From Norrie : Lucky Arsenal, indeed
Hi Myles,
We’ve now entered that strange post-modern era of Wenger where everyone can see the mistakes being made and yet are powerless to prevent them.
Is there a single gooner in the land who was surprised that that line-up failed, that it was obvious it would fail, and yet was still resigned to no changes before the 65th minute? It is the opposite of dynamic management.
I saw a very underwhelming PSG two weeks ago lose to Monaco with – quelle surprise – Cavani missing a plethora of chances. They were there for the taking last night – and it took a team selection of monumental incompetence to simultaneously rid your own team of any structure whilst allowing one lacking in confidence the freedom of Paris.
Last night wasn’t a team, Myles – it was a collection of players united only in their lack of any idea as to how or where to play.
When after the 70th minute the team was given some semblance of shape, it prospered. We could have that every week under a different manager.
Just imagine for a second what Pep would have done last night – whether managing from the start or airlifted in at any point. It’s difficult not to look with envy at the immediate transformation of a lacklustre City team to one vibrant and hungry again. That’s not money – it’s called good management.
Like ‘Comical Ali’ Wenger now describes his intent to have a ‘deep run’ in this year’s competition – whilst behind him, his midfield is looted time and time again.
See you in the last 16.
Myles asks:
Did you watch the Manchester derby, Norrie?
I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT FIRST 40 MINUTES.
I was thinking : “This is what Pep could have done at Arsenal – Intensity ,speed, virtuosity, passion, hunger, ambition – and consistency.”
Wenger claims he’s been loyal to Arsenal because he loves the club.
Truth: he took advantage of a power vacuum and now runs the whole show. Making sure there was nobody at the club who could challenge him, even as a caretaker for half a season.
Why didn’t King Wenger hire Guardiola?
Because he’s too small to bring the most talented available coach to Arsenal and allow London’s biggest club to grasp the thrilling success that Pep would bring.
Arsene FC is a one-man club run by a profoundly selfish and needy French polymath-dictator.
This season I will watch every Manchester City match that’s on TV and all through every game I will probably think, “This is what Pep could have done at Arsenal.”
Watching them last night, Citeh were unstoppable against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Citeh pour down on you like a sky blue Niagara.
Last season, when Kevin De Bruyne reminded me of Alfredo De Stefano, I had to stop and scream at myself: Are you mad? How can you compare a ginger-haired Belgian kid to the greatest white man to ever kick a football?
Football can make you lose the plot in a number of ways. ( I should know!)
I didn’t get good odds when I backed Man City to win. But who cares? A gambler needs a team who deliver, who produce, a team he can rely on.
Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick was one of his finest
As Aguero twinkles into the box, gliding in for those one-on-ones with the keeper, he’s like Romario, the tiny Brazilian sharpshooter.
Pep’s City will win a lot of games 4-0.