Morning all.
Arsene Wenger has been talking yet again about transfers:
We have to be discreet. But we work very hard on it. There’s no fixed date on transfers. We don’t have a fixed number we want, the most important is to focus on our own squad.Β
If I add someone, it has to be special. I’m still optimistic and I hope we don’t disappoint you.
Better me more than one Arsene!!
Two we are linked with:
According to The Daily Mail, we have joined the race to signΒ Bulgaria winger Todor Nevelev and are considering a Β£3 million offer. He’s 20 years old and apparently we had scouts watching him on Sunday.
Other reports in Holland, well, websiteΒ AD.nl, suggest we are also in talks withΒ Ajax about Belgian defenderΒ Toby Alderweireld. Now this signing would make sense, he’s a right back/centre back.
Onto tonight.
Fenerbache are in town and I suspect the players would have had a good nights sleep last night. Can’t think that any Gooners would have been outside their hotel letting of fireworks all night. Unlike they did to our players in Turkey of course.
I hope the home fans make the same kind of noise the Turks did though, at 3-0 up, we all have a lot to make a noise about. Just because we have such a good lead, there is no way we should take our progress for granted. We defeated them on their own pitch, they could easily do the same to us if we aren’t fully prepared.
Arsene Wenger will not be complacent ahead of tonights fixture:
Well, complacency, I wouldn’t say that. You qualify when you’re ahead after the two games. Champions League is a fight. Everybody wants to give him best, and we want to finish the job. We have a decent advantage but we want to get over the line, so it’s just about us winning the game.
I feel we had two good games recently, at Fenerbahce and against Fulham, and we just want to continue that run. We go into the game to win it without thinking about the result of the first game.
It’ll be stability in the team. Maybe one or two who are a bit injured, but 95% of the team who played at Fulham will play tomorrow night.
Being in the Champions League for 16 years would show consistency and, therefore, I’m already focused today to go into the game with full commitment. Top level sport is just about consistency.
It shows how important it is to us (that no resting players). It’s an important time for us. We want to be in the group stage the next day, and that demands attitude and commitment and desire to play the game with full power, like we love to do.
Good, complacency would be very wrong and very dangerous…
It’s half time and we have a 3-0 lead, that’s all it means, if Fenerbache get an early goal, nerves will set in. Be confident, but let’s not be cocky! We need this win if Arsene Wenger is serious about signing ‘special players’. Special players don’t want to play on Thursday nights!
Laurent Koscielny is back fit but Arsene Wenger has said he may resist the temptation to recall him although he will be included in the squad. Jack Wilshere will definitely play.
Isaac Hayden and Hector Bellerin have been added to the squad and although you no doubt know all about them, in case you don’t…
Isaac Hayden, despite being only 18 years old, is described as being a strong, imposing player who can play in defence or midfield.
Hector Bellerin, he too is 18 years old and having started his football career on the wing, he’s now a pacey right back.
A big step up for both if they get to feature tonight..
Thomas Vermaelen is back in light training but misses out again, as do Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Provisional Squad: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud, Fabianski, Podolski, Monreal, Sanogo, Frimpong, Gnarby, Jenkinson, Hayden, Bellerin.
That squad should be enough to get the job done tonight shouldn’t it?
Have a good day all…
Good Morning all.
Nice post Rico. I thought you were going to include a recipe how to stew chicken in orange sauce topped with mushroom salad and washed down with white wine. π
But for today the above is enough and you deserve a pat on the back for keeping us focused everyday with something different each time. Thumbs up.
Another good post Rico… if you keep the rumours coming I may stop reading your fave sites CoF and goal.com π
If we get Todor Nevelev he will be our own answer to Bale. Young but even at international level a game changer. Up AW’s street no doubt.
Morning Devil, thanks. I won’t tell my girls what you have just written, they’d go on strike and not lay any eggs π
Hope the TA rumours are true…. Maybe Tommy V could have a word, then again, maybe not…..
Good morning guys and girls.
I hope the boys are as focused as i am on the game later on.
Yes, we have 1 1/2 feet in the door, but let’s knock it down and belt them.
We have lost one match since March guys.
I am a happy Gooner, and will be even happier when our signings are announced π
Thanks Ts..
Here’s a youtube clip of young Bellerin
Martin Jol on our midfield:-
Their midfield β you canβt figure out who is the defensive midfielder and who is the offensive midfielder because they rotate all the time.β
The final point is the reason why Fulham were unable to cope with Arsenal; they just didnβt know who to press. If one of the midfielders got tight to Aaron Ramsey, another midfielder, Cazorla or Rosicky, would drop back and help Arsenal circulate the ball. As a result, Fulham didnβt press but stood off, and Arsenal were able to dominate. From a defensive viewpoint, the lack of a defensive midfielder didnβt hinder Arsenal much, mainly because of the growing stature of Ramsey. His positioning was excellent as was Rosicky, his central midfield partner. Never mind, Ramseyβs extraordinary fitness levels.
Our transfer window revolves around tonight Scott, I know it shouldn’t but I have a feeling it does, so let’s batter them Turks..
Inter Milan have signed a new 10-year deal with Nike. Sponsorship agreement will see Italians pocket β¬200m. And we praise IG for our deal of 30M Euros a season … hmmm
Morning,
rico you have brainwashed me. π
I see the old Ebenezer is back to his cocky old self talking about how special his squad is..
and only special players would be added to his special squad..
So we went from top top top to special after two wins out of three..
He also says they deserve credit for rambos outstanding performance so far…
Totally brainwashed now..
How the heck did Mauren-yo play such a negative game on his 3rd game of the season. No striker was used in the first 60 minutes. Its not even like he was imitating Barca’s false 9 strategy.
My chav neighbour was fuming this morning. π I said to him spend a week supporting AFC and you will know what fuming means… lol
Ts, is that vid of Nedelev from his local park team…?
I see Darren Dein is still ‘weaving’ his way into Colney with Flamoney… when will he ever stop fleecing us?
Ginge I heard that yesterday that Dein and Law were busy thrashing Flamoney’s contract at London Colney.
Why the hell they didn’t thrash each other then. That should have left us with a smile wide as the Rio de Janeiro Beach.
Hackney marshes WATH. lol
Nedelev will think Colney is a 7 star Dubai hotel… lol
Very true comment below:
Jacob Steinberg on the Guardianβs live blog: βIt’s sometimes forgotten that Mourinho is often more entertaining than his teams.β Not here.
π Judge – AW comments are just so boring and repetitive…
Morning all.
We’re being linked with 3 of the best players in R.Madrid. Di Maria looks likely to be sold before the other two linked but rumour has it he doesnt want to leave or his prefered destination is Napoli.
Lots of people saying Arsene will sign both Flamini and cabaye, i dont see the need in having the two on the team since Diaby is still there.
Well maybe if journos stopped asking the same questions of Wenger he would give different answers π
We know they ask a question to get exactly the answer they want.
I don’t understand why people even read what is said in the media….it is all opinions, and slanted towards whatever will sell papers.
Ginge, i read those comments from Jol yesterday and laughed.
I found it amusing because Wenger knows nothing about tactics π
Gtid, when Perez wants you gone; you have no choice.
When Ronaldo, Kaka were bought, RM best or better players Sneijder &Robeen were sold to make room.
That is what I hear Scott but Conte of Juve, Klopp and Lowe all say one of their icons is AW…
Getting all three of Ozil, Cabaye and Di Maria will only mean one thing…….that Podolski will be moved up front and no move will be done to have another attacker.
All that will be left would be one of Flamoney, Alderweireld or Richards/.Willaims.
And I know which one would be given a contract.
Ginge, i know we defend him, and i know he makes plenty of mistakes, but gee, he really does get more respect from opposition fans than he does from many Gooners.
Still, no time to be complacent, so he needs to get moving.
Morning Rico.
Your Post was interesting and saved me buying a paper. Thanx.
I read elsewhere that becoz Sagna has played well at CB, Jenks is settling down at RB and we are signing a freebie top, top quality player in Flambo today we will not now be buying a CB.
Umm that will be two freebie top, top quality players we will have signed.
I must be living in a parallel universe where ‘big transfer funds’ means being able to afford …. freebies; and ‘top, top quality players’ mean … oh yeah, freebies too.
tsgh – I’m confused about your comment regarding Inter Milans agreement with Nike. Isn’t 200m over 10 years, 20m a season?
And ours is 30m a season, so we get 50% more?
Woody, Ginge was being ironic.
Hmmmmmmmm,i’m afraid it doesn’t look like Afc will sign any player this season. Searching for top quality to special players is deceptive if u ask me. if u fail to see quality players,where will Wenger see special players to buy……..Excuses galore.I don’t want to have Hb supporting Arsenal.
Scott, I know what you mean about it being pointless to read the papers because they are full of slanted opinions and unfounded rumours, but isn’t the blog world full of that too, based largely on what is printed in the media.
One great big circle?
RM have to sell, I think, before they can acquire Monkey face. They have not received enough in govt subsidies to be able to afford him, so some players have to be sold. Di Maria will raise the most, probably. To us, perhaps, to Napoli? You don’t refuse an offer from them, without ‘consequences”! The rest of the gang Ozil etc will go where they are wanted and to whomsoever is/are prepared to pay the overinflated transfer cash!
Bale may not end up at RM manure are allegedly interested, have they got Β£85m to squander on 1 player? What happens if The scums don’t sell? Will they not be carrying a huge debt from the players they have bought to cover the loss of the welsh boy? No new ground there then!
Etc etc. the TW has a way to go yet with many snakes and ladders to climb and fall down before Sept 2nd.
Fun eh?
Thanks Hb, glad i’m useful π
Henry, there are blogs and blogs.
Some are a waste of space.
HH is not, and that is why we are here.
The Arseblog item about Kroenke from an American perspective is both illuminating and depressing at the same time. It compares the American way to the European and frankly holds little prospect of anything other than ” More of the same “. Wenger is in place for a reason and comparing the money that owner’s can make from the N.F.L. it would seem that we are being fattened up and and it’s only a matter of time before the money starts to leak out and find it’s way across the Atlantic.
Missing post !
Hb
‘I must be living in a parallel universe where βbig transfer fundsβ means being able to afford β¦. freebies; and βtop, top quality playersβ mean β¦ oh yeah, freebies too’.
I’m in that world too.
Morning all,
Glad to see we’re in for Ozil but worried trying to compete with Man U for him. Hopefully Ozil always wanted to play under Wenger.
Brad, did you watch the game on Sat, Did you get to see TA on the panel with Townsend…? Mate of mine in SA said TA was very constructive in his criticism of the way we set up and kept going on about the full backs always being far to forward and leaving both centre backs exposed…!
Hi Wood, I was just being sarcastic in a way and also the fact that we funs claim Arsenal is going nowhere but the world sees us differently.
A few days ago Brenda said his club with their heritage will not settle for 2nd best… he then when on to say top 4th is the aim for them… All I know is it is not good enough but not as bad as we make it out to be.
Brad, I believe Ozil turned us down before he joined RM for financial reasons.
Arsenal XI v FenerbahΓ§e, Nov 2008, 0-0: FabiaΕski; TourΓ© Djourou Silvestre Clichy; Denilson Ramsey; Bendtner Fabregas Nasri; van Persie #afc
http://arseblog.com/2013/08/on-kroenke-by-an-american-arsenal-fan/
Interesting article from an American perspective of what we can expect from Kroenke , basically more of the same until he decides to start taking money out to match his NFL investment.
Hey Wath, I missed the game on Saturday. Had a business meeting scheduled for lunch time. Clearly they don’t watch football. Only caught glimpses on the tv at the restaurant.
My take on that is that the line has too be too deep to accommodate Mert. Our attack still needs the full backs involved but makes it too much ground to cover
Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – The language tutors for the scholars and other Academy players must be excellent as Snr. Bellerin speaks like an old Etonian. I hope their football coaches are up to the same standard.
Ronaldo will need a pre-tax salary of 600k a week to better even Messi’s salry due to the 52% tax burden in spain.
Saying that most footballers have business and employees so they pay corporate tax not individual higher earner tax so in a way they are all greedy badgers who we choose to worship.
Morning Cg, If I am not wrong either Toral or Bellerin are part English…
Toral is Ginge.
I mean, Toral is, Ginge……
Trying to post from laptop now,
Toral has an English mother Ginge. She preferred a spanish Don Juan to give her a child, but then had second thoughts and separated. Toral can play for England and Spain.
Ts, its all very well having lots of money and doing securing wonderful sponsorship deals, but until our tight manager spends some of it, it’s mean very little…
Just like having over Β£100 million in the bank right now!
Morning Cg.
W.A.T.H – I think TA is struggling to be relevant and thinks being controversial like Ian Wright will raise his profile. All he has shown is that he is enamoured with his own voice, just like Ian Wright.
Unfortunately they both specialize in quantity of verbiage, NOT quality. Both were great players, but are shite as pundits. I think TA has a grudge against Arsene.
When did NUFC become our rivals? pfff π‘
French sports daily LβEquipe are today reporting that Newcastle will do everything they can to sell midfielder Yohan Cabaye to a foreign club in order to avoid selling him to a Premier League rival.
Scott – “Toral is Ginge” – that might explain a few things.
It worked potter
@th14Renato Greek football team bring on Pires after spotting him in the stands! http://theworldofsport.tumblr.com/post/59401754705/greek-football-team-spot-robert-pires-in-the β¦
CG, it explains a lot π
Wath, I saw some of that, TA was very very good…
evening all – or good morning or good afternoon or whatever π
Cg, I actually quite like what both have to say, speak a lot of sense imho…
Wrighty can have an odd off day but in the main, I think he gets its spot on..
potter – 11.08, I just wish the american would depart, and take a few with him…
the press have us spending 300m plus! Some kind of window this will be then ha!
Morning here Oz…. π
Probably a typo Oz – take of one of the ‘0’, and that’s if we’re lucky π
Kondogbia is set to sign for Monaco. RMC believe the principality club have met the midfielder’s β¬20m release clause.
According to France Football, Newcastle have just rejected another 23 million euro bid from Arsenal for Yohan Cabaye.
Good read.rumours are rife that we are after ozil di maria and benzema…to be honest despite what the likes of jeremy wilson of the telegraph and john cross say that we want all of them i seriously doubt that.i think the only player we want from that bunch is di maria.
Rico – Each to his/her own re pundits, but neither have inpressed me with any blinding insight. TA’s opinions often seem to have an undertone of bitterness.
Has any one seen Jovetic play for Man.city since the season started? Last game at Cardiff,he wasn’t on the bench. I thought he was so good
Morning Rico. The tension is ratcheting up hour by hour until the window closes. If there ever was a plan, the magnificence of its conception and implementation must be hard to explain to brainwashed fans.
23 million euro , rejected ? Then walk away .Let them keep a player that doesn’t want to be there and go back in January.
https://twitter.com/GFN_France/status/372308122099933184
https://twitter.com/GFN_France/status/372309077231026176
KT – I could see us being interested in any or all three, but I can’t see UnReal selling all three in one window, unless our offer was a great one. The chances of that are very very slim (probably non-existent). It looks as if Di Maria is the most likely acquisition.
Thanks Kt – so we get the diver π
Cg, for sure π
I know what you mean about TA being bitter, but I think he is and I can kind of understand why really..
Adam you old rascal, you have finally decided to have a break from work, hoorah. I have missed your voice of reason…
Especially the cooking one… π
Xrs, I haven’t…
SYG, so much for Kinnear telling us Β£20 million would get him then…
Xris- Stefan is injured again without even kicking a ball in anger. One reason again AW was right not to go for him at that price…
Morning Mr Syg…
I was released from prison earlier this morning Rico after I served a few weeks for crimes against the English language and being brainwashed in a public place. Less of the “old” too if you please. π
If that bid doesn’t get him , leave them with a disenchanted player and go back if required in january after the Pardew/ Kinnear/ Ashley soap opera has taken a few more twists and turns.
The good news is Adem Ljajic was not in La Viola’s squad last night… with the swampies after Lamela I hope AW is listening to his best unpaid scout (me) . π
CG Am still not believing madrid would even consider selling Oezil.imho he is the best no.10 in the world.that guy is an assist machine every time he plays.thats the reason why Ronaldo scores so many goals.also Benz is their only established striker and i find it hard to believe they’ll want to get rid of him considering he is one of Perez’ favourites in the squad…
however madrid have done this before with Robben and Sneijder.no matter how happy you are there if perez wants you gone you’ll be gone sooner rather than later.
Where are my Brudders Lee and Kev?
Neither visited during my incarceration.
TBH I do not care what people like TA, Wright, Merson, Robson etc have to say about AFC. They all have something to grind with AW and the club.
The reason they are given a voice is because AFC have won nought in the last eight years and at the moment they are vulnerable because they have come out of a very testing period. And people like them jump on to the bandwagon quickly to bash AW and the club. That is why they are given a voice.
Have you ever heard Pires being asked to give an opinion? Or Bergkamp? Or Lyungberg? Or Petit? Or Overmars. No they have not. Because they will not say anything which is intended to harm the club. So newspaper value goes down. Nothing to bash the club about.
Do I care about their opinion?
Of course not. I do not even read them. And when the commentary of a game says its Robson doing it I put off the volume and see the game without any sound. Or switch to another site.
Do I care about the opinion of common supporters who have nothing to grind against AW or the club? Or sour grapes. Of course I do care. The opinion of Rico, Kev,WATH, Ginge, Scott and all the housers on this blog count a far lot more imo.
At least they are all honest and straight from the heart.
π Adam. Don’t lose the tag…
Two huge home games coming up, tonight and Sunday. AW must be hoping and praying we win both, especially Sunday’s..
Adam is here??
ADAM IS HERE???
Adaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!
Where the hell have you been you miserable old……….!!!! (think of the adjectives and expletives yourself. you are intelligent after all)
Welcome back habib.
Good to see my intellectual twin again.
Off to blow my nose.
I did visit you during your incarceration mate.
If you consider an email to be a visit that is!!!!
potter – or just go and get someone else, Β£20 million might just get Fellaini, I’m sure Martinez would rather sell to us than Moyes…
Ginge @ 11:08 am
Arsenal XI v FenerbahΓ§e, Nov 2008, 0-0: FabiaΕski; TourΓ© Djourou Silvestre Clichy; Denilson Ramsey; Bendtner Fabregas Nasri; van Persie
.. and that is exactly what I mean re: World Class players carrying the shite …. Fabregas Nasri; van Persie
…. now we have no world class but carry no shite …. we are the fckng inbetweeners at present …
..Good, but not good enough to challenge on all fronts …
Get the Three Amigos, Begovic and Toby the Belgian and we can possibly correct that
That’s not difficult Ts, the rest are s***e.. π
They use youtube whereas you use stats….
Whatever happened to real life viewing… π
Afternoon Ginge …
Hi Devil. Thank you. Nice to be back mate. No transfer movement since I was sentenced though. The fans tonight will be absolutely enthralled by that I am sure.
Potter – I have a feeling we may go back in for one or two targets in the January window, Cabaye may well be one of them.
I also want to comment on last night’s game.despite mourinho having Hazard/schurrle/oscar/de bruyne chelsea could not play any sort of attacking football.they looked like strangers out there.When some fans look at our squad of midfielders in comparison to theirs they tend to underestimate what we have.for example Hazard is immensely talented but to be honest right now i’d rather have theo who is more decisive than him although less flashy.
also do not underestimate the value of team chemistry.a year ago we couldn’t have dispatched fulham so emphatically.however right now the players understand each other’s movements very well that we were able to play one touch football with ease to enable us to counter attack them.believe it or not even without signings the squad has improved so much on that front.
thats not to say we shouldn’t buy;but we should buy the right players that can offer what we do not possess.thats whay i want di maria so much.
Camacho has not featured for Malaga yet. I like Cabaye’s engine, experience and all round game including free-kick taking but Camacho will equally do imho… will the 20M euros prise him away or does he have one of those ridiculous release clauses?
Spot on KTr7.
I am with you all the way. Good points from you.
But we do need numbers at the moment. If that is topped up by two/three quality signings then the present team can go places.
https://twitter.com/GFN_France/status/372316780011995136
Where was the team chemistry against Aston Villa?
Excellent point Kt- we could not disseminate Fulham 2 seasons ago with Song and Judas playing.
They had a weaker team then too but… according to the media when we win it is not due to our performance but how poorly the opposition has played.
3 seasons ago we beat BVB when they had Sahin and Kagawa and they even won their league with that squad.
When they beat Man $hitty with a relatively new squad, it was due to $hitty playing badly…
What did you get brudder Adam 8yrs? π
Brudder Lee! No, only 8 weeks, reduced to three for good behaviour and because I agreed to do the cooking. Still, it gave me time to do some reading.
KT – I have seen arguments and articles both pro and con regarding Di Maria and Ozil. Both seem to have expressed opinions that they were not impressed with Ancelotti’s appointment. Ozil was angry at being subbed off recently;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2402313/Manchester-United-target-Mesut-Ozil-storms-tunnel-Real-Madrids-1-0-win-Granada.html
The clincher for me is that UnReal have a habit/history of balancing the books after a ‘galactico’ signing by selling some of their current first team players. I hope that is the case this transfer window. I’d be pleased with any or all of them, especially Ozil and Di Maria. We could then push Podolski central where he likes to play.
There wasn’t any Adam.. I blame the ref myself.
I thought you were cell mates Lee? π
you have to wonder why we have spent all summer targeting the impossible signings – uumm I mean Ozil is 38m they say – Wenger seriously spending 38m on two players let alone one is, hard to imagine
Round ball?
Brain cell…..
My only concern re the Real Madrid players is will their club sell to us ‘sensibly’ or will they behave in the same way they did over Higuain..
If they start faffing around with valuations, Wenger will no doubt simply walk away….
Oz. The press have brainwashed you to believe that. π
Adam – Had we known you were bunged up doing porridgs, I’m sure more of us would have been in contact. Welcome back.
Exactly Oz, but I’m really hoping AW has bugger all to do with transfer things from now until 2 Sept, other than naming players…
No round balls and no brain cells either Lee. Just four walls and a bucket.
Thanks CG.
NN have a heading suggesting that Bayern are readying a bid for Jack Wilshere….
Ozil, Benzema and a utility Defender who can play CB and FB and I would be happy with what we have bought ideally would like one more player a more defensive midfielder but from where we are now (very good first team but no depth) it would be a big step forward.
To take SYG point we would have no deadwood around and good players in some case very very good players in the squad. I think then we could challenge for one or two competitions but not all four as we would still lack depth and quality in comparison to the other contenders.
I’d have sent him some milk Cg…
Good post rico
Everyday we leave in hope. Not too long now. Can’t wait for the window to shut.
Real Madrid will be crazy to allow Di Maria leave after putting in a stunning performance v Granada last night. He was the MOTM. I doubt if we will sign a striker in this window as their are no top top top top top top special special special striker available π
KT – It seemed as if Chelski were playing for a stalemate. Maureen Yo would rather have that than risk a loss. More negative football from the Special Needs One.
Totally agree regarding our team’s chemistry at the moment. That inate understanding between players was obvious during the Fulham game with the fluid play amongst our players, especially considering the sodden field they were playing on.
Cool hand Adam?
ts/devil wenger knows we need numbers.however he will not want to buy just for the sake of it.he will not want to disrupt team chemistry especially in midfield or else we’ll end up with aimless tiki taka since the players do not understand themselves as well.this brings me to Oezil.
Oezil is without a doubt a more productive no.10 than any player we have.however, what he does provide is what santi provides and to a lesser extent rosicky.if we are to persist with a fluid midfield i’d rather us play with santi/rosicky since they already know the league and understand their teammates just as well.this factor helped us pass the ball with such intensity and accuracy.bringing in oezil imho will disrupt that which has taken over a year to build.thats why i doubt we are in for him despite his immense talent.
di maria on the other hand is a speed dribbler with vision for a final pass better than all our midfielders bar santi.he would instantly improve us by giving us something we lack.he would contribute more to us than Oezil would as crazy as that sounds.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/karim-benzema-arsenal-john-cross-2228519
Lee – Would Rico supply the eggs for the Cool Hand Adam’s hard-boiled egg eating contest?
The ref v av was shocking, it’s true, but I reckon the team turned up and expected av to just roll over, the arse thought they could just carry on as they had last season and pre-season and a win was inevitable. However, they overlooked that part of the script that some effort had to be made in order to overcome the villains and they had not reckoned with a dodgy referee who penalised them and not the opposition. They were done on two fronts, bias and inertia. But it was a timely reminder of what they should/must do if they are to win games and more. Put in the hard yards. Thos is what got them through the last two games so successfully as well as playing some very attractive one touch football, it was like watching the ‘old’ Arsenal.
Long may it continue and flourish, with or without new top, special footballers added to the squad!
Thanks emma – Totts think the Hulk is one, apparently they are after him…
You being rude Lee π
Have to agree there Wavy, even more so after we scored early.
Short sharp reality check which shouldn’t have been needed, but, better it happened when it did than in a few months time…
Has to be with, without, I really don’t see us coping for the entire season…
https://twitter.com/wayneveysey/status/372326547958403072
haha hello Adam mate, how goes it? All good?
Not bad Oz, thanks. Yourself?
Dunno if any of you saw the madrid drab 1-0 win but that Di Maria guy in fairness was outstanding
I see that wenger wants to go back to Newcastle with 13m bid.
Regarding Chelsea they are all strangers. Hazard was on the right, now left, Oscar was left wing, now he is free to roam, Lampard was too old last season for Bineitez, Scuurle and De Bruine are new to the team. So only the defence is some what familiar.
yeah ok Adam – up’s and downs mate you know the story
I remember last year SAF said that Wenger was building a team better than everyone thinks.Mourinho said this was his favourite wenger side after the invincibles.at the time i thought those two were mugging us off with those comments.a year on i can see what they meant.with the right purchases we’ll be very very good and i can even guarantee us reaching the CL quarters.the likes of ramsey cost Β£5 mil but when we compare ourselves with say chelsea some fans will say they’d rather have ramieres because he cost more.last night ramsey would’ve done better in that chelsea midfield than ramieres and dare i say it lampard.
Soon the team chemistry will reach a telepathic level and i can guarantee when we play any of the top 3 then they will not dare open attacking football against us because we’ll beat any of them in such a match easily.we are a few players away from a genuine title challenge and i hope wenger does what is necessary to facilitate that.
Me rude Rico……..never!
boring game bradster, although Rooney put in a great shift
https://twitter.com/wayneveysey/status/372327570093506560
Totally agree Oz, I nodded off in parts and yeah Rooney worked his socks off and stil so strong. Doesn’t lose the ball in the tackle.
Hope that’s not the same people who told Arsenal their was a Β£40 million clause in Suarez contract..
Silly me Lee, of course not π
Brad, I thought similar, they certainly didn’t look like a side that had trained together all summer – quite boring I thought..
Man utd weren’t much either, Rooney was the exception imho..
From what Jose has said, it would seem that Rooney or his agents approached Chelsea about a deal for him… Now Rooney has confirmed that he won’t force a move to Chelsea…
international press:
Mata – totts?
Ozil – United?
Di Maria – Olimpiakos?
Cabaye -PSG ?
Hulk – Totts ?
KT. But surely, the same chemistry that you claim is coursing through the Arsenal team will soon be evident in other teams too. I repeat the question I posed after your earlier claim. Where was the chemistry when we played Villa? Or is it a moveable feast?
I am off to bed…..the boss lady woke me up from a rather pleasant kip on the lounge π
See you all for kick off, and it’s great to have you back Adam.
Night all.
I found it rather ironical that in a match so lacking in creativity the 2 most creative players in mata/kagawa for both sides were sat for 90 minutes on the bench.I sometimes feel sorry for kagawa because if he was ours by now he would’ve been already been one of the best players in the league.the MUFC team structure doesn’t allow such players to flourish.i wish he had stayed at dortmund because they may have won the CL last year with him in the side.
Lol.Bobby pires played for a Greek team recently.
Night Scott…
Similar going around here JM, but we have to be for one/two of them surely..
Eto’o to Chelsea now it seems
later Scott… don’t miss the match…
Villa was a combination of poor refereeing, inability to handle their physicality, change in tactic regarding Rosicky and wilshere’s roles and under estimation of the quality of Villa. The early goal compounded our complacency
KT – I can understand your concern about introducing new players, like Ozil, into our midfield disrupting the chemistry. However, Ozil is an intelligent player and I think he would integrate into our system/team very quickly.
Good Night Scott. Catch you after the Fenebache game.
Same could be suggested about Hazard Kt, he’d have fitted in nicely with us. Mind you, I always thought Arshavin would but AW turned him into a disaster.
I am wit you Brad above, re Villa game.
What ensued is that AW gave specific assignments to TR07 and AR16 roles that negate one or 2 deficiencies in the defensively play of the midfield.
Ozil storming off..
https://twitter.com/samuelj29060
Well, I was at the Villa match and for sure the ref was bad but we were rubbish after the first goal. Anyone who watches Arsenal could have written the script for that one. Villa had no real quality other than boot the ball to Benteke, but they were very, very physical. We couldn’t take it and gave away two stupid penalties. One can suppose many tactical influences but, if you don’t compete, you will get turned over. Have seen it many, many times under Wenger and I expect to see it a lot more this year.
Interesting view on the Real Madrid rumours
http://goonerinbarca.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/arsenal-have-gone-real-mad-rid/
https://twitter.com/lee_ryder/status/372332678676484096
Adam against villa the team balance was all wrong in that match.even wenger admitted to this after the match.he has since rectified it since that match.also having refereeing decisions go against us did not help.also don’t forget before villa were awarded that penalty we were fantastic in our play.
Sure the other teams will develop chemistry.however in terms of how wenger likes us to play team chemistry is paramount over anything else.if there are so many new players we end up playing that boring tiki taka.teams such as chelsea are more rigidly structured in their play with players tasked with specific roles.so even when a new player comes in not much changes.
Wenger prefers a fluid set up whereby players can freely move and interchange positions.for this to work team chemistry is paramount or else it goes horribly wrong.for us team chemistry is even more important than the personell involved as crazy as that sounds.
Sometimes I just feel we will end up signing no one π
Hi Emma, who is Lee ryder btw? He gets all the scoops on NUFC…
Cabaye= Wiltord=Flamini=Nasri (Marseille days)
I know cabaye is from Lille… and Sylvain was from Bordeaux; just so I don’t get hounded.lol
Tactical errors or just the lack or players to counteract a physically strong side?
I’d say they go hand in hand, AW can only play what he has and none of our players are really that strong. They get bullied off the ball all too easily.
Just why someone like Fellaini in the side would make such a huge difference, he has presence about him..
Can we say that about any of ours at the moment?
No is my answer…
Just why I am against us signing a 5′ 8″ midfielder called Cabaye…
so its taken Wenger 8 years plus to find a midfield with chemistry ktr7?
Don’t know why my post is not appearing rico?
Pardew wants world class money for Cabaye..
The boy left a newly elected Ligue 1 champions team for a newly promoted side, and that is the thanks he gets…
Last January Rednose placed a bid for Cabaye and they promised him he can leave in the summer but now, a bid almost 3 times what we paid for them is not enough…
I keep posting but it’s not appearing rico
Oz, I don’t think he has, for me it still lacks balance. Needs a beast in there…
I know Ramsey is getting better, but for a tall guy, he gets pushed off the ball quite easily, as does Santi sometimes, but he has the fancy footwork to get out of trouble…
The midfield of Hleb, Cesc, Flamini, TR07 was not bad either imho…
BM with almost the same team bar Martinez finished 2nd 2 times behind BVB…
That shows you that team chemistry and cohesion matters more than most when it comes to team performance.
Even the infantry and special forces around the world train daily with the same team so that the teams effectiveness becomes 2nd nature…
So will say it is Aw’s fault for selling players every year but surely we all know that is a low blow…??
The way we used to counter more physical sides was to push ball, quick passing and good control in tight spaces. We made those bullies tired chasing shadows. we’re way to slow in our play now days.
to add to my point thats why barca prefer having their homegrown players over expensive signings.they like playing with fluidity and team chemistry is very important to allow this.its one of the reasons why barca played better football with bojan up front rather than ibra.
also having team chemistry doesn’t guarantee you’ll never lose.Bayern whacked that Barca side 7 nil so such games always happen.
CG/Rico am not saying Oezil is not welcome.am taking this from Wenger’s point of view.i reiterate that Oezil is the best #10 in the world.however santi is bloody good too.what we need more is a new dimension in attack that we do not possess.di maria has a skillset we do not possess already.i love oezil and i’d welcome him with open arms but i cannot see him coming at all for this reason.di maria is more likely.i also seriously doubt madrid will let both di maria and oezil go.
Hazard is immensely talented rico.i’d love him here but right now theo has more impact on the pitch than him.as it stands i’d rather theo.
https://twitter.com/BelgoFoot/status/372302405775654912
I keep posting but it’s not appearing rico π
Makele was under 5’6 but had the brains and composure of a 6’7 player i.e the imaginary best.
Man U have not had a DM since Nicky Butt left. Owen Hargreaves was meant to be the solution but he played 27 times in 4 years at Yanited after commanding a 18M pound transfer fee from Bavaria…
Fletcher stepped in and did what AR16 and TR07 did over the weekend. i.e work as hard as they get paid… π
Not a low blow at all, each season we have lost our better players, that’s fact, no more, no less…
Have to agree again Bradster, said similar the other day, get back to the one two passing game, unless you are Santi who can simply do all that to himself as his feet are so tricky… π
I got this weired feeling we will sign no one ;(
I dont see us paying what NUFC are asking for but rather arsene will sign Flamoney
Some reminiscing time…
Not being funny though Ts, what has the way others play got to do with what’s going on at our club?
You so often refer to ‘some fans’ so I will do the same here, ‘most’ fans truly believe that a big strong guy in the centre of our midfield will make us stronger.
Diaby was meant to be that man, he’s never fit so instead of waiting for him to get off of the physio table, why does Wenger just not simply replace him like for like..
Neglect imho…
Out now emma, I really don’t know why this keeps happening. Yours and potters keep going into spam… sorry, will try to check it more often…
If that does happen emma and we don’t sign anyone, Wenger can kiss his Arsenal career goodbye….
KT – I concur, but the striker seems to be the hardest position to fill with a quality player at the moment. That could change tomorrow depending on what UnReal do regards Bale and possibly Suarez.
I’d rather both Theo and Hazard Kt π
I agree with that – we lack height.
I’m not too worried about general play, but defending and attacking set pieces. We have too many who are small or not naturally aggressive, so it would be good to see someone with these attributes added.
It’s not to stop playing ‘the beautiful game’ but to add a diffferent dimension.
Against some teams we can play like we did against Fulham, but against others we will get punished for not having the height and aggression – could have done with some against Stoke a few times eh!
I’m off to bed. I don’t want to nod off during the second leg with Fenerbache. Catch you after the game if anyone is still in the House.
Keep the Faith!
For that to happen rico we need that team chemistry.when players have telepathic umderstanding they can form little partnerships all over the pitch to allow this to happen;case in point pires/henry/cole triumvate for the invincibles.once this happens we can play that sort of football without a doubt.even when we meet stronger wides we can just out wit them with quick and direct passing with lots of movements.
also team chemistry aids in masking a player’s weaknesses since his teammates will always be there to mask any.for example when hleb played for us barca were convinced he was the next laudrup.when they took him they realised that was not the case.in such a set up the sum of the whole is greater than sum of parts.
Night Cg,
I agree we ned height in the squad but height alone does nothing imho…
$hitty concede from set-pieces nearly as much as we do. This weekend was an example.. .In all walks of life one can’t duel on ones weakness(es) or let it affect the whole strategy imho…
Exactly why I don’t want us to sign Cabaye Woody. Totally agree with the rest of your comment too..
Night Cg..
I agree Rico, I was campaigning for Kondogbia, really reminds me of Diaby himself and young enough to learn our style.
Rico, you do not have to make an excuse. You justy have to say what you mean and mean what you say.
You are entitled to believe and promote your agenda that AW has ruined ‘your’ club by electing to sell players yearly within the last 6 to 8 years instead of spending money when needed…
some may believe and share similar views whilst others won’t. It’s part and parcel of the democratic part of the world we are privileged to be living in; but at least if one is going to promote such views let it be factually correct. π
How can one consider in one sentence that Yanited do not consider AFC as rivals but then say that with Wooney in the squad we will begin winning again…
How do they also know for certain that Yanited will sell to AFC when Moyes and sky have said periodically that he can only leave for a foriegn club… hmmm
Again Ts, it matters not what others do and no, I am not being pedantic.
Why do ‘some’ compare us to others, we should be talking about how to better ourselves rather than use other clubs weaknesses to justify or defend our own downfalls..
Woody/rico thats exactly the new dimension am talking about.when diaby plays our midfield works just so much better.i love oezil;he is better than any #10 we have but santi is bloody brilliant too.i’d rather we spent on a physically commanding midfielder than say oezil or cabaye since they have a skillset we lack.so does di maria.
Ts – I just did, I always do…
Factually correct, well actually, mine is – I know where it comes from and it’s not Wikki or any other website…
Of course SK has a part to play, he let’s the manager get on with it…
Exactly Kt, tbh, I can’t see us getting Ozil either… He could very well end up with Moyes..
Di Maria
Fellaini
Rooney/Suarez or another good striker
TA
I’d be pretty happy..
Begovic would be the icing on the cake…
‘Not being funny though Ts, what has the way others play got to do with whatβs going on at our club?’
Rico, you love making that same excuse about not caring what others do… with all due respect you and I know that is a big cop out.
We compete with other teams nationally and Europe-wide… so of course what others do is as important as what we do…
So unless we are playing FiFA 13 or monopoly where a million people can own a ‘Messi’ in their teams we have to consider what others are doing…
Is that not the comparison people make to form the conclusion AFC lack ambition? Is the club not doing what they want to do instead of looking at what others are doing?
If all teams were as we were in 2001 or 2003 we won’t be pouring our frustrating daily would we?
I don’t get what all this personal snipes are coming from? You claim it is ok to disagree but I guess not with you or your views?
You know where it comes from? So you are claiming to be itk…
Anyway, enjoy the rest of the afternoon with like-minded people…
later
I think Botox-man would rather sell to us than to Maureenho…they believe the chavs are their direct competition, sad but true imho!
Let’s hope that Wenger really sorts things out this year as he has been making the same mistakes fo too long now. Giving the club and the fans a deep, competitive squad of quality players is the opportunity that now presents itself. If he doesn’t take it he will be daft.
That FIFA 2013 has got a lot to answer for.
Rico , might things change if I used a different E-mail address?
And you enjoy your afternoon with yours Ts….
Never played it Adam, in fact I only learned what it was from on here…
It’s certainly worth a try potter, it appears to be mainly you and emma who go into spam…
Adam, he would be very daft, but then I thought he’d be daft not to make his signings much earlier…
My worry is if we sign a player like Di Maria for example he will wind up the same as Reyes when he is kicked out of the game, something which does not happen to players at Utd and Chelsea. It seems that teams have impunity to foul our players so in a way i agree with Rico we need a more physical player in the midfield but i am not sure that Felliani is the answer though he might be the best remaining option and would be a better option than Cabaye.
Neither have I Rico, but I believed it spawned a new breed of being.
Soccerus Armchairicii Managerius.
Don’t worry about Di Maria. He already spends more time on the deck than Captain Birdseye.
Is it a board game?
V10, we all have our own favs who we believe could make us stronger, just because I like Fellaini, doesn’t mean I am right, but like you, I don’t see Cabaye giving us more than a fit Arteta or Ramsey does.
Unless of course, Arteta’s injury is worse than reported…
I’d be happy with a really fit Diaby, but that just isn’t going happen imho…
I actually think CM started the whole arm chair manager thing. I played that since I was 10.
Cabaye has a very decent free-kick Rico. As the hours pass we might begin to think that he is better than buying nobody which is probably Wenger’s first option.
Adam 1.23, community service is a real bitch !
I quite like Cabaye, he’ll make a good pivot with Ramsey and allow Ramsey the freedom to be creative. You may even see Wilshere come back to 2011 form if Cabaye plays a similar role to Song back then. He is however no where near more than 15m at a push.
I thought it was a television game Adam?
What is CM bradster?
If we sign him, then all well and good, I hope he proves that I am utterly wrong and others have been right all along. I’m not afraid to eat humble pie..
That’s my fear Adam, as the 2nd approaches, a few could seem like good deals, Santos sounded a good one when we got him. Look what a disaster that was… And Park…
A simulator computer game called Championship Manager.
Micko. Too true.
Rico. I think it is a riveting computer game where grown men sit, with one hand down their trousers, buying and selling players onscreen and playing virtual games of football while their Mum’s scream ” Get off that computer, your tea’s ready” from downstairs.
Other than the grown man part, pretty much spot on Adam. π
Jeremy Wilson @ JWTelegraph 8m
Arsenal transfer focus is midfield/attack.
Wenger happy defensively with Sagna as c
back option and Flamini extra cover at r-
back
am starting to think a GK isn’t a priority anymore too after listening to wenger’s comments on szczesny.if we get one it will be very late in the window.
Ah, I have heard of that Bradster π
That is disgusting Adam, just the thought π
Cesc is really sticking the boot in on twitter…
I hope Wilson is not ‘in the know’ then Kt…
Newcastle want Β£20 million Bradster, crazy imho..
In what way Kt?
Men are disgusting Rico which is why I want nothing further to do with them.
back again – I agree Cabaye at 20m is desperation plus
ktr7- what the window has done is prove Wenger IMO, hasn’t a glue what is needed again. I know what I want to do was his comment, so take us to desperation time, paying over the odds, not getting a single first string target, was his plan all along?
Cheers all,
Perhaps catch you all at/after the game.
Oz, especially if you could buy Fellaini for another few millionΒ£. It’s all so stupid that trying to apportion value for money makes little sense though.
Oz. I tend to agree. I imagine the plan was to have no plan otherwise why leave it so late?
Gazidis and the board had a plan but Arsene, with Stan’s support, had other ideas. Surely Wenger must have known what and who was needed last Christmas?
I actually enjoy watching him go arse up, although it pains me that we as a team have to suffer. Again this summer has been filled with rubbish from day one and he’s now blaming other teams for not moving fast enough. No one’s moving?? Has he watched City and Spuds lately? He says some crazy shit this dude. Talk about Humble pie, Flam kicked him fair in the knackers and as his window disappears up his own ass, his options might leave him no choice but to suck it up and take him back. Those are the facts in my opinion Adam.
Fellaini for me all day long…..
Me too Lee a presence sorely needed in the heart of midfield
I was so convinced the deal was going to go through I’d purchased 4 Fellaini syrups for the next HHCC!
I may purchase another and we can get Rico up for a Jackson 5 tribute act…. π
π Adam
An expensive one too oz..
Later Bradster..
Me too Lee, me too. He ticks every box..
The thought of Kev moonwalking whilst holding a brace tandoori lamb chops has had me in stitches……
I can see Rico Moonwalking into the restaurant Lee. π
that would be a ‘thriller’ Adam
Sporting a white glitter encrusted glove?
Great minds brudder Lee.
Oz. it certainly seems an ill-thought out campaign doesn’t it? Leave it this late and you have to be on your toes to get things done. But, if you don’t then the excuses are to hand.
Still, a few days to go before the lid comes off at the Emirates and tens of thousands of brainwashed zombies start the inevitable chants and that bloke gets interviewed on camera again.
Personally I would rather they interviewed Lee for his considered views.
Clutching a bottle of Prosecco?
Dunno about you and there hasn’t been much said about the ‘brain washed’ comments from the great one – egotistical git, pissed me off big time I tell ya.
Oi, ‘beat it’ π
Rico. Excellent. π
Not me Adam, no alcohol for me these days, I’m on a diet…
Is it only me who heard/read AW say that he has a lot more money to spend this summer?
Lamela very close to sign for Totts
Kondogbia (Sevilha) very close to sign for Monaco
So, two more out of our radar
Does any day of the week have a “Y” in it??
Rico. But not as much as the papers say. He was quick to point that out.
I’ll be there though, October hopefully π
I mean seriously for a minute – you start the window yelling you can compete with anyone due to all the years of wonderful planning. Your targets are clear and admitted to in many cases, you loose one by one on complaint they are over priced, yet others are happy to pay, so how is it they are overpriced? Surely a man of Wenger incredible intelligence understands his valuations mean nothing in a supply and demand market? Although as each season peters out to nothing it does appear the lesson learned early in life of getting what one pays for, never quite sunk in with the professor.
The Arsenal Christmas party is apparently Disney themed this year, it’ll be interesting if Cabaye signs. I can see Arsene as a good Snow White!
What’s happening in October Rico?
Well said Oz!
They are getting stronger JM
Yes Lee…
But depends on which paper he was reading Adam..
Unless there is a HHCC get together Adam, nothing π
HHFC… Highbury House Falafel Club?
and another thing – we go on about honour – is this the same guy that backdoors an offer into Liverpool through illegal agent discussions and slaps a bid on a key player, hours before a big game? The same player then refusing to play any more for his club. Do you remember Wenger declaring he would not sign De Boar for doing exactly that to his club?
Maybe it should be the HHLC π
I’m going to cause a wave of uproar here and claim that people are brainwashed to a degree.
I’m not saying I agree with what Wenger has done this Summer, but I don’t think it’s as black and white the media make out.
They go on about it like it is CM. We hear people saying, just go buy him for Β£60m! Yeah right…
Just imagine that we’ve gone for players and they’ve said they will come if we get CL football.
So would you prefer people coming in after this CL game who are proper good players, or just decent players coming in on July 1st?
For me I’m in for the long haul every time!
Now I may just be too hopeful, but if the top players really want CL football then we have to prove that we can provide it first.
Maybe I’m giving Wenger too much credit, but I know for sure that the press definitely make things a lot worse for our outlook.
For me, the constant grinding of the media has got me down over the last few years and we have idiots like Durham on TS doing his Daily Arsenal and all that rubbish.
All the media rubbish gives everyone a stick to beat us with and that is what riles a lot of Arsenal fans, which in turns cranks the pressure up.
Let me make one thing clear tho – I am not happy with the Summer, but I can stand back and have a bit of perspective
To be fair to AW Oz, I think it was Suarez agents who approached Arsenal, fed him a few fibs about the clause in his contract so it seems..
Re The Cabaye offer, can’t really blame him on timing of that either really, other clubs have done it to us.
My gripe is leaving it so late and he’s only excuse can be tonights result. If we go through to the CL proper and we then sign 3/4 top players who we know would only want to play CL football, I’ll forgive him..
However, I’m quietly confident, that won’t happen…
The pressure this year like so many others Woody is 100% self inflicted. They come out with the lip as did so many of them last year and fall in a huge hole, of course the press will rip them a new arsehole, that’s what they are paid for.
Yeah it wasn’t his fault re Suarez, but if he buys Cabaye it will be his fault.
I just cannot see why we need him. For someone who finds it hard to spend money the Cabaye thing really confuses the hell out of me.
I can’t work out why we need him. It’s confusing me as surely he would only play in one of the midfield 3 and we have plenty that do what he does in there already.
Oz. All you say is true. But let me float a rather far-fetched hypothesis past you. Within the club there are two factions. One wants to spend as they can clearly see that the fans, who are paying absolute top dollar, are pissed off. They see the renewing of season tickets is down and that long-term fans are eroding. The other faction is a very bright and excellent manager who sees the world differently. He has a hatred of the sugar daddy clubs and is a devoted admirer of the Corinthian spirit. He wants to win and is well equipped to do so, but he wants to do it his way.
Those that want to spend think that is the way forward, the opposing faction don’t so they indulge in sending messages to each other through the press and a lot of in fighting has the club in turmoil.
Is there any credibility to this notion?
Woody – I’m not sure too many fans really take a lot of notice of what is written in the papers any more, I know I take what they write with a huge pinch of salt.
I like a few journalists, John Cross is one, but I know many don’t like him..
They all have an agenda, just as most pundits do..
But my view is, if they truly knew what they were talking about, surely they would be a football manager, especially idiots like Hanson, Linekar etc etc…
So what is Cesc tweeting on twitter, the twat? Is he slagging us off again or what?
Or
Doesn’t he like his new Bayswater studio flat?
I never said we had not had it done to us, I remember occasions where many on here ripped the guts out of players and opposing managers for doing exactly that. What I am saying is this ‘we do things with honour’ is not a feeling shared by everyone. All the money we pay to these nobs and not one could check a contract before having it rammed up their shirt, which is exactly what happened to Wenger and his team, after their ill fated coup. Liverpool ‘unlike Wenger’ said you are not having him… true to their word unlike some, so many times before.
As it does me Woody, if we pay Β£20 million for him when Capoue was just Β£8 million (ish) it just seems so so crazy..
AW has spun the ‘lack of funds’ tale for a long time now, and I am sure when we first moved, funds were tight. But now we are well off, why we are trying to sign another midget I just dont know.
During AW most successful time, his sides had big players in all the right places…
Adam – I had not looked at that notion. To me I lump them altogether. Wenger, Gaz, Lee and the true Arsenal fan in America. I would not say its impossible though. What i would say is we have stood still for 8 years, how much longer does it continue mate?
In cricket, to judge a batting side’s position, they say add 2 wickets and see where they are. In football, I say, add two major, long term injuries. If tonight we lose, let’s say Kos and Giroud, where will we be for the next games? For the 4th or 5th richest club in the world, with PL and CL pretentious, how many central strikers do we have?
This is without fitting square pegs into round holes.
π I do exactly the same thing Adam, funnily enough, you brain washed moron you
you know what pisses me off the most? – I let all this crap get to me, I really need a life π
If there are factions or if there are no factions, If AW dictates prices or the Board do is not the point. The point is that the Board of the Club is failing it not the manager they ultimately are in control and the manager is an employee, if you have let him dictate to you then you have failed if he does not and you still do not act to buy the players at the right price you have failed.
It is not AW’s fault it is the board who need to be sacked and replaced with people who can define the boundaries of who does what and make it stick right now we don’t seem to have anyone who can take ownership of the situation and dictate what happens which in the end is their job is it not?
π nice.
It is precisely the point if you want to understand what is going on.
The manager has the owners ear. Game set and match.
You really do have the hump Oz π π
Adam if he has the owners ear then shame on the owner for being dictated to by an employee same point as before the issue is that the structure is wrong and no one will put it right for whatever reason be it lack of ambition, fear of the manager leaving whatever this needs sorted once and for all.
Vernat. He paid the money, he bought the club, he makes the decisions. Who could go against Arsene Wenger?
hheee Rico – What i do know is nothing and no one will change Wenger now. As vernat said there is no one in this club with the balls to stand up and tell Wenger improve this team or get the hell out. You have no excuses left Sir.
But the board appear to want AW to spend money….
They do Rico and I think he will.
I hope he hurries up and sells it….
and it appears the players were of the opinion this lot were actually going to give them some world class team mates does it not?
Usmanov might Oz
I hope you are right Adam..
maybe if he gets the chance Rico. There is some serious funds available now to the American to prop up his other failing sports franchises, thats what worries me. Remember the question was asked about him taking funds out and we all remember the rather evasive answer.
anyway hope to hell there are no injuries tonight and we get whatever needs to be done, done. I am off to bad peoples. Night from Perth, enjoy the game!!
There sure is Oz, sleep well…
Night Oz.
Hope the England ladies will get another two points tonight….
Afternoon Gooners….
Have we signed Flamini yet, as he’s the only player I see Arsenal likely to sign…,
I notice that JM had been on spreading the gloom…
Business as usual….
Kev. I still think we will get Suarez, Rooney and Benzema.
That’s good acid I took earlier.
Story in the Daily Mirror suggesting Man Utd have made a higher bid for Bale….
Kev, unlike Adam, I think you are more likely to be right
Adam, I want some, after the day I’ve had, I need something ‘extra’….
I’m on the fence with it Rico. π
Hope no-one is watching Adam π
Off to get an early dinner, enjoy the game if you have left before I return Adam, hope The Emerates is loud and proud…
I take that back, just put it all in the oven π
Team in full: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Merteacker, Monreal, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud, Podolski
Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Koscielny, Rosicky, Frimpong, Ryo, Sanogo
Not too many changes then devil, good….
Good Evening Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.
Strong line up.
But I feel that if we score and settle the tie by half time, that is we are winning 1 or 2 nil expect Sanogo, Frimpong and Ryo to take a part.
Evening to you too devil..
Think you might be right, 4 in the first half would be ideal…
That would be nice , just need to score early and their heads will go down.
Important to wrap it up by half time, would hate to see Todor Nevelev slip through our fingers, that would be the final straw for me.
Where’s tsgh, is he still sulking !
An early one would certainly settle the fans too, especially me π
π Micko, he could yet, Totts want him…
If that’s the case Levy is going for the throat. We seem to be in disarray and he is stamping whilst we are down.
ha ha Micko… I am trying to be like you buddy.
3-1 again to the good guys. C’mon Arsenal.
Evening all ladies and gents of HH.
Not a bad line-up. Le Prof has considered that we do not play until Sunday so fingers crossed no injuries to our crucial and important players.
A friend of mine suggested that that may be the reason the Bale deal hasn’t gone through – stopping Real sell to us..
Of course, he could yet play on Sunday and then go…
Oh Wright changing his tune… OMG
Stick to your guns tsgh, it’s not true what rico says about ya !
4 nil tonite if last week is anything to go by.
The deal has not gone through because of sponsorship deals between competing kit makers I heard…
Morning all.
Mirelles is a strange looking guy…
Micko, no calamity Yobo…
So so many empty seats…
hmm, SC19 and AR16 sitting with JW further forward it appears…
Would be excellent to see Miyaichi and Frimpong have a run out this evening…
Interesting to see Monreal having a start, Wenger saving Gibbs for the Scummers…
How does Ramsey make so much space for him self…
Emelike is being allowed to occupy the hole between defence and midfield a tad too much…
A DM is needed for bigger games…
What are we playing at…
I know it’s only 10 minutes gone but we’re all over the shop.
Just clocked him rico, we should all chip in and buy him a razor !
Indeed Ak; Townsend and Walker vs Gibbs…
Reckon so Kev, at least we have two fit and well capable left backs…
And some hair clippers Micko…
That’s better…. everything perfect apart from the finish… very unlucky..
We are all over the place.
We have made it easy for ourselves away.
We are making it difficult for us at home.
We are good in bits and spurts…..otherwise we are crap and we do not know what we are doing.
super Santi…
Players are taking hard options when the easy one is the correct one.
Other than that it’s not bad devil… π
Pure German Panzer oh is it a M3 BMW
The can not beat the wall from 30 yards out.
Why is he taking fee kicks?
What can i say??
We needed that…
Rubber stamp, guaranteed….GE HH..
Aaron is on FIRE.
Yes Scott our boy again
How about ‘home and away’ Scott.
Dna, I told you Ramsey has brains of a genius… pure class
Wenger has just been seen on the phone telling his office staff to begin the signings.
Yes, i can lip read from 20,000 k’s away π
Dev, that was a ran Beckenbeur would be proud off…
Micko, i can honestly say i have never watched a full episode of that shit hahaha
ts, lol..still want Fellani..
π Scott, it is more likely do not sign anyone…
I will convince AW for you to sign MF, Dna π
Very apt Micko – I like that…
So do I Gdna
One more and he might be Scott π
Wonder if Suarez is watching….
Do we need any one player in particular, or 4-5 class players to strengthen?
Scott, we need a RB for sure, and another player of Ramsey’s aptitude i.e Cabaye or Camacho plus a faster winger like Ben Arfa if we can’t get a WC striker so that Poldi can be the other striker. imho
Three brilliant saves from Szczesny.
Why did merts just let matey have a shot?
Well played chezzer.
Evenin all!
I told you Scott…….we need numbers.
But a superstar would not go amiss.
Blimey that was super Chez
Ask Wenger Scott, he’ll tell you we only need one or two of top top quality…
Super saves from Scez… only if he was English π
Ginge, i mean as long as we get extra guys in for certain positions, rather that concentrating particular players.
Just a question……are any one or two world class players going to make more impact compared to 4-5 of slightly lesser quality.
I used to think the former, but not now.
Evening Lewis…
only AFC can be 4-0 up with 3 away goals and still make you nervous. lol
Definitely need a world class striker….
Mad Jens in the crowd, perhaps it’s finally dawned on Chezzer he might be playing for his place.
How the hell did he miss that???
Even the missus would have scored it. π
Lol tsgh!
Got the proverbial handbrake on and overpassing and getting caught on the break : Just for a change.
π Micko, is Mad Jens 50 years yet?
Scott, Aw can make 7/10 players improve if the players want to improve…
AW can’t handle the big egos, so maybe it is better if we go for borderline good to very good like Cabaye or even Morgan Schnerderlein
Are you surprised potter?
Lewis, maybe his booking is worrying him…
Is Wright, SP1 in disguise? lol
Nice change to listen to Dixon and Wrighty at half time instead of the other chumps …
Dev, the issue of proper coaching again comes up. π
Balanced opinions from both legends…
We have the absolute pleasure of listening to Steve bloody Nichol.
What a wanker he is.
π Scott. Steve Nichol?
I am listening to Andy Townsend.
Steve BLOODY Nichol.
Nice advertising there for our new sponsor…..
Get Pod off
tsgh, all I know is he still looks as scary as ever.
Scott, remember seeing Steve Nicol score a header against us at Highbury from the edge of the penalty box in the 80’s, a right freaky goal just like his size 14 feet !
Podolski Hammy ?
Ts did u saw the tweet that Juan Mata dad is in the directors box at the ems.
Oh dear too much Kielbasas’
Why on earth are we bringing on Gibbs??
What if he or Monreal get injured, or both??
Hope he’s Mata’s agent Gdna… π
4-0 on aggregate, practically through, why put out KG for Podolski?
I would have put on Frimpong in the DM, pushed Jack up field and Cazorla out to the wing.
I would have saved KG today.
On reflection scott, it was probably the 90’s, the ole brain cells ain’t what they used to be !
Or just bring on Ryo devil… More pace would worry them…
Me too Dev…
Dna, I haven’t see the tweet but very interesting…
Its ok Micko.
I spelt the wankers name wrong, but he is such a non event, who cares π
Nothing getting by this ref….
Scz is a clown…
I can not understand Gibbs coming on at all.
Ts, the tweet was from Julien Laurens
Don’t think any of us can Scott
Emenike is a FEKKING JOKE.
Juan Mata’s dad is also his agent.
Mata’s father IS his agent π Well, according to a headline on NN…
Devil, if he watched them v Yanited he will be pretty excited at the thought of playing for us.
This is where our squad depth is seriously exposed, once the first 11/12 players need resting, the level of player drops a long way…
Yaya will open his account tonight.
Sunderland are loosing to Milton Keys π
The postman is super quality because he doesn’t cost 50 mil….lol
Good call Rico.
I could handle thie referee every week.
He is very efficient.
Decent free kick by Theo, i must say.
What was the keeper doing though?
At last, he clears the wall!
Santi Cazorla still waiting for his first ever Champions League goal, never would have thought it !
Who is the postman Dna?
I love santi cazorla, he is mustard!
You and me both Lewis, that’s the kind of quality we need to be adding imho…
World class finish.
Incredible.
Rambo!!!
Top finish Ramsey… Great build up too…
clever boy that Ramsey.
He knows he is on a yellow.
He knows that usually the first game in the group stages is against the weakest team.
So he gets himself a booking.
and after smiling he goes on to ………………….
SCOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
2-0
MOTM again????
Best thing that ever happened to Ramsey was losing the captains armband for Wales….
Other than signing for Arsenal of course…..
Lets hope the Mata rumours come true; because the person who I heard about our interest before it became public.
What a move by Ramsey… finish and a half
What was I saying about the ref π
Ts, SC19 is the best player at the club, I hope u watching, that’s quality…
Mickio, was that a stat or fact re Santi?lol
Dunno Rico, the best thing was Wenger sticking by him when most didn’t π
Time is always required with a massive injury like that and Wenger gave it to him.
As critical as we all are with him over Diaby, he showed the same patience with RVP and now Aaron, and it paid dividends.
Monreal has been pretty solid tonight, good to see him back…
Dna, i hope you are watching Ramsey π
Ha ha … Dna. He is very good but all the other players say TR07 is the best all round player.lol
Santi is probably the only player Ginge and i disagreed on….i reckon he is a bit harsh π
TouchΓ© Scott π
We did 400 passes in 80 minutes today.
Last Sunday Barca did 300 passes in the first 35 minutes.
I forgot Tommy R when i commented on Wenger and his patience…
Jack copped a kick in his achilles tendon….
π Rico.
Still, i think he has been veeeeery patient with Abou lol
TR07 is the best all round player at the club, technically and tactically.
Those who think that AW is going to get a new keeper are only fooling themselves. AW will not kill Chezzer. But he is ready to kill Flappy for a year and then let him go on a free.
I like Ceasar but I feel that AW will see how Chezzer does on Sunday and that will be his deciding match.
If Chezzer does well he will remain between the sticks.
JW has kept things very simple today. That is a sign of a true midfielder learning imho… very impressed with him.
AW is stupid… like Dev and I were saying bring Frimps on…
Shows we faff around passing too much then devil π
Let Aaron take the free kick…the hat trick is coming hahah
Now you are pushing it Scott.. π
When this draw was made I was a little worried?! This lot are garbage though.
They really don’t like Jack so they….
Bastards!
Dna, I am no pro footballer/coach but I believe a players’ off the ball movement is 60% of a players game.
The reason why I was always backing Ramsey as a potential WC player.
One reason why lots of managers do not really rate Fellaini. imho
The postman need to go on loan. Ts, SC19 is the face of the franchise AFC.
Cynical, nasty and intending to foul.
That should have been a red.
Dna, all former players thought Kanu was the best footballer at Arsenal early 2000,but DB10 had the brains which could see telepathically…
Aren’t they just, we should have buried them 5 or more nil…
A year ago, Jack would have lumped one of the Fenner players by now…
Rico, did anyone think he would even get 2 though π
Dennis was not human, so it is not a fair comparison Ginge π
Horrid and cynical… those turks…
JW has to learn though, at 5-0 up with a derby coming does he need that?
Unlucky Jenks, great shot great save…
Now that WAS a cross from Ryo.
Jenks did bloody well, but good save.
Dippers 2 notts county 2. dippers were 2-0 up.
Sunderland 2-2 milton keynes
Jenkinson wants to score tonight.
Unlucky son. But you deserve one.
Maybe against the spuddies???
Ts u might not rate Fellani, but without a player like that in our MF in the winter, it will b 9 years without a trophy.
Cj25 has been poor thus far…
Why not Scott, playing further forward he’s getting in the right places…
Love to see him do that against the Totts….
Booooo! π Good morning (pre-dawn) from drizzly Manila. But as far as I’m concerned, the sun is out. π π
I agree Dna…. re Fellaini. I rate MF; I just don’t think he would walk into our line-up based on our game.
Now let’s see some spending AW, otherwise what is the point in getting the Β£30 million in the first place..
Fellaini
Di Maria
Alderweireld
Rooney/Suarez or a.n other who knows where the net is….
the ideal scenario next Sunday would be a win of 3-0 with Jenks, Gibbs and Ramsey the scorers. π
Better late than never. Agag
Ramsey MotM for the 3rd consecutive game wow. Absolute wow.
Good game.
Great result.
The only downer is Pod.
Jack finishing 90 minutes…especially afte the battering he took…was massive.
Motm…….you can all say his name for me π
Off to work, so have a great night everyone.
I will not be in tonight.
Off to see The Commitments live….saw them just after the movie came out and to this day the best live concert by a mile i have ever seen.
Cheers guys…….Spuds turn on sunday π
Sunderland 3-2 up
Really Dev re dippers? lol
later Scott have fun… the first signing arriving soon at a concert venue near you. lol
the dippers were nearly full team minus 1 or 2 regulars.
they were 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes.
Then MKD replied to draw.
Night Scott..
I’m off too, Night all..
Hi and bye agag π
I know this squad is unproven but before this last 2 CL games… we went 13 games without winning away and then we have beaten BM away and Fene who do not lose CL games at home.
Every good team starts from somewhere π
I am off now lads and lassies.
Good night everyone.
off to dream that we have signed, Mata, Ozil, Shrek, Cabaye and Richards.
Tomorrow its off to the sparkling sea in the morning
Then come at noon to read the match report.
AND THE SUN IS RISINGGGGGGGG!!!!
Nite all
Night Mr Dev. say hi to your 8-legged friends for us..
Nite rico, ‘ramsey pulling the strings for arsenal’ you’ll have to squeeze that into your post tomorrow to keep the natives happy.
Dna, re me not rating Fellaini. It is not up to me as you well know. Someone gets paid a 6/7 figure amount to make decisions π
Night Rico.
Ts, lol.
BM drawing with the club from the black forest was funny and shocking…
Podorsky maybe out for 3 weeks
We must be much more close and compact
Versus Totts, which have a strong midfield, we will have many worries
we need 3-5 players
And why not Aguero?
Ts, what would b your team on Sunday?
The team verse fulham with Gibbs on the Lhs…
interesting how Gibbs came on tonight to play slightly inside left or CM and JW went wide…
Scott, tsgh, you might like this, we played Fenebahce in the Champions league in 2008, the only player to start against them that evening that was in the team tonight was your one and only Aaron Ramsey !
On that note, catch you tomorrow guys, keep it real tsgh.
Wenger: “I have heard like you that … Juan Mata could be on the market. There is a reluctance anyway in England to sell to each other”
Night Micko, always a pleasure…
The reason why I will play Gibbs and Monreal together is to counter Townsend and Walker on the spuddies rhs…
I think it is crucial we play TR07 on Sunday with his tactical awareness. I will keep JW on the bench until the 60th to change the game if needed.
Ryo may have a shout too…
I would include Cabaye if he is signed…
Ginge, I always liked Ramsey. Even before Scott bigged him up. π
Hi and bye, rico, Scott, Micko. π Won’t be able to go back to sleep. Off to make some breakfast now.
Wenger confirms Podolski is out for 3 weeks with hamstring injury. Wilshere fit for Spurs game. Also says “We are on the market
Cabaye I suspect will be a very late signing Pardew is not playing ball.
Agag, do you want OG12, Cabaye and AR16 in your boyband? lol
Good girl Agag π
The Ramsets sounds like a good name for your boyband.
Imagine if you can coax Torres over as well?
Ha ha. I don’ know enough about Cabaye to want him there. π π
Poldi, π π
Torres as lead singer. Ramsey to keep things ticking at bass. π Ha ha, Scott.
Wilshere took some rough treatment this evening.
Why did Wenger keep him on for 90 minutes?
Did it have anything to do with the lack of quality on the bench?
And the lack of depth in the squad?
Have we signed a tent yet?
We’ve qualified for Β£30m + add ons!
We have enough to extend Bentner’s contract and keep him hats for the next 5 years!
I’m not holding my breath. Sanogo go go he’s da mon!
Stack my vitals. Still tomorrow is another day………plus Γ§a change, plus Γ§a mΓͺmechose!
Good win, well a win! ‘Twas enough. Who will be next? We are seeded in the 1st box, aren’t we?
Hi Kev,
My thought was he wanted to really give Jack a solid 90 minutes under his belt….he needed it, but it was a risk.
Seems as if we have made an offer for Guilavogui. That is according to French and Italian sources. The Italian I understood quite well but you have to pardon a bit my French. But from what I have understood it seems that AFC have made an offer and Guilavogui’s club are considering it.
Good Morning all bdw
Morning Mr Dev,
Joshua G if true will be a taller Seb Perez imo
Hi to the house btw…
Wenger’s response tonight when asked if Mata’s dad was invited by Arsenal: βNo. I don’t know. Maybe.β
AW must have come from Agence Nationale de la Securite des Systemes d’Information.
yesterday, we finished with a strong attack: Ryo, sissoko and Gibbs
Wenger said he wanted to take Wilshere off. He says that Wilshere insisted on playing on.
Like he wanted to play on when he had a stress fracture? I love Arsene but for the love of Bergkamp be the manager
Oh dear, AW is scared of the 3 lions messiah… π
On Joshua G, this is one fans review of the player: I didn’t see him playing football but on playstation looks better than Sergio Busquets, does that provide any kinda assurance to you (Sm100)
π
Hi Ginge
No sea today for me.
Me and the little prince have got temperatures.
And with this blooming heat wave on we are frying.
We have already taken a couple of showers this morning.
The GP advised us to stay away from the beach for the next few days.
Oh sorry to hear about that Dev. I hope your boy is not too unwell? You are an old dog so no sympathy from me. π
Do you think it is a virus or just heat exhaustion?
Sky sources: Chelsea in advanced talks to sign Porto winger Christian Atsu.
How many bloody attacking wingers does the special needs one need to play negative football? pfff
Morning all,
Nice to see Wenger is still following this site. π I suggested Wilshere on the wing/left mid like Cazorla and hey presto Wenger does it.
Seriously though, I hope we see some signings really soon, we’re losing players to the sick bay regularly now.
Its the fekking heat Ginge.
It always kills us at this time of the year.
This year we did not go to the Alps as usual. This way we usually avoid the heat at this time of the year. Every year its like this when we do not go there.
The heat practically kills me. Its like I have taken a beating with all the joints hurting like mad. And we are like on fire. body temperatures have gone up. And we feel like jelly.
When the temperatures start getting cooler our body calms down.
Dont take all the credit Brad. π
The first ones to suggest Wilshere on the left were Ginge and me.
Playgerism at it’s best then Devil? Haha, I truely apologise and withdraw my statement. π
Dev, heat exhaustion is a badger. It takes a while to get used to it. Just keep hydrated with warm water…
Morning Brad, hope you are well?
Where do you live Devil that it is so hot?
I copied the comment JW to the wings from wikileaks. π
Hi ts, I’m good thanx, how you keeping?
Same old me… Brad.
f5 the news links hoping for any form of transfer but…. π
Middle of the Mediterranean Brad.
Go to the atlas and see which island lies bang in the middle.
F5ing even…
On dear…
Inside Futbol β@insidefutbol 8h
I Never Wanted to Leave Barcelona for Manchester United β Cesc Fabregas http://bit.ly/151aNda
New Post is up
We get temperatures of around 35 to 40 at this time of the year. The met office say its 32 but when I see the temperature outside my balcony it says 38 degrees. And its still only around 10 in the morning.
The humidity level is high. Around 80% humidity and it is that which makes it worse. Southern wind is hot. Even a fan makes the room around you more hot.