30 Apr 2021 11:57:53
Lots of interesting opinions on the site which is great and enjoy reading them.

I'm sure no one really wants Arsenal to do poorly but maybe they see the only way our board reacts is if there is a disaster - such a shame making fans think that way just so that the board does their job and upgrades. My opinion is that they are still true fans but want change and see that as the only way to get it. Longterm gain for short term pain. I get it but I don't want that to be at the expense of a trophy.

Anyway - what I miss about things in lockdown is genuine banter and arguing about opinions in a nice way.

I like Arteta as a person and that he's an explayer. However, I think he's way over his head. Not everyone agrees, I get frustrated because the Arteta "in" camp doesn't really help me understand their position and thought process. Is it that you are concerned we keep changing managers or that you don't know who we could get?

The Arteta "out" troops can be seen as negative and moaners.

So, in the interest of me learning and getting back to the banter side of the site;

If you are Arteta In / give him time - please share your opinion

If you are on the fence and concerned about who to replace him - leave that to one side and let's just determine if he's the right person or not. The second question on his replacement can't be made until his future is determined

For the Arteta out troops - same question. Why out, why not another season?

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend - remember, we are still in the running for winning the semi with that away goal.

Love to hear your opinions, especially first time posters and the in brigade

COYG.

1.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 12:04:11
Would love to hear from the Ed’s! We value your opinions and interactions.

{Ed014's Note - well I’m of the same opinion that I like Arteta.

As for being our manager I find myself unconvinced at this time but wanting him to prove me wrong.

I believe our squad has the quality to be in the top four and easily so.

So here lies the problem, we’re 10th and why is that. A portion of that lies with our strikers having an horrendous start to the season and specifically Aubamayang who still hasn’t got much better.

Had he been on fire things would have been, for me, a lot different.

I’m also going to lay some blame at the feet of who was responsible for Luis, Willian and retaining Xhaka whilst failing to obtain Aouar. Some of that down to Arteta. Also what I felt was a debacle over allowing Saliba to go on loan.

All big mistakes for me at seasons start.

So I’ve liked some things that Arteta has done with us and we have played some nice football. However he is a Pep disciple and watching us and City is like chalk and cheese, they are perpetual motion working as a team.

We are nothing like that and a team containing players like Xhaka, Leno and Luis that have at times been hapless.

Is he out of his depth, will we suddenly click as he suggests, I’m very much doubting it and he very much is.

He and the owners are an out for me at this moment as neither will take us back to challenging as much as I may hope to be proved wrong.

I heard the other day that Josh Kroenke was involved in a phone call with the Arsenal supporters trust and the guy felt utterly deflated saying Josh gave him nothing! 🤷‍♂️

As always we can dream of replacements but having zero say in that process I’m not even going to suggest one as it’ll prob be Fat Sam!

2.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 13:02:57
Hi Sy, thanks for the interesting post. I'm not a first time poster but I have a lot of time on my hands so here is my take 😊

I have instinctively been of the opinion that Mikel should have the summer transfer window to see how the squad looks next season and then reasses in the winter.

I say this because he has inherited a lot of players - Xhaka, Holding, Pepe, Chambers, Auba, Laca etc. I'm not saying they are bad (far from it) but would they be his choice?
I think it's obvious Pepe was bought because the club were given the option to pay in instalments, I assume because of mismanagement of finances.

The negatives for Mikel are many - inexperience, stubbornness, possible bad man-management skills (as Ed002 has pointed out there are many unhappy players) , overcoaching on the field, too many tactical changes for my liking, etc etc. I also worry who he will be able to attract in the transfer market with his management record so far. So lots and lots of negatives!

BUT . I have no doubt he loves Arsenal and will do his very best for our club. He seems to be hugely competitive. I'm not sure this is enough though so I have to rely on my instinct to form my views.

Of all the negatives, the one thing that bothers me the most is the possibility that he doesn't possess good man-management skills.

Time will tell if my instincts prove right.

3.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 13:13:15
The thing is there are senior players who are causing havoc.
The youngsters seem to be happy and playing well

How much time does he need? I don’t know!

In my opinion there is something about the team that is on the right road

I would give him the summer transfer window and then if it’s not working sack him at Christmas.

4.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 13:15:50
Good reply ed014, I would agree with everything you've put there except that I am not quite at the 'out' stage. To me, Arteta out is a short term solution and one that does not address the main problem with Arsenal: the Kroenkes.

So to answer your question SY, I am not Arteta In, because I think he's underachieved this season, but I'm not Arteta out either, because he's dealing with some pretty terrible circumstances above and below him. I am simply Kroenke out.

5.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 17:27:51
I'm Arteta out because in 2 out 2 seasons were are going set a new 25 year low points total and 25 year record low league position finish, and with a squad that is capable of far more than this, so for me that is unacceptable from any manager be his name Arteta, Wenger Emery, Gardiola or Klopp.

On a personal level, as a player I liked him and remember him leaving the field in tears on his last ever appearance for the Arsenal.

As a manager he has no integrity but is simply a company yes man who toes the company line regardless of right or wrong And as much as we all know this so do all his players which makes it difficult for the players to have respect for him or fight for him to keep his job.

6.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 18:57:11
John 99.9 % of the employed population toes the line

Silly comment.

7.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 19:09:42
I’m out because I think he’s over his head amd hasn’t got a clue, tactics all wrong, team selections all wrong, amd I think he’s stubborn and won’t change, amd I don’t want him to have another transfer window as I think he will spend money on crap along with edu when I think a good manger could spend the money wisely, and after Thursday I personally think he has tried to copy pep with no striker and it’s back fired, and I’m one of the people who wants to lose to get him out, even if that means at the cost of a trophy, and I love arsenal to bits but that’s how bad it is.

8.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 19:18:43
Can I add to mals post I don’t know if he will
Anwser me, in what way is the team on the right road? We r awful.

9.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 19:37:58
Some great comments on here. I have always been conflicted, as again, I like Arteta, and he comes across as a thoughtful, intelligent person, both traits I really like. Also I hate wanting someone to lose their job, what a horrible feeling to have. However, once again we got outplayed by Villarreal, who were far more successful in getting the ball into dangerous positions, and we just huff and puff. We play dull, slow, football, with players taking risks at the wrong end of the pitch. We become extremely risk averse when attacking, overlaps ignored because a ball may have to be played over the defender, and yet are happy to do just that outside our own box ( I assume I wasn’t the only one to gasp when Xhaka, at 2-1 down played the ball across our own goal, just over the head of the Villarreal striker who would have almost had an empty net if he was a foot taller) . I can see some things improving under Arteta, but I am not sure forcing players to play out from the back, and take massive risks just to get the ball to the halfway line will really change under Arteta, and teams will continue to see us as a beatable team with just a bit of pressure and a good press.

10.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 20:31:04
Hi Mark you've had some rubbish bosses if 99.9% of them have been yes men.

I've been lucky to have some brilliant bosses who've stood up for me and my co workers when the company got it wrong and we had total respect for them, unfortunately I've also had some useless bosses to who have a really high turn over of staff because when the company says jump they say how high sir?

I understand better now why you like Arteta so much Mark mate, if this type of character is all you've ever known naturally you wouldn't expect more anyone.

11.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 15:07:07
Great reply Ed - very balanced.

Last question. If the Spotify dude took over tomorrow and was to plough funds in. Would you let Arteta spend them and have a few seasons …. Stick or twist?

I think I would twist if I’m being 💯

I look at Everton and can’t see why we’ve fallen so far behind and I don’t like Artetas tinkering, who he drops and playing people out of position. Jobs come to quick.

{Ed014's Note - absolutely twist SY and I’m sure he would too.

12.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 21:32:13
Can anyone name a football manager that spoke against the club owners.

13.) 30 Apr 2021
30 Apr 2021 22:06:11
Klopp and Gardiola G4, they spoke out about and ridiculed a project their bosses were advocating.

For me SY with a new manager we'd go into next season with new hope and excitement, with Arteta we will go into next season as we are now decided and most people despondent.

People say about new signings this summer but last summer we got Gabriel and Partey and we were all buzzing yet are going to finish lower with less points with them, how? They are not suddenly become bad players.

14.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 00:25:35
Hi Sally, hope you are well. Nice post and I can see your point and perhaps Christmas is a compromise. I can understand that.

For me, I don’t want anyone sacked as that’s not nice but with limited funds - I don’t want them wasted on Mikel. Then the next manager saying he or she needs to clear the decks before accountable.

Our squad is the best it’s been for years - anyone could improve defence with Tierney, Mari, Gabriel, and Partey covering in CDM. We seem to address all the issues Wenger had plus have all the talent up front yet we are lowest we’ve been in years and terrible to watch. Even Emery out played us.

I look at Everton and think why have they overtaken us with our squad? Why is Rodgers above us with Leicester and even West Ham.

I want hope, excitement, joy and pride - why else would I let a club devour so much of my thoughts and time. However, I understand your thoughts and appreciate you sharing.

Mal - still waiting on why Arteta in? It’s boring, yes but I’ve not heard you say why. Come on bud.

15.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 04:10:19
Arteta out, since before the fa cup and quite begrudgingly still.
Id still love it to somehow work out for him, but the reality is our league position is abysmal and that seemed quite obvious given the way we've been playing for over a year. What's worse is we're dire to watch and sometimes I'm lucky to fall asleep.

Ultimately though I, and everyone, misses the crowd.

16.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 09:58:04
I’m not saying Mikel in for the next 5 years, but he is a manager who has come into the foe in troubling time in the world. It’s his first managerial job and as I said should be given to Christmas

He has made loads of players better but they have not gelled

John I’ve worked for myself for the last 40 odd years, but b4 that I had a right bollox of a boss who I done my apprenticeship with,
It’s only really the turn of the century where people had rights in the work place. A large majority of people won’t speak up because they are afraid of getting the sack. You’re one of the lucky ones

Sy and welshy where was you both when Wenger hadn’t won the league in 13 odd years

Sy Mikel has started to clear the decks you can’t do it all in one window.

17.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 10:07:06
Yes all well here Sy, hope the same with you and yours.

Regarding Mikel's possible new signings, I'm mostly happy with the players that have come in under his watch, so feel quite confident about this going forward. Even if he leaves at Christmas I think the squad would be ok for any new manager. I assume Luiz and Willian were super-agent signings (I hate the concept! ) so are the exceptions. That said I think Luiz has had some very good days :) Willian just doesn't seem to fit, such a shame as I was a big fan watching him at Chelsea.

Will Arteta improve? I would say definitely. Comparing him to other clubs with vastly experienced managers is a little difficult.
Whether Arsenal will allow him the luxury of time is open for debate.

Would Arsenal attract a top manager with our structure? I doubt it. So it would probably be someone inexperienced like Mikel or a less glamorous candidate who would be offered the job. Would that be acceptable?

18.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 11:28:11
The problem at Arsenal is we've always seen ourselves as a big club that should be challenging for big prizes as have Liverpool and United, even in the dark days City and Chelsea Everton fans always felt thier club should be up there with the best as I'm sure Leeds fans still do.

There aren't many clubs in the world where a manager can deliver 2 out of 2 record low finishes and expect to carry on into a 3rd seaso.

It seems the expectations of an Arsenal manager are falling and falling and we are slowly joining Palace Southampton Wolves size clubs where a Europa league finish is an ambition, top 4 finish a dream, a title win the stuff pure a fantasy, and only relegation itself wouid be considered as completely unacceptable.

19.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 13:03:11
I think the expectations are still extremely high Gunner but our reality is somewhat different. We don't have a Shiekh or a Russian owner or a capable management structure int appears. I'm very curious to see what Silent Stan comes up with this transfer window 😊💰

I'll happily admit I am in a very small minority willing to give Mikel until Cheistmas but for those who want him gone, who do you think realistically we could get?

{Ed014's Note - Hi Sally, John Henry and Tom Werner have a combined net worth of £2.8 billion.

What’s enabled them to win the Champions League and Premier league in successive seasons whilst accumulating a record number of league points?

Do we in truth need some one with Mega Millions.

We have all the pieces of a jigsaw but someone’s turned it into a wasjig

20.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 14:17:03
Probably not Ed but do we need someone who seems to do $*@# all? Something must have attracted Klopp to Liverpool, they must have sold him a vision which appealed to him. That's certainly not happening at Arsenal.

By all accounts we only seem to be missing a couple of decent players, which shouldn't be too hard to achieve. We've seen what happens when Tierney is injured!

David Ornstein has confirmed that Silent Stan is digging in even more after the protests so that's a bit depressing (unless he has a change of heart and thinks of us as a football club rather than a cash cow) .

I'm an eternal optomist so I live in hope 😊.

{Ed014's Note - that’s it Sally we need exactly the opposite and Mr Ek as a fan is someone I’d like to get behind.

Someone with a genuine enthusiastic want for us to be the best.

Like you though I live in eternal hope of that.

21.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 14:26:56
Hi Sally are we saying the Mikel is doing all he can with the squad he has?

A little while ago people were debating with Ed077 that the Arsenal squad was better than Uniteds, yet untied are going to finish 2nd and Arsenal highly likely 10th.

Is Ole that brilliant? Or are Arsenal simply underachieving under Arteta?

{Ed077's Note - that was my point too. For me both OGS and Arteta are of a similar level/quality so surely the United squad as a whole must be a bit better for there to be that much difference between the teams.

22.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 15:16:01
I think he is on a steep learning curve Gunner, who knows where it will end! A little while ago ManU fans were calling for Ole's head on a plate but he seems to have turned it around. Let's hope we can do the same, whether it be with Mikel or Fat Sam (please, no! ) 😉.

23.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 15:54:04
Mal, I’ve said it before. I felt given Wenger’s trophy heavy history - I cut him to much slack at the end hoping he would see sense or the board would tell him to sort it out or leave. I also said I wouldn’t repeat my mistake and to be fair Mikel has done absolutely nothing to deserve that extra extra time. he’s played numerous people out of position, leaves no LB cover, tinkers, can’t make decisions, drops performers, plays from the back when we shouldn’t, boring football, worst I’ve seen us in years, poor man management, backed Luiz. so many bad things hence no extra time earned in my book

Still waiting to see why you back him mate

Look at the squad he’s got.

24.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 15:55:46
One day Ed one day :)

25.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 16:48:26
What do you think he's learned so far Sally 😃.

26.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 17:20:39
Sy I like his hair style.

27.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 17:47:19
Ah now I get why keep him until Christmas, he'd make a lovely elf!

Stans little helper 😂😁😀😊😉😚.

28.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 18:42:41
Mal i wad s on ya when the Wenger ere amd inwas Wenger in all the way.

29.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 18:45:25
And you still haven’t answered my question mal same as SY question you haven't answered.

I was Wenger in all the way and would have him back tomorrow as I think he would get us higher with this team than the clown would.

{Ed014's Note - I’m going to agree with you Welsh, especially if we brought Torriera back too.

30.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 19:15:26
Do you what, I couldn’t care less anymore.

I’ll support my club as I did when Wenger was in charge

I won’t say I want us to loose

I’m a gooner.

31.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 19:21:53
Let's not romance Arsenes final years, we were in steady decline under Arsene and everyone in football was questioning Arsenes stubbornness, his teams mentality and Arsenal's non competitiveness.

Arsene had to go and Just because Arteta is far worse doesn't mean we should go back to be better than than we are but still way short of those we used to rival.

32.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 19:37:47
I just want to add I never once wanted the team I loose, even when Wenger was manager

I think it’s disgusting and you should be ashamed.

33.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 19:45:01
Gunner, I think he has learnt its not an easy job!

34.) 01 May 2021
01 May 2021 20:11:35
Hes obviously a bright boy Sally,
If he can learn that in just 18 months, he should be doing up his own shoe laces no time 😎.