Morning all.
There’s a headline on NewsNow which offers us hope. Mesut Ozil is interested in a move to the MLS. I’ve no idea if it’s true but I’d like to think it is as it makes sense. Any move makes sense though because he can’t be happy at Arsenal. He shouldn’t be that’s for sure as his quality and skills are going to waste. How much money does he need to earn before he accepts his salary isn’t an issue? It shouldn’t be anyway for any gifted sports person but if someone is daft enough to hand it out, I’d take it too but I wouldn’t put that price above my happiness. If Emery goes though, as many of us believe he should, he might find himself back in the team. Love or loathe his attitude, he’s a wonderful footballer on his day.
Wrighty once told David Dein, ‘it’s me or him’ – Rioch was gone soon after and Wrighty, well no one needs reminding of what followed.
‘I genuinely thought that I was going to have to leave because Arsenal never sacked their managers. I felt they would not sack him and didn’t expect them to.‘In the end they did and I ended up staying.
It would have been a massive mistake [to leave] but everyday I would go in and I would just feel very low and very unhappy.’
I can’t imagine neither Edu or Raul run a closed door policy so surely it’s time for our senior players to knock loudly on the woodwork. I’m not suggesting they go in all guns blazing but just say it as it is. ‘It ain’t working boss’ or ‘ I didn’t sign up for this crap boss’ or ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here.’ Aubameyang, Lacazette, Pepe, Torreira, Guendouzi, Martinelli, Bellerin, Holding – the list goes on, are too good to be wasting their time being part of a disorganised chaos that is a current Arsenal team. Saka, Nelson, Willock, ESR, Eddie etc, have too much raw talent to be wasted whilst learning little in the way of positioning or what their role is. As some of us on here said during Arsene Wenger’s final years, we’re fed up watching it so the players must be fed up with playing it. Mesut Ozil might put money ahead of the game but the rest might not. In any case, the days of Arsenal handing out £350k a week contracts appear to be over.
There’s little to no loyalty in the game anymore and if a better offer comes along, I wouldn’t bet at them turning it down if they’re unhappy as Wrighty was. Aubameyang might be the first if his new contract isn’t soon sorted out but as Alexis wouldn’t stick around for Wenger, I don’t expect Auba to stick around for Emery. Next summer Auba enters the final year of his contract so time is running out.
The Arsenal fans are slowly turning I think. Mustafi was heavily booed during pre-season, Xhaka is being booed during our games and on Thursday, despite the club turning the volume up on the halftime music, the boos could be heard. The Emirates had far too many empty seats which wouldn’t have gone unnoticed I’m sure and it won’t be long before our league game attendance drop too as fans talk with their feet.
It all ended well a couple of nights ago because Emery’s changes came good and it’s tempting I’m sure to suggest that was down to good management which is difficult to disagree with but what had gone on before then is the real problem and not only against Vitória. I mean since the day our rather fortunate unbeaten run came to an end last year…
Back then though there was a reason to believe things might improve with time and a squad sort out. Not now though, not for me.
Finally, good luck to England who take on New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup Final shortly. England will need to play the game of their lives to have a sniff of making the final. I can’t see them doing it personally as the All Blacks are one heck of a team. It should be a great game…
Catch up in the comments guys…
Good morning Rico, there’s a story in the Mail about Ozil and the MLS but it’s light on facts and full of conjecture. He’s happy at Arsenal and North London and intends to sit tight. “Advisors” are trying to talk him into a big money move to L A Galaxy to replace Ibrahimovic.
Sounds to me like agents trying to earn a million or ten.
Meanwhile the Star has rehashed the the sit tight on £350k a week story.
Personally I think he will sit it out at least until the summer and see if Emery leaves.
Under an hour to kick off, C’mon England!! 🏉
Morning Cicero, all.
Until something is concrete, journos will always make a penny or two out of an Ozil headline..
Morning Rico/all,
the Ozil situation is a mess of our own making.Some of the people who sanctioned that deal must be still be at the club.I wonder if there is an appearance element to the deal,he isn’t Emery’s sort of player but it makes no sense not to use him at all,even as part of the second string.It makes me think orders are coming from above.Its got to be good though that mega contracts seem a thing of the past,it will be interesting what happens with Auba though,only 12 months left on his contract next summer.I personally think he will be sold.
Ozil ? I wouldn’t be surprised if he just sticks it out, he seems happy to do that.
I’m keeping an eye on the Rugby.
Leicester …ouch !
Morning Limey, I don’t think they are as it was Gazidis and Wenger who sorted his contract. Although I’d imagine Josh or Stanley had to rubber stamp it.
Desperate measures after Alexis left imo.
Morning Rico and all. How about trying a different tack and try to integrate Ozil back into the squad/team? It seems to me that Unai seems intent on humiliating him out of the club.
What a start by England, even a disallowed try has dented them a late penalty stretches the lead to 10 – 0 at half-time.
More of the same please in the second half.
Hasn’t. Hasn’t not has!!!
Morning all. A bit damp again today!
The Ozil situation is very strange. A bit Rodwell like, sit it out and keep taking the cash. Not ideal but understandable. Judging it objectively I think Ozil will out stay Dick and then see what happens next, but he’ll carry on shopping at Waitrose! It is however, a terrible waste of a world class talent. Something Dick the coach should never have allowed to happen. But he did and that is perhaps a measure of his man management skills or, rather the lack of them. Not very impressive from a man in charge of an elite club.
Unless something changes dramatically in the next few weeks, for the good, I’d say wee Dick’s days are very much numbered.
It’s not just Ozil either, is it? Torriera, Lacazette, any of the ‘young ones’ can and usually are hooked before the end of any match. It’s like they’re his whipping boys, or they are nice enough not to complain and just get onwith it! This state of affairs won’t last for long either. Once unrest swirls around a squad it’s like a virus and all the players catch it!
Agents alert Arsenal squad, no reasonable offer considered. An eBay ad!
Can’t believe what I’m seeing in the Rugby.
Where is NZ ?
Arsenal gives a lot of space between midfield and attacking front. Then defend badly. Leicester is very cohesive. Sheffield United can only defend. And what you can do, do it well. Therefore, it only scores corner goals, free kicks, etc. Against Arsenal even managed to build plays. Obviously, because we defend badly.
What a great performance and victory… loved it.
YES. YES. YES. 19 – 7. Fantastic game by England.
🎶🎶Swing low sweet chariot!!!! 🔔🔔🔔🔔
A fantastic and inspiring win and I know nothing about rugby.
Morning Adam, I think it’s gone too far for that to happen..
It’s a couple of islands off the coast of Australia JM. 😊
Rico. I don’t and I don’t think that it is who we are as a club either. I’m not Ozil’s biggest fan as you know but his wages seem to play a large part in any discussion. The club offered them.
Jm, you say that about Sheffield Utd but they scored, plus they had other opportunities to get more. I thought their game plan was excellent.
I mean with Emery Adam. Imo, the only way back for Ozil is under a different manager. It’s happening with Torreira too albeit he’s playing in the Cups.
Agree re his wages Adam, it’s not his fault he was awarded such a huge deal. I’d have taken it too. That deal had panic written all over it imo.
I agree Rico. Emery seems to have tried to stamp his authority by ostracising Ozil. He might have been more effective if he had learned to speak English properly to communicate.
The whole Ozil debate has become too toxic when other players go out and put in terrible performances week in week out and sail on.
I think something has gone on between the two of them Adam like a big fall out…
Rico. Me too but the club comes first and there are lots of fall-outs and character clashes at every club. A bad performance tomorrow will bring the end a bit closer. Unfortunately it’s where we are and it needs sorting sooner rather than later.
When the fans stop believing, clubs get in trouble.
Absolutely Adam, the club is much bigger than any one player or manager.
I think we all agree it needs sorting out but until someone at the club makes that decision, we’re snookered. I remain optimistic that Emery’s body language on Thursday told a story.
Another international break looms, perfect time I’d have thought.
Agreed.
Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home….
As mentioned above, the language issue has pretty much alienated Emery from the fans, it’s painful listening to his pre and post match press conferences so I stopped listening over a year ago…
But then he does surround himself with a staff of 6 Spanish speakers and it’s therefore no surprise that he ends up talking like the waiter out of Fawlty Towers.
As for Ozil, the whole subject bores me rigid, he’s been a huge waste of the clubs resources for a very small return, just compare him and Hazard in Baku.
It’s all about the brand with Mesut, his social media spin machine and how much money he can generate outside of the club, he’s toxic and is poisoning the club from within, its all about him and his shallow ya gunners ya crap. The sooner he fcuks off the better for all of us.
Unfortunately for us and the club, Emery is so dense that he makes it easy for Ozil.com to run rings around everyone at the club.
But I’m sure that Edu and Raul can recognise the damage he’s doing so he’ll be gone very soon.
The best way to damage Ozil Incorporated is to starve him of exposure on the pitch and therefore damage his image and ability to make money off of it…
The sooner both Ozil and Emery are gone the better…
I can see it now…… Arise, Sir Edward Jones…. Bonzer!
rico, because they were played against Arsenal.
Emery went undefeated in 18 games with Ozil and Torreira in the starting lineup. All of the sudden Emery decided that Ozil is supplement and Torreira is not “good enough”. After his tinkering the team has performed horribly since. As JM said its not just the players but also “the setup of the team”. Additionally, why make an example out of Ozil alone, others are consistently horrible and they play?
I really don’t think its a language the issue. Many mangers have retained success without speaking the language. Moreover I doubt if even the English players understand/ understood Roy Hogdson, Allydice, Pulis or Mcleish.
I haven’t talked about the game with Vitória yet. Facts:
a) It is obvious that they have seen and studied Arsenal’s two games in this competition (Typical of Portuguese coach) b) It is impressive the opportunities they created by appearing in the area with the same number of players (or more) as the number of defenders. c) They defended everyone, tightly closed, taking advantage of Arsenal’s mistakes. d) I have already posted here that against these teams, the strikers have to move and clear to create the demobilization of the markings. Failing to do so, the midfield player (s) must have the full initiative of the game and the defense is always facing the game to their advantage.
e) As a result, there are few scoring opportunities, few attacks, few shots and any loss of the ball, displaces the whole team. f) Two games are practically the same, with the same mistakes and the same approach. One was lost; On the other hand, we were able to gain lackluster and perhaps unfairly.
A bad worker will always quarrel with his tools. Sometimes, I think we are unfair to Ozil. We offered him $350,000/a week when we looked desperate.. He never forced anybody. Even the fans urged the management to break the bank in order to keep him. Except there are other issues between Emery and Ozil, how many of our players are playing well? And why should he leave? Happiness? Whose Happiness?
The way Emery sets up, bar Guendouzi, which other midfielder plays well? Is our attack playing well. Can this team string passes together? Emery promised pressing, attacking with intensity, marking and being protagonists, which of them is happening? Ozil for me is a convenient scape goat and this is the same person that almost frustrated Ramsey at a time.
Emery out!!!
I’m not a fan of Ozil Obi, but as you and others have said, he’s not the only one letting the team down. Emery being the main one because he is responsible for managing not only Ozil but others too and like Wenger, it seems he has his favourites.
I’ve just twigged why Emery looked so gloomy when Pepe scored the winner the other night.
He had been told that if we lost the game he would be sacked and therefore due a large sum of money in compensation, he could then take a nice holiday with the family and move back to Spain before the English winter set in. Pepe’s two goals earned him a reprieve and spoilt his plans of a quiet, restful Christmas and a pile of unearned dosh. 😉
Never a truer word Cicero! Emery out!
I mean what is this winter going to bring? We’ve just had at least 48 hours of straight rain and only one day free of the wet stuff since September 23rd. Not normal.
If I were Dick I’d want to go back home to a few riots and wet weather, perhaps even a bit of snow, down Barcelona way. P’raps he could join the local militia to fight off the pesky Castilians. But, I doubt it😎
Post script
Amongst the longer serving Arsenal loyal supporters can you help me remember?…..I was at a game, a European game Inter Cities Fairs Cup I think. We scored 9, yes 9 and believe it or not I wanted the game to end because the whole thing had become so embarrassing! (Mind you if it had been a league game esp against manure 10+ would have sent me into ecstasies!) I think it was a Norwegian side and, they were crap. none the less I was there…team name anyone? Late 60’s I reckon.
Thanks in advance.
Eberning all.
As pretty much as most seem to be saying………………………….it`s a two horse race to see who leaves first.
My money is on Emery as Ozil is a man of his word and has said he will see out his contract and Emery will be sent packing when we do not get CL whether from top 4 or via EL, so his only hope is winning both domestic cups !………………he`s a Goner, he will be paid off handsomely and restore his castle in Transylvania………….. hopefully he`s replaced by an ex-Gooner player.
Mourinho did mention awhile ago that his next job will be in London?
Surely not Chelsea again, not as they’re doing really fine under Lampard.
Pochettino must be safe at Tottenham, I can see no way that Levy is going to sack him.
Pelligrini at West Ham, the Olympic Stadium, not much dough to spend, would that tempt Jose?
Watford? Not really London is it…
Hmm, now I’m struggling, Adam did mention Orient, ha ha, he’s a bit of a card… 😉
Crystal Palace, now there’s a challenge, but not for the Special One I suspect?
Ah yeah, Arsenal, now wouldn’t that be a shock…
I’ll leave you to mull that over.
Night All….
Oh thanks Kev that’s really cheered me up.
I’ve been an Arsenal supporter since I attended my first game at Highbury in 1950, Arsenal will be my team forever, of course, but as I’m already somewhat disillusioned by the present situation the arrival of Mourinho as manager would be another nail in the coffin of my support.
allez,why not Milwall? or QPR? or Chalton? or Brentford?
or Totts ladies?
we wants money to spend to build a good team; the name of the team is secondary.
Morning All, no nightmares I hope Cicero… 😁
Correct JM, but I’d imagine that Mourinho would be, at this stage of his career, attracted to a club that doesn’t sack you at the drop of a hat and also to take over Wenger’s project would I believe appeal to him. Just saying…
Crystal Palace, last seasons failure at home to them, Mustafi, Zaha, Ozil, it’s all set up for an invigorating afternoon…
Just watched England vs New Zealand highlights, loved the way the England players didn’t celebrate at the end, very understated, totally focused on the next game and recovery.
Morning all.
If I ever see Joe Say managing our club, I’ll sit the seasons out.
Can’t think of many less appealing things.
I can imagine why Mourinho would want to join Arsenal. His aim would no doubt be a European cup, a ‘told you so’ kind of thing if he were to win one. A big one over Wenger moment..
Morning all
Yeah but Scott, Jose would play Ozil, surely that would please all of his fans?
Exactly Rico, it’s not as if he needs the money, but the thought of winning the Champions League for the first time for Arsenal, now that might just attract him…
I hope everyone remembered to put their clocks back an hour last night… 🙂
I didn’t 😄
Cant we go back in time and have Wenger as manager and abuse him, then he quits and someone puts Count Emery`s coffin in some concrete and he`s late for the interview and we appoint Arteta instead !
Apparently Emery has discussed the Ozil situation with the club’s executives and received their backing for his policy (of not selecting Ozil). If true that suggests to me that Ozil may be moved in January and Emery’s job is safe…..for the time being.
16 all after 67 minutes. Extra time anyone?
Agree Kev, that’s the kind of thing which would give him a twitch in his pants. 😆
I did, just took advantage of the extra hour snoozing…
Looks like it’s going to be SA next weekend then…
New post up now