From the Beaches and Gutters of San Sebastián to Manage The Arsenal: Is This Our Man?

TotalArsenal

ARTETA : A PROPHET NOT REVERED IN HIS COUNTRY, OR?……
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We are virtually living from moment to moment in expectation of an announcement from the Arsenal FC on the appointment of a new team manager. The dark clouds of division are already gathering amongst the fan base and maybe in the club’s hierarchy as well on whom or whom not to be appointed. If we are to go by the stories making the rounds the front runner Massimino Allegri has opted to remain at Juventus. That has left a lot of signs pointing in the direction of Mikel Arteta. The controversy is whether he has the credentials to prove a success.

Without doubt there is a lot going for him but his lack of managerial experience weighs heavily in the opposite direction.

Before we begin our discourse on his suitability or otherwise we need to appreciate that the management structure in the club has changed from what it was when Wenger was at the helm of affairs. The club now has a two-tier system for team management such that a manager is now only a little more than a head-coach. In most of Europe where this two-tier system exists managers are termed head-coaches. The suitability of Arteta, therefore, has to be considered in the light of him as a head-coach.

There are some remarkable similarities between Arteta and Pep Guardiola. Pep is a La Masia product. Arteta is also. Pep was a holding midfielder for Barcelona. Arteta was for Arsenal. Pep had a slight frame and lacked athleticism. So was Arteta. Pep compensated for these lacks with technique, intelligence, timing, positioning, tidiness, excellent reading of the game and creativity. So was Arteta. Pep became captain of Barcelona. Arteta became captain of Arsenal. Both were the metronomes of their teams. Pep became manager of Barcelona B team at 35 years. Arteta became assistant manager of Manchester City at 34yrs. Pep became manager of Barcelona first team at 36 years. At 36 years Arteta became manager of …???. Remarkable!

What does it take to be a good coach? Of great importance is that the coach must be gifted in the less technical areas of management that includes self discipline, hard work, and man management. Arteta’s reputation indicates he has these in abundance. He was very much respected and loved as an Arsenal captain. On the more technical side, a theoretical knowledge of tactical systems does not alone make one a good tactician. That can be crammed into the head easily by anybody. It is the degree of the insightfulness that determines the potency of the knowledge. Arteta’s reading of the game is exceptional, be it offensively or defensively. He also understands players and understands how to improve them. Many players have testified to how in his playing days, he helped them improve their game. What more as a coach, where the latest of such tributes to hit the media came from the Brazilian international Fernandinho of Manchester City.

Wenger trusted him a lot and it was easy to see that his opinions were welcomed. If Wenger is consulted, and it stands to reason that he would be, I expect him to endorse Arteta’s candidature. On Guardiola’s part, he is thrilled working with and having his altar ego Arteta as his assistant. He has said he wouldn’t stand on the way of his career. He called him a good friend. They obviously understand each other. What greater recommendation can he again give.

Arteta’s poor score, however, is in the area of actual coaching experience. But even here there has been a lot of informal as well as formal tutelage. Important as a starting point is that Arteta is a very serious minded person with an impeccable record on and off the field. All through his playing career he had exhibited his passion for coaching and so had kept that faculty open to learning. In his injury riddled final two years as a player he operated informally more as a coach under Wenger’s structure and that was when stories started coming out that he could be retained at Arsenal in a coaching capacity. Again in this past two seasons he has understudied and contributed to the man who is regarded as one of the best managers in world football. These expousures added to his innate coaching qualities have placed him on a height where his readiness for the plum job cannot be ignored. Lest it’s forgotten any manager carries the authority of the club and how he is respected depends on himself not on his age. If Emmanuel Macron can head France at 39 I do not see why Arteta with these CVs cannot head the coaching crew at 36.

A further argument on Arteta’s side is that he knows the Arsenal system. We dare not engage a manager who is far removed from Wenger’s philosophy because our current squad have been assembled on the bases of that philosophy. If we wish for a big departure from our style then there must be a huge overhaul in personnel which would require big, big money. That, we all know, is out of the question.

I am not trying to say that Arteta is the best in the market or should be the one to be appointed. But if it happens to be him, we should give him all our support. Who knows, we might be up for another “Arteta who?”.

With Wenger now gone, space has been created for unity amongst the fans, not for a new division that would see us out of the frying pan into the fire.

By PE.

145 thoughts on “From the Beaches and Gutters of San Sebastián to Manage The Arsenal: Is This Our Man?”

  • Super stuff, PE, and all quite romantic. You know my view so let’s not spoil your post. If it is him, I will support him of course and hope desperately that he will do well. If not, heads will roll around Ashburton Grove.

  • Great post PE, and I must admit that although initially the thought of Arteta taking the big job at Arsenal left me underwhelmed, I am warming to the idea, in fact I’m quite looking forward to it now.

    Allegri was always my number one choice, but with the finance for transfers being so small and maybe the associated costs of compensation to Juventus and the salary Max would demand being so high, that deal hit the buffers quickly.
    Allegri would have been great imo, but we are an arm of KSE and therefore we should all know by now what that means! CEO Gazides, has to work within a set budget as set down by KSE because the owner is obsessed with Grid Iron, so I don’t blame Ivan.

    Ivan has actually put together a really good team of people, Raul, Sven, Burgess, Fahmy, all of them top people in their fields, all of them expensively assembled, all of them given a remit to take certain responsibilities away from the manager, so that the Arsenal manager is now the Arsenal Coach, the job that we really want our managers/coach to fully focus on.

    Arsenal broke the mound in 1996 by bringing in Johnny Foreigner to manage our club and now everybody does it with a few exceptions.
    Could Arsenal be about to do it again by becoming the first big English club to fully embrace the continental system of a DoF and other experts with a coach to specialise in coaching/tactics/team selection etc?

    Maybe Allegri wanted more control? Maybe Enrique? It may not have been just about money?

    Anyway, I’m quite excited, it’s different, everything could be different and that’s what I wanted to see, change.

  • TA, that’s the spirit. Different perceptions but unity in the family. The fans must rally round whoever is appointed.

  • Thank you for a great and very well-balanced, and welcome post, PE. I will come out and say that although I very much like Mikel Arteta, he definitely wouldn’t be my first, second, third, fourth, or fifth choice to replace the legendary Arsene Wenger. Those are way too big shoes to fill for any available Manager out there, let alone an inexperienced one. But what will be will be and I am sure we will support him. But like TA, I am just worried that serious heads will roll if it doesn’t work out, and that may set us back further behind the top 4 or 5. We’ve got ourselves an uncertain future in North London and only time will tell…😬😬😬😬

    Regarding Guardiola at Barca, there was a slight difference. I don’t think he played with a lot of the players he managed (if any, except maybe Carles Puyol, Xavi, and a couple more). I think he actually managed a bunch of them including Messi in the Barcelona B team (please correct me if I am wrong), so those players already knew him as their Manager and therefore an easier transition than what Arteta would have to deal with internally behind the scenes. One on my main concern was that he played with most of these guys as far back as only two years ago. 2016!!! Now all of a sudden, their buddy is the new Manager. Can Arteta manage or even massage some of these big egos in the dressing room? Can he yell at one of his old buddies for not performing well and if necessary drop him from the starting lineup? Those are some of the things I am truly worried about, but I am definitely warming to the idea of him taking charge, if that’s what Arsenal FC decides to do. I just hope that we get it right or the Club will suffer some serious damage that might take years to repair. Anyway, we shall all see… Fingers crossed!

    Thanks again for the post, PE. I hope it brings some serious, heartfelt discussions amongst ourselves. Arsene Wenger is probably the most relieved and relaxed Arsenal supporter right about now, haha 😁.

    Below is a copy and paste comment I just posted on the previous post not being aware that there is a new post. Sorry!

    TA and PE

    Thank you both for your reply. I fully understand what you are both saying. And I think you are probably correct, TA, in saying that Arsenal will make Arteta (if it is him) a Head Coach instead of Manager, and there is no telling where that will lead us…
    I am a little bit behind in the news (due to the nature of my work) and I must admit that I was not happy to hear all these rumours about Arteta after returning home yesterday. When a lot of us supporters were shouting out loud about making change in the managerial position a few months ago, Arteta being the front runner to replace Wenger most definitely never crossed anyone’s mind, I’d bet. So my earlier post was an initial shock reaction upon discovering these rumours. However, having slept on it for a few hours, I am starting to warm up to the idea even though I would have preferred we focus on an established, proven candidate. I just hope and pray that if Arteta is in fact the chosen one, he can can assemble a strong defensive coaching staff to assist him and bring that “hard work, win the ball back quickly from the front” mentality/attitude he undoubtedly picked up at Man City under Pep, and I also hope that our star players will respect his choices/decisions and not question his authority when things go bad.
    For all I know, Arteta could be a football genius and if so, deserves to return to the Emirates to follow in Wenger’s footsteps. Winning makes everyone happy and if Arsenal can win under Arteta, then his age and inexperience won’t matter at all. Like I said before, Arsenal will do what Arsenal will do and there’s nothing we can do about it. I will accept their decision to appoint our former Captain as Manager (or rather Head Coach 😉) and I will fully support him and wish him success. If Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane can do it for Barca and Real Madrid (albeit they were each Manager of the B team), then why not Mikel Arteta?

    At least that’s what I am trying hard to tell myself (not quite convincingly yet, truth be told) 😬😬😬😄😄😄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

  • “Arteta being the front runner to replace Wenger
    most definitely never crossed anyone’s mind, I’d bet.”

    Dismayingly, a right-brained perspective, expressed repeatedly, can still get one a wooden-ruler across the back of the hand. 😉

    jw1

  • PE–
    Very well written.
    Then, for any fan, what is football?
    If not a romantic endeavour of the head and heart.

    jw1

  • Kev, Gino, …. warming to the idea is the Arteta phenomenon. That’s my trajectory too.

    There is a precedence. Pep Guardiola himself and Arteta is his Alta ego! Do we have to look at the passport instead of at the player? Look at the shining bottle instead of at the content? If it is years of experience there are plenty of them: Moyes, Allardyce, Mark Hughes, Benitez, Paul Lambert etc etc. No? We’d probably want the names to sound more exotic like Roberto De Zerbi, Stephan Ruthenbeck, Mikeal Gonzalez. Incidentally these exotic names are the coaches of bottom teams
    Benevento in Serie A, Cologne in the Bundeslida and Malaga in La Liga. What do we really know.

    Gazidis, Sanlehi, Mislintat, Burgess, Fahmy, (thanks Kev) are on it full time and determined to succeed. Let’s give it to them.

    By the way, they have a vast pool to choose from including our own Bergkamp, Pirez, Steve Bould, Henry, Vieira, Adams, and many many others. To leave all of them and go to Arteta (assuming that’s the case) means there is something special they have seen in him. Meanwhile the great man himself Wenger has endorsed him, if it turns out that he is the choice.

    Warming to the idea is the Arteta phenomenon.

  • The Guardiola and Zidane comparison makes me chuckle a bit. Both took over well-established teams and at the peak of their game with all going well. There was little pressure as the teams had massive momentum just from what predecessors had build up.

    Arteta, with less than one minute of lime-light managerial experience, would take over a ship at drift, with holes at the back the size of sumo wrestlers and hardly able to win a battle away from the home harbour. We need a calm, experienced and courageous leader to guide us, now more than ever.

    Look it will be Gazidis’ ego-trip and if he succeeds it will be glorious, out-David-Deining the master. From a management point of view, or with my former BoD hat on, it is utter nonsense. Just because you cannot get the Juve success coach doesn’t mean you should go for a mahusive gamble. There are the likes of Howe, Benitez, Jardim, etc, who almost guaranteed would do a better job. I am still hoping – now more than expecting – that the BoD see sense. Arteta can be romantic for the fans and convenient for the BoD, but come November or December this is likely to turn all very ugly. I love my club and look at the BoD to look after it well. Arteta, lovely guy as he is, is not the one right now.

  • I’ve little doubt Kev, that had a ‘perfect fit of a manager’ been available? SIR would have gone to great lengths to reel him in. But that candidate doesn’t exist in the pool available.

    From a logical perspective? After setting up an executive, committee-style of club management– there existed little probability– of SIR hiring a ‘manager’ who might unsettle the new structure. Hard to fault the new executive team for reinventing operational roles– then acting within and solidifying those roles.

    We all hope that if the choice is Mikel Arteta? That he’ll be brilliant, his support team top-notch, the execs perform their roles with aplomb (we’d seen a hint last January).

    The club is still in flux. Will be for at least another year.
    All that said? Mikel Arteta. IMO, is the right choice for this situation.

    jw1

  • Excuse me TA–
    I’m not sure how I’d insulted anyone. If it it read that way– I apologize.
    Surely was not intentional.

    jw1

  • Actually, Now that I see what you removed?
    I was referring to myself! 🙂

    Just some self-deprecation TA.

    jw1

  • TA–
    Suppose I should have punctuated it differently or added: ‘meaning myself, Gino’.
    Apologies Gino– if you’d seen it.

    jw1

  • What else would he say, PE, when asked the question? He is a fan but also a club-man. The interview actually gave me hope that it will not be Arteta, but it depends how you read it….

  • Hi all.. Hi PE.. Very great post..
    No more comment.. I’m with you 100%.. Hehehe..

  • Read that earlier this morning PE– and on one hand saw it as the headline read (which is click-y bait-y)– and also saw in it how TA interpreted.

    What I did glean (through my lenses)– were a couple of points.
    First, that Arteta has been ‘in London all week’.
    If true? Just because the media has been alerted to talks to occur between he and the execs on Thursday? Does not mean there haven’t been less-formal settings– individual one-on-one meetings, dinners, etc. occurring prior. Matter-of-fact? If they haven’t been, I’d be disappointed– and surprised.

    Second, that the new timing of the opening of this Summer’s PL transfer window coincides– with tomorrow’s talks. An announcement tomorrow would be in Arsenal’s PR/marketing M.O. in those respects too.

    Just sayin’– this is how ‘my department’ might have done things– if I’d had input as a marketeer.

    jw1

  • @ Wenger
    “I left a lot of experience behind me, people who were with me like Steve Bould who has six years experience, and Jens Lehmann too,” he said.

    That’s what I got from Wenger’s interview. He sounded confident that Bould and Lehmann would still be thete. That’s an insider talking. Secondly he showed that the coaching crew is really a team. One person’s weak area gets covered by others.

  • I wonder if the announcing of a new manager will coincide with a new signing or two?

  • @jw Benzema has been spotted playing five-a-side with Mark Schwarzer, Yann M’Vila, Salomon Kalou and Julian Draxler. More to follow…

  • jw,

    Something new … Yes. Mystry box … I feel strongly I know what’s inside.

  • PE, that box is weighed down with our hope.

    It is like needing to cross the English Channel and opting for a dingy rather than a ferry.

  • “Writes like Seventeenho :-)”

    High-praise TA– for Mr Stillman :-).
    I kid– but only just.
    Tim Stillman is a favorite.

    jw1

  • It is a really good article, JW. It is very human to start seeing the positives of a likely to happen decision knowing you will have to adjust to it.

  • Announced Thursday– Reiss Nelson named Premier League 2 Player of The Season.

    jw1

  • If Pep Guardiola is going to stay until 2021, does any Arsenal fan really think that KSE are going to take Man City on? No chance…

    I can’t see Man Utd, Chelsea or Liverpool really taking them on and the owners of those three actually invest and try to have a go at City.

    Billy Beane here we go….

  • PE.. if Arteta is our new man.. I dont think Would will stay..
    Lehmann maybe but not Bould.. I would prefer Cazorla..
    Do assistant need license..??

  • Chan, the stories say Bould is waiting to see who is appointed before he takes a decision. Arteta as captain worked with him and it’s likely they have an understanding. Wenger referring to Bould and Lehmann as there to support Arteta says a lot to me. Still, I could be well off the mark.

  • I’d take Klopp over Arteta.
    I’d take Arteta over Hughes.
    The result of Experience v Talent would depend on how much talent in the experience and vise versa.

  • Oddly PE?
    Yesterday, when ruminating over the idea that there was ‘no perfect candidate’ at the present moment? When deciding whom would be ‘the one’? It was 4-years-ago-Klopp.

    However. That creates a timing conundrum for me, personally. We’d secured Ozil, then Sanchez in that timeframe (2012-13). But that would have been the ‘one young gun’ I could have seen make the leap– then.

    Times have changed. Here, now? For me personally? I’ve seen things occur in just 5 years that have changed the professional sporting landscape.

    With Kev’s comment on the idea that the PL is doomed (my word Kev!)? I disagree. I think that appointing Mikel Arteta is the one possibility for Arsenal in the current circumstances to make the leap to stay on City’s tail. It’s taking a chance for certain. But one that must be taken. It is precisely like building a Dortmund against a Bayern.

    Pep at City is the scariest proposition going– as of this year. Last year, Pep/City went trophy-less. But Guardiola hit the right combo and sold his concept to his players. It sparkled for most of this season. But there was a slight faltering since the CL clubbing by Pool.

    When things play out perfectly– as did City’s season? You tend to think in terms of permanence. Doesn’t work that way. Injuries, players not meshing as well, aging of others. Pep will keep buying. But it won’t always result in (near) perfection.

    jw1

  • JW, I was a bit tired and grumpy mate, long day in the saddle, best not to comment in those circumstances, but it does look ominous to me when you consider that the Inglewood complex costs have apparently rocketed and then you see what Arsenal have to invest as against the endless funds Pep has to invest. Will I ever see Arsenal win a championship again?

    Total, that was a nice interview with Arsene, he seems a bit battered and bruised emotionally,which is understandable but a little sad. We all wish him well.

    JW, just caught up on Arseblog and that piece by Stillman is very good and kind of describes a lot of how I feel about the present situation, a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

  • Hey, fellas. So much to catch up on and that’s putting it mildly, so I shall comment on the topic that’s on the front burner: merits of (and adjusting to) Arteta, as successor to Wenger. Personally, just to as to reduce the scrutiny on our managerial position, the board should go for an experienced hand (Allegri, Enrique, even Rafa or Rodgers) but if the choice is down to Arteta, then I can adjust to that. Indeed, like most on here, I am warming up to the idea too.

    Wenger thinks he has the qualities and repeatedly referred to him as “my technical leader”, so there must be something there. The ease with which he was allowed to leave for City looked like there may have been some mutual understanding it was for him to go get inspiration from another manager who started at a young age. It isn’t impossible Wenger had long sowed this thought in the minds of the Directors because early indications were that Gazidis thought (and opined that) Arteta was up to the job.

    As it stands, whoever it turns out to be, I will support and always hope for the best for the one. With the news filtering out about Cazorla as coach/player, that may be the club trying to get the fans onside with the Arteta deal.

  • JW1, the more you make the case, the more you are getting me sold on the Arteta as manager scenario. He is smart and comes across as intelligent, with his program notes. There’s no way he hasn’t picked up a thing or two under Pep and if he can pass such on to the current crop of players, it can only bode well for the Arsenal. For some of the attributes like “high press” and “quick recovery of possession”, maybe some of our players aren’t best suited for it while it has to be coached into some others.

    I also read the article on Arseblog yesterday. Very apt and perhaps, the way to go for our fans. Since some fans/the media felt things were getting worse under Wenger and that somehow, it will get better if he leaves, they should also now, understand there was no guarantee the club would be hiring a big name manager as replacement. What was clamoured for was change and that’s what we’ve got now. We have to live with it (and it just might be positive).

  • Eris–
    Fairly attuned on nearly all you posted. Reading your comments were almost like re-reading my thoughts.

    jw1

  • Pochettino is another coach who started as a novice after having been an assistant coach for a short spell for a Ladies’ team aged 37. He took over Espanyol that still had 9 of his team mates as players and moved the team from third to bottom to mid table. Interestingly he drew with Pep’s Barca 0-0 in his first match and beat them 2-1 in the return match. He had earlier played with Arteta at PSG.

    If the new Continental structure that we now have is fully appreciated, we would worry a bit less about the head coach. As a matter of fact we should worry more about Gazidis, Mislintat, Sanlehi, Fahmy. They constitute the engine of the bigger issues. If they get theirs right it’d make the coaches work a lot easier.

  • The other thing is that just any change is not going to go down well with those fans who decided not to come to the stadium anymore and are still holding back on season ticket renewals as we speak. They are demanding a quality manager that befits the club, and Kroenke (and therefore Gazidis), whether he likes it or not, will have to listen to that discontent.

    I reading more signs in the proper media that the Arteta deal is not done and is in fact slipping away. Please let them see sense and do us proud.

  • If you do not want to read the whole article, just read this little gem of a paragraph (remember no direct quotes would be possible at this stage so you have to read between the lines…):

    “Arteta is the frontrunner – he wants the job and there is a feeling among staff that he is set to get it – but while it would seem Vieira has drifted out of contention, whispers persist that Allegri remains in the mix.”

    Those whispers smell like sweet meringues wafting away in the air. 🙂

  • It’s also being reported that Arteta “has agreed in-principle” to be the manager. It’s being touted he is responsible for the recent sacking of some backroom staff. It’s smelling more like sweet San Sebastián Cherries in the air. 🤨

  • Paul Lambert has left Stoke City by mutual consent..
    Steve Bould comes from Stoke, they’re his team?

  • Hi all..
    Interesting to read about Xabi Alonzo coming for assistant manager post..
    I think he was one of the best DM in the world.. and he can be our answer for us.. he can make Elneny and a better DM..
    I wish Cazorla can also join.. That trio Spanyol can bring us back our victory.. VCC..

  • Ko Henry,

    They are all media speculation until the club announce it.
    Ornstein is one of the better ones, and rarely makes mistakes on covering what has been brought forward to him.
    Maybe someone inside the club is giving him wrong information regarding Freddie’s return as coaching staff?

  • Sorry, for reacting late; been doing a bit of travelling and in transit, even now.

    Hey-ho, TA. I like quotes too and your source tends to be reliable, I agree. It’s just that I have learnt that when a story about Arsenal tends to be repeated with the semblance of a count-down appearing daily, someone is pushing an idea out in order to gauge fan reactions. We’ll just have to wait to see how it pans out, I guess.

    Off topic, found this piece in “Shewore…” very enlightening as regards our well touted £50m transfer budget.

    https://shewore.com/2018/05/19/arsenals-50m-budget-explained/

  • Sorry for my late reaction. Been a bit busy and I’ve been doing some travelling in the last couple of weeks (in transit, even as I type this).

    Hey-ho, TA. I like it when assertions are made with quotes too; and your “source” is usually reliable, so I can’t disagree much. Just saying I’ve come to learn that when a news item about Arsenal is being reported repeatedly, in count-down like fashion by the media, someone is pushing an idea and testing the waters; in this case, to gauge fans’ reaction to the news. We will just have to wait and see, though.

    Off topic… Found this report on “Shewore…” quite enlightening on the subject of our reportedly meagre £50m transfer budget:

    https://shewore.com/2018/05/19/arsenals-50m-budget-explained/

  • Something seems to be wrong with my connection to the blog. I have posted twice and been unable to find my post, upon refreshing.

    Got to go now. Hopefully, it’s lying in TA’s server somewhere. (Hope this goes).

  • Saw an excerpted Arteta quote on Arseblog this morning (reposted there, from Arsenal.com).

    An excerpt of that excerpt:
    “…what types of risk you can take and whether your players are ready to take those risks. It’s important to analyse your players because you can’t always play the same way. There have to be different details and changes in how you approach things, and you have to look at how you can hurt whoever you are playing against. Is there something they don’t like to do? If so, we’re going to make them do plenty of it.”

    This part ESPECIALLY:
    “Is there something they don’t like to do? If so, we’re going to make them do plenty of it.”

    Goes to the heart of my coaching/captaining philosophy on a strategic level. Tactics that disrupt how the other team or player(s) ‘likes’ to operate. Reduces efficiency by percentiles. Placing a mental weight on the physical tasks required to win.

    Pleased to have read this.

    jw1

  • JK.. Yes I know.. but still it make me enthusiastic only by imagining that three great Spanish midfielders manage our teams.. hehehe..

  • Love that picture of the young BFG, Kev. 🙂

    Eris, not sure what happened but found your comment back in ‘Spam’ – released now.

  • Retsub, Seventeenho, JNYC, Professor, Ozgunner, etc etc. Let’s be having your views re the new manager!! Do you agree with me that we are afraid to be a big club by even considering the utterly inexperienced Arteta for the role at this important junction for the club? Or are you in agreement with JW that he should be our man? 🙂

  • Partly, for me TA– is the irony the footie gods have crafted.
    Arsenal are pilloried for not moving Sanchez for about 18 months. Sanchez needing to leave the cup-club mentality of Arsenal– to fire on to greater glory and bigger, better medals and trophies.

    Amid a Rube-Goldbergian semi-swap of convoluted nature– fanfare of Sanchez’s arrival at United for a paltry £400k per week is heralded by RedMancs as if He were the second coming.

    14-weeks and 3 goals-in-17 later? Alexis Sanchez starts for Manchester United versus Chelsea for greater glory in victory. To win an FA Cup and winners medal. Of which he already has two. With cup-club Arsenal.

    Who writes endings like this?
    (Go Giroud!)

    jw1

  • Come On You Blues…

    Yes TA, great picture, I can’t think of a better guy to run our academy, intelligent, professional, World Cup winner…

  • Anybody ever doubting how good Ozil is just has to look at Sanchez playing without him now at the Mancs. Ozil quietly makes other players shine.

  • If we really had to go with an ex-player as a manager, I would have Fabregas as a serious option. I reckon he will make a good manager.

    In fact, if it had to be an ex player, I would look at our best ex-footie brains: Rosicky, Flamini, Fabregas, (obviously DB if it wasn’t for fear of flying), yes even the BFG would be worth a go.

  • Agree mate, that injury break has allowed Chelsea to re group, but Chelsea need a 2nd.

  • What a chance by Pogba….

    Total, do you think that Giroud looks fitter since he moved to Chelsea?

  • Hi Guys,

    I am very anti-Chavs, I am very anti-Manure — but I have to go for the Blues because I hate Moanhio.

    Come on you Chavs!!! [with apologies to all on BK!!!]

  • Hi Totes,

    Your comment: “In fact, if it had to be an ex player, I would look at our best ex-footie brains: Rosicky, Flamini, Fabregas, (obviously DB if it wasn’t for fear of flying), yes even the BFG would be worth a go.

    I agree with you — BFG will make a superb manager one day — as may the others you name, but not just yet.

  • 4 FA Cup wins for Giroud….

    After last year I think their name was on the cup.

  • Back to Arsenal:

    I hope we pull our management finger out and sign Arteta as coach/manager so we can get on with recruiting players and planning/training for next season.

    This nonsense that Henry wants to be our next manager is bollix — let him go somewhere and manage another club before trying for a great club like the Arsenal.

    If he thinks he is better than Arteta that is stupid arrogance.

    [OK, I have only got a NewsNow rumour source for this — so if it is wrong I will have to apologise to our greatest forward!!] 😀

  • This is still a top blog, TA, and a credit to you, but where are my friends JNYC, Ozgunner, 17, and the other great bloggers?? 😀

    Next season is going to be full of surprise and enterprise — can’t wait!! COYG.

  • Hi RA

    You are another one then who would like Arteta to get the job. It would be a big mistake and an unnecessary one at that.

    Yeah it is quiet on the blog.

  • Saw that too RA–
    The other half (halves?) of that NewsNow rumor– compared to today’s?
    Were that yesterday’s reports implied Henry contacted about the manager’s position.
    Where today’s gossip is of a ‘role on Arteta’s staff’.

    Usually the echo-chamber stays repetitive. This reverberation changed overnight.

    jw1

  • Total,

    Just adjusting my expectations to what seems to be coming out of the Arsenal — football is a very ‘leaky’ profession.

    My preference for the coach/manager would be someone with the experience of Max Allegri, but when he allegedly asked for a £200m transfer kitty, I did not expect him to get an affirmative answer, and it seems he has now said he wants to stay at Juve. No surprise there.

    Arteta may work out very well — or he may not — who knows, but in my view Henry would be a very poor choice. Again who knows?

  • Amongst our ex players with coaching potentials, for me, it’s a close call between Arteta and Per. Theirs is very cerebral. After them Vieira and Flamini … more of force of character. I don’t see Henry as a great one. He is a bit too “spontaneous” for me. Henry the myth can fire the team at half time to high heavens but the coach of everyday drill is the man and not the myth.

  • A few thoughts late to this party. It’s a theme I can’t get too enthused about yet. But I hope to be roused by ththe start of the new season.

    I’ve already given my vote on BK, to Ancelloti, on the basis of us needing a stable and experienced pair of hands to transition beyond Wenger over a couple of years before we try someone fresh. It doesn’t look as though this is what the club are minded to do. And they of course should know better than me!

    The arguments around Arteta are sound, from either perspective. It’s a hell of a punt going from Wenger to someone who has never managed. And our fans have shown that patience isn’t one of their virtues. But equally the dream appointment is the diamond in the raw, the Pep that hasn’t been discovered. And people are hopeful that this is what the BoD are after.

    Well, aren’t they all. And if they land on the money then they will have earned their bonuses. If they don’t then they will look pretty foolish and should expect to be out the door before long. What do I think the right call is? No bloody idea in truth! There’s lots written about Arteta, but I have no basis for judging whether he has the right skills for this job compared with 20 or more other untested former players. We will just have to see.

    I think various folk here have noted the switch in club management style that seems to be at the core here. More of a leadership team system with the CEO holding the real power. That’s business for you. The problem is in most businesses the CEO can also exert direct management control on activity and output. Here in football the CEO can’t. Not in the short to medium term anyway. Any manager that has sustained success will always become more valuable, and therefore powerful, than the CEO. Ivan better enjoy it while he can! He has enjoyed success on the back of Wenger, but has always been secondary to him. He is now in the spotlight, along with the owner, and must make the right calls. It will prove to be at least one of a brave, inspired or very foolish choice before long. Like others, whatever the choice, I wish we would get on and make it, so we can get a sense of what is to come and start adjusting to it.

  • Repost with apology::

    All

    Hmm, way late but 1-0 to Giroud over Sanchez… some thoughts to kick about, or kick me about… your call

    A. I think Arsenal are at that triad manag,ent point now, so…

    B. No mention of Conte, who may be gone? We talk of energy needs and the man is that..

    C. Mustafi isn’t bad. Low and Germany like him and he does well there. The real question is how has such a collection of very good parts (Mustafi, Koz, Nacho, Bellerin, et al) with various deeper midfielders gone so wrong? IMO, it ain’t too he players but how they’re (told?) playing together… that’s coaching… it’s my only “Wenger should go” feeling really, but it’s coaching.

    D. I also gotta say I’ve never seen the coach on the pitch, so it’s the players execution that counts… if you think D contradicts C, let me add, regular failure to execute is the coach and somewhere ver a few years we went from shipping league lows (2nd or 3rd lowest) and scoring too few, too much towards league leaders… that trend is coaching where any given game is likely players…

    E. I think we could well have all the right enough players now… given my humble opinions above.

    Thus, Arteta or others, who’s the right one to get the best out of players at both ends? The rest doesn’t matter if that happens… IMO, we could challenge very well with just the players we have, who will get that most out of them?

    My 39.732p — jgc

  • I’d add… we all discuss pedigree and such like past performance dictates future returns, but … to me, the detail I want to know is, if one imagine if we got no new players, then …. “how well will NewMan-of-Choice get the best out of all those players there now?”

    FYI, it’s why I’ve often thought highly of Low in this case….

    Cheers — jgc

  • JW

    True and right in form. But, he was much better. So, where and/or why and how did that disappear? He didn’t go from good enough for Germany to very average because of the jersey…

    That said, I got no great answers either..

    Cheers — jgc

  • Sure seems like Arsenal have already chosen their man to lead the club next season. There’s just way too much smoke around Mikel Arteta for us not to expect a fire soon. Regardless of who takes charge, I just want Arsenal to freakin’ make an announcement already so we all know where we stand and start rallying around the new boss. I believe we need to get our transfer business done asap so we finally get a great pre-season physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is going to be one of the most important pre-season in Arsenal FC history (in terms of having the new management establish themselves, get a sense of what they are up against, get the players in tip top shape, and get their ideas and messages across).

    I think we need to get two solid defenders in, FINALLY get a quality DM with enough stamina to run all day ( Ngolo Kante or someone similar, I just love that little guy. He always seems to be everywhere all the time breaking up plays), a strong top notch goalkeeper to challenge Petr Cech, and a proper winger who can easily beat/destroy a fullback one on one and cut back or cross the ball (we tend to be too reliant on our wingbacks to cross and more often than not, they simply disappoint). And if Wilshere doesn’t re-sign, we should give youth a chance. We’ve got plenty of midfielders in our youth setup itching to join the big boys full time. If Ramsey doesn’t want to extend now, let’s sell him to the highest bidder and re-invest that money on a world class midfielder right away (I would love for Isco to join us, if Real wants to sell him). Anyway, whatever happens, let’s not wait until the last couple days of the Summer transfer window to try and get additional players in.

    Whoever the new Manager is, the first 5-7 games of next season will be extremely crucial. Win all or at least the majority of them, and supporters will feel hopeful again and be behind the new man. But lose half or more, and a very negative tone will be set from the start going forward. Our often fragile players will be totally down, any pretend leader(s) will quickly disappear/hide, some of our stars might start sulking, some of us supporters might get very agitated, restless, and might start calling for the new Manager’s head, the BoD’s heads, Gazidis’ head, both Kroenke’s head on a platter. I even fear for a fans’ revolt if things go completely pear-shaped early on. So, I urge the power brokers at Arsenal to get things done right, as quickly as they possibly can, and to give us hope by candidly explaining their decision to us, if they can. Keeping us in the loop might help keep some of us supporters in their corner when negativity does arrive.

    Arsene Wenger is now gone, so whatever happens, we cannot and must not look back. Let’s just get our new Manager in and let’s move FORWARD with him next season.

    Very excited for the new season to start already!

  • Cheers Redders 🙂

    Allegri is still in the frame and I would not take any rumours re budget demands serious at all. But of course there is a wealth of experienced trainers out there who would jump at the opportunity to join The Arsenal. Yet Gazidis seems to be going for a totally inexperienced assistant manager who finished his career at Arsenal. Bonkers.

  • PE,

    Flamini is by far the brightest of them all. His outside football business endeavours are very interesting and full of potential and I reckon he will be focussing on those post his footballing career. But he would make a hell of a manager imo. Brilliant mix of tactical ability with a lion’s personality, One of my favourite Gunners ever.

  • My 2c:

    I strongly disagree with TA about Arsenal being afraid to be a big club. Arsenal have done everything right: made a mutual agreement with Wenger, gave him a proper send-off, got Mislintat and Sanllehi on board to build the bridges previously burnt and open paths previously unknown and, instead of going after an alibi-manager (Ancelotti) to buy some peace among the fans, they are going to do things Arsenal way by making a superstar, not buying one. I wonder what social networks would have told us about Graham in 1986 when another Scotsman was in the mix to take over at Arsenal. Ferguson had already won a European trophy with feckin Aberdeen against Real Madrid nonetheless and had been a more reasonable option than one of our own ex-players.

    Arteta knows what modern football is all about when it comes to possession, not just about kicking the ball around to keep it but also how to win it back quickly and high up the pitch. We have been missing that in our game for over a decade, with a few glimpses during Coquelin-Cazorla days. (Maybe the last video of that kind of football was the one in which Arteta was on the receiving end of a 7-0 mauling when he was at Everton, in 2004-05.) Klopp is all about it, Guardiola has it and even Pochettino has it as well but he is at the club which DNA strictly forbids winning trophies.

  • Gino, it strikes me from your “first 5-7 games next season” entry that the extent of negativity will be much less with one of the big name managers, irrespective of the number of wins from those first few games. Clearly, with Wenger gone, we are likely to find a lot more willing to give Newman a lot more time and latitude than if it were to be any of the less popular/expected choices. Just my thought, though. The human reaction to issues, especially when a negative reaction will indict them for making the choice to hound out the previous manager, can be unexpected at times.

    Jgc (geoffchase), on Shkodran Mustafi, given that he’s only had 20 appearances for Germany since making his debut in the middle of 2014 (reads 8 Friendlies, 3 World Cup, 3 World Cup qualifying, 3 Confederations cup, 2 Euro nations, 1 Euro qualifying), hard to conclude that Low “likes him” enough to consider him over the lot he picked. Don’t forget the Confed Cup was a tournament in which Low selected a horde of back-up players while resting the big stars. It was to give him a chance to show something but he was dropped after starting 2 group games, only appearing once again owing to injury to one other CB and a change of formation. Germany has played (plays) quite a lot of games since 2014 and instead of his star to be on the rise, it would seem Mustafi’s is on the wane with Germany, for no other reason than perception or maybe his performances for club. This isn’t to skate him because I believe there is a good defender in there somewhere. Rather, I am hoping it will serve as a wake up call for him to take charge in games and win his place on the national team.

    The sheer number of Arsenal players left out of their countries’ World Cup squads speaks to the kind of season we’ve had. It is up to the players to prove they’re good enough, going forward (because they are) and it is nice timing that we have a new manager coming in. Whether you agree or not, club placement and perception plays to the sentiment in choosing squads for international tournaments. We bungled it a bit this (last?) season and need to make amends.

  • AB, a balanced comment as always. You just have to wonder why the BoD are not just doing the most obvious thing and go for a quality, proven manager who takes over from Wenger at this crucial junction. Why take the risk of it all going wrong and getting the fanbase even more disgruntled and worse? If Wenger had left on a high, an Arteta kind of manager would be given time, but that is not the case and as soon as it goes wrong the fans will be fuming at the BoD for fecking it all up. Paradoxically, an experienced manager will be given time by the fanbase… so for me it is a no-brainer. No time for silly romance – time for sound business management and head hunting!

  • Geoff, interesting view re having all the right players and it being a case of getting the best out of them again. And you have a big point, I think. Chambers and Holding could be worked with next season and the same goes for AMN and Elneny in midfield. But I still feel we need to strengthen and let one or two go from the current squad, as the new manager sees fit (and not Gazidis and co).

  • Gino, if a decision has been made then it needs to be announced – agreed. But, but, but, I am all for making the right decision and it looks like it has not been made yet. Thank god.

  • Re Mustafi, I feel he needs to be given more time and to be partnered with a Solesque CB with whom he has a clear role as the first soldier next to the General.

  • All

    Éris, you’re correct, but clearly he’s (Mustafi) not horrible, so what the firetruck went wrong so consistently?

    TA, i agree some could go, and for good cash too… I agree also, especially re Holding (I like me some mongrel 🙂 ) … I even agree re strengthening IF the right ones can be found. IMO a short transfer window, the WC, and such might make that hard. We will see as always.

    Still IMO, why or how will ANYONE’s favorite candidate make this lot, which is immensely talented, even Mustafi, better? Answer me that in a logical way and I’m yours! 🙂 … thus, I can see Arteta being demanding and detailed enough to do it. Still would prefer the unobtainable Low or perhaps an energetic and demanding Conte?

    Cheers from NZ, it’s bedtime!

    — jgc

  • jgc,

    I feel a little apathetic about the merits of Mustafi, and some of our other players, because whenever the new manager is confirmed, he will make all our views redundant, dependent on what he wants in terms of our future style of play and the tactics he wants to use.

    Interestingly, Mustafi was (apparently) told he could go last summer, but the deal broke down as a result of his wage demands — the other club could not, or would not, match what Arsenal were paying him.

    [I have to admit, once again, that I have no idea of the truth about the above, and it is only from what I have read in the media, and the scuttlebutt on NewsNow — but if I had to rely on proven FACTS – I would never write anything.] 😀

    Anyway, it must be said that Mustafi does have a lot of ability (altho Everton took him on as a tyro and then let him go on a ‘free’ as not good enough) – so he has played well for us at times — but he can be a total plonker too, and was responsible, in my opinion, for Atletico knocking us out of the EL semifinal by deciding to sit on his ass and allowing GreaseMan (yeah I know) take his time to equalise – game over, sadly.

    I would not be sorry to see him go — but the new manager might make him play at the higher level more consistently and prove me wrong. (Not hard to do). 😀

  • Hi Total, good to see your blog going from strength to strength with some quality additions too.
    Your perceptive comment at 14:53 yesterday caught my attention, because I know you’ll remember my comments in the past of Arsenal being too cowardly.
    The significant difference between Herbert Chapman and Arsene Wenger can be categorised by the club’s stature. During Chapman’s time, Arsenal were the ‘Bank of England’ club, no other club in England could compete with Arsenal’s wealth. And during that period, Arsenal were driven to succeed. Wenger immediately came up against the giant global brand of United, who also had one of the greatest managers English football has ever seen. For his work and incredible achievements at Highbury, Wenger stands alongside Chapman as a true Arsenal legend.
    But, apart from those two isolated time-served, if you look at the appointment of managers going back as far as Billy Wright, Arsenal have always gambled on the cheaper, uninspiring option, and success is more of a happy coincidence rather than anything that has been deeply or strategically planned.
    Liverpool and Manchester United are proper footballing entities driven by the need to succeed, which is why they’re so far ahead of the rest with their trophy hauls. Sure, Liverpool haven’t won a top-flight Title since 1990, but they’re still comfortably clear of Arsenal, and are on the brink of winning their sixth European Cup. Two clubs, 30 miles apart built on working-class traditions and both with a ruthless winning mentality that just doesn’t exist at Arsenal.
    I wonder if the conclusion you and I reached is a natural development of Arsenal’s DNA, or whether it is driven by other forces beyond our knowledge.

  • The club should get the new manager’s announcement as a priority before the buying and selling of players as new players will not come in before they know who is the new manager.

    Current managers are also thinking of the same, i believe. If the stabiity of the club is not decided, why should the players join us?

  • Hi Herb 🙂

    Good to hear from you and I hope you are well. I am still hopeful the club appoint a calibre manager and give him decent funds to build a champion winning team. I do feel like you that we are on a crossroads now and that’s why I am highly critical of the BoD of even considering Arteta at this stage.

  • I think if you’re Kroenke, you look at Man City and how far we are behind them and how much it would cost for us to catch them and to compete with them, allied to the fact that they already have the best manager in world football and will have him until 2021 also that your KSE organisation is deeply in debt whilst redeveloping Inglewood and deduce that it’s not cost effective to spend that amount on a soccer team for a few tin pots and that a top four place is all that matters.

    And there we have it, the Arsenal Franchise.

  • Kev,

    We can get hope from Pool’s approach and them beating MC in the CL quarter final.

    What will be interesting to see is what will happen with Mourinho at MU. His second season is usually his best one and he has not won anything this time round….. IF MU are as ambitious as Herb describes them then surely they must be worried by the lack of progress and the shite performance they offered yesterday…

  • Kev– to be certain, I’m not one to side with owners in any sport. The only benefit I get from them is product on the field. Here though, is a rundown of the financing of the Rams (and Chargers) Inglewood stadium. Yep, they are going to be roommates with another NFL team. (Caveat: The write-up is about a year old.)

    Interesting note– when the Rams moved to LA from St Louis? The value of the franchise doubled from $1.45B to approx $2.9B– probably due to the local economy and TV market size.

    http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rams-chargers-revenue-20170211-story.html

    jw1

  • TA

    Man Utd are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Mourinho. They can’t find another manager who can guarantee trophies of any kind and they’ll be sold the picture of Man Utd coming second behind only Guardiola’s Centurions.

    They could go with Ancelotti but he’d require more money and time to spend while City keep building their dynasty while offering rather poor league record. They could go with Pochettino but he is yet to win a trophy and they had already spent their “let’s hire a minor club manager without trophies” wild-card on Moyes.

    Moyes + Giggs
    Van Gaal
    Mourinho

    They simply can’t afford more names on the list before they win something big again (CL or PL).

    I’ve seen they are chasing Sidibe, a top right FB from Monaco, and Alde-something from Tottenham. If they get two of them, they’ll sort their defence out (with LB position waiting for…Rose?) and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a move for Bale or Lewandowski to bridge the attacking gap to City. Alexis will get better in the second season.

    With all those purchases, they might even get lucky.

  • “The thinking will be, ‘If I used to charge you $5 for a hot dog in San Diego, I can charge you $20 for one in L.A.,'” he said…

    That’s quite a mentality JW….

  • “The thinking will be, ‘If I used to charge you $5 for a hot dog in San Diego, I can charge you $20 for one in L.A.,'” he said.

    That’s quite a mentality to have JW.

  • Goonereris,

    Yes, you are correct. My “5-7 games next season” comment is uniquely geared towards Arteta being the new Manager. Any other experienced Manager would probably be given a lot of latitude to do his thing. But with Arteta, I think it will be a lot different and we all know why. “What was Gazidis and the BoD thinking?” And “what the f*ck did they expect appointing a novice like Arteta?” would be just a couple of sample questions fans would be wondering. Of course, this is only my opinion.

    That’s what I was thinking when I wrote that “5-7 games next season” comment. That being said and until an official announcement is made, I am still hoping and praying for Massimiliano Allegri or an experienced Manager (if no Allegri) to facilitate this very important transition from Wenger. Arteta could be his No.2 and take over in 3-4 years. This would be an easier decision for me to swallow and Arteta would still be a very young but with much more fantastic experience by then.

  • Good points, Admir. As always.

    To me it has looked like JM is not happy at the Mancs. That he would want out, but like you say the club is hanging on to him for dear life. I think he is still commuting back to London a lot. You can tell that the passion is missing for him at the moment and I can see it all end within a few months of the new season.

    On the other hand, you could be right that a few new signings could give them wings next season….

  • Hi Total, not too bad thanks, good to see you in fine form.

    Having seen first-hand how rabidly nasty the divide became amongst fans home and away, the empty seats at the Emirates, this is Ivan’s moment in the sun. He has pulled the strings to instigate his ‘catalyst for change’ programme, now he has to show he’s big enough to shoulder the responsibility. He has to excite the fan-base, and somehow heal the rifts and gaping wounds left over from the fall-out of that. I’m not sure Mikel Arteta will douse those flames of doubt.
    I didn’t rate him as a player and was disappointed when we bought him, because of his age, the price-tag, the circumstances he was bought, but mostly because he was the safe, steady option, rather than being a game-changer. His short Arsenal career was predictability unspectacular.
    But there are any number of great players who completely flopped in management, and plenty of ordinary players excelling, so that is no barometer. But what a gamble it would be with Arsenal rapidly losing touch with the top five.
    Of the managers available, I wanted Ancelotti, because he brings with him the wealth of experience and knowledge it takes to win the CL. If Arsenal aspire to be at that level, this is the calibre of manager they have to look at. It would be great to see Dennis join as part of the coaching set up too.
    Ancelotti is at an age where a young aspiring Arsenal manager could learn the ropes from a multiple winner, and potentially create a platform for a clear blue-print that everyone connected to Arsenal can get on board with.
    We probably all know it will be Arteta.
    It is massively underwhelming, and they’ll have a monumental task trying to get the fans on-board.
    It makes a complete mockery of the stadium move, because from where I’m looking, it looks like Arsenal have already waved the white flag of surrender, and are settling for Europa League qualification.
    Will ticket-prices reflect our decline?

  • TA

    The main problem with Maureen is that he is not aware of the fact three points are given for a victory and two are dropped in a draw. Last two champions have set a scary practice of 30 victories or more – that’s a damn high bar to jump over if your main goal away from home in big games is not to lose. My guess is, he has realized Lukaku won’t win him big games so I expect him to go after another big name striker. Lewandowski will probably be available soon.

  • Actually Kev– that $20 dog has been $20 in LA for a long time.
    Not much less in San Diego. California cities are very-expensive places to live.
    (Might have been $10 in St Louis though.)

    Even here. For instance, I went to an afternoon baseball game recently here in Houston to see the Astros vs Yankees. $100 a seat (median location) $12 for a pair of (undersized) dogs. $13 for a pint (import). So another $50 per person. Then parking. And we took light rail from there. Would have gotten off lighter had I not gotten hit with a $25 per ticket online convenience fee– that gets hidden until just as you go to click-to-purchase. So maybe $375+ for two to see an (albeit good) regular season game. Of which there are 81 games at home.

    Last season, median price at a Rams game was $225 per seat. Chargers were at $245.
    (Remember just 8 home games in an NFL regular season.) Then consider that Los Angeles is a metro area with almost 13M residents– now sharing 2 NFL teams– that will play at the new stadium every week (16 times) during the season. Both the Rams and Chargers made their respective conference playoffs last season.

    So, over here? We’re kind of already at that point of ‘overpriced’. Been that way for years. And why I don’t go to very many games. I can see any of them ‘live’ from where I’m sitting now (In my skivvies too!).

    jw1

  • RA et al,

    Well RA, I agree on Mustafi, but he was often horrible this year and I guess I am just wondering why. If he goes, Holding (my preferred) or Chambers or the new guy *must* step up, or the defending may be worse.

    Regarding Arteta and fans, I see the point, but (tongue firmly in cheek) we will make it up with female fans as we would have the best looking manager in the league? Best I got for you there

    Like many, I would like to see ambition, but not sure it’s (whomever it is) is even on the market this year. Reading through this set of comments there are preferences, but no clear winners from my totally unscientific counting (I didnt count, just a feeling). So, to me it seems that we will get someone, because we have to have someone, and there will be some disappointment no matter whom it is. yes/no?

    However, we will indeed see… Hopefully, sooner than later, regardless of choice

    cheers — jgc

  • JW,

    Agreed on pricing in the US. When I got here to NZ, I was amazed at how little top flight rugby or league costs.

    Even today, an All-Blacks test ticket for your “median seat” is still only $80ish and can be less, and parking free or nearly so. A top flight regular super rugby match has a deal called “take a kid to footy” for $35, and your kid gets a flag and a small snack, for lower-median seats..

    cheers and off topic — jgc

  • That’s a good deal for a top-flight live event almost anywhere jgc.
    Of the major sports in the US? Everyman was priced out about 20 years back.
    Baseball being an exception until recently– and those would be games against lackluster visiting teams. You could get ‘General Admission’ seating for $10-12 until about 10 years ago. Here in Houston, anyway.

    Our MLS team the Dynamo, recently had a new stadium built (BBVA Stadium, seats 23k). Can get single-game tickets for around $25. Dynamo won the MLS Cup b2b after the team moved here from San Jose CA in 2010. Were considered contenders for the next 4 years or so. Was a culture developing around the club, stars leading the way, and a long-standing manager. Then the team’s record declined, stars traded/declined; beloved manager moved on. The buzz changed for me. I don’t follow them as closely now as I did just 5-6 years ago. We have a very large Latino community here, at which, the majority of the club’s marketing is targeted. I’m not in the Dynamo’s target demographic any longer.

    jw1

  • Come on guys.. if you want to compare ticket prices… for the upcoming International Champions Cup match in Singapore, the cheapest ticket is S$29. The most expensive ticket? S$350. For a ticket in the box? S$1400. For a ticket to a local football match in Singapore? Less than S$10, but nobody wants to watch local football as the standard is low and sleep inducing.

  • Hi Herb,

    Yes indeed, this is Gazidis’ moment to get it right.

    Hi Admir,

    Moanerinho would have gotten away with his style and approach IF he did not have to deal with his nemesis Guardiola wherever he is going. Attacking winning football is not in his gift but the Spaniard excels in it.

  • Ah TA

    But… “right” will be defined:

    A. After signing is announced
    B. After each game
    C. End of season

    For myself I only care about “C” 🙂

    Cheers — jgc

  • Right is whether the decision is best for the club, short term and especially mid to long term. A decision that maximises the potential in our club. But yes end of season is a good moment to measure. 🙂

  • Ah jgc,

    But… “right” will be defined if at (c)

    1) We are the champions
    2) Top 4
    3) Europa

    Am fine with (2)

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