Well, things are very slow, aren’t they?
The Premier League does not seem to have a united voice on restarting the season. Players are worried about health and the bottom 6 clubs are being very vocal about their opposition to neutral grounds. The Watford Chairman spoke to The Times today and basically said he doesn’t want to finish a season in an unnatural way that could kill his club. It’s all very self-serving, but I suppose these execs have to be, they don’t run businesses, they run the circus. If they are relegated, it could be over for them.
My guess is the government are going to bottle restarting the Premier League. As much as everyone wants the football back, it seems politically toxic to go hell for leather to restart a game. Players don’t want it, there’s no vaccine, and there will probably be a big second wave coming as everyone heads out for social closeness in the newly opened beer gardens.
It’s all very depressing.
Arsene Wenger is so bored, he dialled into Talksport. He had this to say.
“I worry about the club still a lot and I watch all of the games,”
“I believe there is a culture in the way to play football at Arsenal that I want to be respected,”
“And I hope Mikel can get that back.”
The ‘worry’ comment there is directly aimed at Messrs Raul and Edu and some of the values they’re bringing to Arsenal football club.
The culture comment is a bit rich if I’m honest. Wenger absolutely crushed the winnertivity vibes at the club with his dismantling of standards, constant excuse-making, and socialist wage structures. Doesn’t make him wrong. Emery made things worse, a total joke of a manager… Mikel has a lot of work ahead, but at least he’s seen how it’s done in a modern structure. High standards, visionary ideas, and exacting principles.
It’s a huge job, but it really does help to have someone running Arsenal that actually loves what we’re about. Values was often a crutch to fend of criticisms for our failings on the pitch. Arsenal does have values though, the club does things differently, we are special. That Bank of England vibe needs to extend onto the pitch though. Values without success is kind of pointless when it comes to sport.
Footyheadlines have another kit for us to look at.
I’ll have to see it in the flesh, but it’s ok. A bit boring. Could do better in my opinion. Certainly not on the level of the current offering.
Thomas Partey update: People are still pretending they know what’s going on. I have very, very serious doubts that Arsenal are negotiating 40m euro transfer deals at the moment. Though it has to be said, I’m happy that we’re being linked to him. He’d be an unbelievably sexy signing.
Barca currently trying to bring Lautaro to Camp Nou, they are offering up to 6 names for the swap. Shows you where this summer is going. Interesting times ahead.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments. x
1
1st
2
Tro4hy
This kit is a 100 times better than the one posted yesterday
There was a rumor today that Inter are willing to swap Icardi for Auba. That’s definitely a deal I would get behind.
Icardi is crap
Dissenter
From previous post.
No argument Saka is worth £70k per week and if I was his agent I’d be looking at Mustafi on £90k per week and Xhaka’s £100k per week and think my guy’s better than the pair of them combined.
We just don’t know what we’re offering or what Saka is demanding / asking for. I do wonder about the Liverpool links, they’ve got great full backs, Saka wouldn’t play in their midfield so unless he’d go to sit on the bench they’d have to be selling one of the forwards.
Pedro
“The ‘worry’ comment there is directly aimed at Messrs Raul and Edu and some of the values they’re bringing to Arsenal football club.”
Wenger didn’t like / wouldn’t deal with certain agents and it lead us to missing out on opportunities. Wenger had a way of doing things and he wouldn’t change it, we might just need someone who can wheel and deal over the next few months / years.
I hated it when Wenger talked about club values, it was an excuse to justify lower standards. The only value I want from a sports team is to focus on winning, everything else is bullsh*t. Finishing fifth but claiming a moral victory is nonsense.
Today’s shirt is better than the one from other day but both are shite compared to this years kit, so I don’t know.
Having the Government put a stop to the resumption of the season would be a good get out for those who are undecided or opposed to resuming the season. It would be another reason for the scousers to hate the Tories.
GRNM
I don’t think it’ll be the government who stops it, I think in an idea world they’d like the PL to come up with a plan they could approve.
It’s more likely that PL clubs aren’t going to be able to agree on what that plan should be.
That’s better
Norwich were all but relegated.
I’m appalled that the league is allowing its reputation to be ruined by the greed of clubs who should just be happy they got to share the largesse for one season.
Scudamore wouldn’t have stood for all this nonsense.
The jersey is so fantastic
Dissenter
The PL operates on a majority rule method – 14 clubs are required to vote yes to pass something. With 6 clubs either in the relegation zone or within 2 points or less of it you only need one other club to feel nervous and self preservation wins hands down.
I don’t think anyone every considered anything remotely like this when they set up the rules.
Just peeked at ars.com they had an write up of one of the female team extending their contract, jordan nobbs.
The lede reads: “it’s a privilege helping nobbs develop”
Nice one
Quite like the new kit, bit of a nod to the early 70’s but with a modern take on it. In other news I see the entire Dresden squad is in isolation a week before BL2 kicks off as two of their players test positive. Could easily see any PL restart go tits up quite quickly if the same happens over here. On Wenger and Arsenal values – what he means is Wenger values. AFC were around long before AW and have had meant different things to different generations. Arsenal values used to be a strong defence and difficult to… Read more »
Kit posted yesterday was garbage and should be thrown on the cutting room floor. This one is slightly better but still leaves me wanting something more.
Wenger opining again…
I think that Wenger has explained very well the material change which has occurred at the club since it moved to Emirates from Highbury. During the Highbury era the club employed 40 staff most of whom were lifelong employees with total loyalty to club and that incidentally also applied to its supporters as well. The club employs today 600 staff and with an annual turnover of almost £400 million and the business is worth almost £2 billion. Sentimentally has gone out of the window. I don’t think that Arsenal’s attitude to agents is any different to other clubs. There are… Read more »
If the prime minister of the Great U.K was so casual that he got infected with covid19 good luck making sure footballers dont infect each other.
Moise keane, kyle walker, Grealish
What if one team has all players infected, do they postpone matches?
Im telling you this for free!
Random fact
Half of Brooklyners are white but 97.5% arrests for social distancing were of people of colour.
Wear your masks boy👉!
“let’s face it buying players is never going to be an exact science.”
Not with Wenger’s scouting system and megalomaniac despot ways as well as his consistent idiocy in his transfer dealings.
Mr. Pathetic ego maniac, “I could have signed”…. If he had signed such players he repeatedly told us about, we’d have won more trophies, but instead we got 3 FA cups in 14 years.
Funny how lesser teams, such as Leicester and Southampton unearthed cheap gems with some consistency.
Notice how I managed to keep all your words in one line, ES?
Andy “shame Wenger couldn’t coach defence to save his life.” Wenger’s defensive record at Arsenal is comparable to Alex Ferguson during his time at United. Over the 20 years wenger was at the club we conceded less than a goal per game in the league (0.95). Andy , can you find a club over the 20 years who , other than United (who are marginally better), have a better defensive record than Arsenal. If not, and I doubt if you will, then your comment of “shame Wenger couldn’t coach defence to save his life.” Is another example of your lack… Read more »
Tony
“Funny how lesser teams, such as Leicester and Southampton unearthed cheap gems with some consistency.”
Those 2 clubs put Arsenal and many other clubs to shame with their excellent recruitment.
What I will say is that it is slightly easier to integrate unknown players into teams like Southampton and Leicester as the expectations for winning trophies have been lower over the years.
Southampton would be competing for the title if they had not had to sell so many quality players.
It’s a credit to them that they have remained in the top flight .
It seems several Dresden players tested positive and the entire team is in isolation. The much expected start if the Bundesliga has been thrown into doubt.
Such is the tight rope that this football clubs are walking.
Pierre
What the fuck are you on about.
welcome back RT
Andy
“”””Wenger couldn’t coach defence to save his life..””””
Only one coach in the last 100 years has accomplished the feat of going unbeaten away from home in the top flight.
Wenger who cant coach defence has accomplished it TWICE.
Which team has the longest sequence of not conceding a goal in the Champions League?
Our Wengers Arsenal.
But he cant coach a defence.
Wengers last two results as Arsenal manager.
5-0(h)
1-0(a)
But he cant coach a defence.
These fools cant help themselves.
Clyne
Van Dyke
Lovren
Luke shaw
Wanyama
Ox
Lallana
Tadic(class)
Gareth Bale
Mane.
Subs
Schnierderlin
Walcott
Pelle
Chambers.
Arsenal have currently one of the youngest squads in EPL and it includes a significant number of players promoted from Academy Programme or bought
for well under £10 million including recent arrivals Guendouzi and Martinelli.
Our club’s main problem in last 15 years is its recruitment of so-called super
stars. Very few have met expectation and justified transfer fees and wages paid
to them. The same argument can also be applied to Manchester United since
departure of Ferguson.
Marc All football clubs in England and indeed the leagues from the Premier League right down to through are registered through their respective leagues and or County FAs as such they have signed up to the FA rule book. This is acknowledged in the PL rule book where is says something along those lines and also that the FA is the ultimate decision maker. The PL itself, just like all football leagues within the professional/ semi professional game and indeed all County FAs are limited companies. According to Companies house 21 Football Association Premier League shares are in circulation. The… Read more »
CG starting to froth. Hate to see it.
Bringing up Wenger’s record in the CL. The only dope in world football to try and fail 20 times on the bounce to win the damn thing.
Arsenal legend Tony Adams believes that former Gunners boss George Graham was a better coach and made more of his players than Arsene Wenger. Adams is the coach of FC Gabala, a top-flight club in the Azerbaijani league, and he isn’t impressed with his former club’s trophyless spell, believing Graham would have enjoyed more success. The former Gunners skipper who won two titles under Graham and the Double twice under Wenger believes it is down to the Scotsman’s flare for coaching and his desire to get the very best out of individual’s talents that made him stand out. Legend: Adams… Read more »
It’s amazing how statistical analysis is still seen by some as a reflection of Wenger’s so called excellent positive defensive record. Keeping clean sheets against the ‘lesser teams’ does not give a true reflection of Arsenal’s defensive frailties over the years. As soon as the GG defensive unit left the scene, we were never the same in this area of the pitch. I know our style progressed, our fitness and wellbeing improved but,defensively, we became more vulnerable. Whatever way you look at things, we became far easier pickings for those teams who could get at our vulnerability. Comparing Ferguson to… Read more »
(positive)
Paul Merson has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal and their manager Arsène Wenger in the wake of Tuesday’s Champions League capitulation against Anderlecht, branding the team “tactically clueless”. Arsenal had been coasting at 3-0 before a second-half collapse earned the Belgian champions an unlikely 3-3 draw. The former Arsenal midfielder Merson, who was a pundit for the Group D clash for Sky, said: “I think they are tactically clueless, that’s an honest opinion. This is not the first time it’s happened, it’s happened a lot. It’s absolutely clueless. For me the manager has to get a message on, but… Read more »
Arsene Wenger inherited a very solid defence when he first arrived at the club, but was never able to replicate it once Adams,Bould,Keown,Winterburn and Dixon retired. The only genuine top class defender that he recruited in his 20+ years at the club was Campbell whom he recruited from Spurs on a Bosman. There were of course other defenders recruited who were decent like Toure and Koscielny, but they lacked the organisation, discipline and solidity of their predecessors. The reality is that the club chose players who may have been technically gifted as footballers, but lacked natural defensive instincts and that… Read more »
Lee Dixon was part of an Arsenal back four famed for its invulnerability, but he reckons he couldn’t defend for his life before he arrived at Highbury. Thanks to the meticulous, monotonous training of George Graham, Arsenal became renowned for their watertight defence of Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn. But it was a far cry from the football Dixon was used to prior to moving to north London. Growing up as a Manchester City fan, he mainly played as a striker in his youth before gradually dropping further back as he began his career in professional football.… Read more »
Pedro I wish you’d stop peddling the ‘blame it all on wenger ‘ theory. It’s oversimplistic and rather silly. Sure, he lost the plot at the end . Buying Ozil, Mustafi and Xhaka and fucking up the sanchez transfer rank in arsenal fc’s top ten of all time shit decisions. He never should have had his contract renewed . Who’s decision was that by the way? Our ‘hand’s off owners’ . You know , the guy who doesn’t actually do anything and is absolbved from any responsibility at arsenal- even though he owns it. But all those 4th place ‘trophies’… Read more »
graham 62
Surely it’s one ot the other.
Wenger elected to play an expansive, attacking game that would lead to the possibility of scoring more goals and also the possibly of conceding more.
Managers such as GG and Mourihno went for a game concentrating on defence where the opposite is true: concede less, score less.
I prefer the kit yesterday had an aesthetic retro feel.
This kit today looks so bland zero character
I hate to burst the bubble of the Wenger haters but below are the figures that will lay to rest that George Graham was better defensively than wenger. It shows Graham concede 1.15 goal per game on average It shows wenger conceded 0.99 goal per game on average. This is copied “Now I include the complete figures for EVERY game under Graham, Rioch and Wenger below: Graham: Pld 507-Won 247 =48.7%- Drw 147=30.0%- Lst 113=22.3%- Goals For 778 =1.5 ave- Goals Against 440 =1.15 ave. BR: Pld 47-Won 22 =46.8%- Drw 15 =32.0%- Lst 10 =21.2%- GF 67 =1.4 ave-… Read more »
If Wenger had any integrity he would of resigned, instead he chose to linger on settling for second best, dragging Arsenal further and further into mediocrity while at the same time collecting unashamedly a king’s ransom
Expect Pierre and CG to come back and explain how Tony Adams, Lee Dixon et al are all wrong and they, despite having no actual insight whatsoever are correct. All the above certainly chimes with my understanding of Wenger and how he operated – as evidenced by ex-players. Wenger didn’t coach our famous back line, they coached not only themselves they also indoctrinated new additions. Cole learnt from the best and became the best LB in the game. Remember the story of TA pulling up PV4 and Petit in AW’s first title winning season and telling them in no uncertain… Read more »
Pierre
Those stats are meaningless, eye witnesses say Graham was by far superior to Wenger and they should know as they played under both managers…
Pierre, are you thick or deliberately ignoring what has clearly been explained to you? Wenger WAS NOT responsible for those numbers, Graham’s old back line coached the players in the art of defence so they should get the credit NOT Wenger.
Once they retired and the players they worked with left the club our defence went right downhill. No coincidence is it? And Wenger couldn’t buy a decent defender either as we all know.
There you go, it’s Lies, Damn Lies, and Pierre with Statistics….
Let’s be honest if you could have GG coaching the defence and Wenger the attack you’d be pretty sorted which is pretty much what happened in the first 6 years of Wenger.
Listening to Dixon reminisce ( Handbrake podcasts on The Athletic) gives great insight into their strengths and differences. He says GG made him the player that he was but Wenger allowed him to enjoy the game much more. GG shouted at you at half time, Wenger more or less allowed the players address the issueson the pitch.
alexander henry
There is no question that Wenger was an outstanding “manager” in the first 8 or 9 years of his stewardship at club.
He was an excellent “man” manager which is very important particularly when
recruiting young players. Arsenal benefited also from a decent scouting network in France and Spain.
Sadly those instincts dried up in the last 10 years and frankly the club’s record
in the transfer market has been spectacularly poor particularly when buying
expensive players.
Redtruth Theo Walcott was a prime example of Wenger’s tactical ineptitude. How is this possible I hear you ask, Walcott was an offensive player? I lost count over the years the number of times Walcott was hauled off by Wenger. Wenger’s excuse was to avoid injury🤪😄. The truth of the matter was that apposition teams were fearful of Walcott and the pace and threat he offered the team. Other teams were scared of him. Wenger though, in his wisdom, would often substitute Walcott at times in a game where his assets were at there most beneficial. Tiring defences, teams pushing… Read more »
Winning 1-0 and drawing 0-0 like Graham, Mourinho and Arteta is Anti-football
Im telling you this for free!
Pierre
Hate is a strong word. Never hated Wenger.
Just think he was out of his depth tactically.
As soon as he lost the winners and leaders, he was found out by better managers/ coaches.
We should and could have won far more if only Wenger had used basic common sense.
Never mind.
“”””If Wenger had any integrity he would of resigned, instead he chose to linger on settling for second best,”””””” George Graham never resigned even after he was your caught thieving your money( AFC supporters). He waited to be sacked to collect his dirty compo. Put aside that he was recommending Fergie to sign Peter Schmeichal for Man United. GG was a great coach undoubtedly – but he was also great at taking back-handers. Our Arsene was pure: whiter than white and always 100% class and dignity. Befitting for a great club like The Arsenal. Such a shame it is now… Read more »
“Winning 1-0 and drawing 0-0 like Graham, Mourinho and Arteta is Anti-football”
Ah yes, compare our coach, who’s been in the job for months with one of the worst arsenal squads ever, to Graham and Jose Mourinho
Whether by luck or design Wenger did manage to assemble a great team..
What is not in dispute were his one dimensional methods.
CG
Your joking right!
“Our Arsene was pure, whiter than white and always 100% class and dignity”
🤔😄👏🤪😬😩😂😳🤣
Except when we lost!
Emiratesstroller
“He was an excellent “man” manager which is very important particularly when
recruiting young players. Arsenal benefited also from a decent scouting network in France and Spain.”
That’s why Anelka wanted to piss off ….
CG were you in self isolation between 2008-2018?
Basically, Wenger took a bunch of very good but ageing defenders who , I think it’s fair to say, were in decline, and gave them a new lease of life and added 2/3 to their career to the benefit of the club.
excellent and astute management.
Andy’s stupid comment will come back to haunt him I’m afraid.
Sid, showing your lack of knowledge when it comes to AFC history I see. 1988/89 scored 73, conceded 36, GD +37, golden boot – Alan Smith AFC. Then 1990/91, scored 74, conceded 18, GD +56, golden boot winner – Alan Smith AFC.
Incidentally, the club never equalled or bettered 88/89’s GD of +56 under AW even during the Invincibles season.
Graham
“We should and could have won far more if only Wenger had used basic common sense.”
Wenger gambled with youth, built a fantastic footballing side with RVP, Cesc, ade, Nasri etc , but failed to win trophies, similar to what Pochettino has done at Tottenham…
We were still great to watch though!
City and Chelsea spending a billion each didn’t help either did it.
Strangely enough, we only started winning trophies again when a certain German arrived ..
Pierre “””””Basically, Wenger took a bunch of very good but ageing defenders who , I think it’s fair to say, were in decline, and gave them a new lease of life and added 2/3 to their career to the benefit of the club.””””” Astutely observed Pierre, When AW arrived – the clamour was in fact to replace the now ageing and slow defence with their all ‘baggage’. In fact he did the complete opposite. Mere mortal managers would have instantly come in tried to replace them and get their own favourites in………not our Wenger. He got into their minds, motivated… Read more »
Yup, Pierre refusing to accept overwhelming evidence as expected. Certainly AW did tackle the drinking culture and improve diets this extending those players careers, but Pierre we weren’t talking about that were we? We were discussing how Wenger couldn’t coach a defence, how the players involved confirmed that he didn’t even try to coach defence and you’ve provided zero evidence to the contrary.
Thick or just willfully ignorant? The first is excusable, the latter less so.
I’m bored of talking about Wenger.
Maybe in 20 years time when the dust settles we can gloss over the car crashes and just focus on the success.
Andy
“Incidentally, the club never equalled or bettered 88/89’s GD of +56 under AW even during the Invincibles season.”
Unless I’m mistaken , if your figures are correct, scoring 73 and conceding 36 is a goal difference of 37.
Invincibles
73 scored
26 conceded
Goal difference of 47
You can’t even get that right can you Andy.
https://youtu.be/wptUF7v8nxg
I recommend you watch the first half the pace is relentless.
Lol,
RVP, – had to leave to win a title.
Cesc, – had to leave to win titles.
Adebayor – twat, never an Arsenal man.
Nasri – another obnoxious little c*nt that could wait to leave as soon as he had half a good season.
Not the best selection of players to use as example if you’re an Arsenal (rather than an Arsene) fan is it?
Pierre, I take that back, maybe it’s that you can’t read? To quote:
“Then 1990/91, scored 74, conceded 18, GD +56, golden boot winner – Alan Smith AFC.”
It could be you don’t do maths of course, FYI +56 is more than +47. Dick.
Oh Dear…..
Pierre
“”””City and Chelsea spending a billion each didn’t help either did it.”””””
And he defeated them both at Wembley in his penultimate season to win Arsenal 13th FA Cup.( His 7th)
And alas,he nearly did it his last season too- but lost to Man City in the League Final Final after defeating Chelsea in the semi finals.
Those clubs need the assistance of oligarchs and nation states resources to final overcome our Greatest.
1990-91 Champions
74 scored
18 conceded
Goal difference of 56
Just re-read that, yes I said 88/89 but I’m sure you can work out that the +56 is from 90/91. Being deliberately obtuse Pierre.
The point still stands, Graham’s team achieved a better positive GD than any Wenger team ever did.
Redtruth,
You surely are aware of the influence the elder brothers had on a teenage Anelka. Anelka was also upset by Wrighty’s greater popularity. He was immature and insecure. Not even a great man manager, which Wenger undoubtedly was, could prevent Anelka leaving.
“Those clubs need the assistance of oligarchs and nation states resources to final overcome our Greatest.”
Leicester managed it on a fraction of Wenger’s resources.
Lol.
Arsrnal’s greatest triumph winning 2-0 away at Anfield to clinch the Title…
Bob,
I see parallels sadly with the Saka negotiations. Young lad has breakout season but suspect representation could cost the club the player. You can bet that his ‘advisors’ are listing as many reasons as they can think of to move on.
Andy
You’re making a fool of yourself.
Really Pierre? Still not a shred of evidence over Wenger’s coaching defensive coaching ability. Almost as if you don’t know what you’re talking about. Clown.
Ian Wright left summer 98 because Wenger brought Anelka, so Anelka leaving had nothing to do with Wrighty.
He left because his brother did a deal with Real Madrid, and he never made it there.
A bit of nostalgia isn’t a bad thing, looking back and remembering players you loved to watch, matches that made you delirious with joy is part of what football is about.
Letting it become an all encompassing obsession that stops you being able to take a pragmatic view of things is the behaviour of a zealot or cult.
Watch Pierre never again mention Arsenal’s highest ever Goal Difference now he’s been shown it wasn’t during Wenger’s tenure.
Poor lad. Another day on le-grove, another humiliating exchange where his own statistics fail him. CG will be back to cuddle him soon.
For me Anelka goes down as one of the worst cases of pure talent not making the most of what he had.
Got to concur with Pierre’s last statement,
You dont even need starts to see Anti-football
*stats
Most of that season that Andy is talking about is 1-1, 1-0, low scoring draws padded with six results of over 4 goals
Anti-football
Im telling you this for free!
Sid, I guess that you are too young to recall the first half of George’s tenure. Rocky and anti-football? Limpar, Merson, Smith? Seriously, if you believe that you either weren’t there or have a screw loose. Probably not a good idea to associate Arsenal’s last home grown golden generation with anti-football on an Arsenal blog.
Marc, agreed, Anelka blew it. The only thing I can add is that with his nature he would have probably found a way to blow it regardless of where he was playing.
RT I suggest that you refer to your own post at 9.53. You quote Dixon’s views on both Graham and Wenger. In the last paragraph Dixon stated best coach was Graham and best manager Arsene. So I don’t think that my assessment that Wenger was a good “man” manager was incorrect. I have stated many times in posts that I did not think that Wenger was a particularly fine coach. For the record I don’t think that Ferguson was an outstanding coach, but he was an outstanding manager. Personally I think that Arteta will turn out to be significantly better… Read more »
“”””For me Anelka goes down as one of the worst cases of pure talent not making the most of what he had.””””””
And which manager ( and he had plenty) got the best out of him and to maximise that talent?
Signed for £500 000
helps us win a double in sensational counter attacking style and then….
Sold for £22 000 000 to pay for the state of art training complex.
Organic and Genius!
“Arsene Wenger inherited a very solid defence when he first arrived at the club, but was never able to replicate it once Adams,Bould,Keown,Winterburn and Dixon retired.”
Lauren Toure Campbell Cole
ES
“”””For the record I don’t think that Ferguson was an outstanding coach, but he was an outstanding manager.”””
Well said ES. And the management aspect will be even more important in the months ahead. (Far more then putting on entertaining coaching sessions and acquiring left sided center backs.)
Huge difference between the two. ( I wonder if The Guv now understands the difference, with your explanation)
And until we get an an experienced and outstanding manager – we ain’t going nowhere.
G
Exactly. Wenger bought all of Lauren, Toure and Campbell and then brought Cole though the youth system. The revisionism here regarding what Wenger achieved is laughable.
You don’t win an unbeaten title and not be an outstanding manager.
I was firmly in the Wenger needed to move on before he actually did camp but to try and discredit what he did achieve is just daft.
CL Liverpool vs Athleti 2-3
Another example of Anti football tactics, stats wont tell the whole story
Im telling you this for free!
andy
That was sort of my point. You can put his Arsenal move down to immaturity but he just kept doing it throughout his career.
Guy needed a smack round the head and to grow up.
One of the major difference between Fergie and Wenger was that Fergie changed his backroom staff, brought in new ideas and kept things fresh.
Wenger was very set with what he had and really only made changes when he absolutely had to.
Spanishdave, Anelka’s brothers were the biggest influence on him but Ian Wright’s popularity did put his nose out of joint, I recently read/heard about his annoyance at not being as popular as Wright in that first season. Silly boy! Marc, I agree that Ferguson was much better at allowing an assistant, coaching influence. Wenger wasn’t so great at delegating authority to a coach who might have complimented his undoubted abilities. Bould just looked like he’d prefer to be somewhere else. Most of us were hoping Wenger might groom a successor, an assistant who had his own mind. Arteta would have… Read more »
Worth remembering that manager/coach was essentially the same thing when Graham was at Arsenal.
On man management you could use the example of 1990/91. When Arsenal were deducted two point after the OT brawl, and then TA was sent to prison what happened? The players rolled up their sleeves and walked to the title losing just one game in 42 (the most unbeaten games in a single season in English football).
Contrast with 2007/8, the Eduardo injury and the team collapses and gets only three points from the next four games.
It’s called mental strength, or a lack of it.
andy
There was a marked change in the type of player Wenger was bringing in personality wise.
It’s almost as if he didn’t want big personalities who’d question him.
Andy, I remember going to many of the games in that season, one of my favourites 90/91. Rocastle, Davis, Thomas, Limpar in midfield, Merse and Smudger up front with the legendary back 4.
I also remember being on a wet terrace at Stamford Bridge waiting, for it felt like forever, to be allowed to leave after we’d lost our one game of the season. Pissing down on an open terrace! The highs massively outweighed the lows in that season!