THE WENGER THREAD

[I Hate Hleb]

... As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by....

"Life is like a toilet roll - the nearer you get to the end, the quicker it seems to go!!" (quote from some geezer on the tv programme Lizard Lick Towing)

[Steve_I]

It is interesting to see the subtle (in some cases not so subtle perhaps, some might say) change in mood across the goonerverse. Even here in one of, if not the, darkest corner of doubt and cynicism. It's understandable too, I think, given recent form, but I do agree with those who oppose my 'core' view, that our recent form is but that, a relatively short spell of good form and good results.

I, of course, am bound to say that this form is to be expected as I have always felt that we have not had a disastrous 8+years and continue to say not "judge him in may" but "judge him/his successor in 9 years".

I believe it is fact that (as much as many here won't want to hear it) Arsene will be staying and I am ecstatic that he will be. I also believe that he will rightly have a say in who might replace him and the principles the club are following will continue.

It is because of the way things have been managed that we are the richest 'cash rich' club and are, by a long stretch, the club with the best chance of longevity in terms of being 'up there'. As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by and it has certainly flown over the last 9 years and will do over the next 9 and I remain 100% confident that in those 9 years I will be following an Arsenal team that has collected more trophies and remains one of the best teams in the league and, indeed, in Europe.

This current squad will win things and will do so in large part because of Arsene. That is something history will show when I look back.

We need fans that are confident of success because otherwise the stadium would be full of miserable glass half empty fans like me

Steve - being cash rich is not something to be proud of in isolation. Having invested in companies that are 'cash rich', the criticism from shareholders comes very quickly when the cash is not reinvested in the core business. Who wants cash in the bank when it earns interest at the lowest rate in the 300+ year history of the Bank of England? If you'd a spare million to invest kicking around would you leave it sitting in a high street account?

In the very early years after we moved and the economy changed there was a case to be made for prudence, as the net debt position merited it, but quite frankly the net debt has been negligible relative to our cash generation for the past 2-3 years so that argument will not wash with me going forward. We also have the added firepower of new commercial deals from next year so we will see if Wenger is the forward looking manager his followers claim he is, or as I suspect the over principled guy ill equipped to manage in an era where the financial dynamics of a major football club have significantly changed and where a greater level of investment is required to compete for the biggest prizes

Agree that in isolation the cash rich thing is not something to be proud of but I also feel that because we are now in the financial position we are, that we will see how forward thinking he is. Of course I feel I already see that.

I certainly think that the goal posts changed in ways noone foresaw when the oliagarchs and oil sellers stepped up to the plate and that was markedly unfortunate but, at the same time, the way things go sometimes and while certainly significant in their effect, I agree should no longer be an excuse.

You said yourself Steve that you would never see Arsene spend such money as he did with the 40+ million but he did. The net debt annually has perhaps been negligible for the last couple of years although I believe it is only now that the cash has been available to the levels which allowed us to spend 40+ million on a single player.

I perhaps am pricipled to in my beliefs which (while I would say 'over-principled) is perhaps why I am more readily accepting of his apparent actions than some. The sudden hoicking up of Higuains price at the last minute (as was reported) for example, is unnaceptable and I'd stand by the decision not to cave in and pay the extra suddenly demanded - whoever the player was, if I felt it was an overvaluation. This would be detrimental in the longer term to our position and makes me think even moreso that Arsene is so much more longer term thinking than many would believe.

There was a huge element (not your goodself I acknowledge) of folk seeming to think that spending money in large quantities equates to a good thing in it's own right and this is, of course, utter nonsense.

Of course, It remains a fact that I am yet to be shown as correct and, in the eyes of some I never will be becuase "it's too late now whatever he wins, he's still a tw@t" will continue to be the mentality in some. I stand by my conviction that the next few years will be productive - trophy/title wise and see little to persuade me otherwise.

and now a quick rant: Fourth place is most certainly not a trophy, but it is fourth place - higher than 88 other teams in the main four leagues in this country, higher than 100's and indeed 1000's of teams in the greater football pyramid of the country. Higher than 100's of top class teams in Europe (in fact the top 16 of those (deliberately facetious there)) and thousands more in the Europe wide pyramid of football. to keep a team there over a sustained period could not be achieved by someone who has no tactical nounce FACT. Someone who had no tactical understanding being put in charge of a top four team from now and allowed to stay there for 9 years, would see that team two or three divisions down at the very least over that period. The tactical arguement is one I usually refuse to take part in but for keyboard warriors who clearly think they know best, to even darken my doorstep with such speak is abhorrent and that is my final word on that bollocks.

[Steve_I]

... As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by....

"Life is like a toilet roll - the nearer you get to the end, the quicker it seems to go!!" (quote from some geezer on the tv programme Lizard Lick Towing)

lol

Lizard Lick towing? is that the tractor pulling thing? or something different.

[franksav63]

It is interesting to see the subtle (in some cases not so subtle perhaps, some might say) change in mood across the goonerverse. Even here in one of, if not the, darkest corner of doubt and cynicism. It's understandable too, I think, given recent form, but I do agree with those who oppose my 'core' view, that our recent form is but that, a relatively short spell of good form and good results.

I, of course, am bound to say that this form is to be expected as I have always felt that we have not had a disastrous 8+years and continue to say not "judge him in may" but "judge him/his successor in 9 years".

I believe it is fact that (as much as many here won't want to hear it) Arsene will be staying and I am ecstatic that he will be. I also believe that he will rightly have a say in who might replace him and the principles the club are following will continue.
It is because of the way things have been managed that we are the richest 'cash rich' club and are, by a long stretch, the club with the best chance of longevity in terms of being 'up there'. As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by and it has certainly flown over the last 9 years and will do over the next 9 and I remain 100% confident that in those 9 years I will be following an Arsenal team that has collected more trophies and remains one of the best teams in the league and, indeed, in Europe.

This current squad will win things and will do so in large part because of Arsene. That is something history will show when I look back.

What has Wenger done to deserve to ''have a say in who might replace him'',? you must be on a wind up pal!

[goonersid]

It is interesting to see the subtle (in some cases not so subtle perhaps, some might say) change in mood across the goonerverse. Even here in one of, if not the, darkest corner of doubt and cynicism. It's understandable too, I think, given recent form, but I do agree with those who oppose my 'core' view, that our recent form is but that, a relatively short spell of good form and good results.

I, of course, am bound to say that this form is to be expected as I have always felt that we have not had a disastrous 8+years and continue to say not "judge him in may" but "judge him/his successor in 9 years".

I believe it is fact that (as much as many here won't want to hear it) Arsene will be staying and I am ecstatic that he will be. I also believe that he will rightly have a say in who might replace him and the principles the club are following will continue.
It is because of the way things have been managed that we are the richest 'cash rich' club and are, by a long stretch, the club with the best chance of longevity in terms of being 'up there'. As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by and it has certainly flown over the last 9 years and will do over the next 9 and I remain 100% confident that in those 9 years I will be following an Arsenal team that has collected more trophies and remains one of the best teams in the league and, indeed, in Europe.

This current squad will win things and will do so in large part because of Arsene. That is something history will show when I look back.

What has Wenger done to deserve to ''have a say in who might replace him'',? you must be on a wind up pal!

It worked for utd, so why not us?

[OneBardGooner]

... As I get older I become more aware of how quickly time goes by....

"Life is like a toilet roll - the nearer you get to the end, the quicker it seems to go!!" (quote from some geezer on the tv programme Lizard Lick Towing)

lol

Lizard Lick towing? is that the tractor pulling thing? or something different.

Best ask Flash he knows all about Tractors etc !

[OneBardGooner]

[Top Londoner]

WENGER OUT

whilst the going is good

[Kvltman]

The Ozil signing, the likes of Ramsey improving ten fold and the good run of form has renewed optimism, it's happy days right now. However we are still short in certain positions, injuries in key areas could leave us short and we are still untested against the likes of Chelsea, City etc.

It's great to be where we are at the moment but best not to get carried away. I think where we are in the league come the New Year will be a big indication and obviously any activity in the transfer window. Right now I'm enjoying the run but remaining cautious, Wenger has done well but until he wins something again it is somewhat premature to say he has turned it around completely.

[Sam59]

Truism but it is a very long season. Generally the deepest high quality squad ends up on top. We are too thin in many key positions most notably attack and defence. I can see our challenge falling away as the season goes on.
I'm just hoping that Wenger's chequebook is now free of dust and that Ozil's name on the teamsheet means that other world class players would like to join us, something I don't think was the case up until Ozil signed.
I'm also sure that if Wenger had insisted that a world class striker be signed, as well as on signing Ozil, that Stan would have been ok with that. I don't know who was to blame entirely for the Suarez +£1 etc debacle, but it wasn't too clever, whether it was just Wenger's decision or not who knows.

PS that Mexican poster's brilliant

[DB10GOONER]

Truism but it is a very long season. Generally the deepest high quality squad ends up on top. We are too thin in many key positions most notably attack and defence. I can see our challenge falling away as the season goes on.
I'm just hoping that Wenger's chequebook is now free of dust and that Ozil's name on the teamsheet means that other world class players would like to join us, something I don't think was the case up until Ozil signed.I'm also sure that if Wenger had insisted that a world class striker be signed, as well as on signing Ozil, that Stan would have been ok with that. I don't know who was to blame entirely for the Suarez +£1 etc debacle, but it wasn't too clever, whether it was just Wenger's decision or not who knows.

PS that Mexican poster's brilliant

A good point in red there. I too would be hopeful that a top striker would be attracted to playing in a team that now has Ozil in it in January. Of course we also have to go out and actively look to sign a top striker in January.

[Sam59]

Yes, have a horrible feeling that Wenger will just up his bid for Suarez by about 50p or something. Suarez is the best striker out there that's not cup-tied in the CL. People mention Llorente (loan), but he's in Juve's official CL squad and will probably play at some point.

[1989]

Yes, have a horrible feeling that Wenger will just up his bid for Suarez by about 50p or something. Suarez is the best striker out there that's not cup-tied in the CL. People mention Llorente (loan), but he's in Juve's official CL squad and will probably play at some point.

Falcao.

[Sam59]

Yes, have a horrible feeling that Wenger will just up his bid for Suarez by about 50p or something. Suarez is the best striker out there that's not cup-tied in the CL. People mention Llorente (loan), but he's in Juve's official CL squad and will probably play at some point.

Falcao.

Isn't he in a Tevez type situation, "owned" by someone other than himself and his agent I mean? Isn't that why when he moved in the summer, it seemed a bit odd that he didn't move to a bigger club? I stand to be corrected.

[1989]

Yes, have a horrible feeling that Wenger will just up his bid for Suarez by about 50p or something. Suarez is the best striker out there that's not cup-tied in the CL. People mention Llorente (loan), but he's in Juve's official CL squad and will probably play at some point.

Falcao.

Isn't he in a Tevez type situation, "owned" by someone other than himself and his agent I mean? Isn't that why when he moved in the summer, it seemed a bit odd that he didn't move to a bigger club? I stand to be corrected.

Monaco bought his full rights last summer.