Big signings on their way. Wengers contract & Ozil may not start tomorrow….

Morning all.

Well if it’s not Mesut Ozil, it’s Arsene’s new contract and it seems there is no news in that department.

There are no new talks planned. At the end I will decide how well I’ve done for this club. You judge a manager on how well he does with the team. We are not in hurry. We are in September my contract expires in June. There’s a long way to go.

He suggested that one of the major factors in him signing a contract extension is the way the team preform and the results we achieve over the next few months. The newspapers have interpreted that to mean ‘if we fail he Wenger will walk away’ but he didn’t say that. He just suggested that he wants to achieve the best he can with the players he has and by voicing that, the players now know they will paly a big part in what happens to their manager. No pressure then…. I think he’s already signed it but he and the club are waiting for the right time to announce it but like Is aid, that’s just my hunch. Talking about signing Mesut Ozil and spending big in doing so he said:

Of course [it’s a statement]. We had to go through some years with restricted financial potential and the target was to stay in the Champions League during this period. We were able to do it and now we are strong financially.

Arsene Wenger also went on to say that now there is money, he really isn’t afraid to spend it. He implied that before now, any money was ‘artificial’ and that’s why he wasn’t prepared to spend what wasn’t actually there in the flesh, now it is, things are very different. I really hope that all he is saying now is true and Ozil is the start of better players, more quality in the right places and not just names who are bought in and made to fit in somewhere, because that hasn’t worked. Arsene Wenger can’t do anything more now, other than to get the best from who he has and if he does that, we may just be ok, until January when hopefully, we’ll see at least a top class striker signed up.

This won’t surprise many….

An annual study into the cost of season tickets and general tickets has been completed, apparently it’s the biggest in British football which includes the prices of 164 clubs in the top 10 divisions. (I didn’t know there were 10)

Average ticket prices across English football’s top four divisions have fallen by up to 2.4%, the BBC Sport Price of Football study has found.

  • The most expensive ticket in English football remains at Arsenal, where a category A adult match-day ticket can cost up to £126. Their cheapest ticket is £26.
  • The cheapest adult season ticket in the Premier League is £299 at Manchester City. The most expensive is £1,955 at Arsenal, although this includes seven cup matches.

A few more top class signing might ease those costs…

On the injury front, things aren’t quite as bad as first feared. Tomas Rosicky is set to miss out with a hamstring injury and Yaya Sanogo is the only other addition to the ‘already injured’ list.

Finally.....
Finally…..

Oh and Arsene is unsure whether the £42 million man will start or not…

That’s it for another day….

0 thoughts on “Big signings on their way. Wengers contract & Ozil may not start tomorrow….

  1. TT says:

    I have to say that I am not optimistic regarding a new striker in January. If the intent was there then a new striker could have been bought this summer. buying in January window will only add to the price as most teams will not want to loose their best player in mid season.

  2. tsgh says:

    Morning Rico and all,

    You chopped off AW’s old school white Nike tennis shoes? So disappointed 😛
    ———————————————————————–
    The young lads won 1-0 against WBA who we lost 2 times against last season. It shows the improvement.

    During large portions of the game yesterday, we were far far superior, especially Serge.

    One of the WBA players got a serious injury, I hope he comes back okay very soon. I am not sure if it was Hayden or Frimps who crushed the young lad… All young lads hoping to make a career so its always a concern for me when any of them gets injured.

    Frimps managed 75 minutes last night; he looked very good btw… football – wise 😉 That means he would be ready for CoC in a week or 2 fingers crossed.

    There was a young player who came on for Frimps called KAmara who looked very much like Viera… I think he is English too…

  3. tsgh says:

    Did anyone notice AW say Ozil’s best position was behind the striker and as a striker? It got me quite worried 😮

    I wouldn’t be surprised if AW promised Ozil that he will turn him into the next RVP. It won’t be AW if he is not altering a players position. lol

  4. tsgh says:

    He is definitely fit but there is no need to rush him back yet imo…

    We have Sagna who can cover the CBs if needed, Monreal and Gibbs for LB plus Flamini too…

    I would rather he trains another week at least so that he is fit and ready to roar without another injury…

  5. c2hills says:

    Morning rico, Ginge and all.

    Nice reporting lady. Looking forward to the game tomorrow but hoping we are not expecting miracles from the Elf.

    Who is going to be our 13th poster today, btw?

  6. potter says:

    Are looking for the 13th post or the 13th poster because although we are on 12 only 5,this included, have participated.

  7. Scott from Ozil says:

    Morning all.
    A little over 24 hours till the new lad is revealed, and i can not wait.
    I hope the hype surrounding him does not mean our guys take their eyes off the ball though.
    We have a job to do.

  8. Scott from Ozil says:

    It has been a very boring two weeks.
    A few hundred of us are meeting at our version of an Arsenal pub to watch the game.

  9. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence (Evening for Scott).

    Interesting times Rico.

    Ginge – Thanks for the update on the Young Guns. With all the young players the club released or sold this summeof the teenagers into the U21s?

    I can’t see Arsene starting TV or Ozil unless he needs to. If TV hasn’t had any game time with the youngsters, it would be madness to start him ubntil he is match fit. As for Ozil, he has barely met the the team, far less had a couple of practices with them. Better not to risk either to injury until they are fully ready.

    If the game is well in hand, maybe give them a cameo late in the game.

  10. Canadian Gooner says:

    Lost a line or two somewhere somehow?
    Should be;
    With all the young players the club released or sold this summer…I’m surprised the club haven’t bought more for the Academy unless Arsene is going to accelerate some…of the teenagers into the U21s?

  11. Scott from Ozil says:

    C2H, i have always watched hem at home til now….we have a good group who are pretty keen which makes for a great atmosphere.
    CG…hi mate.

  12. tsgh says:

    Cg, we are indeed very short at u-18 and u-21 level… we have 2 or 3 players on trial but no firm offers as yet… it is a concern with their development not to overplay the kids and get them injured… we already have Afobe, Anzah, Toral, Nico and a few missing thus far

    Hi Scott…

  13. Scott from Ozil says:

    I am off or the night.
    A massive day is coming up, so have a great day everyone and catch you all in a day or so 🙂

  14. Canadian Gooner says:

    Repetitive bending of the elbow is not conducive to regaining your physical fitness.

    He seems more interested in the blonde than his football. I would be too, but then I never had any hope of playing football professionally. Let’s hope he doesn’t give us any more pictures with his pants at half mast on the public sidewalk.

  15. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – I wonder if Arsene is going to go trolling in German and Spanish waters for some young players over the winter? As long as it’s not Iceland as I don’t think they’d send the navy to rescue him.

  16. tsgh says:

    😀 Cg..

    I think we do a decent job scouting the academy of other English clubs…

    Aston Villa and Southampton seem to have the best academies now.

    It seems its the coaching in our academy that is the issue. Dev, has mentioned this before too…

  17. potter says:

    Question :- Is that Bendtner ? and if it is :- you can’t see his drink , might be water. Last picture I saw of him running at colney he had a full beard, but even shaving that off would not be enough to say he is losing weight.

  18. tsgh says:

    Potter- It is definitely Bendtner in the cap facing the shot…

    Cg, I mentioned yesterday whilst at the stadium that I was surprised Hayden or Boateng were not captains instead of Olsson.

    Olsson is a player. He was very impressive both defensively and tactically.

    I was also reminded how tactically aware Frimps is or has improved… he had a good long range effort that just missed goal.

  19. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – Is it the coaching or just too many teams fishing in the same pond for a limited number of fish? London is well covered by all the PL and FL teams in the city.

    A few teams like Villa, Southampton and in the past Crewe Alexandra have done well with their Academies. However, if you don’t grab them very young (schoolboys), even the young English players are expensive, especially with the homegrown player requirements.

  20. tsgh says:

    I believe we do find the talent but the issue is arises with the jump from potential to first team players. imho

    Aneke is a prime example… even Pep wanted him for Barca B at 16 y.o but fast forward 2 or 3 years and Crewe were questioning his tactical awareness even though technically he is beyond his age…

    In my view, our youth coaches concentrate on what they are good at. As an example Bould at u-18 level produced some very good defenders. Gibbs, Clichy etc

    Banfield helped develop some decent midfielders including Jack, Sidwell,Ozyabug (spelling). It is rather concerning that in 16 years with AW in charge we have not been able to bring through any strikers… hopeful Akpom and Gnabry will be the start.

    Eisfield has not progressed as much as I would have expected. Maybe there are reasons for that aside from technical/footballing reasons…

    Players like Hayden , Boateng, Yennaris have stalled after hitting 18 years old. I guess injury can be blamed for that…

  21. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – There are a lot of things that come into play for youth players to make that step up to the first team; attitude and emotional, mental, physical, tactical & technical development. Add to that the wages some of these young men make and the temptations they present. It is a lot like a farm crop. You never know until harvest time what you’ll get and there are many things that can go wrong before then.

  22. Canadian Gooner says:

    Busy day and weekend ahead, so I’m off. I’ll probably check-in after the Sunderland game. Have a great day all.

    Keep the Faith!

  23. BrainwashedKev says:

    Ozil on the bench seems a plan to me…

    Why risk getting him kicked up in the air by some Sunderland no-mark, trying to make a name for himself?

    Let the hype die down, then give him his full debut at The Grove next week….

  24. BrainwashedKev says:

    Sanogo injured, Bendtner unfit, looks like we’re going to Wearside with one striker, unless Akpom gets in the squad!!!

  25. emma says:

    Our squad is just growing thin by the day.

    That pic of bendtner could have been taken any day. The pic he took on the treadmill yesterday is quite different to that posted on the blog at 11:38. He looks overweight and unkept on the treadmill compared to the trimmed well kept look posted above

  26. tsgh says:

    Ozil missed training (illness) but travels to Sunderland, Mertesacker also ill & does not travel, Vermaelen travels too and will be on the bench.

    I blame the BFG’s cooking for Ozil’s ailment.lol

  27. tsgh says:

    I thought JW was in Emma’s line up…

    I guess Frimps will sit it out then as Ryo or Gnabry will have to feature.

    Jose has to just let his bitters go…
    Mourinho says he is surprised Real Madrid let Mesut Ozil go to Arsenal but that is football and that is the market.

  28. Woody says:

    I agree with your team Emma, but I think Gibbs at left back and Cazorla wide left and Wilshere in the number 10 role.

  29. BrainwashedKev says:

    Ginge, your subs bench is probably accurate as Gibbo should be left-back with Jack in his usual spot.

    No doubt Jack will be earmarked to come off for Ozil as he works on his fitness.

    A toss-up for a place on the bench between Serge and Ryo, with the German the likely winner…

    Ryo’s time will come, he’s lost a lot of the last year to injury.
    It takes time to recover as no doubt Ramsey would testify

  30. rico says:

    Our lot been eating Lasagne?? 😉

    There must be a bug in the training camp, the place needs sterilising. Jack and Sagna two weeks ago, Merts & ozil today, that bug should have been gone by now…

  31. BrainwashedKev says:

    Gotta say, that I have just eaten the most fantastic apple turnover ever!

    A French bakers, they certainly know how to bake….

    The tea was good as well, Vive La France, Vive Le Cuppa Anglais…

    Lata

  32. rico says:

    Would the squad normally travel the night before to Sunderland??

    I’m not sure they would so the BBC ruling out Merts might be a bit premature…

  33. tsgh says:

    I agree Ryo just needs games… He looks to have not much confidence in taking people on which you would expect from a player who has had a few injuries…
    Personally away from home I won’t necessarily play Flamini because I think it will take a bit of time for him to get up to speed with our ball possession… but maybe AW will want his experience on the field if one or 2 young guns have to feature…

  34. tsgh says:

    We normally do travel up north this side of christmas when we are going by train.
    The weather forecast is quite bad so maybe precautionary…

  35. tsgh says:

    Mert needs a rest too… he played 2×90 minutes during the break. Already he has played 8 matches for club and country since August.

  36. rico says:

    But have the squad already travelled? Or travelling later today?

    If Merts is out, I hope it’s Sagna central and Jenks on the right, TV and Kos doesn’t work..

  37. vernat1066 says:

    If the BFG is out is AR going to be Captain then? MO off the bench so he can get a look at the speed of the game in the EPL

  38. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all, nice one Rico,
    Will he or wont he sign, If he does ok he will, or if he doesnt he wont. He has spent 42 and a half mill but if you were to work out that we have 4 new players for that amount of money its not such a huge investment. Alright we know that 3 of them came for free but if they turn out ok what a great deal he made. A goal keeper that we can dump after a year if he isn’t any better than what we have, a Midfielder who has shown in one game that he will help us out bigtime and if Ya Ya can inprove by 50% which shouldn’t be to hard for him another great deal. Personally i don’t see why anybody is talking about Wengers contract when he has a full season left. Not heard them talk about Maureens contract and if that team lose a few he may be gone before the end of the season also Citys Manager. Uniteds could be gone and even AVB Brenda may see the door as well ,so could a dozen others so why worry about a manager who has done what Wenger has. Many just a couple of weeks ago wanted him gone anyway, and many still do. He has stated that he has always seen out his contracts, so he’s here for at least a season.

  39. rico says:

    Thanks Sp, Arsene Wenger once said that a manager is no good when he’s in his last year of contract, or something similar so I am surprised his future is yet to be sorted out..

    Personally, I think it has and he’ll stay, just need the side to put together a few more good results before we hear…

    Just my own view of course…

  40. Adam says:

    I reckon he’ll sign Rico. It would take a disaster for him not to. He must have given Ozil guarantees.
    Has Kev been in a French patisserie then? Scoffing the apple turnovers.

  41. Scott from Ozil says:

    Morning guys.
    Tommy V fit and with a decent DM can show us what he made of.
    I still say our back 4 are seemingly playing much better since xmas because of the defensive work done up the pitch by our entire 11.
    It reckon it will be the same thing with TV5.
    They simply were being overwhelmed and not handling the relentless pressure that the back 4 were constantly under.
    Not a back 4 in the world would handle the constant pressure our guys were forced to endure.
    I believe Vermaelen can get back to his best for sure.

  42. Micko says:

    You don’t pay 40 odd million for a player and expect to see him on the subs bench, if Ozil’s fit, he starts, home or away ! Simples.

    Potter, I’m on the edge of my seat, about time someone had the gall to do a post on mobility scooters !!!

    Kev, Man U and Liverpool big time, Leeds United supporters are rarer than rocking horse shit in these parts nowadays, come on down David O’ Dreary.

  43. vernat1066 says:

    Only on a consistent basis when the BFG is playing, neither Kos or TV are readers of a game or proactive players they are reactive players they have enough pace normally to compensate the BFG does not so he reads the game and positions himself and more importantly everyone else.

    If he is out for any length of time then due to Kos and TV’s lack of communication and positioning we will struggle again, maybe BS can organise and communicate as well I hope so.

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