Morning all.
And it’s not a good one. I’m still trying to work out what possessed Arsene Wenger to set up our defence in the way he did. Odd, but so Arsene Wenger! This is what he had to say after the game:
On the game…
It’s the kind of the night where you are angry because not only did we not score with the number of chances we had, we made stupid mistakes centrally. First by losing the ball and then afterwards we didn’t defend properly for the goal. On top of that, I think we were unlucky with some of the referee’s decisions because we scored a regular goal.
On whether Lacazette’s goal should have stood…
One hundred per cent. I’ve just watched it and it’s not offside at all.
On whether his foot was actually offside…
Even his foot was not offside. We have to swallow that and we should have scored despite that. I think it’s just another detail that didn’t go our way. I believe that we lost three big points today. Other teams might take points here that we have dropped today. In football, when you don’t win, you can only look at yourself.
On our defending…
Last week we conceded two goals on corners. They only had three shots on goal, so I don’t feel that we defended that badly. On set-pieces, yes. Today I would say that we can look at ourselves and we are 100 per cent guilty on the goal we conceded.
I agree with him, the goal Lacazette scored should have stood and if the game had technology as most other sports do, it possibly would have although Graham Poll suggested the decision was right, but then he would. Would you be saying offside if an identical goal was scored against us but allowed? Lacazette certainly wasn’t happy it’d been ruled out.
Had the goal stood, the scores would have been level and with so much time left on the clock, perhaps we’d have gone on to score more but even so, it’s not like we didn’t have further chances which this time, went begging. 70% possession is great, but not so great when a team can’t score from it. I won’t mention the three penalty shouts.
As Wenger said above, we didn’t defend properly for their goal, which is nothing new is it.
Surely if Wenger is going to continue with Ramsey in midfield, he has to be told to stop the fancy stuff and concentrate on keeping things simple as Elneny often does. Personally, I’d prefer the latter alongside Xhaka but that’s just me. Better still would be a someone who can do what the likes of Matic, Kante etc can do but he’ll cost money. As will a top notch central defender and Wenger still needs both imo.
As for Mesut Ozil, well who could disagree with Martin Keown’s scathing words for him?
The likes of Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira gave everything in the game – they put their foot in and could play. Arsenal can’t afford to carry someone like Ozil. He needs to have a good look at himself. He’s not kidding us, when we’re watching the game. It felt like he was going through the motions a lot of the time today.
Clearly the battling side of his game which was on show at Wembley was a one off. Away from home against a Stoke side, we needed players who were willing to do the dirty work too. Both he and Ramsey really need to step up their game and Wenger has to tell them that otherwise dump them both on the bench, especially away from home. Ox was good though as was Jack Butland.
Anyway, yesterday’s performance did little really other than to confirm what many of us already believe and that’s that this season looks like being little different to those gone by over recent years.
Ivan promised us change but sadly, Wenger wasn’t listening….
That’s it . Keep it simple. With the gunners its all about passing,back heels,flicks,etc.
The gunners play a complicated brand of soccer.This kind of stuff doesn’t win you games.
It slows you down and the enemy defenders can get back in nos to suffocate you. That’s what
Stoke did.Another loss to Pool and the hounds will start baying for blood.
The modern game of football is about winning.Nobody cares whether you have shaded possession.more shots at goal,etc.Arsenal can have 10 shots but cant score . The other team shoots once and scores .
They win.All the stats can be thrown away.
Morning all.
Ginge warned everyone on here about Ozil when we signed him.
Arsene should’ve known he was buying the ultimate luxury player, and built around him.
Ramsey is our whipping when we lose-it’s the same every time.
Arsene chose the strangest back 3 we will ever see, considering who he did NOT select.
Ridiculous selections.
Ivan is cashing in worse than Arsene ever will, because whether people like to admit it or not, Arsene has actually done something for the club-has Ivan?
He’s promised us changes?
Please, the guys a fraud.
Totally disagree. Ivan clearly wants changes, the bloke even offered his resignation as he’s clearly frustrated with the way Wenger goes about his business.
Ivan wanted a DOF, but no, the old has been said no, all because he’s a control freak who wants to do things his own way. He’s the one holding the club back from being where it should be, regardless of Kroenke and Ivan and the rest of the board.
I’m sure Ivan does a lot of stuff we don’t get to hear/read about..
Rico. As I have mentioned to you over the past few years, there is a power struggle going on at Arsenal and so far at least, Wenger is winning. That will change I imagine but, until that day, we have to suck it up.
Thanks Rico.
What does a DoF do ?………serious question !
I prefer what Spuds do, manager who coaches the team and Levy who ties all the players down , is that a Dof ?
Wenger loves the club so he should know when to step down which should have been after the fa cup final , Wenger needs to let the coaches do there jobs let bould work with the defence etc . We still need a centre back a cm and a striker in my eyes welbeck is not good enough .
Rico. You’re right of course. He is the CEO and has huge responsibilities with the club.
Agree Jack, welcome by the way.
My question on last post…………..what does Gazidis do ?………………….is it his job to tie players down ( not in some sexual way hahaha) ?……………if so, he is doing a great job ! hahaha
Rico, for a few years I, and a few others, suggested Arsene would spend if given the opportunity, and that Stan was holiday him back(this hasn’t been the case for the last few years, as clearly, the money has been available).
Most on here, at the time, would argue that if Arsene was really trying to the right thing, yet wasn’t allowed to, he should quit if he had any professional pride and integrity.
Why is it different now with Ivan, or Steve Bould)”?
Now, its a case of them being unable to do their job due to Arsene!!!
It’s another example of people’s hypocrisy when it comes to all things Arsene.
Nows the time for the same people to jump in and ask why I always defend Arsene, when it’s pretty clear I’m actually attacking others at the club who do nothing whilst collecting a damn fine salary, and supporters who’s are inconsistent with their criticism.
Agree Adam. I’m not overly bothered about the loss to Stoke, I guess I’m just used to it. Unless there’s a master plan around the corner waiting to unfold, just have to put up with it knowing he’ll soon be gone.
Morning all. Its going to be another ‘fun’ season. Clearly, the spine we all know needs addressing, hasn’t been as per usual. A good left back or wingback signed yes, …… so we play him centrally. Alongside another left back out of position. Really thought Merts would play in back three allowing others to play where they should. Wenger knows best though, he must do on that money.
LC, Ivan makes promises that Arsene breaks, apparently.
It’s just brilliant, really.
Yes, Arsene should be looking after the squad and that’s all.
Others should be handling transfer negotiations.
That’s just common sense.
Let’s not blame the people who make these decisions, or delegate power, let’s blame those they delegate the power to.
All that being said, Arsene failed in his duties yesterday to win the game, no question.
Is one of Gazidis`s huge responsillities players contracts, Adam ?………or where you being sarcy ? hahaha
As CEO, surely he is as much to blame as Wenger over the rebelious 3`s contracts !……………………………………I reckon he is paid more handsomely than Wenger per min seeing as Wenger has to take all the abuse…..well deserved…………..up front and in front of camera, where Gazidis only does pre-organised Q&A from selected fans !
Scott, I think we have a win treble with Wenger,Gazidis and Koenke !…………………………even though this should be our year with rivals all in CL, after two games I am resigned to another abysmal season and like Rico have become used to it and sadly accepting it with only the FA Cup to look forward too !……………………………………I suppose the EL will be a nice stress free ride if he plays the youngsters,. something to look forward to…………happy days ! hahahaha
Wsg, agree, he definitely should have gone this time around.
Scott, Ivan did try to quit, but the club wouldn’t accept his resignation. I’m sure I read somewhere that Bould did the same. Like Adam, I believe both, certainly Ivan is playing the waiting game knowing that one day, possibly as soon as next summer, Wenger be gone.
That will be the day everyone will be able to get on with their job knowing that the old man won’t be poking his nose into things.
LC, Ivan can’t have any responsibilities, as Arsene has complete control.
Of course, Ivan detests him,and takes home a few million pounds a year in protest lol.
Lc, yes, I think so. I’m sure Levy is their DOF.
And by Wengers comments of prioritising selling players, it`s another TW that promised so much,but took us fans another piss take !…………………the most anticipated of TW`s after his 2 year contract extention and what a fcuking let down…………………….I`m already secretly hoping for another EPL shit season so he gets the sack before Christmas, yet that vwont happen as I dont believe in Santa either !……………………hope no kids were reading that ;last bit ! hahaha
I’m wrong Lc, Levy is their chairman.
Here’s what a DOF is/does from Wikki:
A director of football is a senior management figure at a football (soccer) club, most commonly in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and causes much debate in the sports media.
The presence of a director of football acts as an intermediary between the manager and the board and may relieve pressure on a manager by handling aspects away from day-to-day coaching, allowing a manager to focus on on-pitch performance. The director may also help to stabilise the club – many examples exist of director stepping in as a caretaker manager on the departure of the manager. The director – often an experienced football figure – may also positively advise a less experienced manager or the board of a less well developed club.
In contrast, there are many examples of tensions arising between director and manager, often due to questions over the remit and powers of the two positions; particularly with regard to control over transfer policy. This had led to many well publicised and often, highly damaging disputes within clubs.
In general, directors of football are not shareholders in the club, or hold a nominal stake. This is opposed to other members of the board with whom the director of football will sit.
Rico, if they really wanted to quit, they’d have quit.
They’re every bit as complicit as Arsene, yet cop 1% of the abuse and criticism.
Brudder how much does Ivan get paid compared to the washed up one? Didn’t Ivan threaten to resign over Wenger’s stubbornness? We will only find out what an owner the yank is when Wenger finally fucks off…
Has Wenger under or over achieved over the last 13yrs with all that’s been afforded to him? Massive under for me, sticking with waiter in goal, not buying a single out field player constantly leaving the squad short! The catalogue of errors is there for all to see, well for those that want to!
On a totally different subject.Were the boot manufacturers and players not so obsessed with their marketing and Lacazette been wearing black boots the lino would not have seen a,flash off yellow and the goal would have stood.
When the refs,have their meeting and discuss their mistakes I bet someone says well it’s only Arsenal who cares.
As soon as I saw the line up I forecasted a defeat. Not because Stoke would be better than us but because the defence was a mock up of two full backs and a Cb who has not played. What other manager would do this. Just go back to Wembley two weeks ago…the BFG played a blinder. Kolisinac Should have been in a forward WB position from the start. I cannot believe that Holding (who has look brilliant and areal CB )was dropped for this of all matches? AW has a bad weakness in that he cannot see what succeeded at the end of last season……IT WAS A SOLID DEFENCE !!! And for all that mighty get shot of Sanchez and Ozil now . Both bloody dragging our club down and as usual our management if watching it happen. By now we should have signed Lemar, Van Dyke ? and Mahrez plus possibly Butland. But AFC will never change under this ownership, so sit back and just hope AW starts next 10 games with a back five of Chec, Holding Kossy Mustafi , the Ox anf Kolisinac. Then perhaps Wilshire will get a game ahead of Granit !
It’s a shame our chairman does not have anywhere near the input Levy does.
Didn’t Wenger say that he made the decisions over contracts Lc?
I’m sure he also said that he decides who the club buys and sells to…
Doesn’t he direct traffic as Wenger said?? Egotistical blinkered man that he is….
Amateurish team selection…..from a manager definitely on the downward spiral.
Scott, they don’t sign the players, they don’t select the team, make the subs or play the way we do do they?
They aren’t responsible for us not having a solid defence, or midfield or a top notch goalkeeper either.
Wenger is paid handsomely to manage, but he’s failing because he’s too bloody stubborn…
Got to agree Scott, if you want to quit, you walk out and that’s that.
Thanks Rico…………………………I knew Levy was the chairman, it`s just that I like the way he goes about his business. I doubt Poch` has much say, only to say he wants to keep xyz players and then Levy does the business !.
After reading that, I`m not sure a DOF is needed, for one thing, there is no problem between owner and manager..they love each other !……………………………..and we havent got an unexperienced manager, although from some of his decisssion making he`s unbelievably naive !.
Often, ‘offering’ to resign is a way to actually stay with mandate to carry on as before!
Who “threatens” to resign?
Shit, if Arsene did that, you’d all be ridiculing him, but because it was Ivan, it’s lauded as some wonderful lachievement!
The guys no achieved a thing at the club,
and the only thing he tried to do-resign/
he failed at as well.
Long live King Ivan.
Rico at 11.20, that’s a very accurate comment.
Tell me, though, what DO they do???????
They’re paid damn well, so should surely make some impact.
They do nothing other than “threaten” to resign.
Regardless of what Bould and Ivan do or don’t do, neither were responsible for us leaking three goals against Leicester or that dreadful team selection yesterday – nor were they responsible for us having gaping holes in our midfield and defence.
Andrew @ 11.21, apparently, only Arsene should do that, according to most.
Tomorrow !
https://www.arsenal.com/news/watch-our-under-23s-live-arsenalcom
Scott, ‘Tell me, though, what DO they do???????’
Why the caps and so many question marks?
I don’t know what they do on a daily basis, how the heck could I unless I was stood by their side all day.
Reality is, Wenger is fooking things up day after day, game after game and trying to deflect the blame onto others is a waste of time imo.
Whoever is to blame off the pitch, and even with dubious team selection, if you look at the names and values of players on the pitch, Arsenal and Stoke, then we should be winning at a canter.
Scott,
‘Andrew @ 11.21, apparently, only Arsene should do that, according to most.’
That’s the kind of comment which really pisses me off!
Doesn’t seem to be a great deal of changes so far does there? Same pathetic performances, pathetic team selection, pathetic defending masterminded by who exactly?
Exactly Andrew, we should have battered them yesterday, and Wenger should be asking himself why we didn’t. And why not oik Ozil off when it’s clear he was having one of his lazy days…
Agree Andrew………………………………..I fully expected to beat Stoke by a huge margin, although I would have taken another 4-3……hahaha
The trouble is and we all know it ……………for the last dennis know`s how many years we have entertained by Arsene`s philosohy of football, but to win trophies you need a defence !………………we will never win another title untill we are hard to beat !
Andrew my point is why deflect Wenger’s ineptitude onto Stan? Give a dynamic manager our squad (33 fucking players apparently now) the annual salary allocation and see if they can do a better job….
What is it you say Lee, rinse and repeat…..
Doesn’t matter who Wenger signs, it’s always the same each season…
Rico,
You and plenty of others have said over the years that if Stan was the real problem, Arsene should quit.
Now, when you say Arsene is the real problem, I ask why Bould and Ivan don’t quit, and it pissed you off?
Sorry if I’m confused.
Expect nothing from a Wenger team and you’ll not be too disappointed….?
We have two German international defenders, a French international defender, three under 21 international defenders and a Bosnian international defender and yet Wenger can’t get them all singing from the same hymn sheet, why?
In midfield we have a glut of international players yet he can’t get one to do what someone like Gilberto did. Why?
Does he give them a specific role to play? Certainly doesn’t look like it..
Rico I’m bored saying it….how could anyone think this season would pan out any different? Well at least we won’t get embarrassed by one of the teams we were supposed to be competing with in Europe! Every cloud and all that….
Who could be at fault for all you list there Rico???????????
If you can’t see it Scott, then all is lost…
LC, Arsene has never known how to set up a defence.
He inherited a gun defensive unit, then replaced them with some one, but they did their own thing-no real coaching required.
Now, imo, we have a very good defensive unit who do need guidance, but he’s not capable.
Lee, totally get that. I too am bored with it all. I certainly didn’t expect much difference to this season.
I think you know my answer Lee, and it’s not Sir Chips… 😉
Who assembled a squad of 33 players put them on bumper deals when they weren’t worth it?? Why can’t we shift the majority of the dead wood? Life is too cozy, too well paid the Wenger gravy train…
Totally agree Scott. He doesn’t do defending so why not accept help from someone who does? He did in 2006 but we know what happened then, just as it did with Bould after he’d done a bit good and earned praise. Wenger was soon playing Boulds input down in the media…
The same man who signed Sanogo Lee… 🙂
So…before the season even began, and the control freak was given another contract, weren’t there provisos put in place? I’m sure I heard that he had to spend big, had to win the league and Europa or he was out on his millionaire’s arse. Well here we go again. The same pattern of play, the same errors and the same coaching. Unreal!
Welbeck – not good enough.
Bellerin – not good enough.
Ozil – not good enough.
Ox – not good enough.
Theo!
Time for change and that time is…oh sorry, think I’ve said that approximately 1000 times in the last 5 years. Sick of the Wenger rhetoric, sick of the excuses and oh so bored with the ‘in-fighting’ crap.
* Just to say also that there was absolutely no surprise when Lacazette’s perfectly good goal was ruled out for his toe nail being offside, or the penalty claims that, if in a Utd game would have been given all day long.
Rico, it’s only lost to those who can’t take their blinkers off.
When a man’s only qualification for a job is, “what he did more than a decade ago”, then we should show no surprise. Arsene’s age has made him weak, too patient and unambitious. Mertesacker, Kolscieny, Monreal are all over 30 and between them only Kolscieny has any real power. The other two can be blown away by a ten year old. Wenger’s style is playing out. Lose 8-2 to ManU and then buy five players. Lose 3-4 to Liverpool, then buy Mustafi. Now we have lost to Stoke, may be, it is the time to bring in some players. And he will never bring in players that will challenge the likes of Ramsey, Ozil, Kolscieny or any of the first team players. He is too afraid that another player may upstage them.
Welcome to the “reinvented Wenger”. Welcome to another season of unrest by the fans. Wenger has certainly gone full cycle. Yes, some will argue that it is just one game, but we have seen this all to often and we know that Arsene has nothing again to offer Arsenal.
Just the five in there Db? 😉
I bet they’d be good enough elsewhere though under a different manager.
Scott, let me know when you’ve taken yours off…
Lol Rico, mine are off-always have been, but we’d all believe that of ourselves 🙂
Evening all,
Take out the penalty shouts, & the disallowed goal, & the bullshit expert calls by Graham Poll, etc, Arsene Wenger was out coached by Sparky.
Now, we’ve all been lathered up by the promises of Arsene Wenger that things will be different in the next 2 years, but that is not true is it. He is doing the same old shit he has done for the past 10 years & that is worked for the shareholders. He can’t help himself, he is Stan’s ‘nice boy’ who helps make the shareholders a healthy dividend. Bugger the fans, they can eat cake/have an FA Cup.
What’s confusing and intriguing is the fact Arsene nails his his tactics on the very odd occasion, and often, against all odds.
Why is it against teams like Stoke, who offer the same challenge every time, he waivers?
GG, in all seriousness, why should we take out the goal and penalty calls?
Why do we cop it year in, year out, and almost apologise for the pathetic decisions?
It happens too often to be coincidence.
It doesn’t change the fact we aren’t good enough, but we should not continually accept it.
Scott
Because he is an accountant who manages, & who is like an old pair of jeans for a majority of the Board & the shareholders, he’s a comfy fit.
But to answer your question properly, he is an old fella trying to do a younger mans job
Sparky out shone him Scott, end of
Yes Brudder. He tendered his resignation because the club was underperforming and he felt responsible. He was persuaded to stay and a compromise of sorts was reached. A DOF, or any other leading employee at Arsenal, or any other club can only do his job properly if there is a consensus.
Scott, I thought yours were stuck on with Superglue, certainly the Stan and Ivan ones…
GG, so because Arsene is an ” accountant”, we should accept consistently poor class that cost us results?
Really?
Agree Gg, Hughes was head and shoulders above Wenger yesterday. Pack the defence and hit us when the chance comes. Everyone knows we play tippy tappy dross in and around the area…
Rico, as I keep saying, I can at least offer criticism of Arsene, when I see fit, but so many can’t offer credit when things go well.
I’m at fault, of course lol
And no, I don’t blame Ivan and Stan totally, as again, Arsene plays his part, but plenty on here refuse to blame them for anything.
Scott. The difference is, what goes on behind the scenes has pretty much been the same throughout Arsenal’s history as far as I know. I could be wrong and I’m sure someone will tell me if I am and that’s fine.
Now though, we have a man who simply refuses to accept help, or change his ways and it’s that alone which prevents us from being a club up with the top ones.
As Gg said, he’s an old man in a young mans job. He needs to retire.
Oh, and Wenger does get praise when he gets things right, it’s just so long ago, you’ve forgotten.
I actually don’t blame Ozil, I blame Wenger…
Wenger knows his players inside out, he knows their strengths and their weaknesses.
He also knows how Stoke play, so there was nothing about yesterday that should have surprised Wenger, unless he is suffering from dementia.
Maybe, and I know that this is a stretch, maybe Wenger should leave Ozil out of games where he knows it’s going to be a battle?
Maybe, and I know that Wenger considers Ramsey as his adopted son, maybe Wenger should leave Ramsey out of games where a disciplined midfield is essential?
And why was BFG on the bench and Monreal at centre-half?
Holding isn’t injured so what’s going on there, is Wenger sulking?
Don’t blame the referee/linesman, it happens.
Don’t blame the defence you choose.
Blame the preparation, and whose responsible for that…
Scott
There are better managerial options out there than the ‘old pair of jeans’ that is Wenger. It’s time to be brace & accept that change is for the good of the Club. I couldn’t give a rats arse about the shareholders?
Good comment Kev.
Brave
Morning guys i dont even have the strength to say wenger out anymore. Am just sick of it all. Scotty oz i know you want him gone as well and i agree with you that he deserves our respect and all. I ve read your post every year for the last 4 years and mate i know you too cant stand him anymore just cant stomach all the abuses he cops. All that can disappear if he ll just tweak his formation tactics or playing style. Even barca the pass masters are struggling now. Without xavi and iniesta they look ordinary and that’s a team packed with world class ball players. We need to ditch this tiki taka sideways eye gorging boring footie and go back to post 2006 arsenal. Where we blizted teams. The transition from defense to attack was in 6 seconds. Now it takes a whole minute for us to move the ball to the opposition’s half. What happened to him?? This guy could have been the greatest ever. He could have had godlike reputation now but he ll leave in shame. His first ten years bersmurched by his last 13. Its a shame and also heart breaking that this was the same man that brought us the all conquering team of 2000 to 2005. Shame.
Mr Allezkev. A perceptive comment indeed. 🙂
Goonster
Rico, we won the FA cup-wasn’t that long ago.
Plenty of his critics didn’t appear on the net that week lol
Kev, why can’t we blame the officials???
If they disallow a goal and ignore 2 definite penalties, why should we ignore it when we only lose 1-0??
Of course it doesn’t make us ignore our shortcomings, but if we lost the title or missed top 4 by 2 points, shouldn’t we have feel peeved?
Adamant
Good call goonster
I caught the PL Legends program the other day, or whatever it’s called. It was about Tony Adams. Watching it now makes you weep. Literally.
How’s mrs A?
Calm down Stan… ?
Afternoon All btw…
Afternoon Rico and Mr Adamant
Stan, everything we do seems to be struggle.
It really is a shame, because every now and again, even over the last few years, just for a game here and there, we are sublime.
It gives us a sniff of hope, then a week later, we are back to being just decent.
Adam i just loose myself in the invincibles season. I have the season review. I watch it anytime i get really pissed with the current team. Shame. That team had heart, brute strength. Even the flair players like bergy can take care of themselves on the pitch. Even though i hated ajax growing up but i did sneak a few games just to catch glimpse of bergy back then and trust me he wasnt no slouch. He ll fuck you up if you try to get in his face.
Scott, blaming the officials is just deflecting blame, officials make mistakes, it happens.
The major mistake was the personnel in our defence and a midfield that was irresponsible.
I also don’t blame Gazides, his job is to run the business side, a DoF would allow Wenger to focus fully on coaching, which is what he did towards the end of last season when everything went to shit and he could see himself out the door.
Funny how that concentrated the mind…
Lee, to me Kroenke is as responsible as Wenger.
Kroenke is the reason that Wenger is still in situ.
I know your arguments and Adams on this subject, but to me the club lost its winning trophies mentality the day that Kroenke took control.
I’m on about the league Scott, 13 years without a proper challenge for the league…
Afternoon Kev..
She’s ok thanks Stan and sends her best.
When Tony Adams said that he told the players to put their lives on hold because they were going for the title and then Lee Dixon described Tony with his chest puffed out and that steely look in his eyes I said to Mrs A that this is what it used to mean to be a Gooner. I know the game has changed but ffs, if only we had a bit of that sort of identification and love for the club these days.
And the sadness is that Wenger was the manager then too. How come that mindset hasn’t been the fulcrum of his management?
Money probably and the stupid amounts given to mentally weak players.
Tbh, I really don’t see the point of bringing Gazides into the debate, he doesn’t have any influence on the playing side, that’s totally Wenger…
But I do think if Gazides had had his way, that we may well have had a new manager now.
I think most Arsenal fans blame Kroenke for that Kev. How he ever believed giving Wenger a new contract was a good idea, I’ll never know.
What programme was that Adam?
Rico. I think it was something like PL Legends. I caught it by accident but I confess to a tear in the eye listening to big Tone talking. Lee Dixon too was very emotional when talking about Tony’s career and what an inspiration he was.
Rico. On Kroenke, I can only assume that he’d looked at the troubles other clubs were having replacing managers and went with the devil he knew. In other words, when courage was called for, he bottled it. Easy to criticise from the outside I know.
Kroenke gave Wenger a new deal Rico, because he lives in a world of profit in the bank, mediocrity on the pitch.
A new manager might make the kinds of demands on Kroenke that are anathema to his Billy Beane model. It would also bring his lack of ambition into focus and Kroenke prefers to hide in the shadows, making a profit and shafting the fans, just ask the good people of St Louis.
Wenger is more an economist than a football manager and fits perfectly the ideal Kroenke sports director. Wenger doesn’t rock the boat and make unwelcome financial demands on Kroenke.
When eventually Wenger leaves, there will be no hiding place for Kroenke and he knows this, so maybe the Syrup will sell up when Arsene goes?
The problem is we might have a long wait…
Thanks Adam, I’ll see if I can find it on catchup.
Oh to have a Big Tony in our squad now. A man who knows what The Arsenal are all about….
Re Kroenke, yes, he certainly bottled it big time. I reckon Pulis would do more with our defending than Wenger does with the players available.
If that really is the case Kev, why doesn’t Wenger or someone at the club tell us? Only a short time ago we were told the club could pretty much any player barring Messi and Ronaldo.
Adam, Kroenke probably looked at the financial aspect of a new manager more that the teams on field trials and tribulations, he really doesn’t want the aggro, he had enough on his plate with Inglewood.
Kroenke showed his sensitivity to criticism with his hunting channel, he moved smartish then, when the flak came in to change its contents. That gave me hope because we really need to be rid of this man.
I could be wrong, but I’m sure I did hear that his son was in favour of Stan selling up his Arsenal interest, Stan decided to hang on, but maybe we’re seeing the end game of his ownership and Wenger in charge.
We have a centre-half with those qualities Rico, the problem is he was sitting on the fcuking bench.
The A13 is calling….
Yes Kev. But Kroenke is a businessman and as such exists to make money. Personally I don’t blame him for being what he is. When he does sell he will reap a big profit I imagine. But I can see he might think about it if he sees things going south and there’s a big offer on the table.
I doubt many will mourn his departure.
Also, why is he allowing over £100 million worth of players to walk free next summer?
The problem with arsenal fans is we are all flip floppers. We are fickle as hell. One minute we re this the next we re falling out and fighting each other. A lot talked about hitting the club where it hurts most….season tickets merchandises attendance etc but immediately after the FA cup win over Chelsea sentiments changed. We all got stoked and forgot all about the boycott. Look men kroenke is never ever gonna sell. He’s here for the long haul as long as we keep filling up that stadium and buying merchandises. Lets all unite under a cause. Wengerites and wenger out should come together and kick this american turd out of our club. Hit him where it matters most. Profits. Enough talk time for action.
Kev Kroenke is to blame for giving Wenger another contract that is for sure but what irks me is deflecting Wenger’s ineptitude upon Stan. The day to day running is all on Wenger and he has been fucking shit at it for ages…. I bet there’s a shed load of managers that would want the laissez faire approach that Stan affords Wenger. The annual salary bill. The current squad, the transfer kitty and £8.5m pa as a salary!!
Rico. That is a curious thing indeed.
Maybe Kroenke will sell up when Wenger goes. 🙂
It might be said that, if Kroenke is all about the money, perhaps he might see the downside of Wenger’s policy of holding those players to the last year of their contracts and letting them leave for nothing, especially imagining how much they will cost to properly replace. If the team don’t win the PL then the cynical among us might even consider Wenger’s stance on this to have been fanciful and disastrous. To me it reeks of bad planning and sloppy management.
I still think all three could be gone Adam.
Adam, I fully understand and respect your point and I actually blame Fiszman and Lady Nina for handing the club over to him, more to spite David Dein than anything.
But Kroenke, businessman or not cannot escape his responsibility and if we don’t put the spotlight on him this whole charade will just carry on ad infinitum…
Criticising Kroenke doesn’t have to mean that Wenger escapes and it shouldn’t, I blame both equally
Rico. Possibly. The mind boggles. 🙂
Kev. We’ll have the whole season and perhaps next to discuss it. 🙂
Lee, I don’t disagree, but Wenger is there because of Stan.
Stan does not like publicity, especially adverse publicity, so Wenger is perfect for him.
Wenger turns a profit, Kroenke hides.
I want Wenger out, you know that, but Kroenke is to blame and nothing will really change whilst he remains the owner…
The A13 can wait, made another cuppa now… ?
Adam, I had the chance of a ticket for the Bournemouth game, but tbh I’d rather go to work.
I haven’t even watched MotD, I’m so fcuking bored by the whole fcuking lot of them.
Some excellent mass debating since I went down the gym, it`s great how a poor performance can lead to a decent mass debate,…………………………………….I`ll just add that I think it`s plain clear to all that both Wenger and Kroenke need to go !………………….just our fcuking luck that we have the perfect storm of having both at the club !……………………………..carry on as you were !
🙂
Surely we can’t say that Stan is a bad owner until another manager is given all the luxuries that Stan affords Wenger and maybe just maybe they might do a better job….
It’s tedious deflecting Wenger’s ineptitude on Stan, the $1m question is, do you think another manager could of done better job in the last 13 years?? Could a manager do a better job with all the tools Wenger has at his disposal? Resounding yes from me…
Messi to City for 300 million Euros…. Surely not..
Top 4 this season?
Europa cup?
FA cup?
Tin pot cup?
Potentially one of those we can win…..sad but true!!!
Kroenke will never spend as much as the “Big 3” and imo is the real evil at the club, Lee, but I do agree that a “proper” manager/coach would have done a better job with the same tools at their disposal !.
Here again is why I think we are finished in the TW………………………………….
“I expect to sell players first,” the Frenchman said. “We have too many players. It is not manageable. Many clubs are in this situation – that is why the transfer market is quiet.
“We have 33 players at the moment. We have too many players.”
And yes, we all know who`s fault it is why we have too many “deadwood” !………………how many out of the 33 are deadwood ? hahaha
It’s a big fat yes from me too…
Give me the FA Cup now and I`d bite your hand off !…………………………..that would be a great season imo……………………………..slag Wenger and Kroenke off to my hearts content `till May and finish with another FA Cup……………..it`s what dreams are made of ! hahahaha
Yes from me.
The aforementioned foot must be produced in evidence at a hearing of Habeus Corpus. It is innocent of offside until proved guilty in a court of law. In my view it is 100% innocent except for a toenail which will be let out on £52,000,000 bail. Wenger is to be locked in a bullshit cell for the rest of his life.
Good Afternoon Rico !!!
I ask a question to Mr. Rico.
Last time around you mention that HH has completed its 7 years.I am sure if you have a time to analyse your writings and comments and sure they are exactly year after year.
Correct me please if there is/ was any different things between now and then on :
Transfers
Defence
Goal keeper
Management
Comments
It seems to me a very simple thing to do to be an Arsenal blogger .Just copy and paste it and give it a new date.Lol
Morning all, and very succinct opener rico, unlike my short take on Wengers after match interview, late last night on here;-) lol.
Well we are all out in force today, and all agree this is not how we were led to believe things would pan out this season, and so quickly too.
However, I don’t think the board are ever honest with the fans. They take the pizz.
IG said on BBC recently that they had looked all across the UK and Europe at potential managers, and none stood up to what they could see in Wenger’s management. He is the best option for Arsenal. I don’t believe a word he says. He takes his money and does very little apart from going on little jaunts abroad with le prof now and then.
Perhaps he should be expected to do more for his salary. When the proverbial hits the fan it’s Wenger out front copping a face full, not Ivan.
He’s has a brief Q&A with fans and has them hanging on his every word. Job Done Ivan!
*Exclusive Arsenal interview with Ivan Gazidis on … – mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/…interview-with-ivan-gazidis-1322335
Read our full Ivan Gazidis interview on Wenger … you want to see Arsene Wenger lead you through those good …
Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis praises Arsene Wenger’s work over … *
*www.express.co.uk/…/Arsenal-Arsene-Wenger-Ivan-Gazidis…Cached
ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis thinks nobody could have done a better job than Arsene Wenger in the past 10 years.*
*Arsene Wenger spotted in Nice with Ivan Gazidis as … – mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger...*.
If he and Bould really intended to leave, they would have, and if either had any professional integrity they should have left. But money talks.
Nothing will change unless in the next few days the club get their arses in gear and buy decent defenders. Xhaka, Kos (injury prone) even Mustafi would not get into any other top EPL side and we all know it. Merts is over the hill as is Cech. Can anyone see Napoleon having any of them at Manure? Really? Nah.
I disagree with many on here about Ramsey, I like him, but Ox doesn’t have a football brain, imo. Neither does Welbeck, and that’s why he couldn’t cut it at Manure, even under LVG.
Bellerin is playing like an amateur and can’t do anything right.
Ozil is a luxury, who in a creative, successful unit, would do well. We don’t have that and he can’t cope with the rough stuff in the EPL in a struggling side where every attack breaks down, and he is expected to track back. He doesn’t have the stamina. Wheelchair wouldn’t last five minutes either IMO.
Theo? He flatters to deceive, and sometimes he shows a flash of brilliance, just not consistently.
Lacazette? So far so good.
However, after all that criticism, I still want them to do well, and I still love Arsenal. (As does Giroud, so I would never let him leave).
Afternoon Alex, guys. Just had a lovely walk with the hound and not a thought crossed my mind about Arsenal. Hoorah… 😉
Alex, I thought you’d realise by now I’m Mrs Rico… lol
Only two games in and I see Harry Maguire getting plaudits !……………..I talk of him as he was one who I felt deserved a punt at somewhere well under £20M, not only that, but long after I said I admired him Keown came out and said he was the best CB in England !…………although I like Monreal………..Maguire is a proper CB, a big unit who loves bringing the ball out from defence……………Wenger just doesn`t listen to me enough , another reason for him to go !……………..I want a new manager, but one that has me on speed dial ! hahahaha
Hey Rico, how come your game times (top right) are an hour behind ?……………………………..is Berkshire in a different time zone ?
🙂
Alex, I thought you’d realise by now I’m Mrs Rico… lol
Hahaha …..i luv tha
It always does that Lc, I think it’ll catch up when the clocks go back…
But it’s true Alex. Just as your suggestion the posts and comments have been the same for seven years…
My previous post has only just arrived, it kept saying that it was ‘awaiting moderation’. That’s never happened before to me.
Am I being Censored, lol?
Even I had to chuckle, through gritted teeth yesterday, when Keown was asked to sum up Arsenal. He said ‘Very Average’ someone else piped up and said ‘very, very, average’. Ha bloody ha. The truth hurts.
I’m going to email my summing up to Le Prof. Watch this space, LOL.
Not at all Meerkat, adding links to a comment can often send someone into moderation. It’s the spam protector on the site…
Afternoon Rico and All
I like Monrail never thought he would show
this much commitment for us.
Bouldy knows his not an every week centre/half.
Bouldy was one the best centre/halfs we have had
and very underrated.
No he may not be a great coach,but one thing in
knows and that is how to defend,no way in a
million would he set a back five up against stoke
with that lot.
What was them two wing backs doing?
What was them two number 10’s doing?
What the fcuk did he say at half time?
We now have supporters wanting the
BFG (who done great at wembley) back
in the side,how on earth can we compete
with the big boys with a player who never
played a game last year.
The other player Kosser who has an achilles
problem he may play through it but all season
no.
We have a young player Holding who’s not ready
for three games a week,and we have Chambers
who played in relegation team last season.
Question marks all round the back.
Arsene hasn’t a clue about setting a team up
for a punt at the big boys,poor teams with better
managers out think him most times.
As always its our fans who can’t help
them selfs and buy tickets.
Nothing has changed,Arsene still thinks he knows
what to do next..So thats that..Gooners
Good post on 7am Kick-off
Yes a shit weekend, but it could have been a lot shittier if the Spuds had won !………….so I`m going to take a grain of comfort in knowing that lot who I hate more than anything…….yes, more than Kroenke……………….lost !
“Spurs did not lose a Premier League game at home during 2016-17 – but this defeat means they have now lost seven of their past 10 games at what will be their temporary home while awaiting completion of a new stadium at White Hart Lane”…………………………may their splendid form (at our lucky ground) continue . 🙂
Wouldn`t it be a revelation if Arsenal had two disciplined midfielders who sat back protecting the back 3/4 !…………it would be tactical genius, we would probably be harder to beat, have we ever done it before ?…….was it a success ?………… hahaha
Evening Fred. I’m lost for words when it comes to our defending and defence.. but I do think Holding has it all in his locker to be a top top defender…
Wouldn’t it be nice Cocker if our academy developed a few decent defensive mids, but the academy has a whole clutch of small technical midfielders and the one decent looking def/mid, Bielik, is being converted into a central-defender.
You couldn’t make it up
Rico, you can just see it, the first thing a new manager will do when Wenger eventually goes is to sign a couple of defensive mids.
Arsenal haven’t won a league title since Gilberto left, our last proper def/mid…
Can’t see the connection myself? ?
I bet he will Kev…
Bielik Kev? Oh yes, he’s been down the same ‘play you in defence route’ others have… ??
Watched the spuds v chavs
chavs scored two very good goals
spuds was an own goal.
The chavs had a new back three with
five across the middle and one one.,
after going one up the chavs all eleven
defended the last third.
Point being all knew what to do instantly.
Our lot in contrast send most of the game
running into space as instucted by you
know who.
Rico he ruined chambers.
It was a strange game Fred. Totts could so easily been down to nine.
As for Chambers, he’s no different to other youngsters, ruined…
My day is done, night guys…
And now he’s doing the same confidence destruction of Holding. He and Chambers are now surplus to requirements because the old wrinkly one does not know how to improve them and won’t let any other coach get anywhere near them. Why not? Because he would be admitting his own inadequacies as a coach and his failure to have the answers to the Chambers and Holding conundrum!
Idiot.
Conti proved that he is a top, top manager today. Spuds weren’t even it it. ‘Arry didn’t do anything.
It showed us, that going ‘suited and booted’ made the difference for Conti, no naff tracky suit.lol
Guys, why is criticising Stan seen as deflecting criticism of Wenger?
How often do we few who openly hold Stan accountable also openly criticise Wenger, yet that’s all lost in the wash when it suits the argument.
I blame both and always have, yet that somehow gets manipulated by people into me defending Wenger.
It’s a funny language, is English.
Things must get lost in translation because of my Aussie accent lol
Kev, officials have one job-to enforce the rules.
It’s not an easy job, granted, but as long as they do it honestly, most fans would accept mistakes.
Too often, though, those mistakes go against us, and it’s been the case for years.
It’s not an excuse for pathetic tactics or player selections, but it shouldn’t be ignored as a factor, imo.
A goal and two penalties changes the result.
We’d still not be dancing for joy over the performance, but things would be a little brighter, surely.
A fair go is all any team deserves.
Delighted to see Spurs lose, but cannot take as much pleasure as usual because they look much superior to us. Their coach is on another level to ours.
Great result for Chelsea who showed great desire with a severely weakened team.
Unless we have an amazing end to the transfer window we will have to fight hard for a Europa league placing, and it could be a very, very long season.
I must admit, Scott, I do find it hard to understand your Aussie accent, so much so I`ve hired an Aussie translator ! hahaha
Amazing how much respect Arsenal have in the pundit world !………listening to Souness and Henry on SS, Souness says that Spuds can take consolation from the game as they played well and deserved at least a draw !
Stats from both Arsenal and Spuds games and remember they were at “Home”
Spuds :
68% possesion
18 shots (6 on target)
Arsenal:
77% possesion
18 shots (6 on target)……………………genuine goal disallowed and 3 possible penalties ?
I wonder if Souness thought we were deserving of more than a loss ?…………………..yes there are stats and damn lies, but we are definately down the bottom of the media love table ! hahaha
If you really want to know what is wrong with Arsenal on the pitch, take a look at Alexandre Lacazette – Tactical Analysis by Thiery Henry, on you tube. It sums it all up….players who lack anticipation of movement, vision and unwilling to play any pass other than sideways.
Just a thought, but can Henry be Arsenal’s Zidane?……….just a thought.
Obi, I must say I was drilling at the thought of Ozil feeding Lacazette and I still hold out hope, but when we do lack movement off the ball, we slow everything down and it’s terrible to watch, as well as easy to defend against.
LC, what’s a pundit, anyway?
Someone who could play the game-it hardly means they’re an expert, does it lol
Most on here would offer more incite than plenty of these muppets.
I’m working on the Cockney accent, but it’s taking time 🙂
Oh, and Dennis still remains my dream pick as manager, Obi.
Either way, our new guy will have to build his squad, as Zidane walked in to a pretty decent one-that’s not a criticism at all, but our new man will have a bigger task ahead of him.
That’s should read drooling, not drilling!!!
Did anyone see Aaron Moody’s first goal for Huddersfield?
This guy is one very, very good footballer and an Aussie, to boot 🙂
LOL Scott. There was me thinking it was another Aussie word lost in translation:-)
The only good thing today, is seeing that no way will the Potato Men win the EPL. Compared to the depleted Chav side, they were slow and unadventurous.The Chavs defended, shut down and attacked and scored.
I hope Le Prof shows the video of it to our little goonettes at training tomorrow, singing ‘This Is How You Do It’.
Conte has learned a lot very quickly in the last week, and his team are all quality I’m afraid.
He won’t do a Napoleon, and have a second season meltdown.
Scott
I’m having trouble understanding your Sydney accent concerning Aaron Mooy ?
Onya GG lol
Meerkat, Conte is one determined man.
They’ll be thereabouts again, and in no small part because of him.
Our entire club has lost that ruthless determination required to win the title.
I still say it filers down from the very top, but whatever the cause, it’s no easy fix, and will take a massive shake up to get back.
I’d love to see Jose die in the arse this season!!!
PS-City bought a Melbourne A League side for app. 7 million, Mooy was at that club, they sold him for 10 million.
Arsenal and other clubs would have ready made nurseries here if they did the same.
Our coaching at the youth level has improved immensely over the last few years and we will see more and more top class Aussie players in the future.
Citeh has also bought Gerona fc in Spain. A friend who lives there, went to watch citeh play there the other night. Quite a few first team too.
They certainly have their fingers on the pulse. Any new Spanish talent about, and they will know.
If only our scouting system was as efficient. Arsene definitely needs to delegate more if it’s true he micro-manages every aspect of the club. It’s too much for one person.
G’night. 01.30hrs here. I’m only up because my dog is recovering from surgery on his Cruciate ligament. He won’t be fit for saturday,!:-((
Later, Meerkat.
Yes, but unfortunately, Arsene won’t delegate power, so must have it taken from him.
Scott, you are so right about these so called pundits; you get a totally different picture if you really don’t watch the game.
Case in point, they been going on and on about United and how the partnership of Lakaku and Progba is the best ever, after 2 games, but when you actually watch the game, everything positive is through Mkhitaryan but he never gets mention. It is as though they go into the game with a script already.
Obi,
Exactly.
I saw a bit of that game and yes, he was their organiser and creator, from what I did see.
Obi, Henry or Vieria is my hunch, or both…
Scott, Sanogo scored against Bayern, didn’t make him great… lol
Morning all..
Rico, it was other things that made Yaya great.
That was just the icing on the cake hahahaha
Morning Rico. Try though I may, I cannot work out what the whole Sanogo thing was about. It’s not the first time that Arsene has confused me though and I doubt it will be the last. 🙂
Second best Yaya to play in the PL.
None of us can make that claim 🙂
Morning Adam. One of life’s many mysteries under Wenger, that was Yaya Sanogo… ?
Wenger gambles on injured players with a certain quality some work others don’t .Overmars, Kanu worked. but many haven’t :-Sanogo , Karllsrtom , Bischcoff , Stephan Swartz even to some extent Rosicky and Jack, the list is endless. His problem is not knowing when to cut his losses.
He certainly does..
New post up now..