Never liked Monchi anyway

by .

So there we have it, Monchi is over and out. Finito.

He was offered a huge wedge of money to revamp Arsenal and he said no, instead returning back to Sevilla.

Wimp.

Should we read too much into this? I wouldn’t. If he’d picked Everton over us, maybe I’d worry. But he took the plunge, moved abroad, and had a very rough time, so he’s gone back to what he knows. He’s loved in Sevilla, there’s very little expectations there, he knows everyone, and it’s his home.

His reputation from Roma wasn’t good. He sold players for a lot of money, but he didn’t replace with ‘now’ quality, and the local fans were never going to give him enough time to see what the young kids were capable of.

Nzonzi and Pastore, both 29, were his big bet last summer. That’d make my eyes pop out of my head if he did that at Arsenal. Inexcusable.

Arsenal are bigger than Roma, we have higher expectations, we shouldn’t be sad that we’re not hiring in someone who was let go from a contract early. Roma are tight as you like, so things must have gotten bad if they were willing to let him go for zero fee.

Missing out also avoids a Spanish monopoly at the club. Monchi was a sexy name, no doubt, but letting a manager bring in his mate over him reeks of peak-Wenger. If Emery was tanking next December, would he pull the trigger? It’d be tough. I don’t want a boys club at the top at Arsenal. You want people that are making rational decisions based on data.

Now we have to look towards a new Sporting Director. Marc Overmars is clearly a very strong contender. He started at Ajax in 2013, I think it’s fair to say his first cycle will come to an end this summer when Ajax are obliterated by Europe’s vultures. He’s highly qualified. Ajax are buying better players, playing better football, making better decisions with managers, and the youth product is back to churning out proper talent.

There’s also Luis Campos. The man tasked with making Monaco an elite club, currently resides at Lille. There’s no doubt in my mind that the best talent in the world consistently comes out of France. Campos has it all as far as I’m concerned. He’s far more than a Europa League specialist, he can work on a budget and he has a consistent track record of bubbling up major talent from the lower reaches, and turning them into hot prizes for mega clubs.

There are a few people suggesting Monchi turned us down because of Kroenke.

Please people, give it up. You’re like the rich kids complaining about the lack of Michelin Star restaurants in the favelas you’re working in on your gap year. Arsenal is an elite offering. We have everything you’d want. Great training facilities, an investment fund (right?), massive brand new stadium, £220m wage bill, £100m in transfer fees… London address.

‘… but Kroenke’ is such lazy analysis.

Monchi didn’t move to Arsenal because he wanted a safe place. Arsenal is an attractive proposition to anyone. Even more so when you consider the salary we can offer. Remember, Atleti has a net spend of £13m a year. We can blitz that. If you are ambitious, you’d see Arsenal as a sleeping giant ready to be awoken. If you don’t see us that way, then why would we bother investing?

My big worry with Raul is that he’s not running an effective search and select process. Who is out there helping him? Or is he just calling up his mates to find out who is in favour with a super agent? The fact there’s only one contender being linked either says we’re very secretive, or this search is super limited.

Right, that’s me done. See you in the comments. x

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Jim furnell

Well at least Chelsea are tanking

Bob N16

Mustafi better than VVD at defensive howlers.

Chitom

Chitom I brought Mustafi into it because VVD, the defender whose fart smells like $4000 Aventus Eau De Parfum made a fundamental error…like Mustafi. You think VVD is above criticisms? No one is ever above criticism my friend but Mustafi has a brain fart in him at least once every other game and he alone must’ve cost Arsenal at least a handful of points this season. I happened to watch most of Pools games and VVD has been calmness personified for them since day one and hasn’t cost them points but rather gained them. That’s all. But don’t take my… Read more »

Dissenter

Pedro
You’re sensationalizing backroom jobs where successes are only measurable after 3-5 seasons. These DoF are really number crunchers who deploy actuarial sciences to try and get the best result. it’s like a day trader’s job – you only measure it over time.
So now, Overmars is the new flavor because Ajax beat an abject Madrid?

Receding Hairline

Pedro performing well in the Dutch league is not punching above your weight if you are called Ajax.

Marc

Pedro

I’m not saying Overmars won’t be good – I’m saying that Ajax have a long history of bringing through good players. All teams whether they be club or national have ups and downs.

Has Overmars gone in and re enacted things that have got the youth policy working? Was he the sole difference? I have no idea.

Champagne Charlie

Graham asked for names, I’ve asked previously, seems none of the “VVD is overrated” lot have alternatives to offer a perspective on what makes a top defender in today’s game.

Just a bunch of noise then, very good.

qna

“You seem to have missed my point – praising Overmars for Ajax having a great youth program is crazy they have a long history of that. I don’t know enough and I’m pretty sure no one on here has access to the info to know how he operates bts and whether that’d be a good fit for us.” What exactly do you think we should be doing? This is the mandate that the DOF needs to be given exactly. To put in place such a system. Lol that you think clubs like Ajax maintain this by just putting in place… Read more »

Marc

Pedro “Marc, instant gratification culture can’t be mashed into everything… unless you’re saying that back in the day, people held back their opinions on players, leaning into multiple data points amassed over year to make an assessment of a player.” No I’m saying the opposite back in the day people didn’t have access to the level of info they do today but it now enables people to make knee jerk assessments. De Gea was poor in his first season at ManU but I rate him as the best GK in the PL – as things currently stand he would have… Read more »

Dissenter

Chitom ‘Nice conversation by the way “Pool have conceded 18 goals this season with 7 games to go whilst 38 last season.” I’m sure it has as much to do as having two young full backs who broke in roughly the same time as VVD was coming into their squad. Both have pace on help with recovery on defending. Coutinho’s exit also helped them defensively. He used to lose the ball a lot and had a bit of Ozil in him. I’m sure that their world record fee goal keeper has had a big role in reducing those numbers. It’s… Read more »

Danny

Chelsea what a joke!

Pedro

Marc, people have always been knee jerk and were just as opinionated back then.

You remember the commentary around Gilberto?

Marc

“This is the mandate that the DOF needs to be given exactly. To put in place such a system. ”

We need someone who will do more than just develop a youth system. First and foremost their first summer in the job is going to see them have to unload a chunk of players for the maximum revenue. A DOF putting in a fantastic youth system won’t see the dividends for several years.

Marc

Pedro

I’ve got a mate who still doesn’t rate him – guy’s been a ST holder for over 25 years.

Each to his own I suppose.

Aubamazette

Banford

You never responded to this when you said everything evens out:

‘Ask Italy about that in the World Cup vs South Korea. Where did their luck even out in the tournament from an absolutely corrupt refereeing performance’

Did you watch football back then? If not google it.

Marc

If Chelsea can’t get the transfer ban put back they are in trouble, especially if Hazard leaves. Could put them back years.

TR7

‘I’m sure it has as much to do as having two young full backs who broke in roughly the same time as VVD was coming into their squad. Both have pace on help with recovery on defending. Coutinho’s exit also helped them defensively. He used to lose the ball a lot and had a bit of Ozil in him. I’m sure that their world record fee goal keeper has had a big role in reducing those numbers. It’s not all VVD, my friend.’ VVD is the pillar of Liverpool’s defense, all the others including the full backs are merely good… Read more »

Dissenter

qna, Doing well at Ajax doesn’t not generalize to doing well in a more competitive environment with more monied opposition and a dearth of advantages that Ajax have accrued in the Eredivisie. -Ajax start by being one of the three natural destinations for the best Dutch talent. It”s either Feyenoord, PSV or Ajax; that’s a big advantage Overmars won’t have. -Ajax also have a distinct identity and philosophy, it’ set in stone from the excellent Dutch teams of the 1970’s who were mainly Ajax trained. Overmars has not being tasked with defining a club’s philosophy. -Ajax’s beyond Europe-scouting has always… Read more »

Marc

Well the simple answer to the VVD debate will be when he picks up an injury that keeps him out for 6 plus weeks.

Batistuta

Charlie

Chiellini
Bonnuci
Varane(not recently though)
Umtiti
Skriniar

I’d rate this lot above Virgil…..Not to say he isn’t a good player but some of the praise for him while warranted have been way over the top…I’ve seen pool fans compare him to Ferdinand and that’s saying something

Nelson

Now that both Chelsea and Manure are losing, things are looking really bright.

qna

Huge result today. I reckon 18 more points is enough for top 4. Maybe less.

Could possibly drop Everton and Wolves and still a great chance.

Dissenter

TR7
“VVD is the pillar of Liverpool’s defense, all the others including the full backs are merely good supporting cast. ”

The goalie has not improved them massively?
I don’t know what you mean by “supporting cast” but good defenses operate as a pack like an acappella choir does with a song.
Excellent wing backs with tonnes of recovery pace and a very good goal keeper aren’t “supporting cast”. They are all part and parcel of the defense.

Marc

qna

I think Leicester away will be a bigger test than Everton.

Victorious

I’ve seen pool fans compare him to Ferdinand and that’s saying something’

Lol, that says it all really,those bunch take delusion to a all new level

Think you missed Koulibaly in your list, guy us a beast at the back currently the best CB in Europe
Ramos and Pique before are also better

Batistuta

No reason why we shouldn’t get a result over Napoli too…They look a shell of themselves this season, very important not to gift them any away goals though, very vital…..

Don’t trust our away form to pin my hopes on the league as a route into the champions league but it’s great we have more than one option

Graham62

Aubamazette Name calling. When? I know that some posters just hate the fact that I bring up AW in many topics of conversation. Twentytwo years of total control at the club, what do you expect? I was ashamed of many things over the past decade or so, both on and off the field of play, that’s why I came on here in the first place. Now I feel far more optimistic about things BUT, if and when I feel the need to point out certain subjects that some on here don’t like or agree with, I will take the flack.… Read more »

Batistuta

Victorious

Yea forgot about Koulibaly, he’s absolutely monstrous and has good pace for a man his size….He’s the only one resembling a functioning defender in that back 4 or 3 for Napoli though which is why i quite fancy our chances against them

Redtruth

There a three groups at Arsenal:

Group A: The genuine loyal Fan.
Group B: AKB’s who have never supported Arsenal.
Group C: The halfwit fan who criticises Emery.

Receding Hairline

Watford and Leicester away are the two biggest tests we face.

Champagne charlie

Batistuta

What exactly is the metric in which you rate a defender?

You obviously dote on Serie A, But then you venture outside of that and include a guy who has struggled with injury since his inception (Varane), and a guy who Barca are actively looking to replace this summer.

VVD improves every single club in Europe. That’s the measure of his quality as far as I’m concerned, he also has no discernible weakness as a defender.

Graham62

Neither Dissenter or Valentin could come up with an answer.

Batistuta

Very impressive listing but, imo, not one of them can top VVD.

Victorious

Yh, Napoli are a decent side but are shocking defensively,which explains why they never seem to gain any traction their ‘title bid’ every season

We have a great chance against them, it’s a game for the attackers and I think we trump them on that

Their RB Malcuit is horrible and should be a target for us

Koulibaly won’t be there for long,he’s being linked to UTD for 90M

qna

Dissenter. No guarantees. There never are. He is not the only one that can do the job, but him being DOF at a club like Ajax is a pretty good place to start. I am a huge fan of Dutch football. They have an awful league, but due to their focus on technical abilities they constantly produce excellent talent. Clearly Ajax is going through a little resurgence at the moment and Overmars has been at the helm for this current crop of extremely promising young talents. It’s not like he can make things worse. We haven’t brought through any top… Read more »

Victorious

Watford and Leicester away are the two biggest tests we face.”

Practically all our remaining away games this season are tests

Bob N16

Red …..must have spent most of the weekend coming up with your ‘groups’. I assume you put yourself in Group A or do you have your own ‘Group Redruth’?

qna

Marc. Maybe. Basically if we can take 3 points from those 3 away games (Wolves, Everton, Leicester) and win the rest that takes us to 78 points (I think). With the fixtures of the other teams and form, I just feel that might be enough.

Bunga Party

fucking pool top of the ligue!
ruined my weekend.

Redtruth

VVD is a midfoeld reject playing as a defender

Victorious

Lol

salparadisenyc

“If Chelsea can’t get the transfer ban put back they are in trouble, especially if Hazard leaves. Could put them back years.” Lets hope. Monchi, not bothered at all. Feel theirs perhaps more relevant hires to be had if were truly looking. Nobody has any real clue what clubs up to at moment, Sven’s leaving was bizarre. The Monchi rumors seems obvious with history but then he wasn’t a real upgrade on Mislintat and now he’s back at Sevilla so thats null. Curious where the next bend leads, Overmars has had a full cycle with Ajax thats really panning out.… Read more »

qna

Vic. I don’t think Watford have taken a point from a top 6 side. Flat track bullies (hopefully).

Champagne charlie

Ospina sent to hospital with a serious head injury which has obviously rattled the cage of the resident basement dweller.

Barking Arsene

Chiellini still number one for me but that won’t last forever. Closely followed by Godin and Kompany.

All of the above though will decline over the next few years (Kompany possibly already).

Once the top three go though I’d say VVD is the best out there (except maybe Koulibaly)

Victorious

Qna

Flack track bullies or not we look shocking on the road ,don’t trust us a jolt as a certified winner in any of the fixtures

Emery started reasonably well when we looked as if we’ve banished our horribly away form of last season then it went to pants and now we look sudden at home but abject away.. A bit like last season

Go through the sites of spuds/UTD and you’d find they fancy their chances at top4 on the account of our patchy away form.

Victorious

We have lost away to the farmers from Bate this season and just recently to a middle of the road league un side.

Valentin

@Graham, I have named numerous defenders who do not have the British name recognition but who I believe are better than VVD. On top of my head two world cup winners: Varane, Umtiti. The point we were making is not that VVD was a bad player, because he is obviously a very good one. Just that he is a good player, not a great one. He still makes mistakes. The major improvement in Liverpool defense is more to the combination of different elements rather than a single element. A new much better goalkeeper, two young aggressive fullbacks instead of Moreno,… Read more »

Batistuta

Charlie I rate those guys based on top level performance for years except Skrimiar who was brilliant before Inter swooped him up Varane was part of a 3x champions league winning defence and he’s definitely gotten over his injury woes…..Also seen enough of Umtiti over a long period to pass judgement, again another world cup winning defender in a team that were all about defensive solidity…. I’m not saying Virgil isn’t good as he is and would probably walk into the defence of any team based on current form but and in my opinion anyway, he has to be doing… Read more »

Batistuta

Barking

I didn’t even mention Godin who’s a master dedender and one of the greats. Look at the end of the day, it’s all about opinions really but the arguments for crowning Virgil the best thing since slice bread are flawed

Victorious

If Koulibaly ever makes the move to the EPL, VVD will take back seat.

Samesong

Watford beat spurs earlier in season.

Batistuta

Here at the Milan Derby….Noise levels off the roof plus the gent beside me has got his cigarette out so I’m all soaked up in smoke at the moment, got a ticket close to the ultras to properly soak this in… Hope Gunner Piatek finds the net again

Barking Arsene

Batistuta

I really rate VVD and over the next couple of years if he continues to play the way he is he will cement his place as one of the top defenders in world football.

Koulibaly the same.

However right now we still have a couple of the old masters knocking about who have seen it all.

Chiellini is a menace and Godin is possibly the best defender in world football positionally.

All my own opinions of course.

Barking Arsene

Batistuta

Enjoy it – I went a few years ago (only a 1-0 league match against Empoli) but was in with the Ultras.

A little “edgy” even on a cold weekday evening. Can’t imagine the atmosphere tonight.

Forza Milan 😉

Valentin

I like Overmars, however his role as DoF at Ajax is quite different than what we are offering. Arsenal academy is run quite separately from the first team. Listening to Per words, I am not sure that will change a lot. At Ajax, the academy and the philosophy is at the heart of the club. Ajax recruitment is mostly based in integrating a few older, wiser head to supplement their academy players. None of those are supposed to be world beater or on their way to be world beater. So the type of players that Ajax look may be completely… Read more »

Redtruth

VVD is no better thsn Des Walker a player who most of the football world has forgotten about.

Receding Hairline

VVD the gold standard of defending… Comical

Redtruth

I tell you what was funny, Wenger trying to replicate Barcelona football with donkeys

Marko

but he didn’t replace with ‘now’ quality

Nah

Marko

Also at Ajax, somebody else was in charge of recruitment

Eh no that was Marc. Also not sure if Edu technically speaking turned us down. There’s been speculation that we were interested in him there’s no confirmation that we actually offered him the position and that he turned us down. Like so much you just say it and expect it to be believed

Valentin

I really thought that 78 PTS would be necessary to clinch the 4th place because of 4 teams into 2 places. However with Chelsea looking like they are imploding at the wrong time for them and ManUtd OGS bandwagon hitting a wall, 75pts might be just about enough for 4th. 78 PTS may get 3rd place. Looking at our remaining fixtures, 5 victories is definitely achievable. All our home fixtures plus two away wins. Teams have found a way to nullify Chelsea and now everybody is replicating the master plan. As Sarri is steadfastly refusing to adjust, he is going… Read more »

Upstate Gooner

Inter are doing alright so far without Icardi. Btw, I’m thinking RM are gonna go after him in the summer. They’d be fools not to. If they get Hazard and Icardi, they will be once again a force to be reckoned with.

Nelson

Watching the Milan derby. It appears that the players in Series A are very technical with the ball. They play mainly low balls.

Valentin

@Marko, According to Football.London, somebody else was in charge of recruitment. Here is a quote from their website. But at Ajax, Overmars predominantly looks after the business side of things, while recruitment is left to chief scout Henk Veltmate. Here is the link to the article. https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/overmars-to-arsenal-news-monchi-15984293 In an interview, Edu has since confirmed that he had received a great offer, but chose to stay with the Brazilian FA. He did not name Arsenal, but it is clear that he was referring to us. Maybe we never made an official offer, but it was clear that we were interested. My… Read more »

Nelson

@Bat

Inter should have been leading by 3 – 0.

Marko

My point is that for whatever reason we don’t seems to be able to make a search less public No you’re point was that Edu turned us down which you can’t prove and that Overmars doesn’t make the signings at Ajax. That football London article doesn’t really prove anything. There’s plenty of articles that give Overmars credit and criticism for Ajax’s transfers in the past. It’s a ridiculous thing honestly to say given that we’re interested in him taking the role that would buy and sell players at Arsenal and you’re saying that he doesn’t actually do that at Ajax.… Read more »

TheBoyCornelius

Watching Milan Derby. Really like how comfortable Brozovic looks as deep lying playmaker and how he marshals players around him. Also Skriniar ambles about like big Tone did. 2 players I’d have at Arsenal

Valentin

@Marko, Funny how when people identify their source you always reject them as irrelevant. If you cannot accept newspaper article then you only accept your opinion. Do you really believe that we never approach Edu? Even if we never formally offer him the job, it was clear that we were interested. Do you really believe that every articles written on Monchi coming to London Colney were lying? Irrespective of whatever everybody is saying, you know better. I make the point that public search is making us look amateurish, but according to you it is not true. We never offer the… Read more »

Nelson

The TV camera showed Ivan in the stand when Inter scored the second goal.
Milan just scored the first goal.

Marko

If you cannot accept newspaper article then you only accept your opinion https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ajax-transfers-marc-overmars-must-15988439.amp Same site giving him credit for transfers and not one mention of someone else who is responsible for the signings at Ajax. I assume that you are a little bit susceptible to believing everything that you read from the second that you read it but common sense would tell you that if we’re looking at HIM for the role that it means he’s qualified and can do the role not he can do something else and it’s some other guy doing the signings. No just no. And… Read more »

Nelson

Penalty for Inter.

Redtruth

Messi and Ronaldo the Laurel and Hardy of football have got it easy.
I’d like to see them play for someone other than the best teams in each respective leagues.

Nelson

straight red for Conti.

Bob N16

Messi hat trick…what a goal. Suck it up Redruth. The Betis fans are applauding him…

TheBoyCornelius

Redruth…maybe its partly because of them that their clubs are the strongest..still.??

Redtruth

Messi 6 goals in 4 World Cups lol

Bob N16

Rory wins…

Redtruth

“maybe its partly because of them that their clubs are the strongest..still.??”

If that was the case Argentina would be World Champions.

HighburyLegend

“Never liked Monchi anyway”
Lol.

Chitom

“VVD the gold standard of defending… Comical”

Since joining Liverpool VVD has lead all PL defenders in minutes played, most touches, blocks, interceptions,passes,duels won, clearances,and shots blocked.
Pretty much every measurable aspect of a CB play , which some might argue, in fact , makes him a gold standard of defending.

gonsterous

pedro

Monchi was a sexy name, no doubt, but letting a manager bring in his mate over him reeks of peak-Wenger.

I don’t think emery has any say in who the DoF or the TD. He doesn’t have the same power or role as wenger.

Dream10

If we offered Monchi a paltry salary, I don’t see us going for Overmars, Luis Campos or Berta. We will probably opt for an internal solution. Step forward Steve Morrow.

Moray

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/17/london-train-station-to-be-renamed-after-tottenham-hotspur-club

What the hell is going on in Britain?

If this goes to public consultation, which it should (as they seem to be giving it away for some reason), we should lobby for an alternative name. Monkey Hotspur maybe?

China1

VVD has been absolutely next level this season. Easily the best player in England this season It’s been like school days when one of the 15 year olds joins a match on the field being played by 12 year olds He is absolutely dominating the space around him. He is a rolls Royce of a defender and that’s no exaggeration. Even most of the goals he’s scored have involved lovely technique, you could play him anywhere outfield and he’d do a quality job I tell you Wonderful player right now It’s also a nice change for a defender to get… Read more »

Dark Hei

Moray

Hot-Toilet-Station

Sanmi

Is any of CR7 faithfuls still thinking he’s anywhere close to Messi?
That 3rd goal against betis will never be scored by CR7. That is not just hit and hope. That’s precision.

gonsterous

sanmi

stop wanking over Messi. Bet you jizzed your pants when he spanked us in the CL.
The CR7, Messi debate is quite boring.Kind of redundant like the pele, maradonna debate.

Pierre

Van Dyke ticks all the boxes for me ..would probably be top of my shopping list when looking to buy a defender. Liverpool’s 2 excellent full backs have a!so improved Liverpool defensively and offensively as they allow Liverpool to play with basically 3 fairly defensive ( at least not attacking) midfielders to cover for the full backs when they attack so they rarely leave themselves short at the back. their 4-3-3 system works so well due to their excellent full backs who have the speed , aggression and energy to get up and down the line. Arsenal have tried the… Read more »

Graham62

If VVD looked like a central defender should, he would probably be given more credit by those who don’t quite see him in the same light as the vast majority of knowledgeable followers of the game.

The fact that he looks like a catwalk model and not a Jack Palance lookalike, I feel, goes against him.

Graham62

Pierre

Agree 100%.

Shite you could play 1:5:4 with VVD and you’d still look comfortable.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Does anyone think chambers still has a chance to play regularly for us.

Looks like he has his mojo back at Fulham

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Lazy scouting….

Instead of signing at this level we should be scouting him when he was in France
Pay 2 milll or 35 m when you have no money….

HighburyLegend

“Antonio Valencia could join Arsenal following his Manchester United exit, according to his father and agent.”
“Not for the money, but for peace and hopefully, he told me, be hired by a team that fights for important things.”

Yeah, right…

jasongms

“Ospina sent to hospital with a serious head injury which has obviously rattled the cage of the resident basement dweller.”

Apart from the serious nature of the accident, that was fcuking hilarious . Cc well played

jasongms

Most definitely in our hands to get 4th , who would have thought that at the beginning of the season

Dark Hei

RSPC

I say yes to Chambers, because if the entire club is going through a cost cutting exercise, we need to squeeze whatever value we can find.

Good CBs cost as much as strikers nowadays.

Will be great if he can gell alongside Holding.

HighburyLegend

@jason : and maybe a little chance for 3rd ??