Dear Josh,

by .

via @ARSENAL INSTAGRAM

I was going to write this blog like a letter, but I felt like an idiot, so instead, let’s just talk about issues like we normally do.

That letter…

THE GOOD

Josh wrote back in double-quick time and he also did an interview on the website.

However you cut it up, he was affected by the critique, he penned a thoughtful response and he said some things that should please. He also spoke with passion, which makes English people happy.

He correctly called out that Arsenal has been making a lot of changes. I can go along with that. We’ve also made a lot of mistakes, which is why things are so bad at the minute.

He basically said what we all knew… Arsenal is a Champions League spender on wages with a Europa League budget. So forget about financial favors some of you thought Raul was going to snag in his sit down with the KSE crew this month.

He also empathised with the fans. He really tried to double down on the fact that he went to Baku and saw the tears in the players eyes. I understand that he wants to be seen as a fan, but flying out privately to watch your team in the final is par the course. Regardless, he wants you to know he gives a fuck.

He really drilled home the importance of Edu, calling him the final piece.

He said the club and his family is in it to win it. That was great to hear.

Overall, it was a good response and timely.

HOWEVER.

I don’t want to write like the leftwing media here, ‘we got what we wanted, but it’s still not enough’, but I do think there are a few things about the response that need addressing.

Firstly, if you want to win and that’s what the focus is, what happens if, like the last 10 years of KSE bland-on-toast, it fails?

Will they sell up and move on in shame? Is there any consequence for not winning? If you can’t make a club work in over a decade, why not sell up if you fail again?

Seems a ridiculous thing to ask, but ultimately, if winning at all costs fails, why keep it going? Pass it onto someone else and make $2.5b in the process.

Secondly, I find it staggering that someone overseeing the wreckage of this summer can confidently say that Edu is the final piece of the puzzle.

Are. You. Kidding.

We have a bang average manager, there’s no chief scout, our head of performance was booted back to Australia, we are a total mess.

Edu is the FIRST piece of the puzzle.

Another point, that hasn’t been addressed by anyone at Arsenal.

What is the timeline?

You can’t keep talking about winning if you don’t state what you want to win and by when.

Is the whole exec leadership team going to be held to account here?

I read that Josh is a very likeable guy behind the scenes. He looks like a fun guy, he has a yacht, is a total playboy, and probably has Thierry Henry in a WhatsApp group.

My question is… do they fear him? Is Raul’s neck on the line if we are not in the Champions League in 3 years. What is Vinnai being held accountable for? Who is demanding absolute fucking excellence at the club moving forward?

Where are we going to be in 1 year, 2 years, 3 years… and what is the crowning glory of this group of men?

Saying you want to win means nothing without a timeline and brutal consequences for failure.

If we want to be seen as an elite team, there has to be a standard we’re held to… because the sharp reality of business is this: If you don’t hold people to account, they generally don’t hold themselves to one. This is exactly what happened with Ivan Gazidis. His main goal was self-preservation and all of his decision making was geared around prolonging the gravy train.

He bottled firing Wenger when Klopp was available. He bottled paying a little extra for BIG names. He allowed Wenger to sit on cash and treat it like his own, when the real value was in rapidly appreciating players. He bottled the manager decision. He bottled creating a structure with hierarchy. He bottled seeing his vision through. Why? Because Josh and Stan didn’t hold him to sporting standards. His standard was to never rock the boat, which meant low-risk decisions, always.

Raul has the job of his life, he has fallen up the ladder and now has incredible wealth and power. He will hold onto that job in the same way as Ivan did if Josh isn’t careful. Winning SHOULD be part of his remit. Not a nice to have.

I would love to hear Josh come out and tell us the standards he expects. I would love to hear in the press that losing at Arsenal comes at a cost. I don’t want to hear our manager say that he likes Arsenal because the pressure is different. I don’t want a coddled environment. I don’t want to hear the players let whingeing get in the way of prep . I don’t want the bus driver running team motivation speeches. I don’t want to see average players prancing around at the club because they love their contracts. I don’t want to see our head of psychology on the club website 5 years straight if he’s not improving the mental state of our players.

I want us to be the best.

Ok, I’m sounding like a brat now, but simply put, I appreciate Josh speaking to the fans… but we have been fed inspirational words for too long. Time for action, great results and dire consequences if things don’t move forward.

In other news:

The Saliba deal is nearly done. That’s great fucking business.
Arsenal are still chasing down Tierney
Ceballos on loan is something we’re pursuing
Malcolm could also be on the cards
The talk is hot for Everton
Emery is expecting FOUR players this week

Get a centre back in the mix and the summer won’t have been a total disaster. The season will be, but that’s another story.

See you in the comments. xx

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Valentin

In most of his games in France Dani Alves had abandoned any pretence of being a defender. He bombed forward quite effectively, but at the expense of leaving his right side exposed. People complained about Bellerin not tracking back. Don’t expect Dani Alves to do any tracking at all. In games where the opposition had a dangerous speedy winger on that side, he was moved forward or replaced. Arsenal can’t afford to have another defender who can’t defend. Especially not for £200kpw on a two years contract. For that same overall cost, you can buy a decent right backbwho can… Read more »

Valentin

Zaha may be unreachable this summer, but next summer Crystal Palace will have to sell. He will put a transfer request, begs the club to release him. If he does not leave then he will never be able to join a big club again. Outside of Italy or Ronaldo, usually Big clubs don’t come calling for winger when they are in their 30s.

Crystal Palace better prepare and have a replacement ready by the beginning of next season.

Champagne Charlie

Still yet to work out we’re operating on a budget and 20 mil for a backup RB is negligent at best.

Marko

This to me Charles? I mean any of the guys mentioned wouldn’t be a back up RB they’d be a starter. Ideally you’d get Bellerin back in October showing his fitness until the end of the season and sell him. He’s was never that great to begin with

Nelson

I like Dani Alves. He can really help the team moving the ball forward. He sees the game very well. The attack could be much faster. We’ll need a midfielder to back him up whenever he bombs forward. His salary is too expensive though.

Champagne Charlie

Marko

More epic strategy from you. Let’s get a squad which you claim has numerous deficiencies flush with TWO starting right-backs. Makes all the sense.

Bellerin is a starter, we need a guy to fill in. Especially with a budget in mind. Grinding over literally every transfer but your idea consists of a 20 mil RB. Jeez

MidwestGun

Pedro- Good Post, my friend …. many words though.. But your right it boils down to accountability and you can’t have accountability without a timeline and specific goals. We want to win.. is not a strategic plan. I think one of the goals last season was getting into the CL and we failed.. miserably.. what was the repercussions to that? Who paid for it? we still have the same players and the same management team.. although we did add Edu obviously… but to me… it meant nothing to the owner despite all the “he saw the tears bs” Maybe things… Read more »

Marko

Pleasant as always. Yes I would recommend a reasonably priced RB is signed one that’s upgrade on what we have got. What’s the point in bringing in a back up when what we have at RB isn’t good enough to begin with. We tried that whole back up RB last season and it did nothing for us.

Nelson

Mid

Looks like we’ll be the only two watching tonight’s game. Hoping to see a good game!

China1

Valentin they only have to hold Zaha this summer and then he won’t have another chance to join a top tier team again realistically

No one is going to pay a that high transfer fee for a player in that position at that age who isn’t even world class

MidwestGun

See If I can stay up to watch tonights .. match… Break out the energy drinks.. Would still like to see more of Martinelli.. and Saka tonight … they were the standout youth players from first match, imo.. Oh and Chambers didn’t look bad as a CB.. certainly better then Mustafi.. who came on as a sub and immediately … the Rapids should have scored because he wasn’t marking his man .. and Kola could not be bothered to track back in the least.

MidwestGun

Yeah Nelson… maybe Guns of SF will join us.. Cali time..

China1

You can’t say we did the backup RB thing last season and it didn’t work out because that implies all veteran RBs in the world signed as a backup are the same

Every player has their own strengths and weaknesses irrespective of who came before them

Valentin

China1,

I don’t think that Zaha is ready to rock the boat this summer, but next summer he will definitely do it.
I think that he will have a good chance of loving next summer. The problem is that his price will have to come down. If he can’t get his move, he should threaten them to invoke the Webster clause the following season. He would be older than 28 years old and 3 years in his contract.
At 20 millions, Arsenal and many more would be interested.

Valentin

A good chance of leaving not loving.
Damn predictive text/autocorrect.

China1

I’m not sure about the Webster clause but I don’t see his fee being 20m next summer. He will likely still be integral to palace and they may be financially under no obligation to sell. I doubt he’d be under 40m next year and I also don’t think we will be in the market for him by then as we should have someone like Everton hopefully doing well and RN one year older He could end up at Everton or a team like that at best imo. But I suspect he will stay this summer and get a big pay… Read more »

China1

Marko forgetting alvez for a minute, in light of who we’re supposedly trying to sign, who do you think can act as a guiding head and vocal leader in the dressing room next season? We have a team of average losers and it seems we’re trying to buy talented youngsters. When the chips are down next season I don’t see one player in the dressing room who can push the team forward and emery’s ability to do that is also in doubt If we don’t sign alvez, we do need to get in a couple of leaders who have won… Read more »

Marko

You can’t say we did the backup RB thing last season and it didn’t work out because that implies all veteran RBs in the world signed as a backup are the same I meant more that Lichtsteiner was bought for the purpose of being just a back up and it failed miserably. I think if we go at it with the mindset of targeting a back up instead of a possible starter/someone who can actually challenge for the spot then what’s the point might as well just roll with jenks and AMN. Don’t want to put any real pressure on… Read more »

Marko

China I hear you and I agree with you fuck all leaders at the club. Though I’m not sure that gets addressed with Dani Alves honestly. By all accounts he always seems like a when the chips are down don’t look to him kinda guy. A winner though but he’s been very fortunate to have been surrounded by leaders throughout his career

China1

I think alvez would be signed as direct competition with bellerin rather than a backup tho

With bellerin our injured the onus would be on him to force his way back into the team (or for alvez to screw up badly enough to let him back in)

I don’t think it would be a big stretch for alvez to be an improvement and established as first choice over bellerin. It would also require bellerin to up his game as he needs to or we could sell bellerin next summer and replace him with alvez’s long term replacement

MidwestGun

Have to agree with the yellow numbers on the back thing… ruins the look .. not sure what the hell that is all about. Even the announcers for the Rapids were like…. that’s just weird.

China1

As a young player in this team I’ve hobestly no idea who you’re supposedly to look to for leadership or guidance right now Forgetting the young players, Mustafi is a joke. Kos cried because his kids say we suck and has just gone on strike to get an easy retirement package. Auba is cool but hasn’t won much. Has laca won anything? Pappa would be a good call but hasn’t won shit. Xhaka is the captain but well… Ozil should be your guy but LOL. I guess I’d look to Sok. He’s as good as it is gonna get right… Read more »

MidwestGun

I love Alves but dude gave up the ghost even trying to defend awhile back .. not sure we could afford to have that,.. maybe if the rest of our defensive line was competent but they are not.

China1

When I first saw the yellow numbers I hated it but seeing that photo of saka in this blog post… it’s growing on me

Nelson

Alves’s strength is his vision and his forward passes. His crosses are also excellent. Lichtsteiner can’t pass the ball at all. Last year, our midfield is slow and tedious. Too many back passes and side passes. With Alves, you’ll see a different game moving forward.

Champagne Charlie

Marko everyone understands the idea behind bringing in better per position. You’ve not illuminated club football to anyone with stating the obvious. The bit you continue to ignore is that we have a finite transfer budget. Bringing in an expensive RB makes absolutely no sense when you factor that in. We already have issues with two expensive CFs but you want to double down on that with the same situation at RB. How about we save the money there, buy a proper CB, bring in a competent bosman or similar budget RB and then when Bellerin is fit we have… Read more »

Marko

We already have issues with two expensive CFs but you want to double down on that with the same situation at RB. The RB situation isn’t even remotely the same. Even if we added Atal it wouldn’t be the same either because we’d have one expensive RB and two back up’s we spent fuck all on. Also you don’t even know our budget so the whole finite budget let’s bring in a bosman RB so we can afford a CB when you haven’t a clue what we have available is silly. Apparently was willing to buy Meunier earlier in the… Read more »

Wasi

Its fascinating that we are beating spuds to 2 imp. signing who are at their peak currently while we are at the worst position we have been in like for 30 years.
Why is the club playing around with Tierney so much is no lt understandable. Celtic have clearly stated they are not going to budge and their asking price is very fair. Just pay up so we wont have to start monreal or put our faith in Kola who can flip hot and cold pretty easily.

Nelson

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Willock, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer, Thiago, Martinez, Arp, Boateng, Tolisso, Muller, Alaba, Ontuzans, Johansson, Kehl

Nelson

I wonder what formation Emery will use for tonight. Two nights ago, he played 4 4 2. This time he hasn’t fielded a left winger. Ozil can only play the#10 role. May be he’ll play 4 2 3 1.

Nelson

Looks like Emery wants Xhaka to be the captain.

Tony

Dissenter
“I know what I’m talking about”

That’ll be a first!

Tony

Pedro
“1000 words and we’re debating the bus driver being a secret Tony Robbins.”

Priceless

Good post Pedro shame Dissenter didn’t comprehend it all, such as the bus driver part.

That said he knows what he’s talking about now so we should be good for a few days until Diss starts on quoting corporate management protocol, structures and forward thinking, winning strategies that are fully accountable.

Seems to me Dissenter would fit in perfectly at KSE bus driver et al.

Head of HR to police KSE ……………..

MidwestGun

Thanks for lineup.. Nelson… tuning in now.. This might potentially be our starting lineup.. and its a bit sh.it.. lol Defensive liabilities all over the place.

MidwestGun

And I think it will be 4-3-3 … based on players. but guess we will see.

Nelson

Auba already starts missing chances

MidwestGun

Yeah 4-3-3 with Xhaka sitting deeper with Willock. so I guess you could say.. 4-2-1-3.

Nelson

Micki can’t find the net

Paul Mc Daid

Ian Ure would walk into this team.

MidwestGun

Well we started off better then them.. should have scored then Mustafi totally screws up comical bad pass in own box. … terrible, then bad defending from the rest that somehow worked.. lol

Tony

Get Vinny Jones to do the motivational talks and especially one on ones with Ozil.

MidwestGun

Xhaka shooting from 30 yds out.. lands in row Z.

Nelson

Defense is still looking weak.

MidwestGun

I think Bayern just now figure out we have Monreal and Miki defending on our left.. starting to exploit it.

Zfree

Preseason walk about is Ozil’s level

Nelson

Micki is not a left winger. Can’t run with the ball upfield.

Nelson

AMN has good recovery speed

MidwestGun

If Bayern wake up and move the ball faster once we turn it over in midfield .. we will concede. That said … our attack looks more dangerous.. especially down Auba’s side.. cuz yeah Miki is shit on the opposite wing..

Nelson

Micki is the worst player up to now.

MidwestGun

Auba is blowing past the Bayern LB at will..

MidwestGun

Lol Neuer almost with a cheap give away..

Nelson

Auba looks better than Laca.

Nelson

Willock didn’t look like a beginner.

MidwestGun

Great save by Leno.. AMN let them cross to easily.

Nelson

Good save

MidwestGun

and of course Muller split right between Mustafi and Papa who basically watched him..

Nelson

Leno is saving every thing.

Paul Mc Daid

SHOCKING DEFENDING.

Nelson

I am still waiting to see a single good pass from Micki.

MidwestGun

Monreal getting beat in behind towards the corner flag.. just doesn’t have the legs anymore.

NO idea how this game is scoreless should be about 2-2.

Nelson

Why Auba didn’t shoot???

Dream10

Willock might be our breakthrough youngster this season. Good player. Plus, there is a need for more thrust in CM with Xhaka, Torreira being a boring flat pairing.

Aubameyang, Özil looking decent. AMN looking really sharp. Wonder if Emery will be forced to choose btwn Aubameyang and Lacazette in the XI. A new wide player, Iwobi or even AMN down one side for Lacazette to add a different dynamic.

MidwestGun

No sure… why he didn’t shoot … he has been our best player so far.

Dissenter

Tony
You don’t think a bus driver can potentially motivate a professional footballer?
What a condescending opinion from the self declared management consultant.

Some of the best managers aren’t great motivational speakers. You ought to know that.

MidwestGun

Amn not that sharp… has had to last minute defend several times.. I don’t think he is a fullback to be honest.

Dissenter

Ozil just annoys me these days. Why did he need the extra tough before shooting. He didn’t need to break his stride there because Auba laid the ball on a platter.

Dream10

If Leno is one of our best two players again this season, then oh boy, we are in for a long long year

Nelson

I like Willock. He has a presence

Zfree

Love the look of willock

MidwestGun

To be fair Ozil has played fairly well.. this match ..probably has something to prove against the Germans. Has to drop too deep though to get the ball sometimes.. Xhaka and Willock not confident enough to move it forward.

Dissenter

Can’t wait to see the youth players in the second half. Preseason is to let emerging talent shine.
Want to see Martinelli and Saka on the field together

Dream10

Midwest

Yeah don’t think he has the concentration to be a top one. However, AMN could be a right sided midfielder like Ray Parlour to balance out the lack of tracking back of an Everton/Zaha/Iwobi on the left. Will allow us to play two strikers in some games.

Nelson

Auba also toke one more touch.

MidwestGun

I do like Willock better then Xhaka. in our midfield..

MidwestGun

oh well no score at halftime, .. not sure how.. chalk it up to preseason..

Nelson

I guess R. Nelson will replace Auba soon.

Dissenter

Auba’s pace is still intact. The days of professional footballers declining after the age of 30 years is far gone
We don’t have a player that can match his pace. Mykhi and Ozil are too slow breaking from the middle.

Paul Mc Daid

Dream,
Sorry, AMN in his best day will not be Ray on his worst day.

MidwestGun

For me.. Miki and Xhaka were the most useless. . Defending Mustafi and Monreal pretty bad.. and AMN made a few mistakes but he does have good recovery speed.

Would like to see Saka play and Martinelli and Eddie at some point.

Dream10

Paul McDaid

Parlour is a better player, but AMN can be useful.

Dissenter

I expect AMN and Ozil to show a lot of improvement this season.
Iwobi at the AFCON looked like the light bulb in his head is beginning to flicker

Dissenter

I’m disappointed the club kept Monreal but then he’s likely to be just a back-up if we get Tierney.

Nelson

I guess some youngsters will come in to replace the forwards in the 2nd half.

MidwestGun

I hope he puts in Chambers for Mustafi.. if we aren’t going to sell Chambers then let him play .. That Mustafi is still in our squad absolutely kills me.. Ozil’s new hair looks like he lost a bet.

Nelson

Now Bayern is bring in their big guns. Serge will score against us.

Pierre

Paul Mcdaid
“Ian Ure would walk into this team.”

ha ha…a walking disaster was the Scotsman ….will never forget the league cup final at Wembley against Swindon when his comedy of errors gifted Swindon their first goal.

China1

Parlour might not have been elite but was a nailed on 7-7.5 in every match which is a rare and incredibly valuable quality to counter the fluctuations in form that more gifted players typically have

You want 3-4 players of that standard and consistency in and around the first team to reduce the risk of dropping points on the whims of the form of your more genius types

MidwestGun

hahaha own goal.

Nelson

goal from Auna

Pierre

Have to say , it’s a good game to watch , Arsenal front 4 looking full of quality, Willock looks the part in midfield .

Hopefully the fact that we don’t have the full backs bombing forward at every opportunity is a sign of things to come .

Nelson

We have changed the GK.

Dissenter

Who are our reserve keepers
We are really thin in so many areas of the field

MidwestGun

Id give it to Auba just because.. Gnabry is gonna score isn’t he?.. it’s destiny.

MidwestGun

Martinez is our backup and some really tall dude.. who’s name escapes me is our 3rd keeper..

Dissenter

The player that scored the own goal gets his pound of flesh off Laca’s head.

Nelson

Both defense and GK look shakey

Dissenter

We better hope Leno doesn’t get any long term injuries.

Nelson

AMN is no match for Coman

Paul Mc Daid

Pierre,
Glad to here the response , I said to myself nobody will even know what I’m talking about 😂😂, Now just don’t mention Don Rodgers 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍
Dream 10, Hope your right but I doubt it.

MidwestGun

Coman making AMN look pretty bad. Gnabry is going to get by Kola too its only a matter of time.