Arsene backed for big summer spending. Fabregas & Griezmann on the move?

Morning all.

On this day in 2006, Tomas Rosicky signed for Arsenal....
On this day in 2006, Tomas Rosicky signed for Arsenal….

That was of course back in the day when the World Cup didn’t get in the way of Arsenal signing footballers. I can remember how the news leaked that Tomas had been allowed to leave the Czech camp and secure his deal with us. Excited? You bet I was.

He’s been great for us hasn’t he and although his injury record has deprived him of many years in the game, he’s sure making up for it now.

Talking of signing players, Arsenal director Lord Harris is the latest voice to speak about the support Arsene Wenger will get from the board this summer. He’s adamant Arsenal remain ambitious in their challenge for the top honours and he claims there are very few players the club would not be able to afford.

We want to win the Premier League and the Champions League. If we buy two or three players then I think we can.

We want to win. We don’t want to be second, we don’t want to be third and we don’t want to be fourth.

We will support Arsene with the players he wants to buy. He has always been encouraged to spend.

The last sentence, ‘he’s always been encouraged to spend’ backs up the theory of Arsene Wenger being the one reluctant to do so doesn’t it?

Well if we are to finish next season higher than fourth, he’s going to have to.

There’s all sorts of stories in the newspapers suggesting one of the players joining us could be Cesc Fabregas, another is Antoine Griezmann and should both actually come true, there goes pretty much half of the reported £100 million Arsene Wenger is rumoured to have and we’d still need at least goalkeeper, striker and a midfield rock. Oh, and right-back as Bacary Sagna appears to be getting closer and closer to a switch to the league champions.

Easy this transfer stuff eh… lol

The World Cup kicks off soon and here’s a run down of what our players will be up to:

Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have  friendlies against Peru, Ecuador and Honduras before they begin their campaign against Italy on June 14.

Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil have  friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia before facing Portugal in their opening Group G game against Portugal.

Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Bacary Sagna  begin their campaign against Honduras on June 15 before taking on Ecuador and Switzerland.

Joel Campbell begins his tournament against Uruguay before taking on Italy and England.

Santi Cazorla has been named in Spain’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad.

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has been named in Belgium’s squad for their first World Cup campaign since 2002. 

Johan Djourou and Switzerland will come up against fellow Gunners Olivier Giroud, Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny when Switzerland take on France on June 20.

Johan Djourou, I’d forgotten all about him. He’s one of a number of players who will no doubt be let go/sold on by the club….

I do wish Arsene Wenger would get on with things.

Confirming his own situation would be a start….

That’s it for today….

 

250 thoughts on “Arsene backed for big summer spending. Fabregas & Griezmann on the move?

  1. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Chappies and Lasses.

    6 days since we last won a cup. Tsk Tsk. The tea lady out. 😛

    Cesc stories will not go away. If he comes…..Arteta’s place will be taken by him. And he will have TV05’s number I think. Unless Per takes the number 5 and Cesc takes number 4.

    Next captain??? Look no further than Per. Not anyone else. Just Per.

    Cesc and Griezmann will take up a lot of the transfer chest of AW. So expect freebies and wannabes to come in as well.

  2. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning Rico, don’t see where Cesc would fit in, getting bored with the gossip already. Come on Arsene spend some money! lol.

  3. rico says:

    Morning Devil & Bt..

    I can’t see where Cesc would fit in at all….

    Much rather a proper DM/HM/Box to box kind of player..

  4. ArsenalDK says:

    Let’s hope so!

    Would rather have him, than Cesc. Griezmann is another story though. I would have him for his pace, trickery and goals

  5. snaparse says:

    morning all….cesc?? no thanks..if we are shopping in Barcelona we should go for Alexis I say….nice read Rico love the tomaz photo

  6. Hell Raising Devil says:

    If Cesc comes he will fill the Arteta role. He can play there. I would like him to come back although I feel that a proper DM is a must over him. If Cesc comes that means only one thing…..AW has doubts over JW10

  7. rico says:

    Thanks snaparse, no Cescfor me either, not now, not ever….

    Adk, I’d love s to get Lars, or Sven tbh…. Shame Lars has said he doesn’t want to move yet.

  8. rico says:

    Surely Devil, the Arteta role needs to be filled with a big, strong, fit and quick player, not another midfield midget who is slow…

  9. rico says:

    Fabregas is a sulky little git too, he’ll want everything played through him just like he used to..

    We are a team now and there is no ‘I’ in team…

    I really hope we don’t re-sign him….

  10. Hell Raising Devil says:

    tbh I like him Rico. But that is me as Dev.

    As a coach I struggle to think where he would fit in.

    Unless AW is not thinking of playing Aaron as a centreforward. It might sound like a joke but 1) I feel that Aaron would adapt to playing there and 2) I would never put anything past AW not to do with his players.

  11. Wath says:

    Morning All,

    No comment on Cesc from me I’ll upset the more sensitive viewers…!

    Plenty players out there we actually need rather than picking up someone else’s cast off’s who no better than what we got…! Get in a physical central midfielder and pace up front… far more of a priority and we also need to keep the dressing room bond that we have not stuff it up with a turn who thinks he’s the big I am….
    See, I never mentioned Cesc once did I…

  12. rico says:

    I respect that Devil. I’m he opposite, I don’t like him for the way he left, I understood why he wanted to move but departing when ‘his’ players were still playing was wrong and allowing all the shirt stuff to go on whilst with Spain was a disgrace…

  13. goonster says:

    Gee rico I hope we sign him. First he is class and our product second he knows the rough and tumble of the epl and thirdly just to Piss you off for the heck of it 😀

  14. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Goonie………..who is Cassie? I asked you yesterday but did not get any answer. A little one or an adult one?

    Hope she is ok.

  15. Hell Raising Devil says:

    that is an issue which scares me as well Rico. He would want everything to go through him. One thing which I enjoyed last season was that we attacked from all directions and used all players.

  16. goonster says:

    And she is looking a hell lot like me lately….A blonde adonress??? Am in trouble devil. God help me.

  17. Wath says:

    I wrote that whilst biting my tongue Rico………….

    Morning Dev, Stan and of course old fart Scott…..

  18. goonster says:

    Devil if cesc is really for sale then we must get him.. can’t bear seeing him play for the man scum. I ll stop watching football all together. Am serious. Probably take up kite watching or something.

  19. Adam says:

    Cesc? Absolutely and without doubt. One of the reasons we have underachieved so badly has been a dearth of quality players. Ramsay was great last year but he was injured for a long time and this hurt us badly. Who could possibly believe that a midfield player will not get a lengthy injury this coming season? Of course we will. Remy? Not good enough for me. Is he going to be the class striker that rises when we play the big teams? We should be looking up and that means signing a world-class striker who makes the difference in the big games. Giroud obviously is not that man so we need to buy one and they cost big money. Sanchez, if available, or Benzema could provide either a big lift in quality or, if the situation demands it, something different when playing alongside Le Quiff.

  20. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott!!! OLD FART did you say Wath???

    lol

    I agree with you Adam regarding Cesc.

    But would Cesc, Ozil, Aaron and JW accept being rotated?

    Its good to rest Ozil and have Cesc for a few games and then they switch. But would they accept it?

  21. goonster says:

    Ehhh adam u started with cesc and just rambled for a while and ended up with le quiff. So what’s your point? Do you want us to sign him or not? Sheeesh.

  22. goonster says:

    No he won’t…Gee rico the money isn’t even yours. Let it go mama bear. We re signing him and that’s final!!

  23. Adam says:

    Goonster. I realise that English isn’t your first language and that you are not the sharpest tool in the box but, unless you are illustrating a new command of irony I am at a loss what the fcuk you are talking about.

  24. Wath says:

    I woke up thirsty Stan and have run out of GG so had to raid Makro for stock…!

    Cesc – great player although not good enough for Barca…

    Cesc – utter prick as a person and in the dressing room…

    He have priorities elsewhere and is he better than Ramsey and Ozil..?

    If Wenger wants him to replace Arteta then for me thats lunacy…!

    Why must we take him to stop him going somewhere else…? also demented… Buy the players we need not castoffs that no one else wants…! One minute we moan about that the next we want one…!

  25. Hell Raising Devil says:

    seems as if Schneiderlin is the next target at 12M. Good for defensive midfield imo.

  26. Wath says:

    Adam………… lol you can’t swear at Stan or call him thick…. he’ll need new pants….! 😀

  27. rico says:

    Yes I do Adam, same re Schneiderlin – both would be money well spent.

    But I then hope we sign another striker and send Yaya on loan to a newly promoted PL side, one who will play him..

  28. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Although Cesc might be a bit of a luxury, if he comes to the BPL, I’d rather he was with us rather than ManUre or Abu Dhabi Citeh.

    Rico – I agree with some of your sentiments regarding Cesc, but I’d rather he be playing with us than against us.

    Also, with our option on Carlos Vela, I don’t think Griezmann would cost us market rate. I’m sure the club could significantly lower AG’s price by bargaining with Vela’s buyback option.

  29. Wath says:

    Only 12mil for Schneiderlin… isn’t that what Saints paid for him…? no chance… 20mil more like and we’d get him..!

  30. allezkev says:

    I have to say (sorry Wath/Rico) that I am firmly in the Cesc for Arsenal camp…

    He will be a different person and Arsenal are a different set of players…

    We have plenty of big players and strong personalities at the club now.
    BFG would sort him out… 😉

    Cesc in the Arteta role Coach, yeah I can see that…

  31. rico says:

    He’d be good for us Wath, already proved in the PL etc, but how much would Lars cost?

    Never have too many Germans 😉

  32. Wath says:

    Kev, your allowed what ever camp you wanna be in just not camp camp….. 😉

    WIll he come back different.. who’s to say, will he come back and be Wengers pet again..? no idea… will he think he can still do what he wants..??? again no idea…. Thing is having to worry about sorting him out in the dressing room alone causes shit…! Don’t need it…! Huge risk on a player thats similar to what we have and not what we crying out for.

  33. rico says:

    Kev, I knew you’d be in the Cesc camp 😉

    Isn’t he one of AW’s favourites, I doubt Merts would be allowed to sort him out…

    And he has his number….

  34. Canadian Gooner says:

    I can’t see Cesc in the Arteta role. In behind Giroud maybe, but not a DM/HM.

    Nor can I see Milner for right back, utility player maybe, but not a regular starter.

  35. Canadian Gooner says:

    Wath – I’ll take your word regarding Goonster’s pants. That’s getting close to more than we need to know.

  36. goonster says:

    Hey adam stop be a sour pus…it’s all harmless banter. You know me. Always goofing around. 😀

  37. Wath says:

    In the red spandex’s of course Kev… 🙂

    Scott…. Cesc and humble could be a fight in a sentence together….!

  38. goonster says:

    Morning CG…I don’t wear under pants…I feel restricted in dem mofos 😀 plus it makes creaming harder and Really messy 😀

  39. allezkev says:

    That’s right Scott, but I hope that Verm is skipper next season…
    That’ll mean he is still with us…
    BFG is captain in everything but name.
    He wouldn’t take any shit from Cesc.

  40. allezkev says:

    Rico, yeah Arsene does have his favs, but the thought of Cesc at ManCity alongside Yaya, or at Old Bog alongside RVP or even worse at Gazprom alongside Hazard, just makes me feel ill…

  41. Canadian Gooner says:

    Wath – Please, let’s not get grandad started on spandex again.

    I’m with Scott, If Cesc returns, he should be a more humble person. If not, toss him in the BFG’s direction.

  42. Wath says:

    Am wondering if Kev lent Lee a pair of his red spandex’s for a visit to the Dam…. Lee will go down a treat in them…

  43. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – It seems I missed your birthday. If so, a belated Happy Birthday. If you didn’t save me a piece of cake, I’ll take one of those FA Cup brews you were talking about.

  44. tsgh-The Hidden Hand says:

    Good afternoon lovely people..

    Rico-Nice picture of the one and only Mozart.. top top player..

    Wath, your 11:01 what you thinking… ? 😛

  45. goonster says:

    Kev you read my mind likr a book…my sentiments exactly. If we have clause to get El capitan back then I say activate it. We can’t have too many players can we….This is cesc we re talking about not assou ekotto.

  46. goonster says:

    Hey ginge some videos please….incase rico has completely forgotten how awesome fabrepass is.

  47. Adam says:

    I can’t see anything that Remy has done in the times I have seen him play that makes me think he is anything like the quality we need. He might be , but I haven’t seen it. As for Schneiderlin, I have not seen enough of him really. But I do remember people wanting Fellaini last year and Sahko and Capoue, to name but three.
    No strikers ever really do much at Barcelona though as the whole concept of their play is designed to get Messi into a scoring position. Strikers just confuse things as Sanchez and Ibrahimovich have discovered. Sanchez offers what we don’t have. Pace and a certain directness that gets him into positions that Giroud never will. It’s all speculation by fans, but if we are chatting about it I would out Giroud and assemble a new strike force but that ain’t gonna happen I think.

  48. Canadian Gooner says:

    Hell Raising Devil, tsgh-The Hidden Hand? Having changed the decor of the House with new wallpapers, is Rico requiring us to jazz/spruce up our names too?

  49. snaparse says:

    with cesc I’m looking at the balance of the team…will he be a starter and push ozil to the wings??that will mean carzola sitting on the bench….will he agree to be a rotation option???? I doubt…don’t really see him fitting in the team imo

  50. Hell Raising Devil says:

    CG………you forgot the Blonde Adonis as well. He changed his name and then went back to Loonie.

    Sorry Goonie

  51. Hell Raising Devil says:

    It is possible that we could see the forward line up next season…..

    Arteta, Ramsey,
    Ozil, Cesc, Cazorla,
    Giroud

    Cesc, Ozil and Cazorla can all interchange and play on the wings. If Podolski is retained, Chamberlain, TR07 etc than that means that a CF will not be bought since that would see the attack focusing on Giroud, Yaya and Theo as attackers.

    Where that leaves Jack I do not know.

  52. Hell Raising Devil says:

    of course you should look bloody good. you live in a mud hut mate. dont forget that mud is good for your skin 😛

  53. Hell Raising Devil says:

    you missed the cake Ginge. We have already devoured it after Scott managed to blow 84 candles away.

  54. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil, truth be told, I blew about ten out, then ran out of steam hahahaha.
    Thanks Ginge.

  55. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I dont think so Scott.

    Its true you blew 10 out.

    But the rest were FARTED out mate. 😆

  56. tsgh says:

    😀 😀 Dev…with that amount of air he does not need to fly over next time…
    he will just need to float and make his way here next time… that will be at least £700 saved on air fare…

  57. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – All Highbury House residents are armchair experts, except for the odd supporter of other clubs who are lost and wander in.

  58. Canadian Gooner says:

    Devil – If that were true, Australia would have had its first astronaut or at least another UFO (Unidentified Flying Oldster).

  59. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, bloody off season is a killer on decent conversation lol.
    Ginge, at my age, every birthday is just another day 🙂

  60. tsgh says:

    For you goonie…

    I still don’t want him back unless he admits the back pass was delibrate to help Barca.. 🙂

  61. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Dear oh dear.

    your comments on the FART aftermath had me in stitches.

    Rico…….yes you came to the right blog Lady.

  62. Rick says:

    This years cull has started Rico.
    Seiman, Mugabo and Fagon have left more to follow. I not sure if its true I have been told Arsene has put out feelers for Roberts and Dier who played for the U17 on Wed night. From what I have seen of them they very good.
    One more snippet Steve Morrow is now Chief Scout.
    Remember him?

  63. rico says:

    I did wonder Devil 😉

    Who do those two currently play for Rick?

    Steve Morrow, for sure I remember him…. What’s happened to Rowley?

  64. Hell Raising Devil says:

    What do you mean about Roberts and Dier Rick??? are they going to be released or put in the U21?? I hope its the latter since Roberts is a very good prospect.

  65. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Is Roberts the one who plays for Fulham?

    if yes then we have an awesome prospect.

    are they mad enough to release him?

  66. rico says:

    Now I’m confused, I thought you meant they were already at Arsenal Devil from your comment…

  67. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I was confused from Rick’s comment.

    Roberts plays as a right winger or second striker for Fulham

    he was awesome here. and very fast.

    a very good prospect.

  68. rico says:

    I got Ricks comment, two of the England under 17’s players are being looked at by AW…

    Which is good, nice to se us looking at English youngsters rather than going overseas all the time…

  69. Rick says:

    Sorry mis leading you .
    Morrow scout for academy.
    Roberts plays for Fulham Dier I think for Lisbon.
    Ginge I think he is another one we messed up R/B C/H mid field
    a different position every game. But product of Hale End decided to play for Rwanda.Im told big friend of Frimpong.

  70. tsgh says:

    Scott, why are you not talking about Mile Jedinak your captain? Do you think Pulis will sell to us?

  71. tsgh says:

    Costa was just £35m… he was not rated until a year ago so his release clause was very low… Allegedly he wants over £100k per week though. That will be 20k more than AW’s and even Theos salary of 90k…

  72. tsgh says:

    40M is too much for such a player.. Psg now have Thiago, Moura from brazil in their ranks…

  73. tsgh says:

    These are the kind of figures that mess up the window…

    If Luiz is that much then we will be hearing of £60m transfer fee this summer…

  74. rico says:

    To be fair to Costa, his goal scoring record has gone up as the last 3 seasons have gone by….

  75. rico says:

    They are selling Luiz to balance the books, just like they did Mata and the Mance were the only fools to pay so much for him.

    Desperate measures to save Moyes imo…

  76. rico says:

    Aneke, Ansah, NB, Boateng, Park, Siemann are all gone for free….

    Wellington, Gallindo, Ryo and Miquel are staying….

  77. rico says:

    Fagan also gone..

    Rick said earlier that the clear out had begun, he was absolutely spot on….

  78. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Chuks Aneke
    Zak Ansah
    Nicklas Bendtner
    Zach Fagan
    Park Chu-Young
    Leander Siemann

    Bendy is gone. Pheeeeeewwwwwwwww

  79. rico says:

    Contract Players

    Afobe Benik Retained
    Ajayi Oluwasemilogo Adesewo Ibidapo Retained
    Akpom Chuba Retained
    Alves da Silva Wellington Retained
    Arteta Amatriain Mikel Retained
    Bellerin Hector Retained
    Campbell Joel Retained
    Cazorla Santiago Retained
    Coquelin Francis Retained
    Diaby Vassiriki Abou Retained
    Djourou-Gbadjere Johan Danon Retained
    Eisfeld Thomas Retained
    (o) Fabianski Lukasz Offer
    Flamini Mathieu Retained
    Galindo Samuel Retained
    Gibbs Kieran James Ricardo Retained
    Giroud Olivier Retained
    Gnabry Serge David Retained
    Hayden Isaac Scot Retained
    Huddart Ryan David Retained
    Iliev Deyan Retained
    Iwobi Alex Retained
    Jebb Jack Retained
    Jenkinson Carl Daniel Retained
    Koscielny Laurent Retained
    Lipman Austin Retained
    Macey Matthew Ryan Retained
    Martinez Damian Emiliano Retained
    Mertesacker Per Retained
    Miquel-Pons Ignasi Retained
    Miyaichi Ryo Retained
    Monreal Ignacio Retained
    Olsson Mats Kristoffer Retained
    Ormonde-Ottewill Brandon Retained
    Oxlade-Chamberlain Alexander Mark David Retained
    Ozil Mesut Retained
    Pleguezuelo Julio Jose Retained
    Podolski Lukas Retained
    Ramsey Aaron James Retained
    Rosicky Tomas Retained
    (o) Sagna Bacary Offer
    Sanogo Yaya Retained
    Szczesny Wojciech Tomasz Retained
    Toral Jon-Miquel Retained
    Vermaelen Thomas Retained
    Walcott Theo James Retained
    Wilshere Jack Andrew Retained
    Zelalem Gedion Retained

  80. rico says:

    Scholars

    Crowley Daniel Retained
    Kamara Glen Offer Contract
    Maitland-Niles Ainsley Retained
    Moore Tafari Lalibela Retained
    O’Connor Stefan Ramone Sewell Retained
    Smith Renny Piers Retained
    Vickers Josh Offer Contract
    Wright Elliot Retained

    Free transfers

    Aneke Chukwuemeka Ademola Amachi
    Ansah Zak Andy
    Bendtner Nicklas
    Boateng Daniel
    Fagan Zachari Freddy Casey
    Park Chu Young
    Siemann Leander

  81. tsgh says:

    At least Afobe gets another chance…
    I am pleased about Kamara too…
    Rico, I have held some affection for several of those players having seen them play in the red and white in 2009 and 2010…
    It hurts to see they did not get given any chance. Considering how Aneke saved Aw from embarrassment 2 pre-seasons ago…

  82. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, stick miguel,galindo and colquin in there aswell, mate. Not even sure about Afobe.

  83. Micko says:

    Niklas Bendtners only regret, never able to watch himself play live at the emirates !
    Aneke, not really bothered, did he actually get any minutes for us, if he did I missed them, probably scrap a living in the lower leagues.

  84. Micko says:

    Bt62, I be laughing with ya as soon as I hear conformation we’re not sniffing around him.

  85. allezkev says:

    Rico, that list makes some very interesting reading…

    Galindo, Coquelin, Djourou and Eisfeld are a suprise…

  86. Micko says:

    Bt62, why pay 10 mill for him in 2000 when you can get him for free in 2014……Arsene knows.

  87. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Kev, Campbell surely deserves a chance, Wellington, i really feel for, dragged from Brazil at very young age and farmed out everywhere. Hardly ever at Arsenal.Ryo a commercial signing. Imho.

  88. Gunnerdna says:

    Good afternoon, releasing Aneke and keeping Djourou, Ryo and Diaby is a big joke. Coquelin Francis would be my back up right back for the first team.

  89. Micko says:

    Right, time to make my vote count, would hate to see my TD pick up his ‘disappointment money’ not like his earns enough as it is.

  90. allezkev says:

    Well BT, if Campbell does ok in the World Cup then his value will increase.
    Making him more of a saleable item…

    Tbh mate, he could have joined us last summer, and with our lack of striking options at the time, it kinda tells me that Wenger doesn’t think he’s up to it…

  91. allezkev says:

    Same with Wellington, not sure why we retain these players if they don’t have a future…
    Move them on as the club did with Vela, having a sell-on clause…

    The EPL doesn’t suit everyone…

  92. rico says:

    He must Bt.. But he might yet be sold i guess..

    Ts, angers me how so many don’t get a chance, it really does!

  93. allezkev says:

    Mick, how is in your local these days, supping a Nigerian Guiness alongside all your local plastic Mancs and plastic Scousers???

    I bet that stout goes down a treat mate?

  94. rico says:

    Gdna, I don’t get that either, Aneke looked good last pre-season, keeping those you mention ahead of him beggars belief…

  95. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Kev, i know where your coming from on Campbell, maybe Arsene didn’t think he was ready last year.He kept NB even with all his indiscretions, says alot about Arsenes’ mentality.

  96. allezkev says:

    Rico, the reason, according to Sky, why Aneke wasn’t retained, is because of the amount of midfielders already at the club and the fact that they wouldn’t be able to give him a chance…

    Maybe it points to the signing of another midfielder this summer (Cesc?) making the midfield even more crowded…

    It reminds me of when Andy Cole was allowed to leave.

    Chuks contract was up and maybe he’d made it clear that he wanted to try elsewhere?!
    It is strange that Afobe had stayed but Aneke had been released…

    Arsene might do a Matic and buy him back in a couple of years?
    But he needs games and he ain’t gonna get them at Arsenal…

  97. allezkev says:

    BT if Campbell joins us this summer then I’ll be pleased.

    But as Adam commented earlier on hear, we need better quality than Remy/Campbell etc, if weare going to push on and challange for the title…

    Their has to be a quality strikar out their who can improve our attack… 😉

  98. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Kev, agree we need a top quality striker in the summer and not just a Remy/Campbell, whether we get one is an other thing. Like most i live in hope.

  99. rico says:

    Kev, exactly why Fabregas should never return imho…

    We have a glt of young midfielders and if the sulky one returns, it won’t just be Aneke who goes…

    I’d have kept Aneke and got rid of Diaby and then still sign someone who he can learn from…

  100. goonster says:

    Gee who made it “ignore the goonster” day…come on guys. Are y’all still angry with me. Ok i hold my hands up. I know when am beaten. Am sorry rico. Am sorry adam my friend. Am sorry kev. Am sorry WATH. Am sorry ginge. Am sorry DG. Am sorry scotty oz. Am sorry wavy. Am sorry AGAG. Am sorry lee. Am sorry micko. Am sorry potter. Am sorry HH.

  101. Rick says:

    Rico I knew there was going to be a cull but I did not expect what has occured today.
    I am gutted for Chuck Aneke. Like Ginge i have been watching
    him Afobi and Nicco in red and white for about 4 years and now there is only Benik left. I can only think that Chuck wants to play everyweek which he would not do if he stayed with us.
    I also believe there, are players on the retained list who will be gone during the T/W, they are under contract and will be sold

  102. allezkev says:

    Hi Rick, good point, it can only be a matter of time before Djourou is sold, unless Wenger is thinking of bringing him back in case Vermaelen leaves…
    Stranger things have happened?

    Coquelin is another who I’d imagine would be gone by the time next season kicks off…

  103. allezkev says:

    Rico, I see your point re: Cesc, but imagine if Fabregas does return to England, and Arsenal don’t bid for him, and he plays brilliantly for a Man Cith or Man Ure, the stick both Wenger and Arsenal would get???

  104. Rick says:

    Kev as it stands if Ryo Galindo Coquelin and Djouro all stay Arsene will have afull 25 man squad. and he will have no scope to strenghen the squad. Wellington is different he is still under 21 and would not be included in the squad.

  105. rico says:

    You and me both re Chuks Rick, thought he was one of a small bunch who has what it takes. I hope he goes on prove it too….

    Kev, no win situation re Cesc for AW, many don’t want him back, many do….

  106. Rick says:

    Calmed down a bit now Rico. More thoughts.
    Bendtner and Park only senior players shown the door both out of contract.
    A total of eight academy players left, out of contract.
    I still think Ryo Galindo Coquelin Djouro and possible Martinez and Miquel will leave.
    Is it possible one of the reasons Chuks is leaving is that Arsene
    intends to use the likes of Hayden Bellerin and Toral more next season ? Just a thought

  107. potter says:

    Evening all , been out all day, Rico your 9.22 highlights the problem of the loan system. Miquel was taken purely as cover and was only intended to play in Lesser competitions or in the case of injury. This was not so much his fault as the fault of the manager ( Pearson ) who loaned him purely as back up. Only when players get games as Wilshere did with Bolton are loans useful.

  108. LJB says:

    Cesc is better than ANY of the midfielders at the club,certainly far better than the overpriced Ozil who has nothing about him at all.Cesc can pass just as well, scores more goals and can be a bit nasty which we seriously lack. Arteta and Rosicky are 33 and Cazorla is 29.I mean if you think Santi is better than Cesc well…….When Cesc wins PL with United don’t complain or call him Judas as you don’t want him.

  109. rico says:

    £50 million isn’t it Potter?

    Ridiculous!

    Agree re the loan system, there must be some kind of assurance that players are going to play whilst at other clubs, otherwise there is no point in them going and it certainly isn’t good for the player.

    Mind you, Aneke played a lot and it hasn’t done his Arsenal career any good!!

  110. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    If a player is on loan to a club and is good enough he will play,
    if a player can’t get in a lower league team..Thats it..ain’t it.

  111. allezkev says:

    Morning Fred, yep, that pretty much sums it up to me…

    If Arsenal loan out a player to a Championship or Div 1 club, and he isn’t a regular with them, then he isn’t likely to return to Arsenal and be a regular with us, or it’s pretty unlikely I would say…

    Maybe loaning these guys out is in some cases a last resort, a last chance, or to toughen them up (Miyaichi) or to get their wages off of our books and put them in the shop window?

  112. allezkev says:

    Rico, that was quite an interesting list of retained players you put up yesterday, there was quite a few suprise’s among them, to me…

  113. frednerk says:

    Great idea kev,
    The mix of experience and youth is what I’ve been preaching for, seems like a100 years,
    It makes sense to learn from players that have got the t-shirt,
    my best coaching has been on the pitch during a game,
    ……….I don’t stop talking,
    Young players also need protecting,talanted players are targets for man marking and find it hard to cope during a game.
    I could go on here,Kev send you a text.

  114. allezkev says:

    Rico, maybe it’s just me, but I’m not terribly suprised over Aneke…

    Yes, he did well at Crewe, and I reckon that he’ll have a very good career ahead of him. He may even make his way back to the EPL eventually, I hope he does…
    And yes, Wenger did compare him to YaYa Toure in 2011, but then managers have a habit of saying these kinds of things…

    This was the season, just gone, when I think he should have been integrated into the senior squad if the Coaches thought he had 1st team potential…
    When he was sent out on loan again, after, it has to be said, two indifferent loans at Stevenage and Preston N.E, I kinda felt that he had missed the boat…

    Benik Afobe, because of the savage injuries he suffered and is still probably recovering from, should be given another year, I hope so anyway…

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