Keeping supporters in the dark is counterproductive and must change.
There is no denying that there is a toxic atmosphere hanging over Arsenal. There are many reasons for this and I intend to address them over the next few days. For now, I will look at the communication, or lack of, between the supporters and the club.
One of the many complaints I read in the comment section on this site is the lack of openness from the club. There are many questions that need answering and while we do not expect the club to come out and reveal any secrets, it would be nice if they at least gave us an indication of what road they are taking us down.
What is the strategy they are currently undertaking because I have to be honest, I have not got a clue. What is their vision and what sort of identity do they have in mind for the club?
These are simple questions that can be easily answered.
They have given their backing to Unai Emery apparently. OK, why? What is it about Emery and his strategy that the board are backing? Why did they spend so much money on Nicolas Pepe but only tinker with the defence?
I have my opinion, as an example, I believe they went with Pepe because they felt that the attack was blunt and this put pressure on the defence. Therefore by strengthening the forward line, it would make Arsenal more attack focussed, free up the burden on the defence and the consequences of that are fewer goals conceded.
Basically, an attempt to copy what Manchester City do but it has simply not worked. If that is their thinking then tells us. It should not be a secret, it is not as if we do not know what the strategy is at City.
Liverpool had a vision under Jurgen Klopp, their fans knew exactly what the club was trying to achieve and they gave Klopp the room to implement that vision. They did that because they knew what was going on. Obviously it was easier for the German to give his thoughts and thinking in media interviews because he speaks fluent English but it is not the fans fault that Emery is struggling in that department.
Why all these staff changes? What is the thinking behind all that?
I could go on and again, I do not expect the club to reveal anything that can handicap the team in future but tell us something, tell us what the long term plan is.
Because too many fans are complaining on here or via fan channels on Youtube that they have no idea.
I think Pepe wouldn’t start against Soton, due to his recent forms
Brilliant link to the subject gotanidea…never mind, you made first post yet again.
Pepe’s recent form and transparency with the fans is the most unbelievable thing ever – you are the weakest link, goodbye!!
LOL, hahahahahaha….
Well said Admin, totally agree but then our club has always believed in secrecy not unlike a Masonic Lodge. I would love to hear why they paid £72m for Pepe and neglected to shore up our creaking defence. No excuse, we have been linked to a number of defenders, Soyuncu being one of them (while AW was here) and given the opportunity he would have preferred coming here. Leicester snapped him up and at the moment looks a better player than Maguire. It is so frustrating that with all the coaches, scouts etc. we just cannot seem to find decent defenders, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Mustafi are 3 recent signings and not one of them are EPL standard. Tierney is the only exception.
Pepe might well be worth his fee but I doubt he will take pressure off the defence. I honestly believe if UE concentrated on the defence at the outset his job wouldn’t be hanging by a thread now. He inherited quality attacking players in Auba, Ozil and Laca and an average defence which, if anything is worse now after 18 months.
I think the board should do exactly as you say but I wouldn’t hold my breath!!
Board’s answer: our long term plan is… Err.. wait, emery is still trying to explain it to us. Come back next month maybe we can understand & explain it to you
There’ll be even less transparency now because…
Arsenal owned by shareholders: Everyone has a say in how we operate.
Arsenal owned by one man: Legally, I don’t have to answer your questions as NOBODY but me has a say on how we operate.
Fact .
Worst day in the history of AFC the day kroenke took fall control.
That right no more share holder, but surely they have to get rid of this recreation park manager.
If Emery is sacked so we could end up tenth or worse. At least then we wouldn’t have Europa league next season, so new manager can concentrate on league. I don’t know what’s best in just a fed up supporter, I know it’s just a game but this season has given me nothing to look forwards to. Fed up with the Spanish tears boring playing style, if it can be called a style. Sack him for the love of us suppoerers
I think the club have been more transparent than ever before. They are just not saying what you want them to say, and that’s not a lack of transparency. That’s just that you don’t agree with what they are saying. You want a business entity that just spent 72 million on an asset to write it off as a failure after less than a year? Don’t some of you wonder why there are people paid to do the management and then there’s you?
I’ll admit, Unai Emery is struggling currently. I’ll even admit I’m not as confident in his abilities than I once was. But I can understand the board putting a little more trust in him. There’s as much a guarantee that a new manager will turn the tide as there is that Emery will get relegated this season. It’s not as though he’s played this stale game since his arrival and therefore, I completely understand when the board back him up.
What has he done this season that wasn’t successful last season?
The Southampton chairman once said, you can tell why a club declines. There’s just no surefire way to recover. And this article is very irrational and unfactual. Which club goes around explaining every signing it makes to the fans? In all sincerity, Nicolas Pepe is struggling, but is still delivering. For how many years have we needed a winger that can do what he can?
Spot on Andrew Elder.A house needs solid foundations before you even think about the Crystal chandeliers .
The other point I should have made Grandad, is that Arsene Wenger was fortunate to inherit the best defence in the EPL and a quality player like Dennis Bergkamp to build his team around. He actually thanked George Graham for the quality defence he inherited. The rest is history and no lesson has been learned since.