Quite a lot to get through this morning so let’s go for it.
The AGM took place yesterday with shareholders and supporters groups present as the club gave its presentation. Some of the main issues in bullet points:
- Chairman Peter Hill-Wood assured fans that the club would not sell out to foreign owners, saying “Arsenal runs through my veins and we do not want control handed over to somebody who has not got Arsenal in their blood.Rest assured, we are not going to sell out to the first man who comes along”.
- He also said ‘expenditure on players’ remains the top priority. Interesting that he didn’t say expenditure on transfers.
- A new MD will be appointed ‘fairly shortly’. The delay is down to making sure they find the right person and not being ‘inept’.
- Stan Kroenke was officially introduced as a member of the Arsenal board
- Three new busts were unveiled – Denis Hill-Wood, Herbert Chapman (as the old one remains at Highbury) and Arsene Wenger.
- Arsene Wenger won’t rule out January signings but has urged fans to be more vocal in support of the young team, saying younger players need more help from the crowd.
- Eduardo is set to return to full training in about three weeks and once he builds some match fitness will be available for selection. Good news. Not so good for Rosicky whose return is now expected ‘after Christmas’. Which year was not revealed.
There was more and I’ll come to that in a little bit. The main bit from a fan’s point of view is the manager’s call for more support for the team. He said to those attending the AGM:
You are all very quiet, a little bit like the game on Saturday. It is a recession mood, but it will not last, do not worry. Instead of showing resentment, we have to believe in our team, more than ever because this team will deliver.
But the younger you are, the more you need support and the belief in the quality of these young players. I ask you as well to be proud of them and to show your support. At the moment I do not feel that either from the media or our supporters that this team gets the support that it deserves.
In black and white those are fairly strong words but I’m told Arsene was very passionate when delivering them, not angry or anything like it. I think the headlines saying Wenger has ‘attacked’ or ‘lambasted’ the fans are well over the top. Typical media shit stirring, of course.
I don’t think too many fans would argue that atmosphere in the ground could improve at times, especially when the team is losing. I touch on this in the Arsecast but there’s a level of expectation built by the manager that makes it hard when you’re losing to Hull for people to sing and shout. And I think there’s probably a lack of belief in the team at times. It’s easier to get behind the side when you know they’re capable of turning a game around. Perhaps this team is suffering a bit because of that, we’re not sure if they can.
Anyway, the manager wants more from the fans, the fans want more from the players. We all want more – but sometimes you have be a giver before you can be a taker. I think that’s the message anyway. The AST have backed the manager’s calls, saying:
We believe that through the use of giveaways such as red and white scarves, better music and using the scoreboard that the club and fans could improve the atmosphere.
Wenger himself should appeal to the fans for more support. As his performance at today’s AGM demonstrated he is passionate and persuasive about his players.
It’s an interesting debate and one that I think everyone is going to have a view on. Even the most passionate fans in the world sit on their hands when their team is losing, look at how quiet it went in Turkey the other night, but it would be great if the Grove was louder and more passionate at times. There was a voicemail during the week for the Arsecast which I didn’t have time to include on this week’s show talking about how away fans were allowed to stand and jump around whereas home fans are more strictly ‘stewarded’ by the club. Something worth discussing? Remember your thoughts on this or any other matter are always welcome on the Arsecast hotline – details below.
Anyway, there’s more on the AGM in today’s Arsecast.
In other news Robin van Persie says Eduardo’s return is vital and that we need the Crozilian back. I maintain if he hadn’t been injured last season we’d have won the league. Obviously we may need to give him time to get himself sorted once he starts playing again. Will he be affected by the injury physically and mentally? Arsene has been talking a lot about what a strong character he is so fingers crossed he can find his shooting boots as quickly as possible. I’m looking forward to seeing him back.
Team news ahead of West Ham sees Gallas and Toure fit again but Sagna’s return will not happen until the midweek game against Sp*rs.
Dennis Bergkamp wants to come back to Arsenal and be a coach.
*creams pants*
Watching that interview there on the BBC makes me all wistful and somewhat teary. I love Dennis. Why couldn’t he have just stayed 29 forever? WHY?
Right then, today’s Arsecast. On the show I chat to Tim Payton of the AST about the AGM, he was there, and we cover stuff like the finances, the property side of things, our wage bill, Kroenke, Usmanov, Arsene’s plea for more support and a book handed out by the AST called ‘Custodianship at Arsenal’. It’s interesting stuff.
As well as that there’s a player history from the Man in the Bar and Sylvester reflects upon his debut.
You can subscribe to the Arsecast iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week’s arsecast directly – click here (16mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.
As well as that there’s a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it’ll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it’s +44 20 3286 6360.
Right so, that’s that. More in the mañana.
