It all gets going:
13th July our new season gets under way, it all begins in Malaysia, our first pre-season fixture. Three days later we play Hangzhou Greentown.
Then we are off to Germany to play ‘The Billy Goats’, aka FC Cologne on the 23rd July before returning home to host The Emirates Cup which kicks off on the 30th July. We play in the second fixture that day against Boca Juniors, the following day we face Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls.
Our final fixture of our 2011/2012 pre-season sees us travel to Portugal to face Benfica on the 6th August.
That will be that then, the squad should be sorted, fit, ready and willing to enter a whole new footballing season in the Premier League, our opening fixture as we all know will be at St James Park against Newcastle United on 13th August – although I expect that date or time to change. After last season’s 4-4 debacle, I strongly suspect that Sky Sports will want to show this one live.
Surely any new signings that Wenger makes will need to be part of a pre-season regime, they will need to be fit and ready to be part of their new club, have time to get to know their new boss and team-mates?
So, in my own view, Arsene Wenger has at most, the next twenty-three days to conclude his main transfers. Ideally, any player he plans on buying should be with us by the time the squad resumes training which is usually the 1st July, or somewhere around there so time is running out…
However, if Wenger finally buys players from ‘at home’ – ie, the English Premier League, they will already be used to the pace of game, the demands of the League and their late arrival won’t be such a problem.
But, should he buy ‘away’, overseas players, then they will need time, they will need a proper pre-season of training and in an ideal world they will be signed and ready to join the squad on the first day they all return after their break. They also have other things to get used to, the weather, their new surroundings and of course, their new home… Let’s not forget the food here in England too, I recall Arshavin saying it wasn’t best; he didn’t like the driving here in London either. 😉
Bearing all that in mind and if Wenger and Gazidis have been truthing, the next ten days should see things start to move within the club.
Players like Denilson, Almunia, Bendtner and Rosicky will all be looking to find a new home then surely it has to happen in that same time scale. Maybe even Cesc and Clichy will depart too, if of course they are going to finally say goodbye to Arsenal.
More important than those going, is those joining and surely that has to be real soon..
One or two this week maybe??
Hopefully more but I wonder who will be the first?
Reports suggest Bendtner could be the first one out, his father has confirmed that Sporting Lisbon have tabled an offer for our Big Dane. He is reported to have told newspaper Sporten:
I know that Sporting have made a concrete offer to Arsenal for Nicklas, but I do not know if they accepted it – I do not know any details about the offer.
Now I find that strange, if you were a player’s agent, wouldn’t you know everything about the offer??
Anyway, all will become clear in the next week or so as I think the transfer window is just about to open for us……..
Have a good day all……
Morning all
New Post up…..
Off topic, but just got to say this is a great blog. Just added it as a shortcut right on my iPhone homescreen.
Completely agree about getting any new signings integrated quickly. Our schedule the first month is tough. Need them to hit the ground running with as few distractions as possible, whether that’s getting settled in London or getting accustomed to the training facilities.
Same here Will… And goodnight to you.
Sorry JM, it’s Da Costa, Willian’s team mate, or something like that. And yes amigo, i realise that Shaktar do not play in Portugal, it’s just me, and my brain, not in gear…
Wath, i doubt if Wenger is gonna get the type of money he was hoping for, for that useless bunch he now wants to sell.
Sorry guys, real life caught up.
I agree, you never see those names in the papers, maybe because they are crap.
And with that, I wish you guys a good night.
Highlights exactly your point AK….. noone knocking wengers door down to buy the class players he said he had in his best ever squad….! I wonder why…!
Costa? Who is Costa? I know a few players whit that surname
JM, what about Costa [is that right?], is there any talk of Arsenal’s interest over there in Portugal?
Will, it tells ya what a load of crap some of our players have been over the last 3 years… Nobody is breaking down Wengers door to sign Bendtner, Almunia, Denilson and Rosicky.
Why has it taken so long for Wenger to smell the coffee?
As for the Russian, it means no funny business can happen and that is a great thing. I don’t want to have one owner and be like Man City and Chelsea. Yes I know we need to spend but would we really be happy with success bought?
yes, something happens soon, maybe our most important contract for next season: Denilson 🙂
I will party if Denilson goes, let alone for anyone.
I tell ya what Will, i reckon we’ll all have a party if that Willan for Denilson+cash deal, comes off.
From what i gather from other blogs it’s looking like Samba but no Cahill.
Botelho, Miyaichi and Wellington out on loan again.
Ni nite, Steve n Rico, no building sandcastles in the morning !!
Will, agree totally re: Ursmanov, he’s like the ‘nosey neighbour’ keeping an eye on Kroneke, Gazides and Co. Otherwise who knows what they’d get up to…?
See ya guys,
Goodnight Rico
Goodnight Steve
I’m following you out the door Steve, don’t want to appear rude to the kind folk putting up with me for the next few days 🙂
Catch you all first thing for a bit, then i’ll be off to the sandy beach 🙂
Nighty all, be good…
Thanks AK, i struggle to understand all that is going on really – what the big guy is doing confuses me – i still think he is lurking, ready to pounce when it all goes wrong for stan……..
annoyingly the weather got in the way of this series 🙁
Catch you all later nte nte
Think having the Russian looking at the books is a great thing.
Thanks Rico re; cricket.
Good post on 13th Rico. Loved what Ursmanov said. A bit of well timed pressure on those ‘Time-Wasters’ in the Boardroom. He made some salient points re: commercial deals…
Are Gazides & co up to it???
Something will happen before this weekend, I am sure.
AK – cricket was a draw but we won the series 1-0…
Something will happen soon re the transfers, it has to……
That Pat knows his business Ak, as you said a very informative post that one
News:
Villas-Boas should already be in the chelsea, but chelsea have to pay 15 million euros.
The problem is that the Villa Boas did not want to go alone but take players. In this case, chelsea should have to leave about 100 million in F. C. Porto. (bye bue Falcao and more)
Note: FC Porto returning to work tomorrow … (not all the squad)
Sorry i missunderstood thats a better age
Very informative post by Pat7 on 12th. Makes me feel guilty about the cheese on toast i had half an hour ago.
Rico it was a busy spell in London, but all the rumours re:AFc were just a total wind-up. How did the Test match finish up?
Cheers AK, Not everybody agrees all the time, but thats what makes it fun, We are fortunate on this site that most are very Knowledgeable i learn something new every day, may even be called a supporter one day.
The German fella is 23 or 24.
The new chav manager is 33 Steve, Khedira is 24 years old…
Got to dissagree there Will 33 I would rather have Charly Adams. I want to see us buy EPL players the settling would be easier
Hey AK, goo d to see you back, hope your week was more interesting than watching arsenal news 😉
Just read your post from 11th SP. Good comments mate, and under the currant climate {AKB’s vs In Arsene we Rust etc] quite brave.
Only read a few of the comments, the ususl ‘slag-off’ and runaway merchants. Nice to read a pro-Arsene piece after all the doom & gloom.
Hi Rico/Will.
Off to read some more.
He’s a bit of a risk though isn’t he, 33 years old, could be a one seaon wonder Steve…
WATH, that won’t make happy reading but could be good couldn’t it??
Whats his age Will
German DM, played in the world cup.
With 30% he gets to see all the accounts Rico..!
It will cost the Russian if he wants him
Who’s this Khedira Will, not heard that name before
no idea Steve, i just didn’t think he’d be ready to leave porto yet….
Real names?
Cahill
Hazard
Khedira
Benzema.
And you can give me the league title now.
Didn’t he have some dealings with the Russians
Villa- Boas to the Chavs then, bit of a shock??
🙂 Steve…
And no….
Will you should be our Manager, Hi rico didnt think you were awake , strike my last comment
With nothing going on it’s been so boring I started mulling things over in my mind, Do you think i am the only one thats not had Giggsey’s sister in law
WATH, what could happen if the russian gets 30% of the shares??
Pink
Alysssia Milano
Vanessa Merchill
Monica Belluci.
How about you Steve?
Helllloooooooooooooooooooo 🙂
Nik gone yet 🙂
I did hear Bendys thinking about giving us another year. I know he’s one of Rico’s favourites.
Hi will, any names you fancy
SP my wishlist gets smaller n smaller by the day, by end of July I’ll be wishing we don’t even sell denilson how sad would that be……….
ok ok I retract that comment…………… 😉
No point buying a paper Wath theres never anything positive about us anyway
I was talking to myself for a while but I am cool now.
I still think we have some big signings coming our way.
I think your right there Wath, I’m not going to think a lot about it till the announcements.
StevieP, haha, yeah i read that. Tennis……yawwwwn. The next 2 weeks can’t go by quick enough.
Welcome back AK you have been missed, Wills been talking to himself
I wouldn’t be thinking anyone is likely AK as the names change daily and yet nothing happen……………. Oh well it’s all part of making sure we buy a papers or 5 everyday..!
I don’t think it makes much difference if their there or not AK, nothing seems to be happening. I reckon it could be a busy weekend.and announcements at the start of next week
Hey Wath, how’s things amigo.
Gervinho and Willan look likely from what i’ve read/heard…
I signed a few cheques last week AK that count…?
Ah the happy erectus wanderer returns………….
🙂
Hey Stevie, how ya doing pal?
Got a load of posts to catch up on, but that’s for later.
Work… I love it Steve, all that traffic, i’d be bored without it…..
Errr, not all together, sorry agag….
I met a fellow whose good friend’s with David Dein. He told me that Dein still loves Arsenal and turned down a concret offer to join Newcastle as MD.
But he also said that Dein is beginning to give up hopes of returning to the Boardroom.
Hope he never gives up trying to get back. I’m yet to be convinced by Gazides and Kroneke is an absent owner, not what we need.
How you doing Gulliver bout time you got back you earned your fortune now and taking it easy
H i guys, whats that manager of ours doing
You lot all gone to kip with agag?
Uncle Tom Cobley???
Jermain Defoe???
I was hoping to be able to discuss all our new signings when i got home!!!
What about Joey Barton???
Evening Gooners…
Where’s Rico? That must be one hell of a walk for Fido.
All good Steve how you doing fella, nope nothing much changes and Stuart Pearce is still a crap manager as well you forgot to add 😉
Hi Steve
Say goodnight Steve, Night Steve
Evening all,
I take it things are still the same then. Looks like the Chav’s are about to name their new leader, The wheeler Dealer has fended off bids for Luka Modric, Giggs is back with his Mrs Cashly spends the night with his ex and she reckens he still can’t shag properly Wills still pumping iron and Wath pours himself a lage GG, hows everybody
Could be interesting if Usmanov gets to 30%….!
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/thierry-henrys-scandalous-red-card-portland-timbers-11393730/
The Russian billionaire is looking to increase his influence at Arsenal in the face of a takeover by rival investor Stan Kroenke.
Usmanov’s Red & White vehicle, which he jointly owns along with business associate Farhad Moshiri, revealed it had raised its holding to more than 29 per cent.
Kroenke agreed a deal with Arsenal’s main shareholders in April and executive management to take over the club and acquire a majority shareholding in Arsenal.
He now controls 67 per cent of the shares in the Gunners.
Don’t want this guy at all.
Two hours later, and we still haven’t bought anyone. Sigh. Our non-activity is enough to drive anyone mad. 😉 Or to head to bed.
Good night, kids!
JM, seems to me just another player trying to tout himself to the highest bidder another one with no loyalty what so ever…!
Spot on Will just a game to make the summer go quicker so footie would soon be back……!
News:
Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt, Queens Park Rangers, said it was contacted by Chelsea and Arsenal.
“I had contact from Chelsea and Arsenal, but everything is still complicated. Arsenal did not sell Fabregas (I hpoe not !) and Chelsea looking for a coach, “said Taarabt, told the L’Equipe.
The Moroccan player also admitted staying at QPR: “I want to stay in London, which is the best city in the world. Queens Park Rangers?, Why not? ”
Next season midfiel ?
We played Cricket with Tennis bats as well and a tennis ball but really only for July and August.
I used to play cricket with a tennis racket Will, that was when we didnt have a cricket bat cheap rackets were cheaper than cricket bats 😉 I suppose that don’t count though eh
Posh boys sport that. We never played that in Tottenham.
It’s hard enough tryin to talk about nothing going on Will 🙂 worst still that bloody wimbledon rubbish has now started as well…………. Boringggggggggggggg
It must be hard to run a blog when there is absolutely nothing going on.
My hols I’ll take lata in the yr AGAG, def won’t be sorry if your pal Clicky goes thats for sure and as long as he takes a few more with him I’ll be even happier.
Cesc is a hard one he creates so much for us but I also think we play through him far to much so half of me wants him to stay the ther half isn’t really to bothered my biggest concern is down to the path wenger takes with new players thats my one big concern. If things don’t change then the downward spiral will continue I reckon.
But it would be nice to win something with Cesc (and Clicky) around. He’ll win titles at Barcelona, that’s a given, but it won’t mean as much as winning one with us, I think. 😉
We do need to be more direct. I’m tired of the overelaboration and lack of decisiveness in front of goal. It’s as if no one wants to score. We’d have been (more of) an embarrassment without Robin in the second half of the campaign.
Everyone’s off on hols! You should take yours, you know. Be all footballer and WAGgy. 😀 I saw Cesc’s South of France getaway. Typical. Tut tut. 😉
I was working away AGAG I wish it was hols…..
I actually couldn’t give a rats abt the chavs or citeh to be honest, the mancs are the team we want to beat the team I hate are the yids no team will ever replace the hatred I have for them.
I’m half thinking that if Cesc does leave maybe if will mean a change of plans and tactics and maybe back to quicker footie instead of to much tippy tappy, we need speed back in the team and also a few pwerhouses down the spine but as usual it’s all talk and gossip and nothing going on while players are away spending their hard earned money on exotic holidays 😀
Boo, WATH! Howdy, GG Man? Aren’t you supposed to be off holidaying, too? My disdain for the Chavs is equaled only by my disdain of the Mancs. 😉
Evenin AGAG…….
The chavs will do anything with their money, shit club no history no class…!
Ah, someone’s off on her break. Nice! 🙂 Hello, oliver. How are you? We would all be relieved if our purchases were a done thing, rico; but when have we known our club to do things the easy way??? I feel awful that my two favorite players could be leaving. 🙁 I think none of us want Cesc to leave; few of us really want Clicky to stay. But they have, at least done the right thing by keeping mum about their possible move.
Will, Chelsea love their shortcuts. It’s bought them a good few titles; now, possibly our scout. Are we surprised!? I won’t put anything past that club.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/20/2539793/chelsea-chasing-arsenal-chief-scout-steve-rowley-to-replace?
Do they do anything themselves?
morning all…don’t hold your breath, rico…arsene works on his own timeline and i doubt that he is going to rush things through. you make good arguments for completing our business quickly and getting players integrated, but things seem to be dragging on – not just for us, but most other clubs – at the moment…
i think we will see a couple of additions this summer, but it wouldn’t completely shock me if no first team-ready players came in…
Portuguese player: Rolando maybe go to Juventus or Roma.
another player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Fabregas deal ?)
Other one: Nani (Nasri deal ? )
and so on…
Well AF it’s a signing thats going to cost them a lot of money but then again money they have plenty of so not a problem…!
villas boas certain to join chelsea as fee is agreed…..now that is a signing of intent ….
In all honesty i’d take Villa plus ten million no problem….. Villa would be exactly what we need…!
chelsea on the verge on signing villas boas,
and certaily villa + 20 million we should be getting for fabregas….
I thought that as well Wath, it would be stupid to allow Chelsea and Barca to get stronger as we get weaker. If they want to get rid of Villa, we’ll have him plus £20m.
Morning all,
Am I missing something here…….
If those tossers from barca are willing to sell Villa to buy Cesc then whats the problem why not just offer us cash plus Villa why would be not be asking for Villa…? r we really that unambitious to want David Villa..? does this maybe show us he doesn’t want to join a team of also rans…?
A tad old Anto.
YEA WILL
how bout luis figo
JM, are there any Portuguese players we should be looking at?
Good morning!
Bendtner has ceased to be news to Sporting Lisbon. I think that although Denmark has a few chances to play the next European, if Bendtner is not playing regularly, he is not be convened. One of the problems to have many international players in the team…
News of the weekend: Chelsea want to Villas-Boas. If they pay 15 million (which is that for chelsea ?…) and Villas-Boas want to go (the hardest, at least this year), Villas Boas may be the next Chelsea manager. In addition they also want Falcao (30 million. (?) … what is it for chelsea?). Tottenham have given up on Falcao.
I think today is the draw for the European League and Champions League.
It was good to think about changing the date of the Newcastle-Arsenal.
Im goig tol working
Don’t you wish that Wenger would come out and say, these lot are for sale?
I’m off guys, catch up with you later when hopefully there will be some news 🙂
Have a good day…
Hi Kt, won’t they just, Pearce should have picked a better side in the first two games…
Hi all.Good read.now they’ll blame jack for the failures of the U21s.
AF, don’t worry Wenger will sort it out 😮
Morning RA, i hope he doesn’t stay, his Father is a bit of a fibber then…
Hi Lee, next few days maybe 😉
or months….
Morning Rico, 🙂
I read that Sporting had denied ever making contact with Arsenal for Bendy, let alone made a bid. That may be why his Agent/Dad knows nothing of the details … there aren’t any.
Agents often make comments like that to stir up interest elsewhere. I understand Bendy would prefer to go to Germany.
Who knows? He might end up staying with us.
god knows and sorry wenger also knows when we are going to sign a top top player……..here are barca already got the the best team in world buying world class players and we dont even know exactly who our targets are…….
geronimo signed yet?
You and me both A&N….
hehe, I’d be happy if we signed 3-4 new vermaleans
Hi A&N, No idea, stole the photo from google – it’s an old one 🙂
That looks like Vermalean in the picture
Are we signing his twin brother?
Hi AF, that could be good news then but talk is they are going to sell David Villa to fund the Cesc move 🙁
In Arsene We Rust
morning all,
hope nick leaves and we get in benzema………..
just heard that barcelonal just signed alexis sanchez for 38 million hopefully that puts abregas out of question…..
Morning….
The quick he leaves the better!!!!!!!1