Merci Indeed
Apr 20th, 2018 by 'holic
I can picture the moment vividly. Stevie Bould bringing the ball into midfield and chipping the perfect pass into the breaking runner through the heart of the Everton rearguard. Tony Adams majestic swing with his left boot sends the ball crashing into the back of the net, he makes a quarter turn and stands, arms aloft. That moment sealed the Arsenal’s first Premier League title in the first full season of Arsene Wenger’s reign. That Bould and Adams new found attacking instincts delivered it was significant.
He had taken over in October of the preceding season and although we finished level on points with second place Newcastle the title had been surrendered in the double-headers with Manchester United and Liverpool. That first full season we did the double over Manchester United to depose them as champions and went on to defeat Newcastle at Wembley to complete the second Arsenal double. Arsene Wenger had already written his name large in Gunners history.
He had proved the doubters wrong and had proven himself to be an innovator and creator of better players. The old guard, Dixon, Adams, Bould, Keown, Winterburn would all come to acknowledge that his training methods, his dietary advice, and his use of substances like creatine had lengthened their careers and their enjoyment of the game.
Eight years later the most emotional final day against Wigan was followed by going within thirteen minutes of winning the European Champions League against Barcelona with ten men. That cruel defeat, though little did we know it at the time, would lead to a trophy drought that spanned nine years. Nine years in which we moved into an enormous new stadium a stones throw from Highbury, continued to qualify for the Champions League and even raised occasional hopes of a fourth title triumph for the increasingly under pressure French manager.
Arsene had ensured his legacy in those first eight years. In the season following that historic double we were a Bergkamp penalty from knocking Manchester United out of the FA cup semi-final, and a late collapse enabled them to take our Premier League title from us. A year on our run to the final of the UEFA Cup saw us fail to land a third European trophy on a sad night in Copenhagen. A year later defeat was snatched from the arms of victory in the FA Cup Final in Cardiff but the team was already evolving.
The beasts of 98 were retiring and moving on. An astute manager replaced them wisely. Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole. A new back four was complete. Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, the future was being rewritten. In 2001-2002 that new team delivered the title, clinching it at the home of the greatest rival of the era, Manchester United, “Don’t worry, it’s only Ray Parlour” delivered the second Wenger double. A year on the Cup was retained against Southampton. The greatest season ever was around the corner.
There was a point at which a mischievous interviewer asked Arsene if he thought his team was capable of going a season undefeated. “Yes, of course” is Arsene’s stock answer to such challenges. He was widely ridiculed for it. In 2003/4 he delivered just that. Played 38, won 26, drew 12. We were, with the benefit of hindsight, the best team in Europe that season. In consecutive matches we astonishingly surrendered the Champions League quarter-final to Chelsea and our FA Cup hopes to the old foes United.
In a season when the big guns tumbled from the Champions League Chelsea were knocked out by Monaco, who went on to lose the Final to Porto. It is highly likely that we would have beaten either of the Finalists with the team we had. The Premier League title was ours again and a level of expectation had been set. It was us or United every season, wasn’t it?
The 2005 FA Cup Final summed up the spirit in the club. With most of our best players absent we took on United at Cardiff with Bergkamp as lone striker. A target man he wasn’t. The other ten clung on for grim death and somehow forced a penalty shoot-out won with the last kick of his Arsenal career by Patrick Vieira. It was a turning point and one we could not have anticipated at the time. Abramovic had rolled into West London and the domestic game was facing a shake-up courtesy of his roubles.
Arsene Wenger’s stock was so high at the time that he was regularly offered the prized managerial roles around the planet. However tough times lay ahead. The move to the new stadium, although badly needed, came at a time of slump in the property market and the wider economy. The Highbury flats didn’t realise the prices envisaged at the planning phase and other potentially valuable building works around the new stadium were gradually sold off.
Arsene was told to tighten the purse strings and deliver a profit on player trading. Yet within a year of that Champions League defeat the first rumblings of discontent were heard. They grew slowly, but visibly as season after season passed by with no trophy and a star player sold. The wizard was no longer sprinkling gold dust on his beloved team. The fan base started to crack.
It’s hard to say at what point the disaffected came to outnumber the faithful. It wasn’t in 2013 when finally the new kit deal was signed with Puma, and a new sponsorship deal agreed with Emirates. Now Arsene had the money and many, including me, had argued he deserved the first crack at putting things right when the money worries were eased. He delivered the FA Cup on an emotional afternoon at Wembley. An ideal time to go thought some at the time.
A year later Aston Villa were demolished at Wembley and the trophy was retained. An ideal time to go thought some again. My unwavering support wobbled as we limped to the end of 2015/16 and as runners-up to Leicester. Leicester, for goodness sake. I still loved the man and I will never think his legacy has been in any way tarnished, but what followed was entirely a question of two steps back. Our last season in the Champions League ended in a 10-2 humiliation by Bayern. At least we were able to bounce back and the manager secured a record seventh FA Cup against Chelsea, having defeated Manchester City in the semi-final.
Unless we win the Europa League we will miss out on the Champions League money for a second consecutive season, and so to today. Less than a week to the first leg of the Europa League semi-final and the announcement delivered by Arsene on Arsenal.com came as a bombshell.
“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season. I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity. I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special. I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high. To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support forever.”
I don’t mind admitting it has been a very emotional day. A 61 year old man weeping at the end for someone he met once, at the edge of the pitch after that Highbury farewell, for a fleeting handshake. He has been the Arsenal manager for over a third of my life. He managed the teams that I took my Dad to see in his last match at Highbury, and his only visit to the Grove, which surely now should have the West Stand renamed in his honour.
Don’t get me wrong, the time had come. We are not a team that challenges for titles and Champions Leagues any longer. We don’t often play the beautiful game any more. Those thing aren’t a right, but it is a part of what the manager of a club of the Arsenal’s size and wealth should be expected to deliver. There are changes that have been put in place to provide the structure that the next coach will be able to work with to hopefully achieve these aims.
In the meantime we as a fanbase have the opportunity to deliver some appropriate backing to the team and raise our voices in tribute to the man who delivered a couple of the best football teams I have seen in my life, and I have seen a lot of very good football teams. The matches against Atleti should now be a celebration of what he did for our football club. The team have a duty to deliver the Europa League to him on his last night in charge of the mighty Arsenal.
He deserves at very least that.
130 Responses to “Merci Indeed”
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Going to Claim 1st on this strange old day.
Your first paragraph. I was sat right behind that strike in The Nort Bank.
Then there is the legendary commentary to go with Big Tone, arms spread and chest out.
Going to read the rest now.
Parting is such sweet sorrow……..
It’s like I promised myself when some of my closest moved on, I’d remember them with kind words and profundity but in the end, someone else someone said it better than me….
Thanks for the memories Arsene and thanks Dave……
I’ll be there Sunday with my ” Wenger in ” placard. Nice post Holic. Let’s raise a glass to the great man.
You brought another tear to my eye, Guvna.
Thank you for that. One of your finest.
‘Nuff said.
Win that damn trophy, fellas.
Really lovely piece H. Very fitting.
It’s been a strange old day. I think the vast majority agree that it’s time for a change. But we all have absolutely everything at Arsenal to thank him for.
He’s changed Arsenal. He’s changed football and he’s broken countless records along the way. I’ve seen every Premier Lesgue Trophy raises under his leadership. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 8 FA Cup Finals during his reign. 7 of which we won. AW gave me the opportunity to stand at the top of Wembley Way with my son before heading off to take our seats. We stuffed Villa that day and I am left with a memory that any father would treasure for the rest of his natural days. For that, and the thousands of other unbelievable memories, thank you.
For the spoilt minority, just trust me. You’ve never had it so good.
Congratulations to the U23s, champions!! Good day for it.
I posted this link in the previous round of drinks. It’s a interview for radio with Bob Wilson. Worth a listen. Very humbling.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p064wnll
Cheers Holic, a fitting tribute to a great man. Arsene & Arsenal were a team made in heaven. There is and never will be another Arsene Wenger.
Bob Wilson “First of all he is the greatest manager in the history of Arsenal Football Club…”
Just take a moment to think about that people
It’s a fact
Be so very bloody grateful
I certainly am
Thank you
All good things must come to an end
Just thank you
Well put, Guvnor, and especially your final two paragraphs.
Cometh the hour, goeth the man. The time is indeed right for AW to hand over the reins but it is difficult to overestimate how immense his contribution to the club has been over 22 years.
We should never forget how revolutionary he has been for Arsenal and English football in general or quite how much he was able to achieve consistently over so many seasons. Losing fewer than seven games a season on average over 22 years is no mean feat. Nor was qualifying for CL season in season out for two decades.
It is easy to think a place at top table is your birthright when you have known no other. But, as with everything in football, it has to be earned, as some of the older lags in the bar who have done their time below the salt will attest.
Half the teams that were in the Premier League the season before AW took over at Highbury have fallen out of the Premier League since. He is a very big reason that we were not one of them.
And over those 22 years, much of our football has been delightful and some of it sublime. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to watch.
England have a shit World Cup 2018.
Arsene becomes England manager.
England win Euro 2020.
Thank you my friends. It means a lot.
Seminal….Sentimental….Salut! ?
Great post Holic.
I think the timing is about as good as could have been planned based on the recent trajectory. Similar(ish) to Fergie: not too early in the spring that it risks derailing the season and undermining the manager, but with a few games left to galvanise the players and allow the fans to give Wenger a proper send-off.
I’ve been very much in the Arsene Knows category for his entire tenue – though do concede the last 18 months or so have probably suggested a change for all parties is best. I generally cast his achievements post-2004 in a much better light than most fans/pundits. The big change was the financial doping of Abramovich in 2003 and Abu Dhabi in 2008. I know you’ve still got to spend the money well and we obviously had a fair amount to splash around too – particularly in recent seasons. But the addition of the limitless pots of money for those two clubs easily denied Wenger much more silverware. Success is a very relative thing in football where only one team can win the title in any given season. It’s easy to say Arsenal haven’t won the league in 14 yrs. But with the exception of City, United and Chelsea – all filthy rich clubs (and, incredibly, Leicester) – no one else has either!!
The most admirable thing about Wenger was his impeccable dignity. For a manager with that much scrutiny over 22 years, to retain (for the most part) his class while fans, media and opposition managers have tried to undermine him is almost as big a legacy as his success. I don’t think there’ll be another manager like him. As Jonathan Liew said: a man of Wenger’s personal qualities is almost wasted on football.
To me, his major tactical blindspot was never really replacing the Vieira/Petit/Edu/Gilberto hole over the last dozen years or so. That dynamism and physicality in midfield to compliment the flair was the blueprint for the success of all his best teams, but he seemed to get waylaid by the one-off Barca tiki taka style. Perhaps he also showed his one character flaw – hubris – and with the greater criticism, as he got older, he almost seemed to become more defiant – and wanted to succeed on his purist terms.
I just pray he gets the send-off he deserves on May 16 rather than May 13. What a way to seal his legacy by his last act as manager to lift the holy grail of a European trophy!
Given work and family commitments, Thursday night will be my last night sitting directly opposite Monsieur Wenger.
**GULP**
Don’t start me off again Dubs.
You can see I’m emtional – I have (in my previous drink) revealed my true identity to the entire interweb!
Dubs x
I think not sir! ?
Methinks some magic abounds on this night of nights….
That Everton game was my 30th Birthday and we will be playing in Madrid on my 50th. Here’s hoping for a similarly joyous occasion. I’ve been of the opinion that it’s time for a while but that hasn’t made today any easier.
Yup Tone.
I hear ya. Nice Dinner!!
( BTW – I’ve promised that Burnley ticket to a mate – so if he’s not 100% – will let you know)
Well done , ‘H.
Well done , Arsene.
Well done, all true Gooners who support the club through thick and thin.
Well done, Junior Gunners for winning the PL2 League title this evening at the Hammers.
COYG
Brilliant piece, ‘Holic. It’s a sad day, but that brought back many madly happy moments.
Wonderful report Holic. There is nobody I would rather read about Wenger’s legacy on such a momentous day. You’ve kept a sense of proportion when we’ve found it so hard to do so. You can hold your head up high as a man of faith.
I absolutely believe it is the right time for him to go . Maybe the PSG job isn’t cut and dried and he can finish his career in France or maybe even as the coach of Japan. A lovely symmetry there .Sadly in May 2004 my mother was dying and I never appreciated those wonderful moments as much as I might have in different circumstances. As Bob told us today , Arsene of all people would understand that .
Let us hope and pray that twats like Durham don’t try to destroy his legacy. But really could they? We have been blessed and tye club will move on. He will want it to as much as anyone.
zico !
Thanks again to people I feel happy to be among tonight. ??
If we have the HC bust and TA6, DB10 and TH14 can have a statue (and all rightly so) on the concourses, what legacy to AW? Our Club always do the right thing, in the right way and with class. Spuds forever and always in our shadow…
‘holic knows
As for leaving the club in good shape some of those youngsters I saw on Monday who delivered the U23 trophy tonight are a mighty fine legacy. Nelson, Nketiah, Smith-Rowe and so on. A pretty nice leaving present
Great stuff, H.
The run in that season (his first) was the only time in my life as an Arsenal fan that I knew we wouldn’t lose the games when the teams ran out.
There were times before that under Gorgeous George when I didn’t think we would lose, but that season you just knew we wouldn’t.
I remember in particular this game, when we just turned up and steamrollered the opposition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl6nVUoxgPo
Excellent piece, ‘holic, one of your very best.
Time now for a collective deep breath guys, while we await developments. And then to hold it through the early period of whoever faces the awful prospect of having to fill Wenger’s boots.
I’d also like to hear what Arsene plans to do next. Does he consider himself still young enough to manage a Real or PSG? Or could he be looking at the (vacant) role of Director of Football at The Ems? The latter might leave us asking all sorts of questions.
I say the ‘vacant’ role of Director of Football because Wenger himself insisted Raúl Sanllehí be known as Head of Football Relations, or some such. Just wondering if Arsene had his eye on the position. 🙂
My own wish is that Wenger does one final stint with a major club side and then returns to us after a decent interval in some honorary capacity.
PSG will want him Chris, but I suspect Arsene will eye the France or Japan jobs post World Cup. Club football won’t be the same for him after Arsenal.
This is the best thing I have read all day. Written by a proper fan as are all the comments below the piece. It is why I visit this page instead of listening to the opinions of gobshites like Piers Morgan.
The unexpected news of the AW departure was broken to me by a colleague on our tea break this morning. Hardly spoken to the guy who told me before but it turns out he is a massive Arsenal fan and we spent the next 20 minutes animatedly chatting about all things Arsenal past, present and future. Somehow I think Arsene would appreciate that…
Then there is this view … https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/20/arsene-wenger-to-leave-arsenal-at-the-end-of-the-season
PSG have supposedly already offered Tuchel the job.
I would like Wenger to go back to Japan, where he always said he would return one day (although a long time ago)
I don’t think international football is his thing, ‘holic. He loves the close day-to-day contact with players, encouraging and developing them, good players into great players, great players into international playerss. I don’t believe meeting up with an international squad for a few weeks before tournaments would have the same appeal for him.
That would be before PSG knew Arsene would be available, Cynic. It’s all guesswork of course, but he could have been offered the PSG job IF he agreed to take it next season.
Real or PSG was hypothetical anyway, I meant clubs of that stature.
About time we considered renaming the stadium? Personally, I can’t think of a more fitting tribute. Even if it does mean we lose some sponsorship money.
there’s a tear…in…my…beer
silly old Silly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgw_yprN_-w
I just don’t see it, Chris.
He’s too old really and if they are wanting to be serious players in the Champions League, would they give the task to someone who has had 22 years to win it and reached one final, when there are managers 20 years younger available?
Ten years ago I could see it as possible but not now. Plus would he want to work for a financially doped club, with his low opinion of such setups?
I may well be wrong and we will see.
Anyway, I’m much more interested in us than that lot.
We need all the sponsorship loot we can get, Steve. A statue will have to do.
Thank you, ‘holic, for the history and the call to give back to the great man who has given us so much. The players and the fans owe him this one and much more.
Apropos Bob Wilson’s three greatest men he ever met in your link, Cynic, it’s fine if the other two were, say, ‘holic and cba, but what if they were Jose Mourinho and Tony Pulis? Just sayin’. 😉
Blimey, lose a day boozing with
friends and it’s all happening!
Great post Guvnor thanks.
Changing The West Stand to
The Wenger Stand wouldn’t
necessitate changing many
letters….
Anyway, I hope the club announce
a fitting tribute on the day of
AW’s last game.
Some great posts too now that
I’ve caught up. It’s going to be
an emotional few weeks.
Win the Europa and beat
Maureen away should be etched
into the players minds.
Herbert Chapman: The West Stand, since that’s the stand he built, and lived to see built, at Highbury.
Bertie Mee: The East Stand, since he won Arsenal’s first trophies in the TV era, and the cameras are aimed at the East Stand, as they were at Highbury.
George Graham: The North Bank, since the fans who still define “success at Arsenal” as being what he did still pine forn the days when they stood on the pre-Taylor Report North Bank, and cheered his players.
Arsène Wenger: The south stand, the Clock End, because he not only changed history, and spent more time as Arsenal manager than anyone, but built a legacy that is timeless.
Great article Holic. I look forward to the pubs round the ground ringing out with chants celebrating The Great Man pre and post-match tomorrow. Notwithstanding the fact that it is time, The Man deserves a proper Arsenal send off, not the self-regarding, bitter outpourings of those sad buggers with their cameras outside the North Bank.
Grazie per tutti, Arsene. Ci vediamo ancora…….
Best post yet.
Thank you ‘holic.
Not sure if AW actually wants to
return to Japan, but he’s still well
thought of here and they have just
fired the national team manager…..
The guy in charge now has just been
appointed in a temporary capacity.
I could easily see AW taking some
kind of advisory role at the upcoming
World Cup and then taking over
afterwards. I think the France job
will depend on how France do at
the World Cup !
Personally I’d be happy to have him
as the England manager but it’s a
bit of a poisoned chalice just now.
This one’s for AW, who brought a breath of fresh air to football in general and Arsenal in particular … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDnEoghxB0c
Excellent piece, Holic. Super emotional stuff. Some great comments and builds in the drinks. I have expected for some time that Arsene would go at the end of this season and, as you know, agree that this time had come. I anticipate that the atmosphere in the ground on Sunday will be quite different from recent outings and hopefully very special.
Thank you again for all the kind words. Tough day, uncertain but potentially exciting future.
Top top top post holic…
Thank you.
Chris @55. I have to confess that I feel that this music is more fitting, notwithstanding your always excellent choices:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8njyLeEfuQ
Might be better to ignore the somewhat surreal visuals though.
Holic – simply, Thank you !
Work has me late to everything just now but reading that a day after the announcement has not detracted from its impact one jot.
That post, to quote the man himself, is top-top quality. ?
strange oul feeling isn’t it
as i said before
people asking after your welfare
fellas odd this morning
and herselfs being nice to me
i do not like this
.
.
.
WENGER IN
inconsiderate speccy 4eyes
Nobody I know has said a word, the heartless bastards.
Apart from one person who asked me who I want to take over. “Anyone but Brendan Rodgers” “Yeah, he’s a c**t that bloke”
And that was it.
In other news, Liverpool apparently drew because the grass was shit.
and chris , you , ya fuckin card ?
.
equating me with ‘holic
don’t be ridiculous
.
.
the boss is a legend
he’s amassed all you smarter than smart
PROPER GOONERS
(if ye don’t like that phrase cunt off)
so
mister upside down man chris
if you please
cease and desist
.
.
.
.
(i am so much better than ‘holic though but sshhhhhh )
(it’ll shock the oul boy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ZqNBd_orI
“anyone but Brendan Rogers”
Pretty much how I see it too.
racist !
well if no one’s gonna comment
i think 68 is a work of genius
of course i was younger then
and more limber
I’ve been reading John Lydon’s book, Anger Is An Energy, and amongst all the little titbits of info revealed in it, the fact that he owns and likes an Alvin Stardust album is perhaps the most surprising
How is Brendan Rogers even being seriously taljed about by anyone.
Bookies, according to the radio, have him as second favourite ?
Personally, I feel desperately sorry for anyone that Brendan rogers ….
Two in fact.
i clawed it back somewhat here
but still
a perfectionist is never satisfied
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1rIdSWWiQU
The voice doesn’t really go with the look @68, does it ?
I thought a Coo Ca Choo was one of those new dog cross breed thingies that have taken over the world. Spoken as one who owns a Golden Doodle ! A ridiculous name for a great dog – i only ever refer to as a Retriever – Standard Poodle cross.
I’m working on creating a cross between a Cocker Spaniel, a Labrador, a Poodle and a chicken.
If it ever works it will be called a Cocker-Doodle-Doo …..
* watches second video*
* leaves feeling a bit queasy *
?
i miss my dog every day
a mutt but looked like a setter
an Irish setter
they are nicer than people
certainly nicer than the people round here
.
wonder where he is
.
.
he still shits on the doorstep
dirty fuckin stop out
diss rock on
and yer in trouble deep
trev bones trev bones
TROUBLE DEEP
I’m only talking to you
cos I want the ton
and since emmylou got that strimmer
for her birthday
i can’t count how many letters
are in INCONSEQUENTIAL
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEb9dEMV3p8.
she’s ma 17th
an if she isn’t the most rambunctious
anyhoo
Does it matter how many letters are in INCONSEQUENTIAL ? ?
.
.
fellas come a courtin’
matter o fact
shot two just this morn
.
.
(Methodists)
not much meat on em
Oi !
You leave Emmylou’s ‘arris out of it ….
so gave em to the hogs
That’s madness with the methodists
ah trev
bless
god loves a tryer
yeah
with a Y
and
in many ways
GOD
LOVES
ALL
OF
US
Bang
How’s about that for a steal???
Number 1
Number 100.
You can’t teach that.
And a great tune to commemorate the occasion.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EcpbGeyPUD8
i love steve
steve loves me
.
.
it’s beautiful really
Love you loads and loads and loads big man.
????
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
thievin cunt
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ttJBdr6eBuo
Couldn’t help it. It’s the breeding
Perhaps AW could go and run the FA or even better FIFA. Both could do with a dose of integrity.
i appreciate this is perhaps
not the avenue
for such a discussion
but
I CAN NOT STAND THE CLASH
the fake bluster shower
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH TWO SKA SINGLES
in a posh pot
there ye go
.
.
.
.
discuss
but
i suspect you knew that steve
.
.
.
.he’s clever that fucker
thank you, holic. your writing certainly captures the moment.
sigh.
Thank you all once more for your kind words and thanks cba for bringinging that rare smile back.
As for bath reminding us that the fat lady is now singing… ?
Oh dear, poor old Spuds !
2-1 down
From 1-0 up
That’s the way to lose the Cup ????
i didn’t give ye any kind words
fuckface
I’m all about the SCHMOOCHES
c’mon
c’mere
ya big darlin’
I’m leaving this place
at least blogs puts on a buffet
Alexis has overdosed on hair gel since he got his pay rise. Obviously couldn’t afford the stuff on the pittance we paid him.
chilean drag queen
sister alexa
Pompous Poch said that he wanted to win the league and winning the FA Cup was ok but not really something great. Manure came from behind to win, serves the totts right.
Who’s at the Tolly tomorrow?
I’ll be there after the match hoping to get your feedback on my half-time flyover, a Tiger Moth towing the legend:
“Come on Doon Big Bren, Yer a Braw Laddie”
I know your just going to love the picture of the new boss in his Arsenal bunnet.
Thanks to all of you Holics who contributed so generously to make this possible (Bath, TTG your generosity knows no bounds; Holic, you surprised me; Steve, the cheque in the post is taking a while to arrive, did you put a stamp on the envelope?? And all those Japanese Yen from an unknown donor in Osaka. Just wonderful, Matt).
Take off from Celtic Park is 10.30 am. Assuming Jimmy the pilot clears the Jock Stein stand (fingers crossed 🙁 it’s going to be a close thing, I hope we’ve done our sums right) he should be visible over the Emirates at about 2.20 PM. Don’t wave to the pilot though. Jimmy is excitable, easily distracted and could try to loop-the-loop to impress then spiral right into the centre circle for one more of his f*ck ups.
Arsene out. Brendan in. It’s a new era. Who could ask for more? 🙂
Not even in jest, pal.
Brendan????
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BYF8EGsCEAA2qhg.jpg
Gwynplaine Rodgers
#108 CBA I am disappointed in you on that one !
irish drag queen
sister brenda
How are the media going to dress the Tiny Tott’s annual end of season collapse as a success now…? Maybe fourth place will end up being like a trophy after all eh ??
It’s ok for Spuds not to win anything and only finish 4th because they’re building a new stadium and, obviously that puts constraints on finances.
Oh.
I wonder if the agenda will change re the Totts? They are going to have the sort of season that caused so many to abuse Arsene. 4th in the League, SF of the Cup , Last 16 of the CL, lost at home to a European giant , out of the Carabao at home to West Ham and no youth team triumphs.
Eight successive semi-final defeats is licensed bottling on an industrial scale. So if you get assailed by a mouthy Tott remind them that they last won the Cup over twenty five years ago and the league fifty six years ago . Not exactly deserving of being at football’s top table are they?
Since they last won the FA Cup ( when we won the league) Arsenal have won thirteen major trophies. Not much of a comparison point is there?
Could soon be 14, TTG, fingers crossed. And Chelsea could overtake them for the last CL place – then I really would laugh!
Spurs will get some leeway because they haven’t won the league in living memory for most of us. Champions League football is also new to them, so they can fail and not get slammed.
Wenger got heaps because he had been successful and standards were well below his own high bar.
Spurs are being successful, by their standards.
Give it a year or two… once they’re in that new stadium they will have to step up and deliver silverware.
Another late one >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>