Fans rally behind Arteta hype as evidence mounts he’s quite good (long read)

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Well, what a response to yesterday’s post, but before we get into that, let’s talk about some of the action that happened last yesterday.

President of Arsenal Internet, Lord of The Meme, King amongst information elites… Sir David Ornstein, dropped the news that the club had released longtime club medic, Colin Lewin. The man has been with us for 23 years, an incredible length of time. He was Head of Medical Services but was moved on yesterday.

This is sad. I had the privilege of meeting Colin Lewin in 2011 when he gave me and some other bloggers (I met Goonerholic) a tour of the medical facilities. The article is here and it’s still interesting today. I think I was invited, because back in the day, the argument around Wenger mostly centred on injured players, and how bad his luck was/how bad our medical team was. My argument was that injuries were sometimes about luck (impact), but most of our problems were soft tissue and preventable. The problem was Wenger overtraining players and fatiguing them (in the hope our players would be fitter in the last 10minutes), hammering a small squad and not rotating, combined with a lack of interest in using data properly. 3 years later we signed Shad Forsythe who could help with those issues and never looked back.

Anyway, it’s sad to see him go. I really feel for the good people left at Arsenal at the moment. There’s nothing worse than a regime change. Everyone is on edge, bullets come when you least expect it, and it’s terrifying.

Some other media outlets are reporting that Steve Bould won’t sign on under a new manager. I’m not surprised, he’s at the stage in his career where he needs to manage a club, and I’m sure there are plenty that’d be willing to give him a chance.

One thing is for sure, the club are being absolutely ruthless about getting back to the top. Raul Sanllehi is not mincing his vision (maybe the first Darren Burgess bullet with Colin), so I expect to see more changes in the not too distant future, and my hope is they are all for the good.

Again, all of this points towards a club that has a decentralized power structure. We’re not hiring in a manager who will bring 50 of his guys through the back door because he’s a so-called big name. We’re going to run like Barcelona. The Director of Football will make the decisions about the setup on the footballing side. He’ll hire in specialists who will build out teams and report into him. He’ll also be moving on surplus players, another area we’ve barely spoken about in the melee of craziness.

Sven Mislintat will control recruitment and player identification. It’ll be fascinating to understand how he’ll work with the whoever we bring in. He’ll not just be scouting, he’ll be monitoring our first team and making decisions with the coach on who we sign and let go, hopefully using insights gleaned from data sources (something we know Wenger either ignored or was really bad at).

Yesterday’s article went off the rails, the busiest day of the year for the site. The great news is the feedback was incredibly positive. Excellent that it coincided with Allegri declaring he’s likely to stay with Juve unless he’s fired.

This would be a bold move for Arsenal. Arteta could be our Pep Guardiola or Zidane. All the key attributes are there. He’s been a Premier League player, knows the league, has been a captain, is emotionally attached to Arsenal, has a goal of becoming an elite manager (one that he seems to be pursuing with vigour), cut his teeth with Manchester City after saying no to Spurs, he was a critical part of a backroom team that just delivered 100 points in the league.

The Poch said this in his book, Brave New World.

“He will make an exceptional coach,”

This is what Oliver Kay (great read) dug up from City spies.

“Extremely bright, great attention to detail, on the same page as Pep when it comes to how the game should be played,”

“Very good communicator, does a lot of one-to-one work with the players.”

“If you listen to what people say about Mikel, he has helped them get better,” another source says. “He is one of several coaches working behind Pep, but Pep wouldn’t have appointed him if he wasn’t convinced Mikel had some special qualities to bring to the party.

You only have to look at how he presents himself to see that he’s not a water carrier.

You can read snippets of where his head was at when he was 32 years old.

My team-mates are always going “What are you going to do Miki? You’re going to be a manager, you should be a manager!” I know what the job means and I know how hard it is, especially when I look at the boss and see how many hours he puts in here. You need to sacrifice your family all over again, which I’ve done since I was 15. But I would love to manage a squad of players and staff – I’ve got it inside me, it’s true, and I want to do it. First of all I want to make the most of my playing career, because I’m 32 and in this game you never know whether you’ll end up carrying on until 34, 35 or 36. After that, I’m certainly going to stay involved in football because I think I’ve got something to add. I would like to prove myself, and prove my ideas about managing and encouraging people to do things in the way I believe is best.

This was his philosophy 3 years ago.

My philosophy will be clear. I will have everyone 120 per cent committed, that’s the first thing. If not, you don’t play for me. When it’s time to work it’s time to work, and when it’s time to have fun then I’m the first one to do it, but that commitment is vital. Then I want the football to be expressive, entertaining. I cannot have a concept of football where everything is based on the opposition. We have to dictate the game, we have to be the ones taking the initiative, and we have to entertain the people coming to watch us. I’m 100 per cent convinced of those things, and I think I could do it.

Here’s his view on a system.

I think you need to adapt. You can have an idea of a system, but you need to be able to transform it depending on the players you have – how much pace you have up front, how technical your team is, what types of risk you can take and whether your players are ready to take those risks. It’s important to analyse your players because you can’t always play the same way. There have to be different details and changes in how you approach things, and you have to look at how you can hurt whoever you are playing against. Is there something they don’t like to do? If so, we’re going to make them do plenty of it. Then the most important thing for the manager is that, the Friday before the game, you imagine what’s going to happen on the Saturday. And if what happens on Saturday is not what I had planned, then it’s not been good enough from me.

Even back then, he understood you have to work with what you have, you must to pay attention to the details, and the players have to buy into it.

I also thought this John Cross story about Arteta was pretty funny.

He was nicknamed “Coach” by his team-mates during his five years at the Emirates as they could see his determination to move into management.

That nickname was not necessarily meant in the most flattering way — some players thought he was too ‘busy’ and always trying to interfere in decisions.

Firstly, I find it very hard to care about the opinion of many of our players over the last 10 years, we’ve been in sharp decline, anyone willing to help the mess should be given a gold star for effort. Secondly, if you read the Pep book by Ballague, he stated that Pep and Mourinho used to do exactly the same at Bareclona with Bobby Robson, reworking his tactics on the sly.

Mikel will be an entertainer, so we’ll be taking the game to the opposition and focus on buying in players who can dictate the game.

The major difference between then and now is that he’s worked from the ground up with the greatest manager in the world. He’s dealt with big personalities being told they’re surplus, or going to become bit part players. He’s helped identify weaknesses in young upstarts and been credited publicly on improving them. He’ll have been there at the training ground helping Pep identify what needed to happen to deliver on the mission of winning the league in year two, when the whole world was saying they couldn’t do it the beautiful way.

When you put that all down on paper, you might not be 100% sure of what’s coming, but damn, you’ll be excited and you’ll want to give it a go.

Arsenal fans have sat on their hands for the best part of ten years making inane excuses for our slow decline as a club. We’ve bottled countless league titles, we didn’t get out of the last 16 of the CL for 8 years in a row, we signed terrible players, we didn’t sell underperformers, we were consistently out thought by top 6 teams, we never, ever learnt from our mistakes.

  • ‘Mate, it’s only June, give it a rest’
  • ‘That won’t be the last of our signings, it’s only July’
  • ‘You get the best deals at the end of the window’
  • ‘No point in moaning, best shut up and support the lads’
  • ‘He’ll do something in January’
  • ‘SHUT UP AND SUPPORT THE LADS’
  • ‘Judge him in May’
  • ‘I think he knows what needs to be done’
  • ‘Hazard said Gervinho was the best player he’d ever trained with, actually’

Rinse. Repeat.

Arsene Wenger taught us that winning was secondary to values, and we fell for it.

That’s why I know the fans won’t be divided on Arteta. It’s almost impossible not to progress the club because the baseline is so low. Put a system in place, tighten the defence, implement a pressing philosophy, hold players accountable, run proper video analysis, practice how you play at 1-0 up, 2-0 down, how you attack a corner, how you play out from the back, how you break down a deep block, how you switch systems after 10minutes, build a winning culture and rewrite the values of the club to suit the era. (Ryan Mason talking about the things Arsenal haven’t had, and he’s a Hull player)

Arsenal are a mess. If they hire Arteta, they’re hiring a brilliant young coach, and they’re building a team around him.

… and here’s the best point. If he fails, it won’t take 10 years to make a change, and it won’t cost a summers transfer budget to do the deed.

A slightly different scenario, but look at PSG. They just hired Thomas Tuchel, a manager I’ve been purring over since the Mainz days. He’s never won a league title in his career. Why did they sign him? Because he’s a world class coach with elite ideas. They signed him on a two year deal. If it works, they’ll be playing unbelievable football. If it fails, it’ll cost them fuck all. Even the big clubs are turning their backs on ‘winners’, because winning things doesn’t always tell you who is and is not a great coach with the formula to take you to the promised land in 2019.

I also think from a business perspective, in a world of democratised football coverage, clubs are having to work harder for new fans. United has been offering up criminally poor football for 5 years now, it’ll hit their business model at some point, because a ‘brand’ in a fickle world only lasts as long the success is maintained. You’re not a big club if you’re not winning big trophies, and you can only fool the fans with big name signings for so long. If the product is shite, people will eventually stop buying.

Anyway, all very exciting. My nose is bleeding because I’m not used to this much progressive movement at the club.

What a time to be a Gooner… I hope you’re excited about the future because I certainly am.

P.S. Mesut meeting Erdogan for a photo opp? Fucking hell… a real lack of self-awareness when you’re repping Germany as your home country.

 

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Victorious

Pierre
“Looks like the party is over for the KNOBS…
First the elation and now the deflation… Hilarious.”

quite amazing really,did’nt envisaged they’d lose the plot so quickly,was it Ruth and Gambon talking of protest already…lol.. i almost choked on my coffee reading that.

Dissenter

If you had a choice between Fonseca and Arteta
If you had a choice between Silva and Arteta

Who would you prefer?

West ham have brutally sacked Moyes and are talking to Fonseca.
Everton will sack big Sam and are set to appoint Silva.

Who knew it was so damn hard to appoint a manager?
Smaller clubs are showing ruthlessness while we are waxing sentimental with the “Arsenal way”.

Leedsgunner

If Arteta comes in, I’ll say this… Daniel Levy has finally met his match in the most powerful CEO in world football stakes.

Gunner2301

LeedsG

Well said.

If your remove Peps name from the discussion around Arteta you have nothing. Equally if you put him next to Allardyce for 2 years or the majority of managers in the league there would be nothing. What would be left could be said about thousands of ex footballers wanting to be managers. So lets get some perspective here. We want Pep we cant have Pep so we think because Pep is recommending him thats the next best thing to having Pep. Get a grip.

Victorious

Ishola
‘I think you mean to say Vic that I don’t talk like a Wengerite.’

a quick one:Did you enjoy our style of play around 2004-2012 when ‘Wengaball’ was in full flow?

Ishola70

Victorious
“Did you enjoy our style of play around 2004-2012 when ‘Wengaball’ was in full flow?”

Yes of course. It was physicality especially those earlier years mixed with very good offensive play. But then Barca lite appeared. Physicality put on the back burner and possession for possession sake.

Leedsgunner

Let’s put it another way, if Arteta flops, do you think the Arsenal Board will sack him? I doubt it. Having hired him DESPITE his COMPLETE INEXPERIENCE, I would wager that his INEXPERIENCE will be used as an excuse to keep him on. “Remember, it was just his first year… he’ll get better with experience. Remember we gave Arsene 22 years, we should give Mikel at least another year. It’s not the Arsenal way to sack managers. We’re more classy than that.” Then 2 years become 3, 5, 10. “Next year, we’ll challenge next year.” So the cycle and the… Read more »

Rambo Ramsey

Listen, I love the way Barca operate. Managers come and go, they don’t bother with big names, the club is successful regardless. But building something that efficient surely requires time and effort? Can’t help but think Arsenal are attempting a shortcut.

We all know what happened the last time an Arsenal man fell in love with the Barca philosophy and tried to copy them on a budget.

Coach 15

Big Sam available again,he’s good at coming into clubs that need stability and turning around.
He has a CV,worth a look Ivan.

Dissenter

Leeds
Good point
It seems we are trying to recreate another dynasty with an Arteta appointment.

Ishola70

In what circumstances would you sack Arteta Leeds?

What sort of failure would need to happen to see him get fired within one or two seasons?

Redtruth

The board handed Wenger £200m to flush down the toilet and now they are reaping what they sow.

Marko

Hoffenheim apparently saying Nagelsmann is staying. Is it possible that our once great club as sunk so low that our only option is Mikal Arteta? Have we gotten so bad in people’s eyes that we can only entice someone like Arteta to manage us? Maybe it’s not something that we see in him maybe it’s more because we literally can’t get anyone else.

Bamford10

While I’m still not crazy about Arteta — he has never actually managed, and I’d prefer an Allegri, Jardim or Emery — Pedro’s piece has at least made me think that there might be some substance to people’s high opinion of him. This doesn’t change the fact that he has zero management experience, but if he is young, smart and ambitious and if he intends to give us defensive solidity while still allowing us to play expressive football, he will at least be better than Wenger. He may not be who I would choose, but he will hopefully be a… Read more »

Wallace

baffles me that people seem to think Gazidis won’t be held responsible if we do go with Arteta and he tanks. and also, why go big time on the support staff if you aren’t serious about competing?

Champagne charlie

“Maybe it’s not something that we see in him maybe it’s more because we literally can’t get anyone else.“

You sound ridiculous.

Leedsgunner

The Board should have sacked Wenger and hired Pep in 2013 after he finished his sabbatical. They dithered and missed the bus and they’re trying desperately now to convince anyone that will listen that Mikel is the new Pep… just because he spent some time working with him. It’s like the Democratic party putting up a bright White House intern for President in 2020 because Obama says he’s smart and has the potential to go place places. It looks like the deal is done bar the shouting… I wish Arteta well because I love the Arsenal but I cannot believe… Read more »

Dissenter

Marko “Hoffenheim apparently saying Nagelsmann is staying. Is it possible that our once great club as sunk so low that our only option is Mikal Arteta? Have we gotten so bad in people’s eyes that we can only entice someone like Arteta to manage us? Maybe it’s not something that we see in him maybe it’s more because we literally can’t get anyone else.” I believe you shot down my similar suggestion yesterday. I think managerial candidate also do their due diligence about a club that’s seeking their services. Young managers have mentors and older ones have friends they confide… Read more »

Ishola70

If Arteta finishes 7th in the Prem next season sack him. The EPL is so much a six team league now and this with Arsenal lagging in 6th that if he finished outside of these places it is big failure. But then again who do you sack with this trendy set-up? Maybe it will be Mislintat that will be sacked instead of Arteta? They will be blaming each other. Mislintat will say you are failing in coaching the players I’m providing and Arteta can retort that you are not providing the right adequate players for me. Great this trendy set-up… Read more »

Barking Arsene

I think Arteta has been the preferred option all along to be honest.

The club just knew they had to look like they were conducting a “thorough” recruitment process otherwise people would lose their minds (some still will).

Brave or stupid? We will find out soon enough.

I think most people will get behind him, so long as they can see that we are moving forward.

Definitely wouldn’t have been my choice but hopefully all the talk about him being highly rated is true.

Redtruth

Come on, this isn’t a learning on the job gig.
The task at Arsenal requires a ready made manager

BacaryisGod

Let’s assume that the Kroenkes want another Sean McVay, the L.A Rams 30 year old coach who exceeded expectations. Well, let’s look at McVay’s background. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008)-Assistant wide receivers coach Florida Tuskers (2009)-Quality control/wide receivers coach Washington Redskins (2010)-Assistant tight ends coach Washington Redskins (2011–2013)-Tight ends coach Washington Redskins (2014–2016)-Offensive coordinator Los Angeles Rams (2017–present)-Head coach He had 10 years of coaching experience, and all but one year in the NFL! Compare that with Arteta’s 2 years of being assistant manager. Not even close. I also don’t think it will be easy for him to manage former teammates.… Read more »

Leftsidesanch

Agreed RT

BacaryisGod

Damn, I’m in agreement with Redtruth. This is a dark day indeed.

Bamford10

“This is a power grab by Gazidis.” The anti-Gazidis stuff is pure nonsense. Sorry. Gazidis is one of the principal reasons Wenger is gone and the principal reason we now have a modernized management structure via Sanllehi and Mislintat. It’s not a power grab. Some of you are so desperate for a villain. Someone should come up with a name for this kind of thinking. ‘There must always be a villain.’ We had an old and outmoded structure in which Wenger did everything. Neither Wenger nor that structure was good enough. We have updated it. No one is a villain.… Read more »

Marko

I believe you shot down my similar suggestion yesterday. I actually agreed with you yesterday it was more a jibe at Pedro or whoever it was who made an argument for Nagelsmann being too green but also made an argument for Arteta. Charlie do I sound ridiculous? We’re a supposed massive club in the world stage and seemingly are about to appoint a novice as head coach. And I sound ridiculous? If we were that enticing to someone if we really had ambitions we could do better than Arteta. Tell me I’m wrong. If we gave a good damn about… Read more »

Leedsgunner

“In what circumstances would you sack Arteta Leeds?” If Arteta wants the hot seat at a big club, he needs ti accept the consequences like an experienced manager. In his first season, I would sack him for falling out out of the top 4. If he makes the top 4, I would sack him if he doesn’t challenge for the title in his second year and/or exits the UCL anything before the quarters. Challenge for the title means by the way coming with in 10 points of the leaders. If he does that, I would expect build a squad to… Read more »

Dissenter

Marko
I’m mistaken obviously. It’s been frantic on legrove recently
Pedro has gone rogue with an agenda.

Leedsgunner

*expect him to
*upon which to

Bamford10

Marko

“maybe it’s more because we literally can’t get anyone else”

Nah, I don’t think there’s any chance of this. Arsenal remain Arsenal. We have a great history, plenty of money, play in the PL and are a club in need of a new vision. Plenty of top managers would be thrilled to come to Arsenal. Whether it makes sense for them at this particular moment is another question.

Again, we know very little about what is going on behind the scenes. But of course an Emery or a Jardim would consider coming to Arsenal. No question.

DUIFG

Hats off pedro, the quality right now is outstanding

Marko

Compare that with Arteta’s 2 years of being assistant manager. Not even close.

Not even assistant coach. Just coach

Bamford10

Dissenter

You need to take a valium, mate.

InsideRight

“A slightly different scenario, but look at PSG. They just hired Thomas Tuchel, a manager I’ve been purring over since the Mainz days. He’s never won a league title in his career. Why did they sign him? Because he’s a world class coach with elite ideas. They signed him on a two year deal. If it works, they’ll be playing unbelievable football. If it fails, it’ll cost them fuck all. Even the big clubs are turning their backs on ‘winners’, because winning things doesn’t always tell you who is and is not a great coach with the formula to take… Read more »

Dissenter

Bamford,
It seems you’re all smitten with Gazidis.
You see him positively while I’ve always seen him as a snake oil merchant.
He’s hidden behind Wenger’s skirts earning bonus after bonus based on Wenger’s work.
Now it’s his turn to be in the spotlight.

HighburyLegend

Seems that “compete with the best” are not in our plans for the moment…

Gazidis the next dictator ??

Elmo

Looking at the exchange on Betfair, the mid-point between bid and offer for Arteta is 1.67. That suggests an implied probability of him being the next manager of 60%, but seeing as the odds are sky high for every other candidate, either the market has no idea what is going on (possible if Arsenal’s board are running a tight ship) or he is almost certainly the next manager.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Pedro and others got the soft briefing from Gazidis’ minions to push Arteta this week in preparation for his announcement.

Redtruth

WTF has happened to Arsenal.
Managers get sacked for winning trophies, Van Gaal, Del Bosque, Benitez.
This top 4 shit is what it is Shit!

Marko

The pro Gazidis stuff is nauseating at best. He’s a cunt he’s a slimy slippery prick with no back bone or balls who doesn’t give a fuck about this club and only cares about his high paying job. He didn’t get rid of Wenger it was an accumulation of the empty seats our poor league form and the son being over here at the time. Fuck Ivan

Dissenter

Bamford
I’ll take a Valium if you agree to take an Adderall.
I didn’t know that critiquing the appointment of a head coach with ZERO experience of managing a game was a bad thing.

Wallace

it’s a young guy with new ideas after Wenger’s long reign, and weirdly it’s those who were most sympathetic to Wenger who are most enthusiastic about the prospect.

batman

Arteta love it strong strong in these posts. #IVANgazidis is paying for these shit

Either these are sponsored post to hype ARTETA as our saviour or plan to appoint someone better than Arteta to make us all little better.

Rambo Ramsey

Marko, wrong.

This from a national newspaper-

‘Unai Emery has admitted he open to becoming Arsenal’s new manager, but insisted he has yet to receive any offer from the Gunners. ‘

This ‘detailed selection process’ is a facade, a PR stunt. We’ve chosen a cheap, inexperienced youngster over proven talent. Same old, same old really. Spare a thought to all those poor souls who thought Arsenal will turn over a new leaf with Wenger’s departure. There are bigger problems at the club.

TheBayingMob

“EdTheRedMay 15, 2018 08:51:07 people lauged at me when two weeks ago I suggested Roberto Martinez as a Wenger replacement. I bet few would take him now instead of this Arteta crap.” And I’m laughing at you now. No. Martinez is not the answer, a few might agree with you, but those few would be mental, although I must say, this made me laugh … “EdTheRedMay 15, 2018 09:10:11 This Arteta lunacy is like sying Debbie Mcgee can have a career as a magician, because She was good at assisting Paul Daniels.” “EdTheRedMay 15, 2018 09:31:48 Apart from the fact… Read more »

alexanderhenry

Gambon I wouldn’t disagree. Over the past ten years, the club has been effectively downsized and fans’ expectations have been ‘managed’. Arsenal has been rebranded as a Borrussia dortmund type, tier 2 European club. We invest in youth and spend what we make despite being the 6th richest club in the world. These are arsenal ‘s ‘values’ and they won’t change until kroenke sells up. The problem is that Stan won’t sell up. I’ve given up on fans not renewing STs or him getting fed up with it. We’re stuck with the guy so as a fan I have to… Read more »

Receding Hairline

“Anyone with a footballing brain will be wary of working with an untested trio that’s pulling the strings at Arsenal.”

Still running with the “untested trio” stuff and Arsenal no longer being a top job narrative i see

Raul Sanllehi was at Barca as director of football for 15 years ….untested i hear

Mislintat is the scout credited with discovering Kagawa, Hummels, Lewandowski, Blaszczykowski..before leaving Dortmund he was approached by Bayern Munich to become technical director….very untested

Marko

I’m mistaken obviously. It’s been frantic on legrove recently
Pedro has gone rogue with an agenda.

Ivan definitely bought him a Starbucks once

TheBayingMob

“WallaceMay 15, 2018 12:27:55
it’s a young guy with new ideas after Wenger’s long reign, and weirdly it’s those who were most sympathetic to Wenger who are most enthusiastic about the prospect.”

I’m not sure I agree with that … I’ve been Wenger our 2008 ish onwards. I’m OK with this direction, I’m OK with the general play being that no one EVER wields the power that Wenger did ever again …

TR7

‘The anti-Gazidis stuff is pure nonsense. Sorry. Gazidis is one of the principal reasons Wenger is gone and the principal reason we now have a modernized management structure via Sanllehi and Mislintat.’

You can have the best pianist, drummer and guitarist in a band but it would all be irrelevant if the lead singer is gash.

Receding Hairline

“He’s hidden behind Wenger’s skirts earning bonus after bonus based on Wenger’s work.”

And there you have it, once it helps to push your argument you admit that Wenger did actually do some work at Arsenal, i thought he was the village idiot, a complete fraud.

You Dissenter was particularly upset with the send off he was getting at various away grounds

Rambo Ramsey

‘it’s a young guy with new ideas after Wenger’s long reign, and weirdly it’s those who were most sympathetic to Wenger who are most enthusiastic about the prospect.’

Even if Arsenal appoint a monkey that takes a shit in the dugout, you positive clowns would find something good in that.

S Asoa

Pedro
Being from advertising you can definitely sell an idea !
Yep , Arteta will definitely be an upgrade on lately departed Monsieur Rockbottom.
But
Would not Leonardo Jardim be a safer and a more likely option to succeed ?

Marko

it’s a young guy with new ideas after Wenger’s long reign, and weirdly it’s those who were most sympathetic to Wenger who are most enthusiastic about the prospect.

Weirdly it’s the same guys who turned a blind eye to us not competing for major titles for years. The same guys who never questioned our ambitions

Dissenter

Wallace,
“it’s a young guy with new ideas after Wenger’s long reign, and weirdly it’s those who were most sympathetic to Wenger who are most enthusiastic about the prospect”

It’s not surprising though.
There are people, who fall in line and start doing the goose step march behind authority….and there are those who believe questioning authority is the best proof of loyalty.
The Wenger lovers have proven they will always fall in line no matter what

Why should I trust Gazidis?
He’s never appointed a manager before in his life.

Elmo

Leeds I don’t think those are realistic targets for a manager in the state that we’re in. For me: Yr 1: Target top 6; anything in the top 10 is fine if you need to experiment / turn over the squad Yr 2: Compete for top 4; if you miss top 4, must be within 1 or 2 points and have been in the running all season Yr 3: Top 4 or the sack Yr 4: Top 4 and CL QF Yr 5: Be realistically making a run for the title and major silverware Of course that’s evidence of run… Read more »

Redtruth

The only thing Arteta will take from his time with Guardiola is Guardiola paying over £100m for two defenders.

Troy McClure

Arteta is ok I suppose and has a lot of positive characteristics. The positive indicators are good, but let’s not kid ourselves – he’s a 3rd or 4th choice, behind Allegri, Nagelsmann, Jardim, for obvious reasons – no experience as a boss. Let’s not pretend he was the man we had in mind all along.

Dissenter

Receding hairline
You haven’t been here long.
I’ve been saying the same thing for years about Gazidis and the board. Wenger (even in his declining years) left a shine on them especially on Gazidis. He’s been strutting around the European footballing circles as some bright young CEO on the basis of nothing. It was Wenger’s receding gloss that made them look good.

Wenger certainly wasn’t good enough in the last 7-8 years but even then he still took all the incoming flak from all,of us while Gazidis was collecting yearly million bucks bonuses.

Bamford10

Alexander

“These are arsenal ‘s ‘values’ and they won’t change until kroenke sells up.”

Complete nonsense. The “values” talk was all Arsene Wenger, not Stan Kroenke.

As for how we spend, this is down to the self-sustaining model, a model that was adopted prior to and independent of Stan Kroenke.

batman

why buy #PaulPogba when you can buy #YayaSanogo ???

Arteta will be an amazing signing for the future. We are good at unearthing Gems. Arsenal always pays for the Future potential.

F*** Allegri

Marko

I’m being provocative by saying we’re not attractive to candidates of course we are it’s a great job it’s just cunts like Ivan and Stan are treating it like it’s some joke like anyone could do it

S Asoa

About the firing of Collin Lewis from Medical Department, do understand we have a Germain core managing. Recall when Mertesacker was first injured he did not rely on our butchers but went to Germany for treatment. Ditto Ozil.
Considering the number of corrective operations Cazorla was subject to guess Arteta might have put this as the only pre-condition.
So things looking good , but for reasons most could not fanthom

Bamford10

Dissenter

Silly comment. I too have highlighted the problems with hiring someone with no management experience. I see that just as well as you do. However, I am also trying to see the other side of the equation, and I am not foaming at the mouth, calling for various people’s heads. A number of people here need to take a deep breath, count to ten and get a fucking grip.

Marko

If Ivan and Stan appoint Arteta I believe an apology is in order for Alexander. Not me from you know who. It’ll seem he was right about Stan. Hiring Arteta over some obvious better candidates reeks of bad ownership and questionable ambitions

Wallace

I’d be fascinated to see what a highly regarded young coach could do. would have preferred Benitez or Ancelotti as think they’d guarantee improvement up to a point, but it’s the unknown quantity re Arteta that excites me. and the fact he seems to be from the Pep/Poch school of thinking.

TheBayingMob

“DissenterMay 15, 2018 12:35:37 Why should I trust Gazidis? He’s never appointed a manager before in his life.” Maybe we should get Sullivan and Gold in to run things … !? They’ve appointed managers before and have ‘experience’, then we could get Moysie in who’s managed all over the place. OK, so a annoying fucking approach that people took with Wenger … but … I have no time for this ‘experience’ shat in football. We could get Pep in and he could be a disaster for us. Football is such a chemistry at times; Gazidis has worked in football for… Read more »

Receding Hairline

“He’s been strutting around the European footballing circles as some bright young CEO on the basis of nothing.”

Well he is out in the open now and is about to make a big big decision. lets see how that pans out.

He has no one to hide behind now so don’t get too worked up over it.

Have you even taken time to look at the reasons for the appointment or do u still firmly believe he is appointing Arteta because he bought him a watch years ago??

FYI i have commented here before but under another name.

Redtruth

This self sustaining model is not generating enough cash.
It’s futile hiring the ‘best’ if you don’t plow serious money into the team

GoonerDNA

Pedro must be loving the traffic. We can all talk about experience but Wenger made 65900 subs and was continually shite for years and on that note we’ve dealt with 10 years of shit and we’re now arguing over Arteta which could be only 1 season if it doesn’t work out. I love all the people saying “but we’re Arsenal” yes Europa League semi finalists and 6th place specialists. Bayern and Barca are probably pissed we didn’t make the CL again and I’m sure Pep looks at Arsenal as some fake Valencia who are more of threat to Burnley than… Read more »

Wallace

Dissenter

“The Wenger lovers have proven they will always fall in line no matter what”

it’s football, guys in shorts kicking a ball around. not a job, or life under a dictator. what the hell you talking about?

Bamford10

Leeds

“In his first season, I would sack him for falling out out of the top 4.”

Well, we need first to be in the top four to fall out of it. Goal next season, regardless who is manager, is top four. After that, stay in top four and contend.

But let’s note: it’s competitive. City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all excellent footballing platforms. Spurs we should always beat out, IMO.

Chelsea are in transition, though, so I think a smart summer and smart manager should get us to fourth next season.

Bamford10

“if you don’t plow serious money into the team”

52m for Lacazette. 60m for Aubameyang. 35m for Mustafi. 32m for Xhaka.

200m+ in salaries.

How are we not spending money?

E54_

Arteta.. no thankyou. You can huff and puff all you want. The only people, or majority that will ‘want’ Arteeta or accept him will be Wenger Supporters. He’s a ‘ Wenger man’ who pissed off to city. Like most of Wengers pet projects do. They leave him and us to achieve their goals elsewhere. Arteeta will be a catastrophe on a David Moyes level. Not one of our big players fear him, or respect him enough to listen to him. Wenger gave him the captains armband, the players respected Wenger. They followed Wengers lead. If Wenger gave the Armband to… Read more »

Dissenter

Bamford
There’s nothing silly going on.
You seem to think that there’s some upshot to the Arteta appointment?
You’re talking about weighting the pros and cons?

We obviously differ and are so far apart on this.
I see the appointment as utterly risky to the point of recklessness.
I see this as an unforced own goal.
I too have weighed it. There a preponderance of risk with negligible benefits. That’s my take obviously you differ.

Redtruth

With Allegri we would be dreaming of challenging for the title.
We this sppointment all we can hope for is fucking 4th again..

Samesong

I wish some of the long posters would adopt Pedro style (Long Read).

I’m gonna have to do a top ten on this category!!!!!

Dissenter

Wallace
No it’s a mindset I’m referring to.
That’s what politicians are doing the world over. You can derive people’s thinking by how they behave around soft things like what TV shows they watch and where the shop.

alexanderhenry

Marko

Pedro’s gone a bit OTT over arteta, but I basically agree with him.

Whether the club should or could get allegri in and give him £200 million isn’t the point. It’s not going to happen and Pedro understands this.

Unlike him, I’m not convinced arteta’s the second coming just yet but you never know. It’s certainly an interesting move.

Give him a go I reckon.

Bamford10

Marko

I have already explained why no one would owe Alexander an apology, why Alexander would in no way be proven “right”. Your conclusions don’t follow from your premises.

https://le-grove.co.uk/2018/05/11/new-manager-in-the-mixer-but-can-a-failure-work/comment-page-4/#comments

GoonerDNA

Can someone explain why Arteta is being likened to Wenger? I thought the guy has zero experience in management so how can you even make that assumption?

If Arteta starts drawing wolves in the dressing room I’m going be pissed.

Marko

he seems to be from the Pep/Poch school of thinking.

Poch? We also offered him a gig. You’re doing Arsene a disservice pal he’s from the Wenger school of thinking too. From the Ivan school of thinking also

Redtruth

£200m was flushed down the toilet.
The new manager should be given serious money not a paltry £50m.

Bamford10

The Allegri + 200m story is literally a complete newspaper invention. There is no reason whatsoever to put any stock in it. None.

Have Arsenal even spoken to Allegri? Unknown.

Has Allegri been given 200m to spend in a summer at Juventus? I don’t think so.

Has he ever been given more money than Wenger has been given over the past 5-6 seasons? I don’t think so.

Juventus don’t spend more money than Arsenal do, and if they do, it’s not by much.

Some people are just pushing they’re same old bogus narrative.

Leedsgunner

Redtruth for the post of year for this little gem… made me laugh out loud…

“The only thing Arteta will take from his time with Guardiola is Guardiola paying over £100m for two defenders.”

Brilliant.

Bamford

Are you trying to be a smart arse again? 😉

Sorry for writing “falling” out of the top 4 instead of “making” the top 4. I think most people understood what I meant.

Are you this pedantic in real life?

Mfaber

@jasongms – cheers, appreciated. If it’s true and Arteta has it, than coup is done and soon the prizes will be dished out; perhaps even to bloggers who helped shape public opinion. “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” – M X Pedro: Make sure you get all you can from Ivan , whilst you can … happy nudging and don’t forget the narrative for the coming year – it should be familiar…… Read more »

Bamford10

* their

Guns of Brixton

Mustafi left out of Germanys WC squad.

Ouch. No Surprise tho

Bamford10

Leeds

Apologies if that came off as pedantic. I didn’t really know where you were coming from there; I thought you were maybe assuming something we shouldn’t assume. No offense intended.

HighburyLegend
Bamford10

Say one thing about this Arteta discussion: it’s producing some new fault lines on Le Grove. 😉

HighburyLegend

“Mustafi left out of Germanys WC squad.”

Of course, he plays for Arsenal.

Redtruth

It was suicide for the board to hand Wenger £200m.
The board must be sacked, protests must start forthwith.

HighburyLegend

“Patrick Vieira could move to Nantes as manager ”

lol what a complete mess…

UTarse

Corruption is alive and well I see….

GoonerDNA

So basically you’re in the 2nd coming of Wenger camp Or 2nd coming of Jesus camp……this isn’t a Avengers film

Leedsgunner

Bamford

We’re cool. I don’t share your Gazidas love but we’re cool. 😉

Wishing you the best.

Bamford10

Marko

“From the Ivan school of thinking also.”

Would you kindly elaborate on what this “school of thought” entails exactly? You seem to have an access to Gazidis and his thinking the rest of us don’t.

Do tell us how Gazidis thinks about Arsenal, about football, about how to navigate the next 5-10 years.

Please also tell us how you have come to know this.

HighburyLegend

@Red : we already succeeded to get rid of the old fool, don’t expect another “miracle” in a so short time.

Leedsgunner

When’s the deadline for season ticket renewals? Has it passed?

If it hasn’t, the club will hold off until it has before announcing Arteta as manager… I’m sure of it.

azed

“Mustafi left out of Germanys WC squad.”

Not surprised.