Have Arsenal fans accepted the unacceptable?

Morning all.

After a week in which the club’s bigwigs held a press conference, I thought Saturday’s crowd would have had something to say. I half expected banners to be held high in protest for the manager, the board and of course, the owner. But nothing, not that I saw on television anyway and there’s been nothing written in the football pages of the newspapers which would suggest all was peaceful at The Emirates. After all there’s nothing more the press love to write about than unrest at The Arsenal.
Yet the AGM was the worst ever. We are overachieving said Ivan, Chips told someone to read The Telegraph instead of opting to answer a question himself and Stan Kroenke told us that keeping Wenger on as manager was a more difficult decision to make than replacing him. Kroenke expressed his views away from the AGM, clearly not wanting to face the Arsenal fans who were present. I think that’s the first time he’s opted to shy away from his duties. Not a good move really, in fact he’d have been better off staying in America for all the good his visit did.

Yet nothing, not a whisper from the fans. Yes, there were signs of disgruntlement going into half-time but that appeared to be more about us trailing 1-0 than anything else. Once we’d equalised and then going ahead, the fans were back on their feet celebrating. How quick were they to forget that just a few days earlier, they like us who love the club were pretty much ridiculed, ignored and dismissed?

I’m neither a minor shareholder not a season ticket holder but if I was, I’d have either stayed at home on Saturday in protest, or made my feelings clear but to do so alone, achieves nothing. The percentage of happy Arsenal fans must be decreasing by the day yet for some reason, a win appears to make Arsenal fans at The Emirates contented. A sweeping statement perhaps but that’s just how it appears, certainly on television. But how poor were we again?

The performances on the pitch are so far removed from how we used to play under the Frenchman. The contract situations of so many players is a concern to say the least and it’s something a club like ours should ensure never happens but it does and it so often has over the last ten or more years.

Players join, clearly having been told that the club are ambitious and ready to challenge for trophies, only for reality to soon set in. The Arsenal right now are challenging for nothing, in fact ‘The Arsenal’ is long gone. Taking part yes, but truly challenging, no. So, the better quality of players Wenger signs soon leave, certainly those with ambition yet the owner, manager and board couldn’t care less it seems. After all, they can always count on Arsene Wenger to go and find some bargain signing somewhere. Not that I’m against that if they are like Sead Kolasinac but players like him are very hard to find. Certainly for free and it’s been a long time since the Frenchman has snapped up a bargain hasn’t it? Once upon a time he was a master at spotting good, talented young players before other clubs, now all he can say is ‘I could have signed…….’

We now face a really tough few fixtures. An away trip to Man City followed by a home fixture against Spurs straight after the international break. Then after a couple of matches against the so called ‘lesser sides’, Utd will turn up at The Emirates. Three big matches against top four sides and Arsene Wenger has a poor record against the big guns.

Should that terrible record continue, maybe The Emirates crowd will come alive and perhaps that’s what it needs for the board to take notice. Not that they took much notice last season because as said above, they don’t care. They had a chance in the summer to freshen things up, to give us something different, something to perhaps get excited about but no, heads in the sand, Wenger stayed and it’s same old, same old all over again.

On that happy note, enjoy your Monday….

155 thoughts on “Have Arsenal fans accepted the unacceptable?

  1. Pnk.gooner says:

    Same old same old.comments. trying to Stoke up the negative that rubbed so badly off on players last season. How unhappy you are at Gooners being happy speaks volumes.

  2. Hants Gooner says:

    No Rico what he is unlike you it seems is a fan wanting the negativity caused by “fans” like you to end.
    I dont expect all fans to be behind the current regime but as fans we should be behind the team

  3. jeff wright says:

    Rico ,Pnk sums it all up regarding many of the home supporters attitude to Stan and Wenger’s regime , he’s happy with paying to watch mediocrity ! Will he be offering advice after Sunday’s tete a tete away to City though is the question. My experience with Wenger supporters,I find them all a bit weird tbh, is that they only appear after a win or a draw against Chelsea type result and are never seen when Watford ones happen .As they inevitably always do and will do so again before this season runs its course ad that is apart from Wenger’s appalling record against top opponents. So far after two played just one point won no goals scored and 4 conceded. Should be a doddle then on Sunday away to City ! You couldn’t make it up.

  4. ScottfromOz says:

    I read a stat yesterday that Pochettino has one win from 16 In away games to top 6 sides, yet he’s lauded by plenty of fans.
    Just saying 🙂
    Jeff, funny, but plenty of Wenger haters disappear when we’re on a winning streak so i guess people will be people.
    Very, very few people are happy with the club, but I’m with Hants on one point-we should support the team, imo.
    Most of the guys on the pitch give their all, and I’m not sure we can question that the tension amongst fans has an adverse effect.
    I know that’s not the intention of supporters, but surely, it plays a part.
    Rico, I reckon you’re spot on.
    Rather than protest, people need to stay away completely.
    That’ll send a clear message.

  5. jeff wright says:

    Scott ,the so called winning steaks are just an illusion .Can you remind us of when Wenger last put in a title challenge and I mean a title challenge when we were in with a chance of winning a title in the league after March,not just wins against modest sides aka flat track-bully ones. The point is that many supporters have come to accept the mediocrity served up to them by the current regime at AFC and which is fronted by the manager who talks more nonsense than anyone in football to justify it.Ivan the liar cobbles together some stats relating to finances to claim that targets are being met but every club is making money these days from the huge TV money that they receive . So the only targets that matter are trophies. Again Ivan the liar has attempted tp make Wenger’s failures on this front look like success ,claiming that 3 fa Cups in 4 years proves that Wenger is doing a great job. Always though with stats it’s the criteria used that disguises the fact that the whole is greater than the sum total of its parts. It;s really just 3 FA Cups in 15 years won by hapless Arsene during which time he has failed miserably in the league and embarrisgly more so in what he once claimed he was going to win the Champions League.. Again can you remind when it was that Wenger managed to past the first KO round played in the CL . Well he doesent have to worry about that this season because he is not even in it ! It’s just the Ropey on a Thursday night That’s not much to get excited about is it.

  6. kelsey says:

    Morning al, I did answer you Rico but you had left for the night.

    You make a valid point in your post but now we have conceded first 9 times this season.Many season ticket holders aren’t going and either selling or giving their tickets away.There was a furios outburst by many minority shareholders who attended, and they were treated with contempt by Sir fish and Chips.

    Idon’t agree about your comment about Kroenke,he doesn’t have any duty to speak.

    As I said yesterday we are snookered and the LA Rams were top of their league last week.

    I never want us to lose but if we finish mid table and the performances remain as they are , you will hear the protests for sure and AW might just resign at the end of this season.There is a break clause in his two year contract.
    Kroenke is another matter. The only hope is that we keep some of the 10 still in their last year and add firepower but if we don’t win a trophy or get forth place,that is unlikely.
    How dare the Board blame the fans.First it was Sanchez who was meant to be a trouble maker, then a split in the squad .then we couldn’t even give Debuchy away,then we try to sell perez back without ever giving him a real chance,then we couldn’t sell Jenkinson so loaned him out ,then jack was meant to go to Birmingham on loan, then Wally is benched all season at 140K a week, then he makes him captain on Saturday. The manager has gone completely mad.
    I have to pinch myself that this is The Arsenal I grew up with and new. We are now a second tier club in the PL.We need a newer younger manager with different tactics, but then I woke up.

  7. rico says:

    I saw thanks Kelsey. I was under the illusion that you knew which comment it was..

    Yes, I guess there are more empty seats these days so perhaps the bums not on seats protest is underway… I wouldn’t pay to watch our lot these days…

  8. potter says:

    I don’t think anyone goes to the ground hoping that The Arsenal will lose apart from the away support and a few journalists . Whilst the team is on the pitch they get support deserving of their efforts.
    Pnk talks about the negativity at the ground last year that certainly came in part from disatisfaction at the way results were going and the players attitudes at times however I believe much of that stemmed from the managers will I won’t I stance on his contract. Despite claiming that he would let everyone know on a couple of occasions , he didn’t and left the club in limbo.
    I also believe that he knew that he was staying but was aware that an early announcement would have been a green light for the players that see his tactics as flawed to make arrangements to get out of Dodge as soon as they could. As it turned out a few left to try their luck elsewhere and a couple stayed to run their contracts down for financial security on leaving.
    The blame game is a two way street ! If there is disatisfaction then logically you might expect the club to try and find out why it exists. The attitude of the board at the AGM however proved without a doubt that they are not interested in any dialogue on the matter with their totally dismissive answers or lack of them to genuinely raised queastions.. It is obvious that they don’t like us but do like our money ( kind of like Herr Junker and co )
    They wish to portray the fans as the problem which deflects any blame away from themselves . Some will accept this as gospel and some will excercise their God given and work things out for themselves . I am afraid that the latter are the ones seeing the truer picture and their numbers will grow quicker than many realise.

  9. Meerkat says:

    Scott said “I’m sure it’s because I’m never right”. Not true Scott, but you’re the whipping boy on here.
    I usually agree with the points you make, but I don’t count?.
    We don’t only appear after a win or draw, nor are we Wenger fans particularly, in fact we agree he should have gone long before now, but we accept he is here for the foreseeable future and that is down to Kroenke not giving a toss about the club, as long as it still shows a profit. A lot will have to happen before that situation changes.

    Meanwhile, either we get behind the team (and for a while, the manager too) or just grumble constantly about what should be done (but never will).
    I get that many don’t blame the owner, and prefer to slate the manager, that’s a fans prerogative.
    However, I continue to hope that Kroenke eventually does one. He won’t face the fans though, so my guess he is here for the long haul, and we are basically stuffed.
    It’s Wenger who has to face up to the questions after every game, but heyho, he gets well paid by the master puppeteer to do so.

  10. potter says:

    It really depends on the subject that you are addressing with regard to blame. The running of the club ? falls on the board or the running of the team which falls on Wenger.

  11. andrewh1313 says:

    Scott, who gives their all apart from Sanchez and maybe Cech? Don’t tell me Kos when he turns his back on a shot. Who, possibly gives everything they can possibly do into a match? Adams used to, John Terry, Butcher, some of those did. You think these Arsenal players really play as if their lives depended on it?

  12. Lee says:

    Who’s to blame for the squad’s deficiencies?
    The general lack of preparation?
    The lack of tactical nous?
    The side ways style?
    Playing favourites when they are under performing?
    Playing players out of position?
    Over paying mediocre players?
    Not using the £200m annual salary kitty efficiently?

    Who can this person be?

    I’m intrigued…

    Lauding beating average teams as a “streak” let’s see how we get on over the next few weeks shall we?

  13. rico says:

    Meerkat. Can’t say your whipping boy comment has gone down well with me, and your suggestion of getting behind the manager, well feel free, I’m not. The bloke is ruining us. He’s not alone I know but ultimately, he’s a old has been whose better days in football are many years behind him…

  14. Le Coq Monster says:

    Afternoon all and thank`s Rico.

    A mixed bag post in that I agree with some of it and disagree on one point if I`ve read it correctly and that point is, you will never get me barracking/protesting etc at a game, my motive at a game is to support the team as anything else will have an adverse effect on the players which will undoubtably affect their performance…………….never heard of anyone going to a game not to support your team to win…………….bizarre if true !

    Only once away from game will I exert my opinion of pleasure or dis-pleasure, fcuked if Im` travelling 250 miles to have a rant ! hahahaha

    Whether owner or Wenger`s fault, my current grief is that it`s not just the Big 3 and Bindippers we struggle against now to win points against, but !……and this is a real choker and something that is unacceptable…………….we have now added the Spuds to the list who we struggle against !……..whens the last time we spanked them ?…………….there was a time when we went a decade…………….ten years without losing to them, this needs to return soon……………I need spud mashing days back !

  15. Le Coq Monster says:

    I wonder how Real Madrid`s fans are feeling this season ?……………….biggest club in the world along with Manshafter and 8 points behind Barca !………………….ZZ not Top ( must be a pun there somewhere )……………………Zidane anyone ?

    Just an opinion , but I bet any discourse by their fans will get a reaction from the board………….unlike our reactions which are met with contempt by arrogant ponces !

  16. jeff wright says:

    Yeah those Real Madrid fans must feel very depressed with just league titles and back to back Champions League wins recently.

  17. Lee says:

    Real Madrid last 10 seasons…
    La Liga 3
    Copa del Rey 2
    Supercopa 3
    CL 3
    UEFA super cup 3

    They must be gutted! ?

  18. Le Coq Monster says:

    Obviously you Venomous Wenger Vipers

    😆

    dont get my point !………….and that is the differerance in boards !

    We do not compete with RM, only a few in the world do, did they not sack Mourinho for winning the title ?……………….same as Chavs, sacked Di Matteo for winning FA Cup and Champions League !…………………………….your buddy Kroenke has not sacked the manager you love to hate !………………………….an owner who doesn`t listen to the fans !

    We all love to win what RM have as well as what the Big 3 in this country win……………………. we are not RM fans, but it would not surprise me in the least if their fans go ape shit if they dont win anything this season even with all they`ve won before, a trophy less season is not accepted by RM………………where as us ?…………………………we all know what Kroenke thinks on that level, trophies mean nothing, only money counts !

    I also asked a question of ………..Zidane anyone ?……………………

  19. rico says:

    Lc, what about before or after? That’s when fans can vent their feelings..

    I’d be close to slitting my wrists if I supported Real Madrid. Looks like they might only win the Champions League then…..

  20. Le Coq Monster says:

    Anyone else want top tell me how much RM have won ? hahaha

    Maybe I wasn`t clear…………………….RM is how I would love us to be run, but that can be said of MC …..BM……………MU……………….. Chavs………………..you know the ones, the ones that spend money on the best platyers and win trophies………………………………and sack unsuccessfull managers !

  21. Le Coq Monster says:

    Being a lucky charm for nearly all Arsenal games I`ve been to ( only seen them lose twice……….WBA 2-3 and LC Final vs Leeds ) I haven`t had the need to boo !………..never say never though ! hahaha

  22. Le Coq Monster says:

    We`re on the same hymn sheet here, Rico, we all want Wenger gone, but we have an owner who loves him !………………how many on here can safely say Kroenke would not offer another contract extention to the already too long one !…………..yes a scary thought worse than anything Halloween could bring up ! hahaha

  23. rico says:

    Perhaps Lc, but I think Kroenke walked into a club already controlled by Wenger and there was no way that control was going to be given up..

    If Wenger had balls, he’d walk…

  24. Meerkat says:

    He probably wil LcM, he is happy with things as they are and treats the fans and small shareholders with contempt. If he wants Wenger, fans won’t change his mind. The only thing would be that hopefully Wenger will walk away.

    Thinking about Spanish footie, I wonder what league Barca would play in if the Catalans get Independance from Spain?

  25. Le Coq Monster says:

    The same league as they are in now I should imagine M`kat !……………..Berwick Rangers are in England and play in Scotland !…………………….three welsh teams in English leagues !……….probably others in other countries !……………Monaco is a principality ?……………

  26. Le Coq Monster says:

    If Kroenke had his way( and other American owners ?)………………there would be no pyramid system in England, so no relegation, just like American sports………………would probably move Arsenal to LA if he had the power to do so !…………………………..which coincides with a good conspiracy theory of more and more American owners taking charge of the EPL to then gang up and make drastic changes to game !………as per first part of this writing……pyramid system removed…….or differant elite league with no relegation !……………………..maybe I shouldn`t have said all this, as I could be now targeted by rich Americans !………………….no I`m not paranoid, but if you dont hear from me again !………………………… hahaha

  27. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    Jeff, your hatred of Wenger is accepted.
    However, you can say what you like, split all the hairs you dare to but a winning streak is a winning streak and plenty of his critics DO disappear when things are going well, so don’t try and cover that over with your rhetoric.
    Andrew, this shit about Kozzer turning his back is one of those things that, if said often enough, people run with, when the simple fact is so many players do it at ALL clubs, why don’t we accept it as part of the game?
    Why don’t you watch ANY game and try and tell me Kozzer is a one out!!!!
    I will absolutely guarantee you even some of our old, hard and legendary players did it at some point but because it’s all people can find to criticise a current player on, let’s just ram it down people’s throats lol
    Sanchez gives his all for Sanchez and has never been a team player, unless of course telling team mates to fuck off while turning the ball over 6-8 times a game is playing for the club.
    That’s an absolute fact-his ridiculous amount of turn overs, yet hardly anyone acknowledges it, but if Kozzer turns his back every now and again it’s highlighted.
    Meerkat, I do appreciate the support, so thanks for that.
    I dig my own holes, so you’re better off staying out of them hahahaha
    Lee, once again you quote me without actually having the decency to name me.
    It’s exactly why you got away with calling me a deluded twat recently-something when fronted on, you didn’t deny, you just ignored it but you know full well it was aimed at me.
    I never hide from my opinion and I stand up for what I believe In!!!
    Did City win?
    Who cares????
    Really.

  28. Stephan Larose says:

    I don’t understand negative fans. What are you trying to accomplish? If the players acted like you they would lose every single game. The team is behind the manager. Sorry, but the players know better than you. The reason talent wants to leave is because the fans are awful. They should act with solidarity and try to act like an extension of the team but instead they are busy falling over each other trying to get on camera with their pathetic negative antics. 10 wins out of 12 games and they act like the sky is falling. I’m sorry but buying a ticket doesn’t entitle you to winning a cup. Booing your own club won’t help them win or get better, it will only alienate talent. Arsenal would win the league if their fans wouldn’t shit in their diapers every time there is a setback. If you don’t have the spine to act like a part of the team then stay home. I promise you, you will not be missed.

  29. micko says:

    Just to address the balance what about the AKB’s who disappear at the fag end of the season when things aren’t going so well only to re-surface again when we win the fa cup.

  30. ScottfromOz says:

    Micko, the balance was addressed when I made originally said the critics disappear as It was clearly in response to the first comment from Jeff stating the supporters do.
    It’s getting hard to keep up, hey 🙂
    11.44 am then 11.55 am.

  31. Herb's Army says:

    To add to the debate about fans behaviour during wins and losses, sometimes people just have to exorcise their demons.
    There is a definite imbalance in the number of comments depending on whether Arsenal win or lose, but winning used to mean so much more when there was a belief in the overall project.
    Since discovering that Kroenke is only in it for profit and that Wenger and the rest of the.club’s hierarchy are totally complicit, winning games we should win has become very hollow.
    Back when Arsenal were competing for titles, every game won was cause for celebration, but nowadays, with the club’s custodians quite content to allow the club to drift aimlessly into mediocrity, even FA Cups fail to ignite the passion.
    If you can’t create a genuine sense of excitement about your project you shouldn’t be that surprised if people are not that impressed with your results.
    And people are always more creative when they’re angry. People put more analysis into what is or isn’t working, and you always learn more in defeat than victory. Well it works for the Germans!
    Most of us know where Arsenal are at and can predict how the season will play out. We’re not in the hunt for the big prizes, we may or may not be top four, and in any match where the heat is on and Arsenal are under the microscope, they’ll revert to type and shrink. So even an accumulation of wins or ‘a winning streak’ leaves very little to get excited about when you look at Arsenal’s bigger picture.

  32. rico says:

    Running a blog is difficult. People agree and disagree but along the way, hostility often rears it’s ugly head.

    The reality is that when just one person writes a post most days, it reflects the views of that person and just like LG reflects Pedro thoughts, HH does mine. You may not like it but it is what and how it is.

    Unlike Arsenal FC, HH won’t be around forever, but what I will say is that if anyone doesn’t like the views of myself or others, then why not break away, why not start a blog of your own because then you can set your own agenda each day and that would save you from being hostile, argumentative, or challenging towards Arsenal fans who dont believe in what you do…

    I detest Arsene Wenger for what’s he’s doing to the club I love. I care very little for Kroenke and the board too but it’s Wenger I want out first and foremost because of so many things he’s fcking up.

    And that wont change…..

  33. rico says:

    A winning streak would be good Herb, if ever we went on one… but it’s same old really, lose against the likes of Watford, struggle to beat Swansea and then spring a surprise victory over a team we thought we wouldn’t beat.. Then we lose again…

    Same old every season…

  34. micko says:

    rico, how you quite put up with people coming along and shitting on your door-step every other day I’ll never now.

    It takes a special kind of idiot to do that.

    And I’d like to think you ain’t going nowhere in a hurry.

  35. ScottfromOz says:

    Herb, your 9:50pm is a hell of a good comment!!!!!
    Rico, I’m sure everyone acknowledges you’ve got a tough gig, and though we disagree on everything, I still have the utmost respect for you and the way you back up each and every day giving us a discussion point.
    You said earlier we never agree on anything and that’s become my problem.

  36. ScottfromOz says:

    Micko, just like the people that insult and abuse others, but haven’t the balls to be upfront.
    Kind of like diving, people become so sneaky and sly, it makes the refs job hard.

  37. frednerk says:

    Evening Rico and All

    The wins do seem hollow..Why?
    The new Arsenal supporters are more
    like Arsene supporters..to me.
    Not many I know think we can win the league
    again with this lot in charge.
    Have we changed at all the last 10 years,
    if you are happy with that…Thats for you.

    But me..I want to see a team with that has
    a bit of Arsehole..Not a bit of Arsene.

  38. Kk says:

    Well said rico. .
    You can tell it’s halaween and some kids had too much sugar and won’t go to bed!

    Some excellent comment from Potter and herbs too.

    Now, strong rumour and as suggested by our own Portuguese agent JM, that arsenal are lining Marco Silva to replace Arsene Mugabe.

    Night gooners

  39. ScottfromOz says:

    Nobody is happy, Fred.
    I personally don’t know a single person who still believes Arsene is the man to take us forward.
    KK, Is Silva up to it, in your opinion?
    Ive always been of the opinion we need an experience guy to take over, but as it stands, I doubt any top man with said experience will join us, and we can’t hide behind the “waiting for the right man” any longer.
    I would not say anyone will do, but anyone is probably worth a go as that’s mean one part of the equation that’s holding us back will then be gone.
    If we then succeed, we will know where the problem was.
    If we fail, so be it, but at least we will know where the problem was/remains 🙂

  40. micko says:

    Absolute nonsense to suggest a top man wouldn’t want to take over the job at Arsenal, if it went up tomorrow they would be queing up around the block, talk about living in denial.

    Keep it real, nite Gooners.

  41. frednerk says:

    It’s a question of do you support
    the team and in retrospect give
    arsene a clear ride and make life
    hunky dory for him or do you get
    on the band wagon and hope he
    get a new pair of slippers and a pipe
    for christmas..Scott.

  42. ScottfromOz says:

    Micko, my opinion may be absolute nonsense and I may live be in denial, and good for you for saying so.
    Fred, He has to go.
    There’s no question, imo, and I’ve said that for ages, but hey, I’m a Wenger in according to most-go figure lol

  43. Lee says:

    Yeah Micko,I think there would be a long list of managers that would relish the opportunity of the Arsenal gig!
    You never know they might even do a better job?!?
    Well said earlier Rico and your behind the scenes work is applauded, you have to endure some real bellends on here…yet you still turn a post out every day! Commendable stuff…

  44. rico says:

    Morning all.

    Have to say that I too think Arsenal are a club which would be hard for any top manager to turn down. Cash rich, great ground and training facilities. Everything is there ready for the club to be a strong force in football. And didn’t Pep prefer to join us over City but the old man wouldn’t step aside? Hasn’t Ancelotti recently said he’d love Wengers job too?

  45. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. When you run an open forum for discussion you will always get people who just like to stir things up and be unpleasant. In the current torrid atmosphere at Arsenal it isn’t really surprising I suppose.
    Anyway, I, like many others, think you do a great job and you will always have my support.

  46. rico says:

    Morning Adam, thank you, to you and all others here who clearly get where I’m coming from. I know we’ll disagree that’s fine, but disagree with a bit less venom is all I ask. I can handle irony, micky taking etc, but agresssion, well this is not the place for that…

  47. ScottfromOz says:

    Did Ancelotti say that, Rico?
    I know his name was mentioned but didn’t realise it came from him.
    He’d be a good option.
    As for the disagreements, if people are open and honest, Rather than hiding behind veiled remarks. I guarantee there’d be less hostility which seems to be blamed on one side only, yet quite clearly is the fault of both sides, no matter if people like to admit it or not due to various reasons.
    How about it guys?

  48. Lee says:

    The PL is a bloody tough league and managers coming in from other leagues seriously have their work cut out….I think Carlo with his PL pedigree would be a good appointment!

  49. ScottfromOz says:

    Fair enough, Rico, and he’s the type who could handle things.
    It’d be interesting to see the reaction of Ozil and Alexis if he joined today.

  50. Adam says:

    I know mate. The Napoli manager is doing great but there’s always that risk in moving from one country to another isn’t there? It’s probably one of the reasons that Stan offered Arsene a new contract. The Uncertaintly Principle. Allegri looks a thorough professional though, so perhaps him?
    Any new manager is going to have a big job on his hands and it might not work out though. Most top managers would like the job though, unless they are imbedded in a club already.
    We are the proverbial sleeping giant after all.

  51. ScottfromOz says:

    On Ozil and Alexis, you mean?
    If a manager the ilk of Ancelotti happened to join today, I wonder if either would extend.

  52. rico says:

    I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, because I believe any new manager coming in will spend money and deploy a very different coaching setup, tactics and general approach.

    And all with Kroenke at the helm….

  53. potter says:

    Any number of names can be thrown around and no doubt many of them would like to manage The Arsenal but the interview would soon find out those that want the glory as opposed to those that want the job.
    Any interview that’s worth anything is a two way dialogue where both sides set out their plans. Once the prospective managers hear the terms of the club’s ambitions they might feel inclined to walk away. Managers nowadays all realise that any appointment is short term, dinosaurs like Wenger and Fergusson are less and less likely to be duplicated , and all top managers waill be very aware of their portfolios and a period of failure at Arsenal will not be the type of rep that they would want.
    If the board set out a frugal plan that retains the infamous self sustainable policy and they realise that although there will be money to spend in the end book balancing is the name of the game you won’t see many of them for dust.
    We will appoint one that is not at the top and scared to fall down the manager table but one who will see a three year tenure as a step up or even a recovery period. Don’t set your sights much higher than a Brendan Rogers or Marco Silva even Quike Flores that’s about the level we will go for.

  54. ScottfromOz says:

    I’m with you, Potter.
    I hope we are wrong, of course, but I don’t see Stan suddenly changing after having it so good for so long.
    The on field stuff we play change immediately, no question, but I can’t see the financial side being much better.

  55. rico says:

    Not being funny Potter but right now I’d prefer any of the three you mention than Wenger. But I’m not sure the club will go that way.

  56. ScottfromOz says:

    Was anyone else impressed with the way Norwich set up against us?
    Young German coach who apparently was reserve coach of Dortmund before his arrival.

  57. jeff wright says:

    Even allowing for the Silent Stan and Ivan the liar biz plan of objective metrics, against expenditure on transfers, he
    does talk some right old tosh Ivan, a more energetic and ambitious manager that hapless Arsene might well do better than the French fraud does . Using the same resources. In my view Wenger has wasted vast amounts of money for personal reasons . Such as rewarding duff players with big bucks contracts because they have showed personal loyalty to himself. The of course there is the other well known factors that come with the Wenger baggage such as outdated training and medical regimes his chronic lack of any tactical nous to change events during games with fixed subs and pass the parcel football played that we saw again on Saturday in the tedious win against Swansea . Wenger will be under pressure from players to try and be a bit more cautious against Pep and to resist the invite from the cunning Spaniard of ,hey skinny let’s see who can score the most goals then !

  58. potter says:

    Just spells out what most of us are thinking, then again there are still many that don’t think and are singing La La La La.

  59. Le Coq Monster says:

    Evening all.

    I still think Koeman would do well at the Em`s, but I`ve for a long time said Simeone……………….let`s look at the detail………………He`s been competitive against two of the top 3 clubs in the world but on Dennis knows what money to spend, hey they are on a transfer ban aren`t they ?.

    He would imo do the first and foremost thing that Wenger has failed to do since 2006……………make us hard to beat and I think from most comments I`ve read, we need a defense !

    Surely we are richer and bigger than A Madrid, so he will have more money to spend !

    He is one ugly hard looking muvver !

    Also the Pep boat has sailed……………………….although I`ve heard that Adam has become a stowaway on it !………………..Love Island ?

    😆

  60. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, nah, I meant Norwich.
    Potter, fair enough and I obviously was only going on one game, so impossible to makget a proper call.
    Jeff, can we honestly blame Wenger for the medical/injury issues?
    The man isn’t that hands on, surely 🙂

  61. ScottfromOz says:

    KK, that article shows that off field factors play a part in the on field performances of Stans clubs, If we didn’t realise that already.
    My question is what happens if we do bring in a top manager who gives us success-will Stan then see the opportunity to (somehow) make more money by pushing us down the food chain further?
    So much is up in the air.

  62. Meerkat says:

    If Kroenke had any desire to give fans a few crumbs of comfort or confidence in his ambitions, he would have attended the AGM. The fact that he gave it a wide berth and gave his directors the nod to be rude, speaks volumes.
    Want a new top manager? Dream on, but don’t hold your breath guys.

  63. rico says:

    Meerkat, I think Stan did attend the Agm, he just chose not to speak… judging by what others said, a wise move. Idiots, gutless idiots..

  64. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, that’s the domain of the medical staff, though.
    That’s why they’re very well paid-to ensure players don’t get overcooked, surely.
    I doubt even Wenger would over rule medical advice.
    Stan would have added nothing to the discussion-nothing people wanted to hear, at least.
    Then again, I’m not sure any of the speakers did 🙂

  65. rico says:

    Wenger rules over everyone Scott, of that I’m sure. Shame he’s never signed someone to fill in for Santi eh…

    But that’s Wenger all over…

    Night all.

  66. ScottfromOz says:

    Remember the infamous day Ox was tearing up Utd, and was taken off around the hour mark?
    The crowd started chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing” to Wenger, yet quite a few months later, the Club doctor said the advice was not to play the kid for more than an hour or so as he was ready to red line.
    Wenger listened to the advice, and was torn apart for doing so.
    I think he does listen to the medical staff.
    Maybe he doesn’t listen to anyone else, though lol

  67. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, I’ll never know why we haven’t got Santis replacement lined up, at the very least.
    We’ve missed him terribly, and have nobody even close to the type and class of player he is in that role.
    There will never be justification for a lot of our transfer dealings.
    Night, Rico.

  68. Kk says:

    Yes Scott off field mediocrity and incompetence is huge obstacle and that doesn’t exclude wenger because he is big part of it, that and of course his arrogant negligence and incompetence on field as well.
    You forgot he also blamed the fans for his team lack lustre perfomances .

    Wenger and injuries go like bread and butter. .he overplays players until they break, and then lies about their injury situation and recovery period simply to avoid any questions about buying replacement or cover .

    Also keeping chronic injured players on the books for eternity wasting money and vital spots in the squad.

    As for the infamous ox substitution it’s a well known fact now it was made to save few quids been paid to Southampton as per ox sale contract. .
    Pathetic really..

  69. Meerkat says:

    Yeah, sorry Rico, I misunderstood the reports. They said chips referred any questions for Kroenke to the Press report.
    Even though he did attend, he refused to address the questions himself.
    He treats the fans with contempt, as though they are so irrelevant he can’t be arsed.

    What hope does the club have of thriving under such an ignorant barsteward?
    The old board have sold the club up the river.

  70. potter says:

    the Club doctor said the advice was not to play the kid for more than an hour or so as he was ready to red line.

    Was it the doctor that said that or was it Wenger saying that he did , I am not sure.

  71. Meerkat says:

    Napoleon slated the manure fans last week. They have their share of injuries too, but have just won 2-0 in the CL.

  72. Kk says:

    Potter It was wenger in his post match interview. .he also made his claim of making over 50 thousands substitutions or something like that. .

  73. ScottfromOz says:

    Kk/Potter, I actually watched an interview where the doctor said that.
    Obviously, I can only take the man at his word so what happened behind the scenes is unknown.
    Would the doctor lie?
    That’s for everyone to decide but I’d like to think a medical practitioner would tell the truth.
    KK, isn’t it contradictory for people to suggest Wenger would do that to save some cash, yet on the other hand say he wastes millions on wages for over rated players?
    10k is a drop in the ocean, so though that may be part of the contract, I think it’s wrong to suggest Wenger would be that frugal, and it’s certainly not fact that it was the case.
    Just my opinion.

  74. allezkev says:

    I see that Arsene is talking up Debuchy as a centre-back.
    He often uses the media to put out a load of BS for the player or his agent.
    Nothing that Arsene says in the media is really meant for the fans, we’re just an unavoidable irritant to him…

    The 32 year old Debuchy is under contract with us until 2019, so Wenger will probably see him as an internal solution to the retiring Mertesaker and until Holding and Chambers are ready to take over the senior roles, if ever?

  75. Lee says:

    Defensively we are poor when our back four are fit let alone when we have injuries….who left us short and stocked with substandard players? The same can be said of the midfield….all fucking predictable, repetitive and boring!

    Santiago when fit is the heartbeat of the team and the win ratio is far greater…what fucking moron decided not to replace him??

    Just leave you loser.

  76. rico says:

    Doesn’t Debuchy sum up everything Wenger stands for? The bloke was on his way out not too long ago and now he’s to be our defensive saviour..

    You couldn’t make it up but that’s what Wenger does, makes it up as he goes along…

  77. rico says:

    Agree re Santi Lee.

    Agree too Kev, Wenger has an excuse for every eventuality yet if he looked in the mirror, he’d see who’s to blame..

  78. ScottfromOz says:

    Debuchy wanted out, but when he couldn’t find a new club, suddenly he wants to do well for Arsenal again????
    The guys attitude went south once Bellerin became first choice-he spat the dummy.
    There is no way Wenger can be blamed for the situation Debuchy is in.
    Whoever cleaned the guy up and busted his shoulder is to blame, as Hector got his chance and the rest is history.
    Debuchy now knows he has no alternative so will give his all.
    Morning all.

  79. rico says:

    Debuchy didn’t spit his dummy out, he held talks with Wenger and was promised game time so stayed. However, that game time never materialised so he looked elsewhere and I for one don’t blame him…

  80. ScottfromOz says:

    I never heard that so I’ll accept your word on it, but why is it Wenger is always at fault?
    Is it possibly wrong every single time things go wrong?

  81. ScottfromOz says:

    The medical staff were to blame for the Ox situation, as they admitted it.
    Stan gets off the hook again hahaha
    Arsene stuffs up transfers.
    He destroys tactics.
    That’s enough.
    Whoever replaces him must not be allowed the same responsibilities and power.

  82. rico says:

    No-one say’s Wenger is wrong all the time Scott as behind him there’s a lot going wrong but I’m talking about football and Wenger, not anything else. And in that department, he’s dreadful.

    Lee, I did. Didn’t realise they smashed up seats etc. I wonder what Wenger will do with the money… 😉

  83. rico says:

    🙂 Lee.

    I’ve always said that Scott, so have others. But I don’t think you take notice…

    By the way, who doesn’t have the balls to face the music?

  84. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, I guess it’s like people constantly suggesting I never criticise Wenger, hey.
    Happens daily but so be it.

  85. ScottfromOz says:

    Quite obviously, people at the club don’t have the balls to face the music.
    I’d have thought after the AGM that was quite clear.

  86. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all, it`s like this here again

    😎

    I`ve heard from my sources that the bad behaving Koln supporters is down to Wenger !…………..aparrently he speaks German !

    😆

  87. Le Coq Monster says:

    Everyone enjoy their Trick or Treating ?……………………..dont know where Lee lives, so I knocked on every door wearing my Wenger mask begging for some cash instead of sweats for the transfer fund !

    🙂

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