Daily Bits and Bobs

Has Arsene Wenger done his homework? They want him to stay, so will they finally play for him?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

I wonder what we’ll get served up today. A limp and cold lettuce soup or a fiery curry with lots of chillies in it?

You’d expect the latter as Arsene Wenger has expressed his desire to take this team to another level. You’d expect the latter because for the last two weeks all we’ve heard from most of our players is how great the Frenchman is and they want him to stay. If that really is the case and they are not just saying the right thing because they are to frightened to say otherwise, then you’d be inclined to think they are all ready to roll up their sleeves and dig in for the man and the club.

And what about Wenger, will he pick a mix match of a team again in hope they’ll outplay City, or will he have spent the last two weeks looking at Pep’s team strengths and weaknesses and have the right players well prepared on how to nullify the first and capitalise on the latter? We’ll see, but I won’t hold my breath.

Lucas Perez and Petr Cech join Santi Cazorla on the injury list but everyone else is fit.

Our season will be decided by the next two months and the ability we show to fight.

Our future will be decided by our mental qualities. It’s a strange season because we played 20 games unbeaten but I cannot sit here and say we have no flaws in our team because we have.

Oh yes, we have plenty of flaws in our team dear Arsene and that’s because you’ve allowed them to appear and then do little about rectifying them and this afternoon, if those flaws haven’t been sorted out then Man City will tear us apart in a similar fashion to Bayern Munich. But if his team play like they did in the home leg of that tie, well, up until Laurent Koscielny got sent off, then we could really give City a run for their money.

This team has to work hard defending from front to back and stop leaving the back five so exposed, especially with Ospina in goal. No giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas either because the Colombian is dreadful on crosses, as is the defending in general as West Brom decided to highlight.

Before that game kicks off though, Ivan Gazidis is meeting with representatives of 16 different groups at a Supporters’ Forum at lunchtime, although when a story like that is written before midday on the 1st of April, it’s hard to know if it’s true or not. If true, that’ll be a tricky time for Gazidis but you’d like to think that if he didn’t know how the majority of fans feel today, he will by the end of the meeting and he’ll be straight on the phone to Stanley.

After that is the ‘no new contract’ protest which kicks off around 2-50pm opposite the Box Office/Highbury House, on Drayton Park, just round from Arsenal tube station and I’d imagine they’ll be plenty of Arsenal fans attending.

Then comes the game and I really hope we can win this one, although I’m not convinced we will.

rico

99 thoughts on “Has Arsene Wenger done his homework? They want him to stay, so will they finally play for him?”

  5. allezkev says:

    Walcott has a point to prove after being left out of the England squad recently, so maybe he might put in a shift.

    And whilst I’m clutching at straws Ozil is long overdue putting in a performance.

  6. Bradster says:

    morning all,

    I thought the same when we played Chelsea.
    So much depended on that game, we’ll be fired up, London Derby. Well we got our asses handed to us then so let’s see if anything changes with low expectations this time and maybe they’ll surprise me.

  12. Alex says:

    Good morning Rico
    Win loose draw nothing matter to me.I rather do my shopping .
    If this season there will be any positive will be if Le prof leave the stage.This man killed my fòoty apettite completely.Luckly i have a couple of friends who have same feeling and we just go to my local Weatherspoon and have some beer.

    Mamma mia.

    I dont believe any manager will sort the mess soon.

    For long long time is been left uncheckered le Prof and in each and every department has kept his yes men and mediocrity has been accepted reluctantly.
    I look back at the injury situation.Guardiola argues and fights with his medics at Bayern
    The Moaninho same .I mean they push to the limit where get busted one or another.

    Physio
    From Dyabi to Rosicky Van Persie and many others important players they get missed fir nice chunck of the season and what we hear is constant and continuous lie of their availability.

    Defence
    When was the last time we felt confident on our defence ?He mixes and matches at his will players and still same all same mistakes .Yet no bustups or anger .

    Midfield
    Repeatedly bullied by opponents because absolutely technically limited midgets replaced one by another.With the money spent on players none seem genuinely angry of our sudden state.Why ? Because of him he does not insinuate that winning charater and he will tell them ” lets just do what we can and let them ( fan-media )talk.Nothing to worry.

    I do not expect any manager walk in to that team ala Leicester and make changes.The rot is everywhere and Kronke will not scratch contracts and replace with new shiny ones everywhere.

    I dont think kronke will be happy to sack Wenger at best he will beg yes beg him to stay at least one season yo sort out his mess.
    Remember the american is here to make money

  13. kelsey says:

    Morning all.

    The man is insane read this please,

    What do you make of that ? An ego trip perhaps and it all points to the fact he is staying”retiring is for young people” 😉 7 staff 20 years ago ? Perez still injured ?
    ——————————————————————————–.

    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to manage next season as he believes “retirement is dying” for people of his age.

    Wenger, 67, has been criticised by some fans after Arsenal slipped to sixth in the Premier League following four defeats in their past five games.

    But Wenger said: “I will not retire. Retiring is for young people.”

    Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season but he has been offered a new two-year deal. He says he will make a decision on his future “very soon”.

    “For old people retirement is dying,” added Wenger, speaking before Sunday’s Premier League match at home to Manchester City.

    “I still watch every football game. I find it interesting.

    “Of course I’m as hungry,” he said. “I carry a bit more pressure on my shoulders than 20 years ago but the hunger is exactly the same.

    “When you see what the club was and what it is today – when I arrived we were seven people [members of staff], we are 700 today.”

    He added: “I hate defeat. I can understand the fans that are unhappy with every defeat but the only way to have victory is to stick together with the fans and give absolutely everything until the end of the season, that’s all we can do.”

  14. rico says:

    Afternoon Alex. I know what you mean, the pub seems a far more exciting prospect than watching Arsenal these days, but I know when 4pm comes, i’ll be watching..

  15. kelsey says:

    Remember banner protest again but an applause after 7 minutes for Rocky.

    If one man scares me it’s Ospina.He’s 6 inches too short and can’t hold a shot cleanly, otherwise he’s fine 😉

  17. kelsey says:

    I am trying to be logical.If he stays for 2 more years I expect a break clause after one year and Kroenke won’t break sweat if we miss out of CL for a year or two. THe Europa League is far more games and as mentioned before 10 players out of contract in 14 months of which some will be sold, others will want to move and others need to be shifted but the whole wage structure is entirely wrong as basically it should be a basic plus bonuses for achievement, but that is unlikely to be reversed.

    We aren’t going to replace half the squad in one or even two seasons except the odd Sanogo if AW stays.
    Everything points to a new man with fresher ideas who may get better from some of the players especially if played in their right positions.

    Whichever way it goes it will take a few good years to sort this mess out and I think The Board,Wenger and the players are all to blame.
    The atmosphere is toxic in and outside the stadium Home and Away and in all probability AW has lost the dressing rom.

    For an intelligent man he is destroying his own legaacy whilst still being the manager. A reaaly sad state of affairs.

  18. Le Coq Monster says:

    Afternoon and thank you Rico.

    Funny !….untill Kev put up the link I never thought much about Hale End Academy !………………….didn`t know it was close to Spudland and that we can nick their locals ! hahaha

    Todays match !………………..really dont care either way and that`s sad, as i`m normally stressed on matchdays, but I suppose we all eventually lose the will to live !……………and Arsene and his peers and his guv`have left me numb from so many recent years of disappointment and when that happens you know something is not quite right !……….that`s why it`s a shame Arsene cannot see it, is there not someone out there close to the man who can not lick his arse and tell him the truth that it`s time to call it a day ?

    I shall resume normal stress when it`s the FA Cup semi, as that`s all I`m interested in winning !……………….he stuff his 4th place trophy up where the sun dont shine and I dont mean N17 ! hahaha

    The sun is shining bright here and getting a tan already on the 2nd of April after a 90 min run……….love it !

  19. rico says:

    I don’t think it’ll be all doom and gloom if he goes, I really don’t. A new top manager through the door and surely a few of our players will up their game. The defensive unit could easily be sorted out with a good defensive coach and as much as a few players need moving on, he’ll sign proper players to replace them hopefully and not a sign of any like Sanogo any more…

  20. rico says:

    Afternoon Lc, trouble is, I never want to see us lose regardless of the consequences and I can’t see one victory over City, if of course we manage to beat them, changing anything in relation to his contract…

  21. frednerk says:

    Afternoon Rico and All

    The problem Arsene has now is getting anyone
    to believe the old baloney,when losing games.

    It’s like old DelBoy telling Rodders how hard
    it was back in the old days,While sipping a Pina Colada.

    We were called The Bank of England Club long
    before Arsene Wenger turned up.

  22. Le Coq Monster says:

    I know Rico, it`s hard to se us lose, but I`m with Kev in that for it to get better it has to get worse !………………..very hard !…………as much as my head says this, I still want to win today and the next game, but if that were to happen we might get top 4 and I dont want it !…………………………….just the FA Cup for me ! 🙂

  24. Adam says:

    Someone might care to remind Wenger that many retire, don’t “Die” and lead a full life without having his finances. That absurd statement tells me that he is thinking about what’s good for him and not the club.

  27. BT62 Gooner says:

    Afternoon Adam, i take it you’ll be gracing the Emms with your presence later..

    Afternoon all..

  28. rico says:

    Afternoon Fred..

    Lc, I’l a glass half full kind of person… 😉

    Just watched Rocky & Wrighty: From Brockley To The Big Time…. Tissues!

  33. BT62 Gooner says:

    Certainly brought back some great memories Rico..
    Yip, no messing around…the simple times,,,lol

  39. rico says:

    He sure did Bt. I smiled again when he said he was earning a fiver less than his day job when he moved to Palace…

    Catch up h/t

  60. micko says:

    Taking the pish outta the ball boys, that’s been pretty much Xhaka’s contribution first half ! Pure shite.

  72. Kel says:

    Xhaka and le.coq… are very poor I can’t see anything from them that shows me why they should be playing for Arsenal.

  75. rico says:

    Kel, I thought we dug in a bit. We were far from great but for a lot of the game, we had the ball. Problem is, we couldn’t make it count.

    A better organised midfield would not have allowed City so much space imo.

    But, I didn’t think City were that great really…

  77. Bradster says:

    First team to offer us space and time on the ball. Battle of the two pourous defences.
    Xhaka needs to adapt to the speed of the Prem, maybe his timing on tackles will be better.
    Doubt it’s first season affecting his range of passing though.

  79. BT62 Gooner says:

    Two teams suited to playing each other…some pretty poor passing from both teams at times.

  80. Le Coq Monster says:

    Not the best result to get Wenger out, but a draw is better than a win !………..
    😆

    I think 6th is nailed on as we are a point above Everton with 2 games in hand !………………..our home game against them could be crucial and if they (Everton) win that then we can expect one of the most exciting 6th and 7th spot battles in years !

  81. Kel says:

    I agree city weren’t great Rico but for me they were better.. doesn’t matter anyhow.. I’m glad we avoided defeat again.. buy we were lucky xhaka and coq could both been 2nd yellowed.. then the handball, woodwork lol..

  83. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Finally 1 point more!!!!
    A) As always, we do not know how to defend. It has been the same throughout the years. You can say it was the new stadium, lack of investment … No. The big mistake is not knowing how to defend. The championships are won with a solid defense. AW out but by an Italian or Portuguese coach. They care to know how to defend.
    B) Consequently, the error of the first goal is primary. Also because of this, we have difficulty with all the teams. We do not compensate positions when it is to defend, “we are deluded” to attack, we are always poorly positioned and the other teams have already realized that it is to give us the initiative that when they recover the ball there will be spaces and disposition of the Arsenal team.
    C) There is more to say but I will end with this remark: Ozil and Alexis both play at Arsenl and have the same points, right? What is the reason why one gives everything on the pitch and the other we forget often, that he is playing?

  84. Le Coq Monster says:

    I think we will do better in the semi against City when we play away at the Spuds ground !.

  86. Le Coq Monster says:

    I think playing at Wembley Hart Lane will lift the team !…………………………plus we can wreck the place if we lose !

  89. kelsey says:

    Ozil really was poor.Monreal our best man.

    Still thought City could have gone up a gear and surprised they didn’t.2 suspect defences and a draw helps no one.

    Nothing in the programme about the anniversary of Rocky’s death.

    This is not the fluid passing Arsenal we knew, the team is shot,they tried today but are just a bunch of individuals.

  92. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Rico and HH.
    Hi Kelsey, good to see you posting.
    I really have no idea what this current incarnation of Arsenal represents.
    It’s no wonder there is a huge damaging schism tearing deep into the fan base.
    Kroenke, Gazidis and Wenger have turned Arsenal into a pitiful sideshow that initially a lot of fans found comical, but are now finding boring and deeply depressing.
    Fans fighting inside and outside the stadium, thousands of empty seats, the club are a broken mess and in crisis. Where’s the leadership or identity?
    What of Arsenal’s history?
    It appears that Wenger is such an egotistical megalomaniac, there are no previous events worthy of remembering before his arrival. Turning the cannon the wrong way round isn’t enough, he wants us to hail him as our saviour, as though he were a visionary God, and we are mere undeserving peasants. I am finding this very tiresome, particularly from someone who fails to acknowledge they are long since washed-up and have nothing new to offer.
    To completely ignore David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle contribution to Arsenal in today’s match programme speaks volumes for Wenger’s vanity, and the fact that the club are deliberately trying to erase Highbury from our memories.
    Wenger repeatedly reminds us of his loyalty and sacrifices he has made to be at Arsenal, but whilst those traits are wonderful in certain aspects, he is completely blind to his short-comings as a football manager, and has to be considered by far the luckiest man in the world the day he met David Dein, because ultimately it has led to our football club’s downfall.
    A powerless Board of Directors, mostly Old Etonians completely out of touch with the dreams and aspirations of the supporters, with a weak, spineless CEO, Ivan Gazidis, equally with very little football intelligence, making a fortune at the fans’ expense, quite oblivious to their suffering.
    Arsenal are the complete opposite of City, and the clubs are heading in very different directions.
    Guardiola is far more savvy than Wenger, he is tactically and from a total football aspect, far more intelligent than the Frenchman.
    Arsenal hung on today, almost as if Guardiola was doing an old friend a favour by not wanting to humiliate him in his own backyard.
    Yes we both have terrible defences, but I’d rather be taught by Guardiola than Wenger.
    And he’ll rebuild City’s defence in a way we all know would never cross Wenger’s mind.
    We only need to look across North London to see how much Wenger is getting wrong.
    Arsenal already handicap themselves from joining the elite with their refusal to spend elite level money – apart from Wenger, obviously – but to wilfully waste the vast amount they do spend whilst getting further away from the challenging pack is criminal, and calls for nothing less than a complete root and branch cleansing.
    In the short-term the priority has to be getting rid of Wenger and his impotent coaching staff. Bring people back like Martin Keown, Dennis Bergkamp and Mark Overmars, restructure the whole failing youth system. People like Dick Law and the whole scouting network needs seriously upgrading. Most of all, we need players with a bit of steel and heart, players who understand the gravity of wearing the shirt. And we need to off-load these expensive show-pony’s like Walcott and Ozil. Walcott is not top-level, he never has been, and he is the poster-boy that parody’s Wenger’s Arsenal. Ozil is the type of player you buy when you already have a great side. Bought in isolation, and to be the main fulcrum in a dysfunctional mis-firing system isn’t his forte. Arsenal wasted £42.5m on a player they didn’t need, and he is wasted at Arsenal because Wenger hasn’t used his talents appropriately, neither has he bought the requisite quality that compliments his skill-set.
    It perfectly reflects Wenger’s scatter-gun transfer-policy.
    The question has to be asked. How are Tottenham, on a significantly lower budget than Arsenal, out-performing us both on the park and in the transfer-market? Where were Arsenal when they were snapping up Dele Alli from MK Dons for £5m? Or Toby Alderwiereld from Saints for £11m?
    Compare the cost of our defenders to those of Tottenham’s, and the evidence is as clear as daylight that Wenger alone is culpable for a huge decline in Arsenal’s quality.
    Longer term, the attention needs to be focussed fully on removing Kroenke, because there’s no doubt his ownership is holding the club back, and will continue to handicap the fans ambitions.
    One thing is an absolute certainty, Arsenal are in need of major life-saving surgery to prevent them from falling into the abyss from which they’ll never recover.

  93. allezkev says:

    Cocker, I didn’t pass by Highbury House, so I didn’t see any demo.
    I walked up past Herbert Chapman and then up past Tony Adams, had a beer and an overpriced cheeseburger in a club food outlet opposite the ground between D and C entrances. It was all very normal with the pre match chatter among the fans there.

    Inside the ground the atmosphere was fairly muted, it usually is unless we face ManUre or the Chavs or the Scum, and even when we went a goal down it was almost a case of, ah well typical Arsenal resignation.

    Then when we went 2-1 behind, the fans just shrugged their shoulders, a bit like Ozil when he gives the ball away.
    There is an apathy in the ground that the club should be aware and afraid of, as apathy soon turns into a lack of interest and a lack of interest turns into not re-newing season tickets and finding something else to spend your money on and not bothering anymore.

    Don’t believe all that BS about waiting lists, many of those fans like to see the odd game, but a season long commitment is another thing.
    It’s a lot of money and it doesn’t end with the ticket.

  94. allezkev says:

    Arsenal are facing their 3rd FACup semi-final in 4 years…

    This year we are facing the most attractive opposition of those 3 years, but unlike 2014 and 2015 there isn’t a need for a ballot, because unlike previous years when there were more applications than tickets, this year interest is way down. So much so that there will be some tickets available to non-season ticket holders this year.

    In some respects, that is a good thing as some fans, who in the past never get a ticket for these type of games, will this time have a chance.

    But, what worries me is the lack of interest from a very sizeable proportion of season ticket holders, which points towards the apathy that I felt at the game yesterday…

  95. potter says:

    Kev I am afraid that I am one of the ones that you described. I didn’t go yesterday, something almost unthought of a few years back. I watched on TV , turned it off at the finish , shrugged my shoulders went out in the garden and played with my grand daughter.. My son and I will not go to Wembley we did not even apply. I have just got weary of the whole thing . I did not watch any of the post match pundits or MOTD because like everyone else I have seen and heard it all before . I will always watch The Arsenal when I can but if I can’t drag up the enthusiasm to go to a match like yesterday’s and a cup semi final then maybe like the manager, I have either just run my course or got old.

  97. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Yes, no ticket ballot this time as few are interested. Better performance yesterday but very nervous and little cohesion through the team. Good from Montreal. Best for a while actually and Alexis was game but…..
    You can feel the club slipping into a kind of walking-dead depression and this is reflected in the crowd who did their best to create a bit of atmosphere.
    Wenger has done himself absolutely no favours these last weeks with his rather smirking performances and his will-he, won’t-he selfishness. Just his attitude alone enforces the fact that his time is well and truly up.

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