THE WENGER THREAD

[Bradywasking]

If the Chavs and City did not get the money pumped into them would Arsenal have kicked on after the move from the football stadium to the tourist attraction? Would Arsenal have won a Champions League instead of Chelsea and would they have won two Premier Leagues out of the last three like City have done ? Hypothetical question but what excuse would there have been for failure ? The reason for failure in the real world of mega rich City and Chelsea is the comfort zone of not expecting to compete with them , followed by the lack of motivation to compete with them, followed by the acceptance that we are not competing with them anymore.
If memory serves me correctly we had planning permission for the bowl before either of the other two mentioned clubs became rich. The move was designed to compete with Man Utd and European giants. The reason for moving stadium was gone from our ambition before Abou Diaby put the first seats in place. Arsene gave up because Chelsea became rich and we are still giving up.

[SteveO 35]

Great post Quartz - agree with all of that. Dein was (is) also an incredibly well connected guy in international football circles and given his previous FA duties, very influential too. I know you think I have been overly harsh on Gazidis on here, but he honestly does not carry that weight or key connections
Having a club man on the board isn't a guarantee of success (look down the road at what Levy is doing) but it does tend to mean that all of the decisions are taken with the footballing interests at the heart of them

I don't care about Dein's family background or social class any more than I do Kroenke's or Usmanov's. What I care about is having a figurehead at the club who doesn't constantly seek to fleece the fans at all costs

Nice story about the ticket queue too.

Usmanov and Dein could be the best thing to happen to the club for decades

[DB10GOONER]

My mention of his wealth wasn't a criticism, it was to indicate a comparison with other wealthy board members who are more concerned with the business than the football team. As in; being rich doesn't preclude you from putting the football first.

[QuartzGooner]

My mention of his wealth wasn't a criticism, it was to indicate a comparison with other wealthy board members who are more concerned with the business than the football team. As in; being rich doesn't preclude you from putting the football first.

OK, mis-interpreted it.

[Bradywasking]

I remember seeing David Dein in The World of Sport at Finsbury Park the day before the Coca Cola Cup Final in 1993, later that day I saw him at a reserve game at Highbury. On another occasion I saw him stop his car on Avenall Road to chat to a policeman on duty there. As Quartz says small things but he had an attachment to Arsenal that went way beyond commercial. On other occasion he was reading the programme before a Highbury night game where he saw a letter from a fan in the programme asking for more graphics on the Jumbotrons. Things like yellow cards etc beside the players names. The idea was implemented for that very game. Stan would not care about fans unless they were spending .

[Ikechukwu1]

Great post Quartz - agree with all of that. Dein was (is) also an incredibly well connected guy in international football circles and given his previous FA duties, very influential too. I know you think I have been overly harsh on Gazidis on here, but he honestly does not carry that weight or key connections
Having a club man on the board isn't a guarantee of success (look down the road at what Levy is doing) but it does tend to mean that all of the decisions are taken with the footballing interests at the heart of them

I don't care about Dein's family background or social class any more than I do Kroenke's or Usmanov's. What I care about is having a figurehead at the club who doesn't constantly seek to fleece the fans at all costs

Nice story about the ticket queue too.

Usmanov and Dein could be the best thing to happen to the club for decades

SteveO spot on about Dein. I thought his role was overplayed but a bit but in retrospect, he was the key man at Arsenal.
Let's get one thing straight Dein was highly respected as a powerbroker in football circles. When Arsenal had interest in a player, Le stool was kept away from negotiations and Dein got the man, paid the money. He wanted Arsenal to WIN. The money spent on Bergkamp was huge, when the Reyes fee was being haggled Dein took over. Wiltord and Henry and Pires were not cheap (calculate with inflation) but again, Dein came through. There were never excuses, he just wanted Arsenal to be the best.
I am always reminded of Ian Wright describing the day he was told he'd be leaving Arsenal. He said David Dein was in the room with Wenger and Dein was in tears. The guy was a fan and knew the club top to bottom. He was the fan voice at board level - every big club has this. Barca have Zubizaretta, Bayern have Rummenigge and Sammer, Manure had Edwards, Chelski have Abramovich (he's a fan).

Now imagine eg Sanchez turning up to a meeting with Josh Kroenke and claiming he wanted a move? Kroenke would probably ask which catering company he was with now...

Wenker now runs the club ragged and there's NO overview. I've often rendered just how the hell he gets away with certain things eg not fronting to the press after the 6-0 at Chelski, the rude remarks to fans "not worked half a day", the comment to the journo "managed zero games", the disgusting answer to Scholes last season, and of course the now infamous Jacqui Oatley interview.
It's dragging the club's name through the mire but it seems like the sweet shop has been left unattended and the biggest sugar-addicted idiot kid has been left to do as he pleases. In terms of PR Wenger is a disaster.
That trip to Rome on deadline day when fans wee seething is effectively sticking 2 fingers up at them. I know of no other club that'd let that happen. No way. Can u imagine one of Roman's or Msnure managers doing this?! It's mad.

Never mind though because after all that anger post Anderlecht and Swansea, Le Joke managed to pick up even more coin for himself doing "tactical analysis" (LMAO) for BeIN Sports in France and a seminar on "leadership" (yes, u heard, given by the captain of the Titanic)...

Dein was essential. But hey, sod off Jabba!

[BFG4]

I remember seeing David Dein in The World of Sport at Finsbury Park the day before the Coca Cola Cup Final in 1993, later that day I saw him at a reserve game at Highbury. On another occasion I saw him stop his car on Avenall Road to chat to a policeman on duty there. As Quartz says small things but he had an attachment to Arsenal that went way beyond commercial. On other occasion he was reading the programme before a Highbury night game where he saw a letter from a fan in the programme asking for more graphics on the Jumbotrons. Things like yellow cards etc beside the players names. The idea was implemented for that very game. Stan would not care about fans unless they were spending .

Dein was great for the club and did everything he could for the betterment of the club, and the club is a far worse place without him. Contrast that with Peter Hill Wood, who became a piece of shit with his ''thanks for your support and your interest in our affairs'' comments.

[defleppardisking]

The day Dein left was the day Arsenal became Arsene FC

[clockender1]

Dein wasn't perfect, but he was old school Arsenal and a good negotiator.

I met him a couple of times on the ferry to Ireland - his Rolls had the AFC 1 number plate. despite being a bit of a toff, he was a real fan, like Denis Hill Wood was. both men firmly believed in the tradition of the club as being a positive force in the game, understood its History and were innovators.

DD's main flaw was selling his 42% share and not buying out Charles Bracewell Smith before he gave the club shares to his missus, and supporting wengers vision of a 'new Arsenal' with the new stadium. we should of stayed at highbury, told the residents and council to eff off and redeveloped the clock end and managed on 45,000 - which hasn't stopped Liverpool winning the ECL has it ?

looking back, it seems that the 1998-2004 success was based on GG's team, wengers eye for talent and DD's negotiating skills.

Wenger should have left in 2007 when DD did - 2008 to date certainly have been the "lost years".

[clockender1]

poor form, defensive problems, injury problems etc etc - what problems ?

this is how wenger spent yesterday :

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/a ... ll-4654357

doesn't it give you the warm and fuzzies huh ?

[Bradywasking]

poor form, defensive problems, injury problems etc etc - what problems ?

this is how wenger spent yesterday :

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/a ... ll-4654357

doesn't it give you the warm and fuzzies huh ?

that sums it all up...

[BFG4]

poor form, defensive problems, injury problems etc etc - what problems ?

this is how wenger spent yesterday :

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/a ... ll-4654357

doesn't it give you the warm and fuzzies huh ?

that sums it all up...

He doesn't give a fuck, he is going to earn 8 million a year, regardless of how shit we are. Id like to say his arrogance surprises me, but it doesn't.

[SteveO 35]

ONE ARSENE WENGER.......THERE'S ONLY ONE ARSENE WENGER

[the playing mantis]

whilst everyone is going around back slapping i will just leave this here....!!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9068&p=144531#p144531

[mcdowell42]

Very vague rumours on Twitter about Steve bould maybe leaving or being moved out of his asst manager role,nothing concrete though.