The once great Arsenal FC are beginning to look like a back street outfit.
Sure we can look at the profits that the club make and yes, we can look at the magnificent stadium which is all very impressive but when it comes down to the footballing side of things, we are pretty woeful.
Many would say that we are within touching distance of the top four and of course you would be right but actually finishing there could be a bridge to far.
From time to time, Gooners refer to Spurs as being our noisy neighbours, they look down on them, point their fingers at them and often laugh at them but we are not laughing at the moment are we, nor are we looking down on them in the league.
Tottenham Hotspur have at the moment, one of the best sides I have seen from them for many a year and Harry Redknapp, no matter what you may think of him, can only be admired at this point in time.
He has assembled some very good players with a very small budget!
Yes I know his nickname The Wheeler Dealer suggests that not all his deals are pucker, and I don’t intend to point the finger suggesting anything different, but I would just say at this point, his eye for players is working quite well for the club he is managing.
I read in the newspaper this morning that Redknapp has asked for 2 more players from his board in this transfer window. He believes that signing two more players could possibly push Spurs on to do better than they have done for many years and I happen to think he maybe right!
Personally speaking, Harry gets right up my nose and I wouldn’t trust him to look after a stray dog but the man has definitely got something. He gets in front of the cameras after games and he actually sounds like he is telling the truth and even though I have to bite my lip at times, I could understand the players actually believing what he tells them. How good they are and what they can achieve with the right motivation.
I could see Harry with his arm around the shoulder of one of his players and feeding him with all the things the player wants to hear, his cheeky little smile and a pat on the back and a player floating off on cloud nine.
Pathetic as that may sound, it seems to work.
In contrast, I see Arsene Wenger asking for nothing from our board, no new signings, no making waves and keeping everything he does in the family!
We need a striker and he brings old legend Thierry Henry back! Not for a season but just a couple of months, while our out of form strikers Chamakh and Gervinho are away at the ACON’s and he must believe that this is the answer to all our problems.
So why the heck did we sell Henry in the first place?
If you asked me what players we need right now and then what players we need to sell, we could be here all day and you know who I’m talking about but will we buy in this window?
That is looking very doubtful!
Arry is squeezing the nuts off his board but Arsene will no doubt continue to give ours an easy ride, Thierry’s statue will seem as if it has come back to life but when he plays more minutes you will see why we sold him in the first place.
The time we took over securing this loan deal has been taking up valuable minutes and hours which could have been spent buying a striker for the future not just a couple of months.
Meanwhile – Arry will no doubt get his men and his side will no doubt get noisy, while we just get more and more quiet….
Arsene Wenger, please finally wake up as this is starting to get embarrassing and if St Totts day doesn’t arrive before May, you’ll look back on this transfer window and wish you had…..
Written by Steve Palmer
Good blog reading this l agree with you we are starting to look like the noisey neighbours.I for one is dreading them get the 3 points tonight.Really getting sick hereing they are title contenders just hope Everton beat them tonight!
Morning all…
Fine post SSP, mighty fine and on a day when reports suggest the neighbours are in for Remy at £20 Million, just about says it all…
But hey ho, we have Chamakh 🙂
Hi Diane,
who are they playing, Everton?
Good post Steve….their wage bill is £40m less than ours too!
For me, apart from the romance of it all, the other night showed how far we have fallen in the last five years. We have a very average team now and no wonder after spending so little over the last few years. We’re nowhere near competing for the league and I can’t see us top four either. Wenger has to spend or go. The ego project is over; it’s failed. We need to ship 5 or 6 and bring in 5 or 6 quality. And with Wenger’s coaching abilities we’d be right back up there.
The lesson is to know what you’re good at. Wenger is good at coaching very good players into being great ones. That’s what he needs to work with. Currently he’s working with a fair bit of shite.
The only way for our wonderful club to evolve is to make Wenger go. We have 5-6 useless players in our team. Chamakh is like a headless chicken. Henry won’t solve anything. Hazard, Remy and Chiellini will..
agree yes. we have stood still for many seasons,our shortcomings for all too see.wenger has done little to make corrections,and i dont expect many signings in the jan window .however redknapp has spent a lot of money(players wages)and has picked up the kind of experinced players wenger always rejected,because it would stop development of players like denilson?and bendner?.example redknapp buys vander vaart we buy jenkinson..harry has collected a team of internationals and can afford to bring in one or two kids..we have a team of kids with one or two internationals..and i still want a decent centerback and goalkeeper .ps spuds have a billionaire type fellow who lives abroad backing them with money check it out!yes since 2006 we have stood still…………………….
Hi there, I think you will be in serious trouble if you don’t achieve CL spot. And we all hope it is where you end up to be fair. That said, Arsene has done wonders with your injury hit squad. You’ll be fine when they all come back. Unless RVP pick one of his usual injury. Wenger got it wrong in the transfer market for a few seasons now and it costs you dear. What are you doing ? Bring the next NLD. COYS.
Well written lots of points I agree with esp. re. harry
From a Spurs fan it’s actually nice to see an honest and well articulated article (from either side) as I feel the gap is far closer than Arsenal would like to admit. Whilst I feel we have the better squad- and lilywhite tinted glasses aside, I think player for player we have a better starting 11 too . For Arsenal RVP, Ramsey and Wilshere are your stand-out names that would clearly command a place in the spurs squad, however the rest are far less cut and dried.
Arsenal have the experience of having been in these type of situations, handling the pressure and dealing with more of a media spotlight. As a Spurs fan I used to be rather jealous of Arsene Wenger- especially when we had the likes of Santini and Juande Ramos, however successful though he’s been I haven’t seen him adapt in recent years. The ‘tippy-tappy’ football that Arsenal play has lacked a cutting edge for a couple of seasons now, and an addition of another top striker for 20 million could return that 3 fold should you requalify for the Champions League or go on to challenge for the title.
Wenger seems almost like a stubborn child that has been caughtin in a lie and is sticking to his story. Your squad is good, and has a good attacking mentality, however it does seem that unfortunatley despite building the dynasty, the ethos of the manager is what’s holding the club back.
We pay very average players far too much imho – kids who have proved little are on a good wage, why?
How much is Park earning and he isn’t even playing, surely even he can’t sell enough shirts to cover his wage bill…
That’s why we were unable to sell off Nik, Almunia and Denilson last summer, it’s not their selling fee it’s their crazy wage demands….
Welcome to those just joining, even the Spurs fans 😉
David – i think we have a few more to add to your list, Kos and TV are two defenders which many would like to have in their side..
Rico, ahead of Kaboul (who has been one of the outstanding defneders this season, and Dawson/Ledley King) I think its very close. I think Kos has been possibly the most improved player in the league this year as he was appauling last year. I think TV’s quite over hyped, he is good at going forward and that helpts to paper over the cracks.
Morning Diane Rico, Lee, ADK,
Shame we have to read a post like this, but if we don’t start at least trying to buy Quality we could so easily see ourselves back in the the wrong half of the league. Some good play has been seen from us this season but we must add quality or we are wasting our time. Whether Wenger see’s spending 30 million to try and earn 30 million qualifying for Champions league who know’s but in my mind we should at least look as if we want more than just that,We can still win plenty but we need more than Just Henry.
Your most improved player is Song but then again we won’t have him over parker or even sandro.
I’ll admit Kos was dodgy last season but considering where he came from he did ok, this season he has really improved as you say and with it has come his international call up.
We’ll have to disagree on TV, his return bought stability to our defence.
Dawson and King are very good players but I think Harry was shrewd to get Friedel, he’s been outstanding and for me he has won you many points.
Morning Steve, morning all, couldn’t agree more. The problem as I have said before is accountability. If we don’t get 4th, and I don’t think we will at present, is that Wenger will say the usual; teams are better now, sugar daddies, unsustainable….blah, blah, blah. Unambitious board, Unambitious manager. I’ve found Tottenham fans quite quiet….and thats more worrying if you ask me!
Spurs fan in peace. Good to see a balanced article from a Gooner. Most would say tthat at the end of the ’80’s the two clubs were neck and neck (perhaps the two early 90’s cup semis confirm that) but whereas the Arsenal Board were stable and far thinking, culminating in the appointment of Wenger and the building of the new stadium, Spurs got into trouble with off pitch activities (the Hummel sports brand etc.) lost money and fell into the hands of Alan Sugar, who, for all his other business acumen, seemed not to understand football, and we had seven managers in a very short space of time. It was only when he finally stood down that the rebuilding could begin. In the meantime the Champions league had come along, making the financial gap between those in it and those not a huge one. In the circumstances, therefore, the current Spurs Board have done a fabulous job, even though it has taken them 10 years, and it can almost be said that the two clubs are neck and neck again. The ‘Harry issue’ is dealt with by the Board handling all the transfer details, so he cannot ‘wheel and deal’, leaving him to do what he does best, man management. I think the Arsenal policy remains a long term one, spending little in the transfer market but continuing to pay off the stadium and this remains wise, even if short term results suffer a bit. The next chapter in the long running rivalry will be when Spurs finally get their new stadium. Will we be as wise about paying for it as you, and will that time see Arsenal move ahead again as they will have more funds than us? All to play for, but anyone who looks down on either club is mistaken.
Morning SSP 🙂
Henry is a great loan signing as we all agree but he alone won’t ever be enough, suggestion is he and RvP will both play against swansea, so we are still one injury up front away from being in trouble….
RV – i’m not so sure on that re Song…
Hi sam, i understand what you are saying, quietly confident maybe…
I’d take Kos and The Verm over Spurs centre backs every day of the week.
As a true North Londoner and a Spurs supporter, I’ve endured almost 20 years of ‘bigger club’ stupidity from Arsenal fans, who’s knowledge of the rivalry is limited to say the least.As clubs, support wise, it’s a cigarette paper between them, it always has been. However since moving to the Emirates the stature of Arsenal looks impressive compared to the 36K WHL.But our board, against the odds have engineered our side on a limited budget and without two decades of CL cash to depend on, into an exciting, vibrant side, who play football in the traditional Tottenham way. Our problem is sustaining the impetus, your’s is paying off a huge debt
We interested in Matias Suarez though! A solid defence eventhough it has been hit by injuries and as for standout players we have wilshere, song, arteta, vermaelen, koscienly and van persie. Yes tottenham are far ahead but they got to play arsenal city and chelsea away along with two games against liverpool so we can still catch up but we do need a striker, attacking midfield and a defender on loan
TV is not overhyped; he is reliable, in fact excellent.
Morning to you spuds fans, should have known this post may attract a few, I must admit a lot of my friends are Spuds and i do get plenty of text’s from them when your winning, Hopefully we will get things right and our battles will continue to be very competitive, I am not like some Arsenal fans that hate everything about Spurs i must admit that i would like it more if we were in your position. Your team are playing well, and you look the team in form, i haven’t got a problem with you being in the Champions league just so long as we are there as well, your on the rise and were going through transition, but don’t expect us to lay down, we want to overtake you, were just stuttering.
Hi bob, good points made and it will be interesting to see how things go when you move, do your fans worry about the court case due for Harry, or even if he were to get the england job?
How about Sagna? Doubt that spurs have a better right back..
I completely disagree and think this post is unfair. Wenger is a genius and has done wonders for the club. For all of Arry’s worth his team didnt look any superior the last time we played Spuds and that was with our worst ever team.
I think our team is vastly improved and with a few key signings will be able to compete at the top. Spending millions doesnt work either, for Chiteh’s 500m quid they are only 3 points ahead of united and possibly spurs.
Song, RVP,Kos, Sagna, Wilshere, Verm and Arteta would make the Spurs team anyday. Adebayor and Gallas already have …. and with Chamberlain, Ryo, Santos, Ramsey, walcott, Mert and Gervinho improving on a weekly basis, don’t be suprised if the gap btw Arsenal and Spurs is much smaller by the end of the season.
keshiv – but they are all just rumours and paper talk, until afc.com announce any signings this month, sadly, i don’t anticipate any 🙁
ADK, I forgot Sagna, spot on, he’s the best Rb in the PL…
Just how many players that Harry has signed are actually in the first XI at the tiny totts currently? You said he had a great eye for a player, so aside from VDV who has he signed that’s made an impact on their current season? Bale? Naughton? King?
Hi RVP, i hope it’s is a big gap tbh, in favor of us of course…..
Agree rico, and i’m a bit insulted, that David underestimates Vermaelen like that. He’s a beast, he gives his all every match, and could make it at any team in the premier leage IMO
You’re all closet totts on here……..
Hi SER
Friedel, Parker, Gallas, Lardybayor, Modric, he signed them all i think
SER, not in a million years!!!
Scotch, he signed, Walker, Parker, Gallas, Ade, VDV(levy not hr) and resigned Kaboul who is doing wonder right now. He signed Kranjcar and pienaar.4 or 5 players are currently in the first XI.
Morning all!
Has anyone read the story about Fenerbahce? Instead of the club playing two matches behind closed doors, they filled the stadium with Women and children under the age of 12. 43,000 of them to be precise. The atmosphere looked unreal!
That brings me to a point I have been meaning to make ever since I was at The Emirates Cup last August and got to witness the Boca Jnrs fans.
Does English football have the worst support in world football? In the sense that the crowds are so grey and dull. All we have to offer to monotone chats of arsssssenal arssssenal… While I remember the boca fans sang, had drums, whistles and even umbrellas going! Looked amazing, and sounded great!
So why is the English game so dull?
Just one thought.. Would Tottenham be where they are now, had they played without Modric and Bale for a month or two?
ADK, TV is immense, we know that, in fact our squad with two additions would be real title contenders if not winners….
Take Friedel out and I think they wouldn’t be where they are now, take Modric and Bale out and definately be a lot further down the table..
I don’t think any other club has had to suffer injury for such long periods as we have….
Morning Esp,
i don’t think the Pl allow the drums and whistles etc, certainly not at The Ems, apparently you can’t even stand up for long before being told to sit down….
err take walker over SAgna any day of the week
Just another thought=We have played without Modric and Bale for a while, along with Dawson, Gallas, Defoe, King, Kaboul, Huddlestone-your point is what DK?as it’s likely we’ll be also without Parker and Sandro for a while as well, all clubs have injuries
good job 111, as Sagna is ours and i know which one i prefer,,,,
ArsenalDK – we currently have Kyle Walker at right back who in my opinion, has been one of the best right backs in the country all season. Very close between the two of them though. Really enjoyed reading the article and comments below. Good to see some good natured discussions, which isn’t always the case on these sites. I actually think / hope both our teams will be in the top 4 come the end of the season at the expense of Chavski and the scousers!
RVP15, we want the same things, but in all fairness even you must have seen the improvement in the Spuds, they have bought the players in that we were asking for and not for fortunes its not rocket science, football is a learning process and if we can learn from neighbour then so be it theres only one top dog in london and i want it to be us
QPR are in for Alex….
Sorry Above comment was meant for mnemonic111 with regards to Sagna and Walker
the reason why we sold the likes of henry and viera was to help fund the new stadium, they both had come to the end of their peaks and arsenal took a gamble and sold them
Just noticed you comment Scotch eggs, we appreciate good football we have played some of the best looking football for many years and when a rival club play that same exciting football we can appreciate it, we are not having it all our own way at the moment, but you know how that feels, but we will be back and i only hope its soon.
Spurs have played without Defoe, gallas, pienaar, Lennon, Hudd, Dawson, king, Sandro all for extended periods. Pav, VDV, Modric, bale, Corluka, Kranjcar, rose have also all missed games through injury at one time or another. The difference is that Spurs have better strength in depth. To be honest, the difference right now is really that spurs came out o their early season funk quicker than arsenal. Since the NLD, the teams are near to new and neck.
At some stage yes James, but not all at once like we have had to suffer – i think the telling sign about how the two sides fair will be at The Ems next month….
Tottenham have to play us,liverpool,city,everton and chelsea away. All losable games. We have liverpool and everton away. I think what you forget about ‘those lot’ is they have vv,bale and modric chomping at the bit to get into ecl football (if, and its a big if). Will those players stay (2 years left there contracts etc)? Yes we are ‘less special’ than previously, but if spurs don’t get 4th spot they could slowly unravel (my heart breaks at that scenario).
Also, lets not forget spurs have a case where the manager will be before the courts more than the training ground in the coming months. That will affect team morale etc.
There is no better right back in the league than Bacary Sagna.
Shez and friedel is a toss of a coin right now, but only one of them is on the way up…
I’d have Kos and TV at centre back, Ledley is class when they can get him out of his wheel chair.
Spuds take left back.
I’d have theo over Lennon. But bale gets left wing.
Midfield and up front are shared. It’s pretty even I reckon. We just had a very bad start to the season. And if you look at spuds games between feb and mid march, there’s the test. Big big games, if they come through that and are still top four, then you have to say fair play.
Its a shame, no spurs fan has ansered my question about Arry becoming the england manager or his day in court??
ESP, Ajax v AZ Alkmaar same sketch U12’s only…
rico it is a difficult question. Can another manager do the same with our current squad ? I think so. I’m not worried even if HR has to leave.
Morning Les, great minds 😉
There is a long way to go yet in this season, and our players are soon on their way back, yes right now we can see that they are playing well, but that can change anytime, just like it did for us….
Morning Rocastle
Wouldn’t mind Friedel instead of Almunia though 😉
Bale, Modric and maybe Parker, the rest, the spuds are welcome to….
no VDV rico ?
Thanks RV….
>Just how many players that Harry has signed are actually in the first XI at the tiny totts currently?
Hmmm – Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Parker, Sandro, Van Der Vaart, Adebayor, Defoe – all signed by Redknapp. In fact the only regulars who Redknapp didn’t sign are King, Ekotto, Lennon, Bale and Modric and Ekotto, Modric and Bale have all improved immeasurably under Redknapp.
>Take Friedel out and I think they wouldn’t be where they are now, take Modric and Bale out and definately be a lot further down the table..
Similarly though take Van Persie out of Arsenal and you would be scrapping down there with the relegation battlers. You really have been the very definition of a one man team this season. We have seen on numerous occasions how toothless you look without him. You must be absolutely dreading his usual 3 to 4 month absence?
Rico, we honestly don’t know about Harry, that’s probably why? The impending court case is the catalyst and the verdict will dictate our future. If it’s a slap on the wrist, then Bond-Sherwood would caretaker the club, I’d guess. If it’s a long ‘un, then who knows, as it would need a new guy coming in and undoing all this present regimes achieved, don’t forget our youth side are brilliant under Sherwood. We’ve the foundations of a great future in place, and this issue could destroy all that hard work in an instant!
well 26th Feb we’ll see….
No thanks RV, not anymore….
Because of Henry ? All this talk about best players is a bit stupid. It’s all about balancing the team.
I’ll start by Saying im a spurs fan and really enjoyed your article Steve, not because I want to gloat but because it highlight the problems with BOTH our teams.
As a spurs fan I feel lucky that we have such a stringent and rithless board in place that quite rightly keep our wage budget low, we’re not out to try and do a Leeds and after god knows how many years of ‘transition’ we are finally getting somewhere! but you will still see a fair few admiring glances across the way to the Emirates and I can openly admit that and heres why:
I believe the Arsenal board are doing exactly what they should be doing at this moment in time and that is making it there priority to pay the stadium off!! I came across a great website this week that holds stats for tjhe premier league since its inception, most interestingly was the Debt section from 2009 – present, this showed just how much Arsenal are reducing there debt every season and we are talking figures between 70-100 million, I am envious that your club will soon bee ‘debt free’ (I use that loosely as no club is ever really completely debt free) and have a a 60,000+ seater stadium and can again start building a quality team, Across north London we are having to try and juggle this all in one go, time will only tell when we start building our new stadium how we deal with this.
Wenger seems to confuse everyone these days and not just Arsenal fans BUT I will not pick holes as he has ben and will continue to be a great manager I believe, there is a lot that goes on behind closed doors and im sure if the money is readily available he will use it, also though we should never knock a manager for believing in his players as this must transfer across to them
Theres a long way to go yet this season and im sure we can all agree on one thing…… Lets Hope City mess it right up!
ditto lee….
essex, we have heard all about youth for years, it make all look pretty good but when it comes to the PL and the first team, there is a huge difference and nothing can be taken for granted…
I hope Harry gets the book thrown at him IF it is proved in court that he has done wrong and that’s not just because he is your manager…. I would say that about any manager….
Hi Rico
If Harry goes for any reason, I think it will put us back in the short term but not for too long. Managerial instability is never good, and it does seem some players (Modric for example) want assurances about Harry before recommiting to Spurs. The recovery at the club began before Harry however, (e.g.the back to back 5th places achieved by Martin Jol), and will continue after him. The short Juande Ramos period was a bit misleading in terms of results, because the quality of players at the club still continued to improve during his time (Bale, Modric etc.). If Harry goes, the Board will go all out for the very best to replace him, especially if CL qualification is achieved again this year.
I think a lot depends on if The twitch is wanted by England, the media and the press seem to like him, and i could see him getting treated leniently, how that may affect the spuds is somthing else
Rico..
http://football-talk.co.uk/56606/chamberlain-rumours-about-me-wanting-to-leave-are-completely-false/
Shame Graham didn’t do some time then, would’ve saved us a few years of boredom personified, but who actually gave George the readies or did he have his own slush fund? Glass houses and stones spring to mind eh?
Oh please! Tottenham have been trying for years to finish above arsenal wtihout any success so its not the end of the world if they happen to finish above us once in a blue moon. Please get your information correct aswell coz saying tottenham have a good squad with a small budget is nonsense. The amount of money they have spent to build this squad is much more than ours so don’t make it sound like they are everton. We are in a competitive world and things happen sometimes. Tottenham are having a good season,but whoever wants to talk about a shift of power is entitled to his opinion but I think anyone with abit of a brain would know that it takes more than 1 season to talk about that
couple of comments
most spurs fans still expect an implosion; years of conditioning has led to this. during the 5-1 mauling a few years ago most spurs fans were still anxious at 4-1
so, those with sense are keeping quiet rather than forging a rod for their own back
i despair with wenger, he has yet to find any grace when he loses, and at his age i assume he never will
several grammatical errors in the article and the glaring mis-spelling of pukka (hini or urdu origin, not sure which, but pucker is different, as in pucker up, something you are all doing to Henry’s bottom it would seem).
didn’t he win you one of your plethora of league cups?
Good morning guys and chicks of the Guners’ faith.
Spuds commenting on HH??? Havent you got anything better to do???? Real Gunners do not go on Spuds website to comment about the totts. We concern ourselves with our news and that’s it.
And in case you forgot……..ask Dalglish and Jol what the last game of the season means. It means that what counts is the final whistle of the season. If you are above us come the final game in May than you can say something, until then just shut the fuck up.
TonySpur, I must admit you have said a lot of sense there, but like all sports supporters, we all want to be the best, we are no diferent, you have had your tough times so you know what it feels like , we have struggled for a few years now and although what you say about our debts is right we still feel that we need to buy just a couple of decent players to keep the momentum going, it doesn’t help us at all seeing Spurs playing like you are at the moment, as the rivalry is always present, but the balancing of our debts and buying players must be worked out.
lee, just seen that on Sky Sports, thank goodness eh 🙂
An amalgamation of the two sides, NL11:
GK: Friedel (Atm, less mistakes)
RB: Sagna (walker is not the finished article yet)
CB: Vermaelen (Toss up between him and kos this season)
CB: King (The most naturally gifted defender of his generation, even Henry said so).
LB: Assou – Ekotto (He’s had a good season, and le arse don’t really have a consistent LB)
CM: Wilshere (although he’d have to take a more defensive role)
CM: Modric (self explanatory)
RM: Lennon (He has outperformed Walcott this season, very similar players, Walcott is better at finishing, Lennon has vastly superior control and first touch)
LM: Bale (self explanatory
AM: VDV (More to his game than Arteta, and has proven it consistently at a high level)
CF: Van Persie (Self explanatory).
That team, in my opinion, would piss the league.
throwing the book doesn’t mean sending him to jail, however, GG paid his price as it was back then, since and for a similar offence, Pigott served a custodial sentence so if that what happens, so be it…
And as lee says, GG managed to get you to win something, so you shouldn’t be too harsh on him….
Oh, that!, and does it count? preferred the 2008 cup run myself as it was probably the most boring game, apart from the 1993 cup final in living memory.But it’s now that’s the issue and this court case has far reaching connection’s that affect our future both long and short term and yeah, I’m worried, before you ask!
we wait and see!!!!!!!!!!
Hi devil – as i said earlier, there is a long way to go yet and our injured players are soon to return apart from Lb and that’s why AW must get in cover …..
Btw devil, wouldn’t catch me wandering 😉
He’s getting a custodial….
ArsenalDK it’s not that I don’t rate TV I just think that he’s overrated, Arsenal fans last season were talking about him as if he’s the best defender in the world. He is a beast in the air, but so is Kaboul, I think Vermalen I think he can get carried away and be caught out of position if no one covers for him during one of his runs forward (which I appreciate is a team issue as much as his) plus it remains to be seen how he’ll cope being the leader of the defence.
As far as Sagna/Walker I think its very close, Sagna is better defensively but I think Walker just (and I mean just) edges the attack with his pace.
For the midfielders, I think that VDV, Modric, Sandro, Parker, Bale and even Kranjkar would all have a place in your squad somewhere, and I think the Lennon v Walcott debate one is one that’ll be decided on who you support- I think Walcott still hasn’t fulfilled his potential, for a player that has played over 200 games for Arsenal its quite amazing to see his shortcoming shrugged off with the excuse that he’s still learning.
Up front spurs take it, taking out Adebayor and Henry (loans) RVP is the standout, but aside from that, Defoe, Pav, VDV (if you count him) could do better then Chamakh
On the injury front, we lost our startin gdefender Dawson in the opening game of the season, Huddlestone has been out for 3 months, Sandro is still making his full return and is crocked again. We did without Luka, Bale, Lennon, Defoe, King for long periods, often together so I think its unfair to say that you’re blighted by injury and thats why you struggle. I think both sides have had it tough this season but Spurs have a deeper squad.
Ultimately I think Spurs’ll finisish 3rd (if United collapse maybe a sniff at 2nd but thats wishing really) and Arsenal 3rd 2-4 points behind.
Devil, you heard from AK?
Thank you Cyril, i now know that great bit of info.
Although your team are doing well and you say your supporters are still feeling uneasy, that has just made me feel a hell of a lot better.
Ok Gooners, the post is about how good Arry is – would you swap him for Wenger today if you could…
My answer didn’t take very long to consider…
No way, not in a million years!!
Of course there is a long way Rico. I used to remember Liverpool of the 80’s and even Manure of the 90’s. We used to say that for the first half season they were crap and we were taking delight in their misfortunes and suddenly they spring into life at the end of January and they finish as champions. And the team that were on top finish second or third or fourth. 6 points can change suddenly, you get a couple of draws and the team behind you wins and suddenly its just 2 points and there is a lot to play for.
We have all seen it happen more than once. The only thing that irks me is that AW does not seem to buy that player who makes a difference with his personality. SAF bought in Cantona who kick started the Manure team with his personality and domineering attitude which bordered on the arrogant. We do need that Henry stare to come back. If it was used to demolish Reyes or any other player than bad luck.
As a coach I always look for the personality of my players. If one of them seems as if he is a bully or is a bit arrogant than I take pleasure in it…….I have a winner. There is a difference than having one who is a demotivator. who is consantly negative. We do need that type of personality………we still lack it. Get it and we can go places even with this squad.
What is this some spud lovefest,about the two clubs are close have a laugh….Win a league title first and a few after that then we can talk…1961 and were close wtf.
Is there any debate to be had over harry twitch and wenger???…ffs is this a joke??
Hi Lee. AK is a bit poorly. But not that bad. Needs lot of rest.
Same here Rico……wouldnt exchange HR for AW. Not even once in eternity. Even if he came with a halo. And no…..good as they might be I would not want any of the Spuds players in our team.
Get well soon Sir AK
Wenger for me Rico, just get the wad out.
Watching a re run of the city game last night, and i must admit we played some nice football. while watching i noticed how many were missing form our team, and could only think that with them returning we could have a good second half of the season, but i’d still buy
devil, that’s just what we need now, a player to kick start us again, maybe it will turn out that Henry will be enough but still think we need at least one, maybe two more…
Hi Mr Arsenal – it’s just a post up for debate, nothing more or less…..
Wait everyone’s screaming about buying new players and now i hear people would love us to splash 10m on ba??? If we had signed him on a free you lot would have been throwing your toys out the pram and now you wouldnt mind splashing 10m on a player who could brake down at any moment??
Mr A – we said similas here the other day, no-one saw Ba’s form coming, Pardew took a punt and got lucky, very lucky…
Unlike Dalslish who paid so much for Carroll and now he wants to offload him and get Bent 😉
And not too much is needed Steve….
Listen Spud fans………the majority of you were not born when the little lot won the league, I doubt if even your dad was born. Do you know that we had a captain who won the league in three different decades. And how many times have you actually won the league??? the same number as the amount of dangling nuts you have under your belly button. you were not even in the thoughts of your mum and dad when you last were champions and you claim that the two teams are close!!!!! Are you FU****G serious????
What are all these spuds phoneys doing here!??
In history and to today devil, the only thing truly close is in miles or kilometres, one season sitting above us midway through counts for nothing….
Yes, Arry may spend when he wants/needs but….. and to date, he like Wenger has bought no-one in this window….
The Remy link does irk me though 😉
Hi Rokabox, blame Steve 😉
The spuds irk me as much as the AKB’s. I never have seen such a talentless lot. They have every right to think and feel whatever they want, but the very fact that they try to ram their thoughts and opinions down your throat gets on my nerves. And the fact that they think they are the world’s shining light makes it even worse.
I hear you devil 😉
have i been blocked??
I just wrote the longest post and it didnt send??
Devil, its time for a Stan moment , calm down, you know what we do reel em in then let them go, the end of the season is where it counts, but you need a few laughs along the way.
very apt…
http://www.offthepost.info/blog/2012/01/arsenal-ballboy-creates-offensive-advertising-hoarding-message-to-leeds-fans/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29
Hi Rico,
Steve mate, you owe us big time bringing the spuds to tell us bulls.
Fair points though, we’ve gone very quiet and no thanks to Wenger and his board.
I really hope they are cooking something and soon they say bon appetite.
You can only dream!
Nothing in moderation Mr A 🙁
And no, you haven’t been blocked, why would you 😉
Don’t you worry Rocabox , were only just starting:)
hello!
I agree with the post as he had outlined several months ago. Tottenham said the candiate was the title and that would probably be ahead of us. I do not share many of your comments. Tottenham have a very balanced team in the absence of one or more players, is regarded as a success. Totss have a well defined form of the game and the players and appendix. Therefore, the absence of one or more players is not felt. If they win today, the first three places in the League are found. The order is that I do not know. If you hire one or two players, become candidates for the double.
It’s hard, it costs, but that’s life!
Lee 😆
Goon afternoon all.
Cooking up something Rokabox, what, like Lasagne 😉
Out for a bit, Laters
Afternoon all. As much as I hate to admit it, I seriously think that at the mo, the way the Spuds play is currently the best in the league. I think they would have done it without Modders or Bale to be honest. Parker is just a beast in midfield, and seems to run most games. He would be the biggest loss for them. Walker is pretty special going forward, and the best attacking RB in the league. Although Sagna is better defensively. Moulded together, you have the complete full back! SPuds haven’t nearly had the same issues injury wise as us. Defoe may have been injured but he doesn’t usually start does he? Huddlestone isn’t as good as Sandro or Parker so again, not really missed when injured.
Fiorentina want chamakh…they can fucking ‘ave him!
I’ll piggyback that dipshit all the way there Lee
Afternoon DG10 and Rocky
I’ll help you with the piggy back….
Afternoon Rico. I’d even make him a packed lunch for the trip at no extra expense!
Although I bet the grease he puts in his hair really stinks… I’d have to insist his hair was freshly washed first…
Devilgunner – not sure what relevance the last time Spurs won the league has on the current merits of the two teams?….
After all it has now been several years since Arsenal won the league and I don’t think there is a single player left at the club who experienced it (unless you count the desperate temporary signing of a semi retired Theirry Henry?)
Personally I think it will end up being close between the two clubs for 3rd/4th/5th place at the end of the season. Only a point or two in it either way I’d say and both team’s respective January signings and injuries will decide this.
DavyD. Maybe it is seen as desperate, but if it helps, who cares? I do agree that it will be close, but I think it will be Chelsea that miss out this year. I think the 2 Manc clubs will be in the top 2 and Us/Spuds 3rd and 4th in any order
I think we’d all ‘chip’ in for the flight fare to Rocky, just want him gone….
was chamakh in avatar?
Not sure, but I’m sure I saw Johann Djourou in Shameless the other day, qualifying to become a teacher!
I thought Chamakh was in Grease 😳
Rockyrocastle07 – I certainly hope so. I think that Chelsea missing out would give many people great pleasure and I don’t just mean fans of THFC and AFC there either.
Don’t think many people like Chelsea… Not just the way they started throwing their cash around, but because of the high numbers of arseholes that play for them. And the fat Security bloke with the red face standing by the tunnel at Stamford Bridge who always manages to get on TV really annoys me.
Before It all drops into a personal slanging match I would like to say that I am one that saw Spurs last win the league and I retire later this year.The advantage that Spurs have this year has been coming for some time. Because of Harry’s and other Spurs manager’s buying policy ,they have freshened their squad whereas Wenger has stood still and backed players that now have failed and cannot be sold at the price our board want.Taking Bendtner and Denilson as examples £ 5 million for either would probably find a buyer and get their wages off the balance sheet but no doubt we are asking more . Every manager has his good buys and also they fail with others , Harry’s wheeling and dealing gives him more opportunity to find a few good ones and currently he has a team that has built impetus. What happens when and if the wheels come off for a few games will be the interesting factor on where they finish and really that’s when the bragging rights come in. Long way to go yet but at the moment they are in pole position but they have in some way been lucky in that this game in hand has come when they are over their early season uncertainty ( Modric ) and Everton are in a rut and don’t have the optimism that a new season brings.
Davy D…….of all barefaced cheek a spud said “After all it has now been several years since Arsenal won the league. how long has it been since you last won the league???? the last league we won was in 2004 and we were unbeaten. the last time you took the lge was when tv was still black and white. and the fashion was still long shorts. and another thing…..you always won the lge at the shit lane. we have wonn the lge at old trafford, at anfield and in your own backyard (twice).
finally a cockerel is only gd for one thing……for the soup.
I thought Chamakh was in Grease .
Well he’s not the “one that I want.”
Potter – He’s not the one ANYONE wants.
Hi Potter – retirement is good for the body 😉
‘one that i want’ – 🙂
devil, please don’t leave comments that offend, you know i don’t eat meat 😉
Am i the only one that’s happy with the squad we have???
I mean we have sorted out a longterm keeper in schezzer.
We have the best right-back in the league coming back sagna,
we have kos who is playing like a beast(such a improved player),
We have tommy gunner and the big german who is starting to get used to the premier league(who needs cahill).We had santos who was doing well attatcking wise.with Gibbs out we are short there
We have arteta who has made us more solid in midfield with he’s experience there,rambo who is starting to pick up that form he had before that horror injury.Song who is still very underated by our fans.We have gervinho who is feeling he’s way into english football and has done well so far.(alot more to come)
We have Theo who still get’s stick from fans even thou he’s improved massively season after season.
We have the best striker in world football right now in Rvp!!!
We have the oxo-kid who people moaned about the 15m spent on him and now the same people shout for him to start?(great little talent).We have tomas who still has the vision for them killer balls,yossi b who i think is still a very talented player.We have a guy that frimponged nasri(need i say more).We have a centre-midfielder playing at left-back who doesn’t look out of place in francis coqulien.We have king-Henry back (even thou its just a short time) and Park that’s been written off even thou he’s hardly played.Do you still want me to go on because i can 🙂
Dont you like cocks then Rico???? 😆 😆
We are short on Fullbacks yes i agree and i agree we are poldoski away from being a real top side…Do people think wenger doesn’t know this???
If we can keep this squad together next season and get a proper pre-season under our belts,we will be very strong side next year and who know’s when our players get back from injury just how well we could do this year also.
Mr Arsenal , all you say has merit but like anyone that appraises our squad you ran out in the goal scoring department. Even with Robin doing his bit we still have a low conversion rate to the chances made. People concentrate on the defensive problems that let in the softest goals on occasions but a better rate of goals to chances would make them insignificant.
Mr Arsenal – With or without Gibbs and Santos, we are still short at LB because beither are good enough. Agree, he’s good attacking wise but I don’t want that from a LB!
Arteta is doing ok, but hardly pulling up trees, and neither is Rambo. Let’s face it, one of them is out on his arse the moment Jack is fully fit. Which would you axe?
Theo hasn’t improved season after season. I admit he started this season excellently and it’s the best I’ve seen him. I agree, Song is immense for us. Still gives far too many stupid fouls away in stupid areas, but if he can iron that out he’d be spot on.
Oxo – you’re right. I don’t know anyone on here that doesn’t rate him. But he doesn’t play does he? not even on the bench. So with that in mind, no I’m not happy about that. Tomas hasn’t played a killer ball since the old king died. I think he’s better defensively these days. Although I won’t knock his effort when he does come on. Agree re Frimpong. But he’s not with us at the moment is he?! Park – doesn’t get a game so why be happy with him?
Bottom line, we have a great foundation – no-one’s knocking that. It’s just we have too much dross occupying valuable spaces. We need to buy. And not defenders from the Qatar second division – established players.
Devil…. How could you?!
Mr Arsenal. I do tend to agree with some of your comments. But no. I am never satisfied with the players we might have. As a coach I always look to improve my team whatever place it is in. Even if it has won the league for 5 years in a row I will still try to get better players to improve it.
Hell I would only give up if I had not won the league in the last 50 years. I would go and bury my head in shame. But then some people are a sad bunch of sado masochists.
Mr Arsenal, in the main yes but we still need another striker to take pressure off RvP as Chamakh and Park are not good enough
We also need another defensive player, someone like Vertonghen who can cover in all defensive positions and in DM, Song needs a bit of competition imho.
If we sign those two positions and with Henry on loan, I’d be very happy with the squad.
So Devilgunner I will ask you again…. What bearing does having won the league 8 seasons ago have on the relative merits of the two teams today?
devil, you have shocked me, when on a shirt, not at all 😉
Devil – you’re right in that we should strengthen whenever possible. Even Roberto Martinez said the other week that although he is happy with his squad, he actively looks to improve the squad by buying one or two players EVERY transfer window.
Rico – I stand by what I’ve said from day 1 of me posting on here – Koscielny would be a phenomenal DM.
Mr Arsenal, we have been saying that for too many summers, ‘if we can keep this squad together’ – reality is we seldom do and if we don’t soon make RvP and Theo believe we are a side with ambitions higher than 4th spot, they will be the next to go…
Sagna is near to the end of his contract i believe, as is Song, how long before they too jump ship?
It’s the here and now, and now as too many seasons have gone by without really making our squad strong enough….
It does have a bearing Davy D…….psychologically we are always ahead of you. We have been there and done it. you………HAVE NOT. And when pushing comes to shove its the pressure which counts. We can speak at the end of the season.
DavvyD, give up on it now please, we have moved on….
Rocky, as would TV but then it’s robbing Peter to pay Paul – just like we do in too many other positions…
If Wenger were to move either, would he then buy another defender or would he just move Song?
We are better than that, aren’t we 😉
Devil – Hopefully we won’t be seeing DavyD at the end of the season then!
Rico – I still believe Kozzer is a more natural DM than CB, He loves to run with the ball, loves to get touch tight etc…. If he tries either of those and messes up, I’d rather he not be the last line of defence, and that there are people behind him! I really think he has the tanacity and stamina to play in that position.
I agree with RR07…….Koscielny would be a great DM. I would go further to say that if we were to buy another centreback TV can be transformed into a quality DM or better still a centreforward.
Good Afternoon Gooners.
Good Afternoon Sir Steven, controversial but interesting post my friend.
Good Afternoon Rico.
Well i’ve heard of the Invasion of the Bodysnatchers,
but i had to get off of my sick-bed because of the even more shocking news of the Invasion from Middlesex Hotspurs….
SSP, what have you done to our hallowed blog?????
Can’t do any worse than Chamug
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
how are you old fella??? hope you are better.
Pity you came on now as I am off to training. Good to see you back here mate.
Could have been Stratford Hotspurs…..
I leave those spudsters in your hands Sir AK. Make of them what you will.
Rico, you can’t have Cahil…he’s gone! stop pining after him! 😆
Hiya Devil.
I hear there has been a lowering of the tone on here today…..
Tut tut Rico…… 😉
Hiya Lee….
All systems go for the knee op….
Lazarus….hello my old china!! how you diddling AK?
Rocky/devil – not disagreeing with your views on either but Wenger won’t change them, well actually, you never know with Wenger 😉
Afternoon AK, how you feeling, apart from the invasion of course 😉
Oui mon ami. I agree. It was irking me to see those scum on this site. I was feeling murderous.
Off now. See you later. Au revoir
The Invasion Rico…..
What does it say????
No decent blogs for the Middlesex mob to visit i suspect.
Too busy rioting i guess….
Just heard a rumour Stephen Hawkin has reached 70…must of been a fuckin steep hil!
See ya Dev, take care mon ami…..
And Harry has won what exactly????????????????????????
How many years has he been in management?
What has he won this season?????????????????????????
May is a long way away Gooners.
Lee… 😆
See you later devil
😆 kev….
Don’t agree with loaning out Oxlade-Chamberlain…….
Have the boy on the bench, to come on with TH12…
4 and a half months AK, a lot can happen in that time and i suspect it will too…….
Afternoon AK. Is he definitely going out on loan do we know?
IT came out this morning re the ox but he’s denied it this afternoon!
Thought that Nico Yennaris looked assured and a very promising prospect when he came on.
Yennaris, Afobe, Ozyakup, Aneke, Miyaichi, Ox, Coquelin,. Frimpong, Miquel, Wilshere, Chezzer,
Why all the gloom?
What a fantastic group of players we have, with more in the pipeline.
I cannot remember an era when we’ve had such a glut of talent.
All wonderfully coached, above and beyond anyone else in the EPL.
If Middlesex enjoy a bit of short-term glory, so be it.
wheeler-dealer goes and it’s finished.
Built on short-termism like everything he does…
Hmmm.. interesting. Have to keen an eye on his Twitter account! I agree with you AK, I think he’s good enough to stay and see the season out at Arsenal. But what’s the point when he doesn’t even make the bench?
Sorry guys, got to nip out with Fido, back in a bit…..
Afternoon Rocky.
At home now, so your lift will have to wait… 😉
Rico, a week is a long time in football, 4 months is an age….
Good to hear that Lee. He was outstanding on Monday night…..
What a pivilege it was to witness that goal…..
Still sends shivers down the spine.
Football is all about moments like that. You remember them forever.
Like Ray Kennedy’s goal at the Slum in May 1971…..
Rocky, i don’t think that Wenger can hold him back anymore…..
He should be in and around the team for the remainder of the season.
And if Gervinho can’t get back into the team.
Then tough….
That’s ok AK… I don’t mind sitting with the great unwashed of London on the 23 or 11 bus of an evening!
I like Gerv, bit he shits himself when through on goal. With him and Chamug gone for a bit, and hopefully AA doing one soon, that will give Ox and Ryo a shot at , at least , the bench… Then anything can happen
shame 5head fucks off to ACON he could do with some TH12 finishing tips……
Hi SAk, glad your feeling a bit better,
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1453/19/exclusive-oxlade-chamberlain-not-interested-loan-move
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1453/71/fiorentina-fail-loan-bid-chamakh
Hello SSP.
Well, i’m not great mate, but the news of so many Middlesex mugs on here got me outta bed…. 😉
Their blogs must be boring, that’s all i can think of…
I mean Steve, think about blogging about them all day…..?
How many posts of 1961 can you possibly dream up.???
I wouldn’t want to live in their world…..
Got to say I am glad that reports of The Ox wants to stay, in my eyes he shouldn’t be trying to get a place he should be in now, i see him better than theo and a sight better than Arshavin. I may be alone in saying that even Chamakh played pretty good the other night, a couple of his passes had they fell in front of a half decent striker would have been converted.
The rivalry between the two clubs has always been great, and in all fairness to them, they are playing some nice football, i just wanted to point out that we have to put ourselves out this year, and if that is not motivational, i don’t know what is. sorry to hear your iffy get well soon mate.
best AA’s played for ages but still not up to scratch, dunno about avatar thought he was fairly woeful….
For who does it have a bearing though Devilgunner?…. I can only assume you mean the fans?…. As I said before I think the only player in your squad that has been there and done it was the semi retired Theirry Henry.
Do you really feel that winning the title 8 seasons ago with a completely different set of players has any bearing today?
Think Wenger developed a complex playing the youngsters and the new since that 8/2 defeat, he put all the youngsters + Dijouro+ departing QPR player and he expected all would go well. AOC rumours is just the smoke, God knows when the fire ignites,
would he be happy shiting on the bench all the time and watch the others horror show. you wont see some of Wallcot, Arshavin and Gervinio outragous shooting even in Halaween’s.
We do need another left-back that i agree with and as i said we need a top striker to complement Rvp!!
Rocky you say only this season theo has improved??? I disagree and say that year by year he has improved and if it wasnt for injury’s he would be even better.Did you know that in the last 2 years theo has a better assist record and goals record than bale??
It just seems people are heading back to the wenger bashing again and i think for he’s mistakes in the summer,he has done very well with the players he has brought in.I’m gonna go as far to say if we had this team at the beginning of pre-season,we would be in the top 2 right now.
And how hard it must be for the spuds that yet another ex-gooner has kept them up there this season.We took the worst squad for years to there ground and made you look a very average team,so i don’t why your getting so happy!!!
Too much doom around Arsenal these days,when all the foundations are there.
Mr A with two quality additions this squad could really kick on……
DavyD, the only bearing is that its been a lot longer for Spuds than it has been for us. and we are only at the half way stage of the season Spuds have got some dodgy times ahead, and maybe some bad press hold on to your horses, till the end of the season, if you can keep it up all season you wont have to convince anyone, we know what we have to do, and we will be pulling all the stops out and hopfully your team will be in our wake.
17 games for us….
I agree lee,i really do.
we just have to keep up the faith and get behind the boys…I still believe we can do something big this season.
He got the praise, sainthood, godship etc.. when he desrved it and now he gets the bashing cos he deserves it ,that’s life Mr Arsenal.
it might n’t help many, but it certainly helps me blood pressure!!
To be honest Steve, I thaught Chamug was woeful too. I was was at a mates watching it (I will NEVER pay for ESPN) and had to leave the room for a sec during the second half. My mate actually rewound one moment while I was out and paused it so he could show me something that, according to him, “sums up Chamakh totally”. Wjhen he hit play, I witnessed Chamakh collect the ball, miscontrol it, and with his next touch, punt the ball out for a throw. Pitiful.
Mr A, if Coquelin hadn’t got injured, then i’m not so sure that Arsenal do in fact need another left-back.
I’m sure that Wenger has a left-back equivalent of Jenkinson lined-up. The kid from Southampton for example.
Yh but the wenger bashing,just pulls a dark cloud over Arsenal again and gives the media that smell of blood that they need…We just need to stay united to the end of the season and if it goes belly up then bash him.But now is not the time in my opinon!
Mr Arsenal. I see what you’re saying, and I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on Theo. I really can’t see him having improved until this season, but that’s the thing about football… Everyone sees things differently. Like I said, the foundation is there… there are just a few too many “nearly” men there. You say we need another forward to help RVP…. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Wenger hopes Walcott and Gerviho for, but they are just simply not scoring goals. And while we keep the 4-3-3 formation, we will never bring in another forward of immense quality because either he or RVP won’t play.
I like the sound of the saints young left back,have you seen him play?
pretty much most people on here are of the same opinion….just a shame sometimes AW couldn’t take step back and have a look at what’s needed…really frustrating but as you say we need to get behind this lot!!!
Also, in response to your last post… I really don’t think the media need ANY excuse to have a go at Arsenal. It’s just like back in the George Graham days when the media slagged us off all the time. The fight with Man U that lead to the 2 point deduction was like Christmas and Their birthday’s all rolled into 1. Seems the same is happening now. At the same time, I don’t think the Wenger bashing has any influence on anything at all…. Just let’s the fans get things off their chest, that’s all.
I only saw the highlights Rocky, so you are probably right but i did see him lay the ball off a few times and just assumed he played better shows how the playback can be decieving.
Aaameen to that mr arsenal, what about my blood pressure then!?
Haha!! Love it Steve! I suppose the fact he managed to lay the ball off successfully a vouple of times actually does mean that by his standards he was a roaring success on teh night!
couple*
Not sure there’s too much Wenger bashing on here tbh…..
Bash the Board, bash Gazides, yes, be my guest, they deserve it.
But Wenger, no, just his substitutions…
Look, at the end of the day, with our stadium, we’re where every other London club and the mob from Middlesex, would love to be….
We have some fabulous young players coming through, and not the likes of Denilson, Diaby etc, but real quality….
We can certainly make the top-four and win the FACup this season.
Wheeler-Dealer joins England.
Middlesex H, kaput….
Relax guys, it’s all under control….. 😉
AK – yep, totally with you on Coq. I’d be happy enough to play there regularly
AK – I wish I had your optimism! You and Goonster are the most optimistic people on here I think!
Rocky your right we do need to get rid of some of the dead weight players that we do have at the club,but we don’t if the players that we are after are not available or just being priced out by silly prices.
My point really is,that i feel we have a strong team and us fans must be stronger than we have ever been before and who know’s that this season could yet still turn out to be a great one.
Met this Scottish bird last night.(men is she foxy) said she was from “abroath” or something. Anyway we had a couple of drinks and one thing led to another and BAM am waking up in her room! Got to work late and got an earful from my already pissed boss!
Rocky, PMA it’s called :lol:…..i’m struggling like you too but stanlette and 47 keep up my mojo!
How rude of me….afternoon guys.
Afternoon Goonster you stud!
she’s a “kipper” Stan….you lothario you!
Rocky, i’ve seen it all before mate. 😀
But like everyone else i still do like a moan.
As for those nomads from Middlesex. Don’t feed them guys….
Tell me about it Lee… I’m an eternal pessimist though!
and basically an all-round miserable bastard!
Btw Mr A, the Saints full-backs name is Shaw.
I have not seen him play, but he’s had some really good reviews and Southampton have an outstanding Academy….
The tablets must be working SAK you sound like your old self, we just need a little shake up and we’ll be on our way again, would be nice to see a couple of new faces, but it would also be nice to see some of the injured returned as well .
THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER
No Rocky, you are an uncontrollable optimist.
You just save yourself from disappointments by pretending to be a pessimist. 😉
One of our sales guys here is a massive saints fan. His granddad used to own the club and all land around it before he (against his will) sold it all to Rupert Lowe… Anyway, he says Shaw is “mustard”. He’s always banging on about Lallana as well. Years ago he was mentioning a guy named Theo Walcott who would make it big, was wetting his pants over Bale just before the transfer hype started up about him and later on he told me about Ox. Although he DID say Dexter Blackstock would be great too….
What’s this? Spuddies wishing us well! Have we sank that low! God in heaven.
I prefer that description AK, thanks! I’l use it everytime people at home / work tell me I’m a miserable, pessimistic ****!
That’s the spirit Stevo, coming on here is my medicine mate… :P:
Now where’s Wath, we’ve got to get to work on him… 🙂
Rocky, i’m sure there is a good relationship between us and Southampton. One thing about Arsenal, that we all be proud of, is that we do our transfer business properly.
We just don’t do enough of it.. 😉
Stan did that bird have a tartan skirt on and a dagger in her tights
Stan, you sure that wasn’t a geezer in a kilt…….??? :P:
Hi ya rocky lee Ak, how are you guys doing?
Stevo 😆
I’m good thanks mate! Trust you had an enjoable night?!
Rocky, your 4.01 at least we’re singing from the same hymn sheet…
Stan, I’m ok took my wife to see Sherlock holmes last night so I’ve accrued some brownie points!!
If you go offering deep fried mars bars about you’ll get that action all night… 😆
It was definitely a Scottish chick guys…and boy was she foxy.
Lee – The wife wants me to take her to see that…. Any good?
Goonster – Ask her if she can whip you up some offal cooked in sheeps stomach next time you see her… They love it! All washed down with some Irn Bru! Mmmmm tasty!
Foxy eh Goonster? Anything like this? http://www.welcometoscotland.com/about-scotland/wildlife-around-scotland/scottish-mammals/red-fox
But don’t fart on the vinegar strokes
better than going to see “sluts with nuts” I guess…..!
Steve – Excellent!
Lee – I’m actually still chuckling about the Stephen Hawking joke!
Rocky, I had the time of my life…am seeing her again tonight by the way.
Good work!
Make sure she has a shave
Rocky who’s she? Mmmmmmmm tasty. Can I have her number?
He’s Coming Back
Shit, that went wrong, sorry guys.
What’s she doing over there then Goonster? You going to get all loved up and mellow?! Or is it a holiday romance?!
That was supposed to be Bacary Sagna… 🙁
AK – Love the way Rosicky boots him up the arse at 0.54!
Haaha!! Well they DO look alike AK……..!!
This is the right one… 🙁
Rocky, what can i say ……. 🙂
Beats me rocky hey but who cares as long as she reserves all her good loving for “the goonster!
It’s easy to forget how awesome Bac is.
Haha! Love the way you are describing yourself in the 3rd person there Goonster! Outstanding! Well have fun mate! Rememeber to be careful!
Back to the arse, what’s going on guys? Who are we close to signing? Please don’t say “kalou-less!*shivers involuntarily*
Don’t think so. What is it about Kalou that you hate?! The fact he’s a Chav or do you generally think he’s crap?
Am Dutch….we are always careful mate.
SSP. 4.29….
🙂
I meant be carefule not to hurt yourself on the dagger in her tights….! 😉
Hope she’s not a Scotish Quaker stan. it will be poridge breakfast dinner and tea
Both rocky…he’s shit mate. We need better not to mentio he ll be off every two years to participate in ACON. Besides he ll “kill” AOC’s progress.
Anyway, regarding Kalou. I still really don’t know what I make of him. I always thought he was rubbish until (apologies, I forget who it was) someone posted his stats on here the other day. They made the very valid poit that as he is mainly a sub, those stats are actually pretty impressive. And if we Do get him, and it’s around the £3m mark, I think that’s pretty good business. But something in the back of my head is still wary of him being an Arsenal player….
She would be good at tossing the caber though Steve……
sounds like she’s tossed a few rocky
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7423704/ Who the hell would even consider calling up this twat?
Sir Steve don’t worry my man. The woman that would take me down is yet to be born.
Right, I’m off. Have a good evening all, catch you in the morning.
Stan – Have fun! Sure we’ll get a full report tomorrow!
Take care rocky…have a good one.
Rocky just missed you… It was the bollocks mate…as good if not better than the first movie!!
See you Rocky,
Evening guys and gals……
Careful Rico… Mr Loverman is in town!!
Who’s that lee? Mr lover man that is.
You enjoy yourself Stan, were just jealous mate.
Nte Rocky, have a good un
Jealous of lil old me? Mum ll be proud.
Evening All….
Rico, check your in-box…
Mr Loverman lee, could that be Stanley 😉
Just seen it AK, thank you heeps 🙂
Just logged on and the blessed phone rang, i must disconnect it 😉
Evening all
Goonster found yourself a ravishing Scottish bird. Well done. Did you have a funel down your throat to keep up with the drinking?
Wow to the rest of you. Saw the nomadic spuds ran out of ideas and excuses. Hat off to my fellow gunners. Most of them sound like they invented the gunpowder.
According to tghe good old rumour site, we have signed Eic Abidal on a 2 year deal…
Mmmme, i doubt it, eh ….
We signed what???? Abidal???? Why not Taylor???
Evening Rico. just back from training.
Evening mates. Has that spud buggered off???
Where did you see it Rico????
Abidal could be the loan defender AW mentioned. A 2 year deal seems odd.
Evening DG10 and devil…
Its a gossip site devil, it’s 99.9% rubbish rumours 😉
This is the full comment:
‘I can confirm (cant reveal how I know, you’ll just have to trust me) that Arsenal have completed the signing of Eic Abidal from Barcelona for a fee of £1.5 millon.
Wenger has broken his over 30’s policy and handed the frenchman a two year deal.
Abidal is said to be keen to try is hand in the premier league before he retires and sees Arsenal as, ”his most viable and culturally suited option”.
I for one think this is a fantastic piece of business. Not only will he had experience but he will offer cover at centre back and left back.
Ive also been told that his arrival spells the end of squallaci’s career at Arsenal with the frenchman poised to join Lyon. ‘
DG10, a 2yr deal does sound odd, especially considering his age, i doubt if it’s for real though….
Although I agree that Abidal can give us much of what we need, for me I prefer Taylor to him. Younger, faster and more aggressive and more suited to the EPL. Abidal has always played in France and Spain and to be honest the football there is not the same as in England. And the way we play with fast full backs I cannot see him gallivanting up and down the wing like Santos. However he has been there and done it. And if true at 1.5mill he will be a snip.
Dutch press confirm our interest but not to such length as your article Rico.
If Squallaci moves on it makes sense. But would rather have Vertonghen in as versatile backline player. Building our future instead of plugging a hole.
devil, i think wenger has faith in gibbs so i can’t see us getting taylor but, i wish he would and if he spells the end of Gibbs afc career then so be it – life at the top is tough….
Dont know but I like Gibbs. And remember, he started as a defensive midfielder at the club. I would prefer a defender being bought and Santos moved upfield on theleft flank.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/01/11/2841464/arsenal-youngster-ignasi-miquel-beginning-to-enjoy-left-back
look at this. would AW deprive Miguel?????
off to eat……..back soon
Surely a loan deal can’t be on the table, Abidal’s contract ends this summer. Dutch press telling he wishes to play PL before retirement.
Left midfielder would suit Santos dearly. Some mentioned TV/Kozzer being converted to DM like that thought as well.
DG10 – you and me both re Vertonghen…
Maybe the rumour is true??
Dinner calls, back in 20 😉
I can only see it happening if the other Frenchy leaves.
I agree DG10. Abidal will only come if Squilly goes. However I would prefer to see Abidal instead of Squilly in the team. So that would mean that we would get Abidal for 1.5mill and Kalou for 3mill. Two players in key areas for less than 5 mill and we have youth waiting in the wings. One would give us experience needed and the other would try his damned hardest to show that the chavs should have treated him better. Win win I say. But I prefer Taylor.
hello amigos!
Any important news in this afternoon?
bad news: totts 1 Everton 0
Devil
Abidal experience as world beater is far above Squilli’s. Fear only he would struggle with pace and ball distribution in the EPL. Seen him play for Barca, his physics look impressive, aerial defence pretty solid. Quick passing not so much his forte.
I didn’t hear of Taylor before until he got named in posts here. But I would welcome more specialists in the team. Would force Wenger to strengthen the dept of the squad instead of using players as all rounders.
All these rumours sound good, lose squilly arshavin and chamakh. pretty sure somthings going on with chamakh, and Arshavin, bring in Abidal, Jack must be nearly ready, Sagna as well, any news from Jenkinson. just a striker then
No way DG. No kalou-less on my team. By the way its still nil all in the spuds everton game. Rico won’t like this but the scoursers are ahead at the etihad.
1.0 spuds
Bummer now they are ahead. 9 points is a lot guys. God help us.
Kalou might work out superb. When he earned his transfer from Feyenoord to the Chavs he was prolific as a fox in the box striker. Feeding a lot from the services Kuijt provided.
5 mil for the both of them would be astute business. And still leave room for our prospects.
Bloomin Spuds, come on you toffees 🙂
Evening….
Abidal is a very good player. High level of confidence. He can play at a full-back in both sides and central back. He is taller too. Play well with both foot. Las year, was in avery good fit. I don’t how he is now.
But we need a central forward. Kalou has 27 years old. He has played at Feynoors and I remember the Dutch wanted him to his national team for palying with RVP and Kuyit. I’m quite sure he wats to prove his quality. Arsenal can be the rigth springboard for his career. And I think will not be difficult his integration.
Any news about Park?
Abidal and Kalou that is.
Goonster 9 points can melt in the next months. Spuds have tough fixtures to command.
Am really freaking out now DG. The scummers have a good team not great but good.
JM, Abidal has done really well, he was really poorly yet came back to captain Barca to a victory over the Mnacs last year in the CL final…
If that is who we get DG10, together with TH12 on loan, would this window be that bad? Ok, I would prefer Vertonghen but…..
offski mates.
See you tomorrow.
gd nite Rico
Nte dev
Scousers are doing well fending off City still 1.0
Goonster the scummers will drop points. It will be interesting how they cope with darker days. Up till now it has been sailing mirror waters.
Night Devil
Yeah they surely will DG10 but 9 points is a lot.
2-0, they score much more goals then us.
Verthogen maybe free only in the summer.
Moreover, I think Abidal and Kalou can play in CL.Both have experience in big competitions. Not he same with Park, for instance.
You know how it works out with arrogance. The rooster wants credit for sunrise.
Night devil, rest well….
steve, citeh will turn it around shortly
DG10 – wait til arry goes to see the magistrates 😉
I’m heading off for the day too guys, you all stay safe and enjoy what is left of the rest of your day…
Take care, nighty night all…..
Arsenal 1 Villa 1 – reserves…
Park, Ryo, Boateng… had playing
Nte Rico, maybe
Am going to need to see a specialist soon. Look at my hands trembling. The spuds have never finished ahead of us all my life as a gooner. The possibility of that happening is frightening. I need help guys.
Although Kalou is another who will leave semi-annually. With Aneke/Afobe and Cambell waiting in the wings that problem could well be solved before the next AOCN comes.
Moreover, I actually think Kalou is fed up being treated as a benjamin by the Chavs. Wenger can turn him into a man of his own. Like JM said he needs a springboard to reach next level. He sure hasn’t found regular pitch time the last few seasons.
Nte Rico like you said I hope they throw the book at him.;-)
He needs his arse pounded by a cell mate
City lose 1.0
3pts closer
almost
Diaby is in Qatar in treatements? In Qatar?
Suarez have a deal with us for be integrate next summer.
City lost 3 games in four matches…
Spuds towards the title…
Is Shearer wearing that suit for a bet
SP1
By someone as big as that guy from the Green Mile. 😉
Mancini’s got the right hump
Thats the guy Dutch
Already out of the CL if Shitty lose top spot Mancini might taste pizzas in his hometown. Instead of ordering free Kebab in London.
Right on that note i’m off nte nte all and heh be careful out there.:)
Me too. Night Gooners. Sleep well.
Tomorrow will be another working day
night all.
Staninho, in the words of the Bard, William Shakespear;
“Bewhere the Ides of March, Arry”
And
“Alas dear Stanley, now calm down….” 😀
http://www.arsenal.com/usa/news/news-archive/-fans-know-it-is-a-special-place-for-thierry-?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
morning lee, new post is up, no doubt you will bring that video with you 😉
Morning Lee.
Epic video mate. Thanks. Makes my day. 🙂
Anyone want to change their rmind in the BAE v Sagna debate?