Bollocks.
(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread
Atletico it is....tough, but win that & I might even have a fiver on you to win the final ;-).
ugh. I really wanted to see this as the final... We have the potential to match it with them. Just depends who turns up on the day...
We've got a harder semi than Liverpool have in the Champions League...
If we win this thing we would've earned it.
Not so sure about that. Roma knocked out Barcelona while Atlerico couldn't get past minnows in their CL group. Luckily the games aren't played on paper though. Would have preferred to get them in a one off final rather than 2 legs. Hopefully it's a good contest.
Yeah I'd rather we had them in a one off game but I can see the argument for playing them over two legs.
It's a big ask though. Atleti have the best defensive record out of any team in Europe's top 5 leagues. Their strengths happen to be our weaknesses. They are usually well drilled and organised under Simeone as well.
I'm looking forward to the tie, should be two cracking games hopefully. Do think we need to be at our very best to progress. COYG.
Watched highlights. Saw Welbeck's first goal... good for him.
Cut to Welbeck's miss. Yep that's old Danny.
He's now got as many goals as Sanchez this season, in 800 less minutes.
;)
Reckon any of the sides could've torn us apart, so not too disappointed. I actually think we perhaps would've had more issues with Salzburg, who press very well from what I've seen. Marseille are a very good attacking side too.
Atletico are of course a great team, but they're beatable. We shouldn't fear them. I feel that it rests a lot on Mkhi being fit..
I also think the biggest issue is actually getting past Oblak, who is the best keeper in the world in my eyes.
Define errors. Definitely an argument for Karius being at fault for Tottenham's first goal at Anfield a couple months ago, the Wanyama screamer. Was an awful punch/parry out when he was uncontested and could have caught it.
Yea would be a subjective statistic, I was surprised Karius registered a 0 as well.
Whoscored just says "Error leading to a goal", can't see any detailed guidelines.
Oh I wish they told you wish goals were counted so you could get a feel for it. Cech does need to become our 2nd string next season, he'd make an excellent cup keeper if we got in Obalak or someone similar. Get rid of Ospina to make way, Martinez to become our #2 the season after that.
That chart also re-enforces how big a mistake it was to let Szy go.
Well that's what we get this morning, playing a 2nd string line-up. Still the right decision though, we have to make sure our main guys are fit and fresh for the Europa League.
Wilshere, Ramsey and Koscielny have been managing niggles most of the season, wouldn't be surprised if they sit out pretty much all the remaining EPL games.
Laca & Auba looked mint together, rest of it was a bit meh..
I didn't watch the whole game, just some bits here and there. But sounds promising if Auba and Laca are combining well together.
Clip of the goal, bit of a stunner
Hilariously Mustafi and Chambers almost combined to score the same goal!
I don't think Laca/Auba looked good together at all except for the moment for the goal - the rest of the game was terrible; but it's tough to say without Ozil/Ramsey there
Well that's what we get this morning, playing a 2nd string line-up. Still the right decision though, we have to make sure our main guys are fit and fresh for the Europa League.
Wilshere, Ramsey and Koscielny have been managing niggles most of the season, wouldn't be surprised if they sit out pretty much all the remaining EPL games.
Wilshere shouldn't play in the EL again; has been torrid.
Based on Jack's form I'm glad he's stalling on his deal. Move on please, and make room in the squad for a new manager to rebuild the midfield. That really has to be the focus this summer, replacing Jack and Santi, and getting ready to replace Ramsey too if he isn't going to re-sign. Reward Ozil for his faith and get a couple of other cracking midfielders for him to play alongside, Koke, Saul, Fabinho etc.
Bit of management talk around this morn.
Twitter talk that apparently the "big 3" (Gazidis, Mislintat, Sanllehi) all have different preferred targets, but that they are wanting to bring one in for next season.
Gazidis likes Arteta, Jardim or Rodgers
Sanllehi likes Luis Enrique
Mislintat likes Nagelsmann or Tedesco
And then in the Daily Mail they're reporting that Wenger will stay on next year, see out his contract, and then we'll be going with Patrick Vieira, who has been quite successful at New York City since he started there in 2016, and would apparently be quite happy to inherit most of the existing staff eg Bould, Lehmann etc.
I'd like to see us try bringing in his successor as an assistant next year, ease the transition. We absolutely have to learn from Uniteds experience and not throw out the back room team straight away.
I'd like to see us try bringing in his successor as an assistant next year, ease the transition. We absolutely have to learn from Uniteds experience and not throw out the back room team straight away.
Yes I like the idea.
If we do it that way it would suit a younger manager, someone like Arteta, Vieira or Henry perhaps.
I must say the little kid in me gushes at the idea of one of those guys sitting next to Wenger for a season. Every time they pan to the bench my heart would skip a little beat.
Our GOAT manager. Legend. Thank you for everything. Hope we give him the best farewell by winning Europa.
Unbelievable stuff. I guess my idea of a transitional year isn't happening! That said this must surely rule out Low, unless he gave up the german national team now I can't imagine him coming in post world up and having only 11 days or something ridiculous to complete his recruitment before the PL window shuts. My money is on Allegri, but my heart is with Simeone.
What a massive surprise.
As a non-Arsenal fan the interesting bit for me is what Wenger does next. I know he's quite chummy with the PSG owners and has links with Qatar through his role at BeinSports, so that's surely a possibility (though I think Tuchel may already have that particular job sewn up).
As a non-Arsenal fan the interesting bit for me is what Wenger does next. I know he's quite chummy with the PSG owners and has links with Qatar through his role at BeinSports, so that's surely a possibility (though I think Tuchel may already have that particular job sewn up).
My hope is PSG, and that he takes them to the champions league trophy.
What a massive surprise.
Sarcasm...really?
Amazing. Didn't think I'd live to see the day and I don't know life under anyone else. Been wanting this for years but oddly the first feeling is one of sadness. You'd think the new manager must be very closed to confirmed for this to be announced.
They have to avoid the United mistake, I'd be keen to see a really stable pair of hands in for the next season or two (someone like Ancelotti) while a project manager is developed in the background.
So basically what Brumby's said, but not under Arsene.
As a non-Arsenal fan the interesting bit for me is what Wenger does next. I know he's quite chummy with the PSG owners and has links with Qatar through his role at BeinSports, so that's surely a possibility (though I think Tuchel may already have that particular job sewn up).
My hope is PSG, and that he takes them to the champions league trophy.
And you are really dreaming. Arsenal have been going backwards with Wenger and you can't possibly think that all of a sudden he can win the Champions League. Deluded.
Feels exciting to finally see some change.
Wow.
What a man. What a manager.
Whatever you say about the guys performance over the last 10 years, you can never doubt his stoic adherence to his beliefs. He is a man I'll always admire.
You cannot doubt his commitment. His desire. His addiction to football. This quote has always stuck out to me;
"One day I'll go up to heaven & He will ask ‘What have you done with your life?’ The only answer I have is ‘I tried to win football games’."
As someone who is obviously well versed in a range of subjects; economics, politics, philosophy - it's interesting to think how he has dedicated his life to something that, in the end, can be reduced to something meaningless.
In that way he's like every one of us; waiting for the next football game is like downing a beer on a hot day - is it necessary? No, but damn if it doesn't get us through life that little bit happier.
This is a strange feeling; I think we all know it's about 2 seasons late, but it's still really sad. I really wanted him to win another prem to go out on top. It makes me depressed when I read some of the vitriol that has been directed at him. He doesn't deserve it. It wasn't his place to step down; it was up the board to make that call. He was just trying to continue to do the job he loved to the best of his ability.
Thinking about the Atletico game - this can go one of two ways; the players will be distraught; guys like Ozil have a huge affinity for Wenger, and their performances could be negatively affected. Of course, it could go the other way and galvanise the squad. I guess it depends on the result as to which narrative will be used by journos.
In terms of replacements, I believe Ancelotti is the most likely; with Simeone and the like a pipe dream.
As a non-Arsenal fan the interesting bit for me is what Wenger does next. I know he's quite chummy with the PSG owners and has links with Qatar through his role at BeinSports, so that's surely a possibility (though I think Tuchel may already have that particular job sewn up).
My hope is PSG, and that he takes them to the champions league trophy.
And you are really dreaming. Arsenal have been going backwards with Wenger and you can't possibly think that all of a sudden he can win the Champions League. Deluded.
With a budget like PSG, I certainly believe he could. He has operated on a shoestring for many years relative to the big European teams.
holy shark....so many thoughts and emotions running through me upon hearing this. Excited, relieved, thankful, curious would just be a few.
I think after such a divisive season (or two) this is the right move for him. Hopefully it will galvanise the team to push on to win the EC... though i doubt we have the talent for that....
As for who is next for us, Tuchel would be great. Not a fan of Simeone as he has a very different coaching approach to the clubs culture and I couldnt see him fostering change, I see him coming in and demanding change, which wouldnt work for either party. Allegri would be interesting and i hope its not Ancelotti
As for what is next for Wenger, i'd be very surprised if he walks straight into another managing job, even if it was PSG. I would have thought that leaving a place after 22 years you would want to take some time to reflect and then think about your next move.
But before we think about the different paths ahead for each party, I just want to thank Wenger. You are the only manager I've known to wear the cannon. I will miss your intelligence, philosophies on football and inability to work zipppers.
Bittersweet. It’s what a lot of us have wanted, but still feels strange. Hope the team finishes strong and the stadium is full until the end of the season. Obviously would love Europa but not going to get carried away with fantasy endings to this story.
Unlike Leggy can’t see why he couldn’t go and win with PSG, but think he could enjoy working with international squads.
Anyway, cheers Arsène.
Not sure what to say about Wenger yet, but in healthy news for the future of the club, the U23's have won the Premier League 2 title this morning, and are also in the final of the "Premier League international Cup" against Porto.
The U18 side has also finished 2nd in their league.
Despite the disappointment with the senior team of late, the squad that we've put together is very strong, and well set for the future. Under a new Manager I expect only minor tweaks would be required to make them worthy of challenging for the title.
The state of the club with Wenger leaving is light years ahead of when he came in.