Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013

bad2dabone

lads there's no point in anyone replacing wenger as long as kronke is still in place.

keano_afc

Arseblog is excellent this morning, well worth a read.

speedboatchase

No, I think he has to resign in my opinion. This has been a long painful decline and I see it as irreversible as long as he is at the helm. All this talk of a "war chest" is meaningless because the money IS there and when it is spent we end up with Gervinho. We sell the player of the year at a great price and buy someone a mid tier replacement, we don't replace Song, we can't sell 6-7 players because of our socialist wage policy, we let January pass us by with just one panic transfer and already fans are coming to terms with Jenkinson as a likely starter when Sagna decides to leave. Not all of that is Wenger's fault obviously but he has clearly lost the dressing room and has blind faith in many of our squad.

I'm tired of Arsenal fans' expectations being lowered every single season and it pains me to such us so needlessly unambitious and uncompetitive. As for who could replace Wenger, it would've been a higher calibre of manager a few years ago when they would actually have a quality team to play with but such is life. I love Wenger and everything he has done for the club but I think he needs to resign at the end of the season.

Everything comes to an end and fear of what comes next should not hold us back because we are heading for Europa League at the end of this season or the next - we're not moving in the opposite direction. There is no breaking point with Wenger apologists as far as I can see; it's just about gradual acceptance of lowered expectations.

greendom

Wenger has to take his share of the blame for some of the signings but the reduced expectations are down to the board and the limited funds available to spend on players. yes this was down to the stadium debt but Man U are massively in debt and yet the Glazers make sure Ferguson has the funds to keep his best players and strengthen the squad.

Getting rid of Wenger would not be tackling the cause of the problem imo.

gosplan

My mantra is the same. Wait and see what the summer brings.

If we hear talk then of having enough quality, then I say we need a new owner and new board.

If Monreal was intended for the summer, then there better be another 3 players of the same quality on the way in.

Gringo180

Lads I cant help but feel we will end up like Liverpool if Wenger goes, I get so annoyed at him for allowing us to become an average team when looking back after our champions lge final lose to Barca if we had of added more quality to the side back then instead of selling I could of seen us dominating english football and definately winning a champions lge in the last 8 years. Id much rather be still at Highbury and winning things than been at The Emirates and winning fcuk all!

Is Wenger being as effective as possible given the funds and players available? Does anyone really think so?

sonic85

even if wenger stays were on a slow and steady decline. it just seems to be a gradual thing whereby every year we sell a top class player and replace him with somebody inferior. you cant expect to remain at the same level or get better when the quality of the players keeps being diluted.

weve done well to stay in the CL places for so long when the squad isnt great but it wont last forever and judging by current form our luck is running out.

Amongst all this doom and gloom, we're still only 4 points off 4th. Not that 4th is a trophy or anything, but we won't get the best players if we're not in CL.

Do we have extra money this summer because of the commercial deals?

gosplan

Pappa Dolla wrote: »

Amongst all this doom and gloom, we're still only 4 points off 4th. Not that 4th is a trophy or anything, but we won't get the best players if we're not in CL.

Do we have extra money this summer because of the commercial deals?

What's the point of fourth, the CL, the money and so on if we're not going to compete for ANY trophy?

gnfnrhead

gosplan wrote: »

What's the point of fourth, the CL, the money and so on if we're not going to compete for ANY trophy?

Really?

Without what you mentioned we won't have a chance of signing better players, no matter how much we want to. Any player worth signing would want Champions League football. If we don't offer that, they'll look elsewhere.

Liverpool dropped out of the top four and are now a mid table club. The league is too competitive to be able to miss out on top four.

gosplan

gosplan wrote: »

What's the point of fourth, the CL, the money and so on if we're not going to compete for ANY trophy?

Why are we in a better position that Everton? All the CL does is show another trophy we won't win.

Would Cazorla or Podolski signed if we didn't have CL? I don't think so.

AdamD

gosplan wrote: »

Why are we in a better position that Everton? All the CL does is show another trophy we won't win.

No, it does far far more than that.

gosplan

Pappa Dolla wrote: »

Would Cazorla or Podolski signed if we didn't have CL? I don't think so.

Granted but my question is what's the point of those players if we're still not competing for anything.

I get the benefits of CL but they're judged on the basis that you build on the foundations. If we don't do that this summer, then I fail to see the point.

greendom

Should have realised how yesterday was going to go when the ref was appointed. From 22 matches where Mike Dean has reffed an Arsenal game, Arsenal have only won 2. The league cup final from 2 years ago and the Bradford game this season are just 2 of the games where he's been in charge

tayto lover

gebbel wrote: »

Respect Wenger greatly but am rapidly losing patience with the show he's running.

In Arsene I'm not sure I trust any more.

And Bayern will break us up.

Wenger used to be the Ringmaster but now he resembles one of the Clowns.
He hasn't got what it takes anymore. I would welcome a change. The players have become too comfortable. Yesterday's poor result is now happening on a regular basis. It is simply not good enough and nothing is being done to cure it.

danlen

tayto lover wrote: »

Wenger used to be the Ringmaster but now he resembles one of the Clowns.
He hasn't got what it takes anymore. I would welcome a change. The players have become too comfortable. Yesterday's poor result is now happening on a regular basis. It is simply not good enough and nothing is being done to cure it.

:rolleyes:

Mr.Micro

tayto lover wrote: »

Wenger used to be the Ringmaster but now he resembles one of the Clowns.
He hasn't got what it takes anymore. I would welcome a change. The players have become too comfortable. Yesterday's poor result is now happening on a regular basis. It is simply not good enough and nothing is being done to cure it.

My worries are that if we fail to get into CL next season then we may lose some of the decent players we have. If Wenger goes then there is bound to be a huge void in the whole structure, the way we play, the works, and at a time when Cl football money may not be available, then it is pessimistic for the club. These are only maybes but possible.

HazDanz

greendom wrote: »

Should have realised how yesterday was going to go when the ref was appointed. From 22 matches where Mike Dean has reffed an Arsenal game, Arsenal have only won 2. The league cup final from 2 years ago and the Bradford game this season are just 2 of the games where he's been in charge

He actually has a knack for ruining games.

Gringo180

Yesterdays result even more depressing now knowing that we would of drawn Milwall in the Quarter Finals

KaiserGunner

Mr.Micro wrote: »

My worries are that if we fail to get into CL next season then we may lose some of the decent players we have. If Wenger goes then there is bound to be a huge void in the whole structure, the way we play, the works, and at a time when Cl football money may not be available, then it is pessimistic for the club. These are only maybes but possible.

This happens every season anyway as we are currently a selling club. Would be typical of the club over the last few seasons, that if we fail to qualify for the champions league, we would then decide to splash the cash :rolleyes:. Big problem there though, what top quality players would be interested in joining us if we havent got even champions league football on offer?

We just need to get this shocking season over and done with, get a top 4 finish and then changes have to be made at either board level or managerial level, which ever is holding us back.

Ed Winchester

I honestly don't know what to think about the gunners and where we're going anymore.

Genuinely. I just don't know.

Alfred Borden

We will win Tuesday!

tayto lover

KaiserGunner wrote: »

This happens every season anyway as we are currently a selling club. Would be typical of the club over the last few seasons, that if we fail to qualify for the champions league, we would then decide to splash the cash :rolleyes:. Big problem there though, what top quality players would be interested in joining us if we havent got even champions league football on offer?

We just need to get this shocking season over and done with, get a top 4 finish and then changes have to be made at either board level or managerial level, which ever is holding us back.

The problem with that is that if we again make Top 4 Wenger and the Board will not make the push to acquire the players we need to challenge for the title. The last 8 years have proved that. Top 4 is their best achievement and the money coming from it seems to make them happy but not sufficiently enough to make the purchases required to kick on. No changes will be made as it's seen as another successful year for the shareholders. The fans don't seem to matter.

gnfnrhead

tayto lover wrote: »

The problem with that is that if we again make Top 4 Wenger and the Board will not make the push to acquire the players we need to challenge for the title. The last 8 years have proved that. Top 4 is their best achievement and the money coming from it seems to make them happy but not sufficiently enough to make the purchases required to kick on. No changes will be made as it's seen as another successful year for the shareholders. The fans don't seem to matter.

I'd give them the benefit of the doubt until the stadium is done and dusted. After that, they have no excuses. For now, as much as I don't like it, I'm willing to accept that they are not willing to take any risks until it is all paid back. The whole idea behind the stadium was to allow us to compete financially. We'll known soon enough anyway, AFAIK, it's nearly done.

tayto lover

gnfnrhead wrote: »

I'd give them the benefit of the doubt until the stadium is done and dusted. After that, they have no excuses. For now, as much as I don't like it, I'm willing to accept that they are not willing to take any risks until it is all paid back. The whole idea behind the stadium was to allow us to compete financially. We'll known soon enough anyway, AFAIK, it's nearly done.

Hope so but it's far more likely that they will say "stadium paid for, more profits for us now" to be honest.

sonic85

any reports of injuries or anything from yesterday? really need to be at full strength for bayern to have a chance

tayto lover

sonic85 wrote: »

any reports of injuries or anything from yesterday? really need to be at full strength for bayern to have a chance

Everyone seems to be ok but Wenger broke the zip on his shroud again.

jonneymendoza

Barlett wrote: »

Wenger is not the problem , there needs to be a change in the board and David Dein should be brought back.

wenger is the problem. he selects the team, tactics and motivates them. not the board

keano_afc

Barlett wrote: »

Wenger is not the problem , there needs to be a change in the board and David Dein should be brought back.

Nor is he blameless. His tactics, his team, his signings. Its been clear for about 4 or 5 seasons now that players just dont trust him. And the fact that its been different teams over that period of time sow that there is something not right coming from the top.

AnCapaillMor

Dein back would be great, he seemed to be the only one able to talk wenger around.

efb

The board is Wenger's boss. 8 years isn't that long without a trophy tbf. Too much Sky Sports 'Instant Success' around. I think Wenger's been successful in the last 8 years a trophy would be nice, but every team can win one- unless its done U8's comp

andrew241983

efb wrote: »

The board is Wenger's boss. 8 years isn't that long without a trophy tbf. Too much Sky Sports 'Instant Success' around. I think Wenger's been successful in the last 8 years a trophy would be nice, but every team can win one- unless its done U8's comp

Really??? You should get a job with the Arsenal board they have the same mediocre happy to be 4th every year mentality
8 years is a VERY long time not to have won any sort of trophy!!

Well 8 unless we win the Champions League

GeorgeBailey

efb wrote: »

8 years isn't that long without a trophy tbf.

This is Arsenal we're supporting. Not Spurs. Of course 8 years is a long time!

Shane St.

Team for tomorrow?

Diddy Kong

Well look at David Moyes, he is in the Everton job for the past 11 years and the closest they came to a trophy was an FA cup final. It is tough going from winning in the late 90's early 00's but swings and roundabouts.

bad2dabone

Arseblog is great today:

There are reports that the riot act was read in the dressing room after the game, that there was a showdown, a 45 minute tirade. I’m sorry, but that’s like closing the stable door after the burger meat has already bolted. If the players deserve a right kick up the arse, and they certainly do, then so does the manager. Not just for the display against Blackburn but for this season, for the double cup exit, the paucity of options in his squad, and a resurfacing of an old but extremely costly problem, but who is there to dispense said kick?

Nobody.

What’s most difficult about all this is that it’s nearly impossible to have any kind of meaningful discussion about the manager without battle lines being drawn. Those who vociferously want him out have, in my experience at least, resorted to some of the most unseemly abuse. The sort of stuff that ought to be directed at the real ***** in the game. It makes others defensive of a man who has done wonderful things for this football club and the main point is never addressed. People are being deliberately broken up into factions, you’re either with us or against us, and it shouldn’t be like that (even if it suits certain agendas).

The problem is far more complex, the manager is failing to live up the standards he set and the expectations he raised, yet there’s a fundamental problem with the footballing structure of the club too. One man controls that side of things while a bunch of businessmen and executives buzz around him without the ability to shake things up. Even if you change the manager tomorrow that vacuum still exists, or you end up with the power shifting too far the other way, so it’s people who aren’t specialised in that area.

Then again, this is very Arsenal. We never do things the easy way. Even ****ing up.

http://arseblog.com/

GeorgeBailey

Diddy Kong wrote: »

Well look at David Moyes, he is in the Everton job for the past 11 years and the closest they came to a trophy was an FA cup final. It is tough going from winning in the late 90's early 00's but swings and roundabouts.

That's Everton. Not Arsenal. Of course it isn't easy winning trophies but it shouldn't take a club like Arsenal 8 years (and more) to do so.

Oranage2

Shane St. wrote: »

Team for tomorrow?

scezney
sagna
mert
kos - if fit
verm
arteta
ramsey
santi
pod
giroud
walcott

if kos isn't fit then I can see sagna playing central and Jenkinson right back. perhaps Wenger will do something mad like drop giroud for another centremid and play walcott up top.

Frisbee

Who had £70M in the Arsene's Fictional Warchest pools?

greendom

GeorgeBailey wrote: »

That's Everton. Not Arsenal. Of course it isn't easy winning trophies but it shouldn't take a club like Arsenal 8 years (and more) to do so.

Why are Arsenal inherently superior to Everton ?

Is it a divine right or something else I'm missing ?

speedboatchase

efb wrote: »

The board is Wenger's boss. 8 years isn't that long without a trophy tbf. Too much Sky Sports 'Instant Success' around. I think Wenger's been successful in the last 8 years a trophy would be nice, but every team can win one- unless its done U8's comp

What a sad, defeatist attitude. As I've said before, there is no breaking point for Wenger apologists. None.

GeorgeBailey

greendom wrote: »

Why are Arsenal inherently superior to Everton ?

Is it a divine right or something else I'm missing ?

David Moyes has been lauded for all the great things he's done for Everton over the last 10 or so years. Arsene Wenger has been derided for how poorly his side has performed and how they lack back-bone over the last 8 years. Over those 8 years, how often have Everton placed better than Arsenal, gotten further in the champions league than Arsenal, won more trophies than Arsenal. Zero.

So clearly the football world in general expect more from Arsenal than Everton.

greendom

GeorgeBailey wrote: »

David Moyes has been lauded for all the great things he's done for Everton over the last 10 or so years. Arsene Wenger has been derided for how poorly his side has performed and how they lack back-bone over the last 8 years. Over those 8 years, how often have Everton placed better than Arsenal, gotten further in the champions league than Arsenal, won more trophies than Arsenal. Zero.

So clearly the football world in general expect more from Arsenal than Everton.

It wasn't that long ago that Everton were challenging and winning league titles.

Look at Man Utd - they won the European Cup in 68 and were relegated from Division1 7 years later. There are no guarantees in football and no one should expect success as a matter of right. That smacks of the complacency we sometimes accuse our players of.

Like it or not we have been pushed down the ladder by the new owners at City and Chelsea, while Arsenal is expected to live within its means. While that remains in place, the chances of regular trophy gathering at the Emirates is unlikely to be any time soon

AdamD

Oranage2 wrote: »

scezney
sagna
mert
kos - if fit
verm
arteta
ramsey
santi
pod
giroud
walcott

if kos isn't fit then I can see sagna playing central and Jenkinson right back. perhaps Wenger will do something mad like drop giroud for another centremid and play walcott up top.

Jack for Ramsey

GeorgeBailey

greendom wrote: »

Like it or not we have been pushed down the ladder by the new owners at City and Chelsea, while Arsenal is expected to live within its means.

This is true. But that shouldn't prevent Arsenal from being able to pick up at least one FA Cup or League Cup within the last 8 years.

greendom wrote: »

While that remains in place, the chances of regular trophy gathering at the Emirates is unlikely to be any time soon

... and even more unlikely at Everton as Arsenal are a bigger club than them.

greendom

GeorgeBailey wrote: »

This is true. But that shouldn't prevent Arsenal from being able to pick up at least one FA Cup or League Cup within the last 8 years.




... and even more unlikely at Everton as Arsenal are a bigger club than them.

Of course an FA Cup or League cup would have been nice but Everton have not had to manage with building a brand new stadium and live with the debt it brought. Highbury's capacity was 38,000 and Goodison is approx 40,000 I believe. Again being a bigger club is not a divine right and while we have suffered throught the stadium build, it should ensure that we remain a bigger club than them for the forseeable future.

purplepanda

bad2dabone wrote: »

Arseblog is great today:

http://arseblog.com/

Nothing more than club approved propaganda IMO! :eek:

Many of the prominent bloggers have direct access to club inside information & are used for PR purposes. Some are even reputed to have been regularly given free match tickets & hospitality :rolleyes:

Wenger has to go NOW!! Take Kroenke & Gazidis with him!!!

emergingstar

Team tomorrow gonna presume kos is out

Secz
Jenks(shudders). Sanga. Mert. Verm
Arteta. Ramsey
Santi. Jack. Podolski
Walcott