Probably pretty good. Guessing we won't see Coq and a refreshing dose of some double barreled nubiles.
So a couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to start following Premiere league more so I chose Arsenal as my team because growing up that was the name of our town's summer league team through high school. Looks like I'm jumping in at just the right time. Been reading this thread and some other sites to catch up and the current situation sadly reminds me as a PSU alum of Paterno's last 3-4 years (minus the Sandusky shit show obviously). Old coach, past his prime, but has done so much for the team that he basically is calling the shots and can't figure out that he needs to go. I even heard the announcer today say that Wenger WAS Arsenal, a statement I often heard about Paterno and Penn State. He was getting enough recruits on name and reputation to not completely tank a season, but the better teams, like Bayern, completely outclassed us. All I can tell you is that I promise this sad stalemate will end better than Penn State's because I'm certain Wenger doesn't have a long term assistant that turns out to be a child molester. That is not something you want to happen, believe me. So here's hoping that something changes sooner rather than later and just know that it could always end up worse than you would have imagined.
He really needs to announce it soon or it's just gonna be ugly from here on out. We spent 100 mil last summer and this performance was as out of sorts and pathetic as any we've seen. Him waiting is just gonna piss everyone off and also give no clarity towards the Ozil and Sanchez situations. Can't imagine any clubs bigger than us will be willing to pay a big sum + salary for Ozil right now though.
i do wish wenger could have won a major trophy with this squad. in a world where managers are basically mercenaries, it's nice having a manager who cares deeply about the club and people/players in it.
He's made a fuck ton of money and will have a fantastic legacy when he leaves, just get out and let the club take the next step whatever that will be.
I can see him stepping to Director of Football & replacing him as manager. I don't think he leaves the club entirely. I don't feel good about this
When you really think about it, Wenger has all the balls here. He could leave and literally drag every player or person of influence with him. He's created or managed them and they all love him. We could be Southampton by the middle of July. That said, no way they will make him walk. I think this makes it more likely that he returns.
Wenger definitely holds all the power, but I think you're being a bit dramatic. Wenger can take everyone he wants with him he won't be taking the finances of like the 7th richest club in the world. he can't turn Arsenal into Southampton.
that quote makes me think he stays assuming we end the year in the top 4 and finish above spurs as per tradition imo
Drew a parallel in that we could be relegated to a young talented squad without the funds or manager to influence the Ozil and Sanchez type players. I don't think it's dramatic to think that Ozil leaves with Wenger then Sanchez wants nothing to do with Arsenal. Where does that leave things? We are not going to spend Manc money. We could also be dealing in a world where we have no scouting structure as well. Those are all Wenger's boys he controls the club and damn near every appointment. He could take them all with. And by no means do I think he is that cynical that he would want to rip everything apart, but he certainly could.
I just don't understand why you think we would be left without funds. Ozil and Alexis are still under contract for next season if they leave they have to be sold. not to mention the mountains of cash reserves the club has to begin with. I'm not saying him leaving doesn't leave a massive hole in the club, I've been saying all along it will take two great hires to replace him, but it's not as bad as you're describing. he can take everyone in the boardroom with him as far as I'm concerned there is nobody there that I value anyway. Wenger is the only person making decisions.
Probably wouldn't have gone over well if he'd been ambiguous or flat out said he's done either. Not gonna freak out over this. Right? RIGHT???
I'm not arguing money. I'm arguing incompetence and I happen to think it will be worse than you think. The problem is exactly as you describe in that everyone from the board room will remain and they will need to hire his two replacements in short order. I don't trust them to make a good decisions. Second, the scope beyond that can change very quickly depending on whom else Wenger takes with him. He could take scouting, development and even poach young talent if he would like as he is the primary reason 90% of them are there. Yeah we can certainly buy players with all that money but we live in a world where Mustafi and Xhaka cost over 30 mil. You can throw 500 million at players and still look like shit, see United. Last but not least we bash him repeatedly and with good reason. However he is a great coach when it comes to beating inferior opponents and that consistently kept the club in UCL. Not going to beat it to death, we all know what he is bad at. That said you just look at a situation like United, which frankly is our only real comparison. How involved Ferg was in his transition and departure from that club and they became completely unwound. I think that's kind of what we are looking at here. They happen to print money there and will continue to spend it eternally with their following because they have a committed ownership group with lots of competency in their upper management. We are owned by Stan. (You can literally skip the rest of my post and just read this) Sad times.
Glad this dropped this morning and not tonight while half of us were sauced. I would have ended up with carpel tunnel.
we all understand the reality that we face after Wenger. again, I've been saying all along they need at least two great hires to replace him or it will be bad. and I've also said repeatedly I have no faith in Kroenke. I was simply replying to your point about Wenger gutting the club and leaving us Southampton. frankly, it didn't make any sense. comparing us to United makes much more sense.
Friday night sober thoughts Wenger was planning to take the extension, still holding out hope for 1 more bit of glory Realizes he has no fan support right now so leaking that he's leaning towards leaving Don't count out the Wenger miracle of finishing 2nd or 3rd and a FA Cup final or win to somehow get enough support for 2 more years, fans have very short memories and a lot will always have nostalgia for him Will never root against Arsenal to lose but man, I've just had enough of having no defensive shape and his bullshit lineup selections.