Written by Wigan Gooner
I’ll not muck about – it’s Pat Rice.
My reasoning for this statement is as follows, Arsène is facing a summer of upheaval like he has never known at Arsenal. There could be more player movement at Arsenal that I have ever seen in all of my years. Add that to even more expectation, pressure and a new pre-season routine and it is a very different Arsenal for 2011-2012.
The biggest signing was to retain the services of Pat Rice for another year because even if he is known (in some quarters, not my own) as a yes man he has vast experience as No 2 at Arsenal and he has the respect of the squad.
If I can build on that for a second, Arsène is a hands-on coach. He likes to tweak, push and work with his player’s every single day. Every day working to iron out their imperfections on the training pitch and working like that with a squad of 30-odd first-team squad player’s is a massive drain on resource and he would be unable to complete a single training session like that.
Pat Rice and Boro Primorac let him do it because whilst he is working and talking with the player’s they are running the drills and setting up the practice matches. Arsène is their Father, with Pat Rice and Boro Primorac the coaches.
Whilst we can all see the potential improvement a shake-up in the backroom staff might bring, can we afford the upheaval? Haven’t we got enough going on? The settling in period and changes of routine when we are already shaking the Arsenal Castle to the very core foundations? When star players are considering leaving for a few thousand pounds?
He will be buying in fresh players and these players need a steady stable ship to join. Stability aids adaption and London Colney is certainly different to most clubs. Pat Rice is one massive, all-important cog in the Colney machine and without him, I think Arsène would be in more trouble than he’d care to admit.
WG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Today we are definitely looking through the romantic window.
When it comes to supporting Arsenal there is no doubt in my mind that I am a romantic. Pat Rice is more an Arsenal man than any other at the club and by that I include Wenger. With that being as it is I could never bring myself to say a bad word against him.
Good Read WiganG
WG, good point re need for stability in what could become a season of change – it all remains to be seen though. Cesc and Nasri might stay and 1 or 2 players might be signed, and 1 or 2 might leave and a few others might go on loan: a normal amount of change.
What do we really know about Pat Rice? Does he supplement AW’s skillset (as per post/discussion yesterday)? I don’t know enough about him, he has had such a low profile. Personally, I would like a type like Owen Coyle next to Wenger on the bench and on the training fields: a bit more umpfh, a bit more energy, a bit more inspiration, a bit more fire in the belly, and yet somebody who looks up to Wenger and would like to become like him one day… 😆
I wonder who takes over from arsene when he steps down…..
@ Adrian
Arsene has identified Dragan Stojković as a possible successor.
WG
@ TA
I think Pat Rice was never Arsene’s first choice as number two, he brought Boro Primorac with him and would have given him the role but I think the board felt the English culture at the club would cope better with the changes if Pat Rice was in-situ.
I do feel Pat Rice’s experience is essential, though I’m not sure whether he is still suited to the modern game. Arsene clearly thinks that he is still an asset, so with that in mind I’m happy for him to stay.
WG
it’s “pep” all the way-no contest….
Fair enough WG, as I don’t know PR I should not be judging him, and you are right in pointing out that Wenger rates him and he offers esperience & stability.
Pat Rice’s retirement was the ideal opportunity to offer an “olive branch” to the fans, to bring some of the fractioning dissenters back onside and take the pressure of the transfer window, a popular no2 signing like Adams,Bergkamp, Viera or a more seasoned asst manager with pedigree (Laurent Blanc, Deschamps )would of been welcomed. Likewise if Arsene had decided to appoint his likely successor this too would have been seen as good thing. However much like the transfer window Arsene stuck with his tried and tested method and processes…….time will tell (but 6years with no progress is a good indication(
Nice one, peaches.
Such a happy pair
http://twitpic.com/5c96oi/full
A cool head on the bench
http://twitpic.com/3azzw9
Oh great, I have been a season ticket holder for the last 18 years and i have not seen our pre match warm up session change once, surely things have moved on and new ideas could be introduced. And yes this will help with continued stability but i think the players have got it too easy and dont seem to have to answer for their lack of effort or attitude. If a new coach came in then this would change.
WG cracking read and I wholeheartedly agree.
TA My Dad used to kickabout with Rice in the streets around Highbury. Rice played umpteen games has coached at the club from youth to first team. Like London I would find it very difficult to accept a bad word against him.
For Pat Rice to be jumpy shouty lunatic on the sideline/dressing room he needs AWs permission. if you listen to Keown much he tells of a game where AW had to tell Rice to leave the dressing room as he was tearing into the players after an abject first half display….not AWs style you see.
Altho if anyone who saw the Villa game will realise AW let Rice off the leash and he stood on the touchline for most of the game barking orders and encouragement.
How about that bloke who was at athletico, sanches flores or sumin like that…
Thanksf for your post. I think tough. that the players we have already need a shake up. Bringing new players in and not having a change in mentatlity will bring a similar result.
@Wengersdefenders
Are you honestly saying you expect Didier Deschamps successful club manager to step down to #2 at Arsenal? Or Laurent Blanc? Or Tony Adams who has already stated he wouldn’t like to be #2 again?
I think you are fishing in a very deep lake for fish that don’t exist.
WG
Wengersdefenders…..are you for real? deschamps as no 2…..why would he take it? Adams/Bergkamp/Viera where are their coaching credentials/successes.
Steve….the pre game routine is hardly going to change the performance it’s about getting warmed up….I’m sure if you went to most other grounds they would do the same warm up each week too.
Thanksf for your post. I think tough. that the players we have already need a shake up. Bringing new players in and not having a change in mentatlity will bring a similar result. as last season.
Thanks, though. sorry about the typos 🙂
Apologies WG, nice post.
@ chas,
No need for apologies, we’re all friends here 🙂
WG
Great post WG, I had expected more dissenting responses, it appears PR is more popular than had been expected. You may know that I speak to PR on occasion. He’s very pleasant and chatty but never reveals any real inside info as you might expect from such a great servant to the club.
chas – thanks for the links earlier, I’ve added one of the pics to the post
Resonse to Gooner in Excile
This was meant as an example, Players need to be stimulated, the same thing every day every game for 10 years must become repetative. Do you do the same thing every day? Arsenal has become a breeding ground of apathy, Wenger is never challenged, the coaches are never challenged and the players are happy to plod along. Change is needed and i think the head coach would be a good first step, Wenger needs someone to tell him a few home truths that the supporters have known for years, i.e our goalkeepers are not upto it, our defenders cant defend and our attacking play is 1 dimensional.
Morning GIE
In reference to the Villa game. I noticed Rice on the touch line more than usual. It never crossed my mind before but I think you must be right in that he must have had permission — encouraged by Wenger. A very interesting thought.
Hi steve,
I find it hard to argue with some of your points. I think the ‘shake up’ you refer to is what most supporters are hoping will happen this summer, and has been mooted by Gazidis etc.
Well thought out and essentially spot on Post, WG. Well done! 🙂
Being candid, I admit to being swept along with some of the dissatisfaction shown by many fans, with our apparent lack of defensive organisation.
This was highlighted by Clichy’s desire to go walkabout or Song’s desire to stay forward too much. (I know, I know, but the Song discussion is a separate issue).
So, when Pat announced his retirement I was not too worried.
Then I read Tony Adams’ comment that he would not want to go back to Arsenal as a No. 2 because Arsene was too hands on and insisted on his own coaching methods and tactical ideas.
But hold on, if Tony is to be believed, and why shouldn’t he be, he has scotched the “no defensive coaching or tactics training at Arsenal” complaints, and what’s more, the man who is pilloried for NOT doing so, is actually the man who DOES personally attend to it. And Tony Adams should know, shouldn’t he?
More unsubstantiated nonsense from the Glums knocked on the head!
So, I am happy with Pat Rice having been persuaded by Arsene to stay on, not least for all the good reasons you have given WG. 🙂
As to TA’s nebulous rumours concerning Paddy Viera’s return to the Gunners 🙂 I wonder if it is to replace Pat Rice in 2012?
PV to play again for Arsenal? No way, sadly! Tempus has fugit-ed.
Steve I understand your judgement but as WG mentions in the post AW is hands on on the training ground. Rices pre match is just the warm up, to extrapolate that routine as meaning day to day coaching isn’t varied/challenging is too simplistic IMO. You may be right but we will never know.
Wilkins recently said his job at Chelsea was to make sure the players were ready for the coaching from Ancelotti, there is probably not much difference for PR and AW relationship
Tempus has fugi-ted? Nice one!!
Steve,
It’s one thing to voice an opinion about the players and their inability to play in a way that would meet your expectations. Why not?
But what is your source for saying, “Arsenal has become a breeding ground of apathy, Wenger is never challenged, the coaches are never challenged and the players are happy to plod along.” ?
Have you been given access to Arsenal and/or its training grounds? Do you have a strong link to an inside informer? I suspect not!
If the answer to the above questions is ‘no’, why do you think what you are saying is true? Why do you even bother to say it?
Out of curiosity, do you still believe the Sun circles the earth?
Naughty RA (your last sentence) 😕
I presume steve has made his deductions by sitting at the Ems and watching games – he’s just reached a different conclusion to some of the more positive voices on here.
hi Adrian, 🙂
Were you the guy who scored two goals for the Spanish U21’s last night?
Anyway, I think I will start a rumour, immediately, that a fabulous Spanish footie star blogs on AA. 🙂
No Rasp, you are being a little selective.
I have no problem with him voicing an opinion about the players and the way we play, which you agree with evidently, and I said so in my comment.
I do take exception to the statement that ‘Arsenal has become a breeding ground of apathy … blah, blah’.
Unless he can back that up with specifics, he is out of order.
Anyway, why are you defending him? Doesn’t he have fingers of his own for typing?
RA, I wasn’t objecting to your opposition to steve’s views just the sarky little last sentence that rather ruined your points – you’re better than that.
steve hasn’t been aggressive or abusive in his comments and is just expressing his take on things.
I know we’re not supposed to take any notice of stuff in the papers but here’s an article about Vieira – return to Arsenal …………….
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/5942756/Patrick-Vieira-set-for-talks-with-Arsene-Wenger-about-Arsenal-return.html
Rasp,
Unless you are spoiling for an argument, just leave it.
I don’t want you editorializing my comments or passing judgement on what you deem ‘sarky’ or not, nor do I seek your patronizing opinion on my worth.
If you don’t want me on here, and that is growing more and more evident lately, just say so and I will be off to join poor old Herb.
Just a bit unhappy with that statement.Pat Rice is a yes man and he brings absolutely nothing new to the dance,it will be the same old,same old trying to squeeze an elephant through a key hole.Wenger needed someone to kick him up the backside to challenge his ideas and give him new ideas,someone who had the audacity to circumvent the very often naive and stupid tactical solutions of Wenger but when you are a egomaniac i guess it is easier just to have a yes man at your side.
@Peaches
Unfortunately the date of the Article is 2009 😦
WG
RA, I’m not spoiling for an argument, nor do I wish you to blog elsewhere, you are our most popular contributor – this is all in your head.
I certainly wasn’t patronising. All I am asking you to remember is that this is essentially a friendly site and when someone like steve comes on and presents his opinions perfectly respectfully, we do not need to drive him away with aggressive responses.
Our style has always been to try to convert those we don’t agree with using reasoned argument and a spattering of wit – and long may it remain that way.
Red – Rasp is only pointing out to you that steve is not only entitled to his opinion but he stated it in a non-aggressive way. This is a friendly site and we don’t object to different mind-sets but we can object when bloggers are aggressive in their comments.
😳 WG I only looked at the top of the page which of course says todays date 😳
Nice article though 🙂
I’ll get my coat 😦
So this summer we have Pat Rice saga as well, not only Cesc and Nasri’s saga =p
Just had a text from charybdis1966 to say that he’s having trouble getting onto the blog and he wanted to say ‘hi’ to everyone.
we need to defend set pieces. We need to see the season out. We need to instill some confidence. We need to shoot more. Buying a couple of players won’t address all these issues. I’ve got nothing against Pat Rice, he may be the brains of the outfit. I was looking forward to a change though.
Hi Chary 🙂
Hi Arsenal Avenue,
Just had a look at your new blog – very nice. We’ve had a few regular Australian bloggers on here but it usually gets a bit fraught when cricket is mentioned so they come and go.
Good Post,
But i disagree Pat Rice has my admiration but coaching is all about set drills and new ways of penetrating defences,Pat Rice was a decent defender but he does not coach good drills, it sounds like he puts the cones out and puts them away after training and that’s it Wenger does the rest. Well i am sorry our defence is a mess and it has been for some time and while this system of coaching stays we will not win anything, This coaching method has a six year history of failure how much longer do we have to put up with it before we see sense and employ a proper coach who knows something about defending. Defending is not our only problem our forward play stops at the eighteen yard line then the ball is either passed back or sideways until we lose it, You don’t have to be an Einstein to work out they have run out of idea’s, Good coaching instils idea’s drills will increase goals. Wenger cannot do everything and its proven that he can’t coach.
Hi Chary, I was wondering where he is gone and when Sharkey will start accusing me of things
Pat Rice is an institution, we cannot let him go or we might face scenario when Ray Wilkins left the chavs; number 2 in charge has often plays an extremely important role and Pat service to the Club has been long recognised as outstanding.
I am delighted that he signed another contract.
I wonder if our angry fans who want Arsene out, will learn anything from the Aston Villa Saga.
The American owner does not give a monkeys what they think, so will the fans give up on their season tickets as they are threatening to do, I doubt it.
@ Steve Palmer,
“This coaching method has a six year history of failure”.
You are forgetting the six years before that of joy. I think we have lacked quality personnel at the back, but last year was an improvement in the actual quality of players in defence, tweaking is needed, but coaching defence isn’t a black art and if anyone can coach defence it’s someone who worked up the coaching ranks under George Graham.
WG
What about PV, is there any substance to that rumour?
Wigan – thank you for your excellent post. Poor old Pat gets often forgotten and taken for granted. I am so pleased you highlighted the little fellows importance
Evonne, you’re very welcome. 🙂
WG
Wigan G, fair point, but Pat struggles to get to his chair on match days and times change, if we dont move with the times we risk falling behind like we have, you are only as good as your last year and we have had six bad ones, time for good old pat to rest his aching legs and retire, we are getting ripped apart by lesser teams without reply we can’t bury our heads for ever its time to take a breath.
@ Steve,
I agree with you to an extent, but PR is more than someone who hobbles about. He is an important part of the backroom staff and in a summer of mass-upheaval in the Arsenal squad you need that stability.
Don’t despair, PR will probably retire next season and then you will see whether you are right or not.
WG
Trouble is though WG i want to win now, I get no satisfaction from Pat going only when we win.
Great Post Wigan, and fabulous news abot PR.
Here’s a thought, and something I have alluded to on here before, maybe SK knows that to get AW back to his stress free best, he needs pressure lifted, and PR’s role has been changed. Hence PR MkII Villa version.
Horribly busy today.
Hello Chary.
The substance to the Vieira rumour is that we had ten wonderful minutes imagining what it would be like if it were true.
I agree London, the news set me up for the day and I have to admit to spending more than a few minutes looking at pictures of him in an Arsenal shirt on google images 🙂
@ Steve,
You’re dismissing the fact that Pat Rice was a big part of the invincible’s Back-room team. Are you suggesting that the skills that were applicable then are no longer so?
If we win something this season will you be asking for him to stay or do you feel he is at the root of the malaise currently affecting Arsenal
WG
Fashions come and go would you keep a centre forward who scored thirty goals a season six years ago but only scores 7 a season now every dog has its day Pats days are behind him
Nice post WG- you have an ability to say a lot in few words- a great quality! I’m inclined to follow Steve Palmer’s line of thought. I have no wish to disrespect the fantastic service of Pat Rice to our club but either he or Wenger must take responsibility for the schoolboy defending at set pieces and the panic that visibly surges through the team when we are defending a lead but on the back foot in the last 15 minutes. Drilling the defence may be happening but it certainly ain’t effective.
RA- forgive me for this, but didn’t Tony Adams say that Graham drilled them long and hard and was hated for it whereas Wenger was more holistic using diet and psychology? I don’t think anything he said scotched rumours of a lack of defensive drilling as far as i can see 😦
Time for enthusiastic back room staff hungry with the want to win works hard with players showing them drills that will make them sharper fitter and more efficient and more successive, Pat did well years ago time to enjoy his past and relax and enjoy his retirement
Congratulations WG, your article has just passed 7,500 views today and has given us the platform to reconsider PR’s role and his value to the club.
I think the point about Wilkins departure from chelski is a good one – most of their supporters would say that they have suffered since he left. I am somewhere in the middle, Carlito’s comment above sums up my reservations better than I could have expressed them – thanks C11 😛
@Carlito
But surely its folly to break up the back-room team when you are making wholesale changes to your squad?
WG
I just had a call from my contact, the very reliable source I spoke about earlier: PV is undergoing a medical as we speak, after which he will lunch with Evonne, the most loyal Polish Gooner he has ever known 😆
Message for Peaches from PV through reliable contact: ‘Vous-etes tres bienvennu ausi, Peaches, la ultime femme fatale’.
@ TA
Is that for a player-coach role?
WG
Tres possible WG, tres possible!
Apologies for limited French btw 😆
WG- are we making wholesale changes to our squad? Even if we do end up with a bit of a sea change in playing personnel- surely the point would be to start a new culture with new zip, energy, methods and enthusiasm. Bringing in 5-7 players can change the atmosphere and culture but if the methods remain the same it’s highly possible that the results will remain the same… (In my opinion of course)!
RA, nebulous rumours? I have never been more veracious. The same reliable source told me Bergkamp will become a coach next season specialising in ‘staying healthy and positive during European air travel’.
@ Carlito
We have conclusive evidence that Arsene’s methods and training works. It’s the personnel that have failed us. You can’t compensate for the defender not clearing a ball correctly, that’s not training, that’s common sense.
I think a big part of the problem has been a lack of collective maturity in the squad. I hope this is being addressed and the players take a hard look at themselves.
WG
Nice pic I’d not seen before
Last one from me, I promise.
OMG chas, I’d forgotten how good that goal against totnum was – all the players and coaching staff should be made to watch that compillation every day to show that you can attack at pace and with directness and beautiful football.
Thanks for the post WG.
I must admit to bieng alittle disappointed when I herad PR was staying on. GM has expressed my thoughts already:
goonermichael says:
June 16, 2011 at 11:51 am
we need to defend set pieces. We need to see the season out. We need to instill some confidence. We need to shoot more. Buying a couple of players won’t address all these issues. I’ve got nothing against Pat Rice, he may be the brains of the outfit. I was looking forward to a change though.
Hey Evonne.
Some formulaes in my spreadsheet are playing up. Have you been playing about with them..??
From ticket stealing to spreadsheet mangling – shocking.
Did 26m ever get his hand back..??
Chas….lol at Arsene’s big glasses. My father in law has a similar pair (for reading) , and when we were last in Canda and saw them, my wife and I wept tears of laughter. Shocking.
Worse still, he’s wearing a rugby shirt under a (cheap looking) suit.
PR looks aboout 35 in that pic.
Thanks Sharkey. Until we address those issues we’ll stay where we are. I’m positive about next season though.
Sometimes football is a game of centimetres, millimetres even….that can be the difference between winning and losing.
That’s where luck comes in. We need some luck too. We were lucky in some respects last season, but unlucky in others.
WG
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13792113.stm
I can’t even describe how I feel about this.
A lifelong socialist, Ferguson was knighted in 1999 when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.
Make SAF a lord? A bleeding SITH Lord if you ask me!
Fat Sam has released Mathew Upson on a free, will Arsene be interested, can Matt still do a job in the PL
Upson + Larsson has a familiar ring LOL
GM …I’m just going to pretend that I didn’t see that. Hopefully someone with editorial rights can delete your post, and then Carlito’s as well, just to be safe.
Hey Carlito. HOw’d yer jump go. I’ll fnd uot soon enough, as I intend to have a big read up/read back of all the AA stuff I’ve missed this week.
I’ll do it today and tomorrow whilst at work, as I’ve vowed to do no more (/very little?) actual work til next week !!
Nice post WG…. in a way.
By which I mean it is the height of classiness to doff our caps towards someone as steeped in all things Arsenal as Pat Rice. As London said at the top, there is no-one at the club who can rival his pedigree as being that most beautiful of things, one of us within the fold.
But in the end, and as me old mucker RA implied, the debate is futile: much as we all like to pretend we know about these things, in reality we have not a blinking idea about who is a good coach, how these things are done, or whether Primorac or Brady or Bould or good old Pat Rice are any good. Unless we have actually been professional players employed by Arsenal (if only……), it is all just ill-informed speculation.
So to all those who say “Rice has had his day” or “Rice is a yes-man” or even “Rice is bloody marvellous”, sorry, but you just don’t know.
All of that said, I’m still pleased to see a post on such an old stalwart as Pat Rice. I always have a soft spot for him, because (a) he was an Arsenal first-teamer when I first fell in love with football and Arsenal, (b) right back was my position (yes, I know, famed for being the home of the least talented players….) and (c) he (like me and no doubt like Exile’s dad) takes pride in having grown up locally to the club.
Finally, a little word about wengersdefenders’ suggestion for placating dissenting fans by bringing in a suitably acceptable coach. I understand where the thought comes from, but choosing coaching staff on political grounds is the road to ruin. Wenger needs to have the scope to pick his coaching staff and run the playing staff in precisely the way he thinks is right. We have a right to challenge what appears on the pitch (including shoddy defending etc), and a right to challenge the club about ticket prices, the failure of players to do more to reach out to the fans etc. But the training ground is, and must remain, the manager’s preserve.
PS: RA, come back matey, we need to have a barney…….
What the coach that can’t get Theo to stay wide and cut in! or even RUN!!!!
Even Forrest Gump could be coached so you have to look at the coach.
Arsene Wenger is the coach Bracknell.
Just saw this from Barca’s Jose Rosell (re Jose Mourinho slagging them off): “If the limits of sportsmanship are crossed again, we will be obliged to break institutional relations”.
That from the club that has repeatedly and blatantly tapped up our players pretty much continuously for the last ten years. I may not like Mourinho, and I may love the football Barca play, but sometimes they really do live up their own rear-ends.
WG
Haha – great headline and a commendable post.
I am firmly in the “none of us knows what goes on between AW and Pat or between Pat the team” camp.
All I will say is that he has been a fantastically loyal servant to Arsenal and some of the people who have been abusing him online should be ashamed of themselves.
Pat was first team coach when we were winning doubled and cups under AW so it’s not as if he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
The whole club has suffered from the lack of resources engendered by the stadium move. That has been the key factor in us not winning things, not whether Pat makes the players do star jumps or squats in the pre-game warm-up.
If ever I saw Pat in real life I would have just one word for him: “Thankyou”.
(or is that 2 words??)
TA
I’m enjoying your humorous comments about ex stars coming back to the club, but must confess to now being totally bamboozled as to whether there is any substance to your original PV4 story or whether it’s all a joke.
Can you help me out?
Redders
I was beginning to doubt your ‘elk’ story after three days in Banff without seeing more than a chipmunk.
The poor fellow must have had a few too many single malts, I thought to myself.
Then as I was driving out of the town yesterday (on my way to Calgary airport) there they were: lots of the beggars, grazing in between the two carriageways.
They’re pretty big beasts and if I encountered one outside of the safety of my car I, like you, would throw diginity to the wind and scarper.
I was pleased to hear about your night out at Petrus. I’ve eaten there a couple of times and it was excellent. Is it still owned by Ramsay?
One rumour that I really hope is NOT true is the Jermaine Defoe one.
He has scored the occasional good goal, but overall his scoring record throughout his career has been absolute pants.
And apart from that, do we really want Spud cast-offs in our team?
You’re all playing that hiding game again, aren’t you?
Hi Rocky, I think the PV story may have originated from a couple of items today that reported 3 of the Invincibles; PV, Bobby and Sol, were all out of contract and therefore available on a’ free’
…. oh and I’m wiith you 100% on the Defoe story – no thanks
Hi 26, I agree that the training ground must remain the manager’s preserve, and that we do not really know what coaching methods are being used or whether these are any good. However, we know that we conceded far too many goals again during last season, and we have heard TA’s comments recently, suggesting that AW defensive coaching is not his strongest point. The role/qualities of the coach and coaching methods are therefore important topics, and although we do not know exactly what happens regarding these, it is still important to discuss them as good as we can.
There seems to be a feeling among a significant part of the fans that it was time for PR to move on, and for Wenger to recruit a more exciting prospect, who would suppliment Wenger’s fantastic skillset. This has not happened and it remains to be seen whether it was a missed opportunity.
Sharkey – formulae playing up is not very technical 🙂 Get my email from Peaches and send me the details, I’ll have a look
Peaches and London – how could you do this to me??? I believed you, I told others! Now I am down, down, down……Patrick in the tunnel eyeballing the oposition, oh boy, that’s a sight for my sore eyes
Hi RL, it was a bit of fun re PV – just to create a bit of transfergossip by ourselves. It was initiated after Chas posted that KeithTheGooner alledgedly made up a ‘Bramble to Arsenal’ rumour.
By the way, liked your comment yesterday that Wenger is a Romantic who thinks he is a Classic. Would be good to hear more from you about that.
I am one of those who is strongly in favour of a new defence coach. Having said that, I must also say that I am not against Pat Rice and don’t consider him a yes man. Your points regarding stability are valid and important. But I feel the club needs one more addition to the backroom staff. Someone who can takeover first from Pat Rice, and then in due course go on to be a manager in his own right. I don’t see Rice and another coach as mutually exclusive.
Hi TA. I agree that we can see the defensive aspects of the team aren’t sufficiently organised, and that of course falls to Wenger and the coaching team to address. I just don’t see how we can say anything interesting about whether one of the coaches is or is not an effective member of staff. All we can say is that aspects of what we see on the pitch aren’t up to scratch.
I guess my real point (and it’s a pretty small point) is that I object to those commenting as if they are informed experts on such an issue; none of us can be such an expert and tehrefore we just aren’t able to say whether Pat Rice is good or not.
On the other hand, the other TA ( 😉 ) can of course comment with authority, and his comparison of the coaching approaches of Wenger and Graham was interesting.
26, agree fully with your 2nd paragraph: it is what makes the discussion so difficult. If only we had an expert in our midst!
Defoe…..please no! Ok so Wrighty may have worked on his finishing with him but I seriously think he is and always has been too greedy to play for Arsenal. His better at big fish in little pond mode.
Now Modric at 22 is one I would sign and if we think there’s a chance of losing Cesc or Nasri I’d be making moves now rather than let Abramovich get him…..surely not knowing who the manager will be at Chelsea could be used to our benefit……if we were interested.
A Charlton Athletic supporting mate of mine reckons that Pingpong is heading to them on loan…
Anyone else heard this?
Personally I think it would be a good idea if true. I have been left a bit baffled by the number of people writing him into next season’s story as if he’e the player we’ve all been waiting for. He’s a promising youngster but that’s it at the moment. And when AW has publicly committed himself to signing experience I can’t imagine he sees big Manny featuring much for us next year.
A good loan season in the championship will tell us a lot and will help him develop a lot.
Completely agree Rocky, and long may we refer to him as Pingpong.
GiE – I seem to remember that AW did not sign Modric becasue he thought him to small and frigile; that was 2-3 years ago, perhaps he has changed his mind
Actually 26 I thought twice about referring to him as Pingpong.
Some people seem to think we’re being offensive to the players when using nicknames like Kozzer, Squidgy, Chesney etc.
I prefer to think of it as affectionate.
Evonne
If we were to lose Cesc, Modric would be a decent replacement.
Rocky,
Its “Whiff Whaff” not “Ping Pong”, having said that, I agree with you that it would be a good move. Very jealous of your trip to the Rockies
@Rocky: Offensive? Really? Bizarre. I’m with you, just a matter of affection.
Now Modric leaving Totteringham would be very amusing.
Offensive? The world has gone mad. Mind you, I have banned my ten year old children going on a day course at school tomorrow to learn about sex and drugs. Ten years old!!!
I am taking them Lobster catching instead.
Micky
It was my first time in the Rockies and it was breathtakingly beautiful. I’ll definitely be going back.
With a bit of luck the Spuds could lose Modric, Defoe and Bale.
I can’t see them even holding on to fifth place next year, but no doubt their supporters will be telling us how they are going to take our CL spot.
Hiya Rocky, I agree, I like Luka, but it was Le Boss who decided him too small for PL
BTW, what is going on in peaceful Canada?? A riot over ice hockey? That is passion 🙂
Rocky,
I once spent two weeks walking the high Pyrenees and every two days I kept running into two Germans who had walked/climbed in the Rockies the previous year, so I heard many tales over camp fires. Sounded fantastic. It was the scale of the place that really impressed them.
Micky – you have a thing about Germans, don’t you? Just like Red Arse about Japanese girls
I’ve never been sold on Modric- yes he looks good on the ball but I make him a Carrick MKII – a stylish watercarrier. He’s good in the middle of the park but I don’t rate him as an attacking force with just 4 goals and 3 assists this season I really think he’s a classic case of the emperor’s new clothes. Put him and Jack in midfield and we’d be short with no goal threat from midfield. Chelsea have apparently had a £22m bid for him turned down just now but I’d take VanDerFart over him anyday (if we had to take a spud)
Nolan 29 years old £50k per week 5 year contract.
Sometimes it takes a lunatic contract like that to realise we aren’t as bad off as some. Poor Whammers.
Oh Evonne, I have so many things about so many things.
Off out.
So let me get this right: West Ham have just been relegated but apparently (it may be press rubbish of course, but assuming not) have contracted to pay £13million to Kevin Nolan for the dog-end of his career?
Bloody hell. Nolan must have a fantastic agent.
Its probably Fat Sam 26 🙂
But dandan, that would be immoral…………
🙂
Qatar Holdings making £2 billion takeover plans for Manchester United Qatar Holdings are reportedly planning a £2 billion takeover of Manchester United.
The People claims Qatar Holdings, the business arm of the country’s ruling royal family, are financing United’s summer spending which is expected to be around £125 million.
It is argued that United’s owners, the Glazer family, who bought the club for nearly £800 million in 2005, do not have the financial capability to fund that level of transfer spending.
Qatar Holdings, a division of the Qatar Investment Authority, is believed to have had a £1.5 billion offer turned down last year.
Rumours in the financial world suggest that a third party – thought to be the Qataris – may have in any event provided a £250 million loan to the Glazers late last year.
That move, if believed, could be the forerunner to a full-blown takeover bid, which may be £2 billion, the figure at which the Glazers are reckoned to value the club.
This is quite worrying really. They are the new shirt sponsers of Barca and basically bought the WC.. Once bin haman (sorry about the spelling) clears his name he will probably end up taking over from bladder.
DD 🙂
First time in today. WG fine article – thank you.
I am one of those who was not delighted to read of PR staying. I think he has been a fine servant to the club and should continue to work at AFC until he decides to retire …… but not as AW’s No.2.
We need a shake up, not root and branch but a shake up nonetheless. We have to get “modern” and two coaches over 60 y.o. is hardly conducive to change.
AW deserves time to see his project to fruition but I would like to have seen some new blood to pep things up
Hmmm. GM. What attracts these guys to Manchester? They clearly haven’t been there !
GM
That explains the ‘make Fergie a Lord’ story: Obviously the Qataris are trying to cement their position in every way possible.
What’s the going rate for a peerage these days? Half a mill?
Hi Raddy
There doesn’t really seem much scope for growth either.
I just read the bbc websites review of the season. They are as bad as all the others.
Rosell said: “If last summer we offered €40m for Cesc, and since there has been wear and tear, now he’s worth less.”
If I was Cesc I’d go to Real if I left Arsenal. Barca are so classless
Looks like I’m on my own
cracking post..
Perhaps the BArca chaps are used to buying and selling fish
Footballers improve at Cesc’s age.
HI JJ.
Long time ….
Thanks for all the great comments 🙂 its good to see such healthy debate goin on!
Keep up the solid work.
WG
Arsenal have signed Ivory Coast striker Gervinho on a four-year deal from French outfit Lille, it is being tweeted.
Followers of the @DarrenArsenal1 Twitter account received the info just now. He wrote: “Gervinho has agreed a 4 year deal with #arsenal and club hope to announce signing before the weekend.”
We wouldn’t normally repeat this as news but Darren — a lifelong fan and well-known figure at the club — is known to have reliable sources at the club.
This follows on nicely from the debate about journalists and bloggers. This is from a twitter account. It’ll be on sky sports news at 9
Micky the NutNut – my bees have arrived, I thought you were interested a while ago
The Quatar news is very worrying, the whole game could be ruined by unfair advantage, money spinning stakeholders and diamond studed players. If it is bad now, it could be a hell lot of worse
Nothing new Evonne. MU have 3 players costing over £30m, more at @£20m and a bunch of kids who cost over £15m. The money will make little difference.
They dine at The Ritz and we dine a Nick’s Cafe in Stoke Newington High St
BR is that cafe still there 🙂
Another great article WG.
This site is slowly becoming my favourite.
I think Rice is very important to us and if it was not for our star players wanting out, I’d have preferred a change. But so much is changing that its good that atleast he’s staying.
http://delhigunners.blogspot.com/2011/06/re-review-of-footballing-spectacle.html
He likes to work with players and iron out their imperfections ? Did’nt do a very good job with Denilson, Diaby, Bendtner, Eboue, Squillaci, Almunia, Vela, Rosicky and Arshavin. Sorry but thats just a pile of Tottenham Hotspur. I have seen nothing to persade me that this summer will be any different to the last six.
What were you hoping to see by 16th June?
Congratulations WG
Most viewed post on AA ever.
He took the belt RL! Nice work WG
Well played WG.
A cracking headline that had the news wires buzzing.
Great work WG
Thank you guys!! I’m honoured. I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and its only a credit to you guys that AA consistently gets great articles and people love coming back.
AA wouldn’t be great if you guys weren’t here and putting your opinions forward and giving me the opportunity to write mine.
@Leon – You can’t argue that the player’s mentioned have actually improved in their time at Arsenal, arguably Bendtner is premiership quality, but his attitude is questionable and that will hold him back until he matures. Arsene can only do so much.
You can’t argue with his track record, Pires, Henry, Anelka, Vieira, Ljungberg…do I need to keep going?
WG
WG – some achievement to be most viewed post on AA ever! Well done and thanks for your great posts and comments (and to WooWoo for her proof reading abilities) 🙂
Awww thanks TA 🙂 I’ll pass on your comments.
I need to start writing some decent articles for my own site now!! 🙂
WG
Hopefully this works Copa Liberatories pre kick off as filmed by the lad I mentioned
Aahh old video embed code did not work….anyone help?
Ahhhhh bugger just click the link
According to Premier League Free Transfer List Roarie Deacon should be added to leaving list
Click to access 0,,12306~162068,00.pdf
WG , the articles for your own site are just as good. You just get more exposure here at AA.
I am no internet marketing expert, but it might be a good idea to change the name of your site to something less geographical (the Wigan bit): something that fans quicker associate themselves with (like ArsenalArsenal for example). Just an idea.
Initially I thought the Wigan bit gave me a bit of originality among a dearth of Arsenal blogs, but perhaps you are right…I’ll have to have a think…
Thanks for the feedback though, its all worth considering.
WG
GIE, I always just highlight and copy the address from the address bar as it appears when you watch the clip and paste that in.
i.e. http://www.youtube…………………….WKZg for your clip.
Great atmosphere. Reminds me of old style Stamford Bridge……miles from the pitch.
Your blog-future is bright WG!
Thanks TA 🙂
GiE, with an atmosphere like that it almost puts the game on the back-burner!!
Right I’m off….chat to you guys tomorrow!!
WG
Testing Chas theory
Ok that works then….cool thanks Chas
To be honest im sick of hearing about people possibly leaving I think everyone wants to know who’s coming into the club , we all know bendtner ,denilson, rosicky possibly and maybe more are leaving but I don’t think gervinho or Cahill are the awnser … Benzema , samba , Douglas costa who we are linked with are the class we need and maybe even hazard ! I think we have to be realistic but I think if they pulled the cheque book out then they are realistic maybe even alexis sanchez what an amazing player he looks yet we can’t attract interest just like when we didn’t buy ronaldo yet he buys awful players like Jeffers !
[…] Arsène makes greatest signing of the transfer window – Guess who? Written by Wigan Gooner […]
First time on the site. Been living abroad since having a season ticket in the east lower in the invincible days. Back in Islington now and can’t wait for the new season. I like Pat Rice. I preferred it when he walked the touchline and yelled at Parlour instead of Wenger chucking water bottles, Much less embarrassing. I think his time has probably passed but this is not the time to let him go. If we change a lot on the pitch, it is best not to change much off it at the same time. One final point, defenders like Adams, Campbell and Keown etc didn’t need to work on there defensive game by the time Wenger had them they were the finished article. Growing defenders is hard work and a lottery as we are finding. Wenger loyal though!
Well said Jamie. With a sensible comment like that you’re welcome anytime.
Lucky you with your ST. Bet you can’t wait for kick off.
Fixture list day today so that’ll really whet your appetite. Fingers crossed for Swansea home.
Trevor Brooking in the Mirror today….we should have ten Jack Wilshere’s http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-news-England-need-10-Jack-Wilsheres-to-make-up-for-Under-21s-lack-creativity-in-final-third-admits-FA-bigwig-Trevor-Brooking-article748211.html
“Before the tournament, we said the challenge would be to score goals, Creativity and subtlety in the final third is probably something neglected in all the age groups.
“Jack could have made the difference in all our teams – Under-19s, Under-21s and seniors – because he does epitomise what we’re talking about.
“But we shouldn’t be looking at one Jack. The reason we’re talking about his ‘red zone’ – the fact that he is risking burn-out – is that we only have one Jack.”
“We should have more than that, 10 of them.”
All over the gossip pages today:
Corriere dellol Sport : Eto’o desire to play in England puts Arsenal on alert
TalkShite : AW is keeping tabs on German U17 striker Samed Yesil
Metro : Arsenal on the brink of signing Cahill and Larsson
Mirror : Arsenal to complete signing of Gervinho in next 48 hours
If this lot are to be believed we could be in for a busy weekend.
Morning GiE,
Loved your Copa clip. Thanks.
So, its fixture day is it? The moment we enter in our diaries the first AA get together.
Evonne,
You have your Bees. Great news. Do you know what type they are. Russians? English Black? In other words, are they one of the Varroa Resistant Bees. Also, what do you know about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and have you experienced this in the past. This is the one thing that puts me off, as there are a few Keepers in my area, and everyone appears to suffer.
Evonne,
Have you read A World Without Bees. Fascinating book.
GiE- never believe metro- lying toerags! The mirror often gets it right though. Eto’o to Arsenal would be fantastic wouldn’t it? One of my wishlist of 3- but I doubt there is much to it unfortunately…
Evonne,
Last ever Bee post I promise, but read about Brother Adam, a mad Monk who came to Buckland Abbey on Dartmoor in Devon.
http://www.buckfast.org.uk/site.php?use=bees
Carlito,
Yesterday it was PV, today Eto. I will go with today’s every time 🙂
Micky there was something on Springwatch about Varroa and apparently some guy has worked out that some of his bees were clever enough to kill off the mite by grooming each other.
He now artificially inseminates the good queens (those that produce this act in their workers) and therefore is producing resistant hives.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1305695/Beekeeper-Ron-Hoskins-breeds-indestructible-bee-protect-mite.html
Great stuff GiE,
The Russian Bees I mentioned early have worked out for themselves that they can live in mutually beneficial harmony with a limited number of the Mites. It is all quite worrying really. In parts of China, they are now manually pollinating fruit trees!
Micky and GiE – good morning!
The SMR/VSH bees are available in Europe and US, but I don’t know where to get them here.
My bees are Italians from NZ. When the beekeeper opened the hive to show me my lot, my eyes popped out – they are absolutely beautiful – all yellow and so docile that he works them without gloves.
I am a complete beginner, lucky to have good friends who are taking care of me (my health issues) and are very supportive; so if you need anything let me know and I know where to ask for help.
Eto’o – how old is he? Isn’t he past his best now?
31, just checked
Evonne,
I have a feeling that Brother Adam (guess what, a German I believe) introduced Italian Bees which he cross bred with English to produce The Buckfast Bee.
Off out for the day.
Morning
Fascinating about the bees. I love this site.
I would take Eto’o in a heartbeat but I cannot see us paying his wages – Spurs might.
Auf Wiedesehen Micky
Nice start
Newcastle A
Liverpool H
ManUre A
GiE – how do you know???
ok, ok, bbc sport
That is pants!! Mind you, all games could be tricky and we might as well get the shit/manure out of the way sooner rather than later
Great start to the prem next season. We have to hit the ground running. Bring it on. we’re going to smash them all this time (not in a richard keys way) 🙂 I prefer a difficult start, it will focus them.
We will win at Newcastle assuming we get a referee who understands the rules of the game. (still furious with Dowd )
Liverpool first up last season and first home next. Great.
We don’t have a great record at OT, so let’s get it out the way early.
Morning ….
New post…….
In between those three are the CL play off legs.
So for us 5 games in 14 days….then International break
Gatwick Airport cabs airport taxi Transport Travel…
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