The most important announcement of Le Grove’s entire history.
Arsene Wenger has left the club.
The greatest manager in our history will leave at the end of the season.
I’m speechless.
We knew things were going to get tough for the big man this summer, with the imaginary reviews. But it looks like our theory about Josh K being the grim reaper were true. He was sent over by Stan to takeover the club, and the PR team probably told him the best way to start a new era is with decisive action.
Wenger is going, but the side story for me is this announces Josh Kroenke is now going to be a more solid part of the club setup moving forward.
Ivan Gazidis finally pulled through. After being near-fatally wounded last summer by a horrible back alley deal between Wenger and Stan K, Ivan worked some behind the scenes magic. He hired Raul Sahnelli, Sven Mislintat and attacked Wenger’s power grip on the club. I was told he actually tried to take things further, but a furor was caused by some of the proposed additions to the team.
Those moves made it very difficult for Wenger to work his political magic this summer. The new guys came in, ripped out the deadwood of the squad in January, they added new blood and high-quality names, and the rot continued.
At the heart of it, Wenger had no fail-safe.
He was damaging the club financially. We lost a huge amount on Alexis Sanchez, not only in cash, but in pride. Losing your best player for under half price is a terrible look. Not just that, because contracts were so badly organised, Mesut Ozil was allowed to hold the club over the barrel.
Going beyond just those two names, Wenger has been hoarding average players for years. He’s been fattening them up on a hideous socialist wage structure which has left the club nursing a £200m wage bill, whilst Spurs are above us competing on £60m less. Wenger was no longer offering value.
Not just that, he was destroying the careers of young talents. Project British core was an out and out failure. Kieran Gibbs went to shit, Jenkinson shouldn’t have been in it, Jack Wilshere lost interest in the game, Theo Walcott never fulfilled his great potential, Chambo went to Liverpool and made a semi-final of the CL, and Aaron Ramsey was always injured.
The club stopped being a sporting entity. The objective wasn’t about greatness, it was about an old mans ego and his rampant desire to hold onto power. The club didn’t exist for trophies and elite glory, it was a vessel for a long retirement. When you stop operating on a sporting values level, it makes it dull for fans who’ve been paying huge amounts of money to see their heroes compete at the highest level.
When fans don’t show up, don’t expect sponsors to. The empty stadiums started in February this year. That’s not because of bad fans, it’s because they’re seeing the same old dross week after week. The ultimate protest is not going to a game, the ultimate show of how Arsenal had fallen is fans couldn’t give their Arsenal tickets away.
The time had come. The Champions League Top 4 trophy didn’t arrive, Wenger wasn’t developing players, the fans were bored and not showing, and the football was drab.
I think ultimately, the success of The LA Rams helped push this move. Stan is enjoying the great press around his LA team, and I’m sure he wants some of that over here.
Wenger is gone.
It’s the right move for the club.
The next two years will be tough, but at least we’ll be watching an exciting project.
I’ll write more on Wenger at a later date, but damn, I’m going to enjoy this moment.
A new Arsenal will rise, and we’ll look back on the banter years and wonder why we didn’t do this sooner.
Have a great day. x
England reject Steve bould needs to be sacked immediately
‘yup, disappointing post from Pedro, and disappointing reaction from the majority on here. not unexpected.’
You yourself admitted that he should have left 2 years ago and you were as big a fan of the man as anyone on here, and now you’re having a go at posters for not eulogising on the AW glory years upon the announcement?
Do you not think that there’s still anger at the lost years of enjoying the football club there? Enough at least not to pretend that we haven’t gone through the last half dozen seasons and humiliations?
Today, the arsenal nation is free once more now that the dick-tator sad-am Wenger has departed. Once again we can hope for a brighter future and raise our spirits.
The king plum is dead , long live the king!
Thankfully we are not going to make a dog’s dinner of next season. The new brighter future happens now.
Gunnersince1996April 20, 2018 17:03:30 Arsene Wenger was the greatest manager in the Premier League. No team has played the brand of flamboyant awesome football we saw from Wenger teams, not even the Guardiola team that has just won the league. ————— But how could he be called a great,if he was unable to win a European Cup in his 20 odd years at Arsenal,never mind in his 30 odd years of club management. A good manager at his peak,but in order to be seen,or considered as one of the greats in the game,he could have cemented that with a CL,notwithstanding… Read more »
WE
“You yourself admitted that he should have left 2 years ago and you were as big a fan of the man as anyone on here, and now you’re having a go at posters for not eulogising on the AW glory years upon the announcement?”
today of all days, just feel like if you can’t say anything nice about the man take the day off. torture your cat or something.
This comment from Gunnersince1996 says it all….. “In his hey day, Arsene was so good, it took the entire British football establishment coming together to beat him – British managers banding together with referees and Premier League administrators to ensure they defeat the ‘French’ manager! Yes men like Allardici of Bolton and mangers of northern clubs like Birmingham, Blackburn, Hull, York, Stoke, banding together with SAF to break legs, roughen up Arsenal players, get in their faces, all just to subdue the ‘French’ man! Of course not forgetting the role of MOTD crew led by Linika and BBC staff writers… Read more »
Pierre But If anyone thinks that’s it, it’s all going to be rosy in the garden, then they are in for a shock.. This breed of supporters we have acquired will not show patience What a load of bullshit. I am part of your next generation who will love the club, regardless of what happens next, high and lows alike. I am really looking forward to the next chapter as we can only be going up from now onwards in footballing terms. I am not expecting to win right now but looking forward to seeing a team being built with… Read more »
Pierre has t be up there as the biggest trolls on Le Grove you notice every time he comes on he has to make some snide remarks and then cries when he gets called names. A big grown man also..
Did you get of bit of sunstroke on the old gold course today.
What’s this nonsense about needing to win a Champions League to be considered a great manager? Ferguson won it just twice in 26 years. Arsene came very close twice. Roberto Di Matteo won it, for christ’s sake. Avram Grant nearly won it. I think Klopp and Simeone are great managers but they may never win it either.
Now go back to Untold, Pierre. They need you far more than anyone here needs you. You and your ilk can take your foul mouthed bashing of everyone opposed to your agenda over there – Papa Tony and Walter will welcome you with open arms.
Lol you can tell Pierre and Wallace et al are so disappointed today. It didn’t turn out the way the wanted. The plan was for Wenger to stay for at least five more years and it’s not gonna happen. Haha.
Been in a dream like state all day today.
Sunny weather too.
Stuff of dreams moments like these
Wallace I think that the vast majority on here respect what he achieved in his first 8 years here particularly and even some of the tougher pills to swallow such as the 2006 UCL run and the 2007-08 season I look back on fondly albeit with disappointment having ultimately just fallen short. But since 2011 it’s been hard to defend him and that’s a period virtually as long as his successful period upon joining the club, people will point to the FA Cup wins but they’d be liars if they said that they mean as much as success in the… Read more »
Wow. What a day. A momentous occasion. A celebration is in order. I’m going to enjoy my Friday night.
We all knew it was going to happen eventually but man. I did not expect to feel this much relieve and happiness.
All in all, though, as much as the man makes it difficult to like him, I hope our players bring it and win the Europa League as a send off.
Pierre, the high and mighty, self appointed superfan, the same hypocrite who can’t stop bagging on one of Arsenal’s players- Ramsey.
Enjoy your pensioner life in meaningful ways rather than be a second rate troll on a internet blog.
@Arseneisafraud – No, Pierre will be the first one to pound the “I told you so” and “Careful what you wish for” lines as often as required.
Meet the next generation of supporter , the “Arsene Knew Best” disciple. Pierre, Vicmoronous, and Northern Goof. The triumvirate of Crybabies!
A lot of players are going to be playing for their futures now.Expect to see an upturn in performances in the final weeks. The bit that concerns me,is that there is still no manager in place.For years,we heard about succession planning.Even Keown was talking about that some years ago. And from Lazidis’s press conference,they are looking at options. Shouldn’t be looking at options,should have a candidate already in place. They’ve had enough time,in fact years.As always,probably winging it. Remember when Pepe was available,expressed an interest in coming to Arsenal. Only to allow that to slide,because Arsene said he was staying.… Read more »
PhD07April 20, 2018 17:36:29 But how could he be called a great,if he was unable to win a European Cup in his 20 odd years at Arsenal,never mind in his 30 odd years of club management. —————————————————— PhD07 If you believe greatness is only defined by one metric or a singular standard, winning a European cup, its your prerogative. By that measure, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Enrique and Roberto Di Matteo are greater managers than Arsene. My position was clearly stated in my post. In his heyday Arsene was the greatest manager in the Premier League, his teams played football that… Read more »
‘Arsene came very close twice. ‘
2006, he never got close past that year.
Yes! Arsene Wenger is leaving! Thank God! Allegri please.
Yes got to agree with Pierre’s comment on the quality of football played under Wenger. Wengaball was absolutely sublime. That Wilshere goal against was it Canaries absolutely epitomized Wengaball.
“I rest my case on why I consider him the greatest manager to have graced the Premier League.“
I think that one Sir Alex Ferguson lays claim to that title. Wenger can, however, lay claim to the least astute tactical manager in Premier League history.
Simeone has reached two Finals, losing one on PK’s and multiple SF, he’s only been managing Atleti for 7 years.
Wenger in his entire career made the UCL Final just once and the SF just three times, twice here and once at Monaco. (Over 30 years).
Bit silly to compare the two.
The following is the official transcript of Pierre, Vicmoronous, and NorthernGoofs entire contribution to LeGrove.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah
That goal was nice but some of our football in 2007-08 was ridiculous, as close as you could get to watching Pep’s Barcelona before it even happened.
Aubergine
You really are intolerant of people who have a different perspective on their love for The Arsenal. It is sad for you to not understand that our extreme reaction was borne out of our love for the club, nothing more.
Samesong
..or Ancelotti
Pierre’s just lashing out cause he’s having a bad day is all.
And I’ve got no idea what has Wallace’s panties in a bunch. He’s disappointed with the reaction on here today. I actually think it’s been muted as fuck bar a couple piss and vinegar types everyone else is just looking forward and discussing new managers. Wallace would you prefer if we were in a state of mourning?
He came close twice. Do your research. Wayne Bridge of all people….
What do you mean do my research?
How is losing a QF coming very close to winning a UCL?
Whats a Wenger obsessive? I know a lot of Arsenal obsessed people who weren’t happy with the failures and direction a Wenger led Arsenal were going in and that’s alright. Football is a result based business, leave that soppy sentiment at the door.
Wenger, after all the contempt, arrogance he has shown us over the years is still gathering praise for achievements almost 15 years ago. It was the right time to go, the bitter people who’ve put Wenger before Arsenal FC can do one.
PHD
’ll give it the benefit of the doubt now-and will watch keenly how this process of finding a new manager transpires.’
Yes. And it would be nice for a change if Gazidis or Kroenke or whoever came out and made a simple statement along the lines of:
‘The main prerogative for Arsenal Football Club is to compete at the highest level and win trophies. Everyone at the club is dedicated to this end.’
…or something like that
No Bs, excuses or ‘values’, unless that ‘value’ is the above.
I said he came close not very close. The final four that year were Chelsea (who we should have beaten), Monaco, Porto and Deportivo. No Man U, Real Madrid, AC Milan.
With our squad, that was the one that got away. We were favourites against Chelsea and would have been strong favourites to win it all.
it took quite a determined effort from the entire British football establishment (managers, players, referees, media, administrators) to stop him from dominating the league because of ‘tribal’ instincts.
Fuck off idiot. Ah yes it was a conspiracy all along he’s actually great
“and it took quite a determined effort from the entire British football establishment (managers, players, referees, media, administrators) to stop him from dominating the league because of ‘tribal’ instincts.” If you’re talking about the would-have – been-50th unbeaten game, the Man Utd game, I agree. But saying conspiracies against Wenger was the reason for Arsenal’s failures is absolute horsemanure. See, we don’t want to say anything bad about Wenger today but you lot make it hard. Foreign managers have continued to win titles after 2004 so where is this conspiracy? Arsenal failed because they decided to cut their wings and… Read more »
Bacary – and fergie had a bottomless pit if cash to win his 2 European cup.
That said in all the attempts Wenger had at if, we really should have made more of a challenge a few times but choked.
Wenger didn’t deliver and hasn’t for a long time. Some of you are acting like it’s over the top as if he passed away this morning. Get a grip.
We’re just happy we can watch football with optimism for the first time in years, and do away with the stale, laughable predictably we’ve become accustomed to. Nothing wrong with that.
Gunnersince1996April 20, 2018 17:48:14 My position was clearly stated in my post. In his heyday Arsene was the greatest manager in the Premier League, his teams played football that has never been seen again in the league; —————— Yep,until about a decade ago. Since then,what we’ve witnessed is utter dross. Unfortunately he used up all his footballing credit. As for the CL,I’m talking in the grand scheme of things. He had twenty attempts at the CL,only managed to muster one CL final. With that invincibles team,he should have won at least a CL. No manager at such a top club,would… Read more »
WengerEagle,
Wallace has contradicted himself time and time again for years. Why does that surprise you that he’s talking out both sides of his mouth right now?
Wenger can F off!!
If he wasn’t forced out you can bet your bottom dollar that he’d stay for a few more year shamelessly.
Just glad the country-club is gone now.
‘I said he came close not very close. ‘
BacaryisGod
April 20, 2018 17:42:12
‘Ferguson won it just twice in 26 years. Arsene came very close twice.’
Sell or release
Mertesacker
Wilshere
Mustafi
Might get One season with new manager.if they do not cut the mustard .then
Out
Ramsey
Bellerin
Iwobi
Xhaka
El nieny
Weird to bracket 2004 with 2006, in 2006 he did indeed come very close to winning it, within 15 minutes.
2004 we were knocked out in the QF, weird that you bracket them in together.
Would be like saying that Barcelona came close to winning the UCL this season.
Nice that its buzzing on here again Do wish some of the hate would go though. Fans have made their voices heard, match goers have made their point by not showing up, results speak for themselves and the club and and wenger himself had nowhere to go. He had to go. Its done now. Done. We should be talking about the good times and give the guy a good send off despite recent season’s and the decline. Then we should be having fun speculating who the next guy is and what he’s going to do. But cut the hate, no… Read more »
alexanderhenryApril 20, 2018 18:03:09
Yep,hearing football values,made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.
All,I will say is ,now that Arsene is out of the picture.It will be interesting to see how long the appointment takes.
There can be no excuses about the appointment.If it’s an underwhelming appointment,I’d be left speechless.
The direction we go in,project,type of players recruited and sold,etc,etc.
And how the BoD & the directors navigate the next few years.
‘Then we should be having fun speculating who the next guy is and what he’s going to do.’
Mate, that’s what we were doing for most of the day.
There was a very good reason for divisiveness, DoOneGambon. You dont wipe it away instantly because something suddenly happened. That’s human nature… but i do fully understand what you are saying.
Lol WE
Now that it’s official, the bickering must end. There are some on here who accuse those of us who have been waiting for this day as “plastic supporters”, which is a load of crock. Anyone who knows anything about Football and the way that Wenger has handled things over these past few years, understands why so many fans have severed their ties with the club. It had nothing to do with being a plastic supporter. I am not and never have been a glory hunter. All I wanted was honesty and a commitment to compete to our optimum levels. Under… Read more »
Who will be the next Arsenal manager??? Nothing was resolved in Ivan’s presser.
Michael24
If nothing else the players will be trying to impress whomever the new managers going to be.
The 2003/04 CL and PL in 07/08, 12/13 and 15/16 will have to go down as Wenger’s greatest failures.
Arsenal should have won all the aforementioned trophies.
Aubergine What like you did this time with this manager and the club through the highs and lows? Of course. Most of the football on display lately has been pretty dire to stomach don’t you think. You can’t continue believing that AW would be the savior of the club for ever. There will always be a beginning, a middle and an end. To me it is unfortunate that AW refused to learn and improve on his already successful system. He instead became obsessed with still being a manager and being relevant than to admit that his knowledge needed to be… Read more »
LeftsidesanchApril 20, 2018 18:05:41 Wenger didn’t deliver and hasn’t for a long time. Some of you are acting like it’s over the top as if he passed away this morning. Get a grip. ————————- It’s an emotional outpouring. Like when the wife leaves you after 22 years.You take dog’s abuse from her for at least a decade .Deep down you want out.But don’t have the balls to tell her to get lost.Because,partly you’ve invested heavily in the marriage for a long time,and partly because you’re afraid you won’t find anyone better(even though it’s a shit union). When she leaves you,you’re… Read more »
WE
Lol very good!
I can see that, but its been discussed around alot of bickering and bile. (Not from everyone).
No need for it now really. In another 2 months Wenger’s tenure is consigned to
the history books.
It’s a great day!
Haven’t stopped smiling all day never been so happy thanks for the memories but addios Arsene!!
You knew it was coming – Untold want to start a campaign to rename the stadium after Wenger. The realization that their little world just imploded – lost souls.
I would kill him for not winning a 3 peat from 2001-2004 more than 2012/13 where we had a pretty shite team in all honesty.
2002/03 we threw it away a huge lead on United and were the superior side, failed to make it count.
Anyway I reckon it’ll be allegri but won’t be announced until summer.
Just a hunch
@Michael24
Brilliant post
We – 02-03 was the Leeds capitulation wasn’t it?
My god that one hurt
Haha D-one, agreed, I’m having a beer to celebrate.
Move forward!
I agree….. why bicker now?
When your wish finally comes true- you dont know what to do…
Move forward.
I am excited about the new manager. I really hope the shake up continues with the deadwood now. As I said earlier, the new guys has the reigns to cut the deadwood and bring in new and better.
The transfer window starts now…. Im sure Sven has identified all problem positions with new targets. With the new coach, lets get after these guys ASAP
Frankie
Who will be the next Arsenal manager??? Nothing was resolved in Ivan’s presser.
The club won’t do any announcements until the end of the season. Be patient.
They will want to get back in the top 4. So it can’t be any crap manager (I hope!).
Haha yeah guns
When a super model lands in my lap I won’t be pissing and moaning about all the other days when one didn’t!
Do one Gambon, am in total agreement with your sentiments. It’s going to be really interesting to see who we get next. In a World Cup year, transfers need to be sorted efficiently…exciting times.
Also interested in how legrovers are going to react. Who or what is going to fill the vacuum when all the hate towards AW becomes obsolete? Will it be sweetness and light, or will the bile continue to flow?
Sorry not 12/13.
Must be 13/14, the season we signed Ozil, Ramsey had his freak form and Arsenal led the league for months only to surrender it meekly at the end.
Yes it was.
Ironic that this quote is from Leeds player Oliver Dacourt in September 2002 when we passed them off the park in a 4-1 smashing:
“We’re all fighting for second place now. It was demoralising. They just pass and move, pass and move. You find yourself working for nothing.”
Venables went on to say:
”Manchester United have been exceptional for 10 years – but I’ve not seen anything as good as that.”
So bitterly fitting that they were the team to end it all in the Spring for us.
Never understood why he couldn’t win a back-to-back EPL..
Even when there was a duopoly…Just strange,amongst other key events:-
2000/01 UEFA Final
2003/04 CL
2007/2008 EPL
2011 League Cup loss
2013/2014 top of the league when we brought in Kallstrom(brokeback) on loan in the January window.Then capitulated.
2015/2016-
A lot of strange things to write about.But not worth the time.
Just bizarre all around
RR
Yeah we were still competing for the league travelling to SB for AW’s 1000th in March and we all know what transpired next.
But fuck it, gonna have a beer and toast to looking forward now, very exciting summer ahead of us between a new gaffer/signings and the World Cup!
Enjoy the night lads.
Well bob, we’re about to see the true character of some posters.
Im going Sunday and I will be raising a glass for what Wenger has previously achieved.
Bob N16
Also interested in how legrovers are going to react.
With joy regardless. We all just want to see the team being coached to the best of their and the managers ability, who will have an eye for being successful!! And there are so many managers we can choose from. Remember we are no WBA ;)!!!
It’s more a case if: how will you react if the manager is not as you were hoping compared to AW?
Guns of SF
Having an ice cold beer, sitting in the garden.
Contemplating this momentous day. Even the birds and the flowers look happy and the numerous weeds don’t look so bad afterall.
Yep, everything smells very rosey.
Wow… Seeing all the coaches and players paying tribute to wenger… hard to realize that he’s finally gone, at last.
WE – I don’t think I’ve seen those quotes before. Fitting indeed
Can’t believe we lost it that year, literally there for the taking.
Not a great day for Pierre, Wallace, Aubergine and the rest of the Wenger groupies haha.
BobN16
Move on.
You had your perceptions, we had ours.
The logical and correct decision has finally been made, and you know it.
They are all mourning on Untold since this morning.
Pierre is doing his utmost to be Scrooge on Christmas Day
Well, here we go. Every star in the football firmament will be telling us how much they love Arsene, what a great manager he is/was, the debt fans owe to him, how honourable, how honest…and on and on. So I thought I’d get my bit in early on. Yes, ten years ago he had all of those virtues. But not all of the time, And none of them at all recently. Honesty? Not to fans. Honour? Not to RVP. He changed for the worse. No surprise. As we all know, power corrupts people. And people with absolute power start to… Read more »
Hillwood
Clink to you! I never hoped to see this day and to get to see the club have the ambition to progress!!!
Micheal
everything is good now!
So happy Wenger is leaving.
The club has already identified who the new manager will be im sure. The contract etc probably takes time to negotiate etc and write up.
I beg its someone incredible…. I know we cannot tap up current coaches but come on…. shit always go on behind the scences
So many trophies Wenger fucked up.
League 1999
FA-cup 1999
UEFA cup 2000
FA-cup 2001
League 2003
FA-cup 2004
CL 2004
League cup 2007
League 2008
FA-cup 2009
League cup 2011
League 2011
League 2014
League 2016
He truly is the specialist in failure.
https://youtu.be/fwM4Ip24PyI
“Peace on earth, good will to men”
Finally we are rid of the horrible scourge, the horrible curse which had fastened itself to our beloved club
A good time to be alive!
Long live Arsenal
Long live Le fucking Grove
englandsbest
Well put.
So does this mean Geoff will be more motivated to come back and blog again? Miss the old commenters tbh fam (who can forget BBK amirite?) although I’m more of a lurker than a shitposter. I guess there will be no more infighting amongst fans as the one that divide us all is finally gone. Hopefully everyone can get behind the team as next season the new day has come and we won’t be in this perpetual Groundhog Day purgatory anymore. I guess the Atletico tie will be the last big matches for Arséne. I know it’s kind of mission… Read more »
Luis Enrique to take over from Wenger as per Daily Mail.
I posted this earlier today and nothing has changed nor will it.
“Today i am not happy, but rather i am optimistic for the future of the club that I love.”
I love what Maureen said : “if he’s happy with this decision, then I’m happy for him.”
Another one who thinks that it was wenger’s decision lol
Does not matter how it played out, all that matters is that it did and now the club can look forward instead of backwards or sideways.
What is a fact is that under Wenger the club began a regression that began looking for momemts of reprieve rather than progression. When that happens its time for change.
Never thought I’d see the day.
Well, not quite. We knew it would come at some point. I’m just stunned it actually happened before this contract was up.
It feels good to be able to move on.
Wenger, you’re a class act and a legend. But you also indulged yourself and didn’t know when to let go.
Au revoir, Professor. Hope to read that book very soon.
Another one who knows best, and thinks that he’s a better fan than most of us…
Frankie Coffeecakes April 20, 2018 17:52:15 “I think that one Sir Alex Ferguson lays claim to that title. Wenger can, however, lay claim to the least astute tactical manager in Premier League history.” ——————— Frankie – SAF won his league titles with a lot of helping hand from the football establishment in England. He was the ‘anointed one’ chosen by the establishment to fly the flag with pride. Rambo Ramsey April 20, 2018 18:05:06 “Foreign managers have continued to win titles after 2004 so where is this conspiracy?” ————————– Rambo – No foreign manager threatened to dominate the league the… Read more »
I wouldn’t trip over Enrique, although he’s probably my 5th choice option.
PHd
Exactly.
It’s all on Kroenke now. Let’s see if he can deliver.
I’m talking of aubergine the vegetable of course…
Whomever the new manager is, I would like PV4 to be his assistant.
Michael, you’re a bit thick aren’t you.
I have wanted AW gone for 4/5 years so I am happy he is going but I respect the great work he did do. Read what Alex Ferguson has said about him. Stop the divisive bollocks. We’re all Arsenal fans on here. We all want what’s best. Grow up.
Phd
I’d like to add to that. I’m not suggesting I expect Arsenal to definitely sign the best ever manager, the best ever players and win the quadruple next season, or even ever.
What I’d like to see is some ambition and some commitment both financially and in terms of recruitment, and for the club to move forward.
The Sanheli an misinlat appointments were a good sign.