Arsenal Banter

12 May 2025 12:49:10
I see that I've upset some people with my opinion of changing manager lol. To clarify, I understand why many of you want him to stay but you must see there are also reasons why it could be the time to go. Like I said on the live chat, given the amount of injuries this season, he probably deserves a LAST chance. But come next season, regardless of any excuses, he needs to win the premier league or champions league, and if not, it should be time for him to move on. It doesn't have to be a "nasty" sacking, it can just be an agreement that we are looking to get over the line and a new voice can help with that. That would be 7 years in the job which no other manager gets at any football club.

{Ed014's Note - I think everyone knows that mate, I said it somewhere below, if we end up with nothing next season, then he does need to go.

12 May 2025 09:03:03
An excellent point yesterday, I feared a 4 or 5 in the making when it was 2-0. Credit where credit is due they put in a great shift second half.

Lets get 3 points against Newcastle to ensure second spot.

12 May 2025 07:32:00
Morning all. hope alls well. just wanted to say. when Mikel took the job we had a hugely fractured fan base, a squad that was almost rotten to the core and generally a club in a right old mess. he's asked us to trust the process and most of us have. and I still do. he came in got rid of all the deadwood and leeches and told the squad, for this to work we need to be one/ we need unity. the squad the club and fans all pulling together to make us stronger. which in my eyes has been steadily happening. yes we have been second a few seasons and reached the champions league quarters and semis in the last two seasons. so there's progress right there. and in all fairness this season has been a bit up and down. but again we need to look at the fact that we have had the most dire luck regarding injuries and I genuinely believe that if we had not had such rotten luck in that department we could be looking at THE ARSENAL already being champions this season and a champions league final to look forward to. we are competing at the top end again. and we were crying out for that before Mikel decided his love and passion for the ARSENAL was much bigger than staying at city for an easy ride. he has steadily built a decent young squad who want to win things. with the correct additions this summer and fingers crossed on a lot less injuries next season we should be in for some good times. when we started this journey with Mikel. I posted that this won't be a quick fix and the there will be bumps in the road but the more we travel together the road will become more smoother and the scenery more beautiful. I'm still willing to stay on that road travelling the journey. we have a decent young squad and a decent young manager. from where we was before he took over (all we wanted back then was to be competing again) . to where we are and where we can go. the difference is night and day. p. s years ago we used to go to Liverpool fearing a smashing. going 2-0 down early and shipping in 4 or 5. Mikel must have torn into them at half time because we didn't fold. We came out and got a creditable draw away at Liverpool, down to 10 men and still nearly nicked it at the end. so let's hope between stan, Josh and bertra they can provide the club what we really need. (and we all know what areas need sorting) . then we can go again all guns blazing. COYG/ VTH. NORTH LONDON FOREVER ARSENAL TILL I DIE. 🔴⚪️❤️.

12 May 2025 07:41:58
Spot on Gabi!

11 May 2025 19:43:30
Fantastic come back today 👏👏👏👏

People can say what they want about this team but they are the best we've had in years despite not being at full strength.


I'd love to see Martinelli play down the middle in our last 2 games given Merino absence.

11 May 2025 14:37:03
Liverpool supporter here,
Whilst I can see both sides of the argument towards arteta I miss a viable alternative. Which other coach is available for arsenal to take the next step and win things? Saying that I see arteta as kind of a weird cookie, but who cares about what supporters of other teams think of your coach. Anyways a wish you a lot of bad luck today but not in general, because you seem like a nice bunch on here.

11 May 2025 15:26:08
My argument to that is that’s the risk of making any change. When we signed Arteta he wasn’t even a manager. Arteta is not the only manager in the world who’s capable of managing Arsenal, just like Klopp wasn’t for Liverpool. Also, good luck today mate.

11 May 2025 15:29:04
I think there are a few on here who might be secretly cheering for your boys this afternoon baker mate 😊😊😊.

11 May 2025 13:50:42
I thought I'll put a new post where to those who want Arteta to stay because the other post replies is lengthy. My question is, if we continue not winning trophies but continue challenging, at what stage would you want a manager change? Next season, 2 seasons, 3 etc.?

11 May 2025 15:26:56
Your certainly persistent, I'll give you that. I would even go as far to say dogmatic.

11 May 2025 17:01:21
I want the best for Arsenal, and at this moment arteta is best for Arsenal,

11 May 2025 19:44:42
Well I want Arteta to stay, if he gets the right team I think we can get across the line. So for voting purposes as there isn't such a thing on here, like Dags post if you want Arteta out and mine if you want him in. Unless the mods can get a vote system set up :)

11 May 2025 21:09:55
Don’t worry sparky mate, don’t think I’ll get a vote lol.

12 May 2025 07:22:20
There’s already votes been done 63%want him to stay.

{Ed014's Note - nice to see you back mate, hope alls good with you.

He should certainly be given next season, with hopefully a striker in place.

I think there’s little doubt he’s earned that from the transformation we’ve seen under his leadership.

Nothing next season though and we defo need to move on.

12 May 2025 10:27:30
Thanks Ed.

10 May 2025 13:35:17
The last thing I'll say about the manager is that Wenger overstayed his welcome, hence why it took us so long to rebuild. Fans wanting Arteta to stay are risking the exact same thing. The longer we do not win with the current players results in our best players wanting to leave. If you were one of the fans upset when RVP left, Cole, Cesc, Nasri, Henry, Sanchez, and you want Arteta to stay, then respectfully you're part of the problem. You are "willing" to risk the exact same cycle happening again. Ask yourselves, do you want this to happen again? Do you ONLY want him sacked if we do not get top 4? Next year are you again going to be saying "let's give him another year". The rhetoric that we will be starting "all over again" if we sack him is ridiculous.

10 May 2025 15:26:30
DG your example of players falling out and wanting to leave is not one that I can see I think the team are behind Arteta they can see him getting us everything and mark my word if we bring in the correct signings (and its not on Arteta who we sign) , next season will be an amazing season for us. let's not try and fix something that is not broken.

The players you have mentioned that left under wenger did not leave because they thought wenger was unable to deliver trophies nut instead they new kronkes would not be putting hands in their pockets to bring in players that were required same reason david dein left. The club need to go out and bring in the players we need.

Mark my words unless we have a bigger injury crisis than we have had this season come this time next season there will be happy Gooners.

If we bring in the signings required and keep a health squad and we don't win than it will definetley be the right time to be looking to replace

If we don't bring in the right signings if I was Arteta I would resign Come on People Next season is ours.

10 May 2025 17:30:42
What's ridiculous is to suggest that United and Spurs are having better seasons than us even though both clubs sit just above just above the relegation zone and we sit in second place and they are only in Europa league cup this season by virtue of the they failed miserably to achieve a top 4 finish last season.

Finding reasons to big up other clubs who currently under achieving as a level their fans have not seen for years in order to belittle and put down your own club not only ridiculous in my opinion it's also extremely desperate.

10 May 2025 18:18:20
Calling for Arteta to go now is frankly absurd. The team is making progress on all fronts, competing when against high level opponents, and still second in the league, sfmi-finalisfs in ECL, despite a shocking injury list and the loss of key ayers for pivotal parts of the season. The comparison with the final years of Wenger is also somewhat muddleheaded, not least because of the financial constraints we laboured under, that were never expected. Sorry to be a bit caustic, but it just doesn't make any sense.

10 May 2025 21:43:26
So just to test your position, next season if we finish second (1 point behind the champions) , and get to the CL final and lose, Carabao Cup final and lose, and FA Cup final and lose, I assume you want him to stay because that’s “progress” from this year. Arsenal and Arteta have literally manipulated all of you to thinking Arteta is the second coming of Jesus Christ.

{Ed025's Note - that would be coming second rather than the "second coming" Dags.. :)

10 May 2025 22:43:58
Just to test your position, do you want us to win or lose tomorrow?

10 May 2025 22:54:45
I want us to win all our matches regardless who the manager is. Now answer my question.

10 May 2025 23:32:58
Sorry I thought it was another ridiculous post from you

But if you are truly being serious in your question and would I sack a manager who took us to 3 finals in the same and missed out on the title by just 1pt then never in a million years would i sack him.

If I was that desperate for a trophy I'd either start supporting Celtic or Chelsea women's team.

11 May 2025 00:53:55
LOL I rest my case. That is literally supporting the manager more than the club.

11 May 2025 09:47:57
Ok you choose

Your scenario of 3 finals and missing out on the title by 1 point

Or

Avoiding relegation by 1pt but winning the league cup?

I guess its like choosing between a brand new Fiat 500 or a 1 year old Mercedes with 20,000 on the clock. Once the novelty of having a brand new car wears off your still stuck with the reality of driving around in the Fiat 500

To each their own.

11 May 2025 11:03:46
That’s literally the problem with you people who love Arteta. When you try to imagine a scenario where’s he’s not managed, you imagine a stupid extreme scenario. It’s contradictory hence why your argument is so poor.

{Ed014's Note - exactly who do you think you are when you say “you people”.

11 May 2025 11:29:01
That's contradictory too, Dags. The scenario that you gave about Arteta reaching three finals and winning none of them, and finishing second is also a stupid extreme scenario. So can we say that your argument is poor as well?

{Ed014's Note - it always is! 😂

11 May 2025 12:41:04
The point being made is Arsenal supporters cannot say we have quality players, and then say getting a new manager will break everythingapart. The reason why my scenario makes sense is that I believe we have quality players, but the manager has proven he cannot get us over the line, hence the example of the 3 finals and finishing second. If you think we have top players at Arsenal, it is extremely unlikely that we will be finishing 15th with a new manager, hence why that’s a poor argument. Overall, the views of supporting Arteta over and over again is what we did with Wenger. We let him keep carrying on which meant our top players were getting older, players leaving and supporters losing faith. Why even risk going through this cycle again? We have entered 12 competitions since 2022 and have won 0 trophies, 0 out of 12. Then loyalty being given to Mikel, just because we are “challenging” and because “where we were before” are all literally because Wenger outstayed his welcome, the exact thing we are doing with Arteta. How some supporters don’t see things crazy to me.

11 May 2025 13:04:15
Reckon Newcastle should get rid off Howe, because he's only won one trophy in 4yrs. With all that progression they've made, not just on the pitch, but off it as well, it's not good enough.

11 May 2025 13:26:52
That's the problem with you people who think you know all the answers to the questions. If people only had the sense to listen to you, you and you alone you would lead them to the land of milk and honey yet promise all who continue to defy you nothing but eternal fire and brimstone.

Not religious by any chance are you?

The end is nigh 😬😬😬😬.

11 May 2025 13:32:17
The main reason we digressed in wengers later years is because the club was unable to financially compete with the others. Any player we would approach would get a better offer from elsewhere. Not down to the manager but the board. The only reason we are still in premier league is because Wenger stuck around assuring the banks we were in safe hands. We now know Edu was not working working for the best interest of the club and had been doing dodgy deals to support his own cause rather than the club. To blame Arteta for the board and Edus doing is ludicrous . The reason why the hire and fire culture worked at Chelsea and not and not for say Man U or Tottenham is purely down to Chelsea would support the incoming manager with full funds. The managers bought with them a team of back house staff that ensured they would get the player they wanted. Arsenal board does not work that way. That hire and fire for arsenal would be a catastrophic action to take.

11 May 2025 14:05:00
Out of interest Dags, who would you have as Artetas replacement?

12 May 2025 07:23:53
Dags what’s you’re idea of a good season what would arteta have to do to get you’re approval next season.

{Ed014's Note - has Dags come up with a suggestion as to who should replace him and why yet? 🤔

12 May 2025 09:20:49
Dags, Arteta will be there next year so we should all get behind him I reckon. A divided fanbase doesn't do the club any good!

12 May 2025 12:43:32
Hi Ed014. I don’t have particular names to replace him but that doesn’t mean there’s no one out there to replace him. Liverpool wouldn’t of never expected Slot to have done what he done this season, and there are further examples of that in the footballing world.

{Ed014's Note - strange as it seems I don’t really rate Liverpool and have watched them a number of times this season, including a live game and for the most they haven’t looked all that at all.

Points make prizes though and they’ve taken advantage of a chance.

I appreciate there are others out there, I like the Bournemouth guy, Ancelotti will be free soon.

But anyone is a gamble and I think Arteta has deserved next season to be totally fair to him.

I just don’t want us to take another step backward, that’s happened through circumstances this season, rather than us suddenly being garbage.

Obviously the failure to secure a striker has made it all much worse.

That really was the key position for this season having gone so close twice, like everyone, I’d love to know why we didn’t get one.

It has been obvious from his time at City that Jesus wasn’t the answer as much as Kai wasn’t either.

12 May 2025 15:16:17
I think Slot is the exception rather than the rule Dags.

10 May 2025 12:15:31
As it Stands
New Goalie - Garcia
New left back capable of covering CB if there are sufficient departures
DM - Zubimendi to replace Jorginio
With talks still taking place with Party
Left Wing looking to convince Nico but salary expectations may be difficult. Gitten was watched so may be back in frame
Striker - my favourite Viktor Gyokeres. but if Utd offer high wages then Sesko could be revisited
Hopping that Delap gets across the line.
Outgoing
Neto and Sterling back to loan
Midfielders:
Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fábio Vieira, Jorginio, Patino all to leave. Yes including Vieta withe the emergence of Nwaneri
Goalie: Hein
Defenders:
Nuno Tavares, Kieran Tierney, Zinny and potentially Kiwior, Tomiyasu and surprisingly Riccardo Calafiori
Forwards:
Marquinhos, Reiss Nelson, Tyreece John-Jules and very sadly player of season in PL2 Khayon Edwards as he been overlooked again.

10 May 2025 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - bailey has posted a new article entitled, Southampton FC Players Overview

10 May 2025 01:48:24
Arsene got more criticism for not winning trophies despite having much more credit in the bank than Arteta. Why can't people accept that he's done well to get us back competing but it's time to start winning. Again, it is Arsenal Football Club, not Arteta Football Club. Arsenal will still be here when he leaves. You will still be here when he leaves. Forever stay loyal to the club. The happy ending you want isn't going to come with him. He is still saying we were the best team in the champions league this season. He starting to sound like Ange and Ten Hag who we all laughed at. Open your eyes lads, open your eyes.

10 May 2025 08:46:20
Arsene was our greatest ever manager in part one of his time with us, there can be no question about that by anyone surely? Part 2 we became the whipping boys for the teams we once competed against, our player's posted selfies after humiliating defeats and even on Arsenes 1000th game in charge at Arsenal v Chelsea Arsenes player's couldn't be bothered to turn up for him and allowed his cheif detractor Jose Mourinho to totally humiliate Arsene and Arsenal football club. What did Arsene do? He stayed loyal to those players who showed no respect for him or the club and fans they were supposed to be playing for. The game was up for Arsene long before he finally left.

Consecutive top 2 finishes and a champions league semi final and thrashings of Manchester City abd Real Madrid does not look like a team that's in obvious regression to me. The difference between Arsenes final years at Arsenal and Arteta last 3 years at Arsenal is like challk and cheese to me.

Arsene absolutely had to go for the good of the club I'm not sure Arteta is in that position yet at all but will he walk this summer anyway? Time as always will tell.

10 May 2025 11:58:29
Hello there said I wasn't going to post again till next season but I felt I had.
I have been critical of Arteta and miffed about his tactics and subs especially about keeping the youngsters on the bench especially Nwaneri.
After some calming down I have looked at the bigger picture.
I read a post about other managers from a Arsenal fan like ourselves.
Ferguson was at Man Utd 13 years before he won CL.7 years before he won the league. Mourinho having won CL at Porto and Inter respectively spent shed loads at Chelsea and Real and didn't win it with either. Pep spent 4 years at Bayern one of the top sides in Europe and didn't get any closer than Arteta. Psg keeper won MOTM award in both legs. So with respect of CL under Mikel he has done very well.
Our league form even before the injuries was up and down and the lost of 21 pts from winning positions is simply not good enough and needs to be rectified for next season. The failure of not buying a striker is I think you would all agree has cost us big time over all competitions.
We need trophies next season and I think as I said after reflection that Mikel gets another season.
So this time I am definitely signing of till next season
So to the Eds, Sally, John (62) Mal, Gabs, RG, Sharpie, Dublin, Sparky, Dags, Glenn, Gunns4,Moe, Sir Wenger, Saga, Jegooner and everyone else that I have not mentioned, you and your families have a great summer
Take care
COYG
.

{Ed025's Note - have a nice break Bill mate..

10 May 2025 12:34:38
Great post bill.

10 May 2025 13:37:16
Have a brilliant summer Bill mate, I've really enjoyed your company once again this season regardless of whether we've agreed or disagreed on different things. In my opinion your a quality poster I look forward to enjoying your company again next season mate 👍

All the best to you and yours Bill mate and Up The Arsenal, whatever the weather 👍👍👍👍.

11 May 2025 18:31:28
Highbury, have a great summer mate.

10 May 2025 00:07:12
I have enjoyed this season overall and it has definitely been an eye opener for me. With all our injuries we have been fighting to be at the top of the table most of the season. We are now coming to end of the season have beaten Real Madrid home and away to reach the champions league semi finals only for injury laden team to have been beaten by a well organised fresh team but boy did we give them a run for their money. We now have 3 games left 9 points up for grabs with Aston Villa 7 points behind is in 7th position. Things could end up a lot worse than they are. We now have A team and a B team with our youngster’s potentially even have c team. If we get the players we need to improve our team n realistically that’s only 2 maybe 3 signings next is season is going to be one hell of a season so let’s be grateful for what we have n what’s coming and get behind the team and manager. Come on you gunners.

10 May 2025 08:52:41
I'm with you G4 mate but I think we are currently either in the minority or at least on the opposite side of an equal split between those of us who appreciate and have enjoyed our dramatic improvement and those who cannot accept anything but being the very best of the best at all times.

10 May 2025 12:36:45
62 no one expects us to win everything but we should at least be in the argument!

10 May 2025 13:57:21
Were we not in the Champions league argument this season
? We're we not in the Premier league argument up until the very last game of the season last season?

I appreciate different people have different values and opinions but can we are at least agree that to suggest Spurs and Man United have done better than Arsenal this season are taking the argument to a ridiculous level and that that those very same people who claim now claim United and Spurs have done better than us this season would get completely out of their prams if we finished the in same league position as United and Spurs finished in last season in the same position as United and Spurs finished in, let alone where they both are now in the league this season.

To me this is complete double standards and purely looking to put Arsenal and Arteta down in any way they can find to do so.

10 May 2025 17:20:40
62 what happened to our domestic challenges?

10 May 2025 19:11:06
OK a recap.

In the league cup we lost quite badly over 2 leg's in the semi final to Newcastle who went on to be beat Liverpool in the final winning their first domestic trophy in 70 years

In the FA cup we lost in the 3rd round? I think, to Man United on penalties after extra time. Embarrassing yes but Liverpool went out to the champships bottom team Plymouth, magic of the FA cup? It happens

In the league we fell off the pace and just couldn't keep up with Liverpool with so many injuries to so many important players but we ard currentlyout pacing all others despite all the injuries. Would we have pipped Liverpool to the title if it were not for the injuries? Maybe, maybe not we will never know the answer to that question so it's a debate best not had.

10 May 2025 19:35:07
No doubt we have regressed this year.

10 May 2025 20:19:17
So have the farmer's yeilds who didn't get the best weather last year.

11 May 2025 10:46:03
Bit of a bizarre reply 62.