Morning all.
1. Manchester United have won more trophies than any other club in English football, with a record 20 League titles, 12 FA Cups, five League Cups a record 21 FA Community Shields, three UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA Europa League, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.
2. Liverpool have won 6 European Cups, more than any other English club, 3 UEFA Cups, 4 UEFA Super Cups, also English records, 18 League titles, 7 FA Cups, a record 8 League Cups and 15 FA Community Shields.
3. Arsenal Football Club has won13 League titles, a record 13 FA Cups, 2 League Cups,15 FA Community Shields, 1 League Centenary Trophy, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
Fourth in the table of most successful English clubs are Chelsea but their glut of silverware came after the huge cash injection from Roman Abramovich. Before then they were just another club in London who’d occasionally win a domestic cup or two. Although they did win the League Championship back in 1955 and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, in 1971.
Based on trophies won, we’re the third biggest club in English football. Being in London, the country’s big capital, I’d say we’re the most attractive club in England. Or at least we should be. We’re not of course because for ten years or more, we’ve slowly drifted away from being a competitive club. Man City and Liverpool and to a slightly lesser degree Chelsea are the clubs who the better players want to go to. Klopp and Pep are the coaches players want to play for. Pochettino was another in my opinion but he’s history as far as the neighbours go.
Twenty years ago it was so very different for Arsenal though. The battle was between Fergie and Wenger and who got who. Spoils shared during the first few Wenger years I’d say, roughly anyway. Oh how the mighty have fallen eh as both clubs are now miles away from being where they were back then. Ironic too that both clubs are pretty much relying on a Europa Cup victory for a return to the Champions League.
Utd and Arsenal, unlike any other club in England share another similarity too in that both had a manager in place for over twenty years and both are struggling since their departure. During Fergie’s years, his teams remained competitive with trophies arriving on a regular basis right up to the season he retired. For Arsenal, despite remaining in the top four until Wenger’s last couple of seasons, just three FA Cups came his way. The first, nine years after we defeated Utd on penalties in 2005, the last in 2017, the only one won with conviction in my opinion. We’d had opportunities to win the league on a couple of occasions but in true Arsenal style, we blew them.
The Champions League was little more than a money earner but without it, we’d have been snookered as the The Emirates Stadium needed paying for. Only the Toots have gone through, or rather are going through, such a big move and financial commitment.
Arsenal have always been considered a frugal club. This advert dated back in 1925 could so easily be applicable today.
Arsenal Football Club is open to receive applications for the position of TEAM MANAGER. He must be experienced and possess the highest qualifications for the post, both as to ability and personal character. Gentlemen whose sole ability to build up a good side depends on the payment of heavy and exorbitant transfer fees need not apply.
The kind of guy who successfully applied for the above post would be most welcome today. ‘Arsenal appealed to him because it was a struggling club, something he could work on and make a power in the land.’ – according to journalist and former Arsenal player Bernard Joy at the time. The man he was referring to was Herbert Chapman of course.
But this is where Arsenal differ to the top top clubs. They seem to be too afraid to change. Arsene Wenger stayed too long. Financially he was succeeding, but success on the pitch had gone out the window. Before him, George Graham was sacked but only because he gave the club no choice and when Bruce Rioch was cast aside so quickly, had David Dein not been so desperate to bring Arsene Wenger to the club and Ian Wright, a big Dein and fans favourite, issuing an ‘it’s me or him’ ultimatum to the board, he might have stayed a lot longer.
I’m far too young to remember Billy Wright being sacked in 1966 but after he was, Bertie Mee came in. As did a double winning season, securing the league at White Hart Lane. He resigned in 1976 and Terry Neil was appointed. Roughly seven years and one FA Cup later, he was sacked.
Don Howe was next but he didn’t last long as he resigned after roughly two years after he took the job, initially in a caretaker role. I read the club were trying to lure Terry Venables away from Barcelona in order to replace Howe but instead, George Graham was appointed. The man who really did know how to defend, both as a player and a coach.
Herbert Chapman, Bertie Mee, George Graham and Arsene Wenger. All successful managers for Arsenal. Long ago now though as far as a league titles go. Longer to find a European victory, never for a Champions League victory and only one final in all the years of being in it. Now we’re not even in it or looking likely to be next season.
I know all managers need time to settle into a new post but when does that time run out? Seven years later as was the case with Terry Neil, with just one FA Cup to boast? Two years as with a Don Howe, waiting for his resignation or as in Emery’s case, the agreement to leave as he and the club reportedly have in place, a player ultimatum from say Torreira, Aubameyang or Lacazette as happened with Bruce Rioch?
Arsenal are the third most successful club in England yet for a number of years now, we’ve not been acting like it. The board seem to have settled for mediocrity on the pitch and expect the fans to do the same. Well they won’t, we won’t and if they didn’t like the Xhaka stuff, or the booing after the Southampton game, then they need to do something positive instead of sitting on their backsides waiting for Unai Emery to suddenly morph into someone he will clearly never be.
Follow the example set by Utd, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and even Toots who haven’t wasted time changing managers in order to get where they are today. Rogers, sacked the season after he nearly won the league, Poch, sacked just months after reaching the Champions League Final. Di Matteo, gone after winning the Champions League, Mourinho, sacked soon after winning the Europa League Cup. All because within months, things had declined.
Arsenal shouldn’t be afraid to change and if they don’t get it right, don’t be afraid to change again. Doing nothing is lazy, neglectful and weak, whereas change shows character, strength and ambition. Everything the Arsenal fans want to see in my opinion. Even if the next change doesn’t work, at least we can all see the club are trying.
Nuno Espirito Santo has become the favourite to replace Unai Emery according to the newspapers. Whether he’d be the right guy or not who knows but he’s done an excellent job at Wolves. Already he’s been tipped to make Rúben Neves and Willy Boly his first signings by The Sun. lol
If Emery goes, which he will very soon I hope, then I think the board will appoint an interim until the summer. Unless of course Raul is crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s on a deal for their new man as I type.
Surely not, not the Arsenal we know and love……
That’s my daily ramblings over with…
RIP Gary Rhodes.. 😢
Make the call, Arsenal FC.
Morning all.
Good morning Rico.
I’d be surprised if we signed a new head coach before the end of the season.
Whoever comes in will need time to appraise the situation, assess the players and then decide the tactics to suit the squad. Not something to do under the pressure of the present situation.
Freddy doesn’t have the required “badges”. Does Bould? If he has then the pairing might make a decent fist of the caretaker job until the summer.
Hi All nice story Rico problem is some one showed that add to Stan and Josh Kroenke and They still use that add today.
yes Rico I went to anger management and they told me to stop supporting Arsenal and all my stress and anger will go away so I never went back.
Morning Cicero.
I think it was Potter who posted yesterday that Freddie is able to take the job for 12 weeks. Bould, Merts, Keown – all options, or Edu as hasn’t he got all his badges?
That was my point Geoff. With FFP and the club’s self sustaining policies, I think we can rule out the type of manager who relies on vast amounts of money for players.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7726773/Just-turned-sour-manager-Unai-Emery-Arsenal.html
Guys, imo, our players have lost all the enjoyment of playing.
Is that a fair call???
Morning All…
Interesting post Rico, but where was George Morrell?
Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd have all remained in their stadiums and have been fortunate enough to have local authorities who greatly assisted them in redeveloping their stadiums and remaining in their historical homes.
Arsenal had to move.
Tottenham have remained but have totally redeveloped their stadium, so they share our situation of debt and the excuses that follow. But they’ve brought in Mourinho to keep them relevant and may soon sell to a large investor a la Chelsea/City.
United have slumped, they share with Arsenal the curse of American owners who care only for the bottom line as with Gillette and Hicks at Liverpool.
Fenway have shown that American owners can make it work, although they are the exception, but if Fenway can do it, they why not KSE?
The Kroenkes have been with us since 2007, majority owners since 2011 (I think) and sole owners since 2018 and their tenure has been one of gradual decline and a lack of decisiveness.
They set the tone.
You can blame Raul of course, but if the Kroenkes leaned on him then I think that he’d act more swiftly and Emery would be already gone.
Maybe Stan missed a trick not acquiescing to the request of Sir Chips to having a football man on the Board, someone who could ask questions of Raul from a position of knowledge and authority? No wonder Raul torpedoed O’Leary joining the Board…
Raul got rid of Mislintat and blocked O’Leary, two decisions that may in time be the correct ones, but I can’t help wondering if those decisions were more for the benefit of Raul himself rather than for the club?
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/amp/news/previously-players-were-forgotten-about-inside-arsenals/5iffeqaxl3jn1k11b2w8nhipl?__twitter_impression=true
In a place Emery should be Kev, Arsenal’s history. Lol
I think so Scott..
Rico, I do think they are just going through the motions because it’s all too complicated.
I find it hard to blame them, to be fair.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuno_Esp%C3%ADrito_Santo
I see the papers and the internet are saying the same thing as I said last week the reason why Unai Emery is still there is the club can not afford to sack him too early unless they get despite, What I don’t get is why clubs who brake the FFP rule and win trophies during that time don’t have to hand them back and why the likes of FIFA and others take so long to take action against these clubs.
Kev, re Fenway and Kse, I think both situations have been different.
Fenway didn’t have a manager with his feet under table like Wenger did. Also, the Kroenkes are relatively early into their sole ownership. I’m not suggesting Kroenke is perfect but It didn’t happen overnight for the Fenway group, it was never going to for us either.
Plus, Klopp took over an already very good squad, whereas whoever took over from Wenger had a big rebuild on his hands.
Great read, Kev!!!!
Geoff, personally, I think the stuff about the club not being able to pay Emery off is poppycock. As said before, they let Ramsey go for free, run the risk of missing out on the CL too. The reported compensation of £4m is a drop in the ocean.
There seems to be a lot of rumours linking NES to the job…
I’m not sure about his managerial record, but Wolves do play good football.
Although the thought of Jeorge Mendes representing the managers of both Tottenham and Arsenal does send shivers down my spine, he’s certainly hit the jackpot…
And Mourinho is his No.1…….
Fenway took over Liverpool in 2010 for info.
That’s true Rico, but they’ve been involved for around 12 years now and I’ve yet to see any benefit from they’re involvement. What they’ve achieved could have been done by our current and past directors because they’ve spent zero on the club only spending on share acquisitions.
And that remains the policy, so what use are they?
Said the same the other day Scott, turn up, train/play and go home. The fire, desire, etc seems to have gone.
From the Sun though Kev as in the post, Neves and Boly are to be his first signings. 😜
Agreed Kev but most of those years have been shared ownership and as said, with a controlling manager who they inherited. I’m not trying to make excuses for their lack of getting involved right now but imo, that’s why they’ve employed Raul, Edu and Vinni.
Rico, today I saw a photo of Cruyff with his comment “playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is”.
Spot on, i’d say, and plenty of manager need to stop over complicating the game.
Stop trying to prove how smart they are.
A happy worker will always give their best.
Neves, yeah Rico I like him, not sure about Boly, I prefer his partner, but let’s see what happens first because FFP will have an effect, so the club may have to sell one or both of Aubameyang and/or Lacazette if we go for Neves and Boly?
I see that we’re watching a young English defender, 22, plays in the Championship I think?
Another clear out in the summer I reckon…
Scott, haven’t many of us said something similar. Emery imo has tried to over complicate the game.
We may have no choice but to sell Kev because if what’s been written is true, Aubameyang, Torreira and Lacazette want out anyway but that could change if Emery goes.
I’d imagine Xhaka, Mustafi and Kolasinac would generate enough money to buy someone like Neves, then perhaps Aubameyang who if nothing changes, could push for a move in January. With his contract situation, it’ll be the last chance to get a lot of money for him and one of the big clubs might think his goals would be worth spending on, especially those going for the CL.
Yep, I kinda see us doing that kind of business as well Rico.
My only caveat about NES is that he’s never won anything except the Championship with Wolves. But if we can play the type of football they see at Wolves then I won’t complain.
ITK alert…. I’ve read that Emery will be sacked before tomorrow, Ljungberg will take charge vs Frankfurt and NES will take over for the weekend…
It’s probably all bollocks, but it made me chuckle.
According to some reports, Barcelona are interested in Aubameyang and a couple of other Champions League clubs are sniffing around.
Selling him in January makes sense if he won’t sign a contract extension, otherwise he can do a Ramsey and leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Give Martinelli a run and recall Nketiah when he recovers from his injury. Fresh faces, fresh attitudes!
ITK Kev, wassat?
😂 Kev, I cant see that happening. I’m not overly convinced by Nuno either but yes, his football is certainly better than we’re getting.
Cicero, Auba’s contract runs out in 2021 I believe so he won’t be going for free just yet. Not that I think Raul will allow that to happen.
Or Kroenke, after all, he’s to blame for everything else. 😜😜
Yer gotta larf! We can’t afford to sack Emery on the one hand on the other we can afford to sack him and pay compensation to Wolves.
Okay sell him in the summer Rico, we’ll get more for him then.
In the know.
Nuno is in Portugal today. Wolves play tomorrow in Braga.
Splendid article Rico.
Nothing to add re Emery as it’s all been said……
Someone mentioned that Freddie didn’t have all the required certificates to become a fully-fledged coach, so presumably that would take him out of the equation?
I was eight when I first saw the Arsenal badge with a crest featuring a canon and, I particularly loved the motto: Victory through Harmony.
Sadly here’s not much of either to be seen these days, typified really by both Tierney and Laca having “words”, with Emery on the touchline during the Southampton match.
I’ve always wanted to go to The Emirates (difficult to do when you’ve lived most of your life living and working abroad), but will not be entertaining that until we have a manager/coach who will inspire the players to play to their strengths and be proud of the club they represent.
Afternoon everyone.
The problem I can see in selling Xhaka is the fact that every one know Emery does not want him, half the fans don’t want him and by the sounds of it Xhaka does not want to be at arsenal so will any one really pay big money for him.
Cicero, ITK in the know, as Rico mentioned.
Thanks Andorra, funny enough, I was 8 years old too. Charlie George did it for me among other things. My siblings opted for Man Utd because of George Best but there was something about them even back then I didn’t like.
Thank goodness I got over my teen crush on Peter Osgood 😂
Peter Osgood….. 😳
Emery’s press conference
Arsenal manager Unai Emery says he is only focused on “today and tomorrow” as he prepares for his side’s Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Gunners boss is under pressure after a winless run in his last six matches across all competitions.
Arsenal are nine points worse off than at the same stage last season with just four wins in 13 Premier League games.
“My job is to prepare for the match, to show the best performance in front of our supporters,” Emery said.
The Spaniard’s side host Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on Thursday and sitting top of Group F, four points clear of Standard Liege and their German opponents.
On Sunday, a number of Arsenal fan groups called for “urgent action” over the “state of things” at the club.
“My focus is only today and tomorrow, to do all the things that we have worked on here at the training ground,” he added.
“We know our supporters were disappointed by the draw against Southampton, but we have the perfect chance to reconnect with our supporters.
“Our wish is that every supporter tomorrow helps the team, we need them.”
Arsenal are also eight points adrift of the top four and 19 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Is today and tomorrow a clue ? Or a tease.
Neither Potter, He can’t read English well enough to understand what everyone is saying. 😉
3players for England since the war with 3 letter Os in their surname
Peter Osgood, Bobby Moore, Tony Woodcock
I missed the surname bit, Not Bobby Moore , Ian Storey-Moore
Gone by the weekend then. Perhaps
Old quiz question, Storey-Moore is the catch . Just thought I would relieve the tedium.
Who was the only other one. Before even WW1?
Just read Emery has been sacked-any word, guys?
Probably Bloody social media lies again lol
Nothing in the news here.. In fact Emery maintains he has has the clubs full support.
It might be happening, then again, it might not, but isn’t the suspense exciting?
Don’t have nightmares….
Kev, I’m feeling sorry Emery, almost as much i do his bank manager 🙂
Morning all.
Rico, must have been “Fake News” 🙂
Not sure what jollies people get out of rubbish like that.
Needy people Scott, attention seekers. That’s the kind of people I think they are..
Morning to you, Kev and all.
Just read Emery has been sacked-any word, guys?
It was overuled by VAR though
That’s bad… lol
New post up now