Regretfully the euphoria of the Arsenal’s 13th FA cup victory will be short-lived. Life is a bitch you know. Sooner or later reality bites, whether we like it or not, even for those who live in the football bubble trying to avoid the often brutish forces in the real world.
Every gooner should now be aware that the club’s Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday when the fate of our longstanding, most successful manager ever will be finally decided. From the public statements of Arsene Wenger there is a contract extension on offer but he is undecided, apparently because of his disagreement with proposed changes in how the club operates which will affect his freedom as a manager.
A little segue is necessary to explain briefly the nature of Arsenal Holdings PLC to readers unfamiliar with such matters. In regular discourse in the press, on twitter, podcasts and in most blogs the impression is given that Arsenal Football Club is privately owned by the duo of Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov, majority vs minority. The media then spins a soap opera of the two engaged in an unending, unedifying power struggle. In truth the club is owned by a public limited company meaning its shares may be traded freely to the public. Stan owns 68% of the shares, with no intention of selling, which gives him a controlling interest over the PLC including the choice of directors. The directors are legally responsible for the affairs of the company. They employ a general manager or CEO (Ivan Gazidis) to manage day-to-day business of the company. Technically Wenger reports to Gazidis as the manager responsible for the football side of the business.
Given that Wenger is such a giant as a football manager whose achievements are directly related to the humongous financial and reputational growth of Arsenal during his 20 year tenure, any decision concerning his future employment is not a matter to be solely decided by the CEO. To be fair, the Board of directors of any well-run company will have a direct say in the appointment of key employees.
It is also my understanding under British law a PLC must have directors meetings where annual financial statements are presented and adopted. Traditionally such meetings are also an opportunity to make important, strategic corporate decisions. In the case of Arsenal PLC the end of season meeting is usually such an occasion.
Getting back on track, what are the Wenger-related issues facing the directors at Tuesday’s meeting? It appears that the manager is the one who has laid down the gauntlet with respect to the terms of the contract extension. We can recall that April presser when he poured scorn on the idea of a Director of Football (DOF):
“I don’t know what director of football means.
“Is it somebody who stands in the road and directs play right and left?
“I don’t understand and I never did understand what it means.
“Sorry, no. I’m not prepared to talk about that. I’m the manager of Arsenal football club and, as long as I’m manager of Arsenal football club, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That’s it.”
Well since then he has not spoken about it and neither has Ivan Gazidis or Josh Kroenke for that matter. The one thing I noted from the tone of The Guardian, which usually runs cover for CEO’s and other big-wigs in football, was the approval they gave to what they describe as Gazidis desire:
“… to harness Wenger’s strengths but also help him in areas where he feels the manager and the club are weaker. For example, a director of football or sporting director could be responsible for keeping abreast of developments in analytics and sports science.”
I for one am inclined to ask the Guardian how well did the directors of football work at Tottenham and Manchester City over the recent past? Did they notice how the men in suits wheeled and dealed signing a colossal number of mediocre players who predictably failed leaving Villas Boas, Tim Sherwood and Pellegrini to take the axe while they sailed away with huge salaries and reputations intact.
Wenger is obviously not taken in by the honeyed words of the corporate apologists:
“When it does not work here, I am blamed, so if [it happened] I am blamed for decisions I have not made [as well],” Wenger said. “It is tough enough to be blamed for decisions you have made. It is difficult to imagine that somebody signs a player that the manager does not know. That never happened to me.
“Some coaches are only interested in managing the team and they are happy with it. I am not like that and I cannot change myself now. I can change by trying to get better but my personality? I have 40 years of experience at the top, top level and I think, personally, I have a good knowledge of the game. I am who I am. That is it.”
From the general press coverage it seems the DOF gambit must have taken a hit after Wenger’s full scale barrage but the rumblings of disquiet between Wenger and the club hierarchy have not died. Only recently, just prior to the FA cup final, Wenger in a BBC interview described a climate of disrespect:
“You don’t mind criticism, because we are in a public job. The lack of respect in some stages has been, for me, a disgrace. And I will never accept that.
“I believe there is a difference between being criticized and being treated in a way that a human being don’t deserve to be treated. And I will never forget that.”
Clearly something is afoot and Arsene is not going without a fight. Some are however alarmed that this latest statement portends his departure. My view for the longest of time is Wenger will re-up mainly because he is committed to the project he has started and there are clear signs he could win another Pl title before retiring.
For two years running a title challenge floundered almost immediately upon a season-ending injury of Santi Cazorla, as evident from the data I researched and published. Now that Wenger has changed the set-up of the team since early April, leading to an eight-game winning run culminating in the FA cup triumph, there is clear evidence of self-belief and capacity to achieve great things. As Wenger himself disclosed, with 1-2 key additions to the existing squad this team can easily challenge for the title.
After the FA cup final I am even more confident that Stan Kroenke will not risk his investment, which has tripled in value in six-years, by losing his most valuable asset. You don’t become a billionaire by not identifying and retaining the most valuable person on your team. If he and his family should have any doubt, please draw their attention to the following table which summarizes 21 years and 798 games of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal:
| Yr | W | D | L | Pts | Lge Pos |
| 16/17 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 75 | 5 |
| 15/16 | 20 | 11 | 7 | 71 | 2 |
| 14/15 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 75 | 3 |
| 13/14 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 79 | 4 |
| 12/13 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 73 | 4 |
| 11/12 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 71 | 3 |
| 10/11 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 68 | 4 |
| 09/10 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 75 | 3 |
| 08/09 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 72 | 4 |
| 07/08 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 83 | 3 |
| 06/07 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 68 | 4 |
| 05/06 | 20 | 7 | 11 | 67 | 4 |
| 04/05 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 83 | 2 |
| 03/04 | 26 | 12 | – | 90 | 1 |
| 02/03 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 78 | 2 |
| 01/02 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 87 | 1 |
| 00/01 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 70 | 2 |
| 99/00 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 73 | 2 |
| 98/09 | 22 | 12 | 4 | 78 | 2 |
| 97/98 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 78 | 1 |
| 96/97 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 68 | 3 |
| Totals | 462 | 196 | 140 | 1582 | 3 |
Winning percentage: 58%
Losing percentage: 18%
Average league position: 3rd
Average pts per season: 75
Greatest number of FA Cup titles: 7
Only coach to manage an Invincible Team.
It may be D-Day at the Arsenal board room on Tuesday but I doubt there will be any fireworks. The data leaves me confident.
PS: As an afficionado of The GodfatherI do expect a Don Wenger moment after the Board meeting.
Positively Arsenal 
Interesting times. Looks like the only way Wenger is leaving is if he wishes that, or if it has been predetermined he is going, and the media have been hoodwinked…..but they are leaving it very late if this is the case
We have had some very poor moments of the season….yes I am a Cazorlaista as well, and that is undoubtedly part of the explanation……but the reality, whatever the issues, they have very conspicuously turned things around, those players were playing for their manager this season without doubt. Wenger has introduced a new formation which is working (please don’t go back on this one Arsene…..you can play wonderful attacking football with this as well). The club would never allow the WOB to force a manager out, so, cannot see any good reason for Wenger to leave, unless for some reason he wants to.
If there is a boardroom split, it will be amongst people who care deeply for the club, maybe just a case of banging heads together Stan. It is very possible Ivan or others have grounds to improve things, to help a man who clearly takes on a lot, maybe there is a case for upgrading some backroom staff, our injury record is clearly worse than some teams, so grounds for improvement here, but only the day to dayers would know that stuff.
But if some want structural change for the good of the club and manager, sell it well, present it as assistance, and tread lightly, Wenger is not just a run of the mill manager.
If someone goes in too heavy handed, you could get the horrible scenario of people having to resign…that’s the last we need for good staff in a well run club.
The wait is almost over. Can only think he will stay, maybe with some degree of change behind the scenes, but am far from sure at this moment
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Good article Shotta. Thanks.
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Morning Shotta
Msm appear to have called the new contract as in place and only Stan and Arsene to make their mark.
I am not so sure.
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Shotta with the usual clear-sighted approach
I know it must happen one day but the thought of him leaving ( Like death and taxes) brings tears to my eyes.
#One Arsene Wenger
Cos there is only one!
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“Did they notice how the men in suits wheeled and dealed signing a colossal number of mediocre players who predictably failed leaving Villas Boas, Tim Sherwood and Pellegrini to take the axe while they sailed away with huge salaries and reputations intact”
Heh
Thank you Shotts.
I agree with you. AW had only Fergus to keep him company before the Agents’ favourite business partner came into the league. There was an enjoyable spell for football fans all over the world where Pellegrini and Wenger went at it. And now with Conte, Klopp, Young Pep and others in the league I can’t see him opting for a slightly early retirement when he’s not going to carry on for too much longer anyway. No chance! (Hope I’m not wrong) See you all for pre-season!
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Thanks Ed
Player of the year
Young player of the year
Goal of the Year
Games of the year
Disappointment of the Year
mine are
Player of the year
1. Alexis – Made a difference
2. Nacho- Came back from difficult time early in the season now the new Peter Simpson
3. Mesut- OMG! Tick for Xhaka
Young player of the year
1. Holding -NO Doubt!
2. Iwobi -Smile
3. Maitland-Niles-Got something here who can cover for Xhaka
Goal of the Year
1. Ozil v Ludogorets-When was the last time we saw a goal like that?
2. Giroud v Crystal Palace – Best goal I have witnessed at the Ems “What was that?” moment
3. Ramsey v Everton -Bliss for Rambo fans
Games of the year
1. FA Cup final- Best Arsenal performance in a final (My watching live only goes back to 1971)
2. home to chelsea- Oh Santi Cazorla I miss him we missed him
3. Stoke away, always enjoy beating stoke- Love beating Stoke
Disappointment of the Year
1. the awful fans behavior when the team most needed support
2. Cazorla injury
3. the awful fans behavior when the team most needed support -I repeated it because it needed to be stated twice.
PA is the best Arsenal sight I know, we can disagree but points are debated in a repectful manner.
Because we all love Arsenal
Saddest thing I read all year
gf60- I have never actually met you but I feel like I know you . You almost brought me to tears , I had something to say but what you were saying seemed so much more important .Make everyday special my brother you will not be forgotten by this gooner
Old farts thoughts will live on
UTA
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Strong sense Kroenke will back Wenger fully, in which case presumably it’ll be like Clough’s chats with players – ‘we talk about it for 20 minutes and then decide I was right’.
That said, there’s certainly been some alarming talk of late. I didn’t click on it but saw a few links about Wenger saying he’d show video of game to the board.
Just one of many utterances which suggest it isn’t certain.
We’ll see. I’m totally unprepared mentally for anything other than Wenger staying on.
Hope he does and that if there’s any fallout- Gazidis for instance- we can launch into action very quickly to sort it out.
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On director’s of football, didn’t Liverpool and Spurs have the same guy performing that role at different times- in charge of transfers anyway?
Damian Comoli, worked with us for years and I think got his start in coaching/scouting under Wenger.
Think he was responsible for Bale/Modric and Suarez, and yet still managed to do more harm than good at each club!
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Well at least gf60 is still ticking and giving them a licking. So happy my post grabs your interest.
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Goes without staying, hope he does stay, but if he doesn’t for whatever reason, hope they are very quick on a plan B!
There would be no shortage of applicants, Not sure how many managers out there who would fit the profile of this club, though No doubt there are some who could in time do a good job.
The sensible solution, surely …if he is up for it, keep Wenger in place for a while longer and have some sort of structure, and perhaps an increasing idea of a successor for when the time comes. Still believe one day, consideration should be given to someone like Arteta, smart guy, loves the club, impeccable football pedigree for this club,and currently learning from, and assisting a decent manager.
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Arteta is the answer……………….eventually.
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by way of apology, they should give him a 5yr contract! Come on board, you know u owe him that! why is it a 2 yr extension?
AW, yes you can do it! saw him going up those Wembley stairs, nimbly!
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I love Per’s attitude… imagine Per and Arteta in charge.. even add Rosicky… and Pires… what a team they would produce!
Shotta, that was a great read as per usual.. not taken for granted these great blogs u guys dish up!
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The advantage of a DoF is if the ship gets into heavy weather he can be the first thing slung over the side.
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Team spirit
Well said.
These senior players have served the club so well in the time of need when Nasri Fabregas and RVP change loyalties.
Infact i reckon the victory of 2014 FA cup as more important over 2017 FA cup for the club,Wenger and players like Tomas Rosicky and Bacray Sagna who remained loyal to the
club when Fab Nasri and Rvp switched ship.
Infact Pires Rosicky and Per deserve legend status at the club.
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I’ll just say this: if he goes now, I will never forgive the club for letting it happen after the season, without the sendoff he deserves. It’s this fact that makes me optimistic; surely to god they would not let this great man just clean out his office and leave on a random June Thursday. It’s unimaginable to me.
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Im 60/40 he stays but a lot of politics are being played across and around the boardroom table. What caught my attention was his reference to the “disrespectful” abuse he has been subject to in recent weeks and that he would not forget. A lot of people took that to be directed at the Scarfists and bedsheet wavers. I cannot believe AW would care two hoots what some carpet fitter from Dunstable in a silly hat thinks. I certainly don’t so why would Arsene? No I think his anger was much more directed at those close to home.
AW has always said in respect of his own contract he is a very tough negotiator. He has a great hand, is it a winning hand ?
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Player of the Season 1. The Ox
2. Alexis
3. Nacho
Young player 1. Hector
2. Rob
3. Alex I.
Best goal 1. Il Scorpione
2. Nacho in the semi final
3=. Alexis 2nd against Sunlun
3=. Ozil against Ludogorets
Best games 1. Cup final
2. Beating f******** Jose easily
3. Lincoln – great day out
Disappointments 1. Injuries – especially Perez and Santi
2. Disappearance of The
3. Drawing Bayern yet again in the CL (never mind the result)
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A5: Rumor has it that the source of AW’s ire is young Josh Kroenke who Papa brought in to oversee the club. Clearly Stan is doing some succession planning as he must. Old farts like you and me are very familiar with these young hotshot dudes who are inexperienced but full of themselves. They are convinced that a pensioner like Wenger, at 67 y.o., is past it, should be replaced and put out to pasture. Bigger empires have been brought to their knees by such disregard for experience and knowledge in dealing with cut-throat, ruthless competitors. Such is professional football, especially in England, which is a grave yard of formerly great clubs who disregard experience and commonsense, expending millions of dollars on new individuals and structures, but failing miserably at what matters; wisely using their precious resources to win football matches. Leeds, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Wolves, Newcastle were all great clubs that used to compete regularly with Arsenal when Arsene joined 21 years ago. They are all now toiling in the lower leagues hoping that some Chinese angel will ride to the rescue and become their sugar daddy. if I was Papa, I would pull Josh aside and give him a severe talking to. Learn from your elders son. It will be the key to your success.
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Josh K….don’t know too much about him, but have read a few reports suggesting he keeps wanting to bring Thierry Henry back in a senior role in the clubs coaching. If true, certainly hope Wenger stands his ground. If JK wants Wenger out of the way, or his role significantly reduced, really hope Stan is the Wenger loyalist many believe him to be
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well if it is josh kroenke that wenger is upset with, who could blame him if the rumors are true that josh wants to replace wenger with numbskull Thierry Henry
anyway just a thought on the DoF thing, isn’t it an awfully silly title, Director of Football, just think about the actual role. Two of his biggest roles are Transfer negotiations, contract negotiations, and then there is overseeing administration tasks, so if anything the title should be Director of Administration, so DoA. But seeing as DoA has other meaning, maybe that is why its not used, so maybe Arsenal can come up with an actually fitting title for the role.
Wenger has recently stated that he has no problem with someone being brought in to help with transfer deals, and contract renewals. At the moment, despite what the WOB would have us believe, Wenger does not handle either tasks, its mainly Dick Law, with help from others including Ivan Gazidis, and recently its been claimed that Ozil and Alexis’s agents have bypassed Dick Law and been in talks with Josh Kroenke about new contracts, as its claimed they believe that Law can not sanction the wages they want, but that young Kroenke can. Could be poppy cock of course.
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happy to see Huddersfield Town have gained promotion to the BPL, won the play off on penalties.
A club with a great history, and many great links to Arsenal, including Herbert Chapman.
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Tony Adams is a sad bitter man
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if Wenger does leave tomorrow, it will be jumped upon by the malcontents as it being down to their protests. And this will mean our future managers will have an awful time of it. Every bad patch of form will see major protests, and any new manager without major success will be easier to persuade the board to remove.
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Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures
July 13th – Sydney FC
July 15th – Western Sydney Wanderers
July 19th – Bayern Munich
July 22nd – Chelsea
July 29th – Benfica
July 30th – Seville
August 6th – Chelsea
seeing as we have Chelsea twice in preseason, lets hope we don’t play them too early in the BPL season too.
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Wonderful http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170529/emirates-fa-cup-final-2017-mini-movie
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Blinking eck. Whoever put that video together is good at their job and loves the club and staff for real.
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It’s normally about now that Peyton issues his statement claiming his whining and self promotion were the decisive factor in the Wembley win eddy – utter little shit that he is
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If Wenger leaves tomorrow, I fear Martinez/Henry could be the outcome
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if one quote sums up Tony Adams its this
Adams: “I’m 50 – so almost half my life was at Arsenal. I’ve got a bloody statue outside [the Emirates Stadium]. What have they done to me?”
“What have the done to me”
yeah Tony, its all their fault, I thought one of the AA 12 steps was to take responsibility for oneself and ones own mistakes
I now get great delight in the thought that every time Adams sees Steve Bould sit on the Arsenal bench that it annoys him, his one time team mate, partner at CB, has the job he thinks should be his, or maybe I’m underestimating him and its the seat beside Bould that he thinks he should be sitting in.
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worse still Mandy, it could be Vieira/Henry
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from 2016 so some data out of date, but you will still get the gist of it
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KJD Gooner @KJDGooner May 27
Arsene Wenger: “If you are a fan you should support your team. We have played some games in quite a hostile environment, once game starts you should stand behind your team. Some of what has gone on during games this season has been unacceptable”
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Danny Welbeck @WelBeast 10h10 hours ago
Arsenal – 3 FA Cups in 4 years
Man City – 1 League Cup in 3 years
Liverpool – 1 League Cup in 10 years
Spurs – 1 League Cup in 18 years
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Have a prayer for those self-entitled wretches who complained of AFC playing same teams in Champs Lge yearly. Will they be going to a Ukrainian hellhole on a Thursday next year in the Europa League?
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Vieira/Henry…..great players, but as coaches, unknown, and potentially the stuff of nightmares.
It is a worry,,if anyone on the board has not been supportive, has been disingenuous, has used troubled times to push personal agendas, has not supported the man in times of need….behind closed doors, if not in public…….not that I am saying any have done this, but if they have, I hope they show appropriate humility and contrition tomorrow, because even if Stan has backed him all along and does so tomorrow, not sure a man like Wenger would work where the board don’t fully support him.
An interesting and slightly scary day ahead, of Josh Kroenke really is some sort of protagonist, makes it even more worrying, Stan isn’t going to sack his son
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Ornsteins latest words
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40088644
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some rumors that Wenger is demanding that the board massively up the wage structure at the club, enough to get deals done with Alexis and Ozil.
speaking of Alexis and Ozil, I really do think that when Wenger talks about us needing just two player of top top quality to be able to win the league, he means 2 players of the same quality of Alexis and Ozil. Keep our best and add two of that level, and why not
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Surprise. What surprise? David Ornstein EXCLUSIVE – Wenger met Kroenke today to settle his future. Decision will be relayed to #AFC board tomorrow.
As I said, in my blog, Stan Kroenke is the one who makes the final call. I just tweeted:
By any measure Wenger holds the strong hand. No billionaire gambles a £2Billion investment holding a pair of deuces. Over bar the shouting.
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well mandy that from ornsetin sounds encouraging, he is probably the most reliable media source for accurate Arsenal news.
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Hope so….and hope it is positive….seems that way at least.
Apparently an interview with Wenger screened on wed….would imagine they will also be confirming our new signing…SK
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Ornstein is never wrong. He mainlines the info.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/29/arsenal-prepare-contract-offers-make-alexis-sanchez-mesut-ozil/
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Mandy there would be an interview with Wenger either way, staying or going, thanks and goodbye, or two more years, we go for the title etc.
also mandy it is unlikely we will announce SK deal till he is officially an AFC player, which would be either 1st of June or 1st of July
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Sounds like things happening. Just hope,there is nothing silly like an Ivan resignation over his catalyst for change words….I hope he can be constructive, and help put things in place to stop a few issues that have affected the team this year…having the same negative impact in a couple years time.
And hopefully, next season, the can power ahead and lay waste to WOB negativity which will rear its head when they get a chance.
Just realised how much I have used the word …hope..in there
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one thing on any new contract, it has to be more than one year, as any one year deal puts us right back into the same position in regards the banner wankers, a4 poster mob, malcontents etc, it gives them the opportunity to get the media attention that they crave. We all know that the protests grew this year cos Wenger’s contract was counting down, and they could see that if he did leave, they could claim a victory, that it was them who got him out.
A new contract has to be at least a two year stint. And if things go well next season, extend it again next summer.
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Ed, regarding the interview….you are right…there is still uncertainty, that’s why I keep using words like “hopefully”….and of Wenger is signing on, why the need for an interview….I know, guess there is still a need for caution, although every press outlet now saying pretty much that he will sign….but they have been wrong in the past, and this is a very secretive club.
They are saying some internal structures will be announced, hope that includes an official Mike Riley Shamer.
As for Saed K, isn’t he a free agent now who can sign whenever?…not sure….think he is a done deal from what I have read though
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PG: I am also certain Ornstein is correct that such a meeting was held. But he gives the impression that Wenger staying or going is up in the air. There I differ from him. I am in no doubt Wenger will sign “da ting” but on terms in his favor. From all reports, Wenger wants to stay and Stan wants him to stay. Josh was pushed into the margins and the key players had a meeting. Should Wenger walk away it would be a personal failure on Stan’s part that he couldn’t do a deal. As we all should now be familiar, based on on the biography of the current US president, billionaires do every thing to make a deal when the stakes are high. That is why they are billionaires.
As my blog explained, I am not surprised by the meeting, and I would be exceedingly surprised if there was no deal making Wenger even more powerful than ever.
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