Morning all.
What an odd weekend of sport that was and outside the world of football, it was great.
A young teenager won the Grand National against all the odds and then in the early hours of this morning, Danny Willett did what no British golfer has done in twenty years as he walked away from the course in Augusta wearing his posh new green jacket. What a super four days for the young Englishman who had just a couple of weeks ago become a father and had his little lad not been born earlier than expected, Willett wouldn’t even had been at the Masters.
I love sporting stories like that, when the unexpected achieve something which no-one gives them a hope in hell of achieving.
That’s pretty much what Leicester have been doing all season too really. No-one would have given them a chance of winning the Premier League before the start of the 2015/16 campaign but here they are with just nine more points required to achieve something huge in the history of the club.
I think Arsenal are the only club to have beaten them both home and away, not that it’s done us much good as too many other points have been dropped against really average opposition and Saturday was no exception.
Next up for Arsenal is Crystal Palace at The Emirates on Sunday at 4pm, then just a few days later West Brom travel to London for a Thursday night fixture which is an unusual day for us to be playing. All for television of course, in fact apart from the Aston Villa match on the final day of the season, all of our remaining matches are live on Sky Sports.
My guess is that now for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, it’s all about securing Champions League football before the season ends, hopefully by nicking second spot but the more likely is probably 3rd or 4th.
Then in the summer there’s a lot of big decisions made. Will Arsene Wenger walk away from the dugout, or will he finally build a squad which is stronger, deeper and ready to win the league again? Will he replace those leaving with players coming through the academy or will he finally dip into the clubs huge funds and sign a few outfield players? So many questions which can’t be answered right now as only Wenger knows what’s going to happen.
If he’s staying, I’d like to think he’s going to spend some money this summer but then I’ve thought that for the last few summers and as much as he’s made a few good signings like Ozil, Sanchez and Cech, he’s failed by not signing a few more at the same time. We’ve needed a leader on the pitch for years, yet still we don’t have one. Can you imagine Tony Adams sitting back and doing nothing after conceding a goal to let West Ham back into a game? No, me neither, nor Patrick Vieira but big characters like those just aren’t seen playing for Arsenal these days as Arsene Wenger seems to prefer ‘nice chaps’, chaps who won’t challenge his position or tactics.
As Kev said yesterday:
He has filled our team with players who struggle to impose themselves, or have had it coached out of them…
Where is the Alexis Sanchez who covers ever inch of the pitch and motivates his team mates?
Where is the Coquelin who tackles like his life depends on it and rallies the troops around him?
Where is the Gabriel who looked so physically strong and mobile, who was decisive and proactive? He’s now become as dithering as his manager and as reactive.
Why do our players a change so much and become nicey nicey after a few months under Arsene, the fire in their belly extinguished?
Wasn’t it Fergie who once said that to take the aggression out of a player like Wayne Rooney, you lose half the player?
Well perhaps that’s exactly what has happened to a few of ours and just because Coquelin got sent off against the Totts and Gabriel against Chelsea, it doesn’t mean they need to be told to calm their temperament, they just need to time their tackles better or in Gabriel’s case, don’t be provoked into reacting to thugs like Costa but they, nor others like Wilshere, who isn’t shy of making a strong tackle, don’t need to lose that ‘edge’ to their personality because all great players need that, especially defensive ones.
All other clubs have players who have an edge to their game and each weekend we watch on as our players get ‘bullied’ but the referee often deems it to be within the laws of the game so if you can’t beat them, join them.
Alex Iwobi showed on Saturday that he wouldn’t be bullied and I just hope Wenger doesn’t change that in his game because we need to see more of that, more passion, more attitude and certainly more commitment and I suspect we would if Arsene Wenger let men be men.
And that doesn’t mean the team stop playing football the ‘right way’, after all, back in the days of Tony Adams and Partick Vieira, Arsenal were winning things….
Perhaps if Arsene Wenger had left the players alone to play the way they grew up playing, it could have been us sat at the top of the league needing just a few more points to be crowned champions. Actually, had he done so, we might just have been home and dry by now….
Still, if and but’s don’t win anything do they but the Arsenal board and majority shareholder must wonder just how the club have blown one of the best chances in years of winning the Premier League….
As must Arsene Wenger…..
PS – The Football Insider reckons there’s going to be a hug clear out in the summer with players like Mertesacker, Gibbs, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain on their way.
We’ll see soon enough I guess……
…….us sat at the top of the league needing just a few more points to be crowned champions
This season should have seen Arsenal do another INVINCIBLES SEASON had the right acquisitions been made in August. We should have run away with the league not be on the verge of needing a few more points to be crowned.
Had Elneny been signed in summer and if we had a player who scores at will with the amount of chances we had we should have been out of sight from day 1.
Ifs and buts don’t win the league……but I feel I am right here.
Good Morning Boss and Peeps.
nice post boss……..I just hope you are right about the clear out. I hope they are replaced adequately.
Morning Devil and all..
Invinsible? Not in this league with the referee’s – no chance…
no chance you say??? that is because AW is naïve. The refs have more chance of doing that with the way we play. its easy to punish us. if we play not to loose first and stop the others and not let them play yes, we would have finished the season unbeaten again. Remember, if we had a striker who gobbled up the chances we created we would have been out of sight by the 15th minute of every game.
Mauro Icardi anyone???
Morning Rico…
Morning All, morning Coach…
A clear out, really?
Where have we heard all that old guff before?
And who is Arsene gonna sign to replace the ’10’ going out and will he do any business early enough to make a difference or are we in for another fraught August 31st
Last Minute.Com???
It’s all spin and BS prior to the season ticket renewals…
We’ve been down this avenue so many times before and when has Arsene EVER done anything different to what he always does in the summer???
I don’t believe a word of what Arsene, Gazides, the club or any source inside the club says.
Agree on the striker – we certainly lack a goal scorer..
Morning Kev, me neither…
At 2-0 nil up and a few minutes left of the first half , why didnt the players keep possession? there are some real questions to be asked with some of the players mentality, gabriel had a stinker and will learn from this , but we bought on giroud, ramsey and walcott and neither did anything, campbell would have been a better than any of those three
giroud,ramsey, walcott mertersacker and gibbs they are the players that need to move on, they have failed in the games that we needed them, these guys have been in the premiership long enough giroud has proven henry right in his analysis of him earlier this season. as much as i like ramsey its been a season to forget, i would rather keep el neny and coquelin in midfield or wilshere ( when fit)
obviously this is easier said than done to get rid but I would be happy to see a defender, striker ( moratta) midfielder, and a new left back, we are losing a few players with arteta, flamini and rosicky also but by getting rid of 5 players ( giroud, ramsey, walcott, mertersacker and gibbs) buying 3 or 4 world class to replace them and then promote within the club as like iwobi.
the other day welbeck was big let down, he had a few half chances but fluffed it, a great striker makes a chance out of nothing
with chamberlain – i know there is a player waiting to explode but wenger and his father say he himself is his biggest problem, i can see him leaving and exploding or i can see him staying and doing the same crap again.
most important , give the captain armband to someone who has balls and will bollock the rest of the team
for the first time – i didnt even check the other teams results this week – i felt sick after what i saw, i watched arsenal lose 6-0 to chelsea and get hammered by liverpool and still watched over games those weekends but saturday was just joke
this game didnt cost us the title , if we had beaten southampton at home and beaten swansea at home and beaten a very bad united at old trafford this draw wouldnt have been a bad result
if you have a look at those games and you will see the players I mentioned are the ones who cost us either in defence, midfield or upfront.
wenger’s faith in these players has to stop – why have ozil and sanchez , when half the team are bottlers
Wasn’t it AW who used to say that its no good changing or signing more than two/three players per TW??? How come now its 10???? season ticket sales as KEv said?????
This time his hand will be forced though…..TR, MA and MF will all leave. So that makes it three. Seems that Ches and Ospina want to leave as well. So that is five now.
And if they want to go they will do so anyway.
Over to you Arsene. LEt’s see you replacing them and with whom now.
Clear outs get talked about a lot, but Wenger (quite rightly) doesn’t like wholesale changes. Too many new players can affect the continuity. Obviously we’re losing three midfielders in Rosicky, Flamini and Arteta.. only really sad about Rosicky, but the injury record speaks for itself! Can’t see Chamberlain leaving off the back of this, but hopefully Walcott leaves.. not that he’s a terrible player, he just doesn’t have the on the balls skills needed.. might flourish at a Leicester where they sit back and counter..
A new striker has to be number one on the agenda though.. Morata is talked up and is a skilful player, but the goalscoring record isn’t pulling up any trees, but then again, not many goals are really scored in Serie A, so maybe he’s better than the record suggests..
Lastly a replacement for Mertesacker is needed.. think Gabriel will continue to grow and he is good when teams play on the ground.. but he’s not yet used to the aerial attack.. it took Koscielny time to adapt to and will take Gabriel time.. wouldn’t mind chancing an arm on Kompany if City give up on him because of injuries.. a risk, but worth it if he comes through them..
Actually Rico, you could expand the ‘mythical 10’ to include Sanogo, Szczesny and a few fringe players like Wellington Silva, that’s if the club is serious in ‘getting rid’….
It’s almost like a re-run of a few years back and needing to move on the likes of Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner and a few move known euphemistically as ‘deadwood’…
Arsene does like to collect these types of players and in worryingly large numbers…
Totally agree A.
Once Liverpool scored their equaliser at Anfield, the team collapsed imo and AW didn’t know how to get them back playing and winning… The season was lost long ago but all the time there was a sniff, there was hope, albeit small….
It wouldn’t surprise me if Flamini wasn’t offered a one year deal…
Oxlade-Chamberlain might agitate to leave as he isn’t getting enough game time…
The reason why that’s the case won’t register, he’ll just want to go elsewhere, especially if a massive (unwarranted) pay rise isn’t in the pipeline?
The club has to decide whether they want to risk AOC going into the last year of his contract and then being over a barrel as they were with Walcott or moving him on now, with the risk that he might do really well elsewhere…
Paul, if AW didn’t hang on to so many players who are either injured, old or past it for the PL, he wouldn’t have to make so many changes at one time. Now his hand should be forced and it’s all of his own doing really….
morning all,
It will need to be a clear out but not because Wenger initiates it.
Can’t have 4 keepers, one will leave or both on loan again.
Gibbs wants to leave, perhaps Ozil and Sanchez too. Flamini, Arteta and Rosicky are out with a chance of Per retiring too.
The on loan players like Silva, Debuschy and perhaps Sir no goals will be released.
Be interesting come end of April if we neck and neck with City, down to the game at the Ethihad and Liverpool win Europa.
Juventus go down that route quite often year in year out Kev.
If they have a player like the OX, itching for a move they sell him and replace him with another player of the same calibre or better. Imagine the OX wants to go…….he gets replaced by someone like for like.
This year they lost around 6 players I think. What did they do??? they signed another six to replace them. The result??? They struggled for the first 8-10 games and then began grinding out results. Just in case anyone asks where they are……top in the Serie A. And you can bet that if Morata leaves, they will replace him with another striker. Life goes on.
So if Theo wants to go let him. don’t let him ransom the club. If the Ox wants to go…do so as well. What we need though is to replace them with good committed players. And stop offering silly money to those who sulk simply because you are afraid they might flourish somewhere else. Those who have a stinking attitude will still remain with a stinking attitude anywhere else.
I forgot about those Kev… 😉
Hasn’t Flamini been told he’s not wanted? I’m sure I read he had somewhere..
I can see Martinez staying wit Ospina and Ches going Brad.
Wouldn’t it be kind of amusing if that City/Liverpool scenario plays out but I can’t see Liverpool winning the Europa Cup… Dortmund will beat them at Anfield… Well, I sure hope they do… lol
Imagine Shitty win CL. Dippers win Europa league. Both of them end up in the CL. That is why we need to finish 3rd or 2nd if AW wants the CL place.
IMO……finishing in Europa league does not bother me as AW can play the fringe players in that competition and the league cup. Players like Martinez and the 2nd eleven can play in those games. They will get that much needed practice, keep match fit and it also serves as a kick up the backside to AW and SK.
But we all know that wouldn’t happen Devil. AW would take Europa seriously and probably rest players for league matches when the fixture comes around….
Seems that the RB position is already sorted out for next season. Bellerin and Jenkinson will be the two RB. Much as I would like to see someone on Bellerin’s level I am satisfied with Jenkinson as he is Arsenal through and through and he is still young.
CB is another position which is 3/4 good. Kos, Gabi and Chambers are good three alternatives but Per needs to be replaced now as he is not getting any younger and is slower than he was a year ago.
LB is ok atm…..but if Gibbs puts his foot down and leaves than we need cover for Monreal…..or better still someone who can come in and make Monreal strive harder to win back his place.
As with regards GK Cech is number one and if Ches and Ospina leave than MArtinez will be no 2.
Saturday wasn’t a bad score but face the needs, was a bad result. Anyway, we could won it. Worst, was the first game of the season, when WH defeated us.
That was a important and a remarkable game for 3 reasons: 1) We were played with arrogance and haughtiness 2) We understoodl we did not have one unbeatable team and we aren’t the major candidates for the title. 3) We would lose many points bitter.
The first game was the image of the season
The championship was lost at home. Outside, though barely lost points, it must have been the teams that scored more goals. And consequently, the more points made.
Spot on JM. You make such good points. I always enjoy reading what you post.
JM, I agree re the arrogance. Sometimes this team has looked like they thought the game could be won by just turning up. Shame someone doesn’t make them think otherwise each week….
Is Arsenal allowed to buy/start a team in a lower division and get them up to at least championship level?
I see Ajax has a junior squad in their first division and it makes me wonder if that’s the reason they develop such good youngsters.
Brad….I have been banging that drum for ages. But the English FA do not allow it.
For how long has the team needed a back bone? 2-0 up and we fuck it up, we only had to hang on for 8mins until half time……
Arsenal need to buy a club in another country like Spain and send players there.
I saw that they were complaining that the new set up of U18 & U21 doesn’t prepare them well enough playing against grown experienced men compared to when there was a reserve league.
Since Campbell went awol I’d say Lee and after Gilberto left….
Just had Freddie Ljungberg in the cab…
Wish we had him in the fecking team…
What a player and what a really nice guy…
Afternoon Rico and the house.
Did he pass on any info Kev.??
lucky you Kev. I wish I was there. would have paid the fare myself.
Crunch day for the U21’s
They are away to Derby in what could be Title decider
They are top and tonight is their final game.
We are 5pts behind with 2 games in hand, and should Derby win they will win
the automatic promotion spot leaving us to play in the play offs,
At the moment there is no news on the team but I am hoping that Tomas Jack and Serge will play.
Rick can i ask you a question pls?? not on Arsenal.
Yes
Do you like gym and weight lifting? I am asking because I know a guy whose name is Rick and was wondering if its you. Thanks
You jammy guy Kev, what a lovely man to meet…
Afternoon Rick and all…
Afternoon boss.
Afternoon Devil…
What’s the Metro spouting today? Lol
No its not me Coach.
Have never been interested in weightlifting.
Arsenal Cricket and Athletics have been my favs .
Add H/H to that and you know all about me.
Coach can I ask you where are you located its not the UK is it.?
Love cricket too Rick…
“PS – The Football Insider reckons there’s going to be a hug clear out in the summer with players like Mertesacker, Gibbs, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain on their way.”
You leave out the only change that will fix the problem, namely a new manager.
Nothing will change unless Wenger goes. We have gone through this season after season and this has been talked and analysed to death. Almost everyone agrees so why do we do this to our self’s every transfer window and dream and debate whom to sell and whom to buy.
I would not give him a penny this summer, he will only muck it up. He has had the chance to buy the players with the right mentality for years but insists to buy weak minded players or coach any aggression out of players that had it in the 1st place.
Sadly I see him still at the helm next year and if we don’t fall out of the top 4 now we most certainly will next season. More teams will have the money to buy from the new TV deal and will use it to strengthen where he will buy maybe one star and then youngsters or burnt out players looking for a last payout.
And yet the fans will keep on lining the pockets of the owner and moan about the same thing we moaned about last year the year before the year before that and so on.
To make matters worse the fossils on the board and the owner will probably offer him a new contract because he deserves it and is the only coach on the planet that can lead us back into the champions league.
Its like purgatory where you relive the same year for eternity……
Trouble was Rico I was no good at any of them, so I just became a watcher( is that a correct term)
TT, exactly why I didn’t type it again, the topic about Arsene Wenger leaving has been been discussed here day after day after day but it seems he’s going nowhere.. Just as Kroenke isn’t…
Maybe things need to get worse before they get better…
Ha ha Rick, that doesn’t matter, as long as you enjoy watching…
Tomas Jack and serge are not in the team,
Normal team it looks like a hard game.
.
I thought they’d have got another run out…
Nope Rick. I hail from the middle of the Mediterranean. But I have lots of friends littering the UK. 😉 Kev is the best of them all.
I have a feeling that Pocchetino will end up at Manure or Real Madrid while the Spuds have already reached agreement with Mourinho.
A fine solo goal by Mavididi has given the lads a 1goal lead.
There was a fast and hectic start to the game showing just why they are the top 2 teams in the league.
With 30 mins gone the lads are starting to control the game with Jeff and Nelson pulling the strings. Keep it up you gunners.
Are you watching the game Rick??? live or on telly???
I don’t Devil, read the Totts are are offering him a new bumper deal….
that is my feeling and what i am dreading Rico. I am afraid that hosay will go there…..it will guarantee them a place above AFC year in year out till he remains there.
Half time its gone sour.
34 mins Sheaf yellow card kicking the ball away.
39 mins Derby score. initially ruled out for offside but Ref then changed his mind and gave goal. Our boys not very happy.
45mins on the stroke of half time Sheaf said something to ref given 2nd yellow and the Red and was sent off
45 mins with 10 men all uphill now and after we were so much in control.
No coach its not being shown and I am not there being kept informed by some one who follows the the youngsters
Thanks Rick. much appreciated as from here I cannot see my favourite level of football….the Under 21, under 19 and under 17.
I wish I could though.
I have always held the opinion that at the end of the day the best coaching is done with kids between 13 and 19 years…..under 21 is the icing on the cake.
I’ll believe it when I see it Devil…
Not good news Rick…
I’m off guys, catch up tomorrow..
Night Rick, Devil and all….
night boss
that is not good news Rick.
When will they ever learn. For a foul or late tackle I accept it. but not for dissent.
It is still level on the hour mark. G/K Macey 3 fantastic saves keeping us in the game.
H/T gatting replace Mavididi with Hines should have taken off Crowley.
Mavididi leading scorer with 11 goals in 17 games and in contention for the Golden boot.
Coach up untill dec 2012 I was a regular at Underhill for u18 and u21 played there, Watched Bellerin Hayden Toral Iwobi Gnabry and some others start out for the youth team.
Been in their corner ever since I still think they can all make it.
What do I know about football .
Quick breakaway Crowley to Hinds who smashes it home via the crossbar 2-1
to the gunners. Come on boys keep it up.
Full Time we win 2-1 well done boys.
Now 2 points behind with 2 games to play
Away to Swansea on Thurs and at home to WBA next monday.
thanks Rick.
much appreciated
off now
Good nite
Night all
Morning….
Bonjour…
Morning boys and girls.
Hola Lee & Scott…
Hola Rico, Lee and Scott
Hola Kev – Como Estas? 😉
Hi all.
Frustrating times for us all, but I can’t stand the total negativity so I’m refraining from commenting much.
It’s hurting us all.
Arsene must go but probably won’t, though being the person I am, I can not indulge in daily negative stuff so I’m just keeping out of it.
I would love to sit down with the man and convince him we all love him, and admire what he’s done, but he needs to trust the next man, whoever he is, to take us forward.
His time is up, though he is also ready for the next step.
People would be lying if they say they could name a better person to take over UEFA or FIFA.
I’d guessed Scott… 😉
Think Fifa and Uefa have sorted the positions out, shame really….
Rick, I didn’t ask Freddie any political questions, and as he is coaching the U15’s with Thierry Henry, he would have swerved anything difficult anyway ?
He’d just returned from abroad where he was finishing doing his Pro License…
He said that he’d like to go into management eventually, but he’s enjoying coaching the kids and will learn at that level and gradually work his way up rather than go straight in at the sharp end.
Morning Boss. Seems that Kante is signed, sealed and wrapped according to blogs on NN.
YAAAAAWWWWNNNNNN
Morning Rico, Brudder and all.
It’s all gone a bit flat hasn’t it? Still there’s always next season to look forward to.
Lol Rico.
It does hurt us all, even those of us normally positive.
None of us like seeing a season a title slip away, especially one so winnable.
I’ll still say the FA are as guilty in killing off our chances as Stan or Arsene-the failure to send Carroll of proves that once and for all.
Still, we do ourselves no favours at all.
Morning Peeps.
Next year we will have a DM department made up of Coquelin, Elneny, Xhaka, Kante. No one will pass through that defensive barrier might as well put up a defence of Adam, KEv, Wath, Scott…..with a coffee thermos and some biscuits.
The new Invincibles will have a field day drinking coffee and tucking in with some biscuits and cake.
Rico did you get that message? Thought it might help you with a post….
It certainly is all flat bit like the last 12yrs (apart from two sacred F.A cups!)
Morning Devil & Adam..
Best I switch my phone on Lee… 😉
I haven’t even thought about what to write today if anything. It’s all a bit boring really…
But the sad thing is Scott, it’s real and there’s a big problem at Arsenal…. It’s tall, slim and French… 😉
Devil…anyone….tell me about Xhaka.
Never seen him!!
tall, slim and French………AND OLD
you forgot that boss
Rico just post one of your previous ones from this time in 2015, 2014,2013 etc……
Rico. You are right. It is boring because it is predictable. I can’t remember the last time we ‘sprung a surprise’ on the pitch. Only one more season to go, according to Wrighty anyway.
I didn’t want to be ageist Devil…. lol
🙂 Lee
Can’t see Wighty being right Adam.
A new contract then Rico?
Wrighty be Wrongy? Possible…
Or he’s off in the summer Adam…
So, the club turned down the chance of getting Pep and Wenger leaves anyway?
Blimey. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. I would imagine he will see how it goes next season and if things are ok (his view of OK), he will sign a new contract.
None of which seems particularly enticing.
I think if he’s still manager when the season starts, he’ll sign a new contract because of what he said about a manager being in his final year etc…
But this is why I really wish Kroenke would show more ambition….
Arsenal have more problems than Arsene.
Some are dressed in black.
Some are Yanks.
Still, as I always say, it’s easy, convenient and popular to blame Arsene, so let’s all go down that route.
Do so, and you will always get support.
Still, if AW and the club really are going to spend big in the summer, next season could be good… 😉
Don’t want Wenger spending the money.
By “Show more ambition” do you mean a new manager Rico?
Wenger bought Ozil.
Wenger bought Sanchez.
Wenger bought Cech.
wasted money?
Of course there are other things too Scott but only one man signs the players, keeps the players and plays them in the way they he does….
His last statement about defensive weaknesses says an awful lot to me…
Well, pushing AW for a couple of more players signed last summer may have help Adam but ultimately, yes, a new manager but does Kroenke care as long as CL is on the agenda..
I know we’ve been there before but it’s a factor imo..
Of course not Scott, but they weren’t enough as we all know…
I broadly agree Rico. 🙂
🙂 Adam
Not wasted money but not enough….. AGAIN!
Sign the best no 10 in Europe and have a cart horse in front of him…… did Wenger sign Ozil or was it Ivan?
Signing not a single out field player last summer was a fucking joke…… there’s money there he chooses not to spend it.
It does seem a failure of judgement for sure Brudder. I believe you even mentioned it to me at the time. 🙂
I think it was Stan who signed Ozil.
I still love the fact that nobody is criticising the lack of performances this season from Sanchez, but I guess Wenger suddenly showed him how NOT to play lol.
World Class player without a left foot, but that’s on Wenger, right?
Trained it out of him.
Ruined him as a youth.
Oh, but Wenger signed him, so it’s his fault.
Oh, but Wenger was made to sign him by those above him…as we all know Wemher wouldn’t spend that much on a player.
Oh, but I love the switches in attitude when it suits.
No, the fact is EVERY defender now knows Alexis will always go to his right foot, and he’s easy to defend, but again, that’s Wengers fault.
I said this months ago, and not a single person offered a decent argument.
People bitch Wenger spends no money and the squad is shit.
Same people say a good manager would do better with the squad we’ve assembled.
We Currently sit 3rd.
Top 4 EVERY season.
So either Wenger DOES spend enough and he’s a shit manager who’s spending DOES gets results, or he doesn’t spend and he’s a genius to keep having good results from a shit squad.
Can anyone explain this using logic and reason?
No abuse.
No insults.
Just offer up a decent argument for.
No I still say Wenger must go, but I see him as part of the problem, unlike those who see him as the entire problem.
But didn’t Ozil say one of the main reasons he signed was because of Arsene Wenger?
He did Rico.
Scott, what about the results over the last few months, barring Everton and Watford?
Why do we drop after Christmas season after season?
My guess is the lack of squad depth, too many players who are either always injured or just aren’t good enough but who keeps them?
Rico, he’s stated that on numerous occasions.
But Stan had to ok it. 🙂
Sad news about James Taylor the cricketer.
That’s what I thought Scott..
Funny how the silent American can get involved when it comes to money Adam… 😉
I read that this morning Adam, terribly sad…..
Rico, fair enough, but if he’s leaving us with a thin squad, why is it people say he’s tactically Inept when he keeps us competitive with such a poor squad 🙂
I blame Stan and Arsene, but in that order.
I have a gut feeling Ivan is good at his job but unable to do it the way he wants to.
Then again, he rarely has people saying he should stand his ground and leave if he doesn’t get his way………..plenty say that of Arsene.
I’m sure it’s a lot more complicated than we all think.
He was an interesting cricketer Rico. Had a certain ‘dash’ about him. I wish him well.
Stan would certainly need to sign off on any new signings, especially big ones I would imagine.
Depends what you mean by competitive Scott. Ten points away from top spot, knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford and out of the League Cup by Southampton…..
I won’t mention the CL… 😉
Scott, I’d imagine there’s a big power struggle between a few on the board and the manager. Especially if what Ivan has said over the years is truly how he feels…
Agree Adam, I liked him…
Rico, we are ahead of those spending 10 X as much.
Critics would have managers of those clubs who spent more and perform less as manager over Wenger.
Yeah I’m almost positive there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that we don’t know about.
I’m equally positive those issues do have a massive impact on the onfield performances.
You got me there Scott… 😉
Not sure many fans would prefer most if any of the managers in the PL though, i wouldn’t but I think there’s one or two who would have our defensive unit sorted out…
Sheffield Wednesday…
Southampton was last season Rico…
Just saying… ?
How can anyone forget Wenger putting on Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain without having them warm up properly and they both sustain injuries….
Arsene Knows….
Of all Arsenes failings, and there are a few, I would say his refusal to refresh his coaching staff, and to trust in them is number 1.
To have Pat Rice for so long and now Steve Bould shows this.
He should stand back and let the coaching staff do their jobs.
He should also others to to handle transfe negotiations.
Control freak?
Probably.
It should never have been allowed to get that way.
Kev, These guys are just injury prone and that goes whether they’re warmed up or not.
Diaby was always warm 🙂
🙂 Kev, silly me eh… lol
So if he does all the transfer negotiating Scott, only he is to blame for not signing more players last summer…..
What comes first, Rico…..
Stan for allowing Wenger such responsibility, or Wenger for making a hash of it 🙂
If any of us were owner, we’d either sack Wenger or tell him to worry about what happens on the field, and not what happens off it.
So since we moved to the Emirates Wenger has had £30m nett to spend on players each season according David Dein…..
Wenger could make the decision to leave other stuff to other people Scott. But he likes the control clearly…
But yes, Kroenke should have sorted that kind of stuff out long ago….
That’s interesting Lee but how does David Dein know what has gone on since he left I wonder….
Back in a bit, shops are calling…
Hi All,
On yesterday’s comments, if Liverpool and City win Europa and Champions league respectively then we need to finish 2nd to make champions league as only the top 2 qualify, scary thought.
I think the only reason why we stay in the champs league places is because all other teams have constantly changed managers (Mourinho, Daglish, Villas-Boasx 2, Scolari, Anchelotti, Rogers, Di Matteo, Hughes, moyes, etc) who come in with their own ideas and style and players they want and no team is consistent enough to challenge us or form to late to catch us and it’s not so much Wenger the genious.
We haven’t made champs league at a sprint every year, it’s been a struggle most seasons, we can see it by the amount of qualifiers we play and last few games desperation. We were lucky this year that the leceister surprise was offset by the really bad Chelsea and the Manchester teams are hot on our heels too.
Apparently there was an A.S.T meeting last night, did it come out then?
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/2844866/alisher-usmanov-biding-his-time-at-arsenal
https://m.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/4ebzb7/arsenal_supporters_trust_meeting_with_henry_winter/
Scott, re your points on Sanchez. They actually highlights Wenger’s deficiencies this year; inspite of his form, yet he played him almost every game….. and Campbell can’t see the pitch. Elneny sits for a month to play, yet we are getting run-over in the midfield. I have concluded a while back that maybe Wenger doesn’t buy players because he doesn’t know how to select. Frankly, the Invincibles, selected themselves.
Afternoon guys…
Not sure what to make of that HW link Kev. Some of it I kind of agree with but plenty is possibly just stirring the pot…
Like the idea of Brady instead of Chips though….
RIP David Guest. Sad to hear of his passing, he made me laugh….
Kante signing for Arsenal in the summer then…. Lol
Night – catch up tomorrow….
Gee, the transfer rumour mill is already hotting up lol
Obi, I doubt anyone would try and defend his lack of game time given to Elneny and Campbell.
It’s been strange.
Has he given Campbell just enough chances to impress potential buyers?
It seems the kid is on the outer, but surely it can’t be due to onfield performances.
Or defend 20yrs of failure in the CL and 12yrs failure in PL….. all pretty damning reading!
Is everybody happy?
I could out run a cheetah I’m so happy! 🙂
Morning Lee, Kev and all..
But is anyone willing to make the offer Lee? 😉
Not unless I seek “professional” help Rico! 😆
Don’t do it Lee… 😉
Is like to see you racing a cheetah Lee…
I’d….. *
Morning Rico/Lee
Morning All…
I wouldn’t want to be around after he did Kev… 😉
New post up now..