Big news in the managerial race + Wenger middle finger to Jose

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No sooner had I thrown the white towel in on the managerial race, than old Duncan Castles chimes in with a piece for The Sunday Times in which he declares the exec suite at Arsenal see Enrique as an inappropriate hire due to his money demands and his self-absorbed style of management.

That my friends, if true, is music to my ears.

Every manager who is linked to Arsenal needs a special superpower, for the life of me, I couldn’t work out what his was. Sure, he’s a good manager, but is he great? What could he bring to a broken group of players with very little money? I wasn’t sure…

The weird part about the story is the club are apparently interested in Sarri. I don’t quite get that. I mean, the guy creates masterful football, but he’s also an accused racist and homophobe. I’m not sure that alligns with the values of the club.

So that leaves the field shrinking.

My gut feel is this.

Ivan G wants to hire in Arteta, but that’s a massive risk and it’d take balls of steel to make a decision like that. The fans don’t love Arteta like they’d love a Vieira. I think most would see his hire as a mistake. It’d be an interesting move, but it’s not quite the same as Pep to Barca or Zidane to Madrid. I think it’d be a pretty exciting hire, but I’m not sure I have the appetite for extreme risk. It’d be an arrogant move fraught with danger, and really Ivan needs the fans united, and he certainly doesn’t want to be on the end of unpleasant op-eds if things go wrong.

It’s clear we’re not getting Allegri who is top 3 in the world for what he does. The only other elite manager who we could opt for is Conte (assuming Tuchel is off limits), and I’m not sure he’s our cup of tea if we’re looking for someone who behaves well and can keep their ego in check.

I think Vieira would be suicidal, the only superpower he has at the moment is his past as an amazing captain. That could be an Alan Shearer like mistake. You know what I think of the Geordies.

So that narrows the search down to Nagelsmann and Jardim.

I think the German feels like the right level of compromise if we want to go for an exciting young manager like the Rams did (good read on Hoffenheim here). He has experience, he is influenced by Rangnick, Tuchel, Klopp and Guardiola, he took a shite team to the Champions League, he’s personable and understands people dynamics, and it seems like there’s a fairly clear run for him.

I love Jardim, but I’m not sure how great his English is, and I wonder if the club want to make a splashier headline grabber for the fans.

Nagelsmann is the one for me. He checks all the boxes. He could be the next level, is the next level, is the next level.

Today’s game won’t be next level. We’re taking a b-squad up to United. It’s an opp to give our exciting kids the chance to rock it at Old Trafford. Someone said to me it’s almost a middle finger to Jose. Wenger doesn’t care about losing to him one last time, he’s all about the Europa League.

I’ll take anything better than losing 4-0.

It’s all about this coming Thursday.

I’m back on the pod this afternoon, if you want to listen, stay glued to Twitter and await my order.

SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS!

 

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China

Nice goal

jasongms

haha Mikhi 1 Alexis 0

Pierre

Who made the goal marko

Ishola70

Xhaka did well there for the goal.

There I said it.

He’s not completely shite.

Can do good things occasionally.

DaveB666

GET IN!

Marko

To be honest, I think your obsession is champagne Charlie…

Course you do. It’s funny but I’m about as critical of Xhaka as you are of Ramsey

UTarse

Mikhitarian has deserved that

useroz

Love kids in the ‘older’ days. Remember Cesc against Pat in the CL game and all.

Now I read Nelson is considering his options and not renewing…so I thought he is darn good. Oh well…

Just no blind faith. My bad.
———

YEssssssss. Mikki.

Elmo

Thought Mkhi had lost the opportunity by deciding not to slip PEA through, but great finish.

A draw here would be a very respectable result in light of the players on the field.

Hoping Weng still remembers to take Mkhi off on 60 mins.

Ishola70

Man Utd been coasting this game.

There were warning signs for them in the first half.

Guns of Hackney

Our sea foam green kit needs getting rid of.

I’d like us to do a 1983 and go purple and green for the away.

Any gooners remember that one?

Champagne charlie

UT

Hearing Redknapp praise Xhaka now…?

Haven’t seen any on here tip their cap where due. That’s the difference.

Marko

Who made the goal marko

He did well there. Stole the ball and passed it quickly. See I can give him some due credit. I also don’t gloss over his bad moments Pierre

China

Utd rocking a bit. Better from arsenal and worse from them in this half

gonsterous

The 2 Man U players who watched the ball run by them

lmao.. better explain it was a joke before you get battered…

China

A good moment from xhaka. Please do that regularly…

useroz

Young got away so so much. No yellow?? Multiple fouls…

Bob N16

Slipped in the ‘blind faith’ useroz. I would describe my view as supportive, hopeful, wishful. I accept that it’s incredibly hard to produce international standard players through a youth system. Iwobi plays for Nigeria mind you!!

Dissenter

Ishola
Xhaka was not an inspired signing.
If we were a £150 million annual transfer budget club, I would say get rid off him. He’s not suited to the premier league and we don’t have players that can cover his deficiencies.
‘It’s just that we have 3-4 positions in the starting eleven that require more drastic change; GK, two central defenders and a winger-type attacker.

Paulinho

Xhaka, Xhaka, Xhaka, Xhaka Khan
Xhaka Khan, Xhaka Khan, Xhaka Khan
Xhaka Khan, let me rock you
Let me rock you, Xhaka Khan
Let me rock you, that’s all I wanna do

UTarse

CC,
Game isn’t over yet, I’d wait till the end of it before giving him praise if he has improved.

China

Considering we’re at OT and they still want the points, this is a really poor performance from Utd.

UTarse

GOH,
Still got it …. but I’m sure mine is navy blue and green !

S Asoa

Sanchez running all over for no purpose BTW who put that midget when Rashford is in ?

Ishola70

Xhaka assisting in the middle of the park is not really the point of him being slagged though really.

His detractors or most of them I would say just fear him when he is trying to defend/ protect the back four.

Still Xhaka out I’m afraid.

Ishola70

This is a nothing game really isn’t it.

Very end of season feel to it.

useroz

C’mon hold the fort for 5″ more and Wenger will send in the reinforcement on 67″.

Marko

‘It’s just that we have 3-4 positions in the starting eleven that require more drastic change; GK, two central defenders and a winger-type attacker.

You’re mental if you think we need a winger before a CM. Mental I say. By your opinion you’d have the midfield has is? Absolutely absurd we need a new midfield as much as a new defence

S Asoa

Wenger WANTS to win against Mourinho.
ManU should do their changes

Guns of Hackney

Dead rubber match. Boring.

Wenger will take a draw and redefine it as a World Cup win.

The premier league is terrible quality.

UTarse

Don’t want to jinx him but I like this Greek kid, looks very assured

Paulinho

Nelson utter gash.

Probably worst youngster I’ve seen play for us for a decade, and yet he’s supposed to be the best since Wilshere.

Champagne charlie

UT
Point well and truly missed. He nipped in, tackled a United player dwelling on the ball and laid it in front of Mhki to score.

If you can’t bring yourself to tip your cap there then it tells me you’re unfair.

S Asoa

Wenger throwing in the sink not afraid of committing Monreal too

Paulinho

Greek guy has the perfect physical tools that’s for sure.

Guns of Hackney

The Greek kid is shit UT.

He has hacked a player down and done nothing else. For me, that’s not a great debut.

Plus he’s Greek. And that whole Trojan horse thing left me cold. Sad.

Dissenter

Marko
Yes I think we need a winger type attacker that can hug the line and stretch defenses. I think we play through the middle too much…way too much.
I still hold some hope for the possibility that a new manager can find a way to make Ramsey and Xhaka play together for one season before we can change Xhaka when he has two seasons left on his contract.

Marko

Realise the intensity is severely lacking in this game but credit to Mavropanos he’s been good today and Maitland Niles too has been excellent

Bob N16

Watch a different sport Guns…you’re being masochistic if you are getting no pleasure….

Marko

Plus he’s Greek. And that whole Trojan horse thing left me cold. Sad.

You’re on a roll today

Ishola70

Paulinho
“Nelson utter gash.Probably worst youngster I’ve seen play for us for a decade, and yet he’s supposed to be the best since Wilshere.”

Experts on here told me that Nelson was much better than AMN.

Didn’t really see it.

I think they liked his dribbling.

Like appreciating the dribbling in the seal water park.

Guns of Hackney

Here’s the lowdown on the squad.

It’s rubbish.

Next weeks class: water is wet.

Niles and his other gash teammates haven’t been good but we’re building them up to be the next maradona. No.

Bob N16

Not saying we’re going to win but did you read that stat, United have never lost a game in the 200+ games in the PL when they have led at HT at OT. Would be sweet even in a meaningless match.

Samesong

I like Monreal forward runs. He’s going to score the winner. Overhead kick.

Bob N16

Squeeze the joy out Guns, go on!

TR7

AMN can be a very good player, need to show more desire. Good game so far from the Greek kid.

Guns of Hackney

Imagine the score line if this was a Ferguson United.

8-2?

I’m drinking a 2007 red for my birthday.

Samesong

AMN can be a very good player, need to show more desire.

What desire? He young and probably tired now.

jasongms

Like what I’m seeing from this Greek kid

Marko

Mavropanos has had a better 71 minutes than Mustafi has had all season

S Asoa

The Greek freebie is stable on his feet in all directions !
Also knocked out the ManU fatso

Bob N16

2004 a better year Guns, unbeatable vintage.

Dissenter

My top three

priorities are
GK. [we don’t even have a proper reserve GK]
Central defender
Central defender [ that has some ability to play like a defensive midfielder like Eric Dier]
Winger type attacker with excellent dribbling capacity to open up close games.

Then we can deal with the midfield if opportunities come up.

Marko, You don’t think we play through the middle too much.

useroz

Ospina came out for wot?? That’s why he should not even be our 2nd keeper. Judgment?

Dissenter

Referring has ben pathetic
Fellaini should have been cared there. He was. never going to get that ball. He just softened the goalie for the next aerial challenge.

London gunner

Greek guy looks like a no nonsense defender. We certainly need one of those among the jesters in the squad

S Asoa

Predictable Wenger.
Took off the BEST PLAYER Miki

Dissenter

*refereeing has been pathetic**

Marko

Then we can deal with the midfield if opportunities come up.

Teams have been moonwalking through our piece of shit midfield all season long and you want a winger. I honestly hope that the two new defenders and goalkeeper are the best in the world because they’re going to be putting in some serious work if the midfield isn’t addressed

Paulinho

Only a matter of time before the Mancs score.

Champagne charlie

Asoa

Because this game means nothing, and he wants Mhki for Thursday you turnip

Guns of Hackney

BobN16

As SN is my hometown. Dubois Gramont, Bordeaux 2007

What’s your recommendation for a 04? I’m always interested for a new suggestion.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Bellerin has been suspect today

Marko

Marko, You don’t think we play through the middle too much.

I get what you’re saying and I agree that we’re crying out for a proper winger and we need to replace the likes of Welbeck and Iwobi but I wouldn’t contemplate any offensive signings until the defence and midfield is addressed. It’s where we’re weakest

Dissenter

Marko
You do realize that it’s hard to use our £110 million central attacking talent properly unless we provide another option for them?
Right now we are wasting Ozil and Auba [when he plays with Laca].

Just my take. We play through the middle too much.

Buckhurst Gun

Mav looks like a great prospect , if you’re going to Judge a player , what better team for them to face than Man U or one of the other big boys , he’s looked way more assured than kos an mus have at times this season , will do him wonders if it stays 1-1 or we nick it ….

Dissenter

Taking off Myki was the right decision.’
He got his muted applause from the OT faithful and he’s had a proper run-around before Thursday?

Guns of Brixton

Please snatch a win Arsenal

Paulinho

Xhaka again turning backwards into trouble.

Dissenter

Impressive performance from the youth in the squad.
It bodes well for next season, maybe our bench is not as shallow as I believed.
With a new change of coaching staff…who knows?

Marko

You do realize that it’s hard to use our £110 million central attacking talent properly unless we provide another option for them?
Right now we are wasting Ozil and Auba [when he plays with Laca].

You do realize that we could have an attack worth 200 million and it won’t matter one fuck if we have a poor midfield and defence costing us games.

Dissenter

I can see why Mourhino wants to get rid of Martial.
All dribble and pace..no end product. He’s all hat and no cattle as we like to say here.

Dissenter

Wenger used this game to make a point.
It was a good point against a loaded United team playing at home.

Bob N16

Guns, you missed my somewhat cheesy joke, 20(03) 04 unbeatable (invincible) vintage.

China

That was a great cross

DaleDaGooner

Soon as I was about to write that we need a right back, Bellerin gives Martial so much space to cross the ball for what could have been a goal. Bellerin is garbage!

Marko

Maitland Niles has to be MOTM

Bob N16

Ospina, short arse!

Dissenter

Ospina is bloody useless
IS HE A DWARF?

Marko

Shame

Paulinho

Only a matter of time.

We are shockingly bad. Hanging on like we are in a European cup final.

Ishola70

lol

Still lost without Man Utd really up for this game

jasongms

Oh just fuck off

useroz

We don’t block cross ffs.

Ospina not good enough.

Don’t like to lose in th fashion

Samesong

Not much could be done about that goal tbh.

China

Disappointing result. Can’t really say they’ve been the better team but this is football

Ridiculous header

Bob N16

Ishola, our team was hardly our best available….

Dissenter

Paulinho
“We are shockingly bad.”

No we weren’t. It may be good venting cliche but it’s not true in the context of the game.
We were good enough for a draw…at the very least.

Marko

Of course Xhaka has to be the player going for the header. No real blame attached he’s just not that good in duels

DaveB666

And now we have a typical post Invincibles performance at Old Trafford. NGE (not good enough) sums up Wenger’s final years.

Danish Gooner

Manure always lucky,like shit.

Paulinho

Dissenter – You’re standards have dropped too low then.

Our passing and general play since our goal has been revolting.

Dissenter

That header had no power at al and just seemed to be hanging in the air, enough tome for a proper keeper to tip it away.
It would have been a save for the back pages.

Leftsidesanch

Well that was annoying…

gonsterous

PEA has been so invisible today..

Guns of Brixton

We R a special type of rubbish

Champagne charlie

Bit of a harsh result that. Performance of both teams pretty much how the seasons have gone.

United are meh, and rely on half-footballers. Arsenal can be cute, and woefully inept.

We’re changing managers though, they ain’t 🙂

Ishola70

Bob N16
our team was hardly our best available….

Not really the point that was made Bob.

Just that Man Utd were not intense for this match themselves.

Danish Gooner

With our A side we would have won,can see us getting a result at Atletico.