There is nothing like a good revolution to stir things up a bit is there?
People resist change. It’s part of human nature it seems. We like to cling on to the past and what we see as good in the present simply because change holds no promises.
Change can be good, but our inbuilt pessimism also knows that it can be bad. “Why change a winning formula”? goes the phrase. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is another. We are hard-wired to resist change and when it comes it takes us a while to embrace it and sometimes we think “Hey, this isn’t so bad after all. I don’t know what I was worried about”. When the simple answer is that it was change itself that had us worried.
The strange thing about all this is that we are changing and evolving all the time. We grow older, our relationships with people and things develop, the Universe continues to unfold and we are part of that process. Like it or not we are caught on the revolving wheel of life which is spiraling us all towards our own personal oblivion and it’s one of the few things in this life that we all share. All of us.
When considered within the frame of life, football is about as irrelevant as it gets. But, in sport and in this case, football, we see our emotional lives reflected. We want to feel involved so we find ourselves becoming involuntarily attached to football clubs, usually at quite a young age and we stick with that club until we die.
There are ups and downs of course but this reflects real life and those depressing days are hopefully outweighed by the other types where all is right with the world, you enjoy your evening meal and perhaps a glass of wine and don’t avoid Match Of The Day, even though it is presented by some of the biggest twats on TV. It’s an emotional roller coaster that can be almost unbelievably painful and defies logic too frequently to be funny.
So, as any Arsenal supporter will tell you, things are a bit rocky around our club at the moment. You would need to have been living on Mars not to have noticed this. The news that Robin van Persie has decided not to renew his contract was like a gift from the Gods to the semi-comatose hacks of Fleet Street and the Arsenal-centric Internet sites which have gone into overdrive since the announcement was made.
No sooner were the wires alight with van Persie’s crass and ill-judged pronouncement on the state of Arsenal FC, because that’s what it was, a pronouncement on the club not being willing to match the all-encompassing vision of the great Robin himself, than Alisher Usmanov, in the shape of Red and White Holdings dropped a huge stink bomb into the works.
If the inebriated vermin that refer to themselves as football writers were pleased at the release of the van Persie doctrine, then this was beyond their wildest dreams as little bulges appeared in their urine-sodden trousers and the headlines came rolling through their thick skulls. “Arsenal in crisis” could now be supplemented with “On and off the field”. “Oh and mine’s a pint – of claret”.
The gospel according to Robin had stated in no uncertain terms that Arsenal’s vision and financial model for the future did not accord with his. After all, this was a man who had risen, Lazarus-like, from years of laying prone on the treatment table to have a truly golden season. With a team, designed to play primarily to HIS strengths, his goals had saved Arsenal from a disaster after a truly horrendous start to the campaign. Yes, it cannot be denied, nor the importance of it underestimated, Robin van Persie was absolutely fantastic this past season. I was lost in admiration for him.
For the first time in 8 years and after millions and millions of Ā£s of investment, plus the provision of the finest medical services to help him through his innumerable injuries, van Persie was THE man of the season. But, great players are seldom nice guys.
I don’t want to necessarily regurgitate the sordid details of the statement again. Suffice it to say that we all have an opinion on its contents but I believe it to be insulting, self-serving and rather patronising to the club, manager and fans that have supported him through thick and thin, and there has been plenty of thin.
I can imagine that many clubs would have ditched a player, already carrying a reputation as a troublemaker, as soon as they heard he was in a Dutch prison facing rape charges. I can also see that, with his particular injury record, many, many managers would have moved him on years ago and that he would be plying his trade at another club. You never know, it might have been one that met his lofty standards of ambition and investment. But I doubt it.
Try though I may I cannot recall too many clubs hammering at Arsenal’s door in an effort to try to sign him over the years? But I might be wrong. Anyway, it matters little now. Robin wants out and there is a trail of slime in Manchester with Bob Mancini slithering at its head. It leads to the boardroom of Man City where they have a safe of money. It’s a huge structure because they have swapped the black stuff that comes out of the ground in some Arabian country for the sort of stuff that has the power to convince Robin that here is a club with the ambition and the vision to satisfy him. It’s all about the money, money, money.
Our club is owned effectively by Stan Kroenke who is the majority shareholder and his ownership, like most things Arsenal, is shrouded in a cloak of mystery so murky as to be impenetrable. Stan is an American sports owner who seems to have been attracted to Arsenal via David Dein. Peter Hill Wood, through a haze of cigar smoke and quite possibly fuelled by a bottle of Taylor’s ’63 famously said of Stan “We don’t want his sort here”.
Well, unfortunately Pete, old boy, we do have his sort here and he owns the bloody place and he wasn’t raised on the playing grounds of Eton. But old Pete has a short memory it seems and he now embraces Stan and thoroughly endorses his ownership. He seems to have metamorphosed into precisely the sort we do want here. What Stan’s ultimate ambitions for the club are we don’t know, but we can be fairly sure of two things.
Firstly, the self-sustaining model will continue as long as Wenger remains to pull millions out of the transfer bag each season and secondly, that they do not match those of Robin van Persie . We know this because he told us. But, one of the interesting things to come out of the R&W open letter was the fact that Stan had borrowed the money to buy the club and there is no confirmation that he has paid any of the capital back or is perhaps just struggling along with the interest rates.
Whatever the case, it seems as if Stan is not the wildly rich benefactor that Arsenal would require for them to compete with Man City, Chelsea or any number of billionaire’s playthings around Europe.
Does this matter?
Are you proud when you tell supporters of other clubs how utterly immoral other clubs are and how wonderful it is that Arsenal plough all the money back into the club and that no director gets a premium paid on his shareholding, despite the fact that they have all sold their shares to Stan, using his borrowed money and earned millions from them?
For a man like Stan and a board like Arsenal’s, Financial Fair Play looks like being a Godsend and a ready-made excuse not to invest heavily in buying the quality players that everyone knows we need to be really competitive. FFP will have limited teeth I imagine but might restrict Abramovich and Mansour’s avarice a touch, but I think they will get round it. Usmanov appears to offer everything that the club needs and that Stan doesn’t, though we only have his word for it. As opposed to Ivan Gazidis’ word and I suppose we must assume that he speaks for Stan. Usmanov promises long-term stability.
That sounds good doesn’t it?
The man is so rich that you might be tempted to believe him when he says that significant investments will be made in the playing staff, but that he would still want to maintain Wenger’s reputation for giving young talent a chance. He seems to recognise that Wenger deserves backing and suggests that Arsenal would not be financially bullied and raped every year by Man City, Chelsea or Man Utd.
Oh yes, I like that a lot.
I am sure he feels, as I do, that Wenger is a manager in a different class to Di Matteo, Mancini and the rest and really could prove that if the financial shackles of the self-sustaining model were removed for good. Personally I don’t see Wenger going on a binge and buying people like James Milner for Ā£25 million but I would love to think that Arsenal would be in the market for true world-class players when they became available.
Now I realise that some people have strong objections to all this Usmanov stuff and seem to think that, given time, we will start winning serious things again. I think that it is possible but unlikely. Wenger will never try to win the Champions League by resorting to Chelsea’s borefest tactics nor would he countenance a cheat like Drogba’s antics.
The thing is that I don’t believe that it would take anything like the money that spoilt child Bob has spent at City. But it will take more than Stan seems to think is reasonable. In many ways I don’t like what I am contemplating. When I think of how the recession is hurting people and the starving millions throughout the world, I do feel that the whole thing has a degree of moral repugnance about it.
This is not the real world though – this is football, a place where people like van Persie, Nasri and Adebayor operate. People without a sense of responsibility to those who have helped them, or any sense of personal obligation at all. So perhaps what we have witnessed over the last few days is necessary to begin to shake our club out of the torpor that Stan and Gazidis have let it slip into.
We have a great club, a terrific stadium, fantastically loyal fans and a history to be proud of but it is time to move on. It might be painful but I am sure we will get there in the end.
Change is good – let’s embrace it.
Written by Adam
Morning all..
What is there to say Adam, cracking post, so good I am off to read it again….
A fair summary , will read it again before i comment.
nice post,I see trophies coming our way this season and next,I can feel it
Goodmorning all, great post Adam.
Van Persie’s a disapointment,I expected more from him, rubbing the club in the mud like that!
However the board and owner are to blame,
we shouldn’t be in a position where a single player,will hold the club to ransome.
Change or be confined to history!! The only thing constant in life and dare I say it, football is change.
Football once run with money from the turnstiles > now run by deep pockets from rich Arabs or Russian oligarchs.
Footballers once local heros > now a bunch of money grabbing mercenaries.
Success once about winning trophies > now about finishing in top 4.
Football club once owned by die hard fans done good in life > now owned by people looking to suck money out of it………..
The list is endless and gut wrenchingly sad!!
The media and likes of Linekar can take a hike, if they all think the best way forward in football is spending Ā£25 Million on players like James Milner then they don’t know much.
Being a club as much in debt as Man Utd is wrong too..
The way this current board run the club is probably the dream of every club owner and getting CL for the last 16 seasons would be stuff many clubs will only dream of.
But, imho that is not what our football club should be about, we need a happy medium and that’s just not happening at the moment.
Change, well I don’t see what difference it would make being owned by Stan or R&W Holdings, only the latter would more likely see us stop selling our better players, and sign one or two that would make us true contenders again…
And isn’t the latter what we all want to see?
good read mate, the only way Arsenal will win again is if we match others spending power. I back Usmanov all the way. Wether you agree or not with the open letter at least we know what he is about. Red & White Holdings have told us their ambition.
The excitement of AW youth plan has in most made me feel, yes we can do it. Unfortunately our crop of youngsters have needed the bit of extra experiance when the final straight is in sight. Has this been AW reluctance to buy or the shackles of the board, we’ll never know. We must try and embrace and encourage the change needed. The last remaining share holders hopefully can sell their shares to R&W Holdings and then the presure silent stan as we need change.
mark – so can I if we sign a DM, CB, GK and replace both RvP and Theo if they go…
Oh, and get rid of the deadwood, talking of which, Fiorentia have made an offer for Chamakh..
Arsenal are set to take French starlet M’Baye Niang on trial, but his new coach has told him not to go.
The Gunners have made their move for the highly-rated 17-year-old forward, who is also being tracked by Newcastle and Stoke.
It is understood that Niang will link up with Arsenal this week, however, new Caen coach Patrice Garande does not believe he should be looking to leave at this point.
“What I say in relation to him is simple, he has talent – yes, does he have the potential to make a career – yes,” he said.
“But is he doing the right thing for this at the moment – no.”
I actually think that what most fans want, ok, let me speak for myself, is for us to do something to stop other clubs taking our best players at their peak every season. And for the club to stop seeing top 4 as the height of our ambition.
Mustang, I’m all for change…
Compete with wages, players and look like a side that can win the PL, FA Cup etc – I know we have no devine right to win anything, but lets at least look like we have a squad that can…
So what do we do now that ‘project youth is dead? Where are our new players going to come from? The self sustaining ego project…. Wenger can turn sunday league players into world class footballers..I think not!
Wenger in his prime may have been able to see and select grade A players, he is now,no longer in his prime. His contact lenses no longer see what we see. I think he suffers from an excess of self-delusion and loyalty to his ‘boys’. sadly this loyalty is not reciprocated vis. Cesc, Nasri, Flamini, RvP etc. Like all ex-lovers he finds it hard to swallow(sorry) the fact that he has been spurned. Perhaps once, a very long time ago he could handle and deal with disaffected footballers, but he certainly can’t now.
What is to be done? If you think 7 years without a trophy is a long time think back to 1952 – 1968 16 years and they didn’t even get close!
Way to go chaps!
Is Usminov the answer? He probably isn’t but his mountain of cash is! As a fan I don’t feel any moral obligation or misguided loyalt to any members of the current board, like any mercenary footballer I would be quite happy to take his money and spend it. Would I feel guilty – the hell I would. Have I any pride left no do I want ALL the bragging rights? Yes I do! Do I want remorseless success, of course I do.
Don’t we all? Can’t we all see the failure of the club to act? They worse than Hamlet! Lear and the rest of the gang! Erase them, put them out of their misery. Let’s start all over again. New board, new manager,new money and to hell with the consequences of conscience. I plead not guilty of trying to destroy a great institution by underinvestment when the cash is available!
With the exception of Cesc we have not sold players at their peak but after that, and when RVP goes to wherever will they get some one at his peak or some one who will be available for 50% of the games due to injuries. And if any one says Nasri well he hardly made a huge impression for city last year and we finished with more points and goals without him.
I think there has been a quiet (silent?) change since last season if you look at the players bought and amount spent, if you take last season and this one so far we have spent almost Ā£78 million pounds which is hardly a lack of investment? Is it significant that in the first pre season since Stan was in charge that we spent over Ā£50 million which is more than the the three years before? I don’t think so and Ursmanov is pushing now as he knows that there is extra income coming from TV deals next year and new commercial deals.
Interesting article here to show what we have actually spent
http://angryofislington.com/2012/07/09/no-big-money-for-arsenal-to-spend-but-you-knew-that-already-right/
Rico, totally agree. The frustrating thing is that 2 seasons ago we were one or two players shy of winning the league,had we invested in the January window. It would not have guarranteed winning the league I know, but at least we would have had a better go at it and be seen to do so.
Mustang – i think we have been just two players away from winning something for a while, but that number of ‘two’ has crept up to about six this summer. š
We have added two, now we need the other four – simples š
Adam, what can I add more to what you have engraved in marble??? A wonderful post, written with wonderful grasp of words. I went through it more than once. Goody for you mate.
Good Morning Fine Folk.
Good Day Lady. Did you read my post this morning on what RVP said when he was 25 when he signed his contract??? Shouldn’t we shove those words down his throat till he splutters and grasps for breath???
Upgunners, can’t see the board (stan) changing his ways anytime soon either…
@Upgunners ….and others….it’s not that I disagree with you….a club like Arsenal should not be held over a barrel in the way RvP has done and it would seem Theo (who obviously is still too immature to have developed a fully functioning brain) might just follow suit.
It’s just when a statement is made like……
“However the board and owner are to blame, we shouldnāt be in a position where a single player,will hold the club to ransom”
……..and blame is apportioned to the owner and board or the manager as many have, I am wondering what exactly you would have them to do. Having approached both players over a year ago when they had over 2 years remaining on their contract only to be told they will consider their options at the end of the season.
Are you suggesting for a moment RvP and Theo should have been sold in January cause they wouldn’t sign (Remember RvP hasnt dropped his bombshell yet so you are just as dumb as everyone else about his intentions)……I’m assuming that’s a NO…..so here we are at the end of the season and you are upset cause RvP wont sign citing some pathetic excuse re ambition.
I remind you Robin never mentioned this previously and as far as I can gather everyone suggested Arsenal has shown significant ambition signing Giroud and Podolski.
So like me you are annoyed he is wanting to leave along with Theo “I’ll do whatever Robin does” Walcott. It must be someone’s fault @ Upgunners ….and you are blaming the board because….oh yeah it must be someone’s fault.
I suggest it is RvP’s fault and short of sticking a gun at his head and saying “sign” (Kudos to Arseblogger), there is not a whole lot the club could responsibly do about it. If it’s about ambition…I’m not sure what would satisfy RvP….if its about money…..well Man City have suggested 15M and Juventus 8M…….if the board offered him 200,000 a week to stay they need their head read……maybe at 29 with a dodgy body he isn’t worth that much after all
Let’s embrace change. We only have to,now or later!
Morning devil –
I didn’t read anything from o/n I have to be honest – my internet crashed and haven’t had chance really…
DD has been talking about RvP this morning, he thinks we have no chance of keeping him and he’ll be gone asap….
Wenger is deluded if he thinks his philosophy with regard to players,tactics,etc can bring success. The first criteria for a winning team is a good defence. The gunners defence is the worst of all the top teams.Hopefully bould can instill a resilience and stop the conceding of elementary goals.
Tactically the over emphasis on attack without a balance in the defence is causing the gunners to los games. Tossing away 2 goal and even 4 goals lead is criminal and the buck stops at Wenger.
Wigan were swarmed /pulverised/smashed and yet won .
It can only happen with Wenger in charge. Yet the FM has the
temerity to criticize Spain for negative soccer. Anyway the Spaniards
won the euro .The gunners were outplayed by MU in 2005 but yet won the cup.Which fan will remember the negative football dished out by Arsenal.
Wenger is at the crossroads. Believe me thiswill be finally his make or break season.Even if RVP stays and the gunners can’t win anything,Wenger’s time must surely be up.
Last season if RVP got injured we had Chamakh and Park as options, this season we have Giroud and Podolski neither of whom have played in the league but both are experienced players. We also have a group of players who know each other and the system better this year, and in addition we have some good youngsters with another years experience like Coquelin and Jenkinson, Miyachi.
If we can sort out all the contracts and see who wants to stay at the club then I am positive that we will b a better team this year than last and wont put it past the club to challenge for a sustained period this year, depending on injuries etc… And for those who think well we need more depth i think you are right but if we get injuries in one position then no matter who you are and how many players you have you will struggle.
Guys and girls, players come and go thats football. What I demand is the replacement player is as good or even better. It does not matter on age. We need to replace quality with quality not future quality. Giroud will be a great leader of the line and Poldoski will back him up with quality. But they now need quality behind them.
vernat – just why we don’t need to spend millions and millions, we have the base, we just need a few more additions, like a DM who knows how to do his job….
Lawrence, agree there, midfield and defence need adding to now…
Why shouldn’t we expect players like Robin Van Persie to show some loyalty to the club who made him, he may not have won trophies as club captain but as an individual he won everything going thanks to his team mates, does that count for nothing.
DB10 came to Arsenal and helped shape the team and made himself a legend, and even at the end when he was totally insulted with his final pay offer of Ā£10K/year he still sat down with Arsenal and thrashed it out, proper legend.
Money, money, money that makes headlines and yes we are as tight as ‘arse….’ they should change the phrase to ‘as tight as Arsenal or Arsene’. PHW is a fool and so are the rest of the board, loss of Danny Fiszman(RIP) /Keith Edelman has been huge.
Simple things, we have indulged AW too much, we have too big a squad/18 players on loan, that’s mad when most of them needed to be sold and with that cash we could have spent the money. A year later most of them are worth less or is it worthless?
And finally we need better defensive organisation or better defenders let’s see what SB and NB can bring to the party.
As for our crack commercial team three salaries a couple of deals and we’re just waiting for The Emirates sponsorship to be renewed complete rubbish I would have sacked them last year and headhunted the United guys.
PS great post
Good post Adam, we need to get shot of RvP asap and replace him!
Hi Lee – did you see DD on SS’s this morning?
Welcome to those just coming onto HH today…
I don’t think we need a DM what we need is an attacking midfielder to provide assists for the strikers. Whether or not Arshavin could be that player for a season playing centrally where his lack of tracking back would be an option I don’t know but he does seem to play better in that free position and being the main man in providing creativity.
Nope Rico… I know the TW has only just opened but we really need to sort out our goals conceded, 49 is way too many!!
For everyone’s benefit………………
Quote from RVP when he was 25
Robin van Persie added: āIām so happy to have signed a new long term contract. Iāve been at the Club for five years now and there really is a great feeling here at Arsenal. We have a top class manager, a squad full of superb young players, a world class stadium and brilliant supporters. Arsenal Football Club has a very bright future and I want to be part of it. āMy heart is with Arsenal and I just canāt picture myself in a different shirt. I just canāt see it now because I love this Club so much. If you look at the last five years, look at the steps I have made every season, if you look at the support the Boss and the whole Club gave me, the fans gave me, my team mates gave me ā this is the right decision.ā Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is looking forward to Robinās continued contribution in the forthcoming years.
Sad but true MONEY is the only reason he is leaving
I’d make the DM the absolute priority venat, one that will fill the huge gaping hole so often seen when we play, stop th e ball getting through the midfield and we might start conceding less..
Last season our defence was so exposed at times, and so often when Song went on his foward mission
was he injured at the time?
Agree lee, which is why we need a M’vila or Capoue signed fast, then together with the defence, Bould and Banfield can start sorting them out.
49 is shocking
How things have changed in his mind in just three years devil…
Lee – I strongly suspect so….
Play the BFG in defence as he can organise and order the defence about and then use, Coquelin, Frimpong or Vermalen at DM with Song and Arteta, if we have some one making chances further up the pitch then Song will not need to bomb forward and can hold position better.
No mention of Arsenal’s ambition in that quote….
If we do that vernat and we get an injury to JV, Merts or Kos, we are snookered again, we need a strong midfielder, we should be buying one rather than shuffling players around to make them fit…
Corriera Dello Sport Stadio are saying that Stevan Joveticās agent Fali Ramadani has been in London talking to Arsenal about a move.
Arsenal defender Johan Djourou could be on his way to Serie A side Napoli, according to reports in Italy.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport claims the Serie A side have entered negotiations with the Gunners over a move for the Swiss international.
However, the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee for the defender, with Napoli still to meet Arsenal’s valuation of Ā£6.3m.
Djourou, who signed professional terms with Arsenal in 2003, is currently the club’s longest-serving player, but he is thought to be considering his future after falling behind the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the centre-back pecking order.
Swiss national team manager Ottmar Hitzfeld recently advised the 25-year-old to consider leaving Arsenal in order to boost his international prospects, and Napoli are willing to offer the defender an exit route.
I think that any more signings should have as there main criteria experience n the league as if we don’t we will wind up with 30% of our outfield players with no experience of the league and in critical positions, defensively especially I would rather have players who are familiar with the league.
s the summer madness continues with Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott both left with under 12 months on their current contracts, it seems the club are moving fast to ensure similar problems donāt recurr with players we really want to keep.
LāEquipe is reporting this morning that weāre in discussions with Laurent Koscielny about extending his deal ā which expires in 2014 ā for a further three years, bringing him to 2017.
Itās a sign not just of Arsenalās desire to tie down important players, but also the progress that the French international has made since joining from Lorient in 2010. After a first season during which he struggled at times to adapt, culminating in the heartbreak of the Carling Cup final, Koscielny really blossomed in his second campaign and has realised much of the potential that Arsene Wenger saw in him.
He established himself as the first choice centre-half last season, making 42 appearances, and there isnāt an Arsenal fan who would argue he doesnāt deserve the new deal.
Fingers crossed discussions go well and this is a bit of good news to counter the abject misery elsewhere.
Italian side Fiorentina have made Arsenal an offer for out of favour striker Marouane Chamakh, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has revealed.
The Morocco international scored 11 times in all competitions during his debut season in England after moving to the Emirates on a free transfer in 2010.
However, his form quickly left him and Chamakh rarely found himself in the starting line-up for much of the 2011/12 campaign and netted just once in 19 appearances.
The arrival of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud appear to have sent the 28-year-old even further down the pecking order.
Now that the Serie A side have expressed their interest, Wenger seems ready to cash in on the player during the current transfer window since any amount of money changing hands would represent a profit on a disappointing signing.
“Fiorentina requested information on his availability and made an offer,” said Wenger.
Fingers crossed then devil
vernat – if RvP chooses Citeh, we should try and push them for Micah Richards – a central and right sided defender…
I wouldn’t sell him to citeh, I’d sell him to an overseas team…
He has the final say though Lee, still think it will be citeh or the chavs…
Fiorentina want Chamakh, rumours are Jovetic is on AW’s radar, all starting to sound as this could have legs š
Nice barnet that Jovetic…
Bit of a Puyol š
Is he any good? Never seen him play…
And what about this Niang guy, never heard of him either….
That was going to be my next question…us AKB’s all think the same! š
Just been on wikki to read about Ericksen, seems someone has been interfering, he is shown as being a Chelsea player….
Niang made dƩbut at 16, and scored as well, meant to be good but a bit on the raw side however is physically strong so might well make it. Jovetic, 22 goals in 84 games for fiorentina and 9 goals in 20 games for Montenegro
Smiley Spastics Lee, nothing better than that, all of us š š
Thanks vernat, suppose we will have to wait and see what happens after Niangs trial…
Jovetic sounds like a AW kind of signing….
why even bother with van pester…that thing should be kicked out,…main concern will alwas be who has run Our Beloved Arsenal into these situations…??..who is responsible..??…is it Us The Gooners could be that we’re not paying enough ??..kroenke is a happy dude..his shares are rising to the roof and The Arsenal are paying of his house(Emirates)faster than necessary…at what expense…nothing to serious…just Our Team !!
so for all of you hollywood fans out there..chew on it real hard..dont just keep swallowing..gaizidis talks in a sway worthy of a two dollar hooker…he promised us a good summer…darn i just didnt think it was going to be moneymaking for kroenke and the board again..
who gained from us selling to kreonke..stand up hilly woody and the rest of the board…how many shillings did you invest in YOUR club ..??..nope mr hilly woody take a hike up north country and grow some blo’dy tomatoes..
i find it interesting that so many Gooners keep postive nomatter how much they are tricked and trolloped …my only answer England must be full of masochists…who deeply enjoys the pain and frustration..
have a great day all…im on my way to the bin again;)..but for Our Beloved Arsenal its worth it every time :).
micah richards! no way……….if we are gping to get anything from shitty i ll rather dzeko and ten million quid. richards is shit though i understand why you ll want him rico, he’s english and a gooner.
jovetic huh? i ll take him in a second though he’s a crock too but a damned good player. morning everybody…..
hey take me off moderation already W.A.T.H you prissy old twit.
rico have you confirmed the jovetic story? how credible is it?
Adam, top top post mate…! People are scared and blinkered by change in many instances as it’s out of their comfort zone but how long do we put up with things staying the same with AFC before we say “enough”….?
We do not need to spend hundreds of millions like the chavs or the manchester oilers so that argument gets tossed out the window we merely need an owner that backs the club when we need that little bit extra to compete… Isn’t rocket science is it…!
I see there was a little pathetic baby on here yesterday who pissed his pants and had a temper tantrum when he didn’t get his own way with people agreeing with his self opinionated thought process…! Amazing how these know alls know fuck all eh…! Shame the spineless baby pansy runs off to slag off Rico on another blog yet (amazing that they put up with that bollox as well) not to her face on here, maybe when his/her balls drop he/she may find the nerve, doubt it…!
No trolls about today WATH! How’s you mate?
Stan you dickbrain… If you stopped messing with your name you wouldn’t go into moderation…!
Am fine Lee how’s you fella….?
I’m ok WATH, de-mob happy, am on hols on weds!!
Hello everybody
yesterday, arsenal facebook supporters of south american, were talking about Ganso (Santos-Brazil) and the move from RVP to Barcelona in change of Villa.
Where you off to mate..? Anywhere better than here me thinks….!
tomstoned, you are not heading for the bin, not here anyway š
Now JM I’d take Villa….
Murcia, where it’s clear skies and 90 degrees!
Hi Smiley and Wath š (just for you)
Haven’t checked the Jovetic story read it on another blog….
morning lee, W.A.T.H were you yesterday when we needed you. you re a let down you know that. you re never around when we need ya.
I think his nappy needed changing Wath….
WATH mate…
i agree we dont need to spend billions..but it would be nice if we invested back in the team..and thats not happening..i think most believers and doubters of this regime would agree..
why on earth am i banging on about this ??.either im stupid(may well be)or its a situaton that needs correcting…i will never ever give up..my love for The Arsenal is bigger than that..since my father brought me over watch Arsenal in 71…i have been over there to watch The Team once a year…following in my Dad’s footsteps..so me changing or being more agreeable is close to non…
i will not stand for the americans ruining Our club !!!…never..never !!
do i care if im slaughtered on this blog…??..nope..im not here for that…im here because this is a sound and great blog about The Arsenal…do i agree in all that is written or the ever forgiving tone..not at all,but i do respect it !!..
Best Regards from a long time Norwegian Gooner š
Richards would be a good addition though goonster, him and 20M….
jovetic ticks all the boxes for me maam. if we get him with a dm and our new strike force…..wow we could have a title changing team in two seasons.
Great Rico ;)and now i really should open a fine glass of champers and disk out some strawberries for You Rico š
Hi JM – I too read that about Ganso, but can’t see Villa joining us now, that ship has sailed imho….
tomstoned -I don’t want the American much either, nor the russian that much, but out of the two, i’d much rather the latter – at least he’d take our club forwards….
tomstoned, I agree fella we need someone who can spend money when the manager asks for it and can see the team needs investment on the pitch not doing property deals and paying off debts so that the squad suffers.
Stanley your my No2 your supposed to sit in for me when I am not here why did you not sort the sniveling little pansy out… maybe he just wanted his nappy changed…? Am sure you could of helped him along on his merry way…! One less bed wetter on here the better they can all slag each other off on LG and carry on like wannabe cyber warriors…!
Until you get there Lee, then wind, rain and snow š
We have spent Ā£78 million on the team in just over a season that is hardly not investing back is it? Lets wait and see who else if anyone is signed and then we can make a judgement on the way Arsenal is going if we see two seasons with significant investment (over 40 million) then we can hardly accuse the club of not spending.
Meanwhile, Totts offer 25 millons for Oscar (Internacional). If that it’s done, Internacional sign Ganso (Santos)
Sky Sports understands that Arsenal have joined the chase for Egypt international defender Milo.
The highly-rated 21-year-old, full name Islam Ramadan, currently plays in his homeland for Haras El Hodood.
He has come to the attention of a host of clubs after starring at the recent Toulon tournament in France.
Lyon were linked, but Portuguese giants Benfica and Sporting Lisbon had been heading the chase.
However, Arsenal are now believed to have expressed an interest and want to check on his progress at the Olympics, where he will feature for Egypt.
After learning of Arsenal’s interest, it is believed the young left-back is looking to keep his options open until after the Games in London.
yeah but where ll you play him. he’s not better than kozzer, TV5 or the BFG and sagna…….don’t even get me started.
Remember the little russian when he got his first months pay,he phoned his agent up to tell him half of it is missing….50% tax in england my son he was told..
so robin if its money your after remember your in england…
So piss off abroad me old mate….if thats what you want.
@ Rico, my three kids aren’t called that!!
wow my spelling is all over the place this morning…..best i go back to being goonster….
goonster – in for djourou, and can play rb until Sagna is back
š Lee….
Where did you see that about the Totts JM, I read AvB has been tole he has Ā£100M to spend š
vernat, been saying that for the last seven summers, it has to change this time…
yeah that’s better….
fred, i’d rather he went there too but which club can offer him both CL and a huge salary and give us what we ask for him too – would Real or Barca offer Ā£20M?
don’t tell me you are scared of the totts rico…..
no goonster, petrified š
Portuguese newspapers. Now, we know everything abouts Totts…
Alvaro Pereira very close too…
they prepare a team better then last year
As I’ve said before I would hold him to his contract,I don’t see the difference between now and next year,if we get rid of him and don’t get in the top four whats the point.
agreed WATH and Rico…all i really want is to sort this out…van pester i really dont care about..we need to stabilize the situation and look ahead..if Wenger is Our manager thats fine with me..i love the old *goat’;)
and my reason for being absent for longer periods are only due to work…six months a year im stationed on Svalbard..other than that i have no excuses for being such a hard headed fool š
and to be honest we’re far better than any other club in the country…but we need to sort some problems out and then..go forward…simples..
well back to the Wife..holidays..have a great day all Gooners
JM, they will have a team better than last year cos AVB is a better manager than the idiot Arry….!
please JM our worst team in 50 years took them apart. we ll be stronger next season. if officiating is top knotch next season i see us amongst the top two till april at most but we all know how phil dowd, twattenburg and coward webb ll fuck us up at every opportunity. oh well here’s hoping for the best .
You like old Murcia eh Lee….. you forgot ice cold Sammy Gels too š
Thats worrying JM….
fred, but what will his frame of mind be, what would others around him think….
see you tom, enjoy the hols…
Estrella Wath, much nicer than San Miquel š
sorry fred i ll flog the to the highest bidder. the fans ll make life miserable for him. besides he ll be a negative influence in the dressing room. make tv5 the captain and let’s move on.
Fred – Ā£20 million into the afc bank, thats the difference…
yeah rico 20 million to reinvest in a younger less injury prone player. R.I.P RVP.
I’ll settle for a GG on the beach Rico not that frothy bubbly stuff…!
QPR to make major announcement shortly, bet that is the signing of Jermaine Defoe š
RvP to QPR….ffs!!!
Hi guys. What’s happening?
Thats if they do goonster and not pocket the money….
Not for me Wath, sun and alcohol don’t mix with me š
š Lee, not sure it would be that, but wouldn’t it be fuuny …
Hi Adam, no trolls, that’s whats happening…
Well that’s the standard of shite that’s usually written about Arsenal!
Ah! A troll-free zone. Lovely.
A T.F.Z indeed Adam. Probably persecuting someone that’s got a dying relative…
I know Lee – I see the DM are back to their best slating Wenger and his transfer policies again….
It is lovely Adam….
The Daily Fail…now there’s a quality read! Probably tampon’s choice of newspaper…..
š
If the Daily Heil is criticising yo then you are doing something right.
Not sure how that works vernat….
Well if they are having a go at us on the sports page we are probably dong the right things, not cosying up to journalists and papers like a “arry etc…
Not in this particular article, it’s quite critical of us all moaning about losing players, when we have acted in a similar way to citeh, only in the youth department….
We made over Ā£20 mill on tranfer dealings last year…so what
Rvp never signed last years contract did he……so what
Just to add Henry signed a 4year contract before he left..Top-man
Hiya spastic meerkats. š š š š® š :8
Adam you spin doctor. Post transcends the negative and restricted reproach of Arsenal aspects we can read elsewhere.
“He seems to recognise that Wenger deserves backing and suggests that Arsenal would not be financially bulked and raped every year by Man. city, Chelsea or Man Utd.” I love this one.
How many PL clubs are own by Americans and thus share the same Characteristics as being financially bully and day raped by these three mobs?
What do people expect when you have a Majority shareholder who is only in for the money? No passion or love for the game or club? How many times have you seeing him (owner) when Arsenal scores, he sand up and applaud his team, as compared to Chelsea own?
Have you all forget what Stan said about Man. Utd should be grateful because they have a own like The Glazers, who uses the club assets to finance their other ventures? Man Utd is 800 millions in debt? Stan says the fans should be grateful?
Well, how about them apples?
Good Morning all and to you Rico.
Afternoon all.
Let see…
1997 to 2005: Arsene Wenger’s 1st Team – The French Spine
2005 to 2012: Arsene Wenger’s 2nd team qrecked by disloyal players and Summer of Discontent
2012 to 2019: Arsene Wenger’s 3rd & greatest team?
Well mate, Rome wasn’t built in one day and Arsene Wenger needs time to re-structure and rebuilds the entire team now.
Prepare for another two trophyless seasons in this transitory period without Van Persie, Walcott and perhaps even Song; and retirement of Rosicky and perhaps Aretat by 2013/14 season.
From 2014/15 to 2018/19, that is our future Arsene Wenger’s team…provided he doesn’t f**k off back to France after his contract expires in July 2014.
Fabregas’ led team needed 2005/06 to 2007/08 – 2 years – to challenge for the title. SImilarly, a OX-WIlshere’s led Team will start to challenge for the title in 2013/14 season.
Afternoon DG, you covered all the smilies then š
Hi NG –
I bet Stan wouldn’t want the Glazers dept, he wouldn’t sleep at night….
Hi Merlin – losing an odd player is life, AW/IG should have built that 3rd team by now, the club have had enough time….
Arsenal needs to wake up and smell the coffee. All PL clubs own by Americans are mid-table clubs who sell their best players every year to the best bidders except Man Utd, who has shit load of debt. Have we all forget what happened to Liverpool before John Henry come walkin?
Let be real, RVP just gave Arsenal Fans a wake up call and AU to step up to the play. No team sells its best players no matter what.
@ Rico, Micah Richards is physically fit but lack technical ability, imho.
Couldn’t resist Rico. Wanted to have go at all the expressions being in a roller coaster ride.
Unfortunately, Rico, Wenger decided to build the 3rd Team with Henry as the FULCRUM in 2006/07…..injury-palgued season, domestic turmoil and off he goes to Barca in 2007…
2007/08 – Horrendous Injury List with ROsicky, RvP, Walcott and then Eduardo..not forgetting ANC with Kolo down with malaria and Gallas hamstring problem….Drogba, Yakubu, et al bullied and destroyed Senderos….a dodgy goalie in ALmunia….Gilberto left as Wenger felt he is on the decline..Pires..Freddy….
2008/09 – disloyal players in Hleb and FLamini.
2009/10 – DIsloyal player in Adebayor…and Kolo left because of Gallas….
2010/11 – Cesc injury-plagued season..like Henry’s 2006/07 season?
2011/12 – Cesc-Nasri Saga
2012/13 – RvP-Walcott Saga?
2006/07 to 2011/12 – What a waste as there were three seasons there that we could have won a title!
Last season?
07 points out of 21 from first 7 games;
22 points out of 24 from next 8 games.
07 points out of 21 from next 7 games,
22 points out of 24 from next 8 games
13 points out of 21 from next 7 games
03 points out of 01 from last game.
You can see that those inconsistencies are killing us, losing to Bottom-13 teams.
Again, the key to have a good season is to remain unbeaten at home and against Bottom-13 teams.
@ Rico, you make me smile. Americans strides in debt. I don’t believe for a second that Stan will lose a sleep over 800 million debt. All he needs to do is ask The Glazers’ how they do it.
To you Adam what a post, you always make one scratches there head and go back to read. This is masterpiece of the other masterpiece.
Kroenke is a short-term corporate predator with no ties out of the STates.
He saw Arsenal Holdings as undervalued and its global commercial and media revenues are still virgin territory. WIth the new massive TV deals and summer tours plus growing Asian market, within 5 years from now, Kroenke will want to double his investment from Ā£750 million to Ā£1,500 million, reaping a capital gian of 100%..just like that.
In the meantime, like the Glazer Family, the steady stream of annual profits will ensure Kroenke will have a virtually debt-free Arsenal Holdings within 5 years…and all that annual Ā£20 million mortgage payment till 2031 are paid off tiself by Arsenal FC profits..without Kroenke even digging a cent out of his own pocket every year.
It is like this:
Sir Henry Norris started off Arsenal FC..say with Ā£1 million.
Hill-Wood Family & Co steadily built it up to a Ā£100 million company.
Here comes Kroenke who bought over 70% of a Ā£750 million company.
Everybody makes a sensational profits by selling to Kroenke.
Within 5 years time, Kroenke will sell off 70% of his shares in a Ā£1,500 million.
Everybody is happy and larf all the way to the bank.
NG – but he’s a gooner, that’s worth it’s weight in gold š
JUly 27 in Beijing.
All will be reveal as to RvP is blue & white or red & white.
July 24:
WIll RvP and Theo travel to Malaysia?
On a different note, has anyone else bought the CD by Emeli Sandre??
Ok, I’ll get me coat š
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Italian outfit Fiorentina have made an offer for Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
Chamakh has struggled to force his way into the Gunners side on a regular basis since arriving on a free transfer from Bordeaux two years ago and it is thought Wenger is happy to let him move on.
Following the arrival of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud this summer, the 28-year-old will slip even further down the pecking order and a move will happen if Fiorentina can match Arsenal’s valuation.
Wenger has yet to go public on the figure he would be looking for but has confirmed that Fiorentina have made a bid for the player that is now being considered.
“Fiorentina requested information on his availability and made an offer,” said Wenger.
_____________________________________
F**K!
You got CHamakh for nothing, then FFS just grab any offer and let Fiorentina picks up his salary #$%&&@
Not what I’d call SK Merlin š
WIll RvP and Theo travel to Malaysia?
Yes, unless either is sold before hand and I am not convinced Theo will leave..
Anyone know which players didn’t return today?
Just had a listen to Emili sande Rico. Just one song, but pretty good. I shall get the CD and review it for an online publication that I represent. Is that your sort of thing then?
Good Afternoon Fine Folk.
Just read this……………
…………..Arsenal are said to be interested in Egypt international Milo who will be in action for his country in England in the coming weeks as he is part of the Olympic squad.
Sky Sports has learnt that Arsenal are keen to check on the defender and view the tournament as the perfect chance to see whether he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
Milo, whose full name is Islam Ramadan, currently plays for Haras El Hodood in his home country and first came to attention when playing in the Toulon Youth Tournament held two months ago in France.
The 21-year-old has already been linked with Lyon and Benfica, but it is believed that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to steal a march on the competition as he considers a bid this summer.
Sky has reported that after learning of interest from Arsenal, Milo has indicated that he would be prepared to discuss his future after the Olympics.
Arsenal already have a young left back in Kieran Gibbs at the club, but Milo is said to have earned rave reviews and could be viewed as a replacement for Andre Santos who has struggled to impress since moving to the Emirates.
Robin van Persie is back in London following his Caribbean holiday Isn’t it ironic that he blasts Ivan Gazidis for being away whilst being away himself. Those who have glass houses………. š
Adam – I heard one track, ‘Next to Me’ and I loved it so bought the album. Not all ‘float my boat’ but quite a number of them I really like…
Another artist I like is Delta Goodrem…
Will be interesting to read your review….
Currently I have been listening to Luciana Souza, Rico. I like her New Bossa Nova album. Its very cool with great playing. But then I am one quarter Latino and play guitar like Carlos Santana. I also have a droopy moustache and Mrs Adam calls me Gonzalez. Ayeeeeee…caramba!!
I saw that about the young defender devil, afternoon to you….
Ah, but IG is reported to be in France securing two deals, Lloris and Capoue, so at least he is working š
Get Capoue and I will be in heaven. I do like him.
Lloris is not bad either.
Talking of which Adam, I am still waiting!!!
Latino eh, why do I hesitate before believing you are truthing š
Tunisian international Youssef Msakni says he turned down a potential move to Arsenal before accepting terms with Qatar club Lekhwiya.
Msakni, who has scored 17 goals in 28 games for his country, has signed a pre-contract agreement to move to Qatar after a four-year spell with Esperance Tunis.
Amid the negotiations concerning his departure from his homeland, Msakni says offers from Europe, via Arsenal and Lille couldn’t sway him from moving to the Middle East
I am holding my sides with laughter!!!!!!!
Both Lille and AFC did not put their foot down that much hard it seems.
Capoue, yes please devil, not sure on Lloris though….
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t walk around naked, I think that’s the saying you were looking for devil.
Rico, I thought you said it was all gonna kick off today, what happened ?
Still, the Chamakh news is promising, gives me hope.
Youssef Msakni = twurp!
If Lloris comes we will be in the same situation that Manure are with De Gea and Lindegaard. Two good goalkeepers. If AW gets them both then good for us.Maybe one will get the league and the other will get the CL,FA,LC.or play both in all competitions according to the opposition.
But it makes sense………..a french speaking Keeper, centrebacks, right back, DM (both) and CF. The spine is practically french.
Micko says:
July 9, 2012 at 4:57 pm
People who live in glass houses shouldnāt walk around naked, I think thatās the saying you were looking for devil………exactly Micko. It was going around in my head and was on the tip of my tongue but it wouldn’t come out. š
I know someone who once said that if AFC won the CL he would run across Trafalgar square naked. Does he live in a glass house??? š
Training has Micko š š
I found one the other day Rico but it is a few years old. I may send it in lieu of a new one. In all honesty, I am one quarter French and one quarter Spanish and when I was into the electric guitar I was heavily influenced by Carlos. It was my Samba Pa Ti that lured Mrs Adam into my web.
But what would that do to Ches??
I know what you mean Rico. Unfortunately it will be who is the best who plays. And if we want the best then they have to work at it. Isn’t that the way we want it??? Two good players for every position…….and not paying over the odds for them.
I am off for now Fine Folk.
Will be back later on today maybe.
Off to enjoy the evening walk with the family.
š Adam, yes, do send it….
In the sunshine no doubt devil – lucky you, enjoy…..
Afternoon You Damned Fine AKB’S
Now i’m off to read Adam’s post.
Looks like we got ourselves another USA contributor…
Great, what a shame Oliver doesn’t pop in now and again…
Afternoon AK..
Looks like we have, hopefully he’ll be back here later.. It is a great shame oliver couldn’t continue to blog, did think he’d pop back every now and then š
Hi AK. Been in town today? I am at Westfield in Stratford tomorrow for John Lewis shopping. Been there?
I’m at home for a day Adam, back up to the Smoke tomorrow.
Btw Adam, your post, in a word, outstanding….
Take a bow, me ol’ china plate… š
I am humbled Kev. Thank you. It is an honour to write for Rico, as you well know.
Westfield Stratford?
Yes Adam, just to get my train during the building work there.
Not to shop.
But i have shopped a few times at Shepherds Bush Westfield
Yes Adam, Rico creates a civilising atmosphere that certain scumbags find hard to comprehend…
This is, bar far, the best Arsenal blog around…
But then you already know that.. š
You are a smooth dude Adam š š
Actually Rico, i can enjoy the new background in all it’s grandeur today, and i have to say, that it’s a vast improvement on RIP & Walnut
Just off for some lilley & skinner… š
Park (MU) – QPR
Dempsey – Fulham?
Vermaelen – Barcelona again much more stronger after T. Alcantara sign a new dela with Milan.
AK, you too are in the ‘smootie’ club, but thank you both….
Dempsey – Liverpool JM…
Stuart Taylor to Reading it seems….
Off to get dinner too…. Back in a bit
Jamie Sandersonā@YoungGunsBlog
Lot of talk at Arsenal about 15-year-old ‘keeper Ryan Huddart. Joined from Charlton. Promoted a year early. Likened to Joe Hart.
http://twitter.com/JamesRyan_99/status/222393847039275008/photo/1
Evening all,
Top Post Adam keep em coming, its one of those posts that as you read it you think of somthing but then you cover it in the next sentance, blinding š
Comment left on the Guardian;
ksstep
8 July 2012 12:25AM
In the middle of a huge economic crisis caused by poor economic governance and semi-corrupt financial mismanagement, Paul Wilson and the rest of the Guardian’s dreadful football writers are slamming Arsenal for its unique combination of financial sustainability and footballing success. Do these guys actually read the newspapers? What has happened in football echoes some of the big economic trends of our society recently – crazed debt accumulation (Man U), corrupted corporate governance (Chelsea), and serious misuse of sovereign wealth (Man City). And The Guardian, denouncing all this stuff on their business and politics pages, has football writers that want Arsenal to join a party that has wrecked Liverpool, will wreck Man U, and has turned Man City into a sheikh’s plaything. In a sane journalistic world, everyone would be saying that the Arsenal model is the only way to go.
As for the players, Fabregas left not for money but for reasons we all understood. Nasri and Clichy went for the millions, a shame in Clichy’s case but good riddance to Nasri. Van Persie can leave if he wants, but his statement about ambition etc is a cliche, and pure hypocrisy: he is leaving a club that stuck by him through some grim times for a very big payday. He is forgetting what Wenger said publicly to Anelka: ‘You can only sleep in one bed at night, but its easy to ruin a career’. How right Wenger turned out to be. The football thing being forgotten is that Arsenal create an awful lot of chances: any good striker put in front of Song, Arteta and Rosicky is going to score a lot of goals (I mean Adebayor got 30 goals for heaven’s sake, and look how well he turned out at Man City). There are worse bets than that Podolski will win the golden boot in his first season.
As for the Guardian ‘writers’: almost exactly a year ago you went into a paroxysm of Arsenal Crisis stories, beginning before and carrying on during the season. You only started to shut up in February as Arsenal headed up the table. Arsenal finished third (higher than we had finished with Fabregas and Nasri): I haven’t seen any reflections on this gross journalistic fail.
what do you mean a”another contributor from the US’ AK? what about yours truly? afternoon smiley spastics….
Full tum, yum yum š
And not a pitta in sight š
evening all top post Adam keep em coming. š
Wish that keeper was 15 years older Kev
Evening Steve
goonster – go find Stan will you, tell him to wake up a bit and get with 2012….
Should we have thought about getting Stuart Taylor back??
31 years old, a gooner and was he really ever ‘that’ bad??
evening Rico any new news
top comment there AK. i ve always maintained that my aged one eyed grand ma will score a truck load of goods if placed in front of TR7, song, arteta,wilshere, diaby et al. robin thinks he’s indespensible but guess again dickwad bettet have left and ended up shit else where. what are we doing holding on to this fuck head? the earlier we flog him the better.
evening maam, stevep you owe mw a drink big guy….
None that I can find Steve š
did i say” a truck load of goods”……………jeez, i really did let myself go at the bar earlier. oh well, better that than being…….
hey i ve got news…..but erm…you re not gonna like it!
Anytime Stan, where you been son
It went a bit quiet on here earlier, so i decided to have a butchers at yesterday’s LG….
That Gambore, talk about psychologically damaged….
And there’s a little bevy of Gambories, who seem to hang on every word he says…
It’s hilarious and a little sad….
Stan of The States i presume…. š
in the USA my men….i got exiled from the fatherland. how are you and how’s the family?
Steven Taylor is a really good call Rico….
Could do a lot worse…
afternoon kev, geez my typing is really getting away from me….
Kev – that guy is an internet bully
Calm down Stan….
How ya doing mate.
Think the boys returned to training today, well some of them.
Looking forward to the first game, for me, at Borehamwood Saturday week.
kev how’s the missus? the heat wave here has been crazy but thank God its all cloudy outside….
Rico, he’s not really a bully.
He’s just pathetic.
I’d take him back Kev, and I bet he’d come back too but, you know AW doesn’t very often take players back….
One other I reckon could come back this summer is Kolo….
She’s good Stan, thanks buddy.
How’s ya Mum?
mama is back home in arnhem….God i miss my town.
Would you have Kolo back Rico? [Kolo, Rico, Rolo š ]…
But seriously, not sure that Kolo’s fitness is all that it once was…
Could be wrong…
Then there’s his wages…
Summary: Arsenal Supporters Trust ā July 9th
Posted on July 9, 2012
Iāve grown accustom to writing the summaries of AST-meetings so I might as well keep up the tradition. So, for all of you who werenāt able to follow the meeting or think you may have missed something hereās a summary including the most interesting points as from the meeting as well as my thoughts.
The meeting started with showing the results of a survey to which 636 members had responded.
– 75% are not happy with how Kroenke runs the club
– 60% want to keep self-sustaning financial model
– 82% want Kroenke to ask Usmanov (R&W) to join the board
– 72% want David Dein to be invited back to the club
– 77% want to keep Wenger as manager
– 1.5% are āhighly satisfiedā with footballing performances
– 76% believe Champions League qualification is more important than winning League- or FA Cup.
– Dennis Bergkamp win vote for who to make a statue of next with 41%. David Rocastle was second with 14%
– 56% donāt think ticket prices give you good value for your money
– 54% think Peter Hill-Wood is not fit to be the chairman of Arsenal
– 77% think Wengerās selections/tactics were average or poor last season
– 5% feel the board is in touch with the fans
In short; fans want Kroenke out and Usmanov + Dein in. Wenger to stay as manager, keep self-sustaining model and very few fans are completely satisfied with our performances on the pitch recently. Boards external communication with fans is poor. Usmanov issuing public letter to the board recently could have had an effect on the survey, but luckily the survey was conducted before last weeks happenings. Usmanov surely persuaded some fans heās the man for the job, which has been visible on Twitter in the past week or so. Kroenkeās silence is proving to be a weakness, fans canāt get a read on the clubs owner. Surprising amount of support for Usmanov though most fans want to keep self-sustaining model. Does seem a bit hypocritical?
After the survey the meeting went on to disclose Arsenalās financial results. Arsenal are planning for the worst as it is revealed that money is being saved in case Arsenal miss out on Champions League in the near future. Missing out on the Champions League would put Arsenal Ā£40m on the minus side. The club breaks even and only surplus comes from selling players. Gazidis says Arsenal must hold out for 2 more years, because then we will earn more from tv rights as well as renew sponsorship deals. Arsenal will earn an estimated extra Ā£70m in 2 years through tv and sponsorship. The AST claims that we have no debt issue, but that clearing our Ā£200m debt for Emirates Stadium would actually cost us Ā£300m. As @1Walid1 points out one of our biggest financial issues is paying too high wages for fringe players. Lowering their salaries would enable us to spend more on new contracts for our star players. Gazidis admits at the meeting that Arsenal are trying to solve this issue by restructuring the wages. Doing that would take a long time as you canāt simply lower certain playerās wages, but adapting it to future contracts.
AST will meet Gazidis on Friday to discuss the issue of Robin van Persie.
Maybe a bit of both Kev….
I wouldn’t want him back Kev, never but AW stood by him through his drugs ban and it would never suprise me…..
Agent_ITKā@Agent_ITK
#Arsenal are looking to sign RĆ©my Cabella as a replacement for RVP.
Re the AST vote thingy – not 636 votes say much really….
who’s he AK? Is he any good?
Don’t really know him Stan.
But i bet that Arsene knows all about him….
No Rico, that’s right, but i think they carry a few shareholders among their number.
Hench Gazides meeting them this Friday….
His Girouds scoring buddy isn’t he? Would we really be able to get two from the same club?
you ll be he does AK…..hahahahah. he knows the weirdiest players. he looks good in that clip though.
Jamie Sandersonā@YoungGunsBlog
Caen keen for M’Baye Niang to reject transfer talk. Club not confirming Arsenal want to take him on trial. 17-year-old striker.
i can seem to type right today….what’s happening?
Jamie Sanderson
For those asking, Arsenal are back in pre-season training on Monday. Handful of players already back, such as Johan Djourou and Serge Gnabry, while Wellington Silva is expected on Monday to continue rehab on his an ankle problem.
The majority of Euro 2012 players expected back on July 16th. Arsenal play Southampton and Anderlecht next weekend.
Best those shareholders sell to AU then Kev š
Wonder if Wellington Silva will get a game with the Stiffs in pre-season?
Samuel Galindo played at Stevenage last summer!
He’s in the same situation as Wellington….
Niang is already here isn’t he?? According to reports
Rico. š
Maybe one or two could be tempted.
But i’d hate to see the club in one man’s hands.
Or one woman… š
Is he Rico?
Well i’ve been outta the loop a bit…
š Kev
In the ideal world, neither SK or R&W would own our club, but out the two, I know which one I’d rather see own the majority of shares….
Turn the sound down, the soundtrack is a bit OTT;
I thought so, but i could be wrong Kev…
I’m not watching Kev, not until either have signed š
My feathered ones need sorting so I’m offski for the day…
Have a good one all, nighty night…
Kev, get an early one š
Good night Rico….
How are you Fine Folk????
Still discussing and from what I see is that Sir AK is back home. Goody for you. I prefer Sir AK than Charlie. š
Niang is good according to many reports. But Cabella does not play as a forward but is an advanced midfielder. And standing at 1.66cm TALL is not going to terrify the EPL isnt it????
How are you habib????
Sensational post Adam…..had a busy ne last night so just read it this morning.
Have a great night all,I’m off to work.
Again,well done Adam.
Sorry Coach…..
I am good Habib, thanks.
I trust you are all well down there in the Med….?
I was just doing a post for Rico…
Hi Scott, have a good day at work…
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-china-can-be-a-footballing-force?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
I’d rather hope Arsenal could become a force maybe if AW was less concerned about China’s footballing prowess and more focussed on us we’ll do a bit better…just a thought! Morning all btw
Morning all
arselona are after capoue…. morning Rico!
Synthetic thursday for me!!!!
Spot On – He’s the Arsenal manager, not a pundit for China!
He’s become jack of all trades master of none! Surely this RvP fiasco can’t drag on all summer like last summer….
Morning Lee – yes, holibobs around the corner, tomorrow you fly?
PSG have ruled themselves out
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