Rival watch
- Thread starter Spurlock
- Start date
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"Celtic will not stand in Brendan Rodgers' way should Arsenal make an approach".
Oh please let this happen. Please.
Oh please let this happen. Please.
The twat was unhinged in his spurs obsession when he was pools manager ... can you imagine the depth of his anti spurs depravity if he was their boss ?
That, and Jacky boy getting a 3 year 200K/week contract.
The twat was unhinged in his spurs obsession when he was pools manager ... can you imagine the depth of his anti spurs depravity if he was their boss ?
If you spend 200m a year on wages, you expect
to do better in the PL and CL than Spurs.
Jacques Santini? SOLD!
Interesting that quite a few of you on here think things are likely to go on a downward spiral now that Wenger has gone. Truthfully, I can never tell if that's your honest opinions or if that's the natural pessimism you guys have towards Arsenal as Spurs fans.
From my perspective, I think this is one of the most important moves we have made moving forward in the long-term. Despite the question marks raised over personnel, coaching and this mediocre culture that's been allowed to fester, one of the biggest obstructions to our progression will be removed come May 2018. Obviously, the next appointment we make will be crucial and the club need to get this right, but I am convinced whoever we get would do no worse than Wenger either way.
There will understandably be a lot of uncertainty and trepidation, and I am of course under no illusions that things may not get better instantaneously. But we have the resources to get back to the top even if the rebuilding process takes a few years. Arsenal are still a very attractive proposition for many, in spite of athe disgruntled fans, empty seats and the media perception of us as (unfairly) being portrayed as 'spoiled'. Our global brand still thrives, we have incredible facilities, a rich history and can pay healthy wages to any staff member.
I agree that the squad hasn't been left in a great shape, and if we don't win the Europa League (which, if we're being honest, probably won't happen at this point...), the loss of revenue may hit us more than we would hope. There are too many false parallels being drawn between us and Man United, though.
Firstly, United were at the top of the table. The only way for them to go at that point, particularly with Moyes' appointment, was down. Arsenal are sixth...could still potentially finish seventh. Unless the next manager is utterly useless, I find it difficult to comprehend we would sink much lower than that.
Secondly, Moyes pretty much got rid of all the backroom staff and old guard who were crucial to the development of upcoming talent. Again, I don't think the club would be so naive and replicate mistakes of this magnitude.
Thirdly, although I acknowledge some of our squad are nowhere close to the quality required, we still have some beacons of light. Aubameyang is a top striker. Lacazette is useful. Ozil is still a classy player despite his flaws. Ramsey will hopefully still be around. Mkhitaryan has been an effective signing thus far. We've got some promising youth prospects coming through. So whilst it's far from ideal, and the squad does need an overhaul, it isn't totally unfixable.
Fourth, the club have been proactive behind the scenes and have been recruiting new members of staff for the last year. Their strong personalities mean they would wrestle the stronghold Wenger had. So his influence would be diminishing even if he did stay for another year. The next manager won't have such a powerful grip on every single club matter, and more consultation with less 'yes men' can only be a positive outcome.
Fifth - and this is the most important point - Ferguson was still winning league titles and competing in Europe right until the very end. Arsenal and Arsene are doing neither. It's not like Wenger's at the very peak and he's choosing to retire; he has accepted he doesn't have what it takes to get us to the level we need to be at if we wish to remain a competitive outfit. As a result of this, it is very difficult to know whether some of the players we have were poor purchases in the transfer market or whether they have been terribly exposed by tactical ineptitude and flawed coaching methods. It's why sometimes I am unsure on how far I should reprimand some of our players because I'm not sure if they're being played to their strengths. I guess we will find out depending on who the next appointment is.
Either way, interesting times ahead!
From my perspective, I think this is one of the most important moves we have made moving forward in the long-term. Despite the question marks raised over personnel, coaching and this mediocre culture that's been allowed to fester, one of the biggest obstructions to our progression will be removed come May 2018. Obviously, the next appointment we make will be crucial and the club need to get this right, but I am convinced whoever we get would do no worse than Wenger either way.
There will understandably be a lot of uncertainty and trepidation, and I am of course under no illusions that things may not get better instantaneously. But we have the resources to get back to the top even if the rebuilding process takes a few years. Arsenal are still a very attractive proposition for many, in spite of athe disgruntled fans, empty seats and the media perception of us as (unfairly) being portrayed as 'spoiled'. Our global brand still thrives, we have incredible facilities, a rich history and can pay healthy wages to any staff member.
I agree that the squad hasn't been left in a great shape, and if we don't win the Europa League (which, if we're being honest, probably won't happen at this point...), the loss of revenue may hit us more than we would hope. There are too many false parallels being drawn between us and Man United, though.
Firstly, United were at the top of the table. The only way for them to go at that point, particularly with Moyes' appointment, was down. Arsenal are sixth...could still potentially finish seventh. Unless the next manager is utterly useless, I find it difficult to comprehend we would sink much lower than that.
Secondly, Moyes pretty much got rid of all the backroom staff and old guard who were crucial to the development of upcoming talent. Again, I don't think the club would be so naive and replicate mistakes of this magnitude.
Thirdly, although I acknowledge some of our squad are nowhere close to the quality required, we still have some beacons of light. Aubameyang is a top striker. Lacazette is useful. Ozil is still a classy player despite his flaws. Ramsey will hopefully still be around. Mkhitaryan has been an effective signing thus far. We've got some promising youth prospects coming through. So whilst it's far from ideal, and the squad does need an overhaul, it isn't totally unfixable.
Fourth, the club have been proactive behind the scenes and have been recruiting new members of staff for the last year. Their strong personalities mean they would wrestle the stronghold Wenger had. So his influence would be diminishing even if he did stay for another year. The next manager won't have such a powerful grip on every single club matter, and more consultation with less 'yes men' can only be a positive outcome.
Fifth - and this is the most important point - Ferguson was still winning league titles and competing in Europe right until the very end. Arsenal and Arsene are doing neither. It's not like Wenger's at the very peak and he's choosing to retire; he has accepted he doesn't have what it takes to get us to the level we need to be at if we wish to remain a competitive outfit. As a result of this, it is very difficult to know whether some of the players we have were poor purchases in the transfer market or whether they have been terribly exposed by tactical ineptitude and flawed coaching methods. It's why sometimes I am unsure on how far I should reprimand some of our players because I'm not sure if they're being played to their strengths. I guess we will find out depending on who the next appointment is.
Either way, interesting times ahead!
S
Spur of the Moment
Guest
You'll be grand!
(He said, through gritted teeth, desperately thinking and praying for the opposite!)
people thought Bruce Rioch was going to be a good match cos he was kind of like George Graham.
People thought WTF when Wenger was appointed so tbh I do not think anyone has a sodding clue
There's much in what you say. One issue that hasn't come up is perhaps the most important in what happens next. What are Stan Kroenke's intentions?
His ownership of franchises in the US suggests that winning doesn't come top of the list. That's backed up by one of the few pronouncements that he's ever made about Arsenal and by your level of spending relative to the usual English CL competitors Chelsea, United and Citeh since he took over. Is he going to buy players at the top of their game by going toe-to-toe with those clubs at £70m, £80m, £90m or £100m and do that for more than one player? If yes, then a really good manager might turn things around relatively speedily. If not, things could look more like Liverpool post-2010 with a number of frog managers kissed until a prince showed up and one CL place in 7 years.
Now that there are 6 clubs going for 4 places, getting back in there is going to be no easy task in the short term. That landscape is going to make for some interesting times ahead. History suggests that the first manager into the seat isn't going to be the long term answer and the statement from Gazidis that a successor hasn't been identified at this point is surprising and would be a concern to me, if it is true and they're not waiting for Chelsea to sack Conte.
to have not identified and got a new manager in place is insane. I assume that they will announce them on 13th or 14th may when the season has ended.
The transfer window closes on 9th August and there is a world cup so early transfers will be essential imo...for all but especially for a new manager... so not have g a clue seems bizarre
The transfer window closes on 9th August and there is a world cup so early transfers will be essential imo...for all but especially for a new manager... so not have g a clue seems bizarre
I guess this gives Alain Pardieu hope...
Pardew or Rodgers would be amazing.... from a Spurs perspective
Or Sol Campbell.
