I suspect a degree of megalomania (quite possibly undiagnosed) may have played some part of it. My impression was that he enjoyed having authority, even to the extent of what some may unpolitely call being 'power mad' or a 'control freak'. He surely had massive influence across the club, even beyond the football side of the business. I reckon he loved it, and knew he wouldn't get it elsewhere. Particularly at a very big club.

It's feasible that what cost Wenger his massive job security was, firstly, not qualifying for the Champions League two years in a row, which costs a lot of money. Secondly, a significant growth in empty seats at the Emirates, even if it wasn't costing much or any money when season ticket holders don't turn up.

.

Wait, they only have one match ball?

Wait, they only have one match ball?

They do. They often seem to throw different balls back when it goes out of play.

Really? I must be watching a different league. Was it only recently changed?

Im not saying Gabriel is the answer but i’d take him over mustafi

Watching Gabriel for Valencia playing Man U tonight. Seems another strange one that we got rid of quite abruptly and for pennies as well, £10m for a player whose contract wasn’t running down.
Im not saying Gabriel is the answer but i’d take him over mustafi

Really? When they played together I'd say Gabriel usually looked even more dodgy than Mustafi. Moreover, I think Mustafi is one of the players who has improved this season. I'm not saying that I won't be delighted if we recruit a top level central defender or two (as I also think Koscielny needs replacing). But I would suggest he's so far this season been better than he generally was last season. Without being great, he's been okay. A few mistakes but nobody is perfect and in my view he's played well enough to compensate for a few errors.

To be honest rich I just don’t think he fits into the top tier of midfielders out there. He’s played practically every position for us with a variety of colleagues and has only managed 1 decent season where everything he tried ended up in the net. Aside from that if he wasn’t a homegrown player I think he would be scrutinised as equally as Xhaka and whilst he contributed some cup winning goals it’s very hard to recall many games where he grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and dominated the midfield.

I'd agree with that Top Gun. He's had some good moments and gets around the pitch a bit but my general impression is that he's forever trying to play ad-lib and so his consistency suffers. I'd be ok with letting him go because he's not worth what the media reports say he's asking for.

Just saw the comments from his agency on twitter saying the club retracted their offer it’s not down to him. It seems Emery and Sanelhi have looked at it and just thought it’s crazy paying him all that money given the periiphal type of performances he turns in.

One thing I would say is it’s bloody funny because we offered him 250k a week months and months ago and he and his agents didn’t take it because they thought they could get more by leaving it. Now we have retracted the offer and surely nobody else will pay him 250k a week now. What you get for being greedy

No man, I is from "West Side" Zurich.

Just saw the comments from his agency on twitter saying the club retracted their offer it’s not down to him. It seems Emery and Sanelhi have looked at it and just thought it’s crazy paying him all that money given the periiphal type of performances he turns in.

One thing I would say is it’s bloody funny because we offered him 250k a week months and months ago and he and his agents didn’t take it because they thought they could get more by leaving it. Now we have retracted the offer and surely nobody else will pay him 250k a week now. What you get for being greedy

Just saw the comments from his agency on twitter saying the club retracted their offer it’s not down to him. It seems Emery and Sanelhi have looked at it and just thought it’s crazy paying him all that money given the periiphal type of performances he turns in.

One thing I would say is it’s bloody funny because we offered him 250k a week months and months ago and he and his agents didn’t take it because they thought they could get more by leaving it. Now we have retracted the offer and surely nobody else will pay him 250k a week now. What you get for being greedy

What is Ramsey getting now? Should just offer him a two-year extension on the same wages. I like him, a very good player who can give us about 10 goals a season but he won't be too much of a loss.

For me the issue is giving up a £30+m transfer fee. If Emery and Sanelhi don't rate him, at least to the extent of paying him what they once were willing to, go through with the offer so he signs it. Then sell Ramsey next summer. Because make no mistake, that's £30+m less in next summer's transfer budget as I can't see Kroenke making up the difference from his own pocket.

In other horrific news, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce was horrified when a cabbage was thrown at the dug-out during Villa's 3-3 draw with Preston North End.

Cabbage thrown at Steve Bruce: Aston Villa & police hunt fan

"To say it's disappointing is an understatement for a club like this," said Bruce.
"Unfortunately, it sums up the society we are in at the moment. There's no respect for anyone."

Yes, yes, Mr. Bruce. Horrific. The Club you manage, Villa, has got 1 win in 9 games in the second division, and just blew a 2-0 lead against Bottom-of-the-Table Preston North End, and you mugs managed to miss a 97th minute penalty.

I think Society is heading in the right direction if all you got at the end of that fuckwittery was a cabbage lobbed at the dug-out, missing your fragile body by a considerable distance. Just think the damage it could have done to your fair features if it had hit you in the face, God Forbid!

And what if he then does what a few others have done and refuse to leave cos no one else is willing to pay him the same?

I like him, a very good player who can give us about 10 goals a season but he won't be too much of a loss.

For me the issue is giving up a £30+m transfer fee. If Emery and Sanelhi don't rate him, at least to the extent of paying him what they once were willing to, go through with the offer so he signs it. .

And what if he then does what a few others have done and refuse to leave cos no one else is willing to pay him the same?

Totally see the logic but they probably will try and sell him in January and have a club lined up.

We paid about £5m for Ramsey a decade ago, which has surely been very good business, even if he does leave on a free. Worth remembering that summer 2008 similar priced deals took Dos Santos to Spurs; Muamba to Bolton; Sidwell to Villa; and Behrami to West Ham. Spurs paid three times as much for Bentley; Inter £13m for Muntari and Villa £12m for Milner. We paid OM £12m for Nasri. In that context Ramsey has paid back his transfer fee many times.

That's a good point Hoy. We've certainly got value for our outlay. The power is all with the players now. There will be far more of this type of situation. Man Utd have several players heading into the last year of their contracts. It is the way football works now.

I have to admire the forethought of the fan "you know what, I'm gonna take me a cabbage to the match just in case"

That's a good point Hoy. We've certainly got value for our outlay. The power is all with the players now. There will be far more of this type of situation. Man Utd have several players heading into the last year of their contracts. It is the way football works now.

Spurs! Spurs! Spurs!
Go Poch go!

I really can’t join in with the unbridled joy when spurs get stuffed in the champions league. We used to be in it and it was the other way around

I agree but I’d point out he can’t give us 10 goals a season or he would have done it by now. He only ever scored 10 in the league once when he was in the purple patch season and before or after that he’s never made it to double figures. Even last year when he was being played in his “preferred” no10 spot with Özil wide a lot he didn’t reach double figures.

He’s alright just not as good as people make out.

yup, and you're stuck with it, forever...



you stupid *%^@*** tw.at