Has Ivan Gazidis let us down? New deals for backroom staff would suggest so…

Morning all.

It seems HH has had a mind of its own over the last couple of days. Goodness only knows what that was all about but it seems the format has returned to as it should be.

The most exciting news relating to football has been the release of the 2017/18 league fixtures and even that’s not particularly interesting really as to win the premier league we have to win the majority of our fixtures, regardless of who they are against and when. An ambitious club and manager would ensure they have a squad which can challenge from start to finish, regardless of whether we play Man City three days after a trip to Russia in the Europa league or not. That’s just an example, not factual.

Tottenham don’t have the largest of squads but they managed to push Chelsea last season, despite being in Europe although up in Manchester, Mourinho struggled but some consolation was winning the big cup and conquering the second tier in European football. And before anyone knocks that achievement, think how we’d be feeling right now had we done the same. A trophy and Champions League football will always beat 5th and an FA Cup. I’m not knocking the FA Cup though, not for one minute as I love the competition and being the club with the most victories under our belt is something to be proud of.

The sad thing is though, the FA Cup seems to be heading towards being another League Cup. Reports this morning suggest replays could be scrapped from the third round onwards and instead of the fixtures taking place at the weekend, they could be dumped to midweek. Why? Because Fa Chiefs are hoping to introduce a winter break and no doubt so the likes of Sky Sports and BT Sport can show more PL matches at the weekend. Don’t worry about the fans and their travel plans then eh!

Going back to the European football, it doesn’t bother me one bit as the one I really want us to win again is the league.  but sadly, unless some miracle happens, it’s unlikely.

I love the PL as it’s ten months of football against our domestic rivals, a chance to prove we are the best in England and not just a pot luck draw with dodgy officials. Mind you, one doesn’t have to be in a European competition to find the latter.

Shortly before the end of the season, Ivan Gazidis promised us changes within the club, changes which might jus give us all a little hope that this coming season could be different, better, however, up until now, there hasn’t been any. Certainly not any which have leaked to the media. Arsene Wenger signed his new contract and now therecare rumours which suggest Arsene Wengers backroom staff are to be rewarded with new deals which if true, stinks. There are rumblings about a Director of Football coming into the club although that was poo pooed yesterday in an article in The Times. So that basically means everything remains the same at the club. Arsene Wenger remains in total control of what goes on and the light at the end of the tunnel really was some b*****d with torch! A torch which is in dire need of replacement batteries.

I strongly suspect they’ll be little change in the way the Frenchman approaches yet another transfer window either and regardless of all the rumours about Mbappe, Lacazette and any other big priced signings, I’m sure none of them will come to fruition and that’s fine, as long as those who do come in are the mutts nuts. But the problem is that more often than not these days, if a club wants top quality, they have to pay top prices and Arsenal FC should be no exception to that rule.

As said the other day, we have a very good squad imo but what we don’t have is many game changers. A lot of our players are simply like for like whereas if you look at the other big clubs in both England and abroad, there’s often a player or two sat on the bench who will come on and make a difference. We don’t have that luxury, not really. Other than the sometimes super sub Giroud…..

Still, I guess there’s still seven or eight weeks for all that to change, although I won’t be holding my breath….

115 thoughts on “Has Ivan Gazidis let us down? New deals for backroom staff would suggest so…

  1. Adrian says:

    The club should have been more insistent on putting in place structures to cover when Arsene leaves the club. Any attempt at forward planning wont work if they effectively allow him to control the football operations alone. A smooth transition to the new manager will only happen if the right structures are in place.

  2. frednerk says:

    Morning Rico and All

    His not called The Control Freak for nothing.

    Its amazing that those around him have this Low Selt-Esteem
    Delegating,is for Arsene a swear word.

    The squad is not bad,its the lack of nous.

    Every body knows(not all) that Arsene,who
    plans to reinvent his position at 68 years old
    is just really playing for time and more money.

  3. Me says:

    Everyone said he should have left on a high.
    The board refused to listen because doing nothing was simply easier.
    The level of feeling will not improve unless we seriously challenge and that is unlikely.
    The board will regret taking the easy way out and keeping him on.

  4. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    “I strongly suspect they’ll be little change in the way the Frenchman approaches yet another transfer window either and regardless of all the rumours about Mbappe, Lacazette and any other big priced signings, I’m sure none of them will come to fruition………….”

    I hear you/read you rico. Oh & gr8 post!

  5. rico says:

    He should have, in 2014…

    As people have said before, if we start the season unprepared, having lost Alexis and start performing badly with losses, they can all reap what they sow…

    Hope it doesn’t come to that though…

  6. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    Not much point in complaining guys, 2 more years, whether we like it or not.
    Rico, 2014 in May was perfect, but so be it.
    I have a question for people, raised by a mate elsewhere, and I do wonder how people will answer this, as it’s a tough one to answer honestly.
    If Giroud was at a French club right now, and we’d seen him leading the line for France, scoring a cracker as he did the other day, how many of us would NOT want him??
    I dare say not one of us would be criticising him as plenty do now.

  7. ScottfromOz says:

    I should add, it’s tough to answer honestly as the guys been at our club for a while, not suggesting proper will lie….

  8. bumba11 says:

    Morning all

    Scott, i believe many ould want Giroud under those circumstances. I would even like to keep him. I do not understand the level of criticism he receives tbh. He scores goals, fairly regularly for us. Ok he misses some he should score, but he does pop up when needed!

    Saying that, if we use him as a swap deal or get Lacazette/Mbappe/PEA/other as a quality replacement i would be equally happy….

    Good post btw Rico

  9. ScottfromOz says:

    Bumba, I’m with you.
    I think he’s under rated, but I also agree we could use him to upgrade.

  10. ozgoonerguy says:

    What a crock. The AFC board have no idea what to do after Arsene. There’s no succession plan (because no-one else will let them take quids for nothing). They don’t want to change anything. The weasel words that come from Gazidis every year, never amount to anything at all. The guy is the ultimate oxygen thief. At this rate, Chips Keswick is likely to appoint one of his family as manager. Or Josh Kroenke.

    Arsene won’t change – himself or his ways. If the backroom and board don’t change either, then we’re effectively on a big slide backwards as other sides make big strides forward. Last season Spuds, the Bin Dippers, and effectively Man Poo (by CL) passed us by. Next season it will probably be Everton, West Ham and god knows who else, and we’ll be mid-table.

    AW said we only needed 1 or 2 class players, which I think is far too light. But if we lose Sanchez, he’s worth 2, and then there’s the possibility of the Ox, Giroud, and Ozil going under different circumstances. Then we would need 5 or 6 top players coming in, and that is never going to happen.

    Prospects are not good.

  11. rico says:

    Thanks Bumba.

    I’ve always said that Giroud depends on what system AW wants. He says he loves the ‘perfect game’ full of pace etc, in which case, he doesn’t fit in.

    But a plan b, yes, he’s good..

  12. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all from a baking Northern Australia ( we in the northern hemisphere aren`t we ?)………Cornwall !………………………Thanks Rico another top post !.

    Gazidis is a Mansour City fan…….say no more ! 🙂

    Quite weird, I was thinking the same thing about Olly, Scott………………I know it was offside ( it was his beard ! ), but did you see the finish against England ?…………..I think we have both said it before………………the most underated Arsenal player !

    If Mbappe doesn`t go to Real Madrid then I will be really disappointed if it`s not The Arsenal !……………about time we spent the “rainy day” money of cash reserves in the bank of over £150M !………………………………nearly double of Real Madrid, so wtf is going on ?.

  13. rico says:

    Thanks Lc. Seems Mbappe is staying in France for at least another season. Maybe he’s waiting for us to get back into the Champions League, the competition he wants to win…. 🙂

  14. ScottfromOz says:

    LC, you touched on it-the money we have in the bank.
    Why is it the club are so proud of it?
    We hear about it often enough, but what’s it there for?
    At some point, it’s to be used to win the League, surely.

  15. bumba11 says:

    We have the money, so it should surely be used to help us win trophies and compete at the top level. Personally, my preference would be go get PEA for 60/70M, get it done. Then i’d like Lemur, versatile. We easily have the money to fund those.

    They are only my opinion of course, but whatever most peoples preferences are, we should have the money to go get it done.

  16. rico says:

    I know we need to add a few players to this squad, top ones at that but all the time AW is the manager, can we expect much change to the seasons before?

    Sometimes it’s not the players who are the problem…

  17. Meerkat says:

    Morning all. Hi rico, good opening post even though it has depressed me a little. To actually see in writing what you really know anyway, hits home.

    It’s probably too soon to say what will happen when the TW opens properly, but the rumour mill is depressing me too. I just can’t see us competing with the others if we have one eye on the purse strings. Plus if Sanchez wants away, then we will be weaker still.

    Le Prof must think the crowd will be happier after the cup win. They won’t if we start the season poorly.
    Hey ho. Que sera sera.

  18. rico says:

    Hi Meerkat. Thanks and sorry to depress you.. 🙂

    I think the transfer market is already open, after all, City, Utd and one or two other clubs have already secured deals. contracts run from July 1st, but deals can be done now…

    I was hoping ours would be too, as we can’t afford to leave it late. In just a few weeks time, pre-season begins and for once it would be nice if Wenger had that time to get everyone together and work out the plans for the season ahead…

    Unlike last season when we dropped five points in the opening two games because we had so many missing..

  19. Obi says:

    Scott, the best way to answer is to look at OG at Montpellier, he was a beast because they played to his strength and had players who can cross the ball. France also play to his strength which is the reason Lacazette is behind him. Arsenal do not. Imho, play to his strength and he’s a 20-25 goal scorer.

    Btw, for whats it is worth, Mbappe people are saying it is between Arsenal and RM.I think regardless who leaves or come, if AW doesn’t change, if the coaching staff doesn’t change it will be the same as always.

  20. Meerkat says:

    Exactly rico. A poor start sets us back for months, then we have our usual mid-season slump, and voila, same ol’ same ol’.

    How can the owner and board think that anything will change under the same crew doing the coaching, training etc. We’re bored with it, so Christ knows how the players must feel. After listening to the same shpeel and tactics every day, with no rollickings dished out to those slacking, nothing will change and the team will stagnate.
    I think we are looking at a mid table side atm. No consistency, not enough nous, and injury prone players.

    We needed a complete overhaul and it hasn’t even begun to happen.

    I don’t think we should get shot of Giroud btw. He still has something to offer. He may look a bit clumsy and slow at times, all tall skinny players do, but he can always get us goals and uses his height well.

    Unless Le Prof has some surprises up his sleeve for the transfer window that he is keeping quiet about, we are in for a rocky ride this year and won’t hit top six again, never mind top four.

    He might have. (Might he not?, lol)

  21. rico says:

    Exactly Obi. Nothing will change until something changes and that doesn’t always mean the players…

    Agree Meerkat.

  22. allezkev says:

    I know that many would suggest that they need to spend a lot to catch up, but it’ll be interesting seeing Everton’s approach to this summer, under their new ownership (old Arsenal shareholder) as opposed to Arsenal under Kroenke…

  23. Wavy says:

    Ah. Self-sufficiency, the model for us all! Praised around the globe and you know there’s something really wrong with it when FIFA acknowledge its worthiness!
    Wenger out. Kronke OUT,
    USM.INOV IN.i don’t care where his money comes from I just want him to be allowed to spend a tiny fraction of his wealth on Mbappe and his ilk! Why not? I reckon the old Uzbec would give the club the cash and more besides. I don’t think he’d miss it and I doubt he would ask for it back!
    Why are we stuck with such a pair of pussies?

    Blue skies and clouds here. Actually a lovely day.

  24. ScottfromOz says:

    On Giroud, we fans do understand he’s not being made the most of, so why does he cop so much criticism?
    I wonder if he weren’t so flamboyant, people would be a little kinder, not that it really matters.
    Again on Wenger, he’s there, so let’s cross the fingers, and hope he spends up, sells the deadwood and fires up the troops every week.

  25. rico says:

    Kev, to answer you’re comment earlier, Everton have signed three players in one day. They’ve spent more money than they’ve ever spent before in a transfer window and they haven’t finished yet.

    And they’ve still got the Barkley money to come in… lol

    Bit of a big ask Scott…

  26. micko says:

    Lets all cross our fingers lol…..classic.

    As for Giroud and anyone lauding his scorpion kick earlier this season, watch the action replays in slow motion and you will clearly see he tripped over his laces.

  27. ScottfromOz says:

    Micko,
    Cross your legs then, if you think that’ll work better for you.
    Say your prayers, maybe?
    Carry a rabbits foot?
    4 leaf clover-that’s the Irish way lol
    Then, nothing you’ve tried has worked so far, as Arsene is still there, so best try another tack, I suggest 🙂
    Morning all.

  28. Adam says:

    Cuadrado is a weird one Rico. When he played for Chelsea he was absolutely useless so it was a surprise to see him in a quality Juve team. Unfortunately he looked rubbish there too. It would be fascinating to know Wenger’s thinking on incoming and outgoings but I imagine it might be disappointing, if only because it usually is.

  29. ScottfromOz says:

    I’m not reading much about transfers at all over here, so am hoping we are getting some business done, as it’s usually all noise and little action.

  30. rico says:

    Have to admit though Scott, it’s a big ask to just cross our fingers and hope. It’s not happened in the last ten, so why would it be any different this season?

    Just what I thought Adam. But he smacks of a Wenger signing doesn’t he? Unwanted by Juve and falls into our lap. Think I’d rather Walcott…

  31. Marshall says:

    Hi Rico, all.
    IG is just a mouth piece and the Arsenal’s PR most efficient machine. All he has said is a bunch of hogwash which I stopped listening to.

    Soon Everton, Westham and Spurds will surpass/equal our sponsorship deals – that’s how ineffective Gazidis is.

    How different is this summer from others? Everyone around us is finalising deals and it’s all crickets at the Arsenal.

    Same old ish. Same old Theo, same old inadequate and similar passing robots in the mid. C’est la vie! Till the old king is dead.

  32. rico says:

    Morning Marshall.

    I’d love to know if Ivan Gazidis has just been walked over and his views given no consideration whatsoever or not. I kind of think he has because that’s what Wenger seems to do. Just like his little meeting with Kroenke before the board meeting at the end of the season which no doubt was when his contract was pretty much agreed and then the board were told the next day.

    If I was Ivan I would think long and hard about my future because I’m sure he could do a lot better elsewhere. Somewhere where he might have his voice heard.

  33. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, what else can we do???
    Protest?
    That didn’t work.
    I’m open to suggestions but as it stands, the status quo continues.

  34. ScottfromOz says:

    On Ivan, if he has been ignored, he’d be mad to stay.
    His position is one of power, or it should be.
    Has he really done anything at the club?
    He’s been there long enough to have made an impact, surely, but if he has no say, then he must be happy with his salary.
    Sounds like a few of the staff at the club.

  35. Marshall says:

    Micko, that must be one hell of a tumble by Giroud. He is vital imo.

    It was a beauty of a goal. So is the curler he scored the other day. Was he playing in an arsenal team he probably would have looked to pass.

    On incoming, I’d prioritise a disciplined midfielder – after ofloading some. We scored lots of goals but our defensive unit failed us – that’s new huh. A left wingback next. Mbappe is a unicorn guys

  36. rico says:

    Scott, I strongly suspect the protests will continue. Especially after we have sold Alexis and bought some average replacement in..

    Indeed Adam.. 🙂

  37. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, that’s a big assumption 🙂
    Sit back, grab the popcorn and see what happens.
    It won’t be dull lol

  38. rico says:

    How can anyone make an impact if they are not listened to?

    Exactly why Wenger doesn’t want a DoF…

    Arrogant man….

  39. rico says:

    But would be very true to form Scott. I know you remain optimistic, but too many seasons have passed when Wenger simply hasn’t delivered and the older he gets, the less likely it is that he’ll change…

    I dread next season – I really do…

  40. Marshall says:

    Rico, on the footballing side we know AW is the boss. But Gazidis should have something else to show. Like our sponsorship deals, I believe he has total control of that. Marketing of arsenal is piss poor.

    You can’t compare us vs how the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern and Utd sell their brands overseas.

    You have adidas, nike assisting clubs in player purchase- ie Pogba- knowing they will recoup in shirt sales. On that front IG has failed.

  41. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, I mean about selling Alexis and replacing him with a nobody.
    Wenger seems pretty adamant they guy is staying.
    After all the criticism he’s copped, he’d be absolutely stupid to sell the guy after stating it won’t happen.
    Ivan could well be another symptom of what’s wrong at the place-too many with little or no pressure to produce results.

  42. Adam says:

    Rico. Next season is Arsene’s season. He wanted it badly and now he’s got it. It’s all down to him. Reason and logic said it was time to go, but he wanted to stay. Let’s hope he makes a real go of it.

  43. rico says:

    Marshall, you have a point there. I don’t know how that all works but I guess a club which doesn’t show ambition on the pitch or in the transfer market, isn’t going to pay top money for sponsors.

    As for sponsors helping fund player purchases, can you imagine Kroenke or Wenger agreeing to that? Kroenke won’t even take the money offered to him by Usmanov…

  44. rico says:

    Didn’t he say the same about RvP Scott? And a few others.

    There’s no way the club would let £40-£50 million slip through their hands….

  45. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, well I will stand by what I believe to be true on RVP and a few others, that Stan forced those but that’s just my opinion.
    Difference is now we don’t have to sell.
    I could be wrong and may well be, time will tell.

  46. Meerkat says:

    Morning posters.

    If Sanchez is forced to stay, he will go free next summer. Does anyone really believe that a player will give his all under those circumstances? When a player wants away, there is no point in keeping him IMO. Personally if a player doesn’t want to play for the Arsenal, he should be sold for the highest price we can get. We don’t need players who are resentful at being held back from going. Imagine the team spirit in that instance?

    Nah, we have no choice but to let him go and warm Citeh’s subs bench.
    As for crossing fingers and hoping, Scot didn’t mean that literally I’m sure, but we do have to have some hope I suppose that Le Prof has learned something from last seasons discontent.
    Unless he’s a Masochist he can’t want to go through that again every game.

  47. rico says:

    Wasn’t it Ts who came out with that line about Kroenke and RvP Scott?

    And hasn’t AW admitted he makes the final decision on who stays/goes?

  48. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, Nasri and others have touched on the fact that Wenger didn’t have final say.
    We’ve also been told that Wenger had to make 20 million profi on transfers for years, but plenty refuse to believe that.
    I guess we all tend to believe the rumours that we agree with.

  49. rico says:

    I think Alexis would Meerkat, it’s in his DNA to give 100%

    I doubt he’ll go to a PL club this summer…. Bayern have to be favourites I’d have thought…

  50. rico says:

    But that was then Scott, this is now, and a very different place as far as money goes. Let’s see if Wenger stands by his word about not selling Alexis and then see. After all, he’s said the CL money doesn’t matter so perhaps £40 million for Alexis doesn’t either…

    Mind you, I can’t recall any player saying they had to be sold….

  51. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, yes, times do change.
    More importantly, people can, as well 🙂
    I’m sure we are all hoping Arsene does.

  52. rico says:

    I wrote a post about that overnight but it disappeared into space this morning so I’m having to rewrite it. If I can be bothered… 😉

  53. ScottfromOz says:

    I just saw an interesting comment on Alexis.
    If we force him to stay, will he be giving 100%, especially leading into a World Cup year?
    Maybe Wenger is giving it some time to try and entice him to extend, but if not, move him on.
    As long as it’s not a PL club, and us replaced with one hell of a good player, it’s acceptable, I’d say.

  54. Meerkat says:

    I’d like us to have signed Jordan Pickford too, but he is now at Everton. We will possibly regret not getting a new goalie.

    There always seems to be a snag when we are after anyone. Giroud may have to go as a part player/cash deal to get one of the two targets( Lacazette or Mbappe), but even then we probably won’t get either one.

    I’m not very confident that we will strengthen the squad, and we will probably weaken it by selling the wrong players.

    Lots of transfer news, but nothing from Le Prof. He’d better get his Arsenal in gear before it’s too late and we end up scraping the barrel, and for big money. (As usual).

  55. allezkev says:

    Hi Rico, depends what the offer was, opening gambit perhaps…?

    If we sign Lacazette then that tells me that Alexis is gone…

  56. allezkev says:

    Of course if we take Arsene by his word, you know he’s going to bring in 3 players.
    What does that actually mean?

    Does that mean 3 players added to the squad of players that Arsene wanted to retain or is that 3 players and never mind who leaves?

  57. allezkev says:

    As it stands Gibbs has been replaced: 1 signing.
    Lacazette for Alexis Sanchez equals : 2 signings.
    Mbappe for Yaya Sanogo equals : 3 signings. ?

  58. rico says:

    Didn’t he say a maximum of three? Which imo, means one left to sign. Regardless of who stays or goes.

    Unless he’s trying to be clever I guess… Who knows what goes through that mans head eh…

  59. Obi says:

    Adam @ 9:14 Cuadrado was good for Juve and Columbia this year and was good at Juve last year also when played. His performance against Barce was usually his norm at Juve. Yes he didn’t do well at Chelsea but then again Jose didn’t rate and didn’t play him. His ability to track back and his worktlrate is very good, much better than Theo or Ramsey playing the wing…. I don’t think the rumour is true. Juve just completed the permanent transfer for him. He was on loan for the last 2 years. In a 3 at the back system he will be valuable because of his workrate and defensive work. Not bad if he plays like he’s doing at Juve. But the players I go after at Juve is Alex Sandro and Machiscio.

    Btw, Barcelona potentially getting Verratti for 88m, what a steal if Progba went for 90m…….

    Scott I wish I had your faith that AW will change. He’s probably sitting in his house with a bottle of wine looking at his FA cups with victorious smirk, thinking no need to change 7th FA cup and no DOF.declaring, different year same s%&t.

  60. allezkev says:

    The Lyon chairman is a complete tosser and Wenger is an idiot for ever entertaining a deal with that club.
    Aulas will mess us about all summer, he’s another Mourinho.

  61. allezkev says:

    Wenger thinks he is a transfer genius, pity about the litany of players he’s missed out on.
    Genius, my arse…

  62. Obi says:

    Kev really Mbappe for Sonogo….my client Sonogo is irreplaceable, lol. …

    I am a big Sanchez fan and I think that he doesn’t derseve to be paid 275 -350k p.w. as it has been reported. But before I pay 60m plus wages for Lacazette, I will give Alexis 400k p.w. to keep him. Lacazette is s!#t, he’s a Theo Walcott that manages to stay on side, playing in a less demanding league. Yes he scores 25+ league goals but about only 3 come against “big” team.

    I know some here only watch arsenal, so remember about 2 years ago when Lyon played Arsenal in the Emirate Cup, yes it was only an exhibition game, but Kos and Mert had Lacazette in their pockets, well that will be more like it if he played in the EPL…. 60m I will not even pay 25m for him. Let him keep waiting for Madrid or Barce….smh.

  63. Le Coq Monster says:

    Evening all.

    Alexis is going nowhere as he`s modelling the new kit !…………………..if someone can show me any player who left once modelling the kit historically, then I`ll hold my hands up……………..and tickle your arm pits ! hahaha

    https://twitter.com/ACL_Soccer/status/875736980918763520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2F2017%2F06%2F16%2Farsenal-201718-kit-poster-leak-features-alexis-sanchez-and-mesut-ozil-6714390%2F

    I`ve read a few pieces where Lacazette is overated and my main man of player and different league knowledge…………….Obi !……..say`s he`s worst than Theo, so I have to listen !.

    How about PEA ?………isn`t he still available ?

  64. Le Coq Monster says:

    Then again !……………Obi has always sung the praises of Sanogo !…………so is probably a puck short of a hockey stick !……………no idea what that means but it sounds good ! hahaha

  65. Le Coq Monster says:

    You can raise one arm BP !…………….that`s the 2006 kit if I`m right, so TH14 left in 2007, so it must be PV4 who left after modelling the kit ! ……………………………….good detective though, lets hope my wife doesn`t employ you ! 😀

  66. Le Coq Monster says:

    I wouldn`t say no, Bumba !……………………rumour has it that the PSG move has fell through !

  67. ScottfromOz says:

    Obi,
    I’m not sure Wenger can change, but I hope he can.
    Faith is different to hope 🙂
    On Lacazette, I’d have taken him two years ago at 18-20 million, but at 60million?
    I’m amazed at the money players are going for and you make a great point-better to pay Alexis top dollar to stay as it’ll end up costing less.

  68. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Scott

    15 years ago, The Arsenal transfer season included the words ‘Manchester Utd this, Manchester Utd that, as both clubs battled for 1st & 2nd.

    Then the word Chelsea started appearing as The Arsenal competed in a 3 club contest. Then the words Manchester City began to appear and 4th all of a sudden evolved into a trophy.

    Then the irritating word Tottenham began to appear as The Arsenal slipped down to 5th.

    Now Newsnow Arsenal is littered with the word Everton FFS. At this rate the words Acrington Stanley will become threatening words for The Arsenal.

    Yet 2 words remain ever present ‘Arsene’ & ‘Wenger’.

  69. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    All this talk about Laxette is starting to give me the shits. Someone on here said he is Theo who stays on side. In other words he will give The Arse ‘runs’?

  70. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    For me, unless The Club sign Mbappe, it will be Groundhog Day………..again!!!!

    I’m becoming jaded by these Arsene Wenger false dawns. I’m starting to think, & I hope I’m wrong, that this off season, unlike the past 14, no CL footie & Wenger’s age will work against him in trying to get the necessary players to change things around.

    Arsene Wenger has fiddle farted around with The Club for 14 years when he should have been more pro active with signings.

    His youth development policy produced nothing during The Club’s so called austerity years, yet in that time Monaco developed Mbappe, Tottenham developed Bale, Manchester United developed Ronaldo, etc, etc & Leicester won the PL & blew Wenger’s theory of clever management/coaching can win things to pieces.

    He wanted these 2 extra years. The blow torch is on him & his matey Stan.

  71. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Of course for me if Arsene Wenger does sign Mbappe

    Swallows will fly out of The Arse!!!! Bells will ring like Coronation Day!!!!! (not Street). And I might believe, once again, that Arsene Wenger has one more shot in his cannon to fire a mo fo salvo @ all those clubs I’ve mentioned b4 (not Acrington Stanley ofcourse) & rest The Trophy back to THoF.

    But he needs to sign Thierry Henry Version 2.0!!!!!

    Ok, I’m off to make me a cup of tea. It’s runny nose central down here in Launceston, the home of Poldancing (not Poldark).

  72. Obi says:

    LC PEA over Lacazette any day. Only concern about PEA is his physicality…. the thing about PEA is his vision is exceptional for a goal scorer n we all now about his pace n movement.

    I am seriously considering not supporting Arsenal after they released Sonogo…. but if they do replace him with TH14 like player then am ok with that…

  73. Le Coq Monster says:

    Bring on PEA then…….or is that just false hope as Arsene takes the pee out of us !……………………
    🙂

    Hey GG………..maybe you should spend 6 months in your Launceston and 6 months in mine and get the best weather all year round without leaving Launceston !…………………………..then you can pole dance on Poldark`s pole……………………Rico will not be happy though ! hahaha

  74. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    6 months here, 6 months there? Now there’s a plan LC ? As for Poldark’s pole, I prefer Polcats, if you know what I mean?

    Now that Boris & Co (Northern Ireland) are going to let’s us from the Colony back in, we might check out the real estate down round Lil’ Launceston. Though we do have our heart set on Richmond-Upon-MCG

  75. ScottfromOz says:

    GG, as I keep saying, why complain daily about the fact Wenger is still around, as it’s clear the protests etc etc don’t get the message through, so because I accept the reality and get on with things, why am I in the wrong in the eyes of plenty?
    On Lacazette, plenty say he’s a gun so it’s a little rich to take one option and “run” with it 🙂 🙂
    Again, at 60 million, not for me yet I named him 2 years ago before most Arsenal fans even knew who he was…..at that time, most laughed and said why would we get an unknown, yet now plenty say we should buy him???
    I’d have taken him then for sure, at app. 20 millions on but 60 million is a joke.
    It wouldn’t cost much more to get Lewandoski, and there’s no comparison and even at his age, he could well be the factor that won us the league.
    Keep Alexis, bugger Lacazette at that money and sign a truly WC striker and that’d do me.
    If we are still competitive in 18 months time, Stan will throw another few years at Arsene yet still, plenty will blame Wenger for accepting it.
    I’ll never understand that.
    If the man is delusional, sick or suffering dementia as plenty suggest, why is Stan not guilty for extending his contract- do agree that people are slowly starting to point the finger more and more at him.
    Surely Arsene is in no fit state to realise the wrong in accepting lol
    It’s clear Stan does not intend on doing a single thing to change the clubs performances on the pitch, so it’s all on Arsene to change his ways else we are right royally stuffed.
    Do we complain, or do we “cross fingers” hope, pray, whatever floats people’s boat, that Wenger can change his ways.
    I won’t be confident, but I’ll hope.

  76. rico says:

    Scott. That about many of us not knowing who Lacazette was two years ago is funny. I think the entire world of football knew who he was then…. ?

  77. rico says:

    As for your last bit. For me there’s no hope, just acceptance that the old stubborn one won’t change now.

    Not much point in moaning now, I agree but once the season starts and if it goes pear shaped then he, Kroenke and the board can reap what they sow because the fans won’t hush, not those at the grounds paying to watch it all continue as it has for so long before.

    Then Kroenke etc will have little choice but to react. One of the two, maybe even both will eventually be forced out, of that I’m quietly confident.

  78. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, I can honestly say barely a mention occurred on Lacazette that I saw arount that time,so if it happened here then fine, I missed that.
    Stan has set himself up for a massive fall as has Wenger, if things go pear shaped, and it’ll be nothing short of their heads that’ll keep fans happy.
    Then, that’s been the case for a while yet they march on.
    Is it possible Stan is oblivious to the discontent???

  79. rico says:

    Scott, Lacazette was at The Emirates Cup two years ago with Lyon, and by then we were already linked to signing him so folks on here were talking about the way he played. Maybe you weren’t on here around that time. Lyon were also taking part in the same competition back in 2010, although I’ve no idea if he was in their squad at that time. Arsenal didn’t play them.

    But it matters not, back then and still today he divides fans opinion.

    £60 million for him though is ridiculous imo but desperate times perhaps for AW and we all know how that pans out..

    I can’t see how Kroenke could be oblivious to the discontent, he’d have to be blind and deaf not to know how the fans feel. Seems he doesn’t give a toot though which is why I wish Usmanov would push and push until he gets the club.

    His mate in Liverpool isn’t messing around that’s for sure..

    Morning all.

  80. ScottfromOz says:

    I dare say that was the first time most had seen him play, Rico, but that’s irrelevant now.
    20 million then-not a bad gamble.
    60 now- no chance for mine.

  81. rico says:

    Out of interest Scott, I checked back. 2014 it was Wath who suggested we signed Lacazette who at that time, was rumoured to be valued at £20 million…

    🙂

    Still, at least we agree that £60m would be a rip off… lol

  82. potter says:

    I have been talking about him for a couple of years. He is not TH 14-incarnate but he is sharp around the box and does not get caught on his heels. More Wright than Walcott and step up from Welbeck.

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