The King of Europa moves troops onto the #BattleOfBaku

by .

via @Arsenal Instagram

Well, like a breakfast beer, last night certainly took the edge off of a horrible week. Unai Emery is famous for his aptitude in the Europa League and the man once again delivered a sort of masterclass type thing for the fans.

Short report:

  • We scored 4 goals from 5 shots on target
  • Defended badly
  • Won

Do we need to go any deeper?

Maybe. 

Last night was the only response to the awful end of season run. The manager knew that, you could he was feeling the heat, he looked like he’d just been The Guardian had found a lightly homophobic tweet from 2003 they were running with in Sunday’s. Could have just been the sunshine, but he’s Spanish, those guys eat heat for breakfast.

The performance was nervy. I suspect even if that were the invincibles, they’d have been feeling the same pressure. Spurs and Liverpool defied footballing history with two outrageous wins, sure, Valencia are hopeless, but the Champions League certainly gave them a huge shot of belief… the early goal probaly helped that feel a little more real.

We dug out a result. Our strikers, all £120m of them, delivered the goods. They love playing together, they make magic out of nothing and last night they put Valencia to the sword.

I keep coming back to it, but I find the critique of Auba utterly baffling. 29 goals and people still completely misunderstand his game and the blatant value he brings. He doesn’t rely on pace, he’s a team player, he works like a lunatic and he’s the out and out fox-in-the-box Wenger wanted back in 2000. I love him.

‘He misses chances’ is such a moronic whinge. PEAK Thierry would have the most shots on target and the most off. Auba and Lacazette have been lethal this season. Their conversion rate has kept us from sliding into abject mediocrity. So it proved again last night.

Mesut was back to his imperious worst. He’s like the fat kid in PE faking lung cancer to land a pass. At one point he managed to plod back into an accidental defensive situation, the pass was struck and he shirked. He’s really not into the Emery regime, which is a real shame, because he‘s the most gifted player we own. The real kick was Iwobi and Mikhi were benched in favor of the German. Dortmund and Everton calling this summer you would hope.

The defence was shambolic. No structure, communication or understanding of the task at hand. Amazing we are still bemoaning these issues at this stage of the season. Another two goals shipped against a pub team.

I’m just thankful they had no real power. Like Napoli, they were featherweight and lacked true quality. 

We won’t be afforded that luxury against Chelsea. Well, we might. Our London counterparts stumbled to a penalty shootout win over a fun Frankfurt side that punched above their weight.

The Europa final this season is a scene. Two Enlgish teams in utter disarray made the final. The Premier League finally made moves on Europe. A London Derby in Baku and 2nd vs 4th. All it took was an upgrade on our coaching talent to make it happen.

Now it’s a coin toss, who knows. When it comes to Emery in Europa, never write him off… this is his iron throne.

… I know I touched on it again, but I really hope the 4 team English final thing isn’t allowed to devolve into a money thing.

The last decade has absolutely been dominated by the Spanish. 7 of the winners, Spanish. They’ve had 9 finalists. 2 all Spanish finalists. Their teams spend a shit ton of money, break laws, dodge tax have execs in prison because of it. Barca and Madrid have had the best players of the last decade. Now it’s England’s turn. Fuck anyone who tells us things have to change because the big boys can’t hack it because the Premier League organised itself better, more democratically and is now winning hard.

If Europeans find it boring, fuck them, no one cares.

Right, see you in the comments. x

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Pierre

Un
I’m with you on AMN, give him a run in centre mid , he has great recovery speed, is tidy on the ball , has learnt the defensive aspects of the game and he plays with composure under pressure…why not give him a run in the side.

useroz

If the club doesn’t approach the TW in disruptive fashion, Arsenal would be same old same old next season. Funds aside, we will not get anywhere without aiming high. The disastrous away form syndrome is so ingrained in this squad that only a wholesale clear out may fix. Unfortunately most of the kids exhibit same sort of disease. Going : Cech, Ramsey, Welbeck, Osipina (thought fee agreed) Contract/loan is up: Licht, Suarez Should become bench (50%) : Kos, Monreal, AMN, Guendouzi Must sell : Mustafi, Elneny, Kolac Could sell to raise fund : Chambers, Martinez (take the 19yo who did… Read more »

Kamp

Torriera and Guendouzi have done well in their first seasons at such young ages.
But they shouldn’t be relied up on as starters next season.
To compete with the top sides we should be looking at Ndombele and Rabiot as our midfield pairing.

With Rabiot coming in on a free this is more than doable

Graham62

Gonsterous

It beggars belief that decisions are made when they know it will come back to kick them in the face.

This in itself shows they have absolutely no concern for the fans, only the money men.

It is both disgraceful and laughable that only 12000 tickets have been allocated to Arsenal and Chelski for the final.

How can you justify this? UEFA have though.

A fudging joke,the lot of them.

Pierre

Useroz
“Pay like a top 6 team”

I presume you mean pay less than what we are paying now…..it won’t work .

Players move or stay at a club for money , if we reduce the wages then we will struggle to attract players like Rabiot and Ndombele…they will go somewhere else so it’s a bit of a catch 22 situation .

Ajax will lose the bulk of their side( same as monaco) as the players will be offered fortunes to ply their trade elsewhere.

Emiratesstroller

Un na Naii/Pierre To be perfectly honest I am not that impressed with Guendouzi as others clearly are. He has a lot of energy when he plays for about 45 minutes but tends to run out of steam. He runs around the pitch like a rabbit, but a lot of his work is not particularly productive and of greater concern is that he is far too easily dispossessed and what makes the situation worse his recovery is exceedingly poor. I am not going to compare him with Maitland-Niles, because AMN is a wide player. However, I will compare him with… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Pierre And I though all guys named Pierre was condescending pricks with a penchant for older men and has been footballers, guess only one of us is right. I think Torreiras form took a hit because he was asked to do too much in midfield, covering the defensives frailties of both Xhaka and Ozil. Coupled with adapting to a new more intense league without winter break after a world cup. ES So he started getting games 1 month in and was our best CM after that. I think Torreira will be absolutely fine, maybe even great for us if we… Read more »

Dissenter

Pochettino is saying all the right things to Spuds. Now he’s really gaining my respect.
“I am not open to start a new chapter with no plan, with no clear idea, with not being transparent,
“I know very well how this business works,” Pochettino said. “And we know we need to operate in a different way – that doesn’t mean to spend more or less money.“

I wish Wenger’ had stared down the owners to have an executable plan, Instead he used the ownership leadership vacuum to bolster his own position.

Batistuta

Un na and Pierre

AMN should never be played in midfield, he’s barely excelling at RB where he should feel more comfortable at, we already have non-tackling and uncomfortable players in that position, even while on loan in the championship, he was played at RB so where does this notion he’s a midfielder even come from?

terraloon

As mad as it may seem the transfer window for EPL clubs opens on May 16. Yep that’s next Thursday. Those expecting Chelsea not to be able to be active in the next window will I suspect be sadly disappointed. Their appeal to CAS( has to be made within 21days of last Tuesday) will be accompanied with an application to stay the sanction and based purely on the inability of CAS to Immediately hear the appeal then I would think it’s 99.9% likely the ban will be suspended . These applications are heard within a day or two so I… Read more »

CG

Fred L “””The problem is we need to unsettle this shitshow if we’re going to get anywhere””””. No one talks as much concerted consistent rubbish as Fred L on here ( your language is also appalling young man by the way) but I do agree with his sentence. But rather than eradicate all the players he mentions. And sell them all for more heavy losses. How about appoint a bold manager. Something leftfield Someone with a winning record in the Prem Someone inspirational Someone who has worked with Ozil Some one available, now. Instead of Edu,Caligio,Raul,Emery…..any others- i have forgot.?… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

””””.No one talks as much concerted consistent rubbish as Fred L on here ( your language is also appalling young man by the way)

Thanks CG, considering everything you say is dead wrong ( including the drivel above) I’ll take that as a compliment. Isn’t your village missing you btw?

CG

Fred

Jose and Cesc or Emery and Raul for The Arsenal?

Dissenter

CG
All you ever yabber about is Emery
Since you’re like the monotone accordion that can’t see beyond a change of manager, did you clamor for Wenger to go when it was clear he was done.
Really did you ever have any concerns about Arsenal when Wenger was carrying-on for selfish reasons?

Dissenter

CG
You’re by far the most consistently wrong poster to show up here
It boggles the mind that you may be serious about some of the drivel you post here.

englandsbest

Freddie L

I agree entirely, it’s more important to sell players than to buy them.

IMO every Arsenal player should be available for sale, in a few cases at any price, in Ozil’s case at no price, and in some at the market price.

A thorough cleansing rebuild is necessary if the Club is ever to re-join the elite.

Evidently not all will be sold, or gotten rid off. The season may turn out be a battle against relegation. But better that than endless years of mend and make do.

Sid

I rather go down to championship than to see mofo Mourinho managing my arsenal.

Graham62

CG

As per usual, you talk a load of shite.

As I’ve pointed out to you on a number of occasions on here, where were you when things started to go pear shape in 2009? Clapping and shouting no doubt.

Go to another blog where your distorted views will be more appreciated.

You are an embarrassment.

CG

Dis Wenger frustrated me immensely. But we nearly always bought great players and played expansive football. Only 2 seasons ago We finished 5th ( only 3 points behind Man City) and beat them and Chelsea in The Cup. Our squad consisted of Sanchez,Ozil, Giroud,Walcott,Carzola,Oz,Rambo,Wilshere,Welbeck.,Carzola, Coquelin. Then Raul comes along. Gave the family silver away for pennies ( ox aside – sold before his arrival) Compare calibre of players we now have. Raul then appoints a stooge as manager in Emery. Sacked Dortmund Eye ( obviously not a stooge) Choosing another stooge in Edu Promoted another stooge in Caligio. And he… Read more »

Jamie

CG –

How many tears did you shed after we beat Valencia in the semis?

CG

What is truly bizarre amongst posters.

I suggest a man as a potential AFC manager who has won:

Premier leagues,European Cups, Fa Cups,
League Cups even The Loosers Cup

And Speaks impeccable English
Is Hugely Charismatic
And is Available now ( no compensation)
And has a track record of working with our troublesome Ozil.

And yet they would prefer the ridiculously average Emery in charge.?

How bizarre is that..??

(Please everybody Read PedRo s Short Fuse Link.)

Freddie Ljungberg

CG

Jose and Cesc or Emery and Raul for The Arsenal?

Is that a serious question?
Cesc is still playing, he’s not a coach or an assistant. He may turn out to be a great coach some day, he certainly has the football brain for it, not now though.

Keep that cunt Mourinho as far away from the club as possible by all means necessary, he’s toxic and he’s been found out big time.

Chitom

The chances of Mourinho appointment at Arsenal are about as likely as Wenger landing the Barca job these days.
Actually, Wenger ‘s are higher which says a lot.

The ultimate checkbook manager at the only club not to spend a penny of owners money in PL history would be just comical.

CG

One of the advantages of a Jose appointment at Arsenal.

Because of the absenteeism from The Owners.
He could not fall out with the internal structures of the club. There is none.

I would give him free reign to run the show.

He is a very clever and shrewd footballing operator.

One of the very excellent posters- suggested Cesc as a possible coach too

He would ultimately become our coach post Jose.

Chitom

“Our squad consisted of Sanchez,Ozil, Giroud,Walcott,Carzola,Oz,Rambo,Wilshere,Welbeck.,Carzola, Coquelin.“

Hey, if we had two Carzolas in the squad today we might be 5 points off City again lol.

Graham62

Jamie

It’s simple.

He loved Wenger.

Hates Emery.

Wants top notch players and, sickeningly, which shows how deluded he really is, wants Mourinho.

Guaranteed he was pumping his fists as each goal went in against Valencia.

useroz

Pierre – we can pay going rates for new players. The problem is the dross bleeding the club dry (or red, as Ozil’s agent vividly put!). I’m sure the club would want to clear out, where feasible., but the inflated wage packets have become deal breakers. If our execs are determined, there’s always a way. Who’s going to let Jenk and Elneny stay just because they like to?? Ridding these two alone could help bring in a starting 11 on circa 100k pw. It’s simple give and take. Let’s not go near the issues with Mkhi, Ozil, Kolac (tho, a… Read more »

Chitom

He is a very clever and shrewd footballing operator.

Yes , the Salah and KDB transfers clearly exemplify that lol

terraloon

Chitom I keep reading the comment that Kronke is the only owner not to spend a penny or words to that effect. For me it is incorrect for Kronke has spent hundreds of millions on Arsenal. Some will say no he hasn’t as he has invested and yes that’s an argument Ok there is a difference but the reality is Kronke paid out to buy shares already in circulation ,a significant number of which had been created by previous boards to enable cash to be injected , for instance Granada Media whose money facilitated ,to a degree , the stadium… Read more »

CG

Chitcom

“””The ultimate checkbook manager at the only club not to spend a penny of owners money in PL history would be just comical.””””

Porto?
Inter Milan?
Chelsea- 2nd time around

Mourinho is the only one with THE BOTTLE to ask The Kroenkes for much needed funds.

The stooges we have in charge now wont!

If Spurs win the CL in a few weeks.

We should announce Jose Mourinho AFC appointment the following day- to overshadow their achievement.

We need to be BOX OFFICE again.

Un na naai

Bati

You talk of playing right back like it’s a walk in the palk or that every central midfielder should possess the skill set to excell there. How naive. AMN has shown far more aptitude wherever he’s deployed than guendouzi. Crashes into tackles. Yes he can switch off at times at right back but he’s shown e Pugh there to warrant being used in his preferred position

You muppets used to say the same shit about the ox and look how good he’s been for Liverpool when fit.

Marc

Does anyone know where the season went?

Chitom

“Mourinho is the only one with THE BOTTLE to ask The Kroenkes for much needed funds.“

Look, and I don’t even know why I bother explaining this to you since clearly you are just trolling , or worse yet you have run out of meds , but inquiring about funds always takes place at the interview level of the hiring process.

BacaryisGod

To simplify things for next season’s squad…. LOCKED IN: Bellerin, Torreira, Maitland-Niles, Leno, Guendouzi, Iwobi, Lacazette, Sokratis, Aubameyang, Koscielny, Holding, Mavrapanos (maybe loaned out) PROBABLY IN: Xhaka, Koasinac, Ozil, Monreal TOSS-UP: Mustafi, Mkhitaryan, Ospina, Bielik, Martinez, Chambers PROBABLY OUT: Asano, Elneny, Macey DEFINITELY OUT: Ramsey, Cech, Welbeck, Jenkinson, Lichsteiner, Suarez As we all know, there’s Academy talent in Nketiah, Smith-Rowe, Nwakali, Willock and of course, Nelson. Others who have impressed at times include Iliev, Osei-Tutu, Pleguezuelo and Medley. Where these 9 players land is anyone’s guess at this point in their careers, but Nketiah, Nelson and Iliev look most likely… Read more »

CG

Chit

I am trolling because – I am suggesting that arguably the most decorated manager (and available) in the history of the game should be a serious contender to replace the inadequate Emery..?

And I need my medication.?

Bob N16

A lot of people don’t rate AMN. I feel that he has a real chance of making it. His issue is that he doesn’t have a clear position. That being said, it appears to me that he’s an excellent sub as he can cover so many positions.
If we were to play 442, I could see him do a good job in front of the RB, particularly against good opposition where we should play more bodies in midfield.

englandsbest

Terraloon There was never a need for austerity at Arsenal (the ‘sell-to-buy’ policy). a Rights Issue would have done the trick. Something I suspect Spurs will do, otherwise it seems they will lose Poch. And that is what Wenger should have done, threaten to leave if he wasn’t given adequate transfer funds. I imagine that he did, but a huge salary plus his massive ego, did the trick with him. No top manager (not even Jose) will take the job at Arsenal without adequate transfer funds. And ‘adequate’ is probably about ten times what Emery will get this summer. Hence… Read more »

Moray

Haha I doubt you would find more than a handful of supporters who would want that hateful tool Mourinho anywhere near the club. Besides, he is finished at the top level.

Micheal

“I keep reading the comment that Kronke is the only owner not to spend a penny or words to that effect. For me it is incorrect for Kronke has spent hundreds of millions on Arsenal. ” Spending money buying shares is entirely different to spending money on Arsenal. Buying shares simply bought ownership. All money on transfers comes from funds generated within the club – and not a penny has come from Kroenke. The obvious comparison would to buy a house outright and let it fall down around your ears because no money is spent on refurbishment, decorative improvement, etc… Read more »

Nelson

The transfer window will open on Thursday, May 16.
International window opens on June 9.
The transfer window will then close at 5 p.m. BST on Thursday, Aug. 8 — with the new Premier League season scheduled to begin on the weekend of Saturday, Aug. 10.

It is next week and our team doesn’t look ready at all.

Marc

englandsbest

I heard on the radio earlier that the Poch has said he won’t stay at the Spud’s unless they change the way they are run. I’m not sure they are in a position to suddenly start paying much higher wages etc. I just get a vibe he’s preparing the ground for leaving in the summer.

Marc

Michael

“Kroenke is an investor in shares – not in football.”

Yes but he’s allowed the club to spend the money it generates. As FFP rules now stop owners just chucking money into clubs our issues aren’t what we’ve spent it’s how we’ve spent it.

Micheal

Marc:

I was responding to a comment which mistakenly compared Kroenke’s share buying with investment in the club. They are two enitrely different things.

It is correct to say that AFC only spends the funds generated within the club. However the crucial point is that Kroenke as 100% owner sets the bugdets – i.e. the amount of generated funds which the club is allowed to spend.

Jamie

Offering up Wenger and Mourinho as solutions to our problems going forward is as dumb as the commentary gets anywhere on the internet.

CG

Moray “””Besides, he is finished at the top level.””” Second last year at Man Utd?? Hardly a failure there. When will they be second again? As for AMN – any poster that can not see the prodigious talent this lad possesses- should really follow another sport. He – in his right position–CM – could be a player of the year contender next season He is a potential superstar. And that’s why the importance of the right coach is paramount. Emery has no antennae for footballing talent. Give him a runner, a work horse- someone like a Banega. People like Emery… Read more »

Elmo

Good analysis, Bacary.

We would be well short from a proven, senior depth perspective in MF, alongside the ongoing lack of quality at the back.

S Asoa

GG

Read posters above. Have nothing more to add.

CG

Jamie

“”Offering up Wenger and Mourinho as solutions to our problems going forward is as dumb as the commentary gets anywhere “””

And persisting with the persistently failing Emery is eminently sensible?

How bizarre ?
We will soon have managers left,right and centre- soon available

Allegri, Benitez, Mourinho ,Conte etc.

We made huge miscalculations before ( eg Klopp and Pep)
We cant allow one of these big hitters to go elsewhere.

If We persist with useless Unai. We might as well give up the pretence of being even Londons biggest Club.

Freddie Ljungberg

Can someone please find CGs straightjacket so he can’t reach the keyboard anymore, my eyes are getting cancer from reading this drivel. Smh

Jamie

CG –

Wanting Wenger back or keeping Emery is not an either-or choice.

Rewatch both our 1-5 losses to Bayern, our 0-4 loss to Liverpool, our 3-6 loss to City, our 2-8 loss to Utd, our 0-6 loss to Chelsea, and our 1-5 loss to Liverpool, then come back and impress us with your insights as to why Wenger is the answer to our problems next season.

Did you cry when we beat Valencia on Thursday after you said you wanted us to lose? Tell Jamie the truth.

Marc

Jamie

CG isn’t capable of telling the truth.

Marc

Actually apology to CG there it’s CC who can’t tell the truth!

BacaryisGod

Thanks Elmo. I wish it wasn’t the case, but we’ve had a long history of selling players a year or two too late to get a good price from them. Based on the two year model Raul is announcing (which we actually know in many cases will not work) we could have got way more for RVP, Alexis and obviously Ramsey. If Raul really things he can tell a player that if he doesn’t renew with 2 years left or he will be sold then let’s see what happens this summer. This is the first test of his theory. There… Read more »

CG

Jamie

I dont lie

Suffice to say – I was not enamoured with the scoreline..

CG

Jamie

I am glad – and give thanks for you extrapolating those thrashings over AW near quarter of a century managerial tenure.

When Wenger got thrashed..
Its was ALWAYS against better teams – who had better coaches and better players

Emery got thrashed by Wolves and Leicester.

Everton should have won by 5 ( if not for Leno)

Big big difference.

In many ways Emery is a Very Poor Mans version of Jose.

So why not get The Real Deal and just appoint the Original …?

Versus

Poch joined spurs in 2014. 5 years later he’s got them a UCL final. I’ve said it before ill say it again. The only thing Wenger truly deserves credit for, is the Invincibles. Arsenal as a club had achieved everything he achieved before hand. He repeated what we had already done in our past. League titles, Cups, European finals, we did it all before. The only thing he did that was ‘new’ was go unbeaten. An amazing achievement. If Spurs win the UCL spending less than Arsenal in the last 20 years with a manager who only took over 5… Read more »

Jamie

CG – “When Wenger got thrashed.. Its was ALWAYS against better teams – who had better coaches and better players” You’re a buffoon. Southampton 4 – Arsenal 0. Better players? Long vs Giroud (Giroud wins) Walcott vs Davis (Wally, one of your ‘local lad’ favourites) Ozil vs Mane (no contest, Mane) Ward-Prowse vs Campbell (toss up, both guff at the time) Clasie vs Flamini (toss up, both guff, Flamini probably edges it) Wanyama vs Ramsey (Ramsey wins) Bertrand vs Monreal (Monreal wins) VVD vs Kos (VVD wins) Fonte vs Mert (toss up, Mert is a world cup winner which some… Read more »

CG

Jamie

Ok .
You got me. ( it’s my jetlag)

So in 20 years – Wenger got thrashed by a lesser team ( only once)

Emery recent shambolic record.

Everton 1 Arsenal 0
Wolves 3 Arsenal 0
Leicester 3 Arsenal 0
Arsenal 2 Palace 3.

Any other major club – would have sacked their manager – on the back of those results..
Look at them again and weep….

englandsbest

Marc Which way to jump, that is the existential question for Spurs. Whether to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous austerity, or else take up the purse. My guess is that they will follow in Arsenal’s footsteps. Harry Kane ought to bring in a tidy sum from PSG or Real Madrid or Barca. Whether that will keep Poch at Spurs remains to be seen. Even if he loses CL final (very likely), elite Clubs with mucho dinero will be queueing up to offer him the job as their coach. Probably first amongst them, Man U (sorry Olly, it’s for… Read more »

Marc

What about being 4 nil up against Newcastle and then drawing?

I really don’t know why anyone would suggest Wenger is a better option than Emery. If Wenger had stayed we’d be in 8th at best.

Marc

One of the continental papers is reporting that Gazidis wants to take Mustafi to Italy. If he coughs up real money for him we should build Gazidis a statue outside the stadium!

Marc

englandsbest

The Spud’s have already announced that they’ll listen to offers for 12 players – not including Ericksen who looks like he’s off anyway.

I think that just signals 1) how desperate for money they are 2) their wage structure is in trouble as a whole bunch of players are running contracts down.

Dream10

Marc

Ivan is the one who signed Mustafi.
Tremendous stuff. Will stop criticising him for the summer if he does this

Jamie

CG – When your entire argument hinges on a word you capitalised to emphasise its importance, a quick pivot when you’re instantly proven wrong isn’t going to help. I could post more embarrassing capitulations under Wenger, but you’ll no doubt try a quick backtrack again. You don’t like Emery, fine. But glossing over Wenger’s shambolic record over his last 10 years in charge as if it didn’t happen is stupid at best and dishonest at worst. Thinking he deserves another shot at the club is completely idiotic and devoid of any critical thinking. Wanting Mourinho in charge is only slightly… Read more »

Marc

Dream10

If we could get even £25 million it would be a great piece of business. I also think Mustafi would be glad to make the move.

CG

Marc

Read PedRo short Fuse link.

We have regressed in every way.

If Burnley score 2 tomo.
We would have shipped in more goals than any Wengers teams.
Think about that

Despite the arrival of a defensive midfielder ( Torreira)
Despite the video technology
Despite the modern cutting edge coaching
Despite the £70 million spent
Despite the oxygen of a new coach.

Things will not get better under this man.

You and your ilk are deluded.

Marko

Freddie I actually thought your ideas of how the summer transfer window should play out seemed reasonable. It’s no surprise whatsoever that it’s the usual Pierre types that argue against it. Don’t know how many years we heard that nonsense about it not being easy to buy blah blah it’s not like a video game blah. Last summer we bought 5 players with no one leaving and this summer we’re already losing 3 players on frees with at least another 3-5 deadwood types finally going and not to mention the possibility of some others that some clubs might actually want.… Read more »

Marc

CG

My ilk? My position was always that Emery needed to be judged over a season – not 3 months. The last few weeks have been a disaster and Emery’s on thin ice, if he wins the EL he’ll get another season if he doesn’t I don’t know what will happen.

The issue is your delusional view that the solution to our problems is either Wenger or Mourinho.

Marc

“Pretty soon you won’t be able to see his influence on the club anymore and that frightens Pierre”

It makes me very happy!

Dream10

Marc

Yep a prestigious club, nice salary and leaves a poor defensive setup. Mustafi is average, but now the attention will turn to the likes of Sokratis/Holding if he makes a move to Milan.

Marko

The issue with Charlie George is he’s a fucking idiot. Mentioned Everton beating us 1-0 as an embarrassing result and said Arsene Wenger only had one embarrassing result against a smaller club in 20 years. Hilarious. The guy had regular embarrassing and heavy defeats year in year out

Samir

We need to concentrate on buying young and quality players.
No more old players with no resale value. They just haven’t worked out bar Sokratis.

Cech, Ramsey, Lichtsteiner and Suárez will be gone.
Aubameyang is also 30 next month. I’d send him to Madrid for the reported £65M. (This money could get us a good winger and CM)
Mkhitaryan to Dortmund for any price.
Ozil to anywhere for any price.
Elneny, Jenkinson, Chambers and Mustafi out.

Marc

Dream10

It’ll also give us some extra cash to play with.

Marc

Samir

“Aubameyang is also 30 next month. I’d send him to Madrid for the reported £65M. (This money could get us a good winger and CM)”

Precisely how much is a striker who will score 20 plus league goals a season going to cost?

Freddie Ljungberg

Marko yeah, I thought it was pretty reasonable as well, not like I’m asking for Havertz, De Ligt and Pepe exactly. A couple of 20-25 m buys, 15-20m on a left back and 1 40m player is hardly fantasy stuff in this market. We have the means to pay for it too as long as we can shift players. Mustafi to Milan would be an excellent start, rumoured price 17m. Would take that in a heartbeat but would be nice if we could get 20m Should be able to get something similar for Chambers just for the fact he’s english… Read more »

Marc

Was it CG who stated the other week that we should bring Wenger back as Tech Dir with Vieira working under him?

Marko

Way I see it it’d be hypothetical of me after saying that if Barcelona were to come in for Lacazette and offer us big money or two players that we should consider it and not do the same if Madrid offered big money for Aubameyang. It’s a tough decision to make though because I get the feeling that both players and their obvious friendship is probably a big part of the dressing room. He goes you might be thinking Fekir to partner up with Lacazette

Marko

Man 40 million or thereabouts for Mustafi and Chambers for example would be outstanding. That’d easily afford you someone like Konate or Djene with money left over. And that would just be starters

Marko

Hypocritical I meant up top

Dream10

Marko

If we sell Aubameyang, not sure we can depend on Lacazette to be a high volume scorer. He takes very few open play shots to be the main offensive threat for a top 4 side.

Marko

Dream people are paid for these types of decisions to find a way to get the best out of these people. I know who’d I’d prefer to keep but at the end of the day it’s not smart having two strikers unless you build a team around them and find a way to make it work. We haven’t done that and I’m not sure in the long run we can. I make the same argument for selling Lacazette and keeping Aubameyang and putting better attackers/wingers around him for Lacazette now. If we sell Aubameyang put better wingers and attackers either… Read more »

Chitom

Almost everyone wants Mustafi gone. Can we find a buyer for him? What happens if no deal materializes?

Crowdfund the buyout of his contract and ship him out o Madagascar

terraloon

Michael The point I am trying to make is that Kronke has spent big to buy the shares in AFC. A significant number of the shares he purchased were in circulation because Arsenal took the best part of £100 million from Granada who in turn took 100% of newly created shares which amounted to around 10% of the total number of shares. That £100 million wasn’t money that Arsenal self generated but it was money that Arsenal needed to move forward with the stadium development. Returning to your original post there is no way that the Glazers at Utd have… Read more »

Marko

We shouldn’t have a problem with selling Mustafi honestly. As bad as he is there’s teams in Italy and Stain with worse defenders who’d take him. There’s also probably people out there who think it’s a case of him not being up to playing in England and think that’s the underlying issue. We won’t get near what we paid for him though but we overpaid anyway

Marko

Spain*

Samir

Marc
We’ve got Lacazette.

4-4-2 isn’t going to get us challenging for the league. We need 2 quality wingers around Lacazette.

Freddie Ljungberg

I still wouldn’t sell Laca or Auba unless absolutely necessary, there’s other players to sell to raise the money we need.

With proper wingers and a proper Cam it would be a devastating weapon to have those two rotating and fresh. We also desperately need some fire power to bring on off the bench, that’s what made us so effective up until Welbeck got injured, having one of Auba and Laca coming on against tired defenders. That went to shit with Wellys injury though.

Marko

Freddie neither would want a bit part role both have in fact talked/moaned about playing together. It’s a potential problem that might come to a head this summer. It’ll be one of those situations where we’d have a replacement lined up before we sell so as to save face

Freddie Ljungberg

Maybe it’s only because everyone else in that frontline we have is so shite?
I don’t know, we should hopefully be able to keep them both happy if they can see we’re making progress, they’ll still would get plenty of playing time, we have so much else to do that it would be nice to keep our only functioning part intact. We’ll see though.

Freddie Ljungberg

If it was a choice between the 2 and it was roughly the same money I would keep Laca though. Mostly because of age but also because Laca is the player Fekir most want to play with again:) really think he would be perfect for us, and have for a long time.

Guns of Brixton

Nabil Fekir would be a good buy.

Solid call.

Marko

Fekir is down to a year left on his contract and binned his agent. My guess is for pricing him out of a move last summer or having ridiculous demands. He should be attainable for us. The question is does Edu and Cagigao want him? For me we’ve got to just trust and get behind the new guys who’ll want to equal parts impress people in their new found positions and not fuck up

Gonsterous

I wouldn’t mind raiding barca this summer. Get rid of ozil and get in rakitic or coutinho. As both are transfer listed.

Also, any confirmation to the rumours that edu is the new technical director at arsenal ??

Micheal

Terraloon Owning the equity in AFC has nothing to do with investment in the club’s players, facilities, etc, etc. Equity ownership is not the same thing as spending on players, faciliteis, etc. Kroenke owns 100% of AFC and employs the manager, coaches, players, catering staff, programe sellers, groundstaff, etc. He sets the financial budgets for the business. For example, let’s assume Arsenal were to win all four major trophies in a season and generate say, £200m of profit. It does not mean that the manager would have an extra £200m to spend on transfers. Kroenke sets the budgets. It might… Read more »

CG

Marc

“””Was it CG who stated the other week that we should bring Wenger back as Tech Dir with Vieira working under him?”””

I did.
That too would be a very exciting combination

So would Jose and Cesc
So would Benitez and Freddie L

Emery and Raul are unproven ,unqualified and unacceptable for a club of Arsenals standing.

You can pontificate about what players to buy or sell. BUT why would a top player want to play for Emery?

What does he offer young players?

terraloon

Michael I know what owning equity is all about. The simple fact is Kronke shelled out to buy the shares and nothing else. Abramovich has probably shelled about the same out but his money went toward shares and if you like players, facilities etc. Like Kronke I suspect Abromovich sets a budget. If Kronke sold Arsenal and Abroamavic Chelsea the likelihood that both would recover all the money they put in and them some. Its a bit like if you paid out £200k on a house that didn’t need any updating and I bought a house for £100k and then… Read more »

Micheal

Terraloon

I suspect we are agreeing with each other – another Le Grove first !

The fact that Kroenke shelled out huge sums to buy Arsenal has nothing to do with his investment in the players, facilites, etc.

Abramovich bought Chelsea for a much smaller sum and followed over the years by “lending” the club over £1 bn in personal loans to buy players, staff, etc. Those loans will never be repaid. Abramovich will never see that money again. No one in their right mind would buy Chelsea simply to repay loans to the Russian gangster.

Marko

Dortmund 3-2 up while Bayern are being held by Leipzig

Emiratesstroller

I want to expand further what I have already written today about departures. First of all you need to take a look at the balance of the squad by age. At the moment we have on the books quite a few players over the age of 30. Cech will retire and I suspect that Lichsteiner’s contract will not be renewed. That will leave us with Koscielny, Sokratis, Monreal, Ozil and Mkhitaryan still on the books. Aubameyang will be also 30 next season. The senior management have stated clearly that no player should be allowed to stay whose contract has less… Read more »

terraloon

Michael I suspect we are agreeing in the main but as I said earlier Chelsea structure is a bit complex so in effect anyone buying the shares of Chelsea wouldn’t be paying off the loans or indeed have any responsibility to do so Chelsea FC ltd is debt free. Chelsea FC constantly are increasing the number of shares in return for cash injections from another of Abromovich companies. In turn that second company borrow money from RA the debt is over £1. 25 billion but includes the initial purchase of Chelsea If RA through the holding company were to sell… Read more »