With all the media and the blog world going crazy at the moment, its amazing how supporters are getting more and more frustrated with the lack of news coming through from the club.
I can sense the urgency coming from supporters, many I’m sure are season ticket holders, all waiting for news of who they will be watching before paying their fee’s.
Well to all those that are waiting for that to happen, you will probably be wasting your time.!
Where there will always be the likes of the big money spenders like both the Mancs and the Chavs and even poor old Harry likes to splash out, but there will always be Arsene Wenger.
Our old Frenchmen will be taking his time, he won’t rush because he never has done before and I expect him to be exactly the same this time around. He had disappeared off to South America on a scouting mission, while all the early running is being taken up by the wealthy owners.
As we all know there are only a relatively few players that are up for grabs and normally its smaller clubs selling some of their stars in order to finance their coming season.
Teams like West Ham have done this for years and will be involved again this year, bigger clubs will be buying and also thinning out their own squads to allow room for new and hopefully better replacements.
With new rules coming in to do with fair play, teams will have to watch their spending and try to reduce wages as well as this will eat up what money these clubs can use in the future.
The ‘Fair Play’ rules are not in place yet but already clubs will be aware that the wages they are paying are exorbitant and will be detrimental to their future.
Why I am explaining this to you?
Well, Wenger has never been one of the managers that has had an owner that has unlimited wealth, he has to run on a budget and although this grates with supporters he has done extremely well although most would disagree.
Wenger has in my mind been a fantastic manager, yes some of you have heard me slate the man off on more than one occasion and I am sure it won’t be to long before I am at it again but he has been frugal and disciplined in his actions.
He knows that it won’t be too long before the clubs debts are paid off and with the new rules coming in the near future he realises that we will all be on the same level, well at least closer.
If clubs cannot afford the likes of £50 million players they are never going to be on the same level, so it’s as plain as the nose on your face that the chances of you competing goes down.
Wenger has kept us competing, granted we have not won anything for a few years but we were a lot closer last year than we have been for quite some time but as always, we failed in our mission for a trophy.
Was that Wenger’s fault?
I said yes because he never bought in the winter window and I believed that was the difference to us winning or losing. He didn’t buy and we ended up with nothing but in all fairness, had the players kept up the momentum we would have!
The players run out of steam, Wenger lost his composure, and we got the hump.
Wenger he has not ever brought fantastic players he has moulded players into being fantastic players.
The likes of Henry, Paddy, Petit, Overmars, Anelka, Jack, Fab and a string of others tells me he is a man with forward thinking, he very rarely pays enormous amounts for players and I don’t see that way changing.
This year may prove me wrong but I would be very surprised if it does, he has a vision and although it is not falling into place just yet, it will without question.
Arsenal football club will be back in their rightful position very soon and Wenger will again be hailed as a fantastic Manager. I know you are frustrated as I am as well but good times are just round the corner and as Wenger says, have faith, have patience and we will get what we deserve.
Wenger has acknowledged that we have a problem in the defence but why it has taken him this long to realise I don’t know!
He has been very positive in his approach to this transfer window, he suggests he will buy the right players to finally get this sorted out.
He has at this moment signed two teenagers who play in defence.
I anticipate another experienced defender to be added to the squad for the two youngsters to learn from but only time will tell.
We have many young players either having been loaned in the past or playing reserve football who are ready to make the step up and I expect that we will see 2/3 make that move next season. But, all the time we cry out for big name signings they would expect to play every game, so surely that would lead to the reserve players left stood about twiddling their thumbs and maybe that would lead to them eventually moving on.
We have to stick with the plan and bring these players forward and hope we have instilled in them what Arsenal Football Club expects from them and I have faith in this way of doing things and expect returns very soon.
We have many youngsters and they are in my opinion are our future, they are learning their trade at one of the best clubs in the world, starting on small wages and building up through their training and eventually making them well paid superstars.
Isn’t that how we all see an apprenticeship turning out.
Written by Steve Palmer
A Daily Mail signing snippet to excite all, the papewr suggests we are trying to sign yet another ‘star in the making’ from Barcelona, this one is 17-year-old Gerard Deulofeu. His game has been likened to ‘Messi’! zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
New Post Up….
Morning all…
That will be that then, catch you all tomorrow 🙂
Roger Johnson’s agent has confirmed his client has been told he can leave Birmingham City as the club count the cost of relegation.
Go Get Him Arsene, and Cahill…..
Evening folks –
bloody internet crashed this afternoon, due to dark clouds and an awful lot of rain 🙁 🙁
In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons for the lack of titles and the possibility of output Fabregas and Nasri.: the absence of rules of procedure for penalizing those who do not fulfill their duties as a professional. Around here, began the great change:
Arsenal striker Van Persie criticized the lack of professionalism of their “fellow Englishmen” and raised doubts that the Gunners can win the Premier League next season.
“For me it is very important to take your breakfast every morning with my children. That would not be possible if the club all night. I know that my English colleagues are away from home at 3 am, so I do not think that will prolong his career beyond 33 years, “said the Dutch to the English newspaper the Mirror.
Robin Van Persie appears to be disillusioned with the sports results obtained by Arsenal in recent seasons.
“Every year goes wrong and it is frustrating. If we look at the results we can not believe we can win the Premier League. We must be realistic, “he added.
First, good news:
“Proposal for 12 million euros from Tottenham refused by Lille and Gervinho. Advanced prefers Arsenal.
Undisputed: Gervinho is leaving for Lille. Aware of the claim by the player, Tottenham proposed a 12 million euros, which, according to Le Parisien, was rejected by French club.
According to the same source, the Ivory Coast international has also declined the opportunity to head to White Hart Lane emblem, preferring rather to represent the rival Arsenal
Now, the bad news:
Striker Kevin Gameiro Luso-descendant of Lorient is on the verge of being announced as a reinforcement of Paris Saint-Germain.
According to reports the French press, the two clubs have reached agreement Friday evening, with the emblem of the capital to pay around 12 million euros for the player’s pass.
We had linked with every 16 year old, 17-year old, 18-year old, 19-year old, 20-year old, “world-class” youngsters – future “Messi”, future “Henry”, future “Vieira”, future “Adam”..blah….blah….and just signed a 19-yea rold FB cum CB cum DCM cum whatever.
But what interest Nasri – and perhaps Fabregas – is when will Wenger sign 24 to 27 year old proven “worldclass” star and experienced that will give the team a fighting chance to win silerware(s) next season?
If what Nasri and Fabregas see is the continual policy of signing youths to build for teh future………disenchanted players after giving 6 years loyal service to Wenegr will simply uproot and attempt to win silverware at some other place….and getting paid more too as Wenger’s rigid salary scale is proven to be a hindrance in attracting worldclass players plus retaining our limited pool of worldclass players as well.
I hope that at least , will be 10 millions by Bendtner (they pay :-)). NB will leave for sure:
The Danish international, Nicklas Bendtner, unhappy at Arsenal, excites the Besiktas.
Arsenal striker, who has expressed the intention to leave the English team to be little used by Arsène Wenger enters list of possible options for Besiktas
Colombia won Toulon International youngest Soccer
Boo! Where is everybody?? I love your optimism, Steve. I have given it some thought and I realized it’s no use stressing over our transfer (in)activities since we still have time to be convincing the Benzemas et al. that we are the club to sign for. 🙂
Now if only some club would get The Unwanted off of our hands. 😉
What is the point of singing “star in the making” when they all wanted to leave Arsenal when they are 23/24 year old?
Sadly Frank the deadwood earn far to much so it’s not going to be easy to get rid of them.
I think the sad truth is Pat the way he has spoken the last few years its excuses after excuses and yet if you look closely the excuses are about him as much as his players…! If you can’t instill a winning or a fighting mentality to compete and at least show up you’ve lost before you even walk onto the pitch.
No shrivelled up prune impersonations Pat 😉
Hi WATH, it’s cooled off a bit 33/20ish for the next week 🙂
I think the most frustrating thing is he doesn’t show his players he’s up for it, let alone us. He’s probably very dominant amongst kids but has let the older quality players of the past walk all over him & having sat pretty for the last few years in ever increasing comfort, I’m hoping he’s got the balls for true competition……
I always thought that if a competitor or one in my squad (skating) was making excuses all the time there was something lacking within. If you accept responsibility you can move on & look for ways to counter the weaknesses.
Is Wenger trying to sign players to finish 1st or 4th? Is a top 4 finish all we are after?Sadly all the evidence suggests we lack any ambition to mount a realistic title challenge.So its 4th place or bust
And none of the deadwood has left the club yet
Afternoon all, hope your not to hot out there Pat, I agree wengers lack of ambition and intent sends poor signals to fans and players alike. He needs to be pro-active and yet seems we sitting on the side lines as usual looking for the bargains instead of doing whats needed. Yr after yr it’s now becoming far to tedious and so predictable…!
eheheheh 🙂
I read the following this morning: Benfica have 41 players (of which the coach will have to choose for the 24/25 season) and others 23 plying in others teams.. Yes, the total is 64 players!!
This year, 11 new contracts and more 11 players have already done! But will still get more reinforcements!
There are players of all ages, sizes, nationalities, etc. ….
Guys, I have to go off for a couple of hours,
Back later……
I really hope Inler at last is brought in. He was talked about 2 years ago & hopefully could be prised away from Udinese. He’s captain material & would have more effect possibly than Benzema. He’s of the right age, could put Song in his place & would address our ‘short’-age on the field.
This season without doubt will be hard, they will all be pushing their budgets to the limit, with not to long before fair play rules they will flog it to the hilt while we will go our own sweet way, our debts are going down theirs are rising and you know what that spells, many good years ahead. Cahill & Samba still up for grabs such good defenders why’s that.
Spot on – not another couple of kids and a bit of potential….
Give Nasri a date to sign by, or sell him….
The daft thing about our lack of movement on the transfer front is that AW is being reactive. If he was pro-active he’d have bagged a ‘Benzema’ & shown intention which would have signalled to Nasri (& Cesc possibly) that he meant business. Nasri would probably take a minimum increase so they could play together & be wondering who else would be coming in.
We’d have the centre-piece to say well, if you still want to go, bye-bye but could bargain harder whereas currently we’re weak-kneed with worry as to who we will have left/how much we’ve got to pay to keep them.
As we are Nasri’s looking at the kids possibly moving up & can only think of securing his future & maybe a few trophies………………
Agree again Pat re Wenger, and for the first time in years i have to say i wouldn’t care if he stood down either….
Spuds, Liverpool, Citeh, Manure will all build, we cannot afford to be left behind….
I think this is make or break season for Wenger & he might actually realize it. It certainly won’t be easy with the second tier having shut the gap nearly this season. ManUre & Chelski won’t be that weak again so we’ll have to make a big jump forwards if we’re going to win anything.
Kroenke has had his season ‘on the side’ watching how all perform, both team & staff, so I’m hoping he will put a few things in place. AW may not be too involved at the moment as he’s not involved with contracts & negotiating, that’s Gazidis’ job but may be called in to make the difference with his ‘being there’. I think he’s put forward his list & has now had his holiday…………………
Gunner90, if we lose Cesc and Nasri and don’t rebuild with experience, i too think we will struggle…
Pat, my jury is still out on Kos…..
Morning Steve, great post….
If Wenger signs Cahill or even Samba (similar) in the next few days, I may have a little belief, but right now, all is doom and gloom in my world of arsenal….
even the wins against the mancs and barca mean little, other than we won on the day, for those results there were crazy losses to West Brom, Newcastle, Spuds, Stoke etc etc – they are ones we should have won and had we done so, we would have won the league.
I keep saying that when it gets ‘tough’ on a pitch, our lot bottle it and that is because in their head they think the game is won before they turn up! JD said this week that they were so sure they would win the CC Final, maybe if they had been not so sure they would have fought a bit harder to win it…..
I also like Kos & his fighting qualities – he showed more than anyone I thought bar possibly Jack. I hope he really steps up for next season & overcomes those occasional jitters which may be a symptom of ‘first season-itis’ – it was another big step for him this season & the break will do him good so he can come back with increased confidence/freshness into a new season: knowing what to expect from it!
Coquelin looked great before his loan back in France so I have high expectations of him. I loved his venom in good tackles & really hope he makes it. He looks fearless, again like Jack 🙂
Apart from Wilshere( a one off), do not see that our youngsters are anything special. Manchester Utd,Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have youth squads that are just as good as our youngsters but they are still buying proven experienced players from other clubs as they realise that it is the only way to challenge for the top prizes. If Wenger does not buy the top defenders and strikers ( plus midfield players if Nastri and Fabregas leave) – Arsenal will be struggling for a top four place next year and have no chance of winning anything! With Wenger it is always promise about tomorrow – surely the apathy of the fans shown in the last home matches must have got through to him.
Welcome kings, i think we all pretty much agree on that, great crop of youth but, we need the here and now and fast….
Pat,
no disagreeing from me, youth is all well and good but not on thier own, and like you say, Cesc is still a young un himself – I hope for a few 26 year olds to come in and teach these kids a thing or two….
Morning all,
I see we are still feeling down, and despondent still, and thank you for your comments, i know you all feel let down at the moment with Wenger abroad while other clubs are doing their business early, i can assure you had Wenger been here we would still be waiting the same. Can you remember the start of last season, were you feeling the same then, but we started well and surprised everyone me more than most, and were you not excited by the cup final, not the result but just getting there, the beating of Barcelona and Chelsea and the Manc’s, and that is without our best players, we at the end of the day didn’t do too bad, Virmin out for most of the season was a big loss Cesc as well But still we did a lot better than i was expecting, i urge you to give Wenger time to see this window out, i hope we keep Fab and Nas but time will tell, a fully fit squad as it stands is still a good squad hopefully a couple of new faces and we could be up there, be optimistic you know it makes sense.
I also like Kos & his fighting qualities – he showed more than anyone I thought bar possibly Jack. I hope he really steps up for next season & overcomes those occasional jitters which may be a symptom of ‘first season-itis’ – it was another big step for him but I thought he did great!
I’m pleased Coquelin is back & hope he is ready. Tackles with venom – fearless.
potter,
i’m with you, i would much prefer to see wenger buy a beast to play there and Song be used to cover him, but we know what wenger is like by now – Frimpong is another, i am sure it will be one of those two rather than a new signing in there…
But that wouldn’t be so bad, IF, Wenger finally sures up the defensive unit, thats what will make the difference imho….
Rvp said,
Every year it goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating. When you look at results in the last years, Arsenal shouldn’t be talking about winning the League because too many times that has gone wrong
Even now, it’s still unbelievable we didn’t win the Carling Cup as that was the breakthrough moment, showing everyone we could win a cup and create a belief within the team. When I talk about that it still hurts. It was so stupid and I ask myself ‘how did that come about?’
Even hes not that happy it seems….
Rico, I hope you are right about the kids moving up but they need a couple of experienced TOP players in there. Fab is still a kid although reknowned. TV could back up a senior player if he’s fit this coming season & from there take over the captaincy…….hopes. We need someone with some balls – VP seems quiet on the pitch bar at the ref…….
Arsenal have too many kids who have no epl experience.Wenger is deluding himself if he thinks Jenkinson and Chamberlain can play at the epl level when thrown in.
The senior team needs an injection of experinced players preferably with epl experience.Until they are signed and delivered the gunners will continue to leak goals and will be unable to see out a threegoal lead.
Coquelin looked out of his depth before his loan , but had something about him as a youth , a kind of Flamini style and could tackle. If he has grown up at L’orient perhaps he could do a back up job , however I would prefer to see a ready made player in the middle to supplement what we already have.
hope coquelin is ready for the 1st team
we need three topclass players some how
1.defender
2.dm
3.attacker
defender-gary cahill
dm-de rossi
attacker-hazard , benzema
cmon wenger its now or never
Welcome old gooner,
thats not too much to ask is it, Samba, Cahill and a goal machine, that would do for starters 😉
Coq has just had a very good season on loan at Lorient, positive feed back and he’s reported to have improved no end…
Come on Wenger, get in there pay the money and get the players, Stop phaffing about or get out ! We have had enough of your lies and excuses buy the big players that you find so hard to manage. We have all had enough lets buy for the future , buy for now !
coquelin i saw him playing only two games,
1.carling cup away newcastle he had such a bad game he was substituted at half time….
2.against shaktar donest away champs league we lost that game
is coquelin any good…….
Hi Danish, long time…
I don’t think anyone believes they will make a difference, there will be loop holes and like you suggest, the only one who won’t be looking for that loop hole is our manager…
He will remain mr goody two shoes and sit back and moan… 😉
Morning arsenal fan..
Welcome Jim,
You are right, we do have a great crop of youth, probably the best of all the top clubs, but like you say we need the 3 big players in to bring experience and have a right combination of youth/experience, not every young player will be a Jack Wilshere..
The question is, will Wenger finally get those players, i doubt it…..
If you think Barca,Real etc will abide by the new financial fairplay rule you are very naive.They have already hired all the lawyers in the world to circumvent the new rules,only in Wengers head will these rules be followed.
I can see where Steve is coming from re the reserves and I also believe we will see 2/3 make the step up, hopefully Lansbury/Frimpong/Coq
Bartley could yet stay rather than go on loan, and no doubt Jenkinson will be our RB cover for Sagna….
June 2006 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2007 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2008 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2009 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2010 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2011 -’Good times are just around the corner.’ WTF!!
Groundhog decade.
G38,
Those ‘good times around the corner’ are no longer with me either but we all hope they will come true- i cannot see much change this summer but others do…. and their views have to be respected…….
Stan has made it clear that he’s not the billionaire the player’s agents are looking for. hence the reason we are stalling on contract renewals. He was only ever a vehicle for the old shareholders to maximise their holdings and make nice retirement funds. Remember none of his money has gone into the club , purely their back pockets , the irony is that none of them have left the club and that all we can expect is more of the same , buying low selling high apart from a few special offers , kind of like Asda really.
good post …….
when shall we sign a good experienced player ,god and only wenger knows……
June 2006 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2007 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2008 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2009 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2010 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ June 2011 -‘Good times are just around the corner.’ WTF!!
potter, he doesn’t listen, you are right – his way or the highway, the best thing that could happen for our club is for Wenger to walk away…..
I feel the same stonroy, i had started to believe that Stan would show his intent buy making a few quick meaningful signings to give us all a bit of hope – but the longer the window goes on, the belief is fading fast.
It seems like only yesterday we were winning the league, unbeaten with players like Bobby, Henry, DB and co, look at us now….
I’m not fussed anymore it those three go if i’m honest, as long as Wenger uses that money to streghten in the right areas….
But i just think if they go, the club will kepp the money and pay off more debt..
Well Bouldy is there at the moment , and Brady and Rice perhaps instead of having their I Pods on when they are travelling they should be shown footage of those players. I agree about Keown but the question is does Wenger listen? According to Bob Wilson, not really.
Come on people. This is a nice article. We all got annoyed with Wenger at the end of last season. If he had had a touchline ban for the last 6 weeks we would have had less squeaky bums.
But which team has the most to look forward to? Us by a million miles. Yes, don’t be afraid to admit it. We have a hugely talented group of players that would have won the title but for a major implosion. Then we have by far the best set of players on the verge of coming through to the first team. We have the 2 most promising 16 year olds from la masia and will make 3 big signings this year. I do not doubt that. Remember how good Koscielny was last year? TO me he was the best signing. The guy tackles twice as much as anyone else, he is fast, strong and intelligent. Him and Vermaalen or Vermaalen and Djorou. We have Sagna, Jenkinson, Walcott, Wilshere, Nasri, Van Persie, Arshavin, Song, Sczezny, Chamakh, who holds the ball up better than anyone I’ve seen. Once it all clicks and we have strong backup in defence we will absolutely fly. Besides that, the Manc teams will be cancellling each other out a lot this year. The future looks very bright. Don’t listen to rumours, so far they have all been crap. Arsenal and Liverpool is the future, justb like ti used to be. United will become a thing of the past. City will make sure of that.
Morning Pat
Totally agree with the comments about getting an ex player in who has been there and who they would have seen…
Keown for me 🙂
Morning JM
Can you see the fair play rules working?
Rico I’m so dismayed with what’s going on at the club, I can’t remember when we have fallen so far. I truly think Cesn, Clichy and Nasri will go. If we do keep Nasri it will be for a ridiculous amount of money.
In fact it makes me wonder if AFC are being paid by Barcelona to train their players for them before they go back
Looks like we are after another two this morning. Are we an advanced finishing school?
Good morning all!
AW was not purchased in the winter break?
If those who produce negative accounts had to be penalized or in the following seasons, was not only in England that there were “surprises “.
Hi Genius,
Stan will want to be debt free so he can sell his shares to a massive price, make masses of money…
We will soon see whether he cares about the club or not won’t we, August the 31st will tell us all we need to know about what his plans are.
If he cares about the club and all the fans, he will be making sure this squad has the players it needs to become winners…
As you said Rico, like Ferrari in F1, there is always a way around the rules if you have the money. The Chavs got round the last ‘ruling’ made on them……………..
Spot on potter – we have so many kids all in the same age group, they cannot all succeed, we’ll over pay them, wrap them in cotton wool and them let them ‘go home’ to plat their game…..
In fact it makes me wonder if AFC are being paid by Barcelona to train their players for them before they go back 😉
Oi Oi stonroy, how’s you…?
Wenger needs to realise if they haven’t got it in them to ‘keep up the momentum’ then they are not winners, they haven’t got the right attitude..
He has to buy a few with a never say die atitude and hope it breeds within the squad…
Will he though, I doubt it very much…
Kids kids and more kids, we are becoming a joke…
A dedicated post SP which I hope proves to be correct but like ADK says we need some players like Viera or TA to put them in their place & ensure the right attitude is in the dressing room. They won’t listen to it from Pat Rice as he was long before their era especially as they are not ‘apprentices’ – they are young men on a fortune per week – check out the car park.
Now if Bergkamp (Becks or Sol perhaps) was telling them something they might well listen but otherwise they will switch off – they know it all at that age & will be even more immature in that environment…………..
Trouble is ADK, who is going to enforce this ruling, who is going to stand against the likes of fergie, he is god in the footballing world….
The same old stale arguments?
Did you know we are owned by a BILLIONAIRE. SO WHO CARES ABOUT DEBTS?
What makes you think we are even trying to be debt free?
Problem is that they come to us , get educated , run out their contracts and then look elsewhere for better money and a signing on fee . Very few of them see The Arsenal as a final destination more of a stepping stone to greater things. Whilst that attitude prevails we will always suffer when the tough end of a season comes.
“Had they kept up the momentum we would have”… Jesus Christ there is only one place to live in this world and that’s REALITY! They didn’t keep it up, so it didn’t happen. END OF.
Thanks rico. That explains a lot. Although I wish the rules should have come before. Or even better. Punish Chelsea and United, relegate them! 😉
Hi ADK – i think the basics of the new rules is that clubs cannot spend more than they make.
Each season the Chavs and Mancs report losses in the finance dept, so that should stop them buying players..
we however and to no surprise usually announce profits….
Morning All,
Good post Steve, thank you again 🙂
I’m not sure I agree re the good times around the corner, the rich clubs will find a loop hole around the fair play rules and we’ll be left standing.
Unless Wenger finally discovers a few gems again from overseas, I honestly can’t see him changing his wasy in this windoww….
And BTW what are these financial fair play rules all about? I’m not quite sure I get it..
Very nice post Steve. I Just wish i could agree with you, regarding the better times ahead of us. Our biggest rivals seem to be strengthening already, united have already bought Jones and Young. I’m sick and tired of all these kids. Messi had someone to guide him, tutor him.. It’s nice that we buy “superstars in the making”, but they’ll never fulfill their potential without the leadership of older players..