The Arsenal Week in Review
Another week down in the summer of our discontent and by all indiciations things are well and truly heating up. Well let’s get right to it and cover the highlights of this active week in the summer of the silly season.
Ivan Gazidis and the Arsenal Supporter’s Trust.
What is shaping up as an interesting week for Arsenal, was kicked off by the annual meeting of the Arsenal Supporter’s Trust with Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis. Ivan showed immediately why he is an astute executive by immediately addressing the ticket rise as well as stating that everyone was completely disappointed with how the season had ended. Nothing like taking control of a meeting that could be hostile by immediately addressing the biggest areas of concern.
But the two biggest areas Ivan touched on are the two that concern fans the most. First, is the succession plan for life after Arsene. Gazidis had this to say about the manager:
“We 100 per cent support Arsene,” Gazidis said. “I 100 per cent support him and feel he has done a fantastic job in a difficult period for this club.
“Arsene has done a remarkable job to stay at the top end of the game, although we have to acknowledge we haven’t delivered trophies and that is critical for the club.
“Ultimately Arsene is ultimately accountable to the fans — they ultimately make judgment. If you are seeing the relationship between the fans and the manager break down over time that is unsustainable. But I don’t think we are anywhere near that.”
So there you have it – those of you clamoring for his head – it will take an upswell in fan anger to move the board to replace Wenger. And I would have to agree with Gazidis that it is not to that level yet. Admittedly, there is universal agreement that Wenger needs to change things up but there is still a very large portion of fans that are okay with Wenger being given the chance to change things. Now, what will be interesting is if two things don’t happen – 1.) changes aren’t made and 2.) we again finish without silverware. Any of those happen and well we may look at a summer next year where we are hearing a large majority calling for his head.
The other interesting item from the Gazidis meeting was his acknowledging that this was going to be a busy summer and supporters should expect a lot of comings and goings. He wouldn’t discuss players specifically but based on rumours this week it looks like he was truthful. The one thing that may worry fans of Samir Nasri though is that he (without naming anyone) said the club would not be held hostage over players wages. Considering that is what it seems like Samir’s advisors are doing it might be resonable to surmise that Nasri may not get the deal he looking for and the club would sell him (most likely to Spain or Italy).
The final tidbit that caught my eye is that Arsenal support the idea of Safe Standing terraces at the Emirates and are looking into it further. With a lot of fans crying about the lack of atmosphere at the Emirates it is thought that bringing back such things as standing terraces may help both the atmosphere and for the general public to get access to a match again for a reasonable price. Obviously there are still a lot of general concerns with Hillsborough still in everyone’s minds. We’ll see what comes of it.
Cesc Fabregas.
It’s summer so what is an Arsenal piece without some nod to the saga that is the transfer of Cesc Fabregas. This week however two things have happened that might just mean that this summer’s saga may be shorter than last summer. No, the Spanish press didn’t turn on itself and eat itself whole. First in early in the week, Cesc in Madrid had this to say about all the hype:
“Barcelona are a great team, the best team in the world right now and going there guarantees a player titles. But I owe myself to Arsenal.”
“I am very happy at Arsenal. I am not going to talk about any other team – but I can’t say no to anyone because you never know what could happen in the future. I have values and after all that I have done in eight years here, I am not going to say a word that would ruin everything. I have always acted with discretion.”
“Any player who says he is not frustrated at not winning titles is lying. I am ambitious. [But] I have not spoken to the manager. He is the boss, he takes decisions and I don’t know if they want to sell me or not. This is a good team with a good manager, and with one of the most faithful fan bases in Europe. With whom I believe we can make progress and one day win an important trophy.”
“Everyone sees things in a different way but in these [sorts of] decisions, not everything depends on the player. If I said anything else it would be a lie, it would give rise to speculation that is not true. Last year I maybe positioned myself in a certain way, and that was a mistake.”
That was followed up by Sandro Rosell basically saying that they won’t pay through the nose for Cesc and will in fact lower their estimate by £5 million. Rosell’s argument was that he is a year older and has one less year on his contract. I would like to remind Senor Rosell that, yes Fabregas is older but he is still on 24, with his best playing years ahead of him and he still has 4 years left on a contract extension. If you want him as badly as you all say, I can only repeat what I said last week – you’re going to have to pay what Arsenal value you him at. Can’t pay it – can’t take the player. It’s simple math.
I like what Cesc had to say. It wasn’t a clear statement of NO I’M NOT GOING. But it really was clear he was placing the ball squarely in Rosell’s court who has shown his hand. For me, but not likely for the press or even a portion of the fans, this saga (at least for now) is over. If Barca don’t make a move before Arsenal head out to the Far East – it’s not happening at all.
2011/2012 Schedule is out
Well, it’s here and one thing is clear – we will know very early on where this club is as week 2 is home versus Liverpool and week 3 is away to Manchester United. That’s followed up by a trip to White Heart Lane on October 1. Lest we forget, that early on there are two Champion’s League qualififiers we have to play as well. All in all it is probably the most exciting start to a season I can remember for a while.
August
13 Newcastle (A)
20 Liverpool (H)
27 Man Utd (A)
September
10 Swansea (H)
17 Blackburn (A)
24 Bolton (H)
October
1 Tottenham (A)
15 Sunderland (H)
22 Stoke (H)
29 Chelsea (A)
November
5 West Brom (H)
19 Norwich (A)
26 Fulham (H)
December
3 Wigan (A)
10 Everton (H)
17 Man City (A)
21 Aston Villa (A)
26 Wolverhampton (H)
31 QPR (H)
January
2 Fulham (A)
14 Swansea (A)
21 Man Utd (H)
31 Bolton (A)
February
4 Blackburn (H)
11 Sunderland (A)
25 Tottenham (H)
March
3 Liverpool (A)
10 Newcastle (H)
17 Everton (A)
24 Aston Villa (H)
31 QPR (A)
April
7 Man City (H)
9 Wolverhampton (A)
14 Wigan (H)
21 Chelsea (H)
28 Stoke (A)
May
5 Norwich (H)
13 West Brom (A)
The interesting thing, it looks like we are home heavy after January. With the exception of Liverpool away we play all our remaining big matches at home on the other side of January. That sets up what looks like another interesting drive to end the season again.
Finally. . .
I’ve made it a point to avoid putting it into print that Arsenal deals are a done thing. I got burnt on the whole Mark Schwarzer deal last summer and won’t do it again. However, it is probably worth mentioning that a lot of print space was taken up with reports that Arsenal would likely announce the signing of Ivory Coast striker Gervinho over the weekend. Arsenal are said to have offered and had accepted by the player a 4 year deal that pays his former club a £10.5 million fee. Additionally, it could very well be that either the signing of Chris Samba or Gary Cahill would be announced shortly thereafter.
Ivan Gazidis had reportedly been seen with the Trotter’s executive Phil Gartside. They were supposedly meeting to discuss a deal that would lower Cahill’s fee to around £15 million and see Ignassi Miquel head to the Trotters on a season long loan. Arsenal are now considered the leaders to sign Cahill, when Man City could not get Boyata to go to Bolton as part City’s deal. It’s all very speculative but either way it does look like defence is surely getting an upgrade this summer.
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Gavin Hamilton (World Soccer) mentioned that the compensation Chelsea have paid to managers hired/fired is atleast 62 million but could be more. Chelsea certainly have turned hiring managers into a player like transfer system, with the club linked to various managers and now paying a fee to get who they want. They would have had to pay a fee to Turkey if they wanted Guus as well, who they still might get in some other role. Huge credit to the Porto owner for having the foresight to insert that clause for AVB a year ago.
Now if Arsene had 62 million, then I shudder to think how much of that would have been spent to better upgrade contracts of those gems such as Almunia, Denilson, Bendtner, etc.
@sachin, I would have to say the MANAGER is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT person in a sports team… they can change franchises.
See, Bill Belechick and Bill Parcells… changing the culture at the NE Patriots and thus the franchise history.
So, in my estimation, a good manager is worth his weight in gold… so if Chelsea feel this is THE GUY, then its well worth whatever they pay. The manager isn’t getting injured or suspended or going on international duty either!
In the meantime… over a month has passed since the season ended, and we’ve done fuck all… :skeleton:
@stag133,
Yup, it really is ASTOUNDING how little we have done. We have not even let ANYBODY GO!!!!
Its just incredible really.
I fully expect Almunia, Denilshit, Diaby, etc to ALL be here come September.
A few comments on the week that was.
1. Gazidis, meh, meh meh. White noise, not worth listening to.
2. Auclair, who is worth listening to. Says Wenger & PSG have been speaking for some time. PSG have recently gone Qatar – i.e. financial steroids. PSG want Wenger, Wenger loves France, Wenger needs love….
3. Auclair also says Nasri wants to run down his contract, ala, that other loyal Frenchman AKA The Flamster.
4. Tipping point. One Arsenal fansite is running a poll on Wenger going; 43% are saying ‘yes please, go now’. Is that a tipping point?
Everything else is a bit meh…..
Nero will not be pleased with the news that another “Invincible” …. a young, Portuguese one – is coming to town. The new kid has even won a European trophy in his short career. Something 60 something year old Nero is finding particularly hard to do.
Needless to say, I fully expect Villas-Boas to completely demolish Nero Wenger in the tactics and matchday arena.
A question which has intermittently crossed my mind over the past few years relates to Boro Primorac.
Who and what is Boro Primorac?
I know Arsene brought him to the club from Grampus 8 upon being appointed Arsenal’s manager, is fluent in 8 languages and is officially listed as First Team Coach.
However, I have never actually seen him in a training photo or video. Can’t remember ever having seen him on the bench at games, never seen or heard him been interviewed, never see his name in print. In fact, outside as being officially listed on the Arsenal web page it appears he doesn’t exist.
@DAG, seriously, could you utilize your contacts at the club to find out exactly what he does. It would be much appreciated just to satisfy my curiosity.
@Caribkid, I think you may have cracked the great Emirates mystery. Boro does exist and is always present but he can’t be recognized because people are not asking the question Where is Arsene?
After Arsenal’s move to the Emirates, the board decided they only wanted profits and not trophies. That suited Man Utd and Chelsea as well because having the illusion of Arsenal’s challenge might not make things look too easy. So the Arsenal board got help from some thugs and made Wenger disappear and then got Boro to undergo a Face-Off like transplant so that he could look like Wenger.
So Boro has been there all along but where is Wenger? :)
@sachin,
Thanks for the early afternoon laugh. Touche!
Come to think of it, you could be right. Arsene was never known to throw bottles on the pitch, berate opposing managers, avoid shaking their hands, and attacking refs in the tunnel.
:)
@Caribkid,
“Who and what is Boro Primorac?”
He is a lapdog, yes-man and client of Nero Wenger.
A purer version than Pat Rice.
—————————————————–
Before Nero Wenger plucked him from the abyss of complete irrelevance, taking him to Japan with him – Boro coached Cannes and Valencienes for 2 and half seasons combined.
He coached Cannes when they had a young Zidane (!!!!) and RELEGATED them before getting fired. He then took the job at Valencienes where he managed to lose more games than he drew or won (combined).
He then got a nice little gig in Guinea. An incredibly impoverished W. African country (even by African standards!). I imagine he got paid with goats, sheep and maybe some milk. Anyway, he lost all his games there and his contract “was not renewed”.
Whilst wondering what he would do with himself, he got a call from Nero asking him to come to Japan with him. I imagine he cried for joy, saying “Qui! Qui!! Qui!!!” into the phone.
Just another Wenger project who can’t believe his incredible luck that he is working at a club of Arsenal’s stature.
———————————————————————-
Does this answer your question? :-)
@Fred,
Thanks Fred, that answers the “WHO”.
Now, what the f##k does he do, what is his contribution? Shoot, I can even recognize the Physios and hear more from them than the 1st Team Coach.
If what you say is true Fred, and I have no reason to doubt otherwise, maybe they are on the “down low” or Boro has some serious blackmail content on the Emperor.
:) :)
@Caribkid,
Well, there is nothing in Boro’s past that suggests he adds anything substantial from a technical football point of view, so I am going to guess that he is the team’s translator – since he speaks 8 languages or maybe scout.
And he probably is an old drinking buddy of Nero as well.
@Caribkid,
As first team coach Boro’s chief responsibility is working with team as the prepare for the day’s training activities. He is responsible for getting them warmed up and he usually begins the training session.
As a player word is he was quite famous in his native Yugoslavia and even became captain of his national team.
@DaAdminGooner,
I have no idea about his playing career but he did get only 14 caps for his country though. Which is strange considering back in the day, there were tons of internationals every single year.
<@DaAdminGooner,
Thanks for the info DAG. much appreciated.
I don’t think anyone believes Cesc is a “reason” we haven’t won anything in the last 6 seasons…
I don’t think he should be captain, and I don’t won’t to keep him here against his will either… but he’s our best player by miles.
Interesting fact / note from StagBlog (just made that up)
We are ALWAYS in first place in the Summer and Pre-Season, alphabetically! It works in our favor!
Never lasts very long, but we take what we can get!
Arsenal FC should Market it… we spend more days in first place during the Summer than anyone!
Now go buy the new kit!
:skeleton:
PS. we’re waiting for what exactly… to make a move?
@stag133, we are waiting for the final hours of the transfer deadline to look for the best deal. Maybe the hope is that at the 11th hour, a 12 million worth player might be sold for 11.8 million, thus producing a huge saving and moral vindication by not paying the asking price.
Fact of the day (via Arseblog):
Fabregas has the MOST assists of any player in the top 5 leagues – over the last five years. And that includes Xavi, Iniesta, etc.
All that despite playing with ZERO technical or physical midfield support, ZERO coaching, ZERO mentorship, playing behind PLANK forwards whilst dodging career threatening lunges from brute EPL defenders.
But according to delusional AKBs, he is the reason Wenger FC can’t win a trophy ;-)
Interesting stats. Never pictured you a stats man Fred.
As for the AKB Army saying Cesc is the reason we aren’t winning trophies – where are you getting that? In all the blogs I’ve read, I’ve not seen that argued once.
@DaAdminGooner,
Oh, just over 3-4 weeks ago, on this very site, some were in full “Blame Cesc” mode.
So a couple maybe two or maybe three people said Cesc as to blame for our lack of trophies and you blanket an entire set of people?
Come on even you are better than that.
@DaAdminGooner,
For that week, during the end of season “celebrations” and with some strong rumors of Cesc’s departure, it was the dominant feature of several AKB leaning blogs.
Rather than Clown Wenger’s fault, it was Fabregas’ “lack of physicality” or “lack of leadership”. Ofcourse all that was complete, utter bullocks.
@DaAdminGooner,
Well written DAG. must laud you on your political savvy while writing to a group of fierce rivals.
You need to go join the White House staff ;)
I wrote a respone to the Cesc Barcelona perspective. Its now up on totalBarca.com:
http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/opinion-pieces/the-two-sides-of-the-cesc-fabregas-transfer-saga/
So, what’s the thoughts on Gervinho? Anyone actually seen him play? My gut feeling is I’d much rather have Eden Hazard, who plays naturally down the left (plus my youtube scouting report tells me he’s the better player anyway).
@OziKenyan, I can’t truly say I’ve seen much of either of the Lille players. In the little I did watch Hazard seemed much quicker and more dynamic on the ball, but his (head down) runs often came to nothing. Gervinho seemed better at running into space (without the ball) and brings more size and an eye for poaching, while still being able to take defenders on. Tiny Hazard (only 20 to Gervinho at 24) also seems ripe for a really bad injury (think Dudu/Ramsey) if he were to play in England.
Agree that (if it’s a done deal) we seem to be giving up on making left sided attacking changes. Does this mean that Nasri and Arshavin will be taking turns over there (where neither seemed truly happy)? If Clichy is gone there MUST be some sort of plan to stimulate our game on that side, where it’s been awfully weak over the past couple of seasons…..I kinda like the idea of trying to run TV5 out in the LB slot…..(Was that a “Manager Fred?”…..)
Another factor which makes me think that Nasri is staying (and that maybe we’ll up his pay AND give Cesc another boost, you know, to show Barca what it’s like to have REAL financial power…..) is that ManUnited, the ONLY big team that even hinted at moving for Nasri have picked up Ashley Young, which, in turn, could signal the end for Nani up there who played surprising little (I thought) during their run in….
On that note I’ll say that I very much like the “Week in Review” column. Cheers, as always, to the DAG. If you feel like doing even MORE, I’m very intrigued with the moves being made by our rivals, our position in English football always being (at least somewhat) relative….. Do United still need to replace the retiring VDS or is the De Gea deal back on? They appear to be happy going for youth at the back, while maybe confident of outscoring their opponents?…..And what’s this stuff with Luka Modric (for silly money) in a tug of war between Chelsea and Spurs? Couldn’t they just take Rosicky off our hands?….. Meanwhile, City seem awfully quiet, maybe just looking to come in with more money for whoever is coveted, i.e., Alexis Sanchez……
Finally, IF Gervinho does come, does play down the right, AND Sagna doesn’t get bought by Real Madrid (as Stag told me was sure to happen…..) that is an awful lot of hair extensions on one side of the pitch….Makes the idea of TV5, Nasri/Arshavin/RVP on the left seem positively boring…..
@highburyterracesteve, where did I ever say Sagna getting bought by Real Madrid was “sure to happen”?
really?
I think Sagna is our most consistent defender by far.
@OziKenyan,
Hazzard is a better pure winger. Speedy, skilled, decent crosser and forces defenders to drop deeper. Not a scorer a la Pires but more of a Di Maria, Aaron Lennon and Juan Mata type.
Gervinho on the other hand is one of those versatile tweeners Arsene loves as he can play in the middle or on the wing, decent defensively and seems to have a nose for goal. Sort of a Pires with speed but maybe not quite the footballing brain.
In the ideal world we probably should sell Cesc, use Nasri and Ramsey in that position and get both Hazzard and Gerviho along with a true striker like Falcao. I see no problem with Gervinho fitting in right away where Hazzard is not yet quite the finished article but has more upside.
I like the fixture list. If we start on the wrong foot, then meh, at least we won’t have been teased for most of the season. If we start on the right foot, the stretch of home games towards the end of the season MAYYYY be the edge we need to prevent a collapse.
The next month or so in the transfer market obviously a much bigger factor to how our season will shape up.
@OziKenyan,
The fixture list is daunting. We NEED to do something big in the first leg of our CL qualifier AND use whatever depth we’ve achieved through all the (promised) squad freshening…..And with no Austrian training camp to bring the team together…..Well, my bum is getting squeaky already…..
Also, am I gonna be the first to note that we have to play United at home in late January (not to mention tricky ties with Swansea, Bolton, Blackburn and Sunderland…..) when ALL our key players: Chamakh, Gervinho, Eboue, Song, Samba Odemwingie and all the other French Speaking Africans we’re surely buying will be gone to the ANC!!!!!(?)
Given that only an idiot manager/club would make such stupid moves, we’re pretty sure to already be out of ALL competitions anyway, so no biggie I guess…..
@highburyterracesteve,
Congo has been eliminated from the ANC so at least we wont have to worry about Samba leaving.
1/2 our strike force will be gone and our sole DM.
UMMM! Lets see, we will go to 4-5-1 and use either Arshavin or Nasri (assuming he is still with us) in the slot. maybe we can Rosicky at DM since I cant see him getting a game anywhere else on the pitch and insert Diaby as a hold up striker since he’s tall :)
@Caribkid, So then it’s official, we’ve signed Samba…..
Winky, wink…..
Seriously, Gervino (also not officially ours), as somebody said, is ideally coming to replace Bentner, i.e., to compete with/spell Nasri, Arshavin and Walcott, not to mention RVP….Clearly (if he’s coming) AW is moving towards more of a Barca style, “false nine” set up (i.e. 4-6-0) than the traditional English “hold” up style (4-5-1) which actually kinda worked early season with Makh in that role…..
We shall see…..