What's this I'm hearing about some Southampton player having been arrested for knocking a cyclist over in a bad way?
Charlie Austin. It was months ago and he wasn't arrested, but questioned by the police. They're still investigating. He claims that the cyclist rode in front of him suddenly when he had a green light.
Yeah, I know, Saints. I have factored that in. As I say, I'm unsure about him - I'm not writing him out of the equation. With Spanish sides it's always difficult to tell, because there are so few decent sides in la liga.
You've got to be kidding. He's our only genuine goal threat and we've been wasting nearly every chance that comes our way.
https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/charlie-austin-police-investigation-critically-injuring-cyclist/ Not sure when he's due back from injury. Next month, maybe?
You have to remember that La Liga is heavily weighted towards Real and Barca, and Real have overshadowed Atletico as Madrid's top club for decades (Like Arsenal have with Spurs) Atletico winning the league in 2014 was a massive achievement, but they've hardly been slouches since, they finished 3rd in both seasons after and they got to the Champions League final in two of those years. So I would say that they are still right up there and Simeone has done brilliantly to keep them knocking on the door. There is no way that Koeman would have achieved that at Atletico, he's a decent coach, but Simone is on another level altogether.
I hope it is as soon as that. Much and all as I love him, you cannot be relying on Shane long for goals
Simeone is a good coach - in Spain. I don't think that he necessarily offers anything over and above the likes of Koeman, in the Prem. As I say, it's just my opinion. It's going to be interesting to see who does replace Wenger.
The jury is out on him, for me anyway. His goalscoring record at Napoli wasn't amazing but that's a tough league to get goals in. He is definitely an upgrade though. When I see saints line up with redmond ,long and tadic as a front three you wonder where the goals will come from and of late they've been not been coming.
What about his Champions League record then ? He's battled it out with the best in Europe to get to two finals. Also don't forget that he won the Europa league in 2012, so it's not just in La Liga that he's proved he can challenge.
I think Simeone has done a fantastic job at Atletico. Considering he's had to sell just about every world class player he's had, his record of finding replacements is extraordinary. Like Pochettino, he's ruthless. It's 'my way or the highway'. Whether his win at all costs style would suit some of the more 'precious' Gooner fans, I'm not so sure.
How many of the current squad do you think he'd want to keep, though? It could be a rough transition, as the two styles are very different. He'd probably shoot Ozil for strolling back, for a start!
The older fans would be fine with it, as they were under George Graham. The younger ones? Not so much.
Well, Arsenal will certainly be expecting the new manager to be competitive in Europe. As has been said, Simeone has proven that he's no mug in the CL. I still think, however, that koeman - if he were to be given a shot at a decent club - would do just as well at Arsenal as any other manager. Whoever does come in at Arsenal, I am sure he is going to have decent credentials.
Simeone and the Arsenal squad is not a good mix. He'd need two or three seasons to reshape it and then the fans would more about the dull football betting served up.
Simeone has done a great job at Atletico, he's won La Liga, The Europa league, Copa del rey and got to the Champions League final twice, all in 6 years ! As you say, his forays into the transfer market have been brilliant and his ability to organise his teams is exemplary. None of that back four are household names, or certainly weren't, but he's moulded them into one of the tightest units in European football. Comparing him with Koeman is crazy in my opinion, he's head and shoulders above that level. As for Gooners, if we're winning, I don't think that there are many that would be 'precious' about anything
