Sometimes I think that football managers and players think we are all stupid. Why else would they all behave like they do, posture as they do and make stupid statements like they do? We all know it’s a game of cliché and jargon (always has been, always will be), but it is also a sport where the behaviour of the school playground prevails. And they … Continue reading Mourinho and Wenger are back in the sandpit
They were at it again. I watched Arsenal lose at home to Swansea, another game where the Gunners dominated, passing the opposition to death. They lost to a late goal. A little murmur went up, just a faint anti-Wenger comment or two. At the Emirates, freedom of speech is not encouraged when it comes to the manager. In another age, nobody would have even remotely … Continue reading March to the arch: Don Quixotic and the modern Hammers
It was once the clash of the titans, two footballing supertankers. Great minds battling against each other. A high-octane clash, never more graphically captured than when Martin Keown screamed his delight at Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman had missed a late penalty. Schadenfreude at its best, or a scene from Planet of the Apes. You choose. Manchester United v Arsenal used to mean something. … Continue reading Cup defeat a reminder of United’s long way back….
In 2007, as I made my way to the O2 arena to watch the Led Zeppelin reunion concert, I bumped into somebody who started extolling the virtues of the new Arsenal stadium, The Emirates. “It’s been beautifully built,” he said. “Not like Wembley, which will fall down. I know….I’ve worked on both.” He went on to say that Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger, was deeply involved … Continue reading Calling in on……Arsenal: Life in the O-zone
Dark clouds are descending once more around Arsenal after their disastrous opening day defeat at the hands of Aston Villa. Watching the post-match analysis and reaction of manager Arsene Wenger, the Frenchmen already looks like a man making too many excuses. Arsenal’s prudent approach to finance is admirable, but they spent the summer telling people that the purse strings have been opened and that they … Continue reading Dear Prudence…when will you come out to play?
News that Arsenal are on the brink of being taken over by a Middle Eastern investor will doubtless excite the Emirates regulars and raise hopes that the silverware drought is about to end. The men from the desert are looking to buy majority shareholder Stan Kroenke’s 66.8% stake in the Gunners. A huge injection of cash and a change of direction may well bring new … Continue reading New investors or not, Wenger’s future is in some doubt
Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester United. And let’s not discount Liverpool, who may soon tire of the latest attempt to recreate the now fading glory days of Anfield. These are the clubs that may soon be initiating an open outcry session of bidding for the services of Pep Guardiola, who right now may be enjoying the US election but may soon be setting … Continue reading Guardiola will be able to take his pick of the English clubs
It’s early days, and two 0-0 draws does not represent an all-out crisis, but Arsenal’s blank start to the season may herald the beginning of the end for Arsene Wenger. The natives are restless, as they say, at the Emirates Stadium and the latest exodus of players may prove to be the last straw for a club that has not won anything since 2005. There … Continue reading Is time running out for Wenger?
