Morning all.
You may laugh, but hearing the news that Arsene Wenger is leaving at the end of the season brought mixed feelings for me. Ecstatic as we head towards a period of unknown as far as who replaces him goes but sadness too as he took far too long to make his decision. For all the good he has done for the club, he deserved more but because of his stubbornness, he’ll leave knowing that the majority of fans who once sang about him and his magic hat, will be celebrating his departure. He could have won more silverware had he not been so stuck in his ways, he could have keep those same fans on his side had he sought help and listened to new ideas for his team. But he made his choice to stay, just as he has now to leave.
We’ll look back on his time at Arsenal once the season is over because for now, there’s a few more fixtures to get through and as much as the timing of his departure has been announced is strange, I think he and the club have been very clever and I by that I mean smart. Not to deceive the fans but to unite them once again. To get The Emirates full again, to get the fans right behind the team as they go all out for the Europa League Cup. Let’s be honest, when The Emirates is full and 55,000 odd fans have something to shout about, they can and they do. A NLD proves that, just as I hope Sunday’s match against West Ham will and certainly Thursdays Europa semifinal against Atletico Madrid will.
Suddenly, winning that big cup has become far more important for many reasons. The fans of course, I think all of us want to win that one but the players too for confidence and the future, the net manager whoever he may be, and of course the attraction of new players who will see we could be about to enter into something new and exciting. Many players have in the past and to this day said they joined because of Arsene Wenger but I strongly suspect there are an equal amount who haven’t signed because of the Frenchman and his perceived lack of ambition and ability to assemble a balanced and strong squad. Poch, Pep and Klopp are all a far more tempting kind of manager to play for.
Well, as long as the next man is equally as energetic and forward thinking of those three, then we’re back in the market for the best players out there. Next season we’ll watch a different brand of football, perhaps even one with an organised defensive unit.
I’m thrilled Arsene Wenger is going, I really am and I don’t know about anyone else but suddenly it feels like summer has arrived, the sun is shining and there’s no longer a need for the light at the end of the tunnel because it’s here.
Regardless of what happens now as far as the club goes, the Arsene Wenger chain has been broken. Ivan Gazidis should be able to get on with his job, as should those alongside him, knowing full well that they haven’t got Arsene Wenger looking over their shoulder. Get some structure back, a new manager, new coaches and go forward.
Have a great day guys….
What’s the post going to be about??
Not sure Lee, couldn’t think what to write about…..
Any news on Mkhitaryan yet Rico…
Talk about a no news day….
Press conference at 5 pm apparently with Gazidis . Should be interesting. This is where the who dunnit or didn’t do it starts to come out.. Will Kroenke see this as a sign that his hold is slipping or was this Josh’s idea to force the issue. Did Arsene just get fed up or was he pushed or just leant on. Will Usmanov have something to say. Should be an interesting summer , Forget the world cup.
Ha ha Kev, not fit yet I gather..
Wonder if the club will announce his successor at 5pm…
Indeed Potter, forget the World Cup, we could be in for a great summer, or…. lol
Ah yes, the World Cup, it slipped my mind….
I’m really looking forward to the Athletico game now, it should be a rocking atmosphere.
West Ham are going to suffer this weekend I suspect.
I did read that Mkhitaryan could be in the squad for next Thursday Rico…
Maybe he’ll get a run out from the bench.
It’s a really odd day today Rico, I’ve been through Billy Wright, not that I recall it that well, but when Bertie Mee, Terry Neill, Don Howe & George Graham left there was a feeling of uncertainty almost an insecurity, maybe it was because when they left, they actually left, but this feels different, almost a feeling of relief.
The club have, tbf, handled it quite well so far. It’s all being done without the usual uproar you get when there’s a change of manager.
Afternoon all, at last we can look forward. Better late than never, and whatever happens, we wont have a summer and pre-season as dismal in anticipation as the last few have been. Hurrah!
Afternoon Rico and all.
As one era ends, a new one begins. We wait in anticipation.
All the best Arsene and thanks for everything
I get that Kev, It’s been a long time coming. To be honest, I just said to a friend of mine that right now I don’t care who replaces him because the feeling of need of change was so great. I think it all started when Sven came in, in my head anyway. On that day I wondered, and when the Barca guy joined soon after, I was convinced he was going..
I just feel like a huge weight has been lifted and finally, the Arsene Wenger chain has been broken..
Also, we’ll get to what Kroenke is really all about now too.
Spot on Adrew.
Afternoon Adam. I take it you’ll be heading back to The Emirates next season? 😉
Morning Rico and all. Am actually relieved it’s all over. Yes I ‘ve called him some terrible names and had a few runnings with meercat Scotty oz etc but deep down inside we all just wanted him to do better. No one really wants him fired or hounded out of the club. Mixed feelings yes i concur. I ‘ll remember him fondly for the 0.0 at old toilet during the invincible year. Shame he never kicked up from there. He brought so much joy to our lives during his first 10 years. I ‘ll always be grateful for the style of football we played in those early years. Thanks monsieur Wenger you ‘re indeed an arsenal legend!
Rico. We’ll have to wait and see about that.
They might not want me back. 🙂
Hi Goonster, now let’s talk about that bet shall we? lol
Very true Adam. 😉
Mourinho on Wenger, “If he’s looking forward to the next chapter then I’m happy. Mr Wenger and Arsenal were often the biggest rivals for United in the Ferguson era. We as a club will show him the respect he deserves.”
Mourinho’s ‘tribute’ was full of shit. After the crap he has dished out to Wenger, the grotesque dwarf was selling it as respect today.
Afternoon all. Good opener as per usual Rico, And no gloating which is nice.
Goonsters last sentence has made my eyes leak for some reason.
Yes, I too have very mixed feelings, my turning has only happened more recently, so it’s all a bit sudden.
I was gobsmacked this morning, but then I read that we are getting rid of Mustafi and Xakha ( thank Christ), but looking to sign two new players, one from Fulham and another one from a similar level. So, I’m thinking ‘ is that our level now?
You read that Pep will have £200,million at his disposal, and Manure are after big names, yet we are after two half decent players from a lower.level of football. Wassthatallabout? Oh, and still hoping Wheelchair will stay.
Oh dear. Oh dear. If Vieira is coming in, he will have a big job on his hands.
I’m looking forward to 5pm. Hanky at the ready, my bloody leaky eyes. Must be hayfever!
Mourinho is a two faced scumbag!
Rico I also stated we ‘ll beat Milan on both legs which you vehemently and blatantly disagree so it’s even Stevens I guess ????
Did I Goonster, I don’t recall you being on here when we beat AC Milan.. 🙂
Pay up Goonster!
Anyone but Brenda Rodgers..
Surely the betting world can’t be right!
What an anticlimax that would be if it’s true. .
Meercat you ‘re right ma’am this is not the time for gloating. Whether people agree or not he’s been an absolute gentleman through it all. Never once had a bad word for us fans. Arsene Wenger is the definition of class. Aurevior leprof. Thanks for a wonderful childhood.
Lee?????
Kk anyone but Mr McLeans!!!!! No way Rodgers is replacing Wenger. No chance in hell.
Having read the plaudits I have to say there is a general theme that runs through most of them. Largely kind and full of praise for the early years bit tinged with sadness and a little vitriol about the last 10 years. Just the stuff we’ve been saying for the last few years. I’m sorry he’s going, it’s the end of an era a largely successful period in our history. The only comparative period, historically was thr 30s. Of Chapman and Whittaker, only the war curtailed the Arsenal’s fortunes.
We have to look forward to the future and hope that who ever takes over is an instant hit, because I fear the natives will be very restless if the club continues to slide!
Brendan Rodgers and I include his teeth in this, would be a disaster. For all the success he’s had at Celtic in a league of one team, will not do us any good, he’s just not the right kind of ‘leader’ imo. If they hire a big name euro manager with a good track record we may be on to a winner. Who can say? But change was way overdue. He didn’t need to go on and on, it was a foolish misjudgement on his part it bit like his cavalier disregard to ‘sort out’ the defence etc etc. He’s just become too intractable, stuck in his ways and far too stubborn!
Good luck to him but even more good luck to the new appointee, they’ll certainly need it!
Our new manager is coming from the bundesliga! Thank me later.
Lol you got me?I wasn’t but you gotta admit I did get a lot of stuff right. I called auba laca and heck even the ozil deal. So I guess that makes up for me not seeing Wenger leaving right?
Hi Rico and all.
A very historic day for The Arsenal, but it is only half the job.
Making the right appointment is essential for the club to be back among the title challengers.
Arsene Wenger was a great manager when Arsenal were at Highbury, he has looked out of his depth since moving to the Emirates, he looks a tired man, drained of energy and fresh ideas.
Our spineless Board allowed him to stay far too long, and far from leaving the club in a stronger position, he leaves with Arsenal weak, and some distance away from the five clubs above us in the PL, as well as many other European clubs.
Time for Kroenke to show his colours and show us what he’s made of.
Goonster, we’ve all got a lot of stuff right at some stage. As Lee said, payment time.
Hi Herb, he certainly hasn’t look in great health for a while..
Press conference coming up, off to catch it…
Hi Goonster. .unfortunately Mr McLeans is the bookies favourite. .I am hoping it’s just a wind up from some spurs fans or hard core AKBs. .time will tell anyway. .
Meantime a bet is a bet. .pay up or otherwise you know what coming towards you?
Bet Fair have Brenda Rodgers at 2 to 1 and Vieira at 4to 1!
This is not looking good Rodgers will he be signed to fail, like Rioch and gone within 12 months and then we get a proper manager.
We’ll see! Soon I suspect.
Well said Ivan.
Agree, thought he made things quite clear about the club.
He certainly did.
I for one am really emotional today. As much as anything Arsene has been a victim of his own early success. And for anyone suggesting that he has left the club in a worse position than he found it, remember the last game of the Rioch era! Dennis Bergkamp clinched a late 2-1 home win against already relegated Bolton to put us into the UEFA Cup! And we celebrated like we had won the Champions League! Because of what Arsene has given us, winning FA Cups and ‘merely’ qualifying for Europe is considered as failure. Interesting summer and few years ahead!
Well said Bt, his one problem was not accepting when his time was up…
I think the decision was forced on AW to step down by Gazidis and co. .he did avoid any question about that in his brief presser and rightly so..however from his facial expression one can tell he was kind of relieved that AW has finally accepted it. .
He didn’t look comfortable when a journo said he came to arsenal after wenger before asking the question about his legacy. .
Now we can look forward to Arsene’s much anticipated book of memoirs at AFC
Add the empty seats Kk, it was always on the cards imo. The day Sven walked in the door, it was the beginning of the end I reckon…
Evening Rick, fingers crossed for the youngsters…
Evening Rico and the house.
Tonights team.
Virgina, Tutu, Olowa, Medly , Bola, Dasilver, Willock, Dragomir, Nelson,
Smith Rowe and Nketia.
About to kick Off.
Its live West Ham youtube.
30 mins 2-0 Nelson and Eddy with the goals
IN MODERATI Rico wig 2-0
Rico i said nowt..lol
Ha ha Bt…
H/t 2-0
Hammers Goal keeper in great form and has made 4 fantastic saves.
Should have been 3-0 there Rick
It is now ?
Well done to the under 23’s.
3-!
Champions .
First Silverware for the Stiffs since 1990
They did well, very well…
Night guys..
Hi Rico, all.
You’re always itk about his departure huh. I was getting ready for an emotional 2018-2019 season.
It’s amazing how you (and the regulars) managed to ride out the blog with the club becoming moribund by the day. Lots of us got angry and kept off everything arsenal.
Finally it’s good to see arsenal fans still have some power over the club. The empty seats are a major reasons he’s not ‘honouring his contract’. The club will be careful on how they treat us in the future.
Honestly I feel like some chokehold has been let go. The grey skies are off and the fresh air is a relief.
The next few weeks we can all get behind the club that we dearly love, get behind the team -and the manager. We’ve been looking for this day but I’d like we treat Wenger with the decorum he always exhibited. He protected the club, the players and took all the stick. It’s no doubt he loves arsenal way too much he didn’t want to let go.
Morning Marshall and all, it wasn’t a dream was it?
Itk ? Just a hunch honest. Based purely on logic because of all that has unfolded since the summer. He’d always refused to work with a DOF, Ivan brought one into the club. His scouts have been toppled by Sven, performances, fan pressure, empty seats and again no Champions League. Losing money on the sale of Alexis too, all added up in my head..
I’m just glad the end is near…
Morning Rico and all. It is surely an interesting time ahead. Will the club make the right decision first time? Putting what we know together it is easy to come up with a few different successors. Perhaps logic will not be served but I guess we all have our suggestions as to who the new man will be.
What’s yours?
Morning Adam and what a beautiful one it is too.
That’s a tough question. I’m not sure Ancelotti would be my choice though, he’d have been good to steady the ship but now we should look forward, think about building our future with a younger and exciting manager. I wouldn’t be unhappy with Marco Silva but Allegri is is probably the one for me.
Definitely not Brenda Rogers…
The new post is up by the way…
Not again. 🙂
Bad timing eh. It’s earlier as I’m visiting the inlaws later.. ?