Defensive midfielder set to join. No Higuain it seems but Arsene knows what he's doing, doesn't he??

Morning all,

So the mouthpiece for Real Madrid has denied that any deal is close between them and us for Higuain. Media spin again then, or is the mouthpiece talking with forked-tongue?

Other news surrounds Atlético Nacional’s defensive midfielder Sebastián Pérez. He’s reportedly been offered a trial with us and if all goes well,  he could move this summer. As much as we need a player of his type, at 18 years old, his arrival will hardly excite fans.

Our pre-season tour is just round the corner and were off to foreign parts but do Arsenal supporters really care?

Pre season tours are all about selling our club to people who don’t really know anything about us. Yes Arsenals name is well known all over the world so selling a shirt to an Asian or African or anyone else who wants one is just about money. Does this help with our coming season? I doubt it very much In fact I would have thought a few friendlies with teams in our own league would be far more beneficial but most of the fans who would be attending those matches have got a shirt already.

Talking of which, here’s Theo Walcott wearing was is believed to be this seasons away kit.

Looking Good....
Looking Good….

Our squad right now is much the same as it was last season. Well, all but Sanogo. Some of our deadwood have moved on and there’s still a chance we will lose a few more before the new season starts.

Talk of Arsenal’s transfer funds have sent supporters in raptures as they see this as a fine time to get the top players in and at the moment all the talk is about just who will be joining.

I am looking back at the team that finished in the top four last season. They had a fairly successful last dozen or so games which scraped us into the qualifying stages of the Champions League. Should we get through that that stage, a cheque for £30 million or so should drop on Arsenals mat.

Can we win this competition? No. This current squad we have can at best, get us fourth place in the PL and to win a competition against Europe’s best is far beyond Arsenals capabilities.

Arsenal fans have to be realistic, if we cannot win the Premier League or any domestic competition, then how the hell are can we win Champions league.

Our squad is a fourth place side at best, and the likes of the players we have are just not good enough on their own.

Giroud, Podolski, Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Diaby,  Arteta, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker and Szczesny are all a far cry from being champions. Gibbs, Sagna,  Chamberlain and the rest just make up the numbers. This squad hasn’t got what it takes to be winners and that’s it.

Replacing Giroud with Higuain is pointless as he will just disappear as the season progresses. Diaby will play his customary half dozen games before he goes on his holiday to the sickbay and Chamberlain will probably get a couple more starts than he did last season. Walcott will start quite a few games but he will be as he has been for years and years. A five minute player. Giroud and Podolski will miss their chances as they have throughout last seasons performances and Cazorla will carry on trying to make a name for himself.

Defensively we should be a little better than of previous years as the back line have tightened up a bit but Mertesackers lack of pace will always be a vulnerability. Szczesny will make the odd fantastic save but he will no doubt continue to make many mistakes and in top flight football that is a no no.

As far as our training and tactics are concerned, I don’t see a lot of changes, Wenger will continue to oversee all aspects of training so things will carry on as usual. Should we sign new players, they will struggle for success, as playing the same old system will inevitably mean the same. Fourth place.

Arsenal have a system and very rarely will they change that system, whoever we have up front wont change the results and Robin van Persie proved that. He was our 30 goal a season striker, yet we still only made fourth, so Higuain or whoever comes in up front will struggle to do better.

The supply to our strikers will still come through the same channels too. Granted Diaby and Rosicky may start the season being fit but that won’t last but if we manage to sign a half decent holding midfielder, that may help but we’ll have to wait and see.

At present, Yaya Sanogo is the only new player to the squad and Wenger must have a lot of faith in him as he really pushed the boat out with this free signing.

So what can we really expect from this squad for the coming season?

Well I’ll give you my view.

Sagna is another year older and he will still endeavour to run the wing. He will of course be a bit slower but when he needs a rest Jenkinson will help him out.

On the other side we have Gibbs, he will run the wing as well until he suffers injury and then Monreal step in. As for Theo, he will continue to dodge the ball and make inroads to the middle where the ball will never go. Podolski and Giroud will battle it out as usual with shots that fly to every corner of the ground, yet miss the goal and Wilshere will play for as long as his legs hold out.

Ramsey will try to be better than he was last season so he should improve, while Arteta and Rosicky will try and push up but they will feel their legs, as the two of them are nearing the end of the footballing days.

Our centre backs will try to be resolute and hold their line but there will be times where the final lunge will not be good enough. As for our goalkeeper, well he will struggle to kick the ball as he has since he joined us. As he has done so many times, great saves will be shadowed by far too many howlers.

This current squad will struggle and we will come unstuck against the big sides, and probably a few smaller ones too…

So top four is all I can see for another season but hey, I could be wrong as Arsene reckons he knows best……..

Written by Steve Palmer

0 thoughts on “Defensive midfielder set to join. No Higuain it seems but Arsene knows what he's doing, doesn't he??

  1. mattyboy86 says:

    This Higuain story saddens me but its what is expected just the same old same!! Arsenal are like a family who like to shop in M&S for the finest of things but look for AUDI prices when it comes to transfers!!

  2. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Crikey Steve, you are very positive this morning, 4th spot ??

    Kidding of course, I don’t see us doing much better with the squad we currently have but I don’t believe we will have the squad we have at 11pm 2nd Sept..

    It will be stronger imho

  3. rico says:

    Matty, none of us know he truth behind the story. If Madrid are mucking about I wish we would walk away and go after Benteke.

    Or, if Higuain really wants to join us then he too should submit a transfer request …

  4. gunnerpete says:

    Same old negatives from this site……..did this bloke not forecast a mid table for last season etc?

  5. Luca says:

    Perez is 20 not 18, but the point still stands, he’s not the marquee signing we need, we need Higuain to sign

  6. Scott from Oz says:

    I will come back later….the mood has been set, and hopefully it changes.
    You would think it was September already.
    Later guys.

  7. bc says:

    Totally agree with the 4th place (at best) assumption, but chelsea proved 2 seasons ago that the best team does not necessarily win the champions league whilst swansea and wigan both proved last season that average or even relegation material can win the domestic cups. One thing is for sure is the squads deadwood will be moved on whilst the youngsters some of whom are really promising will fill most of those spaces. Martinez bellerin boateng miquel yennaris frimpong aneke campbell eisfeld ryo sanogo afobe gnabry akpom olsson will all hopefully get chances to prove they are better than mannone squillaci djourou santos coquelin arshavin gervinho park chamakh and bendtner. I for one have no problem with giving the youngsters that chance as long as we still add 3 or 4 top players. Mostly fellaini higuain and bcos of vermaelens injury a top CB. I still have a sneaky feeling that cesc is going to be the big suprise deal!

  8. Coleon says:

    You wrote the truth, it is time for people like sagna and arteta to lose their place or we’ll continue to fight for top 4 even upon investment. As for fellaini, i think AW is waiting for the availability of cesc, (i wonder where he’ll play in the xi with neymar, even iniesta and particularly Pedro are no longer guarantee a starting berth).
    *where the fuck is A.song?*

  9. BigSanty says:

    Morning all HHers & to the lady of the house. Steve that was quite positive of u & I concur. Arsenal & Arsene always giving us heartache on every transfer season, imagine the *Trash Tots* have made a decent signing yet Arsenal & Ivan Gazidis are still mingling & cajoling with the press in utmost deceit of the fans on positive signings which is yet to happen. Or what can they say on Perez statement yesterday? Ivan Gazidis & Arsene over to u…

  10. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning Steve.
    A straight-shooting from the hip kind of post.

    You are right about the Asian and African tours. It is about the money but it’s certainly not about shirt sales as in Thailand and Nigeria you can pick up an Arsenal shirt for two or three buckshee’s (in Layman’s terms: the English equivalent of ten bob)… All rip off’s of course…..
    We really should go back to basics and set up camp in central Europe – Austria or Germany, like we used to…

    Our squad still needs the deadwood torching, that’s a fact.

    The difference with our squad last season compared to the season before is that we changed its dynamics, so that we weren’t solely reliant on one predatory striker.
    If we’d have still have had Van Persie in the side, we would have possibly had ten or twelve more points, but getting shut of Song was a masterstroke, depite his Opta (Assists or Hoof it up to Van Persie) stats.

    I’ve said all last season, we already have a core of 15 or 16 decent players. We need to supplement that with four or five great players.

    Higuain, Fellani and Cesc would be three.

    A decent piece on Fellani at Arsenalnewsreview.co.uk even though the author is a tosser

  11. W.A.T.H says:

    Nobody is making you read the post gunnerpete, it’s one persons opinion doesn’t mean he right or wrong that’s why it’s open to discussion.

  12. MW says:

    Another good report this morning, right to the point, but my opinion is we will not even come close to 4th spot next year, unless some seriously major signings come on board.

  13. rico says:

    Guys, it’s day 8 of the official transfer window, ok I too wish we had signed players but we haven’t, as long as they are in over the next couple of weeks….

  14. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Benteke? Are you joking, Rico.
    A mercenary bastard who after one season things he’s the next coming. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.
    He has Adebayor written all over him.

  15. mattyboy86 says:

    yeah suppose rico but Ivan the greedy should of got his target laid out in may and started negations ages ago… Higuain would of been a immense signing even the yids have the ball rolling this just purely sucks!

  16. John says:

    Bloody hell, you sound like Lawro. Do you even like football (Lawro clearly doesn’t) or are you depressed? It’s summer, the weather is nice, go and sit outside with a beer with some mates after work and stop worrying about next season. Honestly, there is no reason to get wound up about things now.

  17. Henry's cat says:

    The CL is a cup competition and whilst its unlikely that we will in fact win it, I most certainly wouldn’t dismiss the possibility out of hand. Liverpool won it it in 2005 with a very ordinary team. The chavs fluked it a couple of years ago thanks to having a decent striker. Don’t tell me they defended well, they were lucky!

  18. Psky says:

    This arsenal is the worst ever. Y lie to us that we were going to buy. They would have just said nothing.

  19. rico says:

    I’m not so sure Syg, by handing in a request he loses a few pounds 😉

    I wouldn’t be disappointed if we signed him…

  20. rico says:

    Matty, Ivan just should have kept quiet and not made any promises, then fans expectation wouldn’t be so high…

    John and you sound like a patronising fan who doesn’t care…

  21. Galway Gooner says:

    Jesus that’s all a bit bleak isn’t it?

    While I would agree with some of your points surely things aren’t that bad? The deal for Hig is still on I believe and this is just noise from Madrid to push up the price. With him and one other (would love Fellani) we would have a pretty decent first 11. Maybe not a league winning one but certainly one that would mount a challenge.
    Would love a keeper as I think Schz is pretty useless, terribly over-rated player but cant see us getting one.
    The back line is ok, second best in the league last year and looked a pretty tight unit in the last 10 games or so.
    Jack should be back to a good level of fitness (he was pretty poor last season) and Ramsey and Carzola will also improve.
    You can slag Theo and Poldi all you want but both had decent seasons regarding goals and assists and that is what you want from your wingers. Giroud is a good player but is not good enough for first choice, the amount of times he would slid in and miss a ball by a second or two shows the difference between a good play and a great one.
    Overall I’m hopeful for the season ahead.
    Having said that its very warm down this side of the country and I think the sun may have gone to my head…..

  22. swazigooner says:

    Give yourself a break and wait patiently something is gonna happen and as for Higuain that one is in the bag.

  23. W.A.T.H says:

    Maybe Ivan & Gang are all outside on the patio enjoying the summer sunshine drinking pimms and thinking they’ll take care of transfers in a few weeks…! Plenty time…! lets just chill for now…!

  24. Sundance says:

    What a pessimist. You must be a laugh to hang out with. The guy who stands with his beer and drones on about the futility of it all. Surely the idea of being a supporter is hope. Hope that the players from last year have gotten better and that the new ones coming in(whoever they may be) will add a dimension to the game and that those gone will free the team up. All the hopes may be quashed over time, but one has to allow oneself the excitement of perhaps achieving something more this time.

    Sure the Higuain story is frustrating and it seems the transfer saga will result in very little yet again but the team that finished the season was very strong and far more in tune than the one that started the season. Most importantly it doesn’t look like we will lose our biggest names like we have over the last years – which has largely accounted for the inability to rise (but don’t forget that even losing VP didn’t change our final result). Instead all the useless ballast is being dropped which makes a huge change from before. Don’t think it is realistic to think we will suddenly dominate the league or Europe, but an improvement, surely, is on the cards.

    But I guess it’s safe to give the defeatist rant in order to be able to shrug ‘I told you so’ at some point later.

  25. crispen says:

    So you are pessimistic because we have let 7 days of the window without buying, and oh even if we do buy Higuain he is just replacing VP and we will still be in 4th because when VP was around we were still 4th. ….. ofcourse that makes sense because the opponents are the same as when VP was around, no change in coaching staff. Moyes will just continue from where the old man left because he is a true genius and has an overwhelming record of winning all kinds of trophies….By the way in case you have missed it the EPL is a global product . Those teams that want to be successful have to go to Nigeria, Hong Kong and all corners of the globe.. It is why MU make a tonne of cash and buy any player they want….
    You are blissfully ignorant

  26. Philip Lyons says:

    I think that with the current squad 4th is over optimistic, Pool, Spuds will catch up while we go backwards but what is really so infuriating that yet again we get all these lies about money to spend and then what happens, our big buy is, wait for it, GARETH BARRY.

  27. W.A.T.H says:

    Shit article is it Jon… So you think Gibbs don’t just make up the numbers..? he’s always injured so until he remains fit for a season he does indeed just make up the number because as yet he can’t be relied upon think thats what the writer is getting at…!

  28. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Last season Wenger bought three decent players and one decent one mid season.
    Carzorla, Podolski and Giroud – then Monreal.
    All decent. All from western Europe. All internationals.
    The all fitted and played the team game.
    We just need game changers.

    —-

    Benteke is in business for himself.

    On 31 August 2012, Benteke joined Premier League club Aston Villa on a four-year deal for a fee believed to be around £7M and stated to SkySports : “I am still young and I have realised my dream. My dream was to come here and I am very happy.”
    He told the Daily Mail “The manager also convinced me this was the perfect move and Aston Villa is a very historic football club.”

    What, has this dream move suddenly become a nightmare?

    Like Adebayor he started out life living in a concrete hut with a tin roof, getting water from a standpipe in the next street and shitting in a bucket – now after playing a season in a poor side he’s haggling after a £3M signing on fee and £150K a week.
    ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.
    He ought to be on bended knees to Villa and thanking Paul Lambert for giving him his chance.

  29. BigSanty says:

    Hahaha*** higuain transfer was just a smockscreen. The real deal I presume is that Arsene is buying some time in other to buy Loic Remy then he can now come up & tell us how he nearly bought Higuain & how Real made it impossible. We all know the tactics now Arsene, no more deceit from u again.

  30. Siva says:

    Fans in Asia and Africa have amazing passion for Arsenal. The PL must be making a windfall on television rights, which is because of all these countries that televise the games. We love The Arsenal as much as anyone does. Arsenal’s tour is more thanksgiving than anything else. A fun trip by a second string team is not going to make us love Arsenal any more or less.

  31. W.A.T.H says:

    BigSanty don’t be saying things like that you’ll upset those that will call you cynical…! 😀

    Lee, where is the end & Bell…?

  32. Adah says:

    We are suppose to be attracting top top players but cannot due to years of neglect from staffs and management. How do we expect a Higuain, Jovetic, Suarez, Rooney, Fellaini, etc., to join when they are not sure of the project call Arsenal. A project that has failed to live up to their biddings will surely not attract these names that are themselves trademark. Suarez may want to join for champions league but I advise he forget about trophy with this thin squad.

  33. BigSanty says:

    Why W.A.T.H? What kind of Negotiators or directors to we have? For how long will these Higuain saga go? And just yesterday Perez said there was no offer or whatsoever from Arsenal over Higuain. So as an honest fan how do u feel? Me I feel depressed & deceived by the club again & its only my feelings & how I feel.

  34. rico says:

    Isn’t ‘that project’ working really Adah, from all that IG has said, it would appear we are a club very much on the up…

    BigSanty. You old cynic 😉

  35. tsgh says:

    Morning all,

    Well done Sir SP1 for a post not related to transfer rumours… it makes a change.

    I must admit I have to disagree with you though this time round.

    Personally, I am optimistic about this season… happy clapper and all. I think the young enthusiastic kids like Yennaris, Eisfield, Aneke will give us a lot more than people think they would.

    If the core starting 15 or 16 players from last season stay fit and we get in Williams and Ginter we will have a solid season…

    BVB 09 had a solid season with kids and like us with a bunch of Hale End graduates mixing into the main squad we should show promise… Players like Yennaris, Eisfield and maybe Akpom will work their socks off…

    Personally, imho of course… Ryo can be a very dangerous winger this season. His very few performances at Wigan were very promising…

    If we can possibly get WATH’s client Yilmaz or Benteke the Zairian/Congolese Ade-ba-whore you never know…

    The video Dev posted on Perez looks very good. He has a lot of things that can’t be thought to a midfielder…

    Personally I was never excited about Hig but that is just my opinion… Darren Bent and Huntelaar have similar stats and most teams are not interested in such players who are too one dimensional.

    If we are looking for such a striker why don’t we test Manures resolve with a solid bid for Bebe…

  36. tsgh says:

    Hey SYG… stop with the Eboue and Yao Gerv hating… 😀

    You keep dissing those guys… the black snakes in your garden will come after you… 🙂

    How was your trip?

  37. tsgh says:

    Crispen you make some decent comments but saying ‘You are blissfully ignorant’ to SP1 is a bit over the top.

    I can vouch for him he is one of the positives when the season actually start no matter the results or performance… 😉

  38. Danish Gooner says:

    Sebastian Perez is our new defensive midfielder.Diaby will be like a new signing and Rosicky somewhat add Sanogo and our squad is just fine.

  39. Kosta says:

    I don’t necessarily think the manager nor the players are to blame here, I believe it is the board of directors. And more importantly the owner Stan Kroenke. He has been running the club for profit recently and is time and time again disappointing us fans.
    Yes the club has a great youth system as it has produced many young talents Nicolas Anelka and Ashely Cole to name a few. And their policy of purchasing young talent has been a fruitful venture too producing some of the biggest names in football. But the club needs to find out how to change their transfer image. We are regarded as a selling club to many players and we aren’t considered a major threat to any silver wear. This is our downfall.
    Stan Kroenke’s excuse for not spending big is “we have a budget, we have a huge debt to pay off the stadium” yes the club has done exceedingly well in paying of the stadium debt so quickly but that may be the reason we haven’t win a trophy for nearly a decade. But what I can’t understand is Manchester United have a huge debt on Old Trafford but can afford to buy big names such as RVP. Like have they cheated the bank?? Why can’t we do the same and to lure “top top” players by offering “top top” wages too??
    Back to Stan Kroenke, why doesn’t he just sell the club’s main shares to Usmanov??? By giving him control by a minute amount to still have an input to the club. Usmanov would offer the funds and the rest of the board including Stan will provide the ambition.
    Overall I don’t believe the manager or the players are at fault but its the choices the board make that will determine the future of the club. The board have the power to get rid of Wenger for whatever reason and sign an unheard of manager from Iceland!!

  40. tsgh says:

    2:45 PM BST ESPN

    LIVE: PRE-SEASON
    Arsenal v Indonesia
    Arsenal kick off their pre-season tour of Asia with a match against the Indonesian national team in Jakarta.

  41. rico says:

    Kosta. I wish Sk would sell his shares too but can’t see it happening any more.

    Thanks Ts, is that this coming Sunday?

  42. tsgh says:

    Abidal and Toulalon have both moved to AS Monaco… money talks indeed! How Malaga have fallen from grace in 2 years…

  43. joywedsjeff says:

    Did i choose the wrong time to re-sign for highbury house. Things were different during my first spell here. I blame the lying chief of that broke club called madrid….

  44. tsgh says:

    Yes 14th July Rico…

    Players are moving very quietly away:-

    Saint-Etienne Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed for BVB 09
    Belhanda may be moving to Abu Dhabi for BIG bucks…

  45. rico says:

    Surprised the travelling squad details have not been announced yet…

    Shame re Malaga Ts, I read they are on the verge of signing Bendtner….

  46. rico says:

    There is never a bad time jeff 😉

    I thought Belhanda had already moved but yes, it does seem like things are starting to move a bit…

  47. Scott from Oz says:

    A negative post will bring them out of the woodwork, both in agreement and dispute.
    That is why i left it alone for an hour or so.
    I am learning, Rico…..learning to avoid the brawls.
    Your boy is growing up hahahaha
    Once again…good morning all.
    Steve, i disagree with some parts of your post, but agree with others.
    Guys, we are a week into the transfer window.
    One week.
    Yes, it is frustrating, but that is nothing new.
    We will get Higuain, of that, i have no doubt at all.

  48. W.A.T.H says:

    I thought you might say something like that Lee 😀

    Santy, just messing mate you can say what you want it’s what you think so nothing wrong. I am still sitting on the fence, I am def not slitting my wrists this early in July and appreciate things do take time in big transfers and it’s why the club keeps quiet. It’s not just two clubs and a player there is far more going on in the background so for now I’ll hold judgement until Sep 2nd and then we will see and know exactly how much ambition our club has shown in the transfer market. Until then it’s fun seeing how so many people react so predictably to a post that rattle a few chains…!

  49. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning Ginge.
    It is a shame re: Malaga …. We picked up some crumbs, though. a shame we couldn’t have copped Isco.

    What do you make of the No. 2 shirt becoming available?

  50. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, Re Higuain, I hope I don’t have to remind you on Sep 2nd that your “always” wrong…! 😉

  51. W.A.T.H says:

    SYG, the rumour is Merts wants the number 2 shirt and #4 will be free……….. Now if you were into a bit of conspiracy you’d say it’s been made available for Cesc….! But……………..!

  52. tsgh says:

    Hi Scott, as I stated weeks ago… our best deals have taken time to materialise…

    Nasri talks started before Euro 2008 but we did not sign him until 11 July.

    Yao Gerv 12th July 2011.

    OG12 26th June even though their were reports in May we were after him… and with him it could have been nasty with Chelsea bidding 20M after us but the player insisted he would only move to Arsenal or stay and move for free…

  53. tsgh says:

    No.2 SYG? 😀 I have no idea…

    I like WATH’s conspiracy though… but saying that, I like to make up my own mind on football… I wonder why CF4 who played the most minutes amongst all midfielder at Barca will move back here when he knows Xavi will be retiring in 2 years time etc… world cup coming up or not he will still get enough minutes to board the plane to Brazilia..

    With TV injured we definitely need a CB so… I think Sagna will fill in for now with Bellerin and Yennaris covering for CJ25

    On Malaga Manuel delibrately made them slip in the last fee weeks of the season by playing Isco as a CF and dropping strikers like Baptistuta…

    As I always so when some fans watch other leagues or teams they will realise some of the shambolic tactics some coaches deploy 😉

  54. Omojola says:

    Get ur facts rite b4 u write(anyway its been repetition of articles, notin new). D season rvp scored 30goals we came 3rd.so dont let criticism take d beta part of u

  55. craszygunner says:

    I can’t help but feel the doom and gloom too!…I knew if the Higuan deal did not happen quickly we would never get him…as it is already don’t think we will I hope we are proved wrong..

    But how on earth can AFC be looking for a top class striker and Mario Gomez ends up going to Fiorentina for a paltry sum as 15m is beyond me with out all the fuss…..mind you he has better stats than Higuain

    Since Dein left there has been something seriously wrong with recruitment at this club

    Reports this morning says we may have missed out on Caesar too!….to a crpappy Napoli!!…a guy available on the cheap..the whole world knows we are looking for a keeper…yet what happens?…

    If this was my buisiness I would’ve sacked at least a dozen staff by now..

    I agree signing Higuan will not take us there Higuan Fellaini and a top class keeper…then maybe then if things are right we maybe able to challenge…not win I said but at least challenge…

  56. tsgh says:

    Cavani is in Paris finalising his move…. Napoli have moved for Jovetic… not looking promising.

    I am not looking past Sanogo to be honest 😉

  57. Scott from Oz says:

    All good Wath lol.
    Ginge, Suarez has owehere BUT Real go to, and that leaves the door open.
    They know it, and we know it.
    I am not sure of the need for games though.
    One phone call is all it should bloody take to agree on a fee, because they know how low they will go, and we now our ceiling.
    It really can not be this bloody difficult.

  58. Coleon says:

    1-#4 shirt
    2-captaincy
    3-starting berth
    4-signing top players
    i guess this is what arsenal have promised cesc, although the last option remains the problem.

  59. W.A.T.H says:

    I’m in the minority it seems… I really don’t want Cesc back and think it’s a total pipe dream in any case… he’s now at “home” no way will he come back to us..!

  60. Coleon says:

    Tsgh, u really think xavi will leave in 2yrs time?..even if he leaves, iniesta will be moved to the center to accommodate neymar on the left and Pedro on the right. Cf4 main rival is l.messi in that free role i guess.

  61. Scott from Oz says:

    Syg, i remember saying that about Barton 2 years ago and was ripped apart, so get ready lol.

  62. Scott from Oz says:

    Ginge…on Cesc….is he a man caught in the middle??
    He has gone to the club at the end of a dominant era, where they have several players of similar ilk he must contend with.
    When they drift off in a few years time, he will be in his late 20’s and be faced with the next crop.
    Wat are your thoughts on this next crop?
    Have you seen anything of them?

  63. Scott from Oz says:

    And you brought it in spades.
    First decent thing written by a journo today 🙂
    Well, i think it was lol

  64. tsgh says:

    Scott, Thiago has a clause in contract that he has to be placed a certain number of games or be sold… Barca wrapped up the league with about 10 games to go but failed to play him. Is there a reason for that… most fans watch one match and listen to pundits who have seen or know as much of a player as we do and form concrete opinions…

    Tello is young with excellent stats 7 goals in 22 appearances but his final ball is worse than Ya Gerv… some may argue he would improve but we all know sometimes fast players like Babel never quite make the final grade with all the potential…

    Cuenca is better but does not have the superstar aura…

    I think Gerard Deulofeu is the best youngster after watching him in the u-17’s but a bit too young…

    I think AW got the better one in Bellerin but he does not excite a lot of gooners because he is from our academy

  65. tsgh says:

    Scott, people forget Real need 4 strikers excluding Ronaldo… if Higuain leaves they need 2 more imo…

  66. potter says:

    A varied post full of interesting points some of which I agree with and others I don’t .However i think your being over harsh with your assesment of some of the players but I take your premise that unless serious improvement is made to the squad a fight for 4th or 5th looms hard.

  67. Scott from Oz says:

    Player power means what Real want isn’t necessarily what Real will get though Ginge.
    Higuain wants out.
    Thanks for the info on the Barca kids…..i really was thinking out aloud on that one.

  68. W.A.T.H says:

    Telling comment Adam….! Very impressed… Not sure about bringing it in spades more like dug by a JCB…!

  69. tsgh says:

    He looks very good indeed!

    You might like Isaac too. The question is how many of them will actually make it at Camp Nou. Rumours are AW has been sniffing around Isaac Cuena

  70. W.A.T.H says:

    Steven G, your in moderation for a reason and thats for making such a stupid comment…! Read before you come out with such utter crap…!

  71. W.A.T.H says:

    He sounded just as thick Scott, maybe it helps if you can actually read properly then you won’t write utter shit about a post in the first place..!

  72. tsgh says:

    Talking about over rated players-J. Navas stats are shocking but the sports journos are creaming themselves.. I have friends asking why we did not pay 16M for a spanish international. My question was what are his stats.

    La Liga* 37 – Assist 6 0 goals
    Confed Cup* 0(3) – 1 0 goals
    Total 37 (3) 7 0 goals

    Total Seville Sevilla App 284 (23) goals

    Even Thomas Verminator has more goals than J.Navas considering their relative positions…

    But Gerv is a dead wood a lot of people will say.

  73. Scott from Oz says:

    True Wath, true.
    Ginge, i think what pisses us off about Gervinho is he has obvious talent, and we know he can put the ball in the net.
    Some of his finishes in France were absolutely deadly.
    The frustration he creates brings about some of the nastier comments, i think.

  74. Andy Mack says:

    Fans can’t (Shouldn’t) moan about the poor commercial deals we’ve had in the past and then moan when we get good deals but need to tour to justify them.

  75. tsgh says:

    Gervs stats at Arsenal only are 63 Apps 11 goals 13 assists

    Total career stats 284Apps 75goals 37 assists

    J Navas 388App 34 goals 70 Assists

    All according to WhoScored

    You are right Scott… I think he is frustrating but shite he is not just my humble opinion of course

  76. Scott from Oz says:

    The guy can play…there is no doubt about it.
    Just heard Scott Parker has gone to a bigger club…….he is doing a medical today at QPR 🙂

  77. W.A.T.H says:

    Fuck me Paulinho will be gutted Parker is leaving ain’t he the reason he joined the swampies..?

  78. tsgh says:

    The harry magnet…

    Houdini has signed 12 players in the last 10 years and they were all mostly ex-WHU players.

    Next it will be Crouch.. 🙂

    But some mainly Piers Morgan think he is a better manager than AW

  79. sanni Jamiu says:

    Is that the way we will fold our hands and be looking?Instead of AW the stupid coach i ever see making bid for what he knows is not possible for him to do,i urged him to remain silent.

  80. rico says:

    Just pulling your leg on the hot sunny day Ts 😉

    I thought it was because of Ade Wath, he’s gone too 😉

    So must I for an hour, laters

  81. tsgh says:

    Lady Rico, I know. 🙂

    Re. my comparison between Navas and Gerv… I am not saying I would take Yao over Jesus… its all about what you pay for I guess 😉

  82. W.A.T.H says:

    Amazing how we apparently make an enquiry for Suarez and then a day later Chavs n Citeh are both linked with huge bids… are the papers really so clueless and stuck for gossip..?

  83. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The Gerv’s Opta stats

    Gerv can do 72 Zieg Hiels in 60 seconds, which is just slightly slower than Eva Braun who holds the world record – and could do a staggering 76 prior to giving their Adolf a BJ.
    Podolski recently tried breaking that record but he got arrested by the Met.

    Gerv is the greatest player in African football or was the best player at the ACON.
    Arsene Wenger said it so it must be true. Nobody argues with Arsene. He also stated that Denilson would become world class… We are still waiting on that one.

    Gerv possesses the hugest forehead in World Football.
    His head is thirty three times bigger than Carlton Palmer’s and only slightly smaller than Humpty Dumpty’s, who since the mid 1800’s has held the record for the World’s biggest..

    Gerv can evade a tackle faster than any outfield player in the Premiership.

    Gerv is the fastest player in the Premiership when it comes to a fifty yard run with the ball to the corner flag.

    Gerv is an all round nice guy and always gives his fans a smile when he bollockses up.

    —-

    Things you never knew about the Gerv

    They call Eden Hazard the rich mans Gerv. Possibly because he’s a winger who has more money.

    Gerv was named after 80’s pop icon and star of the Office

    He only weighs eight stone so they nicknamed him “Gimpy Gerv”, but to make it sound better he translated that Brazilian style which comes out as “Gervinho”

    Gerv is dislexic and sometimes puts his boots on the wrong feet; hence the overrunning of the ball and the three yard misses.

    During his spare time Gerv likes to iron the creases in Arsene’s shoelaces, a hobby he and Abou Diaby like to share

  84. Scott from Oz says:

    Now you guys may be able to verify this…or otherwise…..i just got told there are ESPN Espanyol at The Emirates for a kit unveiling????

  85. David says:

    Be patient remember this window no big players leaving
    Shopping window has not closed, if it closed an we don’t get the players you think we should of got well then vent your anger until that moment comes its pointless

  86. southyorkshiregunner says:

    There you go : LATEST ODDS

    Gonzalo Higuain 1/8
    Ashley Williams 4/9
    Cesc 8/11
    Fellani 4/6
    Suarez 2/1
    Cesar 3/1
    Begovic 7/2
    Mohammed Diame 5/1
    Wayne Rooney 6/1
    Geoffrey Kondogbia 6/1
    Micah Richards 6/1
    Ben Arfa 8/1
    Nani 8/1
    Victor Valdes 8/1
    Roberto Soldado 8/1
    Pepe Reina 8/1
    Stevan Jovetic 10/1
    Nicolas Gaitan 10/1
    Cristian Tello 10/1
    Victor Wanyama 12/1
    Torres 14/1
    Thiago Silva 14/1
    Eriksen 14/1
    Leighton Baines 14/1
    Remy 16/1
    Vorm 16/1
    Stephan El Sharaawy 18/1
    Oscar Cardozo 22/1
    Thiago Alcantara 25/1
    Nasri 25/1
    Kaka 25/1
    Di Maria 28/1
    Strootman 33/1
    Leandro Damiao 33/1

  87. W.A.T.H says:

    PLAT, probably in the hope that one day something will actually happen and yes indeed we will buy someone..!

  88. southyorkshiregunner says:

    No idea WATH …. there is a rumour albeit slight that we are unveiling a player at the Press Conference …. anyone heard anything?

  89. W.A.T.H says:

    I heard it was Bergkamps statue SYG but that has been put to rest as am told thats later this year..!

  90. coadsi says:

    Good day to you Rico and fellow gooners in the house
    This Arsenal, Madrid thing re Higuain is nothing but playing poker in the public and using the fans to generate pressure in the process. Arsenal I am sure have made a bid for Higuain, but Madrid believe they can get more for the player. Especially since Ivan has made it known to the world that Arsenal are willing and able to spend “big” this summer.
    So Arsenal makes a bid, thinking the Spanish economy is crap so they should consider that bid generous, plus the player himself said he wanted to leave. Madrid saying no no no, contrary to popular believe even if Spain is bankrupt the government will always support RM so we are not short of cash or desperate in the least.
    So last Sunday Arsenal made a move, it is alleged by the press that they made a £30 million bid for Suarez, knowing full well that Liverpool would not accept that bid plus he is not a player that Ahsen would have (it would be funny to see how they would handle it if they did, I am sure you would hear some crap about failing to agree with player) and that he is a target of RM. Can you imagine how the Madrid fans felt? I assume they are expecting Suarez to join them.
    So the following day the media again reported that Perez said they want Higuain to stay and have not received a bid. Translation what you offered is not considered a bid. This time arsenal fans react.
    Perez have no interest in Higuain, he did not bring him to RM like he did with Ronaldo, Benzima etc. so he could not care less if he goes.
    So basically RM tells arsenal over to you. Again we are haggling over spending, when we were only willing to spend £15 million the market was at £30 million for top players. Now we say £25 the market is saying £35-40 so we are always behind.
    So who is lying to the fans they both are, that’s what they do best, year after year. The fans are the ones who suffer they could not care less
    Again this is just my interpretation of the events; I could be totally wrong guys but just a thought.
    Sorry for the long post

  91. Tryangle Gooner says:

    Why do some posting on this site hope to gloat on September 2nd if we do sign Higuain?

    I hope none are short sighted enough to believe that one signing will be sufficient to catapult Arsenal back into contention for ANY trophy.

    We need far more than Higuain.

  92. W.A.T.H says:

    Hey Coadsi…. How you doing… Well I trust, think you summed up many transfers quite well with that comment..!

  93. rico says:

    Hi coadsi, I didn’t ever think to look at the Suarez bid in such a way…. Surely Gazidis wouldn’t be so daft as to play such games as it would be shooting himself in he foot…

  94. potter says:

    I heard it was Bergkamps statue SYG but that has been put to rest as am told thats later this year..!

    Presumably when there is something else they want to bury behind the headlines.

  95. rico says:

    SS’s have just said that Suarez has told Liverpool he wants out, but prefers to leave England..

  96. coadsi says:

    Hi WATH I am doing well under the circumstances, still stressed / depressed by the lunatics running arsenal these days but hanging tough. Rico that’s exactly what I think. They don’t give a rats ass about the fans it’s just a game to them, and yes he is that daft I am afraid.
    They have been doing the penny pinching thing so long now that even fans at times says player x and y are too expensive.
    Recently (probably last week) there was a quote from JW10 saying we just need a few squad players to compete, no Jack we have enough squad players we need starters to come in and do the business.
    We still have more deadwoods to get rid of as well. We go on pre-season tour and have not have our new players sorted and that is a shame (and please don’t tell me about Sonogo). To my mind it will be Silva and Campbell coming in also with TV05 injured the whole world knows that we NEED a new defender. So if any target we have just add £2 million to the initial price. Ah-sen would curl up in a ball and rot before he does that. Say hello to Miquel our new defender.

  97. Tryangle Gooner says:

    Rico,

    Pretty sure my post made it clear that I don’t. Not that hard to interpret.

  98. Joaquim moreira says:

    afternoon all
    4th?
    At this moment, MU,M.city. Chelsea and Toots play in a different League

  99. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Gooners
    Afternoon Rico.
    Afternoon Wath…
    God, it’s stifling, excellent Peroni weather. 😀

    Amazing how some people find it impossible to read and disagree with a post, whilst unable to comment without being abusive…

    Respect to those visiting and disagreeing constructively…

    To Da Brudders Adam & Lee, how about a trip on da Ark?
    Give me some kinda lead there man…

  100. Gabriel says:

    Wenger and the board members are not serious, some flops are going while many still remain why all this? We are told arsenal has money to spend up till today no deal done? Who is fooling who, wenger enough is enough. We are tired of you.

  101. emma says:

    Goodday everyone,

    Good post Sp but I beg to defer

    Reading the post i had to jog my memory only to realize we are just 9 days into the transfer window and not Sept. 2nd when the window is officially closed.

    Last season was a learning curve for most of the starting players. Podi and Giroud(No PL experience) where brought in to spear head the attack, arteta was made to play in the DM role for the first time, ramsey was struggling to find out his best position on the pitch, arsene was trying to workout his best centre back partnership, etc. Every thing started coming together 12-14matches to the end of last season.

    I am very optimistic about next season. Dead wood are being sold/loan which is a good place to start with. The key to arsenal’s success next season will be to make sure that we don’t lose any key players and add 3/4 marquee signings to what we already have and we are set to go

  102. allezkev says:

    JM explain how you see Tottenham being in a different league???

    Because I have absolutely no idea how you came to that conclusion

  103. allezkev says:

    Emma, I expect one marquee signing.

    Very possibly two at the very most.

    But ‘four’ Wack?

    Nah, it ain’t gonna happen, this is Arsenal we’re talking about here…

  104. tsgh says:

    Hi Emma,Ak, JM…

    Have you heard about the 67-0 and 79-o scorelines…. only in Nigeria 😮

  105. emma says:

    allez – I am of the opinion it’s going to be 2

    tsgh – Yes I did

    ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Nigeria Football Federation says it has suspended all four teams involved in “scandalous scorelines” after two lower-league soccer clubs chasing promotion and needing to boost their goal difference won games by 79-0 and 67-0.

    In the matches, played at the same time, the Plateau United Feeders reportedly scored 72 of their goals in the second half to beat Akurba FC 79-0. Police Machine reportedly scored 61 times against Babayaro FC in the second 45 minutes of their 67-0 game.

    The NFF calls it “a mind-boggling show of shame” and says players, match officials and the tournament coordinator all will be investigated for match-fixing.

    The NFF director of competitions says “anyone found to have played some role in this despicable matter” will be “severely dealt with.

  106. allezkev says:

    Really JM…

    Explain how their team has so vastly improved from the one that blew-it, again, last season?

    Paulinho yes, who else???

  107. tsgh says:

    It will be interesting if Kris Olsson boards the plane on Thursday..

    I think he has talent…

  108. tsgh says:

    JM, the gap between us and the spuddies is deceiving imho…

    We scored nearly 16 more goals than them. Have an overall better goal difference; we went further than those swampies in cup competitions with a supposedly bad team..

    I doubt Bale will have such a season again… Ade-ba-whore will have his 2nd/third season syndrome… and David Villa even rejected the scums; that should say something about those lot.

  109. Joaquim moreira says:

    it’s enought Allez. They never played with Sandro and now they have a player for balance the team.
    Furthermore, they have a better squad then us

  110. emma says:

    Olsson is a talented little bloke who need to bulk up. Hope he makes the trip. Dont know if Bellerin has started training as well

  111. allezkev says:

    Wath mate, I could murder a pint…
    😛

    Ginge, Olsson is quality, I just think he needs another year.
    Saying that, i’d love to see him on the Tour…

    Emma two would be excellent, but i’ve yet to be convinced that Arsenal are really serious in the market, despite all the ho-ha over that elusive £70m…

    Ricooooo, where’s my Fiver?

  112. emma says:

    If I were bale I would push to leave for Madrid before his market value drops. I doubt he will score same amount of goals or same impact like he did last season. Coaches will start plotting how to stop him(Get a good tackler and deny him space in front of the 18 and he is done)

  113. emma says:

    ak – I think Florentino perez is trying to play poker with the best poker player(Arsene). I still believe we will get 2 players in but signing A list players is going to take time especially when arsenal are not ready to pay above the odds. Though sad we can’t get anyone in before the asian tour

  114. potter says:

    Emma :-Defenders will learn to stand on his left foot and not let him cut in, I’m surprised it took them so long last season.

  115. tsgh says:

    So when Perez says Arsenal has not placed a bid not even 27M, is he saying we have bid under the 27M he is looking for…

    It sounds like Garside and Coyle saying we bid £6M for Cahill when we actually bid £9M. Their season went downhill from that moment and the rest is history i.e championship level.

    Cahill (allegedly the best defender in Europe) stayedf until mid January and they still got relegated.

  116. tsgh says:

    So what has happened with Alan Dzagoev’s contract running out last winter? He is still at CSKA… this shows the lies spilled daily by sports journos…

    Odil Ahmedov’s contract never expired either… 😉

  117. emma says:

    Looks like everton’s coach martinez is signing all the drolls he left at Wigan, kone and now alcaraz 😉

  118. allezkev says:

    JM, nobody can predict what effect Paulinho will have on the Spuds and Sandro is a Brazillian Diaby…

    This well-balanced squad, superior to Arsenal, it wasn’t the same squad that lost 5-2 at The Grove was it?
    The same well-balanced squad that threw away , what was it, 10 point lead?
    They have AVB, a handicap in anyone’s language.

    But we can always have a 5 Euro bet to spice things up, what do ya say?

  119. Adam says:

    Kevin. Anytime for Di Ark for me. We must check with a Brudders Lee and Rocky.

    I have it on good authority that nothing is going to happen and it is not going to happen very soon.
    On a more serious, sober and rather disagreeable note though-if nothing does happen and who could blame any Arsenal fan for believing this to be the case? Then I think that Gazidis, Wenger and the Syrup will understand fan power in a completely new way. We are positively Pavlovian in our responses these days and we also enjoy fresh fruit Pavlova, possibly with a nice vanilla ice cream and this only doubles the Pavlov-type vibe swirling around the concrete edifice to finance we know as The Emirates/Arsenal Sports franchise.
    For the past several years we have taken it where the sun doesn’t shine from the powers that be at Arsenal and we have grumbled and moaned but continued to plunge our hands ever deeper into our sky rockets. But this summer, of all recent summers, there is a chance to re-establish the club as winners, but more importantly, the bond with the fans. If Wenger cannot see that then he is a fool. But I don’t think he is a fool. I do however believe that he is deluded and there is ample proof for this too. If he believes that the timing of the transfers is not important then he is even more deluded than I am and I am completely deluded.
    As I have said many times, I believe that the struggle at the moment, the biggest struggle, is for hearts and minds. If only the Kroenke clan would sod off and let Usmanov buy the club I can’t help thinking that the business would be done in a more aggressive and conclusive fashion.

  120. W.A.T.H says:

    I would share my pint with you AK but your not allowed. As for that 70million it’s more like 120…!
    Perez gonna see his arse as doesn’t seem like he can generate the bidding war he wanted for Higuain.

  121. tsgh says:

    I agree re 4:50 Emma…

    I always said from an outsider/bystander’s point of view, Unreal have only £15M left to spend. They need at least £20M to extend Ronaldo’s contract with 24 months remaining.

    Perez stands for re-election soon and needs a big player like Cavani(PSG), Suarez (not big but..) to make the votes….

    I think deep down he expected Manuel ($hitty) to make a bid for Hig as Hig had his best season under Manuel. But Pellegrini prefers Negredo. It makes sense as Negredo’s style will suit the EPL than Higs.

    My logic is that if Ronaldo is scoring over 50 goals a season and Hig scored 16 that shows the difference in class…

    Hig had a cracked lower backbone injury in 2010 too… the likes of Stoke Rugby FC defenders going through him… well scores me

  122. Joaquim moreira says:

    it’s my opinion, and Totts squad isn’t close yet.I predict they will not go figth for the 4th place, They will go fight for win the League.

  123. Adam says:

    If the clubs are all playing games and “drawing each other out” then can someone please tell me to what purpose?
    I doubt that Spurs will challenge for the league with that little wanker in charge.

  124. W.A.T.H says:

    If the swampies have a better squad than us then I am Bin Laden..! That’s why yet again they failed to finish above us. The year they challenge for the league is the year they been taken over by an oligarch.

  125. W.A.T.H says:

    I thought you may jump on that comment Adam… Thing is we now have so much money to spend its scary it’s just a matter of buying the right players. I still have the faith 2 be honest no idea why I just do.

  126. NashuaGunners says:

    Good day everyone.

    Someone needs to tell the Swampies is not just about taking the lead, but how to maintain it. Every year is the same thing, they leapfrog knowing very well that they are not distance runners.

    tsgh, what happened to you??? You have change. Where are all those conspiracy theories we used to enjoy so much during mid season?

    @emma, your 3:45 was exactly what I was going to write but you beat me to it even though you didn’t mention SC19.

    btw SteveP, thanks for taking the time and effort in given us something to debate on. Nothing for Rico and Wath. 🙂

  127. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all, Rico and Wath thank you as usual. Ok the post was a bit negative i’ll give you that, but i haven’t seen anything happening yet so i just gave my opinion. I expected to be subjected to a lot more abuse but i reckon the rest of you had a little think and thought, if he doesn’t buy this guy may be right. Of course like you i want Marquee players shed loads, i don’t care how much they cost and i don’t care if we go deep in debt to get them but hey I’m a supporter so i would feel like that. Yes i want us to play fantastic football and yes i want the best players i want to see goals by the bucket load and i want us to kick everybodies arses. I have been an Arsenal supporter since the year dot , and i have seen great teams great players and great acheivments Wenger has been involved in some of these times and hopefully he will still be here when those times come back but i still keep getting those old groundhog feelings that i get every year perhaps this year will be different. Thank you all for posting as i think i have seen a few new names , it takes someones time to comment and i thank you, whether your comment was good or bad 🙂

  128. ktr7 says:

    interesting read.myself am starting to feel as if nothing will change but am willing to wait and see first.certain players like poldi will no doubt improve while others like theo should kick on.

    speaking of theo his numbers this past season for a wideman were very impressive.to have a wideman with over 20 goals and over a dozen assists is fantastic.i tried to think of other widemen in Europe who could match that i struggled to name them.am not his biggest fan but i value his contribution.

  129. rico says:

    Ak, don’t know where your fiver is but mine is in my purse and it’s staying there until it’s new mate arrives 😉

  130. ktr7 says:

    also for us to bid for suarez tells me that we must have received encouragement from the suarez camp.i also suspect pool or suarez camp leaked it to the media.I think AW really wants him and thats why the higuain stories have calmed down a bit.

  131. rico says:

    Kt, at last, it’s not only me who appreciates Theo 😉

    Suarez has old Liverpool he wants to get out of the PL….

  132. ktr7 says:

    rico theo may not be messi but he is one of our most decisive players in the final 3rd.stats may not tell the whole story but his stats show he helps us win games.i expect him to kick on next season with hopefully 20 assists and more goals.its easy to forget he missed quite a few games at the start of the season !!!

    On suarez i believe if pool actually leaked the news for the bid it leads me to believe they want to lure madrid to enter the bidding.however,so far madrid don’t seem to be interested.Suarez’ sitiuation there is now untenable and if madrid don’t enter the bidding and we raise our bid their American owners may sell him.AW must see an opportunity to get him for him to place such a big bid.I don’t buy all the talk of a smokescreen at all;I believe we actually want him.

  133. tsgh says:

    Hi Ng, hope you are well? The conspiracy are out of the door for now that Fergie Rednose is bouncing around Wimbledon not Cheshire… and Micko has taken over 😉

    Once he takes over as the head of the referees Assoc. I will dust of the conspiracy manual…

  134. rico says:

    Evening Sp, its how you feel and you have every right to express that. History probably paid it’s part in your view…

    Fingers crossed though eh….

  135. tsgh says:

    Rico that is unfair… you know I rate Theo highest when it comes to big games but just not at 100k a week or his laclustre support to the RB 🙂

  136. ktr7 says:

    hi tsgh…
    i’ve also noted this past season we rarely criticized theo’s decision making.you are also right about big games;theo always turns up.

  137. The BearMan says:

    It appears Arsene n management cried wolf again and all fans got a touch optimism. What is so different this season?

    We all know Wenger will bid for players he hopes teams will come in and out bid us, when in fact the spending is on “wonder kids”, he hopes to make money on.

    Primark is where he does his shopping.

  138. tsgh says:

    Hi Ktr7 you make a very good point re Theo;when you consider Ribery at 30 y.o only scored 11 times with 16 assists.

    Muller who is of a similar age to Rico… I meant Theo… scored 21 times and assisted 13 times. Those 2 are in a treble winning team btw…

    Schurle scored 16 times and 9 assists too..

    But I bet most people will choose those 3 over Theo…

  139. ktr7 says:

    Our preseason games will tell ue a lot about our tactics for next season.am especially curious as to how we’ll deploy jack and poldi.

  140. tsgh says:

    The thing is there was never any proof AFC or AW were after Hig… just because IG said we are after a star from a club with no manager we assumed it was Hig or Rooney…

    Personally, I would say watch the space for Alonso coming our way for £7M in August

  141. tsgh says:

    Ktr7, I think Its going to be 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-4 like German, BVB, PSG and Fc Munchen played so well post the winter break…

    AW used that against reading 2 times last season and against Southampton…

  142. ktr7 says:

    I see what you did there ts 😉

    I also agree.theo gets stick for not being messi.if we had a player like cesc as our AM theo would’ve had even more impressive stats.the aforementioned players had kroos/schweni to assist them while theo had to play with different midfield partnerships almost the entire campaign with new players.

  143. tsgh says:

    Ktr7… if you are talking about the best winger/striker outside Bale, Neymar, Rodriguez etc then Marco Reus has impressive figure.

    games 53 goals 27 14 assists but note he played about 10 times more than Theo so…

  144. tsgh says:

    Is it not funny how Di Maria who a lot of pundits and fans on the rumour site and LG rate highly scored only 8 times from 46 appearances…

    But Gerv with 9 goals from 31 appearances with 16 being as a sub is a waste of money…? I think he is a decent squad player. He does not need work permit as he has an EU passport so does not really take squad place per se. imho of course..

  145. tsgh says:

    Rico.. SWC19 is opposite to Theo… and I am being honest there.

    I rate SC19 but I think a lot of pundits and fans over estimate his contribution. Saying that this is his first time in his career he has scored double figure goals thanks to AW. Considering this is his first season…

    Even Spain do not play him as a sub in important games… 😉

    In all his years in La liga SC19 only scored 2 times against Barcelona, Valencia and RM…

  146. ktr7 says:

    I think Wenger will try out jack as an AM in preseason.just hear me out…

    In 08/09 when we played Man utd away in the CL semis he played Cesc behind Ade with nasri as a holding mid.it appeared absurd at the time.the following campaign he continued playing him there and eventually we began to see why he fancied cesc there and not at CM where we thought he should be.

    Last season he began playing jack as a double pivot with not much success.Jack played in the hole for England against Brazil and he was sensational there in that match.that weekend we played Sunderland away and he was absolutely brilliant before he got injured in the beginning of the 2nd half after being kicked to lumps.his direct dribbling and link up waw superb in that game.

    When he came back from injury he did not kick on and AW did not want to disrupt a winning team.during this preseason i expect to see much more of him in this role before wenger makes a decision on whether to buy an AM.

  147. Adam says:

    Rico. I fervently detest all 4 feet 11 inches of him. When he patrols the touchline wearing his tiny mac he is a truly repulsive little man and when he jumps up and starts punching the air at some perceived grievance I see his glue potential soar. He would make a lovely bottle of paper adhesive, along with Durham.
    When they were so many points ahead and the puffed up little ginger ponce started to get all above himself I can remember thinking how nice it would be if it all backfired on him in the same way that Adebayor making all those crass and unwise statements about wanting to “kill us”.
    The only Arsenal player that gobbed off was Chesney as I remember and he has, hopefully, gone through his plonker stage by now.

  148. ktr7 says:

    I really rate Reus ts.he is one of my favourite players in the Bundesliga.he has that balon d’or quality about him.

  149. rico says:

    Ts – a big game bottler then?

    But as you say, first season, so like Pod, we need more from both, and a few others….

    Adam, his voice irks me too…..

  150. tsgh says:

    Hey Syg…

    You might see Emma sitting behind you…

    Why don’t you invite Guillem to Yorkshire… he might spill you all the la liga news over a pint or 2

  151. ktr7 says:

    Ts where do you see AW deploying jack in either system?…i’ve already given my point of view.

  152. tsgh says:

    Poldi scored in some big games though… if you consider Montpellier big game 😉

    But SC19 scored the consolidation goal at old Toilette grounds

  153. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I aren’t going to Goodison ….

    Balague said he was …..

    Rewatched Sean Bean in a four-episode series on DVD “Extremely Dangerous” …. framed for a double murder by the Manchester underworld he escapes from custody whilst being transferred between prisons ….. Goodison Park figured on it … A good series…

  154. tsgh says:

    Ktr7 in that system,as PSG and Fc Munchen played last season the strikers when the team are attacking move the opposing CBs to the wings then a player like Reus, Pastore will drive from inside positions to make a front 4. so I can see jack doing what Verrati, Kroos do very well from deep.

    Depending on who we get in as a Dm or CM,I think inside left as in the 3-5-2 formations with JW tacted slightly inside…like Montolivo was used by Italy in the Confed cup…

    I know I think long term he will take over MA08 position… because when you re-watch some of our games from last season where especially against Bradford; JW started as a no.10 in the first half and he was very poor but in the 2nd half when he was moved into a more deeper role we managed to equalise.

    If you remember against NUFc on when MA08 got injured before the 20th minute mark, AW opted to bring the Ox in instead of JW or Le Coq… JW came on later as a winger in the last 10 minutes

  155. southyorkshiregunner says:

    According to France Football, Clement Grenier is undecided on whether to sign a new deal with Lyon or not. Talks were held yesterday.

  156. tsgh says:

    GARETH BARRY has opened talks with Arsenal over a possible £4m move to the Emirates according to PHW’s old mouthpiece- Daily Star

  157. tsgh says:

    Its all over France TV sport.fr… its a very good website for rumours across Europe… it is translated into Anglais and all so easy to understand…

    There is no malaga gooner either 😀

  158. allezkev says:

    I’ll tell ya what JM, my little Spud lover you, i’ll bet you 5Euro, that Arsenal not only finish in the top four, but that they finish in the top three.
    Spuds and Liverpool will fight it out, as usual, for 5th and 6th.

    Rico, that Fiver in your purse, I can feel it slowly sliding away from Berkshire and towards SE London…
    Come on now, pay up boss. 😉

  159. southyorkshiregunner says:

    According to the Daily Star Ginge Roma are in for Gervais … £8M

    And speaking of his future Gervais told Ivorian newspaper Le Patriote: “If I want to leave Arsenal, there will be plenty of takers, Marseille being one.
    “They are a big club, I can say yes or no.”

  160. ktr7 says:

    Interesting you mention kroos in this argument.last season prior his injury he was primarily used as no.10 not in a deep role.he however likes to drop deep and was brilliant at balancing when to push up or drop deep.he isn’t used as a CM because he isn’t the best defensively with martinez/Gustavo better options there.this is similar to what jack faces at Arsenal since ramsey and diaby (when fit) are better options there.

    Playing Arteta’s role may be on the cards but not any time soon in my opinion.this leaves the no.10 role where i see him being deloyed.he’ll not be a typical no.10 like mata/ozil but more like how kroos who i’ve descibed above with cazorla drifting in depending on jack’s positioning to prevent them from getting in each others way when we attack as they did last season.I expect a lot of work to be put to this in preseason.

  161. tsgh says:

    😀 if only he showed that type of confidence and bravado on the field… that’s all I can say Syg

  162. tsgh says:

    You are right Ktr7 re Toni Kroos.You hit the nail on the head.

    We can always go for felix Kroos… Toni’s younger brother from the BFG’s old club

  163. allezkev says:

    Gareth Barry…

    If Fergie bought him everyone would say he’s a genius…

    At first glance I thought ffs as well.
    But he might turn out to be a smart piece of business.
    He won a few things with City, so maybe he can install some of that winning mentality on our lot?

  164. tsgh says:

    AW is an idiot… he should have gone for Scott… I mean Schwarzer… he would have been perfect for us.

    It looks like we are starting the season with Martinez as a 3rd choice… very promising and an Argentine international already but… his over confidence will give Rico palpitations…

  165. Lee says:

    I now it’s only a week in to the TW but some clubs are snapping up some bargains……whilst the tumble weed rattles around Arsenal! Cue the tree hugging happy clappers…..

  166. tsgh says:

    Ak, you have a point. I said it before AW has never won a title without a left footer as his DM… Edu, Petite, Van Bronquist (spelling)… Monaco Fofana etc…

    i wouldn’t mind Gareth as an alternative for MA08 with his experience. that would allow the likes of Ramsey, JW10 and Nico Yennaris to learn from him tactically…

    He has to be cheap though 😉

  167. tsgh says:

    Silvestre… 😀

    Didn’t J.Born the chairman of W Bremen describe Silvestres’ performance in a CL match as the worst he has seen in Europe…

    He should give it up…

  168. rico says:

    I’m not sure Kt, goonster was here a while back but…

    Same with Oz Gunner, he’s not been around in a long while 🙁

  169. Micko says:

    Evening all,
    Scott, make of it what you will but I saw Higuains face in my tomato soup today, that’s good enough for me.

    tsgh, I love your conspiracies, your the only person I know who thinks Humpty Dumpty was pushed.

  170. allezkev says:

    See what I mean. Mourinho signs Schwartzer and it’s ‘sound business’….
    If Wenger had signed him he would have been a ‘tight bastard’…
    Barry also would increase the English contingent in the squad.

  171. rico says:

    I can’t believe he’s gone to the Chavs…. But great move….

    8.25 Lee, do I dare ask how you know?

    Ak, have you been on the Peroni?? 😉

  172. tsgh says:

    Micko… the conspiracy is that Gerv is a crowd puller… without him frustrating the fans, match day attendees will not spend money on that expensive horse meat passed off as burgers on the grounds, nor battered sardines sold as cod in the emirates…

    Hope you enjoyed your holiday mate?

  173. Lee says:

    AK, Schwarzer would of been good for us, Barry however, I’m not convinced!
    Rico did you see last week’s Luther??

  174. ktr7 says:

    Ts i wish jack had kroos’ shooting ability…kroos scored a beauty at the emirates this past season too.Heynckes knew how to play kroos behind mandzukic despite him not being a traditional no.10.kroos is a very unique player in my view and that is the sort of role i envision for jack whereby he can push up or drop deep during various phases of the game.this will utilise both his playmaking attributes from deep and direct dribbling further up.

  175. allezkev says:

    See what I mean, Mourinho signs Schwarzer and it’s ‘sound business’…
    If Wenger signed Schwarzer he’d be a ‘tight bastard’…

    If we sign Barry, if, then that increases the number of English players in the squad, adds a winner to the squad, and is no reason why Arsenal still cannot go out and sign two marquee players …

    Lee, let me know some dates, the week after next, when you’ll be ok for the HHCC…
    Adam, likewise and Rocky, if your not slumped somewhere… 😉

  176. allezkev says:

    What happened there???

    Was it the Peroni???

    Fair comment Lee, I felt likewise about Benayoun 2 summers ago, but was happy to be proved wrong…
    We have been constantly linked to two biggish signings in Fellaini and Higuain…
    Why, if they are that good, have not the Chavs, City of ManUre been linked to them?

    Maybe those three are waiting for Arsenal to show their hands before coming in with an 11th hour counter-bid and bigger wages?
    That’s the transfer world we operate in Gooners…

  177. Micko says:

    tsgh, the only thing that keeps me going is knowing the good times are just around the corner !
    rico, it’s exchausting trying to catch bufferfles in this hot weather, otherwise it’s all good thanks.
    Can’t keep up with all these signings.

  178. tsgh says:

    That like we all Micko…

    A colleague I work with 35 y.o with 2 young kids died last week after he got back from work.. he was complaining of a migraine so he said he was having a lie down before dinner… his 6 y.o daughter went up 2 hours to wake him up and he was gone…
    Makes no sense… very sad ..

  179. rico says:

    I’m done for the day, off to watch Luther and then be too scared to go to sleep… 😉

    Night all, it’s been a fun day….

  180. Micko says:

    That’s really cheered me up tsgh !
    The best we can hope for is we die in our sleep peacefully, I’m sure I’ll perk up a bit when we actually sign someone decent.
    Nite rico, fun is good.

  181. allezkev says:

    And another comment disappears into space. 🙁

    Everything seems slow today…

    Including me. 😉

    Night Gooners.

  182. Scott from Oz says:

    Gee, i could plenty of mentions overnight…some were even complimentary.
    How popular am i feeling 🙂

  183. harvy says:

    A stark truthful and brutally honest article from a fellow fan who, like me, sees things for the way they really are ie. Throught the bullsh!t we are constantly fed from all things related to Arsenal. However, with the same squad im not so sure about 4th. Maybe its Spurs turn to get lucky as in the last 10 games of last season although our record was fantastic- it was far from convincing to say the least.

  184. W.A.T.H says:

    Think we were very solid last 10/12 games Harvy and worked as a unit ground out results that in previous seasons we would not of done BUT we def need quality additions but we still have plenty time so lets give them a chance to back up their words with actions until we tear the place down on Sep 2nd if it’s all been crap again.

  185. Steve says:

    perhaps we should just shut the club now and get an IB in to asset strip… with all this gushing positivity

  186. matthewwilliamswilliams says:

    What a negative spiel..This team will do good things this season, however I certainly agree we need some star players injected into the squad, but we have the basis of a strong trophy winning squad.

  187. Scott from Oz says:

    Lol Steve.
    Harvy,
    Could you be more arrogant?
    Just because others don’t see things the way you do doesn’t mean thay do not see things how they “really are”.
    As hard as it might be to accept, you might be bloody wrong lol
    Wath…bugger off lol

  188. TT says:

    Why are we considered so far behind Chelsea, we were only 2 points behind them?

    We were only 5 points behind Manchester City with a better goal difference.

    I get it that Manchester United were miles ahead, but lumping Man City and Chelsea in as well seems a bit strange.

  189. clockendjim says:

    Is it 2008, 2009, 2010,2011,2012 ???
    No it is 2013 but the feeling of deja vu is creeping up on me once more. Lots of talk of making big signings but no action
    I know that I am not the only one who renewed his membership on the promise of spending £70 million this close season. If the usual nothing happens and we struggle to finish 4th again with no cups, then sadly my patience will have come to an end.
    Please no crap about supporting the club through thick and thin. I have done that for over 50 years, but never felt like I was just a number to extract as much cash from as possible as I do now.

  190. LB says:

    Yes, we need at least 5 new signings to have any realistic hope of doing well this coming season … and I don’t mean bargain-basement buys either ! However, my biggest fear seems to have come true in that Arsenal are no longer viewed as a seriously ambitious club, so we will struggle to attract big names to us, despite whatever money is on offer. This is the real damage that has been done to the club …

  191. kingson says:

    Hmmm, it makes my stomach sick anytime i think of Arsenal transfers,we ar all in the dark regarding what is actually happnin,i dont want to believe that Gazidis & Prof want to fool us around… As usual Arsen knows what he is doing, lets just get our fingers crossed as we may be treated with surprises bf the transfer window closes, or worst stil, it may end up being the same old stories…… Long live Arsenal fc

  192. Scott from Oz says:

    Oh and Steve, according to some, the club has no assets….Stan has made sure of that 🙂 🙂 🙂

  193. rico says:

    I can’t agree there LB, it would only take one big name to sign and many would so follow.

    Just why I’d love us to sign Rooney…

  194. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Lee, Scott and all.
    Looks like another hot day and the Ashes too. Not to forget a new signing.
    Seems the natives are getting restless. 🙂

  195. Lee says:

    Just chatting to a mate, who was listening to talkshite this morning and John Cross was on there saying that Higuain is a done deal……….

  196. Adam says:

    Just looked it up. I really like Brian Cranston after seeing him in Malcolm In The Middle for years and Drive recently.
    I will certainly check it out.

  197. Sunday ulebe says:

    Morning,the earlier the better for arsenal to go out there and get us big,experience players otherwise,we shall soon be singing our same old song.

  198. Lee says:

    It’s about a school chemistry teacher that has terminal cancer so he starts a crystal meth factory…..supposed to be very good! If you watch it Adam don’t forget nothing before noon!!! 😉

  199. Adam says:

    I will absolutely give it a go Lee. I don’t like Luther though or Sherlock.
    Noon it is mate. 🙂
    What about a HHCC at The Ark soon? I will check with Rocky.

  200. Anthony lindo says:

    oh here we go again speculation speculation i must say i too feel sadden of not seeing any new signing coming in the team but arsenal is arsenal and Wenger is the manager in charge so we can speculate all we want that wont change a thing now lets be real here for a second with the world cup in mind arsenal cant disregard the players who help us to the play off as they will be looking for places on their respective teams in the world cup so i think they will have to lift their game to show they want to go to the world cup and for that i am optimistic about the possibilities

  201. Scott from Oz says:

    Lee, John Cross called me overnight and i gave him that scoop…is that bastard claiming it 🙂

  202. Lee says:

    Adam, August is when I’m free as Johnn Inman wused to say…
    Rico was interested in your tackle last Adam!!!

  203. Lee says:

    **Adam, August is when I’m free as Johnn Inman used to say…
    Rico was interested in your tackle last night Adam!!!**
    Should of read…..

  204. david says:

    i agree wit that,arsenal will remain fightin for fourth place next season wit dis current squad and system of playin

  205. rico says:

    I didn’t raise the topic of tackle, Adams or anyones.

    Those rowers were enough for me 😉

    Talking of things that pop up, the new post has………

  206. salva rrobert says:

    guyz lets be realistic, do you think the so called real giants can release higuine yet he helps them against the mighty bacelona no way think harder.

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