As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
This is getting very interesting. Said it earlier today that this is good news for us. I can't believe he's coming out with such overtly arrogant statements (even given his constant arrogance and huge ego), because comments like this are tantamount to saying he's in total control of the Club and answers to no one.
While that may be the current practical reality, to actually say it is a challenge not only to the board (to whom he theoretically answers), but also to the owner. Comments like this can't go down well with them. For the first time, my hopes are slightly raised that this won't end well for the Fraud. Reality or not, the Club can't let it be seen that Wenger calls the tune and they all, including Stan, dance.
armchair wrote:I've said on here and elsewhere for a good couple of years that Gazidis is key to getting rid of Wenger.
I never could understand the stick he got as it only served to take the heat off Wenger just the same as the perenial Kroenke debate only deflects from the main problem.
Let's face it. The politics and internal jockeying for position has been going on for a good few years and has now come to a head..........
The famous Gazidis quote from 2011 about "the relationship between the fans and manager breaking down"
Rumours that Gazidis signed Arshavin and initiated the Ozil deal before Wenger got wind of it.
Gazidis consistintely undermining Wengers money excuse by going public about money available.
Wenger admitting he has to "stop Gazidis from signing players"
The "catalyst for change" comment recently was very significant imo.
And now the leaks to the press about a DOF which Gazidis totally knows Wenger will not agree to.
Ivan has been chipping away over the years in a difficult position. Remember Wenger had a say in his appointment. So that in itself makes things awkward.
Wengers been there longer than almost everyone and has had a stranglehold on the club for a decade at least with his own processes and practices in place. Gazidis could hardly be expected to come in and sack Wenger while the rest of the board and fans were happy with him? That's not even possible.
Similarly with Kroenke. An investor who let's Wenger, Gazidis et al get on with it. Doesn't interfere.
He only took control in 2011. His shares are doing nicely. The board and fans have been happy with Wenger and the team. He's getting good reports and nice balance sheets. Seriously, does anyone expect him to sack Wenger?
You can see by the video from the protest on Sunday that it's loudmouth, smallbrained AKBs etc who can't see that it's not black and white. "Oh Wenger has been failing for 13yrs so therefore Kroenke must sack him" Really?
Things at the Arsenal are way more nuanced, complicated and finely balanced than that simplistic reasoning.
But back to now... ..
The protests have received great media attention. Wenger is being exposed and questioned like never before.
I really believe our protests and the bad press have emboldened Gazidis and enabled him to go for check-mate. He has played his hand superbly imo.
He knows Wenger won't work under a DOF. It's an out for both of them really. Probably be spun as "mutual consent" but if it happens it'll be down to Gazidis working away in the background for a good few years against difficult odds imo.
Nos89 wrote:Amongst Wenger biggest mistake in the last 4 years, not resigning Fabregas after being given first option was critically bad decision. Imagine the difference he would have made to our midfield in the last two seasons? Cesc feeding Alexis and Ozil. We'd have won the league last season, and put a challenge in this season.
Who was in our midfield at the time when Cesc became available?
I really hope the board call his bluff and the deal falls through.
He has no right to dictate to us fans and the board the future of the club, given the shit we are in at the moment. Were not going to finish in the top 4, Sanchez and Ozil will have to be sold, throw in AOC as well. Yet even despite our horrible footing, Wenger thinks he is in a position to make demands.
If he gets his way, then Arsenal is dead. How can a club our size be held hostage to this unrepentant ego? He is so delusional. he thinks his way is the right way. Even though for the past ten years he hasn't come close to anything resembling a team capable of competing, let alone winning. He thinks we should all be thankful for him being our manager, when the truth is, he is a burden and liability. He is never humbled or enlighten no matter how many times he fails. He just charges forward with his tunnel vision, insisting his way is the gospel.
Why does this club, and some fuking stupid fans, think Wenger staying is in the best interests of Arsenal FC? I jut cannot fathom these idiots like Ty from AFTV, or former players like Gilberto and Keown, who genuinely believe Wenger's presence at Arsenal is a positive, and not a disaster ready to unravel.
It's depends on the type of DOF the club is looking to instal so I wouldn't get excited just yet. If the intention is to curtail Wenger's management duties and force him to focus purely on coaching then he may well agree to it. If it's a DOF with some technical duties then things could get interesting. Remember how the fraud spoke strongly against touring during pre-season but subsequently agreed to it? He loves his cushy job and will do anything to stay on knowing very well that no other major team would afford him the same benefits.
So.......if there were a vote amount the squad the evidence is that the majority of them would want him to stay, as they are on easy street. His campaign managers would be Walcott, Ramsey and Giroud.
Evidently in the "out" camp would be our best player (Sanchez) and most improved (AOC). There would probably be some shy outers, possibly the likes of Rob Holding who realises his career will go the same way as Jenkinson and Chambers under this clown.
It's a difficult one, knowing which group of players to sympathise with...
The press are on his case, Radio 2 are lampooning him lol!...
Years ago I would have been horrified at this situation that our club is going through...
But this horrible streak of piss is making it an absolute laughing stock, he has lost all credibility, as well as the team...
Should he be sacked then there have to be changes to this current Board for allowing this situation to get out of hand and that includes Chicken n Chips Gazidis and the rest of em...
As for a Director of Football, that is absolute crap, just grow a pair and manage the situation why delegate to another level of management....?
Allgunsblazin wrote:The press are on his case, Radio 2 are lampooning him lol!...
Years ago I would have been horrified at this situation that our club is going through...
But this horrible streak of piss is making it an absolute laughing stock, he has lost all credibility, as well as the team...
Should he be sacked then there have to be changes to this current Board for allowing this situation to get out of hand and that includes Chicken n Chips Gazidis and the rest of em...
As for a Director of Football, that is absolute crap, just grow a pair and manage the situation why delegate to another level of management....?
Think it is more a case of diluting than delegating..
armchair wrote:Just watch how the AKBs, apologists, #flipfloppers and less enlightened start coming out with the "sympathy" crap and "dignity" and "servant" bullshit.
Oh yea, and "respect him for what he has done for the club"
Do piss off. He's digging his own grave. Fuck him he's been mugging everyone off for years fs.
There are supporters out there that feel some or all of that and that's their right to do so. Making the assumption that your opinion is the only one with any merit is an incredibly arrogant position to take. It is after all, only an opinion. Giving people labels like that doesn't do anyone any favours and suggesting that they're somehow less enlightened because they don't share the same view as you is a more negative reflection of you than them. After all, we are all Arsenal supporters and each in our own way want what we see as being best for the club in the longer term.
My position is that I think we need a change of manager now and have done for some time. I'll be glad to see him go at the end of the season if he does so. I do still think that he's already signed for another two years though. If he has then during that time I'll focus my energies elsewhere and will return to attending games when the new manager is appointed. I don't know how I'll fill that void. Probably by watching older DVDs of Arsenal and remembering the days when I felt some connection to the club.
One thing I'll never forget though, and will always look back on with fondness, is the squad we had under his management from 1998-2004. They were special times and I'll always be grateful that I got to watch that team.
Now, just let me say that I am aware that your response will be to call me an AKB and all the other nonsense. Let me say in advance that you have my permission to fill your boots.
Puel has defended wenker ahead of tonights game and said that it is hard for him (wenker) cos England just have 4 champions league places - JUST 4 ?? How many does he think that they should have ? If things keep going this way, then England will need at least 5 or 6 champions league places to help the senile old c.unt out
armchair wrote:Just watch how the AKBs, apologists, #flipfloppers and less enlightened start coming out with the "sympathy" crap and "dignity" and "servant" bullshit.
Oh yea, and "respect him for what he has done for the club"
Do piss off. He's digging his own grave. Fuck him he's been mugging everyone off for years fs.
There are supporters out there that feel some or all of that and that's their right to do so. Making the assumption that your opinion is the only one with any merit is an incredibly arrogant position to take. It is after all, only an opinion. Giving people labels like that doesn't do anyone any favours and suggesting that they're somehow less enlightened because they don't share the same view as you is a more negative reflection of you than them. After all, we are all Arsenal supporters and each in our own way want what we see as being best for the club in the longer term.
My position is that I think we need a change of manager now and have done for some time. I'll be glad to see him go at the end of the season if he does so. I do still think that he's already signed for another two years though. If he has then during that time I'll focus my energies elsewhere and will return to attending games when the new manager is appointed. I don't know how I'll fill that void. Probably by watching older DVDs of Arsenal and remembering the days when I felt some connection to the club.
One thing I'll never forget though, and will always look back on with fondness, is the squad we had under his management from 1998-2004. They were special times and I'll always be grateful that I got to watch that team.
Now, just let me say that I am aware that your response will be to call me an AKB and all the other nonsense. Let me say in advance that you have my permission to fill your boots.
Sorry mate but I'm not sure where you are going with this. It has been obvious for sometime that a lot of these AKB apologists (or whatever label is deemed appropriate) simply cannot come up with one credible footballing reason why they want Wenger to stay. Armchair is right to call them out for their sentimental nonsense.
This thread goes from the sublime to the ridiculous. Never seen so much rumour and innuendo dressed up as fact.
Can someone point to the actual quote from Gazidis where he says "we are appointing a Director of Football"? Not a fabricated "story" in a tabloid rag, read and believed by dullards, but the actual direct quote from Gazidis himself?
I can find lots of "articles" with comments like "Gazidis has said that the current disappointing season has to act as the 'catalyst for change'” and "Chief executive Ivan Gazidis is understood to be exploring the options" and "Arsenal are believed to be searching for a director of football" but no actual direct quote.
Never seen so much rumour and innuendo dressed up as fact. 