50 days until we know

by .

International week is so miserable, especially the third one of the season. It’s like going back to the doctor for the third time after an ‘accident’ in Kavos.

‘You again?’

‘Yes’

Still, at least this one is short.

More news crept out today that the club is going to give Emery the next 4 games to sort himself out. Raul propping up Emery like a 4-year-old he’s trying to teach football to at a BBQ.

‘Come on Unai, here’s Standard Liege, put your front foot here’

I know I go back and forth on this, but my biggest fear is that Arsenal lose the next two games and Don Raul makes a stunningly bad move and hires in Jose Mourinho or his BFF Luis Enrique. Both are panic hires, they’re the go-to phone numbers for those that lack imagination. Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce were the absolute perfect match, I think Don Raul and Jose Mourinho would be a similarly noxious cocktail. On paper it makes so much sense, but you always know where it’s going.

Regardless, I think there will be a decision by the turn of the new year. That’s 50 days. £821,000 of Emery cash to go. That’s a chunky amount of time to work out what’s going on and who might be interested. Remember, they went from first interview to hire with Unai in 8 days.

The big problem is timing. There aren’t a lot of great managers out of a job at this time of the year. If you want a Marco Rose or a Paulo Fonseca, you’d have to wait until the summer. I’d imagine that even someone like Arteta will wrestle with the ethics of leaving a title-challenging team midseason. That leaves you with the grifters like Jose or Enrique. The problem with those types of hires is you can gingerly let them into your bed only to then find they’re very hard to push out.

Freddie Ljungberg makes a lot of sense on paper. The fans love him, he’s a sexy man, and he’s already the defacto communicator in the camp. My worry is that he’s been part of the current mess and he didn’t have much joy when he went to Germany. If you bet on a young pretender because you like him, you blow the chance to do that with the next hire. I love Freddie, but you know I badly want some of that Pep IP at Arsenal. If Freddie tanks December, we’ll be BEGGING for something that feels safe, which I really don’t think is the right direction.

Moving on Emery is a complicated operation. There are landmines everywhere. But before we get there, we still have to wrestle with the reality that one of our CEOs really has a thing for Unai. Remember, he brought him to the table, it’ll be hard for him to admit that he made a disgustingly bad decision because he’d have to admit that the murky world of contacts based decision-making left him naked to a very ill-informed decision. A few people have mentioned to me that they feel I shouldn’t be questioning the logic of a man that has worked at more football clubs than me. As Arrigo Saachi once said, you don’t need to have been a horse to be a jockey. If anyone in this godforsaken international week flavored week wants to sit up here and tell me that hiring Emery was defendable, I am here, sitting by my laptop, all day. If you don’t like to keyboard-warrior, here are some refresher notes.

Emery couldn’t speak English. He had no record of building resolute defences. He had a bad record with big-name players. His football across all his clubs has been described as negative. He is known for blowing leads. HE STILL CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

This guy, according to Raul, was a bigger draw for him than Ralph Rangnick and Massimiliano Allegri. I think even a horse would confidently say that the lack of diligence on this one is a crime against football. The type of people who don’t want to talk about how a club should be run because they’d impinge on someone else’s expertise are the same type that say they don’t like transfers. Absolute traitors to the football community.

I digress. Raul is going to give Emery all the patience he can, because in the same way I thought Nik B could be a world-class striker, he still thinks Emery can deliver us Champions League football.

So let’s see what comes next.

While you’re here, check out my BEAUTIFUL new podcast. I’m kind of excited to be able to dial people in, so I’m going a bit OTT on content this week. I hope you enjoy the work, the sound is solid and we have Aash back on with LE GROVE OLD SKOOL DIVA, Dan Ahern. Also, read my piece yesterday, turns out everyone in the world now agrees with me on Arteta.

Enjoy it and PLEASE leave a 5* review if you’re on iTunes, it’s a lower value ask than me driving to your house asking you to put money in my Patreon box.

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Champagne charlie

“Maybe because the season hasn’t ended, declaring us worse off already is a bit premature. Our performances were also pretty dodgy last season, i say we are static not worse off.“ It’s our worst start to a league campaign in 37 years. Nothing static about it. How you can brazenly ignore such a thing is questionable at best. Also, that’s strictly talking results and points accumulated, our performances have been atrocious, utterly atrocious – with no suggestion of there being any upturn coming. Unless you’d care to suggest what you’ve seen from our opening dozen league games that makes you… Read more »

Batistuta

Lolz mate you either argue the lists or you don’t , it’s quite simple really….You plead player poverty and i bring out the players for comparisons… Now do the honours and tell us how those defences are better then we’ll move on to other positions yea…

Champagne charlie

“They never want to talk about our actual players or the about the quality of these players relative to their counterparts at those six clubs.“

Maybe because this is an entirely subjective argument and would go nowhere at all.

You’d say player X is mint, most would say you’re chatting shit, then that would be the entirety of it.

Batistuta

Receeding Na that’s not it, to claim people are only upset because we’ve not been our usual flat track bully selves is just plain wrong… People are upset because like Charlie just stated, it’s our worse start in a long long time after we went and spent more than a lot of teams…. We understood the poor away record last season, we understood the late season collapse(least i did), Arsenal fans are the most patient fan base in the world to be fair so to see a very huge number of fans dissatisfied at the same time means something is… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

Watching Rocket Man. So far so bloody good.

Batistuta

Batshuayi, Giroud, Abraham(1st top flight season)

Rashford(never hit doubles in the league), Martial, Greenwood

Kane, Son

Aubameyang(golden boot winner), Lacazette, Martinelli(looks the real deal too)

Vardy, Iheanacho, Ayoze Perez

Raul Jiminez, Patrick Crutone

Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew

No clue who the Sheffield forwards are by the way

Tosun, Calvert-Lewin

Sebastian Haller

Those are some of the foward options of the teams in and around us by the way

Bamford10

Batistuta

I can’t get into that now, as I’m at work. I’ll try to reply to what you’ve said there later. Maybe Ishola, Paulinho, Receding or some other non-aligned or free-thinking poster can reply to you about that in the meantime. Cheers.

salpardisenyc

Gunz

In the immortal words of Keef

“Eltons an old bitch… his writing is limited to songs about dead blondes.”

And some say there getting bullied on here.

Guns of Hackney

Sal

Ha ha ha…I love the stones and Elton and never heard that quote before. Classy.

Still, a really good film so far. Like Grease for now.

Valentin

Anybody knows another coaching training methodologies style of play that are currently getting traction?
A few years ago everybody moved to Gegen-pressing, now people are moving away from it. Difficult to implement, physically taxing, easy to bypass if one players is out of form or do not follow the instructions.
It would be good if Arsenal could move ahead of the pack instead of behind the curve.

Guns of Hackney

Val

Arsenal should try actually just running first. Forget styles and systems…good old fashioned running might be a start.

Chika

Bumford

“I can’t get into that now, as I’m at work. I’ll try to reply to what you’ve said there later. Maybe Ishola, Paulinho, Receding or some other non-aligned or free-thinking poster can reply to you about that in the meantime. Cheers.”

lol The Freethinkers. Finally, a name.
____________________

Batistuta, honestly, you’re doing quite a great job with player compilation/comparison but seriously I don’t think you should bother yourself. Player poverty is clearly a silly myth.

Champagne charlie

Bless, “free thinking” he says… after asking Marko to produce a list of managers for him to rate and copy/pasting literally anyone he can to claim his argument sound.

Must be some of that nuanced stuff that bypasses most on here.

Champagne charlie

Bati

You’re setting yourself up for one almighty head-off-the-wall moment mate, there’s no reasoning with him.

Not once have I ever seen him yield his pov to anything, not once. There’s a reason he has the most readily available absurd views on here, and his own Le Grove historical entry marked Neymargate.

Words on a Blog

Batistuta,

I’ve given up.

Champagne Charlie has given up.

Marc has given up.

Marko has given up.

Dissenter has given up.

China1 has given up.

BennyD has given up.

Many, many other posters have given up, or resort to name-calling.

Honestly, it’s not worth engaging – for your own piece of mind and sanity.

Graham62

Words

What are we giving up on exactly?

If it’s Emery, I’ve also “given up”.

If it’s B10, no point going into that one.

That’s the way he wants to play it.

Graham62

Oh it is B10!

“Neymargate” 😹😹

Bamford is just in it for the thrill of the ride.

He loves being an outcast.

Marko

Look at this stage Bamford’s arguments don’t come from any sort of logical place and when you remember at the end of the day he’s doing it not because he actually backs Emery but instead it stems from a place of wanting to always be right you can’t really take it that seriously. He’s a pariah

Words on a Blog

Graham62,

Of course it’s B10, our very own resident Le Grove “protagonist.”

I have to say that, for all his garbled English, poor communication and confused thinking, Emery’s much easier to understand than the big bad Bam.

Graham62

Just imagine B10 going on MASTERMIND.

Specialised subject?

“Illogical answers to any question you give me”

Your time starts…………NOW!

Batistuta

😁😁😁 words

That’s quite a list you’ve got there… When he first started with this POV, i kinda did say he was trolling but i decided if he could actually argue the facts then I’d be up for that especially with the player poverty line that gets thrown around….

Champagne charlie

I feel for him at this very moment though because one glance at the number of comments referencing him is going to leave the lad rock hard, and he’s teaching a bunch of teenagers so that’s a dangerous look.

Stay seated Banford.

salpardisenyc

Speaking for myself here but i’m over the Bamford drama, its dull as shit and the bulk commentary. Now he’s leveling claims of cyber bullying against fellow Le Grovers with opposing views after years of sending out toxic filled posts laced with self grandiosity. Labelling others whatever his online urban dictionary could muster, which typically amounted to ‘dipshit’ or ‘cunt’ back when he was parroting gambon. Real league one level insults. Hey Bamford how about we save the bullying claims for those truly in need, for instance those afflicted on the playground. Last time I checked it was a fucking… Read more »

TR7

Sad to see Le Grove degrade to Le Bamford. By now it should have been beneath most of you to respond to his vapid,illogical and hollow posts but sadly it isn’t.

Bob N16

Thanks CC, you made me laugh out loud.

Unai

Bamford

Debating weather Emery is the right man for the job seems futile, seems obvious that the players either dont understand or dont buy into him or his style, you only need to watch to know this.

Information gathering after 18 months is code for ‘I’m in over my head’

As well regarded as Emery is, sometimes you just dont fit the environment, I’ve been there myself in my career, and I think that’s where Emery is now.

It’s not working and it doesn’t look like improving any time soon, time to cut our losses and move on.

Champagne charlie

Do gods work where I can Bob haha.

Where did folk land on O’Leary potentially joining the cronies on the board?

What do we make of Raul flexing his DeVito-esque muscles too, leaves me a bit curious that he’s kind of ’closed-shop’ about the status quo. Does that say what everyone thinks about the board currently (soft as shit)?

Luteo Guenreira

The mention of Christian Benteke on this page suddenly reminds me of when Bamford used to claim him a world class caliber player.

This shit runs deeper than some of you may know.

Marko

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4338450/amp/Arsenal-quotes-wrong-board-been.html Sir Chips Keswick on Wenger: “If he has a plan we back it, if he doesn’t have a plan we keep quiet.” Sir CK: “Ivan is doing a fantastic and first class job leading the development of this club across every aspect of its operations and is representing it in the Premier League, the European Club Association and UEFA level. We are fortunate to have him as our CEO and I am very grateful that he does as much as he does.” Ultimately, though, perhaps the two most significant moment came at the end. The first was a question… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Pedro

What did/do you make of O’Leary flirting with a seat on the board?

Champagne charlie

Marko

Sir Chips is a bellend of epic proportions as far as I’m concerned.

I just feel fresh blood on the board is a curious topic, especially with the (albeit simple) idea O’Leary would be more in touch with modern Arsenal.

If not him, and I’ve no affinity, then who might you like to see get a seat at the table?

David Seaman is perhaps the sort of figure that could help modernise the board a bit, can’t imagine he’s an offensive character in the same way an Adams might be perceived.

Marc

“Lowers the tone. Needs to be addressed.”

I haven’t said a word on here all day!

Marko

Charles I’m absolutely all for getting rid of all those fuddy duddy cunts from the board and replacing them with whoever Petit, Parlour, Adams anyone who actually has affinity and feelings towards the club. But anyone Sir Chips wants i wouldn’t touch. If anything it looks like a power grab or attempt to keep power and influence on the board.

Graham62

Put Wrighty on the board.

Now that would be interesting.

I’m with you Marko on this( see we can be compatible). Sir Chips is a tosser and should have been sent to the tower following that AGM.

Bob N16

Can’t honestly see how O’Leary’s appointment to the board would make any difference. Sanhelli running things, not sure board is anything but an outdated old boys club. Kroenke owns AFC, Sanhelli, Raul and the guy beginning with V run it, board not relevant.

Marko

not sure board is anything but an outdated old boys club.

I mean that’s the thing as well if it’s becoming more and more obsolete then why add another body to it.

James wood

I am in theWilliam Harvey hospital .Ashford Kent.
I have been on the Ward 3 days Le grove has helped.

The inner ear infection has spread to my Cranium the Antibiotics
have to be cultured to suit the individual patient if the normal general
antibiotics don’t work.
Morphine is only just alleviating the intense pain.
This is all 100% true.
But Bamford disease was mentioned.

Champagne charlie

Bob
Tend to agree, guess I look at it more with a hopeful gaze in terms of thinking O’Leary would be a step toward making it less of a collection of dusty toffs and more a representative body of Arsenal FC.

One that maybe, just maybe, keep things aimed the right direction in terms of ambition etc

Pedro
Haha yea, don’t think he’d have much trouble usurping Chips intellect. He’s the plebs pleb.

Marc

What about Flamini for the board – isn’t he supposed to have this business in chemicals that’s supposed to be out of this world.

You need people who have a more rounded view about a club.

Champagne charlie

Marc

He’s French mate, and wildly successful, can’t think of a more unlikely candidate given the cucks currently downing club Cognac.

Champagne charlie

Reckon we’ll see a sub-60 year old white Brit first, then in a decade we might branch out to continental European white male, then in 50 years a dark skinned fellow.

Classenal after all.

Valentin

The role of the football consultant is to explain in Layman’s term to the board the football side of the club management. His role is also to push the board to ask the tough but correct questions. He could also act as sounding board to confirm or contradict from a point of authority the executives presenting theirnviews. So obviously having been a manager and being able to speak eloquently is a plus. Sir Chips may be a relic better forgotten in cupboard, but the need for a specialist football consultant remains. None of the current board would have a clue… Read more »

Marc

CC

Well I’ve always taken the view that I don’t give a toss what passport talent is carrying but I do take your point on board.

Guns of SF

Hey all
whats cracking in this hell hole?

Dissenter

Valentin
Hear ….hear

DaleDaGooner

Bamford, the resident clown of Le Grove……this mug has been getting on everyone’s nerves since I can remember. I miss the good old days of Le Grove…..some real gem have moved on since Bumford’s arrival on the scene.

DaleDaGooner

What about Flamini for the board – isn’t he supposed to have this business in chemicals that’s supposed to be out of this world.

I don’t know why i chuckled when i read this…lol…Chemical Flami

bennydevito

Words on a BlogNovember 14, 2019    16:42:30 Batistuta, I’ve given up. Champagne Charlie has given up. Marc has given up. Marko has given up. Dissenter has given up. China1 has given up. BennyD has given up. Many, many other posters have given up, or resort to name-calling. Honestly, it’s not worth engaging – for your own piece of mind and sanity. >>>>>> Lol! I don’t mind Bamford tbh, he’s pretty harmless compared to many of the abusive fouls mouthed far rights that hang out in here. People should just scroll past and ignore him if they’re that bothered. TR7November 14,… Read more »

CG

Bob N16

“””””Kroenke owns AFC, Sanhelli, Raul and the guy beginning with V run it, board not relevant”””””

Then we are in the deep doo doo!

These Two dopes + absentee owner= Trouble.

(Next year accounts will be fun.)

Expect resignations from the board- Ken Friar and SCK – if O Leary dont get a voice in the decision making process.

rest assured -they wont be on the Titanic when it runs aground.

HillWood

My three pet hates
Pineapple
Beetroot
Elton Fucking John

CG

James Wood

always been a fan

(all the best, old bean.)

Spanishdave

With all this unrest and clown management ,some players will certainly move on.
So not only do we need a new manager we will need midfield replacements in January.
A new manager will need to be installed in time to influence the choice of player he wants.
This state of limbo is going to damage the club for some while.
David O Leary is that the best we can do?

Bob N16

CG, what purpose has the board? In the old days they had a financial stake, these days surely it’s symbolic. I just don’t see how they influence anything.

Unai

Benny

“Lowers the tone? Are you actually kidding me? When posters like Un nai, Normski , CG and Martinellishead are allowed to get away with non stop abuse and racism?”

Basically this, I don’t post often but used to read daily and really can understand why this goes unchecked where relitavly harmless posters get criticised or banned.

One of the reasons I don’t read as often as i did.

HillWood

Special night for England tonight
More lows than highs
But hey ho
C’mon England

jwl

Hope you better soon, James Wood.

jwl

I agree with bennydevito, Bamford10 is a know it all but otherwise harmless, there a bunch of other commentators who write way worse things than Bamford.

What I don’t understand is why people don’t ignore one another, if you know a certain poster winds you up, skip past their comments. This isn’t difficult.

Distant legrover

SpanishDave

Already reports of guys like Auba, Torreira, Laca, linked with other clubs so yea you are right. Shows the importance of a good atmosphere.

HillWood

Ox smashes it in

CG

Bob n16 “”””CG, what purpose has the board? In the old days they had a financial stake, these days surely it’s symbolic. I just don’t see how they influence anything.”””” Arsenal was the best run club in the world when we had a proper board of directors. ( pre KSE) A proper Board of directors are paramount in any successful company. eg Hillwoods/Fizman/ Dein. All AFC fans, When men of such latent limited ability ( raul and vinny ) are running a club as prestigious as Arsenal- you dont need to be Einstein to tell you- we are heading for… Read more »

Samesong

Take it easy James wood hope your pain eases.

DaleDaGooner

Man, these Montenegro defenders and goal keeper are gash

Distant legrover

New post.

Graham62

As it stands, the footballing fingers are, quite rightly, pointing at Emery but we all know that the real reasons for our predicament have been building for years. Owner/ BoD/ Wenger/ Gazidis.

Emery is merely the tip of the iceberg.

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