Well, I didn’t realise it was an international break, which is super unfortunate as I’m back in the UK next week.
What also coincides with a really irritating break in the schedule is a total lack of news, so why not re-up the Ivan G story? This from The Times.
Arsenal would almost certainly put Gazidis on gardening leave should he choose to leave to join a European rival despite the fact that he has a 12-month notice period in his contract. Milan’s owners are understood to have offered Gazidis a stake in the club having been taken over this summer by Elliot Management after the former owner Li Yonghong failed to repay a debt to the American company.
Paolo Scaroni, who was deputy chairman of investment bank Rothschild, is the club’s chief executive, but Gazidis has been targeted as a result of his work in nine years at Arsenal. The 53-year-old is also an influential figure in European football as a result of his position on the board of the European Club Association as well as being on several Fifa, Uefa and FA committees.
Arsenal are confident that they have structures in place to enable them to thrive without Gazidis, but his departure would be a blow to Emery, who was appointed on his recommendation with the pair having daily meetings throughout the summer.
As I said the other week, the big difference between Ivan at Arsenal and Ivan at Milan is he’ll be getting a chunk of the club there. If he grows it, he’ll grow his bank balance and retire and even richer old man. Good for him.
Not great for Arsenal though. Apparently, Ivan is on 12 months notice, which seems odd if he’s on a contract, but whatever. The fact that he’s even considering ducking out of the Arsenal project before he’s seen it through is a touch grim, but some people work for greatness, some for the pound notes.
I thought the paragraph at the end was pertinent. Emery certainly has a friend in Ivan G. From what I understand, the rest of the backroom team was impressed by other candidates and I’ve no doubt the ‘we all took a vote’ was an absolute fabrication so Ivan could spread the blame for anything that went wrong with the appointment further down the line.
Now Emery is being cast away into no man’s land. I don’t think that’s very fair. A new CEO comes in, everyone looks to fill the power vacuum, hierarchy changes, favourites get promoted and demoted, it could be a real mess. The big worry for Emery is this… the new CEO is likely going to want to make his own impression, and it’s very unlikely he or she will have loyalty to the Spaniard.
Very shitty. It’s also a kind of shabby that Ivan has let it get so bad that people from within the club are leaking they’re irritated with the process.
Before I leave you, the Nike Colin Kapearnick advert that’s dominating the internet at the moment is quite incredible.
Firstly, well fucking played Nike. The reality is, you invented capitalism for sports shoes. Anyone who thinks it’s a hot take to say Nike is trying to sell their product off an advert needs to have a word with themselves… they’re a publicly traded company, of course they’re trying to sell things. That’s not the point though. The point is, there are easier ways to sell shoes than alienating 40% of America. Nike is backing a modern day civil rights hero, while Jack Dorsey is overruling his staff to keep Alex Jones on his platform. Yep, the guy who runs Twitter is personally fighting to keep a man on his platform who harasses the parents of kids who’ve been massacred by gun violence. Tell me what flavour of capitalism tastes better?
Not a lot of brands have the guts to go against ‘the base’, Nike did. That isn’t brave, I’ll reserve that for people that put their lives on the line for things like forest fires and their country… but it is bold.
Secondly, if you’re the sort of person who burns your trainers or socks because the brand you follow did something you don’t fancy, throw yourself into the sea. You are insignificant. Political correctness is pretending you matter. No one should indulge you.
Thirdly, I know there’s this weird deep-state-ish view of advertising people like we set out to restructure the world around unnecessary consumption, but the reality is this: it’s just a group of creatives boxed up in a room who want to put a brands influence to something that matters. The folk who concocted a campaign that supported a black man who’d lost his playing career age 28-29 for taking the knee for a national anthem wasn’t about profits, it was about doing something that fucking mattered in this world.
Fair play to those advertising folk. Those that used their jobs to make an impact. The people that pushed their client to take a risk that would change the conversation and maybe have a positive impact.
Right, that’s me done. Listen to the podcast. It’s what you need.
Join Kurtis, Matt and I for a rollercoaster ride of excellent chat.
Also, if you’re a regular reader, don’t be selfish… leave a 5* and a totally terrif review, ok? The least you could do imo.
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Anyone been keeping an eye on Emile smith Rowe?
The kid looks the muts nuts
guns
if you don’t believe me, I can give you my instagram page so you can see the videos he and I make. But then again, you May use my pics to wank off to cause I’m a bit of a stud.
Gons
Totally!
This is my MO.
Mate, I couldn’t give a shit about Race War III on here…I’m all about ousting Wengemery.
This ad campaign will in no way hurt Nike. For everyone I’v come across so far on the internet saying that they are done with Nike, I am seeing more than twice the amount saying they are going to buy Nike in support. Actually, the persons publicizing burning Nike shoes are becoming the main reason others are going out to specifically buy Nike. Kaepernick’s jersey sales have been higher since he was shunned by the NFL.
I thought I would watch the final ten minutes of the Cardiff game again as I thought I may have been slightly harsh in criticising Ramsey and maybe he didn’t play as basically a striker in the closing stages despite us having 3 attackers on the pitch. Sadly ,I was wrong….at no time during open play in the last ten minutes did Ramsey play alongside xhaka or torriera …for the majority of the time he was ahead of aubamayang /.Mhkitaryan and welbeck and often was also ahead of Lacazette. He came back for a couple of dead ball situations and… Read more »
Guns is old school he knows lol
Un na naai
Agree , smith-rowe is the business and the sooner he is a fixture in the team ,the better…..
That Xhaka eh?
Denilson far better player imo
Speaking of left backs I would of loved to of seen Ryan Bertrand for us.
Pierre
It’s not just me then?
Get nelson back in the right
AMN pulling the strings behind with guendouzi
Pierre
Ramsey has been finished as an arsenal player since his big goail scoring season. Great as he was that year, it was the worst thing to happen to his career
Worse than his leg break
Denilson
Looooooooool
That guy at 18yo looked like the next big thing.
Scored a few screamers then that was it. No idea what else he was good at
Loooooooooool
Sorry if this bores people.
Nike are on a loser. A red line has been crossed. They are backing a guy who is seen (rightly or wrongly) as unpatriotic. You don’t get away with that in USA, UK, or anywhere in the world. The reason is straightforward: without patriotism there is no country.
It may be that NFL will drop them. It may be that the public will stop buying their goods. Or it may be that Nike will admit they were wrong and will apologise.
This is far from over.
Where was Nike when Kap was getting demolished for his peaceful protest? Why now? Some 30 year old campaign anniversary? Bottom line is that Nike is marketing for profit. Kap was just exploited again. What has Nike done for cvil right? Social justice? How many times have they been busted for slave labor and sweat shop conditions in their factories? I support Kap. I dont give a flying fuck about who burns their shoes. That is their business. Do what you want to do. Its your damn shoes Lets not get confused about this please. Kap will see a bump… Read more »
englandsbest
Stop yammering the same thing over and over again.
You’re confusing nationalism with patriotism.
The tweeting leader of the boycott Nike group deferred his draft for the Vietnam was FIVE times because he had bone spurs.
The same tweeting leader of the boycott Nike group stated that a man who was tortured in captivity was not a hero.
Give me a break and stop trying to remind us what our version of patriotism means.
eglandsbest
Do you stand up every time the British anthem is played, including in your home or the movie theater?
Like I said, stop ramming down your version of “patriotism” down out throats.
Not everyone sees him as unpatriotic. More people probably think Trump is an asshole than think Kaepernick is unpatriotic, if that makes sense.
I don’t see how this doesn’t end up financially beneficial to Nike in the long run. Nike is a global brand, the Kaepernick thing is an American issue. I don’t see why this is even a thing.
Dissenter Do you stand up every time the British anthem is played, including in your home or the movie theater? Like I said, stop ramming down your version of “patriotism” down out throats. Don’t be ridiculous. It’s tradition to stand for the anthem at sporting events. I don’t disagree with Kapearnick taking the knee but I do think he is either too dim to really understand that the reasons he thinks he is doing it for are eronius. And you say nationalism like it’s a dirty word nationalism. noun. Devotion, especially excessive or undiscriminating devotion, to the interests or culture… Read more »
Sorry
He is either too dim to understand or he was deliberately creating racial tension at a sporting event
Is it dead on here due to Iterlull or the Kapearnick debate?
Take 987
Unia Patriotism connotes a much deeper meaning unlike Nationalism which is just about superficial symbols. A patriotic person tends to tolerate criticism and tries to learn something new from it, but a nationalist cannot tolerate any criticism and considers it an insult. Patriotism can aspire to do unpopular things that make society better, Nationalism just wants to keep it the same or the was it used to be. Nationalism is by definition militant because it lacks tolerance for the opposite view. Despots espouse nationalism and use it to silence dissent. Patriotism may mean that you defy the norms to bring… Read more »
Wtf do I have to do to post a comment that isn’t moderated???????
englandsbest, not sure you get much more unpatriotic than the President at the minute.
Nike are onto a winner. They backed the next 30 years. Guns of SF, I’d disagree people don’t talk about Kap. He’s been a consistent.
It’s so refreshing that it’s not just Arsenal hate, or Wenger hate displayed here…just PURE hate period. Nike, whether trying to capitalize or not, are taking a stand…they are just doing it! They’re standing for something…..A lot of you have shown your hands, and you let your hate blind you. Kap is kneeling against the injustices celebrated and disguised. The National anthem of the USA has a lot of flaws. Let ignorance die under the light. Police brutality and racism is NOT Patriotism!
And the genius who said blacks should leave Europe/USA back to Africa…wow, such display of ignorance, and when corrected, you dig deeper….
“I think it’s embarrassing for the country to allow protesters, you don’t even know which side the protesters were on,” Trump said. “But to allow someone to stand up and scream from the top of their lungs and nobody does anything about it is frankly — I think it’s an embarrassment.” “I think it’s embarrassing for the country to allow protesters,” Says trumptard. The ret*rd who is the supposed leader of the free world end is supposed to uphold the constitution which includes the First Amendment Yeah don’t let people kneel respectfully in a a peaceful protest against innocent people… Read more »
And to Nike.
Take a bow son
A brilliant ad.
Well done.
As the saying goes, ‘Patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrel’
People discussing flags , national anthems and trainers really are missing the point.
The real issue which never gets discussed is why so many human beings in America get such a raw deal because of colour. Its the elephant in the room which most Americans seem to want to ignore. They’s rather focus on flags than people. Strange.
Pedro Kap is hardly talked about here in the bay area. He is more the face of the NFL’s players protest and its fallout with the prez and other conservatives. Kap is still loved in the Bay! I dont think Nike was there for Kap when he was catching all sorts of heat when he started the kneeling. They were AWOL Now, they appear supporting him. Interesting timing. I dont have a problem with Nike or their shoes, but if they really wanted to “support” Kap, they should have done that from day one… not just for a 30 yr… Read more »
Hitman
Nicely said
“The real issue which never gets discussed is why so many human beings in America get such a raw deal because of colour. Its the elephant in the room which most Americans seem to want to ignore. They’s rather focus on flags than people. Strange.”
Whoever said that blacks should go back to Africa
You do realize they were brought o America against their will as slaves right?
Hitman
Trust me. If it was Tom Brady taking a knee, they wouldn’t be talking about the flag, un patriotic etc.
Trump wouldn’t be saying “ get that son of a bitch off the field”
There is only reason everyone is ignoring the real issue at hand
Although the ad is brilliant, we all know that Nike are only in it for the .
That’s the bottom line.
America is a great country but remains as backward and as crazy as ever.
Dissenter There are so many flaws in that statement I could be here for a week. There’s no point debating because it will get neither of us anywhere. I won’t change your views and you won’t change mine. Using Ali is a bad example He believed that blacks and whites should not interbreed He wanted blacks to form their own state. Black only Did you also know that if you took all the black people in America and separated them that they would have 10th largest economy in the world? Poverty stricken? Did you know that the American black women… Read more »
for the money.
God you lot just swallow the bull shit you are spoon fed by CNN no wonder trump happened You still don’t get it do you? Trump 2020 is happening and it’s because of nonsense like this Hitman. There is a reason why blacks and Hispanics are getting the raw deal. Beacuse they commit more crim on average and they don’t do as well at school They join up to gangs more often. They grow up in absent father homes more often and they fuck up. The democrats make excuses. They send them their welfare cheque to keep them voting while… Read more »
Watch these two interviews
Two black men being honest about black America
They are brave. They go agaisnt the grain. Not KAP
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqVNPwsLNo
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KE-urLVdI-8
Tommy sotomayor
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1013490/Transfer-news-total-fee-spend-2010-Europe-Chelsea-Barcelona-Arsenal
Don’t mind me, just posting this Arsenal thing…
“Chelsea’s net spend the last few years though”….remember that one?
Middle of the roaders we are, and it’s patently obvious in the technical decisions we continue to see.
Pedro please stop this ignorant cunt un na nai posting this dumbass videos.
Unn nai
Where do you live?
Joe
Spot on. What would good old Trumpet say if this was Tom Brady? I hate that guy
Its Race people- this is about race.
Un nai “[Kaepernick is] too dim to really understand that the reasons he thinks he is doing it for are eronius” “eronius”! A real intellectual, this guy. In a comment about someone else being “dim” no less. “[Nationalism] is simply to put the interests of a ceritain nation state first. The world flourished under such principles.” Right, like in World Wars I & II. Good old nationalism. Gave us the slaughter of tens of millions of human beings and some of the worst crimes humankind has ever seen or committed. Yeah, that’s what we need: more nationalism, more people thinking… Read more »
Yeah, this guy “Un nai” needs to go, Pedro. He is terrible on every topic — and painfully ignorant.
Unai Wow…where did all that come from. I must have struck a raw nerve hanging loose somewhere. Your self-proclamation of nationalism will explain why you’re all over the place trying to explain yourself. A patriot is one who will fight to the last breath to make the country to a higher place, an nationalist aspires to keep it the same. What’s all that rant about taking African American’s out…and 10th largest economy. You’re into some deep shit mate, some nasty deep shite. What do you mean about traditions? The national anthem wasn’t even formally adopted until 1899, 133 years after… Read more »
Bamford
That was fascism/socialism. Faux intellectual trips himself up again. And you mock me?? Haha
Back to the Football.
Who, on here, said that Emery was an “easy option”?
Who, on here, said that Emery fudged it up at PSG?
Who, on here, said that Emery is a yes-man?
Who, on here, said that Emery doesn’t know what he is doing?
Whoever you are, you are clueless.
Patriotism is an umbrella under which everyone – not just scoundrels – shelters. It enables people who may not care much for each other to act together, to work together, to follow the rules together, rather than return to tribal warfare.
Kap did not see his action as unpatriotic, it was his way of standing up for racial equality. But it’s the Nike advert that is the issue now, not Kap. Many, perhaps most, Americans see it as an affront to their loyalty, their patriotism.
You can’t bin me Bamford
I haven’t said anything abusive or nasty or bullied anyone. I haven’t said anything vindictive or racist. So suck it up buttercup
Apart from our North American posters, who, on here, has actually lived in, or been to, the United States?
Dissenter Well your definition of nationalism is incorrect pal. We are tribal creatures we humans. History has proven this through the ages. Dissenter 10 largest economy in the world Look it up. It’s not nasty. It just verifies that black America is actually very affluent. How can that be construed as anything but positive? Jesse Owens Yes that’s true but America Now and I’m 1936 are oceans apart dissenter. I could cite thousands of examples…. I already have on the cops murdering innocent black men every day narrative. It’s just not true. The thing is that Life in America is… Read more »
Anyone who questions dipshit Neymar, the ultimate Prima Donna, is the sort of person AFC needs.
Over to you Mr Ozil.
Unai
Before we continue
Are you American? Do you live in the states?
I ask because I get the point you don’t know much about American history?
Un na nai
So because the two black people you named support your opinion it must be right? If I post a video of a white guy that supports Kaepernick does that validate his protest? Or does it need to be two?
Un Nai
What’s your take on the increasing school shootings in the states?
Unai “I just don’t buy that it’s a nasty racist oppressive country.” You’re missing the point. No one is saying that it is a “I just don’t buy that it’s a nasty racist oppressive country” The last president of the US was the product of a Kansan woman and a moslem Kenyan. The point people are making is that America can do better. A situation where a cop can kill anyone in cold blood and get away with “I was scared” for my life is untenable. It’s not about color of the skin but about cowardly police hiding behind the… Read more »
Dissenter your not messing about tonight great posts by the way.
Hypothetical question.
If Arsene Wenger was still at the club ( godforbid) and after four games he had managed the identical set of results as Emery, how many of you would still be plodding along to the Emirates to defend the cause?
Yep, that’s right, the same nutters who are now criticising Emery after just 4 games, would have still been sucking up to Wenger, even though they say they wanted him gone.
Pathetic, right?
Dissenter
You do you bro
Like I said we are going round in circles and going nowhere
I agree, trigger happy cops should be punished.
I don’t agree kap is brave and I don’t agree that mike are doing something powerful
Just propagandised bs and needlessly politicised sport
BTW
Who are the American posters on here besides me? I think Alex Cutter is and Sal NYC, but who else?
Don’t feed the trolls. Hopefully Pedro weeds this guy out.
SF
I am as well, and I think Dissenter is too.
Bamford
Thanks for the info.
Where do our USA folks live? I am in the hear of silicon valley
I think at this hour, most of the UK, European posters are zzzzzzzzz
Michael
I haven’t said any of the things about Emery you laid out above — though I am beginning to ask questions about his work for us so far — but would you kindly tell us what signs we’ve seen thus far that he does in fact know what he’s doing?
Please point to specific personnel decisions, tactical decisions, formation decisions, etc. Thanks.
SF
I am in Florida, but I’m originally from California. I lived in SF for some time after college. Beautiful place.
Guns of SF
I live in the Maryland side of the Washington DC Metro.
Bamford cool- where are you from in cali?
Dissenter cool…. I have a cousin in the tri states area somewhere- virginia?
I think I might be the only west coast gooner on here.
bamfraud
don’t you get tired of running to Pedro to bin fellow posters?
a self acclaimed school instructor that finds it difficult to respect others views.
just hope your life outside le grove isn’t a meh one.
leopard never changes hers spots
Your Comment Here
Eronius was a Roman historian that famously lost his credibility when all his records ultimately proved to be wildly inaccurate and mostly fabricated.
Those last five words certainly describe a handful of people on here as well haha.
Hello from Los Angeles.
Guns
I’m a west coaster but from the Canadian side of the 49th
Nationalistic tribalism is nothing more than a dumb throwback to our less civilized times It doesn’t matter if our natural instincts are towards tribalism. Our nature instincts are a total mess and for some people could indulge any number of awful things such as murder, sexual assault, violence and so on. Humans are smart enough to overcome unnecessary and destructive instincts in the vast majority of cases, so why should nationalism be any different. Nationalism marks an us vs them mentality when in reality the them is the same species of animal as you, it just lives on the other… Read more »
People come here for all things Arsenal…….from all over the world. People who leave their own national crises at home! What would be the interest of a guy living in the northeast Nigeria in all these chats on here, a guy who lives in such a place and who comes here for some fun. Is this even a serious issue. You are discussing butter and bread as crises! If you folks have seen real national crises……… Let’s just talk football and be happy, all of us. And if there should be other topics, pls, not politics, find something sunny to… Read more »
Hey Sancho,
Between you and me bro, we have Cali covered north to south!
Good to see another California gooner on this blog!
Joe,- Vancouver? Up Up North near Alaska???
Good god this is an international break now right? What the hell are we gonna talk about for the next week?
Is there seriously anything less inspiring than international friendlies?
To you cali guys. I went to SF and LA this April and had an awesome time Met some really really nice people. One of my favourite ever holidays. One guy went out of his way to help us in the middle of nowhere when our car had an issue. We spent a bit of time driving down the coast which was fucking lovely. As well you lot have the best pizza place EVER. I think it was called rev pizza??? You have total control of what goes on it and I accidentally ended up with a blur cheese pizza… Read more »
Pedro I ask you to review the blocked words you have as I literally just wrote a post recommending some nice holiday destinations, entirely positive and stillmsomehow managed to have it blocked without warning. Not sure which word I used!
China
Glad you had a great time. Likewise, I was in London last spring- caught my first Arsenal match with my family- v Stoke. 4- nil. Best time.
London is pretty awesome. best food, shopping etc. All people so friendly to us.
Even rival fans were plenty nice to my son, wearing his Arsenal gear walking down Picadilly.
where’s my comment ?
Guns
Vancouver!
Glad you had a good time in California China. Politics is unavoidable in the age of social media. (Social media is the devil). When the lines are so clearly drawn and facts can’t be agreed upon nor compromise achievable it creates a great resentment and anger in the populous. Everyone feels the need to tell others why they’re wrong without listening or considering responses to their asshatery. Thus the age we live in is reaching a crisis when the appeal to witness the hypocrisy and finally have it be witnessed by those that hide behind “religious principles” to simply see… Read more »
Colin Kapearnick lost his NFL career because actually he’s just not a very good Quarterback. Hundreds of NFL stars took a knee last year and are still starting. If Kapearnick was as good as Brady, Brees, Wilson, Rodgers then he’d still be the starting QB for the 49ers regardless of his political views.
He was a play from winning a super bowl and a play from going to back to back Super Bowls. He isn’t great but that’s a better resume then every backup qb in the nfl.
I’m not saying he needs to be starting but he should probably have a job…if he actually wants one.
Fair to say though he regressed somewhat since 2013. I also heard he was after big money to be a back-up which may have put some teams off
Also….Nick Foles might just have the best back-up QB resume now!
There’s some right self important dicks on here.
With our defence as suspect as it is right now it’s not going to be relaxing watching the Arsenal is it? Even supposed weaker teams like Newcastle is going to have a right go at us.
We might score 3 but we could easily concede 4… talk about watching through your fingers.
I would feel much better if Cech and Xhaka weren’t starting… between them they’ve been making three to four game changing mistakes per game… we’re getting away with it for now but that’s not going to last.
*are going to
Leeds historically Newcastle always give it a go against us regardless of what team we put out. Much better team than Cardiff and we struggled to beat them.
I say welcome to all Arsenal fans everywhere. And it’s great to know we have a lot of American ones. But lest we risk hearing all the guys from wherever telling each other where they live, let’s move on.
On Kap, it’s reasonable and right to comment because it’s a sporting issue as well as a political one.
Can’t think of anything worse than these international friendlies, especially so early into a season.
Newcastle also struggled against Cardiff…
Test
I just had a morning moan about how bad things must be at Arsenal if the man considered to be our star player, leader, inspiration, captain, driving force, our Messi, is Aaron fucking Ramsey, and the comment didn’t appear. It was a quality whinge too. Oh well. Still fucking depressing.
pedro
I hope you plan on doing more guest posts. I want hear people’s opinion on the club in the new season.
Try keeping the blog about arsenal and football. Everyone’s politics are their own, as are their prejudices even you Pedro. however you comment of ” if you’re the sort of person who burns your trainers or socks because the brand you follow did something you don’t fancy, throw yourself into the sea. You are insignificant. Political correctness is pretending you matter. No one should indulge you.” is plain stupid. You would be screaming like a bitch if anyone even remotely right of centre had said that type of thing. Mind you, you do have a habit of throwing your teddy… Read more »
WFD
I also agree that people who record themselves burning their own trainers should jump off a cliff, and this is not even political.
What’s the problem with Pedro expressing his personal view?
Colin Kapernick and the media frenzy over him is a joke.
He’s a slightly above average player that was butt-hurt his star had fallen. NFL defenses caught up to him and he was exposed for being painfully average. He then turns to throwing allegation against the wall to see what sticks.i.e accusing the NFL of colluding against him.
It’s a vicious cycle of playing the victim that dominates the American landscape atm.