Morning all.
People are either born with or without the ability to know when it’s time to admit defeat. As we human beings age, the passion might still remain but the task in hand becomes more difficult. The brain doesn’t function as well as it once did, the body neither and it’s then that retirement usually beckons. Have a rest, forget the stress and strains of what was a working day, put your feet up and enjoy some quieter and more relaxing times. Go and play golf or sail around the oceans on a cruise, do anything other than working in the job you were once good at. Arsene, I’m talking to you!
The passion, commitment, dedication might still be there in his mind but the reality is, none of it (if there), is being transferred to the players. I don’t buy the theory that all our players are average to poor, not for one minute but what they are is disorganised, lacking in direction and now, confidence.
As I and many others suggested last season and even seasons before, Arsene Wenger has lost the players belief in him. In my opinion of course. Too many good players have joined this club over the last few years yet before you know it, they’ve turned into a player very unlike the one who first arrived at the club. There’s been the odd one or two who haven’t been for changing, but not many. The fire soon leaves their belly, their performances dip and they’re stuck. Stuck in a negative rut which they struggle to get out of. Look at Rob Holding compared to last season. Bellerin is far from being the defender who ousted Mathieu Debuchy from the team. Xhaka and Mustafi, both international players have looked lost and out of their depth. Ramsey has seriously regressed since his one magical season and even Petr Cech is far from being the keeper he once was. Ozil didn’t turn into a lazy player overnight, he’s always lacked the defensive side to his game but now, he’s worse than ever before. I can’t be bothered to list them all and I’m sure you get my drift.
Thierry Henry:
I wanted to walk out – I wanted to leave (the stadium). I don’t relate with this team.
I am not surprised. I was expecting this. Stagnation.
I knew what was going to happen today. But still when you see it you’re like, no, not again! The way Arsenal lose the game is the problem. We are talking about desire, commitment. Have a go. The team I arrived into could fight. These guys? It is painful. As a fan, you try to be positive, but it’s not nice to see.
Everything that you see on the day has been happening for the past 10 years.
We talk about Sanchez and is he staying, but they are not going to want to be part of this team. That is why players are not renewing their contracts, they can see something is wrong.
The word I have used for a long time — comfort. Everyone is comfortable at Arsenal. It’s not the same pressure you have at a big club, that you should have. Everything is… nice. It cannot be like that.
We can see it too, in fact the only one who can’t is Arsene Wenger. He hinted in his post match interview that internal problems could be the cause of the poor performance. If that’s the case then have they been going on for the last ten years? After all, it’s not like we haven’t seen something similar before is it?
These players can’t escape criticism because they are the ones out there on the pitch wearing the Arsenal shirt and they should be proud to do so but as most of us know, if you’re continually asked to do something you don’t believe in or think is wrong, eventually you give up. Especially after it’s gone wrong so many times before and I think that’s where Arsenal are today. The players are worn out mentally, they have nothing left and they’ve all but given up the fight because there’s little to fight for.
There’s no plan or preparation before a game, well it certainly doesn’t look like it. There’s no thought about the opponents strengths with a ploy to nullify them. Playing a right back at left back when a fit and strong left back, probably our best one, is sat on the bench. Leaving our record signing in Lacazette on the bench too when he’s there to cause problems and score goals. Why leave Mustafi on the bench and leave Rob Holding, a guy Wenger said was too low in confidence to face Stoke City, to face an attacking unit such as Liverpool’s? Ridiculous decisions, just as selecting Mesut Ozil for a game in which we all knew we’d need to work hard in was. Seriously, Arsene Wenger has lost the plot in a big big way.
Never before have I witnessed such a pathetic, gutless, disorganised and embarrassing performance from an Arsenal side than I did yesterday. There may have been worse and if so, I missed them. There’s been a few drubbings in recent years but yesterday tops it for all the wrong reasons. For me anyway but perhaps that’s because it was yesterday.
Watching Ramsey and Ox moaning about something towards the bench when Liverpool scored one of their goals would be hilarious if it wasn’t for the fact they play for the club we love. The midfield was all over the place and both left and right of our defence was ripped apart time after time. It really was shocking to watch, painful too. A comedy of errors from what looked like a group of men thrown together after downing a few pints in the local pub all ‘coached’ by the landlord who was still hungover from the night before.
The pundits covering the match said that Liverpool play in a way which reflects their manager. Pep too as both sides ooze energy, enthusiasm and excitement. but none dared stretch so far as to suggest that Arsenal do the same. But they do!
Petr Cech said after the game that if he didn’t believe the team could lift themselves and improve, or something like that, he’d retire. Well if I was him I’d hang up my gloves right now because little will probably change. We might win the odd game here and there, we might even see a few good performances but there’s little to no chance that this group of players under Arsene Wenger will string a run of both throughout the season.
Now it’s the international break but just who returns after the next two weeks remains to be seen. Ox, Wilshere, Ozil, Sanchez and Mustafi could all be gone within the next four days but more importantly, who will Arsene Wenger bring in. Surely a defender or two and a midfield player, all who might actually know a bit about defending.
For a while anyway….
Morning again Rico. Good post.
As far as I can see, any scenario that involves Arsene Wenger staying, regardless of who he buys, is a complete and utter non-starter. He must be asked to leave today. The alternatives, considering the state he has put the club in, are terrible. The board simply must act. There’s no upside to Wenger at all.
Morning Adam and all. Thanks.
Agreed but who will act? As said yesterday, replacing him today could be easy and would be the right thing to do. This club needs an injection of hope and inspiration which won’t come from Wenger.
I think a Kel will be somewhere near right though, a panic shopping spree will be Wengers reaction. I really have no time or respect for that man anymore..
Rico. It’s time for the board to act I would say. If they don’t then fans protests within the Emirates will gain momentum as the home games roll around.
And now the apologies from the players come thick and fast… Empty ones no doubt..
Agree again Adam. This could all go horribly wrong for Wenger. If I was him I’d have resigned first thing this morning…
Rico. I think it’s already well on the way. I don’t doubt that there are some that see a future with him in charge though. Crispin for sure. 🙂
Sums it up nicely Rico.. yes get the old man out, who do we get to replace him??
I honestly would take martin oneill i would… who is out there at this minute in time who could come in and get this team fighting for the cause.
Preferably someone who has managed a big team before, someone who can tactically prepare his team.
All the best managers are already in jobs as we let them one by one be snapped up instead of having a bit of forethought ffs…
Adam, I don’t know if you watched after the game but one fan who was in his words a Wenger in, is now a Wenger out. His support is dwindling fast…
Thanks Kel, Tuchel would do a better job…
Rico. I just couldn’t watch any of the post game stuff. Games like yesterday will certainly have swayed a few more people. A few games with about 25000 in the Emirates will concentrate minds. The crowd have swayed the board before. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ivan walk though.
Thanks Rico…………..if only our teams performance was as good as your post !……………..top post !……………………………….even the AKB`s are in hiding on the Wenger Love In Sites !
As I said on previous post………It has too get drastically worse before it gets better !…………………yet, I have a strange feeling that even if we came 17th this season Wenger would still be here next season as whether it`s 1st or 17th it matters not one iota to Kroenke as long as the money comes in from the EPL/Sky/BT/etc`………………………even if you think Wenger is to blame ( and he is on the football playing front).it`s Kroenke`s fault that he still employs the hasbeen………………..as I have said many a time and right now…..an owner like Abramovich would packing Wengers suit cases as we speak……….no that`s a lie, they would have been packing them at half time yesterday !……………………………………do one thing I will praise you for Kroenke …………………………sack the manager !…………………………..and then fcuk off yourself !
LC. I would have thought that Abramovich would have sacked Wenger about a decade ago myself.
Morning rico, good synopsis to open with.
I don’t imagine Wenger slept too well last night. If he truly loves the club, he must be horrified by yesterday’s performance, as are we.
Fat Spam is waiting in the wings I expect, lol. I never thought I’d ever consider such a person, but needs must even for one season whilst the board get down to searching for someone more appropriate. Who else is free?
Ideally, I wanted Simeone, but that ain’t happening. Someone with the temperament of Roy Keane but with better management skills, to kick a few divas arses.
Yes, Adam………….I said the other day it would have been after the CL Final defeat !………………if only ! 🙂
Adam, neither would I re Ivan.
Morning Meerkat, thanks. Big Sam is a stretch too far for me… 😉
No doubt Fat Sam would get us organised, M`kat ………………….and Simeone would be the dream !……………………………..yes, the Invincibles brand of football would be lovely, but I honestly want us to be hard to beat first and foremost, then everythong can progress from there.
Everythong !!! hahaha
Good morning Rico
Le prof is not an easy to dislodge him.
Throughout the years he carefully surrounded himself by pussies.
He pay them handsomely and in return receive absolute loyalty.
What can we expect after this ?
Nothing absolutely nothing.
He already said it is just one game lost after all.
Thanks Lc…
We don’t even come close to playing like the invincibles these day, too many invisibles in the side because they’re allowed to be…
Morning Alex.
Morning all.
The reallymsadmthong about yesterday’s game and all the other yesterdays’ games was that nothing has changed. So far as we all can see the same mistakes are made, the players engagement and sense t of occasion is non existent. And above all Wenger presides like the old decrepit sage that he thinks he is, and believes if he gets his magic wand out all will be repaired, he just needs time…….ffs.
Of course he won’t resign, he loves this club and all its staff! He has a job to do! Etc etc……ad infinitum.
Will he be sacked? No the gutless board haven’t got the vision in them to make such a devastating decision. Anyway who would they appoint? They haven’t a clue who’s out there, they have never made an appointment of any sort at the football club. They haven’t had to because Mr Wenger has taken care of everything, all appointments in the past. It’s been easy street for them for years. Now it has become time to act, to do something to stop the rot, but I just can’t see them doing anything at all. As a body they are all inert.
If I were Wenger my own sense of pride would disallow me from continuing in a job that, deep down I knew I wasn’t doing properly. I would take a good long hard look at myself and conclude that it was time to pack my bags! Will Wenger do this? No he,won’t. His stubborn arrogance wont let him leave. He thinks it’s the players fault not his, I mean he did play in the game, did he? No he was happier picking pie meat from his teeth rather than engaging with the events on the pitch.
I really am angry about the current state of affairs because this accident was always going to happen, it was just a matter of when. We could all see it, all predicted it, we all suggested alternative coaches, systems, tactics etc etc, but nothing has changed has it? Same old, same old.
Come on ‘carpet King’ and ‘chippy’ grow a pair and sack the twat.
Nice and sunny here, it quite cheers one up?
So would I Wavy, no way could I carry on the way Wenger is. He’s slowly but surely hanging himself. In the end it will be a very bitter parting..
Something will give eventually. Kroenke is not in it to win trophies , purely to make money. Arsenal fans can make a difference but in a strange way. Those of us that did not go yesterday sat and watched on tv and that’s where the real money comes from .Boycott the matches . E-mail BT and Sky and tell them that you are no longer watching Arsenal matches , get them off the T.V stop the money stream and then Kroenke will start to listen to the fans at the moment it’s money for old rope , the world wide fan base was enhanced by the pre season tour and all those far eastern newly acquired fans will move on to another club just as easily as the good results fade away. New fans support success , I had a seven year old in full Arsenal strip in my front room yesterday , second half he was in the garden playing football with his sister , he lost interest . It’s that quick . When we played the cup final he watched the whole match . That’s the difference.
I don’t know which way to turn , it seems to me that we are reverting to the mid 70’s and 80’s where we turned up not expecting anything ( other than a fight a few oranges with razor blades or sharpened coins in them ). We had a comatose board of ex Etonians then and the current board mirrors them exactly. The whole place needs sweeping change.
Great article rico. Spot on with your analysis.
I’ve been banging the same drum for several years now. I am the same age as Arsene, and know only too well how your zest and energy goes when entering your latter days.
As I’ve said on numerous occasions, certain players don’t want to play for him anymore. He has gone stale, and is ancient in football terms.
Our players have not become ordinary over night, we still have several fine players, who, with a young, energetic, forward thinking manager, could, believe it or not, challenge for the title.
Every man and his dog can see our frailties. We desperately need a top quality CB and top quality DM. AND soon a decent keeper.
A new manager would make it his first priority and address all three of those problems.
They could be sorted with £100m, which we have in the bank, WHY OH WHY doesn’t Wenger see this.
Get Van Dyke, and boy o boy we could have had Matic.
The trouble with Wenger is he doesn’t like buying the finished article, he likes to buy, and turn them into his player, if you know what I mean. Example”””””Bellerin at left wing back. How damn ludicrous when you have a perfect left sided defender sitting on the bench!!!!!! Beggars belief.
Im told Ox and Sanchez had blazing rows with the rest of the players before hand in the dressing room.
If things don’t change, AND quickly, Mutiny springs to mind.
Over the past few seasons, believe it or not, I have laughed at some of the performances ( its either that or give myself a heart attack) but I’m now getting angry, and fear it won’t be long, if things don’t alter, before I have to stop watching my beloved Arsenal for the first time in over sixty years.
My prayer mat will come out tonight, and I will be asking for two things………… Stan Kronke to sell to Usmanov and the latter to sack Mr. Wenger. Lets ALL make it a vigil tonight and on mass it might just work. 😉
COYG
Rico. I doubt that anyone with self respect and in their right mind would carry on.
Sack him NOW and put Tuchel in charge for the rest of the season to prove himself ( or not ). I don’t believe he could do any worse. Immediately start the hunt for a DOF d use this season as a shake up and reorganisation. I think the vast majority of fans would support it and the divisions in the fanbase might actually heal for a while. That spineless piece of sh1t IG might actually become a Catalyst For Change.
But we all know SK hasn’t a clue what went on at the weekend and doesn’t really care so same old same old
Good one Potter. The bit about the seven year old sums things up very well…
Thanks Vcc, good comment from you too. Bellerin on the left is a decision only a mad man would make, as are many of the other decisions Wenger makes these days.
Adam, I doubt that too. Shows how stubborn and pigheaded he is.
Well I guess we are finally seeing the results of an ultra conservative owner, who lacks the ambition and drive to do what should have been done in the summer, maybe even the summer of 2015, whilst his investment drifts towards mediocrity?
Wenger had enjoyed some amazing luck in the FACup last season, drawing Sutton and Lincoln at home, then the players somehow motivated themselves to put in two top performances in the S/F and Final, it wasn’t some tactical master plan by Wenger it was the players themselves.
They actually showed their true potential in those two games against Man City and Chelsea, so we know they have it in them, but we also know that they also need tactical direction, defensive organisation, motivation, basically a plan, not just charging forward like a team over the Hackney Marshes.
Wenger cannot do it anymore, he hasn’t really been able to do it anymore since around 2008, he lacks the characters in the team to do this job for him because in truth he’s never been the genius that some have painted his as, he’s never been tactically astute or had a mind to organise defensively when needed, his teams all play ‘off of the cuff’ and eventually you get sussed out…
We’ve either known all this or suspected it all for years, but our owner lacks the imagination needed to change things because he is an accumulator of wealth, a man who lacks a dream beyond ‘real estate’ and his already bulging bank balance. He is a man without a soul.
So basically we’re fcuked. We have a manager whose a busted flush and an owner who has no empathy for what he owns beyond the bottom line.
Only a reaction from the fans, not against Wenger but against Kroenke, will bring about a change.
Stws- why is Ivan spineless?
Morning all.
Thierry said it-the entire clubs staff is too comfortable.
Why?
Because we keep making money.
Until we stop making money, Stan will remain happy, Arsene will remain manager and we will all remain frustrated.
The culture of any club/business starts at the very, very top.
I’ve said for a few years now that, in my opinion, Stan is the main problem, because he allows medicoracy-in fact, he almost encourages it.
If he gave a shit about anything other than profits, he’d have sacked Arsene years ago.
How long have I said this??
Arsene is well past it, and we all know that, but if he doesn’t realise it, somebody at the club bloody well ought to!
Forget the Wenger out banners-attack Stan head on and I’ll bet things will change!
Who let that prick in the front door??
Rico, Ivan sits by, seemingly does very little and collects a handsome salary.
To criticise Wenger for doing the same then giving Ivan a free ride is not fair.
Yep, he’s spineless.
If he were good at his job, surely he’d have been poached by a big club-that hurt to say lol
I wondered why Stws thought that Scott, not you as I know what you think.
And yet Spurs owner lives in the Bahamas and leaves it all to Levy who spends a fraction of Arsenal’s wage bill. The difference is that, after years of failure, they have landed a good manager. Very few of his buys have been any good at all but he is ruthless, understands modern football, tactics and he knows how to motivate young players. I don’t remember many Spurs fans moaning about Joe Lewis through their decades of under achievement. There must be many managers who achieve more than Wenger does, with less money.
The only question that can be aimed at Gazidis is why he hasn’t quit. I think he knows that things need to change but the current regime only allows him to tinker round the edges. Sure Kroenke needs to go as does Wenger . I have always believed that it’s a double act of blame The longer nothing changes the more we will slip back.
True to a point Adam, but we all know The Spuds will not compete year after year, they have a good manager and a good current team, but the likes of the Big 3 have so much money they will always be in contention for the trophies it`s no coincidence that the biggest spending owners win the big silverware since Abramovich and Mansour formed their new clubs !……………………………………also, as much as I rate the Spud manager, they still haven`t won anything since ?????
I must add that Poch would get more out our players than Wenger !………………………………………but you know probably anyone else could ……….
🙂
LC. I tend to agree but Spurs are a team on the up as long as they start to pay bigger wages and can keep Pochetino. A simple question then. Given exactly the same resources that Wenger has at his disposal, do you think that Pochetino would get better results if he became Arsenal manager?
Touché. Beat me to it. 🙂
Exactly Adam, same with the Liverpool owner and the City owners…
I still say start with Wenger and then expose the real Kroenke/board. If nothing changes, then fine, go for them but considering most of us believe Pulis would get more from this current crop of players, Wenger is the one failing the most out of them all.
Evening all,
Arsene Wenger won’t go anywhere until he has passed Fergie’s 910 Games as a PL manager. I reckon that is why he signed on again tbh.
The only way he will be removed is if Stan sells his interests in the Club b4 that & Wenger would be sacked, end of.
Now let me think about this……mmmmmm………………….how much does Gazidis earn ?……………………cosy little job , does fcuk all and has little say and gets paid what ?……………back in a sec` to check his salary !……………………………………………I`m back !!!………………………….according to a 2016 report, Gazidis has a £2.65M salary and got a £1M bonus !…………………………..why the fcuk would he quit ?………….he may be useless, but he`s not mad ! hahahaha
How much Wenger on ? hahaha
Rico. I don’t give Kroenke a pass at all. I would like to see him gone and as you know, Ivan offered his resignation last season about the time he made the famous “Change” speech which Wenger has conveniently and arrogantly ignored. From what I hear Gazidis is playing the long game and if he is perhaps he can help facilitate Wenger’s departure along with Chips who it seems might also want to move on and rebuild the club before it is completely broken. That’s what progressive businessmen do isn’t it?
hahaha Adam, yes, I anticipated your question !………………………………………shame Wenger cant anticipate some of our failings, it`s not like he hasn`t had year after year of the same experience !
Good post Rico, I wish Wenger could read it.
Imho, anyone can replace AW atm, and the results can’t get any worst. Viera is holding his own here in New York City and the team is playing well.
As good a post it is, you could’ve written it after any of these results:
Chelsea 6 – Arsenal 0,
Bayern 5 – Arsenal 1
United 8 – Arsenal 2
Man City 6 – Arsenal 3
United 6 – Arsenal 1
Lpool 5 – Arsenal 1
Totts 5 – Arsenal 1
Monaco 3 – Arsenal 1
Olympiakos 3 – Arsenal 3.
And this is but a few, can anyone name me another “top-level” or “quality” manager with such disastrous results?
We are Arsenal, we shouldn’t be comparing ourselves with Tottenham.
We should be competing with Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City.
We should be entering the CL and having a squad able to reach the latter stages and win the bloody thing.
Absolutely Adam, that’s what they should be doing and like you, I believe Kroenke is far from being an ambitious owner but the real stuff, as in the football we play etc etc, that’s something he can’t be blamed for, other than to have told Wenger in the summer that enough was enough.
However, he like others around the world, fell for our FA Cup performance…
Ooopps….Olympiakos 3 – Arsenal 2
Spot on Kev.
The joints a mess and that’s probably the only thing we all agree on lol
How to fix it is the really question.
One things for sure-if nothing changes, nothing will change!!!
Thanks Obi. Paddy returning is a nice thought….
Rico, he’d certainly add some starch to this soft lot lol
Looks like Lemar is heading to Liverpool…
One question particularly puzzles me. Why are Mustafi and Perez leaving a year after being purchased?
Another question is of course, why were they and Kolashnikov and Lacazette not playing yesterday? We clearly need defenders and goal scorers, so wtf went on? To have Sanchez and Ox playing, when they want away, yet not these others is baffling to say the least.
It proved one thing though, there is no point in trying to keep Sanchez and Ox. Though who would want them on the wages they are demanding is another moot point.
Sorry, that was more than one puzzling question!
Ask Wenger Meerkat…
Rico, I doubt he could answer that, to be honest.
I’ve tried rico, but he’s not taking my calls, lol. He hasn’t replied to my emails either?
Liverpool and Lemar means no Scouse for The Ox , that leaves Chelsea for him. Careers are being wrecked under this megalomaniac for the sake of the promising kids he must go. How long before Nelson , Mavididi , Nketia , Iwobi find their progress halted and end up like Jenks and Gibbs ‘ The list is endless of bright young things that never make it . There is something rotten in the state of Arsenal.
He should be made to Scott because the decisions he made yesterday were unforgivable…
Ha ha Meerkat.
Agreed Potter, I think Keown has suggested the same. Something is seriously wrong within the club. Nothing though than the removal of one man wouldn’t go a long way towards fixing.
How about Rafa Benitez, he’s had enough of Mike Ashley. Although, could he, or any other self-respecting manager work under Stan the man?
He could do well at Arsenal, he certainly commands respect from players. It wouldn’t take much I reckon to prise him away from them.
Good call , Would toughen up quite a bit. But leaving Evans for Kroenke ? Frying pan and fire comes to mind.
Mustafa out on loan to Milan.
Ox going to Chelsea £30-£35m
Meerkat….apparently, Wenger didn’t want Perez or Mustafi. That is why he is reluctant to play them, he is trying to prove a point. The board would not release sufficient money for Wenger to get his targets.
They were bought by the board. Their stats were high the previous year and thats what the board went on. Can you believe that is the situation within Arsenal FC.
Meerkat……..I would take a punt on Joachim Lowe.
What a mug Wenger is going to look if Bindippers get Lemar, although our real priority are purchases to protect our net !…………………and I dont mean our net fortune gathering dust in the bank, I mean the thing attached to the bar and posts ! hahaha
Buy Virgil Van Dyke and Stevan NZonzi Le Coq Monster…….sorted.
Le Coq Monster =
Cech
Bellerin
Kos
Van Dyke
Kolasinac
Elneny
N,Zonzi
Wilshere
Iwobi
Lacazette
Sanchez
Ospina
Holding
Monreal
Ramsey
Nelson
Can there be a reinvention for a stubborn, dismissive and uncaring person? Nothing else matters for Arsene except that he sits as manager of arsenal even if they are relegated. He will persist in playing Bellerin on the left just to prove everybody wrong. He will rather not bring in better players as that will mean Ramsey, Ozil and other bottlers been benched. He is ensconced in the arsenal comfort zone and has a job probably for life. He is immune to changes and sees other clubs/managers as being dumb or not elite. He has bewitched the big guns (board and all) with his archaic philosophy and ambition/ability to compete is no longer important.
Wenger has become a master theorist of what normally goes wrong every season. Last year, it was the fans unrest that cost arsenal dearly. Already, in the new season he is alleging some conspiracies/internal problems. In the past years, it was either the spiking of transfer fees or the demands of repaying the cost of the emirates. Everything except Wenger is the problem. How many more years will we continue to harvest excuses. Yet, his teams are pathetic, lazy, look untrained with no discernable tactics except play the ball forward.
Klopp left his first choice keeper on the bench for tacrical reasons. Why for tactical reasons did we not leave Ozil and Monreal (too slow and weak on the bench) Playing a highly disciplined and pressing team, did we need the luxury of Ramsey, who perhaps wants to emerge the teams highest goal scorer, leaving his defensive duties? A ot of questions! ! But I think arsenal is too big a team/brand to be pummelled 8-2, 6-0, 10-2 4-0 and nobody does anything to stop this.
Wenger feels no shame and for him it has become a routine job. Give this job to someone who will be afraid to lose it and this same arsenal side will fly.
I’ve been supporting Arsenal for about 20years now, yesterday was the first time I stopped watching our game at 60mins. I was too embarrassed.There’s no way out of this mess… Wenger and Kreonke Out.
Hi All,
I still don’t think Stan says Wenger may not spend what the club has made. I reckon he just will not invest more in the club for transfers.
Having the 4th highest wage bill clearly indicates that the funds are made available, we just pay too much for garbage players.
I also think that we have absolutely rubbish scouts who cannot find talent other than the obvious.
Seems other teams can all find value players except ours.
Vcc, is that factual about the board not giving Wenger money for his targets or rumour? I struggle to think it’s factual as only last summer we were told we could afford to sign anyone except Messi and Ronaldo…
DE, I share many of your views….
It speaks volumes that players such as Mbappe and Lemar, who Arsene has courted all summer, are going elsewhere it seems.
If Lemar has any say, surely watching that debacle yesterday helped him decide who he wants to join. Kloppy whose enthusiasm is contagious. or Wenger, who didn’t have a clue yesterday.
And yeah, Sanchez couldn’t hide his little snigger yesterday either. He knows he’s leaving, so doesn’t much care. If the rumours of heated exchanges in the dressing room before the game are to be believed, the rest of the team have had enough too.
That’s not excusing them for their attitudes and performances though. On the money they earn, they owe the club and fans a lot more than they gave yesterday.
In spite of Arsene, they could have organised themselves into a fighting unit once on the pitch. They are professional footballers ffs, surely they have some dignity and pride to salvage from the car crash that is Arsenal atm.
I’m surprised Kloppy wants the Ox, on the wages he thinks he’s worth.
The team selection was bizarre! Was it Wenger’s way of getting in his retaliation first? Pick a crap side, leave out your best players or pick them despite the fact that they are pissed off with the club. Throw in a few choice words to stir the pot. Sit back and watch the shit hit the fan! A thumping, a well deserved thumping. Maybe even a contrived, yet deserved thumping. And then make a few furtive remarks about ‘things behind the scenes’ and he thinks he’s off the hook. Mia culpa, it doesn’t cut it for me. However, if the board won’t sanction expensive signings and the club suffers as a result. The question has to be asked why has Wenger not resigned in protest at the board’s control of his football club? For sure, if it me, I’d be long gone, but not the old Alsatian, he’s still hanging in there. Ffs. Does he think an event as horrendous as Sunday was is likely to get the club to sanction loads of money so he can buy a few more duds?
The whole sad and sorry affairs of the club are there to be exposed and it’s time the truth was told.
Good point Wavy, why doesn’t he resign if he’s not being allowed to do his job, after all, that’s what ‘some’ have said about Ivan…
Funny enough though, I don’t believe they have or are….
Meerkat, what’s even more strange is Wenger could have had Mbappe last summer for peanuts if rumours are to be believed…
Just one of many who have got away…
Hi VCC…………………………….I`m now of the opinion like a few on here that it doesn`t matter who we sign we will still struggle because of the manager in charge.
Wenger resign !!!……….mmmmm ……I was only saying earlier today about how much Gazidis earns !……………….you could chuck as much abuse at me for £8M+ per year !………………what`s tha old saying ?…………………oh yeah…………..laughing all the way to the bank !
I actually want all our targets to move elsewhere as I`m enjoying the Wenger bashing obviously more than our football ! hahahaha
I`m so numb from the groundhog daying that relegation would be a great way of seeing how much shit would hit the fan………….I mean, us fans have had enough shit thrown at us in recent years !………………………not even Wenger would survive relegation !…………….he says nervously ..hahaha
Liverpool have got Keita snapped up, albeit he won’t join them until next summer. Now that is planning ahead…
And Sky Breaking News are saying Arsenal and Chavs have agreed a fee for Ox !………hahaha
Do you think the Ox has employed Ashley Cole as his agent, to make the deal happen? It would be funny wouldn’t it!
It must be a different Ox as Wenger said the contract rebel 3 were all staying !………Arsene doesn`t tell porkies !
Le Coq Monster. See my 1:10…….Apparently Wenger had an almighty row with Chamberlain after the game yesterday. He told him he thought he’d been let down once too often, especially after all the chances he had given him.
He left him in no uncertain terms, and told him he could leave the club. Wheels were put into motion first thing this morning and made him available to all clubs that were interested.
Before KO, Ox and Sanchez had a ding dong with all the other players.
Lacazette and Kolasnic (?) could not understand why they had been left out of the starting line up. Many players agreed with them.
It’s far from a happy ship behind the scenes.
You know I trust you Vic`s……………………….Have you a reliable source on the flare ups ?
If he goes for £35M…………then we are £`s in on the tranfer dealings…………………..brilliant news for Kroenke, he must love Wenger !
It seemed like a strange decision to play Ox if, as has been reported, he was on the way out anyway. But thenI suppose it’s one of many strange decisions we are witnessing.
Le Coq…..never let me down before.
At the end of last season the vote from the board was 50/50 on giving Wenger an extension.
Kronke told Gazedis, if Wenger goes so will you…………surprisingly, Gazedis voted to give Wenger an extension, well there’s a surprise.
Also, Wenger did not want Mustafa or Perez. They were a cheap option from the board going on statistics from the previous season. This explains his reluctance to play them.
Ox to Chelsea, didn’t see that one coming… 😉
Evening guys…
rico…..see my 1:10 😉
I was told this first thing this morning.
I saw it Vcc, just wondered how reliable it was. Now I know.. lol
I thought though that Wenger pursued Mustafi all summer..
“Good call , Would toughen up quite a bit. But leaving Evans for Kroenke ? Frying pan and fire comes to mind.”
For someone like Benitez it would come down to expectations from above.
If Kroenke says get us top 4 and I’ll give you the self sufficiency money to do it, then he might go for it. If Kroenke gives him the same budget and tells him to win the league then no one in their right mind would touch the job.
This is the unpalatable truth that people need to confront. Man Utd is a money making powerhouse, Man City, and Chelsea will always outbid and out spend us. Clubs like PSG, Monaco, Real Madrid, Barcelona have financial doping. While this exists we will be in the also ran group of clubs where we can pick up their hand me downs (Ozil and Sanchez) but we will never be able to get a player they really want.
We belong with Liverpool, Spurs and Everton fighting for the top runner up spots.
We either join the top club with someone like Usmanov or continue to be also rans with Kroenke.
Until this happens, things like who is our manager, who we buy and sell, what does Gazidis do? It’s re organising the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Sorry if this is too depressing but it’s how I see things at the moment.
I might be alone here but I’m disappointed Ox is going. I’d sooner see the back of Ramsey, Ozil and one or two others before him…
Rico. I imagine a lot of fans will be sorry to see him go. So many mixed messages and opinions around.
There are lots of players I feel a little sorry for. Never really used properly and never developed because of it.
The Ox is a powerhouse when running at teams. Playing in a central attacking midfield role would be perfect for him. But we don’t play that way.
Not so sure we will miss the Ox as much as you think rico. After all we have a better prospect (imo) waiting in the wings with Reiss Nelson.
rico 5:43….The board pursued Mustafi. I can’t remember the CB name Wenger wanted, but he was deemed too expensive. Wenger’s second choice = Johnnie Evans was also rejected. They insisted on Mustafa.
That’s another problem with Wenger Hobart, he seldom plays to players strengths..
Vcc, I’ll have to take your word for it… lol
But some of it conflicts with the few snippets I’ve heard…
We are trying to push Chelsea to £40m for the Ox.
OK rico……I don’t like tittle tailing, so I won’t carry on. 🙂
For the past ten years or so its almost that he recruits players with no actual thought to where they will play.
? Vcc, me neither. What you’ve been told is interesting though. Just wish someone from inside the club to spill the beans…
Didn’t he want Subotic or some other Eastern Europe man mountain?
Or Manolas?
Would they have been significantly more expensive than Mustafi?
Probably not Adam.
Then I don’t understand why Wenger couldn’t buy the CB he wanted.
rico……thats the guy I think….Kostas Manolas.
rico…is there a way you can be contacted privately? Ive looked on the headings and can’t find anything.
That went through my mind Adam.
Yes Vcc, Highbury.house@yahoo.co.uk…
I will miss the Ox………one of my favourites !…………………….although Bellerin can go back to RWB and Kolasinac will be LWB, so not as bad as say losing ……………..Alexis !
Manolas is valued at under £30m according to transfer market.
Just the two of us then Lc… lol
I like him Rico. 🙂
🙂 Adam. I bet Conte plays him at right wing back, if he plays him…
If Conte plays him as RWB in our next away game how will Monreal fair on the left of a back 3 ?……..or Kolasinac ?…………………..will Gnarley Boo him at the Bridge ?…………………..will we be bottom of the table that day after losing at home to Bournemouth in the previous week ?……………..will our bank balance be bigger than when the TW started ?……………………………how much shit will hit the fan ?………………..and fans ?……………………….so many questions……………………….
Too many Lc… lol
Catch up tomorrow guys… nighty.
Morning all.
Ox for 35-40 million-sell.
He wants out, let him go.
Rico, your 3.38 is a cracker.
“Some” people have asked why Ivan gets no criticism for sitting by, collecting a handsome salary when not allowed to his job, ONLY in response to you and others who have criticised Wenger for doing exactly that, yet you make out that it’s the reverse situation?
Well played lol
Has Alexis handed in a transfer request, as I’ve just read elsewhere?
You can’t make this up. I heard this before but now here’s another confirmation:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe because
he refused to pay his family commission, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.
“18 months ago Wenger met Mbappe’s family, he was then 16, 17 years old,” Balague said on Sky Sports.
“And the family asked for a huge commission of around €7-8million so Mbappe could go to Arsenal.
“And Arsene Wenger said no to that. I think logically, sometimes the fact he doesn’t want to play
those games – commissions and money – may work against him.
“But the club will look at that and think ‘I agree,’ at that point it didn’t make
any sense to pay €7-8m commission to the family of a player who’s 16.”
Obi, that’s a tough one.
I think we’d all at least question the thought of paying that commission for a 16 year old.
I mean, how often over the last few years have we all rolled up ur at eyes at the signing of “another kid”, when we obviously needed grown men.
Imagine Wenger did that deal?
He’d have been crucified though for reasons he’s brought on himself.
Ox…can disappear anywhere as he is not any good.
His weapon is same as Feo just run at high speed.He might have a slightly better touch than Feo but he is crap
Remember When he run straight into Mascherano and lost for a season ?
Enough said.
Again Le Prof falls in his own sword.At the detriment of the team le prof till yesterday played the Ox knowing that the chap was not staying.
The good thing for the club they amassed 35M for this crap player.
The bad news Feo will come back again and Perez loaned.Is just mind boggling how he manages.
I wish Dortmund wil rescue us by taking Ozil and City please take Sanchez.
Great comment Alex.
Arsene should fall in his sword, but won’t.
8.20 Scott, you’ve totally lost me, regardless of your capital letters and ‘lol’…
Unbelieveable how come is staying loyal upto the last minute ????
Bellerin even tough i dont rate him much was made a sacrificial lamb just to appease the Ox seems in the past games
Ox crap Alex? Odd assessment imo.
Yes, some of our lot lack desire but you wait and see what he does at Chelsea or Liverpool with a fresh and eager coach…
Like rats leaving a sinking ship, maybe we’ll be better off without them?
As long as we can field eleven…. lol
Nelson can play Rico.
Tbh we looked better in preseason without all the show ponies who want to leave.
Anyway, night Rico
He sure can Kev, but he can’t play for the entire season…
Night Kev, all.
Morning all,
Arsene Wenger has got what he wants. He’s conned Arsenal supporters yet again. He has created a get out of jail clause re Alexis by playing him in a starting team that he had players out of position & new signings on the bench, knowing The Arse would get spanked, so that he can use the excuse he has to sell Alexis coz he has no option with Alexis’s demands & mind set for the team. Arsene Wenger is a survivor & will do it again. Arsene Wenger has probably decided its better to sacrifice 3 points than a whole season, when it comes to his ego. He is a bullshit artist, but the bottom line is he is a survivor!
Rico
Not expecting anything me from the Ox.
He is just a little upgrade of Feo.
Ability to pass players only trick he got is use his pace
Technically very limited and he is 24.
I hope i am wrong at least he could do something for England.
If it was on him surely we had seen it .
Good riddance for 35M in my opinion
A little bit off topic but off topic but i did a quick bit of research on Stan’s other teams :
Colorado Avalanche (NHL) : dead last
LA Rams (NFL) : 3rd least amount of wins out of all the conferences
Denver Nuggets (NBA) : Mid table finish
Colorado Rapids (MLS) : Last in the western conference & least points overall
Colorado Mammoths (Lacrosse) : probably his best result here… out of 9 teams they made it to the 6 team play-offs to be knocked out in the first round.
Like i said, it was quick research but it looked like Arsenal were the last team he invested in and we seem to only be heading one way since.
To Aussie Scotts-you have your hands full now, Rico 🙂
Kev, your 10.37pm is bang on.
Give the chance to players who want to play for the club.
Arsenal’s away record vs top 6 since 2013:Played: 21
Won: 2
Draw: 6
Lost: 13
Goals scored: 24
Goals conceded: 52
How embarrassing is that?? Fucking appalling record…..
Liverpool in for Lemar, if he watched Sunday’s game who do you think he’d sign for out of us and them?
Morning Rico and all. It’s a gloomy and very depressing time for all of us where the club are concerned. But perhaps it always needed to get this bad before any significant corner could be turned. The question now is what the board are going to do about it. If anything.
Wenger “If I am a problem, then I am sorry” don’t be sorry leave!
Brudder. I though that was a very weird statement too.
Morning Adam and all.
I think there’s a way to go yet until the toothless tigers above Wenger react..
If he was sorry he’d leave…
Wenger dithers because he is scared of making mistakes I presume,which is weird because he is never ever held accountable for any mistakes…..
Scared of making mistakes? He should be used to making those by now, he’s made enough… ?
Didn’t Wenger say to would be “disastrous” for Arsenal to lose Oxlade Chamberlain?
Reports he’s done at Chelski….the ditherer will have his work cut out if Ozil, Sanchez et al fuck off too!
Love to be privy to what plans Wenger has to replace the outgoing players!
Plan? ?
I bet his praise and playing of Ox was to bump up his price…
I’m Not really worried at all that Ox is going-he’s never lived up to his ability.
I’m more worried about the fact he wants to leave-then, if the report of 220k a week is correct, then he doesn’t need any other reason.
How much do we have in the bank now?
Morning all.
I’m waiting for the “I’m want to win trophies” bullshit speech.
Actually I’ve a feeling that Ozil will get an inflated new deal and stay just like Wenger did, they embody all that’s wrong with Arsenal.
The Ox 20 goals in 196 game for Arsenal…won’t miss him, should of got Aurier!
Still no leader on the pitch is there? The shambolic defence on Sunday no one was barking orders out or bollocking players for their fuck ups!! This is a massive problem that has needed addressing for ages!
Ox’s debut home game for chelski will be against who…?
When was our last on pitch leader?
My memory doesn’t go back that far lol
I think the Ox got played to try and keep him. I would love to know how the row with Ramsey went as they both discussed the price of fish whilst Liverpool scored. Who was calling who out and why.
A question from another site…
Do you believe Arsene would win the league with a more hands on’ owner?
Not a fucking chance, unless the owner bought the players, did the tactics and was in the dug out. Imho that is…
Morning Rico. What is (obviously) needed is a clear and positive plan of action if the club are truly in crisis. When I look at the squad and the way the TW has been allowed to drift by and then consider that players want out and our results have been disastrous, I reckon there certainly is a crisis. This is down to Wenger and nobody else and as the root of the problem how can he be any part of the solution, except by walking away.
But surely this is what a board is for. They seem to have failed to anticipate the current situation but now they have to earn their money and act. For the good of the club and not for the benefit of Arsene Wenger.
Nobody knows what the dynamic is between the majority shareholder and the board but that has to be sorted now. For the good of the club.
I’d love to know what went on in the changing rooms at Anfield…
With a new owner, the simple fact is we’d also have a new manager, so I dare say we’d stand a better chance in the League.l than we are now.
Adam, if ever these fools must stand up, it’s now, surely.
How much farther would they see the club sink before acting????
Do they understand the term “duty of care” at all?
Rico, now that would’ve made a great edition of Arsenal TV 🙂 🙂
Adam. That all sounds hard work for our lot…
“I don’t understand why Wenger signed a new deal when he’s doing the same things and expecting change. It’s insanity” #afc
Ian Wright.
8.45 Lee.
My answer has to be no as at his age, there’s little chance he’d change his ways. No doubt one of the many reasons he didn’t move to a big club when he was offered the chance was the fact he’d have to spend big money on big players and be able to manage them..
Clearly, this is something he can’t do anymore…
Just as his tactics, team decisions etc etc etc won’t change. He’s a dinosaur…
Another thing is, SK could give him £300 million to spend but A) he wouldn’t spend it and b) he’d still dish up the same old crap each week and play our right back on the left. If he does it now with a strong left back on the bench, why anyone thinks a different owner would change that is beyond belief…
Spot on Wrighty…
Or maybe the new owner could be worse that Stan, perhaps?!?
I agree Rico. The idea that we are going to end up with some kind of benevolent owner who blindly pumps hundreds of millions into the team is unlikely. Plus, we know that Wenger would not accept the money anyway. What is wrong at Arsenal in the immediate sense is that Wenger cannot organise a team or motivate millionaire players, many of whom are absolute shitheads, into a cohesive, tactical force. As I mentioned before the game on Sunday, the team sheet was the brainchild of a madman.
We all know that Arsenal are on the brink now. They can rise from being a sleeping giant and compete with the right investment and more importantly, the right manager or they sink, weighed down by Wenger’s inability to compete in today’s game.
Good point Lee, that’s always a big possibility..
Agree Adam. You know what, I actually believe what is going on is good. It’s much needed for the cub to react and change. The worse it gets the quicker they might wake up..
Tough getting my head around the fact that Kroenke is a terrible owner when our players are the 7th highest earners in Europe.
Rico. I agree though the timing could have been better. 🙂
Lee ,As you say said the money gets spent but not always in the right direction . I think Kroenke’s only concern is the bottom line on balance sheet . Providing that it remains healthy he will not interfere. The players do earn well and should therefor be committed to the team but it doesn’t appear so.
Players talk and not only in the confines of their own club. For instance this week it’s international week and in the French squad Lemar will talk to Lacazette , Giroud and Koscielny , The first two will be baffled as to why they were on the bench and following the weekends debacle if he has a choice of us and Liverpool , the vibes he gets from those little chats will see him on Merseyside before he comes to us.
I worry it’s too late to bring players in without paying big money and salaries or keeping the out of contractors not willing to play.
As well as keeping the too high salaried average players.
Perhaps it’s back to project youth.
Especially when they aren’t ever the 7th best performers in Europe….
Wish the FA Cup run had gone belly up now Adam… 😉
Who’s going to react, though, Rico?
That’s the entire problem, I reckon.
Stan won’t, unfortunately.
Ivan won’t.
Arsene won’t.
Who will respond, and how will they?
I honestly have no idea what will happen, but I’d bet money Arsene is still there at the end of the season because nobody has the balls to do anything about this crisis.
Who handed Arsene the extension again?
But he’s not such a bad owner because he pays our players well?
Then again, for years it’s been said they don’t pay them enough?????
I am trying, but it’s hard to keep up ?
Let’s face it, we are up shit creek without a paddle.
An owner who loves the manager, and a manager who is a lost soul.
The situation really can’t be any more dire.
Morning Rico and All
Just for the record:
Arsene gave himself a new contract guy’s.
Perhaps Wenger will grow a pair and admit defeat Scott. He should!
Morning Fred. That’s my belief as well…
New post up now.
Rico, and I’ve said that for how long??????
Still, some people choose to blame him for everything yet give Stan a free pass……the man who gave him another two years.
I really can’t understand that.
Arsene doesn’t realise his time is up, so someone else needs to.
Morning. Another day dawns, with no transfer news of any incomings.
Exactly Scott. Who will react? Only the fans, because the board are probably still in the Bahamas on their holidays, and didn’t even watch the match on Sunday. It’s all about money for them and Stan, and Wenger has delivered that year on year.
I think it’s obvious I won’t miss Ox, and I’m glad he will be giving the Chelsea medical staff plenty to do. He’s overdue an injury.
His Little Mix girlfriend and his Dad will be happy, he can be not fit at Chelsea this year, instead of Arsenal.
It will be interesting to see if he gets a game ahead of Moses.
Morning Rico and all
Le prof quote
”This players are professional and they play untill the last ninute of their contract very professionally”
Really ?
The Ox was chasing Mane professionally ?
The Ox was helping Holding professionally ?
And so we have to believe for all those contract rebels.
Le prof if you read this sell them or not play them.
They are are not for the cause and there is no a propper Gunner in that entire squad they can fear or respect.