Morning all.
Not quite the 8-2 thrashing which saw Arsenal/Wenger hit the panic button on deadline day, but still an embarrassing and quite humiliating defeat against a side who might just be one of a few clubs to keep Arsenal out of the top four when May comes around. Don’t get me wrong, all this top four stuff means very little to me because top spot is all what matters. Coming second, having been pipped to the post by just a point or two would be annoying, but if Arsenal have given it a good go, then sometimes one has to accept another club was a little bit better.
But to do that, Arsenal needed to be fully prepared for the challenge ahead. They weren’t and Arsene Wenger is the only one to blame. It’s nearly four weeks since Per Mertesacker was ruled out for months, around two since Gabriel joined him onto the injury list, yet nothing has been done to replace either player.
And what about the body language of the players, manager and his staff? Nothing has changed has it and Wenger couldn’t even bare to look at the camera when interviewed after the game, preferring only to stare at the floor whilst the tricky questions were put to him.
Why not stand there, face the Arsenal fans through the camera and be honest. Tell us he’s mucked up, tell us he’s sorry, tell us he will sort this mess out and tell us he will sign a defender and he will sign a striker. Give us all some hope and not just make up silly silly excuses for his major cock ups!
But he’s not done that for years. When things were going great during his early days, he was all smiles because Arsenal were winning, not all the time, but many and even after getting pipped to the post by Utd as the season ended, we knew we’d be back… From 1996 through to 2004, our domestic campaign was exciting. Great players, not all costing mega money, yet they were successful because they were so good. The football played was not to be missed, very much unlike today as watching Arsenal play has become more and more painful.
Players didn’t cost as much back then, but sponsorship and television deals didn’t reward the club as handsomely as they do now. Everything is relative when it comes to money in the game. We all know that paying £90 million for one player is crazy, paying £50 million for one player is daft too imo, but that’s the way the game has gone and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Football and the real world are gulfs apart and if Arsenal want a great player, they have no choice but to pay for them, just as other clubs do.
But what’s more crazy than spending £90 million on one player, or £150 million during one transfer window, is not spending any money on two or three more players….
Especially when this Arsenal squad so desperately needs them…
Transfer gossip:
Valencia and Arsenal are still yet to agree a fee for Mustafi. No surprise there.
Sky Sports sources, not sure it that’s tomato or brown, tell us that Omer Toprak of Bayer Leverkusen and Simon Kjaer of Fenerbahce are being lined up as alternatives. Both are international defenders and both no doubt would be cheaper than the price Valencia are asking for their man….
Well, unless the club stump up the money for Mustafi and sharpish, I doubt he’ll be on the coach travelling to Leicester…
As said many times before, Arsenal, or rather Arsene Wenger, just doesn’t seem to have any kind of plan does he. Reactive, that’s what he is and has been for a while. Did the man never learn the word proactive? Has he never heard of the expression ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’?
Clearly not!
Morning you orrible lot….
Adams spelling is like Arsenal’s transfer window, woeful… then again maybe he meant to say “minger” Kev..?
We’re saying money on looking for a defender so that we have funds for a striker..? Really….. Is there not 200million pounds plus in the account…? Holy shit it’s going to be an amazing striker we’re going to be buying then…..!
Kjaer is Danish Rico……!
Kjaer is Danish not Turkish, but does play in Turkey.
I’ve always felt that Cesc Fabregas is to blame for Wenger’s current malaise! His arrival changed Wengers philosophy from pace and power with great aesthetics to tiki taka passing with no end product. After Cesc left he wasn’t quite sure and is still not quite sure what to do or how to change it. Change management seems to be beyond him these days, unlike when he arrived in 96, when he was the master innovator.
The only way forward is a change in Leadership, either that’s Gazidis being replaced by a proper football man or a change of manager who is demanding of the CEO in regards to adequately strengthening the side for a serious campaign. Until that happens we will live in perpetual Groundhog Day!
I don’t know what you mean Wath… 😉 😉
Some people are so picky…..
Welcome Ross. Manager change would be the better idea imo.
They are Lee, you’d think a post was enough wouldn’t you, but no…. 😉
So in your mind it takes 4 weeks to find and sign an appropriate replacement… Because all these teams are just waiting to do as Arsene and Arsenal want.
Since we are guaranteed that Valencia will give us Mustafi at a price of our choice we should NOT have plan B especially since our manager does not have a plan at all.
These top players that sign for us saying they were here because of the manager, well they are just ignorant football layers . What do they know about… football.
Rico Knows Better…
Clearly not!
Er, doesn’t Mustafi have a buy-out clause Crispen??
If Arsenal/Wenger wants him, just pay the clause and get him instead of faffing around. Funny how other clubs get deals done so quickly eh….
Woff. I rekindle so. 🙂
That’s gone and burst the bubble…. I have led by life the past decade on the assumption that Rico knows better….
Damn…! Now what… I am all a kerfuffle…..
That long eh Wath? lol
Kev, where’s the dark room and bed mate…? please can you send up some GG….! Ta…
Just goes to show though that there’s still Arsenal fans out there who think the way the club and manager act during a transfer window is acceptable…
No doubt they love the football dished up on a match day too….
Morning Rico and the House.
Crispen, why don’t you provide a cast-iron case for Wenger retaining his very privileged position at Arsenal.
Don’t you think it rather odd that most of the top clubs have had absolutely no difficulty bringing players in and strengthening?
Isn’t it horrible that despite passionately wanting to win on Sunday, deep down in our gut, we could have all predicted the outcome?
What are we, saps who just roll over against certain teams and let them have the three points?
That’s not the Arsenal I grew up supporting.
When was the last time Arsenal played wonderful free flowing football and won against a top side? #justasking
Morning Herb. I would’t bother, he/she is probably one of those who leave a comment and then run…
That’s a tough question Lee, it’s so long ago, I can’t remember…
Manure last season, Napoli…..
Herb, you know what, even when we were utter crap mid 70’s you never ever turned up and saw an Arsenal side just run out onto the pitch and not show any fight, they may have been pretty useless but they always at least showed a bit of fight and passion.
Funny how people use the 4 week thing on the BFG like it’s a shock, firstly we should of been looking to strengthen there in any case as he’s getting old slow and near the end of his contract, secondly there are huge question marks against Gabby ever being good enough to be 1st choice so to use the 4 weeks as a marker as to identifying players is rather short sighted in my opinion, bit like our transfer plans… short sighted and lacking any foresight what so ever.
Rico knows more……
I just think it’s rather bad manners to appear on a blog to attack the author who is merely providing a platform for debate, without stating their own position, Rico.
A fine scribe it is too.
I thought you said a top side Lee… 😉
topside… I prefer fillet myself…! Then again, Lee is a caviar man…!
I can’t remember Brudder.
Does anybody think that there is any debate going on within the club over the present situation?
I imagine the consensus will be in the negative. 🙂
Exactly Wath. But no, here we are, one game into the season, two weeks left in the transfer window and nothing. I guess Kos will be back on Saturday and all will be rosy…..
That’s no difficult Lee. 😉
So do I Herb, but it happens often. Thanks by the way…
Well it’s not like we’ve faired well over the last 10yrs is it Rico BUT I do agree with your sentiments!
RICO KNOWS MORE!
Hi Wath, good to ‘see’ you again, still fighting the good fight. Great comment the other day.
Yeah, most of the 70’s was pretty dire after the ‘double’ year, but you’re spot on, they may have lacked the technical ability and chemistry of Cloughie’s sides or Liverpool etc. but they could never be faulted for effort, and we had a collective unit that got stuck in. Even during the dark days when we flirted with relegation in Bertie’s last few years, we always fought our way to safety.
It’s almost like Wenger has removed this from our DNA.
I doubt it Adam, I really do…
Rico. Unfortunately, I agree.
🙂 Lee.
Herb, some of those mid to late 70’s games were dire… But the effort was always there despite the quality being very much lacking. You’d laugh at how bad we were sometimes but you’d would never be shaking your head thinking that they didn’t care or didn’t put in a shift.
You must watch out for my “great” comments Herb they come along about as often as Haley’s comet…..
Adam, i’d imagine the powers that be at the club are at this very minute going over the ftse100 knowing full well our accounts are looking as healthy as ever..!
Brudder ” Rico knows more” don’t you know?
“Well it’s not like we’ve faired well over the last 10yrs is it Rico BUT I do agree with your sentiments!”
I was referring to Manure Rico.
What about the sixties.4000 at Home to leeds and Lost.
I blame the money. Football rewards failure, and kids who have still yet to achieve. Raheem Sterling and Roy Hodgson are perfect examples. Hodgson has earned £16m for being absolute garbage in his four year stint with England. Sven took £2.5m for managing the Ivory Coast in four/five games at the 2010 World Cup, in a country where the inhabitants exist in extreme poverty.
And then there’s our totally unique sitation, where someone like Theo is apparently worth over £100,000 a week, again for achieving nothing of any significance.
Lee……
Don’t say Rico knows more
Or on you she’ll wage a war
She’ll call the good God Thor
and hit you in the core.
Good morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Have we bought Messi, Ronaldo, Ramos, Varane and Shkodran yet???
I would imagine many would Adam…
There’s no other club I can think of that has retained a manager who has been unsuccessful for so long. !
No, two FA cups is not really success either.
I’m glad AW is being scrutinized because he needs to be accountable for his choices & decisions.
It’s worrying that he’s come out & said he’s scared of retirement. Makes me feel he may not go quietly.
Let’s hope the heat gets too hot ,even for him.
Lets look at the facts winding the clock back to the end of last season and before.Klopp was already here, and Pep and maueen were going to make a splash.Tv money helped everyone as well. We knew others such as Spurs and even West ham and leicester were not going to be pushovers.
So as a business what do you do.You get everything in place knowing exactly what you need and pay the asking price so what do we do.We do the exact opposite and buy Granit who maybe a good prospect but was definitely not a priority. All the others seem to do their business quickly and don’t dither and that leaves me to believe there really isn’t a great desire in a tired manager and a clueless board.
The 3-0 against Manure was great Lee, and the battering of Liverpool was good too…
Think that’s about it…. 😉
Lads and Lasses…..don’t tell me that AW does not do deals quickly and get them over the line.
What about Xhaka???
What about Cech???
What about Elneny???
What about Aaron???
What about Cazorla???
What about Ozil???
What about Alexis???
What about Gabriel???
What about Ollie???
All these deals were done in the blink of an eye. Without any dragging on for days. We heard it on a Sunday and by Friday the player was ours.
So he knows how to do it.
And he does know how to do a deal quickly.
And he does know how to get a deal over the line.
I remember some of it Wath, players like Jimmy Rimmer, George Wood, Jeff Blockley, Terry Mancini, Pat Howard, Richie Powling, John Matthews, David Price, Wilf Rostron, Brian Kidd for two years. Happy days 🙂
I was briefly excited when Terry Neill took over in the long hot summer of ’76 because the newspapers were linking us with Dennis Tueart and George Best. In the end we got ‘SuperMac’ who sadly was only able to give us two years. That same summer, Villa bought Andy Gray from Dundee Utd for £100,000.
Kelsey, I can’t remember the 60’s I am a mere whipper snapper but Grandad Kev will be in his element discussing the roaring 60’s….
Herb, I loved Mancini… he was bloody useless though but as a nipper he was my fav for a few years…! Supermac and the the irish contingent made us half decent..! Herb in my mind football was on the downhill as soon as sky “bought” in…! It’s been all about the money ever since and football is an in-consequence as it’s business and money matters first, footie second, well it certainly is at The Arsenal.
Amazing that in the Henry Winter article in the times he states Arsenal now have a reputation for always wanting to do things on the cheap…. how sad is that against our name..!
I remember the last 15 minute assault on the North bank. Leave the customer on a high and they will come back. Over the years there has been copious amounts of dross served up but I can’t remember a time when there has been such an atmosphere of dejection .It doesn’t make sense we have good players we are there or thereabouts every season. But the support is split and disenfranchised.
And we will drink,drink together.
Everything I read here can be changed by one man, but Stan won’t, because he’s busy counting his profits.
Yes, change Arsene, and let’s replace him with a manager who will be offered no guarantees on spending, and given no directive by Stan other than to turn a profit…….that’s what I believe the situation is, but let’s throw it open………
Answer me this, fellow Gooners……..name me one manager with decent credentials who’d join Arsenal right here, right now, taking into account the limitations you believe Stan places on the man in that position.
Devil, you’re delusional.
That was all down to Gazidis, because nothing positive is ever done by Arsene bahahahahahahahahahahaha
Tongue planted firmly in cheek, by the way, Devil 🙂
I don’t believe there are limitations on spending at all Scott, Of that I am pretty sure.
If a manager with credentials wanted the job the first five mins of the interview is you asking pertinent questions as to funds available and being allowed to spend, if the answers are not what you want to hear you walk out..! Then am sure most would be telling the media they didn’t take the job to be told finances are run on a shoestring cheapskate budget.
Criminally sad, Wath, and there should be legislation that protects communities like Arsenal’s against the whims of an individual who has no emotional ties to the club.
Haha. I know Scott.
But the thing is that many people seem to think that AW does not know how to do things.
Imo it is false….as he has done it. Each and every transfer window.
Unless he has morphed into Theo…..the latter when he has time to think fluffs his chance. When he does not think he scores. AW the same….when he has time to think he fluffs the transfer, when he does not have time to think he gets it done in the blink of an eye.
Wath, so who then?
Who’d take the job??
As I’ve said for ages, the big guns don’t want it because if the restrictions….that’s only my opinion…and if they fail, which I absolutely am sure the next guy will, they’re only going to hurt their reputation.
If they succeed, they’re doing it on the back of a hell of a squad Arsene has assembled.
Ok, some will say it’s a shit squad, but as we’ve discussed before, if it’s so shit, then Arsene is a genius for keeping them in the top 4 🙂
If you think all those deals were done quickly Dev you’re highly mistaken…! What I will add is Wenger isn’t the sole reason deals are not done quickly or positively at all and thats another area of the club where we are sadly lacking, money men penny pinching not football men with business acumen to do what’s necessary that’s both financially viable and good for the football side as well.
Is it about who get’s the deals done, or who identifies the players and positions we need to boost the squad in the first place?
After all, surely it was Wenger’s decision to only sign Cech last summer, not Ivan or Stan’s…..
Devil, you know what?
I love the fact that when you say something, it’s never criticised, because your knowledge of football is brilliant, and everyone here knows it.
When I say the same thing, I cop it from all quarters lol.
Arsenes problem, IMO, is his absolute unwillingness to waver from an evaluation he places on a player.
Also, he should listen to me, because I said Lacazette was a gun ages ago……but what do I know 🙂 🙂
Big guns…??? why would it have to be a big gun Scott, who was Wenger when he signed…? he most definitely wasn’t classed as a big gun at all.
The squad in my mind is a good one just managed poorly prepared poorly and lacking direction and leadership.
We can thumb all we want as to who will or would take over and who I want isn’t who the club may want, I’d go for Rijkaard and if not him then I’d go out on a limb and go for Vieira..! Yep shock horror Paddy still learning the trade but if not why not he grew up being told what The Arsenal mean’t and i think would instill that in the players. With the right backroom staff supporting him it’s a gamble I would take, I’d rather die fighting that get shot holding my hands up…!
Wath,
I bet you chew tobacco with him every evening, looking over the ranch 🙂 🙂
Nah, I’d go for Dennis, but Patrick would be a decent choice….
I reckon I’d rather try an ex player who’s already respected, over someone who must come and earn it, though still, Stan and Ivan must back them, else it’d be trouble for all concerned.
GG on the way Wath… ?
Wath. That’s an interesting choice. I guess that all the top managers are locked into contracts now.
Oi Oi Scott, I think you’ll find I quite liked Lacazette before you…. 😉
But there is better out there if Arsenal stumped up the money but Wenger wouldn’t ever make a signing costing as much as Lewandowski would…
Thanx Kev, I need the GG mate I am somewhat dehydrated…!
DB10 non flight mode is a huge issue Scott, I’d have him involved at youth level for sure and a few other ex players as well.
Interesting Adam, who Rijkaard or Vieira..?
That squad last season should have won the league and with ease…..
What people seem to forget is this is Arsenal Football Club we talking about not some 2 bob outfit, 99.9% of managers in world football would jump at the chance to manage us simple as that..!
Herb, find that behaviour quite cowardly, it’s easy to ‘pop on’, make derogatory comment about the post, and disappear…
But these guys are commonplace and its best to ignore them, so I shall…
I’ll always give Scott credit for coming on here and arguing his case, even though he’s in the minority, and wrong… ?
I think Vieira Wath. I doubt Arsenal could prise Klopp, Jose, Pep or Conte, or Koeman out of their jobs. This early in the season would surely make it difficult. As for Rijkaard? Has he had a job since Barcelona? I don’t know.
Kev, I’m never right, ask Lee hahaha.
Rico, I’ll claim Lacazette 🙂
Wath, non flying is a non event for mine, as it only really effects a few games a year.
Adam, contracts don’t mean too much these days, mores the pity.
Wath, can we attract a decent manager?
I mean, everyone says we can’t attract a decent player these days lol
Scott….some guys have all the luck. 😉
Rico…did you really like Lacazette?? What did you like about him then??? 😛
Whoever comes in to manage AFC, I just hope he does not last more than 5 years….6 at the most. Then it will be time to move on.
We might laugh at RM for changing managers quicker than revolving doors can turn….but they have 11 Champions cups. And lots of domestic cups as well.
On the other hand the spuds are a unique case. they change managers with the same frequency as RM…..since AW has been there they have had 18 managers. What have they won??? bahahahahahahaah
‘It breaks my heart to say but I can’t recall the last time an Arsenal fan really looked forward to the start of the season’, Arsenal legend Ian Wright wrote in his column in The Sun.
‘The weeks before the big kick-off should be among the most exciting for football supporters everywhere. A time when they are rubbing their hands at seeing their team again, seeing how the new signings go, full of optimism about the months ahead.
But I didn’t sense any of that with the Gunners. Just more grumbling at a lack of transfer activity and the lack of a glamour buy while the others all spend bucket loads. And after one game — in fact, little more than an hour into it to be honest — it was even worse.
Yes, we all know these days it is about profits and balance sheets. But that cannot be at the total exclusion of everything else.
After that opening 4-3 defeat to Liverpool you could almost see how the campaign was going to pan out. The boos at the end told you that.
Disappointing start, little flurry where they raise hopes of challenging, a few injuries, a drop off in form and finish it by qualifying for the Champions League.
We should be talking about new faces, new challenges, maybe even a title at the end of it all.
But optimism around the Emirates already seems as hard to find as a marquee signing.
I remember when they signed the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars and the real sense of excitement that brought to the place.
And not just among fans. Star name arrivals get the players buzzing too because they make your job easier and you’re more likely to finish with a medal or two.
But at Arsenal that feeling is simply not there. And I do have every sympathy for the fans who are so desperate to see them challenging at the end of the season.’
Devil, I honestly hope our next manager lasts more than one season.
I have my doubts, no matter who they are.
Arsenal FC is a great proposition for a manager, great history, funds available, good squad that needs managing properly and with a few additions will be in the mix!
All too stale with Le Ditherer at the helm….
Well answered your own question there Scott, we can’t attract decent players due to the current manager then 😉
Brudder. I am with Wrighty on that one.
Lee, so was Utd, yet how long did Fergies successor last??
Was he a big name, really??
Most top class managers will see Arsenal as a potential banana peel….and that’s not even taking into account the potential limitations placed on them by Stan.
Wath, Xhaka.
Cech.
Sanchez.
Ozil.
Yep, Arsene struggles lol.
Come on…….Arsenal fans whinge for the sake of it, and ignore the facts.
These are superb signings.
Me too, Wrighty is spot on..
Ian Holloway was trying to defend Wenger this morning by suggesting those above him could be the problem. I think he posts on HH under the name of scottfromoz…. 😉
Rico, you cheeky Bugger…….stealing Lacazette and outing my alias?
Terrible stuff 🙂
Let me be clear…..I never mean to state categorically that Stan limits Arsene, but I’m equally adamant nobody can state he doesn’t.
Merely my opinion.
Rico. Thing is that Wenger didn’t want Lacazette previously.
So you reel off a few names and tell me I am whinging…? The bigger picture is a few great signings do not mask the flaws…! They do not make up for the question of why not spend what we earn, why no outfield players bought last summer… how many seasons have we been crying out for a striker, a midfielder or a centre back when they were needed…? Year after year to be told we only buy quality then we buy a few cheapskates who fail miserably and thats the last 7/8 year not the last 2/3 yet it’s always about being those 2/3 players of quality short to really be competitive, if you can’t see that or agree with it then fair enough that’s your choice but for me your argument about 5/6 decent players is as said covering up great big holes that have appeared over the last ten years…!
Do you reckon Wenger likes gardening
Sorted..Gardening leave it is then.
Right who’s left to manage.
Has to be a leader.
Has to have a bit of Passion
Someone without a bus-pass
Someone who know’s how to spend
a pound note.
Someone the top players want to play for.
Effing hell…. their all with clubs now.
New contract for Arsene then Ivan.
Scott…..a slight mistake on your part in comment @12.46
Don’t put Wath and Xhaka in the same sentence and separated by just a comma. The sentence jars a bit. 😀
Stan lets Wenger have a colossal annual salary bill so imo money is there for players, it’s Wenger that is reluctant to spend….
You can put me and Xhaka in the midfield together Dev there would be a few getting jarred alright…!
Wath, you said we can’t attract top players because of Wenger…..tell me these guys aren’t top players.
I never said we sign enough top players, because I agree we don’t.
Devil, Wath’s a champion.
Just a grumpy fekker 🙂 🙂
Four years of Almunia was beyond a fucking joke, the bloke should of been serving tapas somewhere! Actually off that he’d be dropping everything….
Lee, you could well be 100% right, but it’d be nice to know for sure.
When Stan or Arsene leave, we will find out.
“And finally does the player want to come to Arsenal? That’s something we all need to take into consideration. So are we still the first choice in England? I don’t think so.” TH14
Wath, i always tell Sean I could take Ronaldo or Messi.
I’d never be allowed to play again, but they’d have a hell of a limp for a while 🙂
I know Adam, but that little red button is being pushed as other strikers go elsewhere… Either that or the club just don’t bother thinking about aiming higher…
Hi Kev
I get the anger and divide among our fan-base, but if you’re a guest on someone else’s blog and they’re good enough to allow you to comment, it’s maybe best to do a watching brief to understand the tone and mood of the regulars who help make it such a success.
And if you’re going to announce yourself launching an attack, you better have a pretty fool-proof argument, and at least offer a greeting as well as an explanation on your own stance regarding where the club are at.
We’re all looking for our own personal ‘punch-bag’, but let’s not take it out on each other on a blog where we congregate to share our passion for The Arsenal. People need to wake up and realise exactly who is responsible for the split in the fan-base, they won’t find them here.
Good manners costs nowt.
Maybe Thierry should’ve stuck around, shown some loyalty and helped the club stay THE club in England, hey??
Actually the comment about top players was in respect to your cheeky one about not being able to attract them so was merely pointing out it must be Wenger then…!
As i also said being real those players are top players but to few and to late and do not cover up the years of neglect and the years of poor quality signings that we wasted a shit load on which added up would of bought good players…!
Wenger for me is scared, he is scared to buy and spend big he thinks he can still buy the rought diamonds like he did in the early days now it’s more like his cheap buys are turds that will never polish up.
You bet your arse I am grumpy, pisses me off watching a man fuck up my football club when it should all have been so different. The legacy is ruined, i respect what he did but now I hate what he has become and along with him I hate the gutless wonders that ponce a freebie on our board as well.
Herb, the split in the fan base is simply a differing of opinions.
Why should it be down to a single person?
Should we all think the same way?
If so, there’s no point having a discussion group, is there??
There’s no right or wrong on Arsene or Stan, just different opinions.
Scott, no nous mate, if you get sent off or banned then you didn’t do it properly…! Stick to Aussie rulz mate thats you sorted..!
Top comment, Wath and totally agree with your appraisal.
Both Wenger and Gazidis have said, recently, that Stan plays no part in the day to day running of the club and has never denied them a single penny for transfers or anything else.
Wath, again, I know we haven’t signed enough top players, and I’ve said 1000 times, I don’t understand Wengers transfer attitude.
I also know you were cheekily replying to my comment.
I also know you’re getting cranky in your old age bahahahahaha
Scott, Arsenal fans are physically battering each other at the Emirates and away grounds too.
It runs deeper than a few differing opinions, this is the identity and the soul of the club people are fighting over.
Agree there Herb
Regarding a manager, to me, now that the best in Guardiola has been allowed to slip through our clumsy fingers, and anyone else who could do the job to a top level has gone, the best two attainable managers who are fully accustomed to the EPL are Slaven Bilic and Ronald Koeman…
Both would require a hefty fee but that’s what you get for being indecisive as Arsene knows only too well, even if he’d never admit it…
I was just as cranky a few yrs ago when I was 21 Scott so shut it… go and put those tight shorts on and throw that silly egg thing around in the back garden…! 😀
Adam, Ivan said years ago we have plenty of money to spend, then 3 years ago he said we finally have no more financial restrictions.
When was he telling the truth??
This is the trouble with Arsenal…….we never really know what the hell is happening.
Wath, I always tell players if you don’t draw blood, it ain’t a foul lol
Kidding 🙂
Wath, you couldn’t handle Aussie Rules 🙂
Truth be told, neither could I lol.
Herb, shame on them all, no matter which side of the debate they’re on.
Adam, 1.09pm…
Hi mate, that may well be the case, re: Syrup, but can we really believe anything they say on club policy ?
Both have previous when it come to being imaginative with the truth…
I suppose it depends on context, the passion that football creates in the heat of the moment, and the importance of the club to every individual.
1.03 Herb. Very true….
Adam, The syrup is merely a businessman, his investment is left in the hands of the board who have been in charge for years and in his eyes merely running a biz that he knows nothing about so why interfere. He inherits the genius that is Arsene Wenger as manager and who is he to question such greatness… the money comes in the board say everything is hunky dorey so all is great. If he asks why we not winning things the board say well we get out priced in the transfer market and for what there are no guarantees so Stan shrugs his shoulders and carries on regardless. Instead of the board saying hold on Stan, Arsene needs to be held accountable here, we are not as competitive as we should be and we need to be more proactive and ambitious in the transfer market, is anyone doing that..? nope definitely not because they like their kushy little board positions why rock the boat why be the ones to have to take responsibility…!?!?
Old and weak minded with no footballing ambitions what so ever…. the finances look great so great job old boy lets have another dbl cognac…!
Herb, I can’t see any reason Gooners should brawl with each other.
That’s fighting for the sake of it……any fan with decency about them will disagree, debate and even argue, but fight amongst themselves!
Nah, that’s not on, IMO.
Scott/Herb, I know that we are living in very different times from when I first took Wath in his tight shorts and rattle, to watch from the Clock End, but I’ve never seen the fan base so divided…
And I don’t think it will change back to a unified front any time soon, even post Wenger…
Scott, I couldn’t handle those shorts but i’m told you look sweet in them…………
Kev. Perhaps or perhaps not, but what we tend to do is to believe the bits that support our own narrative and refuse to accept anything that doesn’t. Just like life.
Herb. Your 1.12 is bang on and it’s sad.
Well said, Wath, but that’s why I keep saying Stan is ultimately responsible.
Arsene is complicit.
Ivan is.
The board most definitely are, but let’s not be silly enough to think Stan doesn’t know what’s happening, and doesn’t care because Arsene keeps delivering what he wants……
Stan knows exactly what’s happening, and allows Arsene to cop the abuse and criticism-plenty of which is deserved-and pays him well to do so.
Kev, I can’t even imagine Wath in loose shorts, let alone tight ones lol
Wath, my hairy arse looks good in anything!
On the fans divide, obviously, I don’t see it weekly as you guys do, but it’s equally disappointing, from afar.
The culture is average, at best, throughout the club.
I just can’t see a mere change of manager making that much difference while Stan remains.
It’ll take one hell of a manager to prove me wrong.
Did Kante and Sagna paly in the Euro final? #justsaying
I totally disagree I think a new manager will make a huge difference, I’m over this dinosaur and his antiquated ways!
We are the only club to give players extended breaks I believe Lee…
Good day all,
Nice post Rico, totally agree with your sentiments on Wenger. He looks utterly clueless these days.
He should have ducked out after his last FA Cup win, at least that would have some what saved his already tarnished legacy. Unfortunately it looks as if he’ll have to be forced out, which is a shame but he hasn’t had the skill set needed at the top level for a while.
In ref to the next manager debate, Viera would also be high on my list but I feel as Scott has mentioned the next guy is probably stepping into a poisoned chalice. It’s likely going to take a couple of seasons to break the 4th is good enough ideology running through the club. So I’d like paddy to wait a couple of years. A proven manager would be needed to turn things around quickly and be a draw for potential signings.
Ancelotti would be my choice, although may be tricky as he’s not long been at Bayern.
This season is a write off for me, I don’t even get that upset when we lose anymore. Sad indictment really…..
Is Stan ultimately responsible Scott or keeping his nose out of something that he has the sense to say “I know nothing about” hence you guys are in charge…! yes the money comes rolling in and that makes him smile should he take more of an interest, who know’s but when your manager is the great Wenger then why would you think you can tell him anything when he also has the full backing of the club…!?!? Wenger happy to dictate earn a fortune doing so, Board happy to eat drink and be merry and it seems no one with any footballing savvy is saying “hold on a sec”…….
I can Scott, a huge difference….
Yet Rambo is injured already…….
Sagna hardly had a harsh season, as he’s spent a decent portion on the bench, so it’s not like he’s had a solid year-he was fresh at the Euros….just saying.
Lee, we will hopefully find out next season whether the blame is well placed at Wengers feet.
If we do find out Stans to blame, then it’s a long, hard future ahead of us.
I agree Kev, deep personal divisions have arisen through our evil triumvate, and some of those battle-scars will never heal.
I agree with you too Scott, but to understand the nature and tribalism of English football is very complex.
Originally it was a very working-class sport with clubs representing their communities, players and fans often on first-name terms because often they grew up together, went to the same schools etc.
But as money has crept in and greed has taken over. Football used to be about glory, pitting your wits against rival communities. Ordinary working-class people felt a spiritual connection with their football club and communities.
Sadly, because greed has taken over, these people have watched helplessly as their club get tossed about from owner to owner, none of whom have any local attachment, and slowly their club has drifted away from them. That’s what stirs the anger in a lot of people, Scott.
I’m sure Payet played last night too….
Thanks Lewis.
Any manager who walks through the door would get more from this group of players imo. It’s all too comfortable for the players. No discipline, no passion and no drive from you know who….
Hi Adam. Horribly depressing mate.
Wath, Stans clubs around the world all run the same way, so saying he isn’t at fault is pretty naive, I’d say.
His clubs all run with on purpose-profit-so he knows exactly what he’s doing.
To be fair, we’ll only see May 2017 whether the resting of the players was a good or bad idea in so far as the players who are playing now may suffer injuries later in the season due to fatigue but it’s a wait and see for sure.
I’m with you Lee, A new manager brings new ideas, new backroom staff new attitude… Players get told fit in or ship out, prove to me you want to be here and your good enough to be here, no favourites just places on merit…! Fans react to that they react to seeing players seemingly willing to die for the shirt, it’s all we ask for is to play for the shirt like you mean it and like we’d play if we were out there…!
He did, for 25 minutes off the bench..
Nicely put herb
Herb, money ruins everything, IMO.
Player agents are the worst breed in sport.
Rico….ANY manager??
I’ll throw my hand up then 🙂
Wath. I imagine that’s why they don’t want Usmanov on the board. He would have too much to say perhaps.
A new manager is absolutely critical I agree. The whole structure would have to change but a young rookie like Eddie Howe just wouldn’t have the ‘presence’ and weight to do that. Ivan, I am assured, is bright but he’s just trying to make the pieces fit by acting as Wenger’s wing man.
The players will be fine Wath, after Christmas as we go out of all the Cups, they’ll be back to playing once a week… 😉
I hate to tempt fate but I think our best CB is going to break down for a long period this season……
Good shout, Lewis, Ancelotti would be like a lightening bolt at Arsenal.
Three-time CL winner, he fits the bill perfectly.
Scott, his American clubs ain’t my concern i couldn’t give a shit 2b honest but what I see is a bloke who knows nothing about football so why stick your nose in when the business is a huge financial success…?
If I buy your didgeridoo making company and your making money do I tell you sorry Scott why isn’t the quality any better…? I shut up and listen to you telling me listen Pal i know what I am doing and we making loads of money why spend an extra 15% to make better quality if the returns are no different…?
I am 7000 miles away I will listen to you you’re the expert…! just a thought.
If you asked me to invest and make better quality I would because yet again you’re the expert..!
Not literally Scott…
Ancelotti……….. He’d of been a great call before his current appointment, would he come to us and leave Bayern…? Not a hope in hell.
Very true Adam, very true….
Adam, i agree that a manager with presence is needed to take over from Wenger, one who firstly and as importantly as the players, the crowd accept and allow time to do things his way…… If the fans see the team are up for it and fighting even if results don’t go our way a new man would i think get patience when the fan base can see commitment and passion from those on the pitch..!
Ancelotti sounds good and with a bit of realistic foresight he could be sitting in the manager’s chair today. As could a few other top managers.
Adam, I think Ivan has given up trying to swim against the tide………..
Usmanov I think would ask many questions and would want people held accountable hence he ain’t getting anywhere near the place.
Wath, if I buy a club that’s been entertaining fans for 100 plus years, and has a massive history and supporter base, I buy it to keep that history going.
Then again, I’m not Stan.
He doesn’t give a shit, Arsenal means Fukk all to him, and whether people admit it or not, Arsene loves the place.
He makes plenty of bad decisions, but I have no doubt he makes them with good intentions….that, in itself, shows he’s out of touch, but still…..
Stan, however, makes decisions based on what’s best for Stan, so who’s the real bad guy??
Yeah yeah, I know…..the guy who’s given his heart and soul for the place for 2 decades!!
Wath. This is getting dangerous as I find myself agreeing with everything you say lately. 🙂
Good Afternoon Rico, Folks.. hope all is well,
for my own sanity , ive managed to steer clear of what can be just put down to imcompetence of the men at the top as another T.W passes us by, we,ve again come in with no Plan B.
Vardy. Benzema, Suarez all plan A,s faltered, Had we any Answers no.
I truly believe Stan sets out a Transfer budget each Window, It is then therefore the job of the manager to identify and bring in the right acquisitions, Wenger will Value a player and will not budge from that evaluation, to have the final say, surely a large portion of the blame has to fall with the manager,
Time is running out for him,you have to feel, if you think it,s ugly at the moment, it still can get a lot lot uglier, whether our opinions as lovers of the Club are wrong or right, you have to feel for the fans as their anger is just pure frustration as we know the resources are there to make us challenge on all fronts, but it,s the unwillingness to change, and the egotistical stubborness of a man that has just gone a season to far, for me.
I know Wath, and I doubt the current Board would that much intelligence or ambition.
He was apparently ‘quoted’ in the newspapers after he was sacked at Chelsea saying how much ‘he’d love the Arsenal job…’ How true that is I don’t know, but that was our one window of opportunity, we chose to ignore it and went on to lose 8-2. To which Arsene thought, don’t worry, Arteta will cheer them all up….The level of incompetence is astonishing.
Scott,last season on the fatal banner day I saw a grown man in his 40’s climb over 4 rows of seats and take a swing at a teenager holding a Wenger out pamphlet. The family of the boy protected him and the stewards arrived and took the boy out.
What’s baffling to me is success increases value, so Kroenke would have to keep a total moron not to be investing for the extra players to make us more successful.
Scott, I have to disagree mate those that give their heart and soul are the fans that pay week in week out and have done for years and decades… Wenger may love the place but he gets paid to love the place very very different.
I’m merely thinking out loud re Stan, As said am pretty sure the funds are there and that’s what I have heard from a few decent reliable people but I still say he is not the right owner for our club in any case…!
Wenger way past his sell date, the board……… enuff said and the owner can also go do one but think we are sadly left with them all for a while, it’s gonna get worse before it gets better thats for sure.
Potter, and??
I’m not defending either side of the argument here.
Lewis, we haven’t won a title in 12 years, yet are one of the most wealthy clubs in the world.
Sorry, but your comment is simply not true.
Leicester won the League a few months back……where do they rate, financially??
Enough said.
Wath, Stan must know what the fans think.
He doesn’t care and that’s on him.
Mates….correct me if I am wrong.
Let’s say we bought Lacazette….40mill, Shkodran 30mill, Mahrez 40mill, Lewandowski 65mill.
If Kroenke were to sell his shares at the club to Usmanov isn’t it in relation to how much the players are worth as well.
I mean….if the club is sold right now at this very second…..Usmanov would buy the shares at 1.4 billion. But if we bought these players won’t the price go up to say 1.8 billionor something???
I am not an economist, have never been good in maths…..but isn’t what the club is worth relevant to the players on the pitch as well???
So by the same token then so does Wenger and he don’t care either then does he……
Not necessarily Dev, the sale would be solely based on the share price and what someone is willing to pay for them and that at the moment is more based on tv revenue, sponsorship deals etc etc not player asset value.
Afternoon Dublin. One would like to think this is the last season….
Wath, maybe, maybe not.
Maybe he still believes, rightly or wrongly, he’s the right man for the job.
Stan doesn’t care….of that, there is no doubt.
Don’t be so sure Rico, if it’s left in the hands of the board they’ll offer Wenger a new deal no matter what…!
You’re missing the point Scott, if we invested more in top drawer personnel I have no doubt we would be more successful and therefore wealthier club in world football. I’m sure Kroenke would love his asset to be making more money.
And leicester is a one off, watch this season as the big boys who spend a bit of cash will top the table. Again if we had invested more we probably would have beaten Leicester to the title!
Scott, of course it’s true, Arsenal haven’t won a title in 12 years, that’s factual..
What have Leicester got to do with our failings, other than signing really good players for very little money. You know, like Wenger used to….
How can Stan not care Scott yet Wenger does, contradicts your argument mate…! If one doesn’t care then neither do.. or they both care but they so far out of touch it seems like they both don’t care…?
I did say ‘like to think’ – Wath 😉
But yes, replacing him might be in the ‘too difficult’ tray….
Lewis…… I’m sure Kroenke would love his asset to be making more money.
I would love my asset to make me more money mate. Unfortunately it has made me spend more than I can afford. 😉
Lewis, I actually disagree, yes we should have invested more, but with the players Wenger had available last season, we should have won it. But yet again, sloppy performances which equalled dreadful results not only at home but against lower league clubs all too often….
As said before, there’s no drive in this team, and that can only come from above…
What return is the cash earning SK? Interest rates are on their arse…. imagine if we’d shelled out on a top draw player last season he’d be worth a fortune now, everyone knew the tv money was coming!!!
? devil
Yes Rico, sorry I forgot Arsene would still have been at the helm even if we had invested more.
Wath, no it doesn’t, not IMO..
Stan wants profits and that is all.
Do you honestly think Arsene wouldn’t love to see us win trophies?
Lewis, we are already a massive succes In Stans eyes.
If we weren’t, he’d have replaced Wenger 🙂
Rico, I raised Leicester because it was suggested spending to gain success was a way to make money……they prove that’s totally incorrect.
Lee, shelling out for a “top drawer” player guarantees nothing…Andy Carroll cost Loverpool plenty.
Chelski spent a heap on Torres.
Money in the bank does guarantee a return and Stan is pretty conservative.
Stan not buying a striker and CB will totally derail our season, what a cad he is!
🙂 Lewis…
Lee, one man didn’t know…
Scott, as you know I agree re the money, so that’s another reason to see why AW is failing. On paper, who had the better squad? I’d say it wasn’t Leicester….
If Wenger had the best squad in the country he wouldn’t win the title. That’s why I think it’s irrelevant who he buys now. He is a busted flush. Nobody goes on forever. The only problem is that he doesn’t realise it otherwise he would have left by now. That should have been down to Ivan. But to say that you can’t retire because you are scared that you don’t have any plans for the future doesn’t help the club in any way.
If Stan only wants profits why spend on those great players you listed earlier, winning means success and brings in other revenue and when it comes to football that’s bigger than ever…!
I think Wenger wants us to win trophies doing it his way…! Hence the problem..!
Rico, Chelski?
Utd?
Citeh?
Who would you say 🙂
Asked a friend of mine this yesterday,
What if Arsene know’s he is leaving end of the season, is he leaving the funds for the next manager….??
A) if he said that the fans would be much more respectful to him… BUT
B) if you know you’re leaving then why stay the extra year adding uncertainty…?
Wath. There is very little contemporaneous evidence to suggest that Arsene’s way leads to the PL or CL titles.
Dev not forgetting how quickly we concluded Monreal’s deal….
If we are honest Citeh would of pissed the league last season but they committed the biggest marketing and PR cock up of all time and announced a new manager 2 weeks into January and the team then went totally tits up…!
The club had the opportunity to change manager this summer. All the top notch contenders were available, from Pep to Ronald K. Wenger seeing the chance to replace him did just about enough to continue his employment and not resign, despite the latter days fans sort of revolt. The contenders found other posts, without any difficulty, and I’m sure are content with their respective positions.
Wenger will not resign or be sacked before next May, probably because our visionary Board know that there is viable alternative available at this time. In a way Wenger has got the whip hand at present, no matter how toxic the atmosphere he will still remain in control. For now. End of the season I think there may well be a change in the manager’s office.
Sadly Wenger is past his sell by date and approaching his use before date. A new CB and or striker, both of some quality may provide him with a brief reprieve but that is all, a brief reprieve.
If there is no change then he is doomed. That is sad but like all tragic figures he cannot deal with his fatal flaw, stubbornness and megalomania, and the denouement is inevitable, departure or death. ( everybody dies at the end of a Shakespearean tragedy.) the proportions of this crisis are carrying the same degrees of demise and dismal failure. Shame really!
Adam, I said to my dad today that Arsene and Arsenal are like a relationship that’s simply run its course, but neither party will make the call.
Most blame Arsene, fair enough, but if he won’t call it quits, Stan must.
Wath, I could ask why Stan didn’t make the club spend more to guarantee succes…..he’s just doing enough, as is Arsene, to get top 4.
Scott… You make it hard for me to chip in… You say all the things another brain washed folk like myselff will say…
Mustafi deal has more to do with 3rd parties than As not wanting to pay allegedly.
Valencia need to pay old nemesis some cash…
If they ie Valencia and Doyen can agree a deal then thinks will fall into place…
Mangala personal terms as well
Ryan Giggs is available, and with something to prove to manure. He has drive, would be respected and played attacking football.
Scott. Can you honestly see Stan Kroenke insisting that Arsene Wenger should spend?
As I said Kroenke has never denied him a penny.
Well I was thinking more along the lines of Reus, Draxler, Dybala ,Varane, Icardi and Aubameyang (plus more) all names that have been mentioned on here for seasons.
Theses players have all appreciated massively….
Sitting your fucking hands not buying a single out field player kind of fucks my theory up, Stan’s fault? I really don’t believe so at all.
,
Andy Caroll who in their right mind would buy that cnt? As my old man says “below every ponytail there’s an arsehole!”
Loads of well researched posts have shone that…there is no evidence spending the extra £50m on 2 decent squad players and paying them £4m each to finish first (potentially) brings in any more after tax profit…
If you were Stan it would make no more sense…
Aw just has to look himself in the mirror and be honest with himself.
In footballing world one’s legacy is only as relevant as the last major trophy one won…
As i said before Scott, define success for an owner who knows no different when the footballing board say everything is rosy and you have a genius manager…!
In my mind and from what I hear if Wenger wanted 300million to spend on players the owner and board would find the money it for him…!
Ts, extra revenue though isn’t just based on the prize money of finishing first…!
Other factors are way more relevant when investing to win things such as shirt sales extra worldwide fan base and of course extra huge sponsorship deals from companies who want to be associated with winners…! who can put a price on that, it’s certainly not the extra million between 1st and 2nd is it..!
TS but their intrinsic values increase massively… look at how much Higuain has appreciated, we were looking at him for £35m (ish) (looking being the operative word!!) not that long ago?!?
How much have Alexis & Ozil appreciated?
Is there any documented proof that AW tells the club to not pay the extra £1m needed to buy a player…? It’s always conspiracy theories..
Schwartz Fulham move does not count as fergie and Hughes made it not worth the pursuit imho..
Hi TS. I tend to agree. Buying whoever the latest candidates are wont do much if you continue playing such naive football as Arsene has come to embody. Different faces but the same shtick.
Adam, no I can’t.
That makes him every bit as guilty, for mine.
Night all….
I think the three most damning statements to come out this year ,
I did not buy Arsenal to win trophies – Stan Koenke , Wenger admitting that he spends Arsenal’s transfer funds as if they’re his own. And Gazidis suggesting we finally have a team capable of challenging
Tells us all we need to know about the direction and ambition we are headed.
Unfortunately were stuck with it. Expectations have dwindled season after season, now that I expect nothing, I wont be disappointed
Cheers Scott….
I think we’re moving back to the expectation levels of how things used to be, beat the vermin home and away and have a decent run in the FA Cup, now if only the ticket prices were a few quid I’d settle for that…………..
I know that we have a lot of time on our hands until the next match but I think constantly why are we going wrong and why more alarmingly are we appearing to be going down the pecking order in choice of club for so many of the players we want or alledgedly want.
I know one has to read between the lined but ultimately it’s down to Kroenke and for the life of me I can’t understand how we let a man who is a billionnaire take control of our club when he never ever wins anything with any of his other franchises.
Arsenal is a money machine and Wenger is the ever loyal Bank Manager but finally more and more people be it the media,players,ex players and fans are beginning a real uprising but what will it bring.
When Danny Fiszman died he had offered his shares to his family but they didn’t want them and I doubt we will ever know how a man who was despised by the then chairman Hill Wood got into this position to be majority shareholder.To me this was the beginning of an era that has never been seen at Arsenal before.
Of course we have had barren years before but never in those days was there such a divide amongst the fanbase, but of course there wasn’t the powerful tool of social media.
I do think Stan and that tool Gazidis are not free from blame, but the way Wenger will pull back from a deal for the sake of 5 million etc, he surely has to take a large portion of the blame, and any dare question him, would feel the wrath of him. also his tactics and team selections have sometimes been to put it mildly “odd”,
interesting article I pulled out,
Arsene Wenger maintains everything at Arsenal is not “doom and gloom” and that there is “no chance” of him quitting the club, despite the Gunners slumping to a home defeat by Liverpool,
“We live under circumstances where every defeat is an absolutely a disgrace and an earthquake.
“We are very disappointed that we lost the game, but we are at the start of the season.”
Arsenal fans again chanted for Wenger to invest in more talent to add depth to the squad.
“The target is to have a good team and good players. You can spend money and have a bad team,” the Gunners boss said.
You want the supporters to be happy and when you don’t win the game you can understand that they are not. For now it is important for us to lift the players because they are very disappointed today.
“We need to give them credit for their attitude and performance today, in the game it is very harsh to lose it the way we did.”
Sound familiar, you would be forgiving for thinking it was wrote recently, actually it,s from 21 st Aug, 2011, absolutely nothing has changed, same bullshit,
a week later Nasri left, season before Fabregas, season after Van Persie.
If he,s not careful it would be no surprise to see another mass exodus take place.
On a new manager, imho, any manager who does tactics and selection well and can motivate will be batter, at the moment, than AW. The problem with Arsenal is that the manger is concerned about the money rather than just identifying players that will add to the squad. Let the GM and the Execs do their jobs and you as a manager do yours. Therefore I find it hard to believe that only AW can manage Arsenal, its ridiculous – just saying Zidane just won the UCL. How about Tuchel, Bilic, Allegri, Howe, Emery, Lowe etc, etc,…….
Re Devil at 11:42, with all due respect Devil initially I thought you were being sarcastic, these deals highlights the problem with AW rather than help. If you notice they are all reasonably priced under the market rate, but haven’t said that :
Xhaka – it wasn’t that quick, the story was that it took two seasons, initially AW went for him a season before.
Cech – only wanted to come to Arsenal/ London, and for $10m, no brainier.
Elneny – was watched for 2 season before he was signed.
Aaron – ???
Cazorla – Malaga’s financial problem allowed AW to get him at an bargain rate, and was a “panic” buy because he was slow on Mata.
Ozil – before he went to Real, AW tried to sign him, but was dithering again. Real pushed the deal quickly because they needed Bale quickly and Stan stepped in.
Alexis – was dropped on his lap, L’pool bid was more but Alexis’ wife wanted London, there were only 2 bids for him.
Gabriel – considering we were playing LB/ RB as CBs, really?
Ollie – I give you that, but for 12m and just having scored 21 goals again no brainier.
Bullshite, Kelsey, yep full of it after every game, at every pre-match presser, ad hoc off the cuff remarks in another place, he always provides the listening public with a politicians answer! That is he makes up a ‘theory’ and spins it to us. Once upon a time we used to hang on his every word and believe him implicitly. We were gullible fools! However, he has been in situ for so long he has no more ‘solutions’ to offer so he regurgitates the oldies and goodies.vits a bit like Arthur Askey’s jokes towards the end of his life, we’d heard them all before, “playmates” and they were no longer funny or credible. Just like Wenger.
I perhaps have a short term solution for him! What? Assuming we end up with Mustaphi, but even of we don’t, it would help him a great deal if he were to candidly and honestly confide in the fans et al. With the dirty details of the deal and why it has taken so long or even stalled terminally.
Hos greatest failure is his lack of candour. He would earn far more brownie points if he was a little more honest and a little less politically savvy.
And the same may apply if he relinquished some of his ‘control’ over coaching and playing matters, tactics? And put his trust in the paid staff to do the job they were appointed to.
He’s actually doing my head in! Mostly because I feel so utterly let down and totally helpless to do anything to rectify our current parlous plight.
And lastly, if anyone of our loyal band of bloggers really, passionately believes that we shall finish in the top four, with our current squad, they would qualify for expensive reality therapy! We are at present a very ordinary team, with very ordinary and predictable tactics and a very ordinary, past it manager/coach/fat(thin) controller!
Time to move on Arsene, your day is done!
Evening guys, sorry, I had to nip off and get my ponytail cut off….. 😉
Wavy 4.46, is that the same bloke who bought Anelka, Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Henry, Cesc, Adebayor, Nasri and Song for something like 45 million and sold them on again for 220 odd million, just a shame he’s all washed up now.
Devil, just curious to know if you still think we can go the rest of the season unbeaten lol.
Afternoon all.
Hi Micko, did you mean to write unbeaten, or did you mean go the season without being beaten? lol
Arguing about Wenger always gets pulled into the financial aspect of his tenure. It’s a bit like any argument on Brexit eventually comes round to immigration. In both cases it’s not the point . In both cases it’s about performance as far as Arsenal is concerned it’s on the pitch that matters and in the U.K’s E.U relationship it’s how we perform in trade negotiations with the rest of the world.
Wenger’s main concern should be on the pitch pure and simple . He should be told to butt out of the boardroom and coach the side. If he wants to be an overseeing manager then he should do just that oversee and if he can’t do it delegate to someone who can.
They used to say Jack of all trades but master of none. That really sums him up . He has too many fingers in too many pies to cook them properly.
You trying to confuse me rico ! If so it’s working.
Great analogy Potter and so true. Managers should manage and not be involved in much else…
Not at all Micko… I meant, could we go the season without being beaten, ie: will we win any matches… Lol
If we do sign Musthavacrapper
and we are pipped for 4th spot
by the Hubcaps,that under prepared game
could be worth 6pt’s.
Not to sure how anyone thinks it’s
The Syrup who controls things
around north london.
His in bed when we play
Wakey Wakey everyone.
Lol Fred, the only noise we hear on match day is him snoring….
I can just see the old 2p
on the dressing table
when we kick off them early one’s,Rico
And the teeth in a glass Fred…..
Good Evening Lovelies and hunkies.
Micko……if AW practices tactics then it might be we go unbeaten. But since AW does not do tactics it is plausible to assume we will loose again and again.
Obi….how many of these players I mentioned did you know beforehand that we were in for them?? We did not know that Xhaka and Elneny had been monitored for two seasons. We did not know that Cech was going to be released by the chavs. We did not know that Ozil and Alexis were going to be dropped in his lap as well.
I repeat….we heard the news on Sunday and by Saturday they were ours. Not literally, but in a short time….much shorter than the Shkodran saga
Arsene practises tactics?? 🙂 🙂 never….
Honestly Rico. If this team practices tactics it can be a good shout for a long unbeaten run.
But as I said…..AW never practices tactics. And his team choices sometimes leave a lot to be desired.
Exactly Devil, it’s not going to happen….
Im off for the day, night guys. Catch up tomorrow….
Arsenal have never won the league when they have lost the first game of the season.
Night Rico….
Mick at 5:44, He’s not “washed-up”, all those players you mentioned were bought cheaply. He has a serious problem, he doesn’t respect other teams’ evaluation and refuses to understand that the market has changed. Hence, the reason why he always talk about we “nearly signed him” he still recognize the talent, just don’t want to pay for it .
Devil, at 8:44, coach I will give you Xhaka and Elneny, but it was public knowledge that Cech wanted to leave after Courtois got the No1 shirt, and was asked to stay for another year. Arsenal getting him was a surprise though. On Ozil, I still say that it was Real that rushed the deal because the bankers were not financing the full cost of Rodriguez.
Granite deal more or less done Jan/2016
Cech 3 years ago..
Obi, thanks for clarifying that, so he’s not washed up, just has a serious problem lol.
On transfers getting done quickly, would just like to point out it took us 12 years to get the Cech deal done, weren’t we in the driving seat to sign him in 2003 but couldn’t get a work permit, we dithered and Chelsea took advantage.
As for Ramsey, weren’t we haggling over his fee with Cardiff when Manure stepped in, it was the rocket up the arse we needed to splash the cash.
It’s not all gloom and doom Gooners, I’m sure Arsene will tell ya Sundays game was our best performance of the season !!!
Nite all.
Micko @11:06….LOL
Good Morning lovelies and hunkies.
the news this morning was Fonte of Southampton.
I would rather persevere with Holding and Chambers than get Fonte or Mathieu….both over 32 years now. And why pay 8m+ for either???
This is becoming a joke now. Its not as if we need to build a whole team……all we need is a CB (yes just 1) and either a CF or a winger.
But to buy and imo waste money on someone who is 32 years old and pay him all that money is ridiculous.
So…..buy Fonte for 8 million. Pay him around 60k pw wages. that amounts to another 3.12mill….for a total of 11,2 million
Should have paid IBRAHIMOVIC 8million a year for a two year contract. Sold Theo and bought a winger. And Iwobi would have learned from him.
So why should we waste money on 32 year olds when AW has sold PV, GS, TH and let go BP when they were 29 years old??? Makes no sense imo.
Jose Fonte is the new 32 yr old CB we’re after……you seriously can’t make this shit up can you?
Morning Devil and all..
Arsenal don’t win the league when they win the opening game of the season Devil…. lol
Snap Devil…..
I would of bought Williams from Swansea, it just feels that there’s no fucking plan!?!? Wenger is so reactionary it’s unbelievable….
don’t win???? never said that. I said that they don’t win the league when they loose the opening game of the season.
Morning Rico Boss
Morning Lee, it probably is made up…
Me too re Williams, ticks all the boxes…
with the money AW has at his disposal he could have bought a whole spine and not go beyond 100million….if he invested wisely.
Xhaka 34million
Shkodran 25million
Lacazette….40million
total….99million.
yes I know its crazy and I baulk at these prices as well….but that is a sound investment in today’s market.
And he could have offset some of it by selling Theo….25million.
Exactly Devil, too many players are just drifting along at the club whilst being paid a vast amount of money. Money which would fund someone better….
How much is Sanogo on I wonder?
Arsenal just don’t win the league with Wenger at the helm! There I fixed it for you….
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=941501149306045&set=a.922127871243373.1073741831.100003385052583&type=3
I watched Lacazette’s goals for Lyon and he’d score buckets for us imo! His value would appreciate, we’d get the coveted “top four” trophy….jobs a good un!
I see that useless manager Pep won last night…
Probably a better way of putting it Lee. lol
I could see him and Ozil getting on well. Not rocket science is it….
Morning Rico and all. A club in turmoil, a fan base divided and going round the block in heated debate day after day on the net and social media. An aged manager with £100 million at his disposal, a dwindling list of targets and an impending crisis. So what’s new?
Morning Adam. Nothing…
I could see a strategically shaved chimpanzee connecting with Ozil and banging in a large percentage of his created chances…..
Maybe Wenger needs to go to Specsavers?
Think he needs to go further than Specsavers…
Morning All
Gazidis Q & A
Anyway, Gazidis says that sentiment plays no part in the decision making process at the club
The reason we have Arsene as our manager is because our board believes he can deliver success. The reason that Arsene is here is because he believes that he can deliver success. If either of us didn’t believe that we would not be constrained by nostalgia or longing; we would have to make a change. Arsene would understand and support that. But it’s just not how either side feels. We feel we are on a good path.
He acknowledged that it’s something they have to think about:
One of the biggest challenges we will face is the transition, whenever it happens, but that is not something we are going to be facing imminently. Obviously, he is going to be managing us next year and we are planning and making many decisions for the long term. He’s in his mid-sixties, it’s natural to think about when his time here might come to an end, but the truth is nobody knows.
He has always put the long-term health of the club first. He wants to hand over a football club, whenever that it is, that is in great shape. He views that as a massively important part of his legacy. But we are just not in that mode. I know Arsene wouldn’t stay on if he thought the club wasn’t heading in a good direction and thought he wouldn’t be able to deliver what the fans want.
He said there’s money to spend:
We can go and sign world-class players if and when the manager identifies them.
Our renewal rate on season tickets is higher historically this year than ever. I don’t use that to say all fans are happy, but most people are not engaging daily on social media and their opinions are much more nuanced than it might seem
🙂 re the chimpanzee….
Just sent them your Blog address again..Rico
When did he say that Fred?
Planning ahead has always been such a successful aspect of this Arsenal hierarchy. 🙂
Who Fred, Specsavers?
What a load of tosh, my mate got called yesterday and was offered a ST, they even gave him 6 price brackets ranging from 1,200quid to just over 2grand… me thinks they battling… If there so much uptake on ST renewals how come they offering ST’s one week into the season…?
Oh and morning you orrible lot
http://arseblog.com/2016/06/20750/
Kept to winded myself up.Rico
Wind
Morning Wath. Many more performances like Sunday’s and the fabled 40,000 waiting list will soon dwindle. 🙂
wined
Morning all.
No way can we sell Theo !!!………he`s our top scorer this season !…………………..cant sell Ox or Chambo either, that would be like Barca selling Messi, Suarez and Neymar !.
According to newsnow………………..Hector Bellerin want Gnabry on loan !
Damn this dyslexia !……..that should be Hertha Berlin want Gnabry on loan !.
Morning Wath, and there was me thinking ST’s were hard to get hold of….
What I learned last night ?…………………..Aguero is a worse penalty taker than Theo, but a better goalscorer !……………………….I`m good at spotting things like that !
Thanks Fred…
I think the 40,000 waiting list Adam is pie in the sky… It was that high when we were at Highbury but not anymore…! Seems they struggling with the boxes as well, I keep getting emails asking if I want to rent one, I keep telling them no that’s Lee you need to email he’ll probably take 2 per game..!
How on earth can you believe anything the club say, whether it be from Wenger, Keswick or Gazides, it’s all media spin and the club do it very well. Even the waiting list tosh they used to spout a few years back, how does anyone know if that was true?
As Adam said yesterday, it’s basically up to the individual to choose to believe it or not depending on your view…
Frankly I don’t believe anything they say anymore…
Even those that don’t contribute to social media have changed their mind on the club and Wenger, you would have only needed to be at the game on Sunday to realise the discontent among the fan base. Even the radio commentators mentioned it and on numerous occasions during the commentary.
If Gazides doesn’t realise that or chooses to ignore the feelings of the fans, then he’s a moron, but we know he isn’t and that he’s really well aware of the fans’ unhappiness at the current situation…
Forget Fonte, his agent is that Super Cnut Mendez, he’s off to ManUre, thankfully….
Morning All
Morning Rico…
🙂 LC.
I got a phone call from Arsenal saying I`m 40,001 on the waiting list , I said, what are you lot smoking and put the phone down on them !.
Morning Kev, they all talk rubbish don’t they….
http://news.arseblog.com/2016/08/alisher-usmanov-could-sell-arsenal-stake-to-take-over-at-everton/
I just want to put my point across nothing will ever change until fans stop going to the ground and giving these money grabbing B——- are money. gazdis, wenger and Kronke out.
Rico. Usmanov has been the potential saviour, hovering on the fringes, unacknowledged but ready to swoop and inject hundreds of millions into the club should the opportunity arise. It would be interesting to see who would buy them though. 🙂
Joseph, that will never happen imo…
Adam, it would be a worry if he did sell up. Could Kroenke afford the big mans shares?
Stan syrup of course. He would become an absolute ruler, ruling absolutely!
Or
Perhaps Wenger. He has surely amassed sufficient funds to buy into ‘his’ club. Just to repeat myself, a 30.9% owner of shares in the club can ‘control’ all things Arsenal!
The Uzbec’s is gone, long live the syrup and the frog! Sounds like a bit of a pantomime! But that’s Arsenal for you, these days.
Morning all.
If Kroenke buys Usmanovs share, then all bets are off, no more shareholders meetings, no more questioning the club’s direction, Syrup will start skimming off of the top of the clubs £250m to finance his US franchises…
Brudder, don’t tell anyone but WATH & Kev have formed a consortium, they’ll be hovering all Usmanov’s shares!
Rico, we want to be going for league titles every year. Unless we as fans stand as one, nothing is ever going to change and wenger is going to get his nice easy three year deal at the end of the season and we as fans are going to have to put up with another three years of the same s— in the transfer window. we work hard all week and to go to watch are beloved arsenal and for wenger to penny pinch makes me sick, its time for change and only are fans have the balls for this to happen. boycott the Leicester game and make a stance. Arsenal fc not arsene fc.
The only I’ll be hoovering Lee, is my carpet. ?
thing
#Just Saying
Brudder. I could believe that. Kev has had a number of airport jobs lately. 🙂
I am getting the distinct feeling that supporter action is becoming a real possibility.
If Kroenke buys Usmanovs share, then all bets are off, no more shareholders meetings, no more questioning the club’s direction,
No more season tickets. For me anyway !
We as arsenal fans are passionate about our club can you say the same for wenger or kronke, all they care about is the money. Hit the American where it hurts his back pocket. we shouldn’t have to put with wenger penny pinching every transfer window looking to see if we are going to sign anyone. I am sick and tired from the top to the bottom of our club they are rotten to the core. spend some f—— money wenger or get the f— out of our club.
Morning
I think this a well worked out plan by Moshiri and Usmanov.I have no doubt Usmanov wanted full control initially but he now knows he is up against a brick toupe in Kroenke and will divert his attention to Everton.It will take time and most probably a bigger investment than would have been needed at Arsenal.
Heaven help us to be possibly left with Kroenke.One of the richest clubs in the world deemed more than likely never to win anything if Kroenke has control
If Kroenke buys his shares, I’m out too…..
Six years of writing about the slippery slide of the club we all love will be enough….
Well said Joseph
Morning everyone
New post up now…
Colchester Utd won last night!
I feel as if we are in a no win situation !. If Kroenke buys Uzzy`s shares everything will be the same and if anyone else buys the shares everything will be the same !…………………only Kroenke selling to Uzzy will we see drastic ( for the good ) changes opr both selling to an Mansour/Abramobitch type owner willing to spend outragous amounts of money by hook or crook and every loophole available for us to compete !
As me, kelsey and some others say…………….Kroenke is the evil ……short term, medium term, long term…………..Wenger is just the short term obstacle !
We have been in a downward spiral for years and it will only get worse !. I have to laugh at those who think 2nd is really an improvement !………….only 1st is an improvement !……….isn`t it so simple to see trhat`s the only one which wins a trophy, who fcuking cares whether you finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th ?…………not me that`s for sure !
The tiny hope I had was that Kroenke would sell to finance his LA Rams ! 🙁
what a heading wenger is going to smash it in the window. bull shit. penny pinching every year. same old wenger he will never change. It is time for fans to get the board and wenger out of our club, they have left us a laughing stock, pundits and ex players are speaking the truth, its time for change, vote with our feet.
In the short term IG and AW have to successfully manoeuvre to remove Law from his position as chief ‘negotiator’ for us to conclude deals a bit more swiftly…
It appears Law gets orders from 2 opposing sides….Melanie jnr and the Colney faction.