Friday, November 22, 2024

Wenger: We are still working on improving our squad

Arsene Wenger did a Google Hangout today. It was weird and all a bit 2002 or something, and the questions were all obviously pre-approved and therefore a bit tame.

Still, here are some selected quotes.

About his confidence for the new season

We are still working on improving our squad, but we have base of young players … they will be better next year. That’s why I’m confident.

On the departures of Ferguson, Mancini and Benitez

It gives me a slight advantage because I know my squad well. It will take my rivals some time to know theirs, except Jose Mourinho, who knows some of his from before.

‘But we should focus on our strengths rather than expect any weakness from the others.

On the start to the season

It is important to have strong start and raise belief. Last season when we lost Robin van Persie we had a skeptical environment around the club. We need the crowd to be behind the team.

On his favourite holiday destination

I like Bridlington or Salou. I go to Port Aventura and I really like the roller-coaster that looks like a big coat rack.

On his favourite nighttime drink

Sometimes red wine but other times I like a little bit the Horlicks. I’m a very strong believer in malt.

On what he would do if he came across an angry anteater

At my age I could not run away! So, I would assess the situation. If he had a flick-knife or some other kind of weapon, I might run into somebody’s garden and knock on the door, but I reckon I could take one ant-eater. They’re pretty small.

On whether he was  Tiffany or a Debbie Gibson man

Definitely Debbie Gibson. For me she wrote her own songs and showed her talent and potential. Tiffany simply did a cover version and while you cannot argue that it has merit, it was not as good as ‘Only in my dreams’.

On his favourite muesli

I wish I had time for a favourite. I suppose Alpen but really I was very much into Ricicles before Kellog’s pulled them off the shelves. I will never forgive them for that.

Never.

 

Related articles

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

245 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rohail

According to a few sources Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell Suarez to Bayern/Real.

JustAnotherMong

Ah that famous club, Real Munich.
I mean Bayern Madrid.

Rob'67

Is that you Ivan ?

Rant

Very important season ahead of us, we could be looking at a lot of different scenarios. 1. Arsene wins something with a very streamlined squad, gets a praise from all the pundits and fans exclaiming he is the best manager there is. Renew contract. 2. Arsene does not win anything, fans and pundits alike question why wasn’t there any movement in the transfer market. So no contract. 3. Arsene buys someone in the transfer market but fails to win anything, fans and pundit again question if Arsene is the right man for the job. No contract 4. Arsene buys someone… Read more »

Irate

Wenger signs nobody languishes in 5th 6th 7th all season but somehow manages 4th and then gets the credit for overachieving with so little

arteta's perfect hair

I thought swear words weren’t allowed in the comments :p

fencegooner

oh you fucking make me fucking happy blogs. fuck you sir.

fencegooner

oh you fucking make me fucking happy blogs. fuck you sir.

murkesacker

In fairness, it’s a shit shoe shop too

Madin

I fucking love you. 🙂 Shoe Shop News not so much.

tommyt

A Primark level shoe shop as well, for the record.

Goontang

Are we even in the market at all??? or is it just another excuse to say “there was no exceptional super amazing quality available” Like Spurs just bought Roberto Soldado. He is by no means a shit striker and certainly would have improved our squad if we got him. But fuck him now. Jovetic? Gomez? Negredo? All of these players were less than the 40 million pounds we have “offered” for Saurez. Why dont we just fucking wake up and be realistic. There is so many stikers in our price range who would be willing to come to the Emirates… Read more »

Look

Based on our past transfers, or the lack thereof, it is obvious Wenger evaluates players on his own terms and sets the value. If the club asks for more than the value he thinks the player is actually worth, regardless of the inflated market value, Wenger simply will not pay more and he will just move on. Period.

Wenger has his own standard of market value, which happens to be more reserved than other clubs’, and that is one probable reason we always have such a difficult time buying players.

Madin

Yeah. I reckon a £15m bid for Michu should see a deal done. He’s proven in the PL. I don’t see Swansea selling for less as they have to get a good replacement.

Harsh

personally, i don’t mind swear words, but how is using swear words “civil”, especially seeing that you used that word like four times in that article??

gooner odst

I like their star player Schweinaldo, he combines German efficiency with Portuguese chicken…

Zorro in the box

Like a fast Nandos?

(Not Torres)

gooner odst

exatcly! if Nandos did deliveries + free beer, then that is the type of player Schweinaldo is.

argonaut

At least it’s not Portuguese efficiency combined with German chicken.

TH

Both of them? Impressive work, especially if they can get both fees before they realise.

Bashayi

A few years gone by, I pray the transfer market would just close as it was opened but no, it went on as if it will last for eternity. And when it get closed, we all all start counting our loses which manifest in our most reliable players of the previous seasons doning the colours of our fierce rivals both withing and outside England. This term, it started differently but as it is now am having the same kind of feeling all for the same reason of loosing players to other clubs. Except this time around we are loosing players… Read more »

Huntersanti

Yeah, because the reporter who picked up the information couldn’t quite recall if it was Madrid or Bayern, so went with a story that it was definitely one of the two…

nobody

Screw you Arsene!

some dumb american

I’d watch Arsene vs. Anteater via pay per view.

NorthernGoon

Nothing better than the picture in my head of an Anteater pulling a flick knife. Fucking ace hahaha.

In fact to let you all in on the picture, Google search ‘Fuck you I’m an Aardvark!’

UndercoverMancGooner

I was skim reading and read “I like….Salou” as “I like Kalou”. Nearly had a heart attack.

Vino

Careful there Arsène, you need to leave out at least some stuff for the Autobiography

Ebouefan

I thought he was a Sonia Tatar man.

Too soon?

Ebouefan

I thought he was into rap.

Sproing

Seems like a fairly accurate recount to me

pontus

Wow

MRN

Ricicles aren’t a type of muesli Arsene, you silly old sod!!

glenn

We are a little light in the Muesli position, but Ricicles have a great potential, we can develop them and change their position.

George

“We have a base of young players who will be better next year” Akpom, Sanogo and Giroud our striking options next year?

It Is What It Is

Poldi? Theo?

NorthernGoon

Bendtner will be in the fold again, I’m putting money on it.

In Lehmann Terms

“Arsene, what is your favourite brand of low calorie spread?” Fucking hell.

Dan

Nothing like being focused on the task at hand. Can’t believe that all pertinent question were filtered out, and instead we (the fans) are presented with this crap?

They shouldn’t have bothered. It’s an insult.

Dan

Seriously, I’m getting thumbed down for expressing that? There’s a guy who’s said something similar 7 posts down and he’s only getting thumbs up. Lol..

Arsene's Zip

Who the fuck thumbed down that comment??

Der Kanonier

splendid

squillaci is judas

waste of time. it was one of the most scripted things i had ever seen…

don

So its August and still no significant signings. …. for fuck sake

martin

It was a LIVE chat, if any of those fans had any balls they would have asked the questions that mattered and not the pre-approved shite!

NorthernGoon

As a smiley man once said…”Why.. so serious?”

Fuck it. It’s Wenger, he’s the most infuriating yet charming man in football management. I think this interview is hilarious and I’m still trying to work out whether blogs is taking the piss or not.

I’d rather read this again and again before reading another comment like the one I refuse to repeat from last week that made me want to go searching for knife wielding anteaters.

Stuart

I’m not altogether sure that you’ve taken this hangout seriously!

NorthernGoon

I’m fairly positive that I’ve not taken it seriously.

arteta's perfect hair

Are these quotes real?? Hilarious. By the way, can anyone give me a transcript of the hangout, or a link to the video of the hangout?

Sid

It was pointless, contrived and a little insulting.

Get in the office, on the phone and get us some players….. NOW!!

Yegor

That hangout was a fucking joke!

Jasmeet

How come nobody asked him whether he shaves his legs or waxes them?

Zorro in the box

Rather know where the signings hangout…

BPGF

Chelsea, Man City, Spurs … Napoli

Rad Carrot

Jesus, what a lot of bullshit.

I don’t care what this nutter says anymore. Motto of the summer is “actions speak louder that words”. The spuds have spent £50 million and are about to earn £85m more, and they didn’t fob their fans off with promises of how loaded they were.

Fucking disgrace.

AFCEdwards

I wonder if you word it like that when we sell our best players. We’ve spent x amount and are about to earn y more or if you get annoyed and say that we’ve spent x amount but lost ‘player’ so it’s not worth it.

Rad Carrot

We lost our best player, top scorer and captain for £24m to a title rival. The spuds are losing a great player for quadruple that, and have already spent £50m more than us.

I’m not certain where you’re going with this.

AFCEdwards

Last year we spent 40 and got 40 back. They’ll spend 50 and get 85 back. Spending money is only good if you’re adding to the squad rather than replacing.

Rad Carrot

…They’ll spend the £85m. Not all of it, but they will. They’ll replace monkey boy quite happily. What makes you think they won’t? They spent the £50m because they have it, not because they knew they were selling Bale. They spent £50m because they know that one more push will get them CL football, and the extra money and kudos that needs.

We spent £40m (did we?) and got £40m back last summer, and we dropped one place. Again, I don’t get your point. We didn’t replace skunkface, did we?

New guy

Seriously you must be fucking joking (Arseblog said the cursing was ok). If you really feel that way, go support spurs then.

Rad Carrot

Go wash your mouth out!

I stated facts – the sp*ds really have spent that much, and really will get that much for the diving ape. I’m disgusted that the club seems to be throwing away an opportunity to bury our rivals – we’re just sitting around, waiting while our enemies strengthen. I can’t understand it.

New guy

Fair enough. I’m just losing patience with a lot of this negativity (and to be fair your fairly innocuous comment was just the straw that broke the camel’s back). Your numbers are fine but I’d still much rather be us than them. I think a lot of people are falling into the “sign somebody, anybody will do” trap. Our squad could be improved but is pretty good. Would I like us to do that and win things? Yes, of course. Would I like any of the players sp*rs have signed at prices they’ve paid? Not so sure. Spending for the… Read more »

Rad Carrot

Fair enough mate, I get that. All the banter on here is just that – banter. We are all Arsenal fans, after all – we don’t have to share the same opinion, just the same love for the club. I’m a cynical bastard but I do get a little tired of the negativity too. But the club aren’t doing anything to appease that. I get your point, and I’d agree that a number of people would be happy with any Tom, Dick or Gareth Barry joining, but that’s not a stance I take. Paulinho… not worth the money. Good player,… Read more »

New guy

Fair play. I will thumb you up *and* disagree a little bit. Something that doesn’t soon much on the internet! Spuds will struggle mightily without gb no matter who they buy. I know because we have seen firsthand how disruptive it is to lose your best players. It takes more than a year to recover from that. I have actually felt like they’re about 2-3 years behind us for a while now. Their springtime collapses are funny but a little bit painful too. Each of the last two years you could look at their fixture list in august and see… Read more »

Rad Carrot

Fair enough. I’m worried about the sp*ds, but I do get that they will suffer without the monkey. It’s more that we should have put them far out of sight by now. We’re CL quality, they are not. Our stadium attendance is almost a third better than theirs, and our ticket prices are higher too. And our pies are delicious, and don’t have the taste of children’s tears. And yet, we’re still putting ourselves in the same bracket. And THAT worries me, and that’s why I’m worried. Also, don’t worry about thumbs up or thumbs down here. If I get… Read more »

NorthernGoon

dude has a point, when the cocks down the lane are strengthening their squad – it remains to be seen whether they lose Bale – and we’re not it’s a joke. We have a very good first XI but then apart from maybe III more players we’re a bit shallow.

XMarksTheCoq

New Guy / Rad…you’re both making valid points. It’s good to see the comments section can be a basis for a reasoned debate about the club’s shortcomings at this time. Let’s face it, we’re currently in the majority at feeling “a little bit the frustration” with what the powers that be at AFC are / are not doing.

Fatgooner

As we are not going to spend any of the 70 million quid that we have put aside for transfers, we might as well give it all to that poor old down-and-out Kenny Sansom. At least somebody could put use to it.

But keep him away from the bookies.

Rob'67

Just how embarrassing was that interview ???????

Even Wenger’s ‘Cult Followers’ should feel shame at questions like :-

“On what he would do if he came across an angry anteater”

I mean that is pitiful beyond embarrassment. But Hey ! We’re the ‘Angry Anteater’ Groupies
as long as it rings the Dear Leader’s bell. This is Football’s equivalent of North Korea or Zimbabwe – so
‘Kim Yong’ Wenger and ‘Robert’ Gazedis can only bask in the sheer glory of it all.

Whilst the rest of us cringe ! And wait……..

Witoldo

I’m not sure, but I think if you did a little research, you might find that Arseblog “made up” well nigh the second half of the transcript. Or maybe they are genuine quotes, who knows? It would take an intellect greater than mine to figure it out…

jack jack jack

“Football’s equivalent of North Korea or Zimbabwe”? I could feel the brain cells dying as I read that.

arteta's perfect hair

Are you really fatgooner?? Or are you some one else in disguise??

faym

find Fatgooner’s post…thumb him down. read it. and then think if only i could thumb him down again….mission accomplished

Dondeon

Ah! Here I was thinking arseblog news was joking about the Google hangout and it was indeed a press conference. Weirdly enough, it’s part of the reason I keep coming back to this site. Half the time? I’m not quite sure if they’re joking or being quite serious. Kudos

neutral

Yeah, did you read Blogs recent post about Bendtner? I didn’t know him and Chamack hung out!

twisted cuntloks

I’d like to know what AW would do if he came across a racoon raking through his bins?

those muvvafuckers are so mean they would kick an ant eaters arse

Harry rednapps dog

Arsene we need fucckkin players, less chit chat more fucckkin action. In arsene I still trust but if we have a bad transfer window/start to the season I think a lot of fans trust and patience will go

Rob Billson

Debbie Gibson?? Well that’s it for me!! Wenger OUT!!

XMarksTheCoq

Indeed. Gibson was overrated. Martika, on the other hand, was super super quality

Silent Stanley

It’s so unfair how this club mess with the fan’s mind. We knew we needed to strengthen since May, but despite all the talks about financially capable, we are still penny pinching.

Complacency on the field is now reflecting off the field. It’ll be such a shame if we are still been deceived.

I hate to see Sp*rs strengthen more than us but it seems that’s just what it’ll look like this season.

Zack

“Who is the biggest threat in the Emirates Cup?” was the worst question ever asked by one human being to another (from the hangout).

Mooro

Answer – Higuain.

Zack

Yes, in respect to both our chances of winning and potential fan unrest.

twisted cuntloks

I think he will tear us a new one just for fucking him around…

Midfield Corporal

I suspect the Emirates Cup will either see numerous empty seats – hence the constant radio add trying to flog tickets or large numbers of fans letting the manager know what they think of his transfer business so far. Like someone said yesterday, if you’re not going to spend any of the money reduce the bloody ticket prices. In the catelogue of shit summers this one is right up there.

Ashley

I’m honestly hoping we get absolutely thrashed in the Emirates Cup. Might be the wake-up Arsene needs to start spending. I love the boys we have, but it’s terrifying to think Tottenham finished only one point below us and they’ve already strengthened their squad so much… I’d much rather get kicked in the arse at the Emirates Cup then risk another 8-2 thrashing in the Premier League (which is what prompted us to go buy Mert and Arteta two seasons ago).

Midfield Corporal

I agree Ashley, let Higuain score a hatrick so Arsene is left with egg on his face while there’s still time to do something about it. Suarez won’t happen, we thought we could get him for 40m but have since found that was duff info, Liverpool know he our only option so will hold on for 50+ million. 30m euros for Higuain is looking cheap now.

voldermort

Add the general apathy amongst fans to that an the fact that Turks will have thousands there and the history with our fans it’s not going to be a nice place to be.
If I had young kids I wouldn’t be taking them this weekend that’s for sure.

Midfield Corporal

I’m staying well away for that reason Volders. Lets just hope Arsene is left knowing that the status quo is not acceptable.

The only olivier is giroud

What if the flick-knife ‘lacked little bit of sharpness’? Would that have changed anything, you reckon?

kintu

Blame ARSENE WENGER for not bringing new players.Fans are sick of you talking about young players year after year and you are now at a dead end.NO MORE EXCUSES,JUST PACK UP AND LEAVE,TOO FULL OF TRICKS AND DECEPTION.

It Is What It Is

Why the fuck do people insist on speaking for “fans”? Speak for yourself.

And those who compare us to those cocks…….wtf? They would give EVERYTHING they own and love to be in our shoes – stadium, finances, kit, pitch, history, squad, Europe etc. I fail to understand why we get compared to them. The only thing we have in common is FC.

Who would be your replacement kintu?

Fabulous

I refuse to think that there aren’t players out there to improve the team. Luis Gustavo, Kroos, Shaqiri now seems a bit surplus to requirement. And they’d be exactly what we need. Jorge Resurreccion aka Koke, not only because his name is awesome as hell, but alongside Illaramendi at the U21 euros he really controlled play from deep, much like Xavi does for the senior team. Gundogan although that’s unlikely. Grenier, Gonalons, whatever happened to them? And even if we can’t find that quality striker I personally think we can buy a decent winger and Podolski can fill in at… Read more »

KidKnockout

Koke would be a great signing. I hear Tulisa is a fan too. What too soon?

Niko

What is your favourite drink? Who were asking the questions…5 year olds? Give me a break, pathetic bullshit!

Mooro

The club is totally and utterly disconnected from the fans, to think this was a good idea at this time, with fuck all signings in the bag.

Utterly pointless, vacuous and pathetic.

Rob'67

Wasn’t it just !

petits handbag

I have an inkling a signing may be on the way, an out of the blue, non Suarez signing. A one to appease fans. In fact it may be that we showcase two players on the one day….
Na I’m talking bolox

Arsene's Zip

I keep thinking the same thing myself… maybe they signed an amazing player at the start of the summer and have been keeping it to themselves so they can wind the press up..

Now I’m talking bollocks.

But I’m gonna cling on to up until the window shuts.. Glass half full and all that.

Midfield Corporal

I would blame Gazidis if he just went above Arsenes head and bought couple of big names. Having always supported Arsene this summer has finally confirmed he’s not up to the task any more. Thanks for what you’ve done but let’s call it a day at the end of this season.

Midfield Corporal

Sorry ‘wouldn’t’ not would.

It Is What It Is

Half full or half empty, that glass needs topping up like we need signings.

Indiegooner

Erm.. Sir, your glass is leaking.

EBouemind

Let’s be honest here. We are a joke.

neutral

have to agree, I’m embarrassed with Arsenal

What’s funny is we have been here before, remember last summer when they claimed signings would be made in January? Then in January…

Expectations were raised, even Blogs thought that this time was different, is it?

A bid was made for Bender, do we not need a similar player?

Are two goalkeepers enough?

A centerback?

I used to say I don’t believe a word Wenger says, does he believe his own BS?

esoryung

we arent going to buy anyone i know it

Aamir

Arsene, I love you. But for God’s sake and for the millions of Arsenal fans worldwide, and for your own good, please spend some money.
Our transfer business during this window (and previous ones) has made me scream so loud you would think that I was becoming a Super Saiyan.

john thomas

Yes Wenger and my pricks a bloater, you fucking waste of space.

Nick

I’m sorry it’s really hot, I have no fan or air con and my brain has stopped working, so I have to ask……… Did he really say all that or is this one of those jokey threads?

orion

It’s getting harder and harder to differentiate between parody and reality when it comes to Arsenal.

XMarksTheCoq

I think someone slipped a little bit the drugs into NIck;s drink.

Mookie

He’s confident about our young talents going up against the likes of Manu , man city and Chelsea and potentially facing the European power houses in the CL? Now even I wanna know what they’re smoking at the emirates?

Crispy

It’s gotta be proper grade A crack or at least some really potent night nurse.

gooner odst

Miyaichi, Frimpong, Akpom, Gnabry, Akpom etc is a big risk. They may collectively grow into established 1st teamers like Welbeck but fucking hell all of them? and at the same time i.e. now?

Plev

We have 2 Akpoms?

Only one of those I can see getting minutes is Gnabry, he may just be ready. The others.. not so much, and Frimmers could be on his way.

GiveMeWhatWengersSmoking

Don’t even get me started…

GiveMeWhatWengersSmoking

Creepy old fella on a webcam. #Notagoodlook. #PRdisaster.

Rocky4ever

In 5th place we trust. Or 6th.

AP

Try the Liverpool site. I think you are lost.

weedwacker

Arsene try the Lidl’s fruit and nut muesli is on special this week. Alpen is overpriced.

Baristuta

What?! Ricicles are OFF THE SHELVES?!!

Since when?

Amaury Bischoff

lolzzzz.Wheris little dwarf bernard going to ukairnea??

wengersauce

I wrote a long, rambling rant about why I am disappointed with the board and the manager and what is wrong with the club, but at the end I re-read it and realized I should’ve just said ‘balls.’

Micko

Arsene could take on an ant eater because they are small!!! Ant eaters are fucking massive and have scary claws for front feet.I dare you Arsene go for it and see what happens 😉

Micko

And while your out there fucking sign some one ffs

Merlin's Panini

We’re about to become the first club in history to sign an ant eater.

twisted cuntloks

who does he currently play for and can he also play as a centre back?

terence

Wenger must go .

petits handbag

Ironic that the first summer in some years we don’t sell our talisman turns out to be our depressing.
How did we get get around 75 million for Nasri Cesc and Van Persie and the Spuds are getting more than that for a left back turned winger? I don’t need a economics degree to solve that. I do for this job interview tomorrow, has anyone got one?

twisted cuntloks

I’m not quite sure who our current talisman is?

NorthernGoon

just say money > all and you’ve sussed economics.

Share article

Featured on NewsNow

Support Arseblog

Latest posts

Latest Arsecast

245
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x