From Alexander Drummond : Far east tour
Hi Myles,
I’m sure you aware by now about Arsenal’s first pre-season matches to be played in Malaysia and China since 1999 and 1995 respectively.
Is this a sign of a more assertive Ivan Gazidis?
Or is it a sign that Arsene is on his way out and doesn’t care anymore?
Is Stan pragmatic enough to realise that Asia is a better destination for Arsenal to play pre-season games than the US would be?
Or does this show that Ivan finally has the support from the board to do what he feels is needed to compete internationally with Manchester United?
I know I have a lot of questions for you but I found that post on the Arsenal website very interesting, especially considering some time ago you mentioned how Arsene was more concerned with the physical and psychological aspects of pre-season tours, rather than the potential for economic gains.
Myles replies :
First newspaper I picked up when I got back from the USA last Tuesday was The Evening Standard and the first story I read was about Arsenal playing in Malaysia and China.
“At last!” I thought. “But it’s too late ! This isn’t an Arsenal team that people wanna see! Should have been there six or nine years ago !”
Arsenal had exciting teams between 2000 and 2004. That’s when they should have been playing in Japan, China, Korea and Malaysia.
My guess is that strategic Stan wants Arsenal to tour USA in 2012, and to tour Asia again in 2013, and USA again in 2014.
That’s why he extended Wenger’s contract by three more years in August, 2010, and crafty Wenger slipped out that surprising news on the Friday before the EPL season started
Yes, the club has lots of reliable income streams.
Trouble is, Wenger now has as many doubters as believers.
Loads of ANR readers have turned off. They don’t want to know what new players Gilles Grimandi has lined up for them. It’s painful to think about that, embarrassing to talk about it , ghastly to blog about it.
Gooners are desperate for change, hungry for a bold clear-out by a decisive manager who will own up and unload all his failures.
P.S. I’m not going to repeat this again, so read my lips : There is no board.
There is no board now.
There Is only Stan, who owns Wenger’s club, and Ivan, who is in between the owner and the manager.