Morning all.
‘I was his vice-captain at Arsenal and he trusted me.’ ‘I was by his side during team meetings and we had a great bond. I’d love to work with him again, a top guy.’
That’s from Per Mertesacker talking about Mikel Arteta to FourFourTwo.
I’m sure Mikel Arteta is a top guy and there’s no doubt he’d have learned a lot from Pep over the last couple of years and as much as I’m far from convinced he’s the right guy to replace Unai Emery, I’d welcome the change right now. But then I wasn’t dead set against Mourinho, not because I would love to see him at Arsenal, I’m just totally underwhelmed by Unai Emery. Eight games to save his job? Well I wouldn’t have given him eight minutes. Not after the Watford game, not after the Villa game and definitely not after the Sheffield Utd game. He should have been gone long before we travelled to Leicester.
The board made it clear during pre season that the club needs Champions League football yet they seem happy to sit back and let our chances slip away week by week. If they truly cared about the club and us fans, they’d have put Emery out of his Arsenal misery. There’s still time I know, plenty of time before Christmas and more importantly January when any unhappy players will be looking for a way out. One of course is Lucas Torreira who isn’t happy being played out of position. His agent has waded in to stir the pot:
“I must say that the change of role has penalised him sharply,” Bentancur told Calciomercato.
“He is no longer at ease and we hope that things can change.”
No surprise at all and Torreira won’t be the only one. We all express our own disgruntlement over the way Emery has this group of players playing so imagine what it’s like being part of it. Is Mikel Arteta the right guy to change that, or be the right appointment to convince unhappy men to remain in north London? I’ve no idea but I’d say he’s more chance of doing both than Unai Emery.
Arsenal need to smart though now because if the newspapers are to be believed, a managerial merry go round is about to kick off. Poch could be on his way out of Toots, with Mourinho now tipped to replace him which means the door would open for Utd to finally make a move for him, although Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Ancelotti are all reported to be on Daniel Levy’s wish list. Poch to Arsenal would be a massive coup and he’s used to a frugal club so would fit right in but I can’t see that happening at all. Unless he’s brave, very brave but Nagelsmann, yep, I’m sure none of us on HH would be disappointed if he replaced Emery. I’d hate to see him down the road that’s for sure.
As said though, at times like this, anyone seems better than who we currently have and I felt the same way during the last few years of Arsene Wenger but it became clear that life isn’t like that. The appointment of Emery has proved why there’s a saying ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ because that’s exactly what’s happened at Arsenal.
It happens though and not just in football, even in the real world employers take on the wrong employees. They talked a great interview, they produced a really good CV too so taking on that person seemed the right choice at the time.
Life isn’t about who gets the job, it’s about how quickly action is taken when the realisation of having employed the wrong guy or girl hits home.
Have a good Tuesday guys and stay warm…
If there are runblings inside the club it seems people are taking sides . I hope we don’t get a sword of damocles effect where anything good gets swept away. We have already seen Morrow and a few others go . Whose idea was that ?
I would be sad to lose Mertesacker , despite his obvious lack of speed on the ground, 100 plus games for Germany suggests that didn’t apply to his brain and there will be quite a bit of picking to be had from that.
Thanks Rico, Afternoon all,
8 games to save his job is just prolonging the agony,delaying the inevitable.We are virtually already through to the Europa League knock out stages,so maybe we are pinning our Champions League there – sounds familiar, what could possibly go wrong ?
I’d love Arsenal to get Nagelsmaan,hell even the Aussie/Greek fella would be worth a go,a few people on here have mentioned Chris Wilder – he’s done a great job.Whoever comes in we need to be patient, like Liverpool were with Klopp.
I hear Luis Enrique has taken the Spain job, so that’s one less on the merry go round..
Hi Reco in regards to the last page the reason why we let players go for free (1) the board were too slow to sign new contracts ( 2 ) the good players run their contract out ( 3 ) No body wanted the other player including us. same thing when we buy players the recruiting team stuff around so much the player signs with another club if it was me I would have a list of who want and get the business down quick if the player or his club mess around then stuff him and go for next on list before you miss out and start panic buying like arsenal have done before
Must admit Potter, I took Merts comments in a way which suggested he’s not thrilled over working with Emery.
Limey, I’m sure we’d all be patient with whoever took over as long as there were signs of improvement. Not that improvement on what we’re getting now can’t be too difficult.
Mind you, I said that two years ago. 😆
Geoff, can you replace your e with an i please?
I’m not sure you can have it both ways. City offered £60m for Alexis apparently but the club said no, an overseas club offered £50m for Ramsey, again apparently and we said no. Where was Stan demanding we sell then if he’s all about making a profit?
As for your list of players, do you know that the club didn’t have their own? I suspect Raul etc knew who they wanted and went for them first. Their chase of Zaha would suggest so and then moved on to Pepe.
Rico, Cicero made the point about selling Saliba not me in the last post.
Now Mikkitarian slams Emery a few days after Torreira and Elneny and even Martinez.
They can’t all be wrong and remember they are all still on our books
Ex players are all getting in on the act not one backing Emery.
The behind the scene men seem to be split aswell as the dressing room being divided .
All this paper talk that Emery has between one or 6 games left to save his job is bolloxs. Should have gone last wek.The squad would play better with Rico in charge.
It’s a sad state of affairs and finding it hard to find any positives at the moment. It is a shambles wherever you look.
Cicero said we could sell for a huge profit but we won’t Kelsey because he’s our future..
Hi All and thanks Rico .
To be honest Rico, I wouldn’t mind if we got Poch. At least Spurs look pretty good when they go forward(hurts me to say it}.
Like you say though, a good CV can mean buggar all. It’s a manager that has got proven results we really want. Or maybe a younger person with a bit of fire in his belly.
Looked at Arsenal training pictures today……….Made me chuckle. Everybody is all wrapped up in hats ,scarves ,gloves, but Tierney has got a T shirt on.
Hi Mike. I’d like Poch too, he’d be ideal I reckon.
Tierney in a t-shirt? He must be bonkers..
Yep Rico T-shirt and shorts ! Nice to see a toughen for a change. We don’t usually like the cold weather at Arsenal.
I’ve missed a few posts lately……. String of poxy Migraines. I’m catching up!
Just seen him Mike, can’t recall the last player who trained without gloves etc in the cold..
Migraines- nasty, hope you’re feeling better..
Spuds have sacked Poch !
Thanks Rico !
LCM you’re right ………. Could it really happen that he comes to Arsenal ……MMMMMM?
Straight swap would have been interesting, Mike ! 🙂
At least Levy has done something decisive.
A bit different from our mob
I wouldn’t want Poch
Gnabry hits a hat trick as Germany beat Northern Ireland 6 – 1.
Just to cheer Scott up, Ramsey gets both in Wales 2 – 0 defeat of Hungary. 😉
I rather suspect that Pochettino is already in the Lowry Hotel being measured for his Manchester United Blazer.
I’m with Kev, don’t want him at Arsenal.
Hi Rico sorry typing error Hi All if we do replace Emery in January unless there is a coach in the pipe works that we don’t know about I say save money and pick Freddie ljunberg reasons (1) all ready at club (2) give him a chance and see what he can do in six months ( 3 ) If Freddie does not work out we have six month to really find a good coach with out rushing, But be up front and let him know if it does not work out there is all ways next time and keep him as a assistant coach again
Looks as if Mourinho will will be Spuds next manager. Levy and Mourinho? I wonder how that will work out.
Hi All according to main news channels in Australia Tottenham have officially signed Mourinho
If he didn’t get tapped up, it’s clear as day that Levy tapped up mourinho. As you don’t sack a manager late afternoon and appoint a new manager within hours if this wasn’t prearranged
Mourinho wanted a job in the PL preferably in London so there were two options. Not sure his style of play would suit us or them.
Nowadays a top manager gets about two years to win the CL or The title except at Arsenal under SK
Mourinho eh, who saw that coming. 😆
A match made in heaven…
Morning all.
Or Klopp Kelsey as it took him longer, four I believe and still waiting for the title..
And City are still waiting for Pep to deliver the big one..
Mourinho is officially announced as new Tottenham manager.
My lifelong Spurs supporting wife’s comment……”That’s the last straw”.
Ha ha Cicero…
New post up now