Morning all.
It’s hard to believe that Highbury House will be seven years old on Monday. Seven years of what feels like writing the same old stuff, certainly at this time of the year. The only time i can recall Arsene Wenger being busy in the transfer window during that time was just after we’d been to Old Trafford and got battered good and proper. We didn’t have a good enough squad back then but that hefty loss sparked Wenger into action and on deadline day off he went with his big trolley and made a last minute dash for a number of players. Having already signed Park Ju-Yung, he added Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Per Mertesacker and the Brazilian lump Andre Santos! But what also happened in that summer was Cesc Fabregas returned to Barcelona, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy were sold to Man City. The latter didn’t really bother me at the time as his defending had become suspect to say the least but the loss of the other too really hurt the team, just as it did the fans. Certainly the way in which both orchestrated their moves.
Other than that summer, Arsenal have been about selling more buying. The odd really good player has been snapped up but never quite enough, certainly not at one time. Each time the transfer window shuts, many of us believe we are one, two, sometimes more players short for the challenge ahead and as the season plays out, those beliefs prove to be right. Not once during HH’s seven years have Arsenal won the league, not once have they looked like winning it either. The closest perhaps was the season Gallas had his strop, but we know what happened then. Just a few years ago we were top at Christmas but nose dived as a new year arrived. That should have been Liverpool’s year but Gerrard slipped. Oh how I laughed, inwardly anyway because the way we capitulated then was worse.
When Wenger signed his new two year contract at the end of last season, coupled with all the other stuff we either heard or read about, this summer was expected to be a great one for the club. In what should be his last couple of years as Arsenal manager, Wenger was finally going to really have a crack at the league. We’d start the season with a strong and deep squad, be organised, disciplined and ready to go. The defence would be tight, the midfield a rock and together, this would be the strongest group of players Arsene Wenger has had for a long time.
Instead, we had a makeshift defence, no defensive discipline but luckily, we were able to score more goals than Leicester in the opening fixture. Other than winning our first game, little else has changed. So far, a very disappointing transfer window, no sign that the goals conceded tally will lessen and on top of that, we have three players who could yet be sold, despite Wenger telling us they won’t be. If they are, it doesn’t bode well for us does it?
Yes, there’s still time for anything to happen but knowing the way Arsenal go about their transfer business, we’d need another couple of months for them to get a deal over the line.
In my opinion, we are yet again at least two players short in this squad, one in midfield and one in defence and that was before the Gabriel and Mustafi leaving rumours. If both prove to be true, Wenger surely has a plan in place to replace them, just as he must do if he’s ready to sell Ox, Ozil and Sanchez. Surely he wouldn’t sit back and watch both Holding and Chambers struggle would he? Or rely on two other central defenders who already have fitness concerns…?
No, of course not…..
Finally, four of our younger players have been promoted to the first team squad. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Cohen Bramall. Good for them I say and I wish them all the luck in the world.
Correct me if I’m wrong but, the kindergarten group, are they the replacements for:
Gabriel will be, Maitland Niles
The Ox will be Nelson
Sanchez will be Bramall
And
Ozil will be Willock
Or perm any 4 from 4.
Now that would make life interesting in the fall and fall of Wenger’s Arsenal. And then what???
Hardly fills a body with confidence if that is his renewed and replacement plan, good kids though they may be.
Food for more wasted brain juice and a bit of thought!
Wouldn’t surprise me Wavy..
Afternoon Rico and All
Groundhog day again again again.
Going back when we never had 2 bob
I loved to see the young kids come through
and get a game.But….Hold on
This league has moved on a bit,
looking at the top teams,who bloods kids
these days.
I watched chambers excell early on,Arsene
played him everywhere even midfield,then
chucked him out and bought his U/21 partner
but feed him slowly in.
Arsene then says/braggs Young players need
time over/using them brings mistakes.
Wake up.
I new that 40 years ago.
As I only go by what I see and feel about
The Arsenal..My passion under this lot is
quickly turning to anger.
Half full…more like bottom of the barrel
As for you Optimist’s..What are you smoking.
Afternoon Fred. Groundhog day indeed. I’m all for the younger players being given a chance as I hope these do and they do well, but relying on them, that’s a different matter..
He will ruin them rico,
As Arsene has promised to re-invent himself
this season.
Can anyone see a change yet..Just asking.
Afternoon Fred. That would be a big No from me.
Afternoon Adam
I bet someone knows..
I can definitely see the changes coming to fruition,just as Ivan promised us….we’ll win a minimum of the treble this season imho!
My glasses are Wenger tinted…
Looking like Perez is getting a free ride
to spain on loan £17 we paid I think.
Is Arsene screwing The Syrup.
I’m confused.
Lee you had smoke or a wine gum.
I reckon he will ruin them too Fred and it’s a no from me too..
Arsene knows it ALL he’s said so countless times. We, on the other hand know nothing, nothing at all,
I’m dumbfounded at my obvious ignorance.
“Will no one rid us of this man?”
Thank goodness we know you’re kidding Lee, otherwise I’d be sending round the men in white coats…
Are we concentrate for tomorrow game?
Those “injury” or “ill” could be out…
So if Inter offer £35m for Mustafi, Arsenal will sell according to Sky Sports…
I’m sure Wenger has them all well prepared and focused Jm… lol
We signs Samuelson! A new defender!
Fulham signs 2 Portuguese players: Rafa (n loan? ex-Porto) and Fonte (ex Braga and Arsenal)
Rico, guess all gunners may have to toe my line – steel themselves for another two years of Arsene’s stubbornness and elusive premiership title. Why? Arsene’s age has softened him. In dicey situations, rather than give a red card, he will issue a yellow! Rather than cull, he will rather manage! Rather than discard he will prefer to patch. Jenkinson, Debuchy, Gibbs, even Chambers, all illustrate this point. He prefers to do things the Wenger way, only that for thiteen years, it doesn’t seem to be working!
Congratulations on your seven years and keep it rocking.
Where is Gazz(Ivan)?
He should made to ware a
Wheres wally scarf..Red and White of coarse.
Totts are in the market…. Sanchez, central back from Ajax is close.
What HHs think about Draxler?
Who is Samuelson Jm?
Daniel, thanks and right now him getting to Christmas looks dodgy, but in any case, I pray he’s gone next summer…
Poch hopes to sign four players in the next two weeks…
R.I.P Brucie!!
Very sad news, not unexpected but terribly sad…
RIP Sir Bruce, it was nice to see you…….
Yes RIP Brucie.
Lovely article about Per in the Guardian. What a great bloke.
I’ll have a peep at that Adam.
Agree, a down to earth nice guy. I like what he said about the younger players who get released from the club.
What he said about training etc suggests to me that Wenger doesn’t talk much to the players about why they are not being picked. No wonder Perez wants to leave…
Gabriel has gone then…
That’s a shame, Bruce was a great entertainer…
No doubt some clowns in the Press will blame it on Ramsey, for scoring against Leicester. ?
One of the best Kev…
rico on 18th August 2017 at 4:03 pm
Who is Samuelson Jm?
Exactly, rico! Another top-gun for the Goonettes, whom no-one has even heard of?!
I’m getting bored now, looking every day to see if there is any news on the transfer front for us. Unfrigginbelievable.
It’s gonna go down to the last day, it always does.
Great innings by Cook.
I realised later it was a ladies signing, thanks Meerkat..
Awesome innings by Cook..
Rico, another 450 runs and Cook will have scored 12000 test runs, only 5 other batsmen have ever reached that landmark.
He’s incredible Kev, Englands highest scorer I think..
Evening all and thanks for a great post, Rico.
An anomaly was Brucie……………….supported both Arsenal and Spuds which probably made him both half full and half empty ! …………..he had a good game !………RIP
And now for some proper rumour talk…………………………..
David Ornstein on Draxler: “He seems surplus to requirements at PSG. Arsenal bid for him in the past. He’s not afraid to come to England.”
David Ornstein on Oxlade-Chamberlain: “If he stays, he’s a firm part of afc plans. I don’t think he’s pushing for a move but he’s open.”
David Ornstein on N’Zonzi to Arsenal rumours: “No.”
I wouldn’t mind Draxler, but we need some defensive steel too…
Catch up tomorrow guys…
Samuelsson is for the Ladies team
It’s official: Gabriel to Valencia and Sanchez to Totts (transfer record for them)
Morning all.
Rico, the “show” is on the internet everyday, that little comment was nothing to do with the club and its handling of things, as it’s not a show at all lol
Same old, same old from the club, but I choose to roll with the punches and accept the inevitable as I figure that I can’t change things, so won’t be dragged down by it.
Of course, that makes me an AKB to those all over the net and Facebook unable to read lol
On Gabriel-why are so man fans happy he’s gone (again, all over the net).
I’ll never forget how happy people many were when we signed such an aggressive CB, one capable of standing up to the likes of Costa, then, the same people tore the kid apart when he was incorrectly sent off v Chelski.
That was early in his Arsenal career, and he was never the same player after that, imo.
It’s entirely probable that Wenger also spoke to him to tone things down, taking out the very asset/trait that attracted the club to him in the first place.
Anyway, now ones gone, Wenger had better have a replacement ready to come in!!!
Unlike most, I thought we were ok at CB, but definitely short now.
Strange decision.
I just wonder if Gabriel would have been sold if the club had been able to move on Jenkinson, Debuchy and Gibbs?
That’s not to say that all three might not be gone by deadline day, but by then it might be too late for Arsenal to do anymore incoming business.
Kev There was talk that his Wife failed to settel in London and was homesick
It was said she asked to go home.
Well that makes sense Rick, I did hear that they never got to grips with the language, which could have impacted big time on his Mrs.
£10 m still seems a bit low
The Arsenal. The club that’s always giving!
Gabriel gone…..he was an angel, wasn’t he?
Who’s next?
Anybody signed at all? Nope! No change there then!
Down down deeper and down….when, oh when is going to get 2006 better???
Wavy, I must say that the sale of Gabriel makes no bloody sense at all unless Wenger brings in a top class replacement.
If not, WTF???
Reports suggest that Wenger enjoys relaxing by watching Basketball. A game with no contact and totally attacking where the only defence is zonal . Does that tell us anything ?
It might explain ditching a defensive dud like Gabriel.
Evening all,
QLD & NSW taking on the All Blacks soon.
Arsene Wenger when he decided he was good for another 2 years probably didn’t factor in that his over paid slush of fringe players would be hard to shift if their wages were going to fall elsewhere, & that being out of CL footie, his way would not be attractive for quality players to come to The Arsenal. Anyway, I will judge him in September 1st. But if The Arse are only looking @ top 6, there is no way he can ask for any more extensions in his tenure.
Morning Rico and All
Gabriel never looked happy..did he
I thought early on he was what we wanted
even at right back,he done ok.
Arsene yesterday was beaming.. he was telling all
about how strong our new defender Sead kalashnikov
was.He says:
He uses the strength of his body without violence.
So maybe Gabriel was a bit the violent side for
our boss.
Fred
I never looked happy watching Gabriel so I’m told
Look on the bright side gg
Try and guess who we play at the
back now..Talk about Fantasy football
Yes it is a worry fred! Hopefully Per’s eyebrow holds up @ Stoke?
GG, like a car accident, I don’t want to watch this Beldisloe Cup game, but can’t look away.
They at least look better than at Super rugby level.
Wait I take that comment back
Lol Bradster-it didn’t take long 🙂
The all blacks are beasts. Sadly I’m nervous about Argentina later
Aussies are in a rebuilding stage-have been for a decade 🙂 🙂
Rugby really is struggling here, at all levels.
Perhaps we’ll do better when rugby worldwide is in sync and the guys aren’t playing 11 months a year.
Yeah that’s true.
It’s a game where a month off a year hardly cuts it lol
Back to Football. I can’t believe Wenger is prepared to let them walk next season for free. Imagine how they’ll play next year after they negotiate their new teams in Jan.
That’s been my issue-will they give 100%?
Even if their intentions are good, how can they play without an eye to the future?
I personally would sell Sanchez and try buy Martial. If there are any offers. Man city is a good destination, a coach that doesn’t like the way he plays and huge competition for a sulker if he doesn’t play. Great player for us but clear intentions by not signing.
Whatever happens, I wish it’d happen quickly.
It’s a ridiculous situation for all concerned.
The three no signers are, I’m afraid a sign of the times at Arsenal. They’ll all find new clubs in January and discover they all have long term injuries thereafter. The old wrinkly delusional one believes he can persuade them to sign up to more of his miserable lack of success because he remains the Manager/coach and general factotum! If it were me I wouldn’t bother getting out of bed for the old goat. How on earth does he think he has the charisma to motivate the terrible trio? Idiot.
Morning all. Was sunny and breezy here now it’s not!
Stoke later? A good test of just where we actually are, (without Sanchez!) a win would be good. It may even open up the possibility that I could forgive the coach for his inertia and think we may have a chance of finishing in the coveted 4th place again!
Well Swansea looks shit on paper but seem to be giving United a few questions. We could face the ball playing Stoke and struggle or the slow starters of last season and thump them 4-0
Gabriel looked very happy celebrating victories thou, watch him after the FA cup win.
Btw, all those anointing United as Champions, they may have worst defenders than Arsenal, a back 3 of Jones, Bailly and Valencia with overrated Matic in front…… that inspires confident. When your best defender is Bailly a walking hacker give me Mustafi or Kos. Young Tammy Abraham is just abusing Jones and Matic, its a shame Sigurosson is not there to feed him.
I’m with you on that, Obi.
They look better as a unit than last season, but then, they needed a massive improvement.
Is it enough?
Time will tell.
I guess they’ve spent up, so are at least having a crack, though their defence needed more, I reckon.
Scott, and we all know that Lukaku will take his regularly scheduled vacation after the new year…..lol. It never fails, the guy will have 14 goals by January then finish the season with 18 -20…. smh.
The Pogba/Lukaku partnership is going to be magic this season, I’m afraid.
I think Lukaku is a very good striker, but nothing more than that, Obi.
I’d have Giroud ahead of him anytime.
1-4 last season at that shit-hole, Giroud with 2 goals, so our team should go into the game with positive memories of the superbly named bet 365 stadium. Very fitting…
Commentators curse. As Obi said that wack wack wack 3 goals.
Wonder if Wenger would still be interested in Chris Smalling who seems rooted to the bench.
Bradster but that was bad managing decision why did Clement pulled the defender for an attacker? Especially when they were still in the game n threatening United defense.
Still on my couch, I can tell it was a very bad move ….. these managers?
Gabriel and maybe Neto (Zenit) the 2 new central backs of Valencia
Mbappe to PSG for 180 millions !!!!!
No space for Alexis
Sure he wants to play at high level, because, at least, will be the world cup next year.
Man Ure are looking quite a unit, tight at the back whilst scoring plenty of goals.
Afternoon all…
Any good news around relating to Arsenal? I see Alexis is fit for later and could be on the bench…
Hello Rico and everyone !
Gabriel good riddance must say…….He instilled Rashford confidence on his debut against us. Remember.
Never tackling timely….the shit stuff against the Spuds nailed his faith. Le Prof murmured “he did it again ” when he gave poor penalty.Crap scouting must say.
I hope we smash the leg breakers in their turf…..but i do smell a draw.
Kev, them and City are the teams to beat imo..
them and city and all the others
Yep, totally agree Rico…
33Cech
20Mustafi
18Monreal
31Kolasinac
24Bellerín
8Ramsey
29Xhaka
15Oxlade-Chamberlain
11Özil
23Welbeck
9Lacazette
Substitutes
4Mertesacker
12Giroud
13Ospina
14Walcott
17Iwobi
34Coquelin
35Elneny
Referee:
Andre Marriner
No Merts or Holding? Odd.
Yes Jm, and the rest.
Ramsey shoehorned in again then…
Rico, I can’t say that that defence fills me with a lot of confidence.
Me neither Kev, not one bit…
Monreal at centre half…. worrisome
Midfield looking strong then… ?
And stupid Kel… imo of course;)
Broad, 3 more wickets to over take Ian Botham
Does seem that way Rico.. I bet crouch can’t wait to get on…
Jimmy Anderson needs 9 more wickets to reach 500…
I reckon both will do that against the Windies Kev.
If crouch comes on Kel, I hope Wenger immediately brings on Merts
Listening to the radio, plenty of fancy approach play, no end result, where is our record signing?
this is painful viewing.
Trust me Kev, there’s nowt fancy going on…
Rico, according to that massive Arsenal fan, Robbie Savage on BBC we should have had a penalty, foul on Bellerin…
First off I didn’t think so Kev but replays show it should have been a pen..
Yep, that’s what the commentators said on the radio, Rico
I think we miss Elneny’s recycling abilities.
Technology needed Kev
Not great tbh.. Arsenal imo lacking physical power and height. Also the final ball is no where to be seen..
Same old same old. Far too slow and casual. Two penalties denied. Stoke wankers diving all over the place and making Joe Allen and Darren Fletcher look like Zico and Socrates in midfield!
? Bob, spot on though.
We made that easy for them then. Have to laugh….
Brutal
This team is so fuckin weak…. literally no spine. Got of the hook against Leicester can they do it again.
Isn’t it just Kel. I was just sat here wondering if this was the same club which won things under Wenger when he first arrived- we are now a shadow of those teams..
Reactive manager Rico.. . We need a proactive one….
Bellerin has wasted a hell of a lot chances to either score or assist…
Don’t we just Kel, that day will come soon…
So has Ramsey
Mustafi so so poor…
Night guys, Arsenal haven’t changed one bit…
Normal service resumed then… the Genius according to some has now scraped a win and already been beaten…
Scored 4 conceded 4….
Same problems as always..
Great plan from the eejit in charge.
Im off to couldn’t be annoyed with this lot..
Going nowhere
Night rico
That hurts!
You never know with this team, they seem to be bipolar, so they could quite easily go up to Anfield and win.
But in realty, I think that we’ll lose and that could pretty much be our EPL title challenge (lol) over and finished for another season.
Nevermind, it’s the Europa League draw this coming Friday, that’s something to look forward to… ?
Same old, same old, unfortunately.
Plenty of possession, doing little with it.
Yep Scott, I didn’t think we deserved to lose, we are by far the better side, but heyho, this is the EPL.
We may have found our true level, mid-table, hard though that is to stomach.
https://www.facebook.com/arsenalviral/videos/118850528771304/
No matter how average the performance, why can’t officials get these right?
No, we aren’t good enough to win the title, as it stands, we can’t finish too 4, but ffs, we should at least be 2 from 2.
Wenger really has one option, and one only.
That is to go and spend $100 million to at least make fans believe he’s having a crack.
What did le prof say? “Frustrating. We were the qualité side, Stoke were lucky, we should have had a penalty, and Lucozade was not offside, how did the linesman not see it? It was cold and wet, you can’t expect them to defend under such conditions… Monreal comes from a warm country, bless him. My lads are thoroughbreds they should not have to play in such conditions – I did not sign the boy Mezut or any other player to do dirty work. Mesut is my beautiful creator. I do not need to strengthen” (Actually he admitted his defenders were rubbish..).
He chose them and coached them though. How come we all know they are not good enough defenders, and he doesn’t.
Sorry Arsene, but I am losing faith already.
The poor fans who travelled to Stoke.
We’ll soon see the banners out again ‘ THANK YOU ARSENE BUT GO NOW PLEASE’ lol.
All the changes the club-not just Arsene-promised are yet to be delivered.
Why?
We’ve made two top signings, but every other top club have made 3,4 or 5 and they were already in front of us.
Banners won’t do a thing, Meerkat, nor will protests etc etc etc
I really don’t what else other than spending will help, to be honest.
How about sack the coach/manager/general factotum and all the other things he does running the monolith that should be Arsenal. He is the reason, the only reason we are no longer competing for the top prizes.
He’s done.
Wavy, we would still have Stan and Ivan.
You may be right that’s he’s the only reason, we aren’t competing, but there remains only one reason we still have him-the person ultimately responsible for our fortunes, imo.
Hello Gunners. Same season same plate of sh#t. Wenger still has not figured out out issues. Surprise surprise
Mabo, if he has figured them out, he certainly hadn’t done anything about it lol
Very, very disappointing.
Spot on Scott. Thing I cant figure out myself Scott is how come. Isnt we all prepare for our jobs? How does Wenger fail dismally to prepare each time. At this stage we still have nowhere near what we need and little time left on the window. Passion can kill you sometimes and us Arsenal fans are dying a slow painful death by it
Wenger could add another £100m worth of players and it would make fuck all difference….he’s totally done as a top flight manager. We played better without Ozil and Ramsey in the team during pre-season….Ramsey is so ill disciplined he leaves Xhaka exposed by spending most of his time in the opposition’s box. Then there’s the flicks etc, just keep it simple and stop the showboating.
We still don’t have a dominant CB or a dominant DM why can’t Le fraud see that this is the root of a lot of our defeats?? For someone so intelligent he has his head up his own arse a lot the time, doesn’t he?
Still only another two seasons to go!!
Morning Rico. As you said last night, nothing has changed. What lack of vision and fog of arrogance persuaded Wenger to accept a new contract one can only imagine. Yet, here he (and we) are, sailing into the coming season with nothing that seems to resemble a coherent plan, unless you consider playing our recent defensive formations some sort of cunning strategy.
The contract situation of our rebellious three rambles on, unaddressed and the ramifications for the next manager, whoever he may be, are huge. If you put all your eggs in one basket and it has a big hole in it, then basically, you’re fucked.
Morning Brudder.
Morning Adam and all.
We’re a laughing stock really. All because of one man!
Rico. I think that we may have included the ‘nightmare scenario’ in several predictions we kicked around after the joyous news of Wenger’s contract extension was made known to us. We may yet see it unfold or Arsene might surprise us. But what is being played out has much deeper significance and it might not end well. 🙂
Adam, we did. I can’t see anything other than a totally predicable season ahead and that’s little to do with what happened yesterday…
The clubs fucked with Stan at the helm.
That’s a fact.
Mabo, this season, of all seasons, I’m absolutely astounded he hasn’t spent up.
Rico. I must admit that Wenger has done a remarkable job on Ivan after his “Catalyst for change” comments. It obviously infuriated him as we remember after his tirade about the role of of DOF. Not for the first time Wenger let his own arrogance and lust for complete control spill out. Most sensible people would have seen that Gazidis’ comments were entirely relevant. When things go wrong, why continue making the same mistakes?
Of course we needed change and not a few appointments made behind the scenes of people in positions of subservience to Wenger. I would imagine that Ivan just shrugged and decided to play the long game. Failure to beat Liverpool will only ramp up the pressure and I hope that Gazidis lets Wenger carry on digging after his sheer effrontery in suggesting that the great Arsene Wenger might actually benefit from some help.
The very idea!
Adam. Spot on. Ivan’s comments were made for a reason, that’s for sure. He wants change, over to Arsene to hang himself. Football wise I mean.. 😉
If only the man could see he needs help, but then people like him don’t do they…?
I agree Rico. Like many, I was pleased when I heard that there was someone at the club who saw the need for change. But Ivan was emasculated by Wenger’s pure, unadulterated arrogance. He must have thought, no, there will be no change and to show what a genius I am I shall, after having 70 days to prepare, play a right back at left back and a left back in central defence while simultaneously insisting that the club keeps players whose contract situations should have been sorted out a year ago
Their will be no collective responsibility from now on. This one is down to Arsene.
Adam, I couldn’t believe that ‘tactical’ decision, it’s just wrong is so many ways yet it’s so Wenger.
Agree re Ivan and he knew exactly what he was doing when he made those comments, and made it clear to the fans where he stands. I reckon Arsene is heading towards a torrid time..
A loss at Anfield and and it’ll all kick off I reckon.
Not sure how Ivan deserves any defence.
He’s doing absolutely nothing and getting well paid for it-something people criticise Wenger for.
Ivan is irrelevant at the club.
Mourning all and welcome to the wake !
I feel worse this season than last season at this stage and we have two more points !
Next two away games……………..Bindippers and Chavs !………………….I`m already booked into a Swiss Euthanasia Clinic !……………………I dont want to die, but the over riiding temptation to come back and haunt Wenger is too great !
“Is there anybody there…………in central defence and midfield destroyer ?”
What does Gazidis actually do ?…………………..is it football related or commercial related ?…………..is he needed ?………………………honestly dont know !
And what does Kroenke actually do ?………………………he doesn`t put money in, he doesn`t nowadays take money out, he knows nothing about football whatsoever, not one fan likes him !, he`s hated !, he could double his money if he sold !…………….what`s the point of him ?
New post up now.
If he doesn`t put money in or take it out, then the only intereest he has is his shares rising and being worth more, but unless he sells he will never feel the benefit !………………….I dont get it !