Stop Dragan this Out: The Wenger Succession Thread

I think the age range in which Arsenal are spending money on new players is interesting too. The only player that Arsenal has spent significant money on who was 19-22 when purchased in the last 5 years was Chambers. This season they also bought Asano and Holding, but neither were that expensive and neither were really expected to contribute to the first team this season.

The last time Arsene picked up a player that was 19-22 and was expected to come into the first team and play a significant part in the squad was Nasri back in 2008. Before that it was a more common occurrence with Adebayor in '05, Van Persie and Eboue in '04, and Reyes in '03.

Note that is also the age range in which Henry, Vieira, Kanu, Ljunberg, and Kolo were signed (also Diaby, who I think had the talent to be in the same league as those players).

So basically Arsenal haven't been able to attract any top young talents who were on the verge of becoming great players in almost 10 years, and haven't done it consistently since the early 2000's. They've done reasonably well with the players brought in at 18 or younger (Cesc, Bellerin, The Jeff, etc.), though losing Gnabry is a major blow, and guys like Theo, Ramsey, and the Ox all seem to be coming up short of what was hoped they'd become for various reasons.

The question now becomes why aren't Arsenal able to grab even ONE player like Lewandowski before he breaks out? Just using Dortmund as a quick example, they have killed it buying players 19-22: Lewandowski, Gundogan, Kagawa, Hummels, Bender, Weigl, Ginter, Dembele, Guerreiro, and Subotic were all had for less than €16M, most for less than €6M. And that doesn't include guys like Auba and Reus who were 24 and 23 when signed, but still for less than €16M. And those signings were all made since 2008!

So while there are clearly issues with tactics and buying players that don't fit the system (arguable if there even is a system at this point), the inability to recruit players from 19-22 that can either become stars or even just talented long term squad players seems to be major issue too.

 

I used to. Not any more. He's beaten it out of me.

 

That is a fcuking great post and comparison

 

AW is like the person you give a damn about but get frustrated when they do self-destructive things to themselves. You keep convincing them and they agree with you...but they keep doing it to themselves.

 

Great effing post

 

BvB has taken over Arsenal's mantle as the club of choice for young stars to develop in a relatively low-pressure environment and a club which will let them go when a big club comes calling. Same for Monaco to an extent.

Arsenal are neither anymore - environment is more toxic and Arsenal have stopped being a selling club.

 

On today's Arsecast there was a lot of chat about TH14 replacing Wenger. Hello?? That has to be a joke. Even if Josh Kroenke wants to do this.

p.s. All due respect to Thierry and his legendary accomplishments (I supported him big time at 2 of his clubs).

 

Thierry would be an awful coach. Hes way too emotional for me, and likely has no tactical acumen. He played one way his entire arsenal/NYRB career.

This is one of those cross-roads. I think the board should take a leap of faith on a progressive coach, younger and flexible. Move wenger up to a true management position and let him oversee the club operations.

That wont happen; I see two scenarios. Wenger re-signs and goes till retirement and they promote from within and we fail. Or they go for a name like hiddink or something and fail. Either way I don't see how this club takes the next step with our current board.

 

Wenger's ego wont let a new manager do his job. I think he needs to be either an external chief ambassador, or leave entirely, or be Life President and attend/head the AGM and big media events. Fergie and Man U is still there, but then he had the hubris to accept he was done. Wenger never would. The Mugabe analogy in the vid online was dopey, but he had a point, Mugabe won't go until he is dead, Wenger won't either.

 

Points away at the Top 10 2016-17
Liv 13
Spurs & Che 10
City 9
Man U 6
W Ham & Eve 5pts
5 teams 4
Boro 3
3 teams 2pts
Sun, Hull, Bur & Ars 1

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 27, 2017

 

wtf lmao

 

Umm, how is that real? And yet, it is

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/the-toe-p...nner-for-arsenal-boss-spotted-at-wrestlemania

 

i think we'll beat West ham though. And top four is still attainable, since the other top six have to play each other, and they continue to drop points. United did, Chelsea did, Spurs will, and City/Liverpool will again. whether top four is good for us, no, since we won't win the champions league. i think we should qualify, lose in hte group stage, and win the europa league.

 

It's not impossible, but it would take a fair bit of luck to happen. We'd have to win out, and need Liverpool/City/United to drop points. Not impossible, but the performances lately suggest that it won't happen.

 

Yep and the old cunner will sign the deal and the whole fan base will collide

Lmao at that wrestle mania banner

 

Sky talking about Arsenal now is boring. I bet Sounness and Henry off camera say it is!

 

We have three good games coming up, and Sunderland/Southampton. It could happen, we'll see.

 

On ESPNFC I saw someone at the Portland Timbers game with #WengerOut sign. Sorry couldn't find an image of it on Google.

The momentum is building!!

 

I am with jitty here.

Top 4 is gone for both United and Arsenal after last weekend.

 

Rumor is that a new deal may be announced after the west ham match.