Daily Bits and Bobs

Campbell Out and Costa In? Will Arsene's words come back to haunt him?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

It all got a bit tetchy on here yesterday with the usual harmony disappearing for an hour or so in the afternoon and I hope it was a once off.

The new season kicks off in just 13 days time and for once, Ivan and co are building what looks like it could be the strongest/deepest squad we have had for many years. We should all be upbeat, not insulting fellow human beings just because they disagree about a particular players ability.

Debate is great, that’s what life is all about but, and as the HH rules state, ridiculing another, or name calling will result in you going into spam.

If it’s not in your nature to tolerate others opinion of a player and your not able to keep your head and remain respectful to all, then perhaps Highbury House is not for you. There are plenty of Arsenal blogs around after all and for those who want a fun day where all things get discussed, it’s not fair.

Today is a new day……

Yesterday the club announced our 4th summer signing, young 19 year old Calum Chambers. Arsene Wenger admitted the signing was a bit of a risk but aren’t many signings just that? Look at Chelsea, they paid £50 million for Torres, we all know what happened there.

Chambers is young but he’ll have little fear but right now, it’s not quite clear he’ll be playing. Right back we all thought, however, the manager has other ideas:

Q – You’re the second right-back signing of the summer after Mathieu Debuchy – what has the manager said to you about your role?

He said that he sees me at right back, centre back, holding centre midfield. He sees me in a variety of different positions, which I like, because then I can find out where I am best at and push myself as far as I can go in that position. I am just excited to get started really.

The Emirates Cup will possibly give us an idea but I have a sneaky feeling that young Calum Chambers will end up playing in central midfield. Our new man and Joel Campbell are with the rest of the squad in Austria, well, apart from Sanchez of course.

Talking of taking risks, Arsene Wenger said this just before we faced the noisy neighbours last season:

In our job, there is a technical risk when you buy more than three players as you unbalance a bit the stability of your squad.

It’s always difficult when you bring so many players in to predict how well they’ll do. You have to find a way to integrate them.

So far we have signed three outfield players and a goalkeeper and most of us believe that we’ll see a couple more signings yet before the transfer window closes so he’ll have a job on his hands. Will he be up for it? I think so, I really because that there’s no way he will want those words to come back to haunt him.

In the gossip:

West Ham are winning the race to sign Carl Jenkinson on a season long loan according to The Daily Mail.

Southampton want Serge Gnabry on loan too.

Both would be good moves imo as both would play regularly and they’ll only improve if they have it in them to do so and I believe both have. Very much.

The Metro are one of a few newspapers who report that Joel Campbell will be permitted to join Milan on loan if a deal can be agreed and on the way in will be Shakhtar Donetsk striker/winger Douglas Costa. Shakhtar say he will stay put but respected Sky Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio says Arsenal are seriously keen on the 23-year-old – and are ready to make a move to sign him.

Not sure I can see the point of that move if it’s true…..

The best though, or maybe just the most crazy comes from Germany. According to newspaper Bild, Arsenal have offered a five-year contract to Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas…. Yeah right!!

Come on Ivan, get that holding/defensive midfielder signed before the season starts which for us, is just thirteen days away……

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

 

rico

301 thoughts on “Campbell Out and Costa In? Will Arsene's words come back to haunt him?”

  4. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning all,. “a bit tetchy” you say, playground stuff, a loan for both The Corp and Gnarby makes sense, with the way things are shaping up squad wise. A few more required, DM and a Striker please, with two quality additions in these positions, will give us a squad of depth and quality, for a change, imo. Nice post Rico.

  6. rico says:

    Thanks Bt. Just glad it’s a loan for Jenks, let him now go and show just how good he can be when playing each week. If he can’t do that this coming season for the Hammers, I doubt he’ll return…

  8. kinkin says:

    I suspect Wenger would only sign DM and with that he must have signed 3 starters,..with ospina and Chambers being added for squad depth………So,thats a maximum 3 starting players there..Sanchez,Debuchy,DM..

  9. tomstoned says:

    Good Post….and since this has been the best transfer summer in ages it should be easy for all Gooners to get along,me personally im over the moon and cant wait for the season to start,i havent felt this good about Our team for a very very long time,
    im actually excited…

    im shocked at how a *nice*club like S’hampton has been ruined though…whats going on there ?

    have a superb summer day all !

  10. flateyri says:

    Costa makes no sense as he is a attacking midfielder and its a more defensive one we need. Kediera or one of the Bender brothers would do for me as we dont play with a DM in its purest sense.

    Campell for backup striker this season as Sonogoal is a injury disaster like Diaby and frankly for someone that has played in the French 2 tier he is nowere at the same level as Campell who has played in the CL and WC.Give Campell a chance and move for top striker next summer.

  12. Adam says:

    Morning again Rico. I understand a couple will leave if we can achieve one of our major targets.
    Surely it must be a loan for Jenks to give him a season to prove that he can truly hack it at this level. I hope so anyway. Selling him now would seem premature.

  14. rico says:

    Morning Adam, reports suggest it is a loan for Jenks.

    Who is set to leave other than Jenks and possibly Gnabry, do you know?

  15. babakrdaemi says:

    In his defence I think Arsene meant first team players. Chambers is for the future, Ospina is here out of necessity. So only two players have come in to compete for the 1st team, Debouchy and Sanchez. Both starters. I think two more players could come in and still not dis-balance the squad.

    A DM to enter the team straight away and a CB as cover. Although that would be 6 players, only 4 are ready to battle for the first team. and one of those is not likely to start in the first 6 months unless Szcz does something drastically wrong.

    All-in-all a great summer. One I am very pleased about. I am often refereed to a AKB, so for Arsene to be doing well and spending money does have some personal satisfaction that my trust in him was not entirely mis-placed.

    However, what I really am is FMG (Fucking Massive Gooner) and that means I am buzzing with our summer. Whoever is responsible.

    All I know is that Le-Grove is not the reason for our change. Despite his crazy claims.

    COME ON THE GUNNERS

  16. Delford Magaya says:

    We
    we know very well the writer is doing all he can but Campbell will be playing at Arsenal this season whichever club you want Campbell to join is not going to have him, you can do your best but Campbell will do his job at Arsenal where he belongs to, he does not belong to any club, but belongs to Arsenal and Wenger is very happy to test Campbell in the Premier League.

  17. Adam says:

    Perhaps what we are seeing with Southampton is just a logical progression when the financial capabilities of clubs in the PL are so wide. The best thing that could happen would be that Chelsea, Man City and Spurs should lose their external revenue streams. Ah, but that is what FFP was designed to address wasn’t it? A level playing field and all that.

  19. Adam says:

    No Rico. As I mentioned last week, we have been in talks for a major player for a while but are miles apart in our valuations. Hardly a surprise I know but, if we could get him, it would mean the end for a couple who might occupy his position, to offset the massive cost. In trying to do our business early we are giving ourselves options I think.

  20. rico says:

    Baba, I’m not convinced re Chambers, I think he’ll be pushing for a place. 20 matches for Saints last season I think, he could be a surprise…

    Delford.

    Where in the post have I suggested I wanted Campbell to depart? In fact I said that the link to Costa in his place made no sense.

  21. BrainwashedKev says:

    Ok, who wants a tear-up, I fancy a row with plenty of abusive language and some awful grammar….

    Where’s Adam?

    Whot da bleedin ‘ell are ya talkin abowt man…

  23. rico says:

    Sadly Adam, I can’t see that ever happening, although it would be best for all as far as football goes.

    Well I hope both clubs can thrash out a deal. If those who may have to make way are who I think then, I won’t cry too much… 😉

  25. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yoo’d not dare cum to my Hood and use dem words man.

    Yoo cum to my Hood in da Tottnum man, we show yoo whoo rule da Norf Lundon man.

  28. Gonerjoe says:

    Hi car doesn’t need to go in a hedge 🙂 where ever jenks goes I hope we put in a call back clause.

  32. Micko says:

    Kev, come and have a go if you think your hard enough !
    I wanna sample some of your shite, this dog is about to bark !!

    rico, only 13 days away, we’re still in July ! It’s come around really quickly hasn’t it, this time last year we’d only signed the postman.

  34. Gonerjoe says:

    Also Campbell if he is going to be loaned out again it should be to a PL team. It’s time to do what chelski and man city have been doing for years.
    The only reason to let Campbell go to Milan is if someone is coming the other way ( I like Balotelli ) 🙂

  39. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Afternoon all ……..

    Tetchy LOL. Like BT said – it was nothing ….

    Trojan Horse bloggers with “agendas” is nothing new on any site ….

    If they bought a 52″ inch flat screen TV they’d expect it to work … If it didn’t they’d be hell on and they’d be straight back to the shop …

    Other stuff … It looks like Khedira is very much ON according to the bookies ….

  43. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Post Rico.

    Can Ginge and I give a couple of whacks to each other? you did not mention whacks didnt you.

    Can Goonie and I growl at each other? you did not mention growls didnt you?

    Regarding gamble signings ask Barca!!!! they paid 16million for Song, they want to sell him and no one wants to buy him. now that is a gamble and a half.

    Torres is not bad. he is used badly.

    With us he will flourish.

  45. rico says:

    Syg, may only seem like playground stuff to you and Bt, but from my point of view it was more than that. In any case, it’s against how I want HH to run..

    Like I said in the post, if anyone doesn’t like that, there are other places to chat away with other Afc fans..

  51. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Can I raise hell in here Rico??

    Its not in the forbidden rules isnt it?? 😉

    to have an idea…..just leave me for five minutes in the chicken coop.

  53. goonster says:

    Hehehehe dev you wanna growl with a blonde Adonis. Tsk tsk tsk. You ll lose my man. Am from the mountains. We growl just to fart. It’s that easy.

  56. goonster says:

    Hey adam what’s new pal? Got anything for me? Lol I just learned that last night from the dude a few blocks away.

  59. rico says:

    I know you are having a laugh, but all I’m trying to do is the right thing. Most people who have joined HH over the last 4 years said they have done so because it’s a friendly place where peoples views are not shoved in their faces!

    A place where people truly are allowed to have an opinion and not be told they haven’t a clue by others!

    And that’s how it will remain…

  62. Hell Raising Devil says:

    can you leave me for 5 mins in the chicken coop Rico? Its not in the forbidden rules. 😛

  64. goonster says:

    Ahh come on adam….well I beat you to it so cough up some dough for me 😀 man some guys are just leeches. That bastard have been leeching off me for months. What do I do adam? He scares the crap out of me. God help me.

  67. goonster says:

    Me too rico…I don’t want no chicken though. Just woofa roasted on a plate with a nice glass of Italy ‘ s finest wine 😀

  68. Adam says:

    Stan. Avoid him at all costs or, when you see him, try behaving as if you are slightly deranged and perhaps he will avoid you. Mind you, it is the US so he probably has an armoury of heavy weaponry at
    his instant disposal.

  71. IMAM ALEX says:

    To me? wenger shd give cambo his chance & thats what we are waiting see.carl 4 loan good german not 4 sale.

  72. goonster says:

    Yikes adam now am truly shitting myself. He does look like a mean bastard too. He probably won’t take no for an answer. God help me. I gotta move guys. I just gotta.

  73. Adam says:

    In that case I think I know exactly where you are sitting Rico.
    Did you check your Whatsapp recently may I ask?

  77. Hell Raising Devil says:

    now that would be a pity Rico. you would have heard a lot of clucking and cackling the equivalent of which can be heard when the spuddies realise we have skinned them once again.

  78. Hell Raising Devil says:

    ahhhh yes. and so was Gareth Bale Sukky. He supported AFC but went over to the spuddies.

  81. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good to see him only on loan…..

    Sky Sports understands West Ham are poised to win the race to sign Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson on loan.

    Arsenal are willing to loan out Jenkinson following the recent arrivals of Mathieu Debuchy and Chambers meant the England international’s first-team chances limited this season.

    Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sees Jenkinson as part of Arsenal’s long-term future, but is happy for him to go out on loan to get regular first-team football under his belt.

    There has been no shortage of takers for Jenkinson with West Ham, Hull City, Swansea City and Sunderland all thought to have enquired about the 22-year-old.

    However, West Ham are in pole position to land the former Charlton man after holding talks with the player earlier on Monday.

    West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is thought to be an admirer of Jenkinson and sees him as a valuable addition to his defensive options next season.

    Jenkinson is happy to go out on loan to play regularly next season as he looks to win his place back in the England squad and the move to Upton Park is expected to be sealed within the next 24 hours.

  82. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Now I hope that WHU get a shortage of CB’s come 3rd September so that pumpkin face Same will have to play him there.

  87. BrainwashedKev says:

    Jenkinson to West Ham, on loan, is a great move for him and for Arsenal…

    Glad to hear Wenger saying that he had a future at Arsenal…
    Hope he means what he says….

  89. Byo says:

    Never understood how/why you would get on-line only to get in a fight. Especially when all everyone here expresses can be labelled as “opinion”.

    Arsenal does not need a new striker, in spite of the expressed opinion of a lot here.
    A CDM/b2b MF the team needs(as first choice/looking to future).

  90. Nickie says:

    Hiya all

    Nice post..

    Yesterdays comments did get a little out of hand and repetitive lol.

    How is everyone?

    I think that little glint in Wenger’s eye is a move for Pogba

  97. BrainwashedKev says:

    Coach, seems as if LVG is gonna go with 3 5 2 this season…

    Obviously he sees a mobile defender like Vermaelen as a key addition…

    How do you think a system like that will work in the EPL?

    Could we see a change to a 4 4 2 very quickly, if it don’t work out?

    Or would LVG stick with it whatever?

  102. Hell Raising Devil says:

    habib….I spoke to Ginge about it yesterday or the day before methinks.

    I feel that 3-5-2/ 3-4-1-2 will work out initially……until they manage to suss the formation out. then all the opposition will do is stay back and such them in and then exploit the flanks.

    TommyV would excell if such a formation is employed at AFC…with Per in the middle, Kos on the right ad Tommy on the left in a 3 man CB system. Even Debuchy and Gibbs would suit that formation fine.

    But as I told you……3-5-2 should not be employed throughout a whole 38 game season. Look at Juventus. they played 3-5-2 in Serie A. Yet in the CL they flopped. Why??? because in Italy many teams are defensive and so playing 4-4-2 or with a back 4 is a waste. But in the EPL or the CL, where teams attack you 3-5-2 or three at the back is suicidal over a whole season. And for a system like that to work you need 5 or 6 CB not 3 or 4.

  104. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Paul Scholes has joined BT sport as a pundit. lol

    what is he going to comment about??? He rarely speaks.

    Unless its ho, hum, aye, shit, etc etc

  106. Micko says:

    Where’s TEO today, nursing a sore head possibly after Nigerians bronze medal at ping pong, some of the funniest celebrations I’ve seen for a long long time.

  108. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Hmmmmm…….

    What about this …………

    Ches
    Debuchy, Per, Kos, Gibbs
    Arteta, Ramsey
    Theo, Ozil, Sanchez
    Giroud

    vs

    Ospina,
    Chambers, TommyV, Hayden, Monreal
    Wilshere, Flamini
    OX,Cazorla,TR07
    Podolski

    Subs to enter for this 60 minute game…..Martinez, Sanogo, Gnabry, Campbell, Zelalem, Coquelin. Diaby

  109. Hell Raising Devil says:

    the above two teams show that even now the squad is in good shape. All we need is a Holding midfielder and another CB.

  110. tsgh says:

    Dev- BM played 3 at the back last weekend… albeit it ended 2-2 with Kruse’s Mong’bach…

    As we have been discussing for awhile now.. that is the formation now…

    4 at the back in most attacking teams end up with 2 at the back as the 2 FB are required to defend…

    One reason why I am not overly enthused by some of our Defensive signings imo

  111. Nickie says:

    I like those squads Dev. Good balance of youth/experience/speed/power/technical ability. We look quite strong, agree re CB and CDM. Wouldn’t turn down another striker.

    Coquelin to be gone. Zelalem shouldn’t be near first team squad come premier league.

    Sanogo and Gnabry to be loaned

    I’m really forward to the battle for the number 1 spot. I always rated Fabianski and felt Scz has tendencies to have a crazy moment more often than not. Ospina looks great but he does like to punch more than catch. Will be very interesting indeed

  112. tsgh says:

    Dev, not sure Hayden is ahead of Miquel yet tbh…

    Hayden may have the edge because he is left footed but to me he is too much like Kosser whilst Miquel is like Frank de Boer or a left footed BFG to a lesser extend

  114. Wavy says:

    Sorry I missed the growling yesterday! Actually I’m not LG is the place for abuse, sometimes quite poisonous! Not for me I’m a much gentler human, I think?

    Only Wenger knows what or rather who is going to come in next, or even who is leaving next! The former would have been unthinkable a year ago, new players well only of top, top quality! Out the door any player who wanted to go to Manchester for more than &15m plus.
    Were over that now and hooray for that and I look forward to the we season with huge optimism. Just hope I’m not going to be disappointed……..again!

    COYRRGs

  116. BrainwashedKev says:

    The Norfolk Broads are a lovely part of the countryside Potter.

    I’ve had a few enjoyable boating holidays up your way…

    The way the weather is atm, it must be fabulous up there.

  117. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I put Hayden in there as AW seems to prefer him over Miguel. I do not know why but I have that feeling. Then again I might be wrong.

  119. potter says:

    Wish i was on a boat now , I was off all day yesterday cold and drizzly. Still that’s your luck.

  122. rico says:

    Devil, I hope there is a better player alongside Ramsey this season, well, younger, stronger and quicker…

  124. tsgh says:

    I think he could be Rico… I believe he reads the game well; unfortunately because he has played most times as a lb for the seniors we haven’t seen the best of him.

    At LFC he wasn’t back at all…

    If you remember 2 years ago you were calling for us to sign one of the Foxes CB’s after a CoC game… he couldn’t displace them in the league but he was always on the bench and made 10 appearances…

  125. NashuaGunners says:

    Good Afternoon Rico and All. Good read but not much in the gossip column. I love when we been link with all the good players all over the world.

    @ Rico. Tai will come back, and Sgy upset because he heard Song is coming back. 🙂

  126. rico says:

    Me, a Lfc CB? You sure Ts, who on earth was that, you know what my memory is like… lol

    If he stays, and with Chambers signing, could mean TV doesn’t get replaced if he goes then.

    I wouldn’t be too happy if that was the case…

  127. rico says:

    Afternoon Ng… 🙂

    Need to nip off and replace a roof…

    Thankfully, it’s only the one on the coup 😉

    Back in a little while…

  129. tsgh says:

    Miquel was involved in both games against city last season QF where City needed the 2nd leg to go through to the next round in the CoC…

    Against city’s fire power he showed he had it in him imo…

  131. Sukky says:

    Spur sold bale and buy bunch of craps to replace him and AVB was sacked.Now Liverpool sold Suarez…..History repeating?

  132. NashuaGunners says:

    The Italy international has the physical power, lightning pace, technique and finishing skills current Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud just doesn’t possess. Of course, football talent is never the issue with Balotelli, his erratic behaviour is.

  135. tsgh says:

    Wes Morgan and Liam Moore would walk into most EPl teams imho…

    Ng, to me Balo’ is world class… I guess it was him or AS17 and Aw went for the safe and sensible option… AS is top classas we all know but Balo is a game changer for me…

  136. Nickie says:

    Ts

    I’m not sure what’s happened to Miquel but he seems to have matured since the last time I’ve seen him (Asia last year, CC games etc) to how he played in the last 2 friendlies. Even though they wasn’t great teams it seems asthough he has a wiser head on his shoulders. It looks as though he has definitely improved over the last year. 4th choice cb? he will do

  138. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Looking at the players who have travelled to Austria I think Arsene
    has made some big decisions.
    Akpom Hayden Bellerin Martinez and Macey are in the squad,Coquelin MiqualJenkenson Olsson and Toral are not.
    This looks like ( my opinion) Martinez will be in the 25 , Coquelin and Miqual and Jenks will not .

  140. tsgh says:

    Hi Rick.. thanks for the info… I gues Ignasi’s time is up… shame since he could have joined Malaga the year SC19 joined us…

  141. NashuaGunners says:

    T’s. With Balo asking price I would still gamble it. Less than 10M with some clause in his contract about being sent off and a loss of wages in a week or two. But he is completely different from OG12

  145. Nickie says:

    I didn’t rate Hayden at CDM when I saw him there but he looks much comfortable at CB. I quite like him 🙂

  146. rico says:

    Ts, not quite, but can follow a set of instructions, just and an electric drill is user friendly enough… I get by… 😉

  147. tsgh says:

    Yep Nickie… he is majestic at CB at least at this level as he is good on the ball…

    Hope he makes it… it will be another academy player first defender after Hoyte to make it to the seniors…

    Ng, ditto that but… AW has his ideas…

    This summer he has surprised me a bit in some of his targets so fingers crossed…

    I am sad for Olsson; hope he gets a loan to Southampton or Eredivisie…I am still not sold on Zelalem yet… he needs games and I believe the u-21 would be a good level for him but…

  149. Rick says:

    I have just seen an amended list .
    Coquelin and Miquel are both there.
    Ginge my boy will not be another Eastmond.
    He is a c/b and will be no 4.

  150. tsgh says:

    lol Rick…

    You put as a smile on my face Sir.. I was just looking at the photos and I saw Miquel…

  151. Nickie says:

    I think defensively we’d be sorted if Vermaelen decided to stay and fight. He should be enthusiastic and excited about what’s happening at Arsenal. Why leave? Show us you’ve still got it TV

  152. tsgh says:

    Rick. I am glad we all agree his future is as a CB…

    I know it was just an opinion from a distance but I was not impressed with him at DM at all… I thought it was another move that would mess up his development…

    His red cards/bookings at DM were very high as I was saying lasts eason…

  153. tsgh says:

    True Nickie… I strongly believe if TV stays and stays fit he would be a starter ahead of the BFG this season… I wonder why he is not in training seeing as the French contingents are there…

    The only issue is Kosser struggles playing on the rhs of central defence that is why he and TV do not work as well…

  154. Gonerjoe says:

    Just watchEd an English man batter a Scott in the super heavy weight boxing in the commonwealth game it was great fight.

  157. Rick says:

    I agree with him Ginge.
    I cannot understand how and why they have left him out
    I cannot see him playing for us next season.

  159. tsgh says:

    A bit unfair on him imho Rick… I suppose you can understand why I am on the darkside until match day 1. 🙂

    I know we have the midfielders in squad but an extra week with the seniors would have been a good boost to his confidence.. he has worked hard on his upper body this summer…

    The only positive thus far is AKpom involvement me think…

    🙂 Gj. A scot or a Scott? 😛

  160. tsgh says:

    Possibly Nickie.. I thought with BFG missing the first 2 games including UCL qualifier, TV could come in and cement his place…

  163. NashuaGunners says:

    Who is suitable in the current squad for HM role if Arsenal doesn’t buy???

    Although Wilshere has the requisite passing ability and tenacity to function at the base of the Arsenal midfield, he lacks positional discipline. He can also be somewhat cavalier in possession. During Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in 2013/14, Wilshere’s unsuitability for a defensive role was horribly exposed by a rampant Liverpool.

    Then there’s Abou Diaby. The Frenchman is perennially hailed as the solution to Arsenal’s midfield problems, only for injuries to inevitably scupper those plans. Arsenal must learn their lesson: Sadly, Diaby can’t be relied upon.

    If Thomas Vermaelen is sold, Arsenal may need another new centre-back. Should Arsene Wenger elect to let Joel Campbell go, there could even be an argument for pursuing a centre-forward. However, no position is a greater priority than holding midfield. Arsenal need someone with power, intelligence and discipline. They need someone who can provide a solid base on which the creative talents of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil can flourish.

    The puzzle is almost complete. Wenger must spend the remaining month of the window scouring world football for that final missing piece.

    By B/R

  164. tsgh says:

    Gj, hope you did not take my comment at 3:35 the wrong way…

    was just wondering if it was an Australian… 😉

  165. tsgh says:

    Ng-If Diaby can come in for Ramsey in a few games we don’t really need a true DM… AW wont sign one like that imo… I guess that is why Morgan may not come in…

    I think that is why he has been after Carvalho and Khedira… with the players we have a box to box is needed more imo…

  166. tsgh says:

    Santi can even play as a DM if we have a proper box to box player…

    Santi plays DM for Spain some times when Martinez plays in midfield…
    Santi also played DM for Pelle at Malaga and Villareal on several occasions too…

    Santi has played CM/DM/playmaker in later part of games for us too on occasions…

  167. Gonerjoe says:

    It was a Scot but Scott looked better it was the iPad but I left it in because it made chuckle. 😀

  168. rico says:

    Wavy, 1.54 sorry I missed your comment too. Absolutely right, there is a place for all that kind of stuff, just not here…

  170. BrainwashedKev says:

    Rick 3.11

    Interesting….

    Toral and Olsson have time…

    Coquelin and Miquel aren’t up to the required standard…

    Offski

  171. Nickie says:

    I’d hate to see BFG lose his place but it’s a great opportunity for Verm. He should at least stick around and see what he could do. Would be a real kick in the teeth for him if he is fit and Chambers starts ahead of him in CB

  172. NashuaGunners says:

    T’s. I’m not disputing what you’re saying but if you remember Chelsea vs Arsenal in EM’s, that was exactly what Mourinho did. He deployed Mikel right in front of the back four. And asked Lampard and Remirez to seat in front of Mikel and hit us on the counter-attack. Chelsea came close in winning that game with Lampard shot. The HM position is very important in certain game against certain clubs.

    There are certain games we really need to counter-attack when we have HM and striker like Balo who has pace. Do we really need to squeeze out a win in Stanford Bridge with all out attack? No and Yes.

  173. Hell Raising Devil says:

    BFG loose his place???? You got to be joking.

    TommyV does not have his heart in it anymore. I do not think he will stay and fight.

    Imo we need a new CB instead of him. Haydn will be 4th choice. With him I feel secure as 4th choice. Hopefully he will be given his chance.

  175. tsgh says:

    True Ng,

    But imo the reason why Jose deployed that style as did Fergie before he retired had nothing to do with who was playing in the DM role or how slow that person is…

    Note Di Matteo used the same tactic to negate Pirlo in the UCL… the year before when Vidal was missing.

    I think it is more to do with the well known tactical fact that to beat or stop Arsenal from playing with MA08 in the team you have to stop Mikel from dictating play…ie. stop the deep-lying playmaker.

    If you recall we played Liverpool 3 times last season and they beat us only 1 time albeit heavily…

    On both occasions when we got the rsults Brenda played 3-5-2 and allowed MA08 who was voted motm to dictate play…

    In the other game Ox was played as a CM and he has not got the legs or experience of Ramsey to do the closing down in midfield…

    In the game that we lost, what Brenda did was play Henderson ahead of Coutinho unlike on the 2 previous occasions… this ensured that we did not start our attacks from the back but we went long resulting in us having the ball less often imo..

    When Ramsey is fit his job is like PV04’s back in those days by allowing Manu Petite to be the pivot by moving around and making triangles… PV04 had Parlour chasing around too..

    Who else does that now in our squad apart from Ramsey and TR07 and to a lesser extent Ozil…

    Unfortunately imo, JW and Ox are not there yet tactically to see that picture by moving into space..

    If you remember Song and Cesc use to do that for JW all the time by moving into appropriate places when JW had the ball.
    Even Song did the same for Ox against Milan too…

  176. tsgh says:

    Lol Dev.. I think we will be lucky if Per has another top season like he did last year… towards the end of last season he was being exposed in games… the FA cup final is a recent example…

    Also Boateng albeit with pace coming in for him even after Lahm with pace and brains dropping abck to RB is another example… maybe he was just tired…

    As I have been saying since Belgium went out of the world cup, Per wont be ready for the season for a long time…AW has recently said the same.

    If TV was fit and he came in and did a decent job he would stay as he is the captain and maybe Kosser will be dropped if Per was deemed a starter…

    Sagna and Per had telepathic understanding between them… for it to work debuchy has to quickly adapt too imo…

    Debuchy’s starting position is always higher in games than Sagna so when he pushes up and Per moves forward Per’s pace will be exposed more often…

    sagna knew when to stay and tuck in when needed… Debuchy imo is a very attacking RB ie. Alves…

    Note Alves was dropped later on in Brazil games…

    The days of attacking RB’s are going imho… Germany (Howedes) and Argentina (zabelleta) have shown that recently…

  177. Gonerjoe says:

    Tsgh
    I find it hard to believe that we beat Liverpool twice last season not the way the media and some fans went on. 🙂

  178. tsgh says:

    Indeed Gj… as we know the media like to paint a different picture. lol

    when we beat them 2-0 in November our line up was Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud

    TR07 played centrally that day… motm MA08

    In February 2014, MA08 MotM

    Line-up had Flamini and MA08 in defence with Ozila s no.10; Ox scored a super goal…

  181. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Of course the dippers are the best team on the planet at any sport…..last season they had the best diver and best one in slipping .

  182. rico says:

    🙂 Joe, but we all know different…

    How they cope with the 32 goal machine remains to be seen…

    Just like we struggled after the old badger left…

  185. Lee says:

    Come on Arsenal finish off the final pieces of the jigsaw….DM & a striker! Job done!
    BT, I’ve been without tinternet in Spain but all up and running now….fly home tomorrow, 🙁

  187. GUNNER4LIFE says:

    From sky sports. Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin will
    not be leaving Southampton during this
    transfer window, Southampton chairman
    Ralph Krueger has told Sky Sports News.
    The duo have been linked with the St
    Mary’s exit door following the departures
    of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke
    Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers.
    But Krueger has dismissed speculation
    surrounding the pair’s future after they
    were both linked with a reunion with
    former Southampton boss Mauricio
    Pochettino at Tottenham, insisting they
    remain central to the club’s plans for the
    future.
    “They are part of the core that we have
    decided to keep in Southampton,” Krueger
    told Sky Sports News. “Jay Rodriguez and
    Morgan Schneiderlin are not for sale.
    “They will be a part of our club as we enter
    the new season, and in and around Jay
    Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin and the
    rest of our core players, we’re excited to
    continue to build forward but all of those
    stories (linking the pair with a move away)
    are false.”
    When asked if he could categorically
    guarantee Southampton fans that the pair
    would remain with the club, Krueger
    replied: “That’s correct.
    “It is come September that will be
    judgement day and I think that people
    need to realise we are in a process right
    now. The match is far from over and on
    September 1 let’s have a conversation.”
    Krueger insisted he sympathised with the
    club’s supporters over the raft of
    departures from Southampton this
    summer but has assured them the club
    have sufficient money to rebuild the squad
    ahead of the new season.
    “Now we have finances and once again we
    are excited to continue in the rebuilding
    process in the next few weeks,” he said.
    “We will have players coming in. We will
    make transfers to strengthen the squad. I
    can understand some frustration maybe in
    and around our fans but we needed to stay
    silent (on the departures) to bring in the
    best deals for the club.
    “Ronald Koeman has done an outstanding
    job with his staff thus far in pre-season.
    We’re extremely pleased with the work
    that’s going on at St Mary’s. We know we
    are going in the right way but we also
    know we need more players and we need
    more depth in our line-up.”
    Southampton are reportedly very close to
    signing three players but Krueger is
    unwilling to put a time-frame on the
    completion of any deals.
    “It’s not about getting them in today or
    tomorrow, it’s about getting in the right
    players on the right deals that fit the way
    Ronald wants to play and that we want to
    play,” he said.
    “Of course we would all like to see these
    players in sooner rather than later but we
    will make the deals at the time that we
    feel are right for the club.
    “We are very close to a few deals and by
    the time we are close to kicking off against
    Liverpool of course for Ronald and his staff
    it’s better that we get them in tomorrow
    so that he can begin the process of
    integrating them into the team and
    integrating them into the system of play.
    “But we are working as quickly as possible
    to make that a fact. I don’t like to talk in
    definites when we don’t know them.” #Sad for days

  189. Rick says:

    Hi Rico no apology needed.
    It should be the other way round .
    Your comment at 3.34 yesterday, about Kevs Post.
    Yes I did write a post in March about the same subject, but Kev has taken it a step further.
    My post was more about the system and Arsenes response to it.
    This T/W he is in complete control of it while others are not. You have always been positive about how things would turn out this t/w
    and you are spot on.

  190. emma says:

    Good post rico,

    Campbell three times better than douglas costa don’t let Youtube videos deceive y’all. I see no truth in that story though
    Key now is to get a CDM/Box-box player. Hope we get to smile before the season begins. 😉

  193. Lee says:

    35c pretty much every day here Adam….bit too hot for me, so I’ve had to cool myself down with Estrellas! It’s been tough but someone had to do it!

  197. tsgh says:

    lol…
    Robert Pires signs up for Indian Super League as former Arsenal star joins ex team-mate Freddie Ljungberg

    so it is William Calvalho(spelling) it is now…?

  201. emma says:

    tsgh – If we get carvalho we have sorted our CDM/box-box players for the decade. He can play CB as well. He is just 22

  203. Adam says:

    Reasonable thank you. I spoke to a friend last night who has a place in County Cavan which is, I believe, down on the border? He tells me he has been plagued by Pine Martins of all things. Reckoned one came down his chimney and destroyed the place leaving its mess everywhere. He says they are protected down there. It shouldn’t have, but it made me laugh.

  205. tsgh says:

    Former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez’s father is kidnapped and held for ransom after being snatched from his car in Argentina

  206. tsgh says:

    Yeah emma- Rico and Wath rate him highly… I expected William’s world cup showing to have reduced his fee…

    I preferred Fernando who joined City myself…

  207. Gunnerdna says:

    Morgan Schneiderlin @SchneiderlinMo4 · 1m
    6 years of an amazing journey #saintsfc DESTROYED in 1 hour !!!

  208. potter says:

    Chorizo in cider – nice pick, Gambas ajillo to start with Catalan bread with tomato and garlic , a bottle of decent Cava with a sorbet to finish. I’m on my way ! At least I wish I was.
    Buon provecho Lee.

  210. emma says:

    Bad move and attitude by Schneiderlin on twitter. There are better ways to move out of a club by going on twitter to show your disdain. Thank goodness arsenal are not in for him

  212. Bt62 Gooner says:

    You’d be right regarding Cavan, on the border, think it was one of the 9 counties, of the province of Ulster. He’s having a bit of a Hitchcock moment, we’re plagued here with bleedin Magpies. Noisy…

  216. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Back from an 8km run in just under an hour. It felt great…..but today I am bloody knackered. So tomorrow its recovery day.

  217. tsgh says:

    Follow

    Cookie
    ‏@SimplyCookie_
    These ain’t loyal pic.twitter.com/Sg6lzDHBzi
    Romford
    Reply Retweet Favorite More

  218. Gunnerdna says:

    Ts, i read on another site that AFC had a bid accepted for Reus and he refused to join Arsenal, the dude further stated that BVB is trying to ship him out before his RC kicks in 2015, but Reus only wants to join FCB or BM. Did u hear anything such thing from any of your source?

  219. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Schneiderlin is an idiot. $chneiderlin his surname should read….very much like Na$ri, Cashley.

    If we do not get him the better.

    I used to like him………..now I do not.

  221. Nickie says:

    there was no need for him to do that. Hopefully the club stands firm and keep him to his contract.

  223. potter says:

    Whether he comes to us or not , you can hardly blame him for wishing to leave having seen his team sold from around him. Apparently he was in a meeting with the board and he feels their comments today are purely to boost the price the club can get for him. It takes two sides to start a fight , I don’t think Schneiderlin is wholly innocent in this but I don’t ,and he obviously doesn’t, think the club are being totally honest either.

  224. tsgh says:

    Dna, Reus made big fuss after Jaws was signed by Barca that he turned down a club he liked because Barca had made a promise to him that he would be joining them…

    I don’t know if it is true in terms of him turning us down but Aw had him, Balo and AS on his shortlist according to rumours so..

    Night Rico…

  225. tsgh says:

    Exactly potter; It seems very similar to what Lille did to Hazard and Sow a few years back…
    apparently what they told him was to wait until a replacement had been signed; A Saints fan on TShite said that rumours were going around that the chairman had been telling clubs to give them time to get a replacement for Rodgriguez and Morgan whilst they were selling the English players to Liverpool and us…

  229. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I am not trying to get my youth back Ginge. honest.

    I do it purely for leisure and enjoyment. It allows me an hour to myself to think and free my mind.

    And I do it to feel like the wind..

  230. Hell Raising Devil says:

    But at least in one hour I ran more than the English football team players managed during 90 minutes in any match in the WC.

  232. Rick says:

    Ginge, Kev , have you seen Photos on main site of team training.
    Photo 18 do you know who MS is?

  233. potter says:

    Jealous , wish I could go for a run. Can hardly walk up the garden path at the moment . Hip replacement I think.

  239. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Dont give up Potter. I was in your position once. had to spend practically eight years like Diaby. Could not even jog 100 metres.

    Take it one step at a time and one day at a time.

    And drink lots of milk…..you need it for your bones.

  242. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Had a very busy day, Nash…just came back to the house…

    Thanks, mate for caring. Waka dey cool.

  243. Micko says:

    Potter 7.41, couldn’t agree more, it takes two to tango !
    Same goes for the remy medical, failed it my arse, it’s become pretty clear liverpool pulled the plug for whatever reasons.

    TEO, your enthusiam shines through in your posts, something I lost a few seasons back, wouldn’t it be great to have a real crack at the title this season………

    Nite Gooners.

  245. fatgun-ug says:

    Morning all and Rico here.
    Nice read, I mean the post and all your comments.
    Happy HH family.

  246. fatgun-ug says:

    Morning all and Rico here.
    Nice read, I mean the post and all your comments.
    Happy HH family.
    A nice day all and waiting for today’s

  248. tsgh says:

    RM are allegedly pissed off that BM are encouraging Sami Khedira to stall contract and sign as a free agent next summer … lol

    I can see a last minute £8m bid late in the window…

    Morning all btw…

  250. Lee says:

    Be nice if we signed Remy and he scored a hatful against the Mickey mousers! Brenda’s face became covered in creases and his bird did the off…….

  251. Adam says:

    Lee. What a cruel thought. 🙂
    But, yes, it would be nice, except for a bleached blond like Brenda of course. 🙂

  253. rico says:

    Morning Ts, Adam & Lee..

    Neither Khedira and Remy deals would surprise me…

    Muggy or groggy Adam? 😉

  255. Adam says:

    Lee. I could tell you one we are in talks for but I would need to whisper it in your ear. I told Rico yesterday but she is under Omertà.

  261. rico says:

    Morning Nickie….

    LvG is a plank, tells the world Shaw is unfit and then plays him last night. Would have laughed had that backfired…

    Shaw said, ‘I’m fit but not to the managers demands’…

    LvG loves himself nearly as much as Mourinho does, not quite but nearly….

  262. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Morning Rico, all,

    They say Schneiderlin prefers Spurs to us…and I say absolute cranks.

    Since Nasri left, Wenger has been too careful with signing French players. Can’t see any French player rejecting Arsenal, knowing that’s an assured ticket to French national team. Schneiderlin didn’t get games at the World Cup but knows once he joins Arsenal and plays in the UCL, he’d become automatic choice in France’s middle.

    I don’t think Wenger is interested in either him or Remy.

  264. rico says:

    Morning Tai, you could be right, seems Southampton won’t let him leave at the moment…

    Agree bondex, I hope they have another awful season. Not many players seem to be in a rush to sign for them…

  265. Wavy says:

    Morning all

    Having pissed the Bale cash up the wall, the scum find themselves a bit short! They can only buy if they sell and in typical financial fashion will not sell for less than they paid, my boy! They bought half a team of scanners, they want to redevelop shite fart lane! It is not a bottomless pit! I reckon they are worse off than us when we started the Emirates emigration scheme. They can probably look forward to at least seven years of famine, plus a few attacks by locusts.
    Far from progressing they would seem to be reversing!
    C’est la vie!

  268. Sukky says:

    You just realize LVG and moyinho are twin brothers?I told you since †̥ђƺ start,this guy talks too much and play stupid mind games.He’s a good tactical manager but it takes more than that to succeed in EPL.Morning all,Rico,can’t you make people reply to others comment?You understand?

  269. Sukky says:

    You just realize LVG and moyinho are twin brothers?I told you since †̥ђƺ start,this guy talks too much and play stupid mind games.He’s a good tactical manager but it takes more than that to succeed in EPL.Morning all,Rico,can’t you make people reply to others comment post?You understand?

  270. Wavy says:

    It would seem from his treatment of Shaw that he is a bully too. What an asset to posess!
    He will go far, the Steppes, if he plays his cards right!
    Yet another unpleasant being to grace the EPL!

  272. rico says:

    Morning Sukky, Scott, not yet.. 😉

    I can re the comments, but tried it and it’s not ideal Sukky…

  275. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Mourinho bid for Miranda…20 mil. Meanwhile, they’re demanding 30 mil from Everton for Lukaku!

    Is Lukaku worth that much? Everton likely to pay. How much of the 30 mil will Abramovich provide under the table to cover for Miranda’s?

    FFP and the dirty tricks involved!

  276. rico says:

    🙂 Scott.

    Tai, can’t see Everton paying £30 million for one player, they don’t have that kind of money…

  278. tsgh says:

    Exactly Tai…

    Also Miranda a top top defender/player is available and we are buying a teenager…

    Chelsea have bought some solid players…

  283. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    You can say that again, Ts…at first I thought Wenger was the smartest dealer this window but this Chamber’s deal and Jenks impending loan says otherwise. If we had brought in Miranda and kept Jenks, we’d have solidified our back instead of this kiddie’s gamble.

  287. tsgh says:

    I know Rico.. you have been extremely positive this window so I shall feed of your confidence…

    You know I normally defend AW but, I am on this occasion/TW lets more like hoping…

    Tbh only AS17 and Ospina have really enthused me thus far…
    Tai, Agaga and I were talking a few weeks ago about Miranda being the type we should be buing to sure we are serious…

  288. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I didn’t mean Everton has 30 mil or will ever pay that…I say something is fishy as Chelsea looks for money to get Miranda done.

  290. potter says:

    And as Miranda appears over the horizon the desire for Cazorla creeps out of the woodwork again. 2 + 2 = 5 .
    The media can do it , why can’t we ?

  292. rico says:

    Ts, I’ve been positive ever since it became clear that AW was staying… And that’s honest, not taking the mickey… lol

  293. rico says:

    Tai, I guess all clubs have to do that to some extent, we have all too often.

    My guess is Chelsea are concerned about FFP…

  294. tsgh says:

    Tai. For the first time in 9 years last season when we had a stable defence we won a trophy; considering BS could not be stopped from leaving I find it odd that a player with 1 season under his belt in the EPL is being trusted in defence to deputise for our new RB?

  295. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I’m beginning to worry…every of 25 Chelsea players could start for any other side in EPL! Scary!

  296. tsgh says:

    true Rico… as I said earlier you are extremely confident and relaxed about the dealings… you are obviously more itk than I am so.. 🙂 😉

  297. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I read Chambers was photographed wearing no 5 shirt…means TV is gone and more worrying fact that Chambers is his replacement.

  298. rico says:

    Tai, don’t worry, we’ll be a strong unit by the time September comes… 🙂

    Ts, not me, but I know someone who is 😉

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