There appears to be a growing swell of opinion within the media that Whinger has told AFC that, not only will he not be renewing his contract, but that he'll be walking at the end of this season. Most of the Gooners on this board seem to think that would be a bad idea, but the Gooners whom I have spoken to in the real world seem to think the opposite, and that it's what AFC need if they are ever to become a force in football. Now, I'm sure the AFC board wouldn't make the same mistake that United made and appoint a no-mark manager, like Moyes, but there's no guaranteeing that they won't do that. I can't see a top manager wanting to go there, not when it's quite likely that the United and £ity jobs could be up for grabs shortly - even the Chav job, let alone the likes of Real or Barca. Gooners might well have to face up to the reality of having someone like Laudrup or Martinez appointed, neither of whom are particularly better than Moyes, and we would, then, have to wonder where that would leave the North London Power-Shift. There are interesting times ahead, methinks!
If that happens it could very well be extremely bad news to Spurs, they might replace him with a manager that wins trophies instead of accolades, and Levy gives your mate a 3 year contract.
Gooners have certainly discussed the question of whether Wenger should stay or go on occasion. I've wanted him to go for a long time, but may just be coming around to wanting him to stay. Aside from the fact that he manages our rivals, he seems like a nice old gent. I'm a little surprised he's kept his high stress job this long. It seems to me a somewhat lower pressure football job would suit him, and most people his age, better. Managing France's youth development program, for example.
There is very little in the world (that I think could plausibly happen) that would make me feel more optimistic for Spurs' mid- to long-term hopes than Wenger leaving Arsenal. They absolutely came up trumps when they landed him and it'll almost certainly be a rocky road to replace him. As Spurs supporters we all know about how hit and miss managerial appointments can be and they are more misses than hits. I assume talk of him leaving is in the more, er, speculative corners of the internet. Since he clearly seems to want to stay and sign a new contract do people think Arsenal would get rid? I can't see them being that dumb, I'm afraid.
If I were the Arsenal chairman I'd offer Wenger pretty much a blank cheque. I think he's a superb manager (a ****er but still a great manager) and although the trophy-less period doesn't reflect well, taking into consideration the fact he's pretty much had to sell the likes of Henry, Fabregas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Adebayor, van Persie over the years, it's a remarkable achievement to maintain the club as a Champions League side and one of the best teams in the country. Mourinho can label him a "Specialist In Failure" but I'd like to see Jose manage a club where he pretty much needs to sell it's star players rather than buy them in bulk. For the record I'm not saying Jose's a bad manager but with Porto aside, he's had the most enviable of platforms to build success at all of his clubs.
Thank god you cleared that up, I was worried we'd appointed a dud. Wenger has done well to a point but he's had money to spend over the years and instead either spent poorly (post 'invincibles') or refused to acknowledge his team's/squad's shortcomings. He is a good manager living off past glories IMO. Take away those first few years and no way would Arsenal have kept a manager that long without winning things. Wenger gives them stability but the right manager could take them to the next level (as much as the wrong one could take them backwards).
Lol no mate, I just think Jose's had a perfect platform for success, I don't think many would disagree with that. A superb manager though nonetheless, one of the best to grace the game - even if he is an arrogant **** . Problem is who is the right manage to replace someone like Wenger? LVG could be an option, other than that I don't see many better gaffers on the market that could better Wenger.
Maybe not Ade but I thought Toure and Clichy were key players in your side prior to selling them? Granted Koscielny and Mertesacker have become one of Europe's best partnerships since Kolo left but I always thought he was a superb defender and one Arsenal/ Arsene would've rather have kept? Clichy's yet to be replaced in my opinion, Andre Santos was as bad as Gilberto da Silva was for us and Monreal plays backup to an injury prone Oxlade-Chamberlain... I mean Gibbs!
I wonder whether Wenger has just got too close to this group of players. He has commendable trust in his squad and has undoubtedly developed players well but his reluctance to spend big despite all the players they've let go has left them short in the final stages of a season time and time again. Anyone and their nan can see Arsenal lack a forward of quality since selling RVP and lack leaders yet he keeps buying 5 1/2 foot midgets to play attacking mid and not addressing the real problems. No one knows who the right manager would be, always risky. Pep would have done wonders there I think as he seems to strike the balance between good football, developing players and buying where required. Klopp seems to be flavour of the month and could probably do a good job especially if he took Gundogen (sic?) and Hummells with him.
I did most of my research for this thread by listening to TalkSport's "Jason Cundy and Andy Jacobs" show, last night.
I think you have a point. His trust in Giroud has been reckless. They are also short defensively, both in midfield and down the wings. And they need cover for the 2 centre halves who look like they are running on empty in the last couple of games. They will be knackered for City on Saturday and City will have rotated more than them.
Yeah good point about his affinity with players, too much trust in the squad is what makes him so reluctant to spend big on new players. I wonder if Klopp could be tempted away from Dortmund? The work he's done there would be something I'm sure he'd be very reluctant to let go of. He's actually done a similar job to Wenger in terms of producing a lot of young home grown or cheap talent and only buying where necessary.
Wenger years back admitted he was jealous of what Fergie done by creating a new squad inspired by kids which went onto to gain success and for years that is what Wenger has tried to do, bring success to Arsenal by using young players that would grow under his management and while at times he was close to success, he failed and reality kicked in, when you spend years trying to achieve success a certain way, there comes a point when you realise you have to stop being stubborn and try new methods and Wenger has left it far too late as even with the big money signings, they are a soft touch and lack passion in the big games which define their season. ...Unless after 8 years Wenger believes if they win the FA Cup, its a sign he has regained his touch, if so, he's setting himself and the goons up for years of more disappointment.
Toure's formed had dropped right off by the time he left, and Clichy had an annoying habit of gifting the opposition cheap goals. Gibbs is a good enough player but he never gets through a season without at least a few injuries
