A recent statement from our esteemed manager got me thinking, should he be treated any differently from the once ‘hero-like’ ex-players who left the club for ‘trophies’ and are now regarded as the spawn of the devil himself, or is he in a different position!?
What possible statement could make Slim compare the club’s greatest ever manager to these money grabbing heathens, I hear you cry!? It was this:-
“I’m an Arsenal man but two years is a long time in my job. At the moment I’m not in the mood to think about the long term future.”
How many times over the last 5 years have we heard words along those lines being said by the likes of Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri etc?
Now I’m not for a moment suggesting that Wenger is about to throw away 16 glorious years at the club to go in search of ‘trophies’, after all, he’s probably had more than 1 opportunity to do that in the last few years with the likes of Madrid, Barca, France and Chelsea all hunting around for new managers and all with the loaded bank balance needed to tempt people to forget their loyalties! But it does make me wonder wether he should be treated any differently to the likes of Theo, who has been lambasted for his approach to contract negotitations.
I know the response to this will be that Arsene has done unbelievable things for this club, whereas the likes of Cesc, RvP and Nasri used us as a stop gap to seemingly bigger things (their wallets being the biggest, bigger thing!), but I was wondering what would your reaction be if Arsene decided to run down his contract next year to move on to a club with the cash flow to bolster his bank balance and buy the worlds best.
Would he be getting a gold carriage clock and a whip round from the staff, or would he be cleaning out his locker in private and get booed upon his return!?
Written by SlimGingerGooner
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Maybe you should try and find a player that has played at Arsenal for 16 or more years to make a fair comparison. Our manager has been loyal, he has gone off to Brazil, France, Barca or Madrid when club or country was calling for him. Where as our players jump ship when they have a chance. We need more players with the kinda loyalty Steven Gerrard has.
Not sure what point you are making here slimgin, Wenger has never agitated for a new contract and has been happy to renew when it became necessary.
At his age two years is a long time in any job and he is honest enough to admit that if things don’t go well he will carry the can.
I like his harder attitude as evinced in reports in today’s papers, any player not happy at our club should look elsewhere.
I don’t expect Wenger to leave before the end of his current contract (2014) and I’m confident that he will complete twenty years as manager.
He will always be accorded the respect he has earned, can you really imagine the Arsenal Faithful booing him?
No one’s gonna pay him more – he’s on more money than Mancini as it is. If he doesn’t renew it’ll be to retire and good luck to him if he does.
I thought someone might do a ‘journo’ on this as easy story. But Wenger has a retiral date in mind, and planning at AFC has that date in mind – the alternative would be to think that the Club was Wenger FC.
Good morning all.
Slim, I have stated before that when Wenger’s autobiography comes out we may get to read many answers to questions posed by the fans,especially these last few seasons.
He is a 100% loyal to his employees and is rewarded handsomely but I fear for his health, he has aged 5 years in eighteen months.
Obviously he knows better than anyone how the club wish to operate and magically has kept us in the top four for countless seasons.
The second phase of his management has been made much mored difficult with the cash rich Chelsea and City of this world.
I believe he will do his best to finally put Arsenal in a challenging position and then bow out gracefully He may even chose his own successor, and I doubt he will go into management with any other club.
I love Wenger more than any other manager in the world..
He is the best.. I wish he manage Dutch team someday (OOT)..
But two more years will be funtastic.. 18 years.. wow..
I think he will not quit untill we win EPL and UCL..
and I believe than it will happen soon.. very soon.. hehehe..
Go Gunners..
Neither Arsenal or its fans will ever be able to repay Arsene for all he has done for the club. As for his statement I was amused by your hypothetical spin, his statement surely just underlines his integrity in that he will not overstay his welcome if he feels he is not performing as the club deserves or to his own high standards.
After all so many football fans believe that running a club is only about winning trophies, Arsene has shown that to be a nonsense of course but who could blame him if he felt he didn’t need the aggravation of those blinkered pot hunters and decided to call it a day after fulfilling his contract. He will after all be 65 in two years time.
Interesting topic. I don’t think money is the concern. It’s probably down to his phylosophy of managing a team and buy vs grow. Also the pressure to see instant success, etc. Whether those clubs owners can let him do what he wants; that sort of stuff.
SGG. Controversial and interesting viewpoint.
To me it is a pertinent question which is much discussed by my friends and that is ….
“To Pension or not to Pension?”
To a driven man like AW the idea of the pipe and slippers will be an anathema. This is not a golf enthusiast or a gardener (like GG). He is so steeped in the work ethic and the Arsenal that he will struggle in retirement (media work notwithstanding)
I fully expect him to sign an open extension – if and it is a big IF he believes his work can continue to benefit The Arsenal.
I think there’s an element of self-doubt in Arsene these days, you need only look at the very visible frustrations season before last to see he couldn’t get what he wanted out of that team and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that he might be thinking that Arsenal are better off without Arsene in the future.
I think he’s going to give it a bloody good go in these two years though and if he’s close then maybe extend but if we can’t move forward with him then I think he’d be willing to step down, being one of the guys that genuinely does love Arsenal.
Interesting post SGG, and obviously when viewed it the light of our recent departures it is a valid question to ask.
I think the matter of a manager signing a new contract is not something that the club (I.G.) should have aired in public.
He must speak to AW all the time and you’d like to think they are friends. If he wanted to sound out AW for a new contract just have an off the record chat, don’t publish your thoughts to the world.
It appears that no such OTR discussion has taken place.
Imagine the scenario that AW has decided he is not going to renew his contract. If he came out and said that now, every minute detail of his performance from now to the end of his current contract would be judged from the viewpoint of ‘he’s leaving any way’.
Its totally unrealistic to expect AW to say such a thing. If he did leave it would not be to manage any other premiership club – maybe a go at international management or a return to France (or possibly a Spanish or Italian ‘giant 🙄 )
Personally I think he wants to see how things go this season.
It is often stated that he has sold his best 2 players for the last 2 seasons – well how come we’ve got a better team and greater chance of winning something than for half a decade then?
He didn’t create most of the players that make this new look team so good. His idea of building a team for 3 years ahead by bringing through youth has been dramatically adapted and is now more in line with the way other teams operate.
I think he wants to see if his ‘new way’ works; if letting SB take some of the strain and if not investing too much emotionally in his proteges will bring success. If it does, he will probably sign a new contract.
I think he will never ever leave arsenal i bet you if he leave there will hell lot of offers availble for him…. Because he is the best manager in whole world,,, I respect arsene because player came he grommed them and they left… But one man never left that is him i dont know how he might be feeling when player who leave says wenger doesnt have vision or idea to take this club example brave sir robin.. But wenger never comment even after RVP public comment about the club wenger kept on telling he is the best stiker in the world…. It shows how this man is… He never got support from board in transfer window in terms of funds…. desipte of that we finish in first 4……. #Respect
Hi kelsey, Raddy and dandan, nice to see some of the old faces back in circulation 😛
Rasp. In the words of that old curmudgeon Leo Trotsky, “Go forth and Multiply” ….
Morning Folks, and well done Slim for coming up with a Post in this quite interlude. 🙂
As for the response to the question you pose regarding Arsene, Dandan speaks for me @ 9:57 which leaves me with nothing to add! 🙂
All good things must come to an end, but when and how? It could be the pressure of the job he obviously enjoys is having an effect on his health, or maybe he is on the new `Feed and Fast’ regime tried out by Michael Mosley on the Horizon program. Anyway, whatever the reason for his appearance, it is pretty obvious that his loyalty to Arsenal is not in question. A highly intelligent man who has been to Hell and back these last few seasons with the upheaval of his team and the constant nagging from a section of disgruntled fans, must take its toll. If the present team proves their worth and finally produce silver wear, I believe Arsene will then feel he is once more back in the driving seat and be ready for the next contract; but with who?!
? Raddy
Wenger generally say he’ll go if he feels he’s not good for the club. It’s the opposite to theo, nasri, vanpussy etc. Thgey all think they are entitled to more. theo must be off in Jan. I really don’t care personally. Hope we get decent money for him.
DS,
One thing that Wenger cannot be accused of is self doubt, doubt in the players who have under-performed maybe, doubt in the disloyal players who have engineered their departures maybe, self doubt? Never!
Clever post Ginger, and good to see you back writing one! 🙂
Arsene has done this now so many times that, like others have said above, we should not read too much into this. He has got now, more or less, a totally new first-11 – except for Sagna and Theo and just about TV, nobody has had more than two full seasons at Arsenal – and I reckon he will have looked them in the eyes recently, and said: ‘my contract runs out in 2014 and depending on how you lot perform this season, I will decide whether to extend it or not – it’s up to you now.’
He has been let down too many times recently and I genuinely believe that if this new team lets him down as well, he will leave his management position. Luckily, this teams appears to have a stronger backbone.
Slim I think context here is the key.
He answered the question in view of his age.
I can’t see him taking another club job, it’ll be his retirement date when he fails to renew at Arsenal.
Reading the interview in parallel with Gazidis’s interview yesterday and there is a clear picture of where the club is heading.
Arsene has proved many times in the past that he is loyal to the club.
Now it is not a question of loyalty it is a question of can he do more. In 2 more years he may feel it’s time for Bouldie to take over, for me he is putting the finishing touches to his masterpiece.
My name is in the tavern widget but I can’t go as I’m working. I’m going to the Coventry and chav games though 🙂
Thanks for the post Ginge.
Is there a differnce between Arsene and the players? Of course there is. I wont go into the reasons, they are to many but i will say, integrety, respect, sincerety, intelligence and maturity all come up when thinking about comparisons between our manager and players.
NG, always good to read your comments. 🙂
However, self doubt (and a bit of healthy humility) is (are) a necessary ingredient for progress, and I believe Arsene has allowed a bit of it to enter his brain.
I also believe that Gazidis and Kroenke are no pushovers and will have had a role to play in Arsene’s recent shift towards buying experienced, ready-to-rock players.
Ok GM, I will reluctantly remove you 😦 I was hoping others might join us – perhaps it’s my aftershave
I’d go to every game if I could Rasp 😦
Rasp just to confirm….is this the Ivan quote you are talking about?
“I think he could stay on longer, absolutely he could. We haven’t discussed it yet but I believe he could. He’s fit, 62 years old, he’s in fantastic shape and he’s as driven as he’s ever been, as enthusiastic and excited as ever and I feel he can keep going for a long time.”
I’m not sure that’s a “public” way of forcing any issue.
IG full transcript here..http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ivan-gazidis-qanda-read-the-full-transcript..it’s an interesting read.
I know GM. I’m looking forward to publishing your #post next week – should lead to some lively debate 😆
My above post is based on my own life experiences. when i asked my first wife why she was divorcing me she said “because you lack integrety, respect, sincerety, intelligence and maturity”.I was taken aback by this, but quickly responded “ime a great lover though, right ??” .She never spoke to me again after that. hahaha
Hi GiE, thanks for the nudge.
In truth, I have made the fatal error of believing what I read and not researching the background. Even so, I think the last 3 paras of my @ 10:37 are relevant.
Terry,
Marrying you with that list of faults doesn’t say much for your ex. 🙂
Rasp, ever since Arsene came to the club successive directors have openly stated there wish and desire that Arsene stay at the club. Why should these desires not be made public? Its public confirmation what the Board think of Arsene and i for one hope these kind of statements continue.
Hi Norfolk. Exactly. It only confirms (in my mind anyway hahaha) that ime “By far the greatest lover the world has ever seen”. hahaha
I don’t know enough about who said what to whom to answer that properly TMHT, I just think such discussions should not be aired in public – it will inevitably put pressure on one or other of the parties.
Off out for a while, catch up later …..
Terry, you’re just a luuuve mancini! 🙂
Slim – good post, thank you for that.
I was thinking about Monsieur Wenger the other day and came to a conclussion that there is no way he will go without winning a major trophy for us again. Not only is he stubborn, but also a very proud man and he would not end his career just like that. Nay, no way. He will only go holding up a big shiny cup high.
However, if I am wrong, I won’t change my mind about Arseneif he leaves. There wasn’t and may never be another man who’s done as much for the Club as him.
SGG…thanks for the post. An emotive subject for many as a growing number of Gooners (including myself) often question Wenger’s ability to move the club forward, mainly due to the conflicting statements with regards to money being available / there being no money! Look at how Le Grove has gained in popularity since it’s humble beginnings…it shows an increasing disconnect between the direction of the club under Wenger and the way the fans want it to be run. I think a lot of the disconnect I mentioned earlier is more to do with transparency than anything else.
Anyhoo…the only thing that worries me about Wenger and contracts is that he clearly doesn’t need to win to get one, setting the manner of his leaving himself with seemingly minimal pressure to get results. As most have said above, we should be grateful for what he’s done for us, and I think that he, as stands, deserves a bit more time (there are many imponderables as to why we are where are we are – Kelsey makes a good point about waiting for the inevitable memoirs).
However, if results fall away the board should be as robust and open in their questioning of Wenger as they are in their praise – again reflecting a more transparent policy.
rhyle,
I think a lot of the people who comment on the said site, haven’t got the remotest idea how a football club should be run in these times.
Thanks for all the brilliant responses and for not taking this post too seriously!
I just thought that it’s a question that should be asked with our transfer dealings being so prominent in the last couple of years.
Wenger is a genius and you can see from the way that he talks about assessing his own work that he is a perfectionist aswell. I can’t imagine how much the last few trophy less seasons must have grated on a man like that. Sleepless nights have definately taken there toll. In recent months though I think we have definately started to see a more bullish Arsene Wenger. His dealings with people like Song, Theo, Sagna and even with his self-assessment suggest he is in no mood to mess about, and I think the club is better for it.
I can’t ever see him leaving to manage another club side, and I’m not sure the International scene would satisfy his love of developing and nurturing talent on a daily basis. I look forward to at least another 3 years under Wenger and I have no doubt that some trophies will be won in that time and he will have earned every single one of them.
Hi rhyle. I am compelled to respond to your post.
The money issue is old hat. Most people now recognise that we spend what we earn.
I have no idea why legover has gained popularity. Some posters on that site are complete idiots.
To say that Wenger dosnt have to win to get a new contract is a sweeping and incorrect statement.
To praise in public is one thing, but to openly critisise and castigate Wenger, or any employee for that matter, publicly is simply foolhardy.
Rhyle,
I think the one thing that many people forget is that not one person is more critical of their own performance than Arsene himself. As I just suggested, if he felt he couldn’t take the club forward then I think he would’ve walked a few years ago. He loves the club as much as we do.
Spot on Ginge, and it goes to the heart of your article. Arsene will evaulate his performance and his ability to proceed before signing a new contract. He puts the interests of the Club first.
The board has repeatedly said that Champions league football is the minimum requirement for the club ie third or fourth place. This statement means by definition that we also CHALLENGE on all fronts for trophys.
In the face of many obstacles, Arsenal and Wenger have consistently satisfied those requirements for years. In my mind, he goes when he wants
Wenger always has signed his new contract in the last year of his previous ones.
He has always (when the club start making noises about extending) side stepped it and said he would talk about it in the last year of his contracts.
He’s always signed them, with minimal fuss in the middle of seasons.
No, Wenger is nothing like the ungrateful mercenaries you mention.
He’s done the exact same things since he rocked up in 1996.
Any long term Gooners would know this.
So either the writers a Johnny come lately or fishing for a headline.
I can understand why people who became fans during the early days of AW’s reign become disillusioned by the recent lack of silverware. We had the chances to continue that amazing run of trophy winning and thanks to economic restraint and bad luck haven’t done so.
In this sense, AW has disappointed and some fans have tuned against him (the vast minority).
As to LG: Those fans need a forum and better it is LG and not here.
Rasp … it was the “old faces” and of course, I write in jest … 🙂
Not happy about Aguero’s return to fitness. Hope him, Yaya and Tevez get Orc’ed on Saturday
As you say Terry…it is old ground and not something I’d like to get into again! Was using the money / mixed messages to get across why people are increasingly frustrated with the direction of the club, not to raise it as an issue for discussion. It was more to highlight my next point, and thrust of the post, which was the lack of transparency.
I do not feel that Wenger is expected to deliver / compete for the PL title – quite rightly in some ways – and CL qualification, as has been shown in the last few years doesn’t constitute a PL title-tilt…at no point last season were we in the title picture, for example.
As for the criticism? Didn’t really say that, but when it’s deserved, we should be asking the right questions – if only to reassure fans that the board aren’t going to let anyone run over them and that we’re serious about the ongoing success of the club and not targeting the infamous “fourth placed trophy”.
Yes, he’s his harshest critic, and that’s all well and good. But how likely is it that he’ll realise that it’s time to go BEFORE it’s too late rather than after? Arsene Wenger (and AF) are the only employees, at any company, that are completely above reproach. That is not healthy.
We sailed close to the wind at the start of last season, and I’m just very, very keen to avoid a repeat and think that transparency (without the typically politician-like answers we get at supporters trust meetings) from the club is a very simple thing to ask for, and will mitigate a lot of the vitriol that is often (normally incorrectly) aimed at the club.
Goonersteve,
I’m neither of the things you mentioned. The reason I wrote this is to pose the valid question of is there one rule for Wenger and one for the players, and If so, why? we all know that if a player had said these words their would be a rumbling in the club to get them out. Given the recent nature of a lot of our transfers, I think it’s a valid question, and I’m glad you have given your opinion on the matter.
Rhyle,
You make a lot of very valid points, but I just have one question for you. Do you honestly believe that Wengers instruction from the board is to finish top 4, and if so, do you honestly believe that Wenger is the kind of man that would only look to build a team to meet these requirements, or do you think he would aim higher?
Sorry, that’s about 3 questions! 🙂
Cheers, Slim
I think the mandate is to finish as high as possible, but there’s been a tacit acknowledgement from both board and Wenger of our inability to compete fiscally with the likes of City / Chelsea / Utd (among…increasingly…others) that translates to an inability to compete for the title.
I don’t think that Wenger’s unambitious by any means, and his aim seems to be to push these clubs as much as possible with our “meagre resources”. I don’t think – this season aside – that he’s been under any illusion that our squad was capable of sustaining a challenge, with a couple of notable exceptions (Eduardo season, for example)…that’s why he’s sold us the “world class squad in 2 years” pitch for the last 7 years…not totally a criticism, just Wenger managing expectations…
Rhyle,
Has he, or the club, managed expectations though?
If we were an Olympic weightlifter, then we would currently be competing against 3 or 4 other athletes (more if you include Europe) who are on performance enhancing drugs, yet fans still moan that we haven’t won a ‘medal’ for 7 years! Surely fans expectations haven’t been managed correctly, either by themselves, or the club, or even the media.
Rhyle,
I have generally found you an intelligent and balanced individual making fair and balanced comments during your visits to AA. [No intent to patronize, by the way 🙂 ]
Therefore I am puzzled by the tenor of your comments today.
To imply that the often irrational and viscerally profane views of many of the bloggers on a certain other site, in some abstruse way, represent the views of the more perspicacious majority with regards to Arsene Wenger seems arcane to say the least, transparency or no.
In addition, you seem to have accepted the view, also originally emanating from that site, that AW, and by definition the Arsenal team, are ‘only’ required to reach fourth place in the EPL to be deemed to have been successful.
That can only be conjecture on your part, as I am sure the Board do not consult you, or the denizens of LG, on their strictly confidential instructions to our inestimable manager, who in any case has frequently made it plain he wishes to win the league, despite the almost impossible task set by the omnipotent Russian and Arab monies poured into other clubs.
There are many, myself included, who take the various comments made regarding the success criteria set by the Board (for Board read Kroenke) to mean that qualification for the ECL means ipso facto that, as a minimum, we would have to achieve fourth place in the EPL, not as a maximum.
No one in the Arsenal management hierarchy has ever said, to my knowledge, that we could not, nor should not, nor would not strive with might and main to win the EPL title. Can you direct me to any such statement?
It could be that in this instance, my understanding of what you wrote was not what you meant to say. I hope so. 🙂
Cheers SGG…hope married life is treating you well !
There’s simply no way that Arsene could ever get boos or even low groans at the Emirates were he to leave and return.
Its simply incredible that sites like Legover spout the daily shite they do and attract large no.s of comments. Its a haven for the feeble minded and/or psychotic.
The comment section is a vehicle for those morons to feel better about themselves by playing the tough guy, with the over use of profanity, and hysterical reactions to absolutely everything.
One in particular is spectacularly vitriolic on LG, but you meet him in person and its clear that in real life he’d hardly say boo to a goose.
However, my main thought re LG is to be remain thankful that it generally keeps all the spanners in one place.
Hope you don’t get the wrong end of the stick here, Redders…I’m merely a pragmatist!
I’m not for a moment holding up Le Grove (specifically the more…millitant…element) as representative of the majority, although it’s growing popularity over the last few years, alongside an increasingly vocal voice of dissent across the many, many blogs, can’t be chalked up to a few miserable people – they are a minority still, but their numbers are increasing year in, year out as disillusion grows. Also – and I think this is important – there remains some decent folk commenting over there – they’re not all mentalists..!
PHW, IG, AW have all been quoted that we can’t compete with the 3 I mentioned in the transfer market – those were the statements I mentioned – which, for me, makes an inability to maintain a sustained challenge implicit, if not explicitly stated. From there, it’s not a huge leap to say that our mandate is to finish as high as possible (which doesn’t, as you rightly point out, rule out finishing first!) and qualifying for the CL. Another point adding validity to this is the fact that we’re saving money for a “rainy day” – explicitly saying that there’s a good chance we’ll finish outside of the top4 one year. (By the by…for me…that year was last year. It didn’t happen and is unlikely to from here – especially if the FA bring in FFP-like requirements as expected).
The “quite rightly in some ways” was an endorsement of our being run the “right” way, as opposed to that or our rivals – it’s noble. City, Chelsea, Utd are NOT on performance enhancing drugs…unlike drugs cheats they’ve done nothing wrong at all, nothing against any rule in any football rule book. We have nothing but a moral high ground to take – and, again, this isn’t a criticism as much as an observation. I posted a great article on this very thing from a US website the other day…worth plodding through as it’s quite verbose…as am I today…
I honestly believe we’re one or two signings in Jan away from a proper title challenge – providing everyone stays fit between now and then. Yesterday’s post was absolutely right in that assertion. My ONLY real point earlier (although I clearly said it a very confusing and roundabout way – I love the sound of my own typed voice) was that more transparency would ensure that any criticism for the club or Wenger would be correct and warranted…that it would remove an incredible amount of the guesswork that goes into the grief that fans put both of their ways.
Holy smoke RA! You are going to set the fire alarms off! 🙄 😛
Although it will come as no surprise I don’t agree with Rhyle very much, like you RA, I rate his intelligent blogging qualities highly.
The fact is, ultimately we are talking about a black box: we don’t know exactly what objectives Arsene has been set, whether he chose not to spend money on new players when he could have, whether he over-invested in younger players unnecessarily, etc. Only if we knew all facts, which we never will as we are simply too far away from the decision makers, are we in a position to pass judgement. In the end, we go with our gut-feeling and will find the arguments and ‘facts’ to support it.
Some, most here on AA, tend to give Arsene and the board the benefit of the doubt, but I can live with fellow Gooners who don’t want to do that, or at least want to remain critical about Wenger’s and the Board’s performances on and off the pitch – especially if it is being done is such an intelligent and sincere way as Rhyle is doing now.
Rhyle,
Maybe a better way to put it is that we are a 70kg person competing in the 90-100kg weight class! 😉
I totally agree with your last paragraph. Most of the disillusion is of the fans own making due to having to put 2 and 2 together and making 5 all the time! I also believe the media have a whole lot to answer for when it comes to the split in the fan base at this club.
As usual, i agree with Evonne. i suspect Arsene wants to go out on top..as does someone like ferguson…the IMPORTANT difference is…Ferguson would do anything to get that glory, even if its not in the medium or long term good of the team, like the expensive RVP signing..Arsene could have kept VP and gone for it (although i disagreed with the decision).. i respect him so much because he really is Arsenal personified.. and wants the best for the club, now and in the future.. and anyway..Feruson probably leaving soon, and i hope Arsene will stay for a long, long time….with lots of trophies still to come for him..
The decent folk on LG hardly comment though Rhyle cos it must be so tiring arguing with loons all day who simply call you an AKB instead of actually trying to counter any arguments they disagree with.
It really is a madhouse. I noticed that the ‘Arsene non spending bonus’ has reared its ugly head over there again recently. Some of the shite those two write (especially the elder one) is beyond ridiculous.
Lets see if Diaby starts/features tomorrow after all the shite they wrote about him being ‘crocked..again’…earlier this week. They could have written that they hoped it was a ‘diplomatic injury’ ,…but that doesn’t whip a crowd up does it…?? Likewise with their horrid distortion of Girouds quotes about replacing RVP.
Anyway..back to football
Rhyle @ 3:06
I suspect you were struggling a bit to find a coherent thread to answer the disparate points I made earlier, but I take your meaning, none-the-less.
You may be right regarding the growing number of dissatisfied bloggers on the Legover site, as Sharkey so elegantly called it, but it would be wrong to allow the whimsies of such ‘fans’ to be presented as a cogent base.
They seem, to me, to excite themselves by cajoling and goading each other to even more outrageous utterances, with kudos given to the malefactor with the foulest execration.
I should explain that I have been told I have a generic predisposition to unconditionally support and defend my kin and my friends — and Arsene Wenger — warts and all.
Don’t take my comments personally, I usually only wax eloquent with those I think are well able to stand up for themselves — like you. 🙂
I would be bored rigid, and become impossibly flippant if I did not have a good argument occasionally! 🙂
Hi TA, my handsome Nederlander (source = Evonne) 🙂
I hope you will forgive my lapse into idiosyncratic English. Mea culpa! 🙂
Sharkey, 🙂
get blamed for everything, I suppose somebody has to, might as well be me
Hah RA, I don’t think I am Evonne’s type! She goes for the naughty boys (Delap, Bendtner, Rooney, Chas)! 😆
Never stop being idiosyncratic and passionate a the same time, RA – that’s when you are at your best, and it is a joy to read!
Think I’m going to read the Thesaurus tonight so I can understand some of the banter on here!!!
Slim
You provocative little minx!
But at least you have provoked some great comments and some excellent debate.
Like several have said, AW has only discussed quitting if he felt he was no longer able to do the right job for Arsenal (whereas many of the players simply want to leave to line their pockets).
johnnie
Great comment! I think it superbly sums up the difference between AW and the Claret Conked Caledonian. In many ways they are quite similar, but their differences are what count.
In two years time the FFP will have kicked in hard, Arsenal will be back to being the financial heavy weights of the EPL.
And there are people who think Wenger is going to walk away from that?………………….I don’t think so.
TA
A tiny correction to your 11.19 comment: “Arsene has done this so many times before”.
It is not Arsene who is “doing” this, it is the club, namely, on this occasion, Ivan Gazidis.
Nothing wrong with it in my opinion a simple trick to remind people what they would be potentially missing should he leave.
RA – was trying to address as many of the questions thrown my way as possible as well your own, that’s probably why it…wanders…a bit. That and the fact that the baby has started teething and kept me up until 5am…at least I had The Sopranos to keep me company…
Not just on Le Grove (which is only the most high profile) but the Gooner “blogosphere” (I hate that word) in general, including a host of new neggy blogs, has been getting more prevalent with regards to a negative opinion of Wenger. This isn’t, as I mentioned earlier, something which speaks to the majority but it is becoming increasingly common – even at the ground.
Sharkey – finding this place has meant I don’t need to post there at all any more. As you say, it’s spiritually and morally sapping spending any amount of time over there, but as we all agree, even there, it’s a vocal minority who spoil it for the rest. Especially that one guy. Rarely even read the comments these days.
Summary: I talk too much, there is an increasingly negative voice about the club, Wenger deserves every chance he gets but shouldn’t be above criticism and the club needs to be more transparent. Should’ve just done that in the first place..!
Can’t wait for tomorrow – just dumped a bit of cash on Giroud scoring his first v Southampton. It HAS to happen…
I thought Giroud came off injured for France in the week. I haven’t seen the Wenger weekly press conference, so not who is or who isn’t in the sick bay.
It’s funny. People wish Ivan would quit with the pr spin, people wish our chairman would stop saying what’s on his mind, and our owner says nothing, and people wish he’d talk more.
TA,
You mentioned earlier the shift in Arsene’s methodology.
Hell, I was trying to avoid the use of the term ‘Yoof Project’ but perhaps I can get away with a misspelling instead. 🙂
AW has oft come in for serious criticism for spotting and bringing along skillful young players with the promise of ‘jam tomorrow’ when they all mature and start to reap trophies for the club.
Unfortunately, one of his most admirable qualities is also one of his major weaknesses.
He is an honourable, decent man, true to his word and a believer in meeting his commitments, including adhering to his contract with the club.
I suspect at the beginning of this esoteric ‘project’ he did not realise, for one moment, that his young charges would not be similarly minded and also be aware of the debt they owed both to him and the club for their success and financial rewards, and would repay that debt in kind.
Thats where he went wrong!!
They, many of these youngsters, and potentially more of them in the coming years, have and probably will in the future, come up short on the ‘honourable and decent blokes’ stakes!
AW put his heart and soul into these players and was desperately let down, by both the younger and the more mature players, when their nostrils twitched and they fell into the clutching wiles of Mammon.
We can all be ‘holier than thou’ about this, but, in truth, for many of these guys, with little formal education and the sibilant whispering of greedy agents filling their ears, it was, and will continue to be for others, all too easy to succumb to the blandishments of these shitty agents (Dein) and even shittier clubs (Barca).
Whatever the reasons, the net effect has been that AW was sold out, and left to carry the can of the fan’s wrath!
Maybe that is why he has made the subtle switch of mixing the purchase of young players like Eisfeld, with the mature Santi, Podolski and Giroud.
No, Rock-a-Billy, wherever you are – that is not a crappy mini-Post — it’s a crappy maxi-comment!! 🙂
Excellent, thanks Slim.
Very successful post judging by the comments. A great read through.
I simply cannot see AW going to another club after Arsenal.
I can imagine him heading up something innovative like an African Continental School of Footballing and Academic Excellence.
Definitely fit, LB…woulda looked a bit dopey if he wasn’t…but you watch…he’ll be dropped now!
The penny has just dropped.
Rasp suggests above that the club should not air these things in public which makes a lot of sense.
This does then raise the question: why have they when we know that Wenger has their absolute respect?
Answer: they have already told him that if he wants to stay they would love to have him.
This deal is already done, all that is left is to make us appreciate his renewal and what is the simplest way to do that?
By putting doubt out there as to whether he might stay or go.
Rhyle
Lol
Good comment jer
RA,
Just to touch on your last comment, can you imagine what it must’ve been like for a winner like Wenger to have to throw away 5 years of work on his ‘youth project’ knowing that he never really got the chance to see it through? The 8-2 defeat against United was the final nail in the coffin and it forced Wenger to move on. It could easily have been so different if the likes of Cesc, Nasri, Flamini etc had shown the same level of loyalty that Wenger showed them.
Arsene should be allowed to leave when he wants. Hope he isn’t hounded out after one bad season, ie not in champions league.
Arsene Wenger came to our club in 1996 as Arsene who? since then he has evolved himself into one of, if not the most respected players in the managerial stakes. He is loyal, intelligent and very respectable. When he first arrived, the newish Premiership was a more level playing field. We were one of the “big four” and it was soon after George Graham’s enforced departure after a quite successful spell as manager. Arsene set about eclipsing Graham in terms of success. He did not do that as a specific project but I think he brought success to the club through his clever evaluation of the task he was asked to perform. He knew what he was up against – i.e Fergie and Man.Utd. He did a brilliant job, even going through an entire league season unbeaten after daring to suggest that it could be a possibility.
A certain Russian billionaire, not long on the scene saw our success and wanted the same for his newly acquired club. He sent for “A Special One” to manage his toy (I mean his club) and using the untold riches available to him, sucking up to Ferguson and bad mouthing our manager, the “special one” won a few trophies. That was not enough to secure Mr. Special a long term future at the club who sent for him out of desperation though.
Arsenal in the meanwhile had bigger fish to fry. The new stadium project was of the utmost importance. We now have that stadium right in the heart of Arsenal territory. A stadium to be proud of.
Oil billionaires have also been added to the ownership ranks in the Premiership. The players, seeing all this wealth want some, and this is where their status differs from our manager. Although earning in excess of silly money, their time is limited. They don’t want legacy, they want to be mucho rico NOW. Arsene doesn’t need to be young to do what he does best. They do!! Get it while you can they think. I can see Arsene has agonised over their attitude these last few years and I think he is now just coming to terms with the difference between his outlook and theirs
When Arsene says two years is a long time, he is not hedging his bets on his prospects. He is saying that his satisfaction hinges on players of his choosing fulfilling his dream of achievement. If the current crop fulfils his dream I believe he will retire as a football manager with us. I hope his dream comes true. No matter what, he is the noblest football manager ever.
All this is long winded, but this question posed by the slim ginger guy inspired a lot of thought on my part. Thanx for reading.
RA, amen to that! 🙂
TC,
That’s a story that Arsenal fans should be reading to their toddlers for years to come!
That slim ginger guy! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Slim, 🙂
Your 5:59. we speak with one voice!! 🙂
Tony, 🙂
Here, here, sir!! I concur! 🙂
Good comment Tony
You are among friends here.
RA,
If we did it would be incoherent!
I’ve never seen anyone use so many syllables in one sentence, if you added that to my Yorkshire accent then we’d all be fooked! 🙂
Slim, 🙂
Now if there is a dessert I like, it’s a nice lemon syllabub! 🙂
Tony, what a beautiful comment at 6.25! 🙂
Think it’s about time I got a picture next to my name like the other regulars! How the bloody hell do I do it!?
Mr Cummings, fantastic comment.
Its funny that a lot of the debate today comes a day after the publication of Gazidis Q&A. He comes out with some brillliant statements that i believe will come to fruition. I believe it because i have always believed it and dont need him to spell it out to me. And of course the geezers a bubble with a shit hairline so deserves respect. hahaha
Is anyone familiar with the story of Phineas and the Harpies. Basicly the Harpies, who looked like Modric with wings, tormented Phineas by nicking all his food and leaving him the scraps. Now, along came Jason and the Argonauts and turned the tables, imprisoned the 2 Modrics. Phineas feasted and form then on threw them the scraps. Well thats whats going to happen to Arsenal and our rivals. Soon we will be feasting with titles and champions leagues and now and again we will thow them a coca cola cup or stale kebab.
The Ghosts of the Thirties are stirring.
I think it’s worked!
Great post, Slim.
I read it earlier and hadn’t a clue how to respond. I still haven’t . 🙂
The comments today have been excellent befitting a fine post.
Cheers Chas! 🙂
I was accused earlier of being someone who was looking for a headline but last I saw this isn’t The Sun newspaper! I hope it worked as a conversation starter as that’s all it was meant to be at the end of a quiet fortnight of nothingness! England v Moldova!? Gimme a break! That’s like watching Arsenal take on Gateshead.
“Total says:
September 14, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Tony, what a beautiful comment at 6.25! ”
Can I second that..?? He even thanked me for reading it !! Lol
Well played TC
Thank you for your expressed cognition on my earlier comment fellow Gooners. I am not a newcomer as an Arsenal admirer. I am of a similar age group to Arsene Wenger. I was inspired to turn on to Arsenal when we were tussling with Leeds for the 70-71 league title and was so far more interested in girls than football. Although Brazil 1970 made me smile, I loved a girl whose dad supported Arsenal. Of course I took to The Gunners in order to curry favour. That girl became my first wife, her dad has since died, but I enjoyed Arsenal winning the double then. I have never deviated from my course from then. I had played park football before and attended some Arsenal home matches at Highbury (Avenell Road).I celebrated when Mickey did it at Anfield in ’89 by driving down Holloway Road blowing my horn and soon had a motorcade going. I only turned when I realised I was likely to be arrested ’cause I was pissed while driving.
My children and grandchildren are Arsenal fans and even though I am not in a position to go to live matches at The Emirates Stadium, I have been on a tour there and my football heart is there.
I love this Arsenal Arsenal site because those other sites that post comments containing vitriol and swearing shouldn’t be allowed. Although it seems that there is a clique mentality here, I think you guys are fine Arsenal fans with whom I am proud to share banter with. Viva Arsenal, Wenger and all you fellows.
TC. Good to read your comments.
TC,
Personally I regard this as a brilliant site and one I think you will be most welcome on. There seems to be a mixture of young (me and Oz!) old (anyone over 30!) non educated (me and Oz! Only joking Oz!) and educated (everyone else!), but we are all Arsenal lovers. There are no arguments on this site, only different opinions put across in words that on the most hand I dont understand! And that is the one thing I love about it. 🙂
Great comments Tony!
Hey TC re the’clique’. Its a funny one cos whilst there is a certain hard core of regular posters here, there is certainly no sense of that group being inward looking or defensive of the status quo.
In my two years or so here I have watched many new people come in with a single comment, get a warm welcome then just hang around cos they like. Before you know it they are regulars and writing headline posts. After your quality 6.25 I’m sure the Raven Haired Warrior Princess (Peaches) will be after you for more outpourings.
Occasional (light) swearing does occur, but it is usually prefaced by an apology to Peaches Mum, who we’re led to believe is the final arbiter of blog good taste
Oh and thanks for the brief biog…shame you didn’t add a black and white pic to it. Maybe next time…
“However, my main thought re LG is to be remain thankful that it generally keeps all the spanners in one place.”
Sharkey that should go in that top quotes page you were going to administer. 😀
Tony a couple of fine comments, altho I want to contest the use of the word clique, but doing so would appear cliquey 😀 This site is about friendship amongst Arsenal fans and supporting the club (IMO).
One more sleep. If we can keep a clean sheet. It will be our best (defensive) start since before we moved to Highbury apparently. Southampton have scored 2 against both the manc teams so it will be a test. I can’t wait.
There are some decent people on LG. i don’t know how they have the patience with some of the trolls on there.They write some good posts too. Pedro and Geoff are both good blokes as Raddy will testify. it’s a shame that they let some people get a way with some of the nasty bile the spew. i can be as nasty as any of them but I’d only do it about the enemy not our own players, owner or manager.
C’mon Slim…feel free to name Red Arse as the one that has even the best of us running for a Thesaurus.
He really is in a class of his own, but we all love him
I’m off to watch series two of Game of thrones. I’m addicted. see you all later
Alright GiE..hope Mrs GiE is going along well.o
I do think of that site as cheap tool box.
I’m with Rhyle…you find a site like this one and simply have no need to ever go back.
GM,
Game of Thrones is immense. Have you watched Boardwalk Empire?
Hi all
Thank you for the post SGG and thanks to everyone that was on today contributing some really good comments.
It’s fair to say that we are all Gooners and although we are often divided by events on and off the pitch we, on here, have always tried to be welcoming of new faces and to debate in a mature way.
And RedArse does get us running for the Thesaurus 🙂
Mr Cummings you are very welcome, so please stick around for the ride, it will no doubt be the usual bumpy one but we’re always here to share the delights of Goonerdom when it’s good or with a shoulder to cry on when theres a tinge of disappoinment in the air. We love a bit of ranting too especially me 😆
As someone who’s only been here for a few months, I can see where TC is coming from with the “clique” comment, although none of you are actually cliquey, you’ve all clearly known each other a long time, which I suppose could be intimidating to newcomers. However, I’ve never – EVER – seen anyone get rude, obnoxious or out of order with anyone who didn’t deserve…like the infrequent travelling trolls on the road who pop their head in to drop their particular brand of “science” on us all.
You’ve even given me the opportunity to write for you – only when you were really desperate that one time, but still…I was very new and I was never given the old prove-yourself-in-the-comments BS that a couple of (non-gooner, mainly film) blogs have thrown my way…
Honestly? Best, most inclusive gooner blog on the ‘net.
…and that’s not just the Sancerre talking…
Really looking forward to the game tomorrow. I don’t see Southampton doing anything but have a go and that should work in our favour. I’m 110% convinced that Giroud will score more than 1 goal tomorrow and I cannot wait to see. I think Diaby may be benched and Ramsey will get the nod in midfield and Szscesny will be back in goal. I also think we will concede our first goal of the season. 3-1 to th good guys.
I am also convinced Lallana will be at a top 6 club in the next 12 months. He is Saints through and through, but the taste of International football is going to be too much to stay at his current club. He will be a quality player.
Thank you all. I Am here for the entire ride peachesgooner. Thanks for the appreciation you have shown concerning my statements most of all to terry mancini who maybe doesn’t really need a hair transplant. I could probably do with something like that, but I will leave it to the likes of Rooney to do theirs, and, oh dear, it seems better to have a low cut really.
Southampton tomorrow, win, win win. We must in order to maintain the impetus the new Wenger era has instigated.
Good night all. Good vibes and results for the weekend.
We’ll talk later, no matter what. Bless..
Hi Rhyle, all good stuff, thanks. 🙂
It is inevitable that some bloggers, or small groups of bloggers, will get quite familiar with each other, which might put new bloggers off, but there appears to be a tacit willingness to encourage new bloggers to join in and become new regulars. Variety is the spice of life and that sort of thing….
When we are both sober we need to discuss your point of view that even if everybody stays fit we still need to buy two players after Christmas. But plenty of time left for that!
Enjoy the rest of your wine and hope the little one wont wake you up at the crack of dawn again!
Night all.
Sharkey Mrs GiE is blooming (apparently that’s the tactful way of saying putting on the pounds 😀 ) GiE jnr according to midwives is progressing well….the daily shout of Ooo To Oo To Be Oo To Be A Gooner into her belly button must me working 🙂
rhyle says:
September 14, 2012 at 11:12 pm (Edit)
“…and that’s not just the Sancerre talking…”
It’s the Gavi and the Macon too 🙂
Think I might have got off on the wrong foot with Pedro, when Peaches introduced me to him I think I might not have disguised my roll of the eyes 🙂
Too much GiE and too many smileys….must be Friday and match day tomorrow.
Come on you Gunners!!!
@ that slim ginger guy
hey I take offence! Actually no I don’t I’ve always said there was too much chlorine in the gene pool haha
Great post and comments, Summed up beautifully by Tony ‘Cummins and Goins’
Football is back, can’t bloody wait!!!!
Ok, ime back late and to my horror Mrs Terry is indoors to (i thought she was spending the night round her mums, plus my younger daughter who wants a lift round her friends her house at 9 in the morning. What a nighmare). Cant a bona fide creep get any peace these days ?
Anyway, i write this post in praise of 2 new posters.
Mr Cummings is an excellent man, even though he refuses to do something about his balding barnet, he is someone who professes genuine goonership. But he dosnt need me to hear it, he knows it already.” Long live the Cummings”
My special praise goes to Rhyle. It takes courage to go against the flow. He sticks to his views and i realy respect that.
Thats what i love about this site. We can express different opinions and perspectives in a civilised and understanding manner. and the key word is “understanding”. No need to berate or get upset.
We are all in it together.
The Ghosts of the 30s are stiring.
As a founder member I think today is a good example of respectful well thought out comments especially fron relatively neebies such as Rhylle and now Tony.
LG is the Talksprt of the Internet, being contraversial equals hits yet as has been mentioned earlier the two founders of that site are staunch Arsenal supporters but have a different angle to others and to a certain degree allow any sort of post on their site.
Rhylle mentions that it appears to be a clique society on here,which I can fully understand,but I assure you it is not intentional.
Tony, there are several of us on here of your age or older and if the truth be known TMHT is just jealous of my barnet 🙂
I myself often go against the grain on here but it would be boring if we all agreed on everything all of the time.
I don’t participate as much as I used to and don’t get offended if no one responds to ay of my thoughts or posts.
I think Rasp and peaches do an excellent job and it may be a good idea for a section under Arsenal Arsenal as how this site was formed,as the question is often asked. The irony is that basically it started with about 6 of us who at the time where all LG regulars some 3 years ago.
Morning kelsey. You know my opinion…… Hair is over-rated.
Great to have a Saturday 3p.m. kick off.
Post to finish ….
How about a slice of Bobby for a match day?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6D4Qgr11tQ
Morning Kelsey
You’re up early.
All blogs are cliquey to an extent, simply because they have regular posters.
It used to drive me insane to be labelled an ABK ( 🙂 ) just because I took offence at some manipulating every point to satisfy their anti-Arsenal agenda. Since the site introduced advertising (which they swore they never would) it has gone downhill further, with hits being its raison d’etre as Kelsey says. I’m sure the majority of commenters on there don’t go to games. How could you with that attitude?
Match Day
Bushes in my tail and springs in my steps
Good Morning All
Someone pointed out on twatter that both Bergkamp and Henry scored their first goals against the Saints.
Another debut goal today would be excellent but I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to contribute to a good performance.
Sorry to whoever said it, but I really don’t go with that cliquey thing. If you blog regularly somewhere, and there are only 20 or so regulars, you get to know each other.
What do you expect?
This site is not cliquey because I cannot imagine a more welcoming environment. The only criteria, and it the only criteria, is that people are polite.
So again, its a massive thanks to Rasp and Peaches.
Chas,
I really hope the crowd dish out some special attention to Giroud. He takes off, our season takes off.So wish I could be there, but have an engagement I cannot miss at 8 tonight 😦
Hmmmmm…….yes, the cliquey thing…….still, at least it is better than the accusation Gus levelled at us the first time he came on…….ROLF
LB,
I know who ROLF is, but Gus?
For newcomers, ROLF and LAMOW are dyslexic disfuntional twins
I don’t understand the defence Pedro and Geoff, the latter is like a bully in a play ground who owns the football, if anyone starts playing a bit too well he picks the ball up, insults them and tells them that they can’t play anymore. As for Pedro, who is his son I believe, he is not so bad.
Perhaps it appears to be a closed group because there are so many in-jokes which you wouldn’t understand if you were just passing through.
For example,
Missing letters on keyboards
Kelsey’s hair
Transplant’s hair
GM’s love of tactics
Micky’s love of tactics
The RHWP cracking her whip
Big Daddy or Big Randy
Telescopes
Poetry and haiku
Rasp’s cheerfulness
Edible Arsenal clothing
Dictionary swallowing
Kebabery
Cat v Dog
etc
etc
……………… 🙂
Definitely a massive thanks to Rasp and Peaches. Everyday AA makes me smile.
“In Jokes”….”Micky’s love of tactics”….. a joke!!!!
How many times do I need to tell you, tactics are bollocks 🙂
Ask Big Ron.
chas. 7.31 That comment really made me smile.
I feel blessed to have found such companionship in my Goonerdom.
I asked Big Ron.
He said “watch the man at the back stick”. No idea what he meant but it was clearly tactics
Well said Kelsey and Chas. Keeps me sane! Got to uni at 3am the other day and without a 30min spell of AA i probably would have murdered the first person who looked at me funny.
@ LB
That’s because old people get up early, or in Kelsey’s case, he had to get up and admire his flowing locks in the morning breeze.
GAME DAY!!!!!!
Raddy,
It was Big Ron who used the term “tactics bullshit” before a staurday game. Ok, so he got fired on the monday!
Whoops, just looked at the weather for N5.
21C and bright sunshine.
It’s a shorts day and I’ve just put jeans on.
Who’s Jean?
On what other site could you get such important match day clothing tips than here at Arsenal-Arsenal.
@ LB
only useful for those who have clothes left. Although, with the right cuts your arsenal pillow case could make a good singlet
Oz
Lol
Definitely a shorts day!!!!!!!!!!!
Match day = Dress Code. Lucky red socks (I have lucky away socks), Arsenal shirt, lucky cake, lucky red wine or beer for early kick-offs. Wife out of the room. Lucky chair. Lucky cycle tour early doors to get rid of the PMT (pre-match tension) etc etc
Oz. Are you studying clothes design 🙂 That is a brilliant idea and I will get Mrs Raddy onto it forthwith…
Apparently Diaby missed training yesterday.(Raddy if he is in your team)
No, i get up early to have a wee 😉
Oz Kelsey 🙂
So, no Diaby.
Coq, Ramsey or Ox with Arteta?
Gerv, Theo or Ox wide right?
Singlet…lol
kelsey. old man’s disease. It will come to us all
No Diaby in my team.
Morning everyone 🙂 match day 😆
Can’t stay, have to go and look at a new site ……
………….on match day ….. harumphh 😦
Coquelin for me next to Arteta, he knows how to defend and he’s disciplined.
We started our Invincible run against the saints didn’t we ….. come on
I am starting to wonder if Ramsey would be the automatic replacement for Diaby as a few, myself included, have presumed.
Thinking a bit closer Ramsey with Carzorla doesn’t sit that well.
Bringing Coquelin in feels better, this way Arteta could move forward a bit, safe in the knowledge that Le Coq has his back.
The idea that Arteta and Cazorla can’t work together further forward doesn’t even need to be considered.
Wooo, Peaches
Great minds.
I have a feeling Raddy/Arsene will go for Ramsey. Then, I reckon Ox will get a rest leaving Theo or Gerv wide right. Well now, if Theo doesn’t get to start today against an attacking side at home, then there is something seriously wrong.
I’m going with a Theo start.
Cannot wait for The Raddy. A Bearded Man?
I agree with LB, Pedro is not so bad, but has definitely taken a turn for the worse lately. Re Geoff, I’ll only say that I call him the Wizard of Oz. He needs a thicker curtain, cos I can see right thru it.
Yes, they are father and son, and I’m not sure why its such a big secret. Odd.
LB/Peaches,
I’d prefer Coq, but think AW will go for Ramsey. The choice he makes will speak volumes. Both in midfield and wide right.
Morning all,
It should be le Coq in for Diaby IMO. A 4:2:3:1 with the fullbacks having the freedom to go forward would do nicely.
Rasp’s cheerfulness 😦 – I believe I am the only blogger to have got all the important predictions right about ins and outs including the signing of Podolski a year ago 😆
Good news for the future footballers – the goals and pitches will be made smaller for youngsters to play
Alright Chas..a couple to add are
Beekeeping tips
Cooking recipes
Behind LBs sofa
Attending games in Peaches pocket
Sharkey,
Some of the comments they “choose” to leave up, says all you need to know.
…and what about Theo? Shall we bench him again?
I collected 20lb of honey this year 🙂 Not to be laughed at Sharkey
something borrowed, something new:
Southampton have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team (19).
Arsenal have allowed their opponents the joint-fewest shots on target in the Premier League (7).
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of their opening three league games for the first time since 1924/25.
Kelvin Davis has saved the last three penalties he has faced in the PL – vs Man Utd and Man City this season, and Aston Villa (May 2006).
Rickie Lambert has scored against both Man Utd and Man City this season. Only Defoe and Crouch managed this in the PL 11/12.
Southampton have dropped the most points from winning positions this season (6).
Arsenal recovered more points from winning positions than any other team in the 2011-12 Premier League (24).
The Gunners have won none of their last four Premier League home games. The last time they went five without a win on home soil was in 1995 in the run up to George Graham’s sacking.
Arsenal scored a divisional high nine goals from counter attacks last season, have already had more shots following fast breaks this term (4) and scored their first goal via a counter.
Santi Cazorla has set up the joint-most scoring chances for team-mates from open play along with Park Ji-Sung (10).
do i smell?
Wine recommendations.
The Tavern widget
Pigs
Buddhists
Rocky L’s brilliant similes
GLIC’s use of Parantheses
Red Arse’s complex logic
evonne. Yes of sugar and spice and all things nice
Haha Rasp, I knew you’d like that one.
You have to admit your blogging persona is a bit Eeyore even if you do get all of your predictions/analysis correct. 🙂
Raddy 🙂
I sitting here waiting for your prematch special 🙂
I think it’ll be Le Coq for Diaby and Theo in for the rested Ox.
This means, of course, that Ramsey and Chamberlain/Gervinho are guaranteed starters.
evonne,
Are you off to the game?
To Evonne,
The way you smell is hard to describe
It’s heart warming with an electric vibe
It make my heart race with no chance to slow down
It keeps me going till once again its found
Its like a nice summer day
One you never want to go a way
It is more potent than a bokay of flowers
It makes me unstable for many hours
I wish I could control the way I feel
But that smell is uncontrollable and oh so real
I think I have figured out that beautiful smell
But I need it once again to really really tell
Coquelin for me too. It’ll also keep him happy
Wow Evonne one of those stats just made my jaw hit the floor and in my view is evidence of football fans navel gazing.
We all believe we haven’t been doing well with transitional goals (counter attacks) but we led the league last season?!?!
I think for us this is a case of relativity, comparing our current squad to the lnvincibles we don’t do it as well but appears we still do better than any other club.
Oz is you Cilla Black?
p.s. I know how to spell bokay
Morning chas 😛
Look at my gravatar. I have to restore the Yin Yang balance with all you rose-tinted, cup overflowing Nirvana inhabitants on here 🙄
I feel like the janitor on here sometimes, cleaning up behind the scenes all the time and being accused of being grumpy when I do get the chance to say anything.
I’ve got an excuse this morning because I eventually got to bed at 3 am (kids taxi service) and I’ve spent the last 30 mins working on today’s post.
I don’t think Theo works well with Jenks for that reason I think Ox starts. As for the midfield either Ramsey or Coq work for me. If it was City I’d go Coq for the added security others mention, but as its Southampton then Rambo for me.
Chas? Do you love me too then 🙂
GiE – I know, I was surprised to read them, looking bloody good!
Chas,
Re the poetry:
You’l turn the poor girl to putty, “you smooth talking bastard” 🙂
Rasp Eeyore ROLF LAMOW
@ Big Dandy
brilliant pre-match. Especially giving the Mrs the flick.
My mrs knows to say her good nights at half time so as not to interupt, and to look out for the post win pestering
Oz you rascal!! For a moment my heart stopped thinking that Chas really loves me 🙂
Lovely little poem, thank you
Hi GiE,
That Theo/Jenks theory is a pet of Peaches, but it was not only Jenks who could not find the space in which to make the pass to Theo. Neither could Santi or anyone else.
By the way what is a Home penalty ?
Gervinho is another enigma.Anyone see his goal midweek for his country.He wasn’t hugging the wings, he moved inside a lot, looked an entirely different player.
Not sure about Theo starting, Wenger maybe using his authority with him re no agreement on extending his contract.I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arshavin start.
Ramsey has taken quite a bit of stick from some quarters,not all justified, not sure if he will start or be on the bench.
Evonne,
I love everyone.
Especially since I’m a rose-tinted, cup overflowing Nirvana inhabitant.
GIE,
How many do you think we conceded on the counter? ( I got this question from the Rasper book of how to prick someone’s balloon.) 🙂
Rasp. 30 mins?? Were it my grammar?
Gerv travelled to Africa to play and as such doesn’t get in my starting 11. But on Tuesday I expect him to start
No Raddy, I had to re-source a pic and had trouble with the pitch layout image as I’ve changed PCs and lost the master from which I create them.
chas … didn’t mean to prick your (or anyone’s) bubble….( just to show I can use parentheses too 🙂 Raddy )
Stuff goes on behind the scenes that we don’t air on the blog that gets under my skin at times … no criticism of you in any way I assure you, I’ll buy you a beer at the Tavern later 😕
Why is travelling three or four hours on a plane so tiring for our poor darlings?
Rasp,
Could you bring along one of your old Grade One, Lesson One, Good Noise Guitar Books for Chary.
For our sake, as well as his Families. Thank you in advance.
Hope I don’t create any headaches, I cant thank you and Peaches enough
Or post it to:
Bench 5,
West Side,
Blackstock Road,
London N5.
Rasp,
I didn’t mean you’d pricked my bubble, at all.
I was just offering the balance to GIE’s enthusiasm for our counter-attacking ability. 🙂
Micky ROLF LAMOW PLMSOL
Chas probably too many but kind of proves my theory. We see teams do it against us and imagine that’s what they do every game…..turns out it was just against us hence the skewed view that we are crap at counter attacking everyone else is good.
TMHT you mentioned the IG interview and how it confirmed your thoughts/views surely good material for a post 😉
Haha Micky, I was considering posting my own ante-chary clip on youtube 😆
My advice would be to turn off all the effects pedals, turn down the volume and practise with a clean sound that exposes all fretting errors and when you can make the guitar sing like that, then you can put on the black leather, spread your legs wide apart and enter the stratosphere with mega distortion 😉
My surprise from evonne’s stats was that we haven’t won at home for 4 games
Rasp 🙂
My advice is get an acoustic….
Thanks chas, actually I consider GiE as being in the ‘realistic spectrum’ with his analysis of Arsenal. I am really upbeat about our team and chances for this season – I could be slightly bitter about the important changes that we have finally made coming a few seasons too late though 😦
Exactly Raddy 😆
GIE, you’re right. Goes back to the parking of the buses at the Emirates. Teams always seem to score against us at home on the counter, because they never really attack us outright.
I’ve a feeling today will be different.
Bitterness eats the soul, Rasp. 🙂
If Chary spreads his legs any wider while at the controls of his machines, there’ll be a very nasty mess indeed.
Oh jeepers Chas, what the hell does PLIMSOL mean?
On that note, I am delighted to announce that courtesy of the blogosphere’s No.1 PM exponent, we have a ……..
…. New post ……..
Rocky made a good point the other day (there’s a surprise) about being more afraid of the Wigan’s and Swansea’s ie the teams that do come and attack us at home, rather than the Busers.
I put some of the results last season down to complacency. We were very slow out of the blocks in both games with one or two “strollers” in the side.
Pissed Laughing My Self On Llamas
Did Swansea attack us at home?
Both of Wigan’s goals were scored on the counter. Largely because of Arteta’s injury.
1) how good is Cazorla?
2) Arteta’s pass to Gerv is different gravy
3) only goal we have conceded was a keeper mistake
4) Coquelin and Ox are worthy of first team football
5) a bad game by a GK doesn’t make him dreadful or incapable of being first choice.