In politics, if you are susceptible to conspiracy theories or have mused through history books, politicians have through history created situations that prompt the people to have their civil liberties taken away. Take Hitler burning down the Reichstag as an example.
In some ways, the football equivalent of that is happening at Arsenal at the moment.
The Unai Emery shit show is so bad, the people are begging the club to make things worse by bringing in a percieved solution that feels right in the moment (take my freedom to ensure safety), but when things calm down, we’ll realise we’re in a dictatorship we can’t escape (Jose Mourinho soft coup).
The Portuguese manager has, for the first time in his entire career, softened his stance towards the not-so-mighty Arsenal. This week, he was spotted in an exec box at Arsenal catching a bit of Europa League football. As ways of passing time go, this seems suspicious. It’s like finding out your partner has swapped Instagram for Tinder as a way to keep up with her friends. It doesn’t add up. Most Arsenal fans couldn’t muster the energy to go to the game.
A large section of Arsenal fans are clawing for a move that seems obvious. Jose makes sense. He’s won the league in living memory, he has an excellent understanding of the language and culture, he’s probably the purest pragmatist in the modern game, his track record with African players could be beautiful for Pepe. He will absolutely fix our defence with the tools we have on offer. He would more than likely make us a top 4 team this season.
… but there’s a catch. While you’re begging for Jose to bail you out of your footballing misery, consider the following.
Jose Mourinho is a chequebook manager in every sense of the word. He long gave up sharpening his coaching skills in favour of filling his team full of elite players to push his trophy ambitions. Peak Jose, when he was at Inter Milan, appears to be a distant memory. The job he did at United looks increasingly positive against PE coach, OGS, but be honest, for that outlay, the end product was drab.
To counter the above, I was informed that Jose doesn’t have a backroom team at the moment and he’s apparently in the market for one. If he has accepted that his approach has to develop, and he adds some world-class minds to his brain trust, then you might be talking an evolved beast. On paper though, if he’s the same old Jose, he’s only going to work if he has money to burn. Arsenal spent the money for next summer, when he finds out the coffers are empty, he’ll be a nightmare. Excuses galore, leaks to the press, and a grey cloud of misery will cloud the stadium.
Secondly, Jose brings a big backroom team. That means any visions Raul had of controlling the infrastructure would be gone. Hiring in a manager with a big backroom team is a soft coup. It insulates the manager and gives him control of aspects of the club he shouldn’t have control over. It can also cause cliques. If Jose brings the early days of his career back and we’re winning, it’s good times all round, if he doesn’t, firing him could cost us a fortune. His 2007 sacking cost Chelsea £23m. His United sacking last year cost £19m.
Then there’s the football. Wooooah boy, it is not pretty. However, it’s usually effective. But note this, if you go from Emeryball, which is fucking atrocious, then reengineer the squad to Mourinhoball, you basically say goodbye to the beautiful game. WengerDNA would be wiped out within two managers. That means if you ever want to welcome a Fonseca or a Rose, you’ll have to invest in different players, and likely lose a season of competitiveness as the squad gets used to having the ball at their feet.
There’s also the theatrics. Arsenal, is generally a liked club. Jose, generally, does not play by the rules of most managers. He creates a theatre that revolves around him. This is a guy who abused his own physios for doing their jobs, a man that gouged another man’s eye in the El Classico, there are countless shocking behavioural examples that should concern you as you clamour for winnertivity. Remember, in 2008 when Barca were chasing him, they had to end conversations because he wouldn’t abide by their conduct policy (namely, don’t be awful).
… putting all that to one side. The reality for Raul and Edu is they don’t have any wiggle room this season. It’s literally Champions League or bust. They need top 4 and outside Allegri, who hasn’t managed in the Premier League, there’s no other manager that is more suited to rebooting this season (outside maybe Benitez). He would be the ultimate short-term stopgap, but the fear would be the 4 year deal, because you know it’ll end like most Jose adventures… at 3 years, with plenty of tears.
Right, that’s me done. See you tomorrow. x
Bob
Sokratis isn’t footballer enough for us from what I’ve seen of him, would take Chambers or Mustafi over him. Chambers currently getting minced at RB though so Mustafi would get the nod for me,
Sokratis a massive misjudgment on my part, thought he had an elite mentality but it’s just grappling/loud he to make up for being cumbersome.
Gentlebris Not only are you wrong in your continuing call for Mourinho at Arsenal — a terrible, terrible prescription, IMO — but I want to point out that you are also wrong re why many here are opposed to this idea. It has nothing to do with “hatred” for Mourinho, as you suggested yesterday. Only the AKB “hates” Mourinho. I think Mourinho is an arrogant prick, and I think he would be wrong for Arsenal, but I do not hate him. Indeed, when he publicly trolled Arsene Wenger — calling Wenger a “specialist in failure” and “a voyeur” — I… Read more »
Paulinho
Or expecting it because that’s where the bar is…
CA
Only thing you’ve thrown out is your own credibility. I used to hold your footballing opinion in some value but since weneger left it’s become clear that the way you view anything arsenal related is heavily informed by your hatred for wenger
It seeps into everything you say
No Ozil again something’s going on surely?
Samesong
Try this
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D4pQcn2L65J0&ved=2ahUKEwjVl4bDkbXlAhX1oXEKHSaZBt8QFjACegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3-rEQeqZR9_vTOlfjODprn&cshid=1571928426144
Bamford
What gives you the authority to dictate right and wrong on footballing predictions?
Don’t pretend you didn’t see Charlie’s post to you earlier.
Mharez better than Mane
Benteke better than Giroud
PSG more prestigious than Manchester United
Neymar gate
Kane not being world class
Emery improving us defensively.
Did I leave any out?
Joking
This is the best stream
http://60fps.live/arsenal-vs-nottingham-forest/
Wenger would probably grin ear to ear after Mourinho fails miserably at Arsenal.
Zaha will get a penalty guaranteed.
bobOctober 27, 2019 16:41:35
ok joe willock left out the squad, let’s hope its permanent and saka and maitland niles need to swap the arsenal bench to a championship one.
Bob still hurting cos his wife and sister got gang banged by an English rugby team
Swing low eh bob.
Cesc
“Chambers is playing well, just have to hope he limits Zaha as best he can.”
Yes, and Emery hopefully asks Sokratis to provide as good of support to Chambers as possible when Zaha has the ball.
I do think we might want to sit a little deeper, though. Do you not think we can sit deeper than we already do? I’m not saying we hold a high line, but can we not sit even deeper than we normally do? This might be something the in-stadium observer could speak to even better than those of us who watch on TV.
The utter disrespect and vindictive hatred towards a man who gave a lot of joy to Arsenal is sad to see.
Insecure, Grown men who probably suffer from some sort of sociopathic issues.
SpanishDave
The club wants to get rid of Ozil and that’s clear to anyone with half a brain.
It doesn’t matter who we hire as our next manager, the club has made its choice.
Mhkitaryan and Monreal were let go without much of an input from Emery.
https://twitter.com/GoalscorerC/status/1188373455676334080?s=19
Sokratis was decent on the left-side of defence last season but looks completely confused as a right-sided centre back. His positioning in the first half against Sheff UTD was just bizarre.
I would swap him and Luiz around. Luiz looks like fucking idiot on the ball on the left, seemingly unable to turn left and see options on that side.
SpanishDave
“No Ozil again something’s going on surely?”
Do you follow Arsenal news? Do you read the comments section here? How does one ask a question like this?
Can see Zaha trying to one-man-band it today after what went on in the summer. Hopefully so because that makes Palace easier to defend and gets his head fucked for the game. Rambo Spot on, takes a special sort to prioritise Wengers apparent unhappiness over Arsenal’s future prospects. ‘Mourinho’s a cunt but it’ll fuck Arsene off so let’s have it’… bizarre behaviour. Guy is history, but alas here we are 18 months later hearing about baiting AKBs and the like. What a time to be alive, bit tender that we’re not ripping it up after the big bad left the… Read more »
Seen the comment could not stop laughing.
https://twitter.com/ManLikeLaxx/status/1188397780345208832?s=19
Rambo
It just goes to show it was never about arsenal winning again
It’s was about personally disliking Wenger
Cheers Pierre.
CC do you not rate Holding? Got to leave to get to game now.
Oh I didn’t know the comments on this site were gospel.
Has Emery confirmed it then.
Some of you guys are so up your arsenal
Bamford
I feel like we sit pretty deep and invite pressure all too often.
If Zaha is in the mood then he’s going to be a handful whatever happens.
The early exchanges are going to be vital and that’s where Chambers is going to need the help. He Zaha has him on toast early on then you worry for him.
Xhaka doesn’t have the legs to get out and there and help out, Pepe isn’t especially good at the defensive side. Does it mean poor old Guendouzi gets more running added to his duties?
Bob
Been one of Holdings day ones mate, thought he was something since his battle with Costa.
Yes, left him out only because of the long term injury situation and whatever may or may not be applicable to his case (same with Bellerin). Of the lads undoubtedly fit and available (Mustafi, Chambers, Luiz, Sok) is have one of the former and Luiz.
Valentin
That was hilarious.
There’s enough fire power in that line up that’s for sure, will be looking to see how those ‘front four’ gel and with the addition of Tierney attacking down the left we should be pretty sharp.
Mavrapanos can’t be any worse than Sokratis. In fact he is a player with good potential. I don’t know what he has to do to be picked ahead of his fellow Greek.
TR7
Haven’t been that impressed with Mavropanos. I was a big supporter of his but when he’s had a chance he doesn’t quite look up to it.
Seems very injury prone as well.
Shame.
Would be great if he turned it around because on paper he adds up to a potentially great CB. Especially with Saliba coming.
Speaking of managers, Giasperini is proving last season wasn’t a fluke with the work he’s been doing at Atlanta….Only City have scored more than them in Europe
Sorry, can’t see it with Mavropanos…. Looks like the step up is just top much for him
Ten Haag has to also be shoe in of we’re looking to go left with the next manager, lost his 2 key players and still they’re purring…already 2 up against Feynood
What channel is the game on today?
The stadium still has lots of empty seats.
What are those seats in the middle section? Most of the empty seats are there.
List of streams here, good, bad, and ugly:
https://www.totalsportek.com/arsenal-streams/
Select the aids you wish to receive.
Hey guys
Any streams ?
Cheers
Glad we’r e in agreement about Holding CC! Waiting outside stadium for my mate who had my ST in the week. Queues to get inare as big a I’ve ever seen them. Stadium must look half full.
And it’s Arsenal,
Arsenal FC,
We’re by far the greatest team,
The world has ever seen
Its ok
Got it on German tv
Liverpool losing already
Bob
Me too bob, was going to have to fight you otherwise.
Enjoy mate, illegal stream it is for me, working hard…
Guen is still too weak for header.
Non existent in Midfield there
Looks like we are defending in a 4-4-2
PapaSok scores
Decent start
Sokratis gets the goal.
Go on Sokratis, never doubted you lad…
Get in sok
Scores again. CaHill is weak
Both center halves on the score sheet
Brilliant
Started fast
Xakha with a tidy assist
Maybe if sok was on the end of it more ozil would have had more assists
Waheeeey
Luiz!!!
Lol!!
Yessss CB madness at Emirates
Watford comes to mind.
Can’t get carried away
Whoa, Emeryball gone mental
Lovely flick from lacazette
Told you. When he plays our goals scoring goes up a notch
Must be what it feels like playing against us, two corners and two goals, Palace all over the place haha
Get in
Excellent. 2-0. We are playing with intensity, energy and urgency, and this on both sides of the ball.
Fuck off to all who have said that Emery has brought nothing to the club or that he has moved us backwards. Fucking nonsense.
Dominating possession too. Sharp passing. Good stuff.
so far good
Now, that’s a good start. Don’t mess it up! Press home the advantage and score a few more to make a statement of intent.
Hahahaha 45 mins against Bournemouth and 12 mins against Palace.
What a bellend
Pooh
Laca again!!
That bloke is gonna love playing with Pepe and tierney
Makes you think about Sheffield Utd… should never have dropped points
Bamford creaming himself scoring 2 goals at home against Palace
Christ that was Walcott levels
Bam
You’re such a worm.
We’ve been awful over the last 7 days with only two world class Pepe goals saving us from two defeats on the bounce
‘Excellent. 2-0. We are playing with intensity, energy and urgency, and this on both sides of the ball. Fuck off to all who have said that Emery has brought nothing to the club or that he has moved us backwards. Fucking nonsense.’
Just shut up and watch the game. For someone who gets almost everything wrong, your pomposity knows no bounds.
Chances are fair enough but we need to start putting these away… we can never rest with our brittle defence.
The problem with emery is communication…and it’s the most significant ingredient in his lack of success so far.
Sake confirmed that.
Maybe emery should get Freddie to do the communication…….maybe our fortunes would be better.
The xhaka thing is about captaincy…..and the ozil thing…well that’s anyone’s opinion….(divided).
Still Emery out.
Easy on Bamford, lads.
Fast starts against shit teams we should be beating are a rarity under Emery.
Liverpool not defending well
Pepe takes a decent corner
They were lucky there
Who’s watching Liverpool??
“” Weirdly the only reason I could get on board with a Mourinho hire is precisely because of how much it would piss off Wenger.””
Really don’t think AW would give a fuck.. Not as if he”s gonna beat his haul of trophies
Bollocks
No foul
Penalty saved against the diving mancs…..wonderful….and justice…
Aside from goals from corners, our attacking play has been as shit as usual
Have to say
Have been impressed with our pressing.
Working in packs
Guendouzi’s lovely raking passes are a nice feature today too.
Well done ref.
Palace pen
I expect more goals in the second half…
Palace to go gung ho….
We will rip them on the counter…
Oh fuck
That’s a penalty for me
What a fvcking joke
Fuck that..
Poor from Chambers
Shit VAR. Always against us!
Needless leg from Chambers
Zaha’s customary penalty
United playing well & are already up 2-0. Hmmm….
Var is to football like ube4 is to the black cab trade…
Killing it.
Palace don’t deserve that at all.
But there you go
Lazy from Chambers
That was a penalty to be honest. Chambers needlessly sticks his leg out.
Chambers is fucking shit.
Yeah
Our attacking play has been shit as usual
Bit awkward that, after a certain poster has busted his nut too..
Zaha is a fucking nightmare, quality player.
Somewhere out there you can hear the sound of Bamford’s bum quivering.
Will he, for the umpteenth time, prove himself to be a premature ejaculater?
That was a clear penalty
Zaha dives over the leg but clear penalty
No dispute