Daily Bits and Bobs

Merse talks sacking! Sell Jack for £30 million? Super Mario heading to The Emirates?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

I loved Paul Merson. He was a great player for us and when he left the club, I was pretty sad. Off the pitch he’s been a bit of a plank with alcohol and other naughty substances getting him into all sorts of trouble and I’d say he’s pretty lucky to have such a high profiled job with Sky Sports. He can barely string a sentence together without repeating his words and half the time, he can’t even pronounce footballers names on a Saturday afternoon. Yes it’s funny, but maybe not for those footballers and after all, its his job, he should know how to pronounce their names…

I can remember an umpire at Wimbledon continually pronouncing Martina Navratilova’s surname wrong and in the end she snapped and put him right… I digress.

When it comes to talking about Arsenal, I think it’s fair to say that Merse does so as a fan and just like us, he wants us to be better than we are, and one day, sign that elusive central midfielder and perhaps one or two more. Both he and Arsene had a disagreement just recently, not face to face but through the media after our sloppy surrender of a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht and I thought on that occasion, Merse was spot on.

Anyway, fast forward a few months and our old midfield workhorse has been at it again, although this time, I think he’s talking out of his doo dah!

In an article in the Daily Star – he’s been quoted as saying that either LvG or Arsene Wenger face the sack tomorrow night if their team lose the FA Cup tie.

With Arsene, he believes Stan Kroenke will politely ask him to resign, but with LVG, the big stick will be yielded…..

I’ve not read anything so daft, certainly not when it comes to Arsenal. Why on earth would Wenger be asked to resign when we sit third in the league and are on the up? And yes, I believe we are on the up, we are signing a better quality of player and our squad finally looks stronger and deeper. Not in all areas of course, we can all see that but maybe the summer will change that.

Fans will still say that tactically many things are wrong and cite Arsene Wenger as being the root of those problems and I struggle to disagree with those views but that’s a different story and not one which to date, appears to be bothering the clubs owner or board so regardless of the result tomorrow night, our manager is going nowhere any time soon. In any case, I actually believe we’ll at least get a draw tomorrow.

There’s an interesting article in the Mail Online today, written by Oliver Holt and his view is perhaps where I sit most of the time. Yes, some days, after dreadful performances or results I’d like to see the back of Arsene Wenger but I think I’ve accepted he’s going nowhere soon so I just hope that like Oliver Holt says, Arsene finally has the tools to make us great again and before he leaves, I hope he has…

There’s an interesting interview with Arsene Wenger HERE, he’s talking to Martin Keown. One thing the manager wants to do between now and the time he leaves is to ensure the club is in a great position both squad wise and financially…..

So I wonder if the club will accept the reported £30 million offer for Jack Wilshere which Man City are reportedly lining up? Somehow I very much doubt it…..

Just as I very much doubt there’s much truth in the Mario Mandzukic stories which suggest Arsene Wenger will sign him in the summer for £15 million….. Hah, you thought I meant Balotelli didn’t you……

That’s it for Sunday, have a good day folks….

rico

102 thoughts on “Merse talks sacking! Sell Jack for £30 million? Super Mario heading to The Emirates?”

  6. rico says:

    Interesting to hear LvG talk about top four and backing AW for getting that position all these years, and that’s LvG’s main aim this season….

  7. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I think its more than that Rico………its the club’s aim not LVG’s aim. and honestly i think that is how it will stay for quite a few years. they will struggle to get into top 4.

    Currently they are punching above their wieght.

  13. bripriuk says:

    I still love Merse. Even when he talks rubbish you know it comes from his own head, not something he’s read on twitter re-cycled as original like so many others.
    Sell Jack? I think he still has to prove he can do a job for us, not just play his own game all the time.
    Talking about managers, perhaps its time for a new assistant , someone who can be groomed to take over from Arsene when the time is right, but I have no idea who it could be. Any ideas?
    Brian

  14. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. I would accept nothing less than £55-60 million for Jack from either Chelsea or Man City. Top those bastard’s up I say and get them involved in a bidding war. 🙂

  17. Paul b says:

    Pray tell deluded AKB what league are we still in?, I haven’t heard such bollocks well since Wenger comes out with, we will win the league, we haven’t been in the league for ten years, Wilshire I would sell, he doesn’t bring anything to the team, we play without him, too injury prone, he will be in and out of the treatment room for the rest of his football career, I agree Wenger will not be sacked as the board are too gutless to do it, so we have to wait til his contract is finished, I hope he has no say in who becomes the next manager. Let me guess AKBs will say go and support another team, you’re a plastic, been a fan since 1973, haven’t missed many games home and away, but I like many know Wenger is not up to the job and hasn’t been for a long time

  18. rico says:

    Morning Adam, I’d rather he went abroad if anywhere. He’s back soon but I honestly don’t see where he fits into our side now….

  19. rico says:

    Paul, I saw your comment re Scholes, calling him the ‘c’ word won’t get you on here. Suggesting fans are deluded will also see you binned.

    Read the rules and comply if you want to be a part of HH..

    Your are entitled to your view, but so is everyone else, it’s that’s simple here on HH..

  20. rico says:

    By the way, Jack is Wilshere, not Wilshire, having not missed so many games which you like to tell us, I’d have thought you’d have known that….

  33. allezkev says:

    I certainly would not sanction the sale of Jack Wiltshire under any circumstances…

    Lee would be devestated…

  39. allezkev says:

    Yes mate, top of the range for our Jak…

    Only the most sophisticated of motorists drive a BMW, Adam….

    Or a London Taxi 😉

  42. allezkev says:

    Coach, I also use to drive a Ford Escort MkII, way back in the day…

    It cost me a fortune and then some Tosser nicked it…

  44. Wavy says:

    Left back……….in the changing room………the old ones are still the best!!
    Happy lunch time all.
    Nice stimulus package Rico, as always.

    Wilshire I always thought was being groomed as Cesc’s successor, along with Ramsey but, neither of them have the same skill or vision the little spaniard has/had. Ramsey had an outstanding season last year but this year, when he has not been imitating Diaby, he has not produced many decent performances, imo. Jack on the other hand, no, the same hand has been in the same boat as Ramsey. Poor form and more time spent eyeballing Diaby and Ramsey in the treatment room.
    The pairof them are both ‘marked men’ metaphorically and realistically. The are both exceptional footballers and as such are there for the kicking as that is the only way the opposition can de-fuse them, injuries are inevitable, often serious and long term. So as an investment for the future their sellby date may already have passed! If oodles of money is offered the best option may be to sell them and buy in more robust and viable replacements?
    Wouldn’t want to see them go, theoretically they are our future but realistically how many games will they play per season, down the line?

  45. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Two escorts MKVI mate. And proud as punch to own them. I would like to buy a MK1 but so far they are eluding me. Either priced too high or the owner will not sell.

    I am also on the look out for a Ford Mustang. But they are VERY rare.

  47. Hell Raising Devil says:

    and neither I can Rico. If AW is to sell JW then he is telling everyone that the AFC academy is a failure. Especially seeing that Jack has been with the club since 8 years old.

    Imo though, Jack gets injured far too often, lacks tactical nous and with him in the team the winning percentage goes down. that is why I would like to see him sold to the highest bidder. Unless AW makes him see sense and orders him to be more of a team player.

    Just ask yourself this question…….who is more effective when he plays??? Jack, who is on the right side of the twenties, or TR07 who is nearing the end of his career being over 30??

    The answer imo is very simple.

  48. Adam says:

    Jack has never really been fit enough to shape a team or a shape around him. I doubt he’ll be sold though his injuries will probably be the decider.

  49. rico says:

    Devil, I don’t think keeping Jack would prove the Academy is working though, after all, Jack is the only one who has truly come through it….

    Adam, I thought that about Diaby, however….. 😉

  50. Wavy says:

    The Arsenal kindergarten has very little to boast about, in terms of eight year olds progressing to the first team, Jack is one, the only one? 8 to 23, not a bad effort. We are not the best at recognising nor developing talent. Harry Kane comes to mind. 8 to 16 then sacked and all the rest is history. Ok he’s having an exceptional season this year, will he be as effective next year? Probably not, he’ll have been kicked to death, same as Jack and Rambo, too effective for his own well being!
    No I don’t think they’ll be sold, they are English/British and, when fit nearly the best of their generation. I suspect they will be as good as our medics can magically mend when patching them up and keeping them fit.
    Sell them nah, just keep them effective and keep them at the Arsenal.

  53. allezkev says:

    A Ford Mustang, Coach, now there is a beast of a car…

    Would that make you the Steve McQueen of Gozo? 😀

  54. allezkev says:

    Rico, I think it would be the best thing for Jenkinson to sign for West Ham…

    Good for the player as West Ham in general, are a good club and he’ll be appreciated there…

    I would hope that Gazides can squeeze at least £8m out of the Hammers…

  57. allezkev says:

    Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Mathieu Flamini (foot) could return for the game against West Ham United next weekend, whilst Gabriel (hamstring) is likely to be out until the Liverpool game early next month.

    Jeorge Bird

  58. allezkev says:

    Mathieu Debuchy (dislocated shoulder) and Mikel Arteta (ankle) are provisionally pencilled in to make their comebacks the following week against Burnley, with Isaac Hayden (ankle) and Abou Diaby (calf) both set to be out for longer spells.

    Jeorge Bird

  59. allezkev says:

    Players in training today: David Ospina, Emiliano Martinez, Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Francis Coquelin, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Chuba Akpom, Wojciech Szczesny, Nacho Monreal, Stefan O’Connor, Alex Iwobi, Dan Crowley.

    J.Bird

  61. allezkev says:

    Wenger must select 18 of the above players to travel to Manchester, with Ospina, Akpom, O’Connor, Crowley and Iwobi likely to be left at home.

  72. Micko says:

    Merse lost his brains years ago but he weren’t half a great player for us, no-one can deny that.

    rico, we had a great player in the 90’s who went on to make the right back position his own for over 10 years, early days yet but from what I’ve seen of Bellerin who’s to say he won’t do the same, good luck to Jenks, will have to do something about his bedroom if the deal goes through mind ya.

    I’m sure I read Karen Brady had a box at Arsenal before WengerDome came along.

  73. rico says:

    He was a good un Micko, that’s for sure…

    Just hope Bellerin doesn’t do a Fabregas and suddenly get home sick…

  75. Wavy says:

    I think Barka were very, very cross when we poached him, as we did with Fabregas. However, his DNA turned out to be illegitimate, in the end and he was escorted from the premises! Bellerin would well to learn from the false DNA claim and the shabby treatment of the Cesca! That ploy will only work once. So I don’t think Bellerin will be too easily seduced by their second coming!

  79. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Lee…..I came out with that comment. Sell Jack to the highest bidder and get Pogba or Vidal. and why not.

    Firmino would be a good addition as he has been schooled in Germany regarding tactics and has Brazilian technique.

    But I would still keep Cazorla.

    Tomorrow will tell us where Ches stands. If AW goes with him then his situation will be reviewed in Summer. But if Ospina plays then its curtains for Ches.

    What is my opinion???

    Play Ospina of course. No messing about tomorrow. its a game for the best 11. And that means…………

    Ospina
    Bellerin, Per, Kos, Monreal
    Coquelin
    Danny, Ozil, Cazorla,Sanchez
    Giroud

    Had Gaby been fit it would have meant him instead of Per.

    We need to win tomorrow. no redemption if we loose.

    1-0 for us would be enought. 2-0 great. 3-0 superb. 4-0 fantastic. 5-0 humdinger. 6-0 exceptional. from 7 upwards it will mean that we will be delirious.

  81. rico says:

    Devil, I think Walcott or Ox might start this one, leaving Welbeck in the bench… Will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets as the manc fans didn’t want him to go…

  84. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Rico, a PL club can pay double, so make it 40million!
    We just have too many players now that haven’t improved at all in the last few years, plus cop injuries.
    Ox.
    Theo.
    Jack.
    Szczesny.
    I’d add Aaron but he showed last season he HAS improved…..the injuries are still a concern though.
    We just can keep carrying them.
    On paper, our squad has more than enough quality to match up with any in the League, but the fact is they’re never all available.
    Maybe we need to cut our losses with at least two or three of those I mentioned and get some seasoned, tough and durable professionals in.

  96. Wavy says:

    I fear we have not been frightfully good at cricket since the burning of the bails incident in 18??!
    Mind you WG would have let them know who’s boss. They don’t like it up ’em you know, old chap!

  98. Lee says:

    Well I’ve got mild sunburn from standing watching my son play in a rugby festival all day yesterday……….glorious day in Suffolk!

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