Category Archives: Arsene Wenger

Did Arsene Wenger Finish Outside The Top 4 On Purpose??

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Let’s be honest here, for the last few months if you’re an Arsenal fan like me then you’ve probably just been sick and tired of all this “Wenger In / Wenger Out” crap and been bored senseless of all the speculation over Arsene’s future.

The club at the moment is a complete mess; we have owners who do fuck all – I’ve heard more noises from the Loch Ness Monster than I have from Silent Stan – and why does Ivan Gazidis get paid? Seriously? Is there another Chief Executive in world football that does less than him?

Arsene Wenger is a great man who is carrying all of Arsenal’s problems on his own shoulders and the fans know it. Silent Stan, Ivan Gazidis and the Arsenal board have been a completely disgrace with their treatment of Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans – deciding not to talk about what their intention are. What do they want? Do they actually want the club to be successful??

There are a million questions that need answering and it’s just mind-boggling how quiet the Arsenal board are. They’re more than happy for Arsene Wenger to take the bullet week in, week out and it’s just pathetic. The Arsenal board in its current form is destroying the reputation and trust the fans have in the club.

Arsene Wenger made a series of revealing comments after the Everton game yesterday, admitting that his future disrupted the players and had an affect on the teams performances. That was the first time he admitted that and it’s quite interesting to see why he’s decided now is the time to admit the truth.

Of course, it would have been stupid to say otherwise before the end of the season but to admit it at all seemed like a shot to the board and owner Stan Kroenke. It also seemed like a dig at the board when Arsene said he’s turned down every single offer from other clubs from around the world, to help transform the club, and that he loves Arsenal. From that it appears Arsene Wenger is telling the world that he is perhaps the only man at the club who actually cares about Arsenal.

And it would make sense. The owners are always absent and their lack of public comment is deafening. Do they care? Do they fuck?

What do the owner care about? Money. We’ve seen that from Stan’s other sports franchises that he only cares about taking a yearly profit from his teams, and on the whole, they’re not successful on the pitch. Because that’s not what matters to him.

And look, business is business. Every successful businessman is out to make money but in football you want a billionaire who actually respects the fans and wants to see success for their club. Stan is clearly not that man so thank you very much for the last how many years you’ve been here, but fuck off.

And that got me thinking – did Arsene Wenger finish 5th on purpose? He’s not getting enough backing to improve the club and he knows better than anyone that the best we can do is finish in the Top Four and reach the last 16 in the Champions League. What’s the best way to shake things up? Not get into the Top Four.

Arsene Wenger is now the man with all the power because where do the Arsenal board go from here? There’s no way in hell they would recruit someone else now as Arsenal aren’t such a big attraction without Champions League football and they know it would take a magician to get Arsenal back into the Top Four – or Arsene Wenger.

This could be a power play by the Frenchman who has for all intents and purposes been left to hang out to dry by the board. Finishing 5th isn’t a disaster but sends out a message to the Arsenal hierarchy that they shouldn’t forget who’s in charge and if you want to fuck with Arsene Wenger then he’ll make sure your yearly profits that you take from the club year in, year out, take a hit.

 

Pundits Name Their Odds on Favourites to Replace Arsene Wenger Next Season

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With the Premier League season reaching its conclusion, there’s only one major topic of discussion surrounding Arsenal right now:

Arsene Wenger – should he stay or should he go?

If recent reports are anything to go by, most fans are ready to show Wenger the door.

Following April’s embarrassing 3 – 0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, we discussed how an increasingly vocal majority of fans are clamouring for the man’s exit from the Emirates Stadium.

On the one hand, there’s a certain sadness about all this.

This is the man that led the Gunners to one of their most successful runs in the club’s history, taking them to their first Premier League title only a year after he joined the club in October, 1996.

From there, a slew of trophies followed, creating a compelling argument that the recent poor form may just be a phase and that -given enough time- the Frenchman could once again lead Arsenal to glory.

That argument alone however may not be enough to prevent Wenger from moving on. If anything, it seems that the writing is already on the wall, with everyone from the BBC and Sky sports to the top bookmakers naming their odds on favourites to become the new Arsenal manager next season.

Here’s a look at just some of the big names tipped to replace Arsene Wenger, with their odds, as you may want to get in on the action. Coral betting by Freebets.uk may have several offers and promotions for punters, if they like any of the following names to actually be the next Arsenal manager.

Thierry Henry (20/1)

The Arsenal legend has always been on the list to take the helm at his old club, but he became a firm favourite after subtly hinting in an interview with French television station Canal+ that he would be interested in the role if it became available.

Ronald Koeman (20/1)

Tying neck and neck with Henry is current Everton boss, Ronald Koeman has been heavily tipped to take over from Wenger following an impressive run since joining the Toffees last summer.

According to The Independent, Koeman’s form at Goodison Park has not gone unnoticed by Arsenal officials, who apparently see him as the “perfect candidate” to lead the club back to prominence.

Rafa Benitez (16/1)

Currently plying his trade at Championship side Newcastle United, the former Liverpool manager has been linked with a move to the Emirates for some time now, though most reports claim that this would be a “shock” move given who else is in the running for the job.

Luis Enrique (16/1)

On March 1st, Luis Enrique announced that he would not be staying on at Barcelona once his contract expired in June.

Almost immediately, the Spaniard’s name was put forward as a viable contender for the potentially vacant Arsenal manager’s job.

Enrique has enjoyed mixed success since starting his managerial career in his runs with Roma and Barcelona, but his experience in high level European football could make him an attractive prospect for the role.

Patrick Vieira (12/1)

The rumour mill has been running rampant as of late with talks that former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira could leave his current managerial role at New York FC and head “home.

After being such a pivotal part of the Gunners’ success in the early 2000s, Vieira certainly knows a thing or two about what it takes to get Arsenal on top, and would likely be welcomed by the fans with open arms.

 

The Situation At Arsenal Has Reached Breaking Point

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Arsenal played Crystal Palace last night, or rather Crystal Palace “played” us as they came out comfortable 3-0 winners in a game where we failed to show any fight, desire or passion – something which has been all too common of late.

The situation at Arsenal – specifically the Arsene Wenger contract story – has been a media circus as Arsenal have been losing regularly on the pitch. Last night was our 7th defeat since the turn of the year which has seen us crash out of the Champions League in spectacular fashion, as well as fall to 6th in the Premier League, now 7 points behind Manchester City who are in 4th place.

The “Wenger Out Brigade” has been more and more vocal as the weeks have gone by and last night reached a new low. Video footage on Twitter saw Arsenal fans abusing Hector Bellerin, as well as Arsenal supporters giving abuse to Arsene Wenger and the players as they got on the team bus:

 

 

 

Credit: Twitter @therealiqqy

It’s one thing having the “keyboard warriors” on Facebook and Twitter having a go at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, but when it filters down to the supporters who are going to the game then we have a problem.

The abuse Wenger and Mustafi were subjected to as they walked onto the bus was completely out of order but sadly reflects how some Arsenal fans feel.

We’re all frustrated with whats going on at Arsenal and the problem the club has is that there is no vision for change. We’ve been in the exact same situation for the last 13 years now and the fans have had enough? Have I had enough? I did a long time ago.

But we have a club, manager and board who don’t listen. And that’s where the main problem is. Most other clubs take on board the views and feelings of the fans but Arsenal seem to be in this bubble where they will just do what they want. We have an owner who never talks, a chief executive in Ivan Gazidis who just spouts crap and a manager who, let’s face it, is the “King of Spin”. He talks the talk Arsene but he doesn’t deliver on the pitch, where it matters.

The players have clearly given up and aren’t playing for the manager any more. From Arsenal Football Club, they are probably the only ones who do listen and they realise that we’ll never win the Premier League with Arsene Wenger in charge. They aren’t stupid and while they might love the man (I think every Arsenal fan still loves the person) the fact is as a coach, he is stubborn and unwilling to change or adapt.

We must be the only football club in world football who fail to recruit ex-players who actually have an opinion of their own. Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Martin Known, Lee Dixon – why aren’t these former players involved in the club? Why aren’t they involved in the team?

The only former players we have on the staff are Freddie Ljungberg and Lauren, who for all intents and purposes are in ambassador roles, visiting foreign countries to improve overseas relations. They don’t actually have a say in the team or running of the club.

We’re a team at breaking point and Arsene’s strange and arrogant decision to basically not tell anyone his intentions for the future is insulting to the fans who pay the highest ticket prices in European football. Some Arsenal fans might say the protests are out of order but quite frankly, with the 13 years of the same old story, it could be argued that this has been a long time coming and Arsene Wenger has had more than enough time at the club.

 

Shouldn’t We All Just Stop Bickering and Get Behind Wenger?

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Source: Arsene Wenger via Facebook

It’s no secret that Arsenal fans are divided over Arsene Wenger and whether the long-serving manager should be kept on at the Emirates. And it’s also common knowledge that this site has always given unwavering support to the man that has done great things for this football club. Now nobody’s saying that the current situation is ideal, and it’s true, Wenger has his faults. But at the end of the day, it will be the board that decides on the future of the three-time Premier League winner, not the fans. So wouldn’t it be more productive for everyone to just get behind the club? And if Wenger does remain at the helm, shouldn’t we give him our support?

Has anyone stopped to think that perhaps the reason for this slightly disappointing season is partly down to uncertainty over the futures of key figures at the club? Wenger went into the current campaign knowing that it could be his last at the club he has called home for the past twenty years. Imagine being in his shoes, and having that feeling of insecurity hanging over you as you also seek to bring glory to such a great club. It can’t have helped that large sections of the Arsenal “support” have been openly calling for his head (see video below) while the 67-year-old has been struggling with all the other various pressures.

Even some of the players have been speaking their mind about the volatile atmosphere at the North London club. Alex Iwobi has voiced his disappointment about the disrespect that some sections of the support have been showing to Wenger. The 20-year-old said: “He’s been at the club for 20 years, he’s achieved a lot, obviously [the fans] are a bit impatient with the results and where they want to finish. We also want to finish there; we want to win the league like anyone else. I can guarantee we are trying our hardest.”

The damning defeat to West Bromwich Albion, following on from another harrowing exit from the Champions League, was the final straw for a lot of Arsenal fans. The Gunners were heavily backed to get their season back on track at the Hawthorns by betting tips site Oddschecker. But the 3-1 defeat left Wenger’s side in a tenuous situation with a lot of work to do to break into the top four.

The “Wenger Out” banners can’t be helping matters, though, can they? It seems that some fans have forgotten that the season is not over, and Wenger still has a strong chance of securing Champions League football for yet another season next term. It is understandable that those that want him out wish to get their message across before he is offered a new contract, but even they must realise that this kind of behaviour is toxic. Fans act as a twelfth man in football matches now more than ever, and if half the supporters are not fully behind the team, this is going to affect the way they play on the pitch.

Now, let’s assess some other factors. As noted before on this site, Wenger leaving would throw the club into another period of uncertainty. The latest comparison to look at would obviously be Manchester United, who have struggled in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. But there have been plenty of other failed attempts to replace legendary managers in football history. Roy Hodgson replacing Rafa Benitez at Liverpool was an absolute disaster, and the man who went on to also go belly up as England manager only lasted 31 games in charge at Anfield. And what about when Brian Clough replaced Don Revie at Leeds United? There has even been a film made about how badly that affected the club.

While Arsenal fans complain, fans of once great clubs like Leeds would kill to be in the same position as the Gunners. It can’t be denied that supporters at the Emirates often take what they have for granted. It’s Wenger that brought this stability to North London. He has consistently delivered European football year in, year out, and also won his fair share of silverware. In the cutthroat world of England’s top flight, with a vast number of other teams able to challenge at the top, what Wenger has done with limited resources is impressive.

In recognition of the point of view from the Wenger-out brigade, yes it is fair to say that the Frenchman has clear weaknesses. His stubborn attitude has frequently riled Arsenal fans as he continues to remain frugal in transfer windows despite the club being in a good position financially. If he is to stay beyond this campaign, a compromise must be reached. Wenger needs to understand that in the current climate where the Manchester teams and Chelsea are spending vast riches every summer, Arsenal can no longer stick to the slow approach of prioritising nurturing bourgeoning talent.

When Arsenal finished paying off the Emirates Stadium, many people were hoping they’d see a turning of the tide. Wenger had done exceptionally well without having a lot of money to spend, and now the riches were available it was exciting to think how far he could take the team. The signings of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were promising, and there is no doubt that Shkodran Mustafi will be a great asset in the future. The jury is still out on Granit Xhaka. Those are still only four big money acquisitions, though.

Fans want to see at least three big names coming in each summer, players that will add value to the squad and improve it. The most harrowing situation for Arsenal fans is seeing the rumours linking the club with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain (see video above), Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez, and then having Wenger bring in players like Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez. Even the faithful supporters of the six-time FA Cup winning manager will agree that this is not good enough. Wenger will have to address this if he is still at the helm in the summer.

If Wenger gets a new contract, that should take some weight off his shoulders and allow him to focus on the job in hand. At that point in time, the people who want him out will have to quieten down as the decision will have already been made. Likewise, if the club do decide that his time is up, all fans should respect that choice and get behind the new man in charge. When the fans are united behind the team and manager, there is no doubt that the Gunners will perform better on the pitch.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Wenger still has a strong chance of winning yet another FA Cup, and getting back into the league’s top four. The season is far from over, and all fans need to get together to help the players finish the campaign on a high. Then, when it gets to the summer, we can talk about Wenger’s contract, as well as the Sanchez and Ozil issues. Everyone here is an Arsenal fan, so let’s rally and show how much we want our beloved team to succeed. Stop bickering and back the man in charge.