Morning all.
Still smiling? Yes, of course you are, me too. Who wouldn’t be after the kind of performance Arsenal dished up on Saturday evening and the icing on the cake was the victory, the big jug and a couple of records to go with it.
So many times in years gone by we’ve done pretty much everything right during a game but either we’ve faced a keeper in outstanding form, a defence who block everything or we simply can’t hit a barn door for toffee and its cost us points. Sometimes two, other times, all three. Our finishing on Saturday wasn’t the best either but the difference was that we defended really well. Merts, Holding and Ospina actually put their bodies on the line to stop the ball getting past them. Not a sight often seen these last few years. Mustafi is no coward, neither is Gabriel but, Koscielny, for as good as he is, I think he’s a softie. Him missing the final turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Today is the big day for the club. We are at a crossroads and the owner/board must make sure they take the right road. If it’s true and only today at the AGM will the future of Arsene Wenger as far as Arsenal goes be decided then surely there are just three options are available. 1) Arsene Wenger stays. 2) He goes and is replaced. 3) He stays but has to conform to the changes Ivan Gazidis has hinted at.
Most of the newspapers are running with the headline ‘It’s my way or the highway’ theme as they don’t expect Wenger to warm towards or accept any deal which involves someone interfering with his plans, whatever those plans are. As far as transfers go, just two summer signings I read which if true, is unlikely to fill most Arsenal fans with hope that his approach to the game is going to change. Man City are already snapping up players, Utd won’t be far behind and you can bet Roman is already counting out his spare cash before handing it over to Conte. Then there’s the Totts who will no doubt bolster their squad and finally Everton who Koeman will be desperate to improve. Let’s not forget clubs further down the table either, many of whom are slowly but surely catching us up.
But Arsene Wenger has found a new system, well, it’s not that new but it’s not one he’s used for goodness knows how many seasons and it’s paid off. I think I’m right in saying that it all started when we travelled to The Riverside and it was the first time Arsene Wenger had opted for this defensive system since 1997 when Martin Keown, Tony Adams and Steve Bould started at the back together. This time saw Rob Holding get his chance alongside Koscielny and Gabriel. You could tell it was something quite alien to the players but over time, they’ve got better. Our goals conceded tally has dropped and since that trip to Boro with just seven goals scored against us and two of those were at WHL. I make that seven goals in ten games, that’s if my maths is right of course, which isn’t brilliant, but it’s much better than before. Our previous ten fixtures saw us leak 21 goals, so we are heading in the right direction, well, hopefully.
If a new manager does come in this summer, that system may again change, as might the personell, but I’m convinced we are set for at least one more season of Arsene Wenger so perhaps this defensive system will remain in place. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it? But as we’ve all said before, if only he’d made the changes long before he did eh. I guess that’s the difference between a manager who is set in his ways and one who is open to ideas, who can see something is not working at the time and reacting at the first opportunity and putting what’s wrong, right. That’s what makes a winner.
The funny thing is though, on Saturday we faced the masters of three at the back in England, the manager who after getting battered by this Arsenal team, reacted and went on to win the league because of it. Yet we outdid them at their own game.
But one great performance, which I honestly believe it was apart from missing the chance to batter the West London club good and proper, doesn’t mean all is ok in the Arsenal world. An Arsenal world which has been struggling since the day the Invincible players started to depart. Not only has replacing them gone by the wayside, but keeping the better players we signed too. So many have jumped ship for more money or trophies and there’s still a chance something similar could happen with Ozil and Sanchez over the next couple of months. The latter though will always be a stand out at Arsenal but if he moves, he’ll just become another name in a big squad. He loves the football limelight so he might just be convinced that Arsenal is the best place for him to be. Not every manager would give him the kind of playing time he gets with us and all he wants to do is play the game he loves. Imo anyway.
If Wenger does stay, I can’t see us winning the league again because what this group of players under the Frenchman can’t do, is play to the kind of level we saw at the weekend for the majority of the domestic campaign. Either they raised their own game because it was a massive occasion, or Wenger himself raised his game knowing full well another FA Cup trophy might just placate the fans and of course the board and owner, especially after having been on such a good run of results in the league. Or maybe it was simply a case of it just all clicked on the day.
Whatever it was, it was good, very good and if the Frenchman is to stay on for another season or two, we can only hope that Saturday was a sign of things to come although I think I wrote that last May, and the one before that, and the…………
Anyway, we’ll find out very soon what this summer will bring. Maybe a new manager, different coaching staff and scouts. Who knows, we might even get a new owner and board…
All of the above would be the perfect scenario, although a lot to ask I think.
I think it will be option 3. I agree with you about Kos – I actually think he is the weak link of late. Who knows, we could be on the verge of another revolution at the Emirates. Thing is, even though I want him to go, the situation has to be right – a plan in place. The way we played on Saturday, and to some degree in the semi final shows that we can do it and are actually very effective when we play as a team. Today is massive for Arsenal. Let’s hope it is good news all round and that if AW does stay, there are provisos in place to ensure the smooth running and inevitable transition. Also, let’s hope that there are at least two major signings to keep Sanchez and Ozil happy and at the club.
3 for me too Db, that’s certainly the best option IF the club have no plans to replace him. There’s little point in just giving the job to any old manager. I still hope Allegri is ready for a new challenge either after he beats Real on Saturday, or once AW finally leaves….
I wouldn’t be too disappointed if Kos moved to be honest, not as long as we get a more complete central defender in and one who doesn’t turn his back on a shot…
Morning all,
3 for me also. I cannot see Wenger going at this time, i just dont think we have a plan in place and him staying but making some changes is the best thing for the club at this moment.
I hope that whatever we do, it is well thought through with a plan. We need to have identified key transfer targets and go for them properly, get them done and in before pre season so that they can train with the squad!
But this is Arsenal so who knows…
Arsenal with a plan Bumba, that’s asking a lot… 😉
Morning All
Morning Rico, sounded like Reading didn’t turn up yesterday?
Last time Huddersfield Town were in the top division Charlie George was playing for Arsenal.
Enjoy Scott
Rico…..i did say hope 🙂
Morning Kev, they didn’t. Awful game to watch but the right team went through imo. Missed two relatively simple chances, a bit like us on Saturday…
You did bumba. lol
I wonder if this is true:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-agrees-new-two-10527339
Alexis Sanchez is a driven individual, he loved winning the FACup again but he wants the Champions League and a league title and you have to admit that Arsenal are unlikely to give that to him.
I know that money was a big issue, but I’m sure that Cesc, RVP, Nasri, Clichy, Sagna all had one eye on winning a league title or two and were influenced by where AFC were under Wenger and latterly Kroenke and all left and won league titles elsewhere.
Thierry Henry deserved to be a CL winner and had to leave to succeed in that ambition.
So Alexis, who isn’t solely motivated by cash, will look at our situation and balance his trophy ambitions between Arsenal and say Bayern, Chelsea, PSG and Man City.
An uncomfortable scenario for all Gooners.
He looked so happy on Saturday Kev, to be fair he has looked that way for a few weeks now. I think for him it’s about who we sign this summer and what the clubs intentions are which perhaps is one of the reasons Ivan is pushing for change.
2/3 top top players and who knows, he might just stay, Ozil too..
Mind you, I’m just guessing. Just wish there were changes in store after today’s agm…
My worry on that is which top, top players want to come to us at the moment. Ok, we won the cup which of course helps, but we dont have the CL attraction this season and we havent looked truly competitive for some time so i cant see players like Mbappe, Aubam etc wanting to come to us (on the off chance we actually go for them)
Can’t realistically see Mbappe – his fee will break the £100m barrier for sure. Unless…he sees AW as his ideal mentor. We would however be able to afford him if we cleared out the dross and injured/aged stars.
Didn’t stop players going to Chelsea, Utd and Liverpool though bumba…
Db, didn’t Pires suggest we are going to sign M’bappe.. lol
He did indeed Rico. However, I do feel that Bobby is angling for some sort of job…
Some of the fees being suggested and paid simply dwarf the £35m we paid for Alexis and the £42m we paid for Ozil.
The fee for Mbappe looks to be absolutely insane given that he’s a teenager, but in 3 years time some big time Charlie will move for £130m and so it goes…
The game has moved on a lot since 1928 when Arsenal paid a record £10,000+ for Bolton Wanderers inside-forward (striker) David Jack.
That record stood for 10 years!
As do I Db, his head is so far up Arsene’s chuffer these days it’s embarrassing…
When Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, Alan Shearer moved to Newcastle for a record fee of £15 million…
Incredible that we are now talking in excess of £100 million for a teenager…
Afternoon top read Rico,
As expected John Cross reporting Arsene Wenger will stay at Arsenal and has agreed to changes at today’s board meeting with announcement Weds, i,d say it,s very much true.
Meanwhile Tuchel fired at Dortmund , after winning German cup.
Happy days…
I was with you Rico, I knew he was/is going nowhere, it was very clear he wanted to stay because he still believes he,s the best man for the job, Although what possible evidence can he produce that shows Arsenal have improved since he signed his last contract? He can’t. We won the F.A cup 2 years ago and nothing changed, so whats so different now. I,ll certainly watch on with interest to see what this “next level”, he promised to take us to is all about.
Kev @ 11:33, Bayern pulled out of the possible Sanchez transfer because they said his wage demands are too high. I guees Alexis is looking for a big pay day. Rico, my highly placed “sauce” again.
For me is 2, the decision for Barce to go with Ververde was made this month, so it’s not too late for AW to be replaced. We all know where we need to improve in the transfer market.
I think that the probability of Alexis leaving increase if AW stays, and the likelihood of Ozil staying increase with AW staying….. watching the interaction between Ozil and AW after the Cup win was very telling.
Kev @ 11:33, Bayern pulled out of the possible Sanchez transfer because they said his wage demands are too high. I guees Alexis is looking for a big pay day. Rico, my highly placed “sauce” again.
For me is 2, the decision for Barce to go with Ververde was made this month, so it’s not too late for AW to be replaced. We all know where we need to improve in the transfer market.
I think that the probability of Alex leaving increase if AW, and the likelihood of Ozil staying increase with AW staying….. watching the interaction between Ozil and AW after the Cup win was very telling.
Thanks Dublin, Tuchel sacked?? That’s a shock..
John Cross is just a guy who thinks he’s itk isn’t he Dublin? No doubt like many of us, his hunch is he’s staying… I hope we are all wrong.
bi, true, but didn’t Barca know a long time ago they’d be looking for a new manager? Unless a decision was made a while back to replace Wenger, I can’t see how they will sort out a replacement in such a short time. Not this board anyway…
In fact the average age of our board members is 65 years old. Retirement age… 🙂
Obi,must be the smokey bbq this time… lol
BBC reporting Wenger staying for two more years….
David Ornstein
BBC Sport
Posted at
13:19
Arsene Wenger verbally agreed a new two-year contract with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke at yesterday’s meeting.
It will be rubber-stamped by the board today & announced tomorrow.
If proof were needed, here it is!
Oh joy☹️
Wenger agree’d new 2 year deal……Well this will be very interesting
Beggars belief…
What a useless and gutless owner and board we have. If Kroenke did secure Wenger staying during their meeting last night then boy do I hope Usmanov or someone else comes in and buys Kroenke out. .
I just think it is another missed opportunity to show real ambition, to say thank you for all you,ve done for the club, but we are looking for a fresh approach, new ideas etc, moved for Allegri, Who maybe after a few early expected teething problems, could of went on to bring us success.
Instead we,ve just prolonged the inevitable for a further 2 years, so frustrating imo.
I would say he,s transfer policy and continued dithering was called into question at the meeting and rightly so, if true.
But I,d say Wenger,s demands were that he still had full support from the board and the final say on any changes if he is to stay, Sure The board will spin it, and say structural changes will take place, to keep the fans onside, to which when all the furore dies down, I can,t see that there will be much Difference at all.
Shame really.
I’m convinced it’s Kroenke and one or two on the board, the’re the ones who backs Wenger….
It’ll be interesting to hear what changes are to be implemented, or whether or not Ivan Gazidis departs.
Sure will Rico, I think Kroenke has once and for all, deflected the blame From A.W to himself, and if things go pear-shaped next season, it,s going to get ugly for Kroenke, he has certainly made a rod for his own back…
And as for Gazidis, he should just walk, he,s a nothing man, obsolete…
The minute Kronke arrived it was already a done dusted that Le prof will stay.
I dont think that this board or anyone else has a meaningfull say on this apart Kronke and Le prof.
Expect same all same.His prefered pets will be there .
Bad bad bad day
I think Ivan is trying Dublin, he’s just hitting his head against a brick wall…
Two more years of same rollercoaster ish just wiped the smug off my face.
I was ready for an year. But 2?!
Kroenke out!
Worse still Dick law is set to remain. A guy who can’t negotiate a corner. Same coaches same shit. Arsenal is doomed with Wenger and Kroenke at the helm.
Well it looks like a Goonhog day. Same ol’ same ol’.
I really wanted change, but knew really it was much too late. The club should have had someone ready to take over months ago.
Arsene has missed an opportunity to walk out with pride, because this next season it’s going to get worse, we will struggle to be in the top eight. So many other clubs will overtake us, because though the team did well in the cup final, they can’t maintain it.
I agree that Kos isn’t all that, and also agree with Herb re Welbeck not being top drawer. No brain in front of goal. Giroud is an excellent sub to bring on, but is off the pace against most top teams, as will Merts be again. Fitness is a major issue with most of them.
I really am sorry that Le Prof isn’t going, but tbh, the club are useless at decision making and this should have been done and dusted a long time ago. My preferred choice would have been Simeone, but Allegri would probably do a job. Who really knows? look at Pep this year at citeh.
However Citeh, Manure, Chavs will all buy big, and Tottingham will do well again with a great manager.
Kroenke probably lapped up Sundays success and basked in the reflected glory with royalty in attendance too, so he will be happy to keep things as is. He can’t see the problems ahead. Neither can Arsene, because at the first murmurings of discontent, he will be under enormous pressure, and this team don’t have the spirit to rise above it in league games.
It’s not as if we are surprised , the smirk on his face as he held the cup was directed at the disgraces in the crowd and at home. Conte did a great fifth column trick by losing he ensured that the Arsenal are unlikely to be challenging for the real title. Still I have to report that I have found a buyer for my tickets so at least I can gnash my teeth from a distance.
Afternoon all and thanks Rico again !
My birthday today, but it`s been ruined by Ornstein ! hahaha
My best ever Birthday was when we beat Aston Villa 4-0 in the FA Cup Final…………I suppose you have to take the rough with the smooth !.
I know Wavy beat me to it, but here is the official announcement of Wenger`s new contract !
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/869527854731735040
😀
Afternoon Rico and All
Arsene was offered a 2 year contract about 4 months ago
we hear,at the time our team lost the plot and the fans
let them know.
Arsene hit the squeaker Bum Button and the Toys
hit the deck.
Its all very clear now..
So it looks like Arsene will stay..
Another £17million please…Stan..Thank You
2 years ago,I thought The FA Cup win kept him going.
Its Deja Vu 2 years later.
So once again Arsene gets out of Jail.
Arsene can gloat about how we played the last
9 games…But was that him who brought the
improvement in the team?
My opinion….It was our fans who woke these players up.
Nothing has changed for 12 years,
We always done Ok in Cups..Didn’t We
It was great to win the FA Cup…But I wanted The Double
Arsene to walk away smiling.
Instead his final words were,what he called the 1% of
The Arsenal fans who gave him and the players Abuse
and certain board members who refused to back him.
I have a horrible feeling AW stays and Sanchez goes. Oh, how to wipe the smile of FA cup win away.
Happy Birthday Cornwall.
Mine was Friday.
None of us can really say that we’re surprised, I’m not for sure.
Wenger will hopefully feel chastened by this season, the rumours of the Board insisting that he gets his finger out in the transfer window will hopefully prove accurate, because he needs to get his shit in order.
Heavy defeats in China at the hands of Bayern and Chelsea could really put a bomb under his pre-season.
Then we have Benfica, the kings of Portugal, waiting in the Emirates Pot and Chelsea again at Wembley.
Wenger needs to be ‘on it’ from day one or things will really get nasty before August is out…
Kroenke could well find himself seriously in the firing line after this decision.
It’s gonna be an interesting 18 months campers, because if Wenger fcuks up the summer and if goez tits up then he ain’t seeing out 2 years
Happy Birthday Cocker. Hope you had a great day.
Happy birthday Lc, great present eh..
Evening Fred and all…
Nightmares for us all tonight… lol
I say it again, Stan is responsible for the culture at the club, and here is Further evidence-was it really required, though?
He doesn’t care about trophies, though the Cup obviously made his call a lot easier to make.
I really thought Wenger would go, and though a little surprised, it’s hardly earth shattering news that he’s staying.
Fans have a choice now-either rebel against the decision, or accept it and get behind the lot of them, at least until things go south.
No poin moaning about it, really, as Stan has one again shown he couldn’t care less about the fans.
Belated happy birthday Herb..
Seriously hoping Usmanov will save us. He, or another big money bags is our only hope…
Night guys.
Usmanov is involved in a court case in Russia.Hopefully it’s not going to affect his ability to come up with the cash should the heat on Stan get too much.
Evenimg all…………back from the flicks after watching Alien Covenant, bit of a disappointment, same old stuff and not a patch on the original, think it is supposed to be somewhere between Prometheus and Alien !……………….ending was so obvious……………………could be talking about Arsenal ! hahaha
Agree there Scott , I`ll shall as always get behind the team as the season starts until it inevitably goes south…………………or maybe Wenger will surprise us all and get some quality in before our big rivals and not fanny about over fees and wages !………you know what I mean, derisory offers etc`…………………….to keep up with Mansour City this coming season we are going to have to spend £200M………………they`re near £80m already and I dont think the TW has officially opened yet !………………………think that is 1st July !.
But the wonder that is Wenger has been given a ‘war chest’ of……..£100m! What a generous amount.
You know £100m wouldn’t even buy Mbappe not to mention his wages,
Next year? Same old. Same old.
And
We’ve got another two years of this repetitive shite!
Dark here. Just like my mood….again.
Where’s the progress?
I’m pretty sure we will be selling some players.
That 100 million could easily grow, depending on who’s sold.
100M is like 50M in 2008. When we were still scrapping for ‘raw talent’. Am not advocating for extravaggance but the financial bar at the transfer window has been doubled/trippled.
I don’t expect us to recoup much if we were to let go of say Theo, Giroud, Debuchy. Sanogo will walk for free, maybe we can get much if JW can manage to walk at all!
A striker like Kun gets 250k at city, we proudly pay our best half of that? How can we attract players? I mean top draw talent. PEA is set on Real unless you sway his mind (money). As for Mbappe..haha!
We are happy to get a LB for free who other clubs we were ‘competing with’ would probably not get him a first team place. Why not show intent and rattle Bayern for a player like Alaba?
Our ‘chicken budget chest’ can’t buy current Ozil and Sanchez valuations. 100m could get you lots of unkown teenagers though… Well it would be alittle daft to expect arsenal to change.
Thanks Rico.
Dark, dark days for The Arsenal. Even Bob Wilson agrees, and I’ve never heard him criticise before, ever.
As predictable as Arsene is, he won’t go for a striker since we scored a bucketload of them. He’ll be looking for a passing robot who he can play left wing, right wing, central mid and sometimes in defence when we have a crisis like last week.
Time for bed for me, might not be seeing the new changes clearly.
This made me have a chuckle 🙂
Kroenke & jelly back Board, Weak as piss!!!!
Seems Stan is finally getting more unwanted yet well deserved attention and criticism all over the place.
Even Arsenes harshest critics are coming around to where the problem really lies.
Usmanov is our biggest hope and I can’t believe I’m saying that.
Morning Rico. It seems as though the contract extension comes with a few caveats for Arsene, but could be announced today.
Morning all……………Is Santi going to be the new Jack Diabi Rosicky ?
http://news.arseblog.com/2017/05/santi-cazorla-reveals-hes-had-surgery-eight-times-since-november/?utm_source=feedburner.com%2Farseblognews&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arseblognews+%28Arseblog+News+-+the+Arsenal+news+site%29
Morning Adam and all.
As Kev said yesterday, I’m not surprised he’s staying, not one bit. Toothless tigers above him. They are all as bad as each other imo and this club will never move forward until most of them go…
I guess when Ivan said about changes, he knew then that Wenger was staying…
Herb, I must have missed Bob Wilson’s remarks, presumably on the radio. What did he have to say? I have the utmost respect for Bobby and I’ve always valued his opinions and judgement. Can you enlighten us please?
Not feeling any cheerier this morning! Where’s the progress? Where’s the ambition?
Evening rico1 & all,
Its a worry, but I spose I should wait until the finer details of the new deal are leaked/disclosed. to the fans b4 I really pass judgement!
Hi GG, what’s with the ‘1’ on my name? 🙂
When you 1st started on Le Grove you were rico1 🙂
Wavy…..the latest Bob Wilson comments……….
http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/31/arsenal-cant-compete-with-chelsea-manchester-united-and-manchester-city-says-bob-wilson-6674057/
Hey Gnarley, what`s the interest in Tintagel ?………..you and Scott going to buy it and open it up as a `Roo abusing centre ? hahaha……….competition for the Sheep one`s here !………….
😆
Crikey Gg, that was a long long time ago….
New post up now.
No Le Cornwall, a pom refugee who started work with us recommended it while we are down in Cornwall. We don’t have kangaroos in Tassie, only wallabies. Oh & BTW, Australia is part of Tasmania, i.e Melbourne was settled from Launceston 🙂
New Post ! ……………saw it on newsnow ! 🙂
Oh yeah rico, about 10 years by my calculations. I wonder if Pedro & Geoff will have a 10th anniversary shin dig in September. Anyway, off to read the new post 🙂
The length of time Le prof has been there, why aren’t there some good players coming through the arsenal system?
The glow from Sunday’s win is fading fast. i doubt we will be top four again, or win the Europa league.
Two year contract is too long for more of the same. Or worse.
We will never win the EPL again, so best we accept that.
KROENKE OUT! ASAP!