Arsene Wenger had a mad bit of banter in the press.
Firstly, he shared with you what I told you as soon as he was booted… you know, that he was booted.
“The timing was not really my decision. And for the rest I’ve spoken about it already.”
Shortly after the press, he likely landed a call from HR. Then his tune changed.
“After reaching agreement about my departure, I was happy for the club to decide when to announce,” the statement said .”I wish to make it clear the timing of the announcement was right.”
In America, when you’re fired or asked politely to leave, they make you sign a ‘I won’t be salty in the media’ agreement. One would assume Stan gave Wenger the £9m on the proviso he keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t make life hard for Ivan and the new manager coming in.
Pretty amusing. Also amusing for all the sycophants that believed Wenger left without taking severance.
Patrick Vieira slipped into some sexy panties and flaunted his career desires all over the media today.
“It’s an honour to be mentioned with Arsenal – I love the club. I played my best football there and made my name in the game.”
“I am always going to have a deeper relationship with Arsenal. That is not enough to coach that team but I’m ready to coach any side in Europe.”
I love Patrick, I truly do. He’s a warrior, a leader, and a smart man. However, I just can’t get onboard with him coming to the club. Some of the papers are saying he’s Wenger’s pick… there’s simply no way the club are going to roll with the kiss of death from an ex-manager, and look, his record is hardly impressive.
His New York club don’t play great football, they’re hardly dominant, and the caliber of the game over here is absolute pony. I’d love to have him join the staff in a coaching capacity, but there’s no way he’s ready for the Arsenal role. If you’re coming in as a risk, you have to have some sort of prodigal talent that stands you out, a 45% win rate in MLS for one of the richest teams isn’t good enough.
I’d say he could run the academy, but Per Mertesacker is taking on that duty. I was a bit rude about his appointment a few months ago, but apparently, I need to be thrashed for uttering such concerns. The BFG has been landing glowing reports from people around the club for his leadership skills behind the scenes. He’s been working with the kids, keeping spirits high and just being an all-round total hero. Apparently we’d be in much worse shape if he weren’t there.
When it comes to the emotional intelligence I spoke about yesterday, there’s no doubt that he has that in abundance. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word said about him. After reading that incredibly candid interview of him in Kicker, and hearing his taking responsibility for a broken Arsenal, I am very excited to see what he can do.
Someone was trying to convince me that Andries Joncker represented success during his time in the academy. One FA Cup youth final that was lost and an U23 league win being proof. That isn’t success people. Success is bringing through elite talent. We have young players at the club, but I wouldn’t say much of that is about our academy. You can talk about Nelson, Nketiah and Willock. But I could point you to a whole host of young talent that had lots of excitement back in the day but never made it. Bartley, Watt, JET, Lansbury, Simpson, Sunu were all exciting in 2009, where did they end up?
Southampton has a successful academy. That’s what we should model our dreams on.
Anyway, talking of dreams, how about the Arsene Wenger farewell tour dream of going all the way for the Europa League #BackDoorTopFour push? The press asked Simeone whether Diego Costa was coming to play, or to just scare the Arsenal players.
“Knowing Diego, I think all of those apply to him,”
“In England and Spain, many teams have suffered at the hands of Diego. It is not just Arsenal.”
Look, I’m just going to put it out there, last time we saw Costa he was buried in Rob Holding’s pocket in the FA Cup final. He’s not scary anymore. Right? Come on? I’m right? No?
Ok, there’s a slight worry Costa is going to drop us over his knee and spank us, but it’s not a certainty he’ll start. I do think Simeone might be tempted to start him. His side are great at home having won 10 of 11 games with 10 clean sheets, however, away from home, they’ve conceded in each of their last 8 and they haven’t won in their last 4 games.
If Arsenal has a chance, it’s tonight at home. Our fortress. Our safe space. The place where dreams are made. Kind of…
This is massive for the players. They’re not playing for their holidays, they’re playing for their careers. The players are more than capable of lifting their game for the big occasion, we saw that in the incredible FA Cup final last season. They need to bring that magic to the ground tonight.
Ramsey is on the same page as me…
“It’s a massive motivation, to put the emotional side to one side and use it to go on and win this trophy for him.
It’d be a great way to go. I think Atleti will be coming for a 0-0, knowing we’re there for the taking in the away leg. I’d hope Arsenal go all out to ruffle their feathers. I’d love to see Danny W have another blinder, his form since returning has been excellent and he is an absolute man-monster to deal with when he’s tuned into the game. Ramsey needs to bring beast mode and show the whole of Europe he’s the hottest Welshman this summer. You’d also hope Lacazette can continue his free-scoring. Maybe a bit extra in it for him after his move there failed?
We also need a focused game from our defence. Ospina will start, which is about as worrying as Cech starting, so no loss there. Whoever makes up the rest need to focus. I really don’t want to lose this game on a stupid Koscielny error, or a rush of blood from Mustafi.
Winning Europa might change the type of manager we hire. The frontrunner according to the press is now Luis Enrique. I’d not be upset, the guy has won the Champions League, he’ll massively elevate how we play, and he’ll bring a discipline and intensity we’ve lacked for years. My worry is he’s not the best candidate. He’s not a bad one. I just think if we’re dishing out £15m a year, it should go on Allegri.
I also think that it’s a massive risk giving the club to someone who has dealt with the best of the best. Doing amazing things with amazing players is a talent, don’t get me wrong. But we don’t have amazing players, we have average resources, and we’re a major rebuilding project.
Shouldn’t we be looking for coaches doing a lot with a little? Read about Jardim here and tell me he’s not perfect? He’s used to working under tough conditions, he’s a master of developing young players (a critique of Enrique is he didn’t bring through players), and he gives you all the attacking flair of #WengerBall. If not him, then Nagelsmann and Tedesco are doing great things with limited budgets.
We need great ideas, not a prestige coach. We are not Barcelona. I worry that Raul S might be in danger of trying to recreate Barcelona on a budget. Wenger tried that post 2006. It didn’t work out.
Anyway, that’s a story for another day, for tonight, we dine in hell… or Piebury Corner before the match, making sure we get into the ground on time.
Don’t be tardy, and know I am jealous as one can be that I’m not there with you! x
DM (new tr1phy?)
4th
Oops
4
Bugger, just missed this
Hi guys
Europa
Weagle my post said at the time those signings were made meaning Turan was signed off of Atletico. Even if he came now he would start in our middle. Ramsey can’t bring a ball under control with one touch, Wilshire is dire, Xhaka will start because there’s no replacement for him and Mo is a sub at best. If Turan were to come to Arsenal now he would start. Gomes is so young and with what he did at Valencia you could discount his barca days as a spin off. Dembele might still go the same way at Barca. Maybe… Read more »
Ding dong! Round six!
Mystic I don’t choose Nagelsmann.
If you read properly you would see I said I would want Allegri, Jardim over him.
Not keen on Enrique.
That you seem to rate Arteta higher than Nagelsmann is worrying. There is nothing absolutely nothing that suggests at this point that Arteta would be a better appointment than Nagelsmann.
Why are Arsenal supposedly interested in Leno for?
He looks about 18 years old and doesn’t have much presence.
We’re going down the Klopp road of signing nothing German keepers.
Ishola
Talking like you’ve never seen Leno play
Yeah I’ve seen him play.
Have you?
Not all that. Should be looking at better really.
Ishola
Easy to say should look for better, without naming anyone or putting opinions out there.
Leno has long been regarded one of the best in the Bundesliga, he used to have a mistake in him early in his career but he’s gotten rid of that to become one of the top keepers about. He’s like 6”3/4 so your presence one is puzzling, unless you mean something else entirely
Huge bid on Wembley by another American 800milllion.
It’s the guy that owns Fulham.?
And the Jaguars in the States.
Yeah you can be big and tall without having that real menace presence if you know what I mean.
But the guy has good agility for a big fella and he’s quicker off his line than Cech.
His agility is the best thing about him would say.
Still I don’t get that you will not get past me feel about him.
Average signing.
Test
Jack Wilshere is cooked at the elite level.
His mentality, attitude, self entitlement, bad habits (on and off the pitch) along with the obvious injuries have left him a bang average injury prone CM with a dubious aura. West Ham seems about right.
Sad but true
Guys if you’re not following CMularr on Twitter, you need to be. Best AFC ITK on the net. Called loads of stuff well before it happened. He said that Enrique to Chelsea was a done deal a couple weeks ago and now the Spanish journalists are all saying the same thing. I think he’ll suit them tbh.
Think we can do better than Leno. Would be too similar to a young Szczesny.
Pavlenka has been superb this season and Werder always need money.
Gambon/Ishola
Still waiting for the Leno alternatives
No such thing as an ITK for Arsenal.
I know a guy that works with the youths at Colney and he finds stuff out at the same time as me through Twitter.
It’s all a load of losers guessing.
Charlie
I just gave you one.
“Southampton has a successful academy. That’s what we should model our dreams on.” Pedro, all those players you mentioned, were they at Southampton they would be seasoned premier league pros now. Those players and more like Crowley, Willock and Merida had what it took to play for the first team. For some big teams I guess there’s something sweeter about going out to buy a player. Arsenal fell into that category. We need to play our youth players that are ready in the first team like they have earned a place. Not bring them on for 1st round fa cup… Read more »
If Arsenal had signed Dembele they would have loaned him to Spain. if Dortmund had signed Mavropanos he would have already had first team games under his belt
Willock plays for Benfica reserves.
What makes you think he could play for the first team?
Enrique doesn’t make sense to me, hard to gauge his managerial nous having taken over Pep/Tito’s team and steered them very right for a couple seasons then lost them. Can’t argue with the palmares by any stretch but something about it feels lazy, not even scratching surface on potential candidates.
Thats not even touching on his £15m per price tag. Made some very suspect signings notably Alex Song, Verm, Mathieu Turan and host of others than didn’t gel.
Maybe not ITKs but people definitely have connections and CMularr is one of them. Expect to see Enrique joined them. The money aspect will play a bigger factor there and I think he’ll like that.
Did Enrique “lose” Barcelona though Sal?…
He finished 2nd on 90 points, scored more and conceded less than Madrid.
Sergio Rico of Sevilla is a more competent keeper to me than Leno.
The only thing with Rico though is that he stays rooted to his line a bit too much.
Tbf the market for keepers is very average.
Folks been saying for years that the standard of real good keepers around compared to the past is thin on the ground.
Thus the Leno purchase remains an average one.
He lost Messi, for me thats loosing Barca and he was gone.
That side could be managed by Bould and they’d finish into top two.
Or better by Park Chu Young’s left testicle.
Gambon
And he’s better than Leno because?
He’s had one season in a decent league and is the same age as Leno who’s been a bundesliga mainstay for 6 years. Yet despite widespread belief of Leno as a top goalkeeper, you’re underwhelmed and provide Pavlenka as the Claiborne we should target….
“I still cannot say that I’m retired. “I still get a lot of offers, although that sounds annoying to some people. But it’s true. “I now have an offer I can’t refuse, I think. But if I don’t have a new club in July or August, you can assume that I’m retired.”
It’s going to be Van gaal people.
You can still see how Wenger wakes up every fucking morning asking himself how he it was possible for him to be usurped.
What a sad way to go after 22 years. Lost the club millions in both revenue and cash reserve. Contributed massively to the divide between the fan base. Not to mention he was massively reluctant to any form of change that could well contribute to a loss of power.
“It’s going to be Van gaal people.”
If we were hiring Van Gaal surely he’d blab about it……. wait:
“I now have an offer I can’t refuse, I think. But if I don’t have a new club in July or August, you can assume that I’m retired.” Van Gaal today… he’s perfect more batshit crazy than Wenger.
Absolutely no way we appoint Louis Van Gaal.
There about a 2% chance in that happening.
We’d have to fail with:
Jardim
Allegri
Enrique
Zidane
Hoffenheim kid
and another half a dozen managers.
Carts
Lets just say that was a pretty banter oriented post.
If we hired Van Gaal, i’d start supporting West Ham.
Sal
Sorry, bud. lol.
My arsehole almost fell out reading that.
LVG is literally choosing a manager worse than Wenger. Would be a catastrophe.
That said, he did sign Martial and was the one who brought Rashford through so credit where it’s due.
I love that quote, ” I now have an offer I can’t refuse, I think….”
Surely thats Wenger in a short time.
“The place where dreams are made. Kind of…”
lol
“Ospina will start, which is about as worrying as Cech starting”
Disagree with that, Cech is finish, even if he’s more expereienced than Ospina.
Ospina is short and stands behind the goal line. As past it as Cech is, he’s still better and doesn’t go down injured every game!
Handanovic has put up yet another stellar season at Inter Milan.
There’s Allison, Oblak, Donnarumma, Leno, Rui Patricio.
Allison and Oblak I fear are far too much money for GKs. I don’t rate Leno as well. I’d go uber young and buy Lafont from Toulouse. So much potential.
My feeling is that Ivan gave the game away when he said ‘bold and brave’. I believe his choice as manager is Arteta. Whether he over-rides the opposition’s choices remains to be seen. I hope he does. For me Arteta ticks all the boxes, except one: management experience. But so does every manager until he gets his first job. And some – like Gardiola and Zidane – start at the very top by managing an elite club. I won’t go into all his plusses – like leadership and charisma, for example – but I will mention one. Arteta knows the… Read more »
What about Donnarumma?
Massive presence for one so young, Buffon’s heir as the man said himself.
‘like leadership and charisma, for example’
Would never have associated either of these with Arteta, especially the latter.
Ramford is correct there, Oblak would empty the kitty pretty quickly but ideal signing. Safe to say Simeone’s good with finding shot blockers.
Eagle – under the umbrella of too expensive. Considering his age, length of contract and how in demand he is, how much would he cost I’d be thinking differently if we basically didn’t have to overhaul the squad.
Now would be a good time to get a highly rated, experienced young keeper in.
With Cech in his last year there to mentor and still play some games.
Peyton has to be leaving as well now with Wenger so we could actually get a good keeping coach in.
If it works out we potentially have a goalie for 15 years or if we decide to move him on in the future he will still have resale value.
“For me Arteta ticks all the boxes, except one: management experience.”
Erm… charisma, balls, leadership anyone ??
Even Freddie is back, good days ahead!! 🙂
RP
Yeah true, for me spending £50-80 million on one of Allison, Oblak or Donnarumma would represent excellent business though, we’re talking about three elite/soon to be elite GK’s that are years away from their prime that could potentially give you 10-15 years.
GK is a hugely problematic position for us.
Lafont ‘s a good shout in relation to our reported budget
If Lafont did sign i’d keep Cech as a #2 for a year.
Look at how much of a difference that DDG makes for United.
We forget just how important a top GK is because we haven’t had one for a LONG time.
Sczesny had his moments but really you have to venture back to Mad Jens.
I read an article about the net spending in player transfer in the 10 years up until 2013. Arsenal has a net gain of over 20 m, while Man-City has spent over 400 m. That is before the Guardiola years.
How can we compete if our team owner doesn’t invest in the team…
If we’re truly working with the limited funds that’s been bandied around, what would be your choices of ins and outs? Realistically we’re not going to swap the whole team out but there’s still plenty of options out there to improve the team. Ospina out 10. Alban Lafont in 15-20m Chambers and mustafi out 40-45m Evans in for 3m (homegrown) or de vrij on a free, Manolas rumored price was 32m in january. ( would prefer Koulibaly but Chelsea are apparently bidding 65m for him, out of our price range) Release Wilshere and Cazorla, sell Xhaka 20-25m Get Meyer on… Read more »
Eagle – totally agree on the importance of a GK. That’s why I was upset about selling Szczesny to Juve. GK is hugely important for the spine but I just don’t think we can afford to spend £80m on a GK when we have such other pressing needs too.
If Spuds get fourth place and we go into the CL next year as Euro Cup winners, would we push them out again? Or does the Premiership just then have 5 participants?
RP
Yeah man selling Shezzer to Juve was a shocking decision, always rated him here.
What position do you reckon is most important that we strengthen?
Moray
The only way 4th place finishers can still be pushed out is if both Liverpool win CL and Arsenal win EL, AND Liverpool finish outside top 4.
In other words, nigh on impossible at this stage.
I don’t believe there is really any genuine ITK when it comes to Arsenal but according to one of the supposed ITKs we are looking at Nick Pope of Burnley.
Moray – the PL would have 5 teams like this year.
Sczesney and Ox – two genuinely good players offloaded by Arsenal in recent years.
Freddie, with our new scouting set up, I think we’ll see some very intelligent purchases. Free transfers, future talent, cheaper talent from lower leagues with a high bar. All the things we used to do 20 years ago. There is a big rebuilding job for sure, but unlike under Wenger we shouldn’t doubt that the planning, quiet conversations and scouting is not already underway. And in a World Cup year that proactivity is a must as we will need to get off the mark early before the prices go through the roof.
“Nick Pope of Burnley.”
Not even funny.
(no lol at all)
Thanks both. Would have been nice. Second only to knocking them out of the fucker in the latter rounds next season of course…
Eagle – Midfield is most important for me but the whole spine needs to be readdressed. GK (go young IMO) CB x2 (because Mustafi is trash and Kos is broken. Sell Chambers, keep Holding and promote the Greek kid) DM (I like Xhaka but his lack of mobility can’t be ignored. Also incredibly one-footed and isn’t press resistant) CM (Golovin, Aouar, Ndombele, Ceballos. I think we should keep Ramsey but if he wants to go, you get a big fee for him and release Wilshere then buy two CMs) WF (Guedes/Draxler/Bailey/Malcom/Dembele. Definitely need to go big here IMO). So we’re… Read more »
“What position do you reckon is most important that we strengthen?”
GK CB DM, All three positions are of joint importance
Oh and a Real winger very closely behind.
Le grove is an odd place, some days you’ve got people talking sense about smart purchases, and respecting how we operate.
Other days it’s Oblak and Donnarumma this summer as Gk options haha. Ok boys
RP
Yeah largely agree with that.
Our spine is awful, no presence at all in the team.
I think we need in order of importance CM x2, CBx2, GK, LF/RF and then if we were really honing in a young up and coming LB to take over from Monreal soon, I’m also not wedded to Bellerin and would love Sidibe.
Nick Pope?
More like we’ve Nicked the Pope to bless the Stadium and training facilities after Wenger leaves.
Aside from the ageing players and those nearing the end of their contracts, the new manager has to very quickly make a decision on some of our other players; namely whether their flakiness is down to poor coaching or the absence of strategy or whether they simply don’t have what it takes. I’m thinking about players like Kos, Bellerin, Mustafi, xhaka, Ramsay…it’s a huge job for someone. So critical
That we choose the right person.
Max Meyer verbally agreed
Charlie
Don’t think for one second that we’ll actually sign one of those 3, just like I don’t think we’ll bring in Allegri as your mate predicts.
The real money will be earned this summer in giving this side some type of identity, bringing in the necessary MF, defensive options to work with whose staying. Left side of attack needs immediate addressing as does GK.
For all of Wenger’s talk of leaving this club in better shape than he found it, whats certain is that on a playing front we have zero identity. We don’t counter attack well, we don’t defend well, were decent at maintaining possession and doing very little with it the giving a soft goal away on set piece.
Eagle – forgot about the FBs. Yeah we’d need a LB IMO. RB I think AMN can develop in that position as he has great physical tools. Bellerin isn’t the greatest technically (hard to believe he was a winger at Barca) but his physical tools mean he’s well suited for the league.
We have to be wary about bloating an already sizeable wage bill so I’d be down for having an elite first team and stat padding the rest with academy/young players with potential.
Weagle
Rubbish comparison.
1) he’s not predicting anything, he says that’s what people inside are saying amongst the hush hush.
2) we outright can’t afford Oblak/Donnarumma, we absolutely can afford Allegri.
So Allegri may or may not happen, whereas a 70mil GK will definitely not happen.
RP
Forgot about AMN tbf, he’s looked decent in spurts this season.
You look at how well Arnold has done for Liverpool and it really does reinforce the importance of having something coming out of your own academy.
Yeah and look Bellerin’s far from our biggest issue, even think that he could be one of those few players we have that would thrive under a new gaffer.
All officials for tonight’s game are French…. are we thinking alike?
CC
Neither are happening which is the reason I compared them.
Don’t for one second believe that we’re actually ambitious enough to go out and headhunt Allegri, I mean look how long it took them to call a day on AW, there were even murmours coming out that they knew by the end of last season that his days were numbered but they didn’t have any replacements lined up.
Eagle – yeah players like him and Nelson should be filling up squad spots and getting opportunities in cup games and dead rubbers like they have this season. HG and they don’t eat up massive wages so it makes a lot of sense.
Costa apparently will play tonight.
Big plus for Atleti, he’s got a very good record against us and generally makes our defenders lives hell for 90 mins.
How good is Max Meyer? YouTube scouting tells me he is a decent passer but that’s about it. Isn’t much of a goal scorer, doesn’t get much in to attacking positions and isn’t physically gifted either.
Weagle
I appreciate he sentiment, I’ve long echoed it. But the comparison is still bogus because we absolutely might appoint Allegri, whereas we aren’t on the level of splashing that money on a GK.
The dubious nature of getting Allegri, whilst warranted, is still just a feeling. I’m not saying we won’t buy Oblak on my feeling, we can’t afford him.
Wouldn’t even waste my time pining for Oblak, Allison, or Donerkebabarumma. That £50m warchest would get us as far as the negotiation table.
Out of curiously, Kevin Trapp at PSG being replaced by Areola (who for the record, is bang average) are we writing him off?
TR7 – not a fan personally. People are trying to sell him off as the new Cazorla but he’s nowhere near as good. I mean he is decent technically and can strike a ball well so you can’t really go wrong on a free (unless we’re paying him Kolasinac wages lol). Generally speaking though, the CM names I suggested above are much better.
Why not give a chance to one of our own-Martinez?
TR7
He’d be a good signing for a freebie, he’s basically that kind of player. Improves us but not to any significant degree, especially when you look at City’s midfield and Liverpool buying Keita.
United have Pogba and Matic.
He’s compared to Santi Cazorla when he was good which I find mental.
Bit like Kolisinac.
“Don’t for one second believe that we’re actually ambitious enough to go out and headhunt Allegri…”
Have to agree with this sadly, Raul has put in a call to his former boss Enrique, Gazidis has put in a call to former player Arteta and Wenger’s seemingly put Vieira up with Henry politicianing all to be on the staff in some capacity and thats that.
Moray – love the optimism, but no, if we win the EL then Premiership will have 5 clubs in the CL, just like this season when the Mancs won the EL so we had 5 clubs in CL this season…
Tr7
He’s a talent, both footed, good passer, quick and nimble, and surprisingly dogged. Very much NOT and attacking third player anymore after being converted to a deep CM.
He’s a nippy interceptor who’d then play passes through the midfield. Think more Ander Herrera.
Charlie
Fair enough, can’t argue with that.
Romford
I don’t get the Cazorla comparisons, he doesn’t play that way at all. Think that’s a lazy tag he’s getting imo.
Way more of a Duracell bunny type midfielder than technical expert.
Find Bayern signing Goretzka strange too, he doesn’t improve on what they already have. He’s only a good signing cause he’s free.
Neither did Tolisso, Rudy, Wagner or Sanches.
I have time for Trapp, don’t see how Areola has been an improvement tbh.
Sell Ospina, Sign LA Font
Sell Chambers, sign Evans and promote Mavropanos
Get rid of Wilshire, Cazorla and sign two midfielders
Sell Perez, Campbell, Wellbeck, Iwobi(if he doesn’t step up) and sign Martial plus Malcolm
Weagle
THE primarily issue with the bundesliga right there.
It’s a feeder league for Bayern.
CC – yeah Meyer started off as a #10 but is now playing as a #6 infront of the back 3. The fact he’s decent technically and versatile means he’s worth having but he doesn’t elevate the midfield in any sort of way compared to what we have now. Plus he’s another short midget – think we need to widen our profile a bit.
Eagle, agree, all of those are just basically Vidal but less good and in different colour skin although they all have potential in their own right. After lst night, Bayern should be throwing the bag at wide forwards like Martial/Malcom/Bailey etc.