Wenger has done it again… or for the first time. He’s made the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Can’t knock it, can you? The man raised the levels of the Premier League, he uplifted the fitness, he honed in on technique, he singlehandedly raided the French market for the best talents, and he shifted Arsenal from a boring club to the most exciting in the world.
“I am very grateful to have been selected for the Premier League Hall of Fame. We always wanted to give something special to the fans and when you have players capable of remarkable things, the most important thing for me is the obligation of perfection.
“I’d like to be known as someone who loved Arsenal, who respected the values of the club and left it in a position where it can grow and become even bigger.
“To share this with Sir Alex is a great honour for me. It’s like two boxers, you fight like mad and go the distance together. At the end of the day, you have respect and it will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine and memories of our old battles.”
These sorts of awards are important. They reward incredible careers and give some closure to the fans. Wenger might not have ended as strong as he could, but that first 13 miles of his career was an epic sprint of greatness that might never be replicated.
… or will it?
Mikel Arteta, an adopted Wenger baby seems the most well-suited to carry on the story. It’s interesting to read him fanboy over him.
‘I think he’s going to be forever (remembered). I don’t think there is any other managers that has had more impact.
‘Some have brought different ideas, characters, competitions but he had a vision that was much wider than any other manager had at time.
‘England and the Premier League has to be very grateful forever to this man.’
‘He opened the door for many other foreigners to join the league to make it better. He had a huge impact around world football in the vision he had, the way he spoke, the way he transmitted as a coach and way his teams played.
‘I had a phenomenal time with him and learnt a lot and he pushed me to become a coach so he’s a big influence on me.
‘He’s been a phenomenal influence in world football.’
Leaders are always a product of their upbringing. Arteta was inspired by the artistry of Arsene Wenger, his way of working with players, and his dedication to the craft. 3 things he’s carried on into his career. We’re seeing the positive influences in the way Arsenal play now.
Anyway, well done Mr Wenger, the award is thoroughly deserved.
Bukayo Saka is nearing signing a NEW deal worth a reported £300k a week.
That is a big number.
More than Foden.
More than Harry Kane.
He’ll be one of the best-paid English players in the game.
… and he deserves every penny.
That deal will look like value in 2 years time. He is a difference-maker. He produces over and over. The man is made of STRONG stuff.
Just get it done then move swiftly on to William Saliba.
The Declan Rice to Arsenal rumours are heating up again. The player is greatly admired by Arsenal staff. He’s been pinned to the wall since Arteta and Steve Round joined the club. The stories seem to indicate a belief he can play as a #8 or a #6. What I love about him is he’s done it in the Premier League against BIG teams, he’s already a captain of a major club, and he wants to win things. He’s going to cost us a lot of money, but that’s what big clubs do, they sign top talent that is on the way up.
We’d need to find a long term heir to Thomas Partey. Lavia from Southampton seems like the sort of name that’d be on the recruitment teams list. We don’t need a blowout player there right now, especially if we have the option of Declan Rice.
It’ll be interesting to see who goes this summer because we can’t keep everyone.
Right, on that note, have a terrific game, see you on the other side!
I guess it’s encouraging Jesus didn’t even think about it… but leave the knee slides to Xhaka.
Why’s Toney still allowed to play after he’s pled guilty to betting charges
To be honest I don’t remember anyone saying that Mudryk was being signed to replace Martinelli or anyone, he would have just been added to the squad and been developed just as Martinelli was developed after his injury and not rushed back.
Midwest, do you remember when Vieira fucked his knee doing a sliding goal celebration. ( against Utd?).
Accompanied an American friend’s 15 year old son today. An Arsenal fan, he had an unforgettable experience p. It’s the second time this season I’ve taken an American ‘debut’ fan to a game. I have to say it makes you appreciate how lucky I am to go to all the home games when someone from afar experiences the atmosphere and match day experience for the first time.
We weren’t at our best and we won 4-1, says it all really.
My Motm
Emery doing a good job AV.
Didn’t work out with us but will say it time and again he wanted Zaha got Pepe instead and the former would of got us top 4, which was his remit.
The Sky presenter that took the piss out of his accent ‘good ebening’ afternoon ko, well it was all seen as a laugh by many, it wasn’t it was pathetic.
MotM, a bit left field but I’d go with big Gabi. Shouldn’t take him for granted. Little Gabi and Gabi J also deserve credit.
I think Pierre said something about Martinelli should be worried if we sign Mudryk… but it’s Pierre so… whatev. Pierre has his own lane… haha
Bob-
Oh yeah … I do remember that.. now you mention it. I am jealous of people who can attend matches, live. Nothing like it.
Topside, according to match commentator if the season started when Emery was hired Villa would be 6th in the table, and only Arsenal have a better away record than Villa under Emery.
I think a lot of it is luck but still.
Pierre claimed that Mudryk was being signed to instantly replace Martinelli…. Because Martinelli was overrated lol, and couldn’t dribble.
No doubt he’ll deny it… Because that’s just what he does, But it doesn’t make it any less true.
Tom, I think Emery is a top manager, it was the wrong time for Emery when he came to Arsenal. Not his fault.
Midwest, there were few others , they know who they are, which stuck with me since at the time I hadn’t even heard of Mudryk.
Bob, are you suggesting Emery and Arsenal might’ve been a good fit under different circumstances ?
Not sure Tom. Edu and Arteta both ex Arsenal, work together well. Emery is a proven coach but doesn’t speak great English. Anybody following Wenger was going to have an issue. Arteta, new manager was going to be given more slack as a new manager. Emery didn’t really stand a chance.
Tom,
Had he of got Zaha instead of Pepe who he wanted and his language barrier been better he would of got us top 4 that season, EL final we got a hiding v a local rival.
The hangover lasted into the next season and he was gone, but pretty sure he got Saka, Martinelli involved early age with us.
Will admit the playing out from the back under EM cost us Watford away Sokratis, Leno.
Other side VAR Sokratis goal at home v C Palace about as bad a call as I can remember Arsenal wise.
Bob, obviously I agree the timing wasn’t great…… I just don’t think his style suits Arsenal
Emery is obviously a top manager, who improved us in the year he was allowed, but no manager would have succeeded after Wenger left. I got colleague at work who went back to university to do masters in business admin and his thesis was on how often it goes wrong for a company when charismatic founder or a long term CEO are replaced. Like at manure when Moyes took over from Fergie, Emery was a highly paid sacrificial lamb, but kroenkes cash and well thought plan have us recovering quicker than mancs did. And I’m still not used to seeing… Read more »
Lol everytime i pop in, Nigel is always going at it with a different poster. Weird stuff especially after a win
Tom, I think results are king. Whatever the style, if he had got results it would have been more than acceptable. If his ‘tinkering’ had ben successful we’d have lapped it up. That sid, our squad needed sorting out and KSE needed to believe in him and back him in the way that Arteta has been backed
Bit of a chicken and an egg situation, confidence leads to backing, backing leads to success and confidence. What comes first, backing or confidence?
Un,
“ To be honest I don’t remember anyone saying that Mudryk was being signed to replace Martinelli or anyone, he would have just been added to the squad and been developed just as Martinelli was developed after his injury and not rushed back.”
This is where you [cough…cough] raise your hand and own this one
In fairness to Emery there’s only 2 ways to beat an opposition press. You can either play through it, or you can eliminate it my going over the top of it. The only players he had in his back line who were comfortable in possession were Xhaka + Luiz, after he lost both Monreal + Koscielny. He then had to build a defence around Xhaka + Luiz’s lack of mobility if we wanted to progress the ball through the lines. If he bypassed the press? Ozil, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Pepe, weren’t exactly built to win the first, second, or third balls,… Read more »
Also Emery lost Holding, Bellerin and Welbeck to long term injuries just as he started to get results in his first season.
Rich,
Top post and introduced Martinelli and Saka also on the positive.
Batistuta, Nigel certainly is a bit of a ‘character’. Not sure why he wants to play the righteous blogger, it certainly comes across as that he has a purity of purpose, he represents the ‘true’ Arsenal supporter- thou shall not criticise the Arteta, the players etc if thou does, thou should feel the wrath of the Nigel. The right to moan, the right to defend, the right to speak shit, the right to defend shit…it goes on and on.
Bob,
Good stuff.. You will be a part of a special memory for the rest of that boys life.
A vague memory down the line Nigel! His Arsenal supporting life is secure though- the North Carolina branch of the Arsenal!
New post guys
New post
Enjoyed the game today thought the atmosphere was better vs palace though if we can get a result next week at anfield I think the title is ours
Arteta can play Saka as right back and Bennie Blanco in the right center back against Liverpool,.
We can play Trossard in front of Saka.
WengerBall, “Absolutely astonishing that a top level footballer doesn’t watch football” Actually not astonishing. Top footballers do 9 to 5 football 24/7 10 months every year. It can get too much. Staying off football at off working hours keeps players fresh. Perhaps that’s why he’s been so good for Arsenal since last season. Footballers who watch football, have a passion for the game so watching it is not work related. We don’t have to play football professionally to have a passion for it just as having a passion for football cannot make us good footballers. Ben White is a very… Read more »
Diss
We weren’t spending £80m on mudryk for him to play back up to martinelli. Not a fucking chance. There is a chance that one of them would be moved to the middle but if both were to be used on the left then mudryk was being looked at (at £80m) as the superior option. Nobody spends £80m on a back up winger deliberately.
So yeah, had in the air for that one chum