Random Arsenal Shit (When it's not worth starting a thread)

[Globalgunner]

Next thing you know they will be hiring planes towing banners behind.


In other news, I hear Giovanni van Bronkhorst is going great guns with Feyenoord in Holland. They are on the verge of winning the league. Worth a shot?

[Niall_Quinn]

What is this nonsense all about? Does the club honestly think fans believe shit like this any more?


Arsenal have not given up chasing Monaco's teenage starlet Kylian Mbappe even though there is an acceptance within the club that the continued uncertainty over Arsene Wenger's future means that they could end up at the back of the queue for summer signings.

Monaco will demand €100million (£85m) for the 18-year-old who has been the outstanding teenager in the Champions League this season but with Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United all keen, Arsenal are likely to find themselves frustrated once again.

However, Arsenal insiders say that they would pay the required amount – which would amount to more than double the current transfer record of £40m paid for Mesut Ozil.

Arsenal under a failing Wenger and no CL football for a rising star? Or Real Madrid? It's a tough one.

[Xhaka Can’t]

We seem to be moving in the right direction with a rising star we will almost have signed twice.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Next thing you know they will be hiring planes towing banners behind.


In other news, I hear Giovanni van Bronkhorst is going great guns with Feyenoord in Holland. They are on the verge of winning the league. Worth a shot?

They win today they are eredivise champions

Maybe as part of three man set up with Overmars and Bergkamp

[Niall_Quinn]

They win today they are eredivise champions

Maybe as part of three man set up with Overmars and Bergkamp

Be careful what you wish for. The grass is not greener. It is very likely we'll get relegated if Wenger leaves. The club could be out of business within 5 years, maybe less. Maybe a couple of weeks. Just be very careful.

[GP]

They win today they are eredivise champions



They got pumped 3-0 by Excelsior.

[AFC Leveller]

They got pumped 3-0 by Excelsior.

bottle job.

Hire him.

When Wenger leaves in 2098.

[Power n Glory]

Can we bring back Cesc if he leaves Chelsea?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Can we bring back Cesc if he leaves Chelsea?

well we brought back Lehmann, Campbell, Flamini and Henry so why not

[AFC Leveller]

well we brought back Lehmann, Campbell, Flamini and Henry so why not

Freebies the lot of them.

[Globalgunner]

George Graham is also available. No. I am not joking.

[Xhaka Can’t]

bottle job.

Hire him.

When Wenger leaves in 2098.

I'm counting down the days already.

There are 29457 assuming he goes Jan 1.

[AFC Leveller]

Most interceptions this season:

http://1tvs492zptzq380hni2k8x8p.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-11-at-15.49.15.jpg



http://1tvs492zptzq380hni2k8x8p.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-11-at-15.51.26.jpg

Kos is a monster when on top of his game.

[GP]

Best defender in the league by miles. No one else is even close.

[Letters]

Wenger :bow:

[Penguin]

Not surprising to see Koscielny up there in interceptions as his game is all about anticipating and reading the game. He's one of the best at nicking the ball off the strikers toes just as the pass comes into him.

I have been a bit disappointed with him this season though. He's a great defender but he makes far too many silly mistakes. How many penalties has he given away in big games? Spurs, Bayen, Chelsea this season. Hazard seems to win a penalty against him every season. It's obvious that the cunt is looking for it so don't commit in the box FFS!

He's also not much of a leader. He looked happier when Mertesacker was next to him because he's the talker, and Kos could focus on his own game. He's had the captains armband a lot this season but he's still not communicating. When our defence is sinking he sinks with it. I think we need to dip into the market for a real leader to play next to him in the summer as Mustafi hasn't cut the mustard and is too similar to Kos.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our terrible defensive tactics puts the onus on Kos to use his speed over the first yard to make an unhealthy number of last ditch tackles. Normally he does it well, but every now and again he's bound to mistime it. We play as individual defenders more than as a unit. Kos would really come into his own if he could pre-empt rather than react. Basically, if we had a defensive coaching team that knew the fuck what they were doing.

[Niall_Quinn]

Legend up to his old tricks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMVtx7iBd2w

[Xhaka Can’t]

I love that man as much as it is possible and remain heterosexual.

[GP]

I'd fuck him no homo

[Niall_Quinn]

Might as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsZkCFoqSBs

[GP]

THERE IS BEAR CUM!

[Xhaka Can’t]

That goal won me £120

[Marc Overmars]

Bergkamp. :cloud9:

Genius.

[Xhaka Can’t]

None better. His goals and those he created were football artistry of the highest calibre.

We will never see that again.

[Letters]

Great Wenger signing :bow:



:ninja:

[rodders]

Signed by Bruce Rioch

[Xhaka Can’t]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xECUrlnXCqk

[Globalgunner]

Great Wenger signing :bow:



:ninja:

Take a flight to Timbuktu Letters, preferably 1 way

[Xhaka Can’t]

Priority booking for Silver Members to purchase tickets for Emirates Cup 2017 is now open.
Membership card(s) will be activated for any tickets purchased. The Friends and Family service will be available to all Arsenal Members from 10am on Tuesday 6th June 2017.
The much anticipated return of this friendly two-day tournament will see SL Benfica, Sevilla FC, and RB Leipzig join Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. This will be the ninth staging of the Emirates Cup, which has been a regular in the club’s pre-season schedule since moving to Emirates Stadium.

Get them now before they're gone!

[AFC Leveller]

Yaya Sanogo will leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

Amaury Bischof MK2

[Niall_Quinn]

Yaya Sanogo will leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

Amaury Bischof MK2

That was all worth it then. I hope he enjoyed his stay. #holidayCampArsenal

[Globalgunner]

Dont forget he actually scored a goal for us. CL no less....or was it. Unicorns are more common than a Sanogo goal.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I liked Sanogo

It was a bit like watching the ducks outside my office window grow and become more capable of independent movement

Sanogo clearly was not accustomed to bipedal movement and one leg used to tie the other in a knot
As time passed he was getting more and more confident at moving around on two legs

It should have been abundantly clear that he wasn't fit to play professional football full stop let alone for us

But loved his attitude and how hard he worked.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our gain is the post office's loss.

[GP]

Season ticket prices have been reduced.

[Maestro]

Fan's expectations have been reduced further.

They should have done that a long time ago, the thieves, admit we ain't competing for shit, and reduce prices to match.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well they're enjoying ever increasing TV revenue and the ticket take is becoming secondary. So their generosity comes when they can't stuff another crumb into their gullet.

[Özim]

Henry on Dein:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfHLnIgg-0

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6UPlEzT1bU

[Niall_Quinn]

Remarkable talent, compared to the dross getting paid 100K a week today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aktUORRgkXg

[Niall_Quinn]

NSFW


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5zFMhugXY8

[Niall_Quinn]

Kos appeal rejected and ban increased to 3 games.

I fucking told him to change his name to Wayne Rooney before the hearing, but nooooooooo, he knew best.

[GP]

The ban was always 3 games.

[Niall_Quinn]

The ban was always 3 games.

2 games isn't it? And then upped to 3 if an appeal fails.

[GP]

No

[Letters]

Season ticket prices have been reduced.

Wenger :bow:

[Letters]

http://newsthump.com/2017/05/31/spirit-of-houdini-pays-tribute-to-arsene-wenger/

:d

The last paragraph :lol:

[Letters]

Wenger :bow:

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170531/-our-aim-is-to-win-the-premier-league-

[AFC Leveller]

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18766083_1939798836257446_731320962449061031_n.jpg ?oh=9b3600e19d921d4da7861c17845bf78d&oe=599E29A8

[Penguin]

If the club's aim is to win the premier league why is Wenger still manager? :sarcy:

Empty words from an empty person.

[AFC Leveller]

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18767418_1571352722877492_8010339251070222045_n.jp g?oh=7daff4874bfdc824af817e86ca3c99b7&oe=599F0AC4

[Marc Overmars]

Expectations are worlds apart.

[GP]

Oli G just scored a hat-trick against Paraguay.

[Ralpheroo72]

The Sun 'newspaper' is a rag, and their 'journalists' need to be banned from the Grove http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/arsenal-fans-rage-inflammatory-front-page-sun-call-gunners-boycott/

[Xhaka Can’t]

I for one am never buying The Sun again.

[Letters]

Agreed. Doesn't even have tits any more which was the one selling point.

[GP]

Agreed. Doesn't even have tits any more which was the one selling point.

Not true, Johnson and Farage feature quite prominently.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Is it boycotting if I didn't buy it in the first place?

[Xhaka Can’t]

But you were gonna start buying it but now you won't.

[AFC Leveller]

https://www.facebook.com/afcbanter/videos/803152426508457/

[Niall_Quinn]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/21/10/4199074200000578-4624544-image-a-55_1498035723923.jpg

New kit modelled by our main man, plus two of our summer sales. Don't forget to rush out and buy it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Main man again, with two more potential summer sales. I think we get the hint Arsene.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/21/09/4198EC0A00000578-4624544-Giroud_Nacho_Monreal_left_and_Hector_Bellerin_righ t_show_off_Ars-a-31_1498034993941.jpg

[Maestro]

Main man again, with two more potential summer sales. I think we get the hint Arsene.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/21/09/4198EC0A00000578-4624544-Giroud_Nacho_Monreal_left_and_Hector_Bellerin_righ t_show_off_Ars-a-31_1498034993941.jpg

that's it breathe in Nacho

[Niall_Quinn]

Massive upheaval at Arsenal as Gazidis ushers in sweeping staff changes.

Time will tell if this new look lineup of Wenger, Gazidis, Bould, Primorac, Banfield, Rowley, Grimandi, Forsythe and Law can deliver the big results where the old team of Wenger, Gazidis, Bould, Primorac, Banfield, Rowley, Grimandi, Forsythe and Law failed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4625064/Meet-men-scenes-Arsenal-season.html

[GP]

https://twitter.com/_AndyHa/status/878917719453818883

[Niall_Quinn]

Arsenal will rack up 21000 miles flying to pre-season money grabbingpreparation matches. Lovely, lovely shirt sales. Priorities, priorities. Guess the TV money just isn't enough. Such a shame the football season gets in the way or else we could have done a global tour.

[Niall_Quinn]

Dreadful rubbish from the #FakeNews Daily Mail.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4656754/Bellerin-mocked-runner-medal-Spain-lose.html

The kid dips into his own pocket for victims of the London blaze, gets to a final and then is the only one who's not so arrogant to bin his medal. The Mail manages to turn this into a hit piece and give a platform to twatter trolls.

WTF is the matter with this shit rag? How do the cunts at that place have the nerve to accept payment for the shit they squeeze out in public?

[Niall_Quinn]

The Premier League season will kick off on a Friday night for the first time ever when Arsenal host Leicester on August 11.

Footie season kicking off on a Friday? I think they do it on purpose to try to remove every last trace of the traditional game that used to be for fans. Now it's all for advertisers.

[Letters]

Quite surprised they haven't replaced "Abide With Me" with a medley of advertising jingles.

[Letters]

Colleague just told me Arsenal contacted him today to ask if he'd like a season ticket.
The minute Lacazette has signed they're on the marketing campaign :lol:

[GP]

https://www.arsenal.com/news/mertesacker-lead-arsenal-academy

Per Mertesacker will be the new Academy Manager. That's awesome!

[Marc Overmars]

BFG. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

All is forgiven after that performance against the chavs.

Although how much power he ends up having in practical terms is another matter. Is it yet another role that involves nodding when Wenger says stuff?

[Niall_Quinn]

Theo seems pretty down in this video. Like he doesn't want to be there and couldn't give a shit about what he's saying. I wonder is he on the way out?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0L2qAOFhMk

[Niall_Quinn]

Sounds like Mesut is staying.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYsZ25_PaNk

[Özim]

We seem to be employing players who weren't the best as coaches/managers, now sure they could turn out to be great, but personally would have preferred players like Henry/Vieira, players others can look up to and have instant respect for due to their achievements and quality.

Mertersacker isn't exactly my idea of top notch, never really rated the guy and never thought he was all that as a defender either. We've only won the FA Cup since he's been here and our defences has largely been a shambles.

[Özim]

Sounds like Mesut is staying.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYsZ25_PaNk

Was never too worried about Ozil, he's not had any offers and there's isn't a big demand for him, be glad if he stays though as he's a top player, just need to be utilised correctly, hopefully with Lacazettes' pace we can go back to counterattacking and ditch that short passing BS most of us hate.

[Power n Glory]

We seem to be employing players who weren't the best as coaches/managers, now sure they could turn out to be great, but personally would have preferred players like Henry/Vieira, players others can look up to and have instant respect for due to their achievements and quality.

Mertersacker isn't exactly my idea of top notch, never really rated the guy and never thought he was all that as a defender either. We've only won the FA Cup since he's been here and our defences has largely been a shambles.

I've got time for Merts. Heard he was a leader behind the scenes early when he joined us and you can see it in the way he plays. Kos was shocking before Merts arrived and it looks like Kos missed Merts last season as well.

We need to retain players like Merts. Make use of his leadership skills and keep him at the club. We should have also kept Arteta. These guys may not been the best on the pitch but I remember both players being spoken of highly in terms of leadership and attitude in the dressing room.

[Letters]

Obviously Merts is a brilliant defender, only a moran would dispute that. You don't get 100+ caps for Germany who have been one of the best international sides in the last 10 years unless you're any good.
He's not an all time great, but being an all time great player does not in any way guarantee to being a good coach or manager.
It's actually quite rare for a really top player to be a really top manager.
I think Merts could be quite good in this role but it remains to be seen.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I'm very mixed on Mertesacker. I think he's still the best defender we have in terms of aerial supremacy, and he's very good at interceptions.

But there are times where he just looks totally ponderous, I remember going to the Emirates 2-3 seasons ago where injury meant he was paired with Monreal and it was Monreal who looked the more assertive, more committed and more assured even though he was playing out of position.

[Özim]

I've got time for Merts. Heard he was a leader behind the scenes early when he joined us and you can see it in the way he plays. Kos was shocking before Merts arrived and it looks like Kos missed Merts last season as well.

We need to retain players like Merts. Make use of his leadership skills and keep him at the club. We should have also kept Arteta. These guys may not been the best on the pitch but I remember both players being spoken of highly in terms of leadership and attitude in the dressing room.

I never really see him as a leader, if anything our team has lacked leadership and tha's despite Mertesacker being in the team. I never really rated him as a defender, for me he's never been top notch, not in the same class as the likes of Adams, Campbell, Keown, Bould, never as assured, nor as intelligent.

[Özim]

Obviously Merts is a brilliant defender, only a moran would dispute that. You don't get 100+ caps for Germany who have been one of the best international sides in the last 10 years unless you're any good.
He's not an all time great, but being an all time great player does not in any way guarantee to being a good coach or manager.
It's actually quite rare for a really top player to be a really top manager.
I think Merts could be quite good in this role but it remains to be seen.

Considering Low has been manager for most of that, the 100+ caps just suggest Low likes him, sometimes managers favour certain players (we see it with Wenger all the time), Deschamps favours Giroud for example despite him not being the best and for me the same applies to Mertersacker, never been overly impressed with his defending, like anyone he has good games but as a whole package he's not a great defender IMO.

You're right you never know if someone will become a good coach/manager but I'd personally be more inclined to bring in top class former players who have lead been standout players, especially when it comes to roles others than manager of the team as players are more likely to look up to them and listen to the them.

I've heard Mertesacker talk a lot in the press when we've taken a hammering only for us to not turn up again in the next match, isn't that what happened against Bayern, just don't rate his leadership at all.

For coaching roles, I'd have looked at bringing back players of our successful era, the likes of Henry, Vieira, Campbell etc the driving forces behind our successes.

[Letters]

I think his lack of leadership is a more valid criticism. He's clearly a good defender, I'm not going to debate that. He may have been favoured by a certain manager but in that time they have won a World Cup and been there or there abouts in every other major competition. I'd maybe agree that Adams was better and certainly better as a leader.
Campbell is a ridiculous suggestion - remember when he left the ground at half time? He's a fruitloop!
Henry, maybe. Vieira definitely.

[Marc Overmars]

Don't see why BFG can't become a decent coach. By all accounts he's very good behind the scenes and someone that everyone at the club respects. Maybe not as good as past defenders but I don't think being a top player equates to being a good coach.

[Power n Glory]

Considering Low has been manager for most of that, the 100+ caps just suggest Low likes him, sometimes managers favour certain players (we see it with Wenger all the time), Deschamps favours Giroud for example despite him not being the best and for me the same applies to Mertersacker, never been overly impressed with his defending, like anyone he has good games but as a whole package he's not a great defender IMO.

You're right you never know if someone will become a good coach/manager but I'd personally be more inclined to bring in top class former players who have lead been standout players, especially when it comes to roles others than manager of the team as players are more likely to look up to them and listen to the them.

I've heard Mertesacker talk a lot in the press when we've taken a hammering only for us to not turn up again in the next match, isn't that what happened against Bayern, just don't rate his leadership at all.

For coaching roles, I'd have looked at bringing back players of our successful era, the likes of Henry, Vieira, Campbell etc the driving forces behind our successes.

If Merts were snapped up by another top rival club like we saw with Arteta and Pep/City, wouldn’t that be a mistake on our part to let him go? I remember both Arteta and Merts were highlighted as the stronger dressing room characters when they signed them back in 2011. Considering we’ve lost one to Pep and another captain to Man City, I can’t fault the club for signing Merts. Can’t be over cynical and judge based on performances.

Henry wasn’t rated as a good captain on here. Vieira wasn’t rated as a good captain when he was playing for us either. He wasn’t really vocal on the pitch and he did a lot of flirting in the press to join Madrid. It’s only after he left we heard stories of what he was like as captain behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge Merts and especially not on how the team performed under him. If you take a look at Henry’s days as captain and the team performances, we were a shambles. He wasn’t an effective leader at the time but I’d definitely want him here as a coach if that were possible.

[Özim]

If Merts were snapped up by another top rival club like we saw with Arteta and Pep/City, wouldn’t that be a mistake on our part to let him go? I remember both Arteta and Merts were highlighted as the stronger dressing room characters when they signed them back in 2011. Considering we’ve lost one to Pep and another captain to Man City, I can’t fault the club for signing Merts. Can’t be over cynical and judge based on performances.

Henry wasn’t rated as a good captain on here. Vieira wasn’t rated as a good captain when he was playing for us either. He wasn’t really vocal on the pitch and he did a lot of flirting in the press to join Madrid. It’s only after he left we heard stories of what he was like as captain behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge Merts and especially not on how the team performed under him. If you take a look at Henry’s days as captain and the team performances, we were a shambles. He wasn’t an effective leader at the time but I’d definitely want him here as a coach if that were possible.

I wasn't too fussed about Arteta to be honest, never really thought he was all that or much of a leader either, so when he left I wasn't too disappointed, I personally feel the same about Mertesacker, throughout his spell with us we've had very little success and penty of collapses and he hasn't even been a standout player for us so if he'd left I wouldn't have been too bothered.

Henry perhaps not but he was an outstanding player, Vieria I disagree about, always thought he was a great captain that lead by example, he was the perfect choice to take over from Adams.

Time will tell, I just don't see anything standout about Mertesacker personally.

[Özim]

I think his lack of leadership is a more valid criticism. He's clearly a good defender, I'm not going to debate that. He may have been favoured by a certain manager but in that time they have won a World Cup and been there or there abouts in every other major competition. I'd maybe agree that Adams was better and certainly better as a leader.
Campbell is a ridiculous suggestion - remember when he left the ground at half time? He's a fruitloop!
Henry, maybe. Vieira definitely.

Let's be honest though, this role isn't really a manager like Wenger is a manager, it's working with young players and what's probably more effective with them is having someone who was one of the best around to look up to, Campbell I was suggesting as more in a coaching role because he was a great defender no doubt about that, much better than Mertesacker ever has been IMO.

[Power n Glory]

I wasn't too fussed about Arteta to be honest, never really thought he was all that or much of a leader either, so when he left I wasn't too disappointed, I personally feel the same about Mertesacker, throughout his spell with us we've had very little success and penty of collapses and he hasn't even been a standout player for us so if he'd left I wouldn't have been too bothered.

Henry perhaps not but he was an outstanding player, Vieria I disagree about, always thought he was a great captain that lead by example, he was the perfect choice to take over from Adams.

Time will tell, I just don't see anything standout about Mertesacker personally.

But surely it says something if Pep wants Arteta for his coaching staff? Football knowledge and intelligence isn’t something that easily noticeable on the pitch. Either way, this isn’t something I’d criticise the club for. I’ve been saying we should have been done this a long time ago. Henry should be here coaching. Pires and Ljunberg should be here. Sol Campbell shouldn’t be offering to coach a non league side for free! He should be coaching at Arsenal.

[mastermind84]

Per Mertesacker was a great leader and may become a great manager. He knew where to be on the pitch, while not being blessed with speed and agility.

Arteta was a good leader too.


The problem with leadership at the club goes to the manager.

[Penguin]

Per will do a great job. He's vocal, has a sense of humour and everyone loves him. When someone as slow as him can play in a high back line like ours there's something any defender can learn from him. Good move by the club

[Power n Glory]

Per is unappreciated. He was out all season and didn't play a single league game but is it a coincidence that we the end season with our worst goals conceded record since Merts debut season? We've dropped out of the top 4 and it really looked like Wenger lost the team at one point. The players were really taking the piss for some games. I'd say we missed his presence.

[Özim]

Our defence has been a shambles with or without him, he's ok in the air and decent at interceptions but he's as slow as a barge and doesn't have the kind of anticipation to make up for it that someone like Adams had.

Just never been convinced by him, any team with pace would give him all kinds of problems. I can't really rave about any player of the last 10 years who hasn't really stood out during a period when we really haven't been all that great, if he was that good he was have stood out as head and shoulders above the other defenders, if anything the error prone Koscielny has outshone him.

When we've needed leadership on the pitch during games when we were being tonked he's been nowhere to be seen to be fair, leaders calm the situation and help other players settle the ship, he's never really done it.

[Power n Glory]

Our defence has been a shambles with or without him, he's ok in the air and decent at interceptions but he's as slow as a barge and doesn't have the kind of anticipation to make up for it that someone like Adams had.

Just never been convinced by him, any team with pace would give him all kinds of problems. I can't really rave about any player of the last 10 years who hasn't really stood out during a period when we really haven't been all that great, if he was that good he was have stood out as head and shoulders above the other defenders, if anything the error prone Koscielny has outshone him.

When we've needed leadership on the pitch during games when we were being tonked he's been nowhere to be seen to be fair, leaders calm the situation and help other players settle the ship, he's never really done it.

There really is no point in comparing him to Adams or anyone of the past. The question is, who is a better partner for Kosienly? The players with more pace, agility and aggression to their game, Mustafi and Gabriel, the type of players people have called for to replace Merts, haven't formed a good partnership with Kos.

Also, you're missing the point. Our defence has always been a shambles and that's partly down to bad coaching, but it's been even more of a shambles for this particular season which coincides with us conceding the most we have in years and dropping outside of the top 4.

Leadership has always been a problem with the club but there is no denying this is probably the worst we've seen it in years. Just think back to that corner where nobody jumped and just left their men unmarked. I can't say that wouldn't have happened with Merts on the pitch, but it's a fact that that has never happened with him on the pitch. That took shambolic to a new level. Kos definitely isn't captain material. Quick to jog off when injured, doesn't talk to his teammates, head drops quickly when we concede and suffers in silence.....I don't see that from Merts.

I think you're caught up in the all action Kosienly types and forget how much mistakes he made before Merts arrived. As for any team with pace....Chelsea aren't exactly slow are they. That's going off the last game we played and Merts bossed it. You have to pay more attention to his game. Too many generic statements about his pace and such. We've played plenty of quick teams and dealt with them.

[Power n Glory]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ntyDxKUHE

Some love for BFG! Final against Chelsea.

[Özim]

He was very good in the cup final, no doubt about that, but that's one game and every player has the odd very good game from time to time, top players however produce solid performances regularly and stand out from others.

Koscielny is a better defender although error prone and has had interest from big clubs, Mertesacker has never really been on any clubs radar since we signed him which kinda shows noone thinks he's a standout player.

[Power n Glory]

He was very good in the cup final, no doubt about that, but that's one game and every player has the odd very good game from time to time, top players however produce solid performances regularly and stand out from others.

Koscielny is a better defender although error prone and has had interest from big clubs, Mertesacker has never really been on any clubs radar since we signed him which kinda shows noone thinks he's a standout player.

So now that I have a clip of the FA Cup final, you remember the one good performance. :lol: This is the type of debate where I'd have to scour through every single game with highlights over a season and you'd still come back and say every player has one stand out season. ;)

Kos has more physical attributes over Merts but lacks the leadership and lacks the intelligence. You only have to look at the sending off that had him banned for the final of that example.

[Xhaka Can’t]

His Cup Final performance was one of the most accomplished defensive performances we have seen for many years, either for or against.

That it was his only contribution all season makes it remarkable.

[GP]

Current UEFA club rankings.

https://i.redd.it/vx2dzpyphy8z.png

[Niall_Quinn]

No Monaco?

And they forgot to put the spuds in, everyone knows they probably have the best young team in Europe. Said so in the papers.

[Özim]

I think it's based on European results in the last 4 seasons, the likes of Monaco wouldn't have enough points to be in there. I actuallt think they should factor in you position in the league which you qualified for the CL from as well.

[Özim]

So now that I have a clip of the FA Cup final, you remember the one good performance. :lol: This is the type of debate where I'd have to scour through every single game with highlights over a season and you'd still come back and say every player has one stand out season. ;)

Kos has more physical attributes over Merts but lacks the leadership and lacks the intelligence. You only have to look at the sending off that had him banned for the final of that example.

He's not had a standout season, he's been ok but I don't think he's anything special as a defender, he just hasn't stood out. I never said Koscielny was a leader all I said was that he's always the defender that stands out for us, the one people see as our best defender and the one who has been linked to big clubs, not Mertesacker, incidentally he's not perfect either, he is still prone to stupid costly errors.

[Dein-machine]

Merts WAS a good defender. He hung up his boots for Germany cos he was coming to the end of his career at top level - this should set the alarm bells ringing for any manager interested in competing but not ours. Yes he played well in the cup final, so did all the boys but everyone on here prior to that must have shit themselves at the thought of him playing in that final. That's because of what he's normally capable of. Possibly the only defender in the world that makes Giroud look quick & cannot jump to save his life. He loses headers against guys 6" smaller than him & his legs have simply gone.
When we are debating whether or not a dinosaur like him that no other supposed big club in the world would want is good enough for us - makes you realise what's happened to us under Wumger.

[Power n Glory]

He's not had a standout season, he's been ok but I don't think he's anything special as a defender, he just hasn't stood out. I never said Koscielny was a leader all I said was that he's always the defender that stands out for us, the one people see as our best defender and the one who has been linked to big clubs, not Mertesacker, incidentally he's not perfect either, he is still prone to stupid costly errors.

Merts has been solid. Not the most eyecatching player. He is tall and slow which makes his mistakes more obvious. But excluding the legends like Adams, Campbell and Co, where would you rank him? I'd say he is a lot better than Toure, Gallas, Verm and the rest. He certainly makes Kos look a better player too. In the same way Kolo was badly exposed when Campbell left, Merts does well to cover for Kos and helps to keep the shape at the back. When Kos goes in aggressive to win the ball, Merts doesn't panic and takes up the right position in most cases. It's something the other defenders don't do often and need to learn. Too similar in style.

[Özim]

Merts has been solid. Not the most eyecatching player. He is tall and slow which makes his mistakes more obvious. But excluding the legends like Adams, Campbell and Co, where would you rank him? I'd say he is a lot better than Toure, Gallas, Verm and the rest. He certainly makes Kos look a better player too. In the same way Kolo was badly exposed when Campbell left, Merts does well to cover for Kos and helps to keep the shape at the back. When Kos goes in aggressive to win the ball, Merts doesn't panic and takes up the right position in most cases. It's something the other defenders don't do often and need to learn. Too similar in style.

Hard to tell where I would rank him to be honest, for me I'd be more interested in players in us having our former greats involved, Mertersacker for me is a player who's been decent but nothing more, I wouldn't particularly want to rank him as he's not a player I'll really remember with any real affection once he leaves because he's not been involved in anything special and hasn't stood out.

Yes he may be better than Gallas, Verm etc (not much in it for me though) but they were to be honest a load of rubbish defensively, Koscielny is more talented and if I had to pick a player to keep it would be him over Mertersacker as he's capable of superior performances.

I just don't see what Mertesacker brings to the table, not a leader, not a great defender, not great positionally, he has no standout talents, he's just a decent defender who's level is some middle of the table team in Germany, not good enough for the likes of Bayern/Dortmund etc.

[Globalgunner]

Merts WAS a good defender. He hung up his boots for Germany cos he was coming to the end of his career at top level - this should set the alarm bells ringing for any manager interested in competing but not ours. Yes he played well in the cup final, so did all the boys but everyone on here prior to that must have shit themselves at the thought of him playing in that final. That's because of what he's normally capable of. Possibly the only defender in the world that makes Giroud look quick & cannot jump to save his life. He loses headers against guys 6" smaller than him & his legs have simply gone.
When we are debating whether or not a dinosaur like him that no other supposed big club in the world would want is good enough for us - makes you realise what's happened to us under Wumger.

Excellent post, every word pure on point. Merts was average when he got here and remained so throughout. Like you said he stands head and shoulders over almost every other player on the pitch but never wins headers or scores headed goals. Like you said he doesnt jump...will not jump. instead he just leans and gets beaten by players under 6feet tall. Only at Arsenal under Wenger are average players lionised. No one in the world would offer even 2m for Mets today. He was never a great defender and worst still he is not a warrior. A defender needs to be a bastard like Keown and Terry were. Ready to spill guts to outmuscle the opposition. Merts was just another powder puff player doing his best but still looking bang average...Lest not forget Wengers track record with defenders. Djourou, Senderos etc. Ray Parlour even managed to kid him into buying that walking disaster Stepanovs while he was only trying to wind up Keown.

[Power n Glory]

You guys talk shit. No facts.


He loses headers against guys 6" smaller than him & his legs have simply gone.

Merts wins over 70% of his header duels and compare that with some other defenders. Look through the season and it's Kos that's closer to 50/50 when it comes to header duels.

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2015/2016/per_mertesacker/819/165/120/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/laurent_koscielny/819/165/113/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/jan_vertonghen/819/165/864/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/gary_cahill/819/165/451/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/toby_alderweireld/819/165/7673/47/p#aerial_duels_won/aerial_duels_won_%#total

[Dein-machine]

You guys talk shit. No facts.



Merts wins over 70% of his header duels and compare that with some other defenders. Look through the season and it's Kos that's closer to 50/50 when it comes to header duels.

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2015/2016/per_mertesacker/819/165/120/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/laurent_koscielny/819/165/113/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/jan_vertonghen/819/165/864/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/gary_cahill/819/165/451/0/p|premier_league/2015/2016/toby_alderweireld/819/165/7673/47/p#aerial_duels_won/aerial_duels_won_%#total

They are comparing him to defenders much smaller than him. That tall & he still loses 30% of headers to smaller opppnents.
You're talking about a player that no other premier league team would want & we're talking shit!
See if your comparisons show you how many times we get raped at the back by a team with pace when he is playing.

[Power n Glory]

They are comparing him to defenders much smaller than him. That tall & he still loses 30% of headers to smaller opppnents.
You're talking about a player that no other premier league team would want & we're talking shit!
See if your comparisons show you how many times we get raped at the back by a team with pace when he is playing.

So you expect him to win 100% of all his header duels? Is that where we're going? By that logic Sanchez should never win a header against an opponent despie being one of the shortest players on the pitch.

Getting raped against teams with pace...OK...last game against Chelsea in the final. Are they a slow team with Costa up front? The last time he faced Augero we won 2-1. When we beat Utd 3-0 Martial was up front with Depay on the wing. Plenty of pace there. Not saying he hasn't had trouble against pacey defenders but who hasn't? Toure, Verm and Gallas had loads of pace but we're still getting raped.

[Marc Overmars]

https://youtu.be/OwtQ4iaOlzQ

Cech. :bow:

Although at this club that will probably result in being dropped and alienated.

[Penguin]

I don't get it... what's wrong with celebrating? Most of them were young players who will probably never win anything in their careers anyway :shrug:

[Gooner23]

Because it was a meaningless pre-season friendly. Asbolutely right not to celebrate like we have won a trophy.

[Marc Overmars]

I don't get it... what's wrong with celebrating? Most of them were young players who will probably never win anything in their careers anyway :shrug:

There's nothing wrong with celebrating something if you think it's worth it. However, there also isn't anything wrong with a veteran who's won it all not giving this charade the time of day.

[Penguin]

I agree with you for the first team squad players. But for the youngsters like Bramall, Malen, Nelson and co I don't see why they can't have their two minutes of excitement.

[Niall_Quinn]

Excellent news!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4735254/Arsenal-reveal-kit-help-Esha-Gupta.html

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/07/27/10/42BB3CA400000578-4735254-image-m-48_1501148957700.jpg

We haven't had a new kit for days, so this is a welcome arrival.

Available in the club shop now. Suggest you offer £10, then £20, then £40 before refusing to pay the asking price. Don't forget to write to the papers complaining about kit doping.

(Bird in the shirt not provided and must be purchased separately).

[Globalgunner]

Excellent news!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4735254/Arsenal-reveal-kit-help-Esha-Gupta.html

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/07/27/10/42BB3CA400000578-4735254-image-m-48_1501148957700.jpg

We haven't had a new kit for days, so this is a welcome arrival.

Available in the club shop now. Suggest you offer £10, then £20, then £40 before refusing to pay the asking price. Don't forget to write to the papers complaining about kit doping.

(Bird in the shirt not provided and must be purchased separately).

Can I have the bird without the kit...or any kit at all?

[Marc Overmars]

That kit is shite.

The woman however I would like to have sex with.

[Globalgunner]

That kit is shite.

The woman however I would like to have sex with.

MOe...You only got married last week. !!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I certainly wouldn't turn her down

She's not stunning but she's quite attractive

[Niall_Quinn]

That kit is shite.

The woman however I would like to have sex with.

There's a queue apparently, with Hector at the front.

[Letters]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4742412/Arsenal-welcome-400-Grenfell-Tower-firefighters-guests.html

Haven't they suffered enough? :(

[Niall_Quinn]

Arsene Wenger has made the baffling claim that allowing players to enter the final year of their contracts is an 'ideal situation'.
Arsenal could lose more than £100million in transfer fees with seven first-team players in the final 12 months of their contracts.
Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Mathieu Debuchy and Santi Cazorla can all leave for nothing next summer as it stands.
'It is not an issue, I think it's an ideal situation,' said Wenger. 'Why? Because everyone has to perform. You perform until the last day of your contract.
'Do you think they sit in the dressing room and think, 'I have one year to go, I will not play well today'? Where does that come from? 'Even if they run down their contracts, it doesn't matter. It looks normal to me.'

Living in the stone age and trying to pretend modern day football isn't happening. He's never been able to get his head a around the money. Does he really think the agents and players are sitting there in the final year of the contract ignoring what comes the year after so they can focus on making Wenger happy? Professionalism these days doesn't mean absolute dedication to the cause, it means extracting the most cash you possibly can. Pretty horrible but also pretty easy to spot given the obscene transfer circus.Wenger wanting it to be different isn't going to make it different. Every time he speaks he proves he's out of touch.

[Thierrymon]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-owner-stan-kroenke-hunting-tv-channel-my-outdoor-motv-endangered-animals-trophy-a7868361.html

The owner of our club is a grade A cunt.

[Power n Glory]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-owner-stan-kroenke-hunting-tv-channel-my-outdoor-motv-endangered-animals-trophy-a7868361.html

The owner of our club is a grade A cunt.

Who the heck commissioned that? That's a disgrace.

[GP]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-owner-stan-kroenke-hunting-tv-channel-my-outdoor-motv-endangered-animals-trophy-a7868361.html

The owner of our club is a grade A cunt.

Typical libtard snowflake.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-owner-stan-kroenke-hunting-tv-channel-my-outdoor-motv-endangered-animals-trophy-a7868361.html

The owner of our club is a grade A cunt.

Do you really feel it's your place to comment on your betters?

[Niall_Quinn]

Who the heck commissioned that? That's a disgrace.

Wenger: I did not see it!

[Letters]

Wenger: I did not see it!

It's funny because he often says he doesn't see things.

[Xhaka Can’t]

If Wenger's latest contract saga has taught us anything it is how wonderful it is for the stability of a football club to create maximum uncertainty and speculation.

[Power n Glory]

If Wenger's latest contract saga has taught us anything it is how wonderful it is for the stability of a football club to create maximum uncertainty and speculation.

:lol: True. He even admitted after signing that the uncertainty disrupted the squad so how can he say this is 'ideal'? I get not wanting to sell. In our position in makes no sense to sell because we'll get peanuts but we've lost out in a major way. We have some idiots running the club. They need a DOF in as soon as possible. If they were only concerned about profit and money, how can this escape their attention?

[Globalgunner]

Everybody at the club is running scared of the old git. I wonder why. He is a soul sapping vampire. The creature from the crypt. We are all doomed.
Last season he was boasting that this is the best squad he ever had....they came 5th!!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis back in training, but he's started to wear a bra in protest at being forced to stay.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/01/15/42DF8F0A00000578-0-image-m-5_1501596366106.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/01/18/42E07FB600000578-4750916-image-a-1_1501610030647.jpg

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I'm a bit confused

I know we basically don't like fox hunting in this country unless we are inbred but is hunting generally illegal now?

I don't think it is, people still hunt deer in Scotland etc

No one is asking anyone to like blood sports I don't particularly like it, but not really getting the outrage.

I think Kroenke is a cunt, but this doesn't make me think of him as an even bigger one.

[GP]

Hunting isn't illegal, nothing on this TV channel is illegal.

It seems to be a moral issue for some. It's a bit strange that he's been targeted for this, considering the things the Chelsea/PSG/Man City owners get up to.

[Letters]

http://newsthump.com/2017/08/03/stan-kroenke-launches-sickening-tv-channel-for-people-to-watch-the-brutal-death-of-arsenal-fans-dreams/

:lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm a bit confused

I know we basically don't like fox hunting in this country unless we are inbred but is hunting generally illegal now?

I don't think it is, people still hunt deer in Scotland etc

No one is asking anyone to like blood sports I don't particularly like it, but not really getting the outrage.

I think Kroenke is a cunt, but this doesn't make me think of him as an even bigger one.

You're overthinking this. There's a social bandwagon on the roll, it wants to run over Kroenke. Who gives a fuck what the issue is? Let's just jump on and run the bastard down.

That said, I suspect Kroenke is as affected by all of this as he is by the Kroenke Out banners.

[Letters]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40951175

What do you reckon? "Wenger"?

[GP]

Nah, it's Donald.

No one would want to be associated with that notorious, proven child molester.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40951175

What do you reckon? "Wenger"?

Interesting article which highlights another small piece of the child ownership and custody arrangement in this country.

[Letters]

Parents don't actually "own" their children in this country. Do you think they should?

[Niall_Quinn]

Parents don't actually "own" their children in this country. Do you think they should?

No. But I don't think the state should own them either. And I already know you'll say that's not the case, despite the article you just posted and the GOSH example along with countless other examples. So let's agree to disagree in advance.

[Letters]

Fair enough. By default, while the parents don't own the child they do have first dibs on making decisions for the child.
The state only steps in if it is felt that the parents are doing something which harms the child. You have to have some system to deal with that scenario even if those scenarios are often complicated, with grey areas.
In any case, in this case it was parent vs parent, the state only stepped in to decide which parent was right. Again, how else do you resolve such disputes? Rock, paper, scissors?

[fakeyank]

Again, how else do you resolve such disputes?

By determining what time Wenger will be making his substitutions in a game..

[Niall_Quinn]

By determining what time Wenger will be making his substitutions in a game..

But nobody could know that. His genius is too unpredictable.

[Niall_Quinn]

Fair enough. By default, while the parents don't own the child they do have first dibs on making decisions for the child.
The state only steps in if it is felt that the parents are doing something which harms the child. You have to have some system to deal with that scenario even if those scenarios are often complicated, with grey areas.
In any case, in this case it was parent vs parent, the state only stepped in to decide which parent was right. Again, how else do you resolve such disputes? Rock, paper, scissors?

You are confusing criminal behaviour with issues of unlawful and unnatural authoritarianism. The state never has the right to interfere with the family in any way, ever. The fact they assign this right to themselves is an UNLAWFUL and UNNATURAL act and therefore invalid. Which is why the state needs to be abolished. It is a cancer at the heart of society and is, by its nature, irredeemable. And even in the case of criminal behaviour, it is up to the CITIZENRY to decide what that is - not the state. Like the abominable corporation, the state has appointed a legal and unlawful status to itself that is entirely unwarranted. The unbelievable arrogance and temerity to intervene in a non-violent, lawful family dispute, it beggars belief. It can scarcely be comprehended but, due to the passage of time over which the state has abused the law in such a consistent manner, the most abnormal outcome imaginable is seen as normal. Society, in the main, has become mentally ill.

[Niall_Quinn]

Africa's richest man has expressed his desire to buy Arsenal and declared his first order of business would be to sack Arsene Wenger.

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is a Gunners fan has never hidden his wish to purchase the club even though current owner Stan Kroenke has no plans to sell.

Dangote spoke hypothetically about what he would do if he was to take over at the Emirates.

'The first thing I would change is the coach. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.'

And the 60-year-old pledged to make his move for the club following the construction of an £8.5billion oil refinery in Lagos.

Dangote, who is worth £10bn, believes he could tempt both men to leave the club in his hands if a suitable deal was on the table.

'If they get the right offer, I'm sure they would walk away. Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away.
'And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.'

Fortunately for Wenger, Kroenke is adamant he will not sell up, with the American backing his long-term manager to bring success back to the club this season.


Comical. What kind of an idiot is Kroenke as he sits there watching Wenger get nowhere near to putting the club back at the top of the pile? What is the great secret plan the two have cooked up between them to bering about this great transformation? A few more underbids in the transfer window? A few more statements about how ideal it is to have our stars position to walk away? Another extended moan about our rivals spending money?

[rodders]

The sad truth is that Arsenal are lo longer amongst the top clubs and under the present regime have little chance of getting back there.

[Niall_Quinn]

The sad truth is that Arsenal are lo longer amongst the top clubs and under the present regime have little chance of getting back there.

This is one of the strongest squads Wenger has ever worked with. The spirit and togetherness are excellent, top, top, top quality. As well, he has players coming back, like new signings. Things are ideal in terms of player contracts . The team has shown against Leicester they will fight until the last day. As well, if Wenger can do something to bring top quality into the team he will do it. But he does not spend for the sake of it. The quality must be available. For example, if we keep Alexis and lose the transfer fee then if he does not sign we have not spent big money on his wages. We must take this into account. Sometimes it is successful not to spend. The fans say we must win all the time, but they do not always consider the culture of the club and the financial stability. Of course Wenger wants to spend, but is there quality and the culture and the stability of that quality and the quality of the wages?

[rodders]

This is one of the strongest squads Wenger has ever worked with. The spirit and togetherness are excellent, top, top, top quality. As well, he has players coming back, like new signings. Things are ideal in terms of player contracts . The team has shown against Leicester they will fight until the last day. As well, if Wenger can do something to bring top quality into the team he will do it. But he does not spend for the sake of it. The quality must be available. For example, if we keep Alexis and lose the transfer fee then if he does not sign we have not spent big money on his wages. We must take this into account. Sometimes it is successful not to spend. The fans say we must win all the time, but they do not always consider the culture of the club and the financial stability. Of course Wenger wants to spend, but is there quality and the culture and the stability of that quality and the quality of the wages?

That is of course if most of the squad actually wished to play for Arsenal. Unfortunately some like others before them have come to realise that Arsenal under the current regime are simply not at the races. Wenger took the club to the heights and is now dragging us to the bottom.

[Niall_Quinn]

That is of course if most of the squad actually wished to play for Arsenal. Unfortunately some like others before them have come to realise that Arsenal under the current regime are simply not at the races. Wenger took the club to the heights and is now dragging us to the bottom.

Look, we achieved 74 points with these players but also you must respect the game. It is easy to spend, not so easy to be respectful. Our rivals have spent and we have spent, sometimes we can do what we can do and they can do what they can do but we must respect the 74 points which is 4th place every season usually. Last season perhaps Wenger's contract was a distraction and some other teams made more than 74 points. This is football. We must accept it but we must not forget the respect we have shown. Also, Leicester were champions and this is interesting because it shows that money is not important. More important is togetherness and spirit. This squad has more spirit than many that respectfully made more than 74 points with more money than Leicester spent.

[Niall_Quinn]

This actually makes a national "news" paper? Amazing really.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/curse-aaron-ramsey-theory-emerges-11013412

[Letters]

https://econsultancy.com/blog/69380-arsenal-vs-spurs-which-premier-league-club-offers-the-best-mobile-ux/?cmpid=ECON-DAILYPULSE-UK-010917-074507&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=ECON-DAILYPULSE-UK-010917-074507

Money :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP0sC_s5EfE

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk

A new nickname.

[Letters]

It hit me the other day that in 2 years time it will be 30 years since Anfield '89.

30!

I'm so old...
:ilt:

[GP]

Yes, yes you are.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Old bas tard.

[Ralpheroo72]

Jonker sacked at Wolfsburg

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Bad move all round for Jonker then seeing as Per's got his old job. Hope Freddie returns as club ambassador though.

Also Piers Morgan, Bellerin and Corbyn all met at the GQ awards. Hilarious story from it:


My table housed heavyweight boxer David Haye, EastEnders star Larry Lamb and Arsenal’s Spanish right back, Hector Bellerin.
The latter eyed me with trepidation.
‘Piers, I know you’re not happy about Arsenal,’ he stammered.
‘No, Hector, I am most definitely NOT happy about Arsenal.’
‘Things will improve,’ he promised.
‘They couldn’t get much worse,’ I growled. ‘I’m very happy to come and address the players myself if necessary.’
He laughed nervously. ‘No, no, I’ll pass it on.’
Later, fellow Arsenal fan Jeremy Corbyn came over to speak to him. When I tried to interrupt, the Labour leader – whose wife is Mexican – promptly switched to fluent Spanish to shut me out of the conversation.
‘What did you tell him?’ I asked.
Corbyn smirked. ‘I told him to please send Arsène Wenger my very best and assure him he continues to have my full support, even if he’s lost yours, Piers. In fact, particularly because he’s lost yours…’
‘He’s lost mine because we keep losing,’ I retorted. ‘You and Wenger are the only losers in football and politics to keep their job... no wonder you love him.’
Corbyn got a huge cheer when he presented an award. His extraordinary popularity shows no sign of abating.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-4887320/Piers-Morgan-bumps-Jeremy-Clarkson-GQ-Awards.html#ixzz4t4OTmCAy
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[Marc Overmars]

Morgan is a cunt but I do enjoy his brass neck.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

tbh he's right to point out the similarities between Corbyn & Wenger. Both socialists, both incompetent at their jobs, both have large sections of their supporters who want them gone .... heck they're both even the same age.


There was even an article on it.

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/arsene-wenger-jeremy-corbyn-arsenal-labour-middlesbrough-match-report

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I was going to post this in the Spuds thread, until I saw it mentions Iwobi too.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11047597/dele-alli-disappointed-with-fifa-18-rating

:haha:

The penny drops for Iwobi!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

tbh he's right to point out the similarities between Corbyn & Wenger. Both socialists, both incompetent at their jobs, both have large sections of their supporters who want them gone .... heck they're both even the same age.


There was even an article on it.

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/arsene-wenger-jeremy-corbyn-arsenal-labour-middlesbrough-match-report

In fairness Wenger hasn't always been useless he's just made himself obsolete

Corbyn was the happy accident for the left. Because ostensibly he's the "nice guy" he was able to be in the right place at the right time. He's done incredibly well really for someone with absolutely no talent to not only last in that job for two years but for his proxies to actually change the party into a smelly commune. It's about as related to Labour as New Labour was but from the opposite side of the fence....haven't quite mastered the spin but they are getting there.

I also wouldn't call someone who quite happily takes home 10million a year a socialist just because they've tried to implement a socialist wage structure. I do understand that most if not all socialists are outrageous affluent hypocrites but I think he's more of a moderate small c conservative.

[Niall_Quinn]

I was going to post this in the Spuds thread, until I saw it mentions Iwobi too.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11047597/dele-alli-disappointed-with-fifa-18-rating

:haha:

The penny drops for Iwobi!

Jeez, how precious can poor old Deli get? Next he'll be writing nasty letters to Match Attax.

As for Alex Iwobi, no sympathy. He sees Theo in training every day and if he can't be bothered to heed a warning of that magnitude, whose fault is it?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal have posted photos on Facebook of the team photoshoot in suits.

http://i63.tinypic.com/n5lbv6.jpg

Ozil and Sanchez aren't there.

We just can't help but create added stories for ourselves. :doh:

[GP]

Nice whistle.

[LDG]

Debuchy :lol:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4592387/emmanuel-eboues-agent-serious-medical-problems-england/

Eboue unfortunately seems to have picked up some sort of serious medical problem related to his blood. Read some other news reports that suggest it might be HIV ..... hopefully not.

Either way get well soon Emmanuel. :(

[Thierrymon]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4592387/emmanuel-eboues-agent-serious-medical-problems-england/

Eboue unfortunately seems to have picked up some sort of serious medical problem related to his blood. Read some other news reports that suggest it might be HIV ..... hopefully not.

Either way get well soon Emmanuel. :(

Eboue will always be a cult hero at Arsenal. Hopefully it isnt too serious. HIV thankfully isnt the nail in the coffin it used to be.

[hobson's choice]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4592387/emmanuel-eboues-agent-serious-medical-problems-england/

Eboue unfortunately seems to have picked up some sort of serious medical problem related to his blood. Read some other news reports that suggest it might be HIV ..... hopefully not.

Either way get well soon Emmanuel. :(

I really hope he's ok.

Good Brother

Been through a lot these past couple of years

[Globalgunner]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/03/stan-kroenke-makes-525-offer-usmanov-arsenal-shares.

The devil wants total control.

No way please. Kroenke is poison to everything he touches, plus he shaves his buffaloes for hair to cover his bald patch. Awful man

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/03/stan-kroenke-makes-525-offer-usmanov-arsenal-shares.

The devil wants total control.

No way please. Kroenke is poison to everything he touches, plus he shaves his buffaloes for hair to cover his bald patch. Awful man

Oh, so the rotten fucking cunt does have money then? Shame the fucking cunt rat cunt bastard won't spend any on the team.

[Globalgunner]

Oh, so the rotten fucking cunt does have money then? Shame the fucking cunt rat cunt bastard won't spend any on the team.

Probably borrowed it off his wife.
"I`ll pay you back next year dearie. Soon as i get rid of the Russkie. I`ll secure another loan from the bank and pay you. But you know I still have some outstandings on the ranch."

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Oh ffs!

I can't believe it's come down to us hoping that a vile creature like Usmanov does us a favour and holds out.

Based on the price Kroenke's offering, it would value the club at a staggering £1.726 billion or $2.3 billion (by current rates), placing us as the fifth most valuable football team on the planet (behind Utd, RM, Barca and Bayern).

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh ffs!

I can't believe it's come down to us hoping that a vile creature like Usmanov does us a favour and holds out.

Based on the price Kroenke's offering, it would value the club at a staggering £1.726 billion or $2.3 billion (by current rates), placing us as the fifth most valuable football team on the planet (behind Utd, RM, Barca and Bayern).

It's hard to know where the focus of this club is. I just can't figure it out. Sometimes it seems to be all about feathering the nests of a few rich bastards. Other times...

There's aren't any other times.

[Marc Overmars]

Usmanov might as well sell up. It’s pretty clear he’s never going to be anything more than someone looking in over the fence. Kroenke is a cancer and it doesn’t really matter how much he owns, Arsenal being competitive on the pitch will never be considered a priority to him as long as we are competitive off it.

[GP]

Bill Gates needs to hurry up and buy him out.

[Özim]

Usmanov might as well sell up. It’s pretty clear he’s never going to be anything more than someone looking in over the fence. Kroenke is a cancer and it doesn’t really matter how much he owns, Arsenal being competitive on the pitch will never be considered a priority to him as long as we are competitive off it.

That would be a disaster for us, he no longer needs to make much of the information public as we can become a private company and he could make us a US company in which case he could use the club as leverage.

If that happens we're stuck with him for the long run, this guy is the worst thing to have ever happened to Arsenal, he's got zero interest in the sporting side but is intent on keeping hold of the club.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/03/22/0504006C000003E8-4946256-image-a-10_1507067747883.jpg

Don't read anything into this picture I didn't intend.

[GP]

Thanks a lot David Dein :doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

Who will rid me of this troublesome Yank?

[Globalgunner]

Who will rid me of this troublesome Yank?

What has Trump done again

[Özim]

Hill-Wood and his cronies sold all their shares to this guy because he was a good option, got them to thank for this. Always said I preferred Usmanov as at least he seemed to have an interest in football.

If Kroenke gets the shares it's the final nail in the coffin of this club/business, the combination of Wenger/Kroenke has been a disaster for this club.

[Marc Overmars]

Usmanov has said he has no intention of selling to Kroenke.

[Özim]

Usmanov has said he has no intention of selling to Kroenke.

Yes great news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41503695

[GP]

Usmanov has said he has no intention of selling to Kroenke.

Jabba the Cunt needs to fuck off.

[GP]

What has Trump done again

Raped all his children.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/03/22/0504006C000003E8-4946256-image-a-10_1507067747883.jpg

Don't read anything into this picture I didn't intend.

Usmanov's terrible. Apart from Usmanov & Putin I don't think anyone would disagree.

But fuck it, if you can't beat them join them. That's honestly the view I have right now ..... could be a complete PR stunt I know but at least Usmanov seems to harbor some ambition for the club as opposed to the depressing mid table mediocrity Stan's got planned for us.


- Citeh and their filthy oil money
- Abramovich's just as crooked as Usmanov with his wealth from exploiting state assets
- PSG state funded by Qatar, a country that essentially allows indebted servitude
- Man Utd whore themselves out for any penny any dodgy corporate sponsor

Everyone's at it and succeeding with it.


Usmanov has said he has no intention of selling to Kroenke.

Just read his statement .... generally positive though I wouldn't say that. The last line leave the door slightly open tbh.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLTXpqWWkAEIwJg.jpg

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Usmanov has said he has no intention of selling to Kroenke.

I was sat there thinking well this is something of a come around!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

On a lighter note, Cesc finally confirms that he was responsible for Pizzagate. :lol::lol:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-4947680/Cesc-Fabregas-confirms-culprit-Battle-Buffet.html

[Niall_Quinn]

On a lighter note, Cesc finally confirms that he was responsible for Pizzagate. :lol::lol:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-4947680/Cesc-Fabregas-confirms-culprit-Battle-Buffet.html

He can have one slice of his legend status back, but no more.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wasting a good pizza on Ferguson, should've been sacked on the spot.

[GP]

I like pizza

[Marc Overmars]

I once met someone who didn't like pizza.

I mean, WTF?

[fakeyank]

I once met someone who didn't like pizza.

I mean, WTF?

I dont hate pizza, but I dont love it either. I absolutely despise the pizza sauce they put on pizzas though. Absolute garbage.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I once met someone who didn't like pizza.

I mean, WTF?

Who? Idiots.

[GP]

Question:

Pineapple?

[Niall_Quinn]

Question:

Pineapple?

Yes. Obviously not with Texan barbecue, but obligatory with ham. Unless it's ham and mushrooms in which case pineapple is right out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Question:

Pineapple?

All the time.

[Marc Overmars]

Not for me but I’m not disgusted by it as others seem to be. I just don’t see it as an essential topping.

[GP]

I'd never order pineapple but if someone gave me a hawaiian pizza I'd eat it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Stuffed crust?

[Marc Overmars]

Nah. I feel like it’s something that sounds good on paper but doesn’t always deliver.

I had a hot dog stuffed crust in America and it was some nasty shit.

[Niall_Quinn]

Nah. I feel like it’s something that sounds good on paper but doesn’t always deliver.

I had a hot dog stuffed crust in America and it was some nasty shit.

Was thinking more along the lines of cheese. But I think you are right, it sounds better than it is.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger out, btw.

[Niall_Quinn]

He doesn't even look good on paper and as for delivery, don't get me started. We're stuffed for sure now he's cadged another 2 years.

[Marc Overmars]

Wenger out, btw.

I bet he doesn’t like pizza. Cunt.

[Gooner23]

He's probably a vegetarian as well

[GP]

He's probably one of those idiots who likes Pizza Express.

Idiot.

[Marc Overmars]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/04/ryan-mason-hails-gentleman-petr-cech-helping-recovery-fractured/amp/

A nice story about Ryan Mason and Cech.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I bet he doesn’t like pizza. Cunt.

We tried to buy a pizza once.

[GP]

The whole team's a pizza...


A pizza shit!

[Niall_Quinn]

Granit Xhaka has spoken of his pride in helping raise awareness for breast cancer by wearing specially made pink boots.

The Arsenal midfielder posted a picture of his new kicks on Instagram and wrote a heartfelt message about what the gesture means to him.

His caption read: 'Breast cancer is a horrible disease that affects entire families. Not just women - but children, husbands, mothers and fathers back home.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/05/16/4510875300000578-0-image-a-5_1507218321185.jpg

Magnificent virtue signalling. Now if he can hit the mark with a few more of his passes, if he has enough time to focus on football.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tom Watson has written to Scudamore asking the Premier League not to move our game against Liverpool to the 24th December. Should be writing to Sky surely?

Also it might be the case for the West Ham - Newcastle game too which would be even worse for the Barcode fans.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41533575

[GP]

http://sportwitness.co.uk/marc-overmars-reaches-agreement-join-arsenal-saying-goodbye-role-ajax/

Probably not true.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Seems heavily unlikely, well at least as long as Wenger remains in charge.

Based on his tetchy comments at the end of last season when there were stories in the press that Gazidis was looking to bring in a DoF to manage the transition from Wenger (with MO's name being mentioned as a candidate then), we know that he's not going to tolerate one whilst he still works at the club. And we all know by now, where the power lies in the club.

[Marc Overmars]

I can neither confirm nor deny these rumours.

[Niall_Quinn]

It wouldn't surprise me if Wenger is looking to bring in somebody he feels he can control. I don't know much about Overmars beyond his playing time at the club. Would he be a guy who is willing to tell Wenger to do one when they don't agree? The only useful role for a DOF at this place would be to disagree with the old goat, surely?

I hope this isn't true. I have nothing against Overmars, but I'd prefer to see a hard bastard who has had no exposure to Wenger get the job. Somebody who can walk in without any prior association or baggage. Doubt they'd last long but maybe they could fight for one or two concessions.

[Niall_Quinn]

I can neither confirm nor deny these rumours.

If you end up getting the job then I'm available for the role of of Assistant to the Director of Football. I could keep the old goat distracted while you get on with stuff.

[Globalgunner]

If you end up getting the job then I'm available for the role of of Assistant to the Director of Football. I could keep the old goat distracted while you get on with stuff.

Rumour has it Arsene likes his boys a bit younger than you NQ. Are you up for some plastic surgery?

[Niall_Quinn]

Rumour has it Arsene likes his boys a bit younger than you NQ. Are you up for some plastic surgery?

I'm up for anything me.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif is shortlisted for the Puskas award. :bow:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Chambers signs a two year extension with us.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/calum-chambers-signs-twoyear-contract-extension-at-arsenal-a3656481.html

Good news tbh. Needs to be given some chances.

Hopefully Welbeck & Ramsey to come.

[Marc Overmars]

The new contract is probably to hold his value as a young English talent. Can't really see him featuring much outside low key cup games.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keeps the homegrown quota up.

[Özim]

We let our best players run down their contracts then decided is was time to get some players signed up and proceeded to get the dross that will never make it signed up. Clever.

[Niall_Quinn]

We let our best players run down their contracts then decided is was time to get some players signed up and proceeded to get the dross that will never make it signed up. Clever.

Cheaper. No ambition required, just plod along as usual.

On a brighter note, Stan's share value seems to be doing rather well.

[Özim]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41596391


Wenger :haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

The new contract is probably to hold his value as a young English talent. Can't really see him featuring much outside low key cup games.

BFG is retiring at the end of the year and Kos is starting to break apart (achilles injury) so there are going to be plenty of opportunities for him and Holding, especially if we stick with three at the back.

I actually think he's decent and talented enough to possibly make it. The problem that he and our CB's have is that the way we play will always make our CB's look a lot worse than they actually are - no protection or defined instructions on what to do. You could throw in prime Cannavaro into a lineup and he'd struggle ... and if reports are to be believed, one of the reasons Mustafi wanted out in the summer was because of this.

It's a testament to how GOAT Kos is that he's one of the few that's managed to protect his reputation whilst being a CB for us.



Cheaper. No ambition required, just plod along as usual.

On a brighter note, Stan's share value seems to be doing rather well.

It's a indictment of our incompetence but not our financial thriftiness - I mean we're standing to lose about £100 million of talent at least for free at the end of next summer.

The financially sensible think would have been to sell both of them the previous summer when they refused to commit.



At any rate, I don't see how this is a bad move by the club. As a young talented English CB, Chambers will retain value and it's useful to prevent us losing him on a free or having to sell him at a cut-rate price down the line.

Same thing applies to Welbeck and Ramsey. In isolation securing players like that at the club is a sensible thing to do.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's money we never had, potential earnings, not actual earnings. Whereas the 600k per week wage demands of the pair, multiplied up by 52 weeks and 4 years a piece, that's your hundred million as well, and then some. Money we WOULD have had to spend. I absolutely guarantee this is how the money counters at our place look at it. They will never, ever look at that 100 mill as an investment.

And they will skimp, skimp, skimp again on getting ONE replacement in, not two. They may not even bother with that and try to palm off Jack and ANOther as replacements. I think the Wilshere thing is already in motion.

[Letters]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-1989-title-hollywood-movie-9654388

:popcorn:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/article.php?section=exclusive&id=3738#.WeXSDrbTWEc

[Letters]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/article.php?section=exclusive&id=3738#.WeXSDrbTWEc

:(

So depressing and accurate.

[Niall_Quinn]

The people that pay in £1200+ a season to enjoy the current offering and lap up the £7 hot dogs and £100 third kits on offer really do deserve Stan Kroenke/Arsene Wenger for the next two decades or more. You deserve to get your arses spanked in a few weeks’ time when Spurs roll into town. I hope you all enjoy the net bulging that you get to witness from another Harry Kane effort on that day as it is simply your own mentality and feeble mindedness that has allowed that outcome to have played out so easily.

Agreed. Wholeheartedly. If they want to waste their money that's up to them. But when they turn around and call fans who are pissed off with this farce disloyal, fuck them. Johnny-come-latelies telling decades long fans how it ought to be? Fuck them. Over the past few months I have started to hate half the fans as much as I hate Kroenke and Wenger. I suppose the latter two would approve of that, divide and rule. But it's hard to stomach complacency, whether it's from the owner, the manager, the players or the fans. And Arsenal is one giant shit canyon of complacency.

[Marc Overmars]

I do miss going to games, can’t beat the thrill of watching your team play live but there’s no chance in hell I’m putting anymore money into this club for the foreseeable future.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It used to be fun going to watch games as well

Remember the three times I watched us play Liverpool and smash them. 3-1 in the league two and a half weeks before they won the champions league (last game I ever went to see at Highbury). 3-1 at Anfield in 2007 when Henry skinned Jamie Carragher.

4-1 in 2015 the last time we beat Liverpool full stop.

[Bumble]

It used to be fun going to watch games as well

Remember the three times I watched us play Liverpool and smash them. 3-1 in the league two and a half weeks before they won the champions league (last game I ever went to see at Highbury). 3-1 at Anfield in 2007 when Henry skinned Jamie Carragher.

4-1 in 2015 the last time we beat Liverpool full stop.
I remember going back in the 90s where we beat Liverpool 4-0 and I think Limpar scored from the half way line.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I do miss going to games, can’t beat the thrill of watching your team play live but there’s no chance in hell I’m putting anymore money into this club for the foreseeable future.

Same here.

I recall you held on to you Silver membership. I did as well.

I did this despite not going to one match last season with no intention of attending this season either.

I’m fairly sure the DD is getting cancelled soon. What are your plans?

[Niall_Quinn]

The whole weekend used to centre on the game. The weekends were what made the week bearable. Now I'd rather work than watch this rotten shower.

[Marc Overmars]

Same here.

I recall you held on to you Silver membership. I did as well.

I did this despite not going to one match last season with no intention of attending this season either.

I’m fairly sure the DD is getting cancelled soon. What are your plans?

I’m keeping the Silver because like others who’ve checked out for the time being I know I’ll be going again at some point in the future. I also like to help some friends out who might want to see a game by lending them my card too. I’ve heard it’s potentially a 10 year wait to upgrade from Red so I’m not prepared to throw that away.

It’s frustrating because I’m now in a position in my life to be able to go quite regularly which 10 years ago I thought I’d be doing by now. I never anticipated how low the standards at this club would fall to and worse still, see those standards accepted.

[Niall_Quinn]

Says it all though. Shittiest the team has ever been under Wenger, no hope whatsoever of even competing, let alone major honours, boring football, all the money stashed in the bank, and there's a 10 year waiting list to give the club more money?

[Niall_Quinn]

Marc Overmars is set to return to Arsenal in a potential director of football role from next season.

The former Gunners winger, who made 141 appearances and scored 40 goals for them between 1997 and 2000, has served as Ajax's director of football since the summer of 2012 but is poised to return to London.

Overmars, 44, could fulfil many of the duties performed by Dick Law, the club's transfer fixer.

Manager Arsene Wenger has always been reluctant to work in conjunction with a director of football given that he is reluctant to delegate.

Earlier this year, Wenger said: 'I never understand what it means, director of football. I'm manager of Arsenal and as long as I am manager, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That's it.'

It therefore remains to be seen how much influence Overmars will have though he brings plenty of experience in such technical matters from five years in the role at Ajax.

The behind-the-scenes shake-up comes after a difficult summer transfer window in which Arsenal failed in their pursuit of Monaco pair Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar, despite offering £92million for the latter.

They also failed to bring in PSG's Julian Draxler on deadline day to facilitate the £60m sale of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City.

The Decider. The stupid cock decided to fuck up the Mbappe deal, the Lemar deal, the Draxler deal and the Alexis deal. That's some going.

Good luck Marc. You're going to need it.

[Marc Overmars]

Says it all though. Shittiest the team has ever been under Wenger, no hope whatsoever of even competing, let alone major honours, boring football, all the money stashed in the bank, and there's a 10 year waiting list to give the club more money?

For many, a silver membership is better than actually having a season ticket.

[GP]

There are many things better than a season ticket.

Cholera, for example.

[Letters]

"There is only one thing worse than being a Silver Member and that is being a Gold Member"
- Oscar Wilde

[Bumble]

I have a silver membership and I like having it... although I didn't go last year. went once the year before and that's about it in the last 5 years. but I don't want to get rid of it as if I suddenly want to go again and get the "better" value seats then you need silver membership and red will just suck. Plus I can lend my memberships to friends who find it hard to sleep at the moment.

[fakeyank]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/article.php?section=exclusive&id=3738#.WeXSDrbTWEc

Spot on. If our fans are going to sit and do nothing, we deserve Stanger.

[Özim]

Says it all though. Shittiest the team has ever been under Wenger, no hope whatsoever of even competing, let alone major honours, boring football, all the money stashed in the bank, and there's a 10 year waiting list to give the club more money?

The guy is a magician, not in terms of management or anything related to football, but in terms of managing to keep his job whilst getting a pay rise every contract, all whilst producing rubbish team that are boring to watch and never perform and keeping most fans happy enough that they won't really kick up much of a fuss, willing to take criticism without any retort, it's genius, the cult of Arsenal.