Morning all.
Herbs Army left this comment on HH just a few days ago. It tells a story, a good one too of just how things have gone sour over the years…
Most clubs would have used the pain of a CL final defeat as a way forward. To step back after the raw emotion has cooled, and reflect on what a remarkable achievement it was getting to the final, but that next time there is a collective determination to go one step further and claim the prize.
It is disturbing though how quickly Arsenal changed after that 2006 defeat in Paris.
Having allowed Vieira to leave in the summer of 2005, the ‘Invincibles’ were further dismantled after the CL final with Bergkamp retiring, Pires being allowed to leave and losing one of the world’s best left-backs (at that time), to a direct rival.
It’s reminiscent of how quickly Bertie Mee broke up the 70-71 ‘Double’ winning team, the difference being that 35 years on, the club had the resources to make sure they could remain ‘legitimately’ competitive, even during a stadium move.
Losing over a third of the side is massive, and the club have been playing catch-up ever since.
But most of us wrote off 2006-07 as the season of transition, trying to embrace our new state-of-the-art stadium and make it feel like the new ‘Home of Football’ yet eleven years on and it still doesn’t feel like a good fit.
So we brushed off the disappointing campaign of 06-07, we still qualified for CL, the second-string lost a League Cup final, the CL and the FA Cup were instantly forgettable, but there was still plenty to be optimistic about and the manager still retained the love and gratitude of the fans.
We were dealt a big blow in the summer of 2007, when 12 months earlier a new lucrative 4-year contract had been signed, Thierry Henry left for Barcelona. However, with a new strike-force of Adebayor and Eduardo, 2007-08 was looking extremely promising right up until that horror moment at St. Andrews, which was to effectively end Eduardo’s Arsenal adventure. The referee also awarded Birmingham a late penalty that never was, and a 2-1 lead ended in a 2-2 draw. In the immediate aftermath of that, our momentum crashed and our season never recovered.
But no-one could attribute blame to anyone, because we had been incredibly unlucky, and had Eduardo not been so horrifically injured, Arsenal might well have won the title.
2008 was a defining year in Arsenal’s recent time-line.
I’m not going to mention Chelsea or City, because whilst I acknowledge their ‘new’ money has massively impacted the PL and beyond, we shouldn’t be naval-gazing and criticising other clubs for doing something Arsenal refuse to do. There can be no other reason for the ‘self-sustaining model’ than the personal greed of the share-holders, because Arsenal just weren’t that club before WWII. Chapman was given whatever he required to make Arsenal the best, and that’s why it’s impossible to compare him with Wenger.
Equally though, when fans are told by important club employees that Arsenal are in line to be as big as Bayern Munich, or that they can afford to buy any player on the planet apart from Messi and Ronaldo, either the club are massively conning their fan-base, or the manager is falling considerably short of what is expected.
We had already been warned that our spending power would be severely restricted because of the stadium move, which we accepted because the promise of ‘jam tomorrow’.
But two things happened that have had major ramifications for the product we have today. Stan Kroenke became our major share-holder, and David Dein was forced out of the club. Dein got things done, there was no dithering or dragging out transfers – although they wasted plenty of money getting a few wrong – but it’s no coincidence that during his time at Arsenal we saw some of the best football ever played, but since his departure, almost every season since 2008, Arsenal collapse at exactly the same period of time.
Together Wenger and Dein were a formidable force, but since his departure, Wenger has been fire-fighting alone, often defending the indefensible, and the damage it has done in football terms is immeasurable. The direct consequences for gaining Kroenke and losing Dein are there for us all to see.
The promised jam tomorrow is not being delivered and isn’t even in the loading bay waiting to be processed.
Arsenal have been re-designed and re-branded, not for us the supporter, but purely for the corporates.
The important decisions at Arsenal are made purely from a financial perspective rather than any pursuit of sporting success. It feels more like we’re supporting a financial institution than one of the country’s leading football clubs.
By Herbs Army.
Morning all.
Top post, Herb.
Money-it ruins so much.
good morning.
Agree with the post.
I always thought about David Dien’s departure changed arsenal but nobody seems to care. And today I read this awesome argument and it’s well said.
Thanks admin.
Great post Herb as I aid when you left the comment. Losing Dein was a problem, allowing Wenger to choose his replacement was perhaps the worst decision the club made at that time.
Where else in business does a member of staff interview candidates who will be his/her boss?
Rico, it’s the most ridiculous situation I can imagine.
It shows a distinct lack of leadership.
It was the biggest mistake to lose a guy like David Dein, he was the rock of the club, since he left, Arsenal never did anything that we can appreciate as supporters. Everything is going the wrong way.
If I was Wenger, I wouldn’t have even wanted to be part of that interview process Scott. I’d have rather concentrated on football and the team.. Not what’s going on ‘above’ me…
Agreed, Rico.
He wants the control.
Stan doesn’t.
It’s the perfect scenario for them, but the worst possible for everyone else.
If Wenger had the bollocks he would have walked when Dein was removed . That was when it was time to stand up and be counted. His staying allowed the board to ride roughshod over everything and turn it into the gentleman’s club it is now with it’s old boys board and diamond friends and celebrity fans being well looked after.
Can’t agree entirely Scott. Stan knows bugger all about football in England ‘d imagine, he delegates so someone on the board is surely doing things on his behalf. If they tell him all is well, what is he to do?
I don’t like Kroenke one bit but from thousands of miles away and in a different time zone, what can he do about Wenger’s tactics, team selection etc etc on a match day? Nothing.
Interesting if Koscienly’s comments about the team selection are true.
Potter, well said and not wishing to sound like a know it all as I’m not, I thought the same. His best mate at the club dumped without just cause as far as I can make out and he did nothing to help him.
I’d have gone because without Dein, Wenger was lost. It’s like the two Ronnies without the Barker, or Eric and Ernie with the little man….
Just looking at the last 4 fixtures of the season when the top 4 will be decided imo, we’ll by fuck were fucked…?
(A) to spurs (when was the last time we beat them in the PL?
(H) utd, wenger can’t beat that little prick unfortunately.
(A) stoke, when did we last win up there?
(H) Everton (koeman has been getting the better of wenger now for a while.
Europa league it is imo.
Cracking post Herb, keep them coming!
The myth that Wenger leaving will be like when Fergie left is total bollocks imo…..Fergie last 13 seasons won 7 titles, Wenger fuck all titles in the same period.
Wenger’ European record is appalling, the invincible team should won a European title….
Also finishing outside top four will be a disaster, another myth…..doesn’t seem to be affecting Chelsea does it?
Finally, we smash Chelsea and their manager does something proactive about it, we lose and Wenger does fuck all!
He’s finished as a manager and it’s fraudulent he’s is being paid what he is imo
We’ll win three of those and draw one Kel, that’s what we do at the end of the season… 😉
If we’d only listened to Dein we would have Kroenke as the owner and be playing our home games at Wembley now. The man was almost a prophet.
You tell it as it is Lee… 😉
Can’t disagree by the way. How Wenger didn’t win in Europe with that Invincible team shows just how hopeless he is on the European stage. And wasn’t there someone else involved at the club who helped us to Paris in 06?
Yet straight after that, he was gone and all probably because of Wenger’s ego…
Also, he managed Pires well after that didn’t he….
Rico, If the man made any demands of Arsene, other than on the finance side of things, it’d be a start, and that’s not an issue that requires football knowledge, imo..
I just can’t see where the needed changes will come from.
Who will make them?
We know who won’t, because he’s busy counting buffalo, and his dollars 🙂 🙂
Let’s all hope Arsene is tired of it all, because that’s probably the only way any change will be made.
Not long got back from the gym – no really….
Morning Rico, if you’d had a heat map on me whilst I was on the exercise bike you would have been impressed…
Morning All, morning Adam, morning Lee.
God I feel ready to go. I could bench press my taxi….
But why should he Scott? How can a man who knows little about the game demand better football?
The board are different though perhaps…
Lee I’ve been saying that for ages in conversation about the fergie v wenger comparison.. all I hear is Arsenal will fall like utd hmmm I say to myself really from what winning titles, champions league finals etc… we’ll fall from on average 3rd/4th to 5th or 6th… buthe imo that’s already starting to take shape atm under wenger himself…
Wishful thinking Rico win 3 outta 4 of them haha what you been smoking. ?
Also Scott, Wenger should demand more from himself, and the players…
Morning everyone. Top post Herb. Pretty depressing situation currently, can’t see it changing. Given up hope now for Dean and Usmanov to ride in on horseback. It’s all so cosy at the top right down to Wenger.
Morning Kev, I thought that was you across the gym… I was on the treadmill…
Rico, as I’ve said before, my opinion is Arsene is stuck in the mode of having us finish top 4 with as little expenditure as possible-not an easy habit to break, imo, especially as he gets older, but he did it for so long, he’s absolutely buried in that menatily, I believe.
Stan doesn’t need to know anything about the game at all to know that fans want more.
Is anyone at the club giving him feedback?
What’s Ivan actually do?
Stan can’t possibly be so naive, can he?
I’d say the opposite is the truth-he’s smart enough to know he’s got the perfect manager to fulfil his requirements, who also doubles as the perfect fallguy…..fans hate Arsene more than they do Stan.
Stan won’t move him, and we all agree on that, Arsene carries on believing he’s best for the team, and he’s doing everything the owner asks, so who are we to criticise???
That is tongue cheek, of course, but Stan is the owner, and what he says, goes.
Why doesn’t he say “do what’s required to win the League”?
We all know why, of course, so how people don’t hold him accountable is strange, imo.
Anyway, it is what it is.
This week, I’m thinking Arsene will stay on, but that’ll change again soon lol
Night guys.
Hope the weather is kind to you all.
David Dein wasn’t perfect, by any means, but he wanted Arsenal winning trophies, I’m not sure that Chips Keswick knows what the Premier League is…?!
If I recall, Dein persuaded Wenger to stay when he was sacked, but I can’t say 100%…
Personally I miss Peter Hill-Wood, nobody could insult the fans with quite the class and elan of our dear old Pete…
Ah Rico, I did wonder who that exciting young lady in the Arsenal leotard was….?
You kept that quiet… ?
Honest Kel, you wait and see… My crystal ball have predicted it, along with the stats and facts from past seasons… 😉 😉
Of course not qualifying for the UCL for one season will not be a disaster but any more than one season will be disastrous for a club set up as that.
How can folks compare us to Chelsea when the major difference between us and them is that their owner invest his own money at least he use to whilst we work on a self sustaining model.
Only those in denial or allowing their emotions to cloud their judgements will dismiss the clear evidence of where we are.
Difference between us and Chelsea:
1. We have penalties in our puma contract demanding we make UCL qualifications. Our annual £30m drops by 30%
2. Without UCL qualifications we also lose up to 24% of Tv revenue i.e number of games shown
3. We also lose UCL TV money plus gate proceeds.
4. Chelsea have only been out of UCL for one season under Roman. The first time the did not qualify via EPL table, they qualified as winners.
5. Now the £200m warchest… if we are out of UCL for 2 seasons that war chest will be drastically reduced unless 1. we reduce player salary or 2. increase gate revenue.
If UCL is not so important to clubs without oilers aspiring for top 4 then why is it that the spuds and bin-dippers hiring managers with one aim to make UCL qualification.
Folks make bold statements without any basis most times
Unless folks are going to bet their mortgages on the premise that Stan will sell the moment we are not making top 4?
Stan’s other franchises show what will happen…
No disrespect intended but lets debate on facts not just if and buts and the unknown. imho of course
Many questions Scott and I don’t know the answers. Don’t get me wrong though about Kroenke, I wish he’d leave along with the rest of them…
When Hazard scored Roman was jumping up and down;
can anyone hazard a guess as to what Stan was doing when the ball hit the net?
Just as an aside Kel- I have been on train with Chips Keswick to away games loads of time; even to Stoke… I have seen him at least 3 times this season from Euston and Kings Cross.
I am not saying IG does not travel but I have never seen IG on the team bus or travelling with chips… I am only talking about away games anyway…
Well Ginge, you’ve summed that up very concisely, and pinpointed the major schism between the suits and the fans.
The suits focus totally on the bottom line and maintaining income.
The fans want ambition on the playing side.
At the end of the day it comes down to want we as fans want, because without us, the suits are nothing…
It’s the reason I don’t stand in my local Santander branch for 90 minutes…
But you make some good points…
It cost united £5.2m to sack Moyes and £8.4m to sack LVG.
Can we honestly say Stan or IG will spend close to £14m to sack 2 managers?
Yanited have lost £200m in projected revenue since fergie left.That is our so called reserve chest.
It cost Chelsea £31m plus to get rid of £31.4m; ok it is working with Conte but if it hadn’t then another cheque by marina from Roman…
Can we honestly see Stan and the club doing that?
I met Bertie Mee and Bob Wall on the train to an away game, last away game of the season following Bertie announcing his retirement.
Bob Wall was an absolute gentleman and Bertie was a nice guy.
Couldn’t we get Bertie Mee back then Kev? Alongside David Dein of course.
If we could Adam, I’d quite like to see Terry Neill have another go…
That would be great. 🙂
I was going to shout over Kev, but so many men with blue eyes caught my attention… 😉
Still Rico, HH is a lot busier now we are doing so badly. 🙂
Is that you sat with a bag of chips Ts… ? 😉
Why would the club have to fork out to sack two managers Ts?
Didn’t you just suggest we debate on facts not ifs and buts?
Also, people here are free to debate about what they choose, not what you choose…
Why is it that so many believe things will go so terribly wrong just because Wenger leaves?
I just don’t get it, it’s hardly like we are winning the PL and CL each season…… pfff!
Yes Rico, there is a larger than usual amount of rather good looking blue-eyed types in this part of Essex, maybe it’s a throwback to the Vikings? ?
Some with beards apparently Kev… 😉
Yes Rico, Giroud would fit in well… ?
Dein is a massive Arsenal fan whereas Gazidis is a PR/Business man. One cares about results the other cares about profit margins and shouting from the rooftops when we seal another corporate deal with India, China or wherever!
Sadly the days are long gone where we even compete in the transfer market. Record or glamour signings like Alex James, Bryn Jones, Alan Ball, Malcolm Macdonald and even Charlie Nicholas are a distant memory. When was the last time we actually went head to head with a big club and secured a major signing? I don’t count Sanchez because it was only the dippers. The major European players weren’t interested. Wenger’s comments about Kante were his way of trying to save face for not being in for him. Wenger is still held in high esteem by French players so Kante would have jumped at the chance to play for him and it could have been wrapped up by or during the Euro’s whilst Conte was still occupied managing Italy! Instead Arsene’s eggs were firmly in the Xhakha basket!
I just read that we’ve spent £80m more than Chelsea since 2013……amazing fucking amazing!
No beard anymore….
Not sure where those figures come from but a little research shows
Jose alone spent £105,909,000 in 13/14; £118,300,000 in 14/15 and £67,950,000 in 15/16 before he was sacked…
The only reason Chelsea have spent £7m a year less than us is because the Blues have sold players for a total of nearly £300m whilst IG and co. can’t sell a bottle of water to a rich arab…
So ask yourself why we can’t sell players for decent money??
Maybe we over pay shit players?
Our nett spend is £82.49m more than Chelsea since 2012/13
http://Www.transferleague.co.uk
They’ve also won a PL title during that period something Wenger has failed abysmally at for 13yrs and counting….
Here the perfect solution to the Arsenal problem. Fire Ivan, let AW officially do that job. Hire a new manager, hopefully a very progressive one. In this case AW still watches Stan’s money; Stan is happy, AW is happy because he’s still involved. And the fans are happy because both AKBers and AOters are happy. It’s very simple….lol.
Obi haha!
Lol.. Obi I would like a cushy job at Arsenal as well mate… 🙂
We can debate until the cows come home but its all about accountability…
“WHAT” accountability………………???????????????
Lee, get a shave ya scruffy git………..
It’s all about the bottom line.
Arseblog made an interesting point, reminding us that Gazides said, a few years ago, that it’ll be the fans that’ll decide if Arsene stays or goes…
Well what’s the point of the Board then?
If they’re not capable of making a decision why don’t they all fcuk off…
Put the guys from Arsenal Fan TV on the Board…
🙂 Wath. ha ha ha
I remember very well what IG said.
Wath- I wont be surprised if the guy with the mic on AFTV changes his tune very quickly once he becomes a board member and he realises that AW is the reason why we have such high quality canapés… 🙂
Bobj- so true about us competing with another club for a player.
The last time we competed with more than one club for a player was free agent Chamakh. :P. We were against the bin-dippers and Lyon, OM and Seville
OM and Lyon had no chance because they could not much our £90k salary whilst Daglish missed all his French classes so he could not woo ‘Maroune’ with the language of love. 🙂
Now rico and Wath let my man truthspeaker aka David Icke out of moderation. 😛
When I read truthspeaker’s comments yesterday, I was like isn’t it a little too early buddy….. then I realized the time zone difference…..lol. Nothing matters lets just all go home.
When I first saw TruthSpeaker I thought it was Adam under another name.
Unfortunately I can’t post columns on here so bare with me…
Assuming we were in Stans’ shoes and we tried to work out how much a point was worth monetarily in the top 4 as a lower end billionaire who is not supporter or whether to sack AW so that we could potentially win trophies and if trophies was worth the investment.
Let’s look at the following:-
wages spend net spend revenue 2016
Man city -£225m £662m £94m £352m down from £356m
Yanited £221m £654m £92m £395m
Chelsea £218m £590m £30m £319m down from £324
Us £320m £200m £42m £345m up from £302
Liverpool £166m £467m £32m £298m up £60m
This quick summation shows that we are the most profitable team in England; and AW is the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Now why should I sack him if I have no emotional attachment…
If Aw says he is doing the best for the club maybe he has a point in a deluded way…
We are truly fecked…
🙂 Kev, Obi- just because you don’t understand the message does not mean you have to knock it. 🙂 Spent an afternoon with Mr Icke and his reptilians on the isle of wight and you will be convicted. 😉
Sorry Ginge, I’ve run out of shell suits… ?
How the heck can anyone work out what ‘a point’ is worth??
Is it me or has the entire world of football gone mad….??
And what has David bleedin Icke got to do with Arsenal…..
I thought Wenger needed the white coat brigade, perhaps I’m wrong and it’s me who needs them…..
And there was me thinking the way forward was to debate facts… 😳 😳
I think even I’ll resort to swearing soon…. lol
Oh, afternoon all…
Come on Kev- a purple shell suit with tan coloured brogues is eye candy for the ladies.. 🙂
Hi Rico and HH.
Thanks Rico, I’m extremely flattered that you consider one of my comments worthy of a headline Post. Thanks to all those who contributed too.
As none of us have a clue as to the inner-machinations that drives the club, it is all conjecture and guess work.
What is a cast-iron fact is that Arsenal are failing to keep the promises they made in 2006, and they are failing to keep pace with the clubs they said we’d be competing with, and to blame Chelsea or City’s new-found wealth only highlights their own short-comings and naivety.
Wenger is the fourth highest paid manager in world football without ever convincing anyone that he fully appreciates the nature of his task.
William Gallas is the latest in a long line of ex-players to add to the debate of Wenger’s ability, saying the difference between him and Mourinho is Mourinho wants to win every game, and football is about winning trophies so that players know they’ve had a successful career.
It all revolves around the evil triumvate of Kroenke, Wenger and Gazidis, the worst thing ever to happen to our club in its 130 year history with no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel.
A shocking and depressing state of affairs hangs over Arsenal, and no-one at the club has the integrity or the balls to change it.
Hi Herb, don’t over sell HH… 😉
Seriously, a cracking comment/post as sonoften is the case and for fans like me who weren’t born and bred in london, reading about the history of the club is something I find really interesting as it’s real and your views are heartfelt.
In this modern world, there’s so much bollox written or spoken about in the media, but no one understands like those born into the heart of our club with no other choice to become part of it.
I love the real, not the stats, power teams, possession v whatever and all the other rubbish Sky Sports publish a graph for as it’s boring. Watching a game is the best, we are either good, or bad and right now, it’s the latter.
Like you, I don’t care about what other clubs spend, or how they operate because Arsenal are who I care about and they are tight these days, soft, and gutless…..
Hey Ginge, I know you work for UNCLE, but have you been looking in my wardrobe?
Good comment Herb.
Hi Rico. Superb Post Herb.
I am numb – feels like an annual event. Scary point I am losing heart and feelings until this mess gets sorted. Due to its consistency majority are at explosive levels and cannot contain anymore. The solution is for AW to announce he is relinquishing control and power end of season.
We can spend the next several months united and can applaud his wonderful achievements for the club. AW has been a wonderful servant but his arrogance has allowed him to become blind to reality as the BOD have given him power greater than any manager.
We are at a tremendous crossroads. AS17 and Ozil are off, Have many mercenaries among the squad who have no true Gooner feelings in alliance with the fans. Once we break Top 4 the spiral could be Top 8 as the teams just below Top 4 are not that much weaker. I vote for Allegri or Simone 2 managers who are use to the pressure. Now Ex Gooners are coming out against AW. Time will tell. It is Arsenal FC not Arsene FC. Cheers
Hi a117..
Hi Rico – What happens if Sky reports are true that AW has been granted 2 year contract……….
Stan must go before we can be a great and dominant club, and that is a fact.
Yes, Arsene, as well.
Does anyone know how to achieve this, though??
Waving a little poster when we lose achieves nothing, really.
Well, other than atttacting the attention of a Neville lol.
We could potentially be having these same conversations in 5 years time, so what does that make Arsenal fans??
Is there enough passion amongst Gooners to force change, or are people really just kidding themselves into believing they have true passion by merely complaining when things aren’t going well??
Liverpool got rid of owners.
It can be done.
Scouser fans can be criticised, and deservedly so lol, but they acted.
So I ask, is there enough real passion amongst Gooners, as a collective, to force change, or are we, At some level, happy waving a little poster or using the net to show our discontent?
If goal ae to be believed for the first time ever…
Koscieny- “The club knows that I am here most of all because of Arsene Wenger. He is the one who signed me and he is the one whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want to be clear what the manager is going to [do in the future].”
Theo- “He did a speech the other day. I won’t be able to do the speech because it was that good. It genuinely reminded me of that film ‘Any Given Sunday’ and I actually said that to him.
Ozil- “The club knows that I am here most of all because of Arsene Wenger. He is the one who signed me and he is the one whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want to be clear what the manager is going to [do in the future].”
Mustafi “Personally I think the first thing you do is blame yourself. The most important thing is to look what you have done wrong in the game. Then blame others. We have to take that responsibility and then answer.”
I think it shows 11730, what many of us have suspected for a long time, that the major ambition of the club is the accumulation of wealth , both in its bank balance and in terms of the value of its shares; and that the accumulation of trophies is way down the list of the club’s priorities.
No surprise there.
A117, it’s probably true, annoying eh…
Ts, have you swerved my earlier on purpose?
Scott, Wenger needs to go first. It’s his team, his tactics, his subs, his team talk, his direction, etc etc etc…
Rico – Yes would be very annoying if he gets extension- 2 more years of this false pretense drivel.
Kev – You are absolutely correct – Unfortunate that Club aims do not align with Gooner ambitions Massive Massive disconnect. Cannot see how we can be successful when we are on separate pages.
Rico, I disagree, but you know that 🙂 🙂 🙂
Arsene being replaced is, imo, a short term fix.
Long term, we are stuffed with Stan.
Anyway, how do fans force either change?
Scott – Fans may force change by peaceful protests. There is an enormous divide within the fan base. It appears once infallible AKB brigade has seen massive fallout within its ranks – The strong 75% 80% majority is probably a weak 60% – 40% majority with the last penny to put them into the minority occur when we get knocked out by Bayern and fail to make Top 4.
Agree to differ eh scott…
Stan unfortunately isn’t going anywhere soon, so Wenger has to go, give the £200m pa salary budget to a dynamic manager and let’s see what happens?
Change can be good, this stale repetitive bollocks that we are being served up has to stop!
We are falling by the wayside and need a fresh injection of ideas a new manager is a must!
I mean £90m spent and we’re worse than last season, what’s the common denominator???
Joe Root for the job I suppose Rico…
Agree Lee..
Guess so Kev, just hope he’s up for it…
Chat tomorrow guys..
Night..
Other clubs spent as well, so unless they didn’t, the fact we spent really isn’t relevant.
Yes Lee, I’m happy to see Arsene leave and I’ve stated that on numerous occasions, but I’ll remain hopeful it happens, and that’s it’s enough, but I bet it isn’t.
We will remain a top 4 club with Stan loitering.
A11730, until the fans are united, it will be hard to force change and remember this, as we always say here, people are entitled to their opinion, so what makes the AKB’s wrong and the WOB’s right?
It’s all nothing but opinions.
I dare say as with Brexit and Trump that the silent majority are on Arsenes side, and I wouldn’t be surprised that if an actual vote was held, the result might surprise.
They remain silent because they’re ridiculed at the mere suggestion they still support Arsene, and you only need to read comments on any FB page or blog to realise that, though I state categorically people who disagree on here do so with a hell of a lot more class than on most sites.
Surely there can’t be any fans that still think Wenger is the right manager to take us forward??
Lee, plenty see Stan and the board holding as him back from doing his job, and there are plenty out there, believe me.
I agree with them that Stan is the major problem BUT, I also believe Arsene has taken the club as far as he can.
Crikey! since 2008 I have been saying pretty much what you guys are only now discovering – that Arsene Wenger is a totally useless manager. When a two-bit Stoke player like Charlie Adam is now commenting on why its gone wrong for Arsenal, then you know Arsene is stuffed.
I used to say things like Arsenal don’t spend money. Now Arsene is spending it on the wrong players: when he does spend. We have the biggest squad in the country, but 70 per cent of them are average footballers. Everybody I know is scared of Arsene walking away. During the Euros, I told friends at work that the Italian manager would be good for Arsenal because even though they did not win it his team looks disciplined and well organised – something we can never dream of having under Arsene. Smarter men at Chelsea then decided to snap him up.
Where are your “Arsene Knows”, “In Arsene we Trust”, and “Le Prof” – Le Prof!! the guy is no more intelligent than a five year old. Look at all his basic mistakes, even I can run the club better, and I will not be asking for £8m a year. We could have been winning titles by now if we got rid of this sleepy head ages ago. If care is not taken Arsene will turn this club into a championship team when he decides to retire, because no one else at the club knows how to run a football team. I am sure they do not have a clue on who can take over if (not likely) Arsene decides to retire – the fools will even be asking him to suggest his own replacement!!
Arsene is only part of the problem. Both himself, Kroenke and his cronies should leave the club. You guys never realised this before but Arsene has been using this club as his own personal toy ever since Dein left.
So what is the solution?
1) If it is possible that Arsene does not sign (and we should all be putting the pressure on him and the board so he does not), we can get a calibre football manager such as Joachim Low.
2) Get Pjanic (Carzola’s replacement), Reus and a top grade left back (usually managers do not make more than 3 changes to their first eleven).
3) Unloose the purse strings: pay Ozil and Sanchez what other players in their category get e.g. £220K – £240k a week.
4) Strengthen the players in training because they are too weak. Change the style of play, so the team knows how to defend, especially against the better teams. Let them know if they don’t work appropriately for their salary they are out.
I tell you – Arsenal will not just be challenging for the premiership again, they will also be challenging for the champions league – It can be done!!
The only comparison with Brexit is the narrowness of the majority , it is debatable whether the gap has widened or narrowed since June .As for Wenger the numbers are changing, the majority which was always for him staying are being eroded but just how far is another question. The banner protests will never work for a start they are banned in the ground but a display of white handkerchiefs like they do in Spain would get the message across.
AW is under a major media barrage. In a interview Drexler just revealed that Arsenal and his camp been communicating for 3 years before he joined PSG…. He said his preferred position is the #10 role but was willing to play the wing if that’s what the team needs…. I guess that’s the reason we didn’t sign him….because then his favs Ramsey and Theo will be warm the bench.
Joe, people have been saying all of what you posted on here for years, so you’re hardly offering up a new idea.
Obi, 3 years ago, how was Rambo going?
Juasy saying 🙂 🙂
The only way Stan is holding Arsenal back is by employing a totally sub standard manager. Wenger has had money and he chose not to spend it. When he finally does start to spend we win two FA cups but the PL & CL are just pipe dreams. We’ve not competed in either competitions for years!
We had the oil money, paying for the stadium austerity and the Russian money excuses… then Leicester win PL. He failed to win when all the big boys were going through changes, he should of left then.
No one in their right mind can possibly think Wenger can win the PL or CL can they?
Stan’s staying, Wenger has to go. Give a manager access to the £200m annual salary bill and the massive war chest that Stan let’s Wenger have. We ought not to shit ourselves about getting a new manager, maybe just maybe they might solely focus on all things football and we might improve?!?
Thanks Arsene but your time has been up for a while goodbye.
Well said Lee.
Kev- you know the only uncle I work for his Bob.
Rico- me avoiding a comment? Nah.lol
Exactly Lee. Shoot the person who drew up the new contract…
Oh, that’s probably Arsene… 😉
Morning guys…
Obi- are you talking about the same Draxler who was has had 2 long term injuries over the last 3 years?
I know you watch a lot of football but you surely can’t be talking about the same Draxler who was average over the last 2 years until recently. I know german media were even against Lowe selecting him for the Euros.
Don’t get me wrong when he was fit for Sc04 he was exception but he had very frequent injuries…; plus he also did not turn up for big games like Ozil.
If AW had bought him as a sick note I am sure people who be saying he should have known better.
His injury list is below:-
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/julian-draxler/verletzungen/spieler/85148
AW has become the wife who starting life with a now successful man and now 25 years later after bearing kids and raising them up, the husband claims she is too fat and they have nothing in common…
AW has become the wife who starting life with a now successful man and now 25 years later after bearing kids and raising them up, the husband claims she is too fat and they have nothing in common…
What on earth does that mean Ts? Or is it just a bit early for me to work out what you mean….
Morning Rico.
Morning Adam. Another day in the life as an Arsenal fan…
I see Gallas is the latest bloke the media have found to slate Wenger….
I know Rico. I do find it rather pathetic. I see that Alistair Cook realised when it was time to quit the captaincy. His interview, where he stated his reasons, were compelling and all about the future of the team and not him. Very honest. I have massive respect for him.
Rico – maybe if I came on here and called Aw a chimp and old fool like some of your favourites on heredid in every single post I would get the same respect as you afford them…
I am use to unfairness for obvious reason but please…
Even if I am having a joke with Kev about David Icke I get chided; whilst others come on here talking the same old shite and I don’t see you questioning them…
I thought HH allowed debate; have done..
have a good day.
Agree re Cook Adam. Refreshing…
Ok Ts, bye then.
Morning all.
Lee, there’s no point telling us Arsene needs to go, as apart from the fact we all agree with you, we don’t employ him, pay him a massive salary, allow him to basically run the club and accept top 4 as a success.
Apparently, the man who decides these things is also not responsible, so we really are screwed lol.
Previous comment went into moderation, Rico-just checking If I logged in properly or not.
There’s a slight problem behind the scenes Scott so some comments aren’t getting through…
It’s entirely possible Cook was fortunate enough to get a polite tap on the shoulder, rather than his boss allow him to sink.
It’s been known to happen…..but not now, not at Arsenal.
Bloody Arsene 🙂
There is a point because some deluded fans still believe Wenger has no part in the demise of Arsenal F.C…… a fuckng scary thought how blinkered some so called fans are!
Remove the Wenger tinted glasses I say….
Scott. I don’t think so with Cook. I reckon he is bright enough to see which way things were heading himself and realised that the Captaincy needed more than he could give. Especially as we are entering a new age where international cricket is concerned. It’s the smart move.
Strauss wanted Cook to stay I think Scott. He realised he’d taken England as far as he can after the last tour. Shame that stubborn Wenger can’t see things in the same way…
Another thing, if we are not to vent our feelings about Wenger each day Scott, perhaps there’s no point in you keep blaming Kroenke every day is there?
Touché
That’s true Rico. The England captaincy is a high-stress position that must put an enormous strain on your private life.
When I look at Arsene he looks so pallid and generally unwell these days I would worry for his health. Who needs that pressure when you are getting on a bit?
Adam, i honestly don’t, either.
I think he’s a hell of a good man.
I was cheekily pointing out it’s happened before from owners/managers who care about their employees reputation.
For whatever reason, Arsene won’t stand down, but there’s nobody with the decency to give him that tap.
Lee, Why is someone deluded or blinkered because they don’t agree with you!?
I honestly can not understand how anyone doesn’t hold Stan responsible.
It astounds me that anyone thinks Arsene is more complicit than that prick.
Am I deluded, or are the rest of you?
We all might be, or maybe none of us, but we all have opinions.
Rico, I can’t remember the last time you accused anyone of relentlessly abusing Arsene on a daily basis.
Seems Ginge and I get called out often enough by people on here.
Common denominator-we defend him.
Tell me I’m wrong:
Poppycock Scott.
I merely asked Ts what his analogy of Wenger was about as I didn’t understand what he meant, he stropped off, his problem, not mine.
Wenger doesn’t get abused, just many fans on here want him gone, I know I do. Yes, Kroenke is toothless but here’s here to stay so one has to accept it. But he has nothing to do with the style of football, the lacklustre approach of the team, or anything else which results in us playing badly for so long.
If Kroenke left and Wenger stayed, the football would remain the same, so that’s why the first action taken should be for Wenger to leave in the summer….
I maintain anyone that thinks Wenger is doing a good job is deluded. The tyrant Stan affords him a massive salary budget, there’s a war chest available for players yet we get served up the same dire uninspiring crap!
Who’s fault is that?
The fans?
The referees?
The curvature of the Earth?
Long shore drift?
Ox bow lakes?
We can go around in circles forever.
I asked last night if internet complaining will change things, and we all know it won’t.
I also asked what will change things and barely a response, yet here we are, back to internet complaining.
Deluded?
We all must be lol
That’s what irks me, he’ll take his salary which is fair enough, but he hasn’t done anything to move the club forward for years…
Finally he signed a few decent players of late but what does he do with them? Gabriel has turned into a nervous wreck, Xhaka has been told not to shoot, or so t seems and Wenger can’t manage his style of football. Ozil was shoved out wide to begin with, he didn’t sign a striker to finish all his assists, he bough Perez and doesn’t play him yet he offers more than a few others, plays Ramsey anywhere he can just to fit him in which has ruined him… The list goes on and on…
He’s spent….
Lee, you can keep taking the piss, and good luck to you.
Im not impressed, but hey, if you want to show a lack of respect for Arsene and the likes of me, I hope you feel better.
Scott, you just have to accept that Kroenke is going nowhere and once Wenger goes, wait and see what happens during a transfer window and on the pitch. You might even forgive Kroenke one day… 😉
Onto the board, those old farts could do with replacing…. 😉
Rico, I don’t actually blame Stan-I hold him responsible.
Who let him in?
The man everyone wants back-there’s irony for you lol
Answer the question then Scott ….who is responsible for the daily footballing decisions and general lacklustre state of the team?
Could another manager get more out of this current team? Fuck yes they could!
Great post and great comments an enjoyable read I’m not so sure about the majority of fans wanting wenger out as I’ve took a fair bit of abuse online the last few days for criticising him lol… not on here though HH isn’t like that.
ginge i get what you were saying ie the wife being traded in after 25 yrs etc but then what you’re saying is the supporters who want change are the ungrateful heartless husband?? For me that’s a little harsh m8.
I don’t want Dein back Scott and I doubt anyone else does, he’s older now and like Wenger, has probably past his proactive days…
All this club needs is an injection of fresh ideas on the pitch, and that comes with a new manager and new coaches…
If Wenger wasn’t so bleedin stubborn, he’d have changed his coaches a while ago and accepted some help but no, it’s his toy….
And it’s broken…
We all want Arsenal to do better and for me that starts by replacing an underperforming manager. Let someone else have a go with the financial set up that Arsene is failing with…….
Lee, When have I ever suggested Stan is in control of any of that?
Why ask me to refute something I’ve never said?
You can keep adding two and two together and finding five, but that’s hardly my problem.
How many times do I have to say Arsene must go before you’ll accept the fact I think Arsene must go?
Rico, was it May 2014 I said that?
Have I ever said he should stay since that time?
Me defending the man is a hell of a lot different to saying he’s the only manager that can do the job, and me criticising Stan is also very different to saying Arsene must stay.
Maybe it’s the fact I’m speaking “Australian” lol
Damn, and people wonder why I’m always in arguments.
It’s the Bloody language barrier!!!
Kel. My third wife traded me in after only a few weeks claiming that my demands were unreasonable.
I’m worried about the game on Saturday. If there were team that at this point was to avoid, it is Hull. First, because it is before the game of the Champions League; Second, because they are strongly encouraged; Third, because he has a Portuguese coach who studies well his opponents.
Without chances to win the League, I suppose it is the goal to reach the best possible position.
As I said before, I was more annoyed with the loss with Watford than with Chelsea.
I continue to question myself, if we play against Stoke, Burnley or the Palace, with all due respect, if we play the same way and with the same team.
This is where AW fails. Does not adapt the team to the opponents. Chelsea is playing differently than any team in England.
AW always follows its game principle, routine and known. Hence, the first parts are generally useless. It changes the missions of the players and players in the second part, and sometimes has been lucky and wins the games.
Maybe it’s one of the reasons for our failures in the past 12 years. In addition to the quality of the players that always existed (in years better than others), while the game style was unknown and the opponents had not adapted to it, one had 90 minutes of superiority; Knowing and adapting to the style of play, play 45 minutes with the teams “docked” in each other, and the remaining 45 minutes (namely from 65-70 minutes – typical time of the institutions) in a game of “cat and the mouse ” in the remaining 45 minutes.
The disappointment is obvious. Luck does not always follow the results. Just like in life
Lol sorry to hear that Adam hahaha I got lucky first time around ??
subs not institutions
I know you did Scott and I know you want Wenger gone so maybe it’s best to wait for that to happen before believing Kroenke is to blame. I understand why you do because any ambitious owner would sack Wenger but you have too remember that by the time Kroenke came in, Wenger already ruled the roost….
JM don’t worry m8, Hull are facing a wounded Arsenal the boys will respond..
Scott I personally think we’ll have to drop down the league to get rid of the yank… usmanov annoys me to he talks a good game that’ll he’ll do this and that yet the twat is sitting with about 15billion in the bank why doesn’t he make kronke an offer and be done with it…
Good comment JM. The performance against Chelsea annoyed me more than the result. Against Watford though we were absolutely rubbish..
I too worry about Hull City. But I shouldn’t..
Kel. I would imagine that our next owners are likely to come from China. Perhaps.
Kel, he apparently was the only shareholder asking for a dividend, so I’m not sure he’d be right for us-then, I doubt be he’d be any worse.
Still, i’d rather not see the club turn into a Chelski….top 4 would be better for me than having a Roman owning us.
Rico, fair points, and time will tell.
I hope I’m wrong and once Arsene goes, we thrive.
If we don’t, the rut will worsen.
You’ll be wrong Scott, honest… 😉
I wonder if stan would sell though, the only way I see it happening is if the share price starts to drop as we drop outta the top 4 (which will happen this yr)
But if we appointed the right manager and with a bit of luck returned to challenging for the title then I suppose he’ll just continue as is..
Catch 22 ffs..
I really do hope so, Rico.
Kel, depends on the offer I guess. Everyone has their price.. 🙂
I think it is entirely ok to take a dividend based on an investment. I can’t see the problem there. Whoever identifies the club as the proverbial sleeping giant and buys it with the express intention of making it one of Europe’s leading football clubs could be onto a winner. If they instal the right manager of course, get the fans behind them and have stupid amounts of money. Like the Chinese in fact.
That’s what I don’t get Rico Arsenal’s share price is as high as it’s probably gonna get under wenger..
kronkes return if he cashed in now i assume would be maximised… (maybe someone could tell us the financials I don’t know the numbers)
Why he’s waiting for the inevitable fall that imo is on the horizon is beyond me… the only logical thing I can think of is he doesn’t care as he’s never selling. ?
Roll on that day… 🙂
Adam, I think it shows he’s not all about Arsenal.
Then, none of them are.
I don’t think he intends to sell Kel, it’s a real possibility that instead of Stan in the years to come, it’ll be Josh…
Unless the supporters force him to Rico… we can have a big part to play in this if we want to..
Catch up later guys…
You never know Kel, one day it might come to that…
Hi all. I was looking on how Kroenke amassed his shares and I stumbled on this. We have a fickle messed up board. This takes an eye off Wenger for a while and the rot goes all the way to the top.
Not sure if this had been posted before.
http://www.thearsenalhistory.com/?p=13265
ps: There is also a link to part 1.
It’s one helluva post from Herb. Came from the heart.
Some contributions got me greeting my teeth, but well that’s why this’ a forum. Rumble on.
Good read, Marshall.
Morning all.
Hull ?………..no problem !……………it`s the teams above and just below us who are the problem !
Been having problems trying to post as Le Coq Monster, so am trying a different avatar…………..dont be confused !. 🙂
Marshall, Lady Nina sold to the wrong man imo, I think she’s admitted that at some stage in the past…
Onya LC lol
But they beat the Dippers with ease Lc…
Long shore drift I reckon…
Lets just call us Paradox Arsenal with the Kroenke Arsene scenario !.
They are both a problem, but immovable Kroenke is the bigger one in my opinion !
What teams have won the EPL since we last won it and discounting the anomoly of Leicester ?…………..The Richest/Biggest Club in the world Manshafter Std………..Mansour City and Chavs !……..the latter two have ownesr who have spent between them in excess of £2 Billion out of their own pockets !………..we have Kroenke who has not spent a penny !
Had we an owner like the Chav one we would have had what ?………………£1B spent………..probably more than one manager since 2005/6…………………..probably more than 2 FA Cups since 2004 !
Look at link below, it`s great that we have moree shirt sales than the Bindippers, but Chavs with more shirt sales than us !……400k more !….really !……would that have happened had it not been for their owner spending money, which won trophies, which increased shirt sales !…………………Speculate to accumulate, I thought that was the headline in any business mans bible !….read it Stan !
A bank manager who does Stan proud and Stan who wont sack a great bank manager !.
They both need to go and you would think that Stan would get his best share price now for if we do spend a few years in the wilderness the price will drop and come on Stan………..LA Rams is more your cup of tea and you could build the new stadium from the profit in Arsenal shares, you know it makes sense and take Arsene with you, you know nothing about football/Soccer and I`m sure Arsene knows nothing about NFL, but he`s a great bank manager !.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/08/manchester-united-top-2016-shirt-sales-as-chelsea-arsenal-and-liverpool-make-top-10-6434360/
I can see that it might be thought of as important to have an owner who is a hardline supporter, but then again I might well entertain the notion that the owner should be concentrated purely on making money as this is the oil that makes the footballing wheels turn.
Believe me Rico…..I have one of my good feelings about the Arse Hull game ! hahaha
Burley obviously doesn`t read Aresenal blogs to know how we truly feel !……………other than the abuse of us, he talks some sense !……….maybe he needs to go on Arsenal Fan TV !. 🙂
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/08/arsenal-fans-spineless-mentally-weak-like-team-says-craig/
But was Roman a Chelsea supporter before he bought the club Adam? Maybe not… 😉
Lc, well I hope you are right…
TS and Scott, the point was not whether we should’ve bought Draxler….I am always fascinated that we always follow players for such a long time, and MOST of the time we don’t buy them. For an example, Dembele at Celtics for 3 yrs, Elneny 2 yrs, Hazard, Perez, Kante since he was 11 years old, Smalling, Drogba, W. Carvalho, Ba…….
TS I got your old wife analogy, but that usually happens in life when you overstay your welcome, especially in sports. 20 yrs as a manager at 1 club with marginal sporting success in the last 10 yrs, you become a target regardless of your financial prowess.
Morning All
I haven’t read all the comments but David Dein is being interviewed by jim White on Talksport at 1.p.m.
That’s because Wenger hesitates Obi…
And then we hear, I nearly signed………
Thanks for that Kelsey, could be an interesting interview…
Rico. I believe he wanted to buy Spurs but when he saw Tottenham High Road and the resultant effluent he took a look at Chelsea. The rest is history.
How can Hull beat us when they have a fat ex-spud player by the name of Tom Hundredstone !.
Shall have to listen to DD on re-listen as of to gym, but I bet he sings the praises of Wenger to extend his contract !,…..not like he`s going to shoot his friend down is it !
We may have been better with DD but if he was the one who introduced Kroenke then he did the worst thing ever as a Arsenal board member and thats all I will remember him for……………his massive part in the demise of Arsenal as a competitive force !………………..if he wasn`t involved then I apologise !. 🙂
The only good thing about the Russian buying the Chavs was that he didn`t buy the Spuds !……………..the thought of what they might have won instead of the Chavs is what nightmares are made of !……………….I need to lie down ! hahaha
If Abramovitch had bought the Scum, the pressure on our Board and manager would have forced changes by now.
It’s quite ironic that it is no secret that Abramovich wanted to buy Spurs he being jewish and they have a big jewish following but actually Arsenal have the same amount of jewish followers
.Chelsea were 90 million in debt thanks to old ken bates so he bought them and saved them going into administration.The biggest advocate of The National Front at football grounds was Stamford Bridge were they openly sold their paper The Bulldog in their heyday..
? Adam, thank goodness he didn’t…
Good point Kev…
Just saw a post on another site (unrelated to football) from a disgruntled Spurs fan. His current ticket, east stand centre is £900. The price for the new ground is for a minimum of 3 years and the total price for that term, including a free program, is £17,000. Surely not.
What goes around Adam…
Should be interesting, I wonder if Tottenham will be as blatantly dishonest as Arsenal have been, over their attendances?
Regular failure at Wembley should knock some of the arrogance out of our inferior neighbours just in time for their return to the Toilet Bowl…
Cripes, that’s a lot of money Adam..
Some say that Roman wanted a football club as a money laundering exercise tp legitimise his wealth in London. Levy is unlike our lot is a very shrewd business man who wouldn’t roll over and when Roman saw the Chavs on their uppers and going for a song , it was a better bet.
Unfortunately, he didn’t bought us
Too true potter…………….Levy bought the cranes instead of hiring them to build the New Shte Hole and is going to sell them for £3M profit, due to the rise in metal price !
Rico. It’s only hearsay but it sounds like one of our better STs. Aren’t they about 5 grand?
Afternoon guys…
Did anyone catch the David Dean interview? I missed it…
I don’t know Adam, is that the gold tickets?
It was cancelled Rico,and I don’t know why.
They’re good seats Rico. Much pricier than mine.
I expect Me Dein was in conversation with his neighbour from Alsace, advising him on how to invest his pension pot! Before he leaves the country in June!
Well, we can live in hope?
Mr not me!
Thanks Kelsey.. Odd eh.
Adam, I’ll have to google them, that’s the closest I’d ever get… lol
RIP Tara Palmer-Tomkinson…
Such sad news….
Against Burnley my seats cost I think about £30 + admin costs wtf !…..anyway, I looked at some seats lower down in the same section and they were £50+ you know what !………..I bought the cheaper ones up in the heavens and when we got to the game we waited `till kick off and looked down to see if there were any vacant dearer seats and see a quite a few so walked down and planted ourselves in them !…..even though it wont hurt Kroenke`s wallet, it was nice to get one over him however small ! hahaha
Just looked on ticket exchange and there`s plenty available !…………lots not going it looks like and they`re going to miss a Hull thrashing…..an EPL record score !…………….I`ll be right one day ! hahaha
Ha ha Lc, an empty stadium on Saturday then….
Nighty guys…
Mine are up for sdale , silly o’clock kick off coupled with 3 hours to get there . Still T.V pays the piper .
Hector Bellerin should be rested for the Hull City game, the boy took one hell of smash in the head, and landed quite heavily.
His long term health is far more important than a pointless game against a bus parking Hull team.
The League has gone so protect him and make sure he’s 100% for Bayern, as I wouldn’t use him at Sutton either.
I hope the crowd, that’s the actual crowd, or attendance in old money, rather than the mendacious attempt of the club to camouflage it by quoting tickets sold.
That’s so transparently dishonest and would normally be beneath a club like Arsenal.
But spin is the name of the game, nevermind that it makes the club look classless. Fcuk ’em anyway…
I hope the crowd ‘is well down’
Good Morning all,
Any person, including his Army, who can organise the Gillespie Road Tube Station to Arsenal speaks sense IMO. Thanks Herb
Why does Arsene Wenger need to sign a 2 year extension?
The only valid reason I can think of is that he can help in the smooth transition in that period from his tenure to a successor.
GG, I think Arsene still believes he’s the best man for the job.
How’s the weather In Tassie???
It’s muggy as hell here again, and hot.
The next few days are all 40 plus.
I’ve found myself a nice little pub and am currently sipping on a proper bitter.
Life could be worse 🙂
Morning all.
New post up now..
Morning excitable Gooners ! 🙂
According to some media outlets ……….Kroenke is desperate for Wenger to sign a two year extension !
Bright sunshine and a high of 6 degrees celsius in the original Launceston ! …………..off for a run to try and warm myself up to 40 like Scott . 🙂