Daily Bits and Bobs

Fixtures out, Bendtner & Van Persie gone! Arshavin to be Axed?

Posted on by rico

Holland and Denmark are the latest sides to be knocked out of The Euros, so Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are gone, home today I suspect.

The good news for us is that both players, who have said they will sort their futures out after this competition, can now get on and do exactly that.

Regardless of whether they are staying or going, both need resolving. The transfer window opens in less than two weeks time and Arsene Wenger needs to know who he has in his quad next season. Well, he should need to know, none of this selling and buying on the 31st August, not unless it’s an ‘extra..

Holland failed to win a single point, they were simply dire. They are a country which clearly has a divide on the pitch and which is full of players with huge ego’s – maybe Robin will have come to his senses and realise that playing in a side which doesn’t have such huge egos is far more enjoyable, maybe even more successful.

Yes we need two or three players added to this current squad, but haven’t Holland shown that those players don’t necessarily need to ‘big names’?

Theo Walcott could the next one to have time on his hands to sort his contract situation out too after tomorrow, if Ukraine beat England and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they do, one of the hosts need to be in the next round and it won’t be Poland.

Talking of big names, the Russian fans have turned on Andrey Arshavin after he is alleged to have told fans:

‘The fact that we didn’t meet your expectations is not our problem – it’s your problem.

As you can imagine, that has upset the nation, especially with the honorary president of the Russian FA Vyacheslav Koloskov who now believes he should be removed as captain of Russia, and maybe even the national side altogether.

Oops 🙂

Not much else in the newspapers this morning, other than a bit of unrest down the lane. As AVB is being lined up to take over from ‘Arry, the players there are following the Chelsea pensioners, they don’t want him. Good, let’s  hope Daniel Levy gives AVB the job, their better players leave, all three of them and the club goes downhill rapidly….

Here are this seasons fixtures:

18 Sat Barclays Premier League Sunderland H
25 Sat Barclays Premier League Stoke City A

SEPTEMBER

1 Sat Barclays Premier League Liverpool A
15 Sat Barclays Premier League Southampton H
22 Sat Barclays Premier League Manchester City A
26 Wed Capital One Cup 3rd Round
29 Sat Barclays Premier League Chelsea H

OCTOBER

6 Sat Barclays Premier League West Ham United A
20 Sat Barclays Premier League Norwich City A
27 Sat Barclays Premier League Queens Park Rangers H
31 Wed Capital One Cup 4th Round

NOVEMBER

3 Sat Barclays Premier League Manchester United A
10 Sat Barclays Premier League Fulham H
17 Sat Barclays Premier League Tottenham Hotspur H
24 Sat Barclays Premier League Aston Villa A
28 Wed Barclays Premier League Everton A

DECEMBER

1 Sat Barclays Premier League Swansea City H
8 Sat Barclays Premier League West Bromwich Albion H
12 Wed Capital One Cup Quarter-Final
15 Sat Barclays Premier League Reading A
22 Sat Barclays Premier League Wigan Athletic A
26 Wed Barclays Premier League West Ham United H
29 Sat Barclays Premier League Newcastle United H

JANUARY

1 Tue Barclays Premier League Southampton A
5 Sat FA Cup 3rd Round
9 Wed Capital One Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg
12 Sat Barclays Premier League Manchester City H
19 Sat Barclays Premier League Chelsea A
23 Wed Capital One Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg
26 Sat FA Cup 4th Round
29 Tue Barclays Premier League Liverpool H

FEBRUARY

2 Sat Barclays Premier League Stoke City H
9 Sat Barclays Premier League Sunderland A
16 Sat FA Cup 5th Round
23 Sat Barclays Premier League Aston Villa H
24 Sun Capital One Cup Final N

MARCH

2 Sat Barclays Premier League Tottenham Hotspur A
9 Sat Barclays Premier League Everton (or FA Cup Q/F) H
16 Sat Barclays Premier League Swansea City A
30 Sat Barclays Premier League Reading H

APRIL

6 Sat Barclays Premier League West Bromwich Albion A
13 Sat Barclays Premier League Norwich City (or FA Cup S/F) H
20 Sat Barclays Premier League Fulham A
27 Sat Barclays Premier League Manchester United H

MAY

4 Sat Barclays Premier League Queens Park Rangers A
11 Sat FA Cup Final N
12 Sun Barclays Premier League Wigan Athletic H
19 Sun Barclays Premier League Newcastle United A

That’s it for another day, have a good one all….

 
rico

0 thoughts on “Fixtures out, Bendtner & Van Persie gone! Arshavin to be Axed?”

  2. rico says:

    Morning all,

    Thanks for the fixtures Lee 🙂

    I have to head out for a couple of hours, back later….

  6. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Quite an eye watering opening 4 away fixtures.
    Come through that little lot unbeaten and anything is possible.
    Morning Rico. December it is then…. 😀
    Morning Gooners.

  8. ktr7 says:

    We need to do our transfer business early to ensure we have a settled squad since we have some tricky away ties in the first half of the season.

  9. mystic says:

    They are nasty fixtures, particularly the fact that we are away to the chavs 29/09/2012 AND 19/01/2013.I hope someone has this wrong!!!

  11. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,on your post in the previous topic,apparently Gazidis has led the charge as far as he clean out is concerned.
    Maybe the board is finally showing some direction and responsibility.

  12. Scott From Oz says:

    We play everyone twice,so it doesn’t matter when.
    Get the new guys in and settled ASAP,get the ld out,whoever hey may be,and we’re in business.

  15. devilgunner says:

    Yes Scott………….there are about 20 who may be shipped out

    Botelho, Watt, Shea, Eastmond are likely to be sold.

    Bartley and Lansbury are being weighed and depends upon who comes in this summer.

    Arshavin, Bendtner, Squillaci, Park, Chamack, Denilson and Vela may be on the way out.

    While one or both of Fabianski and Mannone may be sold.

    The jury is out on Diaby and Djourou.

    RVP and Theo both have to confirm their futures.

    That makes is a possible 19 players.

    Add to that lot those who have already been released like Almunia, Hoyte, Murphy, Brislen-Hall, McDermott, Campbell, Monakana, Glasgow and Oguzhan Ozyakup.

    That is a total of 28 players.

  17. devilgunner says:

    Apparently if someone offers 30million for RVP the club will sell.

    Also Theo has said he wants to wait to see what RVP does first. He said he wants to see if he commits.

    My guess is not that he wants to see if RVP stays or goes. He wants to see the wage pay packet of RVP and then demand accordingly. If RVP gets 130kpw then Theo will want 100kpw.

    Its not if RVP stays or goes. Because if it comes down to that then Theo will go wherever RVP goes. Its down to the contract that RVP gets which is the determining point.

  18. vernat1066 says:

    Theo should listen to this as should the Dutch and players who complain that this or that is not right. There are two types of players

  20. ktr7 says:

    Rvp looks very poor for the dutch.maybe he’ll now appreciate how lucky he is to have a team built around him to maximise his strengths and mask his weaknesses.he should think very carefully about his next move.

  21. mystic says:

    @Scott, you are right we play everyone twice, but if you look at my 2 dates you will understand my comment properly.

  23. Will says:

    I have a feeling the next two weeks will leave Gooners world-wide either very happy or very, very low.

  28. Satan says:

    @ Devil,

    Just as I said other day when Theo scored that now we should wait for all the rumors on Theo. Haha. Here we go. I really think VP will stay, Theo will be sold out to Juventus for 20mln or 15mln quids.

    For me we’ll have a lot of experimentation on the wings this season. With Theo gone, Gervinho, Poldi, Ox and Ryo are genuine wingers. Of them only Ox is a genuine right winger. So my guess is Matias Suarez rumors will pick up again if Theo is gone. I have seen very little of him but the guy could shoot from outside of his right boot and any one who could do that is a class.

  30. mystic says:

    @Lee, been doing something else and just wanted to make sure I popped directly on to the site you look at, cheers.

  32. devilgunner says:

    I agree with you mate. The rumours started as he scored a wonder goal……….just like Jensen did back in 1992 and voila he fooled GG into parting with a couple of quid. But one of Theo/RVP is surely going to be sold. My guess is ………. RVP.

  33. Satan says:

    @ All,

    RvP rumors will go on and on until he leaves or signs.

    People say he’d be devastated having not won Euro, so, he’d go on Glory hunt i.e. more or less similar to Henry.

    And had he won, they would have said he’s tested blood and known how winning feels like so he’d go. Either way they want him gone.

    My guess is after last night if AW was covering Dutch game then, he’d have gone straight to Dutch dressing room and pulled RvP aside and hugged him and said Come home my boy, we need you.

    I really feel he’s gonna stay.

  35. alanbstardmp says:

    re the video

    Rugby is different to football. Rugby has a better class of human being. It’s a tougher sport physically and takes someone of better character than your football diver

    As for the coach, remember, AW is French, an economist, and an ex footballer, hardly qualities of good character compared to that of the rugby coach, Jim Telfer, a quietly spoken chemistry teacher & former Headmaster of Howick school

  36. Satan says:

    As much as I like Theo, I think we’ll sale him. And I am sure we’re not going to sale him to any of PL clubs. He’ll go to Italy or Spain but most probably Italy. He’s going.

    And we could cover him. We surely could. Given we’ll miss his pace but we’ll still have plenty of it.

    RvP will stay. Surely. He’s staying. I hope Wenger has Emotional Quotient high enough to stop him.

    On different note, after watching Poldi’s goal last night did any one feel we’d kill clubs if we have RvP and Poldi playing at the same time. Just killing right foot.

  38. Satan says:

    By the way aren’t the opening fixtures exciting? Hope we get good start. As much as I hate Stoke, I am glad we’ll be done with them early. If I am given a choice I’d have that fixture as last game of the season. Oh and if Pold is fresh enough to play at Anfield, he’ll see how much we love that ground. We have such a big history at Anfield.

    Anyone thinking Poldi to score 4 @ Anfield?

  41. Scott From Oz says:

    No probs Mystic,I took no offence and I see how you may take it the way you did.
    It was a general statement,and just my way of saying if we get things right,we need not fear ANY side.
    Go you mighty bloody Gunners!!!

  42. vernat1066 says:

    Yeah DG Telfer known as the “prince of darkness” scary man. I agree different game but the aspiration that Telfer states at the beginning should be the starting point for all sports not just rugby, look in that mirror and be happy with what looks back knowing that you have done everything in your power to improve. To often players seem to feel that having signed for a club they have achieved everything already that should only be the starting point for everyone. One of the best examples I can think of is Ray Parlour whose improvement under Arsene was amazing an honest player who could look in the mirror and like and respect what looked back.

  44. Scott From Oz says:

    Satan,as someone who has stuck is neck out on Podolski for a while now,I was rapt to see that goal.
    It means little as far as his Arsenal career goes,but it was still nice to see.
    Did anyone see his free kick???
    I mean did anone actually see the ball??
    Ok,it went high,but how cleanly was it struck?
    I’ve mentioned before that his left foot is a cannon,but that was hit ridiculously hard.
    I would not want to be in a wall with him lining one up.

  46. Satan says:

    @ Alan

    Cause manager doesn’t think he’s good enough to play there or he thinks there are better options out there then Theo to play there.

    And aren’t there?

  48. Scott From Oz says:

    I respect any player who gives his all for the club….that’s an honest
    player.
    It’s why I will take anyone to task for knocking Ramsey.
    It’s why we all are upset at hearing Fabregas refused to play for us.
    It’s all we can ever ask of any player.

  49. Satan says:

    @ Scott

    Its not just his left foot, its even his right foot. That goal had so much power that even if the GK got touch, there was no way he was stopping it. That was just cruel.

    The only reason I see he’s not seen much of ball this Euro is because he’s always out there hugging the left touch line and providing width, while Muller comes a bit Central and Germans haven’t used that width out wide left well.

  50. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all,
    You have caught me again Rico with your headline, i had an idea of what you ment but i still had to look. 🙂

    Lets face it all, Robin Van Persie was the apple in everybodies eye last season, the vibes i get from our supporters now is that they couldn;t care less if he goes or if he stay’s, you feel he may run out on us, you think its all about how greedy he is you think it might be that he’s looking for trophies. Van Persie has been told from the top to keep his mouth shut till after the euro’s whether he likes it or not that has been what he has been told. Van Persie was massive for us last season and you know it. no doubt Theo has been told the same so don’t bad mouth them before we know for certain who or what has happened, why this is done like this i haven’t a clue, but they must have their reasons. So far we have picked up a new man and he looks like he could be quite a handful talk of some going and some coming all we do is wait and see and at the end of the window we can cheer or jeer don’t slag them off to soon as you may be cheering the one you was jeering.

  51. mystic says:

    We are all wondering why RvP / Arsenal haven’t yet disclosed the results of the talks, maybe the length of the contract on offer was variable to the perfomance of player/ team in the euros? Could be why they wouldn’t discuss anything until after Hollands progress in the championships?

  52. Satan says:

    @ Rico

    We’ll be the high fliers cause it seems the Finance department has taken task to rejuvenate club’s Financing model and that would mean we’ll see few big signings.

    You know the wages of Koz when he had signed for us it was 20K a week and with bonuses it came to 30K a week. Now, think Cahill’s pay. Its 4 times what Koz earns. Is it fair?

  53. alanbstardmp says:

    Satan, I know Theo can be a pain sometimes and deserves criticism, but on his day he can do great things. Imagine if he was playing in position, he, theoretically, should play consistently better

  54. Scott From Oz says:

    Satan,it depends how you look at it.
    30k a week to play the game you love???
    It’s not a bad gig.
    Steve,I think everyone’s just over it.
    Most seem to say if RVP leaves it wll be an act of treason after what the clubs put up with.
    Some fans are ripping in to him,but not the majority.

  57. alanbstardmp says:

    yes, Scott, if we have a player played out of position, on high wages especially, sounds like a waste of club money, aside from the waste of talent

  58. rico says:

    I hope so satan, if the report devil read about the clearout, we should have a bit of money to spend too….

  59. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Scott, we hear about Cesc after the event refusing to play for us. where this has come from God only knows. Management have a habit of putting their foot in it over and over again, and whether its true or not i will always remember Cesc as a model Proffesional he was masive for us and i still miss he’s silky skills, I have watched him for Baca and for Spain and he still commands respect, one of the best midfielders in the world and we have lost a treasure. But life goes on i hold no animosity towards him at all and i wish him well but not against us. I fell the same about Robin i watched him last season and he gave his all whether he goes or he stays i will allways be gratfull of his involvment with us, Robin in my eyes needs Arsenal as much as we need him but should he go we will continue and still be a world force in any competition we play in.

  60. TT says:

    @ Satan Poldosky is left footed like RvP but it’s true both can score with the right foot and they would complement each other in the team. I would play poldi on the left with RvP in the middle or behind Giraud in a 442 and Gervino/theo/ox on the rigth. Put M’vila(if we buy him) and Arteta/Jack behind them and we have a solid team.

  62. TT says:

    As for Theo Walcott I see him as a impact sub NOT a # 1 striker.

    For me, if he cannot handle a 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper on a more regular basis than he has so far then he is not good enough to be 1st striker. Theo’s main strength is his speed, not technical ability. Henry had both in abundance and we rarely saw him fluff his lines when he was leaving the defenders in his wake.

    If he is demanding 100k a week as some reports say I would sell him and go all out to and try sign Gotze.

  64. Scott From Oz says:

    Steve,we still have a right to be upset tough,and Gazidis has nothing to gain by lying aout it.
    RVP….if he leaves,I do think the club and it’s fans have a right to be upset,also.
    He was paid a hell of a lot of money whilst sitting in the stands,and one season doesn’t repay that,imo.
    He’s said nothing,so I’m still confident he will stay.

  65. TT says:

    I shear that optimism Scott, don’t know why but I do. It may be this little subtle hints that we will make a big signing and that is going to be RvP….

  66. Scott From Oz says:

    TT,I reckon Theo’s good in a one on one situation.
    On Gotze,is it worth going all out and offering his club 40 million????
    I go back to one thing when talking of a players value.
    Forget what the “market” has him valued at……what is he worth to your club right now?
    If Gotze is as good as everyone says,and I have no reason to suggest otherwise,he could be of enormous benefit to our club,in a position where we aren’t bursting with options.

  67. Scott From Oz says:

    TT,seeing Wengers face when discussing Robin gives me comfort.
    He seems very,very calm and happy on the topic.

  68. Satan says:

    @ TT,

    I know Poldi is left footed but just saying that right foot is no choco foot either.

    After watching Italy this Euro I really think we should go for 3-4-3. We should go all out and get Jan if he is as good as they say.

    We already have Song, Hopefully M’villa, Arteta, Jack, Diaby all complete CMs and Rambo, Rosicky and even AoC as CAMs.
    Song, M’villa to sit back, Jack/Arteta to play media punta role and every one else to attack/attack.

    This would give the front 3 complete freedom to do what they should be doing best i.e. scoring goals.

  69. TT says:

    Scott what I have seen from Theo is contribution, and oten much more than people give him credit for, that is mostly based on his speed and ability to get away from defenders. But to often we see him come off second best in an 1 to 1 with a keeper, not always mind you but to often for my liking. And if he was played as a striker he has to be able to do that or his # 1 asset will be much de-valuated and paying him 100 k a week, if the reports are right is to much IMO. If that’s what he demands then sell him and as I said go all out for Gotze. Wenger wanted him last year and apparently rates him highly.

  70. Scott From Oz says:

    I agree that performance must come before wage.
    I will say in his defend that no player can score goals at will.
    Finding the back of the net is a confidence and feel thing,and regular starts in that position is required,imo.
    Give him his chance or he may as well be sold.

  72. W.A.T.H says:

    Poldolski in for 10mil
    Giroud in for 12mil
    RVP out for 30mil 8mil profit sounds about right for us…….!
    RVPs wages covers both the new signings and they both 3 years younger, makes business sense..!

    Selling the deadwood plus Song enables us to get M’Vila and keeps wages intact as well as getting a quality player on a long term contract who if sold will go for big money in a few years as well, again very much in the biz model we seem keen on lately.

  74. devilgunner says:

    Hello W.A.T.H. How are you mate???

    Did a bottle knock you out for quite a few days??? 😉

    Imo RVP is gone.

  77. vernat1066 says:

    Telfer again minus swear words 🙂

    “Defeat doesn’t worry me. I’ve had it often and so have you. It’s performance that matters. If you put in the performance, you’ll get what you deserve. No luck attached to it. If you don’t put it in, then we’re second-raters.

    They don’t respect you. They don’t rate you. The only way to be rated is to stick one on them, to get right up in their faces and turn them back, knock them back. Outdo what they do.”

  78. W.A.T.H says:

    Would take more than a bottle Dev 😉 Am well mate, you..?

    Am with you and Lee on RVP, I think he’s gone…! I hear what Scott says about him owing us but in all honesty he’s always played well when he’s played he’s just suffered injuries but have we not now got to back him in bringing in the right players to show some ambition ?? If he see’s the same crap from the last few seasons he’ll think well I should stay but i am not winning anything here I have asked the club to show some intent with player purchases and nothing…! Again as Rico has said many times before none of us really know so it’s all assumptions on our part.

  80. vernat1066 says:

    You are privileged. You are the chosen few. Many are considered but few are chosen. They don’t think all of us. Nothing. We’re here just to make up the f in numbers. No one’s going to do it for you. You have to find your own solace — your own drive, your ambition, your own inner strength, because the moment’s arrived for the greatest game of your in life.”

  82. W.A.T.H says:

    Anyone who pays 30mil and has a decent team I would imagine Fred…! I really can’t see him staying in England though…!

  84. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, I think he wants to stay I really do BUT he also wants the club to show some ambition as well…. The nagging feeling I have though is the club looking at the numbers………… Pay him a huge salary for 4 years… no return on that as he’ll be 32/33…! With his history can we rely on him being fit for 4 seasons…? Is it not best to bring in two good players sell RVP and run the risk that we keep him and he spends 2 seasons injured out the next four..?

  87. NashuaGunners says:

    Good post the lady of the house.

    @Vernat1066, the video said it all about, you’re a straight shooter and no time for nonsense. But I still disagree with you on RVP. In life , sometimes we bend the rules to accommodate others. If we start showing ever player the door,soon we’ll be without any.

    @Scott, Ramsey is a good player and you can’t take that away from him but last season was not his season. He should have been benched more often.

  89. mystic says:

    W,A,T,H, sorry mate, but I don’t understand this process of lets replace quality with quality – we should ADDING.

    Flog all the deadwood and Arsenal do not need to sell RvP to finance other purchases. £20m odd in transfer fees and with the absurd wage structure that has been in place, get rid of the deadwood and they could well be saving over £300k a week.

    If RvP helps secure at the very least CL football next season, then even if he went on a free next summer, keeping him might be a reasonable financial move as well. One would hope that with all the players in ADDITION to RvP Arsenal would be able to accomplish even more.

  90. W.A.T.H says:

    Fred, it’s easy for his Mrs to say things but she’s hardly going to go against his wishes to finish his career with 3/4 years in Spain or Italy on good money with the chance “in his eyes” to win silverware…!.

    As said the number crunchers at Arsenal must also have doubts about keeping him on when 30mil and his salary back in the kitty is a big carrot to ignore. IF they brought in the right players would we fans then be that upset if the club sold him..??

  91. Scott From Oz says:

    Nashua,I’m sure Wenger would like to have brought Ramseyon slowly,but with the injuries we had,he had to use him and the guy just blew out towards the end….ran out of steam.
    Wath,you may well be right on RVP.
    I hope he stays,but won’t be devastated if he leaves.
    If he goes,I just hope he leaves England.

  92. W.A.T.H says:

    Mystic, my point isn’t that we should be getting in quality to replace RVP at all and I agree we should be adding to his quality BUT my feeling is that we as a club don’t necessarily do things that way, last season being prime example. IF we had brought in Mata and the deadline day buys before we sold na4ri, clicky and cesc then would we have been so pissed off..? I doubt it…! those players all wanted to go make no mistake so really wasnt a matter of adding quality to those players but with RVP I agree add quality and then he probably would not want to leave but the nagging feeling in my mind is some at the club would be happy for him to leave if we get in 30mil plus for him and then replace him with quality younger players..! Vicious circle I know but thats the way it seems Arsenal do things these days..!

  93. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, I am never devastated when a player leaves, the club is always been bigger than any player or person and always will be BUT when we lose a player I would at least like the club to show some ambition and intent and buy quality players in to replace what we may be loosing..! Wengers comments last year regarding cesc and na$ri were pathetic regarding that, no big club sells it’s best player as then they wouldnt be a big club, what utter drivel… A big club replaces a big player with another big player that shows your a big club thats the difference, his words were poor and showed a lack of bottle and big club mentality in my eyes.

  95. NashuaGunners says:

    Let becareful for what we wish for, selling quality for quality is not always the case. If we sell RVP and replace him with someone like Marouane Chamakh, who performance is just a flare and wore out during the middle of the season, what will be the excuse? BPL is a tough battle ground and, that why is the best league in the world. I say, Keep the davil you know.

  98. NashuaGunners says:

    @W.H.A.T., in the beggining of the season when RVP was out and Chamakh was scoring goals a lot considered him quality. There are ‘the likes’ of MC out there in other leagues who score 30 to 45 goals a season, but when they come to PL they are proof otherwise. There is no gurantee that Giroud wouldn’t be Chamakh.

  100. W.A.T.H says:

    Nashua, hear you mate but Giroud does look a completely different kind of player to MC, A also not saying Giroud would be my idea of RVP’s replacement but again it’s how the people at Arsenal see it plus Afobe and Campbell etc etc…!

  101. mystic says:

    W.A.T.H. in Nashua defence I don’t think she is quoting Chamakh as quality beyond what was originally perceived of the guy. I think she is right in ‘keep the devil you know’.

    A prime example of what ‘quality’ is supposed to mean is Hazard. Yet last season Lille had line up a replacement called Park, some bloke who Arsenal bought. I’m not saying Park is poor, but it would appear that buying ‘quality’ you don’t always get the expected results.

    Fortunately the £30m RvP price tag has come from the Mirror, so chances are it is a complete load of nonsense.

    I still wonder if the delay in announcing the outcome of the RvP talks is something to do with his physical / Hollands progress at the euros.

  102. ktr7 says:

    Am fine sailor.what i don’t get why £30mil for Rvp is good business.granted he has a year left on his contract but this is much bigger than that.its time we stopped this culture of selling our best players.also if rvp goes we are losing our captain and most importantly it will be very difficult to get a player of his intelligence.Rvp has that rare gift thats difficult to get.just look at his movements in and around the box.you can’t replace that with £30mil.

  103. W.A.T.H says:

    Mystic, we all perceive quality players as different from person to person, it’s a personal thing and it’s why we all have our own views and debate stuff, would be shit boring if we all agreed. I think many players who are touted as quality are only decent in their own leagues, the premier league is a different animal entirely as we well know, some players adjust some don’t, some are still quality but lack the mentality and the fight to make it in England…!. I also don’t agree with a 30million player is quality as has been proved many times over but bottom line is we need players who fit in, work hard and make us better, in my eyes thats a quality player.

  104. W.A.T.H says:

    KT, i’m on your side mate agree with all you say re RVP i just have my doubts that everyone at the club sees it that way..!?!?!? It sends out the right messages to players and perspective players that your Captain is staying he sees that the club means business and yep this is the team I wanna play for…!

  105. NashuaGunners says:

    @Mystic, I think you read my mind. You said exactly what I meant to say. Thank mate.

    Time and time again we’ve seen it, big names come in but can’t delivered.Out of 8 years Arsenal begins to rip its benefits from RVP, I say keep him. The French ligue and PL are two different league. The guy is not asking for much…show some Intend and I’ll proofed my loyalty.

  108. frednerk says:

    W.A.T.H..Think your find when the kid’s are involved it’s a very different matter,
    trying to think who has left in the last few year’s with a family in tow.

  109. mystic says:

    W.A.T.H. I agree with you that quality is based on different peoples perceptions, which actually highlights the fact that Arsenal should be looking at keeping RvP, rather than cashing in. Podolski / Giroud…… all look class acts, but they have all been playing in different leagues to the PL – I’m not suggesting one is better than another, merely that they have different aspects.

    I just hope someone from Arsenal looks at this site and understands that level debate (pro/con) is better than simple moneytary instinct

  110. ktr7 says:

    Caroll cost £35mil and we sell Rvp for £30mil?…at one point last season rvp was so damn good he was being compared to messi/Ronaldo.thats how good rvp can become.all we need to do is to show him we mean business and am sure he’ll sign.Giroud/Poldi and maybe M’vila is a good start.to 1 or 2 more adjustments and tell him he is queen bee of the team unlike for the dutch and he’ll be glad to sign on.

  111. Lee says:

    KT, the repercussions of the Holland’s performance in the Euros must surely have some bearing RVP’s decision?
    He’s the king of the castle at Arsenal, will he get that elsewhere??

  112. W.A.T.H says:

    KT, I think if RVP is told who the transfer targets are and the players we are looking to sign then him signing shows he’s happy with the ambition showed… IF the club humming and harring then i think that’s not a good sign at all…!

    Mystic the other thing is however good Podolski and Giroud are or will be also doesn’t mean they won’t take a while to settle, most take at least 6 months…! That means we’d still not be up to full speed with new signings quality or not until jan/feb…!

  113. mystic says:

    The settling period is actually the biggest worry for me. Arsharvin clicked straight in and then subsequently went off the boil. Whereas Gervihno has had an iffy 1st season, but might come good in his 2nd.

    As classy as I think Podolski looks, my fear at the moment is that he could take a season to blend in, just like his Arsenal & German International team mate Mertesacker.

    If RvP wants to get silverware at Arsenal this season, there is always the possibility that he needs to badger Arsene to invest short-term in players like Tim Cahill, who already have PL experience.

  116. mystic says:

    Get PL experience in to supply short-term cover whilst the overseas players are bedding in. Once bedded in they players should then be competing with each other to secure starting positions.

    Not ideal, but…….

  117. ktr7 says:

    Looks like Giroud is a done deal guys.4 year contract,50k a week and 70% starts for 12mil pending a medical.who’s next Ivan?

  118. mystic says:

    £50 a week?, cripes that is less then Bendtner’s reported £52k! Be stunned if Arsenal could drive such a bargain, happy but stunned.

    Hope it is true, but until I see him with the shirt….

  120. rico says:

    Lee – fiddlers e;bow, today i don’t know my butt form my elbow 😉

    Thankfully, the racing around is now done and apart from boiling some pasta, i am in for a lazy evening…. 🙂

  121. W.A.T.H says:

    Rico you lazy so and so…. Go and cut the grass, feed the chickens and plough the field none of this lazing around…!

  123. W.A.T.H says:

    KT, If the Giroud deal is as done as they say now to go get M’Vila sorted and signed and then a decent keeper and maybe the spark we need as playmaker OR is that our Jack back that will solve that problem..? Must admit M’Vila would be key for me as Song isn’t a defensive midfielders arse… Liability more like but thats another topic entirely..!

  124. W.A.T.H says:

    Getting there Rico, far more chilled than the last few weeks of madness so can now get back to feet up doing nothing but watching GG mature in the bottle 😉

  125. rico says:

    Where did the Giroud ‘done deal’ come from Wath??

    Glad to hear that about work, we missed your naughtiness on here 😉

  131. HeartOutWithAGoon says:

    Mystic you made a good point about Park- that situation highlights our skills in the transfer market… We had been scouting Hazard the whole of the summer and were readying a bid for him until we happen to stumble across Park and steal him from Lille after he had verbally agreed a deal. Alas Lille went ape and told us we can forget about Hazard. I feel we make too many mistakes in the transfer market and being able to have Hazard for half the price is just the tip of the iceberg. We have made some great signings in Podolski and Giroud (not too great a coup as we have tripled his wage so it’s hardly a mad bargain) and M’Vila would be a good asset and a player filling a void since Gilberto went. So what do I mean by mistakes? Buying players that are risky investments and counting them as out ‘Flag Ship’ buys such as Gervinho and not enough established players. Podolski is the right type of player and has experience. More please! These proven winners get you six extra points a season and make less mistakes as well as have moments that win you cup finals. Are team is looking in a good shape so buy wisely and know what we are getting.
    And are biggest mistakes? Letting too many players get down to a year left in their contract… It’s stupid, hurts their ego and costs us decent players every year. Spend big on fewer transfers and wages, look after a current flock and start believing we can contend this season…. Minus a few wholes that need filled by international level players, we have a great side.

  132. ktr7 says:

    Thats about it WATH.For me though M’vila is key now since our midfield has lacked that presence since Vieira.if we get him,it will be an almost perfect summer.

  133. Devilgunner says:

    Hiya Fine Folk.

    Back again.

    Seems as if the Giroud deal is on according to some of the posts here. Off to read them all…………….!!!!!!!

  136. rico says:

    M’Vila is certainly a must Kt, or someone of his stature, he wants to join us so hopefully AW wants him to join us too….

    Get him and another CB, we are really cooking on gas, then deadline could be exciting 😉

  140. HeartOutWithAGoon says:

    A DM would be great as Song has developed into passing maestro but has also developed away from sitting in front of our defence! A big ball winner will be excellent and a CB- wouldn’t want to upset Merts but Hummel whose keeping him out the Germany side looks the business

  141. ktr7 says:

    Arse.com don’t know how to milk excitement of new signings.by the time they announce we’ll be bored already.the mancs/chavs made announcements for Kagawa/Hazard once a deal was reached to milk out that excitement.

  142. rico says:

    Heartout, Songinho cost us goals last season 🙁

    Kt, but they sure know how to keep us hanging on….. Nearly as much as Kim Wilde 😉

  144. HeartOutWithAGoon says:

    Rico totally agree…. That’s what I mean, he’s moved away from protecting our defence… Even though that was his job weather he likes it or no. Too often he jogged back whilst we were hammered on the counter attack. Arteta saved his skin a lot but then again can’t take it away from him that he had 3rd highest assists in epl.

  146. rico says:

    HO – i realised what you meant 😉

    I think the injury to Arteta exsposed Song big time, just why we all agree that we need a proper DM….

  147. HeartOutWithAGoon says:

    If we don’t get M’Vila then we need to buy an established DM as we can’t afford a season of letting someone bed-in there. The experience Arteta brought in was significant so it would be good to see it come from new signing. How we used to be spoilt for choice with Gilberto, Flamini and Diarra!

  148. rico says:

    What about the other French guy, is it Caboue or similar, some even suggest he is as good, if not better?

  149. Lee says:

    Evening all, it’s imperative we reduce the 49. Bould will surely help but a DM of M’Vila’s ability is a must!! None of this being bullied by the rugby mob, someone that’ll give us that Viera bite, that we’ve lacked!!!

  150. rico says:

    Evemning Lee, i’d second that… halt that 49 and we are in with a chance, as long as we don’t draw 0-0 in every game of course 😉

  152. Will says:

    Lee, the only way we will reduce the amount we concede is

    1) Get a proper Dm
    2) Play a more dynamic attacking game which stops pulling our midfield all over the shop
    3) Organise at set plays
    4) Fight harder for second ball.

  153. Lee says:

    Uefa really are crap aren’t they… Bendtner gets fined £80k for his paddy power pants and didn’t someone get fined £5k for racialism, that’ll teach them a lesson,eh?

  154. Lee says:

    Our first choice back four (when all fit) are all really good players and we’ve got a solid GK behind them…..add that DM and that number has got to decrease!

  157. Lee says:

    Back to your 8.17 Will, with the gas we’ve got on the flanks why do we get pulled all over the place so much??

  159. Will says:

    Lee, because we play short passing “Tiki-Taka” style football which means the midfielders flow across the pitch but the problem is, there is hardly ever a dynamic forward pass which means, when we give the ball away, we don’t have a line of midfielders able to get back in front of the defence and we are all chasing back like mad men.

  160. rico says:

    Some will say that Ches is still a bit dodgy – but he’s on the way up, he will be the best in the PL in five years time, IF, he has a bit more competition behind him – just like in the outfield positions, he has it a bit too easy at the moment…

  163. Will says:

    Agreed Rico and I get fed up with the likes of Theo always wanting the ball to feet. None of our pace players ever make the run behind the defence.

  165. W.A.T.H says:

    Simple enough, go back to 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 and not that poxy 4-5-1 and with a proper defensive midfielder in the middle we wont get pulled out of shape or caught on the break, far better balance..!

  166. Lee says:

    I still think we need an AM to supply those through balls, mata / silva would be cracking for us……

  167. rico says:

    I don’t think Theo does Will, i think what happens is, he doesn’t get the ball in front of him, so he comes back to try and get it and from then, we lose all our urgency going forward.

    Gerv does the same on the left…

  169. Lee says:

    Will, with greatest of respect to all on here’s knowledge, surely AW with his footballing brain can see that? So why do nothing about it???? Crazy!!!!!

  172. rico says:

    Wath – if we do get Giroud, i can see us trying 442, he’s tall, strong and scores goals – use him in the right way and he will bring rewards…

    The good thing is, the left side will be full of options, Giroud will not be pushed out there…

  175. rico says:

    Lee, i agree re walcott, he can destroy any side with his pace, but how many times do we play that ball to hime…

    Look what happened against spurs when we did, look at the ground he covered for his second…

    It’s simple, but like you say – why cant AW see it or do something about it??

  179. rico says:

    thinning out lee, if they were all lettuce, most would go in my composer….

    Can someone actually tell me what Wengerball is??

    To this day, I really have never grasped that expression….

  181. Will says:

    Rico, for me it was that dynamic game we had where 5 or 6 players would be sprinting forward and within 3 passes we had a shot on goal.

  184. rico says:

    Tomo – i agree with lee, JV will make the same mistake and live to regret it… Modric is off to Real according to reports…

    Ah – but we don’t have that kind of player anymore Will, only Theo has the pace and too many others play the sideways pass now, so ‘wengerball’ is gone….

    Now is time to play the the strengths of who we have, not who we had….

  186. rico says:

    I’m still not convinced re gerv Lee, Ryo yes but I think he’ll be loaned out next season, where will he play with Pod and Gerv on the left?

    Ox, well yes, he is simply something very special 🙂

    But something has changed in our tactics, we don’t seem to play that pacey game these days, whether that is down to AW or the opp stopping us I don’t know, but the last few games it all seemed about Song trying to hoof the ball to RvP 🙁

  187. Tomo says:

    Yes pal i agree with lee two but where not desperate for him Evan tho he would be a good signing, modric is a type of player we need, a creative mid we also need a def mid hopefully m’vila will be that man.

  188. HeartOutWithAGoon says:

    I’m really hope Sagna has a good recovery back from injury because I thought he was immense last season after his broken ankle. Gotta say though, personally I think we are in trouble at left back. Gibbs just can’t stay fit and gets caught going forward a lot and I just can’t see Santos ever been a premiership player. I think a LB would be a good buy.

  189. Tomo says:

    And rico your spot on there our game seems to have slowed down specially from the Henry,pires n co days we was all about counter attacking football with great pace.

  190. rico says:

    Tomo

    Giroud
    M’Vila
    Afellay

    That would do me, and of course a old keeper 😉

    HO – Sagna is a strong guy, he should be fine, but we won’t see him until late sept sadly, gibbs will be ok i think, the more he plays he will get stronger and with it, his fitness will improve but, I still wouldn’t mind if we signed Baines 😉

  192. rico says:

    Tomo – i know we all look back on that second half against spurs and remember just how good it was, but that showed what pace can do – play that way a bit more and will will kill sides off with ease…

    And as much as it may pain us to admit it, that was a decent spurs side on a really good run and full of confidence and we simply blew then away…

    We have the basis of a great squad, it just needs 3/4 additions imho….

  194. rico says:

    Everton are broke Lee, we could get any one of their players if we offer the right price, as long as they are willing to move… Fergie wants him and I bet Fergie gets him too…

    After all, Moyes will be at OT in two years anyway….

  199. Tomo says:

    Rico totally agree with you mate we just need to be more direct with a that kind of pace and I don’t mean hoofing it forward 🙂 yes that would be a good summer for all of us well am off cya later

  201. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Looks like Olivier Giroud will soon be confirmed as Arsenal’s 2nd major signing of the summer…
    Expect to see a few going out the door to balance the books.
    Chamakh should be one of the first with Giroud replacing him.
    Vela won’t be far behind, but i’d like to see Arsenal hold out for more than the reported €3.5million.
    That’s about £2.8million…
    He’s gotta be worth at least £5m..!

  202. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Yann M’Vila has issued a come and get me plea, to Arsenal.
    But that’s not a good sign…
    I’d feel more confident about getting M’Vila if he and his agent were silent on any transfer to N.5…
    Sadly, i’ve given up on Vertonghen. He looks set to make a huge mistake by joining the Spuds.
    Capoune, as Rico mentioned, could be the suprise alternative to M’Vila..?

  203. Will says:

    I think we have the players to play the fast, dynamic game. We have defenders who are able to play the ball out of defence, we have midfielders who can play the early pass and we have stupid pace up front.

  207. Devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Fine Folk.

    Charlie……..I agree with you regarding Vela. IMO he should easily fetch around 5 million, while Bendtner’s value should be around the 8 million mark. Chamack should fetch around 6 million while Denilson could easily make AFC around the same.

    However Park may stay at the EMS considering that next summer will see him leave for the army service. No club in their right senses will buy him for just one season.

  209. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning/Evening or whatevertimeofthedayitisthere Scott.

    I would like to contradict you a bit……..long term Capuoe would be a better option……for the simple reason that after just a couple of good seasons with us, M’Vila would start being chased by RM or Barca. I would be happy if he came, however Capoue will cost less and prove just as effective.

    But why not offer 5 year deals instead of 4 year ones???

  210. rico says:

    devil –

    problem is, the club want rid of the likes of Vela, everyone lnows that and beacuse of it, they are offering less, afc have littl choice but to accept these kind of offers, otherwise they stay and pick up a hefty sum.

    I think its showing us all that the club are finally sorting out the wages etc and are prepared to accept a bit of a short-term loss…

    After all, they are going to let Squilli go for free, they could at have got £20 for him 😉

  211. devilgunner says:

    I would have offered Giroud a 5 year deal……..that would have taken him up to when he is around 30. If clubs come sniffing about say in the last two years we can sell him for a tidier profit for a player who is about to reach 30.

    Oh and Shitty have said that they value RVP at only 15mill. Good.

  212. devilgunner says:

    Ok Rico………let’s have a whip round and see how much we can collect so that we can set PArk free as well. 😉 😆

  213. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil,I was talking in terms of as an investment 🙂
    Realistically,Capoue being tha bit older cold be the right one as you say…he’s less likely to be looking at us as a stepping stone.
    Now,im not conceding I was wrong,just that you were more correct lol.
    Nah,good call Devil.
    As it stands,if RVP does sign,and we got Capue/M’Villa/DeJong…….would we be content with this transfer windows dealings??
    One or two more would be good,but if we play two up front and RVP in the hole,it sorts out the CAM issue,and gives us a red hot strike force……do we NEED anyone else?

  214. Scott From Oz says:

    RICO,it’s absolute fact that there was a 5 million offer on the table for Squillaci to go to Citeh,but they wanted 10 million!!!

  215. rico says:

    devil – he’s off to do his country proud, so Park will be a gonner – shame really, all we have done is ruin is football career…

  219. devilgunner says:

    What I cannot fathom out is why Chamack was always preferred to Park. Whenever he came on he did ok. at least he showed some desire.

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