Player:Martinelli
Warning. Long ass post.
Replying to @Macho only for the PSG part.
I turned into essay mode on Mikel halfway through, just for general audience. Nothing I say here is aimed at any individual (someone will no-doubt @Riou somewhere) or should be considered as a jab or something. I also don’t claim to know it all, just my observations in between my usual ****-posting.
Tbh I dont think rebuilding at PSG would look anywhere near a rebuild at another club, let alone Arsenal.
PSG can and will throw unlimited funds at their squad as opposed to carefully assessing which player from the academy might do a job until they have room in their budget to buy a top class player. No need to rely on loans or cheap experienced players to help them get through a rebuild.
They won't need a Mikel for that and they don’t seem to have anything that resembles a long term squad building approach. If they did, why not stick with Pochettino.
They have the luxury that they are the only real (financial) force in a sub-top league where they know they have the ability to walk the league, even if there is the occasional blimp. Their chequebook lures world class players, even regular starters, away from top teams around Europe. They seem to acquire them almost regardless of whether they actually fit their team/a long term strategy. If it fails, bench/get rid and replace by spending even more money.
In regards to Mikel, I see the term 'chequebook manager' being thrown around sometimes (probably in jest), but I don't think that is a fair assessment.
In relation to Wenger, probably most managers could be deemed 'chequebook managers’, as what he managed to do on a shoestring will never be replicated. It commands an insane amount of respect. Also, it’s unfair to compare Mikel to Wenger, one of the greatest to grace the game. In 20 years (or CL 2023
) we can have that conversation.
However, the unfortunate reality is that (modern) football requires you to spend in order to be and maintain competitive. The squadcost theory in the end will always hold true, regardless of a couple of blimps.
From what I gather, the intention of the club is that Mikel is not just rebuilding a squad, but partially rebuilding the foundations of this club. He is doing so by embedding and improving young talent. In order for this to work, the number one ingredient is the right (and more importantly) unified mindset.
For that you need two things: a clear, and consistent vision and strong leadership.
I believe that starting from Vinai downwards, everyone is fully committed to instilling these values by any means necessary. Whether the Kroenke’s are really commited longterm, remains to be seen.
How annoying a buzz term it may sound, the non-negotiables are key for the approach to succeed. This is why the Özil, Guendouzi, Aubameyang and the alleged rebellious clique cases have become central.
Everything that deviates from these key values and distorts the process (I assume they are something like commitment, sacrifice and leadership - things that I feel we sorely lacked over the years) needs to change. One way or another.
Since Mikel is a first-time manager and has nothing to show for it other than a glowing reference from Guardiola and the Manchester Kitman (I didnt want him here in 2018), it comes off arrogant and rookie when things clash and results in the table stay behind. The FA cup win didn’t change that. Winning one FA cup, just like winning one CL requires a heap of luck, whereas finishing high in the league for two decades displays true managerial ability.
If this was Pep Guardiola taking over Arsenal, I am personally convinced that we’d see more or less the same process, with way more money spent, as that would have been his #1 non-negotiable probably, but the same disciplinary standards and possible fallout within the team. We’ve seen examples at his other clubs.
Due to Pep’s stature, players may have been more susceptible to accepting his demands and perhaps a guy like Auba might’ve still been here as I truly don’t believe he is a bad apple. Things probably just went to a point of no return between him and Mikel, with Auba holding all the cards (contract-wise) and an exit turning out favourable for both parties.
Anyway, I think Mikel is here for the medium to long term and his personal aim is to get us back competing for the big trophies. If either the non-negotiables or the financial investment lags behind, it will most likely fail.
He has made mistakes though and has admitted to making them, but for me that’s part of the job. I can see what he is trying to do and I understand that it is a multi-step approach. I can get behind it as I believe the values he tries to instill are what will bring us success over the longterm. The club needs to make sure that these values are strong enough to remain in place when another manager is one day at the helm. Something that I feel teams like Bayern and Ajax have succeeded in.
As this topic can be quite volatile, again a disclaimer, nothing in the above is aimed directly at someone or meant to prove someone false or whatever. Just my two cents on Mikel and why I am behind him.
Oh, and if he sells Saliba sack him on the spot.
Replying to @Macho only for the PSG part.
I turned into essay mode on Mikel halfway through, just for general audience. Nothing I say here is aimed at any individual (someone will no-doubt @Riou somewhere) or should be considered as a jab or something. I also don’t claim to know it all, just my observations in between my usual ****-posting.
Tbh I dont think rebuilding at PSG would look anywhere near a rebuild at another club, let alone Arsenal.
PSG can and will throw unlimited funds at their squad as opposed to carefully assessing which player from the academy might do a job until they have room in their budget to buy a top class player. No need to rely on loans or cheap experienced players to help them get through a rebuild.
They won't need a Mikel for that and they don’t seem to have anything that resembles a long term squad building approach. If they did, why not stick with Pochettino.
They have the luxury that they are the only real (financial) force in a sub-top league where they know they have the ability to walk the league, even if there is the occasional blimp. Their chequebook lures world class players, even regular starters, away from top teams around Europe. They seem to acquire them almost regardless of whether they actually fit their team/a long term strategy. If it fails, bench/get rid and replace by spending even more money.
In regards to Mikel, I see the term 'chequebook manager' being thrown around sometimes (probably in jest), but I don't think that is a fair assessment.
In relation to Wenger, probably most managers could be deemed 'chequebook managers’, as what he managed to do on a shoestring will never be replicated. It commands an insane amount of respect. Also, it’s unfair to compare Mikel to Wenger, one of the greatest to grace the game. In 20 years (or CL 2023
) we can have that conversation.However, the unfortunate reality is that (modern) football requires you to spend in order to be and maintain competitive. The squadcost theory in the end will always hold true, regardless of a couple of blimps.
From what I gather, the intention of the club is that Mikel is not just rebuilding a squad, but partially rebuilding the foundations of this club. He is doing so by embedding and improving young talent. In order for this to work, the number one ingredient is the right (and more importantly) unified mindset.
For that you need two things: a clear, and consistent vision and strong leadership.
I believe that starting from Vinai downwards, everyone is fully committed to instilling these values by any means necessary. Whether the Kroenke’s are really commited longterm, remains to be seen.
How annoying a buzz term it may sound, the non-negotiables are key for the approach to succeed. This is why the Özil, Guendouzi, Aubameyang and the alleged rebellious clique cases have become central.
Everything that deviates from these key values and distorts the process (I assume they are something like commitment, sacrifice and leadership - things that I feel we sorely lacked over the years) needs to change. One way or another.
Since Mikel is a first-time manager and has nothing to show for it other than a glowing reference from Guardiola and the Manchester Kitman (I didnt want him here in 2018), it comes off arrogant and rookie when things clash and results in the table stay behind. The FA cup win didn’t change that. Winning one FA cup, just like winning one CL requires a heap of luck, whereas finishing high in the league for two decades displays true managerial ability.
If this was Pep Guardiola taking over Arsenal, I am personally convinced that we’d see more or less the same process, with way more money spent, as that would have been his #1 non-negotiable probably, but the same disciplinary standards and possible fallout within the team. We’ve seen examples at his other clubs.
Due to Pep’s stature, players may have been more susceptible to accepting his demands and perhaps a guy like Auba might’ve still been here as I truly don’t believe he is a bad apple. Things probably just went to a point of no return between him and Mikel, with Auba holding all the cards (contract-wise) and an exit turning out favourable for both parties.
Anyway, I think Mikel is here for the medium to long term and his personal aim is to get us back competing for the big trophies. If either the non-negotiables or the financial investment lags behind, it will most likely fail.
He has made mistakes though and has admitted to making them, but for me that’s part of the job. I can see what he is trying to do and I understand that it is a multi-step approach. I can get behind it as I believe the values he tries to instill are what will bring us success over the longterm. The club needs to make sure that these values are strong enough to remain in place when another manager is one day at the helm. Something that I feel teams like Bayern and Ajax have succeeded in.
As this topic can be quite volatile, again a disclaimer, nothing in the above is aimed directly at someone or meant to prove someone false or whatever. Just my two cents on Mikel and why I am behind him.
Oh, and if he sells Saliba sack him on the spot.
