Daily Bits and Bobs

Thinking like Arsene Wenger…….

Posted on by rico

Morning All.

The transfer window came with high hopes for Arsenal fans, especially after bedding in Petr Cech early. But all the high hopes flew out of the window as the curtains slammed shut at 6pm, September 1st.

Arsenal’s fans’ optimism was not misplaced. Having been told the Emirate’s Stadium debt had seized to be a burden, a fact proven by high level arrivals of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, every Gunner expected the past transfer window to have been the one to loosen the purse, tell the Chelsea’s and Manchester clubs in bold captions that the ex-Highbury dwellers were back for real in the business of winning trophies. Especially after last two seasons’ trophy successes on the local front and having been told further, even if callously, that Wenger had 200 million pounds to spend.

But somehow, that deadline day crawled by with Cech the only worthwhile business done. No one, including Arsene Wenger himself, has a right to blame any fan who felt let down and expresses so in any language applicable. No one moves the world standing at a spot.

The football world has gone  excessively crazy in the manner which clubs run the business of transfers and general player management. To continue believing that Arsene and Arsenal are the only sane set while all others are losing their heads is one utopia that may hurt the London club dearly.

However, knowing the French technician, it may not be out of place if one advised dear fans to hang fire a while and stick behind their manager. As unpopular as this call may be at this time everyone has one grudging expression or the other against the manager and club, fact remains Arsenal fans are true fans of football…none of us will easily change clubs.

So, why don’t we attempt to live with what we have no power to change?

First, there are few managers in the world, if any, of any top European side that has been in football management as long as Le Prof. He is the one who knows every player at his disposal. If he says he has enough quality to truly challenge, why don’t we trust him?

To start with, one can be pardoned to say Arsenal have Ozil, Sanchez, Cech and Santi Carzola as the truly world class players in the Arsenal squad. Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal are not far from being in that elite list. And you can’t really say Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin, Alex Ox-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Gabriel are below average.

Comparatively, Chelsea can’t boast beyond Courtois, Hazard, Matic, Fabregas, Costa as world class stars. Maybe John Terry too but his evenings are setting fast. Is there more than Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Vincent Kompany as world class in Man City? Let’s not go to Man United.

Dissecting Wenger’s squad, one can conveniently say there’s no goalkeeper anywhere in Europe classically better than Cech. From right back, Bellerin is the revelation of past EPL season and having Mathieu Debuchy as back-up isn’t a kids setting. Monreal and Kieran Gibbs cannot be looked down on by any other club in the EPL as first and second choices from the left. And though Calum Chambers appears the weak link in the middle, the fact that Mertesacker, Koscielny and Gabriel make a trio of quality centre backs is enough to settle nerves, provided the injury monster doesn’t rear its ugly head more often than necessary.

In midfield, Coquelin may be seen as a risk but only in the area of not having a back-up that is as good. Can you crucify a manager just because he hasn’t purchased a quality back-up? As long as his first choice is quality, any manager can decide to risk Arteta and Flamini should injuries and suspensions infringe. Besides, in Coquelin’s eight years in the club, long-term injuries have never been his folly. And does any club in EPL, even in Europe, boast of a better collection of creative midfielders? Carzola, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Ozil, Tomas Rosicky are five of the best in the business.

In attack, maybe Giroud is not your Aguero but vitally, Wenger trusts him. And not just for the fun of it. Whatever ball the French misses to push over the lottery line, he more than makes up in general play that enhances victory for the team. Danny Welbeck may not be your Ronaldo yet but he’s certainly not without his positive attributes. Walcott in my opinion is not a central striker but he’s a class act when it comes to pace and finishing. Ox-Chamberlain has shown goal hunger of late and he’s not a player you ignore at any level. And of course, Sanchez is a bag of tricks, energy and goals and I rate him higher than Hazard.

On squad depth, when Arsenal line up the first squad we’d have Ospina, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Welbeck, OX-Chamberlain Joel Campbell all missing. Of course there’s still Alex Iwobi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and other youngsters knocking.

Unless the monster of injuries take its usually wicked toll, this Arsenal side is not as lightweight as one may erroneously think on the surface. Until January, this is our squad and we all have to learn to think like Wenger and get behind the team.

And why not? Loyalty is a two-way stretch. We hated Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, etc for leaving when they did. I think we should appreciate the likes of Walcott, Coquelin, Giroud, Carzola, Ramsey, etc for staying while others left.

Wenger is no more a businessman…He’s no longer a ruthless entrepreneur. He’s more or less a father to those players. Sentiment has eaten so deep. His first team players in Bellerin and Chambers were born the same year Wenger began managing Arsenal. Before Ramsey dumped Alex Ferguson and United, Wenger must have told him sweet things, promises of making him into world class, so how possibly could we then expect the same ‘father’ to have signed Arturo Vidal to now derail same Ramsey? Exactly the same reason why Wenger sent Wojciech Szczesny on loan to try to be that Arsenal goalkeeper when Cech starts dwindling, instead of selling him outright.

Come on, dear Gunners, the cup should always be half-full. The greatest business in a transfer window is keeping all your vital players and in that regard, Wenger scored an ‘A’. And any set of players that could win the FA Cup and Community Shield back-to-back are no powder puff.

Don’t slate Wenger yet … the wily-nily fox may well have his pound of flesh yet by winning the EPL with this team. Don’t start betting against it. It’s just a matter of a favourable injury season and the necessary luck.

By Tai Emeka Obasi.

rico

147 thoughts on “Thinking like Arsene Wenger…….”

  1. Wath says:

    Morning you lot,

    Good post Tai, thought provoking yes and although I don’t entirely agree with your sentiments it’s also not entirely untrue either…!

    I just think as mad as the transfer window was and prices paid there were and are still players out there that would of strengthened the team and the squad and that will be our downfall not the fact we didn’t actually buy a world class player for X or Y position.

  2. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Oyyyyyyyyy. Brilliant stuff Tai. I am impressed.

    good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    That was one hell of a good post. I really enjoyed reading it.

    Are we going to buy someone for new year???

    We need a new tea Lady. She does not make the tea strong enough. its the weakest link at the club.

  4. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I with you both Wath And Tai.

    I agree with all that Tai wrote. But I would have preferred Flamini and Campbell to go and at least two new squad players bought. At least we would have a good level of strength in depth.

    Austin and Rodwell anyone???

  5. tsgh says:

    We needed to add to the squad.

    Personally, I would have gone for Gonalon and Pjanic plus Reus/Vietto/Berahino.

    But maybe AW has hope in Akpom and Welbz for the future…

  6. Tai says:

    Thanks aplenty Wath, Dev, Ts…

    I can name 20 players we should have added including Messi…but we didn’t and we all should live with it and support dear club, at least until January again!

    COYG.

  12. Andy F says:

    Ha ha! Anyone seen the goal of the month competition on AFC official site? Not much choice I am afraid?. Even Ox is being credited with one.

  13. Wath says:

    Tai, I think there are many many realistic targets that we could of bought that would not of cost the earth outside of those super class players we’d all love but know we will never get. We need to compliment Ozil and Alexis and that’s important in my mind. Supporting the club is never in question but questions must be asked of the management and board when zero happens and it’s not just about pointing fingers at the over inflated prices or what others are prepared to pay… We are not skint, we have a fortune in the bank and yet we have failed to fill the void where we needed…. Have the fans been short changed yet again…? Do we deserve answers…?
    Yes to both in my opinion as we are the ones making the bank balance what it is today and assets should be on the pitch not sitting in a bank account BUT that’s what happens when we are owned by a majority shareholder who basically does what he wants and we are shit on his shoe as far as he is concerned…!

  14. retsub1 says:

    Well written Tai. A lot of what you say makes perfect sense. One thing we do have in our favour is a settled squad and if we can get a little more form and luck on our side we can still have a very good season. I think Chelsea, United and Liverpool are all going to have problems getting into gear and if we can build up a head of steam we can distance ourselves from them..

    My biggest concern is Coquelin. I believe that McLaren set out to intimidate Coquelin after seeing him nearly sent off against Palace. A number of the Newcastle players tried to kick lumps out of him and I have little doubt it will happen on a regular basis.

    The defence is strong, as you say we can share the goals around up front and we have a talented midfield. But if anything happens to Le Coq I think either Flamini or Arteta will come up short against the big sides

  15. scottfromoz says:

    Better than that drivel we endured yesterday 🙂
    Brilliant stuff, Tai, and really puts a positive spin on things without being over enthusiastic, or unrealistic.
    Love it.
    It won’t stop people feeling s
    Disappointed, but your point of us losing nobody we wanted to keep is very relevant.
    Great read.
    Morning all.

  18. crispen says:

    Good article.

    It is rather amusing how people will say we should have brought “someone’ in without mentioning names.
    so we should let Campbell and Flamini go? What player is available who is better than Campbell. ..And lets get rid of our DM sub without replacing him…. smart?

    Reus has said he prefers Madrid.

    How old is Gonalons again?

    Berahino. How did the Tots do with getting him…

    Rodwell spend years failing to get into a City midfield that is NOT as good as ours but he obviously would be the man for us?

    Austin is a mid-table wonder never an Arsenal quality player.

    Tea lady…… Great idea.

  19. Tai says:

    Thanks Restub, Scott…

    I personally do not believe the board or anybody stopped Wenger from signing anyone. Wenger was convinced he didn’t need anyone. And ‘thinking like him’…he believes he has a strong unit he didn’t want to unsettle with any marquee signing.

    And deep down, he believes he has adequate cover in every department. He still values Arteta, like Ts…and when you hear him speak about Gabriel, you’d understand he bought him in January for this season.

    If Welbeck and Wilshere get back and stay reasonably fit, I believe we may end up agreeing with Le Prof. Maybe something on the medical department convinced him he’d have a favourable injury season.

  22. tsgh says:

    Crispen- not sure reus has never said that about Madrid as it is well documented that he and Gundogan were Barca bound…

    Reus had an agreement with Barcelona from last January but was unable to move because of the embargo. He fumed publicly when Turan was signed because he assumed his opportunity was over.. Turan opting not to play football for 6 months… strange, also affected the transfer window for us..

    From rumours we tried hard to sign Turun before he signed for Barca. He would have been our first signing before cech. It may be argued we did not need him but he would have freed up AS17 on the lhs imho…
    Even Bulut alluded to that recently…

  23. Wath says:

    Always easy Crispen to say this or that one is or isn’t Arsenal quality when a couple of the players mentioned were to strengthen the squad not walk into the first 11…! Gonalons is way younger than Arteta and Flamini think thats what people are getting at so would of been an upgrade..!
    Austin I reckon would be a decent option of trips yo grim places oop norf in Dec n Jan..! You reckon not and thats fair enough.

  25. Fat Mike says:

    Personally I think Wenger would have sold Campbell had he identified a striker that is available and is garaunteed to improve Giroud, but none was, well not for sensible money anyhow. Likewise if flamini had agreed to jon Galatasaray then I think he may have bought Wayama or Krychowiak. If the current market is demanding 50m for very good players, like Sterling, De Bruyne and Martial, then it’s better that Arsenal take a back seat and wait for sensibility to come back. Also those three players I don’t think would have improved arsenal that must if at all, and that’s £150m. I think an Eduardo type player would have really improve Arsenal, a great box striker, especially when teams are sat really deep, that’s all that’s missing, and a Coquelin cover (but Arteta can do that maybe). As for center backs, Chambers is the 4th center back and he’ll get better, sometimes people can get brain washed by these pundits.

    Like Piers Morgan thinking Gary Neville can do a better job than Wenger…….

  27. Fat Mike says:

    As for a DM, I remember when everyone was demanding Cana, Capueue, M’Villa, there’s no garauntee that Krychowiak will be any good

  28. scottfromoz says:

    Tai, my biggest issue was not so much the fact we signed nobody, but the “200 million” and “working hard, 24 hours a day” comments gave us a false sense of what was happening.
    If they just kept quiet……

  29. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Krychowiak would have been great. But he would have expected to play every minute and put Le Coq to bench.

    Crispen….we mentioned names….just go on the last week’s posts. And yes….Rodwell would have been good for us for the simple reason that he would have accepted to be a squad player, he would have learned a lot under AW, he was a great player until shitty messed him up, he would have played alongside Le Coq and would have rotated with him. He would have been a great addition simply because he would have been a good player to have against the Sudnerlands, Watfords and Villas etc and that would have meant Le Coq resting. At least he is better than Flamini.

    With regards Campbell???? I can name you at least around 20 players who would have been good additions mate. And better than Joel himself.

  30. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Good post Tai. I’m in the we don’t have enough depth camp…

    A many have suggested, there were players out there who we gettable and who would have made us stronger… Dreadful transfer window and again I fear we will scrabble for top, knocked out of the CL in the first knock-out stage as we won’t win our group and with so many other clubs looking stronger, I seriously doubt our chances in either of the domestic cups…

    Other than that, my glass is half full… 😉

  32. Fat Mike says:

    @scottfromoz – That 200 million comment was stupid, but that came from an idiot director. And “working hard, 24 hours a day” was probably true but it didn;t happen it didn;t mean they didn’t try.

  34. Tai says:

    Again…Wenger sent out a lot of youngsters on loan…I’m sure he believes some of them will join the main team next season…buying a better back-up than we have makes that plan awry…but there’s still January to amend if he was totally wrong but something tells me isn’t wrong…

    Let’s enjoy this season with this team…they will challenge, I can feel it.

  37. Tai says:

    Sure Scott…those comments were ‘madness’ particularly mentioning 200 million pounds. Who knows…the clubs we approached may have priced their players with that in mind!

  44. tsgh says:

    You are cheating Dev… that is not allowed. 🙂
    Sandwich from co-op for me… 🙁
    🙂 Rico, you can’t be renegotiating another Theo contract.. he hasn’t scored since he last signed his current deal.

  45. Lee says:

    The tell tale signs were there when Wenger put Walcott on £140k pw that no striker was going to be signed….. JOKE!

  46. scottfromoz says:

    Fat Mike, I know a director said that, and they should shut the hell up.
    Ok, you’re right…..it’s possible they’re tried, but then, are they income pretend, as every other club managed to find a few players?
    Doesn’t matter now, but that’s my frustration.

  52. Adam says:

    The conclusions that one comes to regarding the transfer window seem to depend on what regard one holds Wenger in. Surely it is inconceivable that such an honourable man as Arsene could be accepting The Syrup’s shilling and tacitly going along with his lack of desire and ambition while inwardly knowing that he doesn’t have the team to win the PL or the CL?
    We have been here before I’m afraid and AW has told us that we certainly did have the squad (and presumably the tactics) to achieve those goals. I never believed it and I know many here didn’t either. It isn’t disloyal to criticise Wenger. It’s actually extremely healthy.
    Personally I don’t give him a pass, or Syrup for that matter. They are both equally culpable, to what exactly, we will know at the end of the season. All this guff about a lack of players is nonsense. I accept there weren’t many options with 24 hours of the window to go, but the rest is cobblers. But it suits the narrative that the club are spinning at the moment. Pay through the nose and be grateful.
    What really counts is the response of the crowd within the stadium and I think that could go either way at the moment. All the stuff on the blogs is completely disregarded by the club who are only interested in money. Sad but true.

  54. rogerbij says:

    Love it Tai, well written.

    You ask ‘Can you crucify a manager for not buying a backup to Coq’ – well… crucify is a strong word, but I think it was negligent because it is an area of extreme risk in my opinion. Coq cannot play all the games, and I dont trust Arteta to get through 90 mins. Flamini…

    I think the striker issue is forgivable, but if Coq goes down a crock, we can only point to Wenger + management. Quality DMs were on the market. Strikers werent.

    THanks

  56. rico says:

    And the board members Adam, they are no better. All they probably do is nod at whoever is talking to them at the time…

    They are all toothless, the owner and board for not wanting more and Arsene Wenger for not asking for more so as you say, all to blame for this mess.

    As soon as the window opened, they should have been straight in and done all they could do sign the players/positions we so very much need….

    The last 24 hours was pretty pointless as other countries transfer window had closed, so who was going to sell unless they had troublesome or very expensive players/wages to offload….

  57. drake says:

    A good morning To everyone on HH,tai we Will support the not wenger and the board until they prove To us that they tot ambitions top.
    why did we sign ozil when we are not going To provide him the needed tools for him To shine?i have Been following him since his days at Schalke he needs runners.some say It counter attack Football.

  59. tsgh says:

    Adam- ditto you view above.

    The next few games will be very telling from the fans perspective depending on results.

    My concern is the goals or lack off…
    if we take out the 4 F.A cup goals, our goals over the last 10 games is quite concerning…

    Stoke – home
    Dinamo Zagreb – away
    Chelsea – away
    Tottenham- away
    Leicester – away
    Olympiakos -home

    If we have picked up at least 7 points before Olympiakos game then the atmosphere may be less hostile…

  61. potter says:

    The problem of the stadium is the way it was set up. The clock end and north bank from Highbury were merged to one end and this is where they put the largely supportive Red Action on the side nearest to the bench and directors box. ( block 4 )Any dissent is likely to come from blocks 7 to 13 on the other side and they are less likely to be heard by those it’s aimed at. Upstairs I can’t talk about as I have never been up there but I do know that that noise tends to go up rather than down. Then take into account how many of the crowd are actually involved in any protest and the atmosphere is diluted even further . People like the Black scarf have tried to stage marches but they are usually policed heavily and numbers are limited when they get to the roundabout nearest to the Armoury. All in all they , board /manager ,are pretty well protected from anger and angst. Those of us that go and are in the area of disparate groups may hear the moans and groans and realise that a fair percentage are not happy but that doesn’t get past the throngs in the shops and the selfie taking hoards that congregate on the steps every match day. It will take an almighty cock up to get a real protest going and of course Stan is a few miles away buying more real estate in Colorado and propping up his on the pitch failing clubs over there.

  63. drake says:

    Ts the Chelsea game is the One im looking foward To watch.should wenger f that game up,he is out for me in the end of the season.chelsea are poor that any team can beat them.a stoke One players should try To get many goal as they can,because It Will ditact the following games

  69. Adam says:

    TS. You’re right. The results show no ambiguity. We must, at the very least, challenge for the title this year. And that’s at the very least.

  70. tsgh says:

    Adam- To me finish more than 5 points behind winners of the league will not be a success…

    Reason why I have been ‘arguing’ that we did not improve last season; as we finished 12 points behind Chelsea. we also got less points than the season before…

    The media make me laugh when they bash AW and Arsenal fans baselessly …

    Before the season started those same itks were tipping chelsea to walk the league. They also stated Sterling wouldn’t get into City’s team..
    Now that Chelsea has lost 2 games already even though they have spent big they are beginning to change their tune.

  72. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Just a short visit.
    Breaking News Danny Wellbeck has had surgery on his left knee and
    is now out for Months

  74. tsgh says:

    Drake- City will lose steam too..

    We are taking about the south American version of AW who will bottle in along the way…
    Pelle’s saving grace is there is no AFCON next Jan/Feb…

    Dfb squadfor Poland game looks strong.

  75. tsgh says:

    Hi Rick… that news leaves AW short I guess; but I suspect AW was aware of it…

    I thought our new medical team was meant to stop all these mystical injuries.

  77. Adam says:

    TS. I agree, again!
    Your post a few months back about having a certain amount of, let’s call them marquee players, in the team has stuck in my mind. Those players who can make the difference and read the game well enough to adjust to what is happening on the pitch. A good example might be our home match against Monaco last year when we came back to 2-1 down with a few minutes and then went completely nuts and blew the tie trying twist when we should have been sticking. Those players who have depth, technique and intelligence and bring that to bear in the big games. Another couple of those and I would feel more confident.
    Rick. That Welbeck news makes the club’s stance over transfers all the more puzzling. I shall refrain from mentioning the opportune timing of the story until just after the window has closed. 🙂

  79. tsgh says:

    I wonder how Mark hughes will line up ball players such as Arnatuovic, Bojan, Afellay and Shaqiri against us?

    Shawcross is out too me think…

  84. tsgh says:

    Adam-
    Those players who have depth, technique and intelligence and bring that to bear in the big games are hard to get and few but one would have expected Aw to add a bit of power to his squad.
    Take out Per and OG12 and the average height of team drops dramatically…

    I feel like I have been relieved from my Stockholm Syndrome… lol.
    This season reminds me of the 2007-2008 season… its becoming a pattern.

  86. tsgh says:

    If Welbz is truly out for the year then it defies logic…

    It’s like putting the Christmas roast in the oven and forgetting to turn it on…

    no takeaway to the rescue… 😉

  87. tsgh says:

    Micko- its comments such as above that the queen placed 10 feet barriers around the palace to stop you from interfering. 😛

    Drake- I just read Reus is out injured again… a proper Arsenal material with his injury record.

  88. tsgh says:

    It makes sense why JC was kept….

    So JC will have a superb season and then with one year left on his contract he will walk for being treated badly…

    Some things never change… or history repeats itself…

  91. allezkev says:

    Adam 😉

    Welbeck out for even half a season makes Arsenals inactivity mind numbing…

    Ok, maybe Wenger didn’t wanna spend on a new signing, but surely taking a striker ‘on loan’, could not have been beyond consideration?

  92. Hell Raising Devil says:

    we have been well and truly shafted big time. already half way up shit creek. this stinks.

    DW has cartilage. that means anything between 12 to 16 weeks…..(and worse a career). So that translates between 3 months and 5 months.

    Too long.

    Charlie Austin anyone now????

  93. Bob John says:

    Hi all
    Great post Tai.
    My issue as I said a week or so back is that we have a scouting network than can find 16 year old Romanians but can’t improve on our team. Many years ago I was at the Open Golf at Muirfield standing behind Ernie Els practicing. Every shot was dead straight and went miles. His Uncle said to him “Come on Ernie, you can’t improve on perfection”. Does anyone seriously think we have the perfect team?

    TSGH – Arnautavic a ball player? He’s the thug who busted up Debuchy by shoving him into the hoardings!

  94. allezkev says:

    It’s those kinds of decisions that leave the average Arsenal fan bemused…

    Wenger it seems doesn’t care if the fans support him or not. I’ve often thought that Arsene had a thinly veiled contempt for the average Arsenal fan.

    But frankly I couldn’t care less if he hates us, as long as he builds and sustains a winning team..

    And so, the average Arsenal fan, a bit like me, supports Wenger, even when the majority view is going the other way.
    We try to garner a positive slang on his dealings.
    And then we discover things like Welbecks injury and it’s like Arsene is shitting in our face…

    A bit like the Kim Kallstrom fiasco 18 months ago…

    Talk about shooting yourself in the foot you daft French twat… 🙄

  96. Micko says:

    That’s not me belittling your post either Tai, fine effort, just not how I see it.

    tsgh, the electric fence at Chelsea was hard to beat lol.

    Talking of our striker problems read this today “Giroud is a scorer of great goals but not a great goal scorer”

  104. Bob John says:

    Anyone seen the club’s quote on Welbeck? Decision was taken LAST WEEK for him to have surgery. As the famous Spud Richard Littlejohn says – “you couldn’t make it up!”

  108. Joe says:

    World is gone mad went in to a puma shop to day they were selling Arsenal Jersey’s for €150 or shops it was €100 but still.
    Afternoon all of to read the post and comment’s

  109. Joaquim Moreira says:

    not good news…
    Welbeck only come back maybe on March/April…
    Rosicky out…. wilshere always injury…
    I think we must call on january: Akpon,Martinez,Wellington, Zulalen and probably Hayden.

  110. Adam says:

    If the club knew that Danny would be effectively out for the season and ignored that fact then quite honestly, the general incompetence is staggering.

  112. Malaga gooner says:

    Wenger has played the fans once to often
    This has to be his last season
    He should just retire,
    I don’t even want him upstairs in the boardroom

  121. rico says:

    Selling Afobe was odd imo, not having a buy back clause perhaps even more odd. Was that guy ever given the kind of chance that Sanogo was given? No…

  123. Marshall says:

    Top top article Tai. Brought some wave of calmness. I nelieve every fan wants what’s best for the team. And we’ll get behind them every game alright.

    But that was a piss poor transfer window. I agree with Rico we have no depth. The next 5 fixtures will surely expose that. We’ll see Sanchez, Cazorla and even Ramsey run to the ground- coming from a manager who rarely rotate- hence the injuries.

    For example, I don’t think Vidal signing would have hampered Coq/Ramsey growth. Maybe with competition it would have made them better. Now who is there to push them?

    Wenger hates january transfer window. I don’t expect any changes. Infact the only real change is after he’s gone. 2017 will be a good year.

  124. drake says:

    I have a feeling that both ozil and Sanchez Will move at the of the season.read their comments carefully,even cechs they were promised that we Will invest in the squad.not only they sold a Dream To fans they also sold It To the players and they are not ashamed.they have turned into politicians who would do anything To het votes.

    You sign players,You get your money back through shirt sales.you cant help but admit that arsenal had turned into a business.all this happens because the rot start at the top with kroenker.

    we blame the board but the truth is there are also those who dont agree,with the mess we are currently in.the fact that usmanov goes public To show his unhappyness is a telling on It own.

    we need To come together as fans and stop this for our beloved club,but there are those who sit and accept the current mess,so they are also the problem.they are too scared To change that they have accepted that as long as the club qualify for cl spots they are happy.

  125. rico says:

    One or two more injuries to key players and we could be snookered… And Marshall, I agree, the lack of rotation on show by AW over the years does present cause for concern….

    Still, perhaps if he had bought a deeper squad, he’d trust a few more….

  126. Silky says:

    Good evening u guys! Good read Tai!
    Interesting read, it’s given me a few things to think about and maybe we were all a bit manic regarding purchases! How many of the last 9 summers would have been deemed a success had they turned out like this one!
    I will admit I would have liked to see Berahino or Austin arrive! Ideally Berahino, I mean who wouldn’t have welcomed him a classy toungplayer with his whole career ahead of him.
    Don’t attack me please but I think De Guzman would have been a worthy back up to Le Coq with an eye for goal!
    That’s if all the top guns were unavailable!

    I hope a few 0-0 home games don’t come between us and the title, it would be criminal!

  129. Hell Raising Devil says:

    That would be a good protest. and also unnerving. Foot stampting rythmically. And you can do it sitting down. you know like the Romans used to bang their shields. A beat every two seconds. AFter around 15 beats it becomes unnerving.

    is there a plan to do so???

  131. Marshall says:

    About Welbeck haha it’s not even funny. Who doesn’t feel cheated? AW even called it “mysterious” and the old bastard knew about it. Surgeries had to be planned for and scheduled, not that Welbz was called in the morning to go under the knife, they knew!
    They knew Welbeck won’t feature much this season yet they concealed it since it was in the TW, and they’d be pressured to buy cover. The info said months. Ofcourse they won’t reveal the exact timeline but we know knees take 5-6months. Earliest Welbeck will be back is Jan.

    What hurts more is even The Arsenal stood behind that lie. The club is run like the CIA, we are informed on need to know basis. This has to stop!

  133. Nashua Gunner says:

    Good Evening Rico and All

    Tai interesting read but I refuse to share you optimism. But yes we can all get behind the team.

    What puzzles me the most, why send all those youngsters on loan? There is no guarantee a play time. Most manager like to use there own by given them more play time. And how long DW surgery has been in the planning? Where was the backup plans?

    DW is out for God only knows for how long and Sonogoal is coming back… You cannot be serious.

  138. Micko says:

    Nash, we’ve been mugged off again, Arsene could shit on a trampoline and it wouldn’t stick !

    Just catching up on the news today, that poor little kid laying dead face down on the beach, he should have been building sand castles like any other kid his age, his only crime trying to reach safety with his family, very sad.

    Kev, if there is a God out there, surely he will give us a sign, Sanogo mis-placing his passport would be a good start !

    Nite Gooners.

  140. allezkev says:

    Mick, if there is a God out there, I’d like to know what the heck he thinks he’s doing…

    As for Sanogo, it’s my worst nightmare mate…

  144. Lee says:

    This whole Welbeck thing is really bad (it’s not like he’s a prolific striker) but why not add another striker?

    Fucking madness imo.

    I bet Ozil, Cech and Sanchez are impressed with our ambition in that window!

  146. tsgh says:

    AW is like politicians as described by John Quinton many years ago~ Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, they go out and buy some more tunnel.

    Micko- re. the lil boy on the beach and the media’s false reaction; when you read comments such as ”we are in the midst of a phase of history in which nations will be redefined and their futures fundamentally altered.” –Rupert Murdoch Feb 24, 2009
    It makes you wonder if things are just coincidental… 😉

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading