essence, the ultimate professional gentleman. yes he made a few howlers, but no one can doubt his committment. As I said……he was just a pawn in AW’s plan.
Where were you Kev? The tandoori salmon was lovely, even though I say it myself… And I counted on you to bring the beers….. 😉
Catch up tomorrow guys.. Night all..
Ah Rico, I had the offer of a Chinese and I can’t resist a Chinese… ?
Night All
Morning Rico and all. Sticky night here and a groggy morning.
Morning Adam and all. Muggy night here too but a lovely sunny morning..
I’m hurt Kev.. 😉
Groggy, were you on the piss again Adam………… tut tut tut… Seems Lee is leading you astray again…!
Morning Wath..
New post up now.