THE WENGER THREAD

[Bob Bayliss]

"Arsenal are in a malaise, but searching for a new manager who would remain loyal to the Wenger ethos of pure attacking football would be the wrong approach for a club in desperate need of regeneration.

Manchester United attempted this approach when replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with David Moyes in May 2013. The message from within Old Trafford after Moyes had been given a six-year contract following his arrival from Everton was that the Scot would bring the same commitment to youth development and long-term stability as Ferguson.

But Moyes was wholly unsuited to the job and it quickly proved to be a disastrous appointment -- one United are arguably still suffering the consequences for four years on. United needed a new direction, but Moyes was nothing more than a vastly inferior version of what had gone before.

Arsenal risk a similar meltdown to United if they pursue a manager who will take on the Wenger mantle and keep faith with the Frenchman's approach. Expecting any manager to follow the blueprint of his predecessor is hard enough but in Arsenal's case, that blueprint has clearly been flawed for at least a decade."

[markyp]

These people outside of us supporters really don't have a clue what this is about.
"Right to win trophies, they expect to win everything" - i have never heard one Arsenal fan say the we must be winning trophies. Only ever have i heard "challenge" which we don't.........................................

This is David Gold in the Standard:-

I don't really think Arsene Wenger is under serious pressure for his job," Gold told Goal. "The man has been there 20 years and everybody knows how he works and I think if he wants to stay that will be that.

"He will stay. The Arsenal fans are a bit like Manchester United's - they believe they have a right to trophies. They expect to win everything so this is very difficult for them.

"I think Arsene Wenger will be OK. He will weather the storm and I don't accept there is some sort of dressing room revolt going on.

David gold can go fcuk himself - as much as I like bilic, I hope that he takes that small scum club down to the championship where they belong, and we'll see then how well they will be able to sell tickets for the athletics stadium

and we can then say to him but you don't have a divine right to play in the Premier league,see how he likes that

[Sean]

I seen that arse Alan Davies finally deigned to put out another Tuesday Club podcast for the 'freeloading scum' after a year away. He was pissing and moaning on Twatter a few months back about doing the podcast for free, although he deleted that tweet. One good thing was that they have finally turned (it was only hinted at a year ago) and realize that TOF needs to go. Ironically it was Company Man Ian who was most outspoken Is he not doing his Pravda article anymore? Tayo was as irrelevant as ever and still getting spoken over. I missed Keith though and was glad they didn't have that nutter Damian on. Doesn't sound like they'll do another podcast for a while

On Footballistically Arsenal this week, Alan Alger once again tore into TOF. Fortunately, AKB Josh was 'on holiday', which was quite convenient. All of Alger's appearances are good listens, especially the recent ones, when the team has gone off the cliff. He's always known that Wenger was a fraud and has frequently torn apart the myths surrounding him, even if he is too chicken-shit to openly declare he's a WOB and has slated us

[armchair]

Wenger only employs "yes-men" who wont "front him up" or tell him "you're wrong"

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... Ian-Wright

[VoiceOfReason]

It does confuse me how a lot of our fans see THIS season as a tipping point, having been pretty much okay with the last decade. Have things really changed that much this season? Yes, we're sixth, but a lot of the discontent came about before we were even out of the top four.

It's interesting that we're only a point lower than what we had this time last year - which goes to show that many of our fans judge us in comparison to how other sides are doing, rather than what we're doing. Which is a pretty meaningless exercise (and leads to nonsense questions such as "19 teams finished below Leicester, why's it so bad that we're like all the rest").

I was in a bar not too long ago when I overheard the guys next to me saying they have finally come around to seeing that it's time for Wenger to leave. To which I say, "fuck off". Where were you in 2010 when you should have had this attitude then? The damage is done now, so there's no gold medal for realising the glaring obvious when it's their attitude that's allowed this to continue for so long.

[northbank123]

Wenger only employs "yes-men" who wont "front him up" or tell him "you're wrong"

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... Ian-Wright

It's well known in the football world that he surrounds himself with yes-men and will not have difficult conversations with his players.

[Clash]

It does confuse me how a lot of our fans see THIS season as a tipping point, having been pretty much okay with the last decade. Have things really changed that much this season? Yes, we're sixth, but a lot of the discontent came about before we were even out of the top four.

It's interesting that we're only a point lower than what we had this time last year - which goes to show that many of our fans judge us in comparison to how other sides are doing, rather than what we're doing. Which is a pretty meaningless exercise (and leads to nonsense questions such as "19 teams finished below Leicester, why's it so bad that we're like all the rest").

I was in a bar not too long ago when I overheard the guys next to me saying they have finally come around to seeing that it's time for Wenger to leave. To which I say, "fuck off". Where were you in 2010 when you should have had this attitude then? The damage is done now, so there's no gold medal for realising the glaring obvious when it's their attitude that's allowed this to continue for so long.

Couldn't agree more.

John Hartson came out after the Palace game and finally said its time for Wenger to go.

Really John?? Are you sure about that?? This time last year you called Arsenal fans calling for Wenger's head ''an embarrassment''

As you rightly ask VoR, what has really changed this season? Is losing to West Brom and Palace away any worse than losing to Swansea's reserves at home three days after losing to Man Uniteds youth team?

I cannot take anyone seriously if they've only just turned against Wenger because nothing new has occurred, its just more of the same. Anyone still backing Wenger of course is a fucking idiot and a

[General]

It does confuse me how a lot of our fans see THIS season as a tipping point, having been pretty much okay with the last decade. Have things really changed that much this season? Yes, we're sixth, but a lot of the discontent came about before we were even out of the top four.

It's interesting that we're only a point lower than what we had this time last year - which goes to show that many of our fans judge us in comparison to how other sides are doing, rather than what we're doing. Which is a pretty meaningless exercise (and leads to nonsense questions such as "19 teams finished below Leicester, why's it so bad that we're like all the rest").

I was in a bar not too long ago when I overheard the guys next to me saying they have finally come around to seeing that it's time for Wenger to leave. To which I say, "fuck off". Where were you in 2010 when you should have had this attitude then? The damage is done now, so there's no gold medal for realising the glaring obvious when it's their attitude that's allowed this to continue for so long.

I think the big difference is that Wenger is at the end of his contract and this has completely changed the context and given a lot of fans added impetus to call for change. He also can't hide behind the austerity argument anymore unlike 2013 when he was able to use this as leverage to retain support. We've had some dark periods under Wenger but what we are seeing now is unprecedented.

Last season was an anomaly and our tally of 71points is hardly a yardstick to measure against. You measure yourself against the best not against a low mark achieved previously. The WOB has moved on from a vocal minority and many fans are starting to get the big picture and the need for change, including previous Wenger loyalists. The evidence is irrefutable.

[VoiceOfReason]

It does confuse me how a lot of our fans see THIS season as a tipping point, having been pretty much okay with the last decade. Have things really changed that much this season? Yes, we're sixth, but a lot of the discontent came about before we were even out of the top four.

It's interesting that we're only a point lower than what we had this time last year - which goes to show that many of our fans judge us in comparison to how other sides are doing, rather than what we're doing. Which is a pretty meaningless exercise (and leads to nonsense questions such as "19 teams finished below Leicester, why's it so bad that we're like all the rest").

I was in a bar not too long ago when I overheard the guys next to me saying they have finally come around to seeing that it's time for Wenger to leave. To which I say, "fuck off". Where were you in 2010 when you should have had this attitude then? The damage is done now, so there's no gold medal for realising the glaring obvious when it's their attitude that's allowed this to continue for so long.

Couldn't agree more.

John Hartson came out after the Palace game and finally said its time for Wenger to go.

Really John?? Are you sure about that?? This time last year you called Arsenal fans calling for Wenger's head ''an embarrassment''

As you rightly ask VoR, what has really changed this season? Is losing to West Brom and Palace away any worse than losing to Swansea's reserves at home three days after losing to Man Uniteds youth team?

I cannot take anyone seriously if they've only just turned against Wenger because nothing new has occurred, its just more of the same. Anyone still backing Wenger of course is a fucking idiot and a

Absolutely. And I'm still not sure who the biggest cretin is - Hartson or Keown. They're both complete disgraces.

Remember that BBC Panel discussion they did back in September to mark Wenger's 20th anniversary? You had Piers Morgan arguing the case for Wenger Out, and a bunch of brainless yes-men licking Wenger's arse on the other side of the table. After Piers was putting them to the sword and demanding answers, Hartson came out with this eye-rolling bollocks: "I truly believe this year Arsene has the squad that can challenge for the title"! What the fuck he was basing this on, I have no idea.

Fast forward a few months, and after the WBA shambles, Hartson was again being questioned by a BT Sport presenter on if he thought Wenger should go. All he would say is, "I trust Wenger to do the right thing at the end of the season" - i.e. implying that he would walk - but flat-out refused to concede that he warrants being removed based on his poor performance.

If he's now saying that Wenger should be sacked, so what? Again, where were you five years ago when we needed you Hartson? No use flogging the horse now mate. The bandwagon's full, and you'll be remembered for the snivelling, arse-licking piece of shit you were in those crucial years.

Don't even get me started on Keown. Used to have a framed photo of him leaping over Van Nistelrooy in my house, but finally had enough and tore it to shreds the other day. It seems ridiculous now to think that I almost wish Nistelrooy had turned around and smashed him in the face. Wenger has not only ruined 100% of my support of the club, but by enlisting all these club legends as his cheerleaders (save for Adams, Bergkamp and Petit), he's pretty much destroyed even my fond memories from the good old days too.

[VoiceOfReason]

I actually raised some of the above with Hartson on Twitter (such as his predictions about challenging for the title and Piers being right) and the *word censored* blocked me. Wasn't remotely abusive and didn't even use foul language. If anyone wants to get on there and tell him what a piece of shit he is, be my guest!

[JimmyAFC]

You know what really shits me about Wenger and his arrogant, egotistical, dictatorial power? The way he has portrayed and downgraded our GREAT CLASSY club.

This dickhead has brainwashed tonnes of supporters who have finally woken up to his bullshit stadium, transfer, money excuses. He didn't have to sell Van Persie to United. He could have rotted him in the reserves or shipped him off overseas. He can't handle big personalities and big players. He is a fucking joke. Absolute FRAUD.

He has downgraded our club and tried to portray us as a small club. We are bigger then fucking Chelsea and Spurs. But they want success.

This absolute mug has tried to portray us, the fans, as wanting too much. Fuck you Wenger. Fuck you Kroenke and Gazidis.

We are a big club and we deserve to fucking compete. Isn't that what you play sport for? To compete? To have blokes run through our club in the past like Adams, Wright, Rocastle, Parlour the list goes on.

Nah, but we have snowflakes like Walcott, Gibbs, Ramsey, Giroud all happy to pick up their cheques whilst bowing down to Kim Jong Wenger.

Fucking detest the *word censored*.

[Redarmy]

You know what really shits me about Wenger and his arrogant, egotistical, dictatorial power? The way he has portrayed and downgraded our GREAT CLASSY club.

This dickhead has brainwashed tonnes of supporters who have finally woken up to his bullshit stadium, transfer, money excuses. He didn't have to sell Van Persie to United. He could have rotted him in the reserves or shipped him off overseas. He can't handle big personalities and big players. He is a fucking joke. Absolute FRAUD.

He has downgraded our club and tried to portray us as a small club. We are bigger then fucking Chelsea and Spurs. But they want success.

This absolute mug has tried to portray us, the fans, as wanting too much. Fuck you Wenger. Fuck you Kroenke and Gazidis.

We are a big club and we deserve to fucking compete. Isn't that what you play sport for? To compete? To have blokes run through our club in the past like Adams, Wright, Rocastle, Parlour the list goes on.

Nah, but we have snowflakes like Walcott, Gibbs, Ramsey, Giroud all happy to pick up their cheques whilst bowing down to Kim Jong Wenger.

Fucking detest the *word censored*.

100% agree
After everything FFS fans still loyal to him, it is beyond belief, he has been totally exposed as an ego mad fraud....clueless

OK scum in a few weeks time, will silly bollox prepare for this game....will he fuck....go in the same way play the same fucking way....same non existent defence where no one has worked on anything....and we will get a real chasing.....that is negligence

SACK HIM NOW.....he does not deliver results....

[Wilson]

You know what really shits me about Wenger and his arrogant, egotistical, dictatorial power? The way he has portrayed and downgraded our GREAT CLASSY club.

This dickhead has brainwashed tonnes of supporters who have finally woken up to his bullshit stadium, transfer, money excuses. He didn't have to sell Van Persie to United. He could have rotted him in the reserves or shipped him off overseas. He can't handle big personalities and big players. He is a fucking joke. Absolute FRAUD.

He has downgraded our club and tried to portray us as a small club. We are bigger then fucking Chelsea and Spurs. But they want success.

This absolute mug has tried to portray us, the fans, as wanting too much. Fuck you Wenger. Fuck you Kroenke and Gazidis.

We are a big club and we deserve to fucking compete. Isn't that what you play sport for? To compete? To have blokes run through our club in the past like Adams, Wright, Rocastle, Parlour the list goes on.

Nah, but we have snowflakes like Walcott, Gibbs, Ramsey, Giroud all happy to pick up their cheques whilst bowing down to Kim Jong Wenger.

Fucking detest the *word censored*.

Exactly right. I have been saying this for ages - Wenger has downgraded and talked down Arsenal for years in order to make himself look good. He wants to be seen as a manager who is managing a 'West ham esq' club who is doing phenomenal just by getting us in the top 4. The sad thing is, it has worked. This is evident when pundits like Gary Neville defend Wenger from the fans criticism, by suggesting us Arsenal fans shouldn't have the same expectations as Man City, Chelsea or Man United. Why Gary, why shouldnt Arsenal fans have the same expectations as Chelsea fans? It wouldnt be, that the bar needs to be lowered in order for Wenger to clear it, in order to make the argument for his position at the club?

We are a big club. We generate the most match day revenue in the world. we have the second largest stadium in the premier league. We have won 13 league titles which is only bested by Man United and Liverpool. Even before the Wenger era, we had a golden period in the George Graham era, were in 8 years Graham won only slightly less than the amount of trophies Wenger won in 22 years. Yet despite all this, Wenger, and the media play this game were Arsenal are not a big club, and that 'top 4' is a monumental achievement and we should be thankful to Wenger.

Jame Redknapp said it best, when he said Wenger has brainwashed fans into thinking the top 4 is the most they can hope for. We have a manager who runs our club into the ground, just to make himself look better. The man is a traitor and saboteur.

[Gunner Rob]

Daily Mail reporting that Sir Chips Keswick walked out at Palace after they scored their second goal !

Potentially big news IF true, because it demonstrates 2 things - 1. Arsenal are now a classless shitty little club and 2. The board must be split on what to do with Wenger.

I increasingly don't think Wenger will last until the end of the season but we will see...

[General]

Daily Mail reporting that Sir Chips Keswick walked out at Palace after they scored their second goal !

Potentially big news IF true, because it demonstrates 2 things - 1. Arsenal are now a classless shitty little club and 2. The board must be split on what to do with Wenger.

I increasingly don't think Wenger will last until the end of the season but we will see...

He probably had to leave because his dinner was getting cold.

Wenger will be here until the end of the season even if we maintain losing run.