From Alex Barker :
Dear Myles,
As you know from my occasional emails, I’ve been waiting for this moment since 2008.
Realised after he sold Gallas the direction it was going in. Winners would not be tolerated for long.
I genuinely thought we were in for at least another year of this punishment. So surprised and pleased was I with the unexpected announcement, in the euphoria, I thought: I’ll go along on the 6th and pay my respects to the departing manager. Remember the good times, give thanks, etc.
However, after all the bitter comments of the last week and dumping on the fans AGAIN after the West Ham game, I am struggling to get motivated for what already feels like it’s going to be a cloying, overly sentimental (and somewhat hypocritical) inauthentic love-in that Arsene himself doesn’t even seem to want.
I was amazed that he couldn’t behave more gracefully.
So unnecessary. All he had to do was trot out the usual platitudes: “it’s been great, it’s time for a change” etc. But he couldn’t do it could he? It’s still all about him. Still with the endless self justifications. Still reminding us what a great position he’s leaving us in (6th place!) Still this endless tedious bollocks about values (now being faithfully trotted out by the likes of Mertesacker… change the record Per: there’s a new guy coming, he doesn’t care!) What was all that crap about how we upset the little kids in Africa by not turning up?! Seriously? Delusional.
Arsene: if you really do plan on managing again, a word of advice: It’s about points and trophies and competing. Not your precious ‘values’, whatever they are.
Looking forward hugely to next season whoever is in charge and a new vista for ANR.
Myles says :
I wasn’t amazed by Wenger’s nastiness.
Paul Merson said the Atletico game was typical Arsenal.
I said it was typical Wenger. Conceding that late goal to Antoine Griezmann was pure Wenger. The protocols to prevent that trauma were not in place because Wenger does not teach defence. His notion of defence is a possession ballet with 7-8 players near the ball to win it back. If you score more goals than you concede, that system works pretty well.
I rated William Gallas and understood why his tantrum was so extreme.
A new vista for ANR next season?
Depends on Gazidis appointing Max Allegri or somebody good.
ANR is not what It was because Kroenke and Wenger are what they are.
Bottom line: Wenger’s serial atrocities have made me gradually numb over the last decade but my love of football has survived.
And I do have an idea for a tribute to AW’s glory years.
A new vista for ANR? Only if I rate the next manager.
Right now, since I have a moment, I’d like to thank Ian and Adrian, to thank Snack Media for modernising this website, to thank Brendan and Andy and Martin and SweetScienceN5 and Ariel and Ben and Haroon and everyone who writes to us.
Huge thanks to my friend Dan in Northern Ireland for covering the Europa League games.
Dan Ferguson is a season ticket holder of 20+ years. He is also a professional artist mainly working on figurative painting, and has been longlisted for major portraiture awards. He takes commissions and has just completed the MFA at Belfast College of Art. He works closely with clients to ensure they get maximum satisfaction from their commissions. He can also offer additional framing and secure shipping. The highest quality materials are used.
You can sample his work at www.danferguson.co.uk/gallery