Morning all.
Regardless of the league challenge, or perhaps top four place mission is better suited as that seems to be where Arsenal remain, the talk about Arsene Wenger and his future continues to rumble on.
Why wouldn’t it? After all, this was meant to be the season things changed. We had the money, whilst other clubs finally felt the impact of FFP…
I’d say we have improved from last season, not a lot but as far as the squad goes, it’s stronger, both in depth and strength, yet still, we have nights like Monaco to name just one. There have been others, but of course, the Champions League fixture will always be highlighted because of disappointing record of not progressing further than the last sixteen for so long.
I bet there are many English clubs who would love to boast such a disastrous run in Europe!
But of course, we are Arsenal and fans believe we should be doing better and with our current squad, it’s hard to argue against that view and let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not just the Champions League last sixteen where we fall by the wayside, it’s Chelsea, Man Utd and one or two other sides, who when we come up against, we wilt away like a flower with no life left in its stem……
Yes we stood up to, and beat City but moments like that are too few and far between and certainly not the sign of a club which is ready to challenge for a domestic cup or the league title let alone the Champions League. We have a great chance to better our recent run against Utd on Monday and we certainly have the players to get through this tie but they’ll only do that if they believe and of course, the manager get’s it right on the night. They all need to believe this Utd side is far from being the one which we struggled against over the years and we are a better side than the those who surrendered with such ease.
Arsene Wenger:
We are confident. We go to Manchester United to qualify and give absolutely everything with hard work and team effort.
I don’t believe too much in history. At the moment we are doing very well away from home so it’s down to our effort.
If by some miracle, we finally do break the dreadful record on Monday and go onto not only defend our FA Cup but finish 3rd in the league, would the manager consider it to be a good time to walk away? I doubt it, in fact there’s a part of me which thinks that even when his contract expires, his job will be far from done.
Ivan Gazidis said this back last year:
“Arsène has been a fantastic driver and has put the club in a great, great position. The biggest challenge we’re going to face as a club is that, when that transition from Arsène to the next manager of our football club happens – and I don’t know when that’s going to be – that we come through that strongly.”
None of his words suggest that when Arsene Wengers contract heads towards its expiry date, it won’t be renewed…
Scary thought, very scary…..
But what can we fans can do if Arsene Wenger continues to keep us in the Champions League and Stan Kroenke is happy?
Sam Wallace of the Independent has an idea.
Give Arsene a rolling one year contract. Apparently, that’s what Utd did with Fergie so when he left, it was all calm without a sacking, even though everyone knows what a state he left their team in….
If Arsenal, I mean Kroenke wants Arsene to stay on longer, I think a rolling contract is a great idea, then should the American wake up, grow a pair and finally tell Wenger his day is done, no-one will ever know…..
Just like Fergie, he’ll walk away quietly one summer…….
Mind you, perhaps that’s what should have happened last May……..
That should cheer you all up about as much as Gabriel being out for up to three weeks will……
Have a good day folks….
Bang
There are still two years left on AWs contact. Many things can happen. This season is not over yet.
Good morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Bonjour Lady
Yesterday I saw a superb motm by Mohammed Salah. Mhuc more direct than Theo or Danny.
Morning Devil and all..
Looks like Utd might be missing a defender on Monday too… Evans…
Forget my last, he’s not responded to his charge yet…
Morning rico, nice post. At least Cisse had the decency to apologise and accept straight away.
If Evans appeals, does that mean suspension can be deferred?
Morning Andrew, spot on re Cisse. Not sure what happens if Evans appeals…
All quiet here so off to get my chores done, catch up later…
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – A very thought provoking article. Yes!, we are getting better. The same problems we have had for years have diminished, but are still remain.
The team lack the pragmatism to grind out results when they aren’t playing well. They have let too many leads slip away. They are a Jekyll and Hyde or boys and men conundrum. You never know who or what team is going to turn up to play.
Would a rolling one year contract not yield the same results as it did with Ferguson? He focused on the current season only and had one last hurrah. Yet, look what a shambles he left ManUre in.
Would Arsene be tempted to do the same? Shoot the moon for one season of glory by bringing in some high priced, high wage and high maintenance players nearing the end end of their careers, but having a good season or two left in them. We already have a good number of first team regulars in the twilight of their careers.
Hi all
Always interesting to analyse why we fail against certain teams. We have been better against City than the others before because they don’t bully us and they let us play. Even the 6-3 game could have gone our way. The likes of the Chavs and Monaco stifle the game and bully us physically whereas the thrashing by the dippers was more to do with being outrun for 30 minutes and game over. They haven’t managed to do that to us at our place because the atmosphere is different and they aren’t being spurred on by their own mob. We need to take the lead on Monday instead of falling behind and leaving ourselves wide open.
I am not in favour of a rolling contract Lovelies and Hunkies. Imo, when AW finishes with AFC it should mean…..FINISH, END OF, THAT’s ALL. not upstairs or anywhere else. Not even as assistant tea lady. It would not be fair on the new man. not even if it was the Greatly small TH14. (small in managerial terms).
and imo as well, we should go for someone who makes us a bit tougher to beat without neglecting our style of play. That is why we need someone of the ilk of Ancellotti and Guardiola or Simeone.
I fucking hate Man U I also hate that cheating scouse fucktard rooney, grow some bollocks Arsenal go up to that shithole and give them a roasting, for a change!
Afternoon all, well, a couple.. 😉
Cg, sorry to have missed your comment – I understand where you are coming from, but I can’t see AW ever doing what Fergie did to Utd, to us. He seems to have too many principles, many of which go against him all too often…
I think the same as well Rico. His principles are what makes him who he is. Yes we may look at him angrily with regards tactics and selections, but for sure we will never see him leaving the club in a disastrous state.
I think he will leave us as the richest club in England
Rico – I was beginning to wonder if you locked the door to the House on the way out, but I guess it is just a slow day. I was about to post the comment “You could fire off the Arsenal cannon in the House and not hit anyone” when Devil dropped in.
I’m sure it will be much livelier come Monday.
As for Arsene, I agree with you. He has always acted in the long-term interests of our club. You may disagree with his actions/decisions, but not his intentions. Also, I don’t think he would accept a rolling one year contract. I’m sure he would opt to terminate his relationship.
I’d rather he left Arsenal a little less richer, but with a bit more silver wear..,
Me too Lee…
Exactly Devil…
🙂 Cg, I’ve thought about it many times.. 😉
Rico – Hang in there lass. You are appreciated.
Has anyone heard from AGAG since that big fire in Manila?
With that I’m off for the night. Have a great day all!
I’m trying Cg….. 😉
Night to you….
Thank God it’s Friday….
Roll on Monday 🙂
No RVP, Maybe no Evans (if spitting is proven) and Shaw is a doubt. Hopefully it will harm them more than it harms us
With or without them – we should be winning this game…
Friday night do I’m off guys, catch up another day. Night all…
one thing I have constantly noticed about Coquelin is that when he wins the ball and passes it he stops. He does not do like Jack, Flamini, Aaron and previously Song……and continue running forward. He just stops to see if the move breaks down.
That means he is aware of the team and his responsabilities.
Evening all, enjoy your night out Rico not forget to bring your dancing shoes.
Don’t forget…… iPad
BACARY SAGNA is ready to quit Manchester City after just nine months at the club
The former Arsenal star has played 11 times for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and started just seven Premier League matches.
Sagna signed for City on a free after his contract at the Emirates expired.
He spent seven years at Arsenal, lifting just one trophy after last season’s FA Cup success.
The 32-year-old, according to the Mirror, is considering his options at City and could move to Roma in the summer.
Sagna signed a three-year £140,000-a-week deal after turning down a new deal at the Emirates.
Is it appropriate to laugh out loud???? 😀
Not sure how he thought it would be any different if he only plays 11 games it’s costing city £662000 a game even if he plays a few more it’s a lot of money per game.
He left for the money and he is now laughing all the way to the bank.
aye Joe. But he is spending a lot of money on cushions, bandages and elastoplast due to his arse getting splinters and blisters due to sitting down. 😉
Personally, I don’t blame Sagna moving to Man City for that last big pay off…
He was a good player for us, so I didn’t resent him leaving…
We don’t miss him, we have Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy…
C’est la vie…
Don’t for get the ointment also needed to heal his wounds but when you think about it splinters are better than broken legs.
I see Evan’s doesn’t believe in the old saying a picture is worth a thousand words idiot hope they increase the ban but then again he’s a Manu player I can see a fix coming on.
Evans is shit, like manure are at the moment if we can’t beat that shower we might as well give up! Wenger’s record against top teams is appalling and it’s time to put an end to it, starting on Monday…
rico, I’m sure you already know but in 2 years time when the new Sky deal goes through the team that finishes bottom of the premiership will receive a mind boggling 99 million parachute payment ! Just imagine what the top 6 sides will recieve, you know they’ll take advantage of the money, if we don’t match them a top 4 place will be a thing of the past for sure !!!
Picture it now August 2017, Diaby sitting up in his hospital bed after yet another operation to this time remove some surgical instruments left inside him from a previous operation on 200 grand a week…………..you know it makes sense.
🙂 Micko…
Morning all…
Morning Rico. Lovely and bright here.
Morning Adam, it’s the same here. Spring has sprung…..
New post up now…
Morning, Rico 🙂
I missed yesterday’s Post until this morning – but I still enjoyed it!