Morning all.
I don’t know about you guys but I think things are changing at the club. And I think Ivan’s comments about change might just be starting to mean something and it’s positive imo. Arsene Wenger may not have been ready to stand down and with no-one at the club prepared to tell him to, it seems the backroom staff are having a shake up and a ship out.
Arsène Wenger said:
“We are delighted that Sven is joining us. Identifying and developing talent is a core part of our philosophy and Sven has an outstanding track record over many years. We look forward to him taking our existing recruitment approach forwards.”
I bet he said that through gritted teeth….
That Sven of course is Sven Mislintat, Dortmund’s main man when it comes to snapping up young talented players. After a big fallout with the then Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, Sven was unhappy for the first time in Germany and it’s for that reason a move to England tempted him. Other big clubs wanted him, but for some reason, he’s chosen Arsenal. Well done Ivan.
He joins us in December which is handy as very soon after, the January transfer window opens and there’s little doubt he’ll bring a few transfer recruiting ideas with him. All we need now is a DoF and we’ll be on our way I’m sure. My only concern is Arsene Wenger, the man who likes to have the last word on most things Arsenal related. Will he start listening to others like Sven? If he doesn’t, perhaps he’ll be the fall guy and rightly so. He’s already overstayed his welcome imo.
Arsene himself was once considered one of the best in the game for spotting young talent. Not all turned out to be great, in fact some were bloody awful but I’m sure most clubs back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s were envious of Wenger’s ability to spot a raw talent.
Not all made it, in fact probably less made it than those who became a success but I expect most are still playing the game somewhere and living a comfortable life financially.
But like with Arsenal, finding the talent for Dortmund has been easier than it’s been keeping the players once they have proved themselves. For us, perhaps the biggest losses were Anelka in the early days and then Fabregas more recently. Losing Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool really doesn’t come close to those two. RvP was another but in some ways, more understandable as age wasn’t on his side when he moved in order to win the league and I’m sure other names will pop up throughout the day…
But I guess as we moan about players leaving for money, trophies, wanting to return home etc, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that they left a club to join us in the first place and we didn’t worry about them did we?
The key to keeping better players is to be a club better than most others. As far as history goes, we’re up there with the best, but comparing us with the more successful clubs across Europe, we are long a way behind and that’s always been our problem, especially during Wenger’s reign. He made us believe we were ready to take on the best and win big things but once his best started to leave the club, he’s not been able to replace them with equals. The odd few yes, but we’re always another odd few short.
Today is no different. The spine is still missing, although Lacazette is proving to be a great signing but we need two who can do what he does, not one. Same with Xhaka who’s starting to look like he’s a guy settled into Premier League football, but he needs a Gilberto or someone like him by his side. A player who can when needed, sit back and protect the defence. Not someone who likes to bomb forward, think he’s Pele with his fancy stuff and leave the defence and his sidekick exposed.
Mustafi and Koscielny played their best game together, although it took a while for the Frenchman to compose himself but the German was solid. Solid as a rock! We still need another central defender, someone better than the two of them.
Maybe Sven knows where we could get one from, after all he’s reported to be the guy responsible for Dortmund signing Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic. He was behind Sven Bender joining Dortmund too apparently…
So maybe, just maybe, the future is looking brighter than it did last week….
You utter twat, do you honestly think Wenger wasn’t behind it? WTF does Gazidis know about scouting?
I pondered over how to reply Harry but clearly there’s little point really. I feel no need to lower myself to your levels…
Silly boy….
Morning Rico and All..
Great win to beat the Tabloid Team
of the year.
Would have been nicer to have seen
Hackney Gazzette stay on though.
we could have given that lot a spanking.
Still can’t trust Team/manager..to much
water gone under that bridge……for me.
We have seen this season our team go
toe to toe with a couple of top teams,
and get the result..it shows we can.
But are these players show pony’s
running down the contract to attract
a big signing on wod.
It’s hard to fathom-out excactly where
we are going now..
Players/Manager and Scouts..big transitions
ahead…..
Morning Fred, sure was a good victory and display. Shows they all have it when they feel like it..
I’m convinced the changes behind the scenes are preparing for life after Wenger..
A word of caution! There is a phrase in the Wenger quote that should have us all thinking that there will be no imminent change to our current situation. Wenger, has as always made his case, that is he’s still in charge of everything! “We look forward to taking our EXISTING recruitment policy forwards.”
Effectively, Wenger is saying I’ll do it my way or no way at all! Same old same old, just a new face who will work hard but his only effect will be to pick his nose more successfully!
Until Wenger goes nothing much will change at fortress Wenger! Sorry, Arsenal! One thing is certain though the wrinkly old man had no say in this appointment. Let’s just hope the Sven has a little patience and can wait until old Arsie is in receipt of his P45. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.
Morning all. Another grey day here again. How much will it cost me to emigrate to Cornwall?
Wavy, what he says and what happens might just be two different things in the future. He’s hardly likely to tell the world he’s let things slip over the last ten years so he needs a helping hand. I bet if he had his way, Rowley wouldn’t be going anywhere. Next thing to work on is removing the ageing coaching staff, the ones who have been with Wenger for far too long imo.
Morning Rico, good and encouraging post.
Sven, or Diamond Eyes as he’s know in Deutschland, is certain to bring an intimate knowledge of what’s happening in Germany so we could see, as early as January, a few signings from Der Fatherland who even Arsene may not know about. Certainly by the summer we should see a few improvements in recruitment and maybe additions to the squad that we actually need, rather than more tippy tippy midfielders.
Interesting opening comment by Harry the Haddock, we have no proof either way regarding whether Svens arrival was instigated by Ivan or Arsene. But what we do know is that during his 20+ years in charge that there’s been minimal changes to his coaching staff and academy staff, now in just 18 months things are happening behind the scenes and if you want to think that that’s all down to Arsene, then good good luck to you Harry.
Personally I think it’s a compromise, the reason that Arsene and the club dragged out his contract extension, as I believe that Ivan is behind the changes, but maybe not as many as he would like. Do you honestly think Harry that Ivan has spent all these years involved in football and knows nothing, hasn’t spoken to other knowledgeable people in the game, has no contacts outside of Arsene and Arsenal..?
Morning Kev, thanks. my money is on Ivan…
Your response to Harry was better than mine Kev.. 🙂
Definitely it’s Ivan imo Rico, Arsene probably had some input but how could he protest against a guy with Svens record.
We’ll also get a Director of Football, even if he’s called something like Director of Operations or Managing Director or Musical Director just to save Arsene feelings.
I thought Rico, that you showed admirable restraint, I would have slung old haddock in the bin. ?
I hope you’re right Kev, we need someone to look after the traffic… 😉
I was hoping Haddock would return but clearly not so I might bin him yet…
It appears we are,making a habit of chucking fish away.Just ask any Lowestoft fisherman if you can find one.So I guess what’s the problem with another one.
Afternoon all and thanks as per usual Rico for all the time and effort you make for posts……………the only one who looks like a twat is the disrepectfull Harry.
Lovely day out delivering……….. T-Shirt weather down in St Ives……………………………..I`ll sort out a fake Cornish Pastyport for Wavy !
🙂
I was in Anorak mode today with bonoculars and notebook looking for the ever known deluded crying Spud………………lack of trophies has taken them to the edge of extinction here in Cornwall …………………….
Maybe the edge of Lands End or the tongue of the lizard.
Thanks Lc.
It gets harder though, especially when there’s so few comments each day but I guess it might change when things get better when a new manager comes in. Or maybe not.. lol
Afternoon folks..
Remember me talkng about “Zonal Pressing”(trade mark LCM…………….
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If you like the tactical stuff, a good summary, similar to what I was saying about MOTD`s one………….
You may have had more comments had the unthinkable happened and we lost on Saturday !
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Both are quite likely…
You’re right LC, the posts of the boss are always ‘challenging’ there is always something to either agree with wholeheartedly or to take exception to, ( without being offensive! ) thanks Rico for the blog it’s exceptional.
To win me over to Cornwall and before I apply for my pastyport I need to know which end to put your jam? On the left or on the right? It’s crucial in that I’m left handed, and I couldn’t countenance the chance of eating my ‘pudding’ first!
I’ll let you try and make sense of what I’ve just written!
As for football, one good win does not a premiership win!
That’s so kind Wavy, thank you…
If we`re talking Pasty, Wavy, and I think you may be on about what tin miners originally ate where the Pasty was divided into two ends with savoury one end and sweet the other, then I dont know what end was “jam” or other, but I will find out from an inbred !……….
🙂
incidently, the crust was used like a handle and chucked away so they didn`t get poisened with arsenic from their fingers !
Now if we`re talking about cream teas then the scone has jam on first then the clotted cream on top…..the right way !……………………….the other inbred Devonians do it the other way around, making them bigger inbreds !
🙂
Actually, I`m sure they marked both sides of the pasty with a raised mark of pastry to identify what was what !.
Night guys….
I was referring to the miners’ pasties with some sort of sweet stuff baked at the end of the pastry. Nothing clever! Well it wouldn’t be right…..would it.
As for the scones I can’t see the difference,makes,any difference! Jam first then CLOTTED cream or vice versa, strawberry jam and cream are match made in gastronomic heaven either way round. So long,as it looks like an arsenal shirt before its chewed and swallowed will do fine for me!!
They taste the same, Wavy……………mmmmmmmm
But !…….. imo it`s easier to put a load of softer clotted cream on top of the harder strawberry jam than the other way around !
🙂
I of course have my own version where I heat the scone then cut it in half, spread some thick jam on then place some fresh strawberries cut in half on top of the jam, then I put a large dollop of cornish clotted cream on top ( I have also put cornish Ice cream on top when I didn`t have any normal clotted cream, it is my preference !), then top with half cut strawberries !……………………….keeping it as an Arsenal theme I call it my…………….. Royal Arsenal Cream Tea……………………….MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM with capital M`s……….hahaha
Le Coq, you’ll have to pass me on your recipe for a potty roast when you get 5 minutes lol.
Klopp is a Flopp!
Afternoon all from the Hot Launceston,
rico you may be getting conned by Arsene the Survivor. Are decisions being made to strengthen his position @ The Club, or are decisions being made to strengthen The Club overall. IMO, things will start getting better once he does a Mugabe & goes!!!
You can’t expect positive, long term change to happen while most of the old fuddy duddys still cling to power. I mean with statements along the line of The Club “punching above its weight” That was probably the case once upon a time with Manchester City, so what did they do, they made decisions to take their club to the next level. They don’t punch above their weight anymore, & probably the people who made the decision to allow foreign takeover have been superseded. And for real change to occur @ The Arsenal, some of the lightweights need to go as well. And no one’s position is safe IMO until a CL & Premier League title is won by the Club.
Morning all.
Of course things might improve once Wenger has gone, just as they might if all the old folk on the board depart too, but surely with Jens, the guy from Sky and now Sven coming in, changes are being made. I don’t think it’s the end either as I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a few of our coaching staff being replaced.
I guess I’m just pleased that changes are taking place, whatever they are about because as far as I can see, it’s only positive.
Morning all.
Rico, the new appointments really do seem positive ones, and the quality of the people involved suggests there not just changes aimed at appeasing the fans.
More, please!!
That’s certainly how I see it Scott..
Morning all……………………….I think my Royal Arsenal Cream Tea recipe had Micko dribbling so much that Theo will be after him for lessons on how to dribble !
🙂
I`ll reserve my judgment on Sven until Reus and Aubangayangadingdong follows him over to here !………………….
Sven and Ivan !…………good Viking names !……………………..we need to pillage and plunder some other clubs for talent !
If The Club lose @ Burnley. If Ozil & Alexis leave in January, will the changes seem so good?
Let’s be honest here, The Arse ran rings around Tottenham coz The Arse A listers were fresh from not playing in Europe & spuds weren’t. Gooners need to stop & take a step back & see what’s really happening. Arsene Wenger is most likely gearing up for another 2 years?
All the changes being flagged, but not once has Arsene Wenger or a spokesperson offered a definitive termination time on his tenure. That’s coz he doesn’t intend leaving?
It’s all about self preservation off the pitch @ The Arsenal, which winning/successful clubs know is bad for any Club.
Or, are the club repositioning Arsenal for the “life after Arsene”?
Now there’s a happy thought to start the day!
I have a feeling that whilst the old retainer may have sanctioned the Mert’s appointment, I’m not so sure that he had much involvement in the hiring of Sven or the other guy. I don’t think these people have joined as part of the committee’s strategy to keep Wenger for another 10 years. And, perhaps they have already lined up a replacement manager/coach and these positions are being filled at his or her request!
Now, that would be very interesting!
Morning all. Another grey Stavanger day here!
Wavy, I reckon so, these changes are the start of a new regime I reckon. Or rather, I hope..
First day after Mugabe
But
Not Arsenal after Arsene ….yet
Good morning Rico
With sadness I have to report that it`s raining here !……………………………..I suppose on the horticulture side of things it`s for the best !…………………….well I`m off to the gym where my son has stuck a ladder over the joists so we can use them as a monkey bar where I will train to become…………………………. Cornwall Ninja Warrior ! …………………………………..I have a pit full of pasties and cream teas to fall in !
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😆
😆
We wont lose at Burnley !……………….I predict a record EPL away win in a close game………
Good day, Sven is an Ivan-esque acquisition. It does seem that with the status of our dear club, someone is slowly planning for life after Wenger, while Wenger’s there.
I still want Wenger to leave, we played well against the spuds, but we all know another fail is inevitable, we just don’t know when, which has been the hallmark of Arsene’s legacy in the past 6 years. Talented flops, who could not be motivated on the day.
I look forward to our next meeting with one of the big 6 which most certainly is Man United. Make no mistake, the rivalry is back with Maureen sitting pretty in second place. Also, remember they let their foot of the steam last time, so they could win the Uefa Cup. Now it will be a proper contest, this will test AOL and indeed the run of matches before the Man Utd game.
We do need a DM, a proper English CB, replacements for our forward wing play, so Sven hit the ground with your ‘diamond eye’ and carve out a nice pearl for the Arsenal.
Hi Alex.
Wished I shared your confidence Lc, Burnley are doing well. I think they can go above us if they beat us on Sunday…
lari3 – spot on imo.
Yes Rico, but no way will we lose !……..expect a cricket score……….Arsenal declare at 19-0 and forfeit our second half. 😀
Burnley is not going to be easy if our boys don’t work hard. Burnley is a very good team. They have no “super stars” or “world class” players but they have workers and good players, Chris Wood, Ward, Bardsley, Brady, Vokes. Barnes and old man Walters they don’t shrink. They are the perfect epitome of an aggressive, hard working, legs kicking EPL team.
Afternoon Rico, typical isn’t it, Mourinho getting all his big players back, big in stature also, before they visit the Emirates, we need to ensure that we don’t lose that game.
With Lukaku and Ibrahimovic up front, not least Pogba, there’s going to be a lot of high balls into our box. Do we have the height in Mustafi, Koscielny and Monreal to cope?
Will Wenger compromise and look for a more physical back three?
Maybe Coquelin alongside Xhaka?
Ramsey wide right?
I wouldn’t bank on it Lc. As Obi said, Burnley will be a tough opposition..
Agree Obi.
Afternoon Kev. Perhaps Merts will play at the back to keep Lukaku quiet. Saying that, I don’t think he’s often scored against us.
Ibra however….
12 games and 12 goals for Burnley !………………………no chance !
Passes: Arsenal….7,139………………………Burnley….4,117……………………………they wont get the ball !
Although in Robbie Brady they have the leading crosser in the EPL, so kill him and that`s the 1 in a million chance gone !
They have no chance of stopping The Holy Trinity……………………….I will be saying I told you so on Sunday !
😆
Then we have Huddersfield on the following Wednesday………………………probably a record EPL win in a tight game……………………come 22:00 that night Lee will be brainwashed into an AKB as the push for 4th gets momentum !………..hahahaha
Maybe BFG is the way to go in that game, but Wenger won’t change it on a one off Rico.
Holding is another option as he’s quite big and strong.
Looking at the possible fixture list in December and January, there’s every prospect of a fixture pile-up, especially if we’re still in the League Cup.
When does Wenger have to prioritise the competitions with the best chance of Arsenal success and should he consider rotating against some of the lesser lights in the EPL..?
I know it’s risky but once we’re out of the group stage and depending on the draw, maybe Wenger needs to focus on the UEFA Cup, our record in winning European trophies is poor and his record is shit but win the UEFA Cup and it’s a trophy with a CL bonus so it’s a yes from me.
But Burnley have conceded 9, we’ve conceded 16…..
Then we’d have the pace issue Kev, perhaps it’s best to stick with Kos and Mustafi and Wenger concentrates on cutting out Utd’s supply to their front men.
OK !…………..between me and Rico we have come up with Sundays likely score with hours of painstaking research working out the two teams attacking and defensive statistics !…………..Burnley 28 Arsenal 31…………………..I did say it would be a close game with a record EPL away win !……………………..statistics dont lie, so put a duck and diver on it !
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I often wonder what you’re smoking Lc… ?
Night folks.
Seems as if Wenger is going to go with a more experienced team today, according to his presser, Debuchy at wing-back perhaps, Nelson on the right wing, Chambers/BFG/Holding the back-three, get the job done, win the group then play the reserves in the last game against Borisov.
Morning Kev, all.
New post up now..