(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread

No Sanchez = what the fudge. Almost turned off the stream immediately. Unless he was carrying a niggle, - 0 excuse.

Widespread reports this morn that Sanchez had a bust up with the rest of the playing squad during the week and stormed out of training. Say what you will about his ability but it does seem very obvious that he separates himself from the rest of the team, both on and off the pitch.

Not really surprised by that when he's the one busting a gut an no one else looks like they care. Wenger has clearly lost the dressing room. The last few weeks there's just been no belief evident on the pitch and he can't leave soon enough. I'd be getting someone else in today to try and salvage the season, and have time to bed in and settle into the new club/league etc before getting a full pre-season and being ready to go for next season. Club is a mess from top to bottom.

Anyway, much like the Phoenix the season is another write-off and can't end soon enough.

Don't usually read Football 365, but these points about sum it up.

http://www.football365.com/news/16-conclusions-liverpool-3-1-arsenal

If the reports in the media this morning are correct, then Wenger had no choice but to drop Sanchez. He was a petulant Twit. I don't care how good you are or how many k's you run during a game (Ozil always runs more than him by the way), you just can't behave like that with the team. Not a lot different to Gallas' behaviour in 2008. 

A lot of that F365 article was written about the Sanchez non-selection, and it was written before the bust-up in training got publicised, so it's mostly no longer relevant, however I do agree with the other points in there, including the other ones you've pasted.

He just has to go now if we are to move forward. 

During this season, end of the season, probably not much difference now to be fair. But I guess out of respect for what he has done, and the fact that we have always honoured contracts on both sides, then I would assume that it will be at the end of the season rather than now. 

I wouldn't be so sure it's true anyway. These stories always come out about so called contract rebels. Rumour mill has just gone into overdrive to deflect attention from the incompetent guy in charge. If this kind of thing was really happening, he wouldn't be in the squad.

That's extremely unlikely given Wenger's history.

He doesn't bench guys who refuse to sign new contracts - many examples in the past, including van Persie and Nasri, both of whom started and played full games up until the minute they went. 

He does bench guys who cause issues in the squad. Again, many examples, Gallas, Arshavin, Adebayor, etc. 

By me?

I argue against individual points if I think they are incorrect, but I wouldn't just "mock" someone for simply "questioning Wenger".

If you win the FA Cup does it equal champions league qualification?

Heh, I see Wenger has said he "built the club" again. There really are no words anymore.

Played really well for the first 50mins. 

Where was the peno in the first half ref??? FFS that would've changed the game. 

Bayern got given their penalty shout obviously. And Koscielny's initial yellow was changed to a red shortly after - never seen that happen before. I would have to read the laws again as it's changed around the last-man fouls in the box, but isn't only supposed to be red if it's violent, or he doesn't try to play the ball?

Goals raining in. 

Protest before game against Wenger.

Will he even make the end of the season now? He may just go. 

ArsenalFanTV with all the useless words removed

Interestingly without Koscielny on the field, Arsenal have conceded 9 goals over the two legs. Arsenal with Koscielny on the field are 2-1 up. Those 9 goals scored in less than 90min across the 2 legs.

Wenger out protests

https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentFootball/vi...

protest

I really really hope he just announces now that he won't sign a new contract, so the vitriol in the stands stops, and we can celebrate him until the end of the season.

If he were to leave suddenly, or keep us in limbo and then up sticks after the final game, and "One Arsene Wenger" was never sung again, I would be devastated. 

Would also spur the players on to send him out on a high with the FA Cup.

I almost don't want us to get in the Champions League so that we can focus on the League next season with a new Manager, but the problem with that is unless we were to fall to 7th we'd be in the Europa League, which would be crushing. 

That is a f*cking disgrace, of all the things to request in the stands this c*nt wants crab sticks?

The problem for Wenger is if Sanchez does leave I think any other player of similar quality will instantly be turned off.

He either has to resign him to show other players that Arsenal are a serious club or resign.

To be honest I don't think Sanchez' contract situation will have any bearing on Wenger's future. 

Unless he performs some kind of miracle Wenger is gone, Sanchez or no Sanchez.

Ozil has intimated that he wants out if Wenger goes. 

But Wenger cannot stay.

There will be a revolution this off-season, a new Manager, and the playing group will change fairly significantly as a result of that. Whomever that Manager is will determine Sanchez and Ozil's futures most probably. 

must say i'm a bit over the whole sanchez stuff really, he seems to be getting more toxic then anything else.

Ozil great talent and very skillfull but just never delivers in big games for me personally 

club will allways be bigger then these 2 players

Wenger mmmmmmm heart and mind are very conflicted 

tough times being a gunner at the moment BUT we will rise.....just a question of when

This is the worst period I've known as an Arsenal fan. Will it ever end? Just get him the fudge him away please. Not one logical reason he should still be in charge against Lincoln. Hardly feels worth wining that one anyway, only going to lead to another thumping by Chelsea, United, City or Spurs in the semi final. 

I think "the worst period I've known as an Arsenal fan" can be appilied relatively. 

If this is the worst then we don't know how lucky we are. 

Great post

So Pires made some comments last night, he was there when it happened.

Someone tackled Sanchez quite badly, he had a strop about it, left the training pitch, and didn't return. Not acceptable behaviour according to the club, so he was benched against Liverpool to discipline him.

Wenger chose not to divulge any of that, said it was a team selection decision only, and played lightning rod, as he always does. 

So you've enjoyed the last 3 weeks then? I'm sure that's exactly how the board feel too. That we don't know how lucky we are to have Wenger to even be sharing the pitch with clubs like Bayern, and how dare we get upset when we keep getting mauled and humiliated and are a laughing stock. And it's exactly the line Gazidis will give us when he announces Wenger's new contract, which in all likelihood is already signed but just waiting for a run of 3 or 4 wins and 4th looking secure before being announced.

Our last 3 PL and CL games have had a goal difference of 3-13. This is an all-time low even for Wenger and there is no spin that can be put on it to make it acceptable. Only other time that’s felt like this was after the 8-2 but then we were able to re-energise the squad by bringing in Arteta et al. Now we’re stuck with the current bunch who have given up playing for the manager.

Obviously it's the worst period for you personally, but not for someone a bit older, which is all I think he was suggesting. He certainly wasn't claiming to be happy about the current situation. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/europe...

You guys seen this kids stats? Could be a good off season buy for us:

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/112272/Show/Andr...

Also Leggy the start of that piece destroys Arsenal for losing their heads when losing with 10 men in a cup game - what the heck? The example from SAF was a league example against their local rival. That's a totally incomporable scenario.

So what do you do with the squad if you're a new manager?

GK - if you can keep Cech & Ospina you're OK

FB - Gibbs, Monreal, Bellerin - all good quality but perhaps we need another RB rather than Gabriel cover assuming Debuchy/Jenko leave.

CB - Koscielny is boss, Mustafi/Gabriel/Holding not athis level. Per is yet to play this season. Need another Kosc level CB to be truly competitive.

CM - Xhaka/Ramsey/Elneny/Cazorla/Coquellin/Wilshere/The Ox/Iwobi - we seem overloaded with defensive minded players, short on deep lying play makers who last a season, and on the cusp of losing our best CAM. This is probably the most urgent area for an overhaul.

Winger - Sanchez, Iwobi, Walcott, The Ox - Given Sanchez is likely on his way out, while The Ox & Iwobi have futures centrally we likely need a super star winger & a good future prospect to come in. Maybe Reus/Felipe Anderson type acquisitions.

Striker - Sanchez, Giroud, Welbeck, Perez - If you lose Sanchez you replace his quality out wide & rely on your other 3 strikers to step up given he's keeping them out. If you don't replace him out wide you need to land a 20+ goal a season threat that is quick and has the size to compete in the air. Belotti (previous post), Lukaku, Aubameyang, Modeste, Icardi, Immobile. Throw in Dybala, Lacazette, or Griezmann if you can handle less aerially minded.

Lot of work required - aside from the Ozil/Alexis departure those midfield combinations are the issue (haven't we said this for years though?).

I doubt Arsenal of all clubs would meet his 100 million euro buyout

We were linked to him pre season and everyone was asking who the hell that guy was

anyone feel a bit better after the PSG result this morning?

Gotta spend those cash reserves eventually :-)

I guess all the AW supporters will be happy with this.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/under-...