Morning all.
Even the rain couldn’t keep Arsenal fans at home yesterday as the Arsenal Parade took place. Two buses, one manager, a bunch of Arsenal players and other staff partied the day away in celebration of winning the FA Cup for a second season running.
I’m sure Sky Sports showed more of our our parade than they did Chelsea’s. Or maybe I just switched the television off on that day.
Hearing Jack Wilshere repeat his barrage of abuse at Tottenham again was boring imo , he did it last year and it wasn’t funny. Even the worst comedians manage to come up with new material…
Anyway, the day went by and everyone seemed to being enjoying the themselves, the players clearly did.
Sky Sports reporter Nick Collins was on the bus and he couldn’t wait to stick a microphone under the chin of Theo Walcott and ask him the the question we all want to know the answer to.
Is he staying or going?
What a daft time to ask Walcott that question. He’s having a great time celebrating our superb performance and victory on Saturday and all he wanted to do was enjoy the occasion so it was no great surprise for him to simply say that his situation would be sorted out soon but right then, he wanted to enjoy the day…
Inevitably, that’s been translated into ‘Walcott refuses to confirm his future at Arsenal’!
Idiots!
So, 3rd place done, FA Cup, won – what does Arsene Wenger and Arsenal do now?
Stick by this current squad and hope all the players stay fit and go again with who we have?
Or show real ambition over the next three months and finally start the season with a squad good enough to challenge for the PL?
To stand still now would be quite foolish, irresponsible and disastrous. The club have come a long way in just two seasons, having been through tricky times for the previous eight. We cannot afford to stand still or even go backwards.
Many players yesterday talked about how good this current squad is, how close knit it is, how all trust each other and how far it can go in football but to be honest, I am not convinced this squad has quite what it takes to be league champions. It’s not far off though..
We have the basis of a very special squad but it’s still lacking if we are to win the title next year.
The start of this league campaign was awful. We had several players missing having played in the World Cup, Koscielny had an injury, we had no Coquelin, Giroud/Debuchy suffered nasty injuries and Walcott was on the road to recovery. We couldn’t cope.
Things changed as the year did and as players returned we looked much better but still at times there’s been something missing. We have a deep squad but what we don’t have is a deep and strong squad. Take out Coquelin and it’s back to Arteta or Flamini. Neither are going to earn us a victory at one of the big grounds are they? So a CDM is a must imo.
Lose Alexis as we will do at the start of the campaign and it’s back to shoving middle men out wide in order to make do. A winger then?
If Monreal is heading back to Spain, we’ll need a left back and one who is better than Gibbs.
We have a glut of creative midfield players so I honestly can’t see any signings in that department. Nor can I see another defender coming in, not with Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel and Chambers on the books.
A striker? Well the more Walcott impresses and with Giroud, Welbeck and Akpom, the less likely that is to happen imo, although I still believe a clinical striker would really enhance our chances of the league.
And what about the keeper situation. Ospina will be missing early season so Szczesny and Martinez will be desperate to stake their claim for the number spot – that is of course if Arsene Wenger doesn’t sign a top goal keeper.
I’m sure you guys will have your own view on what/who Arsenal need this summer.
There could be a few departures over the next few months – Flamini, Diaby, Podolski, Sanogo, Miyaichi and possibly Campbell. Carl Jenkinson is another whose Arsenal future is unsure, although I’d like to see him stay. Just as I would Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal.
As much as we have improved, although the points on the board don’t reflect that because of our dreadful start, there’s still a way to go before we challenge for the PL trophy but I don’t know if it’s just the elation of winning our second FA Cup in a row, finishing 3rd or a combination of both, I really do feel that now it’s our time.
So does Ivan Gazidis:
There’s a tremendous feeling that this is the beginning of something, this is a platform, and we’re very excited about what we can do with this team.
Just three or four more players Ivan and sell off a few of the players who either aren’t right for Arsenal or who are unsure that our club is right for them then make 2015/16 an even better season for Arsenal FC.
Transfer Gossip:
Arsenal are poised to make a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Cedric Soares. Born in Germany, the 23 year old right- back moved to Portugal at a young age and represents their national team. He’s got one year left on his contract and he’s turned down the offer of a new one and it’s reported that just £5 million would secure his signature.
Sky Sports reports that Arsenal have held talks with James Milner over a move, as have Liverpool and all that’s left is for the player to decide where he wants to go.
Utd are edging closer to signing Morgan Schneiderlin according to the back pages of many a newspaper. Others suggest Arsenal and Manchester United will battle it out for the services of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.
Real Madrid are keen to sign Laurent Koscielny!
Finally, Arsene Wenger has allegedly said that the club won’t be signing big money players as the club doesn’t have the means to do so. By that I think he meant silly prices, like what Juventus want for with Pogba.
That’s it for Monday, 45 days to go and it all starts again….
Have a great day guys….
Giroud and Messi in the same sentence Potter?
Only in the manner of the goal.
Dani Alves played a one – two ran down the right crossed low and Messi ran across two players and flicked the ball with the outside of his left foot and beat the keeper on the near post .
Sound familiar ?
I knew Potter, just pulling your leg….
Hi Rico, agree about Jack, just daft.
I don’t think we need a winger to cover for Alexis at the start, Danny is an effective right winger, and as you say he can share the central striker position.
A CDM for cover is a must – I think in a few years time The Ox will be one of the best but he’ll be needed in attack now, Milner would be a good move as he’s under-rated in that position.
Now it’s 45 days of transfer rumours. I think sports editors have two packs of cards, one with teams and the other with players. If the news is a bit slow, they call in a hack and say ‘we need a story, pick a card from each pack and write it up’. Add that to the agents and I’m afraid I don’t believe a word of anything before its signed.
Brian
Hi Brian.
A left sided winger is lacking imo, we have oddles who can play on the right, but the left it’s just Alexis, although saying that, Theo did ok from out there on Saturday… lol
Not a problem , although it was interesting to hear Messi being eulogised for his movement , albeit he is deity, when little has been said about Giroud.
On Jack it shows how sad the media is that they have taken the thing out of all proportion . He should be more careful but that’s what he is . Like it or lump it. However on the same day that a recording of three Leicester City players having a graphic orgy with three naked Thai girls is going the rounds , you have to wonder where their priorities lie. I am pretty broad minded but If Jack is influencing boys of 10 – 12 , I am sure that they are watching the video too.
Good point re Giroud, I guess he deserves a lot more credit for that goal as it really was good. Perhaps had Theo and Alexis not scored such goodies themselves, Ollie would have stolen the headlines…
Re Jack, I guess I get a bit protective over Arsenal, especially when it comes to him and his beer fuelled daft behaviour…
Rico, I meant left when I said right for Danny, sorry, got confused
Brian
Jack sang what we all do….who cares?
The media must be desperate lol.
Milner…I would take him in a heart beat.
Morning guys.
No probs Brian..
We are not role models representing the club though Scott…
Rico, it’s funny, but I heard the a commentator discussing this type of things a few days ago.
He basically said we often complain about a lack of characters in sport, and how athletes seemingly want to associate with the public as little as possible.
Then, when one shows a human side, we rip them to pieces.
He’s right, in my opinion.
Morning all, the ‘black cats’ that have spent the weekend sleeping on our hearth have found their way home again so I have ‘spare time’ to offer my opinions again!
Milner I would take. A good footballer! And can be thuggish when required!
Didn’t notice Welbz yesterday or on Saturday, was he there?
New players…….watch the Arsenal.com web site for details!
A bit of advice; give up reading the back pages of all newspapers and give the gossip columns a miss too!
And with that I’ll leave you for now. Be back later when I’ve looked at all the media feeds!!
Scott – there’s a difference between having character and being a twit though imo. Just a shame the club has to publicly apologise for his behaviour….
Anyway, it’s done now….
Good read as always Rico…
The thought of Milner joining us may make folks spill their mid morning Latte… 🙂
Potter-Giroud is very very under rated.
2 seasons ago I wrote a post highlighting OG12’s prowess in front of goal as compared to Demba Ba, Torres and 2 other chav strikers at that time; sky or Neville posted that comparison on MNF; oddly one of the stats folks suspended me for disclosing that info before it should be made public… 🙂 I guess they have to sell those data…
On the metropolitan line coming back on Saturday some fans were slating OG12 and saying Higuain or Benzema leading our attack would have led us to the EPl title; I asked them how many goals they thought Benzema had scored more than OG12 in the last 4 years seeing as Karim plays in arguably the best squad in football.
when we signed OG12 I said that OG12 would be rated higher if he scored goals ‘s every 2 games instead of scoring 4 on the trot and then going 5 without scoring…
It works out roughly the same but perception is crucial in the footballing world were players are crowned legends after 2 good games in a roll….
Scott- I sang the same song JW sang last Saturday…; I enjoyed it… 😛
following that I am back in the office in a tie, skiving off instead of reviewing my *.ppt material I am about to present to some 1 and 2 stars. lol
If they ask me what I did last weekend I might tell them I was watching Rugby or went for a hike though… :-); They can’t know I am a football loving and singing professional. 🙂 too common maybe… lol
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
An enjoyable read Rico.
Deep down in my heart, although I would have like both Vidal and Schneiderlin, I always felt that Milner ticks the right boxes for AW…….FREE, ENGLISH, MULTIPLE POSITIONS. An his age will give experience and will not distort the progress of Coquelin, Aaron and Jack.
he would also not disrupt the wage structure and would be a far better replacement for Flamini.
Having said that I feel that Vidal might come to the Ems as well, especially if Santi leaves (I hope not).
But with Debuchy, Bellerin and Jenks already at the club……would AW buy another RB??? I doubt it. Unless he is willing to sell Debuchy.
Ha ha Wavy..
Danny was there though, in dark glasses…
Would Arsene actually match the reported £165k per week that ManCity are offering?
Great post Rico…
Morning All…
were=where*
Kev, depends if he wants to win trophies or cash in 🙂
Sing along…
”Laurent Koscielny wants his own song”, Laurent Koscielny wants his own song…
If I was Kosser I would be pissed… Even Gibbs and Bellerin have their own song…
On a serious note, if Mendez sells Varane to Jose, then I can see them coming in for Kosser
If Debuchy is happy to fight for his place, then I’d be happy to see him stay…
The chat re: Jenkinson seems to point towards another year on loan.
He could still have a future at Arsenal after that?!
If Monreal doesn’t sign a new contract, then I’d keep him and let him decide in 12 months time, selling him for £5.7 m would create more problems than it would solve imo…
Scott, I’d cash in myself… 😉
Scott, I would cash in myself… 😉
I’d even do it twice… 🙂
Thanks Ts, Devil & Kev.
Ts, you’ll get suspended from here too if you talk that bleedin stat rubbish… lol
Kev, I can see Debuchy leaving in one years time and Jenks/Bellerin as our rb options, that’s if Barca haven’t come calling by then…
Go for three times Kev Hahahaha
Cedric Soares was sent off in the Portuguese cup final before the first 15th minutes. He is young but I think he isn’t enought quality for playing in the first Arsenal team but be a member of the squad.
william Carvalho is very slowly. He is strong, good in a Portuguese league and others but in the english League, where the soccer is faster, more games in a month, pitch harder and many stronger players I think he is a not a good solution. Besides, is very expensive.
I’m concern with Kos. It will be a typical Madrid transfer. They usually choose players not very talking in the press for be defenders, but efficient and spend big money in strikers and in midfields players
Refreshing post Rico..wonder how you keep on churning out the good stuff…Morgan for me would be ideal and getting him in early would do us a whole lot of good.
When does Kos contract expire?
Thanks Bondex – it would IF he’s on AW’s list of wanted. But it seems Utd are in the mix too…
Morgan or Vidal guys?
A couple of months rico…….if you love someone you should set them free, Arsene should do the right thing by Diaby today !
Potter 9.58, you got a link lol.
Thought the plan this summer was to keep what we have and add some proper quality.
Morning all.
Vidal for me Rico, but it won’t happen…
Schneiderlin would be superb…
But in the end, we’ll probably end up with the Korean guy from Swansea… 😉
Morning you lot,
All this political correct bollox and the club supposedly apologising for Jack…. For what, he’s only said what the whole planet knows…. Those cnuts are shit…!
Media wankers going on about him saying shit yet they say nothing about the vile crap from the yids about Wenger…! Get a life really, far worse gets sung week in week out and as Potter says look what the Leicester players been up to and Jack ain’t got nothing on what Ray Parlour and Perry Groves used to sing lol
Good post rico, morning.
Do all the players who have played an FA cup game get a medal? Didn’t see Danny there during match Saturday, was he hidden?
As far as signings go, be fairly satisfied with just Cech and Morgan but got a feeling we wont sign either. Keep Walcott and Jack otherwise they will have a whole season without injury and haunt us.
More likely we get Milner and someone I’ll have to look up on Youtube to see who he is!
🙂 Micko, I hope he’s packing his bags as I type. And a few others…
The Korean guy from Swansea hahaha !
Just the bench Andrew and something like 10-12 games to get a league medal, just to give you a heads up for next season.
Both would be best Kev… 🙂
Morning Wath..
Thanks Andrew, morning to you too.. I don’t think we’ll get Morgan or Cech either, I’ll be viewing the same youtube link as you… lol
Wouldn’t take very long rico, a pair of crutches, box of plasters, a tottenham shirt and a signed photo from all the lads in the medical team, not a lot to show for 10 years service.
Andrew, Arteta was taken by surprise when Merts asked him to lift the cup with him, wasn’t planned so a very nice gesture on the day.
Very funny Micko..
Wat ya think of Tottinham?
Perhaps Merts knows Arteta won’t get another chance… 😉
Micko it was on le grovery but seems to have been withdrawn. Not surprised it was graphic.
Shite
Not sure either of Flamini or Arteta are gonna get jettisoned this summer Rico…
Rosicky is staying already.
Who knows, Diaby might even stay?
And Podolski?
Ha ha ha….
Wat ya think of Shite?
There was story at the weekend, that Podolski was to have a medical at Gala…..
I hope at least one does Kev…
Catch you all later, busy afternoon for me….
Tottnum….
Fank you!
Spot on….. A journo with some sense and perspective…! Makes a change.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/01/arsenal-jack-wilshere-song-tottenham-outrage?
That’s Alright !
Bt, you been able to stick your nut out the door today, it’s like the middle of winter, thank gawd for The High Chaparral.
Hi all, I didnt drop in yesterday, but just wanted to shout out how happy I am (and all my Arsenal buddies) with an emphatic performance in the final. Absolutely dominant and classy. Wenger and Arsenal setting new records in FA cup folklore as well. That concludes a very good season, and an excellent 2015 thus far.
And Im very happy that everyone at Arsenal is now turning their attention to winning the league. It wont happen without say 3 top quality players coming in. (Striker, DM, Goal imo). But I expect a lot of misinformation in the gossip pages in the next few weeks, so Im going to try and keep my head on. Last 3 windows have been very well played in my view by Wenger (only exception Sanogo on a free). So I have some faith that at least 1 big player (30m +) and a couple of quality cheaper players will come in.
I only worry that either a) we sign a big striker so Walcott doesnt sign a new contract b) Walcott signs a new contract so we dont sign a big striker. I would like both please 🙂
Have a nice day all. FA cup champions, enjoying the afterglow !!
It’s a pleasure old chap, tally ho, pip pip, we all hate those awful people from Middx…
Nah Micko, it’s building up to a storm from 4pm on, going to watch The Final again on iPlayer…
BT it’s gonna be a tight game, might go to extra time and pens this time… 😉
🙂 Micko; Jerk chicken and ale filling for the Theo pie… yours is in the post. You have to send me your bank details though… 😉
:d Rico. I won’t post any rubbish stats this week. 😉
Apparently, Aulas has told us to sod off in regards to gonalons.
Well that’s a relief Ginge….
😀 Rico…
Micko your jerk chicken and ale (theo) pie is on its way. You have to forward your bank details though first. 😉
Oh double post…
Another day struggling to post.
Kev- don’t you rate Gonalons?
Hope not Kev, i’ve just stuck a tenner on a 4-0 win to the good guys…..
The Morgan Schneiderlein bus has passed ages ago… imho
Krychowiak too will be a superb signing
It’s not a case of not rating him Ginge, more a case of trying to negotiate with certain clubs.
Certain clubs are a pain in the derrière and Olympique Lyonaise fall into that category…
All you do is waste valuable time that could be better utilised negotiating with more sensible clubs and owners…
BT 😆
It’s ok, I’ll lend you a fiver, I’ve just gotta borrow it from Adam first…
Adam, The Bank of England…..
Lee, The World Bank….
BT, The Empty Piggy Bank….
Ts, Aulas hates Wenger so the chances of us buying anyone from Lyon are minimal to zero…!
Wath, there’s only for thing for it, a personality bypass, aka Alan Shearer !
Easy for me to say !
I am with you on that one Kev.
I think the only player Lyon will sell to us is sick note Gourchuff
😀 Wath. Can you blame Aulas though.
AW is too smart for buy any of his players at an inflated price; not forgetting AW hijacking the Korean striker from him… lol
Interesting how Aulas said in 4-4-2 that Lacassette was not available and that he could play for RM when he was asked about Alexandre being linked to Arsenal;
Last weekend he come out saying Liverpool will be a good club for Lacassette.
Park is the Korean player…
tsgh, is he on good terms with anyone, he’s already told us he’s a sore loser and doesn’t talk to anyone or leave his house for 2 days after we lose a game, I used to do the same thing when I was 10 years old.
So you are just 11 y.o now Micko? 😛
Haha tsgh, reminds me of a comment SYG made a while back, you can never ever really be sure who’s on the other side of the screen ! Anyhows I’m off to buy a new wheel for me skateboard, laters.
Afternoon, Although Theo has had a fantastic fortnight, and I,m genuinely delighted for him, I am still on the fence regarding Walcott, until he puts in a sustained period of solid form. I,ll reserve judgement. The one thing I do think is, we are closer to winning the league than a lot of people, including Arsenal fans think, to have only scored 2 goals less and concede only 4 goals more than Chelsea this season, suggests to me, that with a more clinical finisher and Please god Cech comes in, He should be made a priority imo, we could definitely push City and Chelsea all the way, next season.
The transfer window dance is just beginning , stand by for a series of duplicitous comments and headline catching soundbites . Aulas says already it will take more than Real paid for Bale to prise Lacassette away he is a consumate gambler . We should send Dick Law out there to completely confuse him , who knows who or what we would end up with.
Potter, great idea re our tricky Dicky…. Aulas would have a heart attack if he has a meeting with Law…! Problem solved Lacazette for 2 bob…. Or is that 2 Bobs…?
Classic on eurosport with the german commentator calling our BFG the Big Fucking German after he scored the 3rd goal… wonder if anyone having a hissy fit about that..!
lol Potter- Dick n Fox combo facing Jean-Michel…
There is only one BFG…;
The relationship between Kosser and Per is something else… when Per scored, Kosser was close to having a goonie style fit on the pitch…
Later Micko.
Aulas-
“The latest rumours are trash,” the Lyon president wrote on Twitter.
“Liverpool have never called Lyon about Lacazette and without playing in the Champions League they have neither the money nor [would they be] able to interest him.”
Boo!! 🙂
hey Agag…
Kos’ shirt was over his head because it had been virtually pulled off by his marker , had the ball not gone in it would have been a penalty, I wonder if we would have got it.
I doubt we would have been awarded a penalty…
Rico- you surely have to drop Emma an email to find out what she’s up to…
I am surprised she hasn’t been around recently; she liked Le coq too..
Hurry up with that wheel Mick and I’ll race you down the hill…
Not a rumour but I think we will go for Marco reus
Wenger loves a winger he can turn into a forward
Can I join in with my Roller skates?
Should add, I’ve just been sent to the naughty step for telling my mum that she was sooooo unfair!
Mg did you read that somewhere or are still doing that creative writing course?
I just think he ticks the box’s
😀 Wavy- creative writing course?
Malaga- there must be some ‘legs’ to this rumour? 😉
No stats ginger
😀 No stats this week.
I am on detox for a week. 😉
micko- re. ”never ever really be sure who’s on the other side of the screen ”, google – ”Eight Traits of the Disinformationalist” when you have the chance. 😉
Your on stats detox for two mnths Ts………. By Order of : …………………………..
Come on wath.
cut someone some slack..; you know how difficult it is to wean oneself of something addictive. 😉
Uncle Wath!!! Howdy?
Ginge, you’re a lost cause re stats.
Don’t listen to them tsgh I love your stats.
Hello from a very wet bank holiday Monday blah.
1st of June and the fire is lit
If I can have a few months off the GG stats are piss easy Ts 😀
Good evening Lady AGAG I trust all is well with you. I see Ollie scored just for you on Sat…
Hamburg stays at Bundesliga next year.
Next saturday I wiil be very interesting in Vidal performance. Will be a nice match for watch him with attention versus Barcelona and in a final.
Cheers tsgh, think my prefrontal lobe just went into over-load !
Only overload for you is that black tar shit you drink 😛
No-ones perfect wath, we can’t all sip vodka through a straw !
Don’t forget the pink umbrella as well mate I can’t go without the pink umbrella…!
Wavy, I would quite like to see you on roller skates… 😀
Night All
You should come over here for a couple of weeks wath, more and more people are coming out, you’d love it !
Nite matey, keep it real.
Sagna who left us last season only managed to play in 9 league games for city and 14 games in all competitions this season, whilst 3 players at Arsenal all played in more games at right back for us, Debuchy, Chambers and Bellerin.
Cheers Micko, take it easy mate, I’ll send Kev in the red spandex first to test the waters..!
Eduardo, you think Sagna cares, he earning 150k a week…!
Morning All
It a typical winters day here in London Town. Cold & miserable…
Hold on, it’s the summer!
Morning all.
Hiya Kev.
Morning Kev, Scott, Rico and all…
How did I miss the talk of pink umbrellas… 🙂
sad news re. Charles Kennedy.
Ginge, Wath owns a company that makes pink umbrellas 🙂
Morning Scott/Ginge
Higuains record of 53 goals in 102 games is quite impressive in Serie A…
Not sure how many of them were in other competitions?
Is he worth £40m?
Or is that €40m? (about £32m)
Higuain…….for that price I reckon we can do better, though he’s a good player, no question.
Lol Scott- what about the pink too toos?
Kev- The 53 goals seem very impressive except he scored 16 of those goals this season plus 17 goals last season only in serie A. The rest has been UEFA cup and international friendlies as he hardly ever plays 40 games a season.
When he joined Napoli to replace Cavani Naples had finished 2nd the season before; since then Naples has strengthened but they have finished way behind Juve and Gervinho’s AS Roma…
In short, a very good striker but he is very lightweight and not a big game player who does not work off the ball imho…
AW will buy Vietto if h meets the release clause.
Unfortunately I would have preferred Bacca but I suspect City Yanited and Chelseaare also after him.
Max Gradel of St ettinne looks like a proper striker too…
Morning,
Ts, I send all the too toos to Micko, he takes my whole production off of me…. I ask no questions mate..!
Kev you ole git 😛
Morning Kev, Scott, Ts and all…
What a horrid morning it is too…
Morning all….. i see the scouting for players has started. Known or unknown $40,000,000 price tag or $0,000,000 price tag as far as he fits into our playing style and can do better than what Sanchez did last season I’ll be happy.
😀 Wath…
Rico, its horrid here too…
Only if Lacazette was ‘available’
New post up now..
Bondex – agree, the price doesn’t matter as long as the player is very good…