Morning all.
Writing something each morning is getting more and more difficult as the season peters out. It’s looking highly likely that once again we’ll end up with nothing added to the trophy cabinet, a feeling we know all too well.
In a week which we’ve seen a few cracking European encounters, Arsenal were nowhere to be seen. They never are at this stage of the Champions League, certainly not latterly. Leicester nearly sprung a massive surprise but despite throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at Atletico Madrid in their home fixture, they couldn’t get the one goal needed to give them a chance. Two and they’d have been through but Simeone’s men were hard to crack.
As were Juventus last night when not even the superstars on show for Barcelona could get through a tight and organised Allegri defence. Real Madrid had the officials to thank for progressing past Bayern Munich and Monaco dumped out the other German team in Dortmund.
Two exciting semi-finals loom. Juventus appear to have it all. I wouldn’t bet against them lifting the big trophy next month and it would be no more than they deserve. No more than Max Allegri would deserve either and perhaps if he wins the Champions League, his job in Italy will be done and a new exciting challenge in North London with The Arsenal would be tempting.
He’d certainly be my first choice to replace Arsene Wenger this summer but who would be yours?
[yop_poll id=”11″]
If the media have it right though, it looks like we are stuck with the Frenchman for at least another year as they reckon any transfer targets such as Sead Kolašinac are being told that Wenger will be in charge next season. The media are seldom right though so until anything is official, we have hope. I still don’t think a decision has been made between the board and manager, I really don’t although it should be by now. The end of the season is just weeks away and the club need to be thinking about the future.
Ivan Gazidis promised us change so was the change to three at the back part of those changes? Not a decision made by Ivan of course but more Wenger trying to show that he can try something new? Why else would he make such a comment after the match on Monday about even at his age he can change? That was his way of proving something but what I don’t know. His changes are too late, they weren’t part of some master plan I’m sure because having watched us ship goals for fun all season, if he had anything about him, he’d have made the changes sooner. Much sooner. Especially knowing that over in West London a three at the back system was working so well.
All smacks of desperation to me at this stage of the season, he’s clinging onto his job by a fine piece of thread and he’s desperate to get a top four place because as much as he says missing out on the money doesn’t matter, it might matter to his mate in the US of A.
Some will say that’s very negative as he’s showing he can change which is all we’ve been asking for for years but as said, it’s all a bit too little and much too late…
Certainly for this season….
Morning and thanks Rico.
This is bloody hard……………………………Over here I`d love Koeman or Pochitino, but I dont think they will happen, so it`s either Simeone or Allegri for me.
Tell the truth I didn`t know much about Allegri until he was rumoured for Arsene`s replacement and I`m just a bit sceptical because he is at the top Italian club whereas Simeone has been doing it consistantly at AM with the big two to contend with !
So it`s Simeone for me, but I will go with the flow of the other voters and accept who comes out on top !…………………………….as long as it`s not Wenger !……….so no AKBs coming on here and fixing the vote ! hahaha
Had to vote as an anomynous voter as wordpress thingy was mucking about…………..so far good to see Arsene with no votes ! 🙂
Anyone who does vote for Arsene should be named and shamed ! hahaha
Just kidding, I respect the democractic right of every Arsenal supporter to vote freely……….even if they are deluded ! hahaha
Just for you Lc… 😉
I’m glad we’ll know who’ll be in the final before we play on Sunday…
Ahhh thanks Rico ! 🙂
So who do you prefer we get in final then ? 🙂
You`d think the FA would try and make more money and have a 3rd/4th place play off before the Final like they do in the World Cup !…………………..though I`d doubt anyone would turn up !
Actually, if by some miracle we beat City, playing the Totts might favor us as they struggle at Wembley…
Or they certainly have in the CL…
I think Arsene will be there next year, but until its announced as you say there is hope. I just cannot face the prospect of another 4 or 5 years of this , I love Arsenal, as we all do, but Arsene is singlehandedly spoiling my love of watching football and going to the games.( and going to work and getting it from the Spurs fans) The mood has definitely changed , especially this last year. Its hard to find a fan on the trains going to the game, or in the bar, that does not want change . My vote was for Allegri , but will he come with no CL ?
I wasn’t able to access the voting site either, but it’s Simeone for me. He would put the fear of God up our little dancing queens.
So not looking forward to any more games, none look winnable for us.
Fwiw, I don’t think Belarin or Theo were scapegoated the other day by Wenger. They are weak links in a defensive battle IMO and possibly Bould had some input on that decision.
If Wenger is staying, and it looks that way, I believe we need to get behind them now and be proper supporters, not whinging constantly ‘if only’.
It is what it is, and we have to make the best of it. I like dancing queens, lol.
Welcome Sam.
I can see where you are coming from re CL, but Conte went to Chelsea and Mourinho to Utd and neither club were in the CL…
I was thinking that too, Rico, maybe I`m just clutching at straws, but maybe the Wembley pitch is a lot bigger than the Spud`s pitch and their high pressing game is compromised on a bigger pitch !…….if so, size does matter ! 😆
Morning Rico, good post…
Morning All, what a great performance by Juventus, Barcelona had chances but snatched at them due to the defensive blanket Allegri’s tactics threw over them, in a classic CL display of pragmatic and intelligent defending. Even a bent referee would have struggled to give Barca anything.
Arsenal have shown that pragmatism only once in Wengers time, 2006 when Keown was organising the defence.
Of course Keown getting credit was too much for Wenger and Martin was sent packing and we soon returned to Arsene’s shambolic tactical and naive set up with the usual result.
Another two years of AW will be like water torture.
He’s never won in europe and he isn’t ever likely to.
There has to be a reason for that, it isn’t just luck!
If any AKB can come on here and explain to me why that is, then I would be most grateful…
Meerkat, perhaps if Wenger dished up some good football, the fans would be behind the team…
I reckon so Lc..
Morning Kev, thanks.
I loved how Allegri went about Barca too. Won the home leg and then just nullified everything Barca had to offer which from the bits I watched, wasn’t much…
Oh to have a manger who knew how to play in such a fashion…
Think I have voted I clicked on Allegri went for the vote box and like Manze’s till ,it disappeared.
Hi Rico. There are a lot of clubs that don’t dish up good football, but the supporters stick with them, even when they get relegated. Manure haven’t dished any up for a few years, IMO, but their support hasn’t wavered.
I want change in management too, but if it isn’t going to happen, then c’est la vie.
No point in saying ‘if only’ all the time.
I love the club, probably no where near as much as some do, but I just want them to come good, and if Wenger is here for another season, well what can we do? Desert them?
They did show a bit of passion at least the other day when they scored. That in itself is an improvement, compared to recent apathy.
In case you`re wondering……………..pitch sizes……………………..
Arsenal ……….105M X 68M ( 115yds X 74yds )
Wembley………105M X 69M ( 115yds X 75yds )
Spuds……..100M X 67M ( 110yds X 73yds )
Is it an advantage we have a similar size pitch ?
Morning fellas and Rico. Did you guys catch the latest cl footie?? Man are we behind or are we behind!!! We look dire compared to all 8 teams thats including leceister city. The games were high quality. The tactics were eye catching and the football itself was breaktaking. Have we ever played a great game like that ever??? Yes we have in 2006 when we got to the final. The architect?? Wenger??? Nah not by a long shot. It was all keown. A make shift defense got to final against some of the best players of the last decade. Only to succumb to barca. Its a shame keown was told to leave. Who knows what we might have achieved with him around that team. Breaks my heart when i watch juve atleti etc. They don’t have the cash or pulling power the likes of madrid and barca has but they make up for it with tenacity and a savvy manager. Shame we ll still be talking about this same shit this time next year. Bummer with a capital B.
Yeah Goonie, but who have you voted for ? 🙂
Off for run…..bye ! .
Had to vote again for Simeone to see who was ahead !……………………..Arsene`s got 2 votes !!! hahaha…………………….must be Scott and Goonie, just waiting for Lee to vote for him hahaha
Hi Merkat. But the clubs you mention are trying to improve with different managers, we however have an old has been who has overstayed his welcome.
Re if he stays, yes, I think a few ST holders will desert the team because they are fed up with paying a vast amount of money for a poor return for so long.
I agree re a bit of passion seen the other day, but that’s just one match and to be honest, we could so easily have lost that game. But where’s the passion from Wenger and the motivation?
Lol lc yeah i voted for arsene just to tick lee off????
Morning goonster.
Arsene Wenger is asked whether he has told his players whether he is staying at Arsenal or not…
“No.
“I didn’t tell anything to anybody.
“My update is my commitment is total and only focused on Arsenal.”
FA Cup play any part in whether you stay?
“It doesn’t play any part in that. The FA Cup is very important for me because it is the next game and it is an opportunity to win a trophy. Of course we are focused on that. My future is Sunday.”
I voted for Goonie but the wee wheel keeps on spinning…
Allegri for me. (Although I certainly wouldnt object to Simeone, for similar reasons to those above.)
Why?
Well, Im no expert in Italian football, knew very little about Allegri before this year, but he doesnt seem to be just a one club wonder.
He also won the league and one of the domestic cups with Milan a few years ago.
Then the CL final (and the league plus one cup) in his first year at Juventus, the league and both domestic cups the following year, (still got as far as Arsenal did in the CL,) and this year he’s still in the CL, top of the domestic league and still in one of the domestic cups this year. I believe that if Juventus win the domestic double this year it will be the first time any club has done it three years in a row.
Not only that, but in the transfer market he seems to be active and careful, most transfers are in the lower end of the scale, but he seems prepared to spend big when it matters, (Higuain,) and hes maintained that success despite losing a few of the better known players/prospects, (Vidal, Morata & Pogba).
On top of that he appears to have some tactical flexibility as the two legs against Barca showed.
He has also showed an interest in managing in England for some time, starting English lessons back in 2015.
I accept that nothing is ever guaranteed in football, but that is quite an impressive history. I would think that he might stand a chance in the Premiership.
As for whether he would take on Arsenal if they didnt have CL football, I would say ‘quite probably’ given he seems to have an interest in managing here, Arsenal are the only top six club that needs a new manager. Most have only recently appointed a new manager, and its not beyond the bounds of possibility that Arsenal will get back to qualifying for the Champions League.
The more likely problem is going to be that Barca, Real or Bayern might come calling before we do.
I wonder if after two years in Serie A, a succession of clean sheets and some quality coaching by Italian goalkeeping coaches, that Wojiech Szczesny has a future at Arsenal..?
He has two more years on his contract, has been a regular at Roma in the top level in Italy there and will have matured, hopefully, from the crafty changing room smoker who left us to go on loan in 2015…
Of course if he returns into the clutches of the hapless Gerry Peyton we could see all the bad habits return and playing behind our defence will leave him hopelessly exposed, but he is an option when Ospina leaves and to Peter Cech whose losing his edge…
Martinez is good, but Wenger couldn’t wait to get Cech back into the team, so it seems that Arsene doesn’t trust him fully…
With Ospins out then Martinez must be our cup goalkeeper, but I’d be amazed if Cech doesn’t start this Sunday…
I read that Szczesny ants to leave if AW stays Kev. Understandable…
Kev, when asked after a Poland game what he didn’t miss after leaving Arsenal, Fabianski replied,”The coaching”. Sitting beside him during the interview was Szczesny, who was still at Arsenal,he didn’t speak but nodded in agreement..
Welcome Grimlar. I can see Barca going in for Allegri this summer. We’d need to be quick if we want him and we don’t do quick do we.
By the time the club sort something out, they’ll be few options left.
Morning Bt. I wonder if that’s why he was shipped out on loan. Wenger wouldn’t have missed him nodding…. lol
There no way that Barca will go for Allegri IMO. To defensive for their taste and Barca are known to promote from inside the club. Also they play a different brand of football to what Allegri and Italy do.
he would be far more suited for EPL and he knows it. It would be a massive challenge to come to Arsenal and help rebuild the club. A challenge that I think he would love. Also with the rebuilding starting in the summer, both in coaching and playing staff, that is if the fraud leaves, would be something he would have a lot of input into.
I didn’t think of that TT. I thought he’d be an obvious candidate for a side which has shipped plenty of goals in Europe this season..
That’s interesting BT, but Wenger doesn’t coach the goalkeepers although AW is responsible for Peyton still being in situ…
Cech’s performances have definitely deteriorated since his first year at Arsenal.
Age is usually trotted out as the reason but I suspect that it’s more to do with the coaching he receives.
He’s what, 34, which isn’t too old for a goalkeeper.
Rico, as you know, I think that Wenger will stay and next season will be a shitstorm…
But Allegri seems to tick all the boxes, especially from a tactical perspective and you need to be tactically quick on your feet to succeed in Europe.
But sadly Kroenke, in typically unambitious style, will go with what he knows or the little he knows…
Interesting to see that Stan contributed £1m to Donald Trumps inauguration …
Hey BT whats good with you??? Been a while. How are you??? TT allegri is ours if we want him. He hasnt renewed his contract. I guess he’s waiting for yours truly to fuck off. And yes you re right he ll be well suited to the pl. At arsenal he may leave a legacy that ll dwarf anything leshit has ever accomplished. In barca he’s just another manager in the long list of great managers. We both know where he ll rather be at buy am sorry arsene is not leaving yet. He has signed a new 2 years contract. Lets stop dreaming about all these shiny new managers. It wont happen.
Sam 9.51, my love for all things Arsenal has too, been ruined by this man at the helm, just havn,t got the same enthusiasm anymore,
Afternoon rico, Having to listen to Wenger,s dribble has just come more Futile, meaningless, unimportant, There,s nothing he can say or do that will change my opinion of him, I,ve seen enough. Top four is gone, I,m still on the fence as to whether winning the F.A cup is good for the Club, It,s an abominable situation were in,
I honestly don,t think I could keep interested in Arsenal Football club with Wenger at the helm for another 2 years, Ive went through half this season detached of any appetite for my Arsenal fix, so I know I can go longer.
were all wise enough on here to not be fooled by Wengers new ploy of what I think was a back handed comment to Gazidis, “3 at the bag, not to old to change” bullshit. We all know when we get hammered using the new formation, he will soon revert back to type, Because no one can change an old has been, creature of habit.
Simeone for me, with Juve,s Defence. but would certainly not be disappointed to see Allegri brought in.
Hiya kev i signed up to drive for uber this week.?????i start this weekend.
At his age, should Cech need coaching?
Me too Kev, I think he’s staying, although I hope i’m very wrong..
Afternoon Dublin.
Totally get where you are coming from. i didn’t even watch his press conference today, what’s the point…
We are probably going to get battered in the cup game, so we’d best brace ourselves. Better that than go on and get battered by Totts in the final.
Whoever manages, this transfer market coming up is pivotal to Arsenal. So I hope they are now deciding who they are going for regardless of cost.
If we are going to compete on the pitch, we have to compete in the financial transfer market, and not even think about bargain basement buys, which always turn out to be more money than they are worth.
With no CL to lure them, it will have to be money and club ambition.
Let’s hope we have plenty of both.
Rico, come on! Hearing the same old, same old it’s sooooooooooooo comforting. It’s like wearing an old cardigan or a really comfortable pair of old’s slippers! And thereby hangs the problem of Wenger he’s too old, he’s too stuck in his ways, he’s too unambiguous and he’s too out of ideas! In short he’s too OLD!
Time for a change who will arrive, Allegri? I doubt it. Jardim? Not enough pedigree, yet. More likely ‘Arry! Except of course, he’s too OLD! I’m at a loss to make a sensible suggestion. I reckon they put a dozen names in a hat and Kronke will pick the new manager, randomly, oh, after he’s had all the ‘names’ positively vetted for their ability to make him money and keep the share price up, it will have nothing to do with their coaching ability to make the club silver successful! But, everything to do with keeping the balance sheet buoyant!
Dull and grey here, a bit like my dreary mood.
Afternoon rico and housers. .
Allegri for me to take the club forward and close second for Jardim of Monaco.
They both managed to establish a team mixed with youth and experience and play good style of football with some tactical nous and organisation.
The coaching level at arsenal is embarrassing to say the least, and only one man is responsible.
Peter Czech at his prime has regressed badly imo.
So are other young and experienced players.
I saw wenger walking for his press conference at colney’s..waving his hands and greeting his subjects with a smirk of arrogance and superiority.
He is definitely enjoying all that attention and sense of authority .
It wasn’t a look of a man that has given up yet.
Very worrying!
Kev, he was referring to Peyton, if AW was the goalkeeping coach he would have been well screwed.
Also the story was that Tigana asked AW to give Peyton a job, when he left Fulham.
Goonie, all is well matey, hope you and Bri are keeping well..
Hi Rico, all.
Had to pop in for a vote, Allegri gets mine. Thought I’d split it with Simeone. Two seasons ago I remember us lining up the likes of Conte, Klopp, Ancelotti and Pep to replace Wenger. Some Arsene Wenger sympathisers named Klopp and Pep ‘overrated’ and waited eagerly to see them fail once they came to the EPL. Currently enger is bad off of the mentioned managers. As it stands Conte has taught him how it is to actually ‘bounce back’. The ‘overrated’ Klopp has beat him home and away, I be he won’t beat Pep. Even with superior ‘quality’ Wenger can’t beat his nemesis Mou. Even Big fat Sam outsmarts him.
Wenger mentioned how he can change after fielding 3 at the back after 20 years and that’s just a pile of crap. When we beat City with 4-1-4-1 then I thought he’d began to do tweaks then he reverted to type. If we lost 3 games with 3 at the back he will ditch it. He dared that formation because M’boro were the least scoring team this year- and they managed to score against us!
Players are being mentioned of regressing upon joining us. It’s mainly because it’s all warm and cosy. Like mentioned before they need a Simeone to light the fire under these pampered players jacksies. Funny we have ‘mentally strong’ players yet Ozil gets ‘affected’ by the loss to Bayern and needs a month off. fts!
As often said the old stubborn fool gets hung on his failed projects too much. I love Jack but it’s time he moved on. Wenger clings on to his pets and if Wilshere gets a new deal shows how stuck and unambitious this club is. Like Diaby he got quality but his squad position and wages would better be used up on a player who is available for 30+ games a season.
Personal projects and disappointment in Arsenal has been keeping me away. But Rico how have you not watched Game of Thrones?!
Khaleesi! 3 votes for Arsene. Are we that different? 🙂
I think Rico is into her soaps, Marshall !……………………maybe if we explained that GoT is like Emmerdale but with Dragons she`ll watch it !. 🙂
Allegri is well in the lead in the poll, but I reckon Kroenke will promote from within, he will send Stevie Bould on an Economics course !…………although my respect for Bouldie went out the window when I saw that he wears short white socks and black eye liner ! hahaha
Afternoon Kk, Marshall and all..
Game of thrones has never appealed to me Marshall. Too much blood and stuff….
Good comment at 4.02 Marshall. Spot on imo…
Joachim Low for me.
Good shout Vcc. He does have a few odd habits though… lol
Night guys.
Game of Thrones is a ‘poor mans’ Vikings Le Cornwall. I could imagine Ragnor or even rico the shield maiden dealing with the Arsene Wenger saga 🙂
Ragnor: Maybe you would like Valhalla Arsene?
Arsene: I’ve always thought of you as a narse boy Ragnor with good advice. Au Revoir, Paris here I come!
Morning guys, I can’t be bothered to write anything this morning….
A day for chores.. 🙂
Morning Rico, not surprised ,have fun doing the chores…
Morning Bt, they’ll be more enjoyable than thinking about Arsene Wenger…. 😉
Morning Rico, BT and all. Fortunately for me I have done all the housework and can now sit around wondering whether Arsene Wenger will stay or go and if I will know before it’s ST renewal time. It’s a shambles.
Just put your rugs over tthe clothes line .Imagine one is Wenger and the other Kroenke get a poker and beat the life out them.
Awful news regarding Ugo Ehiogu, only 44, that’s no age at all, especially for someone who was, on the surface, fit and healthy…
Morning Adam. When is the deadline day for ST renewals?
I like that idea Potter…
First of June Rico.
RIP Ugo. A tragedy.
Jeez, didn’t know Ugo had passed away, so young…RIP
Just seen he’s passed away Kev. That’s really sad news … 🙁
Thanks Adam..
Morning Rico, BT, Adam and All.
Heart attack it seems, poor sod…
God I’m already bored by the General Election, so sick of listening to all the spin, bullshit and downright lies.
These people should try doing a proper job for a few years.
Morning Kev, at least we’ve only got 7 weeks of election talk, we’ve a few more months or even years of Wenger.
Thanks for that Rico…. ?
With the event in Paris 3 days before the French election last night we have to be seriously worried about London in the next few weeks.
🙂 Kev.
Very true Potter, worrying and quite frightening times…
100% agree with you Kev rè the general election. Lies, lies and damned lies. And, who holds these tossers to account when they fly in the face of all the promises they’ve made? There should be a law……..!
44 years old, no kind of age. Seriously sad. RIP feller.
Just a passing thought. Is Wenger a politian? He’s full of half truths and obsfucation! Furthermore he’s not answerable to anyone, either! A perfect fit for an MP! (Master of Pisstaking.)
Dull here again today. But I have finished all my chores and even planted my tomatoes in the greenhouse.
Soft play with granddaughter rainy and cold here.
Afternoon Rico and All
Very sad to hear Ugo has passed away.
I have followed Ugo for quiet a few years now.
reason being His brother called me many years ago
asking if he could help me with some coaching work
with a view to him getting his coaching badges.
I had to turn him down at the time because of CRB
rules.
But thought he would turn up with his brother
somewhere along the line.
I never did meet Ugo..But what I read about him
was all top notch.
I worked with a coach many years ago who suffered
the same as Ugo.
He was 41 he died right next to me,a very fit guy.
R.I.P…
Simeone for me ever since he said:
“I want to thank all the mothers of my players for giving them such big balls.”
Evening Fred, all.
I see we’ve signed Arda Turan… lol
Have we really Rico?
I hope not Adam…
Very long shorts and a dense beard.
I liked him years ago and hoped we’d sign him which I’m sure Kelsey will confirm… ?
But now? No thank you….
You’re having a giggle Rico….
What we really need is a Narda Backfor!
That’s the NN headlines BT… lol
Nighty guys. Catch up tomorrow…
Wow, 2 signings already, quick lads, get out and renew those season tickets…
Mish…
The reinvention of good old AW signings??? I’ll wager there lumps of garlic hanging all around his,kitchen! Alongside pictures of Fagin and other notable,tight wads!
Dream on…!
New signings….PA!
We need five new signings.
One manager and four new coaches… 🙂
Morning all..
Morning Rico. I reckon a managerial change would, by definition, bring enormous changes with it in all areas of the club.
Morning Adam. So do I. I can’t wait for the day…
Shame about Ibra’s injury….. 😉
New post up now.