Morning all,
A day on the rumour mill just to fill in before all the boys get back to London and we get an update on how good or bad their limbs are.
Hopefully all are in tact, theirs heads are straight and they are ready for nine cup finals.
Again I must stipulate that this isn’t about ‘just’ finishing in a Champions League spot, it’s about finishing as high up the table as we can and certainly finishing above ‘that lot’!
Whilst talking positively, it’s a good time to congratulate the ladies team who secure their place into the Women’s Champions League semi-final after Niamh Fahey’s goal was enough to secure victory against ASD Torres. Good luck to them I say.
Back to those who don’t seem to be able to make it into the semi-final of any competition these days, not even the Capital One Cup, and yes, that’s the men.
We have all talked for sometime about Arsenal needing to clear out some of the ‘average/deadwood’, well yesterday, there was many a story about a few of that kind of player.
First up is Andrey Arshavin:
A spokesman from Khazar Lankaran, Aliyev told Izvestia.ru.
Apart from Khazar it’s Quabala, Neftci and Baki.
At the moment there are only four teams in Azerbaijan who could be ready to pay for such a player as Andrey.
We have a new coach – the popular John Toshack. At the moment he has to check the squad and decide in which positions he should strengthen the team.
So that’s one on his way then, well, he’s on his way regardless as his contract expires this summer.
Next up is Santos, who is currently on loan at Gremio. He’s told them he wants to stay:
I’ll do my best to win titles. I have won titles at every club I have player for.
The staff, board and the players have all made me feel very welcome. There is no doubt that I want to stay.
Arsenal did not want to include a buy option, but those things don’t worry me right now. I have to perform first, to make sure Hannover want to buy me.
So that is quite clear, he wants to stay in Germany, and can anyone really blame him?
Well said, just wonder where are the people who thumbed down my comments every time I
Said he is not good enough, hope it’s true and Gourvino leaves
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/317206793967263744
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/317206863341056000
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/317209364362563586
https://twitter.com/johncrossmirror/status/317208746436747264
Good morning b/w
I think it’s high time Wenger/arsenal sits down and redefines Diaby’s contract. It’s either he is ‘let go’ or place on ‘Pay as you Play’. Gibbs is another one that is fast becoming Diaby-esque. So annoying taking up space in the squad. I will be so livid if we don’t get a DM/box-box player in the summer
Morning Gooners, and Madam Cava 😉
Always sceptical about transfer tittle-tattle.
Agents do love to engineer interest in their clients.
But the Gervinho rumours are a bit of a suprise.
Two years (almost) into a four year contract, and he’s angling for a move?
What does that say about his success, or lack of, at Arsenal??
And whose behind these stories, the players’ representatives, the club, or both???
rico – Oopss looks like my first comment went straight into moderation 🙁
Emma, Diaby’s future will, I believe, be influenced more by his contract, than his fitness.
As much as Wenger loves him, I feel that a new contract is unlikely, as a return to regular, reliable 1st football looks unlikely.
Maybe the club will offer him a new contract, next-time, based around his ability and ableness to be available to fulfill it?
Then we will see, as I reckon he might ‘walk’, in 2 years, when I think, his currant deal expires.
By then his replacement could be in situ….
rico – He is just a waste of squad space
allez – He is just a waste of squad space
I don’t mind Diaby staying as long as his recurring injuries are covered by a player of equal or better ability. If that means he sits on the bench rather than the treatment table :- so be it. He needs to be made aware that he can’t just rest up and play when he thinks. He needs competition to make him hungry for his place , and when his contract dies he either stays or goes.
If however the club can get two players for the midfield and get money for him then selling might be the best solution providing that he doesn’t do a Van Persie and goes abroad.
He’s a waste Emma, when he is unfit, which tbf is most of the time.
But Wenger rates him, and it’s only because of Diaby’s quality, that Wenger has persisted with him.
On those rare occassions, when he has been fit enough to string a few games together, we’ve been able to see the player, that Dan Smith robbed us of…
I don’t see him as deadwood, I see him more as a loss to our squad. But I also see his currant contract as probably his last at Arsenal…
Unless he has a season like RIP did in 2011-12…
I’m with you Potter, him staying is one thing BUT we need to buy someone who is better than him who is first choice and reliable and Diaby is then a squad rotation player who doesn’t need to be relied upon.
Oh and morning all.
Micky Quinn hasn’t lost it…..
Morning peeps btw
This could be Wenger’s last year in charge. How will he deal with it? What legacy does he want to leave? Will he be offered a new deal or will just retire quietly to somewhere obscure in the french hills and write his memoirs?
Arsene knows best! As to what his future will be!
Sure as a Big Mac is a Big Mac I don’t have a clue as to what he will do next. I don’t really have any insight either. He is an enigma spawned out of a conundrum!
I think maybe he does not know himself, but I do believe he is a man of honour and integrity, he will do nothing that will deliberately undermine the running or the progress of the club. If he does go he will attempt to leave the squad in the best possible shape for the future, as he sees it! (We may not necessarily agree in his “to keep list”).
Diaby etc will not be given any ‘protection’ by a new man, unless the overprotective Wenger has kept his adopted son out of the limelight in order to protect the sensitive soul! from further injury that the big rough boys have dished out to him on the field of play. A new man may not be quite so sympathetic!
Anyhow just a thought, what will his legacy be???
Morning Wath, I reckon that Wenger will bring in a replacement for Diaby this summer.
Then Diaby will be, as you say, a squad player, a back-up, a bloody expensive back-up at that…
Then he’ll leave in two years time.
Go back to Ligue Un, and semi-retirement…
I thought I read that Diaby’s cost to Arsenal was £250k+ per game…..
That’s the mins played v wages earned Lee…..
A very expensive squad player AK but not as expensive as Arshavin…!
Boo! We would be freeing so much resources if the deadwood were disposed off.
Gervinho has largely been a disappointment. If he goes, I won’t feel too bad. But a better replacement has to be brought in.
Hello folks, has Gervinho gone yet? 😉
Where is everybody?? rico, you off on some secret shopping spree? 😛
I have fitness class on a Thursday morning agag 🙂
Now I have to go out again on my shopping spree, got to gets some ‘stuff’ in for Easter and buy a few eggs…
Back in a couple of hours…
Hi all,
Come on guys… what will the Erms do without a walking billboard of a fore head?
Gerv can’t leave yet…. he needs to have a blinder of a season next year so that the sky pundits and Jamie ‘Redsnapps’ can ask why AW always allows their best players to run down their contracts….
Abu Dhabi well, he knows he needs to showcase himself to enable him to play in a top team…
12mil for Gerv sounds hard to turn down when you think of all the possible replacements who could be available for slightly more.
judging from that video Lee posted. I see Santos hasn’t lost a step over there in Brazil.
Hi all,
We can’t allow the walking billboard to leave yet…
The sky pundits and Jamie Redsnapps have to ask why AW allows his best players to run down their contracts when Gerv is the EPL’s player of the season before christmas next season…
Well at least Abu Dhabi is not Bridges… or Michael Johnson of Man city who is still on 90k a week and is not even a footballer anymore…
Oh what happened there…
I didn’t realise my first post was posted…
rico, shopping for “stuff”, I like the sound of that. 😉
Ginge, with our luck, he will have a blinding season, and would hand in a transfer request. 😉
Wiil, I’m not so sure he would sell for that much. But as with many other players in our squad, I guess it is best to just cut our losses.
Hi Agaga…
you can bet he would…
Agag… even… whoops
😛 tsgh. Can’t wait for proper football to return. Intersnoozzzze is just so annoying.
Shopping Enthusiast, how are things going with your economies……
Or not, as the case may be… 😛
Ginge, are you watching the Next Gen game today.
Rico said ko was 4pm.
But i’ve seen it adverstised as 2pm…
Where’s Emma?
She’ll know….
AK, I would have you know, I have bought only one pair of shoes since the year started and I have yet to go on hols since NYC. 🙂 I do impress myself at times. 😛 Howdy?
Is the game on at arsenalplayer?
Eurosport, Buddy…
I am very impressed AGAG… 😉
I too have been good.
Mostly because I am skint atm… 🙁
But tomorrow is another day… 🙂
AK the game is 2moro you plonker and it’s eurosport at 2pm…!
How very Gone with the Wind of you, AK. 😛
NOT fun being skint, I agree. 🙁 🙁
Hi Kev… are you sure it is Eurosports?
I can’t seem to find it on the programme list on British Eurosports
Thanks WATH re the football… I was confused then…
Hi Kev Ts and Agag.
Harry doing his best to tell the press he has the houdini act all planned and under control…
Hi Adam…. still driving around taking in the sights of London?
Hi Ts. No, stuck in and slaving over a hot valve amp changing the tubes.
Stone me, i’m thinking it’s Friday…
Sorry Agag/Ginge…
Just as well that Wath isn’t in the Hawley Arms yet… 😀
charging a valve?? next it will be morse code… 😀
Ak… we will let Rico decide your punishment…. lol
For those keen on J Campbell’s chances of getting work permit the link below makes a very good case in his favour…
http://1nildown2oneup.net/joel-campbell-can-now-secure-his-work-permit-in-june-but-will-wenger-have-him-in-the-squad-for-201314/
Changing valves Ts. It’s a lengthy process carried out wearing linen gloves no less. 🙂
don’t forget the apron…
I always wear an apron at home. Doesn’t everyone? I know Kev does. 🙂
There is an apron and a sheepskin apron….
Agag…. what have you done to goonster? Since the marriage…. 😉
I only drink on the “Hill” on a Thursday AK 😉
Adam in his apron only doing his naked chef impersonation while playing with his valve…!
Mind boggling……………
Wath. Someone’s got to do it. 🙂
blow pipe in the name of art…
Hi Adam, yes I do wear an apron at home, when i’m using my feather duster… 😉
Ginge, Rico to decide my punishment?!!!
It will be 100 lines of
“I must remember to engage my brain”…
Wath, I will keep an eye out, for you, if I get a job to the Royal Free. 😉
i was thinking no spit roast for a month… as your punishment
Joel Campbell, now thete’s an interesting situation.
Even if he can join up, would Wenger use up a squad place to have him at the club?
Has he done enough at Betis??
Will Wenger let him stay in Spain another season???
Adam, this evening would be a good time for you to take Mrs Adam to that restaurant you cannot get a booking for.
London is emptying fast as everyone buggers off for Easter.
Finally, all done and dusted and home for the rest of the day…
Hello all…
Kev – your punishment is a trip to Paddington in two weeks time 😉
that is so punishment Rico… Mr Kev enjoys paddington… it reminds him of his love for the paddington bear…
no punishment… i meant…
squad space? good point Ak… JC would have to go on the 25 man squad… but with no AA23, Le Squid, Denilson,Santos?, JD?,and the best player Nik, we still have room for 2 imports and JC imho…
The likes of Aneke, Nico, Frimps, Miguel are all homegrown… Serge and Eisfield… that is a different one…
🙂 Ts and a pot of honey…
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/317305421683625984
In arsenal’s world that means diaby is out for 18months. Probably back in 2015 🙁
As nasty as that is it merely confirms that Wenger stuffed up hugely rely on him to come right this season… he said at the time it was a gamble yet most of us said it was insane…!
Now can he actually NOT replace him…?
feel for him though. Curse of smith strikes again. Must be so frustrating 🙁
Sad but the good news is we will definitely get a new DM/Box-box as there is no likelihood he will back before the summer transfer window closes
emma – is that a spoof??
We need to terminate his contract if its true…
Wath. Didn’t we all say this last summer.
No way is he going to come back from that…
Wonder how he has done it, he hasn’t played.
Over stretching to get a nice Easter egg of the top shelf in Waitrose maybe!
He’ll be like a new signing during the January transfer window! Marvellous.
rico – I wish it was a spoof for diaby’s sake. Poor lad cannot string 4-5 matches together and Wenger placed his trust on him to come good this season. Plain stupidity on his part 🙁
Diaby will help us push on for that elusive 4th place in Jan 2014. Just the job.
He’d have had chance to get injured again by then Wavy…
After I wrote that emma, I saw it was from afc.com. Huge stuff up to rely on him…
Wavy. If he ever gets fit again, he needs to be sold asap.
Anyone know when his contract is up?
Morning all.
I hear that the 9 months is accurate, as Diaby is actually pregnant.
Well, it is about the only thing that HASN’T previously kept him on the sideline 🙂
Up early and heading off for the weekend.
Me, my swag, a case of beer, bottle of single malt, few fishing rods oh, and a little food!!
Talk later giys.
I accept my punishment boss lady… 😉
So Diaby is out until December 2013.
I suppose the best thing for all concerned, is get him fit for January, and sell him, if they possibly can. No mean feat, given his history of injuries…
Wenger cannot avoid bringing in his replacement this summer, he has to act this time, however sorry he feels about Diaby’s bad luck…
rico – contract runs till 30.06.2015
Sadly, very sadly I think this may be his final footballing injury. He has all the ability in the world but he has the body of a poor and feeble pensioner. (No offence meant to the fit and healthy pensioners amongst us!)
He cannot keep on being patched up and being returned for more physical torment. His constitution is just not up to it. If he wants to stay on the Arsenal payroll they are going to have to find him a desk job. His days of prowling the field are over.
I wish him all the best in his new career, whatever clerical role they find for him. Be sure his new career will not involve anything so demanding as walking, stretching or bending!
Poor old sod.
Have a good w/e Scott..
🙂 Kev, see you there then….
Thanks emma, he can start talking to other clubs just as he gets fit then 🙂
So Diaby has 18 months left on his contract.
Don’t be suprised if he doesn’t spend those 18 months on the Arsenal payroll…
After all, who is gonna pay a fee for him?
And if we give him a free, we’ll probably have to give him a cash adjustment, to persuade him to leave…
And therefore, if it’s gonna cost us to move him on we may as well keep him, and get 15/20 games out of him for his remaining 18 months, if we’re lucky…
I will have a bottle of Cava, waiting and chilled in the back Rico… 🙂
Back to the grind, lata.
Evening all, Nice one Rico.
Come on the ladies 🙂
Certainly poses a few questions for the board/Wenger Kev, maybe they will just ‘write him off’ like they have done Park…
😆 re the Cava, nice and dry please 😉
Ladies and the young guns Sp, they are our future 😉
Evening to you…
Wavy –
‘I wish him all the best in his new career, whatever clerical role they find for him. Be sure his new career will not involve anything so demanding as walking, stretching or bending’!
😛
Does anyone know how much Diaby earns a week please, I have lost the link to the players contracts…
Brut Rico ! Diaby is a 27 year old masquerading as a 19 year old , by the time he makes it back he will be over the hill. Insurance claim anyone ?
Diaby, Ha Ha ha Probably put his fingers out signing a contract, Just shoot him, no one will buy him anyway apart from the medical fraturnity They could show all the students where injury is most likely to come in a useless footballer. A man who has more injuries than games.
Me Potter, a brut? Never 😉
Sp, you have become more cynical than Adam.
Love is blind,so the saying go’s
We all knew did’nt we
55k the last time I checked… as was Song who was on 50k…
I’ll swear I saw a tear in his eye, when he spoke about Diaby!
Bless.
Adam, a cynic, nah, he’s a big softie.
He helps old ladies across the road.
He loves kittens and puppy dogs.
He presses wild flowers.
Enjoys crochet and knitting.
Is a member of the National Trust, and the Green Party.
Yes, Adam is a wonderful wonderful person… 😛
I hope the cheque is in the post… 😉
Off out now. What a day. Another injury, another blow towards our chances of lifting the 4th place cup!
We did all know fred, but on this occasion, Arsene didn’t.
Thanks Ts..
Off to get dinner now, back shortly…
I’ll slip you a few quid when I see you Kev. 🙂
It’s his cruciate ligament, nobody plans against one of those… nobody.
I agree that Wenger should have signed his replacement seasons earlier but if you were Abou would you refuse such a contract? Well I certainly would…NOT!
The origin of Abu Dhabi’s curse…
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/picture-is-this-the-tackle-that-ended-abou-diabys-arsenal-career/
Oh no, poor Diaby. 🙁 Good-bye career, is it? But we always knew it was just a matter of time.
Metro and caught offsite are reporting that we have signed Stevan…
Poor old Diqby. I do feel for him
Sorry folks. Diaby.
is frimpong going to be recalled? Or is Nico going to get the chance he deserves…. I guess Le Coq will get the nod….
AW on the Next Gen…
…..”It is amazing and unpredictable – at the start of the season you couldn’t predict that at all.
“We’ve always found the resources to do something special and that’s what I like in this team – they don’t give up, they keep going and above all there are two, three or four players who I think have a chance to play for Arsenal. That is most important.”
Who are the 2 or 3 or 4 he is talking about? We know he rates Serge… Nico and Yennaris are 50/50 based on their size and fitness…. so who are the others…
Caughtoffside are less reliable than the Daily Mail Ts. As is The Metro…
Ah… Akpom… too is highly rated now… until the Arsenal curse and injuries bite. 😉
Daily Fail…. 😀
Van persie blames Arsenal’s barren-years-for-his-grey-hair…. wonders shall never end… I guess he has forgotten about all the matches he never missed through injuries and suspension which he scored hat-tricks in but… 😉
Hello, again, rico. 🙂 Done with the shops??
Adam, pressing flowers? 😀
Ginge, you know we wouldn’t ever sign anyone who costs that much. 😉
Its the Arsenal fans way… never cease to dream… 😀
Agag… Rico took so long I was wondering if she went to Brussels for her special Easter chocolates…
Hi agag, been a long old day 😉
No way Ts – Cadbury only for me…
I wish van Pursestrings would do his ACL in. Just deserts.
Cava-filled chocolate bunnies, rico? 😛
alcohol free cava…
It will happen agag…
No Cava filled choc though, just choc 😛
Is there such a thing Ts 😉
rico, I wish I could be the one to do his ACL in. I’ll make sure its unmendable. 😀
You sure you mean his ACL agag 😉
I’m off now guys, Masterchef is set and ready for viewing so off I trot…
You all have a good evening…
Stay safe all, Night night…..
night rico…
2pm tomorrow at Lake Como… Dev’s winter retreat… 😉
4pm Ts…. Nighty ….
Gone now…
Ts Alcohol free anything ain’t worth a toss mate 😉
Not unless it’s meant to be Wath, like water 😉
Ts, I goofed, it is 2pm, glad you mentioned it so I could alter my planner, thanks 🙂
Morning…..
.
Morning Adam. That’s a nice ‘dot’ 😉
Morning. Sorry. It was a mistaken post.
Bit early for fingers and thumbs to be working together Adam 😉
Up all night.
New Post is now up
You could have mailed me Adam, I was up on the internet at 1.30. Drinking tea and snacking 🙁
I wouldn’t want to intrude.