Morning all.
It’s been less than a week since old Red Nose was spotted in good spirits at Old Trafford whilst handing over a retirement gift to Arsene Wenger so who’d have thought the news which broke overnight would have? Not me that’s for sure and as much I dislike the bloke for many footballing reasons, I wish him well as he recovers from surgery after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Today Arsene Wenger says his final farewell to The Emirates, the stadium which in all honesty, has been his downfall. Highbury was a great place for him and Arsenal FC but the move which was meant to take the club to another level, was the beginning of his much troubled times as a manager.
228 – League games Arsene Wenger has managed at the Emirates, where he has a 66% win record – it was 72% at Highbury.
But we’ve been there time and time again over recent years so perhaps today should just be about saying goodbye who changed football in England for the better. Of course there’s been many a manager who refused to buy into his philosophy whilst continuing to play the kick and run football, some literally as Aaron Ramsey, Eduardo and Diaby found out and one of those clubs was relegated yesterday. Such news was long overdue although it’s just a shame Pulis wasn’t the man to take them down.
There’ll be a guard of honour for the Frenchman today with both sets of players lining up to welcome him onto the pitch. The stadium should be packed to the rafters as tears will be shed, well, either that or tears of joy. It should be an emotional affair, certainly for Arsene Wenger because never again will he been spotted in the home team dugout kicking water bottles, shaking his head in disbelief as yet another defensive error ends in a goal, or fiddling with his zip as he struggles to fasten it.
I’m sure the FA would have arranged a different fixture to be his last home match had they been sure he was leaving, Utd, City or Liverpool perhaps, or even a feisty north London Derby. Any opposition that would have a good chance of ruining his fond farewell to The Emirates faithful who for most of his tenure, have been right behind him. Saying that, Burnley are no walkover, no team is these days as we never know which Arsenal team will turn up. The one who blew Chelsea away in last years FA Cup Final, the one who just a few months ago put the neighbours in their place with ease, or the one which we’ve seen for much of this season and the last few before.
Arsenal need to win though, they need to keep Burnley where they are now because should they overtake us, our pre-season tour to Singapore will be off as we negotiate our way through the Europa qualifiers. Something we’ve never had to concern ourselves with before under Wenger. Champions League football was there on a plate for us, but we wimped out in spectacular fashion.
This might be his last home game but before he finally takes the long walk away from the club which by his own admission, is his life, he’s got two more fixtures to see us through.
For today though, it’s thanks for the memories at a stadium which has seen some great contests played out, but sadly, far too many limp and lacklustre performances too.
Enjoy the party if you’re going, give the old boy a great send off because regardless of what’s gone on over recent years, he’s given us a lot of great times too.
first…
F.C. Porto champion again!
Hope we win today
Au revoir Arsene!
You had a merit that will remain in history: you revolutionized football in old Albion.
You were the pioneer. If it were not you, the tycoons had never invested so much in the other clubs. They realized that it was still a way to overcome us.
We stayed behind by choice.
It’s time to go back to our Old Arsenal.
Welcome jm benfica lost the league at home yo you guys. Last gasp winner from Porto. You deserve it but next year benfica ‘ll be back for their title. Enjoy it while it last. ?
Morning Rico great post. Yes the accolades are coming in from all over the world. He deserves it. He’s a great man. Would have made a wonderful politician. Great manager in his hey days. Brought us some scintillating football. The invincibles were a class apart. Best PL ever by a mile. I ‘ll remember him for his first 10 years not the last 12! He has been a great servant to the club. I wish him well in his future endeavors. Merci arsene.
Goonster, Benfica will be probably the 3thr. Good.
Well he left the Emirastes on a high. Have to say I switched off at the final whistle.
Can’t be caught for 6th . So give the young ones a go in the last two.
Morning all.
I feel another quiet day ahead… 🙂
Potter, I can’t believe you didn’t watch the celebrations and speeches after the game. I was hoping you could tell me about what went on… lol
It was potentially only fluff and my wife had better things for me to do. Yesterday we spent 6 hours working on our boat , today it’s the garden . I wish it was the boat because the river breeze is more refreshing when you are lifting heavy things.
Any mathematicians out there . I am trying to work out the angle of a roof pitch . I have the height at both ends and it’s length but I can’t remeber my geometry . Long time ago I left school..
I watched the later coverage, it was ok. A bit cheesy but well done..
2+2 is about my level of maths… lol
New post up now.