Topic: Arsenal

[cornelius]

Aubameyang is great. Let's not kid ourselves he's just had a few bad games. His goal record speaks for itself.

By the time they sort this mess out he'll be well past his prime.

[ScottishGoon]

Poor result & performance, It'll be a big ask for us to get 4th now given the way we are playing just now.

In a way I think that's for the best, I don't think we're at a level to make any decent fist of the competition, the main disappointment is qualifying for it would have helped raise funds to assist in the rebuild.

I don't know why people are so outraged mind you, most sensible fans realised that it wasn't going to be plain sailing, that there would be quite a few days like this. The team and squad need a lot of work, it was said at the end of last season & nothing has changed since. I'm intrigued to see how it develops. The new regime needs time, we all should know that.

[vagabond]

You'll qualify for it anyway via EL.

[LiverLuke]

i get that ozil goes a bit missing some goes but leaving him out the squad etc seems quite extreme considering the lack of creativity they showed in todays game!

[Skeeve]

i get that ozil goes a bit missing some goes but leaving him out the squad etc seems quite extreme considering the lack of creativity they showed in todays game!

Leaving him out of the squad makes sense if you don't intend to start him in a particular game, you can always sub him if he is starting, but it seems quite risky to be relying on him to come on and win the game for you.

[Caligula?]

They vastly overperformed during the first half of the season and seemed to be racking up plenty of results while not playing well at all. It's caught up with them. I think having a decent season with a 5th or 6th placed finish and a good cup run was probably just about what was to be expected of Emery before the season began. Anything else, such as winning the Europa, would be a massive bonus and they'll be ahead of schedule in their development.

[stevieG786]

I wouldn’t mind Ozil and aubameyang on our bench tbf

[disgraced cake]

Should sell Ozil asap. I've always thought he was a bit overrated even though he does get a lot of stick. In terms of numbers he might make a few chances but in front of goal himself he's not very efficient. Someone somewhere will pay over the odds for him, and considering he's 30 odd now, it's a good time to get rid and re-invest it into replacements for him and Ramsey.

Aubameyang looked well off the pace today as well, there's some games where he just doesn't affect it whatsoever, as seen as Anfield. That being said I think in front of goal he's one of the best in the world and will score more goals than Lacazette, who to be fair, is usually putting a shift in whenever I see him.

Xhaka shitness doesn't surprise me anymore, baffling as to how bad he's been in the prem. Even more surprising that he's been given so many games.

[Dim Glas]

I wouldn’t mind Ozil and aubameyang on our bench tbf

I thought that about Özil too in the past, but that ship has sailed!

[MNAA]

Plenty of rebuilding work to be done. Not in a good place. That early season feel good factor is now gone

[Statto Red]

I thought that about Özil too in the past, but that ship has sailed!

Yep Ozil is far too lazy,which Klopp won't put up with.

[clinical]

Ozil cost them over £18m a year in wages.

He's going to cost them another £45m before he leaves.

They won't be selling him, unless they get offer from China where he can increase his wages even more. No one in Europe pays anywhere near that for him.

[Ashburton]

Ozil cost them over £18m a year in wages.

He's going to cost them another £45m before he leaves.

They won't be selling him, unless they get offer from China where he can increase his wages even more. No one in Europe pays anywhere near that for him.

Think the point is, they should have flogged him rather than cave to the wage demands of what is a luxury player rather than someone who grafts within a system.  I actually can see Emery having a similar problem to him with the one he had with Neymar - the pragmatism of the club to use one of its' most expensive assets vs the manager asserting his style of play on to the squad.

In a way the club needs a FSG 'moment' where they decide to back the manager in 1-2 windows and strengthen multiple areas of the squad.  The way it has worked with Chelsea, City and Liverpool is that money was focused over 1-2 seasons so everyone is staying and the top players are more likely to sign to play with other top players.  By the time Auba and Ozil are 32 it isn't good enough you're just starting to replace your centre-backs.  It's harder and harder to play catch-up, although Ramsey and Ozil are potentially two players who could have catalyzed the squad akin to the Sterling and Coutinho sales - instead it is a squandered opportunity.

[newterp]

Think the point is, they should have flogged him rather than cave to the wage demands of what is a luxury player rather than someone who grafts within a system.  I actually can see Emery having a similar problem to him with the one he had with Neymar - the pragmatism of the club to use one of its' most expensive assets vs the manager asserting his style of play on to the squad.

In a way the club needs a FSG 'moment' where they decide to back the manager in 1-2 windows and strengthen multiple areas of the squad.  The way it has worked with Chelsea, City and Liverpool is that money was focused over 1-2 seasons so everyone is staying and the top players are more likely to sign to play with other top players.  By the time Auba and Ozil are 32 it isn't good enough you're just starting to replace your centre-backs.  It's harder and harder to play catch-up, although Ramsey and Ozil are potentially two players who could have catalyzed the squad akin to the Sterling and Coutinho sales - instead it is a squandered opportunity.

yeah - you likely could have gotten 50-65m for the two of them and reinvested in at least 1 top player or 2 up and coming players (like Torreira).

[4pool]

Not happy campers on Arsenal fan tv...

[ScottishGoon]

Think the point is, they should have flogged him rather than cave to the wage demands of what is a luxury player rather than someone who grafts within a system.  I actually can see Emery having a similar problem to him with the one he had with Neymar - the pragmatism of the club to use one of its' most expensive assets vs the manager asserting his style of play on to the squad.

In a way the club needs a FSG 'moment' where they decide to back the manager in 1-2 windows and strengthen multiple areas of the squad.  The way it has worked with Chelsea, City and Liverpool is that money was focused over 1-2 seasons so everyone is staying and the top players are more likely to sign to play with other top players.  By the time Auba and Ozil are 32 it isn't good enough you're just starting to replace your centre-backs.  It's harder and harder to play catch-up, although Ramsey and Ozil are potentially two players who could have catalyzed the squad akin to the Sterling and Coutinho sales - instead it is a squandered opportunity.

In hindsight, the squad / contract / transfer mismanagment of the last couple of seasons of the Wenger / Gazidas reign was poor. Im not sure I believe it of Wenger, but with Gazidas it's almost as if he knew he would be leaving soon & wanted it to be as pain free for him personally as possible, rather then what was best in the long term interests in the club.

I think for this team the year Leicester won the league was almost a sliding doors moment. Buying just Cech in the summer & Elneny in winter when people were crying out that a player or 2 of real quality that could make all the difference. This team was top in January & beat Leicester to go a couple of points off them in the middle of February. Since then we've bought poor, sold poor, poor decisions over contracts, we've dropped out the top 4, lost key players, and had a regime change. Now its time to build a new team.

[clinical]

By the time they sort this mess out he'll be well past his prime.

Yep been saying this since the summer.

[Ashburton]

In hindsight, the squad / contract / transfer mismanagment of the last couple of seasons of the Wenger / Gazidas reign was poor. Im not sure I believe it of Wenger, but with Gazidas it's almost as if he knew he would be leaving soon & wanted it to be as pain free for him personally as possible, rather then what was best in the long term interests in the club.

I think for this team the year Leicester won the league was almost a sliding doors moment. Buying just Cech in the summer & Elneny in winter when people were crying out that a player or 2 of real quality that could make all the difference. This team was top in January & beat Leicester to go a couple of points off them in the middle of February. Since then we've bought poor, sold poor, poor decisions over contracts, we've dropped out the top 4, lost key players, and had a regime change. Now its time to build a new team.

It was a massive moment, even in January when it was clear nobody else seemed any good and Leicester would likely persist as rivals - the board were stuck frozen in time, expecting them to eventually fail - because it's Leicester, right?  An assertive, driven board wold have backed the club and pick up a classy player who could put the nail in the coffin.  It's been absolutely shocking since then for years now, not least in the insane contracts these players are on but the rummaging around in the bargain bin which reminds me of the Liverpool side of 2012/13 which I such took the piss out of.  Sure, Aub and Laca were statements of intent, but if you don't back it up by strengthening the spine then you're in trouble.  The selling though... jesus christ.  Wilshere, Ramsey and Sanchez all gone on a free when they should have been flogged is bad enough - but then flogging wonderkids like Gnabry for a pittance then having overpriced 'average' players hanging around for years really beggars belief.  It's more that the spineless board have taken a look at City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool digging into their pockets and have bottled it - comfortable with a seat at the table, rinsing the fans every game and realising top 6 'isn't that bad really', hoping the manager can swing a couple of cups to keep the peasants from their door.

Sick to death of it to be fair, if Emery does manage to pull something out to win the Europa I'll count it as a huge achievement for what is a club struggling to have -any- first half performances with any cohesion and we're approaching February soon.

[him_15]

Arsenal should put all eggs in the Europa basket now, there is no chance they could finish top 4 IMO,

[rafathegaffa83]

they didn't steer clear cos he wasn't great though, cos he is a really good player.

They steered clear cos at 56 mill or whatever it was, he cost too much for a player his age and skillset. Plus, he acted like a prize dick later in his time at Dortmund, which likely put a few off.

Yep. Only one club was really interested in giving Aubameyang that sort of money. And he pissed Dortmund off shortly after signing a new deal. Also they had spunked a club record fee on Lacazette months earlier

Additionally, there was no other club willing to give Özil that type of money. Now they are lumbered with him. Last January's moves were more about short-term pulling power after losing Sanchez to show they still had pulling power, rather than laying down a long-term vision

[El Lobo]

It's more that the spineless board have taken a look at City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool digging into their pockets and have bottled it

Arsenal have spent a lot of money over the last few years....

[Ashburton]

Arsenal have spent a lot of money over the last few years....

Again this keeps on coming up, but they haven't been reaping anything in via sales to compensate which massages the figures somewhat with net spend.  Undoubtedly it's still a tonne of money, but perhaps not considering the need to rejuvenate the squad substantially at the moment.

If you look at the incoming transfer figures from CIES since 2010:

Spurs  £530.98m
Everton £538.19m
Arsenal £604.90m
Liverpool £965.50m
United £993.45m
Chelsea £1.310bn
City £1.325bn

It would seem until the club can reap some value by actually offloading players after they've improved/peaked then there's a substantial gap to make up, especially if you're losing a lot of talent for free which doesn't contribute to investment in the playing squad.

[ScottishGoon]

The selling though... jesus christ.  Wilshere, Ramsey and Sanchez all gone on a free when they should have been flogged is bad enough - but then flogging wonderkids like Gnabry for a pittance then having overpriced 'average' players hanging around for years

Joel Campbell (remember him) another perfect example. Had a good World Cup, was never really going to make the breakthrough here, clubs were willing to pay £12M-£15M for him. Instead, we turned it down, he played a few games, then disappeared out on loan for the next couple of years.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

https://youtu.be/nBuY1_ov8qA
1.52 in, good to see Claude has kept his humour

[cornelius]

They're in a big mess.

[gazzalfc]

Cech to retire at the end of the season. Done everything in the game and given 15 years to Arsenal. Top class keeper

Wonder if Arsenal keep him on as coach.

[Xabi Gerrard]

Cech to retire at the end of the season. Done everything in the game and given 15 years to Arsenal. Top class keeper

Wonder if Arsenal keep him on as coach.

Blimey time flies

The right move to call it a day although he could probably still do a half decent job for a bottom half team. At his peak he was second only to Schmeichel in the list of best top flight keepers I've seen in England.

[Dim Glas]

Some rumours of Sven Mislintat leaving Arsenal for Bayern Munich  A break down in relationships at ARsenal being cited as the reason.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-sven-mislintat-latest-transfer-bayern-munich-epl-a8729001.html

Bayern Munich want to take Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat back to Germany, and feel they can do a deal before the end of the season.

The 46-year-old is credited with having created one of the most sophisticated talent-spotting operations in world football at Borussia Dortmund, and was part of a grand plan to do similar at Arsenal on being appointed just a year ago, but Bayern believe that he would already be open to leaving.

Sources close to both the German champions and the Arsenal set-up say that the relationship between Mislintat and the new regime - headed by Director of Football Raul Sanllehi - has not gone as smoothly as anticipated.

Mislintat has put forward some strong recommendations for players that have not been followed up.

That comes at a time when Unai Emery is said to have taken a more active role regarding transfer targets than the German had anticipated, especially in a structure that was designed to dilute the influence of any head coach in that regard, after the all-encompassing power of Arsene Wenger.

Bayern hope to act on this as they begin a badly-needed overhaul of their own squad, and see Mislintat as the figure who can lead that.
 

[Ashburton]

Would be a good change for the club.

[Skeeve]

Would be a good change for the club.

If they aren't going to act on his recommendations as that article indicates, it does seem like it would be a good move for both parties.

[Dim Glas]

Would be a good change for the club.

more turmoil? Yep, I agree, be a good move 

At least if he goes to Bayern, he can cut out the Dortmund middle man.

[ScottishGoon]

more turmoil? Yep, I agree, be a good move 

At least if he goes to Bayern, he can cut out the Dortmund middle man.

Hope they are making a Netflix documentary on us ala Sunderland, would be a good watch! 

[Dim Glas]

Hope they are making a Netflix documentary on us ala Sunderland, would be a good watch! 

 

Kicker is reporting that Bayern haven't actually had contact regards bringing him in. No smoke without fire and all that though I suppose until someone at the club say it's BS!

[vagabond]

It will probably never happen, but if Coutinho is available then Arsenal should move heaven and earth to try and get him.

[ScottishGoon]

It will probably never happen, but if Coutinho is available then Arsenal should move heaven and earth to try and get him.

That Denis Suarez reminds me a little bit like Coutinho, a similar playing style, but without the shooting power. Probably the reason he's £100M cheaper 

[TepidT2O]

Some rumours of Sven Mislintat leaving Arsenal for Bayern Munich  A break down in relationships at ARsenal being cited as the reason.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-sven-mislintat-latest-transfer-bayern-munich-epl-a8729001.html

Bayern Munich want to take Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat back to Germany, and feel they can do a deal before the end of the season.

The 46-year-old is credited with having created one of the most sophisticated talent-spotting operations in world football at Borussia Dortmund, and was part of a grand plan to do similar at Arsenal on being appointed just a year ago, but Bayern believe that he would already be open to leaving.

Sources close to both the German champions and the Arsenal set-up say that the relationship between Mislintat and the new regime - headed by Director of Football Raul Sanllehi - has not gone as smoothly as anticipated.

Mislintat has put forward some strong recommendations for players that have not been followed up.

That comes at a time when Unai Emery is said to have taken a more active role regarding transfer targets than the German had anticipated, especially in a structure that was designed to dilute the influence of any head coach in that regard, after the all-encompassing power of Arsene Wenger.

Bayern hope to act on this as they begin a badly-needed overhaul of their own squad, and see Mislintat as the figure who can lead that.
 

Raphael Hoenigstein now reporting this..

Seems it’s correct.

An utter disaster for for Arsenal

[rafathegaffa83]

Raphael Hoenigstein now reporting this..

Seems it’s correct.

An utter disaster for for Arsenal

Yep. Telegraph too. Very strange

[Dim Glas]

Yep. Telegraph too. Very strange

so odd, cos reading the Honigstein article. it suggests that the fall out has happened because this Sanllehi guy wants to work with an extensive network of scouts and contacts. Whereas the way Mislintat works involves a lot of analysis and stats-based work.  And considering the money situation there, that apparently they aren't exactly planning on splashing the cash, you'd think that the Mislintat way is the route they need to take! I thought that was kinda the whole point. 

All very strange.

[Chris~]

so odd, cos reading the Honigstein article. it suggests that the fall out has happened because this Sanllehi guy wants to work with an extensive network of scouts and contacts. Whereas the way Mislintat works involves a lot of analysis and stats-based work.  And considering the money situation there, that apparently they aren't exactly planning on splashing the cash, you'd think that the Mislintat way is the route they need to take! I thought that was kinda the whole point. 

All very strange.

They also bought their own stats company a couole years back, so to then not put people in place to make the most of that is poor planning.

[rafathegaffa83]

Mislintat is definitely getting his side of the story out first