Daily Bits and Bobs

Cabaye, Di Maria & Expecting Wenger to get it right…..

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Gossip to start with and then Steve’s post…

Reports in The Daily Mirror suggest that Yohan Cabaye’s representatives were in London last night to discuss a £16m deal.

Apparently Joe Kinnear has said  “We’ve told Arsenal our terms, the ball is in their court’.

Other reports suggest that Newcastle want £20 million for their player but surely they are having a laugh! I have a sneaky feeling that this deal could be done very soon.

Bendtner is reported to be on the verge of a move to Crystal Palace where he’ll join Chamakh. Would be good to finally get him off the books but he’ll have to take a pay cut, unless the deal is another loan.

Finally, The Metro believe we are all set to bid £25.8  bid for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria. Good old Metro!

Onto the main post….

The positivity is back with us for a game or so. No doubt a good win tomorrow will maintain that feeling.

No let up on transfer talk but I must say Wengers’ few words the other day has given me food for thought.

Wenger will be active he says and although he has also made it clear that we have a very good team he must also be aware that the squad could be a hell of a lot stronger. Wenger can say just a few sentences and with them, he usually get the backs up of most of the supporters.

He surely knows we are getting desperate after the clear out has left us depleted but in fairness to Wenger, we wouldn’t have used any of those who have left anyway.

Wenger surely knows that he needs a few players  in that he can call on at any time and despite there being eight days left in this window, he still has the time to sort out a few. Personally I don’t like his way of doing things because I feel its unfair for other clubs who may lose players, leaving their manager no time at all to sign a replacement.

Why should Wenger care about that, after all its a competitive sport and he like many others will only be interested in making his own squad stronger.

Many see our neighbours competing in the market and spending vast amounts on new players. They seem to have a flair for it , their man who pull the strings and writes the cheques is doing a good job. Their manager is excited with his new signings and no doubt he feels a bit like we do on Christmas Day, when we keep opening presents one after another.  I can remember many Christmas Days like that but it wasn’t long before I realised that some of the toys I was given as a kid, weren’t as good as I thought. One year I got a round target bow and arrow set. You spun the target round and fired the sticky plunger arrows and they would stick to the target but after a few hours of firing and missing, the plungers wouldn’t hold any more so the target got put to one side and the bow and arrows went outside in the garden. It wasn’t long before the arrows disappeared and the bow was cast aside and that’s how I think some of their players will end up.

Wenger on the other hand seems to me to be one of the kids that would have negotiated with his parents as to what presents he should have I can see him now with his little microscope taking wings off of flies and working out how they work.

Apparently he played football and was a defender he played a good standard but was hardly a renown player, and with his many degree’s and qualifications he understood really early that good money was to be earned by being in charge. Wenger speaks about 12 languages fluently he has business degree’s, he has psychology qualifications and I would assume he also has sports nutrition degree of some kind and all that goes with it.

He is a very intelligent man but at times, to a layman like myself, he seems a bit of a plank.

He hardly smiles, he gives nothing away in actual fact he comes across as being quite boring, the kind of man that if I sat in a pub with him, I’d probably talk to myself. Despite my view, he seems to be the only manager who is followed where ever he goes, never a day goes past without some sort of story involving the man. Why so many find him that interesting I don’t know.

As he talks in interviews, he hardly says anything to get fans excited but he knows football, he knows what he wants from it and he knows how to get the best from his players. Wenger has huge respect throughout the football world. Arsenal are not the most successful club in the world but everybody knows him. Many are asking for his head, yet many clubs around the world would jump at the chance to sign him up as their manager.

I have taken to Wenger, not that I am on his wavelength at all, because the man is stubborn and he’s his own man. He wont be brow beaten and if he believes he’s right he will stick with it. Wenger has for years done things the same way he knows his limitations he knows the clubs limitations and he knows his players limitations. I feel he balances them together and tries to work out the best he can achieve with what he has always realising that price and talent is not a true science.

He has the backing of the owner and board and as far as I know they have complete trust in him and why shouldn’t they he has made them all rich. He has as we are all told over and over again, a salary of £7 million a year and many fans believe this is far too much for what he is doing and has done but the people that pay him would gladly double that, as they know its money well spent.

We are one game away from another £30 million coming in which will make it 17 years on the trot of being in the Champions League so if you think he’s not worth that £7 million, you are having a laugh.

Wenger will no doubt now step his work rate up for these last few days of this window. He will have targets, he will no doubt also bid low so he will get knocked back quite a few times but he will be feeling them all out. Yes there will be the outcries from the Pardew and the likes but the ones who he actually deals with will say very little.

Wenger is not that complicated when you sit back and watch. I wouldn’t expect him to go overboard with his signings but I expect to see quality players . He will know exactly what he wants from them and it will be a lot but those players who come in, if they do what he wants them to do, will be looked after. He will take them under his wing, protect them on their bad day and praise them on good as he’s a mans manager. He will get their respect and he will make them better players and he’ll make them richer too. Of course, he will make himself richer too as Arsenal go from strength to strength.

Will we win the League or Champions League? Maybe, maybe not but we will be up there challenging.

Is this team good enough to win the League? No I don’t think so, but with a few signings we could…

We’ll have to wait and see what happens over the next week….

Have a good day all.

Written by steve Palmer

rico

0 thoughts on “Cabaye, Di Maria & Expecting Wenger to get it right…..”

  1. ArsenalDK says:

    I haven’t read the post, but would only like to wish everybody here on HH a very pleasent day. It’s my birthday so I will be out celebrating, and will post sometime later in the afternoon.

    Have a great day all

  2. rico says:

    Happy Birthday Adk, have a wonderful day..

    Morning to you and all…

    Sp, some days you are not so keen on my posts, well today that feeling is mutual.. 😉

    I don’t trust AW to get the players that we need in, not one bit, but I sure hope I turn out to be wrong…

  4. Philbet says:

    Wenger has said that at the end of the window we will have a balanced and competitive squad, I believe him simply because he usually delivers,His so called faults are attributes to many,
    I wonder how many Man City fans thought that the Garden was rosy when Hughes signed Adebayor and Santa Cruz, £40Million wasted, then he got the sack,There is NO chance Wenger makes that type of mistake, let the guy get on with it and he will make a lot more right decisions than wrong ones.

  5. tsgh says:

    Happy birth day Adk..

    A fine post Sir Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed that. AW is no doubt intelligent but maybe a bit clumsy and low on common sense imho; judging from what the likes of Keown and Parlour who are still very close and on friendly terms with him have said.

    He is also well informed enough for journos to ask him about serious world affairs that you would not find a sky presenter asking Harry or Jose about?

    There is one thing for sure though, the man is very respectful in the old fashioned kind of way. I have read a handwritten letter of apology he sent to a then 81y.o lady (my neighbours’ adopted mother) after the CoC final defeat which read like the man has a really good heart.

    Ronaldo and Judas mothers have spoken fondly of AW too as a bit of a charmer…. He reserves his best bottle of wine for them making Fat Sam crossed he has never been invited for a wine pre-match… lol

  6. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all, and thank’s to Rico for tidying up my Rantings. Rico i said in one of my postings the other day that i expect people to dissagree with me, i wont take it to heart. 🙂 Every time i read someones blog there will be some points i agree with and lots i dissagree with, On HH thats what were about, we discuss and we vent our opinions the great thing about this site is we can keep it all friendly and hopefully what we suggest is for the better of our true love Arsenal footbal club. Agree or dissagree were all Gooner’s. 🙂

  8. agirlagunner says:

    Boo!! SSP, this is so very like you. There was a time when you were less keen on AW. 😛 Nice to be positive about the team again; and long may our boys continue to give us reason to remain upbeat.

    Happy birthday, ADK. Have a smashing one! So many bloggers on here celebrate their birthday in August. 🙂

    Hiya, rico. 🙂 Howdy? Hello, potter.

  11. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    Happy birthday Adk.

    I personally prefer change, new coaches, new ideas or new manager that brings along those new ideas.

  13. teebajj says:

    Happy Birthday ADK, enjoy ur day..

    Great piece on Wenger, am still skeptical about new signings, nothing seems to be happening at the moment

    5 working days to go before Sept 2nd, Wenger better work that magic…

  15. frednerk says:

    Morning rico & all,
    Sorry to disagree rico,
    but I enjoyed steves post,
    I think it covers a lot of what supporters think
    about wenger.
    Wenger has a chance to back up the big talk,
    friday mornings he likes showing off new stuff.
    Most players I think would love to play for wenger,
    it must be a dream.
    Most business men would love wenger to work for them,

    But..I don’t think I know anyone
    who would want to go for drink with wenger
    The thought of standing with an empty glass,
    waiting for his shout..not for us is it.

  16. stevepalmer1 says:

    Thanks for your comment Ginge, Glad you enjoyed it i enjoyed writing it. 🙂

    Sorry ADK, meant to wish you best wishes have a great day Mate.

  17. rico says:

    Morning Sp, my pleasure and you are spot on, we can all agree, disagree, whatever, as long as we aren’t rude at the same time 🙂

    Hi agag, how’s you..

  18. Lawrence says:

    Good read SP hope your right.

    When you sit back and digest what the club has achieved we should smile. Last we had qualified for the CL in May this is why we saw the early buys. This year like many others we need to get past a tricky qualifier hopefully job done but still 90mins to play. Alot can happen.
    After Tuesday the reinvestment should start to take place and what makes this year different from others is we still have the core players we call 1st teamers therefore only we can get stronger. I hope and pray we can negotiate our next league fixture and have 6 points on the board after 3 games.

    Oh I still dont trust AW the pool of avaliable players has shrunk and I hope he pools out some gems and we go from top four to possibke top two.

    All have a good day and yes looking forward to the scrap later tonight.

  19. rico says:

    Guys, not saying I didn’t enjoy reading Sp’s post, I did, just don’t agree with some of the content – don’t all pick on me…. 😉

  20. ozgunner says:

    you are not on your own Rico. I didn’t agree either but it was well written and a good attempt at convincing us after 8 years Wenger knows what’s required. I doubt it very much and history is well on our side

  21. bradster says:

    I just hope Wenger doesn’t try a young combination tomorrow. Get the job done first, then put the stars in cotton wool.

  22. stevepalmer1 says:

    Fred N, You sound like the kind of bloke i could drink all day with, Thank you.

    Morning Agag, or is it evening where you are. Start of the season Agag i always get up for the start and although i wasn’t blown away with the ref decisions on the first game i was impressed with the following 2 games. Yes were short no denying that but i feel the players have somthing to prove. They trust the manager and i have the same feeling, Supporters who want change is understandable they want success and i feel they would be happy for us to turn into a replica of the oil and arms clubs, personall i like the idea of doing it with the money we generate. I think we have the best intentions and although taking a little time, i think its the right way.

  23. Federico says:

    Morning everyone – good post from Steve. Wenger is a walking-soundbite, so he is in the press a lot with his opinions, thus his popularity is vast as he is constantly in the press.

    However, I don’t agree with some in the post because I couldn’t care less about what damage Wenger does to other clubs. His leaving things until late in the transfer window will hurt Arsenal in most cases when dealing with someone who has many years on their contract and hurt the selling clubs when dealing with someone with around one year on their contract.

    I think that it is a massively risky strategy and it isn’t something that we should be following now.

    In my mind, Wenger is a war-time manager and was brilliant for working wonders on a limited budget, but the war is over and it is time to loosen the purse-strings. This is why I favour a new manager and a new approach.

    Perhaps he will surprise me yet…

  25. Epicurean says:

    Really nice post. Very interesting what you say about not being on his wavelength. I on the other hand can’t really understand when people don’t get him. I have a degree in psychology/philosophy and to me he manages something that is quite amazing, and this is that he doesn’t contradict himself. He is really careful with what he says e.g. “we can win the title” – doesn’t mean he thinks we are on track, simply means he recognises the complexity of a season and that many factors contribute. This however isn’t the bombastic kind of rallying cry that fans really want. Its a very French attitude to football/ life and doesn’t fit with the English idea of a footballing man. I can understand peoples frustration with him not appearing ambitious enough or not willing to splurge money. But this is in no way due to him lacking common sense or a ‘plank’ etc. He is very single minded though and has theories which he sticks to come hell or high water. If you disagree he, I imagine, probably won’t listen, why should he, he has great intelligence, experience broader and more detailed than most people I would imagine. IMO the development of youth, focus on team over individuals and commitment to a beautiful style of play are the superior principles to just winning. He wants to win, but will only win in style or not at all. I know I would not really be proud of winning the CL the way Chelsea did, as a fan of the PL I was a bit embarrassed that so many good footballing teams played the English teams off the park even if an English team did win in the end.

  27. S2S says:

    Hey everyone,

    Happy birthday to ADK.

    I had thought I’d give internet miss till Fenerbache. But then I couldn’t resist. I think the man is genuinely good guy with good heart and lots of hard work.

    And my Christmas/Diwali wish this year is for Arsene to win some silverware. The day he wins will be triumphant of lots of good and will.

    P.s. I’d like to drink with Arsene. I seriously would wanna know what he thinks of such turbulent conditions all over the world.

  28. bradster says:

    So have we definitely, secretly signed Flamini and waiting for high profile names before Arsenal announce it?

  29. Jay says:

    Morning All ,it is incredible that we all have such diverse opinions of Wenger .At the Villa game most of the fans around me would have gladly strangled him if they could have got that close.After reading Steve P post this morning many of them,including myself may of had a rethink.i still think that he has lost touch with what is needed to be at the very top ,and i still believe many of the stories about possible imports have been generated by the club for our benifit.Have a good day eveyone

  30. S2S says:

    @SP:

    The problem most British media have with Wenger is they’re all owned by Capitalists and Wenger is more of Socialist. He may have well learned that in Japan. And capitalists such as Murdoch are bound to hate the man.

    For me he is like a middle class hot-dog man with big dreams who thinks even with ihs shoe string budget he can compete with McD.
    Not in this era.

    Lets hope Arsene realizes some of our dreams.

  31. ozgunner says:

    hot dog man who’s got himself into a near on untouchable position and gets 7m for the privilege. Clever boy is our Wenger.

  35. Steve says:

    I have to ask the question, why should we all be cheering the fact that the club will be earning another £30m tomorrow night ? We have been qualifying for donkey’s years but in which year did we actually use the revenue to build a squad capable of winning the competition ?

    Coming fourth every year may lead to commercial success but in sporting terms finishing last in a four horse race is failure, even if you dress it up in lashings of gallic charm and intelligent repartee.

    I am sure we will get a few signings this week, once Wenger has handed a few names to his Harvard Business Crew and they have done their number crunching. I am equally sure they won’t the signings we need to win the Champion’s League or to come above fourth in the EPL because I don’t believe the men who run Arsenal have the balls or ambition to try for that goal.

  38. Scott from Oz says:

    Steve, fantastic post.
    Everyone leave Rico lone…..she is entitled to be wrong 🙂
    Morning everyone.

  40. Scott from Oz says:

    Steve, you must explain something that has me astounded….your comment that the PL a 4 horse race?
    Cardiff proved you are wrong quite recently hahaha.

  45. S2S says:

    Oz- he’s the like COO of over 235M business empire. And for that he’s paid what he’s paid.

    I have never read any person’s autobiography ever but if Arsene does write one ever I’d read it. I still thinks he’s honoring loyalty in not so good times.

  46. ozgunner says:

    On Rooney I read somewhere United would be far happier doing business with Arsenal than the mouths at Chelsea. Some even go as far as to say “we have been encouraged to place a bid”. I wonder if he’d come though?

  47. Malaysian gunner says:

    Expect Wenger to get it right .Maybe. Until he convinces me and others that he can win ugly in the big games,then I will believe him.Maybe he has now mellowed that it’s all right to win ugly like Cardiff did.
    The Welsh team had 10 back in the box and made it difficult for MC. Arsenal have experienced this before and have lost to some lowly teams,notably Hull and Wigan.
    Sometimes you have to play anti soccer to get a result like Chelsea did against Barcelona.Spurs might play a variation of Cardiff’s game. The differen ce is they may have 7 in the box and 3 luring on the halfway mark. Sometimes Wenger has to play teams at their own game and win ugly.

  49. Scott from Oz says:

    MG, we won plenty ugly in the run in to the end of last season.
    We were under pressure and got i done.
    There is a good basis now, and we have some resilience.

  50. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Epicure, You sound like you are an educated person similar to our leader dont get me wrong when i say he is like a plank, that was not being disrespectful, if anybody is a plank its me as i haven’t the brainpower that he has. I am sure he would be as bored in my company. I appreciate what he does but dont understand the methods, perhaps i need to go back to school. but i’m glad he’s here.

  52. ozgunner says:

    Rico the way the RVP issue was sorted was mentioned. I mean, the fact is, it took one call from Ferguson and the ‘he is going nowhere’ went out of the window. Given recent domination Arsene must be delighted he’s gone hey? 🙂

  54. frednerk says:

    04/10/08
    Under-fire Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear yesterday found an unlikely ally – in his neighbour Arsene Wenger.
    Wenger lives down the same street as Kinnear in Totteridge, north London, and says that he can do a good job at Newcastle despite his stormy start
    18/06/13
    Joe Kinnear last night insisted he can attract big names to Newcastle and has a hotline to Arsenal manager
    26/08/2013
    Newcastle United director of football Joe Kinnear says the ball is in Arsenal’s court if they want to sign Yohan Cabaye.
    The former Wimbledon boss is understood to have told the Gunners they want a fee of around £20million for the French international.
    But Arsenal are preparing a bid of £13million for the ex-Lille star.
    Kinnear said today: “We’ve told Arsenal our terms (regarding Cabaye). “The ball is in their court.”

    Old pals act?

  55. Shubham says:

    Hope for the best. There will be some players signing up for us soon. But first, I would like the team to beat Fenerbache tomorrow. COYG

  58. ozgunner says:

    yeah, lets hope us not so convinced few, are eating our words come seasons end and Arsene can declare he was right all along. Even the league cup would be nice now.

  59. snaparse says:

    morning everyone and nice read steve……i think wenger is in his last chance…if he does not do things right this season then he should walk but till then i am givin him the benefit of doubt

  60. DonCollins says:

    Wenger is not true to himself, i believe he only cares about himself and the money he makes with the board. If he so much believe that players are too costly why then he does not think that he is been paid too much for not winning a trophy in 8 years? The English core will take a bullet for him because he made them, they are aware that they will not play the way they play for Arsenal and make first team in other clubs but Wenger will always give them first team at the expense of our darling Arsenal and make them feel like gods. Is a pity that Wenger will not learn, the game is all about the glory and take it or leave it these same player that the manager take sticks for will leave when they become a better play because the game is all about the glory and the money. The likes of Fabregas, Henry, Nasri, have all proven this to be true. The players first priority should be the club and not the coach. The solution is a new manager or a change in Wenger’s approach else we will never win trophy again in the history of the club until someone dies or retire. His reasoning are old fashion, he has refused to move with time. Happy birthday ADK

  61. Macky says:

    No doubt,wenger is a seasoned manager with good man-management dexterity….he was that good with the invincible talents he acquired & his beautiful footballin’ philosophy…wenger claims he has eyes for quality players & talents…..that he is still on the look out for players better than what he has….it sounds funny….don’t get me wrong we have quality in the team but lack one or two game changin’ world class players…what happened to wenger’s talents huntin’ eyes when he signed the likes of park,chamak,squillaci,silvestre,santos,gervihno,ebuoe & his failed prospects at the academy…wenger should stop claimin’ he has eyes for only quality.why these players mentioned above failed is because he loves signin’ average players on a cheap..i tell u, with wengers skills as a coach if he bites the bullet & starts signin’ top top players trophies will start comin’ back to the emirates….why he lose out signin’ top qualities is because of derisory bids..

  63. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Fine nice post Sir Steve. But not 12 languages mate. He knows only 6. 😉

    Have we sold Bendy yet? Or has his head got stuck in the stands’ roof? Hope the T-crane does not break with the weight. 😉

    Epicurean spot on mate.

    Join the family. Sensible and intelligent lads like you can be of benefit to the House.

  64. tsgh says:

    Hi Dev, i loved your crane comment earlier…

    Last bank holiday here in the UK before christmas and there is a moanfest.lol

    Hmm, if I had to pick between a ‘moaner-lisas’ and an alleged tight-fisted intelligent millionaire for a pub lunch, I know who I will choose.

    At least one is guaranteed to pay for their own lunch at least whilst the other may make me more depressed and still expect me to pay for his portion. 😛

  66. ozgunner says:

    don’t forget guys everyone has to click the links at page top at least once a day – Rico is chasing Wenger’s millions

  70. devilgunner says:

    TommyV is back into training.

    Flamoney is also training but not with the 22 man squad for tomorrow. I have a feeling that MF will be announced when AFC unveil other signings.

  71. bradster says:

    Haha Devil, when I first read that I was thinking Fellani then I realised that Flamini has the same initials.

  77. devilgunner says:

    Shrek, Cabaye, Di Maria will do.

    If Flamini is thrown in the mix and maybe Richards then its slightly better

  79. bradster says:

    🙂 definitely Rico.

    I worry that we are gonna be short at the back. No rumours of a RB or CB. Looks like Wenger is gonna take his chances with 3 CB’s, Sagna emergency CB and Bellerin given a chance in cups and as Jenks back up.

  80. stevepalmer1 says:

    Reading the comments and supporters asking why we sign duff players, Wenger may be inteligent but he can’t see into the future. Many managers even in some eyes the great RedNose signed some duff uns. But where we have been restricted He wasn’t. Wenger will no doubt sign 3 or 4 players but no one can predict how many will hit the ground running and continue to run. Like the post says Money and players are not a science. Torres proved that expectation does not make him a superstar. What we have to remember which sometimes i dont think we do, is how the Emirates became Arsenals home ground. That was down to vision that was down to determination and while no body wanted to help us we had to crawl to the banks and take whatever deals they would afford us. We took the chance and put ourselves deap in debt because the people who run us believed that it would benefit us. We had to pay back millions and we had restrictions put on us by the banks. Arsene Wenger may not be the manager of your choice ok i can handle that, but he has with all the restrictions still made Arsenal competitve. Granted we have won nothing as you rightly say top 4 is not a trophy. but the money the club have made has been used to better Arsenal football club. We have turned the corner our debts are manageable we have started to make money that can be used on players and you want Wenger gone. Give the man a chance to use the money, i can understand him being cautious as he hasn’t had money like that ever, but you want to give that all up and bring in a man we dont know and let him spend willy nilly so you may get a trophy. Wenger has been steady maybe he isn’t a magician who can win with kids or cheapies but he sure as hell kept us high up the tabe for all those tight years. He deserves credit and he deserves the chance now moneys available.

  81. NashuaGunners says:

    Good Afternoon Rico and All. Btw, I check the commercial or Advertisement on HH. I want you to be a million richer every single day.

    Good read SteveP, as always. I share your views with regard to our ‘one in a million’ manager. Very few managers can turn water into wine or as my good mate Tsgh nicely put it “Tractors to Ferraris”. I honestly believe that if AW were the manager of Everton, he will take them to top 4. The man is a winner. He has done it before and he will do it again. I am one of those ordinary people with Extra ordinary faith in AW.

  82. rico says:

    I know Devil, Cabaye is looking likely to be the midfielder, all 5′ 8″ of him 🙁

    Hi Lee, I’d love you to be right…

  83. ktr7 says:

    Very good read steve.

    am slowly beginning to suspect if we get Di maria we’ll not get another forward if it isn’t suarez.

  84. devilgunner says:

    Imo tomorrow I would go with this team

    Chezzer
    Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Kozzer,Monreal
    Gnabry, Wilshere, Ramsey,Cazorla
    Podolski
    Sanogo.

  85. rico says:

    bradster, dangerous game to play if we don’t sign a defensive player, either right or central..

    Richards would be my choice..

  86. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hi Ktr7, dont realy know much about Di Maria if i speak the truth. I am of the belief that if i was in Wengers position i would be lookin at players who play Premier League. David Luiz and Ashley Williams i would have Felainey ar Rooney Suarez and i would have bid on Parker i know he’s older but experience and his teacity appeals to me I would also look for a bloodied keeper who plays Premier league. Foreign players who play their football in other leagues is always chancey yeh they may do it out there but maybe not here. Our teams that play in Europe handle it quite well that makes me believe that our league is a good standard, Bayern and Barca buy the best i expect them to be up there but we manage to get there every year and were supposed to be shit.

  89. ozgunner says:

    Yeah wanted Richards for some time but whether he’ll part with the money to get him is another matter. We’re not going to spend what’s required I am convinced of that and the claims we’re ready this season is simply Wenger crying wolf again. boorring. We’re not ready end of… he wants numbers, we need real class, he doesn’t and never has seen the difference. At least he is out of excuses finally

  90. HenryB says:

    Nice Post, Steve.

    I know many are pleased with the possibility of us getting Cabaye, but another small, technically gifted midfielder? Really?

    I read at the week end we could be interested in Sakho a youngish CB at PSG, and that makes more sense to me. As well as a CF to complement Giro.

  91. ozgunner says:

    have to give him benefit of the doubt i guess till windows end as we are linked with 1/2 real class acts – very concerned we don’t have the ability to get them across the line though. Very poor window so hopefully only way is up now with a few days left.

  92. Wavy says:

    Sakho to us is unlikely. He wants out of PSG because he is not first pick CD. If he came to us he would not be first pick either. He needs game time, he reckons, in order to secure his place on the World Cup squad of France. So………doubtful, Imo of course.

  93. ozgunner says:

    I read that as well Wavy. The single issue we have and it will hurt is, pushing up does not fit Pars game at all because he so slow. Many are excited about Sagna at CB but there is so much space between them seem already. The better teams will focus on this is my worry. Chez also was lucky again against Fulham, rushing out to 12 yards and standing still in no man’s land. People saying we need a another quality CB and Keeper are right IMO. We’ll see.

  94. ktr7 says:

    The ‘delay’ wenger is talking about i think is bale’s transfer to madrid.once he signs i think we’ll see some progress.

  95. stevepalmer1 says:

    I honestly believe that had we qualified outright Wenger would still have left it late, thats how he has done things for the last few years.

    Rico Sylvestre and Sqilly didn’t work out but both could play a bit but didn’t fit our system. Arshaven was in my mind a great player and a very good signing but he did not adapt to our way of playing, sure Wenger played him out of position but if he was going to make it here he would have to adapted he didn’t and his weight went up and down. Santos was another we call him a duffer but he could play a bit, another who didn’t play to a system. Koshelney Vermaelen BFG Monreal they are not bad signings Cazorla The Ox Poldi Giroud they are not bad players. If our team was that bad we would be sitting bottom after 2 games and were mid table and rising. City lost to a smallish club but their players had hear, its not all about superstars its a game that can go anyway but if you have had it hard it brings a team together Cardif may not do that again this year but they fought hard and showed that it meant something to them, We have heart and with a few signings we could be great.

  103. Micko says:

    tsgh, don’t ya think it might be time for you to pass the letter onto it’s rightful owner.

    Everyone and their mother knows we ain’t gonna get beat 4 nil tomorrow night, just sign them up Arsene !

  104. HenryB says:

    SYG,

    A rough translation of your tweet might be;

    “Cabaye is not on strike. Arsenal have made an offer of 17m Euros. Newcastle should let Cabaye go.”

    (That’s about £14.5m)

  105. rico says:

    Afternoon all..

    Sp, agree re Arshavin, a wonderful little player as we witnessed when he first arrived. Some cynics might suggest AW ruined him…

  106. Joaquim moreira says:

    Arswhavin was replaced last saturday. He was a miles of his normal performance. Maybe plays tomorrow versus P. Ferreira

  113. stevepalmer1 says:

    Just had a Wenger news letter, where he tells me tomorows game is very important and he has informed me that he wont be fielding a weak team, O he also told me he will buy me a drink and have a night out with me after we win the league and Champions League and just think i called him a plank. 🙂

  121. rico says:

    I’m logging off Sp, been a long old day…

    Night to you and all, catch up tomorrow…

    Enjoy the game…

  125. tsgh says:

    My boy Adem Ljajić was left out of Fiorentina squad to play Catania tonight. Serbian failed to agree new deal with the Viola & linked with Milan.

  126. tsgh says:

    Yobo, Topal, Krasić & Emre all left out of tomorrow’s CL game verse AFC. nhmm, it looks like the turks have given in already.

  127. allezkev says:

    So the media has brainwashed all the Arsenal fans into being negative. So says Arsene…

    It’s all the media’s fault eh???

    Well I’m glad we sorted that one out then….

    Because I was under the misconception that all that negativity had been caused by 8 years of winning fcuk all.

    How silly of me.

    Of course it has nothing to do with selling all our best players every summer since 2005, a policy that has only ceased this summer. For now!

    And of course it’s the media’s fault that we have the most expensive ticket prices in England…

  128. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    So the media would have us believe that AFC or AW will be sanctioning moves for Shrek, Ozil, Di Maria, Cabaye.

    Mouthwatering.

    I believe we will end up with Flamini, Nedelev and another unknown nappy changer.

  129. devilgunner says:

    Personally I believe that we will get one out of the RM trio. However, if I were the manager I would go for Di Maria, Ozil and Cabaye but not Benzema.

    The only striker I would break my neck for would be Shrek. Otherwise I would remain with what I have that is, Giroud and push Podolski up front.

    Imagine the following permutation……

    Aaron, Jack
    Di Maria, Ozil, Cazorla.

    Roatated with the following………

    Arteta, Cabaye
    Theo, Rosicky, OX

    Upfront its either Giroud or Podolski

    I would not bring back Flamini.

    But I would try and get a defender in the Richards mould. He can play CB and RB. And move BS to CB.

    If AW gets the above players and does not rotate that much like SAF used to do then only he would be to blame.

  130. devilgunner says:

    I go with Kev on what he said at 1.24am.

    I would add that managers of the same mould like AW, Guardiola, Klopp etc do win but they also loose a lot. For example, Guardiola won around 14 trophies with Barca, but few mention that he lost 13. Yes their methods are pleasing to the eye but people like the above stick to one method and formula. Win by playing the same way.

    They do not have a plan B.

    Yes, the papers and internet play their part, but we must remember that it was not the newspapers etc who lost us the finals vs the Chavs and Birmingham in the Carling cup and against Barca in the CL, and against Galatasaray in the UEFA cup.

    Neither its the newspapers who lost us the league three years running between 99 and 01.

    Nor in winning top four trophies for 8 consecutive seasons now.

    The blame lies at AW’s doorstep only.

    Do I care if I win beautifully or not?

    No, as long as I am winning. The supporters will not remember the beautiful soccer, but the captain lifting the cup aloft will remain in their memory.

    Did we play beautifully in 1989 against the dippers?

    I do not remember, but I do remember Phil Thompson saying 1 minute left, I remember Thomas breaking through and score the league winner and I remember Tony Adams lifting the league trophy at Anfield. The rest of the game??? NOT EVEN A FEKKING HAZE. But who cares.

    yes the newspapers and internet do make us negative. But the percentage of that is small comparable to the events of the last eight years.

    and tbh……..am I afraid we do not sign anyone this TW? No it does not bugger me at all.

    But I will remain afraid that one of our prestigious pieces (of which there are not many left…namely Cazorla, Aaron, Wilshere, Kozzer, Theo) may be sold at the death of the TW.

    The events of the last eight years have certainly left their scars.

  131. devilgunner says:

    We have sold so many players the last eight years. And we have lost countless others as well. Players who were sold because they did not like the direction of the club, players who left because they wanted more money, players who retired, players who ran out their contracts. Players who threw their toys out of the pram. And players who were victims of the circumstances be they injuries or training methods or tactical formations.

    These surely leave their scar upon the supporter.

    yes I am afraid of one thing. That we would end up with a whole squad of below average players and we end up in a lower division. At the moment with the squad we have we are a club who can finish the league anywhere between 3rd and 8th. Take away our good to very good players and we would go to compete for a place between the 10th and 15th.

    If we were to start adding two or three very good to excellent players I will start believing that we can compete to finish 1st and 2nd. And the possibility of seeing our club playing in a lower division will seem a million miles away.

  132. devilgunner says:

    August 2019 is only around 6 years away.

    In 6 years time we will celebrate 100 years in the top division.

  134. Wavy says:

    Dg, not wishing to appear pedantic but I think it was Steve Nichols who held his hand up and said “two minutes to go”, desperately! As we won yet another corner on the right. That was the point I gave the game up and went down the pub. Missed the Mickey Thomas goal, to my eternal shame.

    Morning all

  135. tsgh says:

    Good morning peeps,

    Waking up to rumours of Toby Alderweireld POSSIBLY coming this way has lefted my spirit a bit.

    A very solid utility player who can cover DM, RB and CB too…

  136. allezkev says:

    Coach, I make you right mate…

    Arsenal played beautifully against Liverpool in 2001 and lost.
    Arsenal played awfully against ManUtd in 2005 and won.

    Those two late Michael Owen goals still make me feel sick.

    But I get a wonderful buzz watching the penalties from 2005.

  138. devilgunner says:

    I thought it was Thompson mate. but it seems as if both of us are wrong.

    just checked now and it was Steve Macmahon

  139. W.A.T.H says:

    Morning AK…. Hope your good mate… I am with you mate, 2005 was utter shit boring and awful to stand through, sitting is not for a cup final but seeing those pens go in and watching PV score was worth the shit that preceded the pens…! As for 2001 soon as that little dipper scored the 2nd goal I left the stadium, we battered them that day the hand ball that was never seen the untold shots on goal and the dippers nicked the cup…! I’ll also take winning all day long.

  140. devilgunner says:

    Morning Kev. Do we remember how we played? dont give a fart.

    But I do remember seeing PV score the winning penalty and then lifting the FA CUP.

    Morning WATH.

    Bonjour Ginge. Alderweireld is a good un. as you said he can cover three positions. And he has been schooled the AJAX way so he is highly technical.

  144. devilgunner says:

    Yeah Ginge.

    I saw it yesterday evening. had a chuckle by myself.

    That happens only if you sign for a seaside resort club.

    With Arsenal I doubt he would have gone to swim in the river Thames 😉 especially with the amount of sunshine London has. (tongue in cheek mates)

    Here we are frying. South wind (bleeeehhh) with temperatures reaching between 38 and 40 degrees. lot of sweat and its fekking sticky.

  145. W.A.T.H says:

    I heard Higuain fell on a stone or something Ts…?

    Rip those tourists Kev 😀

    How you doing Dev, I like TA and yes Ajax schooled as you say plus his initials are good lol

  147. allezkev says:

    Hey Coach, steady how ya go amigo.

    Wath, good to see ya mate. Yes, those memories are burned into my brain as well buddy.
    Galatasaray was a sickener, I was totally deflated after that one. An awful trip home, as was Paris 2006…
    We’re in for more of the same i’m afraid mate.
    See ya lata, gone now…

  148. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning guys.
    Sorry, but that needed to be said.
    Negativity from Gooners?
    Well, Wenger has a point!
    He should not use it as an excuse, but that does not mean it is not relevant.

  149. devilgunner says:

    Higuain slipped on some rocks with seaweed. The plank.

    Has he never been to the sea before? 😆

    maybe he is still with trainers. Should come here for some lessons from me. Will soon have him catching squids, octopus, and a couple of fish.

  150. tsgh says:

    😀 Even Gerv could not trip over the laces he borrowed from Syg and burst open his face. lol

    I hope the TA rumours are true; my concern is Ajax, turned down bids from the swampies, Napoli, Everton and Athletico this summer.

    Or was it the player turning them down? 😉

    It is interesting that we are being linked with OZil again; 3 or 4 years ago Bremen accepted the same value bid from us and RM but the player joined RM instead because of the tax burden (50%) then… He is now behind Isco

  151. rico says:

    Good morning all…

    Nipped out nice and early with Fido, it’s getting warm here… 😉

    Later Kev, go steady..

    New post is now up…

  152. devilgunner says:

    Scottie is here as well 🙂

    What is today’s post for dinner Rico? How to stew chicken in orange sauce topped with mushroom salad and washed down with white wine?? 😉

  154. Wavy says:

    I knew it was Steve somebody, you are right though, I remember him well! Well, not that well, obviously!
    Mind you, one dipper called Steve and another called Steve, they all look the same to me!

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading