via @Arsenal Instagram
I bought some house plants from a reputable dealer. I was utterly ripped off, of course. You buy plants in Brooklyn and they are 7 times more expensive than their equivalents in B&Q. Anyway, there were some insects on it. I was like, ok, we’ll just be friends and you’ll eventually die.
WRONG MOVE.
I am now dealing with an insect problem of biblical proportions. These guys have formed an army against me. They’re so powerful, they’re building machines… I cannot stop them. If anyone has a better idea outside fly spray, please help… before it’s too late.
International break is here and I think I’m going to indulge it this time around. I’ve also added Youtube to my gym routine. You can sit on an exercise for 4x longer if you’re watching goals and highlights from all the games around Europe.
One player that’s caught the eye for more than football reasons is Memphis Depay. He launched a stunningly shite rap video recently, but he’s also had a good start to the season. He’s scored 4 goals and had 1 assist. He looked dangerous last night in the Holland vs Germany game. Two exArsenal kids scored, Gnabry and Malen, and Ryan bloody Babbel had a storming game. It’ll be interesting to see if Depay is just a big fish in a little pond, or whether he can mature at 25 and make it back to the big leagues.
Arsene Wenger is on a HUGE PR run.
‘Take me back football, take me back!’
He’s been speaking to his oil backers and he reckons Arsenal are the best of the rest.
He mentioned that the club had spoken with him about the potential of returning in some capacity. I have no idea what that would look like, but whatever it was, he turned it down.
In some ways, a move back would make sense, Fergie is still around the United situation, which clearly isn’t helping. I think he should probably leave it a year, get a job managing a team, then return as a footballing man in some capacity in the future. Say what you will about him, he’d be a good look for the club at an exec level (football side). As long as he weren’t deeply entrenched in decision making.
It’s all a bit sad with Arsene. He’ll probably blame his loyalty for his jobless situation when the reality is his problems largely stem from allowing power to corrupt his view of the game. Great leaders throughout history have shown a serious lack of ability to change their ways once they hit the heights. Arsene Wenger surrounded himself with yes men that he never changed, he scoffed at tech, he believed that art was the only way, and he lost confidence in his final years as the game over-took him.
If you’d give him an elite team of coaches, scientists and data folk and forced him to listen, things might have been very different.
A lesson for us all… don’t believe your own hype, it’s probably not real.
There’s an interesting piece on Sky Sports, who do great data work imo.
This is how Arsenal look this season. It all makes sense. We’re direct, we like to counter, we’re not the high sequence passers of yesteryear and we’re not much for play through the middle.
The Unai Emery takeover is complete. Nothing fancy to see here. I’ll have to be fine with the approach if it delivers us third, but for a club that wanted to retain the beautiful game, it’s a pretty grim evolution and it’s totally bereft of anything exciting.
The footballing equivalent of Brexit… OUT MEANS OUT… for so many years, then you’re stuck on WTO terms in the freezing cold and you can’t get a pot of Marmite.
Pepe was sent back from international duty because he wants to work on his fitness in London. Finally, someone in charge at Arsenal who wants to do the right thing for Arsenal FC. Nice work, Raul.
Southgate has just announced a line-up without Jadon Sancho. FFS…
See you in the comments. x
Pedro, get a plug in bug zapper. Cheap on -dare I say it – Amazon. That will eat your mires and fireflies without all that alchemy.
*mites
Pedro, why do my comments always await “moderation” and then not appear?
I have literally written on Le Grove four or five times and it appears that I am banned, even though the most controversial thing I ever wrote was probably advising you where you could find a great bar in Pittsburgh (Pipers Pub). You have obviously been talking to my ex. 🙂
I do Cesc, not religiously though. More of a boxing fan.
Stroller, they are little black flies. They don’t even hang on the tree. They come out of the soil. Tiny things. They are on an orange tree.
NJ, you are in sir!
Leftside
Did you watch the fight tonight?
Firmly against Wenger joining in any important position in the club. The moment he comes and the power struggle will be on big time. At the moment the power is firmly in the hands of Raul and his team. If we fail at what we are doing aka we don’t get UCL football next season, the decision will be to let Emery go. If we fail again once or twice more, Raul’s head will be on the line. He is calling the shots and he is certainly aware of his power and responsibility but also his expendability if things go… Read more »
Guendouzi may not have played tonight but I think I speak for every Arsenal fan when I say he played in our hearts…😆
Pedro you could have ants. The flying kind. Little bastards they are though it’s America you’re in and it could be anything
Pedro
Mantis are not a problem, they’re not going to bite you. You should be more concerned in my situation with spiders, centipedes and scorpions in the house and regular visits of snakes in the back garden.
The new Watford boss, Quique Sanchez Flores, has a decent record v Emery. Won 3, lost 1 drawn 3. Emery should improve that next week.
Pedro
TR7… I was thinking about it the other day, but honestly, outside illness, I’ll never stop. It’s too habitual. If I don’t write for a couple of days, it gives me deep-set anxiety.
Very sad, I know,
You write extremely well. And I am not saying this to flatter you. You know how to build a narrative, your intros are fun to read. Your passion oozes out In every article you write.
Stop worrying about it. Just enjoy it. You know it. It’s your hobby (well second to The Arsenal)!
So Deschamps would rather a 3 goals, 4 assist, 1 MotM in 40 games Lemar, than 14 goals, 9 assists, 8 MotM in 38 games Fekir. He’d rather play a 33 yo striker, about to be almost 34 during EURO 2020, in Giroud, instead of trying to find their new main striker in the easy qualification games for the inevitable time that Giroud will no longer do the job for them. He doesn’t even try to bed in any striker even though France get a 3:0 lead by the 70th minute. . And the only other striker that he calls… Read more »
Wenger would be perfect for a return IF:
– His role includes zero power
– His role includes him not being allowed to talk
– his role is extremely cheap
Offer him 300k a year to be an ambassador in name and show his face regularly at the club and I’m on board
Anything else NOPE
Imho,this guy is too arrogant for any club that seeks to hire him.The first 10 years at Arsenal endeared him to the fans.Subsequently he thought he could no wrong with his all out attack philosophy.Results prove otherwise.
The 4-4 draw and 8- 2 mauling springs to mind.Unless he changes tack,unlikely,he will be unable to produce ateam capable of winning games and trophies,
Pedro,. You should do more solo podcasts. The last was more interesting than those you do with other “humans”
I would prefer one captain with one or two vc’s but 5 captains is not a uniquely Emery idea, as I posted yesterday Barcelona have 5 captains. I have no idea as to when or who introduced the idea at Camp Nou though.
I agree with your assessment of Leno. The guy’s a great shot stopper no doubt but he as a couple of weaknesses that the opposition will test him on in future games. I have only really seen Martinelli in pre-season so I am uncertain as to whether or not he can step in for Leno.
You surely mean Martinez. And Martinelli is a forward.
Nelson
You are correct of course.
Pedro –
You have fungus gnats.. google how to get rid .. but basically your better off just getting a new plant. They live in the soil .. very hard to get rid of… the good news is they don’t harm the plant much… they just drive you crazy.
I’m glad Wenger isn’t coming back, for his sake and ours. I agree a scenario Raptors outlined above isn’t out of the question if he were to come back in any form. If results nose dived it may increase pressure, if there was any, on the coach and there would be plenty clamouring for Arsene to take ‘temporary’ charge. I just feel his time has been and gone and he appears to be moving on anyway with his punditry and tech company. He has also spoken of managing again and that would likely be in France or Japan. I am… Read more »
Pedro I will get back to you later this week, but I would suggest that in first instant you speak to shop who sold you the plant and see if you can get replacement or a different plant. If as MidWest Gun suggests that the insects are in the soil another alternative might be to replace the soil, but that needs to be done professionally. This sounds very much like what happens with lillies. The lilly beatles come onto the plant in the daytime, and need to be manually removed and killed. They are very difficult to remove in the… Read more »
Absolutely no way should Wenger have any role at the club. Fergie isn’t helping utd he’s making things worse, which is what Wenger would do. 100% no.
I would request that any comment from me herein after should probably be disregarded. Just come from a Vietnamese wake, everything as deadly as an Irish wake. Having thought about it a moment it’s best I make no further comment.
That last post is totally redundant, please ignore.
Raptora Theres some bad blood between France FA and Benzema due to some scandal that happened some way back. You can google it. Anyways i do agree that Lacazette should be picked ahead if Ben Yedder. He likes to play Giroud because of what he offers to the team. His hold up play and ability to bring players into the game and make space in and around the penalty area is unmatched. And when you have Mbappe, Griezmann , Fekir, Coman playing around you he can be a great great foil. But Dropping Laca for Ben Yedder is criminal. Also… Read more »
I’m about to try to find on Youtube or Dailymotion Cesc
I wonder who offered Wenger the job. and who he would have be reporting to. Was it the CEO? Josh? Stan himself? I really wonder why he would have declined if it was someone like the owner. Maybe he was offered by Bouldy to come back as his assistant lol Cesc Saw the main event. Nurmagomedov is such a special fighter, never seen someone make his opponents look so visibly discouraged during fights as often as he does. Maybe closest comparison was GSP in his prime, but Khabib is far more destructive from those top positions. He shot a little… Read more »
‘
X
*Maybe a role to develop where he can use his vast knowledge do develop players + help in recruiting young talents.”
Cam you please give me one player that Wenger developed during his time with Arsenal.
Who is the most successful club in the world based on silverwear won. You won’t guess the answer.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/30-most-successful-football-clubs-19428893
The Boss
Well, the 63-year-old has confirmed that he’s been in talks with his former club. However, he’s unlikely to return out of respect for current head coach Unai Emery. “I have been in touch with some people at the club but I felt when you go like that you cannot be half in, half out,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
Judging from what he says, he wants real power if he returns. If the choice is between Emery or Wenger, I would much rather keep Emery.
Wenger had an incredible first 10 years with the club and for that I will always be grateful
But then he became outdated and refused to flex
Now he would have nothing to offer and I see no good coming out of a return
We have Edu filling that presumed role so what would he do other than obstruct and give incorrect opinions on data analytics player coaching etc
Bojangles
Interesting list, would be cool to see one like that based on a metric of difficulty of trophies won x how many x net spend x sauce 😉
Chris
How you measure sauce…lol
Hmmmm.Thought wenger was at least knocking on 70 no?
Don’t know if others have picked up from the various press reports that Chelsea are supposedly telling leading agents that they are expecting to be active in the transfer market in January.2020.
Also there are now suggestions that they already have one deal in place the suggestion being is that it’s either Dembelee at Lyon and or Zaha.
Isn’t their ban for 2 windows??
Late to this, but why on earth would they want Wenger back at the club?
He would spend his time getting up Stan, constantly increasing his power base, briefing against a manager so he could eventually return to that role, applying a veto to transfers, coaching appointments, spreading his loser values.
He should stay away from this club, and not be given an option to do anything different
As long as Deschamps is the France manager Benzema will never be in the French squad. Here are the reasons: 1) Benzema’s friends tried to extort money from one of his French teammates in exchange of not publishing a sex tape. So not good for team morale. 2) Benzema accused Deschamps of covert racism which lead to his home being vandalised and his family threatened. As Benzema has refused to apologise and retract his statement , Deschamps is not going to forgive and forget. 3) In the France squad Benzema did not play well. Worse he sometimes refused to follow… Read more »
”Cam you please give me one player that Wenger developed during his time with Arsenal…
Fabregas
Kolo Toure
I don’t particularly like Deschamps nor his playing style, but he has been consistent. There is also logic in his selection in that he only select players who he believe could be part of the next competition squad. Some of the players in the France squad are selected because of their characters. They can handle being substitute without causing any wave. Nasri for example is an example that was causing trouble in the France squad if he was not an automatic starter. It got so bad that a delegation of senior players went to the coach and ask him to… Read more »
Funny how Le-Grove just loves throwing dirt on Arsene Wenger’s name. Don’t get me wrong the guy had many faults ( who doesnt) but people are acting like he relegated the club. I d wager that Wenger is at least better than all the present managers presently in the league except for Klopp and Guardiola. No Poch is not on the same level. Imagine that, a 70 year old retired coach still better than most of today’s ‘top managers’. If he has a DOF, and similar squad in terms of strength, I d back him against Klopp and Guardiola too.… Read more »
David Smith To be honest I think Wenger might be trying to inflate the offer as being more than it actually was. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was offered some form of ambassador role by Kroenke who was infatuated by him. The only role Wenger’s ego would let him accept at the club is one with a lot of money and a lot of power attached. That means either taking Sanllehi’s, Edu’s or Venkatehsam’s role…each one of them is better suited than Wenger by a million miles. Wenger was utterly incompetent in the transfer market, he’s a coward when… Read more »
PlusI think the role they wantwd to bring Arlene back for is someone like an Ambassador similar to what Ferguson is to United. He’s an Arsenal legend so should be allowed back in some capacity at the club.
Although I think it’s too soon for him to return. Emery doesnt need his monkey on his back. In 4 years or so ? Perfect.
Just saw Auba at the F1 Italy site. WTF is he doing there???
Wenger is in discussion to be a technical director at FIFA.
Not Arsenal.
Nelson
Because that lame bastard would go to the opening of a crisp packet.
I bet he’s friends with Lewis chip on shoulder Hamilton. I just bet you.
No Poch is not on the same level. Imagine that, a 70 year old retired coach still better than most of today’s ‘top managers’. Yeah fucking right. Listen I wouldn’t have Arsene Wenger back at Arsenal on a part time basis working pro bono cleaning the toilets. He should not be allowed back at all let alone in any sort of power capacity. He’s not good for anything these days. And no I don’t believe there was a job offer either. Even today it’s another sound bite about how close he came to signing Messi. He’s trying his darndest to… Read more »
We should thank Wenger for not taking up the job offer
All it would have meant is never ending posts from the wenger obsessives disrespecting him.
Marko
.”Shame outside of a handful of nutters nobody gives a shit”
You are right, nobody gives a shit except the handful of nutters
Marko, Cesc Appeal , Graham, Tony etc.
Marko
You talk about Arsene like you know him personally. Or like he had done something terrible to you. The 8-2 was too much for you to handle huh. Well I got over it.
Believe me I don’t want the guy back at least no time soon. And no I dont agree that Wenger is making all this up. Guys got too much clout and sauce for that. I would imagine many clubs would be dying to have him.
And no I dont agree that Wenger is making all this up. Guys got too much clout and sauce for that. Guy has been unemployed and dying to get back to work since being sacked and outside of a Fulham job offer has had fuck all interest. He should have taken that job but his ego demands something bigger and I wish him luck in that regard because no major club will touch the old fool. And now he’s just spouting sound bites to remind people that he’s still around and still looking for a job. Arsene they know they… Read more »
Watching Kola against Micki’s team feels kind of odd.
There’s still a player in Mhik but we did absolutely the right thing in binning him off to Italy.
Guy can’t be fucked most of the time, rare to see such a disinterested professional footballer. Tubby in recent times too.
Micki scores the 4th goal. It defected by a defender.
I mean Bosnia have Kolasinac in defence so figures Mikhi would have a good game
If Nadal wins tonight he’s won more US Open titles [4] than Djokovic [3], pretty insane stat considering how much better Djokovic is on Hard Courts. Crazy how much twists and turns there has been in the GS title count. Looked only back in July that Djokovic was unstoppable and would blitz his way to another 4 titles within the next year to tie up Federer at 20 only for Federer to blow two match points in the Wimbledon Final which arguably puts him out of sight from Djokovic on 21 to 15. Now Rafa looks sets to win his… Read more »
Marko
You watch Keane and Neville on that Off the Ball show?
Funny how Neville’s enthusiasm for coaching was completely extinguished by his hapless Valencia stint, not that he admits that. Pretended his heart wasn’t in it which I thought was a cop out.
Keane’s funny but he’s as bitter as they come. Cannot let go of any perceived slight and it’s why he’s a useless gaffer and will never succeed in that field. Lacks so much self-awareness it’s incredible. Couldn’t even be the bigger man when Fergie was in seriously ill health.
@Bat
Mihki scored the first two goals and forced an own goal. He is a good player when his heart is in it. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to care about the Arsenal team. He’ll try harder whenever he he feels like.
I didn’t see it WE. Yeah they just don’t seem like they have it in them to be actual decent managers though I don’t think Neville should give it up altogether. There’s probably a fear factor in it for him now whereas Keane is just too stubborn to not realize he’s a bit shit
The irony of human nature is that egotistical gits like Keane who wont take orders from any manager. Act like school principals when they are given a chance to lead. The only person that loves Keane is probably his dog and even then its probably because of sausages. He is a complete mentalist
Wenger has had his nice little earner being paid off and now he’s feeling the pinch down to his last 50 mil.
The old narcissist needs a look at me job.
Dickhead
Nelson “Mihki scored the first two goals and forced an own goal. He is a good player when his heart is in it. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to care about the Arsenal team. He’ll try harder whenever he he feels like.” He’s also a good player when the team he is playing for is called Henrikh Mkhitaryan FC meaning the whole team is set-up and tailored to him. As he is no Messi and at that this stage of his career it is unlikely that any top club is going to be picked solely in just getting the best out… Read more »
Ah Pierre with his ‘obsessives’ crap whenever Arsene’s name is mentioned. Is he not the subject of this particular post? Any discussion has been mostly objective but he was so divisive towards the end that there is bound to be mixed opinion.
Pedro
Get your arse over to governors island an chore some plants from there, they have a lovely selection…
Or alternatively go to the paddy’s memorial near Wall Street…
Don’t pay for things that are free.
Next week
Leno
Amn papa chambers Pedro
Torr Wilcox
Calebos
Pepe papa bang
Ha to be
Pedro is Lopez…
All evidence points to no major clubs being interested in arsene since he got sacked
That’s not surprising really but still seems to be disappointing for him as he appears to want back in
NEW!!! Xhaka is injured. He may be out for…
Nelson
5 months?
Wenger is a subject that brings out some really queer traits among some on here. Really hoping a good few are huffing and puffing thanks to the internet because massive LOL if some of that petty bollocks is genuine
Ceballos is resting for next Sunday’s Watford game.
Wenger is a subject that brings out some really queer traits among some on here
Agree. Literally nothing even remotely resembling negative can be said without certain types perking up into action.
Clearly genuine for some. Case rested 😂
I wasn’t personally trying to be negative about Wenger- merely pointing out there is no job here for him to do as he doesn’t offer anything we now need
.Edu is doing the most likely role and he is now more relevant
If gunnersaurus is retiring. We could have a vacancy for Wenger
I rest my case too Charles. It’s clearly too much for some the negative attention he still gets despite being able to merely look the other way or scroll past said negativity.
WE ‘If Nadal wins tonight he’s won more US Open titles [4] than Djokovic [3], pretty insane stat considering how much better Djokovic is on Hard Courts.’ Exactly why I said Nadal will be regarded as the GOAT when he hangs up his boot. A clay court player transforming himself in to a great champion on grass and hard courts too competing with the greastet grass player ever and possibly the most successful hard court player over. The only player among the trio of Fed, Djoker and Nadal who has never had it easy – he had prime Federer to… Read more »
Marko
Negativity is commonplace, it’s the comical level of pettiness that makes an appearance now and then. You’d know all about that mind.
TR7 I know that you’re a massive Rafa fan, he’s my favourite of the three too but you’re so disrespectful to Djokovic haha. How can age be a factor when he’s only 1 year older than Djokovic? And he’s been playing infinitely better himself these past couple of years in his 30’s than he did from mid 2014-2017 aged 28-30. This whole Djokovic had it easy narrative is bollocks, he’s had prime Rafa and Federer to contend with. It’s largely down to his own brilliance that they have been looked to be over the hill at times, he wiped the… Read more »
Sure Charles sure. Think it was two or three whole comments on Wenger by myself that had you donning the cape and making an appearance. Marko called him a fool I must intervene. Relax pal back in your kennel it’s all good. Notice how never spoke on the actual subject at hand and whether or not he should come back in any capacity. Instead it’s just the usual “leave it out” with no substance
Can make a pretty strong case for any of the top 3 being the GOAT although Djokovic needs another couple of GS titles before he’s unanimously in the conversation.
Federer is based on accomplishments. Nadal is based on competition [both Federer and Djokovic in their absolute peak]. Djokovic is based on peak level of play in 2011 and 2015.
Marko
It’s a non-story, he’s not coming back in any capacity so I’m not that interested in it thanks. As for the “leave it out” rubbish I’ve said no such thing, do as you please, I said find the pettiness hilarious if genuine.
You sound like a right legend spitting feathers in anonymity on a blog about a 70 year old guy you’ve never met. Must have loads going on in your life to give so many fucks haha whalloper.
WE
Age reference was with regard to Fed and injury reference was with regard to Nadal as against Djoker.
Weagle
Shut your slut mouth, Federer 4eva lol
Think there’s a touch of the Tiger Woods here, so much about Federer is immeasurable. Dude is personification of tennis for me, and Nadal gives me those tingly feelings. Not a Serb fan, mad respect but meh.
Marko
“Agree. Literally nothing even remotely resembling negative can be said (about wenger) without certain types perking up into action.”
I don’t suppose you noticed certain types (including yourself) perking up into action when I happened to mention a positive (about Wenger)the other day…..Le Grove went into a absolute meltdown for highlighting his achievements.
And no Fed would not have beat Rafa in this US if they had played against each other. He is possibly playing the best hard court tennis in his life. Better serve and short points – totally different Rafa. Djokovic was beat fair and square, not Rafa’s fault he did not get to play against him.
Serena stuck at 23 GS,she has lost 4 finals on the trot. Perhaps she has another year left to surpass Margaret Court.
Agree with Charles that Fed is a living personification of tennis. Even if Djoker and Rafa suprass him in GS count, intangible aspects of his game such as style, class, elegance etc. will always amount for a lot in any GOAT discussion.
TR7
Injuries aren’t a fair excuse for Nadal, most of his injury trouble has been brought upon himself by his brutal style of play on his body. Crazy successful but incredibly taxing, pros and cons of his approach.
Charlie Not arguing that Federer will go down as hands down the most gifted Tennis player of all time and it’s by a distance. Also the most memorable player and the one that connected the most with the fans. But to me GOAT is the best ever player and in any sport that is the person that retires with the most accomplishments and stayed at the top of the sport for the longest. Djokovic if he ends up with 20+ slams will tick all those boxes even if he wasn’t as sexy a player as Federer or as fiery a… Read more »
You sound like a right legend spitting feathers in anonymity on a blog about a 70 year old guy you’ve never met.
Sure that’s what’s going on. Don’t take it so personal Charles he’s not a member of your family or even know you exist
Fed blitzed through Rafa only 6 odd weeks ago at Wimbledon in 4 sets. And he’s 6-1 H2H vs Rafa since 2015 [7-1 if you include a walkover] with the FO loss this year his only one.
Rafa would have struggled to beat him no doubt. And Djokovic destroyed him in Australia in less than 2 hours.
Pretty sure this Djokovic thing for WE will turn out exactly the same way the Neymar thing turned out 🙂
I don’t suppose you noticed certain types (including yourself) perking up into action when I happened to mention a positive (about Wenger)the other day
Yeah that’s cause people were flabbergasted that you not only added meaningless charity shields to his trophy haul but also finals lost. What was it 20 at the final count
To be fair re Neymar it’s off the field trouble including injuries that’s seen him stagnate since the PSG move, nothing to do with falling short on the pitch.
And as I said, prefer Nadal to Djokovic but just objective regarding his place in the GOAT discussion.
How the fuck can Federer be a GOAT when his one and only French Open was down to avoiding a clash with Nadal…lpl
I like this Medvedev kid though have to say even if I’m rooting for Rafa to get to that 19th slam.
Ballsy lad giving it right back to that horrible US Open crowd there last week. Worst crowd in all of tennis hands down, was only delighted to see that teenager beat the brakes off Mother Serena last night.
Outside of the top 3, competition in mens tennis is lamentable.
Medvedev is a good player. He has perhaps the best footwork outside of the 3 giants of the game. He has a calm head on him and looks like a tennis player who is good at analysing the game of opponents.
“Sure that’s what’s going on. Don’t take it so personal Charles he’s not a member of your family or even know you exist“
😂😂 the self awareness
Everyone said that Thiem was the next big hope from the new gen, he’s been getting knocked out of slams in the 1st round FO aside and he’s 26. Rafa had won how many slams by that age?
Same goes for Zverev although he is 22. Medvedev looks to have something about him all right.