During the run-in to the end of the season, Arsene Wenger went to great lengths to downplay the importance of the Cup Final. Finishing 4th was the Holy Grail, the real test of Arsene’s management, or so he would have us believe….
Dear old Arsene, he can spin a yarn with the best of them.
You only had to see the unbridled joy and relief on his face as he went up to get the Cup at the finish, to see where the truth was…
He knew the importance of that trophy, make no mistake, and he knew the flak that he would cop if Arsenal had lost. The pressure on him when Hull were leading 2-0, must have been unbearable…
Seeing the players throwing him up in the air at the end (what a way to treat a 64 year old?) and the fact that he embraced all the larking about, only showed that there had been a massive and collective release of tension…
But that Cup win brings with it new pressures and new expectations. The fan base have once again tasted success and just like any other addict, we want another ‘hit’…..
The Champions League and the EPL are the next logical step, or so it is thought in certain sections of the Arsenal support but I don’t share that view…
I don’t believe, despite the fact that we finished only seven points behind the Champions, that Arsenal have any realistic chance of winning the EPL in 2014-15…
Last season was an exception as there were many circumstances which won’t occur this season.
Both Man City and Chelsea will be more settled under their new managers and will spend heavily to further increase the gap between themselves and us…
Man Utd have Louis Van Gaal, a very intelligent and experienced manager who is a winner. He will have his new team organised having also spent heavily this summer. A top four finish for his side is in my opinion, a near certainty..,
Liverpool, flushed with their CL funds, will spend and build and be determined to retain their current status and I wouldn’t bet against them being as dangerous a threat to Arsenal’s top four position as they were last season…
So my expectations of a ‘big summer’ are not at all expectant.
We could do without Lord Harris and Chips Keswick coming out with the usual end of season spin about being able to compete in the transfer market. All that nonsense does, pre-season ticket renewal, is build up our hopes to an unsustainable level because in truth, Arsene will do his usual costcutter business, whilst all the big names will go elsewhere.
Despite conversations with many Arsenal friends and some upbeat predictions I am no more optimistic of a ‘big summer’, than I was 12/24/or 36 months ago…
As far as the Champions League is concerned, do me a favour!
We’ll have the same nail biting finish in the Group Stage, then probably draw the eventual finalists in the 1st Knock-Out Stage. Au Revoir Europa…
So, next season, I’m looking for another run in the cups, and I don’t mind that at all…
If we can scrape in at 4th again and win one of the cups, I’d sign for that right now.
Another Ozil type signing on August 31st would be equally welcome…
Written by Allezkev.
Gossip:
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck! He’s big for a young un!
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck is available for free from PSG. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s French!
We need a striker, Arsene Wenger likes freebies so of course, that all adds up to us signing him!
Wilfried Bony is again linked with us too, apparently there is a £19 million ‘get-out’ clause in his contract!
Have a good day all and stay off Newsnow, that site isn’t good for your health. (She types before heading there to F5)
Lol about newsnow.We will make important signings iwant to believe that but its Wenger we are talking about.Fabregas to city is rubbish since city are not mad to point the middle finger to FFP.
Morning all,
I’d also take 4th and the delight of a cup win lol. How about the Aurier news, Liverpool talking to the dude. Apparently we havent spoke to his agent in a long time, very worrying.
Good post btw
Is that big french dude any good lol
Morning Kev and all…
You grumpy old toad you Kev… 😉
Great post though….. 🙂
Morning all.
Liverpool will not finish top 4 Kev…not a chance, IMO.
Yes, they’ll be cashed up, but the toll of CL football will destroy them.
That aside, I loved the post as always 🙂
No idea Nickie, never heard of him let alone see him play…. lol
Le Grove this morning
“Well I would have Fabregas back in a heartbeat. Why?
We always have half our midfield injured – that won’t change, ever under Wenger.
Fans and players would be massively lifted.
We would have the best first and second choice midfield since that great Barca team.
At least three of our midfield could slot in as defensive midfield, Fabregas being one of them.
We’ll get him cheaper than Man Utd would and I would hate seeing him go there.
“Add to that a winger – Draxler or Sanchez, a DM – Martinez and a right back – Coleman and we would clean up.”
Therein lies the solution to the problem.
—
The problem to the problem is that Wenger has the last say re: the money.
Sukky, City have already stuck their fingers up to FFP, I bet they continue to do so…
I don’t think they will either Scott..
SYG, that’s Geoffs view, Pedro doesn’t want him back…. lol
Best sign him up then rico lol
🙂 Nickie, hope we look to a more proven player than him. In any case. I’ll struggle to remember how to spell his name… lol
Hopefully he wasn’t considering retirement to become a milkman haha
Hahahahaha.. Re: Le Grove. I wonder what they’re smoking over there. Hopefully not grass with this stories. It could kill you.
Cesc is a conundrum wrapped up inside an enigma! A great footballer, who on his day can be a match winner but, he is not a very good team player, a de motivator on the pitch and a moaner off it! Word has been that he fragments team spirit rather than provides the glue to stick the. Eleven together.
The truth is I have no idea of what he is really like but the co census seems to suggest he would do more harm than good. Shame as I really liked him, as a player!
Wenger will do what he thinks is right but, I don’t think the little general will be back. He left too much baggage behind, and old Mr Stubborn tends not to forgive and forget!
Wenger has his sights set elsewhere. I reckon Diaby has chance this season, in the managers eyes, at least!
News Now has just set itself up as a “fiction” publication site! Read and marvel at their latest plot lines. There’s always a twisting the tale. (Ho, ho).
🙂 Nickie.
Wavy, that’s pretty much my view on Cesc too. But what will be will be I guess, if he does come back, then I only hope he doesn’t disrupt the dressing room, which according to some of the players comments, is in good spirits…
If fab is still free at the end of the summer and we have aquired the players we need to solve the problems we have then by all means go for him. Until more pressing matters are addressed we shouldn’t even be talking about him. How about Balotelli? looks like he could be sold, the more I hear about him the more I think he could come in and settle. Imagine him and Ozil becoming best of friends
Most through balls last 5 PL seasons: Cesc 64 (52 games),
Silva 62 (130), Rooney 48 (150), Nasri 45 (149), Lampard 41
(145)
.Should we be dabating on a player of that class?
Have Remy and Giroud looked ok for France? I’ve not seen any of their warm up matches tbh.
Wenger has had players return before – Campbell to quite good effect and Lehmann and Henry – all ‘free’ of course.
You have to remember that Fabregas carried the ‘team’ Wavy. And as I said yesterday it was a team with holes in it – big gaping holes.
Nasri, Arshavin and Van Persie were the world class players – the rest were a lot less bordering on mediocre.
Now we have the guts of a good team.
Wenger’s words – ‘If an exceptional talent comes on the market who is better than we have…’
Going back to Kevs post. I still have the feeling that we’ll have a good summer of signings….
Wenger couldn’t handle Balotelli, Nickie.
Nickie, I agree with your 10:29, get all our pressing positions sorted first then worry about Cesc!
Too much baggage comes with Ballotelli imo…
Someone on here said they played very well together the other night Lee – against Sweden I think it was…
None of those players left under a cloud though Syg. I asked yesterday, didn’t IG say Cesc sulked and refused to play at the end of the season he left?
No to balotelli.Arsenal is a club with traditions and legacy,they do things the right way.What on earth will make Wenger sign him?
Sukky, no doubt Cesc has class but he was supplying better strikers in a period where our competitors weren’t as strong as they are now. Every team in the PL over the last 5 years have got stronger, the west broms, the southamptons the crystal palaces. It’s harder to unlock defences these days and the lower teams in general play better football
Morning All
Morning Rico, thanks for the sub-edit… 😉
Today it is quite warm in London Town, but it is cloudy, wet and muggy…
Righto, off to work, lata…
The last couple of years we have bought well Rico – of that there is no doubt.
Spanish, German and French internationals – we even got a Swedish one on loan with a million caps in the January transfer window, and who I have to say didn’t look out of place.
Wenger does appear to have been looking at better quality players… I hope it continues
Re: Cesc may have had a bit of ‘I’ factor in him last time around but I doubt he was disturbing dressing room. I think I have heard more stories about VP being such a person and Cesc praising young Arsenal players. If you remember 2 years ago he said that “Aaron has done unbelievable and he will get better with his final ball. He’ll become the next big star at Arsenal. Jack and Aaron are the future, and they will do so well because they are competitive and they are winners. They will be amazing for the club.”
Even Jack said he was the best players among all. Rambo also said something on that line. So I don’t know if he would divide dressing room and Tommy and Cesc being best of friends he’ll teach him something about team spirit. And Barca failure should have taught him a bit of humility I hope.
I still think if he is available we should buy him.
Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie all sulked before they eventually left …
They were world class players who were being held back from honours by the dross they were carrying. Almunia? Eboue? Denilson? The list is endless.
Now we carry very little shite.
I have the France v Brazil final replay on, Bahebeck is a cheating diver!!
Aaron Ramsey was so unlucky to be out for that period of time, otherwise he would have been up there with Suarez for Player of the Year.
He is the player that makes us tick.
Silva of all people should have beat that considering the number of epl matches he played
And I think we will again Syg.
But we simply must finally sign a striker….
They did, and I wouldn’t want RvP or Nasri back either.
Agreed on NN. Very bad for heart.
Seems Chelsea have agreed 36m for cesc
Bahebeck has a wicked left foot though… Scored a stunning goal from distance. 😉
S2S, I thought I said stay off there… lol
Again I ask my favourite question.
When we had these top class players….those we sold….Fabregaw, Van Persie, Adebayor, Clichy, song etc etc etc….what did we win??
Well now we have an average side with crap strikers and we won an FA Cup final, and are a club on the improve!
Grumpy Old Toad says:
June 3, 2014 at 10:34 am (Edit)
Morning All
Morning Rico, thanks for the sub-edit… 😉
Today it is quite warm in London Town, but it is cloudy, wet and muggy…
Righto, off to work, lata…
That’s harsh Scott, an average side? 😉
The answer is of course, nothing!
Morning Grumpy, it’s me who should be thanking you for the post…..
Rico, now you just now I was being sarcastic there 🙂
Now, to my next question…..with all of those stars at our disposal, why couldn’t we win anything?
I know, Wenger has lost it.
Then again, with the average side, he won something.
How can it be?
Well, maybe we have no wankers In the squad now, and the players are prepared to dig in for the cause, and not just themselves.
Maybe…just maybe.
I did Scott…
No egos, that’s my opinion.
Yep.
Even Podolski, who was labelled as moody before arriving, has shown he’s the ultimate team man.
He’s always in the thick of the action of the pitch, as well as making some bloody ripper contributions on it.
I love the camaraderie our current group have, and anything that upsets it is not worth the trouble.
I’m not suggesting Cesc will do that, but some say he did before and could again.
I’m Chang
Nagging my mind hourly on whether I want him or not, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, as Arsene will make his call!
Morning all, good post Kev, pretty much the way i see things panning out, the FA Cup bought Arsene breathing space and won him some credibility with the fans.The 7 point gap paints a distorted picture of the real truth, Utd,Chelski,Shiteh will all spend to strengthen and Liverpool will spend all that is available to them. Will Arsene? i doubt it. With Arsenal its just not all about transfers, there’s the constant injury issues, the lack of tactics in games and squad depth and qualities. A leopard they say never changes its spots and we have a pretty old leopard in Arsene. Like most i live hope.
Sorry, I’m “changing” my mind……
BT, his tactics had us top of the league until injuries killed us off.
His off field strategy is what destroyed us, IMO.
Maybe a squad like ours would be best for Balotelli? Not many damaging personalities. He would thrive in the “team” spirit. Cosy manager, good personalities in the dressing room. Few wise calm heads (mert and co) to groom him. Real talent, I would so snap him up if there was a guarantee he’d cool his attitude.
Merts would sort hm out, Nickie!!!
haha mert and balo showdown, only one winner! BFG!
Scott, his tactics kept us top of the league until we came up against really good teams, injuries certainly played a part, even when we had a good team on the pitch we got a pasting, As i said tactics are just one of the problems at Arsenal. IMHO
Bt, it’s going to be a good summer… 🙂
I really hope we don’t sign Mario!!
BT, a good summation mate, but overal last season was a big improvement, as we competed, for quite an extended time…
Winning the FACup was superb, but I’m curbing my expectations of Arsene’s ‘big summer’…
We should, as supporters of a massive club, expect marquee signings…
But I fear that Arsene won’t come thru with his side of the bargain…
But we have a great squad, as it is, so I’m still hopeful that ws’ll be competitive again next season..,
Morning Rico and all…
Another good one Kev..
Syg and Cesc…Lol
I can understand your affection for Cesc but…
We did Cesc a favour and he stepped up its a s simple as that… AW destroyed Denilson’s career to accomodate Cesc by playing the former in a wrong position.
On paper, Denilson was a future captain material for Brazil…He was captain of Brazil Youth Team too..
Cesc was a Barca reject in a Barca team that had won ziltch in 6 years…
My point is AW had his eye poked by Cesc and AW will pay him back make no mistake about it…
Was it not Cesc who gave Robson his ammunition to say AW did not do tactics? Strangely enough, Cesc can’t handle tactics according to Del Bosque and Pep…
If we have the money we could do with someone like Tiago or Koke or even Morgan… I let bygones be… one player never makes a team… all imho of course.
Long time s2s…
Rico, yeah if the sun shines for more than than few days. lol. On a side note there’s a big nasty cyberbug on the way, be prepared any help would be appreciated.
AW may not have a lot of common sense but 1 thing he has is pride…
Cesc made us lose out o Negredo, Di Natalie, Cabaye and several potential signings last summer…
He entertained Yanited’s bids with Dein by telling AW one thing and and Dein doing something else…
Cesc is an attention seeking spoilt boy…
Ask Elie Taktouk…
Oh and we not getting Aurier either…
How do i know that? Well… 😉
Cesc looks a lot bulkier since his days at Arsenal, real shame we can’t mould him into a deep lying playmaker/defensive mid like Arteta. But fab has the legs and more strength about him. Could he adapt? 30 mil is a lot of money for a gamble
Aye Ginge…….
Cantona was the making of the Manure team led by sir red nose.
Good Morning Chappies and Lasses
Balotelli will be our Cantona…… 😛
TS agree with Cesc on being attention seeking which is why i’m not keen on his return. Can’t deal with all the media bullsh*t that comes with him. Shame about Aurier, looked a talent.
Morning Ts & Devil..
Nickie, is Aurier away somewhere?
Cheers Scott…
Morning Coach…
What do you think of Balotelli?
Thanks Ginge…
Rico needs our help during the Interlull… 😉
I’ve just assumed we are not getting him. The second another club is interested we tend not to get our targets
If we manage to buy Balotelli for say 20 mill and then hired a neuro surgeon to remove his lunatic part of the brain (say we pay him 2 mill) then we have a player who can be better than Bale for us.
The new things that leads me to think Wenger is thinking about Cesc is his silence.
One thing……
Morning habib bdw.
a friend of mine sent me some photos from Thorpeness in Suffolk yesterday.
Amazing scenery.
is it far away from you mate??
yes Scott……..even I am of that line of thought. His silence speaks loudly
Ginge, tell me I’m a cynic, but I don’t think that Wenger was ever in for Aurier…
Aurier wanted Arsenal.
Aurier’s agent wanted a bung, no doubt…
But I think that Arsene is looking elsewhere…
hiya Dev…
I have always like Balo’; he makes things out of nothing…
And in actual fact his potential suspensions are no greater than any other player…
He played 30 games last season in Serie A alone… that means he missed only 6…
G.O.T, as soon as a player says he is coming to arsenal, he ISN’T coming to Arsenal lol.
What you smoking Ts?? 😉
If AW manages to calm down Balotelli we could simply run away with the league.
Rico and CG quoting me, Devil thinking the same way…what is happening??
Rumours are I’ve been hacked 🙂
Ginge is smoking a carrot Rico.
Balotelli is absolutely class.
Winger might just be the man to calm him enough to get the best out of him.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him try.
Lol…
Lol… is that Wath?
Aurier was never on AW’s list..
Last season we made bids for Uchida and Juan Franfran when we needed a defender…
At this moment our RBs are Bellerin and Coprporal Jenkinson… from what I have heard.
We will go in for a RB during pre-season if Bellerin and CJ25 are not ready in AWs’ eyes…
Meat free weed Rico? 😛
Not a million miles Habib, when I lived in Romford, it was kinda next door…
I think I may have been there as I have a relative whose up that way.
Nice part of England..,
Jenks is ready.
Definitely.
🙂 Devil..
Phew Ts… 😉
I totally agree CJ25 is ready; but is he ready for the full season…?
Bellerin is the slight worry… he looked ready for Watford during his loan…
Flamster can cover that position and Le Coq too…
Like I said there is no better squad to introduce Balotelli to. Squad harmony is high, no egotistical maniacs. And with Wenger soothing Mario’s mind. We could have a real monster on our hands. Out of what’s available currently i’d give him a crack. If it doesn’t work out move him on, still young enough to make money back on him
I’m backing Jenks too…..
It’s his backup I worry about…
GOT, not sure we have a great squad yet, but the potential is there to be one,if giving the right tools to work with, but again that’s up to Arsene. Devil, let Lee at his brain! lol
I’d rather we signed an older experienced right back as cover…
Yeah Rico, someone in their early 30’s not needing to play 50 games a season would be great.
Cheap deal for angel rangel ?
Ginge, I had a wrap n Coquelin based on one performance….the time he played at RB v Yanited…he was fantastic.
Pity he never watched the replay, else he might have stopped telling the world he was a DM!
Not a bad option, Nickie.
I hack brains Scott. I am a shrink. 😛
I got a friend living there habib. Friend from College days. We knew each other, erm, let’s say….extremely well.
And we are still friends bdw. 😉
Morning all, good post. Did anyone watched Joel Campbell vs Japan last night.
Was hoping Juanfran….
Remy and OG12 played very well together… Benzema is not getting much look in…
They combined very well against Paraguay and were involved in Greizman goal
Lukaku looked very decent against Sweden… Kim was as reliable as you would expect but Sweden without Zlatan is well…
And I will admit I haven’t seen much of Juanfran but a friend reckons he’d be ideal….
I don’t rate Lukaku is highly as most.
He does very little v well skilled defensive units.
Yes, he is young and inexperienced, but I reckon plenty rate him on what he’s done against pretty average sides.
Devil, you will have to find my brain before any shrinking can be done 🙂
Was he any good Gdna?
Also, I’m not a fan of seeing Flamini or Coquelin at right back…
No Rico, Ruiz from Fulham looks very good against Kagwa and Honda. Joel Campbell is no better than Gnabry imo.
He’s still very young Gdna. If he is staying at Arsenal, get him out on loan in the PL, together with Sanogo….
Off for an hour now, back in a bit….
Actually you have a point re Lukaku Scott…
Rico, Fran is not interested in us allegedly
Scott, it was Yennaris you talking about but you are right Le Coq was very good at LB against Yanited… 😉
Just an idea…. buy a RB to play the RB position! Buy a CB to play in the CB position………..just do the right thing!
Very good post kev …. unfortunately!
But its realistic and most of us have to accept that.
Ribery is out of teh World Cup.. a shame.. his last chance me think.
the*
Having trouble posting again, what’s to be done?
Scott your boy Honda…
I’m cured!
Point taken SYG but do we want his (Cesc’s) genius? Flawed geniuses are often more trouble than they’re worth, I’d include Balotelli in that bracket too. Flawed but a cracking footballer. Sometimes less, in ability, can be more to the team.
Just saying.
Written much earlier
Wavy was it the whiskey I suggested that cured you 😉
Lee, don’t be so bloody sensible…. Stupid comment..! 🙂
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/southampton-defiant-over-transfer-exodus-3638292
New BArca squad interesting.. Deloufeu is in the squad; its a shame Rafinha has been recalled by BArca.. anoher decent option of RB..
We were keen on Rafinha last yr Ts…! We were told to get lost.
Big season coming up for some of the youngsters, we need some of them to come in and improve the team or they will go the way of Larson, Lansbury, Sidwell, Merida etc… Eisfeld i hope can come in and Yennaris as well with maybe Zehalem perhaps ?
lol… Wath..
I think we wanted to work under Pep too at BM so we had no chance.
We are like the bloke in the night club scared to chat up a lady he likes…
on the showing by Remy and Giroud I guess its Remy all the way over Benzema
Then again…..I would like Bony
Ts lol
Pep the confident guy that takes the girl of your dreams for a whirl right infront of you. That guy has it all
Afternoon all…
Chelsea signed Fabregas yet? lol
Joel campell produced the cross for Costa Rica goal I think.And he is better than gnanbry.
Joel campell produced the cross for Costa Rica goal I think.And he is better than gnanbry.I like le coq has a ),did anyone remember the trashing of Blackburn 6-1?Coq was unstoppable that day.He is very skillfull and can take defenders on.His delivery is way better than jenks own.
Lol Nickie.. Pep has the expensive designer gear and Aw still needs vecros…
I think yennaris was sold last summer.
Dev… I like Bony too…
My worry is he might score 3 or 4 goals in the wc and increase his asking price…
He was Sukky… he is playing for Brentford now….
Me too re Bony….
v1066.. AW likes Gedion but he is not ready imho…
albeit he ‘ups’ his game with the senior players but on the 2 occasions I have seen him play he didn’t look ready at all…
What i dislike about him now compared to when he first came to us wis his lack of effort of the ball…
I think Ollson needs a chance… he is too good to be wasted at u-21 level although he is a bit feeble looking…
velcros*
Ts, with you on GZ pretty poor work ethic last few times i saw him, Eisfeld seems to go missing in games, but pretty good in front of goal,
AW said he liked Aneke, but look what happened to him…..
Lampard, Villa all moving to NY next season…
I wonder who Simeone has in mind to replace Costa…
Cerci or Jackson Martinez?
Eisfield one is that he is playing in a position I am not sure he enjoys playing in…
Against reading in that 5-7 win he came on and orchestrated the midfield when we played 4-2-4 like a young Mozart Rosicky…
In my opinion I should have added*
Sorry should have said Bellerin not yennaris, and Remy as Bony will have to go to the ACON this year and that will be when we get all our injuries.
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/arsenal-set-to-offer-english-trio-professional-contracts/?
Dan Crowley is meant to be mustard isn’t he?
I am still surprised the media are not talking about Bacca and Rajkitic.. considering their UEFA cup exploits…
Goes to show the rag tops make up stuff just to sell papers…
From videos Dan looks very promising albeit he is too small… he needs to have a word with Messi and his doctor 😉
Arsenal youth website rate him too…
Imagine if AW shocked the whole footballing world and made a bid for Miranda and Lichtsteiner (spelling) now that would be a proper statement from a real footballing view point…
Vernat, Remy wouldn’t go to the ACON, he’s French…
Ts, is Cerci the Italian striker?
Think Kev does too Ts…
Vernat…..
Remy is french mate…..so he will go only as an observer
Sukky, “Joel campell produced the cross for Costa Rica goal I think. And he is better than gnanbry.” lol. Joel Campbell was makin a run to the near post when the cross came in. If he was better than Gnabry he would be in the 1st team. 85% of the player fans want at the club they never ever seen them play, its all about they say, when the person they will never be met in person. lol
Miranda I like. but Lichtsteiner is 30 now Ginge.
Yes that is why I would choose Remy
And I said
“and Remy as Bony will have to go to the ACON this year and that will be when we get all our injuries.” So I never said that Remy was going to the ACON
Sorry Vernat, I read it as Remy and Bony were off to the ACON, do forgive me, I didn’t have my specs on… lol
Dna, if they watch the CL they would have seen him play and score.
same here Vernat.
Lol Dev so true… good back for the next 2 seasons for CJ25.. he is on 35k a week allegerdly at Juve
Bt, that is the one…
backup*
Kev and Rick both rate Dan…
Is Bony good enough to win Arsenal the CL or the EPL. I think we need to aim a bit higher. Immobile have a higher upside to Bony and he went to Germany, I cant see AW signing a first choice striker from the PL.
Ts, i think he has signed for Dortmund for 20m.
v1066; I think Bellerin will surprise folks if given the chance…
What I like about him is he wants to learn… any player who considers Rosicky as one of the world’s best players knows his football… imho
Bt- No you talking of Immobile Circi.
I am pleased about that coup even though he has not officially signed with my BVB yet…
Ts, Rosicky is Eisfelds idol.
Bt- Cerci and Ciro both plaedy in the same team… Cerci is like a winger/2nd striker whilst the new BVB man is an old score Italian striker… not the same calibre as Dev’s Inzaghi I must add though.. 😉
Lee, 1.20pm;
That is far far too sensible and obvious…
I’m suprised at you mate, you should know better… 😉
My bad… klopp has forced Ciro to sign… excellent repalcement for Lewandowski…
Adrian Ramos and Immobile plus Jojic, PEA and Hoffmann… excellent strike force.
Now Aw is taking the piss imho…
Sorry Ts, don’t see much Italian footie, is the other any good? iyo
One advantage of signing a striker who has played here before is hopefully less of an learning acclimatisation process a lot of players struggle in the league in their first season, I think we should get Vela as well if the buy out clause price is correct.
Gdna, Bony, Remy and Giroud would give us a strong front line.
Ts, what’s a strike force? lol
Immobile was Serie A top scorer…
Alessio Cerci scored 12 goals from 30 starts as a player maker/winger…
I don’t follow Serie A that much either… I watched this year because of Gerv, Pjanic, Destro and of course Totti… I wanted to see how Rudi Garcia would far this season…
fare
Yep Rico/Ginge, from the little I have seen, Crowley looks a very accomplished, technical player. Great close-control when running with the ball, excellent passing range, both long n short, and yes he is small, but he hasn’t finished growing yet and has all the tools to develop into a top player…
Whether he does or not depends on a lot of things, not least what’s going on between his ears…
True V1066, but in this league apart from Bony , Remy and Lukaku who must do not rate it will be tough to find someone decent…
Lol… Bt… another made up phrase
Ts, how did Gervinho finish the season, i know he was doing well at one stage.
Hey ts surely long time.
Did anyone see talksports printing whole article on Cesc to Chelsea? And what I still don’t get is why PSG or Monaco have not come calling for him yet?
Rico, tomorrow you should just put headlines as PSG bids 50M for certain Spanish bloke. And whole NN will be full of it. Remember how we had started Kaka to Arsenal rumor last year?
Btw, did anyone see Player of the season announcement?
3rd Kos and 2nd Per. Long time since that happened.
Rico, i disagree. Klopp is a good manager, if he thought Bony and Remy have a high ceiling he would have gone for both of them over immobile. Remy/Welbeck as a third choice would be good, but there is no difference between Giroud and Bony, it has to b 1 or the other.
Kev.. and how the youth set-up use him if you don’t mind me adding.
Toral is another player who may fall between the cracks… hopefully this new man will bring the right coaches because it is becoming laughable tbh…
Toral has shown glimpse of brilliance but I don’t understand why he is being converted to a more attacking player/winger when he was more of a no.6/no.10 when he joined us…
Ts, not the phrase i’m laughing at, more the lack of one at Arsenal.
Ts, does that mean Reus will be on the market?
If he is my pics are simple:
Reus from BvB
Martinez/Morgan from Bayern/ S’ton
Vela from Real,
Remy/Balo from QPR/AC
Colombian ‘Wall’ from Nice.
Flamini/Le Coq to cover for CJ25.
What would that cost?
S2s,you’re not shopping in Lidl then.
Gerv is Gervinho..you can always really on him to give Syg/Lee something to talk about 😀
Joking. aside he was a force.. he could have added 5 or more goals if he was not weak in the head..
He ended up with 9 goals out of 33 games from the wings..
He was one main reason with Strootman (before his injury) why Roma finished 7 points clear of Higuain and Rafa’s team imo…
And what’s going on between AW’s ears Kev re Crowley….
Bt, we have a strike force alright just not EPL winning quality… lol
s2s, who is the Colombian wall from Nice?
‘/’ or. I normally look for affordable options but the crazy fever is getting to me too, All in all I think it will be 84 M and we’ll raise some 20 Mil from somewhere. So that should be around 64 Million. Crazy season has started.
One player I really want us to get us is Vela. Loved him when he was with us. Some of the things he does, can be done only by him.
I hope AW sorts out RB option soon enough. I want us to spank City at Wembley. We need to win that too.
s2s, I am not sure Reus is on the market…
Klopp and his scouts are top men… sometimes I wonder as a bvb fan how he does it…
I never thought for a million years he would go for both Ramos and Immobile as neither a truly skilful enough but…
I was calling on AW to buy either and Klopp just did not…
Colombian wall from Nice is David Ospina. He is supposed to be available on free. And his stats look good too. He conceded least number of goals in WC qualifiers in South America.
Ts,i think you could drop “force” and leave it as striker. lol
Dna, i heard Klopp was after Bony.. maybe the players salary put him off…
BVB pay peanuts
Deal Bt…lol
Oh teh goalie, I was thinking a Colombian RB for some reason…
Rico, that’s just a general point…
These young guys get to a certain age and suddenly distractions kick-in.
A good family (eg Walcott, AOC) can make a difference.
You can’t put a price on a sensible, supportive Mother and Father…
So that’s all really, these guys have to be prepared to make sacrifices to eventually fulfill their potential, otherwise the lower divisions await them, just ask JET…
Ts, re ur 3:19 i agree
That’s the reason we should stay away from Bony, AW should have bought Pierre E Aubameyang and Klopp race ahead and got him. All top teams scout, so the PL strikers apart from the top earners are being looked at.
Ts, you know Arsenal are like GoT. Every time a season finale is coming you get your heart broken. Always wondering how some what good people get beaten up by so cruel people. I feel the same for AW. He must have been made to feel like Tyrion Lannister by British Media.
I hope after 9 years, he feels like Arya Stark and have one over every one.
Ditto- Kev…
in the end the old fashioned good father and mother is important..
Look at Ince as an example.. his dad is pulling the right strings for him….
Last week when he was in Milan his dad and mum were with him no ‘Darren Dein’ to force him to make a move that is not in the players medium to long term interest…
Or you could have Wright who just wants his son to go for a big fee to Chelsea… lol
As for Arsene Wenger, he sees them in training every day, we just discuss via rumour and opinion…
You know Rico, Afsene is no fool, yes, he has his favourites, but if he thinks a young player has the required ability and can get a game in his team, then he will pick them.
If not, then they leave…
I’ve yet to see any young player, that he has released under normal circumstances, go on to be more successful elsewhere, than have the youngsters who have remained at Arsenal.
Kev,
Sometimes even mum-dad, wife and children are also not enough. Ask certain Dutch man. I never felt much when Cesc left. But the only time I had my heart broken was when that dutch man left.
Correctamundo Ginge…
Dna, which strikers are available realistically though..?
Finnbogason and Pelle of Eredivisie scored over 50 odd goals between them but no one is talking about them…
That is why i am surprised Aw did not go for Immobile…
But as I always say AW looks at a player and his youth academy before he buys him…
I am not sure Aw is after Bony as he is not a product of Asec…
For some reason AW likes PSV players over Ajax palyers too… which is a surprise considering the philosophy…
S2S, that is true, but then RVP was an adult…
When you are 14 to 18 you need a good back-up from your home…
Old-fashioned I know, but I’m an old-fashioned boy, just like Fred…
Finnbogason scored 29 goals… I was talking about him over January as a potential signing as he would be £10m max but will Aw buy from Heerenveen?
When sky were discussing top european strikers his name was not even mentioned instead we are being linked with Lacassette…
Ts, i liked what i saw of Finnbogason a while back, mobile, good feet, all types of finishes, it was hard to see what his pace was like. Thought he was worth a punt on.
True Kev,
Family support is very important. And also faith and support of your team mates. And when you’re young all that is very important.
You are spot on Kev…
John Terry and Jody Morris are other examples…
Jeffers and Wooney…
JW and Frimps is another example…
Rio is one lucky one but he had very huge family support…
When Ox said ages ago that he had to call his father in the evening everty day when he moved to Arsenal first… his father was trying to make sure Ox was in bed at the right time to recupriate ready for training the following day… my opinion btw…
If a young player is up until 12 mid-night playing video game and has to wake up at 8 to go training in a rush I am certain it will affect his development.
Ts, i think AW main striker targets are Benzema or Cavani. Any 1 is made available is coming to Arsenal. Cavani price + wages might be a problem though. City might be forced to sell Negredo, so he might be available.
Theo Ozil Pod
Reus
could win us some games at home, so it might not have to be an an outright CF.
Ts,
Why would he not? The man buys from Ligue2 and also from 3rd tier of English football. Provided he thinks he is good enough for the team.
Dna, i know for a fact AW does not like Karim… you don’t have to take my word though… 😉
As I said last summer, AW was never in for Higuain.. the player in the end before we faced Naples said so too… same as Jovetic…
Was i not the only 1 on the blogs talking about us in discussion with Negredo then too?
Cavani AW liked but unless Psg make some serious striker move we know that won’t happen… Le Blanc will want to pay back Aw for sniffing around his job imo…
If you know otherwise I would like to know though…
That Pelle guy, is he Diego Costa in disguise?
s2s, Bony was available as a top Eredivisie striker and he did not even inquire… my opinion though so…
lol.. Eduardo
He is Italian though…
Kev, re your 3.23, you are spot on. But also, AW doesn’t seem to give players who look like they could have what it takes a chance.
But yes, some do love to let themselves down when the look like they could to have a great career ahead of them…
Don’t miss out on this too. Ohhh.. Santi Cazorla..
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/player-of-the-season-1st-cazorla
A super goal by Clarence.. he still has it..
https://vine.co/v/Mp6ViQLIHXq
Ts, how do you know 100% that AW doesn’t like Benzema?? I am intrigued….
Rico, we couldn’t be that lucky ref Benzema. lol
Howdy folks….what’s new? Have we unveiled George weah yet 😀
Dna, I would like your honest response to all your fascination with Benzema?
First do we agree La liga is less competitive than the EPL?
Secondly that RM have a stronger squad than our squad pound for pound…
So my question is how is a player who scored 24 times out of 51 games with 13 assists playing in a better team far better than OG12 who scored 22 goals with 9 assists?
Lol Rico… lets see if AW makes a bid for Karim…
AW has done the big talk referring to all our cash etc…
Actually rumours are that Karim was offered to us last summer but the player turned us down flat. for whatever reasons.. 😉
Hi Blond Adonis…
Goonster, yes and he’s bringing his cousin Christopher with him!
Stow it ginge stop picking on poor old DNA the last time I checked it is a free country. He is entitled to his own opinion.
I hope we don’t get him Bt…
Sorry dna, if I appear to be rude…
Hahahahahahhaha I remember him alright. Christopher wreh did he actually start any game for us? What a weird signing that was. Much like inamoto park and kaba diawara. Arsene just pulls em out huh.
Hey rico…I think brianna’s gonna be a talker. God help me. That kid kept me up all night. Chattering like a little bird
Rico, i think you know were i stand on Benzema.
Tavlaridis and Tomas Danilevicius were amongst the worst ever… lol
Goonster, certainly scored some important goals for us back in the day, you threw up some names there. lol
Tell me about it bt62. Then there’s igor stephanov and shitvestre. Like what was he thinking?
Ts, stuff of nightmares and don’t forget Igor!
Interesting..
Aurier’s agent Courbis told RMC:
There is no agreement with Arsenal or anyone else.
There have been discussions with Arsenal in the past, but it’s been a while since there has been any talks.
To tell you the truth, we are even talking to another English club, so there is really nothing to act upon.
How dare you Bt..
Luhzny and Stepanovs at Old trafford was like Maldini and Baresi at the back.. 😛
Goonster, couldn’t bring myself to mention shitvestre, i still gringe at that one. He wasn’t!
Bt62 I shit myself for every time shitvestre pulls on our jersey. Like shitvestre against messi? Really???
Bt, the funny thing was Aw saaid that Igor reminded him of Bould..
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2011/Aug/flashback-video-manchester-united-6-arsenal-1.aspx
Take a bow son..
Ts, Luhzny was his nickname crazy horse?
We ve certainly had some shit players but shitvestre is top of the pile. I mean this dude can’t even out sprint Alan wiley!
I will pay money to watch a back 4 of Luhzny, Cygan, Stepanovs and Slyvestre… 🙂
Ginge are you on the sauce or just horny??
🙂 Goonie did you hear/read what Werder Bremens chaiman said after Slyvestre and Per performance together once…
Lol Goonie, I will even put a double pivot of Grimandi and Denilson in front of that back 4 for you…
I think I do Bt 😉
Hi goonster…
Nah ginge just make almunia the dm and we are league champions
Pascal Cygan, good tennis player by all accounts, ts, i hope you mean in a comedy club! lol
Bt, you might like this about Oleh…
🙂
http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenals-top-10-transfers-when-wenger-got-it-wrong/attachment/oleg-luzhny
Who is being rude to who? Whoever it is, stop it! Simples….
I still can’t believe Pele’ paid £2m for Pascal? I heard when the offer came in AW did not do his usual haggling…
No one was being rude maam. I was just messing with ginge.
I like pascal cygan. Growing up he was one of my players. Put a Berrett on him and you got your classic french twat 😀
Eddie McGoldrick, Andy Linighan, Glen Helder, God knows what GG got in his brown envelope for those
Ts, not much you can add to that really! lol. Rude Rico?
Lol… Pascal cygan… he was awful..
That is why Sagna leaving leaves me with dread.. AW and signing defenders. tsk
Luzhny was horse , Crazy Horse was Emlyn Hughes.
1066, Glen Helder, i thought we’d got one there!! lol How wrong was i. A big fat envelope me thinks.
The only good thing Cygan did was this…
The joy on AW’s face was pure relief…
I liked cygan guys. His two goals will forever endear me to him.
pro evo on ps2, 2005, Pascal Cygan up front was a machine haha
Glen Helder lol… another one. Bloody heck!
Potter, ref EH i know was crazy horse, over here we called Luzhny Cart Horse.
Goon, i’m good bro, i might not know stats for certain players, but watching them play is what i certainly do through Cox Communication Network.
“Dna, I would like your honest response to all your fascination with Benzema?
First do we agree La liga is less competitive than the EPL?
Secondly that RM have a stronger squad than our squad pound for pound…
So my question is how is a player who scored 24 times out of 51 games with 13 assists playing in a better team far better than OG12 who scored 22 goals with 9 assists?”
Ts, i would love to know which league the two teams that played the CL is from. Secondly Benzema stats are impressive if you check that he played in a team where everything is centered around ronaldo, check Ronaldo and bale shots on goal compare to Benzema. Thirdly i think its pointless comparing a striker who can score against big to 1 who cant.
Lol.. was he that good Nickie
*big team
Eddie McGoldrick
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2013/12107/
I understand what you are saying re CL finals but to me a lot of factors contribute to who ends up in the CL final…
To me competitive league is very different to the best league…
La liga is the best league but how many of their teams outside top 10 can beat teams in the tiop 10 of the EPl?
Benzema is a bottler imho; French fans will agree with that imo…
his only big game goals were against BM and Espanyol I believe… OG12 scored agaisnt BM last year when they won the CL…
Afternoon Rico. I tend to lean toward supporting the club. Players come and go and most of them are working class boys who become arseholes when they get a few quid in their pocket. I could tell you a few stories about encounters that a few friends of mine who own clothes shops selling T shirts at £200 have had with players from our club, Spurs and West Ham. Most of them are absolute tossers who couldn’t give a shit about Arsenal or the fans as long as they keep earning. They have women who wouldn’t look at them under normal circumstances. Wasn’t it Wrighty who said that the women who threw themselves at him while at Arsenal never found him attractive when he was a plasterer?
Adamant
Ts, “Benzema is a bottler imho; French fans will agree with that imo…his only big game goals were against BM and Espanyol I believe… OG12 scored agaisnt BM last year when they won the CL.”
Where do u draw the line? Kos score the equalizing goal in our biggest game for 9 yrs, so is he a top CF? I respect your knowledge about game but sometimes u try to make stuff up to support your point which doesn’t make sense. You need to realize the game is televise worldwide.
Goonster.
OG12:
Terrible conversion rate
Never score against a top 4 team
Most goals against bottom 10 team from 8yds
2 season 70 games playing for arsenal 27 league goals
Terrible pass completion
Poor in the air
No pace, No agility
Poor pass completion rate
This is facts without sentiments. lol
We need Nelson Vivas back, a true hatchet man! lol. A good read that 1066 brings back many memories’
No-one being rude? Good, that’s how I like it 😛
Afternoon Adam….
I could be quite rude effortlessly Rico. 🙂
Dna for once I ll not support you. Don’t be mad at me bro but am going with ginge on this one. Benzene is pants. I ll rather OG than benzene.
Howdy adam….how have you been? I missed ya big guy.
Goon, lol. Thats why we got likes and dislikes. lol
Goon, Brazil vs Panama at 1500 hrs today on Bein sports, u watching it.
Hi Stan. Not bad, been busy writing.
And yourself? How is Cassie doing? And Brianna of course?
Am not a big fan of international football dna. Not since seedorf broke my heart against england. I coulda sworn that dude on TV laughing and celebrating wildly was WATH. He’s haunted me ever since.
Cassie Is Fine ADAMANT But Brianna Is Gonna be a talker. Lord God in heaven. Am scared adam.
I liked Vivas and Grimandi limited but whole hearted and prepared to do what ever it took. Bring back Mad Jens i say to shake the squad up as goal keeping coach and motivational speaker
As long as you are all well, then that’s everything mate. Long may it continue.
Surely not Adam… 😉
I had a dream last night England won the world cup…then I realized it must be the quesidila (spelling) I had last night. Messed me up really good. 😀
Rico. I can sense your shock. 🙂
1066, both were certainly whole hearted, Mad Jens would certainly ruffle a few feathers within the squad. lol
I remember Grmandi getting Gary Mcallister sent off when he was playing for Liverpool when he stood on his hand nasty piece of work but we won the game and perhaps a little bit of stirring from the mad one up in contrast to the calmness from Arsene might not be a bad thing.
Stunned Adam, stunned…. 😉
I liked Grimandi….
Grimandi is a hatchet man. Been a while we had a mean bastard on the pitch.
Good read.rico got mail?
Have replied Kt…
goonster, Edgar Davids 😛
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/382033/Arsenal-in-pole-position-to-land-St-Etienne-goalkeeper-Stephane-Ruffier
Err rico Davids never played for us. The spuds paid his wages not us thankfully.
When it comes to keepers, I hope we sign Alex McCarthy…
goonster, goonster, goonster – Edgar Davids in the Dennis Bergkamp testimonial.
Grimandi wiped him out and stopped Davids scoring. Hilarious….
Still makes me laugh
Glad You Enjoyed that 😀
Beat you vernat… 😉
Brede Hanguland, Fulham, on a Freeski…?
Worth a punt as cover???!!!
1066,remember the Mcallister incident and the DB10 testimonial still makes me cheer to this day.
Good cover too Kev….
Dinner calls..
Back from a 4mile run today. Could not continue more.
have we signed Cesc, Di Maria, Benzema and Messi yet?
Are you training for a marathon Dev? 😉
V1066, re Giles do you remember this?
I hope not Devil…
Brede and Per at the back? you want to give Sir Sp1 a fright Kev? 😀
Hope Sp1 is well and catching more fishes wherever he is…
Seriously though if Brede is free it is worth it…
I’d blame our number 4 in that clip. Should have seen row z….
SP now blogs on ArsenalArsenal….
Wtf what happened rico?? SP no longer blogs with us? Who ticked him off? :angry:
No mate. not for the marathon, atm I am training for myself.
but I do not want to compete. If next year I feel capable of taking part in the charity for children’s cancer foundation half marathon to raise money then yes. I will take part.
but not to compete.
I am increasing slowly bit by bit.
I would love to reach 11miles by the end of May next year.
That is my target
Hahahahahahhaha dev in a marathon. Now that’s comedy. Somebody stop me.
stop you from what Goonie?
From cacking yourself? 😛
Sp left goonster, it happens….
that is a pity. I used to like reading his posts.
It is devil….
Ginge, it’s all a matter of balance…
Kozzer and Verm do not go well together, so if BFG (perish the thought) picks up an injury, then our defence is a car crash…
Hangaland would be cover for BFG IMHO…
Hangaland is a good call imo Kev…
Coach, 11 miles, in the heat, rather you than me…
But you would get my 100% support.
As a spectator… 😉
Kev, I meant their lack of pace…
Good luck with that Dev…
Next Sunday I am taking part in a 5a-side marathon in aid of the above foundation. It is a 50 hour marathon, but my part in it is only on Sunday. The money raised helps children with cancer who have to undergo treatment in England.
Tks Kev and Ginge. 🙂
I’m off for the day guys…
Night all…
Gd nite Lady
Ginge…on Yennaris, yes, you are right!!
Morning all.
Gareth Barry to arsenal very close. OMG
That’s a conversation stopper
I’m in the quick box again!
He needs to fill the dressing room with, the older player, as he needs to bridge the generation gap that has grown up between him and the youngsters he’s intending to play next season . Barry is much closer to Wenger’s age. Just the job! What a progressive move!
There that’s what you might call,,” thinking outside of the box”!
Will he score though!
Is this a true story or yet another piece of journo fiction?
If you can add experience for stuff all money, I can not see the issue, as long as it’s backed up by actually spending decent money on quality as well.
Barry is a bloody decent player.
Ginge, I know exactly what you meant, but barring a catastrophe, I doubt that those two would ever be paired, for the obvious reasons that you state…
But BFG could do with some cover as he cannot play every game during a season.
He is the only defender we have of his type (a stopper centre-half) so having a bit of insurance is no bad thing…
Gareth Barry is an interesting one Scott…
Where would his signing leave Flamini and Arteta?
Would he be a marked improvement on those two?
Isn’t he older than Flamini and only slightly younger than Arteta?
I’m not saying that he would be a bad signing, it’s just I’m not convinced that he’s what we need to step up the competition with Chelsea, City and ManUre…
That’s assuming that Wenger and the club are serious in competing at all…???
Hi Kev,
As I say, as long as he is one of a few signings and not a major one, I’d take him.
He’d add to squad depth, but that’s is about it.
Barry?? Surely not…
Morning….
Potter, it seems your wish is coming true. Santi Cazorla is telling Cesc not to sign for Chelsea…..
Hi Rico,
Arsene should be telling Cesc where to sign 🙂
Hi Scott 🙂
I see you have had a change of thought on Fabregas.
I’d rather have him than see him elsewhere in the League.
That would just annoy the crap out of me.
I’m still not convinced Barca will sell him…
If they do, and if he goes to England, I want him.
If he stays or goes elsewhere, I’m not fussed.
You don’t want much then… 😉
I’m easy pleased lol
I’ve heard Scott… 😉
Carlos Vela’s turn again to hit the gossip pages…
I’d be happy to see us sign anyone ATM, just to talk about something other than rumours.
Seems Barry is staying at Everton… So it won’t be him…
Fair enough.
Sign Cesc then, just to make Wath scream with delight 🙂
Not only Wath Scott. If you look at Flamini, Arteta and Diaby and compare them with Cesc who is the better player ?
Potter, that was tongue in cheek as Wath doesn’t want him, and with fair reason.
Still, there can be no doubting his quality.
I’m keeping out of the Cesc debate… 😉
You’re soft, Rico 🙂
Missed that then , still nobody is perfect. I can’t get all worked up about loyalty and such , I just read the words of our esteemed leader saying that if a world class player becomes available and it improves our squad depth we should be in for him.
I still don’t understand why Barcelona would be willing to sell him…
Rico, I don’t know why they bought him.
One thing they did not need was a midfielder.
It was strange timing.
Morning All,
Judas never listened to his wife and family and went to the mancs
How I see the fab situation is that his partner wants London,
not sure Barcelona want him to go.
Good point Scott…
Morning fred. so it’s Mrs Cesc pushing the move, I didn’t realise…
Morning All,
So its Daniella Semaan pushing for the move… ? lol
I’m surprised Cesc’s love father, Pep hasn’t shown any interest. Surely München could do with a few more midfielders?
Morning everyone.
Lol Wavy…
Pep is not in charge of signings anymore apparently…
Rico have you heard we are close to appointing Shad Forsythe?
I won’t be surprised if its Darren Dein pushing for another move…
Most of his clientele are now washed up…
Morning Ts and Wavy…
I have heard Ts, it’s in my post today.
Great news if true…
See you on the new post.
… as our new club doctor re Shad after the world cup…
Ginge, I just read it’s a done deal.