Arsene Wenger confirms Sahin and Song rumours & Thomas Vermaelen ready to do his club proud…

Morning Gooners….

Well well, just after the Dutchman nearly choked trying to talk about his old club yesterday, news broke in Twitterland and on a couple of Arsenal websites that Alex Song has done a ‘Nellie the Elephant’.

By that I mean he’s packed his bag and said goodbye to his team mates but he’s heading to the circus, not leaving one. Well, the Barcelona players do behave like a circus act sometimes don’t they…

That would have been funnier had he played for the Ivory Coast rather than Cameroon….

Anyway, suggestion is he has gone and we’ll hear confirmation of that sometime this weekend or Monday. Arsene Wenger did very little to diffuse the rumours surrounding our midfield rock early yesterday morning when during his press conference he said that Song could leave.

I wish him the best and all that but Arsenal come first and our midfield needs and deserves someone more disciplined in it.

Wenger also suggested yesterday that Song is injured and won’t be featuring today having suffered a ‘little knock’ but later you will see he is not on the injured list form the official site.

Wenger also confirmed yesterday that he is interested in beating Liverpool to the signing of Nuri Sahin:

He is one of the players we follow

That’s about as much as our manager gives away so keep your fingers and toes crossed on this one…

Conflicting stories in the news this morning about Theo Walcott, one journalists writes that is he next out the door where as The Daily Mirror report that talks are going well and Arsene Wenger is set to offer him a little pay rise and expects him to sign his new contract very soon. I hope it’s the latter..

So here it is, the new 2012/13 season has arrived and Sunderland are our first opponents.

Team news:

Players missing for us today are:

Koscielny (calf), Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle), Wilshere (ankle), Rosicky (tendon), Sagna (leg), Frimpong (knee)

Sunderland have Vaughan, Bardsley and Brown out.

Match Stats:

We are unbeaten in our last 11 opening-day fixtures and this is the first time since 2008 that our new campaign has kicked off at home and our record against Sunderland is good, having lost just one of our last 17 league games against them.

Last season was a funny old one really, we recouped many of our points from losing position, in fact more than any other team in the Premier League and we didn’t win a single penalty at the Emirates.

We scored the more goals (12) than any other side in the opening 15 minutes of a game, that’s more than any other team in the 2011/12 Premier League season.

Sunderland finished their season with a poor away record, failing to register a win in their last seven fixtures on the road and nearly a third of their goals conceded were from headers, the highest in the league – so a good game for Giroud to feature in?

Our home record at the end of the last campaign went a bit wayward, we drew two and lost one of them and against sides we really should have beaten.

Form/statistics go out the window though, this is a new beginning!

It’s time to make The Emirates our fortress, it’s time that our costly stadium became a place where other clubs fear to enter just as they did Highbury, not somewhere where other sides turn up knowing they have a good chance of sneaking a victory.

A New Beginning…..

We finally have a leader who has a bit about him, one who will hopefully instil a bit of attitude into the players, a bit of passion and a whole lot of desire.

A leader who could bring back that fear factor to the tunnel, none of this standing around admiring who you are up against, get some hatred running through the veins and take a never say die attitude out onto the pitch.

Thomas Vermaelen said:

It makes me really happy and proud to be Arsenal captain – it’s a real honour.

Good, now go and make your club and it’s fans proud, lead by example and make sure that every other player follows you….

Have a good day all…….

0 thoughts on “Arsene Wenger confirms Sahin and Song rumours & Thomas Vermaelen ready to do his club proud…

  1. Arty says:

    Good morning to you and all that follow. Great read as always. I been up since 5,30 (2 hours ahead)your time and i did not get much sleep before that. Im sure not many of us did. So excited and nervous and looking at tv with bucket water and towels perfectly placed to greet the match. COYG

  2. Arty says:

    Hi Rico, yup sure am. But wife and kids are really nervous cos this will make or break their weekend. Another 10 months of meduial and nursing attention.

  3. Scott from Oz says:

    Top of the morning,fellow Gooners.
    I’ve been up for 13 hours already,so it will be a decent shift ive put in come kick off…….
    We will be winning.
    Podolski will be scoring.
    Vermaelen will be a captain that rates as highly as T.Adams after he is finished his career.
    The guys a born leader,and was my definite choice last season.
    It will be the first time in a few years now that the captaincy has gone to a deserved person,and NOT a player we are doing everything we can to keep at the club.
    Go you good things.
    I hope the conversations good tonight everyone,because I have another five bloody hours to stay awake!!
    Sean’s side finished with a bang today……..9-2 aft being 2-0 down within two minutes.

  4. mung says:

    wenger is going absolute mad….after buying 3 players…whom he thought were highly price…. and thinking that he invest too much in the market he…is suffering from mental illness.. that he sell Rvp, song, and welcot probably …and..giving vermalne a captaincy means he is off nxt season…with whelshre following him… what he will do is to give captncy to a player like squ18 so that the player will leave soon… and lastly the fans at london if they really love the club must now protest against the board and fuck them up….

  5. rico says:

    Ha ha Arty, could be ten months of sheer joy too 😉

    Hi Scott – go and get some sleep and well done to Sean and his team…

    Totally agree re TV…

  6. Arty says:

    Morning scott, fully agree about Verm, true leader. Wont forget his last minute goal against Newcastle. Reminded me of Tony adams.

  7. rico says:

    mung, is that for real??

    We got the better deal with ‘him’ being sold…

    Song will be replaced and Theo is due to sign a new contract any day, why so negative??

    Santi
    Podolski
    Giroud

    Three good reasons to be cheerful and AW’s spending hasn’t stopped. Just no pleasing some eh and I thought AW is looking very well….

  8. Bradster says:

    Main worry for me is Diaby. I’m really hoping for a good solid game from him that lasts at least 65 mins cos we’re 3 up and able to take precaution with him not off because of injury.

  9. Joywedsjeff says:

    Song leaving is a no brainer…. But i dont think wenger will sign an out and out defensive midfielder. He dosent seem to fancy them anymore…. I think sahin will come in while arteta/coquelin will take songs place….. First choice midfield will be carzola, sahin and arteta

  10. Arty says:

    Please no negatives today. I see a strong starting 11 and so help me for the first time in a a few years a reasonably strong bench. We bought 3 class players. Class is what we are and always will be.

  11. alvin sam says:

    Its okey for us at the moment, lets have a sllogan united we stand
    devided we fall,… so lets cop up with life… Viera…mid fielder general,,,. Ray p midfielder worier…the legend Titi Henery…

    Van ,,,Song,,, lets focus on what is ahead not we have lost or what is left behind us,,

    it pains me and we have been already written off… from winning the title… i think sthey should hand it over to man c or man u..

  12. mung says:

    rico… i hope we are going down every year… if one did so well he is off next season…. wenger is so sick

  13. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rico dont think so… Infact i want giroud to start flanked by theo ang gerv and assisted by carzola and arteta….. Poldolski is not fully fit so he will be a great option as a game changer if we need one

  14. rico says:

    Hope he doesn’t start Bradster..

    Yennaris Merts TV Gibbs

    Theo Coq Arteta Gervinho

    Cazorla/Giroud Podolski

  15. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rico dont think so… Infact i want giroud to start flanked by theo and gerv and assisted by carzola and arteta….. Poldolski is not fully fit so he will be a great option as a game changer if we need one

  16. emma says:

    Wenger is a mad man. Walcot should go for greener pastures. Wenger kills career. Song gone, RVP gone, then allow vermeleen and goal keeper. He knows his level is with mediocres. let him stop giving fans hope. He only talks of survival while Man U talk about trophies. Is he cursed?

  17. GOONA says:

    After what we’ve been through in the past few days we deserve a darn good win today with no if’s and buts about it.

    But methinks there’ll be more torture coming our way it’s just for the want of SAHIN………….

  18. Scott from Oz says:

    Agree Jeff.
    Anything over 12 million for Song is brilliant business.
    Mung,you’re entitled to your opinion,and I’m entitled to mine.
    Out of respect for Rico,I won’t give it 🙂

  19. rico says:

    mung – wishing us to be relegated each season is shocking… Your comment lacks any substance and it seems all you want is AW gone. Well, he is here to stay for a while so best get used to it…

    Scott, don’t even bother 😉

  20. Adam says:

    Scott. You no Wnglish me speak you Wenger go board Walcott terrible must go. Me IQ very good Lowe speak dooem.

  21. TT says:

    Yea rico one goal for Poldy I dont want to be greedy 😉 and also it would be better if the goals where spread over the team more than last year.

  22. Scott from Oz says:

    I want to know exactly what Fergie said,or offered,to Wenger to allow the RVp deal to go through.
    Maybe the Hernandes rumours have legs.

  23. rico says:

    joyswed, you never know though 😉

    thanks Scott..

    Morning Adam, Syg and Kev….

    Syg, don’t bother, kids only get allowed an hour on the computer, he/she will be hoofed off soon I suspect 😉

  24. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rico… The power of the sin bin. Exercise it… Its called freedom of speech.Not freedom of useless speech. Whats happening to HH…sobs

  25. allezkev says:

    Mong, you’ve gotta see someone about about your manic depression…..

    I actually had a good laugh at your comments…
    Enjoy your day on Le Grove…

  26. TT says:

    scott I dont want hernandez to be honest we have good strikers coming through and I’d rather we went for a defender and a midfielder than a striker.

  27. rico says:

    😆 Scott and Adam….

    TT – agree and I think we will see that this season, Santi and Arteta should get a few, especially if we get a DM who actually defends and lets them do what they are meant to…

  28. Arty says:

    What part do you think Arshavin will play today. Is it at possible we forget what a little gem he can be. I want so much for him to have good season. Not just cos it will be great for us but for the guy who is truly gifted to go out on a high.

  29. Scott from Oz says:

    TT,as soon as they smell optimism,out from under the rock they crawl.
    Rico,even Gumbon couldn’t upset me today.

  30. GoonerB says:

    Did anyone see that RVP is claiming there are no hard feelings towards Arsenal from him. That’s mighty big of him considering all he has had to put up with from us!! He says he and AW are still on good terms. We know AW always remains friendly to ex players no matter how much they have betrayed him. We often see ex players back at London Colney with our blessing using the facilities. With most of these players I actually think it is quite a nice thing but for me RVP has forfeited the right to be able to do anything like this in the future, and I just hope that AW and the board have enough respect for the fans feelings on this and don’t allow this to happen.

  31. southyorkshiregunner says:

    £12M for Song would be the best bit of business Wenger’s ever done. Not only would he have made £11.5M profit from the sale, he will have strengthened the side dramatically…
    Skybet had us at 8/11 for M’Vila to join us ….

  32. Scott from Oz says:

    Cazorla is even better than I thought.
    Just whooped Sean’s arse at Fifa 12 with him as my main man 🙂

  33. Adam says:

    It is going to be crazy hot when I get to the ground today. It’s already baking in London. Will you be there Mung? If so I could recommend you a decent Cranial surgeon.

  34. rico says:

    GoonerB, hope this doesn’t sound rude, but I’m not giving that man any more of my time – he’s gone…. Never want to see him back that’s for sure….

  35. Scott from Oz says:

    GoonerB,I think youre being harsh.
    RVP has been using our facilities for 7 of the last 8 years without being a player!!!

  36. TT says:

    GoonerB, hope this doesn’t sound rude, but I’m not giving that man any more of my time – he’s gone…. Never want to see him back that’s for sure….
    Rico whom are you referring to?

  37. rico says:

    Syg,

    back when the M’Vila news came out earlier in the summer, I believed it and thought we’d got our man. Then I thought the opposite but he’s turned down a few opportunities since and now I am believing he’s coming our way again…

    Merry-go-round mind i have 🙂

    26o’s already here in the sticks Adam, it sure is going to hot, Factor 50 for you I hope 😉

  38. allezkev says:

    SYG, great comments last night on 1947-48 team, they were my Dad’s favourite team, not that he saw much of them as he was doing his National Service…

    Roonie Rooke was the last Arsenal player to score 30+ league goals, until Thierry a few seasons back….

  39. rico says:

    Ah, the real emma, that’s more like it…

    TT – you tinker, you know who I mean, the manure dutchman 🙂

  40. Scott from Oz says:

    Sean says hello,and he hopes we win tonight.
    If he goes to bed soon,I may get him up for kick off!!

  41. rico says:

    Why hasn’t Squilli gone yet Adam, I am sure he reads your comments and truly believes that all fans think like you and he’s in the process of convincing AW….

  42. rico says:

    Pep would never have wanted Song emma, just hope this gets sorted as it’s reported… today 🙂

    😆 TT, who??

    Me too Scott…

  43. Scott from Oz says:

    Sean says his new favourite player is……drum roll…….Giroud.
    I think his mum fancies the guy,too.
    I am 100% straight,but he is one good looking man.

  44. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I think Arshavin and Cazorla in the same side would work, especially if they moved/interlinked between positions. Nasri and Arshavin worked, and they never had the level head of Arteta behind them.

    I just hope Wenger doesn’t bottle it and play Song and Diaby in midfield as we’ll end up watching a “dick measuring” contest between the two, with fancy-dan flicks and dinks, rather than them helping generate a team-based performance.

    Song is in business for himself.
    I haven’t worked out what Diaby’s purpose is, yet.

    Hopefully Wenger won’t want Song to get needlessly injured, so he’ll sit it out. Hopefully.

    Song and Diaby in the side we’ll scrape a 1-1 (podolski 89 pen)
    otherwise, we’ll cop a 3-0 or a 3-1 win – hopefully the former.

  45. Adam says:

    Morning Emma. Barca will borrow the money anyway. They will never pay it back. In the end it will be Germany who cover their losses when Spain goes bankrupt.

  46. allezkev says:

    I can’t the slightest chance of Song being in the squad today….
    Wenger wouldn’t risk the £17/18 million he’s gonna reinvest in M’Vila and Sahin….

  47. Xtreme says:

    I want a lost for arsenal today so as not to convince Wenger not to buy player..dont get me wrong y’all…trust me we need to lose today to keep us on our toes

  48. Scott from Oz says:

    I know everyone has asked,but it still defies me…what the hell do Barca see in Song??
    Strike that….who the hell cares,as long as they cough up.

  49. Klaus Stein says:

    Song goes Barca never mind, from Song and RvP we get almost 40M we spent for 3 class players. One holding midfielder with positional sense better than Song and we are set.
    Sunderland ?
    Cazorla dribble and a screamer, a brace from Poldi – that’s it.
    3:0

  50. allezkev says:

    How ya doing Digger, i really don’t know how you can manage to stay awake so long…
    You are a true Gooner….

  51. Arty says:

    SYG spot on, we of the same mind. Maybe song did good but also disrupted and took out too many of our own players from the game. Song was mediocre and really is dreaming he is an attacking midfielder. Lost in his own space. Loadsa money for mediocre.

  52. emma says:

    rico – Just gone thru the timeline. She is entitle to her opinion I guess. Shhhhhh……., Lets keep the Song transfer quiet until it’s made official, you dont know who is watching 🙂

  53. allezkev says:

    Adam, my son told me i can have the ticket for the Southampton, QPR, Fulham, Swansea and West Brom games…. 15 points there then…..

  54. Moikoindor ESQ. says:

    I learnt song handed a transfer request and was poised to leave.It will be a huge blow if he’s not replaced with a sober defensive midfielder like Sahin or M’villa cos Diaby is not reliable.I wished wenger would have denied him his request cos he still has 3yrs on his contract.It doesn’t show much ambition on d part of Arsenal to be loosing quality n established players every year.This i belived MUST STOP or they will keep coming every year n our players are vulnerable as they are not protected by the board who are only after financial benefit.Frankly speaking this trend of event at Arsenal has made us fans to be dumb n unable to take on our opponents in footballing debates. The aura and morale of being an Arsenal fan these days has dwindle to the point that we can hold our heads up anylonger.It’s really PAINFUL to put in simple terms.As for song,he should be aware of the faith of the likes of Hleb,Mascherano,Affelay etc.

  55. southyorkshiregunner says:

    You’re dead right, Rico. Guardiola is no idiot.
    Hiya Kev, Emma, Adam, Scott etc..

    Kev, my dad used to always “educate” me re: past football teams and not just Arsenal.

  56. rico says:

    She is emma, you are right there….

    Kev, he was last seen shopping, heading into ‘Cheap flights to Spain’ 🙂

  57. allezkev says:

    SYG, i can see where you’ve got your intelligence and common sense from…
    I like to think i inherited mine (as it is) from my Dad….

    Adam, think we can sort a couple+ outta that lot.
    Hopefully Arsenal will get a few home draws in the League Cup, i always thoroughly enjoy them…

  58. allezkev says:

    Coach is home from Italy on Sept 5th…..

    But i imagine he’ll find somewhere with the game on this afternoon…

  59. Micko says:

    Emma, best not to mention Liverpool, it brings Kev out in a nasty rash.
    Scott, if Song ends up at Barca Cesc will think he’s cursed, he must of thought he’d seen the back of last season.

  60. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Le-Grove – “Song’s left because it was the best move for the club. He’s left because the money they’ve offered us is the best we’ll ever get for him. I’d be absolutely shocked if he turns out to be anything other than a flop for them. He doesn’t have the discipline, pace or ability to be a star man for them.
    Some people are a cogs in the Arsenal machine others are the engine. Song was a cog for me. Sure he made plenty of assists last season, but he also made plenty of dopey tackles in dangerous areas and lost the ball through dithering and making too many unnecessary Hollywood passes. He was also responsible for lots of the issues we had. There was never any accountability from him anywhere on the park. There was also little accountability after a game. Some players care about having a bad game… some don’t. I know which bucket Song was in.”

    From my first post I said the exact same and was declared by a few as being racist.
    Either the owner of the blog is reading Highbury House or we think alike?

    More from LeGrove -“The reason Arsenal see Sahin as the answer isn’t because he’s an out an out defensive midfielder. That’s not what we’re looking for. What we’re after is a midfielder who will be accountable. The idea this year, as with last, is that we have 3 midfielders who can interchange dependent on what’s going on. Sahin can do that. Alex Song could not.”

    I’ve said that too.

    If WE can see it then Wenger surely can.

    This pre season has got everyone buzzing. Pick the best 11 get an early goal and we’ll batter Sunderland.

  61. Carpe diem... says:

    Hurray! My self-imposed-no-comment exile is finally over!
    Sometimes you wonder if people actually read what they type.
    Forget those who’ve gone, let’s focus on what we have left…it’s a marathon not 100 metres sprint…COYG!!!

  62. Adam says:

    Syg . I bet wyg is reaching for the keyboard right now after reading that. Remind me, he was a friend of yours wasn’t he? 🙂

  63. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, your spot on with Arsenalish slang for gym = pub…. Well you are in my language all these others here make out they health freaks yet you wanna see Grandad Kev after a gym session, he only goes to check out all the talent…!

  64. alanbstardmp says:

    All Blacks v Wallabies starting now Scott. There’s a few defenders here that may be good for the gunners, never mind Shawcross and Barton as enforcers HA!

  65. emma says:

    syg – Yes. It all depends on the location. You will get good/beautiful houses at Aigburth(70 – 130 thousand quid)

  66. rico says:

    I have a few things to do in the garden so off for an hour..

    Anyone who leaves between time to head off to The Emirates, have a great time and may the team in red win…

    Hope Lee is ok, I suspect he’s nursing a hangover 😉

    Catch up in a while….

  67. alanbstardmp says:

    Christ! An Irish referee. Not worth a crumpet those idiots. Whistle happy and never play the advantage

  68. jones says:

    Guys AW is still the best in this business everything he touches turns gold, give it six months and hear about song and VP in their new respective clubs and they’d wish they had stayed, so be happy and get excited , finally all old players the club had have left we can start a fresh and move on .JW

  69. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Arthur from Channel 4 would rather have had us signing Ade Akinbiyi than Olivier Giroud… Song on his way …. He’ll be suicidal…

  70. alanbstardmp says:

    Andrew LOL Sorry mate. We colonials in the southern hemisphere have trouble with Irish refs and, strange as it may seem, South African refs too.

  71. Scott from Oz says:

    That Craig Joubert is the most biased,cheating,one sided,disgraceful,horrendous,issued,one sided referee on the planet.
    He makes Howard Webb look fair!!

  72. emma says:

    syg – Hamilton square, that’s outskirt of liverpool. Dont know much about the cost of houses over there. But I believe it will be quite expensive

  73. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam,don’t talk to that racist bastard 🙂
    SYG,I must tell you that about 18 months back,I was on a FB site that appeared to be mostly used by African Gooners.
    After each game,all they spoke about was how well the,dare I say it,black players performed,whilst knocking every other player at the club when we lost.
    I started defending the rest….NOT knocking their favourites at all….and was branded a racist because I never mentioned their lads!!!!
    Funny enough,it was the admin guy,who happened to be African,that pointed out who the racists actually were.
    Some of these guys honestly couldn’t grasp the fact that racism can be a two way street.
    I was like water off a ducks back to me,because I know my values and don’t motives behind any comment I make,and you should simply not justify yourself mate,because I haven’t seen anything you’ve posted that was remotely racist.
    Black,white,green or brindle…..who gives a shit??

  74. alanbstardmp says:

    Scott, Joubert is bad news true. Blacks ( negroes ) can be as racist as anyone. They have an excuse though. They’re black LOL

  75. Scott from Oz says:

    Not sure why I’m even pondering it,but how long do people thing Di Matteo will last???
    He is under immense pressure after the money that’s been spent.
    Xmas anyone??

  76. Scott from Oz says:

    Alan,the Wallabies and Waratahs record under Joubert is simply too woeful for it not to be suspicious.
    He is an absolute cheat.

  77. Andrew says:

    alanbstardmp :southern hemisphere? Australia? Its cool man all i care about today is the boys pick up 3 points today!!! 😀 arteta and cazorla are gunna be tasty!

  78. Andrew says:

    coquelins gunna be bigger than song guys! the kid has everything!

    Always get excited by the youngsters on the brink of the first team just as the season begins!
    Big season for ryo miyiachi!
    The Ox is just gunna rip it up we all know that!
    Have a sneaky felling yennaris is going to be the next local boy to make it!

  79. Scott from Oz says:

    Wish I could post a pic.
    Sean’s come out to the lounge with his Arsenal shirt and slippers on,and tucked under his Arsenal blanket ready for the game.
    Two and a half minutes later,dead to the world lol.

  80. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Thanks for that Scott. You’re spot on. Good lad.

    It’s on the banks of the Mersey, Emma. Birkenhead.
    We live in a market town east of Doncaster, but we’ve outgrown it. It’s time for a city. Its only one stop on the tube from L1.

  81. Wale the gunner says:

    Good morning gunners, great post rico, I’ve got optimism pumping through my veins. Better dayz are here.
    LET THE GAMES BEGIN, GLADIATORS

  82. Scott from Oz says:

    Funny you say that Wale.
    We do have players right now who are up for a fight,and I think the dire start to last season has hardened our lads up…pardon the pun Stan.
    Gladiators…..why not?

  83. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath,the Wallabies are having an absolute shocker…..can’t hold the bloody ball.
    Collingwood are down though in the AFL,so it’s not all bad news lol.
    Tough time of year for me…my head spins!!!

  84. W.A.T.H says:

    But they spend most of their time rolling around on the floor ABMP…..!
    When they are standing they running around chasing and egg shaped thing that don’t bounce properly..! Strange game..!

  85. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Scott – My missus’ cousin and a few lads from Elermore Vale came over in 1990/1. I took the cousin to see Leeds 2-2 Arsenal – having about half a dozen beers in the Peacock and Limpar scoring a couple.
    He and his mates took me to see the England v Australia rugby league match at Old Trafford… I think Australia beat them in a very low scoring game… something like 3-6 or 3-7.
    I don’t get on with rugby. As WATH stated – wrong shaped ball…

  86. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath,I love AFL,as it’s not regimented at all…….everything is “off the cuff”,so to speak.
    League annoys me,as it’s hit it up for five tackles then kick.
    I love the technical side of Union.
    AFL though is a game that must be watched live to appreciate it…..television does it no justice at all.

  87. Scott from Oz says:

    SYG,some of the best sporting events ive seen have been Union games.
    SYG,some of the VERY WORST sporting events I’ve seen have been Union games 🙂
    The referee has more impact in the flow of a game in Union than he has in any other.
    Also,Northern Hempisphere sides are renowned for playing a different,less open style than those south of the equator.

  88. Scott from Oz says:

    Off topic lol……..I am convinced Sahin is coming to town.
    No inside info,but everything points to it,imo.
    If Sahin isn’t getting a go at Real,he will feel annoyed.
    What better way to get back at Mourinho than coming over to Wenger??
    CL football is something else he wants…Liverpool….really??
    The guy has a skill set that will be embraced at Asrenal,and flourish in that environment.
    Wenger admits he’s interested………that’s almost confirmation!

  89. W.A.T.H says:

    Very rare for wenger to admit to looking at someone Scott thats for sure….. Maybe though thats also a smoke screen as we try for someone else..!?!?!

  90. alanbstardmp says:

    I’d like to see Rio and his brother make false allegations against these blokes.. ” wallop ” LOL

  91. alanbstardmp says:

    I can’t see anyone else transferred in

    I bet the Manure fans are waiting for RvP to make an impact

  92. Scott from Oz says:

    Speaking to plenty of Utd fans today,most didn’t even known they’d signed Van Persie.
    I’m sure you all get my point here.

  93. Andrew says:

    cant wait to see how arteta and cazorla perform when sunderland players are pressuring them with numbers! cazorla slipping little though ball imbetween the line to walott,gervinho and podolski!

  94. Scott from Oz says:

    Going to try and have a kip soon…..if I succeed,I’ll see you all in a few hours.
    If not,see you in ten!!

  95. alanbstardmp says:

    Andrew, we hope, but it will take weeks for them to work as a team, unless that idiot AW keeps changing players

  96. frednerk says:

    Wenger spends 35million and all the fans are happy,business done early he tells us…hooray about time too we all say…But then what happens……….we revert back to our old ways
    We sell our best players as the season starts…you know what it might be alright for us old geezers to accept wengers lies and bullshit…but don’t you think our young supporters deserve a little bit more respect.

  97. W.A.T.H says:

    Enjoy ya snooze Scott….
    From what I’ve heard ABMP the players have gelled pretty well so far in training and quality players always fit in far easier than average players..!
    I can’t see us getting in 3 players but def 2…! Only worry for me still is a decent back up keeper…!

  98. Andrew says:

    nah these boys are gunna have chemistry i can just fell it! changing players ? what dju mean?! Song and his slimey agent darren dein have fucked off to barca thats the only midfielder change!… and to be quite honest song attitude at times has left a lot to be desired ! constantly arteta had to cover for his foward runs! has to be said his still a quality player!

  99. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Presenters of Radio 5 “talking up” the “massive” loss of Song.
    Obviously they don’t watch Arsenal.

  100. W.A.T.H says:

    I don’t think wengers shopping is done yet Fred and I think selling vP and Song is good all round…! Time will tell.

  101. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sahin & M’Vila will definitely come in, unless something drastic happens… Anything else is a plus

  102. alanbstardmp says:

    Fred. Actually, no, they don’t deserve more respect if they are dumb enough to buy season tickets and go through the turnstiles

    Why go if they don’t like being shafted?

    It appears RvP had enough of Wenger’s bullshit

  103. frednerk says:

    W.A.T.H I know how wenger works I ‘am about the same age,but wenger wants it both ways,how many times will he be dictated to, if its the board who decides when to sell a player surly for the good of the team and the fans,No Player Should Be Allowed to Run Down a Contract.

  104. agirlagunner says:

    Boo!! Wow, already we have trolls, and the season’s just about to kick off…

    rico, great upbeat one!! I’m excited!! Hello, all. 🙂

  105. Lee says:

    Need to get M’Vila and Sahin in and I’ll be chuffed to bits. We’ve been crying out for a disciplined DM for a while!

  106. Andrew says:

    why go !? Go to support the 11 boys in RED & WHITE !! Youd swear as if wengers as war criminal!! how bout blaming some of the players who shafted him for once!

  107. W.A.T.H says:

    If a player wont extend fred what would you suggest the club does..?
    We’ve lost 1 great player bought in 3 where are we worse off..? we ain’t simple as that.

  108. rico says:

    alan, if we are to believe reports, it was the other way round, AW was fed up with RvP’s bullshit…

    Hi agag – many trolls, many anti the club already, must be a sad life eh….

  109. alanbstardmp says:

    agirlagunner says:
    August 18, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Boo!! Wow, already we have trolls, and the season’s just about to kick off…

    rico, great upbeat one!! I’m excited!! Hello, all. 🙂

    Hi agag..troll here

  110. Lee says:

    Hiya SYG, he was worried about his bank balance that’s it and maybe if he’d been a bit less of a crock we may of won something!! Anyways fuck off up there with those manc pricks!

  111. tomstoned says:

    rico in other words your saying that selling integral parts of your team every summer is the best way to build a strong and successful team…..???…
    hmmmm….i thought that most top top teams in the world would do almost everything to keep their best players together for a number of years..barca does it..manure do it..bayern does it…dortmund tries…but heey their not that successful mate 😉
    but heey look at the postive side of it all…we do manage to keep players like bendtner,park,flappianski,amd several other important cogs …
    We’re The Arsenal and we’re flying the american dream 🙂
    still when the game kicks off today..its time to back the team..im all in..lets blow S’land to kingdom come…c’mon you Gunners…..
    hope diaby can show that he has recovered from his injuries..darn if he’s injured today..then we’re in trouble…keeping my fingers crossed

  112. rico says:

    That score would do me today Lee…

    No I’m not tomstoned, but you can’t force players to stay, he who has gone wanted money, his statement said he didn’t agree with where the club were going, what else was AW supposed to do??

    Same with Nasri last summer and Cesc who reportedly refused to play.

    Football has changed and our club needs players who want to be at the club for what it is, if they think about only money, then take a hike i say….

    It’s not as if they earn much at Arsenal is it….

  113. Lee says:

    Not many benny!! I’ll come and watch a game with you one day!!
    I heard a funny story that Dutch prick was late for his medical because he had to have his hair cut by a specific hairdresser…..what a twat!!!

  114. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Got the Mighty Whites v’s Wolves live on Radio 5 at the moment…
    Both FA Cup Semi Finalists in 1973. We were in the other one versus Sunderland …. Irony eh
    Leeds beat Wolves 1-0, and us …

    I hope not today.

  115. Lee says:

    Got a cracking birthday present “newspaper headlines -Arsenal” from 1930- WATH you’ve probably seen all the pre war ones from grandpa Kev? 😆

  116. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Colchester eh Lee. I was down for the tunnelling under the railway and trunk road on the Abberton reservoir water main ….

  117. Lee says:

    Looking at it now…. 21st October 1934 “Dynamic attack and team work crush spxrs” 5-1 things don’t change do they?

  118. W.A.T.H says:

    Lee thats mad thats what I got in June…! It’s brilliant eh…! Yes Grandad Kev has shown me a lot before though from his pvt collection

  119. Lee says:

    About 15 mins from me SYG…
    There’s a pattern forming…..7/3/1935 “new winger, a brainy player” 0-6 at shite hart lane!!!

  120. alanbstardmp says:

    frednerk says:
    August 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    Believe me alan you get more for a player when he has more on his contract.”

    Fred, that is true. If they would have signed RvP up for another year he would have been worth more, but so what, the profit does not necessarily go towards a Hulk or ” the new G Best ” whoever he may be ”

    So they are private business interests. The players are individual professional sportsmen, their priority is going where it’s good for them. They have no knowledge of tradition of the local club, and sadly care less about it

  121. agirlagunner says:

    Who’s going to the Emirates, today?? Did you guys all renew your season ticket??

    Lee 😆 re mung; and that other “emma” is NOT the HH emma, it was soo obviuos.

    alan, I remember watching in the news the Copenhagen Philharmonic flash mobbing the Copenhagen metro to play Griegs’ Peer Gynt. That was lovely.

    Hiya, SYG and WATH. 🙂

  122. Joaquim Moreira says:

    afternoon all!
    Sahin will be nice. Turkeys are crazy for football and we have fans there..
    We need more 3 players

  123. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening AGAG….. Gave my st’s to a mate again AGAG I’m still not going til I am happy they investing properly in the squad… A lot of good signs so far but another season in the pub for me with me mates..!

  124. agirlagunner says:

    A sort of boycott, WATH?? But we’ve gotten three in?? And sold a few ones. That’s just your excuse so you can camp in a pub, GG Man… 😛 Well, at least the drinks are on hand and you can keep on topping up. 😀

    Adam, I’m sure you and the missus will enjoy our first win of the season. 🙂

  125. rico says:

    Charlie Nicholas talking about Chelsea says:

    Di Matteo has signed exciting players, but they don’t play exciting football

    😆

  126. W.A.T.H says:

    A self imposed Ban AGAG….. I’ll still go in for a few games this season as I can always get tkts but the pub is good lot of mates who also chose not to go in for various reasons and always a good laugh plus of course as you say drinks on tap 😉

  127. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Ross County 1-0 Celtic… And we’re allegedly looking at Celtic’s players … I hope not

  128. Lee says:

    For those in the uk, tonight at 21:15 on channel 4 Micky Flanagan’s “Out out” tour is on, definitely worth recording!!!! Very funny bloke.

  129. Wale the gunner says:

    Scott. I believe Fiergie’s purchase of rvp is more of a psycological warfare buy than anything else,imagine a line up with rooney and van persie spear heading the attack, certain teams would have lost even b4 the game begin, out of fear.

  130. Ben Barrett says:

    Hi
    Am newbie to posting here, but have been reading everyday all summer.
    I am a ‘positive’ gooner the glass is always half full!
    Heard song went for 17mil and we will win today 4-0!

  131. southyorkshiregunner says:

    WaleTG… Ferguson’s purchase is a short-term fix at stupid, stupid money.
    Van Persie is a cracking footballer, however Arsenal had no option but to play through him. Our “game plan” was “kick it to Robin” as our other options up top were frigging dire, therefore Van Persie got the goals and hence the plaudits.
    We had NO other option that to play our Plan A game as we didn’t have a Plan B.
    Where’s he going to play for United? How long can he stay uninjured? He was the main man at Arsenal – He won’t be at United. Rooney is the main man at United. On a £40M contract and he doesn’t perform or gets injured their fans will be on his back…
    Is he a round peg or a square peg for that round hole?
    Who knows.

  132. Arty says:

    WANYAMA…Hi guys…..SYG the Ross C v Celtic is still 0-0 Live watching now, been watching Wanyama movements and i like what i see. Big strong does not waste the ball, gets thins moving, really strong in the tackle, his knees must be kae of steel cos his right one should have snapped in one tackle, and ooozes confidence in hmself, I like what i see.

  133. agirlagunner says:

    “Drinks on tap”… That is the life, WATH!! 😛 Some friends are in Shangri-la Boracay now. I am sooooo envious. 🙁

    rico, di Matteo got lucky with the CL trophy. He’s not the most imaginative or astute coach, is he??

    Wale, as many have said, it’s probably Fergie’s last hurrah. And his club is going to the dogs. How much debt do they owe??

  134. rico says:

    Lee – I’d be quite happy with those, through in a defender and I’d be over the moon 😉

    First out I reckon agag 😉

  135. southyorkshiregunner says:

    How’s it 0-0 Arty?
    Ross County’s Britton scored about twenty minutes ago ….

    Remember Wanyama is playing versus an English pub side … And his side are losing … unless Five Live are lying ??/

  136. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Agag. There was no team as lucky as Man Utd when they won it in 1999. Bayern battered them.

  137. rico says:

    Where is he now Lee, Dippers??

    I’m watching Syg, it’s all Ross County and they just hit the bar too 🙂

  138. W.A.T.H says:

    I’m off, chat lata you lot… Enjoy the game..! 4-0 to the mighty red machine…! Drinks on tap in the sun AGAG what more could I ask for 😉

  139. CowboyGunner says:

    I can’t wait! Seeing my Gunners and then off to see the Cowboys game (only preseason)! Yeehaw!

  140. Arty says:

    Thanks Syg, on the live link now, must be the nerves, shaking knees, turning stomach and developing headache symptoms……COYG

  141. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    More from me: West Ham are in for want-away Clint Dempsey. They’re only club willing to meet asking price

  142. emma says:

    Arsenal XI v Sunderland: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla; Walcott, Gervinho; Podolski.

    COYG !!!

  143. southyorkshiregunner says:

    All the Italian papers were on about De Rossi yesterday, Kev. He’s been offered over £200K per week by City.

  144. southyorkshiregunner says:

    That fox in the box – the £25M rated Kris Commons just equalised for Celtic on 92 mins.

  145. Micko says:

    Lee, the 12 pins has a lot of locks in’s match days, £10 entry and 2 free pints, probably wouldn’t touch the sides.

  146. Ben Barrett says:

    As i wait for kickoff, i pondered, did arsene know song might leave and have an agreement with m’villa? It seems strange only one team has bid for him all summer as he is quality?
    i hope this 45minutes goes quicker i can’t frickin wait!

  147. Arty says:

    Emma, is that the listed team today? Im surprised about jenks thought coq would have got the nod. Whats the subs bench, if reported.

  148. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sorry Emma – I didn’t see your post…. Doing a machine, then checking the blog..

    Wenger’s love child starts …. I knew it. Good news is that Song has gone.

    I would have had Giroud central and Podolski out left and Arshavin in for Diaby.
    I wouldn’t have played Jenkinson.

  149. Arty says:

    Micko, he is good isnt he, thats why i been faithfully reading this blog for 12 months. Lots of views news and funnies. Been away from england too long to get most of the funnies but worth it.

  150. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Micko
    Diddle diddle diddle dah, Diddle diddle diddle dah

    John Craven. Great. He is from Leeds.

  151. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Giroud on the bench.
    I’m watching now Ross Celtic. Before I’ve watched the kiwis (:-)) and Spartak Moscow-Kazin.
    Rumours: Zenit very interesting in Dani (M.United) and Hulk (Porto)

  152. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The Messiah? That’s class.

    More like a cross between a blinkered giraffe and a lamp-post.

  153. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all,
    looking forward to the game, a simple win would do me but a big score will cheer me up even more.

  154. allezkev says:

    I’m kinda leaning towards a ruby tonight myself Lee.

    A ruby + 3pts for AFC has a nice ring to it…

  155. rico says:

    Arsenal team:

    Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Walcott;

    Subs: Djourou, Santos, Giroud, Mannone, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin

    No Yennaris, surprised by that….

  156. rico says:

    Welcome Ben, sorry for the delay in getting you on, didn’t see you in moderation. Good to see you here for the first time, hope you stick around….

  157. rico says:

    It keeps sticking so hard to keep track Will, but much better than nothing thanks…

    Hi NG…

    AW doesn’t look very happy does he??

  158. Scott from Oz says:

    Sunderland are keep their shape brilliantly.
    I’m very confident we break them a some stage…just hope it’s early in the second half so they opened.

  159. Will says:

    I am a little worried by the time wasting Sunderland are already doing. For all the pretty play, there is no cut and thrust to us.

  160. allezkev says:

    Well, that was fairly typical of the first game of the season…
    One team wants to play, the other is just a boring, defensive reflection of it’s idiot manager….

  161. allezkev says:

    Maybe Giroud on for Walcott and Poldi playing a deeper role….
    Gervinho’s been a right mixture.
    Diaby has been ok, but i do like the shape of our defence…

  162. Arty says:

    Rico, been watching it with italian commentary which is best i could find, no sticking. Least we aint losing and no injuries so far. jenks should not have started, le coq better choice.

  163. Scott from Oz says:

    Our biggest problem is the counter attack,AGAIN,but they simply run through our middle.
    Get a player like M’Villa to shut things down,and we will be back on the attack a lot earlier.
    I shouldn’t say it,but Diaby is looking pretty sharp.

  164. agirlagunner says:

    Sunderland are so unambitious. For someone so tightly man marked, Cazorla has been brilliant.

    Mignolet should be given a yellow card. time wasting tactics are annoying.

  165. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Arsenal a touch sluggish at present. Good atmosphere. Lots of love for Cazorla. Little magician. Crowd on their feet for him.

  166. Micko says:

    Sounds like Sunderland are parking the bus.
    I’ve given up on fecking streams, never wanna see another one again.
    Soccer Saturday airs at 8pm over here, that’ll do for me.

  167. allezkev says:

    John Cross‏@johncrossmirror

    Am told temp pitch side approaching 40 degrees. #afc bench could be crucial: Santos, Giroud, Ramsey, Djourou, Coquelin, Arshavin, Mannone

  168. Arty says:

    Not fast enough in passing. Our right with jenks is weak cos gerv and walcott not getting fast enough ball and quickl shut down.

  169. Joywedsjeff says:

    Watching the game on al-jazeera. Harry redcap is doing the half time analysis. Seems he hates wenger with passion…. I think he needs a real job fast. Motd anyone…

  170. rico says:

    I hope you are kidding re MOTD Micko, if he is on board, no way will i ever watch that programme again…

    Mind you, I seldom watch it now…

  171. alanbstardmp says:

    Podolski allegedly missed a sitter. Another Bentner?

    QPR 5 goals down yik

    WBA 3 up against scousers!

  172. Scott from Oz says:

    Well,shit teams with no talent play shit football…if you can call it that.
    Some very good signs though.
    Please,don’t underestimate the effect of the heat they played in.
    I’m off to sleep…..catch you all later for the post mortem.

  173. allezkev says:

    Ignore all the crap you read/hear in the Press/Media…
    They will go on and on and on about Podolski & Giroud….
    Well it took Bergkamp & Henry a few games to find their feet….

    i was very happy with the way our defence performed.
    OK they were not exactly tested by a 10 man Sunderland defence, but i liked Gibbs in particular and Jenkinson, after a shakey start, did ok…
    Good to see BFG back. But then i would say that…

  174. agirlagunner says:

    Sunderland did NOT even TRY to play. There’s playing a defensive game; but that was ridiculous. 😕

    Chesney almost had NOTHING to do…

  175. Arty says:

    As i said earlier, jenks did not help attack. Played balls too slow and gerv and wacott kept getting boxed in, esp walcott, but we will get better. Happy with Arshavin too.

  176. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rico i cant get your love for theo…. Great arsenal performance but lots of things to sort out in training imho…. Poldoski’s positioning needs work and giroud and poldolski should play together

  177. rico says:

    Scott –

    don’t care re Jenks, he’s a defender and if he gets that right, that’s all that matters imho…

    TT – I’m feeling pretty much the same as you, it will get better and bollox to the press who will have a field day about you know who not being here to score the goals.

    Now back to the transfer window and get the players in we need and get rid of those we don’t..

    Talking of which, how did AA play??

  178. allezkev says:

    Gervinho is a combination of great wing play and two left feet…
    Overall, i think he did ok…
    Sorry Rico, but was Theo playing?!
    Very ineffective…
    Maybe not the game for him…
    When we face teams that park the bus, then maybe he shouldn’t be in the starting XI..?

  179. agirlagunner says:

    I’m disappointed only about the results. Can’t say our boys did not try. The defense is looking pretty solid. That’s a start.

    I do think we held on to the ball for too long; by the time it was launched into more dangerous areas, the parking men of Sunderland had taken position.

    Shame that Giroud couldn’t quite find the target. Or Gervinho. Too slow a tempo though. Which was exactly what Sunderland were hoping for.

  180. EastSidePaul says:

    Theo doesn’t look like he cares, and we’re going to throw money at him to stay?! Don’t understand it, if we could get 15m for him I would be very happy to give him the booth too.

    Now that song is gone, we need players to come in.

  181. allezkev says:

    Agag, Nuri Sahin is a great long passer, we need a player like him to add variety and speed to our build-up…

  182. agirlagunner says:

    AA looks lean/fit. 🙂 He had some smart moves, but gave the ball away cheaply at one point and we could have been punished.

    I thought Theo was ineffectual, rico. 🙁 But I have altogether high hopes for our team.

  183. Will says:

    Right, the good:
    We kept the ball well.
    We harried in midfield well and won the ball back high up the pitch.
    Gerv looked right up for it.
    We defended like we meant it.
    More long range shots.
    Cazorla.

    The Bad.
    Still no stretching the opposition with running behind the defence.
    Poor long shots, many going very high/wide.
    AA looked uninterested when he came on.

    Overall, a B+, will do a lot better.

  184. tomstoned says:

    Rico …first not a bad game and all in all we do need time to gel…im positive about this…expected..
    but im fed up with the excuse of money….many of our best players said it wasnt about the money…why dont we believe them ??there is something very wrong at The Arsenal…ever since kroenke took over…gaidis a total waste of space imo…theres no urgency anymore and it shows off the pitch and on…we’re just sailing along and how on earth could you expect the players to react when the club sev eral times have openly said that fourth is our aim..my god..
    and just think for a sec..why dont players leave bayern..they dont pay over the top…neither do barca or real if you look at what city is paying…
    rico its not about the money mate…in or case its the pure lack of ambition…and some other things we will know about in the future..

    what were missing in todays match..simply *** and song…

    as a top club we should keep our best players and then add one or two top top players every summer to show intent and keep the rest of the players positive…its all down to ambition…no sportsman or woman will ever be satisfied with being second rico…sport will always be about winning and believing that you can win…

    The New Arsenal is not about that rico…we’re just sailing along..living the american dream..and the worst part of that is that more and more Gooners have become more interested in the business part than about demanding victories…

    imo theres not much we can do about it either…were truly..fecked..

    the buzz have gone long time ago…and who can blame Gooners who thinks that…every summer we live in fear…who’s going..well its not that hard…we sell our two best players every summer..and why…yes because of our lack of ambition and just as important to balance our books…

    you could at least give Gooners like me the respect we deserve our opinion should be a matter of concern not laughed at…and if your totally honest im sure you also do wonder..whats wrong…?????

  185. allezkev says:

    In those kind of temperatures, it’s easier to defend.
    Sunderland lined-up 4 6 0…
    It was clear what O’Neill had come for…
    We didn’t have the sharpness to break them down….
    O’Neill is a wanker, another example of a British manager with yesterdays mentality…
    When we play at the Stadium of Shite, his team will line-up the same….at home.

  186. agirlagunner says:

    Kev, we said he same thing about Theo 😉

    emma, good riddance to bad rubbish. 🙂 This is the same Song who said he would cry if he had to leave Arsenal?? 😀 Lol. In the end, he demanded a move away, didn’t he??

  187. emma says:

    It is not a sprint but a marathon. Arsenal were solid today. Just unlucky not to get the win we deserve. Our focal point(Giroud and podolski) needs to gel and we will be fine.
    We will experience more of this park the bus this season at the emirates
    The media are coming to come up with sensational headlines but am not fuzz

  188. emma says:

    agag – I guess Song listened to the little man as well. Good riddance he has gone. Get Sahin and m’vila in and we have enough squad players

  189. goonster says:

    so song finally fucked off…….good. now get biglia and sahin and our season can really start. am not too worried about the outcome. its the first game of the season. we ll only get better. COYGS.

  190. allezkev says:

    Song leaving is the best news of the day…

    The last of Darren Dein’s clients i believe….

    Now Arsene, do some business next week…

  191. EastSidePaul says:

    How amazing would it be to have n players with that ass hat as their agent. Get the held out of our club Darren Dein.

  192. rico says:

    Guys – I’m not going to get drawn into yet another Theo debate, especially after a game where everyone is saying Sunderland parked the bus…

    If he is still with us on the 1st Sept then so be it, if he isn’t, then many fans will get their wish….

    It’s the 1st game of the season…..

  193. Micko says:

    Paul, if Wenger lives to be 175 he won’t do better business, lets go and get M’Vila now with the money.
    Nice knowing ya Song !

  194. rico says:

    Spot on Micko,

    £15M for Song with a release clause already set at £80m 😮

    M’Vila, Sahin and another striker….

    Park and Chamakh are gone I am sure….

  195. EastSidePaul says:

    Wenger on selling Song: ‘We have Wilshere coming back now, we have Diaby back, we have Rosicky not far away and we might bring someone in’

    Don’t mess around, bring in M’vila and be done with it.

  196. agirlagunner says:

    tomstoned, we all wonder what’s wrong. 😉 But it IS about the money. Who exactly among those who left took a paycut?? Possibly just Cesc. When Robin says he and the club were not in agreement about certain “elements”, he was thinking about his paycheck. It creeps me out when he speaks of the child in him screaming for Man United. He was in an AFC jersey in his youth, for crying out loud.

    I’d rather our club stand for something than be a billionaire’s plaything. Does anybody really have respect for the way that Citeh won the league? They barely won. 😀 And how much exactly did it cost them to assemble that team??

  197. rico says:

    No chance Will, absolutely no chance of that happening…

    emma – staggering isn’t it, all that for a few splinters 🙂

  198. emma says:

    Arsenal.com ‏@Arsenal

    Wenger on selling Song: ‘We have Wilshere coming back now, we have Diaby back, we have Rosicky not far away and we might bring someone in’

  199. tomstoned says:

    yeah right..here we’re celebrating the sale of one of our best players last year…and one point…all well then..rubbish,,money money money…and to be honest of football where played without goals we would win ebery time..great..

  200. Micko says:

    Teams have been parking the bus at the emirates for years now, it’s up to us to break them down, it’s nothing new.
    rico, no-one can take away your memories…………….

  201. emma says:

    Arsenal.com ‏@Arsenal

    Wenger: ‘We were not very balanced and we didn’t create enough. They blocked our midfield’

    Wenger: ‘We played with a good spirit… we lack sharpness at the moment and we couldn’t convert our chances’

    Wenger on Cazorla: ‘It’s difficult not to be pleased with Cazorla and he created all the chances’

    Wenger: ‘Podolski is not [physically] ready yet but he has the quality. Giroud has a presence when he is on the pitch’

    Wenger: ‘Giroud had a great chance, I think he had more time than he thought. He should have scored that one’

  202. goonster says:

    stop on mick……had giroud put that away. we ll be celebrating 3 points now. oh well, like you said its up to us to break them down……….and we will. but God how good was santi today??????

  203. agirlagunner says:

    It appears, emma that The Little Boy in Song had sneaked off to the hospital to have his blood tested and *GASP* they found out that he had Barcelona DNA. 😀 😀

  204. rico says:

    Esp, what else should we expect form AW, he gives nothing away…

    tomstoned – is your question directed at me or the club??

  205. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Wenger played the WRONG SIDE
    I said it yesterday at 2:00 pm

    V’s Sunderland
    I’d go…

    Scz
    Yennaris – Mert – Vermaelen – Gibbs
    Cazorla – Arteta
    Arshavin
    Walcott-Giroud-Podolski
    win 3-0 (Arshavin, Giroud 2)

    My tip for Wenger’s first eleven is

    Scz
    Coq – Mert – Vermaelen – Gibbs
    Song – Arteta
    Diaby
    Walcott-Podolski-Gervais
    1-1 (Podolski pen 89)

    Song’s is being transferred so he didn’t play and the right back could have been one of three. Not that Yennaris or Coq are a major improvement on Jenkinson, but I wasn’t far off tipping Wenger’s side and I called a draw.
    I haven’t had half a day in top tier football management.

    Sunderland are a shit side who NULLIFY.
    Gervais and Diaby were bad calls for today’s game. Diaby is an enigma. He has a 1 in 5 ratio of good games and he should have played Walcott OR Gervais, not both. Both give something to the team, but both are ERRATIC.
    Even with the game ticking away Wenger chose Ramsey over Arshavin, which smacked of negativity.
    Poor, poor calls by Wenger.

    The upside is that Giroud, Mert, Podolski, Arshavin etc have had NO pre-season. The two games in Hong Kong and Malaysia weren’t serious and Wenger took all the lesser players which HAS put us back a bit. We are currently about three weeks off the pace.
    Even the Cologne game wasn’t a test ….

    We are still OFF THE PACE and Wenger didn’t pick his best side.
    That is why we drew.

    We drew because he was thinking about placating Diaby who played about twenty minutes of football last season and because he left a natural no.9 on the bench and played a left sided striker out of position as a lone forward so he could include both Walcott and Gervais.

    Wenger called it wrong.

    He called it wrong when he played Diaby in our second League Cup Final v’s Chelsea when he chose Diaby over Arshavin and he called it wrong when he let Fabregas play away v’s Barcelona, the same as he called it wrong by making Henry, Gallas, Fabregas and Van Persie captain’s.

    He’s a great manager with a great footballing brain but his emotional stance re: players makes him call the wrong shots at the wrong time.

  206. Joaquim Moreira says:

    two drop points.
    It’s a team for fight for the 4th – 6th place.
    the Mancs and Chelsea are most more stronger.
    We need, at least 3 more players for playing, have subs and an high level of confidence in the team.
    Moreover, this score is not good for the future. RVP will be always in mind of the players, fans, everybody

  207. rico says:

    emma

    Wenger: ‘We were not very balanced and we didn’t create enough. They blocked our midfield’

    Go sort in before the transfer window shuts the Arsene 🙂

  208. tomstoned says:

    in my opinion…song..nasri..cesc (begged wenger to invest remember)and *** have proved their point…end off…
    Agirl…do you think its about money with barca..and its certainly not about money when it comes to bayern..how on earth are they able to keep their players ???..
    well ive had my say…ill put up with wengers lies..thats fine but ill never accept kroenke and his henchman gazidis and his exciting summers…
    i will stand behind our players but never again invest a dime in our club…and its funny…im not even that bothered if we win something anymore…its just entertainment….like watching a late sinatra show..its ok..

  209. seedou says:

    hi
    i`m not happy with the results at all.it was captain,Per,Ches,and Arteta that were at their best today,the other players need to improve honestly.

  210. tomstoned says:

    not even sure rico..just forget it…im over it…..and you better than me…asking oUr club is a guarentee for lies…

  211. rico says:

    tomstoned, sorry but ‘end of’ is rubbish – Song is average, nasri was a money grabber and cesc wanted to go home….

    Money, have’t we just signed three internationals, and this window is still open…

  212. rico says:

    tomstoned – i really don’t understand what you are getting at…

    seedou, none of us are happy having dropped points but we will improve, that’s something I am very confident about…

  213. Micko says:

    Stan, from what I’ve been told Arsenal might be too big a step up for Biglia, I’d like us to bag Sahin.

  214. rico says:

    Micko – my money is on M’Vila/Capoue and Sahin…

    And – once Park, Nik and Chamuck have gone, another striker….

  215. Will says:

    I thought there was a lot of promise in that performance and against a more attack minded team, we could score 3 or 4.

  216. rico says:

    But Will, we have to do something to overcome the sides who park the bus…

    If we can sort that out, life as a Gooner will be a lot easier…

    I suggest hoof ball 😆 😆

  217. tomstoned says:

    but goonster media isnt wrong..are they..???..wasnt this excactly the games *** won us last season mate..or am i mistaken ??

  218. agirlagunner says:

    tomstoned, are you sure Nasri proved something?? He was sat on the bench for most of last season!! 😀 And did Cesc win anything other than some Mickey Mouse cups with Barcelona? Not that I know of. 🙂 Barcelona seems to be The Promised Land for many players now. But empires rise and empires fall; as it is, Madrid won the league.

  219. NashuaGunners says:

    Do not despair my fellow gunners …happy days ahead.

    They parked the BUS yes, and our midfield was good, not too many errors in dangerous places.

    Tomstoned “what were missing in todays match… simply *** and Song.”

    I do agree with you there mate. Like him when he makes those killer passes in desperate situations; hate him when he gives the ball dangerously in our half and two minutes to the final whistle.

    The guy is ungrateful and he let AW down. AW took him and mould him, now he thinks he is Messi. In my book he’s worse than RVP. He was just a team player who does his duties not with perfection but with some mistakes that he needs to work-on. Let him go and maybe we’ll have someone who is better than him.

  220. LJB says:

    Tomstoned,i agree with every word you said.People have been saying “football needs to learn from our olympians”.Well i saw 2 rowers and 2 sailors in fuckin tears coz they had “only” won a silver,saying they had let everyone down.At Arsenal everyone pats themselves on the back for charging outrageous prices and being failures on the pitch.And the fans let them get away with it,unreal!!Well,We will miss RVP much more than he will miss us,good luck Robin and Stan says thanks for the 30mill Champions League revenue you earned last season for the club,Oh and that CL qualification meant we could sign Cazorla and Giroud so just remember that when you slag him off.I hope he wins the CL and the PL with MU coz Arsenal are never going to win either.

  221. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Tombstone.
    I stated last week that I want Arsenal to win at all costs, something which both HH bloggers CanadianG and Scotty from Oz didn’t totally agree with.
    In essence it wouldn’t matter to me if we won 1-0 every match with boring spiky football, however both these bloggers stressed that for them it wasn’t JUST the case. They stressed that how you play is more important. I disagreed with that totally, is I feel winning is everything and losing is… well it’s for losers.
    However they had an opinion, and bearing in mind some of the insightful things they have said in weeks gone by and the fact that neither live in England, I thought “fair play”. I respect their opinion. Nice guys both of them

    Reading some of the insightful blogs we get on here a person can tell the philosophical comments from that of a window licker, you see. And just so you know, Nasri went for the money and Fabregas refused to play for us because he wanted the Barcelona move. None really wanted a hand in team selection or a decision on purchases as that’s Wenger’s job.

    Anyway, that aside it is not all doom and gloom. Most day one results are all over the place. It will settle down, but the good thing is that we didn’t lose and we didn’t concede.
    Remember – MOST DAY ONE RESULTS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE

    We once lost 2-4 at home to Norwich after being 2-0 up.

  222. Joaquim Moreira says:

    With Bendtner out, probably Chamack too, we need anotther central forward.
    With Song out we need one DM and another midfield player
    Probaly, we need a full back or a player able to paly at ful and central back.
    Don’t miss, Song had played sometimes a central defender.
    another goalkeeper?
    Hope we have another stream of injuries this season,,, and we dwill not need TH again.
    Next two are traditional very difficult: at Stoke and Liverpool. So, we can be at the tail of the table soon…

  223. rico says:

    NG, no despair in me, we’ll get better and we will see 2/3 more additions yet…

    tomstoned, you normally blog on LG?? 😉 🙂

  224. goonster says:

    dude its the first game of the season. liverpoop lost 3 nil didnt they….and we actually encountered this kinda problems last season. it took a freakish AA goal to beat a resolute swansea side didnt we…..was VP not in that same game? come on, dont let the media rile you up. we have the making of a cracking team here. relax bro, take a chill pill or better yet get a beer!

  225. Will says:

    I feel we have to keep up with the long shots Rico but make two slight changes.

    1) get the shots on target 😉
    2) Have players following in.

  226. southyorkshiregunner says:

    We won the league in 88/89

    First matches
    Won 5-1 a v Wimbledon
    Lost 2-3 h v Villa – were 2-0 down
    Won 3-2 a Tottenham
    drew 2-2 h Southampton – were 2-0 down
    Lost 2-1 a Sheffield Wednesday

    Look at our home results. Shite. The beginning of the season it is always like this

  227. agirlagunner says:

    Goonie, you just told someone to take a chill pill, and yet here you are all riled up. 😀 😀

    Nashua, I like your first two sentence; disagree with the next two; but am in full concurrence with the last paragraph!! 😀 😀 Howdy?

  228. rico says:

    Keep in respectful goonie…

    You lost me there Syg re the sailors? blonde moment 😉

    arty, I can’t really say a lot – watched a stream on and off but will watch later…

    That will do me Will….

  229. Joywedsjeff says:

    Goonster 06:04. Totally agree mate. Tried making the same points to people during the game and was shouted down…. People forget we needed henry to win same game last season…. Rvp is wonderful but not sure we would have won with him in the side. He was on a decline from january ending in a bad euros…. Cant wait for Fergie magic?

  230. agirlagunner says:

    “two sailors in tears”– that just yanks at the heartstrings!! SYG, 😆 you called out LJB on that little piece of soap opera.

    JM, I’m sure you meant that you hope we would NOT have another stream of injuries. 😛 😛

  231. Ben Barrett says:

    Match was ok, we looked good, cazorla was epic, sad wid draw but i think we will trbl most teams this yr, sunderland well and truly parked the bus!

  232. Rick says:

    I’m sick to death of all the Walcott bashers they need to watch the clip above, he might not be the smartest of players but his finishing is unbelievable with our new boy carzola feeding he could be one hell of a striker!

    I wish people would lay off him, they parked the bus today as usuall so there wasn’t much the lad could do.

  233. goonster says:

    hey rico, that “blonde moment” comment, you weren’t refering to me were you? hey AGAG, watched the game in a bikini didnt ya?

  234. Joywedsjeff says:

    Rick you mean walcott will not perform In 28 games this season…. Most teams will park the bus against us including the mancs… How does he benefit us then?

  235. Ben Barrett says:

    the mighty forehead was good, he will breakout this season, woulda likeed to see theo in striker position and prince poldi on left, but with way sunderland played, 6 buses parked, well..idk! but COYG!

  236. Ben Barrett says:

    and i also had a fair few bevvies! will try to reply sober in future but probably not gonna happen!

  237. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Rick the idea with Walcott is to utilise his pace to stretch the oppositions defence.
    ….Same on the other side with Gervais dazzling the opposition defence by flashing his Dick Emery’s and a bit of step over trickery…

    It’s game one. By game 10 we’ll see a pattern emerging

  238. agirlagunner says:

    In my grandma pajamas, goonster. 😀

    Welcome Ben and rick. No one’s bashing Walcott. The Lady of the House (rico) would never allow it. 😛

  239. seedou says:

    why did wenger sold song?to me song can play with sahin and make the team better.song is better than diaby and ramsey as at now and last season.

  240. allezkev says:

    SYG…. 6.01…

    That is top class commenting, feet on the ground, refusing to overeact, balanced and mature….

    Well said…

  241. Ben Barrett says:

    lol ty syg, problem is i aint so young, oh well. all in all lovely performance from the team shame no goals came, very enthusiastic for season ahead, with sahin coming and probably m’villa i see us being top 3 at least! hope my spelling was better there. just or barely myb lol!

  242. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Song’s in business for himself Seedou. He always has been.
    This is a new Arsenal.
    Once Sahin comes in and Diaby pulls up injured you’ll see a completely different side.

  243. goonster says:

    why did you have to ruin it for me eh AGAG? who was i hurting? jeez, let me live out my fantasy for pete’s sake!

  244. allezkev says:

    Stan, i just needed a break, a couple of beers and time to reflect….
    Now if any doomers from LG want to join us, well bring it on….

  245. goonster says:

    hi kev, what do you make off the game? LG trolls huh? well let them come i ve still got a few shot left!

  246. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Kev. Supporters are ripping up season tickets and throwing children into the road …. It was only a 0-0 on day one of a 38-game season.

    I did call it though Kev. I did call it ….at 5:33 pm…..

    I knew Wenger would go Diaby and the front three and I knew it’d be a draw. Thank god we didn’t need an 89th minute penalty

  247. Ben Barrett says:

    I found that our right/left backs looked out of place, prince poli is not a RVP, should not be played as lone striker, theo looked like he staying, cazorla looked 1st class, diaby looked good, verminator lokked like a man possesed as captain! all in all apart from 0-0 very happy!

  248. NashuaGunners says:

    @SYG, you’re ‘Man on Fire’. Agreed with you there the other day, just win, and I don’t care how you do it. Last season Mancity wan the league, who’s gonna remember how they wan it?

  249. boomergooner1727 says:

    evening ladies and gents

    if this were a mid-season result i’d be more concerned but we do need more offensive spark to break down this type of opponent. the positives are there. cazorla was excellent but capable of a higher level that i think we’ll see as he settles. i thought gibbs was decent for the first week and if he can find some consistency this season i think we can expect good things from him too.

    chamakh wasn’t on the team sheet and maybe less surprisingly neither was park. i’ve seen comments saying they’re both on the way out, is there any evidence of such? i’m fine with a dm and sahin but adding another striker would be a wise decision. not certain i’ll get my wish but another cf who can play out wide would work well but i’d be interested to hear the boss’ thoughts on the matter…

    in the meantime papiss and ba need to get busy…

    lol just as i typed that i get my wish. beautiful.

  250. allezkev says:

    I remember that 2-4 game SYG, and the 0-3 vs Coventry when the fat bast**d on Talk Shite got a hat trick…
    It happens for Gods sake, some people just have to get a bit of perspective ffs….

  251. agirlagunner says:

    Granny pajamas Kev. 😛 Fluffy slippers. A ratty house robe. A mudpack slathered all over my face; and hair curlers.

  252. Ben Barrett says:

    i support my team, poor cham has taken enuff abuse. as a 4th striker he is better than alot in PL, His confidence is shit to pieces, if you remember how he started he was good, not epic, but good. Any player that wheres the red and white is my hero! COYG!

  253. allezkev says:

    Ben, i thought that our full-backs did ok….

    Gibbs made some great challenges, almost Winterburnesque in there effectiveness.
    Jenkinson worried me initially, but as he settled into the game he did ok and stuck over a few interesting crosses… I liked the way they both chased back to make tackles, none of the standing and watching after a mistake etc, i’m looking at you Alex Song!

  254. STV says:

    Hello al..

    I wonder what the responses here are! I cant say
    anything particular not a good performance not that bad either.
    I thought C defence worked well Carzola played goodl Gerv looks better and theo average today.
    Strikers disappointed in the opening game.. and no.23!

  255. Adam says:

    Kev. A kind of forced enthusiasm really. Most of the crowd aren’t stupid. The look at the team and can see who should and shouldn’t be out there and who is and isn’t Arsenal quality. They like the New players and sense the potential but wonder, as I do, if Wenger is going to buy the other players we need or if it’s another smoke and mirrors job.

  256. allezkev says:

    Cazorla probably only had one day to prepare for this game, due to Spain chasing the dollars with their stupid friendlies.
    But he was superb.
    We’ve got a lot of good things to come from that fellow.

  257. Ben Barrett says:

    @adam we have quality i have no doubt, remember we have a young man called wilshere coming back, i think we are off 1 super DM to make us compete as a team.

  258. Adam says:

    Diaby is inefficient to me. He takes too many touches pulling te ball this way and that, letting the opposition defence reform before passing backwards. He needs to drive at the opposition and commit defenders. He s too easy to play against.
    Ben. Sorry mate but we are much more than 1 player away from that.

  259. Ben Barrett says:

    mr forehead looked good today, we need a super hard DM to release our skilled players, i would even take de jong!

  260. boomergooner1727 says:

    sanga, ox and jack healthy and in form will make a world of difference. i wasn’t impressed with diaby today.

  261. goonster says:

    jeeez you guys keep coming up with names but we are only gonna get biglia. wenger wants a spanish speaking triumvirate(spelling). him and sahin and our season can really start. COYGS. hey adam, where you the mug screaming to diaby to “pass the ball for fuck sake”

  262. Ben Barrett says:

    adam give him time he has been in PL 1 season, i fully think he will come good, remember TH14, always give players 2 years!

  263. Adam says:

    You can give him 2 years if you want Ben. I would prefer someone who is more direct and who is dangerous in front of goal. Yes, he is tricky though.

  264. allezkev says:

    According to some on Twitter, quoting Canal+, Sahin will be announced on Monday……
    I’ll drink to that…..

  265. Ben Barrett says:

    sahin i heard is a defo, i am a gooner, we can get relegated and i will still be a gooner, lol my gf is a bradford city fan. hehe

  266. allezkev says:

    Was there any booing at the game, that you could pick up on Adam?
    Or was it kinda a feeling of same old, same old.

  267. rico says:

    Jamie Sanderson ‏@YoungGunsBlog
    Arsène Wenger asked if van Persie would have scored the Giroud chance: ‘Yes. It is right. He scored 30 goals last season’.

  268. rico says:

    I’m not sure AW should have said that….

    I share that disappointment Adam…. but it can only get better…

    You weren’t impressed with Gervinho?

  269. BigSanty says:

    Arsenal: A feeder club! ,Wenger: The cashier , Kroenke: “Much money in his pocket” ,Arsenal­’s fans:”The victims”.

  270. allezkev says:

    According to Tweets, Canal+ report that Arsenal are in talks for Llorente…..

    Funny that, i thought he’d joined Juventus….. 🙄

  271. rico says:

    Jamie Sanderson ‏@YoungGunsBlog
    Wenger says he’s ‘disappointed’ to lose Song. A ‘top player’. Says one more will come in, but Diaby and Frimpong are options.

    No they are not Arsene!!

  272. emma says:

    Kudos to Arteta. He was superb in the DM role today. We need more creative spark esp with teams that are going to park the bus when they visit the emirates. Diaby was ok but he was too slow moving the ball quickly when we re on the offensive. An addition creative spark in the person of Wilshere/Sahin will be very effective for Park the Bus teams.

  273. Adam says:

    I just saw that interview RIco and I don’t think Wenger actually said that. He certainly did say that van Persie missed chances too.
    No, Gervinho is a flake for me. He is tricky and a decent dribbler but he doesn’t do much for me. We don’t actually have a proper winger at the club. Not a single player who offers width to stretch a defence.
    Jenkinson is an accident waiting to happen. Poor defensively and unintelligent going forward. He’s a kid and is being unfairly treated by being thrust into the Arsenal first team a couple of years early. Poor really.

  274. emma says:

    Wilshere/Sahin can ping the ball and with that eye of an eagle will be able to make a pass that takes out 3 or 4 players

  275. rico says:

    Don’t agree there BigSanty, certainly not this season…

    AK, I too though Llorente had signed for Juve…

  276. STV says:

    Wonder what will happen @ Stoke.. Tougher test the boggy team the ugly team. better prepare well & buy well

  277. Ben Barrett says:

    yes adam, both lb/rb were awful today against better teams we will get nailed! as gong forward i think cazorla was IMMENSE, i love this guy gonna tatto his name on my childs arm. 😀

  278. BigSanty says:

    Why did u say that Ben Barrett? Did u not see that we have sold another experience player in Alex Song to Barcelona for $15mil? When will we stop being a selling club & make sure our players honor their contract to the last yr? Really this is getting out of hand & always bring us back to learning process every start of season instead of jelling. This is not good for our dear club & we fans are the one who suffers it.

  279. rico says:

    emma – we sure need to find a way to get passed the 32 seaters, and there will be a few this season I suspect. Talking of which, Stoke up next….

    That doesn’t sound good Adam, I haven’t seen it yet so it’s hard to comment…

    Thanks re the AW comments, didn’t think that sounded like him…

  280. emma says:

    rico – good it’s an away much. Hoping they won’t be parking the bus. Not scared of Stoke, we ve got Mert to match their crouchy

  281. Ben Barrett says:

    big santy, song is meant to be a DM, holding our back 4 tight. He tinks he has barca DNA, so now he goes barca, I want a real DM, we all knos the ppl linked, m’villa wou;d be my choice. he is a big bad mofo. 😀

  282. goonster says:

    be afraid emma, be very afraid. those thugs ll target all our new players. i fear a bruising contest. will santi, giroud and poldi be up for it? you guess is as good as mine.

  283. rico says:

    BigSanty –

    Song is experienced, but don’t lose sight of the fact he is average, yes he made a few goals last season but how many sloppy tackles did he make, how many fouls did he commit in dangerous areas and how many times did he neglect his defensive duties and leave our midfield wide open??

  284. STV says:

    What way rico.. Teams are becoming more successful at it. even scity do that agaist us. We play the same way over the years no matter how opposition plays..

    Agree with every one, song is average you’ll not see me shedding tears on his dep.

  285. rico says:

    I just don’t get all the hype over Song Ben, sure it’s sad to see another player leave but as long as AW brings in a proper DM, we can only be stronger.

  286. BigSanty says:

    From Songs proceeds are you quite certain that Wenger is going to buy a man steel DM of M’vila/Capoue to protect our back four? Let’s hope he is not making way for Coquelin or Diaby while he banks the $ to the bank as usual. IMHO don’t think he will buy another DM, but might with Sahin loan.

  287. STV says:

    Stoke disguests.. They play Rugball.. Meritesacker is a Merit ofcourse. I’d love to see Arsenal ripping them apart and leave there not bruised

  288. rico says:

    goonie, they lost 2-1 to newcastle

    STV, that’s AW’s job, there has to be a way…

    BigSanty – I think he will get a DM…

    Time will tell…

  289. rico says:

    I wouldn’t go that far Ben 😉

    Reading battered Stoke for most of their game today STV, they just couldn’t take their chances… We can do the same, but finish ours…

  290. goonster says:

    STV, those northern monkeys scare me. i hate them more than the spuddies and chavs combined……i hate manure more than every other team though. i hate barca, bayern, porto and auhghghgh i hate birmingham too. as a matter of fact i hate most teams. heck am dutch.

  291. Ben Barrett says:

    ther has been 1 lofficial bid for m’villa , from scummy spurs, why is this arsene new song would go, he has already signed him, thats wht. watch this space! and gn it beddiebyebootimes for moi,

  292. STV says:

    I figured that long ago 😉

    That is the one team I want to have relegated every year. They hung like monkeys each time 🙁

  293. goonster says:

    you and me both STV, God i cant stand that fuck face pulis……arghhghghgh why is he always wearing that hat? i ll bet he’s got something growing out of his head, maybe a fergie’s hairy thumb!

  294. rico says:

    That’s better, it’s sure cooler out there….

    Ben – dogs are beautiful – and I bet you love X-Factor too 🙂

  295. The BearMan says:

    Have we been short changed? A Pod n Geru to replace RvP but they have to return and practice, practice goal shooting! No award winning performances today. Wenger should have brought on Aneke!

    Day 1 goes to Steve Bould, at least the defence hold!

  296. rico says:

    I don’t think so TBM – give the three of them another game, then watch them. The Liverpool game is the one imho….

  297. The BearMan says:

    Wenger better make it known quick time that the holiday camp is over and seriously get down to business!

  298. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Barcelona have confirmed this Saturday via its official website, have reached an agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Alex Song medium, in exchange for 19 million euros.
    The Cameroon international, 24, will sign a contract valid for the next five seasons, and was set a termination clause of 80 million euros.
    Monday fulfill medical tests and will be presented before the Joan Gamper Cup game, where the Catalans will face Sampdoria

  299. Will says:

    Jesus people, reading some of the thoughts on here, anyone would have thought we were battered today.

    And please people, remember.RVP ONLY GAVE US ONE DECENT SEASON IN 8.

  300. smudge says:

    Looks like cazorla may have to carry us this season unless Wenger pulls off Sahin and Llorente.
    Here’s hoping

  301. goonster says:

    hahahahahahah smudge that means noyhing pal…..he’s probably thinking about how he scammed fergusnose into stumping 25mill for a crock. he’s that sly!

  302. Micko says:

    You know there’s room for improvement when Smudge can’t even muster up a bit of Hot Chocolate before bedtime !

  303. Will says:

    I think we need one more striker, it would be amazing if it was one on the level of Llorente but I can’t see that. We need a proper DM, everyone knows it and I am sure Wenger knows it.Don’t think we need a defender and all of you hating Jenks today, I think the kid played very well and tell me, how many times was he skinned by his winger?

  304. crispen says:

    Song issue is very simple…. His agent is with the 30% owner… His agent’s father is next door neigbhor to who by the way??…When is wenger’s contract up? .
    Its hard for a coach to convince his players VP,Cesc,Nasri,Song that they should extend their stay past the time he wants to stay.

  305. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Sahin not replace Song.
    Llorente and Giroud are very equal players. With Giroud we need another central forward but with different characteritics and different solutions. Bendtner out. Chamack probably out. Park?

  306. Micko says:

    Cheers Smudge, Errol’s the man.

    Will, gotta agree with Stan, it might take a couple of weeks to click up front but when they do they’ll be banging them in left, right and centre.
    AW must have some-one lined up to take Song’s place, probably has for some time now, can feel it in my water, annoucement Monday / Tuesday.

  307. goonster says:

    spot on JM, giroud is similar with llorente. we need a trcky forward. someone that can take on players to create space for giroud and poldi.

  308. Will says:

    I think we will be awesome upfront but I think we need one more player as cover. The top teams have four top strikers.

  309. goonster says:

    if we get a DM i think it will be someone who can play anywhere at the back…..that rules mvilla out. maybe capoue and yanga mbiwa.

  310. goonster says:

    will we need strengthening elsewhere. the attack is fine IMO we just need a few tweaks and we ll really rip it.

  311. Micko says:

    Will, I think AW is banking on our midfielders/wingers chipping in with a fair amount of goals this season, when you look at the attacking players on show its pretty awesome, its only the first day of the season, can’t understand why people are moaning.

  312. Micko says:

    Stan, what you doing in on a Saturday night, run outta condoms or something, we could always put a jumbo on standby at Heathrow, just say the word.

  313. goonster says:

    dude am on sabbatical!! no more nailing for me for now. will if they pick up an injury walcott chamakh and park can all play upfront!

  314. goonster says:

    i think sahin is a done deal but am not sure if mvilla is. maybe biglia but with sahin coming in i dont think wenger ll get a DM.

  315. goonster says:

    will, chamakh did well when RIP was out injured. he held the line. we whumped shitty with him upfront remember? he’s not a bad player. he’s just short on confidence with RIP gone, who knows!

  316. goonster says:

    in his first 10 games we had like 5 penalty, six red cards for the opposition and th goals were evenly distributed! when RIP came back he lost his mojo and never regained it.

  317. Micko says:

    Will, we’d have to be really unlucky for both of them to get injured, Wenger didn’t start them both today did he, he may keep rotating the front line to keep them all on their toe’s.
    Chamakh wasn’t on the bench either, safe to say he’s a gone.

  318. Will says:

    I can see that but, I still think we need one more top class striker. I remember the days of, Bergkamp, Suker, Henry and Kanu.

  319. goonster says:

    am not saying he is the messiah but chamakh can still do it for us. he’s not a bad player as some mugs will have u believe.

  320. goonster says:

    but will of all the guys you listed only one was an out and out striker and its suker! DB10 wasnt a striker nor was henry or kanu.

  321. Micko says:

    Maybe we might get to see what Aneke is all about, bringing him on when we’re up in games with 20 to go, who knows.

    Catch you guys tomorrow, nite all.

  322. goonster says:

    will we have oxcham, theo,giroud and podolski….i believe by the time this team clicks, we ll bury all. keep the faith my man. i have a good feeling about today. it could be worse…..we could have been liverpool.

  323. Will says:

    I have faith and I think we were very good today and as I said, against a team that showed any balls, we would have scored 3 or 4 today but I am also a pragmatist and see that one injury and we are really into a second string. I just feel we should have one more striker of true international class from one of th ebig countries.

    Anyway, that is me done fo rthe day, have a great evening Goonster and th erest.

  324. allezkev says:

    The Weekend Dossier: Wenger’s experiment failed, but there may yet be a way for his vision to be realised
    What it has done for Arsenal, as it did for Ajax, is the ruling that followed Jean- Marc Bosman’s fight for his rights

    Glenn Moore Saturday 18 August 2012

  325. allezkev says:

    Four years ago Arsène Wenger gave The Independent a rare interview in which he outlined his credo. Talking of the consequences of the decision to move from Highbury to the Emirates he said: “When we decided to build the stadium I wanted to anticipate the possibility of financial restrictions, so I concentrated on youth. I also felt the best way to create an identity with the way we play football, to get players integrated into our culture, with our beliefs, our values, was to get them as young as possible and to develop them together. I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club.” This was, he added, “an idealistic vision of the world of football”.

    That dream is over, the “interesting experiment” has failed. Wenger said his team would peak in

  326. allezkev says:

    five or six years” and admitted, “the challenge we face is to keep them together”. It was one Arsenal were unable to meet. The team that Wenger was nurturing in 2008 had a pair of old heads in Manuel Almunia and William Gallas, a couple of players who should have been approaching their peak in Kolo Touré (then 27) and Emmanuel Eboué (25), and a core of young players: Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Bacary Sagna, Denilson, Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott. With the February addition of Andrei Arshavin the team finished fourth in the league in 2009 and reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup. Its potential was obvious.

    Arsenal have subsequently finished third, fourth, third, never within 10 points of the Premier League champions. They have reached one final, the Carling Cup in 2011, only to lose to relegation-bound Birmingham City, and not gone past the Champions League quarter-final. And every season one or two of Wenger’s young guns has decided the grass is greener elsewhere.

  327. allezkev says:

    With the departure of Van Persie to Manchester United, only seven of the 16 leading players of 2008-09 remain. Of those Song is headed for Barcelona, Djourou and Diaby have been ridden with injuries and failed to “train on”, and Arsenal would love someone to take Arshavin and Bendtner off their hands permanently. Which leaves Sagna and Walcott, whose contract expires next summer. Arsenal, once again, appear to be in a season of transition and rebuilding while they wait for Jack Wilshere to regain fitness and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong to mature.

    Wenger’s model – to identify and procure players of potential, then polish these gems into a team which plays stylish, trophy-winning football – is achievable. The proof is in Catalonia. But many of Barcelona’s players have been at the club since their early, rather than their late, teens – and Barcelona not only pay very good wages but are also extremely successful. Why would any player, if they are in the team, want to leave Barcelona?

    The model does not work for Arsenal. Wenger hoped to keep that 2008 team together by “the way we play, the way we behave, with success on the field and in financial rewards”; the club was, he said, better than rivals in all aspects except the financial. Money has clearly turned some heads, but Arsenal have also failed to achieve success on the field, largely because the continual depredations mean the side is always short in key areas.

  328. allezkev says:

    What has done for Wenger, as it did for Ajax, is the consequence of Jean-Marc Bosman’s fight for his rights. Without the Bosman ruling of 1995, Wenger would have had no need to sell players who were under contract rather than risk losing them for nothing. If Wenger had kept Fabregas and Nasri, Van Persie would probably have resisted the greater salary in Manchester – he did reject City’s higher offer. Not that sympathy for Arsenal should be unconfined. Southampton’s prospects of surviving in the top flight would be hugely enhanced were Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain still at St Mary’s.

    Wenger’s signings in the last 15 months indicate he now recognises his model is broken. Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Park Chu-young and Andre Santos are all in their late twenties or older (as was loanee Yossi Benayoun) while Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla are 27 and Olivier Giroud 25. Like everyone else Wenger has been forced to seek a short-cut to competitiveness. The irony is if it works Walcott, Wilshere and future products of Arsenal’s youth and scouting system will be more inclined to stay and Wenger’s experiment, albeit with adaptations, may succeed after all.

  329. Mohd Isa says:

    Wenger always seems to have a problem playing with anti soccer sides. Just as I expected,Martin played defensive and on the break. No wonder Sunderland’s away record is so poor.
    At the same time, Wenger doesn’t seem to have plan b for such sides.
    My friends and I still believe the gunners overpass or overplay playing into the hands of such opponents. Arsenal were lucky not to have conceded in the first ten minutes. Otherwise they would have lost.
    Next stop Stoke city. This is another side the gunners have problems with. Don’t be surprised the gunners lose.

  330. alanbstardmp says:

    quote

    witterland and on a couple of Arsenal websites that Alex Song has done a ‘Nellie the Elephant’.

  331. Scott from Oz says:

    Evening All.
    Geez,plenty of have gone from optimistic to pessimistic after one game!!
    Seriously,you have a team parking twelve buses,playing in 40 degree heat,players backing up merely days after ridiculously scheduled internationals,and people wonder why we weren’t full of goals!
    Come on…….our new boys all showed plenty to give us ope,and Cazorla is simply awesome.
    I can’t wait to see him fresh and playing at a more forgiving temperature.
    Podolski had his moments.
    Giroud….well,we know he can score,so forget the wayward show…look at the space he was able to get into to even make the shot possible.
    Theo was Theo….sometimes great,but plenty of bad….can someone tell him his biggest asset is pace,so use it and stop trying to beat his opponent with skill,skill he really lacks.
    Arteta and Cazorla need to put him through on goal,and the guy will be great!!L
    Diaby looked pretty good.
    We had a few lapses defensively in the first half,but overall,not a bad start.
    Gervinho looked terrific…….when we play a side who actually are attempting to play football,he will have space to work with,and then we will really see what he offers.
    Arteta is boring…if you find class and intelligence boring,that is.
    All in all,an A- in my book.
    Plenty of work to be done,no doubt,but we have plenty to work with,so it’s not all doom and gloom.

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