***Official*** English Football Season 2019-20

[duffer]

Announcement coming five minutes apparently.

Edit: Wait I misread. That's when he's signing the contract supposedly.

Introductions going on at the training ground right now

 

[sledger]

Normally I would have some sympathy for what's happened to Özil and his views on China, but it's a bit rich for someone who's been happy to pose for photos with Erdogan (and even invited him to his wedding) to then start crying about human rights abuses elsewhere.

Yeah bit iffy, but I wasn't thinking of this at all when making my post tbh. But for whatever he has said on social media recently he would still almost certainly be on his way out, or so it seems to me anyway.

 

[Uppercut]

Tragic thing is Arsenal are going to have to go through their second rebuild. If you look at the team that won the 2017 FA Cup, it's already totally different. Özil, Xhaka, Bellerin and Holding are the only players still here from the squad for that final. We're basically United circa 15/16.

The short Freddie era has probably bought Arteta quite a bit of time. I think fans will accept almost any level of performance for the rest of the season.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I like Arteta too but this is a ridiculously tough job he has on his hands and will need time and proper backing.

Apparently his staff at the moment is Leon Osman as assistant with Freddie, Rosicky and Tony Hibbett which seems rather inexperienced.

Small mercy is we don't get blinded by Osman's head on tv.

Be daft that the Arsenal backroom team will get a huge ovation for their first match and it will come from the other side.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Really think Arteta made the wrong choice here.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Neither Arteta or Ancelotti will last a full season if appointed. Ridiculous appointments.

 

[sledger]

Neither Arteta or Ancelotti will last a full season if appointed. Ridiculous appointments.

The chance of Arteta being sacked before the beginning of next season is close to nil.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

The chance of Arteta being sacked before the beginning of next season is close to nil.

I was thinking more about the end of next season. Hence no full season in charge.

 

[sledger]

Ah, there was your mistake. Never think. It will only lead you to these funny little conclusions of yours.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I'll still be right though.

 

[sledger]

Hmmm. Like that time you were right about the Autoglass repair man and the smoked salmon, no doubt.

 

[sledger]

Announcement made.

 

[Uppercut]

I think it’s a good move for both Arteta and Arsenal. Arsenal are in a bad way but if you can’t back yourself to take those players higher than 10th you may as well retire. From Arsenal’s perspective it’s a gamble, but they’re getting good odds.

 

[sledger]

I think it's actually less of a risk than if Arsenal were actually still kind of ok tbh. If that was the case, the (somewhat dubious imo) "get someone who can consolidate" argument would have more strength.

But as it is, nothing needs to be consolidated. The wheels have already come off. No point going for a supposed steady option who can maintain the status quo (which is an omnishambles anyway) but is obviously a real short term option. Look at how that turned out with Emery.

What is needed is a fundamental revamp, new ideas, complete overhaul, so may as well have a crack on someone who actually has the profile for that sort of gig. Well worth a punt given the circumstances. Just hope he is given the time and support needed.

Let's have it.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

According to Balague the Euro pundit Arteta has been “planning for this all his life”. That must have been a surprise for the midwife.

In real news I still don’t know if the game at Macclesfield tomorrow is on.

 

[andmark]

Liverpool's new signing means we can now say:
"Gini, Mini, Mane, Mo;
Catch Firmino by the toe;
If he falls down, give a pen;
Gini Mini, Mane, Mo"

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

You can, sure. But why would you?

 

[andmark]

T'was simply a joke. T'was also self-deprecation BTW.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Interesting Arsenal team selection.

 

[Furball]

Yeah Xhaka is a bit of a shock.