Ineptitude of the Wenger-era exposed

by .

What the bloody hell is cracking friends?

Arsenal’s game in Vorskla looking extremely precarious. The home team were at one point saying they might not be able to attend. It appears they relented in the end and accepted a kind of neutral venue. It’s going to be a lot better for the Arsenal players. A nicer hotel, a nicer pitch and less aggressive Ukrainians shouting at them. It’ll probably look a bit like a closed doors game. Emery had this to say.

“First, we need to respect Uefa’s decision because I think it’s not easy for Vorskla.

“Yesterday we were preparing for the first trip to Poltava and waiting in the evening for the last decision.

“It doesn’t change a lot to play here. In 90 minutes it is not a very big change. It is clear they are playing in Ukraine, not in their town, but they can also move their supporters to Kiev.

“In 90 minutes we want to do our work here.”

We have a very fresh looking squad playing. Tyreece John-Jules, Joe Willock, Charlie Gilmour and Jordi Osei-Tutu join veterans Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe. John-Jules sounds like the name of some top geezer who is gonna smash your face in because he heard you sent his bird a Snapchat you shouldn’t have. Regardless of his scary name, let’s hope he gets a run out with the others. We’re as good as qualified if we don’t fuck this up, but that doesn’t make me feel any sort of pragmatism for this game. Let’s go wild. Let’s make this a Carling Cup 2008 extravaganza.

Poor old Aaron Ramsey though… I don’t care how pro you are, knowing this is your life for the next 7 months must be super depressing. Emery definitely pushing him to take the L and get himself sold up in January. Go join Wenger at Bayern.

Superb to see Liverpool lose to PSG. My man Tuchel has PSG players working hard, let’s see how long he can keep up the pretense he’s totally normal. I love his football, it’s so beautiful and thoughtful. But he’s a lunatic.

Last bit of football news. Remember I told you about how poor Gerry Peyton was waaaay back when… and people doubted the veracity. And I probs said, when Wenger goes, you’ll find out how shite things were. Check out this interview from our two exPolish keepers. The full transcript is here.

Szczesny Let me give you an example of a thing when you laugh at first, but then you’re like I’m playing for Arsenal, is this for real? Before the match with Chelsea I hear: Watch out. When Hazard takes his penalties, he will shoot at the opposite side of where you will dive.

Szczesny And that’s funny, but then you’re like did he really just said that?

Fabianski Mentioning penalty analysis he used to said (Garry): listen, he shoots that side or that side, but best go with your feeling.

So, he shoots here and there, but do whatever you want more or less(Fabianski comment on the matter).

Szczesny One time we had a GK debriefing out of nowhere

Fabianski And it was a video debriefing, we have never done video before

Szczesny Not knowing what it will be about we’re going right? And it’s a 4-5 min video of goals that I let past me, but could have done better.

Fabianski It’s only Szczesny goals though

Fab&Szcz They were only Szczesny’s, but there was us and Vito(Vito Mannone) and Emi(Emiliano Martinez), maybe?

Szczesny So, were watching, but we don’t know wtf is going on. It’s just showing errors, he Garry Peyton) is not explaining anything. So the video ends and Garry says: See, you’re not perfect. And that was it. We’re all looking at each other like welp

I can tell you, if you think that’s bad, you wait until you hear about the stories of players Steve Rowley passed on for not being ‘Arsenal quality’, or the horrors of the Tony Colbert fitness regime, or the weird little witch doctor that used to go to the club and advise Wenger about hair pills contributing to the injuries. It was an asylum towards the end. I cannot believe that Bayern is considering him.

BIG UPDATE: I only went and fixed the comment section. You’ll notice I have a privacy policy explaining that I’ll be doing exactly fuck all with your data. Not because I’m a good human, more because your fake e-mails and proxy server IPs are worth fuck all to me.

INSTRUCTIONS: Clear your cache, then you should see a checkbox that says you agree to the terms of the site. Then that checkbox will remain ticked and your comments will autofill with your sassy names, like EmeryLegsAFC139382. Big thanks to Stacey over at Codeable.

Additionally, Le Grove is going advert free. It’s shit for the experience and I just fucking love you so much, I want you to have all the nice things. That said, there’s a £50 a month paywall going up next week, so get your hit of prime content now, because you’ll be dropping me cash money soon.

Talking of content, check out the latest podcast between myself and the excellent Aash. We talk about selling £60m stats good Xhaka. We talk players worth keeping. We shoot the shit about super league, FIFA, football rights and we have a mini love in over some of things we’re enjoying about the Emery ride so far. It’s a good listen. No, it’s a great listen.

SPOTIFY | STITCHER | ITUNES | GOOGLE | POCKET CASTS

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DM

DM

DM

2

Peter

4th

DM

Tr4phy

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

Peter

again

Boomslang

Here

Peter

congrats DM

DM

Thanks for fixing comments Pedro!

Leftsidesanch

Finally…the comment section has been fixed!

HighburyLegend

“Ineptitude of the Wenger-era exposed”

lol Pierre has stop reading just after this phrase.

HighburyLegend

Good job Pedro!! 😉

Graham62

I know Neymar has been discussed many times on here, but, JHC, the guy gets on my bloody wick.

His histrionics make him look an utter dick. The thing is, if he wanted to, he could emulate Messi and CR7.

Feigning injury, acting like a cry baby, playing to the camera. It’s so fudging embarrassing.

Not disputing his talent, just his attitude.

Jamie

Great work fixing the details fields, Pete.

Top tip: no need to clear cache, just hold Ctrl + F5 for a forced browser refresh. The new checkbox should appear.

Graham62

“Ineptitude of the Wenger-era exposed”

It was never ending.

You see folks, it wasn’t just about the Football.

Emiratesstroller

Pedro Interesting to read discussion of Szczesny and Fabianski. This raises a different topic and trend. Last season there was some concern about the perceived decline of our goalkeeper CECH. AT 35 he was considered too old as our first choice gk. Yet looking through list of second and third string goalkeepers in EPL there is an increasing number of players aged 35+. Vorm 35 Spurs Caballero 37 Chelsea Speroni 39 C.Palace Bravo 35 Man C Grant 35 Man U Stecklenberg 36 Boruc 38 So the question is what to do with Cech at the end of his contract in… Read more »

Graham62

Brexit Parliamentary Scrutiny on BBC, live at Westminster.

Theresa May waffling and looking rather uncomfortable.

Sorry, Politics.

Graham62

The worrying thing is both Szczesny and Fabianski knew how crap things were under Gerry Peyton, just as all the players knew who crap things were under Wenger.

How come then some of our savvy/intellectual fanbase, failed to see it.

Lol!!

Graham62

how not “who”

HighburyLegend

Time for a little laugh with the press review of the morning : “Mauricio Pochettino is confident his Tottenham side have the belief to beat Barcelona in the Nou Camp to keep their CL dream alive.” “Alexis Sanchez’s relationship with Jose Mourinho is at breaking point after the Chilean did not even make the bench against Young Boys.” “Fellaini says the gloomy atmosphere surrounding Manchester United is frustrating to play under….The midfielder scored a 91st-minute winner as United struggled to beat Young Boys…It was the only goal United have scored at Old Trafford in three group games this term…” You’re… Read more »

PaddyV

Liverpool are dropping into the Europa League…we are screwed if we don’t finish in top 4!

PaddyV

Let’s hope if we do meet them it’s in the final can’t see us beating them over two legs

bennydevito

Good post Pedro and another great podcast.

So next month we have to pay a subscription or voluntary patreon?

bennydevito

Paddy V,

Nit necessarily. If Liverpool win the UEFA cup but finish top 4 and we’re beaten finalists then we’ll get the place no?

Masterstroke

£50 subscription? Best of luck with that!

Marc

PaddyV

You could well see Liverpool write off the EL as they will consider top 4 a guarantee and will want to focus on the PL.

It’s one of those to worry about when it happens.

Marc

Pretty sure Pedro was kidding about the £50 a month.

Jamie

bennydevito –

Nope, the only way 5 teams from the EPL qualify for the CL is if the 5th placed (or lower) team in the league also wins the EL.

Liverpool finishing top 4 or higher and also winning the EL would still only occupy 1 CL spot; the spot they gain from the EL victory and the spot they gain for their top 4 finish roll into one.

Jamie

.. so no spoils for the beaten finalists. The only way into the CL for beaten finalists is to qualify via their respective leagues (finish top 4 in the EPL’s case).

David Smith

We now know for certain why the fine prospect that is Szcsney was let go for peanuts, and Fabianski soon followed, wenger had little life outside the game and may well have got wind of this. It confirms why wenger disposed of the popular GK coach Roberts who was publicly praised by both Poles. We know why wenger cut short Jens role helping out the keepers while taking his badges. All to protect Gerry Peyton As Pedro says, this is the tip of the ice berg. Would love to know what young Josh found out in his review, but we… Read more »

gambon

Emiratestroller

I agree, we should keep Cech for another season. Bob Wilson said he is doing a lot of work with Leno.

He would also be excellent GK coach material.

Also, with the amount of work we need to do in the transfer market, the last thing we need to do is spend some of the budget on a keeper.

Graham62

David Smith

It will be laughable if Bayern turn to Wenger.

Le Fraud can go and ruin another great club.

Like yourself, I can’t see it happening.

Bamford10

Good work, Pedro. Like the new & improved.

gambon

It really is incredible to see just how mental Arsene Wenger had become. There has been a lot of talk from the players since he left that paints a picture of someone who completely lost it a number of years ago. – Emery said the players had fallen into a comfort zone of training for trainings sake – Half the squad have come out and said training is much more intense, and more fun – Rob Holding said there was no focus on communication between the defenders – These Gerry Peyton quotes – Both Wilshere and Ramsey seemed genuinely shocked… Read more »

Bamford10

Good post, David. Spot on.

gambon

On top of that:

– Apparently the players were overweight
– Emery was shocked they were all allowed to drink sugary drinks

Bamford10

I said this in a previous post, but I feel it bears repeating. Lyon were quite impressive two nights ago against City, and it’s important to note that Cornet was signed for less than £500k, Ndombele for £7m, Ferland Mendy for £5m, Depay for £15m and Fekir on a free at 18. It’s also important to note that all of these players are 25 or younger, with Cornet, Ndombele and Mendy all being 22 or younger.

There are things we can learn from what Lyon are doing, I think.

Emiratesstroller

Gambon Frankly I think that the goalkeeper situation at the club is fixed. Leno is a decent goalkeeper albeit that he does need to be more accurate with his upfield kicking. At 26 he is the right age and in my view excellent value for money when compared to what Chelsea and Liverpool have spent on this position last summer. Cech provides experienced back-up and I would suspect ‘wisdom’. He is good enough to play as and when required.In the past Arsenal kept Lukic on the books at the age of 39-40 as third string choice to be used only… Read more »

HighburyLegend

Worried about spud’s result last night…
They will be full of confidence for the NLD.

HighburyLegend

@Bamford : the PL is almost a walk in the park for City, so when they play tougher opponents in the CL, they are in trouble.

Danny

We’re as good as qualified if we don’t fuck this up
—————————————–
I thought we had qualified?

Major_Jeneral

It is great to see that former arsenal players opening up about how things were managed in the goalkeeping department. I still wonder though what was the motive behind keeping players like Alumina despite his lack of competence on the field of play?

Major_Jeneral

Pedro. I like the new and improved comment section. 👍👍👍

Cesc Appeal

Pedro

Emery also had a gym put up on the training pitches, clearly he was not happy at all with the physical state of the players.

Again, I think this stems from the game Wenger had them playing, tap the ball around and see what happens as opposed to a high intensity tactical system.

That is also why we’re seeing the players who can and can’t handle it.

Why did we wait so long to do this?

steve

@Gambon

You forgot the one about youth players not showing up to training, people had to show up at their house to drag them there basically. Although Wenger wasn’t the youth coach he still oversaw the club.

HighburyLegend

“clearly he was not happy at all with the physical state of the players”

But he was happy with their mental strength, right ??
(lol)

David Smith

Wengers most extreme loyalty extended to: The most inept GK coach in the league, Wenger picked him over Bob Wilsons recommendation, David Seaman, presumably over Peytons Japanese connections? A drill sergeant fitness coach who not only wrecked established players, but failed to recognise the requirements for growing bodies and those recovering from injury A head scout who rarely left London/ Herts and refused to listen to those who did. This man who discovered Tony Adams, refused to adapt from his glory days, yet thanks to, and much to the consternation of Wenger, departed only this year. Another nobody coach there… Read more »

Bamford10

Anyone remember the time a player wasn’t included on the list of players in the squad for a future match (or set of matches) and so said player couldn’t play? This despite Wenger fully planning on playing this player in that match or that set of matches? I can’t remember the exact details, but it might have been our last year in the CL, and I believe it meant that said player couldn’t play. It was embarrassing incompetence and a clear sign of the underlying incompetence at work in everything Wenger did in his second ten years. Remember that the… Read more »

Goobergooner

Un na naii,

I really hope you were taking the piss at the end of the last post’s comments.

Bamford10

Like Gervinho, Sanogo was an example of Wenger trying to prove that he was smarter than everyone else, smarter than the the big spenders and that big spending wasn’t necessary.

“You all think one must spend 50m on a Hazard or Suarez,” he was saying. “Watch me unearth this inexpensive gem.”

Except that his eye for a player was failing and his scouting set-up was garbage.

Bamford10

Un Na

“Now I can annoy Bamford and Marko on the regular again.”

Thank you for telling us that you are straight troll and nothing more.

Guns of Hackney

As if anyone is going to pay £50 a month for the privilege of reading douchbag comments from other douchbags…that £50 is going on Pornhub, and everyone knows it.

Marko

You don’t annoy me Don. If you got annoyed by every dumb thing said by a dumbshit online then the internet is probably not for you.

HighburyLegend

lol GoH!!

Nelson

Spurs played much more purposeful once Eriksen is on the pitch. It would be nice if Eriksen and Hazard left for Spain in January. Our top 4 hope could become a reality.

Pierre

The obsessives are out in force today ….. It’s like a bunch of schoolgirls in the playground …Highbury Leg End has succeeded in bringing everyone down to his level.

So many positive things to talk about regarding Arsenal football club including a football match Later involving many of our young up and coming players….

Guns of Hackney

Not that I’m going to defend Wenger’s reign of terror in the latter years but Szcesney hawkes and Flapihandski are not the most reliable of types. Who the fuck smokes a salmon in the dressing room?

Also they were both garbage. Pricks.

Marko

So many positive things to talk about regarding Arsenal football club including a football match Later involving many of our young up and coming players….

Here we go not allowed to talk about him… even though he’s being linked with a job and there was an article published in the last day about one of his coaches.

Pierre

GOH
They are using a bit of artistic licence …always makes a story sound better though I am sure there is probably an element of truth in what they are saying .

Globalgunner

Wenger really was the twilight zone. One man’s delusions became our living reality. May we never see his like again. Can I get an Amen?

Graham62

“Oh yeh, we also knew Wenger was shite, but we had to keep supporting the lads, because that’s what real fans do”. Lol!! Surprise surprise, more shite is dug up, which we all know is only the tip of the iceberg, and still they come out with it wasn’t all down to Wenger. Lol!!!! Emery is obviously shocked with what he has found engrained into the system and is still encountering the after effects of Wengerization. So those of you who feel justified in criticizing Emery, because things are still not working in some departments, just bear in mind that… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

Pierre

I am 100% sure there’s some truth in it but regardless of what they, I or anyone thinks of Wenger’s later years, for anyone to come out after the fact and talk smack about a previous manager/employer shows a total lack of class.

If they didn’t think things were going great…have the bollocks to stand front and centre at the time and speak out.

Cowards don’t play well for me I’m afraid.

Chris

I do hope Wenger writes the autobiography he has spoken about in the past.

If noting else it would certainly be an interesting read but also to see how much it contrasts with what others who were a part the last few years have said.

I doubt many on here are surprised by what the likes of Szcesney have said, although he was never the most professional anyway and also has himself to blame for failing at Arsenal, not just the lack of quality coaching.

Marc

“that £50 is going on Pornhub, and everyone knows it.”

What do you think Pedro wants the money for!

UTarse

Why do so many of you bite the bait ?!

Guns of Hackney

What’s a gram of bugle cost these days?

£50?

HighburyLegend

“Highbury Leg End has succeeded in bringing everyone down to his level.”

OMG PIerre, you hurt my feelings!!
(lol)

Marko

I am 100% sure there’s some truth in it but regardless of what they, I or anyone thinks of Wenger’s later years, for anyone to come out after the fact and talk smack about a previous manager/employer shows a total lack of class.

Laughable coming from you… how do you feel about the current manager? Or foreign peasants how do you feel about them? Basically if I were you I’d give up on ever having a conversation about class okay

Guns of Hackney

Marko

I’m critical of Emery but the key fact is…he or Arsenal do not pay me, ergo, I am free to critique as I see fit. I have also praised Emery in recent weeks because he deserves it. It’s the compliment ‘sandwich’. Criticism/praise/criticism or swap them around. P/C/P.

I hate foreign peasants or any kind of peasant, regardless of their country of origin. Once again, I am up front about this and don’t flip flop.

I am pure class and a total delight to be around. Ask any of my friend…

Marko

Like I said class

Leftsidesanch

Utarse

It’s so hard not to!

Ekpang B

So far so good. I think the team will only get better

gambon

“What’s a gram of bugle cost these days? £50?”

Pfttttt, wouldnt touch that shit.

pedro

Guys, £50 is a fair rate…

UTarse

“It’s so hard not to!”

That’s what she said Left…..

Left testicle

Test

Left testicle

… ticle

Left testicle

Guys, £50 is a fair rate…
………………..
Not when you can chat, in person, for zilch.
I appreciate what you do Pedro but if there is a charge I’ll be off.

gambon

People actually taking the £50 thing seriously…..lol

azed

– Apparently the players were overweight

** Mkhitaryan and Iwobi

TR7

Test

Nelson

Just listened to the Pre-Match Press Conference – Vorskla Poltava v Arsenal. Mikki spoke very good Russian. This is the first time I experienced a press conference where very world was translated in both languages.

HighburyLegend

“People actually taking the £50 thing seriously…..lol”

It could have been £100.

Guns of Hackney

Anyone else find playing Vulva United a little cheap? While the scouse schleppers, spurs and United are playing the creme de la creme of Europe…we are amidst a civil war in the depths of turnip country on a pitch a monster truck would baulk at.

I miss getting thumped by (insert team).

Leedsgunner

I guess the motto of the site will change to “Where you can have an opinion, if you’re willing to pay up.”

Surely Pedro is on a wind up? Right?

One another note, nice to see the link I posted yesterday made it into the blog.

😉

Leedsgunner

*On

Leedsgunner
raptora

£50 a month paywall fund for the whole community is not that bad of an idea. £50 not per every single one of us but a total for the whole readership.

Globalgunner

They should call the game off and stat it as a 0-0 draw

Guns of Hackney

£50 to be insulted, abused and threatened by the internet…it’s actually not bad value.

Peter is obviously rounding up funds for our summer spending bonanza.

£30,000,050 for the transfer kitty.

raptora

GoH,
LOLz!

Bankz

I saw the goalkeeper coach interview yesterday on twitter and I kept laughing.
For years I’ve questioned the IQ of everyone who thought the problem at the club was first Kroenke and then wenger.
I’ve said for years, Arsenal #1 problem has been Wenger and changing him was the best thing to happen to the club in the last few years.

Alexanderhenry

Pedro

Trawling the Internet for anti wenger comments and using them as your main subject matter, despite the fact arsenal are playing tonight, shows you have strange priorities.

It’s also a bit sad.

But szezny and fabianski?

Alexanderhenry

GOH

I know what you mean.

I’m not enthused by the Europa league. Unless we win it of course. Then it’s pretty good really.

Guns of Hackney

AH

We ain’t winning the Europa League. Our best bet is actually the fourth place trophy…and I’d never have thought that at the start of the season.

If we can carry on picking up sneaky wins against the shite in the premier league and avoiding massive defeats, we might actually sneak back into the CL.

I honestly miss losing 8-1 to Barca.

raptora

I hear you, Bankz! Holy fuck, it is actually beyond pathetic how low the standard had dropped. Most of these people were doing things like we were still in the previous century. You can see how we were falling behind of the new trends, new blood, new methodology, new everything. We were a big club, with a ginarmous foundation set for success, but had yesterday’s people at the helm. God fkin bless the nightmare is over. It feels so good to have a club hungry to win again. The thought of just how many years we lost to watch the… Read more »

HighburyLegend

“United are playing the creme de la creme of Europe”

Young Boys last night, talking about “creme”…

Samesong

Tyrese John-Jules sounds like a DJ

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