We’re in that moment in time where people on Twitter and trying to guess when the manager is going to be moved on.
‘Happening tonight lads’
I know it doesn’t need to be pointed out, but I can assure you, no one at Arsenal has a hotline into a 15-year-old on Twitter called @XhakaMyBae239.
That said, it’s clear that Arsenal aren’t in control of the leaks at the moment. It seems to me that many of the different factions within the club are running different stories in the press.
The alarming story that seemingly blasted out of nowhere yesterday was that Nuno is now a favourite for the role. Like being linked to Charles Nzogbia back in the day, this rumour doesn’t moisten my loins in any way whatsoever. In fact, I’m so dry at the thought, I’m applying Nivea Men to avoid dangerous chafing.
Nuno is a very good manager, he’s done amazing things at Wolves with a small squad of talented players, I’m just not that into the idea.
Two reasons.
- Underdog counter-attacking football isn’t where I want to be as a club. We basically hired that mode of operation in with Unai Emery. We’d just be bringing in a manager with better English to deliver that approach. When he was given a Porto side that teams deep blocked against, he couldn’t function and was fired.
- I detest the contacts network approach to management appointments. The idea that Raul would bring Mendes into the mixer again would really send a message that we’re fully under control of the super agents. Not a good look. Where has that landed us so far? David Luiz looks a complete horror show of a signing as well as an immense waste of money and agents fees. Unai Emery was straight out the back pocket of Raul, we did no due diligence, the push was so aggressive, people didn’t even care that the manager couldn’t speak English and had been mercilessly mocked for his grasp of French and Russian prior to that.
I just don’t think there’s much of an argument for bringing him into the mixer here. He took Valencia to 4th, Emery took them to 3rd three times. He went to Porto and failed to pick up any trophies or move the club forward in a season. He’s having a moment in the sun with Wolves, but ultimately, I think the stain of being so close to a super agent is too much… he was literally Jorge Mendes first-ever client way back in 1996.
I hope the same machinations pushing Jose and Enrique stories are trying to push Nuno onto the shortlist of managers we should speak to.
Unai Emery is taking charge of the game on Thursday against Frankfurt, some think this could be his last hurrah before he’s moved on, I’m not so sure. He’ll no doubt turn in a win there, then it’s Norwich, Brighton and West Ham… then the club is in the December zone.
Unless things are really rough, it’s hard to imagine us hiring a new person into a stretch of games where they’ll have to face United, City and Chelsea. That would not be a good start. If things really are that bad by December, I’d imagine we’ll bring in Freddie and Bould. Interesting to read that Freddie doesn’t have full UEFA licencing yet to be an actual manager, not sure if that’s accurate, but that could mean Steve Bould in the dugout.
Interesting to read that Unai stopped sending scouts live to watch opposition and doesn’t read dossiers compiled internally by our scouts… because he’d rather do it himself. When a manager starts hoarding responsibility like that, you know you have a bad one. I questioned his epic video analysis when he joined. Players have short attention spans, even shorter if they have to strain to understand the contents of your analysis. I cannot imagine how bad it must be sitting in a video lounge listening to Emery talk about the potency of Southampton’s threat to our defence.
Anyway, it’s coming to an end soon… let’s hope that Raul has something more creative than a Whatsapp ‘please help’ message to Mendes.
Listen to my damn podcast. Thanks!
Unai
Fair’s fair. To be honest, I actually forgot about the 4 game ultimatum UE was given while writing. 😁
There is no agenda on my part. I am just fed up of seeing someone who is clearly out of his depth and has no idea how to turn this around. The team has struggled to impose themselves in practically every game so far this season.
If Emery is doing all the video analysis himself and then trying to communicate it to his players…
Not being funny, but I can hardly understand him in a ten minute press conference — can you imagine trying to understand him for hours?!?
Unai And Jwl
Everything is easy….I mean everything
And when it ain’t……YOU are doing it wrong.!
(Dont make excuses for these dregs.)
Keep it simple, it’s only football.
What are our senior management scared of?
There’s a genuine fear factor that runs throughout the club.
Why is this?
It can’t be the fear of failure?
It can’t be the fear of losing?
A high powered competitive business/sporting environment. They should fear nothing.
I wonder if it boils down to a fear of sacrificing their high profile positions and roles?
What power does Kroenke have to warrant such a weak and submissive attitude to progress?
It can’t be down to ££££££💰💰💰💰.
Surely not.
Graham, cut the crap. You’re one guy I respect, but are telling me we ain’t big boys anymore bcoz of our recent slip? Plz, Leicester is in no way a big club. They’re doing well but that’s it. No one is being snobbish.
Pedro, plz I now feel you’ll never be satisfied if the next manager ain’t Arteta. As said in previous post, any hire is a risk. I’m all for Nuno, if it he’s hire and it doesn’t work, we move on. Sometimes u need to break the law to save the law.
Cant understand how Pedro can fault a manager who has been managing clubs and yes has failed (opinions) but is currently doing exceedingly well and will then big up someone who has NO track record whatsoever. Ive been a fan of Nuno since last season. My only fear is that he seems only to fare well with a strong Portuguese contingent in his team. At Arsenal he will have to make do with a 90% settled squad, Hope he is willing to take up our challenge. Probably starting next season. I see a principled man who wont leave Wolves mid… Read more »
Kay
Recent slip?
You mean since 2004…I was in my 20’s then, I’m now in my 40’s.
We’ve been slipping for a long time!
We are not a big club. Never was I’m afraid. Liverpool and United were always ‘bigger’ than us. Still are. We’re not on Europe’s radar and never was. We’re a domestically very successful team, but not the best. In Europe we don’t raise a pulse mate and never have.
Forest and Villa are better than us in Europe. Fact.
So is Patrick Vieira a non starter on here now? I thought he was one of the best captains and natural leaders
we have had and has got some management experience now. Prefer him to Arteta.
Global.
Peter doesn’t like NoNo’s beard game. It’s over.
Think the worry w/ Nuno is he leans heavily on old mate Mendes and his pool as evidenced at Wolves.
Leicester City will soon have bigger revenues and without question have better owners, better players, better manager , a more atmospheric stadium, a better recent history and certainly a better future.
It’s over for us – unless we change these Kroenkes.
What sort of name is that?
Kroenke????
Leicester are a small town club who have recently defied the odds. Let’s not dress up recent history too much- a success story, punching well above there weight . The chances are that this is as good as it gets for them and they’ll return to mid-table mediocrity before too long. This is not a ‘snobbish, superior’ viewpoint, this is a reality for a club of their size, fan base, income. Am also slightly concerned by the possible over-importance of agents in the decision of who to replace Emery. I would hate to think that we won’t get the best… Read more »
Kay Boss My take on Leicester is based in how far we’ve sunk in recent years. Yes, we are a big club but Leicester City are not a small provincial club by any stretch of the imagination. They are a club on the up, with an owner/ board/ manager and players craving success and progress. This “when the big boys come calling” philosophy drives me mad. Leicester are a very attractive proposition for any player wishing to develop their career. Some of our fans are living in the past. We haven’t won anything of any significance for 15 years. Leicester… Read more »
Interesting article:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10427432/arsenal-physios-business-wenger-injury/
Graham, I’m not disputing we have been slipping for a long time. My little issue with you is about our status. You we may not be successful in Europe but it doesn’t mean our status is little. All said and done, we all entitled to our opinions.
Anyway, is Emery out yet? Boi! We love a dither!
The Special One lol
Unai
“Vardy gave 2 fingers to a declining Wenger, nothing more, nothing less.
Has been absolutely vindicated too.
Hows that feel Pierre?”
Vindicated ?… by winning zero trophies.
He could have played in 3 cup finals if he had moved to Arsenal instead of languishing in mid table with Leicester.
If that’s your idea of being vindicated ,then you are more clueless than your namesake.
You must understand, Graham, that a big club in trouble is still a big club and a small club punching mighty is still a small club. Brendan wouldn’t think twice.
And as for you calling Vardy a born winner, my answer is no. Vardy is a once upon a time fluke winner, nothing more, and he didn’t come to Arsenal because he was afraid he might get lost inside the big names.
‘If that’s your idea of being vindicated ,then you are more clueless than your namesake.’
How on earth a guy could still continue with the moniker UNAI in the wake of this ridiculousness is far beyond me.
Graham Leicester are a small club compared to us we have 100m followers on insta Facebook and Twitter they have 4m
We out sell their shirt sales 80 to 1
Our home march day revenyes are the biggest in the world
We are in a different galaxy to them and most clubs in the world
Last time we looked we were the 8 rh largest club in the world they are not in the top 50
I rest my case
I am not a snob I just have the facts to hand
0 – 2 Spuds!!!
2-0 Olympiakos.
And deserved.
Alderwereild continues to be dreadful.
Spurs looking as dodgy as anyime in the late Poch stages.
Wow
The Special One’s home debut and Olympiakos have completely pooped on it.
Ishola, ‘late Poch stages’….game before last in other words!
Jose already makes a sub after 28 minutes.
Dier is useless in attack.
The Special Lolz ??
Hazard starting to shine for Madrid, much better look than Chelsea blue.
Lucky goal for tottenshit
wtf was that.
Olympiakos were playing well up until that blunder
great defending by olympiakos they will lose this now.
Juventus will win CL this season.
You heard it here first.
HT banners Every where “ Mourinho Out “. 🤣
Told you Olympiakos would mess up.
Samesong
“Told you Olympiakos would mess up.”
Well it’s Olympiakos isn’t it.
They could have gone 3-1 just before Spurs got their 2nd.
Not very convincing from Spurs this match.
Spurs look shaky a better team would be destroying them now.
F Spurs find a link for Madrid – PSG.
Robert lewandowski is the complete striker jeez…reasonable Pace, dribbling,heading, strength and shooting
Tottenshit have hope again and are obviously having fun and enjoying their football thanks to a change of manager
Over at Arsenal…
Wow the Madrid psg game is great so many ballers
what a goal Neymar
This is better and better….
Why can’t we play like that
What a game, Madrid absolutely sizzling for first 80 min, not as much after Hazard went off injured but still controlling then PSG pulled two back within 2 minutes.
Bale hitting woodwork in last minute, shame.
Courtois their weakest link dude rubbish.
Rodgers is a better manager than nuno
Thanks
We used to until Wenger went to sleep, Stan brought the club, and then Senor Dickhead became the manager supported by the spivs.
At least we have the videos to look at.
Gentlebris
Your take on Vardy and why he didn’t come to Arsenal is laughable.
“Vardy didn’t come to Arsenal because he was afraid he might get lost inside the big names”
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
I think the reason he didn’t come to Arsenal was because he knew he wouldn’t progress under a manager who had clearly past his sell by date.
As for Vardy being “afraid”😂😂😂😂
Not in his psyche.
Rodgers is a better manager than nuno
More like he has a better squad than Nuno.
Nuno has wolves punching above their weight,he could explode with a better group of players
As Mr Danny Glover famously once said –
“I’m getting too old for this shit”
Cheers and goodnight.
I think the reason he didn’t come to Arsenal was because he knew he wouldn’t progress under a manager who had clearly past his sell by date.”
Any chance we get a quote affirming this? Or could it be typical you waffling absolute trash off your ass?
I know which is more likely
Victorious
Rodgers is top level
Has he been sacked yet?
Freddie, Steve Bould have a UEFA A license that allows them to be take charge of a premiership club for no more than 12 weeks. Per may have jay a UEFA B License and still be in the process of completing his UEFA A License. None of them have a UEFA Pro License that is required to be named permanent manager or even caretaker on a more long term basis (i.e. more than 12 weeks). I have been told that at least one club has tried the trick of using consecutively two tempory managers for 12 weeks each that were… Read more »
I was thinking how Arsenal have changed as a club in recent years and how the fan base is changing. There’s no doubting that the Arsenal fan base has changed over the last 20 years more than any other club. We are now a cosmopolitan club, some may say it’s a good thing some may say not so good. I personally like the fact that Arsenal have acquired fans from across the globe . I’m sure it was our brand of football under Wenger that encouraged them to support the club and who could blame them. I don’t quite think… Read more »
Mokbel saying Santo has been contacted.
Is Redruth on Holiday.
Pedro
How reliable is he? Beginning to feel there are legs to the Santo rumour,would take him all day.
Tenerife Gooner,November 26, 2019 22:51:20
Is Redruth on Holiday.
Yes. His long suffering mum finally booked him a surprise one way ticket to Switzerland as part of a lovely euthanasia package.
She’ll be renting out his room and once all of the used Kleenex wipes and cum stains have been removed from the walls and sheets, it will be perfect for a lodger.
Pierre What a load of melodramatic tosh. No one, and I mean no one would dispute that in his first 10 years Wenger (along with Dean) transformed the club. Had Wenger left after 15 years, so a good 9 years without a league, we would have all looked back on him with fondness and possibly missed him. However he clung on, he stagnated and his last 3 seasons left us firmly in the shit with a under performing grossly over paid squad. This that we see now is the fallout of wengers later years when he had lost grip on… Read more »
After letting Kia Joorabchian get the better of him with that ludicrous David Luiz deal, Raul is now getting in bed with Jorge Mendes. That very same Jorge Mendes who has been kicked out of Real Madrid after trying too many time to scam Fiorentino Perez via inflated deal. If the deal is concluded, I cannot see that dalliance ending up well for Raul or Arsenal. Somebody will have his wallet emptied before the ink on the contract dry up. Thing could only be worse if we were to also be involved with Mino Raiola and Pini Zahavi. A potential… Read more »
Victorious, Mokbel is very good.
This really would stink.
‘I think the reason he didn’t come to Arsenal was because he knew he wouldn’t progress under a manager who had clearly past his sell by date.’
Yeah Graham, Vardy felt Ranieri was the guy to take him to places and that Wenger would ruin him like he did….RVP for example. I agree with your assertions on this Graham, they are very correct and especially not laughable.
We are really bringing names here today.
Kia Joorabchian…..at least he’s not a coach, because that name sounds a bit scary to me.
Nuno Espirito Santo sounds more like a yoga chant…..less scary.
Where is CG? I could use some irrational company right now.
Val
From last blog. I can only reiterate what I stated in my previous post. I watched the Pep interview, I didn’t read some blog’s interpretation. He clearly stated “I would like him to stay until the end of the season.” which is not the same as him being against him leaving.
I’m willing to bet that Arsenal will go the caretaker way to get enough time to hire the right coach this time, and I like that idea.
You don’t bring a Nuno to Arsenal in a hurry only to discover he can only do less than Emery……….as I’m suspecting.
We all thought nobody could do a more porous defensive job than Wenger until Emery rode to town and made a real job of it.
Believe me, lesser guys than Emery abound.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7729131/Unai-Emery-masterclass-Wembley-Football-Uni-cancelled-amid-doubts-future-Arsenal-boss.html
I hope they refund my ticket 😐
The really odd thing about the Nuno-for-Arsenal talk is that all of a sudden he was placed as favourite by the bookies (Skybet) before any rumours had really started and the journalists picked up on them…..hmmm.
Thanks for the info Guv.I tried to prompt him way back ,that he is a Policeman,no response to that.
Seems as if it is going to be Nuno.
Lots of rumours suddenly from multiple sources.
Would likely leave midseason for the opportunity to coach Arsenal.
Fits the ‘head coach’ role Arsenal have now.
The Mendes connection.
Not sure how I feel about it. I can understand fans being a bit underwhelmed, at the same time it’s interesting.
Draxler the German International who played under Emery at PSG has confirmed that his weakness is very poor communication skills. When you analyse Emery’s management/head coach career he has averaged just over 2 year in each job, but his track record at foreign clubs is shorter. One of the key differences between working at Spanish and Overseas Clubs is the makeup of the squad. Clubs like PSG and Arsenal have a large number of players from different parts of the world and speak often different languages albeit that most players at Arsenal have a reasonably good grasp of English. Emery… Read more »
Stroller Until we dismiss Emery it is all conjecture. I do like the idea of bringing in someone younger but with a good football background, though personally i believe Rodgers is someone who would come in and we would see immediate improvement…..availability is the problem , plus compensation to Leicester. Having experience isn’t everything, Emery has experience and look where that has got us . As you said , Lampard has very limited experience but Chelsea took a chance and though it is still early days, it does look like they are on to a winner . Arteta or Vieira… Read more »
Wolves have been quite a sensation really , they play great football and they turned us and united over last season , didn’t they beat united 3-0 twice ? Once in the league and once in the fa cup ? they didn’t exactly scrape those wins , they were pretty comprehensive- they fight for Nuno and everyone knows exactly what they are supposed to be doing – this could be our poch moment , equivalent to when he left saints for spurs. He knows the league knows how to fight and he knows how to say good evening , and… Read more »
I am very much an “ITD” – “In The Dark”, with no connections with anyone in the club.
But I’m getting a very, very strong feeling that Nuno will be announced very soon – possibly tomorrow or Thursday before the Eintracht Frankfurt match – on the basis that betting markets moved to make him favourite BEFORE there was any social media chatter or journalists’ reports.
No doubt this place will explode in anger/confusion, but I really like the guy and his approach to football.
Pierre I imagine josh delegates but would need to sign off on the sacking
I believe it’s as much a case of Raul being too embarrassed to go to josh and say he wants to sack him so he’s praying emery bails him out. Which over the course of the season clearly won’t happen
Every day that goes by is just another of Raul hiding from his responsibilities
Edu me a favour,
“…..this could be our Poch moment, equivalent to when he left Saints for Spurs…”
Great insight, brilliantly put.
Many of the candidates listed as potential managers/head coaches at Arsenal have a decent record at “Small Town Clubs” where they are under less scrutiny or pressure. It does not follow that they can and will translate success at a major or metropolitan club like Arsenal with a much bigger Organisation. Coaches like Vieira, Arteta, Bergkamp and Ljungberg have all played at Arsenal and also have coaching experience in major clubs. Arteta has now worked alongside Guardiola for 2.5 years. When you watch Man City during games there is always an animated conversation between the two coaches and I get… Read more »
So let me get this right, are some people just grumbling against NES because he’s not Arteta? Because that’s what it looks like to me. I agree with Edu me a favour and Words, NES tenure at Wolves reminds me of Pochettino at Southampton… and he has done great work at Wolves… and he has gotten them playing as a team attacking and defending together… even against the likes of Man City and Liverpool without blinking or losing his bottle. When was the last time we did that?!? I’m willing to give him a chance especially if he can continue… Read more »
Leeds, agent talk apparently.
Pedro
I know you and I have contrasting opinions on Arteta but at least we’re united on Emery… he has to go.
Plus, credit where credit is due. You were right to be sceptical on Emery all along… you called it right.
Rumor is that one of Kroenke is in London. The players were given two days off. Something may be happening. Please don’t hold your breath!
Apparently the reason we are dragging our feet in sacking Emery mid season is because of the £4m pay off… which would be nothing if done at the end of the season.
If true this is loopy logic because we’ll lose more than that if we miss out on top 4 never mind the loss of Auba and Lacazette.
Sack Emery now!!!
If Santos is our Poch/Southampton moment, does this mean he’ll have the same zero success winning nothing as Poch did at Spuds?
Questions are has Santos reached his ceiling at Wolves and is he really the guy to first secure CL football again and secondly have us challenging for top honours within say 3 years?
Raul will really have to fall on his sword if the next manager doesn’t work out.
Just another day on the Arsenal manager merry-go-round circus.
Leeds, think that’s a nonsense.
… that Arsenal are penny pinching on sacking Emery.
Raul is the bottleneck. Emery is his boy.
Just hope the next decision is right!
Poch would be the dream… but reckon he’s going to PSG.
If Raul will miss cl money to save 4m I guess he went to the same economics school as arsene
Save a penny spend a pound
Tactically, Arsenal management may be correct in holding back the sacking and timing it better.
As i read today, both Ancelotti and boy oh boy, even Favre is likely to get the shift later this week. Both are way better than Emery.
And then, Arsenal is spoilt for choices: Ancelotti, Favre, Poch and Allegri.
OMG!!
Santos is such a random pick seems like he’s the public smokescreen and nothing more. Unless arsenal want to be europa league for the forseeable
Emirates, you forgot to mention that Draxler also said he thought Emery was a good coach, so not sure how much faith we can have in his comments..😁
Someone has always been my coach of choice for Arsenal but that ain’t gonna happen. There have been a number of names bandied about on here the past couple of days. I’d accept most but can’t go with the likes of Dyche, Howe or Wilder (call me a football snob,) for me these guys have reached their level… I would prefer taking a chance on Arteta or Viera.
Someone = Simeone.
I disagree with the notion that we need to protect Freddie or boils from the difficult December run The fans will be accommodating as long as the role is demonstrably caretaker It might be that either of those two actually does well, in which case that’s awesome. If they don’t the fans won’t be on the managers back. I think the fans only need to see the players giving 100% effort until the new guy comes and the fans won’t be going in on the manager. It’s a very different things being a legendary ex player on a caretaker role… Read more »
NES appears like another last minute consideration. I’m indifferent, can’t seem to make up my mind on him.
China
In total agreement.
Yet another day though has passed us by without any positive action. This is what pisses us all off more than anything.
You see it, I see it, the hole frigging universe sees it and yet our hierarchy keep dithering and digging an even bigger hole for themselves.
What are they actually thinking? Do they see this as being healthy for the club? Do they not see that the more they keep dragging their heels in on this, the more problems they are causing for themselves and the club.
It just beggars belief.
Bojangles, I have also seen the interview and I have a different understanding/interpretation of it. I was just genuinely curious to know what you picked from the interview. We all have inconscious bias, we all interpret things based on our own experience. Seeing your interpretation would have just helped me see a different perspective. When Pep says “I would like him to stay until the end of the season, …” I understand From a professional viewpoint I don’t want him to leave mid-way through the season, however I can’t stop him. Also from a human viewpoint, this is an opportunity… Read more »
“And then, Arsenal is spoilt for choices: Ancelotti, Favre, Poch and Allegri.”
Which will just make it more frustrating when we finally plump for Steve maclaren or someone
If it’s NES we’ll be having these discussions Again in…..18 months. Staggeringly short sighted falling strategy. I’d rather we went bold and tried something fresh, NES is not the answer.
China,
Like it has been said before because Freddie does not have a UEFA Pro License, Freddie can only work as a temporary caretaker manager for up to 12 weeks not until the end of the season. So if a permanent manager cannot be found now, we would need to find one within 12 weeks.
Firing Emery and hiring Freddie would just be a short term solution. If his preferred candidate is not available immediately, Raul would still need to find an acceptable caretaker manager till the end of the season.
Valentin
Raul making sure Arsenal are in bed with the super agents. We’re officially Contacts FC. It’s useful when you are at the top of the food chain like PSG/Barça, not so sure when the Kroenkes operates the cash register.
“Draxler the German International who played under Emery at PSG has confirmed that his weakness is very poor communication skills.When you analyse Emery’s management/head coach career he has averaged just over 2 year in each job, but his track record at foreign clubs is shorter.One of the key differences between working at Spanish and Overseas Clubs is the makeup of the squad. Clubs like PSG and Arsenal have a large number of players from different parts of the world and speak often different languages albeit that most players at Arsenal have a reasonably good grasp of English.Emery was reasonably successful… Read more »
So a week after Spurs sign The Special One and are doing mega deals with Amazon Prime – we are after The Non Descript One (version 2) The ungainly and lanky Wolves manger who looks like he has just come from the Amazon himself would be another appalling choice as Arsenals Coach. He does fit the The Spivs criteria though and ticks all his boxes below in which he chooses Arsenal employees Dopey Pliable Yes Man Bang Average eg Edu/Emery/NES He is competent counter attacking coach. His teams have played well on the break ( basically with the speedster Traore)… Read more »