Morning all.
That’s it then for Per Mertesacker. He doesn’t want to play another game of football again. Talking to German outlet Der Spiegel, he’s reported as saying:
‘My body is finished. Everyone says I should enjoy the last year, to play as much as possible and take everything in.
I would rather sit on the bench or – even better – in the stands, and then, for the first time in my life, aged more than 30, I will feel free.’
I don’t blame his really. He’s never been the quickest of defenders but he had, no doubt still has, a great footballing brain but with the game having gained pace, certainly in attacking players, life for him has become more and more difficult in defence. He’s had plenty of good games since joining us on deadline day a few years ago but the one which will always stick in my mind was last seasons FA Cup Final. Not only had he hardly kicked a ball all season but he was partnered in central defence by rookie Rob Holding and the two of them together were brilliant. I would say hell be missed but he won’t, not really, as hell the be one guiding the younger players through the Academy so he’ll seldom be far away. If by some miracle we win the Europa Cup, then I’m sure the job of collecting the big trophy will fall on his shoulders, after all, he is our captain.
Talking of European football, wasn’t it great to see Man Utd get knocked out last night? The thought of that under tall arrogant bloke winning the Champions League was unbearable but thankfully that’s not going to be the case now. Kind of feel sorry for Alexis Sanchez though because that’s one of the reasons he left us apparently. He wanted to win the Champions League. I do wonder if he wishes he’d never left now as at least we’re still in Europe and there’s a chance, we could have a new manager next season, one who will take us further in the big competition than Mourinho will again. That’s life in football though, he made his choice. He’s been little short of dreadful since his move and as a result he’s taking a bashing from ex Utd players, fans and the media. The same media who are now suggesting that he wasn’t at all popular in the Arsenal dressing room. ‘Hated’ is a word they’ve used which I think is a bit harsh and quite probably untrue.
Anyway, he’s in the Arsenal past and the club/fans need to think about the future. That future has to be without Arsene Wenger if the club want to push on and improve. To be where we all believe it should be and that isn’t fighting for fifth or sixth place in the league because a top four finish has gone. Not that top four is much to brag about. I’d much rather we win the Europa Cup than finish fourth with nothing, especially when you look at some of the clubs left in the competition right now. Just need to make sure that after tomorrow’s second leg against AC Milan, we’re in the draw for the quarterfinals and we avoid Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund if they all go through. Dortmund face the toughest task out of the three.
Mind you, us being 2-0 up going into the home leg doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed to go through, not if we play like we did against Ostersunds…
Morning all. Commendable Rico,
Merts, the thinking man’s footballer! Not ever so skilful, not terribly quick but, a great reader of the game. Shame we haven’t a few more readers like him in the back line.
He has to be congratulated on knowing when to quit. Knowing that what he had he now, no longer has. He’s reached the end of the line……so he’s retired. Self-knowledge is a wonderful thing. It is a great shame that there are others, even at our club, who have no idea that their day is done!
Still, as you say Merts will be there next year coaching and encouraging the “young guns”. I wonder if his fellow geriatric will still be with us next year. Does he have much in the way of self-knowledge and his responsibility to the greater good! I doubt it!!
Retirement, a milestone to be embraced, not something to fear, or to outstay your welcome! (By at least 10 years!)
Sunny and bright here but the wind’s getting up.
Good point re Merts Wavy, shame Wenger doesn’t know when it’s time to do the same…
It’s a decision trhat’s the hardest to make, for me it came one saturday afternoon when I was being skinned by a 16 year oold kid and no matter what I did I couldn’t catch him. after 25 years of playing it was time
.I said in an earlier thread that the desire never leaves you but the realisation that you can’t do it must have been harder for a man that has world cup medals under his belt .
Good luck to him in his coachiung career. If he can do to others what he did with Holding in that cup final then the kids will be in good hands.
Interesting you say that Potter. I was watching the programme about David Beckham in the the middle of nowhere last night and he said something quite similar. Even now, and on this trip which saw him travel to Rio, he still gets the urge and almost need to see if he can still play..
I think it’s the same with any sport and in my case it was the aches and pains which told me to quit them all. It was very hard at first despite only playing at an average level.
I know what you mean Potter. I too played until I was 40 (left back). One weekend I was taken to the cleaners on more than one occasion during the match by a 17 year old. My body told me that afternoon that it was time to hang up the boots which I did. The fact we won the match 2-1was no consolation and the fact that kid sneered and said “well done Grandad” made it even worse. I can see Per point of view.
Good post Rico. Liked the comment “that under tall bloke”. In time he could become another Wenger, hopefully.
Thanks Paddy, afternoon Fred and all..
Meerkat, Alexis gave us two great seasons and it’s not his fault Wenger refused to sell him last summer which was detrimental to the club as it turns out.
I think the Board should offer manure our man Wenger. With all his experience and his commitment to forward play he would be ideally suited to TRAFFord park! Or was Fergy’s den a job he was offered back in the day, like so many other ‘big’ clubs that he turned down (because he had an easy ride at the Emirates!)
Another 12 months and the midget will be history, if not sooner. And good riddance!
Wavy, it’s a shame Southampton didn’t offer Wenger their vacancy, instead we’ve got to suffer Mark Hughes back in management….
I’d like to say, I take no pleasure in seeing the little Chilean dirtbag not doing to well at manure, but I can’t, I’m loving it.
Th fact is though, he is doing for them what he did for us, the odd flash of brilliance, coupled with giving the ball away. We were just grateful for the brilliance and tended to ignore the constant moaning at others yet giving the ball away too easily.
Still he can cry all the way to the bank. Half a mil£ every week.
I admire Merts’ refreshing Honesty, in saying he feels free of the burden of having to play when he knows he’s out of his depth. Good for him and good luck in his coaching career.
Surely our illustrious leader must feel the same. I wouldn’t mind him remaining at the club in some capacity, (tea boy?) but away from the players.
He could then be held in esteem just as Fergie is at manure. Sit in the stands and feel no stress or pressure. No one would surely begrudge the old boy that.
There can be no doubting his love for the club, even if he’s been well paid.
Now, how are our little dancing girls going to play next?
He’s seen the light re Bellerin, but not with Iwobi. Strange.
Afternoon Rico and All
The most amazing game TBFG played for us
was the final last year,how did we win that one.
My advice to players thinking of packing it in.Don’t
Find another level Vet’s football is great,I played
against Wolverhampton Wonders Vets a good
few years ago National League and chased
Mel Eve’s all over the place,what a fit bastard
he was,talking over 40’s,leg’s up the next 3 day’s.
For the record we beat them 4-3.
Fred I went on too long still playing in a five a side league after I was 50 , now at 70 just walking is a problem Hips, ankles feet all numb with a nerve problem.
After numerous scans : – Cat ,Mri, lumber punch and they can’t find the cause .Said live with it .
As usual Rico, we disagree. Quelle surprise! Two great seasons? Lol.
IMO that horrible little shite, played for himself, not Arsenal. Critical of his teammates, yet poor at distribution himself.
He hasn’t endeared himself to anyone in Manure ATM either.
Well Meerkat, without his goals during those two seasons, we’d have been stuffed.
Evening Rico. I think that Alexis-type players will become increasingly prevalent in the game. He played well for us without ever really being an Arsenal player in that he bought into the club, it’s history and it’s way of doing things. These things seem almost quaint by today’s standards, but a poor boy from Chile came, did well, then left for huge wages and will end up as a rich man and I doubt he will be be the last one. I feel fairly ambivalent about him.
Evening Adam, seems to me it’s a South American thing which is kind of understandable really..
Could be.
Messi apart of course.. 😉
Looks like Chelsea are out of the CL then, 2-0 down already..
Alexis never was any more than a player. He did not have the club in his heart. He knew that he had the club over a barrel,he also is a mercenary that plays for money. Now,he plays for someone else.Should it not work out he will move on again whilst his stock is still high.
Another player who leaves the Wenger academy of excellence, and then fails! It’s not unusual……..!
The women….have just won the equivalent of the Milk Cup. They beat Man City 1-0 to lift the cup for a record 5th time. At least we have one successful team that knows how to win a cup! Good on ’em.
In the end Pep done well. Let manure think he wanted him, so they nipped in. Did us a favour., ….
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154186411925759&id=520315758
The Romford pele ? God I love this man. What i ‘ll give to have him at his prime in this current team. He ‘ll boss that bloody midfield. He’s exactly what we ‘re lacking presently. Someone who understands what it means to play for the shirt. A warrior, a no nonsense grafter plus ray really could play. Scored one one of the greatest FA cup goals. Ahhh Romford wish we could have you young again and raring to go.
https://youtu.be/e3zHiv0W-nI
????? kolo toure ain’t taking no prisoners.
Morning all and thanks Rico.
Got computer bloke coming today to see if I can get wifi down to my annexe, it`s a pain having to come up to main house where my daughter is currently living.
Love Merts he is a Gooner……………..Alexis I miss and still stick by that he would be in my all time best Arsenal team, but hope he is a disaster at Manshafter !
🙂
It`s true, all the sports you cant play anymore, but cant stop wanting to try even if the body says no !……………….I cant walk past someone playing Subuteo without wanting to run on the pitch, but I soon get cramp in my fingers !…………………………aint just sport though, I get the urge to cheat and steal when I see my grandkids playing Monopoly !.
Well done to Arsenal Women who won the WSL Cup beating Mansour City and how do you feel about these concept kits ?………………………I love the third one and would buy it !…………………….I`d wear it at my Salsa class………………women cant resist a sash !……..hahaha
https://footballshirtcollective.com/2018/03/15/these-arsenal-concept-kits-will-make-you-beg-for-adidas-to-make-the-2018-19-kits/
Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Welbeck
Bench: Cech, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Elneny, Nketiah
Evening..
Evening Rico. Nice to see you. 🙂
Evening Adam, it’s been one of those days…
The enthusiasm for tonight is underwhelming. Looks to be our strongest team lass PEA, will be interesting to see how we attack without Iwobi ( tongue in Cheek ).
Isn’t it sad Potter…
We are pitiful without the ball!
Have to score this!! Come on!!!!
Wish we’d shoot more than all this pass pass pass stuff. So frustrating.
It’s almost like the old Arsenal in flashes tonight. Until we are in the box that is.
Ospina is a bloody joke though, why does he have to play in important cup games like this? He will cost us dearly in later stages if he is still selected.
Soft penalty but who cares? 🙂
Agree, thought the Olympics were over..
We are living dangerously… Should have buried this game by now with the chances we’ve had…
well, in the next round…
Swings and roundabouts re winning a penalty, the times we don’t get a decision in our favour. Id rather be saying we had a soft pen, than them saying it. 5-1 that’ll do.
Good to see Jack coming through all these games unscathed.
Morning Rico and all. Good win last night.
Morning Adam and all.
I thought so. Some glimpses of good football…
New post up now.