January, 2023. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta and his DOF, Edu, Arsenal have risen to the top of the premiership table. But despite this Lazarus-type resurrection nobody at the club was taking anything for granted. The intensity of competition amongst England’s elite clubs was reflected by the awareness amongst Arsenal’s leaders that this was no time for self congratulation. Instead, the opening of the transfer window presented the club with an opportunity to strengthen a squad that many felt would not last the distance against the two Manchester giants and a growing threat in England’s North East.
It was under these circumstances that the People Responsible for Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy (P.R.A.T.S) assembled in the pristine and hallowed surroundings of Arsenal’s boardroom.
As the scene unfolds before us, a clearly upset and emotional Mikel Arteta is standing before the others, demanding answers. The intensity of his emotional trauma is clearly evident in the two hairs above his left ear which are no longer perfectly aligned with the rest. The Arsenal manager is incandescent with rage.
MA: I will ask you this one more time and one more time only. How the fuck did we lose him?
(There is a palpable silence as Arteta slowly shifts his gaze from one person to another, daring them to speak yet challenging them not to. Only goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana returns his stare though in truth it isn’t clear if he even sees Arteta from behind his dark shades. The silence grows in tandem with the manager’s rage)
And not just lose him, but lose him to those chav bast*rds! What the fuck do they have to offer that we don’t? I mean am I missing something here? (Turns to his assistant manager Steve Round) Steve, who’s top of the league?
SR: We are boss.
MA: Exactly! And Edu who plays attractive football with an attacking and vibrant style?
Edu: (nervously) We do boss?
MA: Exactly!
(Edu wipes his brow and smiles in relief)
MA: (turns to chairman and son of owner Josh Kroenke) And Josh, who’s offering this Ukranian kid a chance to play in London and earn more money that he can dream of?
JK: Chelsea.
MA: No! No!! No!!! (starts jumping up and down while somehow simultaneously beating his fists on the table) We are! We’re top dogs in London now! He should have joined us! (An accusing look appears in his eyes once more) Something smells fishy here.
IC: (Defensively) It can be difficult for the visually impaired to maintain a regular bathing routine you know.
MA: (slowly, menacingly) I was referring to the failed transfer. Somebody here is keeping secrets. (once again his icy stare sweeps across the room, withering all in it’s wake, uncovering the most deeply buried skeletons.. one by one each member succumbs to Arteta’s power)
SR: It was just once boss and I swear the doctor told me the stockings would improve my circulation.
IC: It was a freezing winter that year, sheep can bring great warmth to a bed.
RG: You don’t understand, I had been a very, very bold boy, I HAD to be punished.
(Watching in horrified awe Josh Kroenke hurriedly whispers to Edu)
JK: For the love of God, tell him. If he turns that look on me who knows what I might say? Twins don’t have to be two girls, I mean, who knew?
Edu: (Equally uncomfortable) You’re right. The time has come. (in saying this Edu looks directly at a painting on the wall of legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and with an almost imperceptible nod he sends a signal that had long been planned. Turning to Arteta he addresses him with gentle but firm words)
Mikel, there is something we need to tell you. I think you should sit down.
MA: Not you as well, you sound like that c*nt Richard Keys. I can’t sit down for 90 minutes and still look this good (he lifts his t-shirt to reveal chiselled abs) Those carbs aren’t going to burn themselves you know.
Edu: I’m not talking about during the game, I mean now. You should sit down now.
JK: Yeah Mike, we gotta talk. Pops sent Ricky (points to Stan Kroenke’s lawyer Richard Garlick) over here a few months ago with some pretty bad news. We didn’t have the heart to tell you.
MA: Tell me? Tell me what?
JK: It’s gone Mike.
MA: Gone? What’s gone?
Edu: (wearily) The money. The blank cheques. The magic porridge pot.
JK: Pops has pulled the plug on the unlimited funding. He was, like, bummed. Kept talking about profits and sustainability and shit. Kept going on about Arsenal being a business. Weird shit I tell you. I tried to explain that this (expands both arms to take in his surroundings) is a football club not a business but he wouldn’t see sense. Man was tripping.
MA: (speaking slowly, an air of disbelief resonating with every word) So what happens when I give multi million contracts to players like Aubameyang and Willian and then decide I don’t like them anymore? Surely I can just pay them to fuck off?
RG: Mr Kroenke was clear. You’re not to do that anymore.
MA: What?? (becoming angry) Does he think I’m bloody clairvoyant? How am I meant to know if these players are going to be worth the money or not?
JK: (soothingly) We know Mike, it’s madness.
MA: (unmoved by the solace on offer) And how the hell does he think I’m going to continue developing this team if I’m not given hundreds of millions each year to buy new players?
Edu: (visibly moved) It’s cruel, we know.
MA: And what about project youth? Did you explain to him how I have given away our team for a pittance and replaced them with expensive young players? Surely he sees the value in this?
JK: I’m afraid not Mike. He said that people who unearth diamonds don’t do it by walking into High Street shops and offering even more money than the robbing jewellers are already charging.
MA: (confused) What does that even mean?
Edu: (hands spread wide) Fu*ked if I know.
RG: (Coughing softly) Ah gentlemen, if I may? Mr Kroenke has been most clear. You are free to spend the proceeds of any player sales that you complete but you will be expected to limit your spending in future to money generated from the club’s incomes. However as a gesture of good faith he has instructed me to forward you the sum of £40 million pounds to help with the purchase of any targets you may have.
MA: (Optimistically) £40 million? (looks to Edu) How much can we raise in sales?
Edu: (Takes out a pocket calculator and with professional intensity casts his tongue out of the side of his mouth and begins mumbling) Let me see, sale of Leno…Guendouzi…Bellerin…Auba… (his muttering becomes inaudible as all present strain to hear him. Finally, triumphantly, he finishes and declares) £21 million!!
MA: (appeased) Ok then, we combine the two and we have £61 million to play with. We can do something with that.
Edu: (Embarrassed) Eh, not exactly boss. £21 million is what we have left over from the £40 million gift. By the time we pay Ozil’s wage and Auba’ ‘going away’ gift it’s all we’ll have left.
MA: £21 fucking million. What the fuck are we going to get for that? I spend more than that in one year on Carribean Seaweed Eyebrow nourisher. We’re ruined. (As he speaks the following lines he slowly folds in upon himself until he finishes on his knees, head bowed) My dream of proving to the world that I could take a team of expensively assembled misfits and by casting them aside at great cost and replacing them with a team costing hundreds and hundreds of millions I could somehow build this club a better football team is over. (With theatrical reflection) Little Arsenal in the champions league. Perhaps I dreamed too big.
Edu: (whispering and elbowing JK simultaneously) Tell him!
JK: (A little too loudly) No fucking way man, you tell him!
MA: (Rising up from the floor) Tell me what? Tell me what???
RG: If I may? Mikel, Mr Kroenke is nothing if not an astute businessman. He anticipated some months back that his new fiscal policy would cause you some…difficulty. He was also aware that the January transfer window would prove an unsettling time for you given your…fondness…for parting with his money. As such, some months back he took steps to find support for you during this period of policy transition.
MA: (a mixture of suspicion and anger in his voice) Support? What kind of support??
RG: (Remaining perfectly composed) Mr Kroenke thought it prudent for the club to seek the services of a man experienced in the area of financial conservatism…for the time being at least.
(With almost impeccable timing a knock is heard at the door which slowly opens, drawing the eyes of everyone present. Slowly, magnificently, the unmistakable figure of Arsene Wenger, resplendent in a long puffer Arsenal parka enters the room, a man whose very presence seemed to radiate command. He turned and smiled in his own inimitable manner, his lips never parting as he beamed his hellos. The reaction of those present varied from shock to outright elation. Hands immediately reached for zippers as a homage to this footballing God, but a raised grey eyebrow was enough to warn them against revealing their identity in this company. Arteta however, having been momentarily dumbstruck, began to struggle to verbalise his thoughts).
MA: What the ..who.. why? What is he doing here?
AW: Mikel, you must not look on me as a threat to your reign here. I have merely returned to offer you my support and what little wisdom I can to guide you through these difficult times. But I can assure you the reins of power are still firmly in your hands (as he speaks he ushers a cowering Josh Kroenke from his seat at the head of the table and seamlessly replaces him in the chair). I will be a mere shadow, only appearing when called upon.
MA: (Pointing at Wengers jacket where the word B.O.S.S has been sewn in large letters in the left corner.) What the hell is that then?
AW: (Points to jacket) This? Why, this is merely a reflection of my new role as Bestower of Special Services. Think nothing of it.
MA: (Unamused. Looks at the others in the room) And I suppose you all knew of this before me?
JK: (Speaking quickly, attempting to mitigate the damage) Only out of necessity Mikel. You were so busy with the team. And Arsene has already had some fantastic ideas which have helped us enormously.
MA: (Still annoyed) Already? What do you mean already?
AW: Mikel, we are on the same side you and I. The fans, they love you. We must not risk that.
MA: (Arteta, his ego stroked, responds more willingly) Well, what do you suggest?
AW: We must put our faith in FFP.
MA: (disconsolately) Financial Fair Play is a myth, a joke. Pep used to laugh at it all the time. It won’t help us.
AW: What is this financial fair play you speak of? I am referring to a plan I created almost twenty years ago…Feigning Financial Power.
MA: (Showing interest) How does it work?
AW: (Smiling as he recognises his influence growing) Oh, it’s quite simple really. We leak word to the press of our interest in all the top players, we even go so far as to bid outrageous sums of money for them.
MA: (Beginning to understand) So the fans will think we are dining at the top table?
AW: Of course. Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Benzema, Hazard, Mbappe. I have ‘courted’ them all.
MA: (slowly realising the truth) So it was you who gave the green light for the 90 million Mudryk package? But you never intended paying a penny did you?
AW: Of course not. I wouldn’t pay that for a small country.
MA: But what would you have done if the offer was accepted?
AW: (smiling) Simple. Insult the player with a ridiculously low wage offer.
MA: And if that doesn’t work?
AW: Then I make a call from line 3 in the manager’s office.
MA: (Confused) line 3?
AW: It’s bugged. Every word I say is heard by the top brass at Chelsea.
MA: (Scratching his head) Then why use it?
AW: Because I tell them what I WANT them to hear. (Chuckling) I’ve had great fun over the years. I rang David Dein one day begging him to buy Adrian Mutu, said he was going to replace Thierry (starts giggling at his own joke). Or the time I rang Gerry Peyton and told him to scout Kepa, said he was the next Casillas! (Lost in thought) Funny thing was Gerry agreed… I still don’t remember telling him about the ruse. (Shakes his head). Of course Alex was in on it too. They had his office bugged as well. We still laugh about the time he rang me ‘desperately’ trying to offload Juan Sebastian Veron before Chelsea came sniffing. (starts guffawing at the memory) He was in a Chelsea kit before the week was out!!
MA: So you orchestrated this entire Mudryk saga?
AW: (Steepling his fingers together and slowly peering over the top of them). But of course.
MA: And the fans believe we really tried to buy him but we’re gazumped by Chelsea or rejected by a greedy player?
AW: Precisely.
MA: But the fans? They’ll still want fresh blood.
AW: We then move to phase 2. Have you a crowd favourite who has been out injured for a while?
MA: (thinking) Well there is Smith Rowe.
AW: Wonderful. Reintroduce him at the end of some meaningless match. Announce his return as better than a new signing.
MA: The fans will buy that?
AW: (eyes glittering) Absolutely.
MA: Then what?
AW: Phase 3, Misdirection. Take the high ground. Start talking about ‘The Arsenal Way’. ‘We don’t buy superstars we make them’. That kind of nonsense. Just keep pointing at City and Chelsea for long enough that the fans forget that your team cost the same to assemble as a NASA space shuttle while your mistakes cost more than Jurgen Klopp’s dental bill. Let jealousy of our rivals be your ally.
MA: (delighted) This could really work!
AW: Believe it my friend. And then finally stage 4. The gift.
MA: The gift?
AW: Yes. Having destroyed the supporters levels of expectation you can then present them with literally any piece of shite and they will fall over themselves in gratitude. (Starts chuckling at the memory) I remember one year I has convinced the fanbase we couldn’t afford petrol for the lawnmower. When I presented them with 3 of the worst players I’ve ever signed the fans hailed me as a messiah! Santos, Park and (Suddenly realises what he’s about to say)… and… and it’s guaranteed to work.
MA: (Feels like he’s missed something but is unwilling to admit it) Ok then. I’m in. But I’m warning you, I won’t broker the slightest undermining of my authority.
JK: Absolutely Mikel. You are king of all you survey, no-one doubts that. Nothing will change. Nothing at all.
AW: (humbly) Mikel, you won’t even know I’m here.
(At this all rise and Arteta and Wenger move towards the door)
Edu: Goodbye boss.
MA and AW simultaneously: Goodbye.
[Satire] is a collection of brilliance from one of our readers Almuniasaynomore, who can be seen lurking in comments often. This section tries to have a laugh at expense of some.
If you feel offended, remember, they’re just jokes. We’re all gonna die soon and there’s no football in hell or heaven, so remember that.
Feedbacks are welcome in the comments!
Hi Tony
Back to matters Arsenal, that article you copied (rare for the Daily Heil to produce something so readable and factual), the spread of remaining fixtures is actually quite encouraging and manageable isn’t it? The next two months basically replicates those relatively straightforward opponents we played in July/August/September. And if anything, we’ve got stronger while most of the others have stood still or worsened. The City fixture notwithstanding of course, although it is at home so that augurs well.
Everton next. It has to be three points surely?
Now there’s a thought but and there’s a big but because the MC team will need oxygen at half time. Plenty of guns and large muscular frames, but a standing start from 0 to 3kph is likely to empty the gas tank and will need subbing. Point of thought how many subs can we have? 20?
The MC raiders vs Hoopah’s Kshatriyas wearing the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj crest proudly and basically running rings around the MC who hopefully will have checked their armory with the ref – ditto Hoopah’s team handing in their Katars.
Only way that could play out is by a cool cartoonist.
K’phobe you and Almunia have had more experience managing and coaching football than Arteta if you think about it. Forrest would be lucky to have you both.
I knew I was never getting my dream job when Bruce Rioch got the nod ahead of me in ’85. My confidence was shattered after that! I didn’t even get called for an interview. First thing I would have done was buy Peter Beardsley. Would have made me look good (getit?,sorry Peter,truly a wonderful player). Back to reality,thanks for the compliments,will try not to leave it so long next time,have another one brewing now actually if I get the energy to see it through.
Tony,you can’t imagine how strange it was for me when you said junior and his mates would read it on school. Young lads in a thai school reading an aul irish lad’s sarcastic musings,the absolute wonder of the Internet age.
I’m fascinated to see what the last 6 days of the window bring us,but I’d be surprised if we got a tier 1 player now. Maybe I’ll be wrong but unlike many I don’t believe that Arteta has a clear strategy,he is going well though lately,but is it by luck or design? I’m still not convinced and I could outline a pretty long argument why,but I’ll keep that for another day..
KP,
As a matter of interest were you playing the Clough or Taylor role? Gotta be honest,I think you’re Clough imitation would come pretty close to the real thing. Wit,humour and an absolute contempt for stupidity. That turn of phrase would serve you well.
Was thinking its been a long time since we put one out there, so here’s my question for consideration, open to anyone who could be bothered thinking about it. How many of today’s team get into the Invincibles starting eleven and who do they replace? I’ll go have a think myself now!
That Rioch rejection was ’95 of course!
https://www.google.com/search?q=invincibles+team&oq=invincibles&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0i131i433i512l2j0i10i512j0i512l5.5924j0j4&client=ms-android-ee-uk-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=Zv6lnUHuJEinxM
Really good question that Almunia in the light of the latest swooning about the current team. Don’t get me wrong – they’re pretty good right now with ample scope to improve, but I’ve copied in a recognisable first XI from the invincible era. For me, there are only three possible replacements that can be considered for swapping over.
Freddie Ljungberg – bettered by Bukayo
Gilberto Silva – not quite the same type of player, but Partey tops him for me
Kolo Toure – I’d take Saliba or Gab Mag ahead of him. The others – Lehmann, Sol, Ashley, Lauren, Bobby, Denno, TH and dear old PV all keep their place. Easily. I think it’d be roughly the same ratio with the 89 team as well. What’s your view? I know some lads adored Gilberto.
Saka the only one who makes it for me and that’s still very harsh on Freddie. And even with that its with one eye on what Saka will become because Freddie was real quality. Probably in the minority here but I’d have Gilberto considerably ahead of Partey whose importance in the current team has raised many people’s opinion of him. He’s quality but a tad overrated for me,more of a reflection of our failings in that area for so long and how he finally appears to have answered our calls. Fair play to him for that. But Gilberto beats him player for player imo. I think Saliba will be better than Kolo,I think Gabriel might be better eventually but right now I’d still have Kolo ahead of both. As for the rest,agreed,there’s no contest. And you’re right,this question was provoked by the current hyperbole fest surrounding our current team, I find some of it to be so reactive and sycophantic,honestly. The sheep mentality is beginning to irk me more than I should allow it. Fair enough with the younger fans,but those who have seen GG’s teams and peak Wenger,I’d have to question their perspective. Will have a think now on the ’89 v today team. That could be more difficult.
OK
Let’s compare them against this wonderful lot (I guess in a 442)
Lukic
Winterburn
Adams
O Leary
Dixon
Rocky
Thomas
Davis
Richardson
Smith
Merson
(maybe Marwood but I seem to remember him being out injured towards the end of the year. No place for Bouldy either.)
I’m factoring in the pitches here, the opposition (there were fucking masses of London teams in the First Division that season), and the fact that our budget around that time was relatively much lower than Liverpool and Manure. Football was a bit more egalitarian back then although there’s no doubting we were a bigger club than most.
Only two here for me. Saka for Merson and Partey for Kevin R. The rest of today’s first team would be sitting it out I think. At a pinch, maybe Odegaard for Mickey T.
I’ll have to look back at some Gilberto clips. I know he started pretty inauspiciously for us as he adjusted to the pace of the game in England. Maybe I’m not giving him full credit.
Looking back at the 88/89 results. We were doubled by fucking Derby! I was at the home game which must have been in April maybe the 34th game of the season. Richard Gere lookalike Dean Saunders banged in a cracking volley. I felt ill for days. It was the turning point that made Liverpool fans think it was theirs to win. A really mad few weeks of stress eased only on the evening of 26 May.
Yeah,that was some team. For obvious reasons the keeper and back 4 are untouchable. Rocky and Davis also. Saka has to get in but I’d be more inclined to replace Richardson than Merson. Richardson in fairness has an incredible record considering the domination of Liverpool and Utd in the 80’s and 90’s that he won top flight titles with two clubs,neither of whom were the aforementioned giants. But still,my love for Merse is strong,he was a pleasure to watch on a team that didn’t put a huge onus on entertainment (although I enjoyed them immensely!). Also going to stick with Smith simply because neither Jesus or Eddie can claim a fraction of his contribution yet. He was underrated imo but we’ve also had many better strikers than him over the years. Still he makes it for me. That just leaves Michael Thomas and legendary status should be assured after Anfield 89 but I’m going to commit heresy here and say that I’d play either Ode or Partey,system depending,ahead of him. So that’s 2 for me also. Christ KP maybe we could be joint managers!!
bang up job Almuniasaynomore…I love me some sardonic humour, especially when it takes no prisoners…the crowning achievement was your Russian nesting doll-like Wenger reveal…regardless of one’s personal opinions about the matters at hand, one can’t help but appreciate the hilarity on offer…Cheers
I agree entirely about Smudger. Long ball, into-the-channel footie was de rigueur throughout his playing career. The guy’s unerring ability to control anything played up to him, and to keep it until reinforcements arrived on a bumpy, greasy pitch while the likes of Ronnie Whelan and Pallister were trying to break his ankles cannot be overestimated. Brave as well and a brilliant header of the ball. He was the best front man in the top flight in the late 80s and early 90s. Never stopped competing – he must have been a terrific teammate. Loved the guy.
I was really irked a few weeks ago when on LG some arriviste, know-nothing Arteta fan (possibly one of the US based ‘experts’ that idolises Ped) said he hated Smith because of his biased commentary or some such bollocks. This the guy who scored against Parma and Liverpool in 89 and is one of our purest former players.
Yup. Let’s order the matching nylon tracksuits and get our cvs typed up
Morning lads thanks for some memorable reading form your posts. The closer I get to 70 the more I forget of my almost 60 years as a Gooner. It all comes back from your words and memories of where I was at the time and what I was doing.
Game day at City many say is a dress rehearsal of what’s to come. I doubt a negative result is going to affect our title charge whatsoever. This game doesn’t worry me: potential injuries do.
If I were Mikel I’d put a mostly youth side out and tell them to show Mikel what they are made of. It’s a win, win because we lose and it’s more games for City and our youth will have been tested to their limits not wanting to let the club down. Mentally and emotionally a loss would be negligible. No one likes losing but this is a battle we can afford to lose to win the war.
The war in this case is the league title.
Of course this won’t happen; Mikel will no doubt play our best 11 citing our next game is 8 days away against the mighty Everton who are in disarray throughout the club. Injuries? Mikel will tell us we are looking at several players and have 4 days to finish our post Xmas shopping where we got a Jan sales bargain in Trossard and are back at the Brighton table again looking closely at Caicedo where transfermkt rates at Euro38m where…… I know you got it Mitoma is valued at Euro8.5m.
Why not get both? It would solve all our problems and would leave Arteta to make a ‘marque signing’ each year too keep up with the pack chasing to knock us off top spot.
£75m should get both if BHA play their usual games and are hurting from the Trossard deal. That could well play a part in the negotiations, but we can counter with White’s exorbitant price. Let’s hope Dezerbi has new players in mind to improve his already excellent style of football. The actual outcome away from my fantasy football hopes is we might get lucky to get Caicedo for around £70m.
Who knows? Certainly not me.
Last stupidoclock game for a while for us other-side -of-the-world Gooners. 3am K.O. I’ll see how I feel tonight as to whether I’ll watch it live.
I honestly have no idea how we are going to line up and who will be in the 16man squad. Ditto from City’s side. As much as we want the tile, Pep wants the elusive CL cup. Maybe we’ll both feature more youths than first team players for the 90+.
Although thinking about it wouldn’t it be great if this year was our cup and league double? Possible?
We’ll know Saturday morning here and an old man can dream, can’t he?
Be well and TGIF and the weekend is all but upon us. Enjoy whatever you’re up to.
Tony—unfortunately the Caicedo gig is looking a lot like the Mudryk and Vlahovic smokescreens…BHA don’t want to sell in January, so much so that they put a fairly ridiculous 100M evaluation on his head, and the player isn’t pushing for the switch, at least not publicly (visa vie social media)…why would BHA even consider such a move unless they were blown away by an offer, especially after their outright rejection of a 55M bid from Chelsea…of course, some will say that Garlick is our “secret” weapon due to his relationships with higher ups at Brighton, but that surely didn’t help when we paid above the number for White and Trossard, considering the latter’s mitigating circumstances…this looks like a wag the dog scenario where if we do make a move it’s for a far lesser light, for vastly less money, in the 11th hour…that said, I pray that I’m wrong
as for your comments about today’s affair, I agree with your sentiments…we both know that our best 11 will be rolled out there, as we know MA still can’t find a palatable plan B…the only changes I could see happening are maybe Trossard for Marts and possibly Tomi in the starting lineup…take care
Everton might be about to appoint Dyche. Desperate times.
No one watching tonight? We’re doing OK.
I just joined KP. Got work in morning but eh this is important.
We are doing Ok, Trossard is good.
You feeling better mate? Is Saturday working a normal thing for you?
I’d say we just had the better of that half.
Yeah, IT is competitive here, we get a day off when we want but things work 24×7 in other time zones.
Good half, I think we can get something out of this game unless Haaland decided to turn into Hulk.