Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2017 *Warnings see OP-updated 09/05/17*

KaiserGunner

Get in! Struggled to find a pub that was actually showing the game due to the rugby, GAA and premier league :rolleyes: Eventually managed to get a small corner of the pub to watch the game. Delighted to be in another cup final! Keeps our season going till the last day regardless of what happens in the league.
A shining light on otherwise a poor season! Proud to be a Gooner regardless!!

Arne_Saknussem

Wenger on Sanchez: "He will be here next year because he has a contract and hopefully we will manage to extend him"

Some great stuff on Twitter

https://twitter.com/AAllenSport/status/856192225088229376

https://twitter.com/AAllenSport/status/856189599701282816

domrush

Would Cazorla be a possible starter for the final??

Missing top 4 this season would be like missing out on winning the league last year. Wide open, so many opportunities, just need a decent team. But sure that's it.

Woo! 2 more years of Wenger. Sorry I can't get into the party mood.

omega man

All I want now is the FA cup, **** top 4.

For years when we got top 4 we were told it's all about trophies so let's just do that for now and worry about the rest later on....

Still think Wenger is done and dusted but let's send him off with the send off he deserves. COYG

Ol' Donie

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Missing top 4 this season would be like missing out on winning the league last year. Wide open, so many opportunities, just need a decent team. But sure that's it.

Woo! 2 more years of Wenger. Sorry I can't get into the party mood.

It's our hands now, though, isn't it?

To honest, i think it'd be good for us to miss out on the CL for a year. The money matters far less now, and I want a run at the league without getting interrupted by Bayern or Real or whoever.

Royale with Cheese

Europa League is guaranteed though, that'd fúck the season up far worse than the Champions League. That said it'd be a competition worth winning for Arsenal at this point.

You can say the FA cup ain't what it was, but it's still a nice feeling to be in the final after this disaster of a season. If they were to win it would feel like more of an accomplishment than the last 2 as well, considering the semi final and final opponents.

omega man

omega man wrote: »

All I want now is the FA cup, **** top 4.

For years when we got top 4 we were told it's all about trophies so let's just do that for now and worry about the rest later on....

Still think Wenger is done and dusted but let's send him off with the send off he deserves. COYG

Firstly a fantastic win today. Ill have to catch the highlights later because im just back from an abysmal day in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

Credit Wenger for deciding to change tactics and getting the win.

However, win the cup or not, ill remain adamant that we need a fresh approach from next season but it looks like two more years now are probably guaranteed which isnt an ideal situation really.

Ol' Donie

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Europa League is guaranteed though, that'd fúck the season up far worse than the Champions League. That said it'd be a competition worth winning for Arsenal at this point.

You can say the FA cup ain't what it was, but it's still a nice feeling to be in the final after this disaster of a season. If they were to win it would feel like more of an accomplishment than the last 2 as well, considering the semi final and final opponents.

I'd be happy playing any and all Europa league teams wherever they are if it means no 10-2 bullsh*t. Just for one season.

emmetlego

Delighted with that. Doesn't take away from the tripe dished up this season, but delighted with that today. That system at the back looked more solid than we have in a long time, especially after the first portion of the game!

Soups123

Wenger made what I thought was an strange comment today, he said he was delighted with the win on the back of really poor form the reason for the poor form he may share in the future. Almost suggesting some clear reason.

Then Ian W changed his tune said the problem at the club wasn't Wenger its above him and he'd like to see Wenger in charge without Kroenke or his son in charge

Ol' Donie

domrush wrote: »

Would Cazorla be a possible starter for the final??

That would be fantastic.

wonga77

Wenger on fire :pac::pac::pac:

Holding was smashing today, delighted for him

https://twitter.com/AllAboutTheAFC/status/856220132070346753

wonga77

I presume it would be next to impossible to get tickets for the final???

emmetlego

Quick one, haven't seen it advertised anywhere, but is there a highlights show on tonight? Do MOTD cover it?

KaiserGunner

emmetlego wrote: »

Quick one, haven't seen it advertised anywhere, but is there a highlights show on tonight? Do MOTD cover it?

Yeah I think it's on as part of MOTD 2.

Skylinehead

It's on after MOTD2 at 11.20

Ol' Donie

Motd 2: 10.30
Motd The FA Cup: 11.20

emmetlego

Thanks peeps

Panthro

This final should be an absolute belter.
Looking forward to it!

Arghus

Felt good to win today, but we could be all back here gritting our teeth soon enough.

Hopefully not of course!

Arghus

Arghus wrote: »

Felt good to win today, but we could be all back here gritting our teeth soon enough.

Hopefully not of course!

Out of Tipp and Arsenal today, i was sure it would be Tipp grinding out the tight win and Arsenal getting a pasting.......It worked out the opposite Ideally id have like both teams to perform at least but sure Ill take some consolation

Pierce_1991

wonga77 wrote: »

I presume it would be next to impossible to get tickets for the final???

Wondering the same thing myself, I assume it would be tricky alright

beer enigma

omega man wrote: »

All I want now is the FA cup, **** top 4.

For years when we got top 4 we were told it's all about trophies so let's just do that for now and worry about the rest later on....

Still think Wenger is done and dusted but let's send him off with the send off he deserves. COYG

How about FA Cup, beat Spurs on Sunday & although they win their remaining games, they miss out on the title by the point taken away by us

The Red Lad

FA cup to look forward to and hopefully we can spoil spurs fun next weekend too. Regardless if we win the fa cup or slight chance get top 4 Wenger still needs to go a decent end to the season can't hide the embarrassment of getting walloped by palace,west brom and not competing at all for the league and also losing so heavily to Bayern over two legs the man loves the club but really if he loves it so much he needs to accept he can't bring us any further.

Quazzie

Andip wrote: »

How about FA Cup, beat Spurs on Sunday & although they win their remaining games, they miss out on the title by the point taken away by us

Jaysis. This is the kind of crap we used to laugh at Spurs for saying.

beer enigma

Quazzie wrote: »

Jaysis. This is the kind of crap we used to laugh at Spurs for saying.

Blimey I give up - you try to have a bit of light hearted tongue in cheek on a Monday morning and get shot down in flames posting on boards in recent years has become like dodging potshots.

Quazzie

Andip wrote: »

Blimey I give up - you try to have a bit of light hearted tongue in cheek on a Monday morning and get shot down in flames posting on boards in recent years has become like dodging potshots.

Sorry. I didn't realise it was tongue in cheek. My apologies.

I highly doubt it changes anyones thoughts on Wenger staying or going
But I would expect that if Arsenal do win the FA Cup he would be glad to leave with his head held high as would the fans

Quazzie

M!Ck^ wrote: »

I highly doubt it changes anyones thoughts on Wenger staying or going
But I would expect that if Arsenal do win the FA Cup he would be glad to leave with his head held high as would the fans

It'd be a nice way to end his career. Another trophy, and a record breaking one at that. That is probably the ideal send off for him, and I think that would keep everyone happy.

beer enigma

Quazzie wrote: »

Sorry. I didn't realise it was tongue in cheek. My apologies.

No worries Quazzie, my underlying (too sublte) point being that we seem to be scrabbling for any positives, yet for me, nothing will make up for the poor performance, confusion, club/player attitudes & total lack of respect for the supporters by the board this season. In 46 years of supporting this club, this has been one of the most disappointing seasons I've seen.

Rekop dog

Allardyce long overdue a crack at one of the top clubs. I know people would still turn their noses up at him but there's no better man for the Arsenal job. He galvanises team spirit and gets every player playing to their full potential.

His style isn't even as negative as most make it out to be, he's a complete pragmatist, and varies his style depending on opposition. And not that it matters, when Arsenal were winning titles under George Graham nobody was complaining. Been easily the most consistent manager in the league since Fergie.

Arne_Saknussem

Rekop dog wrote: »

Allardyce long overdue a crack at one of the top clubs. I know people would still turn their noses up at him but there's no better man for the Arsenal job. He galvanises team spirit and gets every player playing to their full potential.

His style isn't even as negative as most make it out to be, he's a complete pragmatist, and varies his style depending on opposition. And not that it matters, when Arsenal were winning titles under George Graham nobody was complaining. Been easily the most consistent manager in the league since Fergie.

2/10

Rekop dog

Arne_Saknussem wrote: »

2/10

To rule him out or cast him as nothing more than a relegation specialist is so simplistic and completely lacking an understanding of what a tactical genius he is. He will get a big job soon and other teams will be regretful they didn't snap him up first.

Arne_Saknussem

Rekop dog wrote: »

To rule him out or cast him as nothing more than a relegation specialist is so simplistic and completely lacking an understanding of what a tactical genius he is. He will get a big job soon and other teams will be regretful they didn't snap him up first.

Yawn. Lacking originality.

Quazzie

Rekop dog wrote: »

Allardyce long overdue a crack at one of the top clubs. I know people would still turn their noses up at him but there's no better man for the Arsenal job. He galvanises team spirit and gets every player playing to their full potential.

His style isn't even as negative as most make it out to be, he's a complete pragmatist, and varies his style depending on opposition. And not that it matters, when Arsenal were winning titles under George Graham nobody was complaining. Been easily the most consistent manager in the league since Fergie.

If Wenger left two months ago, and we needed a manager till the end of the season I would've accepted him. Nothing longer than a stop gap tho.

Rekop dog

Quazzie wrote: »

If Wenger left two months ago, and we needed a manager till the end of the season I would've accepted him. Nothing longer than a stop gap tho.

Premier league is obsessed with getting managers with proven success at the highest level and scoffing at those who've done well at lower clubs. In La liga or Serie A they always hire coaches who over achieved in their own league. Conte got the Juve job without any previous big club success, much like Allegri did at Milan. Simeone hasn't managed a big club before Atleti.

Getting the likes of your Mourinho's and Peps is so far from guaranteed success especially at a time in their careers when their hunger is questionable, Big Sam has an insatiable appetite to achieve and prove himself, and knows this league arguably better than anyone.

GavRedKing

Andip wrote: »

How about FA Cup, beat Spurs on Sunday & although they win their remaining games, they miss out on the title by the point taken away by us

As a Chelsea fan, I'd take that. :pac:

beer enigma

GavRedKing wrote: »

As a Chelsea fan, I'd take that. :pac:

Every silver lining has a cloud :rolleyes:

wawaman

Rekop dog wrote: »

Premier league is obsessed with getting managers with proven success at the highest level and scoffing at those who've done well at lower clubs. In La liga or Serie A they always hire coaches who over achieved in their own league. Conte got the Juve job without any previous big club success, much like Allegri did at Milan. Simeone hasn't managed a big club before Atleti.

Getting the likes of your Mourinho's and Peps is so far from guaranteed success especially at a time in their careers when their hunger is questionable, Big Sam has an insatiable appetite to achieve and prove himself, and knows this league arguably better than anyone.

id rather 5 more years of wenger than one of allardyce

Rekop dog

wawaman wrote: »

id rather 5 more years of wenger than one of allardyce

Why?

Distinct lack of critical thinking itt.

wandatowell

Nachos celebration was brilliant.

wawaman

Rekop dog wrote: »

Why?

Distinct lack of critical thinking itt.

If it was a question of ego, Allardyce would be at a top side (and it could be argued that his ego lost him the england job) but its about talent. Why in all the years Allardyce has been managing has he never come close to a top club job? Some managers have a level and his is keeping teams just above the drop zone

wawaman

wandatowell wrote: »

Nachos celebration was brilliant.

Ha ha the celebration of a man that doesnt score often and didnt know what to do when he did score

Rekop dog

wawaman wrote: »

If it was a question of ego, Allardyce would be at a top side (and it could be argued that his ego lost him the england job) but its about talent. Why in all the years Allardyce has been managing has he never come close to a top club job? Some managers have a level and his is keeping teams just above the drop zone

I've already mentioned the top teams reluctance to go for successful home grown managers. His general lack of tact in the media has held him back a bit too. But in terms of ability, he's always been way ahead of the pack in terms of using technological advances to help his sides excel, Bolton were one of the very first sides to benefit from Prozone.

Regardless of what happened at England, he landed that job on merit, and showed huge strength in character to bounce back at Palace after what had to be a devastating personal blow (whether deserved or not is another conversation). That Palace side actually have a huge amount of of talent, the likes of Cabeye and Zaha, but we're extremely disjointed and basically a group of individuals without much direction. Sam has not only made them extremely difficult to break down, but has all the flair players excelling, and Benteke looks a world beater again up front.

I've no doubt he has the confidence, tactical nous and man management ability to do it at the highest level.

keano_afc

wawaman wrote: »

Ha ha the celebration of a man that doesnt score often and didnt know what to do when he did score

I'm sure we'd see the same from Sanogo.

beer enigma

Will he stick with the 'new' formation for Leicester on Wednesday night ?...is this the new shape

emmetlego

Andip wrote: »

Will he stick with the 'new' formation for Leicester on Wednesday night ?...is this the new shape

He'd be absolutely barmey to change it now. We looked a lot more solid defensively with the wing back system than we have in a long long time.

So he probably will revert to a back 4 again, yeh!

greendom

Rekop dog wrote: »

I've already mentioned the top teams reluctance to go for successful home grown managers. His general lack of tact in the media has held him back a bit too. But in terms of ability, he's always been way ahead of the pack in terms of using technological advances to help his sides excel, Bolton were one of the very first sides to benefit from Prozone.

Regardless of what happened at England, he landed that job on merit, and showed huge strength in character to bounce back at Palace after what had to be a devastating personal blow (whether deserved or not is another conversation). That Palace side actually have a huge amount of of talent, the likes of Cabeye and Zaha, but we're extremely disjointed and basically a group of individuals without much direction. Sam has not only made them extremely difficult to break down, but has all the flair players excelling, and Benteke looks a world beater again up front.

I've no doubt he has the confidence, tactical nous and man management ability to do it at the highest level.

Sam, you're playing Spurs on Wednesday - concentrate on that rather than trying to get the Arsenal job!