Arsenal FC - The End of the Wenger Era

June 27, 2013 14:42

Wenger confirms retirement

http://youaremyarsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Arsene-clapping.jpg

Following his announcement of his retirement on 21 April, 2013, Arsene Wenger - manager of seventeen years - has officially left the club.

Arsene Wenger announced his retirement on the 21st of April this year, the same day Arsenal drew 1-1 away at Sunderland to confirm fourth place, and has today left the club to begin his retirement. He has collected his items and has said his goodbyes to the staff members, such as good friend and scout Daniel Karbasiyoon, and players.

However, Arsene has refused to rule out the possibility that he will continue as a board member or coach.

'Yes, it is a possibility. I'm not sure at the moment, but I have only retired as a manager, and so I am still eligible to become a coach or board member. We'll see'.

Arsene stopped for one last interview with Arsenal.com.

Q = Question
AW = Arsene Wenger

Q= Alex Ferguson retired this season too, and United have questionably appointed David Moyes as their new manager. Do you think your successor will be more proven and reliable? - Steve Thom, 46

AW= I'm not sure to be honest. I met with the board last Tuesday to discuss potential replacements. Many names were thrown up, from World Cup winning managers to former players who have just retired with virtually nil experience. I can't tell you anything at the moment because it could be anyone.

Q= What was your favourite, and least favourite, result as manager?- Jamie Kheown, 12

AW= My favourite was maybe when we beat Villareal away 1-0 after we had a goalless draw in the first leg to put us in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. There are also so many other unforgettable memories - like 2-1 at home to a then-unbeatable Barcelona and the thrashing to Inter Milan at the San Siro. My least favourite was maybe the 2011 League Cup final. Another disappointing result was when we beat AC Milan 3-0 at home, after losing 4-0 away in the first leg. We were three-nil up at half time and Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie were playing brilliantly so I thought we'd maybe just about do it. I was shocked and heartbroken when the final whistle blew and we just weren't able to nick that goal.

Q= Who was your favourite signing?- Calum Narroway, 25

AW= Probably somebody like Fabregas or Lauren, when you spot something nobody else does and they turn into first team startest. Vieira was another like that. It's a great feeling when you sign somebody and immediately people question you because they don't know the player, and then they play brilliantly. If I had to pick one I'd say Lauren.

Arsenal will immediately begin their search for a new manager.

Everyone at Arsenal football club would like to wish Arsene all the best for the future - and thank him for all his years at the club that have cemented his place as a true Arsenal legend.

Good luck!

July 05, 2013 04:01
Arsenal New Manager Odds

On 21 April, 2013: Arsene Wenger revealed his retirement from football management. Since then, Arsenal have been on the lookout for a new manager.

http://euro.mediotiempo.com/media/2013/04/18/jurgen-klopp.jpg

Odds-on: Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is SkyBet's favourite to succeed Arsene Wenger

Evens: Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)
3/1: Patrick Vieira (Man City u21s)
6/2: Steve Bould (Arsenal interim manager)
7/2: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
9/1: Martin Keown (Arsenal scout), Roberto Martinez (Everton)
13/1: Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich)
15/2: Luis Enrique (Barcelona)
17/1: Louis Van Gaal (Netherlands)
18/1: Freddie Ljungberg (Ajax Director of Football)
20/1: Dennis Bergkamp (Ajax coach)
23/1: Joachim Loew (Germany), Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

good luck with this story!

July 13, 2013 07:48

BREAKING NEWS: Patrick Vieira named Arsenal Manager

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Born to succeed: Vieira was named the fifth best ever Arsenal player - can he end Arsenal's eight-year trophy drought

In a huge breaking story today, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been confirmed as the new Arsenal manager - signing a four year contract with the London giants.

Arsenal have confirmed that - despite rumours that they were in deep discussions with Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp - Patrick Vieira will replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager.

Arsenal announced the appointment of the former Manchester City Head of Youth Development in the early hours of July 13, 2013. Patrick Vieira has originally been in charge of the Manchester City youth system - particularly the under twenty-ones - which is home to such gems such as Ryan Gauld and Matthias Bossaerts.

Patrick Vieira revealed that we was surprised, nervous and delighted to be announced Arsenal boss. 'It is an honour for me. I spent nine incredible years here in which I established myself as a player and leader of men. When the approach came in, I arranged a meeting at the nearest possible date. I was desperate to get this job.' the Arsenal captain of three years including the 2003/04 invincible season - went on, 'When it went over the line and I received the conformation e-mail I was immeasurably happy.'

In 2012, Patrick Vieira was named the fifth best Arsenal player of all time - behind: Thierry Henry; Dennis Bergkamp; Tony Adams and Ian Wright. And ahead of such legends like Ray Parlour, Martin Keown and David Seaman.

Vieira has signed a four-year contract at Arsenal.

Good luck with this!

Great choice of manager, good luck.

Good luck, hope this succeeds!

Delighted to see Vieira in charge, was dreading it to be an unknown manager, all the best!

Agent Sherwood.

Everyone: Thank you

Miroslav Klose signs for Arsenal
July 21, 2013 19:59

Been there, done that: Miroslav Klose has won 124 caps for Germany

Arsenal Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of the first player under the Patrick Vieira: Miroslav Klose on a one-year deal.

Miroslav agreed personal terms today, following the completion of his medical, contract complications and transfer fee of around £2,600,000 - and has today completed the deal.

Patrick Vieira had this today about the signing; 'Miroslav is a fine player. He brings experience to a young squad as he has won 124 caps for the German National Team. He is a proven goalscorer and - even at his age - is still very fit and agile. His aerial ability is also good and he has the brilliant habit of showing up at the right time in the right place. He is the complete player.'

Klose will wear the Number Eleven at Arsenal.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish Miroslav well during his time at the club.

Arsenal announce squad numbers

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Brick: French defender Laurent Koscielny will continue wearing the number 6.

Arsenal have today announced their squad numbers; including new numbers for Wilshere, Fabianski and Tomas Rosicky.

1. Szczesny
3. Sagna
4. Mertesacker
5. Vermaelen
6. Koscielny
7. Wilshere
8. Arteta
9. Podolski
10. Ozil
11. Klose
12. Giroud
14. Walcott
15. Chamberlain
16. Ramsey
17. Rosicky
18. Monreal
19. S. Cazorla
21. Doria
23. van Der Wiel
24. Diaby
26. Flamini
28. Gibbs
29. Fabianski
31. Ryo
44. Gnabry
52. Bendtner

Youth players

33. Sanogo
35. Galindo
37. Ajayi
38. Ansah
39. Eisfeld
40. Fagan
41. Field
46. Ormonde-Ottewill
47. Olsson
48. Hayden
49. Toral
50. Macey
51. Zivkovic
53. Huddart
56. Lipman
57. Maitland-Niles
58. Zelalem
59. Moore
60. Iwobi
61. Mugabo
62. O'Connor
63. Pleguezuelo
64. Siemann
65. Uade
66. Smith
67. Crowley
68. Dawkins
69. Kamara
70. Wright

http://imageshack.com/f/eyh5Cb8tp

Team:
Szczesny (Illiev, 45); Flamini, Mertesacker, Sagna (Ajayi, 72), Gibbs (Monreal, 45); Arteta, Ramsey (Wilshere, 58) Ox (Podolski, 58) Ozil, Cazorla; Klose (Sanogo, 86)

Goals:
Klose 17'

MOTM:
Mertesacker - 7.24

Unused Subs: Fabianksi; Ormonde-Ottewill, Monreal, Koscielny, Gnabry, Giroud.

http://imageshack.com/f/idt5o6sVp

Team:
Szczesny (Fabianksi, 45 - Illiev, 70); Flamini (Koscielny, 67), Mertesacker, Sagna, Gibbs (Ormonde-Ottewill, 78); Arteta (Rosicky, 80), Ramsey, Ox (Gnabry, 45) , Ozil (Walcott, 59), Cazorla (Sanogo, 45); Klose (Giroud, 45)

Goals:
Arteta (Pen) 50'

MOTM:
Mertesacker - 7.89

http://imageshack.com/f/eyg1wwZlp

Team:
Fabianski (Illiev, 45); Monreal (Gibbs, 45), Koscielny (Vermaelen, 45), Mertesacker (Sagna, 45) van Der Wiel (Ramsey, 45); Arteta, Ramsey (Wilshere, 60), Gnabry (Ox, 45), Cazorla (Ozil, 45), Walcott; Klose

Goals: Klose 55', Arteta (Pen) 88', Arteta (Pen) 90+2' - Osvaldo 37', Llorente 40'

MOTM: Klose - 7.02


All in all, a pretty solid pre-season. The last match against Juventus was a crazy one to watch. We came back from 2-0 at HT to win 3-2 thanks so a goal early in the second half by Klose, and two late penalties from Arteta - each of which were conceded by Barzagli. I think Mertesacker performed brilliantly after being name vice captain. He averaged 7.33 per game and we'll surely become a key player for me this season.

(Date - Player - Club - Fee)

5/7 - Richairo Zivkovic - FC Groningen - Pre-Contract (750k fee)
18/7 - Tom Field - Brentford - Pre-Contract (92k fee)
21/7 - Miroslav Klose - Lazio - £2.6m
4/8 - Doria - Botafigo - £10m
4/8 - Gregory van Der Wiel - Loan (275k fee, End of Season)
19/8 - Ayoze Perez - Tenerife - £1.7m
Deadline Day - Timo Hildebrande - n/a - Free
Deadline Day - Jonathan Silva - Estudiantes la Piata - £3.8m
Deadline Day - Niklas Sule - Hoffenheim - £11m (could rise to £14.5m)



7/7 - Carl Jenkinson - Swansea - Loan (End of Season)
27/7 - Chuba Akpom - Crawley - Loan (6 months)
15/8 - Tarum Dawkins - Farnborough - Loan (3 months)
17/8 - Nacho Monreal - Newcastle - £7m
20/8 - Zac Fagan - n/a - Free
Deadline Day - Samuel Galindo - FC Lorient - Loan (End of Season)
Deadline Day - Jon Toral - Barnet - Loan (End of Season)
Deadline Day - Niklas Sule - Hoffenheim - Loan (End of Season)

Klose is definitely an interesting signing for Arsenal, no doubt about his goalscoring ability but he is getting on, and probably, in my opinion, will not be up to the physical demands of the Premier League. However, he looks like he had a good preseason, but so I may be wrong!