Morning all.
In theory tonight could be the managers last Champions League match as Arsenal manager regardless of what happens between now and the beginning of next season. Barcelona won’t surrender a two goal lead in front of their own fans and even if they were fragile in the defensive department, the chance of Arsenal scoring three goals is highly unlikely, as is the team not conceding a goal.
Arsene Wenger has said he won’t field an under strength side tonight but to be honest, it wouldn’t make a lot of difference right now as the first team are really out of confidence and certainly luck.
Arsenal’s performances have been on a steady decline for a few years and now it’s hit an all time low under Arsene Wenger. I don’t think we’ve ever been on such a poor run as we have since the turn of the year. Yes there’s been a few high moments like the home performance and victory against Man Utd and Man City but they have been too few and quite far between and the way things are going, the Europa League looks more likely than Champions League football next season.
Maybe Barca will take the foot of the gas tonight, or be kind so to not embarrass the club from which it’s signed a few of it’s players, then again, maybe they still have the grump with Arsene for stealing so many of their youngsters…
Arsenal have nothing to lose tonight as no-one expects them to overturn a two goal deficit so with the pressure off, perhaps we fans will get to see a much better performance as we have so many times in seasons gone by at this stage of the competition. Sadly though, there’s usually been a too bigger mountain to climb as far as the goals required goes.
I doubt that’ll change tonight but it would be a huge improvement if the manager can get his players up for this match and they perform well against one of the best, if not best team in football, especially on their own ground.
The performance is perhaps more important than the result, although a 0-3 scoreline would be nice….. 😉
Morning all. Nice day here.
I’ve just looked out of the kitchen window and, I’ll swear I saw a pig flying!
If we score I’ll count that as a victory, of sorts? Sadly I think we’ll concede a shed load and be made to look foolish. I hope that doesn’t happen but, I fear………….!
Some of Wenger’s remarks yesterday reminded me of the final death throes of a once magnicent potentate who has been reduced in circumstances and now finds himself alone and impotent. Sad, really?
It is time to leave the building before he is put out with the milk!
Result tonight? An easy 3-0 to Barca. (What an indictment that is, after all these years.)
It’s the first time, in a very long while that I haven’t given my team even a small glimmer of hope of getting some kind of result. Can’t even see us scoring! Leave alone 3!
Back later. I’m off now to dig the garden and think of a stunning summer display! All thoughts of football are to be banished until I’ve finished outside!
Can’t believe you don’t think we can beat them wavy… 😉
I have a few things to do too, catch up in a bit…
Good Morning Chips and Chops.
I can only see a loss tonight. and tbh…..I fear a 0-5 drubbing. With the possession something like 74% to 26% in favour of Barca.
The Barca keeper would do well to take a thermos of coffee with him to keep him alert and warm
So he built the Emirates with no help… ohhh kkkk then if you say so Arsene we’ll just ignore all the fans money.
Scott 9.11.. Ray parlour said the same thing in a funny intreview about wenger.
I don’t know what kinda performance to expect from Stans brand tonight, but I fully expect barca to score a few.
Tbh I’ll not be watching it anyhow.
So Barca rested Suarez at the weekend and won 6-0…………. FFS!
Yeah Kel I’m washing my hair tonight so will miss it! 😉
I hope our guys go at them….at least put up a show.
Don’t fall meekly and mildly.
I agree Scott, sit back and let them pass/score us to death not an option!
I wish I could see this team go for the jugular and refuse to die. Sadly………
Tbh, I’m more concerned at the prospect of Arsenal capitulating at Goodison this weekend…
I know the chances of Arsenal over hauling Leicester are slimmer than slim, but defeat this weekend would really send things into a world of shit…
Hi Rico, everybody. I hope it is but after his defiant comments, am afraid he might stay alittle longer. I don’t get why he sets himself up for attacks.
Reality is Barca are good..no they are great, we’ll hardly come out with a result. Hope we have a good perfomance that’ll charge us up for the reminder of our PL games.
Me too Kev.
I’d take a 0-0 tonight, a bit of a confidence boost before Everton…
Hi Marshall..
His comments do raise cause for concern over his future. Still, you can bet Kroenke will be looking for a smart replacement…. Not… lol
Hi all
Won’t be watching tonight. In fact will be the fourth game running that I haven’t bothered with. Our form is so poor that it just hurts too much!
I’m torn between watching or not Bob. Never thought I’d ever say that….
AW would look right at home in the House of Commons today delivering the Budget as more cuts expected…. 😉
Afternoon ladies and gents
We will be lucky to keep 11 on the pitch. If we score , we will have a man sent off to throw the momentum back to Uefa’s darlings.
Like most i want to see some effort. No shame losing 2-1 or grabbing a 2-2. Scoring, yes we might more than 2 ? err nope…and not concede ? err nope again..
Just hope Campbell is not sacrificed for headless chicken walcott….
Theo is bound to start George, it’s his birthday…. lol
Theo ‘s birthday Rico? …nooo..!..we play with 10 men with him on the pitch. He needs 20 mins against crap teams on the wing. Striker he is not and why keep subbing Campbell who is decent and puts a shift in for that mug
I know George, but you just know AW will start him for his pace… Perhaps he’ll find his defensive game tonight……
Afternoon, It,s hard to know what to say anymore, that hasn,t already been said, I,ve no more love or feelings for this man, I,m done with im.
‘I built this club’ The arrogance of the man. “This club was built 130 years ago, You are an employee of the club, that’s all, insisting the season is not yet over and pressure building over his future has become a farce, Whats farcical is the likes of Leicester and Spurs actually over-taking us in a season where United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool did not even pose a threat to us, yet we,ll still fall short. You have Beckham spouting against our fans “Disgraceful-no respect attention seekers”, and that coming from the worlds biggest attention seeker, and now Hodgson saying the criticism is just “pub philosophy on social media.
Recent quotes now stating AW fears Arsenal fans unrest, could harm he,s players in title run in, I,m sorry but it,s you who caused the f**king unrest, reflecting the blame back on the Fans is so typical of a man who rejects self-analysis and blames defeat on everyone and everything except himself. Hence we see the same results year after year,
Munich and Juventus for me too, tonight
Welbeck, Alexis and Campbell for me, in attack…
Bring on Giroud and Walcott if we decide to go long, if we’re chasing an unlikely result.
I can just see Arsenal winning 2-1, as if to spite us even more… ?
Afternoon all,
This time last year, well St Paddy’s day to be precise we went out to Monaco, it’s just business as usual at Arsenal.
Micko, it’s the same shit every season………
I hear ya Lee, think we’re in for a damn good thrashing tonite………….bothered !
Wenger is making it really hard to sympathize with him giving his arrogance…..at this point, as much as I love the club, if losing every game for the season will get rid of him I will be ok with that.
Me three…
It is weird, feeling this detachment from the team and realising that, barring some unforeseen happening, our season is meandering to a somewhat ignominious end. This, after the anticipation of the PL title seems to have been accepted at Arsenal HQ. Is nobody asking the pertinent questions or is it all down to spin these days?
Arsene’s belligerence and rather ego-driven responses might seem to be trying to tap into some sort of siege mentality, but where is the accountability for the team’s rather pathetic capitulation?
Surely it isn’t going to be a case of “As you were”.
Just sick of it, nothing has changed in 10 years, 10 F**King years, and he doesn,t get why we are turning against him and the toxic board. Absolute lunacy imo.
For Arsenal, it’s now all about trying to claw back the Premier League, and it looks like we will crumble in the face of our rivals Spurs and leicester. If Wenger fails in that, it will be the ultimate humiliation, the epic pinnacle of his managerial ineptitude,
I see the Arsenal PR spin has started…. Tony Kroos being linked with us!!
And I was there thinking, that would be a good hit! Kronos would make a real difference. But, of course Lee, you are quite right, the spinologists have started already. Is it approaching ST renewal time too? Does the stadium need ré painting? Kronos…my arse!!
Kronos ffs Kroos.
Yeah Lee, that’s exactly what I thought…
They must be panicking over there as those kind of stories usually come out prior to season ticket renewal time…
Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit…
Is Kronos any good Wavy?
I wonder which Board member will come out with the ‘war chest’ garbage this summer???
Yawn…
This one is for Lee;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3495262/Ex-Arsenal-midfielder-Abou-Diaby-finally-make-Marseille-debut-appearance-September-2014-injury-nightmare.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Kev. You know there are only 2 or 3 players that are financially out of reach for Arsenal don’t you?
That’s right mate, but I bet that that position will change this summer when ManCity, ManUre, West Ham, Chelski, Leicester, Liverpool and Bournmouth start out-bidding Wenger for the players he wants…
Still, there’s always the postman…
Evening you bunch of cynics…. 😉 😉
Kroos, take him in a heartbeat, as they say.
Kronos? Yer, he was pretty big a couple of thousand years ago, almost unbeatable, in fact, oh, until his demise. It wasn’t pretty and he did have an offer to resign on the table but he hung on in there until the hoards came for him and his dynasty came to. A sticky end, I believe. (I draw no conclusions!) he also put in an appearance on Dr Who a few years ago. You’ll never guess what, with the good Dr’s help, history repeated itself and he was vanquished again.?
Aren’t we signing Zlatan?
That’s what I keep reading lol.
Morning all.
First time ever, I’m tipping a loss.
Either 2-1 or 3-1.
Just the three Scott… Lol
Dumb football by Koscielny…
All over, no surprise…
Have you had noodles Kev? 🙂
Whats happening with Golden boy, Pep???
This is the only competition their in….the rest are one horse races.
Next season will tell us a hell of a lot about him, though id still rather him go to a battling club like us 🙂
So even Kozzer has forgotton how to defend of late?
Damn we are a mess
I wouldn’t worry about Pep Scott, not right now but maybe next season…. Lol
They’re saying Flamini is injured that’s why he’s off. Think they’re wrong he’s off because he’s crap. What the fcuk was Wenger thinking of? And he wonders why the fans are kicking off! Some of his decisions are just bizarre!
C’est la vie.
Gotta love these European nites, they’re so special !
Iwobi, probably the best player for us first half, very open game.
emmerdale was good…. Lol
Told you Micko, should have played the reserves…. Lol
As for Pep, we don’t want his sort at Arsenal lol.
He wanted to come to Arsenal according to reports in the media… Guess that means there wasn’t a vacancy, or Stan wouldn’t give him the right budget…
My guess is, no vacancy…
Wonder if Arsene has a cunning plan for the 2nd half ! It’s only his 200th Champions League game in charge of us !! How many cracks at it does he want !
Not many more I hope but you never know, Kroenke might think he’s worth another few attempts….
What a strike from Elneny!
Rico, i think theres two reasons lol.
He’d surely want to have money to make changes, and any manager would, to be honest.
Go Stan 🙂
You not watching rico, we really could and should be 2-1 up, sound familiar, had some great chances first half.
Elneny 1-1, great finish.
Scott, my guess is both. No vacancy, not enough money…
I am Micko, good to see the boys giving it a go…
How do you know money isn’t available Scott, it’s possible we could have a bigger kitty than Citeh to spend this summer,
Has Pep improved Bayern?
No.
They came off a CL win the year before he arrived.
Did he improve Barca?
They’ve won CL after he left.
Mmmm.
Plenty to prove….we’d have been the perfect platform.
I hate not watching games.
Work sucks.
Elneny’s first Champions League goal.
We’re taking the fight to them but you just know we’re gonna get done on the break.
Micko, none of us really know, and that’s probably why people argue things so much.
If we all knew the facts, we’d probably all think along the same lines.
I don’t pretend to know, but that’s my guess, and not a single one of us on here truly knows what happens behind closed doors.
Arsene may have 200 million at his disposal, but he may not.
It’d be nice to know once and for all if it’s him or Stan stopping the spending.
One thing I do know is Pep is used to having World Class squads, and he has yet to improve one……actually, until he wins CL, it seems he’s done the opposite because as I just pointed out, Barca won after he left and Bayern won the season before he arrived.
Plenty to prove….
Micko, I guess at least we are having a crack.
Better than putting up a meek and mild display.
Still, losing to so many bloody average clubs and then fighting hard against Barca raises more questions than it answers.
Typical Arsenal lol
I’d love to know how much money Wenger was given. I suspect it was more than just what Petr Cech cost though…
Rico, I’m sure it was but I’m not just talking about last summer.
Nobody would dare suggest his lack of action in that one.
Scott, it just shows they don’t rest on their laurels, he won the treble in his first season at Barca, he can’t be held accountable for what’s gone on after he’s left lol.
As for Bayern, he won the double in his first season and will win the league again this season, he’s a winner and has a hat full of medals to prove it.
I got a orrible feeling he’ll win the Champions League with Citeh as well.
That was my point with the money nobody knows, could be a few surprises in the summer.
Sorry but forgot to mention we are 2-1 down but that could all change, Giroud and Walcott are both on now.
I know Scott… But then the tight old syrup funded Ozil and Alexis…
I’m off guys, not feeling so great… Again.. 🙁
Nighty night…..
Lol a Micko, Giroud may fluke one, but who’s this Walcott kid Hahahaha
Our saviour?
Bloody owes us one or two.
Rico, true, but at those times, we’d sold a few big guns as well.
Not making excuses for Wenger at all, here.
Just saying I want both gone……things will change dramatically then.
Take it easy, Rico.
My 3-1 is looking on the money.
Bugger.
I was hoping against hope.
From all reports we’ve played pretty well….shows how far off the mark we are.
rico, like you I suspect a lot of the away fans will be sneaking out early with 10 minutes to go, nite matey.
Your not wrong Scott 3-1, Messi scores his 9th goal against us and sets a new CL record, deep joy.
We’ve actually given them a good game tonite.
That’s all folks, nite Gooners.
Night Micko.
You can celebrate tomorrow 🙂
But we’ve spent over £150m over the last few years, some on absolute quality players and some on shit players.
Our wage bill is on par with Citeh’s, yet they have more super stars in their squad because the wages aren’t distributed properly at Arsenal. We waste so much money on crocks, past it players and players just not good enough to pull on a red & white jersey.
Money is available, Wenger chooses not to spend it.
As for Walcott what is the point of the bloke a total waste of a squad place, salary etc, Welbeck who is no world beater is currently a miles better option!
We created plenty of chances but because Wenger point blank refuses to buy a top draw striker we wank off……….again and again!
The Gunners lost 3-1 to Barcelona at the Nou Camp last night with Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all getting on the scoresheet to condemn Arsenal to a 5-1 aggregate defeat.
It was another miserable night for the north Londoners in what has been a well below-par Champions League campaign, which has seen them lose five of their eight matches.
Although Arsene Wenger’s men delivered a much more valiant display against Barcelona this time around, they were completely outclassed by the La Liga giants.
And Keane believes that the way Arsenal’s players raise their performances for some matches and struggle in others is cheating the fans.
“It tells you that they’ve got a weak group of players, who can’t seem to lift it for certain games,” he said on ITV.
“No doubt the pressure has got to them in the last few months and for players at Arsenal football club who can’t deal with pressure, then you shouldn’t be there.
“Tonight the damage was already obviously done in the first game. There’s no great shame in losing 3-1 tonight, the effort was there – but I think Barcelona had switched off – but it must be hard for the manager to stomach that, and for the supporters when they see their players lift it for certain games, but they can’t do it for Watford at home, or Swansea at home.
“They’re cheating the supporters in that sense.”
.
What about Ollie Lee? 😉
Morning to you and all….
Morning Lee.
On Theo, I am almost sure we upgraded him a few years back ONLY because we’d sold quite a few big names, and that’d would have been the last straw as he was seen as a future star by fans.
Again, just my opinion.
Winning culture…..its been gone since the era we had to “get by” and it hasn’t come back.
Yes, changes are needed, and wholesale changes, but how many fans are prepared to cop 2 years of poor performances to see us rise again?
More importantly, is Stan?
I don’t see why change means we will suffer on the pitch Scott, especially considering how we’ve been playing this season..
Imo, change will only bring something better…
Morning All
Morning Rico and Lee
Positives from last night are thin on the ground, Ospinas performance maybe?
Although I thought that Mo Elneny looked tidy and scored a quality goal.
Everton represents the biggest game of the season for Arsenal and especially Wenger.
A draw is no good.
A win and maybe we could finish with a flourish, even if it’ll probably be too little too late…
A defeat and the Watford game could be ugly, with hundreds of empty seats..
Everton could pretty much be the end of Wenger?
Good!
I know what you mean Lee…
But if we go on a winning run, finish 2nd above the Scummers, then the Board won’t change anything…
Morning Kev, I doubt the board or owner will do anything anyway, toothless lot…
Hasn’t Wenger said he’ll decide when his time is up?
Rico, because we need a good clean out.
You can’t have a massive change in playing staff and succeed immediately, i’d think.
Especially if we also have a new manager.
Just saw some highlights.
Kozzer stuffed up for the first goal, but how the hell was Suarez not offside?
How did Iwobi not get a penalty?
Morning Rico and all.
Stan out!
I don’t think we need a massive clear out Scott. A change in approach and attitude would be a great start. There’s a few who should be sold but it’s not that many imo…
Morning Adam.
I agree.
Fair enough, Rico, but that culture needs a jump start lol.
Anyone not putting in a shift needs to be sold, as do those always injured, and those not good enough.
Actually, are you sure we don’t need a massive one 🙂 🙂
Rio and Wrighty are questioning why people are pointing the finger at Wenger while ignoring the owners and board.
They say until we know what the clubs agendas and ambitions are, how can we blame Wenger and the players.
Funny that, but it seems bloody obvious to me……..but what would they know?
It might not happen though Rico. Despite stingy Stan giving Arsene close to £190 odd million for wages, we were beaten by a team with incredibly dubious finances who stump up over £330 million a year in wages to a bunch of excellent footballing prima donnas who still feel compelled to cheat the taxman. Add the fact that referees seldom give a big decision against them and nobody can be surprised. Cool analysis shows that we actually had the chances to beat them and go through last night. But, like so many times before, we didn’t. Is anyone really surprised?
McManaman got it spot on when he said that,we lack quality. And, as Theo stumbled over his 50th scoring opportunity of the season, looking every inch the overpaid, overhyped, tattooed English player he is, the scouser added that, if a top quality player with a suitable first touch had been in that position, he would have scored.
Watching a drained Arsene sitting there afterwards I couldn’t help but feel that this was his Waterloo.
It’s all too easy for them imo Scott. Look at Gnabry when he went to West Brom, Pullis wouldn’t pick him because his level wasn’t good enough and now I’m starting to wonder if that was more to do with his work ethic as we know he’s looked good whilst playing.
Those like Walcott would soon start working a lot harder if they had a manger who demanded 100% each game. Not sure he’d become a better footballer, but he’d work harder – otherwise, he’d be a gonner….
I know Adam. Kroenke is here to stay for a long while and all the time he accepts complacency from the manager, little will change.
My only hope is that Arsene Wenger realises his time is up…..
Ivan Gazidis is the Arsenal mouthpiece at board level and I have heard him talk about the club’s ambition just about every time he speaks to the press. Not sure what Wrighty is talking about though I suspect he is just trying to take some pressure off Arsene.
It’s all just words really.
Rico. Did you see any of the BM/Juve game?
Rico, Arsene would work a lot harder if those able him demanded results……..it goes both ways.
Adam, talking is one thing, but where do we see any action from anybody at the club that would have us believe titles are the aim?
Stan?
Ivan?
Arsene?
Players?
Not much at all would have us believe that anyone in that list is under pressure from their superiors to do anything but keep us profitable.
I didn’t Adam, it was exciting wasn’t it? 2-2 to 4-2 after extra time…
Scott, I honestly don’t think Arsene Wenger has it in him any more… Sadly, I think the players know it too..
Evra killed Juve with even worse defending than Kozzer committed.
Rico, I agree, but Stan never had it, so why people defend him, or refuse to criticise him is beyond comprehension.
Still, if it takes Wenger going to show exactly what’s wrong with the club, then bring it on.
Stan made it quite clear a few days ago what he’s all about, yet it’s not his fault lol.
Rico. It was .The game breaker goal from Thiago was superb. To score 4 goals against Juve after being all but out of the tie shows what sort of manager Pep really is when it comes to motivation and understanding the opposition.
Passing up the opportunity to have started next season with him in charge is criminal really.
I don’t think many defend him really Scott but just accept that he has nothing to do with the way Arsenal are playing…
Well Adam, that is Stan and the boards fault as if they wanted to be really ambitious, they’d have done all they could to get Pep. I read somewhere he wanted to come to Arsenal but it seems the feeling wasn’t mutual…
All these so called ex-Arsenal pundits blowing smoke up Wenger’s bony arse makes me feel sick, it’s a self preservation society!
Wenger is a busted flush, finnished we need a new manager…
Rico. For it to happen it would have needed Arsene to say that he was retiring at the end of the season as I doubt there is much appetite to sack him. Then the cards could have fallen in the right order. Alas, now it will never be.
Imagine the excitement it might have generated through the club. A complete change of direction and a new dynamic.
Rico, that’s the point…..Stan should have some input into how we are playing, even if only by demanding success from Wenger.
Pep….people are dreaming.
Seriously, there was never a chance Stan would have him and his demands.
Equally, no way Pep would join under Stans restrictions.
I mean, why would he risk his incredible strike rate just to build a side?
If he’s half the manager people think, Citeh will win next season by 10 points or more.
Lee, Rio is hardly ex Arsenal, and he had more to say than Wright did.
He wasn’t defending Wemger, he was asking questions of Stan and his cronies.
“I don’t think many defend him really Scott but just accept that he has nothing to do with the way Arsenal are playing…”
hallelujah!
That’s half the problem with Kroenke and the board though Adam. If they had any idea, they would have made it quite clear that this was the summer the club needed to change. No sacking, just a huge push in a friendly kind of way… 😉
I’m not talking about Rio.
Scott, Kroenke has no idea about football so why would he intervene? I really detest the man as he’s gutless and as he said, he’s not interested in winning Championships..
Lee, I’ve always thought that way, it’s nothing new in my opinion, I just blame Kroenke too because he’s the bleedin idiot who gave him a new contract knowing full well he wasn’t going to address the needs of the squad.
And now we definitely need change, what will he do about it? Bugger all I’d expect…
As I’ve always said, they are all as bad as each other from Wenger through to Kroenke….
Try Henry, Wright et al defending Wenger…. it’s pathetic.
As I keep saying, people blame Wenger for players lack of intensity and effort, yet refuse to blame Stan for Arsenes lack of those same qualities.
Whatever suits your argument, I guess,
Petit didn’t. He thinks Wenger should go..
Rico, does he really need to know anything about the game to want success on the pitch?
Does he listen to the fans?
The sooner we see the back of him, the better.
Stan’s laissez-faire policy is partly to blame BUT Wenger is the real problem and has been for a while. Here’s a massive annual salary bill, here’s a transfer kitty and Wenger flounders about in the transfer market not strengthening in the key positions….. fucking joker!
This current inept spineless team is a true reflection of him.
Scott, but we all know he doesn’t want to get involved.. I too wish he’d go but he isn’t going anywhere…
Lee, Stan can sack him, but won’t.
He could demand titles, but doesn’t.
Send them both lacking and we will fly.
Rico, you’re right and that’s the really worrying part for me.
I honestly hope I’m wrong when I say we will flop after Wenger leaves, but I can’t see anything else happening……unless Stan follows.
I don’t think we’ll flop Scott, not if a top manager comes in…
Stan will stay we will get a quality manager and things will improve.
Rico, I guess that is my concern….will Stan hire a top manager?
Will a top manager want to join?
If a big name comes in and spends, it will answer once and for all who’s held us back.
Why will we flop? That’s a strange thought imo
Lee, I honestly hope you are right.
Rico. I agree generally but we could have got Pep. There is no question about that. Arsene was the elephant in the room as the board and the owner support him.
Anyways it’s been scintillating guys/gal I’ve got a pint of Guiness with my name on….
Just one, Lee?
Soft 🙂
Morning all.
Scott I heard someone, ex-footballer I think, Danny Mills maybe, say that the Boards of most clubs take little notice of the fans views, reactions, desires or even ‘actions’! So where does that leave us in relation to Arsenal. In the middle of nowhere do nothing except, perhaps banging on about all the changes we would like to happen! It ain’t going to happen though, is if?
Worst case scenario, the syrup hands on his Arsenal brand to his impecunious son (name forgotten!) and so we’re stuck with the Cronkies for at least two and probably three generations! Just like we had the Bracewell Smiths for at least 50 years or more! Sadly we don’t own the shares so we have little or no say in the running of the club. The AST of which I’m a ‘member’ and send me regular updates, are usually critical of many of the goings on at Arsenal but, whilst voluable they have no power and a microscopic influence on any matters that impact on the fans.
So what are we to do? And to whom do we do it? I do not have any kind of answer for either of the questions!
Wenger is inviolable. He will leave when HE chooses. HE won’t be sacked and I doubt anyone would have the temerity to whisper in his ear.
Stan is going nowhere. He is about to reap the reward he entered the fray for, massive profits from TV deals, from which he will cream millions into his own bank accounts. He will consider it dividend for all his investments. And he or his family will continue milking the Arsenal cash cow until the deals run out and the money dries up! Then watch them run for the hills! That may be in the next 10 or 50 years! Who knows?
Unless there is a substantial repositioning of what Arsenal’s ambitions are vis, to attempt, seriously to win every competition they enter and buy only the world’s best players, then we will remain where we are, a good football club but, one that is never really going to win anything much. Always flattering to achieve but actually lacking the where withal to succeed, ever!
Imo, of course!
Adam, I don’t see how we could have got Pep if Stan and the board want Wenger.
Wavy. A sobering post but one that has the ring of truth. We could always sign Kronos though. 🙂
I think he will Scott…
Wavy, that’s very sad.
I understand the hard must run things as a business to a degree, but they should also realise the club is more than just a business.
Even in Aussie sport, where the dollars involved are 1/20th, it’s the same.
Board members have little idea or concern about how their fans and members feel.
Money……it ruins everything.
I bloody hope so, Rico.
Hope he gets a ripper.
I don’t know who, but I’d still love to see Dennis given a crack…at some stage.
Adam, exactly why I blame so much on Kroenke and the board…
Scott. You say that you know what his demands were. I don’t. He pis earning about £16 mill at BM apparently. But I do notice that BM’s wage bill is considerably less than ours and that he spent extremely well last season. £21 mill for Douglas Costa against £16 mill for Callum Chambers? Getting rid of MA, MF and TR frees up about £12 million a year. Wenger’s on about £9 million. Pep loves Arsenal. I have seen him there many times. He loves London and has huge respect for the traditions of the club. His ambition and drive would have been just what we need. It was a real missed opportunity in my opinion.
Rico. I know you do. I think Arsene is a bigger problem but I see where you are going with your line of thought. It’s entirely academic though until something shifts and decisions have to be made I would think. 🙂
Wavy – deep joy eh….
Adam, he’s certainly a massive problem and it’s only going to get worse the longer he stays…
Rico. You could be right there. 🙂
In which case things will take their own course I suppose.
I hope Roy doesn’t pick Walcott for the England squad…
Perhaps Theo will call another ‘secret’ meeting and then tell everyone about it.
Adam, I never said I know what his demands are at all.
I’ve haven’t he isn’t a great manager, I’ve said there’s a question mark over him but that’s just my opinion.
He already had a superb squad when he took over Barca, and at Bayern, so hardly had to bring many players in.
With us, it’d be much different as we are thin on quality and quantity, so spending would be a necessity, even though some would no doubt be offset by sales.
Would Stan have allowed him to spend what’s required to build a top squad?
I’m only stating my opinion when I say no, but then again, Pep would attract players.
Who’s next though?
Wasted opportunity or something not meant to be, but it’s done, so now we need to worry about Arsene leaving first, then who will replace him.
The man must go, there is absolutely no doubt at all about that.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t, mean he will so we remain in limbo……ten years and counting.
I still hope he’ll walk away in May Adam… Fingers crossed eh… 😉
In Catalonia it was often spoken about, that Pep would come to The Arsenal when he took his one year out after Barcelona. His admiration for what was built in London was well known and he believed ,as do many of us that we were on the cusp but needed that little push to make us a great. Unfortunately Wenger renewed and he went elsewhere and now his tenure at Munich has come to an end and Wenger still will not move aside . In all probability we have now lost him for good.
Scott. You said that Stan would never agree to his demands. If you didn’t know what they are how could you say that?
Potter. I think you are right there.
🙂 Adam
I hope so Rico. New energy is long overdue. 🙂
Adam, because that’s my opinion.
I’d suggest Pep would have his demands on spending as surely he wouldn’t want to come to us and simply hover around Top 4.
So you disagree??
I mean, he joined Citeh, after being at Barca and Bayern, so I dare say he’s not interested in joining a club who finishes mid table.
Most of what’s posted on here is merely opinion.
Should read DO you disagree….
Ok Scott.
Certainly is Adam.
Walcott in the squad, is there really not a better English winger out there somewhere…. ? 😉
I wonder if the players are now tuned for the game at the merseyside… Didn’t watch the game though I understand Wenger will have a hard time justifying why we didn’t need a striker.
Lee for once I agree with Keane. That is a weak bunch out there. With no b@lls.
Rico, Theo is a CF though 🙂 🙂 🙂
They are probably still sulking Marshall… 😉
Not for England though Scott… 😉
On form, he won’t make the squad, Rico.
Would England have him, you think?
Isaac Hayden has been called up for England under 21’s – great news for him…
Roy has selected him Scott, I wouldn’t have. Welbeck’s in there too…
Welbeck earned his spot.
He’s been very good since coming back.
Agree Scott..
If Pep came in he’d bin loads of the under performing squad players and free up lots cash, he’d attract quality players and certainly get The Arsenal performing like they should be…..
My contact at Arsenal said Pep was virtually a done deal……. that ship has certainly sailed like so many others.
Brendan is free Brudder!
im off….night Rico and all.
Night Scott.
I wonder what went wrong with the deal Lee…
Bunch of babies Rico. Welbeck deserves to be in the team though I never fault his commitment. What will Walcott bring to the national team?
Pep would’ve been perfect. Pep wouldn’t pay Sanogo even for cleaning the squad boots. The only way with a great manager is up.
I’ll have to get back to you on that one Marshall… lol
His footballing brain?
His 100m time?
His kid’s story books?
His air shots?
His work ethic?
Running down blind alley ways?
His beard?
That’s what £140k p.w gets you at Arsenal!!
Don’t forget his Tatts!
I wonder what went wrong with the deal Lee…?
In a word……………………………Wenger !
I knew the answer really Potter… 😉
But saying that, , considering what AW said any manager in his last year of contract you’d think he’d be considering his exit this summer…
Surely Kroenke wouldn’t give him another contract….
Cliff Mitchelmore has died – 96
Paul Daniels has died too, 77..
Afternoon rico and the house
Happy St Patricks day
“You’re gonna like this but, not a lot!” (PD)
Wenger should have two seasons ago, winning the FA Cup recharged his batteries and he decided to stay. Then with another £24m assured over his new contract he, reluctantly promised to stay! And he will do the same again next year if he’s offered a new deal. Believe me! He just can’t let go. Arsenal has become his ‘baby’ and his play box and he just won’t leave it, not to anyone! Imo, they’ll have to carry him out in a box! Sad but true, I reckon. Perhaps he can’t let the club go, not to anyone else because he cannot stand the thought of someone new coming in and a, finding all the skeletons left in the lockers and b, outdoing him in all the competitions that he has found impossible to win for more than a decade!
Nice one Malaga, we had a big parade in town today, makes up for the one I won’t be going to in May !
That’s 6 years in a row we’ve gone out at the last 16 stage, Champions League fodder through and through.
Micko Wenger will never conquer Europe….
Well not unless he pens a song for the next Eurovision Song Contest that is.
France never win the Eurovison contest… Lol
Micko, how many Guinness have you sunk?
Hi Mg..
Hi rico, I’ll be going out for a feed of pints later, the company has given us tomorrow off as well, everyone would only be ringing in sick ! Gotta love St Patrick.
Lee, don’t be so quick on the trigger, as I said last nite he’s only had 200 CL games to get it right, patience is a virtue.
Hey micko, was at the parade in wexford
Not allowed any beer till tonight, tut, tut
Have a liquid one mate
Hi Micko, well you celebrate St Patrick in style. And then have a nice sleep in tomorrow… Lol
Night guys, catch up tomorrow…
This guys makes too much sense to be a Gooner 🙂
Is he a WOB, or an AKB, because, according to most, you’re either one, or you’re the other.
http://www.lasportsanostra.com/arsenal-wenger-kroenke-arsene-epl-premier-league/
Hi All Long time reader and sometimes poster even though I havent posted in a year.
First i want to point out a comment here erlier qouting Danny Mills re boardrooms.
Its simply not true that most or all football boards ignore the fans and their views. It would be suicidal to do so and the examples are plentyful where fans have recently forced boards to act, not because they agree all the time but because they understand busniess and know once the customers loose faith things go downhill fast.
Which brings me to Arsenal and the problems we have at the moment. I´m going to approach this from a different angle from most on this thread and say that the main problem is not the manager the owner or the board but the fans.
Why? Baucause we are not militant enough, we moan and moan but still buy the merchendice and renew the season tickets. If the owner saw the drop in revenu from matchday income and shirtsales he would have to act to secure his investment and so would the board. As long as this is not affected and the income keeps increasing they wont act unless there is a major protest. Protest will alert the sponsors. Bad publicity is not part of the deal and one they will not want to be accociated with,the more toxic and the more virulent the protest becomes the colder their feet get. Another alert klaxon for the board.
The other problem with us fans is strange, bizarre even. Its the peronality cult that has developed and is best seen by looking at the pro Wenger sites like Untold Arsene. Its like Kim Il Arsene the dear leader that built Arsenal single handed and is responsible for all the good things in the world. Its uniqe to Arsenal in modern football, I have not seen this enivere else and while us fans that are sick of the “regime” stay passive like we have the cultists will prevail.
Just my two bob….
Madgunner, you’d post more often 🙂 . So true we need to turn the heat on where it’ll hurt the brand most.
Mad, for every pro Wenger site, there is an anti Wenger site.
What makes one right and one wrong when it’s all about opinions?
I mean, who decides what others can thing?
Plenty of these sites try to….doesn’t make them right.
I agree with plenty else you said.
Morning Rico and all.
Regarding fans protests. What is the objective of these might I ask?
Is it to somehow force the board to sack Wenger?
Morning Adam, Scott, Marshall and all..
Adam, I guess it’d make them sit up and take notice….well, maybe it would lol.
I’m sure all fans would be unanimous in their belief the club lacks ambition, so something from Stan and the board that shows they acknowledge the fans concern would be a start.
How they do that is a mystery to me, admittedly.
Sack Wenger?
Publicly state the manager, whoever he is, has one job to do and that’s to won the League, and will be given all the tools required to get it done.
Morning everyone, by the way…..
I’d have thought any protest would give the manager food for thought and perhaps make him realise that his time is up at the end of the season..
But would the board and owner have an action plan should he walk away….
Rico. If he walks at the end of the season then they would have little choice. I reckon they must have contingencies in place in the form of a shortlist of those they consider suitable for one of the biggest jobs in football who could also handle all the stuff that would come with following Arsene.
I think the boos and protests already should get the manager, the board and stan edgy but as they ignore us, push will come to shove. Think the objective is – 1; to get the manager out and 2; have the board/stan evaluate their ambitions.
Morning all.
Adam, you’d certainly like to think they have a plan going forward as the board must know AW can’t go on forever.
David Moyes remains an option doesn’t he….. 😉
Next home game all the customers at the Emirates smuggle in long haired guinea pigs and release them onto the pitch….. looks like stan’s syrup collection has come alive!
Will be a front page headline!
Job done, simples!!
Lol Moyes Rico? If we had one of our former players manage the team I think Dennis would do a good job. Though am afraid a former player would/could become a poster boy for Wenger (who might move upwards) and respect the board too much.
Rats would be better Lee….
Henry Marshall, my hunch remains it’ll be Henry….
New post up now