Lots of gossip today in the media on the 20 players we’re buying and am sure most if not all is total rubbish but it gives us something to discuss.
Will we buy will we get a loan player in, what positions will we strengthen or won’t we buy at all.
We all think we know what we need and who we want but it’s down to the boss so lets see.
On that note here’s todays post from Scott.
Yes, it most certainly is a touchy subject but hey, we are adults, so let’s discuss it.
AKB v WOB…….
It seems we are all either one or the other depending on who you speak to, though let’s be honest, we could add/quote a few more categories to the list.
Over the years I’ve discussed the Arsenal on websites, forums, blogs and Facebook pages, I’ve seen fans who refuse to accept that Arsene has ever made a single mistake. On the flip side are those who refuse to accept the fact that in the last decade or so, he’s managed to do a single thing right.
We all know that these two attitudes are totally illogical, as nobody, not even a Spurs manager, can stuff everything up….ok, maybe….
Probably the most disappointing part of the recent years tension has been the bickering amongst fellow Gooners where personal attacks have been common place simply due to differences of opinions. If you attack Wenger and cite the lack of silverware, you’re told you hate the club and should go and follow Chelsea as you’re a glory hunter. If you defend Wenger, you’re told you hate the club and should go and support a team used to winning nothing, like Spurs.
There seems to be no in between when you’re being labelled and the funny thing is almost all of us actually fall into that “in between” category, no matter which end of the spectrum were are slanted towards because when the dust settles, we can ALMOST all see the good things Wenger does, as well as admitting the mistakes he makes.
There are very, very few who point blank refuse to budge from their stance that Wenger is perfect, and hardly anyone considers him totally useless, but even that massive majority who do have at least a degree of flexibility, are still often guilty as an individual of saying things they probably know aren’t factual purely to reinforce their opinion….guilty, your honour. (the author says, hand held high).
Plenty of the aforesaid blogs etc have their own agendas and those running some of these are the most rabid of Wenger fans or detractors, and daring to disagree with them means you’re simply banished.
It’s ridiculous to think that so many Arsenal sites aren’t actually Arsenal sites -they are platforms to ensure either Wenger is sacked or retained, and those “True Arsenal fans” running them seem to hardly ever pass comment on the club as a whole…..it’s nearly always about Wenger.
Ironically, people will complain about how dictatorial a certain site is, whilst applauding another, simply because they disagree or are of the same opinion as that particular site.
So, back to the categories……where do you stand?
AKB…Arsene Knows Best…..reading that tells me you think he’s not perfect, but still the best man for the job.
AKE…..Arsene Knows Everything….the TRUE Arsene disciples who won’t hear a single bad word of him.
AKFA….Arsene knows F**k all……the absolute Anti Arsenes who want him gone no matter what he does.
GAOMTW….Give Arsene One More Transfer Window……the human punching bags who keep hoping against hope he will spend.
WOB……Wenger out Brigade……those who want him gone, but might support him if he spent and found his mojo again.
IWWWD….I Wish Wenger Would Die….do not laugh, there have been plenty of idiots out there who’ve made such comments.
Both sides have absolute avid fans and often abusive ones pushing their case.
Both sides have plenty who debate the topic respectfully.
Both sides should realise everyone is entitled to their opinion.
A little side note, and a hint to which category I slightly lean towards, ever so slightly.
Plenty have stated they wished we had Pellegrini or someone like him as manager, and we all know the reputation our medical team have.
Citeh have a world class squad that cost an arm and three legs to put together.
Why is it they’ve had to spend 30 odd million to get them through as season?
They already had 4 or 5 top class strikers and need another one?
Bad management?
Bad medical staff?
Bad luck?
Whatever the case, why aren’t the media all over it….imagine it were Arsenal?
Oh that’s right, we are in that situation without having spent half a billion.
Money solves all woes in Football, but is also ruining the game.
Written by Scott…
I am now off to read the post 🙂
Good post Scott
Nice one Scott…
Thought provoking…. But aint you always wrong 😀
what I don’t get is why so many of the WOB feel the need to disrespect him, so many can’t even refer to him by name, there is some insult or other in place of his name, “senile old fool”, “le prat” and much worse. Are they so insecure in their arguments for his removal that they have to act this way, or are they just total morons.
I also find that many WOB feel the need to label anyone who is not rabid in their anti wenger views as an AKB. I myself would have had Wenger gone 3 years ago, but even in threads and posts on various Arsenal sites that I have stated this view I’ve been labelled an AKB cos I do not insult Wenger, I can see why he makes many of the decisions he has regards transfers, tactics and team selection (even if I do not agree with lots of it) and I care to take the time to try and view the actual video of any interview he gives so as to not only see the full answer he gives but the question that was asked, so as to ascertain the actual context of the answer, and so not fall into the trap the media are found of setting up, big headline and slant of an article that has little or nothing to do with what was actually said or done.
I find more and more WOB who are far more than just anti wenger, they never have a good word to say about the club, the board, the players, the performance or the result. Fault is found in everything, every win is downgraded with “the opposition were shite” or some such ditty, I do believe that there are several high profile Arsenal sites that promote this negative agenda as it gets more hits than positive agenda would.
As I see it Scott there is another group of which I may be the only member although I suspect that I am not .I see the responsibility of Wenger’s actions or lack of them does not solely lie with him . In my opinion he has been the focal point for the angst and opprobrium but the real responsibility lies in the board room. Wenger is an employee and as such does what he is told by the people he has to answer to however in the Arsenal’s case those people seem not to set targets other than retain the status quo. The astonishing quote from Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick on Wenger: “If he has a plan we back it, if he doesn’t have a plan we keep quiet.”. sums up the problem for me . The board have no interest in football and totally lack ambition . Whilst they stay in charge it would not matter if we had the man in the moon as manager , there is no pressure to anything other than keep the money rolling in , give the fans something to bite upon but don’t serve up a meal worth remembering unless you can do it without putting the share price at risk. All the other gripes , catering , sitting down , stewarding etc would melt away were the club to form a platform to actually win competitions as opposed to just being there or thereabouts . With the board and the absentee ownership we are destined to be the bridesmaid that just misses out on the flower catching..
Now I am not saying all WOB’s are not arsenal fans but I do have my suspicions that some are spurs fans 5 columnists if you like.
I do know that one of the posters on the home of wob admitted to being in Dublin the night Spurs were playing a match.
now I am putting two and two together….
Great Post Scott. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head in that most of us hold the middle ground. From my point of view I do think Arsene’s time has come but could NEVER bring myself to abuse a man who transformed the club and gave us the best football any of us are likely to see on a regular basis. Not just winning football but a style of play that was a delight. All this done whilst spending very little and setting records that will stand the test of time – as well as the unbeaten run we mustn’t forget the 2002 double winners who went unbeaten away and scored in every league game! Two out of three seasons unbeaten away is phenomenal by anyone’s standards!!! I don’t think there is another manager on the planet who could have guided us through the stadium move whilst keeping us competitive. Most clubs who build new stadiums struggle for years. Many have been relegated – Derby, Leicester, Coventry, etc. Man City were gifted a new ground after the Commonwealth Games so don’t count. The irony is that the majority of the WOB probably only follow the club because of Mr W and his teams of the late 90’s/early 2000’s!
I don’t think anyone can question wenger spending anymore. Sanchez and Ozil are major purchases, by anyone’s standard.
I think the sad truth is, Arsenal is now 4th instead of second for the title. The two oil clubs have pushed is back and many fans simply won’t accept it, so look for alternative reasons we’re behind.
Although Arsene should got us closer this season with the players he has and the ones he could have signed, the sad fact is, overtaking two oil clubs and Man U in one season is a massive, massive ask.
Even if we had a c@@t like Jose. No way would Jose build a squad with our budget and beat Arsene to a title of Arsene used his budget. Although Jose would do better than Arsene with the same group of players.
Come on the gunners
Eduardo, I know what you mean but sometimes the man is SO frustrating that venting fury at him with a torrent of abuse is a way of letting off steam. Its not to say thet they are insecure in their argument, but sometimes in life, only specific words will do at a certain time. I see my self as a pretty intelligent chap (no doubt those here that know me may well disagree!) and have a VERY good use of the English language. However, sometimes, only the phrase “you fucking c**t” will suffice.
I admit, sometimes the abuse can be OTT. But then again, the people who vehemently support him and fail to see anything wrong he has done are also guilty of being OTT. They are only words at the end of the day.
Me, I think the bloke has lost it. The game has passed him by, and his actions are that of a mad man at times. I often shout the phrase I used above at him, while inserting words such as stupid/senile/blind/deluded after the word “you”. But while I am only using words on him and not bludgeoning him to a pulp with an extendable baton, its not really an issue is it?
Oh, and good post Scott!
potter thats nonsense, we won the FA Cup last season and there is far more whinging this season than there has been for many a year. It is clear that many Arsenal fans have a big sense of entitlement and nothing other than winning the FAPL or CL is enough, and with many it has to be done by beating teams at a canter.
ah yes- the hit whoring crowd. Plenty of that going on as peeps try and eek a living from blogs.
Reality is Wenger, like football is a game of two halfs. He has found more talent than Simon Cowell but also will faithfully stick to his prudent philosophy even when its evident he shouldnt. The stubborn nature exhibited in not buying what we need cos he can potentially change one of the burger blokes on Gillespie Rd into a top top qualiteee player is beyond frustrating.
But heres the thing that ALL sides need to consider. We DONT have billions to spend. Wenger, like it or not, is very cautious about spending. We are decimated by Injuries most likely cos AW likes small slight skillful players and the EPL is robust. Chelsea and Man Shitty have bought their success and Chelsea are only playing the FFP game now cos they have already spunked a Billion to get as good as they are- we havent done so and couldnt compete.
With FFP – if the club get it right we will compete. If you are a fan since the 70s like me- you will remember a FAR FAR worse Club/team than now, AW has revolutionized Arsenal but for me has run out of rope. We shall see what happens but going into every season short on what we need is poor and not sustainable in the long run.
However- having kept us top 4 in the skint era, surely that buys the man a couple of years with money to see if he has lost the plot or not?
Eduardo, I think that most fans expected us to kick on from our 3rd choice cup win. Why are we SO far behind the leaders this season? Failure to strengthen AGAIN has let to a lot of disharmony.
Citeh have spent nearly £250m on strikers over the last few seasons…. incredible!
But we got Sanogo Lee…..
Eduardo, Kindly don’t call Potters comment nonsense, you don’t have to agree but it’s not nonsense…!
wath, you’re talking nonsense
The problem for many is that paying the prices we do to watch a game and seeing and knowing how much money is in the bank account fans want to know why it’s not being used on the players we need..?
Money is there, yes we’ve all seen crap over there especially the 70’s and parts of the 80’s but it cost a quid to watch and you knew what you were getting we had very little expectations but when you pay top dollar you expect top doallr on the pitch. That doesnt not mean entitlement to winning things and thats not the majority in my eyes at all it’s about being competitive and if we are competitive and we have players who put in a shift then I think the vast majority of fans would accept that.
Unfortunately that’s not how it is though and hasn’t been for years.
Same old problems not addressed, when you win a trophy you should be looking to push on, we bought a few good players and a great player but still lacked the strength throughout the spine of the team as we have for what 5/6 years..?
I normally just talk utter shit Rocky…. 😉 that;s you in the bin you Cnut…! 😛
motherfucker!
Eduardo you say that’s nonsense and do you happily quote our longevity in entering a competition that we have been in for nearly twenty years and have made no progress towards winning save for one night in Paris . How do you see the actions of PHW and his successor as being proactive ? I don’t disregard the F.A Cup win ,but in the grand scheme of things it is the third competition of choice and really isn’t enough to convince me that it was any more than nice . We have not made any great strides towards progressing on that win , you can throw Sanchez at me , our one true purchase , the others that came in were either replacements or those for the future and to have cruelly exposed them to set backs due to injuries or lack of alternatives causing players to catch abuse when they should not have been playing is negligent . I am sure Wenger works within a budget set from above but it’s the boards interest in things financial that dominates the size of it. I know from running my own business that any manager that you appoint is only able to do what he can within his constraints . I don’t necessarily blame Wenger for his record over the second half of his tenure but there were other ways for the board to go in their debt repayment , they might have taken a bit longer to achieve the target but they might have impacted on their share price and they certainly impacted on the pitch. I have left out any comment on the tactical side of Arsenal , Wenger and a number of our support only see things going forward, they pay lip service to the defence but in reality do very little about it.
wath the most vocal whingers are not match goers, so what has the price of tickets got to do with it other than its a good soundbite for them to use. Also the price of tickets is to a major degree rubbish, yes we have expensive tickets, but we also have tickets at £26 for cat c games, but we have fans who don’t want to go to cat c games, this is another sign of the self entitlement I talk about. we also hear so often many of our fans going on about how we should be hammering x y or z,
yes Wenger should have brought in two more players last summer, a CB and a DM, but should he sign someone he does not think is good enough or better than what we have just to please the whingers, or is it that we should pay over the top for the player we want, how often could we afford to do that,
according to Morgan Schneiderlin we had agreed a fee for him during the summer, in fact he was due at London Colney the day after we signed Chambers, but due to the fans reaction to that sale Southampton changed their mind and decided no more players were leaving, so the question is should Wenger have spunked that money on a lesser player, or on someone not as good as Arteta or even someone just at Arteta’s level. Other than making fans feel better for a while what would the point be.
We also seen two central defenders claim they chose others clubs over Arsenal during the summer, so Wenger according to players themselves had agreed fees for a CB and DM,
I ask which CB or DM that moved during the summer should Arsenal have signed – the reason I say “that moved during the summer”, is because its the only way we know a player was available, never mind the sort of nonsense that blogs and media spout about who is or isn’t available, the only true indicator is that they actually moved club.
then when you decide on who of them would have been good for us, ask yourself what club got them, what price, what wages, did the lad move country, and finally how has he done since his move.
I see fans saying we should have and should now sign Reid or Perrin, just to have another CB, but I see far more say these guys are not good enough, this despite saying “but I’ve never seen him play”
Finally I ask you if even one of Debuchy or Koscielny and one of Arteta or Ramsey been fit for nearly all of this season, how many more points do you think we would have now. Yes we should have got in a CB and a DM, but even average luck with injuries would have made much more of a difference to us than signing Reid and Schneiderlin would have
Why did the “need to be available”? I don’t think Fabregas was available when Barca wanted him back. Nasri wasn’t available when the City and United whores starting sniffing around. Anelka wasn’t available when Real came knocking. But money made him suddenly available.
Players don’t need to be available at first.we could well have bid for players who didn’t “eventually move” but we could have easily put in derisory offers, which is what Wenger has been accused of doing for many years, so the clubs rightly told us to fuck off.
Whilst I largely agree with Potter’s assertions I believe there is another dimension or rôle that Wenger has taken upon himself to deal with. He sets himself up as the ‘fall guy’ when the bullets are flying. A bad result, usually he finds an excuse and faults himself, or at worst he may collectively blame ‘the defence’ but he never allows any of his players to take the sole blame for any misdemeanour, not even Giroud caught in flagranto delicto! What ever was said was kept strictly between the two of them. However, many would have interpreted the silence as ‘weakness’ on Wenger’s part. Chesney smoking, dropped, fined and hauled over the coals, deservedly, more public but even so, the details are kept very much under wraps.
The miserable, mean Wenger post move to the Emirates and the fact that we had no munnee to invest in super swish players was kept very quiet until very recently. Wenger just muddled along from one TW to the next. We all had great expectations that led to huge frustrations, when nothing seemed to happen. Wenger took the flak!
For 8 or 9 years he sold our best players, the Board’s insistence? We managed to get by. We just about scrambled into a CL place, every season. The munnee kept rolling in! Well done Arsene!
The disatisfaction the fans or supporters have now would seem to well founded. From no cash we are told we have oodles, from no WC players we now seem to have a couple, both good things but as Rocky pointed out we have holes in our squad, holes that could and definitely should have been patched up. We had the cash, the players were available, as all players have their price! And he, either on his own or in conjunction with the Board chose not to fill the ‘shortcomings’ . He displayed quite publicly his stubborness and intractability .
That’s what is so galling and frustrating. We can all see the faults but are powerless to do anything about them. He takes the blame and, SO WE CARP!
And I’m as bad as any of them! It’s frustration and impotence! But I don’t want him dead! I don’t really want him to leave, well not yet, but I do want him to act positively for the benefit of the team and the club and the supporters! I want him revving on full mojo power!
Finally, I know he sees himself as the man at the top of the pinnacle, every buck stops with him! He protects and cossets all his ‘charges’ and that includes the Board! He is the buffer for all things! It is him who gets all the stick because he feels it is part of his rôle as Manager of Arsenal FC and no one else is expected to take any criticism except him. He deals with all of it!
So he is the focal point of all our frustrations, anger and despair!
AKB? Me? No!
AFM! Yes! (Arsene Frustrates Me)
Nice one Scott. You gave me an excuse to rant about Wenger in what I hope was a measured and reasonable way. Something I’ve wanted to do for a good while now! Ta!
nice rant mate.
potter since Kroenke became majority shareholder at Arsenal in 2008 he has given Wenger over £260M to spend on in coming transfers, that should have been more than enough to build a top squad, even with city, chelsea and man U having way more to spend. For me Cesc, RVP and Nasri were the only 3 really top players we sold since 2008, Hleb, Song and Adebayor are the next best, but we have signed top players in the same time, the boards backs wenger, we in the last two years have spent over £120M, and got Ozil and Alexis in, we are spending more now cos we have more to spend. But our fans want us to spend like utd, city and chelsea have over the last ten years, we can not do that.
I also think you are mistaking minimum targets (top 4) with the clubs actual targets.
yes there was others ways the debt of the move could have been handled, but the model we decided upon looked a good one, till two factors affected it, one was the property price slump, this affected amount of profit and the time line of this profit, and then there was the emergence of the sugar daddy clubs, when we made the decision of the move Roman was not at Chelsea, and we did not have the arabs at city, we also did not have a couple of sugar daddy clubs in france buying up top players too. Who expected a club, let alone two, to have the spending power cfc and mcfc to come in and not only buy the players we wanted, but also buy our players, and not only that but raise transfer prices and wages to far higher levels, so that not only are they competing with us for league position and cups, but have also meant our wages have had to rise way more than expected, and our transfer budget does not get us the level of player we expected it to, and also it has relegated us from being top 2 in desired destination for players, to top 4.
Hleb was terrible.
Eduardo – do you deem top 4 as being good enough? We don’t need to spend like city or Chelsea. We need to buy players for the positions we are short in. Wenger said that if Vermaelen went, he would replace him. But didn’t (Chambers clearly isn’t a replacement for him). So we are short in defence now. We loan out Jenkinson (who I have been informed by 3 West Ham season ticket holders here at work has been one of their stand out players this season) and use Bellerin (no previous prem experience) as a back up to Debuchy. Flamini and Arteta (combined age of about 720) are expected to be our DM’s this year, when they are perennial crocks and suspensions waiting to happen. So we are short there (Even having to recall Le Coq back from Charlton)
Just what the fuck goes through his mind when he look sat the squad and decides who/what we need? Well, clearly the thought that goes through his mind (as he keeps coming out in the press and saying) “This is the best squad I have ever had here.
Shocking
rocky the need to be available is cos we do not have the sort of money city and barca could spend on nasri and cesc, we do not have the money to say to a nasri type at another club, we will double your wages
Wavy who is telling us we have oodles of money, its not the club, its misinformed blogs and journos and pundits, — remember some pundits and journos actually say we have the stadium paid for, so anything they tell you should be taken with a pinch of salt. Our accounts are public, and any analysis done by the likes of AST etc shows we had about £40M more we could have spent last summer, that is for me enough to get the DM and CB we need, but I can see why if we could not get the quality ones we wanted like Sneiderlin, that we did not spunk half of it on just anyone.
for me Wenger should have been able to get in two more with the money available and deserve being faulted for it. But we certainly are heading in the right direction of squad building over the last two seasons.
Hi Guys,
My problem is that when Wenger bought Ozil, most were saying (especially me) we don’t need another number 10. Cazorla had a great break through season, Jack was supposed to have a wonder come back season and we all wished we would get a clinical finisher with pace instead of Giroud.
Scott- I know you are an undercover WOB member… you told me that over a pint.. 😛
Excellent read Scott btw…
Excellent point Potter at 12;13…
Wath, my share of the Bony commission please… 😉
True, Brad
rocky no top is not good enough, but it is also not good enough for the board, manager or players of the club, as I said in earlier post, don’t mistake minimum requirements with the ambitions of the club. the club may not be getting to where we and they want to be, as quick as either want us to, but we are going the right way.
As for Jenkinson, well I do really rate the lad, but don’t tell me I was in any other thing but a small minority in that view, and don’t tell me that the majority would do anything but be complaining now if he was our right back for most of this season. I expect Jenkinson will be sold in the summer, for me this will be a wrong decision and I hope he is not, for me he needs to be given chance here next season, with Bellerin going out on loan for the season to maybe West Ham.
Afternoon All
Both Arteta and Debuchy have had sugery and are out for three months.
No body deems top four a success but could you imagine the up roar if Wenger wasn’t getting a top four spot with Arsenal.
the main reason we haven’t kicked on this season is injuries. And before we get the usual it’s Wenger’s fault because he over players the only play that has been over played this season is Sanchez.
It’s a broad comment to make eduardo that most that whinge about prices are not those that go… how do you know that. How do you know what the majority of Arsenal fans moan about entitlement and not wanting to go to cheap games…. rather a vague one if you ask me but what ever…!
Yes we’ve spent decent money the last few years but again where to the majority want us to spend like the chavs or citeh, that’s just impossible we can’t and I don’t see many fans wanting that at all, what they do want and do expect is to spend whats in the bank account. you say what we’ve spent but also look at what the club has brought in as well.
I seen enough crap players and shit teams over there not to moan to much about the 9 yrs without a trophy that was a nice media line but I can understand those who were upset purely on the fact their match day experience is not end and the lack of effort from many players just wasnt acceptable.
There are players out there that one fan will say isn’t good enough for the Arsenal and for every one of those you’ll find another who will rave about the same player.
Wenger knew he needed to replace TV from last March yet he didn’t do it, there were I would say a few very decent options on the market or who would of helped our squad and I am not talking 35million for the likes of Hummels either, I don’t think he worth it either but that’s another story. We could of done way better in the transfer market over the last few years despite buying well that highlights the years we bought utter shit and just wasted money.
We always seem to be 2 players short of being competitive…! Huge frustration.
Wavy.. go back to smoking what made you seem positive a couple of days ago.. 😛
Eduardo – Not sure about what you say about Jenkinson. I love the guy, and I hope he comes back. He works relentlessly the whole match, and that’s what has endeared him to the fans. I think if he was playing as well for us as he is for West Ham, I’m pretty sure the vast majority of fans would be more than happy. His problem is Walcott never used to track back. He wouldn’t have that issue with Alexis playing.
I blew out on the Comm % Ts, he dbl diddled me with some other fella….. 😉
wath – Humells gets a no from me too
Rocky, he is a good defender no doubt but not for that kind of dosh and I want someone a bit more physical, he’s very technical and is he that quick…? not so sure abt that either
Joe – our injury record is appalling. We have so many players injured before the season even starts EVERY YEAR. We lose so many players to injury – mainly the same players with the same fucking injury. Something clearly isn’t right there. I’m not blaming Wenger necessarily but it seems to never be addressed. Our injury list kills us every season.
Too right people would moan that we were not in the Champions League if/when we miss out. That would be unacceptable. But we should be looking to qualify every year, so that is top 3 at an absolute minimum. The board clearly ARE happy at top 4, as we have been maintaining the status quo for far too long. Its like groundhog day every fucking year. As long as Champs League cash comes rolling in, the octogenarian, clueless bunch of fucktards that call themselves the “Board” are happy. Ther eis no reason for them to change anything. Cash is king.
Wath, he’s got a clumsy side to him. Slight upgrade on Big Bad Merts. Subotic on the other hand WOULD be nice.
wath, as I said analysis of our accounts say we only had another forthy million to spend in the summer, too many seen the bank account figures for May, and think Oh Arsenal have 270M to spend
as for the ticket prices, yes its a bit of a generalization, but having actually raised the point of cat c match prices on several arsenal sites with those complaining about prices or using our ticket prices as a stick to beat Arsenal with, I have had loads of people tell me they don’t want to see Arsenal v Burnley, I even had some say why would any one go to the COC game v Southampton, even if the ticket was a tenner, its a meaningless game etc.
I have at times raised the point that our away fans are charged more at over two thirds of games compared to what their fans are charged at ours, but many are not interested in this, as it does not go with their attacks on our own club.
On a serious note, i think most AFC fans underestimate the importance of finishing top 4 since the scouser and scum media lovers repeatedly tell us it is not an acheivement. On the otherhand they aim to finish in that same position by outspending us on most transfer windows but failing miserably…
Bearing in mind Di Mateo was sacked for failing to finish in top 4 even after winning the UCL a few months earlier… imho it goes to show top for should be valued BUT our ambition should be higher I agree…
Various managers have been sacked across Europe in top clubs with history of winning the UCL after failing to qualify for the UCL in their respective league…
Debuchy and Arteta both out for months, both had operations, Debuchy on his shoulder and Arteta on his ankle.
And yes I will blame Wenger if he does not bring in a replacement for Arteta this month and I don’t mean Bielik.
Surely Chamberlain has been overplayed, due to gaping defensive holes?
I’m surprised to see a few of you not rate Hummels, as I too think he is over rated, yes when he is good he is very good, but he is not a great defender, he is much like TV5, his charges out of defense and his vital goals, cover up for mistakes in defending. Seen him play as a DM a number of times, and for me its his better position.
Chamberlain seems to get injuries every match!
Well when the likes of various decent sites reported we had another 90 million to spend and that was approx my thoughts I think the 40mil was rubbish. The 270 wasnt there to spend and sensible people know that. What you can’t quote is a few saying this or that is the majority thought.
When I get charged for my season tkts I am allowed to think they excessive and in my book fans who don’t want to go to a game cos it’s not the Mancs or chavs or the vermin down the road are jcl’s or fair weather fans they not proper fans. There is a huge difference between the two in my book.
We can all say til we blue in the face “IF” we had no injuries BUT we always seem to have them and i have no idea who to blame but it’s reality and has been for years you cannot have a squad based on what if and Wenger is way to sentimental with certain players and to loyal not to get rid when the time is right.
Rocky, are the board treading water with 4th because they not got the gumption to take us forward and why be responsible for cocking it up… it’s a play it safe mind set but would come tumbling down if we finished 5th…. quite a few would enjoy 5th just to see if the Syrup pissed off….! My problem with that though is then you can’t attract the better players without paying way over the odds on wages…!
I dunno Derby managed to get Darren Bent….
You forgot the ridiculous wages paid to substandard players… Waste of money
You forgot Diaby…
You forgot kallastrom or whatever his name..
You forgot the squid, Silvester, Santos
Well.. You remembered sanogo
As much as Wenger saved the club money he almost equally wasted it somehow..
and don’t forget his huge salary he is happy to take while lecturing the world about austerity measures.. .
I think he has double standards and hypocrisy sometimes..
If you add his latest spins and favouritism to certain players, you get a once brilliant manager become a fraud..
and just like Potter I didn’t mention tactics, as I haven’t managed a single game in my life..
Nice read Scott…
Ts has mentioned this before, Wenger has his 15/16 man squad he trusts and plays more often than not and the rest is a mix and match that over the yrs he seems to show very little faith in, that must change, have a 25man squad and use them…! if you don’t use them whats the point and if 4/5 and permacrocks then sorry but get rid…!
Wath are you certain it wasn’t Rico who undercut your commission,? Lol
Does anyone know if $hitty would have to sell to balance the books ‘re. UEFA FFP?
Nastatic is rumoured to be unhappy on loan in Serie A…
on the injuries I think its a combination of many things, not least the kicking we get so often, and how this tactic is allowed by refs and promoted by the media and pundits, only last week Match of the Day promoted the idea that Alexis can can be stopped by kicking him round the pitch. We then have players out injured and so we rotate less and so risk more injuries, its a vicious circle. This season several of our injured players have come back well before expected so maybe something has improved on that level.
Bielik is on verge of signing for Arsenal it seems, many quotes from him saying he is en route to london to complete the move.
Eduardo – Now your comment on Hummells is something we both agree on!
Bielik another one for the future….. we need a DM now.
Talking of nonsense, wtf is Adam?
😉
What we need Lee is a 24/25 yr old Petit or Gilberto…. That would do nicely, nothing fancy just solid mobile hard as fuck and good in the air and who can play a bit as well lol……
Roll up roll up….!
I think Rico could be guilty Ts, I’ll be having words and investigating emails….!
Not seen enough of Hummels but surely he can’t be as bad as Merts……. and he’d cost a king’s ransom!
Je Suis Lee…
There a few defenders out there Lee that won’t cost 25million or near and surely give us balance and a bit more quality at the back…?
Surely……. lol
IF we had two good central midfielders who protected the back 4 better we could even maybe make do til the end of the season, but we’re one injury away yet again from deep shit at centre back…!
AW has this unwritten record of not spending in the region of £15m for a defender.. at least not yet?
I doubt we will be buying a CB… he has Monreal and Debuchy who can play at CB…
Not forgetting Cpl Jenks is still our player on paper at least…
TS but Debuchy is out until April… so the sloth it is!
The Southampton Lge Cup tie was quite an interesting game on several levels, not least the fact that Podolski started in his favourite position and had a rubbish 90 mins.
I was impressed with Hayden and Coquelin had a steady game…
Wanyama would do me. He’s been a beast this year
The sloth… lol
Rocky- I like Scott’s country man Jedinak… he has been by far one of the very best CM in the league with Morgan, Ramsey, Lucas in terms of defensive effort for a long time…
An ex- Aussie rules player; hard as nails and 29y.o but is fitter than most 23y.o currently…
Cracking beef chilli ramen too….
Good game of tennis this Eduardo :- Quote “”potter since Kroenke became majority shareholder at Arsenal in 2008 he has given Wenger over £260M to spend on in coming transfers,””
. Kroenke actually has given little or nothing and until this year his saving grace is that he hadn’t actually taken anything from the front or back door. The club have in fact generated the money . I refer you to this table which came from transfer market .com http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/a-graph-showing-arsenal-chelsea-and-man-citys-net-spending-since-sheikh-mansour-moved-into-the-etihad-picture/ It appears to include Ozil but not Sanchez .Since then we have spent £74 million on 5 players and sold 6 for £22 million. So actually during the Oilers period we have actually spent an average of about £ 11 -12 million per year. It is the way that they have decided to pay down their debt but , they could have had a rights issue with a caveat to stop one person buying the whole issue and with a moratorium on selling those shares another lock down so to speak could have raised a lot of cash but would have meant that with an increase in the number of small shareholders their power base might have been eroded but the debt could have been paid down and the money they promised for the team could still have been spent and just possibly the Cesc ,RVP. and Nasri deals might not have happened. The board made promises when we moved from Highbury but they did not say that a decade would go before they started to look like they were going to make good on them. They said we would move and be able to compete with the best teams in Europe and Keith |Eelman said that the move would not impact on our transfer dealings or the team on the pitch.
Edelman.
I like the katsu Lee…. Nice and simple!
That may or may not be true Potter, but Chippy Keswick is a dab hand at Old Maid.
Rocky, did you get my email…
Or are you just trying to avoid me?
Potter – I think I prefer “Eelman”! Sounds like a very shit superhero!
Not got it yet Kev. Will check shortly!
Defensive midfielder Bielik, 17, is close to signing a contract at the Emirates after his current club accepted a £2million bid.
He will undergo tests on Friday before signing a contract at the Emirates and told Legia’s official website he was excited about the move.
“I’m going to London to fulfil my dreams. I hope I will become an Arsenal player soon,” he said.
I blame Eelman…
“And Wenger, who I spoke to, has a high regard for him and feels that it will be good for Arsenal for him to come here”
Alan Pardew
And Pardew said: “I think he’s player that needs first team games, obviously he was limited at arsenal with all the competition that was in front of him.
“He comes into our club with a much more immediate chance of starting.
“And Wenger, who I spoke to, has a high regard for him and feels that it will be good for Arsenal for him to come here.
“So it’s a platform for him, no more than that, to see if his development is ready to be a Premier League player for Arsenal.
“His first two or three days’ training have been very good, and we’re pleased to have him.
He added: “He might not get a free run at it (the starting XI); he might have to go in and come out and go in and come out, whatever, come off the bench etc.
“But it’s certain he’ll get more game time here and get that confidence and I think he will be a good player for Arsenal, I really do think that”
Slippery fucker!
I saw Pardew last night in a Holborn bar.
Was he mangled?
I was….
Good evening WAGs and HOBs.
Cracking post Scott. Had me holding my sides with laughter.
I prefer to discuss WAGs. Or the ladies team’s curves. Better than AW for sure.
How many did you say we will buy Rico?? 20?? Right. you are being serious aren’t you? divide that by 0 and maybe that is the amount we will end up buying. lol
I wont believe it until I see a new un playing for the team.
was he trying to fuck one of his players wives?
how are you Kev?? business ok???
have you ever seen the ladies play mate???
Rockyyyyyyyyy!!!!
long time no see mate. How are you? I missed you mate.
Cheers Dev, you too!! All good thanks pal. Just busy, busy, busy! Even busier today since the Swiss Francs movement against the EUR… Pretty swamped at the mo, so will be back on later
Evening all.
I am officially virus free now – I hope….. Lol
Really good post Scott – I kind of think AW could do better, a lot better and I wish he wasn’t such a stubborn old so and so…. If he’d only listen to others, we’d be so much better. Imo of course….
As lee pointed out earlier man city have spent 250m on strikers how many are still at the club how many are they still paying a large chunk of their wages.
No normal club can do that if a normal club spends a lot of money on a striker they have to be a success.
Before city it was Chelsea they spent large amounts on strikers they also had a lot of failures Torres any one.
Great debate to day sorry I missed most of it bloody work 😉
Thing is Joe, both clubs were allowed to spend in such a way so can we really complain? Had Usmanov been our majority shareholder at the time instead of Kroenke, we might just have done the same…
Thankfully FFP will go a long way to stop all the crazy spending…
One thing confuses me though and that’s how Utd keep on spending but they are in huge debt….
Usmanov may have made a difference but remember he has demanded the payments of dividends.
Like you say we are where we are with owners and FFP let’s hope it works.
Man u it’s all about their earnings from sponsors and if they don’t make top four season that will start to suffer that’s why they have spent so much this season.
What AU would have done re dividends wasn’t my point really Joe, just saying that we could very well have spent as much as both city and chavs did whilst they were able to do so. Had we done so and won things, would many fans be talking about how much the others spent…
I doubt it myself…
Nett gain and loss Joe . Even if Usmanov made dividends for all of the shareholders available . If they paid out a couple of million but he invested more than that we would still be quids in.
When FFP was first mooted many of us argued that it would never stick , it seems to be baring it’s teeth but the coach and horses is lining up ready to steam straight through it. it’s problem will always be that certain money men will stretch it to it’s limits and any penalties will always be retrospective.
Potter, do you think they will move the Ffp goalposts and make it more difficult for the rules to be breached? Surely they will see the loopholes and ensure they get blocked….
Potter you may be right but that’s assuming he would have spent the kind of money to keep up with man city( who are using the income from a country) who are on complete different level to Chelsea.
Also when Chelsea started spending a lot of money Kroenke did not own Arsenal and he spent a lot of money to buy the club from it’s previous owners who took the money and ran.
Why do you think Chelsea where in the forefront in the campaign to bring in FFP
Morning all.
I must confess I thought I’d set myself up for a fall with that post 🙂
Then again, that’s why the House is the best group around.
Great discussion guys.
Tsk Scott… Lol
Unfortunately Joe they took the money but didn’t run very far , most of them keeping their seats on the board. We really need some younger blood up there , blood that has football in it’s heart and wants to add a bit of dynamism to the club .
Evening Rico…
What Drongo wrote today’s post btw…? 😛
Potter the trouble with boards is that they are always populated with farts.
It wasn’t, by any chance, The Chairman of the I Love Aaron Ramsey Appreciation Society (Antipodeon Branch) was it?
Not a bad read actually, considering he did it upside down… 😀
Not sure Kev, but I’ve got no time for these Arsene Bashers myself.
Nor me Mick, I’m definately in the AKB camp…
Just like Lee…
Daddy Cool to Citeh for 28 mill eh………hmmmmmm…..wonder who we’re gonna get on loan this month.
Old farts like me
Hello Joe, SBD ?
Evening Kev 🙂
Potter, and blood which has Arsenal in its heart…..
Micko, your humour beats most comedy shows on television… Lol
Evening rico, storms were so bad over-night all the schools were closed today and we were all left home a 1 o’clock today, think the worst of it is over, thank gawd.
Kev, I do everything upside surprise down…..some things work better that way 🙂
Scott, word of warning, carry on writing posts like this and you just know rico’s gonna take advantage of your kind nature !
Torres on target twice for At Madrid.. Bet he’s glad he’d went home….
Evening Micko, that’s not good yo hear although I bet the children loved it… Glad all is calming…
Scott, Micko is right, when is the next? Lol
Hahaha Micko,
Rico posts my articles at her peril 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rico, don’t laugh…. I Never know when I will write one.
It’s never planned….they just come out.
Well you get a few more coming Scott if they are like today’s….
So when is that French numpitie going to sign a couple of players…. 😉
It was a good thought provoking day and as usual discussed in a logical and civilised manner as it should be ” decorum on the forum “
Now that I can NOT answer lol
Funny, Rico, but I really was worried how this post would go down!!!!!
How long does it take to fatten a pig rico ?
Potter, that’s exactly what I hoped for, but wasn’t sure if had been produced, so thank you.
Micko which way the dish point now? Are picking up Russian satellite tv
Are you….
Potter
I love it when there’s a good debate, one on which other opinions are posted without ridicule just because opinions differ.
Micko, about 52 years lol
You worry too much Scott, like me… lol
Rico that’s the same time it took me.
Caught a bit of Harold Bishop in Neighbours earlier today Joe, but in all seriousness won’t see an engineer until the weekend now, too many cancellations, have become locally known as the English dvd king !!!
🙂 Joe, you’ve given your age away now….
I’m off guys, it’s been a long day….
Horlicks and bed for me…
Thanks again for the post Scott.
Night all…..
Can’t beat a good DVD
If he hasn’t come by Sunday it’s off to the pub to watch the match
Wise words Joe, nite Gooners and you Kev.
This Polish youngster looks a star in the making.
Just saw some footage and yes, I onow Youtube would make me look good but he is an immense talent.
Scott, is he the next Vieira….? 😉
As long as he’s not the next Diaby..
If he is, we’ll never see him….!
Only on You Tube
Night All.
Night Wath/Scott…
And Mick the DvD King
Seems the Schneiderlin to Arsenal in the summer for £25m has some traction. Shame it’s not now….
Morning all,
i was thinking about the Emerates and that a huge chunk of the loan was paid off. Was that not from the development of Highbury into flats or did that money some how go to Kroenke?
Morning all.
I.L.A.R.A.S morning, how are you?
Morning all..
Morgan in the summer? I so hope that’s true….
Lee, wtf lol
There’s a story in the papers suggesting Sagna will be allowed to leave to make way for Bony…
Just saying… 😉
What are you saying Rico………….. lol 😛
Poor Sagna…. Shall we try get him back for a few months..?
Is Sagna still at Citeh hahahahahaha
Oh and good morning one and all……………
🙂 Wath, he’d be a good loan for a few months eh….
Hiya Wath.
Scott, but it was a good move for footballing reasons…..
Has he played yet? 😉
He seems happy to sit on the bench as well, so no dramas when Debuchy gets back 🙂
Rico, I believe he played a cup tie.
It’s never abut the money….NEVER.
That’s actually not a bad idea guys. Loan him back to cover Debuchy’s injury and at CB. He knows the Arsenal way of play and should gel in better than any other loanie Wenger gets.
I’d put in a sneaky loan request, we can pay him 30k a week they can pay the rest lol….
Welbeck still two weeks from fitness…. Ramsey, Theo and Ozil all fit for Sunday…!
Bielik medical today, can they age him as well maybe…?
I recall Sagna saying it’s his last pay cheque move and Arsenal offered half of what City did for 1 season only. So he left for the money but didn’t deny it though.
Brad, he spend months saying Arsenal had not given him a pay rise in 6 seasons…. yeh right and then went on and on and on about not moving for money…! If you not moved for the cash why keep going on about it…! Knob….!
I thought so Brad… 😉
It’s usually about the money Scott… lol
Good news on the injured Wath, having Ramsey back gives our midfield a bit more strength…
Evening Scott….
Now if only Ramsey was 3 inches taller Rico and a bit quicker and better in the air and and and…. Oh sorry, yeh he’s not a bad player that Aaron chap…. was getting confused for a minute.
Settle, Wath 🙂
Rico, guys like Arteta, who took a pay cut for football reasons, are very, very rare indeed.
🙂 Wath…
New post up now..