Morning all.
Just twelve months ago, most people believed, or in my case, hoped, Leicester City would go on a run of bad results just so Arsenal had a chance of winning the league but no, they carried on until the end and achieved something quite remarkable under Claudio Ranieri. The Italian didn’t have a big squad and apart from a short stint in the FA Cup, they had nothing else to play for which helped their cause. Very few injuries came their way which meant Ranieri could select his best team each week and seldom did he and his team lose. Arsenal were the only club to beat them both home and away I think.
This season though has been very different for them and right now they sit just one place above the relegation places but unlike us, they still have a very good chance of progressing further in the Champions League, however, they’ll be doing so without the Italian because yesterday he was sacked. Part of me thinks ‘tough’, that’s life in football but another part of me thinks it’s a crazy move by Leicester City. If we are to believe what’s written in the press, a number of players helped the City bosses come to their decision as they confessed they didn’t know what they were doing any more…
Which kind of brings me back home to Arsenal, another team which doesn’t really look like it knows what it’s doing either but we never hear such things our players running to the clubs owner to snitch. Instead there’s rumours flying around which suggest that should Arsene Wenger decide to call to a day this summer, Bellerin would consider returning to Spain with Barcelona, Koscielny would think about moving too and both Alexis and Ozil certainly wouldn’t be signing a new contract with the club.
Either these players are leaking things to the media/press or the club are, just to let us all know that every player is right behind their manager and they really don’t want him to go, or of course, it’s all made up by those in search of a juicy headline. Regardless, it’s highly unlikely that any player would say something negative about a man who deserves so much respect after being at the club twenty years eh… Yet come match day, they have so much respect they capitulate with ease when the going gets tough and what happens after they do, yes, they all keep their place for the next game so perhaps that’s why they want Wenger to stay. If they do.
A new dynamic manager wouldn’t accept such sloppiness imo, he wouldn’t be afraid to drop an out of form player regardless of how much he cost the club. He wouldn’t play musical chairs with the team just so he could fit in his favourite player, he’d play the right player in the right position and I doubt he’d play the same way against Sutton Utd as he did against the European giants that are Bayern Munich a few days before..
He’d build a team/squad around our best whilst offloading those who have been at the club long after they should have been because that’s what a top manager does. He doesn’t make do just because a player is English, Welsh or French, he’d have players in who want to play for the club, and want to play for him.
Yes, money helps, but something greater than money is a human being with the desire and passion to give their all for the cause and in our case, that’s Arsenal FC.
But it appears to me that neither Arsene Wenger or many of his merry men feel the same and the way I feel is if there are players who would want to leave if the manager goes then so what, sell them because if they don’t want to play for Arsenal, they can go because our club is Arsenal FC, not Arsene Wenger FC!
Well said….. Arsenal FC formed in 1886…. not renamed or formed in 1996…!
Exactly Wath.
What a fact less piece of fake article…
Ok Crispen ,get your head of your / the sand.and realise that there is a propaganda machine at the club and they want more years of the current situation. They will use their contacts with media and agents to get their way over the will of the section of the supporter base that want to seek change. If this is the sceario being spread then it will become the subject of the be careful mob.Perhaps they should get GIna Millar on board but maybe Soros is not interested.
Thanks Potter.
Always has to be one eh…………. end and bell…!
Appalling use of English too. 🙂
🙂
Roberto Mancini the favourite to replace Ranieri.
Dilly ding!
Morning all. Bright, sunny, blue skies here. Lovely again, shame about the wind though.
Our old chap must be fighting back. Using the loyalty of his players to pledge their future to Arsene, not the club! Well……..?
No one will sack the old boy because Arsenal are a proper club, whose Board still retain a few stiff upper lips and have a fine sense of fidelity, especially where the record breaking manager is concerned. So, where does that leave his tenure? In his court, totally! He will not resign as he thinks, in his urbane way, that he still has something to offer. Well, it’s a point of view I suppose. In the blinkered world which he inhabits, he sees only success, success without silver polish! Ideal. Good enough, particularly when he is seen jousting with the teams that have been created and succoured by the petro dollars or the murky world of Russian exploitation etc. Why would Wenger want to leave? The answer is he doesn’t! And he won’t. So there!!
We are stuck with him, until the knacker man arrives and throws his rotting carcass on his cart, marked, ‘FOR DISPOSAL”.
Hopefully not Wavy, fingers crossed he himself sees sense.. Especially now that Ranieri has been sacked, he must be having a bit of a worry that he’s next… lol
Morning guys.
Arsene FC-I do dislike that little label, but it does get used often enough.
My reply to it is that people use it to criticise Wenger and his supporters, but they should realise it’s for some basis of truth behind it, in that Wenger is only an employee, and shouldn’t be blamed for every single thing wrong with the club……Arsenal FC.
Anyway, it’s an oldie but a goodie 🙂 🙂
Leicester are the exact opposite to Arsenal.
Seems their fans are blaming the players and are disappointed at the lack of respect shown to Ranieri by their board, where at Arsenal, the board love the manager, while the fans don’t.
Funny old world.
There’s a big chunk of things going wrong which is his fault though Scott, certainly on the pitch….
He can’t escape criticism for that but I guess that’s what happens when a manager gets older and has become too comfortable in his position..
Morning All
It’s a calm day, sunny intervals, broken cloud, average temp for the year, the wind has dropped..
That’s the weather report from East Essex. ?
Morning Rico, interesting post despite the odd negative comment from our regular negative creep.
KSE’s decision on the manager will be based entirely on a financial basis and won’t consider any football aspects, why would they when the owner doesn’t care about trophies or seriously competing for trophies.
Morning Kev, as Wath says, there’s always one…
Maybe Kroenke will shock us….
Arsene FC isn’t a criticism of Wenger Scott, for me it’s used to describe the blinkered sheep that seem to forget our long and illustrious history and who are at pains to tell all and sundry if he leaves they supporting someone else…….. goodbye then……. those really are the dicks we could do without and yes Wenger brought success and great football but not for ten years and this club will be around longer than him or any of us. As for him and Ranieri hardly a close distinction between the two when one been rather unsuccessful for ten years and one gets the boot not even a year after winning them the league. Players gone all soft and comfy on their new highly paid contracts and knowing that they will never ever achieve the dream ever again. Oh well owners are owners and will do what they see fit I suppose. Loyalty, what loyalty, the only loyalty in the game is from die hard fans….!
Morning Rico and All
Took me 12 hours to get to Dublin yesterday
City airport Plane cancelled Taxi to Gatwick
plane delayed till 5pm..Effing Doris.
Great night in Itaian resturant then some good music
and beer,
Anyway…Your right..These Tosser’s who think it’s
Arsene Fc are not for us Gooner’s
It’s ain’t goner happen..I know
But the club should sell them as soon as that window open’s.
To disrespect our fan’s after tapping and kissing the badge
while sliding along on their knee’s stink’s to me.
Herbs bit about our history was a good read and well put.
I can never get me head round some of our new supporter’s.
That…. I think is because of my history being a Gooner.
I have been in the smallest crowd at Highbury and the biggest
seen us nearly relegated Seen us win The Double plus
Two european trophy’s
Also had me head kicked in a few times and been nicked a few times
so have had an eventful life supporting The Arsenal.
So you guy’s who do not know what it’s like to finish out of the
top four.it’s not the end of the world.
Trust me if you are a true Gooner.You will be for life.
Sorry Wath never read your bit..Uncanny
All good Fred…..
Afternoon Fred, spot on and Wath…
Interesting post from Frednerk about loyal supporters; I remember meeting a bloke who when I asked which team he supported said, “I used to support Arsenal”. That shocked me because changing from supporting one team to supporting another completely altered my idea about everything. Does this really happen a lot?
There are always a few who go where the gold is Dick. One a fan, always a fan I say….
I can’t help but think that Arsene already has something else lined up. Signing the contract, if he does, will purely be to ensure he gets it paid up when he goes.
I’m not a purebred fan of the club in the way most of you are, in fact I have only been a fan since moving south twenty years ago.
I still have an eye on results from Liverpool and Leeds, but my heart is at Arsenal, since I fell for Petit, Viera, Henry, Bergkamp et al.
Because I’ve only known life under Wenger, I do worry about change, but even I see that the time has probably come. The players there are his players, so if they aren’t good enough it’s down to him. The club hierarchy fear change too, obviously. They have seen the money roll in regularly, so must be perplexed as to why fans should expect them to change anything.
Stan the man, is the main cause of this and he isn’t going anywhere.
Once Wenger has gone I can see the club join the merry go round of changing managers every five minutes, because love him or loathe him, he is a hard act to follow. He micromanages every aspect of the club, and I can’t think of anyone who will take all that on for Stan.
‘Arry’s free! So is Pardew, Pearson, Ranieri and a few more on the circuit of ‘all change’.
That’s enough to put me off my lunch!
Whatever happens, there are at least three/four players who should be up the road too.
Hello all
Good point well made Fred. Were you amongst the throng outside the marble halls demanding Billy Wright’s sacking after he sold Joe Baker and George Eastham? The mid-sixties and mid-seventies were particularly grim!
Great insight from Fed.
For me it’s arsenal or nothing.
Great post Fred.
I became aware of Arsenal and became a fan when Tottenham were in the midst of their Double season and Arsenal were in the midst of what someone once wrote as the ‘big sleep’ between winning the League in 1953 and the Fairs Cup in 1970.
As a kid growing up, all I could fall back on was my Dads reminiscing of the 1948 to 1953 period and the great players he saw such Hancocks & Mullen, Matthews,Finney, Shackleton, Mannion, Lofthouse, Mercer, Logic, et al…
Jon Sammels, David Court, Terry Neill, Jimmy Robertson, Ian Ure etc, paled by comparison.
But I knew that Arsenal were still a big club, a club famous around the world, respected and renowned by football people even if we didn’t compete.
That problem stemmed mainly by inertia by the Board, and that hasn’t change in those 50 years.
But to suggest that Wenger ‘built’ Arsenal is both misleading and disrespectful to those who went before.
Arsene has done a great job, but he’s run out of steam and run his course.
I hope he doesn’t do a Brian Clough…
I was on the north bank for the Leeds game.Lowest attendance at Highbury pictures of the Beverley sisters were burned.
A lot of decent comments here but there is no inertia to the fan base to get the solution – Wenger out/Wenger in?
IF the majority of fans want Wenger out……DO NOT buy another ticket and boycott the matches. That will certainly get their attention in the boardroom.
Arsenal need an owner who loves Arsenal; FC and, loves football and Kroenke, appears not to be that individual?
I notice that Arsenal have posted another profit, but with admirable spin, Keswick immediately goes on the offensive stating that wages are going to increase the pressure on the club, or in other words, we’re gonna put season ticket prices up despite the TV windfall, and who could really be surprised.
I bet the Board are sweating on another FACup success, so they can push the increases through with the minimum of fuss?!
Afternoon guys.
Oh dear re the ST prices, what a bloody nerve….
Once a fan always a fan!
Funnily enough I too started seriously supporting Arsenal on or around 1960. It all firmed up in 1961 simply because all my friends became ardent scum fans. Naturally I could not join them, I’ve always been contrary and always hated running with the pack! The life long commitment was cemented when I saw my first game at Highbury in November of that year. The scum won the double but my support never wavered then and hasn’t ever since.
I didn’t go to the Arsenal at all the year the fourth Beverley sister sold Baker and Eastham, I withdrew my physical support and cash that year. At least until the old codgers sacked Wright for what can only be called gross incompetence! Cried at Wembley in ’69! Was overwhelmed by Charlie’s winning goal in ’71, etc etc.
Never wavered. One love and only one, to the exclusion of all others.
I wonder if Wenger is a bit of a fan too, and that’s part of the reason he can’t let go and leave?
1971 for me. Darn Charlie Goerge….. ?
His love for the club is possibly half the problem Wavy, he just can’t tear himself away…
Morning all.
Rico, i have given Arsene enough criticism, as you know.
I do believe plenty blame him for things he has no control over, but I guess that’s because the club is so silent about things, none of us know, so basically form our own opinions, which is understandable.
Wath, there is still loyalty in the game-just not much and certainly not what it used to be, but that’s a reflection of life in general, for mine.
I’m an Arsenal fan.
Changing a club you support is interesting, but seemingly pretty popular around the world.
Kev, damn you’re old 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rico, I was lucky enough to do the stadium tour with Charlie.
I’d flown in that morning, so was running on fumes after an hour or so sleep in the previous 24.
He noticed, so every section we arrived at, he’d do his little story about it, and came to check on me-he never missed a beat.
An absolute gentleman.
Scott, from reading the comments on here, Arsene Wenger only gets stick for the football he dishes up. And his constant comments about who he could have signed….
Good to hear re Charlie..
He Could have, would have, and should have shut up on those topics lol.
Charlie couldn’t possibly have been nicer, Rico.
Evening all and a fine post.
So we spent a record amount on transfers and still made a profit !………………….what`s the chance of Kroenke being disappointed with Arsene ?………………… 🙂
I still have the programme from my first ever game……………6-2 win Vs Sheff Utd 1965……………………took me nine years to get someone to take me to a game ! hahaha
Cant we play Spuds at their Wembley home ?……….they are a biut shit there ! 🙂
Weather today in West Cornwall on deliveries……..hot T-Shirt weather !.
Anyone watch the U23`s live today ?………….strong team won 4-1……………….Danny played 90 mins and scored !
He just should have Scott.
Thanks Lc. Stan might be once we fall further down the table…
Support other teams ?!?!?!………………..wtf that about ?………………………I dont even watch other teams apart from the Spuds if they lose !………..wont even watch them if they draw as it`s a point gained for the bastards !………………………I only watch Arsenal, that`s how loyal I am ! hahaha
And it didn`t go un-noticed the other night when some HHers were excited and entertained by watching the Mansour City/Monaco game !……………………………….adultery ! 😆
You don’t even watch Arsenal Lc if your wife gets her own way…. lol
I will let you all off if you admit that you were only watching the game for scouting any potential players good enough top wear our shirt !……………………………you are silly though !……………like, when are we ever going to buy one of Mansour City`s best players ?
‘…Born is the king of Highbury…’
Hi Rico and HH.
Some great comments today from Wath, Fred, and our esteemed historians, Wavy, Kev, and honourable mentions to Bob and Potter.
Billy Wright, the first footballer to win 100+ England caps, completely destroying the myth that legendary players make great managers!
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t he bring eight or nine of Bertie Mee’s ‘double-winning’ side to the club? Get a statue up! 😀
There’s always good games for the neutrals surely?
Not so loud Rico !……….I have a hard man reputation to keep………….you`ll make me sound a wimp hahaha
From previous post by Herb and reading some of the other historical stuffs here, I have a better understanding as to why some have the perspective that they have… It’s really deep. I have been an Arsenal supporter since 1990, and became a diehard in 1994. Even still though, I do think that football in general, and Arsenal particularly will be like the old days. The PR machines, the business side of things and the f#$k the fans attitudes will get worst.
Hi Herb, HH is lucky to have so many who grew up with the club, and have good memories of course… 😉
There’s a good vibrant mix of young and old, Rico.
And Cornwall.
You are doing that yourself Lc… lol
Obi, Arsenal have been in those you mention, and others, blood since birth and I do that gets lost when their views are sometimes challenged.
? Herb..
I cant be a neutral with other teams, Rico, as I hate them all !……………….when I say I have a soft spot for my local team Plymouth, what I really mean is I hate them less than I hate……..Exeter !…………… 🙂
Hi Herb……………………..I may be wrong but I think a few of our `71 double winners came from Billy Wright`s Arsenal 1966 FA Youth Cup winning side.
Bonkers Lc… ?
Catch up tomorrow guys, off to watch some rubbish on tv, although I know they played last night… lol
Have a jolly good evening all….
Hi Cornwall, cheers mate.
I first became aware of Billy Wright as a co-presenter of ‘Midlands Sport’ with Gary Newbon, back in the early 1970’s. Bit of a drop from managing The Arsenal.
Perspective, Rico…..we all have them, and everyone has been guilty of failing to realise it at some point, I dare say.
On ya Scott ?
Pints again one day, Kev!!
I’ll get back.
You’ll know because Wath and Rico will head away on holidays 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
We’re probably looking at Simpson, Storey, Radford, Sammels, Armstrong, Court, off the top of my head, that Billy Wright brought into the first team.
Yes Scott, North London will be empty ??
Maybe I’ll be able to get a bloody taxi then 🙂
Advance warning please Scott so I can get booked up for Barbados….. that’s far enough away and pretty quiet… I’ll ask Lee if I can have his villa on the cheap at a grand a night.
Hasn’t Lee got his own island yet???
Work must be slow 🙂
Wath, I’m coming to Barbados with you….
Morning all..
New post up now..