THE WENGER THREAD

[TeeCee]

giroud "he doesn't miss on purpose" fuck.ing. hell.

Of course he doesn't miss on purpose!! He's just not very good!!

[Blade]

More defeats means he position becomes more and more un-tenable.

Ironic but true.

So...

[clockender1]

i read this morning that wenger watched the monaco tape and will be showing it to the players.




FFS - shouldn't he do that after EVERY game already ? surely we must be the only club that doesn't these days....


we are so far behind the times its not funny.

[OneBardGooner]

Another well written piece on Beeb's website - by Amy Lawrence - She presents the FACTS extremely well.

The evidence is there for the world to see but of course Kroenke the cun.t, wenger the deluded one and the greedywhores on the board will not see or have any of it...and of course the pampered pussies we have as players are too busy counting their stash to care or speak up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31662274

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Why do Arsenal feel stuck under Arsene Wenger?

The self-inflicted manner of Arsenal's defeat at home to Monaco on Tuesday opened up a lot of old wounds.
The questions, the criticisms, were all very familiar and it's the nature of life under a long-serving manager that a chastening game quickly spawned a broader discussion about life under Arsene Wenger.
On the one hand, third place in the Premier League, an upcoming FA Cup quarter-final and the impressions made by moments of brilliance from Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla this season hint that Wenger is on the right track.

The flipside is a sense that Wenger's Arsenal can't shake the ability to trip themselves up, and there is only so far they can go.
So why do Arsenal feel stuck under Arsene Wenger?
Wenger is the last great autocrat in Europe

As Jose Mourinho never tires of pointing out, Arsene Wenger enjoys a security at his club that is unique. The principle is noble in an era where sackings are commonplace and only one Premier League manager apart from Wenger has been in his position for more than three years (Sam Allardyce at 3 years, 8 months).
Arsenal are unshakeably committed to their man. They back him, unquestionably, and have in recent transfer windows supported him to buy at the top end of the market. Arguably, though, they are loyal to a fault. Stan Kroenke, the American majority shareholder, is perfectly happy to let Wenger run the show exactly as he wishes.

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Arsenal's last-16 woe
2011 v Barcelona
Home: 2-1; Away 1-3: Agg: 3-4
2012 v AC Milan
Home: 3-0; Away: 0-4; Agg: 3-4
2013 v Bayern Munich
Home: 1-3; Away: 2-0; Agg: 3-3 (out on away goals)
2014 v Bayern Munich
Home: 0-2; Away 1-1; Agg: 1-3

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Is this healthy? There is no pressure from above. Nobody at board level would challenge Wenger directly about the way he manages his resources.
As chairman Sir Chips Keswick memorably said at the last Arsenal AGM, "If he has a plan, we back him. If he doesn't we won't say anything." The only person who will have any say on whether he does or doesn't see out his current three-year contract is Wenger himself.

Wenger's tactical theories are outdated


When Arsene Wenger coached his 2003-04 team to an unbeaten season, he experienced something few managers are lucky enough to find in their careers. He put together a team so well connected with one another they rarely even thought about their opponents.
They only concentrated on themselves, such was the confidence in their blend of power and panache. It set a standard for Wenger. He often repeats his mantra of "we like to play the game we love" but this idealism is not always realistic. In today's climate, it seems crazy to be so laissez-faire about the opposition.
With a sensational team it would be just about understandable, but given that his current group has well-known weaknesses - their defending shows a susceptibility to counterattacks, and their precision passing game can be predictable against compact opponents when the forward players are super-sharp - it's just too risky.

After winning at Man City, are they confused?


There were moments, both at the beginning and at the end of Champions League calamity against Monaco, when it looked as if Arsenal were struck by an insecurity about whether they should go for it or be cautious.

Indecision is usually fatal in elite sport, and Wenger's team have had an interesting few weeks trying to find the balance between their old Plan A (the game we love) and Plan B. "Plan B?!" we hear you cry.
But there it was, executed perfectly six weeks ago at Manchester City. Here was the more savvy, tactical blueprint. Less possession, greater concentration.
Arsenal discovered a new solid platform from which to spring attacks. But they have at times since looked uneasy trying to replicate it, or absorb it into their usual way of playing, as if they haven't quite made their mind up about how they want to play.

Too many players of similar style


There appears to be nothing Wenger likes more than adding to his collection of technically gifted, central attacking playmakers.
The number of Arsenal's squad who would probably regard this as their ideal position is high. This season alone, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky have had turns in the pivotal role.
In a bid to fit as many of these creative outlets into his team, some have to play either deeper, or wider, than is preferred.
Adding Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott into the mix, there is no question that the attack is well manned in terms of numbers and options. The same cannot be said in defence, where Per Mertesacker has been played into the ground and looks like he needs a rest.
Likewise in midfield, Francis Coquelin has been shouldering all the defensive responsibilities. Injuries in that department haven't helped, but the crucial Matic-esque position still needs addressing.


There is an unhealthy split in the fanbase


The 'be careful what you wish for' camp sits on one side. The 'does Wenger get the best out of his players and the club's funds' camp sits on the other.
It's an argument that flares up in the aftermath of defeat, and goes on the back burner in moments of triumph.

There wasn't much heard on the Wenger debate when Arsenal celebrated winning the FA Cup last May.
But it feels as if the only thing that could extinguish it properly would be a Premier League or Champions League win, both of which can be filed under "miracle/mirage" for this season.
Arsenal were obviously frustrated by the defeat to Monaco in itself, but in a broader context, it forced the Wenger dilemma back onto centre stage at a point where Arsenal had generally been in a positive frame of mind.
Although players tend not to get too involved in bigger-picture issues involving managers or owners, it cannot be helpful for any club to have its fans so evidently disunited.

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[OneBardGooner]

ps: Surely Wenger & co cannot keep ignoring the FACT that well respected sports journalists (*) are asking proper questions - I know they ignore the fans - the one's who keep them in their jobs and luxury, but quite a number of decent writers are asking pertinent questions - those questions we all have been voicing for far too long without reply...


(*) I do not include that wenger cock sucking sycophant john (cock gobbler) cross in that category.

[BFG4]

Didn't Amy Lawrence say after the Monaco game that Wenger deserves more time to turn things around? She(like the rest of the media) will only mildly criticise Wenger, but when the tough questions need to be asked, such as in Wenger's press conferences, there wont be a sound to be heard, except that of a Wenger sound bite. Wenger has such an easy time with the media, that he will lash out at any difficult question asked.

[OneBardGooner]

Didn't Amy Lawrence say after the Monaco game that Wenger deserves more time to turn things around? She(like the rest of the media) will only mildly criticise Wenger, but when the tough questions need to be asked, such as in Wenger's press conferences, there wont be a sound to be heard, except that of a Wenger sound bite. Wenger has such an easy time with the media, that he will lash out at any difficult question asked.

I didn't know she had said that, I heard her on 5Live in the week (after Monaco game) and she seemed to be taking the stance that he should leave at the end of this season...

Agree on the last bit - neither Arsenal nor Wenger will admit it - But Jacqui Oatley has become persona no grata - since she tried to grill the cun.t.... he got all spikey then - I have since tweeted her asking her if she would please 'grill him again' - and she replied saying she would happily do so, but has been allocated other games and venues away from Arsenal and the Bowl. Which speaks volumes.

[BFG4]

Didn't Amy Lawrence say after the Monaco game that Wenger deserves more time to turn things around? She(like the rest of the media) will only mildly criticise Wenger, but when the tough questions need to be asked, such as in Wenger's press conferences, there wont be a sound to be heard, except that of a Wenger sound bite. Wenger has such an easy time with the media, that he will lash out at any difficult question asked.

I didn't know she had said that, I heard her on 5Live in the week (after Monaco game) and she seemed to be taking the stance that he should leave at the end of this season...

Agree on the last bit - neither Arsenal nor Wenger will admit it - But Jacqui Oatley has become persona no grata - since she tried to grill the cun.t.... he got all spikey then - I have since tweeted her asking her if she would please 'grill him again' - and she replied saying she would happily do so, but has been allocated other games and venues away from Arsenal and the Bowl. Which speaks volumes.

That really is pathetic that a once great manager cant accept that a reporter asked him some tough questions, so he has her moved away from covering Arsenal games. Also, Now that the shit is hitting the fan, Wenger will come out with the haven't managed a day in football line to anyone who dares criticise him. I wonder do any of the AKB'S realise that means he is also belittling any opinions they have.

[clockender1]

great article from Amy.

i think thats pretty damning of the board and wenger. which is a surprise as she's very much a club insider.

the fact that Amy, the BBC and Telegraph are all calling time on Wenger can't be missed at the club.

the tide turns ever so slowly but it is turning.

[northbank123]

She's just sticking the boot in as public opinion is currently going against Wenger.

When we sneak into 3rd/4th it'll all quieten down.

[armchair]

great article from Amy.

i think thats pretty damning of the board and wenger. which is a surprise as she's very much a club insider.

the fact that Amy, the BBC and Telegraph are all calling time on Wenger can't be missed at the club.

the tide turns ever so slowly but it is turning.

The tide will turn back to genius Wenger pretty quickly after a couple wins over Everton and QPR.
#flipflop

[QuartzGooner]

Daily Fail reckons Henry could be new assistant manager (I reckon Wenger stays.):


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... paign=1490

"Stan Kroenke's son Josh is taking on an increasing influence at Arsenal.

The developments mean that Arsene Wenger's future at the club is now under serious scrutiny for the first time since he took the job in 1996.

Football Grapevine has been told Wenger could be ousted this summer despite having two more years to run on his contract.
Arsene Wenger looks on during a disappointing defeat to Monaco which angered owner Stan Kroenke
+13

Arsene Wenger looks on during a disappointing defeat to Monaco which angered owner Stan Kroenke

American tycoon Kroenke Snr, who is a major shareholder at the north London club left the Emirates seething with Josh last week following the 3-1 defeat against Monaco.

Unless the Gunners turn around that deficit in the return leg it will mean Arsenal have slipped out of the Champions League at the first knockout stage for the fifth year running.

Football Grapevine understands that Kroenke Jnr, who has a string of sporting franchise interests in the USA, thinks that Thierry Henry would be a great successor, as revealed in this column.
Arsene Wenger: Thierry Henry can be future Arsenal manager
Kroenke's son Josh wants Thierry Henry (right) to take over from Wenger sooner rather than later
+13

Kroenke's son Josh wants Thierry Henry (right) to take over from Wenger sooner rather than later

That though is based as much on Henry's status as an Arsenal legend and his profile in the USA after his stint with the New York Red Bulls rather than his managerial expertise.

The other option is to oust Steve Bould and make Henry Wenger's assistant next season.

The other is to import the Ajax team of Frank de Boer, Dennis Bergkamp and Mark Overmars."

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Myles Palmer on ANR thinks Paul Clement will be brought in from Real Madrid as new head coach with Wenger staying as manager:

http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/?p=4833


"I see the Emirates as a glass palace of phootball for tourists, corporates and Facebookers, an American Corporation run by a delusional French snob who just goes on under-achieving every season, despite the vast resources at his disposal.

Fourth is not a trophy.

That kind of thinking makes these meltdowns inevitable.

Wenger has acquired permanence by making clever power-grabs at key moments since he arrived in 1996.

He now plans to step down by stepping up.

He’ll bring in Ancelotti’s assistant Paul Clement as coach but he’ll still run Arsenal.

What’s really needed is the kind of culture change which makes the players accountable for their actions and their performances.

That culture change is impossible without regime change.

Any new coach will be working under Wenger, just as the Chief Exec Ivan Gazidis works under him."

[Blade]

This club only thinks of taking our hard earned money.They dont respect or care what we feel of think.Their 3 mill per home game is all they care about.I know its hard but vote with your feet.Boycott their games find something else to do on Sats.

[VAVAVOOM 14]

Kroenke's son Josh wants Thierry Henry (right) to take over from Wenger sooner rather than later

That though is based as much on Henry's status as an Arsenal legend and his profile in the USA after his stint with the New York Red Bulls rather than his managerial expertise.

He wants Henry to become manager because of his "profile in the USA"?

He's willing to overlook the fact Henry has fuck all experience and put him at the helm because he is more recognizable to Americans?

Jesus fucking Christ.

[Bradywasking]

Article on Irish Independent today by Richard Sadlier..basically saying Arsenal are a victim of their own success and that success is down to Wenger. He explains that qualifying for the Champions League year after year is success and ultimately more successful than winning domestic trophies. If winning domestic trophies was success then Wigan, Portsmouth etc would be as successful as Arsenal and they are not....
Richard Sadlier is a former professional footballer from Dublin who had his career cut short by injury. He is now a TV pundit and journalist. Personally I think he is Ty in disguise.