Morning all.
During the early hours of this morning, Herb’s Army posted a really good comment on HH, so I’ve nicked it for today’s post and here it is:
Arsene Wenger’s abilities as a football manager have been vastly over exaggerated and tolerated for far too long. The two separate halves of his time at Arsenal – Highbury and The Emirates – have barely any correlation. And he’s been stuck by a tactical conundrum which he created with Fabregas. He refuses to go back to the 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 that was ‘The Invincibles’ and persists with brittle, technically gifted light-weight players who just don’t have the heart or desire to fight for you in the trenches or dig in when it really matters.
Some of his choices of centre-halves have been baffling to say the least. Stepanovs, Tavlaridis, Cygan, Senderos, Djourou, Squillaci, Silvestre, even Vermaelen looked dreadful in an Arsenal shirt. The three I’ll give him some credit for are Sol Campbell, Toure and Koscielny. Mertesacker is in the ‘okay but not top-class’ category, and the jury is still out on Gabriel Paulista. Can anyone explain why William Gallas wore the number 10 shirt? How many shockingly poor centre-backs do you have to buy before someone politely takes you to one side and tells you to give up? It’s like a revolving door of sycophantic insanity.
And there is something fundamentally wrong with the set-up when you accumulate as many soft-tissue injuries and problems as Arsenal. No club in the PL lose as many key players as Arsenal, or for the same length of time. Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky spent almost all of their Arsenal careers nursing injury, Danny Welbeck had no injury problems at United and Jack Wilshere can’t put a run of five games together.
On and on the madness and un-accountability goes on. Are there any Arsenal players who haven’t been victims of lengthy injuries?
It is absolutely incredible that a global institution the size of Arsenal, operate in such a blase, naive and frankly bizarre manner considering the business they’re in.
Finally, our so called defender target Shkodran Mustafi, was left out of the squad to face Bournemouth apparently. This of course created glorious headlines for the press but the reality is, he has a little injury….
Or has he……….?
Wellbeck, as I understand did have injury problems at United,
Interesting observation Herb…
Oddly Des the medic since joining in 2013 has not changed jack all.. maybe AW is controlling and does not listen but one would question one’s professionalism if that was the case… unless they are all on the gravy train.
He’s definitely joining then Rico…
Good post Herb.
Hope you don’t mind me pinching this Herb. Too good not to.. 🙂
I didn’t think he did Gary, welcome by the way..
It’s not a big enough injury Lee. 😉
The reality of course is that very, very few of us ‘know’ how Arsenal operate at all. As I said earlier, we put the pieces together to suit our individual and often collective stance.
Arsene knows Adam….. 😉
But is he ‘one of us’ Rico? 🙂
Adam but only £7m richer than most but Wath and youself… 🙂
Absolutely not Adam… 🙂
Morning All
We all love Wenger don’t we.
But I think his been found out
and wanting.
I think the post covers a lot
of what we have seen over
a lot of years now,when put
together like that,you would think
wenger has been a bit lucky.
Big Tone,Bouldy and Keown
were GG’s boys then we nicked
Sol cost nothing,would wenger have signed
him for 30million?
All them players were leaders,top of my
head can’t think of any others that could
lead a team defender wise,under Wenger.
So why is it wenger still has The WKB brigaide
happy for him to stay then?
Is it top four
Is it we have a great stadium
Is it let’s keep the money in the bank
Is it wenger is a great geezer
Is it everyone wants to play for him
Is it not wenger but Syrup..money
Is it like letting go of a long relationship.
Wenger’s done wonders for our club
he has set us up to be one the best.
I can imagine it’s a bit like the
remain voters marching through
london asking for a re-vote.
But change has to happen
so why not have a referendom
on exactly:
Who want’s Wenger to Remain.
I know with have 1-2 on here
But other than that the only
other people I know are
chav supporters.
Who want Wenger to Remain.
Sky Sports reckon 5 PL clubs, 2 of which are in the CL are after Islam Slimani……
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Adam – “The reality of course is that very, very few of us ‘know’ how Arsenal operate at all. As I said earlier, we put the pieces together to suit our individual and often collective stance.”
All too true, but with the articles coming from the USA about Silent Stan and his teams and their respective fans reactions to him, it would appear that Stan is the problem or at least a major part of the problem. He seems as popular there as he does with the majority of Arsenal fans.
Until recently anyway, and maybe not even then, I don’t think Arsene has been given the amount of money that has been reported/speculated and is available within the club. Speculation on my part admittedly, but consistent with Mr. Kroenke’s modus operandi with his other sports clubs. All seem to be run strictly as a businesses whose success is strictly measured by profit and return on investment. Success on the sports side is secondary if even that.
I doubt we will ever know for sure as Arsene is old school and wont tell tales even after he leaves Arsenal. Unless some other club insider, such as Bould or Gazidis, spills the beans we’ll remain in the dark.
You should send that to Stan Kroenke Fred, maybe he could sort a referendum out… 😉
Morning Rico and the house
Great post Herb…
Is it all starting to come out that Wenger is the problem with transfers and there is loads of money to spend
Morning Cg.
There was an article in The Times yesterday which suggested Kroenke and the board were willing to give AW a lot of money to spend… True or not, I don’t know but it’s obviously come from somewhere…
Morning Mg, what makes you say that?
Rico – I’m aware of The Times article, but again what is the source of the story? Is it factual or just more dubious speculation? As with all the transfer lies, rumours and speculation I wish I/we knew the truth, but truth seems to be a rare commodity these days.
As for Mr. Kroenke, his record seems to be clear.
Agree Cg, as said, I don’t know if it’s true but after the comments made by Lord Harris last summer, it does make me wonder if there’s a little bit of truth thrown in there…
We had the team/squad potential to win the PL last season, but we didn’t. Arsene, by general consent could have spent big money last season, but he didn’t. Just what Kroenke had to do with it I am unsure. The oft used argument is that he should be more demanding of Arsene. But he is a successful businessman and not a manager or a fan.
We weren’t good enough to win last year. That’s a fact that bears the closest scrutiny. Lots of conjecture. Few facts.
Agree Adam. But we blew it big time and there’s probably a simple reason as to why we did…
Adam – Exactly!
Rico – I tracked down the Times story, but I’m not sure I’m seeing the Whole story or a just a summary.
How much time is spent debating whether or not Wenger should stay?
It’s quite clear our opinions are irrelevant, so why waste time on something we cannot control?
It’s a lot like transfer rumours-undue stress is caused over aomwthing we can not influence.
The same discussions that were being held 5 years ago are being regurgitated daily.
Yes, nothing’s changed with Arsene, but 5 years have changed nothing with us fans, either.
Smile……enjoy……support 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rico. I would say that motivation and poor in-match management played big parts in that particular failure.
Rico – I haven’t been in the House very often in the past few weeks. So, this may have been already posted by you or one of your guests.
St. Louis fans honor Rams legends indoors, trash Stan Kroenke outside;
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/st-louis-fans-honor-rams-legends-indoors-trash-stan-kroenke-outside-002022870.html
Ginge – True, but we are all five years older and I’m sure, like me, many are grumpier for a further five years without the BPL title. Until we do win it, I’m sure these same discussions will continue.
Smile? – I do, but usually more to with things other than Arsenal.
Enjoy? – Same as above, but I wish it were otherwise.
Support? As I have always said, I consider myself an Arsenal supporter – NOT an Arsenal fan.
However, I do understand your point of view. In the cosmic scheme of things and the current world troubles with climate change, economic uncertainty, famines, terrorism, etc.; our football tribulations are truly small potatoes.
CG, it is, after all, a game.
I love it.
Great post, good read
Ginge – Yes! “…it is, after all, a game…”. However, when The Arsenal do win with style and are successful, it does take our minds of our & the world’s troubles and brings us some joy, no matter how fleeting.
Scott – My apologies, I got you mixed up with Ginge. Your post that is, not the person. I had just hit ‘Post Comment’ when I noticed it was your avatar. I’ve got to watch it and not slip into autopilot again.
TS. I wish I was a £ behind Wath, brudder or Mr Allezkev. 🙂
All good mate 🙂
Arsenal and football are an escape for me.
CG, I’ll get it for you..
Sorry, internet crashed on me.. 🙁
I’d agree there Adam..
CG -here it is.
Arsène Wenger has been told that he can have whatever transfer funds it takes to secure his main targets Alexandre Lacazette and Shkodran Mustafi.
Arsenal had planned to limit their summer transfer spending to £100 million and have already spent £30 million on Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland midfield player, but the club acknowledge that they may have to part with more than another £70 million to provide Wenger with the players he wants in an inflated market.
Arsenal had a £29 million bid for Lacazette rejected by Lyons last week and have yet to move for Mustafi, who is valued at £35 million by Valencia. Lyons are holding out for £40 million for the 25-year-old Lacazette, who signed a four-year deal with the French club last summer.
Lacazette has also attracted a bid from West Ham United after scoring 23 goals in Ligue 1 last season, but Lyons coach Bruno Génésio said: “He can leave if Lyons want him to. There are some offers that you cannot refuse.”
I have read about Kroenke being tight CG, but I don’t know how much money his American projects have to spend, but I think we all know Arsenal have plenty…
Rico. As you know, that article has probably been cobbled together from various blogs and uninformed chancers etc.
I would love to get paid for making that stuff up. 🙂
Just check out Arsenal Rumours. Utter nonsense created by sad people. A sign of our glorious digital age and the resistible rise of the dreary keyboard warrior.
Probably Adam, and so would I… 🙂
Rico – Thank you. That is the same article I read, but as you can see there is no attribution as to the source. It could just be some jouno’s fevered ramblings, anything to get those hits on their website; truth be damned, we want the money.
Yes, Arsenal FC have the money, but is Arsene allowed to spend it? The situation is as clear as mud, much like the Arsenal transfer stories.
With that, it is Good Night, actually early morning, Good Afternoon to most of you and Good Night to Scott Down Under.
Night Cg, sleep well..
But isn’t the search for the truth the problem of all things? With the Arsenal a little more openness, honesty and integrity would go a long way to answer so many of the keyboard critics. We wallow in our inexhaustible expressions of discontent that this player hasn’t been bought or that player was allowed to escape our club’s ranks. Much of the rancour we have is ramped up by the owners, board, employees etc and the manager, especially the manager, who are so unwilling to explain what is really going on at the club, in all departments. On Arsenal.com the only truth they report on are the results that the club have earned! Most of the rest is bollocks.
We the supporters are left hanging, hopeful that our dreams of new players, new tactics, success at all levels, etc are all, left wanting, as candour and honesty is shrouded in mystery. Why l wonder should this be?
It makes you wonder what goes on, or doesn’t go on behind closed doors. It’s worst than MI5/6 or Cobra meetings! My god it’s only football not life or death!
The truth is…..there is no truth!
Wavy. Ain’t dat de troof. 🙂
Very true Wavy, it’s all very cloak and daggers at Arsenal which would be fine if they actually behaved like the club they are supposed to be. None of us would be here having these conversations had the club addressed the squad issues a few years ago and we played a better game of football…
But no, that’s not happening so far is it…..
Nipping off, catch up later..
Afternoon Rico and the House
A goal by Malan has given our U 19’s the lead at H/T in the semi final of the Durban cup
more latta
Da troof, da hole troof and nuffink but da troof, so say da Great Farver of da East…
74 min Nketiah makes it 2-0 with Pen
Almost there
83 min 3-0 Mavididi
Into the final for 2nd year with 3-0 win.
Well done boys.
Gabby Ramsey and Alexis all in Squad for Scandinavin trip.
JW is not
Not sure what’s happened to England’s bowlers today…
Afternoon Rick, Kev and all..
Terrible day for England Kev….
Great news Rick. Getting into the winning habit.
Nice to see one of the Arsenal teams winning… Lol
Wavy cracking comment!
One thing I love about older Arsenal supporters (I’m not having a dig, it’s a massive compliment) you refer to Arsenal as “The Arsenal!!” #justsaying!
Afternoon all.
Nothing on Ornstein, but I did manage to find him on MOTD Facebook and ther`s no good news !…………he say`s we need to push on as the window is rapidly closing !.
Listen for yourself……there`s no sound for the first 2 mins but hang in as he talks Mahrez, Lacazette, Draxler and Mustafi……………………Wenger`s in for a rough ride if we dont sign a dedender and a striker and it goes tits up at the start of the season……………bit of a gambler isn`t he !.
http://www.punditarena.com/football/ckelleher/bbc-journalist-provides-updates-arsenals-big-transfer-targets/
Just as I sent that comment a new tweet appeared on Ornstein !……………….if he really is the oracle then we can forget about Mahrez/Draxler ! 🙁
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/761237991993946112?lang=en-gb
Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.
If Bielik and Holding develop into great CBs then they would have cost a massive and whopping 4million euros. I would really love that to happen.
I’ll remember that Lee in my posts… 🙂
So we have competition for Mustafi and forward wise it`s Lacazette or Sanogo in the rumour stakes !………………..Wengers not going to sign a striker !………………….why dont we just kill him now !
LC, agree re the striker and defender. If he doesn’t sign them and we start the season badly, it’s going to be very tough for him in the dugout….
How fucking frustrating is he LCM? Drives me to drink! ?
Mustafi will probably end up at Chelsea as they wont faff around with money…
Other sites hoping we get turned over by the bin dippers in order to spark Wenger into action!
Oh to be a fucking Gooner!
Weird that, Lee !…………………………no way do I want us to lose to the bindippers just to spark Wenger !……………………I prefer to spark Wenger now !……………….100,000 volts just for starters……………even better if Gazidis and Kroenke are shaing his hands !.
Drove past Boardmasters today…………since last week they have been putting stuff up, today it looks like they are building a mini city !…………….some big stages going up !
I reckon that will be on his grave stone, Rico !……………………………………….I HAD MONEY, I FAFFED WITH IT !
Shouldn’t need a loss to the dippers for him to wake up. The last thing we need is a repeat of the panic buying after losing to Utd…
He should LC..
Cop urself on Le Coq, he’s gonna go for the cheaper option and be cremated, you know it makes sense.
Stupidity is doing the same thing and making the same mistakes, whilst expecting a different outcome…
Hi All:
Is SK really the problem? Regarding SK, as far as his American franchises are concerned; all 3 major sports NBA, NFL and NHL, there are salary caps per team. In all you draft players, trade for players or you sign unrestricted “free agents’. You do not pay for players outright as in football/ soccer; so the cost for players is in salary only. Under the salary cap, for an example in the NBA, a percentage of the overall money goes to the players and all the unspent % goes back to the players at the end of the season as bonus payments – so the owners 99.99% spends the money. Under such rules, how is SK “tight”. Furthermore all his franchises are not located in favorable cities where young urban athletes want to live. So unless they get lucky in the draft or trade, they do not get first tier free agent – making it hard to be competitive. This is among the reasons the Rams are moving from St Louis to Los Angeles. So using his American franchises as a comparison does not work. Which brings me to AW, whose said in 2011-12, “I do not see the point of spending to win the EPL title, when the difference between 1st place and 4th is 2m” . Who constantly accuses other franchises of “Financial Doping”, refuses to go to Real because of their spending habits, consistently operates with short squad, and lastly , we know that AW would not have a problem finding another job. If it was SK fault, AW would have left a long time ago. Sure SK cares about his bottom line, but AW buying players is not an issue for him – after all he approve Ozil, Sanchez , Xhaka and even Welbeck whom didn’t want. Frankly, why should AW care about how much Manure paid for Martial?
Micko, and to the tune of, ‘living in a box’ lol
There’s an old saying, you can’t move forwards while looking backwards, same ole faces trying to justify Wenger’s future by using his past.
Kev, it’s knowing when your wrong and not repeating it, he has a little spot of bother with that me thinks.
Top post Herb, if a top class replacement isn’t brought in for Mert’s we could well see Holding go the same way as Chambers, instead of being eased in thrown in at the deep end and feed to the sharks., Jonny Evans must be rubbing his hands together lol.
Can’t wait for the day I feel excited about the Arsenal going into a new season.
Sadly that won’t happen until Wenger eff’s off.
Please no new contract for the love of God.
Mick, I’m telling ya, we’re gonna sign Jonny Evans…
And Chuba Akpom will lead our attack against Liverpool…
It’s as certain as that pint of Guinness you’ll be supping tonight…
If its true that we haven’t even bid for anyone its even more scandalous than we think. The one thing we do know is that Arsene is an old man and old people don’t like change. They become even more stubborn with age. Sad days.
If that happens Kev, Wenger is in for some abuse from the stands…..
Agree Bob, older folk never change… I doubt Wenger will be an exception to that rule.
Have we heard that nobody is coming in?
I haven’t…
I have heard that tomorrow at 9.00 (Gmt) AW will be presenting the following players……
Fak Ing No Wan
Nobo Dy
Nuf Fing
You’re wrong Devil. The young Nigerian will be confirmed tomorrow…. 😉
Night guys, catch up tomorrow…
If Ornstein says we are not after Draxler and Mahrez then that`s as near a fact as a fact can be !………………….but let`s not give up hope as he say`s we are after a striker…………..who that is nobody knows………not even Ornstein !…………..so if Ornstein doesn`t know, then Wenger has`nt a clue !. 🙂
At trhe other end of the team…..the less attractive bit, we are definately interested in Mustafi and will get him providing we pay what they want and no other bastard wants him !. 🙂
Those are the only facts we currently know for sure, but there`s always tomorrow !………………………….I shall fast untill we by a striker or Mustafi………………so no talkng about PIe&Mash !.
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
WE will sign….Evans and Loic Remy.
it will be Evans for CB, Remy for CF and Kalou for the wings.
What do you think Kev???
WOW!!!
Firstly, thank you Rico for deeming my mini-rant good enough to serve as a headline Post for your wonderful blog. That’ll teach me for writing such long comments! 😀
And thank you everyone for your generous feedback (particularly those of you who had to read it twice!).
Shoddy work on my part, Kev, re Lydersen, apologies for that. It should be remembered that Wenger isn’t the only Arsenal manager to make some strange signings, Graham made a few, although one of the strangest was Clive Allen, who spent 41 days at Arsenal after being signed from QPR for £1m without kicking a ball, and was then swapped for Kenny Sansom. Couldn’t we have had both?
In the blink of an eye, league football is back this weekend with Fulham and Newcastle kicking-off proceedings this evening, and we’re on ITV1 on Sunday against Pep’s Petro-Dollar City.
It was a privilege to represent HH, Rico, once again, thank you.
Bonjour Herb. Its always enjoyable to read your posts.
I sort of think that who AW signs depends on the dosh he makes. Its GG revisited. Both use the same excuse….if we find better players we will sign them.
That is why other clubs sign players quickly and we don’t.
A manager beyond 5 years has outstayed his welcome.
Have you ever asked why the board always have a contract on table for him? Are they scared of him spilling the beans on something?
Morning HRD
It is indeed a unique set of circumstances at The Arsenal. It seems as though for decades those in control are scared to let the handbrake off and really go for it.
It’s one thing Lady Bracewell-Smith bleating publicly about how sorry she is about selling her shares to Kroenke, but it doesn’t fix the problem.
I personally think the club have been saddled with greedy owners – long before Kroenke turned up – and it has had an adverse effect in terms of any ambition for footballing success.
Morning Herb, Devil and all..
My pleasure Herb, if ever you feel like writing something for a post, please just email me. No pressure, just some of your comments would make great posts…
Morning Rico and all. The fashionable narrative of the money-grabbing owner and board doesn’t ring true with me, but it’s a good get-out for AW’s rather flat and undynamic style. The power at the club resides in the hands of Wenger currently as Stan is content to let him do what he wants and back him financially. He has made all the squad decisions since Dein left and it is his his call as to who we do and don’t buy. Nobody else gets a say. Our success on the pitch hinges on that and his tactics, however elusive they might be. From what I gather he is a man operating out of his time. The current financial situation in the PL is anathema to him as his entirely predictable and ill-advised comments on the Pogba deal shows. But, the fans have little choice than to watch as he fails to to acknowledge to himself that we have massive and recurring injury issues, too many lame or underperforming ducks and a louche attitude toward ambition and success. He does, judging by his apathy in this years summer market, have an almost suicidal attitude towards the fans. If he doesn’t get his finger out then he will start the season as a man with very little support. A manager who is expected to fail purely because of his own egocentric desire to run the team in a way that fits ‘his’ philosophy. The fact that it hasn’t worked for a dozen years just doesn’t seem to be part of his equation for success. It appears there will be no re-invention of anything this season, just more of the same.
Then again, perhaps it’s never too late.
I was watching ‘Yesterday’ recently, and there were back-to-back programmes about the Munich air disaster.
What struck me more than anything was Manchester United’s footballing ethos and their attitude. For them it was all about football excellence and being the best. Matt Busby and Manchester United were building something special, even before the Munich disaster, Busby even defied the English football authorities to play in the fledgling European Cup, with many believing they were good enough to win the competition had it not been for the Munich tragedy.
Just twenty years earlier it had been The Arsenal at the fore-front of English football, but somehow, somewhere the club lost sight of what was important from a sporting perspective, and twenty years on, when United were creating all the excitement, we were pretty much as irrelevant on the global stage as we are now.
Since the resumption of football after WWII, Arsenal have been an institution obsessed with money and sporting success is viewed by the owners as a happy coincidence.
Yes Herb, but if you win it brings in more money.
Hi good folks. That is a top top quality post from Herbs. His comments are always objective. Always a pleasure reading them.
On transfers. How did we miss out on Jesse deal from Real. At £21m that’s a steal compared to the going rate. He’d have turned out a good winger/striker. Our transfers are really a circus. I hope one day the truth will come out.
Morning Adam, well said.
What I don’t understand is why Kroenke sits back at does nothing. For such a wealthy and successful businessman which he clearly is, you’d think he’d know that the more success we have on the pitch, the more his shares would be worth.
The reason I blame Kroenke so much is not the lack of spending because as you say, that’s down to Wenger, but preserving with a manager who has clearly lost his mojo…
Rico. I think Kroenke is in for the long haul at the moment. If you were in his position as the ‘most powerful owner in sport’ would you rock a boat that is further establishing him as such? It’s a boat that, he must know, is nearing the end of its voyage too. The tests for Kroenke and Ivan lie ahead I think.
Hi Adam
I totally agree with you, but why push the boat out when you already have more money than you can spend in several life-times?
Perhaps it’s a geographical issue, after all only one southern English club has brought back the European Cup.
Where did our philosophy and drive disappear to in the space of those twenty years? Why aren’t The Arsenal concerned about football excellence and being the best, as they so obviously were under Chapman and Allison?
Hi Marshall, thanks for your generous words.
I’m not convinced Adam, not about Kroenke, who I also think will be here for a very long time and followed by his son, but I can see both he and Ivan taking the easy option and offer Wenger a new contract..
Morning Marshall. Just like we have missed out on so many over the years I guess….
Herb. Perhaps it’s because these rich businessmen believe they will live forever and have no concept of the fact that they are just the current and temporary custodians of the club. I might ask why Arsene continues flogging the same dead horse? In this world we often equate wealth and financial success with intelligence and high levels of awareness, but my experience suggests that the two are not always synonymous with each other.
Everton want £50 million for Stones, if you were Wenger, would you go for him??
I would, he’s young, English and even if he get’s itchy feet in the years to come, Arsenal would still get a lot of their money back…
Rico. I know we will never agree on that one. 🙂
Which one Adam? Wenger getting a new contract?
Morning All
Morning Rico, Coach, Adam and Herb…
Herb, the Arsenal vs Viking game is on ITV4 this evening…
Pal Lydersen was one of George Graham’s signings during his ‘bung’ period. A sad end to a manager who gave us back our pride in the club after many years of just hanging around whilst Liverpool and Man Utd won everything…
David Dein was instrumental in bringing Graham back to Arsenal after his success at Millwall. God knows who the hopeless Peter Hill-Wood would have brought in if it had been left to him to appoint a manager ?
Very true Adam, there doesn’t appear to be any intelligent strategy at Arsenal, just mercenaries lining their deep pockets. Kroenke has already publicly stated that he’s not in it for trophies and titles, so under his ownership, Arsenal are a lame duck, and with Wenger being so handsomely rewarded for his complicity we could be stuck in this situation for decades.
No, the Kroenke’s malign influence. 🙂
The contract thing is going to interesting and possibly divisive.
Morning Kev..
Ah, ok Adam… 😉
If AW gets another contract, I think I’ll give up… Another 2/3 seasons of watching the rubbish that’s been dished up of late wouldn’t be good for my health…. lol
Morning Kev, I really should have known about Lydersen.
Interesting about George Graham, because it ties in a little with Adam’s point about intelligence.
We got Graham after agreeing terms with Alex Ferguson, but refused to agree to wait two weeks to call the Press Conference, as Ferguson was caretaker manager of the Scotland national side, and had to take them to the WC in Mexico.
We can only wonder where we would be today had we appointed Ferguson.
Herb. I also heard Stan talk about the fun in winning trophies so we should be careful in equating what he says to journalists in the US and how it relates to Arsenal in the UK.
If Wenger said that he wanted to sign a couple of top players and they would cost £100 million I think he would get it (but it’s only an opinion). As far as I can determine, he doesn’t want to sign them. At the moment anyway. He is loyal to players, perhaps to the detriment of the club and its progress at times.
He can only be what he is, like all of us.
I think there will be tears before bedtime as the board bury their heads and fail to acknowledge the way many of the fans are feeling. The longer that they refuse to notice the elephant in the room, the worse it will get.
Potter. Agreed.
Fair enough Adam, but none of his US sports franchises are successful, and their fans hate both him and his son Josh, a recently appointed Board member at Arsenal.
Agree there too Potter.
Yet this man with a string of unsuccessful clubs is building the worlds most expensive stadium. Perhaps it the very definition of the word ‘success’ that remains elusive.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/arsenals-takuma-asano-serge-gnabry-on-target-at-the-olympics-videos/
Personally, I don’t trust him and I don’t think he has Arsenal’s best interests at heart. I think he sees the club as just another cash-cow in one of the most desirable areas in England.
To me he is like Gillet (sp*) and Hicks who bought Liverpool, but were then chased out because it quickly became clear they were only there for the money.
I’m with you Herb. I wish he’d sell his shares and bugger off back to the USA…
If only Rico. We have been neutered, and there’s no-one left with any balls at the club to challenge what Arsenal has become. The warning signs have been there long enough.
Their greed has killed us.
Agree again Herb. AW runs the show and that’s it and i fear he’ll do so for a while yet, and not until he decides he’s had enough imo…
Morning Rico and the house
I don’t see how people say how kroenke is using the club as a cash machine.
The only thing he can cash in is his shares and the 3 odd million he takes out of the club each year for an advisory roll.
The money that’s in the bank is the clubs money
Herb, I guess we’ll never really know for sure about Kroenke until Wenger departs, but I have to say that I have a lot of sympathy with your view of him – and his son…
Here’s a question for fellow Gooners –
Does anyone think there’s anybody working at the club who cares that we’re five titles behind Liverpool, seven behind United, and have never won the European Cup?
I don’t think it registers with them at all.
I guess we can thank our lucky stars that Usmanov has enough shares to prevent Kroenke from taking over totally, because then there would be no shareholders meetings, no being held to account, he could do what he likes and take money from the club and nobody would be the wiser…
What exactly is it he advises on, Malaga?
Morning Mg.
Kev, his son is meant to be worse isn’t he?
Just a shame Usmanov doesn’t have the majority Kev..
New post up now.
Morning herb
Great post yesterday
He probably advises fuck all
My point is he can’t use the clubs money for his own benefit
As majority shareholder he can help himself whenever he likes without needing permission from anyone at the club.
He doesn’t communicate with the club’s supporters, and only turns up once a year.
And for that he rewards himself £3m?
I bet this doesn’t happen at any other top-flight English club.
Anyway, morning to you too Malaga, and thanks for the compliment.