Doesn’t it make you laugh…
A few days ago, Lyon announced that Hugo Lloris was free to leave his club if the right price was offered for him.
Lloris is French.
He’s a goal keeper.
He’s 25 years old and should be heading towards his prime.
Suddenly, every man and his dog put two and two together and come up with 122, that is of course to assume he is high on Arsene Wengers shopping list, after all, we need a goal keeper don’t we?
In my humble opinion, we do need another goalkeeper, but not a 25 year old who will not be expecting to sit on the bench and play second fiddle to Chesney.
So why do the press/media or even Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, assume that we will make an offer for him??
Aulas told Lyon’s club website.
Lloris told me that he would like to leave if he has an opportunity to play for one of the five biggest European sides.
If any of these teams make an offer meeting his market value, €20 million, he will be allowed to leave. For now, though, I have not received any offers, neither from Arsenal nor from elsewhere.
€20 million for a second keeper, surely not?
If Arsene Wenger really has lost faith in Fabianski, no doubt he’ll be looking to sign a cheap/free older and experienced keeper. One who will push Chesney and help him along the way, not someone who will rival our Pole for top spot. Our young keeper, and let’s not forget just how young he is, will one day be one of the best in the world.
I read the gossip pages this morning and someone suggested that Gazidis is in France tying up a deal for both Lloris and Étienne Capoue, the latter would a quality signing but I won’t be holding my breath on that one.
Onto Theo Walcott.
He, as we all know is in the same contract situation as our captain. The idiots in the media have suggested he will go to our bitter rivals, well I think that has little chance of happening, in fact zero. He knows what that would do to the fans and his hero, Thierry Henry would never forgive him I’m sure.
So from them, to the other club that appears so desperate to sign him, if of course we believe the same media buffoons, and that’s Chelsea.
Yes, that’s the club that has attacking options in:
Juan Mata
Daniel Sturridge
Eden Hazard
Marko Marin
Fernando Torres
Kevin De Bruyne
Romelu Lukaku
Raul Meireles
And they hope to add Wigan’s Victor Moses…
I’m sure there maybe one or two more in their squad who offer attacking options but from that list alone, I just can’t see why De Matteo would want to add Theo Walcott, can you?
They already have a disgruntled striker/winger in Sturridge who wants to play more central, why would they choose to add another?
Unless of course they want to play him centrally, but then if that is the case, why not just play Sturridge there?
Ok, Chelsea have lost a huge player in Drogba, but be honest, Theo is no replacement for him is he?
No, they’ll be looking at someone far bigger and better no doubt.
Step up Robin van Persie or maybe Chamakh 😉
Fiorentina actually want our Moroccan, let’s hope they are serious….
That’s it for today, have a good one……
Morning all. Great post! If the Chavs want to swap Theo for Sturridge, I’d certainly not object!.
Morning all
What a horrid morning, the rain where I am is dreadful, flood alerts and I got soaked through first thing..
You all go steady…..
Morning rocky, thanks – actually, I’d take that swap, or Mata 😉
Really hope there is some truth in the Chamakh and Capoue stories
Morning Rico and all. Unless Chesney is about to take a back-seat I can’t see Lloris being a goer and that money would be better spent elsewhere. I find Hill-Woods comments quite insipid and a little worrying. If Arsenal do incur massive penalties for paying back the Emirates money early, then it would obviously be foolish to do so. But the rest of his statement seems rather silly. He says we cannot compete with Man City, well Usmanov offers the chance to do that. Obviously not to the extent that City have, but where the right player comes along and that is a BIG difference. He seeks to cast Usmanov in the light of some Russian gangster and cites FFP as Arsenal’s saviour. Well, two things. Firstly, I would suggest that HH readers type Hill Woods name and the words Russian business into Google and read the Goonertalk article. Then look up the word hypocrisy. I believe you may find the two are cosy bedfellows. Secondly – good luck with FFP. It may work but it’s not a given, once the legal men get to work. Apart from that PHW fails to address Gazidis bringing up the whole boardroom tension thing in the first place, a claim that R & W are surely entitled to contest by saying that Usmanov does not seek a place on the board at Arsenal nor any company that he owns. Nor does he mention Gazidis other great faux pas by sending a cold call letter to. Russian telecommunications company, offering them the chance to sponsor Arsenal without realising that it is half-owned by Usmanov, the very man he claims would disrupt the board and cause strife. Professional work there Ivan. Why not check the company out first? Apart from admitting that we cannot compete financially it’s all a bit limp. PHW wants to hang on in there and if Usmanov took control I can’t really see that happening, can you?
Glorious sunshine here Rico! Can’t believe I’ve been up, showered, shaved for the first time in 2 weeks, dressed and just heading out the door by 9.45 on a Saturday! Bizarre!
Is this Capoue character any good? I know folk on here rate him, but having never seen him, I have no idea.
Morning Adam,
I find most things PHW says to be quite silly, not even sure just how much he is involved in, or told about our club anymore, the man is a buffoon who jumps on the bandwagon with what appears to be, half the story and someone elses view….
Sooner he retires the better..
I didn’t realsie that IG made that huge mistake, what a numpty..
Have you by chance read the article in todays Dail Mail written by Des Kelly?
please Hill wood should be given a place somewhere in championship clubs thats where he belongs.
You kidding me rocky? It’s hammering down with rain here, you are lucky…
I too haven’t seen him play, can only go on others opinions, but he is meant to be on a par with M’Vila but withough the ‘trouble’ …
Morning Adam. PHW is just a goon. Everything he says should be treared the same way you would a slightly insane grandparent…. Smile, nod and immediately dismiss everything just said. Is he still doing interviews for the Daily Star?! That shows the measure of the man!!
Hi emma,
maybe the vauxhall conference or blue circle what ever its called these days..
He belongs in Bedlam, Emma.
Honestly Rico! Little old Hoddesdon is bathed in sunshine this morning!!
Morning Rico, nice one,
Goal keeping is a position of its own, i feel as if another young keeper would be good, Ches needs a kick up the jacksy in my opinion an old reserve keeper puts no pressure on him at all and if fit he will always be prefered, fighting for your place in the first team should always be the case and that in itself keeps you sharp. buying old cast offs is not good practice you may as well throw your money away, bring in a keeper who may earn us a few quid down the line, thats the way i prefer.
Promising….
Benik Afobe was on target as England secured their first win of the
European Under-19 Championship in Estonia.
The Arsenal striker struck after just six minutes, pouncing from close range after Conor Goady’s cross was fumbled into his path.
Afobe was a handful for the Serbia defence throughout and almost set up a second for Harry Kane with a clever dummy.
The 19-year-old could have had a penalty in the 37th minute when he was brought down in the area at the end of a flowing move, but the referee waved away England’s claims.
Afobe shaved the post with a header eight minutes after the restart and he was involved again when Nathan Redmond doubled England’s lead with a fine strike 10 minutes later.
Serbia gained a foothold in the match with 20 minutes left when Nikola Ninkovic’s corner sailed straight into the net. Afobe was withdrawn a minute later and England held on for a vital win.
I’m moving rocky 😉
Lloris would never come to Arsenal to be no2. He would either be before Szczesny (where he belongs) or won’t come at all
I have read it Rico and it is odd. There seems to be a bit of a groundswell in the press supporting Wenger and I heard Darren Lewis the other day saying how he hoped that Arsenal, one of the best run clubs in Europe, didn’t go the sugar daddy route. With all this goodwill perhaps a few more of them should start to writing that City and Chelsea’s success is hollow as it has been bought and perhaps some of the TV pundits might like to start to mention this as well. But, I fear that the same guys, in a few months will be banging on about how we haven’t won anything for years and that we can’t compete or that Chelsea and Man City are truly great teams who deserve their success. In other words, the usual rubbish.
Morning Steve
Agree re Ches needing a hoof up the doodah, but would Lloris be the guy, he’s a bit rubbish these days isn’t he? Not even the French number one i think…
We missed a trick with Jussi….
After talking with Rico earlier, I’m starting to think that’ll be it for our work in the transfer market. Our board will be stubborn in their reaction to the criticism and show ‘trust’ in the current squad.
Hi JV – would you say Lloris is any better than Ches? I’m not so sure these days
I too was suprised by the article Adam, a sudden turn in their view. Thought that paper and all of them to be honest, would be more likely to jump on the crisis at Arsenal story…
Maybe it’s because they don’t agree with the way RvP has dealt with things..
Although, haven’t they all being saying in the last few seasons about how tight we are?
And yes, no doubt this new positive approach will soon fade and things will return to normal 😉
HW – we should have money if RvP is sold and according to LG, we have £25M in the kitty, still hope yet for a DM at least 😉
Plus of course whatever the players sold on generate…
What paper was that Rico? Mirror?
Arsebloggers contention that we are drifting hits the spot with me. We are bobbing about on the surface, at the whim of the currents and tides. We’re not powering our way anywhere because we lack drive and momentum. And we are are not being steered because Hill Wood, under the instruction of Silent Stan, is busy putting the deck chairs out on the Titanic while staring into the distance and saying “what bloody iceberg?”
Ches may be young but he’s very cocky all this jumping up and down with penalties and trying to put the kicker off, watching some of the best keepers in the world just lately showed that keeping still and concentrating of the job in hand was the way to go, how can you be fully concetrated jumping up and down.
Daily Mail rocky, Its actually quite interesting… 😉
It’ll do no harm for Ches to be tested as he’s about 3-4 years above his development
Take your word for it Rico….. Can’t bring myself to even say the name of that rag, let alone actually pick one up or read one!
If wenger can get rid of walcott, let him go,i like thousands of Arsenal
supporters don’t rate him at all,apart from being fast,he’s got nothing,
we get about three decent games a season from him,and that’s not
worth £100,000 a week, there’s far better players around at that price
Right gang, off out for a bit.
Steve – I agree. Ox os a better, ready made replacement.
Catch you all later
Kind of agree with that view Adam – all what is going on right now would have come along a lot sooner had we not kept scrapng into the CL each season.
Maybe now I understand why fans suggested it would be a ‘good thing’ not to have made that spot…
A wake up call was needed….
good morning
Change Teo for Sturridge? Not a good deal!
http://goonertalk.com/2012/05/21/peter-hill-wood-the-great-or-greedy/
Did you read this Rico? This is Arsenal’s mouthpiece to the world and the man who is so keen to slaughter Usmanov as some kind of undesirable Russian with a dodgy background and shady money.
Confident Steve 😉 But yes, he needs to get of twitter, stop pratting around and get his head down – however, imho its all too easy for him, Fabianski is either injured or AW doesn’t trust him any longer so he knows his place is a cert..
He needs competition, but i’d rather it was frome a keepr who has been there and done it and has just a couple of years left in him…
rocky, the joys of the internet, i wouldn’t pay out for that pile of rubbish… You have a good morning…
Steve (not plamer)
All the £100k demand are just media spin…
I haven’t Adam, but will now, after i have made a cuppa 🙂
PHW may love Arsenal as he claims but loves his pocket the more.He doesn’t care about the feelings of the fans.They fans pay the highest fee to watch football in the land but expect nothing in terms of trophy which gives them bragging rights.Fans do not share the profit with them but only benefit through the successes of the club on the pitch while the shareholders take the off pitch benefit.So if anybody claims that we are best run club in the land,agreed but to whose benefit?The fans must unite n fight for their right most especially the ones in London.If the board don’t do something better,a boycot of some mathes would not be a bad idea.They must stop taking us for granted,haba.
Hi JM – why not Sturridge out of interest?
Good Morning to you all Fine Folk.
I have read a couple of articles this morning which throw a bit of light on the situation. One is the speculation by MP on that AFC will be sold in 2015. It might be. Than again it might not. Then LG commented on the money that AW might or might not have.
Then I read this……….and it paints a picture that AFC will be in if they go out and spend money on players just to buy big names and live out of their means……..
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Crisis club Portsmouth are still dealing with an astonishing wage bill as they prepare for life in League One, according to a special report in the Daily Mail.
The paper reveals that defender Tal Ben Haim is still earning a staggering £36,000 a week, while the club has 10 players on their books that are costing them a total of £11m a year in wages.
Ben-Haim also has an image rights contract worth £1m a year, while Nwankwo Kanu is picking up £10,000 a week at the Hampshire club, who were relegated from the Championship last season.
Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Erik Huseklepp, Luke Varney and Dave Kitson are the other big-earners at Fratton Park.
The club are still in administration, but the players are entitled to be paid in full under the football creditors’ rule.
“For the club to survive, we have to sell them,” administrator Trevor Birch admitted to the Mail.
“They are on wages that are unsustainable at League One level. They are all for sale. We have already made some savings, but it isn’t enough to save the football club.”
The wage bill is one of the key things stopping prospective owner Balram Chainrai from investing in the club, while he claims he is owned £19m from his previous spell in charge.
The big wages are remnants from Portsmouth’s days in the Premier League, when they overspent in pursuit of glory. Portsmouth were a Premier League club as recently as 2010.
The Mail also claims that former players – such as Michael Brown, Richard Hughes, Aruna Dindane, Benjani, David Nugent, Hassan Yebda, Ricardo Rocha and David James – are all owed ‘substantial sums of money’.
“We are negotiating with the (ex) players, but so much depends on whether an agreement can be reached,” said Birch.
“The sums of money are so vast that it complicates the matter and the players can always fall back on the football creditors ruling, which means they must get paid.”
How many of the supporters who are clamouring for big money and big wage signings will still be supporting AFC if they find themselves in this situation????? Rats off from a sinking ship comes to mind.
Welcome Mark
It’s not all that easy to just boycott matches, if fans have paid for their ST’s, the club still have their money and they wouldn’t care – and, we all know there is a very long list of fans just waiting for chance to buy a ST….
Morning devil, now to read your comment 😉
Very quickly…..HIGHBURY LAD BOLTED IN TODAY!!!!!
Having his first start,he missed the kick,weaves his way through the field and won by three lengths!!!!
Go you good thing!!!
I’ll be back later to talk all things Arsenal!!
We’ll never be like Pompey devil….
Hopefully yes Rico. But Leeds did it and Pompey also. We are not different Lady. We might be in that position. All we need is an unscrupoulous owner and we are in the shit.
Great news Scott, well done and catch you later…
Personally I welcome R&W’s statement though some clearly see it as self-serving. Of course it is, just as everything that comes out of PHW or Gazidis’ mouth is. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and the only proviso I could make is that they think it through and equip themselves with as many facts as possible before stating that opinion. But, with the Internet being what it is, this might not be easy. It’s the old facts versus opinion argument again. Personally, I have changed my mind over where I stand during last seaon and I hope I could explain why. But some of the words I have read from people who are clearly totally against Usmanov, do make me wonder. They cite things that may or may not have happened in his past for sure, but their main dislike for him seems to me to stray dangerously close to pure racism in that they would rather have an American that they know nothing about as owner than a Russian that they know nothing about, except for some obscure sex charge and jail sentence when they know that in Russia things like that are used as political weapons. Where big money is concerned, truth is the first victim and people become ruthless to fulfill their own agendas. I might also add that our current captain also faced a rape charge. What the statement has done is to open a debate and in some ways I feel it has empowered the fans and made them really think about where this club is heading and that can only be a good thing regardless of where they stand individually.
We could be in a different kind of trouble if we keep losing players and not replace them devil..
I’m assuming you are referring to AU?
So Devil. How do you know that Usmanov is either unscrupulous or that he would lead Arsenal along the same path as Portsmouth?
As do I Adam…
I believe it is all ‘planned’ – DD, AW & AU…. with RvP being the one tasked to kick things off.
The next few weeks and months could be interesting and whatever happens, we will either have Stan staying and not spending, or we will have R&W as the new owners, a company who are in this for the long haul and are prepared to buy 2/3 signings to make us great again…
Yes Rico. Because AU like the sheiks and the russian baron are all that is wrong with the game. Like the age of TV and internet. What happens if AU takes over AFC, buys big name players on big wages and we still do not win something? Many players leave stating they want to win trophies and that AFC have not won anything for years. And they may be right. But if AU buys the club I can assure you that the moment he dangles 200kpw in front of them they will forget that AFC have not won anything and will come to the club. HYPOCRITES. Exactly like those supporters who bash AW and the club.
What happens if with AU in charge we do not win anything? Will he get fed up and fire and hire managers at will? Will we be like Internazionale of Italy who in the year 2005 were paying 4 coaches in the same year due to the contract they had with them and had fired them in just a little bit over 22 months?
They may not be everyones cup of tea devil but sadly, the day Roman bought Chelsea it is the way of football today.
From the comments made in the letter from R&W, I didn’t get the impression that they would walk in, splash £100 Million+ on players and pay them crazy wages. The impression I got is that they would respect an honor the tradition of the club.
We don’t need the kind of overhaul that the likes of Chelsea and Citeh needed, we just need a few tweaks.
Re all the what happens, turn the answers around to the positive too, as in reality, that is what is more likely to happen imho 😉
I do not know Adam. It is just a feeling. Its like when you have a steady girlfriend who is not so beautiful, but you get on well with her and suddenly a buxom chick with a nice curvaceous body comes flirting at you. She makes you think she likes you and you are in a catch 22 situation. What do you do. Dump your girl with whom you know you are happy with and love each other for what both of you for this new chick on the block are or stay with her??
If AW is in league with DD and AU and is destabilising the club I would be the first one to challenge him to a bare fisted fight in the ring……provided that my missus is there as my coach.
Its a catch 22 situation as I said Rico. There are so many pros and cons on each side. As you said……..only a few tweaks. But from my own point of view both AU and SK are unscrupoulous billionaires.
But if you were truly happy with that person in your life devil, your head wouldn’t be turned, let alone thinking about dumping her….
What about the Glazers Devil? They organise a leveraged buy out at Man Utd and fund it entirely with borrowed money. Their business empire in the States collapses and they use Utd as a cash cow to prop it up. Now they are trying a part flotation to raise another £60 million while still paying massive and I mean massive rates of interest to service their debt of around a half billion £ plus. Are they also what is wrong with the game? Once again I say that nobody here wants Usmanov to come in and do what either Abramovich or Mansour have done. We don’t want it or need it and that argument is completely disengenuous. But, we pay the highest ST prices in the country and want the team to be successful and as R&W rightly point out, a successful team creates more earning potential through sponsorship and TV deals. All we want is for Wenger to have sufficient financial backing to buy the players the club needs, when they need them. RIco reckoned about another £50 million plus the deadwood out and this might be near the right mark. That’s all. And I see the R&W statement as being completely compatible with this. It suits the pro Stan argument to paint Usmanov as a cowboy, so stupid that he would financially ruin the club whereas it seems to me that he must be a pretty strewed businessman to have accumulated such a fortune.
Ah, thats different devil, out of choice, i would have neither owning us, i would rather it was an arsenal man/woman etc – but football has sold itself and its acceptable – we as a club have little choice now as all those who did care have sold their shares or gone…
DD was/is Arsenal through and through, there must be a logical reason why he chose to sell his shares to AU and not SK…
you gave me the same answer that I would do Rico………I would stay with her.
And the same goes to the present situation Rico. AU is the curvaceaous girl (sort of YUUUUUKKKKKKK) {makes you want to vomit :lol:} who is flirting.
What I want is SK and IG telling AW to cut the losses short and get rid of the dead wood at all costs. I dont give a shit if he is an economist………..JUST GET RID OF THEM. Then buy what we need and/or promote from within. End of.
Devil. I have just read your girlfriend comparison and would only add that, when you have been round the block a few times, you understand that what’s your trousers has a mind of its own and is best disregarded. To be able to sit, night after night, in the same room happily with someone is better than even the most buxom and curvaceous girl. Sorry about the crudeness Rico. After you’ve gone down the buxom route a couple of times you understand what’s important.
That £50M could be reduced now Adam, if RvP is to be sold.
RvP – £18M
Nik – £5 M
Chamakh £4M
AA – £4 M
Vela – £6 M
Fabianski £4M
Squilli £50.00
£40M ish…
I reckon add that £25M that LG suggest we have and we would be sorted out this summer easily, in fact with plenty of change.
Each of those players above are are earning a good salary, no doubt more than any player AW would entertain signing is currently on…
Adam says:
July 7, 2012 at 11:35 am…………..To be able to sit, night after night, in the same room happily with someone is better than even the most buxom and curvaceous girl.
I have been happily through that for 12 years now mate. 🙂
………and hopefully for the next 56 years as well. 😉
I wouldn’t take too much notice of the LG figure Rico. Arsenal is an ongoing business and a good risk for any additional finance. If Stan started to plan from what we need rather than what was in the kitty perhaps things would be better. If he has to stick an extra few quid in then so be it. That’s what a good owner does, moves with the times. And I assume Rico that you have deliberately left several noughts from Squillaci’s value to upset me. 🙂
Devil. Then you already know the answer to your own question.
😆 devil, but just because AU has a curvy bum there is no need to pick on him 😉 😉
‘What I want is SK and IG telling AW to cut the losses short and get rid of the dead wood at all costs. I dont give a shit if he is an economist………..JUST GET RID OF THEM. Then buy what we need and/or promote from within. End of’.
Spot on devil, that is what we all want, and have wanted for several summers now but it hasn’t happened and it doesn’t look like it will at this moment in time.
IF and it is a big IF that is done and the right players are signed, most would forget about AU and R&W but for too long we have seen uneventful summers and windows of tranfers.
I am all behind this letter from R&W because it may just shake things up a bit and if SK has his head too far in the sand and doesn’t realise what is going on, then the next step for me is to welcome R&W on board before AW gets too much older….
Fun chatting this morning. I am off out for a while. Speak later everyone.
But they seem to have someone on the inside Adam….
Actually, one too many naughts for Squilli I see 😉
Have a good day Adam, catch up soon….
ico says:
July 7, 2012 at 11:43 am
😆 devil, but just because AU has a curvy bum there is no need to pick on him 😉 😉
AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH
Cough splutter splutter cough cough
AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
YUUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKKKK
good day mate. cu later. Enjoy
http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/arsenal-truth/2012/7/6/wenger-tried-to-shaft-arsenal-boardrobson-leaves-arsenal-tv.html
Interesting article….
😆 devil, Arggggh indeed….
hey what happened to theo and robin’s photo! W.A.T.H you knucklehead stop fiddling with the damned thing.
and hey morning good people……..
what happened to my earlier post? W.A.T.H, you ve been up to no good are ya/
Afternoon all…..
PHW really is a complete and utter twat…! His comments sum up everything you need to know about the current board their ambitions and how they feel about the fans…! He doesn’t see what all the fuss is about it’s not like we’ve been relegated…! Someone please put this geriatric clown out to pasture somewhere a million miles away from “OUR” football club…! two faced hypocritical money grabbing knob…! Amazing that that’s his retort to the letter from R&W and he answers not one of their questions raised…!
Afternoon all,
I like to trade my bird in for a younger model every 18 months, works for me.
Looks like Park is off to QPR…………the one from Man United that is.
Stanley, seesm you were in moderation for some reason you naughty little school boy…! Best you talk to the Lady of the house regarding the “Old” wallpaper..!
now this is getting ridiculous! why am i on moderation? i used no swear words apart from calling W.A.T.H a knucklehead, which he is by the way but then again i’m a drunken lunatic………..!
Keep ya nappy on Stan your not in moderation anymore…. I let you out…! WordPress has a mind of it’s own sometimes.
Wath, it can’t be easy living with foot in mouth disease, lay off PHW !
Hello Stan.
Morning Wath, goonster and Micko ….
Foot in mouth or bottle of brandy in mouth Micko…? wonder how he manages to do both even Stanley can’t do that..!
goonster – they have gone and unless both stay, they are staying gone, if that makes sense 🙂
Oiiiiiiiyyyyyyy Goonie. How are you you little squirmy toad???? 😉
What’s a knucklehead Goonie??
Good afternoon Micko and W.A.T.H. You ok mates????
Stanley, behave.
W.A.T.H you creep of the highest order. how on earth did you do that? well am not surprised you re a gremlin or something. by the way how are ya fella?
Stanley behave or you’ll be a gremlin from now on………… 😀
Am fine fella how’s you..? Afternoon Dev…!
Knucklehead, Creep of the highest Order, Gremlin!!!!!!
Imagine if Goonie would have been a royalty W.A.T.H, how many honours he would bestow upon you.
I would give him the honour of the cat o’nine tails. 50 lashes.
no they are not mama bear. we must keep hold of them at all cost. let em rut in the reserves says i! hey well its my main man micko and the grim reaper himself the DEVIL! how are you guys? missed ya like hell. boy do i have a story for ya.
Afternoons me family,
Rico cutting the umbilical with Theo?? Walnut should man up doesn’t he. Weren’t in kindergarten development where performance be mixed with playfully discovering limits. We don’t need him yoyo around off as well as on the pitch. Where does this false entitlement derives from other than his need for a book story. 😉 Fine post.
SteveP I feel ambiguous about the goalie acquisition. Though I do feel equally concerned about throwing money away on an experienced head for dogfight competition. People should take in account we need a world class custodian winning things if Chesz is injured or out of form for an extended period of time. He still got a steep learning curve to go steady. I shudder at the prospects of playing either a final or critical match against title runners with a rusty starter. It causes unrest in the defence that needs its own undivided focus. Besides the routes to silverware have been decided by high profile trustees between the sticks recently.
BREAKING NEWS (well kinda) deal for JV has been finalized by the swamps.
Ohh and Chamug to Fiorentina? They just finished the transfer for rebel wantaway striker El Hamdaoui also from Ajax Amsterdam for a reported 800K. That may cool interest for bargain basements.
Wath, are you all kitted out in your purple headband and sweatbands this afternoon for that special gal of yours.
Hi Devil, rico.
DG what do you mean “if i am royalty” i ll have you know am third in line to suceed the king of netherlands you ninny.
Hi DG – not ready to do that just yet, i really want Theo to stay and show some balls, there’s a quality player in there somewhere I know it 😉
Third in line for the succession???? of what??? To put clothes on the king’s washing lines in the backyard or what???
Micko, she hasn’t let me out her site or room since I picked her up after her loss the other day…! I take it your escorting you lady onto centre court lata 😛
morning DG10, how’s the fatherland this fine morning?
Bugger re JV – had hoped he wouldn’t go there….
Rico please…………surely not. You want Theo to show his balls????
Third in line to serve him a beer down the local boozer more like…!
devil, its a priviledge to have his majesty’s boxers shorts cleaned…..perhaps you ll someday do it. for me that is……hahahahaha. God i missed my online family? where is grand pa AK, gnomy lee and yes hot spicy mamacita AGAG?
Belhanda has ruled out a move this summer – strike him off the wishlist then….
JV to spurs huh? oh well good luck to him…….well fuck it hope he gets a life threatneing hamstring injury that keep him out till his contract runs out. what a tool! Ezel!
Yes devil 😛
and yeah adam too….that little twerp owe me a drink down at the tulip yet the creep didnt show up. boy, i outta……..
I really hope big bird gets beaten, but just cant see it….
now i ve heard everything………..did you say you want to see theo;s hairy nuts! God help us.
Not literally goonster, want him to shaow some balls and stay, and start playing like we all know he can…. eg, 2nd half v’s spuds….
Micko drooling over his “bird” on the box now Stanley discussing Theo’s nuts…! What has it come too I tell ya…!
Where’s the bar……..
Stan why you ask me if cheese is still being made. Are you locked up abroad?? 😛
Welcome back mate. We missed ya. Apart from last few days of cannibalizing it was that time of season where all watched paint dry.
Rico Walnut could be cracking if he stops all diplomacy and show a grin worthy of a pitbull. His opponents feel compelled to pinch his cheeks now. Loose the cuteness Theo.
I’m in it Wath 😉
😆 DG, he is a bit too nice isn’t he….
DG, prob is Rico wants to pinch his cheeks…! Theo’s not Stanleys 😉
In a motherly sort of way Wath …. 😉
I am off for now Fine Folk.
Cu later today.
Have a good afternoon Rico, W.A.T.H., Goonie, DG,
laterssssssssssss
am in north carolina DG10! freaky huh…..i told you i ve got a story for you all.
You have a good one too devil, chat later 🙂
Rico I can’t imagine writing bedtime stories does anything for athletic aggression. If so free fighters/weight punchers would pick up a Parker pen instead of Parkinson. 😉
you moved then goonster??
Ahhhhhh Devil why? We’re are just shifting gears here.
Laterssssss Coach.
Nor can I DG, especially for children 😉
Goonie huh? On camper tour through USA? Or working?
Cheers Dev, have a good afternoon mate…! Watch that suntan.
Chain gang more like…!
rico, Walcott is much more precious then Sturridge.
shut up W.A.T.H……….DG10 my boss promoted me and put me in charge of operations here in the states…..it pays to be a huge oranj fan. he’s a gooner too by the way!
I bet those hill-billies love you Stan 😉
Stan – did he senc you to tge statesso you were well away from his daughter?!
Now we’ll have to keep an eye on CNN to see what kinda crap Stanley gets into…!
Swell me old gunslinger. He must have seen you blogging as a chew tobacco spitting native.
Bad boys bad boys wacha ya gonna do? Wacha gonna do when they come fur U?
TONIGHT ON AMERICA’S MOST WANTED:………………………….
It’s got to happen Dutch! Stan, I bet you’re deported within a year!
My moneys on him not making it past 3 months especially when the hill-billies get upset at their daughters all sneaking out the caravan bedroom windows for a midnight rendezvous with you know who…!
Devilgunner ?..please explain to me…what does kroenke do for Our Beloved Arsenal ??..besides slowly ripping us apart…as far as money goes..who have gained from kroenkes takeover ??Our team ??…or ??..
then look at kroenkes adventures back in the blissfull American wayward states…read up..then have a think ? you will see a pattern..
so far W.A.T.H they dont ………….and am wondering why?
hey rocky, how are ya mate? where have you been/
I’m glad someone other than me thinks that JM, and mine was only if Theo really wants to go….
deported? more like staying put. this place is great. am keeping my heads down. maybe even settle down…..
Good luck 2u Stanley you make the most of it mate.
The only people who have benefited from Kroenke taking over is the board members who sold out…! Us the fans as usual just continue to get fleeced..!
Hi tomstoned …
Zilch imho….
i said maybe though………dont go getting any ideas. am looking at you W.A.T.H.
I’ll put in a good word for you Stanley, can make sure you stay there permanently 😉
I’m good thanks Stan. Been busy at work mate. Things all good with you I take it? What sort of work are you in? Apart from being an International SuperStud, that is?!
JM and Rico – Sturridge would offer so much more than Theo.
Tomstoned
It isn’t as simple anymore as Americans don’t know soccer/football. Russians do. Case closed.
Whatever you think, it ain’t gonna happen. Although Usmanov’s letter hit all pressure points it turned club control into a ego battle that can last a lifetime, if it wasn’t already. We fans aren’t in a position to either choose the pest or cholera. We just own interest in a Machiavellian theater production from now on. A stand off in the world of shadows.
You can equally say read up on Usmanov as well. I will give you a hint his fortune doesn’t come from pet shelters. These people are called rainmakers in the financial industry for particular reason.
no thanks W.A.T.H……….you ll ruin everything i ve worked for this past month. hey does anyone know how i can watch our games next season. any american gooner? where’s oliver when you need him?
But rocky, he’d want to play central, he’s already maoning at the chavs for playing side, i’d rather we gave our own guy a chance down the midlle…
But, thats just my opinion…
international superstud? hahahaha rocky me old pal am no stud just your regular run off the mill kinda guy……….hey i guess it works cause am blonde!
I’d suggest in a bar Stan but thats prob not good advice to you….!
Stan I believe ESPN does cover the EPL. Get yourself a cable guy. Shouldn’t be hard in a country averaging 1000 channels per tv.
WATH 🙂
oh yeah………i forgot there’s this bar close to where i live. thanks W.A.T.H i ll give it a whirl. espn you say DG10? no way i hate that bald headed twat faced fergie lover tommy smyth. that guy just ticks me off. grrrrrrrrrrr.
In what rocky ?
Beggars can’t be choosers Stan. 😉
Rico – our own guy can barely hit a cows arse with a banjo for the most part! In front of goal, he freezes.
Stan – is that what it is?! Shame I’ve got brown hair….! I’ve managed to easily catch Arsenal games whenever I’ve been in the states mate. Should be no problem.
yesterday, spain 3 – Portugal 3 … under-19 for thr european
Jm – he’s more confident, more skillful, a better finisher, reads the game better, and works his arse off. Theo has pace over Sturridge. That’s it. Theo goes missing in too many games.
Afternoon AKB’s.
Great post Rico.
Calm down Stan…
rocky, he will, honest 🙂
Afternoon AK, thanks – you busy in the city??
Sturridge has been know to miss a few sitters, didn’t he do just that in their 5-3 loss to us ?
There’s missing a few Rico, and there’s knowing when Theo’s through on goal, he’s probably going to choke! Either way, we won’t be getting Sturridge so it doesn’t matter!
Rock its his balance between being spring coiled for explosiveness and chillaxed at close control situations. If you can’t refine flipping that switch in your head you always seek the split second trailblazing solutions that tense up your muscles.
Busy in the City, Rico?
Yeah, sort of, bloody Gay Pride march (no comments required from the usual suspects, thank you) the roads are snarled up ad usual.
Why can’t they bleedim march thru Hyde Park.
Plenty of room there to ‘do their thing’..
Great comments by Adam btw.
That article of Hill, fat slug, Wood, is very revealing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jul/06/arsenal-progress-dysfunctional-owners
Did we really splash out £75 Million on players last season??
If so, on who? I can’t work that out…..
Afternoon all. Did the US authorities actually let Goonster in or am I missing something?
Afternoon Charlie.
You be careful out there AK 😉
Rocky, you have so much faith in Theo mate lol
As Sturridge, there are several, like Theo, few. Theo has the capacity to mix a game, to create different solutions attack. It is harder to check if they give you space. For its speed, forces defenses to resort to fouls, the other a defensive organization, causing the error. If you have no serious injury, these capabilities, superior to others, last two or three years.
Sturridge is a player depends on his good form or not, it is more predictable, is a player with characteristics similar to many others.
Personally, not changed. At least a period 2-3 years.
That’s the thing Dutch….. He has NO close control!! He falls over the ball, runs and leaves the ball behind or kicks it too far ahead. Too frustrating.
AK working and it’s gay pride march………. Not sayin a thing……….!!!
I’ll be pleased then rocky 😉
Does Walcott really miss that many when he’s through on goal though?
He doesn’t get through that many times …..
I’m keeping my eye on Twitter piccies for a cabbie in a pinstripe thong. #gaypride
Theo should create havoc with defences. He rarely does. That’s the problem. Anyway, we’ll have agree to disagree on theo vs sturridge!!
Anyway, I’m off to watch a bit the magician Dynamo on tv…. That stuff needs undivided attention! Catch you all soon.
Afternoon Adam…. It would seem so…
Thought you were going to say Paul Daniels then rocky 😉
Enjoy your viewing, laters ….
Rock Theo should find himself an ankle tied ball on a string so he could build a relationship with it. I’m serious. He must get over the uncomfortable feeling when touching it.
Good Afternoon Fine Folk.
Eating some nice mediterrenean grapes. Is there anyone who wants some??? And they are exquisitely delicious.
What should those who march in Gay Pride do in Hyde Park Charlie??
Laters Rock. Enjoy.
Grapes throughout the day, wine during lunch and dinner. Can life be better??? Better than GG, beer and what have you all.
Wine……the drink of the gods.
😆 devil – off for an hour, catch you guys later….
Having just squeezed out of my evening dress, after taking part in the Gay Pride march I have been having a look through he latest posts on the Arsenal sites. There must be something in the air but it appears that quite a few people have had their straight jackets loosened enough for them to operate a keyboard. The normally intelligent Sol Campbell has shaken off that tag and seems to think that spending £100 million might persuade van Persie to stay. Call me crazy, but I would say that is fairly unlikely. There’s the pro and anti Usmanov/Stan debate and much gnashing of teeth at both Man City and Juventus. Mancini, previously dozing in his pram has awoken and had a very unattractive hissy fit and struck Sheikh Mansour with his rattle in an effort to loosen the purse strings so he can buy van Persie. Robin has fulfilled his part of the deal by giving it large in the press and now Mancini has had his nappy changed he is going to continue his avowed intention to maintain his great “respect” for Arsene Wenger. So, no sooner has the talc dried on his little bottom he will re-iterate his claim that Aguero, Tevez, Balotelli, Dzeko, Adebayor and Santa Cruz are not enough strikers for a man with a brain the size of a pea and an ego the size of a planet. Darren Dein has had his pockets enlarged in anticipation of an imminent windfall. Over in Juventus Don Corleone is busy completing this coming season’s bribery payments to referees and seeing how much they can siphon from the “black” economy while maintaining “omertà” to get the money for poor old Robin to come and play for “The Old Lady”. Word is they might need to do a few contract killings to afford him. But it’s business you understand, not personal. We all sit and wait, worried that van Persie will hopefully get enough of an improved offer, to be able to afford a decent lifestyle and a hat big enough to accommodate his new head size.
Adam you described everything well.
Incidentally, what do you think about the Theo situation??? Do you think he will stay???
If we get Moses or Sturridge for him I would go for it.
With Theo, as with all players, there Is a judgement call to be made. General gossip suggests that Theo is a legend in his own mind and that he wants £100k a week. To me, this seems too much for a player who rarely puts together either 90 minutes or two games of quality football. I like him but would challenge him to up his game considerably. Perhaps a 3 year extension with a modest increase to give the club some leverage financially if it doesn’t work out. I do like both Moses, who was always a Gooner when at Crystal Palace and Hoillet and think they would both be hungrier than Theo.
I’d def look at Moses instead of Theo, if that was to happen i’d not be to bothered at all if an honest.
Then sell Theo and RVP and get Hoillet and Moses. Speed and intelligence and the best thing is that both of them know the EPL……..and they are still younger than Theo.
An interesting read……..
http://www.o-posts.net/2012/07/van-persie-will-never-be-bigger-than.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+o-posts%2FvAcU+%28O-Posts%29
Wath/Dutch. It’s ok, I escaped in one piece (and I don’t mean a one piece outfit, thank you).
Coach, as far as Hyde Park is concerned, you really don’t want to know!
I’ve seen things, you people wouldn’t believe.
(Blade Runner).
Charlieeeeeeeee!!!!! How are you mate????
What things have you seen in Hyde PArk??? Surely you would not leave us in the dark mate??? 😉
Kalou off to Lille.
Signed and delivered.
The Ivorian underwent a medical before signing a reported £40,000-a-week contract for the Ligue 1 side.
The striker traveleld to France with his brother and agent Bonaventure Kalou and has apparently agreed to join the club after he was guaranteed first team football.
A statement on Lille’s website read: ‘LOSC formalises the arrival of Salomon Kalou, who has this morning made the traditional medical visit after his arrival at Domaine de Luchin yesterday.
‘The contract of the 26-year-old European champion is four seasons. The former Chelsea player is committed to the club until 2016.’
The former Blues player left Chelsea after his contract expired following a mixed season where he only played 12 times in the Premier League, but won the Champions League.
The striker spent six seasons in London and scored 60 times in 244 competitive appearances for the Stamford Bridge club.
Kalou is seen as a replacement for Eden Hazard at Lille, who recently joined Chelsea for £32million.
The northern French club have also signed Marvin Martin, Steeve Elana and Viktor Klonaridis this summer.
Hiya Coach. It’s all calmed down.
Gotta say, a bearded man wearing high-heels and an evening dress is a sight you don’t see too often, thankfully…
Er Rico, has Wath got a beard, just a thought…?
Oh well, Serena won in the end then…. Shame…
Not sure Charlie re Wath 😉
that’s the best piece of news i ve heard all summer………kalouless to lille? yipeeee……..i ve had nightmares with him in the glorious red and black. thanks devil, now i can die happy.
serena won what maam?
That was me in the dress Kev. It was a Julian McDonald number and rather chic I thought.
Stan. Are you actually in the US?
oh bugger i missed AK again……..oh well i ll be waiting
adam you freak……wait till i get my hands on you.
Was Goonie in a straight jacket and skirts Kev????? 😉
yes i am, in raliegh north carolina. wonderful place here. i know you ll like it.
What have I done?
Suggesting you have been wearing dresses Adam 😉
devil straight jackets are for wussies……….am a lost cause. only chains can hold me brother!
Are you there for a while?
Well, don’t all “real” men Rico? At least I’n in touch with my feminine side.
you left me hanging……….stood me up hommie. jeez am already sounding like the mexican dude next door. God help me.
I bet you can’t get that Dutch national dish, chips with mayonnaise there Goonie.
Cu later Fine Folk. Its nice talking to you all………but I am off to enjoy the sea with the family this evening.
Adam……careful with that whip. Goonie’s bum would look nice with a couple of lashes. 😉
Where are you based then DG?
our lack is in the midfield not in front
for a long time adam…..but i ll be back on the continent soon. the beers they have here are not to my taste. nothing beats a german, dutch or english lager………man i missed my beers.
In the Mediterrenean mate. Central. I see lots of sea.
off now.
Goonie. I have a friend in Charlotte. I shall send him round with supplies.
you will……….for real. charlotte is like an hour’s drive from me. adam you re a pal.
😆 Adam..
Enjoy devil, it’s like an ocean here, just no sand 😉
Vlaamse frites all round then Stan.
@Goonster, depending on the state and city, plus your service provider, you can get up to three channels including ESPN. Some service providers such as Direct TV can get you more channels with Arsenal games live. More choices to watch Arsenal on UEFA.
Roll on Monday 😉
Back in a bit, it’s finally stopped raining so off out with the woofa…
I think they should both learn from Denis Berk amp
from http://www.eurosport.com
For most of Robin van Persie’s eight years at Arsenal, success has stayed frustratingly out of reach.
The team has looked poised for glory, only to lose key players and take a step backwards.
At 29, time is not Van Persie’s friend and his desire to win at the club – cited in his statement on Wednesday – is completely understandable.
He has not submitted a transfer request, nor has he gone on a three-month golf break in Argentina. He has merely stated that he will not renew his contract, which is entirely his right.
But what does he hope to achieve by leaving? Win trophies, he says.
Of course, it is entirely possible that ‘trophies’ is a byword for ‘money’.
The teams that win things also pay the most. So why not say you’re motivated by silverware, and if there happens to be a £250,000-a-week contract in it – well, that’s just a nice perk.
I don’t know what’s going on in Van Persie’s head, and you’d be an idiot to say money plays no part at all – but I believe he is motivated primarily by a genuine desire to put some pots on his mantelpiece before he retires.
Winning offers validation; ‘proof’ that you can perform when it matters.
We confuse players with the teams they represent. Van Persie could be remembered in the same way as his Arsenal team – exciting and talented, but falling some way short of true greatness.
Somehow, playing for a successful team – in any capacity – insulates you from criticism.
Look at the way we mock Alan Shearer, who lifted just a single trophy in his brilliant career.
He rejected Manchester United, preferring instead to join his hometown club with whom he won nothing.
Shearer is one of the greatest players of his generation (of any nationality), yet there is a large consituency of people who will remember him as the guy who turned down a decade of baubles.
During Euro 2012, when he rather unwisely said Mario Balotelli had “done nothing in the game yet”, critics gleefully pointed out the Italian’s eight major honours including a Champions League, a Premier League and three Serie A titles.
Shearer’s criticism was clumsy – but not entirely wrong.
Success should be measured by more than trophies. Has Balotelli performed consistently over a sustained period? Has he proven himself a good team-mate? Has he refrained from letting himself and his colleagues down? Clearly not.
That was Shearer’s point. And being a truculent, mercurial presence for successful teams does not make Balotelli better than Shearer, however many open-top bus parades he has been on.
What if Shearer had joined Manchester United instead of, say, Andy Cole?
He would have won things, for sure. But they won things anyway. Shearer’s impact at Old Trafford could never compare with his importance to Newcastle, where he is still revered.
This European trophy-worship is not shared across the pond, where a different attitude prevails.
Americans would lionise Shearer for his loyalty and consistency – they would judge him on his extraordinary ability and not the number of championships. Nobody judges Peyton Manning’s time as Indiananpolis Colts quarterback a failure because he won ‘only’ one Super Bowl in 13 years.
Two years ago, when NBA star LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami, he was widely criticised.
Not just for abandoning an historically ill-starred team, but for shunning his responsibilities as a top player.
If he had won a title at Cleveland – and he came close – it would have been his team, his triumph.
Instead he went to play with fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh – it was considered a cop-out, a betrayal of his duty to prove himself.
He was meant to be a leader, and instead he took the easy option.
That is how I will feel if Van Persie joins Manchester City (current 1/2 favourites to sign him at the time of writing).
Yes, he’ll win, but how much satisfaction will he be able to take? City are already Premier League champions. And they will almost certainly be champions again, with or without him.
Would Van Persie make City better? Yes, a little bit.
But he will not be the captain, he will not be a leader, he will not be the man his team-mates, manager and supporters rely on to carry the load.
He will be just another part of an ensemble – like Samir Nasri at City, or Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona.
Where’s the glory in that?
Alex Chick – @alexchick81
Like I said the other day JM, if he wants to go somewhere where it’s easier to win trophies, play only half the games he plays because a squad is so big, then let him..
A true captain, leader and gutsy player would be an ‘Alan Shearer’ – a player who i doubt regrets one moment of his long career.
A great player will always be a great player, regardless of how many trophies or medals he wins….
Whether RvP goes or stays, imho, is far from being decided….
@Goonster, Foxsoccer and Foxsoccer-Plus are the two main channels.
Poor ole Kev, that Gay Pride March sounds as if it must have been a real pain in the arse.
rico, stop wishing your life away.
Good Afternoon all and Good Afternoon Rico.
I do agree with you Rico but there is more to this story about RVP. This guy loves Arsenal and respect AW base on the article you posted if it was true. RVP’s wife and parents have come out and said openly that the guy should stay at Arsenal. Hopefully, we’ll see more changes when AU apply more pressure. What is it that PHW is so scare of?
Des Kelly article was also a good read.
Hi NG
Me Micko, only a few hours, the players are back on Monday, things might start ‘appinin’ 😉
NG – I think RvP has done one thing, and that is to open a huge can of worms…. 😉
PHW is scared of the sack 😉
Back in a while, off for dinner….
Was that you then Adam???
Wow, gotta say, for a geezer, you’ve got a nice pair of pins.
Not so keen in your companion though.
Think it was the leather suit & hat.
Plus the bushy moustace.
nashuagooner, thanks man. you re life saver. are you any where on the east coast? would be flying to arlington on tuesday. maybe we ll hang out, have a few beers and talk all things arsenal. what do youn say?
Charlie,
Sounds like you bumped into The Village People, ‘Young Man’ 😉
rico did you say serena won wimbledon? what about the men’s final?
Yes goonster, mens is tomorrow…
Seems everyone has now gone, so i’m off to watch the rest of the tennis….
Nighty all, stay safe and mind the rain 😉
Hola Fine Folk. Back from the sea. It is great during the day, better still in the evening and heavenly at night. And very fresh and invigorating.
No news on NN. Hope we do not drag all the summer on RVP.
Just read on Italian sites that Russia are going to approach Mancini of Shitty to be their next coach.
@Goonster. I live in New Hampshire close to Boston, Massachusetts. Way way far from the Carolinas. Couple years ago I use to visited Raleigh when I was in Maryland, such a nice place. Almost eight hours drive from MD to NC.
I meant used to visit
awwww shucks……..oh well maybe i ll bump into you soon. you know lewiston in maine? how’s it up there? a colleague invited me over for the weekend………next weekend that is.
Morning all – internet issues 🙁
won’t be long hopefully
New Post going up….