THE WENGER THREAD

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
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OneBardGooner
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by OneBardGooner »

HUH! I bet you'll all feel Guilty when he gets carted off in one of them white sleeveless jackets to the Psycho ward...Huh! Yeah! and it'll be y'all that looks a 'Leetul Beet Silly' for making fun a of a fuckingg Nutter. :? :roll: :mrgreen:

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OneBardGooner
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by OneBardGooner »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42710579

Wenger and the 3 match touchline ban.



He knew he would be under more scrutiny by the WOB and knew the loss of the extra 2 points would add to the calls for him to leave...pikey, snidey *word censored* both of them.

Wilson
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by Wilson »

No tolerance for anyone who says you couldnt have foreseen this slide into mediocrity. The warning signs have been there for years and the red flags escalated in the last two - yet Wenger dithered and made no changes and resisted change. Anyone who advocates Wengers ongoing position at the club must be treated as a hostile to Arsenal FC.

General
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by General »

Transfer dealings show Arsène Wenger is losing power

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/spor ... -lq5c2jndt

For those without a subscription

Back in the relative calm of last May, Arsène Wenger joked about the idea of changes to the balance of power at Arsenal. A director of football? “I don’t know what it means,” he said.

“Is it someone who stands on the road and directs the players left and right? I’m manager of Arsenal. As long as I am manager, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it.”

Spool forward eight months and Wenger’s assertion about calling the shots sounds a little flimsy. There is so much movement in and out of Arsenal’s training ground right now — Theo Walcott, Alexis Sánchez and possibly Olivier Giroud on the way out and two of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Malcom and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to replace them — and while Wenger would still claim to be the man directing the traffic, the situation has changed.

It is not just the squad that is in a state of flux. This January revolution reflects a dramatic change behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger rejected a series of proposals last year over the appointment of a director of football — his former player Marc Overmars (Ajax) and Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund) were among those mooted — but essentially that role, the one that the manager felt would be a threat to his authority, has been created and split in two. Transfer strategy is being driven by the new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, formerly of Dortmund, and the start of next month will bring the arrival of Raul Sanllehi, the former Barcelona director of football who, in what looks a diplomatic nod to Wenger, will be called head of football relations.

No, there has not been the top-line overhaul that so many Arsenal supporters clamoured for last summer — Wenger is still manager and “Silent” Stan Kroenke is still owner — but the wind of change is blowing through a club that has stood still for far too long.

Darren Burgess, as director of high performance, is leading the sports science division that was previously part of Wenger’s vast domain. Ivan Gazidis, the chief executive who seemed to be a lone voice when declaring that last season’s disappointments must be “the catalyst for change” now has others singing from the same hymn-sheet. Wenger’s remains a highly significant voice but now it is joined, perhaps even drowned out, by others.

Mislintat’s influence is already greater than Wenger seemed to have in mind less than a fortnight ago, when he referred to the new head of recruitment as someone who “sometimes might know somebody we might ignore . . . in a little club in Germany”. The signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos, the Greece Under-21 defender from the obscurity of PAS Giannina, was entirely a Mislintat project. When reports emerged last week of a move to sign Aubameyang from Dortmund, Wenger said that it was “not a possibility”. Misinformation in managerial press conferences is nothing new but this seems genuinely to have been Wenger’s position at the time.

The manager is understood to have had reservations about Aubameyang, whose outstanding scoring record is set against a reputation for difficult behaviour, but Mislintat appears to have persuaded him and others that the Gabon forward, whom he helped to recruit for Dortmund from Saint-Étienne in 2013, is worth the risk. Likewise Mkhitaryan, who starred at Dortmund before his unhappy spell at Manchester United.

It is hardly a new situation. The director of football model is accepted at most clubs, even if there are vacancies at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, after the departures of Michael Emenalo and Paul Mitchell, and a vacuum at Manchester United, where there is now startlingly little sporting expertise beyond the coaching staff. Jürgen Klopp credits Liverpool’s transfer committee for the signing of Mohamed Salah. At Manchester City they pay extravagant transfer fees but they have had some outstanding successes in the transfer market over recent years, scouting in a depth and a breadth that Arsenal are only now beginning to consider.

Nobody can yet be certain whether Mislintat and Sanllehi are the right men to lead this overhaul of Arsenal’s recruitment practices or overall football strategy. Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang are top talents, but, but both will be 29 before the start of next season, reflecting Arsenal’s need for expediency — a legacy of the mismanagement that has allowed Sánchez and Mesut Özil to drift into the final months of their contracts, in a squad that looks mediocre in so many areas — rather than inspired talent identification. Younger, more imaginative solutions will be required as Arsenal prepare for a rebuilding exercise that is long overdue.

Arsenal have been undermined not just by an uninterested owner, a jaded manager and underperforming players, but by a lack of clear long-term strategy and expertise behind the scenes. It has led to a situation where Sánchez and Özil are in the final months of their contracts — the former set for United, it seems — and where two of their very few creditable performers this season, Shkodran Mustafi and Jack Wilshere, were among the many who would have been allowed to leave in the summer had suitable offers been received.

Emirates powerbrokers

Ivan Gazidis Chief executive. Arrived in 2009 but is determined to oversee the “change” that he promised supporters last year
Sven Mislintat Head of recruitment. Arrived in November from Borussia Dortmund. Already completed deal for Mavropanos and made bids for Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang
Raul Sanllehi Head of football relations. Former Barcelona director of football who will arrive next month with responsibility for leading negotiations with players and clubs
Huss Fahmy Transfer negotiator. Former Team Sky head of legal and commercial
Darren Burgess Director of high performance. Australian sports scientist who had a spell at Liverpool



Mistakes will be made, undoubtedly, in this clearing of the decks, but Wenger has no choice but to go along with it. The era of the all-powerful, autocratic manager is over and it seems strange that Wenger, a graduate of the French school, where the coach is entraineur rather than all-powerful boss, was resistant for so long to the help needed since David Dein departed as vice-chairman in 2007.

So many of Wenger’s other allies have moved on too. Whereas Sir Alex Ferguson managed beyond his 70th birthday by renewing his squad and staff constantly, never allowing the grass to grow under his feet, Wenger resisted change for too long. Now it is happening around him.

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DB10GOONER
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by DB10GOONER »

General wrote:
Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:42 am
Transfer dealings show Arsène Wenger is losing power

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/spor ... -lq5c2jndt

For those without a subscription

Back in the relative calm of last May, Arsène Wenger joked about the idea of changes to the balance of power at Arsenal. A director of football? “I don’t know what it means,” he said.

“Is it someone who stands on the road and directs the players left and right? I’m manager of Arsenal. As long as I am manager, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it.”

Spool forward eight months and Wenger’s assertion about calling the shots sounds a little flimsy. There is so much movement in and out of Arsenal’s training ground right now — Theo Walcott, Alexis Sánchez and possibly Olivier Giroud on the way out and two of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Malcom and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to replace them — and while Wenger would still claim to be the man directing the traffic, the situation has changed.

It is not just the squad that is in a state of flux. This January revolution reflects a dramatic change behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger rejected a series of proposals last year over the appointment of a director of football — his former player Marc Overmars (Ajax) and Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund) were among those mooted — but essentially that role, the one that the manager felt would be a threat to his authority, has been created and split in two. Transfer strategy is being driven by the new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, formerly of Dortmund, and the start of next month will bring the arrival of Raul Sanllehi, the former Barcelona director of football who, in what looks a diplomatic nod to Wenger, will be called head of football relations.

No, there has not been the top-line overhaul that so many Arsenal supporters clamoured for last summer — Wenger is still manager and “Silent” Stan Kroenke is still owner — but the wind of change is blowing through a club that has stood still for far too long.

Darren Burgess, as director of high performance, is leading the sports science division that was previously part of Wenger’s vast domain. Ivan Gazidis, the chief executive who seemed to be a lone voice when declaring that last season’s disappointments must be “the catalyst for change” now has others singing from the same hymn-sheet. Wenger’s remains a highly significant voice but now it is joined, perhaps even drowned out, by others.

Mislintat’s influence is already greater than Wenger seemed to have in mind less than a fortnight ago, when he referred to the new head of recruitment as someone who “sometimes might know somebody we might ignore . . . in a little club in Germany”. The signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos, the Greece Under-21 defender from the obscurity of PAS Giannina, was entirely a Mislintat project. When reports emerged last week of a move to sign Aubameyang from Dortmund, Wenger said that it was “not a possibility”. Misinformation in managerial press conferences is nothing new but this seems genuinely to have been Wenger’s position at the time.

The manager is understood to have had reservations about Aubameyang, whose outstanding scoring record is set against a reputation for difficult behaviour, but Mislintat appears to have persuaded him and others that the Gabon forward, whom he helped to recruit for Dortmund from Saint-Étienne in 2013, is worth the risk. Likewise Mkhitaryan, who starred at Dortmund before his unhappy spell at Manchester United.

It is hardly a new situation. The director of football model is accepted at most clubs, even if there are vacancies at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, after the departures of Michael Emenalo and Paul Mitchell, and a vacuum at Manchester United, where there is now startlingly little sporting expertise beyond the coaching staff. Jürgen Klopp credits Liverpool’s transfer committee for the signing of Mohamed Salah. At Manchester City they pay extravagant transfer fees but they have had some outstanding successes in the transfer market over recent years, scouting in a depth and a breadth that Arsenal are only now beginning to consider.

Nobody can yet be certain whether Mislintat and Sanllehi are the right men to lead this overhaul of Arsenal’s recruitment practices or overall football strategy. Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang are top talents, but, but both will be 29 before the start of next season, reflecting Arsenal’s need for expediency — a legacy of the mismanagement that has allowed Sánchez and Mesut Özil to drift into the final months of their contracts, in a squad that looks mediocre in so many areas — rather than inspired talent identification. Younger, more imaginative solutions will be required as Arsenal prepare for a rebuilding exercise that is long overdue.

Arsenal have been undermined not just by an uninterested owner, a jaded manager and underperforming players, but by a lack of clear long-term strategy and expertise behind the scenes. It has led to a situation where Sánchez and Özil are in the final months of their contracts — the former set for United, it seems — and where two of their very few creditable performers this season, Shkodran Mustafi and Jack Wilshere, were among the many who would have been allowed to leave in the summer had suitable offers been received.

Emirates powerbrokers

Ivan Gazidis Chief executive. Arrived in 2009 but is determined to oversee the “change” that he promised supporters last year
Sven Mislintat Head of recruitment. Arrived in November from Borussia Dortmund. Already completed deal for Mavropanos and made bids for Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang
Raul Sanllehi Head of football relations. Former Barcelona director of football who will arrive next month with responsibility for leading negotiations with players and clubs
Huss Fahmy Transfer negotiator. Former Team Sky head of legal and commercial
Darren Burgess Director of high performance. Australian sports scientist who had a spell at Liverpool



Mistakes will be made, undoubtedly, in this clearing of the decks, but Wenger has no choice but to go along with it. The era of the all-powerful, autocratic manager is over and it seems strange that Wenger, a graduate of the French school, where the coach is entraineur rather than all-powerful boss, was resistant for so long to the help needed since David Dein departed as vice-chairman in 2007.

So many of Wenger’s other allies have moved on too. Whereas Sir Alex Ferguson managed beyond his 70th birthday by renewing his squad and staff constantly, never allowing the grass to grow under his feet, Wenger resisted change for too long. Now it is happening around him.
Interesting read. And I hate to be the rain on the parade here but so much of that article is speculation tbh. But still it might (just might) give us hope that these new appointments could provoke a proper face off between Wenger and the owners/directors. I don't believe for a minute anyone at the club has the guts or the authority to challenge him directly and remove him, but I am hopeful that such a conflict might offend Wenger's maniacal ego and make him flounce out the door in a huff, fully thinking that by leaving he is "punishing" the club that dared have the temerity to question his genius. He is that self absorbed and egotistical.

I've said it before and I still believe the only ways he'll leave is by dying on the job or by storming off in a huff. :roll:

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OneBardGooner
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by OneBardGooner »

We all know that wenger does not do 'huff's - he gets snotty, pikey, spikey and indignant....but "Huff's" Naaaaah! :D :wink:

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Bradywasking
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by Bradywasking »

When Wenger needs luck he usually gets it and when he needs a friend one usually turns up.
Today his new friend is VAR...His disciples have taken to Twitter to say if VAR had been available this season our league position would have been much healthier and the team wouldn't be playing under such pressure.
There will always be something that can be used to deflect the truth.

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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by Allgunsblazin »

Bradywasking wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:15 am
When Wenger needs luck he usually gets it and when he needs a friend one usually turns up.
Today his new friend is VAR...His disciples have taken to Twitter to say if VAR had been available this season our league position would have been much healthier and the team wouldn't be playing under such pressure.
There will always be something that can be used to deflect the truth.

He has got so much fucking front it is unbeleivable...
Swings and roundabouts you arrogant Macron!, for every decision against there will be a decision for...
But he knows weak minded individuals which is the majority of supporters will believe the psychotic old man....

Bob Bayliss
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by Bob Bayliss »

The Times's long thesis about the supposed shift in Wenger's all-consuming power base is all very interesting , but overlooks one essential truth.

While we may be better placed to sign top players because it isn't left to Wenger and his notorious dithering and reluctance to spend the going rate, he will still be the one who ruins them when they've joined us.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

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augie
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by augie »

Who is in charge of the "wenger bingo" at the mo ?

On the sanchez to manure story -"I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years so it’s likely to happen but at any moment things can break down"

:barscarf: :barscarf: :barscarf:

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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by DB10GOONER »

augie wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:05 am
Who is in charge of the "wenger bingo" at the mo ?

On the sanchez to manure story -"I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years so it’s likely to happen but at any moment things can break down"

:barscarf: :barscarf: :barscarf:
Two fat ladies - Eighty eight!! :barscarf:

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NickF
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by NickF »

DB10GOONER wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:07 am
Two fat ladies - Eighty eight!! :barscarf:
How dare you fat-shame two ladies!!



Anyway, back on topic, from the BBC:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is "likely" forward Alexis Sanchez will join Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Of course no one in the press conference is likely to give him a tough time about strengthening a supposed rival.
Come to think of it, most our fans won't care either. He will be portrayed as greedy, I have already seen some say good riddance.

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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by DB10GOONER »

NickF wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:21 am
DB10GOONER wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:07 am
Two fat ladies - Eighty eight!! :barscarf:
How dare you fat-shame two ladies!!



Anyway, back on topic, from the BBC:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is "likely" forward Alexis Sanchez will join Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Of course no one in the press conference is likely to give him a tough time about strengthening a supposed rival.
Come to think of it, most our fans won't care either. He will be portrayed as greedy, I have already seen some say good riddance.
Fat-shaming is where it's at! :barscarf: :lol:

Yep, seen a few window-lickers blaming Sanchez for this debacle. :roll:

One of the very few players that can walk out of Arsenal with his head held high is Sanchez. He gave everything in his time here. He has let no one down. If anything, Arsenal have let him down. I'm disgusted he might end up at the manc filth but not disgusted with him, he owes us nothing. I don't wish him success as he would be a player at another club (a club I destest) but I don't blame him at all. I do blame our shit manager for allowing this to happen and I blame our shit owner for not doing his job as a football club owner and sacking the shit manager. :censored:

#feederclub :roll: :censored:

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OneBardGooner
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by OneBardGooner »

DB10GOONER wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:07 am
augie wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:05 am
Who is in charge of the "wenger bingo" at the mo ?

On the sanchez to manure story -"I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years so it’s likely to happen but at any moment things can break down"

:barscarf: :barscarf: :barscarf:
Two fat ladies - Eighty eight!! :barscarf:
What!??? :shock: Ohhhh! You mean Spuddy and Augie! :D :wink:

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flash gunner
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Re: THE WENGER THREAD

Post by flash gunner »

Had a meeting yesterday and the lady there noticed i had an Arsenal pen. She said 'whats going on at Arsenal, is time he went'!!!

I told her id felt like that for a few years now, she said that she was a big Wenger fan and had never wanted him out until recently but feel the club is an embarrassment..........


The tide is turning lads, i really feel that more and more people are turning. This is the end of his days. Keep the pressure on :barscarf: :barscarf: :barscarf:

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