I wonder what he means by hostile environment?

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

"It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation. We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I'm very proud of them for doing that."

:rubchin:

[Rich]

"It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation. We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I'm very proud of them for doing that."

:rubchin:

He means that our fans are ****ing ****s, choosing to stab him and the players in the back during times of challenge.

[Just Trent]

"It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation. We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I'm very proud of them for doing that."

:rubchin:

I see he's celebrating a 'decent' points total of 75. He hasn't mananged to get above 80 pts in the league in 9 years. No title has been won with less than 80 pts since Man Utd on 79pts in 1999. Most of the time you need to be at least mid 80's or even early 90's to be champions. Leicester's total of 81 was the lowest winning total since 1999, and Wenger was 10 pts behind.

He's finished as a title winning manager. Move on Arsenal.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

I see he's celebrating a 'decent' points total of 75. He hasn't mananged to get above 80 pts in the league in 9 years. No title has been won with less than 80 pts since Man Utd on 79pts in 1999. Most of the time you need to be at least mid 80's or even early 90's to be champions. Leicester's total of 81 was the lowest winning total since 1999, and Wenger was 10 pts behind.

He's finished as a title winning manager. Move on Arsenal.

Do you seriously think that if that is all that happens Wenger's leaving is the panacea that will tun us back into a title-winning team?

[Cyprus The Immortal Gooner]

Maybe not but with Wenger in charge (and I do love the man) we know for a fact that we won't win it again. The last 3 years he had the money and the squad to win it (bought world class players, didn't have to sell etc) but couldn't do it.



Do you seriously think that if that is all that happens Wenger's leaving is the panacea that will tun us back into a title-winning team?

[Mo Britain less Europe]

Not so sure. I think he should have moved upstairs but I am certain we will not win league or CL with Kronke. That's why it is time to start hitting the Arsenal pocket. That's the only thing that will make him sell.

[Tony C]

Palace Away innit

[7sisters]

He means that our fans are ****ing ****s, choosing to stab him and the players in the back during times of challenge.

I think the fans have been unbelievably patient tbf. The man is now 67 and obviously shot. Never more illustrated by many performances this season.
Incredible apathy shown by a board of alleged ambition in one of the worlds wealthiest clubs.

[Just Trent]

I think the fans have been unbelievably patient tbf. The man is now 67 and obviously shot. Never more illustrated by many performances this season.
Incredible apathy shown by a board of alleged ambition in one of the worlds wealthiest clubs.

It's taken years for the Arsenal fans to reach this point. Wenger often says he wishes Arsenal fans were more passionate like Liverpool.
Those passionate Liverpool fans would've hounded him out of the job several years ago. He would've never survived that 8-2 at Man Utd. In Italy or Spain he would've been chased down the road years ago.

[Tony C]

Read an interesting post on reddit....

He's referring to Ivan.

Apparently Ivan had a chat with the all of the players earlier in the season to find out if they would be open to a new manager and this split the squad with Ozil and Alexis declaring publically that they would only stay if Wenger did so as well.

Other players were open to it.

Wenger and Ivan have been at war ever since...performances on the pitch deteriorate rapidly, Ivan withdraws his contract offer, Wenger fires back with telling the media that a director of football role is BS etc etc

When the board meet up a lot will be discussed...will they side with Ivan or Wenger? Will the two have to make an uncomfortable truce for the sake of the club?

Makes a bit of sense when you think about it.....personally wouldn't mind all 3 (ivan, wenger and kronke p issing off) but with Stan having the final say then Ivan might be the one to leave.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

It does make sense actually. And it's out of order for a suit to make that kind of approach, especially in mid-season.

The order of leaving for me:

Kronke
Gazidis
Wenger

[redgunamo]

It does make sense actually. And it's out of order for a suit to make that kind of approach, especially in mid-season.

I'm not sure. If we may presume that the manager deals with the technical/work side of things, the football, surely someone else, the chief exec maybe, must deal with the personal side; is your family happy and settling in well, is the house we found you OK: How about your kids; are their schools alright and so on. Basically "general matters arising".

The conflict story is interesting but perhaps it arose perfectly innocently and with the best intentions?

[Luis Anaconda]

Maybe not but with Wenger in charge (and I do love the man) we know for a fact that we won't win it again. The last 3 years he had the money and the squad to win it (bought world class players, didn't have to sell etc) but couldn't do it.

We know for a fact do we? Can you tell me next week's lottery numbers?

[Mo Britain less Europe]

I'm not sure. If we may presume that the manager deals with the technical/work side of things, the football, surely someone else, the chief exec maybe, must deal with the personal side; is your family happy and settling in well, is the house we found you OK: How about your kids; are their schools alright and so on. Basically "general matters arising".

The conflict story is interesting but perhaps it arose perfectly innocently and with the best intentions?

If someone is talking behind your back to other interested parties whilst at the same time offering you a new contract it is very, very hard to presume innocence.

[redgunamo]

If someone is talking behind your back to other interested parties whilst at the same time offering you a new contract it is very, very hard to presume innocence.

Arguably, it's his job; contingency/succession planning and a' that? Merely testing the waters, even in general conversation.

Anyway, they are both on the same side. Our side.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

Arguably, it's his job; contingency/succession planning and a' that? Merely testing the waters, even in general conversation.

Anyway, they are both on the same side. Our side.

Arguably. But the timing was atrocious and clearly divided the players.

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

We know for a fact do we? Can you tell me next week's lottery numbers?

Good! You get next week's lottery numbers and I'll put in a request for tomorrow night's numbers.

Of course, I want those numbers today :-D

[redgunamo]

Arguably. But the timing was atrocious and clearly divided the players.

Only "clearly" because we finished fifth, imo. And only by a point. Weren't we actually still contenders back then?

Thing is, there's always something, isn't there :-\

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

Only "clearly" because we finished fifth, imo. And only by a point. Weren't we actually still contenders back then?

Thing is, there's always something, isn't there :-\


I think there is point in all of this that appears to have been missed.

Assuming this is all true of course.... Why the **** is Gazidis discussing the possibility of a new manager with the players at all?

[redgunamo]

Arguably, it's his job; contingency/succession planning and a' that? Merely testing the waters, even in general conversation.

I'm sure it happens all the time. It's a business, after all.

[Bergkamp Was Best]

"Assuming this is all true of course.... Why the **** is Gazidis discussing the possibility of a new manager with the players at all?"

If it is true then Gazidis should walk, I can't think what possible good he would of thought could come from it.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

Something happened, the appalling loss of form was beyond any appalling loss of form we've seen for years. It was temporary and it was something to do with the players because there were stories of arguments amongst themselves and strange looks and less willingness to fight for each other.

And it wasn't raised after losing the top four became inevitable, but way back.

[redgunamo]

Something happened, the appalling loss of form was beyond any appalling loss of form we've seen for years. It was temporary and it was something to do with the players because there were stories of arguments amongst themselves and strange looks and less willingness to fight for each other.

And it wasn't raised after losing the top four became inevitable, but way back.

Fair enough, but I'm not sure what difference it makes to the outcome, unless we really want to look for an excuse or a scapegoat.

We always find some way or other to avoid reaching the "magic" 80 points :shrug:

[Mo Britain less Europe]

The difference is that some of our worst results happened during that period. But we wouldn't have made it higher than third, which we should have been, even if that hadn't happened.

[redgunamo]

"Assuming this is all true of course.... Why the **** is Gazidis discussing the possibility of a new manager with the players at all?"

If it is true then Gazidis should walk, I can't think what possible good he would of thought could come from it.

I can understand Wenger being upset about it but, like I said, it probably happens all the time, especially at big clubs. Wenger could possibly leave at any moment; if you're the chief exec, do you want to be fingered for not having a plan in place?

[redgunamo]

The difference is that some of our worst results happened during that period. But we wouldn't have made it higher than third, which we should have been, even if that hadn't happened.

Naturally. It would all have been seen as a positive, galvanising factor if we'd won the league.

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

I'm sure it happens all the time. It's a business, after all.


Please show your workings, red?

[redgunamo]

Please show your workings, red?

I don't have any :-(

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

I can understand Wenger being upset about it but, like I said, it probably happens all the time, especially at big clubs. Wenger could possibly leave at any moment; if you're the chief exec, do you want to be fingered for not having a plan in place?

Succession planning does not involve discussions with the players and is strictly kept to a need to know basis. If completely incompetent HR departments can perform this function, Shirley the Arsenal board can with ease?

[redgunamo]

Succession planning does not involve discussions with the players and is strictly kept to a need to know basis. If completely incompetent HR departments can perform this function, Shirley the Arsenal board can with ease?

Private conversations though, ain't it. Different matter entirely. Everyone at the club has done all they can to show a united front. Football results is football results though; they can't really legislate for that and when they don't go right, people want to ask "why", including the players. Feedback from important individuals is always sought, in one way or another. Everyone is supposed to be able to deal with distractions, be professional.

It was interesting that Wenger Himself stressed "professionalism" yesterday, maybe suggesting that others hadn't been quite so conscientious as Him? One or two players perhaps? Gazidis? Who can say.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

We know Alexis and Ozil were in the Wenger-in camp. Any clues as to who might have been Wenger-out?

[redgunamo]

We know Alexis and Ozil were in the Wenger-in camp. Any clues as to who might have been Wenger-out?

We don't really know that at all, do we, except to say that players normally side with the manager who's picking them each week; he's the best manager, so far as they are concerned.

If and when Wenger leaves, each player's future may simply depend upon who the new bloke, or bird, is.

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

Private conversations though, ain't it. Different matter entirely. Everyone at the club has done all they can to show a united front.

or not, if this is a leak from within and not fake news?

[redgunamo]

And apparently, neither does anybody else. Apart from those that do, obviously. And Wenger.

It's all very exciting :-|



or not, if this is a leak from within and not fake news?

[Ash]

We know Alexis and Ozil were in the Wenger-in camp. Any clues as to who might have been Wenger-out?

Lucas Perez, I expect. The poor sod.

[Rich]

Lucas Perez, I expect. The poor sod.

He'll be our first choice striker next season.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

He'll be our first choice striker next season.

He'll be behind Jermaine Defoe imo.

[Rich]

He'll be behind Jermaine Defoe imo.

We could do a lot worse than making Bournemouth an offer for Josh King, tbh. £25-30million should do it. 14 in his last 17, I think.

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

And apparently, neither does anybody else. Apart from those that do, obviously. And Wenger.

It's all very exciting :-|


:nod: fuels speculation and makes for interesting press conferences and the selling of papers :-(

[Tony C]

Wenger Outs...Possibly the Brits plus a few of the more sensible foreigners who knew Ivan was only asking the question or foreigners with ax to grind like Debuchy....although he should've had as much input as Yaya Sanogo.

i.e. Ox, Ramsey (corrupted by Coleman), Gibbs, Welbeck, Theo (hardly played since the alleged Ivan chat), Ospina, Lucas and Debuchy.

Could also add in Chambers and Wilshere as a question of this magnitude who also affect them.

[redgunamo]

:nod: fuels speculation and makes for interesting press conferences and the selling of papers :-(

Right. That's what football's all about nowadays.