Morning all.
The big news over here yesterday was all about our not so young Prince Harry. He and Meghan Markle announced their engagement with a tying of the knot to take place in Spring next year. What’s that got to do with football or Arsenal you might wonder. Well he’s a Gooner of course and we all like to see happy Gooners. Well, I do. Good luck to the pair of them.
Big Arsenal News is Ozil and Sanchez are going nowhere in January according to Arsene Wenger this morning. When asked if both players will be at the club on the 1st February, according to the Mirror, he replied:
Yes. Of course. I rule it out.
I don’t think every day about it.
As long as they are here, they have to give their all for the club.
In my head, they are here until the end of the season.
That was the decision at the start of the season.
Unless something incredible happens, I don’t think that will change.
We are not in December yet!
For me, they stay until the end of the season. Will they stay longer? That is impossible to answer today.
But they have a contract until the end of the season.
He also said that it won’t just be him who decides if he’ll be here next season either and with all the changes taking place behind the scenes, I still don’t think he will be.
At least we know Big Sam won’t be replacing him as Everton is reported to be his next destination which surprises me. The club are ambitious and free spending these days since Usmanov’s chum decided to invest in the the northern club so you’d think they’d go for someone a little more exciting than Big Sam. Maybe they just want to stop leaking goals as freely as they do and if so, they’ll be getting the right guy. But he’s hardly known for his entertaining football is he?
Mind you, nor are we so much these days, certainly not like we used to be in the good old days. We see glimpses of the good stuff but not enough, certainly at The Emirates. I know there’s certain fixtures against certain sides where being pragmatic is the only way because otherwise, we’d take a pasting but I like to see us come out of the blocks and get right at the opposition like we know we can and tomorrow has to be one of those occasions.
Huddersfield played Man City at the weekend and by all accounts gave Peps side a run for their money. An Aguero penalty and a late winner from Sterling won the day but it was the home side who went ahead thanks to an own goal but City struggled to score as freely as they usually do.
Tomorrow night it’s our turn to face David Wagner’s side, a side who have only scored nine goals so far this season. Wagner said after the defeat to City that his team had played well for a draw and that was at home so goodness knows how defensive his tactics will be tomorrow. I’d imagine a bus bigger than Mourinho has will turn up ready to stop us scoring.
But if we’re on our game on a cold Autumn night and with the fans in full voice, I’m sure it won’t be too long into the game before we break through that bus.
After all, if Bournemouth can put four past them, Liverpool three, Swansea two, West Ham two and the Totts four, we should be able nab a few too.
Well, you’d like to think so…
Morning All, it’s just stopped raining out here in rural Essex.
Nice post Rico, interesting comment from Wenger but if a big enough offer comes in from abroad then it’ll be tempting not to sell either a Ozil or Alexis.
If Jack stays fit and has a good 2nd half to the season, could he also become a target the longer his future remains uncertain. Would just be our luck that Man City take him on a free next summer.
Morning Kev, thanks.
I reckon both if not all three could be sold off in Jan – losing the money in the summer would be stupid. Then again, maybe all three will decide to stay with the changes going on.
Another slow day of double talk and mirrors shrouded by smoke as we build up for tonight’s next episode in the never ending saga of Wenger’s last stand. It is likely that Hudddersfield will be next outfit to practice the well worn anti wengerball tactic of pressing and dropping deep to nullify our short passing play. Oh for a bit of vision to turn them and put them under early pressure ,but probably no , it will be more of the same.
On the behind the scenes front it appears we have another defector from Barcelona joining us at tleast if the Catalan papers are to be believed.
Arsenal closing in on former Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehi according to el mundo now taken up by the Independant. Quite where this leaves Mr Wenger with his stance on backroom people . Who knows ?
I saw a headline which suggests the Barca guy has packed his bags and is heading to North London ?
We play tomorrow Potter..
Good morning Rico ¬
Huddersrfield are good team and not boring .Definetly they do defend well well when needed as in City case.So a peno in our favour i guess anrd that will do.
Regarding this Barca man i have mixed feeling.
Yes …he`s been there and done it…………So one can say about Wenger.
As we have seen it with Le Prof the lack of motivation issue and old arrogance things that come with age in my opinion.
So how can be the new man will be more trusted on the motivation issue.
Could it be the market constant changes is forcing Barca to let him go ?
If so why not come with fresh young and hungry one .??
Morning all.
I know we have absolutely every right to be cynical, but it’s possible Wenger is having a hand in this planning for life after him at the club.
I’d actually say it’s probable.
We play tomorrow Potter..
This is true ! but then people have often said that I don’t even know what day it is .
Morning Alex.
Ha ha Potter, I know the feeling..
Scott I would think that this is the deal on Wenger’s last contract. He will stay and keep the ship sailing whilst the new crew is brought in. Depending on how quickly the backroom settles depends on how long he stays in this position. Personally I will not be surprised if at the end of it all Chips goes and Wenger takes his place.
Lord help us if when Wenger steps away he moves upstairs.
Rico. Perhaps Arsene sees his most recent legacy partially invested in Sanchez and Ozil’s stay until season’s end. But I agree that there seems to be some movement currently going on aimed at modernising the club for the future.
“I’m not the only one who can decide these things but if it’s my decision then yes, they will be here,” adds Wenger.
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From that I would take it that he no longer holds sway over who comes or goes or even when things may happen. I’d say his position has been usurped by Ivan the progress or and the introduction of several others. I believe his power base has already been removed and he now only has the training ground in his c.v.!
Gone at season’s end? Yes I think so. Boo hoo or hurrah, depending on your AKBness!
Didn’t say I wanted it , just that I would not be surprised. If he does leave at season’s end , do the board have any plans on the replacement ? .No doubt Moshiri has been sounding out top managers for Everton but has had no takers and has now fallen back on big Sam. Could it be that the top boys are shuffling for a better position.?
Adam, you could be right…
You would imagine, that many top managers not at one of the top six clubs, have an eye on the Arsenal situation. It’s a prime job, the money is there, the stadium is there, the support and worldwide interest is there, the basis of a winning team is there, London, Premier League, I’d suspect that when Arsene announces his departure that Gazides will be inundated with applications for one of the best jobs in world football.
About time if so Wavy.
I didn’t think you did honest Potter and I can see where you’re coming from as it would be so typical of the club. But I reckon Josh will soon have more of an input within the board, perhaps he’ll be the one considered to replace Chips if he leaves.
Arsene Wenger and the club need a clean break imo.
Me too Kev. Arsenal are a sleeping giant right now..
It would be hard to think of the club declining any more than it already has.But as has often been said we win cups and finish high in the league so it aint that bad but the next appointment has to be made climbing high. The appointee will need to be top of his profession to take us forward.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Some very sad news.
Dermot Drummy passed away this morning.
Spent 10years with the club and coached many of our tong players.
Well liked by many at the club and passed away just 56.
RIP Dermot.
Should be young players.
Afternoon all, thanks Rico and it`s
😎
here !.
Dont like Wengers last sentence from BBC, it`s a tad worrying !………….Asked if they will remain beyond the end of the 2017-18 campaign, he added: “I am not the only one to decide that. They have to decide that as well.”
And the new bloke !
Ivan Gazidis believes the appointment of Raul Sanllehi as the new head of football relations at Arsenal will help take the club to the next level.
The Gunners confirmed Sanllehi’s arrival on Tuesday, with the 48-year-old set to start his new role in north London in February.
The Spaniard will arrive from Barcelona, where he has spent the past 14 years, and follows the addition of Sven Mislintat – who was confirmed as Arsenal’s new chief scout earlier in the month.
Sanllehi is a hugely respect figure within word football and played a key part in some huge transfer deals at the Camp Nou, as well as helping to transform commercial revenue streams at the Catalan giants,
So it’s a hugely exciting addition at the Emirates and chief executive Gazidis is in no doubt as to what the new man will bring to north London.
Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis.
“In the past three years we have supplemented our team with more top-class expertise across every aspect of our football operations,” said the Gunners’ chief executive.
“Raul’s appointment is another important step in developing the infrastructure we need at the club to take everything we do to the next level.
“Raul has extensive contacts across the football world and has been directly involved in some of the biggest transfers in Europe in recent years. We look forward to him bringing that expertise to Arsenal.”
RIP Dermot.
No age really.
Yes……….RIP Dermot.
Yeah Rick, I heard that, it was a minor disaster allowing him to be poached by Chelsea.
Very sad news, I saw him many times playing for the youth team and in the Combination.
Afternoon Rick and all..
That’s sad news, RIP Dermot. Far too young….
Raul Sanllehi has signed up according to Sky Sports.
Oh well, night guys.
I blinked & missed Tottenham Hotspur’s reign as the Kings of North London. Oh, they were the Queens, oops sorry 🙂
Another one we could have had and he wanted to come !………………………………however we more than made up for it with ….Sanogo !
😆
http://www.sportbible.com/football/news-transfers-antoine-griezmann-reveals-why-hell-never-join-arsenal-20171128
Spuds lost……………………………oh the deep joy and the warm glow in my groin …………..hahaha
Poch is even losing his gloss amongst Spuds fans 🙂 🙂
That power shift is going well for them.
The Antoine Griezmann comments from his book make interesting reading, but doesn’t surprise me. Apparently Wenger fcuked him about before he moved to Atletico, so when Wenger tried to sign him again Greizmann basically told Wenger to jog on…
The stories of Wengers amateurish behaviour over transfers are legion,his inability to take decisive action are too numerous to recount, but could probably fill a book of their own.
But Kev, nearly signing them is what’s important 🙂 🙂
Sometimes. It’s a better finale.
Imagine we “nearly” signed Yaya?
We’d be up shit creek!
Morning all.
So typical of Wenger re Griezmann.. pff!
I see he’s now saying that Ivan has absolutely nothing to do with player signings. Jeeze he’s such a control freak..
Morning all.
……& there lies the problem rico?
Well at least he won’t be at the club for much longer Gg.
Arsene needs to give a date as to when he intends pulling the pin, in the interests of The Club, rico
I’m not sure that would do much good though Gg.
Why rico?
Because we don’t know what affect it would have on the players Gg. Seasons end yes but not mid season imo..
Morning Rico. So that story I told you about the Griezmann situation a year ago has been confirmed. There have been many moments of pure indecision over recent years that have hurt us.
Yip. He can’t even decide to put a date on his leaving. Just look at his indecision about his future last season! It’s little wonder the players don’t know what to do for the best.
We are a club in utter turmoil. It is a travesty. I’m with Rico, the sooner he goes the better and the long term progress of the club will seem much rosier! Oh, unless they turn to the now available Tony Pubis! With our board nothing would surprise me!
Blue skies and lit showers here. Still cold though.
Morning Adam. It has indeed although I never doubted it. It’s Arsene all over isn’t it?
Lit= light! iPad failure……..again!
Morning all from
😎
Cornwall !
Caravan arriving in afternoon for MiL to live in………………..should be fun !
It does seem that way doesn’t it? I’ve been thinking about managers who really do improve the games of potentially top players recently. Watching that diving Brazilian Richarlison at Watford, it strikes me that, with the right manager, he could very likely turn out to be very useful.
Wavy, I’m convinced he and the board already know when he’s going. I still reckon it’s end of May 2018..
Not only him at Watford imo. A few players Silva has signed look good…
Agreed
New post up now.
But the players Silva has signed are not as good as the players Wenger nearly or could have signed……………..different class !
🙂