James Rodriguez: The start of the Raul ‘contacts’ era?

by .

So I did some further digging on the Sven story and it would seem that the narrative on his departure is geared around promises of being made the Technical Director when Arsene left the club. From what I can gather, Sami Mokbel (the heir to David Ornstein if he ever retires) nailed the story here. Our chief scout wasn’t putting a shift in at Arsenal and didn’t impress the hierarchy enough to make the jump to a role he’d never done before.

No one knows when the departure date is yet, but it’s pretty clear he’s not going to hang around in a position he feels is beneath him. With news that Edu has rejected the Technical Director role, that gives us two major hires to replace over the next few months. It’s not easy hiring big names, because there are so few that are good, so there’s a real worry this is going to eat into our summer plans.

It’s also worrying because Raul is old school. He’s not going to want another data nerd at the club, because his contact list is where it’s at. The man at the top is a political beast with a backroom deals vision of football, and he has no oversight. Stan K has no time for Arsenal, we are an ugly stepchild that he’s keeping in the metaphorical basement. So as long as Raul doesn’t bankrupt us, he can hit the reset button every season with a new batch of excuses… Wenger’s mess, Ivan’s contracts, Sven’s mess, Emery’s mess and so on.

We’re already underway with the new transfer strategy which seems to be geared around seeking out players that are of a similar or lower quality to what we have (bad), but will supposedly work better in a system the manager likes (good). It’s like we’re buying in discipline. Denis Suarez doesn’t move the needle for me. He moves with the ball with more finesse than Iwobi, but I’m not sure the output is much different. There’s talk of James Rodriguez, which seems like exactly the sort of short-sighted deal someone who likes to brag about connections makes. He’s a sublime talent when he’s not fighting with managers, suffering from a lack of motivation, or being accused of poor fitness. Why would we try so hard to shift a problem child like Ozil, only to replace them with someone with less talent and just as much baggage?

Especially odd when Emery has such a poor track record of dealing with players and their egos. This is Thiago doing the real-life equivalent of subtweeting when talking about Neymar.

“Of course. He understood as everyone understood because these are things that you tell him directly. It is not behind that you have to say “We have to do this!”,And then in front of the player you do not speak. No, no … Respect is to speak directly and the coach does it very well. He is very strong on the technical part but especially on the “outside” part (on the field) to manage those who do not play. He tries to motivate everyone to be ready, that’s the difference. “

What a total bitch, but it gets worse.

Yes, because I’ve heard a lot of things that sometimes hurt you. We all know that in football you can win, you can lose. It’s normal. But the most important thing is to get up as quickly as possible when you fall. That’s what I tried to do. I heard a lot of things: “I’m not a leader, I’m not that or that …” It touches you but afterwards, it’s also the kind of thing that motivates you the most. I’m happy to have a staff that gives me confidence, a team that respects me.

Incredible that his comparison point is Thomas Tuchel, a manager notorious for falling out with players. I think PSG have done a very focused job on hiring good people around him to take the edge off some of his wilder impulses.

The key part of the Thiago story is communication. This is something I banged the drum for at the start of the season. Emery didn’t speak English before he came to Arsenal. His press conferences are garbled and it’s very hard to decipher what exactly he’s trying to communicate. Is that impacting his players? How is the message carrying under pressure with adrenaline pumping? Do his coaches sprechen de lingo, por favor?

Emery has come into this new job determined to bust balls, and he’s doing that. I think he’s running the risk of spoiling his season and losing the faith of the squad. Belief is a fragile thing. The players did not go into that Liverpool game thinking they could come out alive. It must be difficult to go through a poor patch knowing top talent that can help is not being used.

Additionally, it’s clear that the decision to let Emery bring in his own fitness coach was a disastrous decision. Burgess and Shad should be running the show. It’s a bit of a coincidence that injury pile-ups are a thing again and it would seem the much leaked DOUBLE sessions are taking a huge toll on the intensity the team can deliver in games. West Ham ran us ragged, that shouldn’t be happening to a £220m squad in January, it should be the other way around.

Simply put, Emery needs to try something new.

We need to see a reaction against United, Chelsea, and City. All three games pose exciting mile-markers in the evolution of Arsenal.

Chelsea up first is a good opportunity to see how two coaches that picked up teams on the floor have handled their evolution of football. Sarri is a master of creating a style built around an artistic view of the game, he hasn’t blown it out the park and there are questions marks over his talents. Can Emery contain Hazard? Can he rattle Chelsea? Can we deal with chubmaster Higuain?

United in the cup is HUGE, because OLE G is a young manager with no elite level experience and he has United playing with joy and climbing the table. He has the same amount of clean sheets as Emery, but delivered in 6 games. The media will build the narrative big time for this one, because United were in shocking shape, now they’re level points with us. Also, the FA Cup is a realistic competition for us to challenge for, so it’d be nice to win it.

Cardiff at home should be a banker.

Manchester City is not. No one is expecting us to go there and win, which is great for Emery. What they will expect is a strategy to stifle and disrupt Pep G. We cannot come out of that game taking a pasting.

We hired a coach. It’s time for him to earn his money and start coaching. Solve the problems the system is creating. Take some risks, play some kids, do something different, work with what you have. Better defending, more style and creativity is needed.

Let’s buckle up and pray to the footballing gods.

SPOTIFY | STITCHER | ITUNES | GOOGLE | POCKET CASTS

376 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Charlie George

Pierre
Ozil is here
Ozil only signed a very lucrative contract last year ( signed of by raul)
Raul green lights Emery appointment ( knowing Ozil- is staying)

Why not play ozil in home games against the lesser teams.

Bring him on away games. When game is stretched.

Get ozil playing well.

Is that difficult?

Nelson

I think Kroenke owns the fans an explanation. Now the club is in a mess. He should come out and tell the fans what is his vision for club and how do we get there. He is monitoring what Raul is doing.

Pierre

Marko/negation

“Literally every signing Wenger ever made was a player no one else wanted at the time.”

The reason being is that if we tried to compete with city, United or Chelsea for a player , we would be blown out of the water by them with their financial muscle..

gambon

“The reason being is that if we tried to compete with city, United or Chelsea for a player , we would be blown out of the water by them with their financial muscle..”

Funny, becuase your pal Ozil earns more than almost anyone at these clubs.

Dissenter

Charlie George
“Ozil only signed a very lucrative contract last year ( signed of by raul)”

We all know that you’re allergic to facts but Raul didn’t come on board until February 1st after the Ozil deal was done.

azed

“Funny, becuase your pal Ozil earns more than almost anyone at these clubs.”

Gambon

Do they create chances like Ozil?

Pierre

Charlie George Against Chelsea , I expect to see both ozil and Ramsey starting , Lacazette and Aubamayang starting, Torriera and Xhaka starting , .Monreal and bellerin starting, mustafi and Sokratis starting…. The only slight change may be Kolasinac if he plays the wing back system ,which will mean one of Lacazette,Ozil or Ramsey will miss out . Arsenal have a habit recently of starting the game fast and then running out of energy by the half hour mark …we need to learn to pace our game ,play with control and intelligence instead of using the headless chicken way of… Read more »

Pierre

Gambon
“Funny, becuase your pal Ozil earns more than almost anyone at these clubs.”

Does he , I never knew that …not sure what that has to do with Arsenal competing to buy players over the years with city ,Chelsea and United.

Batistuta

Pierre

So you’re saying it’s because of Ozil we managed to finish 5th and 6th the last 2 seasons if I’m getting you correctly that if he was not in the team, we’ll probably have been relegated

Batistuta

Guys, just read Mikel has left his Chinese club and is a free agent, we still up for taking any other Chelsea rejects seeing as we’re skint….Certainly better than the now useless El neny

bennydevito

Charlie George clutching at Emery out tinted straws again. Does language cause a problem for the Leeds manager with his translator doing all the tv interviews and Leeds storming to the top of their league from the wilderness? Or is it just you yet again making up more bollocks because your Lord got the boot, the unproven tea and cone boy didn’t get the job and you will use anything to try and undermine a manager who is being hamstrung by a terrible squad and internal powerstruggles and politics going on above his head, and only 6 months into the… Read more »

Charlie George

Dissenter
U are not a naive man.
Even Pedro corroborated that fact in one of his blogs( ‘re – Raul and Ozil contact )
I’ll accept that Raul S official starting date was Feb.
But he was involved in that infamous Jan transfer window.
Has to be.

Arsene Wenger signed Vieira and remi garde before his official dates too

This happens all the time in business..

And if u are right. And I am wrong . What a complete wally Raul must be – to allow all this expenditure signed off – without his say so.

Redtruth

Emiratesstroller
“The standout performance was from Michael Gove. He may not be the most
popular politician in the House of Commons or in the Country as a whole, but
his grasp on political matters and more importantly on his analysis of Jeremy
Corbyn was brilliant.”

Gove’s analysis was unfounded claptrap.
Gove is a political lightweight, untrustworthy and a mouthpiece for the gutter press.
He makes Hamas look like the Red Cross.

PhD2020

Champagne charlieJanuary 17, 2019 13:56:27 Good post PhD, agree with everything except the Uni standard via reputation stuff. I think Uni reputations are heavily influenced by marketing, and whilst they give an indication of quality for sure, it’s not simply a matter of ‘better rep = better uni’. Again it’s a bit more nuanced imo (theme of the day 😀 ) ——————————————– Yes,it’s not simply in every individual case, a university with a better reputation equates to a better university.You do get some ivy league universities that trade on reputation alone, like finding out that your supervisor is an absolute… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Phd2020 Precisely what I more or less wrote. May is stubborn and will sit the matter out until Brexit is resolved. The only reason I thought that she might resign this week is that she might be forced into a “REMAIN” position, but I think that so long as Corbyn sits on fence that is less likely than “SOFT BREXIT”. Listening yesterday to Rees-Mogg post the vote of no confidence I think for all the posturing the Brexit lobby now realise that after two votes to remove May she is there for the duration. He made it clear that he… Read more »

PhD2020

RedtruthJanuary 17, 2019 15:54:13

Gove’s analysis was unfounded claptrap.
Gove is a political lightweight, untrustworthy and a mouthpiece for the gutter press.
He makes Hamas look like the Red Cross.
————————-
LMFAO…I’m in stitches..You are a legend RED TRUTH..

Charlie George

BD
I wanted Wenger out. Indeed , For a long time.
I want Emery out too.
I admire Arsene Wenger
I don’t admire Unai Emery.

I have no agenda. Accept what’s best for The Arsenal

Charlie George

Bd
Why should i support a regime- which I honestly feel – will do us harm.
(Serious harm.)
That’s my honest appraisal

Regards your point about the Leeds manager .
It’s a valid one.
He is a genuine big hitter. Maybe you take a chance of someone like him- not speaking the lingo. Emery is a mediocre coach in comparison

All I would say. If he was at a bigger English club and he was caught systematically spying on the opposition.
He would have been sacked.

Emiratesstroller

RT Yes Gove is untrustworthy, which is why he will never be Prime Minster as is also case with Corbyn.I made that point earlier. However you are entirely wrong about his intellectual ability. He is one of most able and versatile politicians in House of Commons. He wound up yesterday’s Debate on behalf of the Government with a brilliant well constructed speech and as was made abundantly clear there was a great deal of discomfort on the Labour Front Bench including from Corbyn whose shortcomings were plain to see. Sadly the electorate including I am pretty sure you will not… Read more »

bennydevito

To the typically classest snob PhD who thinks only people with degrees know what they’re talking about and thus voted remain:

My missus is 33, has a degree and voted leave.
Her family don’t have degrees and all voted to remain.

We live in Bristol.

So shove your classest poppycock up your arse.

Redtruth

Jacob Rees Mong calls himself a Brexiteer yet would rather have no Brexit than a Corbyn Government, forgetting you can vote out a Corbyn Govetnment after 5 years while Brexit is a once in a generation opportunity…..lol

Receding Hairline

Spurs in talks for Malcolm

He is an actual winger and will improve the way we play instantly. Yet we are spending weeks on Suarez

Now that’s a criticism i can get on board with not he doesn’t speak English

kenyangunner

Wenger was a good manager who stayed too long
Emery is a boring coach who shouldn’t stay more than one year

Redtruth

Tory Ideology:
‘Enrich oneself and stuff everybody else’

Left testicle

The world and his wife has a degree. My niece has a degree and serves over the counter in Toolstation!

It doesn’t matter if you have a degree or not – each vote is worth the same.

bennydevito

Charlie George, Lol! You’re right about the spying thing it has to be said. Incidentally I saw rumours yesterday linking us with their right winger. Anybody have any info on this? As for Emery, if he fucks up the team selection against Chelsea and we suffer, get knocked out the FA Cup by Utd and get butt fucked by city I think I will be on your side. I didn’t want Emery to begin with, my preferences out of what was being touted were Allegri, Ancelloti, Emery, then I would have taken a punt on ex legends Vieira, Bergkamp/Overmars, possibly… Read more »

Redtruth

Emiratesstroller
“Yes Gove is untrustworthy,”

I’d say lying is pretty untrustworthy.

Marko

The reason being is that if we tried to compete with city, United or Chelsea for a player , we would be blown out of the water by them with their financial muscle..

The summer we paid 42 million for Ozil Eriksson was bought for about 10 million. Ozil we can’t give away while Erikson will likely end up going for a huge fee. That’s what consistency gets you

Un na naai

To the typically classest snob PhD who thinks only people with degrees know what they’re talking about and thus voted remain:My missus is 33, has a degree and voted leave. Her family don’t have degrees and all voted to remain.We live in Bristol.So shove your classest poppycock up your arse. Benny devito Well said sir. Well said. My mother has a degree and my wife has two (although she is a proper lefty). Both voted leave though. My mate Tom has a law degree. Really smart fella. He’s going to a brexit Rally tonight with Nigel farrage. It’s not your… Read more »

PhD2020

bennydevitoJanuary 17, 2019 16:06:22
To the typically classest snob PhD who thinks only people with degrees know what they’re talking about and thus voted remain:
———————
Far from it.On the contrary.I’m actually all for an egalitarian society.
I previously gave a breakdown(empirical figures) of the demographics in the UK,on how the electorate voted in the EU Referendum.

Not sure,why you are getting your knickers in a twist.
Anyway,have a good day.

Cheers.

Un na naai

I previously gave a breakdown(empirical figures) of the demographics in the UK,on how the electorate voted in the EU Referendum.

Yes and you also made the claim that
“You’re the last of a dying breed”
Patently incorrect by the own figures it’s nearly 50/50 with 25-40 year olds
Also made comments about chavs voting leave and university educated people being better qualified to go into politics.

All highly condescending claims if you’ll excuse me for pointing out.

gambon

This is from a Labour MP, to highlight what a scumbag Corbyn really is:

“He’s been quite happy in the past to meet with Hamas and Hezbollah and President Assad and the Iranians without pre-conditions.

“I can’t see why he has this pre-condition. He can then go in and argue robustly against the no-deal and set out his position and she can set out her position”

Un na naai

By your own figures

Un na naai

Gambon

If you take no deal off the table before another round of negations you may as well pull your pants down and bend over

But that’s what he wants. He wants us in a position of need.

gambon

Un na naai

No, he just doesnt want whats best for the UK. Never has, never will.

He doesnt have any political views, hes just an anarchist.

Redtruth

Corbyn is right, take no deal off the table.
Theresa May had no deal on the table and the EU took her to the cleaners.

Guns of SF

Good read- nothing really new but a concise summary of our dire situation.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2815740-why-have-arsenal-got-no-money-and-whats-their-plan#slide5

gambon

As always, that Bleacher Report article is terrible.

Ive never seen them write anything that was remotely accurate about Arsenal.

gambon

Redtruth has clearly never negotiated anything in his life.

Guns of SF

i know their numbers are off….
Gambon, you should write for them- your post a few days ago was superb- with the financials

PhD2020

Un na naaiJanuary 17, 2019 16:22:17
—————————
Talk about having an inferiority complex of some sort.Looks like I’ve touched a nerve or two.Suddenly,a few plebs ,like Harry “Loads of Money” Enfield are having hissy fits…LOL….Here, this is you below.Enjoy.Have a good day. 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUYUOGvVZM&t=0s&list=PL0B14C6FAD35BD376&index=5

Emiratesstroller

I raised originally the point about education, but more importantly Labour Politicians lack of career experience outside politics.

No-one doubts that Corbyn and his supporters are politically street wise and idealogical. However, their expertise on many matters not least how to run the
economy is zero.

Economics is and has always been the “achilles heel” of successive labour governments. In the case of Corbyn his raft of expertise on most matters is
even worse than most.

Let’s face it if the “working classes” in Britain don’t respect him who will?

PhD2020
China1

Un na you’re in Bristol?

Which part?

I’s a Sea Miller, moiself

Redtruth

Hamas has mors integrity than Theresa (Treason) May the worst Prime Minister of all time.

Un na naai

PhD

Did they teach you how to use the internet at university? 😂😂

Touched a nerve??
Not really. You’ve just made an incorrect judgment call.

gambon

So we know Redtruth idolises:

– Hamas
– Jeremy Corbyn
– David Ospina

You know what, this guys alright.

Sancho Monzorla

My missus is 33, has a degree

These things are obviously offset by the fact that she married you though, I would think.

Un na naai

China

No mate. I’m a Londoner.
You must have me confused with someone else

China1

Emirates you say labor can’t run the economy but can the tories?

Didn’t they break pretty much every economic promise they made in the original manifesto back to big davey C’s start as PM?

I’m not defending labor because honestly I trust those guys as far as I can throw them, but I really don’t see how someone can trust the Tories either

The sooner people wake up to the fact that both parties are largely shite and have been for ages, the better.

Un na naai

Pedro

There’s no chance
If he can’t get in against May he’ll never get in. They need to come back to centre left before they stand a chance, at least until brexit is secured.

China1

Oh Un Na, Benny is the Brizzer

Benny where you at?

Un na naai

China

To be fair they massively reduced the deficit
I was no Cameron fan but I thought they did quite well considering the circumstances. What they were handed was worse than the mess emery assumed.

Jamie

Sancho with a body slam.

Redtruth

The majority of Labour voters are middle class while the Tories rely heavily on geriatrics and knuckle dragging northerners.

Barney75

The BBC2 documentary on Chávez last night should help dissuade anyone sensible voting for Corbyn, not that the alternatives are much more attractive.

China1

More and more I feel like the labour/dems vs Tory/Republicans debates is like deciding whether you’d rather eat dog or cat shit for dinner.

It’s gotten to the point where I’m kinda shocked they have any voters left, let alone ones who will adamantly defend them.

It’s like an angry argument about who is better equipped to save our season out of mustafi and Koscielny when all evidence points to both being wank.

Globalgunner

If Corbyn is such a no hoper why doesnt May and the Tories want to risk another GE against him?, Maybe because he could win? Poor middle class people voting for Tories is like pigs voting for the Abattoir owner.

Guns of SF

I think we beat Chelsea on Saturday. Come from behind win.
Just a feeling…

China1

Un Na, according to an independent article I just read, national debt increased by over half a trillion pounds between 2010 and 2016

Are you sure the tories did a good job with the economy?

Globalgunner

3 weeks ago 117 Tory MPs voted that May wasn’t fit to the lead the party. Now they vote that shes fit to lead the country. Hmmm,

PhD2020

Un na naaiJanuary 17, 2019 16:53:58 ——— Did,they teach you how to read at school? Clearly not-Harry Enfield. Here’s a time stamp to my post( below) and read it again in it’s entirety,and then come back and tell me in what context,I said “You are the last of a dying breed?” PhD2020January 17, 2019 13:51:08 Secondly,show me where I said the following,according to you? Un na naaiJanuary 17, 2019 16:32:24 Also made comments about chavs voting leave and university educated people being better qualified to go into politics.” Cite the claim. I’ll take a guess,you might need a dictionary and… Read more »

bennydevito

China, I’m the Bristolian, currently living outside in Chipping Sodbury, moved here last August from Patchway between cribbs and Filton. Proper dump Patchway was full of chavs, Alchies, druggies and travellers, was there for 4 years. Previously have lived in Filton, Southmead, Horfield, Henbury,Shirehampton and Sea Mills where my ex Wife still lives with my eldest daughter. You have to have a bit about you and know the right people living in those places especially Southmead I can tell you! Chipping Sodbury is like Westbury on Trym and Bath where I grew up, much nicer here if not a bit… Read more »

Marko

solicits medical advice — on multiple occasions — about his bleeding anus from strangers on an anonymous football blog?

Yeah what kind of a person does that. Surely not a person who should be taken seriously

bennydevito

Those Harry Enfield Loadsa money clips are hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣

The Scousers were the best though, priceless!

bennydevito

China, where in Sea Mills are you? My ex wife and daughter live at the top of the hill on High Grove, the bottom end of High Groves goes onto Coombe Single where the pub was that is now a nursery next to the newsagent and chip shop.

Redtruth

The fixed term parliament act is the only thing keeping the squater in Downing street.

Batistuta

Wring blog then.

Get on with it guys

bennydevito

So Grovers, what do we reckon the line up should be?

Leno
Bellerin – Mustaphi – Sokratis – Kolasinac
Torreira – Ramsey
Iwobi – Ozil – Aubameyang
Lacazette

Guendouzi, Maitland Niles rest of the bench fillers and Saka (sp) on the bench.

Thoughts?

bennydevito

I hope Ozil plays and has a blinder. He’s in full training so I hope Emery’s handling of him has been to cause the friction that motivates Ozil to prove his worth and has the game of his life.

Also, contrary to some posters on here, Aubameyang does in fact play much better with Lacazette in the side.

Charlie George

Leno
Hb, Sm, sok Sk
Iwobi, AMN, Rambo, Ozil
Lava PEA

442!
Entertain, attack. Balance.

Cesc Appeal

————————-Leno———————–
Bellerin, Mavropanos, Sokratis, Monreal
————–Torreira, Guendouzi————-
—-Iwobi————Ramsey——–Kolasinac
——————–Aubameyang—————–

That’s what I would go with.

Tired of seeing our CB options f**k up and I would just release Kolasinac to do what he does best while our wide options are so s**t.

PhD2020

Un na naaiJanuary 17, 2019 16:32:24
“Also made comments about chavs voting leave and university educated people being better qualified to go into politics.”
———
Lastly,it was Emirates Stroller that made the comment about university educated people being better qualified to go into politics,not me.So,you should direct your ire towards him,not me.I highly recommend that you sign up for remedial classes.You clearly need it in abundance.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Guns of SF

CA
I knew you would put Kola on the wing
I would not play Monreal. Dude is the next Kos…. just busted up
I think Ozil features in this game. Sub possibly

Guns of SF

If Mavro does not play Im going to really start to wonder WTF
Healthy tall young CB- let Kos sit out please and Mustafi
The real test is where our creativity is going to come from…..

azed

————————-Leno———————–
—-Mustafi,Mavropanos, Sokratis——
————–Torreira, Guendouzi————-
—-Bellerin, ————Ramsey——–Kolasinac
————Lacazette—-Aubameyang—————–

3-5-2

Cesc Appeal

Guns of SF I agree. I think Monreal is on the way out as a player. But I still think he’s capable of giving us more than Kozz who just looks totally spent. Especially if we have someone like Kolasinac ahead of him and not someone like Aubameyang or whoever else who doesn’t actually play wide it means you can allow Monreal to play a slightly more reserved game that doesn’t demand so much of him physically. I like to be able to play an actual winger, but we haven’t got one and sadly I think a LWB is the… Read more »

Guns of SF

Azed I see that too, with Ozil spelling Rambo as a sub

azed

GSF

Chelsea play 3 in midfield, we need to match that and I’m not sure Ozil might fancy it. I woudn’t mind being proved wrong though.

“Emery inviting Ozil back into the fold.”

Pedro

You do know that Ozil has captained Arsenal a number of times this season and this is a home game?

Bamford10

gambon There is absolutely nothing wrong with meeting with Hamas or Hezbollah or Assad. The first has a political arm that is entirely independent of its military arm, not to mention, the Palestinian people have the right to resist brutal and criminal foreign occupation. Also, the IDF have killed a thousand times the number of civilians a Hamas has, and they have committed countless war crimes. I don’t have time at the moment to deal with your uninformed, right-wing take on Hezbollah and Assad, but your politics are fucking embarrassing for someone who claims to be intelligent and informed. Embarrassing.… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

I wouldn’t mind that 3-5-2 with Mavropanos in it.

I want to see Saka and Smith Rowe on the bench as well.

The only problem when you play Lacazette and Aubameyang together is as often as it looks good it looks flat and then you have nothing to change the game.

Cesc Appeal

Gambon is spot on about Corbyn.

PhD2020

I don’t understand the Ozil shenanigans.. First he’s in,then he’s out.Then he’s marginalised and the subsequent public rebuke,now he’s back into the fold. Clearly smacks of Emery not knowing how to effectively manage the problem or issue. It seems Emery has an issue dealing with ego’s.First Neymar,now Ozil. It doesn’t bode well for the future. In Guardiola’s first season,it appeared he didn’t fancy Aguero,effectively benching him.It looked like Aguero was going to be sold.Aguero’s response was to knuckle down and prove his worth to Pep.Which he did,and the rest is history. Ozil hasn’t,so there is only one conclusion.Not this in,out,in,out… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

‘propaganda line of the UK-US military-intelligence apparatuses’

Why did I read a long maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan at the end of this. It’s all part of the military industrial complex maaaaaaaan, they have gotten to you.

Cesc Appeal

‘Ozil hasn’t,so there is only one conclusion.Not this in,out,in,out malarkey.
What kind of message does it convey to the rest of the squad?’

Completely agree.

He’s like a smarmy little teenager though pushing his parents because he knows they won’t carry through on their threats because they’re his parents. He knows we’re fucked because of his £17 Million a year, we can’t sell him and don’t have the money to buy a CAM.

Dissenter

Mavropanous must the most highly rated central defender with a whopping record of one senior competitive appearance
The way people swear by this lad, just makes one wonder.
Our fan base is very unique in world football.

PhD2020

Bamford10January 17, 2019 18:25:44
——–
You know what’s really bizarre about you(for me anyway).I find some of your views on football unpalatable,whilst I find your views on politics refreshing and commendable.

Weird-huh??!!

Good post by the way. 🙂

Cesc Appeal

‘The way people swear by this lad, just makes one wonder.
Our fan base is very unique in world football.’

I just think our defence is that shit.

Highly rated by coaches, did well in his return to the U23s, Emery is impressed by him in training and I’d rather see him given a go than see Kozz wheeled out again or Mustafi f**k up for the umptigajillion time.

If he’s not good enough, fine. But not playing him is pointless.

vickingz

RH, what’s up? Gaskia, there seems to be a very bigger problem at arsenal than we ever thought and apparently, there seems to be no “quick fix” or stop gap. How’s jos nah? Happy new year bro

Leedsgunner

If Corbyn comes to power, the past 8 years of financial restraint will be forgotten… and the years of reckless spending will happen again. Remember it was a Labour treasury minister who left a note for his successor, “Sorry we have no money” thinking it was hilarious. Gordon Brown had a decade of solid economic growth and he had nothing to show for it… and left the UK economy on the brink of collapse. Even as PM, he didn’t have a clue when the banks went to the wall in 2008. I’m not particularly politically conservative but economy wise, a… Read more »

Un na naai

China1January 17, 2019 17:13:11 Un Na, according to an independent article I just read, national debt increased by over half a trillion pounds between 2010 and 2016Are you sure the tories did a good job with the economy? China debt and deficit aren’t the same thing They have to bring down deficit and then address the debt PhD Mate you were having a pop and being condescending. Which is fine as I get worse off my own brothers before breakfast but be honest. You look down your nose at brexit voters and the great unwashed All credit to you. You’ve… Read more »

Guns of SF

Mavro needs to have time on the pitch. Throw him in with the wolves. At this point. we dont have the luxury of breaking in the kids slowly. Our team is stagnant and the youth are the only injection of changing things as they stand. Ozil if he has a stinker – then nothing more can be said. I say play him and see what happens. Sub him for Rambo around 70 mins. or do it vice versa. We need to be wary of the wingers of Chelsea. Willian and Pedro can be a handful to contain. If we have… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

Guns of SF

That is why I think it is the game to introduce him.

High profile game but Chelsea don’t really have a ST to deal with so he could have a great game and his confidence will be massively boosted.

It’s going to the full backs or wing backs that need to be careful and Torreira when Hazard cuts in.

He might actually be the best person to deal with Giroud when he comes on.

Un na naai

Leeds

Mate I’ll never forget that
Leaving that note was disgusting. Labour haven’t been anywhere near since

Leedsgunner

For our No.2 keeper why don’t we make a move for either Jack Butland, Tom Heaton or Nick Pope? In a way, that would give Leno true competition, and keep him from becoming complacent.

Cesc Appeal

‘Remember it was a Labour treasury minister who left a note for his successor, “Sorry we have no money” thinking it was hilarious.’

Wenger and Gazidis did something similar.