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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:13:21:45:08 by Padre Pio.

losing ther CC final effected confidence, losing to barca also took its toll, more than any lack of signings in jan

also do you know for a fact wenger did not give the board a list of transfer targets in jan, and that they failed to cough up the cash, well do you.
Also on not signing defenders in Jan, well we had an outstanding defensive record for the months of Jan, Feb and March,7 clean sheets in 10 games, so did this lack of signing a defender in jan only come to the attention of the players in april,
we as much lacked a fit Cesc as any defensive signing, it has as much if not more of an effect on our results

I do agree with you on the point that it looks like the players have stopped listening to wenger, and as I said before on this there is only two options to put it right, one is change the manager and two is dump a fair chunk of the squad, give it a real shake up. Not sure either is anyway close to happening or even likely to happen

Yes I too mistakenly thought they collapsed after Carling final. But I have discovered I was wrong.
The confidence went at the back, as Tigerline says - it went against Spurs second half at home when we lost 3-2.
It was obvious again when we collapsed from 4 nil up against Newcastle that was also before Birmingham.

Is it Wenger or board? Probably both - be rid of both but there is no longer a board only silent stan.

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

Great article. I have no faith in the coming season for exactly the reasons stated in this article. I cannot blame any of our class players for wanting to leave as they can see what is happening from the inside, and they want to win medals. We keep hearing rumours about players coming in, but we have heard these for several years now with no end result. Things will have to get a lot worse, which they will, before AW leaves and we start to reverse the recent trends. Such a shame as AW will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Just strap yourselves in for a worse season to come. You may call me negative, but I feel deep down that we need a bad season to bring everyone to their senses, including finishing outside the top 4, as that is all the board will care about.

I just paid £37 to renew my silver membership. £37 for a "lite" membership.

It was about £20 last year. The board and the finance people are fcking us in backside so hard but all we seem to be doing is screaming out wengers name. Wenger aint the one fcking us. 6% rises and now for non-ST holders the price of the cheapest ticket has gone up from £32 to £39 after all booking fees (fees charged for clicking a c*nting button)

Problem is, being a silver member or a ST holder is like being on crack - the club knows we have to come back or lose our ST or silver and they know they have plenty more crackheads waiting for their chance. Prices go up, quality goes down.

Do you lot honestly think that if wenger left and a new manager came in the borad would say "here's a hundred million go have fun!"

But seriously here is my proposition, as the club have fcked the fans on prices - we should all choose one game to boycott. I mean all 42,000 ST holders and everyone else should boycott one game just to give the fckers a taster of what the fans are capable of. I propose we all boycott the CL qualifier at home, regardless of who we play, make it as empty as possible so only numpties buy when it goes on general sale. That is their nightmare, an empty stadium. Thats the way to do it. Personally I think its genius, they deserve it. They increase the membership fee, they increase prices 6% and then think we are stupid by throwing in a "free" subscription to Arsenal TV online where we can watch interviews about rosickys childhood and gunnersaurus favourite food. That was only £4 a month anyway which totals £48 a year. The rise in ST prices more than covers that and so does the extra £15quid i'm paying just for renewal.

They know we are crackheads as we are addicted to our club and they are selling us watered down sh*t year on year but charging us more. MOTHER F*CKERS.

rant over.

You whining, pathetic @#$%&. You sound like a woman. This is a fool's analysis.

Johnny Are you capable of presenting an argument without abuse? If you can present your point of view without resorting to name calling I will publish it.
Send to arsenaltimes@blueyonder.co.uk

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

You referring to my post or the article johnny?

Padre, what johny is saying is that the article is just rubbish. Maybe its cos he's never seen a poorer analysis...

"A club is a union between players, supporters and directors". - Wenger.
Arsene wenger has done an absolutely masterful job within the constraints he has... Every single year, he has outperformed our spending every single year he has been manager. It is extraordinary. -Gazides.

I don't like the players lost faith in Wenger and Wenger's lost faith in the players stuff, the players are just crap, we're relying on the individual efforts of a few players, more class players get you more goals and cleansheets, the youth project here is a teamwork project, trying to build a puzzle with these players but never prepared for a missing piece.

The 'puzzle'/foundations of this team is not right, When Wilshere's out, Diaby plays the position, and in a deeper role more likely to just hold on to the ball. Same with when Songs out an Attacking midfielder in Ramsey and Diaby will play, or limited Denilson and will be out deeper. When Cesc is out Rosicky will play - a player who doesn't even ask for the ball, a direct Arshavin gets replaced with a possession(circles) Nasri on the left, which makes a direct Walcott play on right , so nothing changes but the area we attack. RVP get replaced with a player who plays with his back to goal, or a lanky player that's getting less and less headed goals. Clichy gets replaced by a young player that's sh*t scared to attack but a better attacker than defender, and on the other side we'll prefer if Eboue stayed back, but is a brilliant RB attacker.

When Adebayor went we should have bought K.Jones maybe not the same class but same type of player, When Flamini went we should have went for Parker or a player that runs his socks off. when Campbell went we should have been looking for a tall pacey CB because we're still screaming for one.

Anelka left and we looked for a pacey striker to replace him to continue the style and look how that went. We tried to do it with Diaby and Vieira but Diaby was is an attacker which led to him playing everywhere and not having a proper position.

Wenger's probably buying them too young.

We think we play one style of football but we actually playing about 5 different ways.

Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

In calling for Wenger to go we've got to be careful. Yes he is largely to blame for the barreness of the past 6 campaigns but giving him the boot won't neccesarily change the situation. In terms of a footballing philosophy only Arsenal and United have that going for them in the Premiership. So it will be quite a challenge to get a new manager that clearly understands it and can take it to the next level. Mr. Wenger got it right in his 1st decade in charge, 11 trophies in 10 years. The 2nd decade has been painful to witness and the disappointment laced with anger and vitriol is understandable.
Perhaps the fans have to shoulder some of the responsibility as they have been so ready to sedated with sexy football and forgotten it's a 2 way ride with being a fan and not just to accept the poor excuses for underperformance being offered by the gaffer and his backers in the boardroom and willing to continue with more of the over-passing game that won't land silverware the next season.
The fans voting with their feet and pockets would be the appropriate means to send a message to Mr. Wenger and his board what the fans expect from the club as witnessed from 1996 to 2005.

Quote:

eduardo
losing ther CC final effected confidence, losing to barca also took its toll, more than any lack of signings in jan
also do you know for a fact wenger did not give the board a list of transfer targets in jan, and that they failed to cough up the cash, well do you.
Also on not signing defenders in Jan, well we had an outstanding defensive record for the months of Jan, Feb and March,7 clean sheets in 10 games, so did this lack of signing a defender in jan only come to the attention of the players in april,
we as much lacked a fit Cesc as any defensive signing, it has as much if not more of an effect on our results

I do agree with you on the point that it looks like the players have stopped listening to wenger, and as I said before on this there is only two options to put it right, one is change the manager and two is dump a fair chunk of the squad, give it a real shake up. Not sure either is anyway close to happening or even likely to happen

You're a fool eduardo. Anorak stats, nobody like you - as for the ins and out of correct team structure you are an idiot. I totally agree with this article, and what you know about a defence one could write on the back of a postage stamp.

Karsene, Nasri is not rubbish but he stopped playing after January, I think he had made up his mind to go then

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

Lets see your article De Times.
Agree or disagree its well written and puts a firm point of view.
So grow up and debate properly

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

Well, at risk of getting a bucketload of abuse directed at me for saying this, I am more with Eduardo than the original poster, Tigerline.

I am though with all those here who denounce the cynical money-grabbing attitude of the Board, the price rises, the focus on profit above the fans or the performance of the team. And I am every bit as frustrated as everyone else at Wenger's stubborn refusal to adequately address the problems that have been obvious to all of us for the past two years:

a) The lack of experience and mental toughness in the spine of the team - his policy of giving the captaincy to inappropriate people as a bribe for them not to leave (Henry & Fabregas); his apparent unconcern at the lack of leadership on the pitch in the big games; his over-reliance on very young players who tend to lack these leadership skills or toughness due to their inexperience; his focus on the team's undoubted potential while neglecting to realistically assess their current strengths and weaknesses. We need one or two real leaders on the pitch.

b) Goalkeepers - we may seem stronger now than two years ago but in goalkeeping terms, we are still far less secure in this department than the other top teams in the premiership. No one would realistically swop our first choice keeper for the equivalent at ManU, Chelski, ManCity or Liverpool. Szczesny and Fabianski have potential (great potential in the former case) but it is just that at the moment - potential. We still require a solid reliable experienced keeper at the club like Given or Schwarzer or Friedel (who has just gone to Spurs). Refusing to pay the £1m difference in valuation for Schwarzer last season was a disaster.

c) Defence - this remains appalling. Again, we have a weaker defence than all the other top teams, especially the central defenders. Squillaci is hopeless. Koscielny is promising but still learning the premiership and making occasional howlers. Djourou had a good first half of the season but recently has fallen backwards. Vermaelen was brilliant in his first season but absent for the last one. Wenger made a bad blunder not reinforcing the centre of defence in January when Vermaelen's recovery was still not assured. Even so we are short of two top notch central defenders and have been for some years. This is a real blind spot for Wenger. I will judge him over the summer primarily on whether he addresses this deficiency.

d) Strikers - We have had only one world class striker (RvP) over the last two years, and the rest are ordinary or unreliable (Arshavin). Every other top premiership team has a stronger overall set of strikers than us. Assuming Bendtner goes, we must replace him with a proven world class striker.

I have seen the statistics that show our performance overall was no better this season. I personally don't see it that way. I do think the team improved overall (as you would expect with such a young team - the youngest in the premiership). I know we had some extraordinary collapses - against Spurs and Newcastle which did indeed show our mental weakness - see above - but I still think the key turning points were the Carling Cup final ad the 2nd leg against Barcelona.

Remember, we were very nervous against Birmingham but I think we would have won in extra time had Koscielny & Szczesny not made their ludicrous blunder. I think the confidence of the team would have been completely different for the whole of the rest of the season if that had happened. But because it did happen, it hugely undermined the team's confidence.

Remember, we got closer to beating Barcelona than any other premiership team this season. Had RvP still been on the pitch rather than Bendtner in the 2nd leg, we probably would have knocked them out of the Champions League - we were that close.

People will rightly say but we didn't win either and that is the problem. And I accept that our young leaderless team is vulnerable to doing the same again without serious reinforcements over the summer to rectify the weakness. But I think it is also essential to acknowledge how close we were in February/March to making the breakthrough we all wanted so badly.

And isn't that the rub ? The anger is so strong because we all felt so close to success.

There is a powerful argument that says Wenger cannot change. That may well be true. And the majority viewpoint here on this message board may well be proved correct. But my take is that Wenger was badly shaken by the collapse of the team at the end of the season and it has seriously undermined some of his key (misguided) beliefs.

The proof will be the reinforcements we make over the summer. I reserve judgement on Wenger till then.

Quote:

Padre Pio
Karsene, Nasri is not rubbish but he stopped playing after January, I think he had made up his mind to go then

he switched from RM to LM after Chelsea win late December, Wenger seems to believe his players can play anywhere but never played Walcott LM.

Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

DJarse a well put argument, but I still dont agree. Signs of rot were there long before Birmingham game. Remember the game before the final?

We were rubbish against Stoke, we won 1-0 but we were still rubbish, we had to depend on Squeakyarchie for a goal.
Why were we so rubbish? Because Fabregas went off early with an injury, an injury that meant he wouldnt play in final. I have a theory that without Fabregas we can never win a game that really matters, yes we win the odd game or two without him, but not key games. I dont count Man U it was already over.

Now will Wenger change I doubt it. He might you can never say never - but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
He should have bought a CB in January, but he lied, yes he lied, he pretended he was expecting the Verminator back, I didnt believe that then and I dont believe it now.
The man is a sociopath, he enjoys seeing how far he can go without being caught thats why i am dreading next season already, he has excuses for finishing 6th polished up already.
I might be wrong, Arsenal might win the league, I would love that I hope Wenger is right and I am wrong. But if I am honest I dont see it happening. The bloke is a busted flush.

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:07:18:55:57 by Padre Pio.

A more abuse from our friendly tiny totts troll thetruthis, you really need to seek some professional help, your obession with me is so sad,

As for your view that I lack knowledge of defence, really is laughable, especially when you have offered the view that your knowledge of HOCKEY Defence makes you some sort of expert, as I said before, we all know your are an idiot, you don't have to keep proving it

50 years and counting

Eduardo is a much liked and esteemed member of this forum, he is also vey knowledgable on all football and Arsenal.

Truthis not a spud he really is a Gunner.
Surely even though we all disagree we are all good Arsenal fans.

we can disagree without abusing one and other. Indeed the moment you abuse someone you begion to lose the argument.

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

Quote:

eduardo
A more abuse from our friendly tiny totts troll thetruthis, you really need to seek some professional help, your obession with me is so sad,
As for your view that I lack knowledge of defence, really is laughable, especially when you have offered the view that your knowledge of HOCKEY Defence makes you some sort of expert, as I said before, we all know your are an idiot, you don't have to keep proving it

50 years and counting

Listen I said nothing until you started it all over again - it is your obsession with me. Leave the knowhow to me and you stick to your model railways.

Hilarious. At times Eduardo you come across as the most sensible member on here besides Padre who is the most balanced, as he should be, seeing he's in charge.

But you have this obsession with anyone who has extreme views and immediately declare them a Spud.

Thetruthis may well despise Wenger but that doesn't make him a Spud. I have no time for Wenger either. Lost any belief in him five years ago. No idea why this man is still Arsenal manager with all the nonsense he speaks and the utter dereliction of duty to the team. By this I mean a man who has continually ignored gk and defensive problems which have been apparent for several seasons now.

As I've said since 2006 we'll not win a trophy of any note again under this clown. He's been found out on the pitch and off it. Now does that make me a Spud?

Quote:

hippogunner
Hilarious. At times Eduardo you come across as the most sensible member on here besides Padre who is the most balanced, as he should be, seeing he's in charge.
But you have this obsession with anyone who has extreme views and immediately declare them a Spud.

Thetruthis may well despise Wenger but that doesn't make him a Spud. I have no time for Wenger either. Lost any belief in him five years ago. No idea why this man is still Arsenal manager with all the nonsense he speaks and the utter dereliction of duty to the team. By this I mean a man who has continually ignored gk and defensive problems which have been apparent for several seasons now.

As I've said since 2006 we'll not win a trophy of any note again under this clown. He's been found out on the pitch and off it. Now does that make me a Spud?

You pipped me by 2 seasons - it was the qtr CL at anfield before I realised that WENGER was not the man anymore.

We really need a change - it is hard for AKBs like eduardo to accept, as WENGER has brought this club much success - but he is stale and set in his ways now, the way wars change tactics. Perhaps it is best to just let WENGER drag the club out of the CL spots and completely destroy his legacy as the board will have no choice but to fire him if they lose that CL spot money.

There is no doubt that this will be our worst season since as long as we can remember, as players have now seen through WENGER and want to leave. This also has another effect as nobody of note wants to sign - and being such a small pool of decent players to choose from, I predict we'll be delving back into lige 1 for our reinforcements.

This is where the few quality players are going.

MAN UTD
CHELSEA
LIVERPOOL
INTER (will have money if Sneider leaves)
REAL
BARCA (enough for 1 top signing)
MAN CITY

This is where only average players and rumours are going to.

AC MILAN
ARSENAL
SPURS

I think it is glaringly obvious, except to the AKBs, that we are facing our 7th trophyless season - and without a doubt, no chance of a CL spot - maybe sixth or seventh place if we are VERY lucky. Unlikely I'm wrong, without sounding smug, I rarely am.

thetruthis,

As long as wenger remains, the SLIPPAGE will continue. January's do-nothing decision was the tipping point for most players,here and elsewhere. Arsenal will not be a preferred destination until he is gone.

Agree with a lot that has been said here. This past season ( overall ) has been shocking and a step back from last year. I cannot blame any decent player wanting to leave as they see what is happening more than we do. Just look at ManU. They won the title and are still investing in quality new blood, which will make our task even harder. I can see a nightmare next season with our worst year for some time. Finishing outside the top four will be the only way that will make the board start asking serious questions. And as for AW, he has not changed anything, that is why we are falling behind. Yes, he started off his reign superbly, but it has gone horribly wrong with his deluded approach. It is obvious that his ideas are not working, but for several years he has not admitted it. Ostrich head in the sand comes to mind. Still, look at it this way. Every day that passes is a day nearer to things changing, whenever that may be.

Tigerline/Hippogunner

Yes, his head is in the sand - deluded approach - but a 6m a year head in the sand.

We're going to have to suck it up until he is gone (one more season), then wait for the new manager and see what he can do.

Hopefully, Kronke will wake up and invest in the new the guy. Either ways we're going to have to wait for a long time before we see this club as a major force again.

I'm past getting upset with poor results as I've become well used to the idea that we're s,hit under WENGER, and as such expect little. However, I do feel terrible frustration at how WENGER carries on regardless, stuck in his ways.

Quote:

thetruthis
Tigerline/Hippogunner
Yes, his head is in the sand - deluded approach - but a 6m a year head in the sand.

We're going to have to suck it up until he is gone (one more season), then wait for the new manager and see what he can do.

Hopefully, Kronke will wake up and invest in the new the guy. Either ways we're going to have to wait for a long time before we see this club as a major force again.

I'm past getting upset with poor results as I've become well used to the idea that we're s,hit under WENGER, and as such expect little. However, I do feel terrible frustration at how WENGER carries on regardless, stuck in his ways.

My concern is that many of our players can now relate to your last sentence.

I've read that Dennis is doing his coaching badge with AJAX and has stated clearly his desire to return to us one day; perhaps as assistant to the next guy who takes over - so I am optimistic fort he future.

As for my last sentence in my previous reply to you; TBH I's like to see the back of most of them; they are not fit to wear the shirt. With exceptions such as RVP (who is the captain as far as I'm concerned) young Wilshire and maybe one or two others.

It's going to take a massive overhaul, investment, and above all else "TIME."

Still, we musn't be greedy - we've won quite a lot in the last couple of decades under George and Arsene.

I take heart in the fact that we have probably the best stadium and training facilities in Europe, if not global - so the infastructure is there for when inevitable positive change comes; look at Liverpool and what they have been through - many similarities under RAFA and the old owners - and the future is rosy for them now. I don't think we'll have to wait as long to go back in the right direction. We are a tremendous club with a great reputation and as I said: the best infastructure, plus a fairly good financial standing compared to UTD etc.

I'm writing off this coming season as I have done the last few as I aslo see it as a step forward ie WENGER finally f,ucking off.

its the board as much as wenger. limited ambition to say the least. for them I dont think they see any difference between finishing 4th and winnng the title. since Dein left its like that.

Quote:

Slordio
its the board as much as wenger. limited ambition to say the least. for them I dont think they see any difference between finishing 4th and winnng the title. since Dein left its like that.

Without a doubt, Slordio - I imagine that most of them will sell their remaining shares and f,uck off as soon as the going gets really rough. Qualifying for the CL every season is the boards only ambition as it means they don't have to invest and just pocket the cash. They are parasites and a blight to the club.

OK, all top football clubs are a business, I accept that - but the old adage of "speculating to accumalate" seems to have gone over this greedy boards' head.

They are bloody fools if they think that Arsene with his fantasy youth football will keep us in the top 4 without spending a penny -- those days are over period.

When WENGER says he will spend this year - he is talking out of his backside. Most players won't come here for two reasons: (1) ambition and (2) money.

I said in an earlier post here that there is only a small ammount of genuine quality out there, and we won't be amongst the suitors.

The list of genuine clubs in the market who will pay money for what little is out there is:

MAN UTD
LIVERPOOL
CHELSEA
MAN CITY
LIVERPOOL
BARCELONA (1 TOP SIGNING)
REAL MADRID
INTER MILAN (IF SNEIDER LEAVES)

Those who talk and won't attract are:
AC MILAN
ARSENAL
SPURS

I said this would happen a couple of years ago, when the time for WENGER to get his head out of the sand and sign some experience and get a defensive coach was then.

His reply was if I sign experience it will unsettle the progress of the young players.

(Did you read what ADAMS said about WENGER - I'll paste it for you now.)

Before I do, it wouldn't matter if we signed 4 Bobby Moore's because of WENGER'S refusal to let a defence be drilled and structured - he has no f,ucking idea. We need a defensive coach first before we sign any defenders as it is only a plaster over a huge fissure. Anyway here is what ADMAMS said.


No wonder Arsenal have not won a trophy for six years – their favourite son Tony Adams reckons George Graham was a better coach than Arsene Wenger.

The former Gunners skipper, who won two titles under Graham and the Double twice under Le Professeur, is worried that the little empire he is building in Azerbaijan may never meet Arsenal in the Champions League – because Wenger is facing a battle to keep them in the top four.

And Adams, a north London legend who organised Graham’s offside trap, admitted he could never envisage working under Wenger because he would want a bigger say in coaching methods.

Crikey, that will ruffle more feathers at the Emirates than a fox in a hen house.

Adams, 44, is back in London attending three funerals and a christening – “It sounds like a film, doesn’t it?” – before pre-season training begins next month back in the Caucasus at FC Gabala, the unlikely outpost where he is honing his management skills.

He plans to deliver the domestic Azerbaijan title to wealthy backer Tale Heydarov within two years, which would put him on a potential collision course with Wenger in the Champions League.

But with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he speculated that the Gunners might not even be flying in such lucrative orbits by 2013.

With Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all spending big this summer, so far Arsenal’s only reinforcement is a Finnish kid from Charlton.

“I love Arsenal and I will always be proud to walk through the door as an Arsenal man,” he said, immaculate in a blue pinstripe suit which made him look more stockbroker than football boss.

But he knows whatever happens in the future, his playing record as a Gunner will always be a source of pride.

“If I went back there as a disaster, I would be a disaster as a manager, not as a player, so I’ve got no fear of going back there one day and doing it my own way – good, bad or ugly.

“Maybe not this year, but next season, I might have a chance of winning the Azerbaijan league title with Gabala and going into the Champions League qualifying rounds.

“We could even play Arsenal, but they are struggling to get in the top five now, aren’t they? Who knows?”

After a short-lived spell as boss at Portsmouth, a club on the brink of meltdown, Adams has travelled 2,500 miles to reboot his career – and it is clear he is modelling himself more on Graham’s frugal methods than Wenger’s fantasy idealism.

He said: “We kept 21 clean sheets in 32 games last season, including 11 on the spin, which I believe is the 89th best in the history of football.

“Good back four, everyone behind the ball, good at set plays, very George Graham. No disrespect to Arsene, but George’s coaching ability, defensive structure and technical ability, for me, is far better.

“No injustice to Arsene, but it’s his strength, and that was George’s particular strength. They say coaches are the best thieves and I think he stole it off Terry Venables.

“I think Arsene Wenger is a magnificent physiologist and psychologist. Those are the areas where he excels. He’s a lovely man and he has the respect of all the players he’s ever worked with.

“George was an outstanding coach – I think I won six or seven trophies under him, including the Cup Winners' Cup against Parma with a team including Ian Selley and David Hillier in midfield and Steve Morrow at the back.

“You kind of think the guy has got something.

"That back four – Lee Dixon, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn and myself - doesn’t happen by luck. We worked hard on organisation. Morning and afternoon. We hated George for it, but we were on top of our game and we reaped the benefits.

(THETRUTHIS: CAN YOU IMAGINE OUR CURRENT BUNCH OF @#$%& PUTTING IN AN AFTERNOON TRAINING SESSION!!!!!!)

“We won the League in 1989 and 1991 but we should have done so much more – we under-achieved with that squad.

“I’ve been working at my job in Azerbaijan and when I came back at Christmas, during our winter break, I went to the Man City game at the Emirates and it was great looking at the madness back in England – the greed, the fear and the managers’ average shelf life of one year, three months.

“More than 50 coaches have lost their jobs in English football since I went to Azerbaijan.

"I love the anonymity and I don’t think working in England is for me – apart from the Arsenal.”

***

Culture shocks come in all shapes, sizes and deposits in Azerbaijan.

First-time visitors to the capital, Baku, are surprised to find backward Soviet grimness has been replaced by spotless squares and a European flavour, while one of Adams’ first training sessions at Gabala was interrupted by a bovine intruder leaving a cowpat in the centre circle.

But at a club which is outstripping even the pace of change in the country, Adams is building a Little Arsenal in an outpost with a population of just 13,000.

On the former England captain’s instruction, all the training pitches at Gabala’s new complex are exactly the same dimensions as his old Highbury stamping ground.

It was Adams who set the £3.5million wage budget for his squad next season – wealthy backer Tale Heydarov, the son of a ­government minister, was happy to trust his manager’s judgement and sign the cheques.

And with a cosmopolitan mix of Brazilians, ­Argentinians, ­Portuguese, French, Russian and Azeri in the dressing room, Adams keeps his team talks brief as a matter of necessity. But he is blissfully happy to far from the madding crowds of the Premier League.

He misses family, and nights out at West End theatres – he recommends Betty Blue Eyes – but would not have missed his Azeri adventure for the world.

“I could have stayed at home in Gloucestershire and smelled the flowers," he said, "but I have to drive in and out of cows on the school run over here – in Azerbaijan they have more sense.

“At Gabala I’ve got everything I need. I’ve bibs, balls, grass pitches, artificial pitches, an indoor dome, I’ve a ­satellite dish in the back garden so I can watch 10 games a week. What more could I need?

“They are an emotional people. I wouldn’t like to cross them. Berti Vogts, the national team coach, got toilet rolls thrown at him during a press ­conference the other day.

“But they are more respectful in their culture. Everyone calls me 'Mr Tony' and the players see me as the big boss.

“They would never dare go through a door before me, and there are no Friday nights going down the pub and getting smashed out of their heads.”

why is this a sticky

probably cos its a view shared by padre

All most recent feature articles are sticky including match reports

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

of course they are padre

Check the date on it - if its not the most recent feature I will refund your subscription fee

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

subscription fee? have you been taking notes from kroenke and the Arsenal board

Your is a gold membership Eduardo

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

wanted to ignore this thread cos i knew what it is all about..it's what we all have ranted about for ages..whew..6 long seasons!!!! the diminishing returns set in way back when we were busy enjoying the specks from the invincibles days..

wenger gambled on signing chamarkh for a free transgfer instead of in january when he was needed..every season he gambles & ends up trophiless..applauds himself with points gained & goals scored except that this season there was nothing to hang on to except pure stupidity.

point of correction..arsenal will always be the favoured destination of players seeking a plat form to gain the attention to bigger boys like barca, real, inter, milan, utd and the likes.... funny these players always hint at these when they being unveiled to fans..

Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿‍♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿‍♀️

I too have avoided this thread,but am of the opinion that this summer is Wengers biggest ever,if he gets this wrong,and frankly its started off in the usual vein,he should be summarily sacked.
There thats the first time I have used the S word but its come to that,instead of working for French TV he should be getting rid of the dross,and there is plenty,and that includes the much vaunted youth sections dross and wont bes.
Jenkinson sums it up,and I hope the lad goes on to be a great player for us,he was loaned out by Charlton to a non league club last season,and by all accounts many of their fans do not rate him.Not what is needed right now,lets cut to the chase.we need proven EPL players,not potential or even for that matter the likes of these Gervinho or Hazard guys,illustration, Chamakh we cannot afford a years settling in.

Quote:

Bergmars
I too have avoided this thread,but am of the opinion that this summer is Wengers biggest ever,if he gets this wrong,and frankly its started off in the usual vein,he should be summarily sacked.
There thats the first time I have used the S word but its come to that,instead of working for French TV he should be getting rid of the dross,and there is plenty,and that includes the much vaunted youth sections dross and wont bes.
Jenkinson sums it up,and I hope the lad goes on to be a great player for us,he was loaned out by Charlton to a non league club last season,and by all accounts many of their fans do not rate him.Not what is needed right now,lets cut to the chase.we need proven EPL players,not potential or even for that matter the likes of these Gervinho or Hazard guys,illustration, Chamakh we cannot afford a years settling in.

Another point man, is, there is not really that many genuine quality signings out there and it will be extremely difficult to attract the genuine quality for 3 reason.

(1) The pay wage structure

(2) Failure to meet the valuation put on the player

(3) Lack of ambition and stlility. We are just not attractive anymore - as there are serious bad vibes from within with lazy, unmotivated players, and players who want to leave.

I don't know how WENGER will do it - at this stage it will take a miricle to reinforce.

Is it the end of the road for Wenger at Arsenal?

Nay, 3 more years of selling snake-oil to Arsenal fans, perhaps with one year off for good behavior?