Morning all.
Arsene Wenger has spoken to the media this morning:
Mustafi is out for 6-8 weeks.
Koscielny has a final test tomorrow.
Alexis doesn’t return until tomorrow and could miss the game after receiving ‘special treatment’ from the Brazil players.
Chambers is injured.
Sead Kolasinac has a sore hip and he too needs a late fitness test.
Jack is in the best shape ever and very soon he’ll be playing in PL.
Ozil is back in the squad as is Welbeck and could play against Watford.
Both Ozil and Alexis could be sold in January if they can’t agree a contract extension before.
That’s pretty much it…
Wenger was asked if Wilshere needed to leave Arsenal in January in order to get more game time to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup. No was his reply and he rightly pointed out that Jack is getting game time but so far, not in the league. I get why that’s been the case too as here in England, he’s targeted. Everyone knows his weak spots and managers tell their players to rough him up. Of that I’m sure. Same with Alexis. Stop the better players any which way they can and often they do and that’s exactly what Arsene Wenger was referring to when he mentioned the ‘special treatment’ the Chilean received from the Brazil team.
I didn’t get the feeling that the Frenchman was overly optimistic about Koscielny being fit enough for Saturday. I could be wrong but he’s been training alone and if there’s a slight hint of pain, he’s out. Wenger said he was concerned about the defensive problems and would have to find a solution. There’s always Merts and Holding Arsene.
Theres mixed emotions within the camp after the break as not all have secured a place in Russia but Arsene says the disappointed players will soon focus on winning things with their club.
As far as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez contract goes, both could yet stay as they are happy at the club, but both could also be sold in January if they can’t agree a contract extension. I think Arsene is burying his head in the sand there, or simply not telling the media what’s going on but then why should he.
He also said that no agreement for Marc Overmars has been reached, instead batting away any such idea that he’ll become DoF at Arsenal as he’s at Ajax. I think that’s was another little white lie.
One cheeky chap asked if Sanchez would ever speak to Ospina again….
Finally, he believes Marco Silva is doing well at Watford and he has a very strong team that plays good football.
Well, Man City thumped them 6-0!
Morning Rico. It’s the same after every International break these days. Bloody injuries.
Morning Adam. It sure is.
There was some talk in his interview about clumping all the qualifiers together and play them in the summer months rather than disrupting the league. Whether that’s on the cards or just speculation I don’t know but it makes sense to me.
Morning Rico, Adam and all.
So, our over sized squad is now short of players!
I wonder who could’ve seen that coming?
I suspect old Arsene has repeated, what is a DoF and we do not want his sort round here! Furthermore, I rather think that Overmars will arrive sometime next summer. And, le control freak will be told to like it or lump it. Will he lump it? We can but hope! If he’s as good as his word he will resign and leave the club to recover fron at least 13 years of abject management and repetitive coaching. Well, that d be a shame, wouldn’t it!!! .
Jolly sunny here and warming up nicely” weather reminiscent of the Devon Riviera!
Morning Wavy, you couldn’t make it up eh. We needed a CB before we sold Gabriel imo….
What’s this coming over the hill? The eufa national league, it’s a monstrosity.
Morning all and thanks for a fine read Rico.
Even if we didn`t have Mustafi injured, we have Kos who is permantly injured and has to manage his problem which means he will only play sporadically and this was known before TW, so sollution……………………….. so we sell Gabriel !………………………you cant make it up !
Costa del Cornwall is ablaze with big yellow thing……………………………..as per normal !
😎
UEFA National League !……………cant wait………………………….Engerland in Group A……………..4 teams can be relegated, so the next one Engerland will have a good chance of being Group B Champions, then get relegated again !………………………I said Engerland were like the international Arsenal, always flattering to deceive……………….
Then there`s the WC, I think Engerland will be in seeded group 2(B?), along with Spain, could be a few groups of death !………………………..which brings me nicely onto……………..Is Kroenke still alive ?…………………………only reply if you have good news ! hahaha
If that means the break away of the big clubs into a league of their own, we might be able to win the PL… ?
Thanks Lc. I actually listened to him this morning. Poor fella… lol
I feel sorry for you Rico having to listen to him !………………………………..have you recovered ? 🙂
I fell asleep Lc…
I nearly fell a sleep at the Brighton game…………it must be the Arsene Factor !………………………cant wait for that to occupy Saturday night evenings on TV ! hahaha
We should be like Spain and play late evening matches. Then, when televised I’d be able to get off to sleep early… 😉
I’ve posted our squad is not deep enougth for all the competitions before begin the season.
AW didn’t talk about Cazorla.
Coquelin is not fit too.
It wiil be a very difficult game in Watford.
Wenger tried to off-load Mustafi as well in the last window . So it was rather amusing to hear him bleating on about how he will be missed now he’s out for 6 weeks after getting injured playing in a meaningless game for Germany. Wenger , despite several times publicly claiming that he would not sell Ozil and Sanchez now admits that both could be sold in January . The clown then claimed though that they are happy at Arsenal . If you believe that then you will believe anything. You couldn’t make it up.
Morning all.
Jeff, is it true that Wenger tried to sell Mustafi, as the rumour that did the rounds was Mustafi wanted out.
He should’ve sold Alexis and Ozil in the summer, but then, he should never have let them run down their contracts.
Perhaps had Wenger built a stronger squad, one which looked deep enough to cope with injuries, physical enough to cope with the demands of the English game, a squad not short in certain positions, Ozil and Sanchez would have already signed a new contract.
But he didn’t, and that’s why players want out. We simply aren’t competitive and we are too soft. Plus, Wenger hasn’t a clue anymore….
Sounds like the hand of Kroenke has thumped the table and money iss taking precedent again. Even at this late stage the two of them should fetch a fair bit ,at least enough to support a pay rise or two.
Surely though, if Kroenke doesn’t get involved etc etc as suggested on here by a number of fans, why would he be part of any decision to sell Ozil and Sanchez?
Both should have been sold in the summer and early too as it was quite clear neither really want to be at the club. And if Kroenke was only about money and had the last say, surely he’d have wanted £60m for Alexis and not the now reported £20M
Rico, I’ve said on numerous occasions he has stepped in, but only when it comes to making a dollar.
RVP-his call, as rumours go.
Nasri said it, Wenger didn’t want to sell him but was over ruled.
Your last point is a good one, though.
Whatever the truth, the club just plods along.
There’s no leadership, and every decision seems to be reactive.
Scott as I recall it Wenger tried to off-load Mustafi out on loan to a Seria A club last transfer window but the deal failed to happen. Deja Vu Wenger’s late lame effort to sell Sanchez to City ,after claiming he would not sell him to a ‘rival’ . Although if we are actually other than in Wenger’s deluded mind a rival to City is for matter conjecture – rather than a fact. As Mustafi is under contract Wenger was not forced to allow him to leave but it was only due to other circumstances that he stayed. Wenger’s management regarding players running down contracts and dithering about when trying to sign new ones is well known .One agent once said that dealing with Wenger is a nightmare he haggles over peanuts ! Also under the Kroenke regime Wenger’s remit is to do all that he can to keep down the wage bill. Something however that he has failed miserably to do because we have a similar one to Chelsea .Does anyone really believe though that our squad is as good as their one? Trophies won in recent seasons by both clubs when compared provides the answer to that question.
But how do you know that for sure Scott? I’m not sure we are right to suggest he picks and chooses when he gets involved with the club. I actually believe he doesn’t get involved at all… Other than the odd appearance, he leaves it to others…
Afternoon All.
I don’t for one moment think that what Wenger says publicly is aimed at or meant for the fans, so I pretty much disregard all he says.
I rarely watch his pressers or post match interviews, frankly I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.
Everything he says is political and meant for agents, other clubs, owners and a bit for the press so they can spread his message.
There’s so much shit that goes on behind the scenes in football now and agents who constantly try to muscle in for a piece of the action.
In a way I respect the club for not dealing with these so called super (parasites) agents, but it’s gonna come so we may as well suck it up.
The whole transfer charade just bores me now, it’s all shit.
I guess that’s why I enjoy the League Cup and UEFA Cup, we see some youngsters making their way in the game, still with a freshness and basic enjoyment of doing something we all love.
Afternoon Rico. If you don’t look ahead then you will be forced into situations that are detrimental to the club. RVP wanted to leave because he wanted to win things and he knew that Wenger was all hot-air when it came to promises. His time at the top was running out so he was essentially forced to move, the alternative being more of the same. The seeds for him leaving were sown long before Kroenke (apparently) got involved. We’re seeing the same scenario play out right now.
With you there Kev.
Afternoon Adam. Couldn’t agree more..
Jeff, I honestly never heard Wenger was trying to get rid of him, so will take your word on it.
Rico, I said as rumours go so clearly, I don’t claim to know for certain, nor do I pretend to.
Kev, I think you’re spot on about Wenger and what he says.
Why people would take anyhing he said on face value is surprising.
Player agents-people who make a fortune out of a game they do nothing positive for.
Scott, I wasn’t trying to suggest you did, all I’m saying is how can any of us be sure Kroenke only steps in when money is involved because logic would say that if he did, why did he not do so in the summer.
I believe the decision to keep both Ozil and Sanchez was on a wing and a prayer that they’d either help us win the league or sign a new contract but in reality, neither is going to happen.
Players who have left have done so because they want to win trophies… As said before, even Henry said he did the same all those years ago… Nothing has changed.
Wenger has purchased some damn good players in recent years, but also sold plenty to balance the books.
Why does he feel the need to?
Apart from RvP and Fabregas, I can’t think of any we’ve sold that we’ve missed. Mind you, my memory often leaves me.. 😉
You’re right Rico, we can only form opinions based on the rubbish the club feeds us.
The secretive way they do business leads to so much frustration, and I reckon that goes a long way to causing the friction between fans.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know the facts for a change?
I’d be amazed if Arsene was naive enough to think they’d extend, but then he’d be even more naive to think we could win the title this season.
Ozil-i’d have said there was a slight chance but Alexis was never going to, IMO.
I really can’t see any positive in keeping them this season.
Another in a long list of strange calls Wengers made.
Rico, you forget Gervinho!!!
Shame on you 🙂
I don’t know Scott, there’s a few on here who know the Arsenal tea lady… 🙂
To be honest, as much as I’d hoped Alexis had a change of heart, not selling him for what City were prepared to pay was stupid. Still, Wenger clearly wanted and still probably hopes he’ll go elsewhere. He was snookered whatever decision he made regarding him, except had he gone abroad.
Where he was also stupid though was not getting Lemar in July before Monaco had sold others.
Same with the defence, sign two and selling Gabriel would have been more wise I’d have thought. Or kept Gabriel and sold Mustafi..
Still, as you say, the man makes so many crazy decisions…
I doubt he will ever realise that his haggling and negotiating to save a few dollars will work, these days.
There’s just too much money around.
He likes to take the money, but he won’t bleedin spend it. Not that it would make much difference, he’s way behind other younger managers now…
True.
The man makes crazy decisions or doesn’t make decisions at all, just reacts to circumstances.
Kev, I think you are giving far too much credit to the old geezer’s manipulation of the ‘dealers’ and ‘wheelers’! Can you be certain that he hasn’t lost the plot entirely? I suspect he can’t remember his left from his right leave alone which players are due to leave and which are due to extend! Frankly, I believe he’s become delusional and or demented, he really has lost it. His mojo disappeared several years ago, his co ordination of mind on body left him about 3 or 4 years ago, eg. the puffer jacket fiasco! His grip on reality, I think that went some time last year, or the end of last season when he insisted he was keeping upwards of £100m worth of talent only to lose them for zilch in 12 months time? It beggars belief, all of it. Seems to me the inmates are in control of the asylum, where Arsenal are concerned.
The only ray of sunshine might be the coming of Overmars as DoF next summer, because Wenger has stated his position with regard to a DoF, and suggested that he would never work with one. We have to assume, therefore the Mr W will be leaving the building and it will be left to Overmars and probably Gazidis to find us a new maestro to worship!
The word ‘proactive’ certainly doesn’t have a place in the same sentence as the name Arsene Wenger.
Alexis price decreaset. He will not be in Russia next year. Probabably was the last opportunity for be in the World cup.
With Arsenal, everybody is focus in him. He plays in the first team and he is the most valuable player; in others teams (PSG, MU, Mcity,…) his light does not twinkle so much.
Wavy, I’m not sure that he’s demented, stubborn – definitely, suffering from delusions – possibly, inflexible – without doubt.
But yes I think he plays the system, not very well most times, but occasionally he comes up with a Kolasinac or a Holding or a Koscielny, just not as often as he used to.
You could say that he’s been lucky with the draws, but 3 FACup wins in 4 years is as good as it gets, but it’s not enough, not anymore, not with the financial muscle at his disposal.
As I said earlier, he doesn’t speak to the fans, his pressers are not for us and frankly we shouldn’t get so wound up by what he says in them and pretty much disregard them for what they are, PR spin.
Well that’s what I think, for what it’s worth.
Anyway, score draw at Vicarage Road methinks.
Morning guys.
New post up now.