Gazidis tried but failed. Arsenal come out on top again in the transfer window..

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″] [et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Morning all.

It’s funny isn’t it. Part of me wanted Wenger to make a few signings yesterday but now he hasn’t, perhaps it’s a relief. A defender or two, a midfielder and a guy who could kind of replace Alexis and I reckon we’d have been back in the top four at least. That’s if Arsene Wenger could get them all singing off the same hymn sheet of course but now, the Frenchman seems to have all but set himself up to be sacked/asked to resign by neglecting the squads needs yet again.

In my opinion he’s stuck two fingers up to Ivan and his comments about change at the club.

If I’m right, it shows what a control freak Arsene Wenger is. For so long now we’ve heard him talk about his own commitment to the club, his desire to win the league and his passion etc etc but anyone who believes that to be true is being conned. If he truly cared for Arsenal FC, he’d have not behaved in the way he has over the last three months. I would say ten years but I’m sticking to the here and now. Actually, if he truly cared for the club, he’d have left in the summer if not before.

To sign just two players when we were so weak last season beggars belief. As does letting Lucas Perez return to Spain on loan. Spending £46 million on Lacazette and nabbing Sead Kolasinac for free quite early in the summer gave us hope, but yet again Arsenal under Wenger have come out on top as far as finances go. Selling Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain has pretty much recouped the money he spent. Shocking for a club which loves to take so much money from it’s fans! If he sell’s Ozil to Barcelona today, we’ll be well in credit!

Then there was the embarrassment of watching him dither all summer over Thomas Lemar, a player who might have said yes to a move in June but said no late in the afternoon yesterday. Wenger was in France when our offer was made and according to reports, it was Ivan Gazidis dealing with both City and Monaco but it was all too late because Wenger had left it too late.

If Wenger wanted him, why he didn’t get him before Monaco sold so many players will forever remain a mystery and now he’s stuck with Alexis, a guy who doesn’t really want to be at the club and who could potentially leave for free next summer.

I say potentially because between now and then, a lot can happen. Stan Kroenke might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I’m darn sure he won’t be happy losing the £60m we perhaps could have got for the Chilean yesterday, if not before during this transfer window. I doubt he’d be happy if and when he’s told there’s no chance of Wenger getting us back into to a Europa spot let alone the top four either because we won’t, not imo. Not that getting into either place is enough for a club who should be challenging with the best in Europe.

There’s talk of a divided board over the Frenchman, but surely that divide will soon cease to exist? Logic would suggest so but then logic and Arsenal are two words which don’t seem to go together right now.

But I think there’s hope now, hope that it won’t be long before that promised change will become a reality. We’ve just got to ride out the next few weeks or months and watch the decline gather pace. I think I read that fan protests against Wenger are already planned for the Bournemouth match and that was before the transfer window closed. But this isn’t because of getting thrashed at Anfield, it’s because of ten years bottled up frustration and disappointment. Ten years of watching the same mistakes being made time and time again. Ten years of empty promises and constant failings.

Its not going to be pretty and it’s not going to pleasant, certainly not when we all have so much love for our great club but sadly, we have to through it all to come through the other end.

But after such a poor start to the season and another dreadful transfer window, the light at the end of the tunnel could soon be burning bright.

I certainly hope so…..
[/et_pb_text] [/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]

99 thoughts on “Gazidis tried but failed. Arsenal come out on top again in the transfer window..

  1. gunnerpete says:

    I think you are spot on. My gut feeling is that it may well be that the board has at last been shown up for what they are, liars and profit makers. If Lemar had signed they could have gone on fooling people into thinking they could give a dam. Now I just hope for the clubs long term future that the supporters do what we did in the 60’s and go on strike. Do not turn up week in week out and in six months Kronke will see a massive drop in profits. That will be enough for him hopefully to sell out. A report Ive just read that Barca may bid £55 mill today for Ozil because their window is still open would please me no end. He has not turned up for months and lets get shot.

  2. DB10 says:

    The heartfelt sentiment in your post mirrors – I suspect the majority of out fan’s thoughts. I too have known for a long time that before it can get better, it is going to get very ugly. Yesterday was no surprise. Just more fodder for the journos and other fans to rip into us – but even that doesn’t seem to hurt any more as it has gone beyond banter and flavour of the month. A sorry, sad state of affairs for such a great club. Let’s hope that someone – anyone with a shred of influence can action the changes we so desperately need.

    As for the immediate future, it is paramount that someone – maybe Jens, sits the players together and discusses the importance of harmony within the playing staff, and that even if they have lost complete faith/respect for AW, that they must do it for the fans and the future of the club.

    Finally, the feint hope that Dangote or Usmanov can again approach Kroenke and try to tempt him into releasing out great club to someone who gives a damn.

  3. Adam says:

    Good post Rico. I think that, as Arsenal fans, we need to cling to whatever hope we can – however grimly. The realities are harsh. Until things change we are going to have to be content with whatever scraps we can gobble up after the ‘big’ clubs have competed for the big prizes. It hurts doesn’t it? It does me anyway. As far as I can see, we slipped away a little further yesterday and that’s sobering. It forces us to look at our club in a different but perhaps more enlightened way. I am desperately hoping that the fans will unite against the whole regime and that, in a financially-driven scenario like Arsenal, we can make our voices heard by simply not giving the club any more than we have to and by protesting whenever and wherever we can.

  4. rico says:

    Thanks Adam, guys and morning to you all.

    I think we will sell Ozil… Then let Ramsey have his position and see if that improves his football..

  5. Bob John says:

    Good post as usual Rico. When you look at the squad its hard to have any optimism at all. A mixture of players who don’t want to be there like Sanchez and Mustafi, players we are happy to let go such as Giroud and Elneny, players who are happy to take the money for doing nothing like Walcott and Debuchy, players who spend most of their time on the treatment table such as Jack and Santi, players who are past their best like Cech and Kos, players who the crowd are ready to crucify like Ramsey and Xhaka. Youngsters who’s confidence will be shot such as Holding and Iwobi, genuine but limited triers like Monreal and Coquelin and the two new boys who must wonder what the hell they have walked into!

  6. Woody says:

    We’re well in credit when you add Szczesny etc. We’ve made money and cut the wage bill this transfer window! I’d also argue that the signing of Kolasinac was agreed in January, so we’ve only signed one player.

    I think we need to do more to make Kronke aware we want him gone. Wenger bashing does nothing and probably he’s gone in 2 years, if Kronke doesn’t go then this problem will carry on for a lot longer than that… I see he’s investing in a new stadium in the US… I wonder where that money comes from!

  7. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico, nice post.

    There will still be a few delusionals out there banging the drum for the present manager, it doesn’t matter how far the rot goes, in their world they’re right and the club can go to hell in a handcart, it’s everyone else’s fault, the fans, the press, the referees, the FA, Brexit, Trump, North Korea, but never the Lord Wenger…

    Ozil to Barcelona sounds good to me for £55m, can’t see it happening though, not unless Stan gets involved.

    Would we really miss a Ozil?
    In some respects yes, but he is a ‘luxury player’ and whilst Barca can carry one of those I don’t think that Arsenal can, we’re gonna need a more industrial approach to stave off the current slide.

    Chelsea (a) should be quite enlightening, as they’re in all kinds of a crisis as well.

  8. rico says:

    That’s a good read on Arseblog..

    Thanks Bob. It’s a depressing state of affairs. The clubs been on a downward spiral since the day Dein left. There’s just no rudder on this fast sinking ship…

  9. steveyj22 says:

    All us Arsenal fans are upset and frustrated to see what is happening in yet another poor transfer window this one looks like it is going to be the worst ever, and that takes some doing. I have an idea which I‘ve suspected for a while now. Kroenke and the board are deliberately turning Arsenal in a to a mid table club. That may sound a bit ridiculous but take a step back a think about it. To b build a team strong enough to compete for the PL and CL you have to spend least a 100 million+ a season and also players wages are a joke now some being more than 300k a week. And you would need probably almost half you team to earn this and the rest except for a few would earn well over 100k . And this would not guarantee success. And may not even guarantee a top four spot (e.g us last season) there are 3 big spender to compete withplus the spuds, Liverpool and Everton. But if you keep your wage bill sensible and spending low Mid table is quite easy to achieve for a club like Arsenal. Every PL club earns at least 120 mil TV money (maybe more). Not to mention Match day revenue and sponsor ship deals. Sunderland who got relegated made more money last year that Bayern Munich (that sounds unbelievable but is a fact) Why spend 50 – 60mil to earn 30mil? (CL TV money)Why have a 200m+ wage bill and spend 100m+ to win the PL and or CL which will take huge Chunks out off you revenue. People say that you can get better sponsorship deals , prize money merchandize sales, etc which is true to a certain extent but nowhere the extra 100 mil plus massive wage outlay, and the club would have to keep winning to get mega deals, which is almost impossible with all the competition in PL and CL. Of course if your club has ambition to be the best, that doesn’t matter you still make lots of money and are Champions. But Spend minimal on transfers and keep the wage bill sensibleYour profits will be higher. And with a club like Arsenal if the fans stay away tourists will easily make up the number (plus they will probably spend more in the ground and shops) as it stand so far this season If Man City Win the PL and we finish say 9th I think you will find that we will have far bigger profits and that is exactly what a business man like Stan Kreonke wants and all he cares about. Every one of his teams operate in this way. And Sadly Wenger must be on board with this. He is given all the power in the club and is payed 10mil a year and is happy to try win the PL and CL his way and only his way. The Sad truth is there is no ambition besides making lots of money at our club. That my opinion anyway, but it would explain a lot if it’s true. Plus I nearly forgot Also Kroenke supposedly uses the club as collateral to buy stuff in America. Aren’t we luck to have such a wonderful owner !!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. rico says:

    Woody, if I was Kroenke I’d have asked him to resign this morning, but honestly, I don’t think it’ll be long before he does, or at least someone on his behalf. Once it starts to look like we’ll finish further down the table than we ever have before, Kroenke will surely start to twitch…

  11. frednerk says:

    Morning Rico and All
    Was goner have a rant to-day Rico
    But somehow your post again has
    summed it for for very calming.

    Anyway what is Grimondy doing in france,
    Scout..dibb dibb dobb dobb..

  12. rico says:

    Morning Kev.

    I reckon we might sell Ozil because of the prospect of missing out on so much money on him and Alexis next summer. Unless the player himself wants to stay on the comfy Arsenal sofa where he’s protect by Wenger.

    Great player when he wants to be but it’s quite clear to see that Arsenal have a massive fight on their hands each game, and Ozil isn’t a fighter…

    Agree re Chelsea being in a bit of a crisis, but theirs is in relation to challenging for the league and CL, ours is far worse. I reckon they’ll spank us good and proper..

  13. Sean Williams says:

    Great article. Good insight. Question is, is it legal for Kroenke to spend big money given to Arsenal from the massive League/TV pot on the LA Rams, which he is doing? Maybe that’s the way to get Kroenke out. At least Usmanov would want to challenge Abramovich and the Qataris.

  14. Marcus says:

    Can’t agree more. Would hate to see Wenger leave under a cloud, especially after everything he has done. But no man is bigger than the club, enough is enough. Bring on the change…. NOW!!

  15. Ken Robertson says:

    Just think about it. What is the benefit to the Board, to Wenger or to Kroenke to push for more than substantial mid-table wealth as just described. They are obsessed with and proud of middling football success with their own time bubble of the last decade and none is susceptible to business pressure. The Board are old men millionaires. Wenger is multi-millionaire. Kroenke’s wife is a multi-millionairess. They all know and believe that clubs like Everton, Southampton and Stoke with ambition would give their right arm to be what Arsenal already are.

    A bit of luck and some individual great performances like the FA cup final this year can keep the pot warm enough. But the heat required to get to the boil is too demanding and unnecessary for the Emirates dad’s army

  16. rico says:

    Thanks Sean.

    Is there any proof that Kroenke has used money from the club, or has used the club in any way to get money for his US projects?

  17. allezkev says:

    That’s how I see it Fred, Ramsey hasn’t the game to play def/mid, I guess we’ll have Coquelin back in there with Xhaka if Ozil leaves, leaving Ramsey a free role to attack the box.

  18. Wavy says:

    Good stuff again Rico. I think you’ve captured the mood and feelings of the many aggravated Arsenal supporters. You’ve saved me from writing and the patient HHers from yet another rant, like Fred.
    I’m just very very disappointed that the club has been allowed to sink to the level of mediocrity that it has, and what’s worse is that I can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

    Bright and sunny here again. Good!

  19. allezkev says:

    Interesting comments on here today about the Arsenal business model.

    Are we now just a franchise?
    Did we leave Arsenal Football Club behind at Highbury?

  20. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all,
    The rumour is that (somehow) Stan is using his ownership of Arsenal to assist his MFL franchise, but it’s only a rumour.
    I’m sure he would, if he could.
    We have to admit the man has some nous about him, as he owns over 67% of our club while never putting a single dollar of his own money in.

  21. Woody says:

    Kronke is a strange one, I’m not sure anyone can guess what he’s thinking Rico. I’d have thought last year would have been a bit of a kick up the arse… when you consider that we missed out on CL for first time in a while, so he’s missing the money that brings, you’d think any business would understand that you need to spend a little bit to try and get that revenue back, so to come out of the window having made a profit is unbelievable.

    Making a little bit of profit now to miss out on CL again makes no sense to someone who only cares about money, so I’m totally stumped. There must be more going on than we realise because none of it makes any sense on a sporting, or a financial level.

  22. rico says:

    Scott, if someone can dish up some facts about Kroenke using Arsenal to secure loans etc etc, then perhaps my opinion of him would change. Mind you, my opinion of him isn’t that high anyway…

  23. Sean Williams says:

    Regarding Kroenke spending money on US projects, the psychology is that he cannot spend big for any of his clubs. In the states he could be facing serious big court cases over the La Rams. These cases could cost him unimaginable money. He cannot from his point of view spend say £150,000,000. He has to make a profit to use, if court cases eat into his greed portfolio. At some future point it may be clear to Arsenal supporters he wants Arsenal’s high profit business to fight these cases. There is no mystery about what is happening, Kroenke’s focus is the La Rams and Arsenal are s feeder club, not for players, but for money.

  24. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, as I say, it’s only rumours at this point, so who knows?
    As with all things Arsenal, it’s what we don’t know that is the hardest thing.

  25. rico says:

    Woody, that’s my point kind of. There’s a lot of speculation about what Kroenke is or isn’t doing but unless I’m wrong, that’s based on what he’s done with his US sports teams. I too would have thought last season would have been a massive wake up call and not just for Kroenke but from the outside, little has changed.

    Something is clearly wrong at the club, but we’re guessing really as to know what it is. For sure anyway.

  26. steveyj22 says:

    If good old Arsene said 2 + 2= 5
    There would still be sone mugs out there who would believe him me personally if he said 2+2=4 I would still check it on my calculator!!!!

  27. Sean Williams says:

    Kroenke and the NFL are being sued by the City of St Louis for relocating the LA Rams to the detriment of the city. They have a strong chance of winning. The amount of money involved is enormous. Obviously Kroenke will not spend. It’s a no brainer. Is it a crime against Arsenal? Not yet probably, maybe, but could well be in the future. That will be the only way to get him out unless he sells Arsenal to get the money if he loses the case. He makes Usmanov look like a Saint.

  28. Sean Williams says:

    “The relocation of the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles has left many fans in St. Louis angered and disillusioned. Some of them are convinced that the team’s owner, Stan Kroenke, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dishonestly conspired to sell out the Gateway City for the riches and glamour of Los Angeles. This anger has sparked the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority (RSA) to sue the NFL and all of its teams. The lawsuit, which was filed in St. Louis Circuit Court on Wednesday, alleges that the NFL and its teams breached their own contractual commitments in how they assessed relocation plans. In doing so, the plaintiffs insist, the NFL defrauded the city and the RSA of over $100 million.”
    The hundred mill is just the accusation. The follow ups would be moneyboggling. It was filed in April. From Timeinc.

  29. ScottfromOz says:

    Doesn’t mean they’ll struggle financially, Rico….there’s still plenty rolling in, just that it’s possible Stan wanted things squared up.

  30. TT says:

    Good post Rico

    On to this nonsense about La Rams and Arsenal.

    1. Kronke does not own Arsenal right out. Hence he can only put his shears as a guarantee not the club to any loan. If he goes bust and the bank collects the shears it will sell them to highest bidder. Thats a win for us.

    2. He cannot use Arsenal cash reserves for anything. End of. Why? Look at above. Arsenal is a public company tradet on a stock exchange. For that it has to disclose any major decisions that will impact finance. hence he cannot “remove” any cash.

    3. If he wants to remove cash from the club it has to be in the form of consultancy fee as he has done in the past and that is peanuts to him. Any major amount in cash out of the club would be in dividends and Usmanov would hoover up 30% of that.

    No matter what happens with Kronke in the states it should not do anything to Arsenal. If the worst happens there it might actually be the best thing for us as he might be forced to sell.

  31. Woody says:

    I have no idea, I guess it’s all speculation. What I don’t understand is the lack of trying. PL clubs have never been so rich, yet we are being out spent by Billericay Town, Fleetwood and pretty much every other football club, I mean who makes a profit in the Summer window when they’ve had a tough season and have 4 other teams to catch up with and overtake? None of it makes any sense.

    I think most people would agree that defending was our problem last year. We actually looked decent at points but when we get nervous at the back the whole team crumbles. Do they think that just Kolasinac can change that from left wing back?

    We need a DM and a CB badly.

  32. Sean Williams says:

    It is not possible to see Arsenal as a separate entity. That is genuinely naieve. It is not just Wenger not buying players, although Kroenke, in Wenger, got the best possible candidate to represent him. It must be seen in context with Kroenke’s portfolio and what happens to his whole corporation. At the moment there is something so big from the American Football perspective happening Arsenal are unwittingly involved and a victim. Wenger should be out anyway, he is no longer able to adapt to the modern game, but how Arsenal fare is very related to Kroenke’s American situation.

  33. allezkev says:

    Sadly Bob, and hello to you, I think that is definitely the case.
    Wenger sold us the dream, that a move to a new state of the art stadium would see us compete, and financially we do, on the field not so…
    Gazides said we’re as big as Bayern, meanwhile Kroenke bought a ranch.

    Doesn’t change a thing about the managerial situation, Wenger is toast.

  34. rico says:

    Thanks TT.

    Nicely cleared up and it’s a win win for us then if the case against him is successful. Just hope there’s someone(s) out there who would be able to afford his shares and be a better owner and I by that I mean go out and get a younger and more ambitious manager.

  35. Sean Williams says:

    “Take a look inside L.A.’s new NFL stadium, future home of the Rams and Chargers
    Jeff Goertzen
    August 11, 2017 at 2:33 pm
    Categories:Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, News, NFL, Sports

    Now that Los Angeles is back to being a two-NFL-team city, here’s a look at the future home of the Rams and Chargers. The $2.6 billion project will cover 298 acres and is scheduled to be finished in 2020. It will be used for year-round events for sports and entertainment and host the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic Games.

    THE STADIUM is the centerpiece of the entertainment district. It will be a 70,000-seat, open-air stadium, expandable up to 100,000, measuring 3 million square feet.

    los angeles stadium
    (1) THE ROOF is made of transparent ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) that will cover the playing field, seating bowl, Champions Plaza and the performance venue. The entire roof structure will be 70,000 square feet.

    (2) CHAMPIONS PLAZA is a 2-acre public plaza located between the stadium and the performing arts venue. The plaza is a lobby for the two venues and can accommodate outdoor performances.

    (3) PERFORMING ARTS VENUE The 6,000-seat performing arts venue will be a state-of-the-art facility for concerts, performances and civic events.

    los angeles stadium
    THE OCULUS
    Cutting-edge technologies will be integrated throughout the building, including an Oculus video board. With more than 60,000 linear feet of screen, the Oculus is the world’s largest sporting event digital display.

    Venue numbers

    70,000-seat, open-air stadium, expandable
    up to 100,000 seats
    6,000-seat performing arts venue
    780,000 square feet of office space
    890,000 square feet of retail space
    300 hotel rooms
    2,500 modern residences
    Approximately 25 acres of public parks, open space, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths
    Family and fine dining
    State-of-the-art event, conference and meeting space
    los angeles stadium

    los angeles stadium
    Cost to build an NFL stadium

    At $2.6 billion, the Rams and Chargers stadium will be the most costly NFL facility ever built. Not adjusted for inflation, that amount would have built 27,000 Lambeau Field stadiums in 1957, when it opened.

    los angeles stadium

    Sources: The Los Angeles Rams and The Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park

    Orange County Register”

    This is where Kroenke’s mind is at. Not Arsenal. To me Arsenal have been in my heart and soul for more years than most because I am older than most, but to Kroenke we are a small part of his mind and heart. To us Arsenal are our mind and heart.

  36. ScottfromOz says:

    Sean, to Stan, Arsenal is a profitable business venture, and nothing more.
    He’s never hidden that, to be fair.

  37. Obi says:

    Good Morning Fellas:

    Good post Rico, you have been on fire this last 2 months…lol.

    3 quick points:
    Imho, the two primary players that were sold would not have won us any titles. The arguments about bringing players in is ridiculous because the problem is not buying players, the problem is Wenger is about as a manager. There is no reason why this team should lose to Stokes. Give this same team to Conte, Allegri, Lucescu, Simeone, or Ancelotti and it is 12 to 15 points better. It doesn’t matter who comes in if Wenger is still the manager.

    The board of governors doesn’t allow owners to use the franchise as an asset to guarantee financing of certain activities, especislly Stadiums. However, Stan can use Arsenal as an asset to guarantee financing for the Rams stadium which is estimated to cost $2.6 billion, the world most expensive stadium. Additionally as owner and with the approval of the board Stan can take money out of Arsenal for what ever purpose, because ELI doesn’t preclude that.

    There’s no way St Louis will win the law suit. No city Cleveland, Oakland, Los Angeles and St. Louis (when the Cardinals moved) have sued the NFL for relocating and won. These are business that are allow to moved, and the Rams only had a lease agreement with the city of St. Louis to use the stadium, they did not enter into an agreement for the City to finance a stadium. Moreover the litigation can go on for 20 years.

  38. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico,
    How am I splitting hairs???
    Balancing the books by offloading players is one thing.
    Telling Wenger which players to offload is quite clearly another.
    I never stated it as fact, either-I asked was it a coincidence.

  39. Adam says:

    I think that success on the pitch breeds success at International merchandise level and few big-money sponsors want to be associated with a failing club. So, if you encourage mediocrity as has been suggested your revenues will fall as will the share price. I prefer to believe that we are where we are because of a combination of insanity and incompetence. I don’t buy into many of the conspiracy theories myself but then I am a simple man.

  40. Dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, Another well written post among the many I still enjoy reading most days,

    Well there we have it, all the promises of new dawns, catalyst,s for change, next levels, have as expected become nothing but lies and empty meaningless words, although I think I remember Wenger shutting down ‘catalyst for change’ by announcing that any developments this summer would be ‘superficial.’ In other words, true on the surface or real only until examined more closely. “I think we had our answer there” What I’ve heard and read about kroenke I don,t like, but imo, this is Wenger,s mess……100%, again he won,t be held accountable for this shambolic, farcical window, and now “as always” we head into this season with the inevitable bad preparations, bad formations, unstructured, disjointed performances that has become the norm.
    I’ve given up being emotionally invested in Arsenal, Irrespective of whether kroenke sells, Wenger gets sacked, I feel the damage is already done, and what he,s done to the club could take years to rectify

  41. rico says:

    Thanks Obi, kind of you to say so.

    I’m with you there 100% re Wenger. It’s not always the players but the way they are coached/played. Change that and the club could be onto something…

  42. rico says:

    Scott, all I was saying is that I doubt Stan had anything to do with balancing the books, regards how we believe they were balanced. I call it simply shifting the dross. 😉

    If Stan wanted all the money he’d get, he’d have intervened and sold Alexis and Ozil surely?

  43. rico says:

    As do I Adam. Just as winning breeds winning among the players… We’re a win one lose one draw one kind of team…

    Thanks Dublin. There’s a big job for the next manager but someone with a bit of common sense would soon have it sorted in my opinion which is why we are in so much need for a DoF. Let him/her sort the problems out together with Ivan and let the manager get on and do what he’s paid to do.

  44. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, you may well be right but again, I just raised it as a question, as I don’t know he was involved in it, and your point on Ozil and Sanchez is taken.
    Whatever the reason, we lost plenty, and gained very few lol
    It’s every but as bad as a few seasons back when we got Cech, and only Cech.

  45. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Coutinho and Ozil to Barcelona?
    I don’t believe.
    What are the future of players like Akpom, Wilshere, Debuchy and even Cazorla?

  46. Meerkat says:

    Sanchez only has four months, then he can start negotiating a move for free. He will be quids in then with a signing on fee. I’m sure he can just tootle along in our squad for that short period of time.

    Kroenke is in for a shock when his London asset struggles to make tenth in the Prem this season, matchday revenue and overseas sales drop off, and sponsorship evaporates.

    It looks like there will be no more glory for the Goons until Stan sells up. Getting rid of Prof won’t sort them out because Stan won’t come across with the money.
    Mind you he may sell soon because the dollar is so strong against the £ at the moment.

    Man City are just as much to blame really for the Sanchez deal falling through. They could have offered Aquera or Sterling in part-ex, but they wouldn’t. They don’t want them, but they don’t want a competitor to have them, typical of these rich clubs, buy up all the talent then there’s no competition.

    Seeing Sterling for England tonight though, he’s another waste of space, so we may have dodged a bullet there. Rashford is replacing him second half.

    I was surprised that our boss, Wiggy did not cash in Alexis. If money is his sole motivator, letting £60m go down the tubes was strange behaviour. Actually, it’s more, if they had told the lad he could go in May but that he had to find an £80m plus suitor, they would have had loads of time and money to get Lemar… and a CB… and a defensive mid and..

  47. ScottfromOz says:

    I agree, Obi.
    If he strikes, don’t pay him and let him rot.
    He won’t, because a World Cup is coming, though I do question his ability to give us 100%.

  48. Kk says:

    I personally don’t blame sanchez. .he made his mind up and refused to extend his contract from last season.

    AFC and wenger had ample time to sort out the situation. .but as usual they failed misrably.

    I actually respect sanchez .. he didn’t throw his toys out of the pram like many players in his position often do going public and demanding transfer request etc..

    It’s not his fault. .it’s the dithering and lack of planing by wenger and AFC.

  49. micko says:

    Kk, well said, put yourself in Alexis boots, a world class player surrounded by mediocrity !

    Gooners, if you had to choose between Wegner staying and Alexis going what would be your poison ? Easy one for me.

  50. Meerkat says:

    Kk, They are ditherers yes, however rightly or wrongly, they were still hoping that he would extend his contract at Arsenal until this week.
    Man City could have closed the deal earlier this week if they had agreed a player part/ex. They didn’t offer a firm cash deal until it was too late.

    I have no respect for any player that wants to renege on their contract. Sanchez was happy enough to sign it, so should have been prepared to play to the end of it.

    Having said that, imo, any player that wants away should go asap, as they are not good to have around. Sanchez is apparently an example of this according to some team mates. they want him gone.

  51. Rick says:

    Amongst the doom and gloom there is some hope for the future.

    This afternoon Eddie Nketia scored a hattrick playing for England U18.

    That’s 6 goals in 2 internationals he just can’t stopped scoring.

    We have named a 25 my squad for the league.
    Debuchy Chambers Wiltshire and Akpom are in it but Santi Carzola is not..

  52. Wavy says:

    Yer but will Wenger ever recognise the boy’s talent or will he leave him playing for the stiffs and then send him out on loan until he’s 24 then sell him to the Orient??
    When an old man loses his mojo he wanders the world clueless!!
    I rest my case……again!

    Arsene do the honourable thing and resign….blame it on early onset altzeimers, we’ll all understand.

  53. ScottfromOz says:

    Wavy, he brought the kid out to Oz so I dare say he’s got high hopes for him.
    I’m sick to death if Alexis and his petulance-I have been for months.
    He wants out but played the victim, imo.
    His behaviour on the pitch at times rivalled that of a spoilt 8 year old, and he should be treated accordingly, imo.

  54. Bradster says:

    Weird that no team made an offer for Ozil and no one at Arsenal seem bothered he can walk for free next season.
    Wonder if this is Wenger showing he decides who comes and goes.
    I also wonder who told Barkley they’ll give him a massive signing on bonus if he waits until he can walk for free.
    I doubt Sanchez can half play a football match but surely if he’s the bad apple in the dressing room he needs to be away from the team.

  55. ScottfromOz says:

    It is very strange, Bradster.
    Maybe people either don’t care if he leaves, or think he will extend.
    Personally, i would keep him any day of the week and give him what’s needed around him, because, imo, he’s a guy you can build a side around, and he probably needs that to show his best.
    I really think that he’s too smart for most of our guys, but I’m hoping he and Lacazette form a good combination.
    Still, very little discussion surrounding him, that is for sure.

  56. potter says:

    Sanchez decided to go when Wenger signed up for another two years. Probably whyOzil has not signed either. The difference being that there is demand for one but not the other. Yet yesterday Germany beAt the Czechs and apparently he ran the show for them. Could it be that they know how to use him where we dont.

  57. Kk says:

    Problem with ozil is that wenger played giroud in front of him for a while ..as good as giroud can be he is not the type of striker a player like ozil can do the business. .
    Most those assists in his 1st year were free kicks and corners hit and hope.

    Saying that if we had a Henry or lukaku type of striker ozil could have been the player we all hoped to be..

    With the current squad especially our weak midfield, he is a luxury player and wenger should realize that, and should keep him away in certain games or at least have the gut to substitute him when he is having a stinker ..which has become the norm lately. .

    Wenger woudnt dare to upset his favourites.. and there lies most of the team troubles. .

  58. allezkev says:

    Morning All.

    We’ve gotta see how the Ozil, Lacazette, Alexis combo works, those three could save Wenger’s arse?

    When Ozil plays for Germany, he has a manager who knows what he’s doing tactically and a team of players who are the best in the world, so he’s gonna look good.

    When he plays for Arsenal, well, you know the rest…..

  59. gmv8 says:

    The reason why Wiggy the w… didn’t cash in on AS, was because AW had put himself on the line, and if he’d have gone with no replacement, AW might’ve walked, which would’ve left Wiggy having to shell out money on back room staff and a coach, with little idea of who was best to recruit, bringing up the spectre of having people in senior positions not agreeing with his perceived, self enriching wisdom.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading