Well, yesterday’s post certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. I think a lot of people felt that was mostly aimed at Emery. It wasn’t, I think the challenges we have with the club moving forward are about the whole team. A few people screamed that I’d always straight up blame Wenger for what happened on the pitch back in the day, but was affording Emery different treatment. That’s because Emery is a coach, not a demigod.
The biggest concern that all Arsenal fans should have moving into this year is the lasting impact of the Ivan Gazidis signings in the club. He’d been making face-saving decisions all over the football club because his MO was about self-preservation. Don’t rock the boat. Do enough to get you by. Go with the mainstream view of what looks good, never put your neck on the line.
The big question is this: Who will put their neck on the line to move Arsenal forward?
Think about how easy it is to take the job at Arsenal. We have a bigger turnover than Liverpool, one that is about to get bigger, without any real success to talk about. The fans still pay for the season tickets, Adidas are about to pay out a fortune on a new shirt deal, the Premier League gravy train just keeps on rolling on, and we’re doing all this without Champions League football. Incredible.
Stan has two big clubs on his books. Arsenal, arguably one the greatest brands in European football… and the LA Rams, a nothing team that moved from St. Louis. The Kroenke’s invested mega money into the American club. One of their guys is on record as saying something to the tune of ‘we knew we had to invest, because folk from LA aren’t going to pay to watch a substandard product.’
So what did they do? They hired in a bright young innovative coach to lead the team. They’ve made powerful backroom hires. They’re adding big names and excitement to their team sheet. They are making an unbelievable effort to make that team the crown jewel. It’s an absolute investment, because they know that there’s no history there like there is in North London.
Meanwhile, over here, there’s Arsenal. The MO has been keeping the trains running. He will never invest a penny of his own into taking us to the next level because there’s no benefit to him. The big question then becomes this: What is the expectation of his staff?
Will he have Raul and Vinai banging down the door for LA like investment? Or, like we’ve seen with Ivan, will it be a put up and shut up? If the person that runs the show has no desire to dominate, rewards a culture of low risk and obedience, what hope do we have?
Well, the hope goes back to what we spoke about yesterday. We need to accept that we’re tier two. We need to be grateful that at the very least, Stan allows the club to put back in what we earn. We need to try something new. The approach at the moment feels like we’re waiting for a miracle to happen, instead of making our own miracles come to fruition.
This point becomes even more important now David Ornstein confirmed the ‘we’re skint’ intel I shared 6 weeks ago.
We need to make our way back the Champions League. We’re not going to do that hiring in hacks that are past their prime. We’re not going to do that blowing huge amounts of money on players that don’t fit the mold. Again, I ask this question, if the club truly believed in Mesut Ozil, why is Unai Emery alienating him? Not that I disagree, I’ve never thought he was fit for purpose, but what was the football strategy that allowed us to get to that point?
Anyway, the thing to watch for next year is whether the new management are for real. Raul has come from the most prestigious club in the world. A nasty club. A club that does dirty things to get whatever they want. Their wage bill is hideous, almost double that of Manchester City. No wonder they dominate, they can have whoever they want. The manager is almost an irrelevance, even Enrique won the Champions League there. Raul is not a tried and true scrapper like the Dortmund CEO. He’s never had to properly hire a manager before. He hasn’t had to innovate, so what is he going to do at Arsenal to help us out think, scout and perform our much smaller resource pool?
Sven for all intents and purposes was exactly the sort of hire we wanted. In charge of ferreting out some of the roughest diamonds in world football and turning in De Beers profits. We know he has it in him to bring all the boys to the yard, but the question remains is this: What is his remit? I can get on-board with Matty G and Torriera like signings, but what is going on with Gary Cahill and Ever Banega? Are those guys kicking us onto the next level? I highly doubt it, so wouldn’t it be worth investing our limited budget in players that have room to grow like Dortmund did so well? Should we be planning for next season this January, versus making average crap shots with players that really aren’t that great?
Then there’s Vinai. Clearly a very talented man, but he’s 37 years old. He has been gifted an outrageous opp at Arsenal. It is unheard of to give someone that young so much power. But at what cost to Arsenal fans? Is he an Ivan protegé? What did he agree to land the job? Will he have the guts to move us forward, or will he be preaching self-sustaining as a football strategy for the next ten years.
Arsenal need to wake up. They need to focus on a way forward. They need to be bold. The problem statement is simple: how do Arsenal succeed with the resources on offer?
Remember the resources are MASSIVE. 3rd highest net spenders in the league (bigger net spend than Madrid since 2010). 9th largest wage bill in Europe. Growing turnover. We have a huge stadium, mostly full attendance, unreal training facilities and the backdrop of the greatest city in the world. If Atleti, Roma, Juve and Liverpool can make CL finals, so can we. No more excuses. No more mediocrity.
The answer to the problem statement cannot be the direction we’re heading right now. It’s not innovative, it’s not bearing fruit (nor will it), and it’s a very long way off being sustainable.
Happy New Year, enjoy the Fulham game. 🔴⚪️
Like I said, we need 3 great CBs. Our inability to keep a clean sheet is unforgivable.
Horrendous officiating. Ref has completely swallowed the whistle.
Marko
See…I don’t understand why you spend 14 hours a day trying to defend our defensive record?
I can understand if you have a weird thing for Emery…fine.
But you yourself have said Wenger was shocking last year.
You no doubt accept he completely lost the dressing room.
Yet you don’t think there’s an issue that our defence has got worse?
How do you take our worst ever PL defence in a lost dressing room….put all this structure and tactics in place…..and make it worse?
You are defending the indefendable and you know it.
Koscielny again out of position. Holy fuck he is so bad. Emery’s doing
Ref been giving Fulham free pass to pull shirt and hold…
Kolasinac stopped running with Kamara, who got himself a tap in. Terrible defending from him
mitrovic looks like he lives the thug life
That was wenger that goal. Blame him. Wenger our
Well are we going to throw it away?
A team more capable than Fulham would have equalised.
That was wenger that goal. Blame him. Wenger out
Lynch him
String him up
You just know Arsenal would not keep a clean sheet. And that’s on Emery. We’re playing Fulham here.
One thing Leicester does well is defense. You see a defensive system.
In most cases, having a good defensive system is as important as the players you bring in.
It was a foul on Torreira.
Why is Laca off again?
WTF
Just the 3 clean sheets in our first 21 games.
Second most away goals conceded after Fulham.
31 conceded, on course for our worst ever.
But apparently it’s just that we haven’t got good players.
So why sack Wenger if the tactics, training and motivation were never a problem?
We don’t have enough consistent goalscorers to keep taking off one of the two who can do. Emerys go to is just to take off Laca.
How many goals has Kos cost since in the 3-4 games he’s played.
We need 2 new top level CB’s at a minimum
With fulham and one up we don’t fucking need torreira. Ramsey could do with Guendouzi and Xhara already holding.
Sorry for Torreira tbh. First season in PL and he”s been exhausted.
ANOTHER rubbish pass from Iwobi. It’s 5 yard. Ffs.
So why sack Wenger if the tactics, training and motivation were never a problem?
This has to be one of THE stupidest posts I’ve ever read on here
Take a bow tampon
The problem we have is the lure of 4th place. If it wasn’t so crucial, it would make sense to throw in a handful of young rookies. Developing them this season makes sense. We aren’t really exploring options by playing xhaka koscienly etc….these players are not arsenal’s future. But going for fourth requires the most experienced players we have …and that’s the problem.
Joe
Not as many as the new boys
Papa and Lichtsteiner cost more against Liverpool
Koscielny was never this bad under wenger though…..
Ramseyyyyyyyyyyy
About fucking time.
Ramsey plays his due.
3 – 1
Yeah what a great pass from Iwobinho there.
lol you should not take aftv folks seriously at all especially from that Nigerian who obviously have his bias
3-1 thank God. We may now win this game
So why sack Wenger if the tactics, training and motivation were never a problem?
Hahahahahahahahahahah
I know you’re taking the piss but still
yaaas rambo!!
Ramsey’s sign on fee just went up another couple of million
Ramsey has been the model professional one his way out.
He’s certainly won the respect of his critics with how he’s conducted himself.
Kola
Assist master
Don’t see many players ran and celebrated after Ramsey scored.
how many assists now from Kola with that overlap & low crosses?
Booing the substitution and within minutes Ramsey scores…kind of tells you the heart-over-head fans we, and indeed all clubs have.
The goal was all Kola
Just the 3 clean sheets in our first 21 games.Second most away goals conceded after Fulham.31 conceded, on course for our worst ever. But apparently it’s just that we haven’t got good players.So why sack Wenger if the tactics, training and motivation were never a problem? Gambon It’s because THE BOARD haven’t signed him a team full of world class players He was never expected to coach the team. That was wengers job He was never expected to sign players That’s the boards job He just writes 11 names on a sheet. What utter bollocks You were all cumming over… Read more »
Ffs Auba.
Good goal. At least we are looking at avoiding at embarrassing ourselves with a draw.
Dissenter. Good comment on Ramsey.
Auba one on one…misses…out of form.
Our fans are without doubt the thickest cunts in world football.
Booing that sub and Ramsey scoring just sums that up.
All Arse TV wannabe gangster spazzers.
Saka on for Iwobi. Good to see
Auba deflected goal.
Finally.
Kola easily are best player today, Monreal not missed.
Auba should have finished there.
fucking hell auba – how many chances do you want?
Dissenter
I’m one of his biggest critics and he’s won my respect totally. Seems a better player under emery than weneger for me.
Plays it simple and is back to basics. That’s when he shines
I’m almost sorry to see him go now
Aubu. Missed so many
get in there!!!
Auba…yes at last…
4-1…..a little flattering but deserved winners…
Good. Lets get another one just for the sake of confidence and improve that GD.
Finally! Aubu
Well done lad
meh just flat track bully score when it matter instead
useroz
January 1, 2019 16:42:46
——————————
You’re streamed is miles ahead of mine!
getting the goals back from anfield
Woaah Auba!!! Very nice goal. Phew. We can breathe a bit better now.
Just noticed that there was a deflection. Who cares really? 4-1.
Typical Arsenal really. Embarrass themselves in big games and then flatter to deceive against shit teams at home.
Emery got his substitutions absolutely correct
Come on Cardiff!!! Smash the scum
No creative players in the line said most of them yet we manage to score 4.
Typical Arsenal really. Embarrass themselves in big games and then flatter to deceive against shit teams at home.
Besides Liverpool, which big games have we embarrassed ourselves in?
Yeah Lacazette seems really disgruntled
Need GD.
Go boys.
See…I don’t understand why you spend 14 hours a day trying to defend our defensive record? Defending the indefensible? Are you stupid honestly? I’ve done nothing but complain about our defence and defenders for a good solid 2-5 years. We’ve always been shocking defensively. I’m just arguing with the idea that a new manager in itself was ever going to be enough. We could have Diego Simeone with Mourinho as his number two and Paulo Maldini on the coaching staff and they’re not improving Mustafi or making Koscielny any less of a broken footballer. Things shouldn’t be this bad sure… Read more »
I can’t believe we are losing Ramsey and keeping cvnts like Mkhi and Iwobi.
Shocking stuff
Yet if we won against liverpool and lose against Fulham, the team will be still slated.
Joe
No you’re right
We embarrassed ourselves against Brighton and Southampton too
Ramsey could’ve stayed and been a decent squad player if he had only asked for £100k a week.
£250k a week for him is a joke, even on a free.
Rambo – Even more annoying once you realise he was only asking for parity with Mikhi.
We’ve got some clowns at that club.
Kay
Yeah. Too right. Losing at home to Fulham you should be criticized.
How about we get beat by the odd goal at anfield then beat Fulham?
Much more acceptable
See how low the bar is now
Emery isn’t a genius or a wenger-style-failure….he is working on a squad that clearly isn’t anywhere near the quality he wants. He is a work in progress.
You cannot assess a decorator when he has just sripped the wallpaper and filled some cracks. YOU WAIT TILL HE HAS FINISHED A ROOM COMPLETELY.
Wait till this time next year..(2 transfer windows)..Just logic really isn’t it?
“I’m just arguing with the idea that a new manager in itself was ever going to be enough“
Not one poster has this belief.
Just another example of you either being a complete moron, or disingenuous as fuck because your life is made on here.
A new “better” manager should extract more out the same group of players, it’s doing exactly that which illustrates superiority as a manager. Otherwise changing manager is an utterly pointless exercise.
It’s such a mundane and simple point being made and you continue to spin a line of horseshit to go with it.
Paulinho
You’re right
We should have 3 extortionately overpaid midfielders that emery doesn’t want at the club
Great thinking
Naitland-Miles is growing in confidence in that position
So why sack Wenger if the tactics, training and motivation were never a problem?
Why indeed? Why did you want him sacked? Who said tactics, training and motivation weren’t still an issue? What about individual errors? They don’t count?
Wenger w
You can if it’s taken him 6 months and it’s worse than when he started
@Un
Yeah will go on and do an invincibles with a shit squad in the 1st season. Did Pep or Klopp or Poch did it too??
Marko
Yes they count. They always counted. As did the lack of defensive framework which has not only been perpetuated but exacerbated by our new recruitment and coaching “team”
Kay
Weneger came in and took us from 5th to 3rd with only vieira added to the side.
I am far from convinced with Emery but this care ful what you wish for is getting desperate.
Unai – If you don’t make a massive mistake with the first two then maybe Ramsey doesn’t ask for what he is.
Kay
Also
Who said do an invincibles?? There’s only one man who’s ever been capable of it. Only one….
Inside..
Wenger was a wankfest for 10 (ten) years…emerys had 5 months with Wenger’s Frankenstein squad.
Plusses : guendozi, torreira, sokratis.
Maybe improving on the negatives aspects of the previous regime might he a start though
Don’t get carried away fella. Keep your wig on
Tentative game; cud be a 6 – 3
Until serious defence work is ready the ‘transition’ is attack.
Attack is our defence.
We concede almost always when side/back passes start in own half…
Jan TW can be v useful with some smart. …Arshavin practically rescued a top4
.. henrik larson helped manure win titles
@Un
Can you please name me the back 5?
Plus is Ozil as good as Bergkamp?
Plus I thought PL had a top 6
The players are gaining confidence with the win.
Kola’s attack is good but defense is terrible. The player ran past him before he noticed.
The midfield looks much better with Torr in.
AMN has a very good game. He is solid defensively.
Auba is still missing chances.
Un
Should we make a list of wengers embarrasments
We’d be here all fucking day
The biggest being embarrassment being akbs like you
@Un
Neither did I say we should be winning left right and center.
I am all but realistic except that I dont have to fight to save the Legacy of Arsene but its Arsenal I care about.
Sokratis a plus!?
Yeah maybe for the dog and duck
Next…
Is this same fraud of a manager that suffered 8-2. 6-0 etc and the Birmingham cup final shambles. Utter shite manager….given the best defense in Europe at the time…lived on the power of that graham-built unit untill when they finally disappeared, his fortunes disappeared.
Kay
Nobody has to fight for him. His legacy is the invincibles. The fact that you use it as your barometer for success is testament as such.
Next
It’s such a mundane and simple point being made and you continue to spin a line of horseshit to go with it. Sure sure. I remember the summer after the Chelsea Cup final win the 5-2-3 formation and Mertesacker is back and the whole summer you arguing with me about tactics and the new formation over signing up new CB’s and how did that work out? There’s no special formation or secret tactic being worked out on the training pitch that will make Koscielny, Mustafi et all better defenders they are error prone to the extreme. We’ve been hamstrung by… Read more »
Yup Wenger had a 11 with all mini wengers in there??
Unai you want to chat about defenders…?
Ok sokratis maybe not Tony Adams.
Let’s be fair here..ok Wenger’s defenders. Squillacci, Cygan stephanovs, silvestrre, … chamber’s…
Case closed mate.
Mustafa..Wenger’s expensive defender…utter tosh
Imagine if wenger has inherited the mess he left emery.
He wouldn’t have lasted 1 season
Wenger and his akb wankers should be kneeling at the shrine of GG every fucking day for leaving him possibly.best back 5 ever in the history of the PL and a winning attitude and rioch for DB10
Emery has been left with a lot of garbage and baggage
Wengers legacy is the last 15 years.
Making us a laughing stock
Cardiff are going to win this.
I’m not making excuses for the manager (that’s Charlie’s old job) he should be doing a better job defensively we should be doing better in first halfs and keeping at least some more clean sheets that’s on him but he’s got an excuse in the sense that he inherited some truly bad defensive players and until they’re gone these types of games are still very much here to stay.
@Joe
Careful what you wish for crowd is upset that we won a bit convincingly. Let them wait for the next opportunity.
Samesong would bloody love that
@ Joe..I know you’re not popular on here….but I for one cannot fault your opinion on Wenger.
It’s going to take time to clear this howling fckin mess up. But the signs are there.
Some of our players are only playing as Emery won’t risk blooding 18 year olds in the prem it would seem.
Unai you want to chat about defenders…?
Ok sokratis maybe not Tony Adams.
Let’s be fair here..ok Wenger’s defenders. Squillacci, Cygan stephanovs, silvestrre, … chamber’s…
Case closed mate.
More like Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Lauren, Ashley Cole, Clichy, Jens ……..Bellerin