Even though they're one of the biggest teams in the world when it comes to money, Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger told a Belgian publication that he can only splash out on new players once the team
has made a profit of £20 million. This apparently means he's admitting there's a restriction on
his spending at the London club and he's worried the team will suffer because of it.
Morning all, some interesting quotes from Arsene Wenger appeared in a Belgian newspaper
yesterday. For those that wish to cream yourselves on the bits about Eden Hazard, he had this to
say:
I like him a lot, and for several reasons. His creativity, his ability to unbalance the
opposition, his vision and his consummate art of giving the final ball make him a player coveted by
many.
For the first time in five years we have now lost three Premiership matches in a
row.
I am starting this story now Tuesday evening the 17th where the thoughts of last nights radio
conversation on Talksports Drivetime between Adrian Durham and Ray Parlour are still fresh in my
mind.
Adidas backed out of a renewing LIverpool's kit deal as they weren't overly impressed with the
club's performance. No matter. The Reds have reached an agreement with US based Warrior Sports that
is worth £25m a year for 6 years, which more than Man Utd's annual £23.5m deal with Nike.
New Balance, the parent company of Warrior Sports, is also the supplier to the Boston Red Sox
which is owned by John Henry's Fenway Sporting Group, which also owns Liverpool.
In May of 2011, a sort of palace coup was engineered at the Emirates with the two remaining
substantial shareholdings of Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith going to Stan Kroenke and
in effect Kroenke was anointed the new "emperor" of Arsenal Football Club. Except the Russian
billionaire Alisher Usmanov refused to play ball and increased his holding in the club too!
Arsenal's inability to hold on to Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri last summer will be
repeated this year with Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Alex Song all joining the exodus. This
is a simple by-product of Arsenal's failure to show ambition to win trophies by investing in top
class players.
And so the conjecture continues. No, no, not speculative tittle-tattle focused on which new
wunderkind recruits are coming to the Arsenal in the January transfer window, I am talking about
where we will tour next summer. Granted, it is still supposition but anything to turn our
attentions from the endless stories linking us with the world and his wife (as well as those poor
unfortunates heading for the Emirates exit).
And so the conjecture continues. No, no, not speculative tittle-tattle focused on which new
wunderkind recruits are coming to the Arsenal in the January transfer window, I am talking about
where we will tour next summer. Granted, it is still supposition but anything to turn our
attentions from the endless stories linking us with the world and his wife (as well as those poor
unfortunates heading for the Emirates exit).
Stan Kroenke is going to have to think about changing his nickname. He has been blabbing so much
lately that the ‘Silent' tag is starting to feel a tad ironic, a bit like ‘Little' John (Robin
Hood's giant buddy) or ‘Curly' from the Three Stooges (he was bald) or John ‘Not At All Racist'
Terry.
Stan Kroenke is going to have to think about changing his nickname. He has been blabbing so much
lately that the ‘Silent' tag is starting to feel a tad ironic, a bit like ‘Little' John (Robin
Hood's giant buddy) or ‘Curly' from the Three Stooges (he was bald) or John ‘Not At All Racist'
Terry.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Injury report
PHILADELPHIA UNION OUT: GK Thorne Holder (concussion); FW Levi Houapeu (L ankle
strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Michael Farfan (R foot contusion); FW Veljko Paunovic (R hamstring
strain); PROBABLE: MF Justin Mapp (L quad strain)
HOUSTON DYNAMO OUT: FW Cam Weaver (R hip)
The Union are hopeful Paunovic will be ready to go on Thursday.
After the fun of Chelsea ... John Terry, heh ... it's back to the serious business as we take on
Marseille in the Champions League this evening.
It took a very late goal in the turgid away match to take the three points and the manager is
urging his team to show all due respect the French side.
Facing the crowd
What kind of title is that? Ask Stan Kroenke. That's the first word and the greeting that the
biggest shareholder in Arsenal PLC said during the Annual General Meeting that was held on
Thursday. It's the much anticipated meeting that has been delayed time and time again. I doubt that
the club did take into consideration the improving results when trying to schedule this
meeting.
Facing the crowd
What kind of title is that? Ask Stan Kroenke. That's the first word and the greeting that the
biggest shareholder in Arsenal PLC said during the Annual General Meeting that was held on
Thursday. It's the much anticipated meeting that has been delayed time and time again. I doubt that
the club did take into consideration the improving results when trying to schedule this
meeting.
I won't pretend to be a research doctorate in Annual General Meetings and their various
intricacies. To be frank, I see it as a stage-managed social exercise conducted with an outer view
to placate and appease supporters; but with most of the genuine concerns and queries being
spin-doctored away by murmuring sweet nothings into said supporters' ears.
I won't pretend to be a research doctorate in Annual General Meetings and their various
intricacies. To be frank, I see it as a stage-managed social exercise conducted with an outer view
to placate and appease supporters; but with most of the genuine concerns and queries being
spin-doctored away by murmuring sweet nothings into said supporters' ears.
Morning all, I woke up a bit late this morning so I'm going to have to fly through this.
I guess the main talking point this morning is yesterday's AGM. There's a fairly in-depth report
over on Arseblog News, but even that tells you that a lot was said but not much of it was of great
interest.
Arsene Wenger is confident that club captain Robin van Persie will sign a new deal at the
club.
The Dutchman, who has been sensational for The Gunners so far this season, has just 18 months
left on his current contract. Despite last summer's high-profile departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc
Fabregas, Wenger is sure the 28-year old will put pen to paper.
By Alan Duffy
Peter Hill-Wood, Stan Kroenke and Stan Kroenke's hair take their seats at the
Emirates
Silent Stan Kroenke finally spoke to Arsenal's shareholders at the club's annual AGM in London
today. The US billionaire said: "(Arsenal) has tremendous management at the top, a wonderful
manager on the pitch who makes great decisions in regard to personnel, and a tremendous following
with the supporters.
Well, this is a bit odd. For the first time in 15 years my morning routine has changed. When we
got the dog my first task of the morning would be to get up, let him out and clean up the mess he'd
made overnight. Given his age he'd kind of come full circle but it's very weird to see the space
where his bed used to be.
Foreign owners discuss end to relegation, says League Managers chief
• Americans 'looking at having more of a franchise situation' • Aston Villa surprised and
confused by Richard Bevan remarks The chief executive of the League Managers Association has warned
that owners of a number of Premier League clubs are talking about trying to scrap promotion and
relegation in order to safeguard their investments.
Here is just a quick thought to keep us going as frankly, we all wait for tomorrow.
In two hours Wales boot off against France, and just before the starting gun sounds, we will
hear the whole of Wales joining in a round of "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau", or to some "Land of our
Fathers", and what a rallying anthem it is.
Alisher Usmanov wants to increase his Arsenal shareholding in move that could spark a boardroom
power struggle at the Emirates.
The Daily Mail claims that the Uzbeki billionaire , the club's second biggest shareholder, is
trying to increase his stake to 30 per cent. He owns just over 29 percent but will write to the
club's smaller shareholders this week, offering to buy shares at £14,500 each.
Good morning from the wesht of Ireland again.
To the people who emailed me yesterday asking why there was no Arshavin content in the blog
despite the title, well, I just meant it was a little short. As you might imagine there is a
similar dearth of material today, just like yesterday, and today's blog could be Time Bandit
sized.
The mustache finally speaks
The virtual owner of Arsenal is at long last wheeled out and gets caught up on the summer and
the past three years. But if you were looking for nuggets (a ghastly pun on the NBA team of which
he's an owner) of insight you would be sorely disappointed. For an owner of so many sports teams,
Stan Kroenke is just a depressing, clueless figurehead.
There has been a lot of chatter in recent days and Stan Kroenke has spoken with the Telegraph.
Obviously he has backed Arsene and who would have expected anything else? What has become clear in
recent weeks is that Arsene is under pressure and he has had to change his approach, the flurry of
signings including several experienced players on deadline day was a sign of this change.
By CALEB SONNELAND
Just when will Carlos Tevez find his way out of the media spotlight?
Not today.
West Ham is reportedly prepared to offer Tevez a lifeline by taking the want-away striker on
loan from Manchester City until at least the January transfer window.
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has insisted Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will not be sacked from his
post, saying the Frenchman will decide when it is time to go.
Wenger has come under pressure in recent months after ending last season trophy-less for the 6th
time in a row, while the loss of key players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri over the summer have
contributed to a poor start to the new campaign which included a humiliating 8-2 defeat at the
hands of Manchester United.
Saw this quote earlier in an interview with Colorado Rapids and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke. He
said he invested in Arsenal to "help" the Rapids. Aside from seeing his club win the MLS Cup last
year, I'm still wondering how Arsenal has helped the Rapids.
By Alan Duffy
Arsenal's billionaire owner Stan Kroenke has finally spoke out on the current situation
surrounding the north London club.
The American entrepreneur and serial owner of sports teams (including MLS side Colorado Rapids)
has rarely been seen or heard, something which has worried Gooners.
Yes, Arsene. Stan really believes in you
In any company, changes at the highest level can lead to uncertainties in the lowest level. For
any football club, the highest level is the owners of the club and the lowest level are us, the
fans. Usually with a new person in-charge, there will be changes afoot.
Yes, Arsene. Stan really believes in you
In any company, changes at the highest level can lead to uncertainties in the lowest level. For
any football club, the highest level is the owners of the club and the lowest level are us, the
fans. Usually with a new person in-charge, there will be changes afoot.
Stan Kroenke has given an interview to offer his full support to Arsenal boss manager Arsene
Wenger. American billionaire Kroenke became the club's majority shareholder this year and insists
AW has earned the right to decide how long he stays in charge at the Ems.
He said: "With Arsene, it's his decision and only he will know that.
I got to thinking about this question in the wake of the most recent Carlos Tevez controversy. I
know he's been a constant headache for years, but the latest news is that he apparently refused to
enter the game on Tuesday, when Mancini summoned him at about the 60 minute mark. Of course, as an
Arsenal fan, I pretty much just laughed at this one, hoping this is the beginning of a downward
slide for Man City this season.
Welcome to TGIF, Thank Gooner it's Friday, which was derailed by a major computer crash courtesy
of Microsoft windows 7 Ultimate, which even they were unable to fix. But seeing as it Saturday,
perhaps I should use Berg10's suggestion of TGIS! TGIt's Saturday? There is so with so much going
on in the world at the moment, but I am going to concentrate yet again upon the plight of Arsenal
Football Club and it's beleaguered Board, as they retreat into the Laager.
Ivan Gazidis spoke on a variety of issues at a meeting of sports business leaders in London
earlier this week and he made some interesting comments about the Arsenal Way.
First Gazidis said:
"We as a Club are operating in a self-sustaining way and are concerned about value.
Ivan Gazidis spoke on a variety of issues at a meeting of sports business leaders in London
earlier this week and he made some interesting comments about the Arsenal Way.
First Gazidis said:
"We as a Club are operating in a self-sustaining way and are concerned about value.
This morning Ivan Gazidis is holding a breakfast meeting with a select group of Journalists
from the Sporting and Financial world, it may have been prearranged, but one cannot help thinking
that this is opportunity is being used to rebut any hint of Crisis. From a selection of tweeted
responses from people close to the action, let us analyse Ivan Gazidis's responses.
If the Arsenal hierarchy – Stan Kroenke, Ivan Gazidis, Arsene Wenger or who ever it is that
are the main powerbrokers at the club – want further evidence that we are in an alarming decline
on and off the pitch, perhaps they should consider a missive that has come my way.
It is from the head of one of our main supporters groups and it outlines the big drop in
interest from Gooners travelling from this particular area to home games.
