Sky Sports can confirm that Arsene Wenger has replaced himself with Diego Simeone, the new signing was presented to the media this morning. Arsene Wenger told our source that he felt it was a position that needed strengthening and felt that it would help the club move forward.
As usual, despite the criticism I'm sure it will attract, I am of the opinion that we should wait until the close of the window to express definite opinions on the transfer window. And then, even if we aren't happy with the situation at the conclusion of the transfer window, get behind the team and the manager (particularly as it is likely to be Wengers last season at the helm) and leave ultimate judgement until the end of the season when we know how the decisions during the transfer window have played out. How many times have you thought a team has made an amazing signing only for the player to be completely underwhelming? How many times is it actually the players already at a club stepping up that makes the difference? Of course other times it's the new signings that make the difference, there's plenty of examples both ways. My point being it isn't always immediately obvious what effect the window will actually have on overall results. Last season we signed Cech, a fantastic signing and in a position we have been screaming out for as fans for years. He had a noticeable effect on the team last season and added a feeling of confidence to our back five. Along with the signings of Sanchez and Ozil in recent years, I cannot fault the decisions to bring these players to the club. They are without a doubt some of the best players I've seen in an Arsenal shirt in years. But without adding outfield options it was frustrating at the end of the window. And given that at times during the season it felt that a lack of DM cover and a top striker contributed to us dropping points and falling away from what seemed like our title to lose, we can feel aggrieved following the season ending despite finishing above all of our expected title rivals and 2nd for the first time in a long time. It is only with time that we get a clearer picture of how decisions turn out. However in the last 3 seasons we've won back to back FA Cups, back to back Community Shields (I recognise this isn't a huge achievement, but you'll notice the top players appreciate winning any trophy and winning them adds belief, particularly when beating City and Chelsea) and gone from 4th to 3rd to 2nd in the league. Which despite the disappointments we've felt, is a strong position and has had some great moments. Wenger brought us our best years as a club. Kept us near the top through our difficult financial years and set us up for the future as a top club. And once again returned us to a trophy winning team. There have been ups and downs, he has his faults, but he has given us so much effort, so much of his life and career, he has showed incredible loyalty and he is Arsenal through and through. He is getting old, he is quite likely not to sign another contract and I think the fans owe it to him to get behind him and give him the best support we can as his time with us comes to a close.
The old classic of 'reserve judgement until (todays date + a few months)' He's had over a decade. That's quite a long time to get a clear picture of how his decisions have turned out.
They should be looking for candidates now. Let Wenger finish his contract and lineup someone to take over next Season
Agreed. This should be Wenger's last season. We need a refresh as we have become stale and predictable, repeating the same mistakes on an endless loop. The club need to get it right, so they need to start the succession work now.
I pray that Wenger has let them know he is stepping down at the end of the season, and the board have already begun the work of searching for a successor accordingly...I mean I hope he is intelligent enough to understand that these things need time and he needs to decide early what is going to happen...it's about what is best for the club, and we want the best replacement possible. but I just don't know...
Can you imagine if Simeone came to Arsenal. That would be one tasty ****ing battle between the managers in the prem. Just need someone half decent at Spurs. Maybe Ancelotti and we'd have a full house
I'd love to see Simeone at Arsenal, but we would have to get used to a very different style of football. Simeone is more like Mourinho, or dare I say it George Graham, playing a more defensive style of football, concentrating on shutting out the opposition. Very different from Wenger's attacking philosophy, but his approach doesn't seem to be working for us anymore. Would Arsenal fans embrace the change ?
I see what you mean (although Simeone tends to be more defensive in CL, but is much more attacking in La Liga tbf). I was just considering the prospect for the whole prem. Simeone at Arsenal, Mourinho at United, Pep at City, Conte at Chavbus, Klopp at Liverpool. Even the likes of Koeman at Everton in the mix. Would be immense.
Simeone won't come here, sadly. He has already spoken about wanting to mange in Italy and especially at one of his former clubs, Inter. Simeone is a manager who thrives on the connections between him, the club and the fans and he clearly has that in abundance in Madrid and would create the same type of atmosphere and connection with Inter. Someone like Ancelotti would have been great for us.
Given that a lot of the top managers have recently moved clubs, who do you guys see as potential replacements when Wengers time with us comes to an end?
We've missed quite a few potential managers by extending Wenger's contract. Who is actually available. Plus it depends on what the management want as a replacement and whether Wenger has a sizeable input. It might not get us fans the manager we want.
I'm a bit sad that it looks like he's going to go out on such a whimper. I mean on one hand he's a guy who always stuck to his principles but its seems like this stubbornness is what stopped him adapting and changing with the times. Wenger has gone from Revolutionary to outdated over one long stint. Its pretty crazy. Still have a lot of love for the man though. He was a truly great manager.
He's been our most successful manager ever and nobody can take that away from him. But all good things come to an end and now it's time be planning his succession. I will never be calling for his head or for him to be sacked. The man deserves respect for everything that he has done for Arsenal. But I do hope that this is his last season and that the club get it right with his successor.
An Arsenal club shop worker has resigned from his role at the club claiming that he does not want to be a burden on Arsenal's spending on transfers. Following Arsenal's draw with Leicester on Saturday, Wenger said that a reason for not spending as much as his rivals is because the club need to ensure that the club's 600 staff members are paid first. In response, this fan, only known as 'Arsenal Employee' has handed in his notice in the hope that the removal of his wage from the wage bill will not further hamper transfer activities. The letter said: "My decision for leaving is due to Mr. Arsene Wenger's comments about staff after he recent draw against Leiecester City. To blame having to pay the 600 people working at Arsenal Football Club for not buying a player is a disgrace. "I earn £7.20ph, and work 37.5 hours a week. I get paid £270 a week. Over 52 weeks that is £14,040 a year. Theo Walcott earns 10x's that a week. "Hopefully with my wage off the club's wage bill, it will free up the cash for Mr. Wenger to buy more players. "I no longer wish to be a burden at this club."
